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HAWESVILLE, KY.When Bill Hughes went to fight in Iraq in 2003, members of his Army unit lined their vehicles with scrap metal, sandbags and bulletproof vests to protect themselves from roadside bombs. By the time his younger brother Ryan Young was in Iraq in 2008, the vehicles were made of a high-purity aluminum alloy that was much more effective at absorbing the blast.

At the beginning of the Iraq War, the Humvees were folding up like pop cans, Hughes said. It was a really big deal until they started putting the different metals in.

Today, Hughes and Young work side by side at the last U.S. smelter that makes the high-purity aluminum used in armoured vehicles  sons of a region where jobs in the metal industry, ubiquitous for decades, have become a rapidly disappearing way of life. Hawesvilles Century Aluminum Co. plant constantly teeters on the edge of shutting down, typical in an industry where a glut of cheap metal from China has forced many plants to close.

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But hope came to Hawesville in April, when U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration was considering restricting imports of foreign-forged aluminum in the name of national security, arguing that domestic plants needed to be protected to ensure that the country can make its own war machines. When that come out, there was a buzz in the area. You could just see the excitement on peoples faces, said Hughes, 34.

A decision by the Trump administration to use national security to protect an industry would be among the most dramatic  and risky  moves in the presidents trade agenda, which seeks to limit what he regards as unfair foreign competition. While intervention could be a boon for Hawesville, it could raise prices for other customers and companies  including the federal government, which ultimately buys the armoured vehicles and fighter jets made from the aluminum.

And amid the debate over how far the government should go to protect certain industries in the era of global competition and technological change, some trade and industry experts are questioning whether the administration is simply using national security as an excuse for economic protectionism. The decision  based on a Commerce Department investigation  will come out in June, Trump said in a tweet Saturday night. Will take more action if necessary, he wrote.

The debate over aluminums future in the United States comes after 20 years of China flooding the global market with the natural resource, depressing prices to a level where few U.S. companies can compete. The United States has gone from having 23 operational aluminum smelters in 1993 to just five today, with only two running at full capacity.

Over the past five years, Hawesvilles Century Aluminum has twice issued notices that it would shut down permanently in 60 days, before pulling its business back from the brink. It has laid off more than 300 people in just the past two years and has been scrapping unused machinery for extra cash. Another dip in global prices could shut its doors forever. The more than 200 jobs that remain, while they pay well in the area, are gruelling ones, often 16 hours of physical labour in temperatures reaching 140 degrees.

If the administrations investigation finds that the countrys defence capabilities are being compromised by the decline of aluminum plants like the one in Hawesville, the president would have the power to impose tariffs or other restrictions on imports. Because its in the name of national security, Trump could circumvent a longer, more-complicated process for changing trade policy at the World Trade Organization.

The Obama administration filed a complaint about Chinas aluminum industry at the WTO in January, but it has yet to deliver a ruling. Instead, the Trump administration has relied on a rarely used trade measure known as a Section 232 probe. The administration has also announced such a probe into steel.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross called the kind of high-purity aluminum produced by the Hawesville smelter a hugely important thing to defence.

Our industrial base is our most important, competitive weapon in any kind of global conflict, he said. Im not a warmonger, but the best way to be sure you have to fight a war is if everybody knows you are incapable of defending yourself.

Yet any resulting action could have unintended consequences. Past administrations have used Section 232 sparingly, out of concern that this exception to international trade guidelines might become the new rule.

If we can use national security to block aluminum imports, other countries can and will use it to block agriculture and aviation imports, said Derek Scissors, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. Widespread use of 232 by the United States wont just curb imports, it will curb trade.

Others question whether the investigation is really motivated by security concerns, or whether it is a veiled effort to protect U.S. companies from foreign competition.

Tom Leary, an analyst at the consulting firm Harbor Aluminum, said the United States has plenty of access to aluminum in Canada, a top ally from which the U.S. government already sources a lot of defence equipment.

Chinese producers dont directly export raw aluminum into the United States, so tariffs might have little effect on the country that many in the aluminum industry say is the real culprit. Chinese aluminum production has hurt U.S. producers by flooding global markets and depressing prices everywhere.

Chrystia Freeland, the foreign minister of Canada, said she had pressed Trump administration officials about the investigations potential effects. Its amazing and astonishing and absurd to me that Canada would be considered in that frame given our shared security interests, she said in an interview.

If the Trump administration chooses to restrict aluminum imports, that could keep the doors open for Century, which operates mostly in the United States, but it would raise costs for other businesses  like the industries that mix the metal into alloys, roll it out into long sheets or stamp it into automobiles and window frames.

It could also mean higher costs for the ultimate buyer of American-made defence goods: the U.S. government, said Dan Stohr, a spokesman for the Aerospace Industries Association, a trade association for the defence industry.

National security is a wrinkle in a larger debate over manufacturing in America: whether the government should intervene to shelter a place like Hawesville from the winds of global trade.

Its a familiar topic here, where locals have been buffeted by forces beyond their control for decades. The Whirlpool factory moved its jobs to Mexico. A glut of Russian metal put the local steel mill out of business. Competition from China forced furniture factories to close.

Trumps promises to punish companies that moved their operations abroad resonated here, with locals saying they just want a level playing field. Like his brother, Hughes voted for Trump. I wanted to see some kind of different change. The previous eight years didnt work out so well for us, he said. When you start seeing places close down, you start looking for an answer.

The community still has jobs, but it shows signs of wear. In Cannelton, Indiana, across the Ohio River, shop windows are boarded up.

At the Century plant, the jobs, already taxing, have become harder with cutbacks. Union members say that four employees now do the work that 10 once did. Overtime is common, with workers tending smouldering vats of molten metal for up to 16 hours a shift. Even though the factory is open to the breeze, the temperatures can climb to 140 degrees in the summer. Workers drink two or three gallons of water a day, and at the end of their shift they can wring the sweat from their clothes.

Despite the gruelling work, locals say these are good jobs that are worth protecting. Hughes and Young rely on them to raise four kids each. The average job at the Hawesville plant pays $23 an hour  $10 or more an hour than the jobs that their friends who have been laid off from the smelter have found in furniture factories, prisons and lawn-care services. The difference, locals say, is affording a three-bedroom house vs. being stuck in a trailer.

Before coming to Century Aluminum, Hughes and Young used to work across the river in Indiana at an iron foundry and then at an aluminum smelter owned by Alcoa. Young was at the Alcoa plant in January 2016 on the day it announced that it was closing its doors, laying him off and hundreds of others. He counts himself lucky to have found a job at Hawesville  and frets about what its potential closure could mean.

If you take this job away, youre taking one of the best-paying jobs in this area, Young said. If we lose the smelting jobs . . . its going to destroy this community.

Yet the forces buffeting Hawesville wont be entirely mitigated even if Trump announces tough action to protect aluminum. Locals say that, besides trade deals and the rise of China, part of the reason for job losses is the declining fortunes of coal, which is what brought the aluminum industry to Kentucky in the first place.

To produce aluminum, smelters run a powerful electrical current through the raw material, alumina. When it was running at full capacity, the Hawesville plant used nearly 500 megawatts per hour, comparable to a city the size of Austin or Columbus, Ohio.

Because the process is so energy-intensive, smelters tend to crop up in places with energy to spare  like the oil-rich Middle East or the geothermal hot spot of Iceland.

But in the United States, changes in the economy have made aluminum smelting less viable. In Washington state, for instance, the smelters that used to operate near the hydroelectric power plants along the Columbia River have been priced out by the power-chugging server farms of tech companies such as Microsoft.

As U.S. regulations on carbon-intensive coal electricity have gotten tougher, Hawesvilles rationale for aluminum began to fade.

Young hopes that smelting jobs survive in the Hawesville area, but hes preparing in case they dont. He said hes going to preach to his kids that education is the only way to succeed.

I dont want my kids to have to work the schedules Ive had to work, the long hours Ive had to work, he said. I want them to know that theres more out there than just back-breaking labour.

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Its about 60 kilometres from Hogtown to Steeltown, but for years the psychological distance was far greater.

That, of course, has changed. Now Hamilton routinely invites comparisons to the artistic renaissance of Queen St. W., in the 1970s or even Brooklyn, a vibrant alternative for young New Yorkers seeking an alternative to Manhattans slick expense.

On Wednesday, the Hammer comes a-courtin  Toronto. It brings its trademark grit and fresh gusto to The Burroughes on Queen St. W., near Bathurst St. for a two-day pop-up called the Hamilton Consulate.

The event is a chance for the city west of Toronto to showcase its biomedical sector, technological innovation, fashion and lively arts scene without having to entice business people down the QEW.

This is not about persuading Torontonians to move to Hamilton, says Glen Norton of the citys Economic Development Office.

Were there to talk about jobs, about collaboration between companies and investment by Toronto companies. That may be a branch plant, it may be their next expansion, he said. It may be when they get to a point where they cant stay in Toronto for whatever reason, wed just like them to know that Hamilton is an option.

Its a serious trade mission, but Norton doesnt deny his city of about 750,000 people, is taking a lighthearted, even cheeky approach with sessions ranging from music and film to speed dating.

The latter is a city-building exercise rather than a romantic opportunity: it will put the people who are reinventing Hamilton face-to-face with those who want to know more.

The headline event is called Reinforced Steel. It features Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger and former Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy talking about how a city with heavy industrial roots can become a mecca of modernity, thriving industrially and culturally.

Pittsburgh took some dramatic actions when steel went into decline to diversify their economy. Its a swapping of stories, said Norton. We as well have diversified. We still make steel but we make it in a very different way and weve done a lot of other things to earn us the title of Canadas most diversified economy.

Hamilton is not Pittsburgh, its not Brooklyn, said Richard Joy, executive director of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), which is co-organizing the event. These comparisons help people get into the idea, but Hamiltons story is unfolding in a unique way.

Events and tours of Hamilton are typically sell-outs with his associations substantial young cohort of planners, developers, architects and academics.

While other municipalities around Toronto are urbanizing with denser, high-rise and mid-rise development and better transit, Hamilton has an established city centre ripe for revitalization along with its own pending plans for an LRT.

As much as 905 communities are re-imaging themselves as a more urban frame, Hamilton is a deeply entrenched urban city. A big piece of it is the existing building stock. It has a rich architectural heritage. It has a degree of character that cant be found elsewhere, said Joy.

Hamilton is emerging at an interesting moment for developers and urbanists. After 10 years of seeing the citys potential, it is finally realizing that promise, he said.

Investors looking for a bargain basement entry point may have missed their chance. But theres still opportunity, said Joy.

The future escalation of real estate in Hamilton is still a long way to fruition . . . As high a price tag as it may seem, you probably havent seen anything close to the peaking of assessment or price growth, he said.

Developer Brad Lamb, a panelist at the citys pop-up, says that Hamiltons success is within its grasp but there is hard work ahead to realize its promise.

He is developing three projects in Hamilton, each worth about $150 million to $300 million, each 300,000 sq. ft. or bigger, and he expects to do more  potentially up to $1 billion in development in the next five to 10 years. The first, Television City, is a condo tower at the old CHCH TV building.

Lamb likes the doubling of Hamilton real estate values over the last four years. But to attract higher end retail and restaurants  rather than variety stores and car dealers  they have some distance to go.

Hamiltons prices for ground floor retail are $10 to $15 a sq. ft. They need to jump  and people who are currently in leases on main streets in Hamilton wont like to hear this  they need to jump to the $20 to $25 range to be able to be able to properly develop their retail scene, Lamb said.

Hamilton is in the situation where all of the fundamentals that a city needs to achieve high retail rates  condo development, office development  are all being put in place, said Lamb.

To create the kind of 21st-century city it is aiming to be will require politicians, civil servants, and importantly, citizens to support development, which wont always be easy, he adds.

Its like the story of Goldilocks and the porridge. What a city wishes for is development that is perfect. But you cant have that. Youre going to have the excesses. Youre going to have things that make citizens nervous and unhappy.

On the way to getting there theres going to people upset that 40-storey towers are happening in their neighbourhood, said Lamb. Neighbourhoods dont like towers, but theyre going to have to have them.

Branching out

Hamiltons steel and food processing industries continue to thrive. But the economy west of Toronto is also diversifying, says Glen Norton of Hamiltons Economic Development Office.

Heres a sampling of some of that newer vitality:

Synapse Life Science Consortium

Founded about six months ago, Synapse is a co-operative effort by Hamiltons life science community  hospitals, universities, colleges, companies, the city and the Innovation Factory, Hamiltons innovation incubator  to facilitate the commercialization of its science.

All those players spend $460 million annually on the work of 1,500 researchers.

Its critical that Canada take that work to market. Otherwise weve invested in developing a vaccine or other product that gets manufactured in the U.S. or elsewhere. Then Canadians end up buying back what is essentially their innovation, said Synapse director Alex Muggah.

What would surprise Torontonians about Hamilton? Its the citys collaborative spirit, he said.

We are big enough to have world-class assets and capabilities. But were still small enough that were able to help out everyone as if were a small town.

Harry Stinson

The former Toronto developer describes his first Hamilton project, the loft conversion of an 1894 schoolhouse that opened four years ago, as climbing Everest.

It was a very tough battle to convince the locals that such a concept had validity, he said. Why would people make the lifestyle choice to buy a box versus a house?

Now the citys historic downtown is teeming with loft conversions.

Stinson himself has two more in the works  Gibson School Lofts, opening in about 18 months, and Beasley Park, the 1830 Cannon knitting mill, which he says is almost sold out.

Finally, Hamilton and Burlington residents are seeing the value in condo living in downtown Steeltown, he says. The other buyers for his architecturally dramatic conversions are Torontonians looking for affordable homes in a place that has its own urban vibe.

Developers looking to score a rock-bottom deal are already too late, said Stinson.

But theres still an upside to those who want in now: a demographic shift from bottom-market buyers to those willing to invest heart and sweat.

Now were seeing people buying, living, fixing it up. That shift in demographic has been critical to the higher quality of buyer.

Angela DeMontigny

The fashion designer whose bespoke leather and shearling creations are informed by her Indigenous heritage opened DeMontigny Boutique Gallery on James St. N., more than two years ago.

She has watched the neighbourhood become a hub of her citys thriving arts and food scene.

This weeks Toronto pop-up will serve as an official launch pad for the Ontario Fashion Exchange DeMontigny is co-founding along with Elena Valaska, Stuart Wheldon and Erin McCluskey. The idea is to incubate the sewing and manufacturing skills she says are required if homegrown fashion is to flourish.

Even though its art crawls are increasingly well known, many people still think of Hamilton as an industrial city, says DeMontigny.

In reality, the art and music scene is unbelievable. When you find out the level of musicians here its amazing, she says. Every day I find something cool about this city. Its got a great vibe. Its got a little bit of grit. Its like Queen West used to be.

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BEIRUTLebanon is seeking to ban the new Wonder Woman movie because its lead actress, Gal Gadot, is an Israeli  a reflection of how the decades-old animosity between the two neighbours is also infused in the cultural scene.

A security official said a formal request for a ban has not yet been received.

A ban would require a recommendation from a six-member committee from the Ministry of Economy, a process that has not yet began, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters.

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A premiere of Wonder Woman is scheduled for Wednesday in at least one cinema in Beirut. Posters of the movie and digital billboards have sprouted up around the Lebanese capital.

Lebanon is officially at war with Israel and has a decades-old law that boycotts Israeli products and bars Lebanese citizens from travelling or having contacts with Israelis. The two countries have been through a number of wars, including a particularly devastating one in 2006 that battered Lebanons infrastructure and left hundreds dead.

A group called Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel-Lebanon has pressed an effort against the movie. On its Facebook page, the campaign said Gadot was a soldier in the Israeli army and has expressed support for Israels military policies against the Gaza Strip, a coastal Palestinian territory run by the militant group Hamas.

The state took the right decision, Samah Idriss, a member of the boycott campaign told The Associated Press. We now await the implementation. ... Even if it is one hour before the show, they should ban it anyway.

Tensions have been rising between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israelis reportedly bombing several Hezbollah targets in Syria in recent months. Israel has signalled that the targets were smuggling sophisticated weapons to Lebanon. Hezbollah officials said recently that they are not seeking war but are ready for it.

On her Facebook page, Gadot had praised Israels military during the 2014 Gaza-Israel war, sending prayers to soldiers who are risking their lives protecting my country against the horrific acts conducted by Hamas.

Officials at Lebanons Economy Ministry did not return calls seeking comment. The security official said banning a movie would ultimately come from the countrys interior minister following a recommendation from the six-member committee.

Warner Bros., which has released the film, declined comment. The movie starts screening Thursday night at some Toronto theatres and officially opens Friday.

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NEW YORKIn the hit musical Come From Away, the stories told by the character Bob are a comic standout. Hes one of the plane people who finds himself grounded in Gander, N.L., in the days after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Bob, played by Rodney Hicks, becomes the main conduit for New York skepticism in the show: he worries out loud about where he can hide his wallet and reacts incredulously when hes dispatched to borrow barbecues from locals backyards (Take their grills? Someones gonna shoot me!).

A big part of what makes the Tony-nominated musical a powerful viewing experience is knowing that its content comes from real life: creators Irene Sankoff and David Hein based the show on interviews with plane people and residents of Gander and nearby towns.

Earlier this month, I got to meet Bob  or close enough. While Bob is a composite of several people Sankoff and Hein interviewed, 58-year-old New Jersey native Tom McKeon is one of the principal sources of the character.

I invited McKeon to see Come From Away, curious about what its like to see yourself represented onstage.

McKeon was at a big transition point in his life around that time: 42 and single, he was moving home to New Jersey after 13 years in California. An engineer by profession, he had saved up money to work on a writing project about the Northern Irish Troubles and was flying back from a research trip on that fateful day. Now married with two small kids, he lives in western New Jersey and works in risk engineering for an insurance company.

Hes telling me all this as we make our way to our seats and Im struck by his incognito status. No one recognizes him  why would they?  but its going to be him up on that stage, or some of his lightly fictionalized experiences, at least. I resist the temptation to tell the people beside me theyre sitting near one of the stars of the show.

This viewing wasnt a big reveal for McKeon; hed already seen the show four times. His first time, he bought tickets to a preview performance and snuck in without telling Sankoff and Hein he was going to be there.

We were sitting in the second or third row centre, and I was hitting my wifes knee every time something I said to David and Irene was in the show. There were at least 30 things, almost all from Bob, but a few from other characters. It was really surreal.

Sankoff and Hein approached McKeon six years ago on the recommendation of Derm Flynn, then and now the mayor of Appleton, NL, one of the nearby hamlets that took in stranded passengers.

Flynn and his wife put up McKeon and several others up their basement. The bits in the show in which Flynn and others enjoy Bobs duty-free whiskey are all true, McKeon recalls: All I had with me was my computer and a bottle of Jamesons.

The two men are now fast friends. McKeons been back to Newfoundland several times, and is in frequent touch with his host through email and phone calls. Id do anything for Derm, he says.

And so, when Sankoff and Hein got in touch, while he was taken aback by the idea of a musical about Gander and Sept. 11, McKeon agreed to meet them. They asked great questions; we talked for about two hours. But I had no idea that anything Id said would end up in the show.

As we watch the performance, McKeon controls himself and only elbows me a few times. Afterwards, we have an appointment to meet Rodney Hicks for a photo op and, thrillingly, McKeon knows the insiders route to backstage.

Within minutes of the curtain call, were standing in the middle of a buzzing group of producers, artists, and their friends and family.

Im introduced to Randy Adams, the shows lead producer, and co-creator Hein.

Heins kindness toward his interview subject is striking: in the hubbub, McKeon forgets to get his coat from the cloakroom and its Hein who goes to fetch it while McKeon and Hicks pose for the photo.

The journey to make the show has been so long and personal, Hein explains, that its beyond friends at this point. Were almost this massive family, with everyone so interconnected.

Over a post-show drink with McKeon (and yes, he orders a Jamesons), I ask him about Bobs  and his  initial skepticism when faced with his hosts overwhelming friendliness. He says he recognizes in Bob his own tendency to try to be funny to cover up fear. It was a genuinely tense situation. The first 48 hours after the planes hit there was no reason to trust anybody.

Youre just not prepared to let your guard down. It took a while. It was off-putting to be so welcomed into peoples homes. I think that was the shocking thing, seeing how open they were.

In the show we learn that not every pilot told their passengers what was happening while their planes were still in the air. Theres a character who says I fly a lot and I knew we were in trouble, and that was me, says McKeon. The plane was literally nose down to the ground and the captain came on saying there are jet fighters in the air, Americas been attacked.

Did he panic? A little bit, but I think knowing the truth was better. . . . I was in the navy six years, in some tense situations, but I dont know if that had a lot to do with it. It was probably more shock than anything else.

Some of the plane people express guilt in the show that they have a good time in Newfoundland despite the broader circumstances. McKeon explains some of those complex feelings.

The weather was beautiful; you woke up and it was like being in the country. People were so pleasant, food was everywhere, we were safe. . . . It was an atmosphere almost like youd get at a funeral where you appreciate that something so bad is happening and its like . . . let me take some appreciation for what is going on around me.

McKeon has held back from telling most of his friends and family the extent to which hes depicted in the show, but he says the whole experience has been gratifying, not to mention glamorous. He clearly enjoys recounting the highlights: From the first show, not expecting to go backstage, to being called up for the curtain call when the Prime Minister was here and then meeting him, to not one but two opening night parties.

Being in the middle of it is humbling. Im humbled by it all. And very, very happy for David and Irene. Seeing a big show put together has been amazing for me.

At the Theatre With . . . is an occasional series in which Karen Fricker brings people with specialist perspectives to performances.

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NIAGARARegional Chair Alan Caslin is calling for St. Catharines Coun. Andy Petrowski to resign after a pornographic image was sent out to a large number of people from the councillors regional email address on Monday.

Caslin called the incident reprehensible, and said hes demanding Petrowski meet with him Tuesday morning to discuss limiting his use of regional email accounts and devices.

I have spoken directly to the (councillor) about this egregious conduct, and have requested his resignation from regional council, Caslin said.

Petrowski, who sparked widespread controversy late last year with a tweet that critics said had a link to a website with anti-Semitic material, was quick to apologize for the latest controversy. The image of a naked woman sitting on a chair was sent in error by someone who was using his iPad, he insisted.

The series of events began with an email from a regional staff member about lane closures on St. Paul St. West at the Burgoyne Bridge.

St. Catharines Coun. Bruce Timms then emailed to say it will be nice to see the final touches on the new bridge.

Petrowski then sent out an email about multimillion dollar, taxpayer-funded, non-functional arches with the image of the naked woman with her legs spread open.

The image was sent to people who receive regular road work updates from the region, including internal staff at the region, outside partners, and other regional politicians.

I apologize to everyone for the previous email just sent ... this was sent in error as a terrible message by someone who was using my iPad. I thought to send a private message, Petrowski then emailed to the recipients. I am very sorry for this unacceptable and inappropriate transmission.

The conduct is completely unacceptable for a regional councillor, Caslin said in his statement. As Regional Chair, I demand better when conducting business on behalf of the region.

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OTTAWAThe election of Andrew Scheer, an avowedly anti-abortion Conservative Party leader, has cheered and emboldened anti-abortion groups who say his victory shows the growing strength of the social conservative wing of the party.

This is what happens when pro-lifers do politics right, said Scott Hayward, co-founder of RightNow, on his Facebook page.

Scheer campaigned on a promise to allow backbench MPs to bring forward private members bills that could potentially reopen the abortion debate but, like predecessor Stephen Harper, he said if a Conservative government was elected, he would not introduce government-sponsored legislation.

That was enough to make Scheer the go-to candidate as other more staunchly anti-abortion candidates dropped off, say anti-abortion campaigners.

Three anti-abortion groups told the Star they sold thousands of Conservative party membership cards, by their count perhaps as many as 18,000, hoping to affect the outcome.

Some, like Campaign Life Coalition, told supporters to vote for Scheers rivals Brad Trost or Pierre Lemieux. RightNow backed Scheer as a second choice to Lemieux based in part on an assessment of his winnability.

All said, its clear that the swing of social conservative voters pushed Scheer past top contender Maxime Bernier on the 13th and final ballot count.

RightNow established itself last year as a political action committee for the anti-abortion movement, seeking to promote anti-abortion activists at local riding, provincial and federal levels, to nominate more anti-abortion candidates and to elect more anti-abortion legislators.

An anti-abortion leader will help in one key respect, Hayward said; A pro-life leader wont necessarily shut down nominations or get involved in nominations where we have well-rounded pro-life candidates who are selling thousands of memberships.

So having a pro-life leader who will respect the democratic process internally within the party does help us so we can win those nominations in 2019.

While the overarching goal for many social conservatives would be a criminal code amendment to ban abortion, RightNow is aiming at other legislative changes that it says already have a measure of popular support: a late-term abortion ban; increased punishments for crimes against a pregnant woman where the fetus is harmed; a ban on gender-selective abortions; measures to require parental consent for pregnant teenagers to have an abortion; mandatory ultrasound scans provided to women before an abortion is performed; or the elimination of abortion as a provincially funded health care service.

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RightNow sold about 5,000 membership cards, and concentrated on low-membership ridings where each vote could carry a lot of weight, said Hayward.

Campaign Life Coalition says it sold more than 11,000 memberships to supporters in every province and territory, covering 303 ridings, and ran a strong get-out-the-vote campaign.

In a written statement it boasted that Trost and Lemieux finished in fourth and seventh place respectively and Scheer won in a clear demonstration of the strength of the social conservative movement and importance of pro-life and pro-family voters.

Another group, the Institute for Canadian Values, said it sold thousands of memberships  but Dr. Charles McVety said he did not want to reveal exact numbers.

Campaign Life coalition made clear it intends to keep up the pressure on Scheer. Spokesperson Johanne Brownrigg said in an interview that while it did not endorse Scheer, Campaign Life looks forward to working with him and sees him as a man of integrity, who will be true to his word.

He has promised to allow backbench MPs to bring forth legislation on support for paternal and maternity leave and on abortion when the time is right for the party and for the government, she said. Brownrigg said its important for legislation to be put to debate because the discussion helps to shape the culture which in turn shapes the law.

Campaign Life did not endorse Scheer because while his voting record before he became Speaker was impeccable in the organizations view, it disliked his decision to mimic Harpers policy of not reopening the abortion debate.

The group also disagreed with Scheers comment in a televised interview in which he apparently suggested that anti-abortion legislation would not survive a constitutional challenge.

Charles McVety, the evangelical head of Canada Christian College and the Institute for Canadian Values, said in an interview he expects Scheer to live up to his promises and hopes he will champion other issues dear to social conservatives, such as free speech. McVety referred specifically to Liberal government efforts to clamp down on what it called Islamaphobia as unacceptable limits on free speech.

McVety said Scheer may have been the third choice of many social conservatives, but there is absolutely no question he finally won due to their support. Further, he said, Berniers support for LGB Tories hurt him.

I frankly think that he (Bernier) would be leader today, said McVety if Bernier had not marched in last years Pride Parade. McVety praised Scheer as someone who can be expected to keep his word.

Were excited that a man of his conviction is leading the party, and we dont expect him to pull a Patrick Brown on us, said McVety, referring to the Ontario Progressive Conservative leaders reversal on updating sex education curriculum in schools.

He (Brown) betrayed us of course, and went against us and announced that were not even welcome in the party when were the ones who put him in the party.

McVety said other conservative leaders like Jim Prentice in Alberta, Tim Hudak and Ernie Eves in Ontario, and Stephen Harper federally, tried to water down policies in search of broader electoral support, and divided their parties.

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The Canada Revenue Agencys probe into tax cheats named in the Panama Papers has taken a criminal turn.

More than a year after the historic leak of tax haven documents, the federal agency is now auditing 122 Canadians who appear in the database and has launched dozens of criminal investigations, details of which will be made available in a status report to be tabled in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

When the severity of the crime permits fraud charges under the Criminal Code  which allow for longer sentences  we go there, said the CRAs assistant commissioner Ted Gallivan, who described the official update on the CRAs Panama Papers investigation to the Star.

Its the strongest signal yet that Canadians named in the Panama Papers could end up behind bars.

The database, which was leaked to the German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung and shared with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, led to hundreds of investigative reports by media partners around the world, including the Star and CBC/Radio-Canada. After the initial flurry of news led to the resignation of Icelands prime minister, criminal probes have been brewing in dozens of countries.

In Canada, the revelations were greeted with a nearly half-billion-dollar investment in the CRA and a mandate to expand offshore investigations.

But whats pushed the CRA to go beyond attempting to recoup unpaid tax and pursue jail time is a new-found focus on the enablers: the accountants and lawyers who set up offshore tax evasion schemes and sell them to clients.

The agency has been directed by the minister to up our game, Gallivan said.

The criminal investigations are progressing, particularly on facilitators who had 30 or 40 clients. The priority remains facilitators who had dozens of taxpayers participating.

The criminal cases are in various stages, ranging from preliminary to full-bore, and Gallivan declined to say exactly how many there were.

There are several, but we dont yet have enough that are mature, so were not comfortable communicating a firm number publicly yet, he said.

The CRAs update to Parliament shows significant progress since last fall, when 60 Canadians in the leak were being audited and only a handful of search warrants had been executed.

Experts lauded the progress, saying the effort appears to be far more significant than the small number of offshore prosecutions pursued by the CRA in the past.

Those numbers look good, said Denis Meunier, a former enforcement official with the CRA and Fintrac, Ottawas anti-money-laundering watchdog. But you dont want to declare victory yet.

Meunier was especially heartened by the focus on the facilitators of tax evasion.

Its a good strategy: you go after the cancer. Those guys  the professional schemers  theyre the cancerous part of the industry because what they do spreads, said Meunier, a member of Transparency International Canada.

Criminal prosecutions get the industry worried  people start to worry about their reputation. Thats what deterrence is all about.

Richard Leblanc, a corporate governance expert at York University, said the approach was completely appropriate, because accountants and lawyers are the gatekeepers that make the transactions happen.

One thing is for certain: the investigation of accountants and lawyers by the CRA will cause chills right down Bay Street, said Leblanc, who also lectures at Harvard University. Canada has been far too soft on professional advisers who knowingly skate over the line into tax evasion.

Days after the Panama Papers investigation made worldwide headlines in April 2016, the CRA pledged to set up a program to focus on the professional promoters of tax evasion. In its first year of operation, the centre successfully laid $44 million in penalties on accountants and lawyers who promote tax plans.

Getting the identity of the person who promoted it is also a way for us to then work backward to all the other participants, said Gallivan.

Also aiding the effort to combat offshore tax evasion is a new spirit of co-operation among countries, who have traditionally regarded their tax information as secret. Under the banner of the Joint International Taskforce on Shared Intelligence and Collaboration (JITSIC), the CRA has been able to share information with 38 other tax authorities.

The media did us all a service when they focused on the Panama Papers, because its now a priority for all 38 countries at the same time, said Gallivan.

Weve always had international co-operation, but weve often had different priorities. So the information exchange that were enjoying now, with those JITSIC countries, is all focused around people and entities linked to the Panama Papers.

While it could take years for the audits to produce results and cases to come to court, Gallivan says offshore tax avoidance has become a priority at the CRA.

Enforcement actions against multinational corporations alone brought in $13 billion in 2016-17, up 38 per cent over the previous year. But Gallivan says theres more to do.

There are billions more out there and we want to find it.

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Mom Laurie Odjick spent Tuesday busy with her daughter Madison while more than 5,400 km away, the national inquiry on murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls began family hearings.

As Odjick went about her daily business, on this historic day in Whitehorse, chief commissioner Marion Buller stood in a big, white tent in a parking lot, and she spoke to those who gathered or watched live online, as she compelled families and survivors to trust them with their stories.

All of Canada needs to hear the truth about the violence Indigenous women and girls have endured for generations and continue to endure. Why? This is a sorrowful and essential part of our national history, Buller said as she read her notes from a black music stand that served as a podium. When an Indigenous woman or girl goes missing, is murdered or is harmed, we are all weaker, as families, as communities, as a nation. We have lost a life-giver.

Read more:

One sisters five wishes as hearings begin on Canadas 1,181 lost women and girls

Hope, anxiety among Yukon families as missing and murdered Indigenous women hearings near

The emotional exhaustion of debating Indigenous views

Odjick lives in Maniwaki, Que., with her beautiful family. Happy photographs of time spent on the water or with her smiling children fill her Facebook page, but her feed is also tinged with sadness, strength and searing pain. This is part of her Feb. 7 post on the problems with the inquiry.

It wasnt the slow start of the inquiry that was frustrating. It was the lack of communication to Our FAMILIES that was frustrating. Calling us impatient (That is wrong)! Do not put that on US (That is wrong)!

Odjicks first-born daughter, Maisy, was 16 when she disappeared without a trace in September 2008 along with her best friend Shannon Alexander, 17, from the Kitigan Zibi-Anishinabeg First Nation and Maniwaki area, north of Ottawa. The girls disappeared leaving their purses, wallets and identification behind. From the start, Odjick said the girls cases were bungled. Two police forces, the Kitigan Zibi and the Surete du Quebec, investigated their disappearance because Maisy lived on reserve and Shannon lived just outside. But they were treated as runaways, and nothing seemed to progress or get done.

When I was a political reporter, I first wrote about Maisy and Shannon on Jan. 6, 2012 just after the United Nations Office for the High Commissioner on Human Rights signalled they were putting Canada on notice for its treatment of the then estimated 600 murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls in Canada.

More than five years ago, Odjick told me how her daughters disappearance was treated by police. Their families werent listened to. Police dismissed their concerns. It would be a complaint I would hear over and over again. I was never interviewed by police, Odjick said. I was never asked to take a lie-detector test. Nothing happened. Nothing was done right for my daughter.

Odjick was an early campaigner to bring justice to all families of the stolen sisters. She sits on the national family advisory committee (NFAC.) So, on this day of firsts, I reached out to Odjick to ask for her thoughts because an inquiry would not have happened in this country without pioneers like Odjick, who fought for one for years.

She said she will always be on the fence about it. I do hope that families get what they need and want out of this inquiry. I am in full support of the families that want this, she said.

The commissioners started off on the wrong foot and they need guidance, and I hope we, as a committee, can help them and that they hear us. Time will tell. The commissioners heard Maisys story when we had our first NFAC gathering in Toronto. So I believe I have participated, she said, adding she is turning her energies toward making sure the families in Quebec also get a chance to be heard.

I am going to make sure that we families in Quebec get a hearing.

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With tempered expectations and a stumbled, somewhat confused start, the national inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls began in earnest Monday in Whitehorse.

Nobody involved in this inquiry wants it to fail. Not a single family member of the more than 1,181 lost women who make up the staggering tally of Canadas national shame want it to falter. They want the problems  and there have been many, from a lack of a proper hearings schedule to who will pay gas money  fixed so that the inquiry can honour, not shame, their loved ones. Families dont want lip service or promises written down and stuck on a shelf. They want a voice and change.

Over the coming months, as the inquiry sits in various communities across the country, the Star will publish a blog. Think of it as an accompaniment to the proceedings, informing you of things you need to know and showcasing the people pulling and pushing this inquiry along.

This blog starts with the perspective of the MMIWG families, and it begins with Maggie Cywink and her top five wishes for what is about to unfold.

Maggies sister Sonya Cywinks body was found Aug. 30, 1994, outside London at the Southwold Earthworks, a national historic site in Elgin County. Her murder is unsolved. Every day since then has been a lesson in grief and understanding for Maggie as she channels her energy into making things better for all the other families.

During the inquiry, Cywink will act as Ontarios special adviser between the families and this province  but on her wishes for the inquiry she says she speaks strictly as a family member, adding:

Today, I begin to pray and lay down sema for the Yukon families who are searching for closure and justice. May they find the answers, be allowed to express their stories in a safe and healing manner, travel safely and begin to imagine a world that is free of violence against women and girls. Please keep the Yukon Families in your prayers this week. (Sema is tobacco, and it is an Anishinaabe traditional offering of prayer and respect.)

First, Cywink wants the communications problems solved. Families are confused by what they are hearing from the inquiry and what they are supposed to do. They dont understand legalese or the terminology the commission is using. What is witnessing? What is truth gathering? What is standing or the hearings? All of that sounds like jumbled stuff going on in the background, she said.

Indigenous comprehension is not primarily academic or bureaucratic, she noted. How do you expect them to want to participate in something they dont understand? she asked.

Second, Cywink wants all the work that has already been done on murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls to be taken into account, including the 1,100-plus recommendations from existing reports, commissions and studies. She is speaking about the findings of the Honourable Wally Oppals Missing Women Commission of Inquiry on the conduct of investigations into the disappearances and deaths of women in Vancouvers Downtown Eastside. She speaks of Amnesty Internationals work and that of Sisters in Spirit, a research and education policy initiative run by Indigenous women.

Third, Cywink says the issue of racism  from police accountability, to racism in the ranks, to racism in Canada  needs to be put on the mandate of the inquiry. It is coming out more and more as both men and women come forward. They are being targeted in communities and in cities  Saskatoon, Thunder Bay. There are probably people in cities that we arent even aware of but where people are afraid to step forward due to the consequences. If they are really looking at systemic issues  that is as systemic as you could possibly get, she said.

Fourth, Cywink said transitional housing for women who are getting off the street  women getting out of sex trade, young Indigenous girls who are coming off the reservation but in need of safe housing  needs to be built. We arent talking two months or four months but 24 months at minimum. They have no idea what it is like to live in a big city, how dangerous it is, she said.

Fifth, Cywink wants to see MMIWG family members using their knowledge and experience to help implement the inquirys eventual recommendations. Why would I go to a social worker who hasnt lost a family member? Why would I want to call a 1-800 number that isnt answered by a family member who doesnt know what it is like?

If Cywink could add a sixth wish, it would be for a strong aftercare system put in place for when the family is finished telling their story. It just doesnt end the minute I walk out of the hearing. There are ripple effects throughout my family.

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All fine and dandy, claims allegedly Randy Andy.

Despite the familiar modus operandi.

Not I, Niagara Region Councillor Andy Petrowski insists of the crotch-shot that was sent out from his government email account Monday afternoon.

As non mea culpa, kind of like the dog ate my homework. Sneaky hands purportedly appropriated his government-issued iPad to send the porno image of a naked woman sitting on a stool with her legs spread wide open.

Many are not buying the fig-leaf cover.

Petrowski has whipped this denial nag before. In January 2016, the notorious pol  a Twitter repeat offender  maintained he wasnt responsible for a text message to Police Chief Jeff McGuire that read, hello clown are you a tyrant?

At that time Petrowski, vice-chair of the regions police services board (he later quit), steadfastly maintained hed left his phone unattended. Somebody else must have used it to send McGuire the message. Smart phone, dummy owner.

Clearly the man needs to keep a sharper eye on his devices. Or keep his fingers off social media chatter.

Which is what Niagaras integrity commissioner and council have been attempting to do  snap a tweet leash on pugnacious Petrowski  as per recommendations put forward by the commissioner this month for the councillor to refrain from using Twitter in ways that violate the code of conduct.

Petrowski said he would respond to the urging  and a call for apology  at councils next full meeting. But, from comments that came out of his own mouth  cant blame anyone else for that  hes clearly not standing still for the censoring smackdown. If you want to put me up on the cross, the people should be thinking, Wow, is that the way the Niagara Region does its business? he told council, as reported by local media. This is all about public shaming and public silencing.

Except Petrowski is shameless.

Mondays email went out to more than 100 recipients, including St. Catharines regional councillors, the city clerk, the head of Brock University and local radio stations.

The email thread began with a notification from the region about traffic on an area bridge being reduced to one lane for two weeks next month because of construction, to which Councillor Bruce Timms replied: Thank you it will be good to see these final touches.

An hour later, the email from Petrowskis account flew out to everyone on the original list, with the image of the naked woman embedded into the body of a message that read: There must have been a sale on these multi-million dollar, taxpayer-funded, non-functional arches . . . guess who put these up in Ottawa Youre right if you said . . . drum roll please . . . Pomerlau . . . what a joke!

Pomerleau Inc. is the contracting firm behind the controversial Burgoyne Bridge replacement project.

Six minutes later Petrowski emailed an apology to everyone who received the lewd image. I apologize to everyone for the previous email just sent . . . this was sent in error as a terrible message by someone who was using my iPad. I thought to send a private message. Further hair-shirting: I am sorry for this unacceptable and inappropriate transmission.

Regional Chair Alan Caslin described Petrowskis actions as reprehensible and has called for his resignation. Then St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle chimed in with a statement referencing previous egregious social media offal constituting a pattern of behaviour: The councillor in question has shown no contrition for his actions whatsoever.

The St. Catharines Standard reported Monday that Petrowski declined to identify the person he thinks sent the email, if he in fact knows, if in fact it wasnt him, if in fact it was presumably someone who might have access to his iPad.

In an email to the Standard, which the paper says included a crap emoji appended to the inquiring reporters email signature, Petrowski wrote: The only thing outstanding is when will the hit job storytellers/opinion makers at your financially struggling penny stock Fake News fish wrapper/bird cage linger find their place in a museum or is that pedestal already taken by the dodo?

Clearly channelling his inner Donald Trump. Indeed, on his Twitter account (Twitter name Molon Labe, a classical expression of defiance in Greek), Petrowski declares himself as: Pro-Trump, Pro-Nationalism, Pro-Life, Pro-Jesus, Pro-Constitution; Pro-Speech, Anti-LEFT, climate change is Natural . . . 

Petrowski is the subject of three recent integrity commissioner reports, with acting commissioner John Mascarin slamming the politicians tweets as, variously, puerile . . . disdainful . . . insulting . . . amateurish . . . ridiculous . . . odious.

Among the targets that have rendered Petrowski crazy-making, the man has tweeted bilge about gays (Does the gay pride community understand where the rainbow came from? Pride is a sin. James 4:6), Muslims, refugees, President Barack Obama and, by proxy, (via website links on retweets), Jews.

On that last item, Petrowski asserted that the YouTube video he reposted about the debunked Obama birther conspiracy, which was also anti-Semitic, did not mean he shared that posters views. Then he teed off on the Standard reporter, Grant LaFleche, whod sought his reaction to a censure plea brought by the local Bnai Israel congregation.

If you were a real journalist versus the hack that you are you would know this . . . It was never my intent to be anti-anything by my post (a favourite scheme of the alt-left) except to be anti-Obama. For the record, my post is not an endorsement of anything else (just because I happen to have a link to a speech from someone who believes in UFOs does not mean I do). Nice try though. Once against your fishing exercizes (sic) portray the evil that you are. I will continue to pray for your salvation, Mr. LaFleche, in the name of Jehovah Rapha.

Jehovah Rapha is one of Gods many Old Testament handles.

Petrowski enters this weeks fray trailing a whole litany of Im sorrys.

In July, 2015, the apology flowed from tweets in which Petrowski expressed his religious views opposing gay marriage. (He has accused Obama of having a perverted mind for singing Amazing Grace on the same day the president condoned same-sex marriage.) Applauding President Trumps attempts to ban travel into the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority countries, Petrowski said on a local radio show that Syrian refugees coming into Canada could go to the Eaton Centre with a machine gun and wipe people out.

More recently, the integrity commissioner investigated a tweet that claimed the Quran is not the truth but a book about a false prophet; another that compared Jesus and Muhammad, claiming Muhammad promoted warfare and violence, hatred, intolerance, misogyny, oppression and pedophilia; and Petrowskis behaviour at a council meeting in which he called David Augustyn, mayor of Pelham, Ont., and a regional councillor a disgusting mayor.

On Tuesday afternoon, Petrowski told Niagara This Week that he never intended for the image to be sent from his account, although he declined to say who had actually sent it.

Although this is an extremely reckless situation, I know this was not deliberate and I have no intention of divulging the person behind this accident, he said. Again, this is not intentional, but I still accept full responsibility for the inappropriateness of what happened.

Petrowski did not respond to the Stars email request for an interview and his work phone line recording said there was no room left to leave a message.

Hey Andy: Tweet me. Just rub your fingers together and blow.

With files from Niagara This Week

Rosie DiManno usually appears Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Editors note: This column has been updated to correct spelling of last name for Councillor Bruce Timms.

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Homeless to Harvard became a tag line for Torontos Toni Morgan, the high school dropout , who, after being told shed never amount to anything, audaciously defied those low expectations by graduating with a masters degree in education from Americas oldest university in 2016.

That year, the TDSB sent 44 Jane-Finch-area students to Harvard to see first-hand that no dream was too high, no goal was out of bounds for those repeatedly told they could not, and that oppression may place a psychological cage on potential, but it could be cast off.

Last week, Morgan was awarded the universitys first Black Alumni Legacy Award for her contributions to Black student life.

She received the honour on May 23 at Harvards first Black commencement, a graduation ceremony hosted by Black students and held two days before the universitys graduation.

Harvards event was one of two recent events that highlighted Western discomfort with majority-Black spaces.

The other was an event planned in France, where the mayor of Paris sought to ban the citys first Afro-feminist festival in July because it was forbidden to white people. In saying that, Anne Hildalgo, the socialist mayor, co-opted the words of the far-right that had initiated the outrage.

The organizers there had said 80 per cent of the event space was open only to Black women. At Harvard, all were welcome, although not a lot of non-Black people showed up (and by the way, Stanford has had a Black graduation for 40 years).

Both these events predictably triggered accusations of reverse racism and segregation.This tweet by @lucky_american echoed views on various forums: Are they also going to have a white commencement? If not, isnt that kind of racist?

Hidalgo even threatened to sue the festivals leaders for discrimination.

We continue to revel in the myth that our fundamental racial problems have been solved, says Rinaldo Walcott, director of the Women and Gender Studies Institute at the University of Toronto. So these gatherings are viewed as an affront to something they deeply believe doesnt exist.

If these events must be seen as separatist and divisive, then lets at least acknowledge that one was separation as celebration, the other was separation as solidarity.

At Harvard, the energy was electric and celebratory, Morgan says. It was about celebrating and recognizing that five per cent of the student population identifies as Black. It was about recognizing historically and globally this was that small fraction of people who have made it to the top university.

The Harvard event was an ode to Black achievement in the face of historical and continued oppression. It celebrated achievements that would be lost, or not valued, in the university-wide celebration.

If Morgans achievements had not been acknowledged at the Black commencement, they might not have been acknowledged at all.

In the U.S., the notion is, if you have reached the pinnacle of establishment, you are somehow outside of how poor black people are treated, Walcott says.

That is simply not true. Studies have shown Black Ivy League graduates have about as much chance of getting a job as do white graduates from less prestigious state colleges.

For those who use the success of a Barack Obama or an Oprah Winfrey to suggest that anti-Black racism is over, the commencement was a reminder that Black success comes despite the system.

They will try to craft our stories as examples of the benefits of personal responsibility, Duwain Pinder, one of four speakers that day, was quoted saying in the Harvard magazine. As proof that the American dream exists for all, rather than just a select few . . . . We are only a fraction of the Black brilliance that lies under the surface.

In France, which prides itself on its egalite, why did a gathering of predominantly Black women threaten those who celebrate feminist gatherings of predominantly white women?

Months after its shameful ban on burkinis on beaches, the country showed once again that feminism of colour cannot escape the colonial gaze of white feminists who view other women as victims in need of rescuing from their cultures. Should those affected not be able to define their own struggle?

Mwasi-Collectif, the festival organizers, told France 24 the restricted entry was important so that Black women could have open, honest conversations without judgment from others.

Decrying that event is akin to telling feminists to allow men to set the agenda for their discussion.

Isnt solidarity about supporting a space that allows excluded groups to think collectively and come to a resolution on how to move ahead?

Both these Black gatherings really werent about white people.

There was no reason to make them so.

Shree Paradkar tackles issues of race and gender. You can follow her @shreeparadkar

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A man who was caught on video throwing a beer can onto the Rogers Centre field during a Blue Jays playoff game last October has pleaded guilty to a charge of mischief.

Dressed in a white dress shirt with a plaid tie and black dress pants, Ken Pagan sat with a woman in a front-row bench in the courtroom at Old City Hall on Tuesday, his parents sitting behind him. Stone-faced, Pagan occasionally glanced around at observers until he was called up to make his plea.

Guilty, he said in a barely audible whisper.

Pagan shot to notoriety last fall when a beer can was tossed onto the field during the seventh inning of a tight Blue Jays-Orioles American League wildcard game that Toronto eventually won.

The can narrowly missed Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim and caused a public uproar, drawing the condemnation of everyone from Mayor John Tory to author Stephen King.

The Jays issued an apology to the Orioles, and didnt serve beer in cans at the Rogers Centre for the rest of the post-season.

An agreed statement of facts, which listed the complainant as the Toronto Blue Jays, was presented in court Tuesday. It said Pagan was sitting in the left-field area of the Rogers Centre  Section 139, Row 3  during the Oct. 4 game when Jays outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. hit a fly ball to left field at the bottom of the seventh inning at around 10:17 p.m.

A player from the Baltimore Orioles was about to catch the fly ball when the accused before the court threw a can of beer using a tossing motion, the statement read.

The can narrowly missed the player and nearly interfered with the play, the statement said, noting the incident caused a significant disruption in the game and created concerns for player safety.

Toronto police and security immediately attended the area but Pagan left before he could be identified, the statement said.

Police used security video, television footage and videos and photos taken by the public to get an image of Pagan and released it the day after the game.

Pagan turned himself in at 52 Division on Oct. 6, where he was charged with mischief interference with property under $5,000. He was released on bail with the conditions that he not attend the Rogers Centre or consume alcohol.

The statement didnt shed any light on Pagans motivation for throwing the can.

Pagan was a sports journalist who ran a blog about the Jays, and was working as a copy editor for Postmedia in Hamilton at the time of the beer-can toss. He left Postmedia later that month, but the circumstances surrounding his departure were unclear.

Defence lawyer Tyler Smith declined to comment on the case Tuesday, but said both he and his client will speak to media after Pagans sentencing hearing in June.

A conviction of mischief under $5,000 carries a maximum penalty of two years in jail, but Toronto defence lawyer Ari Goldkind, who was not involved in the case, said Pagan is not going to jail.

If he goes to jail, even for five minutes, you could put me on a rocket ship to the moon tonight, Goldkind said, explaining that mischief under $5,000 convictions very rarely lead to anything serious, or even a criminal record.

Typically, he said, the punishment is along the lines of a donation to a charity, community service, a letter of apology or restitution for any property damaged.

The only thing that makes this case obviously different is the tremendous amount of public attention on it because it happened in the heat of a very close baseball game, Goldkind said, Pagans guilty plea and the intense public backlash he received will likely work in his favour when it comes to sentencing.

When it comes to the Rogers Centre, though, the Blue Jays vice-president of fan engagement said Pagan is still not welcome there.

We dont condone that kind of behaviour and we certainly dont welcome (him) here and want him here as one of our fans and in our stadium, Sebastian Gatica said Tuesday.

The Jays, he added, have resumed selling beer in cans this season and are happy to report there havent been any problems.

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Legal Aid Ontario got an earful from attendees at public consultation this week focused on its 40 per cent cut to refugee legal services.

A private lawyer questioned how legal aid justifies the cut when 300 of its staff made the provinces Sunshine List with a wage hike last year. A community worker raised concern over how other service providers would have to pick up the slack. A legal clinic executive wondered if the financial cuts disproportionally fell on refugees rather than family and criminal services.

But one thing was clear: no one liked any of the three options offered by legal aid to address its $13.1-million funding shortfall in 2017.

The service reduction for refugees is part of the Legal Aid Ontarios effort to save costs and balance a $26-million budget deficit.

The whole situation is a disgrace, said Marjorie Hiley, executive director of the Flemingdon Community Legal Services, who called in during the consultation at legal aids Toronto headquarters, one of 11 sessions over three weeks before the service cuts kick in July 1.

Legal aids refugee program has historically cost $20 million annually. However, over the past two years, the cost has increased dramatically, to $27 million last year, and it is forecast to rise to $33.6 million in 2017, due to an increase in demand. Meanwhile, the federal governments share has remained at $7 million a year.

This is a national problem, said Jawad Kassab, lead of the legal aids refugee services for GTA, as he made his presentation at the consultation, adding that the legal communities in British Columbia and Quebec face the same financial crunch.

Legal aid is asking the public to weigh in on three options: suspending all refugee and immigration services when funding runs out in August; restricting the coverage to the representation of asylum-seekers in their refugee proceedings while excluding coverage of things such as detention reviews; or limiting coverage for asylum-seekers to the preparation of the refugee claim, but also continuing to represent clients at the refugee appeals, Federal Court and other immigration applications.

Im feeling a tremendous burden is being put on the refugees side of the program, Hiley said after the consultation meeting. I find it not satisfactory for them to come up with the options with the assumption that this is an area of the program to be decimated.

The Canadian Council for Refugees said legal aid for refugee and immigration services accounts for 6 per cent of the Legal Aid Ontario budget. If cuts have to be made, it said, it should not be refugees that are made to suffer.

Cutting legal representation for refugees is unacceptable, said Loly Rico, the councils president. They need a lawyer to help them negotiate a complex process where their basic rights, even their right to life may be at stake . . . They should be priorities for services, not the first to be cut.

Instead of the cuts, Rico said, savings could have been found by reforming and streamlining the refugee system and eliminating the restrictive timelines for asylum hearings that have contributed to wasteful hearing postponements.

Legal aid said it is under significant financial pressure in all areas of coverage and savings have been found in other areas already. Internally, the organization has frozen salaries for staff and is not filling vacant positions.

Jenn McIntyre, director of Romero House, a refugee shelter in Toronto, said legal aids cuts have sent shockwaves through the sector and among newly arrived asylum-seekers.

Our concerns are huge. When people first arrive, the timeline is so tight to file claims. We are already so overworked. I cant imagine on top of that trying to support them with legal preparation, said McIntyre, who plans to participate in a consultation section in Toronto next week.

We are not trained lawyers. The quality of legal representation affects the outcomes of these refugee hearings. None of (legal aids) three options are good. The only option is for them to find the money somewhere else.

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LONDONBritish police say three of the 14 people arrested over the Manchester arena suicide bombing have been released without charge, and the investigation so far has found bomber Salman Abedi acted largely alone as he assembled his deadly device.

Russ Jackson, head of the police Northwest Counterterrorism Unit, said analysis of surveillance camera footage and other evidence had shown that Abedi himself made most of the purchases of the core components of the bomb.

Many of his movements and actions have been carried out alone during the four days from him landing in the country (to) committing this awful attack, Jackson said.

The bombing killed 22 people and injured more than 100 after a show by American singer Ariana Grande at Manchester Arena. Grande announced Tuesday that she and other top stars  including Justin Bieber, Coldplay and Miley Cyrus  will return to the city to perform at a benefit concert on Sunday.

Read more:

Ariana Grande to play Manchester charity concert on Sunday

Police seek clues in Manchester bombers blue suitcase

British police make 2 new arrests as hunt for Manchester bombing suspects continues

Meanwhile, police trying to unmask a possible network around Abedi searched a property in Wigan, 32 kilometres northwest of Manchester, briefly evacuating neighbours as the bomb squad was called in.

The house is one of more than a dozen searched in Manchester and beyond since the May 22 attack in an investigation that has involved 1,000 police officers.

Police say Abedi returned to Britain from Libya, his parents homeland, on May 18. They are trying to re-create his movements before he detonated a bomb hidden in a knapsack at the concert and are trying to track a blue suitcase he was seen with in closed-circuit TV footage.

Jackson said police could not rule out the existence of a wider network around Abedi. Eleven men remain in custody on suspicion of terrorism offences, but Jackson said three men  a 20 year old, a 24 year old and a 37 year old  were released Tuesday without charge.

The arrested suspects have not been identified or charged. Abedis older brother Ismail is reported to be among them, and his father and younger brother have been detained in Libya.

Also Tuesday, Londons Metropolitan Police said military backup for police, brought in after the bombing, was gradually being reduced now that the U.K.s official threat level from terrorism had been lowered from critical to severe.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said military personnel will remain in readiness to support the police, should it be necessary.

British police have made an arrest on the south coast of England in the widening inquiry into the deadly Manchester concert bombing. Another man was also arrested in Gorton, Manchester.

Officials also said extra police staffing that had been added to protect public gatherings over the holiday weekend would be reduced.

The railway station next to Manchester Arena, which had been shut since the blast, reopened Tuesday, easing transport woes for residents.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling were among those who laid wreaths at Victoria Station, which also suffered damage in the concert blast.

Burnham said the city had pulled together through what has been our darkest week.

The return to a level of normalcy followed days of emotional tributes to the Manchester attack victims. Hundreds stood in quiet contemplation at St. Anns Square, where a sea of cards, flowers and balloons has grown into an impromptu memorial site for those killed and injured in the blast.

Grande announced Tuesday that her One Love Manchester show will be held at the citys Old Trafford cricket ground on Sunday.

Other performers will include Pharrell Williams, Miley Cyrus, Usher, Niall Horan and Take That. Proceeds will go to an emergency fund set up by the city of Manchester and the British Red Cross.

Tickets go on sale Thursday.

British officials are under pressure to explain how Abedi was able to carry out his plot undetected. The government has said he was one of thousands of people peripherally on intelligence agencies radar but was not a focus of surveillance.

Manchesters police chief said that Abedi had come to the attention of police for relatively minor matters including theft, receiving stolen goods and assault. But Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said Abedi had not been known to the governments counter-radicalization program known as Prevent.

Hopkins said he was not aware of what intelligence agencies knew about Abedi.

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WARSAW, POLANDPolish and Afghan special forces, backed by U.S. air power, freed 11 people who had been taken hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistans Helmand province, Polands Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz said on Tuesday.

The hostages included two solders, four police officers and five civilians, all of them Afghan nationals who had been held captive for four months in a village held by the Taliban, Macierewicz told a news conference in Warsaw.

These people were beaten, tortured, treated terribly for four months, he said.

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Afghan army chief, defence minister resign after Taliban attack

The Polish special forces, who are usually based in Kandahar province but were in Helmand on a training mission, were primarily involved in preparing the operation to free the hostages and had a supporting role, but it was the Afghan forces who did the fighting against the Taliban, the minister said.

Macierewicz added that the success of the operation shows that the Afghan forces are well trained and able to combat terrorists.

He said U.S. helicopters also took part in the rescue.

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PORTLAND, ORE.Unease about white supremacist activity in Portland deepened after the fatal stabbings of two men who tried to shield young women from an anti-Muslim tirade, and some people worry that the famously tolerant community could see a resurgence of the hostilities that once earned it the nickname Skinhead City.

The attack aboard a light-rail train happened Friday, the first day of Ramadan, the holiest time of the year for Muslims. Authorities say Jeremy Joseph Christian started verbally abusing two young women, including one wearing a hijab. When three men on the train intervened, police say, Christian attacked them, killing two and wounding one.

Court documents released Tuesday for the first time mentioned a fourth man who was the first to intervene and was not attacked, but they did not identify him by his full name.

Christian, 35, was defiant during his brief initial court appearance Tuesday, shouting: You call it terrorism, I call it patriotism!

Read more:

Suspect in Portland stabbings ranted about Muslims, police say

Portland Muslims thankful for support after deadly attack, will raise money for victims

He made repeated outbursts, saying, Youve got no safe place! and Death to the enemies of America!

Christian, who faces aggravated murder and other charges, didnt enter a plea. He has been appointed public defenders. Lane Borg, head of the local public defender agency, said the office was saddened by this tragedy but urged people to let the justice system take its course.

In the probable cause affidavit, prosecutors said video feeds in the back of a patrol car captured Christian saying after his arrest that he had stabbed three people in the neck. His court-appointed attorney, Gregory Scholl, did not immediately return a call for comment.

The deaths stunned the city, but also underscored nervousness about recent events, including a series of apparent hate crimes in the region and contentious public rallies that have drawn national attention.

The Pacific Northwest has a long and violent history of white supremacist and other racist activities, despite its more recent reputation for being one of the nations most socially liberal regions.

The idea that Portland is so liberal supersedes this dark, hidden secret about racism, said Karen Gibson, a professor of urban studies at Portland State University.

Many of the early settlers to Oregon were from Southern states and brought with them negative attitudes about blacks, Gibson said. Only about 6 per cent of the Portland population is black, while more than 70 per cent is non-Hispanic white, statistics show.

Some residents said President Donald Trump has caused those racist demons to stir again with his administrations travel ban, his promise to build a wall along the border with Mexico and his crackdown on illegal immigration.

Since Trumps election, Portland has led all major metropolitan areas in reported hate crimes, Mayor Ted Wheelers office said.

I dont have that feeling like it cant happen here  the way people talk about Portland  because weve got racism. Weve got all kinds of things, said Murr Brewster, who came to see a memorial at the citys transit centre.

Its everywhere and the trouble is, its getting more and more prevalent.

The lone man to survive Fridays stabbings says hes having a difficult time processing what happened. Micah Fletcher told KGW-TV (https://goo.gl/HJjwpI ) that hes focusing on trying to get better.

Im healing, Fletcher told the station. He was released from the hospital Monday and attended the hearing, where a scar on his neck was visible.

On Tuesday, Wheeler reiterated his call to organizers of a June 4 rally to cancel, saying he fears it could further enflame tensions. The event organized by the group Patriot Prayer is billed on its Facebook page as a Trump Free Speech Rally in one of the most liberal areas of the West Coast. Several counter-protests are planned.

Christian attended a similar rally in late April wearing an American flag around his neck and carrying a baseball bat. Police confiscated the bat, and he was then caught on camera clashing with counter-protesters.

Wheeler has also asked the federal government to cancel a June 10 rally that targets sharia law out of fears it could create unrest.

These kinds of rallies ... are typically people who come from elsewhere and hold rallies here because we are a deep blue city. They are intending to be provocative, Wheeler said Tuesday in a phone interview with The AP. Im going to do my best to keep the peace here.

Joey Gibson, the rallys organizer, condemned Christian in a phone interview with The AP and said he would not tolerate any Nazi presence at the upcoming event.

He acknowledged that Christian had shown up at a Patriot Prayer rally on April 29 with a baseball bat and had made the Nazi salute. But Gibson said he hurled insults at rally organizers as well as counter-protesters.

He came yelling at everyone, cussing at everyone. He threatened me and tons of people, Gibson said. We told him, You gotta get out of here.

The stabbings cap a series of unsettling events in recent months in and around Portland.

Earlier this year, organizers of a small community parade affiliated with the citys famous Rose Festival cancelled the celebration over fears of violence after protesters said the local Republican Party had plans to allow a neo-Nazi hate group to march with them. Local GOP leaders denied the charges.

In the suburb of Troutdale, an Iranian refugee found his home painted with racist graffiti and death threats. And in Gresham, another eastern suburb, prosecutors charged a man with a hate crime after police said he chased down a black teenager with his car after a fight and struck him, killing him.

For years, Portland was the home base for Volksfront, a now-defunct white separatist organization founded in 1994, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups.

There have been skinheads in that region forever, said Heidi Beirich, spokeswoman for the law centre.

One of the most infamous attacks in Portlands racial history occurred in November 1988, when an Ethiopian immigrant was beaten to death by three white supremacists in front of his apartment.

Mulugeta Seraw was a student who came to the United States to attend college. The members of the California-based White Aryan Resistance killed him with a baseball bat.

The Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League won a multimillion-dollar civil case in 1990 against the White Aryan Resistance on behalf of his family, and the damages crippled the organization.

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Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law and senior adviser, was looking for a direct line to President Vladimir Putin of Russia  a search that in mid-December found him in a room with a Russian banker whose financial institution was deeply intertwined with Russian intelligence, and remains under sanction by the United States.

Federal and congressional investigators are now examining what exactly Kushner and the Russian banker, Sergey Gorkov, wanted from each other. The banker is a close associate of Putin, but he has not been known to play a diplomatic role for the Russian leader. That has raised questions about why he was meeting with Kushner at a crucial moment in the presidential transition, according to current and former officials familiar with the investigations.

Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump

The New York Times first reported the meeting between Kushner and Gorkov in March, but the White House at the time did not explain its aim. That article quoted a White House spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, who said that the meeting came at the request of the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, with whom Kushner had met earlier in December at Trump Tower to discuss opening a communications channel with Russian officials during the presidential transition.

But the half-hour meeting with Gorkov since has come under increasing scrutiny. The current and former U.S. officials now say it may have been part an effort by Kushner to establish a direct line to Putin outside of established diplomatic channels.

The meeting came as Trump was openly feuding with U.S. intelligence agencies and their conclusion that Russia had tried to disrupt the presidential election and turn it in his favour.

The Senate Intelligence Committee notified the White House in March that it planned to question Kushner about the meeting.

On Friday, citing U.S. officials briefed on intelligence reports, The Washington Post reported that Kislyak told his superiors in Moscow that Kushner had proposed a secret channel and had suggested using Russian diplomatic facilities in the United States for the communications. The White House has not denied the Post report, which specified that Russian communication centres at an embassy or consulate in the United States were discussed as hosts for the secure channel.

It is not clear whether Kushner saw the Russian banker as someone who could be repeatedly used as a go-between or whether the meeting with Gorkov was designed to establish a direct, secure communications line to Putin.

The reasons the parties wanted a communications channel, and for how long they sought it, are also unclear. Several people with knowledge of the meeting with Kislyak, and who defended it, have said it was primarily to discuss how the United States and Russia could co-operate to end the civil war in Syria and on other policy issues. They also said the secure channel, in part, sought to connect Michael Flynn, a campaign adviser who became Trumps first national security adviser, and military officials in Moscow.

Flynn attended the meeting at Trump Tower with Kislyak.

Yet one current and one former U.S. official with knowledge of the continuing congressional and FBI investigations said they were examining whether the channel was meant to remain open, and if there were other items on the meetings agenda, including lifting sanctions that the Obama administration had imposed on Russia in response to Moscows annexation of Crimea and its aggression in Ukraine.

During the Trump administrations first week, administration officials said they were considering an executive order to unilaterally lift the sanctions, which bar Americans from providing financing to and could limit borrowing from Gorkovs bank, Vnesheconombank. Removing the sanctions would have greatly expanded the banks ability to do business in the United States.

In a statement on Monday, Hicks said that Mr. Kushner was acting in his capacity as a transition official in meeting with the Russians. Kushner has agreed to be interviewed by congressional investigators about the meetings, she said.

In March, Gorkov said in a statement that his December meeting with Kushner was part of the banks strategy to discuss promising trends and sectors with influential financial institutions in Europe, Asia and the United States. That statement said he met with representatives of business circles of the U.S., including with the head of Kushner Cos., Jared Kushner. At the time, Kushner was still running the company, which is his familys real estate business.

Vnesheconombank has not responded to questions about which other financial institutions and business leaders Gorkov met with while in the United States.

Trying to set up secret communications with Putin in the weeks after the election would not be illegal. Still, it is highly unusual to try to establish channels with a foreign leader that did not rely on the governments own communications, which are secure and allow for a record of contacts to be created.

But the Trump transition was unique in its unwillingness to use the governments communications lines and briefing material for its dealings with many foreign governments, partly because of concern that Obama administration officials might be monitoring the calls.

In addition, Kushner disclosed none of his contacts with Russians or any other foreign officials when he applied for his security clearance in January. He later amended the form to include several meetings, including those with Kislyak and Gorkov, but it is unclear whether he told the investigators who conducted his background check about the attempts to set up a back channel. His aides have said his omissions from the clearance form were accidental.

The meeting with Gorkov is now being scrutinized by the FBI as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged Russian attempts to disrupt last years presidential campaign, and whether any of Trumps advisers assisted in such efforts.

His bank is controlled by members of Putins government, including Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. It also has long been intertwined with Putins inner circle: It has been used by the Russian government to bail out oligarchs close to Putin, and has helped fund the Russian presidents pet projects, such as the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014.

Vnesheconombank has also been used by Russian intelligence to plant spies in the United States. In March 2016, an agent of Russias foreign intelligence service, known as the SVR, who was caught posing as an employee of the bank in New York, pleaded guilty to spying against the United States.

The spy, said Preet Bharara, then the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, had under the guise of being a legitimate banker, gathered intelligence as an agent of the Russian Federation in New York.

Gorkov is a graduate of the academy of the Federal Security Service of Russia, a training ground for Russian spies. Though current and former Americans said it is unlikely that Gorkov is an active member of Russian intelligence, they said his past ties to the security services in Moscow was one of the reasons he was put in charge of the bank.

In March, both CNN and the Post columnist David Ignatius reported that Kushner had met with Gorkov because he wanted the most direct possible contact with Putin.

But days earlier, responding to questions from The Times about the meetings with Kislyak and Gorkov, Hicks said the meetings were part of an effort by Kushner to improve relations between the United States and Russia, and to identify areas of possible co-operation.

After the first meeting with Kislyak, she said at the time, the Russian ambassador asked for a followup discussion to deliver a message. Kushner sent Avrahm Berkowitz, a longtime associate and now a White House aide. At that session, Kislyak told Berkowitz that he wanted Kushner to meet Gorkov, Hicks said.

Hicks did not say at the time why Kislyak had wanted to arrange a meeting between Kushner and Gorkov. But she said then that during Kushners meeting with Gorkov, there was no discussion about the Kushner companys business or about U.S. sanctions against Russian entities like Vnesheconombank.

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LONDONBritish police say a tiger that killed a female zookeeper has not been put down.

Few details have been released about the encounter at Hamerton Zoo Park that claimed the life of 34-year-old zookeeper Rosa King. An investigation is underway and the zoo, 130 kilometres north of London, has been closed.

Read more:Zookeeper killed by tiger inside enclosure at U.K. zoo

Cambridgeshire Police said Tuesday that the tiger is unharmed.

The zoo described the clash Monday with the tiger as a freak accident. The zoo was evacuated as a precaution but officials said the public was never at risk and the tiger did not escape.

King had worked at the zoo for roughly 14 years.

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ROMEPrime Minister Justin Trudeau is standing by the Kinder Morgan pipeline project, even as the New Democrats and Greens in B.C. are teaming up to fight it.

The decision we took on the Trans Mountain pipeline was based on facts and evidence on what is in the best interests of Canadians and indeed, all of Canada, Trudeau said Tuesday in Rome at a joint news conference with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni.

Regardless of the change in government in British Columbia or anywhere, the facts and evidence do not change.

The Liberal government understands that growing a strong economy requires taking leadership on both the environment and the economy, he added.

That is what drives us in the choices we make. We stand by those choices.

Trudeaus comments followed Mondays news that B.C.s anti-pipeline Green party and the provincial NDP have come to an agreement that could see the formation of a minority NDP government in the province, casting doubt on the projects future.

Both parties have voiced their opposition to the Trans Mountain expansion, which would nearly triple the capacity of the pipeline that runs from Edmonton to Burnaby, B.C.

For Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, the pipeline stand of the West Coast New Democrats threatens a project that she says is vital both to her province and the national economy. No province can veto the line, she said in a statement.

Its important to note that provinces do not have the right to unilaterally stop projects such as Trans Mountain that have earned the federal governments approval, Notley said.

This is a foundational principle that binds our country together. There are no legal tools available to provinces to stand in the way of infrastructure projects that benefit all Canadians.

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A deal has been reached to pave the way for the NDP to form a minority government in British Columbia, with support from the Green party. NDP Leader John Horgan says he?s excited about the possibility for ?stable government.?

G7 leaders agree to fight protectionism, but U.S. still out on Paris Agreement

Photos: Trudeau visits Pope Francis, tours the Vatican

Kinder Morgan went ahead Tuesday with its initial public offering for the expansion. Shortly after the opening bell, shares traded at $15.77, down 7.24 per cent from the $17 they were priced at in their initial public offering. The first trade was for $16.25.

Trudeau also praised the benefits that international trade can bring to a world where people are anxious about the future, holding up the trade deal between Canada and the European Union as an example of creating new jobs and ensure more people can benefit from economic growth.

We are proud of it, and you should be, too, he told 45 parliamentarians and other dignitaries in the Sala della Regina, or the Queens Room, a majestic committee room at the Chamber of Deputies in the Italian Parliament.

It will create the kind of growth that benefits all our citizens, not just our wealthiest.

The trade agreement, known as CETA, is now being considered by the Senate.

Trudeau thanked the Italian parliamentarians who supported the deal, and said it would not have been possible without the support of like-minded leaders like Gentiloni.

International Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said the Liberal government hopes to bring other countries onside with trade by promoting it alongside Canadian values.

Theres enormous interest for what Canada stands for, he said. The progressive and inclusive trade agenda is what, obviously, is the highlight, but were really building the bridges.

Champagne also said Trudeau had given him the job of making trade real for people, by highlighting the tangible benefits for consumers.

The best way to convince those who may not yet be convinced is to show them the real benefits.

Trudeau is in Italy to promote trade and cultural ties between the two countries at the end of a trip to Europe that included the NATO meeting in Brussels, the G7 summit in Sicily and a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

The coded language about working together and sharing values follows U.S. President Donald Trumps refusal to support the G7 consensus among the other six leaders, including Trudeau, to commit to the Paris agreement on climate change.

Trudeau was asked whether he shares the views expressed recently by campaigning German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has said it is time to think about whether Europe can rely on the U.S. and other longtime allies.

Trudeau stepped gingerly with his response.

We will always work together and highlight the shared values that are equally important on both sides of the Atlantic, including in the United States, Trudeau said.

The way we can work on that together, where we have discussions, where we agree, is going to continue to be based in openness, frankness, robust exchanges, and in the conviction  with regards to climate change particularly  that the only way to move forward is to protect the environment while creating the jobs that we need for today and tomorrow.

On Tuesday, Trudeau was introduced with glowing remarks by Laura Boldrini, president of the Chamber of Deputies, noting his efforts at fighting climate change. The biggest challenges cant be tackled alone, she said in Italian.

Pietro Grasso, president of the Senate, expressed concern over the isolationism and protectionist sentiment that was heard at the G7 summit.

Trudeau addressed the anxiety that people around the world are facing as the twin forces of technology and globalization change everything, and quickly. Those same forces can be harnessed to develop solutions to problems like climate change, he noted.

Leaders who think we can hide from these changes, or turn back the clock, are wrong, he said. Its our responsibility to harness these changes and make them work for people.

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BRUSSELSThe head of the UNs food and agriculture agency warned Tuesday that conflict in South Sudan could undermine hopes of avoiding a new famine next year.

Around 100,000 people face starvation in South Sudan, where crop production has plummeted since 2013 as conflict has killed tens of thousands and forced 3.5 million people from their homes.

Food and Agriculture Organization chief Jose Graziano da Silva told The Associated Press that the ethnic violence pitting forces loyal to President Salva Kiir, from the Dinka majority, against those loyal to Riek Machar, his former vice-president who is a Nuer, is threatening the agencys work.

Read more:

Attacks on civilians in South Sudan on the rise, UN says

The human rights situation in South Sudan is horrendous, says UN report

If they dont stop the war, what we are doing will be in vain, he said, lamenting the destruction of crops and attacks on the FAO premises and warehouses. We cannot continue that way. We are wasting money and time if we dont stop the war.

Da Silva said the UN agency is trying to provide food, seeds and livestock simultaneously to farmers to take advantage of the rainy season.

This is the time for farmers to plant. They dont have seeds. They have eaten the seeds. Even the seeds that the FAO provided last month, they have eaten them, he said, during a visit to Brussels to drum up support at EU headquarters.

Da Silva warned that if South Sudan farmers lose their cattle, their goats . . . they will move out, they will become migrants.

More than 1.8 million people who fled their homes have left South Sudan altogether, sparking what has become the worlds fastest-growing refugee crisis.

Food insecurity in South Sudan, which declared independence in 2011, reached record levels last year, hitting 67 per cent of the population. Cereal production was at its lowest level since the conflict started.

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BEIRUTU.S.-backed fighters on Tuesday reached the northern entrance of the Syrian city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of Daesh, also known as ISIS, amid intense clashes and airstrikes on Raqqas northern and eastern edges, opposition activists said.

The latest push by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces brings them to about 3 kilometres from the city where a long and deadly battle is expected in the coming weeks, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The latest push comes as airstrikes have intensified in recent days. U.S.-backed fighters have pushed in toward the city, getting closer from all sides. The SDF have captured dozens of towns and villages since November, when the group began an operation entitled Euphrates Wrath, aiming to eventually surround and capture Raqqa.

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Kurdish-led forces in Syria plan to advance on Daesh capital

Daesh in Mosul and Raqqa will be defeated within the next six months, says U.S. official

U.S. Marines in Syria to help anti-Daesh fighters with firepower in Raqqa assault

SDF fighters have surrounded Raqqa from the north, west and east. The extremists still have an exit from the south, even though the U.S.-led coalition destroyed southern two bridges over the Euphrates River.

The Observatory said SDF fighters captured gas and water facilities on the northern edge of Raqqa. The group posted a video showing Daesh black flags still flying over the northern entrance of Raqqa with a giant Daesh banner reading the northern sector thanks you for your visit. The Islamic State.

The activist-operated Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said that the U.S.-led coalition targeted areas of fighting north of the city near a major Daesh base known as Division 17.

The Sound and Picture Organization, which documents Daesh violations, said SDF fighters approached the Mashlab neighbourhood east of Raqqa. The RBSS said SDF fighters captured a main checkpoint at the entrance of Mashlab but did not enter the area.

The Observatory and RBSS reported that a landmine exploded near a vehicle west of the city killing three people and wounding 10.

Earlier Tuesday, Syrias state media and the Observatory said at least 13 civilians were killed when Daesh militants shelled government-held neighbourhoods in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour.

The official state news agency SANA says the shelling hit the neighbourhoods of al-Joura and Qussour late on Monday. Daesh has controlled parts of Deir el-Zour since 2015, leaving more than 90,000 people under siege in the government-held areas.

The Observatory said the shelling took place shortly before sundown as residents were preparing to break their dawn-to-sunset fast during the holy month of Ramadan. The Observatory put the death toll at 14.

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WASHINGTONA top White House communications staffer has resigned as U.S. President Donald Trump considers a major staff overhaul amid intensifying inquiries into his campaign's contacts with Russia.

Fresh off Trump's first official trip abroad, White House communications director Michael Dubke announced his resignation Tuesday in what many inside and outside the White House see as the first shoe to drop. A wider overhaul is expected, aimed at more aggressively responding to allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and revelations of possible ties between Trump's campaign and Moscow.

Dubke said in a statement it had been an honour to serve Trump and my distinct pleasure to work side by side, day by day with the staff of the communications and press departments.

However, Trump has privately and publicly pinned much of the blame for his administration's woes on the communications effort.

In terms of messaging, I would give myself a C or a C plus, Trump said in an interview on Fox News Channel early in his term. In terms of achievement, I think I'd give myself an A. Because I think I've done great things, but I don't think I have  I and my people, I don't think we've explained it well enough to the American public.

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https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/05/16/donald-trump-has-said-100s-of-false-things-heres-all-of-them.htmlTrump said just 6 false things in the last 10 days, his least dishonest stretch as presidentEND

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/05/28/democrats-want-answers-on-kushners-alleged-russia-connections-as-trump-calls-fake-news.htmlDemocrats want answers on Kushner's alleged Russia connections as Trump calls fake news'END

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/05/26/jared-kushner-wanted-to-set-up-secret-communications-channel-with-moscow-us-officials.htmlJared Kushner wanted secret communications channel with Moscow: Russia diplomatEND

Trump has long believed that he is his most effective spokesperson and has groused about supporters and aides not defending him vigorously enough. At the same time, he often undermines his staffers, contradicting their public statements and derailing their efforts to stay on topic with inflammatory tweets.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer pushed back Tuesday on the idea that a broader reorganization was imminent, but he acknowledged the president is frustrated with news stories that are absolutely false, that are not based in fact. That is troubling.

Spicer said he thinks the president is very pleased with his team, but he added, Ultimately the best messenger is the president himself. He's always proven that.

Rumours of impending shakeups have come and gone in the Trump White House before. But numerous people close to the president and his team are expecting further changes this time.

For example, Trump has entertained bringing his former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, and former deputy campaign manager, David Bossie, more formally back into the fold. Both Lewandowski and Bossie visited the White House Monday night, according to two people familiar with the meeting, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private get-together.

But it remains unclear whether the president might envision them working inside the White House or in outside roles.

Bossie told Fox & Friends that the administration has reached out to him but hasn't offered him a job.

They have talked to many people, including me, Bossie said. He later added: It's an ongoing conversation, and that's a fair way to put it.

Another person whose name has been raised as a possible addition to the president's team is David Urban, a prominent Republican lobbyist, who also spent time advising Trump's campaign and has remained a trusted adviser.

Former CIA Director John Brennan said on May 23 he warned Russia against meddling in the presidential election in August.

While overseas, Trump's longtime lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, joined a still-forming legal team to help the president shoulder the intensifying investigations into Russian interference in the election and Trump associates' potential involvement. More attorneys with deep experience in Washington investigations are expected to be added in the weeks ahead.

The latest revelations to emerge last week involved Trump's son-in-law and top aide, Jared Kushner. Shortly after the election, Kushner is reported to have discussed setting up a secret communications channel with the Russian government to facilitate sensitive discussions about the conflict in Syria.

The intent was to connect Trump's chief national security adviser at the time, Michael Flynn, with Russian military leaders, a person familiar with the discussions told the AP. The person wasn't authorized to publicly discuss private policy deliberations and insisted on anonymity.

Flynn handed in his resignation in February, ousted on grounds that he had misled top White House officials about his contacts with Russian officials.

A senior administration official said Kushner was keeping his head down and focusing on work after the foreign trip. The official said Kushner was eager to share what he knows with Congress and other investigators. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss private thinking and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Trump aides had been hoping to get through the trip before making staffing decisions.

Indeed, Dubke offered his resignation before the president's departure, White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway told The Associated Press, but offered to stay on during the trip. His last day has not yet been determined.

White House chief of staff Reince Priebus thanked Dubke in a statement and said he had offered to remain on board until a transition is concluded.

Mike will assist with the transition and be a strong advocate for the president and the president's policies moving forward, Priebus said.

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Earlier this month, Sophie Labelle, a Montreal-based, internationally renowned transgender author and activist was subject to a violent cyber attack, including death threats and hate speech. Most chillingly, the attackers not only temporarily destroyed her popular website, but also published personal details  including her home address. Sophie is now in hiding.

Bill C-16, a bill designed to protect gender identity and gender expression in the Canadian Human Rights Act and Criminal Code, explicitly addresses the violence that Sophie most recently experienced. If the bill were made law, Sophies attackers could face additional sanctions for hate speech.

Indeed, Bill C-16 helps to redress incomplete protections for some of the most vulnerable women in Canadian society today: transgender women, who face unconscionably high rates of physical, sexual and fatal violence.

For over a decade now, however, legislation aiming to protect transgender rights has stalled. Numerous lives have continued to be tragically impacted by discrimination, harassment and violence in the meantime.

Much of this stalling has occurred in the Senate, where a small but vocal minority of senators has successfully been able to prevent the bill from moving forward. A third reading for the bill will take place in the Senate starting Tuesday.

There have been other detractors. Most recently, Vancouver Rape Relief (VRR) and Pour les droits des femmes du Quebec (PDFQ) claimed during a Senate committee hearing on the issue that the protections for transgender people in Bill C-16 pose a threat to feminism and female-only spaces.

This claim garnered national headlines. But it proved to be spurious.

In the immediate aftermath of the testimony, Canadian feminists moved quickly to distance themselves from such exclusionary views. On May 17 we published an open letter entitled, Canadian Feminists Support Bill C-16 / Feministes canadiens pour la loi C-16, on iPetitions. The petition argued that the bill is deeply needed and long overdue especially because transgender women are more likely to face poverty, homelessness, barriers to education and violence than are cisgender (non-transgender) women.

In just one day it gained more than 1,000 supporters. Signatories include people from womens shelters, churches and womens studies programs in universities across the country.

On the same day, this petition was joined by a strong statement of support for Bill C-16 from the following organizations: the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres; the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women; the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses; the Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres; the Office of Sexual Violence Support and Education, Ryerson University; Womens Health in Womens Hands, Community Health Centre; the Canadian Womens Foundation; and the YWCA Canada.

The message was clear: trans women are women.

As the coalition wrote, Bill C-16 will bolster efforts to ensure sexual violence support services are available to all survivors of violence across Canada. It went on to affirm the importance of equity and safety for trans, two-spirit and gender diverse people.

The immediate and vocal response from feminists across the country, who were anxious to counter the testimony given at the Senate against the bill, makes it clear that human rights are at the very heart of contemporary Canadian feminism. Feminism is more rich and diverse than it has ever been before. A new generation of young people is committed to tackling oppression as an intersectional project of resistance.

There is wide-ranging support for trans rights in Canada that goes all the way up to the Prime Ministers office.

On International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Prime Minister Trudeau declared, Today  and every day  I join Canadians to support gender expression, gender identity and sexual orientation rights for people in Canada and around the world, and to challenge stigma, violence and prejudices wherever they occur.

Bill C-16 cements such sentiments and good wishes into reality. A large majority of the members of Parliament also support this recognition of trans rights.

It is now time for our senators to decide if they too will protect gender identity and gender expression. These measures are needed not only by those who are transgender, but also by less-understood non-binary and gender fluid individuals.

As the Senate meets to vote on the third reading of this historic legislation, we urge them to remember that gender diverse people of all ages, from children to seniors, should be embraced as equals in this country, with the full protection of the law.

Kimberley Ens Manning is an expert with EvidenceNetwork.ca, a principal of the Simone de Beauvoir Institute and associate professor of political science at Concordia University. In her capacity as a founding board member of Gender Creative Kids Canada (GCKC), Dr. Manning frequently gives public presentations on transgender children and their families.

Dr. Julie Temple Newhook is an Instructor of gender studies and professional associate with the faculty of medicine at Memorial University. In 2014, she founded the national and local peer support groups, Canadian Parents of Trans & Gender Diverse Kids/Parents canadiens d'enfants trans and Parents of Trans & Gender Diverse Kids  Newfoundland & Labrador.

Correction  May 31, 2017: This column was edited from a previous version that misattributed the open letter of support for Bill C-16 sent to the Senate to the Ontario Coalition to End Violence Against Women. In fact, there is no such organization.

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As the chair of the board of management of the Toronto Zoo, I take great pride in the accomplishments of the Zoo and its employees and volunteers. The work they do contributes to the zoos status as a centre of excellence for conservation, education and scientific research.

The Toronto Zoo is a not-for-profit charitable organization that remains committed to providing our valued, unionized staff with a fair agreement. On May 19, the union stated publicly and in a letter to the zoos board of management, that both sides were 95 per cent of the way to a settlement with job security being the only outstanding item.

In response to this, on May 20, the zoo presented a comprehensive offer to settle package to the unions negotiating team. This offer addressed the very job security issues raised by the union and should have provided that last 5 per cent. The offer presented was a fair and reasonable compromise, which was reached with the assistance of the provincially appointed mediator.

The zoo offered the return of the 150 clause, which guarantees the continued employment of at least 150 permanent zoo employees, regardless of the circumstances. In addition, the zoo also offered to protect all current employees in the bargaining unit from contracting out.

The zoos proposal would also mean that, after 11 years of service, new employees hired after the ratification of the new collective agreement would be protected from contracting out. Such provisions are unprecedented in any other collective agreement that applies to any other employee of the City of Toronto or any of its agencies, boards or commissions.

The union has stated that the zoo has not provided a clear rationale for making the changes it has requested. The zoo, like any employer, must ensure that the terms and conditions it offers its employees reflects its fiscal situation.

The reality is that the zoo operates with a substantial annual operating subsidy from the City of Toronto  $12 million dollars in 2016. Given this situation, the zoo needs to ensure it has all the flexibility it requires to be able to continue providing the best possible care for its animals and a wonderful educational experience for its guests.

The union went out on strike on May 11 and CUPE asserts it was given no option but to strike; however, rather than continue to negotiate past the midnight deadline, the union immediately triggered a walkout at 12:05 a.m., putting its members out on the picket line only a few hours later.

The zoo has offered a fair and reasonable offer to its unionized employees that guarantees their job security. The zoo remains ready and willing to negotiate, and eagerly awaits a written response from the union to the zoos May 20 proposal.

Councillor Paul Ainslie is chair of the Toronto Zoos Board of Management

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The Charter-protected right to a trial within a reasonable time is meant to ensure justice for both victims and the accused. Yet in Ontario and other provinces our court systems have become so overburdened that they are consistently unable to uphold that right.

Faced with a deepening crisis of court delays, the Supreme Court of Canada last summer imposed deadlines. Provincial courts must decide cases within 18 months from the time charges are laid; superior courts within 30 months.

Yet, in Ontario, one judge is undermining the top court's crucial efforts to address the problem. Ontario Superior Court Justice Susanne R. Goodman has repeatedly failed to produce written reasons for her decisions in a timely manner.

Her failure to do so has not only delayed appeals but has sometimes led higher courts to order new trials. In other words, the courts  and those caught up in them  are being held hostage by her actions.

Justice Goodman's transgressions have not gone unnoticed. The Canadian Judicial Council, the regulatory body that oversees federally appointed judges and reviews complaints, is now investigating the judge. It's about time. The council should ensure that Goodman is no longer allowed to unduly delay justice.

Already too many people have suffered as a result of her obstinacy in the face of repeated reprimands.

Consider the case before the Ontario Court of Appeal last week.

On March 1, 2014, the complainant called police and alleged she had been punched, beaten with a mop handle, attacked with a knife and raped by Stanislaw Sliwka over the course of more than a year.

A police officer who arrived at the scene testified he was horrified by what he saw when she opened the door. She had extensive injuries, including bruising, cuts, swelling and bleeding and needed immediate medical assistance.

For his part Sliwka denied assaulting her and said he believed intruders had broken in and attacked her two days before she had called 911.

After the trial, Goodman said she was left with reasonable doubt and acquitted Sliwka on all charges. The Crown filed an appeal and repeatedly asked for written reasons. The judge's repeated promises to deliver were repeatedly missed.

The Ontario Court of Appeal rightly slammed Goodman for the delays.

The trial judges failure to give reasons, despite her repeated promises to do so, has frustrated the administration of justice, Court of Appeal Justice David Doherty wrote for the three-judge panel. Nor is this the first time that this trial judges failure to provide reasons has required the court to order a new trial. It must be the last time.

Indeed. Amid the crisis of court delays in this province, Goodmans actions are particularly unconscionable.

Now its time for the Canadian Judicial Council to ensure that justice is done. Unlike Goodman, it should not delay.

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Canadian National Railway (CNI) - Get Free Report avoided a labor strike with about 3,000 workers that was set to begin Tuesday after reaching a tentative agreement with the workers' union.

The union issued a 72-hour strike notice Saturday, which would have put the workers' in position to legally strike by today.

However, overnight negotiations on Sunday led to a verbal agreement Monday to avoid the strike. Details of the agreement are being withheld until all union members officially ratify it, a process that could take up to 60 days.

Stocks have rebounded following a sharp sell off last week. Jim Cramer believes the rebound is real and gives investors advice on how to play the market going forward.
The leader of Venezuela's National Assembly, Julio Borges, has said that a future government may not pay the $2.8 billion in bonds that U.S. financial giant Goldman Sachs (GS) - Get Free Report purchased recently from the South American country's central bank.

"It is apparent Goldman Sachs decided to make a quick buck off the suffering of the Venezuelan people," Borges said in a letter sent to Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein.

"Given the irregular nature of this transaction and the absurd financial terms involved that are to the detriment of Venezuela and its people, the National Assembly will soon launch an investigation into the matter. I also intend to recommend to any future democratic government of Venezuela not to recognize or pay on these bonds," Borges wrote.

Earlier this week the Wall Street Journal reported on the terms of the deal, citing sources close to the matter. The bond deal called for Goldman to pay $865 million for $2.8 billion in bonds that were issued by state run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela in 2014, maturing in 2022.

Jim Cramer and Real Money columnists discuss the latest from President Donald Trump and the GOP efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. See which stocks they are discussing and get his insights or analysis with a free trial subscription to Real Money.

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On Monday, a Netherlands court ruled in favor of paint and coating company Akzo Nobel (AKZOY) in a legal battle with U.S. activist investor Elliott Management to remove the Dutch company's chairman, the Wall Street Journal reports.

This ups the pressure on U.S. coatings and specialty materials company PPG Industries (PPG) - Get Free Report to make a hostile takeover bid, or drop its pursuit of the Dutch company.

Elliott took Akzo to court earlier in May to have Anthony Burgmans removed from his position saying he failed to "discharge his fiduciary and corporate government duties" after Akzo rejected PPG's latest offer of $29.49 billion without negotiating a deal first, the Journal said.

Retail's downturn giving you the blues? Jim Cramer has a list of retailers that are currently oversold, giving investors a leg up one of the market's most volatile sectors.
Exxon shares slipped a fraction in pre-open trade on Wednesday ahead of the company's annual shareholder meeting that's expected to be its most contentious in years.

The worm may be finally turning at Exxon as a handful of influential institutional owners are putting pressure on ExxonMobil (XOM) - Get Free Report to adopt a more transparent policy about its prospects under stricter environmental rules.

The issue will come to a head on Wednesday when the company holds its first annual meeting under the leadership of CEO Darren Woods, who took over the reins when former CEO Rex Tillerson left the company to become the U.S. Secretary of State.

Exxon shares dropped 25 cents or 0.3% to $81.10

Last week The Wall Street Journal reported that the energy giant is getting pressured on the issue from BlackRock (BLK) - Get Free Report and Vanguard Group, two large holders said to be considering a vote for an investor plan that would pressure Exxon to conduct climate stress tests to determine how environmental regulations impact its oil asset value.

Fidelity Investments and the California Public Employees' Retirement System are also said to be pressuring Exxon on climate change and environmental issues.

Exxon is urging investors to vote against the proposal. Should it pass, the measure would be a strong signal that investors want greater disclosure of the threats climate change poses to business.

And, low carbonExxon may have telegraphed its more general take on environmental issues when CEO Woods last week penned a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to keep the U.S. in the global Paris accord regarding climate change.

"Exxon Mobil maintains the view that the U.S. is well positioned to compete within the framework of the Paris Agreement with low-carbon resources such as natural gas, as well as innovative private industries including the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors," Woods wrote.

He went on to argue that remaining in the agreement would give the U.S. a "seat at the negotiating table to ensure a level playing field" for all energy sources.

On Thursday, 22 Republican senators sent a letter to Trump calling for the U.S. to pull out of the deal.

The Paris Agreement is within the UN's Framework Convention on Climate Change dealing with greenhouse gasses emissions reduction, adaptation, and finance starting in 2020.

As part of the deal, the U.S. pledged to reduce its emissions by between 26% and 28% from 2005 levels by 2025.

Woods is also likely to hear plenty about his own pay as well.

On May 19 proxy advisory firm ISS said sharehiolders should vote against the company's proposed pay package and called the company's remuneration policy out of date and not within industry standards.

"Exxon's executive pay program has remained largely unchanged for the better part of a decade. What has not remained constant over this period, however, are prevailing market practices and investors' expectations around executive compensation and related disclosure," ISS wrote in its report.
The U.S. and China are discussing when they should bring further UN Security Council action on North Korea and could reach a decision this week, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said today.

Haley described the negotiations between Washington and Beijing as "at what point ... do we say 'OK, now it's time for a resolution?'"

"(The Chinese) have the lay of the land and so we're going to keep the pressure on China, but we're going to continue to work with them in any way that they think is best, and I think that we'll decide this week on what that looks like," Haley said.

The Security Council first imposed sanctions on Pyongyang in 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, which it has ratcheted up in past months.

Jim Cramer and Real Money columnists discuss the latest from President Donald Trump and the GOP's efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. See which stocks they are discussing and get his insights or analysis with a free trial subscription to Real Money.
Community Health (CYH) - Get Free Report said Tuesday it has an agreement to sell five Pennsylvania hospitals to subsidiaries of Reading Health System. The hospitals are the 169-bed Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville, the 148-bed Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia, the 63-bed Jennersville Hospital in West Grove, the 151-bed Phoenixville Hospital in Phoenixville and the 232-bed Pottstown Memorial Medical Center in Pottstown.

The hospitals will be sold to subsidiaries of Reading Health, which is located in West Reading, Pennsylvania. Upon acquisition, Reading Health will change its company name to Tower Health.

Community Health, one of the nation's largest publicly traded hospitals companies is divesting 30 hospitals after reporting a net loss of $1.7 billion in 2016 in order to reduce its $15 billion debt burden.

Steve Tullman, CEO of Phoenixville Hospital is looking forward to "working together" with Reading Health because it "will strengthen the clinical services available to patients in our community and region".

The deal is expected to transpire at the end of the third quarter and is subject to regulatory approvals.

Community was down 2.14% Tuesday, closing at $9.16 per share.
Domtar Corporation designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes communication papers, specialty and packaging papers, and absorbent hygiene products in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Pulp and Paper, and Personal Care. The company provides business papers, including copy and electronic imaging papers used in inkjet and laser printers, photocopiers, and plain-paper fax machines, as well as computer papers, preprinted forms, and digital papers for office and home use. It also offers commercial printing and publishing papers, such as offset papers and opaques used in sheet and roll fed offset presses; publishing papers, which include tradebook and lightweight uncoated papers for publishing textbooks, dictionaries, catalogs, magazines, hard cover novels, and financial documents; and converting papers for envelopes, tablets, business forms, and data processing/computer forms. In addition, the company provides papers for thermal printing, flexible packaging, food packaging, medical packaging, medical gowns and drapes, sandpaper backing, carbonless printing, labels and other coating, and laminating applications; and papers for industrial and specialty applications, such as carrier papers, treated papers, security papers, and specialized printing and converting applications. Further, it offers absorbent hygiene products, including absorbent briefs, protective underwear, underpads, pads, washcloths, and body patches under the Attends, Indasec, IndasSlip, and Reassure brands; and baby diapers, training and youth pants, and bed mats under the Comfees, Chelino, Nene, and Bambino brand names. The company serves merchants, retail outlets, stationers, printers, publishers, converters, and end-users. Domtar Corporation was founded in 1848 and is based in Fort Mill, South Carolina. As of November 30, 2021, Domtar Corporation operates as a subsidiary of Karta Halten B.V.
The following companies are subsidiares of Accenture: 2nd Road, ?What If!, ?What If! China Holdings Limited, ?What If! Holdings Limited, ?What If! Limited, ACN Consulting Co Ltd, AD.Dialeto (Digital Agency acquired by Accenture), AFD.TECH, AGS Business and Technology Services Limited, AIG Shared Services Business Processing Inc, ASM Research Inc., ASM Research LLC, ATAN, Accenture (Botswana) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (China) Co. Ltd., Accenture (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) Pty Ltd, Accenture (UK) Limited, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Agencia Interativa Ltda, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture B.V., Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BPS Services S.p. z o.o., Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A., Accenture Canada Holdings Inc, Accenture Capital Designated Activity Company, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Limited, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co. Ltd, Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Pty Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SASU, Accenture Customer Services Ltd, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Limited, Accenture Delivery Poland S.p. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance II Limited, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services S.r.l., Accenture Financial Advanced Solution & Technology S.r.l., Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Global Capital Designated Activity Company, Accenture Global Engagements Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Limited, Accenture Global Services Limited, Accenture Global Solutions Limited, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc, Accenture Holding Brasil Ltda, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SASU, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services B.V., Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture International B.V., Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea B.V., Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Lithuania UAB, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Marketing Services LLC, Accenture Marketing Services Limited, Accenture Middle East B.V., Accenture Minority I B.V., Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi Pty Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations GmbH, Accenture Operations S.p. z o.o., Accenture Operations Services Private Limited, Accenture Operations Services Sdn Bhd, Accenture Outsourcing S.r.l., Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations B.V., Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru SRL, Accenture Post Trade Processing SASU, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture Qiyun Technology (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture S.p. z o.o., Accenture S.p.A., Accenture SASU, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sdn Bhd, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.p. z o.o., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services and Technology S.r.l., Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Single Member S.A. Organization Information Technology & Business Development, Accenture Solutions Co. Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions S.p. z o.o, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc, Accenture Sub III Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions S.r.l., Accenture Technology Solutions SASU, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures B.V., Accenture Technology Ventures SPRL, Accenture Tecnologia Consultoria y Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co. Limited, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Ltda, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Advoco, Agilex Technologies Inc., Alfa Consulting, Allen International, AlphaBeta Advisors, Altevie Technologies S.r.l., Altima, Altima (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Altima Asia Ltd, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Altius Consulting Limited, Altius Data Solutions Private Limited, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Apis Group Pty Ltd, Appaloosa Technology SASU, AppsPro, AppsPro, Arca, Arca Ingenieros y Consultoria S.L., Arca Telecom S.L., Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Artio People (Payroll) Pty Ltd, Artio People Pty Ltd, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Automation Partners Pty Ltd, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc, Avanade Consulting Poland S.p. z o.o., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Limited, Avanade Europe Services Limited, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SASU, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade Inc, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy S.r.l., Avanade Japan KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Middle East Limited, Avanade Netherlands B.V., Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland S.p. z o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain S.L., Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Limited, Avanade do Brasil Ltda , Avanade Osterreich GmbH, Avenai, Avieco, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCS Consulting, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BENEXT, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, BRIDGEi2i, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Beijing Zhidao Future Consulting Co. Ltd, Benext, Berico Technologies LLC, Bionic, Bionic Solution LLC, Blue Horseshoe, Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Bow & Arrow, Bow & Arrow Limited, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, Byte Prophecy Private Limited, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CS Technology (Australia) Pty Ltd, CS Technology (UK) Limited, CS Technology Group LLC, CS Technology LLC, CadenceQuest Inc., Callisto Integration Europe B.V., Callisto Integration Europe Limited, Callisto Integration LLC, Callisto Integration Ltd, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc, Certus Solutions Consulting Services Limited, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cirrus Connect Australia Pty Ltd, Cirrus Connect Limited, Cirruseo, Clarity Insights, ClearEdge Partners, Clearhead, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas Japan G.K., Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Limited, Cloudeasier SAS, Cloudpoint Limited, Cloudsherpas Inc, Cloudworks, Cloudworks Consulting Services Inc, Cloudworks Technology LLC, Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda, Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda, Context Information Security, Context Information Security LLC, Context Information Security Limited, CoreCompete LLC, CoreCompete Limited, CoreCompete Private Limited, Corliant Inc., Creative Drive LLC, Creative Drive US LLC, CreativeDrive, CreativeDrive Digital Content Services (Shenzhen) Co Ltd., CreativeDrive EMEA Limited, CreativeDrive Singapore Pte Ltd, CreativeDrive UK Group Limited, Cutting Edge Solutions Limited, Cygni AB, Cygni Norrsken AB, Cygni Stockholm AB, Cygni Syd AB, Cygni Vast AB, Cygni Ost AB, Cygni Ostersund AB, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Limited, DI Futures Corporation, Data Essential SARL, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings LLC, Decora Marketplace LLC, Decorado Marketplace Ltda-EPP, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digital Results Group LLC, Double Digit Limitada, Double Digit Pty SA, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Limited, Duck Creek Technologies, ESR Labs, ESR Labs AG, EdenOne Solutions Limited, Edenhouse ERP Holdings Limited, Edenhouse Solutions Limited, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting LP, End to End Analytics LLC, End-to-End Analytics, Endorphin Medici (M) Sdn Bhd, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Limited, EnergyQuote JHA, Enimbos, Enimbos Global Services S.L., Enkitec, Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions LLC, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V., Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enthusian Pty Ltd, Entropia, Entropia (M) Sdn Bhd, Entropia Holdings Pte Ltd, Entropia Intercraft Sdn Bhd, Epylon, Ergo, Espedia S.r.l., Ethica Consulting Group, Ethica Consulting S.p.A., Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Experity, Exton Consulting, Exton Consulting Spain Strategy&Management S.L., Exton Germany GmbH, Exton International SAS, Exton Italia S.r.l., Exton SAS, FGM LLC, Fairway Technologies Inc, Farah BidCo Limited, Farah MidCo Limited, Farah Topco Limited, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Formicary, Founders Intelligence, Fruendo S.r.l., FusionX, Future State Consulting LLC, FutureMove (Beijing) Automotive Technology Co. Ltd., FutureMove Automotive, FutureMove Automotive Co. Ltd., GRA Supply Chain Pty Ltd, Gagel Group S de R.L. de C.V., Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gevity, Gren utvikling AS, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., HRC Retail Advisory, Hagberg Consulting Group, Hahntel Ltda, Halo Partners LLC, Hamilton Holding Company S.A, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Happen GP Limited, Happen Limited, Headspring, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl A/S, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn Bhd, IBB Consulting, ICM.S S.r.l., IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INSITUM, IQSP Consulting LLC, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Icon Integration (NZ) Limited, Icon Integration Pty Ltd, Imagine Broadband (USA) Limited, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Imaginea Technologies LLC, Industrie IT (Hong Kong) Ltd, Industrie IT (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Industrie IT Group Pty Ltd, Industrie IT Pty Ltd, Industrie&Co, Infinity Works Consulting Limited, Infinity Works Holdings Limited, Infinity Works Management Limited, Infinity Works Midco Limited, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Innotec International EAD, Innotec International S.p. z.o.o., Innotec Marketing GmbH, Innotec Marketing International Ireland Limited, Innotec- Marketing Spain S.L, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., International Biometric Group LLC, International Biometric Group UK Limited, Intrepid, Intrepid Futureworks Sdn Bhd, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Technology Ltd, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, ItSafer Continuity Services S.L., JKD Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, K Comms Group Limited, KSC Studio LLC, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, King James Group, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Limited, Kogentix Singapore Pte Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon US LLC, LEXTA, LINKBYNET, LINKBYNET Indian Ocean (L.I.O) Ltd, LabAnswer, Lexta GmbH, Lexta UK Limited, Lien par le reseau Inc, Lien par le reseau infrastructures Inc, Lin Bo (Shanghai) Network Technology Co. Ltd., Link By Net SAS, Link By Net SRL, Link By Net Vietnam Company Limited, Linkbynet East Asia Ltd, Linkbynet Singapore Pte Ltd., Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, Lumenup S.A., MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision LLC, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte Ltd, Mackevision UK Limited, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd, Maihiro, Matter, Maud Corp Pty Ltd, Maxamine International, Measuretek LLC, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing LLC, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mistral Wind Operations  Servicos Empresariais Unipessoal Lda., MobGen, Mortgage Cadence LLC, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, Mudano Limited, Myrtle Consulting Group LLC, N3, N3 (Dalian) Business Consulting Co. Ltd., N3 Brazil Consultoria em Marketing Ltda, N3 Germany GmbH, N3 LLC, N3 North America LLC, N3 Results Australia Pty Ltd, N3 Results Ireland Limited, N3 Results Japan G.K., N3 Results Limited, N3 Results Malaysia Sdn Bhd, N3 Results Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., N3 Results S.A.S., N3 Results Singapore Pte Ltd, N3 Results Unipessoal Lda, NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., Nell'Armonia Israel Ltd, Nell'Armonia SAS, Nell'Participation SAS, NellArmonia, Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda, New Energy Group, News Imaging LLC, NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage Pte Ltd, Northstream, Novetta Holdings LLC, Novetta LLC, Novetta Solutions LLC, Novetta Topco LLC, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Olikka Pty Ltd, Olympus Systems Corporation, Openmind, Openmind S.r..l., Openminded, Openminded SAS, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium AG, Orbium Consulting Limited, Orbium Inc., Orbium Ltd, Orbium Pte Ltd, Orbium Pty Ltd, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PLM Systems S.r.l, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, PacificLink Group, Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production A/S, Pegasus Production K/S, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pollux Automation Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pollux Canada Inc, Pollux S.A.S., Pollux USA LLC, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Limited, Pramati Technologies Europe Limited, Pramati Technologies Private Limited, Presence of IT Workforce Management North America LLC, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Limited, Procurian Inc., Prof. Homburg GmbH, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co. Ltd., RBCP Fund 1-A Vapor Blocker LLC, RBCP Platform Vapor Blocker I LLC, REPL Consulting LLC, REPL Consulting Limited, REPL Digital Limited, REPL Group K.K., REPL Group Pty Ltd, REPL Group Worldwide Limited, REPL Pte Ltd, REPL Software Limited, REPL Technology Limited, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Root LLC, Rothco, Rothco Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SALT Solutions GmbH, SEC Servizi, SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Salt Solutions, Sandbox Studio LLC, Sapling Bidco Limited, Sapling Midco Limited, Sapling Topco Limited, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Search Technologies BPO Inc, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Securiview SAS, Sentelis, Sentor Managed Secuirty Services AB, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Seven Seas Business Ventures LLC, Shackleton, Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton S.L.U., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., SigInt Technologies LLC, Silveo, Silveo Consulting India Private Limited, Simian Pty Ltd, SinnerSchrader, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., Sirvart S.A., Sistemes Consulting S.L., Skylink SAS, Soltians Limited, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Somers Ventures Ireland Limited, Somers Ventures LLC, Spacelink SAS, Storm Digital, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Synership LLC, Systor AG, T.A. Cook, TXF LLC, Tambourine, TargetST8, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Ltd, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Tquila, Trivadis, Trivadis AG, Trivadis Austria GmbH, Trivadis Denmark AS, Trivadis Germany GmbH, Trivadis Holding AG, Trivadis Partner AG, Trivadis Services AG, Trivadis Services SRL, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Vector Acquisition Company LLC, Vector Topco LLC, Verax Solutions, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd, Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd, Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Wabion GmbH, WaveStrike LLC, White Cliffs Consulting LLC, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wise Partners SAS, Wolox, Wolox Colombia S.A.S, Wolox LLC, Wolox Mexico S.R.L de C.V., Wolox S.A., Wolox SpA, Workforce Insight, Workforce Insight LLC, Yesler, Yesler LLC, Yesler Limited, Yesler Singapore Pte Ltd, Zag, Zag Australia Pty Ltd, Zag Limited, Zag USA LLC, Zebra Worldwide Australia Pty Ltd, Zebra Worldwide Group Limited, Zebra Worldwide Media Pty Ltd, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines Inc, Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc, Zestgroup, Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, solid-serVision.com GmbH, and umlaut.

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Expanded service increases daily flights between New York and Mexico City to four.

Interjet announced today it has added a third daily, non-stop flight between New York's JFK airport and Mexico City's Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juarez effective June 15, 2017. This additional flight now brings to four the total number of flights Interjet operates between the two cities.

"Our business and leisure travel continues to grow between the U.S. and Mexico," said Jose Luis Garza, Interjet, CEO. "And travel demand between New York City and Mexico City is at an all-time high for us," he added.

The A320 aircraft departs JFK at 16:40 arriving Mexico City 20:50 in time for a late evening dinner. A 09:25 morning departure from Mexico City arrives JFK 15:25 in time for an early dinner in the New York metropolitan area. In addition to convenient departures and arrivals, Interjet offers more legroom between seats, inflight service that includes free light snacks and drinks, no fees for checked baggage on specific fares and female-only lavatories. Fares will start at $388.42 (USD) for round-trip service.

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 2022 Travel Industry Wire
This TreeHugger is a big fan of bidets (and I really like my Toto). Now Scientific American looks at the issue, when a reader asks "Wouldn't a return to installing bidets in bathrooms at home go a long way toward cutting disposable tissue use and saving forests?"

To be pedantic, it is not a return to installing bidets, they have never been popular in America; in fact, they were always a niche market among the rich who did European tours. Harvey Molotch, a New York University professor, studied the bidet and it's trip to America and the New York Times summarized:

The fixture, which was invented by French furniture makers in the early 18th century, was rejected by the English, who regarded French imports as tainted with the hedonism and sensuality of that country. That sentiment, rather than the bidet itself, traveled to America, Professor Molotch said. Later, at the turn of the last century, he said, bidets installed in an upscale Manhattan hotel incited public protest, resulting in their removal. And during World War II, the bidet suffered another blow when American soldiers encountered it in European brothels, perpetuating the idea that bidets were somehow associated with immorality.



Justin Thomas considers bidets to be a key green technology because they eliminate the use of toilet paper. According to his analysis, Americans use 36.5 billion rolls of toilet paper every year, representing the pulping of some 15 million trees. Says Thomas: This also involves 473,587,500,000 gallons of water to produce the paper and 253,000 tons of chlorine for bleaching. He adds that manufacturing requires about 17.3 terawatts of electricity annually and that significant amounts of energy and materials are used in packaging and in transportation to retail outlets.



Others believe that they never caught on because they took up too much space. But now they have been integrated into toilets and toilet seats, which actually makes a lot more sense than a separate fixture. A bidet is not only is cleaner and healthier, but it has serious environmental benefits. TreeHugger Emeritus Justin Thomas (who wrote our first bidet posts ) now edits Metaefficient and tells Scientific American:

That's a lot of water, far more than is actually used by the bidet itself.

CC BY 2.0. Lloyd Alter/ toto toilet with washlet

Lloyd Alter/ toto toilet with washlet/CC BY 2.0

There are also the health benefits (summarized here) and the fact that one is far less likely to get any fecal bacteria on their hands. When I designed my bathroom with the bidet/toilet in a separate water closet, readers complained that I wasn't washing my hands before I touched the doorknob. But in fact it is not a problem because the entire operation is hands-free. As they note in Scientific American:

On the public health front, bidet maker BioRelief reports that almost 80 percent of all infectious diseases are passed on by human contact and that only about half of us actually wash our hands after using the facilitiesmaking hands-free bidets a safer alternative all around. If you dont have to use your hands at all then there is less chance of passing or coming in contact with a virus, claims the company.



For the record, I still wash my hands.
While waiting to hear whether the USA under Donald Trump will decide to uphold the aims of the Paris climate accords, northern Europeans are suffering unusually hot temperatures for the month of May, with the thermometer breaking 30C (86F) already in Paris and record temperatures set in Norway.

At least for the citizens of Nevers, in central France, a monument to the hope of a sustainable environment will provide a seat in the shade as the temperatures rise. The city unveiled a Sologic eTree yesterday,

Nevers facebook/Promo image

Although the solar tree can never replace the shade and air cleansing quality of a natural glen, it does offer the opportunity to communicate a message to the community via the interactive LCD display built into the trunk and offers free wifi and docking stations for charging portable electronic devices. The tree powers a water cooler and delivers water to a trough for pets. At night, the "leaves" serve to illuminate the area below the canopy of the eTree.

It may not suffice to lead by example, demonstrating what's technically feasible as exemplified by the off-grid town of Feldheim in Germany or setting records in renewable energy generation. Without the clout of the USA to encourage the growing giants like China and India to balance global sustainability against short-term economic growth, mankind could miss the window for action to make a difference before the warming forces get away from us.

So for now we are left to celebrate the small wins. We can hope that enthusiasm for gadget technology will stoke the trend to find clean solutions regardless of which direction our political leaders choose to go.
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Militants launched 50 attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in ATO area in Donbas over the past day.

This is reported by the ATO press center.

In Mariupol direction, militants launched attacks on Ukrainian positions outside near Krasnohorivka (29 km west of Donetsk), Pavlopol (30 km northeast of Mariupol), Hnutove (19km north-west of Mariupol), Novotroitske (32km south of Donetsk), using grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms.

In Donetsk direction, the tensest situation was again observed near Avdiivka (18km north of Donetsk), where the enemy launched attacks, using 120 mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers and small arms. ATO troops also came under grenade launcher fire near Pisky (12km north-west of Donetsk).

In Luhansk direction, Ukrainian positions outside Krymske (42.5km north-west of Luhansk), Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk), Novooleksandrivka and Novozvanivka came under grenade launcher fire.

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Exports of Ukrainian goods to the European Union grew by 24.5% over the first quarter of 2017, compared with the same period last year.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman posted this on his Facebook page.

Positive news from the Economic Development and Trade Ministry of Ukraine. Exports of Ukrainian goods to the EU increased by 24.5% over the first quarter of 2017, compared with the same period in 2016, he wrote.

The Prime Minister also stressed that Ukraine "revives trade" with European partners.

"Together we are moving towards economic growth," Groysman wrote.

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Melissa O'Rourke has been appointed as Australia's next Ambassador to Ukraine, Australia's Ministry for Foreign Affairs reports.

Australia is a steadfast supporter of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We cooperate closely on issues relating to the investigation of the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Julie Bishop said in a statement released on May 30.

Melissa O'Rourke is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and has held a range of positions in DFAT including Director, United Nations and Commonwealth Section. She was most recently Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy, Moscow. She has also served overseas in Brussels and Bangkok.

According to Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, Ukraine and Australia share a mutual interest in global peace and security, working together as part of the Global Coalition Against ISIS.

Our economic relationship continues to develop and mature. Total two-way goods and services trade was valued at $156 million in 2015-16 and strong opportunities exist for Australia's resources sector. Australian investment in Ukraine was worth $60 million in 2015, she stressed.

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Tuesday, May 30, 2017

The Ohio Supreme Court has imposed a stayed six-month suspension of an attorney who had mishandled the defense of a civil claim.

[Plaintiff] Needham, however, twice amended the complaintfirst to add her grandfather, Charles Needham, as a plaintiff, and the second time to name Donald Jones, d.b.a. We Sell, as a defendant. The second amended complaint was served on Peck by e-mail and on Jones by certified mail, but Peck did not answer it. Consequently, the Needhams moved for default judgment against Donald Jones, d.b.a. We Sell. Peck failed to respond. Although Peck appeared at the hearing on the default motion, the court granted the motion, finding that he had not presented any evidence of excusable neglect or moved for leave to file an answer out of time. The court issued a judgment in favor of the Needhams for $6,206.89 in compensatory damages, trebled to $18,620.67 under the Consumer Sales Practices Act, punitive damages of $6,206.89 on their fraud claim, attorney fees of $1,100, and interest at the rate of 4 percent per annum. Peck did not appeal the trial courts decision, and the parties stipulate that the court issued a certificate of judgment for $25,927.56.

After a garnishment, the attorney tried and failed to vacate the judgment.

Also

In addition to mishandling the representation, Peck failed to provide Jones with information regarding his professional-liability-insurance carrier. At the hearing, he testified that he thought he had malpractice insurance but that he had missed the deadline to renew his policy and therefore lacked coverage.

A condition of the stay requires the attorney to pay the full judgment with interest. (Mike Frisch)

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2017/05/the-ohio-supreme-court-has-imposed-a-stayed-six-month-suspension-of-an-attorney-who-had-mishandled-the-defense-of-a-civil-cla.html
Boston, MA (UroToday.com) In this retrospective analysis over a fourteen year period, the authors describe the incidences of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) events following surgery for renal cell carcinoma. This is a relevant topic as CMS has emphasized the importance of VTE prophylaxis in the perioperative setting and in total, approximately $10 billion are spent on prevention and treatment of VTE per year. In this study consisting of over 900 radical and partial nephrectomies, the overall symptomatic VTE rate was found to be 1.1%, in line with previous reports describing the rate to be from 1-1.5%. In the 10 patients with symptomatic VTE, 60% were male, 20% underwent cytoreductive nephrectomy, and interestingly, the median time from surgery to VTE was 30 days. Older patients, and those with history of VTEs were found to be more likely to develop VTEs following renal surgery.In the presentation, the authors present both sides of the dilemma with using VTE prophylaxis. On one hand, patients are exposed to VTE if insufficiently prophylaxed. On the other, they face bleeding disorders with the use of prophylaxis, especially after undergoing partial nephrectomy. Ultimately, in order to minimize risk of both VTE and unwanted bleeding, a risk stratified strategy has to be employed in the decision to use VTE prophylaxis. Despite the risk factors already described for surgeries in general, more specific risk factors for patients undergoing renal surgery are awaited.Presented by: Jamie Olen, DOWritten By: Roger Li MD Urologic Oncology Fellow, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center @UrogerliMDAshish M. Kamat MD Wayne B. Duddlesten Professor, UT MD Anderson Cancer Centerat the 2017 AUA Annual Meeting - May 12 - 16, 2017  Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Ecuador's new President Lenin Moreno described WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange as a hacker but said he would continue to receive asylum in the South American country's embassy in London.

Mr. Assange is a hacker. That's something we reject, and I personally reject, Moreno told journalists on Monday. But I respect the situation he is in, which calls for respect of his human rights, but we also ask that he respects the situation he is in.

Moreno's tone is a sharp break from that of his predecessor Rafael Correa, who had said Assange was a journalist and granted him asylum in London in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over rape allegations. And Moreno's right-wing opponent in the election had promised to kick Assange out of the embassy if he won.

Since taking power, Moreno has also warned Assange not to intervene in the politics of Ecuador or its allies.

Assange, who denies the allegations, feared Sweden would hand him over to the United States to face prosecution over WikiLeaks' publication of thousands of classified military and diplomatic documents in one of the largest information leaks in U.S. history.

Even though Sweden dropped the charges earlier this month, authorities in London have warned Assange that he would be arrested if he left the embassy that his been his home for five years.
The Islamic State group on Saturday claimed responsibility for the attack on a bus carrying Christians on their way to a remote desert monastery south of the Egyptian capital, Cairo, which killed 29.

Egypt responded to Friday's attack by launching a series of airstrikes that targeted what it said were militant bases in eastern Libya in which the assailants were trained. On Saturday, the military said on its official Facebook page that the airstrikes were continuing "day and night" and that they have "completely" destroyed their targets. It gave no details.

"What you've seen today will not go unpunished. An extremely painful strike has been dealt to the bases. Egypt will never hesitate to strike terror bases anywhere," President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said in a televised address to the nation late Friday. He said the attacks on Christians aimed at driving a wedge between them and the country's Muslim majority.

He also appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump to lead the global war against terror.

The claim, published by the group's Aamaq news agency, takes to four the number of deadly attacks targeting Christians since December that the extremist group says it's behind. It put the death toll at 32, but there was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy.

In all, the four attacks  Friday's, two in April and one in December  killed at least 104 people, mostly Christians. El-Sissi declared a three-month state of emergency following April's twin attacks, which fell on Palm Sunday.

The Egyptian Cabinet, meanwhile, said 13 victims of Friday's carnage remained hospitalized in Cairo and Minya province, where the attack took place. The bloodshed came on the eve of the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

El-Sissi told Pope Tawadros II, spiritual leader of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, in a phone call late on Friday that his government would not rest until the perpetrators of the attack were punished.

Egypt's government has been struggling to contain an insurgency by Islamic militants led by an IS affiliate that is centered in the northern region of the Sinai peninsula, though attacks on the mainland have recently increased.

After a visit to Egypt last month by Pope Francis, IS vowed to escalate attacks against Christians and urged Muslims to steer clear of Christian gatherings and Western embassies.
A Mississippi deputy killed in a shooting rampage had worked in Christian ministry before going into law enforcement, and liked doing puppet shows to deliver uplifting messages to children.



William Durr, 36, was responding to a domestic-violence call late Saturday when he was shot to death in Brookhaven, a south Mississippi city surrounded by pine trees and rolling green pastures. He was one of eight people killed in a shooting rampage at three different homes  an outbreak of violence that has shaken the county of 34,500 residents.



Investigators said Willie Corey Godbolt, 35, will be charged with one count of capital murder and seven counts of first degree murder. Mississippi Bureau of Investigation spokesman Warren Strain said the charges could change as the investigation continues.



Authorities on Monday said Godbolt was related to or acquainted with all the victims except Durr.

Some of those killed are identified

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation identified some of those killed as: Barbara Mitchell, 55; Brenda May, 53; Tocarra May, 35; Ferral Burage, 45; and Shelia Burage, 46. The parents of Austin Edwards, 11, and Jordan Blackwell, 18, identified their sons as the other people killed.



Godbolt remained hospitalized in good condition for a gunshot wound Monday in Jackson, and could make a court appearance Tuesday in Brookhaven. It wasn't clear who shot him.



The Lincoln County Sheriff's Department has about 75 employees and is like a close-knit family, said Zach Harveston, who has worked as a dispatcher there for two years. Harveston said he was shaken by Durr's death.



He loved to lead children to the good Lord, Harveston said. He was just a natural-born servant of the good Lord here at the department and even in the church he served in.



Durr was married and had an 11-year-old son. His mother spoke briefly with the AP on Monday, saying that the family is still in distress.

'A good Christian man'



He was a good Christian man, Debbie Durr said at her rural home near Brookhaven. He was a youth minister and a pastor before going into law enforcement.



Off duty, Durr also was a ventriloquist who took his puppets to schools and churches. Two weeks ago, Durr entertained preschoolers at Brookhaven Academy, a Christian school in town. The message he shared was that  like fireflies  people can use their inner light to help those around them.



His character: top-notch, said Page Nelson, the school's elementary principal.



On Sunday, Vincent Mitchell sat outside his little, yellow home and tried to make sense of how a family dispute led to a rampage that killed eight people, including the deputy who tried to keep them safe.

'It doesn't seem like it's real'

I'm devastated. It don't seem like it's real, Mitchell said shortly after the arrest of Godbolt, his stepson-in-law. Him and my stepdaughter, they've been going back and forth for a couple of years with that domestic violence.



Godbolt showed up at Mitchell's home in the southern Mississippi town of Bogue Chitto shortly before midnight Saturday to demand that his estranged wife give up their two children. She and the kids had been staying with them for about three weeks, Mitchell told AP.



He'd come to get his kids. The deputy was called, and asked him to leave, and it seemed like Godbolt would comply at first, Mitchell said.



He acted like, motioned like, he was fixing to go. Then he reached in his back pocket and grabbed a gun, Mitchell said. He just started shooting everything.



Mitchell said he escaped along with Godbolt's wife, but Mitchell's wife, her sister and one of the wife's daughters were killed. Authorities said Godbolt fled and killed four more people at two other homes.

An account of what happened

Godbolt gave his own account of what happened in an interview with The Clarion-Ledger as he sat with his hands cuffed behind his back on the side of a road in Brookhaven, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) south of Jackson.



I was having a conversation with her stepdaddy and her mama and her, my wife, about me taking my children home, he said. Somebody called the officer, people that didn't even live at the house. That's what they do. They intervene.



They cost him his life, he said, apparently referring to Durr. I'm sorry.



My pain wasn't designed for him. He was just there, Godbolt said. I ain't fit to live, not after what I done.



At least seven hours elapsed between the first shootings and Godbolt's arrest near the final crime scene, in a subdivision of ranch houses.



Godbolt said he hadn't planned to be captured alive.



My intentions was to have God kill me. I ran out of bullets, he said. Suicide by cop was my intention.
North Korea is declaring its latest ballistic missile test a success, leaving the United States and its allies fuming.

Pyongyang's state-run news agency Monday called it a test of a new type of anti-aircraft guided weapons system.

It said the defects discovered in previous tests have been worked out, and that the system should be deployed across North Korea "like forests."

Monday's test-firing came just days after world leaders at the G-7 economic summit demanded that Pyongyang give up its nuclear ambitions.

Missile tracked for six minutes

The U.S. Pacific Command says the launch came near the town of Wonsan on North Korea's east coast. The command tracked the missile for six minutes before it fell into the Sea of Japan, in what is known as Japan's exclusive economic zone.

The command says the missile posed no threat to North America. But an angry Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed to respond.

"Working with the United States, we will take specific action to deter North Korea," Abe said on Japanese television.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a Twitter comment, "North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile." But Trump gave Beijing credit for "trying hard" to rein in Pyongyang's military ambitions.

Warning from Mattis

The Trump administration, while serving up strong words against North Korea and its leader Kim Jong Un, has yet to produce a firm policy on how to react to Pyongyang.

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, however, warned Sunday that if a diplomatic solution cannot be found for the situation with North Korea "it would be a catastrophic war if this turns into a combat."

"The North Korean regime has hundreds of artillery cannons and rocket launchers within range of one of the most densely populated cities on Earth, which is the capital of South Korea," Mattis told the CBS News show Face the Nation. "This regime is a threat to the region, to Japan, to South Korea, and in the event of war, they would bring danger to China and to Russia, as well."

The secretary said conflict with North Korea would be "probably the worst kind of fighting in most people's lifetimes."

Second test in a week

This was North Korea's second missile test in a week, coming after the United Nations threatened more sanctions and G-7 leaders condemned the North for its previous launch.

North Korea apparently is determined to develop a missile capable of carrying a nuclear weapon and able to reach the U.S. mainland. But it is nearly impossible to know how much progress it has made towards that goal.

Along with the threat of more sanctions, Trump has dispatched a naval strike force to waters off the Korean peninsula and held joint military exercises with South Korea as warnings.
SUPREME COURT

Justices restrict some patent owners rights

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that companies give up their patent rights when they sell an item, putting new limits on businesses ability to prevent their products from being resold at a discount.

The ruling is a defeat for Lexmark printer manufacturer, which was trying to stop refurbished versions of its printer cartridges from undercutting U.S. sales. The decision was 8-0 in some respects and 7-1 in others.

In the ruling, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said, Extending the patent rights beyond the first sale would clog the channels of commerce, with little benefit from the extra control that the patentees retain.

The biotechnology, drug and agricultural industries backed Lexmark in the dispute, calling for broad patent rights.

On the other side were major tech companies, including Alphabets Google and Intel, as well as sellers of refurbished auto parts and medical devices.

The dispute involved inkjet cartridges refilled and sold by Impression Products. Lexmark said Impression was infringing its patents. Impression said Lexmark had been paid for the use of its inventions and had exhausted its rights.

 Bloomberg News

HEALTH CARE

Study: Emergency room costs misjudged

Less than half of doctors and nurses working in emergency rooms know how much it costs to treat some of the conditions they see most often, a recent U.S. study suggests.

In a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, researchers asked 441 emergency medicine clinicians to estimate the cost of care for three common scenarios: a 35-year old woman with abdominal pain, a 57-year old man with labored breathing and a 7-year old boy with a sore throat. Each case included a medical history, results from physical exams and lab tests, as well as a rundown of any treatments provided.

Then, researchers asked participants to choose one of four price ranges for each scenario: less than $2,000; $2,001 to $4,000; $4,001 to $6,000 or $6,001 to $8,000.

Just 32 percent of respondents got the right price range for the man with labored breathing, which cost $2,423. Only 40 percent picked the correct price range for the child with a sore throat, at $596, and 43 percent of participants chose the right price range for the case of the woman with abdominal pain, at $4,713.

Medical decisions should never be made based only on the cost associated with them, lead study author Kevin Hoffman said. However, when there is more than one way to effectively treat a patient, the more cost-efficient choice should be chosen.

 Reuters

Also in Business

Goldman Sachs faces a probe by Venezuelas opposition leaders after buying bonds issued in 2014 by the state oil company, a purchase some lawmakers said helps President Nicolas Maduro as he grapples with accusations of human rights violations. Goldmans asset-management arm bought the securities, sold by Petroleos de Venezuela, through a broker and had no interaction with the government, the firm said in a statement. Venezuelas opposition says the purchase is an infusion of cash to the government.

Americans increased their spending in April at the fastest pace in four months. Consumer spending rose 0.4 percent in April after a 0.3 percent rise in March, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. Incomes also rose 0.4 percent, double the 0.2 percent March increase. The rise in spending was led by a 0.9 percent rise in purchases of long-lasting durable goods, reflecting a rebound in demand for autos. Spending on nondurable goods such as clothing rose 0.6 percent.

Amazon, the Internet goliath that revolutionized the way consumers shop, hit a new milestone on Tuesday. Its stock surpassed the $1,000 mark for the first time. That put Amazons market value at about $478 billion, double that of Walmart, the worlds biggest traditional retailer. A $1,000 investment on Amazons first day of trading in 1997 would be worth more than $500,000. (Amazon chief executive Jeffery P. Bezos owns The Washington Post.)

Churchill Downs has moved its online wagering operations from Silicon Valley to its Kentucky home town, where the Kentucky Derby is run. A decade ago, when Churchill was building its TwinSpires online wagering business, operations were based in California to tap into the regions high-tech prowess. Chief executive Bill Carstanjen said Tuesday that Churchill is confident it can fill those high-tech skills in Louisville.

 From news reports

Coming today

10 a.m.: National Association of Realtors releases pending home sales index for April.

2 p.m.: Federal Reserve releases its beige book.
From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report.

If you want to get healthy or stay healthy, there is one easy activity to add to your day  walking.

"Walking is the closest thing we have to a wonder drug, says Thomas Friedman. Friedman is the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States.

And he is not alone in considering walking a great exercise.

Health experts at the Mayo Clinic, the American Heart Association, the Arthritis Foundation, Harvard Medical School and many other health research groups agree.

You may think that simply taking a walk is not enough to make a big difference. You might think that you need do something strenuous like running to stay healthy.

Well, a new study says that is not true. It finds that walking may be as good for us as running.

Running is a high-impact activity and can be hard on the body. So, many people cannot run. Walking, it seems, has all of the advantages and none of the disadvantages of running.

The American Heart Association explains the findings on its website. Walking quickly, or briskly, can lower your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California did the study. Over a six-year period, they studied about 33,000 runners in the National Runners Health Study and just over 15,000 walkers in the National Walkers Health Study.

The researchers found that the same energy used for brisk walking and vigorous running resulted in similar reductions in risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and possibly coronary heart disease over the studys six years.

The study also found that the more people walked or ran each week, the more their health benefits increased.

Walking is easy, fun and accessible

Dr. Russell Pate is a professor of exercise science at the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. He is also a volunteer at the American Heart Association. He commented on the study on the associations website.

Pate says the health benefits of walking are not "all or nothing." If your goal is to walk for 30 minutes a day, you can split that into three 10 minute walks.

Walking, he adds, has the lowest dropout rate of any exercise. People who start walking regularly usually stick with it.

Pate says what many other health experts say: Walking is one of the easiest and safest exercises a person can do. With walking, he says, there is no learning curve. That means you do not need to learn a lot to get results.

Walking requires no special skills or equipment. You can do it anywhere. It fits easily into your daily schedule. You can walk at work. You can park farther away from a store entrance. You can take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Walking is a great exercise for beginners. If you are out of shape or getting back into shape after an illness or accident, walking is perfect. You can do a little at a time, or as we like to say, take "baby steps."

So, walking lowers your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. But many other studies have found that walking benefits the body and mind in other ways.

For example, regular brisk walking can help you:

Keep a healthy weight.

Improve your mood . Walking releases natural painkilling chemicals in the body. A study at California State University, Long Beach showed that the more steps people took during the day, the better their moods were.

Walking releases natural painkilling chemicals in the body. A study at California State University, Long Beach showed that the more steps people took during the day, the better their moods were. Sharpens your mind. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, studied 6,000 women ages 65 and older. They found that age-related memory loss was lower for those who walked more.

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, studied 6,000 women ages 65 and older. They found that age-related memory loss was lower for those who walked more. Keep your joints healthy. The Arthritis Foundation (U.S.) explains on its website that most of the material that makes up our joints has no direct blood supply. Our joints get "nutrition from joint fluid that circulates as we move." When you walk, your joints get this "life-giving fluid," which means your joints stay stronger.

The Arthritis Foundation (U.S.) explains on its website that most of the material that makes up our joints has no direct blood supply. Our joints get "nutrition from joint fluid that circulates as we move." When you walk, your joints get this "life-giving fluid," which means your joints stay stronger. Improve your creativity. A 2014 study by Stanford University found that walking, indoors or outdoors, improved the ability to think creatively and solve problems.

Best of all, you can easily change where, when and how you walk. You can walk with your friends, co-workers, family or your dog. Or you can walk alone.

The faster, farther and more often you walk, the greater the benefits.

And thats the Health & Lifestyle report. Im Anna Matteo ...

 and Im Mario Ritter.

Anna Matteo wrote this for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

How much do you walk every day? Let us know in the Comments Section.

Quiz - Walk Your Way to Better Health Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

wonder drug - n. a very effective drug or cure

strenuous - adj. requiring or showing great energy and effort

impact - n. the act or force of one thing hitting another

advantage - n. something (such as a good position or condition) that helps to make someone or something better or more likely to succeed than others

disadvantage - n. something that causes difficulty : something that makes someone or something worse or less likely to succeed than others

brisk - adj. moving or speaking quickly : quick and efficient

vigorous - adj. done with great force and energy

coronary - adj. of or relating to the heart and especially to the vessels that supply blood to the heart

learning curve - n. the rate at which someone learns something new : the course of progress made in learning something. < The job has a very steep learning curve. [=there is a large amount that has to be learned quickly in order to do the job] >

mood - n. the way someone feels : a person's emotional state

circulate - v. to move without stopping through a system, place, etc.




All eyes are on Robert S. Mueller III as he begins his role as special counsel, leading the Justice Departments probe into the Trump campaigns possible ties to Russia. But thats far from the only investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

The criminal investigation led by the special counsel is charged with determining if anything illegal occurred. Meanwhile, each of the four major congressional fact-finding investigations is working to expose transgressions it finds unethical.

Despite their differing goals, all the investigations are moving simultaneously and using much of the same information.





The investigations are looking into different things

On the whole, the special counsel and intelligence committees have a broader scope than the other committees.





Some have more access to information than others

Access differs both because of how aggressively the leaders pursue the investigation  the special counsel is expected to be more thorough  and the jurisdiction of the committees. They all are also expected to get unclassified information by requesting or subpoenaing testimony and documents from Trump affiliates and others involved.





The investigations can interfere with one another

Each probe will share information to some extent. The leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee released a statement saying they will engage with Director Mueller and our expectation is that he will engage with the Committee as well.

But the investigations can also stymie one another. Congress has the power to grant qualified immunity to people who testify, meaning their statements cannot be used against them in court. Since it is hard for prosecutors to show the evidence they are using is independent of those statements, it can make their case significantly harder to prove.

On the other hand, some people may refuse to testify before congressional committees because they are under criminal investigation by the special counsel. Former national security adviser Michael Flynn has already refused to turn over documents to the Senate Intelligence Committee, invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.





They can deliver different consequences

Because the congressional investigations are political and the special counsels is legal, they have different standards for what qualifies as wrongdoing, and different ways to punish wrongdoers.





Their conclusions will probably have different levels of credibility

Because Republicans control both houses of Congress, Democrats are less inclined to view their committees conclusions as credible than the special counsels. And depending on how the special counsel investigation plays out  Trump-appointed Justice Department officials still have some control over the investigation  it may lose some credibility as well.

And not all congressional investigations are on equal footing in this respect  some have made a real effort for the investigation to be bipartisan, while others have appeared too cozy with Trump administration leaders and have had to recuse themselves.





Even with all these investigations  plus other related inquiries in the Treasury Department and other congressional committees  it could be years before they come to a close. And if charges are not filed, we may never know what happened, or did not happen, between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.

Sources: Information from staff reports and Eric Schickler, political science professor at the University of California at Berkeley. Additional special counsel details from Congressional Research Service [PDF] and the Justice Department.


Hannah Nguyen, left, sells homemade slime at the Acton Childrens Business Fair on May 20 in Washington. The 9-year-old from Burke, Virginia, was one of 115 young entrepreneurs who sold their creations and services in a street market along Connecticut Avenue in Cleveland Park. (Photos by Dayna Smith)

Last summer, Hannah Nguyen got her first lesson in slime.

I thought it felt good, the now 9-year-old said of the squishy, stretchy substance her cousin had brought to their grandparents house.

So Hannah asked the cousin to teach her how to make it. She then experimented with colors and glitter just for fun.

I brought it to school one day, and this girl asked me to make it for her, Hannah said.

Soon she was making slime for other kids at White Oaks Elementary in Burke, Virginia, and thinking that her interest could actually be a business.

Malachi McCullum, 12, sells stick pins, bow ties and other accessories at the fair.

Fast-forward to a recent Saturday when Hannah was under a tent in Washingtons Cleveland Park neighborhood, selling tubs of her Slimy Hannah creations for $3 to $10. She did a brisk business, making more than $400 in three hours, mom Haily said.

Hannah was one of more than 100 young entrepreneurs taking part in the Acton Childrens Business Fair. Kids from age 6 to 14 sold handmade soaps, fruit pops, paintings and dozens of other products. They passed out samples and business cards. They made sales pitches to potential customers wandering along Connecticut Avenue.

The event was put on by Acton DC, a local chapter of an organization that encourages kids to be entrepreneurs.

David Kirby and Nicole Spencer, D.C. residents with family and friends who are entrepreneurs, heard about the original fair in Austin, Texas, and its method of encouraging kids to learn by doing.

Its very rare today to take part in real-world projects, Kirby said.

So the couple brought the idea to Washington, one of 15 cities to host a fair last year. Forty-two local kids took part. This year, nearly 150 applied, with some ending up on a waiting list because of limited space.

Kirby recruited volunteers to help organize the event and judge the businesses but didnt do much marketing.

We challenged the kids to market their own business, he said.

Hannah promoted her booth at the fair on the Slimy Hannah Facebook page, which she said her family set up about three months ago.

Zoe Antczak-Chung and Avajane Lei, fifth-graders at Horace Mann Elementary in the District, also used social media to spread the word about their Little Green Home business, which makes environmentally friendly skin-care and bath products.

The girls and a fellow classmate came up with the idea in April.

It took a few weeks of giving up our free time, Avajane said.

They made fizzy bath bombs, scented hand sanitizer and a few other products. Zoe and Avajane came to the fair in matching green tutus and hats embroidered with their logo. They werent shy about chatting with customers.



Tents line Connecticut Avenue for the Childrens Business Fair, which was modeled after an event in Austin, Texas. Last year 42 kids participated at the first D.C. fair. This year more than 100 kids sold products and services.

The efforts impressed the judges enough to earn the award for business with most growth potential among the 9- and 10-year-olds at the fair.

Judge Dan Mindus said choosing the winners was no easy task.

Many of the kids had a lot of passion, said Mindus, who makes his living investing in businesses. They might be doing this for the next decade or two decades or three decades.

Danielle McNerney of Ijamsville, Maryland, said she doesnt intend to give up her business anytime soon. The 14-year-old is the founder of Save the Moms, which sells packets of recipes she came up with to help teens learn to cook.

My whole goal is to get kids into the kitchen and moms out of the kitchen, said Danielle, who started cooking at age 8 and is a returning champion on this seasons Chopped Junior TV cooking show.

Her packets of recipe cards and access to video tutorials had brought in about $600 after just a week of online sales, she said.

Next up is asking businesses in nearby Frederick, Maryland, to stock the packets. When asked if she planned to spend part of summer vacation working on Save the Moms, Danielle didnt hesitate.

This is my summer, she said.
Dear Heloise: Do your readers know what clickbait is? Its a pretty interesting media phenomenon, and theres a lot to know.

Clickbait is an online advertising link consisting of a wild, fantastic, over-the-top headline referencing a celebrity, public figure or other person or news event in the current media cycle.

Advertisers are counting on you to be so intrigued by the headline that you will click on the story and read it. Look closely: You may see the word advertisement or sponsored somewhere on the screen. What you will find is that the headline is misleading at best, and downright untrue at worst.

The Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) has even spoken up about the topic. Scammers could access your personal information, and clickbait may introduce viruses into your computer, the BBB cautions.

Remember, these stories are ultimately advertisements; they are trying to sell you something or, worse, steal your data.

John W., Columbus, Ohio

Dear Heloise: More than five years ago, I bought a battery-operated wristwatch on sale. At that time, I pulled the stem out on the wristwatch and stored it away until recently. Then I pushed in the stem, reset the time and am wearing it now. If you have a battery-operated wristwatch and do not plan to wear it for a while, pull out the stem on the wristwatch until you plan to wear it.

Mary H., via email

Mary H.: We spoke with several jewelers here in San Antonio. The consensus is to not pull the stem out, because dust and moisture could enter the mechanism.

Since most batteries last several years and cost about $10, Id say $2 to $4 a year is a bargain price to pay to keep a watch in tiptop condition.

The best thing to do when storing a watch long term (six months or more) is to have the battery carefully removed by your jeweler.

However, one jeweler said pulling the stem out is okay, but just store the watch in a covered jewelry box, and never wear the watch with the stem pulled out.

Dear Heloise: At the drugstore, I see a lot of gimmicky pricing promotions. The most common one is buy one item and get the second item 50 percent off.

Im not actually getting an item for 50 percent off; Im getting each item for 25 percent off, but I have to purchase both items to get the savings.

The savings is okay, but I just want people to know whats going on.

Charlene K., Munster, Ind.

Dear Heloise: Since virtually everything we do today is recorded on video and/or audio, and I dont like it, Ive decided that instead of fighting the system, I will be on my best behavior and will always try to look my best.

Nora B. in Texas

Heloises column appears six days a week at washingtonpost.com/advice. Send a hint to Heloise , P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
A federal appeals court Tuesday issued a decision that could have far-reaching implications for transgender students, siding with a transgender boy whose Wisconsin school district had sought to bar him from the boys bathroom to protect the privacy of other students.

High school senior Ash Whitaker sued Kenosha Unified School District No. 1 last summer, arguing that its bathroom policy violated his civil rights. In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit upheld a preliminary injunction that temporarily stops the district from enforcing that policy while the case is tried.

The school districts privacy argument is based upon sheer conjecture and abstraction, wrote Judge Ann Claire Williams, while the harm that Whitaker suffered when he was prohibited from using the bathroom that matched his gender identity is well-documented and supported by the record.

Whitaker is set to graduate Saturday, so the concrete impact of this court victory on his school career will be limited. But advocates said the impact of the 7th Circuits decision could ripple far beyond Wisconsin at a time when the Trump administration has argued that decisions about accommodations for transgender students should be left to states and local school districts.

Whitaker argued that the school districts bathroom policy violated his rights under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and under Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded schools. The judges agreed, finding that Whitaker was likely to win his case based on that argument.

Melissa and Ash Whitaker, a transgender boy who is suing to protect his civil rights at a Wisconsin public school. (Transgender Law Center/Transgender Law Center)

[This transgender student won the right to run for prom king, now hes suing to use the boys bathroom]

The decision makes the 7th Circuit the first appeals courtto interpret both Title IX and the Constitution as protecting transgender students from discrimination  and requiring schools to allow transgender students to use the bathroom matching their gender identity.

The decision sets a precedent in the 7th Circuit, which includes Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Advocates say other appeals courts will take note.

Other courts, as they will be grappling with these same issues, will hopefully find the 7th Circuits decision very persuasive as they look to answer these questions elsewhere, said Joseph Wardenski, a Washington lawyer who, along with the Transgender Law Center, represents Whitaker.

Ronald S. Stadler, a lawyer for the school district, said he was disappointed in the decision, which he said suggests that the court believes there is no harm in allowing men and women to use the same restroom.

Stadler said the district is considering whether to appeal to the Supreme Court or ask a full panel of 7th Circuit judges to hear the case  or whether to proceed with the case in district court.

Importantly, the decision did not rely on or even mention the guidance to schools that President Barack Obamas administration issued in May 2016, explaining the accommodations that schools must provide for transgender students to comply with Title IX.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit had relied upon that guidance when it ruled in favor of transgender teen Gavin Grimm, who challenged his Virginia school districts policy banning him from the boys bathroom.

But the Trump administration revoked the guidance this year, arguing that the Obama-era Education and Justice departments had overstepped their executive authority by dictating bathroom policies for local schools. The Supreme Court, which had been set to hear Grimms case, instead sent it back to the lower courts for reconsideration in light of the administrations executive action.

[Supreme Court sends Virginia transgender case back to lower court]

Catherine Lhamon, who helmed the Education Departments Office for Civil Rights under Obama and was a key architect of the transgender guidance, said that the 7th Circuits ruling was a vindication that she and her colleagues had not invented rules out of thin air, but accurately interpreted civil rights law on the books.

The guidance didnt make new law, which was our point, she said.

The school district, citing the need to protect other students privacy, had told Whitaker that he must use either the girls restrooms or a gender-neutral bathroom in the schools main office  options that Whitaker said set him apart from his peers and stigmatized him because of his gender identity.

The judges agreed, citing an expert in gender dysphoria who had testified that the school districts efforts to keep Whitaker out of the boys bathroom during his junior year led him to deeper depression and thoughts of suicide. He also suffers from a physical condition that was exacerbated when  in an effort to avoid using school bathrooms  he stopped drinking water during the day.

The judges were unsympathetic to the school districts argument that it had to keep Whitaker out of the boys bathroom to protect the privacy of other students. Whitaker had used the boys bathroom for six months without incident or complaint, the judges noted, before a teacher saw him washing his hands and alerted administrators.

The school districts policy ignores the practical reality of how Ash, as a transgender boy, uses the bathroom: by entering a stall and closing the door, Williams wrote. A transgender students presence in the restroom provides no more of a risk to other students privacy rights than the presence of an overly curious student of the same biological sex who decides to sneak glances at his or her classmates performing their bodily functions.
Teachers at a D.C. charter school are pushing to unionize, citing a desire to provide more resources to students and a need to stabilize the teaching force.

About 80 percent of the 35 teachers, librarians and social workers at Cesar Chavez Public Charter School at Chavez Prep Middle School in Northwest signed a petition to ask the schools administration to recognize their union, the D.C. Alliance for Charter School Teachers and Staff at Chavez Prep.

If recognized, the middle school would have the first teachers union at a D.C. charter school, after an effort to unionize at a different charter school failed earlier this year.

Mateo Samper, an eighth-grade English and language-arts teacher, said the effort to unionize is not an indictment of the schools staff.

We have banded together in order to serve our students better, Samper said in a statement. This union is not about my colleagues, the staff or the administrator. Its bigger than the sum of its parts.

Most charter schools do not have a union, because advocates say that allows them to experiment with teacher pay and work schedules, such as having a longer school year. But some charters are unionizing. The American Federation of Teachers said it represents 231 charter schools in 15 states.

School officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday. Chavez Prep has 306 students enrolled this year, according to city data. It is part of the Cesar Chavez Public School charter network, which enrolls about 1,200 students citywide.

AFT President Randi Weingarten said educators at the charter school want to partner with their administrator to shape the education of its students.

Their school is named for the great labor leader who understood that the way to ensure opportunity is through joining together, which the staff is doing to secure resources and protections, Weingarten said in a statement.

Efforts to create a union at a charter school in D.C. have not been successful. Earlier this year, Paul Public Charter School teachers petitioned to create a union but withdrew their request because few teachers were willing to publicly cast a vote in favor of the union.

Get updates on your area delivered via email
Tom Evans sits in a booth at the McDonalds on Old Lee Highway in Fairfax City, Va. In the 1970s, Tom helped found an informal group that meets every Friday to talk about the areas Civil War history. (John Kelly/TWP)

Hes the patriarch, Jim Lewis said, nodding toward Tom Evans, as the two sat amid a group of seven Civil War history buffs at the McDonalds on Old Lee Highway in Fairfax City, Va.

He knew Mosbys grandson, said William Connery, an author of books about the Civil War who lives in Alexandria. (True.)

He probably knew Mosby, Jim said. (Not true.)

The group of men laughed. That would be John Singleton Mosby, a.k.a. the Gray Ghost, the Confederate cavalry commander who once harried Union troops in these parts.

Tom is 87. He didnt know Mosby, but 40 years ago he did help create this informal sounding board. Ever since then, Civil War historians have met every Friday morning to hash out their theories and egg each other on over Egg McMuffins and hash browns.

Examples of Civil War bullets and shells found by Tom Evans sit on a table at the McDonalds on Old Lee Highway in Fairfax City, Va. (John Kelly/TWP)

The greatest thing about this group is the ideas it puts into my head, said Carl Sell of Franconia, whose great-grandfather spent time in the federal POW camp at Point Lookout, Md. Im not a very good listener except here.

Why the fascination with Mosby, J.E.B. Stuart, Robert E. Lee and the other Confederate and Union officers and soldiers who crisscrossed this area 150 years ago?

Its our local resource, said Kim Holien, 69, a retired Army historian whos working on a project on Abraham Lincolns 1861 Grand Review of troops at Baileys Crossroads. If we were up in New England, we would be doing Colonial history and the Revolutionary War. You trip over the Civil War every time you step out of your house here.

Sometimes literally. Tom got interested in the Civil War after finding relics in his Vienna backyard  Minie balls, mainly.

What was this stuff, he wondered? Who left it behind?

Jim, 67, had a similar story. I retired about eight or nine years ago from Xerox and found some holes at the back of my yard, he said. We didnt know what they were. They turned out to be Confederate earthworks.

In Fairfax County, the Civil War is under our very feet.

We tried to compile a big list of everything that happened in the county during the Civil War, said Ed Wenzel, 77, of Vienna. Ed, a retiree from the U.S. Geological Survey, hoped to have the book done in time for the Civil Wars sesquicentennial  if not the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the war, then at least the anniversary of the end.

It took nearly seven years to write the book, and when it came out in 2015, the 618-page chronology covered only up until 1862. We were snowed under by the material, Ed said. It was too much.

Part 2 is in the works.

You think youd wear this thing out, Jim said of the Civil War. This weekly confab is proof you cant.

Because new information is coming out all the time, Kim said.

Were just scratching the surface, Carl said.

Carl turned up something new himself not long ago. A retired newspaperman, he remembered how as an editor at the Evening Star he would fill space with tiny blurbs. While perusing a June 1863 copy of the Richmond Enquirer, Carl found something similar: a brief report that J.E.B. Stuart had sent a dispatch from Fairfax Courthouse to the Confederate capital with details on his actions.

The knock on J.E.B. Stuart was that he was late for Gettysburg and didnt tell anybody where he was, Carl said. A lot of writers said he didnt communicate with Robert E. Lee. Well, thats true, because the Union army was in between them. But he could communicate with Richmond, who could communicate to Lee.

Who knows what else is out there, just waiting to be discovered? The men were buzzing about news that a drawing of Union soldiers in the battle of Harrisons Island in the Potomac had turned up. It was found in a 19th-century German newspaper for sale on eBay.

It turned out one of the survivors [of the battle] was a German fellow who drew a sketch and sent it to his hometown newspaper in Germany, Carl said. Nobody knew it existed until a couple of months ago.

The Civil War is still tripping us up today. Witness the arguments over what to do about the flags and statues that honor the Confederacy and the men whose cause meant prolonging slavery.

Winston Churchill said it all, Kim said:  Those who start an argument between the present and the past lose the future. 

One things for sure: Every Friday at a McDonalds in Fairfax City, the past will be chewed over pretty well.

Twitter: @johnkelly

For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.
THE DISTRICT

Howard fires trio after wheelchair incident

Howard University officials have fired two campus police officers and their supervisor, who were involved with dumping a patient from a wheelchair and leaving her lying on the ground at a bus stop near the hospital.

Two of the officers, a man and a women, were terminated; a third, a male supervisor who ordered that the patient be taken from the hospital, also was fired, according to Gabriel Adegoke, president of the Metropolitan Campus Police Officers Union, which represents the officers.

The incident, which occurred last month and was captured on video, appears to show a male officer pushing the barefoot woman in the chair along Georgia Avenue. The womans legs are flung in the air when the officer stops abruptly and she tumbles out of the chair. A second male officer and a female officer watched as the woman hits the ground. The female officer throws up her gloved hand and tells the male officers to leave her there.

The second male officer was not terminated, Adegoke said.

Howard spokeswoman Crystal Brown did not return a phone call Tuesday seeking comment.

Staff at charter school seeks to form a union

Teachers at a D.C. charter school are pushing to unionize, citing a desire to provide more resources to students and a need to stabilize the teaching force.

About 80 percent of the 35 teachers, librarians and social workers at Cesar Chavez Public Charter School at Chavez Prep Middle School in Northwest signed a petition to ask the schools administration to recognize their union, the D.C. Alliance for Charter School Teachers and Staff at Chavez Prep.

If recognized, the middle school would have the first union at a D.C. charter school. An effort to unionize at a different charter school failed earlier this year.

 Alejandra Matos

MARYLAND

Police say burglar sets home afire, causes stir

Authorities in Prince Georges County said a man burglarized a home Tuesday and then set it on fire before fleeing police and causing a suburban neighborhood to be locked down for several hours.

Just before 8 a.m., neighbors of a home in the 7700 block of Surratts Road in Clinton noticed a man who was not the homeowner taking items from the home, and they contacted police. Officers found smoke and fire coming from the house. Then the suspect fled into nearby woods with a shotgun, Prince Georges County police said.

Police said they set up a barricade, K-9 units were brought in and officers went door-to-door to warn residents to stay inside, according to Prince Georges Police Chief Henry P. Stawinski III.

Just after 10 a.m., police found the man and the stolen shotgun in the woods. No one was hurt.

 Dana Hedgpeth

Baltimore mayor aide gets year of probation

Gary Brown, who was denied a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates after he was charged with violating campaign finance laws, was found guilty on Tuesday and sentenced to a year of supervised probation, authorities said.

The Maryland State Prosecutors Office alleged that Brown, a former campaign worker and current aide to Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh (D), illegally bypassed a $6,000 limit on campaign contributions by depositing $18,000 into relatives bank accounts and donating in their names to Pughs 2016 mayoral bid.

 Fenit Nirappil


More than 30 million people were displaced within their own countries last year.

That number comes from a new report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre and the Norwegian Refugee Council.

The two groups blame criminal violence and natural disasters for driving millions of people from their homes.

The report also found that nearly 7 million people were newly displaced in 2016.

Jan Egeland is the Director-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

When a family is pushed out of their home, sometimes for years, it is a sign something is wrong in a nation, the locality, but also in international relations, Egeland said.

The country with the most newly internally displaced persons in 2016 was the Democratic Republic of Congo, or DRC. More than 922,000 people were driven from their homes because of conflict.

The report found that the DRC had more newly displaced people than Syria and Iraq. Syria was second with 824,000 while Iraq was third with 659,000 displaced persons.

Egeland said three provinces in the DRC -- North and South Kivu and Kasai -- are where most of the displacements took place.

Afghanistan, Nigeria and Yemen all had nearly half a million or more internally displaced persons.

Internal displacement is a more common problem than refugees driven from their country, Egeland said.

Internally displaced people now outnumber refugees by two to one, he said.

Alexandra Bilak is the director of the International Displacement Monitoring Center. She says displacement can be only the start for some people.

We need to acknowledge that without the right kind of support and protection, a person internally displace today may become a refugee, an asylum seeker or an international migrant tomorrow, she said.

One major cause for displacement is criminal violence, the report said. That is the case in some places in Central America. In El Salvador, for example, drug-related violence caused 200,000 people to leave their homes in 2016.

The other major cause is natural disasters, such as floods, storms, drought, and wildfires. In 2016, three times more people were displaced by such disasters than in 2015.

Researchers worry that the number of people displaced by weather events will continue to rise because of extreme weather linked to climate change.

The International Displacement Monitoring Center has called for more information about the internally displaced and more money to deal with the problem. The United Nations has called for cutting the number of the internally displaced in half by 2030.

Im Mario Ritter.

Margaret Besheer reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

Displaced adj. having been forced to leave ones home

Drought n. a severe lack of rain for a long period of time

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THE DISTRICT

Man shot in Northeast

dies of his wounds

A man shot and gravely wounded in Northeast Washington on Sunday has died, D.C. police said.

They said Wayne Joaquin, 24, of Southeast, died at a hospital after being hit at least twice about 2:30 p.m. in the 5200 block of Dix Street. Police went to the site after hearing gunshots.

 Martin Weil

Gunfire at site

of Saturday slaying

Gunshots were heard again Monday in the 100 block of Q Street NW, where one man was killed and seven people wounded by gunfire early Saturday.

D.C. police spokeswoman Aquita Brown said officers seized two guns and took one person into custody. It was unclear whether the incidents were related.

 Martin Weil

MARYLAND

Two arrests in death at hotel in Silver Spring

The man who died after being beaten, stabbed and robbed in a hotel parking lot Sunday has been identified, and Montgomery County police said two people have been charged in his death.

The police said Ruben Ortiz, 20, of Adelphi, and Shanee Collette Cox, 19, of Wheaton, were arrested Sunday night and each charged with first degree murder and armed robbery in the death of Sulaiman Jalloh, 24, of Bowie.

Jalloh was attacked at the Days Inn in Silver Spring, police said.

They said the incident was the last of a series of run-ins between the victim and his attackers. They had encountered each other at the Metro station in Silver Spring, the police said.

According to police,, e an arrangement was made to sell marijuana to Jalloh and friends at the hotel. But no sale was made, and instead, cash and shoes were taken from one of the prospective buyers, police said.

 Emma Brown

Shellfish harvesting restricted in creek

Part of a Maryland waterway is closed to shellfish harvesting.

The eastern portion of Herring Creek in St. Marys County has been reclassified from conditionally approved to restricted, effective Monday. A restricted classification means shellfish cannot be harvested from the area.

The reclassification follows recent evaluations showing unacceptable bacteria levels in part of the waterway. The state Department of the Environment made the decision to close it.

 Associated Press

THE REGION

Couple charged with attempted taking of gun

A Maryland couple is charged with trying to take a security guards gun during a struggle in a Delaware beach town.

Delaware State Police said in a statement that John Clancy of Towson and Julia Price of Baltimore, both 21, approached the guard in Dewey Beach early Monday and asked for a ride to Ocean City, Md. He told them a cab would be called, but when they walked toward a home, the guard warned that they would be arrested.

Police say Clancy knocked the guard down and as they struggled, Price tried to take his gun. Dewey Beach Police arrested Clancy and Price and turned them over to troopers. They are charged with attempting to remove a firearm from a law enforcement officer, second-degree conspiracy and offensive touching.

The guard wasnt injured.

 Associated Press
The man shot and gravely wounded in Northeast Washington Sunday has died, the D.C. police said.

They said Wayne Joaquin, 24, of Southeast, died at a hospital after being hit at least twice about 2:30 p.m. in the 5200 block of Dix Streeet. Police went to the site after hearing gunshots.

The 5200 block of Dix Street is just off Division Avenue, and about two blocks south of Marvin Gaye Park. It is a residential street lined with large, detached single family houses.

Based on the most recent figures available from police, the killing was the 44th this year, compared to 51 in the same period last year.
Their waterfront houses 10 miles southwest of Fredericksburg, Va., are about 300 feet apart, divided by a thicket of woods so dense that the dwellings and the border between the properties all but disappear in the summer foliage.

Larry Keith Johnston, 80, lives in the smaller of the two houses on Young Lane, and the local sheriffs office says that for years he accused his 65-year-old neighbor, Guy Prudhomme, with encroaching on his property line.

On the afternoon of May 21, police said, Johnston, angered by Prudhommes landscaping crew, which he believed was planting flowers and cutting grass on his property, shot Prudhomme in the chest and left him dead on his own driveway. The victim ran a company that renovated homes and apartment buildings in gentrifying neighborhoods in the District.

Lt. C.A. Carey, the assistant commander of the criminal investigations division for the Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Office, said that on this day, at least, the work crew was securely on Prudhommes side of his eight-acre expanse on the Ni River Reservoir. The sheriffs office charged Johnston with first-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is being detained pending his next court hearing.

The shooting stunned Prudhommes friends. They cannot comprehend the loss of a husband and father of six, born on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, who regaled his visitors with stories, French cuisine and fine wine at parties in his 6,800-square-foot home.

Guy Prudhomme was shot dead by a neighbor over a property line dispute at his house in Fredericksburg, Va., according to police. (Family photo)

[Neighbor charged with killing neighbor in Virginia property dispute]

Prudhomme was known in the District for his work renovating houses. His company, Columbia Property Capital, modernized dwellings and added decks and pop-ups in Bloomingdale, transformed a century-old office building into upscale condos in Kalorama and combined a strip of early-1900s townhouses into one apartment complex in Eckington.

Scott Roberts, a fixture in Bloomingdale, said that, as happens with some developments, some people there held the company in low regard, asserting it was not considerate to existing residents.

At home, Prudhomme and his wife, Patsy, worked on a student-exchange program with Frejus, Fredericksburgs sister city in southeastern France, on the Mediterranean between Saint-Tropez and Cannes.

He was such a pleasant and open-minded man, and he was friendly with everybody, said Maryse Rigoulot, who lives in Frejus and is in charge of the program with Fredericksburg. Everybody is devastated. What happened is hard for us here to understand. Of course people have weapons here, and they use them sometimes, but its so unusual to shoot your own neighbor.

Rigoulot said she and her friends shared Prudhommes love of dining and company. He enjoyed meals the way we do, she said, noting he spoke fluent French, taking a long time and drinking wine and eating good food.

Prudhommes relatives did not respond to interview requests. A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday at Joseph Gawlers Sons funeral home in Northwest Washington.

Larry Keith Johnston, 80, has been charged in the fatal shooting of his 65-year-old neighbor in what police say was a property-line dispute. (Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office)

Relatives and friends of Johnston, the suspect, also did not respond to interview requests. A court file says he is being represented by the public defenders office, but officials there said it is not yet official.

The sheriffs office said that the border dispute between Johnston and Prudhomme had ratcheted up over the years, although police had never been called by either side to mediate.

Prudhomme had lived in Fredericksburg before moving to the reservoir area at least 10 years ago. His property and Johnstons smaller lot are on Young Lane, which is more of a narrow path that juts off state Route 627, called Gordon Road. Young Lane splits into a Y as it nears both properties, separately dead-ending at each house.

A neighbor and friend, Phyllis Whitley, 83, said Prudhomme grew up in South Africa and later lived in India, where he owned a textile business that made marching-band uniforms used by high schools and colleges in the United States. He and his wife moved to Virginia so their children could be educated in America, she said, but she did not have more precise details. The couples children are grown.

Whitley, who has lived on Gordon Road for the past 30 years, recalls meeting Johnston only once, at an early dinner party thrown by Prudhomme. She said she had no knowledge of their dispute.

The neighbor described Prudhomme as charming and thoughtful  always there to greet his guests and to make sure they were having a good time. He always had a smile, she said. For his parties, Whitley said, he invited a mix of people from the couples business and social life.

Prudhomme had been involved with Fredericksburgs sister-city program since he arrived, and he was the groups past president. Whitley said that his children traveled to Frejus in the exchange program and that Prudhomme hosted students from France at his house.

Rigoulot said Prudhommes wife organized receptions and trips for students and their parents. Another round of exchanges is planned for July.

We will really miss Guy, Rigoulot said. We were so used to his smile and his joy of living.

Dana Hedgpeth contributed to this report.
Authorities are investigating the death of a man in Bladensburg. (Prince Georges Police Department)

Police are investigating the death of a 26-year-old man found dead inside his home in the Hyattsville area with trauma to his body, said Prince Georges County authorities.

The man was identified as Matthew Mickens-Murrey. Officers, responding to a welfare check call, found Mickens-Murrey at 2:40 p.m. Tuesday at his home in the 5400 block of Newton Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about his death to call 1-866-411-TIPS. Police said that callers can remain anonymous and theres a cash reward.

This region has had more than 90 homicides this year, according to a tracking done by The Washington Post. Of those, 32 have been in Prince Georges County.
A man was fatally shot Sunday afternoon in Northeast Washington in the citys second fatal shooting of the holiday weekend, and at least seven other shootings were reported in the city over the three-day period.

The second of weekends killings occurred about 2:30 p.m. in the 5200 block of Dix Street NE, police said. The victim was identified as Wayne Joaquin, 24, of Southeast Washington.

In addition, a large number of shots were fired late Monday afternoon in and near the 100 block of Q Street NW, where one man was killed Saturday. Seven others were wounded in that incident.

No injuries were reported as a result of the Monday afternoon gunfire, which apparently occurred at several spots in the Truxton Circle area. There were indications that the number of shots may have been as many as two dozen or more.

After the shooting began Monday afternoon, a chase through the neighborhood ensued, in which additional shots were fired, said Bradley Thomas, advisory neighborhood commissioner for the area.

It was not clear how many people were firing, or whether shots were being exchanged between opposing individuals or sides.

A police lieutenant said that in the wake of the Saturday morning incident, additional officers had been assigned to the Truxton Circle area. He said police made two arrests and found multiple guns.

The shots represented the third instance of gunfire in the Truxton area since May 22. At least one person was shot then on Bates Street. In the wake of the earlier incidents, residents of the area were left on edge.

In general, said Thomas, the ANC commissioner, before the incidents of the past few days, there had been signs that the area had kind of quieted down.
Van Knauss and Patricia Lawson, who have known each other for decades, share a laugh before the start of a party in the social hall of Hughes United Methodist Church to pay tribute to Knauss, who has played the organ at the church 50 years. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Its not often that the story of an internationally known musician begins on a cattle drive.

But thats where it started for 78-year-old Van Knauss.

And no, were not talking about cowboy guitar or a wah-wah campfire harmonica thing.

Knauss is a master of the organ  the baroque pipes, the swelling fugue soaring in a church nave. He was once called Close to Perfection by a Washington music critic and J.S. Bach reincarnated by a fan.

But back to the cattle drive.

Knauss was a little kid in the 1940s, riding in his dads truck, driving cattle from their Colorado ranch to Denver. In town, they passed an organ studio, and Dad stopped to take a look. That was it. No more cattle for little Van.

Seeing all those rows of keys, the thumb pistons and toe studs that change the register of the organ, the draw knobs that shift the ranks of pipes used, the incredible complexity of this instrument  and how different it was from his life on the cattle ranch  Knauss was hooked.

Knauss and his twin sister, both already having played piano, began taking organ lessons from the man in Denver.

That led to music degrees from Union College in Lincoln, Neb., and then from the University of Nebraska, a job as a television organist, a PhD in music from Catholic University in Washington, a stint as a much-loved radio organist and, finally, the big party in the basement of Hughes United Methodist Church last Sunday.

You see, pipe organs are not especially portable instruments. And its not always easy for an organist to find an organ to play.

But in 1966, Hughes United Methodist Church in Wheaton, Md., had just installed an organ. It was one of the finest that the Newcomer Organ Co., run by D.C. brothers known for their mastery of remanufacturing new organs out of parts from older ones, had built. It had brand-new pipes from Moller, one of the nations most prolific pipe builders, with 12,000 pipes in chapels across the country. There were thirty-five ranks of pipes  sets that produce the same timbre for each note  and a set of pipes, called antiphonal pipes, jutting dramatically out over the interior from the rear balcony.

It was a beauty.

But the churchs search committee was having a hard time finding the right musician to play it. Then they met Knauss, and they told him they would try him out. He played the next Sunday, May 28, 1967. And the Sunday after that.

A month later, when he asked about the committees progress, they said the committee was still searching. He continued to play.

Each time he asked, he heard the same: The committee is still searching.

And 50 years later, as he stood before the congregation at Hughes after playing one of at least 4,000 preludes he had performed on that organ, Knauss confessed, Im starting to have doubts about this committee.

Knauss has also played in some of the great cathedrals of Europe, held forth in some of Americas grand concert halls and produced several albums over the decades.

But every Sunday, in between concerts, tours, recitals and teaching, he came home to Hughes.

You played at my wedding! said Susan Stevenson, 72, as she grabbed Knausss hand in the church social hall at the surprise reception on Sunday. August 12, 1967!

Turns out that Aug. 12 is Knausss birthday.

So you played at my wedding on your birthday? Stevenson said.

Of course I played on my birthday, Knauss answered.

You played at my daughters wedding, too, she told him.

And so it went all morning and into the afternoon. Students from Washington Adventist University, where he taught for decades; fellow organists; church members who listened to him for a half-century  they were all there.

They surprised him with a tribute in three movements, a piece for a brass quartet and organ, that was composed and performed for Knauss by D.C. musician Ken Lowenberg.

It was like Van  bouncy and bright, a little jazzy, Lowenberg said. And also contemplative.

He teared up during the sonata.

Knauss began as a very conservative player. Thats not surprising in a realm of music associated with churches, weddings and funerals.

It was years before Knauss confessed to playing in a restaurant in his early years.

While some were critical of my dabbling with that kind of music, I have no regrets about also having had that kind of experience, he explained in a resume.

But he eventually opened up about playing transcriptions  music not written for the organ, but transcribed for it  and became known for his bouncy, bright hymnal improvisations.

Its no surprise that organ music is struggling to stay relevant, said fellow organist Arla Clapp. Not all churches can maintain their organs. As she was telling me this, she stopped Marie Bunting, the church bookkeeper circulating between the hors doeuvres and the guests, to ask her what upkeep costs.

Marie pushed her horn-rims up on her nose and looked up for a moment.

About $8,000 a year, she said.

See, so many churches are struggling to afford them, Clapp said.

Technological innovation may eventually mimic a grand pipe organ, although even the ones with nearly 200 microprocessors are derided in the conservative organ community.

And there are rebels rocking the organ world, like Cameron Carpenter  who wears a mohawk, leather and sequins when he performs. He studs the heels of his organ slippers  special shoes organists wear so they can use their toes, arches and heels on the organ pedals  with rhinestones.

But Knauss isnt going that far. He is trying to keep his art alive through his many students, including his youngest one.

Grandson Grant Knauss, 8, is studying under his grandpa and said he loves the way the organs deep notes rumble in his gut.

His legs are still a little short, but hes growing, Knauss said.

Grant said sure, he wants to play some classical organ, like his grandfather. But also classical rock or classical pop, he said.

Take a while to grow those legs, Grant.

Of all the words said about Grandpa on Sunday  humble, genius, gentleman, decent, brilliant, virtuoso  there was one word no one was saying:

Retirement.

Twitter: @petulad
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will begin issuing a new drivers license next year to bring the state in compliance with a sweeping federal law that tightens security requirements for state-issued identification.

Virginia is one of several states scrambling to comply with the controversial 2005 domestic security program known as the Real ID Act, which was designed to help prevent terrorist attacks and reduce the number of licenses granted to undocumented immigrants.

The Department of Homeland Security has given Virginia until June 6 to comply with the Act. But Virginia officials say the state has been granted an extension through October and anticipate the federal government will give them extra time to fully implement the needed changes.

We dont expect this to have any impact on Virginians because we are working toward compliance and in October of 2018, they will be able to get the Real ID compliance ID, DMV spokeswoman Brandy Brubaker said.

Under the federal law, states are required to issue more secure licenses by requiring applicants to provide proof of identity and legal U.S. residency. States also must use counterfeit-resistant security features on the IDs.

Maryland and the District are already in compliance.

Beginning in the fall of 2020, the only drivers licenses that will be accepted for purposes such as boarding commercial flights will be those that meet federal Real ID requirements. But beginning Jan. 22, 2018, Transportation Security Administration agents will begin enforcing the air travel provision at security checkpoints, accepting licenses only from compliant states or those that have been granted extensions. Passengers without such licenses will have to present an alternative form of acceptable identification.

The Department of Homeland Security says that states have made considerable progress in meeting the requirements and that every state has a more secure drivers license than before the law was passed. Still, only 25 states and the District are in compliance. Most of the remaining states and U.S. territories, including Virginia, have received extensions, according to the DHS. Maine, Minnesota, Missouri and Montana are the only states listed as noncompliant and without an extension from the agency.

For states that are not in compliance and were not granted an extension, enforcement is ongoing, DHS spokeswoman Justine Whelan said.

Residents of those four states cant use their state-issued IDs to enter federal buildings or military bases. Come January, if their states status is unchanged, they will need to provide another form of identification for domestic travel  a passport, U.S. military ID, permanent resident card or one of the trusted traveler cards, such as Global Entry.

Congress passed the Real ID Act after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Among recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission was to toughen federal standards for drivers licenses and birth certificates; 18 of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers obtained state IDs, some of them fraudulently. Nearly half of the hijackers obtained their drivers licenses in Virginia.

Implementation of the law was to take effect in 2008, but deadlines have been extended to give states more time to comply. About half of the states objected to the program, and at least 13 legislatures passed laws prohibiting their states from complying.

Privacy advocates and civil liberties groups argued that the program would create a de facto national ID, and some state officials said complying would be too costly: one report by a coalition of state groups said it would cost $11 billion to implement the technology required by the Real ID Act, and require potentially double fees and wait times for the more than 210 million Americans whose licenses would have to be reissued.

States have struggled with the additional requirements for people trying to get licenses, such as obtaining birth certificates, Social Security cards and multiple proofs of residency. But pleas to the DHS and Congress for modifications to the law and its implementation were unsuccessful.

Enforcement at federal buildings began in 2014, and the last phase, affecting air travel, is looming. Several states are taking extra steps to comply. Maine, Minnesota, Montana and Alaska passed compliance bills this year.

The biggest problem of Real ID are the inconveniences it poses, said Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union. Some burdensome requirements have made visits to DMVs around the country much more difficult.

Virginia was the first state to try to increase the security of its drivers licenses after the Sept. 11 attacks, and many of the states lawmakers supported the Real ID safeguards. But officials have struggled over how to implement and pay for the federal requirements that affect the states 6 million licensed drivers.

They also had concerns about protecting residents privacy, officials said. The state drivers license was redesigned in 2009 to add about two dozen security features, but those enhancements didnt meet all the federal requirements.

We had put forth a plan before the Department of Homeland Security with some alternatives toward compliance that we thought met the intent and spirit of the law, using the power of modern technology to electronically verify documents, Brubaker of the DMV said. But we learned that DHS would not accept those alternatives to compliance, so we are now moving forward in the way that they want us to.

The new Real ID cards will be rolled out in October 2018, at a cost of about $20.7 million. The new license will be marked with a star in the upper-right corner, which indicates that its in compliance with the Real ID Act.

Virginia officials said they will not require everyone who has a license to get the new card, but they anticipate as many as 2.7 million license holders will request it. Virginians who want to use a drivers license to board a commercial aircraft will need to get the new card by October 2020.

The Real ID card will have a one-time $10 fee that will help pay for implementation. To get one, current license holders will be required to present two proofs of residency instead of one, and will have to present their Social Security card instead of just providing the number. The process will require an in-person visit to a DMV office, which could lead to longer-than-usual waits, because many people are used to renewing their licenses by mail or online.

The TSA began installing signs at U.S. airports in December to alert travelers to the upcoming changes. Still, many fliers who walk past the notices at the security lines continue to be unaware of whats coming.

I am an American citizen. It doesnt apply to me, a Virginia woman said last week as she waited to go through security at Reagan National Airport.

Said Wilson Delgado, If this will help improve our safety, its a good idea. Delgado has a Maryland license, so he is already in compliance.

Elena Waskey, a spokeswoman for the National Governors Association, said states and the federal government will remain engaged in discussions about the requirements and the impact on travelers. The states that arent compliant, she said, are in the process of evaluating costs and charting their priorities and next steps.

These states will engage in dialogue with DHS, with the expectation that their efforts are appropriately recognized, Waskey said.

And for those from states that arent in compliance and havent received extensions?

It is inconceivable that DHS would bar the entire population of a major state from flying, the ACLUs Stanley said. But I am not going to say it could never happen, especially now that all kinds of crazy things are happening.
Gary Brown, aide to Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, pictured here, was found guilty of making illegal donations to her campaign for mayor. She said Brown will stay in his job on her communications team. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

Gary Brown, who was denied a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates after he was charged with violating campaign finance laws, was found guilty on Tuesday and sentenced to a year of supervised probation, authorities said.

The Maryland State Prosecutors Office alleged Brown, a former campaign worker and current aide to Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, illegally bypassed a $6,000 limit on campaign contributions by depositing $18,000 into relatives bank accounts and donating in their names to Pughs 2016 mayoral bid.

[Democrat charged with illegal donations wont be sworn in]

Brown entered an Alford plea for two election law violations, meaning he did not admit to making illegal donations but believed the state had enough evidence to convict.

Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Charles J. Peters imposed a sentence of probation before judgement, allowing Brown to clear his record if he completes the terms of his probation.

Brown was indicted in January, a day before he was set to be sworn in to the House to fill a vacancy triggered by Pughs election. House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) cancelled his swearing-in, and local Democratic party officials chose another person to fill the House vacancy.

Election laws are in place to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and foster transparency in the regulation of campaign contributions, State Prosecutor Emmet C. Davitt said in a statement. Illegal straw contributions in names other than ones own to evade such laws cannot be tolerated.

Pugh spokesman Anthony McCarthy said the mayor has no plans to remove Brown from her communications team.

Brown did not immediately return an e-mail seeking comment.
Editor's Note: VOA reporters recently traveled to rural areas along the Mississippi River to speak with the "forgotten men and women" who are supporters of President Donald Trump. They spoke to farmers, factory workers, and retirees in largely white, Christian middle class communities. This is one of their stories.

Dick Becker is hopeful about his hometown of Lancaster, in Grant County, Wisconsin.

He also feels hopeful about the United States under the leadership of Donald Trump.

They need to give him a chance! he said.

Becker says that most voters in Lancaster supported Trump in the 2016 elections because he promised to change the direction of the country. He adds that many people who had voted in earlier elections for President Barack Obama were dissatisfied with him.

People I talk to did not like the way things were going, he said. People were fed up with politics as usual and they wanted a change.

Becker says he hopes Americans get behind Trump, because if he does well, everybody does well.

Becker says he and other Grant County voters supported candidate Trump at a time when the local economy was expanding.

Becker sells clothing and shoes at a store in Lancaster. He sees people spending time and money in the store where he works. He also sees them at a local jewelry store, gift shops, the drug store, and restaurants.

Many people in small, rural communities drive an hour or more to buy things in a larger city. But Becker says Lancaster -- with a population of 3,868 -- has changed that trend. He says people come from as far away as Madison -- Wisconsins capital -- to visit his store and to experience the friendliness of a small town.

Becker says, You cant get the customer service and the quality you have here.

But while Lancasters economy is good, many smaller towns in Wisconsin are suffering. Becker says Grant County has been helped by economic development that was begun with federal and state money. He says some small manufacturers and food-processing centers opened nearby, creating hundreds of jobs.

But he says the area has the same political disputes as many parts of the country. Some people defend President Trump as a businessman who speaks plainly. Others dislike the words he uses and his budget plans, which they believe will harm social services.

Becker said he also does not like some of the things the president has said. But he likes to think mainly about Trumps hopes for the future.

I agree with what he says -- I want to see businesses come back to this country, Becker said.

He also agrees with Trumps energy policies. Energy is an important subject in rural areas, where farms need fuel and nitrogen for fertilizer.

Becker notes that Trump wants to tap into more of our energy reserves. He says, I like that because I dont want to give our money to other countries. Why should we buy oil from Iran or Venezuela when we have our own?

But Becker, like most other people in the county, said he does not like to talk about politics too much with his neighbors and friends. He says he wants to avoid arguments and keep a feeling of unity in the community.

VOA Correspondent Greg Flakus reported this story from Lancaster, Wisconsin. 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

fed up  adj. very tired of something; angry about something that has continued for a long time

get behind  phrasal verb to support (someone or something)

shop  n. a building or room where goods and services are sold

trend  n. a general direction of change; a way of behaving, proceeding, etc., that is developing and becoming more common

plainly  adverb in a simple, honest and direct way

tap into  expression to understand and express something such as peoples beliefs or attitudes
Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, left, and former congressman Tom Perriello shake hands after the Democratic gubernatorial candidates debate in Richmond on May 9. (Steve Helber/AP)

Virginia lawmaker Marcia Price has her lefty political idols. She broke with every other Democrat in the state legislature last year to endorse Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential race.

But when it comes to her states June gubernatorial primary, Price wants her liberal heroes to butt out.

They have it wrong this time, she said, weeks after Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the progressive champion from Massachusetts, took the unusual step of backing a candidate in Virginias Democratic primary.

Their decision to jump into an intraparty contest in a state where neither has roots has changed the dynamic of the race, Price said: Thats when we lose sight of whats actually happening in Virginia, and national politics and national conversation starts hijacking our campaign and our election.

With two weeks to go before the primary, Virginia has become the center of a family dispute between national progressive Democrats and state activists over the identity and future of the Democratic Party.

Tom Perriello greets supporters in front of the venue before a debate May 2 in Arlington. (Bill OLeary/The Washington Post)

Price, a state delegate from Newport News, is chairing the campaign of Ralph Northam, the current lieutenant governor who also served in the state legislature and is a favorite of the state Democratic establishment.

[Race between Democrats running for Va. governor is neck-and-neck]

She has watched in dismay as Sanders, Warren and a host of well-financed national figures and organizations on the left have put their star power and political muscle behind the insurgent candidacy of Tom Perriello, a former congressman who jumped into the race in January and is appealing to newly engaged voters energized in opposition to President Trump.

More than half of Perriellos initial $2.2 million campaign haul came from outside Virginia, buoyed by a handful of massive contributions from wealthy liberal financiers including George Soros.

Northam allies contend Perriello, who spent his career on the national and international stage, has been absent from state politics and lacks the history of helping local candidates that the lieutenant governor has.

Perriello says that kind of thinking only brings him more support.

When they try to suggest the only definition of being a progressive is to have shown up at your [local party] committee meeting, which is very important, they alienate all the very people we are trying to bring into the party, said Perriello, describing the insular world of Virginia Democratic politics as a fairly elite and fairly closed circle.

Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam greets supporters before the Arlington debate. (Bill OLeary/The Washington Post)

Party proxy fight

The race is shaping up to be a choice between pragmatism and passion  and echoes the divide within the party nationally.

The liberal wing argues that the party must inspire voters by aiming high and fighting hard. The mainstream wing says the best way to attract independents and Trump voters is to avoid extremes and focus on attainable goals.

In this years gubernatorial primary, that tension can be heard in the way that Northam and Perriello talk about the Virginia way, a nebulous phrase that generally means elected leaders should put aside parochial interests in favor of whats best for the commonwealth.

Perriello contends that genteel political tradition is extinct and has not produced results since then-Gov. Mark R. Warners 2004 budget deal. Its just not how politics work, Perriello said.

But Northam says compromise is the only way to get things done. I look at the Virginia way as being able to sit down at the table with people from both sides of the aisle, Northam said in his Eastern Shore drawl. Im proud of the Virginia way. Were able to sit down and agree to disagree but, at the end of the day, do whats in the best interests of Virginia.

The Virginia governors race, always held the year after a presidential election, is generally viewed by national observers as an early signal of how well the party in power is positioned for the midterm elections ahead.

This years Democratic primary has taken on unusual significance  as a possible portent of the partys path through the political wilderness. Democrats not only are shut out of power in Washington, but their ranks have also been decimated on the state and local level.

Its certainly going to be a signal for future primaries, in the sense you have an established order of succession for running for governor in Virginia and this is a radical break with it, said Michael Podhorzer, the political director with the AFL-CIO, which is staying out of the Virginia primary. A lot of the people who are supporting Perriello see him as the more progressive candidate and are trying to make a point.

If Perriello wins, he will be the first candidate backed by the political action organization associated with Sanders to win a Democratic primary for a statewide or federal office.

But the Virginia primary is far from a perfect ideological test  the two contenders differ more in style than substance.

Perriello is pushing a message of all-out resistance to Trump and a populist economic agenda that includes attacking corporate monopolies and offering universal prekindergarten, free community college and paid family leave.

Northam, a pediatrician, is also critical of Trump but presents himself as focused on Virginia issues and as a pragmatist who can find compromise with Republicans.

Northam has the backing of Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), a close Clinton ally who cannot serve consecutive terms under the states constitution, and nearly every Democratic state and federal officeholder. That kind of a deep, statewide network can be pivotal when it comes to turning out voters.

Perriello has won endorsements from top aides to Clinton and President Barack Obama, and he has been able to tap into the political organizations allied with Warren and Sanders. Perriellos first meeting with Sanders was arranged by Perriello campaign manager Julia Barnes, who also ran Sanderss successful New Hampshire campaign during the 2016 Democratic presidential primary.

The senator had identified the Virginia governors race as part of his mission to reorient the Democratic Party in a more progressive direction. Bernie and I had talked about this race quite a few times, said Jeff Weaver, Sanderss top political adviser. It obviously was a race that was on everybodys radar.

[Shades of blue: Perriello, Northam clash on style]

Defenders of Northam pointed out that Sanders lost to Clinton by 30 points in the Virginia presidential primary, suggesting his endorsement may not be a great asset.

But a Washington Post-Schar School poll released this month found that Perriellos support from Sanders and Warren carried as much weight as Northams nearly universal support from Virginia Democrats. Supporters of Sanders in the 2016 primary preferred Perriello by an 18-point margin, while Clintons primary supporters were more evenly split.

Northam seems miffed that Sanders and Warren inserted themselves in the Virginia contest without knowing anything about him.

I do think its a little bit shortsighted that they never really reached out to see what I stood for and have been fighting for and also why I have so much grass-roots support in Virginia, Northam said. Its okay to come in and have these idealistic thoughts, but at the same time, we have to talk the reality of whats going on in Virginia, what are our challenges and how we are going to meet those challenges.

Judging the terrain in Va.

Longtime Democratic activists backing Northam fear the national progressives are misjudging the political environment in Virginia.

Terry McAuliffe is probably as liberal as you are going to get in Virginia, said Peter R. Henriques, 79, a retired history professor who lives in Prince William County.

[Tom Perriellos quest to be governor includes pit stops in Calif., N.Y.]

But Virginians who identify with the partys progressive wing say that kind of play-it-safe mind-set keeps voters home on Election Day.

So many people in independent progressive movements share so many common values with Democrats but have felt alienated by a party we feel caters to donors, said Mike Higgins, a Sanders supporter.

In many ways, the Democratic divisions in Virginia echo what happened to the Republican Party about a decade ago. As the tea party and fiscally conservative Club for Growth emerged, their supporters thought the GOP was taking them for granted. It was not until they began defeating establishment candidates in party primaries that they became a force the party had to reckon with. One big trophy was the 2014 defeat of then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in Virginia, after tea party activists rallied behind his little-known opponent, Dave Brat.

Its sending a message that if you stray from the ideology, you are going to be defeated, said Stephen Moore, who founded the Club for Growth.

Defenders of Northam say the lieutenant governor is far from a business-minded centrist hostile to progressive ideals.

Perriello hasnt said anything different than what Ralph has said, said state Senate Minority Leader Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax). He just yells it louder and hes younger. Thats it.

They both support a $15 minimum wage and some form of tuition-free community college, and they oppose offshore drilling.

They differ on the degree to which they want to push their priorities: Perriello opposes two planned natural-gas pipelines, while Northam has repeatedly said that the projects should meet environmental requirements but that the decisions to approve these projects are up to regulators. Perriello has called for a tax increase on the wealthy to fund social programs, while Northam has urged caution against big spending. Perriello broke with prior Democratic governors to call for a repeal of the states right to work law that bars union membership as a condition of employment, which Northam described as a fight Democrats cannot win.

[In Va. governors race, Democrats locked in battle to be most progressive]

The biggest problem Northam has is Perriello is driving the agenda. Its pushed Northam so far to the left that he is a shell of his former self, said John Whitbeck, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia. If we cant defeat whichever one of them is the nominee, it will mean that Virginia has become a blue state. . . . Its more running for governor of Vermont than Virginia.

Virginia activists supporting Northam say progressives trying to make a point with this race do not understand the stakes.

Ed Gillespie, the front-runner in the Republican primary and a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, is considered a formidable candidate.

In 2014, he came within a hair of defeating Warner, who won reelection to a second U.S. Senate term by less than one percentage point. A former lobbyist and onetime White House counselor, Gillespie can raise substantial money.

If Gillespie wins, he will probably work with a GOP-controlled legislature eager to send him bills to restrict voting and abortion.

Nicole Grim, a statewide organizer for the abortion rights group NARAL Virginia, penned an open letter pleading for national figures to stay out of the race. Her group has endorsed Northam and is actively campaigning against Perriello, citing past waffling on abortion rights while he was in Congress.

I find it really troubling the conversation is being steered away from whats really happening in Virginia and whats happening on the ground . . . and toward a broader conversation about the future of the Democratic Party and resisting Trump, Grim said. All of that is obviously important, but this isnt a national race. This is a state-level race.
MISSISSIPPI

Deputy killed in line of duty worked with kids

A Mississippi deputy killed in a shooting rampage had worked in Christian ministry before going into law enforcement and liked doing puppet shows to deliver uplifting messages to children.

William Durr, 36, was responding to a domestic violence call late Saturday when he was shot to death in Brookhaven. He was one of eight people killed in a shooting rampage at three homes  an outbreak of violence that has shaken the county of 34,500 residents.

Investigators said Willie Corey Godbolt, 35, will be charged with one count of capital murder and seven counts of first-degree murder. Mississippi Bureau of Investigation spokesman Warren Strain said the charges could change as the investigation continues.

Authorities on Monday said Godbolt was related to or acquainted with all the victims except Durr.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation identified some of those killed as: Barbara Mitchell, 55; Brenda May, 53; Tocarra May, 35; Ferral Burage, 45; and Shelia Burage, 46. The parents of Austin Edwards, 11, and Jordan Blackwell, 18, identified their sons as the other people killed.

Godbolt remained hospitalized in good condition for a gunshot wound Monday in Jackson and could make a court appearance Tuesday in Brookhaven. It was not clear who shot him.

Durr was married and had an 11-year-old son. His mother spoke briefly with the Associated Press on Monday, saying the family is still in distress.

He was a good Christian man, Debbie Durr said at her rural home near Brookhaven. He was a youth minister and a pastor before going into law enforcement.

Off duty, Durr also was a ventriloquist who took his puppets to schools and churches. Two weeks ago, Durr entertained preschoolers at Brookhaven Academy, a Christian school in town. The message he shared was that  like fireflies  people can use their inner light to help those around them.

Godbolt showed up at Vincent Mitchells home in the southern Mississippi town of Bogue Chitto shortly before midnight Saturday to demand that his estranged wife give up their two children. She and the kids had been staying with the family for about three weeks, Mitchell told the AP.

Hed come to get his kids. The deputy was called and asked him to leave, and it seemed like Godbolt would comply, at first, Mitchell said.

He acted like, motioned like, he was fixing to go. Then he reached in his back pocket and grabbed a gun, Mitchell said. He just started shooting everything.

Mitchell said he escaped, along with Godbolts wife, but Mitchells wife, her sister and another woman were killed. Authorities said Godbolt fled and killed four more people at two other homes.

 Associated Press

FLORIDA

Man fires gun while driving down highway

A man fired an AK-47 while driving down a Florida highway, damaging at least two passing vehicles, police said.

Miami-Dade Police Detective Daniel Ferrin said the 36-year-old shooter began shooting from inside his Toyota Corolla around 1 a.m. Monday as he was driving south on the Palmetto Expressway.

Two vehicles were struck by bullets. Ferrin said one victim drove himself to a hospital with a minor head injury caused by debris from the shooting.

Ferrin said the shooter hit a median, drove into oncoming traffic and crashed into a wall before exchanging gunfire with law enforcement officers who were approaching him. The man eventually surrendered.

Officers from Miami-Dade police, Doral police and the Florida Highway Patrol were involved in that shooting.

It was not immediately clear why the man started firing. Ferrin said charges were pending.

 Associated Press

NEVADA

10 arrested after fighting during protest

Ten people were arrested after fighting erupted during a weekend protest on the Las Vegas Strip amid calls for a white police officer to face criminal charges in the death of a black man in custody, police said.

Police officer Jacinto Rivera said Monday that three people were jailed and seven people were issued misdemeanor summonses and released following the Sunday afternoon incident in front of the Venetian resort.

The protest focused on the May 14 death of 40-year-old Tashii Brown after an officer fired a stun gun at him seven times, punched him and placed him in what police say was an unauthorized neck hold.

Officers intervened at the protest when fighting broke out between a pedestrian and demonstrators.

No injuries were reported.

 Associated Press
PHILIPPINES

Militants reportedly holding 200 hostages

A Catholic priest taken hostage by militants linked to the Islamic State says he is being held alongside 200 other captives in a southern Philippine city.

In a video apparently taken by the Islamist militants, Father Teresito Suganob said his captors wanted the military to withdraw its forces from Marawi, where the extremists still hold pockets of territory after a week of fighting with the army.

A colleague of Suganob confirmed that the man in the video is the priest. It was not clear when the video was taken or who released it, or whether Suganob believed what he was saying or was forced to say it.

Suganob says in the video that he was taken prisoner along with a professor, two female church workers and seven teachers.

Along with us are about 200 carpenters, household helpers, children and youth, and ordinary Christian settlers, he said.

The siege in Marawi followed an unsuccessful army raid last week to capture Isnilon Hapilon, whom the Islamic State has designated as its leader in the Philippines.

Hapilon escaped, and gunmen loyal to him swept through the city of 200,000 people, torching buildings and taking hostages.

Soldiers have taken control of about 70 percent of Marawi, the military chief of staff said Tuesday.

 Associated Press

SRI LANKA

Tens of thousands still marooned in floods

Tens of thousands of people marooned by severe flooding and mudslides in Sri Lanka remained in relief camps Tuesday, as aid teams bolstered by Indian navy divers and doctors pushed forward with rescue efforts.

At least 194 people have been killed and nearly 100 are missing after rains began swamping the southern and western areas of the Indian Ocean nation on Friday.

The weather has begun to clear, and some of the more than 100,000 people evacuated returned home. More than 80,000 remained in relief camps.

The Indian contingent of more than 300 was assisting, with divers searching the brackish waters and medical teams seeing patients in makeshift tents. A third Indian ship arrived Tuesday.

The tropical storm that had unleashed the havoc, meanwhile, moved farther north, destroying thousands of coastal homes in Bangladesh and killing three.

 Associated Press

82 freed Chibok girls begin rehabilitation: Nigerian officials said the 82 young women released by Boko Haram extremists this month are joining those already freed in a special rehabilitation program. The women are to attend months of remedial studies and will have medical professionals available to help them heal. The women were abducted from a school in rural Chibok in 2014.

6 police officers slain in Mexico: Five police officers were killed in a Mexico City suburb when responding to a call, the city said. The motive is under investigation. Meanwhile, gunmen killed a local police chief in the western state of Jalisco and wounded a woman traveling with him. The state is home to one of Mexicos fastest-growing drug cartels.

Denmark extradites S. Korean sought in probe: A South Korean woman wanted for questioning in a major corruption probe in her home country has been extradited, Denmark said. Chung Yoo-ra, 21, is the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, a confidante of former South Korean president Park Geun-hye. Choi is jailed on suspicion of bribery and receiving favors in return for manipulating government affairs. Park was removed from office in March.

 From news services
IF THERE has ever been a more benignly titled legislative proposal than the Hearing Protection Act, now before Congress, we cant think of it. Who could possibly oppose a measure to help Americans avoid deafness? Well, we might  because this ostensible public health bill is being promoted by the National Rifle Association in an effort to undo federal restrictions on the ownership of gun silencers, one of the oldest and most effective firearms controls on the books. Fearing gangsters and assassins, the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration classified silencers as firearms and required purchasers to pay a fee (now $200), on top of the silencers purchase price (now in the hundreds of dollars). There are some 300 million guns in private hands but only about 900,000 silencers registered as of last year.

The Hearing Protection Acts supporters argue that current strictures harm lawful gun owners by denying them an effective means of muffling dangerous noise. And its true: Gunshots are loud, generally louder than the 140-decibel limit for impulse noises set by federal occupational safety and health authorities. Audiologists have found that hunters risk of significant high-frequency hearing loss increases by seven percent for every five years they hunt. Yet the sound of gunfire also has benefits, health- and safety-wise. The bang can signal to bystanders to take cover or help police to locate a threat. Maybe thats why they say rifles report.

To be sure, the noise-reduction devices at issue do not eliminate gun noise; they reduce it by 30 decibels or so, making suppressor a more accurate term, and mitigating whatever additional risk the general public might face if the law results in more use of silencers, including unlawful use, as opponents fear. Silencers are almost never used in murders and other crimes under the current restrictive law, but certainly they would be used in more crimes if there were more of them in circulation.

And it is the general public upon whose behalf Congress is supposed to legislate, not the tens of millions who participate in shooting sports. Even a marginal increase in risk to the population cannot be justified, unless the harms to the minority from current policy are very severe and there are no means to reduce them other than the proposed legislation. In fact, the harms to shooters are modest  somewhat elevated risk of non-total hearing loss, essentially  and effective alternatives to silencers are readily available.

On March 16, the National Hearing Conservation Organization issued an official position on Recreational Firearm Noise, which emphasized that hearing loss from exposure to gunfire is largely preventable with the use of appropriately fitted hearing protection devices, such as earplugs or earmuffs. The problem is that firearms users generally dont take these simple precautions. Suppressors might help, NHCA acknowledged, but not without the wearing of hearing protection. In other words, manufacturers cannot guarantee that use of noise suppressors alone will prevent hearing loss.

Congress should tell the NRA to go away and not come back unless and until it has waged a serious campaign to get recreational shooters to take precautions and has measured the results. Whats going on now is just the usual political noise.


President Donald Trumps first budget proposes a 13 percent cut in federal spending on education.

But like most budget proposals, the United States Congress is sure to make changes.

Tom Cole of Oklahoma is a member of the House of Representatives. He heads the House subcommittee that oversees federal spending on education.

Cole belongs to the Republican Party, just like Trump. But at a hearing on Wednesday, he told Education Secretary Betsy DeVos that some of the proposed cuts are short-sighted, meaning not well thought out.

Cole noted proposals to cut programs that provide part-time jobs for college students and help students from poor families attend college.

Frankly, I will advise you, I have a different point of view, Cole told DeVos.

Thinking of taxpayers

Mick Mulvaney is director of the Office of Management and Budget. He said that Trumps budget does what many earlier budget proposals did not -- consider the needs of Americans who pay for federal programs through taxes.

This is I think the first time in a long time that an administration has written a budget through the eyes of the people who are actually paying the taxes, Mulvaney said.

Some proposed cuts hit international programs

The State Department oversees American education programs worldwide.

The Trump budget proposes $148.6 million for international academic programs, down 52 percent from 2017. The largest one, the Fulbright Program, would be cut by 47 percent -- from $235.6 million in 2017 to $125.6 million.

The Fulbright program offers federal money so Americans can study, teach and do research outside the United States. It also provides funding for international students and scholars at American colleges and research groups. The program was started in 1946, after World War II, and named for Senator, J. William Fulbright of Arkansas.

Among the federal programs proposed for elimination is the international food for education program. It provides food to students in poor countries. In its budget proposal, the Trump administration said the program has not been shown to be effective.

English Language programs, which provide English teaching and teaching materials worldwide, would receive $10 million, down 75 percent from 2017.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the budget proposal for international education puts a priority on proven successful programs, such as Fulbright and International Visitor Leadership. The budget proposals are part of President Trumps plan to put America First, in terms of spending decisions, he said.

The visitor program brings current and future leaders from around the world to the U.S. to experience American culture, education and business first-hand. The Trump budget provides $49.3 million for the program, down about 45 percent from the current budget.

The budget also calls for big cuts in scientific research at the Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institutes of Health. Much of the federally funded research is done by universities across the country.

Mary Sue Coleman is president of the Association of American Universities.

Coleman said that federally funded research by American colleges helped develop important medicines, created the internet, put a man on the moon and produced smart phones. She said cuts in research funding would badly damage the programs that produced all those things.

Education Secretary DeVos said the cuts in education spending are designed, in part, to fund a program Trump proposed during the 2016 election campaign  school choice. It would give poor families the ability to choose the school their children attend -- whether public or private.

DeVos said school choice would help low-income parents find a better school for their children when the local public school is not providing a good education. But opponents said school choice takes money away from public schools, which, unlike private schools, must accept all students, including those with learning problems.

Derrell Bradford is the executive vice president of 50CAN, which supports school choice. He praises Trump for his school choice proposal, but opposes the proposed education spending cuts.

But people should know that this is a political document, the start of what will be a long process, Bradford told VOA. The majority of the cuts will not survive Congress.

Im Bruce Alpert.

Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

frankly - adv. speaking in an honest and direct way

view - n. opinion

actually - adv. used to refer to what is true or real

scholar - n. a person who has studied a subject for a long time and knows a lot about it

elimination - n. to remove something

priority - n. something that is more important than other things and that needs to be done or dealt with first
Betsy Karasik is a D.C. writer.

As we honored and remembered over the Memorial Day weekend so many who have died for justice and freedom, I found myself inordinately haunted by the Portland, Ore., stabbing of three men who came to the defense of two young women being bullied and harassed, allegedly by a white supremacist hurling anti-Muslim slurs. Two of the men died in the attack. The third was hospitalized in serious condition.

I nominate these three men  heroes all  for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This medal, the highest civilian award given in the United States, recognizes those who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

I nominate these three heroes because President Trump has a moral obligation to recognize them as martyrs in the battle for human rights. Good Samaritans who spontaneously rose up against hateful bigotry and harassment, these men placed themselves in harms way in defense of strangers. Two paid the ultimate price: Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche was a recent Reed College graduate in economics who had his whole life before him; Ricky John Best served this country in the U.S. Army for 23 years and was a devoted husband and father. Micah Fletcher, still recovering from his wounds, is a poet who won a 2013 competition with a poem against anti-Muslim prejudice.

I nominate these three heroes because Trump has a moral obligation to counteract the dangerous way in which he has fanned the flames of racism and xenophobia. In fall 2015, white nationalist Matthew Heimbach wrote: Donald Trump is blowing the dog whistle for White racial interests harder than any other candidate. In 2016, the incidence of hate crimes rose 23.3 percent, according to Brian Levin of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University at San Bernardino. Now, as the Trump administration overtly targets Muslims and other immigrants for vilification, the dog whistle has become a siren.

On Monday, Trump did state in his presidential Twitter account (@POTUS) that the attack was unacceptable. But Twitter commentary does not substitute for leadership, not on an issue of this magnitude, and it is worth noting that Trump didnt bother to mention the incident to the 30,000,000 followers of his personal Twitter feed (@realDonaldTrump), a nuance that telegraphs the priorities of this administration.

If the price of freedom is eternal vigilance, so is the price of equality. When leaders normalize racism and bigotry, society can be quick to follow suit. This hideous hate crime will leave a terrible psychic scar on the families of the victims and on the nation, but it has also created a teachable moment. No award can heal the damage done by such a monstrosity, but by conveying the highest civilian honor on these beautiful individuals, the Trump administration can honor three shining examples of American values at their best.
Its hard to write about Jared Kushner without going straight to the Icarus cliche  hubris, flying too close to the sun, falling into the sea. I once wrote that he was the only one of President Trumps close advisers who couldnt be fired, but Kushners father-in-law would be smart to prove me wrong.

It is possible, of course, that Kushner was acting on Trumps orders when he allegedly suggested setting up a secret communications channel with Moscow using Russias secure equipment. In that case, Trumps reluctance to cut him loose would be understandable  and the Russia scandal would lead directly to the president himself. If not, are family ties keeping Kushner employed at the White House? Or is it Trumps mounting sense of persecution and his reluctance to let an aggressive media push him around?

Whatever his motivation, Trump is allowing the Russia scandal to become not an extended nightmare but a permanent one. And all the Twitter tantrums in the world wont make it go away.

It is, of course, ironic that Kushner was originally seen as the benign, socially acceptable face of Trumpism. He and his allies were supposed to constitute the reasonable and responsible faction in the West Wing, as opposed to the alt-right barbarians clustered around Stephen K. Bannon. But while Bannons name has not come up publicly in the Russia investigation, at least thus far, Kushner is now reportedly a focus of the FBI probe.

[This new CNN scoop shows the drip-drip-drip of Trumps Russia scandal will continue]

(Alice Li/The Washington Post)

And with good reason. At a December meeting with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, Kushner reportedly suggested using secure equipment at the Russian Embassy or one of the Russian consulates to open a secret communications channel with the government of strongman Vladimir Putin. This is wrong on so many levels.

First, Barack Obama was still president at the time; while it is normal for an incoming administration to have informal meet-and-greets with foreign officials, Kushners proposal was so inappropriate that Kislyak was said to be stunned. Second, the idea of using only Russian communications equipment for the proposed dialogue suggests the Trump administration had something to hide from U.S. intelligence agencies. Third, there is the obvious question of what Kushner wanted to talk about that couldnt be discussed through existing channels.

With someone so close to Trump in the crosshairs, special counsel Robert S. Mueller III has every reason to examine any relationships between the Trump campaign and Russian officials or oligarchs in minute detail  and also to look closely at any Russia connections the Trump and Kushner family business empires might have.

The White House should thus be settling in for a long siege. The good news, from Trumps point of view, is that his senior aides are discussing how to set up a war room to handle communications about the scandal, theoretically letting the rest of the administration get on with governing. The bad news is that Kushner has been involved in those discussions  when instead he should have been cleaning out his office.

Even setting the scandal aside, it is clear that Kushner gradually emerged as the most powerful of Trumps senior advisers  and is not doing a very good job. His fingerprints were not on the health-care disaster; and while he hasnt made relations between Israelis and Palestinians any better, he hasnt made them any worse. But he has shown absolutely no sense of how to turn intention into legislation. And his instincts are so out of tune that he reportedly advised Trump that firing FBI Director James B. Comey would be a sure political win, rather than the equivalent of opening the gates of hell.

[Back channels are protocol for a president  but not for a president-elect]

Trump is said to be angriest at Kushner about something else: Kushners sister, Nicole Meyer, was caught on video trying to lure Beijing investors into participating in a Kushner Companies condominium project in New Jersey by holding out the prospect of immigration visas that could lead to permanent residence in the United States.

1 of 37 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Members of President Trumps administration: Moments that made headlines View Photos White House and Cabinet officials left strong impressions in the early days of the administration. Caption White House and Cabinet officials left strong impressions in the early days of the administration. Sarah Huckabee Sanders comments on slavery Things got testy when April Ryan, a White House reporter for American Urban Radio Networks, asked White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders to comment on slavery at Wednesdays news briefing. READ THE STORY Al Drago/Bloomberg Wait 1 second to continue.

Yet Kushner remains. And no communications strategy, however brilliant, has a chance of succeeding so long as Trump has access to his Twitter account.

Whenever you see the words sources say in the fake news media, and they dont mention names, Trump tweeted Sunday amid a morning rant, it is very possible that those sources dont exist but are made up by fake news writers. #FakeNews is the enemy!

Wrong. We dont fabricate sources and these days we dont have to look hard to find them. Right now theyre talking about Jared Kushner  and have nothing nice to say.

Read more from Eugene Robinsons archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. You can also join him Tuesdays at 1 p.m. for a live Q&A.
From time to time, I email Allison Stanger. She answers always, but says she is not yet healthy enough to talk. On March 2, Stanger was escorting the social scientist Charles Murray, whose speech at Middlebury College, where she teaches, had just been shouted down, when the mob charged their car. Someone pulled my hair, she recounted, while others were shoving me. I feared for my life. The car was rocked. Stanger is still recovering from a concussion.

Last week, Middlebury disciplined 67 students for what happened that night. Some were put on probation and others were cited with the college equivalent of a demerit that will go in their permanent record  all in all, a slap on the wrist for students who deserved something more severe. Their offenses were not incidental. They had trifled with freedom of speech, academic freedom and, not incidentally, the health of a professor who was merely trying to facilitate the implementation of those rights. Charles Murray is controversial. He is not an Ebola carrier.

Middleburys disgrace was one of several incidents this year in which controversial or studiously obnoxious speakers were either run off campuses or were intimidated from coming. These included Ann Coulter and Milo Yiannopoulos, in the first category, as well as Heather Mac Donald and Murray, conservative scholars with interesting, if provocative, things to say. Mac Donald, the author of War on Cops, is a critic of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Murray is best known for co-writing the book The Bell Curve. Suffice it to say it deals with the intellectual nitroglycerin of race and IQ. When it exploded upon publication in 1994, the New Republic devoted most of one issue to shredding it. Still, Murray survived to write other books, and while he is a conservative, he is redeemed by being vociferously anti-Trump. Maybe he will someday do a book on the link between real estate development and IQ.

Far more dangerous than what any of these speakers has to say is the reaction to it. The protesters  some of them non-students  are involved in whats called, to invoke a trendy term, cultural appropriation. In this case, it is the culture of fascism. Benito Mussolinis rise to power in Italy was facilitated by the steady use of violent protesters to break up meetings and silence opponents. The tactic proved successful, and in 1922 Mussolini became dictator of Italy. Hitler, on the other side of the Alps, took careful notes.

(Will DiGravio)

I wont flatter the student protesters by asserting they are aware of their ideological antecedents. But I will say that those who chose not to hear Mac Donald or Murray missed something. Mac Donald, who writes often for the Wall Street Journal, knows her stuff. You may not agree with her, but she is reasonable and learned. As for Murray, his caricature as a white racist is a simplistic libel. I am not prepared to defend The Bell Curve  it has been years since Ive read it  but thats beside the point. Its for Murray to defend. And, if given the opportunity, Im sure he can do it.

Maybe, as some have argued, campus intolerance is escalating in reaction to President Trump. He has a pugnacious affect that encourages a like reaction. He wants to silence the critical press. He dismisses his critics as losers. He always seems to be spoiling for a fight  and not a fair one, either. But Trumps simian behavior is no excuse for violence.

The Vietnam War engendered the same sort of fascistic response. In the name of a good cause  ending the war  the occasional protester set off the occasional bomb. One, ostensibly directed at the University of Wisconsins cooperation with the Defense Department, nearly demolished Sterling Hall on the Madison campus. It killed a physics researcher, whose work was entirely unconnected with the Pentagon, not that it matters any. The mad, arrogant virtue that animated the bombers is little different than what drove Manchesters suicide bomber to wantonly kill kids at the Ariana Grande concert in England. Spare us the true believers.

I have known Stanger a bit over the years. To me, she personifies the scholarly life  fluent in Russian, fluent in Czech, fluent in critical ideas. She has her politics, avowedly Democratic, but she agreed to moderate the discussion with Murray solely because she believes in the robust exchange of views. Now she suffers because some protesters thought they were entitled to silence Murray and injure Stanger. Middlebury got a black eye, Stanger got a concussion  and we all got a warning.

Read more from Richard Cohens archive.
REP. TOM REED (R-N.Y.) was an early Donald Trump supporter and applauds the presidents performance to date. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) is a Trump opponent who feels very strongly that we have to get to the bottom of the Russia hacking story. Yet the two members of Congress are doing something very strange for Washington these days: working together, on a bipartisan basis, to try to get things done.

The two are leaders of the Problem Solvers Caucus, which to date boasts 20 Republican representatives and 20 Democratic representatives. The caucus, an outgrowth of the No Labels organization (Motto: Stop fighting. Start fixing), isnt new, but this year it has adopted rules that could give it more clout in Congress. If three-

quarters of its members, including at least half the delegations of each party, vote for a position, the entire caucus will vote that way on the floor. Armed with this potential for influence, the caucus met with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) last week, and a meeting with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is in the works.

No one would argue that this is going to end polarization in the United States. It remains to be seen what the 40 can agree on among themselves, let alone whether they can drag the rest of the House along with them. But at a time when party members are tempted to view the other side as enemies rather than well-intentioned opponents, their commitment to governing should be applauded. They helped push adoption of the continuing resolution on this years budget, which avoided a government shutdown, and they said they are hoping to play a similarly constructive role when the debt ceiling needs to be raised and budget caps are set for next year.

The folks who sent me here dont want me to take a pure obstructionist approach, Mr. Gottheimer told us. They want me to sit at the table and try to get things done. Added Mr. Reed: Some have classified it as treason  the people on the extremes, who just want to play shirts versus skins. But the appetite for this is strong.

The Problem Solvers Caucus isnt alone in trying to restore some bipartisanship to governing. Issue One, a nonprofit dedicated to campaign finance reform, has recruited 180 former members of Congress, 45 percent of whom are Republican, according to executive director Nick Penniman. Advocacy on the issue has shifted to the left in the past two decades, to the detriment of the cause, Mr. Penniman said. The organization is convinced that many members of both parties would, for example, welcome reforms that allowed them to spend less time fundraising.

(Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

The Trump presidency has sharpened divisions and heightened the challenge for people wanting to work across the aisle, Mr. Reed and Mr. Gottheimer both said. But they also said it hasnt lessened the urgency of trying. I believe at the end of the day, people want us to govern, and thats what theyll judge us on, Mr. Reed said. Agreed his Democratic co-chair: I believe in accountability  but I also believe in progress.
The Supreme Court said Tuesday it will hear yet another voting rights dispute next term and consider reinstating Ohios method for purging the names of those who do not regularly vote from registration rolls.

Civil rights groups, which have successfully challenged the states process, told the Supreme Court that there was no reason to disturb a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit striking down the rules as a violation of federal voting law.

Democrats and advocates for the poor say the states efforts are disproportionately felt in neighborhoods that tend to vote Democratic. The procedure has prompted years of litigation between the advocates and the Republican-led legislature.

But Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican who is running for governor, said the process has been used under both Democrats and Republicans. It is a way to clear the voter rolls of those who have died or moved away and increases public confidence, he said.

Maintaining the integrity of the voter rolls is essential to conducting an election with efficiency and integrity, Husted said in a statement.

I remain confident that once the justices review this case they will rule to uphold the decades-old process that both Republicans and Democrats have used in Ohio to maintain our voter rolls as consistent with federal law, he added.

He said that in his time in office, the efforts have resulted in the removal of nearly 560,000 deceased Ohioans from the rolls and the resolution of more than 1.65 million voters who were registered more than once.

But opponents say it is inappropriate to have such efforts be triggered by a failure to vote.

Under Ohios procedure, voters who do not vote for two years are sent registration confirmation notices. If they do not respond and do not vote over the next four years, they are removed from the rolls.

The groups that challenged the law said the procedure violates a part of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which prohibits a voter-list maintenance program for federal elections that result[s] in the removal of the name of any person from the official list of voters . . . by reason of the persons failure to vote.

Other states take action only after receiving notice that a person has moved, the groups said.

The provision in the federal law reflects the basic principle that, just as every eligible voter has the constitutional right to vote, each one also has the right not to cast a vote  and the mere exercise of that right should not be the basis for removal from the voter rolls, the organizations told the court in a brief.

Andre Washington, president of one of the groups that challenged the state, the Ohio A. Philip Randolph Institute, said in a statement that the names of approximately 40,000 voters in Cuyahoga County were purged in 2015 and a disproportionate number of those people came from low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.

Husted told the court that it needed to get involved because a growing number of states had similar procedures.

But opponents said only a handful of states do what Ohio does and that the justices should wait for the issue to be examined by other courts.

The case, which will be argued in the term that begins in October, is Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute.

In some editions, a previous version of this article misstated when the Supreme Court decided it would hear the Ohio case. The decision was made Tuesday..
The Supreme Court on Tuesday set aside a multimillion-dollar award against two Los Angeles County officers who shot a couple after bursting into their shack while looking for someone else.

The justices were unanimous in saying lower courts had erred in upholding a $4 million award to Angel Mendez and his pregnant girlfriend, Jennifer Garcia, who is now his wife. Both were seriously wounded in the 2010 incident involving officers Christopher Conley and Jennifer Pederson, and Mendez had to have part of his leg amputated.

The lower courts found it was reasonable for the officers to fire on the couple because Mendez was holding a BB gun that looked like a small-caliber rifle. But the officers should not have burst in on the couple in the first place, the courts held, and the officers were found liable under an appeals court ruling that allows a claim of excessive force when an officer intentionally or recklessly provokes a violent confrontation.

The problem with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuits rule, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. wrote disapprovingly, is that it provides a novel and unsupported path to liability in cases in which the use of force was reasonable.

A strange set of circumstances led to the confrontation in the Los Angeles County town of Lancaster. Officers were sent to search a house and property for parolee-at-large Ronnie ODell. While some officers went to the house, Pederson and Conley searched the property, littered with storage sheds and abandoned automobiles. The officers had been told Mendez and Garcia were living in a wood-and-plywood shack, and the couple was napping when the officers arrived.

The officers did not have a warrant to search the shack, nor did they knock and announce their presence. Instead they burst in and saw Mendez moving the BB gun. One officer shouted Gun! and they fired 15 rounds. ODell was not found.

The Supreme Courts decision did not end the case. It will return to California, where Alito said the other missteps by the officers may provide the couple a path to damages.

For example, if the plaintiffs in this case cannot recover on their excessive force claim, that will not foreclose recovery for injuries proximately caused by the warrantless entry, Alito wrote.

The case, County of Los Angeles v. Mendez, was argued before Justice Neil M. Gorsuch joined the court, and he took no part in the decision.

Court says man cannot be deported for sex with underage girlfriend

Consensual sex with someone who is at least 16 years old does not qualify as sexual assault of a minor for the purposes of determining whether someone should be deported, the justices decided in another unanimous ruling.

The court was considering the governments attempt to deport Juan Esquivel-Quintana, a native of Mexico who was admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident in 2000. In 2009, he pleaded no contest to statutory rape under a California law that prohibits sex with a minor more than three years younger than the perpetrator.

The Department of Homeland Security initiated removal proceedings against Esquivel-Quintana. The Immigration and Nationality Act provides for deportation of those convicted of sexual abuse of a minor.

During part of their relationship, Esquivel-Quintana had just turned 21, and his girlfriend was 17.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for the court that the structure of the federal law suggests that sexual abuse of a minor encompasses only especially egregious felonies. When the provision was added in 1996, 31 states and the District of Columbia set the age of consent at 16, and some states lower. California and nine others set the age at 18.

The general consensus from state criminal codes points to the same generic definition as dictionaries and federal law: Where sexual intercourse is abusive solely because of the ages of the participants, the victim must be younger than 16, Thomas concluded.

Gorsuch did not participate in Esquivel-Quintana v. Sessions.

Companies cant impose restrictions once they sell a product

Companies give up their patent rights once they sell a product, and it does not matter where the sale takes place, the court ruled.

In an opinion written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., the court said companies cannot impose restrictions once they make a sale. It was a defeat for Lexmark International, which sued Impression Products to keep the company from selling refurbished Lexmark printer cartridges at a lower price than new ones.

The decision overturned a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Extending the patent rights beyond the first sale would clog the channels of commerce, with little benefit from the extra control that the patentees retain, Roberts wrote.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg issued a partial dissent, saying the ruling should not apply to sales overseas.

Again, Gorsuch took no part in Impression Products Inc. v. Lexmark International.
The Trump administration is planning to disband the Labor Department division that has policed discrimination among federal contractors for four decades, according to the White Houses newly proposed budget, part of wider efforts to rein in government programs that promote civil rights.

As outlined in Labors fiscal 2018 plan, the move would fold the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, now home to 600 employees, into another government agency in the name of cost-cutting.

The proposal to dismantle the compliance office comes at a time when the Trump administration is reducing the role of the federal government in fighting discrimination and protecting minorities by cutting budgets, dissolving programs and appointing officials unsympathetic to previous practices.

The new leadership at the Environmental Protection Agency, for instance, has proposed eliminating its environmental justice program, which addresses pollution that poses health threats specifically concentrated in minority communities. The program, in part, offers money and technical help to residents who are confronted with local hazards such as leaking oil tanks or emissions from chemical plants.

Under President Trumps proposed budget, the Education Departments Office of Civil Rights  which has investigated thousands of complaints of discrimination in school districts across the country and set new standards for how colleges should respond to allegations of sexual assault and harassment  would also see significant staffing cuts. Administration officials acknowledge in budget documents that the civil rights office will have to scale back the number of investigations it conducts and limit travel to school districts to carry out its work.

[Obama, Biden rewrite the rulebook on handling sexual assault on campus]

And the administration has reversed several steps taken under President Barack Obama to address LGBT concerns. The Department of Housing and Urban Development, for example, has revoked the guidance to implement a rule ensuring that transgender people can stay at sex-segregated shelters of their choice, and the Department of Health and Human Services has removed a question about sexual orientation from two surveys of elderly Americans about services offered or funded by the government.

The efforts to reduce the federal profile on civil rights reflects the consensus view within the Trump administration that Obama officials exceeded their authority in policing discrimination on the state and local level, sometimes pressuring targets of government scrutiny to adopt policies that were not warranted.

Administration officials made clear in the initial weeks of Trumps presidency that they would break with the civil rights policies of his predecessor. Attorney General Jeff Sessions ordered a review of agreements to reform police departments, signaling his skepticism of efforts to curb civil rights abuses by law enforcement officers. His Justice Department, meantime, stopped challenging a controversial Texas voter identification law and joined with the Education Department in withdrawing federal guidance allowing transgender students to use school bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity.

While these decisions have been roundly criticized by liberal activists, administration officials said that civil rights remain a priority for the Trump White House.

The Trump administration has an unwavering commitment to the civil rights of all Americans, White House spokeswoman Kelly Love said in an emailed statement.

But Vanita Gupta, who was the head of Justices civil rights division from October 2014 to January 2017, said that the administrations actions have already begun to adversely affect Americans across the country.

President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions at the White House on Feb. 9. Sessions has ordered a review of agreements to reform police departments, signaling his skepticism of efforts to curb civil rights abuses by law enforcement officers. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

They can call it a course correction, but theres little question that its a rollback of civil rights across the board, said Gupta, who is now president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

Labors budget proposal says that folding its compliance office into the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will reduce operational redundancies, promote efficiencies, improve services to citizens, and strengthen civil rights enforcement.

Historically, the two entities have played very different roles. Unlike the EEOC, which investigates complaints it receives, the compliance office audits contractors in a more systematic fashion and verifies that they take affirmative action to promote equal opportunity among their employees.

Patricia A. Shiu, who led the compliance office from 2009 to 2016, said the audits are crucial because most workers dont know they have grounds to file a complaint. Most people do not know why they dont get hired. Most people do not know why they do not get paid the same as somebody else, she said.

Under Obama, officials in the compliance office often conducted full-scale audits of companies, examining their practices in multiple locations, rather than carrying out shorter, more limited reviews as previous administrations had done.

Some companies have questioned the more aggressive approach, noting the office has consistently found since 2004 that 98 percent of federal contractors comply with the law.

But the compliance office also scored some major recent legal victories, including a $1.7 million settlement with Palantir Technologies over allegations that the data-mining companys hiring practices discriminated against Asians. In a case involving Gordon Food Service, which serves the Agriculture Department, the Pentagon and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the office found the company had systematically eliminated qualified women from the hiring process. The firm agreed to pay $1.85 million in wages to 926 women who had applied for jobs and hire 37 of them. Gordon Food was also forced to no longer require women to take a strength test.

[See which Post reporters are responsible for covering federal agencies]

In Education Department budget documents, the administration acknowledges that proposed funding levels would hamper the work of that departments civil rights office. The budget would reduce staffing by more than 40 employees.

To address steady increases in the number of complaints received and decreased staffing levels, OCR must make difficult choices, the budget documents say. OCRs enforcement staff will be limited in conducting onsite investigations and monitoring, and OCRs ability to achieve greater coordination and communication regarding core activities will be greatly diminished.

Some critics of the civil rights office said school districts often felt they were presumed guilty in the eyes of the federal government.

There was sort of this sense that . . . if there was a complaint filed, there must have been done something wrong, said Thomas J. Gentzel, executive director of the National School Boards Association. But theres usually two sides to a story.

Education Department spokeswoman Liz Hill said that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Candice E. Jackson, who has been named as the acting head of the civil rights office, are committed to protecting all students from discrimination.

Each civil rights complaint received by OCR is given due care and attention, with OCR serving as a fair and impartial investigative office, Hill said.

Jacksons nomination has added to the anxiety of civil rights activists. Jackson, a lawyer from Vancouver, Wash. and author of a book about women who had accused President Bill Clinton of sexual assault, has written that programs aimed at fostering a diverse student body dismiss the very real prices paid by individual people who end up injured by affirmative action.

Similar concerns have been raised about Trumps likely selection of Eric S. Dreiband to head the Justice Departments civil rights division. A former Bush administration official and veteran conservative Washington lawyer, Dreiband has represented several companies that were sued for discrimination. (Dreiband is representing the Washington Post in an age and race discrimination case in federal court in the District.)

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the status of a a rule ensuring that transgender people can stay at sex-segregated shelters of their choice. The story has been corrected.

Lisa Rein contributed to this report.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a warm meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday that stood in sharp contrast to her growing split with President Trump. (Filip Singer/European Pressphoto Agency)

President Trump escalated his feud with Berlin on Tuesday, even as Germanys leader and Trumps own spokesman tried to defuse the conflict, which has sent tremors through Washingtons core postwar alliances.

Before the presidential tweets began flying early Tuesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel reaffirmed the importance of Germanys ties to the United States. But she pointedly did not back down from earlier comments about Europes need to rely on itself rather than its friends.

The dispute started as Trump sped through meetings in Europe last week and appeared to leave a trail of bruises in his wake. It heated up after Merkel did little over the weekend to hide her disappointment with Trumps refusal to commit Washington to the climate change treaty. And it was further inflamed Tuesday at 6:40 a.m. Washington time when Trump fired a white-hot shot straight at Berlins glass-and-concrete chancellery.

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 his early-morning tweet.

The fight has had few obvious practical consequences so far. But Merkels meetings this week  first a chummy meeting with Indias leader on Tuesday and then a sit-down with the Chinese prime minister on Wednesday  were bracing reminders of the trade ties being forged outside the United States as Washington moves toward a sharply more nationalist and protectionist agenda.

Merkel refused to give ground Tuesday, even as she sought to ease the dispute with a rhetorical hug.

Transatlantic relations are of paramount importance, Merkel said alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin. What I did was merely to point out that in light of the present situation, there are yet more reasons that we have to take our destiny in Europe into our own hands.

[As Merkel seeks allies elsewhere, Modi visits Berlin bursting with friendliness]

The Modi meeting was planned long before the dust-up with Trump. But the cheerful body language between the two leaders was difficult to miss.

We are meant for each other, Modi said to Merkel, smiling widely, as both leaders made positive comments about a European Union-India trade deal in the works.

German officials  who say that the United States remains Germanys most important international ally and an important partner whose friendship they want to maintain  feel that Trump has prioritized relations with authoritarian nations such as Saudi Arabia instead of democratic allies. Many were shocked when Trump declared in Riyadh that we are not here to lecture the mostly unelected assembled leaders  and then blasted European allies in Brussels for not spending enough on defense.

That led Merkel to conclude that she needs to advocate a sharply more pro-European agenda at home ahead of September elections, one ally said. She said Sunday at a beer-hall political rally that Europe can no longer fully rely on others, a message clearly about Washington, even if it was aimed largely at her own voters.

1 of 60 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Trumps first trip overseas as president View Photos The U.S. president traveled to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Rome, Belgium and Sicily, Italy. 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.

It was mostly to say we have to strengthen Europe. It was not anti-Trump, said Norbert Rottgen, a close Merkel ally who is the chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the lower house of Germanys Parliament.

You have to explain to your voters what we make of the experience of the last days, Rottgen said. Trump, he is an unprecedented president. He calls into question by the way of his behavior, by what he is saying, by what he is not saying, the foundation of this alliance, and you have to give an answer to that. And the answer of the chancellor is that we have to bring into this alliance, not against this alliance, but into this alliance, a stronger German hand.

With Germanys elections drawing closer, Merkel has been forced to turn her attention to her own voters  most of whom loathe Trump and staunchly oppose increasing defense spending, one of his key demands. She is seeking a fourth term in office and has rejected most of Trumps criticisms as baseless.

[Even Angela Merkels political rivals are on her side against Trump]

Even before Trumps victory last year, Merkel was increasing defense spending, pushing up the budget by $27 billion over the next three years. That would almost double current levels  but it would still be dwarfed by the $664 billion the United States spends every year.

Now Merkel needs to convince German voters that defense increases are in their own interest, rather than a response to Trump. In a preview of election-season arguments, leading Social Democrats said Monday that Merkel should have openly opposed Trump from the start rather than trying to work with him at first.

Merkel needs to put some distance between herself and Trump, who is exceptionally unpopular in Germany, said Marcel Dirsus, a political scientist at the University of Kiel in northern Germany.

But there are practical limits to any German split from Washington, Dirsus said. Germany is not militarily independent and is far from becoming so. And the United States remains an important trade partner.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Tuesday that there was no dispute between Trump and Merkel.

I think the relationship that the president has had with Merkel he would describe as fairly unbelievable, Spicer said.

But Europeans are growing weary of the message gap between Trump and the rest of his circle. They are still searching for which side to give greater weight  and last weeks trip tipped the balance toward the president.

Europeans think they are now being treated worse by Trump than countries like Russia or Saudi Arabia, said Stephan Bierling, an expert on transatlantic relations at the University of Regensburg in Germany.

The bilateral strains mean that the United States has, to some extent, lost the trust of one of Europe's most pro-American leaders. The German chancellor, the most powerful politician in Europe, grew up in East Germany, and her upbringing there has long been credited for her staunch support for closer European-U.S. ties.

Given her experience with the Cold War, Merkel has long upheld and defended American ideals. But the belief in shared values has been shattered by the Trump administration, Bierling said.

Noack reported from Berlin.

Read more:

Alternately charming and boorish, Trump plays the role of a lifetime overseas

Trump scolds world leaders at NATO ceremony

Following Trumps trip, Merkel says Europe cant rely on others. She means the U.S.
British Prime Minister Theresa May and her main challenger, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, traded barbs Monday in back-to-back interviews as they battled over the nations divorce from the European Union, health care and security ahead of an election next week.

May called the snap election last month, seeking to capitalize on Corbyns unpopularity to build a historically large majority ahead of negotiations with the E.U. But the ruling Conservatives have slipped from their initial commanding heights in opinion polls, as Labour has caught the imagination of young voters and capitalized on Tory missteps on health care and other social benefits.

In 90 minutes of questioning  the closest the two candidates will get to debates after Mays refusal to share the stage with Corbyn  Brexit took a back seat even though it was what the British prime minister cited as her reason for calling the election three years earlier than was required.

Instead, much of the focus was on purely domestic issues such as tax increases proposed by Labour and cuts to the social safety net sought by May. Corbyn overcame his reputation as a stiff campaigner in a relaxed and humorous performance that many political watchers called one of his best appearances. May wobbled on many issues apart from Brexit  but still may have reassured voters that she is a solid commander of a nation reeling from a terrorist bombing that killed 22 people last week. Many British political observers characterized the television appearance as a draw.

We have to be prepared to walk out of Brexit negotiations, May said under rat-a-tat questioning from Channel 4 anchor Jeremy Paxman, repeating a vow she made when she triggered the two-year ticking negotiation clock in March. No deal is better than a bad deal, she said.

She sidestepped several questions about the scale of unpopular cuts in public funding for nursing care for elderly people and education, saying in one case that well take peoples views on the ultimate figure. Some of her responses about her views on slashing the safety net drew jeers from the audience.

Corbyn eschewed many of the sound bites that characterize this form of politicking, disarming a studio audience with humor and making strides in erasing a public image as a tense far-left campaigner who has trouble connecting with the concerns of working-class voters.

Do you know what, I had a very nice chat with the Queen, Corbyn said to laughter after being pressed on whether he would abolish the monarchy, a long-held personal belief that is not part of Labours official platform. Were not going to do it, he said.

But he stumbled on some of the topics that may be most critical for undecided voters, including his past expressions of support for members of the Irish Republican Army and his readiness to launch drone strikes against suspected terrorists in the Middle East.

You cant answer a hypothetical question without all the evidence around, Corbyn said when asked whether he would be willing to launch a strike if British security officials told him they had someone in their crosshairs.

The issue may be especially sticky after the May 22 bombing outside a Manchester concert hall, the worst terrorism strike in Britain since 2005. Britains domestic intelligence agency, MI5, has started two inquiries into missed signals ahead of the attack, a government spokesman said Monday. Acquaintances of bomber Salman Abedi, a 22-year-old Manchester native of Libyan descent, warned authorities for years that he was a threat. Arrests continued Monday, bringing the number of those in custody to 14.

Since Monday was a holiday in Britain, the least committed voters probably will not have watched the full debate live  which might have given Corbyn an advantage  but instead will see highlights during news programs, amplifying the missteps and muting the overall impact of his performance.

Most opinion polls still differ only on the scale of Mays probable victory. Corbyn has struggled to connect with a broad section of British voters after being made party leader by a hardcore group of left-wing party activists in 2015.

Read more

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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A Syrian woman asks about the possible opening of a closed Turkish border crossing last year. Many trying to escape Syria are stuck there. (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP)

They came from every corner of Syria: people who fled fighting but could not afford smugglers fees to go farther.

Now nearly 1 million are packed into one province in Syrias northwest, eyeing a weeks-old cease-fire there with trepidation, fear and mistrust.

This vast and often hilly expanse along Turkeys southern border has become the rebels final redoubt. In the coming months, it could become the sternest  and the bloodiest  challenge for Syrian President Bashar al-Assads forces as they battle to control areas they lost to rebel fighters after the countrys 2011 uprising.

A deal brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran this month has stopped much of the violence in Idlib province and three other regions of Syria. But if the truces break down and fighting resumes, the stakes will be highest in the northwest: The Turkish border is tightly controlled, and pro-government forces have been closing in for months. Across the province, a coalition of al-Qaeda-linked rebels would be firmly in Assads crosshairs, with hundreds of thousands of civilians stuck in the middle.

[Bin Ladens son steps into his fathers shoes as al-Qaeda attempts a comeback]





From his tent in a packed displacement camp along the Turkish border in the days before the deal, Qassim Qadoor called his children close as a drone hovered overhead. When it dropped its payload, he said, they ran for cover, passing the flames that savaged their neatly stacked possessions and destroyed the latest refuge for dozens of families just like them.

We came here because there was nowhere left to go, Qadoor said in a phone interview after the attack. His family had been uprooted nine times since the start of Syrias conflict before arriving at the camp.

The borders are closed, the regime is coming, Qadoor said.

The seven-year war has scattered more than 5 million refugees around the world. Inside Syria, even more people who want to leave are trapped.

Already struggling to accommodate earlier refugees, Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan have mostly closed their borders. Crossing east into Iraq risks a perilous journey through Islamic State territory. So the displaced live in permanent flux, doing what they can to outrun the violence and to make ends meet when they arrive at their next destination.

As Syrias war between pro-government forces and rebels reaches its endgame, Idlib has become a dumping ground for militants who have refused to surrender to the government elsewhere in the country.

The provinces population has swelled under deals brokered by Assads government, as civilians and fighters have been bussed northward from rebel-held areas across Syria that have submitted to government control in recent months.

Residents say new arrivals are packed into every last space. Apartment buildings are full and rents sky-high. Many families live in tents, mud houses or even caves.

Their schools, hospitals and amenities are run by a patchwork of rebel groups and opposition-backed local councils. But analysts and diplomats say the ascendant force across the province is the al-Qaeda-linked Tahrir al-Sham.

They dont shy away from throwing their weight around and exercising force and coercion against other factions, said Sam Heller, a fellow with the Washington-based Century Foundation. I dont think there is any other faction that can muster the will to really challenge and reverse that dominance.

Footage broadcast last week by the Dubai-based Al Aan television channel appeared to show fighters from al-Qaeda-linked groups manning checkpoints along main roads and trucks carrying prisoners to sharia courts and underground prisons.

There are also persistent reports that the groups have hijacked aid supplies.

There have been kidnappings, hijackings. Theyre extremists here. We didnt lose our brothers for this vision of Syria, one rebel fighter said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of concern for his safety. The country we were fighting for is not what we found here.

Turkish officials insist that their country has maintained an open door policy for Syrian migrants throughout the war. But civilians say it has never been more difficult to cross.

Fearing infiltration by Islamic State militants, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government has replaced flimsy border fences with a 10-foot concrete wall.

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, say Turkish border guards have shot and beaten civilians caught crossing illegally.

For most people, the only way out is with a smuggling network charging extortionate prices  or in an ambulance in the aftermath of an attack.

The wounded are scattered throughout southern Turkey. In the city of Reyhanli, a 23-year-old former grocer remembered little between the rocket that shattered his home last month and the moment he woke up in a hospital. Both of his legs had been amputated.

Youve come here to ask me why I stayed, but what choice did I have? We didnt have the money to move closer to the border. And even if we had, what was it for? Wed just have been trapped again, said the man, who gave his name as Nidal.

If pro-government forces tried to retake Idlib, they would face a grinding fight that would probably result in heavy casualties, especially among civilians.

If, or when, the offensive on Idlib comes, it is the civilians who are going to be in the crossfire, Heller said. The jihadists are equipped to transfer to insurgent-style warfare. Once the bombing starts in the northwest, it will be civilians who are terrorized and die.

Read more

Al-Qaeda is eating us alive: Syrian rebels are losing out to extremists

A Russian-backed deal on safe zones for Syria leaves U.S. wary

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega, the Panamanian strongman and onetime American ally who was toppled from power in a 1989 U.S. invasion and who spent more than two decades imprisoned on drug-dealing and conspiracy convictions, died May 29 at a hospital in Panama City. He was most likely 83.

The cause was not announced, but Gen. Noriega had been in intensive care at a hospital for months after complications from surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela announced the death.

A career military man, Gen. Noriega led the Panama Defense Forces from 1983 until President George H.W. Bush ordered the invasion on Dec. 20, 1989, which followed months of deteriorating relations between Panama and the United States.

Gen. Noriega was a polarizing figure for decades after he was led in chains from Panama by U.S. marshals on Jan. 4, 1990, to a federal prison in Miami.

His opponents said Gen. Noriega was a brute who killed his opponents and hid millions of dollars in gains from drug and other corruption payments. Retired U.S. Army general and former secretary of state Colin L. Powell once described Gen. Noriega as pure evil.

Gen. Manuel Noriega waves to supporters from behind a barred window in his command headquarters near downtown Panama in October 1989. (Beth Cruz/Reuters)

Gen. Noriega consistently rejected such charges, which he said were trumped up by opponents. He claimed the Bush administration moved against him after he refused to help American policy in Central America intended to overthrow Nicaraguas Sandinista government and halt a civil war in El Salvador.

Why, after being the man the United States could count on, did I become the enemy? Gen. Noriega asked bitterly in the jailhouse interviews this reporter conducted with him that led to his 1994 memoir, Americas Prisoner. Because I said no. No to allowing the United States to run a school for dictators [the U.S. militarys School of the Americas] any longer in Panamanian territory. No to the request that Panama be used as a staging base for the Salvadoran death squads and the Nicaraguan contras. Lots of nos.

Before his fall from favor, U.S. officials considered Gen. Noriega a reliable protector of stability in Panama. As early as his student days in the 1950s, he was an eager informant for the U.S. intelligence services.

Bush justified the invasion by saying, among other things, that the Panamanian leader had declared war on the United States first, that he had made Panama a haven for drug dealers and that he had endangered open shipping channels through the Panama Canal. Gen. Noriegas opponents also charged he had ordered the killing of a prominent political opponent; international monitors, including former president Jimmy Carter, denounced Panamanian elections in the spring of 1989 as fraudulent.

More than 25,000 U.S. troops launched the Dec. 20 invasion, bombarding key Panamanian military installations, destroying the headquarters, and killing and injuring people in a poor Panama City neighborhood. Gen. Noriega eluded capture before seeking refuge days later at the Vatican Embassy in the Panamanian capital. Soldiers surrounded the diplomatic building and blasted rock music at a deafening volume.

Gen. Noriega claimed that the music had not bothered him but that it drove priests inside the compound to distraction. With no chance of escape, he surrendered to U.S. forces on Jan. 3, 1990.

That signaled the end of the invasion. The death toll among Panamanians was never clear but ranged from several hundred, according to the United States, to several thousand, according to human rights groups that criticized the invasion. Twenty-five American soldiers died.

1 of 21 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Manuel Antonio Noriega, former Panama strongman (1934-2017) View Photos The deposed general, a onetime American ally who was toppled from power in the 1989 U.S. invasion of his country, died at the age of 83 after having served more than two decades in prison in the United States and France on drug-conspiracy and money-laundering convictions. Caption The deposed general, a onetime American ally who was toppled from power in the 1989 U.S. invasion of his country, died at the age of 83 after having served more than two decades in prison in the United States and France on drug-conspiracy and money-laundering convictions. May 20, 1988 Panamanian strongman Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega acknowledges the crowds cheers during a Dignity Battalion rally in Panama City. John Hopper/AP Wait 1 second to continue.

Gen. Noriega was classified as a U.S. prisoner of war under the Geneva Conventions, thereby entitled to visits from the International Red Cross, continued use of his military uniform and recognition of his status as commander  and only member  of the long-defunct Panamanian military, which was disbanded after the U.S. invasion.

In 1992, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison on a drug-trafficking and conspiracy conviction after a 10-month trial in U.S. District Court in Miami. Although the Bush administration used the drug charges as justification for the invasion, the proof was surprisingly weak.

The case against Gen. Noriega rested on two dozen convicted cocaine felons, all of whom received reduced sentences for testifying. One was Colombian cocaine kingpin Carlos Lehder, who provided hearsay as evidence. And like most of the other witnesses, he had never met nor had dealings with the general.

The generals life in prison was austere. His housing at the medium-security Federal Detention Center south of downtown Miami was a spare, two-room cinder-block cell under surveillance. He received occasional visits from friends, members of the clergy and his family, including his wife, Felicidad Sieiro de Noriega, and his three daughters, Thays, Sandra and Lorena, all of whom survive him.

Gen. Noriegas U.S. sentence was reduced to 30 years after three former U.S. officials spoke on his behalf at a sentence-reduction hearing. Just as he was granted parole for good behavior and scheduled for release in 2007, U.S. officials agreed to a French extradition request based on a money-laundering charge.

The U.S. Supreme Court authorized Gen. Noriegas transfer to France in April 2010. The following year, France granted his extradition to Panama, where he had been convicted in absentia for human rights crimes.

Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno was born in Panama City, most likely on Feb. 11, 1934, although the year of his birth was a matter of controversy. Gen. Noriega had once listed the year as 1938 and never cleared up the discrepancy.

His father was an accountant in Panama City. Gen. Noriega said his mother, a single woman, died when he was 4 after taking him to her home village in Darien province near Panamas border with Colombia. He was left in the care of his godmother, whom he knew as Mama Luisa.

He attended a military school in Peru, encouraged by a half brother, Luis Carlos, who served at the Panamanian Embassy there. After graduating in 1962, Gen. Noriega returned to Panama and had a chance meeting with Omar Torrijos, the future commander of Panamas armed forces, who brought him into the military.

Then-Lt. Noriega came to prominence during a coup plot in December 1969 against Torrijos, who was on an official trip to Mexico. He maneuvered to sneak Torrijos back into the country on a private plane. The coup fizzled, and the young officer was rewarded for his loyalty, soon becoming chief of military intelligence.

The CIA station chief in Panama in the mid-1980s, Donald Winters, said in an interview that the U.S. government regularly paid Gen. Noriega as an intelligence asset. Gen. Noriega signed his own name for receiving the payments, something Winters had never witnessed before. Winters, one of the former officials appearing on behalf of Gen. Noriega at his 1994 sentence-reduction hearing, died in 2001.

Gen. Noriega became de facto leader of the country in 1983, two years after the death of Torrijos, whose plane plowed into mountain on a routine domestic flight. The generals opponents charged he was responsible for the crash, but U.S. investigators saw no evidence of sabotage.

Gen. Noriega said during interviews for his memoir that he knew he was mocked and ridiculed by opponents, not the least for his acne-scarred complexion, and over charges of being a murderous dictator. He said that he could do nothing about personal attacks but denied that he was a dictator and said that any killings took place during legitimate military activities. He said he never knowingly killed or ordered anyone killed.

The Reagan administration sought Gen. Noriegas help in 1983 after the United States invaded Grenada, where a Marxist-led coup had toppled the government. Gen. Noriega, as a U.S. intermediary, negotiated with Cuban leader Fidel Castro to calm tensions and avoid a battle between U.S. forces and Cuban troops who were building an airport runway.

Gen. Noriega faced his first major criticism in the United States in 1987, when the New York Times published a report that he had orchestrated the killing of his onetime ally Hugo Spadafora.

But the central evidence, provided by Gen. Noriegas opponents in Panama, was a purported intercept by the U.S. National Security Agency in 1985 of Gen. Noriega ordering Spadaforas death in a telephone call to the Panamanian jungle during a vacation in France. The claim has since been categorically denied by U.S. officials, who said such an intercept was technically impossible at the time.

Gen. Noriegas legacy as a dictator and a convicted drug dealer continues to be debated, in part because of the major role the United States played in creating and shaping the destiny of Panama.

He rose from illegitimacy and poverty to become a corrupt and illegitimate dictator, said Robert Pastor, who had extensive contacts with Gen. Noriega as national security adviser for Latin America during the Carter administration. Pastor, who died in 2014, said Gen. Noriegas provocative behavior also brought out the worst in the United States.

Eisner is a former Washington Post editor.
It was March 2020, and the world was closing down as the COVID-19 pandemic spread. At first, the news of...
Morgan Stanley is the 6th largest financial institution in the US. The company is ranked 61st on the Forbes Fortune 500 list and is the 39th largest bank in the world. A financial holding company, Morgan Stanley provides a full range of financial services to clients around the world.

Morgan Stanley was formed in 1935 as a result of the Glass-Steagall Act. Glass-Steagall separated commercial and investment banking in a way that forced the then-largest bank J.P. Morgan & Co to split into two groups. J.P. Morgan & Co. chose to retain the commercial side of the business while partners Henry S. Morga, grandson of J.P., and Harold Stanley took the investment end. In its first year, Morgan Stanley did 24% of the IPO business and maintains a lions share of the market to this day.

The original company existed and grew through acquisitions until 1987 when it merged with Dean Witter Discover & Co. The new Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Discover & Co existed for 14 years until 2001 when the name was shortened back to Morgan Stanley.

The bank is credited in part with both beginning and ending the financial crisis of 2007/2008. The Process Driven Trading unit lost $300 million in one day due to a short-squeeze that popped the bubble in the housing market. After teetering on the brink of failure Morgan Stanley agreed to become a bank holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve, a key factor in the original decision to split from parent J.P. Morgan & Co. Ironically when given the chance, present-day J.P. Morgan refused to buy Morgan Stanley but that was for the better.

Today, Morgan Stanley operates through three segments via offices in 41 countries and employs more than 75,000 people. Revenue in 2021 topped $49 billion and total assets topped $1.15 trillion.

The operating segments are Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. The Institutional Securities segment is by far the largest and most profitable. It offers a range of services and products for businesses, institutions, and entities that include capital raising, strategic advisory, underwriting, advice on M&A, restructuring, and real estate. The Wealth Management segment provides brokerage and investment advisory services for individuals and employers. The services include brokerage, financial planning, company stock-plan administration, insurance, mortgage loans, lines of credit, and retirement planning. The Investment Management segment provides investment products to a range of institutions, organizations, corporations, and governments.
The following companies are subsidiares of Novo Nordisk A/S: Aldaph SpA, Beijing Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Science & Technology Co. Ltd., CS Solar Fund XIV LLC, Calibrium, Corvidia, Corvidia Therapeutics Inc., Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Dicerna Pharmaceuticals Inc., Emisphere Technologies, Emisphere Technologies Inc., MB2 LLC, NNE A/S, Neotope Neuroscience Limited, Novo Nordisk, Novo Nordisk (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Novo Nordisk (Pty) Limited, Novo Nordisk (Shanghai) Pharma Trading Co. Ltd., Novo Nordisk B.V., Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., Novo Nordisk Colombia SAS, Novo Nordisk Comercio Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Novo Nordisk Denmark A/S, Novo Nordisk Egypt LLC, Novo Nordisk Farma OY, Novo Nordisk Farma S.R.L., Novo Nordisk Farma dooel, Novo Nordisk Farmaceutica Limitada, Novo Nordisk Farmaceutica do Brasil Ltda., Novo Nordisk Finance (Netherlands) B.V., Novo Nordisk Health Care AG, Novo Nordisk Hellas Epe., Novo Nordisk Holding Limited, Novo Nordisk Hong Kong Limited, Novo Nordisk Hrvatska d.o.o., Novo Nordisk Hungaria Kft., Novo Nordisk Inc., Novo Nordisk India Holding Pte Ltd., Novo Nordisk India Private Limited, Novo Nordisk Kazakhstan LLP, Novo Nordisk Kenya Ltd., Novo Nordisk Lanka (PVT) Ltd, Novo Nordisk Limited, Novo Nordisk Limited Liability Company, Novo Nordisk Ltd, Novo Nordisk Mexico S.A. de C.V., Novo Nordisk North America Operations A/S, Novo Nordisk Norway AS, Novo Nordisk Panama S.A., Novo Nordisk Pars, Novo Nordisk Peru S.A.C., Novo Nordisk Pharma (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Novo Nordisk Pharma (Private) Limited, Novo Nordisk Pharma (Singapore) Pte Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma (Taiwan) Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand) Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma AG, Novo Nordisk Pharma Argentina S.A., Novo Nordisk Pharma EAD, Novo Nordisk Pharma GmbH, Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf FZE, Novo Nordisk Pharma Inc., Novo Nordisk Pharma Korea Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma Limited, Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharma Operations (Business Area) Sdn Bhd, Novo Nordisk Pharma Operations A/S, Novo Nordisk Pharma S.A., Novo Nordisk Pharma SARL, Novo Nordisk Pharma SAS, Novo Nordisk Pharma Sp.z.o.o., Novo Nordisk Pharma d.o.o., Novo Nordisk Pharma d.o.o. Belgrade (Serbia), Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Industries LP, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Services Sp. z o.o., Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals (Philippines) Inc., Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals A/S, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty. Ltd., Novo Nordisk Pharmatech A/S, Novo Nordisk Pharmatech US Inc., Novo Nordisk Production SAS, Novo Nordisk Production Support LLC, Novo Nordisk Producao Farmaceutica do Brasil Ltda., Novo Nordisk Region AAMEO and LATAM A/S, Novo Nordisk Region China A/S, Novo Nordisk Region Europe A/S, Novo Nordisk Region Japan & Korea A/S, Novo Nordisk Research Center Indianapolis Inc., Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle Inc., Novo Nordisk S.P.A., Novo Nordisk Saglik Urunleri Tic. Ltd. Sti., Novo Nordisk Saudi for Trading, Novo Nordisk Scandinavia AB, Novo Nordisk Service Centre (India) Pvt. Ltd., Novo Nordisk Slovakia s.r.o., Novo Nordisk Tunisie SARL, Novo Nordisk US Bio Production Inc., Novo Nordisk US Commercial Holdings Inc., Novo Nordisk US Holdings Inc., Novo Nordisk Ukraine LLC, Novo Nordisk Venezuela Casa de Representacion C.A., Novo Nordisk d.o.o., Novo Nordisk s.r.o., PT. Novo Nordisk Indonesia, S.A. Novo Nordisk Pharma N.V., UAB Novo Nordisk Pharma, Xellia Pharmaceuticals, Ziylo, and Ziylo Limited.

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Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes generic medicines, specialty medicines, and biopharmaceutical products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers sterile products, hormones, high-potency drugs, and cytotoxic substances in various dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, injectables, inhalants, liquids, transdermal patches, ointments, and creams. It also develops, manufactures, and sells active pharmaceutical ingredients. In addition, it focuses on the central nervous system, pain, respiratory, and oncology areas. Its products in the central nervous system include Copaxone for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; AJOVY for the preventive treatment of migraine; and AUSTEDO for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and chorea associated with Huntington disease. The company's products in the respiratory market comprise ProAir, QVAR, ProAir Digihaler, AirDuo Digihaler, and ArmonAir Digihaler, BRALTUS, CINQAIR/CINQAERO, DuoResp Spiromax, and AirDuo RespiClick/ArmonAir RespiClick for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Its products in the oncology market include Bendeka, Treanda, Granix, Trisenox, Lonquex, and Tevagrastim/Ratiograstim. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has a collaboration MedinCell for the development and commercialization of multiple long-acting injectable products, a risperidone suspension for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. The company was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel.
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.
GameStop Corp. is a specialty retailer founded in 1999 and headquartered in Grapevine, Texas. The company was originally known as GSC Holdings Corp. but later changed its name following its IPO. Originally a brand of then dominant Babbages, Gamestop altered the way video games were distributed and it is now the world's largest retailer of video games and video game accessories. The company went public in 2004 and operated 4,573 stores at the start of 2022. Brands under the company umbrella include Gamestop, EB Games, and Micromania as well as 50 pop-culture-themed Zing Pop locations.

Gamestop Corp. provides video games and entertainment products through its global network of e-commerce properties and stores. The company sells new and pre-owned gaming platforms and accessories like controllers, headsets, memory cards, and gaming software as well as in-game products like digital currency, downloadable content, and games. The company also sells new and used memorabilia and collectibles. Genres include TV, movie, comic book, and game characters as well as many other items from pop culture. GameStop Corp. also operates Game Informer, a magazine and website dedicated to the gaming industry including reviews, updates, and new developments in technologies.

Game enthusiasts enjoy two primary benefits of using Gamestop. The first is access to the full range of games and gaming accessories. The second is the ability to sell or trade their old equipment and games for fair prices. All old equipment is refurbished to a like-new state before resale.

In 2021 Gamestop announced it was entering the world of cryptocurrency. The company revealed plans to build an NFT (non-fungible token) platform for listing, selling, and holding digital or digitized artwork and collectibles. The beta version launched in 2022 and has so far seen great success with an average daily volume exceeding $1 million. The NFT marketplace also featured Web3.0 games in which characters and in-game items are held forever on the blockchain. As of September 2022, the most successful retailer on the NFT marketplace was Gamestop Presents, a collaboration of cover art from Game Informer Magazine. Sales at the time were just under 168 ETH or about $221,500.00.

GameStop began a slide in 2016 following a series of bad investments that included a foray into the world of mobile phones. The slide came to an end in late 2021 when shareholders using the Reddit thread Wallstreet Bets orchestrated a short-squeeze and brought on the age of meme stocks.
Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides newborn, maternal-fetal, pediatric cardiology, and other pediatric subspecialty care services in the United States and Puerto Rico. It offers neonatal care services, such as clinical care to babies born prematurely or with complications within specific units at hospitals through neonatal physician subspecialists, neonatal nurse practitioners, and other pediatric clinicians. The company also provides maternal-fetal care services, including inpatient and office-based clinical care to expectant mothers and unborn babies through affiliated maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists, as well as obstetricians and other clinicians, including maternal-fetal nurse practitioners, certified nurse mid-wives, ultrasonographers, and genetic counselors. In addition, it offers pediatric cardiology care services comprising inpatient and office-based pediatric cardiology care of the fetus, infant, child, and adolescent patient with congenital heart defects and acquired heart disease, as well as adults with congenital heart defects through affiliated pediatric cardiologist subspecialists and other related clinical professionals; and specialized cardiac care to the fetus, neonatal and pediatric patients. Further, the company provides other pediatric subspecialty care services through pediatric subspecialists, such as pediatric intensivists, pediatric hospitalists, pediatric surgeons, and pediatric ophthalmologists, as well as pediatric ear, nose, and throat physicians; and support services in the areas of hospitals, primarily in the pediatric emergency rooms, labor and delivery areas, and nursery and pediatric departments. As of February 17, 2022, it operated a network of approximately 2,700 physicians. The company was formerly known as MEDNAX, Inc. and changed its name to Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. in July 2022. Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is based in Sunrise, Florida.
Durr Aktiengesellschaft, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mechanical and plant engineering company worldwide. The company's Paint and Final Assembly Systems segment plans, builds, and updates paint shops and final assembly lines for the automotive industry. It also provides products and systems for various process stages in paint shop technology; supply control and conveyor systems, as well as air supply and exhaust-air systems; DXQ software family, which includes solutions for plant monitoring, manufacturing execution systems, advanced analytics, and other digital solutions; conveyor technology, filling, and testing technology, as well as assembly technology and marriage stations for connecting the car body and power train; consulting services; assembly and test systems for medical devices; test benches for electric and hybrid drives; and injection systems and inhalation devices. The company's Application Technology segment offers technologies for the automated spray application of primers, and base and clear coats; and systems used for paint supply, quality assurance, and process control and evaluation; sealing technology for sealing seams; and glueing technology. The company's Clean Technology Systems segment offers exhaust-air purification systems, battery electrode coating systems, and noise abatement systems, as well as ORC technology and services. Its Measuring and Process Systems segment provides balancing and diagnostic systems; and filling technology for air conditioning systems and household appliances. The company's Woodworking Machinery and Systems segment offers woodworking machinery and systems, such as panel dividing saws, through-feed saws and drilling machines, sanders, edge-banding machines, CNC processing centers, and handling and storage systems. Durr Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany.
The following companies are subsidiares of Sysco: 2234829 Alberta ULC, 2234842 Alberta ULC, A. M. Briggs Inc., A.M. Briggs, Almacen Fiscal Frionet Caldera S.A., Almacen Fiscal Frionet Limon S.A., Appert's Foodservice, Arnotts (Fruit) Limited, Asian Foods, Bahamas Food Holdings Limited, Bahamas Food Services Limited, Brake Bros, Brake Bros Foodservice Ireland Limited, Brake Bros. Foodservice Limited, Brake Bros. Holding I Limited, Brake Bros. Ltd., Brakes Foodservice NI Limited, Buchy Food Service, Buckhead Beef Co., Buckhead Meat & Seafood of Houston Inc., Buckhead Meat Company, Buckhead Meat Midwest Inc., Buckhead Meat of Dallas Inc., Buckhead Meat of Denver Inc., Buckhead Meat of San Antonio LP, Buzztable Inc., CAKE Corporation, Central Seafood Co., Christys Wine & Spirits Limited, Clafra Aktiebolag, Colorado Boxed Beef Co - Specialty meat-cutting division, Corporacion Frionet Sociedad Anonima, Crossgar Foodservice, Crossgar Foodservice Limited, Crown I Enterprises Inc., Cucina Acquisitions (UK) Limited, Cucina Finance (UK) Limited, Cucina French Holdings Limited, Cucina Fresh Finance Limited, Cucina Fresh Investments Limited, Cucina Lux Investments Limited, Curleys Quality Foods Limited (Third Party), Davigel Belgilux S.A., Davigel Espana S.A., Desert Meats & Provisions, Distagro, Doerle Food Service, Doughtie's Foods Inc., Dust Bowl City LLC, Eko Fagel Fisk o mittemellan AB, Enclave Insurance Company, Enclave Parkway Association Inc., Enclave Properties LLC, European Imports, European Imports Inc., Figg Inc., Freedman Meats, Freedman Meats Inc., Freedman-KB Inc., Fresh Direct (UK) Limited, Fresh Direct Group Limited, Fresh Direct Limited, Fresh Holdings Limited, FreshPoint, FreshPoint Arizona Inc., FreshPoint Atlanta Inc., FreshPoint California Inc., FreshPoint Central California Inc., FreshPoint Central Florida Inc., FreshPoint Connecticut LLC, FreshPoint Dallas Inc., FreshPoint Denver Inc., FreshPoint Hawaii LLC, FreshPoint Inc., FreshPoint Las Vegas Inc., FreshPoint North Carolina Inc., FreshPoint North Florida Inc., FreshPoint Oklahoma City LLC, FreshPoint Pompano Real Estate LLC, FreshPoint Puerto Rico LLC, FreshPoint San Francisco Inc., FreshPoint South Florida Inc., FreshPoint South Texas Inc., FreshPoint Southern California Inc., FreshPoint Tomato LLC, FreshPoint Vancouver Ltd., Freshfayre Limited, Fruktservice i Helsingborg AB, GHS Classic Drinks Limited, Gilchrist & Soames Inc., Gilchrist & Soames UK Limited, Guest Packaging LLC, Guest Supply, Guest Supply Asia Limited, Guest Supply Singapore Pte. Ltd., International Food Group, Isakssons Frukt & Gront AB, J & M Wholesale Meats, J. Kings Food Service Professionals, J. Kings Food Service Professionals Inc., Kent Frozen Foods, Les Ateliers Du Gout, Liquid Assets Limited, M&J Seafood Holdings Limited, M&J Seafood Limited, Manchester Mills LLC, Mayca Autoservicio S.A., Mayca Distribuidores S.A., Menigo Foodservice AB, Mitshim Etatu Supply LP, Newport Meat Company, Newport Meat Northern California Inc., Newport Meat Pacific Northwest Inc., Newport Meat Southern California Inc., Newport Meat of Nevada Inc., North Star Holding Corporation, North Star Seafood, North Star Seafood Acquisition Corporation, North Star Seafood LLC, PFS de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Palisades Ranch Inc., Pallas Foods, Pallas Foods Farm Fresh Unlimited Company, Pallas Foods Unlimited Company, Pauleys Produce Limited, Promotora del Servicios S.A. de C.V., Restaurangakdemien AB, Restaurant of Tomorrow Inc., Rohan Viandes Elaboration SAS, SMS Bermuda Holdings, SMS GPC International Limited, SMS GPC International Resources Limited, SMS Global Holdings S.a.r.l., SMS International Resources Ireland Unlimited Company, SMS Lux Holdings LLC, SOTF LLC, SYY Netherlands C.V., SYY Panama S. de R.L., Serca Foodservice, Servicestyckarna I Johannes AB, Servicios Ameriserve S.A. de C.V., Shenzhen Guest Supply Trading Co. Limited, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Bianchi Montegut, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Boiseau, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Garcelles, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) J.D. Lanjouan, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Le Dauphin, Specialty Meat Holdings LLC, Stockflag Limited, Stockholms Fiskauktion AB, Supplies on the Fly, Sysco Albany LLC, Sysco Asian Foods Inc., Sysco Atlanta LLC, Sysco Autoservicio S.A., Sysco Baltimore LLC, Sysco Baraboo LLC, Sysco Bermuda Partners L.P., Sysco Boston LLC, Sysco Canada Holdings S.a.r.l., Sysco Canada Inc., Sysco Central Alabama LLC, Sysco Central California Inc., Sysco Central Florida Inc., Sysco Central Illinois Inc., Sysco Central Pennsylvania LLC, Sysco Charlotte LLC, Sysco Chicago Inc., Sysco Cincinnati LLC, Sysco Cleveland Inc., Sysco Columbia LLC, Sysco Connecticut LLC, Sysco Corporation, Sysco Corporation Director's Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Employee's 401(k) Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Good Government Committee Inc., Sysco Corporation Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Plan Trust, Sysco Detroit LLC, Sysco Disaster Relief Foundation Inc., Sysco EI VI S. s.r.l., Sysco EU II S.a.r.l., Sysco EU III S.a.r.l., Sysco EU IV Capital Unlimited Company, Sysco EU IV S. s.r.l.., Sysco EU V S. s.r.l., Sysco Eastern Maryland LLC, Sysco Eastern Wisconsin LLC, Sysco Foundation Inc., Sysco France Holding SAS, Sysco France SAS, Sysco George Town II LLC, Sysco George Town Limited S. s.r.l.., Sysco Global Finance LLC, Sysco Global Finance LLP, Sysco Global Holdings B.V., Sysco Global Resources LLC, Sysco Global Services LLC, Sysco Grand Cayman Company, Sysco Grand Cayman II Company, Sysco Grand Cayman III Company, Sysco Grand Rapids LLC, Sysco Guernsey Limited, Sysco Guest Supply Canada Inc., Sysco Guest Supply Europe Goods Wholesalers LLC, Sysco Guest Supply Europe Limited, Sysco Guest Supply LLC, Sysco Gulf Coast LLC, Sysco Hampton Roads Inc., Sysco Hawaii Inc., Sysco Holdings II LLC, Sysco Holdings LLC, Sysco Indianapolis LLC, Sysco International Food Group Inc., Sysco International Inc., Sysco Iowa Inc., Sysco Jackson LLC, Sysco Jacksonville Inc., Sysco Kansas City Inc., Sysco Knoxville LLC, Sysco Labs Europe Limited, Sysco Labs Pvt. Ltd., Sysco Leasing LLC, Sysco Lincoln Inc., Sysco Lincoln Transportation Company Inc., Sysco Long Island LLC, Sysco Los Angeles Inc., Sysco Louisville Inc., Sysco Memphis LLC, Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Canada Inc., Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Inc., Sysco Metro New York LLC, Sysco Minnesota Inc., Sysco Montana Inc., Sysco Nashville LLC, Sysco Netherlands Partners LLC, Sysco North Central Florida Inc., Sysco North Dakota Inc., Sysco Northern New England Inc., Sysco Philadelphia LLC, Sysco Pittsburgh LLC, Sysco Portland Inc., Sysco Raleigh LLC, Sysco Resources Services LLC, Sysco Riverside Inc., Sysco Sacramento Inc., Sysco San Diego Inc., Sysco San Francisco Inc., Sysco Seattle Inc., Sysco South Florida Inc., Sysco Southeast Florida LLC, Sysco Spain Holdings SLU, Sysco Spokane Inc., Sysco St. Louis LLC, Sysco Syracuse LLC, Sysco Technologies Cayman Ltd., Sysco Technologies LLC, Sysco UK Holdings Limited, Sysco UK Limited, Sysco UK Partners LLP, Sysco USA I Inc., Sysco USA II LLC, Sysco USA III LLC, Sysco Ventura Inc., Sysco Ventures Inc., Sysco Virginia LLC, Sysco West Coast Florida Inc., Sysco Western Minnesota Inc., The SYGMA Network Inc., Upsys, Victua SAS, Walker Foods Inc., Waugh Foods, and Wild Harvest Limited.

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Texas State Representative Matt Rinaldi, a Republican, called Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on pro-immigrant protesters in the House gallery on Monday afternoon.

Protesters had gathered at the state capitol to oppose Senate Bill 4, which was signed into law earlier this month by Republican Governor Greg Abbott. The reactionary bill, which up until this month had been unsuccessfully pushed in each legislative session since 2011, bans sanctuary cities, allows police to question anyone they detain about their immigration status, and compels local officials to comply with federal requests to detain individuals in state and local law enforcement facilities.

Hundreds of people had gathered to express their opposition to the anti-immigrant measures, but photos online show a full Texas House gallery, with at least several dozen protesters filling multiple floors. Some media outlets are reporting that chanting by demonstrators briefly drowned out the proceedings.

Rinaldi defended his actions in a statement posted on Twitter shortly after the events, writing, I called ICE on several illegal immigrants who held signs in the gallery that said, I am an illegal immigrant and here to stay. The rest of Rinaldis tweet outlines threats that were allegedly made against him from Democratic lawmakers.

Video captured by KVUE shows lawmakers pushing each other in a scuffle on the state House floor, presumably after Rinaldi boasted of his inflammatory actions to members of the Houses Mexican-American Legislative Caucus.

Democratic State Representative Philip Cortez reported the events to news outlets saying, We were just on the floor talking about the SB4 protests, and Matt Rinaldi came up to us and made it a point to say, I called [ICE] on all of them, And this is completely unacceptable. We will not be intimidated. We will not be disrespected.

The incident underscores the deep-felt hostility to the draconian immigration policies being pursued by the Trump administration among the working class.

While the Democrats have centered their opposition to Trump on unsubstantiated allegations of Russian hacking and demands for tougher stance against Putin, there is broad support in the working class for the defense of their immigrant class brothers and sisters, the defense of democratic rights and freedom of speech, and a defense of science and progress.

At the other pole, the fact that a lawmaker could see it fit to personally call ICE officials to intimidate, disperse, and possibly deport protesters reflects the degree to which the Trump administration has emboldened right-wing anti-democratic elements.
Oregons Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) voted unanimously last week to approve hefty tuition hikes, reversing an earlier vote to block tuition increases at two of the larger state universities.

Thursdays decision raises tuition by an onerous 8.4 percent at Portland State University (PSU) and 10.6 percent at the University of Oregon (UO). In-state tuition for 2015-2016, with fees, is currently a prohibitive $8,337 at PSU and $10,762 at UO. With this increase, students will be paying hundreds of dollars moreover $700 more at PSU while UO tuition will increase by nearly $1,000. Out-of-state tuition, which is roughly three times as much as in-state, will have a lower percentage increase.

PSU has an enrollment of over 28,000 students while UO, located 113 miles south of Portland in the town of Eugene, has an enrollment of over 24,000.

Mired in an ongoing budget crisis, the state of Oregon has budgeted no extra money for higher education, maintaining flat funding despite myriad rising costs. The Office of Budget and Finances has forecast a $1.7 billion shortfall for the next biannual budget. Of the over $20.8 billion in income, the lions share will be personal income tax, contributing 84 percent or $17.5 billion. Less than 5 percent comprises corporate taxes.

Oregons public universities had requested that the state add another $100 million to the next two-year budget for higher education. Funding, however, is to remain flat from the current biennium at $667.3 million. Tuition and fees constitute nearly 70 percent of total revenues for the states university system. Oregon, which had consistently ranked in the bottom five states in the US for public university funding, recently climbed up to number 37.

The increased tuition, however, leaves unclear the full extent of cuts to programs by both schools. PSU, in response to the commissions earlier vote, at that time projected an additional $5 million in cuts on top of the $9 million already planned. These cuts to programs, faculty and staffing were to have partially offset a $20 million shortfall at the school this fall. No information has been released on plans for increases to fees, food or housing.

UO President Michael Schill warned that even with a 10.6 percent tuition increase there will still be $9 million in cuts. If the tuition increase did not pass there would have been $15 million in cuts.

Last March, UO issued layoff notifications to 75 non-tenured faculty and four classified employees. Since 2015, 107 jobs have been cut. According to the Eugene Register-Guard, the heaviest blow will be to the School of Architecture and Allied Arts non-tenured faculty, most of whom have been in their positions for 10, 20 and even 30 years.

Miriam, a freshman at UO, explained that the cuts will result in fewer classes being offered and larger class sizes. In the Romance Language department, where I am studying Spanish, the faculty cuts, I dont recall the exact number, are pretty substantial. Students organized several rallies to protest the tuition increase. But, there was a lot of dissatisfaction with the ASUO [Associated Students of the University of Oregon] because two of the leaders were in favor of the tuition increases. Miriam continued, Many students simply wont be able to attend college since they are already maxed out. In addition to paying for education they have to pay living expenses.

A comment in the UO student paper, the Daily Emerald, noted: The university just got a 500 million dollar donation for a new research facility, 15 million should be nothing to them. Apparently [Nike founder Phil] Knights ego is more worthy of funding than our education.

All seven Oregon public universities will see increased tuition and fees for students. The other five colleges are enacting tuition increases either above or below the 5 percent level and have been perfunctorily approved by HECC or, with less than a 5 percent increase request, escaped the proceedings entirely.

The HECC, a 14-member body appointed by Democratic Governor Kate Brown, had voted down an increase at PSU and UO earlier this month citing a lack of student participation in the proposed hike. That decision was taken amid growing opposition by students on both campuses, which are two of the largest schools in Oregons seven-campus public university system, with a combined enrollment of 52,000 students. In the second hearing, both school administrations asserted that student input had been sought.

Answering the criticism of lack of student participation, outgoing PSU President Wim Wiewels letter to the commission pointed to a campus-wide meeting with students and special meetings with small groups of students. In total, I feel that there were meaningful opportunities for engagement by a broad and diverse group of students in this process, Wiewel wrote. UO wrote a similar letter.

Students, however, viewed this process in an entirely different light, organizing protests and speaking at the hearings to denounce any increase to already insufferable school costs. Thursdays hearing allowed only one hour for public comment for both proponents and opponents.

Given the subsequent vote to approve the increases7 to 1 for UO and 8 to 0 for PSUit is obvious that the commission viewed the initial rejection as a delaying tactic rather than a principled defense of students right to an education. The second vote was timed for near the terms end, when students are preparing for finals, restricting their ability to organize an opposition. Incoming ASUO President Amy Schenk said many UO students couldnt attend the meeting because of midterms, and since the meeting was called last Thursday, ASUO has had no time to organize.

All levels of government have cut funding for higher education over the last 25-30 years. At the federal level since 1976, Pell Grants, the primary assistance for lower-income students, have gone from covering nearly 75 percent of public college costs to a little over 30 percent. Meanwhile loans have become the dominant means of funding school costs. Student loan debt reached a record $1.31 trillion in 2017, second only to home mortgage debt.

A recent study shows that for the majority of working class and moderate income students, only 1 to 5 percent of colleges were affordable. In a report released in 2014, Richard L. McCormick wrote, Among the factors threatening college attendance today, the most pervasive is the decline of government support ... and the resulting increase in both tuition and student debt. A quarter century ago, a typical in-state student attending a public college or university probably paid about a third of the cost of his or her education, while state appropriations covered the rest; today the proportions are reversed, and such students are expected to pay most of the cost of their own education.

We encourage PSU and other students to attend the International Youth and Students for Social Equality meeting this Wednesday, at Portland State University, Millar Library, Room 320 to discuss the socialist program in defense of the right to an education.

The author also recommends:

Majority of students cannot afford 95 percent of US colleges

[8 April 2017]
The Seth Rich conspiracy theory isnt the only outlandish story Fox News Sean Hannity has pushed in recent years.

Washington Police say Rich was killed by a mugger. Hannity, however, has been pushing the theory Rich, a Democratic National Committee staffer, was slain because he was the person who leaked DNC emails to WikiLeaks. U.S. intelligence concluded Russian-sponsored hackers were responsible for the theft.

Read: Trump Accuses Abbas Of Lying  Report

If it was true that Seth Rich gave WikiLeaks the DNC emails, wouldnt that blow the whole Russia collusion narrative that the media has been pushing out of the water? Hannity asked May 18.

Richs family appealed to Hannity to stop pushing his theory while Hannity has accused the liberal watchdog Media Matters of trying to silence him. He pledged to continue speaking the truth.

He also poked fun at wags predicting his demise.

Fox, however, retracted the Rich story although the network insisted Hannity had its unequivocal support.

"Like the rest of the country, Sean Hannity is taking a vacation for Memorial Day weekend and will be back on Tuesday. Those who suggest otherwise are going to look foolish, a Fox spokesman said in a statement emailed to International Business Times.

Read: President Calls Fake News Contact Controversy

Hannity has been a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, accusing the deep state and mainstream press of covering up the truth. He has lost massive numbers of viewers in the wake of Bill OReillys firing as a result of sexual misconduct allegations, and advertisers have been fleeing.

Hannity is no novice when it comes to conspiracy theories. As early as 1993, he was among the Clinton-bashers who suggested Hillary Clintons close friend and White House counsel Vince Foster was murdered although his death was ruled a suicide. Foster was found dead in Fort Marcy Park outside Washington, and the death was investigated by special counsel Kenneth Starr.

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Here are five others conspiracy theories Hannity has offered in recent years, compiled by AlterNet:

1. Russia was framed for the DNC hack

Hannity relied on the word of 9/11 truther Army Lt. Col. Anthony Schaffer for proof the CIA used malware to attribute cyberattacks to nations like Russia.

Sean, we did it. Not me, but our guys, former members of NSA, retired intelligence officers used these tools to break in there and get the information out. Thats what the Democrats dont want to talk about because it doesnt fit their narrative, Shaffer said, admitting he had no proof.

Schaffer is a retired intelligence officer who also claimed former President Barack Obama watched the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, in real time, something the White House denied. Newsweek reported in December that Schaffer told friends he was under consideration for a Trump administration intelligence position.

2. Hillary Clintons health

Hannity insisted the former secretary of state was seriously ill during the 2016 presidential campaign. His evidence came from pro-Trump Twitter accounts that spread baseless rumors Clinton had suffered traumatic brain injury and had seizures. They also alleged she was hit by a ministroke, Media Matters reported. Hannity additionally suggested she suffered from Parkinsons disease and persisted despite a report from Clintons doctor pronouncing her fit.

The talk show host then proceeded to ignore questions about Republican Donald Trumps health even after Trumps doctor admitted he wrote his assessment of Trumps health in 5 minutes while under duress.

3. The Benghazi attack

Despite a Republican investigation that found no stand-down order was issued to U.S. troops as the attack occurred, Hannity persisted in saying U.S. troops were told not to move in. In reality, there was not enough time for U.S. forces to mount a defense of the consulate from where they were stationed in Italy.

Four Americans died in the September 2012 attack that trashed the consulate, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.

4. State of Obamacare

In October 2013, Hannity invited six people onto his program to talk about how Obamacare had negatively affected them. Hannity called the Affordable Care Act a train wreck and asked the six to tell their stories. Salon investigated, however, and found their claims misleading, everything from a businessman saying he actually laid off employees because he wanted to, to a woman admitting she never had actually checked the exchange in her state for affordable coverage and instead sought a pricey individual policy on her own.

5. Voter fraud

Like President Trump, Hannity insists voter fraud is rampant despite studies indicating its negligible. Hannity bases his theory on Philadelphias preference for Obama over Mitt Romney in 2012.

In 59 separate precincts in inner city Philadelphia, Mitt Romney did not get a single vote! Not one! he said last summer.

However, Fact.check.org noted the 59 precincts Hannity cited are in the mainly black inner city. Nationally, Obama received 93 percent of the black vote.

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A 73-year-old Australian fisherman spoke of an encounter with a 2.7 meter-long great white shark that launched himself onto his boat, while he went fishing at Evans Head in South Wales, Australia on Saturday afternoon.

He spoke to ABC News about the experience and said this incident would not stop him from fishing again and added "Its not a great story, its just a mundane thing that just happened and its over and done with, but something that Ill remember."

Evans Head resident Terry Selwood, 73, was fishing offshore at Evans Heads on Saturday afternoon, when the shark suddenly jumped out of the water and launched itself onto his 4.5 meter boat.

The sharks pectoral fin hit the 73-year-old man on his forearm and knocked him off his feet, while it tried to scale the boats engine and landed on the floor. "The thing hit me in the forearm, spun me around and knocked me off my feet," Selwood said.

"There I was on all fours and hes looking at me and Im looking at him and then he started to do the dance around and shake and I couldnt get out quick enough on to the gunwale," Selwood told ABC News.

"I was losing a fair amount of blood, I was stunned. I couldnt register what happened and then I thought, 'Oh my God, Ive got to get out of here,'" he added.

Selwood managed to make a distress call and alerted marine rescue volunteers at Evans Head from his radio, while he took shelter on the nose of his boat. A crew rescued him from the boat, while the 200kg shark was still on board.

For some unknown reason he just launched himself out of the water and he must have come up four feet out of the water to clear my outboard motor and drop straight in the boat, Selwood said, adding that there was no specific reason the shark had breached.

Bill Bates, a member of Marine Rescue Evans Head, told BBC news his crew found Selwood standing on one side of his boat and his hand was covered in blood.

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"We offloaded the owner into our boat and gave him immediate first aid and stabilised the bleeding," Bates said. "It was a 5m boat so you can imagine there was no more room for people when the shark was in there."

Read: Shark Attacks 2017: Diver Survives Bull Shark Mauling Near Australia's Great Barrier Reef

New South Wales police told the Guardian they had been called to the scene after reports of a shark attack. Selwood was treated on shore for the minor injury to his arm and later taken to Lismore hospital by ambulance paramedics.

New South Wales fishing authorities said the animal had died and would be undergoing an autopsy, which was a standard practice for "any deceased shark in good condition".

"This enables us to take tissue and blood samples for ongoing science and research purposes," a Department of Primary Industries spokeswoman said. They took the shark to their Wollongbar, New South Wales office to confirm the animals age and gender.

Selwood said he had never had such an encounter with a shark in nearly 60 years of fishing.

"Ive had em come up and brush the side of my boat, Ive had a white pointer swim around my boat, Ive had em take fish off my line but Ive never had one do this," he told ABC News.

"I think next time I might find a crocodile to wrestle, just to stay in the limelight," he joked.

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This 98-year-old has proved the art of letter writing isnt lost.

Alleen Cooper, from California, has written thousands of letters to overseas military members.

The grandmother, whose son fought in the Vietnam War, started writing to strangers during World War II. She continues to write to military members today.

Read: Man Raises Money for Blind Vietnam Vet Who Collects Cans to Support 4 Granddaughters

Six years ago, Cooper started counting her letters. In the past six years alone, she's reportedly sent nearly 7,000.

All of the letters are at least four pages long and she makes sure no two are alike.

Cooper, whose son Larry has struggled with post traumatic stress disorder since the Vietnam War, told WBTV that she wanted to write letters to provide comfort to soldiers.

In return, soldiers have sent her commendations and even flags from their bases.

On Friday, Cooper connected with one of the Marines shed previously written to.

Cooper first wrote to Staff Sgt. Chris Cantos years ago when he was in a remote area of Afghanistan with no wireless internet, according to the station. The only contact the Marines had with home was letters.

"She would always send us clippings and jokes. She would tell us about her day," Cantos told WBTV.

Read: Vietnam Vet Who Left High School And Became a Marine Finally Gets Diploma After 52 Years

Although her hands now get tired, Cooper said her mission is far from over.

"I decided I'm going to write as long as I can, Cooper said.

Watch: Vietnam Veteran Finds Long-Lost War Buddy After Son Posts Photo On Twitter

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Photo credit: Instagram/Getty

From Redbook

If you are feeling frustrated by American politics, you are not alone. Wee Taylor, 5, is really missing Barack Obama these days, as she complained to her mother in a series of Instagram videos that are going viral for reasons that will be immediately once you watch.

"Why do we have another president? Why did he go? Where did he go?" she says of Obama. It's not just her relatable anger and frustration that make the clip so cute; the hand gestures, squeaky voice, and eye-rolling are also key elements.

This all started because she wanted to know, Where did Barack Obama go? And where is the president's house. She is still mad  A post shared by tabgeezy (@tabgeezy) on May 25, 2017 at 6:53am PDT

While she name checks Hillary and Barack Obama, she struggles to remember the name of the current president, until her mother reminds her. "A lot of people wanted him, probably, maybe, the people we have now... these people voted for... Donald Trump?!"

Part 2  A post shared by tabgeezy (@tabgeezy) on May 25, 2017 at 8:22am PDT

It's when Taylor begins to inquire about the electoral college that her ever-patient mother gives up, though: "It's a long story," she explains. This enrages Taylor. "I don't want him to be our president, anyway!" she says, arms folded.

Part 3 she's hurt bruh  then she asked if she could watch the news with me so she can learn all the things I know  A post shared by tabgeezy (@tabgeezy) on May 25, 2017 at 8:25am PDT

While Taylor is too young to vote herself, she discusses the mock vote her school held a few months back, presumably to teach the kids about elections. "I voted at school. I voted for the pizza!" Pizza might be the one thing our country can agree on.

Maybe Taylor has a future in politics? She's got my vote.

Follow Redbook on Facebook.

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Johannesburg (AFP) - South African President Jacob Zuma survived fresh calls within the ruling ANC party for him to resign, party officials said Monday, as they acknowledged support was "drifting away" from the movement.

Senior figures in the African National Congress met over the weekend after Zuma endured months of criticism over his sacking of respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan.

"There was a call made in the national executive committee for the president to consider stepping down," said ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe.

"A number of members... were of the view that the ANC should listen to this call."

Mantashe said that the meeting had not backed the resignation demands, and had instead discussed "the need to reconnect with sectors of society that are drifting away from the movement."

A string of ANC allies have also urged Zuma to go, among them the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the South African Council of Churches (SACC).

Zuma has faced widespread public anger over a series of corruption scandals, record unemployment and a sluggish economy.

The crisis has seen two ratings agencies downgrade South Africa and brought tens of thousands of people onto the streets calling for Zuma's ousting.

The ANC is due to elect Zuma's successor as party leader in December, ahead of general elections in 2019.

The party -- which Nelson Mandela led to power in the 1994 post-apartheid elections -- has recently lost popularity, taking just 55 percent of the vote in last year's local elections, its worst ever result.

A campaign group of anti-apartheid veterans said that Zuma loyalists had "shown they clearly place their own narrow political and financial self-interests above... the best interests of the country."

Zuma retains support from ANC members in many rural areas and has been able to rely on party lawmakers to survive votes of no confidence in parliament.
Is German Chancellor Angela Merkel pivoting to Asia, or is Asia pivoting to Merkels Germany?

On Monday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off his whirlwind world tour (featuring four countries in six days) in Germany, where he met with the chancellor at Merkels official country retreat and had what Modi described as a good interaction.

Their informal meeting was followed by a private dinner and two days of formal engagements featuring meetings with business leaders from both countries. Modi told German media outlet Handelsblatt that he is keen to work with Germany on his Make in India program to revitalize Indian manufacturing; Germany is one of the worlds leading makers of machine tools, and helped retool Chinas factories in recent decades.

Later in the week, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will travel to Berlin to meet Merkel just ahead of Fridays EU-China summit meant to advance on the strategic partnership between the two by discussing trade, migration, climate change, foreign policy, and security.

All of this, Politico Europe notes, is a clear demonstration by Merkel to certain traditional partners  namely, the United States and United Kingdom  that she can do business without them. After all, while Trump undermines the EU, rails against German trade policy, and mulls pulling out of the Paris climate agreement, Modi at least pays lip service to free trade and combatting climate change  and China at least says that it is, too. (In reality, both big Asian markets have all sorts of formal and informal restrictions that crimp access for international firms.)

But Merkel is not the only one making a demonstration. As Americas pivot to Asia wanes under Trump, countries in the region are looking elsewhere  namely, to the EU and Germany  for a reliable global partner. China is eager to build business ties in Europe, the endpoint of its One Belt, One Road plan to link all of Eurasia. And India, which has been pivoting to the east in its own bid to boost trade ties with Southeast Asia, doesnt want to be left out as Europe finds new dance partners.

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We always want that the European Union should be stronger, should be more active. Through Chancellor Merkel, we will be able to work with the European Union. Its very easy for us, Modi said on Tuesday.

He also said that India is committed to recognizing and fighting climate change, and added that Germany is an example for India, demonstrating that, for all of the ink spilled on Americas Asia strategy, it isnt only western countries that can realize its time to pivot.

Photo credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
On Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, Australian reporter, Bryan Seymour, explained to Leah Remini how he exposed years of abuse experienced by one young Australian man indoctrinated into Scientology at an early age. Shane Kelsey spent years in the church and only left when he was 18. He was sent to the Rehabilitation Project Force, which is where you go if you are being punished by the church. You are sent there to do hard manual labor, for instance scrubbing the floor with a toothbrush. He wasn't allowed to read any books other than Scientology books and he had never seen the internet. Australian politician, Nick Xenophon saw Seymour's stories about The Church of Scientology and he wanted to help Seymour in exposing more abuse, but the Church of Scientology is famous for suing those who speak out. Xenophon comes up with the idea that he would tell Seymour's story in Parliament. Under parliamentary privilege you can't be sued. According to Seymour, as a result of Xenophon's speech which as basically a laundry list of abuse that people had suffered, Australia got its first Charities Commission where Scientology now has to pay taxes. The Charities Commission requires that Scientology and all other churches publish their audited financial accounts so that what was once secret for decades is now in public view. And due to that kind of transparency, the Church of Scientology in Australia took a major financial hit. Between 2014 and 2015, their revenue dropped $20 million to just over $10 million.
By Alexandra Zaslow

Man versus machine: Its a story thats as old as time.

Throughout the past two centuries, automation has made manufacturing cheaper and easier.

The Industrial Revolution ushered in an era of unprecedented progress, but just as factories replaced manual labor, technology is now taking the place of factory workers.

In fact, since 2000, nearly 5 million factory jobs have disappeared. An Oxford University study suggests that 20 years from now, almost half of all U.S. jobs will have been replaced by machines.

But dont panic: Heres what you need to know about automation nation.

First, its nothing new. Even back in 1960, John F. Kennedy wondered what the future would hold.

What happens to man when machines take their place? Kennedy said during a 1960 presidential debate.

Weve seen this movie before: Horse and buggies replaced by cars. Elevator operators replaced by buttons. Many bank tellers replaced by ATMs.

Technology, more specifically the Internet, has displaced everyone from travel agents to retail workers to librarians.

Even President Obama brought it up in his farewell speech, saying, The next wave of economic dislocations wont come from overseas. It will come from the relentless pace of automation that makes a lot of good middle class jobs obsolete.

But the current administration doesnt think the situation is quite as dire.

In terms of artificial intelligence taking over American jobs, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said during an interview. I think we are so far away from that [Its] not even on my radar screen.

Regardless, it is on a lot of peoples radar screens, and the whole country is figuring out what to do about it.

Its not all bad news, though. Forrester Research found that automation will actually create about 15 million U.S. jobs during the next decade. But thats going to require skill sets that fit those new job requirements.

According to a new Pew study, almost 9 in 10 American workers think theyll need training to stay competitive in the 21st century job market  and theyre right.

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But now, the U.S. government spends less than 1 percent of the GDP on worker training and retraining. Denmark spends 18 times as much, France, 12 times as much; and Germany, seven times.

Meanwhile, former President Obama proposed investing $4 billion in computer science training for grade schools, but congress didnt approve that money.

People are paying attention, though. Degrees in math and science are on the rise. Between 2009 and 2013, they increased by nearly 20 percent  double that of other subjects.

But the bottom line is this: If you want to be employable, you need the skills that will equip you for the future.

Lets start working with machines, rather than against them.
New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker  a potential 2020 White House contender and recipient of major campaign contributions from Jared Kushner and others in the Kushner family  declined to endorse his party's call for the White House to revoke the security clearance of the president's son-in-law.

The Democratic National Committee has called for Kushner's security clearance to be revoked after reports that he sought to set up back-channel communications with Russian officials. Similarly, Rep. Adam Schiff  the senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee  said Kushner's security credentials should be reviewed.

Booker refused to support those calls during an interview with CNN Sunday. Asked if supports revoking Kushner's security clearance, the New Jersey senator said: "I think we need to first get to the bottom of it. He needs to answer for what was happening at the time. It raises very serious concerns for me. And that could be a potential outcome that I seek, but I want to understand, at least hear from Jared Kushner, as well as the administration, about what was exactly going on there."

Booker also pushed back against those calling for Trump's impeachment, saying, "I'm not going to rush to impeachment."

Kushner and other donors affiliated with Kushner Cos. delivered more than $41,000 to Booker's Senate campaign in 2013, according to data compiled by PoliticalMoneyLine.com. Politico reported that Ivanka Trump hosted a fundraiser for Booker during that election.

In 2009, Jared Kushner also gave $20,000 to Booker's Newark mayoral ticket "Booker Team for Newark," New Jersey campaign finance records show. That year, Booker attended the wedding of Kushner and Ivanka Trump.

Booker has in the past made headlines taking stances at odds with others in his party. During the 2012 election, for instance, Booker defended the private equity industry and slammed Barack Obama's campaign for attacking then-Republican nominee Mitt Romney's private equity firm, Bain Capital. More recently, Booker cast a pivotal vote against Democratic legislation to allow Americans to buy lower-priced prescription drugs from Canada.

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British Airways could face a huge amount of compensation bill of at least 100m ($128m) following the global IT meltdown Saturday, which led to the delay and cancelations of more than 1,000 flights over the weekend. The airline said the system failure occurred due to a power supply issue, confirming there was no sign of a cyber attack.

All the British Airways (BA) flights from the Gatwick and Heathrow airports were grounded Saturday following the meltdown. Although services resumed Sunday, delays and cancelations continued to persist with almost 200 flights to and from the Heathrow Airport, England, were canceled, according to the Guardian. Several flights at the Gatwick Airport were also delayed. However, there were no cancelations.

Read: United Airlines Charges Soldier Returning From Afghanistan $200 For Overweight Bag

If the delay would have been caused by factors out of the airlines control, the passengers would not have been eligible for compensation. However, in this case, the passengers were eligible for compensation under the EU law.

According to the law, for overnight delays, airlines are entitled to provide accommodation and transport facilities between the airport and the hotel. Airlines must also offer full refunds within seven days, or re-bookings for a flight canceled at a short notice.

Cancelation compensation amounts are 218 ($279.67) for short-haul, 384 ($492.63) for medium-haul and 523 ($670.96) for long-haul.

Passengers who reach their destination over three hours late are also entitled to compensation ranging from 175 ($224.51) - 525 ($673.52) depending upon the length of the flights and for how long it had been delayed.

Read: Man Sues American Airlines After 14-Hour Flight Next To Obese Passengers

Airlines are required to pay compensation to passengers when their flights are delayed or canceled. However, you only have the right to compensation in some circumstances," the Civil Aviation Authority stated on their website. However, the compensation is not given automatically unless customers write a complaint letter to the airline. According to the BA website, travelers cannot claim compensation if the delay is less than three hours.

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Air travel experts said that the meltdown on Saturday could put the airline in a place to pay huge amounts of compensation to their customers whose flights had been delayed or canceled.

"The airline will likely face a hefty bill," Malcolm Ginsberg, editor-in-chief of Business Travel News said. There is no question  the EU denied-boarding regulations will have to apply, Ginsberg told the Independent. They have broken all the rules and they will have to deal with it  its going to be a very expensive situation for BA. The money doesnt really compensate passengers for the situation," he further said.

We are continuing to work hard to restore all of our IT systems and are aiming to operate a near normal schedule at Gatwick and the majority of services from Heathrow on Sunday," A BA spokesperson told the Independent

We are extremely sorry for the huge disruption caused to customers throughout Saturday and understand how frustrating their experiences will have been. We are refunding or re-booking customers who suffered cancelations on to new services as quickly as possible and have also introduced more flexible re-booking policies for anyone due to travel on Sunday and Monday who no longer wishes to fly to/from Heathrow or Gatwick, the BA spokesperson added.

However, the exact amount of compensation has still not been declared or decided.

Its premature to put a cost figure to those problems as there are so many unknown variables. Given the magnitude of the problem, the amount is likely to be significant," air industry consultant John Strickland told the Independent.

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Heres a look at some of the stocks the Yahoo Finance team will be watching for you today.

Shares of British Airways (IAG.L) parent fell in London trading after a computer outage left 75,000 passengers stranded over the holiday weekend. BA said a power surge knocked out computer systems, call centers and its website. The airline expects to resume a full schedule of flights from Heathrow and Gatwick airports today. Well have more on this story in a few minutes.

AutoZone (AZO) was upgraded by Goldman Sachs to buy from neutral. The investment firm believes the auto parts maker is well managed and believes it will bounce back from the recent sector-wide slowdown as sales and earnings growth return.

Zynga (ZNGA) shares were higher after Piper Jaffray upgraded the stock to overweight from neutral. The analysts believe that the mobile gamemakers focus on live services and containment of costs by promoting existing games instead of releasing new mega-hits lowers the companys risk profile.

CardConnect (CCN) stock soared in early trading. First Data (FDC) is buying the rival payment-processing technology firm for $750 million in cash and debt. That translates to about $15 a share, about a 10% premium based on CardConnects closing price on Friday.
A 5H mud run for charity was supposed to be a fun event, but it led to a nightmare for one woman. Can The Doctors help?

I had mud all over my clothes, in my hair. I could taste the dirt, Brittany says. I sensed something was wrong. My hands were covered with mud and I had no way to even clear out my eyes. Immediately after the run, she flushed her eyes with water, but they were still painful and full of tears.

The next morning, I was in shock. Upon awakening, Brittany realized that she was losing her vision. At the emergency room, she was seen by several specialists. They told me I had several corneal abrasions, she says. Things were so severe that the doctor needed to take culture swabs probably ten times.

In spite of using prescription eye drops, her eyes got worse  they appeared white and soon she was completely blind in her left eye. She was confined to the trauma ward for nine days because My cornea was literally melting.

Watch: How Getting Second Opinion Saved Boy's Sight

Brittany underwent two surgeries to her eyes, but she remained hypersensitive to light and had trouble driving. The doctors are saying that the only way to get my eyesight back is to get a cornea transplant, she explains. But there is great risk. If things go wrong I wont have an eye at all.

The Doctors send Brittany to Opthamologist Dr. Kerry Assil to see if her vision can be saved. He says that her eye shows evidence of a severe infection  her cornea is heavily scarred and the layers have fused together. Because her eye is so inflamed, a transplant will probably fail.

The cornea is the only transparent part of the body, explains Dr. Assil, and therefore it doesnt have the privilege of having blood vessels that protect it with the immune system. Thats why your infection got so bad, so fast. He says that Brittany has a better chance for a successful transplant in about six months, once her eye has recovered more from the infection.

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Watch: Cornea Transplant

When Brittany is ready, Dr. Assil offers to refer her to a surgeon in Dallas who can perform the transplant  or she can return to Los Angeles and hell do it for her himself!

In the meantime, Brittany and her fiance Dan had been planning for their wedding, but medical expenses have put a damper on their progress toward their big day. But ER Physician Dr. Travis Stork has surprised in store for them!

Our Love Floral and Events in Dallas will donate floral arrangements, and Robbins Brothers Engagement Rings is offering them $1,000 toward their wedding bands. And their fairy-tale wedding will take place in an actual castle, at the Castle at Rockwall, which is also providing photography. Drop Visionary Branding Videography will contribute videography. No wedding is complete without beautiful gowns and formalwear, and House of Wu will dress the entire wedding party.

We wish you the best with everything  your vision, your wedding, concludes Dr. Stork.
U.S. President Donald Trump may find it hard to walk back his predecessors historic rapprochement with Cuba, now that various businesses are invested in revived relations with Havana.

Cruise ship operators, commercial airlines, hotel chains, telecommunications companies and farmers have moved to take advantage of President Barack Obamas easing of trade and travel restrictions with the island nation.

Trump isnt likely to go too far in reversing those restrictions because it would undercut his campaign pledges to create jobs, Jason Marczak, director of the Latin America Economic Growth Initiative at the Atlantic Councils Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, argued.

Theres a cost to that reversal, and that cost is U.S. jobs, he said.

The White House may soon move to tighten some of the trade and travel restrictions that Obama eased as part of a broad review of U.S. Cuba policy, Reuters reported Tuesday, though it isnt likely to sever the diplomatic ties that Obama restored. The White House didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a Twitter post last November, president-elect Trump vowed to terminate President Barack Obamas deal with Cuba if the government in Havana is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole.

But even tinkering with the relaxation of rules on travel and trade could prove unpopular.

Obamas restoration of diplomatic ties with Cuba in December 2014 enjoyed broad support. A Pew Research poll in January 2015 found that 63% of Americans supported the decision, while 66% thought the United States should go even further and lift the trade embargo.

Many older Cuban-Americans remain viscerally opposed to any engagement with the Castro government or liberalized trade with Cuba, which they argue will help the regime, not ordinary Cubans. Obamas decision invited sharp criticism from some Republicans, including two key lawmakers, Sen. Marc Rubio (Fla., R.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.).

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But Cuban-Americans have taken advantage of the eased restrictions to visit relatives and send them money  and they arent likely to look kindly on any moves to revoke them, Cynthia Arnson, the director of the Latin American program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, argued.

A rollback of those provisions is likely to spark opposition from within the Cuban-American community, she said.

The American agriculture sector, too, is resisting changes that would walk back the opening to Cuba, and they have a strong advocate in Trumps agriculture secretary, Sonny Perdue.

As governor of Georgia in 2010, Perdue led an agriculture delegation to Cuba. At his March confirmation hearing, he expressed support for moves to increase access for U.S. farmers to the Cuban market, including a House measure to allow private lenders to finance farm exports to Cuba.

If our folks grow it, I want to sell it. They eat in Cuba as well, Perdue said.

For Trump, who boasts of his deal-making prowess, the challenge may be putting his own thumbprint on the Cuba relationship without harming business opportunities. Part of this for him is putting his stake in the ground and saying hes going to get a better deal, Marczak argued.

Any more than that would run counter to his campaign message, he said. This is not a president who came to office to promote human rights.

Photo credit: YAMIL LAGE/AFP/Getty Images
Deaths from Alzheimer's disease are on the rise in the United States, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Researchers at the CDC found that, in recent years, the rate of death from Alzheimer's disease increased by more than 50 percent, from about 16 deaths per 100,000 people in 1999 to 25 deaths per 100,000 people in 2014.

And the number of people who died from Alzheimer's more than doubled during this period, from 44,536 deaths in 1999 to 93,541 deaths in 2014.

The increasing number of deaths from Alzheimer's is partly due to the growing number of older adults in the United States, as Alzheimer's disease most commonly affects adults ages 65 years and older, the CDC researchers said.

But the rise in the rate of deaths from the disease may also be due to an increase among doctors, coroners and medical examiners specifically reporting Alzheimer's disease as a cause of death, the researchers said.

The report also found that the percentage of Alzheimer's deaths that occurred at home, rather than in a nursing home or hospital, increased during the study period, suggesting that there has been a rise in the number of people caring for those with the disease. [6 Big Mysteries of Alzheimer's Disease]

"Millions of Americans and their family members are profoundly affected by Alzheimers disease," Dr. Anne Schuchat, the acting director of the CDC, said in a statement. "As the number of older Americans with Alzheimer's disease rises, more family members are taking on the emotionally and physically challenging role of caregiver than ever before. These families need and deserve our support," Schuchat said.

Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disease in which abnormal protein deposits build up in the brain, causing brain cells to die. The illness is best known for causing memory loss, but it also has other debilitating effects on the body, possibly affecting people's ability to move and eat by themselves. There is no cure for the illness.

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The disease is usually not the direct cause of a person's death, according to the Alzheimer's Society, a charity in the United Kingdom. Rather, people die due to complications from the illness, such as infections (including pneumonia) or blood clots.

Still, the new findings might underestimate the true number of Alzheimer's deaths, since some doctors may report pneumonia or other complications as the cause of death, rather than Alzheimer's itself.

Caregivers for Alzheimer's patients may benefit from learning about the stages of the disease and how to cope with the challenges of caregiving, as well as from home health assistance or caregiver support groups, according to the National Institute on Aging.

"Supportive interventions can lessen the burden for caregivers and improve the quality of care for people with Alzheimer's disease," said study co-author Christopher Taylor, an epidemiologist at the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

The study is published today (May 25) in the CDC journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Original article on Live Science.

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DUBAI (Reuters) - A United Arab Emirates government minister on Sunday warned that an alliance of Gulf Arab states was facing a major crisis and he said there was an urgent need to rebuild trust. Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, made his comments on Twitter less than a week after Saudi Arabia and the UAE signaled frustration at Qatar. Its state media published purported remarks by Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani criticizing Gulf rhetoric against Iran and suggesting strains between the emir and U.S. President Donald Trump. Tensions have been rising between Iran and its Gulf Arab neighbors, who accuse Tehran of trying to expand its influence in Arab countries including Syria and Yemen. Qatar denied making the critical comments, saying its news agency had been hacked, but Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates allowed their state-backed media to continue running the story, angering Doha. "The Gulf Cooperation Council countries are passing through a new sharp crisis that carries within it a great danger," Gargash said. "Fending off sedition lies in changing behavior, building trust and regaining credibility," he added, without mentioning Qatar by name. Gulf countries have made no official comment on the rift, which emerged after Trump's first visit to Saudi Arabia and his meetings with Arab and Muslim heads of state since he took office. But a war of words had escalated between Qatari media on one side and Saudi and Emirati media on the other. The row appears to emanate from old accusations made in 2014 that Qatar backs Islamists outlawed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE as terrorist organizations. Ties between Qatar and some of its GCC allies suffered an eight-month breakdown in 2014 over Qatar's alleged support for the Muslim Brotherhood, the political ideology of which challenges the principle of dynastic rule. The rift ended after what diplomats said at the time was a promise by Qatar to the UAE that the Muslim Brotherhood would not be allowed to operate from the country. Gargash said that the road to resolving any crisis "between someone and his brothers was to have true intentions, abide by commitments, change the behavior that had caused damage and turn a new page". "Our position and our stability is in our unity and to have honest intentions," he added. Apart from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, the GCC also groups Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. Earlier in the day, descendents of the founding father of Saudi Arabia's Wahhabi brand of Islam published a statement in Saudi media distancing themselves from Qatar's ruling family. In the front-page statement, Saudi Arabia's Okaz newspaper said that 200 descendants of Ibn Abd al-Wahhab demanded the renaming of a Qatar mosque named after the 18th century cleric even though most Qataris practise Wahhabism. "We, therefore, demand that the name of the mosque be changed for it does not carry its true Salafi path," the statement said, according to the Arabic-language Okaz. Qatar's ruling al-Thani family traces its history to Najd, the central and northern part of Saudi Arabia where Ibn Abd al-Wahhab was from. (Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi and Sami Aboudi,; Editing by Stephen Powell)
WASHINGTON  The secretary of homeland security defended on Sunday reports that President Donald Trumps son-in-law and close adviser Jared Kushner discussed establishing a secret backchannel between Trumps transition team and Russian officials, claiming that it was normal and acceptable.

Any way that you can communicate with people, particularly organizations that are maybe not particularly friendly to us, is a good thing, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told ABCs Martha Raddatz. Its not a bad thing to have multiple communication lines to any government.

Sec. Kelly calls back-channels "normal...and acceptable": "It's not a bad thing to have multiple communications lines to any government." pic.twitter.com/kzFYghd4eh  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) May 28, 2017

The report, published by The Washington Post late Friday, originated during a previously reported meeting between Kushner and Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak in December, before Trump became president. Also present at the meeting was former national security adviser Mike Flynn, who was fired earlier this year for lying to administration officials about discussing sanctions with Russia.

Like Trump and his top aides, Kelly dismissed the mounting scandals facing the administration by insisting that the real problem is the leaking of information, which is darn close to treason, the retired general said Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press.

Trump himself reportedly leaked classified information to Russian officials during an Oval Office meeting earlier this month.

The reports about Kushner come as he is being investigated as part of the FBIs probe into ties between Trumps team and Russia. In addition to the meeting with Kislyak, Kushner also met with the head of a Russian state-owned bank.

Kelly on Sunday defended Kushner as a great guy, saying that there was no big issue here.

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I know Jared. Hes a great guy, decent guy, he said on Meet the Press. His number one interest, really, is the nation. So you know theres a lot of different ways to communicate, backchannel, publicly with other countries. I dont see any big issue here relative to Jared.

Earlier this month, Trump abruptly fired FBI director James Comey, who had been leading the Russia probe. Before firing him, he had reportedly told Comey to stop his investigation of Flynns ties to Russia, according to Comeys notes documenting a meeting with Trump.

The day after firing Comey, Trump met with Kislyak and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in an Oval Office meeting that was only accessible to Russian state media and closed to American reporters. In addition to leaking classified information, Trump reportedly bragged to them about firing real nut job Comey and claimed that the sudden move lessened the great pressure on his administration.

Amid the mounting scandals, Trump on Saturday returned from his first foreign trip as president. Administration officials refused to comment on Kushner while on the trip, trying to deflect attention by characterizing the presidents meetings abroad as going unbelievably well.

Also on HuffPost

President Donald Trump arrives to participate in a wreath-laying at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.

Trump and his wife Melania Trump are seen as they visit the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Trump and national security adviser H.R. McMaster eat Belgian chocolate during their meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel in Brussels, Belgium.

Trump salutes as he arrives at the Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy.

First lady Melania Trump Visits the Pediatric Hospital Bambin Gesi.

The Trump family meets Pope Francis.

Trump is welcomed by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud Salman (far right) as he arrives at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 20, 2017.

Trump waves from a car during the reception ceremony in Riyadh on May 20, 2017.

Trump and King Salman walk together during the welcome ceremony prior to their meeting at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 20, 2017.

Trump receives the Order of Abdul-Aziz Al Saud medal from King Salman at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh on May 20, 2017.

Trump, Tillerson (third from right) and other members of the U.S. delegation take part in a bilateral meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud at a hotel in Riyadh on May 20, 2017.

Ivanka Trump is seen at the ceremony where her father received the Order of Abdul-Aziz Al Saud medal at the Saudi Royal Court on May 20, 2017.

King Salman (right) welcomes the Trumps ahead of a dinner at Murabba Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 20, 2017.

Trump joins dancers with swords at a welcome ceremony ahead of a banquet at the Murabba Palace on May 20, 2017.

Trump looks on as Secretary of State Tillerson (left) and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef (right) exchange a memorandum of understanding, in which the Gulf states commit not to finance militant organizations, at the Gulf Cooperation Council leaders summit in Riyadh on May 21, 2017.

Melania Trump walks alongside Saudi Commerce and Investment Minister Majed al-Qasabi (center), as she visits the GE All-Women Business Process Services and IT Centre on May 21, 2017, in Riyadh.

Trump (fifth from left); King Salman (fifth from right); Gen. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (third from left), the crown prince of Abu Dhabi; King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (fourth from right); Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah (fourth from left); Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (second from right); and Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said (third from right), deputy prime minister of the Sultanate of Oman, are seen during the U.S.-Gulf Summit at King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh on May 21, 2017.

Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi take part in a bilateral meeting at a hotel in Riyadh on May 21, 2017.

Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump and her husband, White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, sit behind the president shortly before he delivered his remarks to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh on May 21, 2017.

The first lady chats with students during a visit to the American International School in Riyadh on May 21, 2017.

Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Saudi King Salman (second from left) and Egyptian President el-Sissi (far left) put their hands on an illuminated globe during the inauguration ceremony of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh on May 21, 2017.

Trump and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin speak during a welcome ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport on May 22, 2017, near Tel Aviv.

Melania Trump arrives at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on May 22, 2017.

Melania and Donald Trump stand next to members of the Christian clergy during their visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on May 22, 2017.

Ivanka Trump attends a press conference at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on May 22, 2017.

Donald Trump walks with the first lady in Jerusalem's Old City on May 22, 2017.

Donald Trump visits the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalem's Old City on May 22, 2017.

(From left to right) U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Theresa May, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni watch an Italian flying squadron as part of activities at the G7 Summit in Taormina, Sicily, on May 26, 2017.

U.S. President Donald Trump greets French President Emmanuel Macron before a lunch ahead of a NATO summit in Brussels, Belgium, on May 25, 2017.

(Left to right) European Council President Donald Tusk, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Donald Trump, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, British Prime Minister Theresa May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker pose for a family photo during the G7 Summit in Taormina, Sicily, on May 26, 2017.

(From left to right) Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, U.S. President Donald Trump, Hungarian Prime Minister Voktor Orban and British Prime Minister Theresa May pose at the start of NATO summit at the organization's new headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on May 25, 2017.

U.S. President Donald Trump gathers with (from left to right) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, European Council President Donald Tusk, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and British Prime Minister Theresa May as they attend the G7 summit in Taormina, Sicily, on May 26, 2017.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
The Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands recently announced their acquisition of a photography first: the first book to be illustrated with photos, by a British botanist widely recognized as the first woman to experiment with photography.

Their copy of "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions," by Anna Atkins (1799-1871), is a rare edition of the 19th-century botanical volume, which Atkins self-published in 1844.

The book, which contains 307 images of algae native to waters in and around Great Britain, was the first to be illustrated with cyanotypes. This early form of photographic printing, also known as a "blueprint," was discovered in 1842 and uses chemicals and sunlight to create a negative image of an object silhouetted against a blue background. Atkins produced several editions of "Photographs of British Algae," of which about 20 copies  complete and incomplete  survive today, Rijksmuseum officials said in a statement. [Plant Photos: Amazing Botanical Shots by Karl Blossfeldt]

"Anna Atkins' work sits on the border between art and science," museum representatives said in the statement. Apart from their "historical significance, Atkins' images are characterized by their timeless beauty, which looks contemporary because of the abstraction of the silhouettes on the photographic paper."

The book will be featured in an upcoming Rijksmuseum exhibit, "New Realities: Photography in the 19th Century," open June 17 through Sept. 17, 2017, according to the statement. [See Gorgeous Photos of the Cyanotypes]

Cyanotypes were created by treating paper with ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide  iron salts that dissolve in water  and then placing an object on the paper and exposing it to sunlight. The process forms the compound called Prussian blue. When the paper is washed, the spots untouched by the object (and so treated with iron salts) turn a shade of deep blue, the New York Public Library (NYPL) Digital Collections explained in a description of "Photographs of British Algae" published on the library's website.

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Atkins learned about cyanotypes from her father, a scientist whose Royal Society associates discovered the process, and she quickly realized that this technique perfectly suited her needs for capturing detailed images of delicate water plants.

"The difficulty of making accurate drawings of objects as minute as many of the Algae and Confera, has induced me to avail myself of Sir John Herschel's beautiful process of Cyanotype, to obtain impressions of the plants themselves," Atkins wrote in October 1843, in the introduction to her book.

She produced thousands of algae cyanotypes for the multiple editions of her book  a project that took 10 years, according to Rijksmuseum officials. The museum purchased the tome from a private owner for 450,000 euros ($50,3478), museum officials said.

While the public will be able to admire the historical volume as part of the Rijksmuseum exhibit, visitors won't exactly be able to flip through the work's pages. For those who want a closer look at all 307 of the book's stunningly beautiful cyanotypes, a scanned copy of "Photographs of British Algae" is available online at the NYPL Digital Collections website.

Original article on Live Science.

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While President Donald Trump, now back in Washington, D.C., might have trumpeted his first foreign trip as a great success, European leaders had a radically different read on the situation.

The times in which we could completely rely on others are on the way out. Ive experienced that in the last few days, German Chancellor Angela Merkel noted at a campaign event on Sunday. Her chief opponent in this falls elections, the center-left Martin Schulz, said Monday, Election campaign or no election campaign, in this situation let me be entirely clear: The chancellor represent all of us at summits like these. And I reject with outrage the way this man takes it upon himself to treat the head of our countrys government. That is unacceptable.

Granted, Merkel and Schulzs comments likely have more to do with German politics  and proving that their party is the one to deal with Trump while preserving the transAtlantic alliance  than anything else.

But French President Emmanuel Macron also had some select words on Trump. Speaking of his first handshake with the U.S. president, during which both mens knuckles appeared to turn white, Macron said, My handshake with him, its not innocent. Its not the alpha and the omega of politics, but a moment of truth. Macron also said, One must show that we wont make little concessions, even symbolic ones. On Monday, he showed it at a press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Versailles. Macron said he was happy to allow foreign media outlets access, but not Sputnik or RT, which, he said, print not journalism but lying propaganda.

Trump, for his part, will have another chance to make an impression on a foreign leader on Wednesday, when Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc comes to the White House. Vietnam in recent years has moved closer to Washington, especially given concerns in Hanoi over Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. But Nguyens visit comes as some of Americas Asian partners and allies are worried about the strength of the U.S. commitment to playing a big role in Asia.

Speaking of leaders from countries with which the United States has a fraught history: Manuel Noriega, former dictator of Panama, died on Tuesday at the age of 83. He was famously ousted from power in a 1989 U.S. invasion of the Central American nation.

Photo credit: Douliery  Pool/Getty Images
By Ginny McCabe

CINCINNATI (Reuters) - Jury selection was delayed on Tuesday in the retrial of a former University of Cincinnati police officer charged with murdering an unarmed black motorist, after the first trial ended in a mistrial.

Common Pleas Court Judge Leslie Ghiz dismissed the jury pool on Tuesday, citing an appeal by media concerning a ruling she had made regarding restricted media access during the trial. Ohio's First District Court of Appeals on Friday temporarily dismissed Ghiz's order, which she subsequently withdrew on Tuesday, according to local media.

Body-camera video of the July 2015 incident showed then-officer Ray Tensing, 27, shooting Samuel DuBose, 43, in the head during a traffic stop after stopping DuBose for a missing front license plate on his vehicle.

DuBose's death fueled demonstrations against the use of lethal force by white officers against unarmed blacks and other minorities, an issue that renewed debate over racial bias among U.S. police.

Prospective jurors reported to the Hamilton County Courthouse in Cincinnati last Thursday to complete jury questionnaires, prior to the beginning of the selection process. A jury will be selected before opening statements begin.

A mistrial was declared last November in the first trial after jurors could not agree and prosecutors said they would retry Tensing.

Tensing, who was fired by the university police after he was charged, faces murder and voluntary manslaughter charges in the retrial. He has pleaded not guilty and is free on a $1 million bond.

A gag order has been placed on all parties. But Tensing's attorney, Stew Mathews, said in November that the shooting was justified as Tensing feared for his life and only fired to prevent being run over. Mathews said the defense would remain unchanged.

During the traffic stop, Tensing asked DuBose to remove his seatbelt and tried to open the car door. DuBose did not comply and closed the door. The vehicle started rolling forward slowly as Tensing pulled his gun and fired once.

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Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said last fall he felt his team had proven murder. Prosecutors argued Tensing was never in danger and exaggerated being dragged by DuBose's vehicle.

On Friday, Ghiz excluded from evidence as too prejudicial the fact that on the day of the shooting Tensing wore a T-shirt bearing the Confederate battle flag under his uniform. The flag carried by the pro-slavery Confederate forces during the U.S. Civil War is viewed by many Americans as a symbol of hate and division.

(Reporting by Ginny McCabe; editing by Ben Klayman, Frances Kerry and Dan Grebler)
A convicted drug trafficker and Panamas former military leader, Manuel Noriega, died Monday in Panama City due to failing health, according to reports. He was 83.

Noriega was in a medically induced coma state ever since he suffered brain hemorrhage in March. The hemorrhage was caused shortly after a surgery was performed on Noriega to remove a benign tumor from his brain. A court had placed him on house arrest in late January so he could undergo the surgery. In recent years, he reportedly suffered from a range of health problems including blood pressure, bronchitis, prostate cancer, and strokes.

Read: Is Donald Trump A Dictator? John McCain Says Suppressing Media Is Now Dictators Get Started

"The death of Manuel A Noriega closes a chapter in our history; his daughters and relatives deserve a funeral in peace," Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela tweeted in Spanish.

Noriega is survived by his wife Felicidad and daughters Lorena, Thays and Sandra.

Born Feb. 11, 1934, in Panama City, Noriega ruled the Central American nation from 1983 to 1989 and worked closely with the CIA for three decades. He was also on the agencys payroll and orchestrated setting up of listening posts in Panama. He was also reported to be a medium for U.S. funds to Nicaraguan rebels of the leftist Sandinista government.

Noriega, who studied at a military academy in Peru, supported Gen. Omar Torrijos in a coup that ousted President Arnulfo Arias in 1968. He then rose to prominence following the death of Torrijos in a plane crash in 1981 and promoted himself to the rank of general and became de facto ruler of Panama in 1983.

The following year, Noriega backed the countrys first free presidential election in 16 years. However, upon knowing his political rival has higher chances of coming to power, Noriega influenced the election to make sure the candidate he favored was elected. During his rule, he established himself as a drug lord in partnership with the Medellin Cartel in Colombia. Some of the biggest banks in the country were used to launder drug money under Noriegas power.

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He was also known to order the execution of those who opposed him. Some members of the Panamanian military had unsuccessful coups and their leaders were consequently executed by Noriega's firing squad.

The U.S. turned its back on Noriega especially after his top political opponent was killed in 1985 and he joined hands with drug traffickers. In 1988, a Florida court charged him for helping Colombian drug traffickers smuggle cocaine into the U.S. On Dec. 20, 1989, Washington invaded Panama and ousted Noriega, following which he surrendered.

A 1988 U.S. subcommittee on terrorism, narcotics and international operations condemned the countrys relationship with Noriega.

"The saga of Panama's General Manuel Antonio Noriega represents one of the most serious foreign policy failures in the U.S. Throughout the 1970s and the 1980s Noriega was able to manipulate U.S. policy toward his country, while skillfully accumulating near-absolute power in Panama, the subcommittee concluded at the time.

"It is clear that each US government agency which had a relationship with Noriega turned a blind eye to his corruption and drug dealing, even as he was emerging as a key player on behalf of the Medellin cartel," it added.

In 1992, Noriega was convicted in Miami for drug smuggling and racketeering. He was handed a 40-year prison sentence but was released in 2007 after serving 17 years behind bars. He was then sent to France, where he was convicted of money laundering and was sentenced to seven-year prison sentence. After this, he was transferred back to Panama and jailed for crimes committed during the time he was in power.

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Donald Trump isnt having the best day after Tuesdays midterm election results did not go in his favor. Many of the candidates he endorsed, including Dr. Oz for the Pennsylvania Senate seat, lost their bids for office  and the former president is reportedly blaming his wife, Melania Trump. One of the 45th presidents advisers []
At least 166 people are dead and more than 100 others missing due to flooding and mudslides from monsoon rains across southwestern portions of Sri Lanka during the weekend, according to the state-run Disaster Management Center.

The disaster also led to the displacement of nearly half a million people from their homes. The center also said the flooding was the worst since torrential rains in 2003 hit the island nation. The authorities estimated almost 442,000 people were affected by the disaster and more than 1,800 homes were destroyed or damaged.









More rain is expected Monday and rescuers rushed to evacuate people from the most vulnerable areas in the country. According to Associated Press, more than 100,000 have already been taken to safety in 339 relief camps set up in the south and west of the country.

During the weekend after the disaster had a grave impact, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs activated its Emergency Response Unit and called on the United Nations' International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, along with its neighboring countries to help in the recovery effort. The government deployed 2,000 military personnel in the affected areas.

"We have a problem of limited resources to cope with the situation," Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake said. "Hence we have made many appeals." On Friday he said he was expecting two ships full of relief supplies to arrive over the weekend from neighboring country, India, to help meet the needs of the people. On Saturday, an Indian naval ship arrived in Colombo with medical teams and relief supplies.

Read: Sri Lanka Floods 2016: Over 150 Feared Dead As Rain-Triggered Landslides Hit 3 Villages

After the governments appeal, the UN said it was assisting in relief efforts including the donation of tents, water purification tablets, and other supplies for the displaced. Pakistan and the United States also promised to send in relief supplies, after India sent shiploads of supplies over the weekend.

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On Monday, Sri Lanka's Department of Meteorology warned more heavy rainfall was expected in some of the already affected areas.

People in the town of Agalawatte in the Kalutara District of Sri Lanka said they had no hope of the water levels going down anytime soon. All access to our village is cut off. A landslide took place inside the village and several houses are buried. But nobody could go to that place, resident Mohomed Abdulla, 46, told Reuters. Agalawatte is located 74km (46 miles) from the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo. It has recorded 47 deaths and 62 people missing after the disaster.

Due to the continual downpours and lack of electricity, rescue operations have been hampered. Reuters also reported their correspondents witnessed some people stuck on the upper floors of their houses and several houses were also flooded up to the roof.

We are displaced and have no place to go, said Rathana Kumari, who ran from her flooded home along with her family and took shelter on the Southern Expressway, which is a major highway linking the commercial capital of Colombo with the cities of Galle and Matara.

Now we are extremely helpless with our little children. Today, we didnt get anything to eat, Kumari told the Associated Press on Monday.

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Vice President Bush with Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, 1983 Vice President George H.W. Bush and Panamanian leader Manuel Antonio Noriega at Panama City Airport, Dec. 10, 1983, in a photo from Britains Thames Television. (AP Photo/Thames TV This Week)

Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, a onetime U.S. ally who was ousted as Panamas dictator by an American invasion in 1989, died late Monday at age 83.

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela wrote in his Twitter account that the death of Manuel A. Noriega closes a chapter in our history.

Varela added, His daughters and his relatives deserve to mourn in peace.

Noriega served a 17-year drug sentence in the United States and was later sent to face charges in France. The final years of his life were spent in a Panamanian prison for murder of political opponents during his 1983-89 regime.

He accused Washington of a conspiracy to keep him behind bars and tied his legal troubles to his refusal to cooperate with a U.S. plan aimed at toppling Nicaraguas leftist Sandinista government in the 1980s. (AP)

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A gay father has hired an attorney and plans to sue United Airlines after he was falsely accused of inappropriately touching his 5-year-old son during a May 20 flight. A representative of the carrier has reportedly reached out to the family, but Henry Amador-Batten claims the call fell short of an actual apology.

According to a Raleigh-Durham International Airport police report, the man was traveling with his son on a flight from Newark, New Jersey to their home in North Carolina at the time of the incident, the New York Daily News reported Saturday. The flight's captain told police that United Airlines staff aboard the flight had observed Amador-Batten touching his son near the genitals.

Read: JetBlue Allegedly Kicked New Jersey Family Off Flight Over Birthday Cake

Upon the plane's arrival to Raleigh-Durham, Amador-Batten was approached by airport police who reportedly explained the accusations to the man in front of his young son. According to a Facebook post by Amador-Batten's husband Joel on their family parenting blog DADsquared, Amador-Batten had his hand/arm laying across my sleeping son's lap during the flight.

After being made to feel like a criminal in front of other passengers as they exited the plane my husband filed a report of his own mentioning that the male flight attendant that must have accused him had treated him oddly in flight, and was promptly sent on his way, he continued. This is the icing on the cake for a man who has spent nearly the last two weeks in Puerto Rico dealing with his father's quick decline and subsequent death. This is not how anyone deserves to be treated.

A spokesperson for United Airlines told International Business Times in a Monday statement that the inquiry was a procedural decision. In this instance, the crew believed it was appropriate to ask authorities to meet the plane and interview the customer, said the spokesperson. After speaking with the customer, authorities determined that no further action was necessary. Our customers should always be treated with the utmost respect and we have followed up with our customer to apologize for the misunderstanding.

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Read: Same-Sex Couple Claims Discrimination Prevented Them From Boarding Southwest Flight With Family

Amador-Batten  a former hairdresser and current stay-at-home father following their son's adoption  told the New York Post in a Saturday interview that a United Airlines representative did indeed reach out to him to apologize. But he said he doesnt know how anyone could consider that an apology. He added that the woman seemed to want to make the problem go away and requested that he keep the the incident low-key.

Amador-Batten told the Post, I cant speak to that mans heart, and I dont wear a sticker on my head that says I am gay  but you could possibly look at me and make an assumption. He added, Somehow he didnt like what he saw.

United has 100% of the responsibility for this outrageous conduct, Ken Padowitz, the family's attorney, told ABC11 on Wednesday. To be treated like a criminal, to go from zero to 100 and be calling law enforcement with armed police officers with guns to stop my client in front of other passengers, in front of other people at the terminal - and to put his son through this is outrageous conduct. It's not to be tolerated.

United Airlines

Photo: Reuters/Louis Nastro

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It comes after the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, suggested Germany and Europe can no longer rely on the US under President Trump: AP/Evan Vucci

Germany should reconsider sharing intelligence with the United States, because Donald Trump and his administration "chatter too much" and could give critical information to Russia, a German MP has warned.

Thomas Opperman, the leader of the Social Democrats (SDP), described Mr Trump's handling of classified information a "security risk for the West".

It comes after Angela Merkel suggested Germany and Europe can no longer rely on the US under Mr Trump.

Speaking at a campaign event held in a Bavarian beer tent, the German Chancellor emphasised the need for friendly relations with the US, Britain and Russia, but added: We Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands.

Ms Merkel said that as the traditional western alliance is threatened by the new US presidency and Brexit, the times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over".

Mr Opperman, whose party is in a coalition with Ms Merkel's in the German parliament, said the intelligence services must be clever about sharing information with the US.

He told several German newspapers: I have an impression that Donald Trump and his team chatter too much."

He added: It should be taken into account that Trump is a president who, one should assume, passes critical information to Russian representatives.

This is a dangerous situation. It cannot continue as it is. This endangers the information exchange and can be dangerous for both sides."

It comes after Mr Trump was accused of leaking highly classified information about Isis during his meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov.

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, dismissed the scandal as "political schizophrenia".

Mr Trump went on to insist he has the "absolute right" to share "facts pertaining to terrorism and airline flight safety" with Russia.

It led a senior German politician to call the President "a security risk to the Western world".

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Burkhard Lischka, who sits on the Bundestags intelligence oversight committee, said: If it proves to be true that the American president passed on internal intelligence matters that would be highly worrying."

Donald Trump talks to Angela Merkel during the G7; differences emerged from the meeting in Sicily when the US President refused to commit to the Paris climate agreement (AFP)

A spokesman for Ms Merkel said she was right to confront Mr Trump over the need to tackle climate change.

Steffen Seibert said the German Chancellor remained committed to strong trans-Atlantic relations, but her suggestion after meetings with Mr Trump that Europe can no longer entirely rely on the US speaks for itself.

[US-German relations] are a strong pillar of our foreign and security policy, and Germany will continue working to strengthen these relations.

Precisely because they are so important, it's right to name differences honestly.
By Ahmed Aboulenein DAYR JARNOUS, Egypt (Reuters) - Thousands of Christians, weeping and praying, gathered at a church in this small southern Egyptian village on Friday to mourn seven of their community who were among the more than two dozen Christians shot dead by unidentified gunmen earlier in the day. Their grief quickly turned to anger as funeral prayers at the Church of the Sacred Family in the village of Dayr Jarnous became a protest march with young men chanting as they carried a large wooden cross. "With blood and soul, we will defend you, oh cross!" they yelled. "We will avenge them or die like them," they said. "There is no god but God and the Messiah is God!" Gunmen attacked a group of Coptic Christians travelling to a monastery in central Egypt on Friday, killing at least 29 people and wounding 24, with many children among the victims. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which came on the eve of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. It followed a series of church bombings claimed by Islamic State in a campaign of violence against Copts. Pope Francis, who visited Egypt in April, led prayers for the victims on Saturday during a visit to the northern Italian city of Genoa. "Let us not forget that there are more Christian martyrs now than in the early days of the Church in ancient times," he said. On Friday the Vatican called it "a barbaric attack". Eyewitnesses said three vehicles were attacked. A bus and a car transporting children and families to the monastery of Saint Samuel the Confessor were the initial targets. The gunmen fired at the windows then boarded the vehicles, shooting dead all the men and firing at the feet of the women and children. They also took all the gold the women were carrying, eyewitnesses said. Some children were killed. When one of the gunmen's vehicles had a flat tyre, they stopped a truck carrying Christian workers, shot them and took their truck. One of the gunmen had a camera, eyewitnesses said, indicating that the group behind the shootings might release footage of the attack in the future. 'THEY WILL GO TO HELL' Safwat Bushra, an eyewitness from Edwa - a small town which like Dayr Jarnous lies in the province of Minya that is home to a sizable Christian minority - said he saw the shooting from the road where he was driving that morning. He told Reuters that police at a checkpoint near the incident did not rush in to fight the gunmen and also did not allow an ambulance past the checkpoint. "The officers and policemen at the checkpoints are known to have Islamist sympathies. Or at least they hate Copts," he said inside the church. Bushra was so enraged he had to be told by priests to calm down or leave. A three-year-old and a four-year-old were killed, Bushra added. Seven of the 29 Christians killed came from Dayr Jarnous. Bishop Agathon, Bishop of the Maghagha and Edwa Diocese, led the funeral prayers which were spoken in Coptic, the last living descendant of the ancient Egyptian language. Women dressed in black wept and wailed, some even slapped themselves on the face. One woman whose father was killed had a nervous breakdown and had to be carried away from the church by others. Even the boy and girl scouts charged with organising the prayers and responsible for internal security in the church were crying. "Did they deserve this? They were just going to work and then were killed," said one crying woman, who did not give her name, referring to the Christian workers. "God will avenge us. We will not do anything violent because we are Christians and love is in our hearts. It is enough that they will go to hell," she said. (Additional reporting by Philip Pullella in Genoa, editing by Giles Elgood, G Crosse)
By Phil Stewart and Lucy Nicholson WASHINGTON/VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (Reuters) - The U.S. military on Tuesday cheered a successful, first-ever missile defense test involving a simulated attack by an intercontinental ballistic missile, in a major milestone for a program meant to defend against a mounting North Korean threat. The U.S. military fired an ICBM-type missile from the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands toward the waters just south of Alaska. It then fired a missile to intercept it from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Experts compare the job to hitting a bullet with another bullet and note the complexity is magnified by the enormous distances involved. The Missile Defense Agency said it was the first live-fire test against a simulated ICBM for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD), managed by Boeing Co , and hailed it as an "incredible accomplishment." "This system is vitally important to the defense of our homeland, and this test demonstrates that we have a capable, credible deterrent against a very real threat," Vice Admiral Jim Syring, director of the agency, said in a statement. A successful test was by no means guaranteed and the Pentagon sought to manage expectations earlier in the day, noting that the United States had multiple ways to try to shoot down a missile from North Korea. "This is one element of a broader missile defense strategy that we can use to employ against potential threats," Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis told reporters. Prior to Tuesday's launch, the GMD system had successfully hit its target in only nine of 17 tests since 1999. The last test was in 2014. North Korea has dramatically ramped up missile tests over the past year in its effort to develop an ICBM that can strike the U.S. mainland. The continental United States is around 9,000 km (5,500 miles) from North Korea. ICBMs have a minimum range of about 5,500 km (3,400 miles), but some are designed to travel 10,000 km (6,200 miles) or farther. Riki Ellison, founder of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, described the test as "vital" prior to launch. "We are replicating our ability to defend the United States of America from North Korea, today," Ellison said. Failure could have deepened concern about a program that according to one estimate has so far cost more than $40 billion. Its success could translate into calls by Congress to speed development. In the fiscal year 2018 budget proposal sent to Congress last week, the Pentagon requested $7.9 billion for the Missile Defense Agency, including about $1.5 billion for the GMD program. A 2016 assessment released by the Pentagon's weapons testing office in January said that U.S. ground-based interceptors meant to knock out any incoming ICBM still had low reliability, giving the system a limited capability of shielding the United States. (Additional reporting by Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by Steve Orlofsky and James Dalgleish)
After a fairly uneventful start to the holiday-shortened trading week, Wednesday will bring investors the days lightest schedule.

In the morning well get pending home sales for April, and at 2:00 p.m. ET the Federal Reserves latest Beige Book report will be released.

The Beige Book, a collection of economic anecdotes from business contacts in each of the Feds 12 districts, forms the basis for the discussion of the economy conducted by Fed officials at their next meeting, set to kick off in two weeks time.

Later this week, the a deluge of jobs data, as well as highly-anticipated numbers on auto sales in May, are set for release.

Fed chair Janet Yellen.

All tech all the time

On Tuesday, shares of Amazon (AMZN) briefly cracked $1,000 per share for the first time.

Eventually, shares of the e-commerce giant finished basically unchanged at $996.70, $0.92 above where they were to start the day. Breaking this milestone for the stock, which is perhaps the most-discussed security in the stock market, was a bit like the Dow 20,000 drama we all underwent in late 2016.

As a representation of Amazons valuation, trading north of $1,000 is not in an of itself significant. However, as a psychological barrier it matters, and in the options market there is likely to be more at stake on either side of a big round number.

Source: Yahoo Finance

But data out of Bank of America Merrill Lynch on Tuesday captured what were really talking about when we obsess over the price of a single Amazon share, and that is the utter domination of big tech stocks  and more specifically, the FANG stocks  as the biggest holdings among fund managers.

Year-to-date, the group of Facebook (FB), Amazon, Netflix (NFLX), and Google (GOOGL) has returned almost 30% against 8% for the S&P 500. According to Bank of America Merrill Lynch, fund managers are now 32% overweight IT and internet & catalog retail stocks, driven by a 71% overweight to FANG stocks relative to their benchmark.

This means that nearly three-quarters of active managers are overweight these high-flyers.

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FANG stocks are powering the market in 2017. (Source: BAML)

The argument many will make for caution at this point in the cycle, then, is clear. With so much concentration in just a few names  and so much good performance coming from these names  the market writ large is vulnerable to a drop if theres a negative change in the price of just a few stocks. This is fairly intuitive argument.

But as Ben Carlson of Ritholtz Wealth Management wrote over at Bloomberg View last week, broader measures of market breadth  or, roughly, how many stocks are falling versus how many are rising  shows a more sanguine picture of a solid market.

Research has also shown that only a small fraction of stocks listed in the market are, over time, responsible for the markets gain. In other words, the market is always beholden to some version of the FANG stocks and in the end, most stocks are duds.

Of course, participating in markets is often an exercise in being endlessly anxious and worried about what could go wrong. But think about what stocks have overcome in the last several years: a debt ceiling showdown, multiple episodes of concern over the Chinese economy, Brexit, and Trumps election win among other news events.

Being overly certain that stocks not only stand on firm footing but will go higher is, eventually, a recipe to appear foolish and lose money. Alternatively, being convinced that a few high flying stocks simply cannot continue to be as much is to make the same mistake, just from the opposite direction.



Myles Udland is a writer at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @MylesUdland

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Vili Fualaau, who married his former sixth grade teacher, Mary Kay Letourneau after an affair that began when he was just 12 years old, has filed for separation, according to court records.

Fualaau, now 33, filed separation papers in a Seattle court earlier this month, KIRO-TV reported.

Read: Meet Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau's Teenage Daughters

The couple married in 2005 following her release from prison after serving more than seven years for child rape.

They have two grown daughters. The eldest was conceived when Fualaau was 14.

The couple gained national infamy in 1997, when Letourneau was arrested after her then-husband tipped off police to the fact that she was having an affair with a former sixth grade student.

She and her first husband had four children.

In May of that year, she delivered her first child with Fualaau, a daughter named Audrey. She pleaded guilty and was convicted of second-degree child rape. She served three months, was ordered to complete three years of sex offender treatment and agreed to stay away from Fualaau.

But two weeks after her release, she was caught having sex with him, and sentenced to seven years and six months in prison. Behind bars, she gave birth to their second daughter, Georgia.

Read: Outpouring of Support for Teacher Accused of Sex With Student

The couple has spoken to Inside Edition several times over the years.

Im not a victim, Fualaau said at the time of her second jail sentence. Im not ashamed of being a father. Im not ashamed of being in love with Mary Kay.

They gave a rare interview in 2015, after celebrating 10 years of marriage, and publicly introduced their daughters, who were 16 and 17 at the time.

I don't know if enough time will ever pass where it will take away what the media did to our story, Mary Kay said back then. Because it was so big and they ran with it so fast. There is a story of us that has a life of its own, but its not our story.

Story continues

Watch: 15-Year-Old Who Had Sex With 37-Year-Old: 'It's Illegal for a Reason'

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A fracas erupted Monday on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives after a Republican lawmaker told Democrats he had called immigration authorities on protesters demonstrating in the Capitol.

The group was demonstrating against Senate Bill 4, which would bar sanctuary cities and require local governments to allow law enforcement to question individuals they stop about their immigration status. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill into law last month, and it is scheduled to go into effect in September.

Hundreds of protesters line the balconies of the state Capitol rotunda in Austin on May 29 to protest Senate Bill 4, which compels local police to enforce federal immigration law. (Photo: Ricardo Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, approached a group of Democratic lawmakers, saying he had contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement about the protesters, who were chanting and waving signs in the House gallery as it was moving to adjourn for the year.

He came up to us and said, Im glad I just called ICE to have all these people deported, state Rep. Cesar Blanco, D-El Paso, told the Texas Tribune.

Other lawmakers corroborated Blancos account.

He said, I called ICE  f*** them, state Rep. Ramon Romero, D-Fort Worth, said.

In a statement, Rinaldi confirmed calling ICE and later elaborated that he was trying to clear the protesters from the gallery, saying they were disrupting the traditional adjournment of the House.

They were disrupting, he said. They were breaking the law.

ICE officials told CNN that local enforcement and removal officers received no such call from local lawmakers.

Multiple Democratic lawmakers quickly confronted Rinaldi, and the fracas turned physical. Video from the incident shows legislators of both parties pushing each other, and both Rinaldi and state Democrats say they were threatened.

Rinaldi alleges that he was assaulted by state Romero and threatened by state Rep. Poncho Nevarez, D-Eagle Pass.

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When I told the Democrats I called ICE, Rep. Ramon Romero physically assaulted me, and other Democrats were held back by colleagues, Rinaldi said in a statement. During that time Poncho told me that he would get me on the way to my car.

In the statement, Rinaldi added that he has been under the protection of the Texas Department of Public Safety. The department did not return a request for comment.

Rep. Matt Rinaldi tweeted Sworn in & ready to get to work! on Jan. 10, 2017, in Austin. (Matt Rinaldi via Twitter)

Other lawmakers say Rinaldi threatened to shoot Nevarez, something the Republican later confirmed, saying he was prepared to act in self-defense.

There was a threat made from Rep. Rinaldi to put a bullet in one of my colleagues heads, said state Rep. Justin Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, at a press conference following adjournment.

Nevarez denied threatening Rinaldi in an interview with CNNs Chris Cuomo.

When I realized what it was about and what he was doing and saying  I got in his face and put my hands on the guy, Nevarez said. These are things that shouldnt be happening on the House floor. Its a break in decorum, and we shouldnt be doing that.  I said we need to take this outside because it shouldnt get resolved in front of all of these people.

Nevarez said he regretted the incident but added that the confrontation was indicative of Republican attitudes toward Hispanic Texans.

We cant get away from the fact that this gentleman sees fit to call ICE on anybody he thinks looks suspicious, and in this case it was a gallery full of people, he said.

Even after the session ended, tensions remain high. Blancos office has said it received at least one phone call with racist remarks. In a video posted to his Twitter feed late Monday night, a caller is heard saying he stands with Rinaldi and adding f*** the illegal aliens.

My office is now receiving these calls. @MattRinaldiTX comments incite hate and racism, Blanco said in a later tweet.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel for joint cabinet talks in Berlin Tuesday as the Asian population giant and Europe's top economy seek to deepen ties.

Merkel has long cultivated strategic relations with the world's biggest democracy and rival Asian power to China, whose Prime Minister Li Keqiang will also visit Berlin this week.

Merkel often stresses that Germany and the European Union must compete with the new emerging economic giants, and on Sunday she said that Germany can no longer completely depend on traditional allies the United States and Britain in the age of President Donald Trump and Brexit.

Modi and Merkel will address stalled talks on an EU-Indian free trade and investment deal at a time when New Delhi is eyeing nervously Beijing's Silk Road trade and infrastructure initiatives across Eurasia.

The two leaders -- who will meet again at a G20 summit in the German city of Hamburg in July -- are also expected to discuss the growing military reach of China across the contested South China Sea and into the Indian Ocean.

Modi -- before embarking on his tour, which also takes him to Spain, France and Russia -- wrote that "India and Germany are large democracies, major economies and important players in regional and global affairs".

"Our strategic partnership is based on democratic values and commitment to an open, inclusive and rules-based global order," he wrote in a Facebook entry, contrasting India with the one-party state China.

- Global impact -

A German foreign ministry spokesman, Martin Schaefer, stressed that India enjoys rapid economic growth and development and, with a current population of over 1.3 billion, "will soon be the most populous country on Earth".

"Everything that happens in India -- politically, economically and socially -- has, because of the country's size and importance, a direct impact on the whole world, including us."

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Having had a dinner Monday at the Schloss Meseberg retreat outside Berlin, Modi and Merkel on Tuesday lead a joint cabinet meeting grouping foreign, economy, environment and other ministers.

Germany is India's largest trading partner in the EU, and a top source of foreign direct investment. More than 1,600 German companies with over 400,000 employees operate on the subcontinent.

New Delhi has said several agreements will be signed on trade, defence cooperation, and science and technology, at their fourth intergovernmental consultations -- a format Germany has only with a few countries, which include China, Israel and France.

The two leaders will then attend an India-German Business Summit, where German CEOs may announce investments but also reiterate complaints about barriers their businesses face in India, including tariffs, red tape and poor infrastructure.

Two-way trade has more than tripled over the past decade to over 17 billion euros ($19 billion) in 2016, of which German exports make up almost 10 billion euros.
Reports about Jared Kushner allegedly discussing setting up a secret communication channel with Russia have left Arizona Sen. John McCain unhappy. In an interview with Australian television ABC News on Monday, McCain said he simply did not like Kushners possible ties to Russia.

Axios noted McCains criticism on Kushner could lead to other GOP leaders also coming out to slam the senior advisers ties with Russia. Republicans have not shied away from criticizing Trump and his administration on various policies  including those on refugees, immigration ban and the president's failure to release his tax returns.

Read: Will Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump Leave The White House?

On Kushner, a May 26 report by the Washington Post said Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak told his superiors in Moscow that Donald Trumps senior adviser discussed establishing a secret communications channel between the Trump transition team and the Kremlin. The contents of the report did not go down well with McCain, who has been criticizing the administration's alleged ties with Russia.

"I don't like it, I just don't," McCain told ABC News. "I know that some administration officials are saying 'well, that's standard procedure.' I don't think it's standard procedure prior to the inauguration of the president of the United States by someone who is not in an appointed position. And I think that [former FBI Director James] Comey we now know took action that he did in regards to then-candidate [Hillary] Clinton because of some false news that was being put out by the Russians. I mean, this becomes more and more bizarre. In fact, you can't make it up."

Kushner is also a focus of the FBIs investigation into the Russia probe. The federal authorities are concentrating on his meeting with Kislyak and a Russian banking executive last December.

The Senate Intelligence Committee was reportedly keen on interviewing Kushner.

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"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," Jamie Gorelick, Kushner's lawyer and a veteran of the Clinton-era Department of Justice, said in a statement, CBS News reported May 25.

While, Kushners attorney said the Trump aide would cooperate with the investigation, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) called for the suspension of his security clearance.

The FBIs Russia investigation reached Trumps backyard, and now its in his house, DNC deputy communications director Adrienne Watson reportedly said. Kushners security clearance should be suspended until the FBIs findings are complete.

Trump and his administration has been a target of other Republicans in the past.

"This is ridiculous. I guess I understand what his intention is, but unfortunately the order appears to have been rushed through without full consideration. You know, there are many, many nuances of immigration policy that can be life or death for many innocent, vulnerable people around the world," Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pennsylvania) reportedly said in January after Trump signed an executive order to temporarily ban immigration from seven Muslim-majority nations.

While, this is the first time Kushner was slammed by a Republican, fellow GOP leader and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham cast a doubt on reports targeting the White House senior adviser.

I don't trust this story as far as I can throw it, Graham told CNN on Sunday. I think it makes no sense that the Russian ambassador would report back to Moscow on a channel that he most likely knows were monitoring. The whole story line is suspicious."

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Top Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway dismissed concerns over reports that Jared Kushner, President Trumps son-in-law and a top White House adviser, had proposed a secret back channel between Russia and the Trump transition team.

Jared Kushner has said from the very beginning that he is willing to go and share any information that he has with Congress, with the FBI, Conway said on Fox & Friends on Tuesday.

As you heard [national security adviser] Gen. [H.R.] McMaster [and Homeland Security] Secretary [John] Kelly over this weekend say, they are not concerned. Back channels like this are the regular course of business, Conway continued.

Both the Washington Post and Associated Press published reports about Kushners offer to the Kremlin over the weekend. Kushner reportedly proposed the secret communications link during a December meeting with Sergey Kislyak, Russias ambassador to the United States.

On Saturday, McMaster asserted that such offers are normal.

We have back-channel communications with any number of individual [countries]. So generally speaking, about back-channel communications, what that allows you to do is communicate in a discreet manner, McMaster said. So were not concerned about it.

Related: Trump returns from foreign trip to familiar role: Tweeter in chief

On Sunday, Kelly similarly defended Kushner.

I know Jared. Hes a great guy, decent guy, Kelly said on NBCs Meet the Press. His No. 1 interest, really, is the nation, so you know theres a lot of different ways to communicate  back-channel, publicly  with other countries. I dont see any big issue here relative to Jared.

Kelly also dismissed the idea that such communications between the United States and an adversary like Russia shows a lack of judgment.

I think any time you can open lines of communication with anyone, whether theyre good friends or not so good friends, is a smart thing to do, he said.

Conway went on to say that President Trump has expressed full confidence in Jared Kushner, noting the considerable progress hes made in the role and very large, important portfolio that Jared oversees here at the White House.

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Obviously, the relationships Jared was able to establish during the transition helped develop this phenomenal international trip that they just came back from, Conway added.

The Trump administration has been dogged by a series of controversies related to Russia, and both Congress and the FBI are probing whether any Trump associates colluded with the Kremlin during the campaign. In February, Trump fired his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, for misleading Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials about his own conversations with Kislyak.

Conways comments on Fox & Friends came the same day the New York Times reported that federal investigators probing Russias contacts with the Trump team are looking into Kushners mid-December meeting with a Russian banker, Sergey N. Gorkov, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Citing current and former American officials, the Times said the meeting may have been part of an effort by Mr. Kushner to establish a direct line to Mr. Putin outside of established diplomatic channels.

The White House defended the meeting in a statement to the paper, saying Kushner was acting in his capacity as a transition official.

Following Conways appearance on Fox & Friends, Trump retweeted a Fox News report that said the Russians broached the idea of using a secure line between the Trump administration and Russia, not Kushner.

The story, which was published without a byline, cited an unnamed source familiar with the matter.
By Bryan Woolston

BRANDENBURG, Kentucky (Reuters) - A small Kentucky town gave a formal welcome on Monday to a monument to the Confederate soldiers of the American Civil War, rededicating the controversial structure after the University of Louisville removed it as an unwelcome symbol of slavery.

About 400 people, some dressed in grey replica uniforms and many holding small Confederate battle flags, gathered for the Memorial Day ceremony on a bluff above the Ohio River in Brandenburg, about 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Louisville.

The town embraced the tower at a time when Confederate symbols are being removed across the South as reminders of a legacy of slavery and the racism that underpinned it.

The way I look at it, its part of our history," Brandenburg Mayor Ronnie Joyner said at the dedication, which included the firing of a Civil War-era cannon. "We need to preserve our history."

Brandenburg says the riverfront park where it holds a biennial Civil War reenactment was an appropriate setting for what some see as a respectful homage to Kentucky's fallen.

The monument's new home is near the spot where a Confederate general in 1863 launched a raid on neighboring Indiana, and Brandenburg hopes the addition will bring more tourists to the town.

"The Civil War is not a popular part of peoples past, but you cant wipe it out," said Charles Harper of Louisville, who came to the dedication dressed in Confederate uniform. "Just because you wiped out a reference to the Civil War doesnt mean youve wiped out slavery, doesnt mean you wipe out racism."

The 70-foot-tall concrete plinth features an oversized statue of a rebel soldier at its crown, representing one of thousands of Kentuckians who fought with breakaway Southern states in the bloodiest conflict in U.S. history.

Monday's ceremony, watched by a crowd that was almost exclusively white, marked the end to a year-long saga that began in April 2016 when the University of Louisville announced it would dismantle the monument, erected in 1895.

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Students and faculty had long criticized the memorial as a tacit tribute to Confederate cause during the 1861-65 conflict, fought primarily over the issue of slavery.

Last May, a state judge ruled against some Louisville residents and descendants of Confederate soldiers who sued to keep the monument from being moved.

Kentucky was neutral during the Civil War and never joined the Confederacy. But slavery was legal in the commonwealth and many Kentuckians sympathized with the rebel cause and fought on its side.

The drive to remove Confederate statues in the South and elsewhere accelerated after the 2015 murder of nine African-Americans by an avowed white supremacist at an historic South Carolina church. The murders stirred national soul-searching about racism and its symbols.

Soon after the killings, the Confederate battle flag was removed from the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol.

Last week New Orleans dismantled the last of four Confederate statues that stood in the city for decades. The mayor of Baltimore said on Monday that her city was considering following the lead of New Orleans by removing its monuments.

(Additional reporting and writing by Frank McGurty; Editing by Andrew Hay)
CAIRO (Reuters) - Libyan Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia, a group linked to Al-Qaeda, is formally dissolving itself, it said in a statement on Saturday. The group, which Washington says was behind the 2012 Benghazi attack that killed the U.S. ambassador Christopher Stevens, had been at war with Khalifa Haftar's eastern-based Libyan National Army. The group said its decision came on the back of heavy losses that have wiped out its leadership and decimated its fighters, according to the statement. Forces aligned with the Libyan National Army have skirmished since late last year with opponents aligned with a U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. Groups such as Ansar al-Sharia, which had tried to maintain a stronghold in the country's east, have inserted themselves into the larger war, creating a fractious battleground overlaid by a multitude of militias. The group's statement called on revolutionary forces and shoura councils in Benghazi to unite in order to form a united front. (Reporting by Mostafa Hashem; Writing by Eric Knecht; Editing by James Dalgleish)
LuLaRoe customers and consultants are still upset that their favorite leggings rip like wet toilet paper, but now a new controversy has some riled up.

Ahead of Memorial Day, the apparel brand known for its multilevel marketing sales strategy released an Americana Collection, featuring T-shirts, dresses, and, of course, leggings in patriotic prints. In addition to United States flags, anchors, fireworks, and Popsicles were included as well.

LulaRoes Americana collection. (Photo: Instagram)

The collection has divided LuLaRoe followers, some of whom say they love the new clothes, while others claim theyre among the ugliest theyve seen from the company, which has made a name for itself, in part, because of its wild prints.

So excited for tonight! #lularoeamericana #lularoerandy #lularoeleggings #americanacapsule #raefordnc #northcarolina A post shared by LuLaRoe Kristine Drews (@lularoekristinedrews) on May 30, 2017 at 1:15pm PDT

One such print that has some people particularly peeved is on a pair of leggings with a lone star and five stripes, a pattern thats meant to be a take on the American flag. But some in LuLaRoe customer and consultant Facebook groups claim the print is un-American, going so far as to say it looks like the Liberian flag  which is also red, white, and blue, yet has one star and 11 stripes.

@LuLaRoe Why is the Liberian flag part Americana collection? This is not the US flag!! pic.twitter.com/EsQ4TWnOJn  Angie Caldwell (@CrazyAC) May 29, 2017

Some also pointed out the fact that the flag print was laid out upside-down. According to the United States legal flag code, The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

Christina Hinks, who runs the blog MommyGyver and frequently writes about LuLaRoe  often to highlight criticisms of the company  defended LuLaRoes Americana print on her blog, pointing out that there are lots of depictions of the American flag on clothing and that the style of the American flag itself has shifted over time.

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Some on social media claim that the LuLaRoe Americana print looks like the National flag of the Republic of Liberia, featured here. (Photo: Getty Images)

I dont think its fair to say a company woefully printed the Liberian flag on its Americana leggings if that wasnt the case, Hinks, a former LuLaRoe consultant, tells Yahoo Style. The print has received criticism, but Americana in its definition is, pertaining to America. If you have an Americana collection, its safe to assume its the good ol red, white, and blue. Its when the flag is been inverted into neon colors, or if Americana goes pastel, thats not Americana. The flag is red, white, and blue, not peach, lime, green, or teal.

In a statement to Yahoo Style, LulaRoe says its proud of the LuLaRoe Americana Collection and these designs, which are intended to celebrate the American spirit.

LuLaRoe, which generated $1.8 billion in wholesale sales from April 2016 to April 2017, according to the company, releases new collections periodically throughout the year. Most recently, LuLaRoe partnered with Disney to release a collection of items printed with Mickey and Minnie Mouse-inspired designs.

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.

Alexandra Mondalek is a writer for Yahoo Style + Beauty. Follow her on Twitter @amondalek.




Noriega in 1988, the year he was indicted by the US on drug-trafficking charges: AFP

Disgraced former Panamanian General Manuel Noriega was a ruthless dictator, domestic spook, convicted murderer, money-launderer, big-time drug runner for Colombian cocaine druglords and a double agent between the CIA and Fidel Castro's Cuba. To some of his friends, however, including English ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn, he was a loveable rogue. In the 1980s, when he was nicknamed Pineapple Face because of severe acne, he stood up to the US but went one step too far when he swung a machete around his head and declared Panama was in a state of war with America.

Not great timing. For one thing, the major US networks filmed the machete incident, which was never going to go down well with a US President from Texas, George HW Bush. What's more, another anti-US dictator, Iraqs Saddam Hussein, was in dispute with neighbouring Kuwait and was building up his forces with a possible view to invasion (which he did the following year, 1990). President Bush did not fancy taking on two dictators at the same time. Just before Christmas 1989, he ordered US paratroopers into Panama and within two weeks Noriega surrendered.

The $300m Noriega was said by US investigators to have amassed as his personal fortune became useless. He was convicted in the US for drug-trafficking, racketeering and money-laundering and in 1992 was sentenced to 40 years in prison in Miami, later reduced to 30 years. In the end, he was released early by the US but only because both France and Panama had called for his extradition on other charges. But the US was happy to get rid of him and see him complete his penance elsewhere.

He was shipped to Paris in 2010 and sentenced in July to seven years' jail for money-laundering by buying luxury Paris apartments with drug proceeds worth $3m. Like the US, however, France, having administered their own justice, released him after just over a year, in September 2011, and put him, heavily guarded, on a plane to his native Panama, where he arrived on 11 December that year. If Noriega was expecting a triumphant welcome home from his former supporters, it was not to be. Panama jailed him for 20 years.

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In early 2017, he was released from prison for a temporary period of house arrest to allow him to have an operation to remove a benign brain tumour. In early March, he was said to be critically ill and in a coma after suffering a haemorrhage.

Doctors decided to attempt further surgery to treat the cerebral bleeding, but he died late on Monday, local time, in Panama City's Santo Tomas hospital, the secretary of state for communication Manuel Dominguez announced. He was 83.

For a foreign correspondent covering Panama in the 1980s, Noriega was pure gold. Panama rarely got covered in Europe but Cara de Pina (Pineapple Face) guaranteed headlines. Charismatic he was not. Fascinating, yes. Kind of a Donald Trump of his time. Noriega did not like foreign reporters, even Panamanian reporters, except the ones he paid off with cash in US dollars. These were pre-Twitter days so his only resource was to invite us foreign correspondents to his bunker-style office at the Panamanian Defence Forces headquarters. Like Trump, he was convinced he was the best thing ever to have happened for his country. In that, of course, he was soon proved wrong.

One of his major mistakes in the 1980s was to order the execution of one of his most outspoken opponents, Hugo Spadafora, a handsome, charismatic man who had uncovered Noriegas collaboration with the Colombian drug lords Pablo Escobar and Carlos Lehder in getting massive amounts of cocaine into the US. Spadafora's body was found in a large US Postal Service mail bag. His head had been sawn off with a butcher's knife and was never found.

Noriega was in Paris at the time of Spadafora's murder but an intelligence wiretap between one of his Panamanian commanders, Luis Cordoba, and Noriega read:

Cordoba: We have the rabid dog.

Noriega: And what does one do with a dog that has rabies? Then Noriega hung up.

In May 1989, during a general election that was meant to put Noriega's man Carlos Duque in power, pro-Noriega hoodlums ironically known as the Dignity Battalions took to the streets of Panama to intimidate opponents. It was a normal occurrence. But this time, two American photographers -- Les Stone and Ron Haviv -- happened to be present. They photographed opposition candidate Guillermo Billy Ford being beaten with iron bars by Noriega's men. Haviv's photo of Ford being beaten, his white guayabera shirt drenched in blood, hit the cover of TIME magazine on 22 May 1989. President George HW Bush could not help but take note.

On 20 December, 1989, Bush launched Operation Just Cause without warning. Some 27,000 American troops landed: 23 of them died, and hundreds of Panamanians, mostly civilians, were killed in crossfire. The Panamanian Defence Forces headquarters, where I had met Noriega years before, was virtually levelled. The US forces surrounded and fired upon the Marriott Hotel, where the foreign correspondents were staying. Spanish photographer Juantxu Rodriguez, working for El Pais, was shot dead by an American soldier, and a famous image of Juantxu lying dead with his camera by his head still haunts foreign correspondents and photographers to this day. The American forces also shot and wounded an English photographer.

For two weeks, Noriega hid out in the residence of the papal nuncio, the Vatican ambassador Monsignor Juan Laboa, where he was untouchable for diplomatic reasons. That meant the US forces could not shoot him out. So the American troops used a different approach. They brought out massive loudspeakers of Hyde Park concert proportions and bombarded the Vatican embassy with sound -- non-stop rock music day and night. With some glee, the Americans, including US Navy Seals, relied mostly on a song by The Clash: I Fought the Law (...and the law won). Even from way behind the loudspeakers, the noise was horrendous. Noriega, after the mediation of Monsignor Laboa, finally emerged on 3 January 1990. In an operation known as Nifty Package, he was flown to the US and the rest is history.

Manuel Antonio Noriega Morena was born in 1934 (although some biographies, edited by him, claimed he was born four years later) in the working-class El Chorrillo district of Panama City, which he would later make his base. His father was an accountant who had emigrated from Colombia, his mother his father's housekeeper. Noriega was of mixed Spanish, Amerindian and African origin and his moreno (dark) skin ensured him of peasant and working-class support in a country dominated by the so-called rabiblancos, or white-tails, the economic elite of mainly Spanish ancestry.

At the age of five, Noriega was given up by his father for adoption to a woman schoolteacher. The boy hoped to become a doctor but, lacking resources, ended up as a cadet at the Peruvian Military Academy in Lima. After joining Panamas National Guard in 1967, he was sent for training at the renowned School of the Americas (SOA) in Fort Benning, Georgia, notorious for turning out some of Latin Americas most ruthless military dictators including Chile's Augusto Pinochet.

By the late 1970s, Noriega had become something of a protege of Panama's military strongman leader Omar Torrijos. When Torrijos died in an unexplained plane crash in 1981, fingers were pointed at Noriega. Whatever the case, Noriega became the new strongman. And by the time he took formal power in 1983, Noriega was very much a key asset of the CIA.

In return for payments (whose amounts may never be known), he helped get US weapons, military equipment and cash to anti-communist forces in Central America, including the US-backed Contras fighting against the Sandinistas in Nicaragua. He allowed the US to set up listening posts in Panama aimed at monitoring the leftist Sandinistas in Nicaragua while also channelling US money and weapons to the anti-Sandinista Contras.

By then, the CIA knew he was helping Colombian drug lords ship cocaine to the US but they turned a blind eye in return for his help. At the time, the Americans saw halting communism as more important than stopping cocaine entering their country, now proven to be a major mistake. Noriega's influence in the Central American civil wars was seen as more important than the damage cocaine was increasingly causing in the streets of the US.

What the CIA did not initially know was that Noriega was also dealing with Fidel Castro in Cuba and with the left-wing insurgencies in Nicaragua and other Central American countries, providing them with weapons but neglecting to put the proceeds into Panama's coffers. He began to get quite rich.

As a result of his wealth and power, he quickly won new friends, He had already befriended the English ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn, who lived in Panama City with her husband Dr Roberto Arias during Noriega's rise through the ranks. Dr Arias was a Panamanian politician and diplomat (as well as suspected guns and whisky smuggler, and serial womaniser) who was shot by a (political or love) rival in 1964. Tito Arias, a graduate of St John's College, Cambridge, remained a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic until his death in 1989, tended all that time by Dame Margot and his family.

Dame Margot recalled once sitting in her Panama City home when a beaming Noriega jumped up from behind her sofa wielding a pistol. It was Pineapple Face's idea of a joke, but didn't go down well with Dame Margot, who kicked him out. Dame Margot died of cancer in Panama City in 1991, by which time Noriega was behind bars in Miami.

Manuel Noriega's wife Felicidad was rarely seen in recent years but she is believed to survive him along with their daughters Lorena, Sandra and Thays.

Manuel Antonio Noriega Morena, born 11 February 1934, died 29 May 2017
White House communications director Michael Dubke was the latest to relinquish his post in the administration of President Donald Trump, resigning from his position Tuesday. Dubke originally tendered his resignation May 18, but offered to stay on while Trump went on his first foreign trip, according to Axios Mike Allen.

It has been my great honor to serve President Trump and this administration, Dubke wrote in an email to friends and associates Tuesday, according to Axios. It has also been my distinct pleasure to work side by side, day to day with the staff of the communications and press departments.

Read: President Donald Trump's Approval Rating Drops Again After Comey Firing

Axios ascribed Dubkes departure from the administration as a reminder of how hard it is for newcomers to thrive in Trumpland, and reported that he had never gelled with other members of the team. Reports had recently emerged that Trump was dissatisfied with the work of his communications team after they struggled to handle the dismissal of FBI director James Comey, leading to speculation that White House press secretary Sean Spicer would be fired.

Trump reportedly told Spicer and Dubke earlier in May that they needed to unify the White Houses communication strategy," according to The Hill.

Dubkes resignation is merely the latest shakeup in the Trump administration. Not including the 46 prosecutors appointed by former President Barack Obama who were fired by Trump, the administration has had its fair share of internal turnover.

RTX36CPB

Photo: Reuters

Acting Attorney General Sally Yates: Trump fired Yates January 30 after she refused to enforce the presidents ban on travel from several countries. Yates was informed of her dismissal by way of a handwritten letter, according to officials in the White House.

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[Yates] has betrayed the Department of Justice, the White House said in a statement regarding the decision.

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Photo: Getty

National Security adviser Michael Flynn: Flynn resigned as national security adviser February 13 after reports emerged that he had given incomplete information in regards to conversations he had with Russian officials in the weeks before Trumps inauguration.

Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the vice president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador, Flynn wrote in his resignation letter. I have sincerely apologized to the president and the vice president and they have accepted my apology. I am tendering my resignation, honored to have served our nation and the American people in such a distinguished way.

Read: Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn Takes Fifth Amendment, Denies Subpoena

GettyImages-633345430

Photo: Getty

FBI director James Comey: In perhaps one of the most shocking terminations of the presidency thus far, Trump fired Comey May 9. Trump originally said he acted on the advice of the Justice Department but later said he planned to fire Comey regardless of the recommendation of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. In the ensuing controversy, Trumps firing of the FBI director was slammed as reports emerged that the president allegedly asked Comey to shut down an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

While I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation, I nevertheless concur with the judgment of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau, Trump said in a letter to Comey that was later released to reporters.

GettyImages-677914102

Photo: Getty

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Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump on Monday called North Korea's latest missile test a slap in the face for its main ally China, which the US leader praised for trying to rein in the regime.

"North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile... but China is trying hard!" Trump said in a tweet.

North Korea launched its 12th ballistic missile test this year on Monday, this one falling provocatively close to Japan.

South Korea's military said the Scud-type missile travelled for 280 miles (450 kilometers), and Japan said it was estimated to have fallen into its exclusive economic zone, extending 200 nautical miles from the coast.

The test was carried out in defiance of UN sanctions warnings, amid fears that Pyongyang may conduct another nuclear test.

Trump declared at the G7 summit last week that the "big problem" of North Korea "will be solved" and has previously warned that no option is off the table.

But so far Washington has opted for sanctions and diplomatic pressure, looking to China, the North's closest ally, to step up economic pressure on Pyongyang.

In an interview with CBS News that aired Sunday before the latest launch, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis said a war with North Korea would be "catastrophic."
A Navy SEAL skydiving team member died Sunday after a faulty parachute failed to open during New York Harbors annual Fleet Week demonstration over the Hudson River. This is the second skydiving accident in the country so far this year.

The accident happened near Liberty State Park where the skydiver  whose identity has been withheld was performing as a part of an elite Navy parachute team Leap Frogs, according to a Navy spokesman. He fell into the river when his parachute failed to open.

Read: Skydiving Plane Crashes In Hawaii, 5 Declared Dead

Coast Guard personnel pulled the skydiver out of the water and rushed him to the Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, Rear Adm. Jack Scorby, the commander of the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, said.

Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, and I ask for all of your prayers for the Navy SEAL community who lost a true patriot today, Scorby said.

"Almost the same time that they touched down in Liberty State Park we heard a splash and turned around very quick. I saw the water splash, and apparently, there was a fourth parachutist," Jersey City resident Bjoern Kils, who witnessed the incident, told Reuters.

Kils reportedly said emergency personnel pulled the skydiver out of the water and tried to render cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). "He was just limp in the water," he said.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the parachute malfunction.

On May 24, a man wearing a wingsuit died after his parachute malfunctioned in a California vineyard. Identified as Matthew Ciancio, 42, the victim was reported to be an experienced jumper. The accident happened near the Lodi Parachute Center in Acampo, about 30 miles south of Sacramento.

However, Bill Dause, the centers owner blamed the victim for his own death, reported NBC-affiliated KCRA.

"By the time he released the main parachute, he was too close to the ground in order for his reserve parachute to open," Dause reportedly said adding "It actually hadn't even come out of the container, so he failed to follow proper emergency procedures."

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The U.S. Parachute Association (USPA) reportedly said eight wingsuit skydiving deaths  including Cincios  took place since 2011.

The USPA maintains that skydiving is safer compared to other sports. According to the latest statistics by the association, the USPA recorded 21 fatal skydiving accidents in 2015 out of about 3.5 million jumps.

Tandem skydiving has an even better safety record, with 0.002 student fatalities per 1,000 tandem jumps over the past decade. According to the National Safety Council, a person is much more likely to be killed getting struck by lightning or stung by a bee, according to the USPA.

These fatalities happen due to the nature of the extreme sport, Skydive Tecumseh  a skydiving center in Napoleon, Michigan  explained on its website.

The majority of those incidents happen when highly experienced skydivers perform advanced maneuvers or through human error. While we do everything we can to negate this risk, incidents can happen, Skydiving Tecumseh stated on its website.

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North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile off its east coast Monday morning, which is said to have landed in Japans economic zone where fishing and cargo ships are active, the Japanese government and the South Korean military said, according to a report.

"This launch is an extremely problematic act for the safety of airplanes and ships and is clearly violating the UN resolution. The repeated provocative acts by North Korea are absolutely not acceptable," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in a statement, reported CNN.

Read: Kim Jong Un Supervises Test-Fire Of New Anti-Aircraft Weapon

The missile appeared to be a Scud-class ballistic missile which flew about 280 miles before landing in the Japanese waters. U.S. officials said it flew for about six minutes. The missile was fired at 5:39 a.m. local time (4:39 p.m. EDT Sunday), from an area near Wonsan, Kangwon Province on North Koreas east coast, according to a statement from South Koreas Joint Chief Of Staff.

"It flew about 450 kilometers (280 miles)," the statement said, CNN reported. "South Korea and the United States are currently closely analyzing for additional information. Our military is closely monitoring North Korean military and maintaining readiness posture," the report added.

North Korea has repeatedly defied a UN resolution banning all missile and nuclear activities and has increased the number of tests in the last few months. Monday's test was the seventh time in two months North Korea fired a ballistic missile.

The short-range ballistic missile that North Korea fired on Monday was assumed to be a Scud series missile that was originally designed by the Soviet and then developed into a weapon by Nazis. Scud was used to refer to a specific missile by NATO during the cold war, "the R-11, a Soviet theater-range weapon intended to strike targets in Western Europe," according to Air & Space Magazine.

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"Scuds were manufactured by the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant from 1959 to 1984. Today, however, 'Scud' is like 'Kleenex' and 'Xerox,' brand names that are used to refer, generically, to all similar products. In this case, the product is any single-stage, storable-propellant military rocket with a range of between 186 and 372 miles," the magazine reported.

Moreover, the magazine also specified that all Scud-derived missiles are "mainly terror weapons."

On Monday, South Korea and Japan protested the missile launch. The recent missile tests from North Korea indicate that it has been making progress towards developing missiles capable of carrying warheads and also nuclear weapons that can reach U.S. military bases, observers have said.

In March, North Korea launched four missiles at once, of which three landed within the range of Japans economic zone. The launches raised serious concerns that the North Korean government, led by Kim Jong Un, has developed the ability to pose a greater threat to its neighbors and its weapons have the potential to overwhelm missile defense systems.

The White House said that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the launch of the missile.

When asked about the consequences of a military conflict with North Korea if diplomacy failed, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis warned Sunday it would "probably be the worst kind of fighting in most people's lifetimes."

"The North Korean regime has hundreds of artillery cannons and rocket launchers within the range of one of the most densely populated cities on Earth, which is the capital of South Korea," Mattis told CBS News program "Face the Nation" on Sunday.

"And in the event of war, they would bring danger to China and to Russia as well," he added.

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Photo credit: AP

From Popular Mechanics

Preparing for North Korea's growing threat, the Pentagon will try to shoot down an intercontinental-range missile for the first time in a test next week. The goal is to more closely simulate a North Korean ICBM aimed at the U.S. homeland, officials said Friday

The American interceptor has a spotty track record, succeeding in nine of 17 attempts against missiles of less-than-intercontinental range since 1999. The most recent test, in June 2014, was a success, but that followed three straight failures. The system has evolved from the multibillion-dollar effort triggered by President Ronald Reagan's 1983 push for a "Star Wars" solution to ballistic missile threats during the Cold War - when the Soviet Union was the only major worry.

North Korea is now the focus of U.S. efforts because its leader, Kim Jong Un, has vowed to field a nuclear-armed missile capable of reaching American territory. He has yet to test an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, but Pentagon officials believe he is speeding in that direction.

Marine Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, said this week that "left unchecked," Kim will eventually succeed.

Photo credit: AP

The Pentagon has a variety of missile defense systems, but the one designed with a potential North Korean ICBM in mind is perhaps the most technologically challenging. Critics say it also is the least reliable.

The basic defensive idea is to fire a rocket into space upon warning of a hostile missile launch. The rocket releases a 5-foot-long device called a "kill vehicle" that uses internal guidance systems to steer into the path of the oncoming missile's warhead, destroying it by force of impact. Officially known as the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, the Pentagon likens it to hitting a bullet with a bullet.

The Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency, which is responsible for developing and testing the system, has scheduled the intercept test for Tuesday.

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An interceptor is to be launched from an underground silo at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and soar toward the target, which will be fired from a test range on Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific. If all goes as planned, the "kill vehicle" will slam into the ICBM-like target's mock warhead high over the Pacific Ocean.

The target will be a custom-made missile meant to simulate an ICBM, meaning it will fly faster than missiles used in previous intercept tests, according to Christopher Johnson, spokesman for the Missile Defense Agency. The target is not a mock-up of an actual North Korean ICBM.

"We conduct increasingly complex test scenarios as the program matures and advances," Johnson said Friday. "Testing against an ICBM-type threat is the next step in that process."

Officials say this is not a make-or-break test.

While it wasn't scheduled with the expectation of an imminent North Korean missile threat, the military will closely watch whether it shows progress toward the stated goal of being able to reliably shoot down a small number of ICBMs targeting the United States. The Pentagon is thirsting for a success story amid growing fears about North Korea's escalating capability.

"I can't imagine what they're going to say if it fails," said Philip Coyle, senior science fellow at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. He headed the Pentagon's office of operational test and evaluation from 1994 to 2001 and has closely studied the missile defense system.

"These tests are scripted for success, and what's been astonishing to me is that so many of them have failed," Coyle said.

The interceptor system has been in place since 2004, but it has never been used in combat or fully tested. There currently are 32 interceptors in silos at Fort Greely in Alaska and four at Vandenberg, north of Los Angeles. The Pentagon says it will have eight more, for a total of 44, by the end of this year.

In its 2018 budget presented to Congress this week, the Pentagon proposed spending $7.9 billion on missile defense, including $1.5 billion for the ground-based midcourse defense program. Other elements of that effort include the Patriot designed to shoot down short-range ballistic missiles and the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, which the U.S. has installed in South Korea as defense against medium-range North Korean missiles.

The Trump administration has yet to announce its intentions on missile defense.

President Donald Trump recently ordered the Pentagon to undertake a ballistic missile defense review. Some experts argue the current strategy for shooting down ICBM-range missiles, focused on the silo-based interceptors, is overly expensive and inadequate. They say a more fruitful approach would be to destroy or disable such missiles before they can be launched, possibly by cyberattack.

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said he will ignore the Supreme Court and congress as he enforces martial law across the southern third of the country, despite the constitution giving them oversight.

Duterte on Tuesday imposed martial law in the Mindanao region, home to 20 million people, following deadly clashes in a mostly Muslim-populated city involving militants he said were trying to establish a caliphate for the Islamic State group.

"Until the police and the armed forces say the Philippines is safe, this martial law will continue. I will not listen to others. The Supreme Court, congress, they are not here," Duterte told soldiers on Saturday.

"Are they the ones dying and losing blood, bleeding, hemorrhaging because there is no help, no reinforcement? It's not them."

The 1987 constitution imposes limits on martial law to prevent a repeat of the abuses carried out under the regime of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was deposed by a famous "People Power" revolution the previous year.

The constitution requires congress to approve a president's declaration of martial law, and limits military rule for 60 days. If a president wants to extend it, he or she must again get congressional endorsement.

The Supreme Court can also rule on martial law's legality.

"The Supreme Court will say they will examine into the factual (basis). Why I don't know. They are not soldiers. They do not know what is happening on the ground," Duterte said Saturday on Jolo, a southern island that is under martial law.

A day after declaring martial law, Duterte described the nine years of military rule under Marcos as "very good", and said his would be similar.

Duterte also told soldiers on Friday they would be allowed to conduct searches and arrests without warrants.

"During martial law, your commanders, you, you can arrest any person, search any house. There is no more warrant needed," Duterte told troops on Friday.

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Duterte's comments contradicted a government statement released on Saturday to explain martial law.

"Warrants of arrest or search warrants should be issued," the statement from the government's information agency said.

"No person may be arrested and detained without orders coming from these civil courts."

Duterte has overwhelming support in congress, which is this week widely expected to endorse his initial declaration of martial law.

However the Supreme Court chief justice, Maria Lourdes Serreno, on Friday expressed concerns about martial law.
Photo credit: Cassie Clayshulte Photography

From Redbook

When Hurricane Matthew struck the coast of South Carolina in 2016, photographer Cassie Claysculte knew something big was about to happen. As the official newborn photographer for Coastal Carolina Hospital, she had noticed that after major events - like hurricanes - there would be a surge in newborn clients about nine months later. This time, she was inspired to start a special project.

"As the inquiries for that time period started coming in and as I saw the down trees in our area pile up, I had the idea for a project," Claysculte said via email. "I wanted to show everyone that the storm gave some Bluffton, Beaufort, and Hilton Head couples a special miracle."

Her idea: to find moms in the area who had conceived during this storm and photograph them at eight months pregnant. She wanted to show people that every storm has a silver lining.

She took to Facebook to search for "hurricane mamas." "I am planning a group maternity session," Clayshulte wrote in her post, "to show that BEAUTIFUL things always come from not so beautiful things."

Photo credit: Cassie Clayshulte Photography

Photo credit: Cassie Clayshulte Photography

Future moms Danielle Lewis, Lindsey Binkley, Taylor Pait, Lindsey Gullett, Brittany Day, Kayla Sumler, Savanna Dorsey, and Molly Spears answered Clayshulte's call and came together for two very special photoshoots during which they wore dresses inspired by the colors of the satellite images of the hurricane.

In the first, they posed beside in a Bluffton nature preserve near downed trees to acknowledge the hurricane's destruction.

Photo credit: Cassie Clayshulte Photography

Photo credit: Cassie Clayshulte Photography

In the second, they headed to Hilton Head Island, where Hurricane Matthew caused significant damage.

Photo credit: Cassie Clayshulte Photography

Photo credit: Cassie Clayshulte Photography

The images have since gone viral, and Clayshulte is happy she was able to expose a more positive side of natural disasters.

"Some of these couples had trouble conceiving, experienced difficult previous pregnancies, and even had to undergo several rounds of fertility treatments to become pregnant," Clayshulte said via email. "If it weren't for Matthew, these eight couples wouldn't be expecting these little miracles."

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Not surprisingly, Clayshulte is already planning a follow-up shoot after the babies are born in June - and chances are, those photos will be just as stunning.

[h/t TODAY]

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The mayor of Portland, Ore., is calling on the federal government to help him stop what he describes as two upcoming alt-right demonstrations as his city continues to reel from last weeks deadly train stabbings.

Our city is in mourning, our communitys anger is real, and the timing and subject of these events can only exacerbate an already difficult situation, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Monday while urging the organizers to cancel the events scheduled for June 4 and June 10.

My main concern is that they are coming to peddle a message of hatred and of bigotry, Wheeler said. They have a First Amendment right to speak, but my pushback on that is that hate speech is not protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

The American Civil Liberties Union immediately rejected that stance, saying, The government cannot revoke or deny a permit based on the viewpoint of the demonstrators. Period.

Wheelers appeal came just three days after two men were killed and another was wounded while trying to intervene when a man  later identified as Jeremy Christian  began hurling epithets at two young women, including one wearing a hijab, on a light-rail train.

Joey Gibson, organizer of the June 4 rally, told CNN that the mayor is using this as an opportunity to use these two dead people to silence us.

Gibson acknowledged that Christian, the suspect in Fridays slayings attended one of his rallies last month, but said that he was wielding a bat yelling and screaming, cussing at people, using derogatory names.

Jeremy Christian has nothing to do with us, Gibson said. He hated us; he threatened me. We did everything we could to kick him out. We didnt want him with us.

Gibson also said that even if he agreed to cancel the rally, hundreds of people would still show up, with no leadership, no voice of reason.

Christian is due to be arraigned Tuesday on multiple felony charges, including two counts of aggravated murder and one count of attempted murder.

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Related: Portland stabbing victims hailed as heroes

Meanwhile, new details of Fridays train attack have emerged.

In an interview with KPTV, Destinee Mangum, one of two teens who were the apparent targets of Christians anti-Muslim slurs, thanked the men who intervened on their behalf.

I just want to say thank you to the people who put their life on the line for me, Mangum said. Because they didnt even know me, and they lost their lives because of me and my friend and the way we look.

Mangum, 16, was riding the train with her friend, who was wearing a hijab, when Christian focused his slurs at them.

He told us to go back to Saudi Arabia, and he told us we shouldnt be here  to get out of his country, Mangum said. He was just telling us that we basically werent anything and that we should just kill ourselves.

Rick Best, a 53-year-old U.S. Army veteran and city of Portland employee, and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, 23, were fatally stabbed while trying to deescalate the situation, officials said. A third stabbing victim  21-year-old Micah David-Cole Fletcher  was transported to a Portland hospital, where he was listed in serious condition Saturday.

Christian was arrested shortly after he exited the train.

Slideshow: Fatal stabbing on Portland, Ore., train

A fellow passenger told the Oregonian that Christian began shouting racial and anti-Muslim epithets as soon as he boarded.

He was screaming that he was a taxpayer, that colored people were ruining the city, and he had First Amendment rights, Rachel Macy told the paper. I didnt want to look. I was too afraid. It felt really tense. Im a woman of color. I didnt want him to notice me.

Macy said that she tried to help Namkai Meche, who was covered in blood and holding his neck.

Im going to die, he said, according to Macy. I looked at him and said, We can handle this. Lay down.

I just kept telling him, Youre not alone. Were here,' she added.

As Namkai Meche was carried away on a stretcher, she said, he wanted her to relay a message: Tell everyone on this train I love them.



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A long-lost relative of today's Komodo dragons lived in Europe as recently as 800,000 years ago.

These reptilians were much smaller than the predatory Komodo dragons that live today in Indonesia. But the discovery of their fossils at a site in Greece was a surprise, because monitor lizards were thought to have vanished in Europe around 2.5 million years ago as climate conditions gradually changed.

"It's a survivor, let's say," said Georgios Georgalis, a doctoral candidate in paleontology at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland and the University of Torino in Italy. [In Photos: Rare Birth of 'Baby Dragons' at Slovenia Cave]

Persistant lizard

Monitor lizards are a big group. Scientifically, they're known as "varanids," and at least 70 species live today in Africa, Australia and Asia. The most famous species, the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), can grow to nearly 10 feet (3 meters) long.

A living monitor lizard (Varanus griseus) from Morocco. Monitor lizards are now found only in Africa, Asia and Australia. Marc Sassoe

Monitor lizards used to roam Europe, too, but they seem to vanish from the fossil record by the time of the Pliocene (5 million to 2.6 million years ago), when the climate took a turn for the cool and dry. The new specimen from near Athens is much more recent than that, dating back less than a million years.

"We [now] know that varanids survived at least until the middle Pleistocene," Georgalis told Live Science.

The new monitor lizard is known from only a few pieces of skull and jaw. Fortunately, Georgalis said, these specimens are a good basis for identifying varanids, because teeth and jaws vary widely between lizard species.

Miniature monitor

The upper jaw, or maxilla, of a monitor lizard that lived about 800,000 years ago near what is today Athens. Previously, monitor lizards were thought to have gone extinct in Europe 2.5 million years ago. Georgios Georgalis

The fossil was found almost 30 years ago at a site called Tourkobounia outside Athens, Georgalis said. He discovered it in a collection on loan to the University of Torino.

"I was very, very surprised, happily surprised, when I saw this material, because it was highly distinctive," Georgalis said.

The biggest piece of bone is the right maxilla, or upper jaw, at just 0.7 inches (17 millimeters) long. Attached are two pointy teeth, which are only about 0.15 inches (4 mm) long. The second portion of the fossil is a piece of the lower jaw 0.6 inches (15.7 mm) long. One other tooth was detached from the jawbones.

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Based on the anatomy, this monitor lizard was likely related to monitor lizards that had called Europe home in the Miocene, 23 million to 5 million years ago, when varanids were common on the continent. It was probably a relic of those old populations, Georgalis said, confined to the southeastern edge of Europe where the weather was still warm enough to support it.

Perhaps for that reason, the lizard was puny compared with today's Komodo dragons  much smaller than a comparable ancient European monitor lizard that measured 2 feet (60 centimeters) long, not counting its tail, Georgalis and his colleagues wrote May 12 in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. The lizard was also smaller than earlier European monitor lizards, Georgalis said, and the size reduction may have been an adaptation for surviving in a cooler climate. Alternatively, the fossil may simply have been a baby.

Georgalis and his team are now hoping to find other varanids from Pleistocene Greece.

"We're trying to understand when is their extinction date, and why they became extinct from Europe," he said.

Original article on Live Science.

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John Karriman. a volunteer from Oath Keepers, stands guard on the rooftop of a business in Ferguson, Missouri: Scott Olson/Getty Images

An Oregon Republican has suggested bringing in a private militia to defend conservatives against what he called increasing political polarisation .

James Buchal, chair of the Multnomah County GOP, said that Republicans need added protection for threats against their free-speech rights.

Mr Buchals suggestion, first reported by The Guardian, comes on the heels of a stabbing in Portland, in which two men died trying to defend Muslim women from hate speech by an alleged extremist.

Mr Buchal told The Independent he sympathises with those involved in the stabbing, but feels that conservatives in Portland are under attack as well.

I dont know what those two women experienced on that bus last week, he said. But I know that our members have experienced very vicious and escalating verbal abuse just from standing at little booths in Portland street fairs.

As evidence, Mr Buchal, cited the recent cancellation of an annual parade.

In April, organisers of the Avenue of Roses Parade received an anonymous email threatening to rush into the parade and drag and push out members of the Republican party who participated. The email linked to several Facebook events plotting to shut down the parade. Mr Buchal said the Facebook pages contained further threats of violence.

Some conservative organisers responded with threats of their own. The parade organisers decided to shut the event down.

"Following threats of violence during the Parade by multiple groups planning to disrupt the event, 82nd Avenue of Roses Business Association can no longer guarantee the safety of our community and have made the difficult decision to cancel the Parade," the association said in an email to the press.

Mr Buchal said the incident proves conservatives in Oregon need increased protection.

I don't know what were going to do about it, he said, but I do know there are people who see themselves as sheepdogs arising in a time where people need to be protected as wolves.

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Anarchists Kill April 29th Avenue of Roses Parade https://t.co/4Eknq6VoI3 via @MultnomahGOP  James Buchal (@JamesBuchal) April 26, 2017

Among the sheepdog groups Mr Buchal suggested to The Guardian are the Oath Keepers and the Three Percenters. The Southern Poverty Law Center describes the Oath Keepers as one of the largest radical antigovernment groups in the US today. The Three Percenters are a loosely organised group whose stated goal is to reign in an overreaching government and push back against tyranny.

Asked whether the public police department could be used to provide protection instead, Mr Buchal said he didn't understand the question.

Portland has, I think, fewer police than it has ever had in its history, he said. They dont have the manpower to deal with  theyre not equipped to deal with this sort of thing.

Sergeant Pete Simpson, the public information officer for the Portland Police Bureau, confirmed that the bureau had shrunk by about 95 officers in the last 15 years due to budget cuts. But, he cautioned, bringing in "private, untrained security forces into a city they may be unfamiliar with" would create more of a public security risk than they would fix.

Mr Buchal emphasised that utilising private militia groups is just one solution he is considering, but could not list any others.

Easter thought: Why is America involved in the Mideast and tolerating the obliteration of Christianity there?https://t.co/6XyKHOsDvt  James Buchal (@JamesBuchal) April 16, 2017

Following last weeks stabbing, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler shut down two rallies planned for June  including one organized by far-right leader Joey Gibson. The suspect in the stabbing had attended rallies organised by Mr Gibson in the past.

Mr Buchal said the rallies were shut down because of violent thugs who will come up to oppose these messages.

Mr Wheeler, however, said he called for the rallies to be shut down because their messages of bigotry or hatred have no place in Portland.

Our city is in mourning, our communitys anger is real, and the timing and subject of these events can only exacerbate an already difficult situation, he said in a statement.

Mr Buchal said the recent cancellations are evidence of a larger problem, in which conservatives are maligned by mainstream society.

What I am concerned about more broadly is that there is sort of a concerted effort underway to brand anyone who wishes to defend the constitution and defend free speech as some sort of vicious racist, he said. And I dont think thats reasonable or fair.
Photo credit: Boeing

From Popular Mechanics

The first locally designed Russian narrowbody aircraft since the fall of the Soviet Union, the MC-21, is preparing to make its first flight by the end of the month. Hopes are high for the plane, which the Russian United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) hopes will propel a return to the global commercial aircraft market.

It's been a long road for the MC-21, first conceived of in 2003 to replace the aging Tupolev Tu-204. A twin engine medium jet airliner introduced in 1989, the Tu-204 was meant to challenge American commercial industries like Boeing. As of December 2016, only 43 were in service worldwide, the majority used within Russia. Designs for the MC-21 were finalized in 2008, with UAC subsidiary Irkut leading the construction.

Irkut has long had a successful military plane operation but has wanted to expand its market. The plane was initially given a fly date of 2016 which had to be pushed back due to delays in development, both technical and organizational. Certification in Russia is now expected in 2018, with a goal of the European Aviation Safety Agency granting certificate a year after that.

The baseline MC-21, known as the MC-21-300, can carry 211 passengers and fly 3,200 nautical miles. There's a shorter variant, the MC-21-200, which can hold 165 passengers. Irkut went beyond Russian borders for the plane, with avionics supplied by international companies like Honeywell, Thales and Elbit Systems.

But the plane was built with a distinctly Russian sensibility, with foreign suppliers setting up a modern production line in Siberia. The craft's name, MC-21, stems from the Russian acronym Magistralny Samolet 21 veka, which translates as "mainline aircraft of the 21st century." It's unclear who will buy the aircraft. So far Irkut has 175 firm orders, but these are mostly from government-owned Russian leasing companies. Maybe once the MC-21 gets into the sky, it will turn heads outside of Moscow.

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Source: AviationWeek

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Mr Trump met the Russian Foreign Minister and its Ambassador to Washington in the Oval Office: Russian Foreign Ministry

Another day, another leak.

A new report claims that Russia government officials discussed having potentially derogatory about presidential candidate Donald Trump and some of his top aides. The Russians apparently believed the information they possessed gave them the ability to influence the administration.

The conversations among the Russian officials were reportedly intercepted by the US intelligence services. Details of the the conversations were then passed to CNN.

The network said one source described the information as financial in nature and said the discussion centred on whether the Russians had leverage over Mr Trump's inner circle. It said the source said the intercepted communications suggested to US intelligence that the Russians believed they had the ability to influence the administration through the derogatory information.

However, the sources also acknowledged that the Russian claims to one another could have been exaggerated or even made up as part of a disinformation campaign that the Russians did during the election.

The Russians could be overstating their belief to influence, said one source.

The latest revelations comes as former FBI Director Robert Mueller is heading a federal investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscows alleged effort to influence the 2016 election.

Mr Trump has repeatedly denied there was any such collusion and has denounced such claims and leaks as fake news.

Russian officials must be laughing at the U.S. & how a lame excuse for why the Dems lost the election has taken over the Fake News.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2017

A White House spokesman told CNN: This is yet another round of false and unverified claims made by anonymous sources to smear the President. The reality is, a review of the Presidents income from the last ten years showed he had virtually no financial ties at all.

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There appears to be no limit to which the President's political opponents will go to perpetuate this false narrative, including illegally leaking classified material. All this does is play into the hands of our adversaries and put our country at risk.

Earlier this year, it was reported that intelligence officials had briefed both Mr Trump and Barack Obama on details of dossier of information about the New York tycoon that was initially put together by Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence agent who had been paid to collect dirt on Mr Trump by his political rivals. Journalists who examined the dossier said they were unable to corroborate it.

Mr Trump repeatedly dismissed the claims.
Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel meet during the Group of Seven (G7) meeting in Taormina, Italy: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The White House Press Secretary has described the relationship between Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel is "fairly unbelievable" in his daily news conference on the heels of exchanged barbs between the two leaders.

They "get along well," Sean Spicer said in response to a question regarding Ms Merkel's comment that Germany and the European Union can no longer rely on the US.

We Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands," Ms Merkel said at a campaign event in Bavaria after Mr Trump just returned to Washington from his first foreign trip.

The comment appeared to be prompted by Mr Trump's continued indecisiveness on whether the US should remain in the Paris Agreement on climate change. The entire discussion about climate was very difficult, if not to say very dissatisfying, she said about the group of seven (G7) discussions on climate in which Mr Trump participated while in Taormina, Italy.

Mr Trump shot back in his preferred venue of Twitter, saying that the "MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany...will change." He once again referred to what he feels is a lack of necessary defence spending on the part of most North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) allies in the 28-member military alliance.

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

Mr Spicer said however that the US president respects Ms Merkel and that the pair "continue to grow the bonds" forged during the in-person meetings. He also commented that the media was inaccurate in its reporting of Mr Trump's relationships with other world leaders he met with on the foreign trip.

He also said that Ms Merkel's comment was not necessarily negative. Mr Spicer said that the comment is just a reflection of Germany and others "heed[ing] the call" that Mr Trump put forth on burden sharing and more fair division of responsibility.

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"That benefits Europe...that benefits everybody," he said.

Mr Spicer did not give a timeline for Mr Trump's decision on the Paris Agreement or any trade-related legislative changes that may be introduced with relation to the EU and Germany.
The former FBI Director said nothing was more important than honesty: Tabor Academy

The man leading the federal investigation into possible collusion between Donald Trumps campaign and Moscow, has stressed integrity, patience and humility in a student graduation speech.

Robert Mueller, a former FBI Director, said that nothing else matters if people were not honest.

As the saying goes, if you have integrity, nothing else matters, and if you do not have integrity, nothing else matters, Mr Mueller told graduating students at Tabor Academy in Massachusetts.

Robert Mueller stresses to Tabor Academy graduates: Service, integrity, patience and humility. More #NBCBoston at 5/6pm. pic.twitter.com/jBAWs05R7G  Alison King (@AlisonNBCBoston) May 29, 2017

In his first public appearance since being named special counsel on May 17, he added: Whatever we do, we must act with honesty and with integrity, and regardless of you chosen career, you are only as good as your word.

Mr Mueller, who headed the FBI under George W Bush and Barack Obama, encouraged the graduates to enjoy the journey ahead and all it has to offer.

As I reflect on my career, I could say that I never could have anticipated where I have ended up, he said, according to CNN.

The school near Cape Code invited Mr Mueller to speak to the graduating seniors, including his granddaughter, before he was appointed special counsel. He did not address the Russia investigation during his commencement speech and did not meet with reporters afterwards.

When given the opportunity to address students, I always mention integrity because it is so essential to who and what you ultimately will become, Mr Mueller said.

Later in his address, Mr Mueller said patience was also an important part of life, and that it is an acquired skill that was still working on.
Speaker Paul Ryan, holding a Health and Human Services report, managed to get the AHCA through the House. The bill is now being rewritten by the Senate. Source: Getty Images

As the Senate rewrites the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the GOPs bill to repeal Obamacare, the RAND Corporation released a new, in-depth report about chronic diseasea matter central to the health insurance debates.

According to the report, people with five or more chronic conditions  which constitutes 12% of the population  accounted for 41% of total healthcare spending in 2014, the latest year of data. Adding people with three to five chronic conditions, these two groups constitute 28% of the population and account for 67% of spending.

On the other end, 71% of the population, with two or fewer conditions, make up just 33% of total healthcare expenditures in the United States.

The RAND Corporations report, which was done in conjunction with FightChronicDisease.org, paints a picture of a fairly standard insurance model: a large group subsidizes the other, smaller group, which uses more resources.

Dismissing people who spend money lowers premiums

Targeting how the larger group subsidizes the smaller group is one of the chief ways the GOP would lower premiums for healthcare purchased on the individual market.

The Congressional Budget Office analysis of the AHCA found that 23 million people would lose health insurance by 2026. Many of them would be people with preexisting conditions, since states that receive waivers to loosen regulations surrounding insurance would take steps that would price out that populationeven with additional funding to subsidize the costs.

Since healthier people could choose a pool based on their expected healthcare costs over one based on community ratingan average of people in the same geographic area with the same age and smoking statusinsurance costs would fall.

For a state taking those steps, as well as reducing essential health benefits, the AHCA would likely be able to lower premiums 20% for healthy people buying individual insurance.

In effect, these premium declines come out of two basic changes. The first is simple: fewer services cost lessthough perhaps not for everybody because benefits like maternal care, substance abuse among others would run up a pretty big bill, and quickly. But the other factor comes from simply how insurance works. A group of people pay dues so that if something bad happens, the fund will help pay for them. If you take out the people who draw on the account  in this case, sicker people  the pool doesnt need as much money and premiums go down.

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Besides pointing out who pays for whom, the RAND Corporation study colored debate around the CBO score and preexisting conditions by showing just how thin the line is between having one and not having one. According to the findings, six in 10 adult Americans had at least one chronic condition in 2014. Four in 10 had more than one.

Chronic conditions arent necessarily preexisting conditions. (52 million adults have preexisting conditions today, touching 53% of households, according to a survey from Kaiser Family Foundation.) But as the editor-in-chief of Kaiser Health News Elisabeth Rosenthal wrote in a recent New York Times op-ed, the pre- and perhaps post-ACA landscape had insurers deciding to lower the bar for what a preexisting condition could be.

This isnt just older people, over 65, though 81% of that cohort has multiple chronic conditions. Half of adults 45 to 64 have multiple conditions, which has trended upwards since the early 2000s. If the GOP is unable to figure out a plan for preexisting conditions, the web of people it could entangle would be vast.

Ethan Wolff-Mann is a writer at Yahoo Finance focusing on consumer issues, tech, and personal finance. Follow him on Twitter @ewolffmann. Got a tip? Send it to tips@yahoo-inc.com.

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Al-Hoceima (Morocco) (AFP) - Protesters have rallied for a third night running in Morocco's city of Al-Hoceima, in a northern region of the country where there has been growing social unrest.

An AFP journalist saw several hundred mainly young demonstrators gathered in two neighbourhoods of the city on Sunday night, chanting "The state is corrupt!" and "Dignity!".

They also shouted "We are all Zefzafi!" in reference to protest leader Nasser Zefzafi, who is on the run after authorities last week ordered his arrest.

The protesters attempted to make their way to the city's central square but were blocked by security forces. After an hour-long face-off with police the youths dispersed without incident.

"We cannot take a single step, the police are everywhere," an activist in the city told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The activist said a solidarity rally had taken place in the nearby city of Imzouren.

Protests were also reported in two other northern cities, Nador and Tanger, as well as in Casablanca and the capital Rabat, where some 300 people took part.

Morocco's northern Rif region has been shaken by more than six months of social unrest since the death in October of a fishmonger crushed in a rubbish truck as he protested against the seizure of swordfish caught out of season.

Calls for justice for Mouhcine Fikri, 31, soon evolved into a grassroots movement demanding jobs and economic development, with Zefzafi emerging as the leader of the Al-Hirak al-Shaabi, or "Popular Movement".

Zefzafi's arrest was ordered after he on Friday allegedly interrupted a preacher at a mosque and called for further demonstrations.

Evening protests followed on Friday and Saturday, with demonstrators clashing with police.

As of late Sunday police had arrested 22 people in connection with the disturbances, according to officials.

Local sources have reported significantly more arrests and said many of those detained have been transferred to Casablanca.

The mainly ethnically Berber Rif region has long had a tense relationship with Morocco's central authorities and was at the heart of Arab Spring-inspired protests in 2011.

The protests subsided following a series of political reforms including constitutional changes that saw King Mohamed VI give up some of his wide-ranging powers.
Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis on Monday met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who sought an apology over the abuse of indigenous Canadians at church-run boarding schools.

A Canadian truth and reconciliation commission wanted an apology from the Roman Catholic Church in its extensive list of recommendations in a 2015 report.

The report into a "cultural genocide" of more than a century of abuse collated evidence over six years from some 7,000 former students in Canada.

Trudeau and the Argentinian pontiff had "cordial discussions" during their 36-minute private meeting, the Vatican said in a statement.

Without addressing the schools issue directly, it said the talks had "focused on the themes of integration and reconciliation, as well as religious freedom and current ethical issues".

Trudeau, a Catholic who was educated at a Jesuit school and a fervent backer of gay rights, later said that he told the pontiff "about how important it is for Canadians to move forward on a real reconciliation with the indigenous people."

He added that he stressed to the pope "how he could help by issuing an apology."

Some 150,000 Indian, Inuit and Metis youngsters were forcibly enrolled into 139 residential schools, set up to assimilate native people and many operated by church groups on behalf of the Canadian government.

Many were physically and sexually abused and today blame their experience for a high incidence of poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence, as well as high suicide rates, in their communities.

Trudeau, having already offered his own apology to survivors, noted after the 2015 report that Pope Francis had previously offered similar apologies, for example over the treatment of indigenous communities during the colonial era in South America.

The Canadian leader said Francis had reminded him that the pope's entire life "has been dedicated to supporting marginalised people in the world," and that he would work with Canadian bishops on finding a way forward.

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Francis's predecessor pope Benedict XVI in 2009 expressed "sorrow" for the abuses in Canada. The first of the schools opened in 1874 and the last one closed in 1996.

Many survivors alleged abuse by headmasters and teachers, who stripped them of their culture and language.

At least 3,200 students never returned home.
President Trump addresses U.S. troops at the Naval Air Station in Sigonella, Sicily, on May 27 before returning to Washington D.C. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

President Trump is urging the Senate to lower the voting threshold needed to break a filibuster and pass legislation to 51 so that the Republicans can approve their proposed health care and tax reform agenda as soon as possible.

On Tuesday morning, Trump took to social media pleading for Republican senators to make this change immediately and suggested that the Democrats would do the same if they were in the majority.

The U.S. Senate should switch to 51 votes, immediately, and get Healthcare and TAX CUTS approved, fast and easy. Dems would do it, no doubt!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2017

Trump made a similar appeal for the so-called nuclear option to bypass a Senate filibuster earlier this month.

The Republicans currently hold 52 of the 100 seats in the Senate, whereas the Democrats hold only 46 seats. Independent senators  Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont  hold the final two seats, though they caucus with the Democrats and have liberal views.

In both the Senate and the House of Representatives, lawmakers need a simple majority (51 percent or more) to approve a bill. But in the Senate, deliberations can last as long as members are willing to discuss an issue  delaying a vote indefinitely. A supermajority can break a filibuster by invoking the cloture rule with a three-fifths vote (60 out of 100).

The current rules hamstring the GOP health care legislation, as both chambers work through another process, known as reconciliation, which allows the Senate to pass certain budget-related bills with the simple majority.

If the threshold were lowered to 51 percent, then the Republican majority would likely be able to rush votes on the American Health Care Act, which would effectively repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (or Obamacare), and a package expected to be focused on tax cuts.

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But this would be a risky maneuver because Democrats would enjoy the same luxury should they retake the majority of the Senates seats. In addition, many GOP legislators oppose the idea of changing this rule on principle, even though it would be politically expedient in the short term.

Though Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell invoked the option to approve the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court in April, he assured senators he would not ditch the filibuster power to pass legislation.

And because of fractures in the GOP ranks, its not clear that the Republican agenda could make its way through the Senate even if the filibuster were scrapped.

I dont know how we get to 50 [votes] at the moment, McConnell said last week of the health care overhaul.

Read more from Yahoo News:
US president uses Twitter to point finger at Berlin amid rebukes from German officials, including Angela Merkel, preparing for election

Angela Merkel and Donald Trump meet at the G7 summit in Taormina, Sicily. Photograph: Philippe Wojazer/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump has escalated a row between the US and Germany in an early morning tweet accusing Berlin of unfair trade relations and not paying its way in the Nato alliance.

Trumps tweet, declaring German policies very bad for the US and vowing to change the situation, came a few hours after the German foreign minister, Sigmar Gabriel, declared that the administrations short-sighted policies were weakening the west.

The discord between the Trump administration and Berlin is just the sorest point in increasingly troubled transatlantic relations, aggravated by the presidents European trip last week. Since then, simmering tensions have boiled over in a public spat.

Trumps omission of a clear commitment to collective defence and his harangue of European leaders for their military spending at a Nato summit on Thursday exposed the extent of the rift. A dramatically bad week for western cohesion was capped by his refusal to join six partner states at the G7 summit in Sicily in a commitment to the Paris agreement to combat climate change.

I thought it was the least effective visit of any American president to Europe since the 1940s, Nicholas Burns, a former undersecretary of state for political affairs, said. I couldnt think of another visit that was so fraught with difficulties, deep substantial division, disregard and disrespect.

In the summits wake, Angela Merkel declared that Europe would have to take our fate into our own hands and could not longer depend on leadership from the US.

Trump had been restrained in his use of Twitter during the European tour, but he released a salvo of inflammatory tweets coming out of the Memorial Day long weekend.

His tweet aimed at Berlin said: 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.

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The president was referring to a commitment made by US allies in 2014 to spend 2% of their GDP on defence. German currently spends 1.2% on its military. That figure is gradually increasing but German leaders acknowledge it is unlikely to reach 2% by the target date in 2024. Merkel argues that spending on development aid and crisis prevention should be included in the figure.

Germany does maintain a substantial trade surplus with the US, driven by its export-led growth. But German officials have repeatedly pointed out to the Trump administration that when it comes to the car industry  which seems to be the focus of the presidents ire  the German firms BMW and Mercedes make most of their cars for the US market in the US, employing thousands of workers and leading US auto exports to the rest of the Americas.

Contrary to Trump administration complaints, German authorities have argued against European Central Bank monetary policies that have weakened the euro and made German exports cheaper.

Jim Townsend, a former deputy assistant secretary of defence for European and Nato policy, said that Trump had needlessly exacerbated a rift between old allies.

We continue to haemorrhage and we have to staunch that because its a self-inflicted wound, Townsend said.

Criticism of the US by Merkel and Gabriel (from the opposing Social Democratic party) is likely to have been sharpened by the fact that distance from Washington will play well in the run-up to German elections among voters who are overwhelmingly anti-Trump across the political spectrum.

The German chancellors main rival, the Social Democrats leader Martin Schulz, voiced outrage at what he described as Trumps humiliating treatment of Merkel in Brussels. Even in the midst of an election campaign, Schulz said, the chancellor represents all of us at summits like these, and I reject with outrage the way this man takes it upon himself to treat the head of our countrys government.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, White House spokesman Sean Spicer attempted to downplay the rift between Trump and Merkel. They get along very well. He has a lot of respect for her, said Spicer. And he views not just Germany but the rest of Europe as an important American ally.

German observers said the spat with Trump had undoubtedly helped Merkels campaign, helping present her as a force for stability and rationality in uncertain times.



Merkel has been able to burnish her credentials as the emerging leader of the democratic world, with a visit by the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, on Tuesday. In remarks cleared aimed towards Washington, where Trump has yet to declare his position on the Paris agreement, Modi said it would be morally criminal not to act on climate change, and praised Merkels vision.

The Chinese prime minister, Li Keqiang, is also due to make the trip to Berlin later in the week ahead of Fridays EU-China summit. Beijing was disappointed by the Trump administrations failure to send a senior representative to its mid-May summit on its Belt and Road global investment initiative.

Adam Thomson, a former British ambassador to Nato and now the director of the European Leadership Network, said transatlantic relations had not quite reached their nadir of 2003, during the George W Bush administration, when France and Germany voted against the US and UK on the UN security council on the Iraq war, but the pervasive sense of drift was getting worse.

What is different is the leadership, Thomson said. Bushs leadership of the north atlantic alliance was divisive. Obamas was selective. But it is debatable whether there is any leadership at all under Trump.
Presidential press secretary Ron Nessen talking to reporters on Friday, Oct. 17, 1975, in Washington after his regular briefing, at which he disclosed that President Ford would not take action to prevent a New York City default. (AP Photo/Charles Harrity)

WASHINGTON  Ron Nessen has been around the block. As an NBC News reporter, he made multiple trips to Vietnam, where he was wounded by a grenade. He went on to cover the White House during the administration of President Richard Nixon. Shortly after Nixon resigned under threat of impeachment from the Watergate scandal, Nessen went to the other side of the West Wing and became press secretary for Republican President Gerald Ford.

In an interview with Yahoo News earlier this month, Nessen shared his memories, his thoughts on President Trumps embattled press team, and his fears for the White House. Nessen said he believes the relationship between Trumps administration and the press corps is the worst hes seen since Nixon famously feuded with the media and played fast and loose with facts.

I think probably this is more like a press attitude toward Nixon than any other president since then, I think. I really do. I really do, Nessen said.

Trumps press team has been at the eye of a storm during his four months in office. The president has reportedly grown frustrated with negative coverage of his administration, and there are constant rumors of an imminent shakeup in the White House messaging shop. The first real change came on Monday, when news broke that communications director Mike Dubke had resigned.

Among press secretaries, there is a tradition by which a West Wing spokesperson will leave a bulletproof vest with a letter for their successor as they leave the White House. This practice seems to have started with Nessen, who led more than 500 briefings while serving as press secretary from September 1974 until January 1977. After his last briefing, Nessen returned to his office.

I wrote a note to my successor, Jody Powell, and attached it to the blue, brocade bulletproof vest I had received from friends in the Justice Department, Nessen said.

The letter said, Jody, I hope you wont need this. Good luck, Ron.

Nessen said he didnt realize it had subsequently become a custom. Yahoo News asked what he would write if he could leave a note for Trumps press secretary, Sean Spicer.

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Well, I think Id probably say the same thing. I hope you wont need this. said Nessen with a laugh.

Nessen has been avidly watching the briefings led by Spicer and his deputy, Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Does he think they need the vest? You bet. And he doesnt just mean as a gag gift.

I worry that Trump is so unpopular and so controversial and so forth. I really worry that somebodys going to try and take a shot at him.  I have no inside information and I dont know whether the Secret Service shares that view or not but, you know, I worry about that, said Nessen.

He said those fears are based on his personal experiences and the two cases actually where people took shots at Ford.

There were two attempts on Fords life during his presidency, although in one case the would-be assassin, Manson family member Lynette Fromme, didnt actually get off a shot before she was tackled by a Secret Service agent. White House press secretary James Brady was severely wounded in the 1981 assassination attempt against President Ronald Reagan. Bradys death in 2014 was attributed to his injuries. The White House press room is named in Bradys honor.

Preparing for a televised address on the energy crisis, President Ford consults with his staff: From left, chief of staff Donald Rumsfeld, press secretary Ron Nessen, deputy chief of staff Dick Cheney, and economic adviser Alan Greenspan May 27, 1975, in Washington. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)

Spicer and Sanders have faced major questions about their credibility during their time speaking on Trumps behalf. Spicer has made demonstrably false statements behind the podium. Sanders initial statements about Trumps controversial decision to fire FBI Director James Comey were later directly contradicted by the president. Trump addressed the issue on Twitter, where he suggested his team is not always going to be on top of his thinking. The president, who has made attacks on the media a cornerstone of both his campaign and presidency, also threatened to cancel the daily White House press briefings, a possibility that has been raised several times during his administration.

As a very active President with lots of things happening, it is not possible for my surrogates to stand at podium with perfect accuracy! Trump wrote, adding, Maybe the best thing to do would be to cancel all future press briefings and hand out written responses for the sake of accuracy???

For his part, Nessen said being familiar with the presidents thinking was essential for him as press secretary.

I guess my theory of the job as press secretary was that my role was to answer the questions from the press as the president himself would answer them if he were there. You know, the president was too busy every day in the Oval Office to answer reporters questions, Nessen explained. One of the things that I asked Ford when he asked me to take the job, was that I really needed a meeting with him every morning before my White House briefing with reporters.

At those meetings, Nessen and his team would present Ford with the questions they expected to face from the press in order to get a sense of how the president thought they should be answered. But the press secretary doesnt always give a straight answer.

If its something thats still going on  that the White House feels that it shouldnt be publicized quite yet, I think you have to say  On that issue, we are in the midst of making some decisions and as soon as those decisions are made, I will, report that to you and give you the background on it. You have to say something like that, Nessen said.

It wasnt a foolproof system. If he got something wrong, Nessen thought it was important to make a correction as soon as possible.

I believe that if you made a mistake or said something that was wrong  you had to go out there  and tell the press, you know, I want to correct something that I told you. I had the wrong information and heres the accurate answer to your question. Or, something like that, said Nessen.

Nessen is adamant that Ford never asked him to lie.

I dont have any recollection of him asking me to say anything that wasnt true, said Nessen. Part of that was just thats who Jerry Ford was.

The word Nessen uses to describe the relationship between Trumps team and the White House press corps is difficult.

I do think that theres a very strong anti-Trump feeling in the press and maybe  theres an anti-press feeling in Trump, said Nessen.

He said the medias problems with Trump stem in part from his administrations reputation for stretching the truth.

if you dont answer the questions honestly, you undermine your credibility and that really hurts, said Nessen, before adding, [Trump] tends to be a little more conservative than most of the reporters are, and I think thats a factor. So, I think thats why the atmosphere is so, you know, tense and critical of each other.

Nessen described the White Houses threat to cancel the briefing as a terrible idea that would only exacerbate these tensions.

It will only alienate the press more than its already alienated, he explained.

Nessen said ditching the daily press conference sends the wrong signal and would raise questions about the Trump administration and what they feel they have to be so secretive about.

It hurts his reputation and I just dont think its the right thing to do, said Nessen.

Overall, Nessen said, its very complex to judge the performance of Trumps press team.

Sometimes it takes the president and his staff a little while to sort of, you know, get situated and fit in and understand what the needs and demands are and so forth, he said.

White House press secretary Ron Nessen talking to reporters on Friday, Oct. 17, 1975. (AP Photo/Charles Harrity)

Spicer and Sanders have both been mocked with sketches on Saturday Night Live satirizing the combative daily press briefings. Nessen knows what its like to be on the receiving end of an SNL skit. The show debuted during Fords administration, and one of its early bits involved Chevy Chase mocking Ford as clumsy. Nessen hasnt seen the Saturday Night Live skits featuring Spicer and Trump.

I havent watched that show for a while, Nessen said with a laugh.

Ford and Nessen both went along with the joke.

Ford had three teenage kids in the White House and they watched Saturday Night Live, so they knew about this and Ford knew about it and they asked Ford to be the guest host, recounted Nessen. And he thought that wasnt proper for a president to be a guest host, so he asked me, why didnt I do it?

Nessen ended up going on the seventh episode of the first season. He was the first political figure to host the program. Although Ford declined the gig, the president taped an opening with the shows tagline, Live from New York, its Saturday night!

Some of the people on the Ford staff didnt think I should have gone on the show and taken part in making fun of Ford and I guess, in hindsight, maybe I think that they were right, but I had a pretty healthy ego in those days, said Nessen, laughing.

Nessen joined the White House at a tumultuous time. His predecessor, Jerald terHorst, left the press secretary job after one month in protest of Fords decision to issue a pardon to Nixon for the string of crimes that led to his pending impeachment. Nessen kept returning to the pardon during our interview. At one point, he called it the major thing that happened. And Nessen admitted Ford never did restore his reputation after the decision.

Ford always insisted his decision to pardon Nixon was an attempt to heal the country after the divisive Watergate scandal. Nessen said Ford was hurt by the impression many had that it was a deal he had made in which Nixon allegedly promised to make him vice president after Spiro Agnew resigned in exchange for the promise of a future pardon if the charges mounted. For Nessen, time has vindicated Ford. He pointed out the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation gave Ford its Profiles in Courage Award in 2001. The prize was presented to Ford by the late Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy, who originally opposed the pardon but said he had come to feel Ford made the right decision.

I thought that was really, really amazing, you know, said Nessen.

While he thinks the years have improved Fords standing, Nessen doesnt downplay how devastating the move was for the presidents reputation.

He never recovered from the pardon of Nixon, Nessen said. I mean, it was so unpopular.

More and more of Trumps opponents, including some Democratic members of Congress, are bringing up impeachment as questions swirl about Trumps ties to Russia and his handling of the probe into Moscows efforts to interfere with last years election. Nessen said he thinks the current president could indeed be removed from office, but he doesnt expect Trump to take Nixons route.

I dont think Trump is going to resign. Now, maybe hes going to be charged and dismissed or whatever you call that. But I just dont see him resigning, said Nessen.

And if we do see the president removed from office, given his experience watching Fords stock crash after pardoning Nixon, does Nessen think Trumps successor should pardon him? Hes not sure.

Thats a tough question. That is a tough question, said Nessen.
By Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's communications director is leaving the job, the White House said on Tuesday, as the president considers wider staff changes to try to contain political damage from investigations into Russia and his presidential campaign. Mike Dubke confirmed reports he had resigned, saying in a statement, "It has been my great honor to serve President Trump and this administration." Dubke, who had been in the job just three months, gave no reason for leaving. Trump, who returned to Washington on Saturday after a nine-day trip to the Middle East and Europe, has been expected to shake up staff to tackle the firestorm over investigations into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and communication between Russia and Trump's campaign and transition team. Trump plans to bring in new aides to the White House, adding experienced political professionals including a former campaign manager, according to administration officials and people close to the president. Dubke, who was joined the White House in March to head the office that runs press and other public relations issues, oversees the White House's message strategy while spokesman Sean Spicer, a more high-profile figure, handles daily media briefings. The Republican president came home to face more questions on Russia after media reports about communications during and after the campaign between his son-in-law and close adviser, Jared Kushner, and Russia's ambassador to Washington. Spicer was asked on Tuesday whether Trump knew about reported efforts by Kushner in December to set up a back channel for communications with Russia. "What your question assumes is a lot of facts that are not substantiated by anything but anonymous sources that are so far being leaked out, he told a news briefing. MORE CHANGES? Asked about a possible staff shake-up, Spicer said: "I think the president is very pleased with his team and he has a robust agenda." Dubke resigned just before Trump left on his foreign trip but will stay on until a transition is concluded, Reince Priebus, the White House chief of staff, said. Other potential staff changes could be in the works, according to Axios News, which first reported Dubke's departure, including fewer on-camera news briefings by Spicer, the White House press secretary. Trump also will take more questions directly from the media, Axios reported. "Ultimately the best messenger is the president himself," Spicer said on Tuesday. Senior adviser Kellyanne Conway told Fox News the White House will continue to bring in Cabinet secretaries and other top officials to handle news briefings on topics in their patch. Conway also dismissed persistent speculation that Spicer, who has been pilloried on TV comedy shows since Trump took office on Jan. 20, was on his way out. Controversy over the Russia issue deepened after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey earlier this month, leading to allegations by critics that the president sought to hamper the agency's investigation of the matter. Moscow has denied U.S. intelligence agencies' conclusion that it meddled in the campaign to try to tilt the election in Trump's favor. The president has denied any collusion, repeatedly denouncing the probes by a special counsel at the Justice Department, the FBI and several congressional panels as a Democrat-backed effort to explain Hillary Clinton's upset defeat in the White House race. Congressional investigations into the Russia issue have expanded to include Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, ABC News reported on Tuesday. Cohen confirmed he had been asked to provide information and testimony to investigators in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate but said he declined because "the request was poorly phrased, overly broad and not capable of being answered," ABC reported. Cohen did not respond to Reuters' request to comment. The White House declined to comment, saying Cohen is not an employee of the administration. However, former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn, who resigned after failing to properly disclose his own contacts with Russian officials, told the Senate Intelligence Committee he will begin turning over some documents subpoenaed by the panel, a government source familiar with the matter told Reuters. (Additional reporting by Roberta Rampton, Doina Chiacu, Susan Heavey, Mark Hosenball and David Alexander; Writing by Alistair Bell and Amanda Becker; Editing by Frances Kerry and Bill Trott)
By Alexandra Harney SHANGHAI (Reuters) - The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee has called for an investigation into "potentially fraudulent statements and misrepresentations" made by companies promoting investment in a property development involving the family company of White House advisor Jared Kushner. Citing a May 12 report by Reuters, Chuck Grassley, a Republican senator from Iowa, requested a review of claims made by Chinese migration agency Qiaowai and the U.S. Immigration Fund (USIF) in the marketing of the One Journal Square project in Jersey City, New Jersey to potential investors in China. Grassley flagged his concerns to the Department of Homeland Security and the Securities and Exchange Commission in a May 24 letter that was later posted on his website. Jupiter, Florida-based USIF contracted with Beijing-based Qiaowai to market projects including One Journal Square to potential investors through the controversial EB-5 scheme. The program offers qualified foreign investors the chance at a green card in exchange for a $500,000 investment in a U.S. business. Kushner Companies is also working with KABR Group, a private equity fund, on the One Journal Square project, according to marketing materials on Qiaowai's website. The developers are seeking to raise $150 million, or 15.4 percent of the funding, from EB-5 investors. Because the SEC considers some EB-5 investments securities, companies and individuals that market these investments must comply with U.S. securities laws. EB-5 schemes must also comply with immigration rules. Under United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidelines, EB-5 investors must put their capital at risk and the green card is not guaranteed. USCIS is part of the Department of Homeland Security. In an emailed response to a request for comment on Grassley's letter, Stu Loeser, a spokesman for USIF, said: "Qiaowai and U.S. Immigration Fund are fully in compliance with all laws relating to the sale of securities to immigrant investors. These allegations are gross distortions and unsupported by the facts." Reuters previously revealed that Qiaowais promotional materials online and on social media, including for the One Journal Square project, sometimes referred to a green card guarantee or safeguard and the safety of capital invested in EB-5 projects. After Reuters contacted Qiaowai for comment, these phrases were deleted. Qiaowai has also dropped the phrase "government-supported" from its online promotion of the One Journal Square project. It is a fundamental rule of the EB-5 program that an applicants investment must remain at risk up to the end of the aliens conditional permanent resident status, and a guaranteed investment fails this basic EB-5 test; if Qiaowai is in fact guaranteeing the safety of the investment principal, all related EB-5 petitions should be rejected by USCIS, wrote Grassley, who has long advocated for reform of the EB-5 program. Qiaowais assurances to investors that their green cards were guaranteed and their funds were safe appeared to violate U.S. securities laws, Grassley's letter said. It also cited a report on the project's promotion by the New York Times. Kushner Companies and the SEC declined to comment. Qiaowai, KABR Group and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment over the weekend. Chinese investors account for around 80 percent of the nearly 10,000 EB-5 visas issued annually. Criticism of the program has centered on instances of fraud and the fact that most of the funds in a program originally intended to help impoverished areas have instead gone to wealthy urban districts. Despite these concerns, earlier this month, Congress extended the EB-5 program until September 30. The Chinese road show for One Journal Square earlier this month also attracted criticism. Kushner Companies apologized for Nicole Kushner Meyers reference to her brother, President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, during the road show. The company stressed that he was only mentioned in order to make clear that he was not involved with the project. Kushner Companies representatives skipped some later road show events. Jared Kushner, whose White House portfolio includes relations with China, sold his stake in Kushner Companies to a family trust early this year. (Additional reporting by Shanghai newsroom and Caren Bohan in Washington; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
Prevention Magazine Executive Editor Olessa Pindak joins The Doctors to explain which items you should not be adding to your morning joe.

Watch: Would You Rather: Coffee Vs. Sex

 Non-Dairy Creamer. Olessa calls this one the worst offender. Choose coconut milk instead!

 Skim Milk. For decades we were told this was a healthy option, but studies now show that regular whole milk is a better choice  especially organic whole milk.

 Flavor Shots. Whether its hazelnut or vanilla or pumpkin spice, Olessa explains, When youre adding them youre not just adding the flavor  youre also adding sugar, and its a LOT of sugar. If youre looking for a little something extra in your coffee, Olessa recommends trying a capful of a natural extract, such as vanilla or almond. Youre saving yourself almost 19 grams of sugar.

Watch: Can Coffee Consumption Reverse Liver Cirrhosis?

ER Physician Dr. Travis Stork notes that coffee is Americans number-one source of antioxidants. Coffee is not bad for you. Its what we add to it!
Water cannons blast Venezuelan protesters Opposition Deputy Carlos Paparoni is hit by a jet of water during riots at a march to the state ombudsmans office in Caracas, Venezuela, May 29, 2017. (Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters)

Venezuelan security forces disperse protesters opposed to President Nicolas Maduro with water cannons in the capital, Caracas.

Maduros adversaries have been blocking highways and setting up barricades for two months, demanding that he call early elections and address an increasingly severe economic crisis that has left millions struggling to get enough to eat.

Fifty-nine people have died in the often violent street melees, which Maduro calls an effort to overthrow his government. (Reuters)

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Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - German carmaker Opel on Tuesday pushed back the first step in its takeover by France's Peugeot, after workers raised hurdles over the future of a prized research centre.

Workers have blocked the firm's legal reorganisation, a vital first step in the merger process, local newspaper the Allgemeine Zeitung reported citing sources inside the firm.

A source close to the employee representatives told AFP that there were still questions to be negotiated between workers and managers at Opel and American parent company General Motors, while adding that the talks were not confrontational.

GM agreed in March to sell Opel to Peugeot and Citroen maker PSA, after suffering years of losses at the European venture.

But workers at the firm, a historic local champion at its main factory in Ruesselsheim, near Frankfurt in western Germany, insisted the new owners honour GM's wage and jobs guarantees covering the coming years before giving their green light.

PSA chief Carlos Tavares said on a visit to Germany in early April that all existing job and wage deals would be maintained.

To reach that goal, all collective bargaining agreements dealing with German Opel employees are to be transferred to a new legal entity, Opel Automobile GmbH.

Even once the transfer is made, PSA will still not have taken control of the firm.

This week's sticking point is the future of some 7,700 workers at Opel's prized Ruesselsheim research and development centre, which designs motors and new car models, the Allgemeine Zeitung reported.

The employee representatives will not move forward until PSA agrees to uphold a past guarantee from GM to keep commissioning projects from the research unit for the next three years.

"We are on a good path regarding the transition, although there are still some open questions to be cleared up," Opel communications chief Michael Goentgens told AFP, confirming only that "internal information events" planned for Monday and Tuesday had been delayed.

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"We expect the merger with PSA to be completed in the second half of 2017," he added.

PSA's plan to buy Opel and British subsidiary Vauxhall from US-based GM for 1.3 billion euros ($1.45 billion) would create Europe's second-largest carmaker after Volkswagen.

Opel and Vauxhall employ some 35,600 workers between them at ten factories across Europe, around half of them at three plants in Germany.

The deal has yet to receive the green light from competition authorities.
By Dustin Volz

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Facebook (FB.O), Amazon (AMZN.O) and more than two dozen other U.S. technology companies pressed Congress on Friday to make changes to a broad internet surveillance law, saying they were necessary to improve privacy protections and increase government transparency.

The request marks the first significant public effort by Silicon Valley to wade into what is expected to be a contentious debate later the year over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, parts of which will expire on Dec. 31 unless Congress reauthorizes them.

Of particular concern to the technology industry and privacy advocates is Section 702, which allows U.S. intelligence agencies to vacuum up vast amounts of communications from foreigners but also incidentally collects some data belonging to Americans that can be searched by analysts without a warrant.

"We are writing to express our support for reforms to Section 702 that would maintain its utility to the U.S. intelligence community while increasing the programs privacy protections and transparency," the companies wrote in a letter to Representative Bob Goodlatte, the Republican chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee.

Section 702 is considered a vital tool by U.S. intelligence officials, estimated to be responsible for as much as a quarter of surveillance conducted by the U.S. National Security Agency.

But it has long been targeted by civil liberties advocates as too expansive and lacking in sufficient safeguards.

Disclosures by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden in 2013 revealed the sweeping nature of 702 surveillance, causing embarrassment for some U.S. technology firms.

In their letter, the companies asked lawmakers to codify the recent termination of a type of NSA surveillance that collected American communications sent to or received from someone living overseas that mentioned a foreign intelligence target.

Lawmakers should also require judicial oversight of government queries of data collected under Section 702 that involved American communications and narrow the definition of "foreign intelligence information" to reduce the collection of data that belongs to foreigners not suspected of wrongdoing, the companies said.

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The letter asks for more leeway in how companies are allowed to disclose the number of surveillance requests and more declassification of orders approved by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

Legislation currently being drafted by a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House Judiciary Committee is expected to address all of the concerns raised in the technology companies' letter.

Other signatories on the letter include Alphabet Inc's Google (GOOGL.O), Cisco (CSCO.O), Twitter (TWTR.N), Uber [UBER.UL], Yahoo (YHOO.O) and Snap (SNAP.N).

(Reporting by Dustin Volz; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
On Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath: Merchants of Fear, Australian reporter Bryan Seymour explained to Leah Remini how he exposed years of alleged abuse experienced by one young Australian man indoctrinated into Scientology at an early age. Shane Kelsey spent years in the church and only left when he was 18. He was sent to the Rehabilitation Project Force, which Kelsey says is a place members are sent to be punished. He reported being forced to do hard manual labor, like scrubbing the floor with a toothbrush. He wasnt allowed to read any books other than Scientology books, and he had never seen the Internet. (As always, the Church of Scientology denies and disputes all claims made on the A&E program.)

After Australian politician Nick Xenophon saw Seymours stories about the Church of Scientology, Xenophon wanted to help Seymour in exposing more abuse, but the Church of Scientology is famous for suing those who speak out. Xenophon came up with the idea of telling Seymours story in Parliament. Under parliamentary privilege, you cant be sued for whats said there.

According to Seymour, as a result of Xenophons speech, which was basically a laundry list of abuse that people had suffered, Australia got its Charities and Not-for-profits Commission to require Scientology to pay taxes. The Charities Commission requires that Scientology and all other churches publish their audited financial accounts, so that what was once secret is now in public view. And due to that kind of transparency, the Church of Scientology in Australia took a major financial hit. Between 2014 and 2015, their revenue dropped $20 million, to just over $10 million.

Check out how, despite controversy, Leah Remini soldiers on for second season of Scientology expose:

Read more from Yahoo TV:

Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram  or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
A man said to be mentally ill attacked 20 people with a knife in southwest China, killing two, authorities said.

The suspect, identified as Chen Guangliang, 30, was detained following Sunday afternoons attack along a roadway in Guizhou province, according to a statement posted on a local government website.

Two of the 20 injured people taken to a hospital died, the Zhenning County public security bureau said. The remaining 18 were in stable condition as of Monday, authorities said.

Chens father told authorities that his son had a history of mental illness, according to the initial statement.

Prior to the attack, Chen attempted to set fire to a gas station, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Local and provincial police were investigating and no further details were immediately available.

Several high-profile stabbings over the past decade have been blamed on perpetrators who were reportedly mentally ill, calling attention to the dearth of mental health services in China, particularly in rural areas.

Knives also have been used in attacks in the restive Xinjiang region, where authorities said in February that eight people including three assailants were killed and five injured during a knife attack in Pishan county. Gun ownership is sharply restricted in China. AP
An art exhibition Debris  Works by Alexandre Farto aka Vhils will be inaugurated at the Navy Yard No.1- Contemporary Art Center on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

The exhibition  organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) as part of the 28th Macao Arts Festival  features more than 20 works, including four new murals inspired by Macau in the public space.

Vhils has become internationally recognized for developing a unique visual poetry that exemplifies the interdependent relationship between contemporary life and its urban context.

The exhibition will further present forgotten urban collective memories and history from the artists perspective, revealing the specific moments of the globalization process, and the artists personal experience, identity and attention.

His carving technique, based on removing the surface layers of walls and other materials with unconventional tools, has been hailed as one of the most compelling approaches to art created in the urban art scene, according to a statement issued by the IC.

At the end of 2016, the Consulate General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong and Casa de Portugal em Macau invited Vhils to create a mural of celebrated Portuguese poet Camilo Pessanha.

The exhibition features works by the artist using local elements, including new billboards made from Macau street posters and carvings on old doors collected in the region, as well as a slow-motion video capturing the territorys streets.

The full exhibition includes public murals distributed throughout the city, including two works at the Macao Portuguese School.

Among other locations, the additional murals may be viewed on external walls at Rua dos Clerigos in Old Taipa Village and No. 1, Rua Direita Carlos Eugenio, in Taipa. The exhibition will be open from June 1 to November 5.
VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Co. is in talks to become the first company in Vietnam to list its shares on a stock exchange overseas as the carrier, which controls more than 40 percent of the domestic airline market, seeks more funds after plans for billions of dollars in aircraft purchases. Weve been approached by some foreign stock exchanges including London, Hong Kong and Singapore, which expressed their interest in our stock, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, VietJets founder and chief executive officer, said in an interview in Hanoi on Sunday. Thao said she will meet exchange officials in New York later this week.

British Airways schedule normalizing

British Airways flight schedule is slowly recovering as the carrier digs out of a massive computer failure that stranded thousands of passengers worldwide over the weekend and cast doubts on Chief Executive Officer Alex Cruzs aggressive cost-cutting strategy. The U.K. carrier canceled 50 flights, or about 6 percent of the total 852 scheduled, to and from its main London Heathrow hub on Monday, according to the British Airways website. An additional 66 routes were delayed. That brings the total of flights scrapped at Heathrow and Gatwick airports since Saturday to 583.
The new Taipa Maritime Terminal (also known as Pac On Ferry Terminal) will open on Thursday without any commercial entities, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosario, said yesterday, and it could be another year before establishments such as shops and restaurant can begin operating.

The secretary said that the process of filling these commercial spaces, which had been awarded to a local company through a public tender, had faced unforeseen difficulties.

There were some issues that delayed the whole process, Rosario told TDM. In the meantime, even though the conditions are not the best, we decided to keep the opening date [for the terminal].

During a media tour yesterday, the head of the Port Control Department of the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA), Tong Iok Peng, said that the first ferry operating at the new Taipa Maritime Terminal will depart Macau for Hong Kong at approximately 7 a.m. on June 1, said at a press conference yesterday.

According to Tong, the first ferry to arrive and dock in the new facility will depart Hong Kong for Macau at around 8 a.m. that same day.

Regarding the current temporary ferry terminal, the last ferry arriving in Macau will complete its journey at half past midnight on June 1. The last ferry to depart the city will do so at 1 a.m.

After the last ferry leaves Macau, the temporary terminal will be closed to the public. All three ferry companies will relocate their operations to the new terminal, which will run 24 hours a day. For its initial phase, it will open eight ferry parking spots.

Four public buses, specifically bus lines 26, 36, AP1 and MT1, will service the ferry terminal. Bus N2 will run during the night shift.

The new terminal will also be the final station for bus MT4, which will drop passengers off on the first floor and pick them up on the ground floor.

Starting early Thursday morning, lines 26, AP1 and MT4 will still stop at the current temporary ferry terminal. N2 will stop at the new ferry terminal starting at midnight next Thursday, but it will still stop at the temporary ferry terminal.

The new ferry terminal will provide a total of 936 parking spots, including 196 for motorbikes and 740 for cars. There will be two exits in the parking lots, with one entrance located on the ground floor and another on the first floor.

73 parking lots will be available for heavy vehicles on the side of the terminal facing the Pac On immigration office building.

Heavy vehicles are only allowed to enter if approved by the Transport Bureau. As the terminal is new, special staff will be deployed to the terminal in order to issue temporary parking permits to heavy vehicles as needed. Such vehicles are only allowed to park for a maximum of 30 minutes.

Ten percent more officers from several public government departments, including customs, will be deployed to the new ferry terminal to aid the operations.

The 200,000-square meter structure opens on June 1, containing 16 bridge-quays for fast ferries and three multipurpose berths that can be used for several kinds of ships. There are also a total of 127 immigration desks in place. JZ
Nepals mountaineering community was celebrating the first conquest of Mount Everest 64 years ago yesterday, as well as this years climbing season during which hundreds scaled the worlds highest peak.

A ceremony was held marking the first successful Everest climb by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay, in 1953 will also honor several others who have contributed to the climbing industry, said Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.

The industry suffered back-to-back tragedies in 2014 and 2015, when deadly avalanches forced the mountains early closure.

This years season, which began in March and ends tomorrow, saw hundreds of climbers reach the top of the 8,850-meter peak despite severe weather conditions. Last year was also considered a successful season, during which hundreds reached the top but five climbers died.

Six climbers died in the attempt this season, and all but that of American doctor Roland Yearwood had been recovered by Sunday.

The three Sherpa guides who attempted to retrieve Yearwoods body said the location was too dangerous to reach, according to Murari Sharma of Everest Parivar Expedition agency.

On Sunday, rescuers brought down from Everest the bodies of an Indian climber who died this year and two Indians who died last year.

AP
The City University of Macau (CityU) has recently launched two graduate courses, a Master (MA) and a Doctorate degree (PhD), which aim to provide additional knowledge and decisive research contributions on the study of Portuguese-speaking countries.

The transformation of CityU into a comprehensive platform for studies, research and sharing of knowledge about this new area is in line with the regions focus on Portuguese-speaking countries. Recent developments in this area include the creation of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation Between China and Portuguese-speaking countries and more recently, Beijings One Belt, One Road initiative.

To learn more about the courses, their goals and expected achievements, the Times spoke to CityUs Professor Ivo Carneiro de Sousa, who is also Associate Dean of the Institute for Research on Portuguese-Speaking Countries, as well as to Professor Chao Peng, the Dean of the Macao One Belt One Road Research Center, which is closely involved with the project.

Macau Daily Times (MDT)  What are the main goals and attractive points of these new MA and PhD courses?

Ivo Carneiro de Sousa (ICS)  The courses aim to build up a new area of study. There are several traditional areas of studies in countless universities, such as European Studies, African Studies and Latin-American studies. We want to transform the study of Portuguese-speaking countries (PSC) and their relations with China into a new area, using the [existing] academic tools of these areas: merging interdisciplinary study with social sciences, economic sciences, history and international relations.

One of the major arguments in favor of this new area of study is the fact that since 2003, China created a Forum, the well-known Macau Forum, organized in a way not based on geographic location but on language spoken, gathering PSC and China through Macau.

The courses will fully study PSC, mainly history, economics, developmental challenges and social change. The courses will resear;ch growing China-PSC relations in these fields. In summary, the goals are very simple [to make] Portuguese-speaking countries an area of academic study and the university as an academic platform that supports that creation of knowledge.

MDT  In what sense does Macau hold an advantage in hosting these courses (and having this platform)?

ICS  It really is an ideal and key academic and research place. First, Macau has a centuries-long legacy of bridging the East and West, bridging China and Portugal and PSC through the exchange of trade, people, culture and even science. Portuguese is also an official language [here] along with Chinese, and widely frames law, engineering norms, architectural rules and several other professional situations. It is easy to find physicians, lawyers, engineers, architects and others [who are] able to speak both languages. Moreover, Macau doesnt have the colonial and post-colonial constraints that still embarrasses relations and independent research which compares PSC in social, economic or cultural fields (still present in some countries, namely Angola or Mozambique).

Macau is also the host of the Forum for China-PSC economic and trade relations and has a singular set of Lusophone events which are held through festivals and other initiatives. Macau has also a number of general-consulates and honorary consuls of all PSC, [as well as] active associations and leaders. Last but not least, Macau enjoys a modest prosperous financial situation and a close connection with the mainland, which is only a few steps away.

MDT  What language of instruction would be used?

ICS  The courses will be taught in English. One can like or dislike it, but the current evidence is that English is the language of scientific publication. Most top academic journals are in English. Thus, if one doesnt publish in English, one barely exists as a researcher. In consequence, we are committed to support our students to publish in English in the most influential journals in the fields related to Portuguese-speaking countries studies. MA students must also take a research course in Portuguese. It means that we will train students to read, understand and research official and private documents in Portuguese; namely reports, statistics and academic papers on China-PSC imports and exports, national budgets, economic cooperation and investments.

MDT  How do these courses relate to the One Belt, One Road initiative?

ICS  They do have a huge relation. One Belt, One Road (OBOR) is Chinas proposal for globalization in a period of globalization setbacks since the financial crisis of 2007/2008. The crisis fuelled political speeches, mainly in the US and Europe, hostile to globalization and promising impossible national prosperity through old protectionist proposals.

OBOR is key for China to tackle the so-called new normal economy  growing at a single-digit percentage  and to avoid the famous middle-income trap. It also aims to secure outlets for excess production capacity and outward investment; to become a vehicle for the development of the modern service industry, mainly finance; and to be a step forward for RMB internationalization. China-PSC relations can offer a key platform for these paramount changes.

Chao Peng (CP)  In addition, PSC studies are cross-disciplinary and synthetic, closely related to international relations. We already gathered some experience from the creation of the Macao OBOR Research Center back in 2016, which is the first and only Academic Research unit [in this field] in Macau. This also makes us [CityU] the first university for OBOR Research through the MA and PhD.

MDT  What kind of students are you targeting? Who are they and what are their career goals?

ICS  We are in the process of recruiting local candidates, [as well as those from the] mainland and Portuguese-speaking countries. For the PhD, we have received applications from mainland students who have already done Masters dissertations on China-PSC relations, most of them on several aspects of trade and cooperation between China and Brazil, which is understandable due to the huge amount of bilateral trade..We have also received applications from Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde and East Timor. So our goal is to create a new service that can benefit the Macau platform, [through] research, exchange of academic staff and students, and the organization of academic resources such as libraries and online data resources.

For these purposes, the Institute will publish an academic journal, Typhon, twice a year in October and April, and will start a collection of books on PSC and China-PSC relations.

As we must recognize that the Macau Platform is an ongoing process, we also need to note that it really lacks in academic exchange and qualified research. Direct services from Macau in PSC dont exist, and Macaus contribution to direct trade between China-PSC is very narrow, since these relations are mainly bilateral.

At the same time, nobody understands that the companies paying Macau, the gambling companies, are not fully engaged in the Macau platform. They do have the best management in several key areas  financial, engineering, human resources, et cetera  and there should be a strategic place for training PSC professionals and enhancing human resources and management. Our candidates will see that these courses are a great opportunity as the cooperation evolves, and more and more knowledge is needed to support the business-related areas.

They can become advisors in big companies and even government institutions and entities, which is in fact a smart move. We have an interesting fact: we realized during our interviews that we have a good number of students moving from the more common Masters in Business Administration (MBA) to these new courses.

For the first year, we will have a batch of students that will include more mainland Chinese than locals, but in the upcoming years we will try to balance this between mainland, local and PSC students because they will allow them an interaction and understanding of cultural diversity, which is very important.
Helicopters searched in Sri Lanka yesterday through piles of mud for people still marooned after rain-triggered floods and mudslides inundated villages last Thursday, killing at least 169 people and leaving 102 others missing, officials say.

According to several media reports, up to half a million people have been displaced due to the torrential rains and severe flooding.

The rains caused part of Kiribathgala Hill to come crashing down, burying the 15 homes and their 26 inhabitants under huge rocks, mud and fallen coconut trees, village officer Udari Erabedda said. Soldiers have recovered 12 bodies, including those of two women and a child dug out yesterday. The others remain missing.

The hill in Sri Lankas Ratnapura district, known for gems and precious stones, is 120 kilometers (75 miles) southeast of the capital, Colombo. Most residents make their living by tending small plots of tea or spices, or by working in nearby gem mines.

With more rain expected, rescuers are racing to evacuate villagers from the most vulnerable areas around the country. Already, more than 75,000 people have taken shelter in 337 relief camps set up in the south and west.

Army boats skimmed along water-filled village streets, while flood victims waded through the brackish waters to army trucks carrying relief supplies.

We are displaced and have no place to go, said Rathana Kumari, who fled her flooded home with her family and took refuge on the Southern Expressway, a highway linking Colombo with the cities of Matara and Galle. Now we are extremely helpless with our little children. [] Today, we didnt get anything to eat.

The United Nations said it is donating water purification tablets, tents and other supplies for the displaced. India sent two shiploads of goods and some medical staff, and the United States and Pakistan also promised relief supplies.

Mudslides have become common during Sri Lankas summer monsoon season as forests across the tropical Indian Ocean island nation have been cleared for export crops such as tea and rubber. MDT/AP
Perhaps not surprising with almost a year to go before anyone casts a ballot, a large plurality of Idahoans dont know who theyll vote for to be the states next governor, according to a recent poll.

Forty-five percent of the 649 people surveyed in early and mid-May dont know who theyll support, according to the poll, which was conducted by the Salt Lake City-based firm Dan Jones and Associates on behalf of Idaho Politics Weekly.

Sixteen percent said they would support Raul Labrador and 12 percent said Brad Little, the Republican congressman and lieutenant governor, respectively, who will compete in the May 2018 primary. Six percent each said Tommy Ahlquist, a Republican developer from Boise, and A.J. Balukoff, who ran as a Democrat in 2014 and has been mentioned as a possible 2018 candidate.

Four percent said Lawrence Wasden, the Republican attorney general who has not yet said what his 2018 plans are, while 2 percent said Russ Fulcher, the former GOP state senator who challenged incumbent Gov. C.L. Butch Otter in 2014, and 1 percent said Troy Minton, a homeless man who lives in Boise and has filed to run as a Democrat.

Among just Republicans, Ahlquist, Little and Labrador do better, improving to 8, 18 and 22 percent respectively, but Wasden, who has clashed with the Republican governor and Legislature over a number of issues, does worse, dropping to 3 percent support.

A poll of likely Republican voters conducted by the Idaho Freedom Foundation in February found 39 percent support for Labrador, 27 percent for Little, 7 percent for Fulcher and 2 percent for Ahlquist. An online poll conducted by the Gem State Patriot in April found 51 percent support for Fulcher, 23 percent for Labrador, 15 percent for Ahlquist and 8 percent for Little. (Its probably safe to assume the Gem State Patriots readership skews more conservative than the samples used in either of the other polls.)
TWIN FALLS  The past eight months have been a test of patience for Hailey Barnes and Don Campbell.

Their dream of opening a rock climbing gym in downtown Twin Falls has been met with delay after delay throughout the construction period: The steel manufacturer made an error on the drawings. Contractors found 1,000 cubic yards of concrete debris when they began excavating footings in September. And winter weather set the project back two months.

I feel like weve hit every single delay we possibly can, Barnes said. Its funny now. Before, I think I was screaming a lot.

Campbell  her father and business partner who also owns a fish and cattle farm  is taking a more laid-back approach.

Sometimes being a farmer means you put your head down and keep working, he said.

But piece by piece, Gemstone Climbing Center is slowly taking shape at 135 Fifth Ave. S., and the partners are aiming to have it up and running by the end of August.

In the meantime, theyre offering more opportunities to secure a discounted membership rate. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, the public is invited to tour the uncompleted structure and purchase a founders membership  a fixed-rate, lower cost option that will remain the same over a lifetime, or until the membership is cancelled.

Theyll be basically like the royalty for our gym, Barnes said.

There are about 150 of 200 still available. Founders will get to use the gym two weeks before everyone else in late July or early August, Barnes said. The also get preferred seating for lectures, and invites to founders-only events such as meet-and-greets with speakers.

These memberships start at $450 a year for an individual (regular memberships will be $510 a year, with monthly options available).

The waiting game

Barnes and Campbell came up with their idea for a rock climbing gym several years ago, but they decided to do some research first. About seven years ago, they had a feasibility study done to look at area demographics.

It wasnt gonna fly, Campbell said.

But a few years later, newer data showed population growth and increased per-capita income. So they decided to take a chance.

We were betting on the changes were going to be permanent, he said.

Campbells wife, Diane, and John and Lisa Hanowell also got involved.

Were in it solely for the improvement of Twin, said Hanowell, an avid rock climber.

The concrete debris discovered on the site in September is believed to have been remnants of a downtown lighting project in the 90s.

We were pulling up the strangest things, Barnes said.

And it wasnt just the excavation that cost them: The pit then had to be refilled and recompacted. Campbell said the city has been helpful and is working to see what GemStone may be reimbursed for.

He figures that upon completion, the gym will be about a $2.4 million initial investment in Twin Falls  $1.7 million for the building, plus the cost of equipment and operating capital.

Gym amenities

On Saturday, the partners plan to have chalk outlines showing where the future rock climbing walls will be.

The walls are actually in transit from Bulgaria right now, Barnes said.

GemStone Climbing Center will have areas for bouldering (rope-free climbing), top rope climbing and lead climbing, Hanowell said. There is also a family-friendly climbing area with walls for children and young adults.

A third of the gym is dedicated to family climbing, he said.

A retail store will offer gear, but visitors can also rent shoes, chalk bags or ropes. And fitness instructors will offer classes like hot yoga.

A membership includes unlimited use of climbing walls, fitness equipment and yoga lessons  though some lessons like hot yoga will have a nominal fee, Campbell said.

GemStone Climbing Center is constructed to be handicapped accessible, but wont be fully accessible to those with special needs until the gym gets more specialized staff and equipment.

For Hanowell, the gym will accomplish multiple goals, helping to build up the city while serving as a place for outdoor-minded individuals to climb even when the weather isnt cooperative.

We see that Twin has a soul.
BURLEY  Police say a Paul man pointed a pistol at another man then chased him in his car to North Burley.

Seth Cofer, 20, has been charged with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor reckless driving.

Minidoka County dispatch received a call at 1:40 a.m. Sunday from man in a pickup truck who was being chased by another pickup on 600 W. heading toward Burley.

Officers saw the two vehicles, a white pickup in the lead and a silver pickup following extremely close as they came into town.

The silver truck turned toward the white truck in the parking lot and accelerated and then stopped just behind it, police said.

Cofer, who was driving the silver pickup, told police hed had an argument with the man in the other pickup, who was talking to Cofers sister at the time. Cofer said he shined a flashlight in the mans face and when Cofer opened the mans pickup door the man took off in the pickup dragging him and tried to run him over.

Police said Cofer had road rash on the left side of his back.

Police found a rifle in Cofers pickup between the driver and middle seat and a 9 mm pistol in the center console.

The man in the white pickup also had a pistol.

Cofer said he pulled the pistol on the man after he heard the other man rack the slide on his pistol during the confrontation.

Cofers sister said Cofer pulled up next to them and started yelling at her to get out of the truck, he told police. He then pointed the flashlight in the mans face and the man tried to drive away from him.

A preliminary hearing in the case is set for June 14.

The maximum penalty for aggravated assault is five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Tuesday evening, the City Council is scheduled to vote on a $2.5 million contract with Extreme Excavation of Shoshone to replace the Rock Creek trunk line. The original line was built in the 1960s, and the new one will serve a large portion of Twin Falls area of impact south of Rock Creek and allow for additional development in the area, according to a memo attached to the City Council agenda. The project would be funded out of the $38 million in sewer revenue bonds city voters authorized in 2013  $6 million of this was set aside for collection system improvements.
Richard Collins III, fatally stabbed last weekend on the University of Marylands College Park campus, was as innocent as the 22 victims slain in the Manchester suicide bombing on Monday. Collins, an African-American, newly commissioned U.S. Army officer from Maryland, was, like the victims of the Manchester, England, massacre, not bothering anybody. Slated to graduate from Bowie State University this week, Collins was simply out with friends enjoying himself. So, too, were those killed and wounded in Manchester.

Authorities are investigating Collins death, allegedly at the hands of a knife-wielding University of Maryland student, Sean Urbanski, as a possible hate crime. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., speaking on the House floor, called the killing of his constituent a vicious crime probably motivated by hate. The cause has not been pinned down.

In Manchester, theres certainty.

That attack is deemed an act of terrorism spurred by an aim to intimidate and make a statement about the presumed religion, nationality and cultural values of the victims. The Islamic States claim of responsibility for the murders has not been substantiated.

But the suicide bomber, Salman Abedi, reportedly was radicalized recently. Flirtation with the dark side may have also attracted Urbanski.

According to University of Maryland Police Chief David Mitchell, Urbanski belonged to a Facebook group where members post racist and other offensive statements. Mitchell described the postings as despicable and said they showed extreme bias against women, Latinos, persons of the Jewish faith and especially African-Americans.

Whats striking about these unprovoked attacks is how much is known about motivators of extremists abroad and how little is known, or at least discussed, about instigators of extremism here at home.

On Sunday, President Trump denounced those who practice terrorism and spread its vile creed. And he urged his listeners to stand in uniform condemnation of terrorism and barbaric attacks.

Trumps message, however, was delivered to an international audience in Saudi Arabia.

Would that the presidents voice could be heard on threats posed here at home.

It would be good to hear a presidential condemnation of the kind of hate being investigated as behind Collins death.

Or hear Trump express outrage at the March stabbing of an African-American manin New York, allegedly by a white supremacist from Maryland who police say admitted traveling to the Big Apple to indulge his long- harbored hatred of black men. He wanted to trigger a killing spree against African-Americans, police said.

Those individual hate crimes apparently dont rise to presidential attention, at least not like Manchesters multiple deaths, which tend to focus the mind. But solitary attacks add up.

As the Anti-Defamation League noted in a new report, A Dark & Constant Rage: 25 Years of Right-Wing Terrorism in the United States, the United States has experienced a long string of terrorist incidents, with many connected not to Islamist terrorists but to right-wing extremists.

The findings were startling.

The ADL analyzed 150 terrorist acts in the United States that were committed, attempted or plotted by right-wing extremists. More than 800 people were killed or injured in these attacks, the ADL said, noting that the attacks surged during the mid-to-late 1990s and again starting in 2009the beginning of Barack Obamas presidency.

The also looked at other acts of violence and determined that from 2007 to 2016, a range of domestic extremists of all kinds were responsible for the deaths of at least 372 people across the country. Seventy-four percent of these murders came at the hands of right-wing extremists such as white supremacists, sovereign citizens and militia adherents.

And, reported the ADL, the hate and terror mongers choose their marks carefully: Jews, Muslims andthe most common racial targetAfrican-Americans.

According to The Post, a study by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University at San Bernardino showed an overall increase of 13 percent in hate crimes reported, with 1,812 incidents reported in 2016the year of our nasty, hate-filled presidential race.

So how about pivoting from Saudi Arabia to turn White House attention to our own homegrown terrorist problem? After all, right-wing extremism may be the predicate that led a hate-filled white student to pick up a knife in the middle of spring commencement celebrations and stab an innocent and promising young man of color to death.

Surely that is worth a presidential thought or two.

Manchester has prompted elevation of Britains threat level to its highest.

In light of Richard Collins murder, the discovery of a noose in a fraternity house this month, as well as white supremacist fliers posted on campus earlier this year, where is the University of Marylands threat level? How about Americas?

After all, haters seem emboldened as never before.
Two Saudi policemen were injured Monday in the eastern Awamiya town, in a bomb blast as security forces try to fend off Shia militants.

Saudi news agency SPA citing official security sources said the policemen were injured in the explosion of an improvised bomb device.

The Monday incident followed the death of a soldier nearly two weeks ago after an army patrol was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by gunmen in the same town. Five other soldiers were wounded in the attack.

Few days earlier, a Saudi child and a Pakistani worker were killed in an attack attributed to Shia militia.

Shia militants have been resisting construction projects in the town. Saudi authorities point out that they are razing the old town used by terrorists and gunmen as hideout for illegal activities including drug and arm dealing.

Authorities say old buildings will be replaced by shopping centres, office buildings and green spaces.

United Nations cultural experts slammed Riyadh last week over the razing of the towns old quarter, saying the work erased cultural heritage and violated human rights, Reuters reports.

The town has been flashpoint between Saudi security forces and the Shia minority, which complains of marginalization. Riyadh muted protests in the area in 2011 as the Shia stood for more rights.

Tensions flared up following the execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr a year ago.
Head of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar has charged Qatar for alleged backing of terror groups in Libya as the small gulf country undergoes regional pressure following last week diplomatic tension.

Haftar, who is linked to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt, told local media that Qatar as well as other regional countries are funding terror groups in Libya.

The Libyan army commander who leads an army opposed to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) pointed out that some foreign communities and groups were receiving funding from Qatar and some other regional countries, which he did not disclose.

He linked those groups and communities to al Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

Haftars comments came as Doha faces regional isolation following last week tension between the small country and other Gulf countries after remarks attributed to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani irked other regional powers mainly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Comments attributed to Al-Thani criticizing US President Donald Trump, calling for renewal of ties with Iran, and labelling Hamas a resistance movement were published on the Qatari official News Agency and its related platforms.

Riyadh and Abu Dhabi shut down Qatari media websites including Doha-based al Jazeera. Egypt also moved in the same direction suspending all Qatari news websites.

Doha flatly denied any wrongdoing pointing out that its news agency was hacked

Qatar has been accused by other Gulf and Arab countries of supporting terrorism and backing the Muslim Brotherhood.

Doha argued that rift following the media scandal was orchestrated by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to smear Qatars image.

Haftar has been receiving military and logistic support from Cairo and Abu Dhabi in his so-called fight against jihadists.
Chicken will be the best-positioned protein due to its low price position in times of pressure on consumer spending power but rises in production costs and the long-term impact of COVID-19 threaten to disrupt the sector, according to Rabobank.
Armed attackers freed a French national and three Congolese kidnapped in March during an attack on a gold mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Interior Ministry said in statement.

The president of the (French) republic welcomes the news of the liberation of our compatriot kidnapped on March 1 in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo, said a statement from the office of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The new French president praised the DRC authorities for their mobilization and the effectiveness of their action in obtaining the hostages release, the statement added.

The hostages worked for Banro, a Canadian gold mining corporation in DRC. The mine manager Crispin Mwetwedu confirmed that the subsidiary of the Canadian company has received an anonymous call demanding a ransom.

The rebel group has criticized the mining company for not giving access or jobs to young miners who had been working on the site before it took over.

Banros four gold mines in eastern DRC have been repeatedly targeted by armed militias, which remain active despite the official end to a regional conflict in 2003.

DRC is home to multiple militias vying for control of its mineral-rich land.
Turkish authorities have delivered 40 tons of foods items to 1,500 families in Ethiopias north-eastern Afar regional state for the holy month of Ramadan, local media reported.

The donation was made by the Turkey Diyanet Foundation (TDV), which will set during the holy month Iftar tents in several villages of the region facing famine due to drought.

According to the project manager of the Foundation, Yuksel Sezgin, the choice of Afar regional state was made to alleviate the hardships of the population severely affected by drought.

The Afar Regional State is one of the nine regional states of Ethiopia, and is the homeland of the Afar people.

Turkish aid agencies plan to reach millions of people across the world with food aid during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Families in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Balkans will enjoy Iftar, or fast-breaking, meals from the start of Ramadan, state news agency Anadolu said.

Ships loaded with over 60,000 tons of humanitarian aid will head to countries hit by famine such as South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen.
Gabonese authorities on Monday unveiled plan to create about 30,000 jobs in various fields over the period 2017-2019 under the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP), local media reported.

The jobs will focus on digital economy, infrastructure, mining, hydrocarbons, agriculture, forestry, tourism, among others.

This plan is in line with the objectives of the Gabonese authorities, which aim to bring the countrys growth to a threshold of 6% over the next two years.

President Ali Bongo said that economic growth last year was expected to have reached 3 percent, a slowdown from the average of 6 percent since he first took office in 2009.

The budget was cut by over 5 percent in 2017 because of declining oil production and prices. Income per capita rocketed from $3,090 in 2000 to $10,410 in 2014 as oil prices shot higher. But it fell in 2015 for the first time in 15 years, as oil prices slid.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has recently approved a 200 million loan to the oil-rich nation, to support the countrys Economic and Financial Reforms.

The loan aims to revive economic growth by strengthening the sustainability of public finances, as well as the structural transformation of the economy in a context marked by the recent oil price decline, which has seriously hit the economy.
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Parliament to carry out investigation

By Messenger Staff

Georgias General Auditor Lasha Tordia has addressed the Georgian Parliament with a request for the creation of an investigative commission concerning the incident that occurred between him and former Prosecutor-in-Chief, Otar Partskhaladze.He stressed at a special press-conference that in the current situation he cannot prove the truth of his words.Its ridiculous to describe Partskhaladze as the one who was assaulted. According to so-called neutral witnesses, the Interior Ministry says that I was the one who started the fight. Initially it was said that nothing special had happened; now they say I was the attacker. These are very interesting developments, Tordia said.He also addressed all international organizations and the diplomatic corps to be involved in the process.I would like to assure Otar Partskhaladze that he cannot get away with his actions so easily, he added.A clash occurred between Georgias General Auditor Lasha Tordia and former Prosecutor of Georgia Otar Partskhaladze about a week ago.Tordia claims he was attacked by Partskhaladze because of a finding the Audit Agency was drafting, revealing an illegal real estate deal between Partskhaladze and the Tbilisi Mayors Office.Partskhaladze said it was Tordia who attacked him.The issue has caused a large-scaled outcry, with the opposition, NGOs and the President demanding an urgent and fair investigation.Georgias Parliament Speaker vowed that at need, an investigative commission would be established in the legislative body.Every crime must be comprehensively investigated and there must be no question marks over the outcome of any investigation.Tordia is the head of one of the most important agencies in Georgia, and it should be clearly established, with relevant evidence, whether the clash was because of the audit agency's activities or not, and who was the true initiator of the clash.Whether there really was an illegal deal between Partskhaladze and the Mayors Office must also be examined under scrutiny.
The News in Brief

German Citizen Detained in Abkhazia



A citizen of Germany was detained in Abkhazia by Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers on May 22, the State Security Service of Georgia (SSG) told Civil.ge.



According to the SSG, Russian occupation forces have illegally detained a citizen of Germany in the village of Pichori in the occupied Gali District, on charges of illegally crossing the so-called border.



The SSG added that the Georgian side notified the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) about the incident, and that the SSG was actively working to free the German citizen together with other agencies and international organizations.



Local media sources in Abkhazia reported the detention on Monday. On May 22, 2017, in the area of the Pichori village, a citizen of Germany, who said he was engaged in hiking tourism and was not aware of crossing the state border of the Republic of Abkhazia, was detained for illegally crossing the state border from Georgia into the Republic of Abkhazia, the press service of Russian FSB border guards was quoted as saying.



For further procedural decisions the detained person was, according to established rules, transferred to the relevant agencies of the Republic of Abkhazia, the press service said.



The Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) between the region of Abkhazia and the rest of the Georgian territory is under control of the Russian border guards answering to the Federal Security Service (FSB). (civil,ge)







Russia and Abkhazia establish joint center to combat organized crime



Separatist authorities in Georgias breakaway region of Abkhazia signed an agreement with Russia on Thursday establishing a joint Russian-Abkhaz coordination center in Sokhumi to combat organized crime and other serious crimes.



The joint Russian-Abkhazian center will initially have a staff of 20 people, and the directors position will be filled on a rotating basis between Russia and Abkhazia, Sputnik-Abkhazia reports.



The document was inked by Russias deputy minister of interior and Abkhazias de facto interior minister.



The new coordination center is established in order to combat organized crime and other dangerous kinds of criminal activities.



In November, 2014, Abkhazias de facto authorities signed an agreement on alliance and strategic partnership with Russia. Georgia regarded that agreement as a form of annexation. (df watch)







Director of Lancet clinic sent to pre-trial detention



Farmer Jeira, the director of the Lancet clinic, was ordered to pre-trial detention.



As the judge explained, there was a danger that the defendant might escape or influence witnesses, which was proved by evidence presented at the trial.



The director of the Lancet clinic was arrested the day before yesterday for extorting a large amount of money from a patient through cheating him and hiding information dangerous for his health. (ipn)







34.1 million GEL allocated for Georgia by US



The U.S. Department of State has released the US Congressional Budget Justification for 2018.



According to the document, the challenges facing the United States and Europe in 2018 are great. Terrorism and national failures are leading to an increase in refugee and migration flows affecting Europe and adjoining areas. Waves of terrorist attacks in key European cities reflect the new and emerging threats posed by violent extremism, terrorist travel, and foreign fighter flows. Russias aggression in Ukraine, and its occupation of Crimea, and parts of Georgia, and Moldova, continues to contravene international principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia is also conducting malign influence campaigns intended to weaken democratic institutions and sow disunity in the transatlantic space. These challenges are coupled with Brexit, a still recovering Eurozone economy, and a rise in democratic backsliding in several European states. Concerted U.S. leadership and diplomatic engagement with Europe will be essential to addressing these challenges and strengthening the architecture of cooperation that the United States needs to protect American citizens and American values both at home and abroad.



EUR will continue to marshal European stability to push for full implementation of the Minsk agreements to bring peace to eastern Ukraine. EUR will maintain sanctions on Russia until these agreements are 70 fulfilled, and control of Crimea is returned to Ukraine. EUR will continue to support Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova in their right to chart their own futures as they undertake critical reforms to strengthen their political systems, economies, and defense. EUR will continue to encourage the peaceful resolution of protracted conflicts in Moldova and the South Caucasus. EUR will encourage the full normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo. And, in Cyprus, EUR will continue to support United Nation (UN) efforts aimed at reunifying the island as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, the document reads.



Georgia ($28.0 million): Funding will support Georgias efforts toward democratization, economic development, Euro-Atlantic integration, and resiliency against Russian pressure. Funds will support targeted efforts to enhance economic opportunities and increase access to objective sources of information for populations vulnerable to Russian influence, including in communities bordering the Russian occupied territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Programs will help strengthen institutional checks and balances and the rule of law. Programs will enhance public trust in state institutions; develop a more vibrant civil society and enable its participation in Georgias Euro-Atlantic integration process, both as partners with the government and as advocates for reform. Programs will also provide training, technical assistance, and resources to build the capacity of journalists and improve access to independent, reliable, and balanced media. Programming will increase energy security advancing renewable energy and promoting interregional connectivity and trade diversification to reduce reliance on Russian resources. Additionally, programming will promote necessary reforms to foster growth, and expand private-sector competitiveness and agricultural productivity, and improve economic governance and leadership to provide a predictable and consistent business environment in which legal and regulatory frameworks are fair, transparent, and attractive for foreign investment from U.S. and Western businesses. Programming will also support the implementation of European directives, including those in the environment sector, the document says.



Assistance Programs in Europe ($46.4 million): The FY 2018 MRA-OCO request will help alleviate human suffering in the region including by helping conflict victims and the displaced in Ukraine, Georgia, and the Balkans. Rising violence in Eastern Ukraine has driven nearly 1.9 million 308 people from their homes and left 3.8 million in need of assistance inside the country and across the region. Programs will help internally displaced persons and other conflict victims get access to emergency assistance, social services, shelter, livelihoods, and psychosocial programs to foster self-sufficiency. This request will also aid vulnerable IDPs in Georgia who are unable to return to the occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Funding within the Europe line will also support the international communitys response to the large numbers of refugees from the Middle-East, South Asia, and Africa including 50,000 refugees and vulnerable migrants stranded in Greece and Serbia.



Georgia ($3.0 million): Programming will assist Georgia in addressing the growing transnational organized crime problem in the Caucasus region. Programs will help build the capacity of law enforcement authorities, including their ability to trace and recover assets, respond to critical incidents, and fight human and narcotics trafficking. Assistance will also help reform criminal justice sector institutions, including prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and probation and corrections officers to bolster the rule of law and strengthen Georgias ability to prosecute transnational organized crime and reduce corruption. Funding will support efforts to advance criminal procedure reforms and continue programs to enhance public understanding of the criminal justice system and develop strong community-based relationships with local law enforcement.



Georgia ($0.9 million): EXBS-OCO will assist Georgia in implementing its new strategic trade control law, including reforms of secondary legislation and training and equipment for its officers. Funds will be used to help Georgias private sector understand and comply with export control laws. Funding will also help Georgia counter transnational threats such as transit or proliferation of WMD-related commodities and technology.



Europe and Eurasia ($28.6 million): IMET programs for Europe enhance regional security and interoperability among U.S., NATO, and European armed forces. Importantly, these programs help to ensure that those nations that operate alongside the United States have officers that understand and appreciate the doctrine and operational tactics of the U.S. military. Priority recipients include key strategic partners such as Bulgaria, Georgia, Poland, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine, the document reports. (IPN)




A drunken driving suspect in a hit-and-run crash that severely injured a 6-year-old boy in San Ysidro over the weekend had been deported from the U.S. at least 15 times, authorities said Tuesday.

Constantino Banda-Acosta, 38, was last deported Jan. 18, with at least 14 prior cases since 2002, federal authorities said.

Banda-Acosta is accused of speeding west on Camino de La Plaza, running a stop sign at Dairy Mart Road and slamming his pickup into a Honda Accord about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. The pickup driver did not stop.

The car that was struck was occupied by a family driving home after a day trip to Disneyland. They were a block away from their home when the crash occurred, a relative said.

The speeding Chevrolet Silverado hit the driver and passengers side where the boy, Lennox Lake, was sitting in his car seat, said his grandmother, Cheryl Lake.

The boys father, Benjamin, became trapped. His wife, Ingrid, crawled out of the front passenger seat and rushed to aid Lennox, who was unconscious, not breathing and bleeding from his nostrils, ears and head, his grandmother said.

The child suffered a major head injury and was taken to a hospital. As of Tuesday night, he had undergone two surgeries at Rady Childrens Hospital, Cheryl Lake said.

Despite a long road ahead, his family and doctors are cautiously optimistic the boy will make a full recovery, his grandmother said.

She described Lennox as a friendly and smart boy.

"The kid makes friends everywhere he goes. He's just a delight as a grandson," Cheryl Lake said, fighting back tears.

Lennox has two older brothers, 14 and 16, who did not join the family on the trip to Disneyland. His family set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the medical bills and other expenses.

Soon after the collision, Border Patrol agents came upon the familys wrecked Honda and fanned out in search of the hit-and-run driver.

A few blocks away, shortly after midnight, agents found a damaged pickup that matched the description Ingrid Lake gave them. Inside were two men, who were detained.

Banda-Acosta was identified as the driver. He



was booked into jail on suspicion of felony



hit-and-run with injury, drunken driving with



injury and driving without a valid license.

The Border Patrol took custody of Banda-Acostas passenger, also an unauthorized immigrant, agency officials said.

Banda-Acosta is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday . He was being held on $100,000 bail.

His criminal history includes arrests stemming from domestic violence allegations against his wife of 18 years, Chula Vista police Capt. Fritz Reber said. Chula Vista police arrested Banda-Acosta April 9, 2006 and Jan. 9 of this year.

ICE spokeswoman Lauren Mack said the agency would again seek deportation for Banda-Acosta after any conviction and sentence is served in connection with the DUI and hit-and-run crash.

The agency confirmed that, given its longstanding relationship with the San Diego County Sheriffs Department, ICE is confident Banda-Acosta will be released to the agency once his criminal case is settled.

Cheryl Lake, the boys grandmother, was shocked and at a loss for words when a Union-Tribune reporter shared information about the number of times Banda-Acosta has been deported.

She said she couldnt wrap her mind around how Banda-Acosta repeatedly entered the country illegally.

"There are not enough words to describe the huge impact his actions have had, she said.

ICE confirmed that 15 removals is a significant number and indicates an egregious immigration violation.

San Diegans who support Trump 's immigration policies saw the incident as proof that his plans are needed.

"Why do we continue to accept these travesties day after day?" said Imperial Beach resident Ernie Griffes via email. "Our state legislators encourage it with legislation.

"We need vetting, rules, order, structure. At a minimum, criminals need to go," said Patti Brasga via email.

San Diegans who oppose Trump's immigration policies spoke out against using this case to depict all immigrants as criminals.

"Drunk driving is a nation-wide problem that has affected the lives of far too many," said Andrea Guerrero, executive director of Alliance San Diego, via email. "Using the pain and suffering of victims and their families to vilify a single community is irresponsible and unhelpful. We all need to work together, immigrants and citizens alike, in an atmosphere of trust in order to solve public safety issues."

Because of the Banda-Acostas immigration history, the boy and his family will be eligible for help from the new Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement , or VOICE, office created by President Donald Trump in an executive order. The office aids victims of crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants.

The office was announced at the end of April and plans to study statistics related to unauthorized immigrants and crime in addition to supporting victims.
@NewsbySmiley

Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell is forming an exploratory committee to gauge whether he should run for Congress.

Russell, a Democrat and first-term commissioner representing downtown and Coconut Grove, has tapped Utrecht, Kleinfeld, Fiori, Partners in Washington D.C. to help him decide if he should open a 2018 campaign for the CD-27 seat being vacated by Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Locally, he's working with political consultant Fernando Diez.

Under federal law, the Ken Russell Exploratory Committee for Congress can raise funds for polling and travel while allowing Russell to stay on the fence as a possible candidate. Russell, who weeks ago confirmed his interest in Ros-Lehtinen's seat, said he doesn't have a timetable for a decision.

"I believe I need to do that next step, to see if this is the right decision to move forward and serve. I've already spoken with the [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee] in Washington, the state party chairman for the Democratic Party here in Florida," Russell, 43, told the Miami Herald Tuesday afternoon. "This is something that's very important to me. I represent the common neighbor who becomes a local politician. And that voice is becoming stronger and stronger."

A Congressional campaign would reflect high hopes for Russell, who is not yet mid-way through a four-year term on the city commission (a job he says he finds "fulfilling").

Before running for city commission in 2015, he was somewhat disinterested in politics, not just as a candidate but as a voter. But since becoming a city commissioner, he has served as a Hillary Clinton delegate during the 2016 presidential convention and embraced local progressive issues at City Hall, such as a $15 wage for public agencies and styrofoam ban for vendors at city parks.

He's said he also wants to bring campaign finance reform to Miami.

"There is a crisis of leadership at the federal level, the likes of what we haven't seen in a lifetime," Russell said. "We have to serve where we're best suited and if I can make a difference at the highest level, I have to consider that."

If he files to run, Russell will enter an already crowded field.

The seat, which represents a district covering Miami, Miami Beach and a swath of coastal, southeastern Miami-Dade, is a priority for Democrats. State Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez of Miami, a party darling, is considered an early front-runner. Scott Fuhrman, Michael A. Hepburn, Mark Anthony Person and Miami Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez have also opened campaigns.

On the Republican side, Miami-Dade Commissioner Bruno Barreiro, former School Board Member Raquel Regalado and Maria Peiro have filed to run. Lt. Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera is also said to have interest.


@PatriciaMazzei

A Miami Republican running in a special Florida House election traveled earlier this year to Cuba, where he and his fiancee posed for engagement photos in Havana.

Daniel Anthony Perez, a 29-year-old attorney and first-time candidate for House District 116, described it as a family trip to see his fiancee's elderly uncle.

"It was to visit a family member," Perez said Tuesday to a Miami Herald reporter who asked about the photos, which are posted online. "We did take pictures while we were there. But the main reason we went was to visit her uncle. We took food, we took medicine."

Cuban Americans are generally allowed to travel to Cuba for family reunification purposes, but not for outright tourism -- which is especially frowned upon among older Cuban Americans who tend to be reliable voters in local Republican primaries.

"This is Miami, and people can interpret things the wrong way," Perez said. "I am 100 percent against the Cuban government and everything it stands for, but I was not going to let my fiancee go to Cuba alone."

Perez said former President Barack Obama did not push Cuba's communist government to loosen its grip on civil society before reestablishing diplomatic relations.

"We opened up travel to Cuba without getting anything in return," Perez said. "There are still people being oppressed."

Perez has filed to run to replace Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, a Republican who resigned to seek a state Senate seat. Perez is up against fellow Republican Jose Mallea, a former Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio aide. Qualifying ends June 6.

Perez and his fiancee, Stephanie Nicolas, posted their engagement photos on The Knot, a popular wedding planning website. The couple's profile is public. The engagement section was removed shortly after this story was published.

The photos were also posted by PS Photography, a Miami-based studio. The studio removed the photos shortly after this story was published.

"When Stephanie and Danny decided to do their engagement session in Havana, Cuba we were over the top excited," the photographers, who described themselves as Cuban-American, wrote in a February blog post dedicated to the couple, titled "Stephanie and Danny Havana Engagement Session Part One." (Two other posts followed.) "The trip to Cuba was everything. We truly came back feeling like we learned more about who we are and where we came from."

In the blog post, the studio said the session took place over four days: two in Havana and two in the colonial town of Vinales. But Perez said the photos were shot over a single day in Havana. The photographers paid their own way, according to Perez. PS Photography confirmed Perez's version to the Herald in an email after this story was published.

"Please do not contact us anymore," the photographers said.

The photos show the couple, in various outfits, posing along Havana's Malecon seawall, in the streets of Old Havana and inside a dilapidated house with a grand staircase.

This post has been updated.
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Short of a successful return to a high school reunion, few high school students get to prove their teachers were wrong about them.

But in a few months at Willard High School, Triston Nordhus was able to change his path. Nordhus went from being a student who came home angry and was scared he wouldnt graduate, to someone who was told by one of his teachers shed be happy if her son were like him.

Nordhus attended Hellgate High School for 3 years before he switched to Willard. In his senior year, his counselor told him he would need to take a full schedule and credits outside of school in order to get his diploma.

Nordhus was fed up. He felt that Hellgate wasnt a place where he could raise his hand and get a question wrong. He felt judged by students and neglected by Hellgate teachers whom he saw as uncaring and unwilling to help him succeed, he said.

When he heard what he'd have to do to get his diploma, he pretty much gave up, he said.

I wasnt eating much, not doing much and I was super upset all the time, Nordhus said. I felt like I was a loser. I really did want to graduate, but the stress was too much.

Nordhus had brought up the Willard option to his mom and school counselor, but neither was enthusiastic. His mother didnt know much about what going to Willard would mean, and his counselor told him he would have a tough time getting into the school. But he applied and over winter break he got a call from Willard. They wanted to meet with him.

A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders, Nordhus said.

He met the Willard school counselor and then Gail Chandler, the teacher who runs the High School Equivalency Test program at Willard. The test is Montanas version of the general education diploma.

When interviewing students, Chandler wants to see someone who is committed and going to have good attendance record. Despite a history of being absent, Nordhus didnt disappoint her.

I feel like hes been here four years, Chandler said. He never missed an assignment, he came to class, he passed all the sections of the HiSET, which is not easy, and he was the friendliest, kindest person. Its true, if my son could be like him, Id be a happy person.

Many aspects of Nordhus life changed at that point. He began getting along better with his mother, with whom hed had a rocky relationship as hed entered his senior year.

Cori Nordhus went from having a short-fused teenager to a happy young man who was proud of himself.

"Triston could have never done this without Willard," she said. "If he would have left Hellgate without his diploma, he would have just continued to wander until he found  I don't know, I think he would have been a lost boy."

Now, she is taking time off work to spend days outfitting the yard in red and making everything perfect for his graduation.

"I'm just so proud of him," she said.

Nordhus sees high school as his last formal education for some time. He wants to learn a trade. He sees Montanas workforce of carpenters and contractors getting older and wants to take a position from people ready to retire.

In an education system bent on sending people to college, Nordhus excitement for a trade runs contrary to the path many of his classmates will take.

But construction and extraction occupations have an annual average wage of more than $47,000. Supervisors can earn over $62,000 a year and if Nordhus ever did want to secure more training, those in the electrical field can earn more than $80,000 a year, according to Montanas State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates from May 2016.

We have to value all the professions, Chandler said. We cant have a hospital without the trades. Of course we want all our students to go to college, because studies show over the course of a lifetime college graduates make more money, but happiness doesnt line with how much you make.

And for Nordhus, people who view academic success as the most important thing in a persons life bug him. There are kids who will always think less of other kids who get their HiSET over a diploma, Nordhus said. As a whole, Nordhus thinks students from outside of Willard judge the students there for being different. They call them either druggies, bad kids or lazy, Nordhus said.

But the kids at Willard are just students who had something going on that made it difficult to function in a regular high school, Nordhus said. All schools should strive to be more like Willard, he said.

Were a close-knit community of kids and we have teachers who actually care about you, Nordhus said. If you have a problem, there will be a person here that will help.

Nordhus plans to spend the summer working and enjoying the weight of school being taken off his shoulders. For the moment, he is looking forward to the Willard's ceremony Thursday, when the students will celebrate their graduation. Nordhus high school diploma will have Hellgate written on it, but Nordhus doesnt really want that.

If there could be a diploma that says 'Willard' on it, Id take it, he said. I would choose that a million times over.
Within a few hours after the Missoula Food Bank officially opened its shiny new $6.6 million headquarters to the public on Tuesday, executive director Aaron Brock was already looking to the future.

"Theres parts of this that feel like the finish line, but its not," he said. "Its totally the starting line.

That's because although the nonprofit's new home is finally finished, theres a lot of work yet to be done to keep feeding hungry people.

Our goal in this new space is not to grow, not to serve more people, but to continue to serve the population that needs us and do it better, Brock said.

The massive building at 1720 Wyoming St. has all kinds of bells and whistles the old location on Third Street did not, including a modern learning kitchen, a community meeting room with a video screen, a kids center, a big indoor waiting room, large office spaces, a commercial kitchen area and storage.

With 22,500 square feet of space and two stories, the food bank will have the space it needs to serve more people concurrently and reduce waiting lines as well as host nutritional classes for kids and adults. Built on a formerly polluted auto repair lot, the new space also has something crucial the old spot didn't have: dedicated off-street parking spots.

With rising housing prices and stagnating wages, Brock said theres a hidden epidemic of food insecurity in Missoula. Last year alone, more than 21,000 individuals, one in every six county residents, sought services at the food bank, an increase of 14 percent over 2015.

Volunteers and staff served 1.6 million pounds of food, and between 80 and 200 families walk through the doors every day.

With the kids space and the learning kitchen and the community center, its more than a food bank, Brock said. My obligation, our obligation, is to maximize the usage in this space. Were going to use the heck out of the learning kitchen. Thats the next exciting challenge for us.

Thanks to contributions from more than 250 separate donors, the Missoula Food Bank is completely debt-free.

Theres no mortgage on this, Brock said. When donations come in the door were not using the donations to service debt, were buying food to fill our shelves, and making our programs stronger.

Brock said the generosity of the Missoula community blew him away.

When we were originally envisioning this I dont think any of us dared to expect the Missoula community would be this generous. This is an awesome community.

Brock said the warm and modern new building helps reduce the stigma associated with going to a food bank.

I was helping people at about 9 oclock this morning and a woman came in and she looked around and said this is so uplifting,' Brock recalled. We are thrilled about this project, as its something we have known that Missoula needs for a long time.

The Food Bank was financed with $6.5 million in New Markets Tax Credits with the help of the Montana & Idaho Community Development Corp. and First Security Bank. Construction of the new headquarters wouldnt have been possible on the same scale without that funding, according to MICDC President Dave Glaser.

We could not be more excited about helping the Missoula Food Bank build a new home, said Glaser. Hundreds of Montana families will see a real benefit from this and we are proud to be a part of it.
BUTTE  Known for firing the shot that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011, Butte native Rob ONeill has written a book detailing that mission in his New York Times' bestselling memoir, The Operator.

Decorated Navy SEAL veteran, ONeill recounts moments such as the rescue of Americans from both Somali terrorists and Afghan Taliban, as well as the lead up to his most important mission  eliminating the most wanted terrorist, bin Laden. In mid-May, the book debuted at No. 4 on The New York Times hard cover nonfiction bestseller list, and No. 3 on the NYTs bestseller list for the print and eBook non-fiction list. Though the book recently dropped to No. 12, it has remained on the list for four weeks.

The Operator, Paul Davis writes for The Washington Times, is an interesting and insightful book about some of the most historic moments in modern American military history.

ONeill attributes his writing skills to his Butte Central English teachers. He recalls in his new book reading Ernest Hemingways classic novel, "The Old Man and The Sea," for a Butte Central English class. The book about man who would rather die before he quits in an epic battle reeling in a fish was a story that stayed with the heavily decorated former Navy SEAL for life.

ONeill, in a recently phone interview with The Montana Standard, says he wanted to tell his own story because he realized he was just a white guy from Montana, who eventually found himself in bin Ladens bedroom shooting a bullet that would be heard around the world.

You can do anything you want, as long as you work hard, avoid negativity, stay positive and never quit. Go out there and do it. Its a good American story; a good, patriotic story, said ONeill.

But despite being Butte tough, ONeill reveals softer sides to himself in the book. Once bin Laden is dead, ONeill takes a moment to consider bin Ladens 2-year-old son, who was in the room. The book leaves a lump in the readers throat when ONeill describes, while still state-side, what might have been his final phone call to his dad before he left for the now famous mission.

The sub title of the book is Firing the Shots That Killed Osama bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior.

But ONeill says he never considered myself a tough guy.

The Operator is really a book about life.

For ONeill, that has been a life of harrowing adventures under fire. In one story, ONeill said he is forced to run through intense gun fire in Afghanistan to get an extra set of batteries out of a backpack the team of SEALS left behind a rock. Without the batteries, the team cannot communicate with a nearby plane. Despite bullets flying all around him, ONeill gets the batteries and, within a few excruciating minutes, the communication device is working again and the nearby planes provide the necessary ground support. The bombs come and, suddenly, the enemy, and the enemy fire, is silenced.

Despite sometimes grim battles with the enemy, the book also contains humor. ONeill starts the book with a story almost everyone can relate to  the humiliation of romantic rejection. Trying to kiss his high school crush for the first time, he puckers up and closes his eyes, only to hear her ask him what he was doing rather than kiss him back.

He couldnt get over her and feared what he might become if he didnt find a way out of Butte. Even though he didnt know how to swim, he signed up for the Navy.

Four years turned into 16  years of service. During that time, ONeill completed 400 combat missions and was decorated with two Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars with Valor, a Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, three Presidential Unit Citations and a Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor.

But ONeill says the true heroes are the first responders to the former World Trade Center and the people on the planes that terrorists hijacked on September 11, 2001. Two planes flew into New York Citys Twin Towers. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. A fourth plane went down in a field in Pennsylvania. Close to 3,000 people lost their lives.

The New York Police Department, the New York Fire Department, the people on those flights, thats heroism, ONeill said.

ONeill attributes his humility to growing up in such a tough hometown.

I think the humility comes from having so many tough guys around you, ONeill said. In Butte, you dont go saying youre tough, because somebody else is tougher there and you might get knocked on your back at Maloneys.
BOZEMAN  The sun was shining brightly on Claire Vlases, an eighth-grade girl who led a student campaign to raise $118,000 so that solar panels can be installed at Sacajawea Middle School.

Claire, 14, started a year ago by asking the Bozeman School Board to put up solar panels as part of the school's $16 million expansion. She argued it "makes sense," environmentally and financially.

Trustees and architects commended her, but the district's building chief said solar didn't yet work economically.

Someday, he said.

Undeterred, Claire set about raising money and organizing help from students and adults. It was her project for independent studies class, intended to let kids work on something they're passionate about. Some kids build cars.

"My idea was to get solar panels," Claire said, "to connect the nature around us with the school."

Bozeman school administrators pledged $25,000 in school district funds.

Principal Gordon Grissom and Facilities Director Todd Swinehart said Claire had raised the issue early enough that Sacajawea's new electives wing could be designed to be structurally strong enough to support solar panels in the future and to have the right electrical setup to connect to the power grid.

Sacajawea students held a "Pennies for Power" fundraiser, with classes competing to collect the most pennies and win a pizza party.

"I thought we were only going to raise $500," Claire said, "but we blew it out of the water."

Between the pennies campaign and the student talent show, which donated its earnings to the solar project, Sacajawea kids and teachers raised $8,500.

For Halloween, Claire made a black solar panel costume that said Solar Makes Sense and went door-to-door asking for donations.

Her younger sister Ursula, a sixth-grader, wrote a grant to the Bozeman Area Community Foundation, which gave $3,000.

Kids formed a Solar Makes Sense group and collected donations at every school fundraiser, from the Adult Spelling Bee to the Santa Run. They set up a web page and sought donations through the Bozeman Schools Foundation.

Meanwhile, Grissom said, the estimated cost of solar panels came down, from $130,000 to $115,000.

Last week, while Claire was competing at a track meet in Belgrade, her parents got a message from the Bozeman Schools Foundation that the Kendeda Fund had agreed to donate $80,000. That put the project over the top.

"I was so happy," Claire said. "I started crying."

Her dad, Dr. Michael Vlases, said her mom, Katy, had to tell Claire through the chain-link fence separating athletes and parents, "so they couldn't hug each other."

That donation marked "an amazing milestone," Principal Grissom said.

***

Claire and the principal had met last fall with Diana Blank, first wife of Home Depot's founder and the philanthropist who started the Kendeda Fund, named for her children. The fund, created to support efforts to create a just world and use resources wisely, reports donating $500 million since its start in 1993.

Claire said after learning about the Kendeda Fund from School Board Trustee Douglas Fischer, she had set up the meeting.

The fund managers wanted to see more details, like a budget, a fundraising plan and school-wide support, Grissom said.

By the second meeting with fund officials this spring, Claire had done everything asked of her, and brought the sixth-grade Solar Makes Sense committee, Fischer and other supporters.

Superintendent Rob Watson recognized Claire and the Sacajawea students' achievement at a recent School Board meeting.

Once the Kendeda Fund check arrives, Swinehart said, school officials plan to seek bids from contractors. In the best-case scenario, Grissom said, they'd be able to install the panels this summer.

Claire won a community champion award from the U.S. Green Building Council of Montana in February and was recently invited to the governor's SMART School Symposium.

"I feel really humble that I could be part of it," Claire said. "I'm really proud of the success we've had."

She admitted feeling nervous the night she spoke in front of the School Board. Now, she said, she's better at public speaking.

Grissom praised her "quiet leadership." He also said they hope Sacajawea's experience inspires other schools.

Solar is under consideration in the planning that's just starting for Bozeman's second high school, Swinehart said. The cost savings will have to be weighed against the extra cost, he said. "Nothing is off the table."

"We want this to be a launching pad for other green energy for schools," Claire said, "and for students to follow their own passions."
As a freshman legislator at the 65th Montana legislative session, I learned a great deal about state politics. It was a crash course in the legislative process but also on how insider politics are played. To my surprise, there were some unexpected positives and negatives.

As expected, the Democrat and Republican parties have very opposite ideologies. Yet, there were still common goals we all agreed on. One example is suicide prevention. Montana has the third-highest suicide rate per capita in the nation. Legislators from both sides of the aisle wanted to address the problem.

The difference came in proposed solutions by each party. Democrats continually looked at government or more money to solve the problem. I, as a Republican, believe when government creates an environment where each individual has the freedom to thrive, they will, and consequently will be less likely to commit suicide. It became then a matter of debate on which road to take to achieve the outcome we all wanted. It was positive to have some shared goals.

A negative I didnt expect to see was the coercion of those in leadership by individual legislators. I believe that an idea should live or die by its merits. There were many times I had to present an idea to the whole House to explain and convince members of both parties that is was a good idea for Montana. That is what I expected state politics to be.

Unfortunately, there were members of the Republican caucus who had to create deals to elevate their personal agenda above the rest. Rep. Frank Garner, House District 7, and Rep. Rob Cook, House District 18, along with a handful of compromising Republicans, went to House leadership last December and threatened to side with the Democrats if leadership did not give them politically what they wanted (committee assignments and support for personal bills, for example).

I have had conversations with both Garner and Cook, and they both have a good sense of humor and are personable. However, I do not understand anyone, either a Democrat or a Republican, who would throw their own caucus under the bus to get their way. Who does that? Why would they not let their ideas stand on their own and see if the rest of the legislators agree?

Politicians do not have the best reputation in the eye of the public. Scandals, dishonestly and a lack of transparency have riddled the history of politics at all levels. To see any politician use the party platform to get elected, yet legislate against the party's goals for a personal agenda, is disappointing. This is your state government. You deserve to know why after this session you will be paying more taxes. There should not be back room deals to create law. It should be a transparent process. Sharing the insider politics is part of that transparency.

In my mind, all policy should be put on the table for the public to see. After all, once again, this is your government and it will succeed only with an informed electorate.
This spring, as part of a program that has continued for over 20 years, the Butte Exchange Club has awarded $9,100 in scholarships to local high school students.

Also, two of these students have received an additional $3,000 in scholarships from the Yellowstone District Exchange Clubs.

The Youth of the Year Award was presented to Connor Ford, a senior at Butte Central High School, who received a $2,000 scholarship. Candidates for this award were the Youth of the Month winners who each received a $50 gift card. They were Caitlin Carmody, Alyssa Cook, Shane Cox, Joby Marie Rosenleaf, Samuel James Schonsberg, and Sean Staples of Butte High School and Breanna Florio, Abigail McGee, Rachael McGree, Katy Prendergast, and Taylor Wahl of Butte Central High School.

Seth Russell, a senior at Butte High School, received the $1,000 A.C.E. Award Scholarship. He also received the Rosemary Rawls, Susan Welsch, and James Dorr Johnson Memorial Scholarships.

Russell received a total of $4,500 in awards. A.C.E. stands for Accepting the Challenge of Excellence and is awarded to students who have overcome great challenges to graduate from high school. It recognizes high school students who have faced and overcome daunting circumstances in their lives. Through their efforts, the students serve as role models not only for their fellow students but for all who see what they have accomplished.

In addition, the Montana Tech Foundation has offered all A.C.E. Award candidates a $500 scholarship to Tech as part of its new initiative to encourage Butte students to attend the local college.

Both Connor Ford, the Butte Exchange Club Youth of the Year, and Seth Russell, the Butte A.C.E. Award winner, also won their respective Exchange Yellowstone District Scholarships of $1,500 each and are competing for national awards from the National Exchange Club Foundation, which are scholarships of $10,000.

A new scholarship of $1,000, the Frank Rosa Memorial Scholarship, was awarded to Rosafina Fisk. This scholarship was provided by the Rosa family in honor of Butte native Frank Rosa and was awarded to a deserving Butte student interested in studying education.

The Butte Exchange Club has also created another new scholarship for members of the recently formed Butte High School Excel Club, which is sponsored by the Butte Exchange Club. This year, $1,000 was awarded to Joby Rosenleaf for her leadership and commitment to growing this new service club.

The Butte Exchange Clubs mission is to make the community a better place to live through projects that promote Americanism, community service, youth activities, and the prevention of child abuse. More information about the organization may be found at www.butteexchangeclub.org or by calling Linda Corr-Mahugh at 360-631-0947.
A sonic boom that will blast at the rim of the Berkeley Pit at 10 a.m. Wednesday will cost Montana Resources and Atlantic Richfield Co. $4,500 this week as the mining company tests out a new bird deterrent, said MR spokesperson Mike McGivern.

The bird deterrent, called a Vortex Ring Avian Deterrent (VRAD), arrived from California Tuesday afternoon. The companies responsible for the Berkeley Pit are giving it a test run to see if itll keep birds away from the former copper mine now slowly filling with toxic water. McGivern said the company set it off several times late Tuesday afternoon and the blasts were "very impressive."

The VRAD is comprised of compressed oxygen and a type of gas. The air shoots out of a large cannon. It is not harmful to birds or people, but it is extremely loud and is referred to as a "long range deterrent."

If MR and Atlantic Richfield Co. purchase the VRAD, it will come at a cost of $100,000, McGivern said.

The test run comes as spring migration season winds down. It ends, officially, June 1. McGivern said by phone Tuesday that there arent that many birds flying around the pit.

The two companies have been busy looking into various bird deterrent technologies since last December, when thousands of snow geese landed on the pits toxic water. Thousands took flight, some after several days of sitting on the pits water, but between 3,000 to 4,000 birds perished due to drinking the water. According to the toxicology report, the birds died due to both sulfuric acid and heavy metals in their system.

Bird experts say that due to an unusually warm fall, the birds left the Arctic late but their normal resting spot, Freezout Lake, was frozen over. Unable to find a place to land, the birds, in overwhelming numbers, chose the Berkeley Pit. The companies got the nod from the Environmental Protection Agency in March to create a new plan to keep the birds off the pit for the future. Immediately MR placed propane-based canons along the edges of the pits walls to create louder noises than the bird wailers provide. The wailers, which emit a variety of noises, had been considered very successful up until last fall.

The VRAD will be even louder than the propane canons.

After tomorrow, well evaluate the technology. Does it have value? Could we deploy it in a timely manner? You cant really tell by a You Tube video. Thats why we made the effort to drag it up from California, said McGivern.

By fall, the mining company hopes to have a new water fowl mitigation program in place. The companies put together a bird advisory council, made up of local experts, in February to help them come up with new ideas to add to the new water fowl mitigation program. The new plan will be vetted by the EPA and Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

McGivern said he doesnt anticipate that the VRADs boom will be big enough to affect the unstable southeast wall of the pit. Many in the community worry that additional sloughing will cause the pits water to rise high enough to cause catastrophe. MR and agency officials say that even significant sloughing wont affect the water level that much and a buffer of 120 feet has been built into the system above the 5,400 foot critical water level.

According to pitwatch.org, an estimated 820,000 tons of material from the southeast wall collapsed into the Pit in February 2013. Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology monitoring showed that the water rose a little over half a foot as a result. The water rises about half a foot per month. The pit's water is not expected to require treatment until 2023.

McGivern said the sonic boom might knock some rocks down off ledges, but thats all.

Because the VRAD is both loud and shoots out air, MR is hoping it will be a more effective deterrent to future bird migrations, but one consideration will be the community. McGivern said MR may not be able to deploy the VRAD if the community is too annoyed by the sonic boom.

"We've got a feeling you'll be able to hear it around town," said McGivern.
I've wrestled with this my entire career: What do journalists do immediately after we're attacked while lawfully doing our jobs? It takes place on occasion. In this age of Donald Trump, it's happening more. Our president has turned long-simmering bad feelings about media into boiling hatred. We can consider the reasons in a moment, but the reality is that the nutcases are emboldened as never before to physically attack those who cover news in ways they don't like.

I am pondering the dilemma again thanks to the attack by Greg Gianforte, who ran in a Montana special election to fill the state's lone House of Representatives seat in Congress. The short version, according to several witnesses, is that he didn't like the persistent questioning he got from someone covering his campaign, and assaulted the newsman, physically body-slamming him while screaming at him. The journalist notified police, and the sheriff, a contributor to Gianforte's campaign, faced with overwhelming evidence, reluctantly charged candidate Gianforte with misdemeanor assault. The reporter did the mature thing, but I'm wondering still again whether it was the right thing to do, as opposed to fighting back physically.

Let's face it, Gianforte is not going to be found guilty of a thing. He's in super-red, friendly GOP territory. Did I mention that a couple of days after the assault, he won his election? So, turning to the police accomplishes very little. No more than the charges against then Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski resulted in a guilty finding, even after Lewandowski was legally charged in Florida for grabbing a reporter so hard he left bruises on her arm from shoving her aside. That's right, "her." However, the state attorneys decided not to proceed on the battery charges.

What would I have done in that situation? Would the satisfaction from doing serious harm to Lewandowski be worth the hassle? Notice, I'm not asking myself whether it would be the moral thing to do, but I've never believed in turning the other cheek. It really comes down to practical considerations.

After the 2014 State of the Union, Congressman Michael Grimm from Staten Island was caught on tape threatening a TV reporter that he'd "throw you off this f------g balcony" in the U.S. Capitol complex if he again asked a question Grimm didn't like. What if I was that reporter? Would I provoke the congressman by asking the same question, then defend myself? Duking it out might provide some personal satisfaction, but the legal consequence attached to hitting a member of Congress probably outweighs the instant gratification.

That's also the reason not to fight back when an abusive law-enforcement officer takes out his fury on a journalist, particularly while under siege in a violent situation. It's happened to most news reporters. The smart ones remember that the overly aggressive policeman is armed and dangerous, assaulting him is a crime and self-defense is tough to prove.

So this is nothing new. But it's becoming more common, thanks in large part to politicians to who try to deflect unfavorable reporting or embarrassing questions by demonizing those asking and exposing their shortcomings. This is true of the likes of Trump, of course, and other longtime media baiters, like Newt Gingrich. In Washington and elsewhere, we are seeing repeated examples of reporters blocked by official security, ejected and assaulted.

Those of us who attempt journalism should know that what we do is never going to endear us to newsmakers, who would prefer groupies instead of reporters. Sadly, all too many of us, in fact, do become shills just to get favored treatment. Those who don't go along get ostracized. But that should be considered a badge of honor. The physical assaults, of course, take the battle between covered and coverer too far.

Short of a violent response from us, we need to come up with some way to get people to accept that the messy job of reporting is one of the ways to prevent abuse and stop corruption by our leaders. It's called a democracy. Otherwise, we need to get self-defense training.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Life is first on the list of fundamental rights our Founding Fathers included in the document declaring our independence as a nation. But what did they mean by life? Does it simply refer to the right to exist? Or does it include the right to have a shot at a decent life? If our Founding Fathers were governing today, would they agree that access to health care is an unalienable right?

I strongly believe they would.

Although members of the House of Representatives absolved themselves of their duty to uphold these rights, the Senate now has an opportunity to make good on the promise of our Founding Fathers.

Its a promise our country has made to people like my son Bryan. Without major medical care and excellent health coverage through Medicare and Medicaid, he would have died at birth. He was born prematurely, suffering from kidney failure resulting from a birth defect. Because we had insurance, we were able to transfer him to a hospital that could provide him with the care he needed to stay alive. The doctors still didnt give him long to live.

But hes defied the odds. Bryan just turned 25 and he will celebrate the 20th anniversary of his kidney transplant next month. It hasnt been an easy road for Bryan  or for me and his dad.

Bryan has dealt with transplant, rejection, medication toxicity and other serious health scares. Because he was born with kidney failure, he now has osteoporosis, high cholesterol and diabetes. Hes also developmentally disabled and will never be able manage his own medical care. Bryans medical file is the very definition of a preexisting condition.

Despite these frightening moments when we have been so deeply scared that we would lose Bryan, we always knew we were lucky. Medicare covers dialysis. It covered his kidney transplant and the anti-rejection medications. Medicaid and private insurance help with the rest.

If Congress goes through with the proposed cuts to Medicaid, Bryan could die. Thats not an exaggeration. Its the simple truth. I shouldnt have to bury my son before his time because we cant afford his medical care. No parent should. Thats why the bill passed by the House  that will decimate Medicaid as we know it and strip coverage from an estimated 24 million people  keeps me up at night.

As the Senate takes up the health care debate, the idea that consumes my thoughts is life. That inalienable right that could be taken from my son if Congress repeals and replaces the Affordable Care Act with a law that erases coverage and raises costs for families like mine while giving a massive tax break to billionaires. I am pleading with Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines to remember the America our Founding Father envisioned, where no person should lose their fundamental right to live simply because they cant afford it.

Please stand up for Montana families and reject these draconian cuts to coverage that millions of people rely on every day. For families like mine, its literally a matter of life and death.
Today, as every day, teachers called the names of more than 140,000 students, as they took attendance in Montanas 821 public schools. For the thousands of children who file into our classrooms, school is more than a place to learn. In-school programs and practices ensure children across the state stay healthy, well fed, safe and enriched.

However, recent efforts by Congress to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act could severely alter our public schools ability to foster all students development. In Montana, roughly $55 million in Medicaid funding flows into our schools, and more than $35 million of that is federal funding. State and federal Medicaid dollars fund critical in-school programs and services for our young students.

While Medicaid spending on school-based health services is a small part of Medicaid spending, it plays a significant role in our schools. The current plan to repeal the ACA also includes devastating cuts to federal Medicaid funds, and in-school services could be one of the first items on the chopping block.

Superintendents and school administrators know that Medicaid dollars are critical for making sure students have the resources, health care, and developmental screenings that will help them thrive. These funds are an essential component of the funding for students with disabilities. In Montana, nearly 16,000 students, or more than 1 in 10 students overall, have special education needs.

Therapist and wheelchairs

Because Medicaid is traditionally spent on high-cost services such as occupational and physical therapy, nursing, and specialized equipment like wheelchairs and power scooters, cuts to Medicaid would mean schools will have an even more difficult time providing a free and appropriate public education for all students.

Medicaid also helps defray costs of health-related services that our schools provide to students. This includes programs that monitor the needs of children with asthma and diabetes and, in a big way, school-based mental health services to Medicaid-eligible children. These programs are critical to ensuring our students are healthy and ready to learn.

Medicaid reimbursements ensure a school district can provide students with the services they need, and it also goes a long way toward helping districts meet their budgetary needs, without further shifting those costs to local taxpayers.

Ripple effects

Taking away Medicaid funding will result in cost shifting, diminished services, and the potential of additional litigation as schools are unable to meet the needs of the children who come to us every day expecting the best possible services.

The ripple effects of congressional plans to slash Medicaid funding would harm special education students, low-income families, and the hardworking staff in our public schools.

It is imperative that this funding remain in place for Montanas students and our public schools. If we want our schools to continue doing everything they can to make sure every student succeeds, we must demand that Congress abandon the idea of making structural changes to Medicaid and cutting the funding to states and our schools. Healthy kids make better students, and better students have more success in life.
During his Senate confirmation hearing earlier this year, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said he is an "unapologetic admirer" of Teddy Roosevelt. But the former Montana congressman now finds himself tasked with reining in the very same executive powers Roosevelt created to set aside federal lands.

Last month, President Trump signed an executive order instructing Zinke's Interior Department to review national monuments recently created under the Antiquities Act of 1906. The law, signed by Roosevelt, allows presidents to unilaterally place federal lands off limits to development and other uses without local input or approval from Congress.

The act was created to protect small archaeological sites and other "antiquities" from looting or desecration. But in recent decades, it has been abused by presidents who have used its executive authority to set aside vast swaths of public land as national monuments, often in the final days of their administration. The review process presents an opportunity for Zinke to help reverse these abuses and encourage Congress to reform Roosevelt's antiquated law.

Consider how far the Antiquities Act has strayed from its original intent:

The act states that monument designations should be limited to "the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects to be protected." In recent years, however, it has been used as a large-scale conservation policy, dictated by presidential decree. Many recent monuments have comprised more than one million acres each.

President Obama was especially fond of the act. He used it to create more national monuments than any other president, including the controversial 1.35 million-acre Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, which he designated at the end of his administration despite opposition by Utah's legislature, governor and the state's entire congressional delegation, as well as local officials.

The act runs roughshod over the legislative process that is at the core of American governance, which seeks to promote compromise and coalition-building. In the case of Bears Ears, a multi-year legislative effort was underway in Utah to reach a "grand bargain" that would protect wilderness areas in the region while also opening other lands for resource development.

The Antiquities Act can undermine comprise. After all, why would environmental groups come to the bargaining table in good faith when they can instead lobby the White House to single-handedly set aside land as monuments?

Zinke has an opportunity to begin reversing these abuses. His review will include 27 large monuments designated since 1996, including Bears Ears and the 377,000-acre Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in eastern Montana, created by President Clinton in 2011.

It is unclear whether Trump has the authority to rescind or shrink any monument designations without approval from Congress. The Antiquities Act does not explicitly state that presidents can unilaterally undo monument designations, although Congress has occasionally reduced the size of monuments in the past. Nonetheless, the review process could help clarify the scope of the law and lead to reforms that would allow for more accountability and local input.

Already, the process is encouraging more local input. Last week, Zinke announced that the public will be able to submit comments to the Department of the Interior after May 12 to provide input on any of the monuments under review. This stands in sharp contrast to the Antiquities Act, which requires no such public input.

Zinke should reject Roosevelt's legacy of conservation-by-presidential-decree in favor of an approach that requires local input and congressional approval. At a time when Americans on both sides of the political aisle are growing increasingly wary of the expansion of executive powers, an act that grants presidents such authority without Congress' approval or local input should be viewed for what it truly is: an antiquated law.
We don't need to build a large wall on the Southern border of the United States.

But we do need to have a President who can say one complete sentence without lying.

We don't need to give big corporations more tax breaks because the majority pay no tax now.

But we do need to give the middle class and the working poor tax breaks so they can survive.

We don't need to increase the military budget by $54 billion.

But we do need to quit policing the world, bring our military men and women home and take care of the united States.

We don't need to get rid of the Affordable Health Care Act,

But we do need to fix the parts that do not work so they do work for everyone in the United States.

We don't need to change the rules so a few corporations can pollute and harm the environment.

But we do need to breathe clean air and drink safe water for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.

We don't need to spend $100 million to bomb Syria, that served no beneficial purpose.

But we do need to spend that money fixing America and funding programs for our children here in America.

We don't need to send war ships around the world to unhinge dictators in other countries.

But we do need to stay home and mind our own business and use the art of diplomacy.

We don't need an FBI Director to follow the laws of the land and to uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Sorry that was already taken care of! What has happened to Democracy in America?

 LaVon Brillhart, Dillon
BILLINGS  It's an oft-used movie cliche that a character arriving in a small foreign town becomes surrounded by a welcome party of young, curious locals.

That's what Andy Austin was thinking as he rode a bicycle through Feynan, Jordan, with some colleagues.

"Some iconic, cheesy movie situation. And you're sitting there thinking, 'This never happens,'" Austin said. "All of a sudden, you have this sea of kids appear out of nowhere, and they're just running with the bikes."

Austin returned last week after a month in the Middle Eastern country, where he helped to unload a shipping container full of bikes. The endeavor came together through a collaboration of American and Jordanian organizations, including a Billings business and its nonprofit extension.

Some bikes will serve as rentals to add to a local push for tourism. Others were donated to the locals who need transportation.

It is amazing what a difference a bike can make," said Dan Austin, who started an organization called Wheels of Change through his Billings travel company. "When you're looking at the need to walk 5 or 10 kilometers to school, its easy for kids to just quit going.

Dan Austin, who is Andy's father, started Wheels of Change in 2010 as a vehicle to donate an old fleet of bicycles at his business, Austin Adventures. The organization has since sent hundreds of bikes to foreign countries, mostly in Africa.

The Jordan project began during a meeting that included Dan Austin, A&K Philanthropy, a Jordan trail association and a representative from the Jordan Tourism Board.

A number of donors contributed, and in late April a shipping container of 260 mountain bikes left Billings for the village of Feynan, Jordan.

Andy Austin, along with colleagues, went to meet the container, set up the bikes and train some locals for tourism rentals and bike maintenance. About 160 bikes stayed in Feynan; the other 100 went north to the town of Um Quais, a deeply historical area near the Israeli and Syrian borders.

They worked closely with the Jordan Board of Tourism and Baraka, a consulting firm based in Amman that says it focuses on sustainable tourism projects.

Andy Austin said it was tough to leave the vast, high-desert expanse of Um Quais. Though Jordan's proximity to Syria has made it host to roughly 660,000 refugees and tourism can be difficult in a northern area like Um Quais, he said that he didn't feel the conflict was immediate during his visit.

Theres some beautiful ruins in Um Quais," he said. "They're trying to develop it for tourism. Its the start of the Jordan Trail.

The 403-mile Jordan Trail spans much of Jordan and ends at the Red Sea.

A&K Philanthropy prepared a second shipping container full of bikes that is expected to reach Jordan by the end of this month, according to a press release for the collaboration. The containers will remain on scene and be retrofitted into bike shops and rental hubs for small tours.

It's easy to give away all of the bikes, Dan Austin said. But they opted to keep a portion of them for a rental business, run by locals, in hopes of fostering a more long-term economic effect.

"We found that if we're not careful, the need is so extensive that we can burn through a container full of bikes in a matter of weeks," he said.

Andy Austin, who is a photographer in addition to his work at his father's company, documented his trip. And he used one bicycle to narrate it.

That bicycle started in Livingston  a Schwinn mountain bike that a woman owned for years before donating. It went in the shipping container alongside the others.

It ended up going to a 24-year-old woman in Um Quais who previously had no transportation. In a brief video produced by Andy Austin, she summarizes the gift as a gained freedom.

After seven years and various bicycle projects, Dan Austin said that it's the freedom that's been the most effective change.

"We take mobility for granted," he said. "And I think that's the biggest learning curve for us."
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 []
I can never have too many *brownie recipes*, can you? This recipe is for *Fudgy Greek Yogurt Brownies*, since today is *National Greek Yogurt Day!* These ...

21 hours ago
Here are the stories making headlines in the nation and the world today.

All PHOTOS of President Uhuru at the G7 Summit It was an eventful weekend for President Uhuru Kenyatta as he joined other world leaders at the G7 summit in Taormina, Italy. Uhuru was accompanied by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, among other high ranking government officials. This was the firs

Leta Pesa NikuekeeHilarious VIDEO of Things Kenyan Parents Do Will Remind You of Your Mom If your mother has never asked to save your money for you, consider yourself very lucky. Most of you will agree that any money given to your mother for saving purposes hardly ever returns. In fact, Leta Pesa Nikuekee should be a Kenyan mother proverb.

Vera Sidika Talks Plans to Get Bigger B**bs and a Baby Before Age 30 Having recently launched her beauty brand, Veetox Herbal Tea, Vera Sidika is taking on a new path as a luxurious business brand and leaving behind the socialite brand that propelled her to stardom. In a recent candid interview, the former Video Vixen spoke about her new business venture, plans

UK to Merkel: Well be a strong partner to Europe Britain reacted Monday to Angela Merkels claim that Germany could no longer completely depend on its allies by saying it would seek close ties after Brexit.

ISIS in Southeast Asia: Philippines battles growing threat The black flag of ISIS has been raised in the Philippines and fears are growing that the group is succeeding in extending its influence into Southeast Asia.

North Korea stages third missile test in 3 weeks North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile Monday morning that landed in the ocean, the US military said.

British Airways disruptions continue on Monday British Airways cancellations continue at London Heathrow on Monday following a major computer system crash over the weekend.

Russians protest plans to demolish Soviet-era housing Olga Novitskaya is not your typical insurgent. The 54-year-old is among thousands of Muscovites protesting plans to demolish their Soviet-era apartment blocks  home to over a million people.

Macron explains his tense handshake with Trump French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that there was indeed a deeper significance to the prolonged handshake he had with US President Donald Trump in Brussels.

The healthiest way to improve your sleep: exercise Learn the latest science on how to battle insomnia and sleep apnea and improve your overall sleep through exercise.

Four killed in stampede at football final in Honduras It should have been a day of celebration as Motagua were crowned champions in Honduras, but instead it was marred by tragedy.

Real Madrid stars enjoy their weekend off ahead of final Real Madrid players were given the weekend off with no game to play Zinedine Zidanes men were not involved in Saturdays Copa del Rey final Los Blancos face Juventus in the Champions League on Saturday evening Real Madrids players made the most of their weekend off as they holidayed ahead of Saturdays Champions League final showdown with Juventus.

Man United hopeful of signing Bale if he is benched by Real Madrid Manchester United may move for Real Madrids Gareth Bale if he is benched Bale could start the Champions League final in Cardiff among the substitutes Reports in Spain say Welsh international Bale would feel betrayed by this Manchester United will be encouraged to make a summer move for Gareth Bale if he begins the Champions League final on the bench, according to reports in Spain.

All you need to know about Man United and Chelsea target Ivan Perisic Manchester United and Chelsea are pursuing Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic The Italian club want 48million for their star, but may have to sell Perisic starred at Euro 2016, and has previously played under Jurgen Klopp Sportsmail tells you all you need to know about the winger With the English domestic season over, the Premier Leagues big boys have already turned their attention to the summer transfer window.

Portuguese Cup final ball delivered to referee by a drone The Portuguese Cup final kicked off in unique fashion on Sunday after an official flew in by drone to deliver the match ball to the referee. Taking off at the race track surrounding the Estadio Nacional, the official brought a touch of modernism to Portugals oldest cup competition by soaring through the skies on the remote-controlled drone.

Dont forget about these beautiful political bromances, too Some would argue that the word bromance does not belong in the world of politics, but theyd be wrong. Its hard not to get swept up in the budding friendships of international leaders with all the photo ops and viral videos.

Snapchat CEOs wedding was so secret we cant even find photos on the internet If there were Snaps of Evan Spiegels super-secret weekend wedding, theyve already self-destructed. The Snapchat co-founder and CEO tied the knot with Australian entrepreneur and model Miranda Kerr over the weekend in the backyard of their Brentwood, Calif. home. It was a hushed affair that lacked the public-facing lens you might expect from one of the present-day leaders in social media.

Drunk dude gets the best selfie after being taken home by police Getting taken home by the police because youve had that massive a night out isnt something youd ordinarily be proud of, but for one dude its resulted with the best selfie ever.

On the anniversary of Harambes death, the internet grieves with memes Its been a year since Harambe was killed, but the internet will never forget. Last year at this time, a curious toddler wandered into the gorillas cage at the Cincinnati Zoo, leading zoo officials to then shoot Harambe out of fear of what he might do.

Arrow star proves hes an actual superhuman with a jaw-dropping Ninja Warrior run WOW. Stephen Amell stars in The CWs hit DC Comics superhero series, Arrow. But did you know hes also an IRL superhuman who possesses powers above and beyond the normal person? It is well known that Amell performs many of his own stunts on Arrow, but you never really know how much is physical prowess and how much is the illusion of fictional TV.

Merkel Merely Being Honest With U.S., Spokesman Says Chancellor Angela Merkel believes firmly in strong German  U.S. relations and is simply being honest with the United States when she flags up policy differences with Washington, her spokesman said on Monday.

Hold The Phone. Trump Tweets He Now Wants More Money For Health Care Donald Trump had concerned Americans scratching their heads Sunday night after he tweeted that he now wants to pour more money into health care. I say we add more dollars to the Healthcare and make it the best anywhere, he wrote. I suggest that we add more dollars to Healthcare and make it the best anywhere.

A Pirates Of The Caribbean Set Features Around $2 Million In Snacks Blockbusters are caught in an endless cycle of bigger-is-better cliches. Budgets have swollen so much over the past few decades that moderation is now a foreign concept for Hollywoods major studios. This phenomenon manifests most obviously in the special-effects arena, but dont for one second assume it doesnt also mean first-class snacks.

Great White Shark Jumps Into Fishermans Boat An Australian man out fishing almost became the bait on the weekend, when a 2.7 metre-long great white shark jumped into his boat. Terry Selwood, 73, has told ABC News how he was fishing for snapper off Evans Head on the NSW north coast when the shark  which measured as long as the deck on his boat  leapt inside.
Eric Omondis next webisode on his insanely popular How to Be series is in the making.

After receiving numerous requests, the top Kenyan comedian will be tackling popular video vixen turned businesswoman Vera Sidika.

Omondi announced the upcoming webisode  How to Be Vera Sidika  on social media yesterday, sending his fans and followers into a frenzy.

Sharing a photo of his transformation into the skin lightening socialite, Omondi captioned it: I assure you!!! This is going to be your best how to be#HowToBeVeraSidika

The pic shows Eric striking a pose on a chair while clad in Adidas sweat pants, white heels, and a black cap.

This promises to be one of the best yet and is one to look out for.

Keep it Nairobi Wire for when it finally drops.
Here we are. Its Sunday, the final day, and there are a whole host of factors in the mix. My legs are sore from dancing and standing and walking so much. My head is fuzzy with that fog that no amount of coffee can cure.

This is the second time in three years that Ive done this kind of comprehensive coverage of BottleRock, and now Im reminded of why I just wanted to submit one story last year as opposed to three. This is exhausting, trying to enjoy a festival but also be sharp enough to write about it.

But yeah, I know how ridiculous that sounds, and Im sure youve got your tiny violin gently weeping for me.

Todays lineup is fantastic, and really gets cooking on the back end of the afternoon.

Hand of the Land, 2:59 p.m.

I dont know why I got so affected by this, but it feels like a microcosm of something Ive always thought but never articulated.

Over here by the main entrance is the Hand of the Land statue that many people have assumed is associated with the identity of BottleRock, but we reported its actually an Archer Napa reject.

Anyways. So Im waiting on some friends to get inside, and naturally begin people watching (because its unparalleled at BottleRock), and theres a couple having their photo taken by a friend. Like most photos at crowded places, someone walks through the shot. The friend who is taking the photo says, Come on, dude! to which the photobomber replies Go f- yourself as he walks away.

Obviously theres going to be douche bags that have never been considerate of others at every large-scale event. But that also highlighted a character flaw that pops up far too often at city festivals.

When youre at a camping festival that involves a real submersion in the culture, theres an energy transfer between people that leads to a universal mindset. Everyone is here for a weekend of simplicity, sleeping under the stars while indulging in conversation, company and live music. Its a shared experience that runs deep.

I find myself taken aback by some of the vanity and over-awareness people at city festivals have. Im not saying Im perfect, or even in a position to point this out, but there are characters here who travel, camping, and a specific mindset for that experience combine to weed out and keep away.

I dont even know if theres a moral here, but just maybe stop taking yourself so seriously. Lifes too short for that type of misguided arrogance.

Lagunitas Stage, 3:40 p.m.

Hippo Campus strike me as a Southern California band, but their vocalist just said theyre from Minnesota.

My favorite part of their sound is how their verses are spacey melodies with just guitar notes in a specific progression. When they slam through chords it makes them much more powerful. An old musician friend of mine told me thats switching between minor and major but dont take my word on that.

Silent Disco, 4:28 p.m.

I got so much grief for wanting to leave Tom Petty after 45 minutes to enjoy the Big Boi/White Panda silent disco set that getting someone to join me for Motion Potions Prince tribute felt like a major victory.

Granted, this is much smaller and less of a signature moment, but I love Prince and so does my homegirl who came with me, so dancing our asses off to this perfection that Motion Potion has masterfully pieced together is everything.

Miner Family Winery Stage, 4:56 p.m.

I missed Baskery, so catching Elephant Revival was a priority. I love these types of folk/alternative acts, especially ones that have female vocalists like Bonnie Paine. Her voice is so inviting, and the support from the group makes it such a complete experience.

Samsung stage, 5:16 p.m.

St. Lucia is the remedy for a late-afternoon lull to help kick off the loaded Sunday night lineup.

The energy is there, check. But theyre leaning a little too much on the synth. It also reeks of sunscreen and I cant understand a word theyre saying.

Its a lot of fun, though.

Closing thoughts

Despite all the cynical spouting or the critical assessments of various characters and personalities that make up the BottleRock crowd, I always find myself getting gushy about it at the end.

There really is no other place where this type of magic can happen. The Napa Valley reels in a crowd that values the fun side of life. You come here for majestic scenery, for fantastic food and drink, and the chance to let loose with people you care about.

At least thats how I look at it. I appreciate the time I get with the host of different people I hang with. Theres always a few unexpected faces that pop up and those fleeting minutes are always fun, too.

I feel blessed to be able to do something like this, and I thank all of you that read anything I wrote this weekend. It was exhausting and who knows if Ill do it again.

But best believe Ill be back next year.
When Joan Comendant, a local personal fitness trainer, first observed an exercise class for Parkinsons patients at St. Helena Fitness Center, she was struck by how effective it was for helping people to increase their mobility and improve their quality of life.

For several years, she had been teaching a restorative exercise class at the St. Helena Cancer Center and had seen first-hand how deep breathing and restorative exercises have helped people deal with chronic issues. She was certain that the exercise classes for people with Parkinsons classes would be just as powerful.

So she was thrilled when she was given the opportunity to take over the Parkinsons class in 2014. She completed certification in the Parkinsons Wellness Recovery program and partnered up with Joe Burger and Rianda House to expand the program in the community.

Having now taught the Parkinsons Wellness Recovery program at Rianda House since 2015, Comendant has come to believe that exercise may be the most promising way to alleviate Parkinsons symptoms and slow progression of the disease.

While everyone can benefit from exercise, it is especially important for people with a progressive movement disorder like Parkinsons that can result in weakness, stiffness, difficulty walking, poor balance and falls, as well as impaired cognitive processing. Regular exercise bestows increased levels of fitness; a greater sense of well-being; stronger muscles and bones; healthier joints; more efficient breathing; and better digestion and blood circulation. Comendant reports that people who attend her classes can do things better than they used to: for example, all of her students can get out a chair more quickly and more times, which helps them to be more self-sufficient and able to carry on with their lives. Better posture and stronger legs allow people to pick their feet up higher so they dont stumble and fall.

Each week Upvalley residents of any age can participate in Comendants weekly exercise classes in Calistoga and St. Helena, PWR!Moves and Tai Chi, which are both hosted by Rianda House. Classes are offered on a drop-in basis and at no-cost to the community, thanks to the support of a grant from the National Parkinsons Foundation and several fabulous local donors.

PWR!Moves is a movement class for those living with Parkinsons Disease, Essential Tremors or balance issues that was created by the National Parkinsons Foundation. It is designed to increase strength, flexibility, coordination, balance and posture with a goal to enhance motor, cognitive and emotional functions and daily quality of life. Comendant begins or ends each class with a seated dance that always gets the class laughing while they work on the postures and stretches needed to improve mobility.

PWR!Moves is offered in St. Helena at Rianda House on Wednesdays, 1:15-2:15 p.m. and in Calistoga at the Community Center on Fridays, 1-2 p.m. The Tai Chi class features a combination of slow meditative movements that aid relaxation, balance, stress reduction and posture, giving an effective total-body workout. Tai Chi is offered on Mondays, 10:40-11:30 a.m. at Rianda House in St. Helena and on Fridays 2-3 p.m. at the Calistoga Community Center.

Rianda also hosts a monthly support group for individuals with Parkisons disease or for anyone who cares for someone with Parkinsons. Bob Winters facilitates the meeting on the second Thursday of each month, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Rianda House. Each month, the meeting offers a guest speaker, support resources and information, as well as the opportunity to provide support for each other.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing mobility issues, be sure to stop by Rianda House for more information or drop in on a class. You wont regret it! As one participant put it, The classes help me gain stamina and flexibility. It is fun to be with this group of people and I look forward to seeing them. I like the all the variety of things that Joan brings to us.

Julie Spencer is executive director and Stephanie Parry is Development & Marketing consultant for Rianda House Senior Activity Center. Hours for Rianda House are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays at the center, 1475 Main St. in St. Helena. Call 707-963-8555 or visit our website for our monthly activities calendar: riandahouse.org
HUMESTON, Iowa -- The Iowa Select pig farm gives its visitors headphones, because the squeal of hogs is deafening. This is either a chorus for the damned -- or the sound of pork's ascendancy.

Americans, long devoted to chicken and beef, are eating more pork now than they have in years. And brand-new farms such as this one, a $20 million facility one hour south of Des Moines, are opening to meet demand for everything from pork belly to pig ears.

In Iowa alone, meatpackers have recently broken ground on new slaughterhouses worth well over $500 million. By the end of 2018, the Agriculture Department predicts that U.S. pork production will equal - and occasionally exceed - that of beef, though neither red meat yet rivals chicken.

Some of that demand will come from growing foreign markets. But Americans have developed a new taste for pork, particularly bacon, as well. According to the market research firm Euromonitor, sales of pork are up 20 percent in the United States since 2011.

"More people are eating out, and pork is in a good position in the food service sector," said Dennis Smith, a commodities broker and analyst at Archer Financial Services. "Just look at all the bacon they're putting on burgers."

As Smith and others who watch the hog industry explain it, a confluence of factors appears to lie behind pork's growing popularity. Bacon is indeed one of them: Last winter, demand grew so high that the country's pork-belly supply hit a 50-year low - sparking (unfounded) fears of a bacon shortage.

The growing influence of Asian cuisines, particularly Korean and Vietnamese, have also made some cuts of pork newly popular. In its 2016 food trends report, Google named char siu, bulgogi and banh mi - which frequently include pork - among the year's hottest foods.

And Americans are increasingly turning to fast-food restaurants for breakfast, where bacon and pork sausage are both popular.

Demographics play a major role, as well: Pork is a popular meat in Latino cooking, and sales have grown with that population.

Pork has also benefited from the fact that Americans' spending on food, particularly at restaurants, has rebounded since the recession. According to the USDA, Americans have spent more money at restaurants in each year since 2010. A 2013 study by researchers at Purdue University found that spending on meat, in particular, spiked after the recession, especially for high-quality cuts of chicken, pork and beef.

If all that weren't enough, pork has also had a little help from an organization called the Pork Board - an industry group that works to grow demand for the "other white meat." (They are, in fact, the ones who coined that tagline in the 1980s.)

For the past several years, the Pork Board has been waging an aggressive campaign to popularize different cuts of pork, explained Jarrod Sutton, a marketing executive with the organization. Aside from publicizing pork recipes and rebranding several cuts - a pork chop can now be a "porterhouse," for instance - the board has worked behind the scenes with restaurants and retailers, getting things such as pork bellies on their menus and in their meat cases.

Recently, Pork Board partnered with Longhorn Steakhouse - a chain best known, as its name implies, for gigantic servings of beef - to feature a sous-vide pork chop with garlic-herb butter.

According to Datassential, a market research firm that tracks restaurant menus, that is only one of many U.S. restaurants that have recently begun introducing dishes made with pork belly, pork shoulder, pulled pork and better chop cuts.

"How much pork are people willing to consume?" Sutton asked. "Based on the intelligence we have, it's only going to grow in the future."

Anticipated growth in the United States is not the only reason that new hog farms and slaughterhouses are popping up across the Midwest. Foreign demand is also strong in markets such as Mexico, China and Japan, and hog farms and processors are becoming more productive.

A number of companies have recently decided to embark on expansion projects. In Sioux City, an afternoon's drive from the Humeston pig farm, Seaboard Triumph Foods is building a huge, $300 million plant that will span almost a million square feet and process upward of 20,000 hogs a day. Prestage Foods, a large producer of pork and turkey, recently broke ground on a new pork plant in Eagle Grove, Iowa, that will process 10,000 hogs each day.

When these facilities open, USDA predicts, an additional 900 million pounds of pork will hit the U.S. market - which may edge prices down a bit and further stimulate demand. In either case, by the end of 2018 U.S. farmers are expected to produce as much pork as beef - which is, for the pork industry, an unprecedented accomplishment.

"It's never happened before," Smith said. "It's the first time in history that pork has equaled or surpassed beef production."

In Humeston, pig producers are gearing up. In addition to this new facility, which houses more than 6,000 sows, Iowa Select is building three other, larger sow farms across Iowa.

A new litter of piglets is born here every 25 minutes, on average, stumbling out into the chorus of pig squeals and the glare of overhead heat lamps. Bloated sows lie in grids of 84 metal pens to give birth, their piglets - some still trailing dried umbilical cords - squirming and sleeping next to them.

After three weeks here with their mothers, the piglets are trucked to a separate nursery, then to a "finishing" farm where they'll fatten up. After that, it's off to the packing plant.

. . . And quite possibly, your next pack of bacon.
AMERICAN CANYON  A statewide leader in preventing smoke and e-cigarette shops from setting up in town, American Canyon is being asked to crack down on storefront advertising, with an aim toward unhealthy products like tobacco and alcohol.

Last year, American Canyon adopted an ordinance prohibiting tobacco-only stores, vape shops, or hookah lounges from opening in city limits. The move was a first in the state, according to Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community, a campaign of the California Department of Public Healths Tobacco Control Program.

Now, local anti-tobacco forces want American Canyon to cut down on storefront advertising found in convenience stores.

The city has already gone beyond what California demands from retail businesses that sell alcohol. Under the 1994 Lee Law (named after then Assemblywoman Barbara Lee), liquor stores and convenience markets that sell alcohol are prohibited from covering more than one-third (33 percent) of the square footage of their windows and clear doors with signs of any sort.

American Canyon adopted its own ordinance that requires an even lower limit for storefront advertising: 25 percent.

But the Napa County Tobacco Advisory Board would like American Canyon to go a step further and lower its threshold to 10 percent because the city has so many youths and teenagers  the target populations for tobacco and tobacco related industries, said Paul Laskar, the boards chairman.

In a presentation last Tuesday to the American Canyon City Council, Laskar said the city has the highest rate of school age youth among cities in Napa County. Residents 17 years and younger made up nearly 24 percent of the city population in 2015, according to demographic data published by City Hall.

American Canyons preponderance of young families motivated the council in 2015 to pass a temporary moratorium on smoke shops after an entrepreneur approached the city about opening just such a business. City leaders then approved a permanent ban in January 2016 on tobacco-only and e-cigarette specialty enterprises.

Laskar told the city council that the Napa County Tobacco Advisory Board is on a campaign to remove unhealthy advertising in storefronts, of which tobacco is an integral part.

He said reducing the promotion of tobacco products could lower the health related consequences of smoking.

Were looking for American Canyons support in this endeavor, said Laskar.

Joining Laskar was Carmen Gonzalez, program director for Community Action of Napa Valleys Tobacco Education and Quit Smoking Program. Gonzalez told the American Canyon Eagle that the Napa County Tobacco Advisory Board is currently focusing on American Canyon to test its storefront advertising campaign.

We work with one jurisdiction at a time and assess the willingness and support for each tobacco control policy we advocate for, said Gonzalez, and then we decide if its worth the effort of continue the campaign with other cities in the county.

Mayor Leon Garcia thanked Laskar and Gonzalez for their presentation, while also noting that he serves on Community Action of Napa Valleys board of directors. The other council members said little about the campaign, which was presented for informational purposes and did not require any action on the councils part.

The councils youngest member, Mariam Aboudamous  who ran as the youth candidate in last years election and promised to represent the interests of American Canyons pre-adult population  said shes open to learning more about the impacts and benefits of the city lowering its storefront advertising policy to 10 percent.

I would be in support of preventative programs and information sessions for our youth, Aboudamous, 30, told the Eagle. I would also be in support of [city] staff conducting more research on the issue of less signage.

She said she wants to know more about how a policy change would affect our business owners and to see evidence that it actually helps deter our youth from such an awful addiction of smoking.

For Aboudamous, cigarettes are real personal to me.

One of her uncles died from smoking, she said, while another has had multiple heart attacks as a result but is still unable to quit. Her father also struggled for years to quit smoking.

She wouldnt mind seeing young people avoid going down the same path.

Ive always believed that cigarette companies target people at a young age and, unfortunately, this addiction is not easy to kick, said Aboudamous.
College-level classes are already challenging enough, let alone trying to master higher education on an empty stomach.

But thanks to a new food bank on campus, Napa Valley College students who cant afford a lunch or who have to choose between food or school are finding relief.

On May 9, the college opened an Office of Student Life Food Bank in Building 1200 on campus. Students can shop confidentially in room 1202 for two weeks worth of food, according to Ben Quesada, the coordinator for student life.

We are giving students a viable food option so they can eat, which contributes to their success on the college campus, said Quesada.

At the NVC food bank, students need only give their student ID number and then they can shop in the food bank every two weeks for two bags of groceries, he said.

We carry a full selection of food, he said, including produce, potatoes, carrots, yams, canned goods, beans, grains, pasta, rice, cereal, crackers, tuna, peanut butter  anything youd find in a grocery store.

During the food banks first five days, 32 students had already visited and received bags of food, said Quesada.

The campus food bank is an evolution of something that Quesada was already doing on campus.

Two and a half years ago, I had a student who hadnt eaten for a few days approach me for money for food, said Quesada.

Then another student, and a third came to me. I noticed these students who were looking for help were in desperate need, so I started an emergency food cabinet in my office and started tracking data to see how severe the need was.

His emergency food cabinet is located in the office of student life, in Room 1342.

Quesada said during this school year he provided 218 emergency meals like instant noodles, granola bars and other food stuffs to hungry students.

There is definitely a need for an on-campus food bank, said Shirley King, director, Community Action of Napa Valley Food Bank, which supplies nonperishables to the college food bank. Its a great resource.

Its evident that many college students are food insecure, said King. They are trying to be self-sufficient and improve their lives, but some dont have access to food on a regular basis.

According to Quesada, two surveys taken on state university campuses showed 18 percent of students are going through school making decisions between food, books, tuition and gas.

A 2016 survey of about 3,600 students at seven California Community Colleges by the Community College Equity Assessment Lab showed that about 12 percent couldnt afford food.

This can be especially significant at a community college with a higher population of non-traditional students like single parents, veterans, older students or emancipated foster youth, officials said.

We want to make it easy for these folks to get the food they need, said King.

Quesada said that because most students take a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday class, the food bank is currently open from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. After May 30, it will be open from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday and Thursday.

That way, we can reach as many students on those days as possible.

During the school year, as many more than 6,800 students are enrolled at NVC. Enrollment drops during the summer but there are still quite a few students on campus, he noted.

The NVC food bank is supported by King of Napa County CANV, Sparkpoint Family Services, the Associated Students of Napa Valley College, the Classified Senate, Faculty Senate and several college staff members, including Vice Presidents Oscar De Haro and Robert Parker, facilities director Matt Christensen, equity and inclusivity director Craig Alimo and hospitality professor Merrick McKeig.

For those who cant make it to the food bank, the emergency food cabinet in Quesadas office remains available, he said.
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Hundreds of friends and relatives cheered Napa Valley Colleges Class of 2017 Friday evening, highlighted by a pair of 21-year-old valedictorians who spoke of determination, resilience and hope for the future.

Just because you are going through a rough time does not mean you should stop trying, said co-valedictorian Zoreen Mohammed, a biomedical engineering student headed to UC Davis. It just means you need to work harder to achieve all you have ever wanted.

Co-valedictorian Naomi Salvatto spoke to her fellow graduates about the battle within yourself.

As I stand here today, I see the winners of that battle, who choose to better yourselves and continue to reach your full potential. Despite the obstacles you have faced in all aspects of your life, you did it. You are here, said Salvatto.

Nearly 300 graduates attended the ceremony, while a total of 814 students earned diplomas or certificates.

Mohammed, who learned English as a second language, is a graduate of Armijo High School. She was born in Redwood City and raised in Suisun City, by parents who migrated from Fiji and spoke only Hindi while raising their four children. Over time they learned English.

She came to Napa Valley College in search of an education and became the first woman in her family to attend college. After being declined admission to four-year schools after high school, she said she believes God had something better in store for her and that everything happens for a reason.

It was all a matter of fate, she said while deciding that NVC would provide an opportunity to put my creativity and imagination into reality.

My interest in engineering can be traced back to when I was a child. I greatly enjoyed creating and building things using Play-Doh, or using random household items, and was always proud to demonstrate my inventions to my family and friends.

I remember when my grandma first began dialysis. I never knew what dialysis was and what it did and soon discovered that it served to complete the job of what our kidneys would do. I was fascinated by the idea of building things that would help people and wondered what career would allow me to do such a thing.

After earning a bachelors degree in biomedical engineering, she plans to earn a masters degree and a doctorate.

Co-valedictorian Salvatto said she did not know when she came to Napa Valley College in 2013 that so many people on campus help students find a career goal, get financial aid and offer moral support.

The people at the college helped me figure out what I want to do with my life, said Salvatto, a Vallejo native.

After graduating from American Canyon High School, she said a relative financed her first semester at NVC.

I didnt know anything about financial aid assistance on campus, but when I went to the UMOJA Program on campus they helped me figure out what I want to do for a career, and they suggested I join Student Support Services/TRiO, where I received information about financial aid. They advised me to make an appointment with advisors and I received financial aid and counseling.

Inspired by the physical therapists who helped her parents heal from various health issues, she began taking health-related classes.

I had to change my life around, she said. College is a great place to gain exposure to different programs and career choices. I grew up at Napa Valley College, and found out what I wanted to do while dealing with family issues. My mother and father both had health issues, so I was faced with the choice of either working full-time or going to school. I decided to do both.

She said NVC has taught her how to make tough choices in life.

I had to choose between studying for tests or hanging out with my friends. I lost touch with many friends, she said.

Salvatto has been accepted at UC Berkeley and UC Davis, and plans to major in Psychology and minor in Human Physiology. She hopes to become an occupational therapist.
St. Helenas General Fund should contribute to the removal of the York Creek Dam, a majority of the City Council agreed on Tuesday.

Councilmembers Paul Dohring, Mary Koberstein and Geoff Ellsworth told city staff to come back to the council with a budget that sets aside some General Fund dollars for the long-delayed project, which would otherwise be funded entirely by water rates.

The amount of the allocation will be determined when the budget returns to the council for approval, probably on June 13. City staff presented budget scenarios that would have set aside $800,000, $600,000 or $450,000 for the removal of the dam, which has been deemed a barrier to fish passage and has been on the citys to-do list since the 1990s.

The estimated cost of removing the dam has increased over the years from $1.5 million to $6.5 million, and city officials have only recently started making progress toward getting it done. Some critics of last years rate hikes have argued that the General Fund should bear some of that cost, since ratepayers werent responsible for the delay.

Mayor Alan Galbraith and Councilmember Peter White strongly opposed the idea, each calling it fiscally irresponsible. Galbraith called it a potential invitation to litigation and financial disaster.

Galbraith said drawing from the General Fund to subsidize water or wastewater projects is not appropriate, since the water and wastewater funds are operated like separate businesses and are supposed to be sustained by rates. Diverting money to the dam project makes the General Fund more vulnerable to major expenses in future years and amounts to a subsidy for water customers outside the city limits who pay water rates but dont contribute to the General Fund, he said.

Its unclear whether transferring money from the General Fund to the water fund will result in lower water rates, Galbraith added, since the rates still need to be high enough to satisfy the terms of the citys bond covenants.

Galbraith and White said the supporters of the Measure D sales tax, which should generate about $1.4 million in the next fiscal year, never envisioned the money being used for a water project that wasnt part of the General Fund.

Its irresponsible, and it breaks the trust of everyone who voted for Measure D, including myself, White said. If I had known up-front that our council was going to try to re-categorize the funds out of the General Fund, I dont know that I would have voted for Measure D.

Dohring disagreed that Measure D funds would be paying for the dam, since the city has other sources of additional revenue this year. The money all goes into one pot, so its hard to say which General Fund revenues are paying for which expenses.

Given the 25-year breach of trust by this city in not removing that dam, theres a strong equitable argument to use some of that money that we have this year in additional revenues  above and beyond Measure D  to fund the York Creek Dam removal, Dohring said.

He agreed that an ongoing subsidy of the water fund wouldnt be appropriate and said the York Creek contribution will be short-term  no more than one or two years.

I dont want to make it a pattern, Dohring said.

He also said the city wouldnt be making any cuts to free up money for York Creek, only reducing increases in spending that had been proposed on May 9.

City staff proposed various revisions to the budget theyd presented on May 9, including reducing the city attorneys budget from $890,000 to $790,000, scratching the purchase of a $40,000 police car, and reducing the amount of money that was going to be set aside for street repairs ($250,000), vehicle replacement ($100,000) and repairs to city buildings ($200,000).

Councilmember Koberstein suggested leaving the $250,000 for roads intact, reducing funding for curb replacements from $213,000 to $125,000 (with grant money presumably making up the difference), setting aside only $50,000 for vehicle replacement, and not putting anything in the city building fund this year.

Dohring agreed, and also proposed reducing the city attorneys budget by another $100,000, down to $690,000. The city expects to spend $967,000 on legal bills in the current fiscal year.
Mayor gives 2017 Memorial Day address





This is my third Memorial Day address. On this special day in this special place it is a privilege to remember and honor those in our armed forces who perished in conflict in the service of our country. Our country has officially celebrated Memorial Day  originally Decoration Day  since 1868, nearly 150 years ago. It came into being as an annual and nationwide event through General Order No. 11 issued by General John A. Logan, the National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans organization for Union Army veterans of the Civil War. It was a day to decorate the graves of the fallen with flags and flowers, as we continue to do today.

One of the many touching stories coming out of the Civil War was that of Yankee private Henry Struble. He was thought a casualty at the horrific battle at Antietam, Maryland in September 1862. His canteen was found near a dead soldier he had stopped to help. Believing the dead soldier was Struble, the military assigned him a marked grave. Following the war, Struble sent flowers every Memorial Day to decorate the grave in his name that contained the remains of the soldier that he had sought to help. This story reminds us of the heartfelt empathy and heavy sadness we all feel for unrecovered and unknown soldiers and sailors.

One more touching story from the Civil War; the locale was Charleston, South Carolina. The date was May 1, 1865. By then, the last major Confederate Army had surrendered. Two hundred Union soldiers had died while confined at a makeshift Confederate prison at the citys racecourse. The African American population of Charleston, protected by a brigade of Union infantry, which included three regiments of U.S. Colored Troops, honored the fallen captive Union soldiers with flowers and orations.

Why did these African American residents do so? This was their way of expressing profound thankfulness for the ultimate sacrifice of these Union dead. These Charleston African Americans fully understood they were no longer enduring the bondage of slavery. I would like to say they were rejoicing in their freedom but we all know that the racial caste system and Jim Crow laws lasted another 100 and more years.

This year, 2017, marks the 100th anniversary of our entry into the Great War  now known as World War I. President Wilsons goal in leading our nation into that conflict nearly three years after it began was to make the world safe for democracy. We all wish it had turned out that way. The Great War would endure another one and a half years after our countrys formal entry into the war, with our participation in significant combat occurring in less than the last six months. The number of American soldiers killed in those six months was about the same as the total killed during our entire involvement in Vietnam.

Today, World War I, though our involvement in it changed the course of world history, is largely forgotten  overshadowed by World War II and subsequent conflicts, especially the Korean and Vietnam Wars. There are magnificent monuments on the national Mall in Washington D.C. for World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. There is no national World War I monument on or near the Great Mall. Today, the Great War without doubt is the most important war fought by our country that Americans generally do not know about.

But I heard much about the Great War as a youngster. My paternal grandfather, a Canadian Scot, was a significant political leader in Elgin County, Ontario, above western Lake Eerie. He served on what today would be known as a local draft board. In my youth there was much discussion about the enormous slaughter of young Canadians in World War I. And so I learned at an early age of that magnificent Great War poem inspired by the fields of Belgium poppies that populated the battlefields. The poem was, of course, In Flanders Fields. The poet was Major John McCrae, a Canadian Scott.

Those of you here of a certain age surely know the poem almost by heart. Because of the poem, the poppy flower became the official flower of the American Legion family to memorialize the solders that fought and died in the Great War. It is also the Flower of Remembrance for the war dead of Britain, Canada, France, Australia, and other Commonwealth countries. The Belgium poppy is a red poppy - as beautiful as our Napa orange poppies.

Here is the poem:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place: and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw the sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch: be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

On Memorial Day we recognize and honor all those who have served our country in our various military services, but we also keep in mind that Memorial Day is particularly dedicated to those who lost their lives  mostly young lives  in our too many wars. We especially salute them today, and also their families who for a lifetime suffered from their ultimate sacrifice.

Thank you American Legion Post 199 for allowing me the high honor of addressing you on this special day.
More than 100 high-level officials and experts from over 50 countries and international organisations met in Helsinki from 29 to 30 May 2017 to discuss multilateral non-proliferation regimes and initiatives in view of a changing security environment. They also addressed regional proliferation challenges in the Middle East and in Asia, as well as NATOs policies and other international organisations efforts in the area of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) arms control and disarmament.

Challenging times  What can NATO and its Partners do next?

The Annual NATO Conference on WMD Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation brings together top officials and senior experts responsible for shaping and implementing related national policies. Thus, the conference provides a unique annual opportunity to discuss joint international efforts on preventing the proliferation of WMD and working together towards WMD disarmament and verification through effective and strong arms control measures.

This years conference, hosted by Finland  one of NATOs most active partners and a valued contributor to NATO-led operations and missions  took place in the context of an increasingly challenging global security environment.

In view of the repeated use of chemical weapons in Syria, nuclear and ballistic missile testing in North Korea, as well as discussions in the United Nations and Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) framework on new disarmament instruments, the conference again proved to be an important forum for detailed and open debate among leaders and senior experts in the field on how to jointly address related issues.

Timo Soini, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, argued in his opening speech to the conference that, In order to enhance stability and security, we need to increase transparency and predictability. The Minister also made the case for arms control and non-proliferation measures being essential tools in this regard.

The security environment today is indeed challenging, said NATOs Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller in a video statement to the conference, stressing the long-standing importance of WMD arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation to NATO. NATO and the global community have faced difficult times in the past, but we have found ways to control weapons that pose the greatest risk to humankind, she added. The guiding question she presented to the conference was how NATO Allies and partners can find joint solutions for these issues and what actionable and practical future policies can be derived from their discussions.

In his keynote speech, Dr. Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) joined DSG Gottemoeller in underlining the important role the treaty and its global monitoring system already play in dealing with the threat of WMD proliferation on an international level. Ambassador Ahmet Uzumcu, Director-General of the Nobel Peace Prize winning Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), addressed the conference, reflecting on the disarmament of the Syrian chemical weapons program, which proved to be a big challenge for his organisation and the international community. He stressed the need for stronger and institutionalized interagency cooperation in support of future efforts on upholding WMD arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation norms.

Constructive Outreach for Combined Efforts

Ambassador Sorin Ducaru, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges and Chair of the conference, underlined that dialogue between Allies, NATO partners around the globe and international organisations  including the United Nations and the European Union  is crucial for improving common understanding of the global security challenges related to the spread and use of WMD.

Several expert panels proved to be the right framework for in-depth debates on how to preserve international achievements and move forward together. Topics discussed also included regional proliferation challenges in the Middle East and in Asia as well as NATOs policies and other international organisations efforts in the area of WMD arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

NATO has supported the negotiation of all the major arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation treaties and agreements, those negotiated now down several decades. And these agreements have proven to be invaluable in making the world safer, stated DSG Gottemoeller.

By reducing absolute numbers or eliminating stockpiles, and ensuring transparency and predictability, WMD arms control agreements have helped to bring greater stability to the world. Through diplomacy and open dialogue, NATO and its partners will continue to seek ways to effectively control the proliferation of weapons that put humankind at risk. The Annual NATO Conference on Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation is an important contribution to this process.
SIU historians part of career diversity initiative

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Its a question they hear often: What can I do with a degree in history? The answer, according to a new career diversity initiative by the American Historical Association, is plenty.

Three Southern Illinois University Carbondale historians are part of the AHA initiative seeking to diversify career options for historians, especially those with advanced degrees.

Holly Hurlburt and Jonathan Wiesen, professors, and Ras Michael Brown, associate professor, are among a select group of college and university history faculty members to attend the AHA Career Diversity Institutes, the first of which begins June 8 in Washington, D.C. The institutes will highlight the skills successful doctoral students in history programs gain that could be applicable to careers other than history professor. The faculty members who attend these institutes will learn how to shape a curriculum that includes a broader career scope for professional historians.

The second institute is in October in Chicago, and the third is a workshop taking place during the AHA annual meeting in Washington, D.C., next January. In addition, the faculty members can participate in webinars and access online support during the year. Participation in the institutes includes funding from the AHA for one faculty member per institute and workshop.

SIUs participation in the faculty institutes comes at a fortuitous time. The department had already begun a curriculum review, which included, among other things, attention to marketability of the degree.

Were all concerned about job placement for our doctoral students, Hurlburt said. Given the narrowing of academic positions in the humanities, many of our students have expressed interest in other options, and of course we want to help put them on the best possible footing.

Hurlburt was instrumental in SIUs involvement in this new initiative. While on a sabbatical fellowship at the Newberry Library in Chicago, she met Jim Grossman, director of the AHA, who talked about the function of the doctorate in the 21st century  especially as the number of available academic jobs has been shrinking. He suggested SIU apply to attend the faculty institutes.

According to the AHA, only one in six history doctoral degree graduates pursue careers as faculty at R1 institutions (doctorate-granting universities ranked as highest research activity) despite the fact that most graduate programs aim to prepare students for that career. The AHA recommends curriculum development that integrates a wider range of career goals rather than separating them out as specializations. AHA literature on the faculty institutes states that learning to be a professional historian cannot be separated from learning to teach history or engage with it in other ways.

History doctorate graduates can be found working in areas where we would expect to find them  higher education administration, publishing and editing, high schools, museums, government agencies and public history sites, Wiesen said. Also, some are researchers and consultants. Some are active-duty military officers. Many have successful careers as independent historians and scholars. Others run small businesses that specialize in everything from editing to organic food, or to pair their doctorates with additional degrees to become lawyers, politicians and librarians.

Ultimately, the universities participating in these institutes are eligible for the next step, Career Diversity Graduate Fellowships, open to students who have completed nearly all the requirements for their doctoral degrees except for the dissertation, which is the culminating project. The Fellows will receive an AHA subsidy for the purpose of working to develop a career diverse curriculum at their home institutions.
The makers came up with the first logo of the movie today which was shared by Bollywood trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to Twitter to share the poster of the flick.

"And here's the logo of #ThugsOfHindostan... Stars Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, Fatima Sana Shaikh... Diwali 2018 release," he tweeted.

The people will get to see Bollywood's two popular superstars, Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan sharing the screen for the very first time in Thugs of Hindostan.

The cast also includes Katrina Kaif and Dangal' girl Fatima Sana Sheikh. The film will be produced under the Yash Raj Films banner and will be directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya.

Recently, a photo of Mr. Perfectionist and Big B went viral on social media in which both starts were seen prepping up for their roles. (ANI)
Actor Jonathan Banks says he has one philosophy is life and that is to "err on the side of humanity". "You should err on the side of humanity. You can't let people die when it's right there in your face," Banks said in a statement. The actor, who was in "Breaking Bad", and is seen in "Better Call Saul", went on to explain how he got this spirit. He said: "This is totally off the subject, but my wife and I were in the earthquake in San Francisco. We were watching the World Series and there's an earthquake. Smoke starts to rise and it's almost impossible to get back into town. But we get back in, it's after dark, and the shop owners had their cars pulled up on the curb and they were standing in front of their stores with guns. "A lot of the hotels made you show your ID to get inside. But the Meridien hotel -- where we were staying - opened their doors. You couldn't go up into the hotel, but they opened their doors That hotel made the choice to be decent to human beings. Not just to their guests but to human beings...I thought: People are good." "Better Call Saul" is aired in India on Colors Infinity, --IANS sug/rb ( 228 Words) 2017-05-30-06:02:09 (IANS)
Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf, who is more famous for controversies rather than his movies, has found himself again in a dispute. As reported by the People Magazine, according to the court documents obtained by The Hollywood Reporter last month, LaBeouf, 30, - who was accompanied by wife Mia Goth - got into a verbal altercation with staffers at Jerry's Famous Deli, after bartender David Bernstein refused to serve LaBeouf and Goth a drink, allegedly because they were already too intoxicated. Now a month later, Bernstein filed documents at L.A. Superior Court suing LaBeouf for defamation, slander and assault, and seeking damages of five million USD. However, the 'Transfomers' star attorney Brian Wolf feels that Bernstein's lawsuit is absolutely "baseless". "The recent lawsuit filed against Shia is baseless. The statements attributed to Shia forming the basis of the action do not remotely constitute 'defamation'. The case is little more than an effort to harass our client. We will vigorous defend and seek dismissal of this frivolous action and will seek recovery of all attorneys fees and costs from the plaintiff," Wolf shared. In the lawsuit, Bernstein accuses the star of being "significantly under the influence" while entering the area where employees and bartenders work and slammed his fist on the bar. In a video obtained by TMZ, LaBeouf can be heard screaming at Bernstein, calling him a "f***ing racist b**ch." The lawsuit also noted that Bernstein has worked at Jerry's Famous Deli for 32 years and that he is a "beloved individual to his customers who are predominantly African-American." This lawsuit comes after LaBeouf's January arrest in New York City during a protest against President Donald Trump after he allegedly attacked a 25-year-old man - and video of the entire incident was posted online. LaBeouf was charged with misdemeanor assault and a harassment violation. (ANI)
"Thank you for taking the time to meet me this morning Narendra Modi sir. Such a lovely coincidence to be in Berlin at the same time," Priyanka, who has been making India proud in Hollywood, tweeted.

She even shared a glimpse from her meeting with Modi on Twitter as well as Instagram.

The actress, who is known for her acting skills as well as supporting social and humanitarian causes, is seen in a white dress with a floral print during the meeting.

Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Germany, is in a black bandhgala.

Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Germany, Modi will travel to Spain, Russia and France.

Meanwhile, Priyanka, whose Hollywood debut film "Baywatch" opened internationally to mixed reviews, is enjoying a break in Berlin. "Baywatch", also starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, is slated to release in India on June 2.

--IANS sug/rb/rn

( 196 Words)

2017-05-30-14:30:22 (IANS)
Popular stars such as Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Mahesh Babu on Tuesday expressed their condolences on the passing away of well-known Telugu filmmaker Dasari Narayana Rao. After prolonged illness, especially issues related to lungs and kidneys, Rao passed away on Tuesday at a private hospital. The celebrities took to Twitter to share their condolences. Describing Rao as a "close friend and well-wisher", superstar Rajinikanth said: "One of the greatest directors of India. His demise is a loss to the whole Indian film industry. My heartfelt condolences to his family." Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan described Rao's death as "a big loss to Telugu cinema. Late K. Balachander sir admired him." Haasan, who worked with Rao in 1984 Hindi film "Yaadgar", said: "I remember the day spent with Narayana Rao garu and Sanjeev Kumar ji. aYaadgar'. He was a great fan of K. Balachander. I belong to a great family." Mahesh Babu said he was "saddened" by the news. "His death leaves a void that can never be filled. Prayers and strength with the whole family," he tweeted. Actress Trisha Krishnan wrote: "The person who treated me just the same during my first film and my 50th. Such a tremendous loss. RIP Dasari sir." Filmmaker Puri Jagannadh described his death as an "end of an era". Recalling the time he spent last year with him, actor Allu Sirish wrote: "RIP Dasari Narayana Rao garu. One of the daring and bold voices of Telugu society." Filmmaker Vamshi Paidipally said: "The legacy that you have left behind will live on forever sir." Reacting to the tragic news, filmmaker Sreenu Vaitla tweeted: "Saddened by the demise of Dasari Narayana Rao garu. The industry has lost a pillar of support .You will always live in our hearts sir." Megastar Chiranjeevi, in a statement from China, said he was "extremely shook by the unbelievable loss". "My last and impactful memory with him was when I met him on his birthday, a few days ago, to present the Allu Ramalingaiah award. His demise is a person loss to each one of us and I will forever carry his warmth, affection and fondness for me in my heart," Chiranjeevi added. The National Award-winning filmmaker holds a record of directing over 125 films and producing 50 others. Some of his best films include "Premabhishekam", "Meghasandesham", Osey Ramulamma and "Tata Manavadu" among others. He had recently announced his plans to make a biopic on late actress and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. --IANS hp/vd ( 425 Words) 2017-05-30-22:18:29 (IANS)
Aiming to minimise tobacco-related deaths, bidi workers and health activists on Tuesday urged the government to put bidis under the 28 per cent tax slab of the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. The bidi workers have also urged the government to intervene and alleviate their working conditions and eventually seek out alternative livelihood options. The workers have accused the bidi company owners of taking subsidies in the name of poor workers like them. "We ourselves are the victims of the bidi industry owners. They take advantage of us and manipulate the weak enforcement and regulatory system in the bidi industry to make our lives more miserable. "We do not want you (government) to consider their request for lower taxes, benefits or subsidies that they are seeking in our name," said Thangam, a 45-year bidi worker from Tamil Nadu in a letter written to the finance and health ministries. Over one million deaths in India every year are tobacco related and almost two-thirds of tobacco consumers in India actually consume bidis, leading to debilitating diseases and eventual death. According to Rijo John, Economist and Health Policy Analyst, the bidi consumption in India is price elastic and hence responds negatively to changes in prices. "This is why a change in tax slabs could make a significant change in consumption and hence all the more reason why the government and the GST Council should not let this opportunity go to leverage the instrument of taxation to discourage bidi consumption -- a stated public policy goal," said John. John said that a 28 per cent GST on bidis would only barely surpass the current tax burden on bidis in India. Hence, settling for a GST rate less than 28 per cent on bidis will result in a public health disaster in India as bidis are the most commonly used form of tobacco in the country. According to the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), for the majority of India's 275 million tobacco users, not categorising bidis in the highest GST rate slab will only accelerate the death and diseases caused by tobacco and work against the goals stated in the government's recently announced national health policy. --IANS rup/nir/bg ( 379 Words) 2017-05-30-22:40:35 (IANS)
Minister of Defence and National Security of Fiji, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola accompanied by his delegation met Minister of Defence Arun Jaitley earlier in the day.

The Ministers discussed expanded defence partnership in maritime security between both the countries, and naval cooperation was identified as an area of promise.

A MoU on defence cooperation envisaging several areas of cooperation including in defence industry, military training and humanitarian assistance and disaster management was signed.

The visiting Minister was received by a Tri-Services Guard of Honour at the lawns of South Block. He also laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate.

Earlier in the day, before his arrival in New Delhi, Kubuabola visited the Western Naval Command in Mumbai. (ANI)
Prime Minister Modi signed the visitor's book at the Schloss Meseberg.

German Chancellor Merkel will also be hosting a dinner for Prime Minister Modi at the Schloss Meseberg.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi arrived on the first leg of his four-nation tour to Germany.

Germany will host ceremonial welcome for Prime Minister Modi tomorrow.

Prime Minister Modi and the German Chancellor will attend the fourth biennial Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) plenary meeting at International Conference Room at Chancellery.

Later in the day, both the countries are expected to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

Chancellor Merkel will host lunch for Prime Minister Modi and Indian delegation tomorrow.

Prime Minister Modi will depart for Hotel Adlon Kempinski at Palaisaal to attend the Indo-German Business Summit 2017.

He is also expected to invite the German investors in India under the 'Make in India'.

From the summit, the Prime Minister will depart for Castle Bellevue to meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

After meeting with the German President, the Prime Minister will depart for Berlin Tegel Airport to start his Spain tour. (ANI)
- A Greek government spokesman denied a German newspaper report on Tuesday that it was considering opting out of a loan repayment in July if lenders could not agree on debt relief."It is not true," government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos told Reuters. "There will be a solution on June 15."REUTERS SV 1242 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0103-914240.Xml
Army has arrested a cross-border smuggler with heroin worth Rs 2-crore on the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir."In a major success, the Indian Army apprehended one Mohammad Kasim, along with two packets of heroin, valued at approximately above Rs 2-crores in international market from the Line of Control in Bhimber Gali belt of Poonch District on the night of May 29," defence spokesman said here this morning.He said that Mohammad Kasim, 23, resident of Hamirpur village in Balakot block, Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district, under the garb of cattle grazer, had gone to the LoC and received the consignment of heroin from a Pakistani-occupied Kashmir national."The alert troops of the Army challenged and apprehended the individual," he added.The spokesman said this is a significant blow to the nefarious designs of Pakistan Army in facilitating narco smuggling to fund terrorism in the State of J&K.An FIR has been lodged with Poonch Police while search of the area and further investigations are under progress, he asserted.UNI VBH SV SNU 1426 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0103-914380.Xml
A 30-year-old Indian Administrative Service officer, who was attending a get-together with his friends from Indian Foreign and Revenue Services, was found dead in a swimming pool of Foreign Club Institute located in South Delhi's Ber Sarai area. According to a Delhi police official, "A PCR call was received late last night, where the caller mentioned that a person had drowned in the swimming pool of FCI situated in Ber Sarai. and he was being taken to a hospital." The official said the victim was identified as Ashish Dahiya (30), a young IAS officer, native of Haryana.Initial inquiries revealed that the deceased was attending a get-together with his friends from Indian Foreign and Revenue Services, he added. "During the party, they decided to go for a swim. Witnesses revealed that while swimming, a lady officer had an accidental slip into the pool following which others including Dahiya attempted to rescue her and she was pulled out but it was noticed that he (Dahiya) was missing and later his body was found floating," he said. He was immediately rushed to a hospital but was declared brought dead, the police official said, adding that the body has been shifted to the AIIMS for post-mortem. Meanwhile, a team of senior officers have reached the spot to collect evidence and record statements.UNI DS RSA SNU 1517 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0177-914456.Xml
The Babri Masjid demolition case has once again shot into prominence after the trial of criminal conspiracy charge has been started against senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Lal Krishna Advani, Murali Manhohar Joshi, Union Minister Uma Bharti, founder-president of Bajrang Dal Vinay Katiyar, and others. All the accused were granted bail by the Special Central Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Court in Lucknow. However, the court rejected the discharge petition and said charges would be framed against them. The mosque was demolished by Hindu Karsevaks on December 6, 1992 in Ayodhya. The country witnessed massive riots in which over 2000 people were killed. Two FIRs were filed after the disputed structure was demolished- Crime no. 197 deals with actual "demolition of the mosque by karsevaks." Crime no. 198 named L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and others for 'communal' speeches before the demolition. The Hindus claim that it is the birthplace of Lord Rama where a mosque was built in 1528-29 CE (935 AH) by Mir Baqi. Since the mosque was built on orders of the Mughal emperor Babur, it was named Babri Masjid. Before it was demolished in 1992, the Nirmohi Akhara had forcefully occupied the Babri Masjid in 1853 saying it was Ram Janmabhoomi (Birth place of Lord Rama). Here is the epitome of Babri Masjid- Ram Janmabhoomi Dispute: 1853: Members of Nirmohi Akhara occupied the site, and claimed ownership of the structure. Communal riots erupted and lasted for two years. 1855: To avoid dispute, a boundary wall is constructed to divide the mosque premises into two courtyards; the Muslims offered prayers in the inner courtyard. The Hindus offered their prayers on a raised platform, known as "Ram Chabutara", in the outer courtyard. The Chabutra is a raised platform 17 ft x 21 ft about a 100 paces away from the mosque proper." 1885: Priest of the Ram Chabutara Mahant Raghubar Das files a title suit in a Faizabad court; seeks permission to build Ram Temple on the Chabutra on the outer courtyard of the Babri Masjid. 1934: Walls around the Masjid and one the domes are damaged in the communal riots. The British help in the reconstruction. 1946: A branch of the Hindu Mahasabha called Akhil Bharatiya Ramayana Mahasabha (ABRM) start an agitation for the occupation of the site. 1949: The government declares the mosque a disputed area and locked its gates after the idols of Rama and Sita are placed surreptitiously under the central dome. 1950: On 16 January, Gopal Singh Visharad files a civil suit in the Faizabad Court, asking that Hindus be allowed to worship Rama and Sita at the place. Paramahansa Ramachandra Das files a suit for continuation of pooja and keeping idols in the structure. 1959: The Nirmohi Akhara files another lawsuit demanding possession of the mosque. 1961: The Sunni Central Waqf Board also files a lawsuit, demanding possession of the site and removal of idols from the mosque premises. 1984: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) launches an enormous movement for the opening of the locks of the mosque 1986: District judge orders locks be removed. Site opened for Hindu worshippers. A Babri Masjid Action Committee is created as Muslims protest the move to grant Hindu prayers at the site. 1989: In February, VHP declares that a stone will be established for construction of temple near the area. Communal tension in the region gets worse. The four suits pending were transferred to the High Court. 1991: The Uttar Pradesh Government acquires 2.77 acre land in the area and gives it on lease to Ram Janm Bhoomi Nyas Trust. The Allahabad High Court stops all permanent construction activity in the area. 1992: On December 6, Babri Masjid was demolished by a frenzied mob of karsevaks. 1993: The Government takes over 67 acres of land around the area, seeks Supreme Court's opinion on whether there existed a Hindu place of worship before the structure was built. 1993: In October, the CBI files a composite charge sheet and accuses Advani and other leaders of 'conspiracy' 1994: Case goes back to Lucknow Bench of HC, suits heard again from 1996. 2001: On May 4, Special Judge S. K. Shukla drops conspiracy charge against 13 accused, including senior BJP leaders Advani and Kalyan Singh. May 20, 2010: Advani, others absolved of conspiracy charges. 2010: On September 30, Allahabad HC awards two-thirds of Ayodhya site to Hindu parties, one-third to Waqf Board. 2011: In February, CBI moves Supreme Court. Argues that "the actual demolition of the Babri Masjid and the continuous assault on media persons form a single connected transaction and can well be a concerted conspiracy". 2011: On May 9, Supreme Court stays Allahabad High Court verdict on Ayodhya dispute. March 6, 2017: On March 6, the Supreme Court indicates it may revive conspiracy charge and order a joint trial of crimes 197 and 198. 2017: On March 21, Chief Justice of India J. S. Kehar advised the rival parties to initiate an out-of-court peace negotiations and offered mediation. 2017: On April 19, the Supreme Court revived conspiracy charges against L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and 13 others in Babri Masjid demolition cases. 2017: On May 30, BJP veterans L. K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and other accused are granted bail by a special CBI court in Lucknow. However, the court rejected the discharge petition and said charges would be framed against them. (ANI)
23-year-oldMd Kasim under the garb of cattle grazer had gone to the LoC and received the consignment of heroin from a Pakistani Occupied Kashmir national.

The alert troops of the Army challenged and apprehended the individual.

The apprehension is a significant blow to the nefarious designs of Pakistan Army in facilitating narco smuggling to fund terrorism in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

An FIR has been lodged with the Poonch Police. The search of the area and further investigations are under progress. (ANI)
After special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court framed charges against all accused including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti in the Babri Masjid demolition case, party leader Subramanian Swamy said the decision would not affect party veterans' future as they are still innocent in the eyes of the court. "This is the right time when everyone would come to know about the facts and the truth about this issue. This would not affect the future of the politicians as they are innocent in the Supreme Court's eye. It will depend on court's verdict," Swamy told ANI. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader M. G. Vaidya refrained from speaking on the issue while saying that he would comment on it after the court's final order. "Let's see what will be the Court's decision then only we can comment on it. It was not a conspiracy," he told ANI. In a major setback to BJP veterans-- Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, a special CBI court earlier in the day rejected their discharge application, framing charges against them and the other nine accused in the case. Charges of criminal conspiracy under section 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have been framed against all the accused. However, the accused will now move the Allahabad High Court against the CBI court's order. Earlier today, the court granted bail to all the accused by signing a personal bond of Rs. 20,000. "They have been granted bail by signing bonds of Rs. 20,000. We have submitted discharge application. If the court rejects it, then charges will be framed," said lawyer of accused Prashant Atal. The court had also asked BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmia and Sadhvi Ritambara to present themselves before the court in person. While directing the accused to present themselves in person, the judge had said no application for adjournment or exemption from personal appearance shall be entertained. The court, which is hearing two separate cases relating to the demolition, would also frame charges against Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma alias Prem Ji, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Dharma Das and Satish Pradhan in the second matter. The Supreme Court had on April 19 ordered prosecution of Advani, Joshi, Uma Bharti, and other accused for criminal conspiracy in the politically sensitive case. It had also ordered day-to-day trial to be concluded in two years. 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 apex 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. (ANI)
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has directed investigation into an alleged Rs 139 crore scam of Assam Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board, under Labour and Welfare Department of the state.The Chief Minister, while reviewing the functioning of the Board, here last evening took notice of discrepancies of fund of the Board and ordered investigation of the case by the CM's Vigilance Cell.One percent of total construction cost of any building or construction project must be deposited into the fund of Assam Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board for carrying out different welfare activities for the construction workers.A total amount of Rs 139 crore was collected by the Board during the previous year but there was reportedly gross irregularity in the expenditure of the fund.The chief minister was informed that an amount of Rs 71 crore was spent for printing leaflets, booklets, folders etc for awareness purposes and Rs 1.96 crore was spent for erecting hoardings.Another Rs 8.51 crore was shown being spent for running awareness campaigns on electronic media and another Rs 74 lakh for print media awareness campaigns.An expenditure of Rs 50 crore was borne for printing forms and registers.Taking stern view of the matter, Mr Sonowal said corrupt practices must be exposed and the guilty must be brought to book who have misused the fund meant for poor constructions worker's benefit.As these irregularities allegedly occurred during the tenure of the previous Chairman of the Board, he must be also brought under the purview of the investigation, Mr Sonowal said.The chief minister also directed the Labour and Welfare Department to streamline the registration of construction workers by starting online registration and also to take steps to build skilled workforce in the state by providing skill training to workers.He said skilled construction workers would be able to find employment outside the state as well apart from finding employment in the infrastructure related projects within the state.Minister of State for Labour and Welfare Department Pallab Lochan Das, Legal Adviser to the Chief Minister Shantanu Bharali, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Lohia, Commissioner and Secretary Labour and Welfare Department Tapan Chandra Sarma were also present in the meeting.UNI SG RN 1436/1758 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0094-914807.Xml
The Vice Chancellor of Tripura University Prof A K Ghosh today denied the allegations labelled against him and charged a section of faculties for causing an unfortunate atmosphere of disquiet and mistrust in the campus. Addressing media, Prof Ghosh alleged that only a few teaching faculties who were failed to qualify for promotion in next higher post and who were accused of disorderly behaviour in the university were indulged into the chaotic situation in the campus that defames the university. Admitting the fact despite recommendation of Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) for not holding the interview of four subjects, he had conducted the interview in Delhi for the post of Associate Professors on May 23 to 27 last because he did not find any justification of the recommendations. "I can't stop selection on the basis of some recommendation; I did whatever I found suitable and appropriate. Being the central university the authority have got every right to hold interview in Delhi and moreover, visitor's nominee was not agreed to come in Tripura but conducting interview was important for me," Prof Ghosh argued. He did not reply to the recommendation of IQAC, which on May 17 last categorically asked for re-screening of the candidatures of the aspirants of sociology, material science and engineering and statistics. Justifying his stand he said, 106 posts of 279 faculties have been vacant for long but to ensure the improvement of quality of education in the university conducting interview was important in this attempt because due to agitation in last four months it was halted. He however, stated that university has achieved many milestones during his tenure like at least 13 foreign scholars enrolled in the university; in terms of NACC assessment the university improved it's scoring. In last assessment, the university scored 37 per cent and 88th ranked out of 233 but this year it scored 27 per cent and 151st ranked out of 723 universities of the country. Prof Ghosh did not say anything about the unanimous private member resolution urging MHRD to conduct special investigation against the charges labelled on him in last three years but said, "I am appointed by the President and whenever he will ask me I will quite." UNI BB AKM 1806 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0213-914835.Xml
One person succumbed to injuries, while 4 others were injured when unidentified miscreants lobbed a crude bomb at a pharmacy in Dimapur on the Nymo Lotha Road last night. According to official sources, two unidentified persons came in a vehicle and lobbed a suspected IED at the pharmacy and fled from the scene. The powerful blast shook the building and adjacent areas, while injured five persons in the shop, three employees and two customers. After the incident, one person identified as Abdul Rashid was critically injured and shifted to a nearby private hospital along with others, but he succumbed to his injuries at around 2300 hrs. He had gone to the pharmacy to purchase medicine. Another person, identified as Bidhwan Biswas (39), who was also injured in the incident, has been shifted to Guwahati for further treatment. The other 3 injured persons have been admitted at Nikos Hospital. Sources quoting the owner of the pharmacy, who was standing outside the shop, when two unidentified Naga youths arrived in a four wheeler and hurled the explosive than sped away. The blast sent shrapnel over the entire shop injuring two customers were seriously injured. Sources said Police have launched an investigation into the incident to nab the culprits and find the reasons behind the act. Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association (NMDA) condemning the incident. Nagaland Home Minister Y Patton has expressed anguish and condemnation over the bomb attack. In a press statement, Patton described it as a "barbarous act of a miscreant" that was unacceptable especially when the entire Naga nation was longing for peace. He reaffirmed commitment against those indulging in such acts and vowed to leave no stone unturned to nab and expose those responsible and also expressed sympathy to the injured persons and wished speedy recovery. NMDA president Ato Yepthomi has condemned and said when medicine dealers were committed to serve society, such attack was uncalled for. The NMDA expressed the hope that police will identify and book those involved at the earliest. To protest against the bomb attack, Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association (NMDA), Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Business Association of Nagas (BAN) and East Dimapur Business Association (EDBA) have jointly called for a lightning shutters down on all shops and business premises today from 0600 hrs to 1800 hrs. UNI AS AKM 1816 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0213-914868.Xml
With almost a day left for his Government to pass the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) Bill, Delhi Deputy chief minister today expressed concern over high tax rates of some items under GST and said that its tax structure should not burden 'aam admi (common man)'. Addressing a press conference, Mr Sisodia said, "GST should be implemented but it has to be done in a proper way. I have been reiterating in the GST Council meeting that its provision, policies should be made keeping in mind about common people and traders. " Pitching for low tax rate, he said,"Lower the tax rates more compliance. The less tax structure we keep, it will be more benefit to the people and the traders. If we make it more complex than it will be difficult." Citing an example of his Government, the Deputy Chief Minister said ''despite reducing taxes on some items from 12.5 to 5 per cent, our this year's budget was Rs 48000 crore. He also raised concern on high taxes on commodities like -- optical, broom, marble, paper clips, footwear, bathroom fittings etc and said that it should be reconsidered. "In a meeting with few people if you decide high tax rates then it won't work. I will take up the issue in the next GST council meeting," Mr Sisodia asserted. ''We will pass GST tomorrow in the Assembly but procedural issues need to be addressed'', he asserted. Earlier in the day, the Deputy Chief Minister held meeting with 32 trade associations on the issues related GST and listened to their grievances.UNI DS RSA SB 1930 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0177-914929.Xml
West Bengal Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra today underlined the fact that Bengal is not ready to accept GST in its current form. Dr Mitra, the chairman of the Empowered Committee on GST, comprising all the 29 states, stated this to media here. It met in Kolkata on June 14, 2016 in a historic meeting. The constitutional amendment said Parliament may, on the recommendation of the GST Council, compensate states for loss of revenue arising out of implementation of GST, up to five years. Secondly, for a state, if the income from tax decreases at any time during these five years, the state can decide to not to give its share of the tax to the Centre. However, Dr Mitra said, " It was decided at this meeting that it should be 'shall', not 'may', and secondly, not 'up to 5 years' but 'period of 5 years' ''. " It was decided at the meeting that if a business is worth less than Rs 1.5 crore, it would only attract State tax, " he informed. '' Then in the cases 90 per cent of small businesses below Rs 1.5 crore, there would not be any dual control, " he said. At the 4th GST summit (November 3 and 4), the states had proposed that foodgrains have to be kept out of GST. " After everyone consented to it, foodgrains are now tax-free. This is a major victory for the common man, " he asserted. The Finance Minister said, " Daily essentials like raw vegetables and flowers are now tax-free. " " We have fought to make cottage cheese, puffed rice, flattened rice, betel leaves, popped rice, green tea, vermilion, aalta, organic fertilizers, poultry and khadi clothing tax-free, health services, doctors' fees, newspapers, textbooks and human hair, " Dr Mitra stated. Another victory for the states is that "on processed tea, instead of a 12-18 per cent tax, 5 per cent tax has been imposed". " The Empowered Committee has given a letter to also make news printing tax-free, " Dr Mitra said. He further said, " A 12 per cent tax was proposed on cashew nuts; the fight on that is still going on. " " They had said that shoes would be taxed at 12 per cent; we have proposed that shoes costing up to Rs 500 should be tax-free, " he stated. On films, Dr Mitra said, " In West Bengal, films are taxed at 2 per cent while the Centre is thinking of imposing a 28 per cent tax. We will fight this. If regional films are taxed at 28 per cent, won't they bite the dust ? " He said, " Though my own powers are limited, I have fought for Maa-Mati-Manush under the inspiration of the Chief Minister and I will continue my fight. " The Finance Minister said, '' The GST is not fully prepared and ready, and that rules and forms not completed, so July 1 must not be finalised as the date for the roll-out of GST. '' " Until and unless a solution is reached on GST, it will not be introduced in the Bengal assembly, " he said and questioned whether small and medium-scale industries are equipped to handle the new tax regime. " The fight is still on, " Dr Amit Mitra said, pointing out that he is likely to attend the June 3 GST Council meeting. " Majority of the country is still not ready to roll out GST, " he added.UNI SJC KK -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-915280.Xml
Opposition Congress,BJP and ruling BJD today condemned the attack on Senior Biju Janata Dal leader and Kendrapada Lok Sabha member Baijayant Panda during an inauguration of overhead water tank project at Jatiparilo village near Mahanga in Cuttack district. Sources said activists of the ruling BJD owing allegiance to the local BJD MLA and Health and family Welfare Minister had hurled eggs and pelted stones at the rally led by the BJD MP. Local TV channel showed a video clippings of one egg hit Mr.Panda and he fell down.All this happened in presence of the police force. Expressing his concern over the incident, Mr.Panda said the protesting people wil have to answer to the public. He said the BJD had a policy to resist hooliganism and infighting, but during rteh last three years the situation has changed and some bureaucrats sitting in the A/C rooms have started dictating the party activities and creating indiscipline. The BJD MP said he had apprised this to party Chief Naveen Patnaik earlier and hoped that he would take some steps when he came to know the truth. Mr.Panda said he was more surprised the local leaders, workers, despite being invited to the inaugural function, protested the inauguration of the water tank project. The inaugural plaques was even ransacked and damaged yesterday. The incident has exposed that intra party conflict in the ruling BJD and all this happened after Mr.Panda tweeted officer raj in the party and pointed out that one or two IAS officer have misguiding the party and indulging in activities which will ultimately harm the prospect of the party. He even stated that the Chief Minister will certainly take action against them as he did recently while effecting a major reshuffle in the Cabinet after three years of his fourth term in the wake of party's performances in the Panchayat elections. BJD spokesman Pratap Deb said lack of understanding among local workers and leaders led to the unfortunate incident and party chief will certainly take note of the incident Petroleum and Natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan condemned the attack on the BJD MP and described it as 'undemocratic'. The attack on Mr.Panda while he was inaugurating a welfare project is not an example of a healthy democracy,he remarked. Senior Congress leader and former Minister Suresh Chandra Routray also condemned the attack on Mr,. Panda and said this was a clear indication of people's anger and intra party conflict in the Biju Janata Dal which he said will collapse on its own. UNI DP SJC -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-915284.Xml
Newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday welcomed his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin in Paris for their first face-to-face talks, during which, they discussed a gamut of issues. The two leaders discussed the relationship between their nations, the situation in Syria, LGBT rights in Chechnya among other issues for three hours in the Palace of Versailles, reports the DW. The meeting took place on the 300th anniversary of Russian Tsar Peter the Great's visit to Versailles. During a joint press conference post the talks, Putin said the discussions were intense but Franco-Russian ties withstood "all points of friction". Macron also agreed to the same, adding, "we disagree on a number of things but at least we discussed them." On the issue of Syria, Macron, whose nation supports removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said he would work with Putin to determine the best course of action in the country. Putin, who is a long time ally of Assad, said he believes the stability of the Syrian state is crucial to combat terrorism. The two leaders agreed on the need of a new round of talks on the violence in eastern Ukraine. Macron also brought up LGBT rights in Chechnya, saying he would be "constantly vigilant on these issues." "President Putin told me . he had undertaken several initiatives on the subject of LGBT people in Chechnya with measures aimed at establishing the whole truth about the activities of local authorities," said Macron. Chechen officials have been accused of arresting and torturing at least 100 gay men in the region. Relations between the European Union and Russia have been fraught since Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the subsequent insurgency in eastern Ukraine. France was one the main proponents of sanctions that have significantly damaged trade between the EU and Russia. (ANI)
Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter to post some pictures of the meeting and wrote alongside, "Had a very good interaction with Chancellor Merkel."

Prime Minister Modi arrived on the first leg of his four-nation tour to Germany yesterday.

Germany will host ceremonial welcome for Prime Minister Modi today.

Prime Minister Modi and the German Chancellor will attend the fourth biennial Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) plenary meeting at International Conference Room at Chancellery.

Later in the day, both the countries are expected to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

Chancellor Merkel will host lunch for Prime Minister Modi and Indian delegation today.

Prime Minister Modi will depart for Hotel Adlon Kempinski at Palaisaal to attend the Indo-German Business Summit 2017.

He is also expected to invite the German investors in India under the 'Make in India'.

From the summit, the Prime Minister will depart for Castle Bellevue to meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

After meeting with the German President, the Prime Minister will depart for Berlin Tegel Airport to start his Spain tour. (ANI)
Daily Pakistan reported that a private TV news channel, Neo TV, claimed that due to American intervention General Sharif feels his role is being limited by the Saudi government.

Therefore, he is considering leaving the command of the military alliance.

The former army chief took over the role to head the 41-nation military alliance last month.

The 41-nation armed coalition was initially proposed as a platform for security cooperation among Muslim countries and included provisions for training, equipment and troops, and the involvement of religious scholars for devising a counter-terrorism narrative.

Reports of General Sharif thinking of quitting the alliance come after the debate over Saudi not providing Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif the time to deliver a speech at the recent U.S.-Arab Islamic summit on counter-terrorism in Riyadh.

Many Pakistani media outlets called it 'national humiliation,' saying no opportunity was given to Pakistan to present its case within the context of the country being one of the biggest victims of terrorism.

What angered Islamabad further was the fact that U.S. President Donald Trump, in his speech at the event, said, "India was one of the countries which had suffered due to terrorism," while ignoring Pakistan.

However, later, clearing the air on the controversy, Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement that the Prime Minister could not deliver the speech due to shortage of time. (ANI)
Leader Kim Jong-un observed the test-firing of a "precision-guided ballistic rocket capable of making ultra-precision strike," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

"The ballistic rocket flew toward the east sky where the day broke and correctly hit a planned target point with deviation of seven meters after flying over the middle shooting range," Yonhap News Agency quoted KCNA as saying.

North Korea launched a Scud-type short-range missile on Monday from the vicinity of Wonsan along the east coast that flew around 450 km at an apogee of some 120 km, according to the South Korean and US militaries.

The KCNA reported the test-launch "verified the flying stability of the missile loaded with the warhead with control wings in the active flying section."

Pyongyang also verified "ultra-precision guidance correctness in the re-entry section".

Inspecting the launch, Kim compared the missile to a "sniper's rifle" for its capability of striking targets both on the ground and at sea including enemies' warships.

He also expressed satisfaction with the "automated launching preparation process" for a speedier missile launch.

Kim was quoted as ordering the "continued development of more powerful strategic weapons" based on the success.

The new missile was unveiled at a massive military parade held in Pyongyang in April to commemorate the birth anniversary of the late founding leader Kim Il-sung.

Monday's missile test, the third in three weeks, again provoked the international community's condemnation.

This launch came just after G7 leaders met this weekend in Italy, where they urged North Korea to "abandon all its ballistic and nuclear missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner".

--IANS ksk

( 313 Words)

2017-05-30-08:08:19 (IANS)
US President Donald Trump offered a solemn tribute to America's service members during a Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring those who gave their lives in war and those serving in defence of the country. "Here at this hallowed shrine, we honour the noblest among us, the men and women who paid the ultimate price for victory and for freedom," ABC News quoted Trump as saying on Monday. "We pay tribute to those brave souls who raced into gunfire, roared into battle and ran into hell to face down evil. They made their sacrifice not for fame or for money or even for glory but for country." At the cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater he relayed stories of those who served and urged Americans to continue with the day's theme of remembrance. "We can never replace them. We cannot repay them. But we can always remember. And today that is what we are doing," Trump said. In the speech he paid tribute to Army Specialist Christopher Horton, Special Forces Captain Andrew Byers and Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, the son of Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly - whose family members were in attendance. "And while we cannot know the extent of your pain, what we do know is that our gratitude to them and to you is boundless and undying," Trump said to the Gold Star families. During last year's presidential campaign, he notably engaged in a dispute with Captain Humayun Khan's Gold Star parents, who spoke out against Trump in a Democratic National Convention speech, reports ABC News. On Monday, Trump also made special mention of former Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, who sat in the audience at the ceremony, thanking Dole for his service in the Second World War. Earlier in the morning, the president visited the cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where he placed a wreath and reflected silently as a bugle player performed taps. This was Trump's first public appearance since returning from a nine-day foreign trip. --IANS ksk ( 346 Words) 2017-05-30-08:28:19 (IANS)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of a new ballistic missile controlled by a precision guidance system and ordered the development of more powerful strategic weapons, the North's official KCNA news agency reported today.The missile launched on Monday was equipped with an advanced automated pre-launch sequence compared with previous versions of the "Hwasong" rockets, North Korea's name for its Scud-class missiles, KCNA said. That indicated the North had launched a modified Scud-class missile, as South Korea's military has said.The North's test launch of a short-range ballistic missile landed in the sea off its east coast and was the latest in a fast-paced series of missile tests defying international pressure and threats of more sanctions.Kim said the reclusive state would develop more powerful weapons in multiple phases in accordance with its timetable to defend North Korea against the United States."He expressed the conviction that it would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send a bigger 'gift package' to the Yankees" in retaliation for American military provocation, KCNA quoted Kim as saying.South Korea said it had conducted a joint drill with a U.S. supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber on Monday. North Korea's state media earlier accused the United States of staging a drill to practise dropping nuclear bombs on the Korean peninsula.The U.S. Navy said its aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Carl Vinson, also planned a drill with another U.S. nuclear carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, in waters near the Korean peninsula.A U.S. Navy spokesman in South Korea did not give specific timing for the strike group's planned drill.North Korea calls such drills a preparation for war.Monday's launch followed two successful tests of medium-to-long-range missiles in as many weeks by the North, which has been conducting such tests at an unprecedented pace in an effort to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting the mainland United States.Such launches, and two nuclear tests since January 2016, have been conducted in defiance of U.S. pressure, UN resolutions and the threat of more sanctions.They also pose one of the greatest security challenges for U.S. President Donald Trump, who portrayed the latest missile test as an affront to China."North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile ... but China is trying hard!" Trump said on Twitter.PRECISION GUIDANCEJapan has also urged China to play a bigger role in restraining North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's top national security adviser, Shotaro Yachi, met China's top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, for five hours of talks near Tokyo on Monday after the North's latest test.Yachi told Yang that North Korea's actions had reached a new level of provocation."Japan and China need to work together to strongly urge North Korea to avoid further provocative actions and obey things like United Nations resolutions," Yachi was quoted as telling Yang in a statement by Japan's foreign ministry.A statement from China's foreign ministry after the meeting made no mention of North Korea.North Korea has claimed major advances with its rapid series of launches, claims that outside experts and officials believe may be at least partially true but are difficult to verify independently.A South Korean military official said the North fired one missile on Monday, clarifying an earlier assessment that there may have been more than one launch.The test was aimed at verifying a new type of precision guidance system and the reliability of a new mobile launch vehicle under different operational conditions, KCNA said.However, South Korea's military and experts questioned the claim because the North had technical constraints, such as a lack of satellites, to operate a terminal-stage missile guidance system properly."Whenever news of our valuable victory is broadcast recently, the Yankees would be very much worried about it and the gangsters of the south Korean puppet army would be dispirited more and more," KCNA cited leader Kim as saying. REUTERS SV 0903 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0103-913999.Xml
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in Berlin as part of his four-nation tour has held discussion with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel on subjects of mutual interest including smart cities, skill development and clean energy.Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted an informal dinner yesterday for Prime Minister Modi at the Schloss Meseberg, outside Berlin. The interaction lasted nearly three hours, and covered various areas of mutual interest including smart cities, skill development, clean energy, etc.There was appreciation for India's economic reform agenda, including GST."The leaders reviewed regional and global issues. Prime Minister Modi reiterated the importance of cohesiveness in the European Union, and its significance as a force of stability in the world," an official announcement said.On Afghanistan, both leaders reiterated the importance of an Afghan-led Afghan-owned reconciliation process.Issues such as deradicalisation and terrorism figured in the discussions. China's belt and road initiative, and climate change, also figured in the talks.Earlier, on arrival at the Schloss Meseberg, Prime Minister Modi signed the visitor's book. The two leaders took a stroll on the lawns of the country residence.This is Prime Minister Modi's second bilateral visit to Germany.Today, both Mr Modi and Ms Merkel are to participate in the delegation-level talks.PM Modi posted on Facebook while announcing his programme that Germany was a valuable partner in our development initiatives and German competencies fit well with his vision for India's transformation.Prime Minister Modi will depart for Spain later today. He will also visit France and Russia.UNI DEVN SV SNU 1111 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0103-914103.Xml
Assange has been sheltered by the Ecuadorian embassy in London since he sought asylum there in 2012, Xinhua news agency reported.

"He must respect the condition in which he is, not to intervene in Ecuadorian politics and not intervene in the politics of friendly countries either," Moreno said here on Monday.

Moreno, who took over as President on May 24, responded after Assange last week tweeted that "Ecuadorians can feel confident that, if WikiLeaks obtains proof of corruption in Ecuador, it will publish them".

The asylum was granted to Assange by Ecuador's former President Rafael Correa as the WikiLeaks founder faced potential extradition to the US, and Moreno stated he would maintain the same policy.

"Ecuador is extremely respectful... with the lives of human beings. That is why it granted him asylum in its embassy," said Moreno.

The US is seeking to try Assange for espionage after WikiLeaks published thousands of confidential American documents in 2010.

He was also being sought by Sweden for allegations of sexual assault but the Swedish prosecutor-general abandoned the case on May 19.

--IANS py/dg

( 210 Words)

2017-05-30-11:42:19 (IANS)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel today held delegation level talks at which they reviewed the whole range of their bilateral relations.''PM@narendramodi&Chancellor Merkel undertake comprehensive review of coop'n at the plenary meeting of the inter-Governmental Consyltation,'' MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.Earlier, the Prime Minister, who arrived here yesterday on a two-day visit, was accorded ceremonial welcome at the German Chancellery.Mr Modi had informal talks with Ms Merkel last night at a private dinner.The interaction lasted nearly three hours, and covered various areas of mutual interest including smart cities, skill development, clean energy, etc.There was appreciation for India's economic reform agenda, including GST."The leaders reviewed regional and global issues. Prime Minister Modi reiterated the importance of cohesiveness in the European Union, and its significance as a force of stability in the world," an official announcement said.This is Prime Minister Modi's second bilateral visit to Germany.Prime Minister Modi will depart for Spain later today. He will also visit France and Russia.UNI NAZ-DEVN RSA SNU 1449 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0091-914439.Xml
China's top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, today said his country insisted on a peaceful resolution in the wake of a series of North Korean missile tests."China's stance (on North Korea) is clear and has been consistent," Yang, China's state councillor, said at the start of a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida."We insist on a political resolution through peaceful means." REUTERS SV 1359 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0103-914364.Xml
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today wound up his two-day visit to Germany with the two countries further cementing the strategic partnership by deepening cooperation on foreign policy, defence and security issues, besides expressing their unity in combating terrorism. A joint statement issued after delegation level talks between Mr Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel also noted trade and investment and cooperation in sustainable development as one of the several elements of the strategic partnership. The talks were followed by 12 agreements and MoUs in the field of sustainable urban development, cyber security, skill development, digitalisation, railway security and vocational training. Germany also offered India 1.4 euros development assistance. ''As strategic partners, India and Germany are committed to close coordination, bilaterally and with partners, in the G20, the United Nations and other multilateral fora, to address existing and emerging challenges to international security, global economic stability and growth,'' the joint statement said. In a media statement after the bilateral meeting, Mr Modi said "We had wide ranging discussions today. India-Germany partnership will help our nations and also help the world. We are looking at outcome oriented momentum in India-Germany ties and also a quantum jump specially in economic ties." Germany will always find India as a ''powerful, prepared and capable partner,'' he assured. Earlier, the PM and German Chancellor undertook a comprehensive review of cooperation at the plenary meeting of the Inter-Governmental Consultations on a slew of issues including terrorism, climate change and skill development. ''Our relations have a regional and global perspective. We discussed new and upcoming opportunities and challenges in Asia, Europe and the world,'' he added. He also noted that their cooperation in areas like renewable energy is gaining momentum. Welcoming the role played by German business and industry, he described them as an ''important partner in achievements of India's economic priorities.'' Later, addressing business leaders, the Prime Minister invited German businessmen to come and invest in India, stressing that his country had one of the most liberal Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Policy regimes in the world. ''The present economic situation in India is very favorable for foreign investors.When I spoke in April 2015, our process of reform had just started. Now, I can safely say that we have completed a sizeable part of it," he said. The Prime Minister said that ''not at the central level, even the trend of reforms is spreading fast to all the states. Two leaders underlined their common concern about the threat and global reach of terrorism and extremism. ''They condemned terrorist violence in all its forms and manifestations. They agreed on the need to take strong measures against all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary and safe havens that sustain and support terrorist groups and organisations,'' they said in the joint statement. They welcomed closer collaboration between India and Germany to counter these challenges through regular meetings of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism. They called for finalisation and adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. More UNI Team NAZ RSA SB 2112 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0091-915064.Xml
BISHKEK, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan's President Almazbek Atambayev announced on Monday that the country's presidential elections will be held on October 15, 2017.

"The people of Kyrgyzstan will elect a new president on October 15," Atambayev said at a solemn event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the country's Armed Forces.

The Kyrgyz President said that now he is analyzing and summarizing the results of his work as a president. He said that over the last 5-6 years, the country has made considerable progress. "This is, first of all, peace and stability in the country. The army also reached great achievements," he said.

The six-year term of office of the current President of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev ends on December 1 this year. In accordance with the law, elections must be held on the third Sunday of November, that is, on Nov. 19.

However, in April, the opposition faction of the Kyrgyz Parliament demanded to change the date of the elections, so that all procedures, including a probable second round and inauguration ceremony, could be completed before December 1, to prevent a conflict of law. This initiative was also supported by the coalition of the majority of the parliament, but for that it was necessary to introduce amendments to the constitutional law on elections.

Atambayev cannot take part in next presidential elections, since the same person does not have the right to hold the office of president twice.

A number of well-known politicians have already declared their intentions to run for elections. Among them are Prime Minister Sooronbai Zheenbekov, former Prime Ministers Omurbek Babanov and Temir Sariev, as well as leader of the parliamentary faction Bakyt Torobayev.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 03:04:20|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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U.S. President Donald Trump walks down from the Air Force One at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, the United States , May 4, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

WASHINGTON, May 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday condemned the hate crime in Portland, Oregon, where two men were stabbed to death while trying to stop a man from delivering an anti-Muslim rant at two women on a train.

"The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are with them," Trump tweeted from the official U.S. President's account, instead of his personal account.

The tweet was sent after Trump arrived to give remarks at the Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day.

Three men were allegedly attacked last Friday in Portland after they tried to stop a suspect from verbally disparaging the women, one of whom was wearing a hijab. Two of them died and another was seriousely wounded.

The suspect was arrested early Saturday. Portland police spokesman said the suspect was using "hate speech or biased language" when riding on the train.
MOSCOW, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Sudden gales and heavy rain on Monday afternoon left at least 11 people dead and about 70 others injured in Moscow, the city mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

The injured are receiving medical treatment and families of the casualties will be financially compensated, said Sobyanin, adding that the storm caused so much damage because it rarely happened in the daytime.

The gales, with a speed of more than 80 kilometers per hour, knocked down several hundred trees and destroyed buildings in the Russian capital.

An electricity transmission line broke down in the storm, affecting 7,300 households. The bad weather also disrupted road, railway and air traffic.
ACCRA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Ghana and South Africa agreed here on Monday to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties to promote growth and development on the African continent.

Opening the Ghana-South Africa Business-to-Business Forum here, South Africa's High Commissioner to Ghana Lulama Xingwama noted that there is the need for sustainable partnerships between fellow African countries through investment and trade in order to create inclusive growth and development.

"The future of business and economic development in Africa lies in closer cooperation among our countries within the continent. Let us look within the resources we have as partner African countries because we are cut from the same source," she stressed.

The envoy described Ghana as a key partner in West Africa with its Lower Middle Income Status in the sub-region.

Through the Joint Permanent Cooperation signed in 2007, the two countries have established a Joint Trading and Investment Committee through which they monitor activities between their two countries.

The forum was held on the occasion of a two-day reciprocal visit by David Makhura, Premier of the state of Gauteng in South Africa, to Ghana after the visit a week earlier by Yoofi Grant, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) as the two seek bilateral trading and investment opportunities with each other.

"If Africa wants to become a global player there is the need to increase intra-African trade from the current 12 percent to above 80 percent. Africa is a great market waiting to be explored and exploited by our own initiatives," Grant observed.

He said the focus of the current government is to make Ghana the hub for tourism, finance, manufacturing and business in the sub-region.

For his part, Makhura said the infrastructural challenges across the continent are the opportunities African investors should be taking advantage of.

He noted that although more than 70 percent of the world's total mineral resources were in Africa which also has a youthful population, the continent was still not wealthy.
KIGALI, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda has embarked on a campaign to encourage people to save more for their retirement.

The country's minister of finance and economic planning Claver Gatete said on Monday that lack of long terms savings among Rwandans will increase the burden of social and health care needs to the government.

"We are encouraging long term savings schemes to ensure that Rwandans accumulate enough savings that can support them in old age. This campaign is influencing citizens to save more and plan more effectively for retirement," he said, shortly after holding a consultative meeting with members of the Rwandan parliament about the country's long-term savings scheme.

Currently, the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) pension scheme covers 10 percent of Rwanda's workforce focusing on salaried employees.

The minister said the excluded 90 percent of the workforce is neither covered by a pension scheme nor a long term savings scheme which is a challenge to their old age.

He said the government is focusing on setting up a comprehensive long-term savings scheme for all categories of workers with a target of mobilizing around 107 million U.S dollars in the next three years.

The proposed scheme will cater for everybody, including low-income earners being able to deposit money through the savings scheme, which they can reclaim later with benefits.

Once the legal framework is in place, the government will create an independent institution that will be able to use the deposited money in lucrative investments to generate more revenues for the saving members.

The law will also be supplemented by a ministerial order determining how much incentives government will put in, as a form of support to the neediest people unable to make savings.

The Fourth Population and Housing Census expects Rwanda's elderly population (60 and above) to double from 510,000 in 2012 to approximately 1,096,000 individuals by 2032.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 05:10:08|Editor: huaxia

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BUCHAREST, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Five Russian diplomats in Moldova were declared persona non grata on Monday, according to news reaching here from Moldova's capital city of Chisinau.

The diplomats have 72 hours to leave the territory of Moldova, local media reported, citing Artur Sarbu, adviser to Foreign Minister Andrei Galbur.

The Chisinau authorities did not explain the reasons for the sudden expulsion.

The action took place less than a week after Estonia last Friday expelled Russian Consul General in Narva Dmitry Kazennov and Consul Andrey Surgaev under similar unexplained circumstances.

Moldova's President Igor Dodon categorically condemned the steps taken by the government, saying the move was "most likely made on an order from the West."

"I want to state that I am deeply indignant at this unfriendly step on the part of representatives of Moldovan diplomacy and categorically condemn it," said the president.

"I understand that the Euro-unionists are irritated by the President's successes achieved in recent months and decided to go on direct provocations that carry the risk of a significant deterioration in Moldovan-Russian relations," Dodon was quoted by local Accent TV as saying.

"I also understand that this is most likely done on an order from the West, maybe even from across the ocean, from those who are concerned that a constructive and effective dialogue has been reached between the Presidency and the Kremlin," he added.

Dodon was elected president last November and has visited Moscow three times already in his first half of year of presidency.

According to him, many problems were solved especially regarding the export of Moldovan products and migrants during his visits to Russia.

He stressed that restoring full-fledged ties with Russia, his "priority goal as head of state," will have a positive impact on the economy of Moldova, and hundreds of thousands of farmers and migrant workers. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 06:35:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LONDON, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, both contenders in just 10 days to win the keys to 10 Downing Street faced a tough grilling Monday at the hands of a presenter known as the Rottweiler of broadcasting.

Prime Minister May has refused to take part in any live studio debates with other party leaders in the run up to the June 8 general election. It was the first time each leader had faced a live audience during the election campaign.

May and the leader of the main opposition Labour Party are used to facing each other across the floor of the House of Commons for the weekly battle known as Prime Minister's Question time.

This time the questions were put to the pair by veteran political broadcaster Jeremy Paxman.

Famed for his brutal quizzing, until his departure from the BBC, of politicians on the Newsnight program, the veteran interrogator returned to the small screen to challenge, one by one, Corbyn and May.

Pulling no punches, and determined to take no prisoners, Paxman fired difficult questions at the two main figures in British politics.

May has been the clear favorite, but with Labour catching up, one of them will take up residence in Downing Street on June 9.

Paxman's razor sharp tongue asked May, a supporter of remain in last year's European Union referendum, whether she had now changed her mind. He wanted, but failed, to get May to answer in the affirmative. Instead she insisted she sound deliver the Brexit the majority of British people voted for.

Pressed to say Yes to a question about her willingness to walk away from the Brexit negotiations unless there is a good deal, May repeated her message that no deal is better than a bad deal. She invited Paxman to read into that what he wished too.

May failed to win the studio audience over to controversial policies she is planning on care for the elderly and how it would be paid for.

Proposed tough policies by May on pensions and care, have seen the Conservatives lose the massive lead they had until the past week over Corbyn and Labour.

Paxman, being scrupulously fair, gave Corbyn a tough ride as well, quizzing him about his approach to bringing down immigration levels, and whether he would fire nuclear warheads if he becomes prime minister. He even dodged a question on whether he would abolish the British monarchy.

Party campaign managers will now spend hours pondering on who won the battle of the airwaves, May, Corbyn or maybe even Paxman. Most early comments gave different answers, seemingly dependent on political alligences, but the real judges will be Britain's 46 million voters.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 06:55:54|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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PYONGYANG, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Tuesday confirmed it successfully test fired another ballistic missile on Monday, the third in one month, according to official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The report said the missile was a medium-range rocket launched from a mobile pad vehicle "through a precision control guidance system."

DPRK supreme leader Kim Jong Un guided the test fire, said the report.

The test-fire was aimed at "verifying the technological indices of the new-type precision guided ballistic rocket capable of making ultra-precision strike on the enemies' objects at any area," according to the report.

A new caterpillar pad vehicle carrying the missile was also tested this time in the launch after it joined a military parade last month for the first time.

"The ballistic rocket flew toward the east sky where the day broke and correctly hit a planned target point with deviation of seven meters after flying over the middle shooting range," said the KCNA.

South Korea and U.S. media reports said the missile was a "Scud" missile, capable of hitting targets 500 km away and it fell into the Sea of Japan after flying six minutes.

DPRK successfully test fired a long, medium-range ballistic missile capable of hitting targets 4,500 km away for the first time two weeks ago. Another medium-range ballistic missile was also test fired with success last week.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 09:31:14|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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MELBOURNE, May 30 (Xinhua) -- An Australian research institution has been awarded a research grant on Tuesday to develop a drug to slow the progression of Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Tasmania's Menzies Institute was given the 750,000 U.S. dollar grant to research treating MND with a drug already being trialled for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), epilepsy and schizophrenia.

MND is a name given to a group of diseases that cause motor neurons, the brain cells that control voluntary movement, to deteriorate and die.

The disease, which currently does not have a cure, can affect a person's ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe and eventually causes death.

Once diagnosed with MND, a person's life expectancy is typically between three and five years.

More than 2,000 Australians are afflicted with MND with an average of two people being killed by the disease every day.

Tracey Dickson, the deputy director of the Menzies Institute, said researchers were optimistic of slowing the progression of MND.

She said the team would base their research on the idea that the MND is caused by an imbalance in the brain between excitation and inhibition.

"This grant is to fund a three-year program of research on motor neurone disease," Dickson told Australian media on Tuesday.

"This drug, which is called Neuropeptide Y, we hope, will go to restoring the balance that occurs.

"This will hopefully stop a cascade which triggers in the brain but then spreads to other parts of the central nervous system.

"This is a rapidly progressing disease, so any drug that could slow down the degenerative process would give people the option to live longer."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 10:31:41|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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TOKYO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The availability of jobs in Japan rose to its highest level in more than four decades in April, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said in a report on Tuesday.

According to the ministry, the ratio of job offers to job seekers came to 1.48 in April from 1.45 in March, marking the highest level since February 1974. The reading means that for every 100 job seekers there were 148 positions available in the recording period.

The latest data will be a boon for the government who has been leaning on corporations to boost employment and bring an end to a protracted period of what the government has described as a "a tight employment situation."

The government and the Bank of Japan is hoping that increased employment will translate into consumers spending more as domestic consumption has been impeded amid what the Bank of Japan has called a "deflationary mindset" among the Japanese public.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said that the unemployment rate in April remained unchanged from a month earlier at 2.8 percent, with the unemployment rate for men rising 0.1 point to 2.9 percent and that for women decreasing 0.1 point to 2.6 percent.

The government figures also showed the number of unemployed people rose a seasonally adjusted 1.1 percent, to 1.86 million people in April which translates to 20,000 more than a month earlier.

Japan had 65.22 million workers, up 0.4 percent from the previous month, the figures also showed.

Separately, the government said that household spending in April dropped 1.4 percent from a year earlier to 295,929 yen (2,600 U.S. dollar), marking the 14th straight month of decline.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 10:51:48|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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KATHMANDU, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Nepali government has presented its annual budget for fiscal year 2017-18 with massive outlay of financial resources to local governments.

Nepali Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara on Monday presented the budget of 1.279 trillion Nepalese rupee (12.35 billion U.S. dollar) with the record 17.6 percent outlay resources for the local governments.

Beside constitution implementation, the post-earthquake reconstruction, implementation of key prioritized development projects known as "National Pride Projects" and elections of provincial and the federal governments are other priorities of the new budget.

The new budget has allocated 225.05 billion Nepalese rupees (2.17 billion dollars) for the local bodies which is 17.6 percent of the total.

In the current fiscal year 2016-17, Nepal's central government has allocated 49.78 billion Nepalese rupees (481 million dollars) for the local bodies which is 4.74 percent of the total.

One of the "National Pride Projects" is 1,200 MW Budhigandaki Hydroelectric Project which has got budget allocation of 10.17 billion Nepalese rupees (98 million dollars) for land acquisition purpose.

The Nepali government has aimed high on hydropower development through the budget for the next fiscal year.

Minister Mahara announced that 17,000 MW of electricity would be generated in the next seven years.

With these measures, the budget has targeted to achieve a 7.2 percent economic growth in the next fiscal year and create 500,000 new jobs.

The Nepali government has projected its economy to grow by 6.9 percent in the current fiscal year, thanks to favorable monsoon, end of the power cuts and increased private sector investment.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 11:01:53|Editor: An

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BRUSSELS, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The famous comic figure Tintin, known as Dingding in Chinese, is a global-trotting boy reporter who has delighted millions of readers and given Europeans in the 1930s the first impression of China.

China has a special place in the stories of Georges Remi, a Belgian cartoonist who used the pen name Herge.

China is the only country that was featured in two books, namely "The Blue Lotus" and "Tintin in Tibet," in the world-famous adventure series thanks to Remi's affection for China.

Tintin, a 15-year-old junior journalist with his little dog Snowy, often runs into eccentric goodies and dastardly baddies. In "The Blue Lotus," he visited Shanghai in 1936, when he battled the Japanese-funded opium smugglers with the help of his Chinese friend "Chang."

In the later published "Tintin in Tibet," he rescued Chang, whose plane has crashed in Tibet.

Unlike other figures in the series, "Chang" was created on the basis of a real-life person called Chang Chong-jen (Zhang Chongren), who had studied art in Brussels and helped Remi portray China realistically. He and Remi were both born in 1907.

In 1934, to prepare the story of Tintin's journey in China, Remi met and made friends with Chang. The two artists spent one year together, during which Chang introduced Remi to Chinese philosophy, art and literature, and also told Remi about the Chinese people's sufferings during the ongoing brutal aggression of Japan, Chang's daughter Zhang Yifei recalled.

His encounter and friendship with Chang helped Remi get rid of the contemporary stereotype of China and its people. He felt obliged to defeat some cliches circulating among the Europeans at that time.

In a letter to a friend, Remi said "as I prepare my stories (of "The Blue Lotus"), I discovered a real sympathy and admiration for these (Chinese) people. I have a keen desire to understand them and like them."

The two friends exchanged views on art frequently. One day in Remi's yard, Chang pointed at trees there and said that as every single plant was quite balanced and beautiful, it was instrumental that artists reflected the truth of nature.

"The Blue Lotus," the fifth book in the 24-volume Tintin adventure series, relates how Tintin tracked opium traffickers all the way to China and helped the Chinese fight against the Japanese. The book has been viewed as a watershed moment in Remi's career.

Critics said the book was Remi's most realistic and courageous piece, and "unarguably his first masterpiece."

Remi's exchanges with Chang were critical in the development of Tintin's adventures, said French novelist and critic Benoit Peeters.

Remi always referred to the huge influence Chang had had on him, not only as regards the writing of "The Blue Lotus," but also on the general direction of all his Tintin stories, and his other works as well.

"I owe Chang a better understanding of friendship, a regard for poetry, respect for nature ... He was an exceptional person," Remi said in his biography. "He led me to discover and appreciate Chinese poetry and Chinese calligraphy 'wind and bone,' the wind of inspiration and the bone of confident draughtsmanship."

Chang had returned to China before "The Blue Lotus" was published in 1936 and lost contact with Remi during World War II and after.

In the first letter to Chang in 1975 after they resumed communication, Remi thanked his friend "not only for the assistance that you brought me at that time in my work, but also for the knowledge you brought me."

"Thanks to you, my life took a new orientation ... You made me discover the qualities of things, poetry, the feeling of the unity of man and universe," he added.

In 1981, Remi and Chang, a successful artist and sculptor, finally reunited in Brussels after 46 years. Their meeting was broadcasted on Belgian national TV, drawing millions of viewers from around the globe.

Remi died in 1983. Fifteen years later, Chang also passed away. But their friendship endures in the hearts of Tintin's readers in both China and Belgium.

In 2015, China opened a culture center in Brussels and held a special exhibition on Chang's artworks and connection with Remi.

Tintin has become a national treasure for Belgium, just like the panda is one of China's. In February 2016, a panda cub was named "Dingding" in southwest China's southwestern Chongqing Municipality in honor of China's friendship with Belgium.
NAY PYI TAW, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar and Vietnam have held the seventh political consultations in Nay Pyi Taw, covering a wide range of issues on bilateral relations and multi-faceted cooperation, according to Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.

The Myanmar delegation was led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin, while the Vietnamese delegation was headed by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Dinh Quy.

Monday's consultations also covered the implementation of bilateral agreements signed between the two countries, such as on promotion of trade and investment, tourism, agriculture, banking, telecommunications and energy.

The meeting also exchanged views on regional and international matters of mutual interest.

On the same day, Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi met with the Vietnamese vice minister and the two also discussed matters related to regional and bilateral cooperation, including promotion of agriculture, tourism and aviation.

Vietnam stood as the seventh largest investor in Myanmar's investment line-up with a total of 2.079 billion U.S. dollars as of March this year since late 1988.

Bilateral trade between the two countries reached 494.036 million dollars in fiscal year 2016-17 which ended in March, according to statistics.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 11:57:14|Editor: An

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WASHINGTON, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Researchers from cybersecurity firm Check Point warned recently of a widespread malware which may have affected 36.5 million Android users at most.

The malware, dubbed "Judy," is an "auto-clicking adware which was found on 41 apps developed by a Korean company," Check Point said in their latest blog.

Once installed on a phone, the apps can generate large amounts of fraudulent clicks on advertisements and therefore make revenues for the perpetrators behind it.

"Judy" was discovered on Google Play, Google's official app store, and believed to be possibly the largest malware campaign found on the platform, Check Point said.

The spread of the malicious apps is estimated between 4.5 million to 18.5 million downloads, while the actual figure remains unknown.

After Check Point notified Google about this threat, the apps were swiftly removed from the Google Play store.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 12:02:17|Editor: An

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HANOI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam is expected to welcome 1.57 million person-times of Chinese tourists, up 55 percent year-on-year in the first five months of 2017, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO) on Tuesday.

China is the largest market for foreign visitors to Vietnam, accounting for nearly one third of all international arrivals to Vietnam in the five-month period, said GSO.

China is followed by South Korea with 889,200 person-times of visitors to Vietnam, up 40.9 percent year-on-year.

In total, in the first five months, Vietnam is forecast to receive 5.25 million person-times of international tourists, up 29.6 percent year-on-year, said GSO.

Among the figure, some 4.35 million visitors travel to Vietnam by air, around 730,000 come by road while the rest of 167,800 arrive by sea.
HANOI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- After a five-year break, "Miss Teen Vietnam" will return to the largest scale ever, featuring Vietnam's talented and beautiful teenagers, according to the organizer on Tuesday.

Themed "Dream to be a Star," the pageant will be held from June to November to find the most talented and beautiful girl who will be crowned "Miss Teen Vietnam" at the finale on Nov. 11, reported Vietnam's state-run news agency VNA.

"Miss Teen Vietnam 2017 will be held on the largest scale ever," said Nguyen Thanh Hung, head of the organizing board. "This year, the organizers want to bring the contest closer to contestants in distant areas who can register online for the qualifying rounds."

Girls from 16 to 19 years old and at least 1.55 meters tall, including Vietnamese living abroad can register for the contest, excluding those who have undergone plastic or transgender surgeries.

"Miss Teen Vietnam" was held in 2006 for the first time by the Ministry of Information and Communication.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 12:42:28|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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RIO DE JANEIRO, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Seven people have died and 48,000 others displaced after heavy flood hit northern Brazil, authorities announced Monday.

In the state of Pernambuco which was most affected, two people died,over 44,000 were displaced, homes of 2,600 were destroyed, and 15 towns were declared state of calamity on Sunday.

In Alagoas state, five people, including a child, were killed.

It has been raining in Pernambuco and Alagoas states for several days. In addition to the flood, the storm also triggered mudslide in the two states as well as in Paraiba state.

Brazilian President Michel Temer visited areas affected by the flood on Sunday and met with Pernambuco State Governor Paulo Camara.

The president authorized the shipping of humanitarian aid to both states and committed to releasing a credit line of 600 million reals (183 million U.S. dollars) to the affected states.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 12:57:32|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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PHNOM PENH, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian police had confiscated more than 30 tons of illegal cosmetic products in raids on two locations in Phnom Penh last week, the government's Counter Counterfeit Committee said in a press release on Tuesday.

The seized cosmetics and short-time skin whitening lotions had been imported from neighboring countries illegally and stored and distributed in Cambodia without quality-assured certificates, the press release said.

"These cosmetics and short-time skin whitening lotions are suspicious of causing dangers or a long-term impact on people's health," it said.

It was the third remarkable crackdown on counterfeits.

Earlier this month, the Counter Counterfeit Committee seized a total of 68 tons of fake beauty products, including shampoo and skin whitening creams, during two raids in Phnom Penh and southern Kandal province.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 13:07:35|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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HANOI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Children Festival is being held in Vietnam's capital Hanoi, with the participation of nine children delegations from ASEAN members as well as from China and South Korea.

The second edition of the festival themed "A Journey of Discovery" draws the participation of Chinese and South Korean children for the first time, reported local Ha Noi Moi (New Hanoi) newspaper on Tuesday.

There will be art performances of participating countries' children, and other cultural activities during the festival, reported Ha Noi Moi.

The highlight of this year's festival is the opening art gala on Thursday evening, broadcast live on Vietnam's national television, when children will sing together in "A Song Of Peace."

The ongoing festival opened here Monday evening and it will last till Sunday.
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (L) shakes hands with Japan's National Security Advisor Shotaro Yachi as they co-chair the fourth round of China-Japan high-level political dialogue near Tokyo, Japan, May 29, 2017. (Xinhua)

Hi, here's what's not to miss about China for the past 24 hours.

TOKYO -- Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Japanese National Security Advisor Shotaro Yachi co-chaired the fourth round of high-level political dialogue between the two countries on Monday.

Yang said at the meeting that China-Japan relations are currently at an important juncture with both new opportunities and outstanding challenges as this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations. xhne.ws/hqTvA



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BEIJING -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian held a phone conversion on Monday to discuss relations between their countries, particularly maintenance of the momentum of rapid development of bilateral relations.

In the talk, Wang express the hope that the two countries earnestly implement the consensus reached recently between the heads of state of the two countries, and keep the momentum of rapid development of China-France comprehensive strategic partnership. xhne.ws/HBaop

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MOSCOW -- Russia-China cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative will accelerate the development of bilateral relations and lead to global changes in Eurasia, said a Russian parliament leader Monday.

Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker of the Federation Council, or the upper house of the Russian parliament, made the remarks at the third international conference "Russia-China: Taking on a New Quality of Bilateral Relations." xhne.ws/0JC3F

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NAIROBI -- The 480 km railway linking Kenya's largest port city Mombasa to capital Nairobi, slated to be officially launched on May 31, will be a key infrastructure project that will push forward the East Africa nation's modernization drive, a senior company executive said Monday.

"The launch of the standard gauge railway (SGR) will undoubtedly contribute to Kenya's economic and social development as well as improve people's livelihoods and lead the country to prosperity," said Chen Yun, Vice President of China Communications Construction Company, parent company of the China Road and Bridge Corporation which built the mega-project. xhne.ws/PL2vd

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XIAMEN -- Twelve people have been arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking in eastern China's Fujian Province, local customs said Monday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 15:33:29|Editor: Hou Qiang

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BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's upcoming visit to Germany and Belgium will enhance diplomatic relations with the two countries, and further benefit Europe and the world.

Li's visit is among the increased high-level exchanges between China and Europe in recent years as the two sides are cementing ever-closer bilateral relations.

China established diplomatic relations with the European Economic Community (EEC), a precursor to the European Union (EU) in 1975, and the two sides have developed robust relations over the 42 years, fostering friendship and mutual trust.

The EU is China's biggest trading partner, while China is the EU's second biggest, following a dramatic increase in trade in recent years that come along with wealth, jobs, development and innovation for both sides.

However, China-Europe relations, one of the most important bilateral relations in the world, are not always plain sailing, but have also experienced twists and turns as challenges occurred.

Since 2009, certain countries in Europe have been suffering from blows of the Eurozone debt crisis, refugee flows, and terrorist attacks, which led to the rise of populism and political conservatism.

Economic protectionism has emerged, which resulted in mounting EU anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations against Chinese products.

These dilemmas complicate China-Europe relations, especially at a time of global economic upheaval.

But the two sides know that the partnership is essential in an unstable world: Trust and cooperation are the only ways out.

China's development provides an enormous opportunity for Europe. Bilateral trade managed to reach a new high in 2016, overcoming global downturn. Trade value reached 3.6 trillion yuan (525 billion U.S. dollars) in 2016, an increase of 3 percent.

In an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, the two powers have reached a stage that what happens at home also affects global politics and economics. So China will continue to support European integration, and more development opportunities will emerge.

Yet they can and they will do more to further China-EU cooperation, seeking common points while reserving difference.

International relations are not a zero-sum game, as China has repeatedly shown in its partnerships with Europe.

With joint efforts, China and Europe will further galvanize their own growth, and more importantly, enhance their coordination in global issues including better safeguard free and fair trade so as to set an example of healthy bilateral relationship to the world.

It is worth noticing that protectionism harms everyone. China and Europe should work together to unlock their potential, fend off protectionism and re-energize world economy.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 15:33:31|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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RIYADH, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Police vehicle was attacked on Monday morning in Saudi city Qatif in the Eastern Province, Al Arabiya local news reported on Tuesday.

The attack wounded a member of the special emergency forces. The special emergency forces said Cpl. Abdul Aziz al-Turki is receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.

The area has been targeted with similar attacks this month, as militants were trying to prevent the progress of a development project that will replace deserted houses taken as hideouts by fugitives.

On May 16, a Saudi soldier was killed and five policemen injured in a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack that targeted their patrol in Al Masora neighborhood in the Eastern Province.

On May 12 in the same neighborhood, a child and man died and 10 injured in a shooting that targeted the under construction project.

Qatif is one of few disturbed Saudi areas that are populated with minority Saudi Shiite community. Some of its youth are demanding more rights in the Sunni conservative country.
A cargo train runs on the century-old meter gauge railway near Voi, Kenya, on Feb. 22. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)

by Xinhua Writers Yao Yuan and Jin Zheng

NAIROBI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- A railway built by the British government to tighten control over its African colony eventually played a part in ending its rule. This is one oddity Kenya's meter gauge railway has left for historians.

In Nairobi's Railway Museum, Kenya's fond memories of its only operating railway are on display. The museum received more visitors recently as news of a Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to be opened soon sent curious locals here to find out "where they were, and where they are going?" Curator Maurice Barasa told Xinhua.

The meter gauge, initially called the Uganda Railway, was built between 1896 and 1901, a time when the land had yet to acquire the name Kenya. For British colonists, it was a vast yet insignificant land that stood between them and the rich resources in Uganda.

To open up Uganda, to tighten control over the "British East Africa" and to end the then notorious slave trade, the British government decided to lay a rail line to link the port of Mombasa and Uganda. Yet investing heavily on a railway in Africa was deemed crazy by some British parliamentarians, one of whom wrote a poem calling the railway a "lunatic line".

So this is how the nickname "lunatic line" came into being -- created by misinformed British politicians, some of whom had never been to Africa and underestimated the continent's potentials, said Barasa.

Yet the sobriquet passed on for a number of reasons, including its extremely difficult construction by Indian workers sent to Kenya by the British authority.

"It was a very hard process. There was no machinery to do the construction as we see now. They (workers) often used their bare hands to carry the rails and do the actual building," Barasa said.

According to the museum, a total of 2,493 workers had died by the time the 931-km line finished construction, or four deaths for each mile. Man-eating lions wandering in the savanna, tropical diseases like malaria and attacks by locals resisting the "iron snake" invasion all became the Death Reaper.

This would probably strike as surprise the British noblemen who later boarded the trains to chase fun as depicted in railway advertisements in the 1920s, one of which bid East Africa as "winter home for aristocrats" with a caricature showing a passenger playing with a lion like a pet cat.

They may be even more astonished to learn of the railway's association with Kenya's independence. "Using the railway, nationalists were able to travel from one end of Kenya to the other to join political rallies to encourage Kenyans to fight for independence. It was also said people were using the railway to transport guns to those fighting for independence."

Moreover, big farms propped up along the line, turning the Kenyan land into a breadbasket and helping lay economic foundation for independence. The railway even gave birth to cities, including the Kenyan capital Nairobi, which was once a marketplace for railway workers to barter with locals.

Now, over a century after Kenya boarded a train to fast track its independence, the East African country is expecting another railway to oil its economic take-off.

The SGR, built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, was born at a time when the meter gauge, due to aging and maintenance problems, has dropped its speed from to about 40 km/h, thus driving off much of Kenya's passenger and freight transportation onto roads.

The new line, which runs largely in parallel with the Mombasa-Nairobi section of the old one, is thus expected to revitalize the country's railway system and speed up industrialization.

The 480-km SGR began construction in 2014 with an investment of 3.8 billion U.S. dollars, which is 90 percent funded by China's Exim Bank. The mega project is believed to be the biggest infrastructure project in Kenyan since its independence in 1963.

The curator has high hopes for the faster new trains. "Quick movement of people and goods will help grow the economy by making it easier to sell and import goods. The SGR will also create many job opportunities, like signalers, drivers, engineers and crews ..." Barasa said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 16:33:44|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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File photo: Jiaolong, China's manned submersible, is about to dive into South China Sea, May 5, 2017. Jiaolong discovered a collection of polymetallic nodules in Puyuan Seamount in the South China Sea on Friday. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

ON BOARD SHIP XIANGYANGHONG 09, May 30 (Xinhua) -- China's manned submersible Jiaolong plans to descend to 6,700 in the Mariana Trench on Tuesday.

Tuesday's mission will be Jiaolong's fourth dive in the trench this year.

Jiaolong's first dive took place on May 23, with Xinhua News Agency journalist Liu Shiping descending inside the submersible along with scientists to a depth of 4,811 meters. The second and third dives on May 25 and 27, reached depths of 6,300 meters and 6,544 meters respectively.

While collecting biological samples in the third dive, fixing devices were used to keep the creatures' genetic material intact when it reached surface, said Zhang Haibin of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 16:38:49|Editor: ying

A staff member of China Machinery Engineering Corporation (1st L) donates relief goods in Yabaraluwa village near Colombo, Sri lanka, May 30, 2017. Chinese nationals and companies in Sri Lanka have begun donations to assist thousands of victims who had been affected by severe floods and landslides. (Xinhua/Huang Haimin)

COLOMBO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka have begun donations to assist thousands of victims who had been affected by severe floods and landslides which have killed 183 people to date.

The three-day donation starting from Monday was co-organized by the Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association (SLOCA), Asia Pacific Daily and New Silk Route Culture Broadcast.

SLOCA President Zhang Hong said Chinese in Sri Lanka had come forward to help the Sri Lankan people who were facing a disaster.

"This once again outlines the strong and traditional friendship shared between China and Sri Lanka. I hope these donations can be sent to the hands of the victims as soon as possible to help them rebuild their homes," Zhang said.

Severe rains and strong winds since Thursday have caused major floods and deadly landslides in several districts of the island country which has so far killed 183 people.

According to the latest figures released by the Disaster Management Center, 112 people continued to be treated at state hospitals while over 545,000 people had been affected.

Over 100,000 people have been evacuated to safe shelters.

The heavy rains also caused flooding in some of the ongoing development projects including some Chinese projects.

Tri forces along with rescue teams are conducting search and rescue operations in many of the flooded districts while teams continued to distribute relief materials.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena who visited Rtanapura in southern Sri Lanka on Monday ordered authorities to provide immediate relief to the victims of the disaster.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 16:54:04|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

Greek Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou talks during an interview with Xinhua in Athens, Greece, on May 17, 2017. Greece and China can learn a lot from each other by joining forces in culture, Greek Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou told Xinhua. (Xinhua/Lefteris Partsalis)

by Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Greece and China can learn a lot from each other by joining forces in culture, Greek Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou told Xinhua.

A few weeks after the official launch of the China-Greece Cultural Exchanges and Cultural Industry Cooperation Year in Athens, the Greek official talked about the prospects of Greek-China collaboration in this field and culture's role in facilitating and promoting relations among peoples.

She shared her experience from her three visits to China and her dream about bringing younger generations closer to Greece's rich cultural heritage.

An acclaimed actress and director specializing in ancient Greek drama, Koniordou first visited Beijing in 2004 with the National Theater of Greece to perform "Antigone" of Sophocles. She will never forget the standing ovation the audience gave to the Greek artists, she said.

In 2014 and 2015 she was invited by Shanghai Theater Academy to do a workshop on ancient Greek drama and then direct a performance of ancient Greek drama by third-year students.

"We believe that our ancient culture, Greek tragedy is part of the world heritage now and can really throw a light to different cultures. It is not just Greek," she told Xinhua.

"So we applied this play into Chinese reality and that was a wonderful experience," she said.

Koniordou started learning Chinese for this course and gradually discovered more and more links between the two countries. She found analogies in culture, philosophy and art, and felt like home in her Chinese world.

"We believe that there are a lot of things that we can learn from each other. When I was in Shanghai the proof that we have so much in common is how I communicated especially with the younger generation, but also the teachers and the faculty in a very immediate way," she noted.

"We had no barrier in our communication and this was wonderful. I felt we have so many things that we can exchange," she stressed.

For Koniordou, the Greece-China Cultural Exchanges and Cultural Industry Cooperation Year offers a great opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties in the cultural sector and pave the way for the enhancement of collaboration in other fields in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative.

She sees culture as a vital bridge supporting creative dialogue, understanding and the welfare of citizens.

"We are now in a position that the whole world is re-evaluating its course. We want to know where we want to head as humanity, what kind of world we want to live in. So this is a very important moment and we believe that culture is a way to help us understand who we are and where we want to go," the Greek official said.

"Also culture can really connect with sustainable growth, can be connected with the welfare of the citizen," she underlined.

"This is what we are trying to do in Greece, to connect culture with the education of the younger generation. Because it is very important for each generation to know the value of culture and to know what it can offer to their lives," Koniordou said.

On Sino-Greek connection through culture, the framework is already there, she noted, referring for example to two MOUs signed recently on co-production of films and the translation of literary works.

The two sides also plan exchanges of treasures between museums, theater and musical exchanges, as well as collaboration in restoration and preservation of antiquities and the battle against illicit trafficking of cultural heritage treasures, she said.

"We really look forward to knowing Chinese culture and the different expressions of Chinese culture in Greece. I think the Greek people are very interested in this. I felt also the same in China," Koniordou said.

The Greek minister believes that culture can help make the world a better place.

"Greece is going through a difficult period, but we need to stress the importance of keeping open this dialogue and exchange of culture, because we believe that in difficult moments citizens -- and we see this happening now in Greece -- want to connect with their identity more than ever," she stressed.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 17:19:10|Editor: Tian Shaohui

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Indian paramilitary troopers stand guard at a market during curfew-like restrictions in downtown Srinagar, summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, May 30, 2017. Curfew-like restrictions have been imposed in several areas of Srinagar to prevent protests and clashes. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Life across restive Indian-controlled Kashmir including the capital city Srinagar remained paralysed for the third day Tuesday due to indefinite curfew by authorities, officials said.

Authorities fearing clashes have deployed hundreds of India's paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and policemen in full-riot gears across major towns to impose strict restrictions and disallow protest demonstrations. The government forces have blocked roads by placing barricades and coils of concertina wire to impede free movement of people and vehicles.

Separatist groups had called for protest march to southern Tral town on Tuesday to offer congregational prayers for slain militant commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat and his associate Faizan Ahmad Bhat.

The duo was killed on Saturday during a gunfight at village Saimoo-Tral in Pulwama district, about 40 km south of Srinagar.

Following their killing, spontaneous shutdown was observed and clashes broke out in major towns including Srinagar. A civilian was killed and more than 50 people were injured in the protests.

Separatist groups called for a two-day strike beginning on Sunday.

Authorities imposed strict curfew and restrictions on Sunday and extended it until Tuesday, besides ordering closure of educational institutions on Monday and Tuesday to prevent protests from spreading.

"Curfew is in place in areas falling under seven police stations of Srinagar, besides towns in Anantnag and Pulwama," a police official told Xinhua. "Strict restrictions have been put in place at Tral by sealing all the roads leading to the town to foil proposed separatist march to native village of militant commander."

Sabzar Ahmad Bhat was successor of prominent militant commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani, who was killed last year.

Wani's killing triggered massive protests in the region for months and a security lockdown, during which at least 90 people most of them teenagers were killed and over 14,000 injured in police and paramilitary shooting during protests. Authorities also arrested around 8,000 civilians to contain the protests.

"Situation by and large remained peaceful since Sunday barring few stray incident of stone pelting," the police official said.

Markets, business establishments, educational institutions, banks, government offices remain closed and traffic is off the roads in wake of the curfew and shutdown call.

The pre-paid mobile phone and internet services continue to remain suspended in the region since Sunday in bid to prevent people from mobilizing.

The local government has placed key separatist leaders under house arrest fearing their participation in demonstrations would intensify anti-India protests and mobilize people in large numbers.

A separatist movement and guerrilla war challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 17:29:16|Editor: Hou Qiang

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by Xinhua writer Deng Xianlai

BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Unremitting efforts by European and Chinese leaders in recent years have kindled an intimacy not only beneficial to the two sides, but also blissful for the world amid all the development woes.

However, certain outdated mentalities in the European Union are hindering this positive development.

The EU earlier this month agreed on new anti-dumping rules based on so-called market distortions. The new concept in essence is no different from the previous invention of a "surrogate country," a third country that the EU used as reference in anti-dumping investigations against China exports.

According to Article 15 of the Accession Protocol signed by China when it joined the World Trade Organization in 2001, domestic prices in China should be used as reference in anti-dumping investigations 15 years after China's accession.

This means that the third-country parameter has lost its legal basis since Dec. 11, 2016 and should, as China has repeatedly demanded, be abandoned.

The new EU method shows a stubborn insistence on imposing anti-dumping duties on Chinese products -- this time with a self-devised excuse of "correcting significant market distortions."

EU lawmakers have turned a blind eye to China's longtime economic reforms at home to ensure that the market plays a decisive role in allocating resources.

Internationally, China has been championing globalization and defending free trade when the world's major economies are turning inward and favoring protectionism, as is most noticeably illustrated by U.S. President Donald Trump's "Buy American and hire American" policy.

As rifts within the transatlantic alliance has widened after Trump's first foreign tour as U.S. president, German Chancellor Angela Merkel cautioned that Europe can no longer fully count on this traditional ally and must take its fate into its own hands.

In this context, as both advocate free trade and responsible behavior in world affairs, Europe and China will see their common ground expanding.

Stronger partnership between China and Europe is good for both, and they should not be distracted from the great cause of China-EU cooperation.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is going to Europe for a ninth visit since he took office as premier in 2013. Such frequency testifies to the common ground and interests between the two sides.

Europe should reciprocate by giving up old mentalities and work for better Europe-China ties and for a better world.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 17:34:19|Editor: Hou Qiang

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TOKYO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Prefectural officials in Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa are gearing up to take fresh legal action against the central government in an effort to block relocating a controversial U.S. military base within the prefecture, local media said Tuesday.

Japan's public broadcaster NHK said that while work is already underway in the coastal Henoko area in Nago, Okinawa, to build a replacement facility for the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station and move it from a densely populated area, Okinawa officials may look to block the issuance of a permit needed by the central government to proceed with the work.

The Okinawa prefectural government has indicated it may ask the prefectural assembly's approval to file a lawsuit seeking the central government's immediate cessation of the work.

Local media also reported Tuesday that Okinawa government officials also plan to seek a court injunction ordering the construction work remain suspended until the court has ruled on the situation.

The injunction may be filed for even before the court hands down its ruling, local media also said.

Under the central government's plans to relocate the Futenma facility, the government is planning to reclaim around 157 hectares of land in waters off the Henoko area and construct a V-shaped runway.

In late April, the Okinawan chapter of Japan's Defense Ministry started constructing seawalls to surround an area adjacent to the Marines' Camp Schwab in Henoko on the island for the controversial relocation of the U.S. military base amid uproar from local citizens.

The construction work has drawn staunch criticism from local residents as well as officials in Okinawa, and protests to the reclamation work have been frequent.

Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga is a staunch opponent to the base's relocation and has been fighting doggedly to see the plan scrapped.

In February, Onaga visited the United States in person to convey his message of resistance to U.S. President Donald Trump.

The central government, however, has maintained its stance that the relocation plan remains the only way forward in line with a pact made with the United States in 1996 under its broader security alliance.

The protracted contentions have seen anti-U.S. base sentiment rise in Japan's southernmost prefecture.

The islanders feel they have been "used" by the central government before, during and after World War II to host 74 percent of all U.S. facilities in Japan.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 17:54:31|Editor: Hou Qiang

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COLOMBO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka on Tuesday defended its preparedness to face natural disasters following floods and landslides which killed nearly 200 people so far.

Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne told reporters that Sri Lanka was caught by surprise when the heavy rain brought floods and landslides.

He said that early warnings had been issued for areas prone to landslides but some people disregarded the warnings.

Meanwhile the United Nations said that based on previous emergencies, drinking water and non-food items (NFIs) were identified as immediate needs by the National Disaster Relief Services Center in Sri Lanka.

The full extent of damage and needs is expected to be more clear once additional areas become accessible.

Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center has activated the International Space Charter Center to obtain satellite imagery to support analysis of the flood damage. Cloud coverage, however, is constraining collection of images.

The Chinese government has said it will offer humanitarian aid worth 15 million yuan (about 2.2 million U.S. dollars) to Sri Lanka for its flood relief efforts.

The relief supplies include tents, blankets and others which Sri Lanka is in urgent need of, and will be sent to the country in the shortest time, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 17:54:31|Editor: Hou Qiang

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HANOI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam made export turnovers of 79.3 billion U.S. dollars in the first five months of this year, gaining a year-on-year rise of 17.4 percent, according to its General Statistics Office on Tuesday.

Vietnamese products with high growth in export value in the five-month period included phones and their components (up 12 percent to 16 billion U.S. dollars), garments and textiles (up 9 percent to 9.4 billion U.S. dollars), electronic goods, including computers and their components (up 46.2 percent to 9.4 billion U.S. dollars), footwear (up 10.5 percent to 5.6 billion U.S. dollars), wood and woodworks (up 13.2 percent to 3 billion U.S. dollars), and seafood (up 11.7 percent to 2.8 billion U.S. dollars).

With turnovers of 16 billion U.S. dollars from January to May, the United States remained Vietnam's biggest export market, followed by the European Union with 14.6 billion U.S. dollars, and China with 10.5 billion U.S. dollars.

Meanwhile, Vietnam spent 82 billion U.S. dollars importing foreign products, up 23.9 percent. China was Vietnam's biggest import market with turnover of 22 billion U.S. dollars, tailed by South Korea with 18.6 billion U.S. dollars, and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) with 11.1 billion U.S. dollars, said the office.

Vietnam has targeted total export turnovers of 188 billion U.S. dollars this year, up 6.9 percent against last year, according to its Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 18:14:42|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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BUJUMBURA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- A businesswoman was on Monday night injured in a grenade explosion in the north of the Burundian capital Bujumbura, Burundian police said Tuesday.

The attack happened around 8 p.m. against a businesswoman who was going home. A bandit grabbed her handbag that contained 6,000,000 Burundi francs (3,493 U.S. dollars), said Burundian Police Spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye.

"When the victim cried for help, the bandit exploded a grenade, injuring the woman on her back," Nkurikiye said.

Nkurikiye said the bandit managed to run away, adding that one suspect has been arrested.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 18:19:45|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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KATHMANDU, May 30 (Xinhua) -- A pilot died and two crew members were injured after a cargo plane of Nepal Army (NA) crashed near Bajura district during a crash-landing, local authority confirmed.

The plane was carrying rice for remote Humla district in Mid-Western Nepal when it crashed at Kolti Airport.

Devendra Lamichhane, chief district officer of Bajura confirmed to Xinhua on Tuesday that the captain died during the rescue process while other two crew members were rescued injured.

"After providing first aid to them at the Primary Health Center in the district, they were airlifted to Kohalpur Hospital in Nepalgunj, a south western city of Nepal," he said.

It is the second air crash in the past three days in Nepal. On Saturday, a cargo plane of Goma Air crashed at Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla near Mount Qomolangma in Solukhubu district, killing two people.

According to Lamichhane, the army's plane-NA048 was heading towards neighboring Humla district. Due to bad weather in Humla, the plane was diverted to Kolti airport for landing.

"The plane landed at the airport in high speed at 12:15 p.m. (local time) and slipped nearly 300 meter away from the airport at the rice field taking a U-turn," said Lamichhane.

The NA has also confirmed the accident. Brigadier General Jhankar Bahadur Kadayat, spokesperson of NA confirmed Xinhua the accident saying that the cargo plane named "Sky Truk" crashed when it was crash-landing. The reason of the crash has not been ascertained, according to the NA.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 18:24:47|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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WINDHOEK, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Namibian government plans to create about 250,000 jobs by 2022 through its 5th National Development Plan (NDP5) set to be launched.

The crafting of NDP5, which will be executed from 2017 to 2022 comes after the 4th National Development Plan (NDP4) ended in March.

Sylvester Mbangu, chief of national development advice at the National Planning Commission, said Tuesday that the government intends to create at least 50,000 jobs annually through NDP5, mainly for the youth, to address the unemployment rate that currently stands at 43 percent.

A labor force survey statistics by the Namibia Statistics Agency also shows that 30,000 more people in Namibia are jobless since 2014, representing a 6-percent increment.

"It is our belief that should we not be able to create 50,000 or more jobs per year, we will not be able to reach our objectives of the five-year implementation period of NDP5. Therefore, this will require efforts from all sides: from government in terms of policies, private sector in terms of investment and targeting sectors that can create employment," said Mbangu.

NDP5 is set to be launched by Namibian President Hage Geingob on Wednesday in Windhoek.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 19:20:05|Editor: ying

Displaced residents take shelter at an evacuation center in Lanao Del Sur Province, the Philippines, May 31, 2017. More than 100 people, including civilians, have been killed in the week-long gun battles between the government forces and the Maute militant group in southern Philippine city of Marawi, which also forced the city's more than 200,000 residents to flee. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

MANILA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- More military airstrikes hit Maute-held hideouts on Tuesday as troops continued to flush out the remaining undetermined number of militants holed out in the besieged southern Philippine city of Marawi.

About 80 to 100 Islamist Maute militants attacked the city on Tuesday last week. Since then, the Islamic extremists have been engaging troops in fierce gun battles, ignoring the government's repeated appeal for them to surrender.

The heavily-armed militants occupied and burned a number of buildings in a bid to gain control of the city, prompting President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao and nearby island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi - known hideouts of the militants and their allies from Indonesia and Malaysia.

More than 100 people, including civilians, have been killed in the week-long gun battles that also forced the city's more than 200,000 residents to flee.

Local TV footage showed bullet-pocked walls of ruined buildings, blood-spattered pavement and images of bullet-riddled window glass.

There are no signs of letting up, according to local media reports.

"Precision airstrikes have been judiciously used to prevent collateral damage and employed at specific targets of resistance to protect our troops and to hasten clearing of the city of terrorist elements who continue to resist," Duterte's spokesman Ernesto Abella said Tuesday.

In a news conference at the Malacanang presidential palace, Abella said that so far 19 civilians, 17 soldiers, three policemen and 65 militants have been killed in the seven-day clashes.

The military said it has succeeded in retaking parts of the city but added it continues to face fierce resistance from militant snipers holed in buildings and houses.

"The current focus of the operation remains: clearing of Marawi of militants still in the area; rescue of trapped residents; and recovery of civilian casualties and victims," said Abella.

Abella reiterated the call of the government for the militants to surrender. "We call on the remaining terrorists to surrender when there is an opportunity," he said.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, the commander of the Western Mindanao Command, stressed "the need to be very careful and to make calculated actions" in the military operations "to avoid collateral damage and loss of life" especially among the civilians.

"Despite numerous attempts to reach out to the Maute (militants), they refused to have a stand down in order to evacuate civilians," Galvez said.

The government hopes to end the ongoing conflict by the end of the week.

Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesman for the military, predicted that the military will "come out victorious."

"For the terrorists, not surrendering will mean their sure death," Padilla said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 19:20:07|Editor: Zhou Xin

Syrian children take part in the picking process of the famous Damask, or Damascene Rose, in town of al-Marah, north of the capital Damascus, on May 29, 2017. The Damask Rose was affected by the darkness that has befallen Syria over the last six years, but the rose, also known as the Damascene Rose, has started healing again at the foothills of the Qalamoun region in Syria. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)

by Hummam Sheikh Ali

AL-MARAH, Syria, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Damask Rose was affected by the darkness that has befallen Syria over the last six years, but the rose, also known as the Damascene Rose, has started healing again at the foothills of the Qalamoun region in Syria.

At a certain point in the first two years of the crisis, the pink double flower missed those who used to take care of it, as the fields of roses in al-Marah town north of Damascus became a sort of a military zones for the army to haunt down rebells in nearby towns and to prevent them from sneaking into the town.

But after the area was secured by the army over the past two years, the farmers returned to revive the rose, whose history goes back to the time when the Romans were said to had brought the rose to England from this region.

Considered an important type of Old Rose, Damask is a two-meter deciduous shrub, which is cultivated every year in January and February with the harvest in May and June. Its stems are armed with curved prickles and stiff bristles. The leaves are pinnate, with five leaflets.

The farmers say the rose, which is renowned for its special flagrance, and heady-scented oil, is recovering in its birthplace in Al-Marah, after suffering from the scars of the prolonged Syrian war.

Median Bitar, one of the farmers in charge of the cultivation and harvest of the rose, told Xinhua that ahead of the crisis, the Damascene Rose was cultivated in farmlands estimated at nearly 4,000 acres, but as a result of the crisis the farmland used for planting the rose shrank between 2,000 and 2,500 acres.

During the crisis, the process was neglected and the the new plants got dried and withered, but we have tried to pull ourselves together and this year we cultivated around 2,000 to 2,500 acres and we are expecting the outcome this year to be between 30 to 40 tons of the Damascene Rose in the village.

The Bitar family has for long been largely in charge of cultivating and harvesting the rose and extracting its water and oil in their makeshift factory in their home in the town and their company slogan is "Reviving the Damask Rose."

Walking among the village children, who were helping in collecting the rosebuds from the thorny branches, Bitar said he goes to the field everyday to oversee the picking process of the rose.

"We harvest the roses in the morning, taking them to the factory and we start making jam but the main substance is the rose water, from which we derive several items, the most important of which is the rose oil," he added.

He said that before the war, the plant was long enough people could shelter from the scorching sun under its shade, but now it's only less than one meter high.

Bitar stressed that the original strain of the rose is from al-Marah, adding that there is a global demand for this strain of rose, urging for new techniques to extract the oil of the rose more efficiently as he said 10 tons of roses needed to make one kilogram of oil.

He said the gram of oil is sold in the U.S. for 60 U.S. dollars, adding that foreign companies offered him 100 U.S. dollars last year, out of their demand for the original strain of the rose.

"We are exerting huge efforts to have this rose planted across Syria, and mainly in its original land such as in the al-Marah town, in order to secure the amount of oil needed for exportation as there is a demand from foreign countries to this rose. We don't face any problem marketing this rose or its products because of the global demand," he told Xinhua.

As for the marketing of the products of this rose, his brother, Amin, told Xinhua that the international fairs, which used to take place in Syria head of the crisis, made it easy for them to sell their products.

Such events, he said, were extremely important for them as they were venues for people to get to know the various products extracted from the rose.

Amin said that during the crisis the fairs largely stopped, and that affected the selling and marketing of the products, in addition to the fact that the production and harvest stopped for two years due to the military situation there.

But now, hope is on the horizon with the recovery of the rose and the few fairs that have started to be held in Syria.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 19:40:17|Editor: Hou Qiang

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COLOMBO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Red Cross Society of China on Tuesday donated 100,000 U.S. dollars to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) to support Sri Lanka's relief and rebuilding efforts in the current disaster of flooding and landslides.

A statement by the Chinese embassy in Colombo said that Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang, on behalf of the Red Cross Society of China, handed over the donation to Nimal Kumar, national secretary of SLRCS.

Ambassador Yi extended the deepest sympathy and condolences to the Sri Lankan people especially the families affected by the disaster.

He hoped the donation could assist the current relief operation of SLRCS and provide help to the people in the disaster-affected areas.

Kumar expressed appreciation and gratitude to the generous donation from the Red Cross Society of China.

Days of severe rains caused major floods and landslides in many parts of the country since Friday, killing 183 people and injuring over 100 to date.

The Disaster Management Center said 112 people are missing, while over 545,000 have been affected.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing in many districts as the water levels are receding and hundreds of teams are on ground distributing aid, food and dry rations to those affected.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 21:05:54|Editor: Hou Qiang

BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Thirty packages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for international tourists were unveiled by the Beijing municipal administration of TCM Tuesday at the ongoing China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services.

The packages, the first in Beijing, cover 30 symptoms such as insomnia and headaches. Fifteen hospitals are listed.

The administration said the packages feature effective treatment and whole-process services at a reasonable cost, and offer tourist programs for patients during their stay in Beijing.

Beijing is rich in TCM resources, with 14 third-level (top level) and 20 second-level TCM hospitals, as well as a large number of time-honored TCM clinics and masters.

According to a document issued by the National Tourism Administration and the State Administration of TCM in July 2016, China will establish 10 national TCM tourism demonstration areas, 100 TCM tourism demonstration bases and 1,000 TCM tourism demonstration projects in about three years.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 21:51:20|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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MOGADISHU, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The UN senior envoy in Somalia on Tuesday promised to support the newly inaugurated president of Galmudug Ahmed Ducaale Geelle.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia Michael Keating said that the international community is ready to support Galmudug to implement the national security architecture, but that reconciliation is a prerequisite.

"Advancing reconciliation efforts is key to the stability of Galmudug. In order to establish a more inclusive and viable administration, dialogue must start sooner rather than later," Keating said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

He noted that Galmudug and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama'a have common interests and a shared responsibility, namely to defend the area against the threat of Al-Shabaab.

"Dialogue must start as soon as possible," he said, welcoming the inauguration of Geelle as the President of Galmudug that took place in Adaado on Tuesday.

"I congratulate President Geelle. The members of the state legislature have handed you a great responsibility -- to provide leadership to deliver results for the people of Galmudug," said Keating.

"This includes jobs and economic opportunity, infrastructure and services, security and functional state institutions," he said.

He also urged actions to resolve the conflict in Galkayo, which requires continued action by local actors to manage the situation on the ground, as well as political leadership by state presidents to resolve constitutional differences, backed by the government.

"With Galmudug opening a new chapter today, I urge the Galmudug authorities, the state assembly, civil society and many others to join hands in support of peace, stability and economic development," said Keating.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 21:51:22|Editor: Zhou Xin

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KASHIMA, Japan, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande of China made the last eight of the AFC Champions League on an away goal despite losing their second leg 2-1 to Kashima Antlers on Tuesday.

Following their first leg home victory 1-0 last week, Guangzhou tied Kashima 2-2 on aggregate and progressed to the quarterfinals on the away goal rule.

During the second leg in Kashima, Japan, the Brazilian striker Pedro Junior fired home a long-range shot to put the hosts in front in the 28th minute.

Ten minutes after the half break, midfielder Paulinho, who scored the winner in the first leg, netted again the crucial goal for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, forcing Kashima to the corners as they would have to score twice in order to advance.

Mu Kanazaki had a late goal in stoppage time, but was not enough to prevent Kashima from exiting the tournament.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 21:51:25|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BERLIN, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Police in the German state of Brandenburg have arrested a Syrian terror suspect, Germany's Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday.

The 17-year-old suspect was arrested in Uckermark, a district some 100 km northeast from Berlin.

He allegedly planned a suicide bomb in Berlin, said Karl-Heinz Schroeter, interior minister of Brandenburg state.

Investigators said they were led to the suspect thanks to evidence from other German federal states. The alleged terrorist reportedly sent an electronic message to his mother in which he clearly stated planning an attack.

The suspect entered Germany in 2015 and registered for asylum, according German newspaper Bild reports. He was housed in a refugee accommodation in Uckermark since 2016.

German local media N-TV cited intelligent service as saying the number of extremists in German soil has continued to grow in recent years.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 22:01:29|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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by Denis Elamu

JUIBA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese army (SPLA) on Tuesday started trial of 20 soldiers accused of raping foreign aid workers, looting and murder at the Terrain hotel in Juba during the violence in July 2016.

"The first hearing of the General Court Martial (GCM) to try soldiers suspected of committing crimes, rape and looting at Terrain hotel on the July 11, 2016 has taken place this morning," SPLA Acting spokesman Colonel Santo Domic Chol told journalists in Juba.

He added that 13 of the 20 suspects were paraded before the army court after President Salva Kiir ordered thorough investigations into the crime that led to massive international pressure on the government after it emerged that a sizable number of victims were U.S. citizens.

"So far 13 suspected soldiers who were identified through witness testimony, physical evidence and confession were presented before court during the first hearing," he revealed.

Chol added that majority of victims and witnesses were not presented before the court leaving the Terrain hotel manager Michael Woodward as the only witness to testify in court, which was later adjourned until June 6.

Woodward's testimony before court revealed that on the afternoon of July 11, between 50 to 100 soldiers broke into the Terrain compound after overpowering the security guards on duty.

He disclosed that the soldiers then went on rampage raping women, looted property and murdered a local journalist for his Nuer ethnicity within the 72 hours they spent at the hotel.

"Physical attacks began, this includes the murder of John Gatluak working for Internews, the rape of five women working for international organizations and unknown number of my staff," Woodward said.

He added that besides systematic beatings and vandalism, a total of 18 vehicles were looted including nine that belonged to the hotel.

"We would expect justice be served, compensation for the vehicles stolen," he said.

He also added that any sentence to the suspects would act as deterrent against future crimes.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar led to fighting that pitied mostly Dinka ethnic soldiers loyal to Kiir against Machar's Nuer ethnic group.

The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was violated in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in the capital forcing Machar to flee into exile.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people in South Sudan and displaced over millions of others.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 22:11:32|Editor: Hou Qiang

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KATHMANDU, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Nepal's government on Tuesday decided to ask the Chinese government and the China-sponsored Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for financial assistance for poverty alleviation program to be launched in 16 mountainous and hilly districts bordering China.

"A meeting of Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' decided to seek the Chinese assistance under the Belt and Road Initiative," Chandra Kumar Ghimire, a board member of the PAF told Xinhua on Tuesday.

Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China to be a part of the initiative on May 12 in Kathmandu.

The PAF headed by the prime minister is the special service vehicle of the Nepali government to bring the excluded communities into the mainstream of development, by involving the poor and disadvantaged groups themselves in the driving seat of development efforts.

According to PAF officials, the request will be made to China through the diplomatic channel.

Nahakul KC, executive director of PAF, told Xinhua on Tuesday that they have developed a proposal involving the activities like promoting cross-border trade, development of micro-hydro projects, development of medicinal herbs, livestock development and activities related to health and education for seeking Chinese assistance.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 22:11:34|Editor: Hou Qiang

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by Xinhua Writer Jiang Xufeng

BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- It will no longer be so easy for the millionaire and billionaire shareholders of public companies to use excuses such as weddings, improving living standards, or moving overseas to offload stocks when share prices peak.

In January 2016, China's securities regulator limited anyone who holds more than 5 percent of a company's shares from massive dumping of their holdings.

Compared with individuals investing their savings, major shareholders, supervisors and management enjoy advantages of asymmetric information, so offloading stocks in a fire sale manner annoys the public and cause retail investors to suffer.

The 2016 rules stipulated that major shareholders, supervisors and managers should make public the number of shares, price range and reason for sale. Bizarre reasons like paying children's tuition and purchasing homes soon captured the headlines.

FIXING LOOPHOLES

Some shareholders use the stock market like an ATM to earn quick money, and easily found loopholes in the old rules to profit from selling stocks when prices surged, causing volatility.

The 2016 rules made things more difficult, but some began to sell stocks to institutional investors in blocks and then the institutional investors sold stocks onto the market.

Major shareholders engineered the block trading to circumvent regulations, and some shareholders profit by cleverly timing their sales, Deng Ge, spokesperson for the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), said over the weekend when the CSRC, Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses came up with the new rules.

"Such disorderly and irregular stock sales led to a very negative impact on investor confidence and the real economy," Deng stressed.

The latest rules aimed to fix some loopholes, as stocks transferred through block trading should not surpass 2 percent of a company's total shares in any 90 days, and the transferees are not permitted to sell any more within six months.

The new rules will slow the pace of offloading, which will stabilize the market and support growth of companies with stable profitability outlooks, said Sun Xiwei, chief investment strategist at CITIC Securities.

The view was echoed by Jin Haitao, a veteran investor, who said that the new regulations accurately targeted at malpractices in the industry and will curb speculation.

"They can help shift some investors' attention from short-term capital gains to the long-term investment value in sustainable businesses," Jin said.

WIDE IMPLICATIONS

The new policies also improved regulation on stock reductions through selling of non-public offering shares, information disclosure, and equity transfers via agreements.

Some analysts including Sun Xiwei at CITIC Securities believe that they will have wide repercussions on business activities like private placements.

Listing is a common exit for institutional investors in China. Unlike public offerings, a private placement refers to a funding round of securities through private offering to a small number of chosen investors, and some Chinese investors offload their shares on the first day they are allowed to do so.

The new regulations is tougher on this. For those who hold more than 5 percent of a company's stakes, their sales of non-public offering shares should not exceed 50 percent of their total holdings in a 12-month period after unlocking.

"The new policies drew on globally accepted practices from advanced economies like the United States, and the more stringent rules can better protect interests of small investors," said Chen Shaoxia, chief researcher with Goldport Capital, a Shenzhen-based asset management company.

To ease worries that the new rules will dampen investors' enthusiasm of supporting innovative companies, the CSRC said that it will give necessary policy support to exits of innovation industry funds' investment that focus on businesses' long-term intrinsic value.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 22:11:35|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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JUBA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Tuesday expressed concern about dramatic spike in the movement of South Sudanese into Sudan since January.

IFRC said the vast majority of new arrivals are women and children fleeing violence and the looming threat of famine in the world's youngest nation.

"The people who are arriving are in a desperate state. Most are in poor health, exhausted from their journeys, and traumatized by what they have seen and experienced," Fatoumata Nafo-Traore, IFRC's Regional Director for Africa, said in a statement.

About 137,000 South Sudanese have crossed into Sudan since Jan. 1 -- already more than the 131,000 that arrived during 2016, according to UNHCR.

The charity said some 417,000 South Sudanese refugees have entered Sudan since December 2013, adding that over half are in camps in East and South Darfur and West and South Kordofan.

The Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SSRC) is present in these areas and has, in partnership with the UN, been supporting more than 300,000 with food aid, and about 90,000 refugees with clean water, sanitation and health services.

"These people are the most vulnerable -- children and women -- who are arriving with absolutely nothing, having already endured so much," Nafo-Traore said.

However, with the increased arrival of refuges, IFRC and SSRC are warning of an elevated risk of diseases such as malaria, as existing healthcare and water and sanitation services come under ever greater strain.

"The regional consequences of the humanitarian emergency in South Sudan are rapidly worsening. There is every indication that the number of people crossing into Sudan will continue to climb," Nafo-Traore said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 22:31:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ANKARA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand donated around 900,000 U.S. dollars to establish a new school for Syrian children refugees in southeastern Turkey, reported the state-run Anadolu Agency on Tuesday.

The grant will be used to construct a 23-classroom school in Turkey's Sanliurfa province, part of New Zealand's humanitarian aid program, said New Zealand Ambassador to Turkey Jonathan Andrew Curr in a letter published in Turkey's official Gazette.

The funds will also be used to equip schools with writing boards, chairs, desks, heating and cooling systems, as well as landscape design.

Turkey hosts nearly three million "registered" Syrians, according to the 2016 report by the Turkish Directorate General of Migration Management.

This number accounts for around 45 percent of all Syrian refugees in the region, according to the United Nations.

Turkey, currently facing the challenging refugees' move from camps to cities, has repeatedly called on the international community to address the refugees' humanitarian needs.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 22:52:00|Editor: Yamei

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China's manned submersible Jiaolong surfaces after a dive in the Mariana Trench on May 30, 2017. Jiaolong dived to 6,699 meters during Tuesday's mission in the Mariana Trench. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- On Tuesday China celebrated its first science and technology day, which means it has only been one year since the country declared its intention of becoming a leading power in S&T by the middle of the century.

Things have moved pretty swiftly since.

Jiaolong, China's manned submersible, went quite literally to the bottom of the ocean this week, diving three times into the Mariana Trench and reaching a depth of 6,544 meters on May 27. Scientists collected samples of seawater, rock and marine life, including sea cucumbers, sponges and starfish. The geological samples will help them understand how the trench was formed.

WHAT GOES DOWN, MUST GO UP

In pursuit of the kind of quantum scientific leaps China needs, space is another frontier to be conquered.

In southwest China, the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), the world's largest radio telescope, began scanning the skies in September. Its mission is to help us understand the origin and structure of the universe, and perhaps bring the search for extraterrestrial life closer to what would be an astonishing conclusion.

Meanwhile, out in actual space itself, the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft, launched in October last year, carried two astronauts to space lab Tiangong-2, where they remained for 30 days.

In April this year, the Tianzhou-1 cargo spacecraft docked with Tiangong-2, refueling and resupplying the orbiting lab.

In January experiments began with a quantum communication satellite launched last August and preliminary data is promising.

Quantum Experiments at Space Scale (QUESS) will explore "hack-proof" quantum communications by transmitting unhackable keys from space.

In aerospace, China's first large passenger aircraft, the C919, made its maiden flight in May in Shanghai. The launch of the first Chinese-built aircraft carrier in April also raised the world's eyebrows.

QUANTUM LEAP

China needs science and technology more than ever and the country's scientists should occupy the world's S&T high ground, said Bai Chunli, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Quantum computers are the Holy Grail of IT and will soon leave conventional computers eating their dust. The world's first quantum computer has been created in China. A quantum computer with 50 quantum bits will be faster than today's fastest supercomputer, Sunway TaihuLight, which is also made by China.

While development of science and technology promises a better future, it also means saving lives of millions of people today.

In September last year, Nobel laureate Tu Youyou's team announced they had made new progress in research into antimalarial drug artemisinin. The finding may provide a new treatment of malaria. Tu won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2015 for the discovery of artemisinin, the first Chinese national to win a Nobel prize in science.

A SHARED DESTINY

"We will accelerate R&D on and commercialization of new materials, artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, bio-pharmacy, 5G mobile communications, and other technology to develop industrial clusters in these fields," said a government work report issued this year.

China should be one of the most innovative countries by 2020 and a leading innovator by 2030 before becoming the world-leading S&T power by the centenary of the People's Republic of China in 2049.

The quickest and easiest way to achieve all this innovation is through a global cooperation network to boost innovation.

The G20 Blueprint on Innovative Growth, adopted at the Hangzhou summit in September, commits governments to creating a favorable environment for creativity and development.

Scientific innovation was also a central topic at Belt and Road forum in Beijing this month, with China proposing a Belt and Road Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan.

Most Belt and Road countries share similar developmental problems -- pollution and natural disasters, not least amongst them -- which provided the synergy for deeper cooperation, said CAS President Bai.

An S&T cooperation network along the Belt and Road will be completed in 2030, Bai said.
File photo shows Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) beef up security at Adar oilfield, South Sudan, March 21, 2017. (Xinhua/Gale Julius)

by Denis Elamu

JUIBA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese army (SPLA) on Tuesday started trial of 20 soldiers accused of raping foreign aid workers, looting and murder at the Terrain hotel in Juba during the violence in July 2016.

"The first hearing of the General Court Martial (GCM) to try soldiers suspected of committing crimes, rape and looting at Terrain hotel on the July 11, 2016 has taken place this morning," SPLA Acting spokesman Colonel Santo Domic Chol told journalists in Juba.

He added that 13 of the 20 suspects were paraded before the army court after President Salva Kiir ordered thorough investigations into the crime that led to massive international pressure on the government after it emerged that a sizable number of victims were U.S. citizens.

"So far 13 suspected soldiers who were identified through witness testimony, physical evidence and confession were presented before court during the first hearing," he revealed.

Chol added that majority of victims and witnesses were not presented before the court leaving the Terrain hotel manager Michael Woodward as the only witness to testify in court, which was later adjourned until June 6.

Woodward's testimony before court revealed that on the afternoon of July 11, between 50 to 100 soldiers broke into the Terrain compound after overpowering the security guards on duty.

He disclosed that the soldiers then went on rampage raping women, looted property and murdered a local journalist for his Nuer ethnicity within the 72 hours they spent at the hotel.

"Physical attacks began, this includes the murder of John Gatluak working for Internews, the rape of five women working for international organizations and unknown number of my staff," Woodward said.

He added that besides systematic beatings and vandalism, a total of 18 vehicles were looted including nine that belonged to the hotel.

"We would expect justice be served, compensation for the vehicles stolen," he said.

He also added that any sentence to the suspects would act as deterrent against future crimes.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar led to fighting that pitied mostly Dinka ethnic soldiers loyal to Kiir against Machar's Nuer ethnic group.

The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was violated in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in the capital forcing Machar to flee into exile.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people in South Sudan and displaced over millions of others.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 22:57:10|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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PARIS, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Germany's promising star Alexander Zverev experienced a disappointing maiden Roland Garros appearance as he lost to Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in an interrupted men's first round encounter here on Tuesday.

The matchup scheduled on Monday was halted by darkness when the two players tied 1-1. However, the ninth-seeded Zverev would rather blame his poor performance on court for his humiliating loss than the interrruption.

"It's quite simple," he commented.

"It was unfortunate that the matches before took so long and that we couldn't finish yesterday, but it was the right decision to stop."

The 20-year-old Zverev was seen as a potential challenger to title favorites in the French Open after he moved up into top 10 for the first time with his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title in Rome.

But the sensational German youngster suffered a total of 50 unforced errors against the world No. 37.

"He played very well and very smart. He tried to push me back a lot. I didn't feel the ball on my racquet very well, so I played very short and very defensive all the time, which is not easy to do with my game and my body," said Zverev.

As for his plan for the next few weeks, Zverev said that he needed a few days off, before considering his preparation for the grass season to come.

"I'll prepare the best I can for grass. We'll see what tournaments I play there," he said.
DUBLIN, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Ryanair, Europe's leading low-cost airline, said on Tuesday it registered a 6 percent increase in net profits, marking a record high of 1.3 billion euros (1.45 billion U.S. dollars).

In its annual financial report, Ryanair said it carried 120 million passengers in the last financial year, up 13 percent on the previous 12 months.

Revenue rose by 2 percent to 6.7 billion euros, the airline said.

During the financial year, it filled 94 percent of the seats on its flights. Average fares fell by 13 percent to 41 euros as it passed on savings due to falling fuel costs.

The Dublin-headquartered airline said it had experienced "difficult trading conditions" in the financial year, caused by a series of security events at European cities, a switch of charter capacity from North Africa, Turkey and Egypt to mainland Europe, and a sharp decline in sterling following the June 2016 Brexit vote.

"We reacted to these challenges by improving our customer experience, and stimulating growth with lower fares," Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said.

But he said a hard Brexit could cause significant disruption to Britain-EU flights for a period of months after March 2019.

"In the absence of such certainty, or direction, we will continue to pivot our growth away from the UK in 2017 and 2018 to capitalize on the many growth opportunities elsewhere in Europe. We have contingency plans and will adapt to changed circumstances in the best interests of our customers," he said.

On the outlook of the new financial year, he said Ryanair is "cautiously" guiding an 8 percent increase in net profit to a range of 1.4 billion euros to 1.45 billion euros.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 23:07:18|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TEHRAN, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The VNS international business company will provide some 24.5 billion U.S. dollars in Iran's road construction projects, official IRNA news agency reported on Tuesday.

"The bank facilities, expected to be paid in the form of finance agreements, will go to the projects of Iran's Ministry of Roads and Urban Development," VNS representative, Mohammad Taqi Norouzi, said in a meeting with the Iranian financial and economic officials here on Monday.

According to the agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between the VNS and Iran, the company will invest some 22 billion euros, 24.5 billion U.S. dollars, in the Iranian road construction projects, Norouzi was quoted as saying.

Eight billion euros, 8.92 billion U.S. dollars, are expected to go to road construction projects in Iran's West Azarbaijan province, he added.

VNS is a holding international business company which provides finance to help develop infrastructure and construction projects in other countries.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 23:12:21|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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AMMAN, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Jordan condemned a series of terrorist bombings that struck Iraq's capital Baghdad in the last two days, the state-run Petra news agency reported on Tuesday.

The government spokesman Mohammad Momani said in a statement that Jordan strongly condemned such criminal acts that targeted Iraq's security and seeked to disrupt its institutions and efforts to fight terrorism.

Momani pledged Jordan's solidarity with Iraq in the war against "the gangs of killing and destruction," according to the statement.

Momani stressed the need to collect Arab, Islamic and global efforts to counter terrorism and the forces of darkness that target civilians in the region and the world.

Momani, who is also the state minister for media affairs, expressed condolences to the government and people of Iraq over the victims.

A car bomb blast in central Baghdad on Monday killed 11 people and wounded 75.

Another car bomb struck downtown Baghdad early Tuesday, killing 11 people and injuring 35.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-30 23:22:27|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BERLIN, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Political tensions between Germany and the U.S government continue to come to a head as U.S. President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Tuesday to tweet.

He wrote: "We have a massive trade deficit with Germany" and that what Germany pays "is far less than they should on NATO and military" which he deems bad for the United States, promising to change the situation.

The comments come as German Chancellor Angela Merkel told an election rally on Sunday that Germany may no longer be able rely on the United States and Britain and added that the EU "must now fight for its own future."

Disagreement within the German coalition government on how to deal with the U.S president is also mounting. Germany's Minister for Foreign Affairs Sigmar Gabriel strongly criticized President Trump on Monday accusing him of "short sighted policies which stand against the European Union and are weakening the West."

Martin Schulz, the head of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and chancellor candidate, also raised strong concerns about Trump's focus on "political blackmail instead of international diplomacy."

However, Michael Grosse-Broemte, a Christian Democratic Union (CDU) politician, although critical of Trump, is strongly against worsening relations between the EU and the United States. The CDU politician believes the transatlantic relationship is important with or without President Trump, saying "As Europeans we shouldn't allow the Donald Trump logic to affect us."

Eric Schweitzer, the president of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry, agreed with Grosse-Broemte and told the German newspaper Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung on Tuesday: "German trade with the United States is worth over 150 million euros (168 million U.S. dollars) per year."

Political tensions have been rising since the U.S. president was inaugurated in January 2017. Recent tense meetings at both NATO and G7 served to add fuel to the political fire.

Trump refused to agree to the 2015 Paris climate accord, reiterated past claims that other NATO members were not reaching their military spending commitment of 2 percent GDP (gross domestic product) and infamously described German trade practices as "bad, very bad."
THE HAGUE, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Dutch Senate voted by large majority in favor of the European Union-Ukraine Association Agreement on Tuesday, by which the Netherlands has now also formally agreed to the treaty.

The Dutch have a bicameral system with two houses of Parliament, the House of Representatives, the Tweede Kamer, and the Senate, the Eerste Kamer. Laws have to pass both houses to be approved.

With the majority of the vote in favor of the law of approval related to the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, a long Dutch discussion comes to an end. The law was already accepted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in 2015, but in April last year a referendum was held on the subject.

In the advisory referendum a vast majority of 61 percent of the Dutch voters rejected the Agreement, a treaty between the European Union, their 28 Member States and Ukraine on political, economic and a broad range of legislation and regulation topics. The referendum results provided an opinion and are, according to the Dutch law, not binding, but the outcome forced the government to reconsider the Agreement.

Considering the referendum result, the Dutch government has long searched for a solution to approve the treaty and also respect the result of the referendum.

Last year the Dutch agreed with other European leaders that there would be an appendix in the treaty, which states that the treaty for Ukraine is not automatically a step towards membership of the European Union, nor does it mean that workers from Ukraine can now easily work in the EU.

"Nice support for Ukraine," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte reacted to the Senate vote result through Twitter. "Unified acting of the European Union is important."

Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, was also satisfied. "Today's vote in the Dutch Senate sends an important signal from the Netherlands and the entire European Union to our Ukrainian friends: Ukraine's place is in Europe. Ukraine's future lies with Europe," he said in a statement.

"I would like to thank the Dutch government and the leadership of other parties for their efforts in bringing this process to a positive conclusion," Juncker added. "We are nearly there. Our Association Agreement is now one step closer to being ratified. I would like to see the process now being finalized swiftly, in time for the EU-Ukraine Summit in July."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 00:02:58|Editor: huaxia

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BUJUMBURA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has revoked 23 army officers for not returning back from overseas, the Burundian army spokesman said Tuesday.

"On May 26, 2017, the Burundian president signed a decree whereby he revoked 23 officers of the army who had gone to do their master's or doctorate studies in France, Belgium or Canada. They went there and did not come back," spokesperson Gaspard Baratuza said.

According to him, those army officers had went to pursue their graduate studies between 2005 and 2008 and had to come back by 2013.

"Some of those officers requested an extension of two years and their request was accepted. But in 2015, all of them should have come back to Burundi. Unfortunately some of them preferred to breach military rules," said Baratuza.

Those army officers include two lieutenant-colonels, 16 majors and five captains.

"This is a loss for the Burundian army and also a loss for the country because those officers had gone to be trained in various specializations that we do not have here," he said, adding that their training cost money of Burundi.

Last month, the Burundian defense and war veterans' ministry denied "mass desertions" of its soldiers, saying only about 30 soldiers had deserted since 2015 due to political manipulations.

Some media reported between 600 and 2,000 soldiers had deserted the Burundian army since 2015.

Burundi has plunged into a crisis since April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run his third term. More than 500 people in Burundi have been killed and over 400,000 people fled to neighboring countries since the outbreak of the crisis. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 00:23:09|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday condemned two bomb attacks that killed at least 22 people in Iraq's capital of Baghdad, Tasnim news agency reported.

In a statement, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi expressed condolences to the Iraqi government and nation over the "painful tragedy."

Qasemi described the fatal bombings in Baghdad as a part of last-ditch attempts by terrorists to escape defeat in Iraq.

A car bomb blast in central Baghdad on Monday killed 11 people and wounded 75.

Another car bomb struck downtown Baghdad early Tuesday, killing 11 people and injuring 35. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 00:23:10|Editor: Liu

A train runs on Kenya's Mombasa-Nairobi Railway on May 29, 2017. The 480 km railway linking Kenya's largest port city Mombasa to capital Nairobi, slated to be officially launched on May 31, will be a key infrastructure project that will push forward the East Africa nation's modernization drive, a senior company executive said Monday. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei)

NAIROBI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will begin operations on the Chinese-built Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Wednesday in a drive to revolutionize its transportation sector and speed up industrialization. Xinhua offers eight sets of figures on what the railway is:

1. The 480-km SGR stretches from the port of Mombasa to Kenya's capital Nairobi, involving a total investment of 3.8 billion U.S. dollars, which makes it Kenya's largest infrastructure project since its independence.

2. Construction of the railway began in December 2014 with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) being the contractor.

3. The designed speeds for passenger trains on the SGR line are 120 km/h and 80 km/h for freight trains.

4. The SGR line runs largely in parallel with the Nairobi-Mombasa sections of the meter-gauge railway built between 1986 and 1901 during the colonial era.

5. The Kenyan government has anticipated the SGR to boost Kenya's GDP by 1.5 percentage points annually, promote industrialization and bring in investment along the route by reducing the cost of transportation.

6. The Mombasa-Nairobi SGR is the first step in the grand plan to build an East Africa railway network that will eventually link Kenya with Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. An extension of the Nairobi-Mombasa line, the Nairobi-Naivasha SGR, has already begun construction.

7. About 120 km of the SGR run through Kenya's Tsavo National Park. The line features 14 wildlife channels to facilitate migration of wildlife in the areas.

8. The SGR project has created more than 46,000 jobs for locals and the number of local workers who received training has hit 45,000.
KIEV, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday welcomed the decision of the Dutch Senate to ratify Ukraine-European Union (EU) Association Agreement, saying it will pave the way for comprehensive implementation of the deal.

"The Netherlands will soon convey the instrument of ratification to Brussels. Then, with its special decision, the Council of the EU will launch the implementation of the Association Agreement at full capacity," Poroshenko said in his address to the nation.

The treaty, which is now applied provisionally, has already brought benefits to the East European country, Poroshenko said, pointing that Ukraine's exports to the EU countries increased by almost 25 percent since partial implementation of the deal.

Earlier in the day, Dutch Senate, the upper house of the parliament of the Netherlands, ratified Ukraine-EU treaty despite the vast majority of Dutch voters rejecting it in a referendum in April 2016.

The Netherlands was the last country in the EU that ratified the deal with Ukraine on political, economic and a broad range of legislation and regulation topics.

Some parts of the Ukraine-EU treaty have been already provisionally applied since Nov. 1, 2014.

In the framework of the Association Agreement, in January 2016, Ukraine and the EU launched a free trade area which removed custom tariffs on over 90 percent of goods traded between the sides.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 00:38:19|Editor: huaxia

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KHARTOUM, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's Red Crescent Society (SRCS) launched an emergency relief appeal on Tuesday worth 4.29 million U.S. dollars in support of South Sudanese refugees in Sudan.

"In response to the growing needs of South Sudanese refugees, the SRCS in cooperation with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), launched an appeal to aid South Sudanese refugees in Sudan," said the SRCS's statement on Tuesday.

The appeal aims to secure funding to provide health care services, water sanitation and hygiene, shelter and capacity building services.

"Tens of thousands of South Sudanese women and children have crossed the border into Sudan since the beginning of the year, fleeing violence and the looming threat of famine," said the statement.

"Almost 137,000 South Sudanese refugees crossed into Sudan since January this year, 90 percent of them women and children. This is more than the total number of refugees in 2016, according to UNHCR," it added.

The humanitarian appeal covers the period from May 2017 until May 2018, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, Osman Ja'far Abdallah, SRCS secretary general, said in a statement that "the SRCS, in cooperation with its partners inside and outside the IFRC, has been providing emergency relief services including food, primary health care, shelter, first aid, non-food materials and live-saving materials."

He urged all donors to further support in fulfilling the refugees' needs.

Fatoumata Nafo-Traore, IFRC regional director in Africa, meanwhile, said in a statement on Tuesday that "people arriving from South Sudan are in a desperate state."

"Most are in poor health, exhausted from their journeys, and traumatized by what they have seen and experienced," she added.

Border crossings between Sudan and South Sudan are witnessing continuous influxes of refugees fleeing war and famine in South Sudan, forcing Sudanese authorities to consider establishing new waiting stations to meet the increasing numbers of new arrivals.

Sudan is hosting around 600,000 South Sudanese refugees in camps distributed in four states including the White Nile, South Kordofan, East Darfur and Khartoum states.

On Aug. 15 last year, Sudan officially decided to consider the South Sudanese fleeing the war in their country as refugees, opening the door for the United Nations (UN) to provide them with aid and funded programs.

Famine has recently been officially declared in South Sudan.

The South Sudanese government and the UN stated that 100,000 people are facing starvation, and a million people are classified as being on the brink of famine.

The famine was attributed to several reasons including the civil war and the economic collapse in the new-born state. Enditem
Mombasa, Kenya, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) and the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) on Tuesday signed an operations, maintenance and service agreement for the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railways (SGR).

KR Managing Director Atanas Maina told a media briefing in Mombasa that under the deal, CRBC will from Wednesday take over as operator of the 480 km SGR.

"CBRC's key functions, will be to run the railway system in accordance with schedule of the agreement with KR and also to undertake maintenance of the equipment and rail tracks to ensure that they are maintained in accordance with the prescribed manuals as well as the best global industry standards," Maina said.

Construction of the 3.8-billion-U.S. dollar project, with the bulk of financing provided by China, commenced in 2014. It is set to begin operations officially on Wednesday.

The agreement will run for a period of ten years.

KR will collect the revenues from the SGR and pay a fee to CRBC which will operate the railway.

Maina said that the Chinese firm was selected to operate the railway system because they are best suited for the job.

"We conducted a due diligence on them and given that they also constructed the SGR we decided to work with them," he added.

He noted that under the guidance of CRBC, the SGR is expected to operate efficiently and cost effectively so that it delivers benefits to the Kenyan public as well as cargo owners.

The pact also contains provisions for transfer of Chinese technology to Kenya.

"CRBC has agreed on bringing onboard locals, so that they learn from Chinese experts on the latest railway technology," said the managing director.

In total, CRBC is expected to hire 1,000 Kenyans in various positions, who will eventually take over the operations of the SGR after the contract lapses.
ROME, May 30 (Xinhua) -- A bill to create a new German-style electoral law is to be discussed by a committee in Italy's Lower House of parliament, Ansa news agency reported Tuesday.

The Democratic Party (PD), Five Star Movement (M5S), and Forza Italia (FI) -- Italy's three leading political parties -- have agreed on a German-style electoral system.

This could pave the way for a new general election to replace the interim government of center-left Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni.

Right now, Italy has two different voting systems for each of the houses of parliament -- a first-past-the-post system for the 630-seat Chamber of Deputies, and proportional representation for the 315-member Senate.

Elections held under the current system can lead to political gridlock by resulting in different outcomes in the two chambers, which have equal powers.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who has the power to dissolve parliament, has said no vote will be held until voting procedures for both houses are made homogeneous.

The virtue of the German system is that it combines the "winner-takes-all" model with the proportional representation system.

In Germany, each voter casts two ballots -- the first for their district candidate, the second for the party they support.

Half of Germany's 598-seat Bundestag or Lower House of Parliament is elected based on a simple majority of voters' first votes.

The other half of the Bundestag is allocated based on the nationwide percentage of voters' second votes.

Only parties that get at least 5 percent of the second votes can get seats in the Bundestag.

The German system would work for Italy's three leading parties, the ruling center-left PD, the center-right FI party led by former prime minister and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi, and comedian Beppe Grillo's populist, Eurosceptic M5S.

However, it would penalize Italy's plethora of smaller parties from left to right, which are polling below 5 percent and which will have to forge coalitions in order to make it past that threshold.

According to a survey late last week by pollster Ipsos, M5S polled at 30.5 percent, closely followed by the center-left PD led by former prime minister Matteo Renzi at 30.4 percent.

Berlusconi's FI stood at 13.2 percent, according to the Ipsos data.

It remains to be seen whether the agreement between the three parties will last long enough for a German-style electoral law reform to be approved by parliament.
BUDAPEST, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Central European University (CEU) will conduct all of its activities in Budapest in the 2017-2018 academic year, according to CEU president and rector Michael Ignatieff, who spoke on Tuesday here at a press conference.

"We will not be closed. Budapest is our home," said Ignatieff, adding that they hoped that a long-term agreement would be reached as soon as possible, allowing CEU to remain in the eastern European city.

The Hungarian Parliament earlier approved amendments to the higher education act that require foreign colleges and universities in Hungary to operate on the basis of an intergovernmental agreement and to have a campus in the country in which they are based.

The CEU, which is accredited in the state of New York but has only one campus in Budapest, said that the amendments would make its continued operation in Budapest impossible. In April and May, several demonstrations were held in the Hungarian capital as a show of solidarity with the CEU.

The CEU welcomes the start of negotiations between the government of the United States and the state of New York, Ignatieff said, adding that the representative of the Hungarian government had a conversation with the leadership of the state of New York over the phone last Friday.

At the end of last week, both the Hungarian government, and the state of New York confirmed that they were ready to start genuine negotiations about the future of the university founded by the Hungarian-born American billionaire George Soros.

Ignatieff called on the government to define precisely what educational activities should be done in New York under the revised higher education act.

He indicated that there had been no downturn in the number of applications, but at the same time a quick solution was needed to continue to recruit students for next year. Without an agreement between the state of New York and the Hungarian government, the university will no longer be able to do so under the amended higher education act.

Ignatieff also announced that an international conference on academic freedom would be held on June 22, with writer Mario Vargas Llosa, a Nobel Prize winner, and former German President Joachim Gauck in attendance.

"The events of recent weeks have made us more aware of our obligations to the city and the country. We must remain as long as possible," emphasized Zsolt Enyedi, deputy rector of the university for Hungarian affairs.
ISLAMABAD, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified gunmen shot dead an Afghan politician in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar on Tuesday, according to local reports.

The killed, Ustad Fareed, was a close aide of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, chief of the Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan, or the Islamic Party.

The gunmen fired at Fareed in Peshta Khara area of Peshawar on his way home after he offered morning prayers in a mosque, police and witnesses told local media.

The gunmen fled after the incident. No group has claimed the attack.

A spokesman from the party was quoted by media as saying that the murder of the party leader is "politically motivated."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 01:33:46|Editor: Yamei

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PARIS, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Despite real and persistent disagreements, Monday's meeting between the French and Russian presidents has marked the reopening of firm and pragmatic dialogue between Paris and Moscow after an era of distrust in recent years, analysts said.

Even as thorny issues such as Crimea, Ukraine and Syria were discussed by Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin, the French and Russian presidents laid the groundwork for future relations between their two countries which were strongly strained of late, experts commented.

SYMBOLIC VISIT

Last October, Putin had cancelled his visit to France after the French presidential office had made it known he was not welcome after a new Russian veto within the UN Security Council and the continuation of airstrikes east of the Syrian city of Aleppo.

The two men met in Versailles, at the Grand Trianon palace, in order to inaugurate the exhibition: "Peter the Great, a Tsar in France, 1717," observing the 300th anniversary of the opening of the Russian embassy in Paris. The then-emperor had come to the seven-year-old King Louis XV, seeking the friendship of France in order to counteract the influence of Sweden and Austria.

Hadrien Desuin, a specialist in international and defense issues, said Macron in receiving Putin sent "a very strong diplomatic signal to the rest of the world. It reminded the United States that France is not falling into line," he said.

Describing this meeting as "extremely important," Russia-specialist historian specialized in Russia Helene Carrere d'Encausse said: "The new French president is in the process of restarting a relationship between Paris and Moscow which had been interrupted."

PRAGMATIC STANCE

Writer and former Russian diplomat Vladimir Fedorovski felt both leaders chose to respond firmly but calmly to all sensitive subjects with a pragmatic stance.

"In agreeing on the proper handling of terrorist threats, for example, Macron and Putin rose above the often sensitive ideological or ethical differences," he argued.

Even while setting "red lines," Macron promised to cooperate with Moscow in a joint press conference with Putin, and called for a reinforcement of the "partnership with Russia" in Syria.

"A very clear red line exists for our side -- the use of chemical weapons -- by whoever it may be," warned the head of the French state. "Any use of chemical weapons will be the target of reprisals and an immediate retaliation, in any case on the part of the French," he said.

The director of the European Center of Strategic Analysis Philippe Migault said "the firm but courteous attitude of Macron would please the Russians."

"We see a clear evolution in strategy and tone in comparison to former president Francois Hollande," he noted.

TOUCHY SUBJECTS

When Putin said the sanctions against his country contribute "in no way" to fix the Ukrain crisis, the French president responded by saying that there would be a discussion in the Normandy format in order to avoid "an escalation" of tensions.

The Normandy format refers to another meeting between Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine.

Bringing up the reported accusations of the persecution of homosexuals in Chechnya, Macron called for "constant vigil" on the issue.

He also once again defended the exclusion of Russian media agencies Sputnik and Russia Today from official briefings, which he accused of spreading false information during the French presidential campaign. "They did not behave like press outlets, but like influence outlets," he said.

ECONOMIC TIES

Former French ambassador Eugene Berg said even if Moscow wasn't hoping to see Macron in the Elysee Palace, it can nevertheless allow for a renewal in Franco-Russian relations.

Pointing to strong economic links, the former diplomat underlined the importance of the French project by energy giant Total, which is building with Russian and Chinese partners a giant liquid gas factory on the Yamal peninsula in the Russian High North.

Numerous large French industries (pharmaceutical, distribution, chemical products, banks, energy, transport) are present in Russia, which is one of the three primary destinations for French investments abroad.

He added half of Russia's international commerce is conducted with Europe and many European states depend on Russian natural gas. Such links of interdependence could facilitate a warming of relations, Berg said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 01:38:48|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (2nd R, Front) raises his glass for a toast when meeting with Japan-China friendship groups in Tokyo, Japan, on May 30, 2017. Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi met with representatives from the Japan Business Federation as well as seven Japan-China friendship groups here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Hua Yi)

TOKYO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Tuesday called on Japan to make positive efforts so as to bring the bilateral relations back on the normal track.

He made the remarks when meeting with representatives from the Japan Business Federation as well as seven Japan-China friendship groups here.

Yang spoke highly of the efforts made by friendly organizations and people in Japan over the years to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation and enhance bilateral relationship between China and Japan.

He said that as this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties, the two sides should keep the original aspiration and seize the opportunities to bring the bilateral relations back on the normal track.

China adheres to the policy of building friendship and partnership with neighboring countries and follows the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in conducting neighborhood diplomacy, he said.

China always attaches importance to its relationship with Japan and is willing to make joint efforts with Japan to build good neighborly and friendly relations and promote win-win cooperation, Yang said.

He urged the Japanese side to make positive efforts with China to push for healthy and stable development of bilateral relations by respecting each others' core interests and major concerns, safeguarding the political foundation of bilateral relations and promoting practical cooperation in different areas.

Welcoming Japan to cooperate with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, Yang stressed that the two countries should adapt themselves to the new situations and nurture new growth points, and conduct win-win cooperation in more areas and at higher levels.

He said the two sides should cherish the friendship between the Chinese and Japanese peoples, and the Chinese government is willing to provide strong backing for the cause of promoting the friendship between the two peoples.

Representatives from friendly groups in Japan said that China and Japan are close neighbors with close economic and cultural ties and bilateral relationship between the two countries is very important.

They congratulated China on the success of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held recently in Beijing, saying that they will continue their efforts to promote friendship and mutual trust and push for the enhancement of bilateral ties between China and Japan in the years to come.
VILNIUS, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The arrival of roughly 200 Norwegian soldiers in Lithuania means the NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battalion has been fully deployed in the country, according to news agency Elta.

According to the Lithuanian defense ministry, the soldiers from the Norwegian Armed Forces arrived at Kaunas Airport on Monday evening to join the NATO eFP Battalion based in Rukla.

"As of this moment, the battle group is fully manned," said Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Richter, commander of the public affairs division of the NATO eFP Battalion Battle Group.

Besides the Norwegian soldiers, the NATO battalion in Lithuania currently consists of over 450 German soldiers, 100 Belgian, and 250 Dutch troops.

The deployment of the NATO multinational battalion is conducted under agreement by NATO allies made at the summit in Warsaw last year.
NAIROBI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The EU on Tuesday commended President Uhuru Kenyatta for his consistent commitment to a free, fair and peaceful election in August.

The EU delegation led by EU Ambassador to Kenya, Ambassador Stephano Dejak noted Kenya's level of preparedness and commitment for the August polls and pledged its full support to the process.

"We are greatly encouraged by the commitment you once more confirmed on Monday about peaceful, free, fair and credible election," Dejak said in a statement issued after holding talks with Kenyatta in Nairobi.

"As the EU, we will be always close by to give all the support we can, including with the imminent arrival of the Election Observation Mission," he added.

Millions of Kenyans will vote on Aug. 8 to elect the president, governors, lawmakers and county representatives in the elections expected to be hotly contested and whose outcome will have far-reaching implications on Kenya's stability and economic health.

President Kenyatta, who is seeking his re-election for the second and last term in office, is facing stiff challenge from opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The EU envoys also commended Kenya for the role it has played in regional peace and security, especially in South Sudan and Somalia.

President Kenyatta reassured the EU and other development partners that Kenya is safe and will remain peaceful before, during and after the August polls.
TBILISI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) should welcome new members that have strongly desired to be part of the community like Georgia, said visiting President of Poland Andrzej Duda at a joint press-conference on Tuesday in Tbilisi.

"Georgia has demonstrated the firm decision for many times. I personally greatly appreciate this. My support will be constant towards Georgia, concerning NATO and EU integration," he said at the press conference with his Georgian counterpart.

He also said that being granted visa-free travel into the EU has further integrated Georgia and Europe.

For his part, Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili thanked his counterpart for his unconditional support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and vowed to increase cooperation with Poland in all fields in the future.

"I am sure that the visit of the President of Poland to Georgia will give a new impulse to deepening these bilateral relations," he said.

The two presidents signed a declaration on Polish-Georgian cooperation, in which they urged EU to implement a special program of rapprochement with Georgia.

Polish President Andrzej Duda and his wife arrived in Tbilisi Tuesday on a three-day visit.
WARSAW, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Security issues and challenges facing the EU were among major issues raised at the meeting of foreign ministers of the Visegrad Group, Baltic and Nordic countries in Sopot, northern Poland, on Tuesday.

The meeting, which was hosted by Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski and his Norwegian counterpart Borge Brende, within the V4+NB8 (Visegrad Group plus eight Nordic and Baltic states) formula, included representatives of 12 countries.

"All of our twelve countries want to live in a safe, stable environment and develop constructive, peaceful relations with our neighbor," Waszczykowski said during a press conference following the event.

According to Waszczykowski, the EU should not "be a hostage of Brexit and the migration crisis, and should be reformed," while the role of European institutions, such as the European Commission and the relation between the European Parliament and national parliaments should be redefined.

Brende emphasized that Europe currently faced many challenges, which are sure to increase in the coming years. According to him, the EU should "make sure that EU countries are not affected by wars or conflicts." He added that the V4 Group -- the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary -- and Nordic and Baltic countries had a lot of positive perspectives when it came to strengthening cooperation.

According to the Polish Foreign Ministry, the participants also agreed on the assessment of a number of issues that are important to the region and expressed their readiness to further deepen their cooperation in this area.

Ministers stressed the need for action to bolster security and stability in the region and build a constructive relationship with neighbors.

The V4+NB8 formula was commenced by Poland and Sweden in 2013. The meeting was held in Poland for the second time.
SKOPJE, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Macedonian Prime Minister-designate Zoran Zaev, on Tuesday presented to parliament his new cabinet as well as the governing program.

The new government will focus on the country's integration and Euro-Atlantic structures, Zaev told the parliament.

Zaev, also head of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), assured that the new government would be committed to enabling the country to make progress and providing a better life to citizens.

He also assured that Macedonia will be the country of everyone, thus rejecting the claims made by the opposition party VMRO-DPMNE which has accused Zaev of causing destabilization and favoring ethnic Albanian parties.

Zaev further said that the new government would be set to step up economic reforms as well as speed up the country's bid to join the European Union and NATO.

One of the priorities will be having equal regional development, Zaev noted.

The parliament is expected to approve the new cabinet on Wednesday.

Macedonia hasn't had a new government formed since Dec. 11 elections.
RIGA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- There is good groundwork for Latvia and Azerbaijan to expand cooperation in trade, transport and logistics, Latvian Parliament Speaker Inara Murniece said during the meeting with her Azerbaijan's counterpart Ogtay Asadov, who ended his two-day visit to Latvia on Tuesday.

Azerbaijan is an important partner for Latvia in south Caucasus, and there is an active political dialogue between the two countries, the Latvian parliament speaker said.

She noted that Latvia sees potential for further strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. Murniece and Asadov agreed that efforts should be made to expand bilateral trade, and the upcoming meeting of the Latvia-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Commission in Baku would be important in this respect.

Latvia is a significant element of the European transport and logistics sector, and the Latvian side regards Azerbaijan as an important partner in development of transport connections between Asia and Europe, Murniece said.

She confirmed that Latvia supported strengthening of the EU-Azerbaijan relations. "We welcome launching of the talks about the new EU-Azerbaijan Comprehensive Agreement," the Latvian parliament speaker said.

Asadov said that President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, would visit Latvia in July with a large delegation of business representatives.
PRAGUE, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Prague Municipal Court ruled on Tuesday that suspected Russian hacker Yevgeniy Nikulin, who was detained in a Prague hotel in October 2016, can be sent to both the United States and Russia for trial.

The United States and Russia officially requested the Czech Republic extradite Nikulin the day after he was detained.

Nikulin, 29, immediately filed a complaint against Tuesday's resolution on the admissibility of his extradition to the United States. His case will therefore be dealt with by a high court, and the final decision will be up to the justice minister.

In his ruling, Judge Jaroslav Pytloun said it was his task to determine whether the applications to have Nikulin extradited to stand trial fulfilled the conditions for a positive answer or not. According to Pytloun, both applications were on roughly the same content level and the documents presented by both countries were sufficient. Pytloun said the conduct of which the United States and Russia accuse Nikulin is punishable in the Czech Republic.

The United States seeks Nikulin's extradition for nine actions they believe he committed from 2012 to 2013, including the attack on the LinkedIn social network and the servers of the Dropbox and Formspring companies for which he faces up to 30 years in prison and a one-million-U.S.-dollar fine.

According to the U.S. investigators, Nikulin used the Internet to hack computers of the LinkedIn professional network in March 2012, gaining user passwords with the aim to either sell the stolen data or use it for unauthorized access to further computers and accounts. Russia issued an arrest warrant for Nikulin's online theft of finances amounting to 3,450 U.S. dollars in 2009.

Nikulin has said he prefers being extradited to Russia where he is facing a lesser punishment. But he denies the allegation that he is a hacker, arguing that it is only based on the claims of U.S. Federal Bureau of Intelligence agents.
SKOPJE, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Macedonian and Russian ministries of culture signed Tuesday here an cooperation protocol in the field of cultural exchanges, the Macedonian ministry said in a press release.

The protocol was signed by Macedonian Deputy Culture Minister Dragan Nedeljkovic and Russian Ambassador to Macedonia Oleg Shcherbak who expressed the hope that the protocol would further bolster the cooperation, contributing to present the countries' cultural values to their citizens.

Under this new protocol, the two countries agreed to organize Days of Macedonian culture in Russia in 2018 and Days of Russian culture in Macedonia in 2017, the press release said.

Nedeljkovic and Shcherbak also praised the direct cooperation between cultural institutions in Macedonia and Russia, as they have implemented many cultural projects in the past decade, said the Macedonian Ministry of Culture.
KHARTOUM, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Cases of infection with watery diarrhea in Sudan have increased in White Nile State with 75 death cases, as most of the cases have been monitored, the state's governor said Tuesday.

According to official statistics, the infection cases with watery diarrhea in Sudan's White Nile State reached 4,188, including 75 death cases.

"The number of infection cases with watery diarrhea, since the disease's appearance on April 8 this year, has reached 4,188 cases, including 75 death cases," Abdul-Hameed Musa Kasha, Governor of White Nile State, said when addressing the state's legislative council Tuesday.

Meanwhile, social media activists published photos and information, which said were authentic, on cases of watery diarrhea in some hospitals in the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

The Sudanese health authorities have not yet published any indicators on the spread of the disease, its causes or the number of the people infected.

Khartoum State's Minister of Health Mamoun Humaida, in a telephone conversation with Xinhua, declined to give any information about the disease.

Civil society organizations in Khartoum criticized the silence of the official authorities and their decline to comment on the disease.

Sudan Tribune on Tuesday reported the opposition Sudan Change Now Movement as saying in a statement that "Sudan is witnessing a state of epidemiological spread of cholera in White Nile, Khartoum and North Kordofan States in addition to occasional cases in eastern Sudan."

It said that the spread of this disease at the beginning of the rainy season threatens with a catastrophic condition unless it is rapidly contained.

According to the statement, the victims of cholera are victims of negligence, poor prioritization and mismanagement, in addition to corruption that places corrupt and unqualified officials in health care positions.

Meanwhile, Khartoum State's Health Ministry acknowledged presence of watery diarrhea cases in Khartoum, but refuted that the disease is cholera.

"All the cases admitted to the state's hospitals were watery diarrhea cases. There were 120 cases, where 49 of them have been treated and they are in good conditions. The conditions of the remaining patients are stable. We have registered two death cases during last month," said the ministry in a statement Tuesday.

"We would like to reiterate that epidemic cholera does not exist among these cases, and the ministry has allotted four hospitals to receive the cases with qualified medical staff," it noted.

"We would like to reassure the citizens that these watery diarrhea cases do not represent cholera and the situation is now under control," added the statement.

The watery diarrhea cases started in Sudan's White Nile State in April and then spread to neighboring states including Khartoum.

During August and September 2016, watery diarrhea hit Sudan's Blue Nile and other states, leaving more than 55 dead with 2,619 infection cases.
by Olatunji Saliu

ABUJA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government on Tuesday said the full rehabilitation of the recently rescued 82 Chibok schoolgirls has begun.

On Tuesday, the girls were admitted to a government facility in the nation's capital Abuja where they will receive psychological attention, further medical care and remedial courses to accelerate their reintegration into the society, minister of women affairs and social development, Aisha Alhassan, told reporters while on a tour of the facility.

"We are happy to have our girls fit enough to come back and start the rehabilitation and reintegration program," Al-Hassan said.

The official, on behalf of the Nigerian government, received the girls into their rehabilitation center where 24 other rescued Chibok girls were also housed.

The 82 rescued girls had been in the custody of the Nigerian secret police, where they underwent a medical examination, were reunited with their families and cleared for rehabilitation.

They were rescued on May 6, having spent more than three years in the captivity of terror group Boko Haram. They were among more than 200 schoolgirls abducted in April 2014 by the terror group in Chibok community of the northeastern state of Borno.

Altogether, 106 rescued girls have been admitted to the government's rehabilitation facility.

While in therapy, the girls will be prepared to return to school soon, according to Alhassan.

"This is to show Nigerians that we care for these girls and we regret that they were taken away when they were in school and that they had missed or lost three years of their lives in captivity.

"That is why we are trying to do all that we can. We cannot bring back the three years but we will make sure that they make up for what they have lost," she said.

At the center, the girls will receive ICT training and learn some livelihood skills, including catering and sewing.

Each of the girls will be allowed to learn two vocational skills at the rehabilitation center. They will also learn five higher middle school subjects, including the English Language, Mathematics, and Biology from their teachers.

They will be divided into about five classrooms, where 20 teachers have been hired to teach them the various aforementioned subjects.

Between two to four girls will occupy a room in the hostel provided for them.

Two in-house doctors and nurses will see to the girls' medical needs while in rehab and an ambulance has been stationed at the facility in case of emergency.

"The rehabilitation program for these girls will last from now until September when they would have been okay medically and psychologically, and then, we enroll them back in schools, and from school, they will be going back to their communities. By then they would have overcome the trauma and everything," Alhassan added.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has said although the negotiations to bring back the girls had proved to be a very difficult process, its commitment toward rescue the remaining girls was unwavering.

Garba Shehu, a spokesman of President Muhammadu Buhari, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview that the discussions were taking place away from Nigeria, with the engagement of interlocutors, non-government organizations and even foreign governments.

"As the President had said again, and again, he is prepared to do just anything in other to have the (remaining) Chibok girls back. We hope to achieve that as soon as possible," Shehu said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 03:49:56|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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UNITED NATIONS, May 30 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday condemned "in the strongest terms" the recent terrorist attacks in Baghdad, Iraq.

On early Tuesday, a car bomb struck Baghdad downtown, killing 11 people and injuring 35.

The attack came hours after another suicide car bomb attack, also in downtown Baghdad, which killed 11 people and wounded 75 others. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.

"The Secretary-General expresses his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured," UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told a daily briefing.

"He reiterates that the United Nations will continue to stand by the government and the people of Iraq in their efforts to fight terrorism and hopes the perpetrators of this outrage will be swiftly apprehended and prosecuted," Dujarric said.

The two attacks occurred at a time when the Iraqi security forces backed by the 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.
VIENNA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Austrian parliament on Tuesday approved a further two million euros (2.2 million U.S. dollars) in funding for refugee aid in the Middle East.

Foreign affairs minister Sebastian Kurz stated in a press release that the funding, which will primarily go toward helping Syrian refugees, is the most effective aid for such displaced persons.

In addition, Austria's contribution serves as "an important contribution to curbing migration flows," he said.

The funding is to come from the foreign disaster fund and will go toward aid projects from Austrian NGOs, primarily to help Syrian refugees located in Lebanon and Jordan.

Kurz said Austria's total refugee aid funding in the Middle East since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict, as well as the worsening situation in Iraq, now stands at about 75 million euros, or 84 million dollars.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 04:15:13|Editor: Yamei

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Photo taken on May 10, 2017 shows the Emali station on Kenya's Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

MOMBASA, Kenya, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday launched the standard gauge railway (SGR) cargo train that is expected to ease congestion at the port of Mombasa.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa and the President of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), Chen Fenjian, attended the launch ceremony of the SGR cargo train that preceded launch of the passenger train on Wednesday.

President Kenyatta in his remarks at the unveiling of the SGR cargo train said it ushered in an era of fast, efficient and reliable transport of goods.

"This is a historic moment as we begin our journey of transformation," Kenyatta remarked, adding that his government is banking on the SGR cargo train to hasten industrial growth and cross-border trade.

Besides reducing the cost of ferrying goods from the port of Mombasa to the hinterlands, the SGR cargo train will drastically reduce congestion in the highways and the environmental pollution.

According to Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), it will cost 500 dollars to transport a single container through the SGR cargo train when compared to 900 dollars by road between Mombasa and Nairobi.

Kenyatta said that expansion of Mombasa port and operationalization of the SGR cargo train marked a critical milestone in Kenya's quest to become an industrial and trading hub.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa said that Kenya stood to gain immensely from operationalization of the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR project that will ease movement of people and goods.

"In future, we are confident the SGR will boost Kenya's economic development," said Liu, adding that modern transport infrastructure will enhance competitiveness of Kenya's economy.

For his part, the President of CCCC, Chen Fenjian, said that launch of SGR project reaffirmed strengthening bonds of friendship between Kenya and China.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 05:05:32|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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CIRO REDONDO, Cuba, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Sugar cane has long been Cuba's cash crop, with the country becoming the largest sugar producer in the world and using it to bankroll its economy stretching back to the 19th century.

However, a deep economic crisis after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s caused the Cuban sugar industry to lose its main market, with many mills slowly falling into obsolescence.

Years later, Cuba has a restructured industry adapted to its economic and production possibilities, and the Caribbean nation is seeking new alternatives for the sugar industry to be less reliant on fossil fuels to generate electricity.

The island now plans to produce 24 percent of its electricity by 2030 from renewable and clean energies.

In this sense, the island's sugar mills will begin to play an essential role in helping the country achieve energy independence.

In the coming years, 25 bioelectric plants with Chinese technology will be built throughout the country. These will process biomass from the industry during the sugar harvest and Marabou weed, a plant that proliferates in Cuban fields, for the rest of the year.

"This program consists of generating electricity for the sugar mills and the country with the leftovers of sugar cane or what we call biomass. It is a clean source of energy and part of the national renewable energy program," Francisco Lleo, CEO of ZERUS, a state company in charge of the project, told Xinhua.

A few weeks ago, the first stone was placed on what will become a modern bioelectric plant next to the Ciro Redondo sugar mill, one of the largest in the island located in Ciego de Avila, about 450 km east of Havana.

It will feature state-of-the-art technology from Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd and will be built by the British-Cuban joint venture, Biopower S.A., which will also build four more plants of this kind.

"We attach great importance to the Cuban market. Renewable energy is one of the directions we are committed to and Cuba, with its special geographical and natural environment, offers great opportunity to the development of renewable energy," Qin Yi, executive director of Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd, told Xinhua.

The Chinese firm will be in charge of installing the technological and industrial equipment that will process the sugar cane or Marabou biomass to generate electricity, not only for the plant but also for the Cuban electrical system.

"Electricity generation through biofuels not only protects the environment, but also helps the economic development in Cuba, not to mention the fact that it will provide the town where the factory is with many jobs and the possibility for development," said Qin.

This is an alternative energy which is gaining ground around the world, particularly in countries that produce sugar, soy or corn.

"During the sugar harvest, we will deliver 32 megawatts to the national electrical system. Once it concludes, we will be generating more than 50 megawatts. It is a considerable amount of energy and comparable with the use of the whole province on a daily basis," Carmen Toboada, vice president of Biopower S.A., told Xinhua.

According to the official, the plant will have a positive environmental impact as it will stop using fuel to generate electricity and clear thousands of hectares of Marabou to be planted with sugar cane or other crops.

For the community, this new facility will also bring numerous advantages as it will diversify available jobs, with the area being largely reliant on sugar cane plantations and the Ciro Redondo sugar production mill.

"It will be a source of jobs with good salaries for the community around the plant. There will be about 50 employees in the bioelectric plants and about 10 groups of five farmers dedicated to clearing out Marabou," added Taboada.

The gradual implementation of this type of technology also allows Cuba to boost foreign investment in the sector, not only for the generation of electricity but to increase sugar production.

"One of the objectives of the industry is to guarantee renewable energies for sugar production. That is why we are looking for foreign partners to strengthen this plan in the coming years," Camilo Hernandez, external finance director of the Azcuba business group, told Xinhua.

The entity, which replaced the Ministry of Sugar in 2011, is responsible for the production of sugar and its derivatives on the island, as well as the generation of electricity for the sector.

"We are looking for partners who will participate together with Azcuba for the integral development and modernization of our industry, because we have very old plants that need to be upgraded," explained Hernandez.

The Cuban official said there are 56 investment projects with renewable energies, one for each active mill in the country, and 25 of these include bioelectric plants.

"The objective is to cover 24 percent of the country's energy production by 2030 with renewable energies and 14 percent of it will be produced from sugar biomass," he said.

With the program to build bioelectric plants next to Cuban sugar mills, Havana will save about 960,000 tons of fuel per year and avoid the emission of 3.65 million tons of carbon dioxide per year by 2030, according to official figures.
TALLINN, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Visiting President of the European Parliament (EP) Antonio Tajani said Tuesday that action is needed to find solutions to the fight against terrorism, immigration problems and reducing employment.

At a joint press conference with Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas, Tajani expressed his hope that during Estonia's EU presidency in the second half of this year it would be possible to address those problems that interest all European citizens.

Earlier, Ratas met with Tajani and the heads of political groups of the European Parliament to discuss the priorities of the Estonian Presidency and the cooperation throughout the second half of 2017.

"An overarching objective for the Estonian Presidency is to maintain and strengthen the unity of the European Union," said Ratas.

The PM stated that Estonia's role as the EU Presidency holder is to strike a balance between the different opinions, traditions, and interests within Europe.

"A key test of our unity and determination is how we can implement common objectives," added Ratas.

He presented the four priorities of the Estonian Presidency: an open and innovative European economy, a safe and secure Europe, a digital Europe and the free flow of data, and an inclusive and sustainable Europe.
A mother sits by her child suffering from cholera in a tent converted into a temporary field hospital on April 28, 2017. (AFP photo)

KHARTOUM, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Cases of infection with watery diarrhea in Sudan have increased in White Nile State with 75 death cases, as most of the cases have been monitored, the state's governor said Tuesday.

According to official statistics, the infection cases with watery diarrhea in Sudan's White Nile State reached 4,188, including 75 death cases.

"The number of infection cases with watery diarrhea, since the disease's appearance on April 8 this year, has reached 4,188 cases, including 75 death cases," Abdul-Hameed Musa Kasha, Governor of White Nile State, said when addressing the state's legislative council Tuesday.

Meanwhile, social media activists published photos and information, which said were authentic, on cases of watery diarrhea in some hospitals in the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

The Sudanese health authorities have not yet published any indicators on the spread of the disease, its causes or the number of the people infected.

Khartoum State's Minister of Health Mamoun Humaida, in a telephone conversation with Xinhua, declined to give any information about the disease.

Civil society organizations in Khartoum criticized the silence of the official authorities and their decline to comment on the disease.

Sudan Tribune on Tuesday reported the opposition Sudan Change Now Movement as saying in a statement that "Sudan is witnessing a state of epidemiological spread of cholera in White Nile, Khartoum and North Kordofan States in addition to occasional cases in eastern Sudan."

It said that the spread of this disease at the beginning of the rainy season threatens with a catastrophic condition unless it is rapidly contained.

According to the statement, the victims of cholera are victims of negligence, poor prioritization and mismanagement, in addition to corruption that places corrupt and unqualified officials in health care positions.

Meanwhile, Khartoum State's Health Ministry acknowledged presence of watery diarrhea cases in Khartoum, but refuted that the disease is cholera.

"All the cases admitted to the state's hospitals were watery diarrhea cases. There were 120 cases, where 49 of them have been treated and they are in good conditions. The conditions of the remaining patients are stable. We have registered two death cases during last month," said the ministry in a statement Tuesday.

"We would like to reiterate that epidemic cholera does not exist among these cases, and the ministry has allotted four hospitals to receive the cases with qualified medical staff," it noted.

"We would like to reassure the citizens that these watery diarrhea cases do not represent cholera and the situation is now under control," added the statement.

The watery diarrhea cases started in Sudan's White Nile State in April and then spread to neighboring states including Khartoum.

During August and September 2016, watery diarrhea hit Sudan's Blue Nile and other states, leaving more than 55 dead with 2,619 infection cases.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 05:25:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ROME, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Italy and Canada agree that free trade and green economies are the way to move forward, the countries' leaders said at a joint press conference in Rome on Tuesday.

Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau hailed the friendship and the shared values between the two countries in the statement.

Gentiloni said the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) which was approved by the European Parliament on Feb. 15 this year is "perhaps the most advanced trade treaty the EU has ever signed, with a very advanced degree of liberalization on tariffs and products."

Trudeau, who came with a delegation of business leaders, agreed that CETA will bring benefits to both peoples as leaders and businesses try to "create the opportunities for dignified jobs for the middle classes on both sides of the Atlantic."

CETA "will reduce barriers between our countries, helping our families to buy European products and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to work in our country," said Trudeau.

On climate change, Gentiloni reiterated that Italy remains committed to sustainable development and renewable energy.

"As international leaders, we must do everything we can to make sure our economies are green and clean," Trudeau echoed him.

Canada becomes duty president of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations in 2018.
DUBLIN, May 30 (Xinhua) -- There has been a rapid increase in Irish passport applications from people living in the United Kingdom in the aftermath of the leave result in the UK's EU membership referendum, said Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan on Tuesday.

Between June 2016 and May 29 this year, the number of passport applications has increased by 50 percent from Northern Ireland and 55 percent from mainland Britain, said Flanagan, when answering questions from opposition lawmakers in parliament.

He said there have been 75,145 passport applications from Northern Ireland and 70,000 ones from mainland Britain during the period.

The minister said he was keeping the situation under review, adding that extra staff had been hired to cope with the demand.

The decision of the UK to leave the EU is thought to be a large factor in the increased demand for Irish passports.

Driven by a surge in applications from UK, the number of Irish passports to be issued this year is set to pass the one million mark, according to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 06:01:03|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LOS ANGELES, May. 30, (Xinhua) -- The launching of a missile from California Tuesday afternoon in a test meant to intercept an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) over the Pacific was a success, a U.S. official said.

In this test, U.S. first fired a ballistic missile with a mock warhead from Marshall Island, located near the equator in the Pacific Ocean, and then launched an interceptor from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, 250 kilometers northwest of Los Angeles.

The last time the U.S. launched an intercept test was in June, 2014.

But the U.S. officials downplayed the timing of the successful launch, occurring just days after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) test fired its third intercontinental ballistic missile in a week and the ninth test so far this year.

The test launch was planned last year in preparation for any DPRK intercontinental ballistic missile strike, the officials said.

"It represent the longest intercept test of a target to date in the program," said Vice Adm. James Syring, director of the Missile Defense Agency, at a press conference Monday.

Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis was quoted as saying that U.S. military could improve and learn from each test.

"The system that we test today is a developmental system that's being flown for the first time," he told ABC before the test, "We look forward to understanding the results so we continue to mature the system and stay ahead of the threat."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 06:11:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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RIO DE JANEIRO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Flooding in two states in northeastern Brazil has killed at least seven people with seven missing and over 53,000 people being displaced, official sources announced Tuesday.

The state of Alagoas has seen four deaths and four people missing while Pernambuco has suffered three deaths, with two others missing.

On Tuesday, Pernambuco Governor Paulo Camara travelled to capital Brasilia to brief cabinet ministers and seek federal help for disaster relief.

In his state, at least 2,656 people have seen their homes washed away while another 42,145 have had to flee their homes temporarily, with many being put up in shelters or having sought refuge with friends and family.

Facing a "state of public calamity," a state of emergency has been declared in the city of Caruaru by the regional government.

On Sunday, President Michel Temer flew to the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas to witness affected areas. He promised more resources would be provided for emergency response teams to help aid the local people in the flooding areas.
GENEVA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- A district court in northern Switzerland's Zurich on Monday gave a Swiss man a suspended sentence and a 4,000 CHF (4,000 U.S. dollars) fine in a defamation case which involved him "liking" on Facebook posts, local media reported on Tuesday.

The 45-year-old defendant was found guilty of defamation for his liking posted on Facebook that accused an animal rights activist of racism and anti-Semitism, the Swissinfo reported.

According to the report, the Facebook posts accused Erwin Kessler, the president of the animal protection organisation "Verein gegen Tierfabrikenexternal link" and his association of racism and anti-Semitism.

The defendant, still having the right to appeal the decision to Zurich's cantonal court, had also liked six Facebook posts from other people that contained the inflammatory content, the report said.

The report cited the court as saying that the inflammatory Facebook posts were "unjustifiable".

"According to Judge Catherine Gerwig, such defamatory statements on the social media network violated Kessler's honour. By clicking on a Facebook "Like" button, the defendant was endorsing the defamatory content and making it his own," the report said.

The act of "liking" content on Facebook spreads it more widely across the site and makes it available to a greater number of people, the court was cited as saying.

The court added that the defendant could not prove that the offending statements about Kessler and his organization were true or that he had good reason to believe them to be true.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 06:26:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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By Burak Akinci

ANKARA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan returned from a crucial visit to Brussels last week, spreading a wind of hope on tensions between Turkey and Europe, but caution and skepticism prevail on the future of the contentious ties.

Both parties agreed to disagree on many issues and the talks that President Erdogan held with the heads of European Union institutions produced no new agreements even though they have established a "good atmosphere," according to experts.

Tensions between Turkey and the EU run high over rights and security issues; but the bloc depends on the help of NATO ally Ankara on migration and the conflict in Syria.

After meeting European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels, Erdogan was quoted as saying that he had been presented with a new 12-month timetable for renewing ties.

But senior officials voiced caution and some skepticism, saying no formal deadlines were set. The EU has a list of mid- and-high-level meetings it hopes to hold with Turkey this year, they said, but any improvement in bilateral ties would depend on Erdogan's resolving at least some of many points of contention.

They included the EU's worry that Turkey's anti-terror laws are too broad and used to persecute Erdogan critics, as demonstrated in Ankara's sweeping security crackdown following a coup attempt last year.

Other concerns relate to the treatment of the Kurds, the media and academics, as well as Erdogan moving to assume even more powers following the April referendum.

The pre-referendum campaign that granted Turkey's dominant leader sweeping powers produced new spats with EU members Germany and the Netherlands, whose authorities Erdogan likened to Nazis when they had prevented Turkish politicians from campaigning in their countries.

"The talks were held in a constructive mood and both parties agreed to move on. This in self is a good thing," said to Xinhua a Turkish diplomatic source without giving details on the timetable mentioned by Erdogan which puzzled some experts.

"This is called realpolitik, let us not rejoice ourselves with haste. The full membership issue (For Turkey) is not on the table any more," commented senior EU expert Cengiz Aktar.

"Both parties estimated that they have no other option to work with each other, that's all," reacted Aktar, professor of political science and senior scholar at Istanbul policy center, adding that strategically speaking, Europe and the West in general are adamant about keeping Turkey in NATO and out of the Russian sphere of influence.

Turkey complains about slow progress in its stalled EU accession talks, discussions on visa-free travel for Turks to the EU and disbursement of EU funds to millions of Syrian refugees living in Turkey.

The Turkish government's spokesman Numan Kurtulmus said on Monday that Turkey "wants to leave tensions with the EU behind" but the focus of renewed dialogue with the bloc should be on the axis of opening new accession chapters, blocked for many months because of the opposition of some member countries such as Austria.

Ankara has so far met most of the requirements for visa liberalization, but the EU's demand for change of it's anti terrorism law led to a deadlock of negotiations amid Turkey's continued security operations against Kurdish rebels, the Islamic State (IS) and the Gulen network, accused of organizing the failed coup.

The bloc says Erdogan must first address concerns over human rights and rule of law, and should work with the Council of Europe, a European rights watchdog of which Turkey is a member.

The EU has not made any official statement regarding a specific timetable, nor did Turkish authorities made any comments on this road map, but Bahadir Kaleagasi, president of the Bosphorus Institute, thinks that parties will involve in constructive negotiations to address some important issues in the Customs Union binding them and will make this agreement more compatible of both parties' wishes.

"A page which is not very new and also not very white has been opened in Brussels. But the most important is that the perspective of a full membership for Turkey has been maintained," he indicated.

Kaleagasi pointed out the difficulties arising in the shrinking EU with namely Brexit, arguing that the bloc is proposing some kind of loose integration which is not forcibly a full membership but rather a close partnership for countries interested such as Norway or the Balkan States.

"Turkey is inevitably a gateway for trade and investment towards Asia, and the EU is very aware of this situation that she doesn't want to lose it," added Kaleagasi.

According to the new road map, EU and Turkey will ensure that they fulfill the obligations in the 2016 migrant deal that Erdogan threatened several times to break in the run-up to the referendum.

The Turkish president has also suggested that Turkey could hold a referendum on continuing EU accession talks, and possibly another on reinstating the death penalty which would be the end of Ankara's long-time bid to join the bloc.

For the moment this burning issue seems to be off the table.

European commission chief spokesperson Margaritis Schinas called on Monday for continued cooperation between Turkey and the EU, speaking of a "constructive mood."

"A new area has started," Schinas said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 06:26:13|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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UNITED NATIONS, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The UN envoy to Yemen said on Tuesday that he was troubled with the reluctance of the key parties in Yemen to embrace the concessions needed for peace.

While briefing the Security Council, Ismail Ould Sheikh Ahmed, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy, said "the violence continues on numerous fronts, deepening the suffering of the Yemeni people."

The envoy said that "we are not close to a comprehensive agreement," adding that "the reluctance of the key parties to embrace the concessions needed for peace, or even discuss them, remains extremely troubling."

The envoy said that he made clear to the parties during his recent meetings in Yemen that they must reach a compromise on the situation in the war-torn port city of Al-Hodeidah in order to prevent such a horrific scenario.

He appealed to the parties to stop fighting for power and strive to build a country that respects the rights of all its citizens, a country with a prosperous economy, and strong institutions.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 06:36:17|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ANKARA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Tuesday that Turkey will not open its Incirlik air base to German lawmakers who want to meet German soldiers stationed there unless Germany takes "positive steps."

"It is not possible to open the Incirlik base for visit, but we might reconsider the decision in the future if we see 'positive steps' from Germany," Cavusoglu said at a press conference with his Gabonese counterpart Pacome Moubelet Boubeya, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that her country was likely to withdraw soldiers from Incirlik air base following Turkey denied permissions for German lawmakers' visit last week.

Cavusoglu said he will hold talks with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel in Ankara next week, but he stressed that the visit remains "out of the question."

The talks with Gabriel will focus on strained ties between the two countries, the foreign minister added.

Relations between Turkey and Germany have been strained when German lawmakers cancelled last Wednesday a much expected trip to Ankara to conduct political talks amid bitter differences between the two NATO allies.

A small delegation of German MPs was scheduled to visit Turkish capital for a three-day visit.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel called Ankara's actions a "serious event" that did not help make dialogue any easier.

Germany has stationed six Tornado surveillance jets and a tanker aircraft at Incirlik since 2015, along with around 260 personnel, providing intelligence and logistics support for counter Islamic State (IS) operations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 06:41:21|Editor: Liangyu

Photo taken on May 30, 2017 shows giant panda Wu Wen at the Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen City, the Netherlands. Giant pandas Wu Wen and Xing Ya, both three and half years old, staged an enchanting debut on Tuesday at the Ouwehands Zoo, where they will stay for 15 years. (Xinhua/Gong Bing)

RHENEN, The Netherlands, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The two giant pandas living at Ouwehands Zoo in the Dutch city of Rhenen staged an enchanting debut for hundreds of long-awaited admirers on Tuesday afternoon.

After six weeks in quarantine since their arrival on April 12, Wu Wen, the female giant panda, made tentative steps into her outdoor enclosure. Nonchalant at the gaze of dozens of children, she threw herself at the first bamboo plant she saw and started to gormandize.

"What an appetite! Will she eat up all the bamboos planted in the enclosure in one week?" one child asked.

"No worry. She has plenty of bamboos stocked in her room. This is only for amusement," answered his pal.

Xing Ya, the male, strided out of his court like an emperor inspecting his new territory. He patrolled the grassland, tested a shallow rig, pawed the wooden wall and tried to climb up a trunk which defied his heavy body.

Abandoning the disobeying tree, he enthroned himself on a rock to enjoy early summer sunshine. With a lofty disdain, he solemnly greeted a full circle of cameras and mobile phones marvelling at him.

"Both are in perfect health and adapt well to their new home," said Zhang Hongwen, chief economist of China's State Forestry Administration.

Wu Wen and Xing Ya, both three-and-a-half-year-old, will stay at Ouwenhands for 15 years. Native to south central China, they belong to a conservation reliant vulnerable species which count only 1,864 individuals.

"I am glad to see that Wu Wen and Xing Ya are so popular in the Netherlands. Living at this wonderful residence in Chinese palace style, they are really treated as emperor and empress," said Zhang.

"Their stay will surely boost Sino-Dutch cooperation relating to the protection of forestry and bio-diversity," he added.

For Martijn van Dam, Dutch State Secretary for Economic Affairs, "the Netherlands has already enclosed Wu Wen and Xing Ya in its heart".

"Through an intensive program, China has succeeded to stop the decline of the number of pandas. China also makes efforts to maintain the natural habitat of the giant pandas. We would also like to contribute to that," he said.

"From today on, Dutch children will get to know Wu Wen and Xing Ya....They can get inspired by all the beautiful and powerful things nature has to offer. Hopefully, new nature protectors will arise here at this place."

The Dutch official hailed 45 years of good cooperation between his country and China.

"Wu Wen and Xing Ya underline these good developments. Let this be a sign of hope that with joint forces we can protect our nature worldwide, and let this be the beginning of a wave of inspiration for the new generation."

Jan Peter Balkenende, Former Dutch Prime Minister who played a role in the panda cooperation project, told the audience that "if pandas are lent to a country, it is an expression of friendship and connection."

He stressed on "panda-potentials", which will invite old and young people to reflect on the nature, to increase knowledge and to achieve business success.

Marcel Boekhoorn, owner of Ouwehands Zoo, beamed with happiness.

Following a 16-year period of consultations and preparations, the two pandas were symbolically gifted to the Netherlands by China during the state visit of Dutch Royal Couple in October 2015.

"In China where during many trips we learned from our Chinese friends how giant pandas live and how we can protect these endangered animals. Now is the moment to share this dream with the whole of the Netherlands," Boekhoorn told guests invited to the official opening of Pandasia, the special complex "built with lots of love and attention" for Wu Wen and Xing Ya.

"A residence for giant pandas has to be giant. Not only because they are enormous animals that like to have enough space inside and outside, but mostly because they are solitary animals. They like to be by themselves. Pandasia therefore has a separate inside and outside area for the male as well as for the female," he explained.

During the precious three days of mating time every year, Wu Wen and Xing Ya will be invited to "get together" if they like each other, said the zoo owner.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-05-31 06:46:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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SAO PAULO, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Inter-American Development Bank (BID) President Luis Alberto Moreno on Tuesday spoke highly of Brazil's current economic reforms, saying even the richest countries in the world dare not to tackle such challenges.

"Brazil is carrying out a series of reforms to modernize the country, reforms that not even the richest countries dare to tackle" despite the crisis in the country, said Moreno at the 2017 Brazil Investment Forum held in the city of Sao Paulo.

"It is a turning point not just for Brazil, but for all Latin America," added Moreno, referring to labor and pension reforms promoted by the government of President Michel Temer.

In his speech, Moreno also addressed the political crisis in Brazil, saying he was confident Brazil will overcome the corruption scandals that have reached high-level officials in the country.

"Brazil will come through this crisis, and Brazilians will once again regain confidence in the country and its institutions. Despite two years of recession, Brazil is still the world's sixth-largest economy," Moreno added.

Jointly organized by Brazil's government and the BID, FIB 2017 brought together business leaders from 42 countries and 22 different economic sectors.
Banks contribute to economic growth

At the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Banks Chaguanas branch last Wednesday, the minister said, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank has been operating and serving TT for 12 years and its expansion is noteworthy, as it underscores the viability of Trinidad and Tobagos financial sector in the face of economic challenges. She noted that, In the local context, banks continue their role in contributing to our overall economic growth. Together with insurance and real estate, financial services form the largest part of the services sector and the second largest contributor to GDP, approximately 17 per cent or $16 billion.

Gopee-Scoon said that not only has the banking sector been a major contributor to GDP, but its growth has outpaced the countrys economic expansion. So as GDP contracted by 1.2 per cent in 2015, the financial sector grew by 1.9 per cent. These figures are a testament to the robustness of the local banking sector which can be attributed to progressive management systems and overall competitive business strategies. Minister Gopee-Scoon urged the large commercial banks not to overlook the returns by individual Micro and Small and Medium sized enterprises (MSMEs). She said a small loan to a small firm provides jobs for a small number of people; however, the multiplier effect is not to be underestimated.

Speaking on the main reforms being led by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the minister indicated that the likely implementation of a Secured Transaction and Collateral Registry System, will allow businesses to use their moveable property (intellectual property, accounts receivables, machinery and equipment) as collateral.

Gary Brown, Chief Executive Officer of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, stated that the new branch was a significant achievement for the company as it strives to remain relevant and responsive to the banking needs of the country. This banking Center is an example of how we are investing in our business and how we will continue to invest in Trinidads economy and the Caribbean Region, he said. The ceremony included a tour of the new state of the art facility.
Slight decline in ANSA profits

The groups operating profit before tax was $1,107 million with $6.001 billion in total revenues. This was down from 2015s profit before tax of $1,163 million and total revenues of $6.215 million.

Sabga noted that this was the fourth year that the groups profits crossed the billion dollar mark and that these positive results were achieved despite challenges, such as a fire at Carib Glassworks Limited that cost the group $38 million. Responding to a question fielded by a shareholder, the groups chair said it was the companys ambition to become a net earner of foreign exchange.

Sabga told gathered shareholders that it was the groups intention to make acquisitions in the near future that were pan Caribbean as well as forex earners. He indicated however that the country was losing its ability to compete in terms of labour price escalations and declining productivity.
Hit placed on ex-wife, lover

Basdeo Bas Ramlochan and Siewkumar Chankerpersad went on trial for the murders of Ramlochans wife Sunita, 29, and her lover Rahim Abraham, 46, who were shot dead on October 15, 2006.

Sunita and Abraham had returned to their Kuldip Trace, Fyzabad home at about 11 pm, after attending a function at the Divali Nagar. About five minutes after they arrived home, the jury heard, they were shot dead. In presenting the States case to Justice Malcolm Holdip yesterday, prosecutor Stacy Lallo- Chong said Sunita was Ramlochans wife who left the matrimonial home to live with Abraham.

Lallo-Chong said the prosecution will call witnesses to testify that Sunitas body was found on a bed and Abraham was on the ground with his back against the bedroom wall. She said police will testify that on December 18, 2006, Chankerpersad confessed that he was involved in hiring people, at Ramlochans behest, to kill the couple.

The prosecutor told Justice Holdip and the jury that Homicide detectives also spoke to Ramlochan, who confessed that he tried to get people to murder his wife and her lover.

She said the prosecution would also call people who would tell the court about conversations they had with Ramlochan on the plot to murder Sunita.

Lallo-Chong said that about five months before the murders, Sunita left Ramlochan and went to live with Abraham in the ground floor of her fathers house. Sunitas father Thackoopersad Ramsamooj, the court heard, told police that about five minutes after Abraham, Sunita and her daughter arrived home from the Divali Nagar, he heard Sunita bawl out, Bas, whey yuh doing here? Ramsamooj went downstairs and saw two people, but could not see their faces. He went into the bedroom and saw his daughter lying on the bed and Abraham sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall. The State called Ag Cpl Nigel Carmody, who testified that he and other officers responded to a report of a shooting at St Johns Trace.

He said Ramsamooj took them to a bedroom on the ground floor of the house where they saw Abraham, clad in jockey shorts, sitting on the floor with gunshot wounds to his face and neck. Sunita was lying on the bed. The State also called Victor Joefield, a retired police photographer, through whom a set of photographs were tendered and shown to the jury. Attorneys Bindra Dolsingh and Rekha Ramjit are representing Chankerpersad and Ramlochan respectively. The trial continues tomorrow.
No bail on arms, ammo charges

Nicholas Williams was refused bail by Magistrate Brambhanan Dubay who read charge that last week Thursday, Williams had in his possession a Glock pistol, a Taurus pistol, an AK-47 assault rifle, a Beretta pistol and another firearm manufactured in Belgium. In addition, he was also charged with possession of 144 rounds of ammunition.

The charges were laid by PC Barry Bacchus of San Fernando CID.

Attorney Subhas Panday who represented Williams, asked for bail to be granted but Magistrate Dubay refused on the ground that five years ago, Williams had a case for firearms possession.

The magistrate advised Williams of his right to apply to a judge in chambers for bail.
Search for missing man

Divers from the Coast Guard with assistance from officers of the Air Guard continued the search yesterday for the Marabella father of one, who is said to have got into difficulties and disappeared under the water while swimming on Sunday. A report said that at 6 am, Mahabir, Laura Sahatoo of Palmiste and Nicholas Mendez of Claxton Bay all went for a swim and got into trouble.

Sahatoo and Mendez made it safely back to shore, but Mahabir could not be accounted for. Contacted yesterday, Mayaro police told Newsday the body had not yet resurfaced.
Pathologists: Victims face barely recognisable

While relatives of the slain 33-year-old man refused to speak to the media, pathologists told Newsday that Fortune was shot at least 30 times with a high-velocity rifle. They said the damage from the high-velocity rounds crushed Fortunes skull as they ripped through his body from the right side. He was shot in the head, face and chest.

Earlier reports said at about 11.45 pm on Saturday, Fortune was in a white Nissan Almera on Third Avenue, Barataria, waiting for a male relative to return from a nearby bar with drinks, when gunmen approached and shot him.

Newsday understands Fortune was acquitted about a month ago of a murder in Malabar in 2008.

Pathologists also said Joey Basdeo, who was killed in an unrelated incident on Ruben Lane, Enterprise, Chaguanas, was shot five times. Frightened relatives refused to speak to the media, fearing they would be targeted by the gunman who claimed Basdeos life.

Basdeo, from Enterprise Street, Enterprise, Chaguanas, was driving with his four-yearold daughter and his wife when, just before 3 pm, a man on a bicycle rode up to the passenger side of the car, drew a gun and shot Basdeo.

Basdeos wife escaped harm, but his daughter was grazed with a bullet. They all went to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, where Basdeo died of his wounds. His daughter was released from hospital after treatment.

Police are still trying to find a motive for Basdeos murder.

Relatives of Ricardo Francis, who was shot dead in yet another unrelated incident, called for justice.

Francis was killed on Saturday just before midday, at his businessplace, Chans Mini Mart on Crown Street, Tacarigua.

According to reports, gunmen stormed the store and announced a robbery, and moments later a single gunshot rang out. Francis was taken to the Arima Health Facility, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

An autopsy showed Francis died from a single gunshot wound that entered his mouth, travelled through his neck and perforated his lungs.

Relatives described Francis as a hard-working man who did everything he could for his two children.

Investigations into these three cases are ongoing.
Cunupia trio held for stolen cars

The three men, a 32-year-old from Jermingham Junction, Cunupia, and two men, a 26-year-old and a 24-year-old both from Ragoonanan Road, Cunupia were held on Sunday during an exercise in the Cunupia area.

Police received information which led them to Ragoonanan Road, Cunupia.

Police carried out an exercise in the area, which led to the recovery of three vehicles and two engines in a forested area, 200 metres of the road.

Two of the vehicles recovered were reported stolen from the car park of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, on May 17, while the other was reported stolen from Oropune on May 22.
CAUGHT WITH PANTS DOWN

The man, whose botched disguise failed and who was later arrested by Las Lomas police, entered K&A Grocery and Lotto Booth in Las Lomas at about 1 pm on Sunday. He picked up several items and asked store owner Jaiprakash Sarran, 50, to point him in the direction of other items before brandishing his gun and announcing a holdup.

The story was related to Newsday by Sarrans wife Vidya, also 50, who was in their home located above the grocery. At the time she was with their three daughters while a tenant was in an apartment also on the top floor. The first man wore no mask, said Vidya, but was joined by a second who was masked and brandishing a gun. The two assaulted Sarran, kicking him repeatedly in the chest, back and face. They also tied up two customers.

The men then robbed the grocery of several items and 4,000 in cash before driving off in a white Nissan Tiida. Fortunately, Sarran saw the licence plate number and quickly alerted the police. About ten minutes later, Las Lomas police told Sarran the getaway car had been found crashed into a drain outside a house in El Carmen Village.

Two of the three men escaped into nearby bushes. Sarran and two of his daughters drove to the crash site, where police were interviewing neighbours. The robbery victims noticed a man clad only in boxer shorts raking leaves in a yard. On seeing the mans face, Sarran shouted at the police saying the half naked man raking leaves was the bandit who had just held him up.

The suspect was arrested and taken to the Caroni Police Station clad still only in his boxer shorts. Vidya said she and her daughters have had trouble sleeping since Sundays incident.

It is the fourth time we have been robbed at gunpoint in the last six years. I dont know what to do again, she said. Police are still searching for the other bandits.

None of the stolen items and cash were recovered.
Life Fund corruption probe completed

Queens Counsel Edward Jenkins, who is also a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Bar, arrived in the country two Mondays ago and was given a mandate to complete his recommendations to Snr Supt Dookhie by the end of this week. The probe was ordered after the Fraud Squad received reports of alleged misappropriation of money from the Life Fund last year.

Dookhie and a team of officers were assigned to investigate.

Sources said yesterday that the police probe has been concluded, so Jenkins was retained to review the findings and make recommendations to the DPP. Contacted yesterday, Dookhie referred Newsday to the acting CoP.

Newsday understands that several key people associated with the Life Fund were interviewed by the Fraud Squad. Some were co-operative and others opted not to make themselves available.

At least two people aligned to the fund may reportedly face fraud charges.

On July 7, 2015, interim chairman of the Childrens Life Fund Authority (CLFA) Dr Colin Furlonge said the tenure of former CEO of the authority Genevieve Madoo, was not extended because the board had lost confidence in the way she operated.

Madoo was dismissed in April 2015.

She then claimed to have discovered theft and misappropriation during her tenure. On July 7, 2015, she was summoned by the Fraud Squad to give an official statement, according to Furlonge.

Newsday understands that the Fraud Squad probe focused on 13 alleged discrepancies between September 2013 and April 2014.

The former chairman of the fund was a signatory in four of the 13 cases under probe by the police. In 2014, it was determined that $27 million had been deposited in the Life Fund and $30 million was expected in 2015. The fund, the brainchild of former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar,was set up in 2010 to assist ill children.

Persad-Bissessar gave instructions that all her MPs and others in government should contribute a percentage of their salaries to the fund. A number of children benefited under the Peoples Partnership government, but the current administration opted to discontinue the fund when it took office in 2015.
Retrenchment packages GISL to close on September 30

None of the employees will be absorbed into state-owned CNMG (Caribbean New Media Group) but they will receive retrenchment packages prior to the shutting down of operations.

Those affected include camera personnel, editors and others. Employees were also told that a decision was made to inform them before the news could be leaked. Some shocked employees later said while they have been hearing for some time through the grapevine that GISL was to be shut down they thought all workers would have been absorbed into CNMG.

But Newsday understands that CNMG itself is not on firm footing as it has been operating at a loss and job cuts are coming before years end.

A feasibility report on CNMG and GISL was commissioned last year and it was reviewed by Cabinet.

The report recommended closure of GISL and job cuts at CNMG. Some of the affected workers said yesterday they are unsure about their future especially where other media companies are also retrenching its workers.
Bring national Panchyat

In his Indian Arrival Day message Carmona said the Panchayat system is a hallmark of Indentureship and is one the earliest manifestations of Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). He says it represents a cultural solution to resolving conflict in communities.

He said the Panchayat was a forerunner that actualised a restorative justice that can ameliorate individuals or a community enveloped in conflict and burdened by discord.

Carmona said through the vagaries of Indentureship the country is now able to embrace the positives of East Indian culture.

He said some of the very solutions that the country seeks can be sourced from traditional philosophies and practices.

Philosophies of food sustainability and food security are increasingly pertinent in this time of economic uncertainty and financial downturn.

That philosophy of self-sustainability and that buzz expression, food security may well have emanated from the planting culture of the East Indians, involved in sugar, rice and cocoa production.

The concept of food sustainability, intrinsic to the culture of the indentured, foreshadowed that new vaunted philosophy of food security. He said food sustainability and food security dictate that citizens in some form or fashion engage in a planting philosophy in their homes, schools, offices and communities.

This practice and this philosophy were embedded in our East Indian brothers and sisters from arrival and there was and there is a well-grounded recognition that it did and can lead to sustainable wealth, individually and collectively.

This much needed connectivity to the land is even more relevant and timely today in this recessionary period.
Petrotrin talks with PDVSA on oil spill

The discussions were initiated by the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries and PDVSA and followed a visit to Venezuela by a Petrotrin team on May 24.

We note that this incident has attracted a high level of public interest and concern and wish to advise that we are also keeping abreast of all reports and developments attributed to the April 23 incident, Petrotrin said in a media release yesterday. At this time, technical discussions are continuing with the key parties as a precursor to any conclusions and consequential action to be taken. Meanwhile, oil has reportedly reached the Dutch island of Bonaire.

Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) member Gary Aboud, on his Facebook page, posted several photos of volunteers engaged in clean-up activities there. He wrote that oil clumps/tar had washed ashore on the coastal areas of Sorobon and the Willemstoren, east of Bonaire.

The Government of Bonaire have begun aerial monitoring to determine the location of the oil drifting in the sea. Curacao and Aruba and representatives of the Dutch ministry for Infrastructure & Environment (Infrastructure & Milieu or I&M) have made a collaborated effort in dealing with this environmental disaster and are expecting more oil clumps to wash ashore, Aboud said.

The salt in the sea water has turned most of the oil into tar, so that it cannot easily be detected by air. It will be difficult to determine if more oil is indeed on its way to Bonaire. He also asked: Based on Tank 70 capacity of 150,000 barrels and Minister (Franklin) Khans statement in Parliament that Tank 70 had 12,853 barrels after the leakage was contained, FFOS have estimated as much as 137,147 barrels may have escaped.

Can 300 barrels really spread to one mile long by five miles wide in the Gulf of Paria, and affect Trinidads west coasts, Guiria in Venezuela, Margarita, Los Roques Islands and now Bonaire?
Kamla: Be inspired by ancestors

They braved the Kala Paani to travel thousands of miles from their homeland to our shores, many of them bringing their hopes, their dreams and their belief in a better future for themselves and their families. On the occasion of Indian Arrival Day 2017, we recognize the coming of the first Indian immigrants to Trinidad and Tobago 172 years ago, to start their new lives as indentured labourers. As we mark Indian Arrival Day, it should also be noted that this year, 2017, also marks the 100th anniversary of the abolition of Indian indentured immigration.

Theirs is a story of courage, fortitude, and resilience. She said the immigrants determination and faith had laid foundations upon which we have all built our lives. Just over 147,000 came to Trinidad and only about a quarter of them ever saw their homeland again. Thousands died on the plantations struggling to complete their contracts.

They toiled in the fields and lived in harsh conditions, but through it all maintained their focus on their goal of building a better life for their children and grandchildren. My own greatgreat- grandmother served as an indentured labourer, and I vividly recall the stories that were passed down through generations of the struggles and the hardships they endured. Persad-Bissessar said that period must be remembered as we strive for a world which promotes freedom and the dignity of the person. We must never forget the sacrifices they made, and we should make every effort to continue to demonstrate our appreciation for their contributions to our nation. She remembered the countrys First Peoples plus the impact of immigrants from various areas migrating to TT  Africa, Asia, China, Europe and elsewhere to create todays multicultural and multi-ethnic society. While we may have our own challenges, we have found and pride ourselves on unity in our diversity. Indian Arrival Day allows all citizens a chance to reflect on the journey and history of their own forefathers and their impact on building our nation.
PM: A time to reflect

It is also reflected in how we interact with each other and in our social, political and economic expectations.

Today we acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of our East Indian brothers and sisters to our countrys on-going development and success, he said.

He said this year marks the centennial of the abolition of Indian indentureship as it was in 1917 that the transportation of Indians out of India for labour in another country was ceased. The Prime Minister said in March this year, he was honoured to be invited to the Indian Diaspora World Convention 2017, which was held in Trinidad and Tobago under the auspices of the Indian Diaspora Council.

I believed that it was important for me, as the leader of a country which has been impacted by Indian indentureship, to attend a Convention which brought together diasporic scholars, researchers and community advocates and activists from various regions and countries, for open dialogue on the Indian Diasporic experience, he said.

He said today the nation acknowledges and celebrates the achievements and contributions of our East Indian brothers and sisters to the countrys on-going development and success.

Let us continue to take the best from our convergence of experiences and use it to ensure that our Nation enjoys peace, fellowship and prosperity, the Prime Minister said.
"Omotenashi" is a Japanese term signifying the traditionally correct way to treat a guest, and it's the guiding principle for much of the country's hospitality industry.

That sector has seen increased interest in recent years among domestic and international investors, according to a 2016 report by real estate firm CBRE, and new hotel developments are accelerating against the growing number of inbound tourists.

For one hospitality provider, Hoshino Resorts, the traditional Omotenashi ethic is still an important part of the experience. The company - a family business that has been around for more than 100 years and runs a total of 35 resorts in Japan - operates brands Hoshinoya, Kai and Risonaire, and it stands out for requiring all employees to be versed in each facet of hospitality.

That is, Hoshino Resorts employees aren't specialized in one role - reception, housekeeping or kitchen duty, for example - and they are instead trained to perform across all duties. That practice allows the staff to deliver "the ultimate experience" for guests, according to Yoshiharu Hoshino, CEO of Hoshino Resorts.

Hoshino told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Monday that the driving demand for luxury resorts in Japan is the curiosity of the Japanese culture and nature. In fact, CBRE's 2016 report on the Japanese hotel market said foreign tourists in Japan tend to visit gateway cities that are well-known overseas.

In 2015, Tokyo topped all other regions with the highest number of foreign visitor nights, followed by Osaka.

Japan is also opening its doors wide to foreign travelers, with the goal of welcoming 40 million international tourists annually by 2020 when Tokyo hosts the Olympics and Paralympics. In efforts to support its goal, the Japanese cabinet had recently cleared the way for full legalization of Airbnb-style short-term accommodations in Japan.
A collaboration between U.S. company Google Inc. and university students in Kyoto has created a website to introduce Japan's craftworks to the world.

The website -- g.co/madeinjapan -- currently features about 140 traditional craftwork items from the nation's 47 prefectures in Japanese and English. The list includes Nishijin brocade from Kyoto Prefecture and Arita porcelain ware from Saga Prefecture.

Using photographs, text and movies showing the processes involved in craftworks, the Google-run website features various Japanese artworks in an unprecedented endeavour.

"We worked hard to create the website using smart, stylish images and atmospheres just like those in fashion magazines," said a student who edited material and created designs for the site. "We hope visitors to the site will appreciate how wonderful Japanese craftworks are."

According to Google Japan G.K., this is a part of "Google Arts & Culture," a global-scale project to compile various forms of arts and documents into an online database. The ongoing project has focused on Japan's handiwork.

The company hoped to create a site that would attract young Japanese and foreigners who are not familiar with craftworks.
Japan Tobacco Inc plans to spend $500 million to quadruple its smokeless tobacco production capacity by the end of 2018, as it races against bigger rival Philip Morris for a larger share of the Japanese vaping products market.

Global tobacco firms see Japan as a fertile test ground for vaping products since e-cigarettes using nicotine-laced liquid are not allowed under the country's pharmaceutical regulation. While the Marlboro maker's heat-not-burn "IQOS" tobacco device is already enjoying strong demand in Japan, Japan Tobacco's launch of its "Ploom Tech" product has run into delays.

"It's embarrassing for a tobacco company top to say this, but I did not expect this," said Japan Tobacco CEO Mitsuomi Koizumi, referring to the popularity of IQOS, which had about a 10 percent market share in April, from 7.6 percent in January.

Japan Tobacco is looking for mergers and acquisitions (M&As)in emerging markets, such as Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America, as well as opportunities to invest in startups that have patents and technology for alternative tobacco products, the CEO of the world's No.3 tobacco company said.

With more people shifting to smokeless products such as IQOS due to health concerns, Japan Tobacco's domestic cigarette sales volume is likely to fall 9.6 percent this year.
McDonald's Japan and Rakuten Inc on Monday announced that the two companies have formed a partnership around the Rakuten Point Card service to improve customer convenience by enabling Rakuten Point Card cardholders to use their card at approximately 2,900 McDonald's restaurants across Japan from June 1.

Collaboration between McDonald's Japan and Rakuten began in December 2008 with the introduction of Rakuten's e-money service, Rakuten Edy, at all McDonald's restaurants nationwide, giving customers the opportunity to enjoy a wider variety of payments methods beyond cash and allowing the restaurants to provide a quicker and smoother service. Through the new partnership, customers who present their Rakuten Point Card or their Rakuten Point Card app when paying at McDonald's restaurants in Japan can earn one Rakuten Super Point for every 100 yen (tax included) spent. Rakuten Super Points can be used in the various Rakuten Group services as well as for payment at McDonald's restaurants in Japan and other partner stores.
A 23-year-old Chiba University medical student was sentenced to four years in prison Monday for his role in the gang rape of a woman during and after a party in September last year.

The Chiba District Court ruled Masaya Yoshimoto, the last of four defendants from the university to be tried in connection with the incident in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo, "bears the heaviest criminal responsibility among those involved."

Presiding Judge Hideo Nirei said Yoshimoto sexually assaulted the victim, who had become incapacitated after drinking heavily, and incited another medical student to also commit rape, adding, "The victim seeks severe punishment after sustaining great psychological pain."

Prosecutors had sought 6 years for the fifth-year student at the university's school of medicine, while the defense team had asked for a suspended sentence, saying his acts did not involve the use of force.

A 24-year former medical student and a 31-year-old former doctor-in-training at the university have already been given suspended sentences over the case.

Another former fifth-year medical student, Kensuke Yamada, 23, has appealed after being sentenced to an unsuspended three-year term in April for gang rape.

The trials of the four have revealed their heavy drinking at the party held at a restaurant in Chiba on Sept. 20 evening.

Roughly a dozen people at the party began binge drinking together and the victim was repeatedly asked to compete in drinking contests to empty glasses of wine, according to court hearings.

The four were notorious for their drinking at parties, the court heard, and deliberately wore clothes they didn't mind staining if they threw up.

Yoshimoto and Yamada took the incapacitated woman to a women's bathroom at the restaurant and raped her, while the former doctor-in-training molested her and the 24-year-old former student raped her at his home after the party, according to the trials.

May 30 (ANNnewsCH) - eaaasaaYcaaaeaaaeacaaYaaaaaaaeaaaae5aaaaaaYeaSi23iaaaaaaYaaaaaaYacaeeaSi23iaaZa9aaeaaeeYaa20aaaaeaaasaaYcaaaaaaaaa
Osaka Prefectural Police have arrested a 66-year-old man in an assault in Sumiyoshi Ward last week that left the victim unconscious, reports Mainichi Broadcasting System.

At around 7:00 p.m. on May 26, Hirofumi Take is alleged to have repeatedly stomped on and punched the head of Teruo Shibata, 77, on a road near the apartment building where both the suspect and victim live.

Take was acquainted with Shibata, who lost consciousness and suffered serious injuries in the incident. As of Monday, he had yet to regain consciousness.

Take, who has been charged with attempted the murder, denies the charges, telling police he did not intend to kill Shibata. "Shibata had been saying things about me for a while," the suspect was quoted. "I stood up to him and took him down."

Police subsequently sought the whereabouts of a suspect. Two days later, Take turned himself over to police.

May 30 (ANNnewsCH) - aaaaYaaeesaaaaa aaYaaaYaaaaaa
Summer temperatures have pushed up demand for icy treats in Osaka.

A fruit shop that serves bowls of shaved ice flavored with homemade syrup says sales are up this month, with more than 200 bowls sold on some days.

On Tuesday, the mercury hit 29.9 degrees Celsius, the hottest this year for the city in western Japan.

A 30-year-old man on a business trip from Sapporo said he was really enjoying his first bowl of shaved ice this year.
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As we approach the inevitable launch of 5G wireless connections and the real next generation communications alternative, we have to remember that without the proper infrastructure, this connectivity is going nowhere fast. To that end, Nokia and NTT (News - Alert) DOCOMO got together to develop 4.5GHz communications, the start of a complete 5G infrastructure, in Japan.





With the rise of 5G and the newest next generation communications system in play, getting the needed background material in place will be vital in the surprisingly short term. Nokia (News - Alert) and NTT DOCOMO will be starting out with interoperability testing using several different vendors' technologies.

That's just the start of things, though, as the next generation communications advance continues on as Nokia will be conducting 5G tests backed up by NTT DOCOMO throughout the rest of this year, focusing its attention mainly on busy tourist and high-traffic areas like shopping and business locations. There will even be a set of events planned by NTT DOCOMO to help drive connectivity testing.

Said testing will largely be accomplished by a combination of the Intel (News - Alert) 5G Mobile Trial Platform and several Nokia technologies including 5G FIRST and the Nokia AirScale base station. The systems will draw on the 4.5GHz band, which Japan is putting up as one of the candidate bands for offering 5G service in the region. An upcoming trade show will also serve as demonstration ground for the technology, with Nokia showing off low-latency 4K video streaming along with other applications for 5G connectivity.

Nokia Japan's Jae Won commented This trial is an important milestone for the development of 5G in Japan, which will be one of the first countries in the world to adopt the technology. Furthermore, the initiative is an important step forward in our collaboration with NTT DOCOMO, as well as other key technology partners, as we develop a technology that will meet the ever-growing demands of huge numbers of people living in megacities.

Testing cannot begin too soon here; if commercial rollouts are indeed to take place in 2020with some projecting for a 2019 launch instead, though these projections are a bit dubiousthen the infrastructure for this next generation communications technology must be laid as soon as possible. Without that infrastructure, the commercial rollouts will be all but impossible. Since there's almost certainly going to be some technological speed bumps along the waymost any new technology comes with thesethe end result must be early-stage testing with an eye toward catching problems early.

Thankfully, that's just what Nokia and NTT DOCOMO seem to be doing here. With these early tests, problems will likely be caught, and the whole system will function better as a result.
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Human Rights Watch, EuroMed Rights, Amnesty International, and Front Line Defenders have condemned in the strongest terms Algerias discrimination against the Amazigh (Berber) minority and called for dropping all charges against Kamaleddine Fekhar, a leading human rights activist and his 40 co-defendants.

The international rights NGOs recalled, in a statement published on Human Rights Watch website, that Fekhar and his co-accused have been detained since 2015, stressing that all the detainees are entitled to a trial within a reasonable time.

The authorities should immediately release them from pre-trial detention unless there is individual justification in each case of the necessity for their continued detention after nearly two years, said the NGOs.

They called on Algerian authorities to provide solid evidence of the defendants face charges that could result in the death penalty.

If Algerian authorities are to try those suspected of instigating and participating in deadly violence in Ghardaia Province, it should be on the basis of solid, individualized evidence, said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

For her part, in defense of Kamaleddine Fekhar, Michel Tubiana, president of EuroMed Rights said that no one should be prosecuted for his peaceful advocacy for rights of minorities, including for regional autonomy and independence, in compliance with international obligations of Algeria.

Kamal Eddine Fekhar staged a hunger strike in protest over the unfair trial he received from a local court in Medea, Algeria, which handed him a 5-year prison sentence for writing articles slamming the Algerian regimes atrocities in Ghardaia, critical Algerian media said.

Kamal Eddine Fekhar, a doctor by profession, has been in prison for almost two years pending trial on charges of undermining state security and national unity. His lawyer claims that his client has suffered torture in prison.

He headed the section of the Algerian League for Human Rights in the city of Ghardaia from 2004 to 2014. In late 2013, he founded the Movement for the Autonomy of the Mzab, a northern Sahara region, and has condemned the government for what he called a policy of apartheid and discrimination against the Mozabites, an Amazigh ethnic minority in the region. Most of the co-accused are also pro-Amazigh activists who favor autonomy for the Mzab.

Ghardaia is situated in the Mzab valley, a UNESCO world heritage site on the edge of the Sahara that has seen mounting tensions between the Amazigh Mozabite community and Arab tribes.

There have been sporadic confrontations between the two communities since December 2013 over property and land ownership after a local Mozabite shrine was vandalized.

Tensions between the Mozabite and Arab communities flare up periodically with at least 22 reported dead in violence that erupted in July 2015.

Besides linguistic and cultural differences, the Mozabites are Ibadit Muslims while their Arab neighbors follow Maliki Islam.
Egyptian and Russian Foreign affairs ministers on Monday discussed bilateral and regional issues in Cairo including the resumption of flights between Russia and the North African nation.

Moscow suspended passenger flights to Egypt, in the wake of the crash of a Russian jet in Egypt in November 2015.

A group affiliated with Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the crash of the Airbus A321 operated by a Russian carrier that was bringing holidaymakers home from a resort on Egypts Sinai Peninsula.

According to Russian state news agency Sputnik, both ministers were keen for the return of Russian tourists to Egypt and discussed ways to revive trade between the two countries.

Egypt incurred monthly losses of 3.2 billion Egyptian pounds ($170 million) directly and indirectly after the downing of the Russian plane, data released by the Ministry of Tourism showed.

Following the deadly incident, a number of foreign countries, including Russia, the UK and Germany, imposed travel bans on flights to the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.

The North African nation has set up a new fund worth 5 billion Egyptian pounds ($267 million) to upgrade hotels, tourist resorts and Nile floating boats across the country as part of efforts to revive its ailing tourism industry.
Morocco has comparative advantage in terms of sharing experience and expertise in Africa, notably in renewable energies, an area of excellence in the North African Kingdom, said the Financial Times.

In an article by Siona Jenkins titled, Morocco Capitalises on Early Lead in Renewables, the British paper sheds light on the continental leadership of Morocco in terms of renewable energies and the potential that Morocco has in boosting electrification efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The country is fossil-fuel poor and has won attention for its success in developing renewable energy. In 2009, 1.7 per cent of its electricity came from renewable sources. By 2012, this had risen to 32 per cent and is projected to be 42 per cent by 2020 and 52 per cent by 2030, said Jenkins.

The article notes that Morocco is set to export electricity to Sub-Saharan markets. According to 2014 figures, two-thirds of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa have no access to electricity and some energy experts are hoping that the region could leapfrog traditional electricity generation infrastructure with renewables, the article highlighted, adding that Last year Morocco opened the worlds biggest concentrated solar power plant, Noor 1, and hosted the UNs COP 22 climate change summit.

Investing in renewables in Sub-Saharan Africa offers Morocco opportunities to build on its strong ties notably with countries in West Africa, notes Jenkins, adding that Casablanca has established itself as a hub for investment in Africa.

Moroccos endeavor to develop renewables in Sub-Saharan Africa can also capitalize on its banks and insurance companies and the national airline, Royal Air Maroc, that have a strong presence across the continent, the Financial Times said.

Quoting Dana Younger, chief renewable energy specialist at the International Finance Corporation, the private sector lending arm of the World Bank, the author of the article said the Moroccans have a comparative advantage in terms of sharing expertise and experience with other parts of Africa.

Bruno Bensasson, chief executive of Engie Africa, was also quoted in the article describing Moroccos specific strengths thanks to strong institutional and diplomatic relations with countries such as Senegal or Ivory Coast.

Last week, Moroccan firm, Nova Power, won a contract to build a Photovoltaic power station with a total capacity of 25 megawatts for a total cost of 23.5 billion CFA francs in northern Cote dIvoire.
Would the pitch that brought together his coalition in 1960 work today? Photo: PhotoQuest/NARA/Getty Images

To those of us who remember him not as an icon but as a living human being, the reminder that today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, is especially shocking, if only because at the time of his death he was a great symbol of youth and (to use one of his favorite words) vigor. The farther we get from his soul-searing death, the greater the perspective we have on his shortcomings as well as his strengths (from what we now know of his sexual ethics, for example, it seems astonishing that Fr. Andrew Greeley once proposed he be designated a Doctor of the Church, like St. Thomas Aquinas).

Well never know had he avoided assassination if he would have renounced the war in southeast Asia he largely began, or would have consummated the civil rights revolution, or might have avoided the fracturing of American politics and culture in the late 1960s. Part of the family legacy he exemplified was ideological ambiguity: its no accident that both sides in many a struggle for the soul of the Democratic Party claimed JFK and RFK as their inspirations.

But 57 years after his election as president, one thing is clear: the two groups of Americans who most revered his memorywho were most likely to have placed photographs or paintings of the 35th president on the walls of their homes have since gone their separate ways. That would be African-Americans, for whom he was the first Democratic presidential candidate to advocate a real attack on Jim Crow, and Catholics (who at the time were overwhelmingly white, and mostly Irish, Italian, German and Polish), for whom he represented the final emancipation from a milder but very real second-class citizenship.

It has often been observed that it was Lyndon Johnson who accomplished everything and more that Kennedy advocated with respect to civil rights. But LBJ explicitly made passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 a memorial to JFKs life and values. And theres not much question that Kennedy provided a decisive blow to the alliance between northern liberalism and southern segregationism that had prevailed since the days of William Jennings Bryan and Woodrow Wilson through the New Deal and beyond (it was for a moment threatened by Harry Truman, but held strong when Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Supreme Court led by his nominee as Chief Justice, Earl Warren, briefly renewed the GOPs legacy as the party of civil rights).

The Civil Rights Act eventually unharnessed the Solid South from the Democratic Party, but the Kennedy campaign of 1960 (and a counterveiling anti-Catholicism) got the ball rolling, making the region highly competitive, which is why JFK came barnstorming through the Georgia town where I and my elementary school classmates were allowed to walk a few blocks in the middle of the day to catch a glimpse of the candidate as he waved from an open car. He ultimately held Georgia, and the Carolinas, and Louisiana and Arkansas and (thanks to LBJ) Texas. But his victories elsewhere were very often attributable to a coalition that featured landslide performances among African-Americans (roughly two-thirds of their votes) and white Catholics (somewhere between 70 and 80 percent of their votes).

In 1964 LBJ would do as well among Catholics, and immensely better among black voters, choosing between a champion and an opponent of the just-signed Civil Rights Act. But after that the two groups began to diverge. Next time a Catholic was the Democratic nominee for president, in 2004, he lost white Catholics to George W. Bush. And in 2016, the Republican percentage of the white Catholic vote hit an all-time peak at 60 percent, even as the GOP candidate won only 8 percent of the African-American vote.

With all the talk about Trumps landslide among white evangelical votersand it was impressivethis quieter tide from white Catholics was equally important. And for those who remember the Kennedy coalition, it was significantly more jarring.

What would Doctor of the Church JFK have made of all those Irish and Italian and German and Polish Catholics, many with deep collective memories of discrimination against immigrants and religious minorities, voting for a man like Donald Trump? Well never know; the politics of 2016 might have even astonished Ted Kennedy, who survived JFK by 45 years. But even as Republicans perpetually imagine a breakthrough among Latino and African-American voters that will improve their demographic destiny, Democrats will always dream of a candidate or a cause that will again unite those who voted for JFK in solidarity against a WASP hegemony that still exercises enormous power in this country. That dream is now getting as hazy as the old folks personal memories of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.
Still less awkward than Macrons meeting with Trump. Photo: Alexei Nikolsky/Alexei Nikolsky/TASS

Apparently French president Emmanuel Macrons super-long handshake with President Trump was just a taste of things to come. Though he welcomed President Vladimir Putin to Versailles with a relatively brief and friendly handshake on Monday, Macron challenged the Russian president multiple times during their meeting, on everything from the Syrian civil war to Russian outlets spreading lying propaganda during the French presidential campaign.

number of seconds the Putin-Macron handshake lasted: 7



number of seconds we'd spend discussing it in the world of gender equality: 0 pic.twitter.com/EeljSlNbK5  Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) May 29, 2017

France invited Putin to the opening of an exhibit on the 300th anniversary of Russian Czar Peter the Greats trip to Paris just two weeks ago, shortly after Macron was elected. Putin had supported Macrons opponent, Marine Le Pen, and received the nationalist at the Kremlin during her campaign. That doesnt mean that we tried to influence the results of the election. Besides, that is almost impossible, Putin said through a translator on Monday.

After Macrons emails were hacked on the eve of the election, cybersecurity firms blamed groups tied to Russia, and state-backed Russian news outlets spread rumors about Macron.

Following their nearly two-hour meeting, Putin told reporters that the cyberattack didnt come up, saying, The French president did not show any interest, and I even less. However, Macron did seem interested when a Russian journalist asked him why his campaign had denied some reporters access.

I have always had an exemplary relationship with foreign journalists, but they have to be journalists. Russia Today and Sputnik were organs of influence and propaganda that spread counterfeit truths about me, he said, while standing next to Putin.

Macron went on to warn that the use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is backed by Putin, is a red line that would be met by reprisals and immediate retaliation on the part of France.

He also said he would remain vigilant on the rights of gay and transgender people in Chechnya, and the treatment of non-governmental organizations in Russia.

Putin seemed unfazed by Macrons defiant tone, and the two leaders also highlighted areas where they agree, such as the need to eradicate terrorism in Syria and to restart talks with Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and France on the situation in Ukraine.

No essential topic can be addressed without dialogue with Russia, Macron said. It was a frank exchange, extremely direct  We share disagreements, but we also see how to construct a common action.
This undated photo released by North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 30, 2017, shows a test-fire of a ballistic missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Photo: KCNA/AFP/Getty Images

North Korea reportedly launched a short-range Scud-type missile Monday, the countrys third missile test in about as many weeks. North Korea appears to have successfully tested medium-to-long-range missiles in the past two weeks, after a series of failures in April.

The South Korean military said the missile flew approximately 450 miles east and landed in the Sea of Japan, within Japans exclusive economic zone.

This undated photo released by North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 30, 2017 shows a test-fire of a ballistic missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images

North Korea, releasing images of the alleged blastoff, bragged about what it claims was a successful test of a new and more accurate ballistic missile  one that is capable of making ultra-precision strike on the enemies objects at any area, claimed KCNA, North Koreas state-run media arm. North Korea also claimed that it used a mobile launching system, which, if true, would allow the country to more swiftly deploy its missiles. According to Reuters, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un boasted in the state-run paper that North Korea would continue to develop more weapons, and plans to send a bigger gift package to the Yankees.

Whenever news of our valuable victory is broadcast recently, the KCNA also reported Kim as saying, the Yankees would be very much worried about it and the gangsters of the South Korean puppet army would be dispirited more and more.

Experts are skeptical of North Koreas claims, which require further analysis. Still, North Korea has picked up the pace of its missile testing in recent weeks, even in the face of widespread international condemnation. In 2017 alone, it has conducted about a dozen missile tests.

Trump, who was briefed on North Koreas latest action, condemned Pyongang on Twitter.

North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile...but China is trying hard!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2017

While its true that China has urged North Korea to cease its missile tests, it has also called on the U.S. to pare back its own saber-rattling through its joint military operations with South Korea  which Pyongyang continues to interpret as a provocation. In a statement on Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry asked both parties to remain calm and restrained  and bring the peninsula issue onto the right track of peaceful dialogue again.

Meanwhile, in California, the U.S. military is preparing for its own anti-missile launch Tuesday, reports CBS, a direct response to North Koreas escalating weapons tests. The test of the ground-based interceptor, which apparently can be seen from Los Angeles, will fly into the Pacific and intercept a target object  a stand-in for what could be an ICBM fired off from North Korea.
Noriega speaks in Panama City in May 1988. Photo: ANGEL MURILLO/AFP/Getty Images

General Manuel Noriega, who ruled Panama with an iron fist from 1983 until he was ousted by U.S. forces in 1989, died on Monday. He was believed to be 83, though his exact birth date is unknown.

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela announced the news, tweeting, The death of Manuel A. Noriega closes a chapter in our history.

The former dictators cause of death has not been released, but he had been in the hospital for months following surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. He is survived by his wife, Felicidad Sieiro de Noriega, and his three daughters, Thays, Sandra, and Lorena.

Noriega rose through the ranks of Panamas Defense Forces in the 60s, becoming a loyal aide to General Omar Torrijos, who came to lead the country after a 1968 coup. Torrijos died in a plane crash in 1981 and Noriega took control two years later.

At that point, Noriega had been working as an informant for the U.S. intelligence services for decades, and he was initially considered a valuable U.S. asset in Latin America. Opponents accused Noriega of killing political opponents and working with drug cartels, and the U.S. eventually soured on him. In 1988, federal grand juries in Florida indicted Noriega on federal narcotics-trafficking and money-laundering charges. In December 1989, President George H.W. Bush ordered the invasion of Panama. After taking refuge in the Vatican Embassy in Panama City, Noriega was forced out of the building by U.S. forces blaring rock music.



Noriega was taken to Florida and two years later he was convicted on eight of ten charges. After serving a 17-year sentence in the U.S., in 2007 U.S. officials agreed to extradite him to France, where he was sentenced to seven years for money laundering. In 2011, he was extradited to Panama, where he had been convicted in absentia for killing his political opponents.

He maintained that he was the victim of a U.S. conspiracy to keep him behind bars.

Why, after being the man the United States could count on, did I become the enemy? Noriega asked a reporter during a jailhouse interview in the early 90s. Because I said no. No to allowing the United States to run a school for dictators [the U.S. militarys School of the Americas] any longer in Panamanian territory. No to the request that Panama be used as a staging base for the Salvadoran death squads and the Nicaraguan contras. Lots of nos.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have a suspicious friendship. Photo: Eliot Blondet/AFP/Getty Images; Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Over the last several days, the Russia scandal has taken a darker turn. Friday night, the Washington Post reported that Jared Kushner tried during the presidential transition period to set up a secret communications channel with Moscow. Tuesday morning, CNN reported that, during the 2016 campaign, Russian officials discussed having leverage of a financial nature over Trump, which could be used to manipulate the Republican nominee. The exact nature of this relationship remains as yet unknown, but its parameters have shifted. The most innocent explanations of Donald Trumps shadowy relationship with Russia have grown increasingly fanciful, while the most paranoid interpretations have grown increasingly more plausible.

Indeed, in another one of dramatic juxtapositions that would have seemed ham-handed in a spy thriller, the latest scandalous revelations came out just as Trump could be seen carrying out what looks for all the world like his end of a pact with Moscow. If the president did have an objective on his trip to Europe  a premise that, it goes without saying, cannot be assumed  it was to crack up the American alliance with Western Europe. That happens to have been Russias primary diplomatic objective since the end of World War II. In Brussels, Trump refused to publicly affirm the Article 5 guarantee of the NATO charter  the foundation of the anti-Russian alliance, and the basis for Europes defense against Russian aggression. He directed his trademark wild diatribes against Germany, accusing it repeatedly of abusive trade relations, despite the fact that the United States does not have bilateral trade relations with that country. Amazingly, he kept up the abuse on Twitter after returning Stateside, while simultaneously defending Russia over its intervention in the American election.

The White Houses account of Kushners back-channel talks with Russia, as Will Saletan shrewdly points out, does not square with what the administration has said in the past, or what Russia says now. The administration claims now, via a source speaking to Fox News, that Kushners outreach to Russia was a only a one-off for a call about Syria. But when The New Yorker poked at the relationship in February, it had a different explanation: [T]he aim, according to the White House, was to establish a more open line of communication in the future. So, not a one-off at all, but an attempt to open an ongoing dialogue.

Meanwhile, the Russian account of this discussion, from March, treats it as a simple business chat related to Kushners role as a real-estate baron, unrelated to Syria or any aspect of Kushners political duties at all. In March, Mr. Gorkov said in a statement that his December meeting with Mr. Kushner was part of the banks strategy to discuss promising trends and sectors with influential financial institutions in Europe, Asia and the United States, notes the New York Times. That statement said he met with representatives of business circles of the U.S., including with the head of Kushner Companies, Jared Kushner. At the time, Mr. Kushner was still running the company, which is his familys real estate business.

Needless to say, Kushners curious failure to disclose these contacts when he obtained his security clearance looks more than a bit suspicious in this light. Kushners lawyer told Reuters Friday, Mr Kushner participated in thousands of calls in this time period. He has no recollection of the calls as described. If establishing a secret back channel to Vladimir Putin using Russian diplomatic facilities is such a quotidian part of Kushners workaday routine that he simply forgot he had done it, then he is probably much guiltier than anybody suspects.

However laughable Kushners defense of his undisclosed outreach to Russia, it is more believable than the administrations response to CNNs explosive report that Moscow believed it had leverage over Trump himself. The reality is, a review of the presidents income from the last ten years showed he had virtually no financial ties at all, explains a White House spokesman, by way of assuring America that the Russians have no financial leverage over their president. This review is a certified letter sent by Trumps own lawyers. It consists entirely of their own assertion. It does not include the disclosure of Trumps tax returns, which every other presidential candidate for decades has released, and which would prove their claim.

And, most amazingly, the defense does not even deny the Russians have leverage over Trump. Trumps lawyers had insisted he did not owe money to Russian lenders with a few exceptions. The administrations defense rewords that claim to virtually no financial ties at all. How big a loophole is that virtually? Thats for him to know and you not to find out.

To be sure, more mundane accounts for all these facts can still be sustained. Evidence for those accounts could also be seen on Trumps overseas trip. Trump is easily manipulated by flattery, and instinctively drawn toward autocrats. His obvious warmth and comfort with the Saudis, who feted him in their palaces in a pleasantly dissent-free atmosphere, dissent being a crime punishable by death, presented an obvious contrast to his discomfort with the democratic leadership of Americas allies. Perhaps his fondness for Putin, while at odds with what was once a consensus bipartisan opposition to Russian aggression, simply reflects Trumps natural moral instincts rather than a secret deal.

Yet the sinister explanations remain plausible, too. And increasingly so. Here is one sentence from the Posts Friday-night bombshell that is worth thinking over: The Post was first alerted in mid-December to the meeting by an anonymous letter, which said, among other things, that Kushner had talked to Kislyak about setting up the communications channel.

The Post got this tip, from a source purporting to be inside the Trump transition, in December. It took until Memorial Day weekend for the newspaper to authenticate it. The small aside  among other things  casually tells readers that this explosive story was just one allegation in the letter. There is more to come.
Demonstrators march in the Texas Capitol on Monday, May 29, 2017. Photo: Meredith Hoffman/AP

Hundreds of people gathered in the public gallery of the Texas Capitol on Monday to protest a new law cracking down on sanctuary cities, sparking a heated altercation  among lawmakers, not the demonstrators.

About 40 minutes into the protest, which occurred on the last day of the legislative session in Austin, the crowd began cheering loudly, chanting, Here to stay! and Hey-hey, ho-ho, SB4 has got to go. State House leaders halted the session and asked state troopers to clear the gallery.

Representative Cesar Blanco told the Texas Tribune that thats when Representative Matt Rinaldi, a Republican, came up to him and several other Democrats and said, Im glad I just called ICE to have all these people deported.

He said, I called ICE  fuck them, added Representative Ramon Romero. He said Rinaldi also yelled fuck you at the Democratic lawmakers to the point where spit was hitting their faces.

Video shows the lawmakers yelling and pushing each other. During the scuffle, Rinaldi threatened to shoot Representative Poncho Nevarez.

There was a subsequent exchange between my brother Poncho and Representative Rinaldi and there was a threat made from Rinaldi to put a bullet in one of my colleagues heads, Representative Justin Rodriguez said afterward. That kind of threatening language, he needs to be called out and held accountable for.

On Facebook Rinaldi admitted to telling Nevarez he would shoot him. However, he said his Democratic colleague had threatened his life first, and he was saying he would shoot him in self defense if necessary. Its unclear if Rinaldi was armed, but as the New York Times notes, its legal for legislators with state licenses to carry concealed firearms in the Capitol.

Today, Representative Poncho Nevarez threatened my life on the House floor after I called ICE on several illegal... Posted by Matt Rinaldi on Monday, May 29, 2017

Nevarez told the Tribune that he put his hands on Rinaldi and told him to take his argument outside the chamber. But was I going to shoot the guy? No, he said.

He's a liar and hateful man. Got no use for him. God bless him. https://t.co/te13An7gwm  Rep. Poncho Nevarez (@poncho_nevarez) May 29, 2017

An ICE spokeswoman said she wasnt sure if agents were dispatched to the Capitol.

The new law, which goes into effect on September 1, requires local law enforcement to comply with requests from federal immigration officials. Local officials will also be allowed to inquire about the immigration status of anyone they detain.

Matt Rinaldi gave the perfect example of why theres a problem with SB 4, Representative Romero said. Matt Rinaldi looked into the gallery and saw Hispanic people and automatically assumed they were undocumented. He racially profiled every single person that was in the gallery today. He created the scenario that so many of us fear.
Dear friends. Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Donald Trump began his first foreign trip as president with a visit to a totalitarian, Islamist state that stones adulterers, beheads dissidents, exports fundamentalist Islam throughout the Middle East, and, according to Trump circa 2016, orchestrated the 9/11 attacks.

But the president was far too diplomatic to broach these petty offenses during his time in Riyadh. We are not here to lecture, Trump informed the Saudi royal family, in a speech that touted the splendor of his hosts magnificent kingdom, and reiterated Americas commitment to defend the Saudis interests against Iranian treachery.

The president ended his trip with a visit to the G7 summit, the annual meeting of major industrial democracies  nations that share an economic system, worldview, and long history of mutually beneficial cooperation with the United States.

One such nation, Germany, sells a lot of cars to American consumers. And while many of those cars are manufactured in the American South, not all of them are. Further, Germany has not been diverting quite as much revenue into NATOs coffers as America would like.

In Trumps view, these offenses were far too egregious to be papered over with diplomatic niceties.

In a closed-door meeting with European leaders last Thursday, Trump called Germany bad, very bad for running a trade surplus with the United States. Look at the millions of cars that theyre selling in the USA. Horrible. Were gonna stop that, Trump reportedly added.

His top economic adviser, Gary Cohn, proceeded to display either an audacious contempt  or baffling ignorance  of the European Unions most basic principles, by raising the prospect of the U.S. reaching a bilateral trade agreement with Germany (the EU only negotiates trade deals as a group).

On the campaign trail, Trump trafficked in dire warnings about an inevitable clash of civilizations between fundamentalist Islam and the West. As president, he has treated the worlds leading exporter of fundamentalist Islam with more respect than hes shown the leaders of Western Europe.

This contradiction is stark, but not terribly difficult to explain. Saudi Arabia did everything in its power to flatter Trumps ego, gifting him a gold medal, a $110 billion arms deal, and orb access. The leaders of Western European democracies, beholden as they are to the views of electorates that overwhelmingly despise Trump, could pay the president no such tribute. In fact, French president Emmanuel Macron actually went out of his way to communicate his bemused contempt for the reality-star-in-chief.

Now, domestic political concerns on both sides of the Atlantic appear to be widening the rift between Washington and Berlin. On Sunday, German chancellor Angela Merkel told supporters that her nation could no longer rely on the U.S. or the U.K., saying, we Europeans truly have to take our fate into our own hands  This is what I experienced in the last few days.

Merkels chief rival for reelection this September, Social Democrat Martin Schulz, rallied to the chancellors defense (and to the opportunity to play to his countrymens anti-Trump sentiments).

The chancellor represents all of us at summits like these, and I reject with outrage the way this man takes it upon himself to treat the head of our countrys government, Shulz said, referring to our president. That is unacceptable.

In a February poll, 78 percent of Germans said they were very concerned by Trumps policies, nearly 20 percent more than were worried about Putins.

On Tuesday morning, Trump gave those respondents more cause for concern.

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

Its worth noting that German trade surpluses are a genuine problem  one that is very bad for southern Europe. If Trump were criticizing Merkels government on the grounds that its domination of European trade and monetary policy was a form of soft imperialism thats causing economic stagnation in some EU nations  and full-blown social crises in others  then his attack would be more than defensible.

But Trumps tweet wasnt inspired by a long night of reading columns by Yanis Varoufakis. The president is merely seeking to perpetuate the (baseless) idea that the American economy is plagued by his predecessors bad deals with Western Europe, which will soon be renegotiated by the master deal-maker.

On Tuesday in Australia, John McCain expressed his dismay with Trumps approach to diplomacy.

I realize that some of President Trumps actions and statements have unsettled Americas friends, the senator told a crowd at at the University of Sydney. They have unsettled many Americans as well.
Do Americans have a Memorial Day obligation beyond honoring those who served and died in wars? Photo: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images

President Trump returned home from his first overseas trip in time to fulfill one of the presidencys most hallowed traditions: commemorating Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery.

Trumps speech was entirely appropriate and occasionally eloquent. He did not depart from his central mission of remembering and honoring fallen members of the military. The causes to which he dedicated their sacrifices extended no further than simple love of country, freedom, and civilization. His bitterest enemies could have taken no exception to his words.

But one could not help but wonder if he missed an opportunity today.

On Friday night in Portland, Oregon, two men were murdered while defending two young women on a train against an armed, raving white supremacist who was shrieking anti-Muslim invective at them.

It took the president a while to take notice of this horrific incident. After devoting multiple tweets to less elevated topics  including attacks on the news media for not giving him the kind of coverage he thinks he deserves  Trump finally acknowledged the Portland slayings today:

The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them.  President Trump (@POTUS) May 29, 2017

What he might have acknowledged then or at Arlington cemetery was that one of the two murdered men, Ricky John Best, was a 23-year Army veteran who had served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Clearly, the spirit of service and self-sacrifice Best learned in the military stayed with him, and is now serving as an extraordinary example to the many people mourning his death (and that of the other brave victim, Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche) today.

And thats the Memorial Day theme Trump might have reached for in an effort to reach beyond his own entrenched audience and separate himself from the purveyors of hate who revere him even if he despises them. No one can rationally blame Trump for the acts of this murderous lunatic in Portland. But its not to much to ask him to pay attention to anti-Muslim violence perpetrated by self-styled patriots.

In his final Memorial Day speech at Arlington last year, President Obama said many of the same things his successor said today. But he went one step beyond:

A nation reveals itself not only by the people it produces, but by those it remembers. We do so not just by hoisting a flag, but by lifting up our neighbors. Not just by pausing in silence, but by practicing in our own lives the ideals of opportunity and liberty and equality that they fought for.

On a day of remembrance, honoring a soldier who without orders once again placed himself in harms way to protect the innocent would have been a fine gesture. Maybe thats worth another presidential tweet.
netflix really needs to get a grip with their budgets



awardwise it worked for The Crown, but that was never going to happen with this show

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Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhwwwhhh hhhhhhhy

I was doing so good.

















FUCK.

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litolitolitolitolitolitolitolitolitolito litolitolitolito!



only reason i even watch the damn show anymore

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One of my fave scenes was Lito and Hernando frolicking in the ocean in thongs re-enacting the famous scene "From Here To Eternity"

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Yeah, my thoughts were that it's just not worth the huge investment per episode. But I did enjoy season 2 much more than season 1. Probably because there was less focus on Riley/Will.

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Why is it so expensive? I'm assuming because they're actually on location in each country the characters are in.

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So am i not the only one who has zero desire to watch season2, good to know.



Guess it was that xmas special that turned me off

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I didnt even watch the xmas special, season one was just kinda meh with a lot of pretty.

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i felt the same. i didn't love s1 and the xmas special was a chore to get through, and i put off watching s2, but i will say i enjoyed it a lot more than i remembered liking s1 for whatever reason

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i didn't watch the christmas special, for me was that they took too long between seasons, it kill all excitement I had for the show, also some of the actors aren't that good.

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I somewhat enjoyed season one then found out about Lana wachowski's antiblackness and now I just want all her future projects to fucking flop

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Yikes - link? I hadn't heard about that.

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it showed during s2. she's so painfully white.

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I enjoyed S2 over S1. They took too long setting up and establishing the premise and characters in S1 so they were able to do more and it felt faster paced than S2.

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As someone who also had no desire to watch after the xmas special and long wait, I recommend watching it. S2 fully renewed my interest. It was better than season 1 and the special because they gotten past all the setup.

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I was, and then I watched it and it was good.

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adding to all the replies. i thought season 1 was the most overrated thing ever and only watched season 2 out of boredom. but i ended up really loving it.

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I couldn't even finish season 1 

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No, it can't stop! We never found out what happened to Lito's flip flop!

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God, that fucking flip flop! Reminds me of a tumblr post about how dramatic Lito is lol

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I'd be happy w a shortened season just to wrap everything up, s2 was so strong it made me invested in the characters again

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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOO they better not

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I'm not shocked it's up for cancellation. Most people I know love the cast more than the plot and barely bothered with this season.

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They need to find a way to make it cheaper. And with them all being in London, they can. The globe trotting was beautiful but I'd rather still have the show than have the panoramic shots on Berlin.

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Too good to last.

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The Get Down was incredible expensive per ep. and Luhrmann was over it anyway

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No. I need another season. It's hitting it's stride.

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season two is sooooo good though!

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nooo don't you dare netflix not with that cliffhanger

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For the love of god bring it back  Netflix literally renews every other shit. Now i feel like not even watching the last two eps of season 2 ...



i get that season 1 started slow as fuck but it is sooooo good now and we need more Lito in his PJ for 50 minutes like ...

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give it a finale movie at least 

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BITCH

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'wants his head bloody and detached from his body'? Don't we all.



Live the dream, Kathy!

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This is super gross and truly not helping the cause. Ugh, why Kathy Griffin?

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Because he's super gross and not helping any cause.

(Just kidding. I agree with you, I just hate Mr. Dump.)

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Missed opportunity to put losing their heads in title OP.



Edited at 2017-05-30 08:21 pm (UTC)

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very bon appetit of ha!

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ugh i snorted at this comment + avatar combo

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lololololololol

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mte

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like....investigate what? that she hates trump/



"well after thorough examination we've determined that this 56 year old woman thinks donald trump sux. great work, everybody!"

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Let's be real. He'll have this investigated, at ANY and ALL costs, 100x more than any actual concerning matters...because it has to do with him.

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I guess they think it's a legit death threat?

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I wondered why this gave me edgy ForBiddeN (RIP, girl) MySpace teas.



Edited at 2017-05-30 08:33 pm (UTC)

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What happened to Forbidden?!

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mte he's a tryhard

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OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH H okay everything makes sense now





fuck tyler shields. this is about the least bad thing he's done tho, compared to all of the violent abuse of women he loves to glamorize.

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welp there it is.

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my thoughts exactly

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I'm betting these same conservatives didn't give a single fuck when racists were parading a likeness of Obama with a noose around his neck and all that trash.



/shoe on the other foot



still tacky af no matter who does it even though the world would be a better place w/o Cheeto Trumpsterfire.

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Investigated? Like she actually killed Trump for the photoshoot and the president is an alien a la Paul McCartney?

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It was more of a rhetorical obtuse response to an obtuse reaction lol

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Edited at 2017-05-30 09:09 pm (UTC) Nobody 'investigated' all the assholes who lynched and burned President Obama in effigy during his presidency. Hell, they marched in fucking parades with Obama dummies hanging from scaffolds on their floats. Conservatives were quick to call that "free speech".

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leave mango's out of this!!!!!

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I understand the impulse to do something like this, but I don't think it's a smart/practical move. I wonder what she's hoping to get out of it.



Edited at 2017-05-30 08:23 pm (UTC)

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Attention and/or laughs. She's a comedian. That's all they ever really want.

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Kathy is annoying but I also can't @ Conservative faux outrage. I've lost count of the amount of threats Obama faced from Conservatives. Not to mention all of that gross Clinton march at Trump rallies - everything from "Trump that bitch" to calling her a cunt. Or Trump implying she should be shot. Or Ted Nugget threatening Obama. Or voting for a sexual predator. Or condoning Gianf...I could go on forever.



Kathy just come on ONTD and say you can't wait for Trump to keel over like the rest of us.

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All of this!

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sis you're always on POINT.

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Listen, we all hate Tramp and nobody will miss him when he actually dies - but this is out of line imo. It just perpetuates the violent culture that America already has.

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ia. This is just unnecessarily escalating an already tense situation. People can say "but repubs threatened Obama!" but no one prominent did anything this blatantly violent/graphic. If they did we would have flipped shit for sure. And I really don't want to see something so graphic, even if it's fake. Not to mention it's just inviting the FBI to come knocking at your door. Like what a dumb move...

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People can say "but repubs threatened Obama!" but no one prominent did anything this blatantly violent/graphic.



I totally understand what you're saying but I think it's important to be careful about what the GOP has done simply on the basis that it wasn't graphic. I'm not sure it has to be graphic to be just as bad, though. Threatening Obama, questioning his legitimacy, saying he should be lynched, the t-shirts at Trump rallies, Trump bragging about sexual assault on tape, Gianforte body-slamming a reporter while Republicans said nothing. Those things have deep consequences for society and the environment they created. I'm not saying what she did was right but I'd be careful to excuse what the GOP has done throughout the years just because it wasn't graphic. The things they said and did had deep consequences - especially for POC in America. Or how Trump's words emboldened white supremacists.

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Agreed

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Does it matter if it's a person of prominence though? Because I distinctly remember the nooses hanging from trees after Obama won.

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I agree plus it's Kathy Griffin so it reeks of desperation. She's not actually trying to achieve anything she just wants attention.

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Agreed. I live in Oregon, and the attack in Portland has made everyone feel on edge/uneasy. Even my Republican/Conservative friends are in shock.

A well-known white supremacist/Trump supporter harasses 2 Muslim women. 3 men intervene to protect them and get him out of their face, and two of them are stabbed to death, and 1 is wounded and hospitalized. And the guy honestly felt he had a legal right to do what he was doing, and that he was just defending himself.

It's absolutely sickening that this is the world we live in. It's absolutely Trump and his disgusting follower's fault that people are behaving this way, but Democratic celebrities sinking to their level is just hurting their cause.

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For every consumer electronics maker, the nascent electric car industry is a dream coming true. There is enough tech in electric carsfrom infotainment systems to voice and facial recognition, software and parking sensorsto make an ambitious consumer electronics manufacturer cry with joy. Theres so much space to unleash your innovative drive. There is also growing competition, so its important to bet on the right EV/self-driving horse.

Tech companies are already unleashing their innovative drive: they are much in demand in the carmaking industry, as everyone is in a rush to join the ranks of electric car manufacturers. One of these tech companies is making what can easily be seen as a particularly smart choice: Panasonic.

The Japanese electronics manufacturer is Teslas partner in the battery gigafactory in Nevada, which is already churning out batteries developed jointly by the two companies that Tesla will fit into the Model 3, to start shipping this fall. Panasonic has pledged US$1.6 billion for the US$5-billion gigafactory.

Panasonic is also very much into self-driving cars, as the companys chief executive told Reuters early this year, adding that Panasonic will be happy to take part in Teslas self-driving car development, contributing with sensor tech, for example. All in all, Panasonic eyes automotive business revenues of around US$18 billion (2 trillion yen) over its financial year through March 2019, to be enabled by the lively demand for car tech.

Yet Panasonic is not only putting its eggs in the battery and car tech basket. It is also partnering with Tesla on solar power. The Japanese firm invested US$250 million in the solar roof tile factory that Tesla operates in Buffalo, to help it boost production of the very cool roof tiles that neatly turn a roof into a solar panel instead of fitting external panels on it. Related: Is New York The Next Energy Tech Hotspot?

Early orders for the new tiles have exceeded expectations, with Tesla announcing last week that its tile output was sold out well into 2018, despite the Buffalo factory capacity ramp-up funded by Panasonic. Pilot production should begin by the end of June.

Tesla already has fully self-driving software in all of its cars, including the upcoming Model 3. From now on, it will only be refined further and further, generating data that regulators require before they consider regulating self-driving cars, and waiting for the day when self-driving cars will hit the roads.

Solar energy is one of the two strongest drivers of the renewable energy revolution, along with wind, and demand for solar is bound to rise at a steady rate. Teslas solar roof tiles are not just cool but they are, more importantly for demand, economical. According to the company, the roofs made of these tiles have 30 years of guaranteed power generation, which means they will pay for themselves in power savings.

Panasonic is part of all this. Its no coincidence that the company replaced its North America CEO in April, appointing Tom Gebhardt to the job. Gebhardt was in charge of Panasonics automotive division for five years before. Heres what he told Business Insider in a May interview. If the scenario says the car drives itself, its similar to sitting in an airplane seat because youre no longer actively driving. We see that as an evolution of the space thats quite interesting going forward that has infinite possibilities for us.

Indeed, the self-driving car industry opens up a lot of opportunities for tech makers. Tesla, whether its legacy rivals like it or not, is at the forefront of this emerging industry. It makes perfect sense for Panasonic to continue to deepen its ties with the carmaker amid a prevailing optimistic sentiment towards EVs and self-driving cars.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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This week the UK smashed its previous solar power record, powering nearly a quarter of the nation with solar energy thanks to sunny skies and relatively low demand. At the same time, however, Britains biggest solar company, Solarcentury, is anticipating that for the first time the majority of its production wont be coming from its own country, but from Latin America and the rest of Europe.

In response to dramatic subsidy cuts in the UK, the company invested heavily in outside markets, pouring 3bn into international projects. While 12,000 solar jobs have been lost in Britain since the government cut funding in 2015, Solarcentury has managed to hang on by going international, and now it appears that thanks to this globalized strategy they are beginning not just to survive, but to thrive.

In the last financial year, Solarcentury earned 85 percent of its revenue from production within the UK. This year, the company projects a complete turnaround, with 85 percent of revenue coming from international markets, especially in Europe and Latin America. The shift is an ironic twist as the UK continues to shatter its own solar production records in an industry that has grown from nearly nothing to 2GW of capacity in the last 7 years. In the summer of 2016 solar provided even more power than the UKs coal-fired stations and in April of 2017 the nation celebrated its first ever full working day without coal. Related: The Big Data Revolution In Oil Is Accelerating

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA) recently released a report that shows that solar is expanding rapidly around the world. While jobs in solar have decreased in the UK, Europe, and Japan, the global renewable energy sector grew 1.1 percent between 2015 and 2016, reaching 9.8 million jobs. Of these jobs, solar is by far the largest employer, with 3.1 million jobs, a 12 percent increase since 2015.

The global solar boom is threatening to flood energy industries around the world, not just in Britain. As various markets around the world vie for leadership in soaring solar markets, the U.S. has announced this week that they are considering implementing emergency "safeguard" tariffs on solar imports according to a WTO filing.

As solar production has exploded in the last five years, prices have plummeted and large-scale producers like the U.S., China, and India are battling to dominate the field. The U.S. and India have each filed complaints with the WTO that the other is illegally discriminating against international solar imports, and this weeks announcement of safeguard tariffs is sure to fuel that fire.

While the UKs own solar industry is struggling due to policy change and budget cuts, British accountancy firm Ernst & Young released a report this month showing that the U.S.' ability to bring in renewable energy investment has been similarly compromised by policy changes under the Trump Administration. A petition filed to the International Trade Commission (ITC) by solar panel manufacturer Suniva, Inc claims that the volume of solar imports in the U.S. rose by 51.6 percent between 2012 and 2016 and the value of imports grew by 62.8 percent, from $5.1 billion to $8.3 billion. Related: Europe Joins Race For Cheaper Batteries With New Gigafactory

As the U.K. and U.S. cut subsidies and backpedal renewable-friendly policies, India has extended their capital subsidies and affordable loans for clean energy. This move is part of a greater effort to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of raising renewable energy capacity by more than five-fold in the next five years as a part of the nations objective to fight climate change. India is currently the world's third biggest greenhouse gas producer, after China and the U.S.

The U.S. and U.K.s shift away from renewables has left China and India at the forefront of the solar industry, a market that will likely continue to skyrocket in the coming years. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, solars shift to Asia has already begun on a large scale, with 62 percent of global renewable energy jobs located in the continent.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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Royal Dutch Shell and ConocoPhillips struck deals in March to sell Canadian oil assets to two Canada-based producers. In both deals, parts of the consideration for the transactions were shares of the Canadian companies that Shell and ConocoPhillips received.

Although the share transactions are subject to lock-up periods of up to six months following the closing of the deals, Shell and ConocoPhillips are getting ready to sell those sharespossibly months after acquiring themregulations and agreements permitting.

The potential sale of billions of dollars worth of shares in Canadian Natural Resources and Cenovus Energy may see the Canadian equity market flooded with company stock, according to analysts quoted by Reuters. Hedge funds, private equity firms, or institutional investors may be interested in the stakes, if shares are priced at discount to market prices, analysts reckon.



The possible sales, however, could also rekindle concerns over how confident investors are in placing money in Canadas oil sands reserves.

At the beginning of March, Shell said it was selling oil sands interests to Canadian Natural Resources for around US$8.5 billion, comprised of US$5.4 billion in cash and around 98 million Canadian Natural Resources shares valued at US$3.1 billion at the time. Shells oil sands sale was part of its strategy to focus on free cash flow and higher returns on capital, and prioritize businesses such as integrated gas and deep water, CEO Ben van Beurden said.

Shell has to wait for a four-month period after closingwhich has not been announced yetbefore flipping the shares in Canadian Natural Resources, equal to around 8.8 percent of the company. Last week, four people familiar with Shells moves told Reuters that the Anglo-Dutch oil major had been in contact with investment banks to hire an adviser for the share sale, which could be one of the largest-ever equity deals in Canada.

Shells move to sell its stake is a surprise and not immaterial to Canadian Natural Resources, a source familiar with the Canadian company told Reuters.

At the end of March, ConocoPhillips announced the sale of oil sands assets in Canada to Cenovus in a US$13.3 billion transaction including US$10.6 billion in cash and 208 million Cenovus shares, valued at US$2.7 billion on March 28, 2017.

At the time, Cenovus said that at closing Cenovus and ConocoPhillips will enter into an investor agreement, and a registration rights agreement which, among other things, will restrict ConocoPhillips from selling or hedging its Cenovus shares for a period of six months from the closing date of the transaction.

Closing took place on May 17, and ConocoPhillips now owns around 16.9 percent of Cenovus. But the U.S. firm said that Depending on market conditions and regulatory requirements, ConocoPhillips may from time to time decrease its beneficial ownership, or decrease its control or direction over any of Cenovuss securities through market transactions, private agreements or otherwise.

ConocoPhillips potential sale of the stake, or part of it, could have a material impact on the Canadian company and its share price, given the hefty portion of shares the U.S. group currently holds.

ConocoPhillips and Shell are not the only companies that have divested Canadian oil sands assets in recent months. Norways Statoil has sold its entire oil sands operations in Alberta to Athabasca Oil Corporation, in exchange for cash and shares in Athabasca representing just below 20 percent of the company equity. Related: Saudi Arabia Signs $50 Billion Worth Of Oil Deals With The U.S.

Focused on boosting cash flows and pleasing shareholders with a constant stream of dividends, international majors have been scaling back operations in Canadas oil sands, considered too expensive in the lower-for-longer oil price world.

A Wood Mackenzie report from this month highlights the Q1 2017 developments in the oil sands with the two blockbuster M&A transactions worth a combined US$23 billion. Other rumored oil sands sellers include BP, Chevron, and Total, according to WoodMac.

The recent transactions follow a wave of consolidation in the oil sands and now over 70 percent of oil sands production is concentrated in the hands of four of Canadas largest producers: Suncor, CNRL, Imperial Oil and Cenovus, the energy consultancy said.

Beyond the financial transactions, Canadas oil sands production rose by 9 percent annually to a new quarterly high of 2.47 million bpd in Q1 2017, thanks to the ramp-up of new phases in projects, WoodMac noted.

Canadian oil sands are now more Canadian than ever before, and there arent a lot of Canadian players that would have the money to buy ConocoPhillips and Shells stakes in Cenovus and Canadian Natural Resources, respectively. If Shell and Conoco were to sell, buyers may be hedge funds and institutional investors.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The oil price crash battered the 2016 earnings of energy firms, but the usual suspects are still there in the rankings of the biggest oil and gas companies this year. And the largest oil companies started turning in much higher profits for the first quarter of 2017, thanks to the relative increase in oil prices this year compared to Q1 last year.

ExxonMobil is still king on the Forbes list of the 25 largest oil and gas companies in 2017, part of the 2017 Global 2000 ranking of The Worlds Biggest Public Companies. The ranking is a composite score of equally weighted measures of revenue, profits, assets, and market value.

Forbes has estimated that the 25 biggest oil and gas companies on the Global 2000 list generated a combined US$2.2 trillion in sales during the 12-month measurement period, down compared to US$2.6 trillion in sales for the previous year. In terms of profits, the combined earnings of the top 25 oil and gas firms dropped to US$73 billion in the 2017 ranking from US$81 billion in the previous ranking.

The unsurprising leader of the oil firms ranking, ExxonMobil, doubled profits in Q1 2017, beating analyst expectations as higher commodity prices and cost cuts boosted earnings.

In Forbes 2017 Global 2000 list of the biggest and most powerful public companies, Exxon is 13th this year, down from the 9th place last year.

Second on the oil and gas list comes Royal Dutch Shell, which climbed from the 6th spot it held in 2016. Last year, Shell completed the takeover of BG Group. This year, Shell is 20th on the Global 2000 list.

The worlds third largest oil company is China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation. The Chinese corporation is also 25th in the Forbes global public companies ranking. In 26th place in that ranking is Frances oil major Total SA, which is 4th in the oil and gas companies standings. The top five of the oil and gas firms is completed by Russias gas giant Gazprom, which is sitting in 40th place on the global public companies list. Related: The Big Data Revolution In Oil Is Accelerating

While U.S. major Exxon is still the undisputed leader of the oil and gas companies, U.S. firm Chevron has fallen out of the top ten in the 2017 rankings, compared to the 3rd place it held in 2016. Chevron also plunged to no. 359 in the Global 2000 ranking, from 28th last year.

Chevron returned to profit in the first quarter this year, driven by higher oil prices, slashed expenditure, and proceeds from asset sales. The corporation continues to slash capex, and has said that it would spend US$19.8 billion this year, down 42 percent on 2015 and at least 15 percent lower than outlays for 2016. The U.S. major also continues to sell non-core assets as it seeks to raise proceeds and optimize its upstream asset portfolio, following the oil price downturn.

Another Big Oil firm, BP, is not among the top 10 largest oil and gas companies on Forbes list either. It shares the 359 spot with Chevron in the Global 2000 ranking.

The top 10 of the oil and gas firms in 2017 is completed by Russias oil giant Rosneft, PetroChina, Indias Reliance Industries, Russias Lukoil, and Thailands PTT PCL.

If oil prices stay close to US$50 or trend higher throughout the rest of this year, oil and gas companies may report higher sales and profits next year and climb some places in the ranking of the biggest public firms in the world.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Well, if its the end of May, it must be time for another OPEC meeting. And sure enough it was. Yet again, the representatives of the OPEC nations got together in beautiful Vienna (I hear its tremendous in the spring) to decide the future of the oil industry and set the course for everyones favourite and most hated commodity for the next few hours, days, weeks and months. Joining the OPEC flashmob this time were members of the non-OPEC nations who were participating in the first round of production rollbacks agreed to last November.



At issue: so, we agreed to these cuts, and the price went up but those tight oil guys are making swiss cheese out of the West Texas desert and lately the market seems to be slipping. What next?



What did they decide?



Before we get to that answer, lets do a quick review of where we are at. OPEC and NOPEC (as its now being called  I kid you not) collectively agreed to roll back production on a formula basis by about 1.8 million barrels per day for a six-month period, due to expire June 30 of 2017. Compliance has generally been stellar, which is unusual, and anecdotal evidence suggests that the cuts are slowly working to rebalance the oil production/supply/inventory situation. Slowly of course doesnt work for jittery markets that need immediate gratification so perversely, the longer the cuts are in place, the less effective they appear to become. Meanwhile, at around $50 oil, the U.S. tight oil industry has been adding rigs like they are going out of style, hedging production at high prices and drilling like mad. The same of course is happening in Canada to a lesser extent.



So, what did they decide anyway? Its not secret, everyone knew last week when Russia and the Saudis pre-announced the decision, but for the record, the agreement was to extend the cuts for another 9 months, continue to exempt Libya, Nigeria and, to a lesser extent, Iran. This was called by the media the safe option for some bizarre reason, because, you know, holding back a cumulative 800 million some odd barrels from the market is clearly the safe play for a bunch of countries that rely on oil revenues to placate their restive populations.



No, far from being safe, what OPEC/NOPEC did was acknowledge that the inventory draw-down was taking longer than expected and by setting the target so far out, they eliminate a lot of the uncertainty and quarterly speculation from the market. Many analysts in the last few days had been speculating that OPEC/NOPEC needed to actually cut even more to address the inventory, but this was never a realistic idea given how compliance issues would become greater with higher cuts and the fact that the 800 million barrels in cuts for exceeds what every self-respecting analyst acknowledges to be the actual inventory overhang.



What did the market do?



Predictably, when confronted by stability, commitment to support prices and a credible plan to get there, the market sold off oil by more than 5 percent. For all intents and purposes, this appears to have been a purely speculative market move with a lot of short covering and people selling out of long positions purchased as a bet on additional cuts. The market had bid itself up by almost an equivalent amount in anticipation of the meeting. Im actually inclined to say the run-up to the meeting was more surprising than the post announcement sell-off but all quite predictable.



How long will it last?



I would expect the cuts to last nine months.



No really, how long will it last?



Seriously, nine months. Maybe longer. The real question, of course, is not how long the announced cuts will remain in place, but how long can this herd of cats be kept in compliance with the cuts? The simple answer is that as long as the cuts are supportive of prices and data starts to finally flow regarding a significant draw-down in inventory the various members of the OPEC/NOPEC output cut team will play the compliance game. Resolve and discipline will falter in a scenario where prices spike or fall considerably.

Related : Private Equity Is Jumping Into This Reemerging Oil Hotspot



How will we finally know the cuts are working?



We know the cuts are working when the OECD monthly storage numbers start reflecting the expected declines in inventory. Already the IEA stats have shown that additions to OECD inventories have slowed significantly signifying a coming supply/consumption balance. But remember, we are trying to eliminate an overhang of about 500 million barrels, this takes time!



Price is a decent signal about the cuts working, but price is driven too much by sentiment.



If you prefer your data to be, I dont know, current one good place to look would be the weekly import numbers into the United States as reported by the EIA. If you see imports from Saudi Arabia and Iraq (among others) start to drop in these numbers, we are on to something. The Saudi oil minister in fact said this himself, telling the market that Saudi exports to the U.S. were going to be reduced.



But all the above aside, the cuts are already working.



Why not cut more like everyone seems to want?



As per the above comment about discipline, if the cuts are too deep a number of things happen. First, prices will rise too much creating a temptation to cheat. Second, the incentive to drill becomes stronger for those producers not part of the cut, which means the sacrifice is even more unbalanced creating a further temptation to cheat. Finally, and I think this is overlooked by the genius analysts and market commentators, when prices rise, the end products (i.e. gasoline) get more expensive which dampens demand, upsetting the other side of the equation. Could OPEC/NOPEC have cut more? Sure, but it probably wouldnt make much of a difference. Mathematically, the current cuts will work. I call it the Goldilocks scenario  not too hot, not too cold. Let it play out.



Does this mean U.S. inventories will finally start to shrink dramatically?



It is expected U.S. inventories will continue to drop as they do every year at this time (7 weeks in a row and counting), but it probably wont be overly dramatic.



Um, what?



Well, ironically, U.S. inventories are probably the last place where you should look to assess the success of OPEC/NOPEC production cuts. There are a few reasons for this. First, the U.S. supplies about 60 percent of its daily liquids production needs. Second, the balance comes from imports, the majority of course from Canada who isnt part of NOPEC, so a decrease in OPEC imports into the U.S. can be made up in the short term from Canada. Finally, storage in Cushing, the continental U.S. and many OECD locales is the cheapest in the world. So, all things being equal, you drain the most expensive storage first. By the time big drops start appearing in the U.S., the inventory depletion will be in full gear and the worry will be that this has all gone too far. Im willing to place a bet on that. Anyone? Anyone?



What are risks to price in the short term?



Short term price risks appear to be mostly market driven. Perception, boredom, hype. OPEC/NOPEC has set a floor under prices. Other risks to keep an eye on are demand signals from China and India and of course the ever-present price bogeyman of U.S. tight oil. I suppose these are all downside risks. Upside price shocks would come from a rapid decline in inventories (lets not forget depletion too!) or some form of increased hostilities either on the Korean Peninsula or the Middle East.



What does this mean for tight oil?



I think it means more of the same. They will continue to drill but in the Goldilocks pricing environment we are currently in, things are getting tight in Texas. Latest data suggests the drilling boom is coming up against some labour and equipment constraints with prices up 10-15 percent, capex being left unspent because of lack of resources and break-evens creeping by $3 to $5 a barrel (say it aint so!). At the same time, recent data out of the EIA shows that drilling productivity has a hit a bit of a speed bump and declined in the latest reporting period. One measurement isnt a trend, but the engine light just came on, time for a checkup. At The end of the day, U.S. tight oil is going to grow, the question is just how much can it actually grow given the realities on the ground in Midland as opposed to a corner office in Manhattan.



What does it mean for Canada?



Much the same as the U.S. tight oil scenario, the current pricing scenario sets the stage for slow and steady growth in some of Canadas most appealing plays and increased royalties into provincial coffers. As long as we can stop shooting ourselves in the foot from a regulatory standpoint, Canada should see steady growth in the energy sector over the next few years. Related: Iran Signs Oil For Goods Deal With Russia: Breaks Free Of Petrodollar



Why is backwardation important?



Mainly because its a really cool word and easier to say without laughing than contango. Seriously though, backwardation is a situation where the spot and close-in price of a commodity is higher than the forward price. In this scenario, there is less incentive to store a product for later sale than to sell it immediately. While this is a bullish signal for inventory depletion, it is also an incentive to increase short term production (i.e. tight oil) so it kind of kicks the can down the road. That said, its a net positive for dealing with the current oversupply situation.



I hear Donald Trump is going to flood the market by selling half the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, isnt that going to send prices spiraling?



No, not really. First, the U.S. government is already selling some of the SPR. Second, the proposed budget provision to sell off some 300 million barrels of oil is a longer-term proposition and isnt going to even generate much cash in a multi-trillion-dollar budget. Not a fully formed or well thought-out idea and it has a low likelihood of happening.



Plus, even if it does happen, the planned sale is over a number of years and amounts to about 95,000 barrels of oil a day. Not enough to move a market.



By Stormont Energy Advisors

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
OPECs new strategy to balance the oil market is to cut oil exports to the U.S., a move intended to drain near-record-high crude oil inventories.

OPEC originally thought that six months of combined production cuts would be sufficient to balance the oil market, but the market still looks oversupplied. Not everyone agrees on this. The IEA has argued that we probably have already reached balance, which is to say, demand has caught up with supply. The energy agency says that the market is moving into a supply deficit situation in the second half of this year, if it hasnt already.

But the problem is that the one metric that OPEC officials themselves have held up as the key barometer to watch is the level of global crude oil inventories, rather than the immediate supply/demand balance. And on that front, they sort of shot themselves in the foot by ramping up exports just ahead of the implementation of the cuts late last year.

Elevated exports in November and December meant that huge volumes of oil started reaching U.S. shores in January. It is no wonder that U.S. inventories surged in the first quarter. The flood of oil set back OPECs efforts right off the bat, and even close-to-100-percent compliance on the production cuts was not enough to drain inventories at the speed needed to declare victory by June. Related: Trump Aims To Scrap Gulf Coast Oil Royalties

The huge increase in U.S. inventories means that OPEC needs six months just to get inventories back to where they started at the end of last year. Producers unintentionally accelerated activities that would ultimately obstruct, and for a period reverse, the very rebalancing they were trying to accelerate, Ed Morse, head of commodities research at Citigroup, said in April.

(Click to enlarge)

So, here we are, back at the starting line, this time with a promise of nine more months of cuts. OPECs strategy this time around is to directly target U.S. inventories, rather than simply taking barrels off of the global market. "Exports to the U.S. will drop measurably," Saudi energy minister Khalid Al-Falih told reporters after the OPEC meeting last week. Some sources familiar with the Saudi strategy told Bloomberg that Saudi oil exports to the U.S. will drop below 1 million barrels per day in June, a reduction of 15 percent below the average so far in 2017. If the Saudis keep exports below the 1 mb/d threshold, it will be the lowest level of exports to the U.S. in years. Related: Does The U.S. Still Need A Strategic Petroleum Reserve?

In a global marketplace, why does it really matter where the Saudis send their oil? In terms of global supply, a barrel sent to Asia is the same as a barrel exported to the U.S., so whats the point of targeting the U.S., specifically?

The logic is that the U.S. has nearly real-time data on crude oil storage, unlike most other places in the world  data that is publicly available. Some analysts believe that oil inventories have been falling around the world for quite a while even as they climbed in the U.S., but because the markets pay close attention to U.S. data, the increase in U.S. inventories in the first quarter weighed on sentiment and prices. After all, nobody really knows what is going on with storage levels in China, for example.

But precisely because the U.S. has transparent data, Saudi officials believe that they can provide a jolt to the market but attempting to put a dent in storage tanks along the U.S. Gulf Coast. The strategy could have some merit. "The market has been given clear independent and verifiable metric of how Saudi cuts -- and hopefully broader OPEC -- are working out over the summer, Amrita Sen, chief oil analyst at Energy Aspects Ltd., told Bloomberg.

It will take a bit of time for the effects to be felt. The typical transit time for an oil tanker from the Middle East runs from 35 to 55 days, according to Bloomberg, which means that the U.S. import data should start showing some signs of the strategy by mid-July. If imports drop off, that will mean more oil will have to be drained out of storage. When that occurs, oil traders will grow more confident that the market is on the mend.

Of course, if Saudi Arabia simply reroutes some of those exports to Asia, then inventories in Asia could rise. But, because the data is poor, the markets might not realize that the barrels originally destined for U.S. shores are not actually coming off the market but are turning up elsewhere.

By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com

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Usually when CFTC data shows a big speculative position, it is easy to spot the corresponding mood amongst traders. For example, take the current situation with the Canadian dollar. There are record net speculative shorts, and that bias is obvious amongst hedge funds and other professional traders.

(Click to enlarge)

However, over the past few years, I have been puzzled by the building of a massive record net long speculative position in the WTI crude oil market.

(Click to enlarge)

The monster speculative long position doesnt correspond to the general attitude amongst traders. In fact, without looking at the data, I would argue most specs are negative towards crude oil. The data does not jive with my anecdotal evidence.

I have written about the problems of solely using net contracts as a measure of speculative positioning before (Re-evaluating crude oil spec positioning). Increases in open interest, and dramatic changes in the price of the underlying asset can make some of these contract-only indicators less effective. This is why experts who focus on CFTC Data, often use net position as a percent of open interest. Adam Collins at Movement Capital has created a terrific website called Free COT Data that uses this sort of analysis. For those interested in CFTC positioning, I highly recommend Adams site.

When we transform net crude spec positioning to a percent of open interest, the recent rise does not seem so scary.

(Click to enlarge) Related: Trump Aims To Scrap Gulf Coast Oil Royalties

Yet I dont think that completely explains what is going on.

For 25 years, the net crude oil spec position sat in a range.

(Click to enlarge)

Then in 2010, it broke out, and has been rising steadily since then.

Now maybe there has been a whole raft of new speculators entering the crude oil market. Maybe hedge funds are secretly long gobs of futures. I dont know for sure, but I somehow doubt it.

If they were long tons of futures, I would expect to see them doing what they do with all their other positions - jumping on TV touting their idea, or writing up reports about why oil is going to $100. Sure there is the occasional crude oil bull, but nowhere near what you would expect if they had a record long position.

I dont buy that this increase in net spec longs is a traditional increase in speculation. There is something different about it.

I dont have any answers. But I wonder if we are missing a new player that may have entered the market.

I am not sure how China would be classified if they were to buy futures, but I think there is a decent chance they might not be classified as a hedger.

Since the 2008 credit crisis, Chinese crude oil imports have increased from 11.5 million metric tonnes, to over 35 million.

(Click to enlarge)

Related: Russian Energy Minister: Deeper Cuts Still On The Table

We know that over the past decade China has been ramping up their SPR (Strategic Petroleum Reserve). What if they are also trading crude oil futures?

It might explain the recent massive expansion in open interest and net speculative long position.

I understand the bear argument that crude oil is about to roll over due to the weak longs, but what if they are misinterpreting the extent of speculative long positioning?

There is no doubt that the supply side story is bearish. There is a wall of crude oil out there.

But what if the demand side surprises to the upside? What if everyone is underestimating Chinas appetite? I dont know about you, but if I were a Central Bank with too many U.S. dollars, I certainly would be selling the fiat currency and buying some real assets. And if you think about it, nothing is a better real asset than crude oil. It is storable, and most importantly, it represents a unit of energy that is the basis for mans unbelievable productivity. Take away crude oil and see how many houses, skyscrapers, etc. are built. Take away crude oil and see how you get your fresh vegetables, or even your summer hamburgers. Crude oil is in the price of almost everything we build and consume.

China buying crude oil as a way to diversify their US dollar holdings makes complete sense. And dont forget, China is not like Bank of Japan or the Federal Reserve. They arent going to announce their purchases ahead of time.

I know this theory is a little out-there. But I look at the recent expansion of crude oil net positioning, and it just doesnt reflect what I see in the market. China as a big silent buyer is a much more plausible explanation than the fact hedge funds are net long record crude oil because they are so bullish.

By Kevin Muir via Zerohedge.com

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Saudi officials repeatedly described U.S. President Donald Trumps visit to Riyadh as historic, calling his meeting with rulers of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC, a landmark event. American counterparts, however, opted for the word reset, suggesting that the two nations are resetting ties after a strained relationship with the Obama administration.

For Saudi royals, this reset is relief from Barack Obamas repeated urging to ease their repressive policies on human rights. They agree with Trumps declaration that emphasizing human rights impeded trade between the countries. They also approve of his admiration for strongmen like Egypts President Abdul Fattah Sisi, Russias Vladimir Putin and Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdo?an. In contrast, they conveniently overlook the fact that Obama and his Republican predecessor George W. Bush advocated human rights and democracy as tactics to undermine support for radical Islamism.

Trumps foreign jaunt made it clear that he is aligning with the agenda of the Sunni monarchs of the GCC regarding Iran. They have framed their rivalry with the Islamic Republic of Iran in sectarian terms, demonizing Shia Islam in the process. While skirting the theological battle, Trump describes Iran as a state that supports terrorism, which has not totally abandoned aspirations to build a nuclear weapon.

Eager to be seen as succeeding with his foreign policy, Trump unilaterally reset his opinions of Saudi Arabia by 180 degrees. A year ago, addressing a campaign rally in Wisconsin, he said, Nobodys going to mess with Saudi Arabia because were watching them [the Saudis] theyre not paying us a fair price. Were losing our shirt. As late as 28 April, in a Reuters interview, he complained; Frankly, Saudi Arabia has not treated us fairly, because we are losing a tremendous amount of money in defending Saudi Arabia. Three weeks later, in Riyadh, he uttered not a word about the U.S. financial burden of protecting the kingdom  totaling $10,000 in miltary education and training in 2014.

Related: Trump Aims To Scrap Gulf Coast Oil Royalties

Instead, Trump focused on signing a U.S.-Saudi military cooperation agreement worth $350 billion over 10 years, with $110 billion to take effect immediately.

The last thing that the Middle East needs is massive imports of what, in Trumps words, are lots of beautiful military equipment which nobody makes it like the United States. This led U.S. Senator Chris Murphy to remark, 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.

Obama had already been generous in supplying weapons to Riyadh. According to the Washington-based Center for International Policy, in 42 separate deals his administration offered the Saudi Kingdom a record $115 billion package for arms, other military equipment and training.

On the eve of the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA  meticulously negotiated by the United States and signed in July 2015 by six world powers and Iran on its nuclear program  Obama went out of his way to bolster the security of Saudi Arabia and five other Gulf monarchies. He hosted a U.S.-GCC summit at the White House and Camp David in mid-May. He promised U.S. technical assistance in creating a ballistic missile early-warning system for GCC states to defend themselves against Irans missile attacks. Two months earlier, he had agreed to provide logistical and intelligence support to the Saudis when they intervened in the Yemen civil war to defeat Shia Houthi insurgents.

In April 2016 Obama flew to Riyadh, his fourth such visit, the highest by any American president, to hold the second U.S.-GCC summit. Thus, Trumps recent meeting with GCC leaders in Riyadh ranked third in the series.

The JCPOA signing resulted in lifting UN sanctions on Iran. But Washingtons sanctions on Iran, emanating from U.S. law, remained in place. Irans ballistic missile program and its support for terrorism pose a continuing threat to the region, to the United States, and to our partners worldwide, said U.S. Treasury official Adam Szubin in March 2016, adding that America would continue to counteract these threats through sanctions. U.S. financial institutions continue to be barred from dealing with Iran

Trump and his team arrived in Riyadh on 20 May, the day after the reformist incumbent, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, was reelected after a decisive win, 57 percent to 39 percent, over conservative rival Ebrahim Raisi. Four rounds of television debate by the contestants had preceded the polling.



Commenting on the result, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the Trump administration hoped Tehran restores the rights of Iranians to freedom of speech, to freedom of organization, so that Iranians can live the life that they deserve. He seemed to have missed the clarion call given by Rouhani at the largest election rally in Tehran: We want freedom of press, freedom of association, and freedom of thought. Nor did Tillerson notice the stark irony of his governments total silence on the wholesale denial of these rights for the subjects of Saudi King Salman.

Pursuing a predetermined agenda, Trump told the gathering of 35 heads of state from across the Muslim world, 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.

Hezbollah in Lebanon, allied with Iran, has a political wing, a key part of the republics parliamentary system, and two ministers in the present cabinet. And long before the Obama administration geared up to help the government in Baghdad fight the Islamic State in Iraq, Iran had trained, funded and armed Iraqi Shia to battle the extremists.

The Zaidi Shias tribes inhabiting the mountainous north in Yemen got their chance to seize the capital of Sanaa in the chaos following the Arab Spring uprising in 2011. Led by Abdul Malik al Houthi, they became known as Houthis. This insurgent movement emerged independently of Iran, which has since then tried to supply it arms with intermittent success.

When the impulsive 29-year-old Saudi defense minister, Prince Mohammad  the favorite son of King Salman, since named deputy crown prince  decided in March 2015 to launch an air blitzkrieg in Yemen, he declared that Houthis could be uprooted in a matter of days. But the war, costing Riyadh tens of millions of dollars a day, has turned into a stalemate. Related: Is This Saudi Arabias Newest Strategy To Boost Oil Prices?

Prince Mohammad claims that the Houthis are puppets of Iran. On 1 May, he was asked on the Dubai-based, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television channel if he saw a possibility for direct talks with Iran. In his reply, he referred to a Shia belief of waiting for the arrival of the 12th Hidden Imam, who disappeared around 868 AD, as al Mahdi, or the Messiah, to bring justice to the world: How can I come to an understanding with someone, or a regime, that has an anchoring belief built on an extremist ideology? he asked rhetorically. He then asserted that Iran aimed to control the Islamic world.

Among Muslims worldwide, Shias are a minority of 15 percent. Only four of the 57 Muslim-majority countries are Shia. To declare that Iran aimed to control the Islamic world, 85 percent Sunni, is beyond belief.

Equally paranoid was the princes statement, We know we are a main target of Iran. He then added ominously, We are not waiting until there becomes a battle in Saudi Arabia, so we will work so that it becomes a battle for them in Iran and not in Saudi Arabia.

Trump, notorious for a short attention span and impulsiveness, has aligned his administration with this preposterous scenario.

By Yale Global

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Iraqs oil ministry has authorized the construction of a refinery in Kirkuk in the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan that would cost US$5 billion, Kurdish media network Rudaw reported on Monday, citing an Iraqi lawmaker from Kirkuk.

The Iraqi oil ministry has given the go-ahead for a modern refinery to be built which will cost $5 billion, Rebwar Taha from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) party told Rudaw. The project will be carried out in phases and could take between 3 and 5 years to complete, Taha noted.

The existing refinery in Kirkuk is 65 years old and refines just 30,000 bpda capacity that cannot meet demand in Kirkuk, the lawmaker said.

This is why we have asked for the refinerys production rate to be increased to 70,000 barrels a day so that oil from Kirkuk is no longer taken elsewhere under the pretext of refining it, Rudaw quoted Taha as saying.

The region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq is estimated to have 45 billion barrels of oil reserves. Exports from the fields in northern Iraq held by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) stand at around 600,000 bpd.

A spokesman for Iraqs oil ministry, Asim Jihad, told Rudaw that the oil ministry had given its consent for a new refinery to be built in Kirkuk.



Related: Is This Saudi Arabias Newest Strategy To Boost Oil Prices?

At the beginning of March, production from the Kirkuk fields was disrupted after Kurdish protestors seized a pumping station in order to protest the policies of Baghdad and Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish area. The protest was allegedly inspired by Kurdish demands that Baghdad authorize the construction of a refinery in Kirkuk, and they shut down the line shipping oil to Turkey.

A few days later, PUK agreed with Iraqs central government to keep oil from the Kirkuk oilfields flowing via the pipeline to the Turkish export terminal Ceyhan on the Mediterranean. The deal was reportedly reached after Baghdad agreed to boost the capacity of the Kirkuk oil refinery, and thus PUK withdrew its threat to shut the pipeline to Ceyhan.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Following an initial public offering that raised US$1.3 billion (C$1.75 billion), Kinder Morgan Canadas restricted voting shares start trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Tuesday, just hours after two British Columbia parties opposing a Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion agreed to form an alliance that may end a 16-year-long rule of the more energy-friendly Liberals in the Canadian province.

Kinder Morgan and Kinder Morgan Canada announced on Tuesday the completion of the IPO of 102,942,000 restricted voting shares of Kinder Morgan Canada at a price to the public of US$12.61 (C$17.00) per share, but began trading at C$15.79 early in the trading daybelow the set price.

Closing of the Offering removed the final condition to Kinder Morgans investment approval for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, the company said in todays statement.

The Trans Mountain pipeline currently transports around 300,000 bpd of crude oil and refined petroleum products from the oil sands in Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia and Washington state. In November 2016, Canada approved the US$5.5 billion (C$7.4 billion) Trans Mountain Expansion Project, to increase the nominal capacity of the system to 890,000 bpd. Under the project timeline, construction is expected to start in September this year, and the pipeline is seen entering into service at the end of 2019.

The day before Kinder Morgan Canada starts trading in Toronto, the BC Green Party said on Monday it would support the New Democratic Party (NDP) in British Columbias legislature, following the recent provincial election. The support from the Greens gives the NDP the backing of a total of 44 members of the legislative assembly (MLAs)  NDPs 41 members and the three Green MLAs  the minimum number for a majority of support in the 87-seat legislature. The Liberals hold 43 seats.

Although there are issues on which the Greens and the NDP disagree, one of the things that they agreed on during the campaign was the opposition to Kinder Morgans pipeline project.



Related: Is This The "Mystery" Massive Long Supporting The Oil Market?

However, Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that Canada stands by its decision to approve the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and regardless of a change in government, in British Columbia or anywhere, the facts and evidence do not change.

The decision we took on the Trans Mountain pipeline was based on facts [and] evidence, on what is in the best interest of Canadians, Trudeau said.

Commenting on the British Columbia election and the Greens-NDP alliance, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said in a statement today:

It is no secret that we have one important disagreement. As I have said from the beginning, the twinning of the Trans Mountain Pipeline is critical not only to Albertas economy, but to the national economy.

Its important to note that provinces do not have the right to unilaterally stop projects such as Trans Mountain that have earned the federal governments approval, Premier Notley said.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Afghanistan to hold international peace conference

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan will hold an international conference on peace, security and reconciliation next week in Kabul at a time when Taliban insurgents have intensified fighting and killed dozens of policemen over the past few days, a senior Afghan diplomat said on Monday.



Zardasht Shams, deputy head of the mission at the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad, said nearly 20 countries have been invited to the conference on June 6.



"The Kabul Process meeting will be held by the instructions of the President (Dr Ashraf Ghani) to bring various processes/meetings on Afghanistan under one umbrella," Shams told reporters.



He said anti-terrorism cooperation is also one of the key issues to be discussed by senior diplomats and officials.



A Pakistani official said Pakistan will participate in the line with "our policy to go on all Afghan meetings" to contribute in peace and reconciliation in the war-ravaged country.



Along with neighbours, the US, India, Saudi Arabia, Japan, UK, Russia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Germany, France and China have been invited to the conference and explore ways how to help Kabul promote peace and security, Shams said.



He said the UN and European Union will also attend the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned meeting.



Shams said President Ashraf Ghani had in fact floated the idea to start the "Kabul Process" to keep all the stakeholders on board about the situation in Afghanistan.



To a question about the level of the participation, he said some countries could attend at the level of deputy minister, and special advisors or their representatives.



Kabul is holding the conference weeks after Russia hosted diplomats from 11 countries as part of its initiative to involve regional countries and to find solution to the Afghan problem in the region.



The Moscow conference in mid-April had agreed to Afghan proposal to host the next meeting of the Russian-led initiative in Kabul. However, the Afghan government has now launched a new process instead of focusing on the Russian-led peace initiative. The US had refused to attend the April meet on a plea that it was not consulted before the invitation was sent and that it is unaware of the agenda.



Political watchers had their own point that Washington was worried at the proactive Russian diplomacy in the region and that is why it stayed away from the meeting that was third Russia had hosted in five months.



The Russians are now publicly opposing the continuation of the war in Afghanistan and its diplomats have even backed the Taliban call for the withdrawal of foreign troops. China, Pakistan and Iran are concerned at the US military option and no clear approach towards political process and reconciliation with the Taliban.



Diplomats aware of the "Kabul Process" believe that actually the US has taken this initiative to "sideline the Moscow Process". They believe the Russian initiative has received support of almost all neighbouring countries, which are directly affected due to instability in Afghanistan.



"Basically the new US administration wants that instead of other processes all initiatives of peace and security in Afghanistan should be led from Kabul," an Islamabad-based diplomat said on Monday.



"The US wants to focus on increasing troops and not so much interested in talks with Taliban," he opined. He added, "Russia is not happy (with this new initiative) but will attend at low level... may be at the level of the country's deputy ambassador in Kabul."
Hussain Nawaz to appear again before JIT 30 May, 2017



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Hand Wash and Toiletries in Pakistan And the Role of DUPAS in Reshaping the Industry

Woke Bingo ISLAMABAD: Hussain Nawaz, the elder son of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, will appear before the joint investigation team (JIT) probing the Panama Papers case for a second time today (Tuesday) after the Supreme Court turned down his objections against two of the bodys members.



We are not going to remove any JIT member on mere conjecture unless something concrete comes up because the prime minister is the one being investigated, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, who heads the three-judge implementation bench of the Supreme Court, observed on Monday.



The PMs son had objected to the inclusion of two members  Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistans Bilal Rasool and State Bank of Pakistans Amer Aziz  accusing them of being close to the PML-Ns political rivals.



The JIT members, Justice Khan explained, were nominated after considering their experience, adding that mere suspicion could not become the basis for their transfer.



The apprehensions should be reasonable, otherwise we will have to summon angels from heaven to conduct the investigation, Justice Khan retorted when Hussain Nawazs lawyer requested the court to appoint someone neutral with no previous relationship with anybody.



But Justice Khan highlighted that whatever the JIT collected would ultimately be laid before the court in the form of a fortnightly or final report. Therefore, the court would decide what was admissible and what was not.



When Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf suggested that the court could order the JIT to provide a list of documents it needed whenever it summoned someone, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed observed that the court did not expect the law officer to take sides.



Hussain Nawaz counsel Khawaja Muhammad Haris repeatedly referred to an application filed by Tariq Shafi  the prime ministers cousin  who alleged that he was made to sit before the JIT for 13 hours at a stretch, during which time one of the members continuously intimidated, browbeat and harassed him, while another threatened him to withdraw the affidavit he submitted in the Panama Papers leaks case or face penal consequences.



Mr Shafi was even called a liar repeatedly by one JIT member, the counsel said. However Justice Saeed observed that Mr Shafi was summoned by the probe team for an interrogation and not a tea party.



Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan recalled that the JIT was working overtime, even sitting on Saturdays and Sundays because they had to complete the task assigned to them within the stipulated period of 60 days.



What is the [point] of the JIT if they do not interrogate you? Justice Ahsan wondered, regretting that the court had noticed a lot of delaying tactics and resistance to the process.



It is your job to provide complete material, because it was you who knows which documents have to be provided in your defence, Justice Ahsan told Mr Harris.



Though Hussain Nawaz was not present, PTI leaders Jahangir Tareen, Ishaq Khakwani, Naeemul Haq and Fawad Chaudhry quietly observed proceedings, as did Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and PML-N MNAs Talal Chaudhry and Daniyal Aziz.



During proceedings, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Additional Director General Wajid Zia  who heads the JIT  informed the court that a witness, British-Pakistani Kashif Masood Qazi, did not appear despite being summoned since he lived abroad.



Another witness, National Bank of Pakistan CEO Saeed Ahmed, was said to be avoiding the probe, since he had also not appeared before the probe body, despite repeated summons.



But when the Supreme Court bench warned that non-bailable arrest warrants could be issued in his name, Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali assured the court that Mr Ahmed would appear before the investigation team on Tuesday.



Both witnesses are connected with the Hudabiya Paper Mills case: in Ishaq Dars confession, which he later disowned, he admitted to laundering $14.86 million and opening two bank accounts in the names of Sikandar Masood Qazi and Talat Masood Qazi for Nawaz Sharifs brother.



In the confessional statement dated April 4, 2000 Mr Dar said he had known Masood Ahmed Qazi, the head of the family, since 1970.



As per the statement, Nawaz Sharif asked Mr Dar to open four benami foreign currency accounts in the names of Sikandar Masood Qazi, Talat Masood Qazi, Nuzhat Gohar Qazi and Kashif Masood Qazi.



The Qazi family had disassociated themselves with these accounts, saying that their identity cards were misused to open bank accounts.



According to JIT head Wajid Zia, Kashif Qazi fears for his life and is not ready to come to Pakistan.



Mr Dars statement also links the NBP CEO  who was at one time one of the directors of Mr Dars First Hajveri Modarba Co  with the money laundering scam, claiming that his foreign currency account was used to deposit large sums of foreign currency provided by the Sharif family to offer as collateral to obtain different and indirect credit lines.



Mr Zia also informed the court that the JIT had summoned former Qatari prime minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, but he had not responded to the summons.
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If writing about music is like dancing about architecture, then explaining about Trump is like sneezing about hermeneutics.

I believe it to be the general opinion across the land that anyone who thinks he can explain Donald Trump has probably just escaped from an Institution for the Criminally Insane.

From where I sit it appears to be the case that the entire worldnot just the American corner of ithas taken sides on the matter of Donald Trump. I therefore consider it my sworn duty as Your Humble Blogger to Explain Donald Trump to both the traumatized Trump-haters of the world and the enraptured Trump-lovers of the world. Not only that, but Im going to assert, only semi-facetiously, that I can explain Trump by focusing on merely two of his characteristics.

The reason I can claim to do so is that, as it happens, Im observing the Trump phenomenon from a rare vantage point. After forty years of working with wealthy families Ive had the  I was going to say pleasure, but instead Ill say the opportunityto come to know a very, very few people like Donald Trump. By that I mean men and women who have built gigantic fortunes in one lifetime, typically north of $1 billion.

In other words, these folks arent ordinary people like the rest of us, and they arent ordinary wealthy people, and they arent even ordinary entrepreneurs. They are what Ill call mega entrepreneurial personalities (MEPs). Whether or not the rich are different, these people are certainly different. They typically possess personalities so large they wouldnt fit in, well, Trump Tower.

MEPs didnt get where they are by being modest wallflowers. They have, instead, levels of self-confidence that border on the deranged. They represent an infinitesimally small percentage of the human population, and most people live entire lifetimes without ever bumping into one of them. Which is perhaps why Trumps behavior seems so inexplicable to so many people.

To understand the MEP phenomenon, lets begin with Teddy Roosevelts famous advice to speak softly and carry a big stick. That certainly seems like sound counsel, and it well describes the sort of President Americans typically want to see in office.

Roosevelts advice makes sense if you happen to be, say, the head of a powerful nation, like the US. It makes sense if you happen to be a general leading a powerful army, like Eisenhower. It makes sense if you happen to be the CEO of a huge corporation, like Tim Cook. But what if youre just one person trying to make your way in the world? You can speak softly if you want, but if you do no one will hear you. Since you arent carrying a big stick, something else about you had better be big, and what that thing is, is the Mega Entrepreneurial Personality.

MEPs therefore arent shy, retiring violets. If we think of a bunch of antonyms for shy, our MEPs will be all of them: loud, aggressive, bold, egotistical, self-absorbed, audacious. They know they are starting out life carrying a very small, almost invisible stick, and so the last thing they want to do is to speak softly. MEPs decidedly do not speak softly.

But rather than prattle on in general about MEPs and their nature, lets examine a representative sampling of Mega Entrepreneurial Personality characteristics and how they operate in the real world.
Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the American Authors Association

Douglas V. Gibbs is a proud member of the Military Writers Society of America.
QUEENSBURY  SUNY Adirondacks Board of Trustees has approved a budget of $29.86 million, an increase of 1.95 percent over last years budget.

It was a responsible budget, and we will bring it to the counties for support, school President Kristine Duffy said after last weeks board meeting, pointing out that the Queensbury school maintains one of the lowest rates of per-student spending in the SUNY system.

The budget increase was just over a half-million dollars, to balance a combination of decreased state aid and a decrease in enrollment. The college is not using any of its fund balance for the budget, leaving that account at $2.18 million.

The full-time equivalent enrollment used to calculate the budget is 2,603 students, down from 2,680 a year ago, but the college is trying to increase enrollment and has seen an uptick at enrolled-student open houses.

The budget increase is the highest in several years. Last year, the budget increased only $9,341, and the year before saw a 1 percent increase.

Last month, the board approved a $108-per-semester tuition increase to help offset a $290,000 cut in state aid.

The 2017-18 rate for full-time students from New York will increase to $2,196. The out-of-state tuition rate will increase from $4,176 to $4,392. Part-time tuition rates will increase by $9 to $183 per credit hour.

Increases in tuition and student fees will bring in an estimated $432,000. Student revenue makes up 44 percent of the budget.

The 2 percent budget increase will result in a $67,000 increase in total contributions from Warren and Washington counties. The sponsor contribution remains at 11.5 percent, which compares to 15.6 percent among similar SUNY schools.

Based on 2015 enrollments, Washington Countys contribution will be $1.97 million, a $39,000 increase. Warren Countys will be $1.46 million, a $29,000 increase.

The chargeback rate, to counties other than Warren and Washington, is $2,760 per full-time student, a $220 increase.

School officials will meet with county committee members at 9:30 a.m. June 2 on campus. The county meetings at which the budget will be considered are 6 p.m. June 14 at the Warren County complex and 10 a.m. June 16 at the Washington County complex.

The next Board of Trustees meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. June 22.

The budget increase was $572,000, which included $477,000 in standard and negotiated wage increases, $277,000 in additions to meet college needs, $265,000 in new and increased facility rentals and leases, $119,000 in maintenance of new and improved facilities and $111,000 in other expenses.

There were also decreases of $282,000 in benefits, $229,000 in personnel reorganization and retirements and $166,000 in equipment and software costs.

The budgets composition is 58.2 percent personnel service, 20.5 percent employee benefits, 18.6 percent contractual expenses and 2.7 percent equipment.

The college is receiving $181,000 more from the Adirondack Completes program grant and $167,000 from the Community Schools grant.

Since the 2011-12 budget, student revenue has dropped from 49.2 percent of the budget to 44 percent. The chargeback rate has increased from 7.8 percent to 11.5 percent, making up most of the difference.

In other news from the Board of Trustees meeting:

The college will name its new technology building Adirondack Hall.

The college will establish a food bank for students next year.

JacQuan Thompson will be the new student member of the Board of Trustees, replacing Monica Saylors, who has graduated.

Aside from the construction on Adirondack Hall, renovations for the Center for Student Success in Warren Hall are progressing as scheduled, and renovation of the Scoville Learning Center will take place through August.

The college has been selected as trainer for a Department of Labor grant for GlobalFoundries employees and will also host an Arms to Farms program this summer for veterans who want to learn about running a farm.

Duffy said she felt graduation went extremely well, and she added that the updates to Glens Falls Civic Center, including the new video boards on the scoreboard, made it a better experience.
In addition to the loss of tax exemptions, solar farms in Washington County will soon be charged a higher application fee.

The $50 fee may go as high as $1,500, because supervisors said they think even a fee that high would be considered lunch money to solar farm developers.

Its the latest in a series of actions that drive up the cost of doing solar business in Washington County, and some supervisors have objected, because they want to support greener energy use.

Supervisors have been torn on the issue, because solar farms use vacant land that could be farmed. Its not clear whether that land could ever be used as farmland again, after panels are installed.

Developers have to build a thick concrete foundation to support the panels, and bury electrical cables as well. All of that would have to be removed to return the land to farmland.

Supervisors have also been crafting local rules, town by town, on removal of panels when the solar farms are decommissioned. Developers may have to put up a bond or sign an agreement, promising to take care of all removal costs.

In that atmosphere, they greeted enthusiastically a proposal on Tuesday to raise the solar farm application fee.

Their only objection: The proposal didnt go far enough.

They were presented with a plan to raise the fee from $50 to $150.

I would say $50 is too cheap, said Whitehall Supervisor George Armstrong, who has generally been a strong supporter of solar farms and reiterated that support Tuesday.

Developers could afford a much higher fee, he said, and he proposed $500.

Easton Supervisor Dan Shaw said developers would be willing to pay even more than that. A developer in Easton immediately wrote out a check for $1,500 when Easton officials said they would have to check on the exact application fee.

The developer said, If its anything more, let me know, Shaw said.

He said Easton accepted the check.

From a workload perspective, solar farms require an average of five or six inspections, county officials said. Thats because they have to check on site work and on the pouring of the foundation, as well as final inspections when the project is done.

That could support a fee of six times the cost of a residential project, which requires just one inspection, said Kingsbury Supervisor Dana Hogan. That would be $300.

Not enough, disagreed White Creek Supervisor Bob Shay. Id go $1,500, myself.

Armstrong and Hogan supported that amount, with Armstrong saying that such fees are tiny in comparison to a multimillion-dollar project.

Thats lunch money, he said.

Still, some supervisors hesitated to go so high. Shaw suggested they create a sliding scale, based on kilowatts.

Kilowatts definitely define the scope and magnitude of a project, he said.

County officials will calculate the workload of their biggest solar farm projects, and bring a sliding scale proposal back to the supervisors for consideration.
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After growing up in the western Syrian city of Latakia, the future journalist started writing about human rights violations as he witnessed them unfold.

Between 2001 and 2002, Khoury published two novels about civil life in Syria without permission from the government, which required all of the country's print materials to be pre-screened.

This placed Khoury under the constant watch of President Bashar al-Assad's government, whose forces would regularly call Khoury in for police questioning over the next 10 years. During that time, he felt the country's tightening grip on democratic processes, and started a website where he published reports of what he saw.

"I tried to analyze the information, and send a message of what happened in my country," Khoury said. "You should be honest with your work."

By 2011, thousands of Syrians took to the streets to protest after Assad's government tortured teenagers who wrote revolutionary graffiti on their school wall.

While watching protests occur in Latakia, Khoury continued to post daily reports of government forces responding with force to people peacefully gathering. As Khoury's site grew in both prestige and readership, other journalists and civilians who filmed the events with their phones started sending Khoury material to post online. By that time, western media outlets began to republish some of his work.

As a Syrian Christian, Khoury was also pushing back against Assad's insistence that he was helping protect the country's religious minorities. Khoury said he has been unable to separate his anti-Assad activism from his journalistic work. He sees his role as standing up for those the government tries to repress.

After several months of reporting from the protests in Latakia, a group of agents stopped Khoury and a group of other reporters while they were driving in a car. The agents cornered Khoury and beat him up. He was hospitalized and had to get several surgeries to fix broken ribs.

As Syria launched into a full-blown civil war and the situation continued to deteriorate, Khoury left his home for Lebanon and continued publishing anti-Assad articles there. The Lebanese government shielded Khoury for more than a year, but eventually seized his passport because, Khoury believes, they didn't want to anger Assad's regime.

By that time, Khoury could not stay in either Syria and Lebanon and, after retrieving his passport from some people he knew in the government, sought asylum in New York.

Once there, he spent a year as a journalist in residence at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, and continued to publish material about the situation in Syria sent to him from journalists still on the ground. During his three years in the US, Khoury would try to send these reports to American newspapers but felt that most were either uninterested or wanted to publish the stories for free  something he refuses to do.

"They should give money to those people," said Khoury, adding that journalists still in Syria face daily dangers, both from Assad's government and Islamic terrorist groups who tried to capitalize on the war by taking over certain swatches of Syria.

But even amid the hopelessness of the war and the fighting's irreparable damage to Syrian society, Khoury continues to reach out to journalists in his home country. He later started a nonprofit organization to train young journalists throughout the Middle East.

Khoury feels that, even among the most brutal regimes and tight control of communication, people's desire to come together and share information will always come through.

"If you try to speak with anyone by phone, [Assad] can touch this person and torture him and his family," he said. "[But there are] programs like Viber and WhatsApp."

Since Khoury left, the war has continued to ravage Syria. Just last month, Assad's government launched a chemical strike that killed more than 70 people. The United States retaliated with an airstrike of 59 cruise missiles days later.

To date, more than half of Syria's pre-war population has been displaced, and over 400,000 Syrians have been killed.
Her comments came after German chancellor Angela Merkel distanced herself from the US and UK on Sunday. Merkel said the EU had to "fight for its own destiny" following the election of US President Donald Trump and Brexit.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday, Rudd said that Britain would continue to work closely with the EU once it leaves the bloc.

She said: "As we begin the negotiations about leaving the EU, we will be able to reassure Germany and other European countries that we are going to be a strong partner to them in defence and security, and, we hope, in trade.

"This is going to be the most important negotiation that this country has embarked on for many decades. Making sure that we get this right is going to be absolutely critical, and we don't underestimate the difficulty.

"We can reassure Mrs Merkel that we want to have a deep and special partnership so that we can continue to maintain European-wide security to keep us all safe from the terrorists abroad and those that are trying to be nurtured in our country," she said.

Merkel, who is on the campaign trail ahead of German elections in September, told a crowd in Munich on Sunday that "the times in which we could completely depend on others are on the way out."
Mike Levin, a Democrat challenging Issa for his House seat, tweeted the photo that appeared to show Issa on the roof of his district office building.

"Yes, this is really @DarrellIssa on the roof of his district office building," Levin tweeted. "Too afraid to come speak with assembled constituents below."

People have been protesting in front of Issa's office in California for more than a week over his vote for the American Health Care Act, as well as his support of other GOP policies.

Levin, who regularly attends the Indivisible-organized protests, said he saw Issa interact briefly with the protesters, even giving one pro-Trump counter protester a piece of cake.

"I don't think he knew what to do," Levin said of Issa. "He wanted to show some sort of interaction with the group. But going up on the roof and taking pictures  I honestly don't know what to say. People thought I photoshopped it. Bizarre, man."

Issa confirmed that he was on the roof in a later tweet, sharing the photo he took from the roof and others from his discussions with some of the protestors.

"

Here are the tweets:

Issa has been the subject of intense blowback from constituents for his support of the GOP health bill. Two town-hall meetings in March held by Issa drew more than 1,000 people combined, and many in attendance questioned his support of the AHCA before he voted in favor of it.
Uber's firing of Levandowski, on Friday, was first reported Tuesday by The New York Times. Business Insider confirmed it with the company.

Uber had been asking Levandowski for months to assist with its internal investigation for its defense against Waymo's charges, according to an Uber representative. Levandowski, however, invoked his Fifth Amendment right to protect himself against self-incrimination, and he hired criminal attorneys to represent him.

Uber fired Levandowski after he didn't meet the company's deadline for complying with its request, the representative said. Eric Meyhofer, who has been running Uber's Advanced Technologies Group since Levandowski was demoted in April, will continue to oversee Uber's self-driving-car development.

Despite not being named in the lawsuit, Levandowski's actions have been at the center of the legal battle between Uber and Waymo, the self-driving-car operation under Google's parent company, Alphabet. Waymo has accused Levandowski of downloading 14,000 files before he left Google and then using that information to jump-start Uber's self-driving-car program.

Earlier in May, Judge William Alsup formally barred Levandowski from all lidar-related work at Uber. As part of his preliminary injunction, Alsup set a May 31 deadline for Uber to return the missing files.

The judge also ordered the company to hand over by the end of June a detailed log of "conferences, meetings, phone calls, one-on-one conversations, texts, emails, letters, memos, and voicemails  wherein Anthony Levandowski mentioned lidar to any officer, director, employee, agent, supplier, or consultant of defendants."

In response to Alsup's order, Uber wrote a letter to Levandowski on May 15 issuing a series of demands and threatening to fire him if he didn't comply. Included in those demands were turning over his personal devices and issuing a written statement denying he ever took files from Google  or, if he did take them, to turn them over to Uber's attorneys.

In Levandowski's termination letter, which was included in court filings, Uber wrote that it "requested your full cooperation" but "as of today, you have not complied with these requirements."

Uber in April sent Levandowski another list of demands in a letter, which hasn't been made public. Levandowski did not comply with those requests either.
The Finance Committee that made the suggestion says that the mergers would increase the overall effectiveness of the ports in the country and reduce the stress that people would have to go through.

The members of the committee made the call when they paid a visit to technical partners of the Ghana National Single Window (GNSW) project, to abreast themselves of the company's operations which boosted the Ghana Revenue Authoritys revenue in 2016.

Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Assibey-Yeboah says the integration of both companies would facilitate the paperless state port that the country wants to attain.

Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei, Minister of Monitoring and Evaluation also supported the claim of merging both companies to achieving a paperless port saying, It is what is best for the country.

Ms. Valentina Mintah, Chief Executive Officer of West Blue Consulting, also said its plausible as all parties have established excellent system in place.
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The runway saw designers from Ghana, Gambia, Ivory Coast, and Togo amongst others who exhibited the latest works from their collections which undoubtedly depicted the diversity and beauty of culture and gave fashion enthusiasts memories they will cherish for a very long time and as well as give fashion critics topics to talk about and dissect for a very long time.

Some top notch designers who participated were; F2K, Zango, Eketino, Yaw Bako Clothing, Ethnik Mode, Bushai Weave Collection, Larry Jay Couture, Wanted collection, Marie Val Hagan, Nicoline Gh, Paja among others had their creations strutted in on the runway by over forty male models from across the continent.

Some of the designers whose creations and hard work couldnt go unnoticed were Larry Jay Couture who was awarded Discovery designer, Yaw Bako Clothing was adjudged Emerging designer, and Carlos Desalles from Ivory Coast was named Established designer at the Accra Mens Fashion Week 2017 event.

A few of the models for the night who did spectacularly well were recognized as well. The discovery model went to David Nii Otoo Lartey. The emerging model went to Uthman Bangura While The honorary model went to Prince IB who also doubled as the show choreographer.
An Ikeja Magistrates Court, which gave the ruling, asked the accused to produce two sureties as part of the bail condition.

The Magistrate, Mr A . Adigun, said the sureties must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

According to the prosecutor, Sgt. Emmaunel Ajayi, the accused committed the offences on May 18, at Ojokoro, Abule-Egba, Lagos.

He said that the accused, and one other person still at large, stole the tricycle valued N670,000, property of one Sunday Onah.

The accused stole the complainants TVS King tricycle, he said.

Ajayi said that the accused used his key to start the tricycle from the park and drove it away.

A man at the park who saw him raised alarm, and the accused was chased and apprehended, while his accomplice escaped.

The tricycle was recovered, he said.

The offences contravened sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes a three-year jail term a person convicted of stealing.
The victims have been identified as John Barine and Goodluck Didi.

Daily Post reports that a source within the area, Hycient Ana disclosed that the gunmen waylaid the victims outside their homes and opened fire on them.

Ana added that one of the victims, Goodluck Didi, was a gateman to one of the notable politicians while John Barine was an uncle to the same politician in the area.

Ana who is the spokesman for Ogoni Pass Students Leaders Forum condemned the killing, and called for increased security surveillance, especially in Ogoni area.

The spokesman for Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni denied knowledge of the killings but promised to get details about the killings.
Addressing a press conference, the Ashanti regional Police Commander, DCOP Ken Yeboah, said residents in the area accosted the three suspects and handed them over to the police.

Items retrieved on the suspects included one locally manufactured pistol, two live cartridges, two knives and two tricycle ignition keys.

Others found included 10 tramadol tablets, two containers of eye drops and a plastic container containing a liquid suspected to be acid which they usually use in their operations.

The suspects have since admitted to the offence of armed robbery and have been described by residents as people who have been engaging in criminal activities for some time now.
The former president, who is himself an ex-soldier, sent his sympathies in a statement released by his office.

Your loss is a loss to the whole country. Your husband, son and brother lost his life serving his country, he said.

Captain Mahama was the victim of mob justice by a group of residents in a town in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region. He was lynched to death and his body burned by residents who claim he was mistaken for a suspected armed robber. A claim that has since been questioned by many.

His murder has shocked the entire country with social media awash with sorrow and outrage about the way and manner in which he was killed.

Taking the law into our hands in the manner the perpetrators of the act did was an act of cruelty. However, I implore the affected institution to remain calm as the security agencies investigate the matter. When the law does not seem to be giving people justice, such acts of cruelty resulting in the unfortunate loss of innocent life, is the end result.

I call on the security agencies and the law courts to inspire confidence in the populace by acting swiftly and effectively when crimes are committed in our communities. The recent acts of violence in Somanya and Kumasi cannot be taken in isolation. They go to expose a weakness in the general response to crime, former President Rawlings said.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Upper Denkyira West District, Daniel Appianing who made the claim said even though the Chinese nationals have the license to prospect for gold, they are rather engaged in illegal mining.

There is a large number of military personnel protecting the Chinese that the lynched soldier is alleged to be part of it, in fact he is said to be the leaderam shocked they are not briefing you very well but rather claiming they are here to fight galamseyers, he said on Accra-based Adom FM.

He further asked persons who doubt his claim to contact the police and BNI commanders in his district for confirmation.

As I speak, there are reports that the BNI is calling on the military to help stop it because it is creating disaffection between the residents and the military, he said.

But the Defense Minister, Dominic Nitiwul has denied the claims by the DCE.

According to him, the deceased is part of Operation Halt 2, an anti-Galamsey activity which is being undertaken by the military.

I dont know who this DCE is but he should not speak on this again because he does not understand the issue, he said.

He further charged the DCE to present the said BNI reports which he claims to have to the District Security Committee (DISEC) for forwarding to Accra.

The late Captain Maxwell Mahama was lynched by residents on suspicion of being an armed robber while he was jogging.

The Ghana Armed Forces has since confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing.
A Nairobi court charged the disappointed independent candidate on Monday May 29, and released him on a 200,000 Kenyan Shillings bail ($2000) after his arrest on Sunday by the police.

He was among eight candidates who failed to meet the EC's criteria to contest the election in Kenya in August.

According to reports, he is alleged to have damaged an air conditioner, an internet socket and a door in the process.

Peter Solomon Gichira said he is innocent ant not guilty to the charges levelled against him.

He was reportedly rescued by security officials before his arrest.

READ ALSO: Irate youth of Somanya burn police car to ashes

His running mate Kelly Watima described the disqualification and arrest as a scheme to frustrate them from contesting.
According to them, all promises made to them concerning the re-construction of the towns major roads have been unfulfilled.

Some drivers lamented the poor road network in the community, stating that it becomes difficult for motorists to operate when it rains.

The road that stretches between Nsakina and Manhyia is currently untarred, exposing commuters to dust anytime a vehicle passes by.

And although it appears the first stage of re-construction was already done, residents say the project is yet to be continued, having been left to fate.

One of the protesters, who identified himself as David, spoke to Pulse.com.gh about the rational behind the tyre-burning demonstration.

According to him, the people of Nsakina had become tired of the empty-promises from government, and that the action was taken to send a signal.
We have reviewed the docket and we have come to the conclusion that there are aspects of the matter that require further investigation and when the matter is being heard, you cannot conduct further investigation, so out of necessity you have to discontinue to enable you conduct those investigations. So that is why we entered the nolle prosequi so they are not walking at all, Ms Akuffo told Accra-based Joy FM.

She said: They would be apprehended and investigations will be reopened.

The AG represented by a state attorney Sefakor Batse on Tuesday moved the application at the high court.

The two were picked up in March 2016 after the murder of the late MP in his residence at Shiashie in Accra.

Daniel Asiedu the prime suspect in the case initially confessed to the crime but later denied the allegation and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The AG represented by a state attorney Sefakor Batse on Tuesday moved the application at the high court.

The two suspects Daniel Asiedu aka sexy dondon and Vincent Bosso aka Junior Agogo were therefore discharged by the court.

The two were picked up in March 2016 after the murder of the late MP in his residence at Shiashie in Accra.

Daniel Asiedu the prime suspect in the case initially confessed to the crime but later denied the allegation and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The two were charged with murder and abetment to rob respectively.

Background

Daniel Asiedu was arrested few days after the murder of JB Danquah who was the member of parliament for the Abuakwa North constituency in his residence at Shiashie in Accra.

He was charged with murder when arraigned after his arrest and allegedly confessed to stabbing the late MP in his residence which led to his death.

Despite his confessions, another suspect was arrested later as an accomplice.

But the teenager said he entered the MPs house to steal but not to kill.

According to him, he had to stab the MP who held him tight during a struggle.
Many have asked that the residents be brought to book for their actions.

Reports suggest that he was suspected to be an armed robber because he had a gun on him.

Captain Maxwell Mahama was lynched after the residents who had witnessed an armed robbery incident the night before raised an alarm.

He was reportedly carrying a gun and the residents led by the assemblyman organised some youth in the town to beat him to death and burnt his mortal remains.

Many social media users have called for the military to investigate this matter and deal with the culprits ruthlessly.

The Ghana Armed Forces have since confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing.

However, scores of armed military personnel have been deployed to Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region as they mount a search for residents said to have lynched the Captain in charge of the area.
Anthony Nukpenu said officials who are found culpable of engaging in acts of corruption must get ready to face prosecution by the Nana Akufo-Addo government.

He noted that officials found to be corrupt must not throng the NDC head office to seek for any support from the party.

"This opposition is not ready to defend any person which would be proven to have engaged in corrupt acts in the former administrationNDC is not going to defend any rotIf you are found culpable, go and defend your troubles," he added.

In an interview on Accra-based Adom FM, he said "If it is proven that you were indeed corrupt, why should I follow you? I wouldnt want to follow anybody like that."

He claimed that acts of corruption usually occur largely as a result of the failure of some ministers to review last minute contracts given them to sign.

"I have told my minister colleagues not to sign any document that is presented to them after 4:00 pm in the name of emergencythats where the corrupt acts are hidden."

Meanwhile, former Presidential Advisor on Governance and Corruption, Daniel Batidam has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to prosecute corrupt government officials in the erstwhile administration.
The call was from Brett Scharringhausen, a technology scout with the Central Command, also known as CENTCOM. The group oversees US military operations for the Department of Defense in 20 countries located throughout the Middle East, northern Africa, and parts of Asia.

Scharringhausen was looking for more information on the Wi-Fi holography technology, possibly in hopes of capitalizing on it for the armed forces. (We pointed Scharringhausen to about the technique in the journal Physical Review Letters.)

"I go out looking for new technologies [most days] of the year that could support men and women in uniform," Scharringhausen told Business Insider.

However, Scharringhausen says the CIA, police, FBI, and others "would all like to look through walls", and that the most promising technologies get shared far beyond the walls of CENTCOM.

"If we find something useful, we socialize it with them," he says  with "them" being his bosses, the armed forces (the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard), and ultimately the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, CIA, FBI, NSA, and other relevant federal agencies.

If multiple wings of the government have a need for a certain technology, the thinking goes, Scharringhausen says it's easier to achieve "economies of scale" in manufacturing, avoid redundancies, get it into the hands of troops and law enforcement officials more rapidly, and save taxpayer dollars.

To be clear, the specific see-through-walls WiFi technology that CENTCOM asked us about, which can only see rough shapes (not details such as faces), may not ever be used by the government.

For one, the ability to make on-the-fly holograms of people and objects through walls is still in its infancy, so it may take many years and possibly millions of dollars to develop into a practical technology.

Second, anything that a technology scout considers must pass several high bars, including avoiding redundancies with other devices or techniques. If it doesn't entirely replace a legacy device or system while improving it, "it is called additive and that is almost certain to fail" funding consideration, Scharringhausen told Business Insider in an email.

However, technology scouts are also supposed "[s]eek out game-changing technologies which our customer(s) don't know they need," on 10- or even 20-year timelines, according to an unclassified presentation provided by Scharringhausen. He says these out-there projects can receive funding, even if they're unlikely to work now, because they might be useful later.

"Sometimes it's not a failure if it can't do what it's supposed to do. Sometimes it's a physics problem. Sometimes the science hasn't caught up yet," he says.

Philipp Holl, a 23-year-old undergraduate physics student at the Technical University of Munich who led the new technology's development, told Business Insider via email that he hasn't yet "had any contact with someone from the US Central Command". (Holl worked with his supervisor, Friedemann Reinhard, on the research.)

For more details on the new holographic Wi-Fi technology, read our full story here.
Pulse reached out to the airline following Mercy Johnson's post on Instagram talking about her cancelled flight.

The airlines Public Relations and Communications manager, Adebanji Ola, told Pulse,

"Mercy Johnsons flight was not cancelled as alleged but rather, it was delayed for three hours due to a technical issue with the operating aircraft.

Prior to the scheduled departure time of the flight, the operating aircraft had a snag and as a safety conscious airline, we had to ground the aircraft for our engineers to rectify the problem. This is a standard operating procedure.

In order to minimise the disruption to the travel plans of our passengers, we had to divert an aircraft to Calabar for the Lagos-bound passengers.

The delay lasted only three hours and the passengers were kept abreast of the development.

We sincerely apologise to the affected passengers and want to assure them of a safe, on-time and friendly service at all times. Its a new Arik Air and our frequent flyers can attest to this fact."
The State Police Command in a statement, said Bello who was the Lagos State Treasurer of Tricycle Operators, a branch of NURTW, was murdered in the Shogunle area of Oshodi on Monday, May 29, 2017, when violence broke out at the venue of the primary at Shogunle town hall.

It was gathered that the late Bello was allegedly shot dead by members of a rival gang allegedly led by one Samson Agbetoye, also known as Golden.

The death of Hamburger who was recently installed as the Akinrogun of Shogunle, led to violent clashes in the area as cars were burnt by his supporter who also stormed the home of Golden and allegedly killed his aged mother when he was nowhere to be found.
According to Punch, the tragedy occurred at the couple's residence on 54, Middle Road, Sabon Gari in the Kano metropolis where the woman alleged lit a petrol keg which exploded, engulfing herself and the husband.

It was gathered that the husband who did not die on the spot, was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention but died later following the severe burns he suffered from the fire.

Eyewitnesses report that the woman had accused her husband of infidelity shortly after she heard a conversation he had with an unidentified lady over the telephone.

The angry woman reportedly lit the keg of petrol which eventually exploded and engulfed their home at about 12 am on the day of the incident.

A neighbour of the couple disclosed that the wife who was burnt beyond recognition, died at the scene of the incident while her husband died at an undisclosed hospital where he was rushed to after receiving first aid at Fortress Hospital at Sarkin Yaki.

A close friend of the deceased who identified himself as Emmanuel Okorie, identified the late man simply as Emeka, disclosing that the couple hailed from Anambra State and had gotten married about five weeks ago.

Okorie explained that the woman who was carrying a seven-month-old pregnancy, joined the husband, a businessman in Kano, about three weeks later.

Okorie further explained that Emeka had earlier confided in him that it was his mother who imposed the woman on him as he had someone else he wanted to get married to.
The police prosecutor, Mr Ojo Osobu, told the court that the accused committed the offence in October 2015 in Ado-Ekiti.

He alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained the sum of N6 million from one Mr Ibitoye Oluwafemi in the pretext of supplying flour to him.

The prosecutor also told the court that the police had released the accused on bail as there was no other document in support of the case except the claim of the complainant.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty while his counsel, Mr Simeon Ojo, urged the court to release him on bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Idowu Ayenimo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties, he said, must be a civil servant on Grade Level 10.
Yesterday, Monday, May 29, 2017, MMM held a Democracy Day green party show in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the party, which held at the Millennium Park, was opened to members of the group and non-members alike.

Mr Seyi Bello, the President of Abuja Guiders Forum of the MMM-Nigeria said the gesture was part of solidarity by the group for Nigerias 18-years of uninterrupted democracy.

This party is put together to celebrate our Democracy Day and since Nigerias flag is green-white-green, we decided to call it green party as a mark of solidarity."

Seyi Bello also explained that over three million Nigerians were members of the group.

He explained that contrary to some peoples opinion about the scheme, it was a community of people providing financial help to each other on the principle of reciprocity and benevolence.

Despite MMM freezing operations in November 2016, Nigerians are still patronising the Ponzi scheme. Unlike before when people were open about their participation, Nigerians have decided to keep quiet about their involvement with the scheme.

No matter how low key MMM investors want to be, the Ponzi scheme still makes headlines. In May 2017, News Agency of Nigeria reported that a 21-year-old trader, Chukwuebuka Ezengwu, allegedly staked N286,600 sent to him by customers into the Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM) scheme. He was later arraigned but denied the charges.

The legal woes of MMM's agents did not stop there. In April 2017, two alleged MMM agents Debora Fojo and Musa Garba appeared before a Malumfashi Chief Magistrates Court in Katsina State for breach of trust and cheating.

The two were accused of collecting N429,000 to invest in an online business called MMM.
Many of her friends have told her to forgive her husband but cut off Dupe while others think she should divorce him immediately as the marriage has started off on a cheating footing.

Read her story here:

"My name is Anita, a 28-year-old woman. I got married two months ago but I am full of regrets now and I want to divorce my husband for cheating on me with my best friend.

It had dated Chinedu for three years before we decided to get married but little did I know that I was sharing him with Dupe, my childhood friend.

I met Chinedu at a friend's end of the year party and right from day one, we realized that we had a lot of things in common. We shared the same birth month, the same hobbies and had the same taste for many things.

Many of my friends felt I had met my soul mate because of the many similarities we had. When I introduced him to Dupe, they kind of clicked and Dupe kept encouraging me to take the affair seriously.

Dupe and I had known each other way back in secondary school and we soon became family friends with our parents getting to know and like each other.

I spent holidays in their house and she was welcomed in my house even in my absence. I could go to their house and spend weeks without her being at home and it was the same for her.

We shared clothes and played pranks like the teenagers we were. Many people did not know we were related, neither did we come from the same state but our closeness was out of this world.

The only thing that set us apart was that Dupe was very envious and whatever I had, she would want to have the same thing but I did not know she would transfer such covetousness to my husband.

When I was to get married, it was just natural for her to be my maid of honour and she put herself so much into the preparation that people thought she was the one getting married.

After our marriage, I took some time off from work while Chinedu resumed at his office but instead of always coming back home on time like newly married men, he would always find excuses to stay back and come home late.

When I confided in some friends, they said he was still adjusting to married life and would still want to hang out with the boys. They said I should not worry as he would soon get to the realization that he was now a married man.

The day it dawned on me that his excuses of hanging with the boys were all lies was when he sent me a text message that he may not come back home because external auditors came to his office and they would work till late in the night.

I was so bored at home and I needed company, so I decided to go and spend the night with Dupe, at least I would have someone to talk to.

It was past 9 pm when I got a taxi to take me to Dupe's house. The first shocker I got was when I entered Dupe's compound and saw Chinedu's car parked beside her car.

I was taken aback at what I saw but in my mind, I thought he had gone there for a quick dinner because her house was closer to his office than ours. As I made to knock on Dupe's door, I heard some funny sounds like people moaning inside and I stood back to listen very well.

The sounds were very unmistaken. The people inside were making love and the sounds were becoming more passionate. I heard Chinedu's voice telling Dupe those sweet things he often told me when we made love.

I tried the doorknob but it was locked and I went to the window to peep inside and there on the floor, was my newly wedded husband having sex with my best friend. Mad with anger, I went to the door and banged on it, screaming at the adulterous duo that I had seen it all.

As I banged on the door, I was screaming and some other tenants who heard the commotion came out and begged me to calm down. They also called on Dupe to open the door but she refused.

When I was about to make a scene, an elderly lady took me to her house and begged me to go home and take things easy so as to avoid reacting in a negative way.

Instead of going home that night, I went to another friend's house where I spent the night crying all through.

It is now two weeks since the incident and Chinedu, his friends and sisters have been begging me to forgive and give him another chance but I have made up my mind to file for a divorce.

My parents and siblings have also begged me to forgive him and work on my marriage while Dupe's mother has been calling me every day begging me to forgive her daughter but how can I ever forgive the two people I held so dear hurting me that much?

Anita."

The teaser for the day was:

How Nigeria voted:

She should forgive her husband and friend - 13%

She should divorce Chinedu immediately - 20%

She should forgive Chinedu but cut off Dupe - 48%

She should forgive the two but never forget the hurt - 20%
For a week and some days, Biafra has dominated public discourse, social media and media in general. Nigerians have been debating about the civil war, what led to it and if we have learnt anything. Biafra obviously dominates the headlines with the huge loss of lives.

Unknown to many the Nigerian Civil War wasn't the only war that happened in Nigeria. On February 23, 1966, Isaac Adaka Boro formed the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF).

The NDVF was formed 40 days after January 15, 1966, coup, the first military coup in Nigeria's history. Annoyed and disgruntled about the plight of the Nigerians from the South-South, Boro declared the Niger Delta Republic.

It was an attempt by the former police inspector to wrestle his people from the unstable Nigerian system that had sidelined his people in the grand scheme of things. On this day, the Niger-Delta seceded from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"Today is a great day, not only in your lives but also in the history of the Niger Delta. Perhaps, it will be the greatest day for a very long time. This is not because we are going to bring the heavens down, but because we are going to demonstrate to the world what and how we feel about oppression Remember your 70-year-old grandmother who still farms before she eats; remember also your poverty-stricken people; remember, too, your petroleum which is being pumped out daily from your veins; and then fight for your freedom" said the 27-year-old Boro on the historic day.

The rebellion did not last long. Isaac Adaka Boro and 159 men fought against Nigerian forces. The battle did not last more than two weeks as the NDVF forces were crushed.

Isaac Adaka Boro was arrested and almost executed. During the Biafran War, he was tasked by General Yakubu Gowon to fight against Biafra. Boro was an exceptional soldier who led Nigerian troops to key decisive battles and victories.
Buhari left Nigeria on May 7 for an indefinite medical vacation in London after months of ill health.

According to a statement by her spokesperson, Bisi Olumide-Ajayi on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, Mrs Buhari would be spending time with her husband who is presently on medical vacation.

The wife of the President, Her Excellency, Mrs Aisha Buhari today (Tuesday) left for the United Kingdom, the statement said.

Her Excellency will spend some time with her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is presently on medical vacation.

She expressed her appreciation to the millions of Nigerians who have been praying for his quick and safe return.
The Chairman of CAN, Lagos State Chapter, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, briefed newsmen at the church on Tuesday, May 30, on the sack of Ven. Femi Taiwo.

The Chaplain was removed on May 15 by the governing council of the church after he reportedly disrespected the First Lady of the State, Mrs Bolanle Ambode.

Bamgbola said that the issue should be regarded as that of an employer and employee relationship.

"As a result of the unfortunate misunderstanding of the public which has been fanned by erroneous publications in the print media and social media generally, we believe that C.A.N Lagos State, must make clarification and educate the public correctly on this matter having looked into the matter objectively," Bamgbola said.

He said that the State Government created a standing legal constitution for The Chapel of Christ The Light, which has guided the running of it over the years.

He said, "By this Constitution, the chapel is run by a Governing Council which reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Governing Council has the Constitutional responsibility and authority to recruit and terminate the two officers who run the Chapel of Light i.e the Presiding Chaplain and the Chaplain.

"With this clarification, it should be known by the generality of the public that these two officers who run the Chapel are strictly employees of the State Government. They are subject to terms and conditions of employment of the the State Government.

"Having investigated this matter carefully and objectively, C.A.N, Lagos State, wish to state today that the Governing Council that recruited Venerable Taiwo acted within its constitutional authority to terminate Venerable Femi Taiwo," he said.

ALSO READ: Sack of chaplain is ungodly and very sad - African Church Bishop

Bamgbola also denied the reports that the cleric was sacked because he was rude to Mrs Ambode.

"We wish to state clearly here today, that this is far from the truth. Deaconess (Mrs) Bolanle Ambode is a true Woman of God, who fears God and lives a godly life and whom it has pleased God to raise to be First Lady in Lagos State at this time.

"This error of judgment is most unfortunate and unfair to Her Excellency, the entire Lagos Government and the Church in Lagos at large," he said.
According to Vanguard, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had earlier alleged that the Army shot at their members who were holding a rally to honour heroes of the Biafra struggle.

According to reports, Tuesday, May 30, 2017, was declared a work free day to celebrate Biafra Day.

The Army also said that there was no soldier at the venue of the march.

A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Col. Sagir Musa said The attention of 82 Division, Nigerian Army, has been drawn to another allegation made by IPOB in a statement the group released at about 1645 hours on May 29, 2017, that there were sporadic shootings by the Army in Aba and Umuahia axis and that soldiers opened fire on its (IPOB) members in Aba during a procession in honour of those who died during the Biafra civil war.

The Division wishes to state that there was no soldier at the venue or vicinity where the procession took place. Also, there was no crisis or breakdown of law and order in Aba, Umuahia and in the whole of South Eastern part of Nigeria as to warrant/justify use of firearms as falsely and mischievously alleged by IPOB propagandists.

"What is obvious, however, is an increase in the presence of security agencies on routine patrols in different locations in the region, particularly areas that are regarded as real or potential flash points. The aim is to pro actively checkmate possible security breaches in view of sordid/divisive utterances and in some cases blatant actions by secessionist agitators,
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Enugu State, SP Ebere Amaraizu, who gave the warning in a statement, called on citizens of the state to disregard the sit-at-home directive.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that various pro-Biafra groups, who are agitating for an independent Biafran State, had issued sit-at-home directive to the people of the South-East and South South regions.

The group said that the sit-at-home directive was to commemorate the fallen heroes during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, which started in 1967.

The command advises members of the public to disregard such order and go about their normal lawful businesses.

The command is also advising the public to watch out for any person or group under any guise who will come to intimidate, threaten or force them to shut down their offices or shops, he said.

The command urge the people to report such threat to nearby police station or alert the command through its distress lines 08032003702, 08075390883,08086671202 and 08098880172.

You can also report through the command social media platform of twitter handle POLICENG_ENUGU and Face-book page of NigeriapoliceforceEnugustatecommand.

The command in partnership with other sister security agencies and relevant bodies has put in place adequate machinery; as security apparatus have been mobilised to fish out those in this habit and bring them to book, he said.

ALSO READ:IPOB insists that Biafra day must hold on May 30

Amaraizu, however, advised those intending to carry out this unpatriotic and unlawful act to change from their plan in their own interest.
The minister stated this on Channels TV programme, on Tuesday, 30 May 2017.

He noted that young farmers have been empowered through the Anchor Borrower Programme and the Federal Ministry of Agricultures Soil Map initiative.

Mohammed said that the programmes, which recorded huge success in rice and grain productions, particularly in Kebbi, Kano, Jigawa, Ebonyi and Sokoto states, had made farming attractive to young people.

The minister said that in 2015, the country imported 580,000 metric tonnes of rice, which had been brought down to 58,000 metric tonnes in 2016 with the successful implementation of the programme.

He said that the government had also been able to bring down the cost of fertiliser from N9,000 to N5,000 following a bilateral agreement it signed with the Kingdom of Morocco.

Mohammed said that it was made possible because of committed investments in infrastructure, ease of doing business and increased budgetary votes for capital projects.

His words: When we came in, we inherited about N1.7 trillion in debt owed to contractors; 202 roads were abandoned. In the entire 2015, only N18 billion was spent on roads and N5 billion spent on power.

In 2016/2017 we released N1.2 trillion for capital projects only; we spent N260 billion on roads and N99 billion on power generation.

We have constructed 320 kilometres of roads and fixed 460 kilometres of road: We have built 24 bridges and repaired about 21.

On rail lines, we have commenced the construction of the 150 km per hour standard gauge from Lagos to Ibadan and working on others across the country.

It takes acute discipline and management of resources to be where we are today.

In spite of recession, between October last year and today, we have been able to add additional 7 billion dollars to our federal reserves.
Yari made the call at the 2017 Democracy Day celebration in Gusau on Monday and said that Muslims should also use the period to pray for leaders.

He said that Buharis administration had good mission of change in the country, adding that Nigerians should therefore, pray for him to come back and continue with his good leadership role.

The governor said that the state government under his leadership in the past six years, spent billions of naira on development projects for the good of the people.

I am sure the people of Zamfara have seen the impact of these projects in our socio-economic activities, especially those at the rural communities, in the areas of healthcare, roads, education and agriculture, he said.

ALSO READ: Health minister explains why President travelled abroad for treatment

Earlier, the Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, had described Buhari as tested and trusted leader, who came to rescue Nigeria.
According to Punch, this was revealed to newsmen by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The Chibok girls had earlier been allowed by the authorities to meet with their parents amidst joy and celebration.

Reports say the school girls were however not allowed to go home with their families.

According to Mohammed, the Chibok girls have been undergoing treatment and medical tests.

He said The 82 girls went through medical and mental tests. Some had bullet wounds and their treatment took longer. Now, they have completed all medical procedures and will be handed over to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

ALSO READ: 82 rescued schoolgirls reunite with parents in Abuja

The girls will be taken to a new facility. The old one was basically a medical facility because the purpose was just to examine them and treat them. So, any of them that needs further treatment can continue at the new facility.
Ngige, who made the call in an interview with newsmen in Awka on Monday, assured that the Federal Government was committed to the development and welfare of the people.

I feel fulfilled even though the expectations of Nigerians have not been met.

I feel that President Buhari has scored a pass mark within the resources available; special circumstances of terrorism; militancy in Niger Delta; global oil price slash; and low oil output, Ngige said.

According to him, people are complaining because there is no free flow of money anymore, no leakages for corrupt people to take money and go and spend.

People are complaining that the price of food has gone up. Yes, these things you should expect when you do what is called a shock therapy on any economy or system of government, he said.

Nigeria was producing 2.2 million barrel a day as per OPEC quota but for most part of 2016, at least for three quarters of 2016, we were producing 1.2 million barrels and the prices fell from 100 Dollars per barrel to 35 Dollars per barrel.

Unfortunately, recession had to creep in because it is one of the fallouts of a very badly managed economy that is dependent and based on only oil, the minister added.

The minister said the Federal Governments effort to combat recession was yielding results in the area of agriculture and mining among others.

I am happy to tell you that with the statistics we have got now, Nigerias economy is no longer contracting.

It is growing and by the predictions of economists, members of the economic team and CBN as well as that of the World Bank, Nigeria will come out of recession by the third quarter, Ngige said.
He, however, said that the pardon was unconditional for one of the prisoners, while the remaining five had their death sentences commuted to life jail.

As a mark of our appreciation and thanksgiving to God for the successes we have achieved, we wish to demonstrate this with the granting of pardon to six prisoners.

One is unconditional release; five on death sentences have been commuted to life sentences, he said.

The governor stated that the pardon granted the prisoners was in exercise of his prerogative of mercy as provided in Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended).

He said that the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state would disclose the identity of the beneficiaries of the gesture in due course.

Lalong, who highlighted the achievements of his administration in the last two years, described Plateau as hospitable and accommodating.

On a broader perspective and as a debt of honour to our state, and for our better today and tomorrow, we shall strive to ensure even development.

We are desirous of ensuring peace and averting systematic failure in governance, he said.
Echodo was brought before a magistrate court in Abuja on Tuesday, May 30, on a one-count charge.

Although one other person, Maiwada Adamu, was accused of the same offense, only Echodo was arraigned.

The two men, Echodo and Adamu, were accused of conspiring to falsely inform the office of the IGP that the building is used for criminal activities including storage of arms and ammunition.

The second accused person, Adamu, who was absent in court, is said to be at large - Echodo pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate, Umar Kagarko, directed the police to find Adamu and present him in court at the next sitting.

The counsel to the defense, Peter Ngwoke, urged the court to grant his client bail.
The duo was accused by the Police of conspiring to falsely inform the office of the inspector general of police that Ekweremadus house located in Maitama Abuja is used for criminal activities.

The police raided Ekweremadus house on Friday, May 26, 2017, but found nothing.

Echodo however pleaded not guilty to the charge on Monday, May 29, 2017.

Adamu was not present in court to take his plea.

ALSO READ: What is Deputy Senate President afraid of?

The magistrate, Umar Kagarko ordered the police to find Adamu and present him at the court on the next sitting.

The matter was adjourned till June 5 when the application for bail will be heard.

Echodo was remanded in prison on the order of the judge.
Political analysts observe that effective delegation of such power to the public from the central government to governing a sub-national level is a viable method of strengthening democracy.

They note that true federalism was practised in Nigeria between 1952 and 1954 and in the First Republic, where the three regional governments agreed that every region would be equal in status while developing at its own pace.

According to them, this system has gone a long way to strengthen the countrys unity and democracy at that point in time.

Irrespective of this, critics note that democratic governance in Nigeria has come short of effective devolution of power.

For instance, Mr Femi Falana, constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate, said Nigeria was not operating true federalism.

He said political restructuring of the country without its economic restructuring, where state components would be allowed to manage their own resources, might not work.

True federal system, as globally practised, should allow federating states to manage their affairs and resources."

Nigerias federal system is the most prodigal in the world; our system is peculiar and it cannot be compared to that of any nation in the world."

Once you say we want more resources for the state and local governments, the purpose is to have more money for development."

Im not soliciting more powers to make our governors to be emperors who cannot be accountable to anybody."

Im not advocating more power without responsibility and democratisation. If were asking for devolution of powers, those powers must be democratised, he said.

Similarly, Chief Olu Falae, former Minister of Finance, said Nigeria could not develop or move forward unless it tapped on its potential, including democratic values, good governance and resources, among others.

He said that Nigeria should return to the previous constitutional provisions where every unit in the country was given the power to control its resources and develop at its own pace.

According to him, every state should be allowed to have its constitution, build its railway and ports, among others, to spur economic and political development of the country.

A system whereby all the powers are concentrated at the centre would not bring development; rather it would bring about inefficiency, corruption, insecurity and stunted growth, he said.

In his opinion, Prof. Banji Akintoye, a senator in the Second Republic, urged Nigerian youths to also work for good governance in the country, saying that politicians should not be the sole advocates of the restructuring.

He underscored the need to work for a country where the rights of any ethnic group, irrespective of its population or location, would be respected.

Akintoye expressed concern about what he described as gross neglect of individual ethnic rights under the guise of building a central government system.

Over-concentration of power in the Federal Government is the root of all evils threatening Nigeria."

If you deny any ethnic group in the country of their nationality, then we are piling up more problems for the future, he said.

Sharing similar opinion, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, said Nigerias founding fathers meant well for the country.

If they were alive, they will be disappointed that instead of having a few viable federating units in which effective human and economic development could thrive under a peaceful atmosphere, the country still has non-viable federating units with an all-powerful centre, he said.

He said the development had allowed, among other things, do-or-die politics, which in turn had intensified ethnic and religious divisions in the country.

But Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of the state of Osun, said although he had been an advocate of restructuring, he was aware that the real challenge facing the country was not restructuring after all.

The real issue is that Nigeria cares less about how its income is being distributed which has provoked poverty; until income is predicated on production, in either goods or services, we are going nowhere."

By blaming leaders or followers, we are only chasing shadows; what cannot be measured cannot be managed, he said.

Aregbesolas notwithstanding, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar said Nigeria was not working because of the way it was structured in terms of governance.

He insisted that the Federal Government was too big, rich and strong for the rest of the federating states.

This, according to him, is because there is excessive centralisation of resources and power at the centre.

Fixing Nigeria will require reversing decades of over-centralisation of power and resources at the centre."

There is need for fiscal federalism, devolution of powers to states and local governments as well as independence of key democratic institutions, security and anti-corruption agencies."

We must refrain from the habit of assuming that anyone calling for the restructuring of our federation is working for the breakup of the country."

Nigeria needs a true federalism that will allow greater autonomy for the component states and localities to control their resources, determine their development priorities, wage structures and security, among other things."

Also, Nigeria needs a smaller, leaner Federal Government with reduced responsibilities and a tax focused revenue base, he said.

All in all, the proponents of the countrys restructuring insist that it will strengthen Nigerias democracy, promote its unity and enhance economic developments.
The security measure is in line with the Executive Order recently issued by Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo earlier this month.

A statement released by the NPA on Tuesday, May 30, said the surveillance of illegal vessels movement by Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence (C3I) Centre and regular patrols of waterfront and common user areas and terminals by joint security teams has also commenced.

According to the statement, the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, directed full and immediate compliance with the executive order by all officials of the agency.

It was also gathered that all security agencies are being sensitized on their specific roles procedures for enforcing security in the ports and environs in order to achieve a synergy between all security agencies.

This is said to be in line with the International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code.

As contained in the statement, there is an ongoing illumination of port common user areas and fencing of Tincan Island Port Complex to ward off unauthorized access by miscreants.

Also in line with the Executive Order, all security personnel are to display their on-duty cards while on duty while all off-duty personnel are now completely banned from the ports.

A new ID card for staff and retirees with improved features and better production quality is also being proposed while the procedures for issuing port passes and access cards are being reviewed, the statement said.

Also, to ensure seamless operations at the port, a joint patrol team comprising NPA Security, Port Authority Police, Customs and DSS will be constituted to carry effective patrol in the Port on hourly basis.

A security operations room will also be established to monitor all port activities.
He said This is 100bn set aside for the Family Home Fund our Social Housing Project. The 100b is a yearly contribution to our N1trn Social Housing Fund, the largest in the history of the country.

The World Bank and the African Development Bank are contributors to the Fund. From this Fund, developers will borrow 80% of the cost of project and counter fund with their own 20%.

The same fund will enable us to provide inexpensive mortgages for hundreds of thousands across the country who want to own homes.

Anyone who can afford N30,000 will be able to buy a home under our new social housing fund scheme.

Already, the project has started in 11 states. We expect that this family housing fund will jump start and expand construction exponentially across the country.
The bank alleged that Oduah and her company, Sea Petroleum and Gas company Ltd, were indebted to it in the sum of 16.4 million dollars and N100.5 million.

The suit which was earlier adjourned for hearing of all pending applications, was however adjourned to June 29, becaause the trial judge, Justice Ayokunle Faji, was indisposed.

Counsels representing all the parties were present in court.

The suit was initially pending before Justice Abdulaziz Anka of the same court, but was eventually, reassigned to Faji to begin afresh.

In March, Justice Anka had issued an order, restraining Oduah and her companies, from making any withdrawal from its account and those of three other companies domiciled with 21 banks in the country.

The other companies include: Sea Shipping Agency Ltd, Rotary Engineering Services Ltd, and Tour Afrique Company Ltd.

The court had also, issued an order directing the said commercial banks harbouring the assets of Oduah and the four companies to sequestrate their indebtedness as at November 2016.

The court also ordered that the money be kept in an interest yielding account in the name of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court, pending the determination of the suit.

An affidavit sworn to by a staff of Sterling Bank, Mr Segun Akinsany, stated that on Oct. 8, 2012, the bank granted a lease/Cabotage Vessel Finance Facility (CVFF) to Sea Petroleum and Gas Company.

He said that the facility was in the said sums to finance one unit 5,000 MT tanker vessel.

He averred that the loan was secured by an unconditional personal guarantee of the companies director, Princess Stella Oduah.

Akinsanya also averred that same was supported by a statement of her networth, legal mortgage of two properties worth N135 billion, and a power of Attorney of the tanker vessel in favour of Sterling Bank.

He averred that, also in support was a fully executed standing payment order and tripartite remittance agreement between it and Oduah.

It was further averred that on June 27, 2013, Sea Petroleum Company requested and was granted additional facilities in the sum of about 450,000 dollars for post delivery expenses.

He said that also granted was about 993, 000 dollars to meet the requisite conditions in securing the release of the tanker.

Also, he averred that upon the persistent failure of the defendants to liquidate their indebtedness, Sterling Bank instructed its counsels to recover the debt.

He said that in spite of several reminders, and demands, the defendants had failed and refused to liquidate their indebtedness which had culminated to 16.4 million dollars, and about N100.5 million as at November 2016.

He averred that there was imminent risk of the defendants dissipating the assets of the companies, and had urged the court to issue a restraining order.

Meanwhile, Oduah and her companies in its processes, had urged the court to discharge the order made against them.
NYSC director general, Suleiman Kazaure stated this during an official visit to the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Sagamu, Ogun state on Monday, May 29, 2017.

He noted that the NYSC has concluded preparations to begin the posting at the completion of the three-week orientation exercise.

Kazaure stated that Bauchi, Oyo, Kebbi and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, had been earmarked for the pilot phase.

It should interest you to know that the NYSC will soon begin its agricultural development scheme where corps members will be posted to farms for their primary assignments, he said.

Already the NYSC has acquired active farmlands across the nations geopolitical zones with four already fully operational in Kwali, Bauchi, Oyo and Kebbi.

After this orientation programme for the Batch A corps members, we will begin posting some of them to these farms as a pilot phase.

Though we are starting with four states for now, we will integrate the other states as time goes, the project is ongoing.

The NYSC director general tasked corps members not to seek white-collar jobs which were non-existent but rather develop their potentials for entrepreneurship excellence.

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He urged corps members to begin their journey toward financial independence by tapping into and maximising the benefits of the NYSCs Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.

The NYSC has provided all the tools and support you need to develop your capacity to the fullest, it now depends on you, there is no short cut to success but by hard work.

Of all the programmes outlined for you during the orientation, there is none more important that you must fully participate in than the SAED programme.

I want you to create your own jobs by being creative and innovative, you must strive to be labour employers rather than labour seekers.
Wike dropped the hint at a Town Hall meeting and accountability Forum to mark his administrations second year anniversary in Port Harcourt.

He stated that the amnesty programme had reduced cult related violence and other criminal activities in the state.

The governor noted that the programme had also resulted in surrendering 7,661 assorted ammunitions and 147 explosives by the repentant cultists.

Wike stressed that his administration had provided over 150 patrol vans to the security agencies to fight crime in the state.

He said that the State Government had also handed over some gun boats to the Nigerian Navy in a bid to patrol and protect the Rivers waterways.

The governor stated that his administration had in the last two years made unprecedented investments in infrastructure, which had led to economic boom in the state.

Wike noted that 13 General Hospitals in 13 local government areas were undergoing reconstruction with the completed ones awaiting furnishing and inauguration.

 We are also completing the regional hospitals started by the immediate past administration, located in Etche and Degema councils to serve as referral centres for secondary and tertiary health care,  he added.

He said that his government had released over four million US dollars to equip and maintain the Braithwait Memorial Hospital to international standard.

Wike stated that the gesture was to enable it serve as the Teaching Hospital for the Rivers State University Medical School, pending the construction of its permanent site.

He noted that moribund businesses were gradually re-opening in the state, while fresh local and foreign businesses were being attracted to the State.

The governor disclosed that his administration had cancelled multiple taxation policy in order to enable business to thrive to the benefit of the people and to attract more investors.

We are also supporting the growth of indigenous entrepreneurs through contracts as well as encouraging small and micro-enterprises with financial support to revitalize local economies,  he added.

Wike said that in the last two years his administration had invested over N145 billion on the construction of roads, bridges, pedestrian walkways and underground drainage systems.

 As we speak, several road construction works are either underway or completed in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Abua/Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Akuku Toru.

Also in Degema, Etche, Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Ikwerre, Emohua, Khana, Gokana, Okrika, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Oyigbo, and Tai Local Government Areas of the State," he said.

The governor pointed out that his administration was improving the quality of education by creating enabling environment for the system to produce graduates with skills and knowledge to drive development.

He noted that 300 primary schools were being refurbished and equipped across the state, while infrastructure at the Rivers State University was being upgraded to ensure successful accreditation of courses.

The governor said that the state government had reconstructed major secondary schools in the three senatorial districts to re-introduce boarding education.

Wike advocated for fiscal federalism in Nigeria where every state could have complete control of its resources and develop at its own pace.

We must find ways to forgive one another, open avenues of co-operation and join hands together, defeat the smacks of poverty and inequality in our society, he said.

The Chairman of the occasion and former Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Iche Ndu hailed Gov. Wike for his developmental strides.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Kenneth Kobani said that Wike administration had made giant developmental strides in the last two years.
Speaking on Monday, May 29, 2017, Ajimobi noted that only five persons have the potentials to take over from him.

About 34 people want to become the next governor of the state but not all are qualified to be there, Ajimobi said.

We have been able to raise the standard of governance in the state. I want a leader who has the courage to take decisions to succeed me. Oyo State needs an intellectual who is not afraid to take decisions. That is the kind of person I am looking for. I have seen about five people with such potential already. It is too early to start discussing this but by May 2018, I will know my successor, the governor added.

Ajimobi said although he had served as a senator before, he might consider a return to the National Assembly in 2019.

I might consider legislative duties next. I have been there before (as a senator) but it depends on some things I am looking at, he added.

He maintained that the states debt profile currently stood at around N4.8bn instead of the N150bn being rumoured.

Oyo State is one of the most prudent states in Nigeria in terms of finance. It is false that our debt profile has reached N150bn. Those who are saying this should come up with documents to back their claim. As I speak, this state owes only two months salaries to civil servants. This morning (Monday), I have approved the March 2017 salary to be paid.
The BCO stated this on Monday, May 29, 2017 when it assembled 14 Imams and six pastors to offer prayers for Buharis quick recovery.

Acting national coordinator of the organisation, Danladi Pasali expressed optimism that the remaining two years in the first phase of the administration would be better.

The BCO said the Buhari-led government had impacted positively on Nigerians than the 16-years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Pasali said Buhari had within the last two years laid the foundation for good governance in Nigeria.

He said that if Buhari does not contest in 2019, disgruntled forces would take over and destroy the country.

 Buharis second coming in 2019 is important for the survival of Nigeria, Pasali said.
Oyegun also said that Buharis government has performed very well, adding that his stand against corruption is part of the APC change agenda.

The APC chairman also said what is most important, is for Nigerians to pray for the President.

He also debunked reports of a frosty relationship between the presidency and officials of the APC.

According to ThisDay, Oyegun said The thinking that will he be president in 2019 is really not doing any good, his need today is good health. When we get to 2019, it is for him to decide if he wants to run or if he doesnt want to run and to consult the party on his decision.

If he wants to run good and if he doesnt want to run the country isnt bereft, the party isnt bereft of capable hands.

Why build bridges if there is no river to cross? Why dont you wait until you come across a river then you build a bridge. With all due respect, for what it stands for, what is critical today is that our prayer is our good Lord will restore the president to robust, good health; that is the first thing.

But the prime thing that he will be considering today isnt to think of 2019. It is to have his health fully restored and I am sure he will give anything just to have his health restored. Lets terminate it at that point; when 2019 comes we will deal with the issues that arise.

I have done a lot of things with the president in the past. I have known him from the civil service days; I have known him from the military head of state days. I was one of his close aides. So let them enjoy themselves and pose for photograph. That isnt the issue. The issue is that we communicate and the relationship is cordial, he said.
The state chairman of the party, Mr Kola Ajayi made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He was reacting to a recent directive by the Moshood-Salvador faction of the PDP telling its aspirants to contest the July 22 council poll on platforms of their choice.

The Publicity Secretary of the faction, Mr Taofik Gani had said the decision was a temporary arrangement to ensure that its aspirants were not denied participation in the poll.

Gani said that the arrangement had become inevitable as reconciliation with the Segun Adewale-led group for the party to unite for the polls was not yielding results.

Ajayi said the door of the party was open to aggrieved members of the PDP, but they would be allowed to contest on the partys platform as long as they met the conditions.

Disagreements are normal in politics, so are movements of politicians from parties to parties for certain reasons.

So, if some of the aggrieved members of the PDP have decided to join us to contest the elections under our party, why not?

Our doors are open. We will warmly receive them and they will surely be allowed to contest so far they agree to certain terms and conditions.

One of the conditions will be that they will not come and use our platform and dump us afterwards. No,we dont want use and dump, he said.

Ajayi, who is also the state chairman of the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) in the state said the AD was perfecting preparations for the elections.

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He added that IPAC was also taking steps to strengthen harmony among the political parties and ensure that the forthcoming polls were peaceful.

He said the party and IPAC were relying on the promise of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission that it would ensure the election was free and fair.

Assessing the performance of the Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration in the last two years, Ajayi said it had done well.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students are from Iponri Senior High School, Akinto Senior High School, Surulere, Stadium High School and Oloye Comprehensive College, Orile.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Iponri Police Station, Mr Fesesan Ibrahim, told NAN that the suspects were part of gangs terrorising and molesting innocent citizens after school hours.

We arrested the students on May 19 for always causing trouble every Friday at Costain, Alaka and Orile areas."

The last incident that led to their arrest was the attack of some innocent persons with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons."

They were released to their parents on bail, with a view to produce them at the station for prosecution due to their ages, the DPO said.

He said that the police was on the trail of one of the students who was released on bail to his mother but escaped.
According to our sources on ground, the students were kicked out of the Student Union building, and there are fears they might even be arrested.

Following a meeting with the University Senate that lasted about four hours, the school management has not only suspended the Student Union, it's also liable to proscription.

The school security not only shut down the Student Union building, they also seized the Student Union's bus.

But how did all of this get here?

On Monday May 29th, students, armed with placards took to protest some ongoings they deemed unfair on students. First, they hadn't been issued Student ID cards for two sessions, so they demanded "No IDs, no exams." Then also, cooking appliances are banned in the Girls' Hostel. And they wanted that ban lifted.

This protest didn't go down so well with the school authorities, and in no time, the police was involved.

It's what led to the threat by the commissioner of police to deal with students found protesting outside the school premises.
An audio recording of a phone call believed to be between the Oyo State Commissioner of Police and the President of the Student Union, is currently in circulation.

The Commissioner, Mr Adekunle Odude, according to the audio made available by the SU President, said on record that he'll "deal with students" found protesting off-campus.

While on the phone with Ojo Aderemi, the President of the Student Union, he said:

"If you (students) come out of the University of Ibadan tomorrow (Tuesday 30th of May), I'll deal with anybody that does that. If you want to protest, protest within your University. "

He also said damage to government property will be dealt with accordingly.

"Go and warn your students," he said to the Student Leader, "if they like their lives, none of them should come out of that school. If any student comes out tomorrow in protest and blocks any road, I'll deal with them."

The school authorities ordered the closure of the school till July, and students were ordered to vacate the premises immediately.

By Tuesday morning, students were trickling out of the school, but there were no signs of protest anywhere.

According to a student Akapo Temitope:

"The V.C headed to Diamond FM, the schools official radio station and declared the suspension of first semester exams till 17th of July, 2017 and ordered the students out of halls of residence before 6pm and closed the school this decision however met the members of the Senate in shock and they divided against the vice chancellor and stated a meeting for 12pm, 30th of May."
At a recent meeting with Umar Danbatta, the executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), executives from the various ISPs including Godfrey Efeurhobo, MD, Smile Communications; David Venn, MD, Spectranet; Osondu Nwokoro, Director Regulatory and External Affairs of nTel; and Chuma Okoye, COO, Swift Networks, said the current situation could be an obstacle to the realisation of Nigerias National Broadband Plan (NBP).

In 2016, the number of licensed ISPs dropped from 120 to 37 as many providers crashed and failed due to various federal government policies which made it hard to stay afloat.

The amount of broadband subscribers stands at 390,794 (last count) meaning that stiff competition from larger operators, an increase in capital expenditure as well as operational expenditure have made it impossible for smaller players in the industry to compete. A situation which negatively affects the industry as a whole.

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This is because the domino effect of bankruptcy of any of the Tier I or Tier II Operators on the entire ecosystem particularly, banking, employment, corporate and SMEs constitutes a major threat to the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the current administration, the ISP execs said in a statement, according to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek.

Such bankruptcy and consequent collapse will also substantially lessen competition with its attendant deleterious impact on consumer choice and attainment of the Broadband objectives of the country.

Operators say network operating expenditure has increased by over 85 percent in the last 15 months while revenues have remained relatively flat making it difficult to meet obligations with tower firms and loan services.

All of this contributes to make up an ailing industry struggling to innovate thanks to institutional bottlenecks. In the end, Nigerias ICT sector as a whole as well as the countrys technological advancements are going to be on the shorter end of the stick if the situation is not remedied as soon as possible.
The announcement was made on Monday night after a broad opposition coalition of more than 40 parties broke up, said supporters of Wade, who ruled the west African country from 2000 to 2012.

Some movements and associations in the coalition backed the mayor of Dakar, Khalifa Sall, who was jailed in March on suspicion of embezzlement but will still top a separate list of candidates, according to his supporters.

The deadline for submitting candidates in the poll expires overnight Tuesday. There is no age limit on people standing for parliament.

A parliamentary victory for the opposition to President Macky Sall would give Wade the means to obtain an amnesty for his son, Karim, who enjoyed considerable ministerial powers under his father, but was sentenced to six years in prison in 2015.

Karim Wade was also ordered to pay a fine of more than 210 million euros for "illicit enrichment". He received a presidential pardon in June 2016 after a total of more than three years and now lives abroad. An amnesty would lift any doubts over his eligibility in politics, observers said.

The opposition coalition first came together in a bid to end the control of parliament by a coalition loyal to the head of state and force Sall to share power with newly elected political rivals.

The last-minute rift came because of differences between supporters of Wade and those of Khalifa Sall over who should head the list of candidates to be presented to voters.
The announcement of his death was made by government communications secretary Manuel Dominguez.

"Mr. Noriega died tonight (late Monday)," Dominguez told AFP.

Noriega had been serving prison time for murder and forced disappearances during his dictatorship, and was being held in a prison cell overlooking the Panama Canal.

The ex-strongman had been granted temporary release on January 28 to undergo the medical procedure.

Following years of ill-health that included respiratory problems, prostate cancer and depression, Noriega's family pleaded with authorities to him to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest.

But the government rejected their appeals, and said Noriega would return to prison once he recovered from the brain tumor surgery.

Noriega was toppled in a December 1989 US military invasion.

After surrendering to US troops in January 1990, he was flown to the United States where he was convicted on drug trafficking and money laundering charges, and sentenced to prison.

In 2010 Noriega was sent to France, where he was convicted on money laundering charges.

The following year Noriega was extradited to Panama, where he was locked up for the 1985 murder of a political opponent, the 1989 murder of a military officer who attempted a coup against him, and for the massacre of soldiers rebelling against him.

Other cases were pending against him for the disappearance of people before he became dictator, back when he headed Panama's National Guard.
The culprits who vandalised the bronze sculpture, which sits on a rock by the waterside in the Danish capital, also left a message for authorities.

"Danmark (sic), defend the whales of the Faroe Islands" was spray painted on the pavement in front of the monument.

Copenhagen police confirmed the incident on Twitter, writing "The Little Mermaid was targeted by vandalism. We are on the case".

The Faroe Islands, a Danish autonomous archipelago in the North Atlantic, has a tradition of trapping mainly pilot whales in a bay or a fjord and killing them with long knives, an act called the "grindadrap".

The Little Mermaid, inspired by a character in Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairytale of the same name, is a 175-kilogram (385-pound) statue by Edvard Eriksen.

She was commissioned in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen, the son of the founder of the famous Carlsberg brewery, and has been one of Denmark's main tourist attractions since 1913.

The statue has been vandalised several times over a century including when the mermaid's head was stolen in 1964 and 1998, as well as when an arm was cut off in 1984.

She has been sprayed with paint before and thrown into the sea several times. In 2004, her head was covered with a burqa in protest against Turkey's application to become a member of the European Union.
The Dominican Republic's Trade and Industry Minister Juan Temistocles Montas was among those arrested in dawn raids on the Caribbean nation, a source in the public prosecution service told AFP.

He served previously as economy and planning minister during part of a period in which the company has admitted paying $92 million in bribes to gain contracts in the country.

The company built roads, bridges, dams, aqueducts and an electricity plant in the country.

The others arrested on Monday included various former ministers and public officials.
The Islamic State group-linked Amaq propaganda agency said the suicide bomber targeted a "gathering of Shiites."

IS considers members of Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority to be heretics and frequently carries out attacks against them.

The bomber struck just days after the start of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, during which Iraqis often stay out late shopping or socialising after breaking their daily fast.

Images and footage posted on social media showed the devastating impact of the blast, which ripped through the crowded area around Al-Faqma ice cream shop, scattering rubble across the street.

One photo showed cups of ice cream scattered on the blood-stained ground following the attack.

Brett McGurk, the envoy to the US-led anti-IS coalition, condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Iraq.

"ISIS terrorists tonight in Baghdad target children & families enjoying time together at an ice cream shop. We stand w/Iraq against this evil," McGurk said on Twitter, using an alternate acronym for IS.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed by US-led air strikes have since regained much of the territory they lost and are now fighting to retake the last jihadist-held areas in second city Mosul.
Under the rule of conservative leader Nikola Gruevski, Macedonia has drifted away from its proclaimed goal to join the two blocs, in particular since in 2008 Greece vetoed its NATO membership due to a long-lasting row over the country's name.

"Our goal is EU and NATO membership, in the shortest possible time," Zaev told the parliament where he is expected to obtain the support of majority for the transfer of power, the first in 10 years.

The parliament is likely to vote in Zaev and his government late on Wednesday, which could be a step toward getting Macedonia out of a deep political crisis that has endured for almost two years.

As leader of Social Democrats (SDSM), Zaev saw his party and his allied ethnic Albanian parties win 67 of 120 seats in parliamentary elections.

Highlighting a key demand of the minority's parties in joining the government -- to make Albanian an official language -- parliamentary speaker Talat Xhaferi opened Tuesday's session in Albanian.

However, Xhaferi, an ethnic Albanian who also served as defence minister in Gruevski's government, quickly switched to Macedonian "until a new language law is adopted."

"We are pledging to enable an adequate implementation of all languages," Zaev said in his address to lawmakers.

Macedonia is a country of around two million people, a quarter of whom are ethnic Albanians.

The Balkan nation plunged into crisis in 2015 after Zaev released tapes that appeared to show official and widespread wiretapping and top-level corruption by Gruevski's government.

The leader of the conservative VMRO-DPMNE party, Gruevski stepped down last year to pave the way for December early elections, agreed by all political parties under EU auspices.

VMRO-DPMNE won two seats more than Zaev's SDSM in the polls, but Gruevski failed to strike a deal with ethnic Albanian parties, whose support is necessary to form a government.

Zaev reached an agreement with Albanians but conservative President Gjorge Ivanov had refused to grant him a mandate, saying national unity would be undermined by the demands of Albanian groups.
"We are all concerned about this recent development and I think it is important to really understand what is behind this very, very serious limitation on the freedom of expression," said US ambassador Erica Barks-Ruggles.

The envoy was speaking at a panel on human rights organised by the European Union and attended by foreign diplomats as well as Rwanda's justice minister.

The measure giving control over social media use to the National Electoral Commission (NEC) will take effect at the start of the official campaign period on July 14 ahead of elections on August 4.

The rule states that all "messages, photographs and other campaign material" to be published on social networks must be submitted to the commission for approval at least 48 hours before they are due to be published.

It is aimed at "avoiding expressions, words, acts that can lead to acts of insecurity, the awakening of divisionism among the Rwandan population," said Kalisa Mbanda, election commission president.

Germany's ambassador Peter Woeste said other countries also faced problems of controlling hate speech, but asked whether "censorship [is] the way to go?" EU ambassador Michael Ryan described the measure as "too limiting".

Rwanda opposition figures have also criticised the move saying it will be used to block any criticism of President Paul Kagame who has been in charge of the country since 1994 and is running for a third term after changing the constitution to permit his candidacy.

Four opposition candidates are hoping to run against Kagame, if they are granted approval by the election commission.

While the constitution enshrines a multiparty system, there is virtually no opposition in the country, with the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) exerting total control over the political, social and economic spheres.
The security agency said the searches were part of a treason probe and accused Yandex of passing on the personal details of Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel, to authorities in Russia.

"The information was handed over to the Russian intelligence services for the purposes of planning, organising and carrying out espionage, sabotage and subversive operations in our country," it said.

Yandex confirmed the searches at its offices but said it had no "information" about the activities of the Ukrainian security agency.

"Yandex is ready to provide all information regarding its operations in Ukraine, according and limited by Ukrainian legal procedures," said company spokeswoman Ksenia Korneyeva.

The latest move comes after Ukraine blocked Russia's most popular social media networks and the Yandex search engine earlier this month in response to the Kremlin's alleged backing of a three-year separatist war in the east.

Moscow and Kiev have been locked in a bitter feud since the Kremlin seized Crimea the Crimea peninsula in 2014.

The Kremlin described Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's decision to ban its sites as "another manifestation of unfriendly, short-sighted policy toward Russia".
A Canadian truth and reconciliation commission sought an apology from the Roman Catholic church in an extensive list of recommendations in a 2015 report.

The report into a "cultural genocide" of more than a century of abuse collated evidence over six years from some 7,000 former students in Canada.

Trudeau and the Argentinian pontiff had "cordial discussions" during their 36-minute private meeting, the Vatican said in a statement.

Without addressing the schools issue directly, it said the talks had "focused on the themes of integration and reconciliation, as well as religious freedom and current ethical issues".

A spokesman for Trudeau, a Catholic who was educated at a Jesuit school and a fervent backer of gay rights, reiterated that the issue was "top of his agenda" going into the meeting.

Some 150,000 Indian, Inuit and Metis youngsters were forcibly enrolled into 139 residential schools, set up to assimilate native people and many operated by church groups on behalf of the Canadian government.

Many were physically and sexually abused and today blame their experience for a high incidence of poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence, as well as high suicide rates, in their communities.

Trudeau, having already offered his own apology to survivors, noted after the 2015 report that Pope Francis had previously offered similar apologies, for example over the treatment of indigenous communities during the colonial era in South America.

His predecessor Pope Benedict in 2009 expressed "sorrow" for the abuses in Canada. The first of the schools opened in 1874 and lasted until the last one closed in 1996.

Many survivors alleged abuse by headmasters and teachers, who stripped them of their culture and language.
Mohammed al-Otaibi, 49, fled to neighbouring Qatar in March after he had faced in Saudi Arabia charges related to his human rights work and was referred to an anti-terrorism court, the Gulf Center for Human Rights said in a statement.

"At dawn, on 28 May 2017, Otaibi and his wife were forcibly deported to Saudi Arabia while on their way to Norway," said the Gulf Center, which has offices in Copenhagen and Beirut.

It said Oslo had agreed to provide them with travel documents and the right to seek asylum as soon as they arrived.

Qatari authorities confirmed the deportation, but said it had taken place on "Wednesday May 24".

The official Qatar News Agency (QNA) said that the deportation had been confirmed by a foreign ministry source.

"The extradition was... based on legal procedures and regional and international agreements relating to the extradition of accused persons and criminals," the agency said.

First arrested in 2009, Otaibi in 2013 co-founded the Union for Human Rights in Riyadh.

Authorities ordered it shut after about one month, but he continued his work, issuing reports and giving television interviews, the Gulf Center said.

New York-based Human Rights Watch warned in April that Otaibi would be at risk of a long prison sentence and possible ill-treatment if forcibly returned to Saudi Arabia.

On a visit to the kingdom early this month, a United Nations special rapporteur, Ben Emmerson, strongly condemned Saudi Arabia for using counter-terrorism legislation and penal sanctions "against individuals peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression", religion, or association.

Saudi Arabia says that human rights are a matter of definition and "values" from one country should not be imposed.

It says the kingdom has made great strides in rights to education, healthcare and other areas.

The move to deport Otaibi comes at a particularly sensitive time in relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Reports last week said Qatar's leader, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, made explosive remarks on state media criticising Gulf policy towards Iran, essentially putting Doha at odds with Riyadh.

But Doha maintains the Qatar News Agency website was hacked and no such comments were made by the emir.

The incident has pushed relations between the two countries to the lowest level for several years.

Qatari news sites were subsequently blocked in countries across the region, including Saudi Arabia.

In a further sign of a deepening rift between the two countries, the Saudi newspaper Okaz has reported that members of a prominent Saudi family demanded Qatar's state mosque, the Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque, be renamed.
The end of a career for social justice activist Rabbi Henry Jay Karp is in sight as he will retire next month with his wife, Cantor Gail Karp.

The Karps have served a combined 62 years at Temple Emanuel, Davenport, he as rabbi, and Gail as cantor, a role that leads worship, officiates at life cycle events, teaches adults and children, runs synagogue music programs and offers pastoral care.

As a young couple in 1985, they moved with their two babies from California to Davenport  and never left. As transplants, they enjoy the Midwest; Henry was raised in New York City, and Gail is from Southfield, a suburb of Detroit.

Henry was 10 years old when he decided to become a rabbi. His parents were active in their faith, and Henry was always interested in reform Judaism, even teaching it to other teens when he was in Boy Scouts.

A lion for social justice in the Quad-Cities, Henry follows the Torah, the most sacred part of Judaism. The Torah speaks through the Prophets and the rabbi heeds the teachings.

Jews learned about slavery in Egypt and know what it's like to be an outsider, he said. All that was recharged during World War II and the Holocaust.

Social justice, indeed, is the heart and soul of Judaism, an engine for equity, he said.

The Karps met while in seminary, and it was love at first sight. "Four days after we met, we were engaged," Gail said. He was 24 years old; she was 19.

They married in 1975 and Henry got his first "solo pulpit" in Lincoln, Nebraska.

They moved west, and worked for five years in Lincoln, where their eldest child, daughter Shira, was born. But Lincoln had a small Jewish congregation, and the Karps ended up moving to Silicon Valley in northern California.

After a few years there, they said, they made great friends but didn't like the lifestyle. Their second child, Josh, was born in California. Less than two years later, he was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum.

The Karps learned of an opening at Temple Emanuel, and they moved again. They immediately got a taste of "Midwest nice" when their neighbors brought cakes to their home while they moved in.

"It is easy to live here," Gail said.

"We had a good quality of life, and a good congregation, and there was no reason to move," Henry said. Their third and final child, daughter Helene, was born in Davenport.

The couple really decided to stay in the Quad-Cities after they experienced a "Say No to Hate Rally" at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport.

Before the 1994 rally, Davenport was the site of neo-Nazi activities, including a cross burning, and destruction of mailboxes at Jewish homes ("We lost three or four of them," Gail said.)

One incident that sticks in their minds was when the Jewish community arranged a Davenport showing of the 1993 film, "Schindler's List." But the Karps received a postcard claiming that the site of the showing would be bombed and Jewish homes attacked.

Henry Karp called Davenport police, who partnered with the FBI. Protection was offered to the movie theater, the temple and Jewish homes.

That was followed by a cross burning in western Davenport.

At that point, representatives of the Catholic Diocese of Davenport contacted Karp, and plans were made for an anti-hate rally. Both Henry and Gail were greatly moved: More than 1,500 people jammed into Davenport's Sacred Heart Cathedral and spoke against hatred.

"People here do care about their fellow citizens," Gail said.

Henry speaks with appreciation of the generous Temple Emanuel congregation, whose support made it possible for him to take two trips several years ago. One was to Poland, which just had opened to tourism, and the other was to the Soviet Union. Both were religious tours, and "very meaningful," he said.

"That was just the culture of the congregation," Gail said.

Like other religious faiths around the United States, the Jewish community has dwindled in the Quad-Cities. Gail's responsibilities as cantor were reduced. Seven years ago, she took a job at the Rock Island Arsenal, working for a while in Detroit. She recently moved back.

Gail, 62, and Henry, 67, have been given "emeritus" status by the Temple Emanuel congregation.

Henry will continue to have "pulpit privileges' in Davenport, but will give his successor time alone, without interfering. He expects an interim rabbi to be named.

Both Karps will miss aspects of their spiritual roles, especially working with the Jewish children.

"They are just a lot of fun," Henry said.

Gail still works at the Rock Island Arsenal, and Henry will continue his adjunct professorship at St. Ambrose University, Davenport.

He currently has a broken arm but he plans to begin regular exercise, walking. He will stay active with his e-cards; he sends out around 1,000 of them, regularly.

A few years ago, the Karp children left the area and the couple moved to a condo in Davenport. Helene is in Minnesota, Josh in Iowa City, and Shira in Louisville, Kentucky.

Many of Henry's seminary friends have retired, and "I just know it's the right time," he said. "The spark is not as bright as it was."
A new vineyard popped up over the weekend in Davenport, reviving a piece of the past on the citys west side.

Behind John Peragines home on Clay Street, a one-man crew from California installed a trellis and irrigation system last week to support 138 grape vines  a small operation compared to what grew there 150 years ago.

We knew the history of the winery the day we stepped foot on this property, said Kate Schantz-Peragine, whose mother, Quad-City historian Regina Schantz, told the couple about the land.

In 1870, the Clifton Vineyard grew 6,000 grape vines that produced 2,000 gallons of wine, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture records. George Loste Davenport, son of Col. George Davenport, for whom the city is named, owned the grounds.

Today, the 165-year-old Clifton home still stands. It is directly west of the Peragines property in the Riverview Terrace Historic District, which overlooks the Mississippi River.

Peragine has made wine before, but he never has grown his own grapes, and he definitely didn't think he would be doing so just two years after buying his house.

When he met his friends from the West Coast last summer, however, wine-making became a new priority.

Unlikely trade

Peragine struck a deal with George Walker, operator of Mountain Vista Winery & Vineyards in Rancho Cucamonga, California, about 40 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

Already an author, Peragine wrote a book with Walker about the legendary wine-producing region. In exchange, Walker agreed to send someone from his family nearly 2,000 miles to build a vineyard in Peragines backyard in Iowa.

Published by The History Press, their book, "Cucamonga Valley Wine: The Lost Empire of American Winemaking," will hit the shelves in September.

Meanwhile, Walker's 21-year-old son, Clayton Walker, arrived May 21 and finished planting on Sunday. Despite his age, Clayton Walker also is regarded an expert in the field.

After a year of college, the younger Walker dropped out to help his dad run My Home Vineyard, which he then took over. Over the past decade, the family has designed, installed and planted more than 300 vineyards in Southern California.

Although the Peragines have only three-quarters of an acre in their terraced backyard, Walker planted 12 rows of vines, including 120 vines for wine production and 18 for table grapes.

During a break from work last week, he called his trip to Iowa one of the coolest experiences of his life.

It's funny how things work out," Walker said. "Traveling to build vineyards is a dream of mine.

He created quite a buzz during his short stay and even was invited to the office of Davenport Mayor Frank Klipsch, who was curious about the project.

Without the book deal between Peragine and his dad, the Californian said he would charge about $15,000 for a job like it, but he stressed vineyards come in all sizes.

Eventually, the grapes pay for themselves, he said, labeling the fruit a "luxurious" commodity.

If he ever comes back to build more vineyards here, Walker, who raved about the quality of the Davenport soil, said he will bring extra helpers.

Different state, different grapes

The grapes Peragine has in his backyard do not match the French hybrids frequently grown in California, such as cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir or chardonnay. Those varieties wouldn't perform well in the Midwest.

Instead, he ordered three cold-hardy grape varieties from a distributor in New York:

 Catawba (red).

 La crescent (white).

 Marquette (red).

The grapes, which vary in sweetness, will mature in about two years, said Walker, who added that each vine will produce about two bottles of wine.

During that time, the vines must be protected from mold, mildew and insects.

Peragine, 47, said he plans to commission a winery in the area to crush his grapes, but he'll handle the fermentation and bottling process at home.

The father of three, who is "constantly writing," views the experiment as a break from his day job.

"It's an excuse not to be in front of the computer all day," he said. "It's just a fascinating process to me."

Peragine and his wife, Schantz-Peragine, want to learn the ins and outs of their new venture before launching a commercial operation. Meanwhile, they figure they'll have no trouble giving away any extra bottles to family members and friends.

Looking back on recent events that produced the new fixture on their lot, coined The L'oste Vineyard, she just smiled.

"This has been a long time coming," she said. "We hope that what were doing improves property values and improves the neighborhood, especially since we're bringing back some of the history of the hill and the west side."
Lyn Brodersen Cochran, currently an administrator for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Ames, has been selected as the new president of Scott Community College.

Brodersen Cochran was picked from among four finalists after a nationwide search, a college representative said. She replaces Teresa Paper, who is retiring, and will begin her duties in August, before the start of the new academic year.

At Iowa State Extension, Brodersen Cochran is the assistant vice president for organizational development, a job she has held since 2013. In that position, she is responsible for leadership and administration of the Extension and Outreach Units. This includes leading conferences, events and professional development opportunities for 1,200 faculty and staff and 900 elected officials across the state.

Also, she currently serves as a lecturer for both Drake University and Iowa State University in the areas of qualitative research methodology.

Her previous experience includes serving as vice president for academic and student affairs at North Iowa Community College in Mason City, Iowa; dean of the College of Arts, Letters and Sciences at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota; campus executive officer and dean at University of Wisconsin-Richland; dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minnesota; and assistant dean for Communications and Industrial Technology at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska.

Brodersen Cochran is married to Doug Cochran, a truck driver and country musician. She has three stepsons, Charlie, living in Palm Springs, California; Eric in Appleton, Wisconsin; and Ethan in New Braunfels, Texas. They also have two miniature schnauzers, Kaiser and Lulu.

Retiring president Paper has served as college president since 2012. Previously, she had served as dean of the college since 2005. Her official retirement is at the end of June.

Scott Community College is one of the three colleges, including Clinton and Muscatine, that compose the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. SCC enrolled more than 4,500 students this past fall semester. Its locations include the main campus in Bettendorf, as well as the West Davenport Center on Fairmount Street, the Blong Technology Center just off Interstate 80 in north Davenport, and the Kahl Education Center in downtown Davenport. The college expects to open a new downtown Davenport Urban Campus in January 2018.
ELDRIDGE  Joyce Elaine Holst died on Sunday, May 28, 2017, surrounded by love in her rural Eldridge home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 2, 2017, at the Bettendorf Presbyterian Church, 1200 Middle Road, Bettendorf. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church or to the family for the grandchildren's education. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf is assisting the family with arrangements. Mrs. Holst's entire obituary will be published in Wednesday's Quad-City Times.
Iowa continues to be a great place to do business with a thriving economy, offering the second-lowest cost of doing business in the nation. Manufacturing continues to be strong. Iowa has lower industrial electricity rates than the national average. Iowa is home to more than 4,000 manufacturers, operating over 6,600 factories and providing jobs for over 210,000 Americans. Iowa-based manufacturing contributed $31.78 billion to the economy in 2015, and that number continues to grow each year.

Growing economies require more goods and services at affordable prices and the energy sector is no exception, especially here in Iowa. With Iowas booming industrial sector, the state currently ranks fifth in America in energy consumption, with the two largest sources of electricity generation coming from coal and natural gas, which account for over half of the fuel consumed in Iowa.

In 2015, President Obama introduced the Clean Power Plan (CPP). In total, the plan will cost consumers an additional $214 billion by 2030 for a projected mere 0.02 degrees Celsius reduction in global temperatures by the year 2100 (which assumes India, China, or other developing nations wont open new coal-burning plants). With the CPP, 45 states would see double-digit increases in electricity costs. Iowa is one of 16 states that will see a 25 percent or higher increase in wholesale electricity costs due to the heavy reliance on coal by the manufacturing sector. Both commercial and industrial consumers will experience price increases, and those costs will be passed on to consumers in the price for goods and services.

For Iowa to continue to grow and contribute to the national economy as it has been, the federal government must assist by providing regulatory relief for the energy sources for businesses in the state  oil, natural gas, and coal, and work to harness domestic energy to benefit American manufacturers in Iowa and across the nation. President Trump should roll back the CPP as he has with many other harmful Obama-era regulations.

To add insult to injury, when analyzing the rule, the Environmental Protection Agency, as is typical for bureaucrats with an agenda, fudged the numbers by failing to recognize the higher cost of natural gas that will be required to replace coal power, and failing to account for the cost of new power generation and infrastructure that will be necessary to replace coal generation, which would be prematurely retired under the regulation. If the CPP is implemented, the cost for Iowas manufacturers to convert from coal to natural gas will place an unnecessary burden on the businesses that support Iowas growing economy and in turn lead to a higher cost of living for every Iowan.

Ultimately, the costs of the CPP far outweigh the benefits. The United States gets more than 60 percent of its energy from oil and natural gas, and will continue to require large quantities in the future. On April 28, 2017 a U.S Court of Appeals placed a hold on the CPP to allow for Trumps EPA to review the regulation. But even if under this President the EPA decides to abandon the CPP, future presidents could potentially revive the rule through executive action unless Congress takes action to permanently kill it.

Additionally, Obamas methane rule will increase the cost of production of oil and natural gas  the second most-used source of energy by Iowans  by an estimated $530 million per year by 2025. Following the failed Senate attempt to block this rule, the Interior Department should work to completely withdraw the rule. Increased cost in compliance for oil and gas producers will ultimately be passed on to manufacturers in Iowa, increasing the cost to businesses which will pass the increased cost on to consumers. This price tag is even more galling considering that methane levels have been reduced by 40-45 percent from 2012 levels, and continue to decrease, even as production increases.

It is time for Congress to create permanent, legislative fixes for the regulatory overreach committed by the previous administration and work to create policies that embrace and support Americas energy renaissance, rather than restrain it. American oil, natural gas, and coal are critical to the well-being of consumers, businesses, and the economy in Iowa and across the United States. Contact President Trump, Sens. Grassley and Ernst, and your member of Congress to let them know your thoughts on this topic.
One of our nations fundamental principles is justice for all. However, not everyone has access to the justice system, primarily because of income. Tens of thousands of Illinoisans cannot afford the legal help they need when facing potentially life changing situationsleaving many to navigate these complex situations on their own.

Since 2001, the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF) has awarded $23.3 million in state-funded grants to non-profit organizations, assisting over 560,000 vulnerable families, seniors and veterans impacted by domestic violence, foreclosure, loss of veterans benefits and consumer fraud.

However, the Illinois Equal Justice Foundations civil legal aid appropriation was not included in the stopgap budgetleaving almost 36,000 Illinoisans without the legal aid they need. These legal services help keep low-income families and seniors housed, safe, and economically independent. Quite frankly, these services are in jeopardy.

Civil legal aid ensures that organizations provide residents with access to legal representation, legal information, self-help legal assistance, telephone advice and referral services, and mediation services. Without a state budget that includes money for legal aid, people across Illinois in need of legal services will be vulnerable every day.

As members of the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, we are calling on the state to do its part and reinstate the funding for civil legal aid. Join us in supporting Attorney General Lisa Madigans budget request for the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation.

Leslie Corbett

Gery J. Chico

Chicago

Editors note: Corbett is executive director and Chico is on the board of directors for the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation
DES MOINES  Gov. Kim Reynolds is planning a July reunion with her former boss, now-U.S. Ambassador Terry Branstad  in China.

Reynolds announced Tuesday she will be leading an all-Iowa agriculture trade mission to China that will begin July 19 and run until July 28. Traveling with her will be officials from commodity groups representing Iowa's corn, soybean, pork, beef, egg, poultry, dairy and turkey industries, marking the first time all of Iowa's major farm groups have participated in a joint trade mission.

Reynolds said the historic mission was timed to coincide with Branstad's upcoming arrival and installment as America's Chinese ambassador. Branstad's new position in the Trump administration was rooted in his personal friendship with China's president, and Reynolds hopes Iowa can "cultivate and maximize" the relationship by promoting more exports to China.

"There is no better time than now to market and pitch our products in China," Reynolds said. "Our relationship with the country is strong, and their growing middle class means increasing purchasing power, and Iowa stands to gain significantly as a result."

Reynolds, who will be making her sixth trip to China, said the goal of the latest mission is to build relationships, understanding and trust with the hope of opening new possibilities for Iowa's agricultural products, especially building on a new opening for exporting beef to the largest population center in the world.

Iowa Cattlemen's Association CEO Matt Deppe said his group is cautiously optimistic about the potential for a trade agreement that would lift a Chinese embargo against U.S. beef that's been in effect for 13 years. He said access would be "a crucial first step" in expanding beef exports to China.

"Personal relationships and friendships are significant in the Chinese culture," Reynolds said at her weekly news conference, "and if Iowa farmers want to be the main supplier of choice to China's 1.4 billion people  one of the world's biggest customers  that's where we'll go."

Reynolds said trade mission members will meet with government officials and industry partners in Shanghai, Xian and Beijing, where they will drop by the U.S. embassy to visit with Branstad and get his insights as the groups navigate solutions to some of the current issues facing their industries. For some of Iowa's commodities, China is a developed market, and others see it as a new opportunity to bring down barriers to products.

Craig Floss of the Iowa Corn Growers Association said trade and exports are "absolutely vital" to Iowa producers and having all of the state's agricultural sectors represented will create "a strong force" in marketing Iowa.

"This is how you compete in a global marketplace," said Adam Gregg, who Reynolds has appointed to serve as her acting lieutenant governor.
Thanks to the many selfless volOur March meeting started out with some pretty excited kids as we scheduled a visit to our local Police Department. Our visit started out with Trudy Dipple giving us an overview of what her job entails with office work and many daily phone calls from citizens. After Trudy answered some questions that our kids had, we were given a tour of the Department and then got to visit with some officers. Office Zach Schafer explained to all the kids from head to toe the type of equipment that he has to carry on a daily basis for his protection and the citizens of our community. One of the most exciting pieces he showed was his taser. There were multiple questions about that! After Officer Schafer was finished, Captain Wainman stepped up and showed more equipment and how it is to be used and when to use. He also handed out some stickers to the kids. After more questions, Captain Wainman led us outside and let the kids climb in two separate department vehicles to see how different they are from civilian vehicles. The kids were in awe at the protective glass and the communication and electronic systems that are installed in them. A huge thank you to Captain Wainman and Officer Schafer for taking time out of their day to inform our 4-H kids about what you do for our community!
SIOUX FALLS | Rita Dozal doesn't want to worry about her mom having to train the nursing aides.

But there are times when the 87-year-old nursing home resident doesn't know who is going to help her get to bed at night. She doesn't know who is going to help her when she wakes up in the morning. She doesn't know who's going to bring her meals.

Every time, especially on the weekends, it could be a new face. A new face with minimal training.

"These people are here 24 hours a day every day and they can't go home," Dozal told the Argus Leader. "So you have to create an environment that they feel they have consistency and that they're home."

Workforce shortages in South Dakota nursing homes will likely get worse unless something is done to fix the problem. To fill the gap, businesses are responding with new technology and a focus on creating a strong workplace culture for new employees.

Dozens of nursing homes in the state are failing again and again in the same category. State officials have raised red flags about the lack of workers, especially in front-line positions, such as aides, who work directly with residents such as Dozal's mother, a double amputee and diabetic.

Leaders for Avera eCARE are preparing to break free from grant funding next year with a business-to-business telemedicine model they developed in part thanks to federal innovation dollars that will allow a team of care providers to assist nursing homes in rural areas. Executives for a newly opened assisted living community in western Sioux Falls, Grand Living at Lake Lorraine, say they are beating the workforce shortage by reinforcing a culture of respect and dignity for both residents and employees.

New to a Sioux Falls market, where local joblessness already hangs well below 3 percent, Grand Living has been able to hire employees, CEO Dan Peterka said.

Peterka knows full well how hard hiring can be in the senior care industry.

"Everybody, I think, is confronted with what employment is," Peterka said. "We've had really good success."

Sioux Falls and the rest of the state are at the cross section of two troubling trends when it comes to finding staff to provide medical treatment at assisted living and nursing home communities.

One is a local problem of low unemployment and the shortages created across industries, from restaurants to construction. Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are competing with other sectors when it comes to filling entry-level jobs. Aides and other starting positions don't require much training, but it can be difficult for employers to compete for the pool of potential workers because of the work involved in assisted living  or at least because of the perception.

"They're really competing with everybody else," said Gloria Pearson, who heads the state's Department of Human Services. "If you're going to receive the same pay and benefits, it's just really hard to recruit people and then retain them as well."

State officials commissioned a report in 2015 about long-term care options in South Dakota. The company hired to conduct the research, Abt Associates Inc., noted problems with the projected workforce.

Adding to the complexity of the state's workforce shortage is a second, broader problem of the aging baby boomers and anemic growth in the number of long-term care providers across all specialties, from doctors to aides to social workers.

The number of South Dakotans older than 65 is projected to grow 84 percent between 2010 and 2035, according to state population data.

The trend line for employment in long-term care, meanwhile, is far less steep. Between 2014 and 2024, all jobs in the residential care sector are expected to increase 6.5 percent, according to the state Department of Labor.

It's a problem the state's AARP office is well aware of and trying to address.

"I definitely see that there is a trend," said Eric Gaikowski, state director for AARP South Dakota. "An increased need for workers in that area."

Dan Peterka knew what he was getting into when he started Grand Living, the company that runs the Lake Lorraine assisted living community.

Peterka worked for years in the industry before co-founding the Twin Cities-based business that is quickly expanding its presence in the Midwest with new projects in Sioux Falls and Iowa, not including freshly inked deals to open two more assisted living communities in Florida.

He's not worried about finding workers. That's because from the start his company has been very intentional about the culture and "resort style" hospitality it promotes among its staff.

"We've had very good success because of our service culture," Peterka said. "The caliber of individual that we select and hire within our company, we've been very blessed from that standpoint."

Grand Living leaders have a carefully guided approach to customer service, using a set of philosophies crafted with help from a former Ritz-Carlton executive. The company even branded its approach to service, called "The Sterling Touch."

Three cornerstones provide the foundation of Grand Living's approach to service, Peterka said: A passion to provide remarkable, personalized experiences to clients, recognizing dedicated staff and respecting contributions of others to the daily work.

The company also has 10 principles for customer service, and each day employees focus on one.

"It's how we sustain our customer service culture," Peterka said.

Dozal doesn't see much consistency for her mother, who needed to leave assisted living years ago for the increased care available at a nursing home.

Cracks are already showing from the workforce shortage, and the effects of a continued drought leave her wondering about the management of Sioux Falls Village, the nursing home where her mother lives. Her most pressing question: What kind of care is her mom getting?

"You've got so many people coming and going," Dozal said. "You lose a lot of efficiencies, you lose a lot of confidence."

Inspectors have reported thousands of deficiencies at South Dakota nursing homes in the past four years, and one of the most common offenses was a failure to meet professional standards.

Between 2015 and 2016, Sioux Falls Village was repeatedly written up for not having policies that properly screened employees and allowed for reporting abuse, and for ensuring staff met professional standards of quality. The Good Samaritan Society-run facility failed to meet those standards in three successive inspections, spread across a year and a half.

A Good Samaritan spokesman didn't respond by print deadline to a request for comment. But Sioux Falls Village is far from the worst offender. Nursing homes across the state failed to meet professional quality standards, many of them failing in that same category inspection after inspection, year after year. Nursing homes in Woonsocket, Flandreau, Garretson and Lennox all failed multiple times.

Professional standards of quality was one of the biggest overall failings of nursing homes in the state, according to four years of Medicaid data, with 193 total infractions.

AARP sees solutions on a couple of fronts, especially as members express a desire to live at home longer and avoid community-based settings, Gaikowski said.

One of those is paying more respect to the family caregivers who sacrifice their own personal time to provide for their older relatives.

"The more they can provide services in their homes," Gaikowski said. "They're better able to stay in their home; they don't have to take up a nursing home bed."

But another solution to the state's problematic workforce problem is telemedicine.

Avera eCARE was able to serve 45 additional long-term care facilities in the region thanks to an $8.8 million federal innovation grant it received in 2015. Now in its final and third year of the grant, eCARE leaders are hopeful about the business model moving forward that will allow them to continue contracting with nursing homes and easing the burden on health care providers.

The Sioux Falls-based call center includes a team of physicians, nurses, mental health providers and social workers who can answer calls remotely, working directly with patients. Collaborating with family doctors and other providers who work one on one with the patient, telemedicine allows for a faster response, said Deanna Larson, CEO for Avera eCARE.

"We augment, we support them, we specialize," Larson said. "We want to be there when they need us."

Dr. Joseph Rees works with eCARE's long-term care team as a fellow. He wants to earn credentials in geriatric medicine because he likes the team approach to care. But he also noticed something happening around him as he worked with other Avera Health patients in his years as a hospitalist.

"There was certainly a growing proportion of patients that were elderly," Rees said.
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds called recently. He was having a robo-town hall  with questions screened in advance by his staff. The main topic was health care and rising health care costs, including insurance.

There was active and focused discussion of the Affordable Care Act, premiums, drug companies, and other contributors to rising costs. Absent from the discussion was the topic of out-of-control medical facility construction and rising patient costs to pay for the new facilities.

An example is Regional Healths massive orthopedic center, breaking ground in June. The new center appears to be a hostile takeover to wipe out competition like the Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center, literally right next door.

Its astonishing that a not-for-profit hospital has the economic and political power enjoyed by the apparently unregulated Regional Health, Sanford and Avera medical groups. Not only do they not pay the 35 percent corporate tax rate, they get to decide, without outside input, how to spend their vast profits.

Before 1985, South Dakota participated in Certificate of Need programs that helped state and local governments decide whether to allow medical facilities to be built. A certificate was issued to a medical provider based on whether the community lacked a service, or was underserved in areas like, for example, mental health or inpatient treatment for addiction.

The certificate program helped keep costs down because duplicating new expensive facilities was avoided. Clearly, Rapid City is now the Wild West of medical practice, a boom town like Deadwood. All you need in South Dakota is the money and the full backing of the Rapid Regional Board to make a killing. Its insulting.

The vice president for the Rapid City market, Michael Latour, says hes excitedto be able to return people to a functional lifestyle, without pain, to live well in this community, to be able to return to their functional ability. Presumably, he means people with money and insurance who have no pre-existing conditions, are not mentally ill, and are not in need of inpatient addiction treatment.

It is not surprising that people already providing many specialty services in the community are perplexed by the move. The purported pain specialists will be competing, head to head, with the rehab doctors.

Theres no plan to rehabilitate psychiatric patients. Theres no plan for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome patients who need highly specialized and intensive pain management. In fact, theres been no discussion of what pain management services the vaunted new facility would provide. Our community is hurting for internal medicine practitioners. Try getting an appointment with an internist.

All of this leaves us to presume that Regional Health will cater to the same pay-for-play clientele already being served by other competent facilities and providers.

Theres a reason two-thirds of Rapid Regional doctors cast a no-confidence vote in management recently. The medical community spoke volumes when it opposed the loss of acute and chronic mental health care, now in the hands of police officers.

In the dog-eat-dog world of big medicine, our non-profits act without regard for what we need as a community, and without federal or state oversight.

Our doctors have done what they can. Its now up to us to deluge the Regional Health board with demands for accountability, for a Certificate of Need for their outrageous expansion, for information about the salaries of chief officers, for their unfettered and unaccountable behavior.

Its time for the Internal Revenue Service to explore Regional Healths status and expenditures. Theres a fox in the chicken coop. Its time to cage that fox.
With a full-sized American flag firmly affixed to his Harley-Davidson FXSTS custom, veteran Curtis Watson of Piedmont staged in a line of motorcycles waiting to ride en masse to Black Hills National Cemetery on Monday morning.

Watson and about 70 others participated in the second Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame Memorial Day Honor Ride. The group traveled, with police escort, from legendary Main Street in downtown Sturgis along Interstate 90 to Black Hills National Cemetery to pay respects to those who served.

Im a proud veteran, and Im here to support our troops and those who died in service to this country, Watson, a member of the 82nd Airborne, said over the rumble of bikes.

Watson, originally from Nebraska, moved to the area about eight years ago. He said he has friends who are now buried at the national cemetery. Seems like we lose one about every year now, the 57-year-old said.

Memorial Day was also a chance for Roger Schieman to remember those who died who had served.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it wasn't until after World War II that the Memorial Day holiday gained a strong following and national identity. It wasn't officially named Memorial Day until 1967. It became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Fifty years ago, a fresh-faced Schieman, a Sturgis High School graduate, joined the Navy under the buddy system with fellow Sturgis graduates John Rindy and John Johnson. The buddy program allows small groups of friends to remain together for as long as possible during their enlistment.

Schieman went to basic training in San Diego and then was stationed in Norfolk, Va. During his service he met and married his wife, Violet. She was stationed at the Great Lakes Training Center, working in a clerical position. They were married in 1971 and moved to Sturgis.

Violet Schieman died in October 2014. She is buried at Black Hills National Cemetery. Monday was another opportunity to honor Violet, not only for being an amazing wife and mother, but also for her service to country.

The honor ride was a good fit for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, said executive director Myrick Robbins.

Memorial Day is a good time for bikers who are generally very patriotic to get together to honor the sacrifices of those who served, he said. Its a chance for them to enjoy some camaraderie and the freedoms we enjoy.

Robbins was happy with the turnout for the second honor ride.

Its getting bigger and better every year, he said.
CRAZY HORSE - SDPB presents a free, 30-minute preview screening of "The Vietnam War," the new 10-part, 18-hour documentary film series directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. The screening is Saturday, June 10, at 4 p.m. at Crazy Horse Memorial.

In addition to the screening, author and Vietnam combat veteran Major Ed Eagle Man McGaa, USMC (Ret.) will share his experiences from the war.

The screening is free and open to the public. Visitors who tell the admission representative they are there for the Vietnam War Screening get in free, as Crazy Horse Memorial will waive their entry fee between 3:30 and 5 p.m. on June 10 for those attending the screening.

A reception for veterans and their families follows. SDPB producers will be on-hand to record interviews with Vietnam War & Vietnam Era Veterans, and others who have stories to share, during the reception.

"The Vietnam War" premieres Sept. 17, 2017, on SDPB-TV and on PBS stations nationwide.

About Ed "Eagle Man" McGaa

Ed Eagle Man" McGaa, J.D., was born on the Oglala Sioux reservation in South Dakota and is a registered tribal member. He served in Korea as a Marine Corporal before earning an undergraduate degree at St. John's University in Minnesota. He then rejoined the Marine Corps to become a Phantom F4 fighter pilot in Vietnam, where he flew in more than a hundred combat missions. Upon his return McGaa danced in six annual Sioux Sun Dances. The Sun Dance led him to the seven Mother Earth ceremonies under the tutelage of Chief Eagle Feather and Chief Fools Crow, two Sioux holy men. Eagle Man holds a law degree from the University of South Dakota and is the author of Red Cloud: Biography of an Indian Chief; Mother Earth Spirituality: Healing Ourselves and Our World; Rainbow Tribe: Ordinary People Journeying on the Red Road; Native Wisdom: Perceptions of the Natural Way; and the novel Eagle Vision: Return of the Hoop. His latest book is Black Elk Speaks IV: Creators Planetary Warning: Narration by a Teton Sioux, a traditional espousing of John Neihardts Black Elk Speaks.

About "The Vietnam War" - a film by Ken Burns and Lyn Novick

"The Vietnam War" is a 10-part, 18-hour documentary film series directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick that will air on SDPB this Fall  Sunday, September 17, 2017. In an immersive 360-degree narrative, Burns and Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never before been told on film. The Vietnam War features testimony from nearly 100 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both sides.
Ex-chief accountant of Russian theater company appeals detention in embezzlement case

MOSCOW, May 30 (RAPSI) - Ex-chief accountant of the Seventh Studio stage company Nina Maslyayeva, who stands charged with embezzling public funds allocated for promotion of art, has filed an appeal against her detention, RIA Novosti reported Tuesday.

On May 27, Maslyayeva was placed in detention until July 19 under the decision of Moscows Presnensky District Court. Earlier, another defendant in the case, ex-CEO of the Seventh Studio Yury Itin was put under house arrest.

On May 23, police raided the Gogol Center, a popular contemporary theater in Moscow, as part of investigation into the case. Searches have also been conducted in premises of the theaters artistic director, Kirill Serebrennikov. Later, he was questioned as a witness in the case.

Maslyayeva and Itin were allegedly involved in embezzlement committed in 2014. The Seventh Studio received 66.5 million rubles ($1.2 million) from budget for staging performances, holding of seminars, creative laboratories and organization of guest performances. Investigators believe that Maslyayeva and Itin conspired to embezzle about 1.3 million rubles (about $23,000) by fabricating documents on rendering services, RIA Novosti reported.

It was reported earlier, that unidentified persons from management of the Seventh Studio, a stage company created by Serebrennikov on the basis of his acting and directing course in the Moscow Art Theatre School, embezzled 200 million rubles (about $3.5 million) allocated by the government for development and popularization of art in Russia from 2011 to 2014.
Right to free elections in Russia violated in 2011  ECHR

MOSCOW, May 30 (RAPSI)  The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on Tuesday that Russian authorities had violated rights of several individuals to participate in free elections to the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg back in December 2011, the courts ruling reads on Tuesday.

The applicants in this case were registered voters with five of them being candidates to the Assembly as representatives of the Just Russia party and others being members of the electoral commissions or observers. They alleged that the commissions in the citys Kolpino District participated in mass falsifications of election results in favor of the ruling party during the recounts of registered votes.

Two applicants found the discrepancy between the original records of casted votes, obtained from Precinct Electoral Commissions, and final results presented by the City Electoral Commission. They challenged the results first with the Commission itself but the appeals were transferred to the Kolpino District Prosecutor, a decision later approved by a local court. Local authorities refused to open criminal investigation into the alleged falsifications finding evidence insufficient.

The Supreme Court of Russia refused to proceed with the complaint against the election results noting that the court had no competence to examine such a complaint, since the alleged violations did not affect the rights of the voters, but may have affected the rights of the parties which had participated in the elections.

On July 2, 2014, the Chairman of the Central Elections Commission asked to check the authenticity of the original election protocols relied upon by the applicants. Forensic expertise concluded that some of the copies differed from the ones submitted to the City Electoral Commission. On November 14, 2014, an investigator decided that there was no need to open investigation into the alleged crime in view of the expiry of the two-year statutory limit.

Russian authorities denied statements on restriction and infringement of the rights of voters and candidates, noting that the five applicants continued their political activities.

The ECHR ruled that there was a violation of Article 3 (Right to free elections) of the Protocol 1 of the European Convention of Human Rights.
St. Petersburg court sentences murderer of prominent journalist Tsilikin to 8.5 years

ST. PETERSBURG (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov)  The Kalininsky District Court of St. Petersburg has found student Sergey Kosyrev guilty of murdering prominent Russian journalist Dmitry Tsilikin and sentenced him to 8.5 years in a penal colony, RAPSI reports from the courtroom on Tuesday.

The case was heard behind closed doors because the crime had been committed against the sexual inviolability and sexual freedom of a person. The public hearings could lead to divulging of sensitive information regarding participants in the case.

According to investigators, Tsilikin met Kosyrev online on one of the social networks. On March 27, 2016, Kosyrev visited the journalist with whom he had befriended online. Investigators allege that the student killed Tsilikin during a quarrel, stole his laptop, mobile phone, money and fled the scene.

The body of the 54-year old journalist was found in his apartment on the night of March 31. According to preliminary findings, he died from multiple knife wounds.

Kosyrev was arrested on April 7, 2016, after investigators had examined Tsilikins conversations on one of social networks.

The student pleaded guilty to murder but denied involvement in the theft. He was found guilty of all charges.

Dmitry Tsilikin was an editor of Culture and society section in the Chas Pik (Peak Hour) newspaper. He was also an author and host of multiple TV- and radio-shows, his works were published in numerous newspapers and magazines.
ECHR ruling in favor of Russian opposition politician Kasparov takes effect

MOSCOW, May 30 (RAPSI)  The ruling of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) awarding 5,000 in compensation to opposition politician and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov for violation of his rights during a 2007 anti-government rally in Moscow, has become effective, according to the courts press release issued on Tuesday.

Russias request to refer the case to the courts Grand Chamber for review was dismissed.

In December 2016, the ECHR held that rights of Garry Kasparov, the Russian opposition politician and former world chess champion, had been violated during a 2007 anti-government rally in Moscow.

The ECHR ordered Russia to pay Kasparov another applicant Alexander Averin 5,000 euros in compensation for non-pecuniary damage and 3,000 euros in respect of costs and expenses. Another applicant Alexander Averin was to receive 5,000 euros as well.

Kasparov was arrested on November 24, 2007 together with six other political activists at the demonstration and brought to the police station. He was charged with a breach of the regulations on holding demonstrations and disobeying police orders. He was later found guilty of both charges. A court ruled that Kasparov marched among some 1,500 people in what had constituted an unauthorized demonstration.

Kasparov denied that there was an organized demonstration or that he called out to anyone to follow him. Nevertheless, he was sentenced to five days administrative detention.

Kasparov lodged a complaint with the ECHR along with six other political activists, including Lev Ponomaryov.

The ECHR ruled that there was a violation of article 11 (Freedom of assembly and association) and article 6 (Right to a fair trial) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms as regards two the applicants.

Complaints of other activists were deemed inadmissible.
Suspect in murder of Moscow lawyer put in detention

Context Suspect in murder of Russian lawyer arrested in Moscow

MOSCOW, May 30 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko)  Marat Yanbukhtin suspected of killing a Moscow attorney has been placed in detention until July 26, the Presnensky District Courts spokesperson Anastasia Pylina told RAPSI on Tuesday.

Law enforcement officers arrested Yanbukhtin on Monday.

The woman, who had been working as a lawyer, was shot dead on entering her apartment in the north-east of Moscow on April 26. Investigators consider different versions of the murder including those connected with the victims professional activity.

Reportedly, the victim is the 40-year old Natalya Vavilina. However, this information has not been officially confirmed.

According to the Federal Chamber of Lawyers, the woman became the seventh attorney killed in Russia in the last two years. Since 2001, 45 Russian lawyers have been murdered. Most of crimes have not been detected, the Chamber reported earlier.
Russian authorities ordered to pay $7,000 to man acquitted of double homicide

MOSCOW, May 30 (RAPSI, Diana Gutsul) - The Supreme Court of Tatarstan has collected 399,716 rubles (nearly $7,000) from Russias Finance Ministry in favor of Sergey Senin acquitted of double homicide, lawyer Igor Sholokhov told RAPSI on Tuesday.

Senin has demanded wage loss indemnity from the Russian authorities.

According to case papers, on July 13, 2003, unknown persons broke into premises of a businessman in the Tatarstan Republics town of Tetyushi to steal an iron safe with money. Two security staffs were shot dead.

Senin, who was charged with the crime, pleaded not guilty. In 2006, charges against Senin were dropped. He exercised the right to rehabilitation and recovered compensation from the Russian authorities. However, 10 years later, in 2016, he was arrested again and charged with double murder, illegal possession of weapons and robbery, Sholokhov told RAPSI earlier.

Jurors in the Supreme Court of Tatarstan have acquitted the man. In February 2017, Russias Supreme Court upheld the ruling.

On May 31, a district court in Kazan will hear another lawsuit lodged by the man seeking 1 million rubles in damages for unwarranted prosecution.

According to Sholokhov, Senin was detained within 8 months and 22 days. He was subjected to moral and physical suffering, the attorney added.
Guwahati, May 29 : The Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC)'s Class 12 examination result will be announced on May 30.

A top official of AHSEC said that, the result to be declared at the all districts head quarters at 10 am on May 30.

In this year, around 2.5 lakh students were appeared in the Class 12 exams out of which a total of 1,94,069 students from Arts stream had appeared in the exam while 37,350 are from in Science and 17,894 students in Commerce stream.

On the other hand, the Class 10 examination result will be announced on May 31.

The Class 10 exam also known as High School and High Madrasa exam was held in February last conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA).

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati : Another multi-crore rupees government scam unearthed in Assam following Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday directed investigation into the Rs 139 crores scam of Assam Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board under Labour and Welfare Department of the state.

The Assam CM while reviewing the functioning of the board at his conference room at the Janata Bahwan took notice of huge discrepancies of fund of the Board and ordered investigation of the case by CM's Vigilance Cell.

It is to be mentioned that one percent of total construction cost of any building or construction project must be deposited into the fund of Assam Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board for carrying out different welfare activities for the construction workers.

A total amount of Rs 139 crores was collected by the Board during the previous year but the there was gross irregularity in the expenditure of the fund.

The Assam CM was apprised that the amount of Rs 71 crores was spent for printing leaflets, booklets, folders etc for awareness purposes and Rs 1.96 crore was spent for erecting hoardings.

Also Rs 8.51 crores was shown being spent for running awareness campaigns on electronic media and another Rs 74 lakhs for print media awareness campaigns.

Another shocking revelation was the expenditure of Rs 50 crores rupees for printing forms and registers.

Taking stern view of this gross irregularity and financial anomaly, Sonowal said that these corrupt practices must be exposed and the guilty must be brought to book who have misused the fund meant for poor constructions worker's benefit.

'As these irregularities happened during the tenure of the previous Chairman of the Board, he must be also brought under the purview of the investigation,'A Sonowal said.

The Assam CM also directed Labour and Welfare Department to streamline the registration of construction workers by starting online registration and also to take steps to build skilled workforce in the state by providing skill training to workers.

He also said that skilled construction workers would be able to find employment outside the state as well apart from finding employment in the infrastructure related projects within the state.

Minister of State for Labour and Welfare Department Pallab Lochan Das, Legal Adviser to the Chief Minister Shantanu Bharali, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Lohia, Commissioner and Secretary Labour and Welfare Department Tapan Chandra Sarma were also present in the meeting.

Earlier, the Assam CM had directed to probe into the Rs 2250 crore scam in Social Welfare department, Directorate of Information and Public Relations office.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati: At least three persons injured in an explosion in Nagaland's Dimapur city on Monday evening, officials said.

According to the reports, the persons injured while miscreants lobbed a hand grenade targeting to a chemist shop in Dimapur town at around 7-15 pm.

An official of Dimapur police said that, two employees of the chemist shop and a customer received serious injuries in the explosion.

The injured persons had immediately rushed to nearest hospital.

Top police and army officials had rushed to the area and launched operation against the attackers.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
KATHMANDU, May 30: CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday claimed the act to tear up ballot papers with votes by cadres of the CPN (Maoist Centre) was premeditated.

"Cadres of the Young Communist League (YCL), the youth wing of the Maoist Centre, were asked from Baluwatar to tear the ballot papers with votes after the Maoist's defeat became apparent. It is not possible to reorganise the elections," the former Prime Minister said at a victory rally organised by UML Kathmandu District Committee to celebrate the win of UML's Bidya Sundar Shakya in Kathmandu Metropolis.

He also said the rescheduling of the second phase of June 14 local level elections for June 23 would not be acceptable to his party as it occurs on the occasion of Muslim festival Eid al-Fitr.

On a different context, the UML boss said the UML was not in hurry to join the government at present and would think over it only after the conclusion of elections at all three levelslocal, provincial and federal.

The victory rally started from New Road and went through Ratnapark before converging into a corner meet at Bhrikutimandap.

Also addressing the meet, the newly elected Shakya said he felt that a great responsibility had fallen on him after winning in the election while pledging to work to address the aspirations of the Kathmandu Valley residents and try to win their favour in the future. RSS
Kathmandu, Nepal : An all-party meeting called by Nepali Congress in a bid to form a consensus government is shunned by the main opposition party CPN-UML on Thursday .

Nepali Congress had invited the UML by sending letter to participate in the all parties meeting.
KATHMANDU, May 30: A Kathmandu-based high-level election observation team on Tuesday left for Chitwan to launch an investigation into the incident of tearing up ballot papers with votes in Bharatpur Metropolitan City.

Cadres of Young Communist League, youth wing of CPN (Maoist Centre) have been accused of tearing the ballot papers with votes during the counting of votes.

The team comprises experts from the related field and representatives from the National Election Observation Committee (NEOC) and Sankalpa, Women's Alliance for Peace, Justice, and Democracy.

Part of the team is Vice President of NEOC Charan Prasain, General Secretary Dr Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, Prof Chiranjibi Khanal, noted investigative journalist Hasta Gurung and Executive Director of Sankalpa Chanda Rai Shrestha.

Meanwhile, the NEOC has requested the respective District Administration Office, District Election Office, Chief District Officer, security agencies, political parties, poll contestants and local people to help with the investigation. RSS
KATHMANDU, May 30: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been demanded to reconsider the rescheduled date of second round of the local level elections reasoning that Muslim's festival Eid ul Fitr falls on the election day of June 23.

The representatives of the Muslim community submitted a memorandum to PM Dahal and made such demand Tuesday.

Receiving the memorandum, PM Dahal said, "Government is positive on your demand, and would take decision by holding discussion with the Election Commission and the political parties."

On the occasion, PM Dahal said the government has expected all Nepalis' support and cooperation to make the second round of local election successful. "The election date is fixed for Asar. We're worried if monsoon affects election. But, election must be held at any cost because only election would help country end the political transition for the stability and development."

The PM further said, "If election is not held, it will be difficult for us to institutionalize the achievements as federalism, secularism, and republic."RSS
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Jeremy Joseph Christian, accused of fatally stabbing two men who defended a 16-year-old and her Muslim friend on a Portland, Oregon, train, yelled, "Get out if you don't like free speech" and "You call it terrorism, I call it patriotism" during his first court appearance on Tuesday.
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Eleven soldiers were killed and seven others injured in what the Philippines government has described as a "friendly fire incident" in Marawi, on the southern island of Mindanao.
In its third year, the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival has already garnered a rapidly growing reputation for stellar programming and special ceremonies awarding wonderful guests with some ever-welcome due. Last year, Mammoth Lakes brought Joe Dante to the town near Yosemite National Park, honoring him with the Centrepiece Sierra Spirit Award, and last Saturday, the good people of Mammoth Lakes have given the same award, which honours maverick, visionary filmmakers, to the great John Sayles.



Sayles career is an extremely interesting one, not only because each new project is driven by a yearning to discover and explore unknown territory, whether that be different than his previous thematic or formal endeavors or anyone elses for that matter, but more amusingly, because of its origin story. Like so many other great directors who graduated from the ranks of Roger Cormans filmmaking crash courses (with a capital CRASH), Sayles, who penned camp classics like Piranha and Alligator, took the profoundly DIY lessons that Cormans indie camp had to teach, and applied them to films of a headier scale.



Even if his later achievements like Brother From Another Planet, City of Hope, Lone Star, Limbo, or Honeydripper, for example, seem strange stacked against his earlier screenplays, all of Sayles efforts in film and literature are both innovative and thoughtful. I am particularly fond of how Sayles chose to navigate the early years of being offered opportunities as writer/director, first with his directorial debut, Return of the Secaucus 7, and a few years later with his first studio effort, Baby Its You, two sweet yet wise coming-of-age films, made all the sweeter by the fact that, in between, Sayles penned Joe Dantes The Howling.



For Mammoth Lakes, the film of the hour is Baby Its You, Sayles charmingly poignant early 60s school film, starring a young Rosanna Arquette in a radiantly one-of-a-kind performance and longtime Sayles actor, Vincent Spano, who will be awarding Sayles with Mammoth Lakes Sierra Spirit Award. In Baby Its You, The Sheik (Spano) is an out-of-time Sinatra disciple gobsmacked and bedazzled by Jill Rosen (Arquette). Though Jill is a few leagues above The Sheik, teenage love seizes them against all odds.... That is, until the class divide takes Jill to college and Sheik to Florida. Its a richly layered film about love and identity in shifting times and how the two collide into the narrative of memory and its one well worth seeking out.



Secaucus 7 and Baby Its You are both films that look backwards and yet Sayles has lived many lifetimes since those particular meditations. With the past on his mind, thanks to Mammoth Lakes, I was able to speak to the 66-year-old filmmaker about some of his visions from yesteryear.





ScreenAnarchy: Do you know why Mammoth Lakes went with BABY ITS YOU? Was that your choice? Was it their suggestion?



John Sayles: I think they always check what movies they can get because we don't own all our own movies and it can be a matter of whether prints are more or less available. So I think of the movies, they said, "Pick one." I picked Baby It's You partly because it's not seen that often.



I mean, isn't that one of your only, if not your only, studio film?



You know that was with Paramount. I did Eight Men Out with Orion. It was when they went out of business. Don't blame me. I did Limbo with Sony. So yeah I've done three movies with studios where they put up the money ahead of time.



It was the first movie that I did with a studio; The first time I had a budget over a million dollars and got to work with a union crew and all that kind of stuff.



According to Wikipedia, or some such resource, it was the losing of final cut that dissuaded you from sort of working within that system in the future?



Yeah, or it just made me more careful. So I ended up liking the cut that I was able to get of the movie, but I was fired out of the editing room... and then hired back and it was not a pretty process toward the end.



But I got to work with great people. Michael Ballhaus was the cinematographer - he just died a month or so ago - and was just a great world-class cinematographer. He shot most of [Rainer Werner] Fassbinder's movies and a bunch of movies for Marty Scorsese and he was kind of a revelation to work with. And then a bunch of those young actors. It was just fun to work with talented kids starting out.



I bet! Again, sorry to regurgitate things I read somewhere, but at some point I read that there were sort of three forces at work with BABY. There was the book, the source material, which is something of a teenage drama, I think. I'd read it if I could. Did the studio think they were making a sex comedy? Is that true?



You know, I think what happened is the idea for it came from Amy Robinson, who was one of the producers, and was kind of based on stuff that happened to her when she was a kid in Trenton, New Jersey. I had gone to a very similar high school a couple years later in Schenectady, New York and so we pooled our feelings about high school at that time and about the jump that you made when you went to college then. Because you're really kind of going to a working class high school from the Fifties right into the heart of the Sixties. Rosanna Arquette's character; everything cool about her in high school, is definitely not cool when she gets to Sarah Lawrence and she has to do a lot of training.



But, you know, that was kind of what was interesting about the story. I think some of what may have happened with the studio is that Fast Times at Ridgemont High came out. Porky's came out. And I think they just got it in their head, "Geez this is like serious. It's almost like an art movie and we'd like something more like a teen comedy." It just wasn't in the script. It just wasn't in the cards. When they did their cut of the movie it scored one point lower than my goddamn cut. I think they discovered, "Oh that's right, this isn't a comedy." I mean, there's a lot of funny stuff in it, but it's not a teenage comedy.



I was sort of wondering why a film set in 1966 takes its title from a Shirelles song, which was released several years earlier, so it's interesting to hear of all these oldies prevailing in the suburbs well into the 60s.



There were oldie stations in 1959 actually. The oldies concept was a very old one. So I was listening to pretty old rock'n'roll - stuff that had been around when I was six and seven years old - when I was fifteen years old. So really, the only non-period music that she couldn't have been listening to from a juke box is Bruce Springsteen. And we don't have that coming out of a juke box. That's kind of more the New Jersey voice of the movie.



Right. It feels like Sheik's theme.



A lot of the stuff is just what the kids would have been listening to.



So if I could step back a couple years and ask you a question or two about RETURN OF THE SECAUCUS SEVEN. I know that you were coming out of a theatre company and I know that it was suggested that since you have all these locations, you have these actors, the feeling was why not make a movie? What I know less about is how the story developed? Why did your mind go where it went with SECAUCUS with this group of friends?



Yeah. Jeffrey Nelson, who was the producer of the theater company that I was in... who also passed last year... I think even more importantly than we had all these good actors and we had these locations was that I had $30,000 (laughter).



When I looked at that I said, "I don't know that much about the physical act of making movies. I've been on a movie set for exactly one day. I did a cameo part in Piranha."



Right!



I got to watch Joe Dante work. But let's try to write something that I can do well for almost no money and so that dictated some things. That dictated, oh it's going to be contemporary. It's going to take place pretty much in one place. I don't think that we shot more than five miles away from the hotel that we were staying in. The ski hotel that was closed for the summer. Thats where we were staying and we also used it for our interior sets. And I was kind of inspired by Robert Altman's movie Nashville.



I'm not going to get to move the camera very much. How am I going to get movement within the story? and I figured, like Nashville, I'd have a bunch of characters and parallel stories and I could always cut away to a different parallel story.



Right. So that got you interested in ensemble stuff.



On top of that, the people that I knew who were good actors, who weren't in the Screen Actors Guild yet, were all like 28 to 31 years old. I just figured well it's not only going to be about a group of people. It's going to be about a group of people turning 30.



In terms of Baby It's You, there's kind of for me a connection between Baby It's You and kids discovering for the first time, oh there are limits. Everything is not possible.



Right.



Secaucus 7 is about people realizing that doesn't just apply to our lives. That applies to what we want from life. The world is not necessarily going to turn out the way that we want it to be, no matter how many times we march or strike.



These idealists 10 years later learning to take themselves less seriously, I suppose.



The third one of action in the trilogy is Passion Fish, which is about men in their mid-forties. They're really starting to feel like... old. Not only is there a ceiling; it hurts when you hit your head against it and they're at the point where they almost have to say, "I don't know if I'm going to be happy. I've been really hurt a lot. I'm going to at least try to be happy again." That's just kind of the rhythm of life.



I hadn't seen SECAUCUS or BABY ITS YOU since I was in my early twenties and I'm now in my early-mid-thirties, which is how old you were making these and the approximate age of the SECAUCUS characters and all that. So I have started looking at these two films as different sides of the same coin. BABY ITS YOU ends off with characters around the same age as the SECAUCUS 7 when they were youths, busted for their beliefs - pseudo-political prisoners.



Yeah. Yeah. Yeah and for instance in Secaucus; none of them have children. My friends who have been political, they tended to be more Vista than SDS types, but they were from a class of people who put off getting married or having relationships where they had children until their early thirties to mid-thirties - some of them all the way almost until they were forty.



Which is far more commonplace in this era.



Yeah and once you have those kids your life changes forever you know.



I don't, but I do.



What always struck me about that is you're sitting there and you have one life and then there's a phone call and your life is never the same. A nine-month biological hormonal change, you're getting ready for the fact that your life is never going to be the same.



Right. Switch: flicked. I imagine there wasn't specifically a real Secaucus 7, but Im sure you had friends who identified with these characters. Can you talk about your friends seeing that film for the first time, if you remember? Did they recognize themselves?



I went down to Williams College in Massachusetts and I went down to Washington a couple times. Actually one of the times I went down, we did get stopped by a cop because somebody had, I think it was an old postal uniform that they had gotten at a thrift store, and it was on the back ledge of the car and the cop stopped us because he thought it was a police officer's jacket. Yeah they were busting people for having an American flag patch on your jeans. That kind of stuff. There was a certain amount of harassment going on. And it was like a bunch of college kids driving to go to a march and they were already kind of being hassled, which is kind of an interesting bonding experience.



Ironically we decided not to go where people were going to be throwing rocks at the Justice Department or something that night and instead went to Haskell Wexler's movie Medium Cool-



Oh, awesome.



Which was very appropriate because you could smell tear gas in the air in the theater while we were watching it. And the movie was really only available to watch for a week and then the studio pulled it.



Anyway, a lot of friends of mine were not necessarily SDS people but, as I said, Vista people. A lot of people had been arrested for various things. I had some friends who were in the civil rights movement and were arrested down in Mississippi and stuff like that and so there was this kind of feeling of we have a chance to make things work better and a lot is changing - a lot of cultural dues.



Certainly in some of the places where it actually didn't kind of work out. But that's something that people shared - went through that stuff.



Right. Right. How would you say that SECAUCUS and BABY IT'S YOU, these two early films, I know you had two in 1983, but how would you say they informed the rest of your career, if at all?



You know, I generally don't make things that I just made so I think the success of Secaucus 7 got me on the map. I was a writer until then, a writer for hire and after that I could say, "I'd like to direct as well. I'd like to direct this project that I wrote as well." At least try to get it financed and in the case of Baby It's You, because here was that kind of collusion with the studio, it was just kind of almost self-definition.

I never feel like I'm fighting with Hollywood, but it was just more like if they're aware of me at all, there's a mutual understanding of theres not much I do that they're interested in and there's not that much that they do that I'm interested in, but sometimes the trains do meet and it's appropriate for me to work in that system. They would have to hire me.



Do you enjoy watching films in your lineage? And I'm not talking about THE BIG CHILL, I'm talking about more like Richard Linklater, who Id say is interested in similar things. Filmmakers who youve influenced in a similar way to how Altman affected you?



Yeah. I'm always interested to see filmmakers where I haven't seen that movie before. You know the plot may be familiar, but their take on it might be different. So it's been a great thing. The democratization causes problems in that there's a lot more competition than there used to be.



I started before there was a Sundance Festival. When I was making my third or fourth movie there might be forty movies applying to that festival. Now there's 3,000 feature films a year. So you just figure what a problem getting something on the screen is. But it's great that the cost of making a movie and the possibility of somebody who has no connections to make an interesting movie are so much greater than they used to be.



Absolutely.



Even if you can't get a distributor you can get it on YouTube or something like that. Maybe that's the way to bust in and get a little bit more budget next time.



Do you remember what Mr. Corman or Joe Dante said about seeing your first film that wasn't PIRANHA?



Yeah, I mean, we figured I may only get to do this once, why shouldn't I make something I want to see that nobody else is going to make?





Vincent Spano, Maggie Renzi and John Sayles during Q&A after screening of Baby Its You. Photo by Jack Burke courtesy Mammoth Lakes Film Festival.
The headline says it all, really: Japanese cult auteur Miike Takashi's live action adaptation of hugely popular manga and anime series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure will have it's world premiere at the Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival. Which means The Boy will now commence nagging me for a trip to Switzerland this summer. And, yes, Miike himself will also attend.

The Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival is honoured to welcome a leading figure of filmmaking in the person of Miike Takashi for its 17th edition. The legendary Japanese director, known for an experimental and prolific career, will present the world premiere of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable on Sunday, July 2nd, 2017 in Neuchatel. This adaptation of Araki Hirohikos eponymous cult manga (more than 100 million printed copies) will be screened as part of the International Competition. The films crew, including main actor Yamazaki Kento (who portrays Higashikata Josuke, aka Jojo), will also attend the event.



JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable

This highly anticipated adaptation focuses on the fourth part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga series created by Araki Hirohiko, published between 1992 and 1995, and now considered a customary part of Japanese culture. Highlighting suspense and mystery, Miike Takashis energetic and visual effects heavy direction is perfectly suited to follow the strange daily lives of his characters, who will have to deal with unusual and bizarre encounters. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable is an event  an extraordinary cinematic experience through the greatest adventure in the history of manga.
Having gone through the big budget grinder to varying degrees of success over his feature career, District 9 director Neill Blomkamp is getting back to his roots. Which, in his case, means making cool stuff the way he wats to, because he wants to, via his fledging Oats Studio.

After teasing for a while what Blomkamp has in store via Oats is coming more in to focus with the release of a first trailer. Looking for some experimental scifi short films brought direct to you by their creator, most likely via Steam? Because that's what these are. Blomkamp clearly has some significant backing here as the teaser promises great visuals on a large scale and even some familiar Hollywood faces (Hello, Sigourney!) and this is all very tasty. Check out the teaser below!
Capitol Records/UMeBob Seger's 1994 Greatest Hits collection has just been certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of 10 million copies in the U.S. In honor of the milestone, the compilation and the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer's 1969 debut album, Ramblin' Gamblin' Man, will be reissued on vinyl this Friday, June 2.

Greatest Hits will be released as two-LP set, available in 150-gram and 180-gram vinyl versions. The 12-track album peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200, and features such classic Seger tunes as "Night Moves," "Turn the Page," "Against the Wind," "Mainstreet," "Hollywood Nights," "Still the Same," "Old Time Rock and Roll," "We've Got Tonight" and "Like a Rock." A limited-edition purple-vinyl edition of Greatest Hits, pressed on 150-gram vinyl, can be purchased exclusively at BobSeger.com.

Ramblin' Gamblin' Man will be available as a single-disc collection pressed on 150-gram vinyl. The album, which the Michigan rocker recorded with his early band The Bob Seger System, included his first top-20 hit, the title track, as well as the anti-Vietnam War anthem "2 + 2 = ?" A limited-edition blue-vinyl version of the record will be released on June 9.

Both albums were remastered by veteran engineer Robert Vosgien at Capitol Studios Mastering.

Here are the track lists of Seger's upcoming vinyl reissues:

Greatest Hits

Side One

"Roll Me Away"

"Night Moves"

"Turn the Page"

Side Two

"Against the Wind"

"Mainstreet"

"The Fire Inside"

Side Three

"Hollywood Nights"

"Still the Same"

"Old Time Rock and Roll"

"We've Got Tonight"

Side Four

"You'll Accomp'ny Me"

"Like a Rock"

"C'est La Vie"

"In Your Time"

Ramblin' Gamblin' Man

Side One

"Ramblin' Gamblin' Man"

"Tales of Lucy Blue"

"Ivory"

"Gone"

"Down Home"

"Train Man"

Side Two

"White Wall"

"Black Eyed Girl"

"2 + 2 = ?"

"Doctor Fine"

"The Last Song (Love Needs to Be Loved)"

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 "No Indeterminate Sentencing Without Parole" | Main | "Predicting Sex Offender Recidivism: Using the Federal Post-Conviction Risk Assessment Instrument to Assess the Likelihood of Recidivism Among Federal Sex Offenders" 

May 29, 2017

The Economist urges "Rethinking Prison"

The current print edition of The Economist has a series of article on prison policies and practices. Here are links to the article in the series and their extended headlines:

"Americas prisons are failing. Heres how to make them work: A lot is known about how to reform prisoners. Far too little is done."

"More women are being put behind bars. Fewer should be: Female convicts are less violent and more likely to have stolen to support children

"Too many prisons make bad people worse. There is a better way: The world can learn from how Norway treats its offenders"

Here is an excerpt from the last of these articles:

Reserving prison for the worst offenders has hefty benefits. First, it saves money. In America, for example, incarcerating a federal convict costs eight times as much as putting the same convict on probation. Second, it avoids mixing minor offenders with more hardened criminals, who will teach them bad habits. The low-level guys dont tend to rub off on the higher-level prisoners. It goes the other way, says Ron Gordon of the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, a state body. Modern electronic tags are cheap and effective. In a recent study Rafael Di Tella of Harvard University and Ernesto Schargrodsky of Torcuato Di Tella University compared the effects of electronic tagging versus prison for alleged offenders in Buenos Aires. Earlier research had failed to deal with the fact that criminals who are tagged are less likely to reoffend than the more dangerous ones who are locked up. The authors found a way round this. Alleged criminals in Argentina are assigned randomly to judges for pre-trial hearings. Liberal judges are reluctant to hold them in the countrys awful jails, so they often order them to be tagged. So-called mano dura (tough hand) judges prefer to lock them up. The researchers observed what happened to similar offenders under different regimes. Only 13% of those who were tagged were later rearrested; for those sent to prison the figure was 22%.

May 29, 2017 at 09:59 PM | Permalink

Comments

"Reserving prison for the worst offenders has hefty benefits."

True. We are doing that.

Posted by: David Behar | May 29, 2017 10:57:13 PM

Always the push-back David. Reform is not a dirty word. It represents, or at least tries to represent, a solution to a known and demonstrable weakness of existing systems and policies. The Economist evaluations are an important and timely contribution to the much needed debate, and especially importantly refer to the evidence base on which reform must be guided. Present systems and policies are fear-driven rather than evidence-based, and of course highly political .... all of which needs to change for the most effective reform to flourish - in the interests of all society.

Posted by: peter | May 30, 2017 3:54:49 AM

Peter. Remember when I said, one needs a 30% change to feel it at the gut level? The mandatory sentencing guidelines dropped all crimes 40%. The economy took off, and people went out at night again. I do not know how much more evidence you require to support incapacitation as the sole effective or even lawful remedy of the criminal law.

Then this decarceration propaganda is being put out the media such as the left wing Economist. So the prison population dropped 3%. The murders went up 15% in 20 big cities. New York city has a low crime rate because the police are forced to throw crime reports in the trash.

There is the little matter of forgetting something, the 15 million identity thefts, netting an average of $5000 compared to $4000 for the average bank robbery.

Do you think I should stop pushing back? Without breaching your privacy, do you live in a low crime rate area? I live in a lawyer neighborhood. The crime rate is lower than in the Japan. The death penalty is at the site, where 2 police cars sow up in 2 minutes, and blast the suspect on the spot. No Ferguson effect where rich lawyers live. Bill came from here. He can tell you how that works if you join him on Facebook.

Posted by: David Behar | May 30, 2017 6:21:41 PM

Peter. I am sorry to be repetitive, as to pushback. I have not given up on this blog. I do not try to pushback on the David Duke web site. He is a fixed ideologue. Doug still calls himself a professor on this blog, rather than a defense partisan. The professor ethos is to educate by presenting all sides of a question. Think of me as a teaching assistant presenting the victim side, while he focuses 99.99% of the posts on the criminal's side. Bill was the only licensed lawyer doing that. Fed is a specialist in another field. Soronel is an infrequent commentator. I would think, just to interrupt the monotony, Doug would want to present a story advocating victim interests.

I have thought of many concepts here that I would not have elsewhere, both for prosecution and for defense. So, Doug is doing a good job of stimulating new thinking. That is an important professorial task.

Posted by: David Behar | May 30, 2017 6:35:14 PM

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Amazing time at @amfar with @nickiminaj @philippplein78 @alecmonopoly A post shared by JEREMY MEEKS (@jmeeksofficial) on May 27, 2017 at 11:26am PDT

Stockton's own hot felon Jeremy Meeks  he of the viral mugshot whose obvious natural hotness has propelled him on a Cinderella-esque journey into fashion model stardom shortly after his release from prison on gun charges and a probation violation in March 2016  made his European debut at the Cannes Film Festival last week. As he documented on Instagram, in addition to hitting the runway for German designer Philipp Plein's resort collection show, Meeks partied down at the Hotel du Cap with Nicki Minaj, Plein, and mask-happy artist Alec Monopoly.

 @jmeeksofficial  A post shared by Alec Monopoly (@alecmonopoly) on May 25, 2017 at 7:19am PDT



After getting some modeling gigs last year, direct out of the clink, and finding (renting?) himself a phat pad in LA right around the new year, Meeks landed his first big break at New York Fashion Week thanks to Plein, who doesn't get a ton of respect in the fashion world according to Fashionista. They describe the model casting for that February runway show as having a "motley crew of models" that also included New England Patriot Danny Amendola and rapper Fetty Wap, all of whom seemed to be part of Plein's stunt to attract more US attention  he also had rapper Nas opening the show, and put Madonna, Kylie Jenner, and Paris Hilton in the front row. Meeks gave an extremely brief interview backstage at the show saying, "This whole thing is just crazy," and saying he "definitely" has more modeling aspirations.

BLESSED !!!! @amfar A post shared by JEREMY MEEKS (@jmeeksofficial) on May 25, 2017 at 3:43pm PDT



Finally, here he is meeting former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld, whom he calls "My fashion god mother."

MY FASHION GOD MOTHER @carineroitfeld @philippplein78 A post shared by JEREMY MEEKS (@jmeeksofficial) on May 23, 2017 at 7:52am PDT



All previous coverage of Jeremy Meeks on SFist.


Late-night boozebags will be raising a toast to State Sen. Scott Wiener this week, as his proposal to move last call for alcohol to as late as 4 a.m. has successfully passed the California Senate Appropriations Committee. The Let Our Communities Adjust Late Night Act, acronymized as LOCAL, was approved by the Senate Public Safety Committee in late March and according to a release from Wieners office will now be voted on by the full State Senate this week with the deadline for passage being June 2."

The possibility of being able to serve drinks until 4 a.m. has been pushed for by many in San Francisco's nightlife community for years  believing, probably rightly, that the nightlife scene suffers because of it, especially in the age of Uber and Lyft when most people aren't risking DUIs to get themselves home after a night at the clubs.



The passage of this proposal through committee does not move last call to 4 a.m., and even passage of the bill would not guarantee late-night alcohol service. Even if the full state senate, the full assembly, and Governor Brown approve this bill  and none of them have yet  the bill would merely give California municipalities (or counties, in unincorporated areas) the option of moving back the alcohol cut-off at bars and stores until as late as 4 a.m.



The state of California has a one-size-fits-all approach, Sen. Wiener told SF Weekly shortly after introducing the bill in February. Every single community, every single venue in California must stop serving liquor at 2 a.m., from the Oregon border to the Mexican border. It just doesnt make sense.



Communities can decide for themselves what makes sense in terms of alcohol service hours, he added. For some communities, it makes sense to stick with 2 a.m. For other communities, it may make sense to extend it to 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., or a few venues, or in a certain part of the city.



The bill faces opposition from a handful of law enforcement groups, and an alcohol industry watchdog group called Alcohol Justice who helped defeat a similar proposal in 2013. This is a bad idea because nothing good happens after 2 a.m. at bars and restaurants where alcohol is served, Alcohol Justice executive director Bruce Lee Livingston told the Weekly.



That 2013 defeat of essentially this exact same bill (the previous version was authored by then-State Senator Mark Leno) was driven by DUI concerns, as opponents worried the geographically different last call times would foster more late-night drunk driving. Well see whether that concern sobers the legislature again this time, as the state Senate votes on the measure between now and Friday. If passed, it would go before the Assembly for approval, and then to Governor Brown for consideration.



Related: Best Post-2 A.M. Eats In San Francisco




An Inner Richmond woman awoke to a creepy surprise Monday, when she realized a thief had crept into her home as she slept.

According to the San Francisco Police Department, the 41-year-old female victim returned to her home on the 600 block of Seventh Avenue, which is between Balboa and Cabrillo Streets, at 8:30 p.m. Sunday evening.

When she came into her house, she did something a lot of us likely do: She "placed her wallet and keys on a table by the front door," police say, then went off to bed.

When she awoke at around 7 a.m. Monday, she discovered that the table was now empty, and that her wallet (which contained her passport), ID, and keys to her home and car were all gone.

There was no sign of forced entry, police say, but SFPD is investigating the incident as a burglary of the hot prowl persuasion. As of Tuesday morning, police say that the suspect or suspects are unknown, and no arrests have been made in the case.


Though San Francisco's 2017 crime rate is lower than last year's, there's one area where we're seeing a significant uptick: Homicides, which are occurring in far higher numbers than in 2016. And as of this past weekend, police have even more slayings to investigate, as two died in separate incidents on Sunday and Monday.

In the first slaying, a man identified by the San Francisco Medical Examiner's office as 30-year-old Alvaro Palma was shot to death at around 12:30 Sunday morning on the 4200 block of Mission Street, police say.

A block of Mission bordered by Admiral and Castle Manor Avenues, the location is also the site of The Oficina cocktail bar, KTVU reports. it's outside this nightclub that the San Francisco Police Department reports that they found both Palma's dead body and an armed suspect in the shooting, who has yet to be identified but is described by police as a 42-year-old male.

KRON 4 reports that "investigators are now looking at surveillance video taken outside of the bar. They are also investigating if the two men knew each other."

Then on Monday, police say that a 45-year-old man was killed on the 1300 block of Treat Avenue,which is between 26th Street and Kamille Court.

According to the SFPD, which has yet to disclose the way the man was killed, when officers arrived on the scene at 1:05 a.m. Monday the victim was already deceased, and a 52-year-old female suspect in his death was arrested. As of publication time, neither the name of the suspect nor the victim had been publicly released.

An SFPD spokesperson confirms to SFist that Monday's homicide beings the city's count to 27 for the year. According to the SF Examiner, "as of May 31, 2016, there had only been 21 homicides in San Francisco," putting SF on track for a far higher rate of violent deaths this year. This continues an upward trend that began last year: By the end of 2016, the city saw 58 homicides, the Ex reports, which was seven more than the year before.

While arrests have been made in both of this weekend's cases, it's worth nothing that that's also not the end of those stories. According to the Ex, "Since 2015, about 15 percent of all people arrested and booked on suspicion of murder have been released without charges" in San Francisco, making the city's homicide arrest-to-charge rate one of the lowest in the area.

We charge cases based on the facts and the law," a spokesperson with San Francisco's District Attorneys Office says when asked about their charge rate. "Where we either lack sufficient evidence to meet our burden of proof, or if we are unable to meet our ethical obligations to only charge cases that we believe we can prove in a court of law, charges will not be filed."

Another reason for the comparatively low arrest to charge rate? How SFPD counts clearances in cases. According to the Ex, SFPD counts "each arrest as a clearance in their homicide cases, but they only apply to arrests made, not when charges are filed." Therefore, "police sometimes too quickly arrest suspects without enough evidence, which does not augur well for prosecutions."
If any good has come of the current regimes first 100 odd days (each ever odder than the one previous), its the artistic response to them. Whether in cleverly crafted protest posters, the parade of pussy caps, social medias mocking memes or the skyrocketing ratings of late night comedians, our current political dystopia has launched a creative renaissance. It woke the somnambulant soul of Saturday Night Live, revived the cauterized Colbert (and even got him a threatened FCC investigation) and spawned Peter Groszs The President Show on Comedy Central. It also catapulted gay internet niche comic, Randy Rainbow, to international celebrity status.

Back in 2010, Rainbows first videos on RandyRainbowsBlahg, like Randy Rainbow is dating Mel Gibson, garnered a fair viewership of avid followers. Shot in his tidy New York apartment, his shtick used one-sided phone conversations with another voice dubbed in. Often with his mother on the other end, Rainbow would inevitably be interrupted by an incoming call from his latest date, politician or the pope. Sometimes hed burst into song, or just dish about the silly daily grind of living gay in the Big Apple. The Blahg rechristened as the Randy Rainbow Show as his au courant topicality became increasingly political, he moved out of his apartment and into the streets. In one episode, Gay Boy Scouts, Scout Rainbow sells cookies door-to-door, pitching varieties like Fierce Marys, Chocolate Daddies and Bossy Bottoms.

Then, propelled by the gold mine of material the 2016 presidential campaign provided and buttressed by vastly improved and sophisticated production values, Rainbow took on the persona of a smart network news interviewer (think a very catty gay male Barbara Walters). Using real clips of the POTUS, FLOTUS and others in split screen setups, he recreates those familiar, nauseatingly vapid TV exchanges with the rich and famous. Parody songs underscore the satire with awkward dead air and extended deer-in-the-headlights smiling stares add stinging sizzle to his subjects inevitable self-immolation.

Meanwhile, riding the wild wave of his success, Randy Rainbow will appear live and in person as the Miller Lite Main Stage host at our upcoming Milwaukee PrideFest. A star MC will be a first for the festival and, in the shadow of the looming political crisis for the LGBT community (and the world), a timely one. The question is whether millennial LGBTs, and the rest of us for that matter, are getting a motivating message for activism or merely a laugh.

We need the motivating message. The LGBT Community Center recently shared an article about the June 11 Equality March for Unity and Pride in Washington, DC. It added a caption Sadly it is the same weekend as Wisconsin (sic) PrideFest. Why sadly? Cities throughout the country are holding solidarity marches on the same day. Madison is and Milwaukees Pride Parade organizers, although not calling their event a protest march, have encouraged participants political expression.

It remains to be seen if the Rainbow resistance will make a difference. Still, I expect PrideFests traditional history exhibit, beyond celebrating our citys 30th Anniversary of LGBT Pride, will remind us of our revolutionary roots and that the struggle is far from over.
Over the last few years, WebsterX has gone from unknown upstart to one of the Milwaukee music scenes brightest lights, yet while his considerable skills behind the microphone should be self evident, theres also no denying that his rise has been helped along by a symbiotic relationship with a cadre of equally talented collaborators, namely the eclectic New Age Narcissism crew. Now, after an impressive string of buzz-building singles and EPs, WebsterX has finally put out his first full-length record, Daymares, which handily proved the hype had been well deserved. True to form, he took this album-release show as an opportunity to get as many of his peers involved as possible, which is undeniably admirable, but it also proved how having too many cooks in the kitchen can dilute even the strongest flavors.

For the first two-and-a-half hours or so, the show mostly consisted of something the promotional poster called the Milwaukee Medley, basically extremely short sets by a wide variety of artists from across the citys flourishing rap scene, among them Mic Kellogg and Taj Raiden. In theory, that sounds amazing, but in practice it felt a little like an overstuffed talent show. It was clearly meant to be an inclusive and supportive move, but trying to pack a ton of people onto a bill is always incredibly difficult to execute well. The rapid-fire, awkwardly paced sets, too brief to allow the musicians to gain much traction with the audience, didnt do any of the acts any favors, nor did the one-size-fits-all sound mix, which prioritized rib-rattling bass at the expense of everything else.

Although some performers were perhaps burdened by the cumbersome format, nobody was bad per se, and Zed Kenzo and Klassik were clear standouts. Had they simply opened, instead of being another in a string of people to filter on and off stage, their sets would have had far more impact, and the same goes for the headliner, whose impassioned, trippy show would have been twice as impressive had it not come at the end of a long slog. It also lessened the thrill of what otherwise would have been memorable guest spots, such as a dozen choreographed dancers popping out of nowhere, or whenat long lasterstwhile friends Lex Allen, Lorde Fredd33 and Siren helped wrap up the evening. Eventually, even the special stuff, just got lost in the shuffle.
Judge a book by its cover, and you might miss out on some of the best dishes at Peking Chef. If you stick to the Chinese American food that the restaurants name implies, youll eschew the best section of the menu: Indonesian cuisine.

Indonesian food is hard to come by in Milwaukee. Unless theres a daily special on a menu or an Indonesian-themed pop-up dinner, this small, family run spot in Fox Point is the only restaurant specializing in Indonesian cooking in the area. Its well worth the trip up I-43 to experience food youve never had beforeplus high-quality versions of some of your favorite Thai and Chinese American dishes.

Peking Chef 8673 N. Port Washington Road

414-228-8222

pekingchefwi.com

Handicap access: Yes

CC

Tu-Th 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m., F-Sa 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Su 3-8:30 p.m.

Tucked away in the corner of a strip mall, the interior of Peking Chef is just about the same as every other Asian strip mall restaurant: Its long and narrow, with a kitchen at the backthough this one is open, so you can see the cooks scurrying aroundand with generic Asian decor. The only hints of distinction are the Indonesian puppets on one wall.

Seat yourself if youre eating in and theres no employee around; chances are everyones busy preparing food or packing up take-out orders. Youll be greeted shortly by various family member employees who will undoubtedly be chatty and smiling. In all of my visits herethere have been many over the yearsI have never encountered an employee who wasnt in good spirits. (That congeniality often leads to complimentary wontons or sugar donuts, especially with large orders. Youll feel like a guest in your servers home.)

Start your exploration of the Indonesian portion of the menu with rendang beef ($13.25). Its a stew of tender beef and potato chunks, slow cooked in a thick sauce of lemongrass, ginger, chiles, coconut milk and fragrant spices like cloves and cinnamon. Its similar to some Indian curries, but with a Southeast Asian kick of citrus. Sambal udang ($12.95) is a stir fry of shrimp, green beans, slivered onions, bell peppers, tempeh and tofu. The green beans are flash fried for that familiar wrinkly skin. Shrimp is large and plump, while the tempeha soy product similar to tofu that originated in Indonesiais earthy and even a little smoky. Its all bathed in a small amount of flavorful brown sauce made with tamarind.

Fried chicken fans will love ayam goreng mentega ($13.25), or whats known as butter-dipped chicken. Boneless pieces of chicken thigh are coated in a thick batter, deep fried and served covered in a sweet, dark sauce made with butter. Its served with a few slices of cucumber and tomato, but its so rich that you should plan to order vegetables, like the Thai-style eggplant ($9) on the side.

Noodles make an appearance on the Indonesian menu as kweetiau goreng ($9.95). Wide rice noodles are stir fried with a combination of small shrimp, sliced beef and Chinese sausage. Singapore rice noodles ($9.95), which are often found on Chinese American menus, inhabit the Indonesian menu here. This version is made with shrimp and chicken with mild curry spices.

If you can convince yourself to try other portions of the menu, there are some gems waiting for you. Phat Thai ($9-$11) can be made with chicken, pork or shrimp. Its made with thin noodles here, in a bright orange sauce with lots of fried egg and a thick wedge of lime on the side. Phat see eeu ($10-$12.50) is made with thick, supple fun noodles and full of fresh gai lan, otherwise known as Chinese broccoli. Theres also a good version of the Chinese American chicken in garlic sauce ($8.95) here, made with large, flat pieces of cloud ear mushroom, snow peas and bamboo shoots. Skip the orange chicken ($10) and, instead, opt for the spicy lemongrass chicken ($10) from the Thai menu. Its not the most traditional dish on the menu, but its full of lemongrass aroma and mixed vegetables.

The best way to experience Peking Chef is with a group of people ordering numerous dishes and eating family style. If youd like to try a dozen or so of their Indonesian dishes, then plan to attend their annual Mothers Day buffet. We just missed it this year, so you better mark your calendar for 2018.
 Expand Photo credit: Gage Skidmore

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker accidentally came up with a perfect metaphor to describe his cruel proposal to require poor people to perform tricks before they can receive any publicly assisted health care in his state. We should treat public assistance more like a trampoline than a hammock, Walker declared.

Walker got that ugly hammock image from his friend House Speaker Paul Ryan. Ryan portrays desperately poor Americans whose families need government assistance as lolling around on hammocks enjoying lives of leisure. Impoverished families are far more likely to be living in fear and despair.

Walkers trampoline for the poor is his own invention. No one knows what he really means. Hes surely not suggesting his states inferior version of Medicaid bounces poor people up into the Mercedes level of health care available to the wealthy.

Walker actually turned down hundreds of millions of federal dollars to cover more people in his state when Democrats expanded health care to more than 20 million more Americans who couldnt afford it previously.

But Walkers perilous trampoline isnt a bad description of the obstacle courses Republican governors want to set up to dismantle health care state by state since the nationwide effort by Ryan and Donald Trump to destroy insurance coverage for 23 million Americans appears headed for defeat in the U.S. Senate.

Anyone familiar with trampolines knows they can be really dangerous. All they do is create an illusion of a lot of motion that doesnt really get anyone anywhere. But it can be amusing to watch people performing tricks on them. That fits perfectly with Republicans requiring the poor to dance for their benefits. If Republicans cant wipe out public assistance entirely, they can at least make the poor jump through hoops based on crude stereotypes of race and class.

Republicans believe the only reason minorities cant afford health care is theyre either too lazy or too drug addled to work. Their stereotyping of poor whites in dying small towns and rural areas who voted for Trump is insulting in a completely different way. Republicans think those people are so dumb theyll accept anything.

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Contempt for impoverished working-class voters of every race is behind Walkers mean-spirited proposal to make Wisconsin the first state ever to force low-income residents to submit to drug tests and get a damn job before they can receive publicly assisted health care through Medicaid.

Mutilating Health Care for 69 Million Americans

Its an ugly right-wing mutilation of one of Democratic President Lyndon Johnsons most successful remaining Great Society anti-poverty programs. Medicaid now provides access to health care and nursing homes for more than 69 million low-income, disabled or aging Americans.

Walker doesnt just want to reverse the public health gains for Wisconsin under Obamacare. He wants to reverse history more than half a century to finally abolish Medicaid itself. No governor has been allowed to do that for 52 years under any president, Republican or Democrat. But then, of course, Trump is not any president. Trumps and Ryans vile version of states rights would allow individual states to abolish federal health care guarantees the same way they abolished democracy and human rights in their states with Jim Crow laws.

Republican hostility toward the poor has always been based upon a lie. Poverty has never been a comfortable life. Poverty is a lot harder work than most affluent folks have ever done. Affluent people also can afford a lot more drugs.

State Sen. Lena Taylor noted about 1,900 women in Wisconsins W-2 welfare reform program were drug-tested as of March. Only nine women failed drug tests and were referred for treatment. Similar infinitesimal numbers found in other states show drug testing to qualify for public benefits to be an exorbitant waste of tax dollars.

Jon Peacock, research director of the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, points out requiring someone to pass a drug test to get access to health care is exactly backwards. Drug abuse is a health problem. We need to get people into health care programs . . . and then get them the treatment they need, Peacock said. Instead Walker is trying to make it more difficult for low-income residents in his state who need health care to get any.

In a bizarre twist, last week the Legislatures Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee voted to set aside $2.3 million over the next two years to try to reduce the number of frequent visits to emergency rooms by people with chronic illnesses.

For the past seven years, the U.S. has had a successful health care program that reduces emergency room visits by providing essential health services to anyone with pre-existing conditions regardless of income. Its reduced the number of uninsured Americans to the lowest point in history.

All Republicans have to do is stop trying to destroy public health care and join with Democrats to improve it for the American people instead.
The newly released numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages has shown again that Wisconsin continues to rank among the worst-performing states for job growth. For the past year, December 2015 through December 2016, Wisconsin increased the number of jobs by less than one half of one percent or .48%. This past year has represented the worst 12-month period for job growth since 2010, which was the middle of the financial crisis.

Gov. Scott Walker won his first election by promising to create 250,000 additional jobs in his first four-year term. Obviously that was just a made up number with no sound strategy to back it up, but he rode that number to victory in 2010. Now, more than six years later, Wisconsin has created only about 180,000 additional jobs, which puts it very close to the bottom in terms of job creation performance among our neighboring Midwestern states.

This failure in job creation was not some unfortunate, random accident. It is the direct result of failed policies of the Republicans who have controlled state government for the past six years. There is a long-discredited theory of job creation championed by the right wing to defend their policies of massive tax breaks for the wealthy and cutting social programs for the rest of us. The theory argues that giving massive tax reductions to the wealthy; dramatically cutting environmental, health, safety and various other business regulations; and cutting government spending, including monies for education, will create a good business climate and result in robust job growth. The problem is that the theory just doesnt work out well in practice. Essentially, these policies are trying to make the state look more like Mississippi or Louisiana, which have some of the lowest job-growth rates in the country. Policies like this are what conservative business economists argue create a strong business climate. And, yes, there are some companies that will respond to these policies, but they are becoming fewer and fewer and progressive business owners view them as the bottom feeders.

The forward-looking companies and entrepreneurs want to live and work in a state that highly values education at all levels, protects the environment, has a fair tax system and efficiently utilizes these taxes for things like modern infrastructure. States that follow these forward-looking policies are some of the states with the highest job-creation rates. There is a reason that states like California are creating a lot of new jobs.

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As long as Gov. Walker pursues his current strategy of trying to make Wisconsin look like Mississippi, Wisconsin will continue to be among the weakest states in terms of job creation. When will the voters begin to realize that Wisconsins very weak job growth is not an unfortunate accident, but a result of flawed policies?
Katie Merriman takes another shot of liquor onstage. Shes getting a heros cheer as she knocks back the liquor. Were not cheering for the actual act of drinking. Theres nothing terribly heroic in swallowing hard liquor. Theres no danger here even as she handles a sword and rushes about onstage. The actress in question is poised and precise. She knows exactly how much she can drink to look impressive while maintaining complete control. No danger here. Merriman irresistibly sells the heroism of it, though. Shes got the power, beauty and charisma that makes us want the act to be heroic as she plays Macduff in Bard & Bourbons staging of Macbeth (Drunk.) Shakespeares classic drama makes it to the small stage of In Tandems Tenth Street Theatre this weekend.

In addition to playing Macduff, Meriman also directs the show, which follows her precision. The production is precisely as lean as it needs to be. Costuming is a mix of blacks and denims and tartan sashes. Swords are metal where they need to clang and something safer than metal when theres danger. Pacing is excellent.

As one might guess from a frequently drinking Macduff, the production takes some liberties with mood and movement. This isnt the traditional heavy intensity that so often weighs-down a staging of the tragedy. Theres a kind of heroism in that as well. All too often we as an audience are directed to feel the seriousness of the murder, mayhem and ambition of the proceedings. Theres a kind of a dark humor to it all that almost never seems to make it into a production of Macbeth. Bard & Bourbon valiantly unearths the dark humor in its production, deftly dispatching the dangers of embracing the sinister humor without compromising the weight of the tragedy. Its a delicate balance and Merriman and company handle it quite well.

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Christian Davis Aldridge and Keighly Sadler are handed the task of playing Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the precarious balance of comedy and tragedy. Sadlers sexy seductiveness carries with it a whole different kind of heroism. Sexy is very, very difficult to do in a studio theatre production of anything. Her seduction of Macbeth is quite compelling, which is quite an accomplishment given how difficult it is to make that come across in the awkwardness of a fully-staged production of Shakespeare. Ive seen more acclaimed actors try to pull it off and fail miserably. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth can come across like a pair of wire hangers trying to have sex. Aldridge and Sadler have a believable chemistry about them that suggests the kind of sensual lust that could understandably lead to murderous lust. Its a fun performance. One might be forgiven for almost kind of wanting them to succeed.

Its also nice to see Joel Kopischke in a huge range of roles here from Duncan to the drunken porter to a surprisingly effective turn as Lady Macduff.

The fun ends this weekend. Bard & Bourbons Macbeth (Drunk) runs through May 28 at the Tenth St. Theatre on 628 N 10th St. For ticket reservations and more, visit Bard & Bourbon online.
Just as the money to be made in bootlegging (transporting illegal liquor across land) during Prohibition led to bigger automobile engines and cars capable of out-gunning the cops, the lure of rum-running (transporting illegal booze across water) led to a new breed of super-charged boats that came to be known as go-fasts. Last week, we visited the 1923 tale of a go-fast captured just inside the Milwaukee Harbor by the Coast Guard. Although no pursuit took place, Coast Guard Captain William Kincaid remarked that one of the vessels taken was capable of going faster than anything he knew of on the lakes.

Eight months after the capture of these boats, however, Kincaid would be challenged again by an outlaw vessel  one that had no intention of surrendering. It was late July 1924, a hot summer in an ostensibly dry city that just could not get its fill of illegal booze. Milwaukees hottest cabaret spot  the Italian Third Ward, was humming with wildcat breweries, hidden stills and underground wineries and needed little assistance from the outside world. But for the citys vast collection of other speakeasies and soft drink parlors, a steady flow of import liquor was needed. The most common foreign contributor was Canada. Zipping across lakes Huron and Michigan, a go-fast brimming with Canadian booze could make the long journey to the American Midwest over a few days, then unload at small harbors, all the while ready to gun it and run if the authorities crept too near.

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Milwaukee had been a regular stop on this route for some time by the summer of 24, with federal Prohibition agents mostly coming up empty in their efforts to end the racket. The 1923 bust had been a big one, but it was merely a drop in the beer bucket in comparison to overall industry. So, when Captain Kincaid got a phone call one Monday evening around 9 p.m., with an anonymous tipster informing him that  at that very moment  a rum-runner was just off the shores of Oak Creek, he immediately ordered his men into action and set out in the most powerful vessel of the Coast Guards Milwaukee fleet.

Roaring to top speed on the open lake, Kincaid rounded the south shore. As they passed Grant Park, a small string of lights could be seen off in the murky distance  bopping slightly as would the lights of a small ship at anchor. As the cutter neared, the noise of their engine evidently tipped off the smugglers, who extinguished their lights. Approximately 300 feet away from the mysterious boat  with no warning given  Kincaid drew his service revolver and fired six rounds into the area where the lights had been. Getting no reply, he reloaded his weapon and fired six more times.

In the wake of the shots, the hidden boat fired its engines and roared south. Kincaid and his cutter took off after. The distance from which Kincaid fired on the vessel was as close as the authorities would get. They lost track of the boat near Wind Point, just north of Racine. Thinking that the smugglers had pulled into Racine Harbor to hide, the Coast Guard executed a thorough search of the area, but found nothing. Kincaid and his men did not return to Milwaukee until 4 a.m. the following morning. By then, Kincaid assumed, the go-fast had already reached Chicago, yet another gang of outlaws that had made a mockery of Prohibition.
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SIOUX CITY | The American Legion of Iowa sponsors an annual U.S. flag essay contest for fifth-grade students.

Fitzgerald Grant, a student at Siouxland Christian School in Sioux City, earned fourth place out of more than 5,000 entries this spring. Grant's submission was entered by Morningside American Legion Post No. 697. James Dean, American Legion 9th District Commander, presented Grant with a check for $25 for winning the District contest.

Morningside American Legion Post No. 697 Commander Dave Binder and Post Adjutant Bill Backer also presented Grant with a $25 check for winning the local contest.

Grant, son of Fitz and Jennifer Grant, submitted his winning essay for publication here.

"What the flag represents to me is freedom," Grant wrote. "The flag makes me think of the people that sacrificed their lives to make us free, and what our country has gone through to become a free nation. When I look at the stars and stripes on the flag, I think of the 50 states that our country has become and how it all started with the 13 colonies.

"The flag makes me think of the wonderful people in our country's history. People who had great ideas and the leadership and the courage to use their new ideas to develop our country. I think that no American should disrespect a veteran, the flag, or anything else from our history.

"When I look at the flag, I think of the people that keep us safe every day. People such as the police, firemen, and the military. When I see an American flag, it makes me feel safe, protected and proud to be an American. When I say the 'Pledge of Allegiance,' I want to show honor to the flag and country.

"I know that many countries do not have the freedoms that we have in the United States," Grant concluded. "I am very thankful for the freedom that I have here; the American flag represents freedom and liberty. The flag makes me think of our country and the freedom that it has, and the rights that we have, such as being able to own a firearm and choose our career instead of taking a test for it.

"I am thankful for our freedom that everyone has in this country and think that no American should take it for granted."
SOUTH SIOUX CITY -- The Experimental Aviation Association will host a Young Eagles Rally where it will provide free airplane rides on Saturday, June 10.

The event will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Martin Airport located on Highway 20 West in South Sioux City. All flights are available on a first come basis.

Should inclement weather arise, the makeup date will be June 17.

The Young Eagles program encourages students ages 8 to 17 to learn about aviation. The free Young Eagles flight allows students to see what real pilots do on the ground and in the air.

Since 1992, more than 2.1 million Young Eagles have enjoyed a flight from EAAs network of volunteer pilots. Last year the local EAA Chapter 291 volunteer pilots took more than 200 young people on flights.

The Mid America Museum of Aviation and Transportation will have its parade plane on-site and it will be available for anyone to climb aboard for pictures or to become familiar with the inside of a small general aviation airplane.

For more information on the Young Eagles Rally, contact Rick Alter, President of Chapter 291 at 712-490-0324.
SIOUX CITY | The public is invited to an IA Health Link public comment meeting to submit input on the managed care program.

It will be at 5 to 7 p.m. June 13 at Western Iowa Tech Community College, 4647 Stone Ave.

The purpose of the meeting is for the Iowa Department of Human Services to hear from members, providers and stakeholders on IA Health Link, a press release said.

Representatives from the Medical Assistance Advisory Council and the three Managed Care Organizations will be in attendance along with DHS staff to answer questions and to provide feedback.

There is no registration for the event, which is open to the public.

More information can be found at dhs.iowa.gov/iahealthlink.
District Judge Patrick Carr also ordered VandeKieft to serve a special sex offender sentence, in which he will be on lifetime parole after completing his prison sentence. If he were to violate terms of the special sentence, he could be sent to prison. He also must register with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for the rest of his life.
SIOUX CITY | A Sioux City man was arrested Sunday after being accused of causing a disturbance in which he fought with staff members at UnityPoint Health -- St. Luke's hospital.

Eriksen Todd, 31, is also accused of throwing rocks at cars outside the hospital, causing an estimated $1,000 in damage to one of them.

Todd was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on charges of second-degree criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and two counts of assault on a peace officer.

According to court documents, hospital staff called police at 12:35 p.m. because Todd was causing a disturbance at the hospital, 2720 Stone Park Blvd. During the disturbance, court documents said, Todd bit a staff member and scratched his neck and then shoved and drug another staff member on the ground.

After leaving the hospital, court documents said, Todd threw rocks at cars and ran through the neighborhood.

Todd fought with police officers who confronted him and returned him to St. Luke's, where Todd screamed and hollered, disrupting the emergency room, court documents said.
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SIOUX CITY  Steve Margeas, Sioux Citys self-described top dog, died Sunday at age 86.

The veteran restaurateur owned Coney Island, a downtown Sioux City staple for nearly 100 years. The restaurant is known for its signature Coney Island Dog and the original location at 510 Nebraska St. is Sioux Citys first hot dog eatery.

Coney Island was started in 1918 by Steve Margeas Greek-immigrant father, George. The younger Margeas continued the family tradition of grilling franks and served a whos who of customers over the ensuing decades including Elvis Presley.

Hot dogs were the original fast food, Margeas told the Journal in 2010. Nothing can beat a good hot dog.

A second Coney Island location, 3013 Hamilton Blvd., was opened in 1972 and was operated by the family until being sold in 2009.

Services for Margeas will be held 11 a.m. on June 2 at the Trinity Greek Orthodox Church followed by burial at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation starts at 4 p.m. on June 1 at the Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.
SIOUX CITY | A Sioux City woman was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday for stabbing her boyfriend in the groin area.

Natasha Drappeaux, 39, pleaded guilty in Woodbury County District Court to domestic abuse assault causing serious injury. As part of a plea agreement, a charge of willful injury was dismissed.

According to court documents, Drappeaux and her boyfriend, Salahadin Adem, were intoxicated and arguing over money at the Ida apartment building, 1901 Pierce St., on March 2. During the quarrel, Drappeaux grabbed a knife and stabbed Adem in the groin area, left forearm and left upper arm.

Adem had to undergo surgery after losing a large amount of blood from the groin wound.

Drappeaux must pay restitution to Adem in an amount yet to be determined and also pay $3,802 to the Iowa Crime Victim Compensation Program.
SIOUX CITY | As he waited for a car to pick him up from Sioux Gateway Airport last week, Gabriel Almazan reflected on his first trip to Sioux City via the airport's Dallas connection.

"No hiccups," he said.

Almazan, a business development director with Oxyion Food Protection Solutions in Fresno, California, said his previous practice for his occasional business trips to Sioux City had been to fly into Eppley Airfield in Omaha, then make the 100-mile drive to Sioux City.

But American Airlines' new Dallas to Sioux City connection, added a year ago this month, proved to be a comparably priced and much more convenient alternative, he said.

"When I come here, now I'm 10 minutes away from my meeting instead of an hour-and-a-half," Almazan said. "It's a lot more convenient."

Almazan is among the 14,000 people who have hitched a ride between Dallas to Sioux City since the once-per-day, 50-seat flight first taxied down the runway on May 5, 2016. People involved with the airport say the reception of the flight has been positive, and with more exposure, they hope it will continue to grow.

"I think it's been a success," said Darrell Jesse, president of Sioux City's Airport Board of Trustees. "I have a hard time believing that people, once theyve flown out from Sioux Gateway, would overlook it and keep driving to Omaha."

In the first four months of 2017, Sioux City's flights saw an overall 74 percent increase in traffic compared with the first four months of 2016 before the Dallas flight was added.

Barbara Sloniker, executive vice president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, said those numbers not only reflect the influx of new passengers on Dallas flights, but also represent a growing interest in American's two daily flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Sloniker said in her capacity with the Chamber, she has heard good feedback from businesses who appreciate the convenience.

"Depending on where theyre flying through the country, its a nice compliment," she said. "The two services (Chicago and Dallas) really compliment each other."

A review of rates on American Airlines' website for a one-way, one-passenger flight to Dallas for the week of May 29 showed prices at or under those at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport and about $85 above rates at Omaha's Eppley Airfield. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is the largest hub for Fort Worth-based American, the largest U.S. carrier.

Occupancy rates for the Dallas connection have been at 80 percent, which American views as solid for a first year, said airline spokeswoman Lakesha Brown.

"We are very, very pleased with the route," she said.

Looking to the horizon, Sioux City airport officials have targeted the addition of more flights -- specifically a western hub such as Denver -- as a primary goal for the future.

In the flight business, supply follows demand, Sloniker said, making it important that Sioux City residents continue to use the airport to help it grow large enough to add another Dallas flight or another flight to a hub, such as Denver, Colorado.

"The more we use it, the better opportunities we have to get additional service," she said. "We can make a case for that if the plane is always full and always backed up and wanting to get on a flight."
DES MOINES | Census Day, which comes but once every 10 years, is nearly three years off, but the groundwork for counting American residents is underway.

Its early for us, but not early for the Census Bureau, according to Gary Krob, director of the State Data Center and Iowas point of contact with the federal agency charged with the decennial head count.

Census counts have gone smoothly in Iowa in the past  a top five response rate  and Krob expects a high response rate again in 2020. Thats important, he said, because theres a lot at stake.

The more accurate our count, the better it is for our state because representation in the United States House and millions of dollars of federal funding is riding on the census data, Krob said.

Iowa lost one of its five House seats after the 2010 census because its population wasnt keeping up with faster growing areas, primarily in the South and West. Krob doesnt expect that to happen after 2020.

However, Iowas population numbers could affect the flow of federal dollars to the state. Thats no small thing. About 32 percent of Iowas general fund budget or $2.3 billion comes from federal funds.

Thats just the start. More than 200 federal programs rely on census numbers to appropriate nearly $450 billion in Medicaid, Social Security, highway construction, special education grants, the Childrens Health Insurance Program and others.

Census-taking has come a long way from 1790 when 600 federal marshals counted 3.9 million American residents. In 2010, the Census Bureau employed 635,000 staffers to count more than 308 million people.

In 2020, Americans will be able to submit responses via phone and the internet, Krob said.

The goal is to have fewer people on the ground in an effort to contain the costs, he said. The Census has been testing its internet response system for the past four years and will conduct end-to-end tests in three states for two years.

While the federal government is expected to appropriate about $1.5 billion for the 2020 census  about the same as in 2010, Krob said his budget is unlikely to see much change.

In 2000, we got more  about $500 or $1,000, Krob said. Given Iowas high response rate, more money may not yield markedly better results, he said.

Krob said the count may be harder in 2020 than in the past because of anti-government sentiment among some Americans as well as reluctance by immigrants  legal and illegal  to respond.

My guess is that it will be harder to count next time, that Iowa will have issues because it may be hard to convince people that when the government asks questions the answers wont be shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other law enforcement agencies, Krob explained.

The census, he emphasized, counts residents, not citizens.

Krobs work to prepare for Census Day, April 1, 2020, will pick up next year when he starts working with local officials on the Local Update of Census Addresses. It gives cities, counties and tribal governments the opportunity to update address lists to include newly developed areas and make sure boundary lines include expansions and annexations.

Just as the census numbers are important for the state, the head count affects local representation in the Iowa Legislature, on city councils and county boards where officials are elected by districts or wards. It also affects state and federal money flowing into those communities.

Some larger communities have Complete Count Committees that help promote census participation. Leaders of ethnic and religious communities are invited to help spread the word, Krob said.

Cities with hard-to-reach populations and those that are growing readily understand the importance of participation, Krob said.

Smaller cities where there has been little population change may not see it the same way, said Krob, who noted that population in 73 Iowa counties has fallen since 2010.
SPENCER, Iowa | Evoking memories of a five-alarm fire that virtually wiped out Spencers downtown 86 years ago, a majority on the city council favor keeping a ban on most fireworks in place, even though theyre now legal in Iowa..

Then-Gov. Terry Branstad on May 5 signed a bill that permits the possession, sale and use of consumer-grade fireworks on a limited basis. A provision in Senate File 489 gives local elected officials the power to restrict the use of fireworks within their borders, however.

First-class fireworks, such as firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles, would continue to be outlawed in Spencer, under an ordinance that has received two of three required readings from the council.

You hear some of the terrible stories of whats happened to young folks who have been using fireworks, said Bill Orrison, one of five council members who supports the proposed ordinance. The safety issue hasnt changed over the last 80 years. But you cannot legislate or govern stupidity, especially when it comes to fireworks. You cant have enough ordinances to prevent someone from holding a firecracker for too long before it blows up in their hand. But at least you can prevent the use of fireworks other than in public demonstrations, like on the 4th of July.

Councilman Ron Hanson said he is hearing from people on both sides of the long-simmering debate over fireworks.

The opinions are all over the place, but pretty even both for and against fireworks, Hanson said. Younger residents are saying, Why not? And some of the older ones are saying, We havent had fireworks for all these years. We dont need em and have another (fire) situation. I guess Im right in the middle of that.

While the new state law allows cities and counties to opt out of the use of fireworks or set limits on the hours and days when they can be set off, supporters insist all locales must allow sales, though with some restrictions. Some local governments are challenging that opinion, however. The Johnson County Board of Supervisors recently voted to put a six-month moratorium on fireworks sales in the eastern Iowa county.

That debate may be cleared up by the state Fire Marshalls Office, which is drawing up a set of regulations prior to sales beginning on Thursday.

Not knowing what to expect from the state regulations, the Spencer council, in its ordinance, added the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1124, 2006 edition) code for the manufacture, transportation, storage and retail sales of fireworks. Retailers would be required to install heat sensors and sprinkler systems in any structure where fireworks are sold. That would prohibit tents and other temporary structures that are commonly associated with fireworks outlets.

Councilman George Moriarty, one of two members who voted against the ordinance, said he also doesnt think its right that our city has to sell fireworks, but our people arent going to be able to use them in the city. Thats one thing thats bothering me.

Moriarty said he may change his mind on the ordinance after seeing the state Fire Marshals final rules.

I dont think we can make an educated vote until we see what his regulations are, though they should be in place by the time of the third reading on June 5, Moriatry said. Now Im finding a Des Moines fireworks company wants to put tents up. The council is totally opposed to tents because of our experience with the (1931) fire. And theyre saying thats discriminatory. I dont want somebody selling fireworks on Main Street.

On June 27, 1931, an unidentified boy dropped a lit sparkler on a fireworks display in the Otto A. Bjornstad Drug Store, igniting a fast-moving fire in the downtown business district.

Swept up across the street by a gentle southwest breeze, the blaze, fueled by occasional bursts of fireworks in other stores, razed four blocks of business buildings, causing financial losses estimated at between $1 million to $2 million, or around $20 million in todays dollars.

In the aftermath of the fire, Spencer Mayor W. H. Lewis and State Fire Marshal J. W. Strohm campaigned across the state and nation to prohibit the sale of fireworks. The final straw for Iowa lawmakers came five years later after another tragic fire in Northwest Iowa. A girl playing with fireworks on July 4, 1936 ignited a pile of gasoline-soaked rags in downtown Remsen, sparking a fire that destroyed or damaged five homes and 18 structures housing up to 38 businesses.

After the 1936 ban, sparklers, snakes and other novelties have been the only fireworks allowed in Iowa. Forty-three other states, including neighboring South Dakota and Nebraska, allow at least some form of first class consumer-grade fireworks.

Orrison, 43, who grew up in central Iowa, said he remembers that in high school his friends traveled to Missouri to buy fireworks, but he "can swear on a stack of Bibles" that he never did that himself.

Spencer Police chief Mark Warburton said historically only a handful of people" have been charged with discharging fireworks in town in recent year, although his department has received many calls.

Most people when theyre warned: Hey, dont shoot off the fireworks, they usually stop. And the officers are happy to do that warning. In time of provocation they are cited. And, if they are, it's a minimum $250 fine for the non-scheduled violation."

Spencer Fire Chief John Conyn said the proposed ordinance keeping the ban on fireworks in place has created a "pretty big buzz."

Everybody wants to be an American. Everybody wants to celebrate the Fourth of July. Why not lets celebrate in a safe manner.... My duty is just to enforce what the City Council wants me to do., said Conyn, who previously served in Webster City before coming to Spencer a year ago.

Spencer Mayor Reynold Peterson, who does not have a vote on the council under the city's form of government, expressed frustration with having to wait for guidance from the state Fire Marshal less than a week before the new fireworks law takes effect.

The legislators didnt give too much thought to this when they passed the law, Peterson said. The legislature didnt give the fire marshal the information we need to enforce the new law."

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misspelled Bill Orrison in the second reference.
The first thing readers will notice when they peruse "The Box," Ron Amato's striking new photo book of male nudes, is the age diversity of the models. There are cute younger guys, but there are also models pushing fifty and beyond. Some of the models have full heads of darker hair, while others have the white hair that comes with age. Still others are bald. The models hail from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

All the models share one common trait: a confident sensuality which comes from deep within.

The Box, a 112 page book, is now available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The book will ship on June 1.

In "The Box" Amato, who is an Associate Professor of Photography at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, photographs more than thirty men, all of whom pose nude inside, outside, underneath or on top of boxes. Some of the men pose solo, while others pose with one or two other models. The photos are meant to challenge and expand the public's perceptions of male beauty, while exploring themes of isolation, desire, conflict and empowerment.

Amato told SFGN that his interest in photography began during childhood.

"I was interested in photography from an early age but it was just one of many art disciplines I was interested in," he said. "I drew a lot. I had a sketch book and taught myself different drawing techniques from books I found in the library."

A former Catholic school student, Amato grew up in a home and community where the arts were not valued. But he persevered. He brought his first camera with his first paycheck from a summer job at a Wall Street brokerage firm, where he received encouragement from a friendly boss who was himself an amateur photographer.

"I walked out of college one day and enrolled in Germain School of Photography and have been doing photography full time since," he recalled. "That was 1981."

Amato spoke of the process by which he chose his models for "The Box."

"Obviously the world is filled with beautiful people," he said. "Attraction is definitely a component of casting but for me there needs to be something deeper. I have turned down many men who have wanted me to photograph them because, even though they were beautiful, there was something missing for me. I need to see something beneath the beautiful surface. I never know what that is and it is different for each individual. I guess the best word for it is intrigue. I need to be intrigued by someone."

Next came pairing the models up. "I started to look at combinations," he said. "I make spreadsheets with photographs and the mens heights so I can look them next to each other. I was looking for interesting combinations. Sometimes that meant they were very similar, sometimes that meant they were very different. I think a unique aspect of the Gay community is that we interface between ages and races more than some other subsets of society. That is probably because our sexuality bonds us together in stronger ways due to marginalization and discrimination."

"The Box" is not Amato's first foray into male photography--during the 1990s he worked for men's fitness magazines.

"It was a great way to combine making a living with my love of men," he recalled. "At the same time my personal work moved to more erotic and intimate work. It was kind of two sides of the same coin, really all about the body."

Amato also spoke of his portrait work. "I have two ongoing projects," he said. "Men of Style," which I guess you could call fashion but I think it is portraits, and Artists of Provincetown. I am doing a sabbatical in Provincetown later this year to work on that project. I think it might be a book.

Norma Holt published a book in 1980, "Face of the Artist," that was portraits of artists in Provincetown. My approach is very different but I appreciate Normas work very much. I think much has changed in Provincetown in 37 years. I hope to capture some of the current energy in my photographs."

For now, Amato is busily promoting "The Box." We asked him what he learned from producing the book.

"I learned that my experiences are the experiences of many," he said. "We all have joys and heartbreaks. Those are the things that bond us as humans. The book is autobiographical but it holds universal truths. I have received many lovely notes from people telling me how much the work mirrors their own experience--that alone makes me feel less isolated and more bonded with others."

Amato added that he now feels closer to his community. "I feel a special affinity for the men in the photographs. For me they represent me and the larger gay community."

For more information, please visit Ron Amato's website: RonAmato.com
When Society and the Healthy Homosexual, Dr. George Weinbergs most famous book, was published in 1972, the consensus was that LGBT people were mentally ill.

A best-selling book from that period was Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask) by Dr. David Reuben, a quack who described gay men as sad, promiscuous types who cruised public toilets and trans women as surgically mutilated male homosexuals.

Dr. Weinberg was one of the first non-LGBT mental health professionals (Dr. Evelyn Hooker was another) to defy conventional wisdom. Because of his work, and that of activists like Barbara Gittings, Franklin Kameny and Jack Nichols, the Board of Trustees of the American Psychiatric Association declared, on December 15, 1973, that by itself, homosexuality does not meet the criteria for being a psychiatric disorder.

Dr. Weinberg, who died of cancer on March 20 at age 87, was a true pioneer, and Society and the Healthy Homosexual was the most important book about LGBT people written by a heterosexual ally. (Dr. Alfred Kinsey was bisexual.)

It was a must-read book for LGBT people coming out in the seventies; and Barbara Gittings included it in her Gay Grab-Bag list of essential titles. I myself named Dr. Weinbergs book number 6 in my list of the most important LGBT books of the 20th Century (2000).

To Dr. Weinberg, anti-LGBT bigotry was the true mental illness: I would never consider a patient healthy unless he had overcome his prejudice against homosexuality. In Society and the Healthy Homosexual Weinberg coined the word homophobia to describe the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals; calls homophobia a disease; and notes that this is an attitude held by many non-homosexuals and perhaps by the majority of homosexuals in countries where there is discrimination against homosexuals, our own included.

Though the concept of homophobia is Dr. Weinbergs most famous contribution to queer thought, he is also one of the first to propose a distinction between the words homosexual and gay. To be homosexual is to have an erotic preference for members of ones own sex. ... A homosexual person is gay when he regards himself as happily gifted with whatever capacity he has to see people as romantically beautiful. It is to be free of shame, guilt, regret over the fact that one is homosexual, that the searchlight of ones childhood vision of human beings shined more brilliantly on members of ones own sex than on those of the other. ... To be gay is to view ones sexuality as the healthy heterosexual views his.

This was written in 1972, so Dr. Weinberg may be forgiven for his use of sexist pronouns and the all-inclusive gay instead of LGBTQIIAA.

The late, great gay rights pioneer, my good friend Jack Nichols, who was a healthy homosexual long before Society and the Healthy Homosexual came along, called Dr. Weinberg (his good friend) a gay-lib pioneer and a true ally of our cause. Jack Drescher, clinical professor of psychiatry at New York Medical Center, told Lou Chibbaro, Jr. of the Washington Blade that Weinberg was an early straight ally to the LGBT community who is responsible for introducing the concept of homophobia into everyday language and thought. His was no small accomplishment, as the concept shifted societys focus away from an automatic hatred or disdain for gay people and instead asked whats wrong with people who feel that way. Instead of gay people having to explain themselves, the haters did - or as is often the case, they had to publicly and falsely deny they were haters.

Though Society and the Healthy Homosexual is sadly no longer in print, you may find copies in public or LGBT libraries or through used book web sites. Even 45 years later, this is a book worth reading.
A trio of CubeSats, with Earths limb and thin atmosphere in the background, is seen shortly after being ejected from a small satellite deployer outside Japans Kibo lab module. Credit: NASA. NASA

More CubeSats were ejected from the International Space Station this week to explore the Earths upper atmosphere. Meanwhile, the Expedition 51 crew trained for a crew departure and cargo craft arrival.

NanoRacks, a private company with facilities on the space station, deployed a total of 17 CubeSats over two days this week from a satellite deployer outside the Japanese Kibo lab module. The tiny satellites will orbit Earth for up to two years observing Earths thermosphere and studying space weather.

Two Expedition 51 crew members are returning to Earth June 2 completing a 196 day mission in space. Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Thomas Pesquet practiced their descent today in their Soyuz MS-03 spacecraft. The duo are expected to land in Kazakhstan next Friday at 10:10 a.m. EDT.

The Dragon resupply ship, from SpaceX and loaded with brand new science experiments, will launch June 1 and arrive at the station June 4. NASA astronaut Jack Fischer will be at the robotics controls commanding the Canadarm2 to reach out and grapple Dragon. He and station Commander Peggy Whitson familiarized themselves today with the Dragon capture procedures and lighting conditions inside the cupola.

On-Orbit Status Report

NanoRack Cubesat Deployer (NRCSD) #12 Cubesat Deploys: The remaining 8 of 17 NRCSD #12 CubeSats were successfully deployed from the ISS today. All are a subset of the QB50 constellation of CubeSats provided by countries from around the world. The constellation studies the upper reaches of the Earths atmosphere over a period of 1 to 2 years. The QB50 satellites conduct coordinated measurements of the thermosphere, a poorly studied and previously inaccessible zone of the atmosphere. The project monitors different gaseous molecules and electrical properties of the thermosphere to better understand space weather and its long term trends.

NanoRacks Module-55: The crew swapped samples in the NanoRacks Module 55 which is mounted on the front of NanoRacks Platform-1 in the JEM. This investigation researches why bacteria are more virulent and grow more rapidly in space. NanoRacks Module 55, also known as NanoRacks  National Design Challenge  Centaurus High School  The Effects of Simulated Gravity on Bacterial Lag Phase in a Microgravity Environment (NanoRacks-NDC-CHS-Bacterial Lag Phase), studies the bacterial lag phase, a delay period before the start of exponential growth, which is much shorter in microgravity than it is on Earth. The experiment uses a centrifuge to simulate gravity, comparing microgravity and simulated-gravity Escherichia coli (E. coli) cultures to determine whether microgravity itself causes changes in bacterial growth.

Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF): The crew replaced the ELF Ultraviolet Lamp bulb and set up the ELF gas supply hose and gas bottle. The ELF is an experimental facility designed to levitate, melt and solidify materials by containerless processing techniques using the Electrostatic Levitation method. With this facility, thermophysical properties of high temperature melts can be measured, and solidification from deeply undercooled melts can be achieved.

Soyuz 49 (49S) Nominal Descent Drill: The 49S Crew performed a nominal Soyuz Descent Drill in preparation for their return to earth next week. Soyuz undock is scheduled for June 2, 2017 at 5:48 AM CDT with landing occurring at 9:10 AM CDT.

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Suit Maintenance: The crew completed routine maintenance on EMUs 3006 and 3008 including a loop scrub, iodination and a post-loop scrub water sample. Following these activities, EMUs 3006 and 3008 were removed and stowed in the Crewlock and EMUs 3003 and 3010 were installed onto the Equipment Lock EMU Don/Doff Assembly.

On-Board Training (OBT)/Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Robotics Ground Controllers powered up the MSS in the Hot Backup Configuration and maneuvered the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) into position over the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) Flight Releasable Grapple Fixture (FRGF) for the start of the SpX-11 Offset Grapples Practice session. Crew members Whitson and Fisher then practiced maneuvering the SSRMS into the grapple envelope of the PMM FRGF. They performed this several times, then performed a final run during which Controllers safed the SSRMS to simulate a failure. The crew recovered by switching from the Cupola Robotic Workstation (RWS) to the Lab RWS and backing the SSRMS away. Following the training session, Controllers maneuvered the SSRMS to the SpX-11 rendezvous park position.

Remote Power Control Module (RPCM) N21B4A_B Trip Status: RPC 2 on RPCM N21B4A_B tripped Thursday night. This RPC powers the Node 2 Audio Terminal Unit (ATU) 1_ Starboard. Node 2 ATU-2_Port is still available for caution and warning tones and audio functionality and is connected (via patch panel) to the starboard Crew Quarters. Review of the 50Hz data did not show any indication of an overcurrent. Ground controllers were able to execute the FET Controller Hybrid (FCH) troubleshooting in an attempt to recover the RPC. The first re-closure attempt was unsuccessful indicating a FCH failure. Approximately an hour after the troubleshooting was attempted, the RPC closed and then re-opened 40 seconds later. Teams believe that this is a new failure signature of the FCH issue and are working a re-closure attempt today. Ground teams will review this new FCH failure signature.

Todays Planned Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

HRF Generic Urine Collection

HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Operations

HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection

HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Configuration

Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) /Group Combustion Module (GCM) Component Activation

Soyuz 733 crew Sokol leak check without donning ??? or Kentavr

Glacier Sample Remove

NanoRacks Module-55 Gear-Sample Swap

Progress 435 (DC1) transfers prior to [???-?] Navigation Module removal prior to [???-?] navigation module removal

HRF Generic Refrigerated Centrifuge Spin Conclude

HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion

HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection Conclude Stow

Robotic Workstation (RWS) Setup

NanoRacks CubeSat Deployment Photos

Robotics Onboard Training (ROBoT) Session for Dragon

Combustion Integrated Rack Alignment Guide Removal

Drying Sokol spacesuits, setup suit 1 for drying

Soyuz descent training

Soyuz 733 Descent OBT

Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) Combustion Chamber (CC) pressure gauge check and Valve Operation part 1

HRF Generic Urine Collection Female  Subject

HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval Insertion Operations

Long Duration Sorbent Testbed Status Check.

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Maintenance Scrub Initiation

Manufacturing Device Print Clean

LBNP Training (PRELIMINARY)

Transfer of Atmosphere Purification Filter Assembly ????-2? from Soyuz 733 ?? to Soyuz 735 ??

Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) Combustion Chamber (CC) pressure gauge check and Valve Operation part 2

Transfer of Atmosphere Purification Filter Assembly ????-2? from Soyuz 733 ?? to Soyuz 735 ??

Terminate Space Suit 1 Drying

Habitability Walk-through Video  Subject

Terminate Space Suit 1 Drying

Setup Space Suit 2 for drying

NanoRacks CubeSat Deployment Photos

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Post Scrub Cooling Loop Water (H2O) Sample

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Maintenance Iodination

HRF Generic Urine Collection Female  Subject

Conference with specialists regarding the Separation Unit [??]

Water Resource Management Condensate Tank Offload Initialization

Removal of [???-?] Navigation Module from Progress 435

Soyuz 733 Transfer Ops

HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Operations

Water Resource Management Condensate Tank Offload Termination

N2 Nadir Hatch to Unlatch Hard stop

BEAM Intermodule Ventilation Coupling Verification

Progress 435 stowage ops after [???-?] Navigation Module removal

On-board Training (OBT) Dragon Offset Grapple

European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) Gas Valve Close

Terminate Space Suit 2 Drying

Setup of 1st pair of gloves for drying

Crew Departure Prep

Terminate the 1st pair of gloves drying and start drying the 2nd pair

Crew Departure Prep

EVA Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Scrub Deconfiguration

Evening Preparation Work

Terminate drying the second pair of gloves

Stowage of suits and gloves after drying

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Swap

Onboard Training (OBT) SSRMS Debrief Conference

Crew Departure Preparations for Return to Earth

Inventory Management System (IMS) Conference

HRF Generic Urine Collection

HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval Insertion Operations

Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) Separator Plumbing Assembly (SPA) Teardown

CONTENT. Experiment Ops

Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) /Group Combustion Module (GCM) Component Deactivation

Completed Task List Items

VEG03 plant water/photo

ARED quarterly maintenance

49S pre-pack

Ground Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

Offset grapple training support

Three-Day Look Ahead:

Friday, 05/26: OBT Dragon Offset Grapple, EVA loops scrub/sample, OBT Soyuz drill, GRASP

Saturday, 06/27: Crew off duty, housekeeping

Sunday, 06/28: Crew off duty

QUICK ISS Status  Environmental Control Group:

Component  Status

Elektron  Off

Vozdukh  Manual

[???] 1  SM Air Conditioner System (SKV1)  Off

[???] 2  SM Air Conditioner System (SKV2)  Off

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab  Standby

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3  Operate

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab  Operate

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3  Standby

Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA)  Stop

Urine Processing Assembly (UPA)  Standby

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab  Full up

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3  Off
NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 29 May 2017. NASA

Today  Cardio Ox Ultrasound: A 50S crewmember completed their Flight Day (FD) 180 ultrasound, blood pressure and Electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements for the Cardio Ox investigation.

With scanning assistance from a Crew Medical Officer (CMO) and ground remote guidance specialists, the crew donned ECG electrodes and marked the Carotid and Brachial arteries for scanning. By collecting ultrasound and ECG data along with blood and urine samples scientists will attempt to determine whether biological markers of oxidative and inflammatory stress are elevated during and after space flight and whether this results in an increased, long-term risk of atherosclerosis in astronauts.

Vascular Echo: A crewmember performed Vascular Echo resting ultrasound and blood pressure measurements. With assistance from a ground remote guidance team, he scanned his neck, thigh and heart. This Canadian Space Agency (CSA) investigation examines changes in blood vessels and the heart while crew members are in space, then follow their recovery on return to Earth. Results could provide insight into potential countermeasures to help maintain crew member health and quality of life for everyone.

Radiation Dosimetry Inside ISS-Neutron (RaDI-N) Retrieval: The crew retrieved all 8 of the Space Bubble Detectors that were deployed last week in the Node 3 module for the RaDI-N experiment and handed them to the Russian crew to be processed in the Bubble Reader. This CSA investigation measures neutron radiation levels while onboard the ISS. Bubble detectors are used as neutron monitors designed to only detect neutrons and ignore all other radiation.

Manufacturing Device (MD): The Manufacturing Device failed to complete the 12 hour print of a Radiation Environment Monitoring shield on Friday and during a second attempt yesterday. The REM shield was to be installed in the BEAM during ingress later this week. The Made-In-Space team is assessing the anomaly. The MD  Additive Manufacturing Facility (AMF) enables the production of components on the ISS to meet both NASA and commercial objectives. Parts, entire experiments, and tools can be created on demand utilizing the AMF. The AMF is capable of producing parts using a wide variety of thermopolymers, including engineered plastics.

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Suit Maintenance: Following last weeks removal of EMUs 3006 and 3008 and installation of EMUs 3003 and 3010 on the Equipment Lock EMU Don/Doff Assembly the crew performed routine maintenance on EMU 3003 and 3010 including a loop scrub, iodination and conductivity tests.

Soyuz 49 (49S) Nominal Descent Drill: The 49S Crew performed a nominal Soyuz Descent Drill in preparation for their return to earth. Soyuz undock is scheduled for June 2, 2017 at 5:48 AM CDT with landing occurring at 9:10 AM CDT.

Commercial Orbital Transport Services (COTS) UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) Checkout: In preparation for the upcoming SpaceX-11 capture and berthing planned for June 4th, the crew coordinated with ground teams to activate the CUCU System and perform a Crew Command Panel (CCP) checkout. CUCU provides a command and telemetry communications link between ISS and Dragon during free flight operations in the vicinity of ISS.

Todays Planned Activities

All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

Personal Data Prep for Return

ECON-M. Observation and Photography

HRF Generic Saliva Collection 10 Minutes  Subject

HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Operations

HRF Generic Urine Collection

Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 1 Power On

Cardio Ox Ultrasound

MATRYOSHKA-R. BUBBLE dosimeter setup and measurements

Switch ???? comm to the prime set

Marrow Breath And Ambient Air Sample Setup

49S ASU deactivation

Cardio Ox CDL Holter Arterial BP Unit Battery Installation  Subject

49S descent OBT

Cardio Ox CDL Holter Arterial BP Measurement  Subject

Radi-N Detector Retrieval/Readout

Radiation Dosimetry Inside ISS-Neutrons Hardware Handover

MATRYOSHKA-R. BUBBLE dosimeter receipt from USOS

Cardio Ox CDL Holter Arterial BP Hardware Doff Alternate  Subject

MATRYOSHKA-R. BUBBLE dosimeter setup and measurements

Vascular Echo Resting Ultrasound Scan 135 Minutes

Manufacturing Device Print Clean

[????] equipment inventory

Temperature and Humidity Control (THC) Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Flow Measurement Survey

Vascular Echo CDL Holter Arterial BP Measurement  Subject

MELFI DEWAR INVENTORY

USOS Window Shutter Close

Auxiliary Laptop Computer System Virus Definition File Update

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Maintenance Scrub Initiation

Close SM window covers ##6,8,9,12,13,14 Refer to comment 7

???? training session (PRELIMINARY). Specialist conference

Assist ???? training session (PRELIMINARY). Specialist conference

Descent Private Medical Conference (PMC)

HRF Generic Urine Collection

HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval Insertion Operations

Temperature and Humidity Control (THC) Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Flow Measurement Survey

SM atmosphere analysis for coolant leaks using ???

Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Post Scrub Cooling Loop Water (H2O) Sample

HRF Generic Urine Collection Male  Subject

50S Samsung tablet PC charging (if current charge <80%) Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Maintenance Iodination HRF Generic Sample MELFI Insertion Operations MRM2 [??1] and [??2] air ducts vacuuming HRF Generic Frozen Blood Collection Setup Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Conductivity Test 49S pre-undock [???] (motion control system) #2 test IMS update Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Test HRF Generic Urine Collection Fix cables running from 49S [???] handle HRF Generic Sample MELFI Retrieval Insertion Operations Health Maintenance System (HMS) Vision Questionnaire MRM2 [???] hatch cover and 49S [???] sealing mechanism maintenance EVA Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Cooling Loop Scrub Deconfiguration Preparation for return Photo/TV CUCU Video Setup COTS UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) Activation COTS UHF Communication Unit (CUCU) Crew Command Panel (CCP) Checkout Countermeasures System (CMS) Treadmill 2 (T2) Exercise Session Exercise Data Downlink via OCA 50S tablet PC charging Completed Task List Items Crew Medical Officer (CMO) On Board Training (OBT) [Completed GMT 147] PhotoTV Camera Mounting Assembly Stow [Completed GMT 147] At Home In Space Culture Photo [Completed GMT 147] Temperature and Humidity Control (THC) Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Flow Measurement Survey [Completed GMT 148] ESA Active Dosimeter Area Monitoring [Completed GMT 148] Flash Card Photograph [Completed GMT 148] NOD1 WAP Antenna R&R [Completed GMT 148] Manufacturing Device Feedstock Canister Exchange [Completed GMT 148] Manufacturing Device Print Clean [Completed GMT 148] Crew Medical Officer (CMO) Proficiency Training [Completed GMT 148] PAO 2017 Astronaut Class Video [Completed GMT 148] Rodent Research Gather 2 [Completed GMT 148] Veggie 03 Pillow Watering and Photo [Completed GMT 148] Transfer Cygnus Operations [Completed GMT 148] Crew Medical Officer (CMO) On Board Training (OBT) [Completed GMT 148] PhotoTV Camera Mounting Assembly Stow [Completed GMT 148] At Home In Space Culture Photo [Completed GMT 148] Crew Medical Officer (CMO) On Board Training (OBT) [Completed GMT 149] Veggie 03 Pillow Watering and Photo[Completed GMT 149] PhotoTV Camera Mounting Assembly Stow[Completed GMT 149] At Home In Space Culture Photo [Completed GMT 149] Ground Activities All activities were completed unless otherwise noted. EMU Maintenance Support CUCU Checkout Three-Day Look Ahead: Tuesday, 05/30: Vascular Echo Ultrasound, SPHERES Wednesday, 05/31: Emergency Roles & Responsibilities review, Rodent Research gather, BEAM ingress, Stem Cell hardware setup Thursday, 06/01: SpX-11 launch, Rodent Research hardware gather/habitat setup, Change of Command QUICK ISS Status - Environmental Control Group: Component - Status Elektron - Off Vozdukh - Manual [???] 1 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV1") - Off [???] 2 - SM Air Conditioner System ("SKV2") - Off Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab - Standby Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3 - Operate Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab - Operate Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3 - Standby Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA) - Stop Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) - Standby Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab - Full up Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3 - Off
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Three-year-old trotting colts held center court during Mondays New York Sire Stakes presentation at Vernon Downs.

Enterprise (Brian Sears) is now 4-for-4 in his career after his biggest test yet. The Chapter Seven colt jumped out to the lead in his $39,900 division but soon found himself in the pocket trailing Money Macintosh (Andy Miller). Enterprise ($2.90) found himself locked in the box at the three-quarter mark trapped in by Cresurrey (Trond Smedshammer) and Swell Cap (Corey Callahan).

Cresurrey would tire in the stretch giving Sears an opening to guide Enterprise out of the pocket, looking like he was shot out of a cannon. Owned by Courent Inc and trained by Marcus Melander, Enterprise would win by a length in 1:53.4 holding off Swell Chap who finished second and Meetmeinthemiddle (Jason Bartlett) who was third.

Sears would have another New York Sire Stakes victory ($39,200) winning the first division with Stick With Me Kid (Deweycheatumnhowe). Stick With Me Kid ($7.00) would jump out to a three-length lead and play catch me if you can. Owned by Paul Fontaine, Ashlee Allyn with Donna Bonno and trained by George Ducharme the three-year-old would win in 1:54.

The favourite Bills Man (Corey Callahan) would come on late but fall a length short to finish second. Top Flight Angel (Andy Miller) would be third.

In the other New York State Sire Stakes race ($39,900), Devious Man (Andy Miller) won his sophomore debut in a swift 1:53.3. Owned by Stoy Inc and Andy Miller Stable Inc while trained by Julie Miller, the three-year-old colt found himself in third at the halfway point. Miller would then go first over just before three-quarters taking the lead in the stretch. Devious Man (Credit Winner) won the New York State Sire Stakes Final as a two-year-old in 2016. Devious Man ($3.20) had all he could do to hold-off Lord Cromwell (Jason Bartlett) in deep stretch. Aces And Eights (Dan Daley) finished third.

Due to lack of horses, Vernon will not race Thursday (June 1). They will resume on Friday (June 2) at 6:45 p.m.

(Vernon Downs)
Greg Merton schooled his peers at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon when he won six races and finished second once out of nine drives, giving him an unbelievable .728 UDR for the afternoon.

Merton scored with Shanghai Warrior ($7.20, 1:53.1), Memory Game ($3.00, 1:52.1), Talldarknhandsome ($6.00, 1:52.3), Biggie ($3.20, 1:53), Elm Grove Inarush ($9.60, 1:51.2) and Myhoneytellsall ($7.20, 1:54).

Merton is currently the leading driver at the Plainridge meet with 51 wins, 16 more than his nearest competitor, Bruce Aldrich, Jr. Merton was the dash driving champion at Plainridge last year and also the first to eclipse $1 million in earnings in the tracks history.

Mertons fifth win of the day was with of Elm Grove Inarush who beat the boys in the $12,000 Old Ironsides conditioned pacing feature.

A Sweet Ride (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) took a quick lead and Elm Grove Inarush immediately tucked in second and ended up getting a sweet ride behind him the rest of the mile. Without any challengers whatsoever, Switzer carved out fractions of :26.1, :54 and 1:22.3 and looked like he was poised to bring home a winner.

But just before the seven-eighths pole, Merton tugged the right line and Elm Grove Inarush switched into glide. She paced right by A Sweet Ride and opened up a two-length lead before fending off challenges from the late closing Quick Shot (Jim Hardy) and Cherokee Hiflyzane (Eddie Davis, Jr.) to win in 1:51.2. The time was a new lifetime for the mare.

It was the third win of the year for Elm Grove Inarush and it raised her 2017 earnings to $33,330 for owners Martin Valentic and John Bednarski, Jr. The six-year-old daughter of Coasttocoast Yankee is trained by Elisha Lafreniere.

Lafreniere ended up having a training double on the card but was outdone in the win category by fellow conditioner Jackie Greene who had three wins.

Live racing resumes on Tuesday afternoon at Plainridge Park with the first post set for 4 p.m.

(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)
Calvary University Announces the Burnham Center for Global Engagement

Contact: Josh Paxton, Calvary University 816-322-0110KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 30, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- Calvary University prepares Christians to live and serve in the church and in the world according to the biblical worldview and has since its establishment in 1932. For 85 years, many students have trained to go around the world as cross-cultural messengers of the gospel, serving in over 65 countries.Calvary University is honored to announce the founding of the Burnham Center for Global Engagement. The Burnham Center reflects Calvary's commitment to global ministry and will serve as the central point for Calvary's cross-cultural ministry training. The training in the Intercultural Studies Program includes overseas mission opportunities, participating on the Student Missions Committee, and more. Work is already underway to expand Calvarys cross-cultural education programs for its students.Martin and Gracia Burnham, a recognizable name for many, represent alumni who have faithfully advanced the gospel message. After completing college in preparation for mission work, the Burnhams served with New Tribes Mission, now Ethnos360, in the Philippines for 17 years before being kidnapped in 2001 by Abu Sayyaf militants. In June 2002, after more than a year in captivity, the Philippine military attempted to rescue them, during which Martin was tragically killed in the resulting gunfight. Though wounded, Gracia was rescued and able to return home. She has since become a writer, an international speaker, and an inspiration to people who desire global engagement for the sake of the gospel. Her story continues to embolden many to face adversity in their own lives and move ahead in taking the gospel to unreached people.Martin and Gracia already possessed deep ties to Calvary University as Gracia's father taught at the school in the Bible and Theology Department. Gracia continues to remain a frequent presence at Calvary, and recently gave the commencement address at Calvary's 2017 graduation ceremony.The faculty and staff of Calvary University are grateful to Martin and Gracia for their faithful service on the mission field. The Burnham Center for Global Engagement will serve as the next chapter in Calvary's legacy of training Christians to reach the nations for Christ.
PJI Asks Supreme Court to Honor U.S. Heritage of Religious Freedom in Asylum Case

Contact: Brad Dacus, Pacific Justice Institute , 916-616-4126WASHINGTON, May 30, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- By invoking the Founding Fathers' sensitivity to the role of religious persecution in early American history, Pacific Justice Institute has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to honor America's heritage of religious freedom for immigrants seeking asylum.PJI filed an amicus curiae ("friend of the court") brief asking the Court to review the ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Xue v. Sessions, a case involving a Christian who fled China for the United States seeking religious asylum. The appellant, Ting Xue, not only had to practice his faith in secret to avoid discovery and punishment at the hands of Chinese authorities, he was also arrested for attending a church that wasn't state-approved.Xue was then confined in unsanitary conditions, beaten by interrogators, and fined more than half of his annual wages. After his release, Xue narrowly avoided being sent to a labor camp when Chinese authorities re-arrested members of his church, which continued to operate despite a previous raid.Though the Tenth Circuit did not dispute the facts of Xue's case, the court still ruled that religious persecution does not necessarily exist where an immigrant has had to practice his or her faith in hiding to avoid harassment or punishment by his native country's authorities.Federal circuit courts are split on the issue of what constitutes persecutionwhich, surprisingly, has no statutory definition under the Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA"), the federal law governing immigration in the United States. PJI is essentially asking the Supreme Court to resolve that split, at least in part."The Founding Fathers understood that persecution exists where a government has created a climate of fear for people of certain faiths or belief systems," said PJI president Brad Dacus. "The United States' history as a refuge for those fleeing religious persecution predates its existence as a nation, and PJI is dedicated to making sure it stays that way."America's heritage as a haven for the religiously persecuted dates back to 1620, when the Pilgrims who faced persecution at the hands of the Church of England fled across the Atlantic Ocean to found the colony of Massachusetts. Congress stayed true to that heritage by enacting the Refugee Act of 1980, which incorporated religious asylum provisions into the INA.PJI filed the amicus curiae brief in Xue because the non-profit law firm represents immigrants who have come to the United States seeking religious asylum. PJI has had some success on behalf of immigrants it has represented: In February, PJI convinced the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service to grant asylum to a missionary from the Middle East who had experienced torture and discrimination for his commitment to his Christian faith."Immigrants from a variety of faiths have risked life and limb to come to the United States to practice their religion openly and freely," Dacus said. "It should be pretty clear that persecution exists where they can't do that. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will recognize that, too."
Coptic Solidarity Condemns Barbaric Killing of Coptic Pilgrims En Route to St. Samuel Monastery

Contact: Lindsay Griffin, Coptic Solidarity , 801-512-1713, coptadvocacy@copticsolidarity.org WASHINGTON, May 30, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- Coptic Solidarity condemns the barbaric murder of Coptic Christians journeying to the Monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor in Egypt's western desert near Minya, on May 26, 2017. This bloody episode is the latest in a series of horrendous attacks just in the past few months.Ten armed gunmen attacked a three-vehicle convoy traveling in to the monastery. Twenty-nine individuals, including ten children joined a rapidly increasing number of modern Coptic martyrs. According to survivors, victims were shot dead after being requested to recite the Islamic confession of faith "shahada" and amid cries of "Allah Akbar." Coptic Solidarity extends its deepest sympathies to the victims' families and pledges to continue its advocacy efforts to achieve religious freedom and equality for Copts in Egypt.President El-Sisi quickly held "external terrorists" responsible for the attack and conducted airstrikes on camps inside Libya, despite lack of evidence that these groups or targets are the actual culprits. Some evidence suggests that the attackers are native Egyptians as they spoke a local Egyptian dialect and were familiar with a relatively unknown desert route to the monastery.While Mr. El-Sisi rightly asked for coherent international efforts to combat Islamic terrorism, he conveniently chooses to ignore the fact that Egypt under his leadership is increasingly becoming an "ecosystem" conducive to jihadist violence. He allows Salafists and other Islamists to dominate the public sphere, spreading hate speech in state-owned media and educational curricula. Publicly labeling Christians as infidels or 'kufar' amounts to a license to persecute and kill them.Copts have suffered tremendously this past year and the pace of attacks by Islamists has been rising, with three major attacks on churches, attacks and forced evacuations of Coptic families from northern Sinai, in addition to individual murders during the second half of 2016.Once again, the Egyptian government has failed to protect its Coptic minority. Coptic Solidarity strongly maintains that this violence is not perpetrated by foreign terrorists, as the Egyptian government would like the world to believe, but is homegrown, one created by a culture of hate and impunity within Egypt.Coptic Solidarity calls on the Egyptian government to conduct a transparent investigation of these attacks and to institute measures to prevent such attacks. Also, given the government's continued failure to protect the Copts, Coptic Solidarity strongly calls for an independent inquiry by the UN to evaluate the Copts' situation and to recommend necessary measures to alleviate their dire situation and to avoid repetition of the tragic situation of Christians in Iraq and Syria.Coptic Solidarity is an organization seeking to help minorities, particularly the Copts, of Egypt and we support those in Egypt working for democracy, freedom, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens. It advocates in cooperation with the affiliated organizations in Canada and in Europe (Solidarite Copte). For more information, contact Lindsay Griffin at 801-512-1713 or coptadvocacy@copticsolidarity.org
The Cold War we are familiar with ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union. In his new book  The Plot to Scapegoat Russia , lawyer and human rights activist Dan Kovalik writes about a new Cold War against Russia  and about the peace that never came. He discusses the role of the Democratic Party and the CIA, but his book centers on explaining why hostilities resumed.

The real motivations of a revived confrontation are hardly the stuff of day-to-day news, and so the author relies upon the historical record for discovering the origins of a new Cold War. And he tells why the old Cold War was waged.

The common explanation was a pretext, he thinks. In Kovaliks words: the Cold War, at least from the vantage point of the US, had little to do with fighting Communism, and more to do with making the world safe for corporate plunder. This proposition, implied more than dwelled upon, enables the author to account for other U. S. wars and interventions.

CIA involvement is mentioned but not detailed. For Kovalik, the CIA is a nefarious, criminal organization which often misleads the American public and government into wars and misadventures. These two themes  the real reason for why the United States fights wars and the CIAs role in such wars  are unobtrusively present throughout the history recounted in the book.

Readers hungry to know about the plot advertised in the books title will need patience. The author conducts a tour over time and across the world that takes in examples of U. S. military interventions and foreign meddling. At the point Kovalik is discussing the current U. S.  Russia confrontation, he has already described patterns of U. S. aggression and thereby has already traced out a scenario where motivations for harassing Russia are clear.

This highly  recommended book offers material so encompassing as to belie its small size. Kovaliks writing is clear, evocative, and readable. Along the way, he recalls those causes and the outrage that fired up activists who were his contemporaries. Thats a side benefit.

In college Kovalik learned about CIA machinations in Central America. Revelations from former agents Philip Agee, Ray McGovern, and John Stockman astonished him. His first trip to Nicaragua exposed him to a harvest of killings and terror. He learned first-hand about the role of Contra paramilitaries, recruited and paid for by the CIA. At one point he was comforting a father burying his son, killed by the Contras, along with 50,000 other Nicaraguans.

The author recalls the four churchwomen and six Jesuit priests murdered by U. S.  trained soldiers in El Salvador, U. S. support for soldiers and paramilitaries who killed and displaced populations in Colombia, and the CIAs Operation Condor by which South American client states murdered political enemies. He recounts U. S  instigated coups in Iran, 1953; Guatemala, 1954; and Chile, 1973. Along the way he mentions U.S. war in Vietnam, occupation and war in Korea, nuclear bombs dropped on Japan, nuclear testing and dying in the Marshall Islands, and the CIAs recruitment of the anti-Soviet Mujahideen in Afghanistan.

This was the justification: keeping the world safe from the threat of Soviet totalitarianism. Then the Soviet Union was no more and the search was on for a new pretext. Having turned to humanitarian intervention, the Clinton administration soon was assisting the Paul Kagame regime in Ruanda and other African nations as they assaulted the Democratic Republic of the Congo. US mining interests were satisfied, Kovalik says, but nearly six million people people died.

Clintons government intervened in Haiti and participated in the destruction of Yugoslavia, Europes last socialist state. Supposed humanitarian motivations were behind the United States role in delivering Libya into chaos. For the author, U. S. pretensions and brutality stand in contrast to the relatively benign nature of Russian misdeeds.

More recently, in Kovaliks telling, the U. S. government settled upon the rationalization of American exceptionalism. This is the belief that the US is a uniquely benign actor in the world, spreading peace and democracy. Thus terror was exported to Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, and Yemen, where Saudi Arabia acted as a U. S. proxy. The list includes the 2009 military coup in Honduras facilitated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

For the author, The USs outsized military exists not only to ensure the USs quite unjust share of the worlds riches, but also to ensure that those riches are not shared with the poor huddled masses in this country. Good relations with Russia would be simply bad for business, in particular the business of war which so profoundly undergirds the US economy  As of 2015, the US had at least 800 military bases in over 70 nations, while Britain, France and Russia had only 30 military bases combined. And, under Obama alone, the US had Special Forces deployed in about 138 countries.

Having surveyed decades worth of U.S. interventions abroad, military and otherwise, Kovalik turns to Russia. In the early 1990s that fledgling capitalist state was in crisis, he reports. Life expectancy had plummeted, the poverty rate was 75 percent, and investments in the economy were down 80 percent. National pride was in the cellar, the more so after the United States backed away from Secretary of State Bakers 1991 promise that NATO would never move east, after the United States attacked Russias ally Serbia, and after the United States attacked Iraq in 2003 and Libya in 2011 without consulting Russia.

He regards Russias approach to Ukraine as defensible while reminding readers that Russia offered to cooperate with the United States in ending war in Syria. And U. S. claims about lack of democracy in Russia seem strained, especially when, as Kovalik insists, the United States abuses peoples the world over and itself suffers from a severe democracy deficit.

He argues that the Obama administration, particularly Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was obsessed with Russia and that Democrats currently are fueling hostilities, backed by a compliant media. He discusses WikiLeaks revelations about the Democratic Party and hacking attributed to the Russians. He also suggests, without offering specifics, that the CIA is involved. Kovalik doesnt comment on possible interaction between Trump campaign personnel and Russian officials.

But prior to his discussion of confrontation with Russia, Kovalik had devoted considerable attention to why and how the United States harasses other countries. The reader, therefore, already knows never to expect U.S. imperialism to give Russia a break and knows why that is so.

Kovaliks treatment of the Soviet Union is an essential part of his narrative. For one thing, many of the U. S. military interventions he reports on wouldnt have occurred if the Soviet Union still existed. But basically, the Soviet Union, did wield sizable political and ideological influence in the world for some time, due to the appeal of its socialist message as well as its critical role in winning [World War] II.

Kovalik acknowledges periods of great repression. He adds, however, that the Russian Revolution and the USSR  delivered on many of their promises, and against great odds. . In any case, the goals of the Russian Revolutionequality, worker control of the economy, universal health care and social security were laudable ones. And, One of the reasons that the West continues to dance on the grave of the Soviet Union, and to emphasize the worst parts of that society and downplay its achievements, is to make sure that, as the world-wide economy worsens, and as the suffering of working people around the world deepens, they dont get any notions in their head to organize some new socialist revolution with such ideals.

Ultimately, Kovalik sides with Martin Luther King, who remarked that, The US is on the wrong side of the world-wide revolution  and with Daniel Ellsbergs clarification: The US is not on the wrong side; it is the wrong side.
Syed Mahmoud Nawaz

India and Russia have recently completed 70 years of diplomatic relations. On April 13 2017, which marked the historic occasion, a grand launch function for year- long celebrations to salute this friendship was held in New Delhi. More than 100 events, which will span diverse areas of bilateral collaboration, will be held both in India and Russia during the year- long celebrations.

Solid at diplomatic levels, the relations between the two countries are also strongly characterized by people to people relations. Though, the official diplomatic ties between the two great nations may only be seven decades old, there have been extremely enriching interactions between the Indians and Russians at various levels over the last many centuries.

Indian and Russian cultures started intermingling more closely from mid 19th century on wards. While Rabindranath Tagores poetry was translated into Russian, Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy corresponded with each other on their great world views. In the 20th century, the immortal works of Nicholas Roerich and his love for India became a part of Indias rich cultural legacy. Russian writers like Dostoevsky, Pushkin and Chekov still continue to have a deep impact on Indian thought and drama.

The history of ideas is dotted with landmarks of correspondence between great minds. The interaction between Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy is one such fascinating example. Gandhi and Tolstoy admired each others philosophy of life and their minds met on common intellectual ground. Their message is as relevant today as it was in their lifetime. The world is still plagued with hunger, social injustice and political and economic oppression.

Both Gandhi and Tolstoy were committed to advocating human brotherhood and unity of all creations. And it is such deeply emotional friendships- rooted in strong civilizational commonalities that form the foundation of the bond that we the people of India and Russia have been enjoying for years, decades and centuries.

Post Indias Independence, Russia was a key contributor to Indias emergence as a significant industrial & scientific power. It has been Indias steadfast and unvarying friend and has helped us propel our country into the modern age and this has allowed us to take our rightful place in the comity of nations.

In the current times too, relations with Russia are a key pillar of Indias foreign policy. Russia has been a longstanding time-tested partner of India. Since the signing of Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership during President Vladimir Putins visit in October 2000, India- Russia ties have acquired a qualitatively new character with enhanced levels of cooperation in almost all areas of the bilateral relationship including political, security, trade and economy, defense, science and technology and culture. Under the Strategic Partnership, several institutionalized dialogue mechanisms operate at both political and official levels to ensure regular interaction and follow up on cooperation activities. In 2010, the Strategic Partnership was elevated to the level of a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

One of the strongest pillars of India- Russia strategic partnership- Military Technical Cooperation is the route for acquiring cutting- edge military technologies and platforms for our armed forces. Now this cooperation has evolved from a simple buyer  seller framework to one involving joint research, development and production of advanced defense technologies and systems. We also hold exchanges and training exercises between our armed forces annually. Soon India will have a first-ever tri- service exercise with Russia which will include assets and manpower from Army, Navy and IAF- all the three services together.

In 2007, India and Russia signed a framework agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, including satellite launches, GLONASS navigation, remote sensing and other societal applications of outer space. The cooperation in the field of outer space is not new. The year 2015 marked the 40th anniversary of the launch, on a Russian (then USSR) launch vehicle Soyuz, of Indias first satellite Aryabhata which was built by ISRO.

In December 2014, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Russias Rosatom signed the Strategic Vision for strengthening cooperation in peaceful uses of atomic energy between India and Russia. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is being built in India with Russian co- operation. Units 1 and 2 of KKNPP have already become operational.

Both the countries are also working together in the field of hydrocarbons-which holds great potential for cooperation. In the second and third quarter of 2016, Indian companies invested close to US$ 5.5 billion in Russias Oil and Gas sector. The Rosneft led Russian Consortium is also expected to invest close to US $ 13 billion to solidify the Russia-India partnership in this sector. Both the sides are working towards realization of an Energy Bridge between the two countries, which is based on robust civil nuclear cooperation, LNG sourcing, partnership in the Oil and Gas sector, and engagement in renewable energy sources.

The Inter- Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) is the apex Government to Government forum to review bilateral economic cooperation. To make the economic partnership as strong a pillar as other pillars of the strategic partnership between India and Russia, is a key priority for the two governments. The two nations have set a target of US $ 30 billion bilateral trade by 2025.

India will be the guest country at the 21st St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (1st to 3rd June 2017). Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi, who has been invited to be the Guest of Honor at SPIEF 17, had recently said, India and Russia are celebrating and building on the achievements of our past. We are working to model a partnership that befits our common ambition and meets our shared goals for the 21st century.

The future trajectory of India Russia ties is well defined and planned and will surely bring benefits for the great people of both the nations. As one would say it in Russian- Indiya I Rossiya ruka-v-ruke v svetloye budushoe  India and Russia, hand-in-hand into a bright future.

*****

*Author is a senior journalist and film-maker. He writes on a variety of subjects.

Views expressed in the article are authors personal.

Source- PIB
Measures to allow such shops in El Segundo, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach are all on their way to failing, based on semi-official election results
Veterans, civilians, and politicians from the Longview area gathered as the City of Longview unveiled two granite monuments honoring Longview citizens who gave their lives in the military.

The event drew a large crowd of all ages. Speakers at the ceremony included Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, Longview Mayor Don Jensen, Police Chaplain Steve White, Longview City Manager David Campbell, retired Navy Commander Jim Stonier, and Longview resident Bill Kasch, who, according to Jensen, helped convince the city to build the monuments.

Theres one gentleman, Bill Kasch, who really made this all happen, the mayor said during the program. He would come into my office unannounced, and Id say, You need to make an appointment, Bill, Ive got things backed up. He would say, Itll just take me a minute, and half an hour later, Id be dragging the city to give more money for these monuments.

Cowlitz County Sherriff Mark Nelson sang God Bless America and America the Beautiful to bookend the event.

Although Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell werent present, they sent personal representatives David Hodges and Dena Horton, respectively, to speak on their behalf.

In her speech, Herrera Beutler reminded the audience of what the purpose of Memorial Day was.

Today is a time of remembrance, and its a privilege to get to honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom, the congresswoman said during the program. This memorial does just that: It keeps the names and the memories alive of our local heroes who gave their lives in the line of duty. From World War II on, so many individuals whove left this peaceful town to fight against tyranny, oppression and other threats around the world that put our way of life in jeopardy.

Before the ceremony began, Jerry Collison, a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association, played various songs on the bagpipes, including Amazing Grace. He said he has relatives dating back to the Revolutionary War and the French and Indian War, and he believes events like this are good for our countrys psyche.

(This ceremony) is about our country, and our history, and all those who fought for what we are experiencing right now, Collison said before the event. Although were in a lot of turmoil in this country and disagreement, this type of ceremony and these type of people are what draws us together. I think it brings unity to the times that were in.

After the event, many came to the monuments to pay their respects to the deceased veterans. One of those people was Ada Hutson, who knew Afghanistan War veteran Mikayla Bragg. Bragg, who died in 2011, is the only name on the monument who served after Vietnam. Hutson, who worked on Braggs case at Fort Lewis with Casualty and Mortuary Affairs, said she was proud of Longview citizens for supporting this monument.

Its very simply just a recognition that our community is given more that whats asked of it by continuing to support the families and veterans that we have in our community, Hutson said.

During the ceremony, while the Highlands Boy Scout Troop unveiled the monuments, members of the Marine Honor Guard Mount St. Helens Detachment 889 fired three shots in salute. Audience member and Vietnam veteran Dennis Williams collapsed during the gunshots.

His wife, Vickie, said Dennis has severe post-traumatic stress that manifests itself in conversion disorder (psychological stress expressing itself physically). This situation happens frequently, according to Vickie.

During his prayer, Chaplain White honored the deceased veterans and asked for an end to all conflicts.

May the names etched on this monument stand as a legacy, not for how people died, but rather, God, how they lived: willing to sacrifice it all in service to God and country, White said. Our prayer is that no more names are added to this monument, and that true peace would come to our world.
tech2 News Staff

If you though gaming is meant for desktop PCs or consoles, think again. Recent updates from Nvidia and Intel have brought desktop-grade performance to these portable devices. Nvidia's latest announcement at Computex 2017 further reinforces this trend.

The graphics card maker has announced Max-Q, which is a new design approach from the GPU maker that will help in making gaming laptops thinner, quieter, and faster. The announcement was made by CEO Jen-Hsun Huangat at the ongoing Computex annual trade show in Taiwan.

Max-Q is a completely new approach to designing gaming laptops. Nvidia is working with OEMs and system builders to make high-end gaming laptops thinner, faster and quieter. The whole design is precision-engineered, which includes the whole laptop, the graphics processing unit, the drivers, the thermal and electrical components, etc., so that peak efficiency is achieved.

Nvidia compares the Max-Q concept to NASAs mission to launch man into space. Max-Q is actually defined as the point at which the aerodynamic stress on a rocket in atmospheric flight is maximized. The design of the rocket is precision-engineered around Max-Q. Nvidia claims to be applying the same philosophy, but to design gaming laptops. This will allow OEMs to make laptops that are three times thinner with up to three times more performance of previous generation products, says Nvidia.

Thanks to Max-Q technology, high-performance gaming laptops would be as thin as a MacBook Air with up to 70 percent more gaming performance than what is currently available.

The first phase of laptops designed with Max-Q will feature GTX 10-series GPUs manufactured on the FinFET 16-nanometer process and will use GDDR5X and GDDR5 memory. The drivers will also be fine-tuned to deliver optimal system efficiency paired with a great gaming experience. Max-Q designed laptops will support the entire GeForce gaming platform, which includes Game Ready drivers, Nvidia G-Sync display technology, VR, 4K gaming and so on.

Max-Q based gaming laptops equipped with GeForce GTX 1080, 1070 and 1060 GPUs will be available starting 27 June from leading laptop OEMs and system builders.
IANS

In a first, police in Alwar district of Rajasthan have commissioned a pilot programme with Gurugram-based artificial Intelligence (AI) research startup Staqu where an app is assisting the personnel expedite criminal identity registration, tracking and missing persons' search. Called ABHED (artificial-intelligence based human efface detection), the app will enable police to opt for criminal registration, including biometric information, via mobile phones.

"Not only the ABHED app will assist the patrolling forces, it will also make the entire process seamless and digital," Rahul Prakash, Superintendent of Police, Alwar Police, Rajasthan, said in a statement. Optimised for 2G or 3G networks, ABHED is equipped to handle thousands of queries per seconds and supports unlimited search and criminal profiles' indexing.

"Our officers are really excited to have such a tool at their disposal. With its ease of searching, our investigation process will become extremely effective," added Paras Jain, Additional SP, Alwar Police. Every police personnel will have their own login password to use the app for both registration and search. The access with OTP-based logins can be controlled at different levels with mobile phones.

With a simplified user-interface, police personnel can automatically profile criminals or missing people, including biometric information like fingerprints, voice and face pictures and can be integrated with the current Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS).

ABHED provides matching details from the criminal database within seconds, offering better accuracy than any other criminal recognition system, the company claimed. Criminal search can be performed through FIR, available face images or fingerprints. The app is available in both Hindi and English and can be extended to other languages as well.

"With the launch of ABHED, we are utilising our AI prowess, especially in machine learning, for enabling police forces to digitalise and automate profiling and search for criminals and missing people," said Atul Rai, CEO and Co-Founder of Staqu.
hidden

German carmaker BMW said a shortage of steering gears supplied by Robert Bosch slowed production of several of its compact and mid-sized models and caused stoppages at its plants in South Africa and China.

"Our supplier Bosch is not currently able to provide us with a sufficient number of steering gears for the BMW 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series and 4 Series," BMW said in a statement on Monday.

BMW plants in Tiexi, China and Rosslyn, South Africa have extended or pulled forward planned interruptions to production, the carmaker said.

"We are taking advantage of the flexibility of our processes to minimize economic damage. We expect that Bosch, as the responsible supplier, will compensate for damages," BMW said.

Bosch meanwhile blamed the problem on a sub-supplier in Italy, which it did not name.

"One main component of the steering system is the housing; which Bosch procures from a sub-supplier in Italy. We are currently experiencing delivery problems with this supplier," it said in an e-mailed statement.

It said Bosch, BMW and the sub-supplier were doing all they could to resolve the delivery bottlenecks.

Reuters
tech2 News Staff

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced that the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is now supported by fifty banks across the country. Thane Bharat Sahakari Bank, Apna Sahakari Bank, Janata Sahakari Bank, The Mehsana Urban Co. Op. Bank and Vasai Vikas Sahakari Bank have all started offering UPI based transactions recently. The Saraswat Bank

and Equitas Small Finance Bank have both indicated their willingness to join the platform. At the end of April 2017, the total volume of transactions was 7 million, up from 6.2 million in March.

Mr. Dilip Asbe, Chief Operating Officer, NPCI said, "The UPI ecosystem now covers all Public Sector Banks and major private banks. Now we are in the process of extending the service for co-operative bank customers. UPIs growing merchant base is also helping its users to make digital transactions seamlessly."

There were more details revealed about upcoming feature updates to the BHIM application launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2016. The update will include more languages, facility to split bills, and integration of Bharat QR code for making payments. The NPCI also re-iterated that the BHIM app referral scheme is gaining momentum. According to the scheme, Rs 395 crores is being given to both referrer and referee users of the BHIM app, between 14 April, 2017 and 14 October, 2017.
IANS

Forty-one out of Pakistans 64 banned outfits are present on Facebook in the form of groups and individual user profiles and were operating openly via the social media giant, a media report said on Monday. According to an investigation carried out by Dawn news last month, the outfits' network, both interconnected and public, is a mix of Sunni and Shia sectarian groups, global terror organisations operating in Pakistan, and separatists in Balochistan and Sindh provinces.

The names of all banned outfits - including acronyms and small variations in spelling - were searched on Facebook to find pages, groups, and user profiles that publicly "liked" a banned outfit. The biggest outfits on the social network, in order of size, are Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) with 200 pages and groups, Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) with 160, Sipah-i-Sahaba (SSP) with 148, Balochistan Students Organisation-Azad (BSO-A) with 54 and Sipah-e-Muhammad with 45, according to the Dawn news investigation.

Other banned outfits which exist on Facebook at a smaller scale include Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat, Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi, Jamat-ul-Ahrar, 313 Brigade, multiple Shia outfits and a host of Baloch separatist organisations.

"An examination of some user profiles linked to these banned outfits indicates open support of sectarian and extremist ideology," Dawn news said in its probe report. A few of these profiles have also publicly "liked" pages and groups related to weapons use and training. While some of the Facebook pages and groups claim to be "official" representatives of the outfits, others appear to be managed by members and supporters in ideological agreement.

"In general, the Facebook updates were in Urdu or Roman Urdu rather than English, suggesting the content was primarily for local consumption. A very small number were in Sindhi or Balochi, also indicating a niche target audience," the report added.
IANS

Global data storage company Western Digital on Monday unveiled new client solid state drives (SSDs) built with 64-layer 3D NAND (a type of flash memory) technology that offers lower power consumption.

"WD Blue 3D NAND SATA" SSDs will be available in 250GB, 500GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities. "Delivering 64-layer 3D NAND-based SSDs into the PC segment marks a critical step in our ongoing conversion to this new technology and offers long-term benefits for our customers," said Mike Cordano, President and Chief Operating Officer, Western Digital, in a statement.

The company also announced "SanDisk Ultra 3D" SSD intended for gaming and creative enthusiasts. It includes shock and vibration resistance to protect your drive. "SanDisk Ultra 3D" SSDs will be available in 250GB, 500GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities.

Both products come with a three-year limited warranty and will be available globally later this year. This comes after Western Digital announced it may join a consortium of Japanese government money and KKR & Co LP to bid for Toshiba Corps chip unit, backing away from an earlier demand for an immediate majority stake.

The consortium is expected to be the favoured bidder for the worlds second biggest producer of NAND memory chips, as the presence of state-backed fund, Innovation Network Corp of Japan (INCJ), and the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) will be taken as the governments stamp of approval.
The National Spelling Beethe one on ESPN every yearis this week, and in its honor, Google Trends posted the most misspelled words in each state by finding out which word is preceded most by how to spell.

Most of the words are fairly predictable.

America's most misspelled words  it's #spellingbee week and we mapped top "how to spell" searches by state#dataviz pic.twitter.com/oHkRHj8Eku  GoogleTrends (@GoogleTrends) May 30, 2017

Beautiful is tough. I learned this week after my dog got diarrhea that, like New Hampshire, I do not know how to spell diarrhea. I am from Iowa and have never spelled vacuum correctly.

But then theres Wisconsin, which doesnt know how to spell  Wisconsin.

As an Iowan who has to constantly convince people that Wisconsin sucks, this makes me quite happy. And I dont know how this is possible, since Wisconsin is a very easy state to spell. Its spelled exactly like it sounds. Theres really no ambiguity.

The only possible answer is T-Pain.

T-Pain's impact cannot be ignored now after he gave an entire state an identity crisis after rhyming Mansion with Wiscansin https://t.co/7S5qZLLxo0  keith xcx (@rarekeith) May 30, 2017

This isnt Wisconsins first spelling mistake. One Badgers fan tried to troll NC State with a billboard in Raleigh by thanking Russell Wilson (Wilson started at NC State, then transferred to Wisconsin) but spelled Wilsons name wrong.

On Capital Blvd in Raleigh. Unbelievable! I hate Badgers!! pic.twitter.com/rmOJjVxXm2  Daniel Parks (@DanBParksJr) January 29, 2014

Anyways, lets all laugh at Wisconsin. I can attest from past experience that its a lot of fun and helps you forget about your states own failing.

Speaking of, there are a lot of us who should be embarrassed:

Rhode Island doesnt know how to spell liar, which seems like it should be easy to spell. (Rhode Islander and Comeback Medias Ken Fang notes that its hard to spell when you pronounce it ly-ah.)

South Dakota cant spell college, which also seems pretty surprising.

New Mexico needs to listen to more Gwen Stefani.

Hawaii cant spell people, but to be fair, they can probably spell brah just fine as a substitute.

Connecticut and West Virginia are apparently very interested in learning how to spell a fictional word created by Mary Poppins.

Bostonians cant spell license because presumably none of them have them with their (lack 0f) driving skills.

Moral of the story: We all suck at spelling. Even Google.
Raozan-Hathazari connection bridge at Barighona soon

Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Railway ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury MP said society will be freed from poverty if the affluent section extends their support to distress and poor.

He disclosed it while addressing the pre-Ramadan and Iftar commodities distribution programs at urkirchar union recently as Chief Guest. Urkirchar UP Chairman Abdul Jabbar Sohel presided over the programme.

Abdul Mannan Foundation of Urkirchar distributed iftari items to about one thousand people in the function. Joint Secretary of North district AL Alhaj Abul Kalam Azad, Vice chairman of Raozan UZ Alhaj Noor Mohammad addressed it as special guests.

The Chief Guest in his deliverations depicted the development picture of the upazila and termed this upazila as a Green Peace Model Upazlia which is role model across the country.

He disclosed that Arabic University is being established in this union and a bridge connecting the Raozan and Hathazari over Halda at Aburkhil and Barighona point to ease the communications of these two upazilas.

UNFPA donates ambulance for Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Sunday provided an ambulance for Rohingya refugees living in Kutupalong refugee camp of Cox's Bazar, said a press release.

The ambulance was handed over to Research, Training and Management (RTM) International -- a non-government organisation. In the camp, UNHCR Country Representative Shinji Kubo, UNFPA Chief of Health Dr Sathyanarayanan Doraiswamy and President of RTMI Dr Ahmed-Al Kabir, among others, celebrated the joint effort of UNHCR and UNFPA.
4 villages inundated, 2500 people marooned

Ahsanul Amin George, Khulna :

The sudden embankment collapse on Saturday afternoon on the river Kapotakkha at Ghatakhali embankment in Koyra Upazila under the district affected at least four villages. Around 2500 people have marooned due to the flash flood and dyke collapsing.

It is learnt that at dilapidated point of 13-14/2 polder's embankment adjacent to the river Kapotakkha, near at the house of Sohrab Sheikh has collapsed suddenly, causing immense suffering to the people of four villages. The villages are-Ghatakhali, Gobra Purbo Chak, Horinkhola and No 2 Koyra in Koyra Upazila of Khulna district.

Over 900 acres of paddy field and around 700 shrimp enclosures washed away, said local public representatives.

Several families have taken shelter in other villages as their houses went under water. Being informed, Koyra Upazila Chairman AKM Tamizuddin and Koyra Sadar UP Chairman SM Shafiqul Islam visited the spot and tried to resist water by giving alternative ring embankment taking the local people with them.

UP Chairman Shafiqul Islam expressed his anger and said, on May 4, 2017, Water Development Board (WDB) authorities completed tender and after the tender, in spite of fact that it is requested to the WDB for sending contractor, but they did not pay any heed to it and this is why WDB is responsible for collapsing of the embankment and irreparable loss of the people of four villages. If the repair work is not done within a short span of time, the flood water is likely to reach Koyra upazila, UP chairman thinks. At least three villages under the same upazila have been flooded, said Nurul Islam. The three villages are Horihorpur, Patirgheri and Paddopukur.

The homeless Alimuddin Gazi, Motiar Gazi, Kolimuddin, Golejan Begum and Beauty Begum have taken shelter over Wapda embankment.

Shaid Gazi, Akkas Ali, Khadiza Begum and Shilpi Rani of 2 no. Koyra village said, "suddenly the embankment collapsed and most of our croplands, fish enclosures, cattle and poultry and other valuables washed away, we are living inhuman lives without getting food and other necessaries."

Local UP Member Alhaj Abdul Gaffar Dhali said, Due to embankment collapse ,crops, vegetables and fishes four villages of Koyra upazila were inundated.. People of four villages became affected badly due to the sudden embankment collapse, he added.

Sadik Kabir Hirok, a student of Khulna govt. B.L. College and also the resident of village Ghatakhali said, I went to my own village and I was there during the embankment collapse which caused us immense sufferings.

Torab Ali Sana, Ahad Ali, Mokim Gazi, Rostom Dhali and Shahadat Dhali said, four villages were inundated due to sudden collapse of the embankment and at least 2500 people of the four villages have marooned."



Shefali Das, Julekha Begum, Aporna Mondol and Ayesha Begum of villages Gobra and Horinkhola said, "We are now in haphazard condition due to sudden embankment collapse, our crop lands, ghers (fish-enclosures), ponds, houses were flooded."



Faruk Ahmed, WDB said, "We have heard the news of embankment collapse, but due to fund crisis renovation work would not be possible."



Md. Bodiuzzaman, UNO, Koyra upazila said, embankment collapse is a common matter during this period, due to inclement weather in the Bay, flash flood caused the embankment collapse.




French President flexes diplomatic muscles in Putin meeting

France\'s Emmanuel Macron with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Versailles.

AP, Versailles :

Flexing his diplomatic muscles, French President Emmanuel Macron said he had "extremely frank" and "direct" talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday and launched an extraordinary attack on two state-funded Russian media outlets he accused of spreading "lying propaganda" during France's presidential campaign.

Macron's full-on blast at the state news agency Sputnik and broadcaster Russia Today came at a news conference with Putin standing at his side. His comments underscored the clear differences between the two men on multiple issues and fulfilled the French president's campaign promises to pull no punches with Russia when needed.

But after more than two hours of meetings - their first since Macron's May 7 election and longer than scheduled - both leaders also signaled a shared desire not to let disagreements define their fledgling relationship. The fight against terrorism, in particular, appeared to offer common ground.

Putin said Macron proposed a framework for French and Russian anti-terror experts to meet and work together. And both leaders agreed they don't want Syria - where Russia is propping up the government of President Bashar Assad - to collapse into a failed state. Progress in Syria "will happen by a joint effort, which today we laid the foundations for," Macron said. Speaking through a translator, Putin said the two countries were "totally capable of trying to progress together" on world affairs. "What unites us allows us to hope that the possibility exists to improve our ties," he added later.

But there was no disguising the rifts.

Macron said he spoke to Putin about LGBT rights in the Russian republic of Chechnya and about the rights of embattled non-governmental organizations in Russia, vowing to be "vigilant" on these issues. Earlier Monday, human rights activists protesting near the Eiffel Tower displayed a banner that said, "Stop homophobia in Chechnya." Any use of chemical weapons in Syria is a "red line" for France and would be met by "reprisals" and an "immediate riposte" from the government, Macron said.

He did not specify the form of such reprisals, but France flies warplanes over Syria and Iraq, striking Islamic State targets as part of an international coalition.

On Sputnik and Russia Today, Macron showed little restraint, saying the two organizations spread "untruths about me and my campaign" during the French election. "I will not give an inch on this," he said. "Russia Today and Sputnik ... behaved as organs of influence, of propaganda, of lying propaganda."

Putin, seemingly unfazed, pushed back any suggestion that Russia sought to influence the election. Russian meddling became a concern in France after allegations that Russia sought to interfere in the U.S. presidential contest that elected Donald Trump and after a document leak hit Macron's campaign in the final hours of the French race.



Putin also hosted Macron's far-right rival, Marine Le Pen, at the Kremlin in March. On Monday, he defended that gesture as simple good manners, saying it would have been strange to rebuff Le Pen's Russia-friendly overtures.



"That doesn't mean that we tried to influence the results of the election. Besides, that is almost impossible," he said.



Macron was the first Western leader to speak to Putin after the Group of Seven summit the French leader attended over the weekend, where relations with Russia were a key topic. These first forays into world diplomacy by the French president who has never before held elected office have shown the 39-year-old to be a quick learner and self-confident, willing to take the calculated risk of voicing firm views on thorny issues.




Murray looks for French Open tonic

AFP, Paris :

Andy Murray targets a French Open tonic in the broiling heat of Roland Garros on Tuesday as the 2016 runner-up seeks to get his season back on track.

World number one Murray, who was the first British man to reach the Paris final since 1937 when he lost to Novak Djokovic 12 months ago, faces Andrey Kuznetsov, the world number 85, in his opening round.

The 30-year-old has endured a trying 2017 with bouts of illness as well as an elbow injury conspiring against him and his form.

He suffered a shock fourth round defeat to Mischa Zverev at the Australian Open.

On clay, he lost in the third round in Monte Carlo, made the semis in Barcelona, was a third-round loser in Madrid before an opening defeat in Rome to Fabio Fognini.

Then he fell sick again when he arrived in Paris.

"It's frustrating -- it's the third time I have been ill this year," said the Scot.

However, he said he was surprised that he hadn't been laid low by sickness on many more occasions over his career.

"To be honest, it should happen more really. We are in the locker rooms with lots of players, lots of sweat, lots of germs, you know, in airplanes all the time."

Kuznetsov, who was once as high as 39 in the world, has lost both his career meetings against Murray and has never got beyond the third round of a Grand Slam.

Two years ago, he was defeated by Rafael Nadal in the last 32.

Swiss third seed Stan Wawrinka, the 2015 winner and reigning US Open champion, starts against Jozef Kovalik.

The Slovakian qualifier, ranked 152, has made the main draw for the first time.
Quit tobacco for sustainable development

M. A. Jabbar :

Bangladesh, as a member-country of the WHO will observe World No Tobacco Day on 31 May like all the previous years. WHO member-states will observe the day to draw attention of policy-makers, health personnel, NGOs, civil society and in fact, every individual and take action from their respective places to tackle the threats of tobacco and achieving health and socio-economic targets of their respective countries.

Every year a theme is selected by WHO for the day. The theme of the World No Tobacco Day for 2017 is Tobacco - A threat to Development. The theme highlights that tobacco industry is an obstacle towards the substantial development of all countries, including health and economic well-being of the people of the countries.

Facts about tobacco: WHO facts reveals that tobacco use is responsible for 6 million death every year globally which is predicted to grow 8 million by 2030. Tobacco is responsible for loss of national economies enormously through increased health-care costs and decreased productivity. It also worsens health inequalities and creates poverty as the poor people spend less on essentials like food, education and health care. It is found that some 80 percent premature deaths from tobacco use occur in low or middle income countries. Beside this, tobacco growing requires large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers which can be toxic and pollute water supplies. As per WHO data tobacco growing each year require 4.3 million hectares of land, as a result of which global deforestation occurs between 2% to 4%. It is estimated that tobacco manufacturing produces over 2 million tonnes of solid waste.

Not only the smokers, but also tobacco causes harms to non-smokers: A non-smoker cannot be safe so long, there are smokers around. Non-smokers are vulnerable to the deadly habit of the smokers' smoking, which is called second-hand smoke without any fault of the non-smokers. They happen to inhale the air polluted by tobacco smokers and they run the same risk as the smokers. WHO facts reveal that there are more than 4000 chemicals in tobacco smoke of which at least 250 are know to be hrmful and more than 50 are known to cause cancer. In adults, second-hand smoke causes serious cardiovascular and respiratory disease, including coronary heart disease and lung cancer. In infants, it causes sudden death and in pregnant women, it causes low birth weight. Almost half of children regularly breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke in public places. Over 40 percent of children have at least one smoking parent.Tobacco users who die prematurely deprive their families of income, raise the cost of health care, and hinder economic development.

According to WHO in addition to saving lives and reducing health inequalities, comprehensive tobacco control is a tool to deter tobacco growing, manufacturing, trade and development and thus tobacco control can break the cycle of poverty, contribute to ending hunger, promote sustainbale agriculture and economic growth and combat climate change. As such, WHO is calling on all the member states to inclue tobacco control in their national response to 2030 Agenda.

According to WHO tobacco control helps achieve health and development of the citizens of the countries in a way of protecting their citizens from the harms of tobacco use and reducing its economic losses on national economies. According to WHO the aim of the Sustainable Development Agenda and its seventeen goals is to ensure that no one is left behind. As per WHO data tobacco control has been enshrined in the Substantial Agenda which is seen as one of the most effective means of achieving SDG target 3.4 of one-third reduction globally by 2030 of premature deaths from non communicable diseases(NCDs) including cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic obstructed pulmonary diseases. As such WHO is calling its member-states to prioritize and accelerate tobacco control efforts as a signatory of of the 2030 Agenda for Substantial Development.

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) which is an international treaty with 180 parties (179 countries and the European Union) acts as guide towards global fights against the tobacco epidemic. Today more than half of the world countries representing about 40% of the world population (2.8 billion) have implemented WHO FCTC's policies and strategies in the tobacco control programme. Member-countries are using tax approach as per FCTC guidelines as high taxes contribute to revenue generation for governments and reduce demand for tobacco. It is estimate that through increasing cigarette taxes worldwide by US$1, an extra US$190 billion could be raised for development.

As per Article 11 and 13 of WHO FCTC, Plain packaging is a key method to reduce the attractiveness of tobacco products, restricts use of tobacco packaging as a form of tobacco advertising and promotion, limits misleading packaging and labelling by the tobacco companies and increases the effectiveness of health warnings.

According to Article 11 of the FCTC, the use of Graphic Health Warning (GHW) on tobacco packs is obligatory by the WHO member countries.

The use GHW on tobacco packs remind the tobacco users every time about the harmful effects of tobacco when they use it and help them to refrain from this deadly habit. Example shows that the GHW has played significant role in reducing tobacco use in many countries of the globe. This was introduced first in Canada in 2001 and so far, over 77 countries have introduced GHW on tobacco packets. Data reveals that 90% GHW is used in Nepal, being the largest space, India 85%, Thailand has alloted 85%, Sri Lanka uses 80% and in Indonesia 40% of all forms tobacco packs contains graphical health warnings.

In Bangladesh, 43% of adults use some form of tobacco. Smokeless tobacco is used by 28% of women and 26% of men, whereas 45% of men and 1.5% of women smoke cigarettes. Nearly one lac people die every year from tobacco related diseases and 3,82,000 people were suffering from diseases and disabilities due to use of tobacco. Economic losses of tobacco is also alarming, as data reveals that every year 1 percent of GDP is spent for cigarette and 0.4 percent of the same is spent on purchase of bidi. It is estimated that the country produces 8000 crore-stick cigarette and 5000 crore-stick bidi every year and cultivable land for crop production is diminising due to tobacco production and for longer period of tobacco cultivation, land fertility is at stake.

The situation becomes aggravated when tobacco cultivation on the both side of bank of rivers and thereby mixing of tobacco chemicals with water during rainy season causes water pollution and seriously effect the water resources. Tobacco preparing cost is also alarming as for burning one ton of tobacco leaf, it is estimated that 5 ton of energy wood is burnt which is certainly a great loss to the economy.

Bangladesh anti-tobacco law 2005 more is more effective with its amendment in the year 2013 which is a milestone in the history of tobacco control programme in the country. Section 10 of the amended law directed the tobacco companies for printing the graphical health warnings on top of both sides of tobacco packets, cover, and box covering at least 50 percent of the total area of each. It also says that if the section of the law is violated, the punishment contains rigorous imprisonment less than six months or monetary fine less than taka two lac.

Multiple approaches are essential to eradicate tobacco. There should be extensive application of taxation on all forms of tobacco alongwith graphic health warnings. Tobacco taxes are the most effective way to reduce its use, especially among young and poor people. WHO facts reveal that a tax increase that increases tobacco prices by 10 percent helps decreases tobacco consumption by about 4 percent in high-income countries and by upto 8 percent in low-and middle-income countries. Therefore, taxation on tobacco should be encouraged and applied extensively on all forms of tobacco and tobacco products.

It is worth to mention that tax structure on cigarettes in Bangladesh is based on 4 stages, the lowest being 40% and the highest 60%. The supplementary duty/tax on bidis ranges between 20% and 25% depending on whether it has filter or not. There should be a tax increase upto 200 percent on low-grade cigarettes and bidis, which will help increase government revenue and decrease demand particularly among the poor people. iii. Adequate steps should be taken to stop tobacco cultivation and supply chain be stopped. This should be materialized with priority basis and by providing loan to farmers on easy terms. iv. Smoking be prohibitted at all workplaces, factories, and industries and support center for the non-smokers including smokers who desire to quit smoking may be established in factores and industries.

Study among the tobacco users indicates that most of them are aware of the dangers of tobacco and want to quit the deadly habit. As nicotine exists in tobacco, it becomes difficult on the part of the smokers to quit. In this regard counselling, cooperation from the near and dear ones, medication and various awareness measures can help a smoker to quit the habit.

National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) under the Ministry of Health and Family Planning is playing important role in the tobacco control programme. We have the support and strength of the head of the government. This has been reflected when the hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said at the South Asian Speakers' Summit that tobacco use would be eradicated by 2040, which refers that tobacco use will be brought below 5 percent and ultimately could be eliminated totally from the country.

The World No Tobacco Day theme this year has created opportunites for achieving sustainable development goals for all. Alongwith government's efforts, everybody on an individual level can contribute to make tobacco-free world for sustainable development.



(M.A.Jabbar is executive secretary of ADHUNIK, national anti-tobacco organization of Bangladesh.)
Prices of most food items on the rise

Anisul Islam Noor :

The prices of most food stuffs began to rise with the beginning of the holy month of Ramazan.

Though some steps were taken to keep the price within the purchasing capacity of the consumers, it has not been effective, as the traders did not follow the price list of the commodities issued by the two city corporations.

It was seen visiting different kitchen markets at Shantinagor, Hatirpool, Malibag, Jurain Bazar, New Market, Mohammadpur and West Kazipara on Tuesday, that rice, pulses, chickpea, meat and fish in particular were being sold at a higher price compared with what it was a week ago.

At South Goran under Khilgaon PS, the Nazirsail brand of rice was selling at Tk 55 per kilo, whereas is price was 48 a month ago.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) fixed Tk 82-84 per kilogram (kg) for chickpea, but at Hatirpool market it was sold at Tk 90-92. Imported garlic was sold at Tk 300-350 a kg instead of the fixed price of Tk 275-286 per kg.

Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) expanded the Open Market Sale (OMS) programme in the middle of May, and the government assured of adequate supply of essential commodities during Ramazan, but there has been little effective.

TCB expanded the OMS programme to sell food items from 187 mobile trucks, 35 of them in the capital. As many as 2,811 dealers have been assigned to continue OMS operations across the country. Beef, home and foreign qualities, were selling for Tk 500 and Tk 480 a kg, up from the officially announced prices of Tk 475 and Tk 440. According to the Market-Monitoring Findings of the TCB, the price of edible oil went up by Tk two a litre from what it was last week and a month ago while the price of sugar rose by Tk 6-10 per kilo.

The price of almost all kinds of fish has increased by Tk 50 to 100 a kg on average, and the price of eggplant rose to Tk 60-100 a kg, up from Tk 40-50 last week. Price of green chilly is Tk 40 to 50 per kg, remaining unchanged from last week. Four pieces of lemons were selling at Tk 15-20. A customer in the capital's Hatirpool market Sharifa Begum said traders were not following the price list issued by the DSCC. She had bought a rohit fish at Tk 270 per kg around four days ago, but he had to buy the same fish at Tk 350 per kg yesterday from the same market.

Another consumer Belayet Ali said, "The lower income group of people will suffer most."

At Mirpur's West Kazipara Masjid Market, one Sujon Mia bought 4.5 kg of beef for Tk 2,250 (Tk 500 per kg). On returning home he found that the meat was weighed less. He went back to the shop and got locked in an altercation with the shopkeeper.

Abdur Rashid, a meat trader of the Jurain market, said traders had to purchase cattle at higher prices, for which they could not sell as per the DSCC fixed prices. Almost three quarters of the butchers have stopped trading meat, he said.

When asked why the prices of essentials increased, Mohammad Jalal, a shopkeeper in Hatirpool market, said, "Prices always go up with the beginning of Ramazan."

Two Dhaka mayors had assured city residents of strict monitoring of the kitchen markets and a price list to be followed by traders.

A nine-member team visited 15 kitchen markets under the Dhaka North City Corporation to ensure safe food and fair prices, said DNCC Public Relations Officer Monzur-E-Mowla.


Delhi ban on cattle trade for slaughter suspended by Madras HC

NDTV, New Delhi :

The Madras High Court has put on hold the Centre's restrictions on sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter for four weeks and has asked it to respond within that time on why its order should not be scrapped. It has also sought a reply from the Tamil Nadu government.

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court was hearing a petition today that says that the Centre's new order violates the basic right of a person to choose what he eats. The petition also says that the ban on sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets impinges upon people's right to practice their profession or trade.

The environment ministry said last week that animal markets will only be able to trade in cattle meant for agricultural purposes. It said cattle for slaughter will have to be bought from farmers directly, defining cattle as bulls, cows, buffalo, steers, heifers, calves and camels.

The order is a huge setback to the meat industry and meat traders have said they plan to petition the Supreme Court to get it withdrawn. There have been protests in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states like Kerala and Karnataka against the Centre's order. MK Stalin, who leads Tamil Nadu's main opposition party the DMK, has announced a massive protest in Chennai on Wednesday. Mr Stalin said the Centre has "snatched away" the fundamental right to choice of food given by the Constitution and also criticised the state's ruling AIADMK for not "speaking up" on the issue.

About 80 students at the Indian Institute of Technology or IIT Madras protested by holding "beef fest"; hundreds of such fests have also been held in Kerala.

Chief Ministers like Bengal's Mamata Banerjee and Kerala's Pinarayi Vijayan have called the Centre's order an attack on state powers.

Mr Vijayan has written to all Chief Ministers to "stand together" and oppose the new rules, calling them a "drastic measure" taken bypassing "elected representatives and a public debate." He alleged that it is a "covert attempt to usurp the powers of state legislatures" in the guise of rules.

Indian states have the power to pass their own laws on cattle slaughter and beef consumption, but the new rules come under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which is applied across India.
Zia`s death anniversary observed

BNP and its associate bodies on Tuesday observed the 36th death anniversary of its founder and late president Ziaur Rahman holding various programmes.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, also the widow of Zia, together with party leaders and activists paid homage to her husband by placing a wreaths at his grave at the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar around 11am, marking the day. She also joined a munajat seeking salvation of the departed soul of her husband.

Leaders and activists of different units and associate bodies of the party also placed wreaths at Zia's grave on the occasion. Later, Khaleda distributed food and clothes among the destitute at 24 points of the city's Dhanmondi, Azimpur, Nawabpur, Nayabazar, Sutrapur, Kalabagan, Mohammadpur, Doyagonj, Jurain, Shyampur, Dholaikhal, Khilgaon, Kamalapur, Nayapaltan central office, Bijoynagar, Shahjahanpur, Motijheel and Hatirpool areas.

She is also scheduled to distribute food and clothes among the poor in the city's 16 more points today.

BNP and its associate organisations chalked out a 15-day programme to observe the death anniversary amid various programmes, including holding discussions, wearing black badges, publishing posters and supplements in newspapers and distributing food among the destitute. The anniversary celebrations began on May 27.

The party flag was hoisted at half-mast, while black flags hoisted at the party's Nayapaltan central office and all other party offices across the country at 6am.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal arranged a photo exhibition on Ziaur Rahman at the Jatiya Press Club on the occasion. Mirza Fakhrul inaugurated it in the morning.

Doctors' Association of Bangladesh (DAB) arranged a free-medical camp at BNP's central office providing people with medicine and treatment from 9am to 4pm.

BNP arranged a discussion on Monday at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh marking the day.

On this day, May 30, 1981, Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House. He founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in 1978.
Food for PM Biman caterer's asstt manager suspended

An assistant manager of Biman Flight Catering Centre (BFCC), caterers of national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines, has been suspended over the meal served to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her flight to Austria on Monday.

Managing Director of Biman Bangladesh Mosaddique Ahmed said the authorities suspended Nurul Mamin Miah, assistant manager of BFCC, for his 'negligence in relation to food served to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina'. Earlier, Biman Bangladesh authorities formed a probe body led by its deputy managing director Masud Reza to look into the matter.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Vienna, Austria on Monday morning to attend a conference of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and hold a bilateral meeting with the Federal Chancellor of Austria Christian Kern.




iStock/Thinkstock(PORTLAND, Ore.) -- The mayor of Portland, Oregon, is asking the federal government to cancel the permit for an "alt right" rally scheduled for Sunday, saying it could make a difficult situation worse, after two men were stabbed to death as they tried to intervene when a pair of women were targeted by a man yellow what authorities have described as hate speech.



Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler also said he is trying to ensure that a permit is not issued for a June 10 protest, which is reported by ABC Portland affiliate KATU-TV to be called #MarchAgainstSharia.



The City of Portland has not issued any permits for either of the two events, which are planned for the Terry Shrunk Plaza, Wheeler said. The federal government controls permitting for the venue and has issued a permit for the June 4 demonstration, called the "Trump Free Speech Rally," Wheeler said.



"I am calling on the federal government to IMMEDIATELY REVOKE the permits(s) they have issued for the June 4th event and to not issue a permit for June 4th event and to not issue a permit for June 10th," Wheeler said. "Our City is in mourning, our community's anger is real, and the timing and subject of these events can only exacerbate an already difficult situation."



Wheeler also urged the organizers of the demonstrations to cancel the events and asked the supporters of the demonstrations to "stay away from Portland."



On Friday afternoon, two men were stabbed to death while trying to help two young women who were being targeted by hate speech.



The men were identified by police as 23-year-old Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche and 53-year-old Ricky John Best. A third victim, 21-year-old Micah David Cole-Fletcher, was treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries.



"Their heroism is now part of the legacy of this great city and I want future generations to remember what happened here, and why, so that it might serve to both eradicate hatred and inspire future generations to stand up for the right values like Rick, Taliesin, and Micah did last week," Wheeler said.



A 35-year-old North Portland resident, Jeremy Joseph Christian, was arrested in connection with the stabbings, which occurred after commuters on the train allegedly tried to calm him as he was yelling what authorities described as hate speech.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Veg exports to EU under `contract farming`

Badrul Ahsan :

The government has planned to permit export of fresh fruits and vegetables to European countries only under contract farming with a view to establishing reputation and avoiding long-term export ban from the EU, sources said.

The Commerce Ministry has recently imposed a self-ban on vegetables exports to the European Union market from where it has been receiving objections for the last few years over the quality of Bangladeshi vegetables and fruits.

"The government is now focusing on encouraging local growers to correct themselves following "Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)," a top official of the ministry told The New Nation preferring anonymity.

"We are now trying to introduce 'contract farming' for local growers who will be allowed to export to the EU market maintaining the required quality," he added.

Contract farming is an agricultural production carried out as per an agreement between a buyer and a farmer, which establishes conditions for the production and marketing of a farm product or products. Under such an agreement, the farmer agrees to provide agreed quantities of a specific agricultural product.

"The measure has been taken since many are reportedly exporting vegetables through producing fake Phytosanitary certificates. Such practices bring more harm than benefits," Commerce Secretary (in-charge) Subhashish Bose said.

Phytosanitary certificates are issued to indicate that the consignments of plants, plant products or other regulated articles meet specified phytosanitary import requirements, and are in conformity with the certifying statement of the appropriate model certificate.

"We want to export quality products. Nobody wants to see that the entire market door gets closed for a handful of people who are forging documents or their products with problems," the Commerce Secretary said. Contacted, he said during a meeting at the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) in the beginning of May, a committee has been formed comprising representatives from EPB, Department of Agricultural Extension, Agriculture Ministry and vegetable exporters. The committee is scheduled to write to Commerce and Agriculture Ministries recommending easing rules to remove export difficulties.

"There has been no decision yet," Bangladesh Fruits, Vegetables and Allied Products Exporters Association (BFVAPEA) General Secretary Mohammad Monsur said, adding that he does not have any idea whether the self-ban on vegetables export to the EU market will be withdrawn at all or not.

Responding to a question on contract farming, Monsur said this government initiative is not properly being implemented for lack of trainers at the Department of Agricultural Extension. "Without proper monitoring, farmers cannot grow quality products," he said.

Vegetable exporters in another letter, last month, to the Commerce Ministry mentioned that it is not justified to impose a ban on export of all types of vegetables in the name of contract farming.

They mentioned that some exporters in the country's various regions are producing vegetables with support from vegetable exporters' associations maintaining good agricultural practice and demanded the removal of ban on vegetable export. However, there has been no ban on export of the items to other countries.


Sub-standard Iftar items flood markets

Staff Reporter :

Sales of sub-standard and adulterated Iftar items markets in and outside Dhaka, defying the government efforts to save people from health risks.

Owners of makeshift Iftar shops are doing brisk business by selling the adulterated items since the beginning of Ramzan. Most of the Iftar items are being sold in unhygienic places, according to them, the fasting people alleged.

Some of these foods items are piazu (deep-fried lentil paste), beguni (deep-fried brinjal slices), potato chop (deep-fried mashed potato ball), halim (a stew-like dish made of wheat, barley, meat, lentils and spices), jilipi (sweet) and local and imported fruits. Artificial colours are randomly mixed with most of these food items, they further said.

Some traders are also using impure and adulterated soybean oil to make these fried Iftar items. After eating these colour-treated and adulterated items many people have reportedly fallen sick. Most of them are attacked with diarrhoea, dysentery and other intestinal diseases.

Physicians observed that children are the worst-hit by different toxic chemicals and textile dyes used to colour Iftar items. Mangoes, pineapples, papayas and bananas are being artificially ripened by using a carcinogenic (cancer inducing) chemical called ethylene oxide and calcium carbide. SM Mahfujur Rahman, Executive Magistrate of BSTI and Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Dhaka district, told The New Nation on Tuesday, "We fined a shop in old Dhaka Tk 50,00 as it had been using fake seal of the BSTI and prepared food items in unhygienic way." A BSTI high official seeking anonymity said around 99 per cent Iftar item are selling without approval of the government.

Unscrupulous traders always take advantage of the shortage of mobile courts, he said.

"We find sub-standard food items every time we conduct any drive in a shop or home," the official said with frustration.

Ali Akbar, an Iftar shop owner at Kamlapur, said he never seen any mobile court in the last ten years.

Shopna Khanom, a buyer, said, "I failed to prepare Iftar items because of office duty. And that is why my family fully depends on these temporary Iftar shops, though I'm is quite aware of its low quality." Dr Md Yasin Ali of a private clinic said if a person eat contaminated food, it gets rapidly digested and transmitted into the blood, causing serious health hazards. Poribesh Bachao Andolon Chairman Abu Naser Khan, also expressed dismay over such adulterated foods in city markets. A section of unscrupulous traders driven by their greed for windfall profits uses various chemicals, including formalin, in fruits and fish to keep those fresh for long, which adversely affects human health, he said.




Mora claims 7 lives

It damages 20,000 houses, uproots trees, snaps power; 4.68 lakh people evacuated from cyclone-hit areas; Pre-cautionary measures lessen casualties

Super cyclonic storm \'Mora\' crossing the St. Martin\'s Island of Cox\'s Bazar district on Tuesday morning.

Staff Reporter :

Super cyclonic storm 'Mora' battered the country's coastal districts killing at least seven people and injuring many others on Tuesday morning.



The storm made a landfall around 6am yesterday at a speed of 89 Kph that rose up to 117 Kph in gusts or squalls in Cox's Bazar district town and within 64 Kms of the cyclone centre.



It later moved towards Chittagong around 7:30am and crossed the coastal areas around 10:30am yesterday.

The coastal districts of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars came under danger Signal No 10.



Several people were injured after gusty winds damaged houses and shops and uprooted trees and electric poles. Some places were inundated by a storm surge of 4 to 5 feet above normal tide height, officials said.

They said the pre-cautionary measures and evacuation of thousands of people by the District Administration concerned have lessened the casualties and damages



Among the deceased, Rahmatullah, 50, and Sayera Khatun, 50, of East Domkhali and East Borohaula in Dulahajara upazila of Cox's Bazar, district were killed as trees fell on them during the storm in the morning, M Ali Hossain, Deputy Commissioner, Cox's Bazar district told journalists.



"Besides, a panicked woman, Mariam Begum, died of heart attack at Nuniachata cyclone centre," he said, adding that Mora also damaged 20,000 houses and uprooted many trees.



"We could not yet assess the total losses in damages caused by the cyclone," he said. Meanwhile, a 10-year-old girl, Sahina Akhter, died as a tree fell on her in Islamabad Union of Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila



In Rangamati, two women were killed in Asambasti and Bedbedi areas of Sadar upazila as tree branches fell on them in the morning, said Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Police Station Abdur Rashid.



A child died in Bhola, one of the most vulnerable districts in the south. The gusty winds and heavy rains in the coastal districts of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar, triggered by the landfall of powerful severe cyclonic storm continued for at least 12 hours though the cyclone had weakened. The storm snapped power supply, internet and telephone connections in the hill district.



Now, Kutubdia, Moheshkhali and Teknaf remained completely cut off from road communication, landline phone and power connections.



Three villages - Baroaulia, Dholghat, Purba Gahira - in Anwara and three other villages - Purba Barguna, Pashchim Barguna and Gandamara -- in Bashkhali were inundated.



In Cox's Bazar, two villages were inundated in Moheshkhali upazila and over 1,000 people evacuated and taken to cyclone centre last morning.

Meanwhile, flight operations to and from Chittagong and launch service on 42 routes across the country, which were suspended due to inclement weather caused by cyclone 'Mora', resumed on Tuesday afternoon. The authorities resumed the flight operation at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong around 2pm on Tuesday, said Airport's Manager Wing Commander Reazul Kabir.



He said two flights -- one from Kolkata and another from Bangkok -- landed at the airport at 3:30pm and 4pm respectively yesterday.



The authorities did not yet resume flight operation at Cox's Bazar airport as the weather is yet to be normal there, said a staff of flight traffic control at the airport.



Meanwhile, the operation of all the vessels on 42 waterway routes resumed around 3pm yesterday as the weather condition started improving gradually.



The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority took the decision over vessel movement after a meeting at noon, said Gulzar Hossain, joint director of Dhaka River port.



Earlier, the authorities of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar airports suspended all the flight operations from 11am on Monday and the BIWTA suspended the launch operation from 1pm on Monday as the maritime ports of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar and five coastal districts were advised to hoist great danger signal No. 10 before cyclone 'Mora' hit the coastal belt.



The Met office said that the cyclone has already started to lose strength, but strong winds and heavy rains in Cox's Bazar and Chittagong continued throughout Tuesday.



Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader told the media in Dhaka that he was informed by the Prime Minister's office that around 20,000 homes had been damaged in the storm.



Briefing the media at his office, he said a child has been reported missing during the storm.



Quader said that the government has disbursed cash assistance of Tk 18.7 million for the affected areas.



"A navy ship is on its way to the St. Martin's Island with relief supplies. The Prime Minister has instructed the army and air force to join the relief efforts," said Quader, also the General Secretary of Awami League. Around 4.68 lakh people of cyclone 'Mora' affected areas have been shifted to different shelter centers, Golam Mostafa, Additional Secretary, Disaster Management and Relief Ministry told a press conference at his secretariat office in the city yesterday.



"The detailed estimated cost of damages is yet to known, he said, adding that the local administrations have been asked to prepare the total costs of damages soon," Golam Mostafa said.



He said the government has already allocated 1,400 tonnes of rice for the cyclone-hit people and Tk 1.46 crore in cash instantly.



Meanwhile, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRC) has opened a control room to assess the extent of damages caused by cyclone 'Mora' which crossed coastal districts of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar on Tuesday. BDRC volunteers have already started their work in the affected areas. It has also kept ready the National Disaster Response Team and Unit Disaster Response Team to help the affected people, said a press release. It said the BDRC National Disaster Response Team has provided Tk 6 lakh to the affected people of Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and other coastal areas.



Besides, Tk 5,000 has been allocated to each of 2,821 families pre-registered in Noakhali and Hatia under the Forecast Based Financing project. Mobile water purification kits have also been kept ready to supply safe water to the affected areas, the release added.



Any information related to damages caused by the cyclone will be known from the control room (+ 0088-02-9355995, 01712865152, 01740945846 PABX 9330188, 9330188, 9330189, 9350399 -282).



BDRC Chairman Hafiz Ahmed Mazumdar said BDRC volunteers are working round the clock to extend support to the cyclone victims.
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COLP  The Village of Colp hosted a Salute to Armed Forces Day on Saturday in Colp Memorial Plaza. The tribute included recognition of four Colp residents who were awarded the Congressional Gold Medals for their service in World War II and of 100 service men and women whose names were added to the veterans memorial.

Sol Griffin Jr., James L. Kirby and Earl Taylor Jr. were inducted into the U.S. Marines from their senior class at Herrin Township High School at Colp. At this time, they did not know Archibald Mosley of Carbondale, another senior in high school who was also becoming a U.S. Marine. The four men were among the first African-Americans in the U.S. to be accepted by the Marines.

I rode with my grandmother to see her youngest son be drafted into the Marines, Ron Kirby said. That something that never left me a day in my life.

The young men were segregated for their basic training at Montford Point, North Carolina, which was adjacent to Camp Lejeune. Conditions were tough.

Mosley became a Colp resident and pastor of Shaffer AME Chapel Church after the war. After a few years, the other three Marines moved from their hometown. Kirby said their service was nearly forgotten.

In 2011, Congress passed legislation awarding the Montford Point Marines with Congressional Gold Medals for their service. Griffins widow, Taylors family and Mosley all received their medals at that time. Kirbys did not come until Ron Kirby saw a newspaper article and did some research.

Recently signs were erected at the north and south ends of Mayor Caliper Drive honoring the four men.

A town of 250, and we have four Congressional Gold Medals. I think that is terrific, Tammy ODaniel-Howell, village president, said.

Mosley and the families of Taylor, Kirby and Griffin were honored with framed art. Copies also were given to mayors of Colp and nearby towns, Herrin Area Historical Society, Williamson County Historical Society, the African American Museum of Southern Illinois and other agencies.

I accept this gift for the 20,000 young black boys between the ages of 17 and 21 who became Marines from 1941 to 1949, Mosley said.

He encouraged members of the audience to learn about their service.

I hope that you will read the history of the Montford Point Marines, so you will know the history of what we went through, Mosley said. They are not here to tell you about the abuse, but I am.

Wounded Vietnam veteran Mike Gunter introduced the guest speaker, Harry Spiller, a Marine veteran, author, professor and former Williamson County Sheriff.

Spiller said we have many names for war, but it does not matter what you call it or the length of service. Everyone who goes to war comes back changed.

He pointed out that the names being added the sign in Colp Memorial Plaza represent half the population of the town.

Marie Perkins, vice chairman of the memorial committee, said phase I of the project, which included 300 names, was completed and dedicated last year. Phase II adds 100 names to the memorial.

When you see someone in uniform, say 'thank you,' Perkins said.

Other memorial committee members included: Vanessa Sherrill, chair; Lesley Jackson, secretary; William Perkins, advocate; Louise Swetz, research; Mike Sherrill, expediter; Eddie L. Williams Jr., tech; Dennoriss Meeks, greeter; Jim Gentile, project liaison; Ronald Kirby, advisor emeritus; and Tammy ODaniel-Howell, mayor.

Colp Memorial Plaza is located next to village hall at 104 N. Mayor Caliper Drive.
BAMBERG -- A Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School senior and Cope Area Career Center student reached the top tier of students being considered for the national 2017 Presidential Scholars Program.

Kersey Nguyen was one of 722 students selected from a pool of 5,100 students across the country for one of the most prestigious honors a high school student can earn. Academic achievement, leadership, school and community service and creativity, etc., are considered in the contest.

Cope Area Career Center Director Sandra Jameson, who nominated Nguyen for the award, describes him as an exemplary student.

He always gives his best and goes more than the extra mile, she said. Not only does he have high standards when it comes to character and academics, but he has proven artistic abilities.

She noted that he recently used his creative skills to win a state-level second place award in the annual Health Occupations of America competition.

Nguyen, who ranks fifth in his graduating class, was a little sad last week when he learned he hadnt won the Presidential Scholars Award. But he noted that only two South Carolina students earned the honor and said he was happy to have made the finals.

I dont feel too bad about it because at least I was recognized, Nguyen said.

His disappointment was also lightened by another exciting opportunity hell be taking part in this summer.

I also signed up for a summer enrichment program at the Regional Medical Center, Nguyen said.

The RMC internship and the trip to Washington with the Presidential Scholars Program are going on at the same time, and he couldnt do both, he said.

At RMC, hell be working in various areas, including pharmacy, radiology and emergency. This will give him the opportunity to confirm his career choice of becoming a pharmacist, Nguyen said.

I dont think itll change anything. Thats been my goal since I was little, but it will help me be more specific, to be sure I really do like the pharmacy field.

As a very ill young child, Nguyen was inspired by a neighbor who was a pharmacist

His extended family moved to the United States in the years after the Vietnam War. They had problems learning to speak English well, which made it hard to care for the family, Nguyen said.

When I was little, I was very sick. Luckily, we had a pharmacist who was one of our neighbors. He was able to translate (between Nguyens family and medical personnel) what was wrong with me. Ever since, Ive wanted to be a pharmacist just like him.

For all four years in high school, Nguyen was a student at CACC through an agreement Bamberg School District One has with Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four.

Through CACC, he took part in state-level HOSA competition this year. His win qualified him to compete on the national level in June. Hell probably be doing the same kind of project at the nationals that he did on the state level, he said.

At state competition, Nguyen was given an assignment to create a poster dealing with the sleep patterns of teenagers. He had three hours to design and create it.

He included data that encouraged delaying the start of school by 30 minutes each morning to help kids get more rest, he said.

I showed the daily schedule of an average teenager and demonstrated the need for the minimum of seven hours of sleep, Nguyen said.

Many teenagers have after-school jobs and other activities before going home to have supper and do their homework. Then they get up the next morning and start it all over again, he said.

Nguyens community service also figured into his selection as a Presidential Scholar finalist. He regularly volunteers in a nursing home and has participated in Keep Bamberg County Beautiful.

I like the little difference I can make, he said. I can see the smiles and I like helping people.

The Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 53rd year, is one of the highest honors a high school student can earn.

Winners are given an all-expense-paid trip to the White House, where theyre honored for their scholarship and community service. There is no monetary award to the students.

Nguyen says he has applied for various scholarships, but wont know which ones he has earned until awards night at the high school.
The attacks are fast and furious as former S.C. Congressman Mick Mulvaney, director of Office of Management and Budget, is on the front line with President Donald Trumps budget proposal for fiscal 2018.

The $4.1 trillion spending blueprint is being ridiculed as draconian for its cuts in programs such as Medicaid and food stamps. Combine those with a big boost in military spending and plans for tax cuts for upper-income Americans and there is no surprise that Trump critics are having a field day. Even some Republicans are lining up against the plan, calling it dead on arrival in Congress.

Fact is, every presidents budget is DOA. Congress has the prerogative on spending and it does not take long for members of the national legislature to pick and choose the outlays that are most near and dear to their hearts. And because what is important in South Carolina may not be so much so in California, hammering out a budget is always difficult. For practical purposes, there has to be something for everyone, meaning decreases in spending are tough to come by.

The budget plan from Mulvaney and Trump should not have so many aghast. The administration is fulfilling its promises in many areas and putting forth an ambitious approach that would balance the federal budget in 10 years. Congress pays lip service to the balancing act but there is always the reality of doing so on the backs of someone elses constituents.

Mulvaney has always been a fiscal hawk and the plan he is espousing will have him fighting like one to preserve key components. He and Trump are challenging the Republican-controlled Congress to find a way to address their priorities while not further increasing national debt.

As passionate as he is about smaller government, Mulvaney surely knows many of the proposals are going to be scrapped or altered.

Cutting Medicaid for poor and elderly Americans by $600 billion over 10 years is not likely amid health care uncertainties. And slicing food stamps by $191 billion over 10 years (almost 30 percent) is equally unlikely.

But just as defense spending and tax cuts should be scrutinized, so should programs such as Medicaid and food stamps.

Consider two quotes from Mulvaney this past week:

 "We're no longer going to measure compassion by the number of programs or the number of people on those programs, but by the number of people we help get off those programs.

 "We need people to go to work. If you are on food stamps, we need you to go to work. If you are on disability and you should not be, we need you to go back to work."

Some will call his words harsh but they reflect the view of an administration that promises to return jobs to America and have those jobs filled by Americans. Growing the economy means putting people to work with fewer Americans having need for government benefits.

The Trump-Mulvaney budget may be DOA in Congress but before it is put to rest, there is ample reason to take a close look at what is being proposed and how some key components of the smaller-government plan could be put in place without abandoning key roles of government that must remain whether the White House occupant is Republican or Democrat.
WASHINGTON -- The shocking thing about Greg Gianforte's assault on a journalist isn't that he body-slammed and punched a reporter but that it took so long for the inevitable to occur.

Such an attack was foreshadowed way back in March last year when tough-guy Corey Lewandowski grabbed a female reporter who, apparently, was too brash for the tender sensibilities of then-candidate Donald Trump's inner circle.

A few months after his effrontery, Lewandowski left the campaign and joined CNN as a commentator. He now may be poised to rejoin Team Trump.

Gianforte, a Montana Republican, also was rewarded for his imitation of a distempered jackal. His campaign in a special congressional election reportedly reaped more than $100,000 in online donations just before the vote, most of it in the aftermath of the incident. The Bozeman businessman also managed to win the election, perhaps partly attributable to early voting before the attack.

As captured in an audio recording, The Guardian's Ben Jacobs is heard saying, "You just body-slammed me and broke my glasses." Then, according to Fox News reporter Alicia Acuna, Gianforte climbed on top of Jacobs and began punching him, saying, something like, "I'm sick and tired of this."

Aren't we all.

The cause of his violent meltdown? Jacobs had asked Gianforte a few questions about his position on health care.

This isn't exactly high-handed heckling over a sensitive issue. What if it had been? Would Gianforte have throttled him? Gianforte did apologize for his actions after the election results were in and following 24 hours of denial.

It would seem that Gianforte, who has been charged with misdemeanor assault, is unfamiliar with the media beast known as a scrum, an impromptu assemblage of reporters, usually following an event, during which reporters fire off questions and jostle each other for a better position -- sort of the way Trump bulldozed past Montenegro Prime Minister Dusko Markovic this past Thursday.

In Brussels for a NATO summit, the president proved that no one can out-bully him. He chastised other nations for not paying enough of their fair share, and did not offer his endorsement of Article 5, which was interpreted as insinuating that they might not be able to rely on the U.S. should, say, Russia decide to pursue its dream of re-establishing the empire, as it did in Crimea.

Trump obviously had changed his tune since earlier declaring in Saudi Arabia that he had not come to lecture. He all but wagged his finger, which may explain why newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron walked directly toward Trump and then, at the last moment, swerved to hug German Prime Minister Angela Merkel, shaking several other hands before getting to Trump last.

But Trump's coup de uncouth came when, apparently stricken by an urgent need to reach center stage for a group photo, the U.S. president literally pushed Markovic out of the way. Upon finding his preferred spot, Trump adjusted his tie and seemed oblivious to what the rest of the world observed as profoundly unseemly.

Markovic graciously has said he didn't notice the shove, adding that the U.S. president should be in the front row. Perhaps so, but a light tap on the shoulder and at least a pretense of manners in the form of, "Excuse me," wouldn't have been such a strain.

While Trump's reflexive rudeness was merely embarrassing, Gianforte's attack was frightening. Both actions, however, flow from the same spout -- our ever-coarsening culture and partisan hostility that erased all boundaries of civility during the 2016 election. It would be unfair to pin this evolution on Trump alone, but broadening acceptance of bullying tactics undoubtedly has been aided by the commander in chief's own embrace, even celebration, of resolving differences by force, if necessary.

Recall candidate Trump encouraging his supporters to boo journalists at his rallies; his promising to pay legal expenses for a guy who punched a heckler; and his incessant demonizing of the mainstream media as "fake news," meaning news he doesn't like.

Gianforte may be a hero to some, but his violent antics should send a chill up the spines of Constitution-minded Americans. Trump's rhetoric has normalized hatred of journalists and, by implication, encouraged the sort of behavior we've now witnessed. The perpetrator wasn't some right-wing crazy from Bumduck; he was a respected businessman, now elected to Congress.

If this doesn't worry you, we have bigger problems than Russia could ever dream.
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Ramblings of a badly aged Baby Boomer who went from Rebel Without a Cause to Bozo Without a Clue in, seemingly, the same afternoon.
By Azernews





By Kamila Aliyeva

Iran, one of the three guarantor countries, is ready to send observers to Syria to support the ceasefire, if an appropriate agreement is reached, Tasnim news agency reported.

The negotiations on the ceasefire and de-escalation zones in Syria are underway between Iran, Russia and Turkey, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi told reporters during his press conference in Tehran on May 29.

If the required grounds are provided, there would be a need to deploy forces that can monitor the ceasefire. We are prepared to take this measure if the necessary agreement is reached, the Iranian spokesman said.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia will actively promote the quick dispatch of military observers to the de-escalation zones in Syria.

The question about which countries will send their military forces there will be discussed with the government of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Earlier this month, Iran, Russia, and Turkey agreed on a proposal to establish four de-escalation zones in Syria, following intra-Syrian talks held in the Kazakh city of Astana.

These zones are intended to halt conflicts in specific areas between Syrian forces and rebels, and would potentially be policed by foreign troops.

According to Russian defense officials, the fact that the de-escalation agreement was supported by the United Nations, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia guaranteed its implementation.

The civil war in Syria between government and opposition with various terrorist groups involved, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), began back in March 2011.

Syrian President Bashar Assad managed to turn the tide of war in his favor after Russia started an air campaign in September 2015, while Iran is an uncompromising supporter of the Syrian leader.

According to a report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the countrys pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders.
By Azernews





By Kamila Aliyeva

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who visited Paris upon the invitation of newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron, had difficult, but frank talks with him during their first meeting in Versailles on May 29.

The agenda of the talks covered a wide range of issues including the intensification of Russian-French political, economic and cultural cooperation and the situation in Ukraine, Syria and Libya and on the Korean peninsula.

Macron stressed that dialogue with Russia is vital in solving a number of international disputes, RT reported.

The French president admitted, however, that he has some disagreements with his Russian counterpart, but said that the two leaders discussed them openly in a frank exchange of views.

Putin also noted certain differences, but said that both of them view many issues in a similar way, and that French-Russian relations could be qualitatively improved.

The relations between the two countries are overshadowed by mistrust, with Paris and Moscow backing opposing sides in the Syrian civil war and at odds over the Ukraine conflict.

Another issue that weakened Russian-French ties was accusation against Russia over alleged attempts to interfere in French presidential election.

Russia has not interfered in elections in any country, there is no subject for discussion on this issue, Putin said at a news conference after talks in reply to reporters question.

He also noted that his meeting with Marine Le Pen, who was another candidate in the presidential race, was not aimed at influencing the recent presidential election in France.

"Once Le Pen asked us for a meeting, we could not refuse her since she had been always a supporter for the development of relations with our country," Putin said.

Commenting on rumors about alleged interference of Russian hackers in the French presidential election, Putin reminded there were no hard facts proving this.

Putin noted that Moscow and Paris are looking for joint solutions to the problems of Syria, Ukraine, North Koreas nuclear program and terrorism.

"We spoke about the Ukrainian crisis, spoke about the possibilities of settling the Syrian problem and, naturally, we also touched upon such a complex and, in my mind, dangerous situation as the situation with the nuclear problem in North Korea and with the North Korean missile program," the Russian leader said.

Macron further said that France and Russia could work together towards a settlement in Syria noting that "it is necessary to seek an inclusive political solution."

He also stressed that he had told President Putin about the red line as to the use of chemical weapons.

"Any use of chemical weapons [in Syria] will see a prompt response [from Paris]," Macron said.

Commenting on anti-Russian sanctions, Macron warned that new sanctions against Russia may only be caused by escalation of the Ukrainian conflict.

"I confirm what I said earlier on this issue, if necessary, the sanctions may be strengthened but only in case of escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. If de-escalation does not happen, then there will be sanctions," he said.

Relations between Paris and Moscow were strained under former President Francois Hollande. Putin cancelled his last planned visit in October after Hollande accused Russia of war crimes in Syria.

Then during the French election campaign the Macron camp alleged Russian hacking and disinformation efforts, at one point refusing accreditation to the Russian state-funded Sputnik and RT news outlets which it said were spreading Russian propaganda and fake news.

In Syrian conflict Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad while France supports rebel groups trying to overthrow him.

France has also taken a tough line on European Union sanctions on Russia, first imposed when it annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, and cancelled a $1.3 billion warship supply contract in 2015.

During the campaign, Macron backed expanded sanctions if there were no progress with Moscow implementing a peace accord for eastern Ukraine.
Combined Group Contracting, a Kuwait-based company engaged in the construction industry sector, has secured a KD1.9-million ($6.24 million) contract from Yusuf Ahmed Al Ghanim and Sons, said a report.



Under this deal, Combined Group will provide drilling, support, and infrastructure works for Al Ghanim exhibition in Fahaheel district, reported Mubasher.



The Kuwaiti contractor aims to complete the work within a year, it added.


Delegates at the World Health Assembly in Genevea yesterday (May 29) reached new agreements on dementia; immunization; refugee and migrant health; substandard and falsified medical products, and the world drug problem.



Dementia: Delegates endorsed a global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025 and committed to developing ambitious national strategies and implementation plans. The global plan aims to improve the lives of people with dementia, their families and the people who care for them, while decreasing the impact of dementia on communities and countries.



Areas for action include: reducing the risk of dementia; diagnosis, treatment and care; research and innovative technologies; and development of supportive environments for carers.



They called on the WHO Secretariat to offer technical support, tools and guidance to member states as they develop national and subnational plans and to draw up a global research agenda for dementia. Delegates recognised the importance of WHOs Global Dementia Observatory as a system for monitoring progress both within countries and at the global level.



Delegates emphasised the need to integrate health and social care approaches, and to align actions to tackle dementia with those for other aspects of mental health, as well as noncommunicable diseases and ageing. They also highlighted the importance of ensuring respect for the human rights of people living with dementia, both when developing plans and when implementing them.



Worldwide, around 47 million people have dementia, with nearly 9.9 million new cases each year. Nearly 60 per cent of people with dementia live in low- and middle-income countries.



Immunisation: Delegates agreed to strengthen immunisation to achieve the goals of the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP). In 2012, the Health Assembly endorsed GVAP, a commitment to ensure that no one misses out on vital immunization by 2020. However, progress towards the targets laid out in that plan is off track. Halfway through the decade covered by the plan, more than 19 million children were still missing out on basic immunizations.



The resolution urges member states to strengthen the governance and leadership of national immunisation programmes. It also calls on them to improve monitoring and surveillance systems to ensure that up-to-date data guides policy and programmatic decisions to optimize performance and impact. It calls on countries to expand immunisation services beyond infancy; mobilize domestic financing, and strengthen international cooperation to achieve GVAP goals.



It requests the WHO Secretariat to continue supporting countries to achieve regional and global vaccination goals. It recommends scaling up advocacy efforts to improve understanding of the value of vaccines and of the urgent need to meet the GVAP goals. The Secretariat will report back in 2020 and 2022 on achievements against the 2020 goals and targets.



Immunisation averts an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths every year from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and measles. An additional 1.5 million deaths could be avoided if global vaccination coverage were improved.



Refugee and migrant health: Delegates asked the director-general to provide advice to countries in order to promote the health of refugees and migrants, and to gather evidence that will contribute to a draft global action to be considered at the 72nd World Health Assembly in 2019.



Substandard and falsified medical products: Substandard medical products (also called out of specification) are authorised by national regulatory authorities, but fail to meet either national or international quality standards or specifications  or in some cases, both. Falsified medical products deliberately or fraudulently misrepresent their identity, composition or source.



The assembly also agreed a definition of unregistered or unlicensed medical products. These have not been assessed or approved by the relevant national or regional regulatory authority for the market in which they are marketed, distributed or used.



The new terminology aims to establish a common understanding of what is meant by substandard and falsified medical products and to facilitate a more thorough and accurate comparison and analysis of data. It focuses solely on the public health implications of substandard and falsified products, and does not cover the protection of intellectual property rights.



Substandard and falsified medical products can harm patients and fail to treat the diseases for which they were intended. They lead to loss of confidence in medicines, healthcare providers and health systems, and affect every region of the world. Anti-malarials and antibiotics are amongst the most commonly reported substandard and falsified medical products, but all types of medicines can be substandard and falsified. They can be found in illegal street markets, via unregulated websites, and in pharmacies, clinics and hospitals.



Delegates agreed to adopt the new name of substandard and falsified (SF) medical products for what have until now been known as substandard/spurious/falsely-labelled/falsified/counterfeit (SSFFC) medical products.



The world drug problem and public health: Delegates agreed on the need for intensified efforts to help member states address the world drug problem. They asked the WHO Secretariat to strengthen its collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Narcotics Control Board to implement the health-related recommendations of in the outcome document of the 2016 Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the world drug problem (UNGASS).



It has been 26 years since the Health Assembly made a decision on this topic. The Secretariat is asked to report back on progress in 2018, 2020 and 2022.



According to WHOs latest estimates, psychoactive drug use is responsible for more than 450 000 deaths each year. The drug-attributable disease burden accounts for about 1.5 per cent of the global burden of disease. Furthermore, injecting drug use accounts for an estimated 30 per cent of new HIV infections outside sub-Saharan Africa and contributes significantly to hepatitis B and C epidemics in all regions. - TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Arabia will impose a special tax on tobacco and sugary drinks on June 10, as part of a series of steps towards closing a budget deficit caused by low oil prices, said a report.



Officials have said they expect to raise between SR8 billion ($2.1 billion) and SR10 billion ($2.7 billion) annually from the tax, which will comprise a 50 per cent levy on soft drinks and 100 per cent on tobacco and energy drinks, said the Times of Oman report.



Khalid Khurais, director of the selective tax unit of the General Authority of Zakat and Tax, told Al Arabiya television on Sunday (May 26) that rules covering the tax were published in the official gazette last week and would take effect after 15 days, it added.



The tax marks a big change in policy for Riyadh, which has traditionally kept taxation minimal but now plans a series of levies and fees by 2020 to close a budget gap that totalled SR297 billion ($79.1 billion) last year.
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the Bahrain-based leading international aluminium smelter, has announced the appointment of Hassan Noor as the acting chief operations officer (COO).



Albas chief executive officer Tim Murray said: Hassans appointment reflects Albas commitment to develop talented Bahraini nationals from within the Company into key leadership positions.



With more than 20 years experience, Hassan has a proven track record for continuously surpassing the targets. His journey from a young Operator to a leadership role in Alba is truly a success story and I look forward to his continued contributions.



Noor started his career in Alba in 1997 as a senior operator in the Carbon Department, then he was promoted in the same department to operations supervisor in 2000, operations superintendent in 2006 and operations senior superintendent in 2010. In 2013, he was appointed as manager of Carbon Department and since 2015, he was serving as the director of Carbon and Services.



Hassan has an MBA from the French Arabian Business School and holds a postgraduate certificate in Light Metals, University of Auckland, New Zealand and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Bahrain.  TradeArabia News Service
Mobily Business has signed an agreement with Microsoft Arabia to provide and present Microsoft cloud services and productivity tools such as Office 365, Dynamics and Enterprise Security Suite to the Small Medium Enterprises (SME) sector in Saudi Arabia.



The agreement was signed in the presence of Ismail Alghamdi, Mobily chief business officer, and Sameer Noman, CEO of Microsoft Arabia.



Alghamdi said: We are pleased to sign this agreement with Microsoft which confirms Mobilys leading role in Business Sector on top of which small & medium enterprises. It also confirms Mobilys efforts to enhance this sector by providing Microsoft cloud services. Moreover; we are proud of our successful partnership with Microsoft during previous years and looking forward to complete this partnership in the future.



Mobily Business and Microsoft Arabia have a strategic partnership for a long time where Mobily established a strong presence in the local market through it, a statement said.



Noman said: We are happy to sign this agreement with Mobily Business, which will enable Mobily to provide Microsoft solutions that enhance productivity, efficiency, and security of SME (Small Medium Enterprises). This partnership is part of our commitment to enable individuals and establishments to achieve more especially in this time which depends on cloud computing as an infrastructure.



Microsoft cloud solutions facilitate productivity Office 365 for SME by achieving their tasks quickly and in a smart way against a monthly subscription fees starting from SR16 ($4.25) including support that will be added to the monthly service bill. Users can exchange documents in a secure way, and access their computers that are working on Windows 10 or smart phones from any other operating system, whether they are working on office applications or even personal computers.



The agreement aims to raise the level of joint technical collaboration between both sides and provide Microsoft cloud for SME.  TradeArabia News Service


Omans Muscat Gases Company (MGC) has signed a conditional agreement with Air Products Leasing BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of US-based Air Products & Chemicals, to sell a majority stake in its industrial gases business to Air Products.



A filing at the Muscat Securities Market by MGC said the company will transfer its industrial gases business to a new wholly owned subsidiary LLC and subsequently sell 70 per cent of the share capital of the subsidiary LLC to Air Products, said the Oman Daily Observer report.



The transaction is subject to the approval of the shareholders in an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) which will take place soon, it added.



New York listed Air Products is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 75 years.



The companys core industrial gases business provides atmospheric and process gases and related equipment to manufacturing markets, including refining and petrochemical, metals, electronics, and food and beverage.



Air Products is also the worlds leading supplier of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) said it has awarded a contract worth Dh798 million ($212 million) for the development of the third phase of K-Station in Jebel Ali to Spanish company Duro Felguera.



K-Station is part of the Jebel Ali power and water desalination station, and one of the main plants providing Dubai with reliable, efficient and high-quality electricity and water services.



The project includes the supply, installation, testing and launch of 2 F-type gas turbines from Siemens that will produce 590 MW at 50 deg Centigrade, said a statement from Dewa.



The turbines are planned to be operational by the second quarter of 2019, it added.



On the new contract, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the managing director and CEO of Dewa, said: "This is part of Dewas ongoing plan to provide a long-term sustainable, continuous and reliable supply of electricity and water."



The current generation capacity of K-Station is 948 MW. On completion of the third phase, another 590 MW will be added, thus bringing the stations total production capacity to 1,538 MW.



"We are working to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to employ an environment-friendly energy mix based on the ratios of 25 per cent solar energy, seven per cent each of nuclear power and clean coal, and 61 per cent gas by 2030, with a gradual increase in the use of clean energy in the mix so that it reaches 75 per cent by 2050, making Dubai the city with the smallest carbon footprint in the world," he added.



K-Station uses gas turbines to generate power, and is one of Dewas main projects to meet the increasing demand for electricity, said the Dewa statement.



Remotely operated, the station is fully-automated and features state-of-the-art technologies and control systems, as well as the latest operating technologies which minimise emissions. K-Station only uses natural gas, it stated.



On completion of this project in 2019, Dewas total installed capacity will be 11,990 MW, including clean energy, the statement added.-TradeArabia News Service


Philippine Airlines (PAL) will be temporarily suspending all flights between Abu Dhabi and Manila from July, the company has announced.



According to the airline, the temporary cancellation of the service is being carried out as PAL undertakes route assessment initiatives.



To ensure its Filipino passengers are not affected by the move, the airline will provide a bus service between the UAE capital and Dubai, from where they will depart. Similarly returning overseas Filipino workers who have purchased tickets are advised to either seek a refund or re-book their flight, and depart from or arrive at Dubai airport instead.



PAL is seeking the kind understanding of affected passengers as the airline implements these operational adjustments, the carrier said.



Holders of PAL Manila Abu Dhabi Manila tickets dated July 8, 2017 and onwards may avail of any of the following options: Re-book their PAL Manila  Abu Dhabi flight to the PAL Manila  Dubai route and be transported by PAL  arranged/assisted bus from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and vice versa or refund the cost of their tickets.



Affected flyers have been given 30 days from original travel dates to arrange for a rebooking or refund, with rebooking/refunding charges waived.



PAL will also communicate with affected passengers via email notification and call-out.



The airline shall inform the public once the service resumes.



PAL is the largest Filipino carrier serving the UAE market. It currently operates daily flights between Dubai and Manila and thrice weekly flights on the Abu Dhabi route. - TradeArabia News Service
Virgin Limited Edition has launched a new selection of package holidays. From secluded mountain retreats to incredible safari experiences there's something for everyone to enjoy this summer.



Kasbah Tamadot is the perfect place to cool off from the city and enjoy poolside lounging or sipping ice-cold drinks in the shade. The Kasbah is situated an hour's drive from Marrakech airport which can be reached via direct flights from Dubai to Casablanca, followed by a short internal flight to Marrakech. Stay a little longer with one night free for stays of four nights or more until August 31.



It's only 5 hours' flight to Nairobi from Dubai and a short onward flight will reach the heart of a safari adventure at Mahali Mzuri. On twice daily game drives there's the chance to catch a glimpse of one of the seven 'new' wonders of the world, the Great Migration. This incredible spectacle sees over a million animals make an epic 1600km journey through Kenya and Tanzania and is best viewed between July and September in the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy. In between exciting wildlife encounters, community tours offer the rare chance to become immersed in Maasai traditions and culture, visiting a local school or experiencing the hustle and bustle of a nearby village.



The mountains are calling at The Lodge in Verbier, Switzerland. With a direct flight from Dubai to Geneva, followed by a train to the mountains, the stresses of city life melt away during the journey to this luxurious retreat. Enjoy relaxation with bespoke treatments in the private spa room or get active in the fresh air with hiking, mountain biking and paragliding. Book a stay of four nights or more and receive a final night for free. - TradeArabia News Service
Etihad Guest, the loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, welcomed its 5 millionth member, Rashid Al Shehhi, with 500,000 miles and an upgrade to Gold status.



Al Shehhi joined Etihad Guest while applying for an ADIB credit card. Guests can earn miles on everyday spending through their ADIB Etihad Guest cards and use their points to purchase flights, upgrades and multiple items from the online Reward Shop.



I am really looking forward to spending the miles on flights and upgrades, and seeing where I can travel to over the next few months, he said. It was a great surprise to be told that Id been picked out as the five millionth member because I fly with the airline all the time so to be rewarded in this way will help me continue my travels around the world.



Al Shehhi added that he would also donate some Etihad Guest Miles to relief efforts in Somalia, in line with the spirit of the Holy month of Ramadan and in support of the UAEs Year of Giving initiative.



The award-winning Etihad Guest programme offers thousands of opportunities to earn miles through more than 150 retail partnerships and co-branded cards with major UAE banks including NBAD and ADCB. - TradeArabia News Service
Turkish Airlines recently celebrated the arrival of its 30th Boeing 777-300ER, adding to its ever-growing fleet of carriers.



The new delivery, which was welcomed with a traditional water salute, is a highly one for the carrier as it is the first aircraft to feature seats by Turkish Seats Industries (TSI), a complete Turkish brand through a close collaboration with Boeing.



TSI, the first locally aircraft seat producer in Turkey, which is a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Assan Hanil, aims to play a key role in the global aircraft seat market with its innovative, lightweight, quality products.



Three years ago, we partnered in a significant initiative to pioneer another first in Turkish Civil Aviation. By establishing Turkish Seat Industry (TSI), in collaboration with Assan Hanil, we took a more active role in the industry through logistical support. And now were taking the delivery of the first aircraft equipped with those locally produced seats designed by TSI, an installation manufactured in Turkey that conforms to all international standards. With adding this 30th Boeing 777-300ER to our ever expanding fleet, we look forward to TSI to become a leading brand across the industry, and be a substantial part of our aircrafts in the near future. said M. Ilker Ayc, chairman of the Board and the executive committee of Turkish Airlines.



Turkish Airlines has been a long-standing and key partner for Boeing and we are proud of their confidence and trust in Boeings technology and industry-leading airplanes such as the 777, said Marty Bentrott, vice president for Sales, Middle East, Turkey, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. This delivery is especially significant since it is the first to feature seats by Turkish Seat Industries (TSI). We look forward to further developing and strengthening our relationship with Turkish Airlines and the Turkish Aviation Industry.



Turkish Airlines and Boeing share a long history that goes back to 1945, with the arrival of the airlines first DC-3/C-47 airliners. Turkish Airlines entered the jet age in the late 1960s, when the airline began operating DC-9, DC-10 and Boeing 707 airplanes. Over the years, the Turkish carrier has also flown the Boeing 727, 757, MD-80 and the most modern 737 and 777 airplanes. Boeings backlog with Turkish Airlines includes two 777 Freighters and 75 737 MAXs. - TradeArabia News Service
HELENA, Mont  After announcing it would be shuttering all but three historic aviation beacons in the state due to funding, the Montana Department of Transportations division of Aeronautics is now convening a working group to study and make recommendations on the beacons future.

Montana is the only state to operate a system of airway beacons, with 17 allowing pilots to fly by sight through the western mountains.

The practical use of the beacons and whether the annual cost of maintenance is worth their benefit has been a recurring question since the 1960s. At that time, the FAA decided the beacons no longer served a great public purpose, and by 1972 Montana was the last state to maintain a beacon system.

In late 2015, Aeronautics allowed several of the beacons to burn out and received little feedback. Late last year and after dialogue with pilots, the division said it would only maintain three of the beacons going forward. The remaining beacons would light a path from MacDonald Pass to Helena to Townsend to Bozeman.

The decision irked some pilots and historic preservationists, but the $30,000 annual savings was better served elsewhere, Aeronautics said at the time.

In a recent Aeronautics newsletter, administrator Debbie Alke announced that the beacon language had been stricken by the Legislature. A following meeting between Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney, legislators and department staff led to a request for the working group, the newsletter says, consisting of industry representatives.

The department will also hold public hearings to gather feedback.

At the request of some legislators and hobby pilots, I facilitated a discussion and suggested that all voices be represented from the broader pilot community in future conversations, Cooney said in a statement. Its my hope that we can gain a better understanding of the impact of a decommission to the general public before making final decisions.

The news was welcomed by Helena pilot Mike Korn, who had penned an opinion piece that ran in the Independent Record and other newspapers critical of the process. Due to the beacons historic nature and current use, Korn wrote that Aeronautics had failed to fully engage the public in making the decision to shutter 14 of them.

I think its great they decided to revisit the issue, Korn said, adding thanks to Alke and Transportation director Mike Tooley. I think well get a really good evaluation out of this and I think well be pleased with what comes out the other end.

The beacons have a lot of fans beyond pilots, including people interested in historic preservation and even some of the landowners where the beacons reside, he said.

Kate Hampton at the Montana Historical Society is currently working on registration of the entirety of the beacon system on the National Register of Historic Places. The MacDonald Pass beacon is the only site currently registered.

Alke says the working group is expected to start meeting next month. While they have no timeline for delivering recommendations to the department, September was floated as a possibility but that might be ambitious, she said.

In the meantime, Aeronautics does not plan any additional maintenance on the 14 beacons it initially decided to shutter, she said, and will work toward the final decision.

There are differing opinions and were a public agency and want to do whats the right thing, Alke said, adding her confidence in the working group.
The U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan is now well into its sixteenth year, making it Americas longest foreign war. Worse, there is no end in sight. In fact, military leaders are trying to convince President Trump to escalate U.S. involvement once more by sending several thousand additional troops into the fray. Pundits and

are engaged in a cottage industry to formulate yet more strategies to make the Afghanistan mission finally succeed.





There has been an American military presence in that unhappy country for so long that it is sometimes difficult to remember that the original purpose was both focused and limited. U.S. leaders justified the initial invasion in October 2001 as a necessary response to the 9/11 terrorist attack on the United States. Foreign fighters belonging to Al Qaeda had used the country as a safe haven and base of operations to plan and execute their devastating assault. The Taliban government of Mullah Omar had treated Osama bin Laden and his followers as honored guests, enabling them to carry out their plans.





That behavior caused a decisive change in U.S. policy toward Kabul. American officials had always viewed the Taliban regime with understandable distaste, given its treatment of women, the desecration of irreplaceable historical monuments, and the overall brutal, reactionary policies. But Washington did not view the Taliban itself as a security threat that warranted U.S. interventionuntil the regime became an enabler to Al Qaeda.





In the weeks after the 9/11 attacks, U.S. officials

that defeating Al Qaedaand, if possible, killing or capturing Bin Ladenwas the primary objective. Overthrowing Omars government was not initially a stated goal. Washington did demand, however, that Kabul sever its ties with Al Qaeda and turn over Bin Laden and the other leaders to the United States. Only when Omar

, did Washington pursue forcible regime change. Even then, U.S. leaders did not advocate a long-term war against that indigenous Afghan faction, however odious its social policies might be.





The United States did engage in military cooperation with the Northern Alliance, the principal armed faction opposing the government in Kabul, when Washington launched the invasion of Afghanistan. Tactically, the association with the Northern Alliance paid off. Alliance personnel provided most of the ground forces while the United States supported them with devastating air power. Their joint offensive ousted the Taliban in a matter of weeks.- Read More




The Melting Pot fondue restaurant in Foothills Mall, shown in 2013, closed on Monday because of poor sales, said company officials in a written news release.

Just shy of two years after new owners took over and gave it a major remodel, The Melting Pot restaurant in Foothills Mall closed .

The fondue restaurant, a popular date-night location and special occasion family spot, served its final meals last weekend. It closed on Monday because of poor sales, company officials said in a written release.

Devin Gilbert, an operating partner with the group that owned the Tucson restaurant and three Phoenix area Melting Pot locations, also said the Foothills Mall was not willing to accommodate what the restaurant needed. He wouldnt elaborate on what that meant except to say that the mall was going away from what they used to be which didnt allow for any natural growth.

The Phoenix locations are not affected.

Mall officials on Tuesday said the restaurants closing came as a complete shock.

We had no knowledge they were closing, said Foothills Mall General Manager Regina Harmon. It was quite a surprise to us.

Harmon said the restaurant could have had a place at the table for the malls upcoming redevelopment, being drawn up by the malls new owners Bourn Companies.

Bourn bought the Foothills Mall, 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd., in mid-December, roughly two years after several mall merchants defected for the Tucson Premium Outlets mall off Interstate 10 and Twin Peaks Road. Among those merchants was the Nike Outlet, Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth and Old Navy  two Foothills Mall anchors.

Harmon was quick to note how many merchants still operate in Foothills Mall including Ross Dress for Less, Barnes & Noble bookstore, Bath & Body Works and AMC Foothills theater, Tucsons only IMAX theater.
PHOENIX  A federal prosecutor is blasting efforts to have a defense witness testify that a teen who was shot through the border fence by a Border Patrol agent was involved in smuggling drugs.

In new court filings, Assistant U.S. Attorney Wallace Kleindienst said the information, even if true, is legally irrelevant to the question of whether Lonnie Swartz is guilty of second-degree murder in the 2012 shooting death of Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez. That testimony would, the prosecutor said, taint the jurys view of governments case.

Attorney Sean Chapman, who represents Swartz, wants the testimony, saying the unnamed Nogales resident will say that the 16-year-old shooting victim was not only involved in smuggling drugs when he was throwing rocks at Swartz but in fact had been on the U.S. side of the border a few minutes earlier and had been chased by Border Patrol agents.

Kleindienst, in his legal papers, told U.S. District Court Judge Raner Collins none of that matters in determining whether the Border Patrol agent, who has admitted to the shooting, is guilty of a crime.

What is relevant is whether (Swartz) perceived that the decedent posed an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death to the defendant or his colleagues at the moment when the defendant shot and killed him through the border fence as (Elena Rodriguez) stood on Calle Internacional in Nogales, Sonora, the prosecutor said.

What may have happened before then, unknown to the defendant, is of no consequence to the defendants knowledge and perception, Kleindienst continued, with the only question being whether Swartz, as stated in the indictment, with malice aforethought, and while armed with a P2000 semi-automatic pistol, unlawfully killed Elena Rodriguez.

And Kleindienst said allowing the testimony creates other problems.

Testimony by the witness of these irrelevant, inflammatory facts seek only to prejudice the jury against the government, he told Collins.

Kleindienst said what Chapman wants is actually doubly damaging.

Chapman wants the witness to not have to actually appear at trial but instead testify ahead of time, out of the presence of the jury, with that preserved on videotape and shown to the jurors at trial. Kleindienst said if the witness is to be allowed to testify  something he will oppose when that question comes before the judge  it should be in person, in court, when the trial starts Oct. 12.

If the witness is permitted to testify over the governments objection of relevance, the jury should be allowed to evaluate the witnesss credibility in person, on cross-examination, and not on a videotape, the prosecutor said.

Prosecutors arent the only ones reacting negatively to Chapmans bid to have a jury hear what the witness has to say.

The family categorically denies the allegations that our son, Jose Antonio, was involved in any kind of drug smuggling, family members told Capitol Media Services through attorney Luis Fernando Parra.

This is an effort to deflect attention from an unlawful killing by the U.S. Border Patrol.

The basic facts of the second-degree murder case are not in dispute.

Swartz shot Elena Rodriguez in 2012 through an opening in the border fence. An autopsy concluded 10 shots hit the teen in the back.

But Swartz, on indefinite unpaid suspension, has contended he fired in self-defense, saying the boy was throwing rocks across the border.

Chapman, in his own legal filings, told Collins that what the witness will say will provide jurors a complete picture of what happened that night.

It starts with his claim the witness knew Elena Rodriguez and had seen him in the neighborhood as he was growing up.

On the night in question, Chapman said the witness saw Elena Rodriguez run by a house south toward the border fence.

The decedent (Elena Rodriguez) was involved in a conspiracy to import drugs into the United States as reflected not only by his efforts to harm agents with rocks, but also by his presence in the United States shortly before the shooting, he wrote. And that, said Chapman, is relevant to his defense of Swartz.

Kleindienst disagrees.

Even supposing these facts are true, they have no bearing on this case, he wrote.

The prosecutor said Swartz is not claiming that he had any prior knowledge of Elena Rodriguez prior to the agent shooting and killing him that night, nor that he believed the teen was involved with drug smuggling.

In his own legal papers, Chapman said the witness had been subpoenaed to testify when the trial was set for June 19. But he said the witness indicated a great reluctance to testify even after being served and that a relative was very strict and will not allow the person to show up.

Kleindienst sniffed at that generalized reluctance to appear for trial as an excuse to allow the witness to testify on prerecorded video.

Most witnesses do not want to testify in a criminal case, particularly in a case like this with media attention, he told Collins.

That is in reality what this motion is all about, Kleindienst continued. If such reluctance was the basis for excusal from in-court testimony, there would be insufficient witnesses available to try defendants.

And the prosecutor said the fact that the witness has a strict relative does not trump a legally issued subpoena to testify.

He also dismissed what he called vague, unsupported allegations of the relatives health problems that preclude the witness from going to Tucson for the trial. Kleindienst said even if a video deposition is allowed, the witness would still have to go to Tucson for the taping in front of the judge.

What is the difference? the prosecutor asked.

Chapman is representing Swartz in a separate wrongful-death civil case brought against the agent by the family.

But that case remains on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court, hearing a different case, decides whether federal courts can hear claims of someone who was on Mexican soil when shot and killed.
The public is being asked to weigh in on a possible highway connection between Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 known as the Sonoran Corridor.

The Federal Highway Administration and the Arizona Department of Transportation recently started a three-year environmental impact study of potential routes, and two public meetings will be held in June. The first public comment period lasts until July 15.

No decisions have been made on specific corridors or alignments, ADOTs Carlos Lopez, the projects manager, told attendees at at Tuesday Pima Association of Governments meeting.

The first step in the process is known as public scoping, which ADOT describes as an opportunity to ask questions and share comments or concerns about topics such as potential locations for the corridor, environmental considerations, impacts on wildlife habitat or cultural resources, and possible opportunities for other transportation modes that may be considered, according to a recent release.

At the end of the EIS process and a number of additional public meetings and comment periods, a preferred alternative will be selected.

The proposed interstate connection was designated a high-priority corridor in the 2015 federal FAST Act, which did not designate any funding for the project or a identify a timetable for its construction. The 2015 Pima County bond package, every part of which was rejected by voters, contained $30 million for Sonoran Corridor planning and design work, as well as some construction.

This surface transportation connection will facilitate the emergence of a major logistics center for the southwest, according to county information.

The first public meeting will be Wednesday, June 7, at the Radisson Hotel Tucson Airport, at 4550 S. Palo Verde Road, Tucson.

The second will be on Thursday, June 8, at the Santa Cruz Valley United Methodist Church, at 70 E. Sahuarita Road in Sahuarita. Both meetings start at 5 p.m., with a presentation starting around 6 p.m.

Written comments can be sent to sonorancorridor@azdot.gov and more information can be found at azdot.gov/SonoranCorridor.
A Pima County Superior Court judge has ruled that ballot images produced by local voting equipment are exempt from disclosure by Arizona election law.

In August 2016, county resident Richard Hernandez filed a complaint asking that digital ballot images from the upcoming primary election be preserved. It was then the county election departments policy to delete those images, which are used to tally votes by the new system.

A judge soon granted a temporary injunction mandating that the county cease deleting the images. In his May 24 ruling, Judge Richard Gordon made that injunction permanent, but also  citing the Arizona Constitutions requirement of secrecy in voting and recent legislation  ruled that both ballots and images of them are exempt from public disclosure.

Senate Bill 1094, which was signed into law in March, states that digital images of ballots are protected from physical and electronic access  and that all security measures are at least as protective as those prescribed for paper ballots.

While the wisdom of such laws might be legitimately questioned given the absence of transparency in the technology being used, that debate is for the legislature rather than this court, Gordon wrote.

Brad Nelson, county elections director,

pointed out that until this legislative session, Arizona law was silent on digital ballot images. Per the ruling, Nelson said his office will be saving the ballot images, but they will be treated exactly the same as physical ballots.

In his ruling, Gordon notes that Arizona law protects ballots both before and after an election from disclosure.

John Brakey, whose organization AUDIT-AZ hired the attorney who filed the original suit, said an appeal was likely. He also disputed that releasing ballot images would compromise voter secrecy, arguing that a filled ballot does not have personally identifying information. Having access to those records, Brakey argued, would allow residents to independently verify election results.

In a December filing, the county argued that independent tabulations are likely to undermine public confidence in election results because different efforts could come up with different results due to human error or intentional manipulation of digital images.

In a November 2016 memo, County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry wrote that the county has desired to scan and post scanned ballots as public records so any interested citizen can count ballots to verify the electronic results, but the county attorney has indicated the County lacks the authority to scan ballots and post the scanned images on the internet.
Help India!

By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net

Mewat: Two months after dairy farmer Pehlu Khans was lynched by self-styled cow vigilantes in Behror area of Alwar, Rajasthan, his family back in Haryana is yet to come out of the shock and tragedy that struck them.

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A resident of Jaisinghpur, 15 km from Nuh town in Mewat, Haryana, deceased Khan was father of eight children and the lone breadwinner of a family of 14 people which included his grand kids. Khans son Arshad Khan, 23, who was also beaten by the cow vigilantes, is too horrified to go back to continue his fathers business.

The killing of my father was a brutal act. He was killed like an animal. After that day I live in fear and I wont ever buy cattles again, Arshad told TwoCircles.net

Bhooke mar jaun ga magar ye vayapar kabhi nahi karunga (I will starve and die, but wont ever do this trade again),he said. Khan, who is yet to come out of the shock of his fathers death said he would instead work as a daily wage laborer to feed his family of fourteen.

He was the sole earner for our family. After he died there is no income coming in. Everything has gone with him. Some people have helped us but that isnt sufficient enough and wont last long, he added.

Importantly, after the lynching of Pehlu Khan, the issue had grabbed national headlines, besides various political parties had extended support to the Khan family, but the reality stands that nothing has changed for them.

Post lynching, various protest demonstration and candle lights vigils were held at different universities in the capital.

The lynching incident occurred on Saturday, April 1, when a group of self-styled cow vigilantes attacked dairy farmer Pehlu Khan in Behror area of Alwar.

Khan, hailing from Haryana, died on Monday night, April 3 in hospital.

He was travelling in a truck with two cows and two calves, when the attackers accused him of illegally smuggling cows for slaughter. However, the evidence has pointed that he wasnt carrying cows for slaughter and instead for dairy purposes.

Those who wish to help Pehlu Khans family may contact Arshad Khan at: +91-9050561674

Account details

Name: Arshad

Bank: State Bank of India

Account number: 33930814644

Branch code: 2497

IFSC: SBIN0002497
Well, it has all started again after the lull, with only 10 days to go before polling day. It was only right of course that all electioneering stopped last Week after the terrible atrocity in Manchester, and suitable respects were paid to the dead and injured of the worst terrorist attack in the UK since London in 2005.

A right old bodge up?

After a hammering from, well everyone, on the two glaring issues of her manifesto - that of the dementia tax and attitudes towards social care, and to a lesser extent, the meagre provisions for schoolkids - Theresa May did the unthinkable, she tore up the document and will re - launch it again later this week.

Much has been made of the ill-thought out policies, and certainly, some of the Tory hierarchy were furious that their own party was kicking their key supporters, the elderly. It may have been a U-Turn, but with the rethink that backtracking brings, they will come out fighting again, this time on the Brexit front. Returning to the war-cry of "Theresa May is the only one who can handle the job properly." The past 10 days have been a scare for a government who were obviously caught out. With victory once a forgone conclusion, it may not be quite as simple as they once thought. The polls now standing at Conservatives 43% and Labour on 36%. So, not the handsome result they may have once expected.

Labour are none too clever either

Labour, of course, failed to capitalise on the Conservative confusion. Little "Miss Blunder," Diane Abbott angrily stormed that the relations of the Manchester victims were not being informed quickly enough. It was tactfully explained that most of the bodies were in such a deplorable state that it was not a simple job of identification - wisely she shut up.

The following day her,' 'Dear leader,' did not help matters with a decidedly anti-interventionist speech on the links between overseas military activity by our forces and the resultant terrorist activity at home. In all honesty, at a moment of national crisis it was one that the public did not wish to hear, as they equate leadership as safety, strength and determination.

Certainly not blame.

The also-rans paraded their manifesto's to no one's great excitement, perhaps realising that they have done too little to change the voter's views, one way or another. A week may be a long time in politics, but as the great Scot's poet Robert Burns once wrote, "The best-laid schemes of mice and men, gang aft agley (astray.)" Exactly how agley? Well, only the next 10 days will tell.
Although predominantly Catholic, Ireland is set to choose Leo Varadkar as its next taoiseach, or prime minister.

The search for the next Fine Gael party leader began on 17th May with the resignation of Enda Kenny, and 38-year-old Varadkar is set to succeed him. The former GP would enter the history books as the youngest prime minister in Irish history, if he wins the leadership battle in June. It is nearly 30 years since the first openly gay person  David Norris  was elected to public office.

Homosexuality in Ireland was only decriminalised in 1993 and Varadkar came out as gay in 2015.

It's not something that defines me. I'm not a half-Indian politician or doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter. It's just part of who I am.

Dealing with homophobia in politics

The 38-year-old has a partner, Matt Barrett, also a doctor. If Varadkar is formally accepted as Irish PM, there is speculation on how the two men will be received at formal functions with other political leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Niall O'Dowd of the Irish Voice reported that he was looking forward to Varadkar's reception at the homophobic White House.

Varadkar's political credentials include being the minister for social protection and has served as health minister for the right-leaning Fine Gael, who are currently leading a minority government in Ireland.

His appointment looks set to be a shoe-in. Declared party members say he has such a strong lead that his succession to Kenny is considered a formality.

However, Health Minister Simon Harris said there were still some Cabinet ministers who have not yet declared their support. Harris called into question Varadkar's claim that he has "brought almost all of Cabinet behind me," according to a report in the Irish Independent.

Cost-cutting conservative

On the political right, Dublin-born Varadkar was called Tory boy at school, and later in life trade unions have branded him as a Thatcherite after he was in favour of banning strikes in the public sector in essential services.

On his Twitter account, Varakdar says he is a fitness fan, who has been known to talk too much and likes to travel.

He sees himself as a cost-cutting conservative.

If elected, Varadkar joins the growing number of youthful politicians including 39-year-old Emmanuel Macron, French president, and Justin Trudeau, 45, prime minister of Canada.

Ireland would be the fourth country to have an openly gay head of state, should Varadkar become taoiseach. Iceland's Johanna Siguroardottir, Luxembourg's Xavier Bettel and Elio Di Rupo from Belgium are the other gay politicians to head a government.
Reconnecting ties between nations

There had been a strained relationship between the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and former President Barrack Obama. At one point President Duterte was asked how he would react if President Obama raised human rights issues against him and he was quoted to replying "son of a w****." This he later apologized for with his aides saying it was more a passionate response than a personal attack on Obama. He is although also quoted to saying "Instead of helping us, the first to criticize is this State Department, so you can go to hell, Mr.

Obama you can go to hell." He also wanted to stop joint military training with the U.S troops and strengthen ties with Russia and China.

This tension was there mainly because President Duterte is under criticism over his methods of dealing with a drug crisis in his country. The former City Mayor in three months after taking office had about 3,000 suspected drug dealers and pushers dead alarming the United Nations, European Union, U.S and human rights watchdogs.

However the tide seems to be changing now as some people compare the personalities of president Trump and President Duterte and they seem to have a lot in common, not only on speaking their mind first, without looking at how the statements can be actualised and also their fist first approach to perceived dangers to their respective countries.

Visits to the White House and to the Philippines

President Trump and President Duterte had a seemingly friendly and progressive phone call last Saturday. The white house corresponding team stated that they discussed the Philippines hard stand towards the war against drugs. He seems not to have mentioned the human's rights stand on his approach, as there are reports of people having no connection to drugs also dying in the Philippines fight against drugs.

With the number of total deaths in the drug war having reached over 7,000.

President Duterte's spokesman Ernesto Abella confirmed the invitation stating that President Trump has expressed his understanding and appreciation of the challenges facing the Philippine president especially on the matter of drugs. President Trump is supposed to visit the Philippines in November to attend the East Asia Summit and the U.S Asian Summit.

The President also invited President Duterte to the White House to discuss the importance of the United States-Philippines alliance.

A Filipino lawyer last week filed a complaint at the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing President Duterte and 11 other Philippine officials of mass murder and crimes against humanity, in a 77-page complaint.

Trumps relations with other world leaders

Last week President Trump called to congratulate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, for his victory in a disputed referendum that strengthened his autocratic rule. Then having lavishly praised President Xi Jinping recently for cooperation in pressuring North Korea despite the fact that President Xi has shown an increasingly repressive streak in his country.

Not forgetting Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah el-Sisi who seized power in a military coup and President Trump has spoken openly about supporting him, and also his campaign promise of changing the relations with Russia's President Vladimir V. Putin

It seems like Trump is working on creating alliances with many countries, maybe in a show of strength against a common threat North Korea. Whatever he's goals are, one thing is for sure his agenda is winning a strong diverse team to his cause.
Up to Speed

One of my good friends just started a blog and I didn't really get it. I have kept a journal for years and was not sure that a more "public" journal was something that held any interest for me. I have found, however, that I have enjoyed reading her posts and commenting on them. I have started reading other blogs and am finally coming "up to speed" and seeing some value in the process of sharing thoughts in a way that is unique from both conversation and journaling but somehow a combination of both. Welcome to my blog!


Destination Africa: that exciting and frightening, must-do Travel destination seems to drop off the travel Bucket List for fun-loving American travelers. Have fun-loving American travelers blacklisted the one continent that can allow them to experience the thrill of our untouched planet as it was thousands of years ago? Everyone wants to get in touch with their ancestral roots and Africa is the ultimate destination to do that -- right? That is the wrong answer: so why is Destination Africa scratched off the American bucket list?

Destination Africa: a handful of Americans vacation on the 'Dark Continent'

Americans do travel and while passport holders increased slightly from a measly 35 percent of the population after they became necessary for travel to Canada, there's still a significant number of around 115 million potential travelers that could be enticed to the 'Dark Continent.' Trade and Tourism hype in Africa is rife with the words "potential American tourists," but that is so misleading.

Tourism Industries U.S. International Air Travel Statistics (I-92 data) Program indicates that in 2016, just under 32 million people flew out of the U.S.A. to countries other than Canada and Mexico. Only around three hundred thousand of those were to Destination Africa and most of those people were not on vacation.

Statistics are boring but necessary so if you factor in that only about 13 percent of Americans indulge in international travel, those who holiday in Africa are hardly worth recording, let alone investing in an American-enticing travel venture.

Bucket list Africa travel confined to wealthy Americans?

America is massive and has so much diversity to cater for domestic travelers that there is no great need to travel overseas when precious vacation time rolls around.

Joley Winters and her African American husband made it to Zimbabwe in 2015. They were not wealthy and had scraped and saved so hard on the salary of a Chicago police officer to take their dream holiday. "We are so disappointed," Joley told me. "We came here to see a real wild elephant before we die. On the documentaries, elephants are all over the place but we got here and found they are mainly in parks and a safari costs more than we could ever afford."

Joley is right -- safari style vacations in Africa lie mainly within reach of those with wealth.

Millions of Africans will never afford the luxury of getting up close to the exciting world of their own continent several thousand years ago. Wealthy Americans travel to Africa. They can afford to put Destination Africa on their bucket list. There is no need to blacklist that destination when money can buy all the luxuries you are used to back home.

Five-star treatment is there if it fits your wallet. The wealthy can sail in hot air balloons above the famous migrations of the Serengeti plains. They can raft the wildest river on the continent in Zimbabwe and visit the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, get major thrills bungee jumping off the bridge above the Zambezi river and walk through the wilderness that offers close encounters with Africa's big five wild animals.

Best of all, their wealth protects them. They need not fear Africa for they seldom encounter the real stark and dark slums in failed cities.

Whatever happened to the American spirit of the 'Big O.E?'

Australians, New Zealanders and young people from Europe can and do travel. The 'Big OE' (overseas experience) is a catchphrase of the young people who want to do it all before college loans need repaying and the death trap of career and mortgage tie them down to the road of a cradle to grave existence. European travelers are found all over Africa. Few of them are there for the animals and the safaris. They are there because they want to know the big wide world. They are not afraid of Africa. You will find them doing volunteer work to pay for their vacation in all sorts of quaint places.

That is not to say that there are no middle-class Americans on vacation in Africa. I have met them propping up the beer bar in diverse countries such as Mozambique, Botswana, and South Africa. A lot of them seem to have served in the military so the fear factor could be mitigated by their belief that they can look after themselves. Then there was improbable Denver, an American from Ohio who was soaking up some sun in Kenya. What was he doing in Africa? "Chasing the blood diamond dream," he said. Probably he had not given much thought to ending his life in a Congolese prison one day and frankly he did not strike me as being a DiCaprio character who would try to do the right thing.

Africa, travel, wealth and guilt

Talking to the wealthier American traveler in Africa, it seems that hunting is a big attraction. Hunters can indulge their passion for slaughter with almost no opposition from anyone. One hunter I met in Zambia said he "feels good" knowing that his hunting vacation would "help to fund facilities for local school children." A middle-aged couple who preferred to shoot with their cameras told me that they always stay at a five-star safari lodge in Zambia's Luangwa wilderness as their hosts donate some proceeds to poor people. "And this makes us feel better about having wealth," Mrs. Middle-age American concluded.

Why the guilt? Why do wealthy Americans feel compelled to justify their African vacation?

Nigel Nicholson, a psychologist at the London Business School told The Telegraph that the wealthy often feel guilty. "The ever-widening gap between rich and poor  has made our relationship with wealth ... fraught. We live surrounded by stories of people whove made it and images of things to buy that leaves everyone unsettled. Apparently even the wealthy feel that unsettling association with their own boodle.

For the majority of Americans, it seems that Destination Africa is on the must-do blacklist. But if you don't want to strike it off your bucket list, you will find an exciting, sometimes frightening and fun-filled continent. Fun-loving young Americans will find plenty of people from across the world in Africa.

Middle-class Americans who have visited Africa on vacation have huge bragging rights back home --and isn't that just to 'die for'?

Watch the fun-filled video below before you write off Africa as a travel destination
Since the day Donald Trump announced his candidacy for president, he has never been shy about lashing out at various world leaders, with the exception of Russian President Vladimir Putin. After 100 days in office, the president is now engaged in a controversial dispute with North Korea, while sending mixed signals in the process.

Trump on North Korea

During the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump didn't hold back his opinion on many issues. When it came to criticizing other countries, Trump pushed his "America first" talking point, shifting the blame of global issues away from the United States.

The former host of "The Apprentice" singled out China, Mexico, and other countries and world leaders, which helped propel him to an upset victory over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last November. While Trump never said a bad word about Vladimir Putin, only further feeding into the growing Russian scandal in the process, he was mixed on his views about North Korea and leader Kim Jong-un. Trump has criticized Kim for North Korea's nuclear weapons program in the past, but has often praised him as well. After giving yet another complement to Kim during the April 30 edition of "Face the Nation" on CBS, Twitter users were quick to give their thoughts.

(Trump's comments come at 2:35 in the above video.)

President Donald Trump spoke with CBS host John Dickerson on Sunday, and gave a questionable reaction when pressed on the status of the United States' relationship with North Korea.

"People are saying 'Is he sane?' I have no idea," Trump said, before giving Kim Jong-un credit for taking over the country following his father's death. "He's dealing with obviously very tough people," Trump continued, while noting, "A lot of people tried to take that power away, whether it was his uncle or anybody else, and he was able to do it." Not stopping there, the billionaire real estate mogul went on to refer to Kim as a "pretty smart cookie."

typical psychopath-when U realize someone can out bully U-praise them2 make them like U & bring them 2 your side https://t.co/962iP35OJG  jack claven (@claverackjac) April 30, 2017

@Mediaite How does mass murder, murdering relatives, keeping NK in darkness & hunger constitute being a "Smart Cookie" ?  @PeggyBrava #Resist (@PeggyBrava) April 30, 2017

Twitter reacts

In response to Donald Trump's favorable comments about Kim Jong-un, social media users had a lot to say.

"Typical psychopath-when U realize someone can out bully U-praise them2 make them like U & bring them 2 your side," one Twitter user wrote.

Donald Trump calls Kim Jong Un "a pretty smart cookie." I call Donald Trump "an ugly dumb fruitcake."  Warren Holstein (@WarrenHolstein) April 30, 2017

@Mediaite Wow. I am pretty sure I could stay in power if I kill family members and keep my population away from the rest of the world  MassNative (@MargaretCohan) April 30, 2017

"Donald Trump calls Kim Jong Un 'a pretty smart cookie.' I call (DT) 'an ugly dumb fruitcake,'" another tweet went on to read.

"Wow. I am pretty sure I could stay in power if I kill family members and keep my population away from the rest of the world," an additional tweet noted. "How does mass murder, murdering relatives, keeping NK in darkness & hunger constitute being a 'Smart Cookie?'" a Twitter user wondered.
One of the biggest stories since Donald Trump first announced his plan to run for president has been over his Tax returns. As the president continues to keep his financial information hidden from the public, Trump has a new theory as to why he has been under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Trump's returns

When Donald Trump stood at the podium on the floor of Trump Tower in New York City and made his candidacy official, the consensus was that it was nothing more than a publicity stunt that would quickly fade out. As the months went by, however, Trump gained momentum and used his controversial campaign style to move past 16 other Republican candidates on his way to the party's nomination.

Just a few months later and Trump completed his goal of winning the presidency with a shocking upset victory over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In doing so, Trump became the first person in 40 years to win the election without releasing at least their most recent year's tax returns. The former host of "The Apprentice" cited being under an audit by the IRS for why he didn't do so, despite there being no law against a person under audit releasing their information. Questions remain over why the tax returns are kept private, with many critics speculating that they would reveal damaging information about the president, which could include a potential tie to Russia or other foreign countries.

After 100 days in office, Trump is still refusing to release the returns, which was highlighted during a April 30 interview with CBS' "Face the Nation."

Joining host John Dickerson on Sunday was Donald Trump, who once again doubled down on his refusal go forward and make his tax returns available to the people. Dickerson asked Trump about comments recently made by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin who said the president had no plans of releasing them anytime soon.

"I never spoke to him about it. Honestly, he's never asked me about it," Trump said, in an apparent conflict with Mnuchin.

Mnuchin said @POTUS has no intention to release tax returns. Trump: "I never spoke to him about it. Honestly, he's never asked me about it."  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) April 30, 2017

"I'm under audit.

Right now, I'm under audit. After the audit is complete," Donald Trump said of the possibility of him releasing his taxes, before adding, "It's a routine audit, but I have a very big tax return." "I think it's a very unfair thing because I have been under audit almost, like, since I became famous, okay?" he continued, putting blame on his celebrity status for his current audit. "I have been under audit, I'll bet you 12 or 13 or 14 years in a row," Trump went on to say, before calling in it "very unfair."

Moving forward

Whether or not Donald Trump releases his tax returns is unknown, but it appears that it's not helping him make his case to the American people. Despite saying he has had a successful start to his presidency, the latest polls show only 40 percent of the American people viewing Trump in a favorable light.
Agents with the Drug Enforcement Agency say that Colombian cartels are trafficking cocaine into Florida at a rate that hasn't been seen since 2007, according to a report from NBC Miami.

Thanks to a resurgent coca crop in Colombia, cocaine seizures in the state have increased by 61 percent between 2014 and 2015, and officials warn that only a small fraction of the cocaine produced from Colombia's latest record-setting crop has reached American shores.

A mountain of cocaine is headed our way

"There is a mountain of cocaine, much of it is likely headed our way, said Justin Miller, intelligence chief for the DEAs Miami field division, to NBC Miami.

Cocaine deaths are already going up significantly.

Favorable growing conditions in Colombia, combined with financial incentives offered by the Colombian government, have led to the cultivation of approximately 460,000 acres of coca in 2015, translating into the production of 710 metric tons of cocaine. In contrast, only 235 metric tons were produced in 2013, and those numbers are likely to skyrocket in coming years.

The Daily Caller reports that farmers are now growing so much of the crop that excess coca leaves have been left to rot in the fields. The saturation of the cocaine market has caused street prices to tumble; one kilo of pure cocaine can be purchased on the streets of Miami for $26,000-- nine thousand dollars less than its highest price just a few years ago.

The number of American fatalities are expected to skyrocket as well. Between 2012 and 2015, cocaine claimed the lives of 1,834 Floridians. Cocaine-related fatalities were surpassed only by deaths from fentanyl-- a powerful painkiller made from opium that is 50 to 100 times more powerful than pure morphine.

Cocaine's role in America's opioid crisis

Because of Colombia's booming coca industry, America's opioid epidemic can only get worse. Opioid-related deaths claimed 33,000 lives in 2015, and opium-based drugs like fentanyl have been combined with cocaine by drug dealers throughout the country.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported earlier this week that fentanyl has already seeped into the city's cocaine and warns that just a few grains of fentanyl can be deadly-- half a teaspoon of fentanyl is powerful enough to kill ten people.

The Enquirer reported that the dangerous cocaine-fentanyl combination has already turned up in New York, San Francisco, and Canada. Dr. Lakshimi Sammarco, the coroner for Hamilton County, says that she has already seen deaths from the drug combination. Similar reports have come out of New York.

Some experts believe that the lethal cocaine-fentanyl mixture is specifically intended to decimate the black community.

According to Dr. Thomas Gilson, who recently testified at a U.S. Senate hearing on the opioid epidemic, the deadly drug combination is targeted toward African-American buyers.

"With seemingly purposeful intent, cocaine is now being mixed with fentanyl and its analogs in an effort to introduce these drugs into the African-American population," Gilson stated at the Senate hearing.

"Cocaine had been the only drug that victims were predominately African-American."

Gilson added that the number of fentanyl-related deaths in 2017 among the black population of Cuyahoga County has already doubled the number of fentanyl-related deaths in 2016.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Europe cannot completely place all its hope on the United States and other partners and allies, citing her experience with US President Donald Trump at the just concluded international summits. The periods of our total reliance on others are over, to an extent she said at a function in Munich.

Angela Merkel's speech

Though she did not mentioned Trump, her speech pointed to President Donald Trumps initial foreign tour, where he criticized its allied members for the level commitment to their defense funding and also described Germany very bad on trade deals.

The experience we had in the last few days could only mean that we Europeans must really take ours destiny in our hands, and of course in relationship with the US and ties the United Kingdom and as neighbors wherever it becomes necessary, also with Russia and with all other nations around the world, the German Chancellor said.

President Trump failed to demonstrate to EU leaders on his commitment to fight Russian aggression in his address at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

Reverberation of Trump ties to Russia

Question about President Trumps position on Russia came up again and attention was shifted the Washington investigation about Trump administrations ties to Russia. In His addressed he clearly called on allied nations to increase their monetary allocation on defense.

NATO raged at Trumps remark, which didnt recognize the recent upsurge in defense expenditure of member nations, and also failed to reassure US commitment to the alliances mutual military pledge, in the wake of President Trumps degrading speeches about the alliance during his 2016 presidential election campaign.

At the G-7 summit held on Friday and Saturday, EU leaders including German Chancellor failed to persuade Trump to show commitment in the Paris climate pact.

The future of Europe

Merkel had previously met former US President Barack Obama in Berlin before the NATO summit began. During the Obama administration, the German Chancellor was one of the prominent Western leader who spoke against nationalist movements like the Brexit campaign and Trumps campaign policies.

Merkel stated that Europeans would remain committed on key areas and continue their friendship with the United States, United Kingdom and other allies when necessary, including Russia, but maintained her stance that Europeans must rely on themselves.

In her remarks she urged Europeans to contend for their own future and destiny. She further expressed support for the UK against terrorism.
President Donald Trump's Son In Law #jared kushner was searching for a direct line of communication to Russia's President #Vladimir Putin, according to the New York Times on Tuesday. This turned into a search that saw the husband of Ivanka Trump meeting with a Russian banker who had close ties with Russian intelligence, and whose companies were already sanctioned by the US under then-President Barack Obama.

As the tumult over the Trump and Russia investigation starts to hit  or rather slam  home, the director of communications at the White House resigned today, in a brisk Tuesday morning move that made national headlines.

The Russian banker in question

The banker that Jared Kushner met was called #Sergey Gorkov, and presently a handful of congressional and federal investigators are looking to establish what the two men wanted from each other. Why did they meet? What exactly was said? Gorkov is a close associate of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, yet has not acted in any way diplomatically for Russia, instead having a role as a businessman and company owner. Many questions have been raised about why he, in particular, met with Trump's son-in-law at such a crucial moment in the much-storied Trump transition.

The New York Times first published news of a meeting between Kushner and Gorkov in March, but at the time this Trump's administration didnt explain what the meeting was actually about and the details were slim.

In that article however, Hope Hicks, was officially quoted as saying that the meeting resulted after the Russian ambassador to the US, #Sergey Kislyak, requested it. Sergey Kislyak is an interesting figure in political circles and has many contacts in the world of DC politics. He has been mentioned many times in this ongoing investigation into Russia-Trump ties....

Kislyak, incidentally, had met Kushner in December at Trump's New York headquarters to confer over the establishment of a #direct communications line with Russian high-ranking officials during the official Trump transition period.

Kushner's swift half-hour get-together with Gorkov, however, has since been the subject of much scrutiny from nany sectors of the political and news worlds.

According the New York Times, sources with knowledge of the meeting claim that the half-hour meeting could well have been part of a concerted effrort and push by Kushner to get a direct line with Putin happening.

In March, when #James Comey was still the director of the FBI, the Senate Intelligence Committee told the White House they were indeed planning to question and talk to Kushner about said meet-up he took with Gorkey.

How legal is it?

Attempting to get direct and secret communications with Russia's president Mr Putin so soon after a federal and high stakes election isn't illegal per se. Yet it's a very unusual set of actions that that administration would set up communications with a foreign country bypassing the safe and secure modes of official government communication.

In going about this in such a non-traditional way, many are wondering about the scale of the operation and whether it could turn into something illegal further down the track.

No disclosure from Kushner in January

In January of this year, Trump's son-in-law Kushner didn't write about any of his Russian contacts when he was officially applying for security clearance at the White House. Later down the track he made changes to that form to include a handful of meetings that he had taken, including pow-wows with the Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak and the banker Gorkov, but it still remains unclear whether he alerted investigators who were carrying out his background check about his desire to set up a back channel. Of course, his aides have commented that his omissions from his January clearance form were indeed purely accidental and should have no bearing on this issue.
Japan plans to buy an Aegis Ashore missile defense system from the United States. The system is said to greatly improve Japan's defense against possible attacks from North Korea. However, China is not happy with the arrangement being made by Washington and Tokyo.

What is the Aegis missile defense system being purchased by Japan?

According to the Nikkei newspaper, the Aegis Ashore missile defense system is a land-based version of the Aegis system used by the naval ships. Japanese sources are not reluctant to admit that the main reason for the purchase is the imminent threat coming from North Korea.

According to Japanese commentators, the said Aegis system will cost $700 million each and Japan needs three at most for a countrywide defense. Aside from this, the Japanese self-defense force is starting to loosen the tight restrictions for a more versatile and active military.

Aside from this, Japan is also planning to buy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense or THAAD, which South Korea currently employs as its mainline defense against ballistic missiles.

What is China's reaction towards Japan's Aegis plan?

China's expansionist policy will be greatly hampered by a strong pro-American Japan. China is planning on building a similar missile defense system that will rival the THAAD. Beijing had enlisted the help of Russia to develop such a weapon, however, with the buildup of U.S.

forces in the Korean peninsula, it is slowly becoming an arms race not with North Korea alone, but with the industrial might of China.

Japan and the United States plans on expanding sanctions against North Korea

U.S. President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had agreed to expand the current sanctions against North Korea.

Currently, Pyongyang is banned from trading all kinds of goods, especially metals, coal and oil and only items needed for "livelihood" purposes are allowed.

The stringent sanctions have considerably affected Pyongyang's ability to expedite its missile research. However, with the subtle help coming from China, Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic ambition continues on.

Beijing is the only source of resources for North Korea and with China's continued support under the guise of "humanitarian" aid, North Korea thrives. However, the biggest problem with the United States and Japan is the stance of the new South Korean government of reopening diplomatic talks with the north.

Even if reunification is a wonderful prospect for North and South, unification of Korea will favor China more as it can easily influence a united Korean government to come under China's wing and benefit from an expanded economic zone through the "One belt one road" initiative that is aimed to create a massive interconnected continent sharing a common economic goal of mutual prosperity.
Last Friday, The Washington Post, referencing American officials who had been briefed on intelligence reports, disclosed to the public that the Russian Ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, had told his Moscow superiors that Trump's son-in-law #jared kushner had proposed a #secret and direct channel to Putin.

According to Sergey Kislyak, #Kushner made this suggestion along with another one to use Russian diplomatic facilities in the US to allow such meetings and talks to take place. Kushner discussed with the Russian ambassador using specific Russian communication locations at either a consulate or an embassy within America.

As of Tuesday, Trump's #White House hasn't denied or responded to the report that the Washington Post published. Nobody knows exactly whether Kushner saw the banker he met, Gorkov, as somebody who had the ability to act as a go-between or not; maybe, some are pontificating, the two men took the secretive meeting in order to set up that direct communications line to Vladimir Putin.

What we do know is that the more information that surfaces about Trump's ties with Russia, the more worrisome it's starting to look. All eyes are peeled as of Tuesday to see what intel comes to light next.
Manchester Arena Suicide Bomber salman abedi was caught on camera before he set off a bomb that killed 22 people attending an Ariana Grande concert. At the same time, International Business Times has carried a story about the mother of a teenage gang-rape victim from 2013. She alleges that "she had reported the gang to the UK terror police several times, but they ignored her warnings." Her allegations seem to indicate that the suicide bomber from Manchester was linked to the gang rape and that more of those gang members might have terror connections.

Manchester bomber linked to rapist in photograph

IBT inform us that Salman Abedi, the Manchester Bomber was seen in a photograph, sitting beside one of the convicted rapists. Another interesting angle to the story is that according to the mother, as cited by IBT, Abdullahi Ahmed Jama Farah, a member of the gang was "jailed in February 2016 for creating an Isis "communications hub" in his mother's house in Fallowfield."

Alleging that all of the gang were friends with Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi, might not be proof that they too are involved in ISIS, but she does raise the question that if they were all friends, then there might be a possible link and a danger that some of them might perpetrate the same type of act in the future.

Complaining about what she perceives to be a lack of interest by the police, she said, "They are all friends and they are ending up terrorists and rapists. I can't understand why the police can't follow it up?"

Salman Abedi is dead -- image shows bomber minutes before death

Salman Abedi is now dead, and there is little doubt that he deliberately planned to kill people at the concert.

The photograph shows a young man - just one among thousands that night. In a Reuters handout of the photo there is evidence that he had on a small backpack and according to the Belfast Telegraph, "detectives believe [it] could have held the explosive that tore through crowds exiting the Manchester Arena."

Watch video of Abedi CCTV footage

#BREAKING: British Police have released new security images of the Manchester bomber Salman Abedi. #9News pic.twitter.com/RU4kk0j9ew  Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) May 27, 2017

The picture released by the Manchester police was captured on CCTV and was edited by blacking out the people and scenes in the background.

This could be to protect both innocents and to safeguard other evidence. Calls have gone out for anyone with further information about the bombing to contact police.

Ramadan -- a time of 'peace'

The irony of the Manchester bombing and the senseless deaths of young people is that Ramadan has just started. Ramadan is meant to be all about peace. On Saturday 27th May, about 1.5 billion Muslims across the world began observing the holy fasting month, which this year celebrates anything but peace. The world is currently blighted by bloodshed, conflict, and suffering.
According to the Daily Caller, an accused police killer confessed on camera. After going on a murder spree, Willie Cory Goldbolt, 35, confessed to many murders, police say. According to reports, Goldbolt went on a shooting spree, killing three women and William Durr, a Lincoln County Deputy. In another area, the suspect shot a man and woman killing them. A Mississippi native, Godbolt was captured Sunday morning, following the murder spree.

As cameras were rolling, Godbolt confessed on national television in front of the world. In the shootout, Goldbolt managed to shoot and kill Deputy William Durr.

When asked about the murder of the deputy, Goldbolt said, my pain wasnt designed for him. He was just there. Goldbolt went on to say, We was talking about me trying to take the children homesomebody called the officerthats what they do, they intervene. It cost him his life. Im sorry.

The dispute over a child custody battle

The situation with Goldbolt started when the deputy approached him about a dispute regarding his kids. The problem then escalated into the murders of several innocent people. During his TV confession, Goldbolt also said what his intentions were; Suicide by cop was my intention. I aint fit to live. Not after what Ive done. It didn't work out that way due to Goldbolt "running out of bullets."

No charges have been filed at the moment, and no clear motive has been established.

The death toll is eight people including the deputy sheriff. One of the victims turns out to be Goldbolt's mother-in-law, who was involved in the custody battle for the children. According to the suspect, "there were many people in the wrong place at the wrong time." After many apologies, he is sitting at the Lincoln County Jail, waiting on charges.

8 Dead In Mississippi Shooting Rampage; Suspect Confesses To Reporter https://t.co/HDrP83ByDz pic.twitter.com/T6Pgv9Jk47  WFMY News 2 (@WFMY) May 28, 2017

These crimes are frequent lately

According to the Time website, murders have risen in the US since 2015. The fatalities are steady rising through 2016 and 2017. Murders are up in 30 US cities according to the reports.

Among these cities are Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, and San Antonio. According to the article, FBI Director Comey, before his resignation, called the increase the Ferguson effect.

According to his findings, after the Ferguson police killing of the young black teen in 2015 things changed. Since then, Comey said police are backing off due to fears of being reported. Since 2015, murders have risen from 3,855 in 2015 to 4,673 so far this year.
One of the many pieces of unfinished business that President Trump has to deal with left over from the Obama administration is what to do about Cuba. Many of President Obamas initiatives to open relations with the communist dictatorship 90 miles from the United States proved to be controversial, not so much because they were considered bad policy but because the United States did not get any concessions in return, especially on human rights. The Daily Caller is reporting that Trump is getting ready to reverse some of the Obama Cuba policies.

Obama opens relations with Cuba

President Obama reestablished diplomatic ties with Cuba, ending restrictions on travel to the island nation, and urging the Congress to end the economic embargo against the Havana regime. He also ended the so-called wet foot dry foot immigration policy that automatically granted Cubans refugee status if they managed to get to dry land before being apprehended by the Coast Guard.

The Cuban initiatives prove to be controversial

Many Cuban-Americans, including Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida and Sen Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, were aghast at the Obama effort. While some hardliners might favor opening relations with Cuba, they noted that President Obama did not try to get concessions from the Cuban government, particularly when human rights are concerned.

Indeed, in the wake of the opening of Cuba, the communist government has initiated a crackdown, arresting dissidents and suppressing dissent.

What Donald Trump has in mind

Trump has always been of two minds when it comes to relations with Cuba. The businessman in him would love to see the economic embargo lifted. The idea of a Trump resort along one of Cubas beaches certainly is appealing.

On the other hand, Trump the politician and president knows perfectly well the wages of appeasement. Cuba policy is under review, though the rumor is that Trump will make a speech in Miami detailing some reversals of the Obama initiative. Top on the list will be restrictions on travel and investment, particularly with entities controlled by Cubas Revolutionary Armed Forces.

Such a move would put a crimp on travel and investment in the island dictatorship. Many allegedly private enterprises in Cuba are owned by the Cuban military.

Cuban refugees a problem

On the other hand, reinstating the wet foot dry foot policy regarding Cuban refugees could be a political issue. Traditionally the United States has been generous to people fleeing Cuba, making the assumption that they are leaving oppression and persecution. Before the wet foot dry foot policy, enacted by President Bill Clinton in 1995, any Cuban fleeing the island tyranny was considered a refugee, whether found at sea or dry land. If Trump decides to rescind the policy of treating all Cuban refugees as illegal aliens, immigration advocates will accuse him of favoring Cubans over other refugees for arbitrary reasons.
Its been a good length of time since a volcano in North America has had a significant eruption. That period has come to an end with the big blowup of a volcano in Bogoslof Island in Alaska just this Sunday, May 28. This location in the Aleutian Islands chain has already been on a close watch list by the Alaska Volcano Observatory ever since the 20th of December last year, with precautionary advisories being issued to pilots flying over that area.

Five months after these initial warnings, the Bogoslof Island volcano finally unleashed what appears to be its full power.

To that end, the AVO issued the highest level aviation warning for that airspace.

Dangerous flying

Due to the severity of the May 28 Bogoslof eruption which lasted almost an hour, ash clouds rose up to a minimum of 35,000 feet and reaching as high as 45,000 feet according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory. That Sunday afternoon Jeffrey Freymueller from the University of Alaskas Geophysical Institute called for the issuance of a code red aviation alert, due to an increase in seismic signals as well as the multitude of detected lightning in the volcanic plumes which are significantly dangerous to passing aircraft. That's one more thing to worry about on top of the laptop ban, but this time it is due to a natural calamity.

Seeing as the Bogoslof Volcano is right underneath the common flight paths of airline routes between North America and Asia, the aviation alert is extremely vital to prevent airborne accidents from hazardous ash in midair. The US Geological Survey warns that volcanic ash can cause severe engine failure if drawn into a planes jet intakes.

While some aircraft can avoid ash clouds by veering around or flying above them, depending on the severity of conditions air traffic can be completely grounded for several days. The last time this prominently happened had been during the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland, which halted flights all over Europe for close to a week.

Unstable condition

The volcanic island of Bogoslof has changed shape over the decades since its vents spewed new lava deposits above sea level. The Alaska Volcano Observatory has on record about eight previous eruptions there, the most recent being back in 1992.

That last activity left Bogoslof with an elongated shape. But the emergence of a new vent in 2016, the same vent that blew up May 28, saw the island being altered to now look like a hook shape encircling the volcano proper.

The AVO reports that despite the eruption Bogoslof remains in a heightened state of unrest and its condition is described as unstable. The earlier red aviation warning has also since been downgraded to orange level.
With news that Trump's son in law #Jared Kushner met with a Russian banker to set up a direct and secretive line of communications with Russia's Vladimir Putin, many questions have been raised. How long had they sought to plan such an arrangement? Who initially suggested it?

According to various people with intel on the meeting Kushner took with Russian Ambassador #Sergey Kislyak, it was principally a meeting to talk about how the United States and Russia could work together in an amicable way to close the civil war in Syria, as well as other issues.

Well, now it seems that those other issues are front and center. Those other issues might be what makes or break the trump administration.

These sources, according to the New York Times on Tuesday, said that the secure channel aimed, in part, to connect #Michael Flynn, then a campaign adviser (but now known as the disgraced national security adviser), to high-level military officials in Moscow and beyond.

In fact, the disgraced former national security advisor, Flynn, had actually attended the meeting in New York at Trump HQ with Russian Ambassador Kislyak. This is another detail that investigators are honing in on.

Investigators at the #FBI are also currently looking into whether the channel was supposed to be kept open after the Syrian issue had been resolved, and whether there were other topics discussed in the meeting, including lifting sanctions from the formative Obama era, sanctions that were put in place after Russia' annexation of Crimea and its massive and unyielding assaults in Ukraine.
As Space.com notes, May 29, 2017 is the 100th birthday of President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy is best known as having thrown down the gauntlet to the Soviet Union and challenged it to a race to the moon. He did not live to see the victory in that race, but the Apollo moon landing and the legacy it wrought for better and ill shaped the way we regard space exploration.

The moon race as a strategic gambit

56 years ago, President Kennedy was faced with a number of strategic challenges. The Bay of Pigs fiasco had tarnished his young administration to some extent.

Coupled with failure in Cuba was the fact that the Soviet Union has beaten the United States into space with the flight of Yuri Gagarin. Clearly, JFK needed what would be seen as some to be a Hail Mary pass, a challenge that was so bold and so overwhelming that the Soviets could not possibly meet it, so long as the United States kept the commitment.

Apollo was a near run thing

The Apollo program almost crashed on the shoals of politics a number of times. In the fall of 1963, Kennedy toyed with the idea of turning the race to the moon to a joint venture to the moon with the Soviets. That idea never got off the ground, however the price tag of Apollo caused the United States Senate at the behest of Sen.

William Proxmire, a lifelong foe of the space program, to cut Apollos budget, placing into doubt the goal of putting a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s. When Kennedy was assassinated, Apollo became a monument to his memory.

The Apollo Fire, when three astronauts died during a ground test, may have derailed the moon landing goal as well.

Another anti-space senator, Walter Mondale, made a great deal of political hay over the mistakes NASA had made that led to the fire. But, in the end, the fire taught the space agency enough valuable lessons that allowed it to fulfill the goal of the moon landing on July 20, 1969

What did Apollo wrought?

The moon landing so haunted the Soviets that it informed its policy decisions for decades, all the way up to the end of that evil empire.

When President Reagan proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative, the Kremlin was duly terrified and embarked on a huge effort to overcome it that eventually brought about the end of the USSR.

By every measure, the Apollo program was a success. It garnered a wealth of scientific discovery and technological innovation that still redounds to this day. Some analysis of Apollo, including one conducted by Chase Econometrics in the 1970s, suggests that the economic stimulus caused by the race to the moon more than paid for it, unique among government programs.

Can there be another Kennedy moment?

The question arises, can there be another Kennedy moment? Two presidents named George Bush tried it. The 1989 Space Exploration Initiative failed politically and never got off the ground.

President Barack Obama capriciously canceled President George W. Bushs Constellation program, though the Journey to Mars survives from it. Rumor has it that President Trump has a keen understanding of how space contributes to national greatness and that a new Kennedy moment may be at hand. Stay tuned.
Dozens, of not hundreds, of #independent pharmacists came to the House and Senate office addresses recently in a bid to pitch lawmakers on their attempts to reign in the #mounting price of drugs that has so angered American consumers in the past few years.

The pharmacists swarmed into the lawmakers offices and introduced themselves as the 'white hats' of the industry, and they took to task the #pharmacy benefit managers such as VCS Health and Express Scripts that manage the coverage of millions of Americans. Even Trump is critical.

They argued that to reduce the #price of drugs people should start paying attention to the middlemen.

Indeed, a war has escalated between the most prominent players in the pharmaceutical industry  generic drug brands, as well as brand name and even your average local pharmacist  the different parties are each blaming each other for the soaring cost of prescription medicine in America.

An industry that is greedy

It is an industry in trouble, and the escalating price of drugs is nothing if not shameful. Already an industry that is spending nearly twice the amount that other business sectors allocate on lobbying, the industry is having to spend even more on this seemingly #non-stop lobbying. Meanwhile, President Trump has increased the industry's jittery nerves by accusing them of getting away with murder."

Today, lawmakers in the House and the Senate are coming to grips with an almost daily assault.

Everyone is very eager to #maximize their profits and get a piece of the pie, and sorting it all out is complicated, said Senator Susan Collins, who is a Republican from Maine.

Now many are wondering if a fiery yet rare confluence of #public anger, presidential leadership and political interest will instigate a meaningful change that will lessen the cost of prescription drugs for American consumers.

It seems that everyone is doing the finger pointing at the moment, when in reality there is, according to Chester Davis Junior, the president of the Association for Accessible Medicines, "a lot of blame to go around. Davis compares it to the photo of the Three Stooges where their faces are broken and yet they still point at each other.

Both parties, the Democrats and Republicans, under Trump, have zeroed in on the task of decreasing Drug Prices as the top priority for their #health care bills.

Healthcare and public rage

There has been so much public anger that it isn't surprising. Many medicines have seemed to quadruple, if not more, in price making some illnesses a bankrupting burden to carry. Compared to the UK and Australia and Canada, the United State's healthcare sector is a joke  with mourning costs, #profiteering and little financial regulation.

Americans are absolutely outraged at the #skyrocketing prices for what are seen as essential medicine; these include insulin for diabetes, for example, and EpiPens for those who have severe allergic reactions.

But the question remains to be answered, will the existing efforts to bring prices down survive the aggressive and bullish lobbying as well as campaign contributions made by those bullish healthcare companies?

Case in point: The healthcare and pharma industry pays around #1,100 lobbyists  which is more than two lobbyists to each member of Congress. This should be unlawful.

Representative Lloyd Doggett, a Democrat of Texas described it as an uphill fight to the New York Times, and he has recently been pressing Congress to increase competition and to also lower prices of drugs, given the millions they have spent on lobbying, advertising and campaign contributions.

There are #billions in profits at stake; and, the cost of lobbying is immense: the industry has spent $78 million this first quarter of the year on lobbying, which was a 14 percent increase from last year, this is as recorded by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Amanda Stanton and Josh Murray didn't work out, but now fans are wondering if she will come back to "Bachelor in Paradise" to try and find love once again. Things were great with Josh for a while, but then they didn't last, and now both are single once again.

Amanda Stanton is single and ready to mingle

Amanda is single now and looking for love, but that doesn't mean that she will be coming back for another season of paradise. Amanda actually went to her Instagram Live and talked about "BIP." She actually said that she wasn't going to "Bachelor in Paradise" again, but that Sarah would be going.

That was about a month ago, and it looks like Sarah might not be going either now that she has been pictured with a new man. Only time will tell who is going to be on the show, but you know some of the guys from Rachel Lindsay's season of the show will end up being there trying to find love.

Amanda Stanton also talked a bit about her split from Josh Murray. She revealed that when they were together, she was driving a car that belonged to her ex Nick and that Josh wasn't a fan of that at all. It actually made him jealous, so they had some issues because of that. Nick is also the father of Amanda's two daughters. They still have to be involved with each other because of the kids, but Josh wasn't a fan of their relationship.

He didn't want her driving around a car that Nick owned so he made sure to do something else for her. When they split, they started having issues.

Josh Murray actually got her a different car that she was driving, but when they split, they had some issues. Amanda expected to just pay for it, but Josh didn't do it that way. Instead, he called the police and had them come and pick the car up from her.

This didn't go over well at all and of course, might have been part of the issues of why they never got back together.

So far, Josh Murray and Amanda Stanton are still apart, and it doesn't look like they are going to get back together. They are both moving on. It would be surprising if Josh and Amanda ever worked things out.

He has been very clear that he misses her daughters. It doesn't look like Amanda and Josh are even trying to work things out anymore.

Do you think that Amanda Stanton should return to "Bachelor in Paradise" for another season? Do you feel like she might do it anyway? Sound off in the comments section below on your thoughts, and don't miss new episodes of "Bachelor in Paradise" when it returns this summer to ABC.
Chris Soules was involved in a deadly crash recently that landed him behind bars for leaving the scene of the accident. Chris is now out of jail after being bonded out, but it turns out that Chris and his family didn't even go to the wake of the victim Kenneth Mosher. This is pretty surprising considering they did know each other and didn't live far apart.

Details of Kenneth Mosher's wake revealed

Kenneth Moshers' family and friends just attended his wake, but Chris Soules was nowhere to be seen. There were actually about one hundred people there to celebrate his life.

It was a three-hour wake that was held for the Vietnam vet at Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Iowa. This was on Sunday, April 30.

The wake seemed very nice with an open casket funeral with Mosher wearing a casual shirt. The flowers on the casket had a tractor on them as well. Kenneth Mosher was a farmer and loved what he did. An eyewitness shared saying, "The family is taking it rather well. I don't think the shock will come in until after the funeral  when things settle down." This is a hard time on everyone.

So far, Chris Soules and his family are staying quiet about why they didn't go to the wake. A lot of people expected them to be there to pay their respects, but it might have just been easier to avoid it all together.

A lot of people there might have not been happy to see Chris Soules, and you don't want any kind of issues at a funeral.

During this accident, Chris Soules ran into the back of Mosher's tractor in his truck. He did Call 911 but left the scene of the accident before the official showed up. It turns out that Mosher had been planting his fields all day before the accident.

Farmers work a lot of long days in April when the weather is nice, and he was taking advantage of the nice day.

Chris Soules did stay at the scene of the accident to call 911, even though original reports made it sound like he left right away. More information is going to continue to come out during the trial. Right now, Chris Soules is out on bond, but he did have to give up his passport, so he won't be traveling, which also means he won't be on "Bachelor in Paradise" this summer, even though rumors were out that he would be on the show.

A lot of things are going to change for Chris Soules now.

Are you shocked to hear that Chris Soules and his family didn't go to the wake of the victim in this crash? Do you think that they should have attended? Sound off in the comments section below on your thoughts.
President's Rodrigo Duterte was on a visit to Russia when trouble erupted back home. Islamic militants stormed the predominantly Muslim city of Malawi in the eastern Philippines. The city has a population of 200,000. Hundreds were taken hostage. Even now some 2000 people are reportedly trapped as the ISIS-linked Maute militants go about executing "betrayers" who try to flee the city. Due to this, the president cut his visit short and flew home. In addition, he imposed martial law in the eastern Philippines. The Muslim rebels are fighting for an independent state.

This news was reported by CNN International.

Attacking the insurgents

The Philippine Army is now using "maximum" force to crush the insurgents. The going is not easy and a dozen police and military personnel have been killed. The assault by the army has weakened the Islamic resistance, and, as per reports, 61 terrorists have been killed. The Islamic terrorists are also executing many locals who were trying to flee the besieged city.

It is now recognized that the nature of militancy in the Philippines has changed. It is no longer a homegrown movement as Muslims from Malaysia, Borneo, and Indonesia have infiltrated the ranks of the Muslim fighters. Duterte has a fight on his hands.

Duterte and Islamic militancy

The president promised to crush the Islamic militants. He has been reported by RT News as saying: "If I cannot confront them, I will resign. If I am incompetent and incapable of keeping order in the country, let me step down and give the job to somebody else."

Driving out the terrorists from the eastern part of the country is now a matter of pride for the president.

It should not, however, be forgotten that Islamic militancy has been an ongoing phenomenon for decades and the Philippine army has been unable to crush them.

Last word

This time the odds may just favor President Duterte. He is a ruthless man. His war on drugs has led to hundreds being killed in extra-judicial killings. He has also questioned the role of the USA in the region.

The Islamic terrorists are facing an air assault and this is having a demoralizing effect on them. Many are wanting to flee the city of Malawi to escape being killed by an air strike. The militants are low on food and ammunition and the army may prevail.

The Islamic militants still hold hundreds of people as hostages, some in inaccessible regions. Rescuing them will not be easy. The army is moving in ruthlessly, and perhaps under Duterte, they will defeat the insurgents.
Filmmakers tour animation studios in 3 Chinese cities, bring 10 projects to pitch

The Hollywood animation industry not only can tap into the vast market of China but also mine its rich history and culture for great stories, said the filmmakers behind hit movies like Mulan, Ice Age and Despicable Me after returning from a recent trip to China.

"This is an exciting time in the animation industry. We are seeing more investment into the world market of animation than ever before, and much of this investment is coming from China," said Tony Bancroft, director of Disney's Mulan and the upcoming Animal Crackers, and one of the eight masters participating in the trip.

"China is experiencing one of the most exciting growth periods in film production and investment - it's unparalleled in the history of cinema," said Bancroft, a veteran director at Walt Disney Animation and Sony Pictures, as well as an independent producer and director.

The "Hollywood Masters' China Trip" took the moviemakers to Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai, where they visited animation studios, met with their Chinese counterparts and investors and visited places of interest like the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and Jinsha Site Museum in Chengdu.

The filmmakers brought 10 projects to pitch to investors in China and generated a lot of interest, according to trip-organizer Stephanie Xu, president of US-Asia Innovation Gateway, a Silicon Valley-based organization aimed at advancing economic opportunities between the US and Asia.

"Some of them are now in talks with potential investors," she said.

"Learning about and meeting with China financing and co-production entities has already sparked investment interest in one of my film projects and inspired my journey to develop more shared content with China," said Damon Santostefano, another filmmaker on the trip.

Because of Chinese investment in Hollywood independent animation, people are seeing different kinds of stories being brought to life for the world market, said Bancroft.

Mike Reiss, writer of The Simpsons, Ice Age and Despicable Me, said he hoped the trip would help China learn Hollywood's best practices "without picking up its bad habits".

"China is more than just a big and growing market," he said. "It's one where the filmmakers and audiences are still excited about movies."

"I've visited many Chinese animation studios, and they are state of the art. However, the tools mean little if they don't have stories to tell," Reiss added. "It is in the creative area that Chinese animation has room to grow."

This trip was aimed at promoting bilateral cultural exchange between the two sides so they have a deeper understanding of each other's culture, history and lifestyle, according to Xu.

"There is still a huge gap between how we view the US and China. This trip provides an opportunity for our group to explore China at different levels," she said. "It's an opportunity for Chinese people to learn from these Hollywood masters why their movies have been so successful worldwide."

At the same time, the Hollywood writers can draw inspiration from China.

"After all, China is so rich in culture and history that many more stories can be explored and discovered beyond Mulan and Kung Fu Panda," said Xu.

"Since my days at Disney Animation I was taught how to bring stories to life for a universal market - not just the US. It was these unique skills that helped me realize an ancient Chinese story like Mulan and bring it to the screen," said Bancroft.

"The key to success in animated films are three things: engaging characters, a great story and a strong team making it," he said. "A story has to have heart and connect emotionally with an audience, but, as I learned at Disney, 'Funny is Money'!"

liazhu@chinadailyusa.com
As Chinese middle-class travelers regularly visit the gateway cities to California, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, the state's smaller cities are gearing up to attract those seeking different experiences.

"Chinese visitors want to get a more authentic experience of California," said Rob O'Keefe, chief marketing officer of the Monterey County Convention and Tourism Bureau.

"When you go to LA, for example, you have things that are very popular among Chinese visitors - Hollywood, Disney, but travelers want to look beyond those things that are better known," he said.

He said his agency has seen increasing numbers of Chinese visitors to Monterey County, about a two-hour drive south from San Francisco. "We want to position ourselves as an attractive choice for Chinese travelers," he said.

Early this year, Visit California and Tuniu, a major Chinese online tourism operator, collaborated to design four customized routes for Chinese family tourists.

The routes include destinations that are getting popular among young Chinese travelers between San Francisco and Los Angeles, such as Napa Valley, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey.

"In the past, Chinese tourists just stayed on the West Coast and East Coast. But there is actually a lot of potential in terms of resources between San Francisco and Los Angeles," said Barry Lin, senior director of tourism resources with Tuniu.

Chinese visitors were satisfied with just seeing those landmarks on their trips, but young travelers, especially millennials, and family travelers are tending to stay longer and seek more experiences, he said.

"When they stay longer, they bring more value to the local industry," Lin added.

Monterey County has had proactive marketing programs for Chinese visitors for the last several years, because "we recognize early on the importance of Chinese travelers because California is the No. 1 choice in terms of state when they come to the US," said O'Keefe.

The county has several destinations featured in the Visit California and Tuniu's customized routes, including Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pebble Beach. The Highway 1 driving experience also is a major attraction.

"We found nature and scenic beauty is a big attraction. Chinese travelers are familiar with San Francisco and Los Angeles, and they are looking to get beyond those destinations and get the real California experience," he said.

The four customized routes are designed for family tourists, who will become the major part of overseas tourists in the future, said Lin.

"Such small groups usually consist of two families - four adults and two children - so the fully packed big group itineraries don't suit their needs," he said.

In March, Tuniu launched ads in China featuring custom tour routes. The company plans to invest an estimated $4 million in media throughout 2017 to promote the new Tuniu-Visit California spots and the new travel products.
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Vietcombank plans to increase charter capital from 35.977 trillion VND to nearly 39.6 trillion VND this year through the issue of an additional 360 million shares, equivalent to 10 percent of its capital.



The shares will be sold either to the public or offered to no more than 10 investors (including existing shareholders) in a private placement due late this year.



BIDV also approved a plan to increase charter capital by 4.445 trillion VND to 38.63 trillion VND. The plan will be conducted via the issuance of 2016 dividend-paying stocks worth nearly 2.39 trillion VND, shares for investors worth over 1 trillion VND and others for employees, known as Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) valued at over 1 trillion VND.



The same trend was also seen at Military Bank, VP Bank, Techcombank and Nam A Bank with capital hike plans ranged between 1 trillion VND and 5 trillion VND.



According to the banks, the capital hike is aimed to enhance their competitive edge and meet requirements of Basel II, which is due to take effect in Vietnam in September 2017 in a pilot programme for ten banks.



With the capital hike plans, some are concerned about a wave of increasing illegal bank capital as in the 2008-10 period.



In 2006, in order to improve bank financial status and stability, the Government issued Decree No. 141/2006/N-CP issuing the list of legal capital levels of credit institutions. Under the decree, minimum legal capital for commercial banks must be 1 trillion VND in 2008 and 3 trillion VND by December 31, 2010.



However, the capital increase caused difficulties, due to the stagnant stock market and some banks failure to follow through.



Therefore, to meet the regulations, they increased financial capital illegally through cross-ownership to avoid being acquired or merged.



However, experts said that such an increase of financial capital at this time is unfeasible.



Banking expert Can Van Luc told online newspaper bizlive.vn that the increase of illegal capital is now almost impossible as the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) monitors and controls the issue very strictly. In particular, the SBV is also very active in introducing measures to combat the increase of financial capital, helping transparency of information and prevent cross-ownership in the banking system.



In addition, Luc said, through the occurrences in the 2008-10 period, banks themselves recognise the risk of raising financial capital illegally and do not dare to do so.



However, he recommended the Government and the central bank to help commercial banks increase capital to meet the Basel II requirements.



The Government can allow banks to keep roughly 50-60 percent of dividends for capital increase as some other countries do, Luc suggested.



Besides, he said, it is also necessary to speed up the restructuring of ailing banks and recover bad debts to remove the bottleneck in the lending capital flow.



If the recovery of bad debts is sped up, banks can reduce their provision for risky loans and have more funds to add to their charter capital, Luc said.

VNA/VNP
HA NOI  Viet Nam has negotiated with China for the latter to import Vietnamese pork under large commercial contracts, Tran Thanh Nam, deputy minister of agriculture and rural development, said on Monday.

At present, China continues its ban on Vietnamese pork, which began in 2012, under large commercial contracts due to cases of the foot-and-mouth disease in Viet Nam, he said.

Viet Nam has been preparing all the relevant documents to complete the dossier to be sent to China. In turn, China will consider lifting the ban on the import of Vietnamese pork, opening the door for the produce to China, Vietnam News Agency reported.

Nguyen Tuan Viet, director of VIETGO Co Ltd, a company specialising in import and export consultancy for local enterprises, said China is a large market, with demand for 51-57 million tonnes of pork per year. At present, this market has inadequate pork because the country has converted from small-scale breeding of pigs to large-scale farms to breed pigs. This structure needs time to settle; therefore China has a shortage of five million tonnes of pork per year.

If Viet Nam gets a licence to export pork to China, it will be a great opportunity for local pig breeding farmers and enterprises, he said.

According to information on VIETGOs website, two companies from Ukraine and Russia are seeking Vietnamese partners to import pork from Viet Nam to these countries and the European market.

This came as good news for farmers and provide more export opportunities for local pig breeding enterprises and farmers following difficulties in selling pork due to the significant price reduction, Viet said.

The Ukrainian company has sent a letter to VIETGO to find a pork supplier from Viet Nam for the European market, he said.

This company needs to import boneless parts of pig meat, including shoulder, picnic, ham and loin, as well as belly and tenderloin. However, the pork must meet European standards or have a certificate permitting export to a European country.  VNS
HA NOI  Vietnam Forbes Magazine on Monday announced a list of 50 best listed companies on the Vietnamese stock market in 2017.

According to Forbes, though the companies market capitalisation still accounted for roughly 60 per cent of the total market on the two bourses, the same as the previous year, their total revenue reached VN734.8 trillion (US$32.4 billion), up 55 per cent against the previous year. Their profit also rose 49 per cent against the previous year to VN79.46 trillion.

Most of the companies on this list were traded on the southern bourse of HCM Stock Exchange (HoSE); only four companies were listed on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX).

Major names such as Vingroup, Vietcombank, Vietinbank as well as Mobile World Group, FPT, Vinamilk, Masan and Hoa Phat were on this years list.

Compared with last year, 2017s list had 12 new companies, including Vietjet Air, Sabeco, Petrolimex and Novaland which were listed on the stock market this year and have market capitalisation of billions of dollar each on average.

According to Forbes Viet Nam, which rated the best listed companies for the fifth time, the list reflected Viet Nams economy last year.

The prosperity of real estate, construction, infrastructure, finance and consumer industries last year helped each sector have eight companies named on the list.

On the other hand, continuously low prices of oil and rubber, which resulted in lower revenue and profits of related companies, caused the two industries to have no representative on this years list.

Forbes Vietnam applied company ranking methods of Forbes (an American Business Magazine), taking into consideration the characteristics of the businesses listed in Viet Nam. The assessment is based on the financial statements audited for five consecutive years from 2012 to 2016 and fiscal year 2016. Forbes considered all the listed shares and arranged them by each sector group.

The list of 50 best listed companies of Viet Nam has been compiled to provide information on the listed companies with outstanding business results and high profits for investors. Besides this, it is also to honour and encourage the spirit of the enterprises.  VNS
HA NOI  An EU-funded project, titled Viet Nams Supporting Industries to Europe, has reportedly improved the manufacturing capacity of the sector after three years of implementation.

During a seminar held in Ha Noi on Monday to review the project, Director of the Supporting Industry Enterprises Development Centre (SIDEC) Truong Thi Chi Binh said out of more than 200 participating enterprises, 98 per cent have increased sales, while 38 per cent have recorded higher export earnings.

The project has connected spare parts manufacturers with buyers worldwide, particularly those in the European market, and assisted in building relevant policies.

Thanks to the projects support, the Viet Nam Association for Support Industries (VASI) was launched in March 2017 which links together businesses, organisations and individuals working in the field.

Up to 30 training courses in manufacturing-trade have benefited 1,500 people while 67 stalls were organised for businesses in eight international fairs in Europe.

o Thi Thuy Huong from the Viet Nam Electronics Industries Association said the project has made it easier for Vietnamese firms to supply products to Samsung.

Participants suggested that ministries and agencies concerned offer support in training, connectivity and joining international fairs.

According to Binh, Viet Nam is strong in products requiring both machinery and hand assembly, such as electronic circuits, which sell well at international fairs.

The Government was urged to offer incentives to businesses regarding loans, technology and training in order to facilitate Viet Nam-European Union (EU) trade.

The VASI also needs to improve its consultancy capacity and training for manufacturing firms.

The Viet Nams Supporting Industries to Europe project was funded by the EU with a total cost of more than 412,000 euros.

Carried out from June 2014  June 2017, it aims to improve the capacity of Viet Nams small and medium-sized enterprises in the support industry, particularly in engineering, electricity-electronics, plastics and rubber.  VNS
KHANH HOA  The Peoples Committee of Khanh Hoa Province has imposed a fine of VN3 billion (US$133,000) on Khanh Hoa Sugar Company Ltd. for violating environmental laws and contaminating lagoon water.

Late on the night of March 12 and during the early hours of March 13, the comapnys factory reportedly released untreated wastewater into Thuy Trieu Lagoon, in Cam Lam Districts Cam Thanh Bac Commune. The incident killed fish and shrimps being raised by around 30 households and causing losses to the tune of VN8.8 billion ($391,000).

Tests conducted on the water sample revealed that at the time of the incident, the company was releasing 480cu.m of wastewater per day and that multiple environmental parameters had been exceeded, some as much as by 10 times.

Investigations showed that the factorys heating system was malfunctioning and was burning sugar at a concentrated level. As a result, its wastewater treatment system got overloaded and failed to treat the wastewater properly. The factory was asked to halt operations immediately after the incident.

Households that have suffered losses have submitted petitions to local authorities for compensation.

The firm has been ordered to resolve the problems caused by the water contamination and submit a report on its results to the committee within 30 days of the decision.  VNS
PHU YEN  Shrimp breeders in Song Cau Township, Phu Yen Province have strongly opposed a local seafood processing factorys discharge of untreated wastewater into Xuan ai Bay, recently causing mass shrimp death.

The breeders suspect the wastewater discharge of Xuan Phuong Commune-based Nguyen Hung Ltd.Cos factory was the main cause of the 524,000 shrimp that died in the few days, according to shrimp breeders in Xuan Yen Ward and Xuan Phuong Commune, with hundreds of billion ong in damage.

Nguyen Thanh Nam, a shrimp breeder in Xuan Yen Ward, said all breeders along the bay were suffering losses.

We urge the authorities to clarify the cause and respond to the people, he was quoted as saying to the Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper.

Nguyen Thi Hoa, deputy director of Nguyen Hung Ltd.Co, explained two months ago, the factorys wastewater treatment system crashed, so all wastewater was sucked into tank trucks and transported to another system in Xuan Canh Commune for processing.

According to Hoa, the factory processed from 10 tonnes to 14 tonnes of fish every day. The factorys wastewater treatment system has designed-capacity of 80cu.m per day, while it only discharges 12-17 cu.m per day and about 40cu.m at peak day.

Hoa said the company was upgrading its wasterwater treatment system. After wastewater is treated, it will be poured into bio-tanks and then reused to clean workshops. He claims that the factory didnt discharge wastewater into the environment.

Nguyen Hung Hoa, the companys director, said it had temporarily suspended operation, awaiting test results from relevant agencies.

Implementing the instruction of Phu Yen Province Peoples Committee and Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the environment protection office and environmental crime police came to the factory to take samples of wastewater for testing.

At a meeting between local authorities, residents and environment research offices on Monday, Tran Huu The, deputy chairman of provincial peoples committee, said local authorities might invite experts to examine the situation.  VNS
HCM CITY  French breakdance artist Valentine Nagata-Ramos will perform in the Japanese tragedy Sadako at the HCM City Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF) on June 9 as part of her Asian tour.

Sadako is based on Japanese legend about having your wish come true if you can fold 1,000 paper cranes.

Sadako Sasaki, a victim of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, made 664 cranes before she died of leukemia at the age of 12. Her classmates folded the remaining 356 cranes and buried 1,000 cranes with her.

The dance piece, Nagata-Ramoss first solo, was created in 2011. The dancer mixes hip hop, Japanese dance form butoh, and origami.

The performance will be followed by a workshop I AM YOU with the artist and Vietnamese breakdancers.

Born in Japan in 1981, Nagata-Ramos moved to France when she was a year old.

While she is skilled in classical, jazz, contemporary and African dance, she fell in love with breakdancing in 1988.

In 2004, she was named world vice-champion with Fatasik Armada at the International Battle of the Year, and three years later, the world champion in female duo for breakdancing.

She has taken part in several dance companies and has taught breakdance on French television. She established her own company Uzumaki in 2011.

The performance will begin at 8pm at 28 Le Thanh Ton Street in District 1. Tickets are 150,000-200,000 (US$) and can be purchased at www.ticketbox.vn.  VNS
by Phuong Ha

The healthy aspect of many Vietnamese traditions and festivals is perhaps most exemplified by the oan Ngo Festival, which is celebrated on the fifth of the fifth lunar month.

What makes this festival special is that the food prepared for it has the specific objective of getting rid of worms inside the body.

Tradition has it that the human body, particularly the digestive system, tends to host worms that can do harm to health if they are not eliminated in time.

It is believed that their growth peaks during summer noons, thus the timing of the festival on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar year, a day that marks the beginning of the hottest days of the year and the outbreak of many diseases.

Fermented sticky rice and summer fruits like litchi or plum are the most popular dishes that Vietnamese across the country enjoy during this festival, for eliminating worms and refreshing their bodies. However, there are also dishes that vary with regions. For example, while the tro cake is had in the north, people in the centre eat duck meat and in the south, che troi nuoc (floating rice-ball pudding) is festival fare.

The tradition of eating such foods for the oan Ngo Festival has been maintained by the Vietnamese for generations, and become an intrinsic part of the nations culture.

There is an interesting myth associated with the oan Ngo Festival. One year, farmers were celebrating a bumper crop when there was a sudden outbreak of worms that destroyed all the harvested fruit and food. As the farmers struggled to get rid of the destructive worms, an old man appeared.

He asked the farmers to prepare trays of simple offerings, including rice cakes and fruit then perform certain rituals in front of their houses. After following his advice for a while, all the worms disappeared. The old man cautioned the farmers that the worms would become very aggressive that one day, and asked the villagers to follow his advice every year to eliminate them. When the farmers were about to express their gratitude to the elder, he disappeared, mysteriously.

Since then, the day is called the worm-killing festival. It is also called the oan Ngo Festival, "oan" meaning the beginning and "Ngo" meaning noon.

Sticky, but not icky: Fermented sticky rice is one of the most popular dishes across Viet Nam during the oan Ngo Festival.  Photo zadn.vn

Fermented sticky rice

This is one of the most popular dishes across Viet Nam during the oan Ngo Festival. The strong smell of the sticky rice, combined with the hot taste of wine, is believed to have the power to kill all the unhealthy worms in the body.

The dish is easy to prepare but it needs a special kind of alcohol yeast to make it both delicious and healthy. It is made with black glutinous rice or brown glutinous rice. After it is cooked, the rice is left to ferment (with yeast) in hot weather for one or two days. The dish can be a bit spicy but its sweetness still lingers for long on the tongue.

Each region has a different way of making fermented sticky rice, but all the versions are delicious.

Sweetest treat: Tro cake.  Photo chuadida.com

Tro Cake

Besides fermented sticky rice, tro cakes is a dish that one can find plenty of in markets across the country during the oan Ngo Festival. The cakes have different names in each regions, like u, gio and am, and their shapes also vary.

The small cake, cylindrical or triangular, are not easy to make, requiring great care in every step from choosing the rice to soaking it in the special water that uses ashes of burnt rice straw. But once the cake, which has a strong, ashy smell, is had with molasses, people are eager to eat it again.

Ball of fun: Khuc cake is a rice ball made of glutinous rice mixed with cudweed (khuc), its most important ingredient, and filled with green bean paste, pork and spices.  Photo tapchicongso.vn

Khuc cake

Khuc cake is a oan Ngo Festival specialty of the Nung ethnic minority in northern Viet Nam. It is a rice ball made of glutinous rice mixed with cudweed (khuc), its most important ingredient, and filled with green bean paste, pork and spices.

The cake can be steamed or fried, according to taste, but the most popular version is dipped and rocked in the cooking oil to give it a glossy, inflated look. With the cudweed fragrance, softness of the filling and slightly buttery taste of the sesame, this is a gourmet dish.

Moist marvel: Dessert wading in water is a festival specialty in the southern oan Ngo Festival.  Photo thegioiphunu.net

Duck meat

An indispensable oan Ngo Festival dish for people in central Viet Nam is duck meat. It is believed that duck meat has nutritious, cooling properties that make it ideal for hot summer days. Another reason is that the festival marks the beginning of the duck season, when the fowls become fat and tasty, and do not have the usual unpleasant smell.

The duck meat is cooked into various dishes, including boiled duck dipped in a ginger-flavoured fish sauce, brined duck or duck simmered with sau (dracontomelon) fruit. No need to elaborate on this, right?

Floating rice-ball pudding

For the Vietnamese people in the south, floating rice-ball pudding is the special festival dish, unlike the Vietnamese in the north typically have it on the third day of the lunar year.

The pudding is made of glutinous rice filled with mung bean paste bathed in clear or brown syrupt. It is generally warmed before eating and garnished with sesame seeds and coconut milk. Its buttery sweet taste combines very well with the spicy warm taste of ginger.  VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese pianist Luu uc Anh, a student of Malmo Music Academy in Sweden, has won the first prize at the 6th International Music Competition 2017, in the 19-30 year-old category.

The contest, held between May 25 and 28, drew 300 pianists from various countries, including Russia, Germany, China, the US and Norway, who competed across five different age groups.

Anh is a post-master student at the Swedish academy and is guided by Prof Hans Palsson. In Viet Nam, he was trained by noted musician Prof Tran Thu Ha and his father, Prof Luu Quang Minh.

Born in 1993 in Ha Noi, the 24-year-old started learning to play the piano at a young age, under his fathers guidance. After finishing an intermediate course at the Viet Nam Music Academy, he got his university degree and a masters degree at the Royal Conservatory of Liege in 2013 and 2015, respectively.

Anh has won various honours, including a first prize at the Andree Charlier contest held in Belgium in 2016, and a second prize at the Leopold Godowsky piano contest held in Poland in 2014.

In 2015, he was among the top five students selected from Liege Academy to join the Classic Academy contest held by Liege Symphony Orchestra.

He has also performed at many shows in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Japan, and joined the Masterclass along with noted pianists such as ang Thai Son, Avedis Kouyoumdjian and Tibor Szasz.  VNS
Mai Khuyen

HA NOI  Posting photos and videos of children online may seem to be an innocuous pastime for many, but little do they realise the perils such digital footprints could cause for their children.

While an internet-savvy user may know the ramifications of posting personal details, Hoang Phuong Thanh and Tran Trung Dung, a couple from Ha Nois Hoang Mai District, had to learn the hard way, suffering emotional distress, panic and regret.

After six years of marriage, and the pain of miscarriage, Huong and Dung managed to have their only daughter, who is now 13. From their daughters first days, the ecstatic couple would click photographs of the child and post them online, including on social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. They even created an account for her and filled it with snaps  from her first steps as a toddler to her days at school.

This continued for a long time, until one day, a relative informed them that their daughters image had been posted on a child porn website, along with her personal information, including birth date, home and school address.

Initially, the parents were incredulous, but rushed to check it for themselves. Disbelief gave way to shock when they checked the website and found a picture of their daughter wearing a bikini at the beach. The image had been taken during a family trip to Nha Trang Bay and had been posted on social media.

The horrific revelation was followed by frenetic visits to the police station, courts and most importantly, hours of deleting all pictures posted online, as well as canceling all accounts.

The case of Huong and Dung is just one among many millions of others, in which couples or individuals have inadvertently facilitated the use of childrens photographs on child pornography websites, without adequate knowledge about internet safety.

According to Huong, although they realised the danger of sharing images rather late, it is a lesson for other parents who randomly post pictures of their children on the global network.

Huong has appealed to both parents and children to consult experts before posting any images online.

We clearly cannot live without the internet, as it has revolutionised our lives. Information and communication technologies are transforming our lives in so many ways, most of them for the better.

However, while many opportunities for learning, recreation, playing and socialisation are available because of new technologies, unfortunately, there is a dark side to such activity that can pose a risk to childrens safety.

Nguyen Ngoc Anh, child protection specialist, United Nations Childrens Fund

The same tools that have helped revolutionise peoples access to information, such as social networking sites, can also facilitate the abuse and exploitation of children, Nguyen Ngoc Anh, child protection specialist from the United Nations Childrens Fund, said.

Anh discussed some of the dangers present online. Online abuse is a type of abuse that happens in cyberspace, such as through social networking sites, chat rooms, while playing online games or using mobile phones, Anh said.

Children and young people might experience cyber-bullying, grooming, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or emotional abuse, he told Viet Nam News.

According to Anh, although millions of children and young people are benefiting from social and educational opportunities that ICT (Information and Communication Technology) has opened up, they might also be exposed to materials for abuse, including violence, pornography and intentional or unintentional insults, Anh said.

In Viet Nam, children are threatened by bullying and harassment from peers, which is cyber-bullying. Many on their own endanger themselves by sharing personal information, including sexual images and videos, also called sexting, and establishing relationships with people online, unaware of the risks.

Sexual images of Vietnamese children can be purchased on DVD, although the majority of customers prefer anonymity and purchase child pornography via the internet and mobile phone, Anh said.

Perpetrators of child pornography even steal photographs from the internet by illegally penetrating personal accounts, and sharing and exchanging the materials available there through online networks.

Incidents are often reported when children establish relationships online, followed by meetings in person with subsequent sexual abuse and trafficking, Anh added.

The information we put online leaves footprints that help identify or trace young people easily. Once the information is online, it is hard to remove; it can be copied, cached and may be around forever, Anh said.

The explosion of digital technology has had an undeniable link to the escalation in commercial sexual exploitation of children, as offenders use the internet and mobile phones to lure children, transmit sexual images of children and blackmail them into exploitative situations, whilst assured of anonymity and hidden pathways for direct contact between the offenders and victims.

Professor Pham Quang Minh, Chairman of the Scientific Research Council of the Viet Nam Programme for Internet and Society

According to Professor Pham Quang Minh, Chairman of the Scientific Research Council of the Viet Nam Programme for Internet and Society (VPIS), whether posting images of children on the internet could present a danger or not depends on the internet users knowledge of ICT safety.

After over 20 years of development in Viet Nam, with the traditional culture of community strongly prevailing over privacy, the internet has impacted the lives of all individuals and society as a whole.

Statistics from the VIPS revealed that the country has more than 35 million social media users nation-wide, equal to nearly 40 per cent of the population, with an average of two hours and 18 minutes usage per day.

With such large coverage and high number of users, the internet is obviously fertile ground for those looking to exploit people, particularly children, who are one of the most vulnerable groups in society, Minh said.

Vulnerable group

In Viet Nam or any other country in the world, children are more vulnerable to online abuse and exploitation, as they themselves are not fully equipped to understand the potential risks, and are not always aware of the potential consequences of online activity.

Not only parents but also individuals, companies or organisations that do not have adequate knowledge of internet safety, could expose children to abuse by posting images or video clips online, Minh said.

Such photos may look harmless, as they present a picture of happiness or joy, but for strangers, or internet devils, such as child sexual abusers, traffickers or even kidnappers, the internet is a profitable medium to exploit children. The childs image may be used for unscrupulous purposes, the internet and society expert said.

To deal with or limit the dangers present online for internet users, particularly children, the roles of ICT providers, network administration and internet users themselves should be taken into account in any ICT safety programme or campaign.

ICT providers should be fully responsible for their products to ensure they are not causing any harm to their customers, while network administrators should levy strict penalties on those users who violate internet rules by posting insulting comments and photographs, which may be emotionally offensive or sexually abusive, Minh said.

Internet users themselves should not neglect to protect themselves from being abused directly or indirectly. Any abusive post or comment should be flagged immediately, the expert added.

Concurring with Minh, To Thi Huong Giang, senior Social Work Practitioner at Blue Dragon Childrens Foundation, warned that one should be extremely cautious when putting up childrens images on the internet, including organisations raising funds for their operations, or companies advertising products or services.

As part of an organisation specialising in protection and charity work for Vietnamese children across the country, Giang, while describing Blue Dragons approach, said a childs picture on an organisations website should reflect the true life of the child, so that it would not harm their life in the present or in the future.

The organisation should ask for permission from the child and his/her parents or guardians. The permission should be taken in writing with signatures from all sides. The photographs or videos of the child should undergo review procedures, involving the child themselves, his/her parents or guardians, lawyers, the website administrator and the officials of the organisation, before they are posted on the internet, Giang said.

The official warned that if organisations are not careful while posting images or videos of children on the internet, the children may face both physical and emotional pain.

For example, Giang said, a charity organisation might violate the law on protection of children if it took advantage of childrens images to raise funds, especially, if the children face with difficult circumstances, such as infection with HIV, have been abandoned or are a sexual harassment victim.

Although the image may be truthful to their real-life situation at that time and may easily stir the donors compassion, it might harm their future, and thus, intentionally or unintentionally, it can lead to hurtful and unhappy conditions, Giang warned.

Legal advocating

Viet Nam has demonstrated its commitment to online protection of children through its ratification of relevant international childrens rights instruments and the recent passage of the 2016 Law on Children, which includes a whole chapter on child protection in general and an article dedicated to child protection online.

The specific provision in Decree No 56/2017/N-CP2017, signed in May by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and issued recently, has strengthened the countrys commitment to safeguarding children and respecting childrens rights, including the right to privacy, enshrined in Article 16 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, in addition to responding to the potential risks of online abuse and exploitation, Anh said.

Lawyer o Thi Thao Ha, member of the Ha Noi Bar Association

Lawyer o Thi Thao Ha, member of the Ha Noi Bar Association said with the rapid rise of the internet, posting photographs or video clips of children on social media could lead to unpredictable risks for children, so strict laws are needed to cope with the issue.

Commenting on the newly issued decree 56, she pointed out that although it contained eight provisions from Article 49 to Article 56 assigning a legal role and responsibility to individuals and organisations for the protection of children online, the decree had not defined specific guidelines for punishing and imposing sanctions on violators, as well as clarifying the levels of violations.

The handling of violations or prosecution of criminals in connection with online crimes against children is not possible, as there is no adequate or relevant regulations on violations, she said.

To guarantee the legitimate rights and interests of the child, Ha said authorities should concretise all regulations concerning protection of children in the online environment.

The decree is regarded as a foundation for the handling of violations related to childrens protection online, so it should also be considered a starting point for the implementation of regulations relating to privacy of children, as cited in the 2016 Law on Children, Ha said.

Minh and Giang both expressed concern about the performance of the decree, noting that there was a gap between the law and its implementation.

To make the decree more practical in reality, particularly in protecting children from online dangers, there should be close cooperation between authorities, organisations, schools and families, the experts suggested.

Children should be protected from abuse and insults. To ensure this, programmes and campaigns should focus on creating social awareness about online dangers and educating children about staying safe online, the experts have suggested.  VNS
National Assembly deputies on Monday devoted most of their time discussing proposed changes to the draft Law on the Management and Use of the State assets. VNA/VNS Photo Van iep

HA NOI  National Assembly deputies on Monday devoted most of their time discussing proposed changes to the draft Law on the Management and Use of the State assets.

In its report, the National Assembly Standing Committee agreed that it was high time to revise some articles in the law and change the laws name into the Law on Management and Use of Public Assets to make it conform with the Constitution and to the countrys current legal system.

During their discussion, most lawmakers agreed that the changes will contribute to the success of the current fight against corruption and the thrifty use of public assets.

In its report, the National Assembly Standing Committee said it had instructed the drafting committee and the law appraisal committee to include the proposed ideas into Article 7 of the Law to assure that public assets are used efficiently.

The NA Standing Committee also demanded that the changes must not run against other legal documents, including international treaties as written in Article 67 of the draft Law which was presented at the previous 2nd session of the NA full house meeting.

During their discussion, many deputies raised the idea of classifying public assets contained in Article 4. They include the luxury car plates, intellectual property rights, data, intangible assets and others.

Deputy Nguyen Van Canh, from the southern province of Binh inh said all car plates, including lucky number plates, are all public assets. He cited that Article 28 of the Law on Road Traffic has prohibited any acts of buying or selling vehicle plates.

So, he added, if we want to include in the idea of putting a tender on all luxury plates, we must erase the Provision 22 in the Article 28 in the Law on Road Traffic.

However, deputy Nguyen Van Canh argued that there are 12,186 luxury car plates, for example the series 30A 000.01 to 30A 999.99, which are considered as nice plates. It is estimated that about 61,600 car owners are willing to pay a big sum of money in order to have their car plate with their birth date, wedding date or special numbers which are closely linked to their lives. So, it is projected that each series 99.999 number, we will have VN1.64 trillion (US$72 million). This is food for thought to the NA deputies to discuss and make a final decision.

Earlier in the morning session, deputies discussed the revision of the Law on Denunciations, which was adopted on November 11, 2011 and came into effect on July 1, 2012.

Since it came into force, the law has provided a legal corridor for Vietnamese citizens to exercise their rights to report any legal violations to functional government agencies or mass organisations.

However, in the last half decade of implementation, some limitations and weaknesses in putting the law into practice have been reported.

In his appraisal report, Nguyen Khac inh, vice chairman of the NA Law Committee, said Weakness and limitations during the implementation of the law in the past four years have required us to revise the law to make it serve the people better.

He continued It is high time for us to bring the 2013 Constitution into life, particularly the article on human rights and citizens rights.

inh also asked the revising committee to put their amendments ideas in the context of IT application in order to create better conditions for the people to exercise their rights to make denunciations and the co-operations of concern agencies in handling citizens complaints and petitions.

Phan Van Sau, Government Inspector General, said a key objective of the revised law is to reflect Party and Governments policies and guidelines toward the settlement of all complaints and petitions as well as the ongoing course of administrative reform.

A key objective of the revised law is to institutionalise the Party and Governments policies towards the building of a socialist State ruled by law, a State of the people and for the people. Proposed content and the adjustment framework of the law are all designed to facilitate citizens to exercise their denunciation rights, Sau added.

The draft law has nine chapters with 64 articles.

Revised tourism law

Later the same day, NA deputies discussed the revision of the Tourism Law, agreeing on the necessity to revise the law to tackle shortcomings by formulating a clear legal framework, creating conditions for tourism to develop into a spearhead economic sector.

Many lawmakers said there should be preferential policies on tax, investment, planning, land clearance and regional connectivity for tourism.

It was essential to define responsibilities of administrations at all levels in tapping their localities advantages, they said.

The compiling board should review related regulations and laws and study tourism development policies to mobilise resources for tourism development and incorporate tourism development into socio-economic development plans.

Regarding regulations on tourism accommodation rankings, some deputies said rankings should be made mandatory to improve hotel quality and create a level playing field for accommodation businesses.

Many deputies also agreed on the need to establish a fund to support tourism development and proposed a regulation to ask tourism businesses to contribute to it.  VNS
HA NOI  PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited the Vietnamese permanent representative delegation to the United Nations and met Vietnamese entrepreneurs and intellectuals during his official visit to the United States.

During the meeting on Monday (US time), Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, head of Viet Nams Permanent Mission to the UN, reported on the delegations performance since its establishment in 1977 in conjunction with Viet Nam beginning its UN membership.

The delegation has followed the UN agenda for sustainable development and fulfilled Viet Nams duties as an active member of the UN, Nga said.

She added that the delegation also worked to support Vietnamese expatriates in New York and boost trade and cultural exchange between Viet Nam and the United States.

The PM said the efforts have contributed significantly to the implementation of Viet Nams foreign policy of multilateralism, diversification of foreign relations and proactive and active integration with other countries.

He urged the delegation to sustain its positive operation and further promote Viet Nams image to international friends.

The same day, the PM received a number of Vietnamese entrepreneurs and intellectuals in the United States, who conveyed their good impression of the countrys global integration progress. They also expressed their keenness to contribute more to the development of Viet Nam and its relations with the United States.

PM Phuc praised the expatriate communitys contributions to the host nations economy and to bilateral ties.

Stressing that the expat community was an indispensable part and an important human resource of Viet Nam, he vowed to back their contributions to the home country.

The PM also held a meeting with Professor Ngo Thanh Nhan and his spouse Merle Ratner, who have joined efforts to overcome the consequences of the war in Viet Nam and are assisting Vietnamese dioxin/Agent Orange victims fight for justice.  VNS
HCM CITY  HCM Citys economic performance in the first five months of the year has been rock steady.

Exports have gone up in comparison with the same period last year.

International and domestic investment in the city continues to grow, with the latter surging by 2.4 times. FDI was worth nearly $1.37 billion, an increase of 45.8 per cent.

Job creation, vocational training and support for poor people have been efficient to ensure social welfare.

The citys revenues were VN147.5 trillion (US$6.6 billion), an increase of 18.4 per cent.

Total exports turnover of enterprises in the city was around $14 billion, an increase of 17.1 per cent compared with the same period in 2016.

The star performers were rubber whose export value rose by 39.8 per cent, computers and electronic equipment (67.3 per cent), and transport vehicles and accessories (95.1 per cent).

Imports cost $16.6 billion, an increase of 18 per cent.

Services and retail sales grew by 10.6 per cent and industrial output increased by 7.1 per cent.

Some 15,492 new companies with a combined registered capital of VN453.6 trillion ($20 billion) were licensed in the first five months, 2.4 times the number incorporated in the same period last year.

The rainy season is approaching and the flooding situation is still bad, Vo Van Hoan, head of the Office of the Peoples Committee, said.

Encroachment of the drainage system should be dealt with.

After a meeting held on Monday to review the socio-economic performance, a reporter asked why the citys campaign to clear pavements of encroachers and hawkers seems to have gone quiet.

He replied that the next measures have been thoroughly considered for implementation to ensure poor people are not affected while also maintaining urban order.

The city will soon announce parking regulations with fixed fees. The management will be improved through technology and cameras.

When another reporter asked about the quality of the nearly 250km of Chinese pipes used in the citys water supply system -- or 53 per cent  a Department of Transport official assured that all pipes meet safety criteria and the water quality is often checked.

He revealed that the department plans to recommend a temporary halt to licensing of ride hailing companies to reduce the number of cars on the streets.

An official from the city Anti-Flooding Centre reported that the centre maintains 80 per cent of the drainage system, 10.3km of canals and all water pumping stations.

We have arranged for workers to clean the drainage system during heavy rains but encroachment of the drainage network is severe.

Citys intelligentsia urged to boost development

Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan urged professionals and intellectuals to continue making significant contributions to socio-economic development while speaking with more than 120 professionals on Sunday about the importance of their ideas and contributions to the city as well as country.

He said that effective planning to develop public transportation and IT infrastructure were especially critical in todays economy.

He recommended that the city promote connections between universities and businesses and provide more funds to universities for research purposes and practical application.

Nhan asked the attendees to suggest ways in which civil servants could better serve the public.

Noting that the private sector should be growing faster, he asked for suggestions on how to spur growth.

Nhan emphasised the important roles of human resources, land resources and foreign, private and State-owned enterprises.

Nhan said the Government must be transparent and that civil servants must listen to the public and satisfy their needs.

HCM City has around two million workers, of which 30 per cent are university graduates. The city has 600,000 university students.

To become a smart city, he said that HCM City needs smart administration, smart citizens who can suggest ways to improve the city and government, smart enterprises that can contribute to planning, and smart services that meet both social and personal needs.

In addition, the city needs to resolve the problems of flooding, pollution, traffic jams and crime, while increasing income per capita and quality of life.  VNS
Construction of Xayaburi hydroelectric dams in Laos. Countries in the Mekong River basin have been urged to stop building hydroelectric dams on the rivers main stream as alluvial soil and vital nutrients are being seriously depleted. Photo Ejatlas.org

CAN THO  Countries in the Mekong River basin have been urged to stop building hydroelectric dams on the rivers main stream as alluvial soil and vital nutrients are being seriously depleted.

Dr Duong Van Ni of Can Tho Universitys environment faculty said that continued building of such dams posed a threat to water security in the region.

Ni spoke at an international workshop on water-security risks in Viet Nams Mekong Delta held on Monday at Can Tho University.

He said that an American consultant suggested replacing a hydroelectric dam in Cambodias Kratie Province with solar energy power. But the idea was rejected.

Although hydroelectric dams have advanced technologies, they still affect water flow in Viet Nams Mekong Delta region.

Power development in the future should not be based on hydroelectric plants because hydroelectricity is not as clean as we think, Ni said.

Many investors mistakenly believe they will recoup their investment capital quickly with hydroelectric dams, he added.

Countries in the Mekong River basin should consider the pros and cons of developing dams, he said.

Besides the hydroelectric dams which China is building on the upper Mekong River, countries on the lower river are planning to build 11 dams.

Maureen Harris, Southeast Asia programme director at International Rivers, said that construction progress of Xayaburi Dam in Laos, for instance, has reached 75 per cent of its plan. It is scheduled for completion and commercial operation in 2019.

Construction on Don Sahong dam in this country started in June 2016 and now its construction has completed more than 25 per cent, she said.

Cambodia is also planning to build some dams including Sambor dam with the capacity of 2,600MW, and the 900MW Stung Treng dam, she said, adding that electricity from those dams is proposed for domestic use and sale to Viet Nam.

Dr Le Anh Tuan from Can Tho University told Viet Nam News We should stop the development of dams on the Mekong River basin. We should not be silent and wait until the development begins.

In the future, the Mekong River Delta in Viet Nam will face a serious decrease of water, alluvia soil and land, which will affect agriculture in the region, Tuan said.

We can save water by using alternative wet and dry methods, and by reducing rice areas in the dry season, changing rice to upland crops that need less water, and storing available water via wetlands, rain harvesting and flood water retention, he added.

Countries in the Mekong River basin should work together more closely to create equitable and sustainable water trans-boundary governance, as well as develop partnership strategies and a better legal framework, he said.

Tran Quang Tho, deputy manager of the science and technology division at the Southern Institute of Water Resource Planning, said that solutions for water storage were also necessary.

He said Viet Nam should develop a strategy to attract funds from both the public and private sectors to invest in irrigation works.

The operation and management of the systems that exploit water sources should also be modernised, he added.

Ho Thi Thu Ho, deputy director of the Pedagogy Development Centre and expert on community education at Can Tho Universitys School of Education, said that students in the Mekong Delta should study these environmental issues as part of the school curriculum.

They would have a better understanding about the regions problems, which could inspire them to find solutions, Ho said.

Students at Vinh Xuong Secondary School in An Giang Provinces Tan Chau Town, for instance, have developed an initiative to make a water-filtering machine.

The workshop was held by People and Nature Reconciliation, a Vietnamese NGO, in co-operation with Can Tho Universitys Education Faculty, the Swedish Embassy and the Viet Nam Environmental Journalists Forum.  VNS
Pooling of land is needed to improve agricultural efficiency, but the Government also needs to have policies to safeguard the benefits of both farmers and businesses, a seminar on land pooling heard in HCM City on Monday.  Photo Vietstock.vn

HCM CITY  Pooling of land is needed to improve agricultural efficiency, but the Government also needs to have policies to safeguard the benefits of both farmers and businesses, a seminar on land pooling heard in HCM City on Monday.

Nguyen uc Quang, editor-in-chief of Nong thon Viet magazine, said Viet Nams agricultural development has not been commensurate with its potential due to many reasons, one of which is the scattered, small-sized nature of land holdings.

Nguyen The Trung, a member of the Central Council of Theory and former party committee secretary of the central province of Nghe An, said, Viet Nam needs to deal with the two biggest obstacles to boost agriculture  speeding up land pooling and encouraging more businesses to invest in the agriculture.

Land is still a troublesome issue, with its administration remaining confused, he said.

The household economy, with its scattered and small land lots, can no longer fulfil the need of developing agriculture on a large scale with competitive, high-quality produce, he said.

Promoting land pooling and using technology on large-scale farms would improve the capacity, quality and competitiveness of the agricultural sector and the economy, he said.

He said agricultural land pooling is actually occurring in many places in many ways: farmers contribute capital in the form of land and share profits with businesses, firms negotiate with households individually to rent or buy their lands, and authorities rent lands from farmers and lease them in turn to firms.

I supported businesses renting land from farmers. But the Government must penalise both in case of violations.

Prof Dr Vo Tri Hao, deputy head of the HCM City University of Economys law faculty, said the Government must abolish limits on individual holding of farmlands. This would be tantamount to land pooling, he pointed out.

The land pooling process should be allowed to develop in line with market demand, with businesses and farmers negotiating between themselves, and the Government should not intervene through policies to appropriate lands and allocate them to businesses, said Huynh Van Thon, chairman of Loc Troi Group.

Phan Chanh Duong, lecturer at the Fulbright Economic Teaching Programme, said land is a means of production that should be allowed to change hands.

But the problem lies in how to promote this concept and make owners sell their lands to others and still feel secure about their benefit, he said.

Economist Dr Tran Du Lich called for allowing farmers to lose their land and enter the labour market since the agricultural sector is short of workers.

But the problem lies in making them voluntary leave their lands and not forcing them into it, he said.

Land pooling should be done through proper policies, he said.

The Governments vital role is to re-organise the production and distribution system to reduce costs, he added.

Many policies on land pooling are not appropriate for current socio-economic conditions, delegates said.

Some current legal regulations such as limits on land owernship and limit for land use time to maximum 50 years, need to be reconsidered, they said.

Farmers do not easily leave their lands, but then if they cultivate a tiny piece of land they cannot escape poverty, they said.

The Government should create conditions for businesses to expand their land holdings but have a legal framework to protect both farmers and businesses, they said.

Some delegates were concerned that land pooling could cause some farmers to lose their lands and loss of employment, warning businesses could abuse the pooling for their own benefit.

Delegates said under the pooling model, besides paying the lease, companies also hire farmers to work on their own lands, ensuring better incomes for them.

But they demanded very careful oversight of the process, saying that it is needed to prevent wrongful conversion of farmlands for residential, industrial and other commercial purposes.

Ho Xuan Hung, a former deputy agriculture minister, said the Government would announce changes in land administration regulations to improve efficiency of land usage and create conditions for more businesses to invest in agriculture.  VNS
QUANG NINH  Quang Ninh Province Peoples Committee on Monday asked relevant agencies to verify reports by local media on illegal construction of resorts on islets in Bai Tu Long Bay.

Accordingly, the chairmen of Cam Pha City Peoples Committee and Van on District Peoples Committee were asked to work with relevant agencies to verify the reported information, identify illegal construction sites and deliver timely punishment.

In cases violations were detected, responsibilities of organisations and individuals related to the violations were to be reported to the provinces Peoples Committee and the media by June 20.

Earlier, local media reported on the construction of a swimming pool, green area, 30-room resort, a wooden villa and a restaurant on Nem Islet.

On Banh Sua Island, some 20 minutes by boat from Cai Rong Port , there are about 20 rooms that serve as accommodation for tourists. In addition, tourism attractions such as a beach, playing ground, kayaking, karaoke and yoga are also available.

Workers on the island said that it cost visitors VN1.5 million per person per night to stay on the island. Visitors had to pay to travel by boat from Cai Rong Port to the island and pay for using other services.

Meanwhile, new resorts have also been developed on other islands in Bai Tu Long Bay, including The Vang, Cong Chau and Cong Tay, according to local media.

Bai Tu Long Bay and Ha Long Bay form an impressive scenery of sea and islands. During the 27th meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment in 2016, Bai Tu Long was officially endorsed as the 38th ASEAN Heritage Park.  VNS
HCM CITY  Four member universities of Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM) on Monday received accreditation certification for educational quality from the Ministry of Education and Training.

They include the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Science, University of Information Technology and University of Economics and Law.

The Centre for Education Accreditation at Vietnam National University Ha Noi was responsible for carrying out quality assessment of the four universities.

Associate Professor Nguyen Hoi Nghia, deputy director of VNUHCM, said the university had been carrying out educational reforms and enhancing creativity.

VNUHCM, which has a total of six member universities, considers educational quality the leading priority in its development strategy, said Nghia, adding that the accreditation process had helped member universities discover their strengths and weaknesses.

Of the six members, VNUHCM now has five member universities, including the International University, which have received accredited certification in educational quality from the ministry.

Professor Dr Nguyen Quy Thanh, head of the Centre for Education Accreditation, said that three VNUHCM member universities, the International University, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and University of Science, had achieved the highest results of 21 educational establishments that had been assessed.

Of the 21 educational establishments, 14 have received official accreditation in educational quality.  VNS
BAGHDAD  A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle at a popular Baghdad ice cream shop, killing at least eight people, security officials said on Tuesday.

The overnight attack in the Karrada district in central Baghdad also wounded at least 30 people, officials said.

The Islamic State group-linked Amaq propaganda agency said the suicide bomber targeted a "gathering of Shiites".

IS considers members of Iraqs Shiite Muslim majority to be heretics and frequently carries out attacks against them.

The bomber struck just days after the start of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, during which Iraqis often stay out late shopping or socialising after breaking their daily fast.

Images and footage posted on social media showed the devastating impact of the blast, which ripped through the crowded area around Al-Faqma ice cream shop, scattering rubble across the street.

One photo showed cups of ice cream scattered on the blood-stained ground following the attack.

Brett McGurk, the envoy to the US-led anti-IS coalition, condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Iraq.

"ISIS terrorists tonight in Baghdad target children & families enjoying time together at an ice cream shop. We stand w/Iraq against this evil," McGurk said on Twitter, using an alternate acronym for IS.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed by US-led air strikes have since regained much of the territory they lost and are now fighting to retake the last jihadist-held areas in second city Mosul.

But defeats on the battlefield have not prevented IS from carrying out deadly attacks targeting civilians, including a bombing in the Karrada area last year that killed more than 300 people.  AFP
BOGOTA  Colombias FARC guerrillas will disarm in 20 days, rather than this week as originally planned, with guerrillas returning to civil life in 60 days, President Juan Manuel Santos said Monday.

Santos insisted that the delay "does not impact in any way the government and the FARCs firm decision and clear commitment to the (peace) accord" signed in November.

The weapons deadline was originally set for Tuesday. Santos explained that it was pushed back due to repeated delays, and that the move was completed in co-ordination with the United Nations and the FARC.

Santos said that demobilisation zones would be prolonged by two months, until August 1.

Some 7,000 FARC fighters are assembling at 26 such points in Colombia as they disarm and prepare to transform into a political group under the peace deal.

"This additional time will allow us to finalise a reintegration process for FARC members to a civilian life free of weapons," Santos said.

The president stressed that peace is "irreversible" and that since the agreement was finalised, "there has not been a single confrontation between law enforcement forces and FARC members."

His government launched peace talks with the countrys smaller guerrilla group, the ELN, earlier this year.

The government and the FARC, formally known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the countrys biggest rebel group, reached a deal after four years of negotiations in the Cuban capital.

Voters rejected it by a narrow margin in a referendum last October.

Colombias President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC leaders then drafted a new version of the accord and the government pushed it through Congress despite resistance from critics.

The Colombian conflict erupted in 1964 when the FARC and the ELN took up arms for rural land rights.

It drew in various rebel and paramilitary forces and drug gangs as well as state forces.

The conflict has left at least 260,000 people dead and displaced more than seven million, according to the authorities.  AFP
Byron Hughes started at Virginia Tech in Student Conduct, and, though hes spent the majority of his career in Fraternity and Sorority Life, those three years working with students in some of their lowest moments centered his purpose on helping students reach their best moments.

From 2008 to 2011, Hughes served as the assistant director of Student Conduct at Virginia Tech. And it was there  in the adjudication and sanctioning processes, but also in outreach and education initiatives  that Hughes developed a passion for Fraternity and Sorority Life.

During these Student Conduct referral meetings, I would notice young men and women who, during the day, would embody the ideals of their organization or even the messages of their philanthropy, said Hughes. But at night, they would sometimes behave in a way that almost contradicted those values.

While some may simply have credited this behavior to the negative stereotypes surrounding fraternities and sororities on college campuses, Hughes instead saw an opportunity for change. In July 2011, Hughes transitioned to a role as associate director of Fraternity and Sorority Life and began to implement a work methodology that would directly impact students.

One of the most important things that I stress with any group I meet with is the idea of transformative work, said Hughes. A main staple in the promises that fraternities and sororities make to their initiates is that through this lifelong commitment, they would begin to positively grow and change as people to inevitably become better young men and women.

In August 2012, Hughes became director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Though his position is defined by the overall leadership and direction of the department, Hughes never forgoes the opportunity to make a personal connection; in fact, those little moments and one-on-one relationships are what he credits for big-scale transformation.

One student who has benefited from Hughes leadership is Travis Bauer, of Silver Spring, Maryland, a senior studying civil engineering. Bauer serves as the president of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and represents Fraternity and Sorority Life on the Virginia Tech Commission on Student Affairs.

It would be hard to overstate the impact Byron Hughes has had on my life, said Bauer. Consistent with all great mentors, Byron's influence in my life has become multidimensional. From our first conversation, it was clear: Byron wasnt merely well-versed in the field of student affairs. Rather, Byron will lend an objective, honest ear to anybody experiencing hardship in any facet of their life.

Byrons wisdom and rational demeanor are what make him such a phenomenal educator. Through our conversations I have learned more about what it means to be a man, leader, and critical thinker than any book or class could have possibly taught me. Many young men live out their entire formative years without a proper mentor; I consider myself extremely lucky to have found one so early in my college days.

Chase Ginther, who serves as the president of the Interfraternity Council at Virginia Tech, is another direct recipient of Hughes intentionality.

Ive grown so much as a person as a result of Byrons mentorship, said Ginther, of Midlothian, Virginia, a junior studying statistics and computational modeling and data analytics. Although I have always been a natural leader, I never really understood what it meant to be an effective leader. Byron taught me how to be a courageous leader and that the relationship you have with those you lead is fundamental. Byron wants his students to be the driving force for a healthy and valuable fraternity and sorority experience at Virginia Tech. Not only has he served as mentor for me, but he has for countless others as well.

I can honestly say that I do not think Virginia Tech Greek Life would have the great reputation it has without Byron.

By intentionally stressing to his students the impact the individual has on this campus, Hughes has truly redefined Fraternity and Sorority Life at Virginia Tech. However, when asked about his overall vision for the department, Hughes described an approach that opens itself up to the entire Virginia Tech community.

It begins with an internal process  working on yourself to become the best that you can be, said Hughes. After that, its all about the outreach. Those who have worked on themselves to the extent that they can help others will begin to do so and help their peers externally. This is what begins to shape a good community.



And effectively, if fraternity and sorority members can become those who reach out to shape this community, then they will become a vehicle for Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) on our campus and in our world.

Written by Holly Paulette and Jason Arquette, of Springfield, Virginia, a senior triple majoring in history, literature, and professional and technical writing, with a minor in political science.
The best-kept secret at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine was secret no longer when earlier in May the Class of 2017 presented Tarin Schmidt-Dalton, associate professor of family and community medicine and assistant dean for clinical science years 1 and 2, with a check for $10,000 to go toward the needs of the schools clinical science curriculum.

A portion of the gift came from matching donations by three alumni from Virginia Tech who wanted to begin nurturing a spirit of philanthropy among the graduating medical students back to the university and Virginia Tech Carilion. The matching contributions were contingent upon 100 percent participation by class members in donating.

The VTC School of Medicine Class of 2017 set a shining example with its 100 percent participation gift, said Sid Smith, a member of the Class of 1963, professor of medicine in cardiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and chair of the medical schools advisory group. Smith, along with Jay Foster (engineering 87, MBA 97) and Ellen Beville (mathematics 71), made matching contributions. Smith, Foster, and Beville are all members of the Deans Advancement Advisory Council at the school of medicine.

Smith added that medical school is one of the most difficult times to give financially, as most students are burdened with debt from college and medical school and face additional years of training, and many students are starting families as well.

The class gift and sacrifice sets an example for all who recognize the value that the VTC program brings to the people of Roanoke and beyond in education, research, and patient care. It is an honor and a pleasure for me to join these young physician thought leaders as they embark upon their careers, Smith said.

The Class of 2017 wanted to send a clear message of gratitude to our faculty and staff, especially Dr. Schmidt-Dalton, said Class President Chris McLaughlin. In her role, she works hard to equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the clerkship years, residency, and beyond. Our hope is that we started a tradition of making a meaningful senior gift at the end of students time at the medical school.

The clinical skills domain utilizes a variety of teaching methods to prepare students for the clinical aspect of medicine, including opportunities for them to learn and practice with faculty and standardized patients.

The Class of 2017 completely surprised me with their generous class gift to the clinical science department, Schmidt-Dalton said. Their 100 percent participation speaks to the value they place on our curriculum, school, and community. I feel honored to have been part of their journey over the past four years, and I am humbled to receive their investment in our future.
For 17 years, Ajibola and Adeboye Taiwo tried to have a child but had no luck.

Until now  times six.

Ajibola Taiwo gave birth to sextuplets earlier this month at a Richmond, Va., hospital, and doctors said the three boys and three girls, along with their mother, are doing well. Its the first time sextuplets have been born at VCU Medical Center, officials said.

On Thursday, the babies were still in the hospitals neonatal intensive care unit. Their mother was released the week prior and is very involved in the babies care, hospital spokeswoman Shira Pollard said.

The babies were born at 8:26 a.m. May 11 with the help of a 40-person medical team. Ajibola gave birth at roughly 30 weeks and delivered by Caesarean section, officials said.

The babies range in size from 1 pound, 10 ounces to 2 pounds, 15 ounces. In a statement, officials said they are doing well and continue to thrive. Pollard said the medical team treating them hasnt revealed when they will be discharged from the hospital.

She said the parents and doctors arent talking with the media at this time.

In a statement, Ajibola said she hoped for the smallest of my six children to grow up and say, I was so small, and look at me now.

The hospital released photos of the newborns and their smiling parents. In one, mom Ajibola and dad Adeboye are holding two of their babies against their chests as they practice what hospital officials called kangaroo care, or as skin-to-skin contact.

The couple, natives of western Nigeria, had tried to conceive a child for nearly two decades. They were described as being overcome with joy when they saw four heartbeats at their first ultrasound in November, officials said.

But no one realized until January during another doctors appointment that the couple would be having two more.

I was excited, Adeboye Taiwo said in a statement from the hospital. For the first time, we were expecting.

Hospital officials said that for privacy reasons they would not release where the couple lives.

Delivering that many babies was a challenge, with months of planning and pre-delivery drills, the hospital said. Their medical team included experts in fields such as labor and delivery, social work, nutrition and cardiology.

They worked with the mother, providing support and encouragement, according to Ronald Ramus, director of the maternal-fetal medicine division at VCU Medical Center.

Its not every day that parents bring home sextuplets, he said. Their mother, he said, was eating, sleeping and breathing for seven.

The medical team also planned for months with delivery drills.

A typical labor and delivery shift includes one, perhaps two premature births, usually with time in between, Susan Lanni, medical director of labor and delivery and a maternal-fetal specialist at VCU Medical Center, said in a statement. But with this pregnancy, we had to coordinate with our colleagues in the (neonatal unit) for six premature babies to be delivered simultaneously.

Sextuplets are rare. In 2015, there were roughly 4 million live births in the United States, and 24 of those were quintuplets or higher-order births, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CEDAR FALLS  A once-delayed meeting on plans to improve the flood-prone North Cedar area is back on track  and on dry ground.

A public information meeting on proposed improvements to Center Street through North Cedar, including a recreational trail along the road, will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Cedar Falls Eagles lodge, 2125 W. Lone Tree Road.

North Cedar was heavily damaged during the record June 2008 flood. Many homes were lost and subsequently removed under a federal buyout program. The city and neighbors have been planning and working on improvements there since.

Ironically, Thursdays meeting, originally planned for last September at the Island Park Beach House, was delayed due to that months near-record flood that isolated much of North Cedar.The City Council recently approved applying to federal officials for the buyout of an additional 17 properties in northern Cedar Falls following the September flood at a projected cost of $2.4 million.

Many plans for Center Street, once part of Highway 218 and the main road through North Cedar, have been discussed over the years. But at Thursdays meeting, officials want to focus on a proposed recreational trail along the west side of Center Street, from the Snag Creek bridge to Lone Tree Road, and what appropriate roadside improvements should be made along it, including lighting and landscaping.

The trail will link with other trails in the area, giving residents in adjacent neighborhoods direct access to the trails around them, instead of having to walk or ride some distance, in the right of way, to access them. It also is adjacent to a relatively new neighborhood park. The city is working with property owners to acquire easements for the trail work.

Pending acquisition of those easements, the Iowa Department of Transportation would let bids on the project in November with construction beginning next spring.That project has been in the works for some time and funding has been secured.

The city also is seeking residents suggestions on aesthetic improvements along the road. A 2010-11 study by the Bonestroo consulting firm of Libertyville, Ill. looked at such improvements. That study will be reviewed and additional ideas sought.

The roadway itself is in really good condition, Shane Graham of the city planning staff said. Theres about 8 inches of concrete ad 8 inches of asphalt. But it is flat and has drainage issues.

I know a lot of people in that area want to see it reconstructed, and get curb and gutter, to help with the looks and the drainage, Graham said. But it could be many years before a full reconstruction is warranted, based it the roads current condition.

But in the interim theres some aesthetic improvements and functional things that were looking at, city community services manager Bob Seymour said. Lighting, landscaping and crosswalks may be a possibility, as well as bioswales to help with drainage.

Itll be a trail and streetscape amenities, Seymour said.

The Bonestroo study also looked at installing a roundabout at Center and Lone Tree Road, but that is not now being considered since reconstruction is not being contemplated given the good condition of the existing road.

Some if this is getting these amenities put in so if and when that reconstruction happens, theyre done right and dont have to be ripped up, Seymour said. Making sure existing storm drainage lines are open and functioning also will help.

Thursdays meeting will focus on the trail and possible streetscape improvements, which would be designed about a year from now.

More information on Thursdays meeting may be obtained by contacting Graham at 268-5160 or shane.graham@cedarfalls.con,
WATERLOO  A Minnesota man has been arrested in connection with a road rage stabbing from earlier this month.

Semi driver Peter Klassen, 37, of Ionia, was taken to the hospital following a confrontation with another motorist on May 8.

According to Black Hawk County sheriffs deputies, Klassen and Donald Alan Hutton, 48, of St. Paul, were involved in a road rage incident, and both stopped in the area of Highway 63 and Dunkerton Road. An altercation followed, and Klassen was stabbed in his left upper arm and his back, according to court records.

Hutton left the scene, and Klassen was treated at a Waterloo hospital and given stitches.

In the following days, Hutton twice told deputies he was going to turn himself in but failed to appear, records state.

According to sheriffs deputies, Shakopee, Minn., police arrested Hutton was arrested on a warrant for willful injury causing bodily injury and going armed on Sunday.

The arrest came following an investigation by the sheriffs office, U.S. Marshalls Service and the St. Paul Police Department,

Hutton was taken to the Scott County, Minnesota, jail and is awaiting extradition back to Iowa.
CEDAR FALLS  Band directors made a real impression on Steve Mark while he was growing up.

One of his directors at Edina High School in suburban Minneapolis was a really active musician in the community, Mark recalled. He got me started playing around town in high school. The director, John Nielsen, became a mentor to the young percussionist.

And, when I thought about what had really impacted me in school, Mark decided he wanted to follow in Nielsens footsteps. That meant not only getting a teaching degree and becoming a band director, but choosing the university where he was educated. The fact Nielsen wasnt even the only band director Mark knew who went to what is now the University of Northern Iowa confirmed his decision.

Four of the five band directors in our school district were from Iowa, and two were from Cedar Falls, he noted. Clearly, something was going on in Iowa. I wanted in on it.

Mark got in on it and never left. While attending UNI, he student taught at Lincoln Elementary, Holmes Junior High and Cedar Falls High schools. Once that degree was completed, he landed a job teaching band students at Cedar Heights, Orchard Hill and Southdale elementary schools.

Now, after working at those schools for 38 years, he is retiring when classes end Friday. Mark and his wife, Marty, will remain in the community and he expects to do some substitute teaching. He also will continue as drummer for the local band Checker & the Bluetones.

Mark announced his retirement at the end of March.

When I started this year, I really didnt intend to retire, said the 61-year-old. It just seemed like the right time to leave.

A small part of the reason for the decision was to eliminate a few decibels thats hes exposed to regularly from teaching students playing band instruments and preserve the hearing I still possess. The last two years, in particular, I think Ive had a little hearing loss.

He works with the beginning band students in fifth and sixth grades, traveling between the three schools on a six-day cycle to provide small group lessons. Two mornings per week, students from all the schools gather at Southdale for whole band practices.

When we did the all-city band concert, we crunched a few numbers and found I started over 4,000 kids, he noted. To see that many kids, I feel pretty good about that.

Mark attributes his success and longevity to strong parent commitment as well as support from classroom teachers and administrators. This has definitely been a collaborative effort and Im truly grateful for that.

His colleagues also estimated the number of chairs he set up for concerts over the years, about 800,000. Thats probably something I wont miss.

But hell miss much about the rest of the job, especially working with the students. Marks admits to not always remembering former students names when he encounters them later.

I usually remember what they play and what school they went to, he said. Every kids made an impression on me and I think thats probably true of all teachers.

What he really enjoys is seeing a student finally get it after theyve been struggling with some aspect of playing an instrument. The favorite moments happen almost every day, said Mark, noting hes never had a bad day at school.

Im glad Im leaving still loving it. Its made it hard in some respects, but I think its a good way to end it, he added. It just seemed like to end on a strong note was a good way to do it.
CEDAR RAPIDS  Iowa Republicans, jealously protective of their first-in-the-nation precinct caucuses, are showing little concern about Californias plans to move up its presidential primary in order to be a factor in the presidential nomination process.

More and more people want to be more relevant, said Republican National Committee member Steve Scheffler.

Scheffler, who is from Iowa, doubts moving the California primary from June to March will detract from the importance of the Iowa caucuses. Iowans, both Democrats and Republicans, caucused Feb. 1, 2016, and have caucused as early as Jan. 3 in previous election cycles to stay ahead of other states trying to be more relevant.

The California Senate and Assembly have approved separate bills to move the states primary from June to either the first or the third Tuesday in March. Theyll need to agree on one date or the other in order to get a bill signed by the governor.

California lawmakers say the June primary gives voters there little say in choosing presidential nominees. In 2016, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were the presumptive nominees before the California primary occurred.

California has largely been a non-factor when it comes to selecting candidates, Democratic Assemblyman Kevin Mullin told The Associated Press. Moving the primary would enable more Californians to be politically relevant in presidential election cycles.

Case for Iowa

Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann, who recently returned from a meeting of swing-state GOP leaders, said the move by the California Legislature has reached the point of getting attention.

However, he has little concern about Iowa losing its pole position.

Republican National Committee officials, he said, are aware of what it takes to successfully host the first-in-the-nation caucuses.

They knew exactly what we had done, the money we raised, Kaufmann said. They seem to understand that even though a lot of states think they want to be first-in-the-nation, it took us a million dollars.

Likewise, Iowa Democratic Party Vice Chairwoman Andrea Phillips said there doesnt seem to be widespread support among Democratic National Committee members for California moving up.

The case for Iowa is pretty strong, she said. In 2016, Phillips said Iowa was a bellwether for what was happening across the country.

Im skeptical (California) will move, she said.

Bandwagon effect

Attention from the parties national committees might not be favorable for California. Scheffler noted the Republican National Committee has punished states for arbitrarily moving their primaries and caucuses. In some cases, they havent been able to seat all of their delegates at the national convention.

I dont see it as a threat to Iowa. Maybe more of an enhancement for Iowa, he said.

Thats because the attention given to Iowa is based on the assumption of a bandwagon effect, said Chris Larimer, associate professor of political science at University of Northern Iowa.

If candidates see Iowa as a place to build early and needed momentum, as well as a place where viability can be established, then Californias move shouldnt make much of a difference for Iowa, he said.

Iowa importance

It could make doing well in the Iowa caucuses more important, in the sense that a candidate would need an early lead or momentum to hit a big state like California, said Tim Hagle, University of Iowa associate political science professor.

Or, he said, it might force candidates to spend more time and resources in California because of the number of delegates at stake  551 Democrats and 172 Republicans compared to 51 and 30 for the Iowa parties.

That could limit the amount of effort they put into Iowa and other early states, he said.

The limelight

Hagle agrees with Scheffler that the impact of moving up the California primary may depend on the reaction from the national parties.

A lot of negotiating goes into the caucus and primary schedule and certainly more states would like to be in the limelight, he said. I can see that a lot of states wouldnt want California to be too determinative very early as it would make their primaries less relevant.

California isnt the first state to try to become more relevant by scheduling its primary or caucus earlier in the election cycle.

Michigan, Arizona and Florida are among those that have moved or considered moving up their primaries to lessen the impact of the Iowa caucuses on the nomination process, according to Drake University political science Professor Dennis Goldford.

But attempting to do so by holding their own events earlier and earlier actually makes Iowa more important, Goldford said.

The compressed schedule gives candidates failing to meet expectations in Iowa and New Hampshire less time to recover, while the compression makes it easier for candidates doing better than expected early on to hide or postpone revelation of any hidden weaknesses they may have, he said.

In the end, it might not be the parties or legislators who determine the impact of Californias potential move on Iowa, Goldford said.

Theres a symbiotic relationship between the press and the candidates, he said. As long as the press thinks the Iowa caucuses are important, the candidates will think theyre important. And as long as the candidates think the caucuses are important, the press will think theyre important.
DES MOINES  Gov. Kim Reynolds is planning a July reunion with her former boss, U.S. Ambass- ador Terry Branstad  in China.

Reynolds announced Tuesday she will lead an Iowa agriculture trade mission to China from July 19 until July 28. Traveling with her will be officials from commodity groups representing Iowas corn, soybean, pork, beef, egg, poultry, dairy and turkey industries  marking the first time all of Iowas major farm groups have participated in a joint trade mission.

The mission is timed to coincide with Branstads arrival and installment as Americas ambassador to China. Branstads new position in the Trump administration was rooted in his personal friendship with Chinas president, and Reynolds hopes Iowa can cultivate and maximize the relationship by promoting more exports to China.

There is no better time than now to market and pitch our products in China, said Reynolds. Our relationship with the country is strong, and their growing middle class means increasing purchasing power, and Iowa stands to gain significantly as a result.

Reynolds will be making her sixth trip to China. The goal is to expand markets for Iowas agricultural products, especially beef.

When President Donald met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in April, China agreed to lift trade barriers and reopen the beef market. However, there are some regulatory hurdles to clear.

Iowa Cattlemens Association CEO Matt Deppe said his group is cautiously optimistic about lifting a Chinese embargo against U.S. beef thats been in effect for 13 years. He said access would be a crucial first step in expanding beef exports to China. U.S. industry officials estimate the beef market for China, Hong Kong and Vietnam is worth $7 billion.

Personal relationships and friendships are significant in the Chinese culture, Reynolds said Tuesday, and if Iowa farmers want to be the main supplier of choice to Chinas 1.4 billion people  one of the worlds biggest customers  thats where well go.

Mission members will meet with officials and industry partners in Shanghai, Xian and Beijing, where they will drop by the U.S. embassy to visit with Branstad and get his insights. For some of Iowas commodities China is a developed market, while others see it as a new opportunity.

Craig Floss of the Iowa Corn Growers Association said trade and exports are absolutely vital to Iowa producers, and having all agricultural sectors represented creates a strong force in marketing Iowa.

This is how you compete in a global marketplace, said Adam Gregg, who Reynolds has appointed to serve as her acting lieutenant governor.
WATERLOO  A consultant is looking at potential uses for the contaminated Chamberlain Manufacturing Corp. site.

Waterloo City Council members have hired HR Green, of Johnston, under a $60,000 contract to help develop an environmental cleanup plan for the property at East Fourth and Esther streets and come up with options for its future.

We just want to reassure the neighbors we havent forgotten about them, said Mayor Quentin Hart. Were going to do our best to put something together with our current situation.

HR Green will review existing reports about soil and water contamination on the site to develop cleanup options and cost estimates. The firm also will create up to two reuse designs to be displayed at a public open house meeting later this year.

Chamberlain Manufacturing, a former defense contractor, operated at the 22-acre site from 1919 until closing in 1994. The city acquired the property in 2005 and worked with the Environmental Protection Agency, using federal grants to demolish the buildings and test for environmental contamination.

The EPA in April 2011 ordered Chamberlain Manufacturing, now a division of Duchossois Industries Inc., of Elmhurst, Ill., to clean up chemicals found on the site and under surrounding homes. That effort is ongoing.

Hart met with Duchossois representatives earlier this month in Chicago about the project, which he said led to this opportunity for us to work together with all of those entities to see what we can do to find a very productive way to use that site, how we can help have a positive impact with the neighbors in that area who have been waiting a very long time to see whats going to come about.

Community Planning and Development Director Noel Anderson said HR Green will review previous testing done by the EPA and Duchossois to determine what type of cleanup would be necessary for a variety of potential uses.

This report will give us a nice detailed document to move ahead with the redevelopment of that site, he said.

A health consultation performed several years ago for the EPA by the Iowa Department of Public Health found the current levels of chemical contamination would not preclude future business, residential or recreational uses.
At Venezuela Dialogues, a group of experts gives differing opinions about what the role of the OAS should be with regard to Venezuela. Rather than engage each argument, I think it's useful to step back and take a more philosophical perspective.



1. Should the OAS be "impartial" or "neutral"? This makes me uncomfortable. The OAS sent a delegation to Chile in 1974 and made a bunch of recommendations. That certainly wasn't neutral and I don't think anyone today would think it a problem.



2. Should both sides be equally criticized? This is similar to the question above. All things being equal, the state in any situation is far more powerful than civil society and so should be held to a much higher standard.



3. Should an OAS head (or the head of any international organization) be outspoken? I'm agnostic, but some of the authors correctly note that personalization of a conflict actually decreases the effectiveness and leverage of the organization.



4. Should we downplay criticism of human rights abuses in one country because other countries with abuses are not getting as much attention? No. I think all countries should be scrutinized, but that failure to scrutinize one should not detract from the serious nature of abuses elsewhere.
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By The Associated Press May. 30, 2017 | 06:40 AM | PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, a onetime U.S. ally who was ousted as Panama's dictator by an American invasion in 1989, died late Monday at age 83.

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela wrote in his Twitter account that "the death of Manuel A. Noriega closes a chapter in our history."

Varela added, "His daughters and his relatives deserve to mourn in peace."

Noriega ruled with an iron fist, ordering the deaths of those who opposed him and maintaining a murky, close and conflictive relationship with the United States.

At the apex of his power he wielded great influence outside the country as well thanks to longstanding relationships with spy agencies around the world, said R.M. Koster, an American novelist and biographer of Noriega who has lived in Panama for decades.

After his downfall, Noriega served a 17-year drug sentence in the United States, then was sent to face charges in France. He spent all but the last few months of his final years in a Panamanian prison for murder of political opponents during his 1983-89 regime.
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Areva reactor business sale meets European rules

30 May 2017

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The European Commission yesterday approved EDF's takeover of Areva's nuclear reactor business under EU merger regulations. The transaction, expected to be completed by the end of this year, is "unlikely to raise competition concerns", it said.

French utility EDF agreed in July 2015 to take a stake of between 51% and 75% in Areva's reactor unit in a government-backed plan to revitalise France's nuclear power industry. The reactor operations to be sold have been transferred to a subsidiary wholly owned by Areva NP, referred to as 'New NP'. Contracts for the Olkiluoto 3 EPR project in Finland and for resources required to complete that project, and some contracts relating to components forged in the Le Creusot plant, are not included in the sale. Those contracts will remain within Areva NP.

The Commission said it had "assessed the probable effects of the transaction on the ability and incentives of the merged entity to engage in foreclosure strategies by restricting access to products, equipment and services designed or supplied by New NP and to EDF, as a customer".

On the market for the design and construction of new reactors, the Commission concluded that EDF and New NP "would not be in a position to push out their competitors because of the different market characteristics and the number of suppliers, and also the number of nuclear plants not operated by EDF".

Concerning markets for services to existing plants and for instrumentation and control systems, the Commission concluded New NP had "every interest in proposing high-quality products and services to as many potential customers as possible". In addition, EDF "would not be in a position to foreclose New NP's competitors and would have every interest in continuing to source its supplies from a diversified group of suppliers".

EDF would not have "sufficient incentive" to source its nuclear fuel assemblies solely from New NP, the Commission said. The company is also unlikely to restrict the supply of fuel assemblies and related services to other nuclear power plant operators in the European Economic Area, "which would be in breach of existing contracts", it added.

The Commission approved the restructuring of the Areva group in mid-January, ruling that the French government's plan to grant a capital injection of 4.5 billion ($5.0 billion) into Areva does not breach European Union state aid rules. It ruled that payment of the aid was subject to certain conditions, including authorisation of the sale of Areva's reactor business to EDF under EU merger rules. The authorisation of that transaction means that this condition has now been met.

Areva noted the Commission had included a second pre-condition for the increase of capital: obtaining "favourable conclusions" from the French nuclear regulator, the Autorite de Surete Nucleaire (ASN), on the carbon segregation of the Areva-supplied reactor pressure vessel at Flamanville unit 3. The company said it expected a decision from ASN around October.

Earlier this month, French nuclear engineering company Assystem made an offer of 125 million to Areva and EDF to take a 5% stake in New NP.

Areva began the process of splitting off its nuclear fuel cycle activities into NewCo in August last year, combining the Areva Mines, Areva NC, Areva Projects and Areva Business Support companies and their respective subsidiaries. In January, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited agreed on the main terms of their respective acquisitions of 5% stakes in NewCo for 250 million.

TVO disappointed

Finnish nuclear utility Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) said it was "disappointed that the Commission did not initiate an in-depth investigation" of EDF's purchase of Areva's reactor business. It said the deal would "centralise all nuclear technology, fuel and service businesses into a single vertically integrated company owned by EDF, which is also the world's biggest nuclear operator".

TVO said it would "carefully study the 'no issues' approval decision when it is published and decide on its next steps". The utility called for the French nuclear industry to "focus on the timely completion" of the EPR reactor under construction as Olkiluoto unit 3. It also said the industry must ensure reactor technology, fuel and related services are provided to operators "on a fair and non-discriminatory basis".

In late September, TVO filed a case at the Nanterre Commercial Court in France against Areva in order to avoid further delays to Olkiluoto 3. TVO was seeking assurances that a restructuring of Areva - including the sale of its reactor business to EDF - would not impact the unit's expected start-up date.

Areva said yesterday that discussions between the parties "opened the door to the withdrawal of this action" on 18 May. It added: "The parties are concentrating on the completion of the OL3 project and the start-up of the power plant."

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
Colombia's military has been guilty of massacres, and has colluded with paramilitary groups.

Colombia's military is ready to assert itself on the world stage by sending troops to Afghanistan to assist NATO and UN peacekeeping missions. Following talks between Colombia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), back in December, of Colombia possibly joining the misson. Its army is now set to deploy troops to Afghanistan, through NATO and the UN.

El Colombiano reported Sunday that National Army Commander General Alberto Jose Mejia said, We have been offered (by NATO) to participate in a deployment in (Afghanistan)  there are opportunities for first-line combat, training and capacity-building missions.

The general aims to deploy 5,000 troops at the service of the U.N. and NATO, possibly joining the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) active in Afghanistan.

President Juan Manuel Santos is set to present a proposal before the U.N. General Assembly in September, requesting that Colombian security forces be sent to Afghanistan, and other regions of the world.

There he will present his vision of Colombias intention to export security, said Mejia, El Colombiano reported. The main idea is to ensure that other countries do not suffer what Colombia has suffered.

Colombia is currently enmeshed with its ongoing, and sometimes bumpy peace process to end its more than 52-year civil war, which has seen the country's marginalized Campesino, Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities face the brunt of the suffering. Washington's Plan Colombia military aid package launched in 2000 ended up helping escalate the conflict and violence and futher militarized the country. The decades-long conflict claimed the lives of more than a quarter of a million Colombians and displaced more than 7 million.

The historic peace agreement reached last year between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the government after four years of negotiations is still very tenuous as a recent spike in deadly paramilitary attacks and a spate of killings of social movement leaders illustrates that right-wing violence has not abated.

In addition, protests and strikes, led mostly by Afro-Colombians and Indigenous peoples throughout the country over the course of the last month, seek to expose the countrys systemic racism and state-sanctioned violence.

The core of the protests has occurred in the countrys most impoverished Pacific Choco region, where the people on Saturday forced the Colombian government to negotiate an agreement to end their 18-day strike.

Still, Leonardo Montoya, a member of the Choco Civic Committee which organized the protests, warned that despite the agreement, if the government fails to fulfill its promises "Choco will resume the strike," adding that "the timetable is not upon us. These are dates agreed to and signed by the government.

Back in December, when President Santos announced he had begun the final discussions for his country to join NATO, Venezuela expressed deep concern about its neighbor.

In an official statement, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said the announcement "breaks a promise made in 2010 by Santos to late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to not join the military alliance.

"The Venezuelan government strongly rejects the attempt to introduce external organizations with nuclear capability into our region, whose past and recent actions claim the policy of war," the statement from Rodriguez had said.

Venezuela had also argued that this would violate the principles of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries, or NAM, which Colombia had once chaired, as it prohibits its members from forming part of international military alliances.
May 30, 2017 | By Benedict

Gilmour Space Technologies, an aerospace company based in Queensland, Australia, has raised $3.7 million (5 million AUD) in a Series A funding round led by Australian venture capital company Blackbird Ventures. Gilmour Spaces rockets use solid, 3D printed fuel.

Gilmour Space CEO Adam Gilmour with his company's Eris rocket

Although lots of aerospace companies are now using additive manufacturing to get the most out of their rockets and other space-bound systems, Gilmour Space Technologies may be the only one persevering with 3D printed fuel. Its a funny concept, and one that doesnt seem quite right at first glance, but Gilmour Space is clearly convincing the organizations that matter: the Queensland-based company has just raised $3.7 million in a Series A funding round.

Founded in 2013 by various members of the Gilmour family, Gilmour Space operates in both Australia and Singapore, and started building rockets in 2014. Co-founder and CEO Adam Gilmour reportedly wanted to make an accessible and affordable launch vehicle for smaller companies putting microsatellites into orbit.

One of several characteristics that sets Gilmour Space apart from competitors is its unique use of 3D printing. The companys low-cost rockets, designed specifically for the small payload market, use a solid 3D printed fuel unlike anything else on the market. Our proprietary rocket fuel cannot be printed with existing 3D printers, Director Michelle Gilmour said last year.

This latest funding round was led by Blackbird Ventures, an Australian venture capital firm. Its co-founder Rick Baker described Gilmour Space as a company with great technology and big ambitions.

Weve been very impressed by the way they have aggressively built their rocket engine technology, Baker added. And with this capital round, we believe they could ramp up to become a leading launch provider based in Australia.

Another investor participating in the funding round was 500 Startups, an early-stage venture fund and seed accelerator based in California. The rapidity with which [Gilmour Space has] been able to develop their technology is making their vision of accessible and affordable small satellite launches a reality, commented 500 Startups Vishal Harnal.

Gilmour Space will use its new funds to continue developing its low-cost rocket technology as it prepares for a first commercial launch into suborbital space, slated for the end of 2018. The suborbital rocket due to make that journey is named Ariel.

The startup also hopes its rockets will be capable of entering Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the altitude at which most satellites orbit, by 2020.

Our Eris orbital launch vehicle will be able to take up to 380 kg to LEO, and more dedicated and low-cost small payload launches would enable even smaller players to make a business case for space, said Adam Gilmour. Eventually, we also plan to build low-cost vehicles for human spaceflight and exploration.

Gilmour Space performed a successful test launch last year, sending a rocket up to an altitude of five kilometers.

The companys 3D printing activity goes beyond fuel too. The aerospace company has received a grant from Singapores National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster, a government-formed initiative made to improve 3D printing manufacturing capabilities in Singapore. Gilmour Space will work with the University of Technology and Design on aerospace additive manufacturing projects.

Posted in 3D Printer Company

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May 30, 2017 | By Tess

Polish 3D printing company Zortrax has unveiled the newest update to its Z-SUITE 3D printing software. The platform, already available for update, now supports external printing material profiles. This new feature will give users of the Zortrax M200 and Zortrax M300 3D printers more freedom in terms of experimenting with materials outside of the Zortrax ecosystem.

Up until now, users of the Zortrax M200 and Zortrax M300 3D printers have been limited to 3D printing with the companys own branded materials. An integrated 3D printing environment made up of proprietary solutions (including 3D printers, software, and printing materials) is one of the factors which has helped Zortrax guarantee reliable hardware and the high quality and repeatability of 3D printed models.

Still, in the spirit of consumer choice, the creative maker community has asked the Polish 3D printing company to expand its material allowance, to enable users to experiment with 3D printing materials beyond the Zortax range. It seems the company has listened to these requests.

The Z-SUITE platform allows users to select 3D print settings in an easy and intuitive way via a computer. With these settings, makers can choose what infill level they want for their print, whether to divide the print into multiple parts, what scale it should be printed at, and at what speed. The software also has settings related to the materials that are to be used for printing. These settings allow the software to adjust the operating temperature of the printer, correlating it with material properties to ensure top printing quality.

Zortrax M200 3D printer (left) and M300 3D printer (right)

We received signals from users who wanted the option to experiment with external printing materials not in our current range, said Rafa Tomasiak, CEO Zortrax S.A. The newest software update is the response to these signals. It opens us to completely new target groups. But please keep in mind that the only way to ensure top quality and hardware reliability of our solutions is by using Zortrax materials.

While Zortraxs R&D department is always working on developing new types of 3D printing materials, the company currently has seven materials on offer. They are:

Z-ABS for printing concept models, mock-ups, gadgets, or figures. Available in 11 colors.

Z-PCABS is extremely durable and resistant to high temperatures. It is best used for printing items such as casings, moving parts, or structural elements. Available in Ivory.

Z-PETG ensures models have a shiny surface resistant to mechanical damage, time, and light. It is also highly resistant to salts, acids, bases, and solvents. Available in grey and black.

Z-ULTRAT is an original Zortrax polymer with increased resistance to external factors, and which allows for further mechanical processing. Available in 22 colors.

Z-GLASS is a light-transmitting material for printing items with transparent surfaces which imitate glass or plastic.

Z-HIPS reduces the risk of deformation and the time required for model processing. Its unique structure absorbs light and reduces visible imperfections. Available in 7 colors.

Z-ESD is resistant to electrostatic discharge and is perfect for printing objects such as electronics casings. Available in black.

Makers can download the Z-SUITE 1.10 update here.

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Scott Alexander in Slate Star Codex:

Laszlo Ratz

A group of Manhattan Project physicists created a tongue-in-cheek mythology where superintelligent Martian scouts landed in Budapest in the late 19th century and stayed for about a generation, after which they decided the planet was unsuitable for their needs and disappeared. The only clue to their existence were the children they had with local women.

The joke was that this explained why the Manhattan Project was led by a group of Hungarian supergeniuses, all born in Budapest between 1890 and 1920. These included Manhattan Project founder Leo Szilard, H-bomb creator Edward Teller, Nobel-Prize-winning quantum physicist Eugene Wigner, and legendary polymath John von Neumann, namesake of the List Of Things Named After John Von Neumann.

The coincidences actually pile up beyond this. Von Neumann, Wigner, and possibly Teller all went to the same central Budapest high school at about the same time, leading a friend to joke about the atomic bomb being basically a Hungarian high school science fair project.

But maybe we shouldnt be joking about this so much. Suppose we learned that Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach all had the same childhood piano tutor. It sounds less like ha ha, what a funny coincidence and more like wait, who was this guy, and how quickly can we make everyone else start doing what he did?

In this case, the guy was Laszlo Ratz, legendary Budapest high school math teacher. I didnt even know people told legends about high school math teachers, but apparently they do, and this guy features in a lot of them. There is apparently a Laszlo Ratz Memorial Congress for high school math teachers each year, and a Laszlo Ratz medal for services to the profession. There are plaques and statues to this guy. Its pretty impressive.

More here. [Thanks to Omar Ali.]
Trothsolutions is accused of deceiving consumers, through phone calls and pop-up ads, into thinking their computers were infected with a virus or malware and then charging them for unnecessary fixes. To gain peoples trust, the company made it appear that it was affiliated with familiar tech firms, according to the complaint. After convincing consumers that their computers are in urgent need of repair, defendants offer to remotely provide needed repairs as well as a software warranty & security service as an additional benefit,  the lawsuit notes. Trothsolutions charged consumers $200 to more than $1,000, totaling at least $2 million over a few years, according to the complaint.

The Youngs troubles began on a Friday afternoon in November. Jerry Young, a 79-year-old retired dentist, says he visited a website he thought was affiliated with Apple, and a pop-up window appeared on his screen. In his written testimony, he said:

I thought the popup was a message from my computer; I did not realize it was an ad. I believed there was a problem with my computer so I clicked on the popup. I went into Apple and asked for help. I believed I was dealing with Apple tech support.

They took control of the computer and talked to me through my computer. They worked on my computer and I believed that they had fixed it. Then they went into a sales pitch for extended support services. One to three years, it was cheaper per year if you paid for three years. I agreed to pay $439.00. I previously had a positive experience with an online tech support company so I thought this was legitimate.

In an interview this week, Jerry Young says: This was obviously different. They wanted the check routing number. I gave it to them, like an idiot.

Christina Young moved quickly and closed their checking account, but the story did not end there. Within a few days of closing our bank account, Troth began making repeated harassing phone calls to collect the $439.99. At one point, they called every day, Jerry Young stated in his testimony. A letter from a debt collection firm seeking payment soon followed.

We are deeply embarrassed and ashamed that people would think we were doing something like this, says Madhu Sethi, of Boca Raton, Fla., who founded Trothsolutions with his wife in 2014. Most customers were happy, he says, and the firm had a 30-day refund policy.

Where we went wrong is outsourcing our entire support to people in India, says Sethi. They didnt monitor what they were saying. They could have abused some customers or said something wrong, and then it opened the eyes of the FTC and we got caught in that.

Sethi also says the calls to the Youngs did not come from Trothsolutions. The calls stopped about a year later, Christina Young said recently, when they moved to a retirement community in another city.

The couple filed complaints with the FTC, the Better Business Bureau and regulators in their home state. The FTC forwarded the letter to the Alabama attorney general.

Today when any computer bug arises, the Youngs seek help from a local firm or a tech-savvy friend.

Jerry Young now offers this advice to others: Dont click on anything you dont know. And just be leery of any pop-up ad.
While the pay could be better, benefits of teaching out of this world
Fact-based market research, penetrating industry insights and validated forecasts to help you make better decisions for a stronger future

Latest Research on 5G Technology Market Analysis, Market Size, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2016 To 2024

The global 5G technology market is expected to witness significant growth over from 2016 to 2024 (forecast period). Rising worldwide adoption of internet-enabled devices will drive the industry. Mobile service providers believe that 5G services will be rolled out by 2020 to meet customer and business demands.

Browse Report summary and TOC of 5G Technology Market@

https://www.hexaresearch.com/research-report/5g-technology-market

Surging demand for extensive network coverage and high speed internet from various industry applications will propel market growth. These include autonomous driving, distant learning, video conferencing & multi-user gaming, telemedicine, and opera live streaming. 5G technology will improve mobile network performance capabilities to a marked extent. It can also play a key role in establishing foundational infrastructure.

Furthermore, increasing mobile broadband adoption and machine-to-machine communication in companies will fuel industry growth. High rates of data transfer along with low power consumption will also exhibit a positive impact..

Popularity of high-speed internet for enhanced real-time response will propel the global 5G technology industry in the years to come. However, the dependence of this technology on other technologies, such as millimeter wave propagation and IPv6 transmission protocol could restrict market performance.

The global industry is categorized on the basis of technologies, applications, and regions. The technology segment comprises Radio Access Technologies (RAT), Wi-Fi, High-Speed Package Access (HSPA), Global System for Mobile (GSM), and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). Applications include healthcare, government & utilities, retail, individual users, offices, and defense & military. Owing to high investments in research & development, the application segment is led by government & utilities.

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Geographically, the global 5G technology market is divided into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. The U.S. market is estimated to grow robustly during the forecast period. This is because of increasing subscriptions in the region. The Asia-Pacific market too will register significant growth. Various countries such as China, Korea, and India will invest huge sums to support ongoing developments and initiatives in 5G technology. The government of United Kingdom is expected to launch its 5G strategy by 2017. In its recent budget, the government focused on the significance of mobile spectrum and prepared the nation to receive the new technology.

The growing need for faster internet in China will stimulate the 5G market in this region. Even the Indian government has spent USD 5.5 million over the last couple of years on 5G technology. This investment was primarily directed towards advanced research and development. Most companies operating in this market strive to introduce novel technologies to gain competitive advantage. Also, countries, such as Japan, are planning to exhibit their innovations during the 2018 winter Olympics and 2020 summer Olympics.

Key players in the 5G technology market are Verizon Communications Inc. (U. S.); Nokia Networks (Finland); Samsung Group (South Korea); AT&T Inc. (U. S.); The Fraunhofer Society (Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft); NTT DoCoMo Inc.; Qualcomm Inc. (U. S.); Alcatel-Lucent S. A.; Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. (China); and Telefonica S. A. In 2014, Ericsson signed a deal with SK Telecom Co. Ltd. for 5G technology research and development. With a view towards ensuring a strong standardized network, various public bodies such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the ITU, 3GPP, and a few universities have been adding value to the 5G technology industry.

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To honor the illustrious ancestors of Ghanaians, patrons will witness the installation of Kwame Akoto-Bamfos 1,300-piece collection of contemporized Nsiso heads and much more

Cape Coast, Ghana  May 30, 2017  The Embassy of the United States in Ghana has announced that it will be organizing a monumental exhibition in Cape Coast, Ghana from June 17 to September 16, 2017. As a part of this exhibition, there will be a landmark art installation in Cape Coast and tourists from all over the world will be arriving in Ghana specially to see it. This commemorative exhibition is titled as In Memoriam: Portraits of the Middle Passage, In Situ and several artists will be participating.

The highlight of this exhibition is going to be The Nkyinkyim Installation by Kwame Akoto-Bamfo, curated by Daniel Dunson, said the spokesperson of the US State Department in Ghana: Kwame Akoto-Bamfos 1,300-piece collection of contemporized Nsiso heads, cast in concrete, metaphorically represents the multitude of Africans captured throughout the regions of West Africa, taken to the Americas and the Caribbean from Cape Coast and Elmina.

As a part of this spectacular installation, the 1,300 sculptures designed by Kwame will be installed at Cape Coast Castle and Dungeons, placed in Situ, facing the Atlantic Ocean. This striking installation will be a symbolic tribute to the ancestors of Ghana as well as a cultural symbol for the nations contribution in the development of the western world. Moreover, The Exhibition will give a historic visualization to the Middle Passage.

This will be the largest site and symbol of loss of ancestors of the African Diaspora, the Atlantic Ocean, said one of the local Ghanaian artist while commenting on The Exhibition. According to the artist, this is not only historic but a cultural preservation that will inspire the generations to come. Millions of African Diasporians were displaced and they laid memorable sacrifices that will be honored and commemorated through this. Furthermore, The Exhibition will also showcase the culinary artistry of Africas finest chefs at the majestic African Heritage Dinner, an annual fundraising event to raise awareness and revenue for the causes of the African Diaspora.

Moreover, all of this has been organized under the project titled The Ancestor Project that encompasses three solid objectives; Economic Development, Artistic Development, and Cultural Arts and Industry Development.

The Exhibition will feature several great artists of The Ancestor Project including the legendary Kwame Akoto-Bamfo, Nii Kwartei Quartey who is the Lead Artist Apprentice and Project Photographers, Naa Abina Nelson and Nii Odzenma. The Exhibition Team includes Daniel Dunson, who is the Curator and Executive Producer alongside Stephenie Thioubou, the Curatorial Assistant and Morris Sinclair, the Project Event Manager. Furthermore, there will be several other artists and entertainers present at the occasion to enthrall the participants with music, dance and spoken word.

This amazing exhibition will be organized by the Partnerships and Donations of The Embassy of the United States in Ghana, The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Creative Arts of Ghana, The Ghana Museum and Monuments Board, The African American Association of Ghana, Ridge Royal Hotel in Cape Coast and several other notables.

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Altech - SPP Closing Date Extended

Perth, May 30, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Altech Chemicals Limited (Altech/the Company) ( ASX:ATC ) ( A3Y:FRA ) advises that it has extended the Closing Date of its Share Purchase Plan (SPP) to Wednesday 7 June 2017 (5pm WST).



Highlights:



- Share Purchase Plan (SPP) offered to eligible shareholders



- Closing date extended to Wednesday 7 June 2017 (5pm WST)



- SPP offer priced at a 5% discount to the 5 day VWAP to 7 June 2017



Existing eligible shareholders of Altech have the opportunity to subscribe to a maximum of $15,000 of new shares and a minimum amount of $1,000 of new shares, via the SPP.



Shares issued under the SPP will be priced at a 5% discount to the volume-weighted average price of Altech shares as traded on the Australian Securities Exchange over the 5 days up to, and including, the day on which the SPP offer closes (now 7 June 2017), rounded down to the nearest half-cent. Altech will announce the final issue price for the SPP shares after the offer closes.



Under the SPP rules, shareholders who were recorded on the share register at 5 May 2017 (record date) with a registered address in Australia or New Zealand are eligible to participate.



Each eligible shareholder is entitled to apply for up to $15,000 of new fully paid ordinary shares of the Company without incurring any brokerage or other transaction costs. All new shares issued under the SPP will rank equally with existing ordinary shares of the Company.



Shareholders that have not yet taken up the offer to participate in the SPP, but wish to do so, are urged to return the completed individualised SPP application form along with payment for the application amount to the Company prior to the revised closing date of 7 June 2017. Alternatively, shareholders can pay the application amount directly via BPAY(R), in which case there is no need to return the application form to the Company.



Shareholders that have not received an SPP application form, or require a replacement form, should contact Mr Shane Volk (Company Secretary, see contact details below).





About Altech Chemicals Ltd





Altech Chemicals Limited (ASX:ATC) (FRA:A3Y) is aiming to become one of the world's leading suppliers of 99.99% (4N) high purity alumina (Al2O3) through the construction and operation of a 4,500tpa high purity alumina (HPA) processing plant at Johor, Malaysia. Feedstock for the plant will be sourced from the Company's 100%-owned kaolin deposit at Meckering, Western Australia and shipped to Malaysia.



HPA is a high-value, high margin and highly demanded product as it is the critical ingredient required for the production of synthetic sapphire. Synthetic sapphire is used in the manufacture of substrates for LED lights, semiconductor wafers used in the electronics industry, and scratch-resistant sapphire glass used for wristwatch faces, optical windows and smartphone components. Increasingly HPA is used by lithium-ion battery manufacturers as the coating on the battery's separator, which improves performance, longevity and safety of the battery. With global HPA demand approximately 19,000t (2018), it is estimated that this demand will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% (2018-2028); by 2028 HPA market demand will be approximately 272,000t, driven by the increasing adoption of LEDs worldwide as well as the demand for HPA by lithium-ion battery manufacturers to serve the surging electric vehicle market.
Get AfricaFocus Bulletin by e-mail! Format for print or mobile USA/Africa: "Pro-Death" Health Agendas Advance AfricaFocus Bulletin

May 30, 2017 (170530)

(Reposted from sources cited below) Editor's Note "3.3 million more abortions. 15,000 more mothers dying. 8 million more unplanned pregnancies. ... Those grim numbers from the Guttmacher Institute show the potential real-world impact of the Trump administration's unprecedented proposed cuts to global family planning efforts; the budget the White House released Tuesday would basically eliminate those programs." - Sarah Wildman, Vox, May 24, 2017 The headline (my wording) may seem alarmist, but detailed examination of the health agendas being advanced by the Trump administration and right-wing Republicans leaves little doubt of the consequences should they be fully implemented. There will indeed likely be millions of deaths resulting both from the House domestic healthcare plan, which would remove 23 million from health insurance, according to the Congressional Budget Office, and from the provisions for global health in administration's new budget. That would eliminate funding for family planning, threaten funding for HIV/AIDS and famine relief, and impose massive cuts on institutions such as the Center for Disease Control which are vital to protection against epidemics. One may withhold judgment on the motivations of the policymakers, including the relative weight of ideology, indifference, lack of human empathy, and greed. And most observers say the full package is unlikely to survive Congressional scrutiny, even among many Republicans. But much of the damage, such as the Global Gag Rule cited above, comes from executive decisions already being implemented, such as the new version of the Global Gag Rule. The proponents of this agenda, it is clear by their explicit statements, reject the universal right to health, and give little or no value to the lives of those who are not wealthy and white. This AfricaFocus Bulletin continues two summary articles on the Global Gag Rule and the Trump budget, as well as a reflection on the pressures facing progressive health advocates stretched by the attacks on both domestic and global health. A few additional short articles highlight the threat: Siobhan O'Grady, "How teen moms in Nigeria could wind up hurt by Trump's U.N. Cuts," Washington Post, May 5, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/y9dn2odb

Documents effects of cutting support for the U.N. Population Fund. Los Angeles Times, "Editorial: Trump's new global gag rule will devastate healthcare in poor countries," Los Angeles Times, May 22, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/n6kprqw

"The rule was bad enough in its earlier form [under previous Republican administrations], when it barred aid to family planning organizations that offered abortion or abortion counseling. ... But the new Trump administration incarnation of the rule is far more expansive. ... it will now cover approximately $8.8 billion in funds given out to healthcare providers of all sorts." Nurith Aizenman, "Trump's Proposed Budget Would Cut $2.2 billion from Global Health Spending," National Public Radio, May 25, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/y9xgbc87

"Overall, Trump would cut the annual global health budget by about 26 percent, or around $2.2 billion in the 2018 fiscal year that begins October 1, decreasing it from about $8.7 billion in the current fiscal year budget to less than $6.5 billion." Emily Baumgaertner, "Proposed Cuts Alarm Bioterrorism Experts," New York Times, May 29, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/yavxmskg

The CDC's budget would be cut by 17%. At the NIH, a program training foreign medical professionals in pandemic response would be eliminated. For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins on health, visit http://www.africafocus.org/intro-health.php ++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++ The Trump global gag rule: an attack on US family planning and global health aid By Ann M. Starrs, Guttmacher Institute The Lancet, February 4, 2017 http://www.thelancet.com  Direct URL: http://tinyurl.com/ya8ngh4h On Jan 23, 2017, on his fourth day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing the global gag rule, an anti-abortion policy that under other conservative presidential administrations has caused serious disruptions to US overseas family planning efforts. Alarmingly, Trump's order goes even further than in the past, with potentially devastating effect. Credit for graphic: Human Rights Watch The global gag rule, also known as the Mexico City policy, was devised in 1984 by the administration of Ronald Reagan to impose a draconian set of anti-abortion rules on US overseas family planning programmes. This policy banned US family planning funds from going to foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that provide abortion services, counselling, or referrals, or advocate for liberalisation of their country's abortion laws--even if they use non-US government funds for these activities. In 1984, and every time the global gag rule has been imposed since then, foreign governments were exempt for diplomatic reasons, as were US-based NGOs on constitutional grounds. To be clear, legislation was already in place in 1984, and is still in place now, that bans the use of US funds under the Foreign Assistance Act from paying "for the performance of abortion as a method of family planning". But for anti-abortion activists this Helms Amendment, passed in 1973, did not go far enough; they wanted to limit any activity that could possibly enable or promote abortion. Hence, the global gag rule. Under Trump's order, the gag rule now applies not only to US bilateral family planning assistance (US$575 million for fiscal year 2016), but also to all "global health assistance furnished by all departments or agencies"--encompassing an estimated $9.5 billion in foreign aid. Foreign NGOs that receive US funding to work on a broad range of health programmes in about 60 low-income and middle-income countries--including on HIV/AIDS, the Zika virus, malaria, tuberculosis, nutrition, and maternal and child health, among others--will potentially be subject to the same ideological restrictions that have hampered family planning aid at points in the past. Thus, President Trump's version of the global gag rule represents a wider attack on global health aid writ large. Adding to the widespread concern among US government agencies, global health NGOs, and advocates is the Trump administration's failure to provide any guidance on the interpretation or application of the new policy. Those details may emerge in the coming weeks and months. But we already know that, when last in effect, the gag rule crippled family planning programmes. Many foreign NGOs, as a matter of principle and out of dedication to the patients they serve, refused to let the US Government muzzle their abortion advocacy efforts or dictate what services or counselling they provided using their non-US funds. These health providers were forced to reduce staff and services, or even shut clinics. As a result, many thousands of women no longer had access to family planning and reproductive health services from these clinics--sometimes the only provider of such services in the local community. Various actors, including the governments of Canada and the Netherlands, are mobilising to compensate for at least some of the damage that will be done by the gag rule. But the US is the largest funder of global health programmes worldwide, and the disruption this aid effort will suffer is massive. Moreover, there is no evidence that the global gag rule has ever resulted in its stated aim of reducing abortion. The first study to measure the effect of the gag rule showed that this policy could actually have resulted in an increase in abortions. Another study assessed the gag rule in Ghana and found that because of declines in the availability of contraceptive services, both fertility and abortion rates were higher during the gag rule years than during non-gag rule years in rural and poor populations. This is consistent with anecdotal data that the gag rule's main effect has been to reduce women's access to quality contraceptive services, thereby increasing the probability of unintended pregnancy and making recourse to abortion more likely. But the harmful effects of Trump's order are likely be even greater. NGOs in lowincome settings often provide integrated health services; for instance, they offer patients contraceptive care, HIV prevention or treatment, maternal health screenings, immunisations, and information on safe abortion care all under one roof. By expanding the gag rule to the full scope of US global health aid, hundreds more national and local NGOs will be forced to choose between drastic funding cuts (if they decline to sign the gag rule) or denying their patients the information and services that are their right (if they sign, and can no longer provide or discuss abortion). Millions of women living in low-resource settings may now be unable to obtain the care they need, when they need it. The unprecedented scope of the Trump global gag rule validates the fears of many observers: reproductive health and rights worldwide will face a sustained attack in the next 4 years of the Trump Administration. This assault will almost certainly include defunding the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as well as potentially drastic cuts to US overseas family planning aid. It will be mirrored domestically by efforts to restrict abortion access--for instance, by banning all private and public insurance coverage of abortion or prohibiting the most commonly used method for second-trimester procedures--and to shred the nation's family planning safety net, including by defunding Planned Parenthood. It is becoming clearer with each Trump executive order that not only reproductive health but also global health programmes and overall foreign assistance supported by the US Government are in grave jeopardy, as indicated by President Trump's repeated promises to "put America first". The social conservatives driving this agenda--who now control the US Presidency and both Houses of Congress--are showing complete disregard for the millions of women, men, and children who will suffer the consequences, intended or not, of these regressive policies. Trump's budget eliminates US funding for global family planning and famine relief by Sarah Wildman Vox, May 24, 2017 http://www.vox.com  Direct URL: http://tinyurl.com/lrtqf72 3.3 million more abortions. 15,000 more mothers dying. 8 million more unplanned pregnancies. Up to 26 million fewer women and couples acquiring contraception and family planning advice. Those grim numbers from the Guttmacher Institute show the potential real-world impact of the Trump administration's unprecedented proposed cuts to global family planning efforts; the budget the White House released Tuesday would basically eliminate those programs. It also calls for gutting a key US famine relief program, slashing half the budget for the USAID's internal disaster relief organization, and cutting $222 million from funds allocated to fight HIV, AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The justification listed in the budget is a simple hope for others to fill the shortfall: The United States has been the largest donor by far to global HIV/AIDS efforts, providing over half of global donor funding in recent years to combat this epidemic. The Budget reduces funding for several global health programs, including HIV/AIDS, with the expectation that other donors can and should increase their commitments to these causes. If Congress were to agree to those cuts (and that's a big if), advocates say the global impact of America's abrupt departure from world health and disaster relief would be immediate -- and devastating. "The family planning elimination is the headline here," said Rachel Silverman, a senior policy analyst on global health at the Center for Global Development. "It will have the most impact on people's lives." But Trump's proposed cuts to food aid and disaster relief would also deal a major blow to some of the world's neediest and most desperate. Marilyn Shapley, a top official at the aid group Mercy Corps, said some 70 million people need emergency food assistance, while 20 million more are in famine-like conditions. "This is going to take away food assistance from 33 million people in a year when famine risk is higher than in decades," she said in an interview. "Before today I wouldn't have thought it possible." Funding family planning actually makes economic, not just moral, sense This isn't the first time the Trump administration has taken aim at global family planning and women's health. In January, Trump reinstated the "Mexico City Policy," also known as the global gag rule, which literally bars family planning providers from mentioning abortion in their work. (The United States has long banned funds for abortion services.) The policy is one that changes depending on the party of the president in power. Obama immediately rescinded the policy when he moved into the White House; Trump, like other Republican presidents before him, immediately reinstated it when he came into office. As I wrote in January, the policy has traditionally limited the ability of global family planning providers to give women and families comprehensive care if in any aspect of their work they recommend, discuss, or even mention abortions to clients, let alone provide abortion services. But Trump went further than his predecessors. Previous Republican administrations limited the policy to family planning providers; the Trump administration extended the gag rule to all global health providers. That meant health care providers working on everything from maternal and child health to malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and vaccinations were now at risk of losing all US funding if they discussed abortion in their work. The NGO PAI estimated that the extended gag rule would affect about 15 times more US funding than the gag rule had in the past. In mid-May, when the new rule went into effect, Suzanne Ehlers, president and CEO of PAI, said Trump's move would do "unspeakable damage to integrated care efforts." That's a problem. With integrated care, a woman can come to a single clinic for, say, vaccines for her children, then see a physician about her own contraceptive needs, and finally seek advice, or refill prescriptions. In other words, she can meet all her family's health care needs in one spot. For families traveling long distances, an all-in-one clinic makes far more sense than one clinic for maternal health and another for child care and still another for other medical services. The Trump administration spent the first quarter of 2017 signaling plans to undermine that sort of integrated care by reinstating the gag rule and beginning to reduce US funding for maternal and infant health around the world. In April, the administration announced it would strip the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), which works on reproductive health, family planning, HIV/AIDS, and infant and maternal mortality in more than 150 countries, of all US funding. The putative reason was a specious one. "This decision is based on the erroneous claim that UNFPA supports, or participates in the management of, a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization' in China," a statement on the UNFPA website read. "UNFPA refutes this claim, as all of its work promotes the human rights of individuals and couples to make their own decisions, free of coercion or discrimination." A State Department memo obtained by the Associated Press found no evidence that US money had supported forced abortion or sterilization in China. The decision costs the UNFPA $32.5 million in funding from the 2017 budget; the United States was the fourth-largest donor to the organization. The new budget would hit global health even harder. Silverman noted that there's a "dissonance" between White House messages on women and families. Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter, has claimed to be championing the idea of women'e economic empowerment. That sort of program, Silverman says, would be completely undermined by stripping global family planning from the budget. "There is a lot of evidence that family planning contributes to women's empowerment," says Silverman, ticking off a list of things that planning, delaying, and spacing pregnancies allow women to do -- like receiving an education, or even simply advancing at work. "When women have control over fertility, they have control over their lives." Silverman points out that USAID directly funds 28 percent of contraceptives and distribution in the developing world. "If you cross-reference that with the number of women using contraceptives in those countries -- a back-of-envelope calculation -- that suggests that 10 million women are directly relying on USAID for contraceptives," she said, adding that enormous numbers of women will "see a major disruption in their lives if this goes through and other donors don't step up in a major way." But there aren't other donors looking to step in. Jonathan Rucks, who runs PAI's advocacy efforts, says there is no other donor government that can make up the shortfall, and even major private family foundations, like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, simply cannot replace the US on family planning. In February, Bill Gates told the Guardian that Trump's proposed reinstatement of the global gag rule could "create a void that even a foundation like ours can't fill." "If you are cutting maternal health funding, then you don't care about survival of women," Rucks says bluntly. "We are also going to be really frank and say this is not pro-life. This is undermining all your pro-life credentials." Global Health in the Trump Era: Reflections on the Backlash by Michelle Morse Praxis, May 17, 2017 https://www.kzoo.edu/praxis/global-health-backlash/ Over the past thirty years, American medicine has witnessed an unprecedented expansion in global health engagement amongst its trainees and faculty, partially, if not largely, fueled by the health care injustices lived so dramatically by patients in resource-limited countries around the world during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Initially seen as disruptive, the interventions in the health sectors of Global South countries by American health professionals were eventually accepted as essential acts in the movement towards achieving global health equity. As America experiences the Trump era, endless questions have arisen amongst global health professionals about the implications of Trump's "America first" platform on global health. Will Trump's nationalist agenda eliminate funding for life-saving global health programs, cause progressive health professionals engaged in global health to make a reactionary turn towards the fire at home, and even force global health practitioners to more closely examine their own prejudices? It is no secret that American physicians leading the guard in global health tend to be part of the political left. Global health tends to attract left leaning physicians because of the global health movement's belief that every human being has a right to receive high quality health care. Asserting that Global North countries have a responsibility to contribute towards strengthening health care systems in the Global South (a redistribution of resources, of sorts), global health offers the opportunity to practically address urgent health care access inequities in the Global South. Considering these principles, global health professionals like myself are deeply frustrated by the Trump administration's efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut global health spending at USAID and other similar programs. Though many of us are rightfully drawn towards activism in the USA to resist these moves by the new administration, I worry that the health and health systems of the Global South will suffer if the majority of global health professionals shift to focus domestically without continuing their engagement in global health. While some would say that the current neoliberal structure of development aid is already ineffective, especially since so many of the aid resources are actually directed back to the country where the aid comes from, what would it mean if global health funding was eliminated, and American global health professionals suddenly focused exclusively on domestic health? Would it allow Global South countries to assume stronger leadership, decision-making, and self-directed problem solving? Or would it mean that Global South communities would be even more deprived of much needed resources and health care access? Post-earthquake Haiti, where I have worked for seven years and lived for two of those years, is one compelling example of both the peril and the potential of aid. Of the $8 billion US funds provided in aid after the earthquake, less than 1% went to the Haitian government who was ultimately responsible for rebuilding the country. Yet, as appalling as this statistic is, it does not adequately describe the individual impact of short- and long-term global health engagement by American health professionals in response to the earthquake. Take EqualHealth for example, the organization I co-founded. EqualHealth is a nongovernmental organization focused on bringing light to the socially determined root causes of illness and creating equity in opportunity for Haitian health professionals whose talent and vision are often overshadowed by negative media narratives about Haiti, weaknesses in the Haitian public health system, and limited opportunities for professional development. All things considered, the reality is that countries like Haiti rely on the shrinking aid from global health programs such as PEPFAR to keep their health systems running despite fluctuations in attention from the donor world. Where Global South countries would find themselves without USAID, or partnership with Global North health professionals, or other mechanisms to ensure more adequate resources for pressing health concerns is as predictable as where Americans, who rely on the Affordable Care Act for health insurance, will find themselves when it is repealed and replaced with a market-based solution. What I have witnessed in my academic institution is an exciting and growing interest amongst trainees in building infrastructure to resist the new administration's domestic health care and civil rights policies. To mount a harmonized response, they are looking into establishing indivisible chapters and partnerships with community based organizations, learning and using direct action methods such as bird-dogging, non-violent protest, and holding teach-ins on community organizing. These are often the very same trainees that are also interested in global health. Though many of them are considering careers in global health, opportunities for long-term global health engagement with clear career paths and mentorship are often limited, and may now become even more limited given the policies of the new American administration. On the other hand, recent significant increases in donations to organizations like Planned Parenthood could mean new opportunities for engagement for these trainees, shaping careers focused on domestic health care. This is occurring at a time when structural competency and social medicine are emerging as key areas of focus in medical school and residency curricula, and trainees are being encouraged to engage in activism as a professional obligation rather than aspiration. Health professionals often hesitated to engage in activism as it was not an explicit part of their training, and opportunities to act were difficult to identify, but these barriers seem to be evaporating under the new administration. In response to mounting evidence documenting how health care provider prejudice impacts health, American medical schools are also developing competencies in which trainees and faculty alike are encouraged to reflect on their personal biases. These competencies are even more relevant now as the policies of this new administration threaten the rights and livelihoods of people of color, women, Muslims, and immigrants. Efforts to establish global health competencies, while laudable, have often been silent on addressing the issues of racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice amongst global health professionals. The social and cultural power and privilege clash that occurs when predominantly white global health professionals from Global North countries descend on countries in the Global South to work hand in hand with local health professionals who are predominantly people of color is a tinderbox for racism and prejudice in all its forms. The global health movement can learn from the new light being shed on the old problem of racism, as a result of the racist policies and messages coming from the Trump administration in its first 100 days. The global health movement needs to take the necessary steps to explicitly address racism and other forms of prejudice amongst its members, and ask honest questions about why more Americans of color are not currently a part of it. The far too common assumption that being left leaning, progressive, or engaged in global health is incompatible with being racist is simply incorrect. As communities and countries in the Global South continue to suffer the consequences of neoliberalism-induced fragile health systems, some global health professionals may decide to deepen their engagement outside the USA, attempting to flee the nationalist, racist, and sexist trends of the new administration by moving and working abroad. Other global health professionals may decide to engage domestically to resist the actions of the new administration, seeing the battle for health care access and civil rights at home as more urgent and compelling. Ideally, all progressive global health professionals, whether choosing a domestic or globally focused path, will begin to address their own prejudices in new action-oriented ways. There is a delicate but important balance between advocating for ongoing American engagement in addressing global health inequities, while also addressing domestic health care threats. One shouldn't be prioritized over the other or at the expense of the other, as they represent two parts of the same global battle for health as a human right that culminated in the Alma Ata Declaration, lost its way, and is reemerging. Perhaps the real test will lie in America's response under the Trump administration to the next Ebola, the next Zika, or the next HIV/AIDS epidemic. AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus Bulletin is edited by William Minter. AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus@igc.org. Please write to this address to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about reposted material, please contact directly the original source mentioned. For a full archive and other resources, see http://www.africafocus.org
The party raised objections against statements made by Subhash Desai comparing Bal Thackeray with Mahatma Gandhi who had fought for the nations freedom struggle.

Congress has expressed its displeasure over Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Industries Minister Subhash Desai comparing Bal Thackeray with Mahatma Gandhi over a proposal to construct memorial for the late party supremo. According to the party, Mahatma Gandhi is a national leader and is respected across the nation and the world whereas Bal Thackeray is more popular in Maharashtra. The party also added that Gandhiji had made various sacrifices for the sake of gaining freedom for the country. He was imprisoned many times.

Gandhiji had made immense contribution for Indians independence but Balasaheb has indulged in politics of division. Gandhi was a pan-India leader whereas Thackeray was known as a state leader. We dont undermine Thackerays contribution but it is irrelevant to compare both leaders, said a Congress leader on the condition of anonymity.

A memorial for Thackeray who passed away in November 2012, is proposed at the current residence of Mumbai Mayor at Shivaji Park in Dadar. The new residence of Mayor will be constructed at Byculla zoo.

If Mahatma Gandhis memorial was constructed even though he didnt hold any constitutional post then why are people opposing Balasahebs memorial? Thackeray was a great leader. Not only Shiv Sena but even the common man supports the construction of his memorial. People have immense respect for him and if a memorial is built for Thackeray then it will be the right way to pay tributes to him. Therefore the government has taken the right decision to build his memorial, said Desai.

Many people are asking why should a memorial be built for Thackeray who didnt even hold a constitutional post. The scenario is not different in case of Mahatma Gandhi yet his memorial has been constructed in several states but then nobody raised any objections about it. The state government will take a right decision pertaining to the construction of Thackerays memorial, he added.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) secretary Al-Nasser Zakaria said that it is not right to compare both Gandhi and Thackeray.

He said, Gandhiji is known as the father of the nation and he had played a vital role in Indias freedom struggle. Even though Balasaheb is widely respected by everyone it would be outrageous to compare him with Gandhiji.

What else can be expected from the Shiv Sena leaders apart from hooliganism, making outrageous comments and being a part of the Maharashtra government just to ensure the party does not disintegrate and become a part of history, he added.
A cyclone battered refugee camps in Bangladesh where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar have taken refuge from violence at home, as authorities moved at least 350,000 Bangladeshis out of harms way.

Cyclone Mora struck the island of Saint Martin and Teknaf in the coastal Bangladeshi district of Coxs Bazar, where officials said some 200,000 people were evacuated to shelters. In Chittagong district, about 150,000 people were evacuated.

The islands are a few miles from the Myanmar border, and the refugee camps for Rohingyas who have fled their homeland.

Shamsul Alam, a Rohingya community leader, said that damage in different camps was severe with almost all the 10,000 thatched huts in the Balukhali and Kutupalong camps destroyed.

Most of the temporary houses in the camps have been flattened, Alam said.

Omar Farukh, a community leader in Kutupalong camp, said conditions were dire: Now were in the open air.

Officials in Chittagong reported winds gusting up to 135 kph (85 mph), and said low-lying coastal areas were flooded by a storm surge with waves 2 metres (7 feet) high.

Flights in the area were cancelled.

Last October, following a Myanmar army operation launched in response to insurgent attacks, an estimated 74,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh where they joined more than 200,000 who have taken refuge there over the years.

The Bangladeshi government has estimated that in all, there are about 350,000 Rohingyas in Bangladesh.

In predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, where Rohingyas are officially denied citizenship and classified as illegal immigrants, about 120,000 of them have been internally displaced by communal violence over recent years and are living in camps.

A UN official working with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh said the damage in the camps could not be assessed while the storm was raging.

Heavily pregnant women have been evacuated but most people in areas like Balukhali and Kutupalong makeshift settlements have stayed, said the official, who declined to be identified.

The winds are strong and people there live in flimsy structures, so were worried.

In Myanmar, about 300 houses were damaged in Rakhine State but the extent was unclear, the government said.

But Bangladeshi weather officials said the cyclone was not as bad as they had feared.

The severity was less than the apprehension, Shamsuddin Ahmed, a weather official based in Chittagong said.
The debris of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis helicopter, which crash-landed in Latur last week, has been moved to Mumbai as a part of investigation into the mishap, a senior official said.

Fadnavis, along with five others including two crew members, escaped unhurt on May 25 when his helicopter, while taking-off, got entangled in overhead wires and crash-landed in Nilanga, around 45 kms away from Latur.

The chief minister was on way to Mumbai after holding a programme with farmers in Nilanga when the mishap occurred.

Later, a probe into the incident was initiated by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), which comes under the civil aviation ministry.

The investigating officers last night shifted the helicopters debris from the mishap site to Mumbai, Latur Collector G Shreekant said.

Officials of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and AIB yesterday informed us that they were ready to shift the debris, Shreekant said.

They had brought a multi-axel trailer to carry it to Juhu in Mumbai for further investigation, he said.

The helicopter carrying the debris left Latur for Juhu in Mumbai last night, he said.

On the temporary helipad that was prepared for the CMs visit, the collector said there was no compromise in safety at any level.

A few persons on the ground were injured when the chopper had crash-landed and their tin-shed house suffered damage.

Shreekant said they were treated at a government hospital and temporary shelter was provided to them by Nilanga municipal council.

They will also get compensation and their house will be reconstructed by the government, he said.

To a query, the collector said, The panchnama is completed and they will get compensation from government insurance agencies. I am not aware when and how much money would be disbursed.
The strike will disrupt the arrival of fresh stock of agricultural produce in the city thereby creating shortage of vegetables and fruits.

Mumbaikars are worried about the strike announced by farmers on June 1 to press forward for their demands of loan waiver and free electricity. The strike will adversely affect the lives of citizens and traders as it may create shortage of essential commodities in the state. Since most of the vegetables and fruits arrive in Mumbai from cities like Nashik, Pune, Satara and other regions of the state it will create scarcity of vegetables may lead to price hike. Many farmers have committed suicide in the state due to rising debt and crop failure. State government nonetheless give false assurance about offering loan waiver and financial assistance to farmers but no aid is provided to them. Therefore many of them have to end their lives. Many farmers have availed loan but are unable to repay them due to poor agricultural output hence they are facing severe hardships.

Satish Singh a vegetable vendor from Kandivali said, If farmers go ahead with the proposed strike on June 1 then we will have to undergo severe hardships. The strike will disrupt the arrival of fresh stock of agricultural produce in the city.

Pravin Jaiswal a fruit stall owner from Kandivali said, The strike will affect my business as I have only few stocks of fruits left with me. I will also incur heavy losses as customers wont turn up at my shop. I may have to shut my shop on June 1 due to the strike.

Ramlal Pandey a truck driver said, We often transport vegetables to Mumbai from other regions of the state. But if farmers go on strike it will have an impact on our business. I hope the situation should resort to normalcy soon.

Avni Shah a Borivali resident said, Political parties only shed crocodile tears over the hardships faced by farmers. They only know to politicise this issue for gaining mileage. Many of them hold protests to highlight the plight of farmers but they dont work for their welfare.

Deepa Doshi a housewife from Kandivali said, The government should come forward to have a dialogue with farmers and find out a solution to address their grievances. At present they are merely paying lip service to farmers.

Pratap Singh a vegetable distributor said, Farmers are the backbone of our country and government doesnt pay any heed to their demands. Instead of politicising farmer suicides why cant the government come forward to offer loan waiver to them or provide electricity at cheaper rates to them?.

Kisan Kranti spokesperson Dhananjay Dhorde said, We prepared a charter of demands about problems faced by farmers. We have sought pension for farmers and a 100 percent subsidy for drip irrigation. The demands were submitted to the local tehsildar, he said.

If the government doesnt act on our demands by 31 May, no agri produce will be brought to market and we will also desist from activities including sowing new crop, he said.
The Bombay High Court declined to grant relief to a Navy officer who challenged his transfer from Mumbai on the ground that he needs to stay here to take care of his autistic son.

A vacation bench of justices B P Colabawalla and A M Badar, while refusing to stay the transfer order, noted that the Navy is permitting the officers family to stay in the official residence for a year more after which they will have to vacate the premises.

Captain Vikram Singh approached the high court after he was transferred from Mumbai to Vishakapatnam.

Challenging the transfer order, Singh, in his petition, claimed his son, who is studying in Class XII, is suffering from autism and needs special medical care.

Advocate Neel Helekar, appearing for the Navy, today told the high court that the naval authorities have permitted Singhs wife and family to continue residing in the official accommodation till July next year.

The family will have to next year shift to Vishakapatnam where it would be given official residential accommodation, Helekar said while making oral submissions.

The court then directed the Navy to file an affidavit by June 8 mentioning the assurance given to the family.

There is no need for interim relief by way of staying the transfer. We feel the authority (Navy) has been reasonable in this matter. They are giving the petitioners family accommodation from May this year till July next year. We should appreciate the authority, the bench said.
An 18-month-old calf was butchered in an open vehicle allegedly by Youth Congress workers who raised slogans against the Centres decision to ban sale of cattle for slaughter. Kerala, where 60 per cent of the population eats beef and buffalo meat, had witnessed massive protests against the notification of ban on sale of cattle for slaughtering. The youth wings of various political parties cooked and served beef at hundreds of locations, and drew huge participation. The Centre has banned the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter, a move that is expected to hit export and trade of meat along with leather market.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee suspended Youth Congress leader Rijil Makkutty along with two others for slaughtering an ox in public. Whatever happened in Kerala is thoughtless, barbaric and completely unacceptable. The public slaughter was an act of rebellious protest of the ban against selling cattle for slaughter. What was done by Rijil Makkutty was very description of disobedient protest. Whatever happened was just cruel display, but because of one person in the party has erred, Kerala shouldnt make mistake and punish the people who were protesting on behalf of majority of Keralites.

Anyway, was there any need to add fuel to the political fire by Congress activists? Protest could have been registered in a different way. Cow sentiments runs with Hinduism, it was not appropriate to kill a calf in public. Congress, Communist parties and Muslim league played into the hands of BJP, so that they can start polarizing Kerala also like they have successfully done in other parts of the country.

The new rules, which analysts say will choke cattle trade, have found few takers in Kerala where beef dishes are popular. The Congress party in Kerala, along with ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), have been using the new norms to mount a fresh attack against BJP, which has been making inroads into the state. The public slaughter, however, shifted the narrative from the restrictions arising out of cattle norms to unnecessary cruelty towards animals, precisely what the BJP wanted.

I am sure a large majority of people of different faiths in Kerala will condemn the barbaric acts done by youth Congress leaders. They are competing with another set of useless leaders from CPM and BJP. All three put together, every second week there is disgust in Kerala. But pioneers, in this field and many other undesirable practices, are the most terrible party called CPM (communists). They say and do everything in the name of democracy. Once they get the power, they turn into a fascist government.

Meanwhile, it is easy to frame rules banning the slaughter of the cow and its progeny, its counterpart the water buffalo, and its passing acquaintance the camel. It is much harder to think of life without soap, toothpaste, paint brushes and surgical stitches. Only 30% of cattle slaughtered in India are used for meat  either local consumption or export  while 70% of the carcass is traded for industries that deal in the aforementioned products, along with about three-dozen other items of daily use. Most of the 30% cattle slaughtered, of course, is the water buffalo because the culling of cows for meat is either totally banned or allowed with strict riders in all but five states. Whats more: eating, selling, transporting or exporting meat of the cow species is a non-bailable offence, punishable with up to 10 years in jail in all of northern, central and western India.

So, when the Government of India issued an extraordinary notification, restricting the sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets and imposing rules that put a majority of the countrys animal markets in danger. It willy-nilly hit much more than the meat industry. The meat industry relies on animal markets for 90% of its supply. According to the 2012 Livestock Census, India has a total of 191 millions cows and bulls, and 109 million water buffaloes. These are together roughly 25 per cent of Indias human population. Most of these end up on the streets at strays, spewing methane in this age of global warming.

India exported 2.4 million tonnes of buffalo meat to 65 countries in 2014-15, or 23.5% of global beef exports according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy. It was worth Rs. 30,000 crore, accounting for 1% of Indias total exports, part of the Pink Revolution that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had so derisively talked about during the 2014 Lok Sabha campaign.

Human race cannot survive without animal meat or its by-products. Almost, all medicines are extracted from animal sources (or synthetic chemicals) and none in this world is actually a vegetarian or vegan, they indirectly take multi vitamin supplements that are extracted from animals. All humans are omnivores and are non-vegetarians. B12 & other nutritional deficiency could be met only with animal sources.

If you see this ban from economic perspective while it is religious or emotional, one must understand that the Business and Emotions are two sides of a coin. Business cannot be done emotionally nor can emotions be a business. They have to be kept separate. Here emotions are involved. But instead of quarrelling on not to ban the slaughter, one should ask what is being done to take care of aging bovine. How government will shelter and take care of the cattle when their population rises?

Meanwhile politicians should stop displaying the vicious way of protest, if such acts continue, voters may lose faith in their leaders.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com)
A CBI court on Tuesday charged former deputy PM LK Adavni, senior BJP leader MM Joshi and cabinet minister Uma Bharati for their role in conspiracy behind the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992. They all, however, were allowed bail on personal bonds of Rs. 50,000 each.

As the court proceeding started on Tuesday, the counsel for the 12 accused moved a bail application on behalf of Advani and others, which the court allowed. Thereafter, they moved another application, pleading their discharge from conspiracy charges, which was rejected by the CBI judge. Now, an additional section of 120 B of the IPC (criminal conspiracy) has been invoked against them.

Enough evidence on record against Mr. Advani, Dr. Joshi, Ms. Bharti and others for framing of criminal conspiracy charge, the court says.

However, earlier in a day, the court rejected a discharge petition filed by the accused and said they will be charged under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code.

We have submitted discharge application. If court rejects it, then charges will be framed, Prashant Atal, lawyer of accused said.

The assessment in the BJP being that the hearings would help stir support for constructing a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. The Ram temple agenda is at the forefront after BJP scored an emphatic victory in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. With a majority government at the Centre as well as in Lucknow, supporters expect BJP to make efforts to construct the temple.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath met Advani at the VVIP Guest House in Lucknow soon after the veteran leader arrived from New Delhi. After his meeting with Advani, Adityanath was seen talking to some lawyers.

The Supreme Court had on April 19 ordered prosecution of Advani (89), Joshi (83), 58-year-old Uma Bharti, and other accused for criminal conspiracy in the politically sensitive case. It had also ordered day-to-day trial to be concluded in two years.

Box

Babri Masjid Case

December 1992: After Babri Masjids demolition, two FIRs were registered in the case: demolition of the mosque by karsevaks ; Thirteen BJP leaders, including LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and Vinay Katiyar, named for delivering communal speeches before the demolition.

May 2001: Special CBI court drops conspiracy charge against 13 accused, including Advani, Joshi, Uma Bharti and others.

November 2004: CBI challenged before the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court.

May 2010: Advani and the others were absolved of conspiracy charges as Allahabad HC upholds special court order .

September 2010: Allahabad HC awards two-thirds of Ayodhya site to Hindu parties, one-third to Waqf Board.

February 2011: CBI moves SC, arguing the demolition bid was a concerted conspiracy.

May 2011: SC stays Allahabad HC verdict on Ayodhya dispute calling it erroneous and orders the Special CBI court in Lucknow to frame criminal conspiracy charges against the BJP leaders.
In journalist Jyotirmoy Deys murder case, witnesses who had received a call from Chhota Rajan after J Deys death identified the gangsters voice recorded in an interrupted conversation. The observer, an acquaintance of accused, Vinod Asrani (deceased), told the court that he had received a call from Rajan on August 4, 2011, when the gangster discussed the murder of veteran journalist. The witness, however, said that he was not sure of the contents of the statement supposedly given by him to the Mumbai Police in 2011 as well as a statement recorded before the magistrate under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code(CrPC).

During his cross-examination by advocates, the witness said that since he could not speak, write or understand Marathi, he did not know the contents of his statement. As per the Mumbai police statement recorded in 2011, Rajan had, in the phone call, told the witness that journalist Jigna Vora, named as one of the accused in the case, had given him details about Dey, including his residential address, office address, motorcycle number and other information about his daily routine.

The intercepted call, played in the courtroom, however, had no mention of Voras role as mentioned in the statement. The conversation instead, had Rajan claiming that Dey wrote against him and that Vora and many others had spoken against Dey.

Special public prosecutor Pradip Gharat played the brief taped conversation in court to prove its contents and fix the identity of the caller. In the conversation, Rajan is heard telling the witness that accused Jigna Vora, also a journalist, used to keep on calling him to say things against him (Dey) and that he had worked for the rival gang. Vora has been charged for furnishing information that facilitated the killing. She has been out on bail since July 2012.

Jigna Vora was arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting the murder of former Mid-Day journalist Jyotirmoy Dey has rattled both the underworld and the journalist fraternity. Vora, who worked as the deputy bureau chief for the Asian Age, was talk of the town during those days. Later on she was granted bail, as nothing could be established against her.

Vora began her reporting career in 2006 with the Free Press Journal (FPJ). She reported on underworld don Abu Salem and former encounter specialist Daya Nayak. Post her stint with the FPJ, she worked with the Mumbai Mirror and Mid-Day until 2008.

Vora is from Mumbai and got married to a businessman in Gujarat at an early age. Soon after her marriage, her husband started beating her up. The couple, which later had a son, often had arguments. Vora, finally headed back for her parents home in Mumbai and filed for divorce. It was during those numerous courts visits that Vora got fascinated with court proceedings and the people she met there. With the help of a childhood friend, she got a job at the Free Press Journal to support her son and her parents. Voras role as a reporter gave her a new sense of empowerment.

Her transformation from a docile housewife to a confident reporter startled her close friends. She eventually graduated to doing stories related to the underworld. After her short stint with Mid-Day, Vora went on to join the Indian Express and later the Asian Age. After Deys murder, she was seen at the Mid-Day office trying to get his job. She wanted to be made Head of Investigations, a post held by Dey. However, the management refused. They said they had not heard of her stories. She was furious at the refusal, recalls a staff member with Mid-Day, who added that Voras crime reports were mediocre and not as sensational as that of Dey. With Voras arrest, the issue of journalists ties with gangsters has once again come to the fore. Crime reporters believe that it is often necessary for reporters to keep in touch with gangsters to get their facts right.

Anyway, now the gangster himself is back in the country, lets see when the entire truth surfaces.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of a new ballistic missile controlled by a precision guidance system and ordered the development of more powerful strategic weapons, the Norths official KCNA news agency reported on Tuesday.

The missile launched on Monday was equipped with an advanced automated pre-launch sequence compared with previous versions of the Hwasong rockets, North Koreas name for its Scud-class missiles, KCNA said. That indicated the North had launched a modified Scud-class missile, as South Koreas military has said.

The Norths test launch of a short-range ballistic missile landed in the sea off its east coast and was the latest in a fast-paced series of missile tests defying international pressure and threats of more sanctions.

Kim said the reclusive state would develop more powerful weapons in multiple phases in accordance with its timetable to defend North Korea against the United States.

He expressed the conviction that it would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send a bigger gift package to the Yankees in retaliation for American military provocation, KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

South Korea said it had conducted a joint drill with a US supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber on Monday. North Koreas state media earlier accused the United States of staging a drill to practise dropping nuclear bombs on the Korean peninsula.

The U.S. Navy said its aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Carl Vinson, also planned a drill with another U.S. nuclear carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, in waters near the Korean peninsula.

A U.S. Navy spokesman in South Korea did not give specific timing for the strike groups planned drill.

North Korea calls such drills a preparation for war.

Mondays launch followed two successful tests of medium-to-long-range missiles in as many weeks by the North, which has been conducting such tests at an unprecedented pace in an effort to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting the mainland United States.

Such launches, and two nuclear tests since January 2016, have been conducted in defiance of U.S. pressure, U.N. resolutions and the threat of more sanctions.

They also pose one of the greatest security challenges for US President Donald Trump, who portrayed the latest missile test as an affront to China.

North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbour, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile  but China is trying hard! Trump said on Twitter.
Minnesota health officials are working closely with faith leaders in an unprecedented effort to spread the message that parents should get their children vaccinated and keep them home if they show symptoms of the disease. Its the first time that imams in the United States have taken such an active role in a public health crisis, health officials and Somali Americans said.

The imams are up against the anti-vaccine movement, which in recent years has with misinformation linking the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine to autism, a claim that . Somali American children in Minnesota had a vaccination rate of 92 percent in 2004, higher than the state average, but that rate has dropped to 42 percent, leaving children vulnerable to disease.

I guess the Imams aren't supposed to pay attention to the Somali parents who say their child was fine until they were vaccinated. And as far as that one in every 32 Somali kids with autism that no one can reasonably explain, you just need a blue light.

I recently wrote about Lena Sun, who considers the horrific autism about average and nothing to worry about.

So, if imams can sell vaccines, can we expect to hear from rabbis, priests, and ministers too? (The Pope is onboard as we saw from his trip to Mexico where he was shown administering an oral polio vaccine.)









Pope Francis gives a vaccine to a boy held by Mexico's first lady Angelica Rivera during a visit to the Federico Gomez Children's Hospital (CNS)








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Six years ago, USA successfully instigated a civil war in Syria by using its opposition in order to remove President Assad from power and now with Russia supporting the Assad regime, escalation has reached the zenith. They now seek de-escalation of crisis in Syria without any sincere intention even as there is no possibility for Assad to step down or removed in any way.

In fact, USA did not want to remove or kill Assad as it had done with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. It only wanted to destabilize entire Arab world one by one. While President Saddam Hussein was a threat to US imperialism and its efforts to control Arab oil, Libyan leader President M. Qaddafi challenged US power, Syrian leader Assad was never such a threat to US power and control mechanism. That is the prime reason why Pentagon-CIA duo has left Assad alive. After all, he is only helping with the execution of US agenda of destabilization of Mideast.

That is the reason why all the peace efforts by UN have failed.

The United Nations has now convened a new round of indirect Syrian peace talks in Geneva, despite President Bashar al-Assad dismissing them as irrelevant. De Mistura met the government's chief representative, Bashar al-Jaafari, at UN headquarters on Tuesday morning as the sixth round of talks got under way.

The UN envoy said he would see Nasr al-Hariri and Mohammad Sabra of the main umbrella group representing political and armed opposition factions, the High Negotiations Committee (HNC). De Mistura told reporters the intention was to be "more businesslike, both in our meetings and in the way we hope we can get some progress". The rooms would be small, the meetings would be more interactive and frequent, and discussions would be focused on particular subjects in an effort to achieve "more movement", he said.

De Mistura told played down last week's dismissive comments by Syria's president, who said the Geneva talks were "merely a meeting for the media" and praised the parallel process taking place in Kazakhstan's capital that has been organised by the government's allies Russia and Iran, along with key opposition backer Turkey.

As the civilian death toll has mounted over the past six years, President Bashar Assad has rejected all allegations of atrocities as devoid of logic because the Syrian Army is made up of Syrian people. When confronted with overwhelming evidence of systematic violations of the laws of war, he has stuck to this line, insisting: We dont kill civilians, because we dont have the moral incentive, we dont have the interest to kill civilians. Why dont the Pentagon forces bomb the Assad palace and end the bloodshed? Apparently, without permission of Moscow, Washington simply cannot even think of doing that. Also, the great internationalization of Syrias conflict and the fact that its rebels seek to topple the government work in Assads favor.

Syria is a strong state with well-organized military fighting territory-holding rebels who have significant popular support. The scale of civilian death and the pattern of violations constitute human horrors of rights: custodial torture and extrajudicial killings of suspected regime opponents, attacks on civilian targets including hospitals and aid conveys, and the use of prohibited weapons. And in both cases international audiences raised the alarm about mass atrocities.

Assad has said "nothing substantial" will come out of the talks. But UN envoy Staffan de Mistura insists that the government's 18-strong delegation is in Switzerland "to work". Five previous rounds of negotiations have made little progress towards a political solution to the six-year civil war, which has left more than 300,000 people dead.

The Astana process resulted in the three powers signing a memorandum on 4 May establishing four "de-escalation" zones in the north-western province of Idlib, north of the central city of Homs, the Eastern Ghouta area outside Damascus, and in the southern provinces of Deraa and Quneitra. "We are working in tandem, in a way, de Mistura said. "Everybody's been telling us and we agree that any type of reduction of violence, in this case de-escalation, cannot be sustained unless there is a political horizon in one direction or the other. That is exactly what we are pushing for," he added.

The government and opposition have agreed to discuss four "baskets" - a political transition, new constitution, elections and combating terrorism.

Meanwhile, officials from the Syrian government denied accusations that a prison crematorium was being used to hide mass killings of political prisoners. The Syrian foreign ministry said the accusations - made by the US state department - were "a new Hollywood story" and "totally baseless". An anonymous source quoted in the statement accused the US government of making the allegations up to justify US aggression in Syria.

Residents of a Damascus suburb are working to bring a sense of normality back to their lives after six years of war. When the rebel groups seized Eastern Ghouta in 2012, the Assad government responded by cutting basic services like power and water and also laying a military siege to the area, making life of people miserable. .UN has not made any speedy arrangements to mitigate the sufferings of such stranded populations.

Over time, residents have worked to provide the kind of basic functions that many urban communities take for granted. But their efforts are often hampered by the brutal and prolonged conflict that touches every aspect of life. "Our reality is being intentionally isolated from the rest of the world," Abou Ramez, one of the pioneers of civil projects there told the BBC.

An elected "municipal council" for all opposition-held areas in the Damascus countryside was also formed, as well as an umbrella organisation representing over a hundred medical, relief, educational and other civil institutions..

Local councils were initially formed to provide relief work and basic municipal services, such as water and waste management. "We used cow manure to generate energy for generators to irrigate land," Ramez says. Power is also generated from waste products, and heating oil extracted by melting plastic. Over time the councils' role expanded to providing education and counseling centres. Projects are funded by external donors. Ramez, says that councils try to remain neutral towards militant groups, but they also recognize the opposition "interim government", formed in 2013 and based in Turkey.

Today, Syria tops the list of deadliest countries for journalists, in large part due to regime attacks on the domestic press. Humanitarian aid delivery has been restricted since the conflict began. In Syria, these measures cut off nearly all sources of independent information.

In 2016, Assad disputed the existence of the Aleppo siege, arguing that if it were true, people would have been dead by now. (One estimate suggests that more than 30,000 people died in Aleppo between 2012 and 2016.) The regime has disputed the authenticity of photo and video evidence of chemical weapons attacks, barrel bombs, torture, and extrajudicial killings. Assads farcical suggestion last month that the dead children in the videos from Idlib were mere acting children. Syria disputed the attribution of all war crimes it cant deny, and portrayed its opponent as the only blameworthy actor. Early in the conflict, Assad told international media that Most of the people that have been killed are supporters of the government. In 2013, he rejected responsibility for the sarin gas attack in Ghouta, insisting Were not there. Finally, the Syrian government has accused the rebels of using civilians as human shields, and excused its targeting of hospitals and schools on the grounds that terrorists are using them as bases and weapons storage.

Obfuscation and denial can be enough to exploit this inertia and prevent intervention, especially when big powers like USA and Russia shield them. Syrian reality shows that even an international pariah can get away with mass murder.

The Syrian government does not recognize the councils and characterizes organised activity within rebel areas as the work of armed militia or "terrorist" groups. "It is exactly this kind of civil body that constitutes the biggest threat for the regime," says Majd al-Dik, whose team works on opening support centres for children. It has also worked to put Eastern Ghouta's large agricultural areas to use, by supporting local farmers to provide food for residents.

However, Syrian forces seized the farmland just one week before the harvest in 2016. "Turning people from service providers into dependents - this is the goal behind targeting civilians," al-Dik told the BBC. Over 42 councils have been formed in the area since 2013, and members have been elected through democratic means since 2015.

Recurring internal fighting between rebel groups has also added to the obstacles facing civil work in Eastern Ghouta. When infighting first broke out in 2016, residents, activists and notable civil society figures staged demonstrations and sit-ins against the violence. Civil society figures also mediated between the disputing sides.

And in late April 2017 - exactly a year later - clashes broke out once again and several civilians were injured as they protested. Al-Dik says that movement around the area is severely restricted due to rebel snipers and checkpoints.

Meanwhile, the Syrian army and its allies have been advancing in the nearby strategic suburb of Qaboun, further tightening the siege and increasing the possibility of bombardment on the area.

Around two million people lived in Eastern Ghouta before the war began in 2011. Today there are just around 400,000. As well as the threat of violence, residents also face the fear of forced evacuation as the conflict turns in the government's favour.

In recent months, thousands of people in rebel-held towns have left their homes as part of deals between the government and armed groups. "To evacuate the area is to destroy the civil body that has been established," Majd al-Dik says. "It's a catastrophe".

The Syrian government maintains that evacuations are not being forced on civilians. Looking ahead to post-war Syria, Majd al-Dik says: "People ask about alternatives. But no-one talks about the local councils or civil institutions. Who is providing services in such areas now in the worst possible conditions?" Ramez says that many in Eastern Ghouta will never leave their homes. "Over 200,000 of our residents are capable of carrying weapons. Their united choice is to die and be martyred on this land rather than move to other areas only to be annihilated later on."

Peace talks between Israel and Palestine have never been successful because Israel doesnt want to give up the occupation posts and return the lands stolen from Palestinians. As talks have become bogus tools to gain legitimacy for illegal occupation and genocides.

In Syria, none is sincere about peace or stability, including the President Assad who just wants to be the permanent president without facing any elections. Maybe he thinks he has no death.. UN must step in to end hostilities in Syria and genocides and bring back normalcy. Peace task are necessary but without sincerity nothing is going to work. Both USA and Russia are fighting their old cold war in Syria.

The Assad regimes close relationship with Russia means that it is well-protected. For six years, victims advocates, international human rights activists, and horrified onlookers have been asking themselves how high the death toll in Syria has to get before someone will step in. But international action on mass atrocities is the exception rather than the rule.

Like Bush and Obama, Assad also should be tried for crimes against humanity.








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The loss of a mighty Soviet empire stills haunts Russians, their leaders. Russian President Putin has not made any secret of his anguish and anger over the unexpected disintegration of Soviet Union that made Russia a less important super power. Initially Putin made efforts to rebuild the Soviet state but could not succeed as many former Soviet republics now independent nations refused to join the Russia dominated single nation. The way he crushed the Chechens on his ascendance to presidency forced many of those pro-Russia states within the Soviet space rethink their desire to promote a mighty Russia.

Putin has been making conscious efforts to rebuild the former Soviet states in some format by launching economic, political and military formations but they have not become as successful as the Warsaw Pact or COMCON had been during the Cold War.

The concept of Eurasia  bringing Europe and Asia together- got a phillip under Putin who is eager to see the region emerge more important and larger continent than EU in all respects, especially in economics and defense. However, USA is not impressed by the Russian move to counter its NATO in the longer context.

Inspired by the Chinese initiative of OBOR and its vast potentials for the region covering three continents, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in Beijing on May 14 that he salutes China's "large-scale" Belt and Road Initiative and called for greater Eurasian partnership. Putin made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Initiative Forum for International Cooperation taking place in Beijing on May 14-15.

The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China in 2013 consists of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. It aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

During a visit to Moscow in May 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping signed an agreement with Putin on aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with the EEU, which currently groups Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.

Calling the Belt and Road Initiative an example of cooperation in such fields as infrastructure, transport and industry, the Russian president said his country has supported the initiative from the very beginning. He said the historical experience of cooperation between countries linked by the ancient Silk Road through Asia, Europe and Africa is important in the 21st century when the world is facing "very serious challenges."

Putin called for more cooperation to meet worldwide challenges like unbalanced development in globalization, poverty and regional conflicts, saying that Russia is working with its partners to advance the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), among others.

The integration of the Belt and Road Initiative, the EEU, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has laid the groundwork for building a great Eurasian partnership, he said.

Meanwhile, Putin urged concrete actions to materialize the existing initiatives by facilitating flow of goods, cooperation between enterprises of different countries in Eurasia, infrastructure construction and establishment of joint and large-scale research institutions. He said the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China is "very timely and promising."

China goes farther than Russias Eurasia n approach with its OBOR concept to include the African continent as well. Both ideas are, however, despised by Washington that considers Russia-China alliance the most dangerous to its own global military supremacy scheme.

Already, China is very close to USA in economic and military dolmans.








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US President Donald Trump who is touring Middle east region and has arrived in Palestine after visiting Saudi Arabia and Israel, has said he will "do everything" to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace. This is the last day of the US president's shuttle diplomatic effort visit to the Middle East.

Israel and the Palestinians have not held peace talks for three years and Trump acknowledges it would be "one of the toughest deals of all" to broker. At talks with Mahmoud Abbas, he spoke of being gratified that the Palestinian leader had committed to taking necessary steps to peace.

Abbas welcomed Trump's "noble and possible mission". "I would like to reiterate our commitment to co-operate with you in order to make peace and forge an historic peace deal with the Israelis," he said.

Feeling satisfied with his maiden trip to Mideast, Trump said: "I am committed to trying to achieve a peace agreement between the Israelis and the PalestiniansAnd I intend to do everything I can to help them achieve that goal. He added the president of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas had assured him he was "ready to work towards that goal in good faith", and that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu had promised the same.

President Obama, the recipient of Nobel Peace Award on his assuming power at the White House did nothing valuable to bring the Israeli leadership to agree for a final settlement so that Palestinians could establish their own state, Palestine, with dignity and full sovereignty.

Trump said he had come to Bethlehem, where the meeting with Mr Abbas was held on Tuesday morning, "in a spirit of hope". In both Gaza and the occupied West Bank, some Palestinians have held protests against the trip and in support of a hunger strike by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Hundreds of stone-throwing youths clashed with Israeli soldiers firing tear gas and rubber bullets.

In fact, Palestinians do not trust US leaders much because they always support Israeli regime and military and order the supply of terror goods to Israel for killing the Palestinians. At least one Palestinian was injured at the Qalandia checkpoint near Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, other Palestinians trampled photos of the US leader. Hundreds of jailed Palestinians have been on hunger strike since 17 April. Activists were hoping to hold up protest banners in Bethlehem on Tuesday to make Trump aware of the action.

Speaking in Jerusalem on Monday, Trump played political music for the criminal minded Jews who want to kill all Palestinians and take away their lands as well by saying that Iran would never have nuclear weapons and accused it of supporting "terrorists". "Iran will never have nuclear weapons, that I can tell you," Trump told fanatic Netanyahu. . In return, Netanyahu extolled the US president's leadership.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani played down Trump's strong criticism of Iran at a summit in Saudi Arabia at the weekend, saying: "Who can say regional stability can be restored without Iran?"

Speaking to Netanyahu on Monday, Trump sought to dispel suggestions that he had passed on sensitive Israeli intelligence to Russian diplomats at a recent meeting, saying he had not mentioned the word "Israel" at the meeting.



However, many Palestinians on both sides look forward to Trumps promote action to make Israel listen to reason and promptly deliver justice to them.

.

On Monday, Trump said he had come to "reaffirm the unbreakable bond" between the US and Israel and that there was a "rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace" to the region.

President Trump flew to Tel Aviv direct from Saudi Arabia, where at a summit on Sunday he urged Arab and Muslim leaders to work together to "drive out" terrorist extremists.

Trump also said that he was "gratified" that PLO leader Abbas had attended the summit in Riyadh and "committed to taking firm but necessary steps to fight terrorism and confront its hateful ideology". "Peace can never take root in an environment where violence is tolerated, funded and even rewarded," he added, apparently referring to payments made by the PA to the families of Palestinian prisoners and those killed in the conflict with Israel.

Israel had been pestering Trump to visit Israeli Holocaust memorial and so later on Tuesday Trump returned to Jerusalem, visiting the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. And in a speech later at the Israel Museum, he reaffirmed that his administration would always stand with Israel.

Trump said his trip was "focused on bringing nations together", adding that the Palestinians were "ready to reach for peace".

President Trump sees himself as a great dealmaker, with the personality to cut through the difficulties that have defeated lesser people. The only credible ideas still require the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel. The reality is that the Israelis and Palestinians are way apart on the main issues - the future of east Jerusalem, the fate of Palestinian refugees and the borders of an independent Palestine. The two sets of leaders also do not trust each other. Israeli fanaticism and mischief have always derailed the peace talks so far.

The arrival of Donald Trump in the White House was greeted by the Israeli right with enthusiasm. They believe that it heralds a new era of settlement expansion in the occupied territories. The Israeli government appeared to think so too, welcoming Trumps victory with the announcement of permits for new housing units in both East Jerusalem and the West Bank, thereby further complicating any peace deal with Palestine. .

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has been occupied by Israel for 50 years. Some of the most influential members of the Israeli government believe the land is a Jewish possession, given by God as a free gift for their crimes in past and future. . .

The Palestinians are deeply divided, with Fatah in charge in the West Bank and in Gaza the Islamists of Hamas, who have been condemned by President Trump in the last few days as terrorists.

It is highly unlikely that even President Trump's outsized personality will be enough, on its own, to end a conflict that has lasted more than a century. Making this deal is not about fixing a price - it is about reconciling enemies with radically different world views.

Palestine has achieved nationhood from UN but without voting power and it is going to get that too shortly. Towards the end of his presidency Obama supported the cause of Palestinians indirectly.

Trump is expected to pursue the cause further so that Palestine comes into existence sooner than later. .

Trump has now flown to Rome ahead of a meeting with Pope Francis. On Wednesday he will continue to Brussels to see NATO leaders. On Friday, he will return to Italy to meet other world leaders at a G7 summit in the Sicilian town of Taormina, where climate change is expected to be discussed.

Now the ball is in Trumps court. One can only watch with fingers crossed as to what exactly Trump would do to achieve peace in Mideast.

Can Trump make Israel become a normal state to able to successfully negotiate peace deals?

Meanwhile, it is indeed gratifying that President Trump has sworn to achieve peace in Mideast by helping with the establishment of Palestine which is being delayed by Israel and USA for too long, meanwhile the Zionist military keeps killing the Palestinians, including children.
Russian all-cargo carrier AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) has transported the eROSITA X-ray telescope from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics near Munich to the premises of the Russian aerospace company, Lavochkin Association, in Moscow.

The movement of the highly sensitive cargo was carried out in partnership with integrator DHL. Ensuring the telescopes integrity during transit was a key consideration, ABC said. Engineers from the Max Planck Institute monitored the temperature environment, among other final preparations, before the telescope was loaded onto an ABC Boeing 747 freighter.

The eROSITA telescope will be launched from the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan on board the Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG) spacecraft next Spring for a four-year mission, with the aim of producing a new map of the universe using X-rays.

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May 30, 2017

CAIRO  Doua (a pseudonym) was not expecting ads for psychological support websites to flood her social media accounts after visiting some of these websites while seeking support from a specialist to help her cope with a personal issue. She eventually gave up the idea of seeking support online because a large number of these ads annoyed her.

Specialized websites offer psychological support online, some at no cost and others for a fee. Support is usually given in articles or letters exchanged online between the therapist and the patient. Some websites even use direct communication through videoconferencing.

Like many other websites, these support sites are promoted by ads posted on social media, as well as on main search engines such as Google.

Doua told Al-Monitor she is now avoiding these websites because of the ads that keep popping up. Sometimes the wording of the ads made me feel threatened. They warn me that I should continue my online treatment to stay safe. When you register on one of these websites, you will receive emails urging you to continue the treatment and warning about the risks of stopping therapy. This is exactly what happened with my colleague," she said.

The need for psychotherapy in the Arab world has changed," said Ahmad Abdullah, a professor of psychology at Zagazig University and the co-founder of a website offering psychological support. "People no longer resort to us when they suffer from a severe obsessive disorder or schizophrenia, but we are consulted about personal and family problems caused by daily stress."

Psychotherapist Ali Yahya told Al-Monitor that advertisements should refrain from intimidation and harassment. He said, The issue is the wording of ads. If a patient who suffers from schizophrenia, depression, a phobia or any other disorder is exposed to such ads and sees them as intimidating or coming on too aggressively, this patient would exhibit other symptoms and may relapse. Psychological treatment must never take place by coercion or intimidation. However, if the patient's family informs the treating physician that the patient attempted suicide, the latter may be forced into treatment or may be detained.

Abdullah believes these ads should not be described as unethical or blamed for the deteriorating condition of some patients. What good can come from labeling advertising policies in general as unethical? Ads will continue popping up and no one will be able to control this. The problem will be resolved only when the targeted segments become more aware and learn to filter out the bad ads, he told Al-Monitor.

Mustafa (a pseudonym), who used some of these websites, told Al-Monitor, I was looking for psychological support sites and saw a website called Maganin [Arabic for "crazy persons"] that offered free written psychological counseling. I found the name of the website itself to be repulsive. Lets say the community is not well-informed and sees psychological patients as insane and crazy, but why would psychotherapists use this name for their website, which is supposed to serve as a refuge for these patients?

Ahmad Abdullah, the co-founder of Maganin, told Al-Monitor the site was initially dedicated to poetry and literature. He said, More than 80 physicians provided psychosocial support through IslamOnline.com, but this website was closed and Maganin offered these physicians the chance to keep providing their services through it.

After a while we thought about setting up another website with a different name, but we ended up sticking to the name Maganin since it was so catchy, he added.

Seeking psychological support is no longer stigmatizing according to Abdullah. He said, Most people feel comfortable about seeing a psychotherapist and feel no shame about this. The issue now is how to follow up on the cases of our website visitors. Most cases are not about chronic obsession or depression, but we sometimes find ourselves interfering with family problems and trying to remedy the effects of psychological problems on social relations.

He explained the meaning of the word magnoun (singular form of maganin and Arabic for "crazy person") from his point of view, saying, Magnoun in Arabic does not refer to a person with a psychological disorder but rather to a genius or to a person who is different from others. The website offers services that are not provided by any other website and are free of charge. We provide useful content; the name is just for attracting users.

On the other hand, Ali Yahya, also a psychotherapist, asserted that hospitals specialized in psychological and neurological disorders are no longer using the word "magnoun to describe a person with a psychological disorder because this stigmatizes and offends a segment of society.

Mustafa did not only visit Maganin but also several other sites before finding a support website that offered a paid service and that made him feel comfortable.

He said, The ad for one of these websites said it offers free psychotherapy, but when I tried to open an account the website requested detailed personal information. I had to answer more than 200 questions and I got bored and tired and decided not to go through with it. This large number of questions that would certainly not be asked by a psychotherapist during a session raised my suspicions. Why would answering these questions be a condition for registering on this website?

The relationship between the therapist and the patient is one governed by many controls and protocols, as Yahya explained. We study in medical schools the vocabulary of this relationship. There are many complex controls in psychotherapy, and invasion of privacy, stigmatization and intimidation contradict these controls, he said.

Yahya noted that the patient is given a form similar to those given at a physicians clinic and the patient must fill this out in order for the psychotherapist to assess the situation and give a proper diagnosis.

These forms may be given to patients to fill out at home. This should not happen online, as privacy is not guaranteed and questions should be personalized based on the patients case, Yahya said, pointing out that sometimes the psychotherapist would be treating a patient that he has not seen and he cannot ensure that he is telling the truth. A psychotherapist is supposed to focus on personal interaction with a patient and accurately read his or her body language.

The National Council for Mental Health affiliated with the Ministry of Health is the authority entrusted to grant licenses to psychological treatment facilities in Egypt. Head of the councils technical secretariat Amjad al-Ajroudi told Al-Monitor, There is no law regulating the activities of these websites that offer psychotherapy services, so there is nothing we can do to prevent them from doing so.
May 30, 2017

On May 29, Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani, the head of Irans judiciary, railed against moderate president Hassan Rouhani for his campaign promise to free the leaders of the Green Movement.

After the 2009 presidential vote, which led to the re-election of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Reformist candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi objected to the results, saying the vote was rigged. After continuous protests across Iran, the opposition leaders were put under house arrest in 2011.

It has been cited that a [presidential] candidate addressed his supporters, saying he has come to lift the house arrests. Who are you to lift the house arrests? asked the head of the judiciary, referring to Rouhani.

Larijani added, We are warning the media and those who are reiterating such issues in concert, imposing pressure, to stop this lest the judiciary itself step in to put a firm halt to this.

He said, Suppose that the Supreme National Security Council repeals its own decision and lifts the house arrests [of Mousavi and Karroubi]. In this case, the judiciarys duty to pursue this matter will begin. What Larijani hinted at was that following the possible release of the opposition leaders, they would be put on trial. It should be noted that some conservatives have said execution is one possible verdict of such a trial.

In reaction to Larijanis comments, Abdollah Ramezanzadeh, who served as government spokesman under the presidency of Reformist Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005), tweeted May 29, What a surprise; [Larijani] addresses the head of the Supreme National Security Council, [and says] 'Who are you to intend to lift the house arrests?'"

Rouhani served as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council between 1989 and 2005, and has since 2013 headed the council, the top decision-making body in Iran, in his capacity as president.

Moreover, Mohammad Bagher Nobakht, the current government spokesman, said May 30, In the structure of the Islamic Republic of Iran, power is divided between the three branches. The president must exercise his authority. The head of the judiciary shouldnt express these kinds of views.

Nobakht continued, The meetings of the Supreme National Security Council are being held regularly and the judiciary chief is a member of [the council]. If he takes part in the meetings, these meetings are the best place to discuss these issues.

In another development, hard-liners again attacked Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, effectively accusing him of treason.

In an audio file recently circulated on social media networks, Mahmood Nabavian, a member of the hard-line Endurance Front, is heard saying, America has said that the banking relationships [with Iran] would be established if you hand over [Quds Force commander] Qasem Soleimani handcuffed to us. Unfortunately, the minister of Rouhanis government went there and committed himself to the US and returned [to Iran].

In response, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghassemi slammed Nabavian for his comments and threatened to file a legal complaint against him. Meanwhile, a short clip of Zarif was released in Iranian media in which the foreign minister speaks about his more than two-decade-long and close relationship with Soleimani.
May 30, 2017

The mind-bending array of alliances and counter-alliances that have long defined armed Kurdish groups seemed to get another twist when a long dormant Iranian Kurdish militia recently attacked Iranian border guards near the city of Urmiya, killing two and wounding seven others.

What was extraordinary about the incident was not so much that the group known as the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) has resumed its activities, but that Iran held Turkey responsible. In comments carried by the Fars News Agency on May 28, Iranian border guards commander Qassem Rezayee said the Iranians consider Turkey responsible, and the country should account for this act. Rezayee vowed, Iranian forces will certainly give a crushing response to these moves.

In remarks on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Behram Qasimi noted that the attack took place close to the Turkish border. We have made a demarche with Turkey with regard to the attack and await an answer, Qasimi said. The spokesman rejected claims that Iran was offering sanctuary to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

The PKK, for its part, declared in a statement that three of its "guerrilla comrades" had died in May 23 clashes with Iranian forces in the village of Hasani in Urmiye province. It did not elaborate.

Turkey and Iran are historic rivals but they have in common large and restive Kurdish populations  and fears that they will break away and form their own respective Kurdish states. The notion that Turkey would support the PJAK is baffling because the group is a direct offshoot of the PKK.

The PKK has been fighting on and off for Kurdish self-rule inside Turkey and the war has sharply escalated since a 2-year cease-fire collapsed in 2015 together with peace talks between the Turkish government and imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Ankara has long accused Iran of supporting the group not only to channel Kurdish separatist energy away from Iran into Turkey, but also as a lever against Turkey. So why would Turkey be in league with the PKKs sister organization against Iran? And why would PJAK, which was forced to call off its fight inside Iran in 2011 after a massive Iranian offensive, resume its battle now?

The answer to the first question is that Turkey is almost certainly not acting with the PJAK. In fact, it is building a wall along its border with Iran to keep PKK fighters, illegal migrants and smugglers from moving in and out.

If anything, the US administrations markedly hostile stance on Iran and its decision to directly arm the Peoples Protection Units, another PKK-linked Kurdish group that is the United States top partner in the battle against the Islamic State, have thrust Turkey and Iran into renewed collaboration against the Kurds, argues Arzu Yilmaz, who runs the international relations department of the American University of Kurdistan in Dahuk.

Turkish media commentators suggest, however, that the PJAKs actions are part of a broader PKK strategy to drum up US support by proving it can help undermine Iran. Former PJAK fighters interviewed by Al-Monitor in 2015 had claimed that the PKK had founded the group in 2003 soon after the US occupation of Iraq partly to assure itself a potential role should the United States decide to move against Iran as well. It was the same kind of forward thinking that guided the PKK to help establish the Peoples Democratic Party in Syria.

Though the PJAK has long been inactive in the region, the renewed attacks targeting Iranian security could have correlations with the new US policies in the region under the Donald Trump administration, the pro-government Daily Sabah argued, citing Ahmet Uysal, the head of the Center for Iranian Studies, an Ankara-based think tank. This may also explain why the PJAK and its political arm KODAR called on Irans estimated 8 million Kurds to boycott the countrys presidential election that was held May 19.

Yilmaz disagrees. Turkish-Iranian rapprochement coupled with the Trump administrations shift away from President Barack Obamas efforts to engage with Iran have shrunk the PKKs maneuvering space. The weekend attacks are not about winking and nodding at Washington but rather about the PKK baring its teeth at Iran, she told Al-Monitor in a telephone interview.

Deciphering the often contradictory actions of Turkey, Iran and their respective proxies and enemies who occasionally double up as both is growing more difficult by the day. What to make, for instance, of the claims that the PKK and its Yazidi affiliate are helping Iranian-backed Shiite militias move north and west along the Syrian border, and of counter claims that the Shiite militias are if anything shutting them out?

A meeting of the Syrian Kurdish security forces known as the Asayish held in the border city of Qamishli in northeastern Syria to discuss the Iranian project suggests the latter version of events is more realistic. Ara News reported, "The Asayish said in a statement that a broad security meeting was held in Qamishli in the presence of the general commander of the Asayish forces, Ciwan Ibrahim, to discuss the formation of a defense system in Rojava-Northern Syria to confront the Iranian project that is supported by the Baath regime forces and affiliated Shia groups. The statement followed reports that the Iraqi Shiite militias had reached the Syrian border after clearing IS from a string of villages south of the Yazidi-dominated region of Sinjar.

As for the Iranian accusations against Turkey, Yilmaz contended they are likely "just more theatrics" aimed at sowing further confusion.
May 30, 2017

Zbigniew Brzezinski passed away on May 26. Brzezinski served as national security adviser to Democratic President Jimmy Carter and was an active participant in the Israel-Egypt peace negotiations in the 1970s. Several days after Barack Obama won the 2008 election, The Washington Post ran an open letter written by Brzezinski, along with Brent Scowcroft, who was national security adviser to Republican Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush. The two advised Obama to quickly present a blueprint for a permanent agreement between Israel and the Palestinians rather than working to renew direct negotiations between them. Obama, as we know, rejected their suggestion.

President Donald Trump has placed the resolution of this conflict at the top of his agenda. He chose the Middle East as his first overseas trip and was quick to appoint a special envoy to the region. Trump has invested the presidential prestige before the entire world in a speculative startup stock, a stock that has for years been a source of bitter disappointment to anyone who touched it. Most importantly, Trump invested in it a huge chunk of his ego. He probably doesnt believe a Jew (Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu), whose country is not even the size of New Jersey, and a Muslim (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas), who has no state at all, would dare say no to Donald Trump. After all, both promised him that they want peace. So, let them sit down together. Each will present his positions. One will compromise a bit, the other will budge slightly. Special envoy Jason Greenblatt will give a little push when necessary, and we have a deal. Piece (or peace) of cake.

This mistaken assumption was the undoing of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Obama. He, too, believed that direct negotiations, with a little bit of American help and management of the conflict, would resolve the conflict. He sent Secretary of State John Kerry to relaunch Israeli-Palestinian negotiations from scratch, ignoring all the understandings reached by previous administrations. He abandoned the parameters presented in 2000 by President Bill Clinton with outlines for a permanent Israeli-Palestinian agreement, and ignored the proposals laid out by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert before President Abbas eight years later. Nor did Obama make use of the blueprints and roadmaps presented to him in 2011 by Brzezinski and other senior officials in previous Republican administrations (among them former defense secretaries Frank Carlucci and Chuck Hagel) and Democratic administrations (among them Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Lee Hamilton and Undersecretary of State Tom Pickering). These retired senior officials implored Obama to present the sides with the blueprint and turn it into a binding UN Security Council resolution. They warned him that bilateral negotiations, without a defined framework, were a recipe for failure and for escalation to violence.

Trump will soon find out that the principles of that outline are the only deal in the region: establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with slight, mutual adjustments; agreement on Jerusalem as the home of two capitals; compensation of Palestinian refugees as an alternative to letting them return to their pre-1948 homes in Israel; demilitarization of the Palestinian state and deployment of an international force to guard the peace along the Jordan River.

Will Trump repeat the mistake made by Obama, who let his senior peace process envoy John Kerry demean himself with barren shuttle diplomacy between Jerusalem and Ramallah? Kerry has surely not forgotten the slap in the face delivered by then-Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, who accused him of acting out of misplaced obsession and messianic fervor.

In December 2016, as he was packing up his personal effects in the secretary of states office, Kerry presented his proposed framework agreement. The plan was a rather exact replica of the one proposed by Brzezinski and company. Abbas and Arab states welcomed it. Netanyahu claimed the proposal was biased against Israel. As far as we know, neither side has budged from its positions over the past six months. In other words, the peace that Abbas described to Trump is totally different than the one envisioned by Netanyahu. That means the prospects of reaching basic understandings enabling the start of negotiations are virtually nil, not to mention chances of formulating an agreement on establishing a territorially contiguous Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The Palestinian positions on a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with slight border adjustments, have remained virtually unchanged since PLO leader Yasser Arafat declared Palestinian independence in 1988, and theres no indication that they are about to change in the foreseeable future. The position taken by Arab states has also remained the same since the Arab League launched its peace initiative in 2002. Israel, too, has remained steadfast. Since the right wing was restored to power in 2009, it has expanded settlements in the West Bank and shrunk trust in a diplomatic resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Like his predecessors, Trump will learn that to make a deal between the Israelis, the Palestinians and the Arab states, he must demand that his good friend Benjamin (as he called him in his Jerusalem speech on May 23) withdraw Israeli troops from more than 90% of the West Bank and evict up to 150,000 Israeli settlers. In return, Trump will open the gates of the Arab world to Israel and deter Iran. That was, and still is, the only option for a deal.

Trump is known to have no qualms about kicking his best friends if they stand in the way of what he wants. Netanyahu will curse the day that he kowtowed to the Trump family when the American president finds out that Netanyahu fooled him. We have already predicted that Netanyahu will one day miss Obama. It now looks as if he may yet pray for the impeachment of his successor.
May 30, 2017

The extravagant reception that US President Donald Trump found in Saudi Arabia and the gigantic military and trade deals signed there have left many observers confused as to how the trip will affect the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

By all measures, Trump has hit most of the right notes. He met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, visited the Palestinian city of Bethlehem and spoke repeatedly about peace.

Many Palestinians felt that the May 20 reception in Riyadh will not likely translate into an effective US push toward peace. One senior Palestinian official who asked not to be named called it nothing more than a Hollywood-style production. It is obvious that so much effort has gone into the production aspects of the visit as to render both inconvenient and untimely any serious discussion on the question of Palestine, the official told Al-Monitor.

A veteran Palestinian editor working in the Gulf also fails to see any direct connection between Trumps visit and solving the Palestinian problem. Nabeel Khatib, the managing editor of the pro-Saudi Al Arabiya news station, told Al-Monitor, I think the military deal was driven primarily by concerns regarding Irans military ambitions and Saudi attempts to nationalize the military industry by stepping up a policy whereby a large portion of the deal (about 50%) will be invested inside Saudi Arabia, he said.

Khatib, however, does believe that these considerations will also strengthen the US-Saudi relations, especially with the current administration. The Trump administration is becoming more than ever interested in trying to address the resolution of the Palestinian issue based on the Arab Peace Initiative. And if so, this can indirectly contribute to the Palestinian cause.

While politicians and analysts are skeptical about the chances of the United States getting seriously involved, some worry that the situation could worsen, as the security and military actors on all sides appear to be holding all the cards.

Oraib Rantawi, the director of the Amman-based Al Quds Center for Political Studies, is concerned that the US president might set the region and the Palestinian cause back. Writing in the daily Ad-Dustour, Rantawi argues that Trump's tour has taken us back to the Dayton/Blair era and the twin tracks of security and economy. Security, with all its requirements, is what the Palestinian side must provide, going so far as to cease paying salaries to the families of martyrs and prisoners. And the economy is meant as compensation for the Palestinians' inalienable and fixed national rights, or to buy the Palestinians' silence and calm at least, so as to allow Israel to complete its gradual but increasingly rapid gnawing at Palestinian lands, rights and holy sites, he said in an analysis published May 24.

Rantawi added that what Palestinians want from a peace process is not on Trumps agenda. An end to occupation, recognition of the Palestinians' right to self-determination and building their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital, as well as a solution to the refugee problem  this is not on the agenda of businessman Donald Trump, who is not concerned with such matters.

Perhaps the best sign that the Palestinian issue is not high on Trumps agenda came during the US presidents visit to Bethlehem May 23. What was to be a half-day visit was reduced to two hours, including a quick stop at the Church of the Nativity and a meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas in his Bethlehem residence. Even this meeting was reduced to one hour and the visit to the church was scrapped, allegedly for fear that families of the hunger-striking prisoners would have tried to confront him. The hunger strike ended the morning of May 27.

What has emerged from the meeting is also telling. Israeli media outlets claimed that Trump expressed anger at Abbas regarding the issue of incitement to violence. Israels Channel 2 reported May 28 that Trump yelled at Abbas: You lied to me in Washington when you talked about commitment to peace, but the Israelis showed me you were personally responsible for incitement.

The TV report published in The Times of Israel said that Palestinian sources contradict the report, telling Channel 2 the meeting between the two leaders was calm.

Khatib said he doesnt believe that a serious resolution of the Palestinian conflict is realistic. But it is good to have a more positive political position by the US administration toward the resolution of the conflict, he concluded.

For Palestine to be part of the discussion, inclusion in the first foreign tour of a new US president is important. The real question is whether this president is willing to spend the time and political capital not only to bring the sides back to the talks, but to ensure that a resolution is reached and implemented. The present right-wing Israeli government and the makeup of Trumps team dont bode well for that.
May 30, 2017

TEHRAN, Iran  It will not be an easy second term for recently re-elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. With the Middle East on fire as never before, the United States led by Donald Trump and Iran already at war in Iraq and Syria, flexibility is not in abundance for the new government in Tehran. Rather it might be that the moderate president and his foreign policy team are going to be gradually pushed in the direction of becoming hawks. The latest stances by Rouhani and his foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on regional issues suggest that their rhetoric is already changing.

The Iranian nation has decided to be powerful, Rouhani told reporters in his first remarks after being re-elected. Our missiles are for peace and for defense. He added, American officials should know that whenever we need to technically test a missile, we will do so and will not wait for their permission.

One must ask, what is Tehran's foreign policy going to look like in Rouhanis second term? Irans main framework for engagement with the international community remains the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, agreed to in July 2015. The nuclear deal is Rouhanis first-term foreign policy asset, and in his second term, he will be looking to preserve the agreement and build on its positive elements.

On the nuclear deal, he may have an easier job internally, as all his rivals stressed [during the election campaign] that they too would have safeguarded the deal, Adnan Tabatabai, CEO of the Bonn-based Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient, told Al-Monitor in Tehran.

Tabatabai added, At the same time, it will require major diplomatic skills to on the one hand push back the hostile policies of the US while at the same time keep relations with Europe and the rest of the P5+1 [Britain, France, Russia, China and the United States plus Germany] intact.

Tabatabai believes that Rouhani's election to a second term was not the desirable outcome for Irans regional rivals  Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel. He therefore thinks that the new governments priority in this regard is going to be countering their anti-Iran rhetoric with the right tone while finding a balance between deterrence and diplomatic outreach.

There is a very small margin within which the government can maneuver between its positions on regional issues and those of the revolutionary establishment. Given the anti-Iran stances of the Saudis, Israelis and Americans, the Rouhani administrations only choice might well be to wisely deal with their media assaults while providing bolder diplomatic support to Syria and Iraq, which Tehran views as countering terrorism.

Tehran University professor Mohammad Marandi said he thinks it is already clear that Irans policy on Syria will not be changing. He sees no serious internal differences on this issue, adding, Maybe there were two or three years ago, but not now. There were more diverse voices, but I dont believe that exists anymore as a given on Syria and Iraq.

Marandi also said, Regarding the United States, the biggest question remains who Trump is. We dont know who Trump is, so its difficult to say. I dont think that [Trump's] trip to Saudi Arabia was that important to Iran. I dont think that Trump made any extraordinary commitments to the Saudis, but at the same time, I dont think that Trump has the ability to achieve a rapprochement with Iran. The [US] deep state, the [US political] establishment is so hostile to Iran. He couldnt do it with Russia, and I think Iran is hated more than Russia is, so when hes being attacked day and night because of Russia, even if he wanted to do anything on Iran, he wont be able to do it.

Marandi said, Rouhanis biggest plus is that by being re-elected, no excuse is provided to the Americans, to the deep state, to move toward escalation. Even if someone else had been elected [in Iran], it wouldnt have made any difference in Iranian foreign policy, but I think many in the US would have used it to increase tensions with Iran or increase sanctions. So Rouhanis election perhaps took this argument away, although Im sure nothing would have changed.

A senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official told Al-Monitor, Neighbors will continue to be Irans priority. The official gave no further comments on what regional policy in Rouhanis second term will look like or whether changes are forthcoming at the Foreign Ministry, namely whether Zarif will stay on. A change at the top has implications for how Irans foreign policy is implemented, the methods and tools for determining and laying out positions and how talks with adversaries are managed.

A political source in Tehran who spoke to Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity said, Its not yet clear whether Zarif is going to continue being foreign minister. There are no indications [on this matter] at present, but if he wants to leave, then President Rouhani will have a hard time finding a replacement, as there are only a few, if any, who could match his capabilities and understanding of the countrys diplomatic needs at such a critical time.

In an interview with the semi-official Iranian Students' News Agency in March, Zarif said that he prefers for another person to take over the position, but that if Rouhani asks him to stay on, he will assess what he might be able to accomplish before making a decision.
May 30, 2017

Fighters from jihadi groups inside the Yarmouk camp in south Damascus are preparing to leave what was once Syrias largest camp for Palestinian refugees, according to local activists and monitoring groups.

Islamic State (IS) militants currently stationed in Yarmouk and the groups Damascus stronghold in neighboring Hajar al-Aswad may be preparing to leave Yarmouk under a landmark agreement with the Syrian government, just two weeks after the first fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, formerly known as al-Qaedas Syrian affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra, left the camp.

The UK-based Action Group for Palestinians of Syria reported May 23 that on-the-spot observers in Yarmouk  said IS militias have been evacuating their sites in the area, ahead of a possible deal with Damascus to head to Raqqa.

Images shared on social media also showed posters purportedly distributed in local mosques asking civilians wishing to travel to Raqqa to register their names.

On May 7, the first batch of an estimated total force of 200 Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters left northern Yarmouk in a line of slow-moving ambulances as seen in photos shared by pro-government media and local activists.

All Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters are expected to be transferred out of Yarmouk as part of a wide-ranging truce deal that was negotiated  with Qatari mediation  between Hezbollah and Salafi rebel groups earlier this year.

The so-called Four Towns deal saw civilians from two Shiite towns besieged by rebel groups, al-Fua and Kefraya, as well as Hezbollah and regime-besieged Madaya and Zabadani, evacuated in April. A cease-fire also took effect in partially besieged rebel-held areas of south Damascus bordering Yarmouk as part of the same deal.

But tensions back inside the camp have not been this high in months. Media activist and photographer Hamada Hameed, who lives in an area close to Yarmouk, told Al-Monitor, Fear is on peoples faces  especially after the first Jabhat al-Nusra [fighter] evacuations.

He added, Some have been expecting a major war between the regime and IS over areas that were under the control of Jabhat al-Nusra if IS does not leave in the coming days.

Now, there is some speculation  and concern  about what comes next.

Yarmouk is waiting for  implementation of the agreement and the departure of the rest of the fighters of [Hayat Tahrir al-Sham] and the emptying of areas under its control, Ahmad Hossein, the executive director of Action Group for Palestinians of Syria told Al-Monitor.

[But] what is happening now is the complete emptying of all elements hostile to the regime  a phased evacuation, he said. And I believe that the Yarmouk camp and all of the southern front [of Damascus] has been almost settled in favor of the regime and soon the Syrian flag will fly again in the south.

Yarmouk has been an active part of the conflict in south Damascus since Dec. 16, 2012, when a government warplane bombarded the camp for the first time, killing dozens of civilians. Rebel forces entered Yarmouk the next day before pro-government forces introduced a partial and then complete  and crippling  siege on the camp in 2013. Enforced by the Syrian army and pro-government forces including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command, the siege would claim the lives of at least 182 people  either as a result of actual starvation or lack of access to medical care.

In April 2015, IS entered Yarmouk with the connivance of its then-local ally Jabhat al-Nusra. Since, Jabhat al-Nusra and later IS left their own marks on Yarmouk, executing relief workers and human rights defenders, enforcing strict interpretations of Sharia, while scuppering attempts to negotiate a way out of the siege. The former allies since broke, and street clashes between the two groups have put hundreds of civilians in the line of fire.

Up to 5,000 civilians still living inside areas of Yarmouk have done so amid a siege, fierce street clashes and lack of access to even the most basic supplies including running water, electricity and  in some cases  bread.

But is there any guarantee that Yarmouks immediate future will be any more certain?

I dont think this removal will make a big change; the camp is destroyed and it being controlled by the government or another side from the Palestinian organizations will not make much difference, said Palestinian-Syrian refugee Zahia al-Alouh, speaking to Al-Monitor from Sweden.

Alouh said she hopes for the best, but is expecting more fighting in and around Yarmouk.

The southern suburbs of the Syrian capital remain awash with checkpoints and flags representing almost every factional stripe and color currently fighting on the ground in Syria  sometimes at opposite ends of the same street. The camp itself is besieged by the Syrian army, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command and other pro-regime militia groups, while the nearby Sayyida Zeinab mosque and shrine has been used as a rallying call by Lebanese Hezbollah and Iranian-backed sectarian militias.

To the east of Yarmouk, predominantly Islamist rebel groups dominate the remaining rebel-held areas in the three villages  Yalda, Babila and Beit Sahem  which have been at partial truce with the regime since 2014.

IS final foothold in Damascus is in Yarmouk and Hajar al-Aswad, a historically working-class and conservative Sunni neighborhood just south of the camp.

That local geography might present difficulties for Palestinian refugees and former Yarmouk residents who have been displaced either to neighboring districts or beyond. Although PLO Syria envoy Ahmad al-Majdalani did not respond to requests for comment, he told Al-Monitor in mid-May that with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and IS militants still in and around Yarmouk, the situation remains complicated.

On April 16, PLO factions inside Syria celebrated news that Palestinians from other camps  namely Sbeineh in Rif Dimashq  might be able to return to their homes in the near future. The statement from PLO factions welcomed measures taken by the Syrian government to facilitate the entry and exit of residents to and from Khan Eshieh camp, while also confirming their support for talks to reach an agreement  in Yarmouk.

Activists and former Yarmouk residents who fled regime bombardments and arrest campaigns might question those measures, let alone question how genuinely the Syrian government will facilitate the movement of residents in and out of camps or protect civilians in the future. There has been talk of returning Palestinians to Sbeineh for some time now, while reports of arrests and enforced conscriptions in Khan Eshieh have emerged since pro-government forces took back control of the camp late last year.

For some, the damage has already been done. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have already fled the tattered streets of a bustling, well-integrated camp often dubbed the capital of the Palestinian diaspora. It is unclear how many will return, or when.

Coming from Yarmouk was more like a nationality: There were people who didnt even know what the outside of the camp looked like. The people who came from [Yarmouk] were always more committed to the Palestinian cause  more than those who lived in Palestine, said Alouh.

It wasnt just a capital, it was my own Palestine, she concluded.
May 30, 2017

We're still waiting for answers. It's been 10 months, but questions persist about the July 15, 2016, abortive coup in Turkey. Unlike others who saw it as a coup attempt, I classified it as a kamikaze-like military uprising, because the putschists who tried to hijack the state authority that night didn't have a profound ideology binding them together, a strong motivation or clear political goals.

I had previously said that participants in the military uprising, whose driving engine was the Gulen movement, were officers with anti-government sentiments, those with pragmatic goals and career-advancement goals, those who were blackmailed into joining and some who unquestioningly obeyed commands.

Such a military uprising should have been dealt with swiftly, with evidence-driven investigations that focused on what happened that night. Ankara didn't do that. The post-July 15 crisis process was stalled and became an increasingly politicized maze.

The most important question awaiting an answer about the uprising concerns timing. At 2:30 p.m. local time, the National Intelligence Service (MIT) knew major military action would be imminent that night. The Chief of General Staff knew about it at 4:30 p.m. Why, then, didn't they move to counter the uprising? We have been hearing from overt sources that an army helicopter pilot identified as "Maj. O.K." who had been pressured into joining the uprising by Gulenists, changed his mind and warned MIT headquarters at 2:30 p.m. According to witness testimony in the trial that began last week, Maj. O.K. clearly warned MIT officials that there was going to be a massive, and probably bloody, military action.

Other witness accounts said that at 4:30 p.m., MIT chief Hakan Fidan reported the information by phone to Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Yasar Guler. At 5:30 p.m., the deputy MIT chief went to Chief of General Staff headquarters to personally brief staff on what they had heard. He was followed at 6 p.m. by Fidan, who met with Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar, stayed there for more than two hours and left around 8:30 p.m.

Now, like me, everyone in Turkey is asking the same question: Why wasn't anything done in the six hours prior to 8:30 p.m. to cripple the uprising plans Maj. O.K. had clearly warned about at 2:30 p.m.? With such grave intelligence on hand, why weren't the president, prime minister, and ministers of defense and interior briefed on the big picture? Perhaps more amazingly, why were official orders to declare martial law sent out from the Command Operations Center headquarters at 9:30 p.m., thoroughly confusing all military units?

Another vital question, as special forces commander Zekai Aksakalli noted in his deposition, is why didn't Akar see the situation as serious enough to order Turkish air space closed to all flights at around 7 p.m.?

And why didnt the army's Land Forces Command confine units to barracks, as the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) routinely do at risky times? If such a routine order had been issued, it would have been evident that all the soldiers who took up arms and left their barracks knew they were disobeying orders and committing a crime. Perhaps Akar and MIT chief Fidan did not expect such an organized, massive military action. It appears they opted to wait a bit, perhaps thinking: "Let them try. We will thus expose the Gulenists in the TSK and eliminate them with concrete evidence."

There is also the likelihood that there were so many Gulenists around Akar that they simply disobeyed his orders. If so, we'll be justified in asking why Akar didn't notice all that time how closely he was encircled.

We have learned some tidbits about these questions from the omnibus court trial of key figures accused of planning the coup attempt, such as former air force commander Akin Ozturk; Mehmet Partigoc, the general in charge of personnel at the Turkish General Staff; Mehmet Disli, general in charge of strategic transformation at the headquarters; and 38 other senior officers identified as members of the so-called Peace at Home Council, the junta in charge of the coup attempt. There are 221 main defendants in this trial; 12 of them are on the run. Some of the defendants include a four-star general, three lieutenant generals, four major generals, 16 brigadier generals, three rear admirals, 26 colonels, 27 lieutenant colonels, 37 majors and 21 captains.

Authorities are seeking life sentences for the defendants on charges of attempting to assassinate the president, "martyring" some 250 people, attempting to kill 2,735 people and restricting the freedoms of high-level commanders and state officials. Many people, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, find life imprisonment sentences too light and recommend reinstating capital punishment.

A twist in the trial has been shifting more and more attention to Akar. Ozturk, accused of being the No. 1 of the military wing of the coup, in his testimony said Akar, who was detained and flown by military helicopter to Akincilar Air Base, was depressed and nervous [and] was not interned.

Ozturk was implying that Akar could have easily gotten out of the quarters he was confined to and resumed command of the TSK.

Erhan Caha, in his testimony, said it was impossible to understand why the military personnel unaware of the events were not warned and referred to Aksakalli's deposition: If the personnel were ordered to remain in their barracks and not to leave their bases, the coup would have been exposed. Couldnt the people who have served for so long in this profession think of this basic measure? If the personnel had been warned when the attempt was first learned about, we wouldnt have gone through any of this and people like me and thousands of others would have been spared this disgrace.

Former military prosecutor Ahmet Zeki Ucok  who for the past few months has been accusing Akar of negligence on July 15  said, There is uncertainty here. There is a disconnect between the position voiced by air force Gen. Akin Ozturk and the current command echelon of [Chief of General Staff] Akar and branch commanders. I have been saying that to clear up this mess, the command echelon should have been removed or resigned, because as long as they stay in command, no officer will tell the full truth. Nobody will dare to testify against his superiors.

Another pertinent criticism of Akar is: Why, when many of the officers who had allegedly participated in the uprising were identified, even in the news, did Akar do nothing about it? Almost all of the senior officers were labeled as Gulenists and accused of being actively involved in the uprising. How can we be expected to believe that the almighty MIT and the high military command did not know about what was reported in the media? Can anybody enlighten us as to why they dealt so feebly with such a vital threat?

There is an increasing public perception that Akar could have confined the units to their bases. Those officers loyal to the state could have remained in command of their units at the bases and prevented them from joining the uprising.

This extremely slow reaction by Akar and Fidan on July 15 between 4:30 and 9:30 p.m. could have three explanations. First, they were professionally incompetent. Second, they underestimated the action capacity of the putschists. And third, they demonstrated gross misjudgment by thinking, "Let them do it. We will thus expose the Gulenists in the TSK and catch them in action."

The answers will become clear someday. So far, we know that the turmoil and high number of casualties could have been prevented. This is going to make the coming days tough for Akar. One wonders why his performance was so weak. Will the next step be for Erdogan to remove Akar and branch commanders from service in August when promotions and new command assignments will be decided?

We can predict that July will be a busy and sensitive month for the military. Erdogans decision to retain or retire Akar, no matter which, will have serious ramifications.
State commerce and business leaders are in Canada this week taking part in a number of activities to bolster trade ties.

Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield and a group will be in Montreal and Toronto over the next two weeks, and will also be paving the way for an event Mobile will host next year.

The Commerce Department today announced the trip will begin with a set of "matchmaking sessions" with Canadian companies and the Alabama firms represented in the state delegation.

Among those companies taking part will be Advanced Optical Systems and DataCom Solutions of Huntsville, Archangel Systems of Auburn, Florence's Ark Labs and from Mobile, Mapusoft Technologies and Prism Systems. Also taking part are the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development.

Then next week, the mission shifts to Toronto for the 10th annual Southeast U.S.-Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) Conference, which kicks off Monday. Mobile will host next year's conference, set for June 3 through 5 next year.

In a statement, Canfield said the conference this year will allow for connections with automotive manufacturing, sustainable technologies and information and communication technology, or ICT.

"Canada is the No. 1 market for Alabama exports, and the state is home to around 50 Canadian manufacturing facilities that are thriving," Canfield said in a statement. "At the same time, we know there are more opportunities for Alabama to explore by expanding this rewarding relationship. This trip will highlight those increasing prospects for both trade and investment."

Last year, Alabama companies shipped $4.2 billion in products to Canada, an increase of 10 percent from the previous year.

In April, a state trade mission composed of state and business leaders made stops in Germany and Denmark
The Alabama Department of Corrections has arrested five of its own correctional officers on charges they used their positions for personal gain.

ADOC on Tuesday afternoon announced the arrests following a three-month probe at Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore. ADOC investigators made the arrests at the prison on May 24 and 26.

Those officers arrested are: Ronald Dickerson, 23, of Montgomery; Jarod McDowell, 29, of Wetumpka; Joshua Alexander, 26, of Hayneville; Leonard Scott, 31, of Montgomery and Patrick Jones, 42, also of Montgomery. All but Jones have resigned.

The ADOC Investigations and Intelligence Division's Corruption and Fraud Task Force launched the investigation after receiving information of a suspected bribery scheme involving officers and inmates, Commissioner Jeff Dunn said in a news release. In return for giving inmates contraband, such as drugs and cellphones, investigators found that the inmates were using the cellphones to create online money accounts illegally in order to purchase items for the officers.

The investigation revealed the officers accepted bribes ranging from home electronics, clothing, and automobile accessories; to a cruise. There are pending charges against the inmates involved as well.

"After months of investigating this case, our corruption and fraud task force uncovered the bribery scheme involving correctional officers who are sworn to protect the public, but instead chose to use their position to illegally further their self-interest," Dunn said in a prepared statement.

Staton Correctional Facility opened in June 1978 and is located off Highway 143 approximately 12 miles west of Wetumpka, AL. The institution was named in honor of Thomas F. Staton, a previous Chairman of the Board of Corrections.



According to the ADOC website, Staton provides emergency medical care and a medical observation unit for Draper, Elmore, and Frank Lee facilities. Additionally, Staton, through the J.F. Ingram Technical College, offers educational and vocational courses such as adult basic education, college classes, literacy programs, auto body and heavy equipment repair, upholstery, welding, horticulture, and barbering. Staton also has a law library, staff psychologist for counseling, and substance abuse treatment programs. Staton is classified as a medium custody correctional facility

ADOC began the process of establishing the corruption and fraud task force in 2016 to uncover and eradicate employee and inmate corruption in Alabama prisons and fully staffed the task force in February 2017.

"Our department has zero tolerance for corruption among our officers and employees and we will do everything within our authority to ensure those who choose to engage in criminal activity are terminated from employment and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Dunn said.

In addition to forming the corruption and fraud task force, ADOC has increased facility inspections and searches and is in the process of installing new body scanners in its facilities for finding and detecting contraband. The department is considering trained canine units as an option for interdicting the contraband cellphones.

To further address the problem at the national level, Dunn and corrections directors from other states met with FCC officials in Washington DC in March to evaluate available technologies that could one day render them ineffective inside prisons.

Dunn said ADOC has made it a top priority to eliminate corruption and find solutions for making contraband cellphones inoperable inside state prisons. In 2016, ADOC seized more than 3,500 illegal cellphones and made over 70 contraband arrests.

In responding to the arrests, Dunn said, "the vast majority of our correctional officers are committed to his and her profession and want to do what's right for the good of the department and for the citizens of our state. Those who do a disservice to the department by failing to uphold the public's trust represent a very small percentage of our total workforce."
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey talked to AL.com today about a hospital stay in Colorado during an April 2015 trip to the annual meeting of the Aerospace States Association.

The hospital stay was first reported by Alabama Political Reporter, which reported a state officer who was part of Ivey's security detail was reassigned because he did not follow a directive to cover up the hospital stay.

Ivey disputed that the officer was reassigned for that reason, saying he was promoted.

Ivey said she arrived for the meeting in Colorado Springs on Thursday night. Ivey was vice chair of the association. The meeting started on Friday.

"After lunch (on Friday), I was presiding and got light-headed and whatever," Ivey said. "So everybody said, 'Oh you need to go get checked out.'

"Well, that's logical. So we did. So on Friday night and Saturday and I got out of the hospital on Sunday. They ran all kind of tests. And I've never had a stroke, not then, not since."

Ivey said she presided over the Senate the following Tuesday.

Asked about her health overall, she said, "As far as I know, it's fine. Look at the schedule. We're not slowing down for anything. So I'm doing fine. I get a physical checkup every six months as most of us do. And all is well and I'm grateful that it is."

Eileen Brooks, Ivey's press secretary, said the governor has not been hospitalized since the 2015 incident.
Alabama State Troopers investigated four traffic fatalities over the long Memorial Day weekend, less than half the number of crash deaths for the same period in 2016.

However, authorities said Tuesday, traffic fatalities so far this year statewide are up by a double-digit increase.

The official travel period began Friday morning and ran through midnight Monday. During that time, troopers investigated four traffic fatalities compared to 11 fatalities the previous year. That number does not include traffic fatalities investigated by other law enforcement agencies.

In addition, said Corporal Jess Thornton, troopers worked two boating fatalities over the weekend. There were no boating fatalities during Memorial Day 2016.

The fatal crashes happened in Baldwin, Conecuh, Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties. Three of the four individuals people killed were not using seat belts, Thornton said. Alcohol involvement is not available as troopers continue to investigate the crashes.

In Jefferson County, Odenville resident Jessica Ann Butler, 28, was killed when the 2014 Jeep Compass she was driving struck a 1998 International tractor trailer near Grants Mill Road at 4:14 p.m. Friday. Authorities said traffic was slowing, and Butler's Jeep ran up under the 18-wheeler. She was pronounced dead on the scene at 4:30 p.m.

In Baldwin County, a 53-year-old man was killed Friday morning when his tractor trailer struck a tree and caught fire. The single-vehicle crash reported at 4:50 a.m. claimed the life of Robert Walter Hiatt of Wilmer. He was seriously injured when the 2007 Volvo tractor trailer he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree before catching fire. Hiatt was transported to the University of South Alabama Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The crash occurred on Interstate 65 near the 43 mile marker, approximately 12 miles north of Bay Minette.

In Tuscaloosa County, Eric Molina, 28, was killed when the 1978 Jeep CJ7 in which he was passenger left Libby Road and overturned at 1 a.m. Friday. The wreck happened about three miles south of Northport. Molina, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, 30-year-old Peter Jonathan Gewin Eaves, of Calera, was injured and transported to a local hospital. Troopers say alcohol may have played a role, but didn't elaborate.

In Conecuh County, a single-vehicle crash at 5:55 a.m. Saturday killed 33-year-old Jose Rosas of Monroeville. He was driving a 2003 Dodge Dakota that left the roadway and overturned before striking a tree. Rosas, who was not using a seat belt, was partially ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred on Conecuh County 20 approximately 10 miles east of Monroeville. Although circumstances surrounding the crash are still under investigation, speed is believed to be a factor.

The boating fatalities happened Sunday when a father and one of his sons drowned in the Tallapoosa River. Troopers said 34-year-old Jason Smith, of Heflin, was kayaking with his 3-year-old and 4-year-old sons on Sunday afternoon. Authorities said a 12-year-old was kayaking beside them.

Cleburne County Coroner Tracey Lambert said Smith's vessel flipped over when Smith tried to grab a tree limb to slow down the kayak. The 12-year-old was able to get out of his kayak and rescue the 4-year-old, Lambert said. "The dad tried to save the 3-year-old, but was unable to," Lambert said.

Acting ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said as of Monday, troopers have investigated 27 more traffic fatalities this year than in 2016. So far, 264 people have been killed in 2017 in accidents investigated by troopers.

"We are dedicated to reversing this deadly trend," Taylor said, "but we need assistance from you, the motoring public."
The U.S. Department of Justice is partnering with the City of Center Point to look at crime and public safety issues, the mayor announced on Tuesday.

Center Point Mayor Tom Henderson said the DOJ's Diagnostic Center will work with city officials to collect data and assess public safety, juvenile justice and crime prevention efforts. "It's an opportunity for us to get an outside agency to take a look at our overall safety and law enforcement,'' Henderson said. "We think it's a good, positive thing and we'll be the first in Alabama to do it."

Henderson announced the agreement after meeting with U.S. Sen. Luther Strange earlier Tuesday. He said U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell and U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby were also instrumental in getting Center Point accepted into the program.

The Diagnostic Center has worked with communities in 28 other states, but none in Alabama until now. The program will not cost the City of Center Point any money.

According to the DOJ's Office of Justice Programs, the Diagnostic Center is a technical assistance resource designed to provide city and community leaders with customized training and help in addressing persistent and emerging public safety issues using evidence-based strategies.

The program uses a three-phase process: 1. Diagnose the issue and map it to customized solutions 2. Implement promising practices in criminal justice, juvenile justice and victim services 3. Assess the impact of practices implemented during the engagement.

The assessment process will begin next month.

"Maybe we're doing things right. I guess we'll see,'' Henderson said. "When they get through, they'll make suggestions of what we might do and then we'll get to work.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, appointed to the position in February, has announced he will seek election to the office.

"It is an honor to serve as the attorney general of Alabama," Marshall said in a press release. "For nearly two years, I have been traveling across the state, meeting voters, and listening to their concerns. As attorney general, we have begun implementing solutions to those concerns and we will continue to stand side-by-side with law enforcement, advocate on behalf of victims, and uphold the rule of law.

"Our top priority will be to maintain an effective working relationship with our local law enforcement. Sheriffs, district attorneys, police, and investigators are the front lines of public safety and we will support them in every way possible."

Appointed by former Gov. Robert Bentley to replace Luther Strange - whom Bentley had appointed to the U.S. Senate - Marshall confirmed an AGs office investigation into the governor after less than a week in office by naming a special prosecutor and recusing himself from that investigation.

Exactly two months after appointing Marshall, Bentley pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges and resigned from office.

Marshall registered his principal campaign committee on May 25. He is the first candidate to file as a candidate for attorney general. He will run as a Republican, having switched from the Democratic Party in 2011.

Marshall said at the press conference announcing his appointment that he intended to run for attorney general.

The party primaries in the 2018 election cycle are on June 5, 2018.

The campaign will have a formal kickoff at 3 p.m. on June 12 at the Guntersville Civitan Park near Marshall's home in Marshall County.

Marshall served as district attorney in Marshall County for 16 years before his appointment as attorney general. Appointed as district attorney by former Gov. Don Siegelman in 2001, Marshall never faced an opponent in three subsequent elections.
A Fort Payne business owner was arrested this past weekend for hosting an underage drinking party in celebration of her son's graduation from high school, police said.

Veronica Meija

Veronica Meija, owner of TOY Store Customs LLC, was arrested Saturday night after police found about 100 people, including several minors, at the drinking party, said Fort Payne police Chief Randy Bynum. Fort Payne is a northeast Alabama city with about 14,000 residents in DeKalb County.

Thirty people, ranging in ages from 15-20, were taken into custody from the party at Meija's home on Fruit Farm Road, Bynum said.

The chief said police and sheriff's deputies responded to the home after receiving reports about several cars causing traffic problems in the area.

Meija told police the party "kind of got out of hand," Bynum said.

Meija, who is out on bail, was charged with Class B misdemeanors hosting an illegal house party and allowing minors to consume alcohol. She faces up to six months in jail if convicted.

Bynum said he was surprised by Meija's arrest.

"She's always been respectable," Bynum said. The woman's business sells custom car accessories, such as radios and wheels.

"She used to own an event venue here in town and she always did everything by the book, like getting officers to work security and dealing with alcohol."
Two people are charged with murder in the weekend Huntsville shooting death of their alleged robbery accomplice, police said.

Jasmine Jordan, 23, and James Manuel, 24, each are held without bail in the Madison County Jail. They are charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Jeremiah Manuel, their alleged robbery accomplice, said Sgt. Johnathan Ware in a news release.

Each suspect is charged with first-degree robbery and murder, both Class A felonies.

The victim was killed Sunday during what police believe to be a residential robbery in the area of Timberlane Avenue, Ware said. Investigators believe James and Jeremiah Manuel were committing robbery with Jordan at the time of the shooting, Ware said.

Police haven't said who shot the victim.

"The case is still under investigation and other charges may still be filed," Ware said in the release.

If convicted of either charge, James Manuel and Jordan each faces up to life in prison.
Charter schools may provide a better option for children when traditional public schools fail but are they the answer to systemic problems in US education?

For Ezdehar Abu-harab, the North Star Charter Academy in Newark, New Jersey was a godsend. She was horrified at the quality of education her son was receiving in one of Newarks other public elementary schools.

No homework! she said, incredulous. They never got homework! It was just about maintaining order in the classroom.

Charter schools were first introduced into this chronically low-performing urban school district in the nineties and expanded in the last decade with support from both Republican and Democratic politicians.

They are publicly funded independent schools established by teachers, parents, or community groups under the terms of a charter with a local or national authority.

Now 31 percent of public school children in Newark, including Abdu-harabs two children, attend charter schools. District-wide graduation rates and test scores are up; suspension rates are down.

Abdu-harab heard about the schools when her daughter was entering kindergarten. The college biology teacher put her daughters name in the lottery and landed a coveted spot.

THE STREAM: Charter schools and choice

The difference between her sons and daughters educations, she said, was night and day.

She was using words my son couldnt even understand, even though he was three years older, she explained. Her son is now in the charter school as well, thanks to a provision that allows siblings to attend the same school.

The US Department of Education under the Trump administration and its new Secretary Betsy Devos is promoting charter schools as a way to empower parents and provide better options for students, like Abdu-harabs children.

By allowing schools to be independent of the districts bureaucracy and union commitments, the argument goes, the schools operate more efficiently and are more responsive to the communitys needs.

The administration has proposed increasing aid to charter schools by $267m nationwide while at the same time slashing the overall education budget by more than 13 percent.

Racial and economic segregation

A growing chorus of critics, however, including teachers unions, minority groups and parents, not just in New Jersey but around the country, accuse charters of draining resources from traditional district-run schools and contributing to racial and economic segregation.

That is allegedly the case in Red Bank, a small borough on the Jersey coast, barely an hours drive but a world away from Newark.

Housed in a residential downtown neighbourhood, the school has the look and feel of a small, private institution with longer school days and smaller classes. Many parents picking up their children one afternoon said they were drawn to its intimate setting.

Like Rodolfo Ramirez, who said it reminded him of how he was raised in Costa Rica. He called it a good inner-city school.

At first glance the school looks quite diverse. The parent group known as Fair Schools Red Bank, however, along with the Latino Coalition of Monmouth County, have filed a complaint with the Education Department alleging that the Red Bank Charter School is having a discriminatory impact on the district.

Jennifer Garcia said the parents initially got together when the charter school applied to the state for permission to double its enrolment from 200 to 400 students, a petition that was ultimately denied.

Parents initial concern was the loss of funding to the district, which was forcing the school to cut popular programmes and increase class sizes.

By law New Jersey charters are entitled to just 90 percent of the districts cost per pupil. In practice, however, district funds have been frozen, despite growing enrolment, while charter schools, favoured by the current Republican state administration, remain fully funded.

According to Jared Rumage, Superintendent of Red Bank borough schools, charters are currently getting more than half of the districts $3m in state funds, even though they are educating far fewer students than the 1,200 in the borough.

The duplicative costs that are required to run two school districts do not make sense for a community when you have an outstanding district, Rumage insists.

He points out that his schools test scores have been going up the past three years, despite the challenges of a growing population, many of whom speak English as a second language.

The Charter Schools test scores, while higher, have been on a downward trend.

And while Red Bank Charter was 50 percent white last school year, with the rest minority, primarily Hispanic, the complaint points out that the district schools population is just 7 percent white and 81 percent Hispanic.

It contends that is a violation of rules meant to encourage desegregation of New Jersey schools. The percentage of poor students who speak English as a second language is also much higher districtwide, students Garcia describes as harder [and more costly] to educate.

But Charter School Principal Meredith Pennotti says the district was segregated long before her school got there.

The Red Bank Charter School is one of the most integrated schools in one of the most racially segregated states in America, Penotti said in a statement.

She points out that the total school age population of Red Bank, including children who attend private schools, is 36 percent white according to the U.S. Census Bureau  closer to her schools demographics.

Parental choice

Amanda Vega-Malinowski, communications director of the New Jersey Charter School Association, says a number of charter schools, including Red Bank, are now using a weighted admissions system to give low-income students an advantage in applying.

Charters also provide information about the lottery process in a variety of languages, so everyone can take advantage, she said.

But at the end of the day we cant make people apply, says Vega-Malinowski, who was herself a teacher in a Newark Charter school with the Teach for America programme. It comes down to parental choice.

Elsewhere in the state, those choices include charter schools that specialise in the performing arts and sustainability, she points out.

Those schools cannot be blamed for the districts lack of funding when its the state not following its own education-funding formula.

She insists charter schools are mandated to provide all of the same services as other public schools and qualify for less government assistance overall.

The real irony, however, is that both the New Jersey Charter School Association and Fair Schools Red Bank are unhappy with President Trumps proposed budget, which puts charters first.

Since most of the funding is earmarked for expanding existing charters, Vega-Malinowski does not expect New Jersey will see much of it.

And she is worried that other losses, such as cuts to Medicaid and Food Stamps, will affect all schoolchildren, including charter students.
In prisons all across the world, in as many languages as there are cruel despots ruthlessly hanging on to power, political prisoners are called out from the isolation of their cells to stand and assure their jailers that theyve not magically escaped overnight. For them, prison is a choice, their principles are not.

Often faceless to most but themselves, each collective that struggled to maintain personal dignity while seeking shared justice has become a torch bearer; they are elements of an age-old arch of liberty bound by resistance, sacrifice and little else.

The march from Bobby Sands to Nelson Mandela to Palestinian hunger strikers is steady and unbroken. It derives its strength from resistance as ancient as tyranny itself.

READ MORE: How my father survived a hunger strike in Israel

Who today remembers the names of Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst? In early 20th-century England, these pioneering suffragettes and their many sisters were imprisoned time and time again for little more than rejecting systemic patriarchy. Once there, many said no to food while their jailers said yes to torture. In a powerful account of the effects of forced feeding, suffragette Mary Leigh recounted her experience:

I was then surrounded and forced back onto the chair, which was tilted backward. There were about ten persons around me. The doctor then forced my mouth so as to form a pouch, and held me while one of the wardresses poured some liquid from a spoon; it was milk and brandy.

After giving me what he thought was sufficient, he sprinkled me with eau de cologne, and wardresses then escorted me to another cell on the first floor.

The wardresses forced me onto a bed (in the cell) and two doctors came in with them. While I was held down a nasal tube was inserted. It was two yards long, with a funnel at the end; there was a glass junction in the middle to see if the liquid was passing.

The end was put up left and right nostrils on alternate days. Great pain was experienced during the process, both mental and physical.

One doctor inserted the end up my nostril while I was held down by the wardresses, during which process they must have seen my pain, for the other doctor interfered (the matron and two other wardresses were in tears) and they stopped and resorted to feeding me by spoon. More eau de cologne was used.





The South Africa experience

Robben Island, just off Cape Town, South Africa, is the countrys highest security prison and has been used since the end of the 17th century to isolate political prisoners of the day. In the mid 1740s, Sayed Abdurahman Moturu (one of Cape Towns first imams) was exiled there after leading the early resistance against the Dutch East India Company. He died there a decade later, and his gravestone became a shrine that Muslim political prisoners would pay homage to when leaving the island.

Robben Island was home to a veritable Whos Who of political resistance during the revolution that ultimately toppled South African apartheid. Mandela served 18 of his 27 years there.

One month after Mandelas release on February 11, 1990, hundreds of other remaining political prisoners, including members of the African National Congress (ANC), its rival the Pan Africanist Congress, and the Black Consciousness Movement went on hunger strike demanding their release under a general amnesty for those formally designated as political prisoners.





The hunger strikers had been precluded from the amnesty because of their individual tactics in confronting apartheid. The strike was their way of challenging the governments definition of acceptable resistance.

In a statement of political principle smuggled from the Island, the hunger strikers defined political prisoners as all incarcerated people who have engaged themselves in various ways in the struggle against the system of apartheid. Not long after, most of these strikers were released.

READ MORE: What it means to be a Palestinian prisoner in Israel

They were incredibly determined

Often, hunger strikes do not end with a joyful break of the fast but rather loss of life. Nowhere is that ultimate sacrifice more dramatically spoken than in the not-too-distant history of Republican resistance to British tyranny.

Beginning in 1972, then in 1980, and again in 1981, Irish Republicans by the dozens refused food as they risked all to obtain, among other things, prisoner of war status, the right to wear their own clothing, and freedom of association. When the final hunger strike ended, seven members of the Provisional IRA and three of the Irish National Liberation Army had died in Long Kesh Prison, or the Maze.

Although Bobby Sands, who died less than a month after being elected a Member of Parliament, has become synonymous with the hunger strike, ten other political prisoners sacrificed their lives in the Maze and another 61 people lost their lives to related street violence that raged outside its walls during the strikes.

In a begrudging testament to the determination and sacrifice of the strikers, one of the prison jailers noted: At first we thought they were dirty animals. The stench was incredible. Our stomachs turned when we went near the cells and we couldnt understand how anyone could live in such filth. But eventually there was some grudging respect for those on the protest.

Palestinian prisoners: Vanguards of national struggle

To many, resistance is born not of simple choice but, rather, of principled necessity, no matter what the ultimate personal cost may be. Nowhere is that more powerfully viewed than through the prism of Palestinian political prisoners who, by the thousands, have lived and often died in timeless campaigns to obtain justice from deep behind the mask of prisons walls.

Israel views all who challenge its reach as enemy combatants whether they be 10- year-olds who refuse to stop when ordered or 80-year-olds who carry the bodies of their murdered grandchildren to the martyrs cemeteries that have become so much the norm throughout Occupied Palestine.

Palestinian political prisoners have long been in the vanguard of a national struggle to confront and dismantle the shroud of Israeli apartheid.

Yesterday the latest Palestinian hunger strike came to a negotiated end. The strikers demanded a range of fundamental human and political rights, including an end to administrative detention, an end to solitary confinement, an end to detention outside of the Occupied Territories, more family visits and the ability to pursue higher education.

In the days leading up to the strikes conclusion, more than 1,800 political prisoners throughout Israel, including hundreds of uncharged detainees, endured 40 days of privation.

According to Israeli daily Haaretz, 60 prisoners were sent to hospital because their medical condition had deteriorated, and 592 others were moved to prison infirmaries for observation.

During the strike Palestine exploded as family and friends of the strikers as well as those who share their national journey took to the streets in support. Many were injured, including some felled by Israeli gunfire.





Demonstrations in support of the strikers were held in dozens of countries across the world by activists, students, trade union members, religious leaders and parliamentarians.

More than a dozen South African political leaders and public figures undertook a day-long solidarity fast, including deputy minister Nomaindia Mfeketo  who herself was detained several times in the 1980s for anti-government activism.

Hunger strikes are no stranger to the Palestinian political landscape.

Over the years, theyve played a central role in challenging a despotic state fuelled and sustained by arbitrary, often indefinite, detention under inhumane conditions punctuated by outright torture that has taken the lives of at least 72 political prisoners since 1967.

Ranging from short-term defiances in isolated prisons to mass hunger strikes by thousands that quickly spread throughout the Israeli Gulag, these acts of political will and resistance have a history going back some 50 years.

Beginning in 1969 with a spontaneous short-lived hunger strike in two prisons, the strikes reached their numerical high point in 1992 when some 7,000 prisoners stopped eating for more than two weeks.

There have been a number of mass hunger strikes by Palestinian political prisoners: 3,000 went on strike for 20 days in 1987, 4,000 were on strike for 18 days in 2004, and 2,000 prisoners went on a month-long hunger strike in 2012. In the longest hunger strike to date, several hundred prisoners refused food for some 63 days in 2014. During that strike, 70 were hospitalised and subsequently returned to prison.

INFOGRAPHIC: A timeline of Palestinian mass hunger strike in Israel

In 1970, hunger striker Abdul Qader Abu al-Fahm was not so fortunate. Nor were Rasem Halawah and Ali Jafari in 1980. All three hunger strikers died as a result of force-feeding procedures.

Though the hunger strikers have challenged a wide range of conditions of confinement over the years  including arbitrary treatment, use of solitary confinement, substandard prison conditions, bans on family visits, poor medical care and the failure to meet sanitary needs of female prisoners  the one constant throughout has been a challenge to the system of administrative detention.

Under this practice, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian prisoners have been detained, many for years on end and without any formal charges or the benefit of civilian judicial proceedings, in clear violation of established international humanitarian law.

In 2011, renowned professor and author Ahmad Qatamesh (recently detained again a few days ago), who spent more than eight years in prison during multiple administrative detentions, stated in an appearance before a military court what generations of Palestinian detainees have experienced: You are destroying my life and I want to know why. As a human being I have my own mind and I am educated, and I want to know what I am detained for. The military prosecution talks of its professionalism, and meanwhile I have no rights?

Administrative detention is detention without the safeguards of formal charges or trial. When prolonged or repeated, it constitutes cruel and degrading treatment or punishment. It is the hallmark of a draconian security system which has been used since 1967 to dampen political resistance in the Occupied Territories.

It has been estimated that at any given time, some three to four thousand security prisoners are detained, or serving sentences in Israeli prisons under far more severe conditions than those established for criminal prisoners.

Likewise, at any given time, hundreds of these security prisoners are held pursuant to purely administrative detention orders with no intent by Israel to ever try them for a criminal offence, a violation of their fundamental rights to a fair trial.

READ MORE: Israel  The house of hate

The right to liberty is one of the core tenets of human rights and prolonged arbitrary detention constitutes a fundamental breach of international customary law. Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states:

1. Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedures as are established by law.

2. Anyone who is arrested shall be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons for his arrest and shall be promptly informed of any charges against him.

4. Anyone who is deprived of his liberty by arrest or detention shall be entitled to take proceedings before a court, in order that that court may decide without delay on the lawfulness of his detention and order his release if the detention is not lawful.

The provisions of the Covenant are not absolute and provide some flexibility in limited and well-defined circumstances, which permit States to temporarily suspend its mandate. However, the exception was not intended as a pretext whereby a state may escape its obligations by declaring itself to be in a perpetual state of emergency. Yet that is precisely what Israel has done throughout its existence.

To understand the determination of Palestinian hunger strikers demands a walk down the pathway of history of those that have been swept up by a brutal state that sees no limit to its power or abuse.

Israel views all who challenge its reach as enemy combatants whether they are 10-year-olds who refuse to stop when ordered to, or 80-year-olds who carry the bodies of their murdered grandchildren to the martyrs cemeteries that have become the norm throughout Occupied Palestine.

READ MORE: How Israeli soldiers interrogated me

Palestinians unbroken march

In Israel, Palestinian detainees can be interrogated for a period of 75 days and denied access to a lawyer for up to 60. Historically, it has made brutal use of essentially unlimited opportunities to interrogate political detainees without the safeguard of counsel.

Until outlawed in 1999 by its High Court of Justice, Israeli agents routinely used interrogation methods that constitute a veritable primer for torture. Among other procedures, detainees were subjected to sleep deprivation by being bound in painful positions, having to suffer loud music or having their heads covered with a filthy sack while being exposed to extreme heat or cold.

Although the latest Palestinian hunger strike has ended. The core conditions that triggered it remain untouched unchanged guaranteeing future strikes will once again confront an Israeli system of justice.

Often, they were tied to a low chair that was tilted forward with their hands tightly cuffed. On other occasions interrogees were forced to stand with their hands tied and drawn upwards, forced to lie on their back on a high stool with their body arched backwards, or made to crouch on their toes with their hands tied behind them.

Notwithstanding its ban of such techniques, the court went on to hold that agents could continue to use physical pressure upon detainees in the matter of a so-called ticking time-bomb, relying on the rationale of necessity.

As reported in May 2007, agents continued to rely upon this judicial imprimatur for lawful torture in a small percentage of cases. Today, Palestinian political prisoners report that conditions of confinement and interrogation are but a variation on a theme rendered illegal almost 20 years ago.





For example, many detainees report being held in solitary confinement in narrow, windowless cells completely isolated from their surroundings. Others described exposure to extremes of heat and cold and sleep deprivation. Hygiene conditions have been depicted as abominable; among other things, prison authorities often do not allow detainees to shower, change clothes, or even use toilet paper. Food is poor in quality and quantity, and detainees lose weight while in custody.

In the interrogation room itself, prisoners are forced to sit bound to a chair and cannot move for hours or even days at a time. Interrogators routinely shout at and torment detainees, often threatening to harm their relatives. On occasion physical force is still used against them.

As of April 2017 there were 6,300 Palestinian political prisoners, including 300 children, 61 females and 13 Palestinian Legislative Council members, entombed in Israeli prisons. In addition, 500 uncharged and untried detainees languish alongside them, completely in the dark as to what they did that caused the loss of their freedom. Almost all of these detainees are imprisoned inside Israel in further violation of international law which bars the transfer of Palestinian detainees outside the Occupied Territory.

These political prisoners continue an unbroken march of 50 years. In December 2012, the office of then Prime Minister Salam Fayyad reported that since 1967, 800,000 Palestinians  roughly 20 percent of the total population and 40 percent of the male population  had been imprisoned by Israel at one point in time.

According to Palestinian estimates, 70 percent of Palestinian families have had one or more family members sentenced to jail terms in Israeli prisons as a result of activities against the occupation.

Although the latest Palestinian hunger strike has ended, the conditions that triggered it remain unchanged, guaranteeing future strikes will once again confront an Israeli justice system that sees indefinite detention and torture as mainstays of its brutal brand of apartheid and occupation.

The march to freedom can be long and difficult. It is costly and demands of occupied people creative and determined resistance in the streets and in the prisons. For Palestinians, there is no choice.
Can one man with terminal cancer complete his mission to use artificial intelligence to solve disputes before he dies?

Helsinki, Finland  An audience of international peace brokers have gathered inside a room in the historic House of Estates. They have come from South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Ukraine, Colombia and elsewhere to hear a scientist speak.

That scientist is Timo Honkela, and his keynote speech on the second day of Aprils National Dialogues conference is titled Peace from a Different Perspective  a Dialogue of a Million People.

Its an intriguing topic, particularly from a specialist in artificial intelligence.

But 54-year-old Honkela is working on a machine that he hopes will facilitate world peace.

World peace would be a good goal to work for in my remaining days, he says, smiling over a cup of coffee during a break in the conference.

His humour is as dark as his coffee. Honkela has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, so he has little time left to solve an intractable problem that has plagued humankind for millennia.

Living for a cause

Memory loss appears to be one of the symptoms of Honkelas cancer and hes starting to have a hard time remembering words. But he refuses to be anxious about anything  his new handicaps, the immensity of the task before him, even his death.

WATCH: Companies show off military hardware in Singapore

Of course, I wouldnt recommend anyone get cancer to learn how to lead a stress-free life, he jokes.

Project timetables are normal for research scientists, and Honkela is used to working with five-year project windows. But in this case I started to think differently, he says.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning can be used for something positive within a longer timescale. It becomes realistic; it is realistic even now. Its not foolish, and it has ground.

Honkela believes peace  not weapon  technologies should be prioritised and says applications utilising neural networks, big data and digital humanities will be fully at our disposal in some 20 years. Trailblazing advancements, he says, are already under way.

For example, machine translation is becoming better all the time. Five years ago it was laughable most of the time, but now translations between Indo-European languages are reasonable in many cases. Itll significantly increase possibilities for human collaboration and communication over the next 10 years.

WATCH: How Singapore became a global military industry hub

Can artificial intelligence help create world peace?

At present, most artificial intelligence technologies are focused on business and marketing applications. Were using them while browsing through social media, calling service lines and typing text messages with text prediction. So what would a Peace Machine entail?

Its a concept, says Honkela. Its not only science, but science-based planning or design of a concept in which the idea is an intention to change the world.

The assumption is that the vast majority of people would enjoy a full state of peace. Empirically that seems impossible, since wars have been so prevalent. So lets use scientific and technological means to improve the chance to have peace.

Pekka Haavisto, the president of the European Instute of Peace and a Finnish parliamentarian with a background in mediation, is impressed by Honkelas idea.

 Machines and artificial intelligence cant substitute human beings, but they can provide knowledge, possibilities and support for peace processes, he says. Those processes are often about understanding the language, culture and marginalisation.

Building the Peace Machine

... Machines and artificial intelligence can't substitute human beings, but they can provide knowledge, possibilities and support for peace processes. Those processes are often about understanding the language, culture and marginalisation. by

The first iteration of the Peace Machine will be a book about how artificial intelligence can help to solve human disputes.

Honkela hopes its content will interest the public and that the Finnish original will be translated, at least into English, Spanish, Arabic and Russian.

His approach is multidisciplinary, tapping computer science, linguistics, language philosophy, psychology, sociology, cognitive science and other disciplines.

When I got my cancer, he explains, I was thinking that Ive been studying machine learning and artificial intelligence for more than 30 years  what could I do to help us in a significant way?

My objective of world peace sounded, at first, overly ambitious. Humans have been fighting aggressively with each other for thousands of years, so how could it be any different in the future?

Then he asked his colleagues, whom he describes as no-nonsense people, and says they thought the Peace Machine was a great idea.

Jorg Tiedemann, a professor of language technology at the University of Helsinki, says: The first impression when hearing the projects title is probably similar for many. It sounds naive and over-idealistic. This was the same for me.

The term machine may also lead to confusion, giving the idea that there will be one specific machine that will create peace. When I talked to Timo about it for the first time, I definitely wanted to know more about his thoughts and ideas behind it.

WATCH: Experts warn of new cyberattack threats

Honkela forged ahead with his idea. He now has 180 pages and counting.

A crowd-funding campaign secured him transcription assistance  an essential resource, since he lost about half of his eyesight following a brain operation.

Reading and writing have become difficult and he rarely works more than four hours a day at the University of Helsinki. After hours, he sits at home dictating Peace Machine material into a handheld recorder.

Essential to the advancement of the Peace Machine is that computer systems are already starting to be able to analyse the content of human text  in other words, read books. There are some 130 million books in the world, and Honkela imagines how the wisdom and understanding locked in their pages could be utilised if collected and interpreted by computers. With help from machines, cultural barriers that hamper mutual understanding could be significantly diminished, he believes.

Machines will be able to simulate human behaviour and human cognitive functioning. We dont need to programme machines through our expertise. Instead, machines can learn in a human-like way to become experts in many fields, thanks to simulation learning, Honkela explains.





What this means is that engineers would not feed the contents of books into the system the way they interpret them, but allow the computer to study and interpret the words directly.

Nurturing understanding

Tiedemann focuses on machine translation and believes translation technology could drastically reduce language-related discrimination.

Language technology is essential in any concept that concentrates on communication and understanding. The latest developments in language technology with deep learning as the backbone offer new possibilities for natural language processing with better abstractions that come closer to real understanding , Tiedemann explains.

Conversational agents for natural interaction with machines are not far away and to some extent [are] already reality. Using that power for reducing misunderstandings and miscommunication is one of the goals of the Peace Machine.

Honkelas favourite specimen to illustrate the fluid subjectivity of human language interpretation is the word fair.

If we say, for example, This is not fair, we think its a fact. But actually, what is being meant by fair? If we take someone in Dubai and someone in Helsinki, or someone in New York and someone in some other place in the world  those people saying fair, what they actually mean by that can be quite different, he explains.

We need deep linguistic cognitive and computational work in order to actually reach the meanings of the words that people use. That includes the fact that not only do we have problems in reaching each other in one language, but of course we have some 7,000 or more languages in the world.

Getting humans on board

Yes, people would have to surrender privacy to allow computers to follow their lives and learn their habits, but Honkela isnt too worried about any potential negative consequences.

The main concern is that some people start to use machines in a way where machines can take over other people, but not that individual machines could take over all of us people, he says.

Its about how we as humans relate to each other when we have ever-increasing capacities provided by machines. Id like to be optimistic that we actually have control over these things and suggest that the majority of the people in the world are good people.

Honkela imagines that one ambitious application of the Peace Machine could be to improve democracy through artificial intelligence. Decision-making by a select few, even when those few are elected, leaves the wisdom of the masses as an untapped resource, and Honkela believes greater participation could help to stabilise democratic systems.

I would suggest that democracy can be strengthened so that all the people can participate in decision-making. We dont need to choose one or a few leaders, but we can have all the people be involved, if we so wish, he says.

Of course its an investment of time and energy, so people wouldnt need to be politically active all the time, but in the long run one scenario is that we dont need one leader or parties  we are all going to be Mahmuds, Jameses and Timos discussing with each other.

The power of emotions

One emerging subject of artificial intelligence research is emotion, because people often make decisions based on feelings and not just facts. In computer science terms, emotions are our main programme.

When we make big decisions or when we need to react quickly, we go through emotions, and actually there is nothing necessarily wrong with that. We cant get rid of emotions. We as human beings are essentially emotional beings, so its our essence, Honkela explains.

In many cases emotions are rational. The question is what we do based on those emotions, and thats crucial also in relation to the Peace Machine concept and all these questions about war and peace.

One of those underlying things is that we may have emotions which are relevant for the context and those emotions which arent relevant for the context. The latter ones are dangerous ones, because there might be emotional dynamics which are based on some very old experiences.

Mikko Patokallio, an analyst with Finnish conflict-resolving NGO Crisis Management Initiative, says Honkela is daring to think big.

I wouldnt say that the removal of emotions or cultural and societal lenses is a good thing for peace, but having a tool that can recognise and highlight them and, if necessary, filter them can be very useful, he says.

Misunderstandings and misinterpretations are a very real part of conflict. If the Peace Machine or any other approach can help determine common ground, points of consensus and mutually understood language of agreement, it would be very useful for us in our work to resolve conflict.

Honkela is very aware of the power of emotional dynamics. When he was eight years old, his mother committed suicide. It was only after his terminal cancer diagnosis, he says, that he managed to free himself from a trauma-based experience of the world.

He believes the rise of populist political movements speaks to the power of emotional dynamics in sociopolitical contexts.

I find this Peace Machine concept to be potentially very relevant. We become aware of our own and each others emotions, and we can say: OK, we are going in a direction where well start to fight each other. But then we can start to see that actually we do that for bad reasons, and through dynamics and processes that are not necessary, he says.

In late April, a magnetic resonance imaging of Honkelas brain offered encouraging results  both for him and his Peace Machine. It identified no new active tumours, so Honkela will be on the job for at least another month. But what will happen after that is anyones guess.

I have to accept my own imperfection as a researcher, he concludes. I could polish the Peace Machine for eternity, but I have to learn to let go.
In the post-truth era, Polish government is trying to convince us that it needs to chop down a forest to protect it.

As of January 1 of this year, Poland has become the European front line in the war on the environment, and, particularly, on plant life. On that day, the so-called Szyszkos Law, named after Polish Minister of Environment Jan Szyszko, came into effect. According to the provisions of this law, owners need not inform the authorities if they plan to cut down trees growing on their privately held lands, nor are they required to do any replanting to offset tree felling.





The new provisions have been subject to heated contestation and protest both from the European Union and from diverse groups within Polish civil society. Most emblematically, a group of women under the leadership of Cecylia Malik took the initiative to create Mothers on Tree Stumps, whose members breastfeed their children while sitting on recently felled trees. The photographs of their collective actions are posted on social media and show a near-apocalyptic atmosphere with stark contrast between infants, representing hope for the future, and the scenes of devastation unfolding around them.

Yet it seems that Szyszkos law has not entirely satisfied the forestry industry in Poland. Currently, the state itself is engaged in a massive logging programme at the Unesco-protected Bialowieza ecosystem, considered to be Europes last primaeval forest. Nearly 10,000 acres of Bialowieza is earmarked for logging. Here, too, protests have abounded; earlier this month, hundreds of writers and artists sent an open letter to the Polish authorities imploring them to stop the assault on Bialowieza.

Protecting the forest by chopping it down

What jumps out at us as we take a closer look at official explanations for the governments decision to log a primaeval forest is how they reproduce the self-contradictions apparent in the discussion of security and its relation to basic rights. In the name of security, citizens in Western democracies are asked to give up their privacy but, upon doing so, become less, rather than more, secure. And, in the name of the health of the forest, Polish people are urged to let go of that very forest.

When it comes to energy and plant life, the ideological epoch and the era of post-truth are in absolute agreement insofar as they are ready to sacrifice the long-term wellbeing of ecosystems and the entire planet for short-term pragmatic concerns. by

Last year, Jadwiga Wisniewska, a member of the European Parliament from the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party stated: We want to save the forest from its false defenders, who would allow the forest to rot away before our eyes.

How is it that the forest is saved through a massive logging program? According to the Polish government, these drastic measures are in order to stem out a bark beetle outbreak, as well as to ensure safety for the roughly 120,000 tourists visiting the forest annually.

Let us put aside for a moment the environmental objections to a plan that is likely to invite more severe beetle outbreaks in whatever remains of Bialowieza and that ignores the capacities of a 9,000-year-old forest to fight infestations and to regenerate itself.

Does the rhetoric of those in power in Poland not reiterate the long-standing mantra of the sacrifices to be accepted for our own good? To protect the forest, we need to chop it down translates seamlessly into To protect our democracy, it is imperative to give up basic democratic rights. Political management reverberates, as though in an echo chamber, with forest management.

The era of post-truth

The stress on public safety is the tip of the iceberg in the analogies between the control and administration of human and natural resources, well beyond the scope of the economic sphere where these terms tend to circulate. The Polish government, like Donald Trump in the US, is spearheading the politics of post-truth, which, in both cases (and despite undeniable differences in national contexts and fine-grained details) boils down to one and the same thing. In their discourse and practices alike, the two regimes have given up on minimal consistency and common sense, previously supplied by ideological means. Post-truth is, at its core, a post-ideology of barefaced lies that neednt bother hide the collusion and, at times, the merging of political and economic powers. Just as Trumps conflicts of interest are rife, so some have accused Szyszko  a former park warden and professor of forestry  of being too close to the logging industry.

IN PICTURES: Fighting to save the last of Canadas giant trees

When Wisniewska spoke out against allowing the forest to rot away, she ignored the cycles of growth and decay, crucial to forest regeneration and sustainability. Even if those trees that are affected by the bark beetle outbreak are now deadwood, their rotting away is essential to the future life of the forest. As early American environmentalist Aldo Leopold was fond of emphasising, what might appear useless to us is absolutely non-negotiable for an ecosystem, or, in his words, for the health of the land.

Far from a personal oversight, Wisniewskas statement encapsulates the position of the Polish government. Szyszko himself has noted that more than 4 million cubic meters of wood are rotting, depreciating, species are dying, habitats are lost. Meanwhile, the local population has nothing to heat their homes with, and must import dirty coal from Belarus. Nonetheless, vegetal rot is not depreciation but appreciation, an enrichment of the soil, welcoming the growth to come. With environmental logic out of the picture, we are left with a choice that is no choice, one where both alternatives are unacceptable: to burn dirty coal from Belarus or the presumably infested Polish wood, petrified plants that died millions of years ago or those that perished yesterday, whether due to a bug infestation or a buzzing chainsaw.

When it comes to energy and plant life, the ideological epoch and the era of post-truth are in agreement insofar as they are ready to sacrifice the long-term wellbeing of ecosystems and the entire planet for short-term pragmatic concerns. The disjunction between the short and the long terms shows that we do not (yet) know what is for our own good, let alone who or what this we is in the interweaving of human existence with the living fabric of the environment.

A similar opacity haunts us as we face the equally fake choice between security and fundamental rights. Opting for either possibility, we lose not the forest for the trees but the forest and the trees. The Polish case is only an extreme literalisation of this dilemma.

Michael Marder is Ikerbasque research professor of philosophy at the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU) in Spain and professor-at-large at the Humanities Institute, Diego Portales University (UDP), in Chile. His latest book is Energy Dreams: Of Actuality (2017).

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Detroit residents against divisive symbol put fire to Confederate flag to raise awareness of the need to fight racism.

Detroit, United States  By Memorial Day evening, after the parades had passed and most of the smoke from barbecues and fireworks had lifted from neighbourhoods across the United States, activists in Detroit were just starting their flag burning.

John Sims held a folded Confederate flag and placed it gently into a pit of flames.

Amen! Yes! spectators responded.

A crowd of people, young and old, black and white, fixed their eyes on the burning nylon as it curled inward, sending up trails of oily smoke. After the reds, whites and blues had blackened, they approached with their own Confederate tinder, tossing paper flag after paper flag into the pit.

The cremation of the Confederate flag ended. Funeral Director John Sims led the not-so-bereaved back inside, where a hip-hop remix of the southern anthem Dixie kicked off the after party. The jovial gatherers mingled and toasted the death of a divisive symbol as old as the country.

It was part of an artistic performance Sims, 49, started 15 years ago, a symbolic banishing of the Confederate flag that has grown more radical, he said, with each injustice suffered by the black community.

We are de-zombifying the flag, he said before the ceremony. The flag should have died with the soldiers on the battlefield.

Making such a controversial statement is certainly in keeping with the American spirit of free speech. But this was Memorial Day  a 150-year-old national holiday in remembrance of soldiers fallen in service to the country  in Detroit, ground zero of racial tensions that 50 years ago this summer spilled over into one of the deadliest riots in the countrys history.

Sims stands a towering 6ft 5in (196cm), plus a few inches of unkempt afro. He wears black-rimmed glasses, and his voice carries like a preachers.

This is a time to think about what the Civil War really means and how the flag, after the war, was co-opted by the Ku Klux Klan and turned into a symbol of terrorism and intimidation, Sims said. Were drawing strength from the protest energy of Detroit  and the pride and capacity of its people to speak up and respond actionably.

READ MORE: Should New Orleans remove its statue of Robert E Lee?

He grew up not far from the site of his latest demonstration, the NNamdi Center for Contemporary Art, which is a few minutes from Rosa Parks Boulevard and Clairmount Avenue, where the 1967 riots broke out.

This was the first time Sims burned the flag in his hometown, a city with the highest concentration of African Americans in the country, according to 2010 census data. While Confederate flags are rare in the area, they can sometimes be spotted on car bumpers or fluttering in the occasional rural front yard. (Since flags can be hard to find in some areas, Sims added to his website (burnandbury.org) downloadable support kits, or paper flags that can be printed and burned.)

To be clear, Sims demonstrations have never been a call to arms, though they can seem antagonistic in nature. They have always been about encouraging discourse, he said, and a source of therapy for black people scared of the flag or looking for closure.

Sims started the ceremony with a recitation of his poem A Blazing Grace, which begins: How bitter the taste  of a wretched past  how dark the spirit  of a lost heart and mind.

More than 70 people attended the mock funeral, and a host of locally acclaimed poets and activists performed in front of the flag laying in rest before them.

Weve come here today to put to rest a symbol thats long passed its time, said Jeff Nelson, a pastor and slam poet.

WATCH: Confederate flag supporters rally in US state

Poet Kim Hunter took up the podium next and asked the audience: Yall ready to burn some stuff? He then recited a poem titled Dicksee, a play on Dixie.

Any hostility in the room was directed towards the flag. Sims has not always been so lucky. The activist has been ridiculed and threatened with death because of his work.

In one of his first protests with the flag, he recoloured it green, black and red  colours of the Pan-African flag  and waved it at a KKK rally down south. The white supremacy group responded by issuing a statement calling him  inaccurately  a racist homosexual and denouncing the desecration of a symbol of white Christian America.

He even lynched the flag in Gettysburg, much to the dismay of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a band of prideful men genealogically connected to the Confederacy.

After white supremacist Dylann Roof murdered nine black people in a church in Charleston, South Carolina, Sims issued an edict for 13 southern states to bury the flag.

Just over the weekend in Portland, Oregon, a man known to authorities as a white supremacist was accused of killing two people who stood up to his racial intimidation of women.

Sims, therefore, believes his message is more urgent than ever and any blowback he receives only stokes the fire of resistance by putting extremists on the defensive, he said. He has no illusions that the flag will disappear, just like he has no intentions to stop burning it.

It is a permanent part of American history, so its important to have counterbalancing rituals that point to the history of racist attitudes in the country, he said.

READ MORE: A history of American lynchings

Ryan Spencer, general manager of Greenfield Village, a history museum complex that produces an annual Civil War re-enactment of more than 780 participants, said to have a grasp on the countrys history, its full story must be told. As such, the Confederate flag is used at the museum in an educational context.

Civil War remembrance comes from a place of mourning, and the country is still trying to come to terms with what happened  the good and the bad, Spencer said. Difficult history is still history. We cant just forget.

Sims said he wants to keep the Memorial Day funeral of the Confederate flag an annual tradition, as a reminder of the ugly things the flag has represented.

I hope the fabric of humanity can mend itself, said activist Monica Lewis-Patrick, so that it makes something far more superior than this flag ever stood for.
UN urges both countries to take action to assure safe passage to 41 Syrian refugees stranded along the border for weeks.

Algeria and Morocco should to take action to assure safe passage to 41 Syrian refugees stranded along the border between both countries for weeks, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Tuesday.

The Syrian refugees, including babies and a pregnant woman in need of medical care, have been stuck on the border since April 17, with Morocco and Algeria trading blame in what resulted in a diplomatic row last month.

There is a sense of urgency in this matter and we call on both governments to take instant and constructive steps to uphold international humanitarian imperatives and evacuate this vulnerable group, the UNHCR said in a statement.

According to Human Rights Watch, the refugees arrived at the border after traveling through Libya and Sudan. The UNHCR said they are in dire circumstances, including exposure to snakes and scorpions in the remote area.

Videos emerged on social media last week showing locals from the border town of Figuig demanding the Moroccan government allow the Syrian refugees in ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, which began last weekend.

Morocco said last month that the Syrians attempted to enter Morocco through Figuig, an area surrounded by mountains, between April 17 and 19. Rabat accused Algeria of forcing them to cross into Morocco.

Algeria rejected the accusations, saying Moroccan officials had tried to dispatch a group of Syrians over the border from Morocco into Algeria.

Some 5,000 Syrians have gone through a migration regulatory process in Morocco, with several hundred receiving refugee status, according to Moroccos ministry of foreign affairs.

The North African neighbours often exchange diplomatic barbs over their 1,500 km land frontier from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sahara Desert. It has been shut since 1994 because of disputes over security.

Morocco and Algeria have had a contentious relationship since independence from France. Border disputes triggered an armed conflict in the 1960s known as the Sand War.

One of their biggest disputes has been over Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, most of which Morocco claimed in 1975. Algeria supports and hosts the Western Saharan independence movement Polisario, a stance that angers Morocco.
The UN is sending a fact-finding team to investigate alleged human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

The UN on Tuesday appointed a three-member team to investigate alleged abuses by security forces against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

The fact-finding mission will be led by prominent Indian lawyer Indira Jaising, Sri Lankan lawyer Radhika Coomaraswamy, and Australian human rights consultant Christopher Dominic Sidoti, according to a statement from the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) on Tuesday.

Myanmars military has been accused of killing and raping Rohingya Muslims, a persecuted minority group, in a crackdown in Northern Rakhine state in western Myanmar last year.

We expect the mission members to meet in Geneva in the coming weeks to determine their initial course of action  the strategy, methodology and fact-finding approach they will employ in discharging their mandate, Rolando Gomez, a HRC spokesperson, told Al Jazeera via email.

The three members will be supported by a team of human rights specialists in Geneva.

The mission will present an oral mandate to the UN in September and a full report in March 2018.

READ MORE: UN to probe alleged crimes against Rohingya in Myanmar

The UN adopted a resolution to set up an independent, international mission in March. It was brought by the European Union and supported by other countries including the US to ensure full accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims.

Some countries including Myanmar, China, India, and Cuba did not support the resolution.

Much to hide

Rohingya Muslims, stripped of their citizenship in 1982, are often referred to as illegal immigrants by Myanmars leaders. About 1.1 million Rohingya are denied citizenship and their movement is severely restricted, with tens of thousands confined to camps in Bangladesh since violence drove them from their homes in 2012 and more recently.

Around 75,000 people have fled Rakhine state since the military began a security operation last October in response to what it claims was an attack by Rohingya armed men on border posts, in which nine police officers were killed.

Myanmar has staunchly opposed a UN Commission of Inquiry into alleged abuses. It is not yet clear if the UN team will be granted access to Rakhine, or even be permitted to land in Myanmar.





As in all such cases, the mission members will make it a priority to reach out to and engage constructively with [Myanmars] government and other relevant interlocutors. It remains the hope of the HRC that the mission will be facilitated by the government through unfettered access to the affected areas, Gomez said.

In February, a UN report, based on interviews with Rohingya refugees, accused Myanmars security forces of carrying out mass rapes and killings, possibility amounting to crimes against humanity.

Minorities all over the world are facing persecution. The situation of the Rohingya community in Myanmar is especially deplorable because they face the risk of a genocide, Indira Jaising, heading the UN mission, told Al Jazeera by telephone.

We are hoping that our recommendations will make an impact and awaken the conscience of the international community, she said.

The UN team will also look into allegations of arbitrary detention, torture and inhuman treatment, enforced disappearances, forced displacement and unlawful destruction of property by security forces, according to the UNs statement.

A widely discredited army-led report on the crackdown published earlier this month found no abuses had been committed.

It is unsurprising that Myanmar has rejected a UN probe. Criminals rarely wish for scrutiny of what they have been doing and what is going on in Myanmar is criminal state-led bloodshed on a gargantuan scale, said Priyamvada Gopal, an author and academic who has written about Rohingya Muslims, via an email to Al Jazeera.

What that does tell us is, of course there is much to hide.
Cyclone Mora kills three people and displaces around 500,000, but Rohingya say they are being ignored in crisis.

Cyclone Mora has battered Bangladesh, killing at least three people and wreaking havoc in camps housing Rohingya refugees.

The tropical storm has forced almost 500,000 people to flee coastal villages.

Packing heavy rain and winds, the storm made landfall between Coxs Bazar and the port city of Chittagong early on Tuesday morning.

Police said a woman and a man were crushed under trees felled by strong winds in Coxs Bazar.

Another woman died of panic, officials said, adding that several thousand houses were damaged in the area, most of them mud-built structures.

Community leaders for some 200,000 Rohingya refugees, many of whom live in flimsy makeshift camps having fled persecution in neighbouring Myanmar, said damage to the camps was extensive and there had been no attempt to evacuate them.

In some places, almost every shanty homemade of tin, bamboo and plastics has been flattened, said Abdul Salam, a Rohingya community leader, adding that around 20,000 houses had been damaged and some residents injured.





Away from the camps, authorities had evacuated more than 449,000 people to some 400 cyclone shelters as the storm approached. They had initially planned to make one million people leave their villages.

We are estimating actual losses, but we dont expect huge casualties, Ali Hossain, Coxs Bazars chief government administrator, said.

Officials in Chittagong reported winds gusting up to 135 kilometres per hour, and said low-lying coastal areas were flooded by a storm surge with two-metre high waves.

Authorities called in all fishing vessels and all flights were suspended to and from airports in Chittagong and Coxs Bazar.

Nobody came

Coxs Bazar has for years been home to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, a stateless minority.

Mohammad Anam, a Rohingya who fled to Bangladesh last year after an outbreak of violence in Myanmar, said there had been no attempt to evacuate the minority community, many of whom are undocumented.

Nobody came to alert or evacuate us. When the storm came we rushed to local schools to take shelter, he told the AFP news agency.

He said some Rohingya had found refuge in local schools and mosques, but thousands had been left without food or shelter.

READ MORE: Flood risk as tropical cyclone forms in Bay of Bengal

Al Jazeeras Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting from Dhaka, said the Rohingya were the most vulnerable as they are unable to go to other parts of the country or nearby towns, nor do they have relatives they can take shelter with.

So its totally up to the government and aid agencies to help them take shelter somewhere, because they are in open air right now and the weather is still quite bad. It is also the month of Ramadan. So many people are fasting.

Many Bangladeshis in coastal areas were in the same situation, he added.

A UN official working with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh told the Reuters news agency that the damage in the camps could not be assessed while the storm was raging.

Heavily pregnant women have been evacuated but most people in areas like Balukhali and Kutupalong makeshift settlements have stayed, said the official, who declined to be identified.

The winds are strong and people there live in flimsy structures, so were worried.

In Myanmar, about 300 houses were damaged in Rakhine State but the extent was unclear, the government said.

Annual storm

The cyclone was expected to weaken in Bangladesh by late morning as it moved inland towards India, where authorities have warned of heavy rain in the northeastern states of Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

It formed after monsoon rains triggered floods and landslides in Sri Lanka, off Indias southern tip, which have killed at least 180 people in recent days, authorities said.

In the eastern Indian state of Bihar, 24 people have been killed in recent days, either by lightning or in collapsed dwellings.

Bangladesh is routinely hit by bad storms between April and December that cause deaths and widespread property damage.

In May last year, Cyclone Roanu hit the southern coast of Bangladesh leaving 20 people dead and forcing half a million to flee their homes.
But since $40bn system was declared ready for combat in 2004, only four of nine intercept attempts have been successful.

The US military scored an important success in a test of its oft-criticised missile-defence programme, destroying a mock warhead over the Pacific Ocean with an interceptor that is key to protecting US territory from a North Korean attack.

Vice Admiral Jim Syring, director of the Pentagon agency in charge of developing the missile-defence system, called the test result an incredible accomplishment and a critical milestone for a programme hampered by setbacks over the years.

This system is vitally important to the defence of our homeland, and this test demonstrates that we have a capable, credible deterrent against a very real threat, Syring said in a statement announcing the test result.

Despite the success, the $244m test didnt confirm that under wartime conditions the US could intercept an intercontinental-range missile fired by North Korea.

OPINION: Is war coming to North Korea?

Pyongyang is understood to be moving closer to the capability of putting a nuclear warhead on such an ICBM and could develop decoys sophisticated enough to trick an interceptor into missing the real warhead.

The most recent intercept test, in June 2014, was successful, but the longer track record is spotty. Since the system was declared ready for potential combat use in 2004, only four of nine intercept attempts have been successful.





Failure on Tuesday could have deepened concern about a programme that, according to one estimate, has so far cost more than $40bn.

John Tierney, executive director of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, told Al Jazeera the missile programme  despite its cost  has a success record of less than 50 percent.

Unfortunately, we need to be aware of a false sense of security here. This programme is nowhere near ready to be relied upon against North Korea or anybody else. This is a baby step, Tierney said.

Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis had said the test was not timed specifically in response to tensions with Pyongyang but in a broad sense, North Korea is one of the reasons why we have this capability.

North Korea says its nuclear and missile programmes are a defence against perceived US military threats.

Its accelerating missile development has complicated Pentagon calculations, most recently by incorporating solid-fuel technology into its rockets. The step would mean even less launch warning time for the United States. Liquid fuel is less stable and rockets using it have to be fueled in the field, a process that takes longer and can be detected by satellites.

Underscoring its uninterrupted efforts, North Korea on Monday fired a short-range ballistic missile that landed in Japans maritime economic zone.

In Tuesdays US test, the Pentagons Missile Defense Agency launched an interceptor rocket from an underground silo at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The target was an intercontinental-range missile fired from a test range on Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific.

According to the plan, two-metre-long kill vehicle released from atop the interceptor zeroed in on the ICBM-like targets mock warhead outside Earths atmosphere and obliterated it by sheer force of impact, the Pentagon said.

READ MORE: North Korea fires missile in third test in three weeks

The target was a custom-made missile meant to simulate an ICBM, meaning it flew faster than missiles used in previous intercept tests, according to Christopher Johnson, the Missile Defense Agencys spokesman. It was not a mock-up of an actual North Korean ICBM, and details of its exact capabilities werent made public.

Officially known as the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, the Pentagon likens the defensive tactic to hitting a bullet with a bullet. With congressional support, the Pentagon is increasing by the end of this year the number of deployed interceptors, based in California and Alaska, to 44 from the current total of 36.

Laura Grego, senior scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, which has criticised the missile defence programme, called the interceptor an advanced prototype, meaning it is not fully matured technologically.

Overall, she wrote in an analysis prior to the test, the military is not even close to demonstrating that the system works in a real-world setting.
Malaysians, Indonesian, and possibly Arabs killed after fierce fight for the southern city of Marawi.

The Philippine military chief says three Malaysians, an Indonesian, and possibly Arab fighters have been killed in a southern city that armed groups planned to burn entirely in an audacious plot to project the lethal influence of ISIL.

General Eduardo Ano told the Associated Press in an interview on Tuesday that the military had made advances in containing the week-long siege of Marawi city. He said a top Filipino fighter is believed to have been killed and the leader of the attack was wounded.

Ano said the group plotted to set Marawi ablaze and kill as many Christians in nearby Iligan city on Ramadan to mimic the violence seen by the world in Syria and Iraq.

The army insists the drawn-out fight is not a true sign of the groups strength, and the military has held back to spare civilians lives.

They are weak, Ano said of the gunmen, speaking at a hospital where wounded soldiers were being treated. Its just a matter of time for us to clear them from all their hiding places.





As of Tuesday morning, he said the military working house-by-house had cleared 70 percent of the city and the remaining fighters were isolated.

Still, the fighters have turned out to be remarkably well-armed and resilient.

Attack helicopters were streaking low over Marawi on Monday, firing rockets at hideouts, as heavily armed soldiers went house to house.

The gunmen have held the Philippine army at bay, burning buildings, taking at least a dozen hostages and sending tens of thousands of residents fleeing.

Ano said Tuesday that the commander, Isnilon Hapilon, is still hiding somewhere in the city. Authorities were working to confirm that another leader had been killed.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the south through mid-July after the fighters went on a deadly rampage in Marawi last week following an unsuccessful military raid to capture Hapilon.

In recent years, small armed groups in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia have begun unifying under the banner of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Jose Calida, the top Philippine prosecutor, said last week that the violence on the large southern island of Mindanao is no longer a rebellion of Filipino citizens.

Rohan Gunaratna, a security expert at Singapores S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said ISIL and the smaller regional groups are working together to show their strength and declare a Philippine province part of the caliphate that ISIL says it created in the Middle East.

READ MORE: Philippines  Hundreds trapped in battle for Marawi

He said the fighting in Marawi, along with smaller battles elsewhere in the southern Philippines, may be precursors to declaring a province, which would be a huge success for the terrorists.

Last week, two suicide bombings in Jakarta, Indonesia, killed three police officers, an attack claimed by ISIL. While Indonesia has been battling local fighters since 2002, the rise of ISIL has breathed new life into those networks and raised concern about the risk of Indonesian fighters returning home from the Middle East.

Analysts have warned that as ISIL is weakened in Syria and Iraq, battered by years of American-led attacks, Mindanao could become a focal point for regional fighters.





Southeast Asian fighters fleeing the Middle East could look to Mindanao to provide temporary refuge as they work their way home, said a report late last year by the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, predicting a high risk of regional violence.

Marawi is regarded as the heartland of the Islamic faith on Mindanao island.

Muslim rebels have been waging a separatist rebellion in the south of the predominantly Roman Catholic nation for decades. The largest armed group dropped its secessionist demands in 1996, when it signed an autonomy deal with the Philippine government. Amid continuing poverty and other social ills, restiveness among minority Muslims has continued.

Hapilon is an Islamic preacher and former commander of the Abu Sayyaf group who pledged allegiance to ISIL in 2014. He now heads an alliance of at least 10 smaller groups, including the Maute.

Acmad Aliponto, a 56-year-old court sheriff who decided not to flee the city, said while the fighters were well-armed, he believes they have little local support, and that the recent violence could turn more people against them.

In the end their relatives and everyday people may be the ones who will kill them, he said. Look at what they did. So many were affected.
Haji Farid, former secretary of groups leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, shot dead by unknown gunmen in Peshawar.

A senior member of the Hezb-i-Islami group in Afghanistan was shot dead in Pakistans northwestern city of Peshawar, members of the group and police confirmed.

Haji Farid, the former spokesperson of Hezb-i-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, was killed on Tuesday by unknown gunmen as he left a mosque near his residence in the Tajabad suburb of Peshawar.

He had just finished his fajr [morning] prayers and was leaving when two gunmen on their motorcycle fired shots at him that killed him on spot, Peshawar police spokesperson told Al Jazeera.

We will conduct a post mortem and have launched an investigation into the murder incident.

Originally from Kunduz, Farid was based in Peshawar for the past decade with his family and actively supported Hekmatyars return to Kabul in early May.

He was a family relative of Hekmatyar, whom he served during the Afghan civil war in the 1990s. The former leader stands accused of firing thousands of rockets into Kabul in the civil war.

READ MORE: Hezb-i-Islamis Hekmatyar to Taliban  Lay down arms

We condemn the attack on Haji Farid and are deeply saddened by the news, Haroon Zakhailwal, a member of Hezb-i-Islami, told Al Jazeera.

Hekmatyars return

Hekmatyars arrival in the capital in early May came after his largely dormant group signed a peace deal with President Ashraf Ghanis government in September.

Following the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan and fall of the Taliban, the US State Department designated him a terrorist, accusing him of taking part in and supporting attacks by al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

But his Hezb-i-Islami armed group has been largely inactive in recent years, with its last big attack in Afghanistan, which killed 15 people  including five Americans  in 2013.

In February, the UN Security Council lifted sanctions on him, which paved the way for his return to Afghanistan.
Two women charged with killing half-brother of North Koreas leader with nerve agent to be tried in high court.

The case of two women charged in Malaysia with killing the estranged half-brother of North Koreas leader was transferred to a higher court on Tuesday, as a defence lawyer complained of not getting all of the documents he had requested.

Indonesian Siti Aishah, 25, and Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam, face the death penalty if convicted of murdering Kim Jong-nam at Kuala Lumpur airport on February 13.

The two women are accused of smearing Kims face with VX nerve agent, a chemical described by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction.

Aishah and Huong have told diplomats from their countries that they were unwitting pawns in what US officials and South Korean intelligence have said was an assassination orchestrated by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

WATCH: North Korea  The Death of Kim Jong-nam

Kim Jong-nam, the eldest son of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, had spoken out publicly against his familys dynastic control of the isolated, nuclear-armed nation.

Aishah and Huong were charged on March 1 but the Sepang district magistrate court had twice deferred prosecutors requests for the case to be moved to a higher court pending collection of documents.

On Tuesday, the district court judge moved the case to the Shah Alam High Court. No date was given for the first High Court hearing but prosecutor Iskandar Ahmad told reporters the court should notify them within a month.

Aishah and Huong were present for the hearing, their third court appearance, both wearing bullet-proof vests.

Aishahs lawyer, Gooi Soon Seng, told the court the police and prosecution had yet to supply the defence with documents and other evidence needed for the case.

The concept of a fair trial demands that all material documents should be supplied to the defence at the earliest opportunity, Gooi said.

Gooi said last month he feared a trial by ambush and said police had not responded to requests to provide evidence such as CCTV recordings and statements from other suspects.

READ MORE: Kim Jong-nam  N Korea accuses US and S Korea of murder

Three North Korean suspects  including a diplomat  were allowed to go home in March, along with the body of Kim Jong-nam, as part of a swap deal with North Korea, which had banned nine Malaysians from leaving there.

Four other North Koreans have been identified by Malaysia as suspects. Malaysian police have said the four left Kuala Lumpur for Pyongyang on the day of the killing.

North Korea has refused to accept the dead man was leader Kim Jong-uns half-brother, and has suggested the victim died of a heart attack. It has accused Malaysia of working with South Korean and other hostile forces.
Kim Jong-un supervised new ballistic missile test and promises to develop more powerful weapons for defence.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has promised bigger gift packages following Pyongyangs latest missile test, a statement that ratchets up already high tensions.

Kim supervised a new ballistic missile test on Monday, controlled by a precision guidance system, and ordered the development of more powerful strategic weapons to defend the country against the US, state media reported.

Kim said the reclusive state would develop more powerful weapons in multiple phases.

He expressed the conviction that it would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send a bigger gift package to the Yankees in retaliation for American military provocation, KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

The missile launched was equipped with an advanced automated pre-launch sequence compared with previous versions of the Hwasong rockets, North Koreas name for its Scud-class missiles, KCNA news agency said on Tuesday.

That indicated the North had launched a modified Scud-class missile, as South Koreas military has said.

The Norths test launch of a short-range ballistic missile landed in the sea off its east coast and was the latest in a fast-paced series of missile tests defying international pressure and threats of more sanctions.

READ MORE: Japan to take action with US after N Korea missile test

South Korea said it had conducted a joint drill with a US supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber on Monday. North Koreas state media earlier accused the US of staging a drill to practise dropping nuclear bombs on the Korean Peninsula.

Drills planned





The US Navy said its aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Carl Vinson, also planned a drill with another US nuclear carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, in waters near the Korean Peninsula.

A US Navy spokesman in South Korea did not give specific timing for the attack groups planned drill.

Florence Looi, reporting from Seoul, said North Korea accused the US and South Korea of military provocation and said this would bring the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war.

South Korean media are also reporting that the [drill] took place just hours after North Korea conducted its missile launch, and reports have said that South Korean fighter jets have also been involved in the exercise. North Korea is not too happy about this, said Looi.

Mondays launch followed two successful tests of medium-to-long-range missiles in as many weeks by the North, which has been conducting such tests at an unprecedented pace in an effort to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the mainland US.

Trump: Norths great disrespect for China

Such launches, and two nuclear tests since January 2016, have been conducted in defiance of US pressure, UN resolutions and the threat of more sanctions.

They also pose one of the greatest security challenges for US President Donald Trump, who portrayed the latest missile test as an affront to China.

North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbour, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile  but China is trying hard! Trump said on Twitter.

READ MORE: Will China intervene in North Korea?

North Korea has claimed major advances with its rapid series of launches, claims that outside experts and officials believe may be at least partially true but are difficult to verify independently.

A South Korean military official said the North fired one missile on Monday, clarifying an earlier assessment that there may have been more than one launch.

The test was aimed at verifying a new type of precision guidance system and the reliability of a new mobile launch vehicle under different operational conditions, KCNA said.

However, South Koreas military and experts questioned the claim because the North had technical constraints, such as a lack of satellites, to operate a terminal-stage missile guidance system properly.
Economy ministry says it seeks to ban the latest Wonder Woman film, because its lead actress is an Israeli.

Lebanons economy ministry says it has asked the countrys security agency to ban the 2017 movie Wonder Woman because its lead actress, Gal Gadot, is an Israeli.

A senior security official says no formal request has been received yet, and that the ban would require a recommendation from a six-ministry-member committee.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to reporters.

Posters of the film have appeared on the streets of Beirut. At least one cinema has an advance screening on Wednesday, including free popcorn for members.

Lebanon is officially at war with Israel and has a decades-old law that boycotts Israeli products and bars Lebanese citizens from travelling or having contact with Israelis.

Supporters of the boycott took to social media to campaign against the movie.

https://twitter.com/boyzinthehoood/status/869278599781724160

@GalGadot you showing your support just shows you are as evil as the Israel army baby killers # boycott #WonderWoman  Zam m (@zam18028526) May 30, 2017



https://twitter.com/nickmlittlejohn/status/719035077926084608

The movie is based on a comic book character introduced in 1941, fighting villains, rescuing victims and unearthing evil plots.

Gal Gadot served in the Israeli army and has railed against Hamas.

The movie triggered controversy last year when the character of Wonder Woman was chosen as an honorary UN ambassador to fight for gender equality.

Tens of thousands of people signed an online petition, saying the fictional character was an inappropriate choice and that its evolution into a scantily clad and curvaceous heroine did not represent gender empowerment.

The United Nations abruptly ended the characters role two months into her appointment.
Former ruler of Panama was held in medically induced coma after brain surgery in March.

Manuel Noriega, Panamas former ruler, has died aged 83, the countrys President, Juan Carlos Varela, announced on Twitter.

Noriega was the countrys military ruler from 1983 to 1989, when he was removed from power by the United States during its invasion of Panama.

The death of Manuel Antonio Noriega closes a chapter in our history; his daughters and their families deserve a burial in peace, Varela said.

Muerte de Manuel A. Noriega cierra un capitulo de nuestra historia; sus hijas y sus familiares merecen un sepelio en paz.  Juan Carlos Varela (@JC_Varela) May 30, 2017

Noriega was held in a medically induced coma after suffering brain haemorrhaging in March. The haemorrhage occurred after Noriega underwent surgery to have a tumour removed from his brain.

During his rule, Noriega initially positioned Panama as a US asset in a region that was becoming increasingly hostile to Washingtons interests.

He was commissioned into the Panama National Guard in 1967, and in 1968 promoted to lieutenant.

Noriega rose swiftly in the armed forces, becoming a key ally of General Omar Torrijos during a military coup in 1968. As the de facto leader from 1968 to 1981, Torrijos relied heavily on Noriegas network of loyal soldiers.

CIA informant

Noriega was soon promoted to head of Panamas secret police, a role which brought him into close contact with the CIA.

The US intelligence agency had a vested interest in protecting the strategic trade route of the Panama Canal, which was under US administration until 1977.

Noriega soon became a regular informant for the Americans and was rewarded with an estimated $320,000, although he claimed at his trial in 1990 he was a prize asset that cost the CIA millions.

Throughout the 1970s, he shook off accusations that he was orchestrating the disappearances of Panamanian opposition figures.

After Torrijoss mysterious death in a plane crash in 1981, the new military ruler, Ruben Dario Paredes del Rio, consolidated Noriegas power base by promoting him as the head of the security services.

Within a short time, power had effectively concentrated in Noriegas hands. In 1983, he succeeded Paredes as the de facto military ruler.

During the Reagan presidency in the 1980s, the US began relying heavily on Noreiga as an ally against Fidel Castros Cuba.

1989 surrender

In 1987, a former chief-of-staff who had worked under Noriega accused his former boss of corruption and electoral fraud, as well as being behind the plane crash in which Torrijos died.

The accusations triggered huge demonstrations in Panama.

Noriega defiantly stayed in power, with critics maintaining that the country had become a hub for Latin Americas drug trade, particularly in helping Colombias powerful Medellin cartel in laundering drug money.

In December 1989, US President George Bush ordered a US marine invasion to topple Noriega, who had become a liability and an embarrassment to US interests.

Noriega sought refuge in the Vaticans diplomatic mission in Panama City.

One US tactic to flush him out was to play deafening music non-stop outside the building. Noriega finally surrendered on January 3, 1990.

Prison terms

Noriega was flown to the US, with prisoner-of-war status, to face charges of drug trafficking, money laundering and racketeering.

In 2007, Noriega completed his 17 years of confinement in a Miami federal jail, but he was not a free man.

After completing his 17-year sentence, Noriega was extradited to France and received a seven-year sentence for money laundering.

But Panama wanted Noriega to return to face in-absentia convictions and two prison terms of 20 years for embezzlement, corruption and murder of opponents, including military commander Moises Giroldi, who led a failed rebellion on October 3, 1989, and Hugo Spadafora, whose decapitated body was found in a mailbag on the border with Costa Rica in 1985.

In mid-2011, France approved his extradition to Panama.

Despite amassing great wealth, Noriega had worked hard to cultivate an image of a man of the people. He lived in a modest, two-storey home in an upper-middle-class neighbourhood in Panama City that stood in stark contrast with the opulent mansions customary among Latin American dictators.

He would only say hello very respectfully, said German Sanchez, who lived next door for 16 years. You may think what you like of Noriega, but we cant say he was anything but respectful toward his neighbours.

The humble, the poor, the blacks, they are the utmost authority, Noriega said in one speech.

Asking for forgiveness

While some resentment lingers over the US invasion, Noriega has so few supporters in modern-day Panama that attempts to auction off his old home attracted no bidders and the government decided to demolish decaying building down.

Late in life, the ex-leader essentially had zero influence over his country from behind bars.

He is not a figure with political possibilities, University of Panama sociologist Raul Leis said in 2008. Even though theres a small sector that yearns for the Noriega era, it is not a representative figure in the country.

Noriega broke a long silence in June 2015 when he made a statement from prison on Panamanian television in which he asked forgiveness of those harmed by his rule.

I feel like as Christians we all have to forgive, he said, reading from a handwritten statement. The Panamanian people have already overcome this period of dictatorship.

But for the most part Noriega stayed mum about elite military and civilian associates who thrived on the corruption that he helped instill and which still plagues the Central American nation of some 3.9 million people, a favoured transshipment point for drugs and a haven for money laundering.

He kept his mouth shut and died for the sins of others, Koster, the biographer, said in a 2014 interview. Nobody else ever went to prison.

Meanwhile, families of more than 100 who were killed or disappeared during his rule are still seeking justice.
Moreno criticises Assange as a hacker but says the WikiLeaks founder can remain at Ecuadorian embassy in London.

Ecuadors new President, Lenin Moreno, has criticised Julian Assange as a hacker, but stressed his government will allow the WikiLeaks founder to remain at the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

Moreno, who took office this month, has broken with his predecessor Rafael Correa, who had said Ecuador had done its duty by granting the Australian asylum in 2012.

Mr Assange is a hacker, Moreno told journalists on Monday. Thats something we reject, and I personally reject.

READ MORE: Five things to know about Julian Assange

He added: But I respect the situation he is in, which calls for respect of his human rights, but we also ask that he respects the situation he is in.

Moreno also called on Assange not to interfere in the internal politics of Ecuador or other countries.

Assange responded on Twitter that he is a journalist and an editor, and accused Moreno of slander.

Who is misadvising @Lenin? Saying that I am not allowed to "talk about the politics of any country" then today slandering me as a "hacker"?  Defend Assange Campaign (@DefendAssange) May 30, 2017

Earlier this month, Swedish prosecutors dropped a seven-year rape allegation against Assange and withdrew the European arrest warrant that had prompted his flight to the embassy and an appeal for asylum.

Assange, who denied the accusations, feared Sweden would hand him over to the US to face prosecution over WikiLeaks publication of thousands of classified military and diplomatic documents in one of the largest information leaks in US history.





Moreno said Assange could continue living in the Ecuadorian embassy because it seems the British government is not going to grant safe passage.

Despite Sweden dropping the rape charges, British police have said they still intend to arrest Assange if he leaves the London embassy, because he had broken his conditions for bail by taking refuge there.

Assange dodged an eviction order in Ecuadors April election after the right-wing candidate who had vowed to kick him out of the embassy lost to Moreno.

Assange wrote on his Twitter account last week that he would publish evidence of corruption in Ecuador if he received it.

He has been under the protection of the Ecuadorian Embassy for almost five years.
Many trees uprooted and debris sent flying dangerously as severe winds whip the Russian capital.

Thunderstorms and strong winds buffeted Moscow and its surrounding areas, killing 11 people and injuring dozens, Russian officials said.

The citys health department said about 50 others, including children, were injured on Monday.

Yulia Ivanova, a spokeswoman for Moscows branch of the Investigative Committee, had earlier reported six deaths, including five people killed on Monday by falling trees and one person who died after being hit by bus stop debris torn off by high winds.

Russian media say scores of people have also been injured around Moscow.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the storm has destroyed hundreds of trees in the Russian capital. The winds also disrupted the train service and delayed dozens of flights at Moscows airports.

A top emergency official added that 60,000 people in Russias Stavropol region are being evacuated because of the threat of flooding.
The detainees will be investigated for undermining the security of the state following months of social unrest.

Moroccan police have arrested 40 people in connection with protest movement that has shaken the countrys northern Rif region for months.

The prosecutor of the northern coastal city of Al-Hoceima said that those held, including protest leader Nasser Zefzafi, would be investigated for undermining the security of the state and other criminal acts.





For its part, the Moroccan Association of Human Rights (AMDH) said on Tuesday it had identified 50 people detained and that the number of arrests continues to rise and had passed 70 across the whole province.

The state bears full responsibility for the consequences of this repressive approach in the face of peaceful demonstrations in support of the legitimate demands of the people, AMDH added.

The Rif region has been shaken by social unrest since the death in October of a fishmonger crushed in a rubbish truck as he protested against the seizure of swordfish caught out of season.

Calls for justice for Mouhcine Fikri, 31, evolved into a grassroots movement, based largely in Al-Hoceima, demanding jobs and economic development.

Protestors have come out on the streets every night since Friday in Al-Hoceima, a city of some 56,000 residents.

On Monday night, more than 2,000 demonstrators shouted slogans such as We are all Zefzafi! while anti-riot police looked on.

The protest ended around midnight without incident. Demonstrations were also reported in two other northern cities, Nador and Tangiers, as well as in Casablanca, Marrakesh and the capital Rabat, where some 300 people took part.

Propaganda activities

Authorities have accused protesters of receiving money and other support from abroad to carry out propaganda activities.

The mainly ethnically Berber Rif region has long had a tense relationship with Moroccos central authorities, and was at the heart of Arab Spring-inspired protests in 2011.

Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit led a large delegation to Al-Hoceima last week, the latest in a series of government trips to the region.

Officials have promised increased support for the local economy, in particular the crucial fishing industry.

Zefzafi, 39, emerged as the leader of the movement by broadcasting passionate speeches online in the local Tarifit dialect from his home or the street, denouncing corruption and dictatorship.
The strongest winds ever leave a trail of devastation, felling trees, tearing off roofs and damaging over 2,000 cars.

At least 16 people have been killed and scores more wounded in a powerful thunderstorm that hit Russias capital Moscow and the adjacent areas, officials said.

The Investigative Committee said in a statement on Tuesday that 11 people in Moscow and five others in the suburbs were killed as high winds and rain ripped through the city on Monday, felling trees, tearing off roofs and damaging more than 2,000 cars.

Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 108 people remain in the hospital. He called the storm unprecedented.

The victims included an 11-year-old girl who was killed in the citys suburb, the states highest investigative agency said in a statement.

We are conducting necessary measures to eliminate the aftermath of the disaster, Sobyanin said on Twitter.

READ MORE: Sri Lanka  Many missing after floods kill 151 people

The Moscow Meteorological referred to the storm as a hurricane and said the winds were the strongest ever recorded in the capital.

The strong winds reached up to 30 metres per second (67 miles per hour), tearing off roofs from more than 200 houses and felling 14,000 trees.

The winds also disrupted the train services around the region and dozens of flights from Moscows airports were delayed.

More than 30,000 municipal workers were still dealing with the aftermath on Tuesday afternoon, Sobyanin said.

Alexei Khripun, head of the Moscow Health Department, said on Tuesday that more than 150 people had applied for medical help.

A top emergency official also said that 60,000 people in Russias Stavropol region are being evacuated because of the threat of flooding.

Similar storms hit Moscow in July last year that left nearly a dozen people injured, damaging more than 100 cars.
Thirteen soldiers are accused of raping five foreign aid workers and killing their local colleague in July 2016 .

Thirteen South Sudanese soldiers accused of raping five foreign aid workers and killing John Gatluak, their local colleague, appeared before a military court on Tuesday, a case seen as a test of the governments ability to put people on trial for war crimes.

The attack, one of the worst on aid workers in South Sudans civil war, took place on July 11, 2016, as President Salva Kiirs troops won a three-day battle in Juba over opposition forces loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar.

Describing the incident, the manager of the Terrain Hotel where the attack happened, Mike Woodward, told the court that between 50 to 100 soldiers arrived in the hotel in the afternoon of July 11 and began looting an hour later.

Five women working with humanitarian organisations were then raped. John Gatluak was shot at 6:15pm, Woodward said.

Peter Malual, the defendants lawyer, dismissed the charges, saying evidence provided by Woodward was not sufficient to prove the allegations.

What I know the area was under operation at the time and rebels were controlling the area, Malual said.

Prosecutors told Reuters the alleged murderers face a minimum of 10 years in jail with a fine paid to the victims family, or a maximum of the death penalty. Those accused of rape face up to 14 years. Court officials said the trial would resume on June 6.

Witnesses told Reuters news agency at the time that armed men attacked the hotel in the capital, Juba, for several hours. Victims phoned UN peacekeepers stationed a mile away and begged for help, but none came, the witnesses said.

READ MORE: Aid workers kidnapped in famine-hit South Sudan

The military head of the UN peacekeeping mission was fired and the political head resigned over the incident.

UN investigators and rights group have frequently accused both the army and rebels of murder, torture and rape since the civil war began in 2013, and say the crimes almost always go unpunished.

The three-year conflict has fractured the country along ethnic lines  Kiir is an ethnic Dinka, Machar is a Nuer  and forced a quarter of the countrys 12 million population to flee their homes.
Private sector was urged to import agricultural and animal products directly from countries of origin, bypassing Egypt.

Sudans cabinet has approved a ban on importing agricultural and animal products from Egypt, according to Sudans state news agency SUNA.

The cabinet on Tuesday urged the private sector to import products directly from countries of origin, bypassing Egypt. No reason was announced for the move.





Ahmed Abu Zeid, the spokesman for Egypts foreign ministry, said Cairo was told the decision was due to a technical procedure.

Sudan banned all Egyptian agricultural goods in March.

Foreign firms have been caught in the crossfire. Saudi Arabias Savola Group has had to re-route much of its Egypt-based sugar output that it usually sells to Sudan. Savola imports raw Brazilian sugar and refines it in Egypt for export.

The volumes going there are about 20,000 tonnes a month, but now, unfortunately, this looks like it will be stopped indefinitely, a source at the company said.

The neighbours have been at odds over issues that include a long-running dispute over land on Egypts southern border with Sudan, as well as trade restrictions and burdensome visa requirements that have threatened commercial relations.

Sudan this month accused Egypt of supporting rebels who it says want to topple the government in Khartoum. Egypts President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi rejected the charge.

Trip cancelled

Sudans Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour was due to visit Egypt this week to discuss the trade dispute and other issues, but the trip was postponed for a week, Abu Zeid told Reuters news agency.

Amany al-Taweel, African affairs expert at the Cairo-based Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, blamed political and other differences for Sudans decision.

Sudans economy was shaken by the 2011 secession of the south, which had been its main oil producing region. With 40 million people, Sudan is half the size of Egypt whose population is 92 million. Egypt also has a much bigger industrial base.

Sudan imported about $591m worth of goods from Egypt in 2016, most of which were food items such as vegetables, fruit and biscuits, Ahmed Hamid, a director at Sudans ministry of international cooperation, has said.
Reconciliation with indigenous people necessary for healing after residential school horrors, Justin Trudeau says.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Pope Francis to visit Canada to apologise to indigenous peoples for the Catholic Churchs treatment of aboriginal children in schools it ran there.

Starting in the late 19th century, about 30 percent of children of Canadas native peoples, or about 150,000 children, were placed in what were known as residential schools in a government attempt to strip them of their traditional cultures and ancestral languages.

For more than a century the schools were government-funded, but many were administered by Christian Churches, the majority by Roman Catholics. Many children were physically and sexually abused.

READ MORE: Canadas dark history of abuse at residential schools





I told him how important it is for Canadians to move forward on real reconciliation with the indigenous peoples and I highlighted how he could help by issuing an apology, Trudeau told reporters after meeting the pope on Monday.

He said he had invited the Argentine-born pontiff to make the apology in Canada.

Canadas Truth and Reconciliation Commission said in a 2015 report that the practice, which kept children from the First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples far from their parents, amounted to cultural genocide.

The commission made 94 recommendations, including that the pope issue a formal apology in Canada to survivors and their descendents for the Churchs role in the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of the children.

Trudeau said in their private talks, the pope reminded me that his entire life has been dedicated to supporting marginalised people in the world, fighting for them, and that he looks forward to working with me and with the Canadian bishops to figure out a path forward together.

Canadian bishops have said the pope might visit next year.

READ MORE: Canada accused of cultural genocide

Trudeau said he and the pope also discussed climate change. Unlike US President Donald Trump, who met the pope last week, Trudeau and Francis agree that climate change is caused by human activity.

We talked about how important it is to highlight the scientific basis of protecting our planet and the moral and ethical obligations to lead, to build a better future for all people on this Earth, Trudeau said.

At last weeks Group of Seven (G7) summit in Sicily, Trump refused to back a landmark international agreement reached in Paris in 2015 to reduce global warming.

Trump said he would decide this week on whether to pull out of the accord, which was backed by his predecessor Barack Obama.

Trudeau, who is Catholic, said he had a deeply personal and wide-ranging, thoughtful conversation with the leader of my own faith.
Curfews were imposed in more than 40 villages in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir early on Tuesday as part of a security operation against the Kurdish Workers Party, or PKK, Turkish officials said.

The curfews in 43 villages in Lice, Hani, Kocakoy and Dicle districts started at 7am local time (04:00 GMT), and will remain in place until further notice, according to a statement by the government office.

Security forces will conduct an operation in the rural areas to neutralise PKK fighters including senior members and their collaborators operating in the region, the statement said.

The operation also aims to destroy PKK bunkers, arms depots, and anti-aircraft gun emplacements, as well as to seize weapons and ammunition.

READ MORE: Turkey  Hundreds detained over alleged links to PKK

More than 1,200 people, including security forces and civilians, have been killed since the PKK resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015, when a ceasefire between the PKK and the state broke down.

The PKK has been designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union and the US.

In February this year, Turkish police detained more than 800 people over alleged links to Kurdish fighters in nationwide operations, according to state media.

The PKK, which was formed in the late 1970s, has been calling for an independent Kurdish state within Turkey. It launched an armed struggle against the Turkish state in 1984 and more than 40,000 people have since been killed in the conflict.
Fifty-nine people have died in the often violent street melees against President Nicolas Maduros government.

Two Venezuelan opposition leaders were among more than a dozen people wounded by security forces dispersing protests in the capital Caracas against President Nicolas Maduro.

Maduros adversaries have for two months been blocking highways and setting up barricades in protests demanding he call early elections and address an increasingly severe economic crisis that has left millions struggling to get enough to eat.

Fifty-nine people have died in the often violent street melees, which Maduro calls an effort to overthrow his government.

We were ambushed, said two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, who accompanied protesters on Monday in an effort to march to the headquarters of the government ombudsmans office, but was blocked by security forces.

This government is capable of killing or burning anything, Capriles said in a press conference.

WATCH: Venezuela: Attorney General slams security forces on deadly force

He said 16 others were injured in the march, adding he would file a complaint about the issue with state prosecutors.

Legislator Jose Olivares, who is a doctor, tweeted a picture of a bruise on Capriles face that he said was the result of a soldier hitting him with a helmet during the clashes.

During the same march, opposition deputy Carlos Paparoni was knocked to the ground by a water cannon sprayed from a truck, requiring he receive stitches in his head, Olivares said.

The Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Almost 100,000 people displaced in Central African Republic in resurgent fighting since the beginning of May.

Resurgent fighting between rival militia in the Central African Republic has displaced at least 88,000 people in the month of May alone, amid further deterioration of security conditions in the country, the UN Agency for Refugees (UNHCR) has said.

The agency said on Tuesday that 68,000 people were internally displaced while more than 20,000 were forced to flee into the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Significant rebel activity on towns along the Congo border as well as rumours of possible attacks are pushing people to flee in the Haute Kotto and Mbomou prefectures inside CAR, Babar Baloch, spokesperson for UNHCR, said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

Over the last three weeks, fighting between Christian and Muslim militias has resulted in displacements within the three prefectures of Bria, Bangassou and Basse-Kotto.

In Bria alone, more than 41,000 people have been displaced. UN officials describe Bria as a ghost town, after a series of raids and attacks over the past week. Most of the displaced are currently sleeping in the open or makeshift shelters.

CAR: Tension high among civilians as violence surges

On Tuesday, the UN released an extensive mapping report covering the multiple incidents of violence in the country between 2003 and 2015.

The report documents some 620 incidents, including horrific accounts of entire villages being burned to the ground in reprisal attacks; multiple accounts of gang rapes of women and girls as young as five and extrajudicial killings, among other serious violations.

The mapping report on the Central African Republic lays bare the staggering suffering of the people of this mineral-rich country which is among the poorest in the world, Zeid Raad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said.

Upsurge in violence

The upsurge in violence in CAR has also pushed civilians across the border into the DR Congos Bas Uele and Ubangi provinces.

At least 20,575 Central Africans have fled over the past two weeks, according to the UNHCR.

On Sunday, Najat Rochdi, Humanitarian Coordinator in the Central African Republic, expressed great concern at the resurgence of violence, atrocities and the violation of human rights with religious and ethnic connotations, committed in the past days.

According to UNOCHA, six women and several children were brutally murdered by armed men because of their religious affiliation over the past week.

Rochdi also warned against international complacency in dealing the crisis.

We must make sure that we do not fall back in those travails because we know the consequences and are concerned by some worrying warning signs.

Humanitarian access to many areas in CAR remains severely restricted as a result of the security situation.

Earlier in May, the medical charity, Doctors without Borders (known by the French acronym, MSF), said in a statement that the fighting was accompanied by attacks on places of worship, businesses and local government buildings associated with one of the warring parties.

These are stirring up ethnic and religious divides in Bria. Those actions are fuelling the cycle of reprisals and attacks against civilians that broke out in the east of the country months ago, MSF said.

The CAR has been embroiled in a cycle of violence since March 2013, when Muslim-led Seleka rebels seized power, triggering reprisals by Christian Anti-Balaka militias.

The Seleka and other groups have since splintered, and this resulted in further violence. The election in March 2016 of President Faustin-Archange Touadera had raised hopes of reconciliation, but little has changed.

More than 40 percent of children are suffering from chronic malnutrition, one in seven will die before they turn five, and a third are out of school, according to figures from UNICEF.

The countrys humanitarian response plan for 2017 has only been 12 percent funded  $47m of a requested $400m  to date, as the UNs Financial Tracking Service (FTS) shows.

There are 503,600 internally displaced persons in the CAR. Prior to the latest displacements, there were 102,600 Central African refugees registered in the Congo.
After years of hostility between the countries, Ethiopias new prime minister explains why he is willing to start talks.

The Horn of Africa is one of the most important strategic locations in the world. Control the area, and you control the Red Sea, critical for global trade connecting Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

But border disputes between regional arch-rivals Eritrea and Ethiopia  which have been running ever since Eritrea broke free from Ethiopia in 1991  threaten the stability of the area.

Eritrea won independence from Ethiopia after a 30-year struggle that is considered to be among the continents longest and most bitter.

The animosity between the two sides frequently spills over into neighbouring countries like Somalia and Kenya.

No Ethiopian leader has held talks with Isaias Afewerki, the Eritrean president, since the end of their bitter border war in 2000, during which at least 70,000 people died.



That is, until now.

Hailemariam Desalegn, the new Ethiopian prime minister who has been in office for only three months, says he is willing to talk to the Eritrean president.

In an exclusive interview with Talk to Al Jazeera he explains: If you ask me Do you want to go to Asmara [the Eritrean capital] and sit down and negotiate with Isaias Afewerki?, then I will say yes.

When asked if there was a real opportunity to forge closer links between the two countries following the death of Meles Zenawi, the former Ethiopian prime minister, in August, Desalegn answered: My predecessor Meles Zenawi had asked for more than 50 times even to go to Asmara and to negotiate with Isaias Afewerki.

The most important thing for us is fighting poverty. The most important thing for us is having regional integration. If we two, we do that, it will be much more productive.

Desalegn also talks about how he plans to move Ethiopia and the region forward.
City officials and community members celebrated the groundbreaking of southwest Gainesvilles first affordable early childhood education center last week.

The CHILD Center, which stands for Childrens Health, Imagination, Learning and Discovery, is expected to open in spring 2018. The Southwest Advocacy Group (SWAG), an organization founded in 2010 to improve access to necessary and sustainable services for families in southwest Gainesville, played a large role in securing and fundraising for the new center, located at 820 SW 62nd Terrace.

Dorothy Thomas, a SWAG co-chair, said the concept for the CHILD Center was developed from the need to comprehensively provide for children in southwest Gainesville.

The new centers construction will be supported by O2B Kids, a child care provider serving as the facilitys operations team, as well as UFs Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies.

By starting with children and getting them on track from the time they are little, you are helping their parents become their best teachers, Thomas said.

Herman Knopf, a scientist at UFs Anita Zucker Center, said his research in high-quality education services shows the need for services that maximize the childrens potential while supporting working parents.

By partnering with a lot of other local organizations, we are able to layer together programs and leverage funding so that we can offer truly high-quality services, he said.

At little to no cost, the center will offer enrollment to about 50 children whose parents want to find a job or go back to school and need a safe and reliable place for their children to learn, Knopf said.

In order to enroll in the new center, families must meet the guidelines set by programs such as Head Start, a federally funded program, and the Florida School Readiness program, which will provide funding for the center.

Families unable to enroll their children in the center can take classes at the SWAG Family Resource center, located at 807 SW 64th Terrace, to learn about the components of high-quality education, Knopf said. These components include a reasonable student-teacher ratio, engaged children and one-on-one interactions between students and teachers.

What were trying to do is create a hub of services so that it is a more streamlined process, Knopf said.

Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe was one of many to express excitement regarding the center at a groundbreaking ceremony May 25.

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This center is just the next evolution in creating a full set of wrap-around services for the residents of SWAG, Poe said.
Gainesville has the highest cost of internet in the state of Florida.

On Thursday, in an effort to change that, the City Commission voted to create a new subcommittee dedicated to expanding affordable, high-speed broadband internet to Gainesville residents.

Expensive internet access  and the high percentage of residents still without it  made this subcommittee a necessity, said Bryan Eastman, the co-founder of Connected Gainesville, an advocacy group attempting to expand internet in the community.

Eastman said high costs, alongside other factors, are preventing about 15 percent of Alachua County residents from accessing the internet.

Were living in the 21st century, where we connect to the world through the internet, Eastman said. We need it for jobs, we need it for education, we need it just so we can keep up with the rest of the world.

Connected Gainesville conducted a study to highlight the issues surrounding the lack of internet access in the city, Eastman said. According to the results, accessing broadband internet in Gainesville costs $1, 055.76 a year. Additionally, according to a Pew Research study, about 44 percent of U.S. adults believe the government should provide broadband subsidies for low-income Americans.

I hope the city moves forward on this and makes a bold action that will make it so we can have affordable internet access for everyone in our area, Eastman said.

District 4 City Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos will serve on the subcommittee alongside District 2 City Commissioner Harvey Ward and District 3 City Commissioner David Arreola. Hayes-Santos said his main focus on the subcommittee will be to explore options on how to lower the cost of internet.

A lot of people in our community cant even afford (the internet), Hayes-Santos said. In todays day and age, internet is not a luxury  it is a necessity.

He said the commission has been looking into this issue for about a year now. He added that hes hopeful the cost of internet will decrease in the near future so more residents can afford and access it.

I think were going to be able to take real steps, Hayes-Santos said.

Contact Catie Wegman at cwegman@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter: @catie_wegman

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UF ranked No. 6 on The New York Times third annual Top Colleges Doing the Most for the American Dream.

The Times created these rankings based on a combination of the number of lower- and middle-income students a college enrolls and the price it charges these students.

UF spokesperson Steve Orlando said this ranking could be attributed to UFs Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars program.

Created in 2006, he said the FOS is designed to pay all expenses for first-generation college students with annual household incomes of $40,000 or less.

Orlando said nearly 2,000 FOS students have graduated since the program started.

I think the ranking sends a strong message to those students and their families that UF is a place where they are welcome and where they will find the financial assistance and support they need, he wrote in an email.

Orlando said a little more than 25 percent of the roughly 6,800 freshmen admitted in 2015 received Pell Grants, which is federal government money given to students who need help paying for college.

Orlando also added that UF students who received Pell Grants in 2009 had a six year overall graduation rate of 87 percent.

Meagan McBride, a 20-year-old UF interior design junior, said as a student who relies on financial support, she is grateful to always have the help of the university.

Its amazing that UF is so understanding about different financial backgrounds, she said.

Contact Catie Wegman at cwegman@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter: @catie_wegman.

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History is written into our education, and it cannot be erased  Im looking at you, Old Joe supporters. White privilege is taught, and thats not just in the U.S. Im half white  my mother is the last generation in her Portuguese family. But racists, white supremacists or really any other person who doesnt ask wouldnt know that. I wear my colors proudly, and I have consequently been taught from birth that this skin color defines me.

Whiteness will continuously try to overpower my colored experiences and identities with the one bad apple talking point, so they should probably be reminded that systemic racism is prevalent not because there was one bad apple, but because there was a bad seed. Supporting a cause and being an ally retracts some meaning when one feels offended by another persons experience, because it calls out systemic racism that has existed long before any of us were even alive.

Its important for people to become allies. Intersectionality (also known as the opposition of discrimination of multiple identities no matter ones race, sex, gender, orientation, class, etc.) uncovers the fact that at any given time, a person is more subject to discrimination the further they are from being a white male. In these changing times, and in a southern county that went blue last November, it is great to know how many people support different causes, and every day I learn of other experiences beyond my scope of privilege.

What has prompted me to speak on this matter? Like any other angry, man-hating woman who gets labeled as such for speaking out, I am motivated to stand up because of the series of contemporary events that affect those who are often unable to be heard because their privilege is incomparable.

This isnt about white people; this is about whiteness.

This is about whiteness like Taylor Swifts  a rich, female celebrity  who is privileged enough because she can afford (in all senses of the word) not to attend the Womens March on Washington and get by with a simple tweet in support. This is about whiteness like James Charles  the first male CoverGirl brand ambassador  who is privileged enough to make a joke relating the entirety of Africa to the Ebola virus. This is about whiteness like President Donald Trumps, a politician who got to where he is because his hate preached to privilege that sees color from one election to the next. Weve come full circle.

The history Old Joe represents is one claimed to be stemming from southern pride, although I know many Floridians who are proud of their dwelling and taste something sour at the thought of being considered hailing from the Confederacy. It is clear that cities like Gainesville have outgrown the old pride that involved creating an economy from the exploitation and utter dehumanization of people, beginning with slavery and the centuries of systemic racism to follow. The way that some speak over others is entirely unacceptable, and it absolutely stems from privilege.

While the previous examples hit home in the U.S., privilege wont always quite understand that whiteness is the foundation for many things in many parts of the world.

As I grew up watching telenovelas on Univision, the only Hispanic channel available in Illinois, it became evident that white actors were chosen for every role that owned la hacienda (the plantation). The indigenous actor wore a knit shawl, a straw hat and had their black hair tied up. Bollywood sees predominantly light-skinned lead performers, and light skin over dark skin has become part of an assessment when it comes to romance throughout different cultures.

Speaking over another experience is the premise of privilege. Learning to support and not oppress can become bigger than it is.

Karla Arboleda is a journalism and international studies senior at UF. Her column appears on Tuesdays.

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President Donald Trump took his first trip abroad last week and gave his first international speech in front of a coalition of more than 50 Muslim-majority countries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Many Americans voiced concern about how Trump would be received abroad, especially in the Middle East, because of his notoriously harsh campaign rhetoric. The warm reception for his speech should alleviate those concerns. Overall, the speech sent a clear message to these countries  and the world  that the foreign policy of the U.S. is going to be entirely different than it was under former President Barack Obama.

Fortunately, Trump seems to have learned from the foreign policy blunders of the Obama presidency, which unquestionably left nearly every corner of the globe more unstable than it was before (from the South China Sea, to the Middle East, to Russia, to North Korea). Instead of starting off his relationship with the Arab world with an apology tour like his predecessor, Trump made it clear that the U.S. will be apologizing to no one.

Instead of lecturing the crowd on his interpretation of history and dancing around the issue of radicalization, Trump got straight to the point. He vowed that he would provide whatever support is necessary for Middle Eastern countries to stamp out extremism. Trump pointed out that more than 95 percent of the victims of terrorism are themselves Muslim, but he reassured Muslim leaders that this evil can be overcome. Trump also cautioned that the nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them.

This is a clear shift from the Obama policy. Trump is a strong proponent of individual responsibility; he believes the Middle East can lead the fight against radicalization. This change in policy will hold other governments more accountable and implore them to take whatever action they view necessary to eliminate terrorism, which will hopefully produce results that make not only Muslim-majority countries more secure, but the rest of the world as well.

Perhaps the greatest shift in policy is with Iran. Obama made continuous efforts to mend this historically troubled relationship, even going as far as lifting economic sanctions in exchange for international monitoring of its nuclear program. At a glance, it seemed like this policy might produce results, but anyone who knows Iran should have realized this was going to be a serious mistake. Secretly delivering pallets of cash to the largest state sponsor of terrorism, whose leaders continue to chant death to America while developing intercontinental ballistic missiles, now looks misguided, at least to everyone except Obama.

Trump called out Iran, exclaiming that ,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. Many experts believe that Iran poses the single greatest threat to American security. It is refreshing to see a president who actually puts the countrys interests first, at home and abroad, instead of pandering to whatever audience is in front of him.

Hopefully, this shift in foreign policy will begin to restore the stability, which was effectively destroyed over the past eight years, that comes with effective American leadership abroad. This may actually be a change we can believe in.

Jack Story is UF political science graduate. His column appears on Tuesdays.

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The goal of terrorism is clear. Just as their name suggests, terrorists want us  those living in the free world  to live in a state of constant terror. They want us to question whether its safe to do things like travel, go to work or go to a concert. The simple liberties we take for granted each day are what they are after.

After the bombing in Manchester, England, last week, the world felt helpless. Twenty-two innocent concertgoers lost their lives. Fifty-nine were injured. Fear-stricken solacers began to mourn for those they had never met, and the world fell into a unified depression.

Not shortly after the bomb went off and news broke about the horrific calamity in Manchester, people ran to social media to express their remorse. Social media became a coping mechanism people used to make sense of the attack. This tendency isnt exactly a new one.

After the attack in Paris last year, people added frames to their Facebook profile pictures that read Prieres pour Paris, which translates to Prayers for Paris. After the Orlando shooting last summer, #OrlandoStrong trended on every form of social media. After the most recent attack, we all stood with Manchester on Twitter, Facebook and every other form of social media to show we are grieving in solidarity with those who lost loved ones in the attack.

Although it appears as though social media has given the world a unique opportunity to stand in solidarity with strangers across the world, we fear that social media campaigns after terrorist attacks are actually doing more harm than good when it comes to battling terrorists.

As noted before, the goal of terrorism is not to annihilate a group of people. The goal of terrorism is to impact a group of people. To take away their freedom to live a carefree life and a life free of fear. When the internet explodes with social media posts about how devastating an attack was, the terrorists win.

When we express our sorrows, fears and utter disgust for acts of terrorism, we are practically giving the terrorists the ego boost they need to keep attacking us. This isnt to say, of course, that you shouldnt feel sad, hurt, angry or otherwise morose when news of a terrorist attack breaks. These attacks are demented, chilling and heartbreaking. Feeling this way is only natural.

What we suggest, however, is that instead of posting on social media to cope with your emotions after an attack, you find out what you can do to really help those who were impacted.

After the Orlando shooting, people donated blood to ensure those wounded would be able to live. After the Manchester bombing, strangers used social media with purpose when generous locals started #RoomForManchester and offered bewildered concertgoers a place to stay after the concert ended in catastrophe.

What the world needs after a terrorist attack is not another social media campaign. What the world needs is generous people, willing to do what they can to help those affected. Showing terrorists that we can survive past their attacks and come out stronger shows the free world in a different light. We no longer look like a mourning, defeated and sad society. We look instead like a society of robust and resilient individuals.

What we urge you to do, dear reader, is to think before you post. Think about whether what you say colors you a victim or paints you a buoyant hero. Think if what you say will let the terrorists win.

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The recent removal of Confederate memorials from the City of New Orleans was greeted with applause by some and tears from others. Many Confederate monuments across the country are at risk. It is important to examine why this is happening, determine the logical conclusion, and ascertain whether or not the erasure and whitewashing of our history is the best path for our troubled but great country.

The Lost Cause concept which was entrenched in American historical memory by Confederate memoirists, sympathetic historians, and apologists for over one hundred years has collapsed. This idea held that slavery was not the essential cause of the Civil War and that the Souths "peculiar institution" played a small role, if any, in the coming of the war. The delegitimization and fall of the Lost Cause idea is the most significant consequence of the recent Civil War sesquicentennial

It is incontrovertible that slavery was the essential cause of the war. This was affirmed by Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens in his famous Cornerstone speech of March 21, 1861. Referring to the new Confederate Constitution, Stephens said:

The new constitution has put at rest, forever, all the agitating questions relating to our peculiar institution -- African slavery as it exists amongst us -- the proper status of the negro in our form of civilization. This was the immediate cause of the late rupture and present revolution. Jefferson in his forecast, had anticipated this, as the rock upon which the old Union would split. He was right. What was conjecture with him, is now a realized fact.

Almost all of the Ordnances of Secession cite the protection of slavery as one of numerous reasons justifying secession of the state.

Just after the sesquicentennial, June 17, 2015, a psychotic racist killer committed an atrocity at a black church in Charleston, South Carolina during which nine innocent people were murdered. The killers social media posts showed him posing with the Confederate battle flag.

Horrified and shocked at the barbaric crime in Charleston, the country turned in grief and anger against Confederate symbolism and monuments.

In December, 2015, the mayor of New Orleans declared that three Confederate monuments, including the statue of Robert E. Lee prominently displayed on a 100-foot pedestal in Lee Circle near the National World War II museum would all be removed. The City of New Orleans Ordinance of Removal dated December 1, 2015 accurately asserts that the Confederate monuments honor, praise, or foster ideologies which are in conflict with the requirements of equal protection for citizens as provided by the constitution and laws of the United States, the state, or the laws of the city and suggests the supremacy of one ethnic, religious, or racial group over another.

That Lee, Beauregard, and Jefferson Davis were slaveholders and defenders of slavery, not that they were secessionists and rebels, are the issues cited by the New Orleans removal order.

As the Lee statue was taken off its pedestal on the 19th of May, 2017, this growing movement to hold those associated with slavery accountable has not abated. That slavery was ubiquitous in the South and protected by the Constitution until the Civil War presents a dangerous problem, and puts us as a country on a dark road of revisionism and the eradication of important though unpleasant aspects of our history.

Thomas Jefferson owned slaves at Monticello, Washington at Mount Vernon, Jackson at the Hermitage; many more are also guilty. The New Orleans Order of Removal has a logical conclusion that should alarm all Americans. If Lee must go because of his association with slavery, so then must Andrew Jacksons statue in Jackson square in New Orleans French Quarter. Then, attention must fall on Jefferson, and Washington and many others.

Will Monticello and Mount Vernon and the Hermitage be shuttered as mere monuments to slavery? It is a disturbing thought and logically not inconsistent with the road of history destruction, denialism, ignorance, and generational tyranny that we are on as a nation.

Jefferson believed that the earth belongs in usufruct to the living and that the living generation owed little or nothing to the past. This is an extraordinarily radical view, rejected by James Madison and John Adams (and many others) and one that now provides a justification to the present generation to remake society in whatever way they wish. It is a kind of generational tyranny.

That Jeffersons conflicted and troubling legacy would be completely overturned and deconstructed so that he becomes now only a slaveholder requiring just retribution and accountability from the current politically correct generation would be an ultimate irony.

Refighting the Civil War, and eliminating the complexities from our conflicted and sometimes unpleasant national history is a terrible mistake whose consequences for us and the future will be catastrophic.

After the Civil War there was a period of reconciliation and forgiveness. Robert E. Lee himself was finally restored to citizenship in 1975 (his application for reinstatement had been unknown and lost since 1865). To officially mark the fact that the country was properly reunited, and that former Confederates were forgiven and back in the national fold, the U.S. Army named numerous posts after Confederate generals including: Forts Benning, Bragg, Gordon, A.P. Hill, Hood, Lee, Pickett, and Polk.

Jeffersons view of the (temporary) authority of the present living generation must be answered. While it is so that the living generation owns the world by default  there are checks and balances on what it can or should do, some of them written and designed by Jefferson himself.

There must be no tyranny of the living so that our past, difficult as it is sometimes to understand and accept, will not be expunged and lost. We owe this to our forebears and to ourselves to face our past not delete it; and we owe this to the future so that all can learn the lessons of history.

In September, 1870 shortly before his death, Robert E Lee wrote this in a letter:

The truth is this: The march of Providence is so slow, and our desires so impatient; the work of progress is so immense and our means of aiding it so feeble; the life of humanity is so long, that of the individual so brief, that we often see only the ebb of the advancing wave and are thus discouraged. It is history that teaches us to hope.

Our troubled history requires that we become expert at uniting contradictions. The war is over, the country is reunited, and Confederate history is American history. We can be ashamed and proud at the same time  we have no alternative. We are obligated to learn as best we can the sometimes painful lessons of our history. This is the only response that is honest, honorable, and accurate to our past and to ourselves.

Daniel Mallock is an historian, analyst, and author. His first book is Agony and Eloquence: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and a World of Revolution.
Last week Hillary Clinton reprised her notorious Wellesley graduation speech with another graceless graduation day speech at her alma mater. In her latest effort, the losing candidate in the 2016 presidential election continued her Sore Loser narrative that began the day after the November 8 election, and launched damp squib after damp squib at the president.

Honestly, I dont know what Hillary Clinton thinks she is doing with all this resistance talk, and the foolish idea, told to New York magazine, that she beat both of them, Sanders and Trump.

I suppose that what with all their postmodern prattle that Democrats these days dont study political science, dont study history and dont study Germans like Clausewitz. All they do, one supposes, is go to seminars on Alinskys Rules for Radicals, courtesy of the Catholic Church, and spend their lives organizing and resisting.

Lets go to the German. Clausewitzs most famous aphorism is that War is a mere continuation of politics by other means. You German scholars will be anxious to see the quote in the original German: Der Krieg ist eine bloe Fortsetzung der Politik mit anderen Mitteln." Interestingly, bloe means naked as well as mere, so go figure.

Let us boil Clausewitz down further: politics is a show of force; war is actual force.

This means that all the words and the actions of domestic politics are really shows of force. In this view, an election is a sham war, in which the decision goes to the side that wins the sham battle on Election Day.

In the old days, especially after a Democratic victory, the mainstream media would spend about two months arguing how we are all Americans and how we all come together after the election.

This process would start with the concession speech by the losing candidate on election night.

The reason for conceding elections and dialing down the partisan rhetoric for a year or so after a big presidential election is that the point of politics is to avoid civil war, and win with shows of force instead of actual force. We have a good old set-to in the months leading up to the election and then we send all the political soldiers home. We ratify, in other words, a peace treaty between the Ins and the Outs, the Wes and the Theys, until next time.

You will notice that the Democrats and the mainstream media have been dispensing with this sort of thing of late. In 2000 Al Gore conceded the election and then unconceded it. And after the U.S. Supreme Court had selected Bush, Al Gore continued to unconcede the election. No peace treaty. That is why Volvos and Subarus and Priuses all over North Seattle sported ReDefeat Bush bumper stickers for years after 2000.

And Hillary Clinton, who is no less a fool and a knave than Al Gore, has gone along with all this resistance stuff. I do not know why she has done this, but I do know that she is a fool and a knave for not conceding and not telling her supporters to go home.

I get what the Democrats think they are doing. It is tactics, getting in the face of the opposition, per Alinsky, as in sending protesters to the home of FCC chairman Ajit Pai.

But what is the strategy? What is the big picture that justifies these tactics of confrontation?

Well, we know the liberals big picture. It is, as Martin Luther King said, and Barack Obama repeats, that the arc of history is long, but it bends towards justice.

But todays escalation of political partisanship is just escalating the political heat, and it leads to civil war, a civil war, liberals, that you would likely lose.

We like to crow that the Civil War freed the slaves. But ten years after the war the victorious North abandoned the freedmen to the tender mercies of the KKK and Jim Crow in a crooked deal over the 1876 election. So the 800,000 died for another century of segregation and oppression?

I am coming to believe that there is no such thing as justice: only injustice, the clunking fist of the ruling class upon the supporters of the losing side.

In my view, the measure of a man is not what he believes at the end of the rainbow of justice, but what he is willing to concede to the other side in the spirit of good will, right now.

Obviously, there is not much good will in a political party that calls out the Other as racist sexist deplorables.

The problem is that two can play at that game and it merely leads to politics by other means.

And the Hillary Clintons and the media are no better than the generals that liberals tell us are always fighting the last war.

Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also see his American Manifesto and get his Road to the Middle Class.
The stupid party did not get its nickname because of its smashing successes. And right now, its stupider than ever. Its a party steeped in Stockholm Syndrome, a party performing a version of assisted suicide. Live. Not only on Facebook, but on every major media outlet.

The GOP has been handed a golden opportunity to reshape our nation. Its base has risen up to give them majorities in both houses, along with a president who has an extraordinary agenda. They could transform America to being great again, simultaneously transforming the GOP from being known as the stupid party, to the party that made America shine. That tide to greatness is here, it can still be taken, but the boat will not sail if they choose timidity and fecklessness.

What is stopping them from taking this tide? Distraction, ego (#nevertrumpism), and timidity. 'Tis a foul brew of self-delusion.

Distraction

Some birds, when confronted by an intruder, will hop away from their nests feigning to have a hurt wing, enticing the intruder to follow them away from the nest. Once you know whats happening, you can laugh as they perform the broken wing trick.

Can the GOP stop falling for the Democrats' version of a bird faking injury? Republicans have spent tremendous time and resources on the inane hunt for Russia hacking the election and proving the Trump administration as Putin puppets. Its simply shameful. What a waste of political capital. The Republicans have never been good at investigations. The Democrats managed to make their genuinely moronic narrative stick with their insane base, while Republicans looked like kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar. The media will never report fairly, they will never like Republicans, they will never stop calling them racists, cold hearted, homophobic xenophobes. So why not simply go on with the business the GOP was elected for?

Unless they can start scoring some real points against this flim-flam (unlikely), they should ridicule this snipe hunt. The left doesnt want debate, it wants diversion. It doessnt want the truth, it wants a political scorched earth at any cost. Republicans: Dont go there. Your rejoinder: Produce evidence, or shut up or Youre making delusional fools of yourselves, or any number of other lines. Laugh at their preposterousness. Laugh at them, because they deserve it. Ridicule them, then move on to the legislative agenda promised. Its the right thing. Ignore the shrieking birds, theyre just a distraction.

Ego

GOP: Can you all get over being humiliated by a non-politician? Can your bruised feelings be let go? Sure, Trump did some dirty tricks. But you did more. Yes, he exposed your laziness, low energy, and poor thinking. But in this, he did you a favor. Your voting base already saw most of what he pointed out, and frankly, if not for his campaign, many of you would have lost your seats. So regroup. Man or woman up, and do what some of you pledged for many election cycles. Enact the agenda you promised, stop the silly, petulant, bruised ego thing. It makes you look foolish. Take a page from Scott Walker. He let it go, hes behind the agenda, he knows the stakes. And hes become stronger for it.

And those #neverrumpers egos? How wrong and stupid they look now. #nevertrumpers look more vapid and silly than cartoon caricatures. They were all wrong. If we had listened to them we would have another Sonia Sotomayor tilting the Supreme Court forever leftward. Wed have a government under Hillary Clinton pushing us towards the corruption and climate of Venezuela. A few #nevertrumpers have come to their senses and should be welcomed back, but most are still carping like the left. Dont listen. They proved their worthlessness, and their stupidity. Tune them out. Turn them out. Get back to the agenda you were sent to Washington to enact.

Timidity

That terrible virus injected into the GOP (*cough*, Bush family, *cough*) will insure their own defeat. Does no one remember 2006? When the GOP lost their majority in a wave election? When the GOP voters let them die because of the GOPs feckless timidity and collusion with the Democrats? Well, look it up. That 2006 group did it to themselves, and its a lesson the GOP should relearn quickly.

When you have majorities in both houses and a president, you are expected to deliver on what you promised voters. Far and away, Trumps agenda is what the GOP Congress-critters promised to do if elected. Its the agenda their voters want. These promises have been the same since 2010. If the GOP wants to avoid the debacle of 2006, it had better change course, and work feverishly to get this agenda passed. If it doesnt, it will be crushed in another wave election of its own making.

The first and most noble reason to keep their promises is that the agenda is great. One that will transform America away from the bitter, nasty, awful results of the Obama years. Those policy failures are something that has America as we know it in the crosshairs. Obamas agenda will bring more pain, ugliness, and failure, a trajectory perhaps as tragic as Venezuela. The media not reporting these failures does not make them any less awful. Change to economic strength, the strength to win against radical Islam, the strength of protecting America from illegal immigration, unleashing energy independence; changing the whole Obama agenda is a wonderful transformation. For that alone, the GOP congress needs to do what was promised.

Intimidation from the left and their media enforcers has to be ignored. No matter what, they will hate Republicans, no matter what they want to defeat the center-right. They are an arm of the democrat party and need to stop being listened to. Likewise, the violent intimidation of the leftist brown shirts. Many of them are paid, while the others hate Republicans; voting against them even if Republicans break their promise and dont follow through on the agenda that elected them. All of them will still call the GOP those bad names ad nauseum. Ignore the noise, its just putting Republicans in jeopardy of being abandoned by their voters for non-action.

The second good reason for the GOP Congress to get moving is simple. Your majority will evaporate if promises are not kept. Weaseling will not work. Let the democrats be the weasels, thats their MO. The center-right base will abandon you in 2018 if the agenda is not passed. Dont act like slime merchants, or halfheartedly. Oh dang, we just couldnt do it. won't cut it. If GOP members value their jobs, stop the timidity, stop listening to #neverrumpers and those moronic advisors who say to play it safe.

The Senate has an election that puts more Democrat seats in play than have been in decades. Thats a lifetime opportunity. Its an election that could give the GOP a sixty-vote majority for the first time in memory. Yes, there are a few (Rs) that cause problems. Too bad the states of Arizona and South Carolina, along with some others, did not get rid of those problems. But I digress. If the Senate would pass the big agenda, if it unified and stopped the nonsense, the ego issues and timidity, they would steamroll to a 60-vote majority.

Suggestion. GOP: Stop. Regroup. Unify. Pass the big agenda. ASAP. If you do, you will have done a wonderful thing. If you dont, you will not only be responsible for the further ruin and division of America, you will also lose. A perfect twofer as the stupid party.

GOP: Do what your voters expect. Do what is right. Pass the agenda. Now. Otherwise, youre in the dustbin of history.
One of the most remarkable commentaries on Salman Abedis terrorist attack in Manchester came from Shashank Joshi, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank: Its very well known that misogyny is deeply rooted in the radical Islamist worldview, said Joshi (quoted in the Washington Post, May 23, 2017). The terrorism expert thinks that it is no coincidence that on the stage was Ariana Grande, the 23-year-old U.S. megastar whose lyrics champion female power. Grande presents herself as Dangerous Woman and one of her greatest hits is Dont need permission. This is a clear reference to ideology as a motivating factor in terrorist attacks, something that is usually shunned in articles on terrorism in mainstream media. It is not impossible, though, that one of the consequences of Mr. Trump to the Middle East will be a paradigm shift in the way we look at terrorism.

For the sake of clarity it may be helpful to distinguish between three approaches to contemporary terrorism.

The first position is the most extreme political incorrect one. This goes as follows: Islam is not a religion of peace, but a religion of war. Its prophet is a warlord, not some sort of Jesus-like Woodstock type. Islam has to be conquered the way communism was conquered. We need a cold war with Islam, as the murdered Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn (1948-2002) said fifteen years ago. In our time this position is defended by Robert Spencer in the USA, Anne-Marie Delcambre in France ( 2016), Geert Wilders in the Netherlands, and Oriana Fallaci in Italy ( 2006). Among governing politicians it finds no support, at least not yet.

Not yet, because politicians like Wilders and Marine Le Pen do not represent the biggest factions in their countries, but they gain adherents every year, and they are now almost as big as the mainstream parties. So this can change in the years to come.

The second position is that of complete political correctness. An example of this is president Barack Obamas Cairo Speech (2009). In his 2009 lecture, Obama called Al-Azhar a beacon of Islamic scholarship and learning. That is nonsense, of course, because Al-Azhar is not a university in the American or European sense of the term. The point is: there is no such thing as free scientific research. Furthermore, Obama greeted his audience with assalaamu alaykum, on behalf of American Muslims. That is strange, because one of the most important principles underlying the American Constitution is the separation between Church and State. Being a president, one should not speak or act on behalf of religious communities. Apart from that, Obama spoke about the relationship between Islam and the West  a curious topic because he should have acted as government leader of the USA, visiting a government leader of another nation-state, that is, Egypt. And Egypt does not only consist of Muslims, but of Coptic Christians too. Obama overlooked them, despite their need of his support.

Perhaps the most important difference between Trump and Obama is that Obama, in accordance with a long tradition within his administration, in Cairo talked about terrorists as violent extremists, who tried to misuse the tensions between different members of society. Obama does not only deny that terrorism has something to do with Islam (a religion), but he also denies that it has something to do with Islamism (an ideology seeking inspiration from the religion of Islam).

The debate between those who believe terrorists are simply extremely violent criminals (violent extremists) and those who think terrorists are inspired by a more or less coherent set of convictions (an ideology, Islamism) may seem trivial. But on second thought that is very important. Since Obama is convinced that terrorists are not an ideological threat, he can only combat terrorism through military means. Those, however, who believe that behind terrorism lies an ideology, will recognize its cultural and ideological challenge. We need some sort of cultural counter-jihad.

The interesting thing about Trumps remarks is that, although not always consistent (which politician is?), they are pretty coherent on one specific point: Trump does refer to convictions, to a worldview. He speaks of radical Islam, Islamic extremism, and Islamism. Most commentators lump these together as anti-Muslim rhetoric or anti-Islam rhetoric, but Trump is not of that persuasion. Repeatedly Trump makes clear that his remarks are not about Muslims in general. He also says that he does not talk about Islam but that the talks about Islamism, which is an ideology. In Saudi Arabia he remained loyal to that stance. He mentioned Islamic extremism and Islamism (although not reiterating his radical Islamic terrorism, the reason that most mainstream media concluded he had toned down his rhetoric). In fact he was pretty consistent with his previous positions.

With his new third way of approaching the topic of religiously motivated terrorism (or theoterrorism, as it is called by some) the American president might be an example for the rest of the world -- and other political leaders may follow suit. President Obamas violent extremism concept is clearly wanting. It cannot be denied that contemporary terrorists are motivated by an ideology, by a worldview, by a set of convictions, something most progressive liberal people are unable to see. We may call that ideology Islamism. This is not, as the authors of the first politically incorrect stance claim, identical with the religion, but it is also not completely separated from this, in the sense that terrorists use some elements of the religion and give these a new radicalized meaning. Once we know what the central tenets of this ideology are, we can start thinking about a strategy for cultural counterterrorism.

We are beginning to see some mainstream media cautiously refer to ideology. Fareed Zakaria in the Washington Post, for instance, refers to the ideological component in the recent terrorist attack by saying that this weeks bombing in Manchester, England, was another gruesome reminder that the threat from radical Islamist terrorism is ongoing. And he continues with a report on how president Trump has given Saudi Arabia a free pass and a free hand in the region ("How Saudi Arabia played Donald Trump, in: the Washington Post, May 25, 2017).

It is certainly correct that Mr. Trump could have been more severe to his Saudi hosts. But there is something at least as important and that is where the American president was in agreement with Joshi and also with Zakaria. The new American president referred to ideology, which was something of a taboo during the previous American administration. In Trumps written speech we read: That means honestly confronting the crisis of Islamist extremism and the Islamist terror groups it inspires.

It may well be that one of the legacies of Mr. Trumps visit to the Middle East is that even liberals start to think in another  manner about the ideological roots of contemporary terrorism. But, of course, they will never give Mr. Trump the credit for that.

Paul Cliteur is visiting professor UC Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco and professor of law, Leiden University, the Netherlands. A recent work is: The Fall and Rise of Blasphemy Law (together with Tom Herrenberg).
The week ahead promises to be a critical one for the future of the wounded and limping Fox News Channel (FNC). Knocked off its perch in early May as the longstanding number one cable television news outlet, FNC is now contending with an uncertain future. Declining ratings, internal conflicts and poor programming decisions, and new controversies have helped to energize a determined outside viral de facto resist Fox News campaign with the purpose of taking the channel down.

The decline of Fox News began last year with lawsuits by female employees alleging a hostile work environment, followed by the forced departure of FNC founder, chairman, and legendary media-political savant Roger Ailes (who died on May 18, 2017 as the result of a fall at his home in Florida one week earlier).

In the view of many observers, both critics and longtime fans of the channel, FNCs new prime time program lineup launched in the wake of the executive and on-air talent shake-ups is simply not working. Since September 2016, FNC has lost three of its four highly-rated prime time hosts: veteran broadcasters Greta Van Susteren and Bill OReilly and the more recent breakout star Megyn Kelly. Sean Hannity, the last original survivor in prime time, like OReilly, started on FNC on the very first day the channel launched in 1996. For years, Hannity has been the second most popular radio talk show personality in the United States behind Rush Limbaugh and a leading conservative voice. Always a lightning rod for criticism from the left, Hannity has recently come under renewed attack thanks to a new wave of negative media scrutiny coupled with an orchestrated campaign to influence his advertisers to jump ship.

Sean Hannity

Last April, a similar strategy  media shaming and an advertising boycott  sealed the fate of Bill OReilly, for over twenty years the linchpin of Fox Newss prime time schedule. Since OReilly was fired on April 19, FNCs ratings have gone into a tailspin, generating thousands of mostly negative news stories about the channels new ratings plight. FNCs long time also-ran competitors, CNN and MSNBC, have suddenly become competitive and are starting to beat Fox News programs in the nightly ratings battle, especially in the coveted 25-54 year old viewer demographic. Its a contest for the hearts and minds of the politically aware, with a trickle-down influence on millions of lower information voters. Meanwhile, scores of millions of dollars in annual advertising revenue are up for grabs for the media corporations involved.

A New Controversy

Recently, a new unforeseen controversy has emerged to further complicate the situation, leading to demands that Hannitys sponsors abandon his program. What was Hannitys transgression? In the past two weeks, he became the most prominent media personality to focus on the issue of the unsolved murder last summer of Democratic National Committee employee Seth Rich. Rich, 27, was fatally shot in the back by unknown assailants as he was walking home to his apartment in Washington, D.C. in the early morning hours of July 10, 2016. According to an article in the New York Daily News on July 11, 2016, citing information from Seth Richs father, D.C. Metropolitan Police were reported to be investigating Richs death as a robbery. But technically a robbery did not occur since nothing of value was taken from Rich after he was shot. Curiously, the same article also states There is no immediate indication that robbery was a motive in the attack, police said, but it has not been ruled out as a possibility.

An IT professional with a passion for politics, Seth Conrad Rich was the Voter Expansion Data Director at the DNC. According to Fox Newss January 10, 2017 story, Rich would have had access to sensitive DNC information. His main duty at the DNC was to build an online system to get out the vote. Reports began to emerge after the shooting of Rich that he might have been the source of 20,000 embarrassing internal DNC documents, showing collusion between the DNC and the Hillary Clinton campaign, that wound up being published by Wikileaks on the eve of the Democrat National Convention in late July. Recently, these initially unconfirmed reports about some kind of relationship between Seth Rich and Wikileaks have gained new currency and momentum.

Seth Rich

On May 15, 2017, Fox News channel 5 in D.C. reported that Rod Wheeler, a former D.C. police homicide detective and a Fox News contributor who was independently investigating Richs death on behalf of the young mans family, went on the record with allegations confirming many of the suspicions about the official investigation of Seth Richs murder, including a new claim that the D.C. police were instructed to stand down on this case. On May 16, Fox News in New York also reported the story based on Wheelers account. An identical version of the May 16 Fox News story republished the same day by the New York Post, which is owned by the same company that owns Fox News, is archived here, but on May 23, in a highly unusual move, Fox News retracted its story one week after publication and removed it from the Fox News Website.

Retired D.C. Police Homicide Det. Rod Wheeler

The Fox News retraction, the backtracking on elements of the story by Wheeler himself, and the emotionally charged objections by the Rich family to any more outside investigations and reporting about Seth Richs death, provided fuel to the fire stoked by the mainstream media, which had already dismissed any and all questions that were being raised about Richs murder and its possible links to the purloined DNC documents and Wikileaks as illegitimate, irresponsible, and conspiracy theories.

The mainstream media initially downplayed Richs death and only began reporting about it again when new questions began to be asked  while dismissing the questioners in hundreds if not thousands of critical stories. A typical example of the latter appeared May 22 in Foreign Policy, the influential organ of the Council on Foreign Relations, with author Max Boot decrying Fox News in particular for being morally bankrupt and guilty of conspiracy mongering for its reporting in the Rich murder case. Meanwhile, the reporting that has reopened and advanced the story has been done primarily by alternative conservative media, including most recently by Liz Crokin and Alicia Powe writing, individually and together, at World Net Daily (WND).

Alicia Powe

For his part, Hannity, on his syndicated radio show on May 23, after Fox News had retracted its story, insisted I am not Fox.com or Fox News.com. I retracted nothing. But later that evening on his FNC program, after promising that he would present new information relating to the case, Hannity announced instead that he was backing off the story for now in deference to the wishes of the Rich family. These developments set the stage for a doubling down of the onslaught targeting Hannity by the mainstream media and left-wing advocacy groups like Media Matters for America, with Hannitys enemies moving in for the kill shot, as he termed it, by employing the tactic of the sponsor boycott.

Before the Memorial Day holiday weekend began, at least seven companies had abandoned advertising on Hannitys nightly show. While far fewer than the fifty or so sponsors that had bolted from The OReilly Factor last April, the possibility nonetheless exists that the boycott effort targeting Hannity could gain momentum in the days ahead and conceivably threaten the future of the program.

With the rest of FNCs prime time shows faltering  The Story with Martha McCallum at 7 PM, Tucker Carlson at 8, and The Five at 9 (all times Eastern)  Hannity at 10 PM is still often the ratings leader on the beleaguered channel. The loss of Sean Hannitys program, further unhinging FNCs prime time schedule, could spell ratings doom for FNC.

The Larger Picture

The case of Seth Richs death is not simply a footnote in this larger story about Fox News. If it is true that Rich, acting as a principled whistle blower  rather than some Russian government hack colluding with Donald Trumps associates  was the source of the initial document dump that wound up impeding Hillary Clintons chances in her 2016 presidential election campaign against Donald Trump, then that is big news. A confirmed connection between Seth Rich and Wikileaks would seriously challenge the overwhelming and to date largely successful mainstream/Deep State meme that representatives of the Trump campaign conspired with the Russians to disseminate internal DNC documents with the intention of harming the Democrat opposition. The whole Trump has colluded with the Russians party line that has dominated political discourse for months on end could go up in smoke.

The stakes in terms of how this story ultimately plays out couldnt be higher and the mind boggles at the possible outcomes.

The Ratings Slump

Opinions on why Fox Newss ratings have tanked lately reflect two points of view:

Theory #1) The channel has been slow or disinclined to report fully on the scandals and problems of the new Trump Administration which is what cable news viewers are now most interested in  confirmed by the rise in ratings for CNN and MSNBC, both of which  especially CNN  are anti-Trump pretty much around the clock.

Theory #2) The cancellation of its popular core prime time program The OReilly Factor, the imposition of The Five  an increasingly frivolous, lightweight, personality driven infotainment show at 9 PM  and the hiring and increased visibility of more left-of-center hosts like Eboni Williams and guests  including Fox News Contributors like Marie Harf, Jessica Tarlov, and Krystal Ball to name three  have turned off FNCs core audience of conservatives who dont want to be subjected to stale and predictable leftist talking points.

The evidence, in my opinion, favors the second option. An excellent analysis by Brandon J. Weichert, Fox News Chooses the Millennials (And Gets It Wrong), appears to concur. Weichert, himself a self-described Millennial, writes:

After all of the shuffling, Fox actually lost the crucial 25-54 year-old demographic! Most analysts claim it is because Fox and Donald Trumps ratings became entwined: as Trumps popularity plummets, Foxs does also. But, thats a dangerously reductionist view. Could it possibly be that people -- of all ages and races -- were attracted to Fox because of the ideological factor? Remember, 60 percent of Foxs viewership is conservative. Also, a majority of Americans identify as conservative. Renowned historian, Dr. Marek Chodakiewicz, is fond of telling me that unless an institution is avowedly conservative, it will inevitably be annexed by the Left. Hes correct. And, with so many other networks being consistently more Liberal (compared to Fox), why would anyone opt to watch a network undergoing an identity crisis, of the sort that Fox is currently suffering?

The Week Ahead for FNC

In the roiling media cauldron of the moment, with news and speculation breaking by the hour, its anybodys guess what the immediate and longer term outlook is for Fox News.

In terms of Sean Hannitys future  which is closely intertwined with the future of Fox News itself  Fox News issued a reassuring statement on May 25 that Hannity would return to his FNC program on Tuesday, May 30 after a five-day vacation. There has been considerable speculation that Hannitys vacation, like OReillys the month before, would end with him being out at Fox News.

Doubts about Hannitys future at Fox News had been building even before his involvement with the Seth Rich story. On April 27, for example, Hannity posted a tweet to New York magazine writer Gabe Shermans Twitter account after Sherman wrote in a Daily Intelligencer column that Fox News co-president Bill Shine, a holdover from the Roger Ailes era and a close friend and supporter of Hannitys (and who Hannity reportedly brought on board to Fox News two decades ago), might be on the way out. (Shine was gone from FNC on May 1.) Hannitys April 27 tweet about Shines future being on shaky ground was ominous: Gabe [Sherman] i pray this is NOT true because if it is, thats the total end of the FNC as we know it. Done. Best Sean.

On May 16, Independent Journal Review published an exclusive article titled Hannity Goes Underground to Decide If He Will Return to Fox News, Source Says.

Hannity has gone underground and is actively considering whether or not he will return to Fox News on Tuesday, a source close to Hannity told Independent Journal Review. . . the well-placed source said Hannity has since retreated to isolation  even temporarily swearing off social media  while he makes a decision regarding his future at Fox News. Hannitys last tweet was posted on Thursday afternoon. He has stopped answering his phone, and communicating even with his close friends, the source added.

A search of Sean Hannity using Google News on May 28, and expanding the View All option that opens a Full Coverage list, yielded a plethora of stories  most of them negative  typified by titles like Conservative host: Hannity aided and abetted his own demise and Fox News Is Collapsing.

A number of the stories harped on Hannitys involvement with the discredited fake news Seth Rich death conspiracy theories.

Pearson Sharp, One America News

Meanwhile, investigations into the death of Rich are proceeding, mainly on the part of independent journalists. An exception were two reports broadcast by One America News Network (OAN) on May 19, Who Killed Seth Rich? Investigating the DNC Staffers Suspicious Murder. Video of the reports can be viewed here (Part 1) and here (Part 2). At the conclusion of Part 2, OAN reporter Pearson Sharp said:

For now there are no clear answers as to who killed Seth Rich  or why. Police have called it a robbery, but have no proof. There is growing evidence that it was something much more than a mugging gone wrong... Its not just one coincidence, or two. Its dozens. And they trace their way all the way to the highest brains of the DNC. Yes, it could be a coincidence that the officers were wearing body cameras but the footage apparently cant be found. It could be a coincidence that the attending physician has direct ties to [one of] Hillarys right hand [men]... And it could be a coincidence that Seths father said that a security camera from a small convenience store across the street captured video of their son collapsing at the feet of two men and that the police say that now that footage doesn't exist. But the question we must ask ourselves now is at what point does one coincidence  or 100  add up to something approaching the truth.

As part of its ongoing coverage of and interest in solving the murder of Seth Rich, One America News Network has offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the case. Other parties, including Wikileaks, Republican strategist Jack Burkman, and the D.C. police, have offered rewards totaling $175,000 bringing the grand total to $275,000.

Seth Rich Metropolitan D.C. Police Reward Flyer

As mentioned earlier, journalist Liz Crokin, who has written for the conservative Web sites Townhall and World Net Daily, has emerged in recent weeks as a viral force probing the killing of Seth Rich. In addition to her articles about Richs murder in World Net Daily, Crokin appeared twice last week on the daily Internet program The Hagmann and Hagmann Report (May 22 video here, May 25 video here).

Liz Crokin on the Hagmann & Hagmann Report, May 22, 2017

On May 28, I interviewed Crokin by email. If the truth comes out about Seths murder, it will bring down a huge number of people in the government and expose all kinds of unimaginable corruption, she wrote. Crokin was confident that the Rich murder story will not go away. The truth will come out about Seth Rich. I can absolutely guarantee that. Its inevitable that the full story will come out.

I asked Crokin if she thinks that Sean Hannity will keep his Fox News show. There are truly powerful and evil forces that are trying to get Sean Hannity fired, Crokin replied. They will try their best to get him canned. However, if that happens, it will only bring more awareness to the Seth Rich murder case and how the media is not only complicit but also, in some cases, accomplices in this massive cover up. This is a case where the cover up is way bigger than the crime. This is Watergate on steroids!

To be continued.

Peter Barry Chowka is a veteran journalist who writes about national politics, media, popular culture, and health care.
An invitation is normally an offer of hospitality. It's supposed to be something pleasant for the recipient. But then there's Canada's callow princeling prime minister, Justin Trudeau, 45, whose invitations to Canada are for apology tours. Hear the tears and flapdoodle.

Yes, he issued an invitation to an apology tour for Pope Francis, figuring that the leader of the billion-strong, two-thousand-year-old Roman Catholic Church would like nothing better than to fly 4,179 miles to prostrate himself before His Punkitude and grovel apologies to his favored interest group constituencies for supposed past wrongs.

The real game here, of course, is Trudeau's politics. The Canadian prime minister is attempting to bolster his political power by making the pope his dancing bear and to reinforce Canada's choking smog of political correctness, by erasing the particulars of history through the pope's apology. Instead of a nuanced view of missionary activity in Canada in all its good and bad aspects, Trudeau wants the pope to make it a done deal for him that the white man's entry to Canada was an unadulterated horror show and Native Americans would be living in peace and harmony were it not so.

Ignore the part about Trudeau being one of these white men, and a princeling of privilege while he's at it.

At first glance, I was thinking the pope was just dumb (or maybe humble) enough and politically correct enough to take him up on it. After all, he's already apologized for numerous things. But a look at Vatican Radio's report suggests a more circumspect perspective:

[T]he good bilateral relations between the Holy See and Canada were evoked, along with the contribution of the Catholic Church to the social life of the country. The parties then focused on the themes of integration and reconciliation, as well as religious freedom and current ethical issues.

Maybe Pope Francis is aware that Trudeau has made a ham-fisted, insolent effort to use the pope for his political aggrandizement. Popes in general are often aware of such machinations. If so, Trudeau's gambit would be more amateur-hour than most. All the same, it's perfectly logical in the eyes of the left to think the pope, especially this one, would jump up at an invitation to an apology tour to disavow the role of the Catholic Church in Canada and assert the wonderful glory of the state instead. It's what made Europe eurotrash  why not Canada, too?

The silver lining is the hope that the pope might just not buy it.
Matt Taibbi has carved out a position as a provocative and honest progressive journalist, as well as a vivid and entertaining writer. Writing at Rolling Stone, he enhances that reputation by being bluntly honest (from his perspective) about why the Democratic Party has fallen to its weakest electoral standing since 1929. He disdains both President Trump and the Republicans, so his mission is to understand how it is possible to lose to such reprobates. He writes:

The unspoken subtext of a lot of the Democrats' excuse-making is their growing belief that the situation is hopeless  and not just because of fixable institutional factors like gerrymandering, but because we simply have a bad/irredeemable electorate that can never be reached. This is why the "basket of deplorables" comment last summer was so devastating. That the line would become a sarcastic rallying cry for Trumpites was inevitable. (Of course it birthed a political merchandising supernova.) To many Democrats, the reaction proved the truth of Clinton's statement. As in: we're not going to get the overwhelming majority of these yeehaw-ing "deplorable" votes anyway, so why not call them by their names? But the "deplorables" comment didn't just further alienate already lost Republican votes. It spoke to an internal sickness within the Democratic Party, which had surrendered to a negativistic vision of a hopelessly divided country. Things are so polarized now that, as Georgia State professor Jennifer McCoy put it on NPR this spring, each side views the other not as fellow citizens with whom they happen to disagree, but as a "threatening enemy to be vanquished." The "deplorables" comment formalized this idea that Democrats had given up on a huge chunk of the population, and now sought only to defeat and subdue their enemies.

This is undeniably true and has been obvious to most of us on the right. But our views cannot penetrate the blue bubble precisely because we are deplorables. Taibbi, on the other hand, is calling out his comrades and enjoys a lot of credibility among them.

But he sees only part of the problem:

You can't just dismiss people as lost, even bad or misguided people. Unless every great thinker from Christ to Tolstoy to Gandhi to Dr. King is wrong, it's especially those people you have to keep believing in, and trying to reach. The Democrats have forgotten this. ... They don't seem to have anything to say to voters in flyover country, except to point out that they're (at best) dupes for falling for Republican rhetoric. But "Republicans are bad" isn't a message or a plan, which is why the Democrats have managed the near impossible: losing ground overall during the singular catastrophe of the Trump presidency.

This is sound strategic advice. But the Democrats cannot act on it for a reason that Taibbi does not mention. The kind of Democrats who disdain Trump voters, and indeed much of middle America, have an enormous psychological investment in being better than these people. Their egos need constant reinforcement that their personal investment in education and careerism has paid off, that they have achieved a higher moral and intellectual ground than the hoi polloi.

Their own sense of self-worth becomes in part dependent on the other (that bugaboo of the progressive mind) being bad. Normally, when leftist intellectuals blather on about "the other," they have in mind the oppressed, who can be pretty much anyone but heterosexual Caucasian males and the women who cleave to them. It is this remnant that still constitutes a solid majority of the voting public, which is available for potential demonization in the leftist mind, since it is not a "protected class" (why isn't this status called being an "unprotected class"?). So this group, that heavily voted for Trump, is the enemy that many progressives need if they are to validate their inflated notions of their own importance, erudition, and all-around worthiness.

It's hard to see the left acting on Taibbi's observations and reaching out to those whom they scorn. It comes at too high a cost to their egos.
No doubt about it: It's tough being Bernie Sanders or one of his supporters.

In a piece picked up by the Daily Caller, Politico checked what was going on in the Bernie camp and found an oasis of dejection. They just can't win elections. They just can't get a fair break.

"We're really good on the messaging and the rallies," Wendy Carrillo, a Sanders-supporting immigrants' rights activist told Politico. "But it needs to It translate into votes."

Whine. Whine. Whine. It just goes to show the hollow core of this Bernie movement. Does it ever occur to these people that Bernie Sanders is selling something well past its sell-by date  namely, socialism? And that voters don't want socialism, given what happened in one of the nations that Sanders has championed, Venezuela?

They don't get it that there's a problem in the platform.

But if they think it's party organization that's a problem, they are wrong on that front, too.

Bernie Sanders was treated execrably by the Democratic establishment during the primaries that saw the nomination of Hillary Clinton to the Democratic ticket. WikiLeaks showed one dirty trick after another pulled on his campaign and raised legitimate questions about whether the real winner of the primary really was Bernie.

Did Bernie fight the power on this? No, he did not. He bowed out gracefully and retired to one of his multiple Vermont properties, which somehow fell into his hands and became known shortly after he conceded the nomination to Hillary. He didn't fight and swing for his voters; he just went into oblivion as the Democratic Party machine wanted him to do.

Well, is it any wonder his team isn't winning elections? Donald Trump won the election because voters perceived him to be a fighter, and most liked his commonsense platform. Bernie, not so much.

Now his supporters are stewing.
German chancellor Angela Merkel is in the midst of a re-election campaign where her primary opponents are on the far left. The populist Alternative for Germany party has suffered a huge decline in the polls, now garnering support in the teens.

Having dispatched her opponents on the right, Merkel must fend off the challenge from the left. To do this, she is feeding the anti-Trump hysteria generated by socialists and greens, giving them no opening to criticize her for being soft on Trump's America.

The recent G-7 summit offered Merkel an opportunity to bash the American president while advancing her pro-EU agenda.

Fox News:

"All I can say is that we Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands," the German leader told a crowd during a re-election campaign event at a beer tent in Bavaria. "The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days." That was widely perceived as the German Chancellor's reaction to last week's NATO and G-7 summits, when the new U.S. President challenged NATO members to spend more on defense and refused to sign on to the climate-change policies of the other six leaders. Mrs. Merkel seemed especially miffed about Mr. Trump's decision not to embrace the Paris climate accord that Mr. Obama signed in his final year as President. "The whole discussion about climate has been difficult, or rather very unsatisfactory," Mrs. Merkel told reporters. "Here we have the situation that six members, or even seven if you want to add the [European Union], stand against one.' But wait. Since when is a difference of opinion on climate policy a signal of U.S. retreat from Europe? And why is Mr. Trump's reluctance to sign on to Paris  he says he'll decide whether to leave the accord this week  a failure of leadership? Mrs. Merkel's comments suggest that she is most upset because Mr. Trump declined to follow her lead on climate. Mr. Trump should decline if he wants to fulfill his campaign promises to lift the U.S. economy. Mrs. Merkel's embrace of green-energy dogmas has done enormous harm to the German economy. She reacted to the Fukushima meltdown by phasing out nuclear power, and her government has force-fed hundreds of billions of dollars into solar and wind power that have raised energy costs. As Der Spiegel once put it, electricity is now a "luxury good" in Germany.

What's Merkel's real beef? Donald Trump came to Europe and refused to coddle NATO members while threatening the existence of the Euro-sponsored Paris Climate Accord by refusing to say the U.S. would agree to its draconian conditions.

Forbes:

What is Germany's complaint? The Federal Republic possesses Europe's largest economy and makes much of its money through international commerce. Berlin has achieved disproportionate influence in the European Union and possesses the continent's greatest military potential. Yet after promising to hike military outlays, this year Germany devotes all of 1.22 percent of GDP to its armed forces. At least that's up from 1.19 percent in 2016. Of course, Germany's military spending is up to the German people. Berlin could disarm if that's what they want. But then the country shouldn't ask the U.S. for support. Berlin certainly shouldn't expect Washington to waste money and risk lives defending Germany if the latter won't do so for itself. What was President Trump's real offense? He didn't slobber all over the Europeans, seeking to "reassure" them, as his predecessors routinely did. He didn't coddle them, offering hugs if they felt unappreciated. And he didn't ostentatiously reaffirm the Article 5 commitment, which theoretically requires America to fight a nuclear war with Russia if the latter attempts to conquer the Baltic States, which are important for the security of neither America nor the rest of Europe.

Fact: NATO countries have pledged to spend 2% of their GDP on defense. Fact: None of them has come close to doing so. Donald Trump may not have put the matter as delicately as some other presidents. But his criticism is nothing new, and to pretend that America has suddenly lurched away from NATO and the E.U. because of climate change disagreements and harangues over defense spending is absurd.

The narrative that Trump wants out of NATO is built on the ludicrous perception that the American president favors Russia over NATO. This is based not on reality, but rather on the advancement of political storytelling about how Russia helped Trump steal the election. Merkel's lament  an attack on Trump for not kowtowing to the "wisdom" of Germany and the E.U. in international affairs  may be good domestic politics for her, but it doesn't answer the fundamental questions raised by President Trump on his visit to Europe.

If push comes to shove, will Europe defend itself? Or will NATO continue to believe that the U.S. will once again spend its blood and treasure to do for them what they refuse to do for themselves?
I've written on how police are withdrawing, not going out and seeking crime, but pulling back. They are waiting until called, handing their calls for service, and playing it safe. If you want reasons why, look at the railroading of officers doing their jobs, such as Darren Wilson, or the politically motivated persecution of the Baltimore Six.

Not to be outdone, here comes Oakland, California.

In November 2016, the citizens (also sometimes considered community members) of Oakland voted to establish a civilian police commission. From the ballot:

... a Police Commission of civilian commissioners to oversee the Police Department by reviewing and proposing changes to Department policies and procedures, requiring the Mayor to appoint any new Chief of Police from a list of candidates provided by the Commission, and having the authority to terminate the Chief of Police for cause; and (2) a Community Police Review Agency to investigate complaints of police misconduct and recommend discipline[.]

Yes, a board of civilian overseers of the department. Not that they didn't have that already, called the mayor, city council, etc.

When I first saw this, I thought it was a joke. It's not joke. Here is the flyer for applicants to the police commission.

Notice: "Formerly incarcerated individuals encouraged to apply." Yes, the city is asking former suspects, arrestees, convicts, parolees (that is, community members) to apply for one of nine slots to supervise the Oakland Police Department. They will have the power to:

Issue subpoenas and take sworn testimony. Propose changes to department policies and procedures, and approve any changes recommended by the chief of police. Authority to fire the chief of police and recommend up to four candidates to the mayor.

Not to be outdone, the new police commission has authority over the already established Citizen's Police Review Board. While the CPRB has the authority to recommend discipline of officers, the new police commission can fire the director of the CPRB and recommend his (perhaps I should not presume gender here  I am talking California) replacement to the mayor. Also, the commission will "[s]erve as Discipline Committee to review proposed discipline of police officers when CPRB and the Chief of Police do not agree."

In summary, the voters of the City of Oakland approved another group of civilians to oversee the police department. They are openly encouraging criminals to fill this board, and you can bet that some will be selected. This group will have the power to subpoena officers, take sworn testimony, fire the chief of police and the head of the other oversight board, inflict policy changes on the department, and approve any should the chief of police want to. What could possibly go wrong?

California used to be where you went to make your fortune; it was the epitome of the American Dream. Now it's the American Nightmare.

Thinking of the old saying, "if you want to see America in 20 years, look at California today." God help us all.

Michael A. Thiac is a police patrol sergeant and a retired Army intelligence officer. When not patrolling the streets, he can be found on A Cop's Watch.
As the world recoils from yet another atrocity, offering platitudes of "standing with Manchester" while actually doing very little to challenge terrorism, the City University of New York's School of Public Health is getting ready to send the wrong message to its graduates.

Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour, who has a history of inflammatory behavior toward Israel and its supporters, and supports the violent intifada, will be a keynote speaker at that school's commencement. She'll share the stage with New York's first lady, Chirlane McCray, and Mary Bassett, commissioner of the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, as a "public health and social justice leader." This honor is ostensibly in recognition of her role in organizing the massive women's march on Washington protesting Donald Trump, in which potential cuts to health services were decried.

The irony is stark. It's hard to conceive of a bigger public health threat than terrorism  the weaponization of disaffected young people around the world via online channels, recruited to commit despicable acts in places like Jerusalem, San Bernardino, Orlando, Paris, Istanbul...the list goes on.

Sarsour, who has forged alliances with many liberal Jewish leaders, condemned the 5/22 attack on the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, calling it in a Facebook post "a whole different level of evil" for targeting children and "sickening."

But such statements are inconsistent with her stated support for the Palestinian intifada and the boycott-divest-sanction movement against Israel. BDS is a form of soft terrorism, as it is focused on one side of the conflict with the intention of forcing Israel into territorial concessions against its interests. Given Israel's precarious geography, those concessions could ultimately cost lives on a scale bigger than any one suicide bomb.

Activists gathered outside CUNY headquarters on May 25 to demand that the invitation be revoked, but that's unlikely, given the fallout from a similar controversy in 2011, when Jewish Israel critic Tony Kushner had his honorary degree yanked under pressure. Pro-Kushner forces prevailed, and the school did a 180.

Chancellor James Milliken released a statement in April saying, "[T]he fact that Ms. Sarsour might hold views that are controversial cannot be the basis for withdrawing an invitation to speak," while noting that the university itself "sees BDS as anathema to the values of higher education."

But where are those values when Sarsour declares that "you can't be a Zionist and a feminist"? Is she kidding? Where in the Middle East are women's rights protected better than in Israel, which had a female prime minister in 1969? Maybe she would prefer the feminism of Saudi Arabia, where women can't drive, much less run for office, or of Jordan, where they need a husband's permission to travel.

Israel's leaders continuously cast aside politics in the name of humanity, allowing relatives of Hamas leaders who want to destroy them to be treated in Jewish hospitals and sending aid around the world in times of need. Arab citizens have full rights in Israel and serve in the Knesset. And yet Linda Sarsour calls Zionism "creepy."

CUNY isn't the only public institution sending mixed signals about terrorism and the Middle East conflict.

A Public Broadcasting System curriculum is drawing fire from conservative critics for its effort to create understanding about the motivations of suicide bombers (who should more properly be called homicide bombers).

The lesson plan, "Dying to Be a Martyr," is ten years old and likely came to light now because of the fight over federal funding for public broadcasting, which is on President Trump's budget chopping block. That fact should not take away from serious discussion about the content.

High school teachers are encouraged to show their students interviews with would-be Palestinian bombers. The lesson teaches students to empathize with violent Palestinian terrorists who are willing to murder Jews in Israel and beyond.

Perhaps there is a shred of a noble intention in this program's origins, but it is at best naive, bordering on biased. There are many peoples in the world who collectively feel aggrieved and don't resort to terrorism and violence, and they are better off as a result.

Page Fortna, an associate political science professor at Columbia University, wrote in a recent paper, highlighted in The Atlantic following the Manchester bombing, that "the disadvantages of terrorism generally outweigh its advantages." She concluded from a detailed study of 104 recent global conflicts that terror historically hurts rather than helps a cause. "None of those that deliberately killed large numbers of civilians through terrorist attacks won its fight outright," Fortna said.

So it's surely in no one's interest to promote a mindset that terrorism is an inevitable (or effective) product of an uprising against a more powerful enemy.

In defending the programming, PBS in a statement said, "In no way does it condone the heinous actions of individuals who would target innocent civilians. PBS would strongly condemn any assertion that terrorism is ever appropriate."

But just watch the video, which features a sympathetic kid who ultimately decided that God told him not to carry out an attack in an Israeli town. Everything we know about these bombers, much of it from the videos they leave behind, is that they believe that God wants the exact opposite. So it's not so much frustration with lack of a peace diplomacy, but rather a twisted religious fervor (denounced by mainstream Islam) that guides these acts.

PBS's ombudsman, Michael Getler, noted in a column that "Dying to Be a Martyr" contains "what I consider to be some legitimate questions about the content, or more precisely as I read it, a lack of more contextual content, within this lesson plan." He concurs that what is missing from the curriculum is "instructions for teachers to denounce suicide bombing and radical Islamic views in general," something we might assume to be a given. Some teachers, however, might be too afraid of offending people to do that.

There's nothing healthy about either supporting terrorism outright or trying to understand it rationally. The sooner institutions like CUNY and PBS realize that, the better off we'll all be.

Eli Verschleiser is a financier, real estate developer, and investor in commercial real estate. In his philanthropy, Mr. Verschleiser is on the board of trustees for the American Jewish Congress, co-founder of Magenu.org, and president of OurPlace, a non-profit organization that provides support, shelter, and counseling for troubled Jewish youth. Mr. Verschleiser is a frequent commentator on political and social services matters. Twitter: @E_Verschleiser.
New South Korean president Moon Jae-in expressed surprise and "shock" that the South Korean Defense Ministry failed to inform him that four more launchers for the U.S.-built THAAD anti-missile system had been brought into the country without his knowledge.

Moon had expressed serious reservations about the deployment of the system and said the additional deployment would be under review.

Reuters:

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has ordered a probe after the Defence Ministry failed to inform him that four more launchers for the controversial U.S. THAAD anti-missile system had been brought into the country, his spokesman said on Tuesday. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system battery was initially deployed in March in the southeastern region of Seongju with just two of its maximum load of six launchers to counter a growing North Korean missile threat. During his successful campaign for the May 9 presidential election, Moon called for a parliamentary review of the system, whose deployment has also infuriated China, North Korea's lone major ally. "President Moon said it was very shocking" to hear the four additional launchers had been installed without being reported to the new government or to the public, presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan told a media briefing. Moon had campaigned on a more moderate approach to Pyongyang, calling for engagement even as the reclusive state pursues nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions and threats of more sanctions. The U.S. military in South Korea did not have immediate comment on Moon's comments. The South Korean military also did not immediately comment. CHINA TENSIONS EASING Moon's order of a probe into the THAAD launchers came amid signs of easing tensions between major trading partners South Korea and China. South Korea's Jeju Air said on Tuesday China has approved a plan to double its flights to the Chinese city of Weihai from June 2. China has been incensed over the THAAD deployment, fearing it could give the U.S. military the capability of seeing into its own missile systems, and could open the door to a wider deployment of the system, possibly in Japan and elsewhere, military analysts say. China has denied it had discriminated against South Korean companies, which have faced product boycotts and bans on Chinese tourists visiting South Korea. A Korean-Chinese joint drama My Goddess, My Mom" starring South Korean actress Lee Da-hae, whose broadcast had been indefinitely delayed in China, was told by its Chinese partner recently that it will soon be aired, according to JS Pictures, Lee's agent.

You can understand Moon's concern about additional THAAD launchers when viewed in the context of his developing relationship with the Chinese. His "reset" with China is going fairly well, but so far, it's been limited to mostly symbolic gestures.

China's intense opposition to the THAAD deployment threatens to upend his policy. There is a legitimate question whether THAAD can realistically stop North Korea from successfully targeting the South with a nuclear missile if Kim decides on launching multiple weapons. Moon may decide that not offending China takes precedence over the possibility that THAAD may work in the unlikely  but possible  event that the North decides on nuclear war.

It's not clear if the additional launchers were part of the original THAAD deployment. Even if they were, Moon may be looking for an excuse to severely limit or eliminate the deployment in deference to China. That would send the wrong message to North Korea, which continues to issue wildly bellicose statements nearly every day about going to war.
There are thousands of bureaucrats in the federal government whose only job is to find racist white people. And sexist men. And non-progressive-thinking people who don't want disguised men in girls' bathrooms.

In Trump's new budget, he wants to cut back on some of this effort:

The Trump administration is planning to disband the Labor Department division that has policed discrimination among federal contractors for four decades[.] ... [T]he move would fold the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, now home to 600 employees, into another government agency in the name of cost-cutting.

Did you know that there are actually 600 government employees, in just one agency alone, whose job is to not to respond to, but actually to search for discrimination?

Unlike the EEOC, which investigates complaints it receives, the compliance office audits contractors in a more systematic fashion and verifies that they "take affirmative action" to promote equal opportunity among their employees.

In other words, the compliance office threatened companies to give racial preferences to minorities, even when they haven't been accused of any wrongdoing.

Some companies have questioned the more aggressive approach, noting the office has consistently found since 2004 that 98 percent of federal contractors comply with the law.

This bureaucracy isn't interested in the law. It's interested in imposing racial preferences. And the Labor Department is not the only agency with its fingers on the racial justice scale.

The new leadership at the Environmental Protection Agency, for instance, has proposed eliminating its environmental justice program which addresses pollution that poses health threats specifically concentrated in minority communities.

Why should minority communities get more help with pollution than white neighborhoods? I never knew that pollution migrates to black communities. Is pollution racist?

The Department of Housing and Urban Development, for example, has revoked a rule ensuring that transgender people can stay at sex-segregated shelters of their choice[.]

Do you think in addition to homeless shelters there should be genderless shelters, for people both without a home and without a gender?

The efforts to reduce the federal profile on civil rights reflects the consensus view within the Trump administration that Obama officials exceeded their authority in policing discrimination on the state and local level, sometimes pressuring targets of government scrutiny to adopt policies that were not warranted.

You think?

Obama made a cottage industry of shaking down companies for alleged racism and insisting that his own preferred version of racism, called "affirmative action," be put into place. It's great to see that Trump is planning to reduce some of this nonsense.

Ed Straker is the senior writer at NewsMachete.com.
The final episode of Iran's sham presidential election played out, and Hassan Rouhani finished first. What really happed, however, was not just his victory over a notorious "hardliner" opponent, Ebrahim Raisi, posing as champion of the poor. What happened in Iran's May 19 election was a simple demonstration of a bankrupt regime. Stepping back from the smokescreen released by the mullahs at the time of elections, masking the reality of the compounded anger and frustration mostly from bottled up youth fed up with restrictions, unemployment, gender segregation, imposed dress codes, and simply no prospect of a future, the election allows just enough breathing space for the mullahs to keep going.

A day after the election results were announced, Rouhani's campaign hastily asked its supporters to stop street celebrations. The statement read in part: "We have achieved a great deal and from now on we must strictly abide by the regulations. No street gatherings should take place without proper permits from the authorities." So much for freedoms!

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was the sole loser of the election day. His engineering failed to accomplish what was intended, and his favored pawn, Raisi, did not win. According to reliable reports from inside Iran leaked by the main Iranian opposition, the People's Mojahedin (PMOI/MEK), even in the final hours before polling stations closed, Khamenei's men did all they could to ensure Raisi's victory. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and paramilitary Basij forces tried to stuff the ballot boxes for Raisi.

As in previous election, identification cards belonging to the deceased were used; duplicate IDs were obtained from Iran's Bureau of Vital Statistics and distributed; IRGC members and military men voted once in their barracks and then again in polling stations. Purchasing votes was another scheme. Voting without presenting both national ID cards provided an opportunity to vote in another polling station in a rural area.

Rouhani's government tried to block these electoral manipulations. Rouhani himself warned before the elections that his interior ministry would stop all such voting irregularities and the IRGC's meddling. He knew full well that Iran's former firebrand president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is now out of favor with Khamenei, yet Ahmadinejad won both terms in 2004 and 2009, with Khamenei engineering his rise to the top. Ahmadinejad's second term, however, was not a walk in the park. It was a big mistake not taking into account the angry people's reaction, and we all know what happened: massive demonstrations ensued, and the regime barely escaped its downfall. It's an event Khamenei to date bitterly recalls and often reminds his two fighting factions of.

One more pressing issue that led Khamenei and IRGC commanders to seriously reconsider their plans for Raisi was an MEK opposition campaign in the streets of major cities across Iran, calling for an election boycott. Huge banners of Maryam Rajavi, president of National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), were hung from highway bridges, sending a clear signal to the regime that its main opposition is once again active. Students in colleges frequently grilled Raisi and his team across Iran for his role in the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners, mostly members and supporters of the MEK. Raisi was a member of the "Death Commission" put together by the late Iranian supeme leader Ruhollah Khomeini. Fearing the outcome of such vote-rigging in favor of Raisi is what stopped Khamenei short of getting what he truly wanted in Raisi's election.

Will Rouhani be at all different in his second term? Considering his past as an influential figure in the mullahs' regime hierarchy, there is hardly a chance for a U-turn despite his "change" slogans in his last days on the campaign trail. Unexpected words came out his mouth about fighting corruption, or of having the financial empires such as those of Khamenei and Raisi pay taxes, or of creating jobs for Iran's army of unemployed youth and last, but not least, individual rights. But unless he thinks he is preaching to a totally ignorant audience, Rouhani's words and promises will fool no one. Certainly not the Iranian people.

Is there any hope that the mullahs will change their behavior? Not a chance. Khamenei was crystal-clear in his speech when he said last month that "changing behavior means regime change. Make no mistake."

With or without Rouhani, the mullahs' regime has left no room for compromise. It has to go.

Reza Shafiee is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI).
For Dr. Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai, research and teaching go hand in hand.

Dr. Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai I think research helps keep me sharp in the classroom, Wongsrichanalai said, because Im able to share what I learn with my students. But I also find that the students have unique takes and unique perspectives and they are able to help jog my analytical skills on what Im working on. I dont really see a difference between teaching and research.

An assistant professor of history, Wongsrichanalais passion for both earned him this years ASU Presidents Award for Faculty Excellence in Research/Creative Endeavor.

I was honestly surprised, he said. There were a lot of very impressive nominees. I certainly didnt expect that I would be able to compete with some of the wonderful research our faculty conducted here at Angelo State.

Wongsrichanalai accepting the ASU President's Award for Faculty Excellence in Research/Creative Endeavor from Dr. Brian May. Wongsrichanalai, who grew up in Thailand, is a social and cultural historian. One of the major research projects that led to his faculty award is titled West Texans and the Experience of War: World War I to the Present and is being funded by a three-year, $99,982 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

This project is part of an initiative called Standing Together, Wongsrichanalai said. It is designed to collect stories and engage with veterans who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Our unique spin is that we are also approaching the centennial of World War I, so we expanded it to cover a century.

Wongsrichanalai, along with project co-director and assistant professor of history Dr. Christine Lamberson and students in upper-level history classes, has spent the past two years engaging with veterans and their families, collecting their stories to preserve their history.

Its so rare that we find a source base that no one has really looked at in history, he explained. Its an untapped source. All of these stories of people who have not been collected or recorded  what can we do with that?

I think research helps keep me sharp in the classroom because Im able to share what I learn with my students. Dr. Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai

Also co-director of ASUs ongoing Great War Commemoration Lecture Series, Wongsrichanalai previously co-directed ASUs Latino Americans: 500 Years of History project and helped coordinate the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Lecture Series from 2011-15. He has also published multiple essays and books, including his monograph Northern Character, and is currently working on three separate book projects.

All that passion for the past first took flight during a U.S. history class Wongsrichanalai took as a high school junior in Massachusetts.

We read a chapter from the novel, The Killer Angels, he explained. Its historical fiction, but I was fascinated by the way the characters, historical figures, supposedly boring black-and-white figures just came alive out of the pages. That sparked an interest in the American Civil War.

When I graduated from high school, Wongsrichanalai continued, I wanted to be a high school history teacher. Then I went to college and said, I want to be a college professor and I want to teach history. It started with a work of fiction, but it got me to see how history could be much more vivid and alive.

Now that he has become a college history professor, Wongsrichanalais goal remains the same  to share the lived experience of Americans.

Wongsrichanalai speaking at the last event in the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Lecture Series in April 2015.

We know stories of leaders and generals and politicians, he said, but we are interested in and find the greatest satisfaction in being able to tell the stories of ordinary folks and what they experienced. What they suffered. What they went through. What they sacrificed for whatever cause motivated them

History isnt just names and dates, he added. Its about people and stories. And we as humans, as a society, have always been fascinated by stories.

Wongsrichanalai also hopes that at least some of his passion for history is passed on to his students.

I want history to come alive for them, he said. I want students to be able to see not just the stories of the past, but also how their family members stories weave into the grand narrative of American history.

Those students assisting with the grant have a hand in not just learning about history, but also preserving it, he continued. I know that most of the students I teach are not going to be historians, but I want them to have a love of history. I want them to be interested in history, and I want them to spread that interest in history. Thats the goal.
May 29, 2017, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados  On Monday May 22, the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), met in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. It approved the following projects in The Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

THE BAHAMAS  The Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is set to receive USD100,000 in grant resources from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to undertake a diagnostic study of, and strategic plan for, the Bahamas Development Bank (BDB).

BELIZE  The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a grant of GBP700,000 to the Government of Belize to fund a feasibility study for the upgrading of the Philip S. W. Goldson Highway. The project is being supported through the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF), which is administered by CDB.

DOMINICA  The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) today approved a USD12 million line of credit to the Dominica Agricultural Industrial and Development Bank (DAIDB) to enhance socioeconomic development in the Commonwealth of Dominica. The loan, under the guarantee of the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, will assist in providing finance for student loans, and low and lower-middle income housing that, combined, is expected to benefit 400 people.

GRENADA  The Caribbean Development Banks (CDB) Board of Directors has approved a USD500,000 grant to the Government of Grenada to undertake a comprehensive reassessment of the T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC). The review will address the adequacy, effectiveness and sustainability of the infrastructure, governance systems and operational procedures of TAMCC.

GUYANA  In Guyana, 90 percent of the population live along the coast, which is below sea level at high tide. The communities are protected by a network of seawalls and stone revetments, but these have deteriorated significantly over the years, due in part to the impacts of climate change. On May 22, the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) approved a grant of GBP603,000 to fund a feasibility study and designs for the rehabilitation of the coastal and river infrastructure in the Georgetown area.

The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has also approved a grant of GBP830,000 to the Government of Guyana, to fund a feasibility study for road rehabilitation between Linden and Mabura Hills, along with plans for a new river crossing at Kurupukari.

HAITI  The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a grant of USD5.5 million to the Government of Haiti to improve climate resilience and disaster risk management on Ile-a-Vache, an island off the countrys southern peninsula.

ST KITTS AND NEVIS  The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a grant of EUR538,000 to support the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis in conducting a climate risk and vulnerability assessment of the coastal road infrastructure, as well as prepare designs for the rehabilitation of two high-priority sites.

ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES  The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) announced today that it will provide funding to help the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines improve the resilience of its hydropower electricity infrastructure to climate-related and geophysical hazards. The Banks Board of Directors approved the technical assistance project, which will also include financing for a climate risk vulnerability assessment and a multi-hazard risk profile for the countrys electricity sector.
There is a real prospect that, in dealing with unsustainable debt, 11 of 13 Caribbean small states will have lost the first three decades of the twenty-first century, and foregone opportunities for poverty reduction, transformation and growth.

That judgement has been made by a leading development-economist who has studied and worked on small economies. Cyrus Rustomjee is a South African-born, former head of the Economic Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat. In that position, he produced well-considered papers for the G20 on the development challenges confronting developing countries. His recent study, Pathways through the silent crisis: Innovations to Resolve Unsustainable Caribbean Public Debt, was commissioned by the Centre for International Governance, an independent think-tank located in Canada.

Losing the first three decades of the twenty-first century is a grim prospect. Thats practically an entire generation of Caribbean people. As Rustomjee points out, the problem is not that debt accumulation and debt servicing pose an intrinsic threat to poverty reduction, growth and development; but unsustainable high debt and debt servicing levels do.

Promoting development by raising loans has been a useful tool for many countries throughout history. Judicious levels of debt have contributed to growth through their investment in productive enterprises that produced revenue streams to repay borrowings. But when debt is used to pay for recurrent expenditures from which there is no return, the level rises with no means of repayment.

The cost of debt service has become so high that it severely constrains the spending capacity of governments to provide goods and services immediately needed by their people, and to invest in projects for economic growth.

Both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have suggested that a debt to GDP ratio above 60 percent is dangerous, since debt servicing would absorb such a high portion of revenues that governments would be left with little to provide the goods and services their people expect. And that is precisely the problem that many Caribbean governments face.

As the situation stands, at the end of 2016, only 2 of the 14 independent Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries had debt to GDP ratios under 60%  Guyana and Haiti. The 12 with ratios over 60 percent were: Antigua and Barbuda 92.1%, Bahamas 66.9%, Barbados 107.9%, Belize 98.6%, Dominica 81%, Grenada 84.4%, Jamaica 115.2%, St Kitts-Nevis 65.8%, St Lucia 82.6%, St Vincent and The Grenadines 79.2%, Suriname 64.6% and Trinidad and Tobago 61%. Troublingly, six of these countries experienced an increase in their debt to GDP ratios over their 2015 performance. Those countries are: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, St Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

The causes of the high debt to GDP ratios in Caribbean countries are many; poor policy choices by some governments are among them. But, it is important to note that in seven of the largest debtor countries, Rustomjees study shows that debt rose due to the following things: infrastructure reconstruction after natural disasters; reduction in aid; little or no access to concessional financing, forcing governments to borrow on tough commercial terms; erosion of European Union trade preferences since the early 1990s; and the impact on tourism of the global economic crisis which began in 2008. He might have added the regions large annual trade deficit with the United States, its largest trading partner, that reached US$5.2 billion in 2016 with a serious decline in Caribbean exports, including under the duty-free provisions for some goods of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.

Indeed, were it not for low-cost loans and grants particularly from China and Venezuela, and also from Taiwan in respect of three of them, the circumstances of these countries would have been much worse.

Projections are that, on its present course, by 2020, debt will remain unsustainable in 11 Caribbean small states, and there will be no change in 2030 when the UNs Agenda for Sustainable Development will have run its course.

Unless the international community responds appropriately to this grave problem, these countries will not only lose the first three decades of the 21st Century, thereby witnessing a reversal in the advances they have made, but poverty and unemployment will increase and opportunities for economic growth will by-pass them.

Other countries in the region will not be immune from the consequences. All reside in the same neighbourhood, and none can pick-up itself to move to a more desirable location. The adverse consequences in one will spill over into the others, in the form of economic refugees, job seekers and crime. This trend has already begun.

As bad as it may seem, the problem of high debt to GDP ratios is not insurmountable. But, it requires creative thinking and commitment from governments and the international community, including re-opening concessional financing from international financial institutions; external creditors, agreeing to write-off or reduce their loans; governments setting an annual cap on borrowing; and swapping debt for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Caribbean countries with high debt to GDP ratios are not without sound argument to encourage international responsiveness to their plight. These countries did not create Climate Change; they are the victims of the profligacy of the industrialised nations but they have to pay for reconstruction by incurring debt. Further, they are markets for the goods and services of others with little compensation. And, some of the debt they acquired was used to fight drug trafficking that contributed to the well-being of others.

Regrettably, there has been no promotion of such international cooperation, largely because, so far, Caribbean countries have soldiered-on, maintaining political and social stability and avoiding economic calamity. And the region itself has done little to place the issue on the international agenda and argue it forcefully.

The contention will be made that CARICOM countries must first show themselves willing to reduce their debt. Well 6 countries did so in 2016: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts-Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines reduced their debt from the previous years. Their effort has shown what is possible, and as the catalyst for encouraging an international response, it has to be replicated across the region particularly by the 6 whose debt to GDP ratios increased.

The alternative is to strangle a generation.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbudas Ambassador to the US and the OAS. He is also Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own)

Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com
BEIRUT - Cinema-goers in Lebanon might not be able to see the film 'Wonder Woman' following its global release on Thursday because the leading actress, Gal Gadot, is Israeli.

"The ministry for the economy and commerce has announced that it has taken the necessary measures to ban the screening of 'Wonder Woman' in Lebanese cinemas," national press agency NNA said. A commission is due to decide on the issue soon.



Lebanon and Israel are still formally at war and do not have an officially recognised common border, but only the armistice demarcation line known as the 'Blue Line'.


More Italians flock back to Egypt as tourism campaign begins 140% more visitors in April compared with same month in 2016

(ANSAmed) - ROME, MAY 30 - Egypt has launched another campaign to encourage tourists to visit the country during the upcoming summer season. The Egyptian Tourism Board has however been encouraged by the data from recent months, director Emad Fathy said.



In February, the number of arrivals from Italy rose by 26% on the same period in 2016, while in March Egypt attracted 74.6% more tourists from Italy than same month the previous year.



April then saw a 140.1% rise on the same month in 2016. ''There are still many Italians that choose Egypt and especially the Red Sea coast as holiday destination,'' Fathy said, saying the most popular are Marsa Alam, Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh, as well as Marsa Matrouh on the Mediterranean. The promotional activities, the Italian head of the Egyptian Tourism Board said, ''is to encourage Italian tourists to choose Egypt for their summer holidays''. Recently, he noted, ''new flights have been brought in for the Red Sea from the Milan, Bergamo, Verona, Bologna, Rome, Naples and Bari airports.'' (ANSAmed).




TEL AVIV - Thousands of Palestinians have fled from Gaza over the past few years and are now living in poor condition in Athens in hopes of being granted asylum, Haaretz reported from the Greek capital.

The trip from Gaza is expensive, refugees said, both if they leave through the Rafah crossing or illegal tunnels under the border towards the Sinai. In the first case, they added, it is necessary to corrupt Hamas officials so they put their names at the top of the list of those who will be allowed into Egypt when the crossing is open.

The waiting list currently includes 25,000 names and those without financial resources cannot travel to Egypt also because they need to corrupt Egyptian military personnel once they are on the other side of the crossing.

Illegal tunnels are also expensive.

According to unofficial data, the Palestinians who have fled Gaza and travelled to Greece are 4,500-6,000.

Some refugees told Haaretz they decided to flee after suffering abuse in Hamas' prisons.


Migrants: 60,000 landings so far in 2017, up 29% on 2016 10,000 arrivals over past three days, majority of Nigerians

(ANSAmed) - ROME, MAY 30 - With almost 10,000 arrivals over the past three days, landings in 2017 in Italy have so far exceeded 60,000, up 29% from the same period last year, where they were 46,000, according to data released Tuesday by the interior ministry.



Nigerians were the most represented nationality with 8,120 arrivals, followed by migrants from Bangladesh (7,567) and Guinea (6,144). Unaccompanied minors were 6,242 but all those who have arrived over the past few days have not been registered yet.



Lombardy is the region hosting the highest number of migrants (13% of the total), followed by Campania and Lazio (9%).



(ANSAmed).




ANSAmed - Tomorrow's events in the Mediterranean

(ANSAmed) - ROME, MAY 30 - The following are some of the main events scheduled for tomorrow in the Euro-Mediterranean area: MILAN - University of Studies, conference on 'Elections in Iran and the challenge of the future'.



BRUSSELS - EU, third meeting of the high-level group of the European Union on the fight against racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance.



ISTANBUL/ANKARA - Anniversary of the start of protests that gathered over two million Turks for three weeks against the conservative Islamic government of then-premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the area of Gezi Park. (ANSAmed).




TEL AVIV - Israeli Premier Benyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday told Israel's military radio that the attitude towards Israel has changed in some sectors of the Arab world ''due to the understanding that we are not its enemies but instead potential allies'' against Iran and ISIS.



He added that Arab countries could potentially urge Palestinians to forge an agreement with Israel. The Palestinians, according to Netanyahu, are at this time still ''prisoners'' of their preconceptions denying Israel's legitimacy. The absence of peace - he noted - should be blamed on this Palestinian stance and not on Israel's control over the Territories or settlement construction: ''There were neither before 1967 but they tried to get us out of Tel Aviv and Jaffa''.



Netanyahu then observed that if Israel were to lose military control of the West Bank it could become a ''missile launch ramp'' towards the Israeli coast.
Serbia: ready to open 5 EU negotiating chapters by end June Negotiating chief, uncertainty on inter-government conference

(ANSAmed) - BELGRADE, MAY 30 - Serbia will be ready to open five new negotiating chapters with the European Union by the end of June, when Malta's EU presidency wraps up, the head of Belgrade's negotiating team Tanja Miscevic said Tuesday.



However, she added, it is still unclear when the new inter-government conference will be held in Brussels and how many chapters will actually be opened.



According to Miscevic, the opening of chapter 7 (intellectual property) is sure, along with 29 (customs union). Three others are currently under discussion. So far, Serbia has opened eight out of 35 negotiating chapters. (ANSAmed).




ROME - Egypt has launched another campaign to encourage tourists to visit the country during the upcoming summer season. The Egyptian Tourism Board has however been encouraged by the data from recent months, director Emad Fathy said.

In February, the number of arrivals from Italy rose by 26% on the same period in 2016, while in March Egypt attracted 74.6% more tourists from Italy than same month the previous year.

April then saw a 140.1% rise on the same month in 2016. ''There are still many Italians that choose Egypt and especially the Red Sea coast as holiday destination,'' Fathy said, saying the most popular are Marsa Alam, Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh, as well as Marsa Matrouh on the Mediterranean. The promotional activities, the Italian head of the Egyptian Tourism Board said, ''is to encourage Italian tourists to choose Egypt for their summer holidays''. Recently, he noted, ''new flights have been brought in for the Red Sea from the Milan, Bergamo, Verona, Bologna, Rome, Naples and Bari airports.''
If youre considering a subscription to the Disney Plus streaming service, you may be wondering how much it costs. The service is available on both
The Nigerian carrier said twice weekly return flights between Kano and Jeddah began on May 12. Operations are on-board Azman Air's fleet of two B737-300s and two B737-500s.
Among the enhancements to improve radar capabilities and reduce repair time for the airborne surveillance fleet are systems that increase the original equipments radar sensitivity and expand the range for tracking targets.

The upgrades, called the Radar System Improvement Program (RSIP), comprise a new radar computer, a radar control maintenance panel and electrical and mechanical software and hardware.

"The AWACSs main mission is to provide real-time situation awareness, and our teams have stayed true to that mission, said Keith Burns, Saudi AWACS programs manager for Boeing. The modernized software, multiple radar nodes and overall enhanced operation make this is the most significant upgrade to the AWACS radar since it was developed in the 1970s.

Boeing engineers and technicians performed the installation and checkout of the first upgraded aircraft at Boeing Field in Seattle. The remaining aircraft were modified at Alsalam Aerospace Industries in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with support of Boeing engineers, technicians and a test and evaluation team.

The RSIP kit is built by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems and has been installed on United States, United Kingdom, NATO and French AWACS fleets.

Boeing delivered Saudi Arabia's AWACS aircraft between June 1986 and September 1987.
The system can also be installed on planes already in service. Honeywells JetWave antennas and hardware enable Inmarsats high-speed Jet ConneX service. Once installed, the system allows Dassault fliers to enjoy video streaming and phone calls, music and movie downloads, access to private company networks, online shopping, and much more through one global network with significantly fewer signal drops than other connectivity services, even over oceans.

Based on a wider wireless frequency pipe than other global satellite networks, Honeywells system enables global Ka-band connection. Honeywells JetWave is now available as an option for installation aboard new Falcon 900LX, Falcon 7X, Falcon 8X, Falcon 5X business jets with initial delivery in mid-2017. For existing Dassault customers, Honeywells JetWave hardware is available for current installation on the Falcon 7X and Falcon 900 Series aircraft.

We believe that the future of business aviation lies in global connectivity. Demand from our customers and operators for reliable, high-speed, global Wi-Fi is growing exponentially, said Olivier Villa, executive vice president, Civil Aircraft, Dassault Aviation. Honeywells JetWave hardware, combined with Jet ConneX service from Inmarsat, is just the right solution to meet this need. It is one of the best offerings on the market and ensures our customers the ultimate in onboard comfort and productivity.

With JetWave, Dassault operators and owners can now benefit from consistent, high-speed connectivity to browse the internet, stream videos and videoconference virtually anywhere in the world, said Michael Edmonds, president, Services and Connectivity, Honeywell Aerospace

Inmarsat is thrilled to be part of the Dassault team, said Kurt Weidemeyer, Inmarsat vice president of Business Aviation. To support Dassault customers who want to sign-up now, Inmarsat has granted approvals for non-ka radomes to join our GX network while the Ka-radome is under development. We have also developed special data packages for this transition too.
This forms part of the carriers fleet renewal and expansion strategy.

The fourth out of nine Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft that EgyptAir plans to acquire in 2017 passed an official registration procedure to finally join the fleet that includes now 24 aircraft of the same type, in addition to other types.

"We do have steady goals to achieve regarding EgyptAir fleet and through this order of B737-800 NG, which to be finalised by the delivery of the ninth later this year, with an approximate age of six years," said EgyptAir CEO Safwat Musallam.

During the past period we have received three other aircraft," said Musallam. "We are working on an overall- plan that would enhance our medium-haul fleet, we managed to further develop our network, increase frequencies on the most popular routes, therefore, guarantee that all our passengers reach their destination on time.
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.



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.
Members of Etihad Airways loyalty programme can donate their miles to the emergency response in the African country, with 750 Etihad Guest Miles providing one meal. The aim of the campaign is to achieve 15 million miles of donations which would provide 20,000 meals.

The Etihad Guest partnership with Emirates Red Crescent is one of the elements of Etihad Airways contribution to the UAEs Year of Giving programme.

Yasser Al Yousuf, managing director, Etihad Guest, said: We are asking our members to make an easy but crucial statement this month by letting their miles make a difference to thousands of children and families in need in Somalia.

The message is simple: the more donations we receive, the more people Emirates Red Crescent is able to feed. We have an ambitious goal of providing 20,000 meals and we hope that Etihad Guest members will join with us in supporting this important cause.

Etihad Airways humanitarian and development initiatives, Mohammed Yousef Al Fahim, Deputy Secretary-General for Support Services at Emirates Red Crescent, said: The airline has been fulfilling its corporate social responsibility as it continues to play a vital role in supporting our national economy. The Emirates Red Crescent is proud of the partnership with Etihad Airways, which is a step forward to strengthening joint efforts to provide more care to people supported by Emirates Red Crescent in the UAE and abroad. We are confident that Etihad Guest initiative will take this partnership to new heights.
Al Shehhi joined Etihad Guest while applying for an ADIB credit card. Guests can earn miles on everyday spending through their ADIB Etihad Guest cards and use their points to purchase flights, upgrades and multiple items from the online Reward Shop.



I am really looking forward to spending the miles on flights and upgrades, and seeing where I can travel to over the next few months, he said. It was a great surprise to be told that Id been picked out as the five millionth member because I fly with the airline all the time so to be rewarded in this way will help me continue my travels around the world.



Al Shehhi added that he would also donate some Etihad Guest Miles to relief efforts in Somalia, in line with the spirit of the Holy month of Ramadan and in support of the UAEs Year of Giving initiative.
The company shares surged up to 6 per cent today after company struck an agreement with the Queensland government.

New Delhi: Shares of Adani Group companies surged up to 6 per cent today after the group agreed to pay royalties on coal produced from its USD 16.5 billion

Carmichael coal project in Australia after it struck an agreement with the Queensland government to help the controversy-hit project move forward.

The scrip of Adani Enterprises surged 5.93 per cent, Adani Transmission gained 4.27 per cent, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (3.43 per cent) and Adani Power (2.43

per cent) on BSE. Adani Ports was the top gainer among the 30-Sensex components.

The agreement with Queensland government "meets Adani's expectations and requirements," the company said in a statement, without providing details of the accord. In the statement, Adani chairman Gautam Adani described the move as a "benchmark decision" that showed the "strong commitment" of the Queensland government to the project.

The Carmichael coal project, Australia's largest, has been delayed since first being proposed in 2010 due to protests by green groups over its environmental impact.
Kolkata/New Delhi: State-owned Coal India today reported 38 per cent decline in consolidated net profit at Rs 2,716 crore for the quarter ended on March 31, 2017, due to higher expenses.

Coal India Ltd (CIL) had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 4,398 crore in the corresponding quarter of previous fiscal. The consolidated income of the company increased to Rs 26,635.9 crore in the last quarter of FY2016-17, from Rs 24,583.8 crore in the January-March quarter of 2015-16, the PSU said in a filing to the BSE.

The consolidated sales (net of other levies but including excise duty) increased to Rs 24,032.5 crore in January-March, over Rs 22,141 crore in the year-ago period. Total expenses increased to Rs 22,357.5 crore in the last quarter of 2016-17, over Rs 18,173.8 crore in the January- March quarter of 2015-16.

"During the quarter/year ended March 31, 2017 the company has declared and paid two interim dividends...amounting to Rs 12,352.76 crore," it said adding that the board decided to recommend such interim dividend already paid as final dividend and no additional dividend has been recommended for 2016-17.

The company's output during January-March quarter increased to 176.37 million tonnes, from 165.24 MT in the same period of 2015-16. The company's offtake for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, was higher at 151.5 MT compared to 145 MT in the same quarter of 2015-16.

On standalone basis, the company's profit decreased to Rs 13,438 crore in January-March 2017, over Rs 14,188.6 crore in the same quarter of 2015-16. CIL's standalone income dropped to Rs 13,485.2 crore over Rs 14,251 crore in the year-ago period. Shares of the company closed at Rs 267.65 apiece on BSE, down 0.26 per cent from the previous close.

Coal India which accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal production is eyeing one billion tonnes of output by 2020. The miner has reported the Q4 results as per the new accounting standards and FY16' Q4 figures are restated.

The miner informed the bourses that its employees benefit cost was at Rs 9,229 crore during the quarter, sharply higher from Rs 7,843 crore registered in the corresponding quarter of FY2015-16.

CIL provisions jumped to Rs 1,238 crore which is mainly on account of grade slippages during the quarter as against Rs 291 crore in the same quarter of FY2015-16.
He shared a 59-second long video in which he requested Class 12 students not to be upset over their results.

Mumbai: The much-acclaimed actor Rajkummar Rao is lending a helping hand to those who did not do well in their CBSE Higher Secondary School exams.

He took to Twitter and shared a 59-second long video in which he requested Class 12 students not to be upset over their results.

In the video, he shared, "I know today many results for Class 12 CBSE board exams have come and in case you haven't performed well or failed... don't worry. There is nothing wrong about it. It keeps happening. It is a beautiful life...A lot needs to be accomplished."

For all you wonderful students out there. pic.twitter.com/zqTDuR3T5S  Rajkummar Rao (@RajkummarRao) May 28, 2017

The 'Trapped' star also noted that he has several friends, who didn't do well in their Class 10 and 12 board exams, yet they are successful in their career.

He added, "So, why not you people? Don't worry. Talk to your friends, parents, talk to me. You can message me on any social networking platform. I am there to help and talk to you. But all I can tell you is that there is nothing wrong in this. Not this year, then next year. There are so many avenues and opportunities. I am there, your parents are there and your friends are there with you. You are not alone. Be happy."

Overall pass percentage is 82 percent, while it was 83 percent last year. Around 11 lakh students have appeared for the CBSE Class 12 exam.
Kerala MP Rajesh compared Goswami's knowledge of CPI(M) history to that of a primary school kid for his offensive remarks about the party.

New Delhi: Following an unruly debate on Arnab Goswamis recently launched news channel Republic TV, Kerala Communist Party of India (Marxist) Lok Sabha MP from Palakkad, M B Rajesh lashed out at the journalist in an open letter.

The CPM leaders letter that was posted and widely circulated on Facebook scorned Goswami for lacking the integrity, poise and credibility expected of a news anchor, as said in a report in The Indian Express. The Lok Sabha MP referred to Goswami as the most unethical and cowardly journalist he had ever seen.

Rajesh was previously called on the May 26 show for a discussion on the three year anniversary of the Modi-led NDA government. The topic was, however, changed at the last minute where he was asked to defend Kodiyeri Balakrishnans (Kerala CPM state secretary) remark on the army. Rajesh said he could have boycott the show but decided to partake in order to avoid accusations of running away in his absence.

In spite of Goswamis continuous interruptions, he tried to clarify on the show that Balakrishnans remarks were not directed the army but against the atrocities committed in the name of AFSPA, Rajesh said.

According to the report, Rajesh hit out at Goswami in the letter saying, It was evident from your substandard and abusive remarks against the CPI(M) that your sense of history is poorer than that of a primary school child. Your history teacher in school would have been much ashamed to see the shameless and naive expression of your ignorance about history.

The Lok Sabha MP further went on to speak about his proud provenance as his father was in the Indian Army and had fought in the 1971 war. As the ward of a veteran, Ive also partaken in the sacrificial living of an army family, like several others. Now, tell me, apart from your highly hypocritic and extremely dramatic expressions in the name of army, only to raise ratings, what have you genuinely done for our army? he inquired of Goswami in the letter.

The letter posted on Facebook has gone viral and has been shared over 6000 times. Facebook users have also asked for a Malayalam translation.

Earlier in May, the former editor-in-chief of Times Now channel, Arnab Goswami launched his news channel Republic TV which has been a site of controversy ever since. The NDA Kerala vice-chairman Rajeev Chandrasekhar backed channel, was slapped with a defamation suit by MP Shashi Tharoor for allegedly making offensive comments about him while covering his late wife Sunanda Pushkars death.
The DMK has threatened to start a nationwide agitation from May 31.

The notification issued by the environment ministry on May 23 banned the sale or purchase of animals for slaughter and those trading have to give an undertaking that these animals are bought for agricultural purposes. (Photo: AFP)

New Delhi/Kolkata/ Chennai: Facing flak from several states over its cattle slaughter ban order, the government is considering tweaking the rules to exempt buffaloes from the ban. Many state governments, particularly West Bengal and Kerala, have attacked the Centre over this move. The DMK has threatened to start a nationwide agitation from May 31.

Declaring that her government would not accept this undemocratic and unconstitutional ban, which she also described as anti-federal and an attempt to encroach on states rights, Trinamul Congress boss and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said her government was likely to challenge it in court and that she was going to consult the state advocate-general.

I will request the Centre not to interfere with states matters and destroy the federal structure, Ms Banerjee added.

Protests, meanwhile, erupted across Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on Monday over the decision. A beef festival was also organised at the IIT Madas.

The notification issued by the environment ministry on May 23 banned the sale or purchase of animals for slaughter and those trading have to give an undertaking that these animals are bought for agricultural purposes.

The ministry said it was getting representations from various quarters, including meat exporters and NGOs, and would take a decision only after going through the entire gamut of representations. While Keralas LDF, the Trinamul Congress in West Bengal, the DMK in Tamil Nadu and meat exporters are against the ban, animal rights activists want the government to go ahead with its decision.

We have received representations from various quarters and are in the process of considering them. No decision has been taken, environment ministry sources said. The ministry is considering keeping in mind opposition from the states and also West Bengals threat to take legal recourse on the matter, an official said. The regulation for cattle business notified last week covers bulls, bullocks, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers and calves, as well as camels.

While a political slugfest raged over the ban, the BJP hit out at the Congress over the public slaughter of a calf in Kerala by its youth wing leaders. Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said it was unfortunate that Youth Congress leaders publicly slaughtered the animal when the Constitution seeks to prohibit cow slaughter.

This is shameful and in many ways provocative. Political opposition happens but it is unfortunate that such an act has been committed... that too by Youth Congress workers. It is unfortunate, the minister told reporters in New Delhi.

In Tamil Nadu, raising the pitch on the issue, the states Opposition parties urged the AIADMK government to enact a law against the ban. The DMK attacked the E.K. Palaniswami government for keeping mum on this as neighbouring Kerala and Karnataka had vehemently opposed the ban. DMK working president M.K. Stalin will lead a protest on May 31 in Chennai against the ban, the party said, adding that the fundamental right to the choice of food granted by the Constitution has been snatched away.
The CBI court will frame charges today against BJP leaders Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

Kanpur: Ahead of her hearing in the Lucknow special CBI court in a case related to the demolition of the Babri Masjid, Union Minister Uma Bharti on Tuesday said that she is not a 'criminal'.

"It is the matter of God and in such a case I can only have expectations from him. Since I have taken part in it with devotion, I don't consider myself as a criminal," Bharti said.

However, Bharti flatly rejected the charges of the opposition for conspiring in the matter.

"It was an open protest, as it was during the time of emergency. What conspiracy was there in it I don't know," she said.

Before appearing in the CBI court here today BJP leader Vinay Katiyar assured that he will follow the rulings.

"I don't want to say anything on this, court has to take the decision and we will follow it. The court has issued summons against us. We will appear before the court and will see what will happen," Katiyar told ANI.

The CBI court will frame charges today against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

The leaders will appear today before the Special CBI judge S K Yadav.

The court had also asked BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmia and Sadhvi Ritambara to present themselves before the court in person.

While directing the accused to present themselves in person, the judge had said no application for adjournment or exemption from personal appearance shall be entertained.

The court, which is hearing two separate cases relating to the demolition, would also frame charges against Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma alias Prem Ji, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Dharma Das and Satish Pradhan in the second matter.

The Supreme Court had on April 19 ordered prosecution of Advani, Joshi, Uma Bharti, and other accused for criminal conspiracy in the politically sensitive case. It had also ordered day-to-day trial to be concluded in two years.

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 apex 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.
He further said that 'no power on earth' could stop the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Lucknow: Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sakshi Maharaj on Monday said "no power on earth" could stop the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya ahead of proceedings in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case here.

The Babri Masjid versus Ram temple debate should be dropped now, he said, claiming that those who had opposed the construction of the temple were now Ram bhakts.

The Muslim community too was in favour of a temple being built in Ayodhya, he told media persons here.

"No power on earth will be able to stop the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya," he said.

Meanwhile, senior Hindutva leader Ram Vilas Vedanti, an accused in the case, said that he was among those who had pulled down the structure in Ayodhya.

"I was one of those who had pulled down the dome of the disputed structure in Ayodhya," Vedanti, who is here to appear before the special court in the Ayodhya case, told reporters.

BJP stalwarts L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti are to appear before a special CBI court here for framing of charges in the demolition case.
The Indian govt is planning to use its diplomatic channels to frustrate all attempts by the controversial preacher to get citizenship.

New Delhi: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on terror charges, has applied for Malaysian citizenship, according to agency sources.

Naik has been changing his base quite frequently after the NIA moved the Interpol for issuance of a Red Corner Notice (RCN), international arrest warrant, against him, they said.

The preacher, who is believed to be having Permanent Residence status in Malaysia, has now sought its citizenship but no decision has been taken so far on his application, the sources said.

The Indian government is planning to use its diplomatic channels to frustrate all attempts by the controversial preacher to get citizenship in any country, they said.

The Malaysian authorities were aware about terror cases pending against the controversial Islamic preacher, they said.

Naik is being probed for terror and money laundering charges. He had fled from India immediately after an investigation against him was initiated.

His present place of stay is unknown and it is believed that he has been shuttling between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, African and Southeast Asian countries, the sources said.

The controversial preacher is accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering several crores of rupees over the years.

The Interpol was approached against Naik after a year- long probe during which the NIA gathered evidence of his NGO -- Islamic Research Foundation - and Peace TV, being used to allegedly promote hatred between different religious groups.

The central government has already banned his NGO and taken his TV channel off air. During the probe, the NIA claimed to have found 37 properties owned by Naik and companies run by him, which are estimated to be worth more than Rs 100 crore.

A Special NIA court in Mumbai, while issuing a non- bailable warrant against Naik, had said that "there are reasonable grounds to believe that Naik is evading arrest and that he will not voluntarily appear before the court or before the agency."

The NIA alleged that Naik has been promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his speeches and lectures on various platforms and inciting Muslim youths and terrorists in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts.

Naik had fled from India on July 1, 2016 after terrorists in neighbouring Bangladesh claimed that they were inspired by his speeches on waging jehad.
Niti Aayog gives recommendations for strong, viable AI

New Delhi: Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Tuesday said that his ministry was examining the Niti Aayogs recommendations on Air Indias future  to make it a strong and viable airline  hinting again at the possibility of disinvestment or even outright privatisation of the national carrier.

Top government sources said Air Indias fate will be decided in the next three months as the ministry will hold intense deliberations on Niti Aayogs recommendations before deciding on a course of action.

The Niti Aayog has made recommendations for making Air India strong and viable. All courses of action are being examined. We havent closed any option, Mr Raju told reporters.

When asked about the options on the table, minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha, who was also present at the briefing, held to highlight the BJP-led governments achievements in civil aviation in the past three years, said: We cant disclose now beyond this point.

Sources said the ministry had begun deliberations with Air India on the Niti Aayog recommendations, but expressed confidence that a way will be found to ensure that Air India survives. Air India has incurred losses worth thousands of crores but is surviving on a government bailout package of Rs 30,000 crore that began during UPA-2s tenure and is continuing under the NDA government. This amount may go up to Rs 50,000 crore in the next five years, with sources saying the government had infused equity of around Rs 25,000 crore into Air India in the past five years.

Air India has a debt burden of at least Rs 45,000 crore and a large part of it is due to loans taken (about Rs 22,500 crores) for acquisition of a total of 111 aircraft (68 for Air India and 43 for the erstwhile Indian Airlines) in 2005-06. A financial turnaround plan was put in place for the airline in 2012, but the NDA government, after three years in office, is now convinced this will not be enough to pull the airline out of its financial woes.

Mr Raju had recently spoken of legacy issues, a reference to the large debt that fell on the airline in over a decade. Though Air India reported an operating profit of Rs 105 crore in 2015-16, these huge debts are still insurmountable.
Madras HC order applicable all over India, Centre to respond.

Madurai/New Delhi: The Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Wednesday stayed for four weeks the Central governments notification banning the sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter in animal markets as the subject of the law was in the State List. The high courts interim order followed protests in some states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal, against the measure. The court has directed the respondents to file their response within four weeks.

Under relentless Opposition attack, the government, meanwhile, said on Tuesday that it was examining all the issues raised by some state governments and trade organisations.

The court dismissed the arguments by the additional solicitor-general of India, representing the Centre, that the rules are to be presumed as framed by Parliament. This court is not in full agreement that a presumption is in favour of the Central government when a particular rule is introduced, not by Parliament, but by the executive, as the primary aspect is that the subject of the law under consideration is in the State List, said a division bench comprising Justices M.V. Muralidharan and C.V. Karthikeyan.

The court passed the interim order on two writ petitions filed by senior counsel Ajmal Khan and advocate Dhana Aravinda Balaji challenging the constitutional validity of Rules (22)b(iii) and 22(e) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulations of Livestocks Markets) Rule 2017 that was notified by the Centre on May 23.

A defiant West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had on Monday called the new rules undemocratic and unconstitutional and said it would be challenged legally. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan had termed the ban anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular, and shot off letters to the chief ministers of all states asking them to stand together and oppose it. He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the new regulations.

Stating the arguments advanced by the senior counsel call for granting the interim relief, the judges noted the subject of the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act was also in the Concurrent list. As far as slaughter of animals was concerned, it was exclusively in the State List, the court said.

Under the above background, it should be tested if the impugned rule is within the constitutional and/or legal framework and have consideration over and above the state enactments in this secular country, Justice Muralidharan said.

The petitioners also said the provisions breached the cardinal principle of federalism as it amounted to legislation in areas earmarked for state legislatures.

In New Delhi, senior Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said the government was examining the issues raised by the states and trade organisations. The ban, he said, was notified in the backdrop of observations made by the Supreme Court and a parliamentary committee on preventing cruelty to animals.
Ranjan was gunned down on May 13 last year and his wife accused Shahabuddin of having a role in the killing.

New Delhi: The CBI is all set to confront RJD leader Mohammad Shahabuddin with an arrested accused Sonu Kumar Soni during the formers interrogation as part of its investigation into the murder case of Siwan-based journalist Rajdeo Ranjan. Shahabuddin is currently in CBI custody and is being interrogated by the agency sleuths.

The CBI had re-registered the case after taking it over from Siwan (Bihar) police last year. The agency has already chargesheeted Sonu in this case. The agency had filed the first chargesheet in December 2016 against shooter Rohit and Sonu, who were allegedly present at the murder spot. It is suspected the contract to kill Ranjan was allegedly given by Laddan Mian to two sharpshooters, sources said. Sources further said Laddan Mian is considered close to politicians, including Shahabuddin. The agency will soon confront the RJD leader with Sonu during questioning, they added.

The CBI on Monday took custody of Shahabuddin in the murder case of Siwan-based Journalist. The RJD leader is brought to the agency headquarters here for questioning. The CBI recently told a Muzaffarpur court Shahabuddins name surfaced as an accused and it needs his custodial interrogation.

The four-time RJD MP from Siwan is alleged to have been involved in the murder of Ranjan, a journalist of a prominent Hindi daily in Siwan last year. If required, he may be subjected to the lie-detection test also, sources said adding that the agency has enough evidence to prove that Shahabuddin had played an important role in the murder of the journalist.

The former RJD MP was lodged in the high security Tihar jail in Delhi. The RJD leader is facing trial in more than 45 criminal cases and was moved to Tihar Jail in February this year on a Supreme Court order on a plea by Siwan native Chandrakeshwar Prasad, whose three sons were killed in two separate incidents. Ranjan was gunned down on May 13 last year and his wife accused Shahabuddin of having a role in the killing. The former RJD MP on May 26 named as the tenth accused in the murder case of journalist by the CBI.
They continuously punched him in the face, and he was severely injured in his right eye.

Chennai: A research scholar of IIT-Madras was brutally attacked on Tuesday by a group of students inside the campus on Tuesday allegedly for taking part in the beef festival. Sooraj R., a PhD scholar in the aerospace department of IIT-M, was having lunch at the mess inside the campus when a group of right-wing students allegedly attacked him. They continuously punched him in the face, and he was severely injured in his right eye. Later, he was admitted to a private eye hospital.

Protesting against the Centres decision to ban the trade of cattle for slaughter in animal markets, around 70 IIT-M students conducted the beef festival on Sunday evening. The student who led the attackers group had been issuing threats to the students who participated in the event for the last couple of days, an IIT-M student said.

Sooraj, who hails from Kerala, is reportedly a core member of Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC) and actively takes part in all the discussions and events on the campus.

The protest against the Central governments decision was a spontaneous one. It was not organised under any banner. The research scholar who attacked Sooraj had already faced an inquiry for attacking another student. We have filed a complaint with the dean of students, IIT-Madras. We will also file a police complaint, said Swaminathan, member, APSC. The IIT administration was not available for comment.
DMK chief himself may not attend celebrations; BSP and SP not invited.

New Delhi: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has decided to attend DMK patriarch Karunanidhis birthday celebrations on June 3. The event is being touted as another move to showcase Opposition unity.

While the meeting is expected to be a grand affair, M Karunanidhi himself may not be able to attend the celebrations owing to ill health.

Mr Kumar had set tongues wagging by skipping Congress president Sonia Gandhis Opposition unity lunch on May 26, but had attended Prime Minister Narenadra Modis luncheon meeting held in honour of the Mauritius Prime Minister the very next day. This had given rise to speculation that Mr Kumar was keeping his ties with the BJP warm as well. The Bihar chief minister had also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the demonitisation drive.

Mr Kumar, who heads an alliance government with the Rashtriya Lok Dal and the Congress in his state, is said to be not too comfortable with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who has recently in the limelight for I-T raids on his properties across the country.

The JD-U chief has, however, said that it was a misinterpretation to say that he was moving towards the BJP. I have net Mrs Gandhi earlier. Our party was represented, he had said.

Mr Karunanidhis daughter and DMK Rajya Sabha member Kanhimozi had met Mr Kumar to invite him and he had accepted the invitation, A senior JD-U leader told this newspaper. The invitation card mentions the name of Bihar chief minister.

In case the JD(U) decides to lean towards the BJP, it could come as a major boost for the saffronites while absence of Mr Kumar could possibly have an adverse impact on the formation of any united front against BJP.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will also attend the meeting. Though the DMK had invited Mrs Gandhi as well she would not be attending due to her health issues, Congress sources said. However, the DMK has not invited either the BSP or the SP.
Bilkis Bano, who was five-month pregnant at the time, was gangraped.

New Delhi: Observing that there is no urgency in the matter, the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the conviction of IPS officer R.S. Bhagora, who was sentenced in the Gujarat riots Bilkis Bano Gangrape case.

A vacation bench of Justices A.K. Sikri and Deepak Gupta told counsel for the petitioner that since the convicted officer had already undergone the sentence, there is no need to stay conviction at this stage.

The counsel said that if the conviction is not stayed, he will be terminated from the service as per service rules, and that the court should grant stay on the conviction. The bench, while refusing to grant early hearing, told the counsel the fine amount is only Rs 15,000. It posted the matter for listing in the second week of July.

According to the prosecution, on March 3, 2002, Bilkis Banos family was attacked by a mob at Randhikpur village near Ahmedabad during the post-Godhra riots, and seven members of her family were killed. Bilkis Bano, who was five-month pregnant at the time, was gangraped. The convicts had, however, contended that all evidence in the case was fabricated by the CBI and the fact that Bilkis gave birth to a child after the incident proves she could not have been gangraped.

The trial court acquitted the accused. On appeal by the prosecution, the Bombay high court on May 4 reversed the findings and convicted Bhagora, currently serving in Gujarat, and four other police officers. The high court, however, released them by imposing a punishment of sentence already undegone. Besides five police officers, the high court convicted two doctors as well. The present appeal by Bhagora is directed against this judgement.
Randeep Singh Surjewala demanded that Union minister Uma Bharti should resign as charges have been framed against her.

New Delhi: After the charges were framed against BJP leaders for criminal conspiracy by a special CBI court, political reactions have started pouring in.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala demanded that Union minister Uma Bharti should resign as charges have been framed against her. He said, "One of the accused Uma Bharti is a Union Cabinet minister. Having been chargesheeted, she must resign. The Prime Minister must come forward and uphold the rule of law and constitution."

He added that the law will finally take its own course and those who are guilty must be punished in accordance with the law of land without any fear or favour.

However, Union information and broadcasting minister M. Venkaiah Naidu defended the BJP leaders against whom charges were framed in the special CBI court.

"Our leaders are innocent. They will come out unscathed. He added he does not want to say anything more as the matter is in still in court," Naidu said.

BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, against whom the charges have been framed, said that there was no conspiracy as the structure was demolished by the crowd openly. He added that Mulayam Singh Yadav, former UP CM had said when fire was opened on Kar Sevaks in 1990, 16 people were killed. Hence, a case should be lodged against Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"He (Mulayam) murdered them and he should be booked. The Babri Masjid was not there. The place belongs to the Ram Temple and even the HC has passed the order (to that effect)," Katiyar said.

UP deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said: For the BJP, this is a day of honour and pride. The matter is in court and we are confident that justice will prevail.

BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti said, "There is no remorse. We brought down the structure to pave the way for a grand Ram temple."
Union minister Venkaiah Naidu visited the house of the deceased and gave Rs 50,000 as financial aid to the family.

New Delhi: Even after three days, the city police has failed to achieve any breakthrough in the gruesome murder of an e-rickshaw driver, who was beaten to death for stopping two people from urinating in public on Saturday.

A senior police official said that they have rounded up around 10 students from the locality for questioning. CCTV footage of the accused has been procured in which they were seen purchasing liquor from a shop in the same locality where the murder took place.

The identities of the accused have been established with the help of CCTV footage. We have formed several police teams to arrest the acc-used. We have received significant information about the accused with the help of local informers. They will be arrested soon, said Milind Dum-bre, DCP (Northwest).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday night condemned the killing of the e-rickshaw driver and directed the authorities to punish the culprits.

Mr Modi, who is on a four-nation tour, also sanctioned Rs 1 lakh from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund as ex-gratia to the next of the kin of the 32-year-old driver Ravindra Kumar who was beaten to death for espousing the Swachchh Bharat, an official spokesman said here.

Earlier in the day, Union minister Venkaiah Naidu visited the house of the deceased and gave Rs 50,000 as financial aid to the family. Also, the Delhi government announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the e-rickshaw driver.

The Union urban development minister, accompanied by Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, met the family members of the victim. He also visited the spot outside the GTB Metro Station where the e-rickshaw driver, Ravinder (32), was beaten to death by a dozen men on Saturday evening.

Mr Naidu gave a cheque of Rs 50,000 from his own account to the wife of the deceased as an interim relief. We have also talked to the commissioner of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation for providing a job to her, Mr Tiwari said.

The minister also directed the police to arrest, as soon as possible, the men responsible for killing Ravinder, whom he described as a promoter of Swachchh Bharat.

The irony is that the spot where the e-rickshaw driver was beaten to death is hardly a few metres away from a sulabh shauchalaya complex. It is perhaps the first case where someone has given his life in the country for promoting cleanliness and sanitation and we are committed to support Ravinders family, Mr Tiwari said.

Sad that an e-rickshaw driver was beaten to death for stopping two people from urinating in public in Delhi. He was promoting Swachchh Bharat, Mr Naidu tweeted.

He said that he has spoken with Delhi police chief Amulya Patnaik and asked him to take the strongest action possible against the culprits. Ravinder got married last year.
Backing the BMC, Mr Shah said keeping beaches clean is not the only responsibility of the civic body.

Afroz Shah said citizens too should pitch in to clean up the beaches of the city.

Mumbai: Afroz Shah, a Bombay high court lawyer, who was praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the radio programme Mann ki Baat on Sunday for cleaning up Versova beach in north-west Mumbai, said keeping beaches clean is the duty of all citizens and not only the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Mr Shah also said that the BMC is doing what it can do to keep the beaches clean, but it is not enough.

Mr Shah said, Twice a day, high tides bring fresh garbage to all the beaches and the citizens should chip in to clean them up. Mr Shah also thanked Prime Minister Modi for recognising his work. The Versova beach was earlier reckoned as the dirtiest beach in the city. Mr Shah recently tied up with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and wants to clean the 19 beaches of Mumbai. He hopes that one day the whole coast of India will be plastic-free.

Mr Shah said, I thank PM Modi for his kind words. Henceforth, they will encourage me and the volunteers to do more work. He added, The presence of plastic in the sea water has increased and is adding to the menace of water pollution on the global level.

Cleaning beaches is a continuous process. It takes time; we have been cleaning the Versova beach for 86 weeks, he said. He also added, Every Saturday and Sunday, our volunteers used to gather at Versova beach. We disposed of 5.5 million tonnes of garbage.

Backing the BMC, Mr Shah said keeping beaches clean is not the only responsibility of the civic body. People are throwing garbage in the ocean, and why should we blame the BMC? The ocean also brings fresh garbage twice a day to the beaches and therefore collecting garbage one-time is not sufficient, he said.

Despite several attempts, The Asian Age was not able to reach Vijay Balamwar, deputy municipal commissioner of solid waste management department, for comments on why non-governmental organizations (NGO) need to pitch in for cleaning up the citys beaches.
After the review meet, Railways decides to give Indias first semi-luxury train Tejas Express cheaper replacements now.

Mumbai: Its not just headphones, but passengers of Indias first semi-luxury train Tejas Express have taken away even handwash and food trays from the train. Now, after a review meeting held on Monday, the railways has decided to replace all branded items with their cheaper alternatives.

An official said, Some of the food trays have been vandalised and have gone missing as well so there is a thought that we will bring in the same item, but which will be more economical. The official further added, The issue is not severe but because Tejas has gained so much popularity in the media there was a separate discussion on it. If it was any other train this would not even be discussed, the cheaper alternatives would have been just provided. The Mumbai-Goa Tejas Express was flagged off on May 22.

On the other hand, Central Railway (CR) divisional railway manager Ravindra Goyal denied that the issue was discussed. No, this was not a part of the discussion at all, we took a review of the Tejas and there are small upgradations that will be introduced after a week of running the train, he said.

We will be increasing the volume level of the alarm installed near the door when the train will be departing from a station after some passengers told us that if they are standing outside the train on the platform, they cannot hear the alarm indicating the automatic doors are to be shut. But sources from the railways confirmed that the issue was discussed in the review meeting.

Meanwhile, the Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has come up with a facility to improve the Tejas experience by making its catering staff wear Goan Haitian-look shirts while serving food. The items that will be served in these shirts will be Kothambir Vadi, dabeli, croissants, muffin and shrikhand etc.
The city recorded pre-monsoon showers in various locations in the Mumbai on Monday.

Mumbai: Mumbaikars were in for a pleasant surprise on Monday when they witnessed pre-monsoon light showers in the morning and evening. According to weather experts, Konkan and Goa may also witness some showers, and the rains are likely to return to Mumbai over the upcoming days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said that the south-west monsoon is likely to hit Kerala on May 30 and hen after two or three days, it will hit Mumbai.

However, the weather bureau on Monday also added that only after the rains hit Kerala on Wednesday, it would be able to predict the exact date of its arrival in Mumbai.

The city recorded pre-monsoon showers in various locations in the Mumbai on Monday. The showers arrived a week earlier than last year. On Monday, pre-monsoon showers were witnessed in the morning and evening. The weather bureau said that South Mumbai, Central Mumbai, Borivali, Dahisar, Mulund, Belapur, Kalyan and Badlapur recorded light rain on Monday through out the day. It has been very hot and humid in Mumbai over the last few days, and the light showers were a relief, said a school teacher, Neha Singh (29).

Meanwhile, the temperatures in the day in both the suburbs and south Mumbai were close to normal as Mumbai recorded 33.8 degrees Celsius.

Land heats up in the day and due which it rains heavily in the night. This is the pre-monsoon, K.S. Hosalikar, deputy director general, India Meteorological Department told The Asian Age. Mr Hosalikar also said, We are predicting that rain will hit Kerala in next two days, then we will able to get an idea about exact date of the monsoon in Mumbai. Currently, the conditions are good, and the monsoon will hit Kerala by the normal date. Since 2003, IMDs predictions on monsoons arrival in Kerala have been

correct.
Devendra Fadnavis met the activists before the civic body elections and had called the MMRCL managing director Ashwani Bhide.

Mumbai: The activists of the Save Trees group have alleged that hundreds of trees have been cut over the last week for the Metro-3 project without the permission of state pollution control board. The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) allegedly did not approach the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for clearances to cut trees for the Metro-3 project, which is mandatory to be obtained for individual stations of Metro line 3.

Though, the RTI replies for individual Metro stations are yet to be received, the reply to a RTI revealed that the MMRCL had not even sought MPCBs permission to build metro car-shed or casting yard in Aarey Milk Colony, which is a part of the Metro-3 project. Another document acquired through the RTI revealed that the MPCB had also issued notices to the operators of the ready mix concrete plant in Aarey. The activists also raised questions over the MMRCL receiving permission from the high court to go ahead and cut trees in order to make way for the Metro-3 project.

However, MMRCL has dismissed the activists claims. MMRC has all the clearance required for the project and is doing all the activities legally for timely completion of the project, said a spokesperson from MMRC.

Over the ten days, hundreds, if not thousands of trees, have been cut across Mumbai to make way for the Metro-3 project. The tree cutting was allowed before the project received all legal clearances. All Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and Pollution Control Board permissions have still not been granted to the Metro, said one of the activists of Save Trees group, Zoru Bathena.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis met the activists before the civic body elections and had called the MMRCL managing director Ashwani Bhide. The chief minister had asked MMRCL to consider Kalina as an option to build car-shed instead of Aarey. However, the MMRCL claimed dismissed the option and claimed that it would start work in Aarey from June. The activists alleged that despite noting the instances of gross negligence in the procedure carried out for granting approval, the MMRCL was given permission to cut trees. The activists claimed that 20 feet wide trees were being shown as two feet wide.
High school in Dahisar expelled over 20 students despite edu ministers assurance.

Mumbai: Education minister Mr Vinod Tawde may have taken a tough stance against government-aided schools, but he is not so forthcoming on the high-handedness displayed by private schools. Recently, a school in Dahisar rusticated more than 20 students whose parents opposed the arbitrary fee-hike. But the minister was non-committal on the issue. In fact, the state government has failed to take any concrete steps to regulate fee hikes imposed by private schools.

Despite Mr Tawde declaring that no child would be expelled from school, more than 20 children of the privately-run Universal High School of Dahisar were expelled for protesting against unjustified fee hike. The school management has specified that they have expelled the children and their seats would be given to other applicants.

According to the parents, the school hikes fee by 10 to 15% every year, which is not legal. Schools can hike fees only once in two years but annual hikes continue without any intimation. The fee structure for SR.KG (2017-18) is too high. It has gone up from the existing Rs 85,000 to something to the tune of Rs 1,00,000 after the hike.

Talking to The Asian Age, Jesus Lall, chairman of the Universal High School said, Yes we have de-rolled the children, and their seats will be given to other applicants.

Mr Lall also said, We have already started with the new admission process. If there are any seats remaining, if these particular parents approach us and are ready to pay the fees according to new structure, we will give them admission.

On the allegation by parents that the school management has flouted norms by expelling their children, Mr Lall, said, Despite several warnings, the parents did not approach us, and we had no option left. Hence we have taken this step. We have not flouted any norms and have all relevant documents, and papers.

Mr Tawde was reluctant to say much on this issue. I am personally monitoring the issue and have given orders to education officers. No kid shall be expelled from the school.

Yuva Sena leader Aaditya Thackrey, along with parents, will hold a protest at the Dahisar School in the morning against the school management.
It is difficult to see the Manchester tragedy without reference to Tony Blair and David Cameron who both took turns in stirring the witches brew.

The blast rocked the foyer of the Manchester Arena as thousands of young fans and parents streamed out of the venue after the show. (Photo: AP)

In a phenomenally wired world like ours we should ideally be more enlightened and connected. The reality is the opposite, bordering on the occult. There seems to be more focus on the witches prophecy to divine the truth, in a manner of speaking, than on Macbeths lurking ambitions.

As revealed with damning proof by Messrs Julian Assange and Edward Snowden, people are being steadily shepherded towards the opaque, to become more bereft of rational reasoning than was their lot earlier.

Consider the readily advocated logic of more pervasive security  as opposed to an honest appraisal of the malaise, say, in the aftermath of the Manchester slaughter. Take any other devastating moment in any other part of the world  the attack on Christians in a bus in Egypt, on the heels of the Manchester carnage. It is not difficult for our frayed minds to grasp the link between the two tragedies.

Stretch the logic further though, and one feels a stubborn lack of comprehension, an inability to see the connection between the drowning of three-year old Alan Kurdi in the Mediterranean Sea on a bad day and the death of Saffie-Rose Roussos, the angelic eight-year-old who died in a Manchester music hall with 21 other mostly young beautiful people.

Jeremy Corbyn saw the link but Theresa May shouted him down. Its useful to recall what he said just three days after the attack on one of Britains most cosmopolitan cities: Many experts including professionals in our intelligence and security services have pointed out the connections between wars that we have been involved in, or supported or fought in other countries such as Libya, and terrorism here at home.

Thats exactly what Bernie Sanders and Noam Chomsky have been saying too. Corbyn added, to be sure, that his assessment in no way reduces the guilt of those that attack our children. Those terrorists will forever be reviled and implacably held to account for their actions.

Traditionally, jumbling fair with foul is associated with witchcraft. There are no witches, of course, only humans playing their roles while blaming it on the supernatural. Professor Bradley likened the witches prophecy in Macbeth to equivocation of the fiend, which is a reasonably familiar human trait, is it not? Its commonly called double-speak.

Three apparitions on the heath brought happy tidings to Macbeth, which are said to have contained the seeds of the heros doom, never mind his own lurking ambitions. Shakespeares use of the occult (or Bimal Roys for that matter) did not preclude rational thinking.

It is difficult to see the Manchester tragedy without reference to Tony Blair and David Cameron who both took turns in stirring the witches brew. Ms May was a member of the Conservative establishment that hunted down Muammar Gaddafi, reportedly with the help of those that struck Manchester the other day. Both the former Prime Ministers equivocated through their teeth to adverse outcomes for their country and the wider world.

History is replete with a range of compelling explanations for Manchester-like calamities. One could go back to Col. T.E. Lawrence without disturbing the logic of cause and effect to explain the unending terror attacks stalking men, women and children. Without Lawrence setting up a kingdom of the most puritan sect of Muslims the story would be quite different.

When Salman Abedi blew himself up at the concert hall the President of the United States had just won billions of dollars of arms contracts in Riyadh, which he followed up by a round of frolicking and sword dance with the Saudi royalty. Moments later, he was meeting his friend Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel when the Manchester terrorists struck. He called the attackers losers without saying who the winners were, if any.

An alternative way to understand the pain and suffering set off by mindless killers could require us to accept the witches mumbo jumbo: Double, double toil and trouble;/Fire burn and caldron bubble./Cool it with a baboons blood, /Then the charm is firm and good.

Taking the witches war dance in Macbeth seriously, as some of us can be lulled into doing, would require us to be looking for a baboon, a fall guy, but where? In Iran? China? Or perhaps in Moscow?

By arrangement with Dawn
The WannaCry cyber-attack infected more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries, including India.

The FBI, Europol and the UKs National Crime Agency are still investigating who was responsible for the ransomware attack.

A new analysis by Security Company Flashpoint suggests Chinese-speaking criminals may have been behind the WannaCry ransomware cyber attack that infected over 300,000 computers worldwide.

In a recent analysis, Flashpoint discovered links to someone who was native or at least fluent in Chinese after scrutinising the ransom note. The ransom notice appeared to be displayed in 28 languages, but only three, the English and the Chinese version (Simplified and Traditional), are likely to have been written by humans, while nearly all of the ransom notes were machine translated using Google Translate.

However, Flashpoint noted the English version of the ransom notice was used by the hacker as a source text for machine translation into other languages. It struck them when an English text in the notice used some unusual phrases such as: But you have not so enough time, which appeared to be written by someone with a strong command over English but by a non-native or perhaps poorly educated person for making grammatical error in the note.

The WannaCry cyber-attack infected more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries, including India, affecting government, healthcare, and businesses, taking advantage of a vulnerability of the Microsofts operating system Windows discovered by the National Security Agency and then stolen by a group of hackers calling themselves Shadow Brokers.

The FBI, Europol and the UKs National Crime Agency are still investigating who was responsible for the ransomware attack.

Security Company Symantec had cautiously linked hands of North Korean criminals in the cyber-attack. It was believed that the Lazarous Group, who were behind the devastating hack on Sony Pictures in 2014, and on a Bangaldeshi Bank in 2016, worked out of China, but on behalf of the North Koreans.

However, Flashpoint researchers in their analysis noted the Korean-language ransom note to be poorly translated version of the English text.

A number of unique characteristics in the note indicate it was written by a fluent Chinese speaker. A typo in the note,  (bang zu) instead of  (bang zhu) meaning help, strongly indicates the note was written using a Chinese-language input system rather than being translated from a different version, Flashpoint wrote in a blogpost.

One term,  for week, is more common in South China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore; although it is occasionally used in other regions of the country. The other  for anti-virus is more common in the Chinese mainland.

Perhaps most compelling, the Chinese note contains substantial content not present in any other version of the note, is lengthier, and differs slightly in format, they added.
The SoundAssistant app offers 150 steps of audio adjustment and is exclusive to Samsung devices.

The demand for good quality music on smartphones is gaining new heights every day. Every manufacturer is on a quest to deliver the ultimate audio experience by improving both the hardware as well as software. Samsung also wants to provide a delightful audio experience to its customers and therefore has released an app for its Android smartphones to tweak audio profiles, called the SoundAssistant.

At first glance, it may seem like any other audio equaliser app with the ability to beef up audio experience on standard hardware. But look closely and you will see clever algorithms with the ability to tweaking the audio quality. the app offers 150 steps of volume adjustment, a floating EQ, mono and stereo balancing, as well as the chance to set individual volumes for different apps.

The app can also let you use your Samsung devices volume rockers to alter the media volume by default instead of call or ringer volume. And, if you install it on your Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus, you will be able to set different outputs for different apps, i.e. you can set a Bluetooth speaker for Google Play Music and the phones speaker specifically for YouTube.

It would be a treat if Samsung releases this app for smartphones of other make. As of now, head over to play Store and get the app for your Samsung device.
In May, Swedish lawyers dropped a 7-yr rape allegation against Assange withdrawing the European arrest warrant that made him fly to Ecuador.

Quito (Ecuador): Ecuador's new President Lenin Moreno criticised Julian Assange as a hacker but stressed his country would continue providing asylum to the WikiLeaks founder fleeing international arrest.

Moreno, who took office in May, has struck a more critical tone toward Assange than his predecessor, Rafael Correa, who said earlier his country had done its duty by granting Assange asylum in 2012.

"Mr Assange is a hacker. That's something we reject and that I in particular personally reject," said Moreno, who warned Assange during the presidential campaign to not interfere in Ecuadorian politics.

"But I respect the situation in which he finds himself," holed up in Ecuador's embassy in London, Moreno said.

Earlier in May, Swedish prosecutors dropped a seven-year rape allegation against Assange and withdrew the European arrest warrant that had prompted his flight to the embassy and an appeal for asylum.

However, British police have said they still intend to arrest Assange if he leaves the London embassy after he violated the terms of his probation in Britain in 2012 when he took refuge in the diplomatic mission.

"It seems the British government is not going to grant safe passage, meaning that Mr Assange can continue living in the Ecuadorian embassy, and we will respect that condition," Moreno said.

The WikiLeaks founder has always proclaimed his innocence of the charges, saying his extradition to Sweden would have led to his transfer to the United States, where he fears he could be tried for publishing a huge store of confidential military and diplomatic documents.
The departure of Dubke comes as aides say Trump has grown increasingly frustrated by allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

ubke joined the White House team in February after campaign aide Jason Miller - Trump's original choice for communications director - withdrew from the White House team. (Photo: AP)

Washington: A top White House communications staffer has resigned as President Donald Trump considers a major staff overhaul.

The departure of Michael Dubke, Trump's communications director, comes as aides say Trump has grown increasingly frustrated by allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and revelations of possible ties between his campaign and Moscow.

Trump tweeted Tuesday: "Russian officials must be laughing at the US & how a lame excuse for why the Dems lost the election has taken over the Fake News."

Dubke wrote in a statement that it had been an honor to serve Trump and "my distinct pleasure to work side-by-side, day-by-day with the staff of the communications and press departments."

Dubke's last day has not yet been determined.

A Republican consultant, Dubke joined the White House team in February after campaign aide Jason Miller - Trump's original choice for communications director - withdrew from the White House team. Dubke founded Crossroads Media, a GOP firm that specializes in political advertising.

Dubke is the latest White House staffer to leave this administration as scrutiny intensifies over contacts Trump staffers may have had with Russian government officials during the campaign and transition period.

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said on Tuesday that Dubke resigned before Trump left for his international trip earlier this month, suggesting that his departure is not linked to any pending shake-ups.

But his departure raises questions about whether previous Trump loyalists are headed to the White House. Trump has entertained formally bringing back his former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, and former deputy campaign manager, David Bossie.

Bossie told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" that the Trump administration has reached out to him but hasn't offered him a job yet.

"They have talked to many people, including me," Bossie said. He later added: "It's an ongoing conversation and that's a fair way to put it."

In an interview on Fox News on Tuesday, Conway said Dubke "made very clear that he would see through the president's 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's hiring was intended to lighten the load on Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, who had also been handling the duties of communications director during Trump's first month in office. Trump has privately pinned some of the blame for his administration's rough start on the White House's communications strategy.

While overseas, Trump's longtime lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, joined a still-forming legal team to help the president shoulder the intensifying investigations into Russian interference in the election and his associates' potential involvement. More attorneys with deep experience in Washington investigations are expected to be added, along with crisis communication experts, to help the White House in the weeks ahead.

The latest revelations to emerge last week involved Trump's son-in-law and top aide, Jared Kushner. Shortly after the election, Kushner allegedly discussed setting up a secret communications channel with the Russian government to facilitate sensitive discussions about the conflict in Syria.

The intent was to connect Trump's chief national security adviser at the time, Michael Flynn, with Russian military leaders, a person familiar with the discussions said. The person wasn't authorized to publicly discuss private policy deliberations and insisted on anonymity.

Flynn handed in his resignation in February after it was revealed he misled top White House officials about his contacts with Russian officials.

The disclosure of the back channel has put the White House on the defensive. Just back from his nine-day trip to the Middle East and Europe, Trump dismissed recent reports as "fake news."

Trump also has renewed his criticism of Germany following Chancellor Angela Merkel's suggestion that her country needs to adopt a more independent stance in world affairs.

Trump posted a tweet Tuesday saying "we have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for US. This will change."
Japan's Shotaro Yachi told Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi that North Korea's actions had reached a new level of provocation.

Beijing: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's top security adviser has urged China to play a bigger role in restraining North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs, Japan's foreign ministry said in a statement.

National security adviser Shotaro Yachi made the remarks in a meeting near Tokyo with China's top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, on Monday, the same day that North Korea conducted the latest in a quick succession of missile tests.

Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency said on Tuesday a new ballistic missile controlled by a precision guidance system had been tested and that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had ordered the development of more powerful strategic weapons.

Yachi told Yang during five hours of discussion that North Korea's actions had reached a new level of provocation.

"Japan and China need to work together to strongly urge North Korea to avoid further provocative actions and obey things like United Nations resolutions," Yachi was quoted as telling Yang, urging China to take on a bigger role.

They also discussed regional issues of concern, with China's foreign ministry saying in a statement that Yang told Japan it should view China's development as an opportunity, not a threat, and that it should deal with issues like the South China Sea and Taiwan cautiously and keep its word.

China, the world's second-largest economy, and Japan, the third-largest, have a difficult political history, with ties strained by the legacy of Japan's World War Two aggression and conflicting claims over a group of uninhabited East China Sea islets.

Beijing is also suspicious about Tokyo's stance on the disputed South China Sea and over self-ruled Taiwan, once a Japanese colony and claimed by China as its own.

Yang said relations were currently at an important juncture with both new opportunities and outstanding challenges, China's Foreign Ministry said late on Monday.

He called on Japan to speak and act cautiously on the South China Sea and to play a constructive role as relevant countries in the region are making efforts to solve the issue properly. However, the Chinese statement made no mention of North Korea.
'We need strong cooperation because we have a joint priority, which is the fight against terrorism', said Emmanuel Macron.

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin visit an exhibition about Russian emperor Peter the Great at the Grand Trianon after a working meeting at the Versailles Palace near Paris, France. (Photo: AP)

Versailles: The use of chemical weapons in Syria is a red line for France and would result in reprisals, President Emmanuel Macron said after meeting his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday.

Meeting Putin for the first time, Macron told a news conference that France and Russia must cooperate to "eradicate terrorist groups" in Syria and did not directly criticise Moscow's role there.

France and Russia back different sides in the Syrian conflict, with Putin supporting President Bashar al-Assad and Macron part of a western coalition that supports rebel groups and has accused Assad of using chemical weapons in the past. Macron said it was essential to talk with all actors in the Syria conflict, including representatives of Assad.

"Our two countries will cooperate on Syria, this is essential," Macron said. "We need strong cooperation because we have a joint priority, which is the fight against terrorism." Macron said he wanted Paris and Moscow to bolster intelligence sharing on Syria and to work together on finding a political solution to the conflict, but gave no details on what a political deal might look like.

Sounding less forthcoming, Putin said he wasn't sure if France's Syria policy was "independent" because it was part of a US-lead alliance, adding that Paris and Moscow had points of disagreement and agreement over Syria.

Putin said he and Macron had agreed the fight against terrorism was their top priority, but stressed that he hadn't changed his views on Syria and told Macron so.

Macron's warning of French retaliation in the event chemical weapons are used echo the line taken by US President Donald Trump, who in April ordered cruise missile strikes in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack that Washington blamed on Damascus. "Any use of chemical weapons would results in reprisals and an immediate riposte, at least where France is concerned," Macron said, standing next to Putin in the Versailles palace outside of Paris.

Former US President Barack Obama put himself in a tough spot with his "red line" ultimatum to Syria on the use of chemical weapons, a phrase he first used in August 2012. But he backtracked in the face of congressional opposition.

In April, Russia's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Vladimir Safronkov, told the UN Security Council that Obama's threat of military action if a "red line" was crossed had provoked such attacks.

Syria agreed in September 2013 to destroy its chemical weapons programme under a deal negotiated with the United States and Russia after hundreds of people were killed in a sarin gas attack in the outskirts of the capital, Damascus.

But French intelligence concluded that forces loyal to Assad carried out a sarin nerve gas attack in April this year in northern Syria and that Assad or members of his inner circle ordered the strike, a declassified French report showed. Assad has denied his government used chemical weapons.
The relationship between Merkel and Trump contrasts with the warm ties between her and Barack Obama.

Berlin: Germany on Monday unleashed a volley of criticism against US President Donald Trump, slamming his short-sighted policies that have weakened the West and hurt European interests.

The sharp words from foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel came after Mr Trump concluded his first official tour abroad which took him to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Brussels and then Italy for a G7 summit.

They followed Chancel lor Angela Merkels warning on Sunday that the US and Britain may no longer be reliable partners.

Germanys exasperation was laid bare after the G7 summit, which wrapped up on Saturday with the US refusing to sign up to upholding the 2015 Paris climate accord.

Days earlier, in Saudi Arabia, Mr Trump had presided over the signing of the single largest US arms deal in American history, worth $110 billion over the next decade and including ships, tanks and anti-missile systems.

Mr Gabriel said on Monday that anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones, and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk.

The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union, he said, adding that the West has become smaller, at least it has become weaker. We Europeans must fight for more climate protection, fewer weapons and against religious (fanaticism), otherwise the Middle East and Africa will be further destabilised, Mr Gabriel said. Germanys harsh words for Washington, traditionally a close ally, were highly unusual and came as relations have grown increasingly frosty. When Mr Trump was inaugurated in January, Ms Merkel had told the billionaire and social media star that cooperation would be on the basis of shared democratic values.

The relationship between Ms Merkel and Mr Trump contrasts with the warm ties between her and former US president Barack Obama.

Obama's participation in a forum with Merkel last Thursday came on the eve of her meeting with Trump in Italy during the G7 summit.

After the summit, Merkel said at an election rally in southern Germany that "the times in which we could completely depend on others are on the way out. I've experienced that in the last few days."

"We, the Europeans, will have to take our fate into our own hands. Our friendship with the US, the UK, our neighbourly relationship with Russia and also with other countries count of course. But we must know, we have to fight for our own future," she said.

In response to Merkel's comments, Britain said it would be a "strong partner" to Germany.

"As we begin the negotiations about leaving the EU, we will be able to reassure Germany and other European countries that we are going to be a strong partner to them in defence and security and, we hope, in trade," interior minister Amber Rudd told BBC radio.

"We can reassure Mrs Merkel that we want to have a deep and special partnership so that we can continue to maintain European-wide security to keep us all safe from the terrorists abroad and those that are trying to be nurtured in our country," she said.
Pak-origin doctor racially abused after saving Manchester victims as number of hate crimes increases.

A police officer wipes away tears as he looks at flowers and tributes left in St Anns Square in Manchester. (Photo: AP)

Manchester: The number of hate crimes reported to the police in Manchester has almost doubled since the suicide bomb attack at the Manchester Arena on May 22, which killed 22 people and injured dozens of others.

A total of 56 hates crimes were recorded by the Manchester Police on May 24; a significant rise from the 28 reported two days ago. Police say 28 is a fairly typical number, according to Al Jazeera.

A 37-year-old Pakistani-origin doctor who spent 48 hours saving the lives of victims of Manchester terror attack was racially abused and called a terrorist after being told to go back to your country, media reports said on Monday.

Naveed Yasin, a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, was on his way back to Salford Royal Hospital to continue to help the victims when a middle-aged man pulled up beside him and hurled abuse at him. He was called a brown, P*** b****** and a terrorist by a thug in a van after spending two days operating on people injured in the blast, the Manchester Evening News reported.

Go back to your country you terrorist. We dont want you people here! the man said. I cant take away the hatred he had for me because of my skin colour ... And the prejudices he had associated with this, Yasin said.

Yasin was born and brought up in Keighley, West Yorkshire. He lives in Trafford with his wife and two daughters. His great-grandfather moved to Yorkshire from Pakistan in the 1960s.

Terror attacks dont discriminate against race or religion but this [the racial abuse] didnt discriminate either, he said. Yasin added that his daughter could have been among the victims. His eldest daughter Amelia, 11, had wanted to go to the Ariana Grande concert, but he and his wife Firdaus ruled against it because it was on a school night.

Ian Hopkins, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said, It is important that we continue to stand together here in Greater Manchester particularly against some of the hateful views that weve seen from a very small minority of the community that have no place here.
In their informal talks on Monday, both leaders also exchanged views on China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative and climate change.

Merkel said that the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism set up in 2015 to assist German businesses work in India received appreciation from the German side. (Photo: AP)

Berlin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have held "very good" discussions on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues like the Brexit consequences, trade and radicalisation in the context of recent terror attacks in Europe.

In their informal talks on Monday at Schloss Meseberg, the Chancellor's official country retreat near Berlin, both leaders also exchanged views on China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative and climate change. "Had a very good interaction with Chancellor Merkel," Modi said in a tweet after his meeting.

"The interaction lasted nearly three hours and covered various areas of mutual interest including smart cities, skill development, clean energy etc. There was appreciation for India's economic reform agenda, including GST (Goods and Services Tax)," a Prime Minister's Office statement on the meeting said.

"The leaders had discussions that covered the bilateral agenda and how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programmes. There was appreciation of India's reform agenda, particularly GST," India's Ambassador to Germany Mukta Dutta Tomar told reporters at a briefing here last night.

Highlighting that this is Modi's second bilateral visit to Germany since 2015, she said that the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism set up in 2015 to assist German businesses work in India received appreciation from the German side.

"In fact, there has been foreign direct investment of 2 billion dollars (from Germany) in the past two years. The figures speak for themselves," she said. Regional and inter-global issues were also discussed during the three-hour-long interactions -- some at the delegation level and some one-to-one between Modi and Merkel.

"The consequences of Brexit (the UK's exit from the European Union) and how it would affect India and Germany were covered by the two leaders," Tomar said, adding that the prime minister reiterated the utmost value that India attaches to the EU's cohesiveness, which is a major factor of stability in global politics.

The issue of radicalisation and terrorism and each country's experience in dealing with it was discussed, with recent terrorist events in Europe also mentioned in this context, she said.

Peace in Afghanistan and the importance of an "Afghan-led and owned reconciliation and development process" was touched upon, with the prime minister expressing appreciation over the German presence in Afghanistan and calling for a consolidation of efforts in the country, Tomar said.

The Belt and Road Forum in Beijing earlier this month, where Germany was represented by its economy and energy minister, also featured in the exchange, during which the Chancellor explained German participation and India reiterated its stand against the initiative, she said.

"Our position is well known on this issue," the ambassador said, in reference to India's opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the flagship project of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative, which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Modi will today hold formal talks with Merkel as part of the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) where he will be joined by his delegation of senior ministers, including Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.

The prime minister will receive a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, following which he will begin discussions with Merkel across a range of economic and political issues.

At the IGC, the two leaders are expected to clinch a host of agreements and sign MoUs to open a "new chapter" in Indo-German relations.

"Several MoUs are expected to be signed. This would obviously broaden the scope and expand the canvas of bilateral cooperation that we have with Germany," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

India and Germany have over 25 working groups, including in areas such as climate change, energy, infrastructure, and tourism.

Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the European Union (EU) and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.

There are more than 1,600 German companies and 600 German joint ventures in India and the German economic profile supports excellence and expertise that match with India's development priorities of Make in India, Clean India, Skill India, Digital India, Smart Cities, the MEA said.

"We will chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with (the) focus on trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine," the prime minister had said in a Facebook post before he left for Berlin yesterday.

Modi and Chancellor Merkel will also hold a meeting with senior business leaders before inaugurating the Indo-German Business Summit 2017 later today. "Economic relations with Germany is the most important pillar of our partnership. It has preponderance over other areas," the MEA said.

Modi will end his Germany visit with a courtesy call on German President, Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at his official residence of Castle Bellevue before leaving for Spain.

Modi arrived in Germany yesterday at the start of his four-nation tour, which will cover Spain, Russia and France besides Germany. From Berlin, he heads to Madrid, where the premier will hold a bilateral summit with Spanish Premier Mariano Rajoy and call on Spanish King Felipe VI as well as interact with a select group of Spanish CEOs keen to invest in India.

"There is significant potential for deepening bilateral trade and investment ties. We seek active participation of Spanish industry in various Indian projects including infrastructure, smart cities, digital economy, renewable energy, defence and tourism," Modi had said ahead of his visit.

The first meeting of the India-Spain CEOs Forum will be held on the sidelines of the Spanish leg of the visit.
Macron made his remark in answer to a question at a joint news conference with Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron arrive at the Versailles Palace, near Paris. (Photo: AFP)

Versailles (France): The first meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron clearly exposed wide-ranging differences.

While Putin said that western sanctions against Russia are doing nothing to solve the Ukrainian conflict, Macron accused pro-Kremlin news outlets Russia Today and Sputnik of being organs of influence and propaganda against him in this years presidential election.

Asked if sanctions against Russia were helping to stop the fighting in eastern Ukraine, Putin said, Here is the answer: in no way. Lets fight for all the restrictions in the global economy to be scrapped.

Macron made his remark in answer to a question at a joint news conference with Putin. In the run-up to the second round of the election on May 7, aides to Macron accused the Kremlin of mounting a smear campaign against the candidate via state media.

Macron also said that France would respond immediately to any use of chemical weapons in Syria, which is a staunch ally of Russia. Macron also urged a stepped-up partnership with Moscow in fighting the Islamic State group in the country.
Responding to a question, Mr Modi said India and Germany were made for each other.

PM Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. (Photo: AP)

Berlin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday backed German Chancellor Angela Merkels strong leadership in uniting the European Union at a time when the economic grouping is showing signs of strain over the UKs decision to exit it and the protectionist stance adopted by US President Donald Trump.

Mr Modi, on a Berlin visit kicking off a four-nation Europe tour, pledged Indias commitment to democracy, a strong EU, Ms Merkels vision and added that failing to act on climate change would be morally criminal.

We do not have the right to despoil the environment for future generations, he said in Hindi, at a joint press conference with Mr Merkel.

Both sides signed agreements in fields from sustainable urban development to vocational jobs training, digital technology and railway safety and agreed on German development aid and investments worth around one billion euros ($1.1 billion) a year.

Responding to a question, Mr Modi said India and Germany were made for each other. He said the two countries share the values of innovation and democracy and these values were a blessing for mankind.

Standing beside Mr Modi, Ms Merkel said, India with its 1.25 billion people is a partner... of highest importance and that to work together with such a diverse country also offered opportunities for German businesses. Ms Modi and Ms Merkel also led a joint Cabinet meeting grouping foreign, economy, environment and other ministers in their fourth intergovernmental consultations  a format Germany has only with a few countries, also including China, Israel and France.

India wants the world not just to be interconnected but also that it should be sensibly run, Ms Merkel said, endorsing a trade deal in the works between India and the EU.

EU unity, proactiveness and strong relations with other countries is extremely important for global development. We want the EU to become stronger and India will play a positive role towards that through the medium of Germany, Mr Modi told reporters at a joint briefing with Ms Merkel, who hosts Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday.

Germany is Indias largest trading partner in the EU and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment into the country.

More than 1,600 German companies with over 400,000 employees operate on the subcontinent.

Two-way trade has more than tripled over the past decade to over 17 billion euros ($19 billion), of which German exports make up almost 10 billion euros.
The ISIS claimed responsibility for the first attack but the second attack is still unclaimed.

Iraqi forces backed by US-led air strikes have since regained much of the territory they lost and are now fighting to retake the last jihadist-held areas in second city Mosul. (Photo: Representational/AFP)

Baghdad: At least 27 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in two bombings in Baghdad, security and medical officials said on Tuesday.

In the first attack, a suicide bomber struck near a popular ice cream shop overnight, killing 16 people.

In the second, a car bomb exploded near one of the capital's main bridges on Tuesday morning, killing 11, the officials said.

The Islamic State group issued a statement claiming the first attack, identifying the bomber as an Iraqi who blew up an explosives-rigged vehicle targeting Shiite Muslims.

ISIS considers members of Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority -- including the women and children who were victims of the ice cream shop blast -- to be heretics and thus legitimate targets for attack.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the second attack but IS carries out frequent car bombings targeting civilians in the Iraqi capital.

The blasts, which come just a few days into the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, highlight the danger posed by jihadists even as security forces have dealt them a string of battlefield defeats.

ISIS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed by US-led air strikes have since regained much of the territory they lost and are now fighting to retake the last jihadist-held areas in second city Mosul.
A few of these profiles have also publicly 'liked' pages and groups related to weapons use and training.

The names of all banned outfits - including acronyms and small variations in spelling - were searched on Facebook to find pages, groups, and user profiles that publicly "liked" a banned outfit, the report said. (Photo: AFP/File/Representational)

Islamabad: At least 41 of the 64 outfits banned by Pakistan, including the Pakistani Taliban and the sectarian group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), are active on

Facebook and just a click away from the country's 25 million users of the social media platform, a media report said on Tuesday.

The outfits' network, both interconnected and public, is a mix of Sunni and Shia sectarian groups, global terror organisations operating in Pakistan, and separatists in Balochistan and Sindh provinces, Dawn news reported.

The names of all banned outfits - including acronyms and small variations in spelling - were searched on Facebook to find pages, groups, and user profiles that publicly "liked" a banned outfit, the report said.

"41 of Pakistan's 64 banned outfits are present on Facebook in the form of hundreds of pages, groups and individual user profiles," it said. The biggest outfits on the social network, in order of size, are Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) with 200 pages and groups, Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) with 160, Sipah-i-Sahaba (SSP) with 148, Balochistan Students Organisation Azad (BSO-A) with 54 and Sipah-e-Muhammad with 45.

Other banned outfits which exist on Facebook at a smaller scale include Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat, Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi, Jamat-ul-Ahrar, 313 Brigade, multiple Shia outfits and a host of Baloch separatist organisations.

An examination of some user profiles linked to these banned outfits indicates open support of sectarian and extremist ideology. A few of these profiles have also publicly 'liked' pages and groups related to weapons use and training.

While some of the Facebook pages and groups claim to be 'official' representatives of the outfits, others appear to be managed by members and supporters in ideological agreement.

In general, Facebook updates are in Urdu or Roman Urdu rather than English, suggesting the content is primarily for local consumption. A very small number are in Sindhi or Balochi, also indicating a niche target audience, the report said.

Invariably, most of the Facebook pages and groups glorify existing leaders or those killed in the past while some banned outfits also campaign for the release of their activists or leaders.

In their Facebook updates, all banned outfits place blame on the state, or, in the case of outfits focused on Kashmir, on India, the report said. The more organised outfits appear to have 'official' media cells sharing press releases and religious sermons or political speeches as both audio and video.

Such pages and groups also share links from websites, blogs or Twitter accounts that appear to be run by members of these outfits. The findings of this investigation are just the tip of the iceberg however, as a far larger number of pages and groups could exist without publicly using the name of the banned organisation in order to operate in secret, the report said.

Details of Pakistan's requests to Facebook provided in its 'Government Requests Reports' from 2013 to 2016 show a sharp upward trend from 2015 onwards, reaching a high of 1,002 requests in July-December, 2016. The percentage to which

Facebook complied with the requests to some extent has been between 64 per cent to 68 per cent since 2015.
The Pak minister said to ensure peace in the region, sincere efforts must be made to resolve longstanding bilateral issues with India.

Islamabad: Indo-Pak ties cannot improve until the two countries overcome mutual distrust and animosity, Pakistan's interior minister said on Tuesday as he accused India of stubbornness in resolving bilateral issues.

In a meeting with Sohail Mehmood, Pakistan's High Commissioner-designate to India, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the responsibility entrusted on the former was a challenging one. He hoped Mehmood would use all his capacity to fulfil his responsibilities and protect the interests of Pakistan.

Mehmood is poised to head to New Delhi anytime now as India has issued him a visa.

The 55-year-old Mehmood, one of Pakistan's senior-most diplomats, has started key meetings with Pakistan's top leadership before taking up his responsibilities in India.

He was until recently Pakistan's ambassador to Turkey and replaces Abdul Basit, who has completed his three-year term.

Minister Khan told Mehmood that the dream of prosperity and peace between India and Pakistan could not be achieved till their ties were weighed down by animosity and distrust, according to a statement issued by his office.

He said it was essential for lasting peace in the region that sincere efforts be made to resolve longstanding bilateral issues with India.

"It was unfortunate that every effort made by Pakistan proved futile due to lack of trust and stubbornness of the Indian government," he claimed.

Ties between India and Pakistan have been tense of late over a number of issues, including the status of Kashmir.

India has accused Pakistan of supporting militants, who infiltrate from the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir into the Valley and target Indian security forces. One such attack in 2016 killed 18 Indian soldiers and India retaliated with surgical strikes on terrorist launchpads in PoK.

Most recently, the Pakistan Army sentenced Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav on charges of espionage after a secret trial. India had demanded consular access to Jadhav, which Pakistan has repeatedly denied claiming the man was an Indian spy.
The attacker, in an explosives packed car, struck in the popular Karrada district. The target of the attack was the local Shiite majority community. The attack occurred at the end of the day of fasting and prayer. On social images of damage caused by explosion.

Baghdad (AsiaNews / Agencies) - A suicide bomber in a car packed with explosives struck a popular ice cream parlor in Baghdad killing more than 10 people and injuring at least 30. The victims included children . The attack took place late last night in the Shiite majority Karrada district.

At the time of the attack the area was crowded with people who had gathered at the end of the , day of fasting and prayer, in conjunction with the holy month of Ramadan that began last weekend.

Islamic militias claimed the attack posting a statement online through the official jihadist propaganda agency Amaq. The target of the attack was the "gathering" of Shiite Muslim citizens.

During Ramadan, the inhabitants of the Iraqi capital usually crowd in the streets in the evening to consume food and drink after fasting. The attacker hit an easy target, aware he would cause a large number of casualties among the defenseless population.

Images and videos posted on social media in these hours show the devastating impact of the explosion. The major damages were concentrated in the area of Al-Faqma, outside an ice cream parlor. The explosion damaged some buildings in the area.

In the last two years the "Caliphate" has repeatedly hit the Shiite community, considered apostate and therefore punishable with death. The jihadist violence has not even spared women and children, who are also victims of the many attacks. The attacks have grown exponentially in the last six months, in conjunction with the offensive launched by the Iraqi army and the Kurdish militias against Mosul, a jihadist stronghold in Iraq.
"All shepherds have to leave. There comes a moment where the Lord says go to another place, come here, go there, come to me. And its one of the steps that a shepherd must take; be prepared to leave in the correct way, not still hanging on to his position. The shepherd who doesnt learn how to do this still has some links with his sheep that are not good, links that are not purified by the Cross of Jesus."

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The true shepherd is always "on the move," he does not compromise and knows how to leave his Church in good stead, because he knows he is not the center of history, but a servant of the flock, said Pope Francis today during the mass celebrated this morning at Casa Santa Marta. His words were drawn from the first reading at Mass, where St Paul addressed the church leaders in Ephesus. The Pope said that this reading could easily be called A bishops leave taking because Paul has left the Church of Ephesus in order to go to Jerusalem, where the Holy Spirit called him to go.

All shepherds have to step down. There comes a moment where the Lord says go to another place, come here, go there, come to me. And its one of the steps that a shepherd must take; be prepared to step down in the correct way, not still hanging on to his position. The shepherd who doesnt learn how to do this because he still has some links with his sheep that are not good, links that are not purified by the Cross of Jesus said Pope Francis.

According to the Pope, St Paul had held a council with all the priests of Ephesus and during this council he had demonstrated three apostolic attitudes.

The first of these is never turning back. The Pope said that this is the worst of all sins, to turn back. This is the thing which will bring much peace to the shepherd, when he remembers that he is not a shepherd who has led the church through compromising. Pope Francis admitted that this attitude requires much courage.

The second attitude is obedience to the Spirit, without knowing what will happen. A shepherd must know that he is on a journey. The Pope said that Paul was a shepherd who serves his sheep. Whilst guiding the Church he had an uncompromising attitude, at that moment it was the Spirit who asked him to go on his journey, without knowing what would happen to him. And he went because he had nothing of his own, he had not wrongly taken control of his sheep. He had served them. Paul said Now God wants me to leave. I leave without knowing what will happen to me. I know only this - the Spirit had told him this - that the Holy Spirit had testified to me that trials and tribulations are awaiting me from city to city. This was what he (St Paul) knew. That I am not retiring. I am going away to serve other churches. The heart is always open to the voice of God, I am leaving this place, I will see what the Lord is asking of me. This is a shepherd without compromises who is now a shepherd on a journey.

The third attitude is I do not consider my own life to be precious in any way. I am not the center of history. Whether its large history or small history, I am not the center, I am a servant said the Pope. With this most beautiful example, let us pray for our shepherds, for our parish priests, our bishops, the Pope, that their lives will be lives lived without compromise, lives on a journey and lives where they do not believe that they are the center of history and have learned how to step down. Let us pray for our shepherds.
UAE foreign minister speaks of a serious crisis tht requires rebuilding trust among governments. Relations with Iran and the battle for regional supremacy are the main reasons for the situation. Abd al-Wahhab descendants ask Qatar leaders to change the name of Doha mosque.

Dubai (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The alliance among Arab Gulf nations is facing a major crisis, and there is a need to rebuild trus, especially between Saudi Arabia and Qatar over Iran, this according to Anwar Gargash, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The reason for the situation are remarks published in the media attributed to Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani criticising Gulf rhetoric against Iran as well as alleged strains between the emir and US President Donald Trump.

In the recent past, tensions have been rising between Iran and its Gulf Arab neighbours, who accuse Tehran of trying to expand its influence in Arab countries, including Syria and Yemen.

Qatar has denied making the critical comments, saying its news agency had been hacked, but Saudi Arabia and the UAE allowed their state-backed media to continue running the story, angering Doha.

"The Gulf Cooperation Council countries are passing through a new sharp crisis that carries within it a great danger," Gargash said. "Fending off sedition lies in changing behavior, building trust and regaining credibility," he added, without mentioning Qatar by name.

So far, Gulf countries have made no official comment on the rift, which emerged after Trump's first visit to Saudi Arabia and his meetings with Arab and Muslim heads of state after he took office in January.

The row appears to stem from old accusations made in 2014 that Qatar backed Islamists outlawed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Ties between Qatar and some of its GCC allies suffered an eight-month breakdown three years ago over Qatar's alleged support for the Muslim Brotherhood, whose political ideology challenges the principle of dynastic rule.

Gargash said that the road to resolving any crisis "between someone and his brothers was to have true intentions, abide by commitments, change the behavior that had caused damage and turn a new page". The goal is to reach unity and stability in the region.

The confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Qatar has a religious aspect as well. In recent days Saudi descendants of Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, founder of Wahhabism, distanced themselves from Qatar`s royal family, demanding it change to the name of the country's most important mosque.

Some 200 descendants of the 18th century Muslim cleric launched the initiative, denying any direct relationship between Ibn Abd al-Wahhab and Qatar`s ruling family, the al-Thani.

The place of worship at the centre of the dispute is located in Doha and opened in 2011. The mosque can accommodate up to 11,000 people. The imam is Yusuf Al Qaradawi, a Muslim Brotherhood leader who has often waded into controversy with his fatwas (religious edicts).
by Christopher Sharma

Date moved to allow the registration of the main Rashtriya Janata party. They ask for the release of executives and more local units in Terai. Meanwhile, the nomadic raute ethnic group, in difficulty because of deforestation, calls for the right to vote.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - There are growing moments of discontent in Nepal in view of the forthcoming local elections. While one of the largest major parties, Rashtriya Janata (Rjp), was allowed nine extra days to register, members of the raute ethnic group are protesting over their denied right to vote.

Yesterday, the government decided to move the date of the second round of elections on June 23 in response to the RJP protests, which advanced some demands including a constitutional amendment. In particular, the RJP requests the release of some of its executives arrested after a protest in Terai and the increase in the number of Terai local units on the basis of the population.

The government expressed its support for discussion, but it is opposed by the main opposition party, the United Marxist Leninist Party (UML), which considers such a constitutional amendment contrary to the national interest that could represent a motive for division in Country.

Meanwhile, the raute community is also protesting The ethnic minority lives in the jungles and hills of Nepal, and is without the right to vote. Their main source of nutrition is game, jungle roots and fruits and their only source of livelihood is firewood. For a long time they have been a nomadic community and because they had no fixed residence, have been denied the right to vote, and often also citizenship. They now demand that the government address their plight.

The "mahamukhiya" (main community leader) Man Bahadur Shahi, part of a group of 135 people, in Dailekh district, northwestern Nepal, one hundred of whom are of voting age, told AsiaNews: "We are asking the government to give us the right to vote. If we had local representatives, we could present our problems to them. But if the government forbids us to vote, is pushes us to a life in the jungle. "

The raute live in the districts of Daliekh, Kalikot, Surkhet, Salyan, Dang and Accham and are payingthe price of rapid urbanization and deforestation of the area. For the Raute leader Utthan Pratisthan (Raute Uplift Academy), the community should be given the possibility of voting, or they will always remain outside of civil society.

Government spokeswoman Surendra Karki commented: "We have not yet registered them to vote because they continue to move, so it's hard to say where they will vote. But we will try to do it as soon as possible, if not for these elections. "

Karki argues that many programs have been conducted to improve lives and bring them to a "standard" life.
About 200,000 refugees had found shelter in the Balukhali and Kutupalong camps. Maximum alert in the ports of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar. 70% of houses on the island of Saint Martin have been destroyed. Nearly 350,000 people evacuated.

Dhaka (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour and heavy rains swept away a refugee camp where 200,000 Rohingya refugees fled from Myanmar. They are the most serious consequences of the cyclone Mora that is flagging the southern coasts of Bangladesh, after touching Sri Lanka and India, leaving behind a long wave of devastation: more than 180 victims in the first case, 24 dead in Bihar.

The storm, typical of the monsoon season, but far greater than in recent years, has destroyed more than 10,000 Rohingya refugees' shelters in the Balukhali and Kutupalong camps located in the Cox's Bazaar area. Shamsul Alam, Islamic leader, told Reuters: "Most of our shelters have been swept away." Omar Farukh, leader of the Kutapalong field, added: "We are now outdoors."

The Dhaka authorities have raised the alert level to 10, the maximum allowed, for the ports of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar, where the winds reached 117 km / h and caused a dangerous landslide. At least 350,000 people had been evacuated from the two ports before the arrival of the storm, a precaution that prevented victims.

The storm caused waves of up to two feet high that flooded and covered the coastal areas of the southeastern part of the country, but since yesterday all the 295-passenger transport services had been suspended. About 70% of houses on the island of Saint Martin have been destroyed. In the coming hours the winds are expected in the northeastern states of India.
By David Glance, Director of UWA Centre for Software Practice, University of Western Australia

Shutterstock

Apple is reportedly working on a chip called the Apple Neural Engine, which would be dedicated to carrying out artificial intelligence (AI) processing on its mobile devices.

The addition of this type of capability would catalyse the use of AI on mobile devices. Although it is already being used extensively to power digital assistants like Siri and Google Assistant, these technologies rely on computer servers to process data sent to them rather than the processing happening on the mobile device itself.

Augmented reality and digital assistants are not the only applications of AI that will become important on mobile devices. Once the capability is made available to all mobile application developers, it will bring new types of capabilities to mobile devices.

Health applications, for example, will be able to tell when body readings from sensors on the phone or associated wearable devices are abnormal and need acting on. But the uses are potentially limitless and will bring about a new phase in how we rely on applications and our mobile devices in everyday life. And they will work, even when the device is not connected to the internet.

Strictly speaking, a specific processor is not an essential requirement for using AI on a mobile phone. Chip-maker Qualcomm for example has provided a software-based approach, called the Snapdragon Neural Processing Engine, to allow developers using their chips to incorporate AI into their software. An example of this is a car that monitors the driver using a camera and warns when they are using their smartphone or driving erratically.

Specific AI hardware however greatly speeds up the process called machine learning and allows for more sophisticated types of AI to be used. Googles AI hardware, called the Tensor Processing Unit, is 15 to 30 times faster than the fastest computer processors (CPUs) and graphic processors (GPUs) that power computers today. These TPUs were what gave Googles DeepMind its ability to beat the world champions of the Chinese game of Go. These TPUs also have vastly improved Googles automated language translation software, Google Translate.

The inclusion of AI in mobile software is going to massively increase the potential usefulness of that software and through that, how much we come to depend on the mobile phone. Our state of health, for example, is really about how we are doing relative to how we normally feel. Changes in behaviour can signal changes in mental health, including conditions like dementia and Parkinsons. They can also be precursors of illnesses such as diabetes as well as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Our phones could monitor patterns of activity and even how we walk. This ability would be based on the software learning our normal patterns and once having detected a change, decide what to do about it.

The phone would be part of a self-directed ecosystem of intelligent and autonomous machines, including cars. Not only is the driving of autonomous cars completely dependent on AI to function, it is likely that people will eventually share the use of these cars when needed, rather than owning one themselves. AI will again be essential for managing how this sharing functions to manage the most efficient distribution of cars, directing which cars need to pick up which clients. To do this, the scheduling AI service will need to liaise with AI software on everyones phones to determine where and when they will be at a given location and where they need to get to.

AI on a mobile device will also increasingly be used to keep the device protected, checking if applications and communications are secure or likely to be a threat. This technology is already being implemented in smart home appliances, but as software. The addition of special AI chips will allow them to be much faster and to do more. Researchers are also looking at analysing the way we move as a means of uniquely identifying the wearer of a device.

AI will essentially be able to fill in and apply the understanding and knowledge that not everyone possesses. Even if they do, remembering to do something, even when it is in your own best interest, is sometimes hard.

There is a counter argument to the benefits of increasing the intelligence of mobile devices however. This is the fear that as we come to rely on devices to do things, we will lose the ability to maintain that skill and that this will eventually impact on a persons overall cognitive ability, or at least on their ability to operate without the AI.

The successful outcome of having an AI assisting depends on the user following its advice, and this is something that people may not be that good at doing.

Disclosure

David Glance owns shares in Apple

Originally published in The Conversation.
By Micheal Axelsen, Lecturer (Business Information Systems), The University of Queensland

Christiaan Colen/Flickr, CC BY-SA

Companies hit by ransomware are faced with an ethical dilemma: pay up to save their now-encrypted data, or hold the moral high ground and lose it all.

This is a question many companies may have to face. The recent WannaCry cyber-attack, which targeted the data of organisations including UK hospitals, is part of a growing and lucrative industry.

In most cases, the perpetrators attempt to encrypt a businesss data and then refuse to share the decryption key unless a ransom is paid. WannaCry reportedly demanded that companies pay upwards of US$300 in Bitcoin.

Of course, there are ways to protect yourself. Up-to-date software and effective backups are good controls for ransomware, but many people fail to keep up. For examples, an estimated 7% of computers globally still use Windows XP software, despite Microsoft having ended support for the platform. In the case of WannaCry, this was an important vulnerability.

Paying up may be the rational choice for an individual business, but given that cybercriminals go where the money is, the repercussions for others could be significant.

The case for paying up

Pop-culture morality tells us a ransom should not be paid; movies tell us that paying the ransom means the bad guys win.

In the real world, however, businesses faces a serious dilemma. Paying the ransom could save the business and keep staff employed, but the cybercriminal will probably feel encouraged to continue their attacks.

Ultimately, businesses held to ransom have at least four choices:

Refuse to pay the ransom and risk the possibility that the criminals will carry out their threats

Call authorities to launch a criminal investigation, although whether the data will be decrypted is uncertain



Attempt to use decryption tools to access the data. One such method is brute force  a trial and error computational method to guess all possible variants of the decryption key  but some mathematicans estimate thats beyond the processing power of most computers.

Pay the ransom and hope you get your data back.









Several factors may affect the decision, including whether the victim expects that the encrypted data will be returned once payment is made, or how embarrassing it will be to inform clients about the incident.

The value of the data is also important. If the data held hostage is not integral, then the business is obviously less likely to pay.

Thinking about others

The victims consideration of the consequences of their choice for others is also important.

Economically, rather like the decision of an individual trawler to over-fish the seas or a factory to pollute the air, paying the ransom creates a negative externality.

That is, paying the ransom may benefit the cybercriminal as well as the business and its survival, but its a sub-optimal choice from the perspective of the wider community. The business that pays the ransom obtains all the benefits of their choice, but much of the cost is borne by others, who may become the victim of emboldened cybercriminals.

The moral dilemma is difficult: paying the ransom saves the business but hurts others. However, not paying the ransom is to feel morally superior while waiting in the unemployment line.

How to fight ransomware

Avoiding such a dilemma entirely requires businesses to prepare for ransomware attacks.

There are several key actions and responses a company can take to blunt the impact of a cyber-attack. Chani Simms, co-founder of Meta Defence Labs, has suggested, among other things:

Implementing preventive controls to make attacks less successful, such as regularly patching software and training staff in good information security practices.

Ensuring data is backed up offline and business continuity plans are in place.

If an attack is still successful, quickly isolating infected computers to limit losses.

Such simple strategies are estimated to mitigate most cyber intrusions as well as ransomware. Yet the risk remains that ransomware creators will find a vulnerability, encrypt important data and leave the business with a sticky choice.

Until someone creates a ransomware-proof software system, some might decide that paying up is the rational choice.

Micheal Axelsen is a fellow of CPA Australia and a member of ISACA.

Originally published in The Conversation.


(tashatuvango/Bigstock.com) (tashatuvango/Bigstock.com)

People starting a business in Australia could benefit from $1.4 million in grants provided by the creation of four new hubs as part of the Government's incubator support initiative, it has been announced.New incubator hubs are being created in Brisbane, Sydney and the Hunter region of New South Wales and the services of an existing incubator in Adelaide will be expanded.'These incubators will assist start-ups developing new products and services in advanced manufacturing, media and creative technologies and technology hardware, amongst other sectors,' said Arthur Sinodinos, Minister of Industry, Innovation and Science.There will be $196,265 for Flinders University to expand the New Ventures Institute to assist innovative advanced manufacturing focused start-ups in Adelaide and $474,535 for Slingshot Accelerator in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, to identify, invest in and support up to 16 Hunter region start-ups and assist potential entrepreneurs at the ideas stage.It also means $500,000 for The Studio Incubator in Sydney which will foster and support new media and creative technology start-ups through accelerator programmes, education, networks and mentoring, links to private equity and capital, and access to studio facilities and other technology.And there will be $268,674 for The Advance Innovation Hub in Brisbane which will provide hardware based start-ups with resources, technical knowledge and access to innovative prototyping and manufacturing equipment and industry specialists.These new grants follow the announcement earlier this month of $500,000 for the Darwin Innovation Hub, also provided under the Incubator Support initiative.'The Government remains committed to the initiative, which is designed to assist new and existing incubators to improve the prospects of Australian start-ups for achieving commercial success in international markets,' Sinodinos explained.The $23 million Incubator Support initiative is part of the Entrepreneurs Programme and contributes to the continued implementation of the Australian Government's National Innovation and Science Agenda.
The government has set an ambitious target to sell only electric cars in the country by 2030.

Indias Power Minister Piyush Goyal has revealed the governments push for widespread adoption of electric vehicles in the country and its ambitious target for 2030. The idea is that by 2030, not a single petrol or diesel car should be sold in the country, he was quoted telling PTI.

The case for the faster adoption of electric vehicles was strengthened by a study conducted by Niti Aayog, the governments planning body. The study found that switching to electric vehicles could save India US$ 60 billion in fuel costs, while cutting down 1 gigatonne (GT) of carbon emissions in India by 2030.

While the governments target to be an all-electric car nation by 2030 is laudable, it comes across as overly ambitious. I think it is a very ambitious target. The government should work on setting up fast charging stations in the near term to enable smooth adoption to fully electric vehicles, Mahesh Babu, CEO, Mahindra Electric, Indias only electric carmaker, told Autocar India.

Vishnu Mathur, director general, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, said, Im sure that we wont be able to achieve 100 percent electrification by 2030, but even if we are able to achieve 50-60 percent, it will be fantastic.

Only 22,000 EVs were sold in India in 2015-16, out of which only 2,000 were cars. Developing a network of charging stations is key to widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Indias EV charging infrastructure is miniscule compared to other countries that are going about electrification in a phased manner.

Japan, for instance, achieved the feat of having more charging stops (over 40,000) than petrol pumps (around 35,000) last year. As of 2016, China has around 1,50,000 public charging stations and the US has around 42,000. Inadequate charging infrastructure is just one of the reasons why EVs have not found mass acceptance in India.

The high purchase cost and the high cost of replacement batteries are other issues that need to be addressed. At present, most of the batteries are imported, primarily from China. Local manufacture of batteries could help bring down these costs by a big margin. There have been some positive developments on this front. Suzuki, Toshiba and Denso recently announced plans to jointly produce lithium-ion battery packs in India. But Indias carmakers are still nowhere near as gung-ho about EVs as their counterparts in advanced countries.

"It will be very difficult to change things from tomorrow. We need to communicate well with concerned ministry and work in the new direction," according to Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki.

Larger allocations under the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme aimed at supporting hybrid/electric vehicles; and developing the requisite manufacturing eco-system could set the ball rolling. The Heavy Industries Ministry had estimated a total requirement of about Rs 14,000 crore for the programme. However, the government allocated only Rs 175 crore for FY2018.

The governments target for electrification will require a massive commitment from all stakeholders. India, which finds itself years behind the curve in EVs, will start the process on the back foot. There are also a lot of question marks for the moment. Will carmakers find the vast investment needed to focus on EVs justifiable given the cottage industry scale of EV operations at present? Should the government not focus on hybrids as a link between the existing and future technologies? And what is the plan for energy generation and distribution?

What is needed is a well thought-out roadmap designed in collaboration with all parties. Time is already running out.
Micra, Sunny and Terrano will be equipped with vehicle telematics for services like vehicle diagnostics, service reminders and GPS tracking.

Nissan will soon launch advanced connectivity features for the Micra, Sunny and Terrano. To go on sale in India soon, the cars will connect via an app on the owners phone to offer features like service reminders, GPS tracking and vehicle diagnostics.

While the details known are limited now, the services are expected to be similar to Hondas Connect system that was introduced in 2015, with some key differences with respect to features and data security.

The move to launch these connected cars is part of Nissan's global 'Intelligent Mobility' plan that the Indian arm is closely aligning with. Along with these cars, India will also get the hybrid X-Trail sometime later this year. There is also a possibility of the electric Leaf coming to India if next years planned pilot testing turns out to be successful.

The connected cars will not only benefit owners but the manufacturer too. Currently, most cars are serviced by third-party and local garages after the warranty expires, as owners look for more affordable options. Now with connected cars, vehicle manufacturers will have access to data like the vehicle's running and condition, with which it will be able to provide a proactive and timely reach out using service reminders and offers.
With the launch of the highly anticipated TVS Apache RR 310S right around the corner, more spy images have given us a closer look at the bike.

Theres no denying that the TVS Apache RR 310S, formerly known as the Akula 310 in concept form, is one of the most highly anticipated motorcycles of 2017. Spy images of test bikes have been flowing in since September last year, almost making us believe that TVS is more than happy to fuel the hype train. Surprisingly, images of the near-final production version reveal that not too many things have been drastically altered from the concept that was shown off at Auto Expo 2016. And as more spy images come in, it just leads us to confirm exactly how the RR 310S will be equipped once it rolls out.

These new images again show the bike wearing manufacturer camouflage. However, previous un-camouflaged shots have shown the bike painted in a lovely solid blue shade, reminiscent of Suzuki, without any decals to speak of. However, since it was devoid of any badging, we can assume that well see the graphics only in the final production version of the bike. That being said, as witnessed on the Apache RTRs, TVS has solid paint work over too many graphics and its very likely that this aesthetic will be carried over on the Apache RR 310S.

The fuel tank seems quite tall and muscular, and the front fairing also gets a liberally-sized windscreen, which should provide adequate protection against wind blast. The layout of the bike's twin headlights bears a passing resemblance to the older-generation Honda CBR600RR, but it could just be the angle of the shot thats giving this impression. Theres also a massive tail light unit with a striking look that seems like it could give the bold design choice of the Bajaj Pulsar RS200s tail light a run for its money.

From these as well as the earlier spy images, it is clear that the bike gets LED daytime running lights, as well as HID projector headlights, although its not known at this point whether LED headlights will be offered or not. Around the back, we can see the distinctive shape of the tail light that looks like an upside-down Omega symbol (or the Devils horns, as some of our colleagues have pointed out).

Just like on the concept model, the final instrument cluster features a vertical design and is an all-digital affair. The bike does get clip-on handlebars; however, they seem to be mounted slightly tall. As is clear from one of the new spy images, the riding position is far from aggressive and might even be very conducive for long-distance touring.

Golden-coloured upside down forks are clearly visible up front and theres a disc brake setup at both ends. The front disc appears to be a 290-300mm sized petal-type rotor with radially-mounted caliper, while the rear isnt all that visible in the spy shots. In these new shots, an ABS ring isnt visible on the brake rotors, but going by the spy images weve seen previously, the bike will be equipped with dual-channel ABS when it goes on sale. What is clear though is the fact that the Apache RR 310S is shod with Michelin Pilot Sport radials.

No mechanical details are known at this point except for the fact that the Apache RR 310S will get the same 313cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder motor from the BMW G310 R. While the peak power and torque outputs for the BMW stand at 34hp and 28Nm, respectively, theres a strong possibility that the engine will be tuned differently for the RR 310S and might make slightly lower figures.

The TVS Apache RR 310S was originally slated for an early 2017 launch but that hasnt happened as of yet and it has come to light that the bike may hit showrooms by the middle of this calendar year.

Image source
Michigan's U.S. senators are backing a proposal that would allow automakers to apply credits for model years as far back as 2009 to help them meet future standards to require their car and truck fleets to average 41 miles per gallon by 2021, reports the Detroit News.

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) and Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) have signed on as co-sponsors of the Fuel Economy Harmonization Act. They say the bill would address conflicts between NHTSA's Corporate Average Fuel Economy program and the EPA's Greenhouse Gas emissions programs.

Environmental groups have criticized the proposal as "another step in the automakers' push to roll back clean car and fuel economy standards," said Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

President Donald Trump's administration is reviewing the mileage rules implemented by Obama's EPA that require an average of 50 mpg by 2025.
Photo by Chris Brown

The First International Car Rental Trade Fair and Festival convened May 25-27 in Guangzhou, China. The festival, held at the Canton Fair Complex, drew about 500 attendees from car rental companies across China and included about 50 exhibitors in the exhibition hall.

The event was organized by Mr. X.E. Huang, chairman of the Guangzhou Car Rental Association. The conference featured a presentation by Sixt as well as one from Chris Brown, executive editor of Auto Rental News, on the state of the industry and a look into its future.

I was honored to be able to deliver an address, but more importantly delighted to learn about the incredible growth of the Chinese car rental industry, Brown said. This was a wonderfully organized event. My hat is off to Chairman Huang and his team for their hard work.

Click here for a photo gallery of the event.
Kenyan political Chaos. PHOTO | AFP

Kenyan political Chaos. PHOTO | Reuters

People have been brainwashed by certain communities in Kenya about leadership. Leaders have been busy brainwashing Most Kenyans on who is good and bad. The most interesting thing is about claiming something that did not exist.The majority of Kenyan have been brainwashed in comparing leaders in Kenya. People have been contrasting what the NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga did when he was in the Government compared to President Uhuru Kenyatta. Some people have been forced to close their eyes and not seeing the honest and bitter truth.The only time that President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga were to be compared was in 2013. Uhuru Kenyatta was a Finance Minister, William Ruto, Agricultural Minister and Raila Odinga Prime Minister.Ruto has held several Ministries before he became the DP as Uhuru Kenyatta since 1997, 2005 respectively. Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka also held Ministries positions since 1992, 1997 respectively.People have been contrasting Raila Odinga deeds with Uhuru Kenyatta actions. It is not their fault but forced to believe that. The only people that President Uhuru Kenyatta can be compared with are former presidents Mwai Kibaki, Daniel Moi and Jomo Kenyatta.What President Uhuru Kenyatta did can only be compared with former President Mwai Kibaki and the other presidents. The brainwashed people have been contrasting what President Uhuru Kenyatta did in the past four years with Raila Odinga's time. Raila Odinga has never been the President of Kenya may somewhere else.Some communities have been forced to believe that leaders from others tribes are bad compared to their own. Leaders also brainwash them more by saying that when some leaders from different tribes elected then the community will lose its properties. People forget that even some do not have tangible properties. So which properties are leaders refer?Rich people in the political class have been using ordinary Kenyans as rags because they do not whatever they need. They have been stealing from Ordinary Kenyans and then close their eyes by pinpointing others as the ones responsible.Kenyans should wake up from political ethnicity and look for really leaders. People should also think of electing county, constituency and ward political leaders based on the ability not because of clan tyranny of numbers.The tyranny of numbers has led to radicalization and marginalisation from the small tribes and clans. That is the only major aspect that Kenya will remain as a third world country until the day people will wake up.London elected a Muslim mayor from Saudi Arabia Sadiq Khan, who took up office on 9 May 2016. Senator Lucy Gichuhi was elected in Australia, while former POTUS was elected in the US.The questions Kenyans will need to answer to take the country forward.Is Kenya ready to have a president from the Minority tribes? Will Kenya be more democratic to elect a president who is a half cast? Will counties elect a governor who is not from the regional clans?
Thousands of family members, friends and loved ones celebrated the nation's fallen heroes at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on Monday.

At the annual Memorial Day ceremony, U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Kissimmee) said it's important to honor those who have found and died for the country.

"For over 240 years, the U.S. military has protected Americans against our enemies and the enemies of our friends," the congressman from the 10th District said. "Our world has changed, and with it our armed services, but the courage and dignity and the valor of the men and women in uniform is steadfast."

More than 150,000 veterans are buried at Florida National Cemetery, including the husband of Helen Greene.

She attended Monday's ceremony.

"Our veterans paid the price, and this is our way of giving back," Greene said.

Veteran William Lonnroth, 91, also attended the Memorial Day ceremony, one he's attended for the past 17 years. For Lonnroth, the ceremony brings about all kinds of emotions.

His brother is buried at the Sumter County cemetery.

"All these men and women who don't come home, they're the heroes, not us," Lonnroth said.

To honor the fallen, volunteers placed small American flags on each gravesite, where they will wave for the next few days.
Newport Holds Detailed Exhibit on Oregon Coast Fisheries

Published 05/30/2017 at 2:23 AM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Newport, Oregon)  Starting June 1, the past, present and future of Oregon coast commercial fishing comes to life in Newport, when its Pacific Maritime Heritage Center opens its latest exhibit called: Our Beautiful and Wild Oregon Fisheries, 150 years of Innovation. Whether you work in fisheries of the Oregon coast or simply enjoy its bounty while sitting at the table, organizers say this exhibit has something for everyone.

The story told in this exhibit is of Oregons successful emergence as a world leader in sustainable seafood and the very sound reasons for eating local seafood. This is the story of local fishermen, fish processors, fishery managers, scientists, conservation groups and port communities meeting the challenges and opportunities of wild harvest fisheries to feed a growing population.

Museum visitors will be afforded a rare opportunity to be immersed in the fascinating and little understood story behind Oregon and the Yaquina Bays far reaching and economically vital commercial fishing fleet. The largest fisheries in Oregon: Dungeness crab, pink shrimp, albacore tuna, Chinook salmon, groundfish, and pacific whiting are central to this exhibit. Politics, regulations, globalization, consumer food preferences, environmental conservation, and old fashion seat-of-your pants ingenuity have all shaped the regions commercial fishing fleet and maritime culture.

Oregon contributes a small part of the global fish catch, but it is a huge part of the Oregon coast economy. By minimizing habitat impacts and being selective in catching target species, Oregon has some of the best-managed fisheries in the world.

This exhibit, over a year-and-a-half in the making, was curated by Local Ocean Seafood restaurant owner, Laura Anderson. It is the largest and most complex exhibit to date at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center. Local fishermen, scientists, environmentalists, educators, photographers, and fisheries regulators all played an active part in developing this community exhibit. This exhibit was funded in part by: Oregon Trawl Commission, Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission, Oregon Salmon Commission, Oregon Albacore Commission, Pacific Seafoods, Bornstein Seafoods, and Local Ocean.

The Lincoln County Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that preserves and shares Lincoln Countys history. Visit the Burrows House Museum, 545 SW Ninth Street in Newport, and the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, 333 SE Bay Blvd. in Newport. Burrows House admission is by donation. Pacific Maritime Heritage Center is $5 for adults, children 12 and under admitted free. Both museums are open 11 am to 4 pm Thursday through Sunday. www.oregoncoasthistory.org. --- for this event - Where to eat - Map and Virtual Tour More on the history museum and Newport below:

























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May 19 was an exciting day for many Atascocita High School students. For some, they were eager to receive their yearbooks highlighting all they've accomplished that year. For others, the yearbook stood as their final memories of high school.

But the feeling of excitement quickly deflated as their parents became outraged at Editor-in-Chief Kyle Armour's decision to create an LGBT spread.

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Much of the drama unfolded on the forum Atascocita.com, where parents expressed their distaste that the LGBT spread included in the yearbook and aimed negative remarks at Kyle. This is the first time Atascocita High has published an LGBT spread in its yearbook.

Kimberly Hicks Armour said her son wanted to highlight the diversity of the school to make each student feel welcomed and accepted.

"His goal was to be as inclusive as possible for the entire student and to make everyone feel important in the book," Kimberly Hicks Armour said.

She said some people posting on the thread were attacking her son directly.

"People were saying he was dumb, not smart, that I should not be proud of who he is. I'm very proud of who he is. He did take a stand and make something diverse for the community and to our school," Kimberly Hicks Armour said.

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Senior Natalie Mendoza identifies as gay and Catholic and was amongst the students given a spot on the LGBT spread. Her senior quote, "I can turn your girl," was noted as offensive. Mendoza said her quote was a joke, but it received negative remarks focused on her sexual orientation from parents.

Under the name 'SteelerNation' on Atascocita.com, one user wrote about the spread, "That's jamming their crap down our throats!"

Another user posted under the name 'lynnsgirl', "We can't pray in school but now we have a section strictly dedicated to the gay community explaining how, when and why the came 'out'. I'm honestly disgusted and embarrassed."

Mendoza said reading comments like that made her feel ashamed of who she is, not knowing her quote and the spread would cause all this uproar.

"My friends know my sexual orientation and love and respect me regardless," Mendoza said. "There was many immature and ridiculous jokes, but mine, in specific, stood out due to my sexual orientation."

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Mendoza said another student wrote "Viva Mexico" and was also targeted for his quote.

The same user name 'SteelerNation' wrote in response to that quote, "hope they self-deport, that crap does not belong in a USA yearbook."

Several students took to Twitter to express their frustration with the forum, stating the parents should stop acting like high school students and let their children express themselves.

Yearbook advisor Kevin Tatum did not have permission to speak to the media.

Jamie Mount, Humble Independent School District spokeswoman, said the district will take the necessary steps to ensure quotes deemed inappropriate are not published in the future, but has not detailed what steps will be put in place or the threshold as to what will be deemed inappropriate.

For a brief period, the district halted distribution of yearbooks and ordered yearbook staff to mark over the offensive quotes with a Sharpie. That decision was later reversed and the school Tweeted it would release the yearbooks in their original form.

"The yearbooks should have been more thoroughly vetted prior to publication," Mount said. "The issue has been addressed with staff. It will not happen again."

Also, amongst that turmoil, some senior quotes published in the yearbooks caused some parents to call for legal action or censure.

Student Matthew Rinn posted a photo of a Sharpie marking through a senior quote stating, "'I start the Lamborghini with a screwdriver.' - Riff Raff."

"So happy to be apart of a journalism program that serves the parents of Atascocita, not the students! Our innocent little minds!" Rinn captioned the photo.

Another senior quote included an arrow to the left and the words "dis man is ugly," pointing to Darlene Savoie Seal's son.

"The yearbook has already been published and released. Other people (have) seen the quote, took pictures with their phone and passed it around on Snapchat," Seal said.

She contacted her lawyer and the school.

"The school, after I contacted my lawyer, has given my son an apology and (is) saying they are taking steps so this does not happen again," Seal said.
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When Rashad Lewis found out his name wouldn't be allowed on the ballot for Jasper City Council in May's election, he made a slogan of it:

"Rashad Lewis for Council Member District 1: write me in," the 31-year-old's signs read.

Lewis, Jasper's youngest-ever councilman, had to go to some lengths to make sure his name registered with the people of Jasper - and on the ballot.

"I had to connect to the people even more," Lewis said. "I had to inform voters about the write-in process, because it had never been done before in the city."

A week before early voting, officials told Lewis his name wouldn't appear on the ballot because his voter registration didn't transfer from Harris County to Jasper County in time.

Mark Jones, a Rice University political science professor, said it's extremely rare to win a political race as a write-in at any level.

"Write-in vs. write-in is not surprising," Jones said. "When there's another candidate's name on the ballot, it's difficult to win."

Jones said the last write-in candidate he could recall winning at the national level was Lisa Murkowski, who won a U.S. Senate seat from Alaska in 2010.

Worried that people would have a hard time spelling his full name, Lewis found out shortly before election day that "R. Lewis" would suffice. What wouldn't be accepted was his long-time nickname, "Cool Nerd," which Lewis said he picked up as a student at Jasper High School.

Now that he has been elected, Lewis said he plans to use his high school nickname to encourage Jasper's youth to invest in their city during his two-year term - a philosophy he took to heart when he decided to run.

"It kind of ties to my entire mission as a representative," Lewis said about his nickname. "You can be active and popular."

Lewis said he was in disbelief on election night, outside the Jasper County Courthouse Annex building, when a county employee handed him a paper with final voting numbers.

He won 78 percent of the 168 votes cast in the race for former Councilman Alton Scott's seat. After early voting he was ahead of his opponent, 69-year-old local rodeo coordinator Aaron Allen, by 11 votes.

"I met him for the first time on election night," Allen said. "I know he's young, but he's educated."

Twelve years ago, Lewis moved to Houston to study marketing at Prairie View A&M University. Upon his return last year, he felt little had changed in his hometown.

The son of a pastor, Lewis said he grew up mostly in a church. Aside from campaigning door-to-door, he relied a lot on his father's parishioners and his large family to support him through his campaign. Allen said Lewis had the upper hand with young voters and his church community.

"I wanted to become a voice for people in the city and really get people involved in our city," Lewis said.

Rice's Jones said voters are usually attracted to young ambitious people who "really go all out with their campaigning."

"I think they voted for him because they trust him," said Scott, the former district 1 councilman. "If the people feel like they can reach you, they'll trust you."

Scott said Lewis, whom he's know for a long time, approached him last year expressing interest in a council position.

"I told him that he'll be held accountable for the decisions he makes for the city, and he understood that," Scott said. "He's open-minded and someone who can't be swayed."

In smaller municipal elections where voter turnout is low, like Jasper's, Jones said meager campaign budgets level the playing field.

Lewis said he took advantage of social media to connect to people - a tool he hopes to use in office.

"We live in an era where people are informed through social media first," Lewis said. "We're now able to add a fresh outlet in politics."

Because of social media, Jones said it's very possible that Lewis was able to reach his 109 voters individually.

"It's a real advantage where there isn't a lot of money being spent on campaigning," Jones said.

Although Jones hasn't seen a trend of younger citizens taking the initiative to run in elections, the ones who do have an advantage.

"Younger candidates tend to mobilize friends and family more," Jones said. "They usually have larger networks of friends and can generally get their network of friends and family to campaign for them."

He said if young candidates put their minds to it, they can meet all registered voters through social media and block-walking alone.

Scott, who actively supported Lewis, said the candidate laid the groundwork for his victory with a lot of block-walking.

Jones said the reason candidates are typically older is they frequently have more time than younger people, who might have other obligations that keep them from holding municipal or school board positions, Jones said.

"These local position are often volunteered positions," he said. "A a lot of candidates are either retired or sufficiently stable in their career."

Lewis, who works as a cable installer, said he will use his appointments to connect with people and hear their concerns.

Aside from addressing typical issues like streets and road conditions, Lewis said he aims to involve youth in the city's growth.

With only one park in the district he represents, kids have few options to get out of the house and become engaged in the community, he said.

"It would be great to have resources like a YMCA, Boys and Girls Club and more after-school programs," Lewis said.

He said he knows the city doesn't offer a lot of job opportunities.

"We need more industrial jobs. We need to go out to industries looking to expand and bring the jobs here," Lewis said.

In his first official position, Lewis said he looks forward to learning from seasoned council members. The other five council members have served a combined 21 years.

Since being sworn in, Lewis has created a Facebook page, where he hopes to stay connected to constituents and share information with them.

"I really want to take my term a step at a time, and learn what I can while pushing for growth."

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Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins researchers said providers can employ certain strategies to lower ventilator-associated events, according to Morningside Maryland.

Researchers analyzed data from 56 intensive care units at 38 hospitals in Pennsylvania and Maryland to assess how providers could strengthen adherence to ventilator protocols. Participants complied with Society of Critical Care Medicine and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America intervention recommendations for patients on ventilators.

The facility's staff also underwent training on Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program, an initiative aiming to limit patient harm.

Here are three study insights:

1. After undergoing the training, the number of ventilator-associated events fell by nearly 38 percent.

2. Infection-related ventilator-associated complications fell by more than 50 percent.

3. Both probable and possible ventilator-associated pneumonia cases plummeted 78 percent.
Here are 30 healthcare updates from the past month for ASC leaders to note:

Stolen vehicle crashes into Pennsylvania surgery center

A man crashed a stolen pickup truck into Saint Vincent Surgery Center in Erie, Pa. on May 22. The suspect allegedly hit a pedestrian before crashing into the surgery center, according to police.

Trump's proposed budget includes $800B Medicaid cuts

President Donald Trump is proposing a budget that will cut Medicaid by $800 billion. The cuts assume the American Health Care Act comes to fruition.

CBO estimates say AHCA would cause 14M to lose coverage by 2018, 23M by 2026

The Congressional Budget Office's updated estimates of the American Health Care Act predict the bill will cause 14 million people to lose insurance by 2018. By 2023, the CBO estimates 23 million Americans will lose coverage.

TeamHealth names Jennifer Morrison chief compliance officer

Jennifer Morrison is TeamHealth's new chief compliance officer. She was the director of compliance and privacy at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg (Fla.) before joining TeamHealth.

Georgia medical campus with ASC expected to have $185M impact

A new medical campus, featuring an ASC, will offer Georgia residents medical services in Ellenwood. Planners expect the facility to create more than 1,300 positions and have an estimated $185 million economic impact.



Cleveland Clinic, Rendina Healthcare Real Estate break ground on 72k-sq-ft facility including ASC

Cleveland Clinic and Jupiter, Fla.-based Rendina Healthcare Real Estate partnered to construct a $32 million, 72,000-square-foot health center in Coral Springs, Fla. The partners broke ground on the center which'll feature an ASC on May 17.

Aetna considers dumping NJ individual, small group plans following $450M losses

Aetna is weighing its options regarding pulling its individual and small-group health insurance plans in New Jersey. Aetna could possibly withdraw plans after reporting $450 million in losses last year. Aetna does not participate in the state's ACA exchange, but covered more than 68,000 people at the end of 2016.

Legislators likely to reject Trump's proposed $5.8B NIH funding cut

President Donald Trump's proposal to slash National Institutes of Health funding by nearly $5.8 billion may not come to pass if legislators stand in its way. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., House Appropriations subcommittee chairman, said he was concerned about the request and believes the cut could deter scientists from pursuing biomedical research.

Orlando Health's $42M project may have ASC in future plans

Orlando Healthcare is undertaking a big project by building a new $42 million complex in Lake Mary, Fla. Karen Frenier, president of Longwood, Fla.-based South Seminole Hospital, said the health system's future plans may include an ASC and other "health and wellness concepts."

Henry Schein partners with Simplifeye to allow mobile practice management integration

Henry Schein Medical Systems partnered with Simplifeye to incorporate mobile integration into its practice management software MicroMD. Simplifeye's software, also named Simplifeye, allows physicians to view real-time patient information on the Apple Watch and the Apple iPhone.

NC hospital executives speak out after CON repeal bill passes state Senate

The North Carolina Senate passed a budget proposal including an amendment to repeal the state's certificate-of-need laws, drawing criticism from hospital groups. Jeffrey Sackrison, president of Windsor, N.C.-based Vidant Bertie Hospital and Edenton, N.C.-based Vidant Chowan Hospital, said repealing the legislation will not lower costs, which proponents are claiming.

Laser Spine Institute Cleveland ASC welcomes new spine surgeon

Brad M. Picha, MD, joined Laser Spine Institute's Cleveland ASC. Dr. Picha is an Ohio native who completed medical school at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

UnitedHealth to shut down Harken Health

UnitedHealth Group is shutting down its Harken Health subsidiary. Harken Health lost $63.7 million in 2016. UnitedHealth Group invested $160 million into the company.

Wisconsin surgery center closes after threat

Franklin, Wis.-based Aurora Surgical Center closed on May 17 after a woman called the facility threatening harm. The police are investigating the case, but said they had a suspect in mind. The center reopened on May 17.

Physician-owned hospital bill introduced in Senate

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., introduced legislation in the Senate to improve access to physician-led hospitals. The Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2017 would repeal the moratorium on physician-owned hospitals that was enacted in 2010 as part of the ACA.

ASCA board elects Lisa Austin, Jennifer Butterfield as new members

The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association elected two new board members  Lisa Austin, RN, and Jennifer Butterfield, RN, BSN. Ms. Austin is the vice president of facility development for Evergreen, Colo.-based Pinnacle III. Ms. Butterfield is the CEO and administrator for, National Surgical HealthcareLakes Surgery Center in Detroit They were both elected to three-year terms. ASCA re-elected four additional members.

New CMS rule wants to increase ACA exchange participation

CMS issued a final rule aimed at stabilizing the individual and small group insurance markets for the 2018 coverage year. The rule changes several standards. CMS will shorten the open enrollment period and will fully enforce the pre-enrollment verification. The agency will allow insurers to collect payments from beneficiaries with outstanding balances.

Anthem terminates merger with Cigna  Refuses to pay breakup fee

Anthem terminated its potential merger with Cigna on May 12 following a May 11 ruling by the Delaware Court of Chancery denying Anthem's preliminary injunction request. In the release, Anthem alleges Cigna "failed to perform and comply in all material respects with its contractual obligations." Citing that, Anthem is refusing to pay the merger termination fee.

93% of RNs satisfied with career

A new Medscape report found although registered nurses are happy with their career choice, many suffer from fatigue. Ninety-three percent said they were satisfied with their career choice. Ninety-eight reported their job is physically and mentally demanding. At the day's end, 93 percent said they feel mentally and/or physically tired.

Willmar Medical Services breaks ground on new ASC in Minnesota

Willmar (Minn.) Medical Services broke ground on a new outpatient surgery center. A joint venture between Willmar-based Rice Memorial Hospital and Willmar-based Affiliated Community Medical Centers, Willmar Medical Services officially began work on the new $11 million ASC.

Senate approves Dr. Scott Gottlieb as FDA commissioner by 15 votes

The Senate confirmed Scott Gottlieb, MD, as the FDA commissioner in a 57 to 42 vote on May 9. In April, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions confirmed Dr. Gottlieb's nomination, mostly along party lines.

Surgery Partners Q1 revenues total $286.2M; 7.2% jump

Surgery Partners fared well in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017. Revenues totaled $286.2 million, up 7.2 percent from first quarter fiscal year 2016.

40 patients develop septic arthritis after NJ clinic fails to abide by standard hygiene practices

State reports confirmed 40 patients developed knee septic arthritis after receiving care at Wall Township, N.J.-based Osteo Relief Institute Jersey Shore. One clinic physician told state health department investigators she did not wash her hands between treating patients.

European physicians visit Surgery Center of Oklahoma to observe business practices

Oklahoma City-based Surgery Center of Oklahoma hosted physicians from European countries to observe the center's business practices. The surgery center guarantees its procedures' costs and only accepts cash for payment.

Renowned gastroenterologist Dr. Marvin Schuster dies from heart disease

Gastroenterologist Marvin M. Schuster, MD, 87, died on May 12 after a battle with heart disease. Dr. Schuster founded the Marvin M. Schuster Center for Digestive and Motility disorders at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore.

Envision Physician Services acquires Georgia emergency medicine group

Envision Healthcare's physician services division acquired Lawrenceville, Ga.-based emergency medicine group practice Gwinnett Emergency Specialists. The practice's more than 40 physicians and 30 advanced practice practitioners offer services to residents at Gwinnett Medical Center Lawrenceville and Gwinnett Medical Center Duluth (Ga.).

Low nursing levels leads to higher patient mortality

Hospitals with low nursing staffing levels may have higher patient mortality risk, according to a Sweden-based Karolinska Institutet thesis. Swedish researchers had nurses answer a series of questions about the care they did not provide due to a lack of time. The responses showed a correlation between fewer nurses, more missed care and an increase in patient mortality.

Association of Independent Doctors says Green Mountain Surgery Center opposition 'anticompetitive'

The Association of Independent Doctors, a national group that works with the Federal Trade Commission to stop hospital mergers, says opposition to the Green Mountain (Vt.) Surgery Center is anticompetitive.

The Joint Commission deletes 135 performance elements for ambulatory, office-based surgery programs

The Joint Commission removed 85 elements of performance from its Ambulatory Health Care accreditation program and 50 elements of performance from its Office-Based Surgery programs.

How limiting pharmaceutical rep sales visits influences physician prescribing

Academic medical centers implemented policies limiting pharmaceutical representative sales visits to physicians to assess whether these visits impact physician prescribing patterns, according to a study published in The JAMA Network.
The Arizona Department of Health Services notified roughly 2,500 patients about a potential privacy breach, according to a May 26 news release emailed to Becker's Hospital Review.

ADHS on April 20 shipped billing documents to Midwest Medical Practice Management, a Carbondale, Ill.-based third-party billing company, via the U.S. Postal Service. The documents contained protected health information from newborn screening services, including names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, health insurance information and some Social Security numbers, for both mothers and children.

One of two document parcels ADHS mailed did not arrive at Midwest Medical Practice Management. The department said there is no evidence the information has been misused, although USPS has not yet located the parcel.

"USPS has no records of the parcel being misdelivered or compromised in any way," ADHS said in the news release. "In addition, there is no indication the parcel has left USPS' custody, and the department is hopeful that it will be located as USPS continues to search for the item."

The health department is working with USPS to locate the missing billing documents and prevent similar situations from happening in the future. ADHS also plans to evaluate its mailing processes for newborn screening records.
Stephen Lawler, senior vice president of the regional group for Charlotte, N.C.-based Carolinas HealthCare System, was named president of the North Carolina Hospital Association, effective July 1.

Prior to joining CHS, Mr. Lawler held numerous leadership roles over 20 years at Greenville, N.C.-based Vidant Health, including seven years as president of Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

Mr. Lawler, a North Carolina native, earned his bachelor's degree from The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., and an MBA from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. Before joining Vidant Health, he served as a medical corps service officer in the U.S. Army.

"It is a great honor and privilege to be asked to serve this remarkable organization and support its staff, members and partners in improving the lives of the people of our state," said Mr. Lawler. "My career has taken me from the smallest hospital to the largest health system in North Carolina and I am grateful for the many people who have educated me along the way, from the board room to the bedside and every point in between. I plan to bring those lessons to my new role at NCHA."
More than 4,000 Ohioans died from drug overdoses in 2016, according a survey of county coroner's offices conducted by The Columbus Dispatch.

The newspaper determined at least 4,149 people in the state died of a drug overdose in 2016 based upon the coroner's responses. The number represents a 36 percent jump from 2015's total of 3,050. Additionally, the 2016 figure is likely underestimated, as not all coroners have finished tallying the number of overdoses in their county for last year, and six coroner's offices in smaller counties did not respond to the newspapers repeated requests for overdose statistics.

The spike in deaths is largely attributable to the rise of extremely potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which is 50 times more powerful than heroin. Cuyahoga County, Ohio, tallied 400 fentanyl-related deaths between Nov. 21, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2016, alone. The county's coroner's office projects fentanyl will contribute to the deaths of as many as 600 people in the county in 2017.

"The opiate crisis is a slow-moving[,] mass-fatality event that occurred last year, is occurring again this year and will occur again next year," Thomas Gilson, MD, Cuyahoga County medical examiner, told a U.S. Senate committee last week, according to the Dispatch.

Fentanyl is frequently mixed into heroin, increasing the potency of the already dangerous narcotic. Dealers are also reportedly introducing the drug into the cocaine supply, which will likely spread the drug's reach across the state.

"With seemingly purposeful intent, cocaine is now being mixed into the fentanyl distribution and the analogs of fentanyl in an effort to introduce these drugs into the African American population," said Dr. Gilson. "Cocaine had been the only drug that victims were predominately African American. The covert introduction of fentanyl into the cocaine supply has caused a rapid rise in fatalities, and in 2017, the rate of African American fentanyl-related deaths has doubled from 2016."

In Montgomery County, the coroner's office has been forced to rent refrigerator trailers to store excess bodies due to recent surges in opioid-related deaths.

More articles on opioids:

Georgia passes 3 laws to curb opioid epidemic

Trump administration backpedals on plans to eliminate 'drug czar' office: 5 things to know

FDA commissioner establishes new opioid committee
The Minnesota Office of Safety and Health Administration has initiated a review of emergency department operations at the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview in Minneapolis where a mentally disabled adolescent girl was sexually assaulted, according to a report from KSTP.

While an OSHA spokesperson confirmed to KSTP there is an ongoing investigation into possible safety issues in the ED at University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview, the individual did not say what precisely triggered the investigation.

OSHA typically investigates hospitals if it receives complaints expressing fear among staff and patients regarding the possible threat of workplace violence, according to KTSP. The hospital is also being investigated by the Minnesota Department of Health regarding security issues in the mental health unit, according to the report.

"Regulatory agency visits are part of the routine and important work all health systems do," wrote Fairview spokesperson Camie Melton Hanily in a statement provided to Becker's Hospital Review. "We are committed to working with patients and regulatory agencies regarding any questions they may have as quality and patient safety are of utmost importance."

The hospital is currently facing a lawsuit filed by the parents of the adolescent girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted twice while in the ED. The teenage patient was fondled by another mentally ill patient, Jamal Strong, and the assault was captured on camera. While hospital staff entered the room and removed Mr. Strong, the lawsuit alleges the attacker returned to the room on a second occasion and again assaulted the girl.

Mr. Strong has since pleaded guilty to felony sexual assault, though he has yet to be sentenced due to concerns regarding his own mental health.

In the wake of the incident, University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview has increased patient monitoring in the ED and enhanced video monitoring, among other changes, per a statement provided to Becker's last week.

More articles on quality:

University of Chicago Medicine awarded for decreasing preventable skin injuries

How a newly licensed nurse saved a life at 39,000 feet

A 3-protocol program reduces delirium, hospital stay for older surgery patients
New Missouri legislation seeks to fill the gaps in rural healthcare with "assistant physicians"  individuals who complete medical school but aren't placed in residency programs for certification, according to a report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Here are five things to know:

1. Missouri passed legislation in 2014 creating the "assistant physician" category, and now seeks to broaden the law. The state began accepting "assistant physician" applications in January, but there were some who lost eligibility due to the time lapse between medical school graduation and the state beginning to accept applications. The new legislation would allow those individuals to apply.

2. Missouri is the first state seeking to place "assistant physicians" in rural areas, and hopes to become a model for other states. Arkansas and Kansas have "slimmed-down" versions of the legislation and a similar concept has been considered in Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia and Washington.

3. Already 127 people applied for Missouri's program and 23 have received licenses to practice; another 44 are under review.

4. There are around 6,800 places in the U.S. reporting primary care physician shortages, and 225 are in Missouri, according to the report.

5. Under Missouri's current program, 55 applications for an "assistant physician" license were denied, many due to the time lapse between medical school graduation and the application submission.
HCA honored Sarasota (Fla.) Orthopedic Associates' Andrew Moulton, MD, with the HCA Humanitarian First Award, according to the Bradenton Herald.

Here are five things to know:

1. Dr. Moulton is a member of Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, an HCA West Florida facility.

2. Dr. Moulton travels multiple times per year to developing countries to deliver medical and spine care to underserved children.

3. As a co-founder of the Butterfly Foundation, a nonprofit organization, Dr. Moulton treats children with complex spinal deformities in the Dominican Republic.

4. The Westchester County Business Journal named Dr. Moulton among the "40 Rising Stars Under 40" and he completed the North American Spine Society's traveling fellowship in 2004.

5. Dr. Moulton earned his medical degree at SUNY-Downstate School of Medicine in New York and completed his spine surgery fellowship at New York City-based NYU Langone Medical Center Hospital for Joint Disease.
Seattle-based Swedish Health has frequently double-booked spine surgeries at its Cherry Hill campus, The Seattle Times reports.

Here are five insights:

1. The Seattle Times reporters obtained internal surgery data that revealed some Swedish brain and spine surgeons "routinely ran multiple operating rooms at the same time while keeping patients in the dark about the practice." The reporters also came to this conclusion based on patient and medical staff interviews.

2. From 2014 to 2016, four Swedish Neuroscience Institute surgeons oversaw multiple ORs concurrently for more than half of their cases. The surgeons routinely performing concurrent surgeries in this time frame included Rod Oskouian, MD; Johnny Delashaw, MD; Jens Chapman, MD; and David Newell, MD.

3. Guy Hudson, MD, Swedish's interim CEO, labeled these surgeries as "overlapping," indicating a second surgery simply begins with the close of the previous one. The Seattle Times reports Dr. Hudson previously said surgeons are not allowed to schedule cases with the same start time. Despite this claim, The Seattle Times found more than 200 times when surgeons started two cases at the same time or within a five-minute lapse between 2014 and 2016. The reporters discovered these cases often overlapped for more than one hour.

4. Swedish is not alone in allowing overlapping surgeries, as the topic has come under fire in recent years. Dr. Hudson pointed to metrics that the Cherry Hill facility demonstrated better overall outcomes compared to the industry benchmark. He noted that they are still looking into outcomes comparisons between overlapping and non-overlapping cases.

5. In May, Swedish Cherry Hill began giving consent forms to patients outlining the possibility of overlapping surgeries. Patients read that their surgeon "will be assisted by a care team," The Seattle Times reports, but the form does not spell out that physicians-in-training may be performing some of the surgery without surgeon supervision.

6. Swedish has faced investigations since The Seattle Times published a report on the Swedish Neuroscience Institute on the Cherry Hill campus in February. Former Swedish CEO Anthony Armada resigned in February after the report prompted state regulators to investigate. Dr. Delashaw also resigned from his post as chair of the Swedish Neuroscience Institute on the Cherry Hill campus on March 1, amid a state health regulatory investigation into complaints filed against him.





Find out more about The Seattle Times investigation, here.
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The regulator said there were significant weaknesses and failures in Bank of Ireland's controls, policies and procedures

Bank of Ireland has been fined more than three million euro after it admitted breaching laws drawn up to thwart terrorists and criminals.

The Central Bank said it identified 12 occasions where the bank failed to enforce rules to combat money laundering and financing terrorism over three years from 2010.

The regulator said there were significant weaknesses and failures in Bank of Ireland's controls, policies and procedures.

The Central Bank's director of enforcement Derville Rowland said: "Such behaviour is unacceptable and falls far short of the standard expected of one of Ireland's largest retail banks.

"Reporting suspicious transactions to the authorities without delay is a fundamental component of an anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework.

"It is particularly disappointing that another large retail bank failed to submit six time-critical suspicious transaction reports to An Garda Siochana and the Revenue Commissioners promptly."

Bank of Ireland were fined 3.15m euro after admitting failures in risk assessment, failing to make six suspicious transaction reports as soon as possible and failing to carry out enhanced due diligence on a correspondent bank outside the EU.

Allied Irish Banks was fined 2.3 million euro last month following a separate investigation into similar issues.

Bank of Ireland said it takes its regulatory obligations seriously and regrets that these issues arose.

"The bank has co-operated fully with the Central Bank throughout this investigation and has completed a comprehensive multi-year programme of work to anticipate future legislative requirements while also addressing these issues," it said.
Cyber crime and political upheaval are the two biggest financial crime risks facing banks over the next year , a report said.

A survey of 200 professionals across banking and asset management found 44% felt new criminal techniques, like cyber crime, posed the largest threat to firms.

However, the report by LexisNexis Risk Solutions said 37% believed geo-political change, such as tighter sanctions imposed by the United States, presented an even greater financial crime risk.

Dean Curtis, UK managing director at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, said: "Imposing sanctions has recently been the US tool of choice when responding to an international threat.

"Over half of these sanctions have been implemented since 2009 and the Trump administration may potentially continue to utilise sanctions in favour of costly military action.

"Financial institutions have found managing evolving sanctions policies and the introduction of new targeted sanctions tools, such as the sectoral sanction regime, to be a significant challenge, making them understandably concerned about the need to manage and update risk policies, process and controls."

Changes to sanctions following the election of US President Donald Trump were of more concern to financial crime professionals than Britain's vote to leave the European Union, the report said.

It added that 30% felt Brexit would help fight criminals, while 14% believed it would have a negative impact and 56% were unsure.

Meanwhile, 92% were concerned old technology at organisations could make it harder to fight financial crime over the next two years.

The threat facing the financial firms was underscored by WannaCry ransomeware cyber attack earlier this month, which hit more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries, crippling organisations and global companies.
There's no doubt about it, 2017 has been the year of the booty.

From Kim Kardashian to Jen Selter, these days Facebook and Instagram are covered with pictures of butts, booties and belfies.

It's the new big thing in fitness - everyone and their Nan wants a bigger, better bum.

So, with Summer just around the corner, here are my top training tips to help you build up a pair of glutes to really fill out those bikini bottoms or board shorts...

1. Lift weights to help them shape up

Spin classes and jogging won't do much for building buns to be proud of, you have to start shifting some weights to help them grow.

Weight-training is essential for muscle growth, which adds to and improves the shape to a bodypart. Barbells, dumbbells, resistance bands and bodyweight exercises should become your new go-to choices for effective glute training.

2. Choose the right exercises for next-level glute development

It's long been said that squats are the best exercise for building a butt, and while they are effective, the Barbell Glute Bridge and Hip Thrust are the kings of booty building.

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Including these along with other glute-dominant exercises such as Romanian Deadlifts, Cable Pullthroughs and Back Extensions will hit the glutes harder than you ever thought possible.

3. Train them several times per week - and train them hard!

The glutes are a tough muscle group, and can be trained multiple times per week, but train them smart by covering all the bases which will help with muscle growth (think low, medium, and high reps).

Monday: Barbell Hip Trust, 3 sets of 5 reps

Barbell Hip Trust, 3 sets of 5 reps Wednesday: Barbell Glute Bridge, 3 sets of 10 reps

Barbell Glute Bridge, 3 sets of 10 reps Friday: Banded Glute Bridges, 3 sets of 25 reps

4. Make sure to squeeze, then squeeze some more

I'll be honest, training your butt is going to hurt, but it's easy to get carried away and let ego start to take over when selecting your weights.

Ensure the glutes are getting properly targeted by choosing weights which you find challenging, but aren't so heavy that you can't feel the glutes contracting. If you're losing that 'squeeze' you might just be going a little too heavy.

5. Attack them from all angles

Many associate the glutes with only the muscles round your backside, but they cover a large surface which extends right round the side of the hips.

To really make your glutes 'pop' and create an all-round shape, make sure to hit these muscles by including glute abductions, side lunges, and lateral walks in your training.

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6. Eat to grow

We can't build something out of nothing - if you want those buns to grow, you have to eat like you mean it.

For a rough figure of how much you need, multiply your bodyweight in pounds by 14-16 and aim for a minimum of 0.8-1g per lb of bodyweight in protein (e.g. a 140lb woman should aim for at least 112g of protein daily.)

7. Stay loose!

Long hours of sitting at your desk in work can start to tighten up your hips and thighs, which makes your glutes become lazy and inactive.

A switched-off behind won't want to grow, so help them keep switched on by making sure to stretch the hips and thighs for 20-30 seconds several times daily.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (right) with Sky News political editor Faisal Islam during a joint Channel 4 and Sky News general election programme recorded at Sky studios in Osterley, west London. PA

Theresa May speaks during a campaign event on May 29, 2017 in Twickenham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

British Prime Minister Theresa May answers questions from the studio audience as she takes part in the "May v Corbyn Live: The Battle for Number 10", Sky News and Channel 4 event in at Sky Studios in London, on May 29, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Stefan ROUSSEAUSTEFAN ROUSSEAU/AFP/Getty Images

British Prime Minister Theresa May takes part in the "May v Corbyn Live: The Battle for Number 10", Sky News and Channel 4 event in at Sky Studios in London, on May 29, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Stefan ROUSSEAUSTEFAN ROUSSEAU/AFP/Getty Images

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (centre) adjusts the tie of Jeremy Paxman (right) next to Sky News political editor Faisal Islam during a joint Channel 4 and Sky News general election programme 'May v Corbyn Live: The Battle for Number 10' at Sky studios on May 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

British Prime Minister Theresa May answers questions from the studio audience as she takes part in the "May v Corbyn Live: The Battle for Number 10", Sky News and Channel 4 event in at Sky Studios in London, on May 29, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Stefan ROUSSEAUSTEFAN ROUSSEAU/AFP/Getty Images

Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May were forced to defend their records as they faced a live TV grilling.

The Prime Minister came under fire from members of the studio audience over her cuts to public services and her plans for social care.

Mr Corbyn faced questioning on his attitude to security issues and past comments about the IRA and the Falklands War.

Appearing on a Sky News/Channel 4 "Battle for Number 10" broadcast, the Labour leader refused to be drawn on whether he would authorise a drone strike against a terrorist plotting overseas to attack the UK.

"It is a hypothetical question," he said. "We have to look at the evidence that is there at the time to make that fatal decision one way or the other."

Mr Corbyn, a lifelong opponent of nuclear weapons who has made clear that he would never authorise their use, nevertheless indicated he would issue the customary final instructions to the commanders of the Trident submarine fleet if he became prime minister.

"I will write the appropriate letter to our commanders who are obviously very responsible, very loyal naval officers," he said.

During her grilling from the studio audience, Mrs May was accused by a police officer of presiding over "devastating" cuts, asked by a midwife to justify her "chronic underfunding" of the NHS and heckled over school funding.

The Prime Minister insisted that she was determined to do the right thing for the country, referring to her reputation as a "bloody difficult woman".

"Doing what is the right thing by the country. Sometimes you have to be difficult in order to do that," she said.

Expand Close Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (centre) adjusts the tie of Jeremy Paxman (right) next to Sky News political editor Faisal Islam during a joint Channel 4 and Sky News general election programme 'May v Corbyn Live: The Battle for Number 10' at Sky studios on May 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (centre) adjusts the tie of Jeremy Paxman (right) next to Sky News political editor Faisal Islam during a joint Channel 4 and Sky News general election programme 'May v Corbyn Live: The Battle for Number 10' at Sky studios on May 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

"We need to have a government that is open about these things and is willing to find ways of addressing them.

"If in order to address them and do the right thing by the country, it takes being a difficult woman, then that's exactly what I will be."

Mrs May also reaffirmed that she would walk away from the forthcoming Brexit negotiations without a deal rather than accept a "bad" deal.

"I think you have to. In negotiations you have to recognise that you're not in there to get a deal at any price."

Under the format agreed by the two parties, the two leaders each faced 20 minutes of questions from the audience with a further 18 minutes in front of interviewer Jeremy Paxman, with Mr Corbyn going first.

During her grilling from the studio audience, Mrs May was accused by a police officer of presiding over "devastating" cuts, asked by a midwife to justify her "chronic underfunding" of the NHS and heckled over school funding.

The Prime Minister insisted that she was determined to do the right thing for the country, referring to her reputation as a "bloody difficult woman".

"Doing what is the right thing by the country. Sometimes you have to be difficult in order to do that," she said.

"We need to have a government that is open about these things and is willing to find ways of addressing them.

"If in order to address them and do the right thing by the country, it takes being a difficult woman, then that's exactly what I will be."

Mrs May also reaffirmed that she would walk away from the forthcoming Brexit negotiations without a deal rather than accept a "bad" deal.

"I think you have to. In negotiations you have to recognise that you're not in there to get a deal at any price."

Expand Close Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn answers questions from the studio audience (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images / Facebook

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Under the format agreed by the two parties, the two leaders each faced 20 minutes of questions from the audience with a further 18 minutes in front of interviewer Jeremy Paxman, with Mr Corbyn going first.

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Twitterati poke fun

The pair's appearance on the Sky News/Channel 4 "Battle for Number 10" broadcast is trending on Twitter with popular hashtags including #BattleForNumber10 and #mayvcorbyn, while thousands of tweets made reference to the programme's hosts Jeremy Paxman and Faisal Islam.

Jim Pickard tweeted: "Love the audience guy who stood up to give May standing ovation then sheepishly sat down when he realised he was alone."

George Hales appeared to be referencing Mrs May's "no deal is better than a bad deal" comment by tweeting: "No debate is better than a bad debate."

Alastair Stewart tweeted: "TM just about managing the 'just about managing' question."

But Mrs May had a clear supporter in the form of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who tweeted: "Jezza was dodging questions & denying his past. We need a PM who'll stand up & make the tough decisions - that's Theresa."

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon was scathing in her assessment of Mrs May's performance, tweeting: "It has become painfully clear in last half hour why the PM is dodging leaders' debates in this election."

Kevin Maguire described Mr Corbyn's interaction with Mr Paxman by writing: "Corbyn adopting the tone with Paxo of a kindly neighbour explaining to the oddball next door why the bins must be put out on a Tuesday."

Matthew Champion's tweet appeared to have a sarcastic air about it as he wrote: "Great to see Paxman quizzing Corbyn on the pressing issues of the election like the Falklands and abolishing the monarchy."

Sophie Long tweeted: "Look at his lovely smile and socialist ways. That man would rather die than kill a fox. #MAYvCORBYN"

Owen Jones' assessment of the political quizzing was: "This is like watching a bemused polite commuter being accosted by someone who's had one too many #BattleForNumber10"
Last Monday's attack on the innocent people of Manchester demonstrated the cruelty of terrorism. It was a stark manifestation of the hatred our enemies have for our way of life and the free and democratic society which we hold dear.

However, as before, the people of Manchester and the United Kingdom came together in the face of terrorism to support the families of those murdered and critically injured. They will continue to be in our thoughts.

Terrorism is wrong and can never be justified. There are no excuses and no reasons for the use of terror, whether it was Manchester a week ago or Manchester 21 years ago.

There can be no equivocation about this: the terrorists who committed murder on the streets of Manchester are opposed to our democracy.

I believe that the people of the United Kingdom will be defiant in sending a strong message of opposition to the terrorists and their apologists.

Therefore, at this election, it is vital that people exercise their right to vote. Every vote really does count and matter.

We are living in uncertain times and it is vital that Northern Ireland has 18 voices in Westminster fighting our corner.

The clearest demonstration of what can happen if politicians work together is when you look at how Jim Nicholson, Ian Paisley and John Hume worked together in the European Parliament in the best interests of all the people of Northern Ireland.

We can do the same in Brexit negotiations.

This election is not a rerun of the European referendum and neither should we allow people to couch it in those terms. The United Kingdom joined the EEC as one nation and we'll leave the EU as one nation.

This election is about creating a stronger, better Union for everyone and getting the best deal possible for Northern Ireland as part of the Brexit negotiations. We need to send out a strong, clear message that Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom.

We are part of one of the world's most successful economies and, therefore, it is vital that we are part of the negotiations to get the best deal for the United Kingdom as we leave the European Union. That will best serve the interests of all the people of Northern Ireland.

That is why it is crucial that Ulster Unionist MPs are elected to Westminster, MPs who are focused on creating a stronger, better Union for everyone and who will best represent everyone's interests.

Ulster Unionist MPs will ensure that your voices are heard in parliament. In the two years since they were elected in 2015, Tom Elliott and Danny Kinahan have a proven track record of delivery, both for their constituencies and Northern Ireland.

They've led the way in campaigning on veterans' issues, being at the forefront of campaigns to stop the rewriting of history, for the first time establishing an all-party parliamentary group on the Union at Westminster and standing up for Women Against State Pension Age Inequality (Waspi), pressing the Government to introduce fair transitional payments for those who have been disadvantaged.

Those are just some of the issues in which they've been involved and will continue to work on if they are successfully re-elected on June 8. Abstentionists certainly won't be in a position to represent everyone's interests in parliament and your voice will go unheard. Sinn Fein have been trying to hoodwink the electorate by claiming that taking seats in Westminster doesn't matter. Of course it matters.

Sinn Fein know that they are kidding the people when they try and claim that abstentionism is a viable way of influencing government. The fact that their one MEP from Northern Ireland takes her seat in a 751 seat European Parliament is a direct contradiction of that policy. Sinn Fein may be happy to milk the Westminster expenses system to fill their party coffers; Ulster Unionist MPs will actually do the job for which they are elected.

Those calling for special status for Northern Ireland are calling for the break-up of the United Kingdom. It is an attempt to create a united Ireland by the back door. There can be no border up the middle of the Irish Sea, or a situation allowed to develop where citizens of Northern Ireland will get their passports checked at Cairnryan, Heathrow or Gatwick.

That is totally unacceptable and that is why we stand totally opposed to the concept of special status for Northern Ireland. All our energies should be focused instead on the Brexit negotiations.

Calls by some for a second EU referendum following negotiations are a thinly veiled attempt to reverse the decision taken by the people of the United Kingdom in the referendum last year. And it also weakens our negotiating hand with the EU.

Why would the EU attempt to negotiate fair terms with the UK if they thought that there was any possibility of a second referendum happening?

It is also rampant scaremongering from those who claim that there is going to be a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Their arguments don't stack up. They still can't explain how there could possibly be a hard border if the UK Government, the Irish Government and the EU all say that they are opposed to one.

It is ironic that the party banging the drum the loudest about the creation of a hard border are Sinn Fein. They're all over the place on this issue.

They will not be allowed to hinder Brexit negotiations because they think they can exploit the situation to further their own ideology. The EU have been creative before in dealing with issues and I am sure they can be creative again.

A vote for the Ulster Unionist Party at this election will be a vote for a fair and balanced approach to dealing with the past; it will be a vote for a stronger, better Union for everyone, to get the best deal in Brexit negotiations and a vote to ensure your voice is heard in parliament. Ulster Unionist MPs will be a voice for everyone, whether that be victims, veterans, the business sector, or our agricultural community.

We will be champions for the Union and will focus on a positive future for everyone in Northern Ireland.

Robin Swann MLA is leader of the Ulster Unionist Party
The polls are wrong! The polls are always wrong! You hear this all the time and yes the polling industry has had a rough few years since the polling miss of the UK general election 2015.

However, changes have been made to polling methods since 2015, and this lead to the accuracy of the polls for the EU Referendum with 17 of the last 22 polls predicting a narrow Brexit win, with the other five polls predicting Remain on no more than 52%. So overall the polling said the EU Referendum was going to be a close result either way  and it was.

So what about this upcoming Westminster election? What are the key trends and poll questions to watch and track?

LucidTalk has always said that polls are never wrong if you follow the correct poll questions and trends. With UK Westminster elections - there are two key 'Golden Rule' questions to track:

(a) Which party leader will make the best Prime Minister?

(b) Which political party would be best for the economy?

Remember no political party has ever won a UK election - since polling began in 1945 - with both these questions running against them and that includes both 1992 and 2015. In 2015 David Cameron was always ahead of Ed Miliband as 'best PM', and the Conservatives were always ahead of Labour on the economy - so the signs were there, and there was no need for any surprise at the result.

In the current results for these two 'Golden Rule' poll questions Theresa May and the Conservatives are currently comfortably ahead with both questions. However, its interesting to note that there is a relatively high number of 'don't knows' with both questions.

Plus, Theresa May and the Conservatives are comfortably ahead on both the golden rule poll questions, but with neither question do they score over 50%.

That maybe should be a bit concerning for the Conservatives, perhaps showing that they are probably on their way to a win, but perhaps not with the majority that they were hoping for.

So as we enter the last days of the campaign and the amount of polling data and results increase - yes, to even more than we are getting now - keep an eye out for the two golden rule poll questions. Follow them and you wont go far wrong.

QUIZ QUESTION

In every UK election since 1945 the winning party and leader has had both the Golden Rule poll questions favourable to them approaching the election. That is both leadership and party-on-the-economy poll questions.

That is except for one election when the party/leader won with ONLY ONE of these questions favourable to them and the other against.

What election was it?

Answers to LucidTalk Facebook or Twitter, or email info@lucidtalk.co.uk The winner will be presented with a bottle of wine at LucidTalks pre-election polling event on Monday June 5 at the Dark Horse in Belfast from 6.15pm.

Bill White, is Managing Director of Belfast based LucidTalk Polling and Market Research. You can follow LucidTalk on Twitter at @LucidTalk.
British Prime Minister Theresa May takes part in the "May v Corbyn Live: The Battle for Number 10", Sky News and Channel 4 event in at Sky Studios in London, on May 29, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Stefan ROUSSEAUSTEFAN ROUSSEAU/AFP/Getty Images

British Prime Minister Theresa May answers questions from the studio audience as she takes part in the "May v Corbyn Live: The Battle for Number 10", Sky News and Channel 4 event in at Sky Studios in London, on May 29, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Stefan ROUSSEAUSTEFAN ROUSSEAU/AFP/Getty Images

Theresa May speaks during a campaign event on May 29, 2017 in Twickenham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Labour has accused Theresa May of wrecking prospects of a successful Brexit deal with an aggressive stance that has made Britain a laughing stock across the EU.

The Prime Minister has made us look like ogres instead of taking part in a sensible dialogue that is the key to a smooth exit and trade agreement, said Angela Rayner, the partys education spokeswoman.

The highly personal attack came as David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, hinted that Britain will walk away from the talks if the EU refuses to offer free and frictionless trade.

The negotiations could collapse even before that stage, after Mr Davis attacked the EUs demand for its citizens in the UK to continue to receive welfare benefits and have the right to bring in family members.

With the election nine days away, Ms Rayner drew the dividing line between the parties on Brexit by insisting Labour would never accept that no deal is better than a bad deal.

Condemning the Prime Ministers tactics, she said: Saying that you are going to be a bloody difficult woman right at the start of negotiations tends to make sure that you do get a bad deal, rather than actually working with our partners across Europe to get the best deal for Britain.

Calling for dialogue, Ms Rayner added: At the moment, unfortunately, Theresa May - in the way that she has handled it  has made us look like ogres across Europe.

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If you see the pictures now, Theresa May is at the back of the queue whenever she is talking to the leaders in Europe  we are a laughing stock.

Mr Davis and Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, added to the damaging image because of the way they laugh and smirk and think its all one big laugh, she told Radio 4s Today programme.

Hitting back, Mr Davis branded Ms Rayner incredibly naive to believe being nice would get results, insisting: We are going to have to be quite tough with them Im afraid.

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The Brexit Secretary attacked the EUs call, in documents issued yesterday, for its citizens in the UK to continue to be able to send welfare benefits to family members abroad.

A further flashpoint would be over the demand for those citizens to bring in partners from third countries, which, Mr Davis insisted, was not allowed for other foreign-born people in Britain.

Backing the Prime Ministers negotiating style, he said: She is good at dealing with the Europeans on these contentious issues  thats incredibly important.

Expand Close Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn answers questions from the studio audience (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images / Facebook

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On his aims for the talks, Mr Davis said: What we are after is a free trade agreement with an associated customs agreement, so we get free and frictionless trade.

But he added: If we cant have one, then we will have to design our strategy accordingly  which is why we have said no deal is better than a bad deal.

EU leaders and officials believe the threat to walk way is an empty one, because it would be an enormous act of self-harm, hugely damaging the British economy.

Expand Close Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (centre) adjusts the tie of Jeremy Paxman (right) next to Sky News political editor Faisal Islam during a joint Channel 4 and Sky News general election programme 'May v Corbyn Live: The Battle for Number 10' at Sky studios on May 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (centre) adjusts the tie of Jeremy Paxman (right) next to Sky News political editor Faisal Islam during a joint Channel 4 and Sky News general election programme 'May v Corbyn Live: The Battle for Number 10' at Sky studios on May 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

In her speech today, the Prime Minister will herself admit that economic prosperity will suffer, jobs and livelihoods will be put at risk if the negotiations fail  leaving the NHS and schools starved of funding.
A prominent DUP politician is at the centre of a political storm after he tweeted that Sinn Fein shouldn't campaign in a Co Down town.

Former Stormont minister Jim Wells sparked outrage on social media yesterday by saying that Sinn Fein was not welcome in Rathfriland, which lies within his constituency.

The controversial tweet posted yesterday read: Many complaints about Sinn Fein canvassing in Rathfriland yesterday.

They are not welcome in a unionist town.

The DUP later admitted that all parties have a right to canvass for votes  but called into question the republican partys decision to campaign on the Sabbath.

We recognise that many people value the special nature of Sunday and do not wish to have this intruded upon by political canvassers from any party, the party statement said.

The DUP has a policy of not canvassing on a Sunday.

Mr Wells, whose Twitter account is private, deleted the tweet a short time after it was posted.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph yesterday, Mr Wells said he had no comment to make when asked about the tweet.

The main role of the press is to set bear traps for politicians and I have no intention of falling into them. No comment, he added.

After the tweet had been deleted by Mr Wells a screen grab of it was shared widely, with one user saying the tweet was undemocratic.

Another Twitter user wrote youre in the Democratic Unionist Party... its their democratic right to canvass wherever they want to.

Kevin Savage, a Sinn Fein councillor for Rathfriland, said that as far as he was aware the Sunday canvass had been normal and that he was flabbergasted.

This is part of the democratic process, he said. Give everyone an opportunity to have their say on the doorstep, for people to disagree with us is fine.

I think that Jim should maybe apologise and maybe reflect on his tweet, he is a member of the DUP and part of democracy is entertaining different voices.

Mr Savage added that in his experience unionist households in the area do disagree with you, but they are always courteous.

The DUP candidate in South Down is Diane Forsythe, while Chris Hazzard is standing for Sinn Fein.

Mr Hazzard said Sinn Fein had felt welcome in Rathfriland, which has a Catholic population of almost 40%

Our message of equality, rights and Irish unity was well received during our canvas yesterday in Rathfriland, he said.

Sinn Fein will not be deterred by Jim Wells or anyone else from bringing that message to the electorate of South Down.

Margaret Ritchie of the SDLP will be attempting to hold the South Down seat.

The other candidates are Harold McKee (UUP) and Andrew McMurray (Alliance).

Its not the first time Mr Wells has been caught up in canvassing controversies.

In 2015, a woman complained to police about alleged comments made by then health minister Mr Wells to a lesbian woman in Rathfriland.

The PSNI investigated and concluded there was no basis for a prosecution of Mr Wells.

But last year, a woman was given three months jail after she maliciously lied to police by claiming Mr Wells had made homophobic remarks.

The sentence handed to Dorothy Gardner, originally from Dungannon, sentence was reduced on appeal to a combination of probation and community service.

She also made a public and personal apology to Mr Wells from the dock before a judge reduced the jail on appeal to community service.
A DUP councillor has said he was "deeply perturbed" to learn that the Ulster Unionist leader is "not minded" to sign a petition of concern in the Assembly to prevent the introduction of same-sex marriage.

Robin Swann told the BBC's Inside Politics he will vote against any change to the definition of marriage in Northern Ireland or any change to current abortion laws.

However, he said he wouldn't sign a petition of concern to stop any such motion in a restored Assembly, as the veto mechanism had been abused.

Ballymoney councillor John Finlay praised Mr Swann for opposing same-sex marriage in past votes and committing himself to voting against it in the future.

But he added: "While I commend Mr Swann for the stand he has taken on this, I am deeply perturbed that he now says he will not sign a petition of concern to prevent same-sex marriage if the issue is raised again in the Assembly.

"He cites as his reason the misuse of the petition of concern.

"To me, that is an extremely weak and unjustifiable argument.

"I accept that the petition of concern can be open to abuse, but it is a legitimate mechanism which helps to ensure cross-community support for changes in key areas of policy, and its use in relation to the redefinition of marriage is most certainly justified.

"If Mr Swann is fully committed to the traditional definition of marriage between one man and one woman, then he will not only vote against same-sex unions but he will do all in his power to prevent change, and that includes signing a petition of concern.

"If he fails to do so, he will have forfeited the trust and support of very many people in Northern Ireland, both unionist and nationalist.

"I urge him to reflect very seriously on this matter and do what is morally right, not what is politically expedient."

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK or Ireland where same-sex marriage has not been legalised.

The DUP was able to block many proposals in the previous Assembly by repeated use of the petition of concern.

However, to do so requires 30 MLAs, and after the March election the party now has only 28 seats, meaning it would need support from two other members.

In 2015 the Assembly voted narrowly in favour of same-sex marriage but the motion fell after the DUP used a petition of concern to argue that the law change did not command sufficient cross-community support.

It was the fifth Assembly debate on the issue.
Trauma aide Barry Rowan (39) lives in Ballymena with his wife Nicola their two daughters, Abigail (6) and 18-month-old Emily. He says:

I work in the Trauma and Orthopaedics Department of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where I prepare patients who have hip or spinal fractures for theatre and I love my job.

Although I work full-time for the health services, I enjoy volunteering with St John Ambulance because, along with my colleagues, I can assist the other emergency services at a range of events across Northern Ireland and be involved with communities throughout the country.

About 30 years ago, on January 25, 1988, to be precise, I started as an ambulance cadet in St John Ambulance, based in the Ballymena Division, which was where I learned skills like caring for the sick, essentials of first aid and basic life support.

I had been encouraged to do so by my grandfather James McFaul, who had been an active member of St John Ambulance throughout his life and, following his retirement, continued to be involved in the St John Fellowship in Larne.

At the age of 18, I moved into the adult division and started training in first aid at Work and Ambulance Aid training and became what is now known as an emergency transport attendant. That allowed me to crew ambulances for St John Ambulance in the Ballymena area. On duty in Ballymena town centre two years ago, myself and a colleague assisted a man who had collapsed about 30 metres from our ambulance. We rushed over to help and quickly assessed the situation. My colleague began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), while I set up the AED (Automatic External Defibrillator).

Three shocks were delivered and, with assistance from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, they got his heart started. If defibrillation and CPR can be started in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest there is a high success rate of survival, so we were lucky to be on hand that day.

AEDs, incidentally, are also accessible to the public  available outside shops, airports and in most schools in towns and cities across the country  in high-visibility yellow boxes. Anyone can use an AED  just follow the machines instructions through its voice prompts while it analyses the rhythm of the heart.

St John Ambulance run courses and train volunteers here. Resuscitation CPR is taught as a drill and practice, so when you need to put it into action you can go into autopilot and perform it effectively to help save someones life. If a major incident happens, St John Ambulance will assist the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, like their colleagues did in the Manchester bombing last week.

I cannot imagine the scene they witnessed on Monday night but their training enabled them to give an extremely high level of care to the injured and be professional amid the chaos and devastation around them. This is why everyone ought to learn first aid. Your help in treating someone until the emergency services arrive could make the difference.

St John Ambulance, tel: 028 9079 9393 or visit sja.org.uk

'His heart stopped but we revived him'

Retired teacher Neil Powell, from Newcastle, Co Down, is a Search and Rescue Dog Handler and Trainer. He says:

I worked for many years as a teacher in St Marks High School in Warrenpoint and St Marys Girls School in Newry and retired about 16 years ago. These days I focus entirely on training dogs and helping during search missions. Training dogs is a passion of mine and has been for 40 years, so its hard to walk away from it.

I qualified as a search and rescue dog handler in 1976 and have trained hundreds of dogs to detect all sorts of things since then. I was leader of the Mourne Search and Rescue team for 15 years and introduced SARDA, the Search and Rescue Dogs Association, to Ireland. Since then, Ive been training wee crazy family dogs every day, and that has paid for me to study for a PhD at Queens Universitys School of Psychology, Belfast, looking into how we might be able to train dogs to predict and anticipate their owners epileptic seizures. That experience has opened my eyes to the power and value of dogs even more.

As a member of SARDA, we all receive first aid training to whats called Rec 3 level, which is an advanced form of first aid. We follow a system called Rescue Emergency Care, which is advanced first aid to be delivered in remote places. Having that advanced knowledge is a requirement for us, and it plays a big part in what we do.

Were called out through the police quite regularly and we could be out searching for individuals up to 20 times a month. It just depends on the time of year and whats going on weather-wise, for example. We work very closely with other teams, like Community Rescue, so we generally go out as part of a wider resource.

We dont do that much mountain rescue in the Mournes, where Im from, because mobile phones and modern GPS devices make it easy enough to locate people. What we usually help with is locating people who are despondent, people who might be self-harming, things like that.

We help with straightening limbs, monitoring vital signs, lots of different things.

Electronic devices like defibrillators are fantastic. We were given one through the Department of Justice last year, and within a month of us completing our training we had to use it on a man in Newry who had effectively died.

His breathing had stopped, his heart had stopped, but we were able to revive him, which was amazing. A great feeling.

But for us as remote search and rescue teams, its about knowing the simple ABCs of first aid. Being able to make sure that someones airways are clear, thats a fundamental. Another fundamental of first aid is being able to staunch bleeding and make sure that a persons circulation is operating as it should.

Ive assisted during earthquakes in Turkey, Algeria and Kashmir, but these days I do the majority of my work here.

When youre in the middle of a forest somewhere remote, you have to be able to keep a person alive before youre able to evacuate them. There is more pressure on you as a first aider in that sense, but its fantastic to be able to help.

Search and Rescue Dogs Association (Ireland), visit Facebook: Search and Rescue Dogs Association (Ireland) or sardaireland.com

'I recalled Red Cross video as son was choking'

Stay-at-home-mum Lindsay Ritchie (34) lives in Ballynahinch with her IT manager husband Damien (35) and two, children Megan (8) and Logan (5). She says:

It was around this time last year, spring 2016, when I was forced to save my son Logan from choking on a whole frozen grape. He had just returned home from nursery and I remember it clear as day.

I stood for a while chatting with my father-in-law at the door before Logan and I went inside. Logan, who was four-and-a-half at the time, had been given treats from the staff at the nursery and he was excited about it. What I didnt realise, however, was that there were frozen whole grapes in the bag of treats.

All of a sudden, he started to make this really bizarre noise and his face began to turn purple. I had a minor panic attack for about three seconds before I twigged on that there was something in his throat.

Right at that moment, I remembered a video that I had watched on Facebook, posted by the Red Cross, just a day or two before. It showed a little one choking on something and his parent slapping him hard on the back to dislodge what was in his throat.

There I was, in the house otherwise on my own, with my son choking, and I wouldnt have had a clue what to do if I hadnt watched that one particular video. I was just so lucky that I had.

I follow organisations like the Red Cross and St Johns Ambulance on Facebook as a means of keeping my mind active, really, and filling up my timeline with useful information  and they are always putting out first aid videos.

I dont know what made me watch that particular video on that day all the way through, but I clicked play on it and when I had finished watching, I actually shared it for other people to see.

I knew what to do then. My mind was going 90 miles an hour and my heart was going crazy, but I gave Logan a wallop on the back. But it actually wasnt hard enough, so I increased the pressure the second time and the grape came flying out whole and flew across the living room floor. I remember hearing the thump, thump as it bounced, because it was still frozen.

Once Logan started to breath normally, I was able to think and appreciate what had just happened. Logan has severe allergies, he uses an Epipen, and hes always been very small. At the time, even though he was four-and-a-half years old, he was still wearing clothes for ages two to three. But I knew that I had to hit him hard if I was to save him.

Afterwards, Logan was panicky and upset for a while, but I have a friend who is a nurse and she came round and checked him and he was grand. Then he lay on my knee and went to sleep.

About 12 years ago, I was given very basic first aid training in a previous job, but nothing since. I suppose I have retained some very small details from that, but without having watched that video, Im not sure I would have known what to do in that circumstance.

A day or two later, I messaged the Red Cross, explained what had happened and asked them to keep their little training videos coming. They got back to me and Ive been very happy to allow them to use my story to help promote what they do among parents and others. Anything that helps to raise awareness.

Since then, my husband Damian and I have attended a full first aid course with the Red Cross in Belfast and it was fantastic, really, really useful.

We learned how to treat burns, cuts, broken bones, choking, all sorts of stuff that parents of young children in particular would benefit from knowing.

Obviously you never want to have to put those skills to use, but its so much better knowing what to do if something does happen than not knowing. I would encourage everyone to get first aid training. Really, everyone should know these skills.

Red Cross, tel: 028 9031 5544 or 0844 871 8000. Visit redcrossfirstaidtraining.co.uk
Previous surveys suggest 'smart drugs' are becoming increasingly popular among students  with as many as 25 per cent admitting to taking them as a way of coping with workload pressures

University professors are taking the same banned smart drugs as their students to help them get through heavy workloads, a Cambridge University academic has said.

As many as one in five professors admit using drugs such as Modafinil to help them concentrate in meetings and prepare grant applications, The Times reported.

According to Dr Hannah Critchlow, a neuroscience researcher at the top-ranking institution, hundreds of students had also admitted to buying smart drugs online in the hope of being able to expand their mind.

Speaking at the Hay Festival, she said the drugs that were typically being bought were the same ones commonly prescribed by doctors for Alzheimers sufferers.

Last year, The Independent reported that more UK students were turning brain boosting drugs including Modafinil and Noopept than ever before.

While it is illegal to sell either drug in the UK without a prescription, it is not illegal to buy them, and a number of community groups on social media website suggest the stimulants are readily available to order.

The Home Office has warned against the potentially dangerous effects of Noopept  a fine white powder said to boost memory recall.

Negative side effects reported including feeling anxious or jittery, acting out of character, severe migraines and an increased heart rate.

Previous surveys suggest such drugs have become increasingly popular with students  with one suggesting as many as 25 per cent had taken them as a way of coping with workload pressures and increased emphasis on scoring good grades as higher education becomes an ever costlier endeavour.

Speaking at the festival, Dr Critchlow said smart drugs did appear to increase working memory, but warned the long-term effects were not yet clear.

Im absolutely not advocating that people go out and take Modafinil to help with their focus, Dr Critchlow said. What exactly the drugs will be doing for a healthy young brain  where there are lots of changes going on  the long-term effects of these drugs are not known yet.

After revealing that 20 per cent of academic professors had admitted to taking them, Dr Critchlow warned of the dangers of buying them on the internet.

[These are] drugs that are usually prescribed for patients who have attention hyperactivity disorder or Alzheimers to help with their memory or focus, she said.

Students are buying these drugs off the internet so its not particularly legal, they are taking these drugs in the hope that it will help with their revision for exams.

Theres not a huge amount of data on how these drugs might help them in their revision and exams but they do seem to increase working memory.

According to the Global Drug Surveys 2016 report, Dark Web drug markets are growing, with almost on in 10 participants admitting to having bought some form of drug of the internet at some point in their life.

More recently, the research body found the proportion of UK drug users turning to dark web had doubled in just three years.
Arlene Foster is leader of the DUP

Sinn Fein has demanded that Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster distance herself from a party colleague's controversial remarks about republican election workers.

DUP MLA Jim Wells has been criticised for a social media post in which he said Sinn Fein was not welcome in Rathfriland, a "unionist" County Down town.

Mr Wells' Twitter comment, which was posted on Monday but has since been deleted, said: "Many complaints about Sinn Fein canvassing in Rathfriland yesterday.

"They are not welcome in this Unionist town, particularly on a Sunday."

Sinn Fein have called on Ms Foster to state if Mr Wells' views are representative of the DUP.

"Jim Wells' remarks that Sinn Fein election workers are not welcome in Rathfriland are unacceptable," said Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew.

The Fermanagh South Tyrone election candidate called on Mrs Foster "to distance herself from Mr Wells' remarks and to show leadership in this situation".

"Party leaders have a responsibility to ensure there can be no no-go areas for people involved in the democratic process.

"The DUP leader needs to make it clear if Jim Wells' comments reflect the views of the DUP.

"It is not good enough for the DUP to remain silent on this matter," Ms Gildernew said.

She added: "Sinn Fein will continue to stand against DUP's corruption and arrogance and contempt for whole sections of the community.

"We will not be deterred from bringing our message of equality, respect and Irish unity to the electorate."

A spokesperson for the DUP said that "all parties have a right to canvass for votes".

"We recognise, however, that many people value the special nature of Sunday and do not wish to have this intruded upon by political canvassers from any party," the spokesperson added.
A care worker jailed for helping her husband keep a mentally disabled woman as a sex slave has been struck off by her regulatory body.

Caroline Baker, 54, was removed from the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) register at a fitness to practise hearing in Belfast

The determination effectively bars her from working with any vulnerable people in the sector for a minimum of five years.

She is currently serving a three-year sentence for her role in an horrific sexual abuse case in Craigavon, Co Armagh.

Together with her husband Keith Baker, she kept their victim, a mentally disabled woman, in a squalid and filthy room for up to eight years.

The woman was so badly emaciated that she had only a single tooth in her mouth when police rescued her from the house in 2002.

Earlier this year Keith Baker, 61, was sentenced to 15 years in jail by a judge who described him as a "Svengali-type figure" whose wife was a "pawn doing his bidding".

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Caroline Baker was reportedly working as a social care worker at a home in Northern Ireland specialising in mental health residents until she was arrested.

She is currently serving half her sentence behind bars and did not attend last Friday's NISCC proceedings.

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A panel ruled that her fitness to practise was impaired by her convictions.

Full reasons for the decision to remove her registration will be published on the body's website later this week.

An NISCC spokesperson confirmed the determination means Baker can only seek to re-register after five years.

But even then she must demonstrate that she is suitable for social care work and no longer poses a risk to the public.

The Bakers pleaded guilty to a catalogue of sex crimes against a woman with severe learning difficulties.

Their victim was locked in a tiny room with no handle on the inside, no light bulb, carpet or curtains.

A closed circuit TV had been suspended from a ceiling where she was held.

The only toilet she had access to in a home branded a "house of horrors" was overflowing with human waste.

She was not registered with a GP or a dentist and did not appear on the electoral register.

Neighbours were unaware she was even in the house where Keith Baker filmed many of the assaults for his own sexual gratification.

He had taken the woman from her home in England in 2004, when she was reported missing.

Eight years later she emerged from captivity, severely malnourished and weighing just six stone, after another woman involved with Keith Baker contacted police.
Niamh Woods at home in Derry with her dad Sean and mum Bernie

The father of a Londonderry student who survived the Manchester Arena bomb has said he cannot forgive the suicide bomber who almost killed his daughter.

Niamh Woods, a member of staff at the venue, was counting bar takings from the Ariana Grande concert when Salman Abedi detonated his lethal device.

The horrors witnessed by Niamh are still keeping her awake at night, but for now she is safe at home in Derry with dad Sean and mum Bernie.

And even while dealing with the trauma, Niamh is determined to go back to Manchester and finish her degree in the city she loves.

The actions of suicide bomber Adedi have not only scarred Niamh, but enraged her father.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Woods said: When you see the images of all those children and adults who died, they are all named now, there is no way you could sit back and say I forgive that man for killing 21 people.

I could understand maybe the process of him going from a young innocent child to a man, and becoming conditioned into how he ended up, but he did wrong and thats the end of it.

He wasnt born bad. However, it is unfortunate he turned out to be a very nasty person. He wont be along with Allah and the angels, thats for sure.

It has been difficult listening to their daughter recall the dreadful sights and sounds of the aftermath of the bombing.

After trying for an agonising few hours to get in contact with Niamh last Monday, Mr Woods finally reached her on her flatmates phone. Following an all too brief conversation, the last words Niamh said were: Daddy, please get me home.

And thats exactly what the couple did.

As they drove home back from the airport in Belfast, the realisation of how close they came to losing her hit Mr Woods so hard that he broke down in tears and had to pull the car into the side of the road.

He explained: Niamh was in bits when we got her from the airport but listening to her as we drove back to Derry I broke out in a sweat and took the shakes listening to her.

She told us that night she needed to go to the bathroom, but because it didnt take too long to count the takings she decided to wait, because there was a long queue for the bathrooms.

She would have had to pass the foyer where the bomber was to get to the bathroom.

She was only in the room counting the takings less than five minutes when the bomb went off.

That decision not to go to the toilet obviously played a massive part on her being here with us today. Me and her mother just burst into massive tears in the car.

The magnitude of what she said just hit us, but it wasnt until the next day that it all hit her.

She sobbed the entire day and the first two nights after she was home; we had around two or three hours sleep.

She was up all night with the images of what she witnessed, and what she described to us was quiet horrific.

One thing that scared them (arena staff) was that after they got outside their managers ushered them back inside, and Niamh told us she was terrified because the armed police were screaming at them to get out.

The thing was they didnt know where to go to be safe, but she is safe now.

Her mother has told her she doesnt have to go back to Manchester, and the one great positive thing was Niamh saying: I am going back, I love Manchester, I am doing my degree. So, it hasnt deterred her.
A man will appear in court today over the stabbing to death of an elderly couple in Portadown.

Police said the 40-year-old has been charged with the murders of Michael and Marjorie Cawdery, aggravated burglary and aggravated vehicle-taking.

He will appear at Lisburn Magistrates Court.

The pensioners, who were both 83, were found by their daughter after the knife attack at their Upper Ramone Park home.

It is believed that a man arrested in connection with the case had been taken to Craigavon Area Hospital for treatment earlier on the day of the murder.

It was reported at the weekend that the same man was spotted walking naked around Newry on Friday morning before being taken to the hospital.

Neighbours of the deceased couple told the Belfast Telegraph at the weekend that the community had lived in fear of patients escaping from the hospital for years.

Yesterday, DUP Westminster candidate David Simpson said he had met with the PSNI to call for greater security to address residents' fears. He plans to meet with the Southern Trust today to discuss safety concerns.

He said that there was "a lot of fear" in the community following the attack, particularly as the neighbourhood was linked to the hospital by a public pathway.

Locals say the pathway is accessible from a gate at the hospital that is permanently open.

"We will be asking the trust what action they plan to take to reassure the local community, although it's a wee bit like the horse has bolted - measures should have been in place a long time ago," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"Residents have raised concerns about security at the hospital on a number of occasions over the years. There have been a number of incidents of people coming from the hospital, and these issues will be on the table for discussion.

"This is an area full of elderly people and families, and there is a school just 100 metres away. We need to go through the process of closing the gaps in security.

"There is a gate at the back of the hospital which leads on to the pathway behind the houses, and as well as the trust closing that, the residents would like to see a community gate for exclusive use by residents put on another entry way. It's a development of only 20 to 25 homes, so it's not much to ask for.

"Police have said that they will increase patrols in the area, and the cordons are still up, but we will see what happens over the next few days.

"I would like to see police patrols stepped up not just there, but everywhere across the constituency."

Mr Simpson is also calling for the trust to provide an account of what happened after the patient was taken to Craigavon Area Hospital.

"The police told us they did everything they had to do, and it's up to the trust now to give an explanation of why he was allowed to leave the hospital," he said.

"We will be meeting with the trust today and we want to know if the man had been assessed by psychiatrists and what was the outcome - was he put in a category, perceived to be a danger or a moderate risk?"

Meanwhile, the Rev Gary Galway of Drumcree Parish Church, who knows the Cawdery family, said that funeral arrangements had yet to be finalised due to the ongoing police investigation.

"Michael and Marjorie were just a lovely couple. They were devoted to each other and to their family.

"They had different personalities but they very much complemented each other, they were perfect for each other," he said.

"One of their daughters is a key person in our church, a diocesan lay reader who goes around the diocese, takes services and does preaching.

"Michael and Marjorie weren't members of the parish but they would have attended services on key events like Christmas and Harvest, and they were very proud of their daughter and their whole family. It has only been a few days since it happened so the family are still very much in shock, they are a close family. I have been providing support to the family, but at times like this you wonder if you can do any more."

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust said: "The trust has strict protocols in place for when a patient absconds from Craigavon Area Hospital, part of which involves contacting the police."

Regarding the residents' request for the gate leading from the hospital to the path behind the houses to be closed, it said: "The trust constantly reviews the access and egress to the Craigavon Area Hospital Site."
'Between 2015 to 2016 it was reported that more than 100 threats were recorded against traffic wardens' (stock photo)

Traffic wardens in Northern Ireland may soon be equipped with body cameras to protect them from threats on the job.

A public consultation has been launched by the Department for Infrastructure and the service provider NSL.

Between 2015 to 2016 it was reported that more than 100 threats were recorded against traffic wardens.

In Coalisland in November 2016, the first traffic warden seen in the town for years was threatened and forced to flee after just half an hour.

A notice on the new camera consultation explains: "They are activated by the traffic attendant in situations where a recording may help improve safety. The data is encrypted and stored on the device (officers are not able to view or edit the footage) and transferred to a dedicated secure storage facility."

The recordings would then be deleted after 90 days unless needed for investigation.

The notice continues: "Staff safety and professionalism is of utmost importance. Recording devices provide a factual record of events and have been shown to support staff in difficult situations and ensure a positive outcome for all."

Kenneth Reid, UUP councillor for the Coalisland area, said he reluctantly accepted the need for cameras.

"Traffic warden's aren't everyone's cup of tea, but at the end of the day it's their job. It's like people going in to hospital and abusing staff, there's no difference," he said.

He predicted the cameras would still not convince wardens to return to the worst areas.

"I would be doubtful, no job is worth getting threatening or abusive language over."

He said he could also understand the frustrations of local retailers against strict parking fines.

"It's hard out there for businesses with rates going up and I do sympathise," he said.

"It's because there was no forward thinking years ago about implementing car parking. But issues like this are at a standstill because there's no Executive in government."

During the first three months of this year, 20,502 parking tickets were issued across Northern Ireland.

Belfast was the most heavily fined area with 8,331 tickets issued, followed by 1,919 in the Newry area.

The 90 penalties are halved if paid in the first two weeks.

The consultation is open to June 12 and the public can send comments to dataprotection@nsl.co.uk.
'The Republic's Central Bank said it identified 12 occasions where the bank failed to enforce rules to combat money laundering and financing terrorism over three years from 2010'

Bank of Ireland has been fined more than 3m (2.6m) after it admitted breaching laws drawn up to thwart terrorists and criminals.

The Republic's Central Bank said it identified 12 occasions where the bank failed to enforce rules to combat money laundering and financing terrorism over three years from 2010.

The regulator said there were significant weaknesses and failures in Bank of Ireland's controls, policies and procedures.

The Central Bank's director of enforcement Derville Rowland said: "Such behaviour is unacceptable and falls far short of the standard expected of one of Ireland's largest retail banks.

"Reporting suspicious transactions to the authorities without delay is a fundamental component of an anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework."

Bank of Ireland said it takes its regulatory obligations seriously and regrets that these issues arose.

It said it co-operated fully with the Central Bank throughout the investigation.
The four men were jailed for a total of 32 years at Newcastle Crown Court (Hugh Macknight/PA)

A gang has been jailed for running a large scale slavery operation which saw Polish nationals trafficked into the UK to be used as modern day slaves.

The four men  Sebastian Mandzik, Robert Majewski, Pawel Majewski and Seweryn Szmyt  were all involved in transporting the vulnerable victims on the promise of well-paid work.

The victims were housed in cramped conditions and forced into menial labour, with their wages being paid into bank accounts controlled by the gang.

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Whatsapp Sebastian Mandzik, Robert Majewski, Pawel Majewski and Seweryn Szmyt have all been jailed (Northumbria Police/PA)

Newcastle Crown Court heard any resistance on the part of the victims was met with violence and intimidation by the group.

Mandzik was sentenced to a total of 12 years, Robert Majewski eight years, Pawel Majewski seven years and Szmyt five years.

Northumbria Police said they were concerned modern day slavery was becoming an increasing issue across the country.

Detective Superintendent Steve Barron said: Protecting vulnerable people is my absolute priority and Im pleased these men have been jailed for exploiting vulnerable people who were coerced into the country on the promise of well-paid work.

Unfortunately, once here they were forced to live in horrible conditions and carry out work for little or no pay. This investigation has been a genuine multi-agency effort which has helped make the victims of this offending safe and punish those responsible.

The victims are now in safe locations and are being supported by specialists from partner agencies and our officers.

This sort of exploitation is simply not acceptable and I hope this sends a warning to those who think they can exploit other people that we are out to catch them and they will ultimately end up in jail.
Disgraced television star Rolf Harris has walked free from court after being cleared of the latest historical child sex charges against him.

Harris 87, was formally cleared of four counts of indecent assault against girls as young as 13 on Tuesday after a retrial ended with a hung jury.

The convicted paedophile had been released on licence from HMP Stafford part-way through the trial after serving less than three years of a five year and nine month sentence for unconnected sex attacks on young girls and women.

Harris, smartly dressed in a blue suit and lighter blue tie, left Southwark Crown Court in London in a media scrum on Tuesday but did not answer any questions.

In a statement read by his lawyer Daniel Berke outside court, the Australia-born ex-Animal Hospital presenter said he wanted to be left in peace with his frail wife Alwen, 85.

Harris said: Whilst Im pleased that this is finally all over, I feel no sense of victory, only relief. Im 87 years old, my wife is in ill health and we simply want to spend our remaining time together in peace.

Harris is understood to still be pursuing an appeal against his original 2014 conviction for 12 indecent assaults  one on an eight-year-old autograph hunter, two on girls in their early teens and a catalogue of abuse of his daughters friend over 16 years. But the latest charges were dismissed after prosecutors decided against undertaking what would have been a second retrial.

Harris had faced four charges of indecent assault over allegations involving three girls. He had been accused of indecently touching a 14-year-old girl in 1971 after she asked him for an autograph at a music event for children in London.

The musician and artist had also been accused of twice groping a third teenage girl after he was paid 100 to appear on ITV celebrity show Star Games in 1978, and telling her she was a little bit irresistible. He was also alleged to have touched one complainant after a recording of the BBC childrens show Saturday Superstore in 1983 before asking her do you often get molested on a Saturday morning?

Harris, who denied all the charges, did not give evidence, with his lawyers saying he did not remember any of the events in question. His lawyers claimed the women were motivated by greed, coming forward after he was convicted in the high profile trial in June 2014, in a bid for fake compensation payments.

Harris attended the January trial via video link from Stafford in what was believed to be a legal first. And during the second trial he made a similarly legally unique attempt to appear via video link from his home in Bray, Berkshire, saying he wished to spend more time with Alwen. This request was turned down by Judge Deborah Taylor after a private hearing and after his release on May 19 Harris appeared in court in person.

Harriss release was revealed to the jury to explain his sudden appearance before them. But the seven women and five men were only told snippets of Harriss previous convictions and court appearances.

His legal team, led by Stephen Vullo QC, also made an unsuccessful attempt to have the case thrown out before it started, because of the media coverage of Harriss previous conviction for sex crimes against children.

After the second trial jury was unable to reach verdicts on four historical indecent assault charges on Tuesday, prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC told the court: We have reviewed whether it would be appropriate to seek a further retrial on these allegations.

We have come to the firm view that it would not. Accordingly we offer no evidence to the four counts on the indictment.

Judge Taylor then formally found him not guilty of all four charges of indecent assault, which he had denied.

There was a cry of well done Rolf from the public gallery as the ex-television star left the courtroom.
The mother of one of two men fatally stabbed last week on a train while trying to protect young women from anti-Muslim abuse has urged US President Donald Trump to encourage all Americans to protect one another.

In a letter, the mother of 23-year-old Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche asked Mr Trump to "condemn any acts of violence, which result directly from hate speech and hate groups".

Asha Deliverance said doing so "would deeply honour Taliesin's sacrifice, which has been amplified by the millions of voices who have supported our family in response to this tragedy".

Ms Deliverance did not address Mr Trump's condemnation of the attacks on Monday, when he tweeted: "The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them."

Suspect Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, was due to appear in court to face two counts of felony aggravated murder and other charges.

The stabbings happened on Friday after police said Christian verbally abused the two young women, including one wearing a hijab. Mr Namkai-Meche and another man were killed after they intervened. A third man who also intervened and was wounded has left hospital.

The attacker shouted foul language and ranted against Muslims just after he boarded the train last Friday, passenger Rachel Macy told The Oregonian.

Rick Best, the other victim, stood closest to the man and tried to calm him down.

Ms Macy said she saw that Mr Namkai-Meche was holding up his phone, but she did not know if he was recording the confrontation. Suddenly, she said, Christian hit the phone away and stabbed Mr Namkai-Meche in the neck.

She said Mr Namkai-Meche said "Tell everyone on this train I love them" as paramedics prepared to take him away.

Mr Namkai-Meche's mother wrote that her son and Mr Best witnessed injustice when they saw the two passengers being harassed and did not hesitate to confront the bully.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler urged organisers of a Trump Free Speech Rally scheduled for Sunday in a park to cancel it, saying the event was inappropriate after the stabbings and speculating that it could turn violent.

Mr Wheeler said he would deny any applications by organisers to apply for a permit, though it was not clear whether they had sought city permission, which would be needed if the protesters want to march on streets around the park.

Prohibiting a rally based on the political views of demonstrators would be unconstitutional even though "our hearts are broken" following the stabbings, said Mat Dos Santos, the legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon.

The rally's organiser Joey Gibson told KGW he is a libertarian promoting free speech. He said organisers already have a permit for the rally from federal authorities who control the city centre park.

A Facebook page promoting the event with speakers and live music said it will feature Kyle Chapman, who describes himself as an American nationalist and Trump supporter. He was arrested at a March 4 protest in Berkeley, California.

Mr Wheeler's call for the rally to be cancelled came amid a wider debate in the US about the First Amendment, often in liberal cities like Portland and Berkeley and on college campuses, where violent protests between far-right and far-left protesters have derailed appearances by contentious figures.

AP
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By Marie Dunn-Harris '95

Nine hundred eighty-one miles. Thats how long the entire Ohio River is, and how far Bowling Green State University sophomore aviation major Tyler Brezina is canoeing with two of his high school friends from Miami University.

Brezina, Jackson Gray and Quinton Couch are raising money for suicide prevention. The three friends are on a mission to bring more awareness after their friend James Halley committed suicide.

My boss was talking about doing a 50-mile canoe trip over one weekend so I started doing some research and found that only a handful of people had done the entire 981 miles of the Ohio River, Gray said.

Gray put together the business side of things by lining up sponsors and setting up their GoFundMe and social media pages. They have businesses that have donated equipment, and suicide prevention groups that are helping them spread awareness.

Brezina helped with the logistics.

Weve been staying at marinas and parks along the way, but we also were able to stay at a trailer that belongs to friends of Jacksons parents, he said. People are really nice and willing to help the cause.

The three men left early in the morning on May 20 from the beginning of the Ohio River in Pittsburgh. Their family and friends were there to send them off, including the mother of their late friend.

She dropped some of his ashes into the river so he was riding along with us, Brezina said. His family is eternally grateful.

The team will end their trip where the Ohio River joins the Mississippi River in Cairo, Ill., at the end of June or early July. That means they are canoeing around 29 to 32 miles per day.

Were definitely feeling it by the end of the day, Brezina said. We get on the river by 6 a.m. and were done by 5 p.m.

The team has so far has raised more than $4,000 of their $7,000 goal. Theyve also heard stories from people around the country who appreciate their effort.

A woman in Colorado whose son passed away due to suicide wrote us a message on Facebook, Brezina said. She was so inspired and thanked us for spreading the word.

Brezina is also inspired by the support hes getting from his friends at BGSU.

Its amazing when I see on Facebook that they shared my post or say theyre proud, he said.

You can follow Brezina and his friends trip on the Race the River 2017 Facebook page
Von: LIANA SPYROPOULOU & GIORGOS MOUTAFIS

Out! Out! Come out! I saw you! The officer directs the beam of his torchlight under the truck. A plastic bottle falls to the ground, and a young Afghan crawls out from his hiding place. He is handcuffed and led away. It is his fourth time ...

Tragedies take place at the port of Patras every night. It is one of Greeces biggest ports and an important gateway to Europe. Hundreds of refugees try to hide in the trucks that surge onto the ferries to Italy. They crawl into wheel axles, squeeze between bags of olives, cower in barrels without air supply. They do everything they can to escape from what they call the Greek purgatory. Every night refugees risk their lives to make it to Bari, Brindisi, or Venice.

In March 2016, we arrested 38 refugees. This March, their number was 246, says harbour master Dimitris Kyriakoulopoulos (48). The situation gets worse from day to day, ever since the Balkans route was closed. Every day the officials search more than 400 trucks in Patras. They X-ray suspicious vehicles and have dogs sniff every millimetre when they suspect human trafficking.

Letzte Hoffnung LKW So versuchen Fluchtlinge aus Griechenland raus zu kommen 01:55

It happens to me almost every time I arrive at the harbour, recounts truck driver Panos Filis (59). I get out and pick up my ticket to Italy. They crawl under the truck as soon as Im gone. At the checkpoint, Filis informs the police officers. They find two boys from Pakistan between the wheels  undetectable for anyone but the experienced officers.

Auch interessant

A border official tells BILD: You wont believe the ideas they come up with. They even hide inside the engines, where it can get as hot as 150 to 200 degrees Celsius. Some of them die. It is better for them if we find them.

Traffickers are also at work in Patras. They demand between 2000 and 2500 euros for hiding a refugee.

Many of the refugees have been stuck in Greece for over a year now. They camp along the street across the harbour, they dwell in three former factories between rubbish and rats, with dirty water. They try to stay close to the harbour so they can try their luck crossing the fence several times per day. They are in despair, without perspective, without opportunities.

Every day, we try climbing the fence, but the security people arrest us, says Fourkan (24). The young Afghan arrived in Greece one and a half years ago. For two and a half months now, he has been waiting for his opportunity in Patras.

Abdula (8) from Pakistan sits next to him. He tries to leave Patras with his father. I was hiding in a container without any oxygen. I almost died. I cannot do this again, the boy says. On one occasion, a truck driver spotted him and beat him up. His alternatives? I am a child, after all. What will become of me?

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It can be tough to be a vegetarian. You have to work harder than everyone else to make sure youre getting all the nutrients your body needs. So, when its time to take a
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NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenyan authorities have been accused of threatening and abusing journalists and media commentators ahead of the August elections to shut down freedom of expression.

 Micha Klootwijk via 123RF

Authorities in Kenya have committed a range of abuses against journalists reporting on sensitive issues, threatening freedom of expression ahead of elections slated for August 8, 2017, Human Rights Watch and ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa said in a report released this week.

Journalists and bloggers reporting on corruption, disputed land acquisition, counterterrorism operations, and the 2007-2008 post-electoral violence, among other sensitive issues, have faced intimidation, beatings, and job loss.

The 53-page report, Not Worth The Risk: Threats To Free Expression Ahead of Kenyas 2017 Elections, documents abuses by government officials, police, county governors, and other government officials against the media. Human Rights Watch and ARTICLE 19 examined government attempts to obstruct critical journalists and bloggers with legal, administrative, and informal measures, including threats, intimidation, harassment, online and phone surveillance, and in some cases, physical assaults.

We must stem the tide of increased violence and impunity against journalists in Kenya, said Henry Maina, regional director at ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa. No policy to address the situation can be successful if measures to prevent aggression against and to protect at-risk journalists are not accompanied with thorough and timely prosecutions of all crimes committed against them.

Threats

Despite receiving formal complaints from journalists, it is claimed that police have rarely investigated the attacks or threats. Since President Uhuru Kenyatta took office in 2013, there is no evidence that any security officer or public official has been held accountable for threatening, intimidating, or physically attacking a member of the media in Kenya, the report says.

Human Rights Watch and ARTICLE 19 interviewed 92 journalists, human rights activists, bloggers, and government officials throughout Kenya and documented 17 incidents in which 23 journalists and bloggers were physically assaulted between 2013 and 2017 by government officials or individuals believed to be aligned with government officials.

At least two died under circumstances that may have been related to their work. The groups also documented 16 incidents of direct death threats against journalists and bloggers across the country in recent years, and cases in which police arbitrarily arrested, detained, and later released without charge at least 14 journalists and bloggers.

One Nairobi-based editor told the two groups: Whenever we write articles critical of security agencies or exposing corruption in the government, our reporters receive death threats from security and other government officials. This is usually followed up with withdrawal of government advertising or withholding of revenue from advertising. We now have to assess carefully whether such stories are worth the cost.

Election

With the general election set for August, state security agencies have heightened threats and appear to be using ambiguous legal provisions to carry out increased surveillance, without warrants, on journalists reporting on sensitive issues. As one reporter said, If you have written about security agencies or corruption-related stories, you have to know that you are being followed or your phone is being listened into.

For Kenyas August elections to be credible and fair, the media needs to be able to report on pressing issues of national interest without fear of reprisals, said Otsieno Namwaya, Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. President Kenyatta should publicly underscore the importance of free expression and condemn threats and attacks on journalists and bloggers.

While Kenyan journalists have borne the brunt of government abuse, the foreign media have also faced reprisals for critical reporting. In 2015, Kenyan authorities threatened to ban two foreign journalists for an international media outlet for reporting on alleged police death squads implicated in extrajudicial killings.

Investigations

Despite receiving formal complaints from journalists, police have very rarely investigated attacks or threats to the media, Human Rights Watch and ARTICLE 19 found. In 2015, an unidentified assailant believed to be a government security officer physically assaulted a human rights and anti-corruption blogger, Florence Wanjeri Nderu, and warned her against continuing with her blog posts on corruption. Despite her detailed report to the police about the attack and the suspect, police have failed to investigate her case.

Timely and thorough investigations and prosecutions for these attacks and threats is crucial in ensuring that the media and bloggers report freely on issues ahead of the 2017 elections, Human Rights Watch and ARTICLE 19 said.
Cannes Lions has joined forces with Accenture Interactive as its connections partner to launch new initiatives that combine digital technology with real-world networking, creating innovative ways for festivalgoers to connect throughout the festival week.

Braindates

Braindates is a new networking and peer-learning platform to support the Cannes Lions global community in meeting and learning from each other. Taking place at the new Connections Beach, Braindates, powered by e180, allows attendees to connect with the right people and book one-on-one networking sessions, based on shared passion and knowledge, regardless of career level. All official Cannes Lions delegates can log in to the Braindates website to book and offer their experience, or request knowledge on subjects of interest. The Cannes Lions Connections Beach will have onsite matchmakers to help facilitate 1-on-1 connections between 10am to 3pm daily throughout the festival.

Connect Band

New this year, the Connect Band is a piece of wearable technology to make networking easier. Attendees can pick up their Connect Band throughout the festival to facilitate digital data exchange. Once delegates register their wristband, they simply bump bands with other wearers to swap contact information and download it through a smartphone app.

Jose Papa, MD of Cannes Lions, said, Cannes Lions is all about driving ideas and fostering new partnerships and were delighted to be able to blend digital and real world connections with both Braindates and the Connect Band this year. Its an opportunity for our global community to learn from each, be challenged and inspired  we cant wait to get started.

Anatoly Roytman, head of Eala, Accenture Interactive, added, Cannes Lions welcomes thousands of the industrys best and brightest and, while many cite networking as a major reason for coming, the process can be overwhelming. Through the Connect Band and Braindates, we are helping to remove barriers and connect people for meaningful conversations in a fun, easy to use way. We are excited to be the Cannes Lions connections partner, helping to bring the industry together.

Other festival networking highlights include twice as many Cannes Lions meet ups than in 2016. This years 24 meet ups are hosted by handpicked industry experts, who facilitate conversations, generate ideas and help make lasting connections. The series of curated networking sessions, themed around a particular area of interest, are a chance to connect with a global community focused on a common goal.
KIGALI, Rwanda - There will be no spur of the moment Twitter rants by Rwanda's presidential candidates, as the election commission has ruled that it must pre-approve all of their social media updates.

 Juan Pablo Gonzalez via 123RF

"We are asking (candidates) to present us their messages, their drafts, to verify that they are not against the law," electoral commission head Kalisa Mbanda told AFP on Monday.

The measure, published in the government gazette earlier this month, will be effective as from the start of the official campaign on July 14 and concerns "messages, photographs and other campaign material" published on social networks.

Any social media messages will have to be submitted to the seven election commissioners at least 48 hours before their publication. "If the message is not accepted it cannot be published," said Mbanda.

He said the goal was to "prevent declarations, words, acts that can lead the population to acts of insecurity that could divide the Rwandan population".

The measure has been criticised by the opposition, who fears it is a tool to prevent criticism of President Paul Kagame who is seeking re-election in August after the constitution was changed to allow him to run again.

"It is unfair because we think social media should be something spontaneous so if someone wants to control it or to approve it first it is going to make our work very difficult," said Frank Habineza, leader of the tiny opposition Democratic Green Party.

"If there is some message that is very critical to the ruling party maybe they can stop it saying it is against national security or something like that," he added.

Habineza, who is one of only four candidates who have declared their intention to run against Kagame - pending the election commission's approval - said he was considering legal action.

Since the end of the 1994 genocide in which around 800,000 mostly Tutsi people died, Rwanda has been praised for its stability and economic performance. However it often comes under fire for a lack of political freedom.

Rwanda is constitutionally a multi-party system but there is practically no opposition within the country.

All recognised parties generally support the policy decisions made by the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) - with the exception of Habineza's Democratic Green Party which was the only one to object to the 2015 constitution changes allowing Kagame to seek re-election.

Kagame has been in charge since taking power at the head of a rebel army in 1994 and has already served two seven-year terms as president. Kagame won previous elections with well over 90% of the vote.

Source: AFP.
#AfricaMonth: Hein Kaiser in the media and marketing mix

Hein Kaiser wears many professional hats in the media and marketing space. While his day job is head of communications for fastjet across the continent, Kaiser is also the host of Mix 93.8 FM's Media & Marketing show. He explains why you're only ever as good as the last 15 minutes.

Kaisers interview-heavy, hour-long, industry-specific show is broadcast every Tuesday evening from 19:00 in the Gauteng area and available via live streaming to the rest of the continent on www.mixfm.co.za. Kaiser explains the special interest show, interspersed with music slots for drive-time listening, features friendly conversation with respected thought leaders like mentalist Gilan Gork, opening up to his curiosity and passion and unpacking the latest local and international trends shaping strategy development and new campaigns. Kaiser interviewing mentalist Gilan Gork. Having built his own career within the realm of PR, corporate affairs and communications and being highly invested in rondlooping to secure up-to-the-minute insights from industry insiders and powerful contacts, Kaisers shows listeners and guests appreciate the knowledge that gives rise to his line of questioning. Thats why Kaiser was a finalist in this year's Liberty Radio Awards 'Campus and Community Content Producer' category, with the Media & Marketing show listed as a night-time show finalist. He also hosts 360 Brunch, a music and magazine show on Saturdays and Sundays on the station. Making great radio with the Liberty Radio Awards By Danette Breitenbach 24 Apr 2017 I chatted to Kaiser about his career so far, the intricacies of implementing strong brand messaging across various African markets and the importance of moving away from traditional CSI or CSR playing fields and rather playing an active role in social development Share a brief highlights package of your high-flying career thus far. Share a brief highlights package of your high-flying career thus far.

In short, I spent the previous decade at Mango where, from launch, it was a fantastic journey. At Mango I fulfilled the role of head of communication, corporate affairs and for the last 18 months of my tenure, also acted as head of marketing. Prior to Mango I was in public relations as MD at Marcus Brewster Publicity and before that in politics, working for Tony Leon in the DP/DA. In between, I also host my three weekly shows on Mix FM and have produced, scripted and directed TV inserts, corporate videos, news pieces and continue to write as a freelance journalist for various publications. I started my career at The Star Tonight and the Good Weekend at the Saturday Star and, if it wasnt for my greatest mentor, Barry Ronge, I would have never been able to build a solid foundation for my career.

Wedged in-between all of that I was deputy editor at Music Africa magazine, self-published Frenzy magazine, Better Business South Africa and the Lo-Fi South African music annual and also contributed on Cape Talk, SAFMs Hit and Miss Show and have written and contributed imagery to most major South African magazine and newspaper titles over the years.

I have also been lucky enough to win several Prism Awards over the years and be nominated for several radio awards; its always rewarding to receive such recognition from ones peers. However, my philosophy has always been that you are only as good as the last 15 minutes, or the most recent job or project you have done  and, we all live for one another  so no matter how many awards or what accolades one receives, frankly, it is always the sum of the collective that constitutes the success of the whole or individual.

Talk us through your plans to streamline the airlines overall marketing and communication strategy and implementation. Talk us through your plans to streamline the airlines overall marketing and communication strategy and implementation.

An absolute key to any successful marketing communication plan is to ensure full integration between the various disciplines and to use each as a lever to drive the other. I approach strategy in a pyramidal manner, in terms of building a foundation across a wider reach, which can be achieved through PR and social media, for example, through to actual marketing campaigns with paid media  which are in turn supported by earned and social media.

No matter which market you operate in, aviation remains complex and the additional challenge of different markets and nuances that accompany that is an exciting prospect.

Vis-a-vis all elements of the marketing communication effort, it all ultimately boils down to achieving reputational and commercial outcomes. Ive developed a formula that measures how hard paid media works for the brand from a commercial perspective, directly relating to managing available budget, and I also use this to forecast marketing delivery against commercial objectives.

PR elements drive reputation as well as commercial marketing and outcome support  also easily measured  and in orchestra along with social media it is relatively simple to streamline and create a solid machine with transplantable elements across all markets.

Marketers and communication/PR practitioners tend to emphasise complexity when, in truth, effective outcomes  as opposed to output  are derived from a strategy that distills into simplicity.

What does serving as spokesperson for fastjet involve? What does serving as spokesperson for fastjet involve?

It is the role of the spokesperson for any organisation to manage the external reputation of the business 24/7. A key element of this is to ensure messages are crafted according to strategic intent of the business and it serves the reputational and commercial interests of the brand or business. Engagement with the media requires far more than just answering questions. It is rather built on relationships, an ability to understand the media and socio-political landscape of any market and, for that matter, to seek out and take advantage of opportunities as they come along.

In terms of fastjet, the role is much the same  a spokesperson both propagates and defends the reputation of the business or brand.

Airlines are traditionally relatively high in profile and visibility and, as such, being the spokesperson for an airline requires absolute commitment.

How will the regional marketing teams in fastjets key markets of Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa work  both individually as well as a whole under your leadership? How will the regional marketing teams in fastjets key markets of Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa work  both individually as well as a whole under your leadership?

Like a well-oiled machine! However, centralisation of tactical implementation and market-specific initiatives would be detrimental to the business and I have a lot to learn from my colleagues in the various countries. We never stop learning from one another, in fact.

There is an overarching strategy with a solid messaging construct, set against commercial and reputational objectives. This is the same for the brand in all its markets. However, implementation may differ in various markets and it is here where the teams in each country become critical  nobody knows home better than its resident, and leading a team means allowing for creativity, latitude and driving initiative and innovation amongst colleagues. And when working within the parameters of strategy and intent, along with a team of talented professionals, success is inevitable.

List a few of your favourite marketing and communications trends of 2017. List a few of your favourite marketing and communications trends of 2017.

Like fashion, trends come and go and are, at times, recycled with a different buzzword.

What is far more interesting than ponytail terms and buzzwords are the trends in innovation and technical development that deliver greater tools for marketers and communicators.

Greater access to media platforms, the ability to craft and disseminate messaging quickly, the growth and growth and growth of mobile communication, African innovation, the extent of mobile data and telephony penetration on the continent and, the fact that print media continues to set the agenda, or a very large part of it.

There is one trend though, that I can say marketers and communicators are finally waking up to  playing an active role in social development and moving away from traditional CSI or CSR playing fields  there is immense value in good advertising when implemented correctly.

Another trend, perhaps forced due to social media in part, is brand authenticity. Many challenger brands are getting it right and attempts by large established brands to segue into a similar line of communication or brand representation is evident. Authenticity in marketing and communication, just like simplicity of strategy, is not easy, but, highly rewarding.

That it is. Click here to listen to a snippet from Kaisers weekly Marketing & Media radio show and be sure to follow his Twitter feed for all the latest updates.

The Media and Marketing Show, broadcast on Mix 93.8FM (DStv 823) on Tuesday evenings between 19:00 and 20:00 features some of the industrys latest news, views and innovations. Hosted by Hein Kaiser, the Media and Marketing Show gets under the skin of the industry with in-depth interviews with a wide variety of industry professionals and role players. Industry veteran Brendan Seery contributes weekly with his Orchids & Onions column while guests are usually interviewed at source in their offices or creative spaces. The show is designed to reflect the energy inherent to the media and marketing sector while sharing valuable opinion and information.
Famous Brands shareholders will receive no dividend for its 2017 financial year as it digests a string of acquisitions, it said in its results for the year to end-February 2017, released on Monday morning.

In its 2016 financial year, Famous Brands paid a R1.90 interim dividend and R2.15 final dividend, taking the total to R4.05.

Famous Brands' 120m acquisition of Gourmet Burger Kitchen helped its UK revenue grow sixfold to 12% of its total revenue.

The fast-food franchiser, whose chains include Wimpy, Steers and Debonairs Pizza, reported its revenue grew by a third to R5.7bn during the year to end-February.

But the cost of its acquisitions during the reporting period - which besides Gourmet Burger Kitchen included french fries manufacturer Lamberts Bay Foods, a tomato paste plant in Coega, Italian restaurant chain Lupa Osteria and Salsa Mexican Grill - contributed to its net profit falling to R206m, a third of the prior year's R617m.

The group's interest bill jumped to R132m from R7m in prior year as it serviced the R2.4bn loan it took to finance its acquisition of Gourmet Burger Kitchen.

Famous Brands broke its results into three geographical regions. Revenue from its South African operations, which contributed 83% of the total, grew 18%.

"Particularly impressive performances were reported by Debonairs Pizza, Steers, Fishaways and Milky Lane, with each of these brands reporting robust double-digit growth," Famous Brands CEO Darren Hele said in the results statement said.

The addition of Gourmet Burger Kitchen to its British Wimpy and Steers outlets led to its UK revenue jumping to R704m from R116m.

Wimpy UK reported a marginal decline in revenue in pounds, which a stronger rand amplified to a 9% drop to R105m. Wimpy UK's operating profit fell 42% to R19m.

Its rest of Africa division, which includes the Middle East, grew revenue 72% to R249m. This division, which covers 15 countries, opened 17 new restaurants during the reporting period, down from 33 in the prior year.

"This disappointing new restaurant roll-out is a function of weak trading conditions in the region, financial institutions' tighter lending criteria and restricted access to foreign exchange for prospective franchisees," Famous Brands said.

Source: BDpro
Jewellery sales beat food sales for Taste Holdings during the year to end-February, and profits from its Arthur Kaplan and NWJ jewellery stores managed to mitigate losses contributed by Starbucks and Domino's Pizza.

Carlo Dapino via 123RF

Taste's luxury goods division widened its contribution to the group's revenue to 57% from 54% in the prior year, the retailer's results, released on Monday morning, showed.

The luxury goods division grew revenue by 9% to R622m while its food division grew revenue by 1.3% to R551m. The luxury goods division's operating profit, however, declined 2% to R52.5m while the food division's operating loss widened by 29% to R144m.

Taste's overall revenue grew 3% to R1.1bn while its after-tax loss widened by 37% to R101m.

"The group now owns 117 corporate stores, 65 of which are in the luxury goods division. A slight sales mix change to more watch sales saw gross profit increase 4% to R426m from R409m," Taste CEO Carlo Gonzaga said in the results statement.

According to Taste, it is SA's leading retailer of luxury brands Rolex, Cartier, IWC, Omega, Breitling, Hublot, Montblanc, TAG Heuer, Longines and Rado.

"The luxury goods division is the only vertically integrated and partly franchised jewellery business in SA. It owns and operates approximately 77% of the total outlets. Approximately 40% of NWJ jewellery is manufactured by the group, with the remainder sourced through a combination of local and global supply chains," Gonzaga said.

In its food division, Taste said it reduced the number of restaurants it owns or franchises to 164, without giving figures for the prior year. Improved management at Domino's Pizza reduced staff turnover from 127% to 76% over the year, the results statement said.

"We still need to grow to 120 outlets for the business to contribute to profit and we currently foresee ending this year with approximately 105 outlets," Gonzaga said.

The group plans on opening eight to 10 Starbucks outlets in the financial year under way, including expansion to Cape Town and Durban.

Source: BDpro
The outdoor gear retailer, Trappers, is celebrating its 40-year history of shifting from a mom and pop' wholesaler to a national retail enterprise, outperforming the retail index. It also has a growth strategy to increase its chain exponentially within the next three years.

Grant Ponting and John Black, executive directors of Trappers.

As one of the longest standing market players, the company is well recognised amongst customers, having built capability and scale across the entire supply chain to improve its footprint and points of difference. The Johannesburg-based executive directors, Grant Ponting and John Black believe that they have never forgotten the brands heritage and continue to focus on their core customers, whilst still managing trends in a rapidly changing retail environment and this approach, combined with strong operating values, is paying off.

While there has been a notable decline in national consumer confidence over recent years, resulting in a slowdown in retail sales volume growth, Trappers is still growing, with a 17% increase in group sales for the financial year ending February 2017. Its ambition is to grow revenue from R274 million to R320 million by 2018.

In 2004, Ponting and his family acquired the struggling group, which comprised 14 franchised stores, after initially providing a management consulting service to the owners of the company. Black joined Trappers in 2011, and was appointed director soon after.

Today, the group comprises three entities Trappers Franchising, Trappers Retail and Outland Distributors, with 34 stores across eight South African provinces, selling a wide range of outdoor equipment and clothing.

Successful franchising

There are currently eight corporate-owned stores, while the rest are franchised. Ponting says, Much of our success can be attributed to strong franchisees. We are particular about whom we work with and as a result, have built up a loyal and stable franchisee base that mirrors our values and vision; we pride ourselves in having an almost nil franchisee turnover.

The group operates in a highly competitive market and so customer interaction, local market relevance and a wide range assortment remain the key focus. The franchised stores are community focused, owner-run stores, which are often key differentiators in the outlying urban areas they trade in. Being owner-run ensures a vested interest approach to get to know and understand customers personally. 85% of the store products are core to the group and we allow for 15% flexibility in order to ensure our franchise stores are relevant to local markets.

Expansion into Africa

Expansion is a strategic priority for the company and the directors have negotiated a significant private equity investment that will serve as capital to increase the store base within the next three years. Ponting adds, We have grown through a mix of corporate-owned and franchise owned stores. Ultimately, we are building a 45-50 store chain across all provinces with room to grow in both existing and untapped locations across South Africa.

The company has registered trademarks in South Africa and Southern Africa and there is potential to expand into neighbouring Botswana and Namibia.

Increasing private labels

Given the increased size and scale of the business, the company is now able to drive private label ranges across apparel, footwear and accessories. As part of the business short-term growth strategy, these exclusive ranges will gradually become more available in-store and expand to meet customers diverse needs/choices. Black adds, We have always had a large contingent of male customers, but this is rapidly shifting to include more women, so we are evolving our ladies offering. We also recognise the value of the younger customer and aim to appeal more generally across the sector.

Conservation is another issue that is aligned with the corporate value system. It established a partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) based on core synergies and continually supports its initiatives. More recently, the company helped contribute and raise almost half a million rand for EWTs anti-rhino poaching initiative.

In four decades, much has changed in our business and market. As a company, we have grown significantly, yet, we face challenges almost daily, many of which are unique to the South African business climate. As long as we remain true to the companys and our core values, whilst continuing to improve operational efficiencies across owned and franchise stores, I believe we have an opportunity to make further inroads in our market segment, concludes Ponting.
Leading economists called on Monday, 29 May, on the international community to price carbon at up to $100 a tonne by 2030, saying this was "indispensable" in the fight to slash emissions.

"A strong and predictable carbon price trajectory provides a powerful signal to individuals and firms that the future is low carbon, inducing the changes needed in global investment, production and consumption patterns," said the commission of leading economists headed by Joseph Stiglitz and Nicholas Stern.

Countries should set a target of reaching $40 to $80 per tonne of CO2 by 2020, and of $50 to $100 per tonne by 2030, they said.

The idea is that the cost will force companies and individuals to turn to more climate friendly options, while at the same time raising funds for states to invest in cleaner infrastructure.

"The revenue can build up to something substantial," noted Stern.

Carbon trading mechanisms are in place in a handful of countries and in the European Union.

The EU fixes emissions reduction obligations and allows companies or countries to trade quotas, buying or selling depending on whether they have surpassed or remain inside set limits.

Canada has also announced a minimum price of Can$10 ($7.63) per tonne of carbon pollution in 2018 and China, after provincial experiments, is set to launch a national market next year.

But the implementation of the landmark 2015 Paris deal to curb global warming has hit a major roadblock as US President Donald Trump said he would only decide this week whether the US would abide by the deal.

Nevertheless, as Stiglitz noted: "The global community has to recognise that it is a global problem."

Source: AFP
While the outbreak of avian flu in Europe may offer some relief to South Africa's poultry industry over the next few months, brooding over the possible outcomes of the current crisis continues - especially when it comes to the impact of European Union (EU) imports and chicken dumping on the industry. Calls for increased import tariffs, safeguard duties and a more protectionist stance have been both lauded by industry stalwarts and criticised by advocates of liberalised trade policy.

Chris Coombes, CEO, Sovereign Foods

While often-emotive calls for protectionism have been rejected by staunch proponents of free trade, citing increases in consumer prices and a breakdown of trade relationships as major concerns, fair-trade supporters have highlighted the importance of some form of protection to ensure the sustainability of South Africas developing and emerging economy.

Both sides have convincing arguments.

Free trade supporters call for the free flow of products between nations and reject any form of trade barriers, including tariffs. Some, including AGOA, argue that imposing tariffs and duties on imported poultry restricts trade between South Africa and external markets, and places an unnecessary financial burden on economically disadvantaged South Africans by preventing access to competitively priced poultry.

In contrast, proponents of fair trade see current EU imports as an unfair trade practice and insist that protective measures are needed to prevent exploitation and to ensure the survival of South Africas poultry industry.

Protective measures

Protective measures are not new to the industry. Following dumping and tariff investigations in 2012/13, the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) increased tariff duties on a number of frozen chicken products. A February 2017 Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) report highlighted tariff increases from 18% to 37% for bone-in chicken portions, and from 27% to 82% for whole birds - the maximum tariff allowed according to SAs commitments with the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

These increases applied to all imports from all countries, with the exception of EU and Southern African Development Community (SADC) trading partners who currently enjoy free-trade agreements with South Africa.

Although South Africa has free-trade agreements with the EU, both the Trade, Development, and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA) and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) allow for the safeguarding of domestic industries if imports create significant disruptions and instabilities, job losses included.

As a result, recent dumping led to a provisional 13.9% safeguard duty on all EU imports, with further recommendations expected in the coming months.

While concerns about these protective measures continue to be raised, especially that they may strain relations with South Africas biggest trading partner, the EU, other chicken-producing nations have themselves adopted somewhat protectionist trade policies to ensure the stability of their own agricultural sectors. This is especially seen in their market restrictions via tariffs and duties and significant domestic support measures.

Unequal support practices

In terms of domestic support, the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which provides support to EU farmers in the form of direct government payments and subsidies is a good case in point. With an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) producer support estimate of 18.9%, these subsidies give EU exporters a substantial advantage over South African producers who only receive approximately 3.8% producer support.

According to the OECD, South Africas current subsidy system does not allow for domestic market support interventions nor does it provide any export subsidies. Although subsidies for feed, diesel rebates, new-farmer support and land reform programmes do exist, they provide limited consolation for producers as economic and environmental instabilities continue to threaten the long-term sustainability of the industry.

Based on these unequal support practices it is not surprising that protectionist trade tariffs and safeguard duties have emerged as the most popular and most viable options for the short-term survival of South Africas poultry industry.

Image Supplied

But what about the long-term?

While there is a need for immediate and ongoing government support  specifically when it comes to protecting against unfair trade practices  if and when the playing fields are level, South African producers cannot expect to rely on the government to protect their interests indefinitely. This is especially if they are to succeed in the increasingly complex and ever-competitive global poultry market.

Producers need to look at alternative solutions to ensure the industrys long-term survival and to establish South Africa as a competitive global player.

Securing access to export markets

The first area of opportunity is exports. Only 1.4% of South Africas poultry is produced for export. The weakening rand presents a unique opportunity to develop sustainable exports. Producers need to work rigorously with the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to secure access to export markets  especially in Africa.

Poultry industry analyst, Terry Evans recently noted that by 2050, 25% - or one in four people in the world will live in Africa. Thats a huge potential future market for South African poultry - especially as our main export markets currently only include Mozambique, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola, and Swaziland.

Access to the Middle Eastern markets is another avenue to be explored. The UAE and Saudi Arabia import almost all of their poultry. This is a significant market and should be considered by South African producers.

Value-added, niche products

South Africa has a very concentrated poultry industry focused specifically on commodity production. It has a few major producers specialising in fresh or frozen unprocessed chicken and chicken pieces. Commodity production will remain important but producers should consider value-added, niche products to expand market share and diversity, product reach and competitiveness.

Investing in research and development

Finally, public investment in research and development is urgently needed. The industry cannot be globally competitive if it is not working towards structural, capacity and efficiency improvements. In 2016 the Agricultural Research Council received a parliamentary grant of R782m, R137m less than in 2015. This is a far cry from the approximately 80 billion budgeted by the European Commission for agricultural research and innovation in Europe between 2014 and 2020.

Research is imperative for improving the competitiveness and profitability of South Africas poultry industry. Investment in enhancing research capacity should be a priority of public and private industry players.

So, while Europes poultry industry takes time to recover from its avian flu outbreak, South Africa must reassess its practices and search for innovative ways to safeguard the countrys poultry success.
Now a full signatory of the Canberra Accord (CA), all those on the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) register, as well as all architectural students from local Architectural Learning Sites (which it validates), have the opportunity to register to undertake architectural work in countries represented by the accord. These countries presently include Canada, China, South Korea, Mexico, the USA and a further 35 countries represented by the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) which sits alongside SACAP as one of the seven full signatories.

Signing the accord, registrar/CEO of SACAP, Marella O' Reilly.

In May, SACAP became one of seven full signatories current to the CA, during the CAs sixth General Meeting in Sri Lanka. The CA facilitates the portability of educational credentials amongst participating member countries by recognising the similarity of professional architecture degrees between accreditation agencies.

Thorough inspection

SACAP was the only applicant to achieve new full signatory status to the accord at its recent meeting. This followed a thorough inspection visit by a CA board to SACAP which established that SACAPs validation requirements and processes with regard to Architectural Learning Sites, as well its organisational systems, records, information systems and registration processes meet the highest international standards.

Signing the accord: SACAP president, Dr Yashaen Luckan.

SACAP has a long standing relationship with the CAA, whose members include those of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Architectural practitioners from eastern and southern Africa registered with accrediting bodies that are governed by the CAA can therefore also still apply to SACAP for registration in South Africa. Following the positive outcome in Sri Lanka, SACAP joined the CAA visiting validation panel at Namibia University of Science and Technology. The growing intra-regional and south-south agreements have great potential to foster innovation and new knowledge generation, while promulgating practice excellence in these regions.

SACAP falls under the purview of the Department of Public Works and is mandated by an Act of Parliament, The Architectural Profession Act, 2000 (Act No.44 of 2000) to, amongst other things, fulfil the function of controlling the standards of architectural education at tertiary institutions for the purposes of professional registration. It does so through visiting validation boards.

Piggybacking not allowed

Marella OReilly, SACAPs registrar/CEO explains, Straight piggybacking of qualifications is not allowed. CA signatories recognise the substantial equivalency of fellow signatories validation systems in architectural education. For instance, architectural graduates wishing to register for accreditation in the United States of America, with its regulatory body, called the National Council for Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), will find that it automatically gives those registered with a CA signatory a substantial number of equivalent credits required to pass the NCARBs Education Evaluation Services for Architects (EESA).

It is the first time that SACAP sits at an equal level with all signatories at the CA. Dr Yashaen Luckan, president of SACAP, explains, Were proud that the councils committed efforts to promote high quality professional qualifications criteria and national syllabi, based on international standards, has been recognised. It follows our achievement last year of entering a Memorandum of Understanding with the Architects Council of Europe. Ultimately, the CA full signatory status has positioned the South African profession in a place where it is able to contribute to, and benefit from, the global conversations on architectural education in different and diverse contexts."
More than a century after a colonial railway gave birth to modern Kenya, the country is betting on a new Chinese-built route to cement its position as the gateway to East Africa.

 Gui Yongnian via 123RF

The $3.2bn (2.8bn) railway linking Nairobi with the port city of Mombasa will Wednesday take its first passengers on the 472 kilometre (293 mile) journey, allowing them to skip a hair-raising drive on one of Kenya's most dangerous highways.

The railway is the country's biggest infrastructure project since independence, and while it has courted controversy, it is a key selling point for the ruling Jubilee party ahead of August elections.

Part of a "master plan"

It is also part of a "master plan" by East African leaders to connect their nations by rail, with the standard gauge railway (SGR) planned to eventually link Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, and Ethiopia.

"There is no country which has ever developed without having a very robust railway system. It was long overdue," Kenya's transport minister James Macharia told AFP.

He said not upgrading the railway in over 100 years "has dragged us backwards in terms of development."

It was on May 30, 1896, that colonial Britain began building a railway from what is today Kenya's coast to improve access to the riches of Uganda, showing little interest in the wild land in between.

Steeped in tales of swashbuckling colonial adventure

The railway, steeped in tales of swashbuckling colonial adventure and beloved by tourists up until its last, creaking journey in April, is credited with shaping Kenya into its current form.

The capital Nairobi, today a regional hub, was a swampy outpost with no particular attraction until it became the headquarters of Kenya Railways.

The construction of the railway is the stuff of legend, with British and Indian workers terrorised by a pair of lions said to have devoured some 135 men.

The train was later dubbed the "Lunatic Express".

Some see a touch of folly in its successor too.

A mirror for modern Kenya

Inasmuch as the old line traced the development of colonial Kenya, the new railway has proven a mirror for modern Kenya: dogged by corruption accusations, battling environmental concerns while trying to position itself as the gateway to East Africa.

The World Bank and others warned that building a new railway, instead of refurbishing the old one, was by far the most expensive option.

However, the government went ahead with the project, skipping an open tender to make a direct deal with China - whose Export"Import Bank has loaned Kenya 90% of the venture's cost.

"We should ask: 'Why did you negotiate this badly'?" said Kwame Owino, head of the Nairobi-based Institute of Economic Affairs.

He points to similar Chinese-built railways in Ethiopia, Tanzania and elsewhere on the continent which cost much less per kilometre.

Macharia dismisses this argument, saying Kenya's SGR could carry more cargo, and passes through trickier terrain.

Railway to boost GDP by 1.5%

He said the government expects the railway to boost GDP by 1.5%, allowing them to pay back the loan "in about four years".

"I think that is a little bit of wishful thinking," said Owino, questioning assumptions about the volume of cargo available to be carried, while warning high growth rates in East Africa were beginning to moderate.

He said the government, whose debt has doubled in three years, would be forced to raise taxes to cover the bill. "My feeling as an economist is that it is going to be a white elephant, but as a taxpayer, I hope not," said Owino.

Trucks currently take two days to carry goods from Mombasa to Nairobi, while the train will take eight hours. Passenger trains will take around five hours.

The railway will be managed by the Chinese contractor for five years, with 610 Chinese workers in charge, while Kenyans are trained to take over.

Environmental concern

The railway has also concerned environmentalists, as it cuts through a key wildlife migration route.

Ben Okita of Save The Elephants said that while underpasses have been built to allow elephants to cross, the creation of an embankment and fencing around the new railway was creating deadly confusion.

Previously one or two elephants were killed annually, but since 2016, 10 elephants have been hit on the old route.

"They are used to crossing the old line and then they get to the new railway line and they find the fence and they get confused, in the process they are hit by a train," said Okita.

The next leg of the SGR, to connect Nairobi with the Rift Valley town of Naivasha at a cost of $1.5bn has also caused a furore as it will cut through the capital's iconic national park.

The government is currently negotiating the financing to link Naivasha to Kisumu near the Ugandan border, which Macharia says is expected to cost another $3.5bn.

Source: AFP
The Dar Rapid Transit Agency (Dart) in Tanzania has renewed its the search for the second operator on the bus rapid transit (BRT) system after initially failing to find an investor.

This comes even as overcrowding at Dart terminals and stations has worsened due to a shortage of buses on BRT routes.

Dart CEO, Ronald Lwakatare, told The Citizen in an exclusive interview that the agency floated the tender again earlier this month after applicants in the first tender failed to qualify.

Re-advertised tender

"We have re-advertised the tender in order to get the right candidate. It is an open, international tender in which both local and foreign investors can apply. We have already received bids from several prospective investors," he said.

The second investor will join Usafiri Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit Company (Udart), which operates on BRT routes from Mbezi and Kimara to Kivukoni, Gerezani and Morocco.

Dart serves both as the regulator and owner of the BRT infrastructure.

The second operator will be expected to put in service at least 165 buses to increase operational efficiency and enable Dart to extend feeder routes.

Plans to extend feeder routes

Lwakatare said there were plans to extend feeder routes to Kawe, Mwenge, University of Dar es Salaam, Sinza and Mabibo.

The first bidding round hit a snag after Udart went to court in January, this year, to block the process, claiming it had exclusive rights to operate rapid transit buses in the city.

However, Lwakatare said the court lifted the injunction, paving the way for the relaunch of the tendering process.

The initial tendering process was first advertised in June 2016 and the deadline was in August of the same year.

The search was for a service provider who would supply, operate and maintain an additional 138 buses (18 metres long for trunk operations) and 27 buses (12 metres long for feeder operations) on the BRT system on a 12-year contract. Udart was given a two-year contract, which is to be extended upon satisfactory performance.

The apparent shortage of buses facing the current operator has led to commuter congestion at Dart terminals and stations, especially during rush hour as established by a survey by The Citizen.

Concerns

Surface Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) director general, Gilliard Ngewe, said he was concerned by the congestion and had already contacted Dart.

"We have had talks with Dart on the issue of shortage of buses. However, I'm aware that the process of seeking another service provider to increase efficiency has started," he said.

Udart head of communications, Deus Bugaywa, rejected the suggestion that congestion was caused by a shortage of buses, saying it was nothing unusual at rush hour when people commuted to and from work.

"It is only at peak hours when buses operated at full capacity. This is not the case during other times of the day," Bugaywa said. He added that Udart had about 140 buses operating on a regular basis.

"We are working hard to ensure that all buses are in good condition. We also have in place a good monitoring system that enables us to quickly replace buses that break down to avoid inconveniencing commuters."
Under a dual onslaught of global warming and localised, urban heating, some of the world's cities may be as much as 8C warmer by 2100, researchers warned on Monday, 29 May.

Such a temperature spike can have dire consequences for the health of city-dwellers, robbing companies and industries of able workers, and put pressure on already strained natural resources such as water.

The projection is based on the worst-case-scenario assumption that emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases continue to rise throughout the 21st century.

The top quarter of most populated cities, in this scenario, could see the mercury rise 7C or more by century's end, said a study in the journal Nature Climate Change.

For some, nearly 5C of the total would be attributed to average global warming.

The rest would be due to the so-called urban heat island (UHI) effect, which occurs when cooling parks, dams and lakes are replaced by heat-conducting concrete and asphalt - making cities warmer than their surrounds, the researcher said.

"The top 5% (of cities per population) could see increases in temperatures of about 8C and larger," study co-author Francisco Estrada of the Institute for Environmental Studies in the Netherlands told AFP.

Estrada and a team used different projections of average planetary warming, combined with the UHI effect and potential harms, to estimate the future costs of warming on cities.

The median city, right in the middle of the range, stands to lose between 1.4% and 1.7% of GDP per year by 2050 and between 2.3% and 5.6% by 2100, they concluded.

"For the worst-off city, losses could reach up to 10.9% of GDP by 2100," wrote the team.

UHI "significantly" increases city temperatures and economic losses from global warming, they added.

This meant that local actions to reduce UHI - such as planting more trees or cooling roofs and pavements - can make a big difference in limiting warming and minimising costs.

Cities cover only about 1% of earth's surface but produce about 80% of gross world product and account for around 78% of energy consumed worldwide, said the researchers.

They produce more than 60% of global carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal, oil and gas for fuel.

The world's nations agreed in Paris in 2015 to the goal of limiting average global warming to 2C over pre-industrial revolution levels by curbing greenhouse gas levels in Earth's atmosphere.

For the latest study, researchers used data from the world's 1,692 largest cities for the period 1950 to 2015.

Source: AFP
While the road ahead may still present significant challenges, some of Africa's most long-standing internal trade barriers are beginning to show signs of falling. The most recent progression in this regard is the increasing implementation across the continent of the one-stop border post concept, in which two countries jointly operate a border crossing to remove the usual two-step process, greatly simplifying the procedural requirements for intra-Africa trade.

We interview David Williams, Maersk Line Africa chief executive and global head of Safmarine, who says that while tackling trade barriers continues to be a challenge and remains a key priority going forward, the steadfast progress in the container trade market over time across Africa is being recognised.

David Williams

Since the first call of a Maersk vessel to a port on the African continent took place well over 100 years ago, much must have changed?

A major factor which has impacted development in the region is intra-regional trade, which has experienced some much-needed growth, particularly over the past year. Intra-Africa trade, which acts as a catalyst for growth across the continent, has seen an uptick over the past year  largely due to the recovery of the oil price. It is important to note how many African countries are still fundamentally oil-dependent, like Nigeria and Angola.

Increased foreign investment is, however, beginning to reduce the dependency on oil for some of these countries. A prime example of this is the trend among Chinese tile exporters in shipping out their machinery to establish manufacturing plants in West Africa. As construction continues to gain momentum as a result of these projects, the companies will be looking to export these tiles from one African country to another, further boosting intra-regional trade.

There has reportedly been a recent boost in intra-regional trade with certain barriers showing signs of falling. What does this mean/what are the benefits for the continent and companies doing business in Africa?

The benefits which come with increased intra-Africa trade are vast and stretch far beyond just economic gain. In addition to diversifying the African economy to a greater extent, increased intra-regional trade results in the creation of better-quality employment and increased foreign investment, along with better bilateral trade  all of which will ultimately benefit the overall health of the continent and its people

With such a long-time presence in Africa, what stands out as the major challenges over the years?

Tackling trade barriers continues to be a challenge and remains a key priority going forward. Were looking ahead and our focus is on activities where we can continue to be involved in supporting economic growth across the region for our customers, for local businesses, and for our people.

From enabling infrastructure spending through our work with African ports and railways to empowering our people through the Africa Leadership Development Programme (ALDP)  these are the kinds of activities that allow us to continue creating more opportunities in the many years to come.

Looking forward, what do you see as opportunities for Maersk, but also for other companies wanting to enter the region?

Given the recent boost in intra-regional trade and the ripple effect of growth to be expected from this, my outlook for Africa remains optimistic. Africa has a growing consumer market, which makes the region ripe for opportunity aimed at both locals and foreigners.

As such, there has been an increasing amount of interest shown by foreign investors, as well as a growing entrepreneurial spirit spreading across the continent, which should help in shifting Africa away from its dependency on raw commodity exports by moving towards a more diversified manufacturing-based trade economy.

Your message for #AfricaMonth?

Were proud to be part of Africa and were optimistic about the future. Weve invested in building our network in the region, and relocated our Safmarine head office to Cape Town last year to be closer to our trades and areas of expertise.

As a result, we have two strong brands in the region which put us in a good position to support our customers and be truly involved in promoting continued progress on the continent.
We are a full-service Market Research Agency and now part of SA's leading Management Consulting firm IQbusiness. We use technology and a deep understanding of human motivations to uncover powerful insights to help our customers to grow.
Enjoy the first large-scale museum exhibition dedicated to tramp art since 1975. More than 150 examples of tramp art, concentrating on works from the United States, with additional international examples.

For Immediate Release: October 24, 2016 (Santa Fe, NM) The Museum of International Folk Art presents No Idle Hands: The Myths & Meanings of Tramp Art, the first large-scale museum exhibition dedicated to tramp art since 1975. The exhibition will present more than 150 examples of tramp art, concentrating on works from the United States, with additional examples from France, Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Canada, Mexico and Brazil to demonstrate the far reach this art form has had. Additionally, the show will analyze and dismantle the myths and misperceptions about tramp art, particularly as they relate to assumptions related to class, quality, and the anonymity of the makers.

Tramp art describes a particular type of chip-carved woodwork that was practiced in Europe and the United States between the 1870s and 1940s, making use of discarded cigar boxes or crates that were then notch-carved along the edges and layered. Objects made were primarily boxes and frames, but other household objects such as small private altars, crosses, medicine cabinets, wall pockets, clock cases, plant stands, and even furniture can be found.

"Tramp art's place in art history has been troublesome. It has had detractorspeople who regard it as 'the ugly duckling' of folk artbut also numerous champions," said Laura Addison, Curator of North American & European Folk Art at the Museum of International Folk Art, and the show's curator. "This exhibition will erase any doubts about the quality and craftsmanship of the work and situate tramp art as a practice at the crossroads of cultural transformation at the turn of the 20th century," she said. Addison also pointed out that by juxtaposing historic pieces with those by contemporary artists working in the tramp art style, the exhibition frames this art form as an ongoing tradition that continues to capture the public's imaginationmyths and all.

"The ingenious objects in the Tramp Art exhibition use recycled or repurposed wood, and highlight a moment in time a century ago when artisans, many of them immigrants to the US, created a new variety of folk art," said Khristaan D. Villela, Director of the Museum of International Folk Art. "They are a testament to the ability of untrained artists to produce objects of immense beauty and complexity," he said.

For many years, tramp art was believed to have been made by itinerants and hobos, thus its name. It has been demonstrated, however, that this belief, first put in print by Frances Lichten in a 1959 Pennsylvania Folklife article, is erroneous. Nonetheless, the name "tramp art" has remained the only terminology used for this practice, and the paucity of scholarly studies to dispel the mistaken notions about tramp art have allowed the myths to persist.

Whittling objects such as wood chains and ball-in-cage whimsies was a common pastime, including among railriding "hobos," and some examples of tramp art were likely by the hand of itinerant laborers or artisans. However, this style of carving was more commonly the practice of family men and blue-collar factory workers making functional domestic objects or gifts for the women in their lives. Efforts have been made in recent years to identify makers by name and unearth their biographies; these personal narratives illustrate a very different story of the makers of tramp art. As these makers and their stories come to light, it has become obvious that home and family are central to an understanding of the practice of tramp art.

No Idle Hands will present tramp art objects according to four primary areas: Introduction/historical context, home & nation, frames & boxes and devotional objects. Works in the exhibition will come from the Museum of International Folk Art permanent collection as well as loans from a number of private and museum collections across the country. An exhibition publication will accompany the exhibition, with essays by Laura Addison, Curator of North American & European Folk Art, Museum of International Folk Art; Leslie Umberger, a curator in the area of folk art and self-taught art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum; and Eric Zafran, a retired curator of European art, most recently at the Wadsworth Atheneum.

The Museum of International Folk Art Museum Shop is located in the museum at 706 Camino Lejo (Museum Hill just off Old Santa Fe Trail). 505-982-5186.

MUSEUM OF INTERNATIONAL FOLK ART

The Museum of International Folk Art is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.

The Museum of International Folk Art's mission is "to enrich the human spirit by connecting people with the arts, traditions and cultures of the world." Founded in 1953 by Florence Dibell Bartlett, the museum holds the world's largest international folk art collection of more than 150,000 objects from six continents and over 150 nations.

The museum's collections represent a broad range of global artists whose artistic expressions make Santa Fe an international crossroads of culture. For many visitors, fascination with folk art begins upon seeing the whimsical toys and traditional objects within the Girard Collection. For others, the international textiles, ceramics, carvings and other cultural treasures in the Neutrogena Collection provide the allure. The museum's historic and contemporary Latino and Hispano folk art collections, spanning the Spanish Colonial period to modern-day New Mexico, reflect how artists respond to their time and place in ways both delightful and sobering. In 2010, the museum opened the Mark Naylor and Dale Gunn Gallery of Conscience, where exhibitions encourage visitors to exchange ideas on complex issues of human rights and social justice.

Over 90,000 national and international visitors visit the Museum International Folk Art every year. Through folk art, the museum encourages all to find a common ground upon which to craft better lives for all.

Museum exhibitions and programs are supported by donors to the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and its Director's Leadership Fund, Exhibitions Development Fund, and Fund for Museum Education, as well as by the International Folk Art Foundation, also established by museum founder Florence Dibell Bartlett.
The Taang National Liberation Armys (TNLA) information officer said that the group is ready to meet with the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) at a secure location in order to defuse the situation.

Local villagers fled to Namtu Town after fighting between the TNLA and the RCSS remerged in the township on May 11. The fighting then reported spread to locations in Kyaukse township from May 13 to 14, and Namhsan township on May 15.

After several skirmishes in the area, up to 1,400 residents have been displaced, seeking temporary shelter in Namtu, according to Namtu resident Sai Kham Pan.

The Pyidaungsu Institute's managing director, U Khun Sai, said holding talks could resolve the issues between the RCSS and the TNLA.

This issue is due to a misunderstanding. It can be resolved if the two sides can meet. They can hold a preliminary meeting. It doesnt need to be a formal meeting. They need to informally meet more often. I believe they will get along better if they meet frequently, he said.

The TNLAs information officer, Tar Aik Kyaw, told S.H.A.N that the TNLA is ready to talk.

We are ready to meet in China, in Panghsang/Pangkham [the United Wa State armys self-administered zone] or in Mong La. Chiang Mai is also okay, but it is difficult for us to meet in Chiang Mai due to security reasons since we havent signed the NCA. We are ready to meet them if the venue is convenient, he said.

Local residents are worried the fighting could spill over and effect brewing communal friction between the ethnic residents who live side-by-side.

Things have become a little difficult in the towns and villages where the Shan and the Taang live together. They started to mistrust and be suspicious of each other. The situation is stable at the moment. But there is a lack of trust, said Naw Hein, a resident of Namkham township. Taang boys are presumed to be from the TNLA. Its the same for the Shan people [and the RCSS]. Things may get worse in the long run.

Fighting has intermittently broken out between the TNLA and the RCSS since November 2015. The two ethnic armed groups have clashed over 100 times in sporadic outbreaks in 2015, 2016 and now 2017.

The RCSS is one of the eight signatories of the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA), while the TNLA is not a signatory, and has joined the so-called Panghsang/Pangkham alliance led by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which seeks to bypass the NCA in the search for peace.

Translated by Thida Linn

Edited by Laignee Barron
PR Newswire

TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 29, 2017

TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- COMPUTEX 2017 -- On Tuesday, May 30th to June 3rd, 2017 AirFuel members Microtips Technology Inc, JJPlus, and NewVastek will be demo'ing AirFuel Resonant-based solutions at COMPUTEX 2017. COMPUTEX is one of the world's leading B2B trade shows highlighting IoT applications, robotics, virtual reality, and more. Additionally, Compal Electronics has joined as the newest member of the AirFuel Alliance.

WHO: AirFuel Alliance members Microtips Technology Inc, JJPlus, NewVastek, and Compal Electronics.

WHAT:

WHEN: COMPUTEX takes place on Tuesday, May 30th thru June 2nd  9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and June 3rd  9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Taipei, Taiwan

WHY: The AirFuel Alliance is the leading authority on wireless power technology and standards. While the Alliance supports a variety of wireless charging technologies to fit a multitude of different use cases for consumers and enterprises, AirFuel Resonant technology will be showcased at COMPUTEX 2017. Spatial freedom, multi-device charging, high-power, and low-cost deployment are just a few of the benefits of AirFuel magnetic resonant technology. The AirFuel Alliance has thousands of AirFuel Resonant-based public infrastructure deployments around the globe  from hotels and restaurants to corporate centers, malls, airports, trains and more. Additionally, the Alliance provides a complete ecosystem to support AirFuel Resonant certified products, including components, silicon, reference designs, materials engineering support, production, and testing

For more information on AirFuel Alliance, please visit www.airfuel.org.

Media Contact:Kathy Van BuskirkAirFuel Alliance+1 [email protected]

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/airfuel-alliance-member-companies-to-demo-resonant-wireless-charging-products-at-computex-2017-300465042.html

SOURCE AirFuel Alliance


A file photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): India and Fiji on Monday signed an agreement that provides for stepping up defence and security ties including in defence production and military training.



The deal was signed after Defence Minister Arun Jaitley held extensive talks with his Fijian counterpart Ratu Inoke Kubuabola during which they also agreed to deepen cooperation in maritime security sphere.



"The two ministers also discussed expanded defence partnership in maritime security between both the countries, and naval cooperation was identified as an area of promise," the defence ministry said.



It said the MoU on defence cooperation envisages several areas of cooperation including in defence industry, military training and humanitarian assistance and disaster management.



Kubuabola was given a Tri-Services guard of honour at the lawns of South Block.



Earlier, the visiting minister laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti.



Earlier in the day, Kubuabola visited the Western Naval Command in Mumbai.


Ryanair pledged to continue cutting fares as it posted a 6% rise in annual profits despite intense competition and the Brexit vote.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said the Irish airline faced "difficult" trading as the group posted profits of 1.31 billion for the year to March 31.

It slashed fares by 13% on average over the year amid competition in the industry and expects to reduce fares by a further 5% to 7% due to the weak pound and as it passes on lower fuel costs.

The group said the year was marred by terrorist attacks across Europe, confirming flight bookings fell in the aftermath of the explosion at the Manchester Arena last week.

Bookings have started to recover as Ryanair has launched seat sales in response to the fall in demand.

The group said it also saw "strong bookings" over the weekend after an IT failure hit rival British Airways.

Ryanair is "cautiously" forecasting profits to rise by 8% to between 1.4 billion to 1.45 billion for the year to next March.

Mr O'Leary warned: "Investors should be wary of the risk of negative Brexit developments, or any repeat of last year's security events at European cities, which could damage consumer confidence, close-in bookings, and this full year 2018 guidance."

He added the group would "continue to pivot our growth away from the UK" amid uncertainty caused by Brexit.

Ryanair reported a 13% rise in passengers, to 120 million in the year to March 31, but admitted it was impacted by delays due to air traffic control strikes and weather disruption at the end of last year.

Its punctuality fell to 88% from 90% the previous year.

The Dublin-based carrier, which flies 1,800 daily flights across 33 countries, is targeting 130 million passengers over the year ahead, suggesting a slowdown in growth to around 8%.

While Ryanair's profits rose to another record high, the group took a hit from the weak pound since the Brexit vote as ticket sales in sterling are worth less in euros.

It warned over profits last October after fares fell more than expected, while airlines have also been knocked by a price war and a shift away from popular destinations Egypt and Turkey after terrorist attacks and political turmoil.
A selection of works by Albuquerque sculptor and architect Bruce Warren Davis and multi-disciplinary artist and professor at the University of New Mexico, Mary Tsiongas. Runs through 6/30.

Repurpose/Revision/Reconstruction  Bruce Warren Davis and Mary Tsiongas

What The Color Blue Sounds Like  Mick Burson

May 30July 14

Gallery Reception: Saturday, May 27, 68 pm

Richard Levy Gallery is pleased to present Repurpose/Revision/Reconstruction, a selection of works by Albuquerque sculptor/architect Bruce Warren Davis and multi-disciplinary artist and professor at the University of New Mexico Mary Tsiongas. Davis constructs three-dimensional artifacts that explore space and material. Tsiongas projects landscape paintings onto found architectural models to create mesmerizing photographs.

As an architect, Davis has completed hundreds of projects throughout the Southwest and has recently turned his attention to sculpture. Davis focuses on objects like frames and boxes that normally serve to contain. He creates wooden assemblages and loosely painted colorful frames from raw and reclaimed construction materials. Born and educated in Illinois, Davis moved to New Mexico in 1972 and has maintained a private architecture practice since 1975. He has exhibited artwork in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

In her recent work entitled Aporia, Mary Tsiongas creates dimly lit sets by using small architectural models and old slides of landscape paintings. The projections are then photographed and printed digitally. Aporia comes from the Greek work  meaning an impasse, a puzzlement, a contradiction. Born in Greece and now based in Albuquerque, Mary Tsiongas has performed, exhibited, and lectured extensively for the past twenty years. Her work has been shown in over fifty solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally. She is currently a Professor of Experimental Art and Technology in the Department of Art at the University of New Mexico.

In the Project Room the gallery presents What The Color Blue Sounds Like, a sculptural installation made from wood, metal, and paint by Mick Burson. He is also showing lithographs printed at the Tamarind Institute. The gallery commissioned Burson to paint a mural on the outside back wall of the building. It will be unveiled at this event. Originally from Waco, TX, Burson is currently in the masters degree program in studio art at the University of New Mexico.

Gallery Reception: Saturday, May 27, 68 pm
Travelling to Ireland from afar or planning a staycation this summer? This is the perfect video for you.

A new video released by Tourism Ireland has 10 superb travel hacks for how to make the most of Ireland on a budget.

The travel hacks will ensure you get to enjoy the best Ireland has to offer without breaking the bank.

Travel Hacks for Ireland

1. National Museums and Galleries are free

Take in a free history lesson and surround yourself with culture.

2. Heritage Ireland offers free first Wednesday

On the first Wednesday of every month, all Heritage Ireland sites around the country are free to access.

3. Free events at Culture Night in September

Culture Night brings free events and amazing artistic displays to towns and cities around Ireland every September.

4. Explore the island on foot

You never know who or what you might meet!

5. Eat well for less

From early bird menus before 7pm to farmers' markets for food on the go, there will be something for everyone.

6. Once-in-a-lifetime moments

Glimpse the Northern Lights in Donegal or walk the path of film and TV stars by visiting the locations where Star Wars and Game of Thrones are shot.

7. Catch a trad session

In many pubs around the country, you'll see some in incredible traditional music performances from local musicians - all for free.

8. Festival fun

Ireland has plenty of free walking, arts and food festivals on offer.

9. Keep an eye out for discounts

Plenty of attractions will offer discounts for families, seniors and students.

10. Stay connected

Most places in Ireland will offer free Wi-Fi so you can share your amazing experience with the world.

For more information visit Tourism Ireland.
Bank of Ireland has been fined more than 3.1million by the Central Bank.

The penalty has been imposed for twelve breaches of money laundering and terrorist financing legislation.
A six-year-old boy whose condition was described as one of the most severe cases of cerebral palsy to come before the courts has settled his High Court action against the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, over the circumstances of his birth.

The 778,606 settlement figure covers the care needs of Martin Gibson for the next year as well as past care provided by the boy's parents.

Approving the settlement Mr Justice Kevin Cross praised Martin Gibson's family saying they deserved the praise of society for the care they have given their son.

Martin Gibson, Castle Manor, Newcastle, Co Wicklow had through his mother Sarah Gibson sued the National Maternity Hosptial, Holles St , Dublin over the circumstances of his birth on July 3, 2010.

It was claimed there was an alleged failure to properly manage and monitor the labour, delivery and birth of the baby and an alleged failure at a review of the labour to recognise or respond to abnormalities present on the CTG, inlcuding persistent late decelerations and an alleged failure to recognise a pathological first stage CTG necessitating the taking of urgent action.

It was further claimed there was an alleged failure at the review of the labour to proceed to an emergency caesarean section and there was an alleged inappropriate delay in the decision to deliver the baby by caesarean section in circumstances where it was claimed the abnormalities evident on the CTG trace demanded earlier urgent intervention.

Martin was flat on delivery and was later transferred to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children.

The hospital denied the claims and the High Court recently found that the defendant was 70% liable in the case.

Martin's senior counsel Denis McCullough SC told the court Martin is unable to communicate, uses a wheelchair and needs 24-hour care. Counsel said the settlement in relation to past care and care needs for the next year amounted to a total of 1.1m but taking into account the liability finding the final figure was 788,606.

He said the boy's future care needs and loss of earnings will be decided when the case comes back before the court next year.

Counsel said Martin's parents were concerned that there was going to be a shortfall.

Mr Justice Cross told Mrs Gibson they will be able to see in a year's time what the situation is and this was not the final settlement in the case.

He said the liability finding was made on the basis that there was a significant possibility, if the case went ahead, it may not succeed.
Gardai have arrested two men and a teenager in connection with an aggravated burglary earlier this month in Co.Tipperary.

An elderly couple were assaulted at their house on the Old Dublin Road in Roscrea after two men broke into their house through a side window and stole money.
By Eoin English

College bosses are in a flap after a spate of vicious crow attacks on campus grounds.

Its not quite as gory as Hitchcocks 1963-film horror The Birds, but up to 20 people working or studying at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) have reported being attacked by a lone crow in recent days.

Two of the aerial attack victims required medical treatment from CITs on-campus medical centre, where nursing staff administered tetanus jabs and prescribed antibiotics.

A spokesperson for CIT confirmed last night college authorities have requested the assistance of the Cork Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in a bid to deal with the menace.

Experts are due to visit the campus today to assess the situation and advise CITs health and safety team.

Details of the bizarre attacks emerged yesterday when one staff member began discussing his brush with the campus crow near a car park to the rear of CITs main entrance.

It is understood the man was clawed about the head and suffered several scratch wounds. He was one of the two people to require medical attention.

His report triggered a cascade of reports from other staff members about similar crow attacks in and around the same area.

The spokesperson for CIT said college authorities have been made aware of at least 15 similar crow attacks, all in the same area of campus.

Various theories have been put forward to explain the sudden spate of attacks.

It has been suggested that a chick may have fallen from the nest and the crow is simply defending its offspring.

Live nesting sites are protected and cannot be disturbed. The spokesperson said while the vast majority of students have left campus for the summer, the best advice in the meantime for those left working on or visiting the campus is to avoid walking in the area until the chicks fledge.

This story first appeared in the Irish Examiner.
Primary school teachers are taking to the streets of Dublin today for a pay protest.

INTO members from Dublin will hold a rally outside Leinster House this afternoon, calling for an end to lower pay scales for new teachers.

As the National pay talks continue, the union said the reasons for austerity-era pay cuts no longer exist.

Pat Crowe from the INTO executive believes lower pay for young teachers could lead to a brain drain in Dublin schools.

I was talking to a principal recently who was hoping to retain a teacher who had done very well in a Deis Band 1 school in the inner city. But she wasnt sure if she could take another temporary contract in that school because she wasnt sure she would be able to pay the rent in Dublin.
Say Yes to the Dress is coming to RTE, bringing the hugely popular US show to Irish screens.

In the US, the show records the events at Kleinfeld Bridal in Manhattan, following different brides and their families in the search for the perfect wedding gown.
A British Royal Navy warship has intercepted several Russian vessels in the English Channel during the bank holiday weekend.

Portsmouth-based HMS Mersey was tasked to locate, monitor and escort the ships in the fourth similar action in the past two months.

The offshore patrol vessel intercepted the intelligence ship Vasily Tatishchev, the depot ship PM82 as well as a Russian tug and the frigate Severomorsk.

A Royal Navy spokesman said that Mersey later handed over to Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke to escort the Severmorsk out of the UK area of interest.

Lieutenant Commander George Storton, HMS Mersey's commanding officer, said: "HMS Mersey was ready to respond within a matter of hours to this tasking.

"This is routine business for the Royal Navy, and HMS Mersey herself is well-versed in this role with this being the fourth such operation in the last two months."

Mersey is one of four River-class patrol ships, three of which conduct fishery protection, general patrols and other maritime security duties around the UK.

A fourth, HMS Clyde, is permanently deployed to the Falkland Islands.

Earlier this year Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset shadowed a surfaced Russian submarine as it passed through the English Channel.

The Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine Krasnodar passed through the Dover Strait in the first week of May.
Donald Trump's personal lawyer has rejected a request for documents as part of Congress's investigation into Russia's election meddling and contacts with the Trump campaign.

Michael Cohen, a long-time legal representative for the Trump Organisation, remains a personal lawyer for the president. He served as a cable television surrogate for the Republican during the presidential campaign.

The House intelligence committee's request for information from Mr Cohen came as investigators continue to scrutinise members of Mr Trump's inner circle.

The president's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, has received subpoenas from the Senate intelligence committee regarding his Russian contacts and his business records.

Democratic Representative Adam Schiff said last week that a subpoena from the House panel was likely.

"I declined the invitation to participate as the request was poorly phrased, overly broad and not capable of being answered," Mr Cohen said. "I find it irresponsible and improper that the request sent to me was leaked by those working on the committee."

He told ABC News that he had been asked by both the House and Senate intelligence committees to provide information and evidence about contacts he had with Russian officials.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the allegations of Moscow meddling in the US presidential election are "fiction" invented by the Democrats to explain their loss.

In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, he reaffirmed his strong denial of Russian involvement in the hacking of Democratic emails.

Mr Trump made a similar claim in a tweet early on Tuesday: "Russian officials must be laughing at the U.S. & how a lame excuse for why the Dems lost the election has taken over the Fake News."

Mr Cohen's ties with Russian interests came up in February when the New York Times reported that he helped to broker a Ukraine peace plan that would call for Russian troops to withdraw from Ukraine and a referendum to let Ukrainians decide whether the part of the country seized by Russia in 2014 should be leased to Moscow.

The Russian government denied knowing anything about such a plan.

The NYT reported that the peace plan was the work of Felix Sater, a business associate who has helped Mr Trump try to find business in Russia, and Mr Cohen.

Mr Cohen was a fierce defender of Mr Trump during the campaign, often haranguing probing reporters and famously challenging a CNN reporter live on air to name the specific polls that showed Mr Trump behind his rival, Hillary Clinton.

AP
The consumer watchdog has taken health fund NIB to the Federal Court, accusing it of "unconscionably" concealing changes to a scheme that left members with surprise out-of-pocket costs.

One alleged strategy was to gag a hospital from alerting patients and the media about the changes.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said NIB had engaged in "misleading or deceptive conduct, unconscionable conduct and [made] false or misleading representations" by cutting certain eye procedures from its MediGap scheme without notifying policyholders.
On Monday, Amazon.com's share price briefly crossed the $US1000 mark for the first time in its 20-year history as a publicly traded company.

Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder and chief executive, has been dismissive of the preoccupation with near-term stock price swings, often quoting the influential investor Benjamin Graham, who said the market is a voting machine in the short run and a weighing machine in the long run. Bezos has made it clear he wants Amazon to be weighed by investors, not subject to a near-term popularity contest.

Cracking the arbitrary threshold of a four-digit stock price is a reminder of just how heavy Amazon has become, and what Australian retailers face.

It is now the fourth most valuable company in the world by market capitalisation. The top five, Apple; Alphabet, the parent company of Google; Microsoft; Amazon and Facebook, have emerged as the dominant forces in technology. Amazon's shares are up almost 33 per cent for the year and up 368 per cent over five years.
A rare mass gathering of media chief executives will be in chilly Canberra on Wednesday putting the heat on Labor and crossbenchers to pass the government's proposed media reforms without amendments.

Having successfully argued for more cuts to broadcast licence fees and accepted restrictions on gambling ads, the companies want to keep up the momentum for change.

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield has proposed a basket of reforms that enjoys total industry support, but does not yet have enough senatorial support.
But Quick Service Restaurant Holdings, the owner of chicken franchises Red Rooster, Oporto and Chicken Treat, appears to be pushing forward with its plans for a $500 million IPO, and on Tuesday announced it was changing its name to craveable brands. and had appointed three new board members.

The Archer Capital-owned Craveable (the franchisor of fast food chains Red Rooster and Oporto) last week killed its planned sharemarket float. Credit:Viki Lascaris

The company behind Red Rooster says it can attract investors to its chicken-frying franchise business despite the market's poor appetite for share market floats and consumer stocks.

Chief executive Brett Houldin said the company  owned by private equity firm Archer Capital  could attract investors if the board decided to go ahead with the float, in spite of other recent flops.

"We will bring something to potential future investors in the way that we are a franchisor and that's quite unique in this marketplace, and by virtue will have some very strong cash flow and a capital-light model," he said.

Mr Houldin said craveable brands. position in the market made it a "defensive and stable business", which put it apart from some of the year's aborted IPOs.

"I believe the timing for this sort of process is quite well aligned, but we'll make that decision in due course as well," he said.

Craveable has 570 outlets across its three fast food brands. It ran up losses of $33 million in 2014 and $38 million in 2015, but delivered earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of $46 million from sales of $718 million in 2016.
Mr Cranston is due to appear in court on June 13, when he will be charged with alleged abuse of his position as a public official. He has been suspended without pay while investigations are taking place. Mr Jordan said at no point did Mr Cranston access or try to access audit files in relation to his son. "There is no evidence of actual intervention or influence on the audit cases, or of money being refunded, or of tax liability being changed," Mr Jordan said. "And no deals were done." However, if he had, hypothetically, Mr Cranston would never have been able to get access because the files were not accessible. "Michael Cranston couldn't get access himself, even if he did try," Mr Jordan said. He then added: "We will have a look at this, but it's not as though there was a big breach there that exposed some gap or weakness or flaw in our system. "I definitely do not want to sound defensive but we will wait and see what comes out."

Even with all these checks, "no system involving humans will ever be infallible". IGT could launch a review Inspector-General of Taxation Ali Noroozi fronted the hearing in the afternoon and explained how he was considering launching his own wide-ranging review into the ATO following the alleged tax fraud case. However, Mr Noroozi is considering how he can do so without prejudicing upcoming court proceedings. Mr Noroozi noted the endless media attention on the case involving Michael Cranston, who was one of the ATO's highest-ranking senior officials, and had watch over high-wealth individuals as well as aggressive tax planning and phoenixing activity. The ATO's Facebook page had been inundated with negative comments from members of the public, Mr Noroozi said.

In light of the alleged tax fraud, the Inspector-General, who hears compliants from individuals against the ATO, said that his office was likely to get more complaints from the public. Some of these complaints may be baseless, Mr Noroozi said, but nevertheless, whether true or not, it "will start affecting perceptions" and "confidence in the system". He said he had been asked for briefings about the case from various politicians including Treasurer Scott Morrison. ATO reputation hit Three senior executive service officers are being investigated by former Fair Work commissioner Barbara Deegan for potential breaches of the Public Service code of conduct.

"If breaches are found, potential sanctions range from a reprimand through to demotion or termination of employment," Mr Jordan said. Mr Jordan admitted that alleged wrongdoing by ATO officers had "struck at the heart and values of those who work at the ATO". "We are keenly aware that the community must have full trust in us  in our integrity, objectivity and expertise  we cannot do our job effectively without this," he said. "The events of the last couple of weeks and some of the media attention associated with them have potentially been detrimental to our reputation and the respect people have for our role in the community. "When confidence in us is jeopardised, it can impact negatively on taxpayers and on the tax system, and I will do everything in my power to eliminate the risk of that happening."

He said the ATO would be "thoroughly reviewing what has happened and whether our policies, practices and procedures need to be strengthened". How the ATO got involved Mr Jordan said the ATO's work relating to Operation Elbrus began early last year. But before this, in February 2016, as part of the ATO's routine monitoring, the agency identified a small number of entities that went into liquidation owing pay-as-you-go withholding (PAYGW) and GST payments. The matter was referred to the ATO's tax evasion and crimes area for review and potential audit action, Mr Jordan said.

"Our initial reviews showed the presence of a syndicate that appeared to be promoting phoenix arrangements to the labour hire industry in the construction and IT sectors, and because some potential criminal links were identified, covert audits and reviews were commenced." So far, over 200 entities in layered structures and complex transactional and business relationships had been identified. "When officers in the ATO working on the investigations were certain that one of the principals of the syndicate had a personal connection with deputy commissioner Michael Cranston, they took steps to further isolate and lock down the casework," Mr Jordan said. Bank accounts targeted In December and January 2017, ATO audits and investigations led to assessments and recovery of unpaid taxes through garnishee notices.

"We have raised liabilities to date of more than $130 million from Operation Elbrus and have collected almost a third of the amount so far, including from garnishees," Mr Jordan said. ATO garnishee action in December and January "caused significant disruption to the syndicate and alerted the AFP's Operation Elbrus team of the ATO's interest in their targets". Mr Jordan said AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin visited him on January 11 to make him aware of the investigation. "Commissioner Colvin was clear to me that Michael Cranston was not suspected, and is still not suspected, of being involved in the syndicate and its activities of defrauding the commonwealth," he said. Loading
The republics threatened no one and wanted only to be left alone, especially by Britain. Britain might not have bothered with them, except that the South African Republic (now part of the present-day South Africa) had the most extensive gold deposits on the planet. The other republic, the Orange Free State, had the misfortune of being in the way. It lay between the Cape Colony and those gold deposits. 'This monument glorifies a deeply unjust and shameful war.' Robert Eales Sir Alfred Milner, the British High Commissioner for South Africa in Cape Town, needed the war to achieve his ambition of bringing the two republics into the British Empire and thereby consolidating all southern Africa within the Empire.

It was an achievement he perceived would bring him great honours. Some of the largely British-owned gold mining companies supported Milner and urged Britain to take control. But Milner needed a better justification for his war, and he found one. As the existence of the goldfields became known, fortune seekers poured in, mainly from England. The republican government, afraid of being swamped, set a 14-year residential qualification period for the franchise. Milner used this as one of the key issues to foment war, arguing, in emotive language, that British subjects were being treated as "helots". He got his war. Britain expected a short, cheap war. But after suffering three defeats at the hands of the Boers, all in one week in December 1899, it shipped in tens of thousands of additional soldiers, eventually hundreds of thousands, and appealed to the countries in its far-flung Empire for support. That's when Australians, New Zealanders and others got involved. With overwhelming power, the combined imperial troops then conquered the capitals of the two republics, Bloemfontein and Pretoria. But contrary to expectations, the war did not end there. The Boers fought on.

The country was vast, the population thin. The Boers had local knowledge and local sympathies and were more mobile. The majority of the British soldiers were infantry  on foot; the Boers were all mounted. For Roberts and Kitchener, successive Commanders-in-Chief, this presented a great difficulty. They did not have the means to corner and defeat their adversaries. So, instead, they attacked the static, civilian population. This is where problems with this war get serious. Roberts did it locally and punitively, in response to individual attacks on his men, but Kitchener was an engineer and he sought a comprehensive solution. He decided to clear the countryside. His soldiers, including Australians, formed lines 50 to 70 km long, advanced across the land and removed everything that could sustain human life.

Farms were burnt to the ground, food and horses were commandeered, crops were destroyed, livestock was confiscated or simply killed, farm equipment was removed (especially wagons), wells were poisoned, and farm dams breached. Small towns and villages suffered a similar fate. There were several such "drives" and each continued for months. By the end of the war, the countryside in the two republics was wasteland. There was, of course, a complication. There were people on those farms and in the villages. While the men were mostly in the Boer forces fighting for their countries, the Boer women and children, the elderly, the sick and the disabled were still at home when the troops arrived. And there were black people on the farms and in the villages too, men, women and children. At first, they were simply abandoned besides their burnt-out homesteads with no food, shelter or transport. As they drifted into the towns, often in a pitiful state, a different approach was adopted.

They were rounded up and railed off to camps. Blacks and whites. The total number in the camps exceeded 200,000 by the end of the war. Kitchener called them "concentration camps". The camps were appalling. At least 42,000 people died in them. By far the majority of the fatalities were children, especially little children. In one camp where detailed information is available, virtually no child below the age of four survived. Which brings us back to The Man from Snowy River. Its author Banjo Paterson was over there, a war correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald. In the beginning, he was an ardent imperialist, writing enthusiastic stories of the great things our boys were doing. But as events unfolded, he began to think differently. After he saw pleading women and terrified children being evicted from their house, and all their possessions going up in flames, he wrote no more from over there. He came home.

When the war was over, and the Boers had been defeated, Milner was still the High Commissioner for South Africa and his area of authority now included the former republics. He could remedy the wrongs over which the war had supposedly been fought. But he enfranchised no one, not the transient fortune seekers nor the previously resident population. Especially not the black population. Instead, in the ensuing years and for the duration of his term in office, he appointed every member of the legislative councils in the two former republics himself and formalised the racial segregation that would become a hallmark of South Africa in the decades that followed. The two small, comprehensively devastated countries had to cope somehow with their own complex societies, with tensions between English and Afrikaner, black and white, complexities that were immensely more difficult in the bitter, impoverished aftermath of the war. The social scars remain to this day. But for Sir Alfred Milner things went rather better. By the end of the war he was Lord Milner and later Viscount Milner.
I can't be the only one who avoids eye contact with the polite charity workers hanging around shopping centres - I die a little inside every time I awkwardly ignore their requests for a quick chat about how awful the world is and how a monthly donation would help.

If I had more money of course I would donate, I like to think I do my best to dig deep when I can.

Donate blood, read about Jack Reacher Credit:James Mooney

If I had enough room I would adopt all the dogs in the world and live my life rolling around in a field, feeding them the most expensive accredited-vet-approved dog food I could find.

I'd also take in cats.
I just want to share some comments the Foreign Minister made earlier which I didn't have a change to bring to you.

Ms Bishop was asked whether she agrees with US senator John McCain's assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a greater threat than ISIS.

In an interview with ABC's 7.30 program on Monday night, Senator McCain said: "I think ISIS can do terrible things. But it's the Russians who tried to destroy the fundamental of democracy and that is to change the outcome of an American election."

Ms Bishop said the senior Republican, in his address to today's Coalition party room meeting as part of his Australian visit, put the two threats in context as "apples and oranges".

"The ISIS threat is present, it is dangerous and we are addressing it. His comments in relation to Russia were about the long-term ambitions of President Putin to restore the Soviet Union or some kind of Russian empire and undermine the international rules-based order that has existed for the last 70 years."


End of the day. What happened?

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin has warned of an "exponential rise" in terrorist activity in Australia in the past two years;

has warned of an in the past two years; this came as the head of ASIO , Duncan Lewis , made a rare appearance to talk about whether this is a link between terrorists and refugees ;

, , made a rare appearance to talk about whether this is a link between and ; this was foisted on him by One Nation ;

; speaking of One Nation - Pauline Hanson backed away from a threat not to vote on government legislation until the ABC's funding was cut; and

- backed away from a threat not to vote on government legislation until the ABC's funding was cut; and question time debated millionaires vs middle Australia.

My thanks to Alex Ellinghausen and Andrew Meares for their excellent work and to you for reading and commenting.

You can follow me on Facebook.

Alex, Andrew and I will be back in the morning. Until then, goodnight.
The Duke of Cambridge has spoken of how he wishes he could ask his late mother for advice, disclosing his sadness that his own young family will never meet her.

The Duke, whose mother Diana, Princess of Wales, died 20 years ago this August, said he would have loved her to meet his wife, Catherine, and to have watched their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte grow up.

Saying he is now in a place where he can talk about her frankly, he said stability at home is "so important" to his family as he vowed to bring his children up outside the palace walls, just as his mother tried to do with him.

The Duke admitted the bereavement had been "so raw", particularly because he had to cope in the limelight, that it has taken nearly 20 years for him to become comfortable speaking about it.
Twelve hours after she posted an image of her bloodied and bruised face on social media, accusing a man she knows of hitting her, socialite and formerly Australia's best known mistress Shari Lea Hitchcock is still deciding whether to pursue charges.

"I am just too upset to even talk about it, it really is just so, so horrible," she told PS on Tuesday.

Shari Lea Hitchcock posted a photograph on Instagram, claiming she was assaulted. Credit:Instagram

"I am due to see the police again this afternoon but I am yet to make a statement to them ... I can't say any more than that."

On social media Hitchcock - who came to national attention 20 years ago when it was revealed she was the long-term mistress of late cardboard baron Richard Pratt and mother of his youngest daughter, Paula - named the man she has accused of allegedly assaulting her in a Vaucluse home.
At first glance, the bomb squad and a HAZMAT team formed the view it was a dangerous bomb, at risk of exploding into a fireball at the slightest shock.

But in the end, after a major metropolitan police station was evacuated, two police officers were taken to hospital and a man was arrested amid terrorism fears, its suspected maker revealed it was nothing more than a homemade sex toy.

The man, from south-west Sydney, was arrested and questioned after police found the "bomb". Credit:Facebook

Forensic testing will now help police confirm whether the man behind this puzzling item, found during a raid in Sydney's south-west, was honest in his claim that his craft had nothing to do with explosives.

Despite the bizarre case of mistaken identity, formed after advice from the NSW Police bomb squad and Fire and Rescue's HAZMAT unit, police are still trying to answer one question.
The Cultural Centre precinct could become much more pedestrian friendly once the Brisbane Metro underground station was built. Credit:BCC The project was expected to increase the South East Busway's morning peak capacity by 22,000 passengers an hour and remove 125 buses from the Brisbane CBD. The initial two Brisbane Metro lines, Metro 1 (Eight Mile Plains to Roma Street) and Metro 2 (Herston to the University of Queensland), would be serviced by 60 bi-articulated buses, which would be 24 metres long and carry 150 passengers. The Brisbane Metro vehicles were expected to be 24 metres long and carry 150 passengers. Credit:BCC While Fairfax Media had previously revealed possible future expansions to Carindale, Springwood and Chermside, the business case showed the Brisbane Metro could eventually be extended as far north as Bracken Ridge.

They would provide peak-hour frequency of a service every three minutes. Between Mater Hill and Roma Street, which would be on both Brisbane Metro lines, frequency would increase to every 90 seconds. The metro services would interchange with the Cross River Rail at Boggo Road and Roma Street. The biggest single cost of the project would be relocating the Cultural Centre station underground, which would account for about $315 million. Deputy mayor Adrian Schrinner said that would help fix one of Brisbane's most notorious traffic and pedestrian black spots, where buses exit the South East Busway and turn into Melbourne Street towards the Cultural Centre bus station and Victoria Bridge. Artists' impressions within the council's business case showed a pedestrian shared zone, but aides were quick to point out nothing would be decided until more consultation was done.

That did not stop Cr Schrinner's enthusiasm for the South Brisbane possibilities. "Putting the metro station underground can really change the way that precinct works," Cr Schrinner said. "There can be some really positive pedestrian and place-making benefits ... and that's some of the work we'll be doing going forward as part of the project." About $142 million would be spent on the conversion of the Victoria Bridge into a "green" bridge (removing general traffic lanes), work on North Quay and a 230-metre Adelaide Street tunnel that would feed into the King George Square bus station.

About $189 million would be spent on the vehicles and depot, while about $113 million would be spent upgrading existing stations. Construction on the Brisbane Metro was due to begin in 2019 and be completed by 2022. At its start of operation, the Brisbane Metro would replace the existing 111, 66 and 160 bus routes. Last year, the state government ruled out allowing the council to use its Go Print site at Woolloongabba as a stabling yard, which it said was needed for a Cross River Rail station. That impasse with the state threatened to sink the Brisbane Metro project altogether, but Cr Quirk said the expanded project meant the council could explore more appropriate locations near the Metro 1's southern terminus. "We had issues around the Go Print site and I could have kept fighting that battle, but I think it would have been a losing battle, quite frankly," he said.

Cr Quirk said the council would explore both state- and privately-owned land around Eight Mile Plains for the Brisbane Metro maintenance depot and stabling yard. Brisbane Metro route map. Credit:BCC RACQ advocacy general manager Paul Turner said the motoring club was supportive of the project, despite the loss of two general traffic river crossing lanes at Victoria Bridge. "We'd love to see the tolls from the Go Between Bridge disappear as part of the plan, (but) we're not expecting it," he said. "It's the shortest toll bridge in the country and we see some benefit down the line for removing that toll as part of an overall traffic outcome for South Brisbane.

"But let's not confuse it. Closing Vic Bridge to traffic and fixing that Cultural Centre precinct is a big win for motorists overall and we need to just make sure that the signage and the street network gives motorists the choice of either using the William Jolly or the Go Between Bridge in the future, so they always have an alternative to the toll." Public transport lobbyist Robert Dow, from Rail: Back on Track, said the Brisbane Metro's benefits could be felt right across suburban Brisbane through bus network reform. "It will be very hard for Infrastructure Australia, the federal government, to not fund it," he said. "In fact, we think the state government should come to the party as well, at least for part of the funding. "This project is going to integrate properly with Cross River Rail and it's going to lead to a very sustained solution."

But Labor opposition transport spokesman Jared Cassidy said the business case figures were "ambitious", with travel time savings contained to existing busway corridors. "So if you travel from the outer northern or eastern suburbs the travel time savings will be very limited indeed," he said. "For example, if you catch the 330 service from Bracken Ridge to the city, you will save around two minutes on a 58-minute journey. "What's not clear is whether that passenger will have to change to the metro service at RBWH or stay on their service all the way through. "... With a private operator for the metro on the table, we would want to see the busways preserved for all commuters on buses, not just those on the metro."
The Queensland public sector spent $193 million on advertising campaigns in the past three financial years.

About half of the spending was by the government's 21 departments, and the rest was spent by universities, TAFE and other public sector entities.

Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman addresses supporters at an LNP function at the Brisbane Convention Centre with his wife Lisa in 2015. "Strong" was a often used word during the election campaign. Credit:Glenn Hunt

The Newman government's Strong Choices campaign was the biggest advertising spend over the three years, at $7.6 million in 2013-14 and $3.7 million in 2014-15.

The spending was examined in a Queensland Audit Office report into government advertising.
When the first stage from Broadbeach to our university at Parkwood opened it was well received. But the behaviour change we all hoped for was rather modest at first. After opening in 2014, patronage did not surge compared to bus ridership on the route in earlier years. The Gold Coast light rail route. New passengers got on board, but it was an uphill climb for the new system. Fare increases of almost 50 per cent from 2010 to 2014 pushed passengers off public transport across southeast Queensland, especially on rail. Not all passengers enjoyed improved service for their particular journeys either. Those who used to travel through the corridor in a bus now had to break their journey at the light rail terminus and transfer, adding travel time and annoyance. In the second year of operation, however, patronage jumped 16 per cent and our contacts suggest third-year patronage is tracking well. Subsidies per passenger are falling. The decision to add the connection to Helensvale looks a sound one.

But, seemingly, other changes everyone expected werent there. The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics analysed property values in the corridor from 2000 to 2013 using a coarse geography and didnt find much evidence of any uplift. This gave many cause for concern. Reassuringly, Cameron Murray used valuation data for a similar period using a different geographical scale and found a 10 per cent increase for properties within 400 metres of the new stations. But there was still uncertainty. Our new research backs up and expands on Murrays findings, suggesting there was substantial positive impact. What did our research look at? Our research team in the Funding on the Line Australian Research Council Linkage Project took a different approach.

In a peer-reviewed paper, which will shortly be presented at the World Symposium on Transport and Land Use Research, led by Barbara Yen, we used sales data for residential properties along the corridor. Our study compared areas within 800 metres of the stations with a control area containing locations a little further away but still in the same vicinity. We used a longitudinal methodology to see when the value uplift occurred from back in 1996, when planning of the system first started, through to the latest 2016 data. Property prices in the catchment areas started to increase very early in the planning phase. The property value uplift was highest in the locations between 100 and 400 metres from the stations. Values went up 11.9 per cent in these locations compared to our control areas between 1996 and the feasibility studys announcement in 2002. They increased a further 26.3 per cent from 2002 to 2006 over the control areas when the feasibility study was completed. Prices rose only 2.3 per cent from 2006 to 2011 when the formal funding commitment was made and construction began, and then by another 5.4 per cent after the line opened to the end of the study period in 2016. The areas less than 100 metres from the stations, and between 400 and 800 metres also recorded strong increases compared to the control areas, though not quite as much. This is to be expected. Sites closest to the stations received some nuisance from the light rail and road corridor; sites further away obtain fewer advantages in travel time savings for passengers.

What are the funding implications? The property value gains attributable to the project from 1996 to 2016 of more than 30 per cent are very significant. Yet its pretty much only the landowners who benefit. The City of Gold Coast recoups some of its $120 million investment in the light rail through its rates and its public transport levy on urban residents. The Queensland government may end up getting a little slice via stamp duty as properties are sold. The few pieces of government-owned land likely rose in value. But the state and federal governments generally have no other mechanisms to take a small sliver of the increased property value their investment generated to help pay for the light rail system or reinvest in public transport elsewhere. Weve written about this previously in The Conversation and suggested ways we could change the system. A recent federal parliamentary inquiry and moves to set up value sharing units in the Queensland and New South Wales governments suggest we are now getting serious about generating alternative funding for public transport.
A Brisbane woman accused of sending her daughters to Africa to undergo genital mutilation wants to represent herself at trial, a court has heard.

The African-born woman and her husband are due to stand trial at the Beenleigh District Court after being charged with removing their daughters - then aged 12 and nine - from Queensland in late 2015 for genital mutilation.

A woman's limited understanding of English could prevent her representing herself in court. Credit:Louie Douvis

During a mention of the matter on Tuesday, the court heard the woman wanted to represent herself in the trial.

The court was told that would create an issue given the woman's limited understanding of English and the fact her daughters are listed as protected witnesses.
That's it for Melbourne Express on this "Hurumph Day". Express will be back up tomorrow.

Keep a look out for fresh pictures of three new male lions who arrived at Melbourne Zoo yesterday. Their digs will be better than this fella's, taken from our archives of Perry Bros' Circus tiger. Classic.
Two "brave" nine-year-old girls bit and kicked a stranger who tried to abduct them from a residential street in Melbourne's south-west earlier this month.

Detective Mat Evans, from the Footscray Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation team, said the friends were playing at a park on the corner of Oxford and Newcastle streets in Newport on May 20, when a man pulled up on the wrong side of the road in a black car just after 1.40pm.

Two primary school girls fought off a man who fits this description as he attempted to abduct one of them.

He started talking to the girls before getting out of the car and grabbing one of them by her T-shirt and started dragging her towards his car.

"The other girl ran up to the man and kicked him from behind and the girl he had hold of bit him on the finger," Detective Senior Constable Evans said.
An unprecedented class action is being levelled against Victoria's building regulator for failing to protect dozens of home owners from shoddy and dangerous building work.

Victims of a disastrous townhouse development in Diamond Creek in Melbourne's outer suburbs claim they suffered financial losses and physical and psychiatric injuries as a result of the inaction of the Victorian Building Authority.

A rotted balcony at the troubled Rangeview Estate in Diamond Creek. Credit:Eddie Jim

It is believed the case could spark a rush of legal action from other Victorians who feel abandoned by the VBA, which has been slammed for being asleep at the wheel while defects plague the industry.

Many of Victoria's new residential buildings are riddled with faults, and experts say new laws may have to be introduced to manage mass demolitions of apartments.
The dream, now close to reality, is to build a centre so allied health workers and clinicians can work together to treat patients efficiently. Credit:iStock The past 20 years of research had revealed five different sub-types. Even patients with the same sub-types could respond to treatments differently, indicating further undiscovered subtleties. There were now variations on the traditional treatments of chemotherapy and hormonal drugs, as well as newer "biological drugs"; tailoring these to patients not only increased survival rates, but made treatments safer and side effects less severe. The centre would allow a breast nurse to guide patients seamlessly through each discipline. Credit:Getty Images Professor Chan's research has also led to worldwide improvements into the control of nausea, the protection of patients' immune systems from the battering of chemotherapy, and easing the standard streaming eyes and nose that were once a miserable, if relatively minor, side effect.

Professor Chan is also looking into reducing toxicity rates and reducing fatigue in patients with advanced cancers. She said all her results worked together to improve a patient's lot. "I see women every day and I see what it is about the diagnosis and the treatment that matters. Yes, they want survival and cure  but it is also so important to protect their quality of life," she said. "There are so many facets to breast cancer. "Through the generosity of the WA community that donates I am able to do these novel, niche trials that many others lack the capacity or the interest for. "I have always loved a discipline in medicine that stretches my brain, but I also love taking care of patients. I don't just know the woman, but their partners, families. I treat them beginning to end. Even those who don't survive, I am privileged to take them and their families through terminal care and bereavement."

Professor Chan said she worked with the best in Australia and the world; brilliant surgeons, the best radiation oncologists, plastic surgeons, nurses, geneticists, psychologists, radiologists; but they were limited in the lack of a one-stop shop. Upon cancer diagnosis, cases had to be discussed by numerous different disciplines, with a lot of legwork to be done to move someone through the complex machinery of surgery and treatment, as not everyone needed to undergo the same steps with the same disciplines. Her dream, now close to reality, is to build a centre so these allied health workers and clinicians can work together to do it efficiently. "When a person is diagnosed it is devastating. Delays are so distressing. You are diagnosed but you wait weeks, days to see the next person," she said. "Patients also find it so distressing to repeat their stories over and over to different doctors."

She said the centre would allow a breast nurse to guide patients seamlessly through each discipline. "An expedited process, lowering the level of distress, answering the questions, all the backup there to hand if more information is requested ... no need for Dr Google," Professor Chan said. "Even after treatment that person has to adjust back to life, to ongoing follow-up, to the consequences of their treatment. They will have a team of people helping with their survivorship. The same people, those they now trust, will take them through." Despite Professor Chan's expertise and international reputation the centre receives no government support and is limited by access to funding. "Almost every major cancer centre of note has been able to thrive through philanthropic generosity," Professor Chan said.
A 53-year-old man is assumed to have died at sea in sudden and catastrophic circumstances after a massive land and sea search in a remote part of Western Australia failed to find a trace of him or his vessel, an inquest has heard.

Kevin Herbert Leban Miller, an experienced mariner, was last seen leaving Kalbarri in his newly bought wooden vessel on February 12, 2009, He intended to sail it about 200km to Shark Bay, but has not been seen since.

Kevin Miller left Kalbarri to sail to Shark Bay. Credit:S. Porter

The officer in charge of the WA Police missing persons unit, Detective Sergeant Stephen Perejmibida, told the Coroner's Court on Tuesday that Mr Miller had equipped the former cray fishing boat, called the "Sea Hawk", with global positioning and emergency beacon devices, tools, a life raft and two dinghies.

"Something catastrophic happened, something happened quickly that didn't allow him access to those things," he said.
Oslo: With Vladimir Putin in the east and Donald Trump to the west, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is now telling Europe it has to stand up for itself. It's a call that's already being answered by the continent's richest region.

Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway have over the past two years been deepening their military cooperation to counter a deteriorating security situation in the Baltic and the Arctic. They are also forging closer ties on softer issues, presenting this week a joint initiative to meet sustainability goals, promoting the 20 million-person region's shared values on social equality, and discussing joint interaction with China.

US President Donald Trump shares a word with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as Tunisia's President Beji Caid Essebsi, centre, listens at a G7 Summit expanded session on Saturday. Credit:ANSA/AP

"There's no doubt that Europe needs to take bigger responsibility, we have to spend more on defense and security," Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said in an interview on Monday as Nordic leaders started a two-day summit in Bergen. Norway will ensure good cooperation "with its closest allies, and some are in the EU and some are on the other side of the Atlantic," she said.

The Nordic summit started a day after Dr Merkel said reliable relationships forged in Europe since the end of World War II "are to some extent over". She made those comments after meeting with US President Donald Trump in Brussels and Sicily over the past week.
The site of one of the deadly bomb attacks in Baghdad on Monday. Credit:AP

"She told my son before she left, she said 'I am scared of the bombs' and we said it is OK," Ms AlSaabary said.

Several children were among the dead, and graphic footage from the scene showed scenes of devastation, with body parts strewn across the ground.

Community members gathered at Melbourne's Imam Ali Islamic Centre for a memorial service on Wednesday afternoon.

Speaking outside the service, relative Ahmed AlSaabary, 51, told Fairfax Media two of Zynab's uncles had also been injured in the blast, but survived.

"She is a lovely girl, always spending time with my daughters," he said of Zynab.

"She loved education. She was always working here in this centre to help the families. Always volunteering. They are a very popular family."

Mr AlSaabary said Zynab, a year 7 student at Sirius College in Broadmeadows in Melbourne's north, travelled to Iraq with her mother, father and extended family about two weeks ago to visit her sick grandfather. Her parents arrived in Australia as refugees in 1997.

"She went to Iraq to see her grandfather. He got sick. All the kids, they love him," Mr AlSaabary said.

"It's very hard for my kids, they grow up together."

It's understood Zynab, from Thomastown in Melbourne, went to the ice-cream parlour with uncles about midnight as they ended their day of fasting for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, people refrain from eating between sunrise and sundown, often coming together to eat at night.

Ahmad Al-Yasery, 18, a close family friend, said Zynab and her uncles had just walked into the store when the blast went off.

"Her uncles are alright now, they're in hospital with burns," he said.

"She's a really hard working girl. She was born in Australia. She's always got a smile on her face."

Kiralee Mladenis, Zynab's English teacher, said she was much-loved by her classmates. She had joined the school about three months ago.

"She was extremely dedicated, the biggest issue that I had with her was her talking in class. She was loved by all of her friends," Ms Mladenis said.

"Before she went overseas she actually asked me for extra homework. She really cared about her studies and was extremely excited to go overseas.

"Everyone's in a state of shock. We're all just trying to be there for each other, as much as we can."

Esra Alver, the school's year seven coordinator, said Zynab's peers were being offered counselling, and had prayed for her on Wednesday morning. The school was trying to help them come to terms with the tragedy occurring during such a sacred time of year for Muslims.

"It's a very very sad event, especially happening during these blessed days," she said.

"It is sad, very upset with what's happened. It's not part of Islam, it's not part of our culture, so we definitely condemn this."

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, as well as a separate car bomb attack on the same night near the Shuhada Bridge, about six kilometres away from the ice-cream parlour.

The second bomb detonated outside an office where people collected their government pensions. It killed 14 and wounded at least 37, police said.

The death toll from the two attacks was the highest over a 24-hour period in Baghdad for several months.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said the ice-cream parlour attack underscored "the brutality of this terrorist organisation that shows no respect for religion, nationality, sovereignty, borders, no respect for humanity".

She said DFAT officials in Baghdad were providing consular assistance to Zynab's family.

A funeral service is expected to be held on Wednesday in Melbourne for Zynab, who was due to turn 13 next month.
At least 13 people are reported dead and 24 injured after a car bomb exploded in Baghdad's Karrada district in the early hours of Tuesday morning local time.

The bomb targeted diners breaking their fast at a popular outdoor eating area of the upper middle class district.

The Muslim world is currently observing Ramadan, a month-long festival when people refrain from eating between sunrise and sundown, often coming together to eat at night.

Local residents are reporting on social media the bomb targeted an ice-cream shop popular with families.
Washington: Michael Dubke, the White House communications director, announced on Tuesday that he was resigning, as President Donald Trump weighs a broader shake-up of his staff in the face of multiple investigations.

Dubke, a veteran Republican strategist who served three months in the role, said that he offered his resignation May 18 and agreed to stay on until Trump completed his first overseas trip, which ended over the weekend. Other staff changes could come by the end of the week, White House officials said.

The resignation came as Trump and his team pushed back against reports that Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and senior adviser, explored the possibility of setting up a secret communications channel to Moscow during the transition between the election and inauguration.

Trump posted a link on Twitter on Monday morning to a Fox & Friends article reporting that the Russians, not Kushner, suggested the secret channel and that it was meant as a one-time vehicle to talk about the civil war in Syria.
Washington: Former national security adviser Michael Flynn will hand over documents and records to the Senate Intelligence Committee in response to a set of subpoenas for information from his businesses and personal files related to the committee's probe of alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election, according to a person close to Flynn.

Lawyers for Flynn's team sent the committee a written response Tuesday indicating that Flynn would begin providing records in response to subpoenas by June 6, the deadline to start turning over such information. Flynn was required to indicate by Tuesday whether he intended to comply with the records request.

The subpoenas were issued for two companies Flynn owns, Flynn Intel Group Inc. and Flynn Intel Group LLC. The committee also reissued a third subpoena for personal records, the focus of which was narrowed after Flynn rejected the committee's initial demand for personal records relating to his contacts with Russian authorities, claiming it was too broad and would jeopardise his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

After Flynn's lawyers rejected the committee's initial subpoena for personal records detailing any and all communications Flynn had with Russian officials, committee leaders turned to his businesses, arguing, in the words of vice chairman Mark Warner that "a business does not have the right to take the Fifth."
Vandenberg Air Force Base, California: The US military on Tuesday cheered a successful, first-ever missile defence test involving a simulated attack by an intercontinental ballistic missile, in a major milestone for a program meant to defend against a mounting North Korean threat.

The US military fired an ICBM-type missile from the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. It then fired a missile to intercept it from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The Missile Defence Agency said it was the first live-fire test against a simulated ICBM for the Ground-based Midcourse Defence (GMD) and hailed it as an "incredible accomplishment."

"This system is vitally important to the defence of our homeland, and this test demonstrates that we have a capable, credible deterrent against a very real threat," Vice Admiral Jim Syring, director of the agency, said in a statement.
Latest News ubank launches $6,000 cashback offer Digital bank hopes to entice new home loan borrowers

AFG appoints three new managers Aggregator's move to boost broker recruitment, support

Global small business lender Spotcap has now provided more than $50m in credit to local SMEs as it celebrates its second year of operating in Australia.Since its establishment in May 2015, the firm has released more than 75 iterations and updates as it evolved, including real-time document classification, co-branding functionality for bigger partners, and integration of all major accounting providers.In the past two years, Spotcap has also entered the market in the UK and New Zealand.Lachlan Heussler, managing director of Spotcap Australia, said he was proud of the companys achievements and contribution to the Australian fintech space.On our second anniversary we can look back and be proud of all we have achieved as a business  particularly in the updates to our technology, and not just meeting  but exceeding  demand for an unparalleled client experience in obtaining business finance.The majority of the $50m in credit originated through Spotcaps offline channels, Heussler told Australian Broker.We source business from our SME clients in different ways but by far the biggest is our offline partner channel, so working with intermediaries like brokers.Spotcap works with varying types of brokers including commercial finance brokers, residential lending brokers and equipment finance brokers.The lenders network is approaching 5,000 partners including 1,000 brokers sourced through the panel on aggregator AFG as well as other means. Other partners include accountants, bookkeepers, software vendors and other parties dealing with SME clients.Spotcap offers a number of support structures and a dedicated sales team for brokers and has grown the channel over the past two years, Heussler said.Brokers all get a dedicated account manager who is their first port of call for all questions they have about the Spotcap product. At any time, they can ring in and have a chat.We also provide all of our partners with a partner portal that makes it easy to refer us a deal. They can either type in their clients email address and hit refer or they can actually complete the vast majority of the application and hand it over to the client for completion.Spotcap focuses on two areas, he said. As well as helping brokers finance their clients, the lender also allows brokers to be involved in unsecured SME lending and grow their own businesses.With an estimated $60bn in unmet lending demand by banks from SMEs, Spotcap hopes to bridge this funding gap and support local enterprises.Over 50% of approved applications from the firm are from clients who have returned for additional financing. Since its establishment, Spotcap has sent over 10,000 client emails, conducted over 2,500 online client chat sessions and analysed over seven million lines of client bank data. The lender has also grown its loan book by around 500% from January 2016 up until now.
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.
State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) presented a check to Yardley Borough Police Chief Joseph Kelly for $68,600 for the purchase of a new police vehicle and motorcycle during a visit to the station. Our police put themselves on the line every day to keep our community safe, said Sen. Santarsiero. Dating back to when I was a Lower Makefield Township Supervisor more than...
A further 19 students have qualified for their Level 4 Certificate in Wood Science and Timber Technology with TFT Woodexperts, with three merits and two distinctions among the results.

An additional five students also embarked on TFTs Level 4 course in January, eight started during April and May, and another eight are booked to start in the autumn. The next examination will be held before Christmas 2017.

Theres a high demand for timber knowledge well beyond the basics, as merchants seek to differentiate themselves from the competition, said TFT Woodexperts director Jim Coulson.

The TFT Woodexperts-accredited Level 4 Certificate entitles graduates to claim technician level membership of IOM3 in Wood Science. The company is now piloting a fully accredited Level 6 (Masters equivalent) course, with the first supervised candidate submitting his thesis this summer. A positive result would enable the candidate to apply for membership status with IOM3.

Mr Coulson continued: Many of those studying with us have taken product knowledge related Level 2 and Level 3 courses, but want to further enhance their knowledge of wood as a material, and so progress their careers in the timber industry.

Their greatly increased wood knowledge and greater confidence in answering wood-related queries have tangible benefits to their employers sales development. This can be seen in the number of Woodexperts-trained entrants for the timber industrys Career Development Awards each September.
NJ Weedman got a license to sell NJ legal weed. He almost said no.
The Adani Group reached an agreement with the Australian government over the royalty payment for the contentious Carmichael coal mine in the country.
Air Indias performance has improved in the past two years but it has failed to meet critical targets set in a turnaround plan drawn up by the government.

The airline has principally failed to meet its target of bringing down the net loss to Rs 2,369 crore in 2016-17. The government in 2012 provided the airline a Rs 30,000 crore bailout on condition that it will meet specified operational milestones.

has submitted to the civil aviation ministry that it has increased core revenue, ancillary income and operating ratio in 2016-17 while trimming losses. In 2015-16, the airline posted an operational profit of Rs 105 crore, its first since its merger with Indian Airlines.

In 2016-17, has increased its revenue by almost 10 percent to Rs 22,521 crore by using capacity more efficiently. We have improved our load factor to 76.4 per cent from 75 per cent last year. This may seem marginal, but consider the huge capacity deployment by private carriers on domestic routes, an executive said.

The airline has trimmed losses by 5.05 per cent to Rs 3,643 crore in 2016-17 from Rs 3,836 crore in 2015-16. We managed to do this despite increase in fuel and landing charges, the Air India executive.

Air Indias fuel expenses rose to Rs 6,330 crore in 2016-17 from Rs 5,845.40 crore a year ago. Staff costs increased by Rs 202 crore because of a wage award even though we rationalised staff strength as suggested, the executive said.

Another airline executive said Air Indias interest outgo made it difficult to meet the targets. Low-cost carriers started dominating with huge capacity and yields started dropping. We do not function like a private player, and there are multiple complexities to handle in regards to strategic decisions which do not exist for a private company, the executive said.

Air India has consolidated its international network. It has doubled the frequency on the Delhi-San Francisco route, launched direct flights to Madrid and Vienna, and started Ahmedabad-London-Newark and Delhi-Cochin-Dubai flights. The airline has a market share of 13.6 per cent after private carriers IndiGo and Jet Airways.




Japanese car maker Honda, which gets most of its India sales from urban markets, is trying to use the wide presence and market experience of the groups two-wheeler business here to expand volumes in semi urban and rural areas.
India's burgeoning online education sector is expected to grow by eight times in the next five years to $1.96 billion by 2021 according to a joint report released by Google and KPMG.

The report states that the user base for paid online tutoring will grow by six times from 1.6 million users today to 9.6 million users by 2021. This growth will be primarily driven by India's growing smartphone base and will come from beyond the top six metros in the country.
India announced on Tuesday that it has invested an undisclosed amount in the logistics-tech startup Loadshare Networks, the investor said in a statement.


In a bid to capture India's fast-increasing mobile Internet user base, BIGO LIVE, a mobile broadcasting app, organised its first-ever broadcasters meet-up in India recently.

BIGO LIVE, through real-time interaction and video streaming, allows users to live broadcast their talent and connect with their fans and other talented broadcasters as well as follow interesting broadcasters.

The company also announced the introduction of VLOG, a Video recording feature on its app at the India meet-up in Delhi. boasts of over 100 mn registered users globally.

BIGO allows users to watch live broadcasting anytime, anywhere and engage with the audience via live sessions. The platform gives a chance to live stream the performances, broadcast what you are good at and let people enjoy based on the core values of integrity, innovation, proactiveness and openness.

The company plans to build a stage for dreamers to pursue their dreams, for people to make friends at home and abroad; to build a platform where hobbies are aligned with careers, to record and share interesting moments with friends.

"We aim to build a BIGO community in the world by providing a platform for the young & fashion conscious to come together and share their interests. has attracted millions of social media-savvy millennials across the globe since its launch in March 2016. We already have a strong presence in countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, Middle East, Malaysia, America and we aspire to reach out to more countries in future. We are confident that our app will be able to capture the imagination of the young and trendy in India as well," said Eric Liu, Senior Director, BIGO Technology Pte Ltd.

India's Famous and most awarded Radio Jockey Khurafati Nitin was also present at the event as the Guest of Honor for the evening. In his speech, Khurafati Nitin said, "There is a lot of potential in the Bigo Live app and I foresee it to be one of the prominent emerging social networking and internet platforms in the future." "BIGO Live is fun, entertaining and keeps me hooked. I already have few favorites on the app and am myself planning to start going live soon on BIGO Live," he added.

The very first meetup of BIGO LIVE got 100+ Broadcasters, Internet sensation and new age media's presence at the venue. Some BIGO broadcasters traveled ten hours to participate in the very first BIGOLLYWOOD NIGHT.

Opening his heart out one of the broadcasters Mr. Vibhu, a lawyer by profession stated: "Bigo Live has provided me with a platform to showcase my talent to the world and I enjoy broadcasting for more than three hours every day on Bigo Live."

Another broadcaster duo of siblings Gaurav and Twinkle shared, "We have been addicted to the Bigo Live app and enjoy showcasing our singing talent on this wonderful platform. Despite being from a small town in Himachal we are now able to connect and showcase our talent to the entire world."

Broadcasters can earn virtual gifts and bonus points that can be exchanged for rewards on the app. Bigo Live enables you to engage in Real-time Interaction via Mobile streaming with your audience and chat with your favorite broadcasters while you are watching Live broadcastings anytime and anywhere.
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

Arundhati RoyPenguin Random House464 pagesRs 599In the same week that I began reading Arundhati Roys second novel, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, I came across an old interview between Gabriel Garcia Marquez and The Paris Review.He says: It always amuses me that the biggest praise for my work comes for the imagination, while the truth is that theres not a single line in all my work that does not have a basis in reality. The problem is that Caribbean reality resembles the wildest imagination.The challenge faced by the novelist who inhabits a tumultuous country going through interesting times: How do you make up a world that can compete with the truth? One way is to lie outright, become a fabulist  but lies are now firmly the preserve of the fake-news expert, not the novelist.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veterans L K Advani, M M Joshi, Union minister Uma Bharti and nine others will stand trial for criminal conspiracy in the 1992 Babri mosque demolition case, with a special CBI court in Lucknow framing charges against them on Tuesday.
In the wake of stiff opposition from some states, including Kerala, the central government may rethink its order restricting the sale of animals, including cows and buffaloes.

The government is likely to exempt buffaloes from the 'no slaughter' list, an official said on Monday.

"We have received some representations over the list of animals included (in the new cattle slaughter rules). We are working on it," A.N. Jha, Secretary in the Union Environment Ministry, told IANS.

The Union Environment Ministry on May 26, modified the rules to prevent cruelty to animals, making it mandatory to ensure that cattle are not bought or sold for slaughtering.

The list of animals that cannot be bought or sold for slaughter through cattle markets includes cows, bulls, buffaloes, heifers, calves and camels.

However, a day after notifying the modifications, the ministry said that the animals for the purpose of slaughtering could be procured directly from the farmers at their respective farms.

After notifying the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules-2017, the ministry clarified that the aim was to regulate the animal market and prevent cruelty to animals.

To ensure the rules are implemented, undertakings would have to be taken in the market by the 'District Animal Market Monitoring Committee' at the district level and the 'Animal Market Committee' at the local level.

Ever since the notification of the modified rules, there have been widespread protests against the new norms in various states, especially Kerala. Youth Congress activists took to the streets in the state, but caused outrage by publicly slashing the head of an ox during one such protest.

The state's ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist held over 300 "beef festivals" across Kerala where cooked beef was freely served.

Kerala is one of the states in the country where cow slaughter is not banned.
The will probe the controversial merger of Air India and Indian Airlines, besides alleged irregularities in purchase and lease of aircraft by the two state-run carriers under the UPA government which caused "huge" losses to the exchequer.

The investigative agency today registered three FIRs and a preliminary enquiry (PE) to go into the controversial decisions made by the erstwhile Manmohan Singh government with regard to the two carriers, including surrender of profitable routes to favour private airlines.

The cases have been registered against unidentified officials of Air India, Ministry of Civil Aviation and others under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption, spokesperson R K Gaur said.

"The cases relate to decisions taken by the the ministry during the tenure of the UPA which caused losses of tens of thousands of crore of rupees to the exchequer," he said.

"The allegations relate to purchase of 111 aircraft for airlines costing about Rs 70,000 crore to benefit foreign aircraft manufacturers. Such a purchase caused an alleged financial loss to the already stressed carriers," Gaur said about the first FIR.

The CAG had in 2011 questioned the rationale behind the government's decision to order 111 airplanes for AI and Indian Airlines--48 from Airbus and 68 from Boeing-- for about Rs 70,000 crore in 2006.

Calling the decision a "recipe for disaster", the government auditor had said it should have raised "alarm" in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Public Investment Board and The Planning Commission.

The second case pertains to leasing of a large number of aircraft without due consideration, proper route study and marketing or price strategy, he said.

"It was also alleged that the aircraft were leased even while aircraft acquisition programme was going on," he said.

The third case involves allegations of surrender of profitable routes and timings of Air India to favour national and international private players which allegedly caused a "huge" loss to the state-run carrier.

In its report on the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines, the CAG had called it "ill-timed". Now the will go into various aspects of the merger.

The government auditor had said,"The financial case for the merger was not adequately validated prior to the merger." The merger proposal had received the Manmohan Singh cabinet's approval on March 1, 2007.

The CBI's action follows the Supreme Court's January 5 direction on a petition filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation led by lawyer Prashant Bhushan.

CBI sources said "all stakeholders" were under its scanner with regard to the merger of the two state-run airlines.

The process for the merger was initiated by the then Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel of NCP on March 16, 2006. Patel had sought a concept paper on the merger and a presentation was made before the prime minister on March 22 that year. A Group of Ministers (GoM) had later examined the proposal. Indian Airlines officially merged with Air India in April 2007.

The current Air India Chairman-cum-Managing Director Ashwani Lohani had recently said the merger was behind Air India's "downfall".

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had on Saturday favoured disinvestment of Air India, saying the airline's market share was just around 14 per cent whereas its debt burden stood at a staggering Rs 50,000 crore.
Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted by the Investigation Agency (NIA) on terror charges, has applied for Malaysian citizenship, according to agency sources.

Naik has been changing his base quite frequently after the NIA moved the Interpol for issuance of a Red Corner Notice (RCN), international arrest warrant, against him, they said.

The preacher, who is believed to be having Permanent Residence status in Malaysia, has now sought its citizenship but no decision has been taken so far on his application, the sources said.

The Indian government is planning to use its diplomatic channels to frustrate all attempts by the controversial preacher to get citizenship in any country, they said.

The Malaysian authorities were aware about terror cases pending against the controversial Islamic preacher, they said.

Naik is being probed for terror and money laundering charges. He had fled from India immediately after an investigation against him was initiated.

His present place of stay is unknown and it is believed that he has been shuttling between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, African and Southeast Asian countries, the sources said.

The controversial preacher is accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering several crores of rupees over the years.

The Interpol was approached against Naik after a year- long probe during which the NIA gathered evidence of his NGO -- Islamic Research Foundation - and Peace TV, being used to allegedly promote hatred between different religious groups.

The central government has already banned his NGO and taken his TV channel off air. During the probe, the NIA claimed to have found 37 properties owned by Naik and companies run by him, which are estimated to be worth more than Rs 100 crore.

A Special NIA court in Mumbai, while issuing a non- bailable warrant against Naik, had said that "there are reasonable grounds to believe that Naik is evading arrest and that he will not voluntarily appear before the court or before the agency."



The NIA alleged that Naik has been promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his speeches and lectures on various platforms and inciting Muslim youths and terrorists in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts.

Naik had fled from India on July 1, 2016 after terrorists in neighbouring Bangladesh claimed that they were inspired by his speeches on waging jehad.
A Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday stayed for four weeks the Centres May 23 notification on the trade of cattle for slaughter even as the ruling BJP seemed firmly behind the governments move.
The alleged brutal gang-rape of four women in front of their husbands on the Bulandshahr-Jewar highway has again put the notorious region in the spotlight. This is the second such incident within a year in the same district. In July last year, a mother and daughter traveling by car from Noida were gang-raped while the men along with them were tied up in nearby fields. While the incident raises serious questions on law and order in UP, latest figures from the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) indicate that 14 per cent of all gang rapes in India were reported in just 26 districts of this fertile region in Indias most populous state. In 2014, there were 335 gang rapes reported in Western UP  more than half of all such instances in the state.
Indian Navy diving and medical teams joined rescue efforts of Sri Lankan authorities in flood-hit regions as the death toll in the country's worst torrential rains since 2003 climbed to 193 on Tuesday.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the adverse weather condition had left 112 people injured.

Nearly 600,000 people have been forced to abandon their houses, with thousands suffering structural damage from flood inundation and landslides, it said.

The weather has begun to clear, and many of the more than 100,000 people, evacuated over the weekend, had returned home to clear debris and mud from their waterlogged homes. More than 80,000 others remained in relief camps as their homes were either destroyed or wiped out.

The Indian contingent of more than 300 navy personnel was assisting in the relief, with divers searching the brackish waters and medical teams seeing patients in makeshift tents set up at shelters.

INS 'Shardul' has nearly 200 personnel on board, including specialised rescue, diving and medical teams, as well as a large amount of relief material and Gemini inflatable boats.

INS 'Kirch' was carrying 125 personnel. It had diving teams, relief supplies, inflatable gemini boats and a mobile medical teams.

A third Indian naval ship arrived today, bringing relief supplies including rice, lentils, sugar, milk and blankets for the displaced.

"Secy to President of SL and SL Navy chief receiving symbolically the relief material on board the 3rd relief and rescue ship INS Jalashwa," the High Commission of India in Colombo tweeted.

India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Bagley tweeted "SL Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake and High Commissioner encouraging India n SL Navy jt medical and rescue teams from the 3rd Indian Ship".

SL Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake and High Commissioner encouraging India n SL Navy jt medical and rescue teams from the 3rd Indian Ship pic.twitter.com/i3DqFfzPN6  India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) May 30, 2017

Lankan army trucks transported drinking water and food to affected areas. Helicopters ferried medicine, relief supplies and inflatable boats to remote areas, while small vessels plied the floodwaters in search of people.

Lankan Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said foreign assistance is continuing to flow in with India, China and Pakistan among the countries sending ship loads of humanitarian aid.

The rebuilding effort was well underway with the government approving Rs 2.5 million for every damaged house. Over 900 hosues in 15 districts have been completely destroyed, the spokesman said.

The disaster is described as one of the worst-ever calamities since the 2003 floods.

The official death toll was at 193, with 94 others listed as missing, the Colombo Gazette reported.

The MeT department in its weather forecast said the cyclonic storm MORA is expected to get weakened when it enters Bangladesh and the possibility for heavy rain and strong winds will be reduced by tomorrow.

However, under its influence cloudy skies, windy and showery conditions are expected over the country.

The MeT department warned that the sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai and sea area off the coast extending from Galle to Batticaloa via Hambantota can be very rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 70-80 kmph.

There were scattered showers in many parts of Sri Lanka in the past 24 hours but flood waters were rapidly receding, officials said.

State television broadcast called for public assistance to clean drinking wells contaminated by the monsoon floods.

Lanka's water supply minister Rauf Hakeem said 40 per cent of those affected did not have access to piped drinking water, and there was an urgent need to clean contaminated wells in flood-affected areas.

"Our workers have volunteered to join a major clean up," the minister said, adding that water distribution stations were flooded, disrupting the piped supply.

In total, 545,243 people of 142,811 families were affected by the weather calamity. The South-West monsoon unleashed torrential rains, which ravaged fourteen districts in the western and southern parts on Friday and Thursday.

The DMC had issued an urgent evacuation warning last evening instructing residents living along the Kelani river and within the Divisional Secretariats of Kollonnawa, Kaduwela, Wellampitiya, Kelaniya, Biyagama, Sedawatte, Dompe, Hanwella, Padukka and Avissawella to move to safer areas.

It said water levels in the Kelani river were rising rapidly as indicted by the water gauges at Nagalagam Street, Hanwella and Glencourse and warned residents to move away from the vulnerable area as it was under an imminent flood threat.

Those living along the banks of Nilwala Ganga, The Gin Ganga and Kalu Ganga were also asked to move to safer areas because of the rising water levels.

Meanwhile, the DMC requested the people to be vigilant on rising water levels.

"Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces. Heavy falls (about 150 mm) can be expected at some places," it said.

Charities have warned on Monday that thousands of people affected by the floods and landslides are at the risk of potential fatal diseases such as dengue fever, as the death toll from the disaster continued to rise.

On Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's orders, Rs 2 billion have been set aside to help the small and medium scale businesses destroyed by the floods, Senaratne said.

Senaratne has rejected criticism that the goverment was not prepared to face the disaster.

The government came under immense criticism over the absence of Minister of Disaster Management Anura Yapa who has not returned from a disaster management conference in Mexico.

Wickremesinghe left the country yesterday for medical treatment after postponing the visit over the last 18 months, Senaratne said.

Sri Lanka had sought international assistance, with India sending three naval ships laden with supplies in the last a couple of days.

Following India's lead in sending out emergency relief to Sri Lanka, more countries started pledging assistance to provide relief to the flood victims.

Australia has said it would provide 500,000 dollars.

A Pakistani relief ship was also expected to arrive later on Tuesday, whiel at least three Chinese ships are expected to arrive on Thursday.
The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday stayed for four weeks the operation of new central government rules on cattle trade.

The court issued notice to the central government and asked it to file a reply within four weeks. Earlier on Tuesday, West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Mamata Banerjee and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan protested against the central governement's ban on sale of cattle for slaughter. In a bid to prevent cruelty against animals, the central government on May 26 modified rules making it mandatory to ensure that cattle are not bought or sold at cattle markets for slaughtering.

The list of animals includes cows, bulls, buffaloes, heifers, calves as well as camels. Tensions have grown across states as camps remain divided on the ban issue. Opposition parties including the Congress and the Mamata-led Trinamool Congress have criticised the govertnment for imposing the ban. Banerjee went on to say that the move was "undemocratic and unconstitutional", while the Congress unit in West Bengal dubbed the new cattle trade rules as whimsical. In fact, a BJP leader in Meghalaya, Bernard Marak, said on Monday that his party will not ban beef and legalise slaughter houses if it comes to power in the state, thus reducing the prices of meat.

However, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) warned the Congress and the CPI-M that they would "face the ire of public".
The Indian government's ban on the trade of cattle for slaughter threatens $4 billion in annual beef exports and millions of jobs if the government does not revoke the stoppage decreed last week, according to two industry officials.
Following his visit to Germany, Prime Minister will arrive on Tuesday in Spain to kick-start his two-day visit to initiate bilateral engagements with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

During his stay, he will meet the top leadership of the country to discuss issues of mutual interests. He is also expected to call on King of Spain - King Felipe VI tomorrow.

The Prime Minister will be discussing ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in combating terrorism.

Prime Modi will also meet top Chief Executive Officers of the Spanish industry and encourage them to take part in the 'Make in India' initiative.

During his tour to Spain, a number of agreements are likely to be inked in the fields including, renewable energy, high speed rail, infrastructure, civil aviation, water waste management and air space management.

In the first leg of his four nation tour to Germany, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed number of regional and global issues, including Brexit, terrorism, Afghanistan as well as China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.

Discussions on climate change and the possibilities of including India in the G 20 contact also took place.

The two leaders also reviewed Brexit, its effects on both India and Germany as well as the future of the European Union (EU).

The two sides, during bilateral talks, also discussed how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programs including skill development, energy sector, environment, smart cities and digital India.

The German side appreciated India's economic reform agenda, the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism that was established in 2015 to assist German businessmen in India.

After concluding his visit, Prime Minister Modi said that he had a "very good interaction" with Merkel.
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Pakistan has claimed that Indian Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a military court, was providing "crucial intelligence" about the recent terrorist attacks in the country.

"Jadhav continues to provide crucial intelligence with regard to recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan," Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told Dawn News in an interview.

However, Zakaria did not elaborate on the details of the intelligence being provided by Jadhav.

The Hague-based International Court of Justice stayed Jadav's execution on May 18 but it has to decide the issue of jurisdiction in the case, Pakistani officials said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf told Dawn News that Pakistan had enough evidence to prove that Jadhav was a "spy".

Ausaf said Pakistan has information on Jadhav that could not be disclosed due to security reasons.

"The evidence would only be presented before the ICJ once it resumes the hearing," he said.

Ausaf said the ICJ's 'procedural order' of May 18 was neither Pakistan's defeat nor India's success and emphasised that when the case re-starts, "Pakistan would be on solid ground to win".

Responding to a question regarding the constitution of a new legal team, Ausaf said that there were no plans to change the team. However, he said it would be "expanded".

When asked why he did not represent Pakistan at the May 15 hearing at the ICJ, Ausaf claimed that he "knew prior to the judgement that the ICJ is going to announce the provisional order".

Jadhav, 46, was last month sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities" against the country.

The ICJ on May 18 stayed the execution of Jadhav.

The ruling triggered criticism of the Pakistan Foreign Office for its "poor handling" and also for its choice of attorney Khawar Qureshi, who presented Pakistan's case before the ICJ.
Police were yet to make any arrest in the killing of a 32-year-old e-rickshaw driver after he objected to two men urinating outside the GTB Nagar Metro Station here on Saturday.

Prime Minister has condemned the killing and directed the authorities to punish the culprits.

Ravinder was beaten to death allegedly by a dozen men after he objected to a few of them urinating in public.



Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, accompanied by Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, met the family members of the victim. He also visited the spot outside the metro station where Ravinder was beaten to death.

The Delhi government has announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for Ravinder's family.

Police called a few men for questioning and inquiry but no headway had been made so far. It is suspected that the accused were students of School of Open Learning, Delhi University.

Two men had bought liquor from a shop near the metro station and consumed it near Gate No. 4. They also urinated outside the station, to which Ravinder, objected, police said. He had asked them to use a public toilet nearby.

Police have collected CCTV footage from the liquor shop in which two of the accused can be seen. They are trying to ascertain their identity.
Over 800,000 chemists across the country have decided to shut shop on Tuesday to protest against the government's e-platform plan to regulate the sale of drugs.
This article originally appeared on Business Standard on 30.05.2017. It is being republished in light of the Supreme Court delivering the verdict today to declare whether the Islamic practice of is constitutionally valid or not. A five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar, will pronounce the judgment.



At the heart of the arguments in the Shayra Bano, case being heard by a Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, is the submission that all laws, including personal religious laws, should accord with the fundamental rights of every citizen, man and woman alike. However a judgment of the Bombay High Court delivered in 1951, on bigamous Hindu Marriages, has set the framework for consideration of this question.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal. They do not reflect the view/s of Business Standard.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday said her government will not accept the and called the ban imposed by the Modi government, "undemocratic and unconstitutional". Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also shot off letters to his counterparts in other states asking them to "stand together" and "oppose" the ban on sale of cattle for slaughter and urge the Prime Minister to withdraw the new regulations.
The roll-out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is likely to encourage sale of processed fish in the domestic market, which is largely unorganised.
Oil-marketing companies (OMCs) will have to bear an additional burden of Rs95 crore on their books for procuring ethanol this year with the introduction of the goods and services tax (GST).
Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), which administers and regulates the 41 state-owned non-major ports of Gujarat, has sought assistance from the Union Ministry of Shipping for developing a Maritime Cluster, the first in the country.


Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia on Tuesday said there is scope for rationalisation of tax rates fixed for regime and the intention of the government is to increase the revenue without hiking tax rates.

"One thing we would agree is that there is a scope for rationalisation of tax rates on various goods and services," he said at a townhall meeting with industry here.

The Council, headed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and comprising his state counterparts, had earlier this month fitted over 1200 goods and 500 services in the tax slab of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) which will unify 16 different levies will come into effect from July 1.

Adhia said that the is a major customer-friendly indirect tax reform.

The intention is not to increase the taxes but to increase the revenue by implementing GST as it would bring transparency, simplification and efficiency in tax administration and help in curbing tax evasion and thereby leading to tax buoyancy, he said.

Ever since the fixation of tax rates, certain sectors have been seeking some relaxation in rate fitment and the revenue department officials have been holding regular interactions with industry chambers to understand their concerns.

The next meeting of the GST Council is on June 3.

On concerns by representatives of food processing sector, Adhia said a decision on the rates of foodgrains, especially wheat and rice, would be taken at the June 3 meeting.

"We understand the food processing industry needs to be encouraged," he said.

He also argued that if these items were kept in the exempted category, the food processing industry will be losing.

He said the Council will take a view on the definition of branding.

On concerns raised by representatives of financial services sector, Adhia dismissed the fear of loans getting costlier due to implementation of GST.

"There have been some concerns raised in the financial service sector that loans and all of these will become costlier, no way (it is going to be so)," he said.

"All people in financial services will know, we are not charging service taxes in deposits as well as loans, but taxes on other services. Loans are not going to become costlier. That is a misplaced fear, because of lack of understanding," he added.

Adhia said that GST would help in creating lot of jobs for young generation.

He said India's economic potential is much higher and the GST would help in converting the economic energy in to real growth.
Almost 500,000 eateries, including hotels, restaurants and bakeries, across the five southern states were shut on Monday following the one-day bandh declared by the Tamil Nadu Hotels and Restaurants Association and by the South Indian Hotels and Restaurants Association (SIHRA).
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate structure is expected to have an adverse impact on Indias shipping industry. Industry insiders say the crucial tax reform may work against domestic shipping companies as tax imposition at the time of asset creation and discrimination between domestic and foreign shipping firms would discourage fresh investments and erode global competitiveness.
Prime Minister and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have held "very good" discussions on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues like the Brexit consequences, trade and radicalisation in the context of recent terror attacks in Europe.

In their informal talks yesterday at Schloss Meseberg, the Chancellor's official country retreat near Berlin, both leaders also exchanged views on China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative and climate change.

"Had a very good interaction with Chancellor Merkel," Modi said in a tweet after his meeting.

"The interaction lasted nearly three hours, and covered various areas of mutual interest including smart cities, skill development, clean energy etc. There was appreciation for India's economic reform agenda, including GST (Goods and Services Tax)," a Prime Minister's Office statement on the meeting said.

"The leaders had discussions that covered the bilateral agenda and how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programmes. There was appreciation of India's reform agenda, particularly GST," India's Ambassador to Germany Mukta Dutta Tomar told reporters at a briefing here last night.

Highlighting that this is Modi's second bilateral visit to Germany since 2015, she said that the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism set up in 2015 to assist German businesses work in India received appreciation from the German side.

"In fact, there has been foreign direct investment of 2 billion dollars (from Germany) in the past two years. The figures speak for themselves," she said.

Regional and inter-global issues were also discussed during the three-hour-long interactions -- some at the delegation level and some one-to-one between Modi and Merkel.

"The consequences of Brexit (the UK's exit from the European Union) and how it would affect India and Germany were covered by the two leaders," Tomar said, adding that theprime minister reiterated the utmost value that India attaches to the EU's cohesiveness, which is a major factor of stability in global politics.

The issue of radicalisation and terrorism and each country's experience in dealing with it was discussed, with recent terrorist events in Europe also mentioned in this context, she said.

Peace in Afghanistan and the importance of an the "Afghan-led and owned reconciliation and development process" was touched upon, with the prime minister expressing appreciation over the German presence in Afghanistan and calling for a consolidation of efforts in the country, Tomar said.

The Belt and Road Forum in Beijing earlier this month, where Germany was represented by its economy and energy minister, also featured in the exchange, during which the Chancellor explained German participation and India reiterated its stand against the initiative, she said.

"Our position is well known on this issue," the ambassador said, in reference to India's opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the flagship project of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative, which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Modi willtoday hold formal talks with Merkel as part of the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) where he will be joined by his delegation of senior ministers, including Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan,Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.

The prime minister will receive a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, following which he will begin discussions with Merkel across a range of economic and political issues.

At the IGC, thetwo leaders are expected to clinch a host of agreements and sign MoUs to open a "new chapter" in Indo- German relations.

"Several MoUs are expected to be signed. This would obviously broaden the scope and expand the canvas of bilateral cooperation that we have with Germany," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

India and Germany have over 25 working groups, including in areas such as climate change, energy, infrastructure, and tourism.

Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the European Union (EU) and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.

There are more than 1,600 German companies and 600 German joint ventures in India and the German economic profile supports excellence and expertise that match with India's development priorities of Make in India, Clean India, Skill India, Digital India, Smart Cities, the MEA said.

"We will chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with (the) focus on trade and investment, security and counter- terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine," the prime minister had said in a Facebook post before he left for Berlin yesterday.

Modi and Chancellor Merkel will also hold a meeting withseniorbusiness leadersbefore inaugurating the Indo- German Business Summit 2017 later today.

"Economic relations with Germany is the most important pillar of our partnership. It has preponderance over other areas," the MEA said.

Modi will end his Germany visit with a courtesy call on German President, Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at his official residence of Castle Bellevue before leaving for Spain.

Modi arrived in Germany yesterday at the start of his four-nation tour, which will coverSpain, Russia and France besides Germany.

From Berlin he heads to Madrid, where the premier will hold a bilateral summit with Spanish Premier Mariano Rajoy and call on Spanish King Felipe VI as well as interact with a select group of Spanish CEOs keen to invest in India.

"There is significant potential for deepening bilateral trade and investment ties. We seek active participation of Spanish industry in various Indian projects including infrastructure, smart cities, digital economy, renewable energy, defence and tourism," Modi had said ahead of his visit.

The first meeting of the India-Spain CEOs Forum will be held on the sidelines of the Spanish leg of the visit.
India is keen to attract more German companies to invest and improve bilateral relations, Prime Minister said ahead of a two-day visit to Europe's leading economic power that begins on Monday.
The centre today launched an aggressive new campaign titled 'Darwaza Band' to promote toilet use and freedom from open defecation across the country's villages. The campaign produced by the MDWS under Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in the presence of iconic actor, Shri Amitabh Bachchan, Union Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Parameswaran Iyer, and other Centre and State dignitaries in Mumbai. The event was widely attended by officials from all the State Districts and selected Gram Panchayat Members. .

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The Union Minister and the State Chief Minister also reviewed the working of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) programme in Maharashtra ahead of the event. Champion functionaries from the State of Maharashtra were awarded during the event. An exhibition displaying various toilet technologies was also put up. .

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The 'Darwaza Band' campaign has been supported by the World Bank and is being rolled out countrywide immediately after the launch. It is designed to encourage behaviour change in men who have toilets but are not using them. A part of the campaign also features actor, Ms Anushka Sharma, who will be seen encouraging women to stand up for this issue in their villages and assume a leadership role. .

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Shri Narendra Tomar said that achievement of 64% ODF status is a tribute to the Prime Ministers commitment. He also congratulated Maharashtra on its significant achievement of 80% ODF. He further said that all attempts are being made to make this into a true Jan Andolan. He said the goal for India should be to become a showcase country for cleanliness by 2019. He thanked Shri Amitabh Bachchan for his constant support. .

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Shri Devendra Fadnavis thanked MDWS for choosing Maharashtra to launch the Darwaza Band Campaign. He thanked Sri Bachchan for taking on the mandate of raising awareness about Swacchta and endorsing the new campaign. He emphasised that Maharashtra is committed to become ODF by March 2018. dSpeaking at the event Shri Bachchan gave a brief background to the development of the campaign and mentioned that the campaign talks about a safe space for people to defecate. He also congratulated the State Champions and assured the audience of his support to the cause of Swacchta. He assured the audience of his constant support of the Swachh Bharat Mission as and when needed. .

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Shri Bachchan has been a major supporter and ambassador for the Swachh Bharat Mission and is already associated with its ongoing campaigns. .

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Behaviour change has been the focus of Swachh Bharat Mission, which is being pursued through a countrywide comprehensive IEC(Information-Education-Communication) programme. Communication campaigns have been taken up both, at the central and State levels, for promoting sustained use of toilets and for sustaining the Open Defecation Free status achieved. .

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Shri Iyer announced that the number of people defecating in the open has reduced from 55 crores in May 2014 to 35 crores in May 2017. He highlighted that the program is not just a toilet construction program but focuses on behaviour change promoting sustainable usage, at both community and village levels. In his presentation Shri Iyer showcased visual examples of some behaviour change communication being done at the grassroots. .

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Introducing the campaign, he said that it focuses on the need to shift peoples paradigm from open to closed especially for men. .

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The Amitabh Bachchan series of ads encourages behaviour change in men who have toilets but are not using them. The Anushka Sharma series of ads is a clarion call for women who are more affected by this problem to stand up for this issue in their village and influence a positive change. These have been developed by Lowe Lintas, Mumbai under a World Bank Project. .

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Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, Revenue Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Government of India categorically stated that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be implemented from July 1, 2017. Dr Adhia was speaking at a Town Hall Meeting with GST stakeholders including Tax Assesses, Traders and representatives of Trade Unions in Bengaluru, Karnataka today. The Meeting was jointly organized by the Chief Commissioner of Central Excise and Service Tax, Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC), Government of India and the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Government of Karnataka, as part of the Outreach Programme on GST. .

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Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Adhia further said that the Karnataka Government has made maximum contribution for GST and the Central Government is moving ahead as the GST would prove to be a game changer. He said that GST would help in creating lot of jobs for young generation. Dr Adhia further said that Indias economic potential is much higher and the GST would help in converting the economic energy in to real growth. .

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Responding to the various queries from the stakeholders, Dr Adhia elaborated the benefits of GST, explained how it would lead to ease of doing business, how to comply with its various provisions among others. He said that GST would bring in uniformity of different tax laws and tax rules.He said that there would be seamless transfer of input tax credit under GST regime. In his concise briefing, Dr Adhia clarified the doubts of various stakeholders about different issues relating to GST. He also assured to reply to the queries and to clarify the doubts of people at large about GST through the GST Twitter handle. .

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Speaking on the occasion, Shri Krishna Byre Gowda, Agriculture Minister, Government of Karnataka and Member of the GST Council spoke at length and explained the rationale of tax structure under GST regime. He also elaborated the contribution of GST Council under the Chairmanship of the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley which took all the decisions so far unanimously and helped in reaching the present stage of GST implementation. He said that the GST is a major customer-friendly indirect tax reform. He said that the intention is not to increase the taxes but to increase the revenue by implementing GST as it would bring transparency, simplification and efficiency in tax administration and help in curbing tax evasion & thereby leading to tax buoyancy. .

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The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has proposed PPP (Public-Private Participation) model to supplement and extend healthcare services up to district level in the eight States of the North-Eastern Region (NER). .

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Dr Jitendra Singh was presiding over a Conclave of Health Ministers from all the eight North-Eastern States in Guwahati today. The meeting, among others, was also attended by representatives from the premier Adayar Cancer Institute, Chennai, Patanjali and Yog Sansthan Bengaluru. .

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Giving a resume of the last three years of health related initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of DoNER, Dr Jitendra Singh disclosed that Dr Barooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati has been affiliated with the Tata Memorial Cancer Centre, Mumbai, since last year under the aegis of Department of Atomic Energy, as a result of which, the faculty and the supplementary teaching cum clinical services will get upgraded. From last year, he said, super-specialty MCh course in Cancer Surgery has already started and hopefully from this session, super-specialty DM Cancer Medicine will also start. .

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Dr Jitendra Singh acknowledged the collaboration from Adayar Cancer Institute, Chennai in imparting a 6-month training to one Physician and one Surgeon each from each of the eight North-Eastern States, so that they can go back and offer better healthcare in their respective States, considering the high prevalence of cancer in the region. .

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Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Ministry of DoNER, with the consensus of all the State Governments, will go forward in inviting the interested private healthcare partners from other parts of the country, so that depending upon their capacity and capability, they may be able to supplement the health services in the region. The impetus to healthcare services, he said, will be wholesome and holistic, thus also imbibing all the alternative systems of medicine and in this regard, the leading players like Patanjali could have a significant contribution to make. .

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Referring to a proposal from the Assam Government for setting up a modern Cancer Hospital with the collaboration of the Ministry of DoNER, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the officers in the DoNER Ministry are engaged in deliberations with the State Health Secretariat officers to work out its feasibility and viability. .

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In the field of tele-medicine also, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Ministry of DoNER will try to facilitate support and help from private sector so that the people living in the remotest areas of the difficult terrain are not deprived of the benefit of specialized medical consultation. .

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Referring to a suggestion which originated after discussion with the Government of Manipur, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the concept of having Air Clinics" with helicopter-based outdoor facility has been mooted with both the Ministry of Health as well as the Ministry of Civil Aviation. If successful, he said, this could be a boon for a large section of population which has no access to health centre or medical clinician. .

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Dr Jitendra Singh also disclosed that considering the proactive approach of the DoNER Ministry and the high priority accorded to Northeast by the Central Government, a number of private corporate sector hospital chains are coming forward to venture in the Northeast. He said, he would seek the help of Ministry of Health and other related Ministries to consider these cases on the principle of mutual benefit. .

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The meeting was coordinated by Health Minister of Assam, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Health Ministers from the other States also offered their inputs. It was decided to carry forward this initiative through regular deliberations at the level of the officers of the Ministry of DoNER and those of the Health Departments of the different States as well as the representatives of private sector. .

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Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India is all set to launch Deep Ocean Mission by January 2018. This will improve Indias position in ocean research field. Shri M Rajeevan, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences announced today. Secretary was speaking through video conference in the workshop arranged by National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula. Shri M S Nagar, Member Standing Committee, Ministry of Earth Science, Dr VSN Murthy, Director, National Institute of Oceanography were also present at the inauguration of the workshop on Three decades of India acquiring Pioneer Investor Status- Achievements and way forward. India achieved a lot in the field of ocean research; still it is long way to go, said Secretary M Rajeevan on this occasion. .

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The program on Poly metallic nodules was initiated at CSIR-NIO with the collection of the first nodule sample from Arabian Sea on board the first Research Vessel Gaveshani on 26 January 1981. India was the first country in the world to have been given the Pioneer Area for exploration of deep-sea mineral viz. Polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin in 1987. This was based on the extensive surveys carried out by the scientists of CSIR-NIO, on several research ships leading to the allocation of an area of 150,000 sq km to the country with exclusive rights under the UN Law of the sea. .

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Subsequently, Environment Impact Assessment studies for nodule mining by CSIR-NIO, development of metal extraction process by CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur and CSIR- Institute for Minerals and Metals Technology, Bhubaneswar and development of mining technology by National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai, have been taken up under the national program on Polymetallic nodules funded by Ministry of Earth Sciences. .

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Based on the resource evaluation, India has now retained an area of 75,000 sq km with an estimated resource of about 100 million tons of strategic metals such Copper,Nickel, Cobalt besides Manganese and Iron. A First Generation Mine-site (FGM) with an area of 18,000 sq km has been identified. Latest technologies for extraction of metals from the minerals have also been developed under the programme. Detailed environmental data has been collected for compliance with International Seabed Authorities requirements. Besides identifying the mineral resource and developing technologies for mining and extraction, the programme has also resulted in high impact research as well as manpower development. .

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Traditional black and white silver prints by prominent Finnish photographer Pentti Sammallahti. Runs through 6/24.

ABOUT THE EVENT

photo-eye Gallery will host an Opening for the exhibition Friday April 28th from 5 7pm, corresponding with the Railyard Arts Districts Last Friday Art Walk. Warm Regards will remain on view through June 24th, 2017.

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Pentti Sammallahti is a traveler and a visual poet. Endowed with an extraordinary 15-year grant from the Finnish government Sammallahti has travelled widely from his native Scandinavia, across the Soviet Republics through Siberia, to Japan, India, Nepal, Morocco, Turkey, throughout Europe, Great Britain, and South Africa. Meticulously well-seen, Sammallahtis photographs are imbued with a sense of wonder, delight, and reverence for the world at large while reflecting on both beauty and the human condition. He focuses on the people and animals of far off places recording the relationships between them and their environment. A master craftsman, Sammallahti is always in pursuit of the perfect means to communicate his intentions by subtly toning each of his rich silver gelatin prints. Over the years, photo-eye Gallery has had the pleasure to receive Penttis prints in treasured bundles signed with "Warm Regards".

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Inspired by his grandmother Hildur Larsson, a newspaper photographer, and viewing Edward Steichens seminal The Family of Man at Helsinki Art Hall in 1961 Pentti Sammallahti began making images at the age of 11. At 21, Sammallahti was featured in his first solo exhibition marking the beginning of a professional career that would come to influence an entire generation of Finnish photographers. Prior to receiving the Finnish States 15-year artist grant, Sammallahti taught at the Helsinki University of Art and Design, and has released thirteen portfolios and monographs since 1979 including The Russian Way and Here Far Away. In 2003, at the opening of the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation in Paris, France, Pentti was named one of Cartier-Bressons 100 favorite photographers, and works by Sammallahti where exhibited from Cartier-Bressons personal collection. Penttis work can be found at the Museum of Modern Art, the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France, Pushkin Museum, Moscow, Russia, among others, and he has received awards such as the Samuli Paulaharju Prize of the Finnish Literature Society, State Prizes for Photography, Uusimaa Province Art Prize, Daniel Nyblin Prize, and the Finnish Critics Association Annual.
PM arrives in Berlin for Fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, arrived in Berlin on Monday for the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations. This is Prime Minister Modi's second bilateral visit to Germany.

Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted an informal dinner for Prime Minister Modi at the Schloss Meseberg, outside Berlin. The interaction lasted nearly three hours, and covered various areas of mutual interest including smart cities, skill development, clean energy etc. There was appreciation for India's economic reform agenda, including GST.

The leaders reviewed regional and global issues. Prime Minister Modi reiterated the importance of cohesiveness in the European Union, and its significance as a force of stability in the world.

On Afghanistan, both leaders reiterated the importance of an Afghan-led Afghan-owned reconciliation process. Issues such as deradicalization and terrorism figured in the discussions. China's belt and road initiative, and climate change, also figured in the discussions.

Earlier, on arrival at the Schloss Meseberg, Prime Minister Modi signed the visitor's book. The two leaders took a stroll on the lawns of the country residence.
Shares in the parent company of British Airways (BA) fell on Tuesday after a huge IT failure left 75,000 passengers stranded over a holiday weekend, dealing a major blow to an airline that once marketed itself as the worlds favourite.
For an academic who has spent more than 30 years researching organisational crises, it was something of an odd experience to be in the middle of the British Airways IT foul-up on Saturday May 27. And it provided a textbook example of how organisational systems need backup and effective communications if chaos is to be avoided when they fail.
France's President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin today vowed to improve the strained relations between their countries, while admitting to disagreements during talks at Versailles palace described by Macron as "extremely frank".

Their first meeting since Macron took office provided another test of the Frenchman's diplomatic skills after his memorable first encounter last week with US President Donald Trump that Macron sealed with a vice-like handshake.

This time the handshake was warmer but the tone guarded after an hour of talks on the 300th anniversary of a visit to Versailles by tsar Peter the Great.

Putin admitted to some differences of opinion in the talks which covered issues including the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, but insisted that Franco-Russian ties withstood "all points of friction".

"We disagree on a number of things but at least we discussed them," Macron said.

"Our absolute priority is the fight against terrorism and the eradication of terrorist groups and Daesh in particular," he said, using an alternate name for the Islamic State group that has claimed several deadly attacks in France.

The newly elected French leader called for a stronger partnership with Russia on Syria, one of the sticking points in relations between the West and Moscow which backs the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Macron advocated "a democratic transition that preserves the Syrian state", warning that "failed states" in the Middle East were a threat to the West.

But in an apparent warning to Assad and Russia, he said the use of chemical weapons in Syria would be a "red line" for his presidency and would draw an "immediate response" from France.

The pair discussed the Western sanctions imposed on Russia over its military involvement in Ukraine as well as allegations of Russian meddling in France's election campaign.

Putin declared that the sanctions were "in no way" helping to end the fighting between government forces and Kremlin-backed rebels in Ukraine's east.

The Russian strongman, who hosted Macron's far-right rival Marine Le Pen for talks during the election race, also shrugged off allegations that Russian hackers infiltrated Macron's campaign.

"Maybe they were Russian hackers, maybe they were not," he said, dismissing the claims as unsubstantiated.

Macron, for his part, expressed anger at reports by pro- Kremlin media during the election questioning his sexuality and links to high finance.

He took aim at the Russia Today broadcaster and Sputnik agency, calling them "organs of influence and propaganda".
On Memorial Day, we pay respects to the fallen from past wars  including the more than one million American soldiers killed in the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam.
Fourteen civilians were killed when Islamic State group jihadists shelled a government-controlled neighbourhood of Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor city, a monitor has said.

Three children were among the dead in the regime-held Al-Joura district, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

"The shelling hit just before families were gathering to break the Ramadan fast," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said yesterday.

Besieged by IS since early 2015, the regime-controlled third of Deir Ezzor city is home to an estimated 100,000 people.

Most of the surrounding oil-rich province is also controlled by IS.

"At least six mortar rounds hit the Al-Joura district. Daesh has been regularly hitting this neighbourhood with mortars," said Omar Abu Leila, an activist from Deir Ezzor 24, which publishes news on the city.

He said over 40 people had been wounded, including women and children.

"Some of them are in critical condition, but the health situation in the neighbourhood is deteriorating because of the lack of staff, medicine, and medical equipment," he told AFP.

The World Food Programme has ben dropping humanitarian aid into Deir Ezzor since April 2016, and Russian and Syrian government planes have also carried out their own independent air drops.

More than 320,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict broke out in March 2011.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Germany, attended a private dinner hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday, soon after he arrived in Berlin.

"The bonds of a fruitful partnership. Chancellor Merkel receives PM @narendramodi at Schloss Meseberg before a private dinner," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted along with pictures of the two leaders.

Schloss Meseberg, around 65 km from Berlin, is the country retreat of the German Chancellor and the official state guest house of the German government.

Earlier on Monday, Modi arrived in Berlin on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe.

Modi is accompanied by Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Seetharaman and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.

On Tuesday, Modi and Merkel will head the fourth round of the . Germany is the only country with which India has such an arrangement. Both the leaders will then address the India-Germany Business Summit.

Later, Modi will call on German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

From Germany, Modi will travel to Spain, Russia and France.
We maintain our Buy rating on and revise our target downwards to Rs 1,300 (earlier Rs1,880), based on 23x March19 EPS of Rs56.5. Lupins Q4FY17 results were lower than our and consensus estimates due to the pricing pressure in the US generic market and muted guidance by the management.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Monday proposed tighter regulations for participatory notes (p-notes), an instrument used by foreign investors to take exposure to the domestic market without registering in India.
Indias top mutual fund (MF) houses' exposure to shares of their group companies has gone up over the past one year. The Rs 19-lakh-crore MF industry is dominated by ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, HDFC MF, SBI MF, Birla Sun Life MF and Reliance Nippon MF. All these investment houses are backed by strong corporates and banks.
Twin car bombs in Baghdad killed at least 24 people and injured several dozen in Baghdad on Tuesday.The ISIS has claimed responsibility for the gruesome attack.

Jihadist group ISIS claimed responsibility for the first blast outside a popular ice cream shop just after midnight, that killed at least 15 and wounded 40 in commercial Karrada district.

The second explosives-laden car went off during rush hour near the state-run Public Pension Office near the al-Shahada (Martyrs') Bridge in the busy Shawaka district, killing at least nine and wounding 30 more.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the second bombing. The Iraqi forces, backed by anti-IS international coalition, are engaged in a major offensive to drive out the IS from their major stronghold in the western side of Mosul in northern Iraq.

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It's drool-worthy time for dessert lovers at Cafe Coffee Day as the brand expands its dessert portfolio to unveil its best ever sundae spree with 'Over The Top Sundaes' - a range of super-loaded, rich sundaes offering you an experience of unabashed indulgence with its assortment of flavours and ingredients. Every sundae lover's sweet cravings will hit a new high with these deliciously delightful new offerings at CCD.

'Over The Top Sundaes' by CCD are here to offer a grand dose of happiness and be the ultimate sundae you've been waiting for. Flavorful to the core, the fabulous four - Toffee Surprise, Cocoa Mocha, Rasgulla Royale and Cocoa Fudge have 'more fun with every scoop' written all over them!

Just as the name suggests, 'Over The Top Sundaes' are full right to the brim with scoops of ice cream, sauces, nuts, cookies, whipped cream, popcorn, hot fudge and much more! Keeping up with the twist in the dessert tale, these CCD Sundaes are loaded with creamy richness that is superior in texture and unfold moments of pure fascination. It is served in a size that is large, sumptuous and beyond compare. Packed with the finest of ingredients and that mouth-watering appeal, the sundaes have at their heart, a sheer explosion of flavors and toppings that will satiate every sundae lover's fantasy.

'Over The Top Sundaes' is designed to give those with a sweet tooth a sensorial overload. First is 'Toffee Surprise', a rich vanilla ice-cream on honey oat cookies with butterscotch nuts, toffee sauce and crunchy caramel popcorn topped with frothy whipped cream and a choco-stick.

'Cocoa Mocha' brings you mouth-melting cocoa fudge with an espresso twist on top of a crunchy cookie base, with two scoops of vanilla ice-cream, whipped cream and a crisp choco-stick. An absolute lip-smacking delight of cocoa versus coffee!

Another innovative offering is the 'Rasgulla Royale'. It serves you the classic Indian sweet with a twist. Imagine the age old charm of rasgulla with three scoops of vanilla ice-cream and rich rasmalai syrup topped with frothy whipped cream, almond flakes and a crispy choco-stick! Rasgulla Royale is a king-sized deliciousness for king- sized cravings.

Next up is 'Cocoa Fudge', a rich cocoa fudge and vanilla ice-cream with a layer of cocoa. A summer twist unfolds when hints of juicy mango sauce come topped with frothy whipped cream, almond flakes and a crunchy choco-stick. It's an overload of wow!

"All through the summer to the special rainy months ahead, the sundae appeal at CCD reaches a new high with the well-crafted, all new 'Over The Top Sundaes''. Loaded with extra scoops, the four sundaes - Rasgulla Royale, Cocoa Mocha, Toffee Surprise and Cocoa Fudge have that little extra one can look forward to at their favourite CCD. Dessert specialists from Italy and India brought their 'best in dessert love and expertise' forward to create these offerings. After all, there's always something new brewing at Cafe Coffee Day," said Venu Madhav, CEO, Cafe Coffee Day.

Make your way to the nearest CCD and indulge in the new overloaded 'Over The Top Sundaes'; a name that aptly communicates the extravagant, inviting and oh, so delicious range of sundaes. The range served in generous portions, packs a punch starting at Rs. 119/-.

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Haji Salaam, former secretary to Hizb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, was assassinated in Pakistan's Peshawar city on Tuesday.

Haji Salaam was praying when a number of unknown gunmen opened fire at him, Tolonews quoted Hizb-e-Islami spokesman Nader Afghan as saying.

Haji Salaam was praying when a number of unknown gunmen opened fire at him,

Till now, no militant group, including, Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Further details are awaited.

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Former Sri Lanka skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan believes Asian countries will have to play out of their skins to win the Champions Trophy, beginning Thursday in England and Wales.

Sri Lanka go into the 50-over marquee event as underdogs and rightly so after a disorderly few months which saw them lose 0-5 in an ODI series to South Africa.

They enjoyed good campaigns in 2007, 2009 (World T20), 2011 and again in 2012 (World T20) where they finished runners-up before finally ending their trophy drought in 2014.

But things started going downhill ever since their maiden World T20 triumph with the senior duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene biding adieu to their international careers the following year.

And things don't seem to be on the rise and as recently as this week, the Lankan Tigers succumbed to an embarrassing loss to Scotland and had to see Bangladesh move past them in the ICC ODI rankings.

Talking about Sri Lanka's chances in the upcoming tournament, Dilshan feels that considering the conditions in English conditions, the non-Asian team ---England, South Africa and Australia will have a huge advantage.

"We have a young team and they are inexperienced but a talented one. Playing away from the sub-continent, especially in English conditions, is not an easy task and that is where sides like England, South Africa and Australia will have a huge advantage," the former Sri Lankan opener said in an interview with pakpassion.net.

"For Asian countries to win the trophy in England is not going to be easy. In fact, I will say that even playing 75% of their potential will not be enough and they will need to play out of their skins to win the Champions Trophy this year," he added.

The -40-year-old, however, did hesitate to name any one team as the favourite to win the Champions Trophy.

Sri Lanka will kick off their campaign against South Africa on June 3 before the two matches against their sub-continental rivals India and Pakistan.

Sri Lanka Squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwan Pradeep, Asela Gunaratne, Chamara Kapugedera, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara.

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Terming it as 'lovely coincidence', 'Berlin bound' Priyanka Chopra met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning.

While PeeCee is holidaying in Germany post her Hollywood release, PM Modi is on a six-day-four-nation tour.

The 34-year-old took to Instagram to share the moment with her fans and even thanked the Prime Minister for taking out time to meet her.

"Was such a lovely coincidence to be in #berlin at the same time as the Prime Minister. Thank you @narendramodi Sir for taking the time from your packed schedule to meet me this morning," wrote the 'Quantico' star.

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to hear the urgent plea filed by IPS officer R. S. Bhagora, who has been convicted in the 2002 Bilkis Bano rape case.

The apex court, however, said that it could hear his plea on the second week of July.

Bhagora is one of the 11 accused convicted by the Bombay High court in connection of the Bilkis Bano rape case.

Bhagora had sought to stay his conviction granted by the Bombay High court.

Earlier on May 4, the Bombay High Court ruled out death penalty to three out of 11 people accused of in the brutal gangrape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said that five new convicts in this case are police officers and are currently convicted under Indian Penal Code (IPC) 201 and 218.

Earlier, the Bombay High Court also set aside acquittal of five persons, including doctors and policemen, and convicted them for tampering of evidence in the Bilkis Bano case.

The CBI had appealed against the acquittal of five Gujarat police officers who connived with the convicts by fudging documents and compromising the inquest report.

Last year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) named it as the rarest of rare cases and that the death penalty must be awarded to three convicts.

The 11 convicts, who were sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court in 2008, had moved the Gujarat high court against their conviction.

The Supreme Court later moved the case from Gujarat high court to Bombay court, which upheld the conviction of the 11.

On March 1, 2002, Bilkis Bano was gang-raped and left for dead alongside 14 members of her family, including her 3-year-old daughter, during the Gujarat riots. She was then five months pregnant, when Hindu rioters attacked her in Vadodara .

In 2008, she won the first-ever conviction in a riot-related rape case against 13 men.

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Training their guns on the Centre for banning the sale of cattle for slaughter across the country's livestock markets, the Congress on Tuesday alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have earlier accepted that they consume beef too.

"The beef issue has been initiated by BJP and not by the opposition. We have many a time put forward our petition requesting the government to completely ban cattle slaughter in Manipur and Goa too but it was never taken into consideration. Many of the BJP leaders have accepted that they consume beef- Is this not politics?," Congress leader Meem Afzal said told ANI.

He further warned the Centre to not take any arbitrary measure towards the country.

Resonating similar views, another Congress leader Madhu Goud Yaskhi stated that the grand old party had never turned the cow into a political issue.

"Even when the Congress was in power, the government never made such statements nor amended them. The grand old party never made cow a political issue nor on the eating habits of the people," Yaskhi told ANI.

Earlier, criticizing the Centre's order, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that he didn't need a "lesson in food habits from New Delhi or Nagpur."

"Those sitting in Nagpur and Delhi cannot decide the food habits of Malayalis," he said.

Protesting against Centre's new norm, Students' Federation of India (SFI) organized a beef festival earlier on May 27 in Kerala by eating beef outside University College, Trivandrum.

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Harsh Vardhan had on Friday ordered that the ministry has notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 to ensure that the sale of cattle is not meant for slaughter purposes.

He said the seller and buyer both have to ensure that the cattle is not being bought or sold in the market for slaughter purposes.

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A day after the Congress Party condemned the Kerala incident, where the youth Congress workers butchered a calf in public, the grand old party drew flak from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who called it a "mere crocodile tears" to hide their real motive and intentions.

BJP leader Zafar Islam told ANI that no one in the history has ever staged such a violent protest like the Congress did.

"These are all mere crocodile tears. No one has ever protested like the way Congress did. Rahul Gandhi is shedding crocodile tears because people have come to know the real face of the Congress Party. They have got to know the real motive and intentions of the party," he said.

The Congress Party on Monday has dubbed Kerala's incident as 'reprehensible', while stating that the party does not support any kind of violence and barbarism.

"India's ethos and Congress Party's culture abjures any kind of violence or barbarism against every living being much less the 'Cow', which has a special place in the hearts and mind of people of India," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said in a statement.

Earlier, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi conclusively condemned this cruel incident

"What happened in Kerala yesterday is thoughtless, barbaric & completely unacceptable to me &the Congress Party. I strongly condemn the incident," Rahul said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, facing sharp criticism, the Congress Party suspended three youth members.

The Kannur Police on May 28 registered a case against district president of Youth Congress and other Congress workers under Section 120 (A) of the Kerala Police Act, for slaughtering calf in public view.

The police filed the case on the basis of a video where the president of Youth Congress, Rigil Pookkutty and other Youth Congress workers could be seen slaughtering the calf.

The incident comes amid hue and cry over Centre's new rule prohibiting sale of animals for slaughter or religious sacrifice at livestock markets and animal fairs.

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The Bangabandhu-1 satellite will be commercially launched by June 2018, State Minister for Post and Telecommunications Tarana Halim said on Tuesday.

"More than 85 percent work of the satellite has been completed. It will be sent into orbit in December this year or January next year if the weather remains in favour," The Daily Star quoted State Minister for Post and Telecommunications Tarana Halim as saying.

The minister informed media persons after her recent visit to France in this regard.

Thales Alenia Space, a French aerospace manufacturer, is manufacturing the satellite with a cost of Tk 2,967 crore.

The satellite, meant for communication and broadcast services, is so far the most sophisticated technological project undertaken by Bangladesh.

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Former Panama dictator General Manuel Antonio Noriega died late Monday in Panama City. He was 83.

Noriega was in a hospital recovering from a brain tumor operation, The Telegraph quoted local government sources as saying.

Juan Carlos Varela, president of Panama, announced Noriega's death on Twitter.

"The death of Manuel Noriega closes a chapter in our history; his daughters and their families deserve a burial in peace," he said.

Noriega had spent the last two and a half decades behind bars after being convicted on drug trafficking and money laundering charges.

He was first imprisoned in Florida, then in France, before being flown back to Panama in 2011.

He was also convicted in absentia in three homicide cases involving 11 murders, including the 1985 beheading of Hugo Spadafora, a physician who threatened to reveal Noriega's drug ties, and the 1989 execution-style slaying of nine officers who staged a failed coup.

Widely reviled when he was Panama's de facto leader from 1983 until 1989, his small cadre of remaining supporters had kept a low profile and even bitter opponents dismissed Noriega as part of a distant, shadowy past.

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Hollywood actor and activist George Clooney renewed his endorsement of a million- dollar peace prize by speaking about the power of 'individuals to make a difference,' while addressing various humanitarian crisis of the world.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 56-year-old-actor, who addressed the awards ceremony of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity via video feed, feels that in times when violence continues to threaten people's spirits, "it is important to recognize people who selflessly help others".

This year's Aurora Prize went to American doctor Tom Catena, a Catholic missionary from Amsterdam, N.Y., who has saved thousands of lives working as the sole doctor permanently based in Sudan's war-ravaged Nuba Mountains.

Talking about Dr. Catena, Clooney said, "As violence and war continue to threaten people's spirits and perseverance, it is important to recognize, empower and celebrate people like Dr. Catena who are selflessly helping others to not only survive, but thrive. Dr. Catena is a role model to us all, and yet another example of people on the ground truly making a difference."

The 'Money Monster' star and father-to-be further joked "how he would have never returned back home, if he was there attending the ceremony."

"I really would have been [in Yerevan] but if I came there and my wife had twins while I was there, I could never come home," he added.

The actor-turned-activist gave a video address at the award ceremony because he was at home with wife Amal Clooney, while the two prepare to become parents in the coming days.

For the unversed, The Aurora prize, launched last year, was set up to honour the survivours of the Armenian genocide of 1915-1923 and to inspire others to follow the example of people of all nationalities who at that time came to the aid of people suffering in one of the earliest and, at the time, biggest humanitarian crises of the 20th century.

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Germany's Foreign Minister launched a scathing attack on U.S. President Donald Trump for his "short-sighted "policies that have 'weakened' the West and damage the European interests.

Such a criticism from foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel came after German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Europe could no longer completely rely on traditional allies of U.S. and Britain.

Germany was annoyed with Trump as he refused to affirm U.S. support for the 2015 Paris climate accord.

"Anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk," The Guardian quoted Gabriel as saying.

"The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union," he said, judging that "the west has become smaller, at least it has become weaker," he added.

President Trump berated NATO allies for not doing enough on terrorism and spending and said 23 of the its 28 members including Germany are "still not paying what they should be paying for their defence " towards the funding of the bloc.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday welcomed India's accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

A joint statement issued by both countries after bilateral delegation-level talks said that both leaders have expressed their commitment to strengthen global non-proliferation efforts.

Germany also welcomed India's intensified engagement with the other export control regimes - the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement - and expressed its support for India's early accession to these regimes.

Both leaders also welcomed the regular holding of annual German-Indian cyber consultations since 2015, geared towards cooperation to strengthen the bilateral cyber relationship as laid out in the Joint Declaration of Intent on German-Indian Cooperation on Cyber Policy.

Both sides looked forward to a successful conclusion of the work of the UN Group of Governmental Experts in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security.

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India and Germany on Tuesday agreed to continue cooperation towards the common aim of developing climate-friendly, efficient and sustainable solutions for India's expanding energy needs and other areas of sustainable development.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed appreciation for Germany's assistance in developmental projects over the years.

Prime Minister Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed the outcome of the Annual Negotiations on development cooperation held in October 2016, as well as the new envisaged commitments in bilateral development cooperation for 2017, each comprising an amount of one billion Euros.

Both the leaders expressed great appreciation for the successful cooperation on fostering renewable energies in India.

They highlighted the successful Indo-German Solar Partnership founded in 2015 and the cooperation on Green Energy Corridors established in 2013.

Building on existing formats of cooperation, the leaders reiterated their support to the Indo-German Climate and Renewables Alliance as an overarching alliance between India and Germany with the objective to give recognition to ongoing collaboration of various stakeholders on energy and climate change as well as to enhance cooperation and synergies in these fields.

The leaders underlined the importance of the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) in contributing to the further development of the Indian energy sector. They envisaged holding the next meeting of the Indo-German Energy Forum in the second half of 2017 in India.

Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merkel reaffirmed the importance of the Indo-German Environment Forum (IGEnvF) in contributing to further cooperation on environmental issues, including biodiversity and climate change.

They agreed to hold the next meeting of the Indo-German Environmental Forum this year in New Delhi.

Both sides expressed their commitment to work towards the goals expressed in the New Urban Agenda, agreed at the Habitat III conference in 2016.

The Indo-German cooperation on urban development will help to facilitate their implementation. Sustainable urban development was agreed as a new priority area of bilateral cooperation between India and Germany in 2016.

Until 2022 Germany intends to provide financial and technical assistance in the range of 1 billion Euros.

The Joint Working Group on Sustainable Urban Development identified Kochi, Coimbatore and Bhubaneshwar for bilateral collaboration. Underpinning this cooperation, both sides encouraged to cooperate in the field of spatial and urban monitoring and evaluation systems.

They underlined opportunities for German companies in the sector of sustainable urban development opened by India's initiative on 100 Smart Cities.

The two leaders welcomed the meetings of the Working Groups for collaboration in Water Management, Waste Management / Circular Economy, and Climate Change held in 2016 and took note of the scheduled meetings for 2017 including the meeting of the proposed Working Group on Biodiversity.

They welcomed the ongoing Indo-German cooperation on resource efficiency and called for continuation of joint initiatives in this field. Both Leaders noted the proposed establishment of the G20 Resource Efficiency Partnership. They highlighted the successfully operating Indian Resource Panel (InRP), making India one of the first emerging economies having in place a national advisory body on resource efficiency.

The leaders acknowledged, in particular with regard to the G20, the ongoing important work and activities at different levels to fight marine litter and to counteract its impacts. They stressed the need for cooperation to follow-up on the work done so far within the G20.

Both sides highlighted the constructive role of the Bilateral Working Group on Agriculture, Food Processing and Consumer Protection with its last meeting in November 2016 in Hannover.

Bilateral efforts focused on food safety and residues management, plant protection topics, development of the seed sector, agricultural training and skills enhancement, processing as well as veterinary issues.

Recognizing the need to promote an ecosystem that creates entrepreneurial economy, both leaders agreed to promote cooperation in the field of Startups by facilitating interaction with various stakeholders in the Startups ecosystem.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India and Germany on Tuesday inked twelve memoranda of understanding and agreements following bilateral delegation-level talks presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The agreements inked included nine joint declarations of intent (JDIs) and three memoranda of understanding.

The list of agreements is as follows:

. JDI on cooperation in the field of digitalization, empowerment and economic impact between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Germany's Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. This was signed by India's Ambassador to Germany Mukta Dutta Tomar and Germany's Minister for Economic Affairs Brigitte Zypries.

. Agreement on collaboration on training of Indian skill development officers and cluster managers between the Ministry of Skill Development and BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research). This was signed by Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development Dr. K.P. Krishnan and Germany's Minister for Education and Research Johanna Wanka.

. JDI for the establishment of a Indo-German Centre for Sustainability between Ministry of Science and Technology and the BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research). This was signed by Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Harsh Vardhan and his German counterpart Johanna Wanka.

. JDI on cooperation on cyber policy between the Ministry of External Affairs and the German Foreign Office. This was signed by Minister of State for External Affairs M. J. Akbar and German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel

. JDI on Indo-German Development Cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and BMZ (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development). This was signed by Secretary, Corporate Affairs Tapan Ray and Germany's Development Minister Gerd Mueller

. JDI on continuation of cooperation in the field of advanced training of corporate and junior executives from India between the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and BMWi (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy). This was signed between Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister for Economic Affairs Brigitte Zypries

. JDI on cooperation in vocational education and skill development for machine tools between the Department of Heavy Industries and BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research). This was signed by Indian Ambassador Mukta Dutta Tomar and Minister for Economic Affairs Brigitte Zypries

. Agreement on cooperation in health sector between Ministry of Health and BMG (Federal Ministry of Health). This was signed between Ambassador Mukta Dutta Tomar and State Secretary (Health) Lutz Stroppe.

. Cooperation in alternative medicine between the AYUSH and BMG (Federal Ministry of Health). This was signed by Ambassador Mukta Dutta Tomar and State Secretary (Health) Lutz Stroppe.

. JDI on collaboration between Foreign Service institutes between the Ministry of External Affairs and the German Foreign Office. This was signed by Ambassador Mukta Dutta Tomar and the Head of the German Foreign Service Academy, Dr. Horst Freitag.

. JDI on cooperation in railway safety between the Ministry of Railways and German Ministry of Transport. This was signed by Ambassador Mukta Dutta Tomar and Germany's Parliamentary State Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Dr. Norbert Barthle.

. JDI on cooperation for sustainable urban development between the Ministry of Urban Development and German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. This was signed by German Development Minister Gerd Mueller.

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Emphasizing their commitment to a stable, united, prosperous, pluralistic and peaceful Afghanistan, India and Germany on Tuesday said that they saw the Heart of Asia-Istanbul process as the key to sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

In a joint statement issued after bilateral delegation-level talks here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said they supported a comprehensive and inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.

They maintained that this would lead to the renunciation of violence and breaking of all ties to international terrorism and respect for the Afghan Constitution, including its human rights provisions.

They said the Heart of Asia-Istanbul process remains an important format for regional confidence building and regional political cooperation.

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Indonesian Police has named Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader and firebrand cleric Rizieq Shihab a suspect in a pornography case .

Rizieq was named a suspect without having undergone police questioning under his previous capacity as a witness as he had failed to answer police summons twice in April and May, Jakarata Post reported.

"At 12 a.m. today [Monday], investigators of Jakarta Police's special crimes unit increased Rizieq's status from witness to suspect," said Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono.

Argo said investigators had gathered adequate evidence to name Rizieq a suspect. "He will be charged under articles 4, 6 and 8 of the 2008 Pornography Law," he said.

Meanwhile, Rizieq's lawyer, Sugito Atmo Pawiro said he had received the update on his client from the police.

"It is true. We will fight back against the police," Sugito, who was in Saudi Arabia along with Rizieq, he said.

President Joko Widodo has said he would not tolerate any individuals or organisations that undermine the secular state ideology "Pancasila", or threaten Indonesia's tradition of pluralism.

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In a major success, the Indian Army apprehended Md Kasim, along with two packets of heroin, valued at approximately above Rs. two crore from the Line of Control in Bhimber Gali of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on the night of May 29.

23-year-oldMd Kasim under the garb of cattle grazer had gone to the LoC and received the consignment of heroin from a Pakistani Occupied Kashmir .

The alert troops of the Army challenged and apprehended the individual.

The apprehension is a significant blow to the nefarious designs of Pakistan Army in facilitating narco smuggling to fund terrorism in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

An FIR has been lodged with the Poonch Police. The search of the area and further investigations are under progress.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel started the fourth round of the biannual Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) in Berlin on Tuesday.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted, "PM Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merkel is undertaking a comprehensive review of cooperation at the Plenary meeting of the Inter-Governmental Consultations."

Germany is the only country with which India has such an institutionalized dialogue mechanism.

The first IGC was held in New Delhi in 2011, the second in Berlin in 2013, and the third in New Delhi in 2015.

Prime Minister Modi is accompanied by Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Seetharaman and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome on as he began his two-day official visit to Germany.

Received by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Modi was accorded the ceremonial reception, where the national anthem of India and Germany were played.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement at the end of the first day of Prime Minister Modi's two-day Germany visit, "The two leaders discussed Afghanistan and reiterated their support for an Afghan led and Afghan owned reconciliation and development process. There was discussion also on the issue of radicalization and terrorism and each countries experience in dealing with this."

Both the leaders also discussed Brexit and the impact on India and Germany and on the future of the European Union.

.

Modi and Merkel will also jointly address the India-Germany Business Summit later in the day.

On Monday, Modi and Merkel held a private meeting in the latter's country resort of Schloss Meseberg, 65 km from Berlin, in which a range of issues, including terrorism, climate change were discussed.

"We will chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with focus on trade and investment , security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation ,The Prime Minister said before he left for Berlin.

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Kathmandu [Nepal], May 30 (ANI): A cargo plane of the Nepal Army with a call sign NA- 048, crashlanded at the rural airport in Bajura district of Nepal on Tuesday.

Two cabin crew and an army official were inside the plane which took off for Simikot in Humla district with food provided by the Nepal Food Corporation.

The plane was subsequently diverted to Bajura's Kolti after failing to land there.

Kailash Gurung, the pilot of the crashed plane, is undergoing treatment in Nepalgunj.

"The plane veered off the runway and reached the nearby field. Break fail has been reported and we have successfully rescued two of the people inside the sky truck of Nepal Army. We are cutting off the door to rescue another," the CDO of Bajura, Mr. Devendra Lamichhane, told ANI over phone at 12:50 p.m.

Later, the army and the locals were successful in bringing the flames around the aircraft under control.

Bajura's headquarters Martadi lies some 950-kilometers from capital Kathmandu.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara presented the budget for the fiscal year 2017-18 in the Parliament on Monday , which is 22 percent more than that of the current fiscal year.

The budget has earmarked adequate funds for newly formed local bodies,giving resources for provincial and federal elections, major physical infrastructure projects and post-earthquake reconstruction works, it has given continuity to some of the distributive programmes, which could have been avoided. One such instance is the decision to continue extending Rs 5 million to each lawmaker under the Constituency Development Programme and Rs 30 million to every electoral constituency under the Constituency Infrastructure Special Programme, Kathmandu Post reported.

"These programmes should be phased out gradually after local governments become strong enough to cater to the developmental needs," said Swarnim Wagle, a senior economist and member of the National Planning Commission.

The government in the next fiscal year is transferring Rs 225 billion, or 17.6 percent of the total budget, to local bodies, as per the commitment expressed earlier to devolve the responsibility of budget formulation for local bodies from the central to the local level. This policy shift was made after the country formally embraced federal setup in March.

From the next fiscal, each village council will receive a fiscal equalisation grant in the range of Rs 100 million to Rs 390 million, while each municipality will receive a grant ranging from Rs 150 million to Rs 430 million. Each sub-metropolitan city, on the other hand, will receive a minimum grant of Rs 400 million and a maximum of Rs 630 million, while every metropolitan city will receive a grant ranging from Rs 560 million to Rs 1.2 billion.

These allocations were made based on population, development status, cost of service delivery and geographical area, according to Finance Minister Mahara.

In addition to these grants, each local body will be entitled to a conditional grant ranging from Rs 12 million to Rs 783.9 million.

Also, village councils will be allowed to implement projects and programmes of up to Rs 5 million on their own, while such ceiling for municipalities has been fixed at Rs 10 million.

Sub-metropolitan and metropolitan cities, on the other hand, can implement projects and programmes worth up to Rs 20 million on their own.

"These projects and programmes, currently being implemented by the central government, must be handed over to the local bodies within mid-August along with the funds. Concerned ministries should also extend necessary technical support to local bodies to implement these projects and programmes," Mahara said, adding, "These measures will help people feel the difference brought about by federalism."

To further institutionalise federalism, the government is holding provincial and federal elections in the next fiscal year, for which "adequate budget" has been allocated.

All these expenses will bloat the size of the government's recurrent budget--which also covers salary and allowances of civil servants--by 30 percent to Rs 803.5 billion in the next fiscal year.

Despite moderate increment in capital budget, adequate funds have been allocated for national pride projects, such as Upper Tamakoshi and Budhi Gandaki hydroelectric projects; Rani-Jamara-Kuleriya, Bheri Babai and Sikta irrigation projects; Nijgad, Bhairahawa and Pokhara international airports; Kathmandu-Tarai expressway; Postal Highway; and East-West Electric Railway Line.

Also, Rs 62.5 billion has been allocated for the energy sector, Rs 30.5 billion for urban infrastructure and Rs 40 billion for the agricultural sector. Another, Rs 146.2 billion has been allocated for post-earthquake reconstruction works.

"Of the money allocated for reconstruction, over Rs 50 billion was government's own fund," Wagle said. "This will give us more flexibility in programme implementation, as foreign funds usually come with conditions and delay works."

The finance minister has allocated Rs 140.3 billion for financing provision, which includes loans to state-owned enterprises and cost incurred in principal repayment.

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The Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) has mobilised one crore youth to fulfil Modi's vision of 'New India'. Following the recent call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote out-of-the-box thinking among the youth to his vision of a new India, the NYKS, India's largest youth organisation has launched a massive skill development, social and financial inclusion and development programme for the youth of the country involving more than One Crore youth in creating awareness and facilitating digital transitions.

The NYKS, with the help of National Remote Sensing Centre under ISRO, has also developed a Mobile App for youth workers in the country through which the NYKS will promote out-of-the-box thinking among the youth to fulfil the prime minister's vision of a new India, said Major General (Retd) Dilawar Singh, Director General of the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) in a statement.

"The Mobile App is part of the BHUVAN Geo Portal. The Youth Clubs can upload their data in the portal with help of Mobile App including their profile, programmes / activities, photographs and Village Profile", Singh said.

Recently, Prime Minister Modi had exhorted thousands of innovators and engineers participating in India's biggest innovation fest named Smart India Hackathon to think out of the box.

"India has been a hub of knowledge. We invented zero. We have travelled from zero to Mars. We have travelled from Upanishada to Upagraha. Your innovations, products will change lives. Your approach will strengthen 'New India'," said the Prime Minister.

"The PM asked questions during his interaction to students in different states to know about their plans. And I can say that NYKS is following his footprints. For the first time, NYKS launched a major initiative for the Youth from rural villages across India for Patriotism and Nation Building. It is matter of great interest that this year the National Award was won by a Muslim girl from J&K for the programme on Patriotism and Nation Building", said DG, NYKS.

The NYKS, which had gone into slumber in the last more than a decade, has revived itself and emerged as one of the largest youth organization in the world.

"As against a total number of 24.50 lakh youth involved in programmes in the year 2013-1, the figure has now reached 128 lakh in last two years, and as against 28,000 number of activities, the figure has now reached 1.20 lakh," claimed Major General Singh.

An autonomous organization of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, NYKS was established in the year 1972 with the objective of providing rural youth avenues to take part in the process of nation building as well providing opportunities for the development of their personality and skills.

The NYKS has undertaken a very large number of initiatives for structural improvements, procedural refinements, and upgradation of staff competences and accountability. It has also introduced a large number of new programmes for the youth leadership development; enhance participation of youth in sport, adventure activities and life skills. The NYKS has mobilised a much large number of youth participants in its programmes and created opportunities for the youth to learn and facilitate implementation of the Govt. of India's flagship schemes, especially those related to youth in the field of overall wellness (Yoga), skill development, social and financial inclusion and development.

"NYKS is now also spreading out it wings into Urban Areas where it was earlier non-existent and reaching out to the needy youth in slum areas also. In a recently conducted programme, nearly one crore youth were involved in creating awareness and facilitating the Digital Transitions. It is important to note that the above enhancement has been carried out with almost the similar budget as earlier", said Major General Singh.

He further added that NYKS had conducted National Integration Camps in the far flung areas including one in Jammu & Kashmir on the Line of Control in Poonch.

"The aim is to create opportunities and give relevant exposure about the positive development by the Modi Government among the youth from the most affected areas of J&K, North east and Naxal affected areas," he said.

The NYKS director general further informed that "a major programme was also conducted for the youth of Punjab to sensitise them about the ill effects of drugs and alcohol.

The NYKS is involved in new Initiatives like swachchta (cleanliness), immunization, Ganga cleaning, safety on national highways, identification of talent in the field of art and culture across the country," said Singh.

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Terrorists in Pakistan, it seems, are just one click away, as forty-one out of 64 banned terror outfits are active on Facebook either in groups or as individual users.

Given that Pakistan is facing global isolation after numerous terror attacks on Indian security forces and installations, including in Pathankot last year, the Nawaz Sharif government has asked the military brass to act firmly against terror outfits operating in the country. So, the question that arises is that if there has been a crackdown launched on these terror outfits, how are they so active on Facebook?

According to an investigation carried out by Dawn during April this year, these outfits are a mix of Sunni and Shia, sectarian and representing global terror organisations in Pakistan, as also having links with separatists in Balochistan and Sindh.

Some techniques were used to identify the terror groups active on Facebook i.e. the name s of all banned outfits, including acronyms, variations in spelling was done to search pages on Facebook.

The size of the terror outfit can be judged by the number of pages on the social site, reports the Daily.

For instance, the terror outfit Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) has 200 pages and groups like the Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) and Sipah-i-Sahaba (SSP) have 160 and 148 pages respectively. The Balochistan Students Organisation Azad (BSO-A) has 54 pages, while the Sipah-e-Muhammad has 45 pages.

Other banned outfits which exist on Facebook at a smaller scale include Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat, Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi, Jamat-ul-Ahrar, 313 Brigade, multiple Shia outfits and a host of Baloch separatist organisations.

This shows that there is still a lot of support for sectarian and extremist ideologies in Pakistan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's elder son Hussain Nawaz will be interrogated by the joint investigation team probing the Panama Papers case for a second time on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court on Monday had turned down objections raised by Hussain Nawaz against two members of a team investigating the offshore financial assets of the ruling family.

"We are not going to remove any JIT member on mere conjecture unless something concrete comes up because the prime minister is the one being investigated," Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, who heads the three-judge implementation bench of the Supreme Court, observed, the Dawn and the Express Tribune has reported.

Hussain had earlier objected to the inclusion of two members - Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan's Bilal Rasool and State Bank of Pakistan's Amer Aziz - accusing them of being close to the PML-N's political rivals.

The JIT decided to summon Hussain Nawaz to inquire about Sharif Family's assets in London and Qatar.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome on Tuesday as he began his two-day official visit to Germany.

Received by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Modi was accorded the ceremonial reception, where the national anthems of India and Germany were played.

The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier said in a statement at the end of the first day of Prime Minister Modi's two-day Germany visit, "The two leaders discussed Afghanistan and reiterated their support for an Afghan led and Afghan owned reconciliation and development process. There was discussion also on the issue of radicalization and terrorism and each countries experience in dealing with this."

Both the leaders also discussed Brexit and the impact on India and Germany and on the future of the European Union .

The statement added that Prime Minister Modi also appreciated Germany's presence in Afghanistan to provide stability and called upon the need for consolidation of efforts in Afghanistan.

"The leaders also touched upon OBOR (one Belt One Road). There was some discussion on climate change issues and the leaders discussed the possibilities including in the G 20 contact, there was exchange also on happenings in the international arena," said the MEA.

The two leaders also reviewed Brexit, its effects on both India and Germany as well as the future of the European Union (EU).

The two sides, during bilateral talks, also discussed how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programs including skill development, energy sector, environment, smart cities and digital India.

The German side appreciated India's economic reform agenda, the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism that was established in 2015 to assist German businessmen in India.

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Following his visit to Germany, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on a two-day visit to Spain on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Modi would kick-start his two-day visit to Spain with bilateral engagements with Spanish President Mariano Rajoy.

During his stay, he will meet the top leadership of the country to discuss issues of mutual interests. He is also expected to call on King of Spain - King Felipe VI tomorrow.

The Prime Minister will be discussing ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in combating terrorism.

Prime Minister Modi will also meet top Chief Executive Officers of the Spanish industry and encourage them to take part in the 'Make in India' initiative.

During his tour to Spain, a number of agreements are likely to be inked in the fields including, renewable energy, high speed rail, infrastructure, civil aviation, water waste management and air space management.

In the first leg of his four nation tour to Germany, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed number of regional and global issues, including Brexit, terrorism, Afghanistan as well as China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.

Discussions on climate change and the possibilities of including India in the G 20 contact also took place.

The two leaders also reviewed Brexit, its effects on both India and Germany as well as the future of the European Union (EU).

The two sides, during bilateral talks, also discussed how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programs including skill development, energy sector, environment, smart cities and digital India.

The German side appreciated India's economic reform agenda, the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism that was established in 2015 to assist German businessmen in India.

After concluding his visit, Prime Minister Modi said that he had a "very good interaction" with Merkel.

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Following his visit to Germany, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Spain's Madrid from Germany's Berlin Tegel Airport on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Modi will kick-start his two-day visit to Spain with bilateral engagements with Spanish President Mariano Rajoy.

During his stay, he will meet the top leadership of the country to discuss issues of mutual interests. He is also expected to call on King of Spain - King Felipe VI tomorrow.

The Prime Minister will be discussing ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in combating terrorism.

Prime Minister Modi will also meet top Chief Executive Officers of the Spanish industry and encourage them to take part in the 'Make in India' initiative.

During his tour to Spain, a number of agreements are likely to be inked in the fields including, renewable energy, high speed rail, infrastructure, civil aviation, water waste management and air space management.

In the first leg of his four nation tour to Germany, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed number of regional and global issues, including Brexit, terrorism, Afghanistan as well as China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.

Discussions on climate change and the possibilities of including India in the G 20 contact also took place.

The two leaders also reviewed Brexit, its effects on both India and Germany as well as the future of the European Union (EU).

The two sides, during bilateral talks, also discussed how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programs including skill development, energy sector, environment, smart cities and digital India.

The German side appreciated India's economic reform agenda, the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism that was established in 2015 to assist German businessmen in India.

After concluding his visit, Prime Minister Modi said that he had a "very good interaction" with Merkel.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Angela Merkel have decided to strengthen Indo-German counter terrorism cooperation.

"On terrorism, both leaders conveyed their deep concern over the spread of this global menace, which is also a greater threat to humanity today. They decided to strengthen Indo-German counter terrorism cooperation," Joint Secretary (EW) in Berlin Randhir Kumar Jaiswal said here.

He said, there were discussions on how India and Germany must together strengthen rule based global orders.

"Prime Minister Modi discussed the ongoing cooperation, security and defence fields and how to take it forward. On local issues, there were discussions on how India-Germany must together standby strengthen rule based global orders. Prime Minister conveyed India's deep commitment to the strengthening of European Union which he said that important role to play in the global order. He acknowledged Germany is lead in strengthening the European Union," Jaiswal said.

Jaiswal also assured that on the sidelines of Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC), two financial implementation agreements for 2015 and 2016 was signed.

"On the sidelines of Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC), two implementation agreements for 2015 & 2016 were signed. As part of this agreement, Germany is offering financial assistance worth USD 1.4 billion for 2015 and USD 1 billion for 2016," he added.

In sector of collaboration between India and Germany, three MoUs have been signed.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday for the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations. This is Prime Minister Modi's second bilateral visit to Germany.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday touched upon a number of regional and global issues, including Brexit, terrorism, Afghanistan as well as China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement at the end of the first day of Prime Minister Modi's two-day Germany visit, "The two leaders discussed Afghanistan and reiterated their support for an Afghan led and Afghan owned reconciliation and development process. There was discussion also on the issue of radicalization and terrorism and each countries experience in dealing with this."

The statement added that Prime Minister Modi also appreciated Germany's presence in Afghanistan to provide stability and called upon the need for consolidation of efforts in Afghanistan.

"The leaders also touched upon OBOR (one Belt One Road). There was some discussion on climate change issues and the leaders discussed the possibilities including in the G 20 contact, there was exchange also on happenings in the international arena," said the MEA.

The two leaders also reviewed Brexit, its effects on both India and Germany as well as the future of the European Union (EU).

The two sides, during bilateral talks, also discussed how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programs including skill development, energy sector, environment, smart cities and digital India.

The German side appreciated India's economic reform agenda, the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism that was established in 2015 to assist German businessmen in India.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday arrested four more accused in the shocking Rampur molestation case, taking the number of nabbed perpetrators to nine.

Out of the four arrested, one has been identified as a 16-year-old minor, named Rahees.

The other three have been identified as Fazil, Bhoora, Qasim.

A massive hunt is underway to nab the remaining five absconding culprits.

Reacting sharply to the case, Uttar Pradesh ADG Law and Order Aditya Mishra yesterday dubbed the incident as 'sad', while saying that the police would ensure that such misconduct is not repeated in future.

"This is very serious and sad incident. We will try that this kind of incident should not get repeated in future," Mishra told ANI.

Asserting that the police have taken fast action in the case, he further informed that four accused have been arrested till now.

The state police successfully arrested four prime accused in the molestation case till yesterday.

While three men were arrested on Sunday night, the fourth was nabbed yesterday.

The social media was set on fire, after a video two women being molested by a group of men in broad daylight in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur surfaced.

Around 12 to 14 boys can be seen in the video, molesting the women, even while they pleaded to let them go.

Proving the sheer fearlessness of the perpetrators, the boys filmed the entire development and posted it on social media.

Besides manhandling and molesting the girls, the boys were laughing and making jokes the whole time, while the distraught girls kept on begging to be spared.

Surprisingly, it was not much long ago when Yogi-Adityanath Government has launched 'Anti-Romeo' squads to check on eve-teasing in public areas, to ensure the safety of girls in the state.

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Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf, who is more famous for controversies rather than his movies, has found himself again in a dispute.

As reported by the People Magazine, according to the court documents obtained by The Hollywood Reporter last month, LaBeouf, 30, - who was accompanied by wife Mia Goth - got into a verbal altercation with staffers at Jerry's Famous Deli, after bartender David Bernstein refused to serve LaBeouf and Goth a drink, allegedly because they were already too intoxicated.

Now a month later, Bernstein filed documents at L.A. Superior Court suing LaBeouf for defamation, slander and assault, and seeking damages of five million USD.

However, the 'Transfomers' star attorney Brian Wolf feels that Bernstein's lawsuit is absolutely "baseless".

"The recent lawsuit filed against Shia is baseless. The statements attributed to Shia forming the basis of the action do not remotely constitute 'defamation'. The case is little more than an effort to harass our client. We will vigorous defend and seek dismissal of this frivolous action and will seek recovery of all attorneys fees and costs from the plaintiff," Wolf shared.

In the lawsuit, Bernstein accuses the star of being "significantly under the influence" while entering the area where employees and bartenders work and slammed his fist on the bar.

In a video obtained by TMZ, LaBeouf can be heard screaming at Bernstein, calling him a "f***ing racist b**ch."

The lawsuit also noted that Bernstein has worked at Jerry's Famous Deli for 32 years and that he is a "beloved individual to his customers who are predominantly African-American."

This lawsuit comes after LaBeouf's January arrest in New York City during a protest against President Donald Trump after he allegedly attacked a 25-year-old man - and video of the entire incident was posted online.

LaBeouf was charged with misdemeanor assault and a harassment violation.

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The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has asserted that South-West monsoon is set to hit Kerala by today.

South Kerala has already received heavy rainfall, but few places in the state's northern parts are yet to receive rains, which is expected to improve by end of the day.

As per the meteorological department, rain and thundershowers are expected to occur at most places in Kerala in the next five-days.

While strong winds from westerly direction with speed of 45-55 kmph are expected off Kerala coast and over Lakshadweep Island.

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It looks like the Netflix driven series 'The Crown' has got the 'royal' approval from Her Majesty the Queen herself.

According to The Independent, Queen Elizabeth II really liked the show which depicts Queen's early years in power - and touches on some deeply intimate aspects of her life, from Her Majesty's relationship with Prince Philip to Princess Margaret's affair with a divorced man.

"Happily, she really liked it, although obviously there were some depictions of events that she found too heavily dramatized," said a royal source as quoted by The Independent.

The screenings of the show were arranged in her majesty's private apartments at Windsor Castle by her son and daughter-in-law.

The source added, "Edward and Sophie love The Crown. It has been a longstanding arrangement that they drive to Windsor at the weekend to join the Queen for an informal supper while watching TV or a film. They have a Netflix account and urged her to watch it with them."

The Emmy and Golden Globe-award winning drama was the most expensive TV series of all time, with the first season costing a massive 130 million USD to produce.

The second season will focus more on Philip and will span approximately 10 years, up until 1964.

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U.S. President Donald Trump, defending his son-in-law and senior White House advisor Jared Kushner, said that he has 'total confidence in him'.

"Jared is doing a great job for the country. I have total confidence in him. He is respected by virtually everyone and is working on programs that will save our country billions of dollars. In addition to that, and perhaps more importantly, he is a very good person," Trump told the New York Times.

His remarks came after recent reports that Kushner sought to create the secret communications link with Moscow as he met with the Kremlin's ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, early last December.

Following the reports, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) urged Trump to fire his son-in-law from his position as White House advisor.

Meanwhile, Kushner's lawyer has said that he is willing to cooperate with congressional probes of Trump campaign links to Russian officials.

Kushner is presently under scrutiny as investigators widened the area of investigation of the Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential elections.

The FBI is interested in the details of Kushner's meeting with Kislyak, a meeting that the White House first disclosed in March.

Kushner's interactions with Russians - including Kislyak and an executive for a Russian bank under U.S. sanctions - were not acknowledged by the White House until they were exposed in media reports.

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On royalty payments for its $16.5 billion Carmichael coal project

Adani Australia reached agreement with Queensland Government on royalty payments for its $16.5 billion Carmichael coal project. The Adani parent company Board will consider the Final Investment Decision in the next board meeting.

The project, which is the most advanced in the Galilee Basin, involves a phase one mine production of 25 million tonnes per annum and construction of a 388 kms standard gauge open access, consumer user rail link. Peak mine production in later phases will rise to 60 mtpa.

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Sales decline 18.13% to Rs 351.05 crore

Net profit of Bannari Amman Sugars declined 46.48% to Rs 29.23 crore in the quarter ended March 2017 as against Rs 54.62 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2016. Sales declined 18.13% to Rs 351.05 crore in the quarter ended March 2017 as against Rs 428.79 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2016.

For the full year,net profit rose 357.66% to Rs 145.17 crore in the year ended March 2017 as against Rs 31.72 crore during the previous year ended March 2016. Sales rose 22.05% to Rs 1751.26 crore in the year ended March 2017 as against Rs 1434.86 crore during the previous year ended March 2016. ParticularsQuarter EndedYear EndedMar. 2017Mar. 2016% Var.Mar. 2017Mar. 2016% Var.Sales351.05428.79 -18 1751.261434.86 22 OPM %23.6827.45 -19.8514.24 - PBDT58.8185.21 -31 256.3191.32 181 PBT41.5067.26 -38 186.8629.78 527 NP29.2354.62 -46 145.1731.72 358

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Sales decline 2.72% to Rs 9404.95 crore

Net profit of Bharat Heavy Electricals declined 57.38% to Rs 215.55 crore in the quarter ended March 2017 as against Rs 505.71 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2016. Sales declined 2.72% to Rs 9404.95 crore in the quarter ended March 2017 as against Rs 9668.06 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2016.

For the full year,net profit reported to Rs 495.86 crore in the year ended March 2017 as against net loss of Rs 709.60 crore during the previous year ended March 2016. Sales rose 10.82% to Rs 27587.64 crore in the year ended March 2017 as against Rs 24894.33 crore during the previous year ended March 2016. ParticularsQuarter EndedYear EndedMar. 2017Mar. 2016% Var.Mar. 2017Mar. 2016% Var.Sales9404.959668.06 -3 27587.6424894.33 11 OPM %6.928.96 -3.99-5.49 - PBDT482.49981.23 -51 1476.67-228.43 LP PBT268.59738.41 -64 627.83-1164.17 LP NP215.55505.71 -57 495.86-709.60 LP

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Sales rise 30.95% to Rs 57036.48 crore

Net profit of Bharat Petroleum Corporation declined 12.97% to Rs 1841.68 crore in the quarter ended March 2017 as against Rs 2116.03 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2016. Sales rose 30.95% to Rs 57036.48 crore in the quarter ended March 2017 as against Rs 43554.50 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2016.

For the full year,net profit rose 13.93% to Rs 8039.30 crore in the year ended March 2017 as against Rs 7056.36 crore during the previous year ended March 2016. Sales rose 7.33% to Rs 202210.57 crore in the year ended March 2017 as against Rs 188404.64 crore during the previous year ended March 2016. ParticularsQuarter EndedYear EndedMar. 2017Mar. 2016% Var.Mar. 2017Mar. 2016% Var.Sales57036.4843554.50 31 202210.57188404.64 7 OPM %3.887.74 -5.365.85 - PBDT2727.153573.04 -24 12934.1112235.64 6 PBT2203.313143.40 -30 11042.7910391.04 6 NP1841.682116.03 -13 8039.307056.36 14

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BPCL dropped 3.21% to Rs 731.75 at 11:30 IST on BSE after net profit fell 12.96% to Rs 1841.68 crore on 24.17% growth in total income to Rs 66685.61 crore in Q4 March 2017 over Q4 March 2016.

The result was announced after market hours yesterday, 29 May 2017.

The stock had risen 8.58% in five sessions to Rs 756 yesterday, 29 May 2017, from a close of Rs 696.20 on 22 May 2017, ahead of its Q4 results.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 53.46 points or 0.17% at 31,162.74.

On the BSE, 93,091 shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 1.66 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 747 and a low of Rs 725.75 so far during the day. The stock had hit a record high of Rs 769.85 yesterday, 29 May 2017. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 461 on 24 June 2016.

The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 29 May 2017, rising 5.11% compared with the 3.98% gains in the Sensex. The scrip had also outperformed the market in past one quarter, gaining 12.9% as against Sensex's 8.23% gains.

The large-cap company has equity capital of Rs 1446.17 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

BPCL's board recommended a final dividend of Re 1 per share for the year ended 31 March 2017 (FY 2017).

The net under-recovery absorbed by the company was nil in Q4 March 2017 and also in Q4 March 2016 on sale of sensitive petroleum products.

The average gross refining margin in Q4 March 2017 fell to $6.01 per barrel in Q4 March 2017 from $6.3 per barrel in Q4 March 2016.

BPCL's board recommended 1:2 bonus issue of shares.

BPCL is a state-run oil refining-cum-marketing company. The Government of India held 54.93% stake in BPCL (as per the shareholding pattern as on 31 March 2017).

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The focus of the customs department at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) to clear import cargo through the Direct Port Delivery (DPD) model is credit negative for most container freight stations (CFS) located proximate to the port in the short-term, says India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra). Volumes under DPD have increased considerably to 27%-28% of total volumes compared to under 10% a year ago.

The DPD model entails efficient customs clearance of imports at the port itself, thereby obviating the need to divert containerised cargo to CFS, where typically they used to be stored for a couple of days before being cleared by customs and then forwarded by rail or road to the importer's premises. Under the DPD model, the cargo is directly moved from the container terminal at the port to the delivery destination. Delivery of DPD containers at JNPT terminals is on 24x7 basis, which is not possible in custom bounded warehouses. The objective of DPD is to facilitate ease of doing business for domestic companies through the reduction of 'dwell time' at the port. The targeted dwell time under DPD is 24 hours vis-vis average of 1.6 days currently and 7-9 days in the JNPT eco-system (time between landing at port terminal to receipt of container from customs bonded warehouses).

The customs department has targeted the biggest importers over the past year for implementation of the DPD model and around 778 agencies (companies engaged in imports or their representatives) have registered with the customs department for DPD clearance of containers as against 11 agencies as of 9 February 2016 (as per information on JNPT website). While initially at the time of launch (February 2007) there was a minimum volume criteria to avail DPD, this was removed in February 2016 to facilitate higher volumes under this scheme.

Importers Benefit From Increased Transparency: The customs clearance of containers which were moved to CFSs was typically handled by customs house agents (CHAs), who would issue a consolidated bill (including a mark-up) to the importer. In addition, to attract container volumes, CFSs would offer financial incentives typically amounting to INR4000-6000 per twenty foot equivalent units (TEU) to shipping lines, which would be recovered from the importer in terms of higher container storage, handling and processing charges. Direct billing by the customs department to the importer has resulted in price discovery for the latter, who earlier had to deal with an opaque pricing system adopted by intermediaries. By not having to deal with CFSs, the importer can now also avoid certain costs charged to it by CFSs over which especially the smaller importers had limited bargaining power.

Change in Strategy for Shipping Companies: Due to intense competition in the shipping industry, several shipping lines used to charge negligible freight to importers; however the incentives charged to CFS would contribute significantly to their revenues and offset the loss due to low freight rates. In a recent trend observed during FY17 and this year, container lines have been forced to revise their sea freight charges upwards to make up for the loss of revenue from incentives. Shipping lines can no longer decide which CFS their container volumes will be moved to. It is the importer or its DPD registered representative (typically a CHA) who decides this. The rental charges that shipping companies pay to CFS for storage of empty containers could see a substantial increase in instances where the shipping company is unable to offer significant import volumes to a particular CFS but is dependent on that CFS for storage of empty containers.

Import Dependent CFS More Impacted: While all CFSs would be impacted to some extent due to the reduction in the average 'dwell' time.

Those whose revenue model is heavily dependent on imports are likely to be impacted more by the reliance on the DPD model by the customs department. On the other hand those reliant on export volumes for the major portion of their revenues will not be affected significantly. CFS aligned to certain shipping lines for bulk of revenues could also face a decline in revenues if the importers clear their cargo at JNPT itself under DPD. In addition, non-integrated logistics companies operating CFSs near JNPT will be vulnerable to decline in TEU volumes. There are also several small CFS located within JNPT itself, which will also be face decline in volumes due to the lack of alternate revenue sources due to space constraints.

High Margin Era Pass In Search of Alternate Revenues: Considering the intense competition already prevailing among the 33 CFSs around JNPT for TEU volumes, the reduction in TEUs moved to CFSs due to DPD has led to a couple of CFSs reducing their rates for container handling and storage during the last few months. Ind-Ra believes companies in its rated portfolio namely Gateway Distriparks Limited (GDL, 'IND AA-'/Stable) and Continental Warehousing (Nhava Sheva) Private Limited ('IND A-'/Negative) will also be impacted to some extent due to some moderation in import volumes in the next few quarters. To stem the decline in volumes, companies such as GDL are negotiating directly with importers for business by offering discounts to them (rather than incentives to shipping companies) so that the importers insist on shifting their containers to those CFSs in particular. This strategy is being deployed in case volumes are large and the importer will want to take delivery of containers in smaller lots. Additionally those CFSs that are highly leveraged due to large outstanding term loans availed for building the facility, could see a further deterioration in their credit profiles in the near term due to shrinking cash flows. The agency does not rule out the likelihood of consolidation in the JNPT linked CFS industry due to these developments.

Ind-Ra believes that the era of high EBITDA margins (typically over 45% for most CFS) is over and that margins will rationalise to 30%-35%. Offering integrated logistics solutions will be the norm to sustain profitable operations. The agency opines that some CFS faced with consistent declining volumes will opt for tie ups with international shipping lines for storage of their empty containers. However this is a service that any CFS with a large container yard outside of the customs bonded area, will be able to provide. Some companies could convert their facilities into logistics parks or warehouse facilities if the CFS revenue model continues to remain unsustainable.

Capacity Increase at JNPT to Improve Volumes for CFS Over Mid to Long Term: With the first phase of the fourth container terminal (designed for handling 4.8 million TEU likely to come on-stream by December 2017, the overall container volumes handled at the port will rise sharply over the next two to three years from around 4 million TEUs, according to the agency. Consequently, although the share of pie of the container handling business is expected to steadily change in favour of the port due to DPD, the CFSs in around JNPT will benefit by an increase in absolute volumes from the reduced levels of 2017.

No Impact on ICDs: Inland Container Depots (ICD) will not be impacted given that even historically; the importer or consignee would decide which ICD the containers will have to be moved to, after despatch from the port.

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India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) believes that the higher volatility of default in microfinance (MFI) loans warrants higher rating level stresses and structural mechanisms to ensure rating stability. Ind-Ra believes that if the default rate (PAR>0 as % of original principal of the pool) in an MFI transaction remains 20% higher than the budgeted stress levels for the first nine months, then the senior class, which is typically rated in the 'A' rating category, may be downgraded by three notches. Also, a 10% higher-than-budgeted stress for the first nine months could lead to a four-notch downgrade of a 'BB+' rated junior tranche.

In the recently published report 'PSBs Relying on Inorganic Route to Grow Retail Book', Ind-Ra has highlighted that the past performance of MFI loans is a poor proxy of future defaults because of the higher default volatility of this asset class than of other retail loan asset classes. Ind-Ra believes structural mitigants and an appropriate default assumption lend stability to these transactions. The pass through certificates (PTCs) issued by MFI securitisation trusts are typically promised a timely payment of interest and ultimate payment of principal (TIUP) structure.

Ind-Ra believes that such structure lends more stability to the rating of senior class tranche than a timely interest and timely principal structure. Many MFI securitisation transactions closed during 4QFY17 had a default based trigger which allows EIS to be trapped in the EIS account. The trapped EIS has to be used to amortise PTCs. Quicker amortisation of PTCs has allowed the transactions to withstand slightly more stress, leading to better rating stability.

Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh together contribute 90% to the total defaults in four moderately stressed Ind-Ra rated transactions which are seasoned by less than nine months. Several districts in these five states have witnessed a higher level of defaults. The reasons behind the high delinquencies in these districts vary from state to state and are largely a manifestation of local political interference, drought and event risks such as demonetisation coupled with borrower overleverage.

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Jubilant FoodWorks slumped 4.78% to Rs 894.40 at 11:50 IST on BSE after net profit fell 75.85% to Rs 6.72 crore on 0.74% decrease in total income to Rs 616.35 crore in Q4 March 2017 over Q4 March 2016.

The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 29 May 2017.

The stock has dropped 11.37% in three sessions to its ruling price of Rs 894.40 from a close of Rs 1,009.25 on 25 May 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 34.67 points or 0.11% at 31,143.95. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was up 75.80 points or 0.53% at 14,445.70.

High volumes were witnessed on the counter. On the BSE, 3.2 lakh shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 54,564 shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 901.50 and a low of Rs 817.60 so far during the day.

The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 1,298.80 on 2 August 2016 and a 52-week low of Rs 761 on 26 December 2016. The stock had underperformed the market over the past one month till 29 May 2017, falling 9.58% compared with the 3.98% gains in the Sensex. The scrip had also underperformed the market in past one quarter, dropping 6.79% as against Sensex's 8.23% gains.

The mid-cap company has equity capital of Rs 65.95 crore. Face value per share is Rs 10.

Jubilant FoodWorks' board recommended dividend of Rs 2.50 per share for the year ended 31 March 2017 (FY 2017).

The company's same store growth (SSG) was reported at negative 7.5% in Q4 March 2017 compared with a growth of 2.9% in Q4 March 2016.

Q4 revenue was impacted by demonetization during January-February 2017, its impact was partly offset by the increase in online ordering sales and incremental revenue due to addition of new restaurants, the company said in a statement.

Negative SSG and increase in cost primarily on account of expansion resulted in reduction in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). Higher depreciation related to network expansion also impacted net profit in Q4. Earnings reflect the impact of exceptional items of Rs 12.17 crore related to one time separation cost incurred as part of manpower rationalization exercise carried out by the company during the quarter.

Jubilant FoodWorks is part of Jubilant Bhartia group and India's largest food service company with a network of Domino's Pizza restaurants pan India. The company & its subsidiary have the exclusive rights to develop and operate Domino's Pizza brand in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. The company also has exclusive rights for developing and operating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants for India.

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Sales decline 21.19% to Rs 61.62 crore

Net profit of Riga Sugar Company declined 76.62% to Rs 4.27 crore in the quarter ended March 2017 as against Rs 18.26 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2016. Sales declined 21.19% to Rs 61.62 crore in the quarter ended March 2017 as against Rs 78.19 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2016.

For the full year,net loss reported to Rs 4.84 crore in the year ended March 2017 as against net loss of Rs 2.29 crore during the previous year ended March 2016. Sales rose 1.36% to Rs 181.99 crore in the year ended March 2017 as against Rs 179.54 crore during the previous year ended March 2016. ParticularsQuarter EndedYear EndedMar. 2017Mar. 2016% Var.Mar. 2017Mar. 2016% Var.Sales61.6278.19 -21 181.99179.54 1 OPM %14.3924.41 -7.076.94 - PBDT6.1816.95 -64 0.12-0.99 LP PBT4.9115.48 -68 -4.20-5.07 17 NP4.2718.26 -77 -4.84-2.29 -111

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The Indian Army on Monday evening killed two Pakistani troopers in a counter offensive strike on the LoC in Kashmir's Uri sector to foil a Border Action Team (BAT) attack from the Pakistani side.

Defence sources said in Srinagar on Tuesday: "Special forces of the army targetted the Pakistani troopers along the Uri LoC (Line of Control) yesterday."

"Inflicting casualties on the Pakistani troopers, a convoy of three vehicles was attacked by our troopers in which two Pakistani troopers were killed and four injured," the source said.

"The weekly run of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service was cancelled on Monday as our troopers were carrying out a major counter offensive strike to pre-empt any BAT attack from the Pakistani side," it added.

The defence sources said commandos of Indian Army took position at a vantage point on the LoC overlooking the Chakothi-Muzaffarabad road in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

The sources said the counter offensive operation strike was carried out by the Indian Army as it had actionable information that the militants assisted by Pakistani Army were planning a BAT attack on the Indian troopers in Uri sector.

--IANS

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Eight children in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district have died of suspected food poisoning while nearly 100 others were hospitalised, an official said on Tuesday.

The children died after consuming pork at a church gathering on Sunday at Nongkya village, Ri-Bhoi District Magistrate Chinmay P. Gotmare told IANS. "Three persons died on Monday and another five died on Tuesday morning in hospital," he said.

Gotmare said he had ordered a magisterial inquiry, headed by D. Kharsati, to ascertain what caused the deaths. Villagers claimed eating pork led to the tragedy.

He said a post mortem will be conducted to ascertain the cause of the deaths.

Health authorities have sent the food samples for test at a food laboratory in Assam main city of Guwahati.

Health and Family Welfare Minister, Roshan Warjri, visited the victims of food poisoning in hospital.

"I have directed the health officials to provide all necessary medical assistance to the victims," Warjri said.

--IANS

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Top BJP leaders L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Union Minister Uma Bharti were on Tuesday arraigned in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case by a special CBI court here which ordered framing of charges invoking criminal conspiracy provision against them.

A last-minute bid by the three leaders and nine other accused to get discharged from the case was foiled when the court rejected their plea in this regard.

All the accused were earlier given bail on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each.

High drama marked proceedings in court, with BJP workers shouting "Jai Shri Ram" slogans outside and hailing the leaders.

Ahead of the proceedings, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called on Advani and Joshi and was closeted with them for over 20 minutes. He was later seen animatedly discussing some issues with the lawyers present in court.

Special judge S.K. Yadav observed that there was enough evidence against the leaders that required framing of conspiracy charge against them. The conspiracy charge has been added against the leaders, who also face offences under various sections, including 153 (A) of the IPC (promoting religious divide).

The court will be holding hearing on the matter on Wednesday.

The proceedings in the CBI court gathered momentum after the Supreme Court on April 19 revived the conspiracy charges and shifted their case from the Rae Bareli court to Lucknow along with other accused who had been booked for the actual demolition of Babri Masjid.

Counsel for Advani, K.K. Sharma said they will appeal against the judgement in the High Court (HC).

Saying he was not part of any conspiracy, Advani's lawyer pointed to some mistakes in the charge sheet.

Special judge Yadav earlier dismissed the discharge applications moved by the accused and ruled that framing of charges against them will go on.

Other accused who appeared in the court were Sadhvi Ritambhara, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Vinay Katiyar and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Vishnu Hari Dalmia.

Charges against six others accused in the matter - Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Baikunth Lal Sharma, Dharm Das, Champat Rai Bansal and Shiv Sena's Satish Pradhan, who were granted bail, were also framed.

Last week, counsel of the accused had moved a plea in the court to exempt Advani, Joshi and Bharti from personal appearance, but it was turned down.

All the accused are facing charges of conspiring to bring down the mosque.

The Supreme Court directed the special CBI court in Lucknow to hold daily hearings on the 25-year-old matter and wrap it up within two years.--IANS

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Actress Anushka Sharma, who is a face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan campaign, has urged the public towards building a healthy and sanitised nation.

"Honoured to be part of Swachh Bharat campaign. Please adopt healthy sanitation practices and construct toilets to ensure safety for women," Anushka tweeted.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a campaign to clean the streets, roads and for the infrastructural development of the country. The objectives of Swachh Bharat are to reduce or eliminate open defecation through the construction of individual, cluster and community toilets.

A string of Bollywood celebrities have been speaking up for bringing a positive change in this regard.

--IANS

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The Australian government on Tuesday announced a bill - considered a first in the world - to prevent paedophiles registered in the country from travelling abroad in search of potential victims, especially in Asia.

"This is a world first. Australia is leading the way when it comes to protecting vulnerable children overseas from the actions of paedophilia. We are ensuring that child sex offenders are not able to take part in the growing child sex tourism trade," Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said at a press conference here.

According to the bill, a convicted paedophile registered in the lists of the states and territories, which totals about 20,000 people, cannot leave the country or obtain an Australian passport.

Bishop explained that the government intends to penalize any convicted paedophile who leaves the country without permission from competent authorities and can have their passports cancelled.

It is estimated that some 800 registered child sex offenders left the country last year - almost half of them without fulfilling the obligation of informing the police of their travel - to take advantage of the child sex tourism trade, especially in poor countries in Southeast Asia.

"About half of them had been recorded by police as having medium high or very high risk of re-offending. (...) Almost 40 per cent of them had been convicted of offences against children under the age of 13," Bishop stressed.

Last year, Australian national Robert Andrew Fiddes Ellis, 70, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing 11 girls, aged seven to 17, over a two-year period in Bali (Indonesia).

This legislation is "the strongest crackdown on child-sex tourism ever", said Justice Minister Michael Keenan.

"No country has ever taken such decisive and strong action to stop its citizens from going overseas, often to vulnerable countries, to abuse kids."

--IANS

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to hold an urgent hearing on a plea by Gujarat Police officer Ramabhai Bhagora seeking stay of a Bombay High Court order convicting him in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case that took place during 2002 Gujarat riots.

A vacation bench of Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Deepak Gupta said there was "no urgency" even as Bhagora's counsel told the bench that his client had already undergone the sentence and if the conviction was not stayed, then he would lose his job. A Deputy Superintendent of Police at the time of the riots, Bhagora was soon after his acquittal in 2008, empanelled and elevated to the Indian Police Service.

Even as the vacation bench refused to stay the conviction, it also turned a deaf year to counsel's pleading for a notice to be issued to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which had investigated the case, on plea for the stay of conviction.

The Bombay High Court, while convicting Bhagora along with four other policemen and two medicos on May 4, had sentenced them to a jail sentence that they had already undergone and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000.

The policemen were charged with tampering of evidence by fudging documents and compromising the inquest panchnama (diary).

While rejecting CBI's plea seeking the death sentence for three of the 11 convicts who were sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial court in the case, the high court had set aside the acquittal of five policemen and two medicos on the agency's plea challenging their acquittal.

They were acquitted by the trial court in January 2008. The victim was 19 years old and pregnant when she was subjected to the horror. The horrifying incidents occurred in Randhikpur village near Dahod on March 3, 2002 when she and around a dozen of her family members were attacked by a mob and many of them killed.

Only Bilkis and two relatives, Saddam and Husain, survived while her mother, sister, minor daughter and other relatives were killed.

Holding them guilty of murder, gang rape and raping a pregnant woman, the trial court by its January 21, 2008 verdict had sentenced 11 to life imprisonment.

Those sentenced to life imprisonment included Jaswant Nai, Govind Nai, Shailesh Bhatt, Radhyesham Bhagwan Das Shah, Bipin Chandra Joshi, Kesarbhai Vohania, Pradeep Mordhiya, Bakabhai Vohania, Rajubhai Soni, Mitesh Bhatt and Ramesh Chandana.

The CBI had moved the High Court seeking death sentence for both the Nais and Bhatt, who was accused of killing Bilkis Bano's 3-year-old daughter by pounding her head with a stone.

--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.)
BJP youth workers on Tuesday staged a protest against the Congress and demanded "public apology" from party President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi over the butchering of a domestic ox by its youth leaders in Kerala.

Hundreds of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) workers demonstrated outside the Congress office headquarters in central Delhi and alleged that its workers had hurt the sentiments of over 100 crore Hindus across India.

Police had to use water canons to disperse the crowd.

"Congress has hurt the sentiments of crores of Hindus by killing the ox in full public view," said BJYM leader Sunil Yadav, who led the protest.

He also said those involved in the butchering of cattle must be jailed.

"We are not satisfied with their expulsion. We demand that they be arrested and sent to jail immediately," Yadav said.

Yadav's remarks came two day after youth Congress leaders Regil Makutty and three others in Kerala publicly cut the head of an ox as part of protest against cattle slaughter ban. The Congress on Monday suspended the four.

The Kannur police had on Sunday night also registered a case against the activists. The killing of the animal has been condemned by Rahul Gandhi.

--IANS

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British Airways (BA) on Tuesday started operating a full flight schedule after an IT failure saw the airline cancel thousands of flights over the bank holiday weekend, the media reported.

"Our IT systems are now back up and running and we will be operating a full flight schedule at Heathrow and Gatwick," the airline said early on Tuesday.

But it warned it "may take some time" to reunite travellers with their bags, reports the BBC.

BA chief executive Alex Cruz blamed a power surge for the disruption which affected 75,000 people.

"There was a power surge and there was a back-up system which did not work at that particular point in time," Cruz told the BBC.

"It was restored after a few hours in terms of some hardware changes... we will make sure that it doesn't happen again."

He said the failure affected "all the operating of our systems -- baggage, operations, power processing".

BA is liable to reimburse thousands of passengers for refreshments and hotel expenses, and travel industry commentators have suggested the cost to the company -- part of Europe's largest airline group IAG -- could run into tens of millions of pounds.

Shares in IAG, which is listed in both London and Madrid, fell 2.8 per cent in Spain on Monday and are expected to fall again in London trading when it reopens after the bank holiday.

--IANS

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested a senior official with the Industries Department of Himachal Pradesh for allegedly taking a bribe from a pharmaceutical company owner in Chandigarh.

Tilak Raj Sharma, Joint Director Industries, was caught red handed while accepting Rs 3.5 lakh from an industrialist whose factory is located in the industrial hub Baddi in the hill state, a CBI official told IANS in Chandigarh.

Sharma and his companion, who is also an industrialist in Baddi, allegedly demanded Rs 10 lakh from the industrialist for extending "favours" to him by getting the capital subsidy of his unit cleared from the government.

Both were arrested on the complaint of the industrialist, who was not ready to pay the bribe. He reduced the demand to Rs 3.5 lakh.

"The bribe amount was seized and the accused were taken into custody. Search was conducted at the residential premises of both the accused," said the official.

--IANS

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To help them get through the Post Graduate (PG) entrance test, the Delhi University (DU) on Tuesday announced a "summer school" for students coming from disadvantaged sections of society.

For a second year in a row, the university will be organising such classes for the students identified as candidates from Economically Weaker Section (EWS), SC, ST, OBC, minority and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories.

"This year, the university plans to hold free classes for PG entrance examinations in five disciplines: English, Law, Mathematics, Physics and Zoology. The duration of the classes will be about two weeks," the varsity said in a statement.

The application form for "DU Pre-Entrance Summer School 2017" can be downloaded from the DU website and submitted at the Institute of Lifelong Learning (ILLL) at North Campus between May 31 and June 5 from 2 p.m to 5 p.m, and on June 6 -- the last day for applying -- the forms will be accepted between 10 a.m and 2 p.m.

Not all students will, however, be able to avail the "school" facility and seats will be allocated on a first-come basis. A nominal fee of Rs 100 will be charged from the selected students.

The tentative dates for the commencement of classes of different subjects are June 7 and June 9.

The online registration for the PG admissions will start from May 31.

-- IANS

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Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno has urged WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange not to intervene in the country's .

Assange has been sheltered by the Ecuadorian embassy in London since he sought asylum there in 2012, Xinhua news agency reported.

"He must respect the condition in which he is, not to intervene in Ecuadorian and not intervene in the of friendly countries either," Moreno said here on Monday.

Moreno, who took over as President on May 24, responded after Assange last week tweeted that "Ecuadorians can feel confident that, if WikiLeaks obtains proof of corruption in Ecuador, it will publish them".

The asylum was granted to Assange by Ecuador's former President Rafael Correa as the WikiLeaks founder faced potential extradition to the US, and Moreno stated he would maintain the same policy.

"Ecuador is extremely respectful... with the lives of human beings. That is why it granted him asylum in its embassy," said Moreno.

The US is seeking to try Assange for espionage after WikiLeaks published thousands of confidential American documents in 2010.

He was also being sought by Sweden for allegations of sexual assault but the Swedish prosecutor-general abandoned the case on May 19.

--IANS

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Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar on Tuesday launched a new campaign to combat gender-based violence and urged the youngsters to take the movement forward by creating a new age of dialogue.

As part of his initiative MARD (Men Against Rape and Discrimination), Farhan took to Facebook live to launch a filmmaking competition across colleges in the country as part of a campaign led by Population Foundation of India. The campaign has been titled 'Bas Ab Bahut Ho Gaya - Enough is Enough'.

"Violence Against Women and Girls is a shameful violation of human rights that our nation should not and must not condone. I call upon our youth to participate in 'Bas Ab Bahut Ho Gaya' campaign and create a new age of dialogue on the subject of gender violence," Farhan said in a statement.

"I hope such student solidarity will grasp the attention of our nation and its leaders. I am very keen to understand how our youth are going to interpret the subject in the films they make. I implore the leaders of tomorrow to be the change today and proactively participate in this campaign," he added.

Director Feroz Abbas Khan, who has partnered with Farhan on the initiative, said: "Our aim is to make the youth think and bring new ideas to the table as to how patriarchy, and gender bias can be removed from its roots. Our hope is to involve hundreds of colleges in this campaign."

The film contest is open for college students across all streams and will accept entries till the mid of August. The prize money is Rs 300,000 for the winner, Rs 200,000 for runner up and Rs 100,000 for the second runner up.

The winners will be awarded on October 2 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

--IANS

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday downplayed suggestions that her bid to further develop relations with India and China was a signal that Berlin and the EU were moving away from their traditional allies in London and Washington.

Merkel was hosting a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when she was asked whether Germany was looking towards Asia to develop relations, following her comments on Sunday that "Europe could no longer rely on the US and Britain", reports Efe.

"Our trans-Atlantic relationship is of the utmost importance," Merkel said.

"What I said recently is due to the fact that, in the face of the present circumstances, we have additional reasons for us to realise that we have to take our fate into our hands in Europe."

Merkel caused a media stir when she described last week's summit of G7 leaders as "unsatisfactory", adding based on what she had experienced during the two-day discussion with other world powers, "Europeans would have to fight for their own future."

Expounding her answer in Berlin on Tuesday, Merkel continued by saying that US relations would retain the utmost importance irrespective of the Indo-German and German-Chinese talks which, she added, began a long time ago.

Traditional relations between Brussels and Washington have been tested since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who had raised eyebrows in the EU with his criticism of NATO and his reticence to back the Paris accord climate change deal.

On Tuesday, shortly after Merkel's meeting with Modi, Trump used his Twitter to warn Berlin: "We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO and military. Very bad for US. This will change."

--IANS

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Germany on Tuesday reaffirmed its support for India's membership in international export control regimes, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group, following the fourth biannual Inter-Governmental Consultations jointly headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel here.

"Both leaders expressed their commitment to strengthen global non-proliferation efforts," a joint statement issued following the talks said.

"Germany welcomed India's accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime," it said.

"Germany also welcomed India's intensified engagement with the other export control regimes -- the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement -- and expressed its support for India's early accession to these regimes."

At the NSG plenary in Seoul in June last year, China had blocked India's membership bid on the ground that for a country to a part of the 48-nation bloc, it has to be a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Beijing has again indicated this year that it has not changed its stand.

According to the statement, Modi and Merkel also reaffirmed the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, "including its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, to make it more effective, efficient and responsive to the existing challenges to international peace and security and representative of the contemporary geo-political realities".

"Both countries reiterated their full support to each other's candidatures for a permanent seat in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council," it said.

"Both sides underlined the importance of freedom of navigation in international waters, the right of passage and other maritime rights and obligations in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and other principles of international law," it said and added that both leaders attached particular importance to security, stability, connectivity and sustainable development of the blue economy in the Indian Ocean region.

The two leaders also underlined their common concern about the threat and global reach of terrorism and extremism.

"They condemned terrorist violence in all its forms and manifestations," the statement said. "They agreed on the need to take strong measures against all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary and safe havens that sustain and support terrorist groups and organisations."

Modi and Merkel reiterated their commitment to the ambitious implementation of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals both domestically and through international cooperation, as well as the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change with a timely transformation to low-carbon inclusive sustainable economies, according to the statement.

"Both leaders stressed the important role of the G20 in fostering strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, private investments, free and rules-based trade and financial markets regulation," it said.

Holding the group's Presidency this year, Germany will host the G20 Summit in Hamburg with the theme "Shaping an Interconnected World", and Modi "welcomed the Presidency's focus on building resilience, improving sustainability and assuming responsibility, as well as on enhancing the benefits of globalization and sharing them more widely at national and international levels".

Both leaders also underlined their determination to ease bilateral trade and investment and pointed to the potential of open markets and the importance of investment protection for foreign investors for deepening trade relations and for attracting investments to the mutual benefit of both countries.

The India-Germany Bilateral Investment Protection Treaty (BIT) had expired in March this year and the Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) between India and the European Union (EU) has been hanging fire for 11 years now despite 16 rounds of negotiations.

According to the joint statement, both leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to the BTIA and their commitment to bring about a resumption of the negotiations at the earliest possible date.

"Recognising Germany's key competencies in high technology and India's growing needs, both the leaders welcomed the efforts of the High Technology Partnership Group (HTPG) to identify specific opportunities for high technology collaboration, including in priority areas of skills development, in manufacturing under the Make in India programme and to enhance cooperation in defence manufacturing and machine tools as well as enhancing cooperation in maritime technology and the development of blue economy," it stated.

After both countries identified last year sustainable urban development as a new priority area of bilateral cooperation, Germany intends to provide financial technical assistance in the range of 1 billion euros.

The statement also said that Modi and Merkel welcomed the Indo-German partnerships in higher education to facilitate collaborative research and academic and institutional exchanges between 10 universities and institutions of higher Education of each country.

--IANS

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Hindu leader, Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati on Tuesday slammed a beef party held by Congress workers in Kerala and said he has spoken to Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi about it.

Speaking to reporters at Joshimath, where he is on a sojourn, the monk said that cow slaughter was against the tenets of Indian culture.

He also informed that he had spoken to the public relations officer of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, and conveyed his feelings on the matter.

The Shankracharya is known to be close to the Congress on political matters. He said that he had been told of the disciplinary action taken against the errant Congress workers.

With regard to the hearing on the Babri Masjid demolition case in Lucknow, the Shankaracharya said there never was a mosque on the land in question and that remnants of a Ram, Sita and Hanuman temple were still there and many were found during excavation.

--IANS

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About 2,100 hotels, restaurants and food joints across the city shut down on Tuesday to protest against the higher rate proposed under the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime from July 1.

"About 70 per cent of our 3,000 members have shut down their hotels and restaurants in protest against the new GST regime, in which we have been put under the 12 per cent and 18 per cent tax rates as against 4 per cent composition tax we pay currently," Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels' Association (BBHA) president Chandrasekhar Hebbar told reporters here.

Under the GST's four tax rate structure, non air-conditioned hotels have to pay 12 per cent while air-conditioned hotels will pay 18 per cent.

"The higher taxes will affect customers as well as our business. We will have no option but pass on a part of the hike burden to customers and absorb the rest of it," said Hebbar.

The Association has estimated a Rs 10 crore loss due to the shut down from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

"We are not against the GST but the tax rate on us is very high. It will affect our sector badly," reiterated Hebbar.

The BBHA members staged a demo at the Mysore Bank Circle in the city centre and submitted a memo to Union Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia, who was in the city for a Town Hall meeting with traders and representatives of trade unions on the new indirect tax system.

About 25 per cent (2.5 million) of the 10 millon people here depend on hotels, restaurants and food joints for their daily food, they said.

In the absence of their regular eating places, thousands of people were forced to buy food from road-side eateries, bakeries, sweet shops and tea or coffee cafes.

Members of the Karnataka State Hotels Owners' Association, however, did not join the day-long shutdown.

--IANS

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India and Germany on Tuesday started the fourth round of the biannual Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) here headed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"PM @narendramodi & Chancellor Merkel undertake comprehensive review of coop'n at the Plenary meeting of the Inter-Governmental Consultations," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.

Germany is the only country with which India has such an institutionalised dialogue mechanism.

The first IGC was held in New Delhi in 2011, the second in Berlin in 2013, and the third in New Delhi in 2015.

Modi is accompanied by Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Seetharaman and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the German Chancellery here.

Modi and Merkel will also jointly address the India-Germany Business Summit later in the day.

Soon after his arrival here on Monday on a two-day visit to Germany, Modi and Merkel held a private meeting in the latter's country resort of Schloss Meseberg, some 65 km from Berlin, in which a range of issues, including climate change and the fight against terror, figured.

Germany is the first leg of the Prime Minister's six-day, four-nation European tour which will also see him going to Spain, Russia and France.

--IANS

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Iraqi forces are in the last stages of defeating the Islamic State (IS) militant group in the remaining neighbourhoods of the western side of Mosul, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said.

Abadi made the statement on Monday during a visit to the battleground in western Mosul, where he met commanders of the Iraqi security forces and leaders of the paramilitary Hashd Shaabi units, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The enemy (IS) is in a state of collapse and cannot achieve any of its goals in Mosul, which once they considered their capital," Abadi said.

According to the Prime Minister, the security forces have freed about 95 per cent of Mosul.

"Life is returning to normal on the left bank of Mosul (eastern side of Mosul) and on the right bank (western side) most of it has been freed. We will soon declare full liberation of the city," he said.

Abadi also hailed the advance of the Hashd Shaabi units to the border with Syria and their liberation of many towns and villages, including villages of Yazidi minority who were brutally attacked by the IS.

"These days, the Hashd Shaabi freed large areas, including areas of Iraqi Yazidis seized by the criminal Daesh (IS), who killed the citizens and kidnapped their women," Abadi said.

"It is a matter of time and we will return those Yazidi families to their places," he promised.

Abadi, who is also the commander-in-chief of Iraqi forces, arrived in Mosul in the afternoon and held meetings with top commanders of the Iraqi army.

He also visited the Hashd Shaabi's Operations Command headquarters in west of Mosul and met Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Hashd Shaabi units.

According to a Hashd Shaabi units statement, they pushed to the border line on Monday morning from the newly-freed town of al-Qahtaniyah, some 18 km east of the Syrian border, making their first arrival to the border line in south of Sinjar mountain.

The latest advance is part of a major offensive designed to secure the border areas with neighbouring Syria and cut off IS supply routes between Mosul and the Syrian city of Raqqa, the capital of the IS self-declared caliphate.

Maan al-Saadi, commander of CTS special operations, said the forces have taken control of 70 per cent of al-Saha neighbourhood in north of the IS-held old city centre and killed around 70 IS militants, most of them foreigners and non-Iraqi Arabs, in the battles during the past two days.

The operations near the Syrian border came as Iraqi forces, backed by the anti-IS international coalition, were conducting a major offensive to dislodge IS militants from their major stronghold in western Mosul.

Mosul, 400 km north of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling militants to control parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.

--IANS

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Bollywood actor Ali Fazal who is quite excited about his upcoming Hollywood film titled "Victoria and Abdul" where he is sharing screen space with iconic actress Judi Dench, says she wanted to come to India to promote the film as she loves the country.

"We had a lot of conversation regarding Indian films, though her perception of Bollywood was song and dance, I shared how we are much more than that. She loves our country. In fact, she was little heartbroken when she got to know that she is not coming to India; which is quite ironic because even Victoria never visited India," Ali told media at the trailer launch of the film on Tuesday evening,

This is the first time Ali worked with the Oscar-winning actress where the film is directed by another iconic filmmaker Stephen Frears.

About his experience of working with Judi, Ali said: "She was very welcoming from the beginning and we went out for a lunch where we broke the ice and she made me comfortable, the relationship began there."

According to the actor, he auditioned for the role at the very last moment and someone from the Bollywood industry asked him to go for it. Asked to reveal the name of the person, Ali said: "I wish I take the name some day, I owe it to that person, but I have to take permission for that!"

Produced by BBC Films and Focus Features, "Victoria and Abdul" is releasing in September.

--IANS

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The government has ruled out talks with separatists in Kashmir and insists that the problem of violence is limited to just five districts of south Kashmir while the rest of the state is "in peace".

The government is ready for talks on "development" with all other stakeholders, says Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, who questioned the demand for a Ramzan ceasefire.

In an interview with IANS, the Information and Broadcasting Minister said the state and central governments were making "best efforts to deal with the situation" in the Kashmir Valley which has been on the boil since the April 9 Srinagar Lok Sabha polls when eight civilian protesters were killed in firing by security forces guarding voting stations.

"We are determined to solve the problem" in Kashmir that "we inherited from previous Congress governments", said the former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief.

He rejected allegations that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-BJP coalition government led by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had failed to bring normalcy and contain surging violence in the state since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 last year.

The militant leader's death triggered a deadly wave of street violence that left 100 people dead in about five months of unrest last year. The year 2017 also began on a stormy note in the Valley with intermittent bouts of stone-pelting protests.

However, Naidu told IANS that the situation in the Kashmir Valley was still "better as compared with earlier UPA governments".

"Kashmir, which is not our creation, is a 69-year-old problem. Where is the question of failing? It is all legacy of great Congress leaders."

He said the trouble in the state was not as widespread as it was made out to be in the media.

"Other than five districts, remaining parts of the state are free from violence. Let us understand this. Except for south Kashmir, the state is in peace. In north Kashmir there is no major problem. In Jammu region, there is no major problem. In Ladakh region, there is no problem.

"Kashmir is not four south Kashmir districts. There is a problem. We have to (solve it). But at the same time, we have to send a message across the border that we will not accept terrorism."

Asked about a possibility of a ceasefire during the current month of Ramzan that culminates in Eid celebration, the Minister said it was for the Home Minister to look into the demand. But he questioned the very demand itself.

"Ceasefire by whom? Won't there be any stone-pelting? There will not be any terrorist activity? Will somebody give us an assurance? Suppose people were observing Ramzan and then there is some attack, who has to be responsible."

Asked about talks with separatist groups in the valley, Naidu said all previous efforts of dialogue to solve the Kashmir issue have failed.

"How many years have we been talking? It has become a fashion for some people to make such demands and then be in news. Otherwise what is there in talks? Anybody who swears loyalty to India's integrity. Yes, we should talk to them irrespective of which party they represent."

Asked if he was clearly ruling out talks with the separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference, the Minister said: "All I am saying is there is no question of disintegration of Kashmir. There is no question on the integrity of the country.

"There are issues of development, lack of development in a particular region. There is no question of giving one inch of land to anybody. Development, we can talk with all. Why are we mentioning separatist? We are willing to talk with all Kashmiri people who are part of India."

About the differences in the coalition government with the PDP led by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti demanding talks with Hurriyat leaders, Naidu said it was because "we are different parties".

"It is the PDP which is saying that. Not the government. It may be their view, not our view. The point is, first restore normalcy. Allow the public life to move on."

He said the PDP-BJP have a "political understanding (and) are making an effort to see that we work through the elected government".

(V.S. Chandrasekar and Sarwar Kashani can be contacted at chandru.v@ians.in and sarwar.k@ians.in)

--IANS

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In a move to ensure safety of kids who are put up in daycare centres, the Kerala Police has directed such centres to install Internet Protocol CCTVs, which will be live streamed.

The move comes days after the media reported about the way kids in a centre in Kochi were badly treated by the lady who ran the daycare. The lady was arrested after the visuals became public.

Inspector General of Police Manoj Abraham told IANS that the directive in this regard has been given to all the southern districts of Kerala which are under his control.

"But in the coming days, the police will direct it to the entire state. The whole idea has come after video clips started appearing in the social media about the way young kids in daycare centres are being treated. We felt that if this method is adopted, parents and law enforcing authorities can view on mobiles what's happening in these centres," said Abraham.

He said that with the new academic season all set to start, even though no deadline has been given to these centres, they have been asked to set up the CCTVs at the earliest.

--IANS

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Two female suspects arrested for the murder of the North Korean dictators estranged half-brother brother Kim Jong-nam will have their case heard in a Malaysian High Court.

After Indonesian national Siti Aisyah, 25, and Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam attended a court here with armed escort on Tuesday, a magistrate decided that the case should be transferred to Shah Alam High Court in Selangor.

The trial has been moved after being delayed twice due to the prosecution's request for evidence and document compilation, Malay Mail Online reported.

As the women faced court in April, their lawyers said they feared "a trial by ambush" with police not sharing evidence.

If convicted, both women face death penalty for murdering Kim at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13 as he attempted to fly to Macau.

The two women allegedly smeared Kim's face with the toxic VX nerve agent, a chemical classed by as a weapon of mass destruction.

US and South Korean officials said the murder was orchestrated by North's leader Kim Jong-un.

Kim Jong-nam, the eldest son of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, had spoken out publicly against his family's dynastic control of the isolated, nuclear-armed nation.

Aisyah and Huong told diplomats from their countries that they had believed they were carrying out a prank for a reality television show, and not a murder.

Both were young migrant workers, who originated from rural areas in their home countries and were believed to have been working in the red light district of the Malaysian capital.

The case caused a diplomatic impasse between the two countries, which saw Malaysia deport some 140 North Korean workers last month.

--IANS

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Kin of foreign tourists who were killed in Goa have written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing the local police of covering up the murders and have demanded a probe monitored by a Supreme Court judge.

The letter also alleges that Goa Police personnel protect local criminals for monetary considerations and the same local anti-social elements are involved in the rapes and murders of foreign nationals.

"We fervently request a Commission led by a Supreme Court judge to analyse the investigations of the deaths of Caitanya Holt, Felix Dahl, James Durkin, Kyle Arndt, Scarlett Keeling, Denyse Sweeney, Stephen Bennett, Martin Neighbour, Michael Harvey and Jonathan Burbank to ensure a proper, unbiased and comprehensive investigation to reveal the truth about their deaths," the letter states.

"The quality of the work of the police in Goa should be investigated. Instead of investigating the murders and killings, the local police want to cover up the truth."

The correspondence has been initiated by the kin of the above mentioned deceased namely Parvati Dasi, mother of Caitanya Holt who was killed by a mob near Morjim beach; Minna Pirhonen, mother of Felix Dahl, whose murder case was registered after a delay of nearly two years; Fiona MacKeown, mother of Scarlett Keeling who was found dead and sexually assaulted at Anjuna beach; and Amanda Bennett, sister of Stephen Bennett who was found dead in Maharashtra.

The authors of the letter have also said that the increasing number of crimes against foreign nationals in recent times had made Goa "second most dangerous tourist destination in the whole world".

"Since the killing of our relatives, the deaths have continued with at least one tourist in average dying each week in Goa and also many locals have lost their lives... In many of these killings, whether tourists or locals, the same criminals appear to be involved," the letter states.

"Unbiased independent investigation is needed to reveal the connections between the locals, police in Goa, drug mafia and politicians and their involvement in the deaths," the letter also states.

The authors said they will collaborate with the media and tourist organisations globally to "educate holiday makers on the present dangers in Goa".

Mackeown had already written to Prime Minister Modi in September last year seeking justice for her 15-year-old daughter Scarlett, even as those accused of allegedly sexually assaulting her daughter and leaving her to die were acquitted by a trial court.

--IANS

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Actress Priyanka Chopra on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in between his packed schedule in Berlin, terming it "such a lovely coincidence".

"Thank you for taking the time to meet me this morning Narendra Modi sir. Such a lovely coincidence to be in Berlin at the same time," Priyanka, who has been making India proud in Hollywood, tweeted.

She even shared a glimpse from her meeting with Modi on Twitter as well as Instagram.

The actress, who is known for her acting skills as well as supporting social and humanitarian causes, is seen in a white dress with a floral print during the meeting.

Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Germany, is in a black bandhgala.

Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Germany, Modi will travel to Spain, Russia and France.

Meanwhile, Priyanka, whose Hollywood debut film "Baywatch" opened internationally to mixed reviews, is enjoying a break in Berlin. "Baywatch", also starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, is slated to release in India on June 2.

--IANS

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The Make in India Mittelstand (MIIM) launched to encourage German small and medium industry (SME) to India has evoked major interest in Germany, giving further boost to bilateral business ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.

"Germany is contributing in a big way to the Make in India. The Strategic Market Entry Programme -- MII Mittelstand -- started in September 2015 to facilitate entry into the Indian market has been a major success," Modi said addressing the India-Germany business summit also attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Over 83 German companies have expressed interest in joining the programme, 73 have officially enrolled, while 47 companies' investments are in advanced states of implementation," he said.

Modi noted that the Indo-German Managers Training Programme had led to increased investments and creation of joint ventures by companies from both countries.

"More than 500 Indian managers have benefited from this programme," he said.

Describing Germany as among India's "most important partners" globally, which is the 7th largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India, the Prime Minister cited the examples of German majors in India.

"Bosch, Siemens, BASF... they have also started exclusive R&D facilities in India. Mercedes Benz have started their second facility in Chakan (Pune) which will double their capacity to 20,000 units per annum," Modi said.

Noting that India attaches great value to the German partnership and has had several meetings with CEOs from that country, Modi said that India had been progressively easing its rules on doing business to encourage foreign investment.

"Last week, we decided to abolish our Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in order to increase overseas engagement in India. FDI inflows into India reached $60 billion in 2016-17," he said.

According to the Indian government, the MIIM programme has so far mobilized investment of about euro 650 million and helped create 4,000 employment opportunities in India,

--IANS

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Geneva, May 30 (IANS/AKI) More than 60,000 boat migrants have crossed from North Africa to Italy this year, including 9,500 in the past week alone, while over 1,720 people have perished in the Mediterranean since January, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Tuesday.

Migrant crossings have surged with the warmer weather and some 50 corpses have been brought ashore at Italian ports in the last few days after "an undetermined number of incidents, in which dozens of others are feared dead or missing at sea", the UNHCR said.

Some 33 people lost their lives including 13 women and 7 children in a particularly deadly shipwreck on May 24 with dozens of others feared missing after a packed three-storey boat listed when migrants panicked and began taking on water, said UNHCR.

A total of 593 survivors from the shipwreck reached the southern Italian port of Crotone on Saturday, most of whom were from Sudan, Eritrea, the Comoro Islands, Egypt and Morocco, according to UNHCR.

The migrants who have arrived in various Italian ports over the last seven days - including many hundreds of shipwreck survivors - are receiving assistance that includes counselling for psychological trauma, UNHCR stated.

Some of the migrants who landed on the tiny southwest Italian island of Lampedusa at the weekend had gunshot wounds, UNHCR said.

"One man told our staff that he was shot in the leg by members of Libyan militias who also stole his belongings," UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch told reporters in Geneva.

"Another man was shot in the arm and tortured by a trafficker to extract money from him.

"Many survivors also reported having witnessed friends being fired at or killed while in Libya," added Baloch.

UNHCR said it has also received "deeply worrying" reports of incidents at sea during crossings such as robbery by armed criminal gangs who approached migrant boats and intimidated passengers, stealing their belongings and even their boat's engine.

It praised the Italian Coastguard for coordinating rescue operations, as well as the Tunisian Coastguard, navy and merchant ships and other vessels which have saved migrants in the Mediterranean.

But the agency urged governments to offer migrants and refugees "accessible and safe ways to reach Europe" such as family reunification, resettlement and private sponsorship.

"Saving lives remains the top priority," UNHCR said.

--IANS/AKI

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Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Meghalaya on Tuesday threatened to quit the party if the Modi government refused to repeal the new cattle trade rules.

"Most party leaders in Meghalaya are not happy with the new rules which are directly affecting the socio-economic status of the people," BJP Vice President John Antonius Lyngdoh told IANS.

Lyngdoh said the party members went into a huddle on Monday and discussed the issue in depth.

"We cannot accept the new rules on cattle trade and slaughter. We cannot go against our food behaviour besides putting the economic interest of those people dealing in cattle trade and slaughter in jeopardy," the former Food and Civil Supplies Minister said.

He added: "It will be difficult for the candidates to campaign as the electorate won't back a party which goes against the interests of the people."

BJP President Shibun Lyngdoh dismissed Lyngdoh's threat.

"I would not like to comment on the new rules as it is a legal matter but those who want to leave the party are free to do so."

On Monday, a BJP leader, Bernard Marak, said his party won't ban beef and instead legalize slaughter houses if it comes to power in the state.

"In Meghalaya most BJP leaders eat beef. The question of banning beef does not arise in a state like Meghalaya," he said.

--IANS

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Tech giant Microsoft on Tuesday hosted its first "Accessibility Summit" here to enhance technology access for people with disabilities.

The summit featured unique technology-based projects that empower people with disabilities. These included innovations from non-profit organisations, assistive technologies developed by Microsoft partners as well as Microsoft solutions.

"The summit is a significant step forward in advancing our efforts towards sensitising stakeholders and partners on the need for the business and social value of accessibility," said Madhu Khatri, Associate General Counsel and Accessibility Lead, Microsoft India, in a statement.

The event brought together leaders from the government, filmmakers, entrepreneurs and budding technologists to present their views and best practices around accessibility and technology's potential in aiding inclusion.

"The Microsoft 'Accessibility Summit' provides an ideal platform to bring together policymakers and influencers to understand the policy environment and chart a direction for making life, experiences and opportunities accessible to all," noted Jayesh Ranjan, IT Secretary, Telangana government.

--IANS

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Militants in Somalia have stoned a man to death in front of hundreds of onlookers for allegedly cheating on his two wives, a media report said.

Dayow Mohamed Hassan, 44, was killed in the southern village of Ramo Adey by Al-Shabaab militants. Moalim Geedow, representing the Al Qaeda-linked insurgency, was quoted by Daily Mail, adding that Hassan was buried neck-deep in a hole then pelted with stones.

He said: "The man was married with two wives and (had) children. He was publicly stoned to death today (Monday) for committing adultery, according to the Islamic sharia."

The Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab has been fighting a violent insurgency to overthrow the weak UN-backed Somali government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islamic law.

In recent years, the militant group has lost control of many towns and cities to a 22,000-strong force of African Union peacekeepers.

However, the group retains a presence in the countryside and many villages and remains capable of launching deadly attacks.

--IANS

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Concluding his engagements in Germany, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday left for Spain on the second leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe.

"Thank you Germany! My visit has led to very positive outcomes in terms of furthering the close ties India and Germany enjoy," Modi tweeted before emplaning for Madrid.

This will be the first Indian prime ministerial visit to Spain in nearly 30 years after the visit of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1988.

On Wednesday, Modi will call on King Felipe VI and hold a bilateral summit with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy. The two Prime Ministers last met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey, in November 2015.

Modi will also hold a round-table interaction on Wednesday with a select group of Spanish CEOs who are keen to invest and expand their presence in India .

Earlier on Tuesday, Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel headed the biannual India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations following which 12 agreements across various sectors were signed by the two sides. The two leaders also addressed the India-Germany Business Summit here.

Later in the day, Modi called on German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Bellevue Castle here.

Apart from Germany and Spain, the Prime Minister will also visit Russia and France.

--IANS

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In the last engagement of his visit to Germany, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier here on Tuesday.

"Reafffirming resolve for strong and dynamic relationship. PM @narendramodi calls on President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.

Earlier in the day, Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel headed the biannual Inter-Governmental Consultations following which 12 agreements across various sectors were signed by the two sides. The two leaders also addressed the India-Germany Business Summit here.

The Prime Minister arrived here on Monday on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation European tour. He will also visit Spain, Russia and France.

--IANS

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The southwest monsoon has arrived over Kerala and parts of northeastern states, the IMD announced on Tuesday, as the southern state received widespread rainfall since Monday.

The monsoon has advanced into some parts of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, the IMD said.

"Widespread rainfall occurred over Kerala during the past two days. A total of 78 per cent monitoring stations for monsoon onset over Kerala have reported rainfall for the last 48 hours," the IMD statement said.

The IMD statement said that conditions are favourable for further advance of the Southwest Monsoon into remaining parts of south Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep area and Kerala, some parts of central Arabian Sea, coastal and south interior Karnataka, some more parts of Tamil Nadu, southwest, west central and east central Bay of Bengal, most parts of northeast Bay of Bengal and some more parts of north-eastern states during next 3-4 days.

The IMD director here A.S. Sudevan said though it was sunny in the morning here for a while, there are other indicators that are taken into consideration when announcing the onset of the monsoon.

"In the past two days rainfall was quite heavy in several districts of the state and it touched 11 mm. The forecast for the coming four days indicate good rainfall. It's a good beginning and indications are that this time Kerala will get a very good monsoon," Sudevan told the media.

The onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala signals the arrival of monsoon over the Indian subcontinent and represents the beginning of rainy season in the region.

According to the IMD's Delhi office, monsoon generally strikes Kerala in the first week of June.

The normal monsoon onset over Kerala is June 1. Since 2005, the IMD started to issue operational forecasts for the date.

The forecast of the monsoon onset issued during the past 12 years (2005-2016) were proved to be correct every year except 2015.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had to face the wrath of rains when he found out that the ground floor of the Ernakulam guest house where he was staying was flooded. When newsmen came to him seeking a byte, he ducked the media saying, "Now that the rains have come you will have lots of news", and got away.

--IANS

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North Korea on Tuesday accused the US of making a grave military provocation by sending a formation of B-1B nuclear strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula for a second time in weeks.

The formation flew over South Korea "once again to stage a nuclear bomb dropping drill" on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The formation of B-1B took off from Guam at the dawn of the day and flew over the 80 km of the east of Kangrung on the East Sea of Korea near the Military Demarcation Line," the report said.

"It frantically staged a joint drill making a precision strike against North Korea's major targets together with pursuit and assault planes on the nuclear aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, which is conducting a joint naval drill with the puppet navy on the East Sea of Korea," it said.

This was the second time for B-1B bombers to stage a nuclear bomb dropping drill in South Korea within several weeks, according to North Korean officials.

--IANS

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Nine BSF personnel were injured on Tuesday morning when a mortar shell accidentally exploded during a training exercise at a field firing range in Rajasthan, an official said.

The incident took place around 8.30 a.m. at the Kishangarh firing range near the Pakistan border.

"Nine of our troopers were injured when a 51 mm mortar shell exploded after a short fall. Six were first admitted to a hospital in Ramgarh while three joined them later with minor injuries. None of them are critical now," a Border Security Force (BSF) official said.

Earlier, the officials said that six BSF personnel injured in the accidental shell explosion and that two of them were critical.

All the injured - B.R. Babu, 40, G.S. Veeranna, 35, Ram Babu, 27, Bachanboro, 30, Prem Kumar, 30, Ravindra, 39, Suman Viswas, 25, Mithun Mandal, 27, and Manoj Kumar, 36 - were later airlifted to the Army Hospital at Jodhpur in the evening after administering them first aid, the official added.

According to the official, all the injured, of BSF's 112 Battalion, are constables and were on routine mortar firing practice at the firing range when the incident occurred.

A Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident, the official said.

This is second such incident occurred at the same firing range, the official said, adding four BSF troopers were injured in similar circumstances at Kishangarh on March 17.

The 2.57 lakh-strong force is deployed in Rajasthan as part of its task to guard the India-Pakistan border.

In a similar accident in January, 2016, two BSF personnel died and three others, including a deputy commandant, were injured when an 81 mm mortar shell accidentally exploded at the same firing range.

On March 24, six BSF personnel were injured in a similar mortar shell blast during firing practice in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district.

--IANS

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India might be playing a leadership role in bringing the world together for the International Solar Alliance, but it is struggling with the adoption of solar rooftops in its metro cities, a recent study has shown.

Despite friendly policies and net metering guidelines in several states and a subsidy of 30 per cent offered by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the installation of solar rooftop systems has been dismal in leading metros in the country, especially in Chennai and Mumbai, according to the study.

According to the study, titled Indian Cities Slacking on Rooftop Solar, Delhi, which offers metered connections and a generation-based subsidy in its solar policy, has also failed to shine.

The study, by Greenpeace India, says that while the country has made good progress in reaching its 60 GW utility scale solar electricity targets, deployment is particularly slow in the residential rooftops sector. The government has earmarked 40 GW as the rooftop solar target by 2022, but as of December 2016, only over 1 GW worth of installations have taken place.

Delhi, which has a current estimated solar potential of 1.25 GW in buildings and has an official target of installing 1 GW by 2020 and 2 GW by 2025, has installed only 35.9 MW of solar rooftop capacity. Out of this, only 3 MW is from residential installations.

Mumbai has also been slow in installing solar rooftops in residential buildings. Out of 1.72 GW estimated solar potential, as calculated by the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, the city has installed only 5 MW of residential solar.

Tamil Nadu, which offers Rs 20,000 subsidy for domestic consumers under the Chief Minister's Solar Rooftop Capital Incentive Scheme, has also not been able to make significant progress. The state has a rooftop solar target of 350 MW but not even 2 MW have been installed.

'Despite the national incentive in the form of a 30 per cent capital subsidy, and a range of state incentives and schemes, rooftop solar is yet to take off in the same manner as large-scale solar. However, this does not mean India should lower its ambitious targets, as some have suggested. Rather, the government must step up and play a more proactive role in encouraging rooftop installations,' said Pujarini Sen, Climate and Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace India.

'As the convenor and a founding member of the International Solar Alliance, and a country with abundant solar potential, India's commitment to clean energy must continue to be robust.'

A Greenpeace poll showed significant public interest in adopting solar power. Close to 55 per cent of the 812 participants expressed willingness to invest and install solar. Despite this interest, awareness and various incentive schemes, the thrust on solar rooftops has largely been in the government, institutional and commercial buildings as opposed to homes.

The report cites lack of familiarity with the process and fear of bureaucratic red tape as the main reasons for the slow uptake of solar rooftops in the residential sector. Other reasons are insufficient knowledge among citizens about the financial incentives and attractive return-on-investment, perception that large upfront capital investment is required, and ineffective implementation of net metering in various states.

'If central and state governments are serious about boosting solar, they must do a better job of reaching out to resident welfare associations and community groups to encourage people to shed their inhibitions and embrace rooftop solar,' said Sen.

However, the challenges on the ground are more complex. Developers stress that there is a problem of lack of uniform roofs in the country and the fact that roofs are often used for various purposes that doesn't leave enough space to install big panels. A 10 KW solar plant that can power three air-conditioners and is sufficient for a three-bedroom apartment needs around 1,000 sq. ft. of terrace area.

Ved Prakash Goyal, an advisor to Applied Solar Power Management, part of the ENGIE group, the largest utility company in the world, said: 'In India, everyone puts the water tank on the south side of the roof and it is the direction where you get maximum solar energy. Plus, you have various things on roofs which reduces the available area needed for solar.'

The government has also announced putting 18 per cent tax on solar panels under the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, though this number may be revised. While industry feels the currently proposed tax rate will increase cost of solar projects by 12 per cent, Goyal says that this will not be an impediment as far as solar rooftops are concerned.

'The prices of solar modules are going down and it is expected that they might further decrease by roughly five per cent in the next six months, so may be the net effect of GST would be one per cent. In any case solar energy is becoming cheaper to install and the time is ripe for the government to do the needful to boost it further. With the right steps, I can foresee a boom in residential solar rooftops in the next two years.'

India, where there is an issue of both land availability and air pollution, is also a country with over 300 million buildings and as many rooftops.

(In arrangement with indiaclimatedialogue.net, with whom Juhi Chaudhary is Special Correspondent. Views expressed are those of indiaclimatedialogue.net. Feedback at information@indiaclimatedialogue.net)

--IANS

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Russian cyber security firm Group-IB said on Tuesday that a digital crime gang called Lazarus, which had recently hacked into and stolen money from the Central Bank of Bangladesh, is actually controlled by North Korean intelligence.

Releasing a report on the matter, Group-IB said in a release here that $81 million stolen from the Bangladesh central bank's US Federal Reserve account in New York was the handiwork of Lazarus, which "is allegedly controlled by Bureau 121, a division of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, a North Korean intelligence agency."

"Deep analysis of the cybercriminals' command and control infrastructure as well as detailed threat intelligence information enabled Group-IB researchers to prove that the attacks were managed from Pyongyang (North Korean capital)."

In February last year, hackers inserted malware on a SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Telecommunication) terminal used by Bangladesh's central bank, obtained credentials needed for payment transfers from the New York Federal Reserve, and thereafter transferred $81 million to fake accounts in the Philippines and Sri Lanka. By the time the fraud was discovered, the New York branch of the U.S. central bank had approved five of the payments.

"In 2016 the group attempted to steal about $951 million from the Central Bank of Bangladesh SWIFT. However a mistake in a payment request cut the criminals' income to only $81 million," Group-IB said.

"Lazarus (also known as the Dark Seoul Gang) is known to hack governmental, military, and aerospace institutions worldwide," it added.

The Russian specialists said Lazarus is known for its 2014 hacking attack on Sony Pictures, when personal information of employees, internal e-mails and copies of then unreleased Sony films, among other information, were made public.

Group-IB said that unlike previous reports, this one has focused on research on infrastructure built by the hacker group to conduct their attacks.

"Despite the complex three-layer architecture and other advanced techniques, the researchers managed to identify that the group was operating from Potonggang District in North Korea, where, perhaps coincidentally, the National Defense Commission was located," the statement said.

"Taking into consideration strengthening economic sanctions against North Korea as well as the geopolitical tension in the region, we expect new wave of Lazarus attacks against global financial institutions," said Group-IB co-founder Dmitry Volkov.

--IANS

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Alexander Lapshin, who is under arrest in Azerbaijan, met his mother Bella Lapshina in the medical center of the detention facility, Trend reported quoting lawyer Eduard Chernin.

May 30, 2017, 17:15 Blogger Alexander Lapshin permitted to meet his mother

STEPANAKERT, MAY 30 , ARTSAKHPRESS: According to the lawyer, Bella Lapshina came to Baku to inquire about the course of the investigation and the health of her son. She met Lapshin and was informed that the investigation on her son's case was completed.

He noted that they could get familiarized with the materials of the case, later the materials would be sent to court.

After his visits to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in 2011 and 2012, blogger and journalist Alexander Lapshinwho is a citizen of Russia, Israel, and several other countrieswas blacklisted by Azerbaijan.

In June 2016, however, he paid a visit to Azerbaijan--but with a Ukrainian passport--and, subsequently, he published several articles criticizing the Azerbaijani authorities.

Afterward, Azerbaijan issued an international search for this famous blogger. On December 15, 2016, Lapshin was detained in the Belarusian capital city of Minsk, and based on this search.

On January 26 of the current year, the Minsk city court dismissed the blogger's appeal of the Belarusian General Prosecutor's Office decision to extradite him to Azerbaijan.

On February 7, the Supreme Court of Belarus dismissed the appeals that were filed into this case, and upheld the aforesaid decision by the General Prosecutors Office.

And on the evening of the same day, Belarus extradited Alexander Lapshin to the Azerbaijani capital city of Baku, where he was taken into custody.
The army's Northern Command chief, Lt. Gen. Devraj Anbu visited south on Tuesday and commended the troops for successful counter-terror operations, a defence statement said.

The statement issued by the army's Udhampur-headquartered command said that he visited army units in south Kashmir, commended the troops for successful counter-terror operations and also reviewed security arrangements for the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra.

This is Lt Gen Anbu's first visit to south after security forces killed top Hizbul commander, Sabzar Bhat and his associate, Faizan Ahmad on Saturday without suffering any casualties or injuries.

This year's annual pilgrimage to the Hindu cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir's Anantnag district begins on June 29.

--IANS

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Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said India's defence preparedness is the "best deterrence" and will guarantee peace in the region.

"...Security requirements are dictated by the neighbourhood you have. Obviously, a view of the peculiar situation from the point of view of where we are located, our preparedness is the best deterrence which is certainly a guarantee for peace as far as our region is concerned," Jaitley said after giving away the Raksha Mantri's Awards for Excellence for the years 2014-15 and 2015-16.

The Minister said domestic defence manufacturing is also impacted by the security environment in the country.

"No country can indefinitely wage wars and battles only on the strength of trying to buy equipment from outside. Its security preparedness will be incomplete if we rely only on that."

"If you look at the kind of human resource we have there is no reason why we should not become a force to recon with. We are a country which is home to almost 17 per cent of global population. Having completed several decades after independence, we have now for three years in a row achieved the distinction to be among the fastest growing global economies," the minister said.

Jaitley said India needs to "unleash its full potential to concentrate on this area".

"As the economy grows, a large part of the revenue has to be spent on defence preparedness...Now emphasis has to be on utilising our entire potential as a country," he said.

Jaitley also said the recently approved Strategic Partnership model which aims at promoting private industry in defence manufacturing, will help in creating competition.

"Recent policy on strategic partners factors in both these. The capacity of DPSUs and their order profiles to keep them busy will also be taken into consideration... We also need to explore defence manufacturing in India with private sector participation," Jaitley said.

"Healthy competition between the two will bring out the best in both. Competition always is guarantee of competence," the Minister added.

The Minister gave away Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence in recognition of exemplary performance amongst Ordnance Factories and the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).

--IANS

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Panama's former dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega has passed away at the age of 83 here, according to officials.

Noriega, who ruled the country between 1983 and 1989 before being overthrown by an American invasion, was in the intensive care unit (ICU) since March 7 after undergoing an operation removing a benign brain tumour. He died on Monday night, Efe news reported.

His health condition worsened after the former strongman had to undergo a second surgical operation due to cerebral bleeding he suffered a few hours after the March 7 surgery.

Since then he has been in the ICU of Santo Tomas Hospital, the largest medical facility in the country.

Noriega was extradited to Panama on December 11, 2011 after serving more than 20 years in jail in the US and France for drug trafficking and money laundering.

He was serving more than 60 years in El Renacer prison near Panama City until January 28, when he was granted temporary house arrest so that he could complete the pre- and post-operative care outside prison.

In 2010, a new criminal charge was laid against him for alleged involvement in the disappearance in 1970 and death of leftist leader Heliodoro Portugal, but the trial was suspended in 2016 due to Noriega's health problems.

--IANS

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The Pentagon on Tuesday will for the first time test its ability to shoot down an intercontinental ballistic missile using its own upgraded long-range interceptor missile in a test to counter a North Korean missile launch.

The test, which will take place over the Pacific Ocean, comes after Pyongyang fired a short-range ballistic missile that travelled an estimated 248 miles, splashing down within Japan's exclusive economic zone, CNN reported.

In a Monday tweet, US President Donald Trump joined the leaders of South Korea and Japan in condemning the test, saying that North Korea had "shown great disrespect" for China by "shooting off yet another ballistic missile".

The Pentagon said the test of its interceptor system is not solely about North Korea, and the test is aimed at being able to challenge any threatening intercontinental ballistic missile, including possibly from Iran in the future.

The interceptor missile will be launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and will attempt to intercept a simulated threat missile over the Pacific Ocean launched from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

This will be the first test of the interceptor using an upgraded "kill" vehicle -- the part of the missile that would hit an incoming warhead.

The test comes as the US has ramped up other missile defence efforts, including the deployment of the THAAD missile defence system to South Korea which is designed to counter short, medium and intermediate range missile threats.

--IANS

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Railway property seems to have become a soft target for Maoists in Jharkhand.

In the last one week, the Maoists have blasted railway tracks at two places and set on fire a railway station.

On May 23, the rebels destroyed tracks at Kasitand in Bokaro district. Three days later, they set ablaze the Dumri Vihar railway station, also in Bokaro district.

The Maoists also torched a railway engine and other equipment at the station -- and escaped with the railway wireless system.

On Monday, the Maoists against targeted the railway track near Chiyanki station in Giridih district.

The guerrillas had called a shutdown in Jharkhand on Monday to protest an amendment in the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act. The amendment allows agricultural land to be used for non-agricultural purpose.

"Railway properties are soft targets. The railway suffer huge losses because of this," a railway official who did not wish to be named told IANS.

According to official figures, Maoists targeted the railway four times every year since 2012. The only exception was 2013 when only one incident was reported.

This year, three incidents have been reported in one week.

Jharkhand Police say safeguarding railway property everywhere is not humanly possible.

"The Maoists are desperate as anti-Maoist operations are yielding positive results and many senior guerrillas have surrendered. The Maoists are damaging railway properties to make their presence felt," a police official told IANS.

--IANS

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Actor Sanjay Dutt has pulled out of "Total Dhamaal" due to unavailability of dates as well as his issue with the film's adult comedy, says a source.

The actor, who completed shooting for "Bhoomi" earlier this year after his incarceration in Yerwada Jail for illegal possession of arms, has his dates locked till the end of 2018.

He has films like "Torbaaz", "Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3" and a collaborative project with actor-filmmaker Ajay Devgn.

Sanjay, who played a crucial role in "Dhamaal" and "Double Dhamaal", has decided to quit Indra Kumar's "Dhamaal" franchise.

The third instalment, "Total Dhamaal", was expected to roll out this year, but the fact that Sanjay is unavailable has caused the film some delay.

A source close to the development stated that Sanjay's busy schedule and already locked dates is not the only reason why he won't be doing the film.

"Besides the issue of unavailability of dates, Sanjay was not okay with the film's adult comedy. He doesn't want his children to see him in a film that has innuendo-laden jokes or crass humour," the source stated.

Sanjay has three children -- daughters Trishala and Iqra, and son Shahraan.

--IANS

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Six Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were injured on Tuesday morning when a mortar shell accidentally exploded during a training exercise at a field firing range here in Rajasthan. Two of the injured were in critical condition, an official said.

The incident took place around 8.30 a.m. at the Kishangarh firing range near the Pakistan border.

"Six of our troopers were injured when a 51 mm mortar shell exploded after a short fall. Two of the injured are in critical condition," a BSF official said.

The injured were being treated at a hospital in Ramgarh while those critically injured were airlifted to the Army Hospital at Jodhpur, the official added.

In a similar accident in January, two BSF personnel died and three others, including a deputy commandant, were injured when an 81 mm mortar shell accidentally exploded at the same firing range.

--IANS

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The southwest monsoon has arrived over Kerala, the IMD announced on Tuesday.

The state has been witnessing heavy rains since Monday.

The IMD said the southwest monsoon has also advanced into some parts of north-eastern states (parts of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh).

"Widespread rainfall occurred over Kerala during the past two days. A total of 78 per cent monitoring stations for monsoon onset over Kerala have reported rainfall for the last 48 hours," the IMD statement said.

The IMD statement said that conditions are favourable for further advance of the southwest monsoon into remaining parts of south Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep area and Kerala, some parts of central Arabian Sea, coastal and south interior Karnataka, some more parts of Tamil Nadu, southwest, west central and east central Bay of Bengal, most parts of northeast Bay of Bengal and some more parts of north-eastern states during next 3-4 days.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A special CBI court in Ranchi on Tuesday summoned two former chief ministers Lalu Prasad Yadav and Jagannath Mishra in connection with the multi-million Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) scam, better known as fodder scam.

They have been asked to appear before it on June 9 in connection with case No. RS64A/96, which is related to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 95 lakh from Deoghar treasury in Jharkhand.

The summons follow a Supreme Court order earlier this month, which setting aside a Jharkhand High Court ruling said that Lalu Yadav and other people made accused in different cases of the fodder scam would have to face cases separately.

Lalu Yadav has been convicted and sentenced to five-year imprisonment in one of the five cases faced by him in the fodder scam.

The 900-crore fodder scam surfaced in the early 1990s when Lalu Yadav was the Chief Minister of Bihar. The majority of the cases are related to the southern region of then undivided Bihar, which after the division formed the state of Jharkhand.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A separatist-sponsored march in memory of a militant leader killed by security forces was foiled on Tuesday but stray violence marked the event in the Kashmir Valley, leaving at least one person injured.

Authorities imposed curfew and restrictions to thwart the march to Tral town in Pulwama district, about 40 km from here, to offer funeral prayers (Fateha) for Hizbul commander Sabzar Bhat, killed by security forces on Saturday.

All roads leading to the town were sealed with rolls of razor-fitted concertina and by blocking them with mobile bunker vehicles.

But despite the clampdown, dozens of people from neighbouring areas managed to reach Rathsuna village where Bhat had been buried. They offered funeral prayers at the Martyrs' graveyard.

A police spokesman said here: "Barring three stray incidents of stone pelting by miscreants, two in Pulwama and one in Anantnag district, the law and order situation remained peaceful in the valley."

Protesters pelted stones at security forces in Tral, Pinglana and Keller in south Kashmir. An official claimed that security personnel used maximum restraint while chasing away the young men on the streets.

A stone pelting youth was injured in the clashes. He has been shifted to a Srinagar hospital.

Bhat, alias Abu Zarar, succeeded militant 'poster boy' Burhan Wani, whose killing in July led to unprecedented violent protests leading to the death of nearly 100 people.

The separatist-called three-day protest after Bhat's killing ended on Tuesday evening.

While senior separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq remained under house arrest, authorities ensured that mobs remained off the streets.

Bhat was killed on Saturday in a gunfight in Saimough village along with his associate Faizan Ahmed.

Heavy deployment of police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were made in the city to discourage and restrain vehicular movement.

Similar restrictions have been imposed in all other major towns of the Kashmir Valley. All educational institutions in the valley are also shut.

Train services remained suspended in the valley for a third consecutive day on Tuesday.

Authorities suspended internet services on mobile phones on Saturday. On Tuesday, the internet facilities on landline broadband connection were also snapped at most places to prevent the spread of rumours.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Begin transmission) If you're hearing this, then the Men In Black didn't do their job. They've been trying to keep the public from knowing about the spring Willard Lecture speakernoted UFO researcher David Marler , author of Triangular UFOs: An Estimate of the Situationbut the info was leaked to my office. What has Marler discovered using UNMs resources to research UFO phenomena? What terrible truths are They trying to hide? Go visit the UNM Zimmerman Library this Wednesday, May 31 , from 6:30-8pm to find out with a free lecture and a look at Marler's research materials at the UFOs at UNM: A Skeptical Believer Presents His Research lecture. Wait. What was that noise? (End of transmission)

David Marler talks about how he uses UNMs collections and other resources to research UFO phenomena, including the mass sighting in Farmington in March 1950 and the Battle of Los Angeles in 1942.

The spring Willard Lecture speaker is noted UFO researcher, David Marler.

Marler will speak about how he uses UNMs collections and other resources to research UFO phenomena, including the mass sighting in Farmington, NM, in March 1950 and the Battle of Los Angeles in 1942.

Marler has one of the largest personal collections of UFO books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and case files from around the world that covers the last 65 years. Based on this research, he published the book, Triangular UFOs: An Estimate of the Situation in 2013. He has donated his extensive collection to UNM Libraries as an estate gift.

A small exhibit of some of his research materials will be on view and Marler will sign copies of his book. This event is free and open to the public.
We continue our occasional series on websites developed by Australians who worked in Papua New Guinea in colonial days. Peter Salmons Ex-Kiap project was the first of these, launching in February 2003. It has 185 registered users, mostly ex- kiaps, who have posted a total of 2,385 articles on the site. It has developed as a true mine of information about colonial PNG and events thereafter.

Peter [left] is fortunate to have a number of correspondents who post frequently and often controversially, and who offer informative and provocative reading. Arthur Williams from Cardiff in Wales has posted 394 times. And Paul Oates [right], from Boonah in Queensland, with 402 posts, is a most prolific and entertaining correspondent, as well as being a damn good writer. Try this for size:

"Quickly my young friends called me down to where they stood in about two feet of water on the sandy top of the reef. At first, all I saw was a brown thread, corkscrewing through the water. Then the water was alive with them. As the tide came in and the water came up to my waist, hundreds and then thousands of worms arrived until they clouded the water. Some worms were as long as a foot and some only three to four inches. The worms were about one sixteenth of an inch in width and came in two colours. Some were rusty brown and some azure blue. I could feel the worms sliding around my body and as it was not a pleasant feeling, I joined a young team in a nearby canoe."

The commanding heights of discussion on the Ex-Kiap Network are in a section entitled, in that perfunctory kiap-style way, General. This is defined as critiques, commentary, discussion, dissertations, dummy spits, essays, memories, opinions, personal reflections (don't worry about the selective memory syndrome kicking in), public affairs, reflections, sprays, theses, thoughts. Anything but General, youd think. Theres also an Editors Corner for Peters occasional effusions, a useful Books & Publications section, obituaries in The Last Patrol and plenty of news (mainly about reunions) and photographs (many of them rare and well worth a look).

The tone of the site is conservative, most of the more prolific writers blame many of PNGs problems on Gough Whitlam and seem to imply Australia should still be in charge today. But this is a vastly entertaining and informative site and is a must-read for anyone with a serious interest in PNG  past and present.

You can click through to the Ex-Kiap Network here.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that should be kept away from issues concerning the safety of women and girls.

Kejriwal made the remarks at a day-long conclave on 'Women Safety and Empowerment' organised by the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues at the US State Department and NGO Shakti Vahini in collaboration with Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

"Got a chance to speak at a DCW programme. I believe that there should be no on the issues concerning women safety," Kejriwal tweeted.

"People indulging in should not forget that they too have women family members and if the situation worsened they too will be affected," the Aam Aadmi Party leader said.

Kejriwal also praised DCW's works towards women empowerment and their safety in the city.

Women and Child Development Ministers of Bihar and Chhattisgarh along with senior representatives from US Government also participated in the conclave.

Ministers and representatives from 12 states participated in the conclave.

Besides Kejriwal, Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal, Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, and US Embassy's Director for North India Jonathan Kessler addressed the conference.

Participants included state ministers for women and child development, state government officials, international organizations, industry representatives, and NGOs.

Forum participants discussed common challenges, and shared best practices and ideas for future US-India cooperation on issues facing women and girls, including involving private sector and civil society partners, said a US Embassy statement.

The conclave aimed to develop effective partnerships to advance gender equality and to build a network of leaders committed to addressing key issues facing women and girls.

US Charge D' Affaires MaryKay Carlson addressed the closing session of the conclave.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least three persons were killed and 17 others injured in a car bomb attack in downtown Baghdad on Tuesday morning, the Interior Ministry said.

A booby-trapped car exploded at the busy intersection near al-Shuhadaa Bridge, across the Tigris River in central Baghdad, Xinhua news agency quoted a ministry source as saying.

The blast destroyed several nearby cars and damaged many shops and buildings, the source said.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State (IS) militant group, in most cases, is responsible for such assaults.

The attack came hours after a suicide car bomb attack by the IS killed 11 persons and injured 75 others near an ice cream parlour in Baghdad.

The two attacks occurred while the Iraqi security forces backed by anti-IS international coalition were carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS from their major stronghold in the western side of Mosul.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sri Lankan military and police used boats to rescue the marooned and retrieve corpses as the death toll from the devastating floods in the island nation rose to 183, officials said on Tuesday.

At least 103 persons remained missing and the toll was expected to rise as authorities battle to rescue those still stranded across a wide stretch of the country, the Daily Mirror reported.

It was the worst flooding in Sri Lanka since 2003. India and other countries have rushed aid to help Sri Lankan authorities.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said 112 people were also injured. A total of 545,243 people were affected by the disaster.

The South-West monsoon unleashed torrential rains, ravaging 14 districts in the western and southern parts of the country last week.

Houses and shops remained submerged in 10 to 30 feet of water. The Expressway from Colombo to Matara, in the deep south, was flooded in several areas.

The DMC ordered people living along the winding Kelani river -- where the Hollywood movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed -- to evacuate to safer places.

Officials said this would cover the areas of Kollonnawa, Kaduwela, Wellampitiya, Kelaniya, Biyagama, Sedawatte, Dompe, Hanwella, Padukka and Avissawella.

The Meteorology Department said rains and winds were expected to continue.

Indian rescue personnel were deployed last week in flood-hit areas. An Indian ship carrying relief material and rescue personnel, INS Kirch, reached Colombo last week.

Sri Lanka Red Cross volunteers and staff workers were engaged in search and rescue missions besides distributing food, water and essential supplies.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Nothing can describe the hospitality industry in Himachal Pradesh better than Newton's law of motion.

As the heat in the plains of northern India pulls tourists to the hills, they feel the heat of being fleeced everywhere.

Hotels, guesthouses and lodges have doubled their tariffs. Private taxi drivers and guides openly fleece the tourists by quoting high rates in this peak summer season, pinching the pockets of thousands of holidaymakers.

Sample this: In the picturesque tourist resort of Manali, for glimpses of a snowy landscape spread over the majestic Rohtang Pass, you should be ready to shell out an extremely high fare to hire a cab.

So it is in tourist spots near Shimla, such as honeymooners' paradise Kufri where each pony owner is virtually trying to poach you without paying any heed to your refusals. You will end up getting charged an exorbitant fare for a ride across the hilly terrain.

"We have been charged Rs 12,000 by a travel agent for arranging to and fro journey between Manali and Rohtang Pass. This is fleecing in the name of taking you close to snow cover," Samuel Mukherjee, a tourist from Kolkata, told IANS.

The actual fare of a luxury cab is Rs 6,000 while an ordinary one costs Rs 4,000.

His wife Sudeshna remarked: "We had no option but to listen to the taxi driver to avoid spoiling our vacation. There is no mechanism here to check abnormally high tariffs."

With only 1,200 taxi or private vehicle permits -- 800 petrol vehicles and the remaining diesel -- issued online daily on a first-come-first-served basis to visit the Rohtang Pass, some 52 km from Manali, taxi operators are charging two to three times more than the actual fare, reports say.

Added New Delhi-based banker Chinamaya Mehta: "I was looking for a luxury hotel in and around Shimla for four days. To my surprise, the room tariff of a luxury hotel in Shimla is around Rs 16,000, almost double the five-star hotels in Delhi and Mumbai."

He asked the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department to keep eye on hotel fares to check exorbitant pricing, especially when the tourism season is at its peak.

Ongoing protests in Jammu and Kashmir, which is scaring away tourists, and rising mercury in the plains have triggered a sudden surge in tourist footfalls in Himachal Pradesh.

Hill stations like Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda, Kasauli, Chail, Manali, Dalhousie, Palampur and Dharamsala are flooded with visitors.

According to various reports, there has been an increase of 30-35 percent in the tourist inflow to the state compared to last year.

Hundreds of touts, mostly Kashmiris, operate in the guise of potters in Shimla, the erstwhile summer capital of the Raj.

"If a tourist asks for a booking in a particular hotel, we try to convince him that the particular hotel is either unsafe for tourists or closed for renovation. We would take him to another hotel where we are offered hefty commissions," a tout admitted.

Saying he had received complaints against taxi operators for fleecing tourists in Manali, Subdivisional Magistrate H.R. Bhairwa said he had blacklisted 70 cabs over two weeks.

"In case they repeat the offence, their permits to ply private taxis will be cancelled permanently," he said.

A word of advice: Prefer to stay in state-run hotels.

"We charge fixed tariffs throughout the year. In this season, we are promoting some of our less-visited properties by offering special discounts of up to 25 percent," Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corp (HPTDC) General Manager Vijay Sharma told IANS.

In a first, the HPTDC, which has 59 properties in the state, has started a special package tour from Manali that will take the tourists at least for a day at Keylong in Lahaul Valley via snow-marooned Rohtang Pass in a deluxe bus.

Himachal Pradesh's economy is highly dependent on tourism, besides hydroelectric power and horticulture.

The state attracted 18.45 million tourists last year, which is 2.7 times its population, says the state's Economic Survey 2016-17.

According to the report, the state has 2,604 hotels with a bed capacity of 70,869 registered with the tourism department. In addition, there are 787 home-stay units with a provision of 2,137 rooms.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.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.)
Two foreign journalists headed to Iraq were arrested at an airport here after bullet-proof jackets and gas masks were recovered from their check-in baggage, police said on Tuesday.

Anthony Cheng from the UK and Florian Witulski from Germany were set to fly to the Iraqi city of Mosul to cover the ongoing war when they were apprehended at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Monday night, Efe news reported.

Authorities released Witulski on Tuesday morning, but Cheng - believed to be the owner of the items - remains in custody.

Cheng will be booked for illegal possession of war equipment without the requisite permits, according to a senior police official.

The journalist, who can file for bail, faces up to five years imprisonment under a 1987 law which bans unlicensed possession of military equipment.

In August 2015, a Hong Kong photographer was arrested at the airport for the same reason, after covering a bomb attack in Bangkok.

Following three months of litigation, Thai authorities withdrew the charges and allowed him to return to Hong Kong.

Journalism associations have called on Thai authorities to review the existing law in order to allow reporters to buy, import and use suitable protective gear.

Several reporters lost their lives and others were injured by bullets while reporting on the anti-government protests in the Thai capital in 2010.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The UNICEF regional director (South Asia) Jean Gough visited Ghaziabad and expressed satisfaction at the measures being taken to stop child trafficking by the joint efforts of police and civil administration.

Ghaziabad district magistrate Ministhy Nair, who chaired the meeting, briefed the UNICEF team on how the police, civil administration and Mahila Samman Prakosth of Uttar Pradesh police coordinate to stop child trafficking in this district bordering the national capital.

SP City Akash Tomar represented the police along with CO crime Anup Singh. The UNICEF team visited the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of Ghaziabad police. A workshop was also organized there.

The regional director of UNICEF expressed her satisfaction at the efforts being taken by the joint team of police district administration and the NGOs to stop child trafficking in the area.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Tuesday said his ministry will fully cooperate with a CBI probe into alleged corruption and mismanagement that led to the financial crisis in the national carrier Air India.

"We will fully cooperate with the CBI on this," Raju said replying to a question during a press interaction here.

The Minister's response came a day after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered three cases against unnamed officials of the Ministry and Air India.

The case involves the purchase of 111 Boeing aircraft worth Rs 70,000 crore and alleged corruption in handing over international airline routes to private airlines during the UPA regime.

Apart from the Civil Aviation Ministry and Air India officials, the CBI has also booked some unnamed private companies in its FIRs lodged under sections of criminal conspiracy and cheating of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The FIRs do not mention any public official by name but are based on a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) submitted to Parliament in 2011 and a subsequent report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
I have recently been in Seoul to attend a meeting of the Mont Pelerin Society (MPS). En route I visited Hong Kong and Taipei. They all live in the shadow of the Chinese dragon, whose hegemonic intentions are clear from President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines reporting he had to stop drilling in the South China Sea when China threatened war. In Hong Kong we had seen the student Umbrella Revolution in 2014 from our hotel room in Kowloon demanding democratic elections which were thwarted by the mainland. More recently, Zhang Dejiang, the Chinese official overseeing Hong Kong, has stated that its autonomy should not challenge Beijings implementation of its contentious new national security laws. But, it is in Taiwan and Korea that the Chinese dragon casts its longest shadow.
The Indian government's ban on the trade of cattle for slaughter threatens $4 billion in annual beef exports and millions of jobs if the government does not revoke the stoppage decreed last week, according to two industry officials.

In the latest setback to the Muslim-dominated meat industry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government decreed animal markets will only be able to trade cattle for agricultural purposes such as ploughing and dairy production.

The ban is likely to further alienate Muslims, who make up 14 percent of India's 1.3 billion people, and raise communal and religious tensions. Hindu hardliners and cow vigilante groups have been increasingly asserting themselves since Modi's Hindu nationalist government came to power in 2014.

Most of India's beef comes from water buffalo rather than cows, which are considered holy by Hindus, but local cattle traders and slaughterhouses have repeatedly come under attacks from activist groups that oppose the meat trade.

"In the garb of the order that prohibits the trading of cattle at organised markets, the government has tried to impose a ban on the meat industry," Abdul Faheem Qureshi, head of the Muslim All India Jamiatul Quresh Action Committee, told Reuters.

"Meat supplies will very soon grind to a halt in India and abroad if either the government does not repeal this draconian order or a court does not step in," Qureshi said.

Government officials were not avaibale for comment.

Indian meat traders, under the aegis of the Quresh Action Committee and other trade and industry associations, plan to petition India's Supreme Court in the next couple of days to get the government order rescinded.

"Exports will come to a halt because slaughterhouses will find it extremely difficult to buy cattle and we also apprehend widespread job losses in the sector, which supports millions of people," said Qureshi.

Abattoirs across India on March 31 called off a strike after four days when the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, ruled by Modi's party, gave assurances that it would renew the licences of slaughterhouses and protect them against the attacks from cow vigilante groups.

The slaughter industry stabilised after the strike but the latest order has unsettled trade again, said Priya Sud, partner at Al Noor Exports, which operates abbatoirs in Uttar Pradesh.

The impact on exports will be more evident after a couple of months when the supply chain dries up, Sud said.

India exported 1.33 million tonnes of buffalo meat in the 2016/17 fiscal year to March 31, worth about $3.9 billion. The exports were slightly up from the 1.31 million tonnes exported in the previous year.
At least six persons were killed today when a gantry crane collapsed on them at a railway construction site in China's east Shandong province.

The accident took place when the workers were dismantling the crane at the Shijiazhuang-Jinan railway construction site in Jinan, capital of Shandong province.

Five people were killed on the spot while another died in a hospital. One person was injured, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
If Putin sees his mighty army collapsing, his desperation to retain power may lead to more of the bad decision-making that has been the hallmark of the Russian conduct of the war so far. The use of tactical nuclear weapons may become his last resort

Ukraine troops advance on Kherson and other Russian-occupied areas

CHRIS OVERLAND

ADELAIDE - Since I wrote this piece (Sachs & the New Appeasers have it wrong, 20 July 2022), the appeasers have become silent.

The appalling atrocities committed by the Russians in Ukraine have revealed the true nature of the Russian regime.

Vladimir Putin is not a wronged and misunderstood man.

He is an old school imperialist of the worst kind.

You do not do deals with such a man and expect them to be honoured.

At present, the Ukrainians continue to advance in the Donbas and near Kherson.

They appear to have mastered manoeuvre warfare, something the Russian army seems incapable of replicating.

Strategic and tactical ineptitude by the Russians, combined with severe logistical and personnel problems, renders the Russian army highly vulnerable to a fast-moving enemy force.

As of today, Ukrainian troops had retaken more territory in regions illegally annexed by Russia, and continue to advance near the southern city of Kherson.

They were also moving towards Russian-held Luhansk in the east.

"There are new liberated settlements in several regions," said president Volodymyr Zelensky.

While it is too early to be sure, there are clear signs the Russian army is crumbling in the face of the better led, better armed and better motivated Ukrainians.

The implications of this are profound, both for Ukraine and Russia as well as for the rest of the world.

If Putin sees his mighty army collapsing, his desperation to retain power may lead to even more of the very bad decision making that has been the hallmark of the Russian conduct of this war so far.

Colonel Markus Reisner has emerged as one of the most credible experts analysing the Russia Ukraine War

The use of tactical nuclear weapons may become his last resort.

Consequently, whether we have fired a bullet or not, we are all invested in the outcome of this appalling conflict.

For readers interested in military matters who want an objective and dispassionate assessment of events in Ukraine, I recommend the commentaries posted on YouTube by Colonel Markus Reisner PhD, commander of the Austrian Army's principal staff training college and its elite Vienna Guards Regiment.
Shares of Adani Group companies surged up to 6 per cent today after the group agreed to pay royalties on coal produced from its USD 16.5 billion Carmichael coal project in Australia after it struck an agreement with the Queensland government to help the controversy-hit project move forward.

The scrip of Adani Enterprises surged 5.93 per cent, Adani Transmission gained 4.27 per cent, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (3.43 per cent) and Adani Power (2.43 per cent) on BSE.

Adani Ports was the top gainer among the 30-Sensex components.

The agreement with Queensland government "meets Adani's expectations and requirements," the company said in a statement, without providing details of the accord.

In the statement, Adani chairman Gautam Adani described the move as a "benchmark decision" that showed the "strong commitment" of the Queensland government to the project.

The Carmichael coal project, Australia's largest, has been delayed since first being proposed in 2010 due to protests by green groups over its environmental impact.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Leading automobile manufacturer Ashok Leyland was currently developing its own technology for meeting the BS-VI emmission norms to come into force from 2020.

"We are developing our own technology for complying the BS-VI emmission norms required by 2020. It will be combination of SCR (selective catalytic reduction) and EGR (exhaust gas reduction) technologies", Anuj Kathuria, president of Global Trucks division told reporters here today.

Kathuria said that as far as BS-IV was concerned, the company had done away with the SCR technology as it was found not suitable for the Indian conditions.

"We have developed the 'iEGR' technology which would both reduce nitrous oxide and particulate matters", he said.

Talking about the medium and heavy commercial vehicles division of the company, Kathuria said that Ashok Leyland was having 32 per cent market share in the domestic market and the number 12th player globally.

"In the global market, we want to be within top 10 in three years time", he said.

In the last financial year, he said that the company had gained 2.5 per cent market share when the industry growth dipped by two per cent.

Presently, the company is serving the export markets of UAE, SAARC, East and West Africa, and Bangladesh through satellite assembly plants set up abroad.

Kathuria said that the trucks division was contributing 75 per cent of the company's overall revenue.

"The company's policy was to grow the other business divisions in tandem with trucks", he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Senior BJP leaders L K Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharti were today charged with criminal conspiracy in the 1992 Babri mosque demolition case by a special CBI court here.

The court, which earlier rejected their discharge petition, framed charges against Advani (89), Joshi (83), Union minister Bharti (58) and three others under Section 120 (B) of the IPC (criminal conspiracy).

The three others are the BJP's Vinay Katiyar (62), VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmiya, who is in his late eighties, and one-time Hindutva firebrand Sadhvi Rithambara (53).

The accused had argued against the framing of charges against them, asserting that they had no role in the razing of the mosque and had tried to stop it. Their discharge petitions were rejected by the judge.

The court is hearing two separate cases relating to the demolition of the 16th-century mosque.

Six others accused in the second case -- Ramvilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma , Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Nritya Gopaldas, Dharam Das and Satish Pradhan -- were also charged with conspiracy and offences such as promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc, and defiling a place of worship with the intent to insult a religion.

Vedanti and the other five were, under various IPC sections, also charged with imputations prejudicial to national integration, committing deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, making statements leading to public mischief, rioting and unlawful assembly.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Senior BJP leaders L K Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharti and nine others were today charged with criminal conspiracy in the 1992 Babri mosque demolition case by a special CBI court here.

The charges were framed against Advani (89), Joshi (83), Bharti (58), BJP MP Vinay Katiyar (62), VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmiya (89) and one-time Hindutva firebrand Sadhvi Rithambara (53), who appeared before the court today.

All six were granted bail by CBI special judge S K Yadav on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each. The CBI had opposed their bail plea.

The accused, who spent nearly three hours in the court, had sought discharge for the offence of criminal conspiracy, which was rejected by the court.

The charge of conspiracy is in addition to the existing charges against them for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion.

The serious charge of criminal conspiracy was restored against them by the Supreme Court which on April 19 had also directed clubbing two cases relating to the demolition. The court had also directed that the trial be concluded in two years.

Besides the six, conspiracy charges have been framed against Ramvilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Nritya Gopaldas, Dharam Das and Satish Pradhan -- all of whom were allegedly present when the 16th-century structure in Ayodhya was demolished on December 6, 1992.

The court passed two orders -- one for grant of bail and the other for framing of charges.

The accused are also facing charges of having made assertions prejudicial to national integration and injuring or defiling a place of worship.

The other charges against them include indulging in deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, uttering statements leading to public mischief, rioting and unlawful assembly.

The maximum punishment in such a case would be five years in jail or a fine or both, according to a lawyer who attended the proceedings in the court.

The accused had argued against the framing of charges against them, asserting that they had no role in the razing of the mosque.

Advocate Saurav Shamsheri, appearing for Advani and the others, said they would hold consultations with their team of lawyers and decide whether there was a need to challenge the rejection of the discharge applications.

The accused were asked to appear before the court for framing of charges in the light of the Supreme Court order last month.

After Advani, Joshi and Bharti failed to turn up in court on May 25 and 26, the special court had said that no further application for an adjournment or exemption from personal appearance would be entertained.

Advani this morning met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after he arrived at the VVIP guest house here before leaving for the special court.

The Supreme Court had called the destruction of the mosque a "crime" which shook the "secular fabric of the Constitution" while allowing the CBI's plea seeking restoration of the criminal conspiracy charge against the BJP leaders and others.

However, the top court had said BJP leader and Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, who was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh when the structure was razed, was entitled to immunity under the Constitution as long as he held the gubernatorial office.

The CBI had chargesheeted 21 people in the case. Many of them -- including Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and the VHP's Acharya Giriraj Kishore, Ashok Singhal, Paramhans Ram Chandra Das and Mahant Avaidhynath -- have since died.

They were all named in an FIR for allegedly instigating a mob which led to the demolition of the structure.

The conspiracy charge against the accused was dropped in 2001 against Advani and the others by a CBI court and its verdict was upheld by the Allahabad High Court in 2010.

Hindutva leader Vedanti claimed earlier today that he was among those who had pulled down the disputed structure in Ayodhya.

"I was one of those who had pulled the dome down," Vedanti told reporters ahead of his appearance in the special court.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahead of the 'World No Tobacco Day' tomorrow, experts have urged the Rajasthan government to immediately ban tobacco products and implement the 'The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act' in the state.

"With an aim tocatch them young,the industry projects tobacco products as equivalent to adulthood, modernism, affluence, classiness and superiority," said Pawan Singhal, associate professor at Swai Maan Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur and the state patron of the Voice of Tobacco Victims (VOTV).

He said with the consumption of tobacco products, impotency among males was increasing while the reproductive capacity among females was decreasing, he said.

"The Rajasthan government should ban tobacco products as they have been fully banned in 14 states of the country," Singhal demanded.

Sanjay Seth, Trustee, Sambandh Health Foundation urged the state government to implement 'The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA)' strictly in Rajasthan so that tobacco products remain out of reach of children and the youth.

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), conducted by the Health Ministry, 35 per cent of the adults in the age group of 15 years and above consume tobacco in some form or the other with 48 per cent males and 20 per cent females consuming tobacco in any form.

Nearly two in five (38 per cent) adults in rural areas and one in four (25 per cent) adults in urban areas use some form of tobacco.

About 32 per cent population or 1.5 crore people in Rajasthan use tobacco in any form, while lakhs of these people die each year due to tobacco-related diseases, the report says.

To check the menace of tobacco consumption, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has decided the theme for World No Tobacco Day 2017 as "Tobacco a threat to development".

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The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh will launch an indefinite agitation from June 15 at all divisional headquarters of Rajasthan demanding solution to the long- pending demands of state farmers and starting work on the Mahi project.

The Sangh also submitted a memorandum to the divisional commissioner addressed to the chief minister.

Terming the government "anti-farmer" and "anti- agriculture", farmer leader Ratan Lal Daga said the government was "responsible" for farmers not getting the right price of their produce.

He said the farmers were not getting even the input cost on their crop.

"We have been demanding determination of a suitable price of all the crops since long but the government indifference is leaving the farmers with no alternative but to sell their produce in the market at a very low price, which is below their input cost", said Daga.

Demanding compensation from the government, Daga said farmers had to bear a huge loss of Rs.10,000 crores in the absence of purchase of ground nut, mustard and onion under the Marketing Intervention Scheme by the government.

Tulchha Ram Sanwar of the Sangh said farmers have been facing a threat as most parts of the state have been declared a dark zone with regard to ground water.

"Indifference of the government towards completing the announced or ongoing projects on time has dealt a severe blow to the prospects of irrigation", said Sanwar.

The Sangh also demanded the revision of the crop insurance scheme in favour of farmers, terming the Pradhanmantri Fasal Beema Yojna, an "eyewash".

According to the Sangh, the scheme was more beneficial for insurance companies.

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British Airways today said it was operating a full flight schedule from Heathrow and Gatwick airports after a three-day flight disruption due to a massive IT failure that hit some 75,000 passengers.

The airline said it "may take some time" to reunite travellers with their bags.

"Our IT systems are now back up and running and we will be operating a full flight schedule at Heathrow and Gatwick," the British Airways (BA) said.

Embattled Chief Executive of BA Alex Cruz has blamed a power surge for the disruption, which affected 75,000 people.

He had ruled out resigning over the crippling flight disruption and maintained that the computer glitch had nothing to do with cutting costs or outsourcing IT services to India.

Cruz said a power surge had "only lasted a few minutes" but the back-up system of the airline had not worked properly.

BA's GMB union has said outsourcing IT jobs to India could have made the problems worse.

The union spokesperson said it could have been avoided had "hundreds of dedicated and loyal" not been replaced by cheaper Indian staff in 2016.

Cruz also said that no BA passengers' data had been compromised in the IT meltdown and said there was no evidence it was the result of a cyber attack, promising not to allow such an outage to happen again.

The IT failure was caused by a short but catastrophic power surge at 9.30 AM on Saturday that affected the company's messaging system, he said, and the backup system failed to work properly.

Cruz said: "We have no evidence whatsoever that there was any cyber attack of any sort".

Cruz said he was "profusely sorry" to the thousands of passengers still stranded at airports worldwide.

Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, advised affected BA passengers not to travel to the airport unless their flights had been rebooked, or were scheduled to take off yesterday.

BA is liable to reimburse thousands of passengers for refreshments and hotel expenses, and travel industry experts have suggested the cost to the company - part of Europe's largest airline group IAG - could run into tens of millions of pounds.

Davy analyst Stephen Furlong said the cost to the carrier of cancelling one day of operations was around 30 million pounds.

In a statement yesterday, the airline apologised again for the "frustration and inconvenience" to passengers and said it was continuing to get people reunited with their luggage "as quickly as possible".

The airline also admitted that it was aware some passengers were unable to file a delayed bag report on its website.

Thousands of BA passengers worldwide are still without their bags and have been bombarding the airline's lost luggage phone lines, website and social media feeds.

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A British zoo today investigated the mauling of a keeper by a tiger, which sparked an evacuation as other keepers threw meat into the enclosure in an attempt to lure the animal away.

Rosa King, 33, was killed yesterday at Hamerton Zoo Park in eastern England when a tiger got into an enclosure, in what the visitor attraction called a "freak accident".

The BBC cited a witness as saying he heard screams and saw zookeepers throwing meat into the enclosure to try and entice the tiger away.

The local police force said there were no suspicious circumstances. The tiger has not been put down and was unharmed.

"A tiger had entered an enclosure with a keeper. Sadly the female zookeeper died at the scene," the force said.

King looked after the carnivores at the zoo, a 25-acre park which is home to Malaysian and Bengal tigers according to its website.

Her mother Andrea said she had worked at the zoo for around 14 years, adding: "She wouldn't have done anything else, it's what she has always done, it's what she has always loved."



The zoo said it would be closed while an investigation takes place, adding that public safety had not been affected.

Garry Chisholm, 59, a wildlife photographer in his spare time who knew King through visiting the zoo, said the park revolved around the keeper.

"Rosa wasn't just a keeper at Hamerton Zoo -- she was Hamerton Zoo," he said.

"She was the shining light of it.

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Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists today held a protest outside Congress headquarters on Akbar Road here and demanded an apology from party chief Sonia Gandhi over the slaughter of a calf by its youth wing workers in Kerala.

The activists of the BJP youth wing gathered near Taj Mansingh hotel and worshipped a calf. Later they marched towards Congress headquarters.

The police tried to stop them near Kapurthala House but the workers broke the police barricade. They continued to march towards Akbar Road where heavy police force stopped them at another barricade by using water cannons.

The protesters raised slogans demanding arrest of Kerala Youth Congress leaders involved in slaughtering of the calf and burnt effigies of Sonia and party vice president Rahul Gandhi.

"This issue is connected with emotions of all Indians. Our protest is not for a political cause, it is for a social objective and we hope that Congress leadership will take stern action against their Kerala office bearers involved in this shameless act," said BJYM Delhi unit president Sunil Yadav.

The "shameful" incident in Kerala was an outcome of "competition between the Congress and the CPM to please the minorities", Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari told reporters.

"Even as the CPM cadre have been regularly targeting and attacking RSS and BJP workers, the Congress workers by slaughtering a cow have tried to carve out a minority votebank for themselves," he claimed.

The Congress has suspended three of its youth wing members who were involved in public butchering of the calf in Kerala's Kannur on Sunday.

The police has also registered a case in connection with the incident that was termed as "barbaric and completely unacceptable" by the Congress vice president.

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Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today sought a response from the state unit of Congress over slaughter of a calf in Kerala, saying it has revealed the "true face" of the party.

Cow slaughter is banned in Gujarat.

In a tweet in Hindi, Rupani said, "Gujarat Congress should reply to the act of cow slaughter by Congress (workers) in Kerala."



"Congress revealed its true face by killing cow in Kerala. Vinash kaale viprit buddhi (wrong thinking in times of calamity). Congress is now a sinking ship," he said in another tweet.

Congress hit back asking why the cow-loving BJP government gave away grazing lands to industry in Gujarat.

"If BJP cares so much about cow, why has it gifted thousands of hectares of grazing land in the state to the industry at throwaway prices," said Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil.

Gohil also cited statements by a BJP candidate in Kerala who had promised "best quality beef" if he won in a Lok Sabha election, and a minister in Meghalaya who said that beef should be made available at a cheaper rate.

"(Union Minister of State for Home Affairs) Kiran Rijiju had admitted that he consumes beef, so what will the chief minister say to him?" Gohil asked.

The Congress yesterday suspended three workers in Kerala for publicly slaughtering a calf in protest against notification against sale of cattle for slaughter.

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A large asifa to protest the drafting of bnei yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel into the Israeli army that had been set to take place this month will instead be held on Sunday, 17 Sivan/June 11, at the Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn, NY.

What was originally meant as a limited waiver of the draft for a small number of serious learners has morphed over the years to a sense of entitlement for ANY chareidi bochur [student] to avoid the draft or any form of alternative public service and shift the burden on to others.

The movement has organized several protests in recent weeks after three ultra-Orthodox men were arrested for shirking the draft. The three yeshiva students had ignored summonses calling them to report to the army to arrange a deferment, as most ultra-Orthodox males of draft age do.

At right is a photo of a poster spotted in Hasidic Williamsburg right. Clearly there's an event scheduled at the Barclays Center aimed at the Haredi Jewish community (strict Orthodox Jews who reject secular culture), but the lack of English text makes it cryptic.The website Matzav.com explains, Protest Against Israeli Draft of Bnei Yeshiva Rescheduled for Barclays Center So attendees at a big gathering will protest an apparent change of policy that will make it much more difficult for traditional Orthodox Jewish students--both Hasidic (who follow a rebbe) and non-Hasidic (who don't)--to get deferments from the draft. Comments on the Yeshiva World website explain some of the debate.What's unclear is how large the event will be, and whether large groups will be coming by bus. (Sunday is a school day for religious Jews, and some likely will be coming from upstate.) The event was originally scheduled for the Prudential Center in Newark, so it's clearly aiming at a broad audience.The only previous event at the Barclays Center aimed at a large Orthodox Jewish audience, in March 2015, turned into a logistical mess , as buses inundated the surrounding neighborhood rather than go to a staging area, as scheduled.If the arena again tried to bring 200 buses to Flatbush, "we would say," Deputy Inspector Frank DiGiacomo affirmed at a meeting after the event.Perhaps we'll learn more about the event at tonight's meeting of the 78th Precinct Community Council.Given that non-ticketed, privately booked events can bring large crowds into the residential areas around the Barclays Center, it's unwise that they're no longer listed (with expected crowds) on the monthly event calendars distributed by the arena.Perhaps this will come up at the June 6 meeting of the Atlantic Yards Community Development Corporation, as well.One commenter on Yeshiva World News pointed to the current issue of the Flatbush Jewish Journal , where, on page 8, a writer points to a "crisis" that will lead to "a drastic downsizing" of religious studies. According to the writer, while most yeshiva students can easily get an exemption, others, from smaller or lesser-known schools, have become disqualified for exemptions and thus get drafted into the army.The Flatbush Jewish Journal writer suggested the trend will lead to a crisis, severely undermining the "single greatest source of protection" from outside threats, the intense study of torah. By contrast, a poster on Yeshiva World News wrote Though I couldn't easily find confirmation of a massive policy change, the issue of draft deferments--as well as the participation of Haredi Jews in national responsibilities--is an extremely contentious issue in Israel. Here's extensive coverage in the Times of Israel. See screenshot at right.The liberal newspaper Haaretz did repor t 4/3/17:
A government that ran a campaign 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' actually missed the point by not exempting tax on sanitary napkins under the GST, the Congress today said, accusing the Centre of not being gender sensitive.

The Congress said on one hand India was on its way to script history by implementing the Goods and Services Tax, but on the other women empowerment remained completely ignored.

The BJP government, despite repeated demands, has failed to make the GST 'gender sensitive', Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev said.

"The government is insensitive to the demand of half of India's population by not exempting the tax on sanitary napkins," she said.

Dev, who spearheaded a campaign for exempting sanitary napkins from imposition of tax, said the GST could have been instrumental in making an important intervention by making sanitary napkins tax free or minimally taxed.

Dev said she had put forth a petition in this regard which was supported by more than than lakh men and women, including Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi.

"A government that runs a campaign 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' actually missed the point. While child sex ratio and high percentage of women staying out of the education system was targeted under this slogan the complete non application of mind is apparent," she said in a statement.

"In my meeting with Union Ministers J P Nadda, Maneka Gandhi and Arun Jaitley no one seemed to disagree that menstruation is still a stigma," she said, lamenting that only 12 per cent women in the country use napkins and poor menstrual hygiene is a cause of serious health issues and death for women especially in rural India.

Dev said affordability and accessibility are two primary reasons for such dismal figures of women using hygienic napkins.

She also noted that equality of opportunity cannot be a reality unless girls are equipped with better to access these opportunities. She also said that poor menstrual hygiene impacts women's 'Right to Life'.

Dev said menstruation is an involuntary physical process outside the control of women and use of napkins is a necessity and yet the GST council did not treat it at par with other essential commodities.

The Congress leader said the Constitution permits special laws for women and children and yet the demand of half the population of India of making sanitary affordable and tax-free was rejected by the BJP-led government.

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Supermodel Cindy Crawford can't thank her husband enough for putting up with her as the two celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary.

The iconic supermodel took to Instagram, where she posted a photo of her and her husband, Rande Gerber, embracing in a room filled with mirror balls and silver tinsel.

"Cheers to 19 years with this guy! Happy anniversary! So blessed to have you as my husband. Thanks for putting up with me @RandeGerber," Crawford, 51, wrote in the caption.

Gerber, 55, also shared a black-and-white throwback photo from their wedding nearly two decades ago.

"I knew when we ended up in the pool at our wedding. Happy Anniversary @cindycrawford," he wrote.

The couple, who tied the knot in the Bahamas in 1998, share two children together-- 17-year-old son Presley and daughter, Kaia, 15.

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Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has admitted that recent crimes, including those by cow vigilantes, against minorities in the state show Rajasthan in a bad light, but stressed that firm action will be taken against those behind the violence.

"The law of the land prevails in Rajasthan, and the government will ensure the culprits are brought to book," she said.

In April, 'gau rakshaks' or cow vigilantes lynched a 55- year-old cattle trader, Pehlu Khan, in Alwar and injured four of his companions. Khan later succumbed to injuries.

A month later, the desert state hit the headlines again when a video -- showing Sikh men allegedly being thrashed by villagers in Ajmer -- surfaced.

"Rajasthan cannot be singled out. Such incidents are happening across India. But this government will not tolerate such crimes as it shows the state in a bad light," Raje told PTI in an interaction.

She said the administration acted "swiftly" and the perpetrators were arrested in the Pehlu Khan case.

The chief minister, who is due to complete her term next year, said, "We do not discriminate among people on any lines. In less than a week, the accused in the honour killing of a Kerala engineer were arrested and a thorough inquiry was also ordered into the Ajmer incident."



In a suspected case of honour killing, 28-year-old Amit Nair, a civil engineer, was shot dead last week allegedly by his in-laws here for marrying a Rajasthani woman.

"Though our government did its part, the Kerala government is yet to speak out on the killings of BJP and RSS workers," said Raje.

The CM said she planned to make development her party's poll plank for the state Assembly elections.

The Centre and the state were actively working for the people, she said, adding that her party, the BJP, was "likewise an active organisation".

The state had seen a "rapid" growth in every sector in the last four years, she said.

"These factors will be crucial in ensuring our victory in the polls," Raje said, adding that the BJP government had "inherited discoms crippled by debts running into crores of rupees from the erstwhile Congress government."



Bailing them out to put the crucial sector back on track was a "massive and uphill task", she said.

Siting an example of the coordination between the Centre and the state, Raje said, "Rajasthan's road network by 2018 will be of 30,000 km. The state has already constructed 21,000 km of roads since the BJP formed the government in the state."



Apart from its plans to highlight investments in industry and agriculture, the Raje government will heavily bank its poll campaigns on schemes such as the Mukhya Mantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan (MJSA), the Nyay Aapke Dwar (legal camps), the Bhamashah Yojana and irrigation schemes.

"These are our flagship programmes. The MJSA is decreasing the dependency on canals and rivers, thus reducing the financial burden on the state," she said.

On the AAP looking to make its debut in the Rajasthan polls, Raje said she welcomed the party.

"I welcome them. This is a democracy," the chief minister said.

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A 30-year-old deaf and mute woman was allegedly raped by a Pakistani soldier in a Lahore-bound train.

The suspect, a sepoy in Punjab Regiment and posted in Chaman, Balochistan, has been arrested by the Railways police and a rape case has been registered against him on the complaint of the woman's brother-in-law.

According to the FIR, the woman, a mother of three, was travelling with her sister and brother-in-law to Lahore from Quetta by Akbar Bugti Express on Saturday night. When she went to washroom a man also entered there and raped her, The Dawn newspaper reported.

The woman told her sister-in-law about rape by sign language who alerted the Railways police. The police searched a couple of bogies and arrested the suspect. Later he was identified as a soldier of the Army.

"My sister-in-law narrated the incident by using sign language and also pointed to the man who was sleeping in other bogie near the washroom," he said. He also complained that police had his sister-in-law medically examined thrice.

Meanwhile, the army personnel had contacted the police and sought custody of the suspect for trial under military laws.

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The debris of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' helicopter, which crash-landed in Latur last week, has been moved to Mumbai as a part of investigation into the mishap, a senior official said today.

Fadnavis, along with five others including two crew members, escaped unhurt on May 25 when his helicopter, while taking-off, got entangled in overhead wires and crash-landed in Nilanga, around 45 kms away from Latur.

The chief minister was on way to Mumbai after holding a programme with farmers in Nilanga when the mishap occurred.

Later, a probe into the incident was initiated by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), which comes under the civil aviation ministry.

The investigating officers last night shifted the helicopter's debris from the mishap site to Mumbai, Latur Collector G Shreekant told PTI today.

"Officials of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and AIB yesterday informed us that they were ready to shift the debris," Shreekant said.

"They had brought a multi-axel trailer to carry it to Juhu in Mumbai for further investigation," he said.

The helicopter carrying the debris left Latur for Juhu in Mumbai last night, he said.

On the temporary helipad that was prepared for the CM's visit, the collector said there was no compromise in safety at any level.

A few persons on the ground were injured when the chopper had crash-landed and their tin-shed house suffered damage.

Shreekant said they were treated at a government hospital and temporary shelter was provided to them by Nilanga municipal council.

They will also get compensation and their house will be reconstructed by the government, he said.

To a query, the collector said, "The panchnama is completed and they will get compensation from government insurance agencies. I am not aware when and how much money would be disbursed.

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The official figures of people with disabilities in the country could have been underestimated in 2011 census as the actual figure is much higher, a senior official said today.

Navreet Kang, secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, said as per the 2011 census, 2.68 crore people are there with disabilities, but the certificates issued by various states are more than that number.

"As per the 2011 census, the figure (people with disabilities) is 2.68 crore. It comes to about 2.23 per cent of the population (of India). That figure is probably an underestimation." he said.

"The WHO estimates that worldwide the number of people with disabilities is 10 to 15 per cent (of the total world population)," he said.

"The victims of acid attack were also included in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill-2016," he said.

In the new Act, many more disabilities have been included in its definition. So as it is, it will go up in the next census, he said.

"I would admit that it (the 2011 census figure) is probably an underestimation and it is shown by the fact that the number of disability certificates issued (by various states) is more than the people shown in the census of that state," he said.

"The states also say that your (2011) census figures are wrong," Kang said on the sidelines of a programme organised by Microsoft.

He said the earlier definition of disability was largely confined to physical and locomotive disabilities. The new Bill which was passed in December 2016 has included 21 more disabilities in the list.

"Basically learning and intellectual disabilities are newly included. Earlier, it was largely physical disabilities. Some specific problems, like acid attack victims, were included on the suggestion of the Supreme Court," he said.

According to him, the Centre has taken up funding of over 1,700 government buildings in various states to be refurbished and enabling them to be accessible to all.

He said the 'Accessible India' campaign, which was launched in 2015, has a three-pronged strategy.

According to the campaign, all the new buildings must be accessible to all.

Secondly the transportation system, including road, air and rail, should have facilities such as lifts, ramps, toilets and parking places for people with disabilities.

The third strategy would be to provide necessary provisions in information and communication technology devices, he said.

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"Fargo" season three could be the show's last one, after FX executives said the story could end with the current episodes.

The network's chief John Landgraf said he didn't think there was any way any further series could top what viewers have already seen, reported Digital Spy.

"There may never be another Fargo," Landgraf told The Hollywood Reporter. "Unless Noah (Hawley, Fargo's showrunner) has an idea for Fargo that he thinks he can make as good as the prior three.

"I think once people get to the end of this (season) they will find that it is thematically different. It's really about the moment we live in now."



The black comedy-thriller centres on brothers Ray and Emmit Stussy (both played by an unrecognisable Ewan McGregor). After unsuccessfully trying to rob Emmit, Ray and his partner Nikki (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) become involved in a double murder case, while Emmit tried to cut his ties with a mysterious organisation he owes money to.

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Four men have been jailed for their entire life by a Delhi court for murdering a 20-year-old youth by brutally stabbing him 29 times after kidnapping him for ransom.

The court said inflicting 29 incised knife injuries showed that the convicts not only wanted to kill the victim, Raju Roy, but also deliver pain and suffering.

Additional Sessions Judge Virender Kumar Bansal awarded imprisonment till the remainder of their lives to convicts Biplav Biswas, Deepak, Hardeep and Deepak, all residents of Mangol Puri in North Delhi.

"Life imprisonment shall mean remainder of their natural life," the court made it clear in its 186-page verdict.

The court said Biswas, a close friend of Roy, had betrayed the victim's trust and conspired to kidnap him for a ransom and murdered him.

"This was possible because Biswas called him (victim) there and thereafter sent the victim with the accused persons. It was only due to conspiracy of Biswas that it was possible," the court said.

The convicts wanted to raise ransom from Roy's father who was a medical practitioner and used to run a clinic here.

"The murder was also committed with brutality as pointed out by the prosecutor for the State by inflicting 29 incised wounds which shows that convicts not only wanted to kill him but kill him by giving him pain and sufferings," it said.

The four men were held guilty of the offences of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping for ransom, robbery and murder.

The court acquitted them of the charge of destruction of evidence, saying there was no evidence that they did it.

It imposed a fine of Rs 3.10 lakh on Biswas, Rs 2.10 lakh each on the other three convicts and directed that the amount be given to the victim's parents.

On the night of January 4, 2010, police received a call from Roy's brother that he had gone out in his car but had not returned. The next morning, his mother came to South Rohini police station and gave the physical description of her missing son.

Victim's father informed the police that he had received a call demanding ransom of Rs 20 lakh to release his kidnapped son. It was found that money was withdrawn from Roy's bank account using ATM card.

On January 7, 2010, the youth's body was found in the luggage space of his car in Gharaunda in Haryana's Karnal district. Thereafter, the four men were apprehended.

During the trial, the men denied the evidence against them and claimed they were falsely implicated.

The court, however, said the prosecution had proved that the place of murder pointed out by the convicts and recovery of their belongings link them with the commission of offence and establish their presence on the crime scene.

The court also rejected the claim that Roy's father had falsely implicated the accused, saying there was no reason why the victim's father would falsely implicate them.

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German state police were questioning a 17-year-old asylum-seeker today after a tactical unit took him into custody on suspicion that he was planning a suicide attack in Berlin.

Police in Brandenburg state said the teenager was detained Tuesday in the village of Gerswalde, 100 kilometers (60 miles) northeast of Berlin, after they learned he had sent a farewell message to family members and told them that "he had joined the jihad," or holy war.

The WhatsApp message talking about jihad to the suspect's family was sent within the last week and Brandenburg authorities were told of it last night by two other German states, Brandenburg police spokesman Torsten Herbst told The Associated Press.

He said police were investigating and the teen was still being questioned but so far police had no evidence that a concrete attack was planned.

The federal Interior Ministry said it had no indications that an attack had been imminent.

The state Interior Ministry's office identified the suspect as Syrian, but Herbst said investigators were checking to see whether he falsely registered as a Syrian but was actually from a North African country.

The teenager, whose name wasn't released, came to Germany in 2015 as an unaccompanied minor and registered as an asylum-seeker. He has been living since 2016 in a home for minor refugees in Gerswalde, and was detained there in the Tuesday morning raid.

German security officials have repeatedly warned that the country is in the sights of international terrorist groups. Germany saw a number of violent attacks by Islamic extremists last year, including the truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market that left 12 victims dead and dozens of others injured.

The attack, carried out by a young Tunisian man who had been denied asylum in Germany, was claimed by the Islamic State group.

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Telecom minister Manoj Sinha today said the government is aware of stress related to balance sheet of telecom operators and is working around it.

"The growth is happening. There are certain concerns around the balance sheet of some companies...The government is aware of it and has constituted a inter-ministerial panel to debate all the issues. The panel has already held its first meeting," Sinha said at curtain raiser event of the India Mobile Congress today.

The telecom industry has started requesting for a bail- out package for mobile operators whose balance sheets are now heading south.

Telecom operator Reliance Communications has not been able to service debt obligations and has sought time from lenders till September-end to make payment.

Sinha appreciated efforts of private telecom players and said the Indian telecom sector is a success story with lots of growth opportunities.

He said the India Mobile Congress will open up investment opportunities in the country's telecom sector and lead to new avenues in future technologies.

"We have been feeling the need to hold such an event in India for a long time. We hope that like the Mobile World Congress, this event too will establish its significance in the coming days," Sinha said.

India is all set to host its own mobile mega show 'India Mobile Congress' from September 27-29 to showcase the country's growing prowess in the global telecom market.

The event to be held in New Delhi is being billed as India's answer to high profile and marquee mobile shows that are held annually in markets like Shanghai and Barcelona.

Countries like the US, the UK, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Korea, the Phillippines, Bhutan and Japan have evinced interest in participating and creating awareness around the upcoming event, COAI director general Rajan Mathews said.

"We have GSMA Barcelona that focuses primarily on the West...We never had a marquee event here that showcases the opportunities in India. The South East Asia region has much to learn from what is happening in India on the policy front and manufacturing...How we share infrastructure and how we provide affordable services," Mathews said.

India's experiences with regard to mobile payment, e- health and e-education have a global relevance, he said adding that the event would also highlight the country's innovation, skill base and the startup ecosystem.

Indian Cellular Association National President Pankaj Mohindroo said the mobile industry was also planning a global event for handset companies at the end of this year but it will now advance the dates of the event so that it coincides with India Mobile Congress.

"Our vision is that 40 per cent of global mobile phones should be made in India. 80 companies in the field of mobile manufacturing have set up their plants in India. Now we have decided to move World Mobile manufacturing conclave along with India Mobile Congress so that it looks like a National Event," Mohindroo said.

The Department of Telecom and the Ministry of Electronics and IT have thrown their weight behind the event which is being organised by the industry association COAI and K AND D Communications.

The 'India Mobile Congress' with special focus on reaching out to the Asian markets will see technology titans converge to offer a peek into the digital future.

The conference at the upcoming event will have special emphasis on topics like Internet governance, 5G, sustainable Wi-fi, smart cities and smart governance and Internet of Things and Machine to Machine Communication.

India Mobile Congress is expected to see the participation of telecom giants like Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, as well as telecom operators like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular.

The three-day event is expected to draw 5,000 paid participants and 800 exhibitors.

Countries like the US, the UK, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Korea, the Philippines, Bhutan and Japan have evinced interest in participating and creating awareness around the upcoming event, COAI director general Rajan Mathews said.

"We have GSMA Barcelona that focuses primarily on the West...We never had a marquee event here that showcases the opportunities in India. The South East Asia region has much to learn from what is happening in India on the policy front and manufacturing...How we share infrastructure and how we provide affordable services," Mathews said.

India's experiences with regard to mobile payment, e- health and e-education have a global relevance, he said adding that the event would also highlight the country's innovation, skill base and the start up ecosystem.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A New York congresswoman who also serves as one of the Democratic National Committee's top officials will be the keynote speaker at a conference in Seneca County this weekend.

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng will headline the event held by the Democratic Women of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes, which consists of members from Cayuga and 13 other counties in the region.

Louise Bernikow, a journalist and author, will also have a speaking role during the two-day event.

The conference will be held Friday and Saturday at the Holiday Inn in Waterloo. A pre-conference gala will take place Friday. Cocktails and dinner will be served. Women vendors will be on hand and an art exhibition will feature drawings of New York suffragists.

Meng, D-Queens, will speak on Saturday.

The theme of the conference is "Celebrating Our Past, Present and Future." The event will recognize the suffrage movement that successfully secured women the right to vote in the early half of the 20th century.

"Since the 19th century, while women have accomplished much, there is far more work to be done to continue the major strides of those who came before us," said Margherita Rossi, president of the Democratic Women of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes.

There will be other topics covered during the conference. Mira Bernstein of Tufts University will deliver a presentation on how gerrymandering impacts the Electoral College. Two speakers  Christopher Bopst and Peter Galie  will discuss the pros and cons of a state constitutional convention.

Daniel Livingston and Rebecca Heller Steinberg will present the best technological tools for organizing and the role of media and social media in campaigns.

The major draw, though, will be Meng's keynote. She is a rising star in the Democratic Party. She was elected to the state Assembly in 2008 before running for Congress in 2012.

When she was elected five years ago, she became the first Asian-American member of Congress from New York.

Earlier this year, Meng was elected vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.

The cost to attend the conference is $75 per person. There are discounts available for new and renewing members of the Democratic Women of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes. College students, older adults and other attendees may be eligible for a discounted rate.

Those who attend are encouraged to wear something white, which is a symbol of the suffrage movement.
All possible alternatives are being considered to make Air India viable, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Tuesday, even as it asserted that the clock cannot be put back on the Indian Airlines merger.

Days after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley pitched for Air India's disinvestment, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said no option has been closed for the airline.

"NITI Aayog has made recommendations for making Air India strong and viable. All courses of action are being examined. We have not closed any option," Raju told reporters.

Asserting that the government is proud of Air India, Raju said the ministry would cooperate with the CBI in respect of cases related to alleged irregularities at the airline in the past.

Air India, which is surviving on a Rs 30,000 crore bail- out package spread over 10 years announced by the Manmohan Singh government in 2012, is working on ways to improve its financial position.

In 2015-16, the airline posted operational profit of Rs 105 crore on account of low fuel prices and increased passenger numbers.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said whatever that would be done for Air India will be in interest.

"We are considering all possible alternatives (for Air India)... We are discussing (what can be) the winning strategy for the airline," Sinha said.

Asked about Air India and Indian Airlines merger that happened in 2007, which is seen as a reason for the problems of the carrier, Raju said the clock cannot be put back on the deal.

The CBI has decided to probe the controversial merger besides alleged irregularities in purchase and lease of aircraft by the two state-run carriers under the UPA government which caused "huge" losses to the exchequer.

The probe agency has registered three FIRs and a preliminary enquiry (PE) to go into the controversial decisions made by the erstwhile UPA government with regard to the carriers, including surrender of profitable routes to favour private airlines.

The cases have been registered against unidentified officials of Air India, Ministry of Civil Aviation and others under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption, CBI spokesperson R K Gaur said on Monday.

The CAG had in 2011 questioned the rationale behind the government's decision to order 111 airplanes for AI and Indian Airlines - 48 from Airbus and 68 from Boeing - for about Rs 70,000 crore in 2006.
To celebrate the state's golden jubilee in a befitting manner, the Haryana government has decided to plant one sapling each for its 2.5 crore population.

The state will plant 60 lakh saplings of eucalyptus, 13.50 lakh medicinal plants and 20 lakh fruit-bearing trees, Forests Minister Rao Narbir Singh, who was presiding over a review meeting of the department here today, said.

Haryana came into existence in November 1966.

In view of increasing global warming and climate change, the minister directed officers to encourage people to plant neem, peepal and banyan saplings during the 68th Van Mahotsava celebrations in July this year.

He also directed to carry out special aerial seeding of agro-forestry tree rohira in Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Satnali and Loharu areas.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Haryana government is in talks with global e-commerce players such as Amazon and Alibaba to support micro small and medium enterprises in the state, a minister said today.

The state government will soon unveil its MSME policy, the draft of which has already been prepared, state Industries and Commerce Minister Vipul Goel said at a meet here.

Goel said that talks are on with Amazon, Ebay and Alibaba, the leading companies in the global e-commerce sector, to expand the trade of industries related to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the state.

Describing MSMEs as the "back bone of the industrial sector", he said that the state government has taken various steps for the promotion of MSMEs.

"Inspector Raj has been abolished and now no officer could randomly check any industry without prior permission of the concerned department," he said.

Goel said that a sum of Rs 248 crore has been released for revamping various industrial areas and a survey is being conducted in the remaining zones to resolve their problems.

He said that the state government has laid special emphasis on ease of doing business in the state.

The state which ranked 14th in terms of ease of doing business earlier, has reached to number six and target has been fixed to attain number one position, he said.

Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, K K Jalan suggested the state government to set up non-banking finance companies for providing the facility of finance to MSMEs at lower rate of interest.

Apart from this, he also suggested to set up a separate entity in the government for promotion of small businesses.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actor-director Konkona Sen Sharma loves being an outsider in both Hindi and Bengali film industries.

The actress said the position of an outsider gave her a different perspective about things.

"In both Kolkata and Mumbai film industries, I am an outsider and I love this position. It gives me a great perspective," Konkona told PTI after the special screening of her directorial debut "A Death In The Gunj" here.

"I am not in the middle of things. I am not in the thick of things and I don't want to be. I am not interested in industry trends," she added.

Asked if she had ever felt constrained as an actor to execute her vision and hence decided to take plunge into direction, Konkona said, "I would say there had been some films where I felt constrained. In other films I felt this was really an opportunity to get to work in a great film.

"So I have all kinds (of films) and I don't feel restricted in my own acting career."



Konkona said she decided to take the plunge as she felt strongly about the story.

"I felt very strongly about this film (A Death In The Gunj). That's why this particular story came about," she said.

Konkona said she always believed in detaching herself from other aspects of filmmaking when onboard as an actor.

"By and large one has to detach oneself from all processes when one is acting. They have to respect director's vision," she said.

Talking about her directorial venture, Konkona said it is difficult to make such films as the support is less from the industry and the audience.

"If they do not come out and support different kind of films, how can we provide alternative content. It has to be supported by everyone, not just the director," she added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 30-year-old rookie drowned allegedly while rescuing a woman colleague who had accidentally fallen into a swimming pool at the Foreign Service Institute in Ber Sarai here on Monday.

The deceased, Ashish Dahiya, was a Jammu and Kashmir cadre officer and had won the Director's Gold Medal during his IAS training around a fortnight back.

He was attending a poolside party with his friends, which they had planned before he joined as an assistant collector in Srinagar from June 1, when the incident happened, according to police.

Ashish's family, however, said that he was a good swimmer and raised doubts over the claim that he had died due to drowning.

Ishwar Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), said, "Prima facie, the team that carried out the post-mortem has said that the death was due to drowning and there were no injuries on the body."

Police was informed about the drowning at the institute in south Delhi around midnight after which he was rushed to Fortis Hospital where he was declared brought dead.

According to police, Ashish was attending a poolside party with friends from the Indian foreign and revenue services. During the party, they decided to go for a swim in the pool located at the club. Police suspect they had consumed alcohol

A woman officer accidentally fell into the pool and the other officers, including Ashish, jumped in to rescue her, police said quoting eyewitnesses.

As the woman was safely pulled out, it was noticed that Ashish was missing. Later, he was found unconscious floating in the pool.

He was taken to a hospital where efforts were made in vain to save him.

Ashish's family demanded a thorough probe in the matter. His uncle Kuldeep said that he was an ace swimmer and had crossed a five-kilometre stretch across Bhakra Nangal dam.

While he was posted as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Himachal Pradesh, he had even won a gold medal in swimming, Kudeep told PTI.

He said that Ashish wanted to be an and serve people. He appeared for the UPSC examination and qualified for the Indian Revenue Service.

He served in the Customs and Central Excise until last year and then qualified for the IAS.

Ashish had finished his training from Mussoorie recently and was supposed to join duty in Srinagar.

Before going their separate paths, Ashish and his friends had planned to have a reunion in Delhi.

He was married for three years. His wife Pragya is a doctor and is preparing for UPSC examination.

Police said that a medical board comprising three doctors carried out the post-mortem. The entire procedure was videographed.

Police also made the family members talk to the doctors who carried out the autopsy. The doctors told them that the death was caused due to drowning but a final report will affirm the initial findings.

The viscera has been preserved in order to ascertain whether he had consumed alcohol.
India is seeking to double the German investment in the country over the next five years from the current 9.5 billion euros and also wants a two-fold increase in the number of German companies, a former Indian Ambassador to Germany said here today.

In recent times, India has attracted about 74 German companies which have business plans worth investment of USD 1 billion, Gurjit Singh told PTI as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with German ChancellorAngela Merkel and signed eight agreements.

There are opportunities for German companies in India's infrastructure, defence sectors, railways, smart cities, renewable energy, ports and shipping, coastal shipping and inland waterways, he added.

"German investments in India is about 9.5 billion euros, made during 2000-2016, which can be doubled to 18 billion euros may be over the next five years. We (also) want to double the number of German companies in India to 3,600 from 1,800," according to Singh who retired in March this year after serving 37 years in foreign service with Germany being his last posting.

Singh said German companies were also being urged to form consortiums with European and non-European companies to undertake mega projects in India, especially their participation in smart cities which would require different disciplines, expertise and technologies.

Germany's small and medium size companies, known for having good technologies, should take the lead in forming these consortiums, he pointed out.

Joint ventures between German and Indian companies could also lead to building up consortiums for undertaking mega projects in the country, he said after addressing the Institute of South Asian Studies, a think tank at the National University of Singapore.

Overall, the European investments in India should also be doubled to at least 1.5 per cent from the current nominal level of 0.7 per cent of their global investments, according to Singh who has also served as ambassador to Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and African Union.

He said Modi's ongoing to visit to Germany is well timed and would boost bilateral relations between the two countries.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India today thanked Germany for backing its membership bid in the Nuclear Suppliers Group as the two countries supported each other's candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed their commitment to "strengthen global non- proliferation efforts," said a Joint Statement issued after their meeting here.

"Germany welcomed India's accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime. Germany also welcomed India's intensified engagement with the other export control regimes - the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement - and expressed its support for India's early accession to these regimes," the statement said.

China is the only major country which has been blocking India's entry into the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group. China is advocating a two-step "non-discriminatory" approach for admission of countries who have not signed nuclear-Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in the NSG.

The joint statement said both India and Germany extended "their full support to each other's candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council."



It said both leaders reaffirmed the urgent need for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to make it more effective, efficient and responsive to the existing challenges to international peace and security.

They "commended the steadfast efforts of the G-4 and other reform oriented countries and groups in moving forward the discussions towards initiation of text-based negotiations on the Security Council reform agenda at the ongoing Inter- governmental Negotiations (IGN) at the UN," it added.

The G4 nations comprising Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan are four countries which support each other's bids for permanent seats on the United Nations.

The statement said both sides underlined the importance of freedom of navigation in international waters, the right of passage and other maritime rights in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and other principles of international law, referring to the South China Sea dispute.

China claims almost all of the resource-rich South China Sea (SCS), including islands more than 800 miles from the Chinese mainland, despite objections from neighbours such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam.

India along with the US and many other countries have been vocal about freedom of navigation in the area as foreign trade worth over a trillion dollar move through the SCS.

China in the past has opposed India taking part in the oil exploration in the SCS at the invitation of Vietnam.

Modi and Merkel also attached particular importance to security, stability, connectivity and sustainable development of the blue economy in the Indian Ocean Region.

India and Germany emphasised their commitment to a stable, united, prosperous, pluralistic and peaceful Afghanistan, the statement said.

They supported a comprehensive and inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process that leads to the renunciation of violence and breaking of all ties to international terrorism and the respect for the Afghan Constitution including its human rights provisions, it said.

The two sides also expressed their interest in exploring the possibilities to cooperate in their assistance to African countries. They called for a process by which concrete synergies in areas such as capacity building, vocational training, connectivity and renewable energy will be set up.

"They encouraged their respective businesses to explore collaborative activities to promote trade and development in Africa," the statement added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called on "more and more German companies" to invest in India even as the speedy conclusion of an India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) was the focus on the German side.

Highlighting the huge potential that remains untapped in the economic partnership during his inaugural address at the Indo-German Business Summit here, Modi said India will welcome German companies with open arms.

"There are 600 Indo-German joint ventures operating in India, employing 200,000 people. But there is huge potential as Indo-German economic cooperation is below its full potential and to enhance this, we in India are waiting with open arms because we value German partnership a lot," Modi said.

The deadlock over FTA between India and the European Union (EU) was also highlighted at the summit, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and senior business leaders urging the Prime Minister for a speedy conclusion to the FTA.

"There are growing protectionist trends around the world but Germany believes the value chains are so deeply interconnected that we will continue to create fair trading conditions. Within this context, it is important that the FTA makes progress," Merkel said.

"Germany will continue to push Brussels to resolve negotiations more speedily and we are committed to implement and put into practise such an agreement. The negotiations have been tough because every country must safeguard its own interests and Germany will ensure that India's concerns are also put on the table," she said.

Dr Hubert Lienhard, president and CEO of German industry body the Asia-Pacific Committee ofGermanBusiness (APA),also urged Modi on resolving the agreement to enable investments.

"Tension is not good for investment. It is important we join forces in pushing to reopen negotiations, to ensure stable trade relations for the future," he said.

The representations came as the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that India and EU negotiators are to take forward discussions on the agreement at a meeting in July.

The details of this meeting have not been finalised but MEA said the aim was to work towards a speedy resolution of an agreement in light of the Indo-German bilateral trade treaty having expired in March this year.

"We are committed and have been engaging on this issue and hope an agreement can be reached as fast as possible," MEA spokesperson told reporters at a briefing following the Fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between Modi and Merkel earlier today.

Stressing that India refers to the deal as a Broad-based trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), he said both countries were committed to creating a healthy ecosystem for investments from Germany.

"They [Modi and Merkel] also reaffirmed their strong commitment to the EU-India Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement and their commitment to bring about a resumption of the negotiations at the earliest possible date.

"This would, inter alia, allow to establish provisions for the mutual protection of new foreign investments," said the Joint Statement issued by Modi and Merkel after the IGC.

At the business summit, the PM's focus was on highlighting India's liberalised FDI regime and growing ease of doing business.

Describing GST as the "most historic reform India ever done", he said the trend of reforms is spreading fast to all states.

He highlighted the abolition of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to "expand the engagement of overseas investors in Indian economy".

After his address, Modi left for courtesy call on German President Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue, his official residence.

Modi will leave for Spain after his meeting with the President later on Tuesday.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Indonesian Islamist leader who helped organise mass protests against Jakarta's Christian governor has been named a suspect in a pornography case, police said today, as authorities seek to rein in hardliners.

Rizieq Shihab, leader of notorious radical group the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), was yesterday named a suspect for allegedly exchanging pornographic messages with a woman.

Shihab, who is also being investigated by police over a separate defamation case, is currently out of the country after travelling to Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage and has failed to return despite repeated summons from the police for questioning.

Analysts said it was the latest evidence the government of President Joko Widodo was seeking to clamp down on radicals in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country as fears mount they are growing increasingly influential.

Shihab was a key figure in organising a series of mass rallies last year against Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, an ally of Widodo, over allegations he insulted the Koran while campaigning for re-election.

The controversy led to Purnama's downfall -- he lost the election and was jailed for blasphemy for two years this month over the claims -- and stoked concerns about rising religious intolerance in a country traditionally regarded as a bastion of tolerant Islam.

The FPI was long viewed as a marginal organisation whose extreme views did not reflect those of most Indonesians, and was known for raiding bars during Ramadan, but gained national prominence due to the protests.

Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono confirmed Shihab had been named a suspect for allegedly breaking Indonesia's tough anti-pornography laws by exchanging graphic messages and nude pictures with the woman.

Naming someone a suspect is a step in the Indonesian legal system which means authorities believe they have enough evidence to consider filing charges, and such cases normally go to court.

Shihab, who has been jailed twice before, could face up to five years in prison if found guilty.

"We will issue an arrest warrant and check his house and work with immigration to determine his whereabouts," Argo said.

Shihab's lawyer Sugito Amto Prawiro denied the cleric had broken the anti-porn laws and said he was the "victim of a cruel act".

The woman who received the messages has also been named a suspect in the case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The infighting in the ruling BJD turned ugly today when party MP Baijayant Panda was hit by a stone as his supporters and some partymen pelted stones at one another in Mahanga area.

The incident happened when some partymen hurled stones and eggs at a procession led by Panda after he inaugurated a drinking water project in the area in Kendrapara district, police said.

Panda was seen hit by a stone and he sat down on the ground surrounded by his supporters. Later police escorted the MP up to a chopper. Soon his supporters pelted stones at the other partymen. Immediate police intervention controlled the situation.

"Forget stones & eggs, they can't cow me down even if they use bullet. These MPLAD funded projects = 5.2 million litre of drinking water," Panda tweeted immediately after the incident.

Panda, MP of Kendrapara, had allocated funds for the overhead water tank at Jatiparilo village under Mahanga Assembly segment represented by state's Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena.

While local BJD leaders and minister's supporters alleged that they were not invited to the inauguration function, Panda rejected the charge and claimed that all the local leaders, including the local MLA, were invited. "Even names of local leaders were written in the plaque," Panda told reporters.

Panda blamed some "Babus" (officers) for the hooliganism in the ruling BJD and hoped party president Naveen Patnaik would definitely take steps after being aware of the incident.

Panda said "I have been in the party since its inception in 1997. In the first 17 years, we had a policy against hooliganism and infighting. But things have changed in the last three years.

"When some 'Babus' (officers) sitting in AC rooms have started deciding the party activities, it has become a victim of indiscipline. This is not a good sign."



Panda, who was recently removed from the post of spokesman of BJD's parliamentary party, said he had already taken up the matter of indiscipline in the party with the president. "I have raised the issue in BJD's parliamentary party meeting. I am sure once Naveen Babu gets to know the truth, he will certainly take steps," Panda told reporters.

BJD spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP P K Deb said "the incident is an outcome of lack of communication and misunderstanding. The party president will examine the matter."



BJD vice-president and minister S N Patro described the incident as a local problem. "It will be sorted out locally. The district president of the party, local MP and local MLA will resolve the matter."



Senior BJP leader and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, however, came down on the ruling BJD over the attack on the MP. "There is no democracy in the state," he said.

Congress leader Suresh Routray said such incidents would be explosive in the coming days as the government and the ruling party were functioning in an arbitrary manner.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Did you know that SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program, is greatly underutilized by eligible households in New York state? It is estimated that a third to a half of all eligible New Yorkers are not receiving SNAP benefits. Food pantries have reported a 22-percent increase in visits by seniors since 2009, which leads us to believe that seniors struggling on fixed incomes could be eligible for food assistance.

You may be eligible and not realize it. The income guideline for one person over 60 years old is up to $1,962 a month; for two people with an elderly or disabled person, up to $2,655 per month. There are no restrictions for other resources or assets.

The only way to determine if you are eligible for benefits is to apply. Application forms can be downloaded from mybenefits.ny.gov or requested at the Health and Human Services SNAP office in the Cayuga County Office Building in Auburn, filled out at home and returned to the same office. That contact number is (315) 253-1258. The Cayuga County Office for Aging also helps homebound seniors find out if they are eligible and assists them with the application. That contact number is (315) 253-1226.

There is no longer a stigma surrounding food stamps"; gone are the days of handing out stamps to redeem. Now, the SNAP benefits are accessed through a benefit card, very similar to an ATM card, that gets discreetly swiped at the cash register. Seniors should not feel as though they are getting welfare. Since the changes in eligibility rules in 2008, the number of people benefiting from assistance with their food bill has increased sharply. Every little bit helps!

Retail outlets that can accept SNAP benefits have increased to include many types of stores such as grocery stores, drug stores, dollar stores, convenience stores, meat markets and farm stores. With the SNAP Retail Locator on the USDA website, you can find where these stores are located in Cayuga County and neighboring counties.

Senior Nutrition Program meals can be paid for with the EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card. The Cayuga County Office for Aging provides senior residents age 60 and over with low-cost and nutritious meals at congregate noon-time meal sites in Auburn and Moravia, and home delivery throughout the county.

You can also stretch your food dollars and get high-quality fresh foods at farmers markets. At the peak of the harvest, farmers will sell by the peck, bushel or carton at a discount. Besides fresh produce, some farmers markets have eggs, honey, maple syrup, meats, cheese and baked goods. The Auburn Farmers Market, open three days a week from June until the end of October, is the only farmers market in the county that is set up to scan the SNAP EBT card.

Think of it this way: Using this benefit not only helps to increase your food budget, it also generates increased economic activity for Cayuga County businesses!
Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today expressed grief over the death of an Indian Administrative Service officer Ashish Dahiya, who drowned in a swimming pool of a training institute in south Delhi.

The 30-year-old IAS officer drowned while rescuing a lady colleague from drowning in the swimming pool of the Foreign Service Institute in Ber Sarai here early today.

In his condolence message, Vohra expressed grief on the tragic death of Dahiya, an IAS officer of the 2016 batch of J&K cadre, who was to report at the State Institute of Training tomorrow.

The governor prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and wished his family the strength to bear the loss.

In a separate message, Mufti also condoled the death of Dahiya and conveyed her sympathies to the bereaved family particularly his wife and prayed for his eternal solace.

Dahiya, a resident of Sonipat in Haryana was, attending a pool side party with friends from the Indian foreign and revenue services, police said.

During the party, they decided to go for a swim in the pool located at the club. Police suspect they had consumed alcohol.

According to eyewitnesses, a lady officer accidentally fell into the pool and the officers, including Dahiya, jumped in to rescue her, police said.

As the lady officer was safely pulled out, it was noticed that Ashish was missing. Later, he was found floating in the pool.

He was taken to a hospital where he died.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
: The jeep currently being used by Tamil 'superstar' Rajinikanth for his upcoming flick 'Kaala Karikalan' would find its way to an auto museum proposed to be set up by diversified business conglomerate Mahindra Group, in Mumbai.

The 67-year-old actor is currently in Mumbai shooting for the film 'Kaala Karikalan'(Kaala), produced by Wunderbar Films, promoted by the Rajinikanth's son-in-law Dhanush.

The film's title and the first photographs were recently shared by Dhanush on social networking sites.

In one of the pictures, Rajinikanth is seen casually dressed sporting a sunglass and sitting on top of a Mahindra Thar jeep.

Mahindra Group Chairman, Anand Mahindra and a prominent industrialist, in a tweet expressed his desire to use the car in the proposed auto museum to be set up by the Group.

"When the legend @superstarrajini uses a car as a throne, it becomes a legend..#Thar," Mahindra said in a series of tweets.

"Whoever knows the whereabouts of the #Thar used for this shoot please let us know.. I'd like to acquire it for our company auto museum," he said.

Responding to the tweet by Mahindra, Dhanush said he would ensure that the car reaches him upon completion of the film shoot.

"Thank you so much sir!!! The vehicle is being used by the 'superstar' for shoot currently. Once completed will ensure it reaches you:)" Dhanush tweeted.

Reacting to the Dhanush's tweet, Mahindra said, "Fantastic.. Or maybe I should say-Wunderbar! Appreciate the response @dhanushkraja Good luck to you and the team."



To a query made by a follower, Mahindra said the museum concept was being planned and cars were curated.

"It's being planned. Cars being curated. Will most be in Kandivli, Mumbai", Mahindra said.

On the comments made by a follower that the photograph might be photoshopped, Mahindra said, "The car that was photoshopped is still a collector's item!.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A case of assault has been registered against a police sub-inspector and others after a man was allegedly beaten up at a police station in Telangana's Vikarabad district.

Deputy superintendent of police T Swamy said that Kanna Reddy, who is in his mid-20s, and his brother Shekhar visited the office of mandal agriculture officer on May 19 to ask about the status of their application for a license for seeds and fertiliser shop.

"Argument broke out between the agriculture officer Neeraja and Kanna and Shekhar. She called police, accusing Kanna and his brother of using abusive language. The duo were taken to Mominpet police station and later let off," Swamy told PTI.

On May 26, Kanna complained of pain in kidneys and was admitted to a hospital in Vikarabad. He was shifted to a hospital in Hyderabad yesterday.

His family accused that his kidneys were damaged only after he was beaten up at Mominpet police station.

Swamy said a case was registered against sub-inspector Raju and others under IPC sections 324 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

He, however, maintained that there was no evidence to back the family's allegations.

Kanna's parents also submitted a representation to Vikarabad superintendent of police T Annapoorna, who ordered enquiry into the incident today.

Meanwhile, a doctor treating Kanna told reporters that he had suffered injuries by a blunt object. His kidneys are not functioning properly and he has undergone dialysis twice so far, the doctor added.

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A minor fire broke out in a private hospital here, but swift action by authorities and Fire and Rescue Service personnel averted any casualty.

Police said the fire, caused by an electrical short circuit, was noticed in an operation theatre on the second floor of the Gem Hospital around 7.45 am.

Alert staff immediately called the Fire and Rescue Service and evacuated patients from the building. Some of them were shifted to nearby private hospitals.

The fire was doused within 30 minutes and no one was injured, police said.

Hospital Chairman Dr C Palanivelu later said a short circuit in the uninterrupted power supply system led to burning of wires connected to an air-conditioner, resulting in thick smoke.

But timely action with the help of police and Fire and Rescue personnel, the hospital moved the patients to safety, he said.

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Prime Minister on Tuesday opened the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to set a road map for the bilateral strategic ties.

Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, where he was greeted by Merkel and senior German officials.

He then introduced the Chancellor to his accompanying Indian ministerial delegation.

Modi received a guard of honour and was welcomed as the the music choir of the German Army played the Indian National Anthem.

The two leaders then headed inside for the IGC Plenary session, the focal point of Modi's two-day visit to Germany.

Modi was holding formal talks with Merkel as part of the IGC - held every two years - where he was joined by his delegation of senior ministers, including Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan,Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.

The last IGC was held in New Delhi in October 2015, when bilateral ties were significantly scaled up.

At the IGC in Berlin, the two leaders were expected to clinch a host of agreements and sign Memorandum of Association(MoUs) to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

"We will chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with focus on trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, innovation, science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways, civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine," the prime minister had said in a Facebook post before he left for Berlin yesterday.

Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the European Union (EU) and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.

There are more than 1,600 German companies and 600 German joint ventures in India. The German economic profile supports excellence and expertise that match with India's development priorities of Make in India, Clean India, Skill India, Digital India, Smart Cities, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Most eateries and chemistshops were shut today in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry in protest against GST tax rates and online sale of medicines.

Thousands of travelling people in these states were inconvenienced as hotels, restaurants and other eateries downed shutters in response to the dawn-to-dusk call given by various state bodies and supported by South Indian Hotels and Restaurants Association (SIHRA).

SIHRA said recent developments and policies belied the importance of the hotel industry.

"Policy makers have failed to recognise this industry as one of the largest employment generators and net foreign exchange earners," it said in a statement in Chennai.

The association said it had asked member bodies to join the strike.

A report from Puducherry said most hotels and medical shops remained closed.

Calling the shutdown "successful", Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association President B Chandra Shekar Hebbar said mosthotels and restaurants closed.

He said the association had never called for a bandh and they had continued business despite various issues. "The one day shutdown will not inconvenience customers, because we are doing thisin the customer's larger interests, as the rates will have an impacton their pockets," he said.

SIHRA also staged a protest in the city, demanding the rates be reduced.

However, Karnataka State Hotel Owners Association,the state-level body, did not support the shutdown,resulting in business being usual in other parts of the state.

There are about 3,000 registered hotels or restaurants in Bengaluru.

Most chemists in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka also shut shop today in support of the nationwide shutdown called by All India Organisation ofChemists and Druggists in protest against 'stringent'rules in sale of medicines.

Chemists also staged a demonstrationin Bengaluru.

In Tamil Nadu, nearly two lakh hotels, tea shops, bakeries and medical shops downed shutters.

"This is an essential commodity. Not a luxury. We will be ones to suffer the maximum if this (GST tax rates) comes into force," a top official of Tamil Nadu Hotels Association said.

Association President Venkada Subbu said the industry employs about 1 crore people directly and indirectly. Tax levied now ranges from between 0.5 per cent to 2 per cent.

"In the proposed GST, the rates are revised with a minimum of 5 per cent to a maximum of 18 per cent. For star hotels it will vary from 18 per cent to 28 per cent," he told PTI, adding it would lead to an increase in prices of food items.

The association had already made a representation to the Centre on the issue he said, adding they were hopeful of a positive outcome in next week's GST Council meeting. If there was no reprieve, they would decide on the next course of action later," he said.

A Coimbatore report said nearly 400 restaurants and 1,000 bakeries and small hotels in Coimbatore and Nilgiris districts downed shutters. Roadside eateries did roaring business.

Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association General Secretary Natarajan said nearly 20,000 of the 30,000 medical shops in the state remained closed. The remaining shops were open, but employees wore black badges in protest.

He opined that if the government was allowing online sale of medicines, it should also provide them the infrastructure so that they could also sell medicines.

The association, he said, wanted imprinting of bar code on medicines in line with products sold in supermarkets, which would ensure the cost is the same, whether sold through stockists or through medical shops.

"Medical shops also incur hefty electricity charges since some medicines need to be refrigerated 24 hours," he said.

In Kerala, 90 per cent of the 1 lakh restaurants and bakeries downed shutters, General secretary of the Kerala Hotels and Restaurants Association G Jayapal said.

He said that as per the new rules, the government proposed a 5 to 18 per cent tax on different categories of restaurants under the State Value Added Tax Acts.

"When the new GST norms comes into force, a restaurant with about Rs 20 lakh monthly revenue will have to pay 5 per cent tax, above Rs 50 lakh monthly revenue 12 per cent tax and air conditioned restaurants 18 per cent," he said.

He said small and medium hotels should not be brought under the GST.

A section of medical shops also remained shut in Kerala today.

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Former Union minister and Congress MP Vincent H Pala has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to exempt ban on sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets in tribal and beef consuming states like Meghalaya.

Prime Minister should exempt applications of the new livestock rules banning cow slaughter and livestock trade in tribal and beef-consuming states like Meghalaya, Pala said today.

In a formal petition to the Prime Minister, Pala urged that formal views from all state governments should also be taken into consideration to review the rules and allow implementation of the same with state-wise necessary notifications.

Meghalaya was ranked the top beef-consuming state in the country where 80.74 per cent of the population eat beef, ahead of Lakshadweep and Nagaland, according to the latest Sample Survey Office (NSSO).

"Tribal states like Meghalaya, etc. Should be exempted from the application of these rules (the newly promulgated Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulations of livestock Markets) rules, 2017)," Pala, the Shillong MP said in the petition submitted to the PMO last evening.

The former Union minister of state for Minority Affairs said the new rules should be rolled back as only Parliament can amend the relevant act and states must be consulted before any decision in that regards as it also affects the federal functions on the subject matter.
Police in northern Myanmar said today that they are investigating the deaths of three ethnic Kachin men whose bodies were found in a shallow grave after locals said they were detained by government soldiers.

The three were among a group of five people detained by the army in Kachin state on May 25 as they were on their way back to their refugee camp after collecting firewood near Hka Pra Yang village, camp manager Naw Mai said. Two of the men were released and returned to the camp, while the others never returned, Naw Mai said.

A group from the camp, which is home to hundreds of the more than 100,000 who have fled fighting between government troops and rebels in the region, went Sunday to the place where the men were last seen and found their bodies in a freshly dug grave, Naw Mai said. Their bodies had gunshot wounds, knife marks and severe bruising, he said.

"We believe that these men were severely tortured," Naw Mai said. "Now this incident is scaring every displaced person from moving around the area."



Calls to military spokesmen went unanswered today. Myo Thura Naung, a Kachin State police officer, confirmed that the bodies had been found but said it was too early to determine how the men died and who was responsible.

"This is just the beginning of our investigation and it's too early to say anything clearly," he said.

Rights groups have for decades accused Myanmar's armed forces of abusing and killing civilians during the military's long-running conflicts with ethnic armed groups. Such abuses were often cited as part of the justification for international sanctions on the country's former ruling junta.

The accusations have continued even as most sanctions have been lifted and Myanmar has transitioned to a more open and more democratic system with a partly civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who has no control over the army.

In a separate incident, a 17-minute video that appeared online Saturday showed Myanmar army and militia soldiers kicking, punching and threatening to kill six unidentified ethnic Shan villagers in northern Shan state.

The incidents came as Suu Kyi and the military were wrapping up peace talks with more than a dozen ethnic armed groups in a bid to end the conflicts. The talks, which are complicated by ongoing military offensives in Kachin and Shan states, ended yesterday without an agreement.

Last year, the military made a rare admission that its soldiers had killed five ethnic Shan villagers and seven solider were eventually sentenced to five years in prison.

Locals were outraged by what they said was the leniency of the prison term.

The military has also been accused of abuses against the country's Muslim Rohingya minority in western Rakhine state, which has drawn worldwide condemnation.

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Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba today said the footprint of the force is increasing in the seas and that it is ready for any contingency.

"Over the years our footprint has been increasing (in Indian Ocean). We have increased our deployment. We have a ship that is permanently stationed in the Gulf of Eden and the ship of the western fleet has just done a foray into Mediterranean and gone all the way into Atlantic," Lanba told reporters here.

The Navy chief reviewed the passing out parade of the National Defence Academy (NDA) held here this morning.

He said ships from the eastern fleet were in Singapore and they carried out an exercise with the Singapore Navy in the South China Sea.

"They are en route to Australia, where they are going to exercise with the Australian Navy. So you see Indian Navy is deployed from the Pacific to the Atlantic and this what we are going to do," he said.

Asked about increase in presence of Chinese ships in the Indian Ocean and militancy from Pakistan and how the Navy is prepared to tackle another 26/11 like attack, Lanba said, "We are ready for any contingency and whatever decision government takes, we will fulfill our task."



On modernisation of Indian Navy, he said the Navy has been a pioneer in 'Make In India' initiative.

"Way back in the early 60s, we took a call that we are going to be a 'builders Navy than buyers Navy'. We built over 200 ships since the early 60s in the Indian shipyards and at the moment we have 41 ships and submarines, all are under construction in defence and private shipyards and new assets are being inducted into the Navy," he said.

"We will have capable and effective Navy which can operate in all the dimensions," asserted the Navy chief.

Asked about the status of INS Viraat, he said Viraat has been decommissioned and she has been de-stored.

"At the moment, we have not got a concrete proposal of converting her (Viraat) into a museum. We will take a call on what is to be done with her," he said.

Speaking about the integrated command, he said it has been recommended.

"The committee report has been submitted to the government and they are examining it. We are going forward with jointness and integration with a slow and steady step forward," he said.

During his address to the graduating cadets, Admiral Lanba said,"Cherish the true spirit of jointness that has been instilled in all of you at the NDA. Remember, no single service can win a war on its own."



Meanwhile, 312 cadets graduated from NDA, which included 211 from the Army, 34 from the Navy, and 67 from the Air Force.

The graduating cadets included 11 foreigners, from countries like Bhutan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Lesotho and Rwanda.

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Naxalstorcheda busafter asking passengers to alightin Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, police said today.

When the private buswas on its way to Orchha from Narayanpur, a group of Naxals, some of them armed, stopped the vehicle last night near Jhorigaon village, located about 300 kms from the state capital, Superintendent of Police, Santosh Singh told PTI.

The rebels asked the passengers to de-board and then set the bus ablaze, he said.

The exact number of passengers is not known but all of them are reported safe, the SP said.

Security personnel rushed to the spot soon after receiving an alert. A combing operation has been launched in the region to nab the attackers, he said.

According to Singh, the Naxals are frustrated with the road construction work in the region, and therefore are committing such acts.

"The ultras have been opposing road construction from Narayanpur to Orchha in Abujhmaad - considered as a Maoist den," Singh said.

"Despite their disruption, construction has been completed in around 45-km patch of the total 66 kms, under security cover of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and district force," he said.

The construction of the remaining portion is underway, the SP said.

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AUBURN  A Cayuga County man has admitted his involvement in two armed robberies at local farms.

Devin Meacham-Wheeler, of 9576 Route 38 in the town of Conquest, pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of second-degree burglary and two counts of second-degree robbery, all class C felonies.

During Meacham-Wheeler's plea, the 21-year-old told Judge Mark Fandrich how he and his co-defendants  Christopher Johnson Jr., 21, and Emilie Keeney, 23, both of Auburn  robbed two farms in Cayuga County.

Sheriff: Cayuga County men allegedly committed two armed robberies at local farms Two Cayuga County men are facing felony charges for allegedly committing armed robberies at 

Auburn woman is latest arrest in alleged robberies at two Cayuga County farms An Auburn woman is the third person arrested following two alleged burglaries at farms in th

First, Meacham-Wheeler said the trio targeted a farm on Rice Road in the town of Scipio where they forcibly stole money on Aug. 27, 2016. Then, five days later, the co-defendants robbed another farm on Dougall Road in the town of Fleming.

"We went into the houses to steal money and one of us had a gun," Meacham-Wheeler said Tuesday in court.

Meacham-Wheeler was initially charged with 12 felonies, including several counts of first- and second-degree robbery and burglary as well as fourth-degree conspiracy. However, Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann allowed Meacham-Wheeler to plead guilty to four of the felonies in full satisfaction of the indictment  provided that his co-defendants also admit their guilt.

"This offer is contingent on his co-defendants pleading guilty," Budelmann said.

So far, neither Johnson nor Keeney have admitted to the crimes.

Johnson pleaded not guilty to 11 felonies on May 4 and was remanded to Cayuga County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash, $10,000 bond. He is due back in court June 15.

Meanwhile, Keeney was arraigned in court Tuesday following Meacham-Wheeler's plea. She pleaded not guilty to 12 felonies and was released on $10,000 cash, $20,000 bond. She was scheduled to return to court August 1.

Following his plea, Meacham-Wheeler was returned to Lakeview Correctional Facility where he has been serving time for a separate burglary. He was sentenced to one to three years in prison for third-degree burglary in Seneca County in February.

Meacham-Wheeler could face up to 15 years in prison for his crimes. But, in exchange for his pleas of guilty, Fandrich agreed to sentence him to 4 1/2 years in prison and five years post-release supervision  that would run concurrent with his sentence from Seneca County. In addition, he would be ordered to pay at least $1,000 restitution.

Meacham-Wheeler's sentencing was scheduled for Aug. 1.

Also in court:

 An Auburn man was sentenced to prison Tuesday for robbing a Kwik Fill in Cayuga County.

Weston Rhodes, of 215 Genesee St., pleaded guilty in February to one count of second-degree robbery, a class C violent felony. At the time, the 22-year-old told the court that he was visiting from Florida when he robbed the Auburn gas station with a BB gun last fall.

Man pleads guilty to robbing Kwik Fill in Auburn AUBURN  A 22-year-old man will likely spend several years in prison for robbing a gas stati

In court Tuesday, Budelmann cited Rhodes' lengthy criminal history, which dated back to a domestic battery conviction from 2006. But defense attorney Jarrod Smith said many of Rhodes' crimes stemmed from his own physical and sexual abuse, which caused severe post-traumatic stress and mental illness.

"I'm not trying to use my mental illness as a crutch ... I know I have made some bad decisions in the past," Rhodes said at sentencing. "I just want to get my life back."

Fandrich said he appreciated the fact that Rhodes accepted responsibility in the matter. He sentenced Rhodes to four years in prison and three years post-release supervision.
Suspected Naxals today torched battery room of a mobile tower in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district.

The rebels set on fire the battery room of a mobile tower of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) at Mutanpal under Burgum police station limits in the wee hours, police said.

The tower itself was not damaged and is operational, police added.

The police also found pamphlets left by Naxals at the spot which protested killing of rebel leader'Vilas'in an encounter in Burgum area on May 14.

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Norway says it "regrets" Qatar's expulsion of a Saudi Arabian human rights activist on his way to claim refugee status in the Nordic nation.

Mohammed al-Otaibi, 49, fled to neighbouring Qatar in March facing trial in a Saudi anti-terrorism court over his human rights work, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights said yesterday.

"It's regrettable that Qatar chose to deport that person to Saudi Arabia," Norwegian foreign ministry spokeswoman Ane Haavardsdatter Lunde told AFP in an email statement late yesterday.

"We are concerned by the situation and we will continue to monitor the developments for this person through a dialogue with relevant organisations and countries," she added.

The official Qatar Agency (QNA) said a foreign ministry source had confirmed the deportation.

"The extradition was... Based on legal procedures and regional and international agreements relating to the extradition of accused persons and criminals," the agency said.

Qatari authorities said the deportation had taken place last Wednesday.

The Norwegian Ministry of Justice on Monday confirmed that Otaibi had received a travel permit to Norway as a UN quota refugee.

First arrested in 2009, Otaibi in 2013 co-founded the Union for Human Rights in Riyadh.

Authorities closed it down after about one month, but he continued his work, issuing reports and giving television interviews, the Gulf Centre said.

New York-based Human Rights Watch warned in April that Otaibi would be at risk of a long prison sentence and possible ill-treatment if forcibly returned to Saudi Arabia.

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Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today strongly defended BJP leaders, who appeared before a special court in Lucknow in the Babri mosque demolition case, saying they are innocent and will come out unscathed.

The special CBI court granted bail to BJP stalwarts L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti after they appeared before it in connection with the Babri Masjid demolition case. It also framed charges against them for alleged conspiracy to raze the mosque.

"Our leaders are innocent. They will come out unscathed," Naidu, a former BJP president, told reporters, adding that he would not comment beyond it as the matter is in the court.

Naidu also noted that the NDA government did not move to withdraw the case against the top saffron leaders.

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More than 520 pieces of ivory and its products were seized in 13 trafficking cases in China, the world's biggest ivory market, Customs officials said today.

In one of the cases, a suspect attempted to smuggle seven pieces of ivory and ivory products through the Beijing Capital International Airport.

Beijing Customs said most of the smugglers are Chinese people working in Africa where they have access to cheap ivory and ivory products, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

On December 30 last year, China, the biggest consumer of ivory products, announced a phased schedule to stop part of ivory processing and sales by March 31 and to eventually stop all ivory processing and sales by the end of this year.

The ivory and ivory products are under the protection of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Reports said around 20,000 elephants continue to be killed illegally each year across the African continent.

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The pilot of a small cargo plane of the Nepal Army was killed and two crew members injured when the aircraft overshot the runway during an emergency landing in western Nepal today, the second accident involving a cargo aircraft in less than a week in the Himalayan nation.

Captain Kailash Gurung died and two others sustained injuries in the accident atKolti airport in Bajura district, about 700 kilometres west of Kathmandu, Nepal Army said.

The injured have been admitted to a hospital.

The Army aircraft, PZL M28 Skytruck with call sign NA- 048, was carrying food supplies from Nepalgunj to the mountainous district of Humla in far-west Nepal.

The plane was to land at the Simikot airport in Humla district. But, due to bad weather it was flown to Bajura where the pilot tried to force-land it resulting in the accident.

The plane overshot the runway for about 50 metres and overturned on a field, an airport official said.

This was the second mishap involving a cargo plane in Nepal in less than a week.

On May 27, a Czech-manufactured LET-410 plane of the domestic carrier Goma Air crashed during landing at Tenzing- Hillary Airport, the gateway to the Mount Everest region. The pilot of the aircraft was killed in the crash while the co- pilot succumbed at a hospital later.

Nepal has a poor aviation record owing to dangerous airports in the mountainous region.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid a courtesy call to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at his official residence here before leaving for Spain on the second leg of his four-nation trip.

Modi met Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue, the scenic official residence of the German President located in Berlin's Tiergarten district on the banks of the river Spree, and signed the visitor's book before being given a tour of the castle.

"Thank you Germany! My visit has led to very positive outcomes in terms of furthering the close ties India and Germany enjoy," Modi said in his goodbye message as he left for Spain on the second leg of his four-nation tour which will then cover Russia and end in France.

Earlier, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted some photographs of the meeting.

"Reaffirming resolve for strong and dynamic relationship. PM @narendramodi calls on President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue," Baglay tweeted.

"After fruitful bilateral engagements, PM @narendramodi concludes first leg of his visit, departs from Germany," he tweeted.

Modi's next stop is Spain where he will discuss with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy ways to deepen bilateral engagement, including in the high-tech sector. This will be first visit by an Indian prime minister since 1988.

From Spain, he will travel to St Petersburg in Russia on June 1 where he will hold the 18th India-Russia annual Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum the next day.

The prime minister will be in Paris on June 2 and 3 where he will hold official talks with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron with a view to further strengthening India-France strategic ties.

Earlier, Modi was received by German Chanceller Angela Merkel at the Chancellery for the Fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) during which the two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral issues and clinched 12 agreements.

Eight of the declarations of intent were signed by senior ministers and envoys in the prime ministerial delegation in the presence of the two leaders while the others were confirmed on the sidelines.

They covered areas of digitalisation, skill development, sustainability, cyber policy, development cooperation, advanced training, vocational education, health sector, alternative medicine, foreign service institutes, railway safety and sustainable urban development.

"The world can't move forward without innovation and we believe innovation and democratic values are a guarantee for development. India and Germany have both in our blood and we will move together in that direction," Modi said at the conclusion of the IGC, a format he likened to the Pragati meeting he holds in Delhi.

The two leaders issued a Joint Statement at the end of their deliberations, in which they agreed to further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between India and Germany by deepening cooperation on foreign policy and security issues as well as on sustainable development and enhanced trade and investment ties.

Merkel later hosted Modi over a luncheon meeting with senior leaders followed by the inauguration of the Indo-German Business Summit, where Modi set out India's stall as an investment-friendly destination and the world's fastest growing major economy and a "bright spot in the economic landscape of the world".

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called on German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at his official residence before leaving for Spain on the second leg of his four-nation trip.

"Reaffirming resolve for strong and dynamic relationship. PM @narendramodi calls on President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted along with photographs of the two leaders.

From Berlin, Modi will travel to Spain this evening. This will be first visit by an Indian prime minister since 1988.

Modi will discuss with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy ways to deepen bilateral engagement, including in the high-tech sector.

He will travel to St Petersburg in Russia on June 1 where he will hold the 18th India-Russia annual Summit with Putin and attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum the next day.

The prime minister will be in Paris on June 2 and 3 where he will hold official talks with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron with a view to further strengthening India-France strategic ties.

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Pre-monsoon showers today lashed some parts of Madhya Pradesh, including the state capital Bhopal, bringing down the mercury levels.

The drizzle brought respite to the people in the midst of 'Nautapa' (a spell of nine hot days).

"Such activities will continue till the onset of monsoon," India Meteorological Department's Bhopal Centre director Dr Anupam Kashyapi told PTI.

The monsoon usually arrives in the state in the second week of June.

The maximum temperature fell to 38.8 degrees Celsius in Bhopal from 39.6 degrees yesterday.

Bhopal, Umaria, Seoni and Rajgarh districts had light rains, said IMD official Shailendra Kumar Nayak.

Temperature dipped by a few degrees almost all over the state, he added.

Thunder, light rainfall and dust storms may occur in some parts of the state in the next 24 hours, according to the weather forecast.

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The BJP in Punjab today met Governor V P Singh Badnore and demanded an independent probe into the bagging of mining contracts recently allegedly by the four former employees of cabinet minister Rana Gurjit Singh.

Rejecting probe into the matter by a judicial commission, announced yesterday by chief minister Amarinder Singh, the delegation sought an inquiry by the CBI or other central agencies into the granting of mining contracts to the employees of Rana's firm.

The delegation urged the governor to order an independent probe into the alleged sand mining scam involving Rana along with his "employees" Amit Bahadur, Kulvinder Paul Singh, Gurinder Singh and Balraj Singh.

Former state president Madan Mohan Mittal, state vice- presidents Harjit Singh Grewal and Iqbal Singh Lalpura, state general secretary Manjit Singh Rai and state secretaries Vineet Joshi and Vijay Puri were part of the delegation.

Following attacks by the Opposition, Singh ordered a probe by a judicial commission into the matter.

The BJP leaders also expressed apprehensions that owing to his position in the state government and his political status in the Congress, Irrigation and Power minister Rana can influence the probe.

Addressing the media after their meeting with the governor, Joshi said that it is a proved case of shadow/proxy biding by cabinet minister Rana Gurjit Singh to capture mining business through his men by taking undue advantage or misusing or abusing his government position.

"It is a case of corruption, breach of trust and clash of interest. Moreover, it is a violation of the oath taken in the name of Constitution of India by Rana while assuming office of the cabinet minister," he said.

He said that it is a case of "benami transactions" where persons with insignificant incomes are depositing crore of rupees into government exchequer.

The source of benami transactions will lead to money laundering and hawala transactions, he alleged.

He said that the huge unaccounted money exchanged into many hands is a potential threat to national security.

"Any Commission which is not headed by a sitting high court judge cannot be called as judicial commission. So, it is a simple commission constituted under the Commission of Inquiry Act and by naming it as a judicial commission, the chief minister is trying to mislead the people of Punjab", he said.

Opposition parties AAP, SAD and BJP have been demanding immediate sacking of Rana for allegedly acquiring sand and gravel mines through "benaami transactions in the name of his former cook and staff".

Notably, a two-day e-auction of sand mines in Punjab had culminated with bids worth Rs 1,026 crore secured for 89 mines.

The Congress government had earlier claimed that there would be complete transparency in the e-auction of sand mines.

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The Reserve Bank today met heads and senior officials of various banks to discuss broad contours of tackling the issue of stressed assets.

The meeting was attended by heads of ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Standard Chartered Banks and Canara Bank. Senior officials from SBI and Bank of Baroda were also present in the meeting held at RBI here.

"The focus of the meeting was on resolution of stressed loans. The RBI had sought our views and suggestions to tackle the bad loan problem. This is continuation of our past interactions with them (RBI)," a bank official said.

When contacted none of the bankers were ready to divulge details about the meeting.

Earlier this month, the government gave wide-ranging legislative powers to the RBI to issue directions to lenders to initiate insolvency proceedings for the recovery of bad loans.

It has also empowered the regulator to issue directions to banks for resolution of stressed assets.

Non-performing assets (NPAs) of banks have risen to about 17 per cent of total loans, the highest level among major economies. They are about 8.4 per cent of the GDP, according to Credit Suisse.

The Reserve Bank also came out with a notification which clarified its powers under the NPA ordinance. It also talked about formation of oversight committees (OCs) under RBI's aegis and formation of independent committees to decide a framework for reference for the Insolvency Code (IBC).

Global rating agency S&P today said credit profiles of the country's banks are likely to remain weak for the next 12 months, with total stressed assets likely to rise to 15 per cent of total loans by March 2018.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rainy weather didn't dampen attendance at Memorial Day activities in the villages of Elbridge and Jordan Monday morning.

As the sky cleared and temperatures rose by mid-afternoon, North Main and Mechanic streets in Jordan were thronged by people who attended the hour-long parade.

In Elbridge, services were held at Jordan-Elbridge Elementary School, sponsored by Valentine Meyers Post 317, American Legion, of Skaneateles Falls. Elbridge Deputy Mayor Chris DeCola welcomed about 300 people who crammed into the school auditorium as it was raining too hard to hold the service outside.

After this service a parade formed and proceeded to Mount Pleasant Cemetery where grave services and a wreath-laying ceremony were held.

Prior to a giant mid-afternoon parade in Jordan, a commemoration service was held at Veterans Memorial Park. Speakers included Mayor Richard M. Platten and Cindy Meili, director of Veterans Outreach Services of the Town of Elbridge.

They spoke on the importance of honoring living and deceased veterans as well as supporting the military. All speakers emphasized that "freedom is not free" and "comes with a price." It was noted that Memorial Day has taken on a renewed recognition, especially with so many servicemen and women who have been serving in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Guest vocalist and musician Tim Burns of Jordan sang and played several traditional patriotic songs themes on the guitar, followed by "Taps" performed by members of the Jordan-Elbridge High School Band.

Bands from as far away as Palmyra (the C.A. Palmer Fife & Drum Corps), the Cellar Savers of Savannah, as well as groups from Syracuse, participated in the parade. There were numerous floats. Local government officials also participated.
A top Russian diplomat has complained about "the threat of leaks" from the White House to the media, saying it hampers cooperation between Russia and the United States.

Speaking to Russian agencies today, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said: "You don't know what's going to happen tomorrow: maybe you'll see what you discussed with your counterpart on the pages of Washington Post or on CNN."



Ryabkov did not elaborate, but added that the communication with the Trump administration is currently "on the basic level" because he "wouldn't tell my counterparts in Washington what I wouldn't be able to tell you."



Ryabkov's comments came several days after top White House adviser Jared Kushner faced allegations that he tried to create back-channel communications with Russia.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A South Korean telecom company has decided to set up its mobile phone manufacturing unit in Chhattisgarh after consultation with Chief Minister Raman Singh, an official said today.

"With a view to woo investors in the mineral-rich Chhattisgarh, a delegation led by Singh is on the official tour of South Korea," a senior public relation officer said today.

The high-level delegation comprising state government officials and industrialistsreached South Korea's capital Seoul yesterday where it was received by the Indian Ambassador to South Korea Vikram Doraiswami at the Incheon airport, he said.

"On the first day of the visit, the delegation met with investors in Seoul. The representatives from Sung Ha Telecom company met Singh and gave in-principle consent to set up its mobile phone manufacturing plant in Naya Raipur - the upcoming new capital of Chhattisgarh," he said.

Sung Ha Telecom is one of the biggest companies in the used Cellular Phone market in Korea and has a high-skilled experience in this field for 15 years, he added.

During the meeting, Singh informed thatChhattisgarh is fast becoming hub for electronics manufacturing due to excellent business environment and friendly policies.

Earlier the representatives from the Indian embassy met the delegation and briefed about the region, including the world-class industrial and urban infrastructure development in Seoul, he said.

It also visited Sungam Smart city and met with officials there and found many similarities between Naya Raipur city and Sungnam city, he said.

The delegation had left on the international tour on May 28 from Raipur for Seoul and Japan to attract investments to the stateand create ample employment opportunities for youth, the official added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ahead of state assembly polls next year, BJP president Amit Shah will visit Gujarat tomorrow to meet booth-level party workers.

As part of his 110-day countrywide tour, Shah will be on a one-day visit to Gujarat. He will start his visit with tribal-dominated Chhota Udepur district, BJP said in a statement.

Shah will reach out to the people in Chhota Udepur district and educate them about the various welfare schemes started in last three years by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, it added.

He will also hold meetings with booth-level workers in Devaliya and Bodeli villages and will discuss the party's strategy for the coming polls.

He will also listen to the problem of tribals and will have lunch with booth in-charge of Devaiya village, the party said.

Later in the evening, the BJP president will address a meeting of party workers in Akota in Vadodara.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP president Amit Shah today met party leaders, including Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, here to discuss preparations for Assembly elections in Gujarat, due later this year.

Shah, who arrived in Ahmedabad today to participate in the party's ongoing 'vistarak' (outreach) initiative, met the top party leadership at the circuit house.

He will travel to Devaliya in the tribal-dominated Chhota Udepur district tomorrow as part of the outreach initiative.

"BJP is moving ahead with its agenda of development. We sought guidance of the national president who has the experience of taking the party's development agenda to people across the country," BJP's state unit chief Jitu Vaghani told reporters later.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Six Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were today injured during mortar firing practice near this town in Rajasthan along the Indo-Pak border.

The incident took place at about 8:30 am when a 51mm mortar fell short of its target at the forces' firing range in Kishangarh.

The six personnel suffered injuries due to the blast of the ammunition, out of which two are critical, a senior BSF officer said.

The troops were participating in a firing exercise.

Officials said one of the critically injured personnel will be air evacuated to a hospital in Jodhpur while others are being treated here.

This is the second such incident here this year after four personnel were injured in similar circumstances in March.

Few days after this, six men of the paramilitary were injured in similar circumstances during mortar firing exercise at its centre in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh.

The BSF is deployed in Rajasthan as part of its task to guard the India-Pakistan International Border (IB).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
It would be a "crime" to spoil the environment for future generations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today and underlined the need to protect biodiversity, as the Trump administration mulls to overturn the US' position on the 2015 Paris climate accord.

Modi's remarks came during a joint press interaction with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after the two leaders agreed to continue cooperation towards the common aim of developing climate-friendly, efficient and sustainable solutions for India's expanding energy needs and other areas of sustainable development.

"We do not have the right to spoil the environment for future generations ... That is, morally speaking, a crime on our part," he said.

In a joint statement, both leaders expressed great appreciation for the successful cooperation on fostering renewable energies in India.

Building on existing formats of cooperation, the leaders reiterated their support to the Indo-German Climate and Renewables Alliance as an overarching alliance between India and Germany with the objective to give recognition to ongoing collaboration of various stakeholders on energy and climate change as well as to enhance cooperation and synergies in these fields.

They underlined the importance of the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) in contributing to the further development of the Indian energy sector.

"Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merkel reaffirmed the importance of the Indo-German Environment Forum (IGEnvF) in contributing to further cooperation on environmental issues, including biodiversity and climate change. They agreed to hold the next meeting of the Indo-German Environmental Forum in 2017 in New Delhi," said a statement.

Both sides expressed their commitment to work towards the goals expressed in the New Urban Agenda, agreed at the Habitat III conference in 2016.

Until 2022 Germany intends to provide financial and technical assistance in the range of 1 billion euros.

The two leaders welcomed the meetings of the Working Groups for collaboration in water management, waste Management , circular economy, and climate change held in 2016 and took note of the scheduled meetings for 2017 including the meeting of the proposed Working Group on Biodiversity.

The leaders acknowledged, in particular with regard to the G20, the ongoing important work and activities at different levels to fight marine litter and to counteract its impacts. They stressed the need for cooperation to follow-up on the work done so far within the G20.

Recognising the need to promote an ecosystem that creates entrepreneurial economy, Modi and Merkel agreed to promote cooperation in the field of Startups by facilitating interaction with various stakeholders in the Startups ecosystem.

The two leaders welcomed the outcome of the annual negotiations on development cooperation held in October 2016, as well as the new envisaged commitments in bilateral development cooperation for 2017, each comprising an amount of 1 billion euros.

India and Germany share a long standing, trustful and successful development cooperation.

Lauding Germany's assistance in developmental projects over the years, Modi highlighted the successful Indo-German Solar Partnership founded in 2015 and the cooperation on Green Energy Corridors established in 2013.

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he will make a decision next week on whether the US will abide by the 2015 Paris agreement on cutting global carbon emissions.

"I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week!" Trump tweeted from the G7 summit in Sicily.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Neo-natal wards and emergency rooms in a northern Syrian hospital will from today have uninterrupted electricity for the first time in years thanks to new solar panels, a charity said.

Hospitals in rebel-controlled Syrian territory face life-threatening power outages due to air strikes or shortages of the precious fuel used for their generators.

The Union of Medical Care and Relief Organisations (UOSSM) hopes their new solar project can circumvent both challenges.

The UOSSM has installed 480 solar panels at a large hospital in opposition-controlled territory in northern Syria since December, it said, and the project officially went online today.

The medical charity declined to specify the hospital's location out of fear it would be targeted by bombardment.

"Our goal was to install a solar energy system that can provide clean, reliable and low-cost energy to Syrian emergency hospitals," said Tarek Makdissi, who directs UOSSM's Syria Solar project.

"Patients in this hospital should never be hurt again because of a power cut," said Makdissi.

The World Health Organization has called Syria the world's most dangerous place for health workers, and hundreds of medical facilities have been destroyed in the six-year war.

Some of the most infamous attacks on medical infrastructure took place as government forces tried to retake second city Aleppo from rebels last year.

One attack there in August left four newborn babies dead after the force of the blast cut off the oxygen supply to their incubators.

Last month alone, medics said air strikes knocked seven hospitals and clinics out of service in the northwestern province of Idlib.

According to UOSSM, the panels will help their facility save more than 7,000 litres (1,850 gallons) of expensive diesel each month -- amounting to an average of 20-30 percent of its energy costs.

They will help power care for between 700 and 800 patients.

And in case the power cuts completely, wards like the neo-natal facility, intensive care units, and emergency rooms can still run independently, said Shadi Alshhadeh, head of UOSSM's Switzerland branch.

The hospital's medical staff first thought of installing solar panels in 2014.

"When I first heard the idea, I thought these guys were crazy -- they're living under bombardment and thinking about clean, alternative energy?" Alshhadeh told AFP.

"But in reality, this isn't just about energy or the environment. This will allow all critical departments to keep working if there's bombing near the hospitals or if the power cuts," he said.

UOSSM will now seek about $1.5 million to fund solar panels at five more hospitals in rebel-held areas of northern Syria.

The conflict in Syria erupted in March 2011 with widespread anti-government protests, but it has since evolved into a multi-front civil war.

More than 320,000 people have been killed and millions displaced by the violence.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
is aiming to train up to 40,000 people in the next three years in skills associated with automobile industry as part of its programmes to provide technical and vocational education for unemployed youth, a senior company official said on Tuesday.

The company has already started training programmes in collaboration with Automotive Skill Development Council (ASDC) at its different manufacturing plants, various dealerships and services centres.

It is focusing on 10th and 12th class dropouts, youth from rural areas and small towns, scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs) besides women under the initiative to make them industry-ready workforce at the end of courses, which can take up to three years to complete.

Tata Motors, which will witness retirements of around 300-500 a year in its plants like Jamshedpur and Pune from 2018, is not only looking at preparing a ready supply of workforce for its plants but is also looking to play its part in Skill India Mission, company Chief Human Resource Officer Gajendra Chandel told PTI.

"We need to build skill and competency of our workforce and besides that, in some of the areas like electric vehicles and connected systems, there is a gap in skills at the moment in the industry, which needs to be filled," he said.

The idea is to impart various training on skill sets required for the automobile industry ecosystem, from shop floor to service centres with ASDC certifying the course, he added.

Sharing company's vision on skill training, Chandel said: "Our aim is that in the next three years we should be able to train anywhere between 30,000 to 40,000 people. When they pass out they should be absolutely industry ready."



While by itself will be able to absorb only a small portion, he said the industry will have a lot of requirement for skilled workforce going forward, considering the kind of growth it is expected to achieve.

India is slated to become the third largest automotive market in the world by 2020 after China and the US. Currently it is the fifth largest.

"It is also not just about our company but for the entire ecosystem. The need for skilled workforce for service network will be much higher than manufacturing requirements," he added.

By next year, the first batch of around 400 trainees will pass out, Chandel said, adding "we started with a small batch and at present around 4,500 are under straining."



While the average age of trainees is between 18-20 years of age, he said, "For women, we take even older. The aim for us is to have 50 per cent of trainees from backward, underprivileged sections, SCs and STs."



Chandel said has been conducting focused initiatives such as LEAP (Learn and Earn Program) over the years. It has associated with 135 ITIs across 19 states for skill development.

The company has been awarded the 'HR Innovation of the Year' award for contribution to skill development at the Asia Pacific Excellence Awards, 2016 by Communication Director, a global magazine for corporate communications and public relations.
In a suspected case of food poisoning at least three persons, including a minor, have died and more than 100 others were taken ill after consuming pork at a feast in Meghalaya's Ri Bhoi district, officials said today.

Two persons including seven year-old boy of Nongkya village died last evening at Umsning Community Health Centre (CHC) while another person who was taken ill to Shillong Civil Hospital also died, district officials told PTI.

Ri-Bhoi district medical and health officer Bareh P Lamin said hundreds of people of Nongkya village who enjoyed the feast after a church service at the village on Sunday, many villagers were taken to hospitals in Shillong, including NEIGRIHMS.

Over 30 patients were admitted in the CHC and 25 were admitted at the Nongpoh CHC, he said.

Lamin said the villagers were taken ill after they consumed pork and rice at a feast on Sunday evening.

Joint Commissioner of Food Safety S N Sangma said a team of food safety officers were rushed to the village to collect food samples which caused the food poisoning affecting majority of the population at the village.

"Prima facie, it is a food poisoning case which resulted after consuming pork and rice at a religious feast on Sunday evening," he said



He said the food safety officers have collected food samples and the same will be sent for testing at the Guwahati-based Public Health Laboratory at the earliest.

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A British journalist faces jail time after he was arrested at Thailand's main airport with a gas mask and plates for a bullet-proof vest, which police said today breached a law that classifies the protective gear as war weapons.

Anthony Cheng, who works for Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, was detained at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport Monday night on his way to report in the war-torn Iraqi city of Mosul where troops are battling the Islamic State group.

Gas masks and ballistic vests, which are frequently used by reporters around the world, are classified as war weapons in Thailand and require a licence.

Violating the legislation is punishable by up to five years in jail.

"A British national was arrested and charged with illegal possession of war weapons last night at the airport," airport policeman Somchart Maneerat told AFP Tuesday.

His German coworker was also detained, the officer said.

Media groups have repeatedly criticised the Thai law and say journalists should not be punished for carrying body armour and protective gear in and out of dangerous zones.

Late yesterday Cheng posted a photo on Facebook of the airport detention cell where he was held overnight.

The plates and gas mask were "for use in Mosul where ISIS are well documented to be using gas," he wrote.

"I was unaware either of those things were classified as 'war weapons'".

Attempts over the years to amend the legislation have fallen on deaf ears, despite Thailand's own history of deadly street protests and a festering Muslim insurgency in the far south.

"Journalists who feel they need to carry this stuff need to inform or contact the concerned authorities prior to travelling," junta spokesman Major General Werachon Sukhonhapatipak told AFP.

In August 2015 a Hong Kong photographer was charged with violating the law for carrying a bullet-proof vest and helmet while covering a deadly bombing in Bangkok. A Thai court later dropped the case.

During Thailand's regular bouts of often violent street protests, both demonstrators and journalists have donned ballistic vests and helmets, largely without falling foul of police.

Two foreign reporters were killed by gunfire while covering the worst round of political unrest in 2010.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
U.S. Rep. John Katko has been deaf to our calls, emails, postcards and petitions asking for a town hall. We marched in front of his office in February asking, "Where's Katko?" Some in that group had bought his claim to be a moderate who could speak for us and stand against the Trump administration.

We now know he votes with Ryan and Trump more than 90 percent of the time. I joined several hundred outside Storer Auditorium; denied access to someone who is to be our voice in D.C. John Katko continues to vote against the environment; he is a danger to us all, our water, our air and even national lands. He voted yea for H.J. Res. 38, the Stream Protection Act, claiming that science did not support protecting the buffer zone legislation. He voted for H.R. 1430, the HONEST Act, an attempt to stifle the EPA and the rollback of the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge Act.

He Just voted to reverse EPA rules that require a permit to spray dangerous chemicals near water, H.J. Res. 348. He continues to vote against women by voting to withhold reimbursement to Planned Parenthood for medical services. He initially claimed that he was "troubled" by videos we now know were falsified and intended to disgrace Planned Parenthood. John Katko has not changed his tune. He has taken no action on H.R. 2180, which approves access to contraception for women service members. He voted for H.R. 7, telling me in a letter, that many of his constituents do not want federal funds used for abortion services. In fact, Mr. Katko, federal funds do not cover abortion services. H.R. 7 puts an undue burden on women seeking abortions by revising the failed Stupak-Pitts amendment to the ACA even for women who use their own funds; imposes penalties on small businesses that choose private health plans that cover abortion; and permanently block abortion coverage for low income women and others.

John Katko continues to vote against our better interests by voting for: H.R. 21, Midnight Rules Relief Act; H.R. 1180, The Working Families Flexibility Act; H.R. 1259, the VA Accountability Act; H.R. 720, The Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act and H.R. 998, Searching For and Cutting Regulations That Are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act. Despite the names on all these pieces of legislation they are all are bad news for us. John Katko, listen to your constituents.

Mickey Belosi

Owasco
The Uttar Pradesh government today sought cooperation from Belgium in the cleaning of river Ganga before the Prayag Ardh Kumbh in 2019.

Speaking to a delegation, led by Ambassador of Belgium Jan Luykx who called on the UP Chief Minister at his residence here, Yogi Adityanath said that his government was making all out efforts to clean river Ganga before the 2019 Prayag Ardh Kumbh and sought Belguim's cooperation.

The Chief Minister asked Belgium to provide new technique for cleaning the river, an official release said here.

The Ambassador also showed interest in the smart city scheme and assured help from his country in this programme.

He also expressed desire to work in the cities like Allahabad, Aligarh, Ghaziabad and other big cities of the state under the project, the release added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Adani Enterprises will move ahead with a final financing decision for its Carmichael coal mine project in Australia after an end to negotiations on how to pay government royalties, it said on Tuesday.

"The Adani parent company board will consider the final investment decision at the next board meeting." the company said in a statement. No date has been set for the next meeting of the board though it typically meets once a month.

The Adani board last week deferred a final investment decision that had been expected by the end of May because the government had yet to sign off on a royalty regime with the Queensland state government.

Adani did not disclose the terms of the royalties.

The company is still counting on about $1 billion in loans from Australia's federal government under the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility to pay for rail transport work.

Adani is also awaiting passage of Australia's Native Title Amendment by its parliament, expected sometime next month.

The bill is designed to make it easier for companies like Adani to sign land rights agreements with indigenous land owners.

The Carmichael project is located in the remote Galilee Basin, a 247,000 square-kilometre (95,000 square mile) expanse in the central outback that some believe has the potential to become Australia's largest coal-producing region.

Adani has battled environment groups trying to block what would be Australia's biggest coal mine, arguing it will contribute to global warming and damage the Great Barrier Reef.

Adani says the project, at an initial cost of $4 billion, would pay billions of dollars in royalties and taxes, create jobs for the state and export coal to India help bring electricity to rural regions.

(Reporting by James Regan; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Toby Sterling and Bart Meijer

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A Dutch court on Monday rejected a request by Akzo Nobel investors for it to take immediate action against the company over its rejection of a takeover bid by U.S. rival PPG Industries, handing the Dutch company a victory in its efforts to repel the U.S. firm's 25 billion euro ($28 billion) proposed offer.

The decision ratchets up the pressure on PPG to decide whether to file formal bidding papers for Akzo with Dutch regulators by a June 1 deadline - or walk away for at least six months.

PPG said in a statement after the ruling it was still weighing whether to bid or not.

Presiding Judge Gijs Makkink said Akzo's board had been within its rights to reject entering into talks with PPG. However, he noted the management faced dissent from a large group of shareholders which wanted it to engage in talks with PPG. A group representing around 18 percent of its equity had spoken out in support of the suit, launched by hedge fund Elliott Advisors.

"This is a problem that cannot be ignored by Akzo Nobel," Makkink said, though he left it up to the company to decide what steps it should take to mend the rift.

Elliott Advisors had asked the court to order an extraordinary shareholders meeting to consider a motion to dismiss Chairman Antony Burgmans over the company's decision to reject a proposed takeover offer from PPG worth 25.3 billion euros ($28.3 billion).

The judge rejected that, saying it amounted to an attempt to force the board of directors to change their strategic direction, which was not a right that shareholders have under Dutch law.

Elliott said in a statement it was "surprised and disappointed" by the ruling.

"Elliott is considering the implications of this judgment for shareholder rights in the Netherlands and for its next steps in relation to Akzo Nobel."

PPG REVIEWING RULING

Makkink's ruling leaves the door open for Elliott to pursue a larger case for mismanagement by Akzo's boards, but in his remarks he also noted he had seen no evidence the boards did anything improper.

PPG, which has taken legal action with a different Dutch court in seeking to extend the June 1 deadline for filing bid papers, said it was "reviewing the Enterprise Chamber's ruling".

"PPG remains willing to meet with Akzo Nobel regarding a potential combination of the two companies, but without productive engagement (from Akzo's boards), PPG will assess and decide whether or not to pursue an offer," it said.

Akzo Nobel spokesman Leslie McGibbon said the company was "very pleased" with the decision.

He said it was too soon to say what more the company might do to explain its position to shareholders.

The ruling is a milestone in Dutch jurisprudence, and may preempt a debate scheduled for Thursday in parliament in which the government will discuss several ideas it is considering to protect Dutch companies from being taken over by foreign buyers.

Monday's ruling "sets the tone for the coming years and shows that the government doesn't need extra measures to protect companies (from hostile takeovers)," said attorney Jurjen Lemstra of Britain's Universities Superannuation Scheme, a pension fund manager with a 1.28 percent stake in Akzo that had supported Elliott's suit.

Lemstra said Akzo should still at hold a informational shareholder meeting to talk about PPG's proposals, given the judge's critical remarks.

PPG began its pursuit of Akzo Nobel in March, and has seen three takeover proposals rejected.

It initially signalled it planned to bid for Akzo with or without support of the company's board, but on May 10 signalled it might also walk away.

Akzo Nobel shares closed Friday at 76.37 euros, well below PPG's bid of above 95 euros per share in cash and shares.

(Reporting by Toby Sterling and Bart Meijer; Editing by Greg Mahlich and David Evans)

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NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's civil aviation ministry will cooperate with a federal investigation into alleged irregularities in the purchase of 111 aircraft by state-run carrier Air India and into its merger with Indian Airlines, the civil aviation minister said on Tuesday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said on Monday it had registered three cases against Air India and launched a preliminary investigation into "unknown" officials at the civil aviation ministry. (http://cbi.nic.in/pressreleases/pr_2017-05-29-2.php)

All the cases relate to decisions and deals made under the previous Congress party government, which lost power in 2014.

Air India purchased 111 aircraft for about 700 billion rupees ($10.8 billion) a decade ago, and the CBI said the deal was damaging, benefiting foreign planemakers while landing Air India with losses.

The CBI is also investigating Air India's decision to lease a large number of aircraft which it said was "without due consideration, proper route study and marketing or price strategy."

The third case relates to why profit-making routes flown by Air India were axed, a move the agency said helped rival private airlines while causing "a huge loss to the national carrier".

The agency has also launched a preliminary case against "unknown" officials at the ministry of civil aviation into allegations relating to the merger of India's two national carriers - Air India and Indian Airlines - that it said deprived the national exchequer of funds when the financially stretched airline was bailed out later.

"Whatever knowledge we have, we will cooperate with them," Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju told reporters in New Delhi, referring to the CBI.

The CBI initiated its probe on the orders of India's top court in January, and it said further investigations were continuing.

Loss-making Air India has seen much of its market share disappear to fast-growing private local carriers and international airlines in the last decade.

Raju said all options were open when asked about comments this month from India's finance minister Arun Jaitley, who said the government should consider privatising Air India.

A civil aviation ministry official said a decision on the future of Air India is likely to be made within the next three months.

($1 = 64.6300 rupees)

(Reporting by Aditi Shah; Editing by Malini Menon and Muralikumar Anantharaman)

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By Anshuman Daga and Joshua Franklin

SINGAPORE/ZURICH (Reuters) - Singapore's central bank has fined Credit Suisse and United Overseas Bank (UOB) a total of S$1.6 million ($1.2 million) for breaching anti-money laundering rules in transactions related to Malaysia's scandal-ridden state fund 1MDB.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said on Tuesday it had fined UOB S$900,000 and Credit Suisse S$700,000 as it wrapped up its two-year probe into banks involved in 1MDB-related transactions, which revealed several breaches of anti-money laundering (AML) requirements and control lapses.

"These include weaknesses in conducting due diligence on customers and inadequate scrutiny of customers' transactions and activities," it said in a statement, adding it did not, however, detect pervasive control weaknesses at UOB and Credit Suisse.

The fines are smaller than those the authority has already imposed on other banks as part of its biggest money-laundering investigation. It has now imposed penalties of S$29.1 million on eight banks.

Once a pet project of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who chaired its advisory board, 1MDB is the subject of money-laundering investigations in at least six countries including Switzerland, Singapore and the United States.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing.

"While the fines imposed on UOB and Credit Suisse may appear low relative to the amounts that we see imposed by U.S. and UK regulators, they are substantive by Singapore standards," said Nizam Ismail, partner at RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP, where he advises clients on financial services regulation.

"Unfortunately, the presence of financial crimes is a reality and occupational hazard of major international financial centres. But when they are detected, the enforcement is robust and extensive - which is what MAS has done."

Last year, MAS fined DBS, UBS, Standard Chartered and private bank Coutts for breaches of Singapore's anti-money laundering laws in connection to 1MDB transactions.

Separately, Swiss financial watchdog FINMA said on Tuesday it had conducted "extensive investigations" into Credit Suisse's dealings surrounding 1MDB, resulting in a written reprimand for Switzerland's second-biggest bank.

As part of a two-year review into 1MDB-related transactions, Singapore has shut down the local units of BSI Bank and Falcon Bank due to failures of money laundering controls and improper conduct by senior management, frozen millions of dollars in bank accounts and charged several private bankers.

"The price for keeping our financial centre clean as it grows in size and inter-connectedness is unstinting vigilance," said Ravi Menon, managing director of the central bank.

"MAS has enhanced its AML surveillance and taken unprecedented enforcement actions against errant institutions and individuals," he said.

The extensive review uncovered a complex web of transactions involving shell companies and individuals operating in multiple jurisdictions, including the United States, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Luxembourg and Malaysia.

"Credit Suisse takes a very serious view of our obligations in the prevention of money laundering and is firmly committed to upholding the high standards of the Singapore financial center," the bank said in a statement.

UOB, the smallest of Singapore's three listed banks, also said it had accepted the findings by MAS.

"We have instituted measures to address the areas of concern, including enhancing our training programme to raise risk and control awareness among our staff," it said.

($1 = 1.3869 Singapore dollars)

(Reporting by Anshuman Daga and Joshua Franklin in ZURICH; Additional reporting by Miyoung Kim and Masayuki Kitano in SINGAPORE; Editing by Stephen Coates and Mark Potter)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
INV Metals Inc.

INV Metals and the Government of Ecuador Agree to Terms of Exploitation Contract



ID: 1506251

(firmenpresse) - TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 05/29/17 -- INV Metals ("INV Metals" or "Company") (TSX: INV) is pleased to announce that it has successfully reached agreement with the Ministry of Mining on the terms and form of the Mining Exploitation Contract ("Exploitation Contract") for Loma Larga ("Loma Larga" or "Project"), the Company''s 100% owned gold project located in Ecuador. The Company anticipates the Exploitation Contract will be executed after the successful completion of the feasibility study ("FS") and other key milestones.



Ms. Candace MacGibbon, CEO, stated, "We are extremely pleased to announce the Company and the Government of Ecuador have agreed on the form and terms of the Exploitation Contract for the Company''s flagship Loma Larga gold project. When executed, the Exploitation Contract will govern certain fiscal and other matters relating to the development and operation of Loma Larga. The Company may now move forward incorporating the fiscal terms of the Exploitation Contract into the FS."



She added, "The agreement on the terms and form of the Exploitation Contract marks a major achievement and milestone for the development of the Project and the Board of Directors and Management wish to thank the Ministry of Mining for its continued support of INV Metals and the mining industry. With the completion of our successful $27.6 million financing in March, the Company is fully financed to complete the FS, undertake ramp development and fund planned exploration at Loma Larga and our regional properties."



The Company commenced formal negotiations with the Ministry of Mines in early March. With the Exploitation Agreement negotiations substantially complete, INV Metals is advancing its plans to develop the underground mine with anticipated annual gold production of approximately 150,000 ounces over a 12 year mine life. Management is in the final process of selecting consultants to prepare the FS to advance the engineering design, support environmental permitting, provide information for community engagement, and determine financing requirements. The FS is expected to commence in early June and it is anticipated to be completed in up to 18 months.





Concurrent with the commencement of the FS, the Company intends to complete the engineering required to design and permit the development of the mine adit, related infrastructure and underground ramp to access the Loma Larga ore body. Depending on permitting requirements and timelines, management plans to commence the underground development in 2018, to engage in an advanced exploration program, confirm geotechnical conditions and provide employment and training opportunities for the local work force.



Exploration is ongoing at Loma Larga and on the Company''s Tierras Coloradas and Las Penas greenfield properties. The Company''s exploration budget for 2017 is $5 million.



Summary of Key Terms



A summary of the key items of the Exploitation Contract are noted below.



Additional Taxation Matters



INV Minerales is also expected to be subject to the following taxes, which are currently in effect:



About INV Metals



INV Metals is an international mineral resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of precious metal projects in Ecuador. Currently, INV Metals'' primary assets are: (1) its 100% interest in the Loma Larga gold property in Ecuador, (2) its 100% interest in the Las Penas, Tierras Coloradas, and La Rebuscada exploration projects in Ecuador, and (3) its 35% interest in the Kaoko property, located in Namibia.



Forward-Looking Statement



This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements that describe the Company''s future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties.



Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management''s expectations. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the execution of the Exploitation Contract, the terms of the Exploitation Contract, expectations regarding future tax rates, the successful completion of the FS, the timing of the FS, future financing needs, the development, production and mine life of an underground mine, the timing and completion of a mine adit and ramp development and the Company''s objectives, goals and future plans. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the execution of the Exploitation Contract, changes in tax rates, the terms of the Exploitation Contract, the successful completion of the FS, the timing of the FS, future financing needs, the development, production and mine life of an underground mine, the timing and completion of a mine adit and ramp development and industry-wide risks and project-specific risks, and risks associated with mining and mineral exploration activities. There is no guarantee that the Exploitation Contract will be signed. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors, refer to the Company''s annual information form dated March 27, 2017 and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on the Company''s issuer profile on SEDAR at . Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this press release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.







Contacts:

Candace MacGibbon

Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (416) 703-8416

E-mail:























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Weitere Pressemitteilungen von INV Metals Inc.

Bereitgestellt von Benutzer: MarketwiredDatum: 29.05.2017 - 15:08 UhrSprache: DeutschNews-ID 1506251Anzahl Zeichen: 0contact information:Contact person:Town:Phone:Kategorie:Typ of Press Release:type of sending:Date of sending:Anmerkungen:Diese Pressemitteilung wurde bishermal aufgerufen.Die Pressemitteilung mit dem Titel:steht unter der journalistisch-redaktionellen Verantwortung vonBeachten Sie bitte die weiteren Informationen zum Haftungsauschlu (gema TMG - TeleMedianGesetz ) und dem Datenschutz (gema der DSGVO ).
A senior citizen, along with another man, was arrested by customs officials on Sunday for trying to smuggle gold bars from Dubai at the IGI airport.

The gold bars, which were found concealed in the senior citizen's shorts, weighed 3.5 kgs and were worth Rs 93 lakhs, reported Times of India.

After uncovering the smuggled bars from the 63-year-old, the customs officials arrested another passenger on the same flight who acted a cover for the senior citizen.

Govind Garg, Deputy commissioner of Customs, said that accused hailed from Puducherry. He requested for a wheelchair, after landing from Dubai, to get past the green channel.

The commissioner said that he was stopped for inspection and investigators discovered the gold bars hidden in small pockets inside his shorts.

"He had removed the elastic band and tied it tightly around his waist so that the shorts would be able to hold the weight of the gold," said Garg.

The total value of the seized bars were Rs 92.87 lakh.




Monsoon rains arrived at southern Kerala coast on Tuesday, a weather office source said, making it the earliest since 2011 and setting India up for higher farm output and robust economic growth.

"All the required conditions have been met," the source, who did not wish to be named, told Reuters. An official announcement is expected shortly, the source said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) declares the arrival of monsoon rains only after parameters measuring consistency of rainfall over a defined geography, intensity, cloudiness and wind speed are satisfied.

Andaman and Nicobar, islands off India's eastern coast that are usually the first areas to receive the monsoon rains, received rainfall six days ahead of schedule earlier this month.

The IMD on April 18 forecast this year's monsoon rains at 96 percent of the 50-year average of 89 cm. The southwest monsoon delivers about 70 percent of India's annual rainfall.

The chief of the IMD said earlier this month that India looked likely to receive higher rainfall than forecast in April as concerns about the weather phenomenon El Nino eased.

El Nino, a warming of ocean surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific that typically occurs every few years and was linked to crop damage, fires and flash floods, faded in 2016.

Farmers plant rice, cane, corn, cotton and oilseeds during the rainy months of June and July. Harvest starts from October.
City

 Rae L. Smith, 48, 45 Seminary St., Auburn, was charged May 26 with fourth-degree welfare fraud, fourth-degree grand larceny, first-degree filing of a false instrument and misuse of food stamps.

 Brittany Fillingham, 30, 32 Standart Ave., Auburn, was charged May 26 with aggravated driving while intoxicated, driving while intoxicated first offense and endangering the welfare of a child.

 Kevin R. Smith, 48, 66 Chedell Place, Auburn, was charged May 26 with driving while intoxicated first offense.

 Kristopher C. Tracy, 31, 63 Vananden St. Apt. Rea, Auburn, was charged May 26 with petit larceny.

 Jessica L. Guarino, 36, 91 Wall St., Auburn, was picked up on a bench warrant May 27.

 Michael A. Meyers Sr., 37, 86 Orchard St., Auburn, was charged May 27 with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

 Christopher B. Titus, 33, 11 Walnut St., Auburn, was charged May 27 with second-degree obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct.

 Alan F. Chase, 66, 38 Fietta Lane, Weedsport, was charged May 27 with first-degree unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated first offense and aggravated driving while intoxicated.

 Victor S. Houston Jr., 28, 270 Clifford Ave., Rochester, was picked up on a bench warrant May 28.

 William E. Savage, 29, 48 Orchard St. Apt. 3, Auburn, was picked up on a bench warrant May 29.

 Chasity L. Clark, 35, A6 Brogan Manor St., Auburn, was charged May 29 with driving while intoxicated first offense and aggravated driving while intoxicated.

 Sheldon L. A. Brown, 29, 54 Chedell Place, Auburn, was charged May 29 with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

 Edward C. Ferguson Jr., 28, 19 Franklin St. Apt. 8, Auburn, was charged May 29 with petit larceny.

 Frederick Tillman, 51, transient, Auburn, was charged May 29 with second-degree harassment.

 Christopher M. Komoroski Jr., 23, 274 Seymour St., Auburn, was charged May 29 with second-degree assault, fifth-degree arson, resisting arrest and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

County

 Jake R. Deboer, 35, Ithaca, was charged May 4 with operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs first offense.

 Travis L. Stewart, 32, Union Springs, was charged May 5 with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

 Adam L. Martinez, 28, Rochester, was charged May 8 with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

 Garrett L. Partin, 19, Auburn, was charged May 21 with second-degree criminal contempt.

 Matthew M. Matijas, 23, Niles, was charged May 21 with second-degree strangulation, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and third-degree assault.

 Donald D. Obey, 41, Bernards Bay, was charged May 22 with sixth-degree conspiracy and petit larceny.

 Eric D. Amaral, 39, Mattydale, was charged May 24 with driving while intoxicated first offense, operating a motor vehicle with a BAC over 0.08 first offense and first-degree unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

 Curtis H. Cook, 35, Fleming, was charged May 24 with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

State

 Steven R. Mayer, 38, Auburn, was charged May 26 with fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.

 Shyasia J. Knighton, 25, Syracuse, was charged May 26 with third-degree bail jumping.

 Megan E. Crawford, 27, Hilton, was charged May 26 with aggravated driving while intoxicated and driving while intoxicated first offense.

 Richard P. Butler, 41, Auburn, was charged May 27 with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

 Denise L. Bond, 51, Auburn, was charged May 27 with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

 Jamal I. C. Floyd, 34, Auburn, was charged May 27 with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

 Todd C. Badgley, 28, Syracuse, was charged May 29 with second-degree possession of a forged instrument.

 Timothy K. Hoisington, 25, was charged May 29 with fourth-degree criminal mischief.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday embarked on a six-day tour of Germany, Spain, Russia and France. The four-nation visit would come to an end on June 3. PM Modi's trip aims to strenghten India's economic and defence ties with Europe.

The Prime Minister on Monday left for Berlin in Germany. Here's a complete itinerary of Narendra Modi's visit to Europe:

Germany (May 29- May 30):

German Chancellor Angela Markel received PM Modi at her official Meseberg Country Retreat on Monday. On Tuesday, the Indian Prime Minister opened the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin to set a roadmap for the bilateral strategic ties.

Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, where he was greeted by Merkel and senior German officials.

He then introduced the Chancellor to his accompanying Indian ministerial delegation. Modi received a guard of honour and was welcomed as the the music choir of the German Army played the Indian National Anthem.

The two leaders then headed inside for the IGC Plenary session, the focal point of Modi's two-day visit to Germany. At the IGC in Berlin, the two leaders were expected to clinch a host of agreements and sign MoUs to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

"We will chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with focus on trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine," the prime minister had said in a Facebook post before he left for Berlin.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged German companies to come and explore the Indo-German economic collaboration to its full potential. Modi addressed the Indo-German Business Summit on Tuesday. Germany is the first stop in his four-country foreign visit .

"About 600 India-German joint ventures are presently operating in India. They provide employment to around two hundred thousand people. However, there is tremendous potential in India-Germany economic collaboration. Our economic partnership is still below its full potential. To enhance this, we, in India, are ready with open arms to welcome German companies," Modi said at the Business Summit.

Fast-track mechanism to help German companies

To allay fears of set-up hurdles, the Indian PM informed the CEOs in attendance about the fast-track mechanism to help German companies. This system has already been used to resolve a number of issues, he said.

Modi presented India as a favourable destination for firms looking to invest. "We are on the path of making India a global manufacturing hub. Already a good eco-system exists in India for manufacturing," he said. He assured that India offers 'one of the most liberal FDI policy regimes in the world', along with skilled professionals, and government efforts to further ease business environment, among others.

"Due to these strengths, as said by UNIDO, India is already the sixth largest manufacturing nation in the world. To make it better, we are working hard on various enablers," stated Modi.

PM Modi's 'Make in India' bid for the Germans

Coming to 'Make in India' initiative, Modi said that German companies have played a crucial role in its success.

"During the Hannover Messe, specific areas for collaboration were mutually identified. This included manufacturing, skill development, railways, cleaning of rivers, renewable energy, education, science and technology. In addition, we are also implementing a strategic market entry support programme, since September 2015. It is called MIIM (Make in India Mittelstand). This is mainly to assist German Mittelstand companies in entering the Indian market. The MIIM programme has been offering a wide range of business support services. The initiative has resulted in growing interest of German companies in India," he mentioned.

GST to help Indian economy: PM Modi

Even states are keeping pace with the steps of federal government, Modi asserted, with 16 states completely implementing single window system for payments and approvals and 13 states exclusively allowing e-filing of tax returns. In his address, he informed the audience of Goods and Service Tax and how it will help with making India a digital economy.

Apart from economic issues, the talks between Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel covered issues like terrorism, defense, skill development and cyber security.

Also watch:




A World Bank report released on Monday highlighted the low and falling participation of women in the labour market.

"India has among the lowest female labor force participation rates (LFPRs) in the world well below what would be expected for its level of income and what is observed in neighbors such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal," the report said.

Terming the low female labor force participation as a serious concern, Junaid Ahmad, World Bank Country Director in India said higher level of women participation in the economy can help propel India closer to double digit growth.

Surprisingly, India's female LFPR declined a further 10 percentage points between 2004-05 and 2011-12. Low female LFPRs impose constraints on a country's growth, the empowerment of its women, and the outcomes for its children, the report said.



Pointing to a low female LFPR as a drag on GDP growth and an obstacle towards achieving a higher growth path, the report said that India needs to create safe, flexible and well-paying jobs for a large number of women who are currently not in the labor market.

The World Bank said nearly two-thirds of Indian women with college degrees are without jobs. The unemployment rate for educated graduates is far higher than that in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Brazil.

Giving an estimate on the rise in GDP growth if India closed half the female LFPR gap with Nepal, the report suggested that GDP growth could accelerate from 7.4 per cent currently to over 9 per cent.

The report also published Female Entrepreneurship Index where India ranks 70 out of 77 countries.
Close to 8.5 lakh privately owned chemist shops will remain shut on Tuesday after the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) have called for a nationwide protest against the Centre's plans to start e-portals for sale of drugs.

Drug retailers are expected to hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in a bid to draw attention on the issues of selling drugs online and government's e-portal plan.

AIOCD president Jagannath Shinde said, "The association believes that the proposal of e-portal will lead to scarcity of medicines in the country," reported The Indian Express.

The association submitted notices to the Health Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office, among others, highlighting their biggest worry - dip in profit margins and cut-throat competition from the e-portals.

Already, a wave of e-pharmacy websites have sprung up online which allows individuals to upload their prescription to be verified by a certified pharmacist. Once cleared, the medicines get delivered to the person's doorstep.

However, traditional chemist shop owners argue that verification of drug quality online is dubious and they have even raised a flag over the possible increase in psychotropic drugs.

Further, chemists are even concerned over sale of counterfeit drugs.

Countering the above, the Indian Internet Pharmacy Association (IIPA) - a central body representing the e-portal websites - assured a transparent functioning in the distribution of medicines and also promised to be accountable for the same.

The IIPA also said that procedures will be tracked and monitored.

"As an online healthcare company, we can work with the government on data and patient reforms," said Prashant Tandon, president IIPA and founder, PharmEasy website, reported IE.
OnePlus , over the years, has gone through a lot of changes, not only in the way their smartphones look and feel but also in how they have started promoting upcoming devices. The new OnePlus 5 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated smartphones in the world right now. The company that claims to launch 'flagship killers', is getting better at delivering its promise every year.

Can you tell which photo was taken with the OnePlus 5? pic.twitter.com/Pd27la4ewn - OnePlus (@oneplus) May 29, 2017

The new OnePlus 5 is riding high on expectations and the company is letting us have a few sneak peeks on what's to come. The OnePlus official Twitter handle posted a comparison picture of two different devices. The text in the tweet read, "Can you tell which photo was taken with the OnePlus 5?"

The picture on the left is visibly dull and has much more noise in comparison to the one on the right. Considering that it's a low-light situation, the image on the right has handled exposure, colour and contrast much better than the left camera sample.

Though OnePlus has not confirmed the dual camera set-up on its upcoming device, few users on Twitter have speculated that the the image on the left is from iPhone 7 Plus' dual camera, one of the flagships OnePlus would want to "kill".

@oneplus 1. iPhone 7 or 7 Plus 2. One Plus 5 - **aarya** (@dwarkadevils) May 30, 2017

The emphasis on camera before, even before the launch, indicates that OnePlus 5's optics game will be stronger than usual. Apart from the camera, the sixth smartphone from OnePlus' stable has been leaked in numerous reports; one of them even coming from the company's CEO.

Last week, OnePlus CEO, Peter Lau confirmed that OnePlus 5 will come well equipped with the Snapdragon 835. Apart from this, earlier we reported that OnePlus 5 will come equipped with a 5.5-inch quad-HD display with 1440x2560 pixels resolution, 6GB of RAM and dual cameras at the back.

The processor should easily handle these specifications with grace and still have some juice to spare. Clocked at 2.45 GHz, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 is the most powerful mobile processor the company has to offer. The SoC comes with a 64-bit 10 nm architecture which makes it 35 per cent smaller and 25 per cent more power effective, Qualcomm claims at its website. It is made up of eight Kryo 280 CPU cores.

Qualcomm claims that the Snapdragon 835 SoC will allow peak download speeds of 1 Gigabit per second and peak upload speeds of 150 mbps. With the processor, many incumbent pitfalls of the OnePlus brand, like touch latency could also be addressed.

Also Read: OnePlus 5 brings OnePlus 3T production to an end, but sales will continue till stocks last



"One of the main areas we wanted to improve was touch latency. Our engineers tested why scrolling occasionally differed between phones. There wasn't a lot of precedent for them to work with - no benchmarks, no industry case studies to learn from. So we used a special high-speed camera to track screen movements and measure input speeds. As a result, apps respond quickly to your touch for a seamless user experience," Lau said in his blog post.

What 5hould the color of your next phone be? pic.twitter.com/5FevP1VSq5 - OnePlus (@oneplus) May 22, 2017

Even with colour options, the company is expected to launch the OnePlus 5 in four shades , two of which are red and "unicorn". Last year, the company introduced a new gun-metal colour and matt black variant which was well accepted in the market.
(Beijing)  Global telecoms giant Qualcomm Inc. said it has formed a joint venture to make low-end smartphone chips in China, as part of Beijings efforts to build up a local semiconductor sector capable of competing on the world stage.

Despite being the worlds largest consumer of high-tech microchips that power everything from smartphones to microwave ovens, China has to import most of those chips due to its own lack of design and manufacturing capabilities. To change that, Beijing has made billions of dollars available to local investors to build up a domestic sector capable of competing globally.

The new Qualcomm joint venture would come as part of that campaign, in a new partnership with local giant Datang Telecom Industry Group. The pair would team up with financial partners JAC Capital and Wise Road Capital in the venture, to be called JLQ Technology, according to a statement from the companies on Friday.

They said the venture would focus on design and manufacture of chips for mass-tier smartphones to be designed and sold in China, the worlds largest maker of such high-tech mobile devices, and also the biggest consumer market. No financial terms were given for the venture, which would be based in the interior province of Guizhou, where Qualcomm previously set up another joint venture in early 2016.

Chips from the new venture would compete with products from companies like Taiwans MediaTek and China-based Spreadtrum, which also focus on lower-end smartphones. By comparison, Qualcomms own chips are focused on the higher-end of the market.

With Chinas growing consumption of consumer chipsets and a well-developed smartphone ecosystem, this joint venture will be well-positioned to tap into the growing consumer demand in China, said William Sun, general manager of JAC Capital. We believe the establishment of this joint venture in (chip) design will be beneficial for consumers and boosting Chinas (chip) design industry.

The venture marks the latest collaboration between JAC and Wise Road, which earlier this year were cleared to buy the standard products design business of Dutch chip maker NXP Semiconductors N.V. for $2.75 billion. Last fall, Qualcomm signed its own separate deal to buy NXP itself for $47 billion, as part of its own diversification beyond smartphone chips.

Formation of the new joint venture comes as the latest signal that China will need to work with global giants like Qualcomm on self-developed projects at home, rather than relying on acquisitions of big global chip makers to build up its sector.

One of the most aggressive names in the space, Tsinghua Unigroup, previously embarked on a major global buying spree, including deals to purchase U.S. memory chip giant Micron Technology Inc. and major stakes in U.S. hard disk maker Western Digital Corp. and several Taiwan chip makers. But all of those deals ultimately collapsed due to political sensitivities, as local governments balked at the idea of selling some of their most cutting edge companies to Beijing-backed buyers.

Contact reporter Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com)
Weekend:

 Schedule for Week of May 28, 2017



 May 2017: Unofficial Problem Bank list declines to 140 Institutions



Tuesday:

 At 8:30 AM ET, Personal Income and Outlays for April. The consensus is for a 0.4% increase in personal income, and for a 0.4% increase in personal spending. And for the Core PCE price index to be up 0.1%.



 At 9:00 AM, S&P/Case-Shiller House Price Index for March. Although this is the February report, it is really a 3 month average of January, February and March prices. The consensus is for a 5.8% year-over-year increase in the Comp 20 index for March.



 At 10:30 AM, Dallas Fed Survey of Manufacturing Activity for May. This is the last of the regional Fed surveys for May.



From CNBC: Pre-Market Data and Bloomberg futures: S&P and DOW futures are up slightly (fair value).



Oil prices were down over the last week with WTI futures at $49.94 per barrel and Brent at $52.29 per barrel. A year ago, WTI was at $49, and Brent was at $49 - so oil prices are up slightly year-over-year.



Here is a graph from Gasbuddy.com for nationwide gasoline prices. Nationally prices are at $2.37 per gallon - a year ago prices were at $2.33 per gallon - so gasoline prices are up slightly year-over-year.
Just after 8 a.m., as most people were easing into their Memorial Day holiday, Matt Engbring arrived at his first patrol spot of the morning, a heavily used section of state land off Highway 89A.

Engbring is a fire prevention lead on the Coconino National Forest and on Monday he was among 10 Forest Service staffers doing fire prevention patrols across the nearly 1-million-acre Flagstaff Ranger District.

For Engbrings crew, the surge in campers on Memorial Day weekend forces their work into high gear, as they do their best to cover dozens of miles of dispersed campsites strung out across forest roads around Flagstaff. They educate campers about the importance of ensuring their campfires are fully put out and the need to haul away all of their trash.

Out here, there is no garbage service and no one else to pick up after you, Engbring says to group after group.

The hope, he said, is that with a few official warnings and lots of face-to-face contact campers will begin to adopt basic forest stewardship principles and ensure their campfires dont become another statistic.

In 2016 alone the Coconino National Forest saw 115 human-caused fires (compared to 144 lightning-caused ones) as well as 466 abandoned campfires.

But in Engbrings patrols on Monday south of Flagstaff, it appeared the Forest Services tactics are having some impact. Cruising through two of the busiest forest roads for camping, Engbring said both had less trash and fewer campfires left dangerously warm compared to previous years.

He credited the Forest Services focused education efforts, word spreading among campers and volunteer help.

Even with that positive progress however, many of the recently vacated campsites Engbring patrolled were littered with plastic water bottles, pieces of plastic, food waste and used toilet paper  evidence that campers who flood to the national forest continue to leave a lasting mark on the landscape.

SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT

Forest Road 237 winds east of Highway 89A through the Pumphouse Wash and Fry Canyon areas to Kachina Village. One of the first turnoffs for people coming up from Sedona, it has long been a popular area for campers, Engbring said. Before 2014, though, busy weekends would see campsites set up haphazardly along the road, campfires left unattended and trash everywhere.

It was completely out of control, said Peter Smith, a resident of Kachina Village.

After the 2014 Slide Fire , when Kachina Village residents were put on pre-evacuation order, residents started thinking more about the proliferation of campfires just out their back door, Smith said. They wrote to the Forest Service, asking if there was anything they could do to address such an obvious wildfire risk. After some discussion, the Forest Service said there was.

A combination of previous environmental plans and supervisor approval led to rules that now prohibit camping along the eastern portion of the road closest to Kachina Village, close off another area to motorized vehicles and creates four designated dispersed campsites which are the only places camping is allowed along the road. Over the past two years, a loose coalition of volunteers have pitched in too, cleaning up trash, patrolling the area and helping man kiosks where they greeted and educated people about fire safety, forest stewardship and the new camping rules.

Smith, who is a volunteer and made rounds through the area this weekend, said the amount of trash has significantly diminished, from years past. It wasn't long ago that they picked up 100 pounds of trash in just one camping loop.

On Monday, Engbring said the area of the 237 road was in the best shape he has ever seen it.

Still, the area continues to get intense use. One group of about 25 that was packing up on Monday had brought several popup tents and plastic tables, a full-sized grill and even a bouncy castle to entertain the kids. They had a DJ the night before, Engbring said.

Other groups in the area had similarly elaborate set-ups.

Many groups had traveled from the Phoenix area, including Libia Jimenez who has been camping around Flagstaff for more than 20 years. Jimenez said she likes that the new designated sites keep everything under better control and said she appreciated the Forest Service making rounds through the campsites doing trash and campfire checks.

The safer it is the better, so we can keep on camping, she said.

She didnt buy that people who leave their trash just dont know any better.

You pick (trash) up at your house, why wouldnt you do it here, she said, adding the more likely reason was people being careless and not wanting to deal with smelly, leaky trash bags.

Engbring said he hopes people like Jimenez, who come up to the area year after year, will hear the Forest Services message and carry it with them when they return.

FOCUSING RESOURCES

With just a handful of people available for fire prevention duty across the vast Flagstaff Ranger District, Engbring has had to be smart with his resources. His latest tool is a map of five focus areas across the district that are prioritized for fire prevention efforts according to factors like the number of abandoned campfires found there historically, the natural and developed resources that need protection and the local topography and vegetation.

Patrols target the highest priority areas like Friedland Prairie and Hart Prairie roads and the areas bordering Flagstaff.

Following that guide, Engbrings other focus on Monday was Forest Road 535, which connects 89A to Woody Mountain Road, and winds through a large swath of high priority forest. That road hadnt received the same efforts as FR 237, but patrol officers had spent time there talking to campers on the previous two days and it seemed to have paid off. Besides a few buckets of human waste and scattered toilet paper, the campsites were relatively clean and Engbring didnt see the giant bags of trash that usually dot those sites.

He didnt have to go far to find them though. The parcel of state land just off Highway 89A was packed with campers this weekend and large trash bags stuffed full had been left leaning against trees. Those will have to be called in and hopefully picked up by state crews, Engbring said, when he drove by them early in the day on Monday.

But as with the trash left on Forest Service land, when or whether it gets picked up is no sure thing.

There is no Forest Service garbage man, Engbring said.

We will pick up as much of it as we possibly can, but stuff we dont get to is just going to sit, he said.
PHOENIX -- A federal prosecutor is blasting efforts to have a defense witness testify that a teen shot through the border fence by a Border Patrol agent was involved in smuggling drugs.

In new court filings, Assistant U.S. Attorney Wallace Kleindienst said the information, even if true, is legally irrelevant to the question of whether Lonnie Swartz is guilty of second degree murder in the 2012 shooting death of Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez. All that testimony would accomplish, the prosecutor said, is to taint the jury's view of government's case.

Attorney Sean Chapman, who represents Swartz, wants the testimony, saying the unnamed Nogales resident will say that the 16-year-old shooting victim was not only involved in smuggling drugs when he was allegedly throwing rocks at Swartz but in fact had been on the U.S. side of the border a few minutes earlier and had been chased by Border Patrol agents.

Kleindienst, in his legal papers, said told U.S. District Court Judge Raner Collins none of that matters in determining whether the Border Patrol agent, who has admitted to the shooting, is guilty of a crime.

"What is relevant is whether (Swartz) perceived that the decedent posed an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death to the defendant or his colleagues at the moment when the defendant shot and killed him through the border fence as (Elena Rodriguez) stood on Calle Internactional in Nogales, Sonora,'' the prosecutor said.

"What may have happened before then, unknown to the defendant, is of no consequence to the defendants knowledge and perception,'' Kleindienst continued, with the only question being whether Swartz, as stated in the indictment, "with malice aforethought, and while armed with a P2000 semi automatic pistol, unlawfully killed Elena Rodriguez.''

And Kleindienst said allowing the testimony creates other problems.

"Testimony by the witness of these irrelevant, inflammatory facts seek only to prejudice the jury against the government,'' he told Collins.

Kleindienst said what Chapman wants is actually doubly damaging.

Chapman wants the witness to not have to actually appear at trial but instead testify ahead of time, out of the presence of the jury, with that preserved on videotape and shown to the jurors at trial. Kleindienst said if the witness is to be allowed to testify -- something he will oppose when that question comes before the judge -- it should be in person, in court, when the trial starts Oct. 12.

"If the witness is permitted to testify over the governments objection of relevance, the jury should be allowed to evaluate the witnesss credibility in person, on cross-examination, and not on a videotape,'' the prosecutor said.

Prosecutors aren't the only ones reacting negatively to Chapman's bid to have a jury hear what the witness has to say.

"The family categorically denies the allegations that our son, Jose Antonio, was involved in any kind of drug smuggling,'' family members told Capitol Media Services through attorney Luis Fernando Parra. "This is an effort to deflect attention from an unlawful killing by the U.S. Border Patrol.''

The basic facts of the second degree murder case are not in dispute.

Swartz shot Elena Rodriguez in 2012 through an opening in the border fence. An autopsy concluded 10 shots hit the teen in the back.

But Swartz, on indefinite unpaid suspension, has contended he fired in self defense, saying the boy was throwing rocks across the border.

Chapman, in his own legal filings, told Collins that what the witness will say will provide jurors "a complete picture'' of what happened that night.

It starts with his claim the witness knew Elena Rodriguez and had seen him in the neighborhood as he was growing up. And Chapman said this witness had disassociated itself from the victim "after he bean involved in drug smuggling at an early age.''

On the night in question, Chapman said the witness saw Elena Rodriguez run by the house south toward the border fence, and later, two Border Patrol agents.

"The decedent (Elena Rodriguez) was involved in a conspiracy to import drugs into the United States as reflected not only by his efforts to harm agents with rocks, but also by his presence in the United States shortly before the shooting,'' he wrote. And that, said Chapman, is relevant to his defense of Swartz.

Kleindienst does not see the issue that way.

"Even supposing these facts are true, they have no bearing on this case,'' he said in his legal response.

The prosecutor said Swartz is not claiming that he had any prior knowledge of Elena Rodriguez prior to the agent shooting and killing him that night, nor that he believed the teen was involved with drug smuggling.

Relevance of what the witness might say aside, Kleindienst told Collins that if he is going to allow that person to testify -- a decision the prosecutor clearly opposes -- then it should be done in person, in front of the jury.

In his own legal papers, Chapman said the witness had been subpoenaed to testify when the trial had been set for June 19. But he said the witness "indicated a great reluctance to testify'' even after being served and that a relative was "very strict'' and "will not allow'' the person to show up.

Kleindienst sniffed at that "generalized reluctance to appear for trial'' as an excuse to allow the witness to testify on prerecorded video.

"Most witnesses do not want to testify in a criminal case, particularly in a case like this with media attention,'' he told Collins.

"That is in reality what this motion is all about,'' Kleindienst continued. "If such reluctance was the basis for excusal from in-court testimony, there would be insufficient witnesses available to try defendants.''

And the prosecutor said the fact that the witness has a "strict'' relative does not trump a legally issued subpoena to testify.

"Certainly, defendant does not intend to carve out a strict relative exception to the requirement that a lawfully subpoenaed witness must abide by court orders,'' Kleindienst wrote.

He also dismissed what he called "vague, unsupported allegations of significant health problems of undefined type or duration'' of the relative which preclude the witness from going to Tucson for the trial. Kleindienst said even if a video deposition is allowed, the witness would still have to go to Tucson for the taping, preferably in front of the judge.

"What is the difference?'' the prosecutor asked.

Chapman is representing Swartz in a separate wrongful death civil case brought against the agent by the family.

But that case remains on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court, hearing a different case, decides whether federal courts can hear claims of someone who was on Mexican soil when shot and killed.
| BY Ricki Green |

To coincide with Reconciliation Week, Omnicom Media Group (OMG) agencies held all staff events to officially launch their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The plan outlines their commitment to creating social change and economic opportunities for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders in the workplace.

The RAP, which has been 12 months in preparation, was endorsed by Justin Mohamed, CEO of Reconciliation Australia.

Says Mohamed: OMGs RAP involves multiple initiatives to develop cultural learning, cultural protocols and promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment. On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I commend Omnicom Media Group on its inaugural RAP and look forward to following its reconciliation journey.

Says Peter Horgan, CEO, Omnicom Media Group Australia & New Zealand: As part of OMGs diversity strategy, we are keen to build a strong and productive relationship with Australias First People. We have set ourselves employment targets and promote career opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We want to make a contribution to, and learn from, Australias First People and acknowledge their place in our history and culture and their future part in making Australia a proud and successful nation.

The events were held at each of the offices of OMD, PHD, Resolution, OMGP and Annalect. nationally, featuring a beautiful and moving Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and didgeridoo performance by local Indigenous performers.
| BY Ricki Green |

Publicis Media has created a next generation board that will work with the companys global executive group to address opportunities and drive transformation across the company.

Board members have the full support from local and global leadership, providing a real opportunity to influence the direction of all brands and practices within Publicis Media, challenge the status quo and implement global initiatives and projects.

Launched across 15 markets  US, UK, Nordics, MENA, Singapore, DACH, Italy, India, Mexico, Australia, Poland, China, Russia, UK, Spain and France  the aim is to foster a spirit of collaboration across a group of high-performing individuals from around the world.

Each local board comprises of 8-15 employees identified as future leaders and representing diverse skillsets. They will work together to architect and activate medium to long-term deliverables that increase employee engagement and advance Publicis Medias Trust, Talent and Transformation vision.

The Australian next generation board members are Scott Ramsay, a strategist at Starcom Sydney; Simon Schoen, strategy director, Zenith Melbourne; Bianca Wallis, group director of content, Publicis Media; Imogen Bourke, strategy director, Starcom Melbourne; Alicia Jackson, digital director, Mediavest Spark Sydney; Emma Thomson, digital account director, Zenith Sydney; Sophie Langton, associate client director, Blue 449 Sydney; Jacqui Capel, agency strategy director, Blue 449 Sydney; and Ryan Menezes, director  technology and digital, Starcom Sydney.

Ramsay recently travelled to London to attend the inaugural meeting of the next generation board.

A survey by Delloitte of over 7,700 millennials (those born after 1982) across 29 countries who are in full-time employment, found that millennials believe businesses need to do more to bridge the gap between current leadership and the new generation of business leaders. This effort looks to deliver on this front while also more deeply harnessing this groups perspective for agency and client benefit.

Says Steve King, CEO, Publicis Media: Our next generation of leaders are the future of this company. It is vital that they play a significant role in creating Publicis Medias future, from both a talent and client perspective. The launch of the next generation board is about challenging and disrupting how we currently do things, to the benefit of all stakeholders. We had our first global board meeting earlier this month, which ran in parallel with the global Publicis Media board, and we were incredibly impressed with the proposals that were presented, some of which we have already started to adopt. The energy and new perspectives that they bring are fundamental to our ongoing transformation and success.

Says Matt James, CEO, Publicis Media ANZ: This initiative is a great way to engage our young talent in the group and give them a seat at the table when it comes to decision making and developing ideas to progress our company globally. With such a wealth of young people within our company in Australia, it was a tough decision to nominate board members, but Im delighted with our representatives and look forward to seeing what they can achieve.

Representatives from each of the local boards will meet four times a year to work on delivering specific global initiatives. The first of these meetings took place earlier this month and the company is already acting on the proposal by next generation board to harmonise communication across all global talent through the use of innovative new mobile technologies.
| BY Ricki Green |

Skoda has today launched a new brand campaign, via DDB Sydney, that centres on the idea that you dont have to be famous to be brilliant.

Featuring clever Australians doing amazing things, and doing them differently, the campaign challenges the normal car ad conventions.

Skoda Australia director Michael Irmer said that this innovative brand awareness campaign is unique in that it challenges the buyer to disregard the more obvious choices and, instead, consider Skoda.

Says Irmer: Skodas tagline, Simply Clever, encapsulates both the accessibility and the innovation of our cars and SUVs.

The brand campaign paves the way for an entirely new direction for Skoda in the shape of the Kodiaq. As the first affordable seven-seat SUV from Europe, it is a game changer, one that challenges not only the traditional market leaders in this family vehicle segment, but also far more expensive prestige models.

DDB Sydney managing partner Amanda Wheeler said the campaign pushes against category conventions to stand out in a cluttered market.

Says Wheeler: In an unexpected approach for a car company, this Skoda campaign celebrates people who are brilliant but not famous.

The idea of the campaign is to align the brilliance and inventiveness of these people with the brilliance and inventiveness of Skoda, helping to create a greater appreciation of the Skoda brand in Australia.

DDB chief creative officer Ben Welsh said the campaign is sophisticated, subtle and aspirational, and features two Aussies who certainly arent household names but are nonetheless exceptional.

Says Welsh: In the first spot we meet Dr John OSullivan, the leader of the team who invented Wi-Fi, and a second to be launched in July features Aelita Andre, a 10-year-old artist who had her first art exhibition in New York at the age of four.

Too many people in this world are famous for being famous, while those who really contribute to society are often overlooked; this campaign beautifully highlights the simple genius and different thinking that has gotten our talent where they are today.

This is the biggest campaign for the Skoda brand this year and will run over three months across TV, outdoor, social, digital and retail nationally.

SKODA Australia Director: Michael Irmer

Marketing Manager: Irena Kelava

Marketing Manager: Andrew Younis

Marketing Communications Manager: Emma Ireland

Agency: DDB

Chief Creative Officer: Ben Welsh

Creative: Dave King

Creative: Jason Woelfl

Managing Director: Nicole Taylor

Managing Partner: Amanda Wheeler

Business Director: Charlie Norfeldt

Business Executive: Sigrid Westhoff

Planning Partner: Graham Sweet

Senior Planner: Mark Arvai

Head of Integrated Content: Sevda Cemo

Senior Producer: Sevda Cemo

Producer Content Film 3: Isabella Harris

Social content creator: Lachlan Stewart

Digital Producer: Maria Cherginets

Print Producer: John Wood

Production House: Exit Films

Director / Content Director: Greg Wood/ Tom Campbell

Executive Producer: Leah Churchill Brown

Producer: Karen Sproul

Cinematographer: Ross Giardina ACS

Post Production: The Editors

Editor Skoda Brand: Bernard Garry ASE

Editor KODIAQ: Lawrence van Camp

Editor Content: Grace Eyre

Colourist: Billy Wychgel

Flame Operator: Viv Baker

Executie Producer: Kate Stenhouse

Producer: Daniel Fry

Sound Production: Rumble Studios

Creative/Sound Engineer: Nat Noyce

Executive Producer: Michael Gie

Producer: Sharika Toth
| BY Lynchy |

BBDO Bangkok has launched a new app for AirAsia that helps people in Thailand learn Chinese characters  Unlock Han Zi.

AirAsia has the most direct routes from Thailand to China, and as a result wanted to help customers learn Chinese so that they can connect more with Chinese people and their culture.

However, the hardest part of learning Chinese is the characters. In order to help Thais learn over 2,000 characters, BBDO Bangkok created a lock screen app that utilizes the unlock routine to practice writing the characters. The average person unlocks their phone 110 times a day, which makes this application the perfect way to learn.
He said he'd fired the chef because he'd become unreliable. He said the chef had afterwards lashed out at him, and he believed a post on the chef's Facebook page about no longer working for that "f---wit" was about him. Mr Vilkaitis believed drugs and alcohol were involved.
But his most complicated count was the first of self-government in 1989, when Mr Green, still with the Australian Electoral Commission, was in charge of counting votes in the "modified d'Hondt" voting system, which he describes as a "mishmash" of two systems arrived at by compromise in the federal parliament. It was so complicated, it took two months to count.
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"In addition, the APS must be prepared to better engage with those Indigenous Australians already in the workforce and must be prepared to develop incentives, both financial and non-financial, to support such approaches."
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 ...
Almost-Exploding Minke Whale Washes Up Near N. Oregon Coast Border

Published 05/30/2017 at 1:23 AM PDT - Updated 05/30/2017 at 2:45 AM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Seaside, Oregon)  An 18-foot Minke whale - already well deceased - made a rare appearance on northwest beaches, washing up on the Washington coast, not far from the Oregon border. It came with a rather disturbing aspect, however: parts of its innards were inflated and coming out of its mouth. (All photos courtesy Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium).

The small Minke arrived onshore on Sunday about 11 a.m. Responding to the scene were crews from the Seaside Aquarium on the Oregon coast, whose job it is to scope out such situations as part of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Tiffany Boothe with the aquarium was among the first on the unusual and gruesome scene of a dead whale with a giant red blob protruding it.

Visitors to the Long Beach Peninsula got the rare chance to see a small Minke whale washing ashore, Boothe said. The whale had died before washing in and had been drifting out at sea for some time. Long enough, that due to decomposition, gasses started to build up inside of the animal. Once the animal hit the beach, the pressure from the gasses combined with the immense weight of the animal pushed its diaphragm outside of its mouth.

Back in September, the north Oregon coast had another similar incident, where a bloated whale washed up near Cannon Beach and parts of its insides were oozing out as well. That one stunk incredibly bad.

A combination of Seaside Aquarium and Portland State University staff are planning to perform a necreopsy on Wednesday to determine cause of death, which will in turn show whether there is disease present. If those tests are positive, it could pose a risk to human health and thus will be disposed of by being removed and buried.

If not, hopes are to recover the full skeleton of the whale and donate it to a school or research program. If that can't be done, officials would then leave it on the beach to become food for local wildlife.

In the meantime, the Seaside Aquarium urges the public to not touch the whale or let your pets do so.

Minke whales are not exactly uncommon to these waters  but they live in areas generally a ways offshore and much deeper. They are rarely seen from boats in the area, even more rarely than Orcas.

It is, however, very common to see them wash up. In 2010, Jim Rice, head of whale research at the central Oregon coast's Hatfield Marine Science Center, said they had records of five washing up between then and 1990.

They are the smallest of baleen whales in the world, meaning they eat by straining plankton through their mouths. Their mouths contain 50 to 70 of these baleen grooves.















Other Minke strandings from the Seaside Aquarium below:













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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.

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Dacia is working on the new generation of the Duster compact SUV model and our spies were there to catch them in the act.



Spied for the first time, the new Dacia Duster appears to adopt a more evolutionary approach to its design, although its too hard to tell whats going on under all this camouflage and plastic cladding.

The shape though remains boxy and leaning towards utility rather than style, values that worked out well so far for the Romanian brand and its owner Renault.

According to reports, the new generation is probably going to be based on Renault/Nissans CMF platform, which also underpins models such as the Renault Kadjar and Nissan Qashqai. It will be certainly interesting to see how and if Dacia will fit this platform into its value-for-money image, although its more possible for them to use an updated version of the existing platform.

A longer version of the new Dacia Duster is also on the cards, offering seating for seven passengers, but this will follow on a later date.

The interior will host some useful updates on the tech and ergonomics department, but overall it will remain one of the most basic, no-frills environments in the segment as the target audience will remain the same as before.

Dacia is planning to reveal the new Duster at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show this September, with the seven-seat version set for launch in 2018.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops





PHOTO GALLERY
Londoners may be used to seeing all sorts of supercars cruising their streets, but they couldnt stay away from the Lamborghini Centenario.



Delivered to luxury dealer group HR Owen last week, the countrys first Centenario looks ready to cause some mayhem on the track, with its full carbon fiber finish and orange accents.

However, with Lamborghini making just 40 units, 20 coupes and 20 roadsters, most of them will be kept in private collections all over the world, so we dont expect to see one being put through its paces any time soon.

Built as a tribute to the 100th anniversary of Ferruccio Lamborghini, the Centenario debuted in full at last years Geneva Motor Show. Its based on the Aventador and features new aerodynamics, a lighter body, rear-wheel steering, and special 20-/21-inch front/rear wheels, wrapped in Pirelli PZero tires, which were developed specifically for it.

Powering it is the 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, which was massaged to deliver 770PS (759hp) and 690Nm (509lb-ft) of torque. Getting from naught to 100km/h (62mph) takes just 2.8 seconds, and top speed stands at in excess of 350km/h (217mph).

VIDEOS
Buying a compact premium SUV nowadays means deciding between multiple models which can all realistically be described as being excellent.



So then, where does that leave the all-new Volvo XC60? According to Auto Express Steve Fowler, the Swedish brands latest product can easily be positioned somewhere at the top of the segment.

He goes as far as to say that while the F-PACE will offer a very sporty ride, something which our own Zac Estrada concluded in his review as well, the XC60 is more comfortable, better built and has more technology than its British rival. So, 3-1 in favor of the Volvo?

In fact, if you want your compact premium SUV to have the very latest in on-board features, you could argue that the only model that can challenge the new XC60 tech-wise is the 2017 Audi Q5.

Others, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Lexus NX and even the Porsche Macan are equipped with slightly older semi-autonomous and connected tech.

VIDEO
Lincoln resident Glenn Sharp spent most of his 20s and 30s sitting in county jail, and he figures he wouldn't have been there if he just had the money to pay his fines and back child support.

Homeless, divorced, addicted and struggling to pay child support, Sharp was regularly jailed to make up his overdue payments. When he racked up fines for shoplifting, assaults and drinking in public  fines he takes responsibility for but says were connected to being homeless  he ended up sitting each one out in jail.

Sharp, now 51, has stayed out of jail for more than five years and hopes a new state law requiring judges to consider a person's financial status before assigning fines or setting bail will help others like him. He can see the bridge he lived under for three years from the kitchen window of his apartment, and he looks at it daily as a reminder of where he has been.

"I know what it's like sitting in the jailhouse, and that place sucks bad," he said.

The law, signed by Gov. Pete Ricketts, will require that any person who fails to pay a fine in time appear before a judge instead of automatically sitting out the fine in jail. Judges could choose to dismiss the fine or assign up to 20 hours of community service instead, and the rate for sitting out a fine would increase from $90 to $150 a day.

Advocates hope the law, parts of which take effect later this year and parts in 2019, will reduce the number of people sitting out fines. Such inmates served a combined 56,000 days in the Lancaster County jail last year and cost the county $5.6 million, public defender Joe Nigro said.

"I think Lancaster County could wind up saving millions of dollars a year by getting these people out of jail who are just there sitting out fines," Nigro said. "When you're talking about people sitting out fines, you're not talking about community safety. These are people who just got a fine."

Many of the fines are for nuisance violations such as trespassing, drinking in public, littering and public urination, said Fran Kaye, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor who volunteers with low-income Lincoln residents. These disproportionately affect homeless people, who aren't able to drink or use the bathroom in their own houses and end up sitting out fines they can't afford to pay.

"It just seemed to me the stupidest thing in the world to expect people with no money to pay a ticket and then spend the county's money putting them in jail to work off the fine," Kaye said.

ACLU of Nebraska executive director Danielle Conrad said the law's passage with little opposition shows Nebraska policymakers are committed to "meaningful and important reforms" of the state's criminal justice system.

The ACLU spent much of 2016 looking into bail and fine practices in Nebraska courts following reports from attorneys and nationwide attention to "modern-day debtors' prisons" spurred by investigations into the police department in Ferguson, Missouri, where an officer shot and killed an unarmed black man in 2014. More than 20 percent of Ferguson's budget came from court fines and fees for low-level offenses, and the city issued more arrest warrants for unpaid fines than it had residents.

At least a dozen other states have passed similar reform measures.

"There was just really a lack of attention to these issues on the front line of our judicial system, and for far, far too many low-income Nebraskans, our justice system has become a real maze of fines and fees from which they simply cannot escape," Conrad said.

The bail portion of the law, which requires judges to consider a person's ability to pay as one of several factors in setting bond, is a start but may not go far enough toward reducing the thousands of people a year who sit in jail for weeks or months waiting for trial, Nigro said.

In most cases, Nebraska defendants only have to pay 10 percent of their bond amount to be released, so if bond is set at $1,000, paying $100 will get the defendant out on bail. Once defendants make their court dates, they'll get 90 percent of the amount paid back  in this case, $90. The rest of the money goes to court costs.

For serious crimes likely to result in jail time, judges will appoint a public defender, but courts don't have to provide an attorney in cases that would end with a fine. One man Nigro spoke with came from out of state and was arrested on suspicion of trespassing. He pleaded not guilty, the judge set a bond of $1,000 because the man had no Nebraska connections, and the man waited 36 days in jail until his next court date, when he changed his plea and received a $50 fine.

It costs about $100 a day to house an inmate, so Lancaster County would have spent about $3,600 to eventually get this man's $50 fine and $49 court fee. Other people plead guilty to minor offenses immediately because they know they won't be able to afford bail or miss even a day of work sitting in jail, Nigro said.

"We should not a have a system where people plead guilty because they're poor," Nigro said. "People should plead guilty because they committed a crime and this is the best way to resolve their case."
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed plans to produce a handful of entry-level EQ models at the companys plant in Rastatt, Germany.



The automaker was tight-lipped on specifics but the plant currently produces the A-, B- and GLA-Class. It is scheduled to begin production of next-generation of compact models starting in 2018.

According to Rastatt site manager Thomas Geier, The Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt will be the center of competence for the production of new compact EQ models. In the year of our 25th anniversary, this is great news for our highly motivated workforce.

Mercedes declined to mention which models will be built at the plant but previous reports suggested the company will make an entry-level hatchback called the EQ A. The model will reportedly compete with the BMW i3 and be previewed by a concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Specifications remain unconfirmed, but speculation suggests the EQ A will go on sale in 2020 with a single electric motor that powers the front wheels. It could eventually be joined by a performance variant with two electric motors and all-wheel drive.

Mercedes first EQ model, the EQ C, will be built at the companys Bremen plant starting in 2019. The automaker also has plans to produce additional EQ models at Sindelfingen plant, which currently builds the S-Class. In total, Mercedes is promising to launch more than 10 new electric vehicles by 2022.

Mercedes EQ concept pictured

Photo Galllery
But theres also a clear endgame for Blomkamp, who has confirmed an intent to use the studio as a development pipeline for his future big-budget studio projects. When a fan asked him on Twitter, Could one of the experimental films you are doing on your channel and Steam, become a fully fledged big budget film?, Blomkamp replied, That is absolutely the goal.

Blomkamp says that initially most of the studios work will be available for free on Youtube, but that he will experiment with one or two charged items on [S]team to see if the ecosystem works for film. Another concept he has floated is to give away the films on Youtube, while charging a nominal price on Steam for extras like 3D models, vfx assets, concept art, raw footage, and music.

Borrowing an idea from the world of gaming, where creators like Tim Schafer interact extensively with fans through various online channels, Blomkamp said that he intends to have direct open dialogue with audience going forward  at least on all things #oatsstudios related.

For future updates on the company, stay tuned to Oats website and Youtube page.
All the publicity about flooding and warnings to stay off the water are putting a drag on some local tourism businesses.

Meagan Young owns Meag's BBQ Boat Rentals on the downtown Kelowna marina. She's noticed a definite dip in sales since the flooding.

"It's put the scare in people. A lot of people think the lake is shut down. We are doing our best to be respectful ... our boats run off an electric motor, so we don't create a wake," she said. "However, if we are going out and creating a wake, it will be in areas that don't hurt docks and we are going at a slow pace.

"It's still busy, but people have been told by hotels and others the lake is not in operation right now, so with that knowledge they think they aren't able to get out onto the water or do things close to the water. That is taking away from some of the business in the downtown area, as well as the tourism," Young added.

She wants to let people know hers and other waterfront operators are open for business.

"We are still operating here. We want to get tourists out on the water. We are being as respectful as we possibly can. It is going to be a great summer, and we just have to wait for everything to clear up," she said.
Photo: Twitter

All eyes are on Premier Christy Clark after Monday's announcement that British Columbia's New Democrats have reached an agreement with the Green party to form a minority government, experts say.

"The ball is really in Christy Clark's court at this point," said Max Cameron, a political scientist at the University of British Columbia. "The question will be, does she do the elegant thing, which would be to resign and let John Horgan and the NDP form the government ... or does she attempt to go it alone?"

In a statement, Clark said her party has a responsibility to carefully consider its next steps and that she would have more to say Tuesday after consulting her caucus colleagues.

The Liberals won a plurality of seats with 43 compared to the NDP's 41 and three for the Greens, so parliamentary tradition gives Clark the first chance to form a government.

Prof. Hamish Telford, who teaches political science at University of the Fraser Valley, explained the NDP-Green collaboration is far from a done deal.

"Just because they have an agreement today to govern doesn't mean they will actually form a government," he said.

Telford pointed out how in 2008 the federal Liberals failed to form a government after approaching the governor general with a coalition agreement signed by the NDP, Bloc Quebecois and Green party to overthrow the Conservatives led by then-prime minister Stephen Harper.

Telford said he expects Clark to test her luck in the legislature with a throne speech rather than admit defeat, given the NDP and Greens only have one more seat between them than the Liberals.

"I don't think ... the NDP-Green majority is sufficiently great to cause her to concede," Telford said.

After all, he said it would only take one New Demcocrat to miss the ferry to Vancouver Island for the vote in the legislature in Victoria and "the Liberals could survive a confidence vote on the throne speech."

Clark would likely be defeated, Telford added. He predicted she would then approach Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon to ask for another election, at which point it would be up to Guichon to decide whether to send voters back to the polls or ask Horgan to form a government.
Photo: New Town Services Proposed 17-suite apartment on Belaire Avenue.

Kelowna city council went against staff wishes on two separate development applications, Monday.

In both cases, staff recommended against the applications.

One was for a 17-unit rental apartment on a single-home lot on Belaire Avenue, the other was for conversion of an accessory building into a carriage house on Harvard Road.

The Belaire application would see a four storey apartment building on the single property with 16 micro suites and one caretaker apartment.

Staff recommended against the project due mainly to the small size of the property.

However, Keith Funk with New Town Services, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said attempts to consolidate properties on either side were unsuccessful.

On one side is a home operated by Freedom's Door, on the other, a house operated by the Okanagan Halfway House Society.

Funk said neither organization was willing to relocate.

It was that rationale that swayed some on council.

"You need to keep an open mind when you are listening to presentations, because there was new information that was given by the presenter," said Coun. Tracy Gray.

"I can understand staff's position...however, I believe we can move this to public hearing in light of hearing who the neighbours are, and that there seems to be little opportunity to maximize the space."

Coun. Charlie Hodge also gave the development his blessing, however, he did have some concerns about parking. The developer is proposing 17 parking spots for the 17 units.

"It's a disaster waiting to happen."

Hodge also lamented the glut of micro-suites coming on the market in Kelowna.

Coun. Luke Stack and Mayor Colin Basran were not swayed by the applicants' pleas.

"I have made no secret about wanting to densify our city, and while short term this does that, when I hear staff say this is half of what it potentially could be...we're actually not densifying our city to its fullest potential," said Basran.

"While I appreciate, short term it does that. I think longer vision is the one that I'm looking at. It does hurt me a bit, because I do love the design."

Staff recommended against the second application because the property is outside the city's permanent growth boundary, and the neighbourhood does not have the necessary urban amenities to support even a modest increase in density, and represents an inefficient use of the land.

Property owner Wayne Henney told council the addition amounted to a suite on the upper floor of the accessory building which his son would be living in.

Henney added the addition would not increase the footprint of the building and surrounding neighbours had no issue with the addition.

"I think the intent of two homes, knowing they could have a basement suite without rezoning helps sway me," said Coun. Stack.

"I think with the existing building, the way it fits in with the other carriage houses in the neighbourhood, and the arguments presented by the applicant are reasonable. I also recognize staff are guided by policy, but I think today I'm persuaded to go with the applicant."
Photo: Contributed Nancy Greene Raine will return to her Senate duties in Ottawa next month.

Nancy Greene Raine is ready to get back to work.

Canada's darling of the ski slopes and female athlete of the 20th century, Raine has been battling thyroid cancer.

She announced last month she was undergoing treatment.

Darcy Alexander, general manager of Sun Peaks Resort in Kamloops, says Raine had successful surgery to remove her thyroid gland in April. She has been undergoing follow up treatment as an out-patient at the BC Cancer Agency facility in Kelowna.

"The treatment is going well, and Nancy is able to return to Ottawa for two weeks in early June to take up her Senate duties," said Alexander in a statement.

Raine will also take part in festivities at the ski resort to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday.

"Nancy is looking forward to joining the community, and visitors at Sun Peaks on Canada Day.

"A variety of special events are planned, including having Nancy and her husband, Mayor Al Raine, cut the traditional birthday cake in the Clocktower Square at 1 p.m."
Photo: CTV

A black bear caused a stir at a Burnaby elementary school on Monday.

Cascade Heights Elementary was put on alert about 3 p.m. as parents were picking up their children when the bear was seen on the grounds.

Conservation officers said the bear was tranquilized after it climbed a tree.

Students and staff were told to shelter in place while the animal was tracked and removed.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: CTV

A poodle is in the care of the Richmond Animal Protection Society after being found abandoned inside a locked suitcase.

Graham Barrett was taking his two dogs for a walk Sunday when he came across the suitcase on an empty lot and heard something moving inside.

He took the case home and tried to open it, eventually calling police to help out. They were shocked to find the dog inside. It appeared to be healthy and well-groomed.

This is horrendous, the shelter's Eyal Lightmann told CTV. Were talking about the nicest, most loveable little dog that you could imagine.... Theres absolutely no reason that someone should have done this."

The SPCA is investigating the incident.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: CTV Kenneth Jacob Fenton

A driver who pleaded guilty in a crash that killed a Vancouver Island police officer has been charged in another crash.

Kenneth Jacob Fenton is charged with causing an accident resulting in bodily harm, impaired driving causing bodily harm and flight causing bodily harm or death in the May 22, 2016, Malahat crash.

Police say a vehicle didn't stop for a late-night road check and was found crashed not far away with two injured people inside.

The passenger has launched a civil lawsuit against Fenton in the crash, alleging he was impaired by alcohol, drugs and fatigue.

Fenton pleaded guilty just last week to impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death in the April 5, 2016, crash in Langford that killed Const. Sarah Beckett. A sentencing date will be set on June 6.

 with files from CTV Vancouver Island
Photo: CTV

Two paramedics and a police officer have been injured by a combative patient at the scene of a collision on a Calgary freeway.

One paramedic's injuries are being described as serious but non-life-threatening, while the others sustained minor injuries.

Emergency crews responded to Deerfoot Trail on Monday afternoon to find four cars involved in the initial collision.

Several members of EMS, the Calgary Fire Department and CPS were involved in attempting to restrain the man. A stun gun was deployed by a police officer during the altercation but police say it had limited impact.

Police say they don't know why the man was combative, and he was taken to hospital after being sedated.

Two members of the public who were involved in the collision were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni in Rome on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is standing by the Kinder Morgan pipeline project, even as the New Democrats and Greens in B.C. are teaming up to fight it.

"The decision we took on the Trans Mountain pipeline was based on facts and evidence on what is in the best interests of Canadians and indeed, all of Canada," Trudeau said Tuesday in Rome, where he held a joint news conference with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni.

"Regardless of the change in government in British Columbia or anywhere, the facts and evidence do not change," he said.

Trudeau said his Liberal government understands that growing a strong economy requires taking leadership on both the environment and the economy.

"That is what drives us in the choices we make," he said. "We stand by those choices."

His comments come as the anti-pipeline Green Party and NDP in British Columbia announced Monday they've come to an agreement that could cast doubt on the project's future.

The leaders of the two parties say they've reached a deal that could see the formation of a minority NDP government in the province.

Both have voiced their opposition to the Trans Mountain expansion, which would see the pipeline running from Edmonton to Burnaby nearly triple its capacity.
Photo: Nafeesa Karim - CTV Vancouver

An explosion rocked parts of North Vancouver early Tuesday.

The explosion on Monashee Drive sparked a fire that gutted a warehouse.

"About 5:10 a.m., I heard this loud bang and a shake, and of course, I woke up," resident Lisa Madill told CTV.

She said the blast shook the whole house.

Flames and smoke were pouring from the building, and smoke was visible in downtown Vancouver.

"We did have very, very heavy flames when we got here, but we got it under control very quickly," said Capt. Walt Warner of the North Van Fire Department.

Thee warehouse is near Capilano University and a dog and cat kennel. Neither was affected by the blaze.

Cause has not been determined. There were no injuries.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: Wayne Moore Police responded to a stabbing at Elliot Road and Solar Road in April 2015.

Rather than face a jury, Jose Amestica pleaded guilty to manslaughter Monday for fatally stabbing a man in West Kelowna just over two years ago.

Amestica, 50, was arrested on April 29, 2015, after he stabbed 44-year-old Kevin McNally in a home at Elliot and Solar roads.

At the time, police said some of the residents in the fourplex where the stabbing took place were known to police.

McNally was rushed to hospital in serious condition, and Amestica was charged with aggravated assault, until McNally died a few days later. Amestica's charge was then upgraded to murder.

Amestica has remained in custody since his arrest, and his jury selection and trial was scheduled for this week, but he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter on Monday.

He was handed a five-year sentence, a joint submission from his defence and the Crown.

Amestica has already served 760 days in jail, and was given credit for 1,140 days at the standard 1.5 times credit for presentence custody. He will remain in jail for another 685 days, and is prohibited from possessing firearms for life.
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer A prior citizenship ceremony

Approximately 90 new Canadians from 26 backgrounds will take the oath at a citizenship ceremony in Penticton this week.

The ceremony, hosted by the South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services, is being held at the Cleland Theatre on Thursday, June 1.

Tahira Saeed, program manager for SOICS, said it is always a nice event for both the new citizens and the public.

"When they are taking the oath and singing O Canada it is very emotional," she said.

Many of the soon to be citizens are clients of SOICS that they have been working with on applications and different eligibility criteria for the last two years.

The venue, the Cleland Theater, is being provided by the city of Penticton as in kind support.

The public is invited to the ceremony, which begins at 10:30 a.m.
Photo: The Canadian Press The Three Mile Island nuclear plant experienced a partial meltdown on March 28, 1979.

The owner of Three Mile Island, site of the United States' worst commercial nuclear power accident, said Monday that it will shut down the plant in 2019 without a financial rescue from Pennsylvania.

Exelon Corp.'s announcement comes after what it called more than five years of losses on the single-unit power plant and its recent failure in a capacity auction to sell Three Mile Island's power into the regional grid.

In the meantime, the Chicago-based energy company wants Pennsylvania to give nuclear power the kind of preferential treatment that are given to renewable energies, such as wind and solar.

Exelon and other nuclear power plant owners have made the pitch to states that zero-carbon nuclear plants are better suited than natural gas or coal to fight climate change.

So-called nuclear bailouts have thus far won approval in Illinois and New York, but the potential for higher utility bills in Pennsylvania is drawing pushback from rival energy companies, manufacturers and consumer advocates.
Photo: VJH Foundation VJH Foundation's Sue Beaudry and Ed Eyford of prostate cancer support group show Fathers Day cards for sale at VJH gift shop.

Men tend to ignore health problems, according to past studies, but an effort is being made in Vernon to make them pay attention.

For the first time, the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation is dedicating the entire month of June to promoting mens health.

Our new initiative will continue to benefit prostate health for local men, and will also provide support for cardiac care needs at VJH, said Andrea Egan, VJHF development officer.

This year, the foundation is launching North Okanagan Mens Health Month in place of the Do it for Dad Run and Walk.

Funds raised will support PSA testing  a blood test to screen for prostate cancer, the Vernon prostate cancer support and awareness group, and the purchase of a new ECG machine and trolley for Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

To support Mens Health Month, we are asking that you make a donation supporting mens health needs in the North Okanagan in honour of a special man in your life. In return for your donation you can present an online Fathers Day card to him, announcing your gift in support of his health.

The foundation said all donations will stay local and benefit all men in the North Okanagan and can be made online.

This year alone 4,000 Canadian men will die of prostate cancer, figures show.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death throughout the Western world and the second most common cause in Canada.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A soon-to-be publicly traded medicinal marijuana producer has partnered with the Tragically Hip in anticipation of the drug's legalization and a burgeoning recreational market.

Newstrike, which will begin trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on Thursday under the symbol HIP, said Tuesday it "believes we are developing the brand that adult consumers who choose to use cannabis will turn to."

While fans were quick to dream up names for possible Hip-related marijuana products  some social media users suggested "Tragically Hemp" or "Chronically Hip," or plays on song titles like "Budcaygeon" or "Weed Kings"  company CEO Jay Wilgar said that's not the plan right now.

"This partnership with the band is not a marketing partnership, this is a business partnership, the band are shareholders in the company," Wilgar said.

"So when we talk about creating strains and anything like that, right now we have absolutely no intention of creating strains or doing anything directly associated with the Tragically Hip, at this point."

The proposed Cannabis Act unveiled by the federal government in April outlaws "any promotion, packaging and labelling of cannabis that could be appealing to young persons or encourage its consumption."

The proposed law also prohibits "a testimonial or endorsement, however displayed or communicated" and "a depiction of a person, character or animal, whether real or fictional."

In a release, the band said it would be "contributing creatively" to the company and called the government's legalization plans "common-sense-policy" and "a change for the best."
Photo: The Canadian Press B.C. NDP leader John Horgan delivers opening remarks to the New Democrat caucus on Tuesday.

British Columbia's NDP leader highlighted affordable housing and health care today as two key elements in a minority government deal with the Green party.

John Horgan spoke briefly to his caucus before it met privately to ratify the agreement, which has already been approved by the Greens.

Horgan says after 16 years in Opposition, he is excited about the prospect of forming the next government.

Horgan says the deal will also allow the province to defend its coast, an apparent reference to the expansion of Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline and a seven-fold increase in tanker traffic off B.C.

Green Leader Andrew Weaver said Monday the pact reflects his party's opposition to the pipeline, which has also been opposed by the NDP.

Premier Christy Clark is expected to react today to the four-year agreement aimed at toppling her government after no party failed to win a majority of seats in the legislature in a provincial election three weeks ago.

The Liberals won the most seats, but were unable to persuade the Green party to back them in a minority government.
Photo: File photo

A cyclist has been severely injured after colliding with another bicyclist in Vancouver.

Const. Jason Doucette issued a release saying the 62-year-old man was riding behind a 64-year-old Vancouver woman when she stopped for a traffic light.

Police say the unnamed man could not stop in time and slammed into the stationary cyclist, knocking both to the ground. Neither person was wearing a helmet.

Doucette says both were rushed to hospital, where the woman was treated for minor injuries, but the man remains in critical condition.
Photo: Contributed

Husky Energy (TSX:HSE) is bracing for lower oil prices with a new five-year plan that suggests it can sustain operations even if benchmark New York prices fall as low as US$35 per barrel.

CEO Rob Peabody says the Calgary-based company aims to reduce its break-even commodity price point by 2021 to US$32 per barrel from the current US$33.50.

Oil was trading for just below US$50 per barrel on Tuesday.

At an investor event in Toronto, Peabody said Husky plans to spend an average of $3.3 billion per year to grow output by five per cent per year to almost 400,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2021.

The spending will go to mainly heavy oil projects on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, as well as offshore projects in the Asia Pacific region and off Canada's East Coast.

On Monday, Husky announced it would move ahead with the West White Rose project offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, expecting to invest $2.2 billion with its partners on the project to get to first oil production by 2022.
Photo: Jerry Mason Dump trucks poured into Lumby earlier this month after flooding.

The Village of Lumby is getting ready to pay some of its bills for all the work done earlier this month to prevent further flooding in the village.

It seems to have stabilized and we now have a chance to catch up and assess the events of May 5, said Tom Kadla, chief administrative officer. We can see where we sit  with snow in the mountains and the frechette still underway.

Village staff swung into action after Duteau and Bessette creeks began to overflow in early May, leading to the evacuation of over 50 people from 24 residences. The evacuation order was in place for almost three weeks before it came to an end.

As well, dump trucks and heavy machinery were brought in to create berms creekside while villagers went out in droves to make sandbags.

We're transitioning in helping people impacted by the evacuation order, Kadla said, pointing to ongoing work with the Red Cross and working with villagers applying for disaster financial assistance.

A special council meeting was held Monday night and another will be held tomorrow when council is expected to pass a borrowing bylaw.

While Kadla said that happens every year, he acknowledged funds were needed soon to pay contractors who brought in supplies and did the work to prevent the village from suffering the serious flooding it has seen in the past.

He refused to provide figures.

We're still gathering all of the invoices and trees are still falling into the creeks. We had three trees fall onto private property yesterday and cause damage.

Kadla said the village may not be out of danger yet, expressing concern there could be another extreme weather event or higher stream flows due to the ongoing snow melt.

We must always be diligent...and inform residents we are not out of the emergency yet. It's still a concern.
Wednesday, April 26th was World Day for Animals in Laboratories. Some 50 people commemorated the day in a memorial walk in downtown Kelowna. On the same day, The Globe and Mail's Report on

Business, published a centre-fold advertisement for the Canadian Cancer Society. The ad said "Thanks to research, survival rates for many cancers have improved dramatically. I disagree. To site just one of the "dramatic" improvements, the 5-year relative survival ratio of all cancers combined was 7% over 25 years. Any reader of the Report on Business would or should know that a 7% return over 25 years is a poor investment.

I am reading a book published 17 years ago which sheds light on why medical research has been ineffective in finding cures for human diseases. The answer is that researches have been fishing in an empty

pool called animal research. The book is called Sacred Cows and Golden Geese. It is still highly relevant. A current book by Richard Harris, called Rigor Mortis: How Sloppy Science Creates Worthless Cures, Crushes Hope and Wastes Billions may help steer researchers to use human models for finding human cures. No one wants to waste billions of dollars.

The Canadian Cancer Society's Daffodil Ball committee chose to recognize two research projects, with only a cursory description of the projects. As someone interested in obtaining better results for human cures, I hope future reporters will delve deeper into the types of research that are being funded by grants and balls. I would be happy to donate to clinical research (non-animal research) such as well-funded computer modelling, testing on human tissues and monitoring of drug effects in patients. I did not know, for instance, that any side-effects of a drug I report to my doctor, are not necessarily forwarded to the pharmaceutical company which makes the drug or to some government authority.

Nearly everyone supports the idea of research on animals in laboratories to find cures for human diseases. However, if the research is a waste of time and money, and delays finding cures, it may be time to ask why failed methods continue to be used. Researchers are quick to publish cures which work in animals. Too frequently, the public is left to believe that if the new drug cures animals, it will also cure humans.

Except in books such as Sacred Cows, I have not read any news stories reporting that drugs which cured animals have not helped humans. We need follow-up stories on human results of drugs which cure animals. Without follow-ups on humans, research dollars are really funding veterinary cures.

Helen Schiele
Photo: Okanagan College. (L-R) Karen Dahlen, Ken Dahlen, Keith Dahlen and Jean Dahlen

A trades training centre at Okanagan College's Vernon campus has been given a financial boost.

Award-winning, Vernon-based home builder Keith Construction has contributed $50,000 towards the campaign in support of the centre.

Ken and Karen Dahlen, owners of the custom home building and renovation company, said the money is in appreciation for its industry, employees and community and in honour of Ken's father, Keith.

Our success over the years has come from multiple skilled tradespeople within our region, said Keith Dahlen, company founder. With a shortage of skilled trades, we believe the best way for the company to give back to our industry is by helping to provide quality training for the next generation.

The $50,000 gift will support the construction of a new 13,450 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility that is expected to help address the provinces skills gap by training approximately 150 students per year for the workforce.

The building will include multi-purpose trades shops for the colleges electrical, carpentry, plumbing and pipefitting programs, as well as a dedicated welding shop.

This gift sends a powerful message to our students when an employer with an exemplary reputation in the community invests in their future, said Jim Hamilton, college president. It represents the value the Dahlen family places on education and will be truly transformative for trades training in Vernon and the surrounding region.

This gift is a fitting way to honour my father and the emphasis he put on learning the proper skills in order to provide quality craftsmanship to our clients, said Ken Dahlen. He taught me that if you are going to do a job, do it right or dont do it at all.

Keith Construction has employed several carpenter apprentices from the colleges program.

The $6.2 million-dollar training centre will be constructed by Maple Reinders Inc., a national engineering construction company, with support from MQN Architects, as well as CIMA+ and Encora.

In April, Coldstream council gave the thumbs up to a development permit for the project.

Construction is scheduled to begin later this month, with completion targeted for the spring of 2018.
Premier Christy Clark expects her title to change to leader of the opposition sooner, rather than later.

And, in a brief provincewide news conference Tuesday afternoon, she said she's fine with that.

"What I said before the election remains true. I am happy to take on any jobs the voters give me," said Clark.

"Should the government fail the test of confidence in the house, as seems likely, I would be given the job of leader of the opposition. I'm more than ready, and willing, to take that job on."

Clark said the Liberals will follow constitutional advice and historical precedence, and test the confidence of her minority government inside the legislature.

"We have a duty to meet the house and test its confidence ... and I intend to do that in very short order. Certainly, before the end, maybe closer to the beginning of June."

The Liberal party fell one seat shy of a majority in the house, and support from the BC Greens is unlikely after a deal announced Monday with the NDP.

"If there is going to be a transfer of power in this province, and it certainly seems like there will be, it shouldn't be done behind closed doors," said Clark. "It should happen in public as constitutional convention tells us it should. It should happen in the people's house with 87 members elected by British Columbians to our legislature making that decision."
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

UPDATE: 4:45 p.m.

As expected, a state of local emergency and evacuation order has been issued for six homes in the northern part of Olalla, north of Keremeos.

Rising water has affected septic tanks, electricity and roads to the homes prompting the formal evacuation of the impacted homes along Road 1 and Road 2.

A precautionary evacuation alert has also been issued for an additional 11 homes in the northern part of Olalla along Keremeos Creek. The full notice can be found here.

Affected residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation; however, residents may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.

ORIGINAL: 3:00 p.m.

David Maxwell, a resident of a mobile home threatened by rising water in Olalla, was keeping a close eye on his home Tuesday morning.

Maxwell and his neighbours who live along the north end of the mobile home park north of Keremeos have been dealing with flooding from Keremeos Creek in recent weeks.

"It started last week with flooding in the front area of my home," said Maxwell, who lives on 1st Street. "Then it went down a bit Saturday and Sunday, but started coming back up yesterday. I've only been here two years but this is the worst I've ever seen."

Cameron Baughen, information officer for the RDOS, said Keremeos Creek, which runs behind Olalla, is being fed by an extraordinary year of snow melt coming down from Apex.

Baughen said there is a voluntary evacuation alert in place for homes on the north end of the mobile park now, with some residents being housed elsewhere.

It is expected that will be upgraded to a formalized state of emergency Tuesday afternoon and an evacuation order.

"The only difference with the order is they can't allow minors in the area," Baughen said.

On Tuesday, residents like Maxwell watched over their homes, with a few residents still apparently holding out despite the evacuation alert.

Students from Keremeos, as well as other members of the community, were also helping with sandbagging on Tuesday.
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Two members of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health will provide tractor safety courses in June and July in nine cities across Nebraska. The program is a partnership with the Nebraska Extension Tractor Safety & Hazardous Occupations Courses. Teens 14 or 15 years of age who work on farms are encouraged to register.

Nebraska Extension is part of the University of Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of NebraskaLincoln, which also cooperates with counties and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Federal law prohibits youth under 16 years of age 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 to do field work with specific mechanized equipment.

The most common cause of agricultural-related death in Nebraska is overturned tractors and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Extensive training on tractor and ATV safety occurs during in-class lessons with hands-on activities. Instilling an attitude of safety first and respect for agricultural equipment are primary goals of the course.

The course includes classroom instruction, which will cover the required elements of the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program and hands-on participation, concluding with a written test. To receive certification, students must demonstrate competence in hitching and unhitching equipment and driving a tractor and trailer through a standardized course.

Classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., however, end times will vary, depending on the number of participants.

Dates, locations, and site coordinator phone numbers are below.

May 30 & 31  Kearney Fairgrounds. Call 402-308-236-1235.

June 1 & 2  Auburn Fairgrounds. Call 402-245-4324.

June 6 & 7  Valentine Fairgrounds. Call 402-376-1850.

June 13 & 14  North Platte West Central Research and Extension Center. Call 308-532-2683.

June 15 & 16  Gering Legacy Museum. Call 308-632-1480.

June 19 & 20  Wayne Fairgrounds. Call 402-584-2234.

June 22 (includes online component)  Gordon Fairgrounds. Call 308-327-2312.

June 23 (includes online component)  McCook Fairgrounds. Call 308-345-3390.

July 10 & 11  Grand Island College Park. Call 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 and instruction, supplies and lunches. For more information, contact the extension office of the location where student will attend.
Idaho anglers may get another chance to fish for spring chinook.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet via conference call on Friday, June 2, to consider reopening fishing seasons on the lower Salmon, Little Salmon and Clearwater rivers, as well as opening seasons for summer chinook on the upper Salmon and South Fork of the Salmon rivers.

Seasons on the Clearwater, lower Salmon and Little Salmon rivers were closed last Wednesday because of dismally low counts of adult chinook at Bonneville Dam. When fisheries managers from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game made the call to end fishing, the latest data told them the run was so low that there was a risk hatcheries on the Clearwater River might not get enough fish back to accommodate full production later this year, and that anglers on the lower Salmon River might harm protected wild salmon.

Since that time, the number of chinook passing Bonneville Dam has increased, as has the detection of tags carried by fish returning to Idaho hatcheries. Brett Bowersox, a fisheries biologist for the department at Lewiston, said the bump in numbers could be large enough to allow some fishing.

Our Rapid River (hatchery stock) harvest shares have gone from around 500 or so at the beginning of the week to where we are now over 1,000, he said. The Clearwater, at the beginning of the week, we were not meeting brood. Now we see a harvestable share, so we are optimistic we can reopen at least some level (of fishing) in both rivers.

The number of fish that pass Bonneville Dam over the next several days will be key in the departments recommendation to commissioners.

We do have a little bit of time between now and the call to see what happens, he said.

If fishing is reopened, there is a chance that the earlier closure may not affect opportunities in the lower Salmon River. Timing often is key to spring chinook fishing, especially for those who hope to catch them as they pass by on the way upstream. A delay such as the closure now in effect can mean most of the fish will pass by when anglers cant get at them. But the Salmon River at White Bird has been running high this week. It was measured at about 68,000 cubic feet per second on Friday  high enough to delay upriver-bound fish at the Slide Rapid.

Fish movement is still going to be slow, and the fish will start to arrive there in the next week or two depending on flows, Bowersox said.

When fishing was closed last week anglers had just started to catch chinook on the lower Clearwater River at Lewiston. If fishing is reopened it is unclear whether the bulk of the run will have passed through the lower section of river.
LafargeHolcim plant in Hungary wins gold World Prix dExcellence

30 May 2017

LafargeHolcims Kiralyegyhaza cement plant in Hungary has received the World Prix dExcellence 2017 from the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI). The plant was awarded the World Gold Winner prize in the industrial buildings category for its outstanding environmental performance and the high architectural quality of the plant buildings, LafargeHolcim said in a statement. The FIABCI represents the world's real estate professions and its annual World Prix dExcellence recognises state-of the-art architectural projects in several categories from heritage buildings to residential and office constructions.



Alexander Romanenko, president of the FIABCI World Prix dExcellence Awards Committee: The jury was impressed with the very unique building design. The whole complex is built compactly occupying only minimum arable land to enable sustaining agricultural activity. For a heavy industry and its reputation as the most modern cement plant in Europe, the project is exceptional for being environmental friendly.



Roland Kohler, regional head Europe, Australia/New Zealand and Trading at LafargeHolcim, said: We are proud to have received this important award. Kiralyegyhaza was the first new greenfield cement plant built in Europe in 20 years and is the most modern cement plant of LafargeHolcim in Europe. The plant is a prime example of how we were able to combine superior operational efficiency with high environmental performance in an architecturally unique plant building.



LafargeHolcim said the plants state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment was designed to meet the highest environmental standards. Since the start of operations the company has continuously worked to further reduce the environmental impact of the plant. As a result, both CO2 emissions and power consumption have been reduced by more than 20 percent over five years. The group also significantly increased the use of alternative fuels in the production process. Today, almost 60 per cent of the plants thermal energy needs are met by using alternative fuels thus significantly reducing the amount of fossil fuels needed.

At the same time, the plant with its clean lines and contrasting materials shows how an industrial building can meet high aesthetic standards while fulfilling all functional requirements. The facades are dominated by stripes as the recurring and connecting elements while the use of limestone in both external and internal areas provide the architectural connection to the key raw material for the production of cement.

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Jamaica Labour Ministry intervenes in Carib Cement unrest

30 May 2017

Jamaica's Ministry of Labour has intervened following industrial action by workers at Caribbean Cement Company over the company's wage offer, local media report. Ministry officials entered a meeting with union representatives after workers at the companys Rockfort plant protested on Friday morning.



Workers believe that the offer of a three per cent increase in year one and four per cent increase in the second year is too low and are calling for a rise of no less than seven per cent.



Granville Valentine, National Workers Union General Secretary, argued that it would be a "fair and just position" for the company to, at least, allow its workers to maintain their standard of living or purchasing power by "look(ing) at what would it take to purchase the same goods and services now and equal(ling) it to the last two years."



Meanwhile, production at the Caribbean Cement plant in Kingston was suspended on Friday as a result of the strike. Sophia Lowe Pinnock, Caribbean Cement's Public Relations Officer, said the company has not been able to deliver supplies to its customers. She insisted that the company would seek to find a solution to the issue in the shortest possible time. (Source: RJR News)

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In May of 1856, the national political debate over the extension of slavery into the new territory of Kansas reached a fever pitch. On the floor of the U.S. Senate 161 years ago, the staunchly abolitionist Republican senator from Massachusetts, Charles Sumner, delivered a five-hour speech over two days entitled The Crime Against Kansas. Sumner, a skilled and eloquent orator, railed against a long chain of southern political abuses.

Particularly galling was an earlier, clearly rigged and fraudulent territorial election in Kansas in favor of pro-slavery forces. Besides meddling in Kansas internal affairs, the slave power, as Sumner characterized it, a minority in both the country and in Congress, had managed on a number of occasions to suspend or circumvent congressional rules and procedural protocols as a means to squelch anti-slavery debate and votes.

Sumner singled out for special condemnation the state of South Carolina and an elderly fire-breathing, pro-slavery senator from there, Andrew Butler, mocking Butlers speech impediment and charging, euphemistically, but damningly, that Butler had taken as a mistress ... the harlot of slavery.

Caning in Senate

Two days later, a distant relative of Butlers, Preston Brooks, a member of the House (also from South Carolina), sought to avenge this affront to his relatives honor. Brooks approached Sumner on the floor of the Senate and then proceeded to beat him into unconsciousness with a gold-tipped gutta-percha cane.

It took three years for Sumner to recover from the traumatic brain injury he experienced  and he suffered for most of his life afterward from post-traumatic stress disorder.

'Hit him again'

Brooks was charged with, and later convicted of assault and he resigned his seat in the House. Within a few weeks, however, his constituents in South Carolina re-elected him to fill his own vacated seat, and then re-elected him again in the general election in November. Southerners in many areas reacted by sending Brooks new canes inscribed with such phrases as good job and hit him again.

While Greg Gianfortes recent alleged assault on a liberal reporter obviously does not mirror the viciousness of the events of 1856, it is, if proven true, unfortunately indicative of a general coarsening of our politics and related behaviors. Some of our politicians, emboldened by the strident, overwrought rhetoric of the last several years, are beginning to cross a dangerous threshold both in words and in deeds.

As we know now, the actions on that distant May morning in 1856 on the floor of the Senate were merely a preview of coming attractions. Less than 10 years later, in the wake of the Civil War, 600,000 Americans lay dead and much of the nation in ruins. That national tragedy occurred in no small measure due to the diminution of our ability to conduct civilized political dialogue while confronting and then solving the nations toughest issues  without resorting to violence or the threat of violence.

Despite our best hopes, history really is no accurate forecaster of the future, but perhaps at some point soon we can all take a collective deep breath and locate, as Lincoln said, the better angels of our nature.
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MINOT, N.D.  Some North Dakota cities near the oil patch are seeing a drop in residents as the state's overall population continues to rise.

Estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday show Minot's population of more than 48,700 in 2016 fell by nearly 800 residents from the previous year. That's nearly 1.6 percent of the city's population.

The estimated population is still up 19.2 percent from April 2010, state census director Kevin Iverson told the Minot Daily News.

"It's kind of good news, bad news. We are still a lot further ahead than we were in 2010," Iverson said.

Iverson said the drop is mostly due to young, adult males moving as job and wage situations change because of slower activity in the oil fields.

Last year, Williston, Watford City and Stanley also saw population declines. Tioga was the city in the state that declined the most, losing 6.2 percent of its population.

Drake McClelland, Tioga City Commission president, said that decline was also due to oil field workers.

"We notice our sales taxes have definitely gone down," McClelland said.

North Dakota saw the most growth in and around Fargo, Bismarck and Grand Forks. Overall, North Dakota's estimated 2016 population grew slightly to 757,952.
Staff Sgt. Louis Hanson knows the last 75 years of his life to date have been a gift, telling a crowd of several hundred at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery south of Mandan as much Monday as the keynote speaker of this years Memorial Day ceremony.

Hanson, 97, briefly spoke about his time as a member of the 164th Infantry Regiment, the first U.S. Army unit to engage in World War II in offensive action assisting U.S. Marines at Guadalcanal. The Jud native served in the Army from 1941-45.

The theme of Mondays event was the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the units action in service during a period of intense fighting in the Pacific theater of operations.

When I landed on Guadalcanal  I really thought the world was coming to an end, Hanson said.

Mondays blustery and overcast afternoon at the cemetery was downright pleasant compared to the scene hed encountered on Oct. 13, 1942.

Hanson said the shelling of the landing zone and carpeting the area with bombs was beyond terrifying.

None of us thought we were going to see the morning, Hanson said.

Providing color as to how close hed been to not speaking before the crowd of veterans, families and speakers, he told everyone that a mosquito net he used to improve an uncomfortable helmet was the reason he was alive today.

He said his helmet was uncomfortable because the lining was too tight. Hanson placed mosquito netting inside the helmet, which made the helmet sit a few inches higher on his head.

Audible gasps drifted through the crowd when he detailed how shortly after hed made the modification to his helmet, a Japanese soldier in the heat of battle put a hole through my helmet.

In war, seemingly minor actions can make all the difference between coming home alive or not, something not lost on Hanson. He knew others that served that werent so lucky.

A series of speakers highlighted the importance of honoring the ultimate sacrifice made by North Dakotans in past conflicts, adding that the public can never fully repay the sacrifices made by those that have served and still are serving.

North Dakota National Guard Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann praised the efforts of those such as Hanson who helped turn the tide of World War II, who participated in more than 600 days of combat action in the Pacific theater.

Dohrmann also thanked everyone in attendance, saying being on hand is proof of their gratitude for the services provided by veterans as well as those buried in the surrounding grounds.

Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., echoed much of Dohrmanns statements.

We honor you on Memorial Day and Veterans Day and every day, Hoeven said. To all (who) have served and who continue to serve, God bless you.

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., said there are those that grieve their loved ones each day and that days such as Memorial Day are important to highlight such losses.

Today is the least we can do, Heitkamp said.

Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford agreed.

All of us share one common thread: gratitude, Sanford said.

Following the traditional closing ceremony of a rifle volley, performance of taps, a cannon salute and raising of the flag, area veterans reflected on the day before heading home.

George Gartner, a Vietnam War veteran from Fort Rice, said he thinks the public should make a concerted effort to remember the fallen more frequently than on holidays. Still, he said the event was very well done, despite everyone enduring wind gusts of nearly 30 miles per hour.

Its important, no doubt about it, Gartner said.

Bismarck veteran Fintan Dooley said it was an honor to be around so many North Dakotans that stood up and served.

He said he was also impressed with Hansons words, especially how hed narrowly survived the incident involving his helmet.

How does the Lords mercy allow that? Dooley said.
To honor those affected by cancer and as a part of national Cancer Survivor Beauty and Support Day, the students at Vs Student Cosmetology Services at Virginia College in Chattanooga will offer complimentary haircuts, styling, manicures, pedicures, eyebrow waxing, and makeover services on Tuesday, June 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The services will be offered on their campus, 721 Eastgate Loop, Suite C.

Survivors interested in receiving the services are asked to call 423-893-2025 to make an appointment.



It has been great watching our students love what theyre learning and become inspired to use their skills to help others, said Campus President Dominick DeLorenzo. Cancer has affected our Virginia College family, too, so it has been a real honor to be able to contribute to this cause.



CSBSD is a volunteer event held on the first Tuesday in June. Members of the beauty and related industries in all 50 states offer complimentary services to all men, women, and children who are cancer survivors, regardless of their type of cancer or when they were diagnosed.

"All cancer survivors are invited to participate, and for many, CSBSD is the only time during the year that they receive a little extra personal kindness, warm support, and tender pampering.

Vs allows students to learn the skills and creativity they will need to be successful in their cosmetology careers. Vs services include haircuts, hairstyling, permanent hair treatments, color treatments, braiding, extensions, body care, nail care, make-up, and esthetic services. All work is performed by Virginia College Cosmetology students under the direct supervision of licensed cosmetology instructors."
This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up and thumbs down on the issues from the past week.

Up

There arent many stories as inspiring as Elianna Vazquezs. On May 21, in an interview with reporter Caroline Grueskin, Elianna, 18, explained how she has handled the deaths of her mother and stepfather in a house explosion. Elianna is still recovering from injuries she received in the December blast. She credits her faith and the support of family, friends and the community for her recovery so far. A lot of the credit goes to her and the great strength shes demonstrated. A lot of people would have given up, but not her. She should have a great future.

Down

While President Donald Trumps proposed budget tries to reduce the deficit, theres a lot not to like about it in North Dakota. Crop insurance cuts worry Republicans Sen. John Hoeven and Rep. Kevin Cramer. Hoeven is also concerned about proposed cuts to conservation reserve programs and agricultural research. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat, voiced stronger objections, saying the budget leaves rural America out in the cold. Presidential budgets always are works in progress and Trumps plan will no doubt undergo major changes. At the moment its not friendly to North Dakota.

Up

Lemmon, S.D., scrap metal sculptor John Lopez has done a lot for his community. His work has made him known worldwide and provided a boost for the area. His works and the works of other artists he knows grace the town. Now hes turned a famous bar, the Kokomo Inn, into a gallery. Hes saving the name and the building but giving it a new purpose. Once again hes doing something to make Lemmon a better place to live and visit.

Down

Unfortunately the number of homeless people in North Dakota has increased in the last year. Part of the increase is blamed on the influx of people looking for work. They are discovering the jobs arent as easy to find as they were during the oil boom. The homeless numbers arent as high as they were in 2013 when the oil patch was booming, but to see them increase again is disappointing. Those working with the homeless say one of the keys to solving the problem is more affordable housing. Progress has been made on that front and more will have to be done.

Up

When North Dakota took over the Lawrence Welk home there were concerns the Strasburg area was too remote to draw big crowds. The historic site is located 75 miles southeast of Bismarck. Attendance has been light and its about $30,000 short of covering annual operating costs. The state has plans for attracting more folks to the bandleaders home. The effort includes a bigger social media presence to promote the site. There are plans for a jam session, sort of a Woodstock-like event for polka fans. We wish the state luck in its efforts, it would benefit Strasburg and the area.
Newly discovered notes show for the first time the Venetian doctor who invented the thermometer and helped lay the foundations for modern medical treatment also played a key role in shaping our understanding of chemistry.

The physician Santorio Santori, who lived between 1561 and 1636, came up with an accurate explanation for how matter works twenty years before Galileo.

Handwritten notes made by Santorio in a 1625 edition of his own book Commentaria in primam Fen primi libri Canonis Avicennae (A Commentary on the First Fen of the First Book of Avicenna's Canon) show he realised matter was made from invisible 'corpuscles'. Although the Greek philosopher Democritus and others after him had already maintained the existence of such bodies, historians previously believed that nobody had come up with the proof for their existence before Galileo.

The book, kept in the British Library, was found by Dr Fabrizio Bigotti, from the Centre for Medical History at the University of Exeter. The language used and handwriting style strongly suggest the notes were made by Santorio.

Dr Bigotti said: "This discovery makes the case for a deeper study of early modern chemistry in the Medical School of Padua, where Santorio taught, and the work carried out there between the end of the sixteenth and the beginning of the seventeenth century. Santorio's true contribution to chemistry has been forgotten but, I hope, this new discovery means that will no longer be the case.

"The notes show he did not see the world not made up of four elemental qualities - hot, cold, dry and moist - as Aristotle had suggested. This helped to start the process of getting rid of the idea that magic and the occult could be found in nature.

"It is truly remarkable that, beyond his undoubted merits in science and early modern technology, Santorio also held very innovative ideas on chemistry and was so fully committed to investigating the structure of matter."

Santorio had correctly identified the minimal structure of matter as a series of corpuscles as early as 1603, and proved his assumptions by means of a series of optical experiments on light, as well as distilling urine. All these experiments were carried out with instruments Santorio made especially for his own research.

It was already known that Santorio laid the foundations for what is understood today as evidence-based medicine and the study of metabolism. The new discovery shows he was he among the first scientists to suggest the body aims at preserving its own balance through discharge of invisible particles.

Dr Bigotti began researching the life and works of Santorio in 2013. His project is now funded by Wellcome Trust. He outlined this new discovery at an international conference organised with Professor Jonathan Barry, Co-director of the Centre for Medical History of the University of Exeter, in Pisa this month.
What's it really like to work at Chicago startups and tech companies? Blue Sky's Inside Job lets people on the ground tell us in their own words.

Anton Melnikov, 24, Software Engineer at AddStructure

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AddStructure provides a way for companies to integrate a better search and a better interface for online shopping.

Our interface is essentially invisible and transparent. So you would go on the website of Target and Best Buy  they are major clients  and you would type in something, and they would just provide you the result. People don't know this is us doing the work.

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Let's say you want to find a TV set that works well with your cable provider, such as Comcast. You type in "black 50-inch TV that works with Comcast." The result you might get is, "Here is a brown 40-inch TV that looks similar." That's where we come in. Our search product will extract out of the search results, not something that is somewhat relevant  we extract the exact thing that matches the search parameters, as long as it exists and is in stock.

My domain is pretty general. Broadly, it's natural language processing. But that encompasses a lot of different stuff. It includes a little bit of machine learning, it includes this project I've been working on that analyzes the questions people ask (about products) and analyzes the responses people receive in return, and it extracts useful information.

We're in a coworking space here on Irving Park Road. We're at 10 people total. There's usually four of us in Chicago. We have someone else starting (soon). There are four in New York, one in Minneapolis and one in Austin.

I am actually from Moscow. My family is still there. I was there until I was 13, then I was sent to a boarding school in England, hence I sound like this. This is not an accent you would hear in the streets of Moscow. I spent five years there, at Stowe School. It was kind of like Hogwarts but without the fun magic stuff, and no Voldemort.

We had IT classes at Stowe, and I was told off by a teacher because I was coding in class. That's not what we were supposed to do. We were supposed to be learning about (Microsoft) Excel and PowerPoint and fascinating topics like that.

I went to the University of Chicago, which is how I ended up in Chicago. I was class of 2015; I majored in linguistics. I'm obsessed with languages. I met my wife while I was in college. She is born and raised in Chicago, but she is Iranian. I learned Farsi in college. I speak Russian, German, Farsi, English, I've taken Latin. I learned Portuguese, French, a broken amount of Spanish, I dabbled in Bulgarian, I studied Georgian. I can read Greek; that's about it.

I actually wanted to go into journalism. I got into Medill (the media school at Northwestern University), and then I decided I didn't want to go.

I had this massive moment of re-evaluating everything. I like building things. I like software, and I like language. I've always had this desire to make stuff that was tangible in a way you could interact with it. You do something, and it does something back.

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The challenge for me was to find a company that recognized the fact that my major in linguistics was not actually a liability, that wouldn't hire me in spite of that but would hire me considering that kind of an asset.

This is the company that matches, eerily well, my life path: interested in coding but also in language and also being able to somehow combine the two. And machine learning.

I was hired full-time in January. We have a lot of flexibility with our schedules. As long as we progress at a pace  we set goals realistically, "I want to get here by the end of the week" as long as you get there, no one really watches over you. One of us is in Europe. He's actually going to be gone for a month, but he's only taking vacation for a week, so he's going to be working remotely, in Europe. It's pretty cool.

Not to overuse a word that people use a lot, but people here are actually friendly. When we go to have lunch, we can talk about a ton of stuff: what is happening in the world and what people are doing in their free time.

The most fun part is we're growing very quickly, and I love being able to be a part of that. I wanted to work for this team where I could help shape what it would become.

As told to freelance reporter Erin Chan Ding. Stories are edited for length and clarity.
British Airways' epic meltdown over a busy holiday weekend further fanned public outrage of an industry infamous for its focus on cost cuts over customer service, leaving the U.K. carrier scrambling to explain how a local computer outage could lead to thousands of stranded passengers.

Amid United Airlines' dragging fiasco, mass cancellations at Delta Air Lines and U.S. concerns about terrorists using laptops to down planes, the global aviation industry hardly needed another blow. But then on Saturday morning, a brief power surge knocked out British Airways' communications systems, grounding the carrier's entire London operations, leading to days of chaos and putting the new chief executive officer in the hot seat.

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With nearly 600 flights canceled and luggage unable to be dispersed, images and horror stories quickly coursed through social media. Damages for rebooking and compensating customers is estimated at about $112 million, or about 3 percent of the annual operating profit of parent IAG.

The image damage could be even greater as British Airways appears to have no idea how it all happened. "We're absolutely committed to finding out the root causes of this particular event," a grim looking Alex Cruz, the airlines' CEO, said in an interview with Sky Television. He did, however, rule out a cyber attack, which suggests the faults are homegrown.

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"It is tempting but increasingly questionable to view this as a one-off," said Damian Brewer, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets. "Coming after a spate of other issues, the bad PR and potential reputational aftermath will likely hit future revenues beyond the likely material impact."

The U.K. carrier is still processing thousands of passengers who missed flights or lost their luggage. The airline said about 75,000 people were affected, while analysts said the number was likely closer to 170,000. About 95 percent of flights are running, and more than two-thirds of the 75,000 affected passengers will reach their final destination by the end of the day, Cruz said in a YouTube message posted on Monday.

The crisis puts the spotlight on Cruz, who took charge a year ago after running IAG's Spanish budget unit Vueling for more than nine years.

While Cruz helped Vueling expand into Spain's second-biggest airline, the airline suffered repeated flight cancellations and delays last summer due to a lack of available aircraft and crews. Vueling was the only airline in IAG's portfolio where profit declined last year.

His four-year cost-cutting program at BA includes eliminating almost 700 back-office jobs, outsourcing some technology operations and switching to paid-for food on short-haul flights. The excessive focus on costs is to blame for the latest mess, according to the GMB union.

"They started on this journey to outsource and offshore this work and there have been a number of incidents now that have culminated in what has taken place this weekend," Mick Rix, national officer for civil aviation at GMB, said in a phone interview on Monday.

For passengers, workers and tabloids that have criticized the industry's ruthless cost reductions for years, the disruptions seemed to prove that airlines have gone too far. Daily Mail blamed Cruz and chastised his methods at Vueling, where he outlawed color printing, banned paper towels from washrooms and offered visitors to business meetings only tap water. Critics on social media, meanwhile, questioned whether British Airways deserved to claim itself as the U.K.'s flag carrier after the perpetual cutbacks.

Cruz and the airline were keen to distance themselves from any notion that penny pinching led to the meltdown, saying instead that the outage was caused by damage at U.K. data centers, where work wasn't outsourced.

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"Two days later, they are not all back up and running completely, but we are making good progress in our recovery," the airline said in a statement. "We do have a back-up system, but on this occasion it failed."

It's not the first problem involving British Airways. Last September, a computer network failure brought down the carrier's check-in system, causing worldwide service delays, while earlier this month, London Gatwick airport reported problems with its baggage-sorting system.

The latest gaffe hits British Airways as it faces increasing competition on lucrative transatlantic routes. Low-cost competitor Norwegian Air Shuttle is ramping up service to the U.S., while Ryanair Holdings is increasing feeder operations to connect with long-haul flights to destinations such as New York and Havanna.

Customers who were sent away from Heathrow and Gatwick on Saturday were told to find hotels on their own for reimbursement later by British Airways. Payments will include 200 pounds ($260) per night for lodging, 50 pounds round trip between the airport and the hotel, and as much as 25 pounds for refreshments, according to leaflets from the company. Operations were gradually recovering by Monday, when just 50 flights to and from its main London Heathrow hub were canceled and operations were back on schedule at Gatwick.

"It's a tragedy," Cruz said. "We do apologize profusely for the hardship that these customers of ours have had to go through."

Alastair Marsh Sharon Smyth Jesse Riseborough Susan Warren and Megan Durisin contributed.
Second-year law student Brittany Alzfan, 23, center, studies May 25, 2017, at the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern Universitys Pritzker School of Law. The law school is studying the possibility of accepting the GRE as an admission test, in addition to the LSAT. ( Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune )

In a move that shirks a tradition as old as baby boomers, law schools around the country are starting to consider accepting an admission test other than the LSAT. And Chicago-area schools are watching closely.

The University of Arizona College of Law started it. Early last year, it announced that it would accept either the GRE graduate school entry exam or the LSAT law school aptitude test from applicants.

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Around the country, law school deans' heads turned.

Then in March, Harvard Law School, a pioneer among its peers, announced plans to start accepting GRE scores for admission as part of a pilot program. Now, Northwestern University's Pritzker School of Law in Chicago is studying the possibility of accepting the GRE.

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"This is a new world. Law schools are looking at much more sophisticated data," said Daniel Rodriguez, dean of Northwestern's law school. "It's just simply a matter of time, and probably a short amount of time, before the hegemony of the LSAT will destabilize and law schools will be looking at other criteria for admission.

"The question is, Who wants to be the first movers?"

For law schools, accepting another, more user-friendly admission test in addition to the LSAT could mean more applicants and a more diverse class  ethnically and academically.

But it could also mean teetering on the brink of noncompliance with standards from the legal education section of the American Bar Association, which contracts with the U.S. Department of Education to accredit law schools.

Currently, if an accredited school wants to start using an alternative admission test, like the GRE, it is required to demonstrate that test is as valid as the LSAT in predicting law school success.

Northwestern's law school had enough students who had taken both tests to gather data, and it hired an outside firm to conduct a study, Rodriguez said. Educational Testing Service, the Princeton, N.J.-based nonprofit that administers the GRE, is conducting a national validity study, which it plans to complete by August, involving more than a dozen law schools, including John Marshall Law School in Chicago.

But many schools, some of which don't have the resources or data to conduct their own studies, are waiting to see what changes the bar association makes in its requirements.

At a hearing scheduled for July 13, the Chicago-based association plans to accept comments on changes to its admission test standards that would allow it to begin determining whether alternative tests are valid. That could mean the more than 200 ABA-accredited law schools wouldn't have to conduct their own studies.

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"Why undertake a somewhat primitive study on our own if a professional one is forthcoming?" said Harold Krent, dean of the Illinois Institute of Technology's Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Law schools around the country could benefit from a standard validation, Krent said. "Then we could move on and take our pick."

Each school is different, as are its students. Krent, for example, said he did much better on the GRE than the LSAT.

Deans argue that the GRE, administered multiple times weekly, often via computer, is more accessible than the LSAT, administered four times each year at designated testing centers.

The Law School Admission Council, which administers the LSAT, is taking steps to change that. It recently announced it will lift the limit on the number of times a person can take the test in a two-year period, starting with the September test.

"Our board of trustees thought that the test limitation might be an unnecessary impediment to test takers," spokeswoman Wendy Margolis wrote in an email. "This new policy could change if LSAC observes abuse."

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More changes are coming, Margolis said. But the organization maintains that the movement toward the GRE did not spark the changes.

The number of people applying to law school has been dropping since 2010, according to data provided by LSAC, and some law school deans argue that accepting a more accessible test could help reverse that trend. About 54,500 people applied to start school in fall 2015, down almost 38 percent from five years earlier.

But it's not just in the numbers, Northwestern's Rodriguez said. Students with more diverse areas of study, such as science or technology, who are still making career decisions aren't taking the LSAT, he said. They're taking the GRE.

"All things being equal, when you're looking at a more diverse cohort, you want to provide ample opportunities for students who have prepared themselves in more eclectic ways," Rodriguez said.

Both tests have been administered for almost 70 years, but the LSAT has long been the sole admission test for law schools.

Reconsidering how things are done is "appropriate, considering the pace of change today," said University of Illinois College of Law Dean Vikram Amar, whose college is not on the verge of changing any policies. But trepidation can be just as appropriate.

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"The legal profession is changing, and law schools are adapting to it," Amar said. "But change isn't always progress. ... Law is a discipline that values tradition, and I think there are some good things about that."

An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the American Bar Association planned to vote at its July 13 meeting on changes to its admission test standards.

amarotti@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @AllyMarotti
Nontenure-track faculty at Northwestern University will form a union, nearly a year after contested ballots delayed results of a unionization vote.

Service Employees International Union Local 73, which announced the outcome Tuesday, will represent the union members. That could include more than 675 part- and full-time adjuncts and faculty members from seven schools and colleges at Northwestern.

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A group of instructors first filed a union election petition with the National Labor Relations Board in June. Calls for representation came amid concern that too much university teaching has been placed in the hands of an unstable workforce due to a move away from tenured positions.

Now the private university is legally obligated to bargain with the unionized faculty members over terms and conditions of their employment.

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"Northwestern faculty and their students deserve nothing less," Alessandra Visconti, a lecturer in Italian, said in a news release from SEIU Local 73.

The faculty members voted on the union in July, but the results were delayed due to a large number of contested ballots. The remaining ballots were counted earlier this month, and the majority favored the union, according to Local 73's news release. The NLRB certified the election last week.

The approval was disappointing to Northwestern because an appeal before the NLRB has been pending since January, university spokesman Bob Rowley said in a statement. That appeal would ensure the counting of 25 challenged ballots.

"Those ballots very well could determine the outcome," Rowley said in the statement. "We will explore all available options for ensuring that those ballots are counted so that all voices are heard."

There were 229 votes in favor of unionizing and 219 votes opposed, according to the NLRB.

The union represents instructors at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences; McCormick School of Engineering; Bienen School of Music; Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications; the Graduate School; the School of Communication; and the School of Education and Social Policy. It does not cover faculty members at the medical, law or business schools.

The now-unionized Northwestern faculty members follow their counterparts at the University of Chicago, who voted to form a union in December 2015, and at Loyola University Chicago, who voted for a union a month later. In February, graduate students at Loyola working as teaching and research assistants also voted to unionize. SEIU Local 73 now represents more than 1,500 faculty members and graduate students.

amarotti@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @AllyMarotti
Elliot Cook expected to have fun when he and co-workers took a colleague who was about to become a first-time dad out for a "last hurrah" in January at a tavern in Chicago's Roscoe Village neighborhood.

But instead of celebrating, Cook said, "people kept on talking about stuff we really didn't want to deal with"  namely the presidential election.

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The experience led to a business idea: a deck of playing cards and an app that pose questions like "What's the most interesting thing about your grandmother?" and "Is a taco a sandwich?"  topics intended "to trump the conversation and lead it in another direction," said Cook, who, along with his two sisters and a friend, registered Trump the Conversation LLC in February with the Illinois secretary of state.

Branding inspired by presidents isn't a new phenomenon. Lincoln Financial Group's logo features a profile of Abraham Lincoln, whose son Robert gave permission in 1905 to Lincoln National Life Insurance Co., according to the Fortune 500 company's website.

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But attention-seeking startups shouldn't assume they have the right to use a president's name just because he's leader of the free world, intellectual property experts say. Being elected president doesn't mean you lose control over the use of your name.

"Generally speaking, commercial use of someone's name requires consent, even if the person is a public figure," said Matt Topic, an intellectual property and media lawyer at Loevy & Loevy in Chicago. "Politicians often don't go to court over this, but that's not guaranteed."

Also not guaranteed: a bump in business from attempting to ride presidential coattails.

During and after the 2008 presidential campaign, when Barack Obama was elected the nation's first black president, about a dozen businesses were started in Obama's home state of Illinois with his last name as part of their monikers, state records show.

Few of the businesses sharing his name have had staying power  if they got off the ground at all  and several have been taken to court over unpaid bills and other issues. Among the businesses that came and went were a food mart, a planned barbecue restaurant, a hair salon, a pair of transportation firms and a tax service.

One that's still in business is Obama Energy, whose website says it supplies energy-efficient lighting. But the Chicago Heights company, which incorporated in 2011 and over the years has been ordered by courts to pay back more than $18,000 in unpaid rent and utilities, was sued last month in Cook County Circuit Court by Chicago lawyer Robert S. Held, who alleges the company owes him $117,000. Held said Thursday that Obama Energy "is considering a settlement proposal."

Obama Energy declined to comment on the lawsuits or its use of the Obama name.

Despite the various legal issues these companies have faced, their namesake hasn't taken them to court over the use of the Obama name, Cook County records show. However, Obama's re-election campaign filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit in June 2012 against a website that was selling items using the campaign's "distinctive and famous" rising sun logo. DemStore.com agreed to stop using the logo.

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The Obama family occasionally has fired a warning shot over businesses trying to capitalize on their names and likenesses. When Beanie Baby-maker Tyreleased a set of Sasha and Malia dolls in early 2009, Michelle Obama lashed out at the Westmont-based company for invading her daughters' privacy, and Ty quickly changed the dolls' names to Sydney and Mariah.

Kevin Lewis, a spokesman for Barack Obama's personal office, declined to comment on businesses incorporating with the Obama name.

While Obama doesn't have much of a reputation for going to court over the use of his name for commercial purposes, the same can't be said for President Donald Trump, whose business depends on the value of his name.

"Our current president has been quite litigious in his business dealings, so I would advise people to tread very carefully," Topic said.

Trump has been involved in 85 branding and trademark cases over the past three decades, 45 of them as a plaintiff, according to an ongoing analysis by USA Today.

In 1989, for example, Trump sued a family that operated Trump Travel & Tours, despite the agency having been in operation since 1985 and its name stemming from the original owners' love of card games. An out-of-court settlement required the owners to put disclaimers on signs and stationery  and now on the company's website  saying the agency isn't affiliated with Donald Trump, the New York Daily News reported.

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Cook, of Trump the Conversation, stresses that the "Trump" in his company's name doesn't refer to the president, but rather to the verb "trump." Nor does Trump the Conversation, which expects to sell mostly through trumptheconversation.com, use the president's likeness, said Cook, 34, a university records analyst.

A business can't register a trademark with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office using a living person's name without permission of that individual, said Richard Assmus, a Mayer Brown partner and intellectual property lawyer in Chicago. For example, Barack Obama gave written consent in August for his name to be registered by the Obama Foundation, which is building his South Side presidential center.

It isn't that people haven't tried for trademarks using a president's name. "Obama" shows up in about 190 trademark applications.

One was for a line of bumper sticks and signs with words "Be Obama's Legacy. Hope. Speak. Act." But its registration, a trademark examiner wrote in a filing, was "refused because the applied-for mark ... consists of or comprises a name (Obama) identifying a particular living individual (President Barack Obama) whose written consent to register the mark is not of record."

Trump has scores of trademarks with his name, not only as an individual with his own publicity rights but also for brands that are part of his business empire.

Potential problems can arise even when someone is using a name and not seeking to trademark it, with public figures retaining the ability to control the commercial use of their names, images and likenesses, even if it were just a line drawing with a hint of Trump's signature shock of hair.

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"If you're using the Trump name in commercial fashion, you're possibly violating his right of publicity, to control commercial exploitation," Assmus said, though he added that "rights of publicity are rooted in state law and can vary state by state."

The play on words that Trump the Conversation uses is "trickier," Assmus said, and whether it receives a cease-and-desist letter from the Trump Organization could depend on how the cards are marketed.

"Clearly, 'trump' is an English-language word, and the use of the word is not taboo," he said.

Cook is willing to take his chances despite Trump's reputation for legal action.

"We've been careful to do everything that we can to avoid that outcome, but if it does arise, we are master negotiators who make the best deals," Cook said. "Believe me."

Sometimes it's public, not legal, pressure that businesses face.

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Obama BBQ LLC registered the name in January 2009 with the Illinois secretary of state, but the company was involuntarily dissolved the following year. Daniel Eftimoff, agent and manager for Obama BBQ, said the business never got off the ground. An alderman gave him grief over his plans for a restaurant and was "nasty" with him because she felt he was misappropriating Obama's name to make money, he said.

"I voted for him," said Eftimoff, who has since moved out of state. "I was trying to honor him."

At least one company that took on the Obama name saw a pickup in business.

Obama's Hair Design was incorporated with the state in November 2008  the same month Obama won the presidency  by the proprietor of what was then Ossama's hair salon on South Dearborn Street in the Loop. The salon saw a spike in business after the name change and garnered national media attention, including from conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity and NPR. But Strobeck Real Estate sued the business in 2010 over unpaid rent of more than $7,300, and that year the corporation was dissolved.

Owner Mahmoud Elsheikh said he's still in the hair business, but not with the Obama name. He couldn't be reached for additional comment.

byerak@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @beckyyerak
The U.S. Supreme Court said companies give up their patent rights when they sell an item, in a ruling that puts new limits on businesses' ability to prevent their products from being resold at a discount.

The ruling is a defeat for Lexmark International Inc., which was trying to stop refurbished versions of its printer cartridges from undercutting its U.S. sales. It's also a blow to companies like HP Inc. and Canon Inc. that sell their printers for a relatively low cost with the idea that they will recoup money on sales of replacement cartridges. The decision was 8-0 in some respects and 7-1 in others.

Writing for the court, Chief Justice John Roberts said sellers give up their patent rights even when the purchaser agrees not to resell the product to anyone else. He said that rule applies regardless of whether the sale happens domestically or overseas.

"Extending the patent rights beyond the first sale would clog the channels of commerce, with little benefit from the extra control that the patentees retain," Roberts wrote.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg issued a partial dissent, saying she would have let companies keep their patent rights when they make a sale overseas. Justice Neil Gorsuch didn't take part in the case, which was argued before he joined the court.

The ruling takes away an important tool used by companies to control the marketplace.

The biotechnology, drug and agricultural industries backed Lexmark in the dispute, calling for broad patent rights. Medical-device companies like Medtronic Inc. argued that allowing the reuse of devices like cardiac catheters could imperil patients and expose the original manufacturers to lawsuits.

On the other side were major Silicon Valley companies, including Alphabet Inc.'s Google and Intel Corp., as well as sellers of refurbished auto parts and medical devices.

The dispute involved inkjet cartridges that were refilled and sold by Impression Products Inc. of Charleston, West Virginia. Lexmark said Impression was infringing its patents. Impression said Lexmark, based in Lexington, Kentucky, had already been paid for the use of its inventions and had exhausted its rights.

Companies like HP and Lexmark will have to come up with new ways to protect their products and their profits, said Kevin Nelson, a patent lawyer with Schiff Hardin in Chicago. That could mean more innovation by the companies -- and higher prices for consumers.

"It's going to impact the prices in the short term while they learn how to deal with the new environment," Nelson said.

Nelson said the ruling may have less impact on medical devices, which have to deal with regulatory oversight and squeamishness about used medical parts.

"People are a lot more discerning about medical devices," Nelson said. "I'm not going to go with Joe Schmo for my prosthetic limb."
After her plan to get a state subsidy for child care fell through, Mari Villaluna couldnt afford to spend thousands of dollars on private day care. (Video by Josh Edelson and Robert Meeks) (Robert Meeks)

Mari Villaluna never wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. The 36-year-old spent a decade building up a resume as a career counselor and tutor in San Francisco schools after serving in the U.S. Army.

She made about $42,000 at an employment agency, and was regularly sought out by potential employers. After she gave birth to her first child last year, she drew a star on her calendar to mark the day she was supposed to return to work.

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"I had a very established career," Villaluna said. Then, in September, her plan to get a state subsidy for child care fell through, and the single mom couldn't afford to spend thousands of dollars on private day care. The day she gave up her beloved 9-to-5 job, she cried for hours.

Villaluna's decision offers a clue to an economic mystery: Why are American women disappearing from the workforce?

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The answer could have stark implications for future growth.

For half a century after World War II, women barreled into the job market in numbers that surged higher every year. They drove most of the rise in real household income for decades and boosted the economy's total output at a time when men were dropping out of the job market.

Then, all of a sudden, they stopped. Since 2000, the share of women working in their prime earning years has declined.

(Los Angeles Times)

In 1948, just over a third of prime-age women had a job or sought one. By 1999, after five decades of unrelenting progress, 76.8% of those women were in the workforce.

Since then, the participation rate slipped to 74.3%, and the number of women not looking for work grew by more than 12,000.

Some see the abrupt reversal as an unsurprising result of more than two decades without any major legislation making it easier for new parents to take time off or pay for childcare. Any number of articles and analyses have pondered the effects of a stubborn gender pay gap, inflexible schedules that keep women out of the executive suite and an undercurrent of discrimination that, at its worst, leaves women vulnerable to regular harassment.

But top economists now are pointing to another explanation. Women seem to be leaving the workforce for some of the same reasons men are: Middle-class jobs are in short supply and working at the bottom pays less than it used to.

Single women without children drove most of the downturn in women's workforce participation from 1999 through 2007, according to a study by professor Robert Moffitt of Johns Hopkins University.

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Those women don't have to care for a child and they aren't counting on a partner to provide for them. They are, Moffitt said, "the same as a lot of men  even though it sounds a little strange to make that analogy."

They're also staring down the same long odds as men who lost their footing in an economy in which low-skill jobs that pay well have all been shipped abroad or obliterated by technology.

"Usually people have men in mind when they are talking about the decline in manufacturing and automation, but that happens at the secretarial level too, as computers replace lower-level staff," Moffitt said.

The collapse of blue-collar jobs for American men is well-known, thanks in part to the movement that powered President Trump's election. A peak of 97.4% prime-age men were in the labor force in 1953. That share declined for decades, plunged during the financial crisis, and hit 88.5% last year.

But women-dominated fields for low-skill workers also are in a rut. Wages barely budged for women with a high school degree or less over the last decade, while college-educated women continued to get decent raises.

In home healthcare services, social assistance and laundry services  three industries that are heavily reliant on women  hourly pay for rank-and-file workers has increased by less than $2, in today's dollars, since 1990.

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Villaluna's paycheck fell short of her aspirations. After giving birth, she put her monthly take-home, around $3,000, on one side of a sheet of paper, and on the other wrote down all of her expenses, plus the roughly $2,500 she expected to pay for child care. She'd wind up behind by $15 a month.

Over the last few years, things had gotten better for Villaluna, but never by much. She made $18 an hour, then $20, and then plateaued. "I was definitely inching. It was always just a little more," she said.

She went into day-care centers with her newborn daughter and begged the people working there to help her get state funding for child care.

"I went in person, to people's faces, like 'please pick us,' " she said. "I really, really wanted to go back to work."

In California, 434,000 children of low-income parents get subsidies for child care, though the state hasn't updated the income limit to qualify for more than a decade. Another 1.5 million Californians are eligible for the programs, according to the California Budget & Policy Center.

Villaluna gave up. "No matter what job I get, we are going to be in the negative, so I might as well take care of her myself," she said.

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Now she's living on less than $200 a month from the military that she receives because she became disabled while serving, as well as $600 a month from CalWorks, California's welfare program. She signed up for the benefit after she learned she couldn't go back to work.

The federal government subsidizes her housing as part of her benefits as a veteran.

Across the country, parents' hourly spending on child care has shot up since the mid-1990s, prompting many families to ditch professionals and watch their kids themselves, according to a recent analysis by a Princeton researcher.

Day care in San Francisco costs up to $2,400 a month on average, according to the California Child Development Administrators Assn. That means that for someone working full time in a job that pays the city's $13-an-hour minimum-wage, a year of child care can cost about $1,700 more than a year's salary, before taxes.

The rise in child-care costs drove down women's employment 5% from 1990 to 2010, according to the Princeton research.

That may be a sign that the social and legal changes that were pushing women to work aren't as powerful as they used to be. Among developed countries, the U.S. went from having the sixth-highest share of women at work in 1999 to the 23rd highest in 2015, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

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"We got the low-hanging fruit. Now women are participating at much higher levels, so the progress has slowed down," said Sandra Black, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who was on President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers from 2015 through 2017.

Discrimination and flattening wages have always been weighing on women, Black said. "Now the progress that we had seen before in improving women's participation is no longer sufficient to offset these negative forces."

Lorie James of Hawthorne worked for L.A. County for 26 years, but quit last year because she kept being passed up for promotions. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Lorie James ended her 39-year career because she was too tired to keep fighting for recognition. When James started working for Los Angeles County in 1990, she operated a calculating machine the size of a cash register, tallying up business taxes for the county assessor's office downtown.

It was 10 years before she was offered a position in human resources, and suddenly she lunged forward on a fast track. She got a bachelor's degree in labor studies and received four promotions in quick succession.

James, 58, had started her career planning early. When she was 15, she bought copies of the Sunday newspaper to read the classifieds section. She made careful mental notes on the skills companies were looking for and what they were willing to pay people who fit the bill.

"I think it's part of my purpose," she said.

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But her career hit a series of roadblocks that have picked off countless women on their way up the ladder: a manager who had championed her quit and left her rudderless; she was passed over for promotions and was, she felt, unfairly penalized in performance evaluations.

A black woman, James detected a whiff of prejudice. She complained once to her boss but dropped the matter before anyone carried out a formal investigation. "I didn't want to get blackballed," James said.

So last year, James took her pension and started looking for a new gig. She's submitted 50 applications in 12 months and hasn't landed anything yet.

"I am not ready to give up working," she said.

In a speech at Brown University this month, Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet L. Yellen talked about her family's place in the march of women into the workplace, and the hurdles they ran up against.

Yellen's husband's aunt, Betty Stafford, was a mathematician who wrote several seminal papers with her husband but didn't get promoted to full professor alongside him. She continued to produce "enviable" research, Yellen said, but only reached the status of assistant professor.

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"I believe that Betty Stafford Hirschfelder was denied opportunities and greater success simply because she was a woman," the Fed chief said.

That pattern, left undisturbed, could exact a steep price.

"If these obstacles persist, we will squander the potential of many of our citizens and incur a substantial loss to the productive capacity of our economy," Yellen warned.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

Natalie.Kitroeff@latimes.com

Follow me @NatalieKitro on Twitter

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ALSO

It's legal to pay women less than men based on past salaries, court rules

They dismissed her as a lightweight. But California's top judge has found her voice  and uses it to call out Trump policies

Pay gap between men and women in California is nearly $79 billion a year
Sometimes a bulk sale or deconversion  that is, selling an entire condominium property to an investor or multifamily developer who will turn the condo units into apartment rentals  is the smartest financial move for owners. (Getty Images )

A condominium association enters into myriad negotiations for goods and services. Sometimes the best deal is to sell itself. That is, to sell the entire property to an investor or multifamily developer who will turn the condo units into apartment rentals.

The process is known as a bulk sale or deconversion, and it's trending across the country.

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"I'm seeing a lot of interest in it," said association attorney David Sugar, a partner at Arnstein & Lehr in Chicago. "It could be a very good thing for certain associations, but there are lots and lots of problems that need to be planned for in order to for it to work."

Deconversions are a reversal of the boom years of the early 2000s, when many apartment buildings were converted to condominiums.

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A bulk sale can be attractive to owners in older buildings where sales lag, perhaps because too many units are on the market or because their finishes and features are dated, said Steven "Sonny" Ginsberg, a founding member at Chicago-based Ginsberg Jacobs and an attorney who represents investors.

The deal also could appeal to owners who are facing astronomical special assessments for capital repairs, he said.

"A bulk sale is a way out," he said. "They are going to get a better price than if they have to sell in a fire sale."

The sale begins in one of two ways. An association can work with a real estate broker to find a buyer, or an interested buyer may approach an association. Once they connect, the parties negotiate a price. Section 15 of the Illinois Condominium Property Act requires investors to pay fair market value, but some offer premiums above that.

The statute also requires 75 percent of the owners to approve the sale. If they do, those who are opposed are obligated to sell their units.

Attaining a supermajority may or may not be a challenge. Investor-owners are often more amenable than longtime owner-occupants, Ginsberg said.

"Owners who rent their units don't have the emotional attachment," he said. "They can look at the sale from a dollar standpoint. The problem is when you have those who don't want to move regardless of the price."

Section 15 dictates the proceeds of the sale to be divided among the owners based on their percentage of ownership less any unpaid assessments or other charges. It doesn't take into account the varying conditions of the individual units.

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"Let's say your unit looks exactly the way it did when it was built in 1963," Sugar said. "Mine has had a quarter-million dollars of upgrades. What you get is exactly what I get. It's a good deal for you but a bad deal for me."

In that case, Section 15 outlines an appeal process for owners who disagree with the values given their units.

"If a unit has been improved significantly, once the investor becomes aware of that, the fair market value can be adjusted," Ginsberg said.

Sugar listed additional considerations that could affect an association's decision to sell: How to handle long-term contracts like laundry room operations; how a sale will affect owners who owe more on their mortgages than the value of their units; and what will happen to the association's cash assets.

"The details are important," he said. "It is by no means a good idea for everybody."

Ginsberg said the biggest issue for owners is understanding all the numbers. An owner might do better selling individually, but a unit that takes a long time to sell incurs holding costs.

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"Really go through the entire economics of holding and selling versus selling in bulk," he said. "What is the true cost of not selling versus the benefit of selling?"

pmckuen@aol.com







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I could not attend this year's Memorial Day observance, so I did not stand with others for a moment of silence, did not sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and did not hear a bugle sounding taps.

Nevertheless, I stand with those who sang and heard the mournful trumpet call and, like others, remembered someone who never returned home. In silence, I recalled two people who were victims of war.

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My cousin was one. He was a messenger on a motorcycle during the invasion of Okinawa. He died on June 14, 1945. Sniper fire. I was too young to grieve. He was one of 14,009 American soldiers who died on Okinawa and one of nearly 235,000 Americans killed in action during World War II.

In a way, my cousin's epitaph was written by war-haunted journalist Ernie Pyle who told of the wanton and monstrous toll that war extracts from those who see it on a daily basis, and of how those at home cannot understand.

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Pyle is the second person I remembered on this Memorial Day. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1944 for his columns about World War II in Europe. He was killed by enemy fire on Ie Shima, a tiny speck of an island off the coast of Okinawa on April 18, 1945.

In an unpublished column found after his death, Pyle wrote that war scars the memory of soldiers in a way that cannot be grasped at home by someone who reads columns of figures or hears a mention that "he is a near one who went away and never came back." Soldiers, however, see dead men in mass production month after month and year after year in ditches and hillsides.

He ended the column: "We saw him, saw him by the multiple thousands. That's the difference."

His writings brought to those at home the toll and terror of war; a terror that becomes a constant companion for a soldier. He wrote of life in the foxholes, of the burning tanks, of the high whines of mortar shells, and of the blown bridges and the dead animals. He described the hospital tents, the laughter and cursing of soldiers in harm's way "and of the graves and graves and graves."

His column about the death of Capt. Henry Waskow in Italy was so emotionally powerful that it made the front pages of American newspapers and is considered by those wise in such things as the finest single piece of writing to come out of the war. The piece was turned into a movie, "The Story of G.I. Joe," that those who fought in the war say is a true depiction of what battlefield life was like.

He was the soldier's friend. A distinguished high school superintendent once told me his greatest honor was that "I was in one of Ernie's columns." It concerned accidental bombing of American troops in Normandy by U.S. planes. He once got into a near fist fight when he found out the prominent head of the school's booster club was a pilot on one of those planes.

Pyle was one of the few civilians ever awarded the Purple Heart and is buried with honors in the National Memorial Cemetery in Honolulu. Since he was born in Indiana, the Indiana University Pyle School of Journalism is named in his honor, and you can learn about war through 40 or so of his best writings by going to the school's website.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Today, I think he is all but forgotten.

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Yes, dear reader, you've read many of these same words each year around this time. And it never seems to end. From 1775 to this day, the number of American military dead is more than 1.1 million. It never seems to be enough.

Some decades ago, American poet Archibald MacLeish wrote about young dead soldiers who still speak to us with silenced voices. The poem ends:

"We leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning.

"We were young, they say. We have died; remember us."

On Monday, I remembered two.

Jerry Shnay is a freelance journalist and can be reached at jerryshnay@gmail.com.
Here's how Next usually works: Chefs Grant Achatz and Jenner Tomaska settle on an intentionally limiting theme (previous menus have been titled Sicily, Chinese Modern and Ancient Rome) and create a menu within that framework, albeit with some creative license.

In other words, they build a box, then find ways to think outside it.

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But with Hollywood, Next's current and 20th menu, Achatz and Tomaska have settled on a theme with virtually no limits. Next could have picked Hollywood 1979 and have faced a surplus of choices ("Mad Max," "All That Jazz" and "The China Syndrome"), but just Hollywood? Talk about a green screen.

"Actually, the idea sounded interesting because it was almost limitless, and we could go in any direction," Tomaska said. "We decided to hit enough points in film history that would make (the menu) relatable to anyone."

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As the Hollywood menu offers some 18 film references within 11 courses, that seems like a safe bet. This might be the first something-for-everyone menu the Alinea Group has ever assembled. Combine the whimsy of movie magic with Achatz and Tomaska's particular set of skills, and it's hard not to be wowed. The silver-screen riffs range from the bitingly clever to the obvious (well, nobody's perfect), but the attention to detail is impressive throughout. This is a kitchen that never takes the easy path.

At the vestibule, a single paparazzo waits to snap your picture; I demurred, partly from modesty and partly because my wife couldn't join me (way to go, Paula). Instead, I had an old friend for dinner. We sat down to a table draped in black cloth, white napkins twisted tightly into roses. It's a pretty look. Don't get used to it. (And that's all I have to say about that.)

The background music consists of movie themes and tunes with film connections. In the first hour of my visit, guests heard "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Time Warp," "Lady Marmalade" and "Nine to Five." But I tell ya, you ain't heard nothing yet; those tunes were followed by "Streets of Philadelphia," "Purple Rain," "Freddy's Dead" and "You've Got a Friend in Me." (Generally, background music at Next is soft and wordless, save for the occasional Edith Piaf tune when the restaurant is in French mode.)

The first bite to arrive is a damn good one. Served on a movie reel covered in a tangle of film strips sits a solitary bite, a cheddar biscuit, topped with osetra caviar draped with a strip of Champagne gelee on which the word "damn" (referencing the "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" line in "Gone With the Wind") is written in edible-ink script.

"You can't do movies without popcorn," said Tomaska, "but we weren't about to do truffled or fancy-cheese popcorn." (Which, after all, have been done.) Instead, Tomaska's skillet of popcorn is dusted with anise seed and fennel pollen. Two tiny cornhusk canoes rest on top, each bearing lengths of hollowed baby corn stuffed with tarragon gel, wrapped in guanciale, dipped in Meyer-lemon hollandaise and dusted with bottarga, tarragon and celery.

A certain familiarity with "The Breakfast Club" will be useful in dissecting the next course, an homage to the lunches the teens bring to their detention service. There's a crustless BLT sandwich in which the bread is aerated pecorino cheese and a sliver of preserved turnip stands in for a pickle. Next to that is a faux nigiri of white asparagus (scored to look like squid), clam custard and puffed rice, and a cartoonish Thermos (a prop from the archives, specifically 2011's Childhood menu) dispenses chilled watermelon gazpacho that goes with a Pixy Stix garnish.

A clever eggs-within-egg course (trout roe gathered, with kiwi, cucumber and coconut, inside an oversize sugar-shell egg) echoes the hard-boiled-egg dare of "Cool Hand Luke." A packet of edible silver contains beet juice to ooze over thin-sliced pork neck and garlic chips, a simultaneous salute to vampire and werewolf horror films.

A trio of sci-fi tributes arrive at light speed: An almond encased in Madeira mimics "Jurassic Park's" mosquito in amber. Han Solo's "Star Wars" blaster is topped with a wide nasturtium leaf bearing frog-leg tempura, channeling Jabba the Hutt's favorite snack. And a glowing bowl spanned by chopsticks holding ramen noodles wrapped around duck meat is a nod to the futuristic noodle scene in "Blade Runner."

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 An eggs-within-egg course features trout roe gathered, with kiwi, cucumber and coconut, inside an oversize sugar-shell egg. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune )

A few times, the presentation upstages the food. I'm thinking of the spiral of golden raisin and aji amarillo puree that turns a yellow platter into a Yellow Brick Road (festooned with an emerald salad of romanesco and fava beans, strewn of course with poppy seeds), the porthole hiding scallop crackers with passion fruit custard under a blanket of dry-ice smoke, the mousetrap that guards a tiny ratatouille tart and the adjustable magnifying glass that turns cured foie gras, amaranth-sunflower granola and green strawberry into a "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" adventure.

Yes, there's a "Godfather"-themed cannoli  you knew that was coming  and a "Pulp Fiction" burger (though perhaps not the one you expect) of A5 wagyu.

For dessert, I was half expecting a round of milkshakes, with the instruction to drink from the glass closest to my companion. Instead, there's a "Mary Poppins" riff, a compressed melon cube filled with menthol pate de fruit, the "sugar" that sweetens a medicine-y sip of distilled fernet. Better still is a pastiche of light sweets  licorice-cream-filled candy rose, Campari pate de fruit, rhubarb jam, clothespin-shaped cookies and cotton candy  meant as a salute to Kirsten Dunst's frolics in "Marie Antoinette."

Finally, a quartet of mignardises references four films: A "Nutty Professor" praline with banana caramel (too easy), a seasoned truffle with white chocolate and parsnip ganache (a truffle shuffle nod to "The Goonies"), coffee-steeped peaches with cigar-steeped ganache for "Coffee and Cigarettes" and a tempered-chocolate nugget with guajillo chile, candied lime and mole bitters that confirm that "Some Like it Hot."

For those who came in late: Reservations at Next are secured via prepaid tickets. Tickets are not refundable, but they are transferable, and the Next website facilitates that. Because menus run for just a few months, Next reviews are based on a single visit.

"Hollywood" runs through Aug. 13. I will be returning to Next soon, hungry for more.

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pvettel@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @PhilVettel

Next

953 W. Fulton Market

www.nextrestaurant.com

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

Tribune rating: Four stars

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Open: Dinner Wednesday to Sunday

Price: Dinner (without beverage, tax, service): $125-$165

Reservations: Prepaid tickets sold online

Noise: Conversation-friendly

Other: Wheelchair accessible; valet parking

Ratings key: Four stars, outstanding; three stars, excellent; two stars, very good; one star, good; no stars, unsatisfactory. The reviewer makes every effort to remain anonymous. Meals are paid for by the Tribune.






After showing up in last year's excruciating "Batman v. Superman" just long enough to steal the movie and then, unfortunately, give it back to the men, Gal Gadot grabs the Lasso of Truth and the bracelets of infinite resilience to take center stage in "Wonder Woman," director Patty Jenkins' formidable and almost entirely successful bid to make the DC Comics movies a little less lame.

I mean, thank Zeus, right? We needed one of these to be good. This has been a lousy spring at the movies. Taking a longer view, we could mention how "Wonder Woman" metaphorically clobbers any number of previous DC adaptations, including "Suicide Squad," "Batman v Superman," "Man of Steel," "Watchmen," "The Green Lantern" and "Superman Returns." Until now only the Christopher Nolan-directed "Batman" pictures (and, really, only "The Dark Knight" back in 2008) have felt like real movies, worth debating or exploring or more than a shrug. "Wonder Woman" is less distinctive visually, and the performances are more solid than remarkable. But Gadot, who can hold a goddess-like warrior gaze like nobody's business, leads the way, and Jenkins' picture is serious fun guided by a sincere belief in the superheroine created in 1941 by William Moulton Marston.

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"Psychological propaganda for the new type of woman who should, I believe, rule the world": That's how Marston, recoiling from the cultural impact of Superman and his macho ilk, described Wonder Woman, the Amazonian Princess Diana of Themyscira, golden child of an all-female island paradise protected from the outside world. This is the vacation destination Xena and Gabrielle only dreamed about.

"Wonder Woman" screenwriter Allan Heinberg pulls elements from the original 1940s Marston stories as well as various revisionist updates. Daughter of Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen), niece of Gen. Antiope (Robin Wright), young Diana trains like a fiend for the day she will confront Ares, God of War and learn the secret of her origin story. Then, out of the sky: no bird, but a plane, going down, piloted by an American spy pursued by German forces. Chris Pine plays Steve Trevor, and he is the first man Gadot's Diana (and her wary sisters) has ever seen.

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The time is World War I. Diana and Steve travel to Europe, where the war's grinding toward a conclusion. First stop: London. Meanwhile, Doctor Poison (Elena Anaya), working for the Germans, is toiling away on a catastrophically deadly nerve gas, and her commander (Danny Huston) becomes Hulk-like in his strength when he whiffs a special evil inhalant. The God of War makes an appearance, as well, as does a tremendous amount of balletic slow-motion combat, rendered with more zip and invention than usual.

Like the first "Captain America" movie over in the Marvel Comics universe, DC's "Wonder Woman" offers the pleasures of period re-creation for a popular audience. Jenkins and her design team make 1918-era London; war-torn Belgium; the Ottoman Empire; and other locales look freshly realized, with a strong point of view. There are scenes here of dispossessed war refugees, witnessed by an astonished and heartbroken Diana, that carry unusual gravity for a comic book adaptation.

Thing is, it's routine these days for a superhero movie to make the audience suffer. In "Wonder Woman," the real-world wartime horrors are used sparingly but effectively. The human suffering is astutely judged, smartly dramatized and spiced with flavorsome characterizations in the supporting ranks. Pine's intrepid Yank gathers together his loyal gang of mercenaries in his bid, and Diana's, to destroy the German nerve gas experiment. Ewen Bremner ("Trainspotting") is the shell-shocked Scottish sniper, Charlie; Said Taghmaoui plays Sameer, a would-be actor; Eugene Brave Rock portrays Chief, the Native American making a mournful profit off the conflict at hand. It's a disarming collection of outsiders. Gadot's sleek, superhumanly skillful fighting machine is very much a part of the group, but eternally outside it. She's trying to figure out the vicious depths and redeeming characteristics of this strange human race as she goes.

Where she goes, and where "Wonder Woman" inevitably follows, turns director Jenkins' movie into a more routine one in its final half-hour. Like so many DC and Marvel movies before it, this one comes down to two superbeings throwing a bunch of heavy metal at each other's heads for a little too long. Elsewhere, though, Jenkins shows an equally deft hand with action and with the more human-scale moments (there's an especially nice dance in a town square between Gadot and Pine).

The director of "Wonder Woman" had to wait 14 years between big-screen projects; her last film was "Monster," for which Charlize Theron won an Oscar, back in 2003. That says it all when it comes to the odds against women in the film industry. Her movie is no reinvention of a formula; it's simply a much better than usual iteration. And yes, it's about time a woman directed one of these movies, just as it's about time one of these movies was actually ABOUT A WOMAN. For the first time in a long time, I came out of a DC comic book movie feeling ready for a sequel. It feels right, at this actual historical moment, when men made of something less than steel are bumbling around trying to run things. Paging Paradise Island!

Michael Phillips is a Chicago Tribune critic.

"Wonder Woman"  3.5 stars

MPAA rating: PG-13 (for sequences of violence and action, and some suggestive content)

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Running time: 2:21

Opens: Thursday evening

mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillipstribune

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 126 Woody introduces the gang to a homemade spork toy with self-esteem issues in "Toy Story 4." Read the review. (Pixar / AP)
Swedish director Ruben Ostlund poses on stage after he was awarded the Palme d'Or for the film 'The Square' at the Cannes Film Festival. (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP/ Getty Images)

Cannes, France  At a Cannes Film Festival where the purposes and parameters of art have been much debated, with Netflix, virtual reality and television series making rare and sometimes first-time appearances, it was only fitting that the Palme d'Or was awarded Sunday night to "The Square," Swedish director Ruben Ostlund's blisteringly funny and provocative portrait of a modern-art museum curator enduring a crisis of conscience.

Thanking one of his collaborators in his acceptance speech, Ostlund said, "We made a film that is 2 1/2 hours, and I think you're the only producer who said, after the screening last Sunday, 'We have to make the film longer!'"

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At the end of his speech, he directed the audience at the Palais des Festivals to join him in a collective "primal scream of happiness," with which they gladly complied.

"The Square," which was announced in late April as a last-minute addition to the competition, drew a broad but largely favorable range of reactions when it premiered over the festival's first weekend. Starring Claes Bang and Elisabeth Moss, it will be released in the U.S. by Magnolia Pictures.

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Ostlund came to international prominence at Cannes with his 2014 drama, "Force Majeure," which premiered in the festival's out-of-competition Un Certain Regard sidebar.

A similarly long and sprawling entry, Robin Campillo's "120 Beats per Minute" ("120 Battements par Minute"), won the Grand Prix, the runner-up to the Palme. A moving tribute to the Paris wing of the AIDS activist group ACT UP in the '90s, inspired by Campillo's own experience, the film was one of the competition's most well-received titles. The Orchard acquired U.S. distribution rights shortly after the film's premiere.

Eleven years after drawing a few boos and zero prizes for her competition entry "Marie Antoinette," Sofia Coppola won directing honors for "The Beguiled," her slyly feminist adaptation of a Civil War-era novel that previously inspired Don Siegel's 1971 thriller starring Clint Eastwood. The new film, a Focus Features release, has a mostly female cast led by Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning.

While the jury emphasized at a post-ceremony press conference that the award to Coppola was given for artistic reasons rather than political ones, juror Jessica Chastain noted that, with a few exceptions, she had found some of the films' representations of women "quite disturbing, to be honest."

"I do hope that when we include more female storytellers we will have more of the women that I recognize in my day-to-day life  ones that are proactive, have their own agency, and don't just react to the men around them," she said.

Coppola wasn't present at the ceremony but sent a video acceptance speech in which she reserved her final thanks to "Jane Campion for being a role model and supporting women filmmakers." Campion remains the sole filmmaker to win Cannes' highest honor in its 70-year history, which she did for "The Piano" (1993).

Elsewhere, the jury, led by Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, spread the wealth around, though its members did bestow two awards on one film in particular. Joaquin Phoenix received the actor prize for his performance as a schlubby, severely troubled hit man in Scottish writer-director Lynne Ramsay's stylish and violent crime thriller "You Were Never Really Here," an Amazon Studios production.

"This is totally unexpected, as you can see from my shoes," Phoenix said on stage, indicating the sneakers he was wearing along with his tuxedo.

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"You Were Never Really Here," an adaptation of a Jonathan Ames novella, shared the screenplay award with A24's "The Killing of a Sacred Deer," a nightmarish, darkly funny portrait of an American family in paralytic meltdown written by the Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos and his co-writer Efthimis Filippou. Lanthimos previously scored the Cannes jury prize in 2015 for his surreal satire "The Lobster."

Diane Kruger received the actress prize for her performance as a woman seeking justice, then revenge, for the deaths of her loved ones in a terrorist attack in "In the Fade," a drama from the German Turkish director Fatih Akin.

"I cannot accept this award without thinking of anyone who has ever been affected by an act of terrorism and who is trying to pick up the pieces and go on living," Kruger said in her speech. "Please know that you're not forgotten."

Not to be left out was Kidman, very much the face of Cannes this year with four different projects on the Croisette ("The Beguiled," "The Killing of a Sacred Deer," "Top of the Lake: China Girl" and "How to Talk to Girls at Parties"). She received a special 70th anniversary prize, which she accepted from afar in a prerecorded speech.

One of the most powerful entries in competition had to settle for the jury prize, effectively third place: "Loveless" ("Nelyubov"), a bleak drama about a couple's divorce that morphs into a brutal indictment of modern-day Russia. The film was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics during the festival.

Delivering his speech in Russian, director Andrey Zvyagintsev thanked the jury for the honor, singling out Will Smith: "He really exists."

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Besides Almodovar, Chastain and Smith, the other members of the competition jury were German writer-director Maren Ade, Chinese star Fan Bingbing, French actress and filmmaker Agnes Jaoui, South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, Italian writer-director Paolo Sorrentino and French composer Gabriel Yared.

Toward the beginning of the festival, Almodovar and Smith had a polite but sharp exchange over the presence of two Netflix films in competition, which has spurred much debate over what it means for the future of the festival and film distribution.

While Almodovar, a champion of the theatrical experience, made clear that the Netflix titles, Bong Joon-ho's "Okja" and Noah Baumbach's "The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)," would be given fair treatment, neither of them won a prize. By contrast, Netflix's more theatrical-friendly rival Amazon Studios came away with two awards for "You Were Never Really Here."

A separate jury awarded the Camera d'Or, presented to a debut feature playing in any section of the festival, to "Jeune Femme," French writer-director Leonor Serraille's study of a broke young woman returning to Paris after a long absence.

As always, some of the strongest films in Cannes could be found outside the main competition, and a few of them duly won prizes from their respective juries. In the festival's Un Certain Regard sidebar, the Uma Thurman-led jury gave its top prize to Mohammad Rasoulof's "A Man of Integrity" ("Lerd"), a somber, scorching look at corruption in the director's native Iran.

Other Un Certain Regard highlights included the Sundance-premiered "Wind River," a Jeremy Renner-Elizabeth Olsen wilderness thriller that won Taylor Sheridan the jury's directing prize, and "The Workshop" ("L'Atelier"), a tense, absorbing look at teacher-student dynamics that represents the French director Laurent Cantet's strongest and most characteristic work since his Palme d'Or-winning "The Class" (2008).

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Michel Franco, whose "Chronic" won a screenplay prize in the main competition two years ago," received the Certain Regard jury prize for his latest, the family drama "April's Daughters" ("Hijas de Abril").

Over in Directors' Fortnight, a concurrent program separate from the official selection, the top prize, the Art Cinema Award, went to "The Rider," a portrait of a South Dakota rodeo star facing a difficult life decision. Directed with stirring beauty and lyricism by the Chinese American filmmaker Chloe Zhao, the film was acquired for North American distribution by Sony Pictures Classics during the festival.

Another Fortnight title that drew some of the festival's most rapturous notices was "The Florida Project," a terrifically immersive work of child's-eye realism set in a run-down motel on the outskirts of Orlando, Fla. Directed by Sean Baker ("Tangerine"), the movie won no prizes but many hearts, as well as a distribution deal with A24.

The Fortnight's Europa Cinema Labels Award went to "A Ciambra," a migrant drama directed by the U.S.-born, Italy-based filmmaker Jonas Carpignano and produced by Martin Scorsese, underscoring the strong contingent of festival films addressing themes of immigration and the refugee crisis.

One that may or may not belong in that category, depending on how you define it, is Alejandro G. Inarritu's "Carne y Arena," a virtual-reality installation that became one of the festival's hottest tickets.

Sharing honors from the Society Dramatic Authors and Composers, given annually to a French film in Fortnight, were two very different tales of romantic possibility in Paris: Philippe Garrel's black-and-white "Lover for a Day" ("L'Amant d'un Jour"), about a 23-year-old woman who learns that her father is dating a girl her age, and Claire Denis' "Let the Sunshine In" ("Un Beau Soleil Interieur"), starring Juliette Binoche as a divorced artist looking for love in many of the wrong places.

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The latter was among the festival's most roundly admired titles and had many wondering, not for the first time, why the well-regarded Denis was not in competition.

In Critics' Week, a program devoted to the discovery of new talent, the top prize, the Nespresso Grand Prix, went to "Makala," Emmanuel Gras' documentary about a young Congolese man trying to make a living by producing charcoal. "Gabriel and the Mountain," Brazilian director Fellipe Barbosa's fact-inspired drama about a friend's ill-fated trip to Africa, won the France 4 Visionary Award.

justin.chang@latimes.com
Last week's dramatic news, which the Tribune reported exclusively, that the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has denied tenure to principal oboe Alex Klein, has prompted much buzz in the classical music cybersphere.

The Brazilian-born oboist's failure to emerge from his first probationary year with a contract as permanent member of the CSO marked a sad and surprising end to what looked like a triumph of will over physical adversity.

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Klein, one of the world's leading solo and orchestral oboists, had fought his way back from focal hand dystonia, a nerve condition that forced him to step down as the tenured first oboe of the CSO once before, in 2004. He was initially hired by Daniel Barenboim in 1995 and rehired by Riccardo Muti in 2016, following a proactive period of technical adjustments that appeared to have kept the dystonia at bay and allowed him to completely fulfill the demands of a high-profile symphonic post.

What went wrong? The full answer may not be known, if at all, until all parties choose to speak on the record. Of greater overall importance is what the Klein affair reveals about the importance of the first-chair oboe to the woodwind choir, not to mention the light it casts on the delicate internal dynamic, both artistic and personal, that obtains at major symphony orchestras, each fiercely protective of its particular culture.

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First of all, it's rare, but not unheard of, for a CSO player not to receive tenure following the two-year probationary period every new orchestra member must undergo. No such denial of tenure occurred during Georg Solti's 22 seasons as music director and only four times during Barenboim's 15 seasons.

The most recent first-chair player to have been denied tenure was Craig Morris, who held the principal trumpet chair for two probationary years as successor to the legendary Adolph Herseth. Morris left in 2003.

Of the 22 CSO musicians hired by Muti from 2009 (when he was music director designate) to the present, six currently hold principal positions, according to spokeswoman Eileen Chambers.

Interview with oboist Alex Klein. (Roger Morales / Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune)

Many people were hoping Klein's return to the Chicago Symphony, after a 12-year absence, would mark a return to stability (if not glory) in the woodwind choir after various first-chair players went elsewhere and were replaced following Muti's "official" arrival in 2010. Klein was expected to be the last jewel in a crown that already boasted three superb principals  Stefan Ragnar Hoskuldsson on flute, Stephen Williamson on clarinet and Keith Buncke on bassoon.

The CSO hired Klein with full awareness of his disability but also with the assumption, on both sides, that he would be able to fulfill his principal's duties despite it. He diligently made technical adjustments and even modified the keys on his oboe to keep the focal dystonia  which affected only two fingers on his left hand  under control, he told the Tribune in a 2016 interview.

Over the eight months of his probation, he would play some concerts without audible problems and others that were problematic. A pattern of inconsistency began to emerge. Other wind players were finding it difficult to match the oboe's sometimes painfully variable pitch, sources say.

That can create an untenable situation in an orchestra, according to veteran orchestra musicians.

"The prominence of the oboe in woodwind tutti passages makes it especially important that the principal oboe produce accurate pitch intervals," says Judith Kulb, principal oboe of the Lyric Opera Orchestra. "If the principal oboe does not play intervals in tune, the woodwind section must adjust to the inaccuracy." That, she says, can have a "cascading" effect on the playing of other principal and section players, hampering their ability to play freely, and with confidence and security.

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What's more, the big, forceful sound Klein would produce for, say, Strauss' "Don Juan," was not appropriate for every symphonic work. Sometimes there was a disconnect between the oboe sound and Muti's signature insistence on ultrafine dynamic gradations, especially in passages marked dolce (sweetly and softly).

Klein wrote to CSO colleagues via email on April 16: "If I practice too much, I get tendinitis and can't play in the orchestra, so practicing time needs to be carefully calculated." Perhaps it wasn't calculated carefully enough.

In any case, meetings between Klein and the tenure review committee were called; concerns were aired, explanations given, and suggestions for improvement offered. Ultimately, whatever changes were made were deemed insufficient. As one player later told the Tribune, "It's up to a new member to accommodate to the rest of the orchestra, not the other way around."

After Klein was informed, one day before the contractual deadline of April 15, that he was to be denied tenure, he refused to resign. He attempted to rally support from within the orchestra. Muti apparently had made up his mind long before. Klein's final performance as principal oboe was a children's concert April 28.

Music directors know they risk alienating members of their orchestras when they elect not to hire full-time tenured players some of those members are known to favor. On the other hand, music directors realize they risk far more if they go against their artistic consciences to allow problems to persist that could have serious consequences for the orchestra's playing and morale going forward. For Muti it was a matter of upholding what he believed are the best interests of a world-class institution.

It's the principal oboe's job to tune the rest of the orchestra by sounding an "A" at the beginning of each concert. But his or her importance to the ensemble goes well beyond that, explains Robert Morgan, assistant principal oboe and solo English horn of the Lyric Opera Orchestra, and a member of Rembrandt Chamber Musicians.

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"Often the principal oboe is expected to be an inspirational leader," Morgan says, citing several legendary principal oboists of major American orchestras  Ray Still of the CSO; Marc Lifschey and John Mack of the Cleveland Orchestra; Harold Gomberg of the New York Philharmonic; and Marcel Tabuteau of the Philadelphia Orchestra. These first-chair men were expected to provide such leadership and "help create a cohesive woodwind section." And they did.

Morgan says that responsibility has shifted in today's top orchestras.

Nowadays, "It's up to all the principals in the woodwind section to create a cohesive whole," he observes. "No relationship in an orchestra is always perfect, but it's up to (in particular) the principals to work together for the common musical good."

Klein's musical and artistic credentials for holding an important orchestral post clearly are strong, or he wouldn't have been hired twice for the same principal post. He has given significant service to the CSO. Having made a valiant effort to overcome the limitations his disability placed on his playing ability, he is entitled to leave with dignity.

Before choosing his successor (auditions are expected to begin this fall), the CSO will want to cast a wide net. There is no shortage of eminently qualified candidates, but, as the last eight months have demonstrated, there always is a host of factors weighing on the granting of tenure that can only be determined during a period of careful, closely monitored probation.

Sharps and flats

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Declan McGovern, the Ireland-born former vice president of orchestra operations and general manager of the Pittsburgh Symphony, has been named to succeed Karen Fishman as executive director of Music of the Baroque, effective July 10.

The Pacifica Quartet is undergoing its first personnel change in 17 years. Violinist Austin Hartman and violist Guy Ben-Ziony will replace violinist Sibbi Bernhardsson and violist Masumi Per Rostad, respectively, at the end of the current season.

Hartman and Ben-Ziony also will join Pacifica violinist Simin Ganatra and cellist Brandon Vamos as faculty members at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, as of Aug. 1.

The quartet's first Chicago-area appearances in its new configuration will be Sept. 1-3 at Ravinia, where it will perform all 16 Beethoven string quartets as a cycle of five concerts.

John von Rhein is a Tribune critic.

jvonrhein@chicagotribune.com

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
A couple of years ago, the feel-good channels of social networking lit up with a story about a Dutch nursing home where college students live rent-free. The idea of old and young living together shouldn't seem novel  after all, it's how it's mostly been done for millenniums. Yet many of us look at the future and see the prospect of a sterile, lonely institutionalized existence looking back at us.

Well, Willa isn't going gentle into that good night. The protagonist in Geraldine Aron's "The My Way Residential," now in a world premiere with Irish Theatre of Chicago, hates everything about the eponymous London nursing home in which her daughter has installed her. And given that the home's director, Sister Chang, likes to pilfer hidden sweets from Willa's bureau drawers and force her into a wheelchair to socialize with the other inmates  er, residents  that's understandable.

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But then there's Byron  a young black South African immigrant working at the My Way who takes an interest in Willa. As a Galway native, Willa's an immigrant, too  and out of their mutual sense of displacement and loss grows mutual understanding and respect.

It's a fairly predictable story, but director Kevin Theis' staging and cast work Aron's script for all it's worth. And though this story is set in the U.K., a study a few years ago found that about 14 percent of nursing home assistants in the U.S. are immigrants. That's a dynamic well worth exploring onstage, and one we don't see often enough.

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When the story focuses on Belinda Bremner's Willa and Terry Bell's Byron, it's absorbing. The ways in which the two begin to share details of their lives has a truthful resonance to it. (Though Willa's reminiscence about meeting John Wayne while working as an extra during the filming of "The Quiet Man" also echoes Marie Jones' "Stones in His Pockets," about extras working on that same film.) Byron's stories about his own life and about Nelson Mandela mesh private tragedy with the national traumas endured by South Africans of color struggling for freedom and dignity.

But too many side stories intrude without ever fully developing. Catherine (Carolyn Kruse), Willa's daughter, is having an affair with a man she met in Morocco who lives near the My Way. The strained relationship between Catherine and Willa initially seems to offer some dramatic meat  Catherine harbors resentment for her widowed mother shipping her to boarding school as a child, just as Willa resents being packed away to the My Way  but it goes nowhere.

Catherine's husband, Jack (Jeff Christian), doesn't really need to be in the play at all, since he functions mostly as a subplot device. And though Christine Bunuan plays Sister Chang's smiling malevolence to the hilt, there is an uncomfortable undertone of dragon lady cliche to the character as written.

So it's halfway to being a really good play. Theis, Bell and Bremner know how to work Aron's story for maximum warmth and wit, so the poignancy doesn't spill over into pathos. Merje Veski's set captures Willa's generic room, where the ghosts of those who lived and died there before are just around the corner. (A faded circular spot on the wall where a picture once hung also suggests how temporary the quarters are.)

As the Dutch experiment proves, older and younger people have more in common than we commonly assume. When "The My Way Residential" lets Willa and Byron's voices have their way, the result is a charming, if occasionally derivative, snapshot of two marginalized people forging an alliance in a world that would just as soon forget they exist.

Kerry Reid is a freelance critic.

ctc-arts@chicagotribune.com

Review: "The My Way Residential" by Irish Theatre of Chicago (2.5 stars)

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When: Through June 25

Where: The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Running time: 90 minutes

Tickets: $26-$30 at irishtheatreofchicago.org



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"When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon, 384 pages, Simon Pulse, $17.99, ages 12 and up

It's a meet-cute with a refreshing twist when Dimple Shah and Rishi Patel first encounter each other at a San Francisco Starbucks. Refreshing for readers, that is. Rishi gives Dimple what he thinks is an endearing line, and she throws her iced coffee at him. Little does she know: This apparently crazed stranger, who calls her his "future wife," has a more informed view of the situation than she does.

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Enrolled at Stanford, Dimple wants a career in web development, a goal that doesn't mesh with her parents' desire for her to meet an I.I.H.  "Ideal Indian Husband." When she signs up for a summer workshop in computer programming, she finally has a chance to do what she loves. By contrast, Rishi is there to fall in love  with Dimple. His parents have arranged a match between the two. What he doesn't realize is that her parents neglected to fill her in.

Sandhya Menon's effervescent debut novel respectfully depicts the tradition of arranged marriage while offering an inventive scenario for how it might play out within American teen life. Dimple and Rishi are compelling, fully realized characters, and their relationship, though it doesn't have quite the trajectory their parents envisioned, is romantic. Be it coincidence or fate, they seem to be a perfect match.

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"Flame in the Mist" by Renee Ahdieh, 416 pages, Putnam, $17.99, ages 12 and up

Makoto  or,honesty  is one of the seven tenets of Bushido, the samurai code of conduct. Set in a magically enhanced feudal Japan, Renee Ahdieh's latest historical fantasy teems with characters who live by thiscode yet understand the value of concealment. Her heroine, Mariko, a girl from a prominent samurai family, has learned over her 17 years to swallow her anger at society and the narrow range of options it offers women. While her twin brother trains as a warrior, she must suppress her intellect and ambition and prepare for marriage to the emperor's son.

Then an apparent tragedy becomes an opportunity. She secretly survives an attack on her bridal caravan, reinvents herself as a boy and begins traveling with the Black Clan, a band of outlaws. She forges new loyalties and discovers that she is not the only one with things to hide.

Even in the long line of fictional females who pose as male to thwart patriarchal restrictions, Mariko stands out. No matter what gender she presents herself as, no matter if she is dressed in the rough garb of a peasant or the silken kimono of the ruling class, her strength lies in her cunning and unwillingness to let societal expectations break her. The novel's surprising, tumultuous ending leaves the reader eagerly anticipating a sequel, impatient to find out what iteration of herself Mariko will invent next.

"That Thing We Call a Heart" by Sheba Karim, 288 pages, Harper Teen, $17.99, ages 12 and up

For Shabnam, the thrill of summer romance comes tinged with regret. Normally she would share all the giddy details with her best friend, Farah. But she and Farah have had a falling out over Farah's seemingly sudden decision to cover her hair with a hijab. "I knew that a piece of cloth shouldn't make a difference," Shabnam confesses, "that (Farah) was still the same person underneath, but it did make a difference. Even though she was still wearing her dramatic eyeliner and blue lipstick, she looked, well, religious. And religious wasn't cool."

Authors of young-adult novels tend to catch flak when they don't make their main characters, especially female main characters, "likable." Thus, it's admirable that Karim allows Shabnam to act like a jerk. It's also convincing that, given the prejudice and peer pressure at school, Shabnam  Pakistani-American but not a practicing Muslim like Farah  would be scared, at first, to stand up for her friend. A punk-rock feminist who defies the stereotypes of Muslim women as meek and oppressed, Farah does not let Shabnam's betrayal go unchecked, even as she herself doesn't always do the right thing. In short, Karim writes realistic, fallible, complex characters. And a good thing about complex characters is they can apologize. When Shabnam's infatuation goggles inevitably shatter, there's no question where she will turn for support. Who better to help sweep away the pieces than a best friend?

Christine Heppermann is the author of "Ask Me How I Got Here."






The oncologist was blunt: Stefanie Joho's colon cancer was raging out of control and there was nothing more she could do. Flanked by her parents and sister, the 23-year-old felt something wet on her shoulder. She looked up to see her father weeping.

"I felt dead inside, utterly demoralized, ready to be done," Joho remembers.

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But her younger sister couldn't accept that. When the family got back to Joho's apartment in New York's Flatiron district, Jess opened her laptop and began searching frantically for clinical trials, using medical words she'd heard but not fully understood. An hour later, she came into her sister's room and showed her what she'd found. "I'm not letting you give up," she told Stefanie. "This is not the end."

That search led to a contact at Johns Hopkins University, and a few days later, Joho got a call from a cancer geneticist co-leading a study there. "Get down here as fast as you can!" Luis Diaz said. "We are having tremendous success with patients like you."

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What followed is an illuminating tale of how one woman's intersection with experimental research helped open a new frontier in cancer treatment - with approval of a drug that, for the first time, targets a genetic feature in a tumor rather than the disease's location in the body.

The breakthrough, made official last week by the Food and Drug Administration, immediately could benefit some patients with certain kinds of advanced cancer that aren't responding to chemotherapy. Each should be tested for that genetic signature, scientists stress.

"These are people facing death sentences," said Hopkins geneticist Bert Vogelstein. "This treatment might keep some of them in remission for a long time."

In August 2014, Joho stumbled into Hopkins for her first infusion of the immunotherapy drug Keytruda. She was in agony from a malignant mass in her midsection, and even with the copious amounts of OxyContin she was swallowing, she needed a new fentanyl patch on her arm every 48 hours. Yet within just days, the excruciating back pain had eased. Then an unfamiliar sensation - hunger - returned. She burst into tears when she realized what it was.

As months went by, her tumor shrank and ultimately disappeared. She stopped treatment this past August, free from all signs of disease.

The small trial in Baltimore was pivotal, and not only for the young marketing professional. It showed that immunotherapy could attack colon and other cancers thought to be unstoppable. The key was their tumors' genetic defect, known as mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency - akin to a missing spell-check on their DNA. As the DNA copies itself, the abnormality prevents any errors from being fixed. In the cancer cells, that means huge numbers of mutations that are good targets for immunotherapy.

The treatment approach isn't a panacea, however. The glitch under scrutiny - which can arise spontaneously or be inherited - is found in just 4 percent of cancers overall. But bore in on a few specific types, and the scenario changes dramatically. The problem occurs in up to 20 percent of colon cancers and about 40 percent of endometrial malignancies - cancer in the lining of the uterus.

In the United States, researchers estimate that initially about 15,000 people with this defect may be helped by this immunotherapy. That number is likely to rise sharply as doctors begin using it earlier on eligible patients.

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Joho was among the first.

Even before Joho got sick, cancer had cast a long shadow on her family. Her mother has Lynch syndrome, a hereditary disorder that sharply raises the risk of certain cancers, and since 2003, Priscilla Joho has suffered colon cancer, uterine cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

Stefanie's older sister, Vanessa, had already tested positive for Lynch syndrome, and Stefanie planned to get tested when she turned 25. But at 22, several months after she graduated from New York University, she began feeling unusually tired. She blamed the fatigue on her demanding job. Her primary-care physician, aware of her mother's medical history, ordered a colonoscopy.

When Joho woke up from the procedure, the gastroenterologist looked "like a ghost," she said. A subsequent CT scan revealed a very large tumor in her colon. She'd definitely inherited Lynch syndrome.

She underwent surgery in January 2013 at Philadelphia's Fox Chase Cancer Center, where her mother had been treated. The news was good: The cancer didn't appear to have spread, so she could skip chemotherapy and follow up with scans every three months.

By August of that year, though, Joho started having relentless back pain. Tests detected the invasive tumor in her abdomen. Another operation, and now she started chemo. Once again, in spring 2014, the cancer roared back. Her doctors in New York, where she now was living, switched to a more aggressive chemo regimen.

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"This thing is going to kill me," Joho remembered thinking. "It was eating me alive."

She made it to Jess' college graduation in Vermont that May. Midsummer, her oncologist confessed he was out of options. As he left the examining room, he mentioned offhandedly that some interesting work was going on in immunotherapy. But when Joho met with a hospital immunologist, that doctor told her no suitable trials were available.

Joho began planning to move to her parents' home in suburban Philadelphia: "I thought, 'I'm dying, and I'd like to breathe fresh air and be around the green and the trees.' "

Her younger sister wasn't ready for her to give up. Jess searched for clinical trials, typing in "immunotherapy" and other terms she'd heard the doctors use. Up popped a trial at Hopkins, where doctors were testing a drug called pembrolizumab.

"Pembro" is part of a class of new medications called checkpoint inhibitors that disable the brakes that keep the immune system from attacking tumors. In September 2014, the treatment was approved by the FDA for advanced melanoma and marketed as Keytruda. The medication made headlines in 2015 when it helped treat former President Jimmy Carter for melanoma that had spread to his brain and liver. It later was cleared for several other malignancies.

Yet researchers still don't know why immunotherapy, once hailed as a game changer, works in only a minority of patients. Figuring that out is important for clinical as well as financial reasons. Keytruda, for example, costs about $150,000 a year.

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By the time Joho arrived at Hopkins, the trial had been underway for a year. While an earlier study had shown a similar immunotherapy drug to be effective for a significant proportion of patients with advanced melanoma or lung or kidney cancer, checkpoint inhibitors weren't making headway with colon cancer. A single patient out of 20 had responded in a couple of trials.

Why did some tumors shrink and others didn't? What was different about the single colon cancer patient who benefited? Drew Pardoll, director of the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Hopkins, and top researcher Suzanne Topalian took the unusual step of consulting with the cancer geneticists who worked one floor up.

"This was the first date in what became the marriage of cancer genetics and cancer immunology," Pardoll said.

In a brainstorming session, the geneticists were quick to offer their theories. They suggested that the melanoma and lung cancer patients had done best because those cancers have lots of mutations, a consequence of exposure to sunlight and cigarette smoke. The mutations produce proteins recognized by the immune system as foreign and ripe for attack, and the drug boosts the system's response.

And that one colon-cancer patient? As Vogelstein recalls, "We all said in unison, 'He must have MMR deficiency!' " - because such a genetic glitch would spawn even more mutations. The abnormality was a familiar subject to Vogelstein, who in the 1990s had co-discovered its role in the development of colon cancer. But the immunologists hadn't thought of it.

When the patient's tumor tissue was tested, it was indeed positive for the defect.

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The researchers decided to run a small trial, led by Hopkins immunologist Dung Le and geneticist Diaz, to determine whether the defect could predict a patient's response to immunotherapy. The pharmaceutical company Merck provided its still-experimental drug pembrolizumab. Three groups of volunteers were recruited: 10 colon cancer patients whose tumors had the genetic problem; 18 colon cancer patients without it; and 7 patients with other malignancies with the defect.

The first results, published in 2015 in the New England Journal of Medicine, were striking. Four out of the 10 colon cancer patients with the defect and 5 out of the other 7 cancer patients with the abnormality responded to the drug. In the remaining group, nothing. Since then, updated numbers have reinforced that a high proportion of patients with the genetic feature benefit from the drug, often for a lengthy period. Other trials by pharmaceutical companies have shown similar results.

The Hopkins investigators found that tumors with the defect had, on average, 1,700 mutations, compared with only 70 for tumors without the problem. That confirmed the theory that high numbers of mutations make it more likely the immune system will recognize and attack cancer - if it gets assistance from immunotherapy.

The studies were the foundation of the FDA's decision on Tuesday to green-light Keytruda to treat cancers such as Joho's, meaning malignancies with certain molecular characteristics. This first-ever "site-agnostic" approval by the agency signals an emerging field of "precision immunotherapy," Pardoll said, one in which genetic details are used to anticipate who will respond to treatments.

For Joho, now 27 and living in suburban Philadelphia, the hard lesson from the past few years is clear: The cancer field is changing so rapidly that patients can't rely on their doctors to find them the best treatments. "Oncologists can barely keep up," she said. "My sister found a trial I was a perfect candidate for, and my doctors didn't even know it existed."

Her first several weeks on the trial were rough, with an early hospitalization after she cut back too quickly on her fentanyl and went into withdrawal. She still has some lasting side effects today - joint pain in her knees, minor nausea and fatigue - but they are manageable.

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"I have had to adapt to some new limits," she acknowledged. "But I still feel better than I have in five years."

The FDA's decision last week was an emotional moment. Diaz, now at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, immediately texted her. "We did it!" he exulted.

"I got chills all over my body," Joho said. "To think that I was at the end of the road, with no options, and then to be part of such a change."

Her experience has prompted her to drop plans to go back into marketing. Now she wants to help patients navigate the new cancer landscape. "Become an expert on your cancer" is her message. "Don't be passive." She encourages patients to try clinical trials.

As a cancer survivor with Lynch syndrome, Joho will be closely watched; if she relapses, she is likely to be treated again with immunotherapy. And if her mother relapses, Keytruda might now be her best chance.

"Coming out the other side, I feel really lucky," Joho said. She's also grateful for something else: A few years ago, her sister Jess was tested for the disorder that has so affected their family. She was negative.






When talking to your children about addiction, you want to be honest and informative, but you should also tailor the details to their age, comprehension level and comfort. (kupicoo/Getty Images )

Opening up to your children about your addiction or that of a loved one is kind of like telling them about the birds and the bees. You want to be honest and informative, yes, but you want to tailor the details to their age, comprehension level and comfort. Their comfort, not yours, because discussing what you or other family members are going through now  or went through in the past  is bound to be painful for you.

"It's uncomfortable, but what's the alternative?" asked William C. Moyers, vice president of public affairs and community relations at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, an addiction treatment center in Chicago.

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"In this age, with social media omnipotent, I believe professionally and personally that the time to talk to our children is when they are beginning to engage in social media. ... By the age of 10, most children in this country have been exposed to the world of the internet, the bad, the good, the ugly.

"We as a generation, particularly us baby boomers, not only need to admit we inhaled but that, for some of us, inhaling or taking that drink or taking that pain medication led to a spiral into the grip of a real illness," said Moyers, who is the author of several books, including his 2005 memoir, "Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption."

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Uncertain how to proceed? You aren't alone.

Jerry Moe, national director of the children's program for Hazelden Betty Ford, said parents and grandparents struggle with this issue every day.

"How much do I say? What do I say? What's age-appropriate? What's not?" Moe recommends that parents contact a children's counselor for advice on how to have the conversation.

"To me, as a children's counselor, I want to give boys and girls enough information to validate their experience," Moe said, "but not too much so they end up confused and overwhelmed."

Create "a sense of safety and trust," said Brian J. Maus, director of addiction prevention and mentoring programs for The Moyer Foundation, a Philadelphia-based agency that operates, among other services, a program for children ages 9 to 12 who have a family member struggling with substance abuse. The foundation has 12 Camp Mariposa locations across the United States and is looking to launch in the Chicago area sometime in late 2017 or early 2018, he said.

Maus said you need to be open and honest. Kids will pick up on it if you try to "sugarcoat things," he added. Help the child identify his or her feelings.

"Talk to the child about your addiction," he added. "What was it like for them? What did they notice? How did they feel?"

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics based in Kensington, Md., suggests teaching your child the "Seven C's:"

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I didn't cause it.

I can't cure it.

I can't control it.

I can help take care of myself by communicating my feelings, making healthy choices and celebrating me."

Parents can find more helpful information about addiction on NACA'S website.

"It's helpful for the adult speaking to the child not to be angry or place the blame on the addicted person," said Sis Wenger, NACoA president and chief executive officer.

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Whenever you decide it's time for the talk about addiction with your child, here are some points to consider.

1. It's not the child's fault. "That's the most important message," said Wenger. Children, she said, may view the addictive parent's behavior as being triggered by something they have done.

"It's never their fault," she said. "Their job is to be a child."

Maus echoed Wenger's point.

"Younger kids tend to internalize what's going on in the family and see themselves as the cause," he said. "If they didn't fight or did better in school or cleaned their room, maybe their parent wouldn't be using drugs or alcohol."

2. Addiction is an illness. Tailor that message to the age of the child. A 5-year-old won't understand it if you refer to it as a "brain disease," Wenger said, but will understand if you say, "Daddy is ill, and what he said is part of why he's sick."

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"Addiction is a disease," Maus said. "Talk about it in terms of diabetes, cancer, heart disease."

Moe likes to use three words for addiction when talking with kids. The first is "stuck," and the analogy used is gum stuck in one's hair  and how hard it is to get the gum out. The second is "hook," with the analogy being that of a fish on a hook that "gets so focused on getting free that everything else in life is secondary." The third is "trapped" and how even a big powerful bear is powerless when snared in a trap.

3. Learn to speak up. Encourage children to talk to a trusted adult if they feel sad or mad. That person could be a school social worker, a grandmother, a "safe person, a safe adult," said Wenger. Tell children that if that chosen adult can't seem to help, they should not give up. Find someone else. "Sometimes grown-ups don't know what to do," she said.

"Children learn not to talk because they (fear) talking will break up their family, and it will be their fault," she said. "If you can't talk, you can't express your feelings ... can't express your feelings, you learn you can't trust."

4. Don't pick it up. Wenger and Moyers noted that children of alcoholics and addicts have a higher risk of abusing substances.

"If you never pick up a drink or a drug, you can never get that disease, which is making you unhappy," said Wenger, noting this is a message that needs to be told early and consistently.

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5. Ask for help. While Moyers said his children were warned about the risks they faced, he also "realistically embraced the fact they were going to be teenagers." Teenagers are likely to experiment, he said, and some are going to become dependent on substances.

"The most important message you can convey is it's OK to ask for help," Moyers said, noting two of his three now-grown children did just that.

6. Encourage self-care. "You can have a mom and dad in addiction, but (that) doesn't mean you have to remain unhealthy," Moyers said. "You, as a child, must take care of your mind, spirit and body."

7. You are loved. Addiction can have a cycle of relapse and recovery, Maus noted, but what's important to make clear to the child is that he or she is loved, no matter what.

"Sometimes the disease takes over, and you do things you don't want to do, but you always love them," he said.

wdaley@chicagotribune.com

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We've reached the time of year when most kids  the ones still stuck in school, anyway  are struggling to even pretend they're concentrating.

I chaperoned my son's second-grade field trip to Brookfield Zoo last week, and it was four hours of children spinning and careening and flinging themselves into one another with abandon. We glimpsed a giraffe or two, but mostly they drank in the sweet taste of freedom while I recited the serenity prayer for their teachers.

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Over at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center just outside of Washington, D.C., it's a very different story. That's where 291 of the nation's top spellers  one as young as 6 years old  are gathered for the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The competition, which kicks off Wednesday, is in its 90th year, and it includes kids from all over the country  Maine and Michigan, New Jersey and North Dakota, Tennessee and Texas. It also includes a sixth-grader from my kids' Chicago public school.

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Riya Joshi earned top honors at the citywide spelling bee in March, where she correctly spelled "toxicosis" a word my spell-checker doesn't even recognize. This is her first time advancing to the national competition.

On Friday, the day before Riya and her mom flew to Washington, the school declared a Day of Riya.

Students and teachers spent Thursday decorating the school in yellow-and-black paper chains. They blew up yellow and black balloons and suspended them in the gym to shower down on Riya during an all-school assembly. The principal waived the school uniform for a day and encouraged kids to dress like bees  yellow tops, black bottoms.

During the assembly, my kids told me, they sang "Can't Stop the Spelling" to the tune of Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling" and "ABC," the Jackson 5 classic.

It's hard for me to even type those words without choking up.

I picture a gym full of kids singing and cheering for their spelling-whiz classmate, and I think: There's so much that's good in this world  in this city.

I think about a girl feeling wrapped in support and pride and community, and I want every kid, everywhere, to know that feeling  even for just a day.

I think about my friend Ana, whose Iranian immigrant parents offered to pay her and her sister $20 at the end of the summer if they studied the dictionary and learned 20 new words per day. "Which in the 1980s," Ana told me, "I thought was a great deal."

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(Ana went on to earn a master's degree and launch an educational consulting firm. Her sister teaches social justice at Santa Clara University.)

I think about all the lessons we can learn if we just expand whom we see as teachers. Lessons in showing up. Lessons in resourcefulness. Lessons in resilience. Lessons in creating and celebrating a community.

The winner of the National Spelling Bee gets a $40,000 cash prize from Scripps, a $2,500 U.S. savings bond from Merriam-Webster and appearances on "Live With Kelly and Ryan" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

Whether Riya reaches that level of glory or not, I have to believe the school's Day of Riya will stay with her for decades. I know it will stay with me.

When you need a little guidance, a gym full of kids is a good place to look. Lesson learned.

hstevens@chicagotribune.com

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President Donald Trump after a group photo on the second day of the G7 Summit at the Hotel San Domenico in Taormina, Sicily, Italy, on May 27, 2017. (Angelo Carconi / AP)

If only President Donald Trump were removed from office, would America get back to normal?

You might want to think on it, now that the president is home from his impressive foreign trip to the Middle East and Europe, and is beginning to lop off political heads in his troubled and leaky White House.

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The Democrats and Beltway media elites are back at it, driven to skin Trump alive, either through impeachment or just to hold the flayed man aloft as their sigil for the 2018 elections.

And the Republican establishment, which loathes him, eggs them on, hoping to be rid of their mad, accursed priest.

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But if their dreams ever came true and Trump were to be removed, either by impeachment or through the invocation of the 25th Amendment (a rhetorical fantasy of Republican #NeverTrumpers), would things slowly get back normal?

No. Things would get worse.

Trump, the vulgar showman, is perhaps the most (publicly) unsuitable personality to inhabit the White House in the modern era. Perhaps the only personality who would be even less suitable is Hillary Rodham Clinton and her basket of deplorables.

But Trump is president now. Yes, he's been caught in repeated lies. And yes, he exudes chaos, not stability, playing the Oval Office with his ridiculous Twitter account like some teenage drama queen.

As a recent Harvard University study shows, the news media have hosed him in 80 percent negative coverage in his first 100 days. Some of this, of course, is due to his own making.

But much of that occurs because the Washington establishment loathes him and never thought it possible that Trump would win election.

They're still bitterly angry that their wisdom was spat upon by the voters. And they refuse to come to grips with their own blindness.

As much as America's media, political and economic elite insist we have a Trump problem, they're mistaken. Theirs is a three-card monte diversion, a hide-the-pea game, with fast talking and sleight of hand.

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Because if you step back from the carnival drama  away from the mark trying to follow the cards and the slickster chatting while hiding the pea under the shell  you might achieve some perspective.

And you might see something moving along the edges of it all, something darker and menacing to the republic:

It is the profound failure of the elites, scurrying to cover themselves.

You might almost say we are two countries now joined only by loathing and mistrust, a nation of coastal media/political elites marked in blue, and a nation of red states in the middle.

True, Clinton received about 3 million more votes than Trump. But almost 63 million people voted for the president. And forcing them to their knees in capitulation is not a prescription for unification but a prospect for disaster.

Trump voters didn't create the divided nation. The elites divided it over time, through economic dislocation and abandonment of the working class, and a mad push for endless wars in which soldiers returned to find no jobs or economic future.

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Now America is reaping what the elites have sown.

Months and months before the presidential election, I began thinking of Trump not as a cause of American disruption but a symptom of it. And as much as I don't like quoting myself, here is something from March 2016:

"It's obvious the American political system is breaking down. It's been crumbling for some time now, and the establishment elite know it and they're properly frightened. Donald Trump, the vulgarian at their gates, is a symptom, not a cause. Hillary Clinton and husband Bill are both cause and effect."

The establishment pushed the wars and free trade and their partners in the corporate-government matrix agreed to the sending off of capital (and jobs) to foreign lands.

For all the talk of partisanship, Democrats and Republicans were the two horns on the head of the goat.

And Trump voters? They were forgotten, left behind, mocked as deplorable.

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Would Trump the barbarian have been elected president of the United States even 10 or 20 years ago?

No. He seems determined to prove he is socially unfit for the office. His rude personal style ruffles the feathers of many who see him as a pretender or a huckster. But he's not dumb.

And neither are the almost 63 million people who voted for him. They've long been dismissed as stupid or unlettered or unsophisticated. They'd been written off as pathologically angry by the media that cleave to the establishment and see distrust in government as some kind of mental disorder.

I grew up with these people. They don't deserve the shaming that comes their way.

They were betrayed. And all they want, really, is meaningful work and to not be told they're idiotic or hateful simply because they dare support traditional values, and that a nation should shape its culture by controlling its own borders.

They knew Trump was loud, they knew he was vulgar, they knew he was trouble. And they voted for him because they wanted him to make trouble.

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They wanted him to punch the Washington elites in the mouth, to kick them and stomp on them as they had been kicked and stomped on. They detest the ruling elites in the modern Versailles so much that they installed a character like Trump.

Fixating on Trump doesn't really address this.

And you might want to ask yourselves, what happens 10 years from now, with the next Trump, from the right or from the left?

Because things aren't going back to normal, are they?

Listen to "The Chicago Way" podcast, previewing the 2017 Printer's Row Lit Fest with Elizabeth Taylor, the Chicago Tribune's literary editor: http://wgnradio.com/category/wgn-plus/thechicagoway/

jskass@chicagotribune.com
With President Donald Trump's attempt to lower the cap on refugees still tied up in court, the U.S. State Department has told its overseas partners that it will increase the number of refugees admitted and any refugees who have been thoroughly screened should be booked for travel to the U.S.

The move comes after a sharp dip in refugee arrivals to Illinois and the U.S. since Trump took office.

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Between October and April, Illinois received 1,401 refugees from more than two dozen countries. But each month, fewer and fewer have arrived. In December, 273 refugees resettled in Illinois. In April, only 92 arrived, a 67 percent dip, according to data from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, which oversees the state's refugee social services.

The Trump administration is fighting in court to preserve the president's executive order that reduces the ceiling for refugee admissions by more than half this federal fiscal year. Officials at the U.S. State Department said arrivals had been curbed per guidance from the Justice Department.

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But following last week's federal appeals court ruling that upheld a halt to Trump's travel ban restricting refugee arrivals, the State Department notified agencies that it would raise its current rate of weekly refugee arrivals, officials said.

The nation admitted 20,072 refugees between Jan. 1 and May 30, down from 27,028 during the same time period last year, according to data from the State Department.

The reduction in refugee arrivals has forced staff cuts at some of the state's refugee resettlement agencies and weakened an infrastructure that has taken decades to build.

Based on a ceiling of 110,000 refugee arrivals set by the Obama administration last year, Illinois agencies were staffed to receive about 3,700 refugees in the federal fiscal year starting last October. When Trump's executive orders restricting refugee admissions dropped that ceiling to 50,000, Illinois' share dropped to 1,883.

The original order, signed in January, was blocked in federal district courts and the 9th Circuit, prompting the White House to issue a revised executive order intended to address the court's concerns.

In addition to lowering the cap, the revised order calls for a 90-day ban on travel into the U.S. by citizens of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and a 120-day pause on refugee resettlement from any country. The administration says the order aims to prevent terrorism by suspending visitors from politically unstable countries where screening of individuals seeking U.S. visas may not be effective and should be reviewed.

In March, a Hawaii judge halted the president's second executive order, including the government's attempt to lower the cap on refugee admissions. A federal appeals court upheld that order Thursday.

A spokeswoman for the State Department emphasized that the 110,000 maximum  set by the Obama administration  is a ceiling, not a mandatory target. Refugee resettlement also depends on budgetary limitations, which Congress lifted as part of the budget deal negotiated last month to avoid a government shutdown.

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While most agencies might be able to weather a 120-day hiatus on refugee admissions, few can absorb a drastically reduced cap, since resettlement is funded on a per capita basis, said Deborah Covington, vice president of planning and allocations for the Jewish Federation. Agencies receive $2,025 per refugee in federal funding from the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program. Roughly $900 of that amount covers administrative costs, with the rest going directly to each refugee. Nonprofit agencies raise additional money to cover resettlement costs.

The agencies are "fighting the good fight," Covington said.

"Where they can raise additional resources, they're trying very hard to do so. But you can only do what you can do," said Covington, who added that it's too soon to tell how the uptick in refugees will affect Illinois agencies.

In February, World Relief, an evangelical relief and development agency, announced it would lay off about 140 staff members and close five offices across the country, citing Trump's executive order that called for reducing the number of refugees the U.S. would admit. While the Chicago office remained open, John Barcanic, executive director of World Relief Chicago, said six of 32 employees, about 20 percent of the staff, had to be cut to accommodate the decline.

"Probably the most painful for us was letting our volunteer manager go," Barcanic said. "As an organization we are heavily dependent on volunteers. ... It multiplies your impact. The irony of that is people are very interested in getting involved."

RefugeeOne, the state's largest resettlement agency, has let go several employees and redoubled fundraising efforts to avoid more layoffs. Meanwhile, the much smaller Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago has laid off five of its 12 employees, cut benefits for the remaining staff and delayed paychecks.

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Lea Tienou-Gustafson, director of refugee family services at Heartland Alliance, said the downturn in admissions has been dispiriting for refugees in Chicago waiting to be reunited with relatives who are still overseas.

Though the state has resettled more refugees from Syria amid that nation's ongoing civil war than any other country this fiscal year  320, up from 95 refugees during the same time period last year  Heartland has received none in the past month, Tienou-Gustafson said. Some staff members have been moved to departments not associated with refugee resettlement in an effort to avoid layoffs.

It's unclear how soon states will see an increase in refugee arrivals following the State Department's new directive, she said. But Heartland employees hope it means fewer refugees will be left in limbo after already undergoing the rigorous two-year screening process, Tienou-Gustafson said.

The workspace at Heartland, which is often filled with the lively chatter of newcomers practicing their English, has been noticeably quieter, she said, because not as many people are coming.

"Coming to the USA as refugees is one of the ways they can achieve safety," she said. "Staff are very aware those people are still in danger somewhere."

mbrachear@chicagotribune.com

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At least one person was injured Monday afternoon after a porch collapsed in the city's Lakeview neighborhood on the North Side, according to fire officials.

The Chicago Fire Department responded to a collapsed porch in the 3000 block of North Clybourn Avenue. There was initially of a report of four people injured, but three of the victims declined medical attention at the scene.

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One person was taken in good condition to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, according to the Fire Department.

Check back for updates.
Chicago police officers and investigators confer at the scene where a Chicago police officer was shot in the 4600 block of West Maypole Avenue on May 12, 2017. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)

A woman fleeing Chicago police officers near a West Side drug corner earlier this month shot one of the officers in his bulletproof vest as she was running away, Cook County prosecutors said in court Tuesday.

Deangela Eaton, 25, made her first appearance in court more than two weeks after the May 12 incident because she had been hospitalized since being shot multiple times by officers.

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Judge Donald Panarese Jr. ordered Eaton held without bond on charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery to a peace officer, aggravated assault to a peace officer and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

At the bond hearing, Assistant State's Attorney Joseph Carlson said two plainclothes police officers on patrol saw Eaton twice in a short period of time engaging in what they suspected were drug deals.

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One officer exited the unmarked police SUV and approached Eaton as she walked away, identifying himself as a police officer and calling her over for an interview, Carlson said.

"She said words to (the officer) indicating she was not going to speak with him, and they didn't want to mess with her," Carlson said.

She began to run east on West Maypole Avenue, and the officer started to chase her, Carlson said.

When the officer was three to five feet behind her, Eaton reached across her body, and the officer heard a slide rack being pulled on a gun, Carlson said.

Eaton reached back with a gun as she ran, pointed it at the officer and fired, hitting a flashlight strapped to his bulletproof vest and then the vest itself, leaving a hole and a burn mark over the area of his heart, according to Carlson.

Eaton then pointed the gun at that officer's partner, who was nearby in the police SUV, Carlson said.

Both officers then fired at Eaton, hitting her an undisclosed number of times and knocking her down, Carlson said. A 9 mm handgun loaded with four live rounds and a spent shell casing jammed in the slide lock was found 25 to 30 feet away, the prosecutor said.

Eaton, who was in critical condition on first being taken to Stroger Hospital, walked with the aid of a cane in the courtroom Tuesday.

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Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has credited the vest with saving the life of the officer, who was released after treatment at Loyola University Medical Center.

At the time of the shooting, Eaton was out on bond on a misdemeanor charge of aggravated assault to a peace officer, records show. The charges stem from an incident in February when police responded to a disturbance at an Englewood address and she told them, "(Expletive) I'll kill yous! I ain't going anywhere!" according to court records.

She had failed to appear for a routine court date on those charges the day before the shootout, prosecutors said.

Jonathan Bedi, one of Eaton's attorneys, said in court Tuesday that Eaton is still recovering from the shooting and has lost feeling in one arm. She will need "extensive, ongoing care," he said.

Eaton is the sole caregiver of her child, Bedi said.

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com

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Family and friends of victims clash with police at the scene where three were shot, one fatally, on the 6900 block of S. Harvard Avenue, in the Englewood neighborhood, late on May 29, 2017. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago police said they remained vigilant Monday night as the city headed into the waning hours of the Memorial Day weekend with fewer shootings and homicides tallied than in recent years.

About three dozen people had been shot, five fatally, from 3 p.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Monday. That's compared with 71 shot with six resulting deaths last year throughout the entire holiday weekend, according to Tribune data. In 2015, there were 57 people shot and 12 slain.

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Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi was cautious in his assessment, noting much of last year's gun violence came in the final hours of the holiday weekend. That signaled the start of a particularly bloody summer in one of the most violent years Chicago had seen in decades,.

"Last year, it wasn't until Memorial Day night, when after all the barbecues and parties were over, that we started to see some conflict," Guglielmi said. "So, we're certainly not out of the woods yet, and we're going to continue being out there. There's just as heavy of a police presence tonight as there was on Friday night."

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What has the potential to be a less-violent weekend came after the Chicago Police Department deployed 1,200 extra cops, compared with 880 more officers the year before. With that extra force, police from Friday night through Sunday conducted a series of raids and traffic enforcement that netted dozens of arrests and scores of traffic citations.

The department said it also deployed extra officers Monday afternoon to neighborhood parks and along the lakefront in an effort to thwart problems. The city increased helicopter and boat patrols along the shoreline as well.

Those efforts followed a series of pre-weekend raids by federal and local authorities that netted 49 gun and drug charges against gang members and associates on the South Side and in several suburbs, moves that Guglielmi said were in part designed to keep things quieter over the weekend.

"Our focus this year was increased visibility, first and foremost, and really trying to prevent problems before started, so proactive targeted enforcement," Guglielmi said. "Our objective was to get them off the streets, so there wouldn't be conflicts over the weekends."

Three of the weekend homicides were the result of domestic altercations including one apparent murder-suicide, police said. The other two  the fatal shooting Saturday of a 16-year-old boy in a gangway in Lawndale and the fatal shooting Sunday of an 18-year-old man in Longwood Manor  were the result of the type of street violence that characterized bloody holiday weekends in previous years.

The weekend's first fatality occurred Sunday, when the 16-year-old boy was killed after being shot in the back in the 1600 block of South St. Louis Avenue about 6:35 p.m., police said. The boy's name had not been released late Monday, with the Cook County medical examiner's office saying they had yet to notify next of kin.

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A 16-year-old girl also was injured in that shooting, which occurred when shots were fired from a gray sedan that was driving by. The girl, who is expected to survive, was grazed in the back by a bullet, police said.

Details were scant Monday evening about what police described as an 18-year-old man shot in the head and pronounced dead in the 9800 block of South Wallace Street.

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Police described the domestic altercations that led to three deaths as follows:

On Monday morning in an apparent murder-suicide, a 25-year-old woman and 32-year-old man were found shot in the head in the sixth-floor hallway of an apartment building in the 2900 block of South State Street. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, where a gun was recovered.

A 52-year-old man died Monday afternoon after being shot in the head and body during an argument in a home in the 1700 block of North Narragansett Avenue by a 27-year-old man. No one was in custody, police said.

rsobol@chicagotribune.com

kdouglas@chicagotribune.com



Chicago Tribune's Elvia Malagon, Peter Nickeas, Stacy St. Clair and Hal Dardick contributed.
Shootings over the Memorial Day weekend left seven people dead and another 45 wounded in Chicago, a drop from last year, though almost half of this year's victims were shot the last night of the weekend.



The violence this weekend was similar to three of the last five Memorial Day weekends: 53 gunshot victims in 2012, and 58 in 2015. A total of 34 people were shot in 2014, and 21 were shot in 2013.



Last year's total was 71 and was the worst since at least 2012. It came during a year that saw almost 800 homicides and more than 4,000 people shot.

A police district that bore the brunt of the violence last year, Harrison on the West Side, reported no one shot this year.



The most violent day of the weekend this year was Memorial Day, with 24 people shot, five of them fatally, including a 20-year-old disabled man at a park he visited every day.

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The day started with three domestic-related gun deaths: a suspected murder-suicide in the Dearborn Homes neighborhood and a domestic-related killing in the North Austin neighborhood.



The violence continued with four multiple-victim shootings on the South and West sides, including a shooting that left a 17-year-old boy dead and two others wounded in the West Englewood neighborhood.



The scene was at times chaotic. Officers formed a perimeter, found more shell casings, extended the size of the crime scene, then found more casings and extended it again.



The first officers to arrive found the 17-year-old boy dead behind an SUV on a stretch of Harvard that was under construction. He died there, on the gravel. Another man, 20, was writhing in pain on the sidewalk, bleeding from abdomen wounds through his T-shirt. Paramedics took him to Stroger Hospital.



A 17-year-old boy was found a few blocks away with a shoulder wound and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.



Officers found shell casings in a driveway next to a house toward the north end of the block, near 69th Street, about four doors down from where the 17-year-old fell after being shot.



"They shot from here," an officer said, draping crime scene tape from a fence to a car before the first ambulance arrived. Ten minutes later, about four doors down, officers found more shell casings. And a few minutes later, in the street, officers found a few more.

At least one person south of where the victims were found returned fire, police said. A neighbor said he heard the sound of three weapons from his second-floor apartment window.



Relatives of the boy who died arrived and tried to see his body, but police pushed them back. Some officers tried to talk grieving families to calm them down. Others said they would lock up anyone who kept touching the crime scene tape. This upset people who were mourning.



As officers formed a line to push people back, they came upon a parked car with two boys in the back seat. An officer knocked on the window, waited a couple seconds, then opened the door, reached in and pulled the boy out. He appeared in his early teens. The car was inside the perimeter police were trying to establish. This angered the boy's mother.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 30 Family and friends of victims clash with police at the scene where three were shot, one fatally, on the 6900 block of S. Harvard Avenue, in the Englewood neighborhood, late on May 29, 2017. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Officers then clustered in groups and stood in circles. When a family member tried to run into the scene, they were able to run a dozen or so paces before officers caught up and swarmed them.



Each time this happened, the line of tape was abandoned, so neighbors were able to quietly duck into the crime scene and walk along an unlit sidewalk to get to their homes.



There were many police officers near the scene's perimeter, but few supervisors.



The neighbor who described the different weapons said one of the boys who was shooting stood among the onlookers and grieving young men. No one told officers, though.

Another triple shooting occurred around the same time in the South Austin neighborhood to the northwest. Officers placed evidence markers around a vehicle that had been damaged by the gunfire in the 5500 block of West Lake Street. A woman, pushing a stroller, walked past the crime scene and through police tape.



A woman, who did not want to be identified but is nicknamed the "Sheet Lady," was visiting friends near where the shooting took place. She huddled at the edge of the crime scene on Lake and voiced her frustration with gun violence. She said she was wounded in a shooting about two years ago in Maywood.



"We out here helpless," she said.



Before Monday, only 28 people had been shot over the previous three nights, a low total for any weekend in Chicago.



This year, 1,300 extra officers were deployed during the weekend on top of normal staffing levels, according to police Superintendent Eddie Johnson. Last year, there were about 880 extra officers working, he said.



The officers worked in areas where much of the city violence occurs. The Chicago Police Department parked a mobile command center on one of the city's most widely known open-air heroin markets, at Roosevelt Road and Independence Boulevard, for the first two nights of the weekend.



The RV-size command van moved to an area near 63rd Street and King Drive after the second night. Nineteen of the 28 people shot the first three nights were wounded on the South Side, while the West Side saw just five shootings with a total of eight victims the first three nights.



One person over that period was wounded in a Northwest Side shooting, at Addison Street and Keeler Avenue.



The Cook County sheriff's office parked its mobile command center on a block widely known as one of the city's busiest marijuana spots -- Madison Street and Leamington Avenue -- where there have been close to a dozen shootings over the last 18 months.



It was common to see officers three or four to a car, or officers riding around in rented vans. Evidence techs also were moved into rental cars before the weekend. Many officers' days off were canceled and hours extended.



As the weekend drew to a close Tuesday morning, someone in a passing car fired toward a group standing outside Mount Sinai Hospital, police said.



An evidence tech at the hospital alerted his dispatcher that a car was shooting as nearby officers called out the sound of gunfire near the hospital.



Six of the 24 people shot between Monday and Tuesday mornings had been taken to the West Side trauma center for treatment. No one had been taken into custody for those shootings.



Outside the hospital a few minutes after the shooting, officers surrounded a group of people who were arguing. Shortly afterward, two cars filled with people left the hospital while others walked toward Douglas Park.



Police at the scene said no one was hit by the gunfire.
A 16-year-old West Side girl is accused of robbing two women on the Pink Line, attacking one with pepper spray and a punch this month, Chicago police said.

The girl, of the 2900 block of West Polk Street in the Lawndale neighborhood, was charged with armed robbery, robbery and aggravated battery to a peace officer for allegedly spitting on an officer during her arrest, police said. She's not being named because she is a juvenile.

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The suspect was riding the Pink Line on May 9 about 1:30 p.m. when she confronted a 19-year-old woman, knocked the woman's cellphone out of her hand and fled with it, police said.

Another attack happened May 8 about 9:10 p.m. when the suspect approached a 20-year-old woman who was leaving the train, grabbed her phone and hit the victim while spraying her with pepper spray, police said.

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The 16-year-old fled but was taken into custody Monday. As she was being booked, she "became irate" and spit on an officer, police said.
Students walk near the admissions office at Northeastern Illinois University on March 16, 2017. The university will eliminate about 180 full-time jobs in coming weeks. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)

For nearly two years, the state budget standoff has placed Northeastern Illinois University in an ever-tightening vise as the school's administrators have worked to continue operations amid steep reductions in state funding.

Leaders have tried increasingly drastic strategies to cut costs, culminating in campuswide furloughs that shut down the campus for eight days this spring and even forced students out of work. All the while, officials warned of worse to come.

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On Tuesday, the 700th day without a budget, those warnings came true.

University officials announced Tuesday that they would eliminate about 180 full-time jobs this summer. The cuts include about 130 civil service and 50 administrative and professional employees  a quarter of the staffing in both categories. Those workers will receive layoff notices within the next six to seven weeks, interim President Richard Helldobler said.

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The move is expected to save about $9 million through September, helping to reduce a $10.8 million shortfall, Helldobler said. Other cuts will come through a spending freeze and leaving some positions vacant, he said. The cuts do not affect academic faculty members.

"We've been pushed to our limits," Helldobler said at a news conference. "It has been devastating, and sadly today the devastation increases."

NEIU, on the Northwest Side, serves about 10,000 students, many of them minorities, low-income and first-generation college students.

Helldobler said those students could be especially hard hit by the layoffs because these staff members provide valuable guidance to students trying to navigate university systems and bureaucracy. Such employees help with things like class registration, financial aid and graduation requirements.

"They're your resources, your advisers, your mentors," said Ashlei Ross, a NEIU senior and president of the student government association. "They're the staff that are the ones who are really holding your hand. To lose that is a dramatic thing, especially for first-generation students because they don't have that resource at home. They can't ask their parents."

Sophia Mihic, president of the major faculty union, said the university's support staff not only assists students but also enables professors to focus on their academic work.

"If we don't have our support staff, we're going to have to be doing paperwork we wouldn't normally do," said Mihic, a political science and philosophy professor. "Stepping in to do that work will take us out of the classroom."

Throughout the nearly two-year budget battle, Illinois' public universities have received state funding only through two stopgap bills endorsed last summer.

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Together, those emergency measures provided universities around 80 percent of a typical year's funding, but schools have had to try to stretch those dollars over 23 months.

Northeastern, for example, received about $30.2 million in state money for the past two years, compared with the nearly $37 million it received in 2015, the most recent year for regular funding.

Additionally, Northeastern has drained its cash reserves to "next to nil" to bankroll operations, Helldobler said.

"If I had to give a grade to Springfield for the handling of our state's budget, they'd get an 'F,'" Helldobler said. "Northeastern is counting on lawmakers to do the right thing for our students, our state and our economy by passing a budget that includes adequate funding for higher education before it's too late."

State dollars typically make up about one-fourth of Northeastern's income, so the absence of those dollars has taken its toll.

The campus was closed during spring break in March as nearly all employees were required to take five unpaid days off and university services were halted. Nearly 1,100 workers, including top administrators, were affected by that round of furloughs.

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About 300 student workers were initially going to lose their state-funded campus jobs, owing to a new rule aimed to protect permanent employees from furloughs. The university later reversed that decision and terminated those workers during spring break before reinstating them.

Northeastern closed its campus again for three days in April and May and instituted the same furloughs for its workers. Administrative and professional workers were furloughed for an additional two days this month.

Northeastern also laid off 65 non-instructional workers in 2015 and required employees to take one furlough day per week for six weeks starting in March 2016.

Recognizing the escalating financial pressure, credit agencies downgraded the ratings for several state schools in April  making crucial borrowing more expensive  and warned of more such action. Both Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's bumped down Northeastern's rating, citing the lack of critical state funding to support operations.

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Illinois has been without a state budget since July 2015 as Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic legislators have been unable to broker a compromise.

Among the sticking points, Rauner has insisted on a property tax freeze while Democrats contend such a move would hurt local governments and school districts that rely heavily on those levies for their funding.

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Recent maneuvering has failed to gain much traction in the waning days of the session. Senate Democrats passed a budget plan last week, but their counterparts in the House have been slow to get behind it.

House Democrats approved bills on immigrant protections and penalties for repeat gun offenders over the holiday weekend but have yet to act on an annual budget.

Assembly members are scheduled to go home for the summer after Wednesday. A new budget year begins July 1.

drhodes@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @rhodes_dawn
Kurt Dreisilker, head of natural resources at the Morton Arboretum, speaks about their efforts to restore the oak woodlands on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. For 30 years the Morton Arboretum has worked on this but more efforts are needed throughout Illinois. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Before the farms began to stretch as far as the eye can see on the Midwestern landscape, before the fur trappers and settlers established towns along the Chicago area's rivers and lakes, there was the majestic oak tree.

They grew by the millions, hundreds of years old, in stands called savannas, one of the defining characteristics of the Midwestern topography.

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Today, the savannas are virtually gone, a casualty of American industriousness and prosperity.

But along the way, something else was lost  a vital link in the area's ecosystem, one that provided shelter for a range of plants, animals and insects that thrived under the oak tree's protective canopy.

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Now, a broad-based effort is looking to bring them back.

Scientists, foresters, naturalists and environmental organizations in the upper Midwest have launched a series of initiatives to restore what remains of the bur and white oak savanna ecosystems and woodlands.

"This is in a sense our rainforest, our national heritage," said Craig Maier, coordinator of the Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Savanna Fire Science Consortium.

In Illinois, the push has gained enough momentum that it is expanding from forest preserves and state parks toward private lands. Most of Illinois' 4.1 million acres of forest land is privately owned, said Bill Gradle, of the Illinois Forestry Development Council.

A new program rolling out this year will help landowners pay for restorations and help residents learn the techniques for returning their land to the native savannas and woodlands so oaks can thrive again. Degradation of oaks, considered a keystone species, is the top priority of the state's forestry action plan.

"People are getting concerned," Gradle said. "Oaks are just taking a beating."

The publicly funded initiative, though it does not exclusively target savannas, will ultimately send $2 million over the next four years to private landowners, paying for brush management, weed control, prescribed burns and removal of unwanted trees and shrubs.

Its backers are well aware that it is only a start. At one point, oak savannas made up at least 27 million acres stretching from Ohio to Missouri. By one estimate, less than 1/100th of 1 percent remains.

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Stephanie Brown, executive director of the Illinois Forestry Association, a group that represents 76,000 landowners who have property of at least 10 acres, said the program is a step in the right direction but covers only 37 counties. And the state's budget woes have put an end to a cost-sharing forestry development program that gave property owners a tax break if they reached certain land management benchmarks.

"It's the only game in town right now as the way to share the cost of conservation with landowners," Brown said.

The effort is on full display at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, where Gradle and other members of the forestry council took a tram ride through an ecosystem in transition.

To the left, the woods were dense and unruly, a tangle of wayward underbrush and fallen tree limbs. A leafy canopy overhead cast dark shadows on the chaotic assortment of plants and shrubs and gnarled, outstretched branches.

Across the road, sunlight dappled the ground. The forest floor was alive with bursts of wildflowers: purple wild geraniums and violet shooting stars and red trilliums. Tall, mature trees had space to breathe.

"It's a much richer environment," Kurt Dreisilker, the Morton Arboretum's head of natural resources, told the boot-clad group.

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A few feet up the ridge, the foresters exited the vehicle and crunched through the woods, searching for small oak saplings. It was tough to find one.

Restoring oak forest and savanna ecosystems, it is clear, does not happen overnight. Even though the brighter, more open woods are benefiting from human restoration efforts, progress takes time.

Researchers have used pre-settlement land records and historical aerial photographs of Illinois to determine the extent of native ecosystems and landscapes before development. Oak trees were the dominant species, often thriving in savannas, open vista landscapes punctuated with tall, sprawling, majestic trees. Oaks need sun and space to grow in both savanna and forest ecosystems, scientists said.

The savannas cater to both woodland and prairie plants and animals, as well as species that crave the shade of the old-growth trees and sun of the open spaces in between. Acorn production booms in savannas, and milkweeds, which attract butterflies, thrive there, scientists said.

"There is something about the oak savanna that attracted people here," whether it was Native Americans or European settlers, Maier said. "And over time, as we went about our lives, we've lost that sense of what brought people here."

In addition to their parklike vistas and natural beauty, oak savannas provide an array of natural and ecological advantages. The trees support 500 species of wildlife, including an array of insects and birds. Oaks also are well-suited to harsher temperatures and are able to conserve moisture during droughts, characteristics beneficial for a changing planet, Maier said.

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A Chicago-area urban tree census started in 2010 showed oaks were continuing to disappear, with younger trees losing out to maples and other tree varieties, said Lydia Scott, director of the arboretum's Chicago Region Trees Initiative. Scientists realized they needed to take steps to save the oak savannas from extinction, launching a series of projects aimed at thinning forest canopies and clearing the forest floor.

A walk on forest preserve trails in Cook, DuPage, Lake and McHenry counties offers close-up views of oak restoration work.

Cutting has reduced the density of the trees. Invasive honeysuckle and buckthorn have been targeted for removal, and young bur oaks, often protected by a mesh blanket, have been planted among the grasslands. Planned fires help control the undergrowth and do not damage hearty oaks, leaving behind fertile soil for native flowers and grasses.

"Taking these actions create the most diverse, resilient, healthy ecosystems," Maier said.

Similar efforts are underway throughout the Midwest, including on public and private land in Iowa and Wisconsin. In August, the arboretum will be hosting a meeting for scientists and researchers to swap expertise and findings about oak trees in the Midwest.

"There's been a resurgence in oak savanna restoration in the Midwest," said Pauline Drobney, a prairie and savanna zone biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "It's been an ecosystem that's been largely ignored."

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Drobney  who is writing a workbook on how to read the landscape and has been a part of recent workshops in Iowa, Michigan and Illinois  said restoration work "is like unraveling a mystery and figuring out the clues."

"It's kind of like finding our way home," Drobney said.

For years, an anti-fire or fire prevention mentality  think Smokey Bear  prevailed throughout the country. That meant that oak savannas didn't receive the controlled burns they needed to prevent invasive plants and out-of-control undergrowth from choking out native flowers.

"Suppression of fire is absolutely a death knell of the grasslands we call savannas," Drobney said. "Because of that, savannas are suffering. Many people don't understand what they are and what they need."

By launching proven restoration practices on private land, foresters hope to return large portions of Illinois land to a more native and healthier condition. Scott said 70 percent of oak ecosystems are on private land.

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The Illinois program will distribute about $758,000 this year in state, federal and local money. The forestry council applied for the funds through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The National Resources Conservation Service manages the program.

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Chris Vellella, who owns 130 acres outside the town of Tamms near the southern tip of Illinois, will receive nearly $25,000 through the program for restoration work. Crews recently began spraying bush honeysuckle, multiflora rose and autumn olive, invasive species that have taken over much of his forest.

"Right now when you look through the woods, a lot of it is so thick you can hardly see through it," Vellella said. "I'm really excited with the possibility of the property being transformed so you can walk through and see through the woods as it's supposed to be."

Interest in the program was robust: The forestry council received 243 applications. Of those, 37 will receive funding the first year.

"I think if we care about conservation and sharing the Earth with the inhabitants that have been here for thousands of years, I think it's important that our children see these places and species and how they work and how important they are," Drobney said. "Our survival depends on this."

poconnell@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @pmocwriter
SPRINGFIELD  The Illinois House approved measures to increase penalties for repeat gun offenders, automatically register people to vote and protect immigrants in the face of a federal crackdown during a busy Memorial Day that provided plenty of distractions from the state's most pressing issue: the lack of a budget.

Lawmakers are supposed to go home for the summer after Wednesday, and it remains unclear how Democrats who control the General Assembly, plan to move forward on the state's annual spending plan. Illinois has gone without a complete budget since July 2015 amid a stalemate between Democrats and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who has insisted on various political and economic changes before he'd cut a deal.

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While Senate Democrats approved a budget blueprint last week that relies on an income tax increase, sales tax expansion and new levies on satellite and streaming services, their House counterparts have been reluctant to embrace the plan. They note Rauner already has threatened to veto the package because it does not include a property tax freeze. Some worry about getting attacked politically for voting for tax hikes that don't even end up becoming law.

House Democrats are privately weighing alternative proposals, but the same concerns persist. Even so, they gave initial approval to the Senate tax plan during a committee hearing late Monday. Still, sponsoring Rep. Will Davis, D-Homewood, would not say whether the bill will be called as-is or if there will be changes before a House vote.

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Many House Democrats are opposed to the bill being retroactive to Jan. 1. The Senate-approved version would raise the personal income tax rate from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent. But the Jan. 1 provision means that rate effectively would be about 5.8 percent for the rest of this year. Others oppose extending the sales tax to services or imposing taxes on satellite TV bills.

"It's an ongoing conversation as to exactly where we are going to land," Davis said.

As negotiations continued late into the evening Monday, questions remain about whether the House will choose to take up an annual budget at all, or if there will be a repeat of last year when the chambers couldn't agree on a plan to send to Rauner. Negotiations continued throughout June, resulting in a temporary budget that ensured schools opened on time and universities and social services were funded for six months.

"What good is it to pass a budget that doesn't go anywhere?" said Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, who serves as an appropriations chairman. "Really the endgame should be, 'How do we keep government running to help the people we are supposed to help?' Whether it's at 100 percent, it's at 80 percent, it's at 50 percent. To me, that's the fundamental question that we are losing sight of. We are spending a lot of time on a budget that might not happen."

Crespo noted that even if Democrats did pass a budget, they would not be able to override a possible Rauner veto. That would take 71 votes, but there are just 67 Democratic members. He said if lawmakers blow past the Wednesday deadline, it'd put pressure on Republicans to cut a deal.

Rep. Greg Harris, who serves as a budget point man for House Speaker Michael Madigan, said Democrats will "cross that bridge as we come to it."

"The governor, as he has shown, has no concern about just vetoing any budget and driving the state further into ruin. That's what he's done in the past, but we can't fail to do our jobs and send him a responsible budget," Harris said.

Still, Harris noted that Wednesday is merely a parliamentary deadline, not a budgetary one. That's when the threshold to pass legislation jumps from a simple majority to a 3/5 majority. Harris said the true pressure point is July 1, when the new budget year begins.

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For his part, Madigan issued a statement calling on Rauner to "immediately focus on working with House Democrats to find common ground and pass a budget for our state."

The speaker pointed to the House's passage of legislation to change how the state buys goods and services as proof the sides can negotiate. The issue has long been pushed by Rauner, but his office issued a statement saying the bill alone doesn't go far enough.

"Tiny, incremental steps to change our broken system are better than nothing, but what the House passed today is far from what is needed," said spokeswoman Eleni Demertzis. "While Speaker Madigan's Democrats continue to argue over how big of a tax hike to impose on the people of Illinois, the governor remains focused on enacting real and lasting property tax relief."

Democrats and Republicans did find a few areas of agreement Monday. They teamed up to overwhelmingly approve legislation that would bring automatic voter registration to Illinois, and members of both parties voted in favor of a measure that would allow judges to give repeat gun offenders longer sentences.

The measure is backed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, and was negotiated with the help of House Republican leader Jim Durkin and Democratic Sen. Kwame Raoul. Instead of a range of three to 14 years, judges would hand out sentences in the range of seven to 14 years. If they wanted to depart from that guideline, they would have to explain why.

Opponents, including members of the Black Caucus, argued there is no proof tougher sentences do anything to drive down crime, saying the proposal would lead to a spike in arrests of African-American and Latino men. Durkin sought to address the concerns of some lawmakers by offering changes that establish a trial program for first-time, nonviolent offenders charged with certain weapons crimes that is focused on rehabilitation and keeping them out of the prison system. He also changed the bill so it would expire in five years, at which point lawmakers would have to review its effectiveness.

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While the legislation passed on a vote of 70-41, Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, used a procedural maneuver to keep the legislation from going back to the Senate for final approval. Durkin said he hopes to overturn that motion Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the House passed legislation that would prohibit state law enforcement agencies from enforcing federal civil immigration laws. Under the measure, police wouldn't be able to stop, arrest or search people because of their citizenship status. It also would ban officials from detaining someone solely based on an immigration detainer. Neither provision would apply if there's "a valid, enforceable federal warrant."

The House made several changes to the proposal to try to win support from law enforcement. That included removing provisions that created safe zones and would have forbidden communication between state law enforcement and federal agencies.

Republicans argued the state should leave immigration reform to Washington and shouldn't pick and choose which federal laws to follow. Proponents contend the bill would assuage fears in the immigrant community and protect them from unfair searches.

"There's this notion at the national level about law and order. And yes, we should have law and order, and we should have law and accountability," said Rep. Litesa Wallace, D-Rockford. "However, that typically refers to criminal offenses. Simply existing without a piece of paper is not a crime."

The legislation passed 62-49, largely along party lines. It returns to the Senate for lawmakers there to weigh in on the changes.

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Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Subscribe here.

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How sensitive was Mayor Rahm Emanuel last week to the news that his city is shrinking? Enough to turn to an unscientific study from U-Haul as a rebuttal to the U.S. Census Bureau report that found Chicago was the only major city in the country to lose population in 2016. The city also lost nearly double the number of residents as the year before.

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To deflect attention, Emanuel released a statement lauding the U-Haul report that determined Chicago ranked No. 2 in the nation for one-way drop-offs of the company's trucks and trailers.

"This report is further evidence of the vibrancy and vitality of Chicago, a global city where people across the country and around the world are coming to live, work and pursue their dreams," Emanuel said in his statement. "Chicago's position as the number two destination city in the U.S. is no surprise and another clear sign of the strength of neighborhoods across Chicago."

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Let's unpack that U-Haul "study."

The do-it-yourself moving company ranked its destination cities based on "the total number of one-way U-Haul truck rentals to a city in the past calendar year." Chicago, the company said, ranked second, but it did not release how many rentals that ranking was based on. U-Haul did note that the number of rental drop-offs in Chicago had dropped nearly 6 percent compared with the year before.

But the U-Haul study did not analyze the number of one-way rental departures out of the city -- or how many people or families left town with a truck. U-Haul even included this disclaimer in its news release: "Destination cities do not account for departing traffic and thus do not necessarily reflect growth like U-Haul Growth Cities."

And where does Chicago rank on the U-Haul's list of Top 25 growth cities? It doesn't.

But Carbondale, a southern Illinois college town that's no stranger to U-Haul use, ranks No. 18 on the growth list for cities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000. And tiny Swansea, a town outside St. Louis that happens to have a U-Haul location, ranked No. 16 on the company's growth cities list for communities with a population under 10,000.

Of course, one of the single greatest factors in determining a city's rank is just how many U-Haul locations or volume of trucks, vans and trailers that city might have. Fortunately for Emanuel, Chicago has a lot of U-Haul locations -- 123 within the city's limits, according to the company.

But there was still one place that Chicago couldn't edge out in the one-way U-Haul rental rankings, the same city that the U.S. Census study found is on pace to surpass Chicago as the nation's third most populous city: Houston. (Bill Ruthhart)

What's on tap

*Mayor Emanuel has no public schedule.

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*Gov. Bruce Rauner will be in the Capitol rotunda in the morning for the third annual Memorial Day wall of remembrance. He'll do another Facebook Live event at noon. He's still not taking reporters' questions as the legislative session winds down, however.

*The Illinois House and Senate meet ahead of a midnight Wednesday adjournment deadline.

*Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool is scheduled to speak to the City Club of Chicago.

*Democratic governor candidate Chris Kennedy will deliver a campaign speech on property taxes and education funding at the Harold Washington Cultural Center.

From the notebook

*On the Sunday Spin: Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson's guests were Tribune statehouse reporter Monique Garcia, former state Republican Chairman Pat Brady and Bob Secter, director of investigations for the BGA. The Sunday Spin airs from 7 to 9 a.m. on WGN-AM 720. Listen to the full show here.

*Hardworking?: Sunday's General Assembly fact noted that the session ended at 7:35 a.m. June 17, 1917, in both the House and Senate. "This set a new session record of 24 hours of non-stop work in the General Assembly," according to the fact of the day. That's nothing. Today, lawmakers have gone around 700 days without approving a full budget.

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What we're writing

*Monday in Springfield: Illinois House approves Emanuel gun bill, immigration protections, automatic voter registration -- budget still up in air.

*Sunday in Springfield: House Democrats divided on whether to vote for tax hike Rauner vows to veto.

*Rauner's property tax freeze push does triple duty for him politically.

*Joliet DCFS investigators competed for $100 gift cards for closing most cases.

*DCFS report shows litany of failures in death of 17-month-old Semaj Crosby.

*Chicago is epicenter of charter school contract disputes.

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*New Hastert accuser sues former speaker.

What we're reading

*Emanuel on CNN: Democrats aren't going to solve all problems in 2018.

*Suburban Chicago hiker tells how she survived Montana wilderness

*A video look at an important Chicago band's best album.

Follow the money

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*Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.

Beyond Chicago

*Kushner role in White House tested as Russia cases grows, NYT reports.

*Trump recognizes Portland victims for 'standing up to hate.'

*Sanders' revolution hits a rough patch, Politico finds.

*French President Macron challenges Putin on Syria, gay rights.
TACOMA, Wash.  A 20-year-old man who was intentionally run over at a campground after an argument over a vehicle driving recklessly has died of his injuries, authorities said.

Jimmy Smith-Kramer of Taholah was one of two victims run over by a pickup truck Saturday, KOMO-TV reported Monday. Tacoma General Hospital officials confirmed he had died late Sunday.

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The second victim, 19-year-old Harvey Anderson of Aberdeen, reportedly was in critical condition.

Campers were upset early Saturday because a pickup was doing doughnuts on a gravel bar at the Donkey Creek Campground.

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The Grays Harbor Sheriff's Office says there was an argument and a camper threw a rock at the truck. The driver then backed up toward the campers, running over the two men before fleeing, investigators say.

A statement released late Monday from the Quinault Nation said the victims were tribal members and that witnesses said the driver was screaming racial slurs when he ran over the two young men.

Undersheriff David Pimentel told The Associated Press that investigators interviewed all the witnesses on the gravel bar, and none mentioned racial slurs. He says he does not believe the crash was racially motivated and would speak with the tribe.

Sheriff's officials have not found a suspect but are following up on multiple tips, Pimentel said.
In this photo taken April 20, 2017, White House Communications Director Mike Dubke arrives in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Dubke has resigned as President Donald Trump considers a major staff overhaul amid intensifying inquiries into his campaign's dealings with Russia. (Andrew Harnik / AP)

WASHINGTON  A top White House communications staffer has resigned as President Donald Trump considers a major staff overhaul amid intensifying inquiries into his campaign's dealings with Russia.

The departure of Michael Dubke, Trump's communications director, comes as aides and outside advisers say Trump has grown increasingly frustrated by allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and revelations of possible ties between his campaign and Moscow.

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Trump tweeted Tuesday: "Russian officials must be laughing at the U.S. & how a lame excuse for why the Dems lost the election has taken over the Fake News."

Dubke wrote in a statement that it had been an honor to serve Trump and "my distinct pleasure to work side by side, day by day with the staff of the communications and press departments."

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Dubke offered his resignation earlier this month, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told The Associated Press on Tuesday, but offered to stay on during the president's first foreign trip. His last day has not yet been determined.

White House chief of staff Reince Priebus thanked Dubke in a statement and said Dubke had "offered to remain onboard until a transition is concluded."

"Mike will assist with the transition and be a strong advocate for the president and the president's policies moving forward," he said.

A Republican consultant, Dubke joined the White House team in February. The position had gone unfilled after campaign aide Jason Miller  Trump's original choice for communications director  backed out of the job in December before the president's inauguration. Dubke founded Crossroads Media, a GOP firm that specializes in political advertising.

Dubke is the latest White House staffer to leave the administration as scrutiny intensifies over contacts Trump staffers may have had with Russian government officials during the campaign and transition.

It's unclear whether other staff moves are imminent. Trump has entertained bringing his former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, and former deputy campaign manager, David Bossie, more formally back into the fold. And both Lewandowski and Bossie visited the White House on Monday night, according to a person familiar with the meeting, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private get-together.

Bossie told "Fox & Friends" that the Trump administration has reached out to him but hasn't offered him a job yet.

"They have talked to many people, including me," Bossie said. He later added: "It's an ongoing conversation, and that's a fair way to put it."

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In an interview on Fox News on Tuesday, Conway said Dubke "made very clear that he would see through the president's 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's hiring was intended to lighten the load on Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, who had also been handling the duties of communications director during Trump's first month in office. Trump has privately and publicly pinned much of the blame for his administration's rough start on the White House's communications strategy.

While overseas, Trump's longtime lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, joined a still-forming legal team to help the president shoulder the intensifying investigations into Russian interference in the election and his associates' potential involvement. More attorneys with deep experience in Washington investigations are expected to be added, along with crisis communication experts, to help the White House in the weeks ahead.

The latest revelations to emerge last week involved Trump's son-in-law and top aide, Jared Kushner. Shortly after the election, Kushner allegedly discussed setting up a secret communications channel with the Russian government to facilitate sensitive discussions about the conflict in Syria.

The intent was to connect Trump's chief national security adviser at the time, Michael Flynn, with Russian military leaders, a person familiar with the discussions told the AP. The person wasn't authorized to publicly discuss private policy deliberations and insisted on anonymity.

Flynn handed in his resignation in February after it was revealed he misled top White House officials about his contacts with Russian officials.

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A senior administration official said Kushner was keeping his head down and focusing on work after the foreign trip. The official said Kushner was eager to share what he knows with Congress and other investigators. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss private thinking and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The disclosure of the back channel has put the White House on the defensive. Just back from his nine-day trip to the Middle East and Europe, Trump dismissed recent reports as "fake news."

Trump also has renewed his criticism of Germany following Chancellor Angela Merkel's suggestion that her country needs to adopt a more independent stance in world affairs.

Trump posted a tweet Tuesday saying "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."

Associated Press writers Catherine Lucey and Jill Colvin contributed to this report.
Former national security adviser Michael Flynn will turn over documents related to two of his businesses as well as some personal documents a Senate committee requested, according to the Associated Press. (Chris Kleponis / Getty-AFP)

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn will provide documents to the Senate intelligence committee as part of its probe into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election, The Associated Press has learned.

Flynn's decision Tuesday came as President Donald Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, rejected a House intelligence committee request for information, and former White House staffer Boris Epshteyn confirmed he has been contacted for information as part of the House investigation.

Meanwhile, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin sounded similar tones as they criticized the ongoing U.S. scrutiny of Russia's attempts to sway the presidential election.

Flynn's cooperation was the first signal that he and the Senate panel have found common ground. Congressional investigators continue to press for key documents in the ongoing investigation, and the retired lieutenant general is trying to limit damaging disclosures that hostile Democratic lawmakers could use against him.

Flynn had previously invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination in declining an earlier subpoena from the committee, which sought a wide array of documents and information related to his contacts with Russia. Flynn's attorneys had argued the request was too broad and would have required Flynn to turn over information that could have been used against him.

In response, the Senate panel narrowed the scope of its request. It also issued subpoenas seeking records from Flynn's businesses.

One of the businesses, Flynn Intel Group Inc., did consulting work for a Turkish businessman that required Flynn to register with the Justice Department as a foreign agent earlier this year. The other, Flynn Intel Group LLC, was used to accept money from Flynn's paid speeches. Among the payments was more than $33,000 Flynn received from RT, the Russian state-sponsored television network that U.S. intelligence officials have branded as a propaganda arm of the Kremlin.

On Tuesday, a person close to Flynn said he will turn over documents related to the two businesses as well as some personal documents the committee sought in the narrower request. Flynn plans to produce some of the documents by next week, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss Flynn's private interactions with the committee.

While the Senate committee awaits documents from Flynn, Putin and Trump both dismissed the U.S. intelligence community's conclusion that the Kremlin interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election by hacking Democratic emails.

In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, Putin reaffirmed his strong denial of Russian involvement in the hacking. The interview was recorded during Putin's Monday trip to Paris and released Tuesday. Putin also said the allegations are "fiction" invented by the Democrats in order to explain their loss.

Trump made a similar claim in a tweet early Tuesday: "Russian officials must be laughing at the U.S. & how a lame excuse for why the Dems lost the election has taken over the Fake News."

Meanwhile, Cohen, Trump's personal attorney, told the AP that he turned down a request for information from the House intelligence committee looking into the Russian interference.

"I declined the invitation to participate as the request was poorly phrased, overly broad and not capable of being answered," Cohen said. "I find it irresponsible and improper that the request sent to me was leaked by those working on the committee."

Earlier Tuesday, the AP reported, citing a congressional aide, that the House intelligence committee had subpoenaed Cohen. The aide later retracted the statement. Cohen said if he is subpoenaed, he will comply.

Cohen, a longtime attorney for the Trump Organization, remains a personal lawyer for Trump. He served as a cable television surrogate for the Republican during the presidential campaign.

Cohen told ABC News that he had been asked by both the House and Senate intelligence committees to provide information and testimony about contacts he had with Russian officials.

Cohen's ties with Russian interests came up in February when The New York Times reported that Cohen helped to broker a Ukraine peace plan that would call for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and a referendum to let Ukrainians decide whether the part of the country seized by Russia in 2014 should be leased to Moscow. The Russian government denied knowing anything about such a plan.

The Times reported that the peace plan was the work of Felix Sater, a business associate who has helped Trump try to find business in Russia, and Cohen.

Cohen was a fierce defender of Trump during the campaign, often haranguing probing reporters and famously challenging a CNN reporter live on-air to name the specific polls that showed then-candidate Trump behind his rival, Hillary Clinton.

In the early 2000s, he formed his own firm working on a range of legal matters, including malpractice cases, business law and work on an ethanol business in Ukraine. Cohen also owned and operated a handful of taxi medallions, managing a fleet of cabs in New York.

Cohen's business associates in the taxi enterprise included a number of men from the former Soviet Union, including his Ukrainian-born father-in-law.

Cohen has made his own unsuccessful attempts at public office, losing a city council race and briefly running for state assembly in New York.

The House intelligence committee has also sought information from Epshteyn, a former staffer in the Trump White House.

Epshteyn said in a statement that he has asked the committee questions to better understand what information it is seeking and will determine whether he can reasonably provide it.

Epshteyn, who grew up in Moscow, worked a short time in the White House press office. He left in March and now works as a political analyst for right-leaning Sinclair Broadcasting.

WASHINGTON  Associated Press writers Julie Bykowicz, Eileen Sullivan and Deb Riechmann contributed to this report. Pearson reported from New York.
Facing the prospect that the United States will soon pull out of a landmark climate pact it helped negotiate, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday delivered an urgent appeal to the world to stay the course and implement the Paris Agreement, under which countries pledge to voluntarily curtail their emissions of greenhouse gases.

Addressing an audience of scientists, investors, and students at the New York University Stern School of Business, Guterres painted a disturbing portrait of world beset by climate-induced storms, heat waves, and rising sea levels that threaten island nations and coastal cities. Military strategists, he noted, increasingly recognize that climate change threatens global peace and security, fueling competition for scarcer natural resources and driving the mass movement of refugees.

"Climate change is an unprecedented and growing threat," he warned, announcing that he would host a U.N. climate summit in 2019 to promote international support for the Paris Agreement. "The arguments for action are clear."

Droughts from California to the Sahel are lasting longer than they have in the past, he said. The melting ice from the Greenland threatens to "alter the Gulf Stream and affect food production, water security and weather patterns from Canada to India," he noted. In the United States, he suggested, the Glacier National Park in Montana may have to change its name because the number of glaciers  150 when the park opened in 1910  is rapidly shrinking, with only 26 remaining.

"Allow me to be blunt. Our world is a mess," Guterres said. "Soon the famous snows of Kilimanjaro will exist only in stories."

His appeal underscores the growing isolation of the Trump administration on an issue that unites both America's closest allies and big rivals and fellow industrial powers like China, who have committed to implement the agreement. Nearly every country in the world has signed the accord, and almost 150 have ratified it. Among the holdouts Trump wants to join are Sudan, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Venezuela and Yemen.

Last week, at a meeting of the Group of Seven industrial powers in Sicily, the Trump administration blocked the adoption of an endorsement of the Paris agreement. More than four months into his term, he argued that his administration had not had enough time to review the pact.

On Tuesday, the news site Axios reported that Trump has informed close associates that he plans to withdraw from the climate pact, which includes a pledge by states to strive to limit the rise of global temperatures well below 2 degrees Celsius.

But getting out of the climate pact is not easy  by design.

In an effort to hedge against the possibility of a Trump presidency or pushback from a GOP-led Congress, the authors of the Paris agreement included a provision that prohibits any state from formally invoking their right to withdraw from the pact till November 2019, three years after the treaty came into force. It would then take another year before the U.S. could formally pull out of the agreement  meaning that the United States could remain in the Paris pact until the next presidential election.

Even before seeking to leave Paris, the Trump administration has already imposed steep cuts in U.S. programs to address climate change. White House Office of Management and Budget director Mick Mulvaney proposed in the 2018 budget slashing one Environmental Protection Agency program that monitors greenhouse gas levels by about 85 percent. The administration has also sought to reverse Obama-era policies meant to reduce U.S. carbon emissions, such as an electricity plan that would have nudged dirty coal out of the electricity mix.

"We're spending too much of your money on climate change, and not very efficiently," Mulvaney told reporters.

On the international front, Trump has vowed to halt funding to a U.N.-run Green Climate Fund. Conservative critics of the Paris agreement argue that the president might be best able to wriggle out of its commitments under the pact by withdrawing from the 1994 United Nations Framework Convention, which was created to coordinate global efforts to curb greenhouse-gas emissions.

"The Paris agreement is a costly and ineffective approach to addressing global warming," Nicolas Loris and Brett Schaefer wrote in a paper published by the Heritage Foundation, who claimed the deal would batter the economy and cost hundreds of thousands of American jobs. (Actually, the United States is already well on the way to meeting its 2025 Paris commitments, thanks to the growth of clean natural gas and renewable energy.)

"President Trump should demonstrate leadership and keep his promise to withdraw from Paris by exiting from the entire United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)," they wrote.

In his speech, Guterres took aim at two Trump administration shibboleths: That the cause of global warming has yet to be established, and that efforts to fight it constitute a threat to the economy. In reality, the overwhelming majority of climate scientists pinpoint man-made emissions as the main cause of climate change, and nearly all studies show that reducing emissions is cheaper than dealing with the cascading global impacts of a warmer planet.

Clean energy, Guterres said, will be an economic driver in its own right.

"The falling cost of renewables is one of the most encouraging stories on the planet today," he said. "Thousands of private corporations, including major oil and gas companies, are taking their own action. They know that green business is good business."

Guterres also suggested that placing a carbon tax on big carbon emitters could fuel economic activity. "Putting a price on carbon at a global scale could unleash innovation and provides the incentives that industries and consumers need to make sustainable choices," Gutteres said.

Guterres called the Paris agreement, the first global and comprehensive accord to tackle climate change, a "remarkable moment in the history of mankind" that brought the most fractious of countries together under a single cause.

"If any government doubts the global will and need for this accord, that is reason for all others to united even stronger and stay the course," he said.
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.
President Donald Trump speaks at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, May 29, 2017, in Arlington, Va. (Pool / Getty Images)

Welcome home Mr. President. It's gotten worse while you were away.

Problem-plagued presidents love to travel abroad, to be welcomed by overhead jets, sword dances and lots of pomp and photo-ops. But then they have to return. Now that President Donald Trump has returned, he'll have to confront the reaction to his widely ridiculed budget. He'll have to deal with the struggle by congressional Republicans to patch together a politically unpopular health care bill, a government with scores of high-level vacancies and a White House wracked by dissension and leaks.

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Above all, he'll face the agony of a special counsel's investigation that could imperil his presidency. The probe by Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 election is deadly serious, and is likely to be wide-ranging and protracted. That's why the president and some of his associates are, in investigative parlance, "lawyering up."

Officially, Mueller is answerable to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, but his standing is such that the only limit to his investigative power is Trump's authority to decide he's a threat and fire him. The former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mueller is empowered to probe links between Russians and the Trump universe. This includes "any matters" that arise from the investigation.

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Mueller can be counted on to be discreet, fair and tough. He'll look at whether there was any coordination between Russian authorities and campaign personalities, any financial links or money laundering, and whether the president tried to obstruct the investigation.

Evidence so far is only circumstantial. Yet there's plenty of it, including a pattern of deceptions and lies about Russian connections that causes Republican concern.

Former FBI director James Comey, fired this month by Trump, kept contemporaneous notes on private conversations in which the president reportedly sought to sidetrack the investigation into his former national security chief, Michael Flynn. Comey soon will brief Mueller.

Perhaps most worrisome to the president's allies was Trump's call to two top intelligence officials to pressure the FBI to curb the Russia inquiry.

That call has invited comparisons to President Richard Nixon's obstruction of the Watergate investigations. It's unlikely that there will be anything this time like the "smoking gun" White House tape recording from 1972, in which Nixon discussed using the Central Intelligence Agency to shut down the investigation. Remember, though, that the House Judiciary Committee had voted on a bipartisan basis to impeach Nixon for obstruction nine days before the smoking gun tape came out.

The reckless Trump could expose himself to further risks. President Bill Clinton's dalliance with an intern, which precipitated impeachment proceedings, occurred 15 months after the 1994 appointment of Kenneth Starr as independent counsel to investigate financial transactions that took place during Clinton's days in Arkansas years before.

The allegations of financial links between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin  which Trump adamantly denies  call to mind allegations compiled by Christopher Steele, the retired Russia-desk chief of the U.K.'s MI6 intelligence agency.

Steele compiled a dossier at the behest of Trump's U.S. political opponents which, drawing on Russian sources, concluded that Moscow and Trump had deep connections. Its contents remain unverified and it has been debunked by Trump supporters. But intelligence agencies are continuing to pursue some of the specifics.

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U.S. intelligence agencies reported in January that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign of cyberattacks and fake news to undermine Hillary Clinton's presidential prospects and public faith in the democratic process. Their report did not comment on whether anyone in the Trump campaign communicated with Russian operatives.

What are Republicans doing and thinking about Mueller's inquiry into that question and related ones? Some in Congress, from the predictable and hyperpartisan Rep. Trey Gowdy to the more independent Sen. Chuck Grassley, have tried to discredit the investigation. They haven't gotten any traction.

Privately, more and more Republicans expect the Trump-Russia scandal to mushroom. They recognize that Trump has made dangerous enemies by offending the intelligence community and, with the sacking of Comey, the FBI. They worry about whether they can escape the fallout.

Bloomberg View

Albert R. Hunt is a Bloomberg View columnist. He was the executive editor of Bloomberg News, before which he was a reporter, bureau chief and executive Washington editor at the Wall Street Journal.

What to read next:

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Jared Kushner is seen listening to his father-in-law, President Donald Trump, at a roundtable with cyber-security experts at the White House on Jan. 31, 2017. (Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post)

The Washington Post on Thursday dropped another bombshell:

"Investigators are focusing on a series of meetings held by Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and an influential White House adviser, as part of their probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and related matters, according to people familiar with the investigation.

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"Kushner, who held meetings in December with the Russian ambassador and a banker from Moscow, is being investigated because of the extent and nature of his interactions with the Russians, the people said. ...

The Post has not been told that Kushner is a target  or the central focus  of the investigation, and he has not been accused of any wrongdoing."

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He might at a later point become a target, but he may merely be a witness to suspected "collusion." What we do know is that Kushner was a key participant in the campaign, the transition and the decision to fire former FBI director James B. Comey.

We also know that Kushner did not initially disclose contacts with Russian officials. The Post recounts:

The story must be told.

"In early December, Kushner met in New York with the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, and he later sent a deputy to meet with Kislyak. Flynn was also present at the early-December meeting, and later that month, Flynn held a call with Kislyak to discuss U.S.-imposed sanctions against Russia. [Former national security adviser Michael] Flynn initially mischaracterized the conversation, even to Vice President Pence  ultimately prompting his ouster from the White House. Kushner also met in December with Sergey Gorkov, the head of Vnesheconombank, which has been the subject of U.S. sanctions following Russia's annexation of Crimea and its support of separatists in eastern Ukraine."

Right now the questions far outnumber any concrete facts. These include:

Did Kushner have meaningful contacts with Russian officials during the campaign? (FBI agents had been looking closely at earlier exchanges between Trump associates and the Russians dating to the spring of 2016, including one at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington when Kushner and Kislyak were present for a Trump speech.)

Did the campaign know in advance of the WikiLeaks disclosures? Did it know about Russian use of disinformation?

Did Kushner know of other campaign team members connections and/or communications with Russian officials?

Why was Paul Manafort fired? What does Kushner know about Manaforts ties to Russia?

Why was the RNC platform changed to take out the pledge to provide defensive weapons to Ukraine?

What financial ties does Kushner have to Russia or Russian oligarchs, and what does he know about any such ties between Trump and the Russians?

Did Kushner know Flynn was under investigation as an agent of Turkey when he entered government?

Did Kushner know about  or join in  a scheme to fire Comey in order to derail the Russia investigation, create a fake reason for the firing and dispatch the vice president to vouch for a pretextual reason?

Is there a recording system in the White House?

Quite apart from the Russia investigation and any possible scheme to obstruct justice, Kushner's own finances should be of concern to Congress (if we had a majority interested in conscientious oversight). The Post has reported that Kushner is "keeping nearly 90 percent of his vast real estate holdings even after resigning from the family business and pledging a clear divide between his private interests and public duties. The value of his retained real estate interests is between $132 million and $407 million and could leave him in a position to financially benefit from his family's business." Congress certainly should investigate the extent to which Kushner has conflicts of interest and/or is enriching himself by virtue of his perch in the White House, either of which would violate ethics rules. Moreover, the Constitution's emoluments clause  which bars anyone who is holding an office from receiving gifts and other things of value from a foreign government  applies to him, just as it does the president. Is Kushner taking steps to make certain that he is not violating the Constitution?

Trump brought his unqualified, inexperienced multimillionaire son-in-law into the White House and gave him a gigantic portfolio. In the long run, that may prove to be a financial and/or legal headache for both of them.

Washington Post

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Welcome back, Mr. President. Things have only gotten worse for you.
It's graduation season in America and a good moment to admit an uncomfortable truth: Too many grads are walking across campus quads to accept an MBA. I should know  I'm one of them.

Last year U.S. universities conferred more than 185,000 master's degrees in business administration, more than degrees in medicine and law combined. Their popularity isn't surprising: Business degrees still offer the best return per instructional dollar, and many students are willing to pay the $200,000 price of admission. But all is not well in the land of management education.

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Before coming to Columbia Business School, I hadn't thought deeply about the purpose of an MBA. Now, after two years, I'm convinced that business schools in general are failing to inculcate any real sense of direction or moral obligation in their students.

In my experience, business-school coursework is treated as a nuisance, helped by the proliferation of "grade non-disclosure" at the nation's leading schools. The core curriculum lacks a core, and even the most dedicated students find it hard to acquire a substantial body of learning. While some professors try valiantly to instill a sense of social mission, their efforts are usually overwhelmed by a pervasive ethos of greed.

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In one course, students were cautioned against careers in investment banking, not because jobs were getting harder to find, but because living on $800,000 a year in New York (the typical managing director's salary) was just untenable. Sexism abounds: In my introductory leadership course, the only non-male example mentioned on the first day was Joan of Arc. RIP female leadership, 1431.

The business-school experience seems to boil down to conspicuous consumption (class trips to exotic locales, meticulously documented on social media, are much in favor), ceaseless networking, and not much actual learning. Business schools are increasingly divorced from their university environment and feel more like, well, businesses. For decades now, universities have built up this product line, using it to subsidize other schools and turning a blind eye to what is and isn't taught. Increasingly, the students look like customers who've been overcharged.

Business schools' main value proposition is entry into high-paying sectors like hedge funds  but this advantage is eroding. In my class, one of the most sought-after tech employers told potential hires they should start work right away instead of finishing their degree. This suggests that the main value of business school is not what you learn but the admission committee's ability to screen. Friends working in private equity say they've been advised against getting an MBA: Firms are increasingly willing to hire and promote people without one.

Already, there are signs of distress. The number of Americans taking the Graduate Management Admission Test, required for admission to most MBA programs, has fallen by 30 percent since 2012. The top programs have filled the gap with international students and less stringent "executive MBA" programs, but many full-time two-year MBA programs have seen a slowdown in applications. The business-school bubble hasn't burst yet, but the chorus of naysayers is growing.

Some have taken the business-school-as-business logic to the extreme, arguing for a complete divestiture of the enterprise from the university. But I'm not ready to give up on the MBA's higher aspirations just yet.

In 1914, when the first business schools were coming into existence, the social critic Walter Lippman published his great work "Drift and Mastery." Men with a business education, he wrote, would far surpass mere merchants who had "no discipline for making wisdom out of experience." Lippman argued that turning business into a profession with educational requirements would lead to "a fellowship of interest, a standard of ethics, an esprit de corps, and a decided discipline . . . something more than a desire to accumulate and outshine their neighbors."

Business schools should return to this ideal. An MBA should be more than a passport to a six-figure job. As Harvard College Dean Rakesh Khurana has argued, schools need to rethink their purpose. They've been too much guided by the idea that managers are mere agents of shareholders, accountable only for their success or failure in making profits. Business as a profession -- akin to medicine and the law -- calls for a wider outlook and deeper sense of obligation. Professional training in business needs to raise its sights. A new focus on entrepreneurship with a social purpose would be a good start.

I'd happily toss my graduation cap to that.

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Kim Gittleson has written on business for the BBC and was recently a Knight-Bagehot fellow at Columbia University.
The Trump White House is in crisis  and the people there have no idea what to do about it.

Or to be more precise, they have plenty of ideas, but they're all wrong. They seem to stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of what their problem is. As they rack their brains to figure out how they can handle the deepening Russia scandal and improve the president's political standing, they're coming up with solutions that are destined to fail.

Let's take a quick tour around some of the most recent reports from inside the White House. Here's the Associated Press:

"President Donald Trump is assailing internal leaks as he considers an overhaul of his White House staff and grapples with a burgeoning crisis involving alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 campaign.

"Frustrated with what he views as his team's inability to push back against the drumbeat of new revelations, Trump is seeking expanded teams of lawyers and experienced public relations hands."

Here's Politico:

"President Donald Trump has been aggressively working the phones since returning this weekend from his foreign trip, talking to friends and outside lawyers as he obsesses over the deepening investigations into his aides and Russia.

"Two White House officials said Trump and some aides including Steve Bannon are becoming increasingly convinced that they are victims of a conspiracy against Trump's presidency, as evidenced by the number of leaks flowing out of government  that the crusade by the so-called 'deep state' is a legitimate threat, not just fodder for right wing defenders."

And here's a report in The Washington Post from over the weekend:

"President Trump and his advisers, seeking to contain the escalating Russia crisis that threatens to consume his presidency, are considering a retooling of his senior staff and the creation of a 'war room' within the White House, according to several aides and outside Trump allies.

"Following Trump's return to Washington on Saturday night from a nine-day foreign trip that provided a respite from the controversy back home, the White House plans to far more aggressively combat the cascading revelations about contacts between Trump associates  including Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and senior adviser  and Russia."

Taken together, these reports paint a picture of a White House that is convinced that what it has is in large part a media problem. So creating a "war room" to craft and push out better spin seems to be the first item on the agenda. After that, they're considering some kind of staff shakeup that would involve replacing some personnel with different people who would presumably do a better job.

But that's a fundamental misunderstanding of what is ailing this administration. It certainly has a media problem, but it isn't because the administration hasn't had the opportunity to get its side of the story out. Its side of the story is out  it's just that it keeps being contradicted by the facts. If the White House is upset that journalists greet its latest spin with skepticism, that's only because its lies have been so copious that no reporter can take what administration officials say at face value, and in every new controversy, there's a strong chance they're pushing out new lies, which will then inevitably be exposed.

A staff "shakeup" isn't going to solve their problem either. There is no team of top-notch Republican staffers just waiting to take over for the current White House staff  the smart ones don't want to sully their reputations by working for this White House, and the problem is more often the jobs staffers are being asked to do than the people doing the job. For instance, you could replace Sean Spicer with some other spokesperson, but then that person would be told to go in front of the cameras and repeat things everyone knows is untrue, and then contradict themselves 24 hours later. Their reputation would quickly follow Spicer's down the toilet.

The real staff problem the White House has is those closest to the president, none more than Jared Kushner. Kushner is not only at the center of the Russia scandal; he's also the most powerful staffer in the White House  and as is becoming clearer all the time, there may never have been a person less capable in that position. Kushner came to the job with zero political or government experience; you might recall that he was under the impression that the Obama White House staff would be staying on to serve Trump. Yet with an apparently bottomless faith in his son-in-law's abilities, Trump has assigned Kushner to reinvent government, solve the opioid crisis, and achieve Middle East peace, among other things. Kushner's impeccable political instincts led him to encourage the president to fire FBI Director James B. Comey and assure him "that it would be a political 'win' that would neutralize protesting Democrats because they had called for Mr. Comey's ouster over his handling of Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server, according to six West Wing aides," the New York Times reported Sunday.

And now we learn that this ignorant neophyte  who seems, like many rich white guys, to have a confidence utterly unwarranted by his actual abilities  thought he was a character in a Tom Clancy novel, when he's actually a character right out of "Veep." His suggestion to the Russians that they set up a secret communications channel in a Russian facility was so ludicrous that even the Russians were shocked.

And alone among White House staffers, Kushner can't be fired. But even he is not the real problem, and the problem the White House has no way to solve. That problem is, of course, the president himself.

As much as Trump complains internally about his communications staff, they can't have any credibility when they're told to defend Trump's spectacular bumbling and endless waterfall of lies. The people who work on policy are hampered by the ever-shifting messages emanating from the Oval Office on what Trump wants. Just last night he tweeted, "I suggest that we add more dollars to Healthcare and make it the best anywhere," at a moment when Republicans are proposing to slash hundreds of billions of dollars from health-care spending.

All the crises, all the chaos, all the scandals begin with Donald Trump. He's the one who fired Comey, then admitted on camera that he did it because of the Russia investigation. He's the one who blurts out secrets to other governments, out of either a deep need to impress people or sheer stupidity ("You can't say what not to say," one person close to the White House told CNN, "because that will then be one of the first things he'll say"). He's the one who rages internally against leaks, then sends out a series of tweets alleging that leaks are not leaks at all, but are in fact fabricated by news organizations, which keeps his core supporters in a state of denial and antagonizes honest journalists.

So the White House can shake itself up all it wants. How much damage the Russia scandal does will be determined not by whether the Trump administration has a good "war room," but by how deep it goes and whether crimes were committed  in other words, by the facts. Passing some meaningful legislation might help, but not if it's as stunningly unpopular as what has been proposed so far. And as long as Donald Trump keeps being Donald Trump, its problems will never be over.

Washington Post
Jan and Joe Hernandez, of Chicago's Montclare neighborhood, belong to a taxpayer-funded program designed to make sure homeowners in their area can get the appraised value of their homes, but that has not been the case for them. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune) (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

A planned seven-story apartment complex on the city's Northwest Side is stirring a dispute over how neighborhoods evolve. The Jefferson Park development would include subsidized housing for people who don't have a lot of money. Cue the controversy.

The plan calls for 80 units to be rented at below market rate. Twenty units would be reserved for people with Chicago Housing Authority vouchers. Backers of the plan include John Arena, the local 45th Ward alderman, who is teaming up with six other aldermen to bring more affordable housing to the North and Northwest sides.

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Fair enough. We write often that as Chicago evolves, affordable housing has to be a citywide priority, not a scourge that individual neighborhoods avoid. "We understand that for far too long, aldermen on the North and Northwest sides have done far too little to open our communities to low-income and minority families," Arena and the other aldermen said in a letter this month to Ald. Joe Moore, chairman of the City Council's Committee on Housing and Real Estate. "Chicago's history of racism has left a legacy of exclusion we must respond to today."

The proposal has met stiff resistance in Jefferson Park, a neighborhood with a mostly white, middle-class population. Residents say their concerns have nothing to do with race and class. Instead, they say the building would be too tall for the neighborhood and would cluster too many apartments in their quiet community of bungalows.

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What distinguishes this from other NIMBY stories is that residents of Jefferson Park already have a proven way to prevent plunging property values as their neighborhood evolves: Nearly 30 years ago, a program geared toward halting white flight began on the Northwest Side. Called the Northwest Home Equity Assurance Program, the effort guaranteed the value of homes in the neighborhood, using a pool of money created by a modest yearly tax applied to homeowners within the program's boundaries. Most homeowners now pay between $1.50 and $3 a year into the program. The premise: If residents flee and property values fall, the program would make up the shortfall between a home's appraised value and the price it sells for. Yet home values have been steadily rising; the fund hasn't made a payout since 1998.

But with the apartment complex now proposed, applications to register with the equity assurance program are on the rise. The program's director, Robin Larson, told the Tribune's John Byrne some homeowners signing up have explained their motivation. "They say, 'You won't believe this bleep bleeping development they want to put in over here.' "

We're in no position to judge the callers' motives. But if the equity assurance program is undergoing a revival, we're all for that. In a perfect world it wouldn't exist; in this world, it evidently satisfies concerns that homeowners might have to sell at a loss. These programs have a good track record; a similar one in south suburban South Holland helped keep that community relatively integrated racially and economically.

But keeping people who could benefit from affordable housing out of a community is something very different. Depending on the specifics, excluding people by race or class violates the spirit or the letter of our Constitution and laws. Permitting affordable housing not only promotes integration, it nurtures economic growth. Creating more affordable housing in parts of Chicago where many of the city's employers are  Jefferson Park is close to O'Hare International Airport and surrounding industry  would bring workers closer to local employers who need them.

And when more workers bringing home paychecks want to live in neighborhoods close to their jobs, guess what happens: Housing values rise.

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This city's broad shoulders are narrowing. Chicago lost citizens again last year, the only one of the country's 20 largest cities to see its population drop. It was the third consecutive year of decline.

Chicago's headcount fell by 8,638 residents from 2015 to 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The previous year, the city's population dropped by 4,934 people. The region is also shrinking. The greater Chicago area, defined by the Census Bureau as the city, its suburbs, northwest Indiana and southeast Wisconsin, suffered the sharpest drop in population of any metropolitan area in the nation in 2016  a loss of 19,570 residents. The news wasn't any better for Illinois as a whole. Its population dropped a net 37,508 people. No other state experienced that large a loss.

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It's bad news, but it's also news we've heard before. For decades. After peaking at 3.6 million in 1950, the city began shrinking. Chicago's population rose in the 1990s, but by 2010 it again dropped. Prior declines always had been cushioned by a steady influx of Mexican immigrants. By 2007, that trend slowed.

Many components factor into a city's overall health, and one of the most telling is population  as in, do people invest their futures here or go elsewhere? A city that's getting larger is a city with a broader tax base, more job opportunities, a bigger labor pool, more representation in Congress and a larger share of federal, population-based funding.

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Here, though, potential employers see local and state governments that are forever piling on new regulations, adding tax increases and making the cost of doing business ever-higher. City aldermen, Cook County Board members and state legislators see employers as golden geese they can extort: Here's the minimum wage you'll pay, here's your sick-time policy, here's your next sales tax increase ...

Chicago's population woes aren't critical yet, but they need attention now, before the slide gets dramatically worse.

While making Chicago more jobs-friendly would help slow the outflow, a stronger employment climate arguably also would lead to less crime, less poverty and less household dysfunction. Chicago especially needs to persuade businesses big and small to set root in job-starved neighborhoods on the South and West sides, where the loss of African-American population endangers the health and future of those communities.

We've seen the energy and enthusiasm that major employers bring to struggling neighborhoods. Think Whole Foods in Englewood, which opened last fall. On opening day, a shopper mused, "What if Englewood in the next 10 years will be the new Hyde Park?" That's a glint of enthusiasm we like to see. Yes, Chicago helped make the Whole Foods opening happen with $10.7 million in city subsidies. But the store partnered with a local community college to hire many of its employees, and put on display items produced by local businesses.

We're not keen on routinely dangling city tax dollars to lure prospective employers to impoverished neighborhoods, but in the case of Whole Foods, which can seed economic growth in Englewood, infrastructure subsidies in the form of new roads and sewers benefited a community as much as a company. We could see the use of similar incentives to draw major employers to struggling neighborhoods, if the potential for jobs and economic growth is genuine.

Such incentives aren't a cure-all, however. In 2014, the Tribune held an event featuring a discussion with a union leader, one of the city's top educators and a mayoral aide. The evening touched on a variety of urban topics, one of which was the question of how to attract the best jobs to Chicago. Everyone agreed on the answer: Chicago can attract a steady stream of incoming employers if it can offer those companies a highly trained and educated workforce.

One bridge to that workforce is the City Colleges of Chicago revamp that retooled each campus to focus on a specific job sector. Companies in the region help craft the coursework, so that graduates can go seamlessly from school to careers. It's the kind of work force-prepping that companies crave, and we'd love to see it expanded throughout the region and state, for that matter.

There are other well-known reasons people are leaving the city. The numbing toll of violence. Our cash-starved school system. Miserable public finances and the likelihood of ever-higher taxes to pay down vast state and local government debts. Each is Sisyphean in scope, with no solutions in sight. But getting more employers to open their doors  and jobs  to the city is an achievable goal, one that could help reverse the downsizing of Chicago.

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A heart-shaped wreath covered with positive messages hangs on a traffic light pole May 27, 2017, in Portland, Ore., at a memorial for two bystanders who were stabbed to death Friday while trying to stop a man who was yelling anti-Muslim slurs and acting aggressively toward two young women, including one wearing a Muslim head covering. (Gillian Flaccus/AP )

It only took four days  four days!  but President Donald Trump finally extended his sympathies to victims of the murderous knife attack on a Portland, Ore., light-rail train by an alleged white supremacist.

"The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable," he tweeted Monday morning. "The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/them."

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If you missed it, that may be because the tweet curiously appeared on the @POTUS Twitter account, which has 18.2 million followers, not the president's personal account, @realDonaldTrump, which has 31 million followers.

Pardon me, but I can't help but wonder whether the president would have taken as long with his sentiments or sounded as perfunctory if the murder suspect had been a Muslim. Or someone living in this country illegally. Just wondering.

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I'll get back to that suspect. First, let's talk about those who deserve to be talked about: the three uncommonly courageous heroes who came to the aid of two teenage girls who were being bullied and harassed by an alleged white supremacist, police said, for "religiously and racially motivated reasons."

One of the teens is black. The other was wearing a hijab.

Three white men came to their aid, witnesses told police, and the suspect violently attacked all three.

Two of the men died. Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, was a 2016 graduate of Portland's Reed College who earned his degree in economics, worked at a local consulting firm and had just purchased a house, according to the Portland Oregonian.

Before Namkai-Meche was carried away on a stretcher, an eyewitness told the Oregonian, he had a last message: "Tell everyone on this train I love them."

The second fatality was Ricky John Best, 53, a retired U.S. Army platoon sergeant and father of four who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and worked as a technician for the city of Portland. A Republican, according to news accounts, he ran in the non-partisan Clackamas County commissioner's race and refused to take campaign contributions  a gesture that some locals, in my experience, would say is a "very Portland thing" to do.

The third hero, Micah David-Cole Fletcher, survived with knife wounds described as serious but not life-threatening. Fletcher, 21, is a Portland State University student and poet who won a 2013 competition, ironically with a poem that opposed prejudice against Muslims.

His mother on Saturday described his condition as "really bad," with a broken jaw and a long puncture wound in his neck that barely missed a jugular vein.

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The suspect in this deadly mayhem was identified as Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, of North Portland, Ore., who has a history of making racist and Islamophobic remarks, according to the police and civil rights advocacy organizations.

Conservatives have taken some comfort out of reports that Christian was a Bernie Sanders supporter. But as the Southern Poverty Law Center's profile of him notes, Christian's Facebook page shows "an individual all over the political spectrum" who also holds some racist and other extremist beliefs.

In video posted on Twitter by Oregon freelance journalist Mike Bivins, Christian can be seen prancing around at an April free speech march in Portland, wearing an American flag like a cape and waving Nazi salutes while yelling racial slurs and threats about Muslims, Jews and "fake Christians."

Other demonstrators at that march, which was organized by young conservatives, pointedly disavow association with him. That's fair. But it took some cheek, in my view, for white nationalist alt-right leader Richard Spencer to try to distance himself from Christian.

"The #PortlandStabbing was a saddening event," he tweeted, "and I condemn the actions of Jeremy Joseph Christian."

Yet, though Spencer sounds more articulate and rational than Christian, that's not saying much. Both have advocated breaking up the United States into separate regions for different races in a bizarre white nationalist version of the late Elijah Muhammad's dream of a black nation for his Nation of Islam.

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This is the company that President Trump also keeps, whether he realizes it or not. He should learn from the Portland heroes. When he responds more quickly and passionately to victims of Islamic terrorism, for example, than he does to domestic anti-Islamic terrorism, he becomes less of a problem-solver and more of a problem.

Clarence Page, a member of the Tribune Editorial Board, blogs at www.chicagotribune.com/pagespage.

cpage@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @cptime
Gov. Bruce Rauner has accused Democrats of having spent our state into the toilet. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune )

In early March, Senate Democrats in Springfield pulled an illustrative if little-noticed stunt.

They summoned to committee hearings numerous heads of state agencies  officials appointed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner to oversee education, human services, public health, juvenile justice and so on  and asked them for specific budget and program reductions they were prepared to implement in line with Rauner's demand for "real spending cuts" by state government.

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Cue the crickets.

"Time and again, agency director after agency director told us in very certain terms that they cannot cut their budgets any deeper than they already have been," Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, told the State Journal-Register.

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How can this be?

Shouldn't the appointees of Rauner, who last year accused Democrats of having "spent our state into the toilet," have top-of-mind a list of unnecessary, duplicative, fraudulent and inflated initiatives that could be eliminated, with pain felt only by the featherbedders who work there?

The casual observer certainly wonders, as it's a common belief that Illinois is well marbled with budgetary fat, the most wasteful, free-spending state in the union.

That belief greatly complicates efforts at a political resolution of the budget stalemate and is unsupported by the data.

Illinois ranked 37th in per capita state government spending in fiscal year 2015, the most recent year available in a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis.

If you also include local government spending, Illinois ranked 24th, just a whisker below the national average, in a FY 2014 roster generated by the Tax Policy Center.

Illinois was also very close to average in a Federation of Tax Administrators FY 2014 ranking of "own-source revenue"  total taxes and fees collected by state and local government bodies  as a percentage of personal income.

We were 27th among the states and the District of Columbia in that comparison, which was made before the 25 percent state income-tax rollback in 2015, a move that surely dropped us in the rankings into the mid-30s.

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In a recent report headlined "Lots Of People Think They Can Solve Illinois' Budget Mess  But It's Not That Easy," the Chicago-based Better Government Association wrote, "On a per capita basis, no state government employs fewer people than Illinois. No state picks up a smaller percentage of local education bills (and) per patient Medicaid spending is well below national norms."

I read from the BGA report to members of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago when they visited the Tribune Editorial Board recently to discuss their 40-page blueprint, "Bringing Illinois Back: A Framework for our Future."

One element of the plan from this generally conservative, business-oriented group is a reduction in state spending, though the authors don't suggest any specific trims and warn of "the damage caused by untargeted, across-the-board cuts."

But they readily acknowledged that, yes, if you don't count our staggering pension backlog, Illinois is a comparatively low-spending state.

Not to say that there's no waste in Springfield. Not to say that certain taxes aren't unusually high. And not to say that the longtime underfunding of the pensions wasn't an outrageous dereliction by our lawmakers.

What Illinois residents will pay and what they'll lose because of irresponsible decisions going back decades is confounding. The shortfall distorts most conversations about state finances, especially the floor debates that will rage up until the end of the legislative session Wednesday night. And it gives demagogues and ideologues all the opportunity they need to paralyze the process for two more years if they choose.

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But what Illinois residents are paying for current state services is, in the big picture, ordinary to below average compared with other states.

That's why the governor's budget proposals contain so much speculative hand-waving  the spending plan he submitted in February featured, I kid you not, a $4.6 billion revenue line-item labeled "Working together on 'grand bargain.' "

And it's why his agency heads were reduced to sputtering, deflecting and demurring when asked for meaningful cuts to their own budgets.

Pro tip: Stop listening to what Rauner and his minions say in this debate and start listening for what they don't say.

ericzorn@gmail.com

Twitter @EricZorn
Determined to honor and remember those who died while serving in the armed forces, thousands from the Arlington Heights area gathered Monday at the village's 98th annual Memorial Day Parade.

"It was the best parade and ceremony I can ever remember," said Greg Padovani, chairman of the Veteran's Memorial Committee of Arlington Heights.

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The estimated 3,000 participants in the parade included members of the John Hersey and Buffalo Grove high schools marching bands, the St. James Catholic School band, the Arlington Heights Community Band, and the 144th Army Band from downstate Springfield.

An estimated 1,500 residents also attended a ceremony following the parade at Memorial Park, Padovani said.

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"The whole purpose of the parade since it started in 1919 is to bring people together after the parade to the ceremony at the park to honor and thank our veterans," Padovani said. "I've seen Vietnam veterans, who were never recognized when they came home from the war, reduced to tears when they see all of these Arlington Heights residents standing up when they pass by, cheering and saying, 'Thank you for your service.'"

kcullotta@tribpub.com

Twitter @kcullotta
A former Batavia man is headed to prison for severely injuring an infant in 2011.

Kane County Judge John A. Barsanti has sentenced 54-year-old Nicholas E. Glucksmann, now living in Wheaton, to seven years in prison. Barsanti convicted Glucksmann on July 8, 2015, of aggravated battery, a Class X felony; aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony; and aggravated battery to a child, a Class 3 felony.

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Glucksmann waived his right to a jury trial.

Kane County prosecutors presented evidence that on the evening of April 16, 2011, Glucksmann and his girlfriend brought an infant that lived in their house to the emergency room after the child began to lose consciousness at the Batavia residence in the 300 block of South Batavia Avenue that Glucksmann and the girlfriend shared, according to a news release from the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.

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Emergency room doctors determined that the child had suffered head injuries, sent the child to a Chicago hospital, and called police to report suspected child abuse, according to the release.

When interviewed by police, Glucksmann said the child fell off a bed and onto the floor. Doctors said the child's injuries were inconsistent with Glucksmann's story, according to the release.

The child continues to recover from the injuries and is expected to live a normal life, the release said.

In addition to the prison term, Glucksmann must register in accordance with Illinois' Violence Against Children Registration Act.

"Each year in the United States nearly 700,000 children are injured or killed as a result of child abuse, yet every single case of child abuse is preventable. Unfortunately, Mr. Glucksmann has never shown an ounce of remorse and never accepted responsibility for his actions. He belongs in prison," Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said.
This is Barrington Police Chief David Dorn describing a Tuesday morning accident when a Canadian National freight train struck the far back end of semitrailer on Route 59. The semitrailer driver was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. (Todd Shields \ Pioneer Press) (Videolicious - Chicago Tribune)

Traffic through downtown Barrington came to a standstill for a couple of hours Tuesday morning after a Canadian National freight train clipped the back end of semitrailer that was near the tracks, authorities said.

The driver of the semitrailer was taken to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries, but no one else was injured in the incident, said Barrington Police Chief David Dorn.

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Authorities responded to the area of Route 14 and James Street after a freight train traveling south struck the semitrailer around 8:40 a.m., village officials said. The semitrailer then struck a Volvo car and a van after being pushed off the tracks, but the drivers of both vehicles were not injured, Dorn said.

The rail gates were down and the warning lights were flashing at the crossing at the time of the incident, he said.

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For nearly two-and-a-half hours, Route 59 was closed in both directions from Main Street to Route 14, which also was closed in both directions between Main Street and Prospect Avenue, said Barrington spokeswoman Patty Dowd Schmitz.

Metra also halted commuter trains that were near the Barrington area following the crash, officials said.

"This was a serious disruption," Schmitz said. "Essentially, traffic was not able to get in or out of the north end of town."

Patrick Waldron, a spokesman for Canadian National, said the freight train remained stopped in the area as the company worked with the police who were on scene.

Chicago Tribune reporter Mary Wisniewski contributed.
A lot has happened since my last blog post more than seven months ago. In the fall I made several trips - in October to Wyoming for the annual meeting of ...

3 years ago
In recognition of Professor Wim Decocks outstanding research into the fields of theology, religion and economic history, the Acton Institute will be awarding him the 2017 Novak Award.

Professor Wim Decock teaches legal history at the Universities of Leuven and Liege (Belgium). He is an associate fellow at Emory Universitys Centre for the Study of Law and Religion (USA) and an affiliate researcher at the Max-Planck-Institute for European Legal History (Germany). Decock holds an M.A. in Classics, an LL.M in Law, and received his Ph.D. in legal history in a joint program through the Universities of Leuven and Roma Tre (Italy). His 2014 book, Theologians and Contract Law: The Moral Transformation of the Ius Commune, earned him the H.M. Leibnitz Prize of the German Research Foundation. Decock has held visiting professorships at the University of Bergen (Norway) and at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (France). He was also a visiting scholar at Harvard Law School (USA).

Besides his interest in early modern Catholic and Protestant sources, Decock investigates numerous other topics that highlight the connection between moral theological, legal, and economic thought.

Despite Michael Novaks passing in February 2017, his memory will continue to be honored every year with the presentation of the Novak Award. This recognizes new outstanding research by scholars early in their academic careers who demonstrate outstanding intellectual merit in advancing understanding of the relationship between religion, the economy, and economic freedom. Recipients of the Novak Award make a formal presentation at an annual public forum known as the Calihan Lecture. The Novak Award comes with a $15,000 prize.

The Novak Award forms part of a range of academic scholarships, grants, and awards available from the Acton Institute that support those engaged in serious reflection and research on the relationship between theology, the free market, limited government, and the rule of law. Details of these academic scholarships may be found at www.acton.org/scholarships.

Keep in touch with Acton for more information about scholarships, awards, and for more information about the annual Calihan Lecture, where Professor Decock will offer some of his research and will be officially presented with the Novak Award.

See the press release announcing his win.
Frisch maintains razor-thin lead in CD-3 after new data reported in Pueblo County

Frisch's lead over Boebert has been in decline as more counties in CD-3 continue to report results after election day
Director Qiu Yang became the first Chinese filmmaker to win the Palme d'Or for best short film when the 70th Cannes Film Festival awards were announced on Sunday. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Director Qiu Yang became the first Chinese filmmaker to win the Palme d'Or for best short film when the 70th Cannes Film Festival awards were announced on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Changzhou-born director took the award for "A Gentle Night", a 15-minute film in Changzhou-dialect about a mother trying very hard to find her missing daughter against all odds, refusing to go gentle into this particular good night on the eve of Lunar New Year in a certain Chinese city.

Qiu Yang made the film in his hometown, Changzhou in Jiangsu Province, explaining he had been inspired by local news reports about children missing in Changzhou. He wanted to explore the stories behind the missing persons.

The young director studied film at the Victorian College of Arts in Melbourne, Australia. In 2015, Qiu's master's degree graduation film, "Under the Sun", competed in the Cannes Film Festival's section for student films, Cinefondation.

He also became the second Chinese filmmaker ever to won a Palme d'Or award at Cannes since Chen Kaige's "Farewell My Concubine" 24 years ago.

Qiu is preparing for his next project, a feature-length film.

Nine films were selected from 4,843 submissions to compete for the Short Film Palme d'Or this year. The lineup included eight works of fiction and one animated short, submitted from China, Finland, France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Greece, Iran, Colombia and Sweden.
Chinese children were rehearsing one of their programs, Passion for Opera, in Beijing on May 30, for an activity named "Dreams of the Future in B&R Young Hearts -Celebrating International Children's Day" to be held on May 31 by Beijing-based not-for-profit organization China Soong Ching Ling Foundation. [By Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn]

Children from the Belt and Road countries will celebrate the upcoming International Children's Day in Beijing on May 31.

An activity named "Dreams of the Future in B&R Young Hearts -Celebrating International Children's Day" will be held by Beijing-based not-for-profit organization China Soong Ching Ling Foundation.

The activity will be attended by more than 700 children from 40 countries along the Belt and Road who are currently in Beijing. China-based diplomats from Belt and Road countries and representatives from international organizations such as Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Association of Southeast Asian Nations will also attend the celebration activity.

Children will participate in a series of programs on the morning of May 31, including singing, painting exhibition, robots performance and gifts exchange.

The celebration is intended to promote the consensus reached at the recently concluded Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and facilitate people-to-people exchange among different countries.
Cheng Shuangjia holds up the awards and scholarships he won during his college years, May 15, 2017. [Photo by Wu Yan/chinadaily.com.cn]

Editor's note: In the run-up to the 19th Communist Party of China National Congress, China Daily sent six reporters to live for a month in poor villages to see how China's poverty eradication plan is improving people's lives.

Although suffering from frequent broken bones and fractures while growing up, as a result of brittle bone disease, an iron-willed sister and brother in Hubei province are now able to support themselves as teachers after studying hard and graduating from university.

Cheng Shuangjia and his elder sister Cheng Xiangxi grew up in a village in the mountains of Macheng county of Huanggang, Hubei. Their parents gave them home schooling at first because the sick children had to lie on the bed most of the time.

"Our parents kept taking us to doctors to try to find out what disease we were born with," said 27-year-old Cheng Shuangjia.

"We were eventually diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta in 1998."

Although there is no cure for the genetic condition, there are treatments and medicines that can help sufferers. However, the family lacked the money for any treatment and the two children were sent directly to a grade-three class at a primary school.

"Since then, my sister and I knew that studying was the only way to improve our situation," said Cheng Shuangjia.

"We often went to school with the pain of fractures," he said.

If they suffered minor fractures, their father would set their broken bones on a board or in a cast, and they went to school without a day of rest.

"We knew that if we went to hospital, we would have to spend a lot of money on treatment and waste half a year, which would mean missing classes for a whole semester," he said.

"They showed great perseverance," said their father Cheng Yongbai.

The children's medical fees increased the economic pressures on the family, which struggled to survive on the crops and peanuts the mother grew on 0.66 acres of land and the father's humble wages.
Huang Haitao and his daughter Xinyi at Southeast University in Nanjing, East China's Jiansu province, May 25, 2017. It's their first stop on an epic road trip to the US. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

It's not uncommon for parents of freshmen college students to drive their children to their new school as a way to say their last goodbyes as their children set off on their adult lives.

But one father in China is taking that 'goodbye' to a whole new level. Huang Haitao has managed to convince his daughter, Huang Xinyi, to allow him to drive her to her new school, in Seattle, Washington!

He says he decided to make his "crazy" decision after Xinyi was accepted at Seattle University.

While most young people might balk at the idea of spending so much time together with one of their parents in a vehicle, the experience will not be a new one for Huang Xinyi and her father.

The two have travelled over 120,000 kilometers together already in vehicles to promote the Youth Olympic Games, which took place in Nanjing in 2014.

Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu province, is also going to be the starting point for their latest journey.

Huang Haitao and his daughter say they plan to travel across 52 countries as part of a 9-month journey to finally get her into class in Seattle. They both say their main goal is to help promote Chinese culture among the countries they visit along the way.
BEIJING  Since the detection of gravitational waves, scientists have been eager to find electromagnetic signals corresponding to the gravitational waves. This will be an important task for China's space telescope, the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), to be launched soon.

Gravitational waves are "ripples" in the fabric of space-time caused by some of the most violent and energetic processes in the universe. Albert Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves in 1916 in his general theory of relativity.

Einstein's mathematics showed that massive accelerating objects, such as neutron stars or black holes orbiting each other, would disrupt space-time in such a way that "waves" of distorted space would radiate from the source, like ripples away from a stone thrown into a pond.

These ripples would travel at the speed of light through the universe, carrying with them information about their origins, as well as invaluable clues to the nature of gravity itself.

The strongest gravitational waves are produced by events such as colliding black holes, supernovae explosions, coalescing neutron stars or white dwarf stars, the slightly wobbly rotation of neutron stars that are not perfect spheres, and the remnants of gravitational radiation created by the birth of the universe itself.

On Feb 11, 2016, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in the United States announced the first observation of gravitational waves. Because these waves were generated from a black hole merger, it was the first ever direct detection of a binary black hole merger. On June 15, 2016, the second detection of a gravitational wave event from colliding black holes was announced.

Xiong Shaolin, a scientist at the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), says the position accuracy of all the gravitational wave events detected so far is still very poor.

If scientists can find electromagnetic signals happening at similar positions and times of the gravitational wave events, it will increase the reliability of the detection. Combined analysis of the gravitational wave and electromagnetic signals will help reveal more about the celestial bodies emitting the gravitational waves, says Xiong.

Scientists have yet to detect electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves.

Many scientists would regard detecting gravitational waves and corresponding electromagnetic signals as a major scientific discovery. Some suspect that mysterious gamma-ray bursts could be electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves.

Gamma-ray bursts are extremely energetic explosions that have been observed in distant galaxies. They are the brightest electromagnetic events known to occur in the universe. Bursts can last from several milliseconds to more than an hour.

The intense radiation of most observed gamma-ray bursts is believed to be released by a supernova as a rapidly rotating, high-mass star collapses to form a neutron star or black hole. A subclass of bursts appears to originate from a different process: the merger of binary neutron stars, or the merger of a neutron star and a black hole.

About 0.4 seconds after the first gravitational event was detected on Sept 14, 2015, NASA's Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope detected a relatively weak gamma-ray burst, which lasted about one second.

But scientists disagree on whether these two events are related, and no other gamma-ray burst probe detected a gamma-ray burst. Scientists need more evidence to clarify the relationship between gamma-ray bursts and gravitational waves.

"We are not clear about many details of gamma-ray bursts. For instance, how is the energy released during a gamma-ray burst?" says Zhang Shuangnan, leadscientist of HXMT and director of the Key Laboratory of Particle Astrophysics of CAS.

"Since gravitational waves were detected, the study of gamma-ray bursts has become more important. In astrophysics research, it's insufficient to study just the gravitational wave signals. We need to use the corresponding electromagnetic signals, which are more familiar to astronomers, to facilitate the research on gravitational waves," Zhang says.

HXMT's effective detection area for monitoring gamma-ray bursts is 10 times that of the Fermi space telescope. Scientists estimate that Insight could detect almost 200 gamma-ray burst events every year. "HXMT can play a vital role in searching for electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves," says Zhang.

"If HXMT can detect the electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves, it would be its most wonderful scientific finding."

However, Zhang adds, if it cannot detect any gamma-ray bursts related to gravitational waves, it means the model suggesting gravitational waves can generate gamma-ray bursts is wrong.

Xiong says all the gravitational waves detected by LIGO were caused by mergers of black holes, which many scientists believe cannot generate electromagnetic signals. After the sensitivity of LIGO is improved in 2020, it is expected to be able to detect the gravitational waves caused by mergers of two neutron stars, which could possibly generate gamma-ray bursts.

Unlike counterparts from other nations, HXMT has unique capabilities to detect gamma-ray bursts, Zhang says. It has the largest detection area and high sensitivity in the energy range from 200 keV to several MeV.
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Tobacco is the only commercially available product that, when used as designed, kills up to half of its users. In China that means a third of young Chinese men alive today will eventually be killed by tobacco use.

If smoking rates don't change, 200 million lives in China this century will be claimed by tobacco use. So far, the considerable efforts by tobacco control advocates in China have been thwarted by one simple argument. The tobacco industry, state-owned, contributes too much revenue for smoking to be reduced, they say.

Tobacco makes so much money, they say. China simply can't afford to turn its back on tobacco, they say. We reject this deeply cynical argument that justifies the death of a citizen  or in this case, millions of citizens  based on the revenue of a company or tax receipts. And we're not alone.

China's businesses are leading the way, creating a movement of corporate leaders who have committed to smoke-free workplaces.

Today, Baidu Inc., one of the largest Internet companies in the world founded and headed by Robin Li, joins the WHO in encouraging China's corporate community to offer employees 100 percent smoke-free workplaces. Baidu committed to smoke-free office environments in 2011 and since that time all of Baidu's 17 offices, labs and research centers located in China and around the world are 100 percent smoke-free workplaces. This commitment protects 40,000 employees and countless visitors to these offices from exposure to harmful second-hand smoke. Further, Baidu has agreed to work with WHO to strengthen employee health education programmes with linkages to tobacco cessation programmes to help employees quit smoking.

Building on that commitment, Baidu and WHO have agreed to launch a China smoke-free corporate challenge campaign to encourage Chinese companies to commit to 100 percent smoke-free workplaces.

The campaign's goal will be to secure corporate commitments that protect employees across China from second-hand smoke at the workplace.

Additional corporate leaders are already making the move to smoke-free workplaces.

Today the dominant shared car service, Didi, announced that its sedan service is going entirely smoke-free, ensuring both drivers and passengers are free from the toxic dangers of second-hand smoke. Similarly, in Hangzhou, the Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce publicly called on all its member companies to adopt and enforce 100 percent smoke-free workplaces, conduct smoke-free education for their employees, and to support municipal and provincial efforts to ban smoking in all public indoor spaces.

Smart businesses  innovative businesses that represent China's future  increasingly understand that removing smoking from the workplace is good for business. It protects employees from the harms of tobacco smoke in the workplace. It encourages healthier lifestyles of employees and their families. It reduces health care costs, cuts down on employee absence and increases worker productivity.

These announcements  from major businesses and innovators in China  reflect the reality that smokers and non-smokers alike have the right to clean indoor air. And that this can be easily accommodated by simply requiring that smokers step outside to smoke.

Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has embarked on a new path of innovation-driven development. Ultimately, China's new economy will be built by those businesses and leaders who relentlessly pursue policies that benefit employees, businesses and the country. By adopting smoke-free policies, businesses in China offer a window into the nation's future.

And that is worth celebrating.

Bernhard Schwartlander is World Health Organization Representative in China
The official website of the 13th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), set for Ordos in China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region in September, was launched on Tuesday.

The website, www.unccdordos.org, is in English and Chinese. There are six main dedicated sections - About the Convention, China 2017, Media Center, Achievements, Ordos and Services - that are elaborated on in 38 subsections. The website is designed to provide updates and detailed information on the upcoming international event, to present the achievements China has made in combating desertification in recent years, and to show Chinas lasting resolution to fight desertification with other countries in this effort.

From the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to the global goal of "zero growth of desertification by 2030", combating desertification always has and will be a challenging task for the world. The upcoming conference is expected to be a fruitful place for China to promote building a community of common destiny of mankind and propel multilateralism.
MOSCOW -- Sudden gales and heavy rain on Monday afternoon left at least 11 people dead and about 70 others injured in Moscow, the city mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

The injured are receiving medical treatment and families of the casualties will be financially compensated, said Sobyanin, adding that the storm caused so much damage because it rarely happened in the daytime.

The gales, with a speed of more than 80 kilometers per hour, knocked down several hundred trees and destroyed buildings in the Russian capital.

An electricity transmission line broke down in the storm, affecting 7,300 households. The bad weather also disrupted road, railway and air traffic.
PYONGYANG -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Tuesday confirmed it successfully test fired another ballistic missile on Monday, the third in one month, according to official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The report said the missile was a medium-range rocket launched from a mobile pad vehicle "through a precision control guidance system."

DPRK supreme leader Kim Jong-un guided the test fire, said the report.

The test-fire was aimed at "verifying the technological indices of the new-type precision guided ballistic rocket capable of making ultra-precision strike on the enemies' objects at any area," according to the report.

A new caterpillar pad vehicle carrying the missile was also tested this time in the launch after it joined a military parade last month for the first time.

"The ballistic rocket flew toward the east sky where the day broke and correctly hit a planned target point with deviation of seven meters after flying over the middle shooting range," said the KCNA.

The Republic of Korea and US media reports said the missile was a "Scud" missile, capable of hitting targets 500 km away and it fell into the Sea of Japan after flying six minutes.

DPRK successfully test fired a long, medium-range ballistic missile capable of hitting targets 4,500 km away for the first time two weeks ago. Another medium-range ballistic missile was also test fired with success last week.
Lawsuits have been filed seeking the forfeiture of nine properties across Southern California worth more than $30 million and allegedly purchased with proceeds from an EB-5 visa fraud scheme.

The nine lawsuits allege that much of the $50 million collected by the California Investment Immigration Fund (CIIF) from primarily Chinese investors either was refunded to the foreign nationals or was stolen by participants in the scheme.

Victoria Chan, an attorney, and her father, Tat Chan, operated the CIIF from 2008 until this year.

In April, federal agents raided several California locations related to the case, including the CIIF office in San Gabriel, a home in Arcadia and a townhouse in El Monte, and a Porsche SUV of the suspects.

"Rather than legitimately investing the funds into American businesses, CIIF either refunded the funds to the EB-5 investors while the investors' EB-5 petitions were pending, in direct violation of the EB-5 program, or stole millions of dollars to use for personal expenditures, including buying million-dollar homes," according to the lawsuits.

The purchases were made with proceeds derived from mail fraud, wire fraud or visa fraud and the purchases themselves constituted money laundering, according to the complaints.

The nine properties include a commercial property in the City of Industry valued at more than $3 million, five residences in the cities of Rancho Cucamonga, Arcadia (worth approximately $4 million), Diamond Bar, Riverside and Duarte (valued at $5.5 million), and parcels of land in Ontario, Indio (worth nearly $6 million) and Rancho Cucamonga (valued at more than $7.7 million).

The investigators found no construction took place at any of the proposed project locations and few actual full-time American jobs were created.

The lawsuits also allege that many Chinese nationals obtained US green cards through the EB-5 program improperly.

The EB-5 program allows eligible immigrant investors to obtain a path to permanent US residence  known as the green card  by investing at least $1 million in a US business that will create at least 10 jobs for American workers. Investors who choose a rural area or an area with high unemployment have to invest $500,000.

Among Chan's clients were at least three fugitives on China's 100 most-wanted list, charged with crimes like bribery. They allegedly were able to obtain green cards based on false information.

Xu Jin, listed as No 13 on the list, was director of the Development and Reform Commission in Wuhan, Hubei province. In China, he is accused of "embezzlement, accepting bribes, abuse of power" and faces a maximum punishment of death.

His wife, Liu Fang, listed as No 66 on the list, was the deputy director of the Hubei branch of China Life Insurance Co. She is accused of "accepting bribes" and also faces a possible death penalty.

The EB-5 fraud scheme is still under investigation by the FBI and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.
The crux of the agreement announced today stipulates that the NYBC and The HSUS are effectively splitting costs for long-term care of the chimpanzees, which will include day-to-day care and also the construction of improved sanctuary facilities. Photo by Carol Guzy/For The HSUS

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Today, The HSUS announces a major, multi-million-dollar agreement with the New York Blood Center (NYBC) concerning more than 60 chimpanzees formerly used by the NYBC in medical experiments in Liberia. The New York-based medical charity has committed $6 million to The HSUS to help with the decades-long task of providing long-term care for the animals. This mornings joint announcement signals a critical turnaround in The HSUSs relationship with the NYBC. Most importantly, it provides financial resources for the careful stewardship of these chimpanzees, who deserve every measure of human mercy after the travails theyve endured.

In 2015, The HSUS and Humane Society International responded to an emergent crisis and began to care for the chimpanzees on a set of estuarine islands in Liberia with insufficient natural food and water resources. Dedicated individuals took it upon themselves to provide enough food and water for the chimpanzees to survive in the first days, but the circumstance required the intervention of a party that had the staying power to provide daily care to the animals. With the support of the Liberian government and more than 35 animal protection and conservation organizations worldwide, The HSUS stepped in, bringing on many of the chimps long-term caregivers to provide boots on the ground for the animals. Weve been there ever since, at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars a month. We have a staff of more than 30 people operating the facility, led by great ape specialists Dr. Jim Desmond and Jenny Desmond, as well as John Zeonyuway and Joseph Thomas, who have worked with the chimpanzees in Liberia for decades.

To care for these animals, we had to confront some extreme logistical, security, and personnel challenges, in addition to shouldering responsibility for the immense financial liabilities that this intervention required. In the broadest sense, we were mindful that chimpanzees are long-lived, and our response to this crisis essentially obligated us to a 40-year commitment and millions of dollars to provide proper housing, enrichment, and veterinary care for them.

The crux of the agreement announced today stipulates that the NYBC and The HSUS are effectively splitting costs for long-term care of the chimpanzees, which will include day-to-day care and also the construction of improved sanctuary facilities. The HSUS and HSI will take on responsibility for the lifetime care of the chimpanzees and will seek support from our supporters and others to help raise the remainder of the needed funds.

I am pleased to express my thanks to the NYBC for making this very generous and important commitment. Id be remiss, too, if I did not offer our sincerest expression of gratitude to thousands of individuals and dozens of organizations whose generosity and kindness allowed us to help the chimps for the past two years, providing a bridge to an even more secure future with the new facilities we intend to build. This project has required an ensemble cast, and I offer additional earnest appreciation to the government of Liberia, the Arcus Foundation, Dr. Jane Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institute, Duke University scientist Brian Hare, former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, actors and animal advocates Kate and Rooney Mara, the American Anti-Vivisection Society, and the Liberia Animal Welfare and Conservation Society. And the most important thanks are reserved for our incredible chimpanzee care team on the ground.

The HSUS and HSI plan to work hand in hand with the government of Liberia in the years ahead, and that partnership will be critical given that the chimps have been through very difficult circumstances and need round-the-clock care.

The additional millions we must raise are still a very substantial financial burden we must bear, but we do so knowing of the steadfast resolve and commitment of our supporters. We intend to start building an endowment for the care of these chimps today, rather than leaving the task to future generations of leaders and other supporters of The HSUS. I hope youll join us in celebrating the HSUS-NYBC agreement and adding to the $6 million endowment by making a donation to this Liberian chimp fund online at: www.humanesociety.org/liberiasanctuary or www.humanesociety.org/liberiachimps.

At The HSUS, our range of campaigns and animal-care responsibilities is immense. But make no mistake, todays announcement represents tangible progress for our cause and provides a measure of financial security for animals in need. Of course, while we celebrate our gains, its never far from our minds that a laundry list of tasks will always remain as we aggressively pursue our animal protection goals. We pledge to address every one of these challenges in a strategic and serious-minded way, just as weve done in the run-up to the landmark announcement today with the NYBC. You count on us to do as much, and well strive to never disappoint you.








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Pipe bomb found near metro station in downtown Bangkok

Xinhua | Updated: 2017-05-30 22:31

BANGKOK - Thailand's explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) officers on Tuesday found a pipe bomb near the exit 1 of metro station Thailand Cultural Center in capital Bangkok.



A motorcycle taxi driver told police officers of Bangkok's Huai Khwang District Tuesday afternoon that there was a suspicious item hidden in a black plastic bag near the metro station, while it was testified by EOD officers that it is a improvised explosive device, Thai media Komchadluek reported.



Officers have removed the bomb, according to photos taken at scene.



Thailand's police chief Chakthip Chaijinda told reporters that it is still unclear whether the bomb is relevant to the recent three bomb blasts in Bangkok, but officers are investigating the case.



A bomb explosion hit Thai army's Phra Mongkutklao hospital on May 22, which slightly injured more than 20 people and seriously wounded a few others, following a blast outside the National Theater earlier in May and another blast outside the former lottery office in April, which slightly injured two people respectively.
Zookeeper mauled to death by tiger named as 33-year-old animal lover

Xinhua | Updated: 2017-05-30 22:33

LONDON -- The zookeeper mauled to death at a zoo wildlife park in England was named Tuesday as Rosa King, aged 33.



Hamerton Zoo Park in Cambridgeshire remained closed as an investigation into the tragedy, which happened Monday, continued.



The zoo has described the incident in which the keeper died as a freak accident. The tiger involved in the attack was unharmed and is still alive.



People have used social media to express their sympathies at the death of the zookeeper, but have urged for the animal not to be destroyed.



Staff members have described King as the life and soul of the zoo, and a dedicated lover of animals.



The zoo had to be evacuated when the attack happened in an enclosure.



Colleagues at the zoo desperately hurled meat towards the tiger in a bid to distract the animal during the attack, but King died at the scene.



Wildlife photographer and friend of King, Garry Chisholm, described in a media interview how she was the shining light of the zoo.



"Her passion for the animals in her care was exceptional, though her favorites were undoubtedly the cheetahs which she would refer to as her pride and joy," said Chisholm.



In a statement the zoo said "All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time. At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures, and at no point was public safety affected in any way."



The zoo park opened in June 1990 and covers 25 acres. It is home to around 500 animals including Malaysian tigers, Bengal tigers, cheetahs, wolves, corsac foxes, kangaroos, monkeys, raccoons, sloth as well as a variety of birds, reptiles and domestic animals. In 2014 it was described as the most environmentally-friendly zoo in Europe.
In a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Tuesday, State Councilor Yang Jiechi said China insists on a political resolution to the Korean Peninsula's nuclear issue through peaceful means.

China's stance on the issue is clear and consistent, he said.

The two sides should keep their histories in mind and look ahead, pressing continually to improve relations based on the spirit of four important political documents between China and Japan and the four-point principled agreement reached in November 2014, Yang said.

Yang said at the meeting that China-Japan relations are at an important juncture, with new opportunities and outstanding challenges in this 45th anniversary year of the normalization of relations between the two nations.

Yang urged Japan to honor its words and abide by rules regarding the historical issues between the two, and the Taiwan question. It should work with China to safeguard East China Sea peace and stability.

Talking to the heads of seven Japan-China friendship groups and the Japan Business Federation on Tuesday, Yang welcomed Japan to discuss cooperation with China in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Yang co-chaired with Japanese National Security Adviser Shotaro Yachi the fourth round of high-level political dialogue on Monday.

He said China attaches importance to developing its relationship with Japan.

He urged the two sides to further enhance communication between local governments and young people to promote mutual understanding between the two peoples.

He called on Japan to conform with the trend of the times and implement, with specific policies and concrete actions, the consensus that the two countries are each other's cooperative partners, and that China's development is an opportunity for Japan.

Yachi said Japan's stance on the Taiwan question and historical issues have not changed and Japan is dedicated to improving its relationship with China and is willing to work with China to enhance exchanges at all levels, expand positive aspects and properly manage disputes in bilateral relations.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

caihong@chinadaily.com.cn
Premier will meet with Merkel, EU leaders in three-day trip

Premier Li Keqiang is scheduled on Wednesday to kick off his trip to Berlin, which analysts and officials said is expected to boost China-Europe free trade and inject impetus to the global economic recovery.

During the three-day trip, Li will pay official visits to Germany and Belgium, attend the annual meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and meet with leaders of the European Union under an annual mechanism in Brussels, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Through the visit, China expects to enhance strategic communication to strengthen political trust, improve practical cooperation and jointly send a positive signal of cooperation, openness and win-win values, said Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Chao.

China and Europe don't have fundamental contradictions or geographic conflicts, and they have many common interests and similar stances on issues such as boosting free trade, safeguarding the multilateral trade system and improving global economic governance, he said.

Wang also called for joint efforts to handle and resolve disputes properly in a constructive manner, and take each other's core interests and major concerns into consideration.

Yang Yanyi, China's ambassador to the European Union, told Xinhua News Agency that both parties should send positive signals of jointly safeguarding peace and promoting development at a time when economic globalization faces setbacks with rising challenges of protectionism.

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative has led to cooperation between China and European countries in airport and seaport construction, finance and rail transportation, she said.

It's natural that China and Europe have disagreements in developing bilateral economic and trade ties, she said, adding that the two sides should focus on common interests and control trade conflicts through dialogue and consultation.

During Li's visit to Germany, leaders of the two countries will exchange views on Article 15 in the protocol on China's accession to the World Trade Organization, China's ambassador to Germany, Shi Mingde, told the China Radio International.

According to Article 15, WTO member nations should have ceased on Dec 11, 2016, from using the surrogate country approach in anti-dumping investigations on China. This date was 15 years after China became an official member of the organization.

Under the surrogate country approach, WTO members use costs of production in a third country to calculate the value of products from countries on its "non-market economy" list, which includes China.

It's an obligation for the EU members, including Germany, to stop using the surrogate country approach while conducting anti-dumping investigations into China, Shi said.

Li Chenggang, assistant minister of commerce, said China became Germany's largest trade partner for the first time last year, when the bilateral trade volume reached $151.29 billion.

The EU has been China's largest trade partner for many years, and China is the EU's second largest trade partner. The two sides have made positive progress in cooperation in infrastructure, finance and digital economy in recent years, Li said.

The economies of China and Belgium are highly complementary and the two countries have huge potential regarding trade in chemicals, food, finance, bio-pharmacy, environmental protection and life science, he said.

Wang Mingjin, a professor of international relations at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said cooperation agreements between small and medium-sized enterprises in China and European Union members will be a highlight of Li's visit.

As a manufacturing giant, China has great potential in cooperating with the EU members in machinery production, environmental protection and robotics, he said.

Li's visit also will enhance cooperation between China and Europe in pushing forward globalization, free trade and open markets, he added.

Cui Hongjian, director of the Department for European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said the EU faces challenges, including the uncertainties caused by the power transfer in some EU members.

China and the EU should overcome the difficulties, focus more on the positive factors and join hands to fight protectionism, he said, adding the two sides have disagreements in some areas including the identification of China's status as a market-oriented economy.

China and European countries could make joint efforts to push forward the Belt and Road Initiative and enhance cooperation in such areas as maritime exploitation, infrastructure and finance, he said.

Zhou Jin contributed to this story.
With President Donald Trumps proposed budget for the next fiscal year now on the table, the nations governors have a message for Congress: Think carefully before you cut key education programs .

In a May 25 letter to the four top federal lawmakers responsible for funding the U.S. Department of Education, Gov. Brian Sandoval, R-Nev., and Gov. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., urged Congress to prioritize investments in programs related to the Every Student Succeeds Act, career and technical education, and elsewhere.

Governors message to Congress is clear: There must be careful consideration as to how to appropriately invest in these types of programs (and many others), Sandoval and Inslee wrote. Otherwise, cuts and changes not carefully considered could lead to a deterioration of state budgets. Sandoval is the vice chairman of the NGA.

The NGAs letter does not mention Trumps budget directly. But it was sent two days after the release of Trumps spending blueprint, which proposes a 13.5 percent cut (about $9.2 billion) to the Education Department. In addition to eliminating Title II money for effective instruction and 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding that supports afterschool programs, the budget also cuts money from Perkins career and technical education grants, and makes relatively small reductions in Title II and special education funding.

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has said repeatedly she wants states to have plenty of leeway when implementing ESSA, and that the era of inappropriate Washington intrusion into schools is over. But states appreciation of that flexibility will probably be limited, if they think that significant budget cuts in Washington will hamper their ability to succeed under the new federal education law.

Sandoval and Inslee write that, States transition from the federal overreach of No Child Left Behind cannot proceed without the investments Congress promised states for programs under ESSA, including Title II and after-school programs, as well as the block grant under Title IV (the latter also gets no money in Trumps budget plan). They also call on lawmakers to prioritize investments in the following programs:

 All programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA),

 State grants under the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act,

 Preschool Development Grants, and

 Part B and Part C state grants under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The NGAs letter is addressed to Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the chairman and top Democrat respecitvely of the Senate subcommittee that funds the Education Department, as well as Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., who hold corresponding positions in the House. Lawmakers can and likely will ignore large parts of Trumps proposed education budget when crafting their own spending plans for fiscal 2018.

Need a visual aid for how Trumps budget proposal would change the Education Department? Check out our chart below:

Trump Education Budget Proposal for Fiscal 2018

Create bar charts

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .
Initially, education-technology proponents were hopeful that Congress would restore a dedicated federal funding stream when they reauthorized the countrys flagship education law.

Then, they decided they were happy enough with ed-tech being included as one of a handful of priorities in a $1.6 billion pot of money authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act .

Things started to get dicey when Congress actually appropriated just $400 million of that total.

And on Tuesday, the bottom fell out, at least for the moment, when President Donald Trump unveiled a budget proposal that would eliminate Title IV, Part A altogether.

Trumps proposal would deal a body blow to schools and mean no dedicated investment for supporting teachers to personalize learning, teach computer science, or support high-quality online learning options, according to a statement from Richard Culatta, the CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education.

Instead of investing in the technological backbone of modern, engaging learning environments, Trumps budget goes in the opposite direction, with irresponsible cuts, added Keith Krueger, the CEO of the Consortium for School Networking, in a statement.

And so on.

All told, Trumps budget proposes cutting $9 billion from the federal education departments budget. Thats a 13.5 percent reduction compared to what the department spent this year. Much of the focus has been on proposals to zero out $2.1 billion in Title II funding (used to reduce class sizes and support teacher development); reduce funding for things like special education, after-school programs, and career and technical education; and dramatically expand federal support for school choice initiatives.

As for Title IV, Congresss intent with ESSA was to create a big pot of money that all states and districts could use to support a number of priorities, from Advanced Placement to school safety to arts education. Technology was included in the mix; districts could choose to spend up to 60 percent of their Title IV dollars on technology, with no more than 15 percent of that going to infrastructure costs.

But when it came time to appropriate those dollars for the 2017 fiscal year, Congress approved just one-fourth of the authorized amount. Given all the things Title IV-A money was supposed to support, and all the schools in the country, that money would go quick. So for the coming school year, Congress changed the distribution method to a block grant , allowing to states to distribute the money based on a competitive process, instead of ensuring that all districts get something.

Doug Levin of consulting group EdTech Strategies is among those who never bought into the original excitement around Title IVand who thus believes the current situation isnt quite as dire as some make it out to be.

The ed-tech authority in Title IV-A is quite modest, and I have been quite skeptical of its potential impact on technology-enabled innovation and school improvement, even at full funding, Levin wrote in an email.

And for the past five fiscal years, Levin pointed out, there was no federal set-aside for ed-tech at all. So even this years $400 million remains an increase and should be viewed in that light, he wrote.

But will there be any money for Title IV after next school year?

Just because the Trump administration wants to get rid of this pot of money doesnt mean it will actually happen, said Reg Leichty, a founder of Foresight Law + Policy, a Washington law and lobbying firm.

Removing Title IV funding altogether would run counter to Congresss goal of enabling greater state and local decision-making, Leichty contended.

This budget is not going to move through the Senate. Theres no way, he said in an interview.

You have to remember that Congress only passed ESSA 18 months ago, and there are members on both sides of the aisle who really believe in it.

Leichtys prediction? Congress eventually level-funds Title IV for the 2018 fiscal year, appropriating another $400 million or so to make sure at least something of the original idea survives.

In the meantime, said David DeSchryver, a senior vice president at Whiteboard Advisors, states and districts are going to have to turn out and explain to their representatives why this money matters.

He thinks it will happen.

Many states and districts are now woke, realizing that they need to tell their stories about how theyre using [Title IV-A] money effectively, DeSchryver said in an interview.

Ed-tech is the glue that holds everything together, but that story is not being well told.

See also:
(Photo : Sukhoi Company) T-50-9 in new camouflage.

(Photo : Sukhoi Company) T-50-9 in flight.

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Russian propaganda photos of a prototype of its Sukhoi T-50 (PAK FA) stealth fighter show the jet in a striking pixelated camouflage normally associated with armored fighting vehicles meant to fight in urban combat.



Why a stealth fighter supposed to be invisible to radar would need camouflage at all boggles the mind but such is the Russian psyche. Perhaps the T-50 isn't as fast as we think.



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A prototype identified as T-50-9 sporting the fuselage number 509 displayed this eye-catching camouflage paint scheme. The upper fuselage was painted in dark gray while the light blue under fuselage show pixels joining both colors together.



Russian state-controlled media said the prototype with this camouflage made its first flight last April 24 at Komsomolsk-on-Amur, a city in Khabarovsk in the Russian Far East. The flight remained secret.



Komsomolsk-on-Amur is the site of a major aircraft production plant run by Sukhoi Company, developer of the T-50. This plant, GAZ 126, will produce the T-50 once flight testing of this jet ends. PAK FA denotes the pre-production identification for this fighter.



The fighter will sport the designator "Sukhoi Su-50" once it becomes operational with the Russian Aerospace Forces.



The first photos of T-50-9 in this camouflage scheme, however, were believed taken during the second week of May. Russian media said the photos came from the Zhukovsky Air Base in Moscow Oblast.



The air base is better known in the west for holding "tourist fighter flights" where wealthy westerners once flew Russian fighters and other aircraft for a hefty fee.



Some of the photos of T-50-9 first appeared on Twitter with at least one aerial photo showing "509" lugging two 8,000 liter drop tanks.



Most of the photos so far seen are of good quality. One photo in Russian social media seems to be an official image of the T-50-9 in flight with these two long-range fuel tanks.



PAK FA remains under development, however. The jet should finally see service by 2025 after it receives new jet engines that completed their first ground tests in December 2016.



That is, if Putin's cash-strapped Russia can cough-up the money to finance its most expensive aircraft costing over $100 million each.



The new engine will replace the upgraded Saturn AL-41F1 (izdeliye 117) turbofan engine currently powering the 12 prototype T-50s under evaluation.



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TagsSukhoi T-50 (PAK FA) stealth fighter, T-50-9, pixelated camouflage, Sukhoi Company
(Photo : PLAN) Desktop model of part of China's Underwater Great Wall in the South China Sea.

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China will invest some $290 million to build an undersea defense system called the "Underwater Great Wall" beneath the South China Sea.



This wall will consist of underwater sensors intended to detect submarines and surface warships of the U.S. Navy and its allies at long-range.



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China disguised the true military nature of this program by first deploying underwater sensors in 2016 as a member of an ongoing international marine survey program named "Argo."



China deployed eight floating sensors in the South China Sea as part of Argo, a collaborative partnership of more than 30 nations. Linked together, the sensors provide a seamless global array allowing any country to explore the ocean environment.



Argo is a system for observing temperature, salinity and currents in the Earth's oceans and has been operational since the early 2000s. The real-time data it provides is used in climate and oceanographic research.



Some military analysts, however, say China's participation in Argo is intended to enhance its scientific knowledge about the disputed waters, especially what's beneath the surface, since the Chinese sensors have both civilian and military uses.



China plans to have 20 operational sensors about a meter beneath the surface of the South China Sea. China's sensors can monitor the underwater environment up to a depth of two kilometers.



Data from the sensors is transmitted to the mainland using China's BeiDou Satellite Navigational System that has numerous military uses. China's decision to use BeiDou and not the U.S. GPS to transmit data from its sensors also has military significance.



Chinese state-controlled television confirmed China's participation had a military aspect.



Jian Zhimin, a marine scientist at Shanghai's Tongji University, said the massive underwater observation system confirms China's status as an "ocean power" while a colleague said added the system was beneficial to "national defense."



Carl Thayer, a regional security analyst and emeritus professor at the University of New South Wales, said the system was "a further unilateral assertion of China's claim to indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea."



He said China "could use the cover story for this undersea network to lay sensors designed to detect the movement of surface warships and submarines in particular."



A system such as this "mitigates the stealth advantage that submarines have. This would be of direct concern to the United States and other regional states that operate submarines."



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Tagschina, Underwater Great Wall, South China Sea, underwater sensors, Argo
At least 28 Coptic Christians and dozens more were injured when multiple gunmen attacked them on their way to a monastery on Friday.

According to reports, eight to 10 gunmen stopped the bus in which the Coptic Christians were traveling, and forced the passengers to recite the shahada, a declaration of the Islamic faith. When they refused, the gunmen started shooting the passengers, taking the lives of at least 28 people and injuring at least 25 more.

Among the victims included children as well as U.S. citizens. The Health Ministry reported that two of the children were two years old.

The Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the attack.

When they asked each person about it, everybody say no, they shot them in the head, Gerges Morkous, one of the passengers on the bus, told CBS News. They have no mercy; they shot the mans, children, womans, everybody.

Morkous nephew, Mohsen Morkous, was a U.S. citizen who was killed in the attack, CBS News reports.

The attack is yet another one out of a string of attacks on Egypts Coptic Christians that the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for.

Two Coptic churches in Egypt were bombed on Palm Sunday, killing more than 44 people, and two more were bombed last Christmas, killing 24. Since December, more than 100 have been killed in the numerous attacks.

Thousands gathered at the funeral prayer service in Deir al-Jarnous near Minya, the location from which the bus had departed and where several victims of the attack were buried.

God will avenge us. We will not do anything violent because we are Christians and love is in our hearts, a mourner at the service told Reuters.

The recent attack drew international condemnation, including from activists of human rights and persecution watchdog groups.

William Stark, the regional manager of International Christian Concern, called the attacks over the past several months as blatant and targeted acts of persecution against Christians.

Extremist groups, especially ISIS, have declared Christians to be their favorite prey and seek to eliminate the Christian minority, said Stark. The government must be more intentional about protecting vulnerable minorities and punishing the attackers. Continual support for displaced families is vital, whether it is food, housing, or medical care.

Egypts President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi declared a three-month-long state of emergency following the Palm Sunday attacks. The Associated Press reports that a security chief of the province at which the Friday attack took place was removed from his position and transferred to a new post.

Hours after the Friday attack, el-Sisi condemned the attack in a speech from his palace, and said that the attack will not go unanswered.
Behind every Asia Bibithe Pakistani Christian mother of five still on death row after seven years over a false blasphemy chargeare the near-invisible lawyers who defend persecuted believers, pastors, and churches around the globe.

Only 1 in 5 American Christians think lawyers are highly ethical or contribute a lot to the well-being of society, according to surveys by Gallup and the Pew Research Center. But human rights lawyers overseas face death threats, arrest, detention without trial, beatings, and torture.

Over the past 25 years, 30,000 Christian legal advocates and judges in 156 nations have organized into national networks through the efforts of Advocates International (AI), based near Washington, DC. These lawyerswho work together across countries to release imprisoned pastors or harassed missionariesare a vital part of the body of Christ that easily escapes notice, says president Brent McBurney.

Our work helps the gospel, he said. If you dont have lawyers who are following Christ to fight to keep the doors open for the gospel, then the doors close and no missionaries can go in.

Such advocacy has gained high recognition in political circles. In the more repressive countries, these lawyers are really heroic figures, said David Saperstein, who served under the Obama administration as US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. They often face harassment from authorities and persecution.

They make a huge difference, and they work within a system often slanted against human rights and religious freedom, he said. Yet with perseverance and creativity, they may prevail in a way that makes a real difference. ...

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Note: This review contains major plot spoilers.

As a family doctor, I love practicing obstetrics. There is a deep sense of gratitude and fulfillment in seeing a child take his or her first breath, especially in cases where medical complications require judicious use of my medical knowledge or surgical skill. Sadly, practicing obstetrics also entails dealing with cases where things go wrong, and there is a different sensation when one extracts a dead child from his or her mother. There is a visceral sorrow and disappointment at life that could have beenor, in the cases of severely malformed children, a life that was genetically incapable of life in the world.

Alien: Covenant is about what happens when we choose to reverse those situations and seek fulfillment by trying to perfect human bodies.

In the nearly four decades since the Alien franchises inception, each of its entries has taken a different tack. The original Alien was a slow burn horror masterpiece, while the first sequel, Aliens, was a sci-fi action film with compelling characters. Alien 3 was a confused mess, and Alien: Resurrection was a heavy-handed, gore-laden warning against the military-industrial complex. The series most recent entry, Prometheus, tried to inject more explicit philosophical reflection but never quite got anywhere with it.

Alien: Covenant, which is set after Prometheus but before the original Alien, is in many ways is a pastiche of all these previous films, succeeding where some of the others failed and failing where previous entries succeeded. The plot is a mixture drawn from its forerunners: A spaceship full of colonists in hypersleep and frozen embryos is headed to a distant planet in order to start a human ...

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Update (June 20): Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill into law on Thursday, June 15.

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Christian adoption agencies in Texas are awaiting their governors signature on a new law safeguarding the option to use faith-based requirements in placing children in adoptive and foster homes.

About a quarter of child welfare providers in the Lone Star State are religiously affiliated groups. But over the past few years, these organizations began to reduce their involvement, fearing legal backlash over policies that restrict prospective parents by faith, sexuality, or marital status. Almost all Catholic Charities offices in the state have stopped taking on children in state custody.

Republican Governor Greg Abbotts signature on the law, which passed in the state legislature last week, would give them the go-ahead to resume and expand their efforts.

The Lone Star State would become the second in the country to authorize state-funded agencies to discriminate on the basis of their ...

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If youre an evangelical entering Americas militaryand about 4 out of 10 service members areyoure going to have to get more specific than that.

The general categories of Protestant, no denominational preference and Protestant, other churches have been removed from the Department of Defense (DoD) list of recognized religions as the US military seeks out more detailed designations for its 1.3 million service members.

This spring, the DoD doubled the religious identities that military personnel can declare on official paperwork and dog tags. The list now totals 216 different affiliations [full list below].

About 150 of them are Protestant groups, with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) remaining the most popular individual denomination in the Armed Forces.

Evangelicals without denominational ties can choose from options including Reformed churches, the National Association of Evangelicals, Evangelical Church Alliance, evangelical ...

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School police departments in Georgia hire police officers who were fired from previous jobs or who resigned under the cloud of an investigation at twice the rate of other local police departments, an investigation by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 Action News found.

According to the report:

Roughly 12 percent of the 656 officers working in the state's 31 school police departments have been forced out of a previous job, versus about 6 percent of the officers who work in local police agencies, according to data obtained from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST), the state agency charged with certifying police. The officers were terminated or investigated for a wide range of reasons, including chronically poor performance, lying to superiors, sexual misconduct and inappropriate use of force, according to POST documents."

Atlantas new school police department hired officers who were fired or forced to resign at an even higher rate, about 14.1 percent of the sworn personnel in the 71-officer department, the paper reports.

For the most part our officers have been very productive, Atlanta schools police chief Ron Applin told the Journal-Constitution. While they may have made mistakes in the past, theyve fared very well with us.

As we reported in our Policing Americas Schools series, Atlanta started its own school police force for the 2016-17 school year in hopes of having greater control of the training and screening of its officers. The district wants to train its officers in restorative practices and working with students as part of a comprehensive social-emotional learning plan. The school system is working with researchers and using a federal grant to test the effectiveness of its efforts.

When I visited in November, Applin told me the plan was a work in progress, but that hed seen promising interactions between officers and students.

The newspapers investigation touches on some concerns of civil rights groups, many of which advocate for removing law enforcement from schools altogether. Those organizations argue that the role of law enforcement conflicts with a supportive school environment and that the presence of school police too often leads to punitive discipline, especially in for students of color. An Education Week analysis of the most recent federal data, from 2013-14, found that in 43 states and the District of Columbia, black students are arrested at school at disproportionately high levels .

That may be in part because black students are more likely to attend schools with on-site officers.

Education Weeks data analysis found that 74 percent of black high school students attend a school with at least one on-site law enforcement officer, compared with 71 percent of both Hispanic and multiracial high school students, and 65 percent of both Asian and white high school students.

The disparity is more pronounced at the middle school level, where 59 percent of black students attend schools with law enforcement, compared with 49 percent of both Hispanic and multiracial students, 47 percent of white students, and 40 percent of Asian students.

These statistics mean issues with how school police are screened, trained, and disciplined are automatically equity issues, civil rights groups argue.

The Journal-Constitution notes a new Georgia law that creates special training and certification requirements for school resource officers, which are relatively rare.

Related reading about school police:

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Coptic Solidarity Condemns Barbaric Killing of Coptic Pilgrims En Route to St. Samuel Monastery Contact: Lindsay Griffin, Coptic Solidarity, 801-512-1713, coptadvocacy@copticsolidarity.org



WASHINGTON, May 30, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Coptic Solidarity condemns the barbaric murder of Coptic Christians journeying to the Monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor in Egypt's western desert near Minya, on May 26, 2017. This bloody episode is the latest in a series of horrendous attacks just in the past few months.



Ten armed gunmen attacked a three-vehicle convoy traveling in to the monastery. Twenty-nine individuals, including ten children joined a rapidly increasing number of modern Coptic martyrs. According to survivors, victims were shot dead after being requested to recite the Islamic confession of faith "shahada" and amid cries of "Allah Akbar." Coptic Solidarity extends its deepest sympathies to the victims' families and pledges to continue its advocacy efforts to achieve religious freedom and equality for Copts in Egypt.



President El-Sisi quickly held "external terrorists" responsible for the attack and conducted airstrikes on camps inside Libya, despite lack of evidence that these groups or targets are the actual culprits. Some evidence suggests that the attackers are native Egyptians as they spoke a local Egyptian dialect and were familiar with a relatively unknown desert route to the monastery.



While Mr. El-Sisi rightly asked for coherent international efforts to combat Islamic terrorism, he conveniently chooses to ignore the fact that Egypt under his leadership is increasingly becoming an "ecosystem" conducive to jihadist violence. He allows Salafists and other Islamists to dominate the public sphere, spreading hate speech in state-owned media and educational curricula. Publicly labeling Christians as infidels or 'kufar' amounts to a license to persecute and kill them.



Copts have suffered tremendously this past year and the pace of attacks by Islamists has been rising, with three major attacks on churches, attacks and forced evacuations of Coptic families from northern Sinai, in addition to individual murders during the second half of 2016.



Once again, the Egyptian government has failed to protect its Coptic minority. Coptic Solidarity strongly maintains that this violence is not perpetrated by foreign terrorists, as the Egyptian government would like the world to believe, but is homegrown, one created by a culture of hate and impunity within Egypt.



Coptic Solidarity calls on the Egyptian government to conduct a transparent investigation of these attacks and to institute measures to prevent such attacks. Also, given the government's continued failure to protect the Copts, Coptic Solidarity strongly calls for an independent inquiry by the UN to evaluate the Copts' situation and to recommend necessary measures to alleviate their dire situation and to avoid repetition of the tragic situation of Christians in Iraq and Syria.



Coptic Solidarity is an organization seeking to help minorities, particularly the Copts, of Egypt and we support those in Egypt working for democracy, freedom, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens. It advocates in cooperation with the affiliated organizations in Canada and in Europe (Solidarite Copte). For more information, contact Lindsay Griffin at 801-512-1713 or coptadvocacy@copticsolidarity.org

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Celebrate 11th Say Something Nice Sunday



CHARLESTON, S.C., May 30, 2017 /



The book of Hebrews tells us, "Not to neglect to show kindness to strangers." When members and visitors exit the sanctuary of historic First Baptist Church of Charleston on June 4, they will be given a daisy, the symbol of friendship, with the instructions, "Give it to a stranger and say something nice." Mayor Tom Tait of Anaheim, California said, "Acts of kindness create a vibration that extends out like the ripples from pebbles and brings people together."



Sunday June 4, 2017 is the 11th. Annual Say Something Nice Sunday. Every church, denomination, religious organization or group fostering greater harmony and goodwill are encouraged to join. There are no fees or anything to buy. "We are trying to make the world a safer and happier place," according to Mitch Carnell, Chair of the ecumenical committee.



The movement began at First Baptist Church of Charleston and was adopted by the Charleston County Baptist Association. The Charleston/Atlantic Presbytery joined followed by the Disciples of Christ and the Catholic Diocese of Charleston which includes all of South Carolina. Many American Baptists, Episcopal, Lutheran and Methodists churches around the country joined. Recently Green Lake Conference Center in Wisconsin and Louisiana College have joined the movement.



The Most Reverend Bishop Robert Guglielmone of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston said in support of the movement, "Our words should be used to express love not hatred. What better way can we express this belief than to celebrate a day devoted to healing with our words? I heartily endorse the mission of Say Something Nice Sunday and urge all Christians to participate. In Corinthians 13:13, St. Paul tells us that the greatest virtue is love. What better way is there for Christians to express this virtue than to participate in Say Something Nice Sunday?"



Everyone can use a word of encouragement, a smile or a pat on the back. That is our purpose. Everybody is somebody. You are unique, one of a kind. You make our lives better. That is the message we want to send.



Free materials are available at



Share Tweet Contact: Mitch Carnell, 843-556-2310CHARLESTON, S.C., May 30, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- Celebrate the 11th. Annual Say Something Nice Sunday on June 4th.The book of Hebrews tells us, "Not to neglect to show kindness to strangers." When members and visitors exit the sanctuary of historic First Baptist Church of Charleston on June 4, they will be given a daisy, the symbol of friendship, with the instructions, "Give it to a stranger and say something nice." Mayor Tom Tait of Anaheim, California said, "Acts of kindness create a vibration that extends out like the ripples from pebbles and brings people together."Sunday June 4, 2017 is the 11th. Annual Say Something Nice Sunday. Every church, denomination, religious organization or group fostering greater harmony and goodwill are encouraged to join. There are no fees or anything to buy. "We are trying to make the world a safer and happier place," according to Mitch Carnell, Chair of the ecumenical committee.The movement began at First Baptist Church of Charleston and was adopted by the Charleston County Baptist Association. The Charleston/Atlantic Presbytery joined followed by the Disciples of Christ and the Catholic Diocese of Charleston which includes all of South Carolina. Many American Baptists, Episcopal, Lutheran and Methodists churches around the country joined. Recently Green Lake Conference Center in Wisconsin and Louisiana College have joined the movement.The Most Reverend Bishop Robert Guglielmone of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston said in support of the movement, "Our words should be used to express love not hatred. What better way can we express this belief than to celebrate a day devoted to healing with our words? I heartily endorse the mission of Say Something Nice Sunday and urge all Christians to participate. In Corinthians 13:13, St. Paul tells us that the greatest virtue is love. What better way is there for Christians to express this virtue than to participate in Say Something Nice Sunday?"Everyone can use a word of encouragement, a smile or a pat on the back. That is our purpose. Everybody is somebody. You are unique, one of a kind. You make our lives better. That is the message we want to send.Free materials are available at www.fbcharleston.org . Click on Messages/Resources at the top of the page then scroll down to Say Something Nice Sunday. You will find, Bible verses, devotionals, suggestions for use, art work and the purpose of the celebration. You are encouraged to create your own materials.
Calvary University Announces the Burnham Center for Global Engagement Contact: Josh Paxton,

816-322-0110



KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 30, 2017 /



Calvary University is honored to announce the founding of the Burnham Center for Global Engagement. The Burnham Center reflects Calvary's commitment to global ministry and will serve as the central point for Calvary's cross-cultural ministry training. The training in the Intercultural Studies Program includes overseas mission opportunities, participating on the Student Missions Committee, and more. Work is already underway to expand Calvarys cross-cultural education programs for its students.



Martin and Gracia Burnham, a recognizable name for many, represent alumni who have faithfully advanced the gospel message. After completing college in preparation for mission work, the Burnhams served with New Tribes Mission, now Ethnos360, in the Philippines for 17 years before being kidnapped in 2001 by Abu Sayyaf militants. In June 2002, after more than a year in captivity, the Philippine military attempted to rescue them, during which Martin was tragically killed in the resulting gunfight. Though wounded, Gracia was rescued and able to return home. She has since become a writer, an international speaker, and an inspiration to people who desire global engagement for the sake of the gospel. Her story continues to embolden many to face adversity in their own lives and move ahead in taking the gospel to unreached people.



Martin and Gracia already possessed deep ties to Calvary University as Gracia's father taught at the school in the Bible and Theology Department. Gracia continues to remain a frequent presence at Calvary, and recently gave the commencement address at Calvary's 2017 graduation ceremony.



The faculty and staff of Calvary University are grateful to Martin and Gracia for their faithful service on the mission field. The Burnham Center for Global Engagement will serve as the next chapter in Calvary's legacy of training Christians to reach the nations for Christ.



Share Tweet Contact: Josh Paxton, Calvary University 816-322-0110KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 30, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- Calvary University prepares Christians to live and serve in the church and in the world according to the biblical worldview and has since its establishment in 1932. For 85 years, many students have trained to go around the world as cross-cultural messengers of the gospel, serving in over 65 countries.Calvary University is honored to announce the founding of the Burnham Center for Global Engagement. The Burnham Center reflects Calvary's commitment to global ministry and will serve as the central point for Calvary's cross-cultural ministry training. The training in the Intercultural Studies Program includes overseas mission opportunities, participating on the Student Missions Committee, and more. Work is already underway to expand Calvarys cross-cultural education programs for its students.Martin and Gracia Burnham, a recognizable name for many, represent alumni who have faithfully advanced the gospel message. After completing college in preparation for mission work, the Burnhams served with New Tribes Mission, now Ethnos360, in the Philippines for 17 years before being kidnapped in 2001 by Abu Sayyaf militants. In June 2002, after more than a year in captivity, the Philippine military attempted to rescue them, during which Martin was tragically killed in the resulting gunfight. Though wounded, Gracia was rescued and able to return home. She has since become a writer, an international speaker, and an inspiration to people who desire global engagement for the sake of the gospel. Her story continues to embolden many to face adversity in their own lives and move ahead in taking the gospel to unreached people.Martin and Gracia already possessed deep ties to Calvary University as Gracia's father taught at the school in the Bible and Theology Department. Gracia continues to remain a frequent presence at Calvary, and recently gave the commencement address at Calvary's 2017 graduation ceremony.The faculty and staff of Calvary University are grateful to Martin and Gracia for their faithful service on the mission field. The Burnham Center for Global Engagement will serve as the next chapter in Calvary's legacy of training Christians to reach the nations for Christ.
home World ISIS conducts chemical weapons tests on 'human guinea pigs,' documents reveal

Newly discovered documents have revealed that the Islamic State terrorist group has been conducting experiments on humans to test out the effects of chemical weapons before launching attacks on Western targets.

According to the documents obtained from the recaptured Mosul University in Iraq, ISIS spiked its prisoners' food and water with chemical compounds like thallium sulfate. One of the prisoners reportedly suffered fever, nausea, and swelling of the stomach and brain before dying a painful death 10 days after being fed with the compound.

ISIS has described thallium sulfate, which is a colorless, tasteless salt that can be dissolved in water, as an "ideal lethal poison." The group claimed that it possesses "an ample amount of the solution to fill demands."

Daily Caller reported that the terror group also used a nicotine compound on another prisoner, who died within hours.

"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," chemical weapons expert Hamish de Bretton-Gordon told The Times, as reported by The Independent.

The report, which was verified by British and US forces, and was later obtained by The Times, also included recipes and guides for producing the toxic nicotine compound, which is said to have no antidote.

The ingredients for the poison can be found in cigarettes and vaping supplies, while thallium sulfate can be bought in many countries including the U.S.

Security forces have expressed their concern that ISIS may be plotting to contaminate Western food supplies with formulas that quickly dissolve in liquid.

The terror group is believed to have used Mosul University to develop chemical weapons in the last three years. The chemical program is said to have moved to the group's headquarters in Raqqa, Syria after it lost territory in Mosul.

It was recently reported that an ISIS cell is working on its chemical arsenal within the Euphrates River Valley. According to sources in the U.S. defense department, thousands of ISIS terrorists have converged in the area, with chemistry experts from across Iraq and Syria working at the group's production factory.

A U.S. defense official said that ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi may be hiding somewhere in the area, along with other ISIS operatives and sympathizers, adding that it is now considered as the terror group's "de facto" capital.
The Rockefeller Emerald: An emerald and diamond ring by Raymond C. Yard

An 18.04-carat emerald of mesmerising colour and impeccable clarity once owned by the Rockefeller family is set to be the highlight of our Magnificent Jewels sale in New York on 20 June

Known for his unique flair and keen eye for quality, Raymond Carter Yard set a high standard for American jewellery design in the 20th century. Born the son of a railroad conductor in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1885, as a boy Raymond Yard became known to William Elder Marcus, owner of Marcus & Co, an established jewellery firm in New York City. After Yards father passed away, Marcus offered the young Raymond a job, and at 13 years of age he quit school and moved to Manhattan with his mother. Under the guidance of William Elder Marcus, Yard immersed himself in the world of jewellery and steadily climbed the ranks of the firm, forming close relationships with the elite of American society along the way. Yards honest demeanour and knowledge of jewellery caught the eye of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and they developed a personal and professional relationship that would greatly affect Yards career. Rockefeller strongly encouraged Raymond Yard to establish his own firm. Yard resigned from Marcus & Co. at the age of 37, and opened his first salon in May 1922 at 527 Fifth Avenue. Within four years, with business booming and more space needed, Raymond C. Yard, Inc. had moved location up Fifth Avenue.

Open a larger version of this image The Rockefeller Emerald: an emerald and diamond ring, by Raymond C. Yard. Set with an octagonal step-cut emerald of approximately 18.04 carats. Estimate: $4-6 million. This lot is offered in Magnificent Jewels and The Rockefeller Emerald on 20 june at Christies in New York

Raymond Yards extensive client base greatly helped him to grow his company. Rockefeller believed in Yards brand and introduced him to New Yorks wealthiest families, including the Vanderbilts, the DuPonts and the Woolworths. In 1930 John D. Rockefeller, Jr. purchased through a private owner a brooch for his wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. The brooch, said to be by Van Cleef & Arpels, centred upon a large emerald with mesmerising colour and impeccable clarity.

This superb Colombian emerald embodies the grandeur of the Rockefeller empire
Kellogg Co. is closing its Houston distribution center and laying off 220 employees, according to documents released Tuesday by the Texas Workforce Commission.

An additional 201 people are being laid off from a distribution center in Fort Worth.

These layoffs stem from an announcement the company made in February that it will cease direct store delivery of its U.S. Snacks business and instead go to a warehouse model. This means it will ship snacks to retailers' warehouses instead of directly to their stores.

MORE: Americans are losing their appetite for cereal

Kellogg spokesman Kris Charles said the company is optimistic that its employees will find similar jobs with the retailers.

"As the distribution shifts from our network to our retailers' networks, so too will the work," he said in an email. "We've been actively engaged in conversations with some of our biggest retail partners who have expressed strong interest in hiring these employees for high-demand roles once the transition is complete."

Story continues below...

The warehouse model is already used by Pringles and the rest of Kellogg's North American business.

"While this is the right move for the future of the company, it was a difficult decision because of the impact on affected employees," John Bryant, Kellogg Co. Chairman and CEO, said in the February news release. "We are doing everything we can to help our employees manage through this transition."

END OF THE LINE: 34 companies that could be the next to announce mass store closures

The company is providing severance and benefits, as well as offering retention packages for impacted employees, according to the news release.

Documents from the Texas Workforce Commission said the last day for distribution center employees in the Houston facility, located at 3010 Claymoore Park Dr., will be between July 29 and Aug. 11. The last day for snacks retail execution employees will be between Aug. 4 and Aug. 17, though most do not physically work at the distribution center.
A man and woman are dead and another man is injured after a crash Monday evening in Cypress.

The collision happened around 9:40 p.m.

A man the Harris County Sheriff's Office has identified as Deshaun Thomas was headed inbound in the Northwest Freeway feeder road near Spring Cypress. At the same time, another man - identified as Jesse Myers - was driving a black Mercedes westbound in the 17800 block of Spring Cypress, according to the sheriff's office.

Myers had a passenger in his car, whom the sheriff's office identified as Gloria Myers.

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As both cars reached the Northwest Freeway feeder road and Spring Cypress intersection, Thomas allegedly ran a red light. The front of Thomas' blue Mazda 3 hit the passenger's side of Myers' Mercedes, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

By the time deputies arrived at the intersection, Thomas was dead.

Jesse and Gloria Myers were taken to Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital, where Gloria Myers was pronounced dead.

Jesse Myers had minor injuries, according to the sheriff's office. He showed some signs of impairment at the hospital, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies are awaiting toxicology results to see if Myers could have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer - unofficially, at least. And book lovers know what that means: a chance to plow through paperbacks, poolside. Cut out for the coast with a cooler and a Kindle. Find some flip-flops and fresh fiction.

Whether you're headed to a beach house or the backyard, new books will make the long, lazy days of summer even better. Here are 15 of the titles we're most looking forward to reading before Labor Day.

'Little Sister'

by Barbara Gowdy

Available now

Rose Bowan has a mystery on her hands: Every time a thunderstorm moves in, she is transported into the body of another woman - living her life, seeing through her eyes. Is it real? Is Rose having migraines or dreams, or is this really happening? And why has her mother, who has dementia, suddenly started talking about Rose's little sister, who died in childhood?

'Theft by Finding: Diaries (1977-2002)'

by David Sedaris

Available Tuesday

It's hard to resist the wit of David Sedaris, whether it's delivered in a book, on stage or on the radio. Now he has selected favorite passages from his private journals, where many of those essays and stories were born - memories, experiences, deep thoughts and outrageously funny observations. By the way, this summer's release is the first of two volumes, so we can look forward to even more of this private Sedaris.

'Do Not Become Alarmed'

by Maile Meloy

Available June 6

This story of a nightmare vacation starts with a couple of families together on a cruise. When the ship stops at a port in Central America, the tour bus breaks down, and the kids head off for the beach. And then they disappear. That's when Maile Meloy's story becomes a thriller, with a fast-paced narration from two perspectives, the frantic parents and their missing children.

'You Don't Have to Say You Love Me'

by Sherman Alexie

Available June 13

Sherman Alexie has written a memoir about his childhood on the Spokane Indian Reservation - his brain surgery as an infant, his alcoholic parents, his difficulties growing up. But primarily, the popular novelist's book is about his mother, a complicated, unpredictable and sometimes abusive woman he spent a lifetime battling - and, at her death, sought to understand.

'A House Among the Trees'

by Julia Glass

Available June 13

When famous children's author Mort Lear dies unexpectedly, he leaves everything he owns to his longtime assistant. As she untangles the complications Mort left behind, she finds herself dealing with an angry museum curator, her own embittered brother and a British movie star who has been cast to portray Mort in a film. And along the way, she learns disturbing things she never knew about her boss. Glass' story is fiction, but fans of Maurice Sendak will recognize pieces of this tale.

'Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body'

by Roxane Gay

Available June 13

Essayist Roxane Gay's work is always smart, often funny and unflinchingly honest. In this memoir, her honesty is searing as she recounts her history with food, self-worth and "wildly undisciplined" body - a history that started with trauma and evolved into a blend of shame and self-confidence.

'The Changeling'

by Victor LaValle

Available June 13

This is a perfect summer horror read. When first-time parents Apollo and Emma have their baby, strange things start happening. Emma ties up her husband, murders their child and vanishes - and when a stranger claims to know where she is, Apollo sets off on a mysterious, sometimes magical quest to find her.

'The Graybar Hotel'

by Curtis Dawkins

Available July 4

This short-story collection offers unsparing, detailed glimpses of prison life. The stories are fiction, but they're based on truth: Author Curtis Dawkins, who has an MFA in fiction writing, is also a convicted murderer serving a life sentence without parole.

'The Reason You're Alive'

by Matthew Quick

Available July 4

David Granger, 68 and still haunted by his time in Vietnam, has surgery for a brain tumor and decides he needs to right a wrong from long ago. He sets out to find a man named Clayton Fire Bear - an American Indian soldier David once had to discipline - and return a knife he stole. Author Matthew Quick's name may sound familiar; he's the author of "The Silver Linings Playbook."

'American Fire: Love, Arson and Life in a Vanishing Land'

by Monica Hesse

Available July 11

Three years ago, Washington Post writer Monica Hesse covered a hearing for a rural Virginia man who pleaded guilty to 67 counts of arson. Then she learned that the rash of fires in Accomack County - 77 of them, one after the other - was part of a strange love story. "American Fire" dives deep into the lives of the couple who set those fires - and into the story of a downtrodden place that, for five long months, wouldn't stop burning.

'What We Lose'

by Zinzi Clemmons

Available July 11

In the white Philadelphia suburbs, Thandi - the daughter of mixed-race parents - has always felt like an outsider. But when she loses her mother to cancer, Thandi begins to search for meaning, love and a connection to her mother's South African roots. This is the first novel from Zinzi Clemmons, who uses photographs, song lyrics and blog posts to tell a partly autobiographical story.

'A Talent for Murder'

by Andrew Wilson

Available July 11

It's a real-life mystery that has never been explained: In 1926, mystery writer Agatha Christie left her house, abandoned her car and disappeared for 11 days. Christie, in her mid-30s at the time, claimed that she had amnesia and couldn't remember what had happened or why. Now, nearly 100 years later, Andrew Wilson has written a novel that imagines what might have happened to her in that missing chunk of time - a story based partly on research and partly on his imaginings.

'The Body in the Clouds'

by Ashley Hay

Available July 18

In this unusually imaginative story, men in three different centuries see the same thing: a man falling through the sky above Sydney Harbor. One is an 18th-century astronomer; another is a 1930s bridge worker; and the third is a 21st-century banker coming home to Australia. What do they see, and why do they see it? Ashley Hay's novel follows the three of them, who are somehow, strangely, connected through the centuries.

'Are You Sleeping'

by Kathleen Barber

Available Aug. 1

Anyone who has fallen head-first into a podcast such as "S-Town" or "Serial" will appreciate the plot of Kathleen Barber's novel. When a hit podcast reopens a long-closed murder case, the dead man's daughter, who spent a decade trying to move on, is dragged right back into her past. She has to face - and maybe learn - the truth.

'A Stranger in the House'

by Shari Lapena

Available Aug. 15

Karen Krupp bolts out of her house one evening, races to the wrong side of town and slams her car into a pole - but when she wakes up in the hospital, she says she can't remember the accident or why she left the house. As the mystery grows, the police, her husband and even Karen aren't sure what to believe. This is more psychological suspense from the author of last year's "The Couple Next Door."
A man carrying weapons and insisting he was the real-life embodiment of Marvels vigilante The Punisher was arrested at Phoenix Comicon Thursday after he told authorities he was targeting bad police officers, according to The Phoenix New Times.

According to court documents, it was later discovered that the man, 31-year-old Matthew Sterling, had set his sights on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers star Jason David Frank, currently of Houston, who played the Green Ranger in the original TV series and was attending the Arizona fan event. Police said they later found a notation on Sterlings calendar the day he was at Comicon that simply read Kill JDF.

Sterling was in possession of four firearms and several knives at Comicon at the time of his arrest, according to USA Today.

Also Read: Everyone Is Freaking Out About Comic-Con 2017 Returning Registration Badges

The Phoenix New Times reported that Sterling was charged with attempted murder, resisting arrest, aggravated assault, carrying a weapon in a prohibited place and wearing body armor during the commission of a felony. His bail was set at $1 million.

Sterling told police that although he was aware his real guns and other weapons were not allowed inside the event, the rules didnt apply to him because he was The Punisher, the Marvel Comics antihero who stoops to murder, kidnap, torture and other acts of violence in his war against crime.

Due to the pending allegations, I will only state I do not know the person who was arrested, but I will pray for him, Frank said at a press conference. This incident is an eye-opening situation to increase and add more security to all Comic-Cons around the world.

For the duration of the show, all prop weapons were banned from the remained Phoenix event.

Also Read: NY Comic Con Ticket Pre-Sales Bring Out Easily Excitable and Hilarious Fans

Frank later posted a video message on Facebook, saying in part, Even though it looks like things dont faze me, I refuse to have a situation tear me apart mentally. You gotta remember, things could always be worse. Things couldve been worse. But it wasnt. You know, everyone is safe, things are okay, and its a great thing.

Read original story Power Rangers Star Targeted by Gunman Dressed as The Punisher at Phoenix Comicon At TheWrap
As we reported earlier this year , unless Oklahoma lawmakers took action during this legislative session, the state would slip to last place for teacher pay. Lawmakers failed to agree on a plan to increase pay in time this year. And, on the eve of the legislatures adjournment, Shawn Sheehan, the states 2016 teacher of the year, announced on his blog that he was leaving the state for a better-paying position in neighboring Texas.

Teaching in Oklahoma is a dysfunctional relationship, he wrote in an impassioned post. And with a myriad of emotions, I have made the decision to end this relationship.

Both Sheehan and his wife have accepted teaching positions in the Lone Star State. This is hardly a new issue in Oklahoma, in 2002. The New York Times reported on the exodus of Oklahoma educators into Texas. Even back then, teachers were seeing a $7,000 pay bump just by crossing the state line.

Sheehan said he tried everything he could think of to try to make it work in Oklahoma, including venturing into politics. In addition to running for office, he fought for State Question 779, a failed ballot initiative to institute a penny sales tax that would have funded an increase in teacher pay.

Im sorry its come to this, but I will leave with my head held high, he wrote. I poured my heart and soul into my teaching at Norman High School. I represented our state at the highest level. I tried to help find funding sources via SQ 779. I ran for state senate. I started a nonprofit focused on teacher recruitment and retention that has spread nationwide. Ive done everything I know how to do to try and make things better. We could stay, but it would cost our familyspecifically our sweet baby girl.

EdWeeks Daarel Burnette wrote about Sheehan last fall when he was running for the state senate to take a more active role in education policy . In this video, he talks about why he was considering leaving the classroom:

You can read Sheehans full blog post here .
Three deals to look out for this week:

Wednesday, May 31, all Baskin Robbins locations will be offering regular and kid-size scoops of ice cream for $1.50 each. The promotional deal is in celebration of its 31 flavors and will be available again in July and August.

COMING SOON: Former Astros player Hunter Pence, Greenway Coffee to debut Coral Sword: Coffee, Comics & Games

Where kids eat free Wednesday: La Finca Mexican Restaurant, 23930 Westheimer Parkway and 6734 Westheimer Lakes North in Fulshear, offers kids under 10 years old free dinner after 4 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entree. Most Luby's locations in Houston also feature free dining for kids with the purchase of an adult meal. This deal is also available Saturdays after 11 a.m.

Esteban's at 402 W Main Street in League City will be celebrating its 29th anniversary Thursday, June 1. To honor its birthday, it will offer vintage pricing. Here are the details: "This Thursday, June 1st, marks our 29th anniversary at Esteban's. To celebrate this occasion, we'll be rolling back prices on our Fajitas to 1988 prices! As seen on our original menu in the photo, Fajitas for one will be $6.95. We'll even include a non-alcoholic beverage for free! Offer is valid June 1st for dine in customers only and limited to one order per person. Please make plans to join us!!"

Free-donuts Friday: Anyone who purchases a drink at Dunkin' Donuts can grab a free donut to celebrate National Donut Day this Friday, June 2. In addition to this special, the chain is also currently serving small Frozen Dunkin' Coffee for $1.99, May 29 through July 2.

Not to be left behind, competitor Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will also feature free donuts all day at select stores, no purchase required. "National Doughnut Day is one of our favorite days because we choose to celebrate each customer's individually sweet experience with our brand," Jackie Woodward, Chief Marketing Officer of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, said in prepared statement. "When everyone is able to participate by enjoying a Krispy Kreme doughnut of their choice for free, the experience is truly priceless."

Which will you be heading to?
Restaurants that have made their mark in Houston are set to spread their footprints outside the Bayou City, spreading as far north as Dallas and as far south as Mexico.

Among the major expansions is a Washington Corridor steakhouse that has quickly developed into one of the city's leading high-end dining destinations. B&B Butchers & Restaurants, 1814 Washington Ave., will expand to Fort Worth's The Shops at Clearfork this September.

"I wasn't looking to expand when I was approached about opening in Fort Worth, but it made perfect sense," owner Benjamin Berg said in a release. "My slaughterhouse is in Fort Worth, and I've fallen in love with the quintessentially Texas city and its people, who remind me a lot of Houstonians with their love for philanthropy, art, food and all things Texas."

>>>>See the gallery above for Houston spots opening in outside markets, and keep scrolling to check out Austin- and Dallas-based restaurants open or slated to debut in Houston.

Berg will also grow his local portfolio by launching another Houston outpost, Benjamin's, at 111 Rusk sometime next year. This upcoming downtown restaurant, however, will not be another steakhouse.

GUIDE: Where to find Galveston's best drinks

As for longtime local spots, Tiny Boxwoods is now sharing its wealth of addictive, gooey chocolate chip cookies with Austin. Earlier this month, Tiny Boxwoods founders Baron Doke and Gregg and Lance Thompson established their Austin location at 1503 W. 35th Street, in a space that also houses sibling events venue Rosemary Room. Chef Ava Sonleitner is taking a market-focused approach at this restaurant by dreaming up menu items exclusive to this outpost. It's currently open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Breakfast and lunch hours are expected to be announced later this summer.

One Houston-based small chain has even expanded its ownership mark as far out as Oaxaca, Mexico. That's where renowned James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega now co-owns acclaimed spot Origen.

(Story continues below.)

The buy-in came last year, when Ortega, who founded hospitality group H-Town Restaurant Group with wife, Tracy Vaught, joined chef and co-owner Rodolfo Castellanos in developing the menu. Set in the historical district of Oaxaca, Origen is an upscale dining establishment that opened in 2010, after Castellanos left his chef-de-cuisine post at Mexico City's French Embassy.

HOUSTON CHAINS: Houston's great locally owned 'mini-chain' restaurants are expanding

"We are excited to have chef Rodolfo Castellanos and Origen join our restaurant family," Vaught said in a prepared statement. "Oaxaca has been a favorite cultural and culinary destination for Hugo and me for many years and home to some of our favorite markets, restaurants and archeological sites. Rodolfo is a young, talented Oaxacan chef that is making a name for himself throughout Mexico with his modern approach to Oaxacan cooking. Hugo and Rodolfo make a great team, and we can't wait to see what this union brings."

Anyone familiar with Houston's dining scene likely already knows several of Ortega and Vaught's H-Town Restaurant Group establishments, which include Hugo's, Backstreet Cafe and Caracol. Oirgen was the team's first foray into an international market.
German Amaya stood against the wall, removed from the crowd in the small classroom at Spring Woods Middle School waiting for his wife to walk to the front of the room and receive the certificate she's been working toward over the last four months.

In that time, his wife, Teresa Amaya has gone from not being able to speak English at all, to communicating with native English speakers well enough to not need an interpreter nearby.

When it was her turn to stand with the rest of the women from her class and receive her certificate of completion in level one of a four-level beginners English course, the El Salvadorian native pulled out his flip-phone and, for the first time, stepped toward the crowd to get a better view and snap a picture of Teresa, smiling from ear-to-ear with her diploma in hand.

His smile was more modest. But it was the unmistakable smile of a proud husband.

The ceremony Thursday morning celebrated the accomplishments of about 40 Central American immigrants who completed a five-month conversational English class. The students were mostly female and from Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador.

A long table in the back was decorated with dozens of Latin American dishes waiting to be enjoyed. The women brought homemade pans of beans, tortillas, stewed meats and other sides to share after the awards. They've spent months practicing English together twice a week for two hours - sometimes more - and were not only excited with their own achievement, but beamed with pride for each other.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Bissonnet Street in southwest Houston has offered conversational English lessons to the community for over four years and has partnered with schools in Spring Branch Independent School District for three.

Each week, young members of the church on their "mission," from teenagers to early 20-somethings, go to nine Spring Branch ISD campuses and tutor immigrants as a part of their missionary work. But, the language tutoring is offered strictly as a service to the community and the missionaries don't talk about faith with the students, said Trina Morford, a coordinator with the program at the church.

And it's not an accredited English as a Second Language program, she said, but offers conversational English-speaking skills to aid in every-day interactions like shopping, dealing with state agencies to handle things like vehicle registration and, most often mentioned by the students, to help them communicate with their children's teachers.

The graduating class was made up from smaller, seperate classes across the district. Roughly half of them have children attending a school in the area, the other half learned of the program through a friend.

The program, called Daily Dose, aims to help parents communicate with their children who often outpace them in English proficiency through public education.

But beyond allowing mothers to keep up with their kids' English ability, learning the language opens other doors.

As Loudres Llamas stood to offer remarks on behalf of her class at Ridgecrest Elementary School, she was met with applause and cheers. She's the class representative and clearly a favorite among her peers.

"This is my first time speaking English, I hope you can understand me," said Llamas, a Honduran native who has been in the U.S for 15 years and has two daughters at SBISD schools. "Thank you to the teachers for the help, time and patience. My dream always was to speak English."

The room erupted in more cheers, applause and encouragement. Llamas says the motive that drove her most fiercely in her English lessons was the desire to be able to talk with her seven and 12-year-old's teachers when they meet for parent-teacher conferences. But one community engagement coordinator at Ridgecrest who has worked with Llamas says she's come out of her shell in other ways. The coordinator said the 40-year-old was instrumental in helping other women in the class not lose heart when they got discouraged with their progress. Llamas alerted the coordinator that one woman was about to quit the class because she felt like she wasn't learning as fast as other students. The coordinator was able to intervene and help the woman catch up. Now, Llamas drives that classmate to and from lessons every week to make sure she gets there. The mother of two has worked in stores and restaurants since she's been in the U.S., but the same coordinator thinks Lamas' English is now good enough that she should apply for a receptionist or front office job at one of the schools.

When Teresa and German Amaya, the El Salvadorian couple in their 50s, came to the U.S., only German spoke English. He started work in emergency AC repair and is set to retire any day now after 20 years in the business. Teresa worked for years in a screen printing shop. Their children were small then, and quickly picked up the language in school. Their mother was always too busy with work and caring for their two children to take English lessons. For most of her life she was the only one in the family who couldn't speak English, that is until four months ago. One morning she asked a lady at her gym if she knew anywhere she could take English lessons for free.

Soon, she'll be able to keep up in an English conversation with any of their eight grandchildren. The couple's oldest grandchild, a 24-year-old woman, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin the following Friday. They made the trip to watch that ceremony too.

If Daily Dose had anything like a Valedictorian speech, Llamas would have nailed it.

"I always thought that when I can speak English my life and my future will be better. That day is today," she said.
THE WOODLANDS  Nearly 12 hours after lightning likely caused a massive blaze at the Holly Creek Apartments in The Woodlands, Whitney F. was arguing with contractors to not board up the charred building just yet.

"There are live animals in there," she said, holding on to a shimmer of hope that she'd be able to find three of her best friend's cats that have been lost since the fire started around 11 p.m. Sunday. A massive storm system ripped through the area with heavy rain and even heavier lightning, which Montgomery County Fire Marshal Jimmy Williams said likely sparked the Holly Creek blaze and 10 others throughout the county in a span of two hours.

At the Holly Creek complex, near the corner of Woodlands Parkway and West Panther Creek Drive, eight units were lost to the fire and four others sustained smoke and water damage. Only one resident was home at the time of the fire, who made it out safely, neighbors said.

Eight Lives Left

By Monday morning, firefighters were long gone from the blaze having tapped it out hours earlier. But around 10:30 a.m., they were called back out to the complex when neighbors noticed what looked like white smoke rising from inside the apartments once again.

Whitney, who declined to provide her last name, knew the firefighters were her only chance of getting inside her friend's apartment to search for the felines. Her friend, who lives in the complex, was out of town in Florida and only learned of the fire on social media before calling Whitney and asking her to check on the cats.

Firefighters with The Woodlands Fire Department showed up and learned the smoke-like substance rising from the burned apartments was actually steam spewing from broken pipes connected to the building's water heater. Regardless, Whitney took the opportunity and asked permission to enter her friend's apartment.

After having determined the apartment was safe, Whitney and a few neighbors went inside searching for the three cats. Minutes later, they walked out with Smokey  a gray and white male cat  in tow.

"We found him underneath the sink up against the wall," Whitney said. "He looked at me like 'I know you. What's going on?'"

Neighbors had concluded Smokey hid underneath the sink since he was scared and unsure of what was going on around him when the fire started.

"I feel good, because that's (my friend's) baby," Whitney said, but not before Smokey let out a "meow."

Although Smokey was found relatively uninjured (a little water and soot on the fur never hurt anybody), Whitney did not have luck finding the other two cats. She's hoping they escaped and are hiding out in some nearby woods. One of the apartment's maintenance managers, Clares Arthur, set out plates of cat food around the complex hoping to lure the other two cats to safety, but they had not turned up as of 11 a.m.

A Terrifying Thing to See

"All we saw were red and blue sparks," Joseph Quattrocchi said describing the moment lightning struck the building.

Quattrocchi's roommate, Nichole Bland, knew something bad was about to happen when she checked the radar on her phone and saw the storms brewing Sunday night. She went to go wake Quattrocchi up to make sure he knew to prepare for whatever the bad weather might bring.

Their apartment sits about 100 yards away from the building that caught fire. They stepped outside to watch the lightning and did not expect it to hit so close to home.

"Not even three minutes later we saw lightning come down and hit this building hear and bounced where it looked like it was coming towards us," Quattrocchi said. "It was a terrifying thing to see."

While the Holly Creek complex was certainly the worse casualty of the storms, nearly 10 other residences throughout Montgomery County were struck by lightning and required a full fire department response, Williams said.

He urged residents whose homes might have sustained a lightning strike to call out an electrician to check the home's wiring. He also recommended mitigating any lightning or storm damage immediately, regardless of whether the resident has yet to call an insurance company.
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Houston Police are seeking answers in an overnight killing in Southwest Houston.

Officers from the Midwest Patrol division were dispatched at around 2 a.m. to an apartment parking lot in the 6100 block of Marinette Drive, according to Houston Police spokesperson Lt. Larry Crowson.

There, they discovered the body of a male victim who had been killed in an "edged weapon attack," Crowson said.

The victim was wearing no clothes and was "partially decapitated," investigators told ABC13.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: In the wake of the story below reporting on the nightmare scenario of the beloved Hermann Park-area Sam Houston statue being under fire from an anti-fascist group, a few more details about the individuals behind the Facebook page were uncovered. Originally, this event and controversy was covered in a tongue-in-cheek manner, which was probably lost on a few people. Texas Antifa is not a real group of radicals looking to get 'ol Sam taken down, but an alt-right troll job. This was brought to our attention by a reader and further clarified by the Houston Press' Craig Malisow on Thursday. Texas Antifa is not affiliated with any real anti-fascist groups that might exist in Houston, and simply made the event page and Facebook group to point and laugh at the rash, unpopular opinions of a hypothetical group of people. All that matters is that Big Sam isn't going anywhere and faithful Texans can rest easy on June 10. The only thing of note happening on that date near the statue might be some engagement photos and a few family picnics.

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The Sam Houston statue in Hermann Park has become a symbol of the city since it was installed in 1925. A group that calls itself Texas Antifa would prefer that it be removed due to the Texas icon owning slaves.

LEARN ABOUT SAM: Things you never knew about Sam Houston

The group, which has a rally planned in Houston on June 10, told KPRC-TV on Monday it would speak to the media about the statue on that date.

The group believes if other Confederate memorials can be removed in other cities, why shouldn't Houston remove the Sam Houston statue? After all, he did own slaves.

"Comrades, we need to fight to remove the disgusting statues of ALL war criminals and slave owners. Texans want these statues removed!" the group wrote May 22 on its Facebook page.

"Texans agree the disgusting idols of America's dark days of slavery must be removed to bring internal peace to our country. Several large groups of BLM have also pledged their support for this historic rally against the idols of an oppressive history, hence the name "Anti-Oppression Rally" - These statues are a slap in the face of all Black Americans!"

There is more to Big Sam's story, as most people who took Texas history in school will tell you. The controversy over statue removal in other cities has generally involved Confederate leaders like Robert E. Lee. Houston was not involved in the Civil War beyond wanting desperately for Texas not to be a part of it.

Houston, owned up to 12 slaves, but was also anti-slavery in public life. As a senator, Houston voted against the spread of slavery in the young United States' newest territories. He was also removed as the governor of Texas for not falling in line with other Confederate states when the Civil War began.

TEXAS ME: Learn how Texas became the 28th state in 1845

On Monday Mayor Sylvester Turner was asked at a Memorial Day event if the controversy over the statue had reached him as of yet.

"It's not even on my agenda. I haven't even given it any thought," Turner told KPRC-TV.
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Summer is here and for hundreds of students in the Tomball Independent School District that may mean an end to regular breakfast and lunch.

And since the district does not have a 5-day a week summer food program, the Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries has stepped in to help.

The nonprofit is starting a new program this summer to help those students in food need or are food insecure, which means their family is unsure where their next meal will come from.

Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries will provide families in need with a bag of food each week, filled with breakfast and lunch items.

"We will provide kid-friendly food that parents can pick up," said Becky Loving, director of Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries.

The nonprofit has started a food drive to collect food, including peanut butter, soup, canned meats, granola bars and cereal.

Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries has been reaching out to school counselors at Tomball ISD schools to provide fliers about the program to send home to families in need.

"This program will allow them to have breakfast and lunch during the summer," Loving said.

"For a lot of kids who are on free and reduced meals, the school year is great, but when summer comes, a lot of them don't eat," Loving said.

Counselors at schools in the Tomball Independent School District were asked to identify 50 to 75 students in each school who may qualify.

As the population continues to rise in the region, the number of financially unstable households has increased as well. And so has the number of children receiving free or reduced-priced lunches in schools in northwest Harris County.

At Tomball Independent School District, there are 25.9 percent of students who are economically disadvantaged, according to the Houston Food Bank. At Spring Independent School District, there are 74.6 percent. In Klein Independent School District, 41.8 percent of students are economically disadvantaged.

In Harris County, it is estimated there are 300,000 children that are food insecure, said Rebecca Pahlka, program coordinator at the Houston Food Bank.

Other area nonprofit agencies are also seeing an increase in the need for services as the region grows.

Hundreds of families and seniors struggle to pay for basic needs, primarily food. At Northwest Assistance Ministries, the biggest demand is for food, which is due in part to job layoffs.

Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries is planning to help between 200 to 250 students this summer as part of the new summer food program.

Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries helps residents in need throughout the year, including with food and with help paying rent and utilities.

Unfortunately, the nonprofit is not able to help every family with children in need this summer in the Tomball area, Loving said.

"Not everyone will have transportation to come here and get the help," she said.

For more information or to donate or volunteer, contact Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries at 281-351-6700 or visit http://www.teamtomball.com/

Items needed for the new kids summer food program:

Cereal

Canned meats

Healthy snacks

Peanut butter

Jelly

Soup

Granola bars
For more than a year Larry Davis had been sweating his future in a Caribbean jail, uncertain of getting his day in court or what would happen if he did. He tried to keep his spirits up  praying every day for strength and a just consideration of the evidence, exercising as best he could in the confines of his cell, hoping he would not be forgotten.

Davis' prayers were answered at last Tuesday when a three-judge panel in the Dominican Republic found him not guilty of drug smuggling, just as he had insisted since the moment last March when he arrived in Santo Domingo hoping to resolve some confusion regarding his small fuel tanker that had been impounded.

The 44-year-old Davis could be home with his wife and two young sons as early as this weekend, said attorney Sean Buckley, who assisted in his defense and pushed his case with American officials. Yet nothing is certain. The judges ordered his immediate release, but government prosecutors could appeal their decision, Buckley said.

"Our expectation is what you would call cautiously optimistic," he said. "The judges were very resolute in their decision. There was no equivocation in their opinion. The judges were very explicit in their rejection of the government's case."

Davis, 44, was arrested in March 2016 when the 165-foot vessel he owned was confronted in Dominican waters. The ship, the Precon Express, was escorted into port and inspected. Close to 1,000 kilos of cocaine and 2.6 kilos of heroin were found on board."

Davis claimed to have no knowledge of the illicit cargo. He and his father had owned the ship for seven years and used it to transport marine diesel fuel from one Caribbean port to another. But when his mother was diagnosed with cancer, they leased the vessel to another man in order to spend more time at home.

That man, Joseph Hynds, mysteriously disappeared after he and Davis voluntarily spoke with Dominican authorities. Davis does not speak Spanish and relied on Hynds to describe their financial arrangement. Davis had nothing to do with hiring the ship's Honduran captain and crew, his lawyer said.

Davis was arrested several days after the interview at the Santo Domingo airport as he was about to board a plane back to the U.S. Buckley said he had waited several days in case law enforcement officials had any additional questions. When they did not contact him again, he decided to go home."He had booked a return flight," Buckley said. "He showed up to make that flight and they arrested him. I think they baited him into a situation where it could be seen as an attempt to flee and consciousness of wrongdoing."

Buckley believes Hynds may have said something to authorities to cast suspicion on the boat's owner. True or not, he added, it would have made no sense for Buckley to go to the Dominican Republic if he had been involved in drug smuggling.

"Why would he leave the U.S. and come down here, knowing the authorities had boarded it and were dissatisfied with something about it?" Buckley said.

Davis was confident he could prove his innocence in court. But he feared he might languish in jail for years awaiting trial, especially after an earlier trial date was postponed. Buckley said Congressman Kevin Brady's staff and officials with the State Department were helpful in persuading Dominican officials to bring the case to trial without further delay.

The trial lasted one week and judges heard from about 20 witnesses, Buckley said. Davis testified and made a good impression, he added. Crew members arrested at the same time did not fare as well. Buckley said they were found guilty of smuggling and given five-year prison terms.

Davis has been held for more than a year in a jail that lacked clean drinking water and offered only beans and rice to eat, his attorney said. Family, friends and U.S. officials had long argued that prosecutors had no evidence showing he was aware the man who leased the fuel-trading boat would use it to transport large quantities of illegal drugs.

"The judges chastised the prosecution for failing to establish any links between Larry and the 985 kilograms of cocaine and two kilograms of heroin found on his family's vessel," Buckley said.

In a Chronicle story last March, Davis' wife, Stacy, said she spoke to him over the phone whenever she could. She provided updates to him on the boys' schoolwork, basketball games and soccer team. She said he told her little about the jail's conditions, sparing details that only make her worry.

Davis' mother died in September 2016, six months into his detention.

"Larry and his mom were extremely close," Stacy Davis said. "It was so hard for him to miss her last days."

In his absence, she tried to maintain a normal life for her boys, ages 8 and 11. Like her husband, she has relied on her faith and her church, along with support from family and friends, especially her husband's tight-knit soccer team. Barring unexpected success of a government appeal, that will soon be behind her.

Buckley said Larry Davis will not return to the fuel trading business, even though judges ordered the release of the ship as well. Unattended since his arrest, its condition is unknown.
'Robbed of Her Dignity in the Classroom': Muslim Student Sues Over 'F'

According to her lawsuit, Muslim student Sahna ElBanna at Union County College only took a second class taught by professor Toby Grodner because it was required to graduate. During the first class, Organization & Management in the spring semester of 2016, ElBanna, says Grodner repeatedly told students that all Muslims were terrorists. ElBanna didn't speak up at the time, fearing it would affect her grade, and she received a B-plus.

The next semester, however, ElBanna confronted Grodner during her Principals of Marketing class after again hearing derogatory comments about Muslims, and later received an F.

B for Bigotry

"You're in the classroom each week," ElBanna's lawsuit claims. "(The instructor) is using the terms Muslim and terrorist interchangeably. Every moment you are in that class, you feel subhuman. You feel you are a terrorist."

ElBanna, suing for emotional distress after also filing a complaint over her grade with the school, alleges that when she finally confronted Grodner about his discriminatory comments, the professor got defensive and began to question her about her religion. "Doesn't your religion believe men are superior to women," ElBanna claims Grodner asked. "Do you even pray five times a day?"

After receiving two A's on parts of the course worth 60 percent of her grade, earning A's on other assignments, and being told she would get an A on her final paper, ElBanna was shocked to discover Grodner gave her an F.

A for Appeal

ElBanna attempted to appeal the grade, but the school's appeals process requires a signature from the professor. Grodner twice refused to sign the appeal form, and a dean refused to pursue the matter without Grodner's signature. While still enrolled at Union County, ElBanna claims the failing grade could delay her graduation and cost her financially to repeat the course.

"She was robbed of her dignity in the classroom," her lawsuit claims, "subjected to an environment where her peers were encouraged to belittle and demean her religion."

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Rick Reams, butcher and owner of RJ's Meats in Hudson, Wisconsin has made a meat-lover's dream come true.

The store has limited hours during the week, and in an effort to keep up with demand and the locals' 24/7 lifestyle, Reams has installed a meat vending machine.

TOTALLY AWESOME: Yes, you can buy a whole pecan pie from a vending machine in Texas

As the first of its kind in the United States, the Regiomat (a.k.a Reggie) was imported from Germany and will allow Reams' customers to pick up choice cuts of meats, sausages and other items at their convenience.

According to an article on local station WDJT's website, Reams has been waiting four years for this moment and is excited to see the results.

The machine, unlike standard U.S. vending machines is ""heavily insulated and has a heater in it. It can actually dispense products when it's 20 below outside."

As far as food safety is concerned, Reams has got that covered too.

"I'll be filling it and servicing it every day, and I have an app on my phone that will tell me what the temperature is inside the machine," Reams told the station. "If it hits max value and goes over that, the machine won't dispense food. If it's not a safe temperature the machine won't dispense to customer, which is awesome in my eyes."

Hopefully the trend will make its way to butcher shops across the states and people everywhere will be able to get choice meats whenever they want.

Take a look through the photos to for a first-look at the machine.
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.
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Roman Melnik, a construction worker who learns his wife and pregnant daughter have been killed in an air tragedy in Aftermath, a movie that is better than it has any right to be and shows that the aging action star is actually capable of doing more than flexing his muscles in one of his least testosterone-driven movies to date. The story, while based on real-life events, doesn't quite pass the plausibility test at several points, but for a long stretch, it's a really powerful character study.

Arnold isn't the first actor you'd think of when searching for someone to play a man suffering through inner turmoil after losing his family, so that makes Schwarzenegger's performance here so interesting to watch. I kept waiting for him to explode on screen in the way we've seen him do in so many other films, but to his credit (and to the credit of Director Elliott Lester), he keeps things nicely restrained for the majority of the story. This may not be the kind of movie fans expect (or even want) from Arnold, but he doesn't embarrass himself here.

The movie isn't just about Arnold's character, however. It's also about the air traffic controller, Jake Bonanos (Scoot McNairy), whose actions (or inactions as the case may be) contributed to the air tragedy  during which two planes crashed into one another and there were no survivors. The movie smartly shows what happens in the control room that puts the blame on Jake, not only to have the audience sympathize with the guy, but to show that the crash wasn't anything more than an honest accident.

The tragedy hits both men hard  but, honestly, perhaps harder for Jake than for Roman, as Jake is vilified in the press, questioned by his superiors, and forced to take a new job in another city away from his wife (played by Maggie Grace) and young son. Meanwhile, Roman's angst comes not only from the fact that he's lost those dearest to him, but the reality that no one associated with the airline has ever apologized for what has happened.

While the movie is based on the real-life 2002 Uberlingen, Germany collision between two airplanes, there are a number of plot points in Aftermath that I found hard to swallow as a viewer  almost all of them used to set up important scenes. I'll touch upon just a few here. For starters, Roman doesn't find out about the plane crash until after he gets to the airport and is taken to a waiting room filled with family members of those aboard the plane. In a world with virtually instantaneous news, I found it pretty hard to swallow that he'd make it that far without hearing that the plane was at least missing. The air traffic control scene is equally questionable, as not only is Jake the only controller in the room when the accident happens, but there's no loud warning sound or flashing lights (other than the plane trajectory on one of the screens changing from green to red) when the two aircraft start to travel dangerously close to one another. Now, I have no idea how things really work in an air traffic control tower, but if they work like they are seen in this movie, it's amazing that planes aren't going down all the time. Finally, this movie asks us to believe that civilians are allowed to participate in the search of plane wreckage after a major crash. The script uses it as a way of getting Roman to sneak onto one of the search teams (so he can find the remains of his family), but does the NSTB and FAA really allow this sort of stuff to go on? Again, this would be news to me.

While part of the climax here is based on real-life events and part of it is fictional, neither are quite plausible for the characters as they are presented in the movie, and that's a shame since  despite some of my nitpicks above  the first hour of Aftermath is quite good. With those caveats in mind, I still think this one is worth checking out and perhaps even picking up. At the very least, it has two good performances in it  one being from a guy you'd never thought capable of doing something so nicely quiet and introspective.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

Aftermath lands on Blu-ray in an eco-friendly Elite keepcase that houses the 25GB disc along with an insert for an UltraViolet copy of the movie. A slipcover with artwork matching that of the keepcase's slick slides overtop. The Blu-ray is front-loaded with trailers for Imperium, Patriots Day, Solace, Extortion, and Maggie. The main menu features a montage of footage from the movie, with menu selections running across the bottom of the screen.

The Blu-ray in this release is Region A locked.
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Ram Gopal Varma has a lot of guns and thighs (guns and thies). Verma also wrote a book like his biopic with the same name. Now the Mumbai mafia is going to show him the original series from his perspective.Varma, who recently joined in Instagramr and dropped out of Twitter, recently released a poster designed by Guns and Thighs.

Focusing four revolvers on four corners, this poster is designed to look for four sides up to four girls' legs. If you see the guns and thiece poster, It's also wrong to see that Page is visible in the Varma Instagram. But this is just a fan poster. That's what Varma said.

'This is a fan made poster. It is a mood of the Guns and Thies web series, but the concept is not even close to the concept .. but appreciate the effort, "Verma told this poster. If Fan Made Poster is a creator of the creativity .. Varma is the inspiring poster of all of these!
Her daughter-in-law, Tara Sridevi's daughter, Jawani Kapoor, was once again in the news. Bollywood is anticipated to see if all the features of a glamor heroine are going to be made in movies. Her mother, Sridevi, says that she would come in cinemas and not act as a heroine. That's why the eyes of the cameras will follow her from the foot of the jhanvi.

Jhanvi's hero Shahid Kapoor's younger brother Ishaan Kapoor is back with the movie's date. Bollywood heroine Priyanka Chopra has traveled to the same car with Ishaan for Hollywood Debut Film Baywatch Movie Stringing. While sitting in the back seat of the jhnavi, Ishaan took her to the theater. Bollywood talk is that Shahid Kapoor's warn to stay away from jhanvi and Ishhan neglected it and went with her. In that sense, the relation between them is a little strong. Beyond Ishaan is a bit out of Bollywood's consciousness. This is the highlight of the film with Sridevi's daughter. Jhanvi's dates are still before the starlet is still all over.

For Baywatch screening seemed to be as simple as Jhanvi Marveles without any hassle. The casual dress comes in the eyes of everyone. That's why eyes are shifted to Janavi which are to see Priyanka's beauty in Baywatch. Baywatch is coming to theaters in our country on June 2.
Ileana knows how to be hot in the news, even if there are not many movies in hand. Making her the beauty of her beauty this beauty is not that much in social media. This Goa beauty, who always tries to stay in touch with the fans, has recently said she is going to the Fiji Islands vacation. She also said that she had planned a summer vacation with her Australian Lover Andrew Nibon. With this information given by Ili. er followers started waiting for a variety of photos. Ileana's style is to impress all of her new ones in the new new Angels. That's why fans are eagerly awaiting the photos finally came that day. But Ili Baby still does not share bikini photos but has shown how she would look before moving into the bikini. As soon as you see something like a photo shoot for magazines. The vacation start right now.
Berlin, May 30 (IANS) Actress Priyanka Chopra on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in between his packed schedule in Berlin, terming it "such a lovely coincidence".



"Thank you for taking the time to meet me this morning Narendra Modi sir. Such a lovely coincidence to be in Berlin at the same time," Priyanka, who has been making India proud in Hollywood, tweeted.



She even shared a glimpse from her meeting with Modi on Twitter as well as Instagram.



The actress, who is known for her acting skills as well as supporting social and humanitarian causes, is seen in a white dress with a floral print during the meeting.



Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Germany, is in a black bandhgala.



Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Germany, Modi will travel to Spain, Russia and France.



Meanwhile, Priyanka, whose Hollywood debut film "Baywatch" opened internationally to mixed reviews, is enjoying a break in Berlin. "Baywatch", also starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, is slated to release in India on June 2.
However, the armed groups accepted the idea of going through further dialogue, U Zaw Htay, Director-General of the Office of the State Counsellors Office, told the press late on the day.

N'Ban La, Vice Chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), who was hosted by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in her residence, also told the press that the KIO will soon hold further talks with the government.

The seven Northern Alliance armed groups, who attended the opening ceremony of the peace conference in Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday, refer to the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP)-North and Mongla's National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Arakan Army (AA).

They were received by Aung San Suu Kyi separately on the side-lines of the conference on Friday.

U Zhao Guo An, External Relations Officer of the UWSA, told the press that despite no discussions, the family-like gathering serves as a base for future link, fully believing that if all sides strive for peace, then it can be achieved one day.

General Secretary-2 of the TNLA Tha Ban Hla also said their group's presence in the conference is an initial step for seeking ceasefire and further discussions are expected.

The five-day second meeting of the Panglong Peace Conference, attended by some 1,400 representatives from the government, the parliament, the military, invited political parties, ethnic armed organizations and civil society, is due to close later on Sunday after a meeting of the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) on the detailed discussions in the conference, according to the committee's secretariat.

The 15 ethnic armed organizations, present at the event, include eight signatories to the NCA, led by the Karen National Union (KNU), and seven non-signatories or Northern Alliance, led by the UWSA.
Senate Democrats made good Friday on their pledge to pick apart the workers compensation system at the behest of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, but the measures they approved brought only derision from the GOP.

Majority Democrats endorsed one proposal that would require companies writing workers compensation insurance to get state approval for the rates they charge, and another that creates a nonprofit company  with government oversight  to write competitive policies.

A Progressive Era reform, Illinois was on the ground floor when it adopted the law in 1912. Workers previously had little recourse if they were hurt on the clock. Workers compensation created limited liability for employers and set speedy payment for an injured worker who agreed to forgo an uncertain court remedy.

Rauner has made cost-cutting workers comp changes a must before hell agree to an annual budget  something Illinois has been without for two years, longer than any state in modern history. Frustrated Democrats say theyre making major concessions because they overhauled the compensation system in 2011.

Rauners demand for workers comp reform goes back to when he was a gubernatorial candidate. After he became governor, Democrats told him their 2011 changes meant that medical and replacement-wage payments in Illinois dropped 20 percent, to $1.33 billion, from 2011 to 2015, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance , an industry observer. Quoting state statistics, the Midwest Region of the Laborers International Union of North America reports that insurance premiums that Illinois employers pay for workers compensation coverage have gone up nearly 15 percent.

An expert, Democratic Rep. Jay Hoffman of Swansea, notes that NCCI has recommended a 29 percent reduction in workers comp insurance rates during the past seven years. But theres no requirement that companies adopt lower rates.

A Hoffman-initiated measure sponsored by Chicago Democratic Sen. Kwame Raoul requires state Insurance Department-approved rates based on market need. It won approval 32-20 but must return to the House for concurrence. The other measure, sponsored by Glenview Democratic Rep. Laura Fine and Evanston Democratic Sen. Daniel Biss, creates a nonprofit insurance company  with oversight from a government board  to push down rates by competing for policies like ones in other states. That proposal now heads to Rauner.

Senate Republicans derided the workers compensation legislation as delay and distraction but not reform. Rauners office declined comment. The Illinois Manufacturers Association issued a statement in opposition.

Republicans want arbitrators who determine awards to solely consider American Medical Association guidelines addressing impairment. Currently, an arbitrator may consider a workers age, occupation, future earning capacity and other factors. Using only AMA, Democratic Senate President John Cullerton of Chicago says a bus driver and a concert pianist who both lose a finger would get the same award.

Mark Denzler, vice president of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, says his organizations compromise was that AMA guidelines be the sole guide unless a preponderance of evidence calls other factors into play. He says applying AMA guidelines provides for fair, clearly delineated compensation decisions.

Theres now a cost-saving, GOP-proposed list outlining eligible prescription drugs. A Republican suggestion speeds up the process for injured first responders. It includes a Rauner-recommended change that allows a company or worker to forgo the cost of an injury report.

(The bills are HB2622 and HB2225.)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Following a meeting with State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the side-lines of the Union Peace Conference on May 26, the UWSAs head of foreign affairs Zhao Guo An, told media the formidable group has no interest in the pact.

We will not sign the NCA, he said.The National League for Democracy has anxiously tried to persuade additional ethnic armed groups to join the NCA, but to no avail. Only the eight initial signatories are party to the agreement, which was drafted by the former administration in consultation with some of the ethnic groups, not including the UWSA.

The Tatmadaw has demanded all groups sign the NCA before participating in peace negotiations.

Amidst this impasse, the UWSA organized a new coalition of ethnic armed groups which has pledged to bypass the NCA along the route to peace.

According to a senior representative from the Northern Alliance  a group of ethnic armed groups currently engaged in fighting with the Tatmadaw  the state counsellor urged the UWA to continue to negotiating the NCA, including with demands for amendment.

However, U Zaw Htay, director general of the State Counsellors Office, told a May 27 press conference that the NCA does not need any amendments as it is already a contract of compromises.

The NCA is not owned by the government, or by the Tatmadaw. It is a paper that emerged after being debated for 17 months, he said.

The UWSA came to Nay Pyi Taw to attend the second session of the Union Peace Conference  21st Century Panglong as a member of the Northern Alliance. At the outset of the conference, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing slammed the UWSA and other ethnic organizations party to the self-described Pangkham group as trying to undermine the Union.

Translated by Thida Linn

Edited by Laignee Barron
A giant steam-filled tank weighing nearly 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) that exploded at a St. Louis, Mo., box plant, flew a quarter-mile into the air and smashed into a neighboring building, was being used despite needing emergency repairs, federal investigators said Thursday.

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board released findings of its investigation into the horrifying April 3 explosion at Loy-Lange Box Co. that left four people dead. The blast propelled the tank through Loy-Langes roof and into the offices of Faultless Healthcare Linen.

The steam condensation tank, used in the process of making corrugated packaging products, first sprung a leak in November 2012. The federal report said a contractor made emergency repairs and less than a month later recommended the replacement of lower portions of the tank.

The tank parts were never replaced, investigators said. They also found no evidence that the city ever inspected the tank. A city official said the tank was frequently inspected.

Engineers again noticed a leak on March 31 this year, a Friday, the report said. The steam generation system was shut down and a repair technician was scheduled to arrive the following Monday afternoon, April 3.

On Monday, despite the leak and the pending technician visit, Loy-Lange started up the steam generation system, the agencys report said.   it appears that the catastrophic failure occurred near the end of the startup process.

The failure was caused by corrosion of a 6-inch (15-centimeter) ring that was part of the tank, investigators said.

The entire ring failed suddenly, the report said. The tank circle blew away in one piece from the (tank), creating the conditions for the steam explosion.

The result was a massive blast equivalent to about 350 pounds (160 kilograms) of TNT that launched the storage tank like a rocket through the roof.

The 1,952-pound, 17 1/2-foot-long (5-meter-long) tank rose to about 425 feet (130 meters) above street level and was airborne for more than 10 seconds before crashing through the roof at Faultless.

Loy-Lange engineer Kenneth Trentham, 59, died. At Faultless, Tonya Gonzalez-Suarez, 46, and her husband, Christopher Watkins, 43, were filling out paperwork for new jobs when they were killed. Clifford Lee, 53, also was fatally injured while filling out papers to begin work at Faultless.

The Loy-Lange Box Co. did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment Thursday.

Safety of things such as boilers and industrial water tanks are regulated almost uniformly in Missouri, with standards that generally include periodic inspections. But St. Louis is exempt from the Missouri law requiring regular inspections by either a state inspector or insurance company.

The city instead requires a company to have a licensed stationary engineer on site. Loy-Lange employed three stationary engineers assigned to the companys two tanks.

The city provided no evidence of inspection, the federal report said.

But St. Louis Building Commissioner Frank Oswald said it was one of the stationary engineers charged with inspections who noticed the leak on March 31. That engineer, he said, had nothing to do with the decision to restart the system before repairs were made.

Our position is indeed the system did work because they did notice it, Oswald said.

The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Boards role is to investigate industrial chemical accidents. It is not authorized to issue citations or fines, but it can make safety recommendations. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration also is investigating the accident.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
AKRON, Ohio -- Akron Soul Train - a residential artistic village of tiny houses, rail cars and shipping containers - has received a $25,000 grant from GAR Foundation.

The money will go toward Phase 1 of the village, which is being developed at 100 Canal St. in Akron's North Side Arts District. Construction is expected to begin in late summer on two residential studios, a gallery/performance space and restroom facilities. A grand opening is planned for early fall.

Akron artist Amy Mothersbaugh, creative director, is leading the project with Nancy Brennan, operations manager. Amy's brother, Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo, serves on the Akron Soul Train board.

At the heart of Akron Soul Train is a program to host residential fellows who work in studios at the village for varying time frames. Each year, selected artists will demonstrate their artistic process to the public, helping develop, promote and teach visitors about the arts through educational outreach, workshops, classes and exhibitions.

Artists are paid a stipend and get a percentage of sales of their work. The 2017 application deadline is Wednesday, May 31. Fellows will be selected by June 30.

The village's first fellow, Akron painter, sculptor and author John Sokol, spent last September creating art and opening his studio to the public. Sokol's paintings appear in many private collections, including the Akron Art Museum, Canton Art Museum and Kent State University.

The village of tiny houses, rail cars and shipping containers will host selected artists who will demonstrate their artistic process to the public, helping develop, promote and teach visitors about the arts.

This summer, Akron Soul train will begin hosting a variety of arts workshops and events, including the exhibition of each fellow's work.

The Greater Akron arts community has supported Akron Soul Train since its inception. The nonprofit received a $150,000 Knight Foundation Arts Challenge grant and was able to raise the first match of $50,000 a year ahead of the deadline.

A $50,000 Burton D. Morgan Foundation grant was applied to the final $100,000 match.

Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders donated to the village, and two train cars came from railroad engineer Will Carney, brother of Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney.

Money is also raised through memberships that offer special deals at the village and on Akron Soul Train-branded collectibles.

Visit the Akron Soul Train website for more information.

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AKRON, Ohio -- Music, dance and theater electrified the lot behind the Exchange House in North Hill this past weekend, as Gum-Dip Theatre produced its first Nepali Applause: An Open Air Market and Performance Festival.

The festival, which was awarded a $10,000 Knight Arts Challenge grant, collected dance, music and performances to create a bilingual variety show. The idea was to showcase the culture and history of New Americans, the Bhutanese and Nepali refugees who have settled in Akron's North Hill neighborhood.

The Exchange House has a community center for refugees downstairs with an international hostel upstairs. And the event focused on community building.

Freelance photographer Shane Wynn captured the events in photos. Take a look.

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.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cuyahoga County wants to determine if private money can be raised for a program to provide pre-kindergarten to all disadvantaged children.

The county's board of control on Tuesday is expected to approve a $224,320 contract with Third Sector Capital Partners Inc. for a cost-benefit analysis to see if a privately funded program to reunite homeless parents with their children can be replicated for pre-kindergarten.

Third Sector is overseeing the county's Pay for Success program, which began in 2015 and will deliver intensive 12- to 15-month treatment to 135 families over four years to reduce the length of stay in out-of-home foster care placement for children whose families are homeless and housing insecure.

A consortium of five funders, including the George Gund Foundation and Cleveland Foundation, provided upfront funding of $4 million for the program at 2- to 5-percent interest. The investors can get their money back, plus interest, if the program succeeds in saving the county money on foster care.

That program built on a smaller pilot administered by FrontLine Service, a Cleveland nonprofit.

The new contract is paid for by a $374,000 federal grant the county received in December to study its universal pre-kindergarten program.

The county wants students in its universal prekindergarten program to attain:

kindergarten readiness

reading and math achievement

improved social and emotional skills

Third Sector Partners will create a cost/benefit analysis and preliminary economic model and determine capacity to raise additional capital through a Pay for Success model.

It is not clear what the mark of success would be since it is not clear how the county could save money.

The pre-K feasibility study would extend through June 30, 2019.

Cuyahoga County was the first county government to develop and launch a Pay for Success project. The county will compare the results of the 135 families to another 135 families who will be referred to existing services. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University will analyze the results to see if the new program has a better outcome.

Five investors -- The Reinvestment Fund, the George Gund Foundation, the Nonprofit Finance Fund, the Cleveland Foundation and Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland -- are contributing a total of $4 million for the effort.

The county sets aside $1 million a year to guarantee the investments.

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.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Before picking a restaurant for your next meal out, you might want to search our new database of health citations issued in 2016-17 to thousands of Ohio restaurants, gas stations and other places that handle food.

to load this Caspio

Some mobile users may need to use this link instead.

The database contains 194,928 violations at more than 30,000 businesses, institutions or government agencies during the inspection year that ran from March 2016 through February 2017. Violations for the previous inspection year of 2015-16 can be found at this link.

Common violations include food not being kept at the right temperature to cooks not properly cleaning their hands and utensils. Details for each of the citations are listed in the database.

The data are from 57 county and city health departments that filed their reports electronically with the Ohio Department of Health.

Search database to find Ohio restaurant inspection citations.

However, about half of the state's 118 health departments do not participate in the voluntary program first offered in June 2013; so information from those districts is missing. The largest districts excluded from the database are for Butler and Montgomery counties, and the cities of Cincinnati and Columbus. Locally, Shaker Heights does not participate.

The database is complete for the rest of Cuyahoga County with inspections by either the county health district or the city of Cleveland.

Also included from Greater Cleveland are citations issued by health departments for Lake County, Lorain County, Medina County, Summit County and the city of Kent. The Lorain County are not complete for the entire county because the city health departments of Avon Lake, Elyria and Lorain were merged into the county health department during the last inspection year.

Each business handling food is inspected by the local health department at least once a year. There are two inspections a year for places that cook and serve food, or slice meats.

There are no fines, but health officials can threaten to suspend or revoke licenses to operate, said Jamie Higley, food safety program administrator for the Ohio Department of Health.

Violations identified as "critical" are those that "may immediately lead to a foodborne illness," Higley said.

"If there are critical violations, the local health department should be making sure that they are addressed immediately," Higley said. "If it is non-critical violations, a lot of times the local health department will work with the facility over time."

Rich Exner, data analysis editor for cleveland.com, writes about numbers on a variety of topics. Follow on Twitter @RichExner.

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.
If you recently ordered a can of Budweiser beer at a bar in China, did it taste a bit off? An underground "factory" in Dongguan produced 600,000 boxes of counterfeit Bud each month, sending them to bars and nightclubs until they were finally busted on May 5th. This video shows how they did it, and it ain't pretty. Notice how they fill the beer cans  by dunking them  along with their bare hands  in a plastic bin filled with who knows what kind of cheap beer.

Check out Mashable for more details.
This is a great video shot by Christopher Reynolds that shows a snake regurgitating a live snake.

According to Gizmodo:

So, what the hell's going on? I asked Sara Ruane, a snake expert and assistant professor at Rutgers University, Newark to watch the video for us.

"Snakes eat each other all the time," she said. "When snakes are startled by something or something is attacking them, one of their first lines of defense is to throw up whatever is in their stomach." That's because they no longer have food weighing them down, and it might scare the predator. I, too, would run away from someone vomiting their lunch on the street.

In this case, it's likely that the videographer, Christopher Reynolds from Newton, Texas, startled the bigger snake when he started filming. "As soon as that snake throws it up it takes off," she said. "Now it doesn't have this other snake weighing it down."
The Russell 2000 is badly underperforming the S&P 500, and investors are pulling money out of the IWM , the ETF that tracks the index, at a heady clip.



The iShares Russell 2000 ETF saw $1.8 billion worth of redemptions in the week ended May 24th, according to Thomson Reuters Lipper. That made the small-cap tracking ETF the most heavily redeemed in the week, ahead of the much larger SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY).



Small-cap stocks "may have had gains late last year in the expectation of benefits of Trump's campaign promises. Those expectations are now waning, along with investors moving out of the asset class," Erin Gibbs, S&P Global portfolio manager, wrote Friday in an email to CNBC.



The index initially surged after the U.S. election in November, rising 16 percent in a month as investors anticipated economic growth and broad corporate tax cuts under the Trump administration that would benefit companies that have mostly domestic revenues.



Expectations for an economic stimulus and protectionist trade policies under the new administration buoyed the Russell 2000, which has stocks that are more domestically focused than does the S&P 500. But with the Trump agenda appearing to founder, the small caps have been left at an inflated valuation compared with their large-cap peers.



Gibbs is also keeping an eye on the Fed. Small companies hold a higher percentage of debt than large ones, which means they run into trouble in periods of fiscal tightening, Gibbs wrote. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise its federal funds target rate again in June.



Meanwhile, the lag in small caps appears to be a bit of a warning sign for the larger stocks, said Bill Baruch, iiTrader senior market strategist.

"I don't like to see lagging in the small caps, and I think that can start to signal that the market itself is a little frothy," Baruch said Friday on CNBC's "Power Lunch."



And while he sees stocks continuing to do well through the rest of the year, he does see a correction of 3 to 5 percent in the cards for the S&P 500.
Shoppers look at 'lucky bags' containing luxury watches displayed outside a store on January 1, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan.

Japan's retail sales rose a faster than expected 3.2 percent in April on year, handily above an expected 2.3% gain, official data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed on Tuesday.

Earlier, data showed household spending in Japan fell 1.4 percent in April from a year earlier in price-adjusted real terms, according to government data, well below the expected 0.7 percent decline seen.
Beyond that, they remain limited in their ability to hold conversations with users, the same way real people might. Efforts are on, however, to use machine learning and real-time big data analytics to make virtual assistants understand multiple languages, accents, contexts and nuances to hold more human-like conversations.

HYDERABAD, India  Voice-powered virtual assistants, underpinned by artificial intelligence, like Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant and Microsoft's Cortana are becoming regular fixtures in people's lives. They're present at homes, on devices and watches and in cars, sending driving directions, weather updates, meeting reminders and the occasional joke or two when prompted.

International Data Corporation predicts global spending on cognitive and AI solutions will see significant investments over the next several years, and could achieve a compound annual growth rate of 54.4 percent through 2020.

Microsoft, for example, is turning to an unlikely group to bridge the gap between human-machine interactions: bilinguals. Of specific interest is the practice of code-mixing, which is when speakers switch back and forth between multiple languages in a single sentence or conversation. It's commonly found in multilingual societies.

A handful of Microsoft researchers in India started Project Melange, where they are studying the use of code-mixing among Indians online. They are trying to figure out how virtual assistants might be taught to respond to a user switching between, for example, English and Hindi in a conversation.

"Compartmentalization of mixed languages (by multilinguals) have gone away with each coming generation," Kalika Bali, a researcher at Microsoft, told CNBC in an interview. "So younger people use mixed languages in more and more phases of their lives."

"To have a digital assistant, something like Cortana, you have to be able to understand (the user base)," she said, adding current systems weren't trained to pick up multiple languages in a single conversation.

Microsoft's philosophy is that virtual assistants should not be too intrusive on a user's space and time, and only show up when they need to, Sundar Srinivasan, general manager of the AI division in India at Microsoft, said in a recent interview. Srinivasan's team works on Cortana and Microsoft's search engine Bing at the company's development center in Hyderabad.

"A personal assistant is only as effective as you want her to be," he said.

Cortana is available on Windows 10 and in selected smartphones running on the Windows operating software. It has about 140 million monthly active users versus about 500 million devices currently running Windows 10. The program is not available in many regions, but Srinivasan said Microsoft plans to expand it into other markets and onto more devices in the future.

By comparison, Google Assistant is available on both Android and iOS platforms, which support about 99.8 percent of all smartphones in the world.

Srinivasan explained that Cortana was not like other Microsoft products such as Office, where the company could add features as and when needed. Instead, Cortana "needs to really understand human beings, and the bar for that is very high because that means we have to train the assistant with lots of human speech data," he said.

"It's going to take us time."

Bali said the researchers' code-mixing study was inspired by observations from an anthropologist who was looking at the use of technology among Urdu-speaking youth in Hyderabadi slums. They were found using the internet to befriend and interact with girls from Brazil, who primarily spoke Portuguese. English, however, was the primary language for that communication, which piqued Bali's interest and she had asked to see the data collected by the anthropologist.

"When I started seeing this data, I saw that not only were they using this very pidgin English kind of thing, but (they were) effectively communicating with each other," Bali said, referring to the type of code-mixing that was happening in these conversations.

The team looks at every aspect of code-mixing, including text, speech, understanding and recognition. Bali said they also look at generational variations and why people switch between languages in a single conversation  for example, sometimes it's for humor and at other times it's to change topics.

But it may take years before a voice-powered virtual assistant can eloquently switch back and forth in multiple languages to respond to users. The biggest challenge now for Bali and the researchers is getting access to adequate data sets for study.

"Trying to solve just mono-lingual natural language processing and understanding has taken years. Now we're talking about mixed stuff and where are we going to get data from?" Bali said. "Because everything is data-driven. And what are we going to do? It just seemed like a very difficult problem to solve but we were all so excited about this that we just went on."

Currently, the team uses data collected from Twitter to study how users would switch between languages. Studies, Bali said, already showed Indian men who spoke English and Hindi tended to switch to the latter when they had to express negative sentiments or abuse. Women who are having a conversation in English, however, tended to stick with that language even when the content took a negative turn.

Teaching machines to interpret code-mixing could also potentially lead to developments in areas of opinion mining, customization and a better interpretation of nuances and context, Bali said.

"I think this would definitely help to bridge the gap in the human-computer interaction. The fact that you can actually talk to a machine the way you would normally talk to your friend is something we still need to wrap our heads around."
Singapore's central bank has fined Credit Suisse and United Overseas Bank (UOB) for breaches relating to the scandal-hit Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), it said in a statement on Tuesday. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said it has imposed a 700,000 Singapore dollars ($505,000) fine on Credit Suisse and a 900,000 Singapore dollars ($649,000) penalty on UOB. The two banks were found to have breached several anti-money laundering requirements.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore's headquarters in Singapore. Sam Kang Li | Bloomberg | Getty Images

"These include weaknesses in conducting due diligence on customers and inadequate scrutiny of customers' transactions and activities. MAS did not however detect pervasive control weaknesses within these banks," the central bank said. Following MAS' latest announcement, Credit Suisse and UOB said in statements to the media that they acknowledged the findings by the central bank. Both banks said they have worked to strengthen their anti-money laundering controls. "Notwithstanding that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) review findings show there are no pervasive anti-money laundering control weaknesses, we acknowledge the outcome of the review and regret that we have fallen short of the MAS' and our own high standards," a Credit Suisse spokesperson said. UOB said it will also enhance its training program to raise risk and control awareness among the bank's staff. In addition to financial penalties imposed on the banks, the MAS also issued lifetime Prohibition Orders against a former Singapore branch manager of Falcon Private Bank, Jens Fred Sturzenegger, and two ex-employees of BSI Bank, Yak Yew Chee and Seah Mei Ying. The Prohibition Orders, effective from May 29, 2017, prevent them from providing any capital markets or financial advisory services and managing any capital markets services or financial advisory firm in Singapore. The central bank also said it intends to issue Prohibition Orders ranging from three to six years against three others for their involvement in 1MDB-related activities.

MAS completes two-year anti-money laundering review

MAS said it has completed the two-year long review of financial institutions involved in 1MDB-related fund flows  the most extensive investigation the central bank has ever taken. "The review uncovered a complex web of transactions involving numerous shell companies and individuals operating in multiple jurisdictions, including the United States, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Luxembourg and Malaysia," it said.

Authorities around the world, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore have looked into anti-money laundering breaches relating to 1MDB. Olivia Harris | Reuters
After already making money on oil's drop, one trader has a plan for increasing his gains.

Last week on CNBC's "Trading Nation," Todd Gordon of TradingAnalysis.com put a bearish options trade on the oil-tracking USO ETF before the OPEC meeting that took place in Vienna last Thursday. Since the meeting, crude has tumbled 3 percent and has struggled to climb back to $50, making the trade a quick winner.

When he looks at the oil chart, he sees more losses ahead.

"The resistance level around $52 to $54 in crude successfully held, and we're pressing lower," he said Tuesday on "Trading Nation."

Gordon believes that in the short term, USO (which opened on Tuesday at $10.17) could actually fall below $9. As USO continues to make lower highs, Gordon says that the ETF will fall toward the lower end of the trading range, which is at $9.50. But the trader thinks that USO could even break below $9.50 and reach the $9 low unseen since April 2016.

Instead of just taking his profits, then, Gordon has adjusted his trade in an attempt to make yet more money.

"We're towards the profit objective on the original trade, so we need to make some adjustments in the options position to get more downside exposure," Gordon said.

Originally, he had bought the June 9 weekly 11-strike put and sold the June 9 weekly 10-strike put for 43 cents per share. Gordon is continuing to hold on to that 11-strike put, but now is buying back the 10-strike put he sold, and instead selling the June 9 weekly 9-strike put. The adjustment to his trade costs Gordon 12 cents, or $12 per options contract.

The position will return its maximum profits if the USO closes at or below $9 on June 9.

Oil dropped Tuesday, with the commodity down nearly 8 percent year to date.
BA has previously admitted that the failure of a critical computer system could result in lost revenue, since it depends so heavily on its IT systems for so many of its business processes. But mitigation factors like disaster recovery and continuity arrangements seemed to fall woefully short following Saturday's computer outage. And this is not the first time in recent months that IT systems have failed at the airline. In September last year "patchy" check-in systems at Heathrow and Gatwick caused significant flight delays and forced travelers on several continents to queue for hours at a time.

There are of course several reasons that passengers choose a particular airline to get them from A to B, chief among them price , safety and customer service. But reliability is a major factor too, which is why British Airways was more than happy last year to highlight as an achievements that it managed more on-time departures from London airports than its major competitors easyJet and Ryanair.

But the self-proclaimed world's favorite airline has lost a lot of fans and goodwill - in the UK and beyond - over the past few days. Airline passengers understandably want a commitment from their carrier that they will arrive at their destination on time, with all their belongings, and without major inconvenience. That's why a premium brand like British Airways fears the fallout from major screw ups like Saturday's computer outage not only for the short-term financial ramifications, but also for the long-term damage it can have on perceived reliability.

Chief Executive Alex Cruz replaced Keith Williams just over a year ago, and soon after he introduced a five-year plan for the company that he claimed would lower the legacy airline's cost base but improve customer experience and invest in technology to make flight schedules more "resilient."

British Airways sets a lot of store by its brand reputation, and by its own admission, any erosion of that brand could "ultimately affect future revenue and profitability." Shares in parent company IAG opened lower in Madrid on Monday, despite attempts by Cruz to mollify disgruntled passengers with an online video message and after the airline's insistence that flight schedules would return to normal within days. IAG's chief financial officer must have been counting his lucky stars for the Bank Holiday, since it spared BA's U.K. stock an almost certain pummeling in London trading.

But there's no doubt investors will be watching the stock today for any turbulence that might indicate clouds on the horizon. BA introduced a new motto in 2011: "To Fly, To Serve." Most of its aircraft may now be back in the air, but this latest mishap has served neither its customers nor its shareholders particularly well.

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We know you're busy and, these days, it feels like there's more news than ever to keep up with. Well, we've got you covered. Here's a preview the week's biggest money stories to watch for and a quick rundown of how they may affect you.

Westend61 | Getty Images

Planning your road trip

What's happening: Memorial Day kicks off the unofficial start to summer, and that means America is getting ready to hit the beach  and the gas pumps

Why it matters: Gas prices are low-ish, which is great news for U.S. consumers: That trip to the Hamptons just got a little cheaper According to Bespoke Group, gas prices are currently trading 22 percent below their historical average. In laymen's terms: Gas isn't as expensive as it typically is around this time of the year. Great news as we all plan out our summer and find great places to swim, tan and party.

grandriver | Getty Images

Beef will set you back

What's happening: Memorial Day also marks the start of grilling season, when Americans tend to buy more meat

Why it matters: Buying hot dogs could lighten your wallet A Nielsen 2016 study shows that, within the meat category, beef topped sales with more than $778 million spent in the two weeks that ended June 4, 2016, followed by chicken. Seafood was in third place. Keep this mind as your visit the grocery store this summer. Demand drives up prices on the most sought after meats, which can drive down the amount in your accounts. Here's something to wash that down: In the two weeks around Memorial Day last year, 16 percent more beer was sold than in an average two weeks in 2016, according to Nielsen. Bottoms up.

Haobtc's bitcoin mine site manager, Guo-hua, checks mining equipment inside their bitcoin mine near Kongyuxiang, Sichuan, China. The Washington Post | Getty Images

Bitcoin gets high

What's happening: Bitcoin, the virtual currency, has been soaring: It went up over 400 percent in the past year

Why it matters: While the cryptocurrency is viewed by many in America as a speculative bet, it's also increasingly seen by some in Asia as a legitimate investment Bitcoin is getting lit! Recently it surpassed $2400. Why? Experts say that's thanks to strong demand from Asia, where there is a high degree of political and economic uncertainty. Plus, Japan recently recognized bitcoin as a legal payment method. But not everyone is joining the Bitcoin party. Many experts still say be cautious as there is currently no regulatory body, like the U.S. Treasury, backing it. Plus, it's super volatile. Bottom line: Proceed with caution.

he LanzhouXinjiang High-Speed Railway, also known as Lanxin Railway, a high-speed rail in northwestern China from Lanzhou in Gansu Province to Urumqi along the new Silk road, has been seen as the foundation for the One Belt One Road initiative. Zhang Peng | Getty Images

China tries to connect with Europe

What's happening: EU leaders meet with Chinese leaders in a summit

Why it matters: As the rest of world questions its relationship with the U.S., China is trying to take the lead and make new friends European and Chinese leaders meet up in Brussels on Thursday to explore how the two regions can work better together. This comes as China tries to strengthen its international role, economically and politically. China is in the process of getting buy-in for its Silk Road initiative  an effort to accelerate trade buy building massive infrastructure routes between China and Europe. Many countries like India have opposed China's efforts.

Brazilian President Michel Temer Igo Estrela | Getty Images

Brazil in crisis
And they're rising faster than in the United States, where the housing market has been hot , even in faraway places like Iceland.

After years of being hammered, housing prices in Europe  and Asia, too  are finally surging.

Yet investors are mostly sticking to equities that invest in the U.S. residential housing market, which is a microcosm of the provincial approach investors take when it comes to investing in stocks. And at a time when investors are flocking to international equity bets overall as a way to find better valuations than in the U.S. market.

With international real estate, investors are forsaking big income bets, giving up higher yields and better returns at a lower price-to-earnings ratio. Last year 18 of the 23 European housing markets boomed, according to the research firm Global Property Guide, and show no signs of slowing. New Zealand, China and Canada were also strong.

"There is a real opportunity here," said Duncan Rolph, a managing partner at Miracle Mile Advisors in Los Angeles. "International real estate funds are priced less than U.S. [funds]. Yet they pay dividends over 4 percent."

The Vanguard Global ex-US Real Estate ETF (VNQI ) fund is the best example. The fund currently has a 12-month yield of 4.58 percent, according to Morningstar, and has notched a price return of 12.12 percent as of May 19. And the expense ratio is a measly 0.15 percent.

Price to prospective earnings ratios of real estate ETFs



Vanguard Global ex-US Real Estate: 13.45



iShares International Developed Property: 14.35



iShares Europe Developed Real Estate: 12.40



WisdomTree Global ex-US Real Estate: 12.54



WisdomTree Global ex-US Hedged Real Estate: 12.59



Guggenheim China Real Estate: 10.24



Vanguard REIT ETF (U.S.): 34.17



(Source: Morningstar, data through 4/30/2017)

Most of the fund's $4.2 billion in assets are invested in developed markets in Asia and Europe. Japan, where housing prices in Tokyo rose 9.3 percent last year, is the largest country holding. By contrast, the massive $33.8 billion US-centric Vanguard REIT ETF (VNQ ) price is nearly flat. "There's a lot of room for funds to flow internationally," Rolph said.

This low-risk Vanguard Global real estate fund is a favorite, said Todd Rosenbluth, senior director of ETF and mutual fund research at CFRA. "You're getting global diversification in developed markets," he said. "And many holdings in it are attractively valued." He doesn't rely on price-to-earnings metrics for this view, but generally noted that a bottom-up view of stock investing leads CFRA to be positive on broadly-based VNQI.

More from Global Investing Hot Spots:

China's big investment in SpaceX competitors

21st-century utopias to house 100 million

The billionaire who is saving Bethlehem

The nearly identical iShares International Developed Property ETF (WPS ) has similar holdings to Vanguard Global ex-US. But assets are only $137 million and the expense ratio is higher at 0.48 percent. "You're getting similar country exposure at a higher cost," Rosenbluth said.

He suggested the iShares Europe Developed Real Estate (IFEU ) ETF as a better alternative. It yields less at 2.5 percent, but it has had a 13.3 percent price increase this year. Most of the holdings are in the U.K., France and Germany, which provides a contrast to the Asia-centric real estate ETFs, Rosenbluth said. It's also relatively rare to find a European sector focus in ETFs. "If investors believe there's a rebound there, this is a good way to play it," he added.
"If these bilateral agreements are not negotiated by October 2018 then the chances of being rectified by March 2019 are very slim, which means there's a distinct possibility that there could be no flights in and out the U.K. for a period of time  days, weeks, months, we don't know," Sorahan warned.

"We need to get some kind of clarity on whether the U.K. is going to stay in the open skies (agreement). It looks like they're not and if they don't then we need to see some movements made in relation to negotiating bilateral agreements," he said.

If the U.K. government doesn't strike any sort of deal with the European Union regarding flying regulations, airlines will have to stop their activities in the country, Neil Sorahan, the chief financial officer of budget airline Ryanair told CNBC.

Business travelers and tourists could be prevented from flying in and out of the U.K. as of March 2019, the chief financial officer of Ryanair warned on Tuesday.

The EU's open skies agreement allows for all transatlantic routes to be opened up to EU and U.S. airline firms. Ryanair has been one of the most vocal firms against the U.K.'s decision to leave the European Union. The Irish airline operates widely across the continent. Its chief executive officer, Michael O'Leary, has said that the airline is "pivoting" its operations towards Europe in the aftermath of Brexit.

The U.K.'s Department for Transport has previously replied to these concerns in February. It said it was committed to getting the "best deal possible" from EU exit negotiations.

"We will work closely with the international aviation community to ensure that this global industry continues to be a major success story for the U.K. economy," the department said, according to the Financial Times.

Sorahan from Ryanair said: "Our biggest concern is that we have no certainty as we roll into this time next year and we are in a position where we're in 12 months we have to start loading our summer schedule for 2019."

Meanwhile over the weekend, British Airways saw massive disruption after its IT systems collapsed. However, Sorahan said that Ryanair has invested "an awful lot of money" into its IT systems and it is confident on their reliability.

"What happened to them appears to have been a hardware which was impacted by a power surge. We have our critical data over a number of data centers, so if one goes down, it would fall over to the other centers," Sorahan explained.

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British Airways said Tuesday that a power surge at one of its data centers continues to be the main suspect behind why it had to cancel all flights from Gatwick and Heathrow on Saturday.

A resultant IT failure disrupted the travel plans of tens of thousands of people, with services only returning to normal after 3 days of chaos.

In a weekend media interview, Chief Executive Alex Cruz had blamed a power surge. In an email Tuesday, the airline told CNBC that this is the area it continues to focus on.

"It was a power supply issue at one of our UK data centers. An exceptional power surge caused physical damage to our infrastructure and as a result, many of our hugely complex operational IT systems failed.

"We are undertaking an exhaustive investigation to find out the exact circumstances of what happened," the email read.

British Airways added that their priority was to ensure that the failure could never happen again.

The source of the power surge remains vague and a spokesperson for U.K. Networks, who provide electricity to Heathrow, said in a phone call Tuesday that the company "had not seen any issues" on their network.

Additionally, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), who provide power to the Heathrow headquarters adjoining Heathrow, also confirmed it had seen no issues.

"SSEN can confirm that its network was operating as normal in the Harmondsworth area on Saturday morning."
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Replicas of a North Korean Scud-B missile (L) and South Korean Nike missiles (R) displayed at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul on May 29, 2017. JUNG YEON-JE / AFP / Getty Images

Earlier this month, Washington warned ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nation to cut ties with the pariah state "but it does not appear that ASEAN countries are ready to turn the screws on Pyongyang, at least not yet," Kent Boydston, research analyst at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said in a recent note. "Southeast Asia's collective insouciance has helped Pyongyang fly mostly under the radar, fill its coffers, and keep its criminal enterprises afloat."

Southeast Asia's collective insouciance has helped Pyongyang fly mostly under the radar, fill its coffers, and keep its criminal enterprises afloat Kent Boydston Peterson Institute for International Economics

The overall trade picture between ASEAN and North Korea is part of the problem, said Boydston. "Indeed, DPRK-ASEAN trade is relatively small pickings, but $181 million per year is not nothing." The fact that North Korea maintains embassies in all ASEAN countries, except for the Philippines and Brunei, is also problematic, he warned, claiming that "North Korean agents are almost surely taking part in some variety of nefarious non-diplomatic actions in all of them." "It has long been known that North Korea runs its networks of nefarious actors and entities out of its embassies abroad, which United Nations Security Council Resolution 2321 attempted to curtail." Even without an embassy , Manila was still Pyongyang's third-largest trading partner in 2016 and remains a hub for North Korean methamphetamine, Boydston noted. In 2001 and 2008, Philippine authorities seized large meth shipments, and an international crime syndicate claimed in 2013 to have stashed a ton of the illicit drug on the archipelago state.

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In 2013, a vessel containing military hardware destined for Pyongyang, including jet fighters, anti-tank rockets and surface-to-air missile systems, was stopped in the Panama Canal  reportedly the biggest seizure of arms going to or from North Korea  and investigations indicated a Singapore-based shipping company paid $72,000 for the ship's passage. Prosecutors accused the firm of contributing to North Korea's weapons of mass destruction program, but the court ruled that its capital was related to military weapons, not nuclear ones. "Debacles like this are perfect examples of the need for greater attention to the global deficiencies in implementing UN Security Council Resolutions on North Korea," Berger said. The shipper was eventually found guilty of operating a remittance business without a license and was fined $125,698 for facilitating weapons to Pyongyang.

WATCH: This former defense secretary is terrified of nuclear catastrophe
Gary Yeowell | The Image Bank | Getty Images

The British public has grown accustomed to dire warnings over the Square Mile's fate in a post-Brexit environment, told that the City will become smaller, poorer and less relevant to a global world. HSBC's Douglas Flint summarized the mood when he described U.K. financial services as a Jenga tower, potentially fatally undermined when a stray brick tumbles to Frankfurt or Paris. This made the tone of leading financiers at the annual City Week conference Thursday all the more remarkable, indicative of a broader sentiment shift that has swept across London in recent weeks. The Chairman of Lloyds Banking Group turned Flint's vivid metaphor on its head, telling the conference that: "rather than a Jenga tower, I think of a Tower of London, with deep foundations." Norman Blackwell went on to highlight the capital's legal expertise, talent pipeline and infrastructure as features that would safeguard its role as Europe's pre-eminent financial hub. Aberdeen's CEO Martin Gilbert struck a similar note on the panel, choosing to emphasize the fact large asset managers were arguably the sector best prepared for an EU divorce, with his firm already selling funds into Europe from a Luxembourg base. He went on to tell CNBC that while moving functions such as euro-clearing from the U.K. would mean job losses, "this is not a hugely significant point.. it may be a handful of jobs rather than anything more." Catherine McGuinness, Chairman of the City of London Corporation, was equally bullish on jobs, stating that "we are not detecting any great flood of people away from London."

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While a few C-suite comments can't mask the fact the bulk of the City is deeply concerned by its future services relationship with Europe, there has been a notable, broad sentiment improvement on the issue. Positioning is key to explaining this, as Joe Prendergast, Head of Financial Market Analysis at Credit Suisse, told CNBC the government's hard-line rhetoric on Brexit negotiations meant much of the downside risk is priced in. Positive developments, such as the snap election declaration that was widely viewed by traders as heightening prospects for a soft Brexit, have been strongly welcomed by a market conditioned to expect the worst. Sterling reflects this new mood, trading at 1.285 to the USD, up over 6 percent from mid-January's lows. Emmanuel Macron's comfortable victory in the French election has also helped sooth rattled nerves, with the prospect that the benign environment portrayed by the VIX can become reality as political risk subsides. However, two clouds linger over this less anguished Brexit view. The first is the political profile of the financiers championing it; Lord Blackwell has been a long term, lone advocate of a new European relationship, placing him firmly outside the City mainstream.

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Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:

Citigroup  Citi sold its fixed-income analytics business known as The Yield Book to the London Stock Exchange for $685 million in cash.

Credit Suisse  The bank has been reprimanded by Swiss financial watchdog FINMA over its dealings with Malaysia's state fund 1MDB, which was embroiled in a money-laundering scandal.

Canadian National Railway  The railroad operator reached an agreement with a union representing 3,000 conductors on Monday, narrowly averting a strike deadline that had been set for this morning.

PPG Industries  PPG said it is still considering whether to make another bid for rival paint maker Akzo Nobel. It issued the statement after a court rejected a request by investors in the Dutch company to take action against it for rejecting PPG's overtures.

Restaurant Brands International  The company's Burger King unit is in hot water with Belgium's King Philippe, over its ad campaign asking Belgians to vote online to "crown" it the true ruler of the country. Burger King is planning to launch in Belgium next month.

Activision Blizzard , Electronic Arts  These and other video game makers could be affected today, following an analysis by gaming data firm SuperData that digital video game sales pulled back from March's record high of $8 billion. April sales totaled $7.7 billion, according to the firm.

Royal Bank of Scotland  RBS settled a suit with shareholders involving a financial crisis-era capital raising. The settlement will cost the state-owned bank about $257 million.

Card Connect  Card Connect will be bought by First Data in a marriage of two payment-processing technology companies. First Data will pay $15 per share in cash, compared to Card Connect's Friday close of $13.65, for a total deal value of about $750 million.

Apple  Apple is working on a computer chip that would be dedicated to powering artificial intelligence capabilities on its devices, according to a Bloomberg report.

Philip Morris , Altria , Reynolds American  These and other tobacco stocks could be affected by a World Health Organization report saying that the tobacco growing process is causing massive harm to the environment.

Hess  The energy producer was downgraded to "neutral" from "buy" at Goldman Sachs, which cited a less attractive free cash flow profile relative to its peers.

Simon Property Group  Mizuho upgraded the mall operator to "buy" from "neutral," noting more favorable free cash flow growth compared to rivals. It called the company a "global powerhouse" with a history of prudent capital allocation.

Zynga  The mobile game maker was upgraded to "overweight" from "neutral" at Piper Jaffray, based on Zynga's focus on live services, moves to contain costs, and its plan to release just a small number of new titles this year.

Ambarella  The chip maker's stock was downgraded to "sector weight" from "overweight" at Pacific Crest Securities, saying the stock's price already reflects the potential for Ambarella's participation in the autonomous driving market.

PVH  The apparel maker was upgraded to "outperform" from "neutral" at Credit Suisse, which cited opportunities in the international market.
Wilbur Ross, U.S. commerce secretary, speaks during the 47th annual Washington Conference on the Americas at the U.S Department of State in Washington, D.C. Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images

After a series of angry tweets from President Donald Trump directed toward Germany over trade, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told CNBC on Tuesday he is open to continuing talks on a proposed trade pact with the European Union. "It's no mistake that, while we withdrew from TPP"  the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact with Pacific Rim nations  "we did not withdraw from TTIP," Ross said. Talks around the proposed Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership were put on hold after Trump's election last year. "The EU is one of our largest trading partners, and any negotiations legally must be conducted at the EU level and not with individual nations," Ross said. "Thus, it makes sense to continue TTIP negotiations and to work towards a solution that increases overall trade while reducing our trade deficit."

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. trade deficit with the EU in 2016 stood at $146.3 billion. So far in 2017, that deficit is at $32.1 billion. Secretary Ross' comments come less than a week after his meeting with German Economics Minister Brigitte Zypries, who told a German newspaper, "It is not likely the U.S. will resume negotiations over TTIP." CNBC has obtained copies of trade deficit data that was given to Ross by the Coalition for a Prosperous America, an anti-free trade think tank, which purports to show the trade deficit the United States has with Germany and with the EU overall. The coalition, which takes credit on its website for killing the Trans-Pacific Partnership, says that its mission is "to fight for balanced trade and to protect U.S. sovereignty."

"Germany's 2016 current account surplus was the biggest in the world in relation to its GDP at 8.5 percent. China's was 3 percent," said Michael Stumo, CEO of the think tank. "Germany overproduces and underconsumes. This means they have an excessive savings rate (27.8 percent) and free ride off the U.S. and other [countries'] consumers to drive their growth." The TTIP was the focus of widespread public opposition in Germany and elsewhere in Europe last year. Correction: Michael Stumo is CEO of the Coalition for a Prosperous America. An earlier version misstated his title. Watch: Ross says Russia just a side show
Companies such as illusive don't come into play at the first, most basic level of defenses against cyber threats, explains Merck's Branden Newman, head of business technology security.

Israeli startup illusive networks, which is the way they spell it - no capital letters for a deception technology firm, and Germany-based pharmaceutical and life sciences company Merck KGaA , Tuesday announced a deal for the use of illusive's "Deception Everywhere" cybersecurity technology. Merck, a company with over $15 billion in net sales last year, has an extensive network to protect that stretches across six continents and has intellectual property worth millions. A 2015 Ponemon Institute study found that together with the financial services industry, pharmaceutical companies suffer the highest cost from data breaches.

Dark web intelligence, bio-authorization and even plain old cloud security: Cybersecurity commands a futuristic and slightly dystopian-sounding lexicon. One term that may well become more familiar is deception technology. It's a small but growing field that has sparked the interest of some of the largest multinational companies.

"The idea is that if an advanced attacker makes it past these standardized controls, there is a next level of protection that really protects our crown jewels," says Newman, who used to work for the U.S. Army Cyber Command. This level is where illusive fits in, as well as on the level of the continuous monitoring the system undergoes.

Illusive networks is the first company to come out of Israel's team8, the cybersecurity startup incubator set up by of veterans of the Israeli military's Unit 8200, says illusive's founder and CEO Ofer Israeli. He explains that the deception technology developed by illusive is really attractive to high-risk clients, like those in the financial services and pharmaceutical industries

"The types of attacks that we are catching and that we have been built to mitigate are really those low probability high-impact attacks. The ones that won't hit you every day but when they do hit you it can go to tens and hundreds of millions of dollars," says Israeli.

The value of the deal has not been disclosed but Merck's Newman says that the extra layer of protection afforded by illusive does not come at a huge price. "Monetarily it's a relatively a low investment compared to the overall the security portfolio."

That's partly because deception technology is not yet as widespread as more standardized cybersecurity solutions. Gartner research estimates that by next year one in ten companies will deploy deception technology and various reports estimate the market for it by 2021 to be between $1.33 billion and $1.7 billion.

There are several reasons why Merck went for illusive over two or three other candidates, says Newman. Among those are the Israeli technology's "proactive approach" and "ease of deployment" that obviates the need for a mass install across Merck's systems.

He likens the technology to a corridor with lots of doors. If attackers enter the corridor, they don't know which door to go through and if they even lightly jar one, the system is alerted.

Merck keeps a close tab on Israeli cybersecurity startups, says Newman. "We have a very close connection to the U.S. startup scene but we also do keep an eye on the Israeli startup scene, particularly in the cybersecurity area because they have a very strong cybersecurity startup scene."

In the meantime, illusive has spread its wings beyond Israel, especially in terms of sales and marketing, says Ofer Israeli. "From an R&D perspective, Israel is a perfect fit. For sales and marketing there's a much clearer fit in other portions of the world such as the United States," says Israeli.

The company has gathered more than $30 million from early investors, including Microsoft Ventures, Cisco, Citi Ventures and NEA.

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The likelihood of Italy holding a general election by the fall has increased considerably, according to a political risk analyst, as lawmakers moved closer to an agreement on a new electoral system.

"The biggest obstacle to early elections has so far been the lack of a workable electoral law yet after months of dithering, it seems that the main parties are edging towards an agreement to endorse a German-inspired electoral system, using proportional representation with a 5 percent threshold," Wolfango Piccoli, a political risk analyst at Teneo Intelligence in London, said in an email.

Italy's four main political parties are set to begin discussions on the introduction of a new proportional voting system on Tuesday. The euro zone's third largest economy seems to be in favor of revamping its electoral system in order to mirror the so-called 'German model', whereby a 5 percent cut-off threshold would be introduced for smaller parties.

While an agreement on a new electoral system seems to increase the likelihood of a weak coalition that would struggle to enact domestic reforms, it could trigger snap elections before a tough budget accentuates anti-EU sentiment among Italian voters.

Should Italy's lawmakers reach a deal in June, it would effectively remove the biggest obstacle to the possibility of snap elections.

Piccoli suggested talks between the main parties had raised the prospect of an early election "considerably" and estimated there was now a 45 percent chance Italian voters would be required to return to the ballot box by the fall.
I appreciate this opportunity to discuss my recently settled case with the SEC and my stock market outlook. What I hope to accomplish here this morning is, first and foremost, to highlight the abusive nature of the agency's enforcement practices and, in doing so, attempt in my small way to spur changes in the way cases like mine are pursued. My gripe is with the process, which is wantonly and unnecessarily destructive.

As you are aware, I have entered into a "no admit / no deny" settlement, which prohibits me from commenting on the government's allegations or the strength of my defenses. I believe that the outcome speaks for itself. So today, let's focus on the process. I hope the new Chairman of the SEC, Jay Clayton, is watching today, because he is the one individual best positioned to effect changes in that process. I congratulate him on his appointment and wish him well.

Let's discuss the background and facts:

We received the original subpoena from the SEC in March 2015. Through our attorneys, we informed the SEC that if they withdrew the subpoena, we would meet with them voluntarily and answer all their questions, and that if they weren't satisfied with our answers, they could reinstate the subpoena. They refused.

Over the course of the next 18 months or so, with the subpoena hanging over our heads while the government took its time reviewing our document production, my business bled investor assets because of the anxiety occasioned by the subpoena  something that the government didn't seem to care about. Then, in September 2016, the SEC filed suit, and between then and the settlement, a total of about $4 billion in assets left the firm. Now, let's understand what that means in dollars and cents. With a 1-1/2 and 20 fee structure, that's about $140 million per year of lost income. That is less relevant to me than to the 40-odd Omega personnel who saw a starkly diminished earning opportunity that impacted themselves and their families.

As you know, I am a signer of the Buffett/Gates Giving Pledge. At the time I did so, I told Warren Buffett that asking for one-half of one's wealth wasn't asking for enough, as I subscribe to the sentiment of Andrew Carnegie, who more than a century ago famously said, "The man who dies rich, dies disgraced." I have a number of charitable involvements, with my signature activity being Cooperman College Scholars, a program I founded and underwrite that identifies talented but needy students in Essex County high schools, helps them navigate their ways to college, pays a substantial amount toward their college tuition, and provides support during college to help ensure that they don't fall by the wayside before reaching their academic goal. My initial objective was to serve up to 500 youngsters in this way. With what the SEC cost me, I could have increased that number to 2,500. This is meaningful, because the average lifetime earnings of a college graduate are more than $1 million over those of a non-college graduate.

Shortly before charges were filed, the SEC's original ask in settlement talks included a five-year industry bar, which at my age would effectively have ended my career, and an $8 million fine, which in combination with the bar would have been construed by many people as an admission of wrongdoing. We rejected the offer, the government filed, and we proceeded to prepare for trial.

About six or seven months later, the government came to us with a new ask  no bar, no admit / no deny, and a $4.9 million payment. I'm not permitted to speculate on what might have caused this about-face, so I'll leave it to your viewers to infer what they will. But I would like to ask the SEC: "What did you learn between your initial settlement offer and your final settlement offer that caused you to change your position so radically? Since I would have accepted your final offer had it been on the table initially, and in the interim you destroyed my business, this question is a matter of more than idle curiosity for me."

I now had to make a decision of going to trial or settling. I was advised that going to trial could cost me another $15-20 million in legal and expert-witness fees and remain a distraction, while continuing to cause my investors anxiety, and that the smart move was to settle. Though highly conflicted, I was convinced in the end to accede to their logic.

If the SEC had originally asked for what we settled for in the end, I would have accepted, knowing the damage that the lingering uncertainty would do to my business and to the lives of my colleagues. By the time we settled, the damage had already been done.

Forget for a moment about Omega and Lee Cooperman. Let's talk about the legendary Hank Greenberg, a war hero and philanthropist who founded AIG and built it into the world's most profitable insurance company. Twelve years ago, the New York State Insurance Commission went after him and, to get the matter behind, him, he offered a settlement of $16 million to resolve the case. They rejected his offer, asking instead for billions. He refused, over the next 12 years spent about $100 million in legal fees  God only knows how much taxpayer money the Insurance Commission squandered fighting him  and they ended up settling for $9 million, $7 million less than he originally offered. I'm not a fool. I know the State Insurance Commission is not the SEC. But where Hank's case and mine meet is on the battlefield of abusive enforcement processes that appear to be running amok at taxpayers' expense.

In the end, the government pays no price for what they do. The taxpayer foots the bill; the government enjoys sovereign immunity, so I can't sue them; and the damage they inflicted cannot be undone, though I'm committed to doing my best to try. Unlike the United Kingdom, our legal system doesn't mandate that the losing party pays. This is simply wrong and has to be changed.

I can now understand what was going through the mind of Ronald Reagan's former Labor Secretary Raymond Donovan, the first sitting cabinet officer to be indicted, who was charged in the 1980's on state charges of fraud and grand larceny. When he and his co-defendants were acquitted at trial of all charges, this is what he said: "It's a cruel thing they did to me. The question is, should this indictment have ever been brought? What office do I go to, to get my reputation back? Who will reimburse my company for the economic jail it has been in for two and a half years?" Different office of a different government, but Secretary Donovan's questions are just as relevant today, in my case and others like it, as they were 30 years ago.

I feel very comfortable about my reputation, but I don't feel good about the process.

Despite all this and the loss of assets under management that it occasioned, the Omega organization remains vibrant. Our senior investment team, as well as our senior operating, legal, compliance, accounting, database management, technology, trading, and investor relations teams, remain virtually intact. Furthermore, our performance has not suffered because of the distractions created by our issues with the SEC. We remain committed to delivering superior risk-adjusted returns to our investors. That has always been my primary focus, and it always will be.
A pair of thieves in Las Vegas seemingly had some big plans for the holiday weekend, breaking into a warehouse twice  and escaping with tens of thousands of condoms and over $10,000 worth of sex toys.

The two-part heist began Friday evening. Lelo, the sex toy company that was the victim of the robbery, had closed its warehouse early for the long weekend, leaving it empty.

At about 7:45 p.m., the security cameras captured two men entering through a back gate and walking away with two shipping boxes filled with the company's Lelo Hex condoms. Each box, says the company, contained 15,120 individually wrapped condoms.

That must not have been quite enough, though, as the thieves then returned to grab a few more 36-packs of the condoms before leaving. (The retail value of the heist is difficult to determine because the condoms were individually wrapped, but a 36-pack normally retails for $35.)

"The dumbest part of this?" the company posited in a harshly worded blog post detailing the robbery. "In a few days, we're about to give away thousands of Hex condoms for free anyway. They could have just waited and asked for them like everyone else."

It gets weirder.

The following day, May 27, at 10:30 a.m., a rental car rammed through the loading dock of the warehouse, and a man grabbed three large boxes of sex toys and threw them into the back of the car before running to the passenger side of the vehicle. (It's unclear if it was the same duo as the previous night, but the company is operating under the assumption it was.)

Among the items taken? A box of 33 prostate massagers and 48 Kegel exercising aids. (The contents of the third box were not disclosed.)

In both instances, Las Vegas police arrived after the thieves had left the premises.

Lelo is asking for the public's help in identifying the criminals and in finding its stolen property, but it has also acknowledged the ridiculous nature of the crime.

"What kind of party are these people having?" it asked in its blog post, tongue firmly in cheek. "We could have done the sponsorship or something. A friggin' invite might have been nice."

Lelo's U.S. president, Pavle Sedic , in a more serious note, called the raids "shocking," but said the difficulty in getting additional security around the Memorial Day holiday was likely a factor in the act.

Officials at the Las Vegas Police Department confirmed to CNBC that two burglary reports were taken at the warehouse on the dates the company said the incidents took place. The cases remain under investigation.

Lelo is one of the sex toy industry's higher-end manufacturers. Its products can be found in mainstream retail stores like Brookstone, and its approach to making premium-priced adult novelties with higher-quality materials is part of the reason the industry has seen sales surge over the past 10 years.
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) holds a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the East Room of the White House on March 17, 2017.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel underlined her doubts about the reliability of the United States as an ally on Monday but said she was a "convinced trans-Atlanticist", fine-tuning her message after surprising Washington with her frankness a day earlier.

In a speech in Berlin, Merkel showed how seriously she is concerned about Washington's dependability under President Donald Trump by repeating the message she delivered a day earlier that the days when Europe could completely count on others were "over to a certain extent."

She made those comments, which sent shock waves through Washington, after Trump criticized major NATO allies over their military spending and refused to endorse a global climate change accord at back-to-back summits last week.

"Recent days have shown me that the times when we could rely completely on others are over to a certain extent," Merkel said.

While she made clear Berlin and Washington would "of course" remain close partners, Merkel stuck to her language from Sunday.

"We also know that we Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands," she added, underlining Europe's frustration with Trump on climate policy in particular.

The American tycoon-turned-president backed a pledge to fight protectionism at the end of a summit of the G-7 group of wealthy nations on Saturday. But he refused to endorse the climate pact, saying he needed more time to decide.
A ballistic rocket is test-fired through a precision control guidance system in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) May 30, 2017.

Ever since President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20, tensions with North Korea have escalated rapidly.

The isolated country is barred by United Nations resolutions from carrying out ballistic missile tests or from having a nuclear arms program. Nonetheless, North Korea thumbed its nose at the resolutions  conducting several ballistic missile tests this year alone and five nuclear tests since 2006, including two last year.

Their most recent attempt to launch a ballistic missile capable of hitting the South Korean capital of Seoul took place on Friday. Like other tests, the missile failed.

More from NBC News:

Portland mayor wants to cancel alt-right rallies

Germany's Merkel signals deepening rift with U.S. under Trump

Mike Dubke, White House communications director, resigns after 3 months on job

Meanwhile, leader Kim Jong Un has made no secret of the fact that his scientists are working on a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching America.

One senior North Korean official told NBC News that the country is ready to test fire an intercontinental ballistic missile "at any time, at any place."

The situation is so fraught that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson recently asked China  Pyongyang's neighbor and powerful ally  to "use their influence to convince or compel North Korea to rethink its strategic calculus."

But Pyongyang has blithely ignored warnings by Tillerson that military action is "on the table" if they continued to test intercontinental ballistic missiles.

North Korea's representative at the United Nations, Kim Im Ryong, flat-out warned that the Trump administration's get-tough strategy was creating "a dangerous situation in which thermonuclear war may break out at any moment."

For his part, Trump has dismissed as failures attempts by his White House predecessors to derail North Korea's weapons programs.

Here's a timetable of how the recent crisis has unfolded:

Feb. 12: In its first show of defiance against the Trump administration, North Korea successfully launches a solid-fueled ballistic missile called the Pukguksong-2 from a submarine.

March 6: North Korean artillery units fire four ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan as part of a simulated attack on U.S. military bases in Japan. Three land within 200 miles of Japan's coastline and the country's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calls it "an extremely dangerous action."

March 14 : The U.S. dispatches high-tech missile defense Aegis warships to the waters where the North Koreans fired the missiles for maneuvers with Japanese and South Korean warships.

March 15: Tillerson arrives in Japan for his first Asia trip as secretary of state.

March 19: The North Koreans test a new rocket engine, claiming its part of their space program.

April 2: Trump declares the U.S. will go it "alone" if China does not help solve the North Korean nuclear problem.

"China will either decide to help us with North Korea of they won't," Trump tells the Financial Times. "If they do, that will be very good for China, and if they don't, it's won't be good for anyone."

April 5: The North Koreans test fire a medium-range missile they claim is capable of destroying a U.S. aircraft carrier. It fails.

April 10: The USS Carl Vinson, an aircraft carrier, is dispatched to the region in a show of force.

April 15: The North Koreans test fire yet another KN-17 missile. It too fails. In Pyongyang, top official Choe Ryong accuses Trump of "creating a war situation" by dispatching U.S. forces to the region.

"We will respond to an all-out war with an all-out war and a nuclear war with our style of nuclear attack," Choe threatens.

April 26: With tensions building, the U.S. test fires a $40 million Minuteman III missile at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. North Korea calls it a provocation.

April 28: The North Koreans test fire another KN-17 missile. Once again, it's a failure.

May 2: In a telephone conversation, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discuss "how best to resolve the very dangerous situation in North Korea."

May 14: North Korea launches a ballistic missile that flies around 430 miles before crashing into the Sea of Japan. "With the missile impacting so close to Russian soil  in fact, closer to Russia than to Japan  the President cannot imagine that Russia is pleased," the White House says in a statement.

May 17: Two U.S. defense officials confirm to NBC News that North Korea's launch of a KN-17 missile three days earlier was successful. The re-entry was controlled and the vehicle did not burn up, the officials said. It landed in the sea near Russia.

May 21: North Korea launches a medium-range Pukguksong-2 missile. Kim Jong Un calls the launch "perfect," state run news organ KCNA reports.

May 29: The South Korean military reports that the North Koreans launched what appeared to be a short-range ballistic missile that flew for about 6 minutes and about 280 miles before landing in the Sea of Japan. It was reportedly the second time in two days that the North Koreans had test-fired a missile.
"So impeachment talk in this case is not only premature. Impeachment is politically impossible with Republicans in firm House control, barring disclosures far more explosive and incriminating than anything to date."

The Trump White House has effectively confirmed The New York Times account of his statements to Russian officials  that Comey was "a real nut job" and that ousting him had released great pressure he'd faced because of Russia  but insists they are being misinterpreted by his opponents. With that, and in this whole episode, they fall back on a tactic Nixon and his aides used in Watergate: Attack the disclosure of classified information rather than deny the substance. Since the administration controls what is classified, that is an all-purpose umbrella.

The Comey firing and what Trump has said since recall the Saturday night massacre, when Nixon dismissed Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox over Cox's subpoenas for White House tapes  the evidence that would eventually prove the cover-up.

Cox had been appointed in the first place because the Senate demanded a special prosecutor before it would confirm Nixon's new attorney general, Elliot Richardson. Richardson promised not to interfere with the prosecutor, and when Nixon ordered him to fire Cox, Richardson resigned. So did his deputy, before Nixon got Cox out and tried to abolish his whole operation. The president failed  Congress and public pressure prevented it.

A new special prosecutor stayed on the job, his subpoenas were upheld by the courts, and Nixon was finished.

So the precedents were not promising when Trump fired Comey.

Trump's action has not ended the investigation. It has, if anything, intensified it. Now there is a special counsel on the case, appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and bitterly denounced by Trump, who called it "the greatest single witch hunt of a politician in American history."

All of this has created an atmosphere not unlike the uncertainty and apprehensions of the Watergate era.

In Nixon's final months, top Cabinet officers feared that he would order military action abroad to ease his plight at home  or even to hold power. They told military leaders not to order action on Nixon's command without checking with them first.

Now there is another season of mistrust, although it has not sunk to Watergate lows.

And Trump has a political advantage Nixon did not. Trump's approval ratings are low, in the 40 percent range, but many of the people who voted for him are not moved by the controversies.

In some ways, he is not constrained by the rules that bind a more traditional leader. Nixon was a product of the establishment and the Republican Party he'd risen through Congress and the vice presidency. So when Republicans turned against him in Watergate, it signaled the end.

That is less threatening to Trump. He can denounce and ignore defectors, and his loyalists will applaud the man they elected to break through  and break up  the ways of Washington government.

The real risk is in the investigations, the special counsel, the Senate and House committees probing Russian meddling and, perhaps, the courts.

Should special counsel Robert Mueller, who served as FBI director for 12 years, push the Russia investigation to a point that threatens  or angers  Trump, the president has the power to fire him, too.

That would come with a price  a political explosion comparable to outrage over the Saturday Night Massacre. But the country is far more sharply divided than in Nixon's time.

The Democrats who talk about impeaching Trump ignore that and the numbers. Democrats were in charge when Nixon faced the impeachment charges that led him to resign. A Republican House impeached President Bill Clinton before the Senate acquitted him for lack of the required two-thirds vote.

So impeachment talk in this case is not only premature. Impeachment is politically impossible with Republicans in firm House control, barring disclosures far more explosive and incriminating than anything to date.

That said, the investigations and the controversy are going to go on, and Trump is sure to remain on the attack with his tweets and use of non-stop cable television, which did not exist during Watergate.

When Trump was asked whether he'd tried to disrupt the Russia investigation, he snapped, "No, no, next question."

There will be many next questions.

Early in the Watergate investigation, Nixon declared that he would "never, never, never, never" again discuss the case. He did, of course. He had no choice.

Just as that case beset Nixon, so will this one nag Trump. And the president is not a man who yields to nagging in silence.

Commentary by Walter Mears, who covered government and politics for The Associated Press in Washington for more than 40 years. He received the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the 1976 presidential campaign. He retired in 2001 and now lives in Chapel Hill, N.C.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.
News / Africa

by BBC

South Africa's government has stripped white supremacist Janusz Walus, who assassinated anti-apartheid hero Chris Hani in 1993, of his citizenship, his lawyer has said.The lawyer made the disclosure in the Supreme Court of Appeal as he argued for Walus - who also holds Polish citizenship - to be granted parole after 23 years in prison.The government has also issued an order to deport Walus, if he is released, Advocate Roelof du Plessis added.Walus was convicted in October 1993 for Mr Hani's murder, threatening to derail South Africa's transition to democracy. He was sentenced to life in prison.Mr Hani's family and the government have appealed against a lower court's decision to grant him parole.
Thinking about being your own boss and going at it alone? Working for yourself can be very rewarding, financially and personally, when it's successful, and very expensive and painful when it's not.

I went into business for myself at the age of 29. I quit my job because I thought I had been treated unfairly and, rather than going to work for someone else, I started my own business.

Here are the most important things I learned along the way.
President Donald Trump has criticized Germany once again for its large trade surplus with the U.S. and its low contributions to NATO, saying this attitude is "very bad" for the United States.

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

The comments made on Twitter take current tensions in U.S.-German relations a notch higher.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said at an election rally on Sunday that Germany and the European Union can no longer rely on the United States.

"The times in which we could completely depend on others are, to a certain extent, over," she told the rally in Munich.

"I've experienced that in the last few days. We Europeans truly have to take our fate into our own hands," she said. Her comments came as she steps up her campaign in the September federal election.

The image of friendly relations between Germany and the U.S. seems distant since Trump took office. His administration has previously said that Germany's trade surplus is a result of the country's manipulation of the euro .

Germany fought back arguing that it doesn't have powers to manipulate the euro and the only reason consumers opt for its products is because they are more competitive.

Data released last February by the German Federal Statistics Office showed that Germany's trade surplus rose to 252.9 billion euros ($270.05 billion) in 2016, surpassing the previous high of 244.3 billion euros in 2015. If it were a single trade partner, Germany would be the fifth largest in total trade flows with the U.S. But it runs the third largest trade surplus, after China and Japan.

Meanwhile, contributions to the defense alliance NATO has emerged as another problem between Berlin and Washington. Trump has repeatedly asked NATO allies to step up their contributions. At the moment, only 5 of the 28 members fulfill the target of paying at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense.

According to NATO data, Germany is currently spending 1.2 percent of its GDP on NATO. The U.S. spends 3.6 percent.

At a summit last week, Germany, like other NATO members, vowed to present an action plan on how it will increase defense spending. At the time, Trump told his allies they were being unfair toward U.S. taxpayers.

Additional reporting by CNBC's John W. Schoen.

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President Donald Trump's call to end the filibuster in the Senate misses a big point: Republicans can already pass tax reform and Obamacare replacement bills without a single Democratic vote.

On Tuesday, the president tweeted that the Senate "should switch to 51 votes immediately" to "get health care and TAX CUTS approved, fast and easy." He presumably means changing rules to scrap the use of the legislative filibuster, which requires 60 votes for a bill to advance.

Trump tweet: The U.S. Senate should switch to 51 votes, immediately, and get Healthcare and TAX CUTS approved, fast and easy. Dems would do it, no doubt!

Press secretary Sean Spicer expanded on the tweet Tuesday afternoon, saying Trump has had "long-standing" concerns and "frustration" with the pace of the Senate and wants to see "action." He also said that Senate Democrats have obstructed and delayed many of Trump's nominations, though their ability to do so is limited.

Trump and Spicer both did not address a critical part of the health-care and tax-reform processes: The Senate already has the ability to pass both bills with a majority vote.

The GOP is using a process known as budget reconciliation in trying to pass bills to overhaul the Affordable Care Act and the tax system. Through reconciliation, the party can approve its plans with only a majority vote in the Senate, in which it controls 52 of 100 seats.

Democrats have so far shown no enthusiasm about joining in with Republicans on plans that would repeal parts of the ACA or chop tax rates for wealthy Americans. While Republicans can pass both proposals without a Democrat supporting them, the GOP has struggled to reach a quick consensus on either issue.

The American Health Care Act, the House GOP plan to replace Obamacare, was pulled from the floor in March as the party failed to muster enough support to pass it. It got approved early this month by a narrow 217 to 213 vote after a series of amendments to appease both conservative and moderate Republicans.

Still, key GOP senators have signaled the plan they will craft will have major differences from the House proposal. The Senate may not pass a bill as quickly as Trump wants, either.

"I don't know how we get to 50 (votes) at the moment. But that's the goal," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Reuters last week.

The pace of tax-reform passage has led to doubts about how quickly the tax plan will pass, as well. Republicans have signaled that they want to pass a health-care bill before they move on to tax reform.

The Trump administration initially set an August goal for passing a tax overhaul, but has since pushed the timeline to sometime this year.

Still, Spicer said Tuesday that the administration has seen "progress" in crafting a tax reform plan with congressional leaders.

Watch: AHCA score allows Senate to proceed, says McConnell
There are relatively few products that are produced entirely in the United States. Food and services are two examples, but they constitute only a small percentage of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).



Laws confining the purchase of goods and services to the national boundary contradict the basic tenet of a competitive free market economy that enables every firm, individual, or public agency to purchase goods and services offering the best combination of price and quality. More importantly, the free market arrangement enhances productivity.



The new executive order promises to affect the manner in which federal agencies purchase goods and services. The U.S. government spends nearly half a trillion dollars on contracted work each year. Firms place bids for construction, technology support and other services the government does not perform on its own.



Excluding sensitive defense-related work, both American and foreign firms are currently eligible to bid on these opportunities. Under the new order, only domestic firms will be eligible to win these contracts, potentially costing the taxpayer if revenues are channeled to firms/individuals that may not be the optimum choice.



The "Buy American" policy is a non-tariff trade restriction much like local content requirements (LCRs) designed to protect local industries and jobs. If America presses forward with this agenda, other countries can retaliate with LCRs that can range from requirements to purchase a certain percentage of domestic goods, use only local infrastructure to produce services and impose conditions on the way business is done. The U.S. could well be a net loser in this battle of barriers.



The Global Trade Alert group has identified that 343 LCRs have been implemented since the 2008 financial crisis. Research notes that LCRs largely have a net negative impact on trade flows and investment. The bottom line is that these protectionist measures are economically sub-optimal policies to shield jobs.



Furthermore, there is evidence that technology, not global sourcing, has contributed more to job losses in the United States over recent decades. The Buy American program will not diminish the march of automation.



"Buy American" has a certain ring to it, and will no doubt win over some of the electorate. But policymakers need to recognize this simple slogan obscures the more complicated realities of global sourcing, a system from which the United States benefits greatly. What might sound best on Twitter may not be the soundest approach.

Commentary by Carl Tannenbaum, the chief economist at Northern Trust, an investment-management firm. Prior to joining Northern Trust, Tannenbaum led a team at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and served as the head of the entire Federal Reserve System's risk group in Washington for a year, working closely with Federal Reserve System governors and senior officials.

For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.
President Donald Trump's recent comments and angry tweets about Germany's "unfair" trade practices could leave the U.S. as the odd man out in the global economy.

Fresh from a meeting in Brussels with the leaders of the Group of Seven largest economies, Trump fired yet another tweet salvo at a longtime U.S. ally, sharply attacking Germany's trade and spending policies.

"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," the president said.

The tweet follows a series of summit meetings with European leaders that reportedly included similar complaints about Germany's trade policy and NATO contributions. The president's stance drew a sharp response from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who voiced doubts about the reliability of the United States as an ally.

"Recent days have shown me that the times when we could rely completely on others are over to a certain extent," Merkel said Monday in a speech in Berlin. "Europe must take its fate into its own hands."
Two US defense officials say that the American military has begun to provide equipment and weapons to the Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces  a group it considers important in the fight against ISIS.

The U.S. began providing the equipment in the last 24 hours, according to one official.

Neither would give any specifics about what the U.S. is sending the Syrian Democratic Forces  also known as "YPG"  or how those items are being delivered.

In the past, the U.S. military has said they will provide the Syrian Democratic Forces with ammunition, rifles, armor, radios, bulldozers, vehicles, and engineering equipment.

Read the full story from NBC News here.

Watch: Trump emphasizes support for Turkey in terror fight
News / National

by Staff reporter

Africa's largest man-made inland lake, Kariba Dam situated along the mighty Zambezi River between Zimbabwe and Zambia is again on the mend following realisation by the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region of its importance following the dwindling of desperately required energy to stimulate economic growth.If efforts by the Sadc regional bloc together with private sector pull their resources together to ensure the dam has been renovated to its full capacity, an estimated 3 000 megawatts of electricity will be produced to supply electricity to host neighbouring countries Zambia and Zimbabwe while fellow Sadc member states such as Botswana, Namibia and Africa's most developed nation  South Africa also stand to benefit.Presently the colossal dam is operating below par where it is generating an average of 1 626 megawatts of electricity being shared between Zambia and Zimbabwe while a small portion of the power goes to Namibia through NamPower. Namibian government, which is also benefiting from the giant dam has committed some funding to ensure the Zimbabwe dam project becomes a success story.Meanwhile, a potentially devastating load-shedding has been averted after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and Zesa Holdings yesterday struck a payment deal to liquidate arrears to Eskom of South Africa within four months. .The South African power utility had given Zesa up to tomorrow to settle its arrears or risk being switched off over a $43 million debt. Zesa officials are now expected to take the payment plan to Eskom for ratification on Friday. Zesa chief executive Engineer Josh Chifamba said they had made progress towards settling the debt.
Uber fired executive Anthony Levandowski on Tuesday.

Levandowski was at the center of a lawsuit between Uber and Alphabet 's Waymo unit, the latter of which accused Levandowski of stealing trade secrets related to autonomous vehicles and taking them with him to Uber.

CNBC confirmed the news after a New York Times report Tuesday. Eric Meyhofer, who took Levandowski's spot leading the Advanced Technologies Group, will continue to head up the team. Uber said that it had been asking Levandowski to comply with internal investigations and that he did not meet internal deadlines.

"Over the last few months Uber has provided significant evidence to the court to demonstrate that our self-driving technology has been built independently," Uber's associate general counsel for employment and litigation said, the Times reported. "Over that same period, Uber has urged Anthony to fully cooperate in helping the court get to the facts and ultimately helping to prove our case."

An injunction earlier this month prevented Levandowski from working on Lidar systems at Uber. Lidar, short for light detection and ranging, helps a car understand where it is relative to its surroundings and is a key component of autonomous vehicles that allows them to effectively "see."

U.S. District Judge William Alsup said earlier this month that there was evidence that Levandowski "had taken and retained possession of Waymo's confidential files."

 CNBC's Deirdre Bosa contributed to this report.
Josh Mohrer, the general manager of Uber's New York operations, is leaving the company after five years. Mohrer will be joining Tusk Ventures  founded and run by investor and political operative Bradley Tusk.

It's not an entirely unusual move for Mohrer. Tusk has been a close ally and advisor to the ride-hail company and aided in its fight against New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's proposal to limit the number of new vehicles on the platform in 2015.

More From Recode:

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It is, however, a tumultuous time to leave the company. In addition to its many recent scandals and executive departures, Uber announced that it had underpaid thousands of its New York drivers for about two years. New York is also the company's largest market in the U.S.

Mohrer will be replaced by Sarfarz Maredia who had his start at the company as the general manager of Houston, Texas. Maredia will oversee New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania in addition to New York.

By Johana Bhuiyan, Recode.net.

CNBC's parent NBCUniversal is an investor in Recode's parent Vox, and the companies have a content-sharing arrangement.

Watch: Uber apparently underpaid NYC drivers
Silicon Valley investors are starting to take the mental health of start-up executives quite seriously.

Venture firms including Refactor Capital and Slow Ventures have agreed to pick up the tab for portfolio company founders to get an initial visit to a therapist. They're offering an option via a startup called Kip, which provides a curated list of therapists online.

Once users book a session, they see the therapist in-person. Kip is currently available in San Francisco. Erin Frey, the company's founder, said Kip wants to work with entrepreneurs to demonstrate the benefits of mental health services.

"This is a low-cost way to ensure you have a high-performing executive team," Frey said. "Think of all the money that is spent on things like Macbooks, compared to dealing with anxiety, stress and depression."

Kip's therapists charge a flat rate of $165 per session and do not take insurance. Kip keeps about 25 percent of the fee.

Approximately one in five Americans face a mental illness each year, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness. Across the country, policymakers and advocates are questioning whether the Trump Administration will prioritize mental health care as it aims to slash spending and revamp the health system.

Meanwhile, in Silicon Valley, founders are increasingly speaking out about burnout and emotional toll of entrepreneurship. Founders are encouraged to speak confidently about their businesses in pitch meetings, rather than to open up about their weaknesses or challenges.

Zal Bilimoria, Refactor's managing director, said the therapy sessions are the "right thing to do," and they also maximize a company's chances of success.

"All founders face challenges in building and running their companies," Bilimoria said.

Frey said that Kip captures "data between sessions," so health providers can track how their clients are progressing. That data is self-reported, but in the future, Frey hopes to incorporate data from wearable health trackers.

Unlike most mental health startups, Kip's sessions don't take place via a video consultation. The reason for that, Frey said, is that it can be challenging for therapists to pick up on subtle cues, like fidgeting under the table. Many of the providers specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy, which tends to be short-term, as well as goal-oriented.

Frey said founders should start to see their mental health as a priority.

"We hope this is one way to fight the stigma," she said.






Trump has repeatedly expressed apparent animosity toward the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, institutions that have checked Russian influence in the region for decades. His decision not to explicitly endorse the NATO commitment to defend allies if they're attacked raised particular alarm among former diplomats , especially since his failure to do so comes just as Russia has become more militarily assertive.

At a series of diplomatic meetings last week, President Donald Trump disappointed European allies on issues related to defense, Russia and climate change. Merkel, typically a careful speaker seen as a key defender of a united Europe, then said at a campaign event Sunday that the "times in which we could rely fully on others" are "somewhat over."

Germany 's Angela Merkel has directly and publicly questioned the United States ' commitment to Europe  and in all likelihood that very much pleases Russia 's Vladimir Putin .

Speaking to MSNBC on Tuesday, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul said, "I think the Russians are laughing" in the wake of Trump's meetings last week with European leaders from NATO and the Group of Seven major industrial nations.

A divided West is easier to confront than a united one, and the United States and Germany are the two biggest economies in the Western alliance.

Putin, Russia's president, sees opportunity in a weakened trans-Atlantic alliance. Russia  including the Soviet Union before it  has found itself set against a united West since at least 1949. The Americans, Western Europeans and Canadians militarily blocked the Soviet Union up to 1991, and have economically dwarfed it ever since. Moscow also has long resented European and American criticism of its human rights record.

"They're laughing at how easy it is and how our president, unfortunately, is helping with their agenda," McFaul said. "Let's just be clear that NATO and G-7, those are our clubs ... that we set up to advance our national security interests, to advance our prosperity, and the result of this trip has been discord in both of those groups."

On Sunday, Trump tweeted that the trip to Europe was "a great success for America." Press secretary Sean Spicer added Tuesday that Trump and Merkel "get along very well" and said her call for Europe to take care of itself is what Trump wanted.

"More countries are stepping up their burden sharing. That's a good thing for them, that's a good thing for NATO, that's a good thing for America," Spicer said.

But leaders like Merkel and newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron have shown that fracturing Europe could prove tough regardless of whether Trump is involved, according to Frances Burwell, a fellow at the Atlantic Council who focuses on EU-U.S. relations.

"I do think that President Putin was probably very pleased to see the way the meetings went this past weekend. But it's far more important to note that his [anti-EU] candidate"  Marine LePen, who is believed to have received assistance from the Kremlin  "lost the French election," she said.

"For the moment," Burwell said, "I think what's going to matter is that Europeans stay together."

The Russian embassy press office in Washington directed CNBC to a tweeted statement from press secretary Dmitry Peskov, who said the U.S. and the EU should "tackle their relations by themselves" and that those ties are "not our concern." He said that Russia has "always relied only on itself throughout centuries."

Trump, who won the White House with an anti-global message, has repeatedly bashed NATO and the European Union, which have formed the basis of U.S.-Europe cooperation for decades. While the White House says that the president is committed to alliances, he appeared to irk NATO members by publicly reprimanding them for not meeting their defense spending targets.

Merkel has shifted recently by pushing for Continental self-reliance in the face of anti-EU movements within Europe, including the United Kingdom's vote to leave the union, Burwell said. Still, it is important to note that Merkel expressed her doubts about U.S. support at a campaign event in Germany, where anti-Trump rhetoric plays very well generally.

Trump on Tuesday again attacked Germany for not meeting defense spending targets mandated by NATO and for its trade relationship with the U.S., contending  without any explanation  that "this will change."

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

Putin is likely hoping that, if U.S. support wanes, "Europe will begin to falter," Burwell said. But she added that "Europe is becoming more united than we expected it to be," especially after Macron's win over far-right candidate Le Pen.

Macron aimed to show that when he met Putin in France on Monday. The French president pressed his Russian counterpart on LGBT rights, Moscow's support for the Assad regime in Syria and alleged misinformation spread by Russia-funded media outlets in the French presidential campaign, according to The Associated Press.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zanu-PF has dismissed utterances by MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai that president Robert Mugabe should resign from active politics and be protected by the opposition party after next year's elections.Zanu-PF Secretary for Lands and Rural Resettlement, Cain Mathema was responding to media reports which quoted Tsvangirai saying his party will protect the president if he resigns from active politics.Mathema said the president does not need protection from the opposition because he has not done anything wrong to anyone, adding that the ruling party has no policy of taking advice from the opposition who are only there to fulfil the wishes of their western funders."These are just foolish statements of people who don't know what they are doing, they have failed to implement what they were told to do by their handlers. Protecting the president against what? What wrong has he ever done in Zimbabwe? As Zanu-PF, we are happy with what the president has done to empower his people. We are sorry for the opposition parties particularly Tsvangirai himself, who is looking for all sorts of excuses to insult our president," said Mathema.Meanwhile, the Zanu-PF leadership in Matabeleland North province has emphasised that President Mugabe is the party's candidate for the 2018 presidential elections.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Lack of women representation in most traditional courts in parts of Matabeleland provinces has irked the Civic group amid calls for the redress of the problem.The Habakkuk Trust Advocacy Actions teams from Umzingwane, Gwanda, Matobo, Mangwe, Nkayi, Bubi, Insiza and Tsholotsho raised the concerns.The traditional courts are presided over by either the village head, Headman or the area Chief.They said Section 17 of the Zimbabwe's Constitution, the State must promote the full participation of women in all spheres of Zimbabwean society on the basis of equality with men.The Action Team Vice Convener for Umzingwane Ward 5 Mrs. Mollet Dube said men have continually dominated traditional courts making it difficult for women to access justice."Traditionally, women were not allowed to speak in front of men and this has continued even though women have been empowered," she said. "Women are not able to fully express themselves in issues affecting them as most traditional courts are male dominated. The absence of women assessors in these courts has made it hard for women to seek justice on various crimes committed by men."The Action Teams said even though there are some areas where there are female traditional leaders and assessors, the majority of traditional courts have no female representation."As such, traditional courts are biased in favour of men. Women are mere listeners and do not actively participate in these courts. We, therefore, call for the appointment of women assessors in traditional courts to allow women to access justice," she added.Arts, Culture and Heritage Officer in the Ministry of rural development, promotion and preservation of national cultural heritage Mr. Cannan Mathema who was present at the meeting said there was a need to train traditional leadership on the contents of the Constitution."Traditional leaders must be taught what the Constitution says regarding equal representation so that they can include women in their team of assessors," he said. "In most cases, assessors have the power over the outcome of a case more than the Chiefs."Mathema also encouraged communities to attend parliamentary public hearings on bills so that they can input on the policies that affect them.
The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form
Common Cause KY Chairman Has Filed an Ethics Complaint Against Gov. Matt Bevin

The chairman of Common Cause Kentucky is asking the states Executive Ethics Commission to investigate whether Gov. Matt Bevins purchase of a mansion in a wealthy Louisville suburb earlier this year violated Kentuckys ethics laws.

Richard Beliles filed his complaint last week. It centers on Bevins $1.6 million purchase of Anchorage Place, an historic home on a 10-acre tract. The property was assessed at $3 million in April but its value for tax purposes was lowered this month to $2.57 million.

The governor has acknowledged creating a limited liability corporation to handle the purchase, a tactic that kept his name out of the transfer. The state has spent nearly $40,000 on security improvements to the property and Bevin and his family live there rather than in the Governors Mansion on the state capitol grounds in Frankfort.

Bevin has been tightlipped about the purchase. The prior owner, Neil Ramsey, has been a major contributor to Bevin and the state Republican Party, and the Louisville Courier-Journal newspaper reported earlier this month that shortly before selling the house he invested $300,000 in a company partially owned by the governor. The investment was made through a state government economic development program that provided Ramsey with a $120,000 tax break, the newspaper said.

Bevin also appointed Ramsey last year to serve as a director of the state employees retirement system.

Somebody needs to do something to get them to answer some questions that they dont seem to want to answer Beliles told the Courier-Journal. Actually, I hope the governor and others come forward and give good answers and I get embarrassed for filing this.

###
News / National

by Simbarashe Sithole

There was drama in Kuwadzana 7 on Saturday after a woman identified as Kudzie stole cell phones and clothes from a house she claimed to be her late father's.Eye witnesses allege Kudzie came to Kuwadzana 7 and lived at the house of a late soldier where she claimed to be the man's daughter.She narrated who the late soldier was and where he had worked and subsequently convinced the late soldier's children."The girl told children of the late soldier the whole profile of their father before claiming to be his daughter."She was welcomed to the house and when everyone had relaxed trying to conduct other relatives about the story she sneaked away with two cell phones and female clothes."One of the late soldier's sons, who is also a soldier, was told about how the girl duped them and he arranged a syndicate that helped him effect citizen arrest on her."The suspect was brought from town to Kuwadzana where she surrendered the goods she had stolen.The suspect was attacked by a mob with one source saying: "It was time for baptism with used car oil, and bashing by residents before being surrendered to the police."
[Authors Note: This is the first in a two-part series highlighting the fastest growing and highest paying certified and noncertified tech skills at 3,038 U.S. and Canadian employers.]

If youre new to this space you may be unaware that more employers than ever are paying their tech workers extra cash over and above salary for specific certified and noncertified tech and business skills they possess. And why would they do this?

Because getting compensation right has been a nagging problem with tech professionals for years. Its about constant market price volatility but even more about the impact of countless variations in the jobs these people perform. Its tough to keep it all straight when employers require hybrid tech-business experience, soft skills, industry knowledge, specific solution aptitude, and especially experience with certain kinds of customers or a particular product or service. And all of this in addition to proven expertise that can span multiple tech platforms, domains, programming languages, tools and systems.

But the true problem that paying skills premiums solves is aging HR systems, inflexibility, and lack of agility in compensation structures and pay practices. Employers saddled with these problems often find it too difficult to compete for talent in todays tech labor marketplace where the market value of a job or skill can move like a roller coaster depending on whats hot and whats not at any given moment. Salary alone is too often not sufficient; an employer has to find ways to come up with more cash to compete with peer organizations that already have greater agility built into their salary and bonus programs. If an employer cannot react quickly and correctly it may be in real trouble finding and keeping people to execute fluid tech enabled business strategy.

Skills pay to the rescue

Extra pay awarded to 72,120 U.S. and Canadian IT professionals for 916 certified and noncertified IT and business skills has been tracked and updated quarterly since 1999 in the IT Skills and Certifications Pay Index (ITSCPI). 3,038 private and public sector employers currently provide this data in the most recent 2017 data edition, covering detailed compensation for 262,540 tech professionals.

Fastest growing tech certifications, last six months

Market values for 422 tech certifications in the most recent ITSCPI data update (through April 1) are averaging the equivalent of a 7.6% of base salary for a single certification, ranging from 2% to 17% of base salary at the 50th percentile.

[ To comment on this story, visit Computerworlds Facebook page. ]

The following 30 certifications have recorded the highest gains in cash market value pay premiums in the six months ending April 1, 2017. Theyve grown between 17% and 35% in value in this period and are shown in descending rank order of market value gain (including ties), arranged alphabetically within each rank.

1. Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)

2. InfoSys Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP/CISSP)

3. (Tie) Oracle Certified Master  Java EE Enterprise Architect

Oracle Certified Professional  DBA (OCP)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator in Red Hat OpenStack

4. GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GSNA)

5. (Tie)CompTIA Server+

Oracle Certified Expert  Siebel CRM Business Analyst

Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)

Check Point Certified Security Master (CCSM)

CWNP/Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)

Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate (JNCIA)

SAS Certified Advanced Programmer

6. (Tie) Cisco Certified Network Professional  Security

Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

7. (Tie) Avaya Certified Solutions Specialist (ACSS)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate(all)

Novell Certified Linux Professional

Juniper Networks Certified Internet Specialist (JNCIS)

Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)

GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate: SQL Server 2012

8. GIAC Certified Perimeter Protection Analyst (GPPA)

9. (Tie)Cisco Certified Design Expert (CCDE)

GIAC Certified Penetration Tester (GPEN)

Linux Professional Institute certification (LPIC-Level 3)

Citrix Certified Administrator  Networking (CCA)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Business Intelligence

SAS Certified Base Programmer

Fastest growing noncertified tech skills, last six months

Market values for 494 noncertified tech skills are averaging the equivalent of a 9.3% of base salary for a single skill, ranging from 1% to 18% of base salary at the 50th percentile.

The following 30 noncertified skills have recorded the highest gains in cash market value pay premiums in the six months ending April 1, 2017. Theyve grown between 20% and 50% in value in this period and are shown in descending rank order of market value gain (including ties), arranged alphabetically within each rank.

1. Apache Cloudstack

2. Workday HCM

3. (Tie) Storage virtualization/administration

SAP FI  FSCM (Financial Supply Chain Management)

4. (Tie)Tivoli

SAP CS (Customer Service)

SAP Business Workflow/Webflow

Sqoop

Quantitative Analysis/Regression Analysis

SAP NetWeaver Visual Composer

Oracle SCM (Supply Chain Management)

QlikView

5. Magnolia

6. Baan

7. (Tie)CA PPM(Clarity PPM)

Citrix XenServer

Rackspace Cloud

Web Dynapro

SAP CO-PA (Profitability Analysis)

SAP PSCD (Collection and Disbursement)

SAP PS (Project Systems)

8. SAP MRS (Multi Resource Scheduling)

9. JavaFX

Scrum

TCP/IP

Apache Flume

R language

Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services

Marketo

ColdFusion/ColdFusion MX

[Authors Note: In my next column Ill focus on the highest paying certified and noncertified tech skills for 2017 in the latest ITSCPI.]
Does Labours manifesto add up? Heres a ConHome series to investigate  named, of course, in homage to the Shadow Home Secretarys policing plan.

The Policy: Create a 250 billion infrastructure fund

Lets return to Funding Britains Future. Under the heading National Transformation Fund (NTF), the Opposition claim theyll pump 250 billion into funding an expansive definition of infrastructure: transport, energy systems, communications  scientific research, and housing fit for the 21st Century.

The Problem: Its straightforwardly un-costed

No beating about the bush here: this is a vast public spending commitment and Labour havent given voters any firm idea of how theyre going to pay for it.

Remember, Funding Britains Future makes much of how it carefully balances the Oppositions new spending plans with new revenues. But the combined figure for all the measures included in those tables is 48.6 billion  or one fifth of the NTF, which isnt included.

According to Jeremy Warner in the Daily Telegraph, most of this eye-watering sum is apparently going to be leveraged from private investors. As he puts it: Good luck with that one.
John Bald is a former Ofsted inspector and has written two books on the history of writing and spelling.

This week, some real people for whom education isnt working, and the changes we need in order to make it work for them.

Pupil A is 11, of well above average ability, intellectually adventurous and independent. Her parents removed her and her sister from school because they were being bullied. After half a dozen lessons on French, over the internet, she and her sister were delighted to start work on Le Petit Prince, and could write simple and accurate sentences about themselves and their interests. In English, they read Animal Farm and Thomas Moores Utopia, and wrote essays comparing their view of society that a senior teacher at a leading public school described as gifted. The childrens mother described the work as a life-changing breakthrough, and said the children were ecstatic about their progress.

Why, then, were these bright and co-operative children not receiving the education they needed in school? Why were they being bullied for being bright? Why, in short, were they not attending a school in which their talents would be welcomed, celebrated and developed? They live in Scotland, but could equally live in any other part of the country in which mixed ability teaching is maintained as a goal, irrespective of the damage it does. Every comprehensive schools inspection report needs to include scrutiny of its provision for the most able pupils, particularly in what Sir Michael Wilshaw has described as the wasted years of 11-14. And where comprehensive schools refuse to bring out the best in them, grammar schools should be established or extended to fill the gap.

Pupils B and C are sixteen and seventeen respectively. One left an outstanding school last year, and the other is in his last few weeks at a school rated good, despite an identified weakness in maths. This pupil has been fortunate in his English teacher, who, following an assessment of dyslexia, adjusted his teaching, so that the pupil now writes well, spells accurately, and is on track for a good pass at GCSE. The other was not so lucky, and has had to start to learn to read and write at the age of 17. The teaching both had received in maths was so bad that I had to start with basic calculation, including the 2x table. Their good and outstanding schools were being judged almost exclusively on the basis of point scores in GCSE, largely based on the faked assessments that are ending this year. Neither pupil would be a grammar school candidate, and yet neither has received the education they need from the comprehensive system.

Pupil D benefited from a Conservative innovation, the phonics check for six year olds, by getting nowhere near the expected level. In our opponents terms, he failed it. In reality, the result triggered action. The child was rubbing his eyes, looked down, and hated even to look at a book. The usual suspects duly appeared  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Aspergers syndrome Autism Bunkum. A check with the Institute of Optometrys screening kit showed a high level of sensitivity to light, particularly fluorescent light. A lime green overlay provided some relief, and he began to use it at school. A full test with the Institutes colorimeter at a local Specsavers confirmed the choice of colour, but the eye examination that went with it showed a much more serious problem with the optic nerve that required an emergency hospital appointment. This is still under investigation, but the message for SEND support is very clear  assessments need to be fully informed, and should include analysis of visual factors. Leave them out, and you can waste tens of thousands of pounds.

If we are successful on June 8th, Justine Greening will have an opportunity to reorientate the education service to meet real needs such as these. Labours quangos have gone, and their fakery will end this year. The examinations and tests can now be modified to provide an opportunity for all pupils to show what they can do, without any threat to standards. There are, for example, too many examination papers, and pupil B is having to take three papers for foundation level maths, two of them with a calculator. Cutting this to two would save money and stress.

Subjects in crisis, such as modern languages, can be revived using the approach trialled in the Shanghai maths and Mandarin projects. Ofsted can be restored to its proper function of investigating and reporting on what is actually going on, rather than number-crunching from a distance. Pupil Ds school has not had a full inspection since 2003, and pupil Cs is rated outstanding, despite leaving a perfectly intelligent young man unable to read and with handwriting that would embarrass a six year old.

This gets us to the heart of the matter. Since the sixties, our education service has been diverted its proper purposes in order to promote the leftist and progressive goal of moulding society. We need to complete the task of reversing this process.
Christopher Howarth is a senior researcher working in the House of Commons. Prior to this he worked for Open Europe, as a Conservative Foreign Affairs Adviser and senior researcher to a Shadow Europe Minister.

To give Angela Merkel her due, she is responsible for a mini jobs boom. Hanging on her every utterance is a whole legion of pundits specialising in interpreting and imbuing inner meaning to even her most turgid of phrases. To those initiated in the art, Merkel is a towering colossus, an oracle  nay, the leader of the free world. To the uninitiated, she may look like the most overrated ruler to walk the European continent since Richard the Lionheart lost France but still came up smelling of roses. Her latest comments on NATO are a minor classic of the genre.

A German leader saying we have to fight..for our destiny, and that Germany cannot rely on the Anglo-American defence shield is strong stuff, enough potentially to give Germanys neighbours the jitters  and a challenge to NATOs primacy post-Brexit, surely?

As always, there are at least two interpretations. Firstly, it might have been meant as just an electioneering call to arms to anglophobic (in a US/UK sense) German voters to gain a mandate to build up EU defence co-operation in opposition to NATO. Alternatively, it could be seen as a way to dress up a welcome commitment by Germany to do more to correct its woeful underinvestment in its own defence via NATO and set an example to other EU states. To cut out the middleman, here is the direct quote Merkel gave to her Bavarian audience in its full Merkurial magnificence:

And the time where we could completely depend on others are, to some extent, over. I have witnessed that during the past few days. We Europeans really have to take our fate in or own hands, obviously in friendship with the United States of America, in friendship with Great Britain, in good neighbourly relations, wherever possible, with Russia and other countries. But we must know that we have to fight ourselves for our future as Europeans for our destiny, and thats what I gladly want to do, together with all of you.

From the full quote, you can see that it is actually heavily caveated and can lend itself to (mis-)quotation by a number of alternate points of view. Nethertheless it does shed some light on Merkels thinking.

Firstly, it is interesting (and unhelpful) that Merkel equates Brexit and Trump, and misunderstands both. This betrays the profound and commonly held ignorance of British politics in EU circles. There is no reason why Brexit should make the UK an unreliable defence partner in the way Merkel seems to imply. While EU policy-makers and EU pundits, even those based in the UK, want to claim that UK policy-makers do not understand German politics, it is clear that continental politicians are profoundly ignorant of the ideas and opinions that led to Brexit.

This is not wholly surprising, given that for many years most EU diplomatic engagement was confined to round table discussions with largely pro-EU groups and politicians who were equally ignorant of UK public opinion and hostile to the idea of Brexit. This is an impression that now needs to be corrected. Her comment is also interesting in the exclusion of Britain from the term European, in a way that would delight some British Eurosceptics, but in this context is not helpful.

While Merkels sayings are always open to interpretation, the fact she has raised EU defence as a topic in relation to Brexit does invite the question: can we expect NATO to remain the main focus for European defence post-Brexit?

Money talks: woeful levels of EU defence spending have put strains on NATO

The first hypothetical threat to NATO comes not from EU state-builders, but from across the Atlantic. However, the truth is that President Trump may be an unpopular messenger, but is right to say that EU states need to spend more on their own defence. NATO figures show that France spends 1.79 per cent of GDP on defence, but Germany only 1.2 per cent, Italy 1.1 per cent and the Netherlands 1.16 per cent, as set against the NATO target of two per cent. This is not an alliance of equals. The idea that the US would walk away from NATO was always far-fetched, but as there are signs that EU NATO states will now spend more, when they do the US pressure should subside.

The EUs unfunded defence ambitions

Europe has two global western military powers of any significance, France and the UK. Without NATO and the USAs military hardware, the EU would look vulnerable to challenge by even a second rate power such as Russia. Without the UK, European defence and power projection would, by default, fall largely on France. This is unlikely to be a satisfactory outcome for all concerned  not least for France, having to shoulder a far larger burden than it does currently.

While the EU has mimicked NATOs Article V mutual defence clause, and has set up some of its own defence structures, it is more a rhetorical than a real challenge to NATO. When President Hollande invoked the EU defence clause after the Paris attacks, it was hardly reported. The EU27 may find Trump, and his blunt diplomacy, an easy target for now, but they need NATO.

What role for the UK in EU defence, post-Brexit?

The UKs role in Europes continental defence since 1945 is a product of history rather than choice, and a one that came with a heavy economic price. In the post-war years, while Germany and Italy took an undeserved peace dividend, the UK continued to provide Europe with defence via NATO. This role as a defence utility provider to continental Europe to some extent explains the relative underperformance of the UK economy versus Germany in the period.

Leadership in defence does not come with the same benefits that, say, economic or political leadership provides. Unsurprisingly, defence leadership in the EU is not a coveted prize, indeed during the Cameron renegotiation it was a role informally offered to the UK by Poland. The claim of Radek Sikorski, Polands Foreign Minister, that you could, if only you wished, lead Europes defence policy missed the point that the UK had provided this utility for free for decades, precisely because no other EU state was willing or able. This will remain the case to some extent in the future  the EU27 cannot and will not cut off defence co-operation with the UK.

Lastly, suggestions by Nick Clegg that the EU will decide to end intelligence co-operation and put its own and British citizens at risk by insisting on the ECJs primacy are ridiculous. We are able to co-operate with states across the world without the need for an enforcing court, and will do so with the EU27.

Corbyn  not Merkel, Trump or Brexit  is the greatest threat to NATO

While the EU and the USA will remain committed to NATO, the UK will remain a key European defence partner  bilaterally, via NATO, and through co-operation with the EUs own policies  in the same way that other non-EU European states already do.

That leaves the greatest threat to UK co-operation in European defence not as Trump or Merkel, but the possibility that Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister would seek to undermine all forms of British defence from NATO, Trident and the Army through to the intelligence services. In that world, NATO, transatlantic defence, deterrence and European defence would all be in grave danger.
James Frayne is Director of communications agency Public First and author of Meet the People, a guide to moving public opinion. The focus of this column is Theresa Mays conservatism for ordinary working people.

Well away from where the bulk of the electorate and the media are focused, theres a group of people that have been watching the election campaign with growing discomfort: the free market right within the Conservative Party. Until recently, such was their influence within the party that pretty much every candidate felt the need to define themselves as a Thatcherite, and to pledge belief in low taxes, light regulation and a small state.

How times change. Not only did the Conservatives manifesto introduce new rights for workers, commit to further raising a generous minimum wage and even raise the prospect of increasing personal taxes (by refusing to rule them out), but the document explicitly said that the free market right was wrong: We must reject the ideological templates provided by the socialist left and libertarian right Its hard to know how much worse the manifesto could have been for them.

Electorally speaking, Theresa Mays strategy makes total sense. This partly explains why theres been so little public opposition from Conservatives. But only partly: it also reflects the extraordinary weakness of the free market right in Britain. Were leaving the EU and this ought to be their moment  a time to campaign for Britain to become the antithesis of the sluggish, corporatist European economy. Instead, theyre forced to watch as Theresa May looks set to secure a big win off policies theyve spent years campaigning against.

So what, if anything, can be done?

Most importantly, they need to engage hard in the Brexit process. At present, the Conservatives are heading into talks as Christian Democrats. Philip Hammond even reportedly raised the prospect of lower taxes and lighter regulation as a possible nuclear weapon of last resort in the talks. Free marketeers need to show such an approach is not a nuclear option but the only option.

They need to come up with detailed, specific, workable policies to guide the Brexit talks and to ensure Britain secures the right deal. What should Britains approach to financial services regulation, for example? That would be a good place to start. This is no time for six page principles-based position papers: they need to generate actual policies that can be implemented.

There are two other policy areas free marketeers need to offer detailed alternative policies: the industrial strategy; and everyday life for the lower middle class (those just about managing). Brexit talks will dominate politics in this Parliament, but the Government will be desperate to make gains on domestic policy. The industrial strategy and life for the lower middle class will be a likely focus. Free marketeers cant hope to secure meaningful political support by saying that Mays economics are wrong  they need to say what theyd do instead.

Generating ideas is obviously key. But ideas have greater power when theres evidence behind them. Just as the education reform movement can point to massive successes from innovative Free Schools and Academies, the free market movement needs to create and sell evidence of market-based success across Britain. Devolution offers them their chance: just as the Manhattan Institute made intellectual and political gains in the US by running public policy trials in urban areas, so British institutions should be looking to do the same.

Finally, they need to cultivate a set of credible political spokespeople. While its possible to influence from the outside, the movement needs powerful political insiders to make the free market case in the Conservative Party. Perhaps complacent that the Party was stuffed with Thatcherites, the movement hasnt been good at cultivating politicians and servicing them with the ideas and briefings they need. This must change.

Because free marketeers generally dont believe in the states ability to deliver, theyre reluctant to engage in day to day political policy debate. Other than saying, the state should stay out of things, they havent had much to say. This must change, too. Those that believe in free markets need to engage in the detail of policymaking  setting out how theyd do things better. If they dont, theyll be made irrelevant by the growing number of people within the Conservative Party that believe in the idea of a competent state  one that works better because its managed by better people.
Opinion / Columnist

The inquiry into possible collusion between the Russians and President Trump's aides in United States of America's 2016 presidential elections is heating up. Both the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) carrying out their own separate investigation.At issue is the fear that the Russians interfered with the USA electoral process and, God forbid, influence the outcome of the elections. The need for elected officials being the people's choice in a free, fair and credible election if the heart, body and soul of democracy. If anyone, anyone at all be they an individual or segment of society but much less outsiders, other than the people have influence over who gets elected then he/she/they will also dictate policy and before long the government be serving the new-found master(s) instead of the people.So, it is right and proper that no stone is to be left unturned into the inquiry what the exact nature of Russian involvement in the 2016 US elections. It is the right thing to do in safe keeping the health and integrate of US democracy.In Zimbabwe, we know that Nikuv, as Israeli company, was heavily involved in our 2013 elections. They corrupted the voters' roll allowing Zanu PF supporters to cast multiple votes on one extreme and in the other by denying nearly one million opposition supporters the vote by posting their details in a different constituency other than the one the individual voter expected.We know Nikuv was paid a princely sum of US$10 million for their treasonous services.Last month former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Mines, Francis Gudyanga admitted in court to requesting $575,000 from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) to finance the Minerals and Border Control Unit without consulting Treasury.The money, it emerged, was deposited into the bank account of a private company, Pedstock Limited, which is linked to Nikuv. Gudyanga pointedly refused to say what Nikuv was being paid for, but we all know!The government of Israel was informed by the British and the Americans of Nikuv's unsavoury interference in Zimbabwe's elections in 2013 but they elected to ignore the warning.We in the Zimbabwe Social Democrats make the following four demands:1) We demand an end to Nikuv's obnoxious interference in Zimbabwe's efforts to end the Zanu PF dictatorship. We demand that Israeli government finally rein in Nikuv because, like it or not, the latter's unsavoury and insulting activities have soured the relationship between the people of Israel and Zimbabweans.2) We demand that SADC, AU, UN and other nations look into Nikuv's distractive activities in Zimbabwe and possibly other countries in the region in the interest of justice and fair play. We in Zimbabwe accept have our own corrupt and tyrannical dictator and his thugs to content with, the last thing we need is some foreigners pocking their noses into our affairs for their own selfish gain! No nation on earth will accept such blatant interference, why should we!3) We demand the implementation of all the democratic reforms including the reforms into political party funding to stop the looting of national resources to bankroll vote rigging schemes such as the corrupting of voters' roll by Nikuv.4) We demand that the country's opposition parties must paid heed to the SADC advice not to contest the elections until the democratic reforms are implemented. The people of Zimbabwe have a right to free, fair and credible elections and the opposition must now accept the political reality that by participating in the flawed elections they are doing Zanu PF's bidding in that they give the process credibility!The people of Zimbabwe have as much right as any other nation on earth to aspire for a healthy and functional democratic system of government. It is most disconcerting that some foreigners should conspire to keep us poor and oppressed for their selfish economic gain. Zimbabweans will follow the Senate investigation of possible Russian interference in the 2016 USA presidential elections with an abated breath. We have a proven case of Nikuv interference in Zimbabwean elections we would want to pursue with vigour and vengeance!SignedWilbert MukoriZSD Secretary General.zimbabwesocialdemocrats@gmail.com
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CORNWALL, Ontario  There is continued concern about the state of the St. Lawrence Seaway as waterlevels in the river are at a 100 year high.

According to the International Lake Ontario  St. Lawrence River Board, Lake Ontario remains above the highest water levels recorded at any time since 1918, reads a statement from South Nation Conservation (SNC). Dams are being operated at Lake Ontario and along the St. Lawrence River to balance water levels upstream and downstream, while trying to minimize shoreline erosion.

Chamber of Marine Commerce President Bruce R. Burrows says that his industry is trying to minimize the impact of the high water levels on commerce and shoreside property.

The marine shipping industry is very sensitive to the damage that is being done to homes located in the region due to flooding caused by high-water levels, he wrote in a statement. Our shipowner members have reduced vessel speeds to accommodate the increase in water flow rates and to minimize any damage to shorelines. We support the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Boards decision yesterday to continue to monitor the situation and that the St. Lawrence Seaway remains open for the movement of goods in a safe and efficient manner.

The SNC said that they will continue to monitor the water levels and warned residents to stay away from dangerous area.

Environment and Climate Change Canada is forecasting 20 mm of precipitation this week for Cornwall with less precipitation expected moving towards Lake Ontario, the SNC statement reads. Water Levels along the St. Lawrence River are forecasted to remain stable and above average for this time of year for at least the next 2 weeks.
CORNWALL, Ontario  Environment Canada issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Cornwall and the United Counties of SD&G on Wednesday, May 30.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop in the region later this afternoon through early this evening, the statement from Environment Canada reads. Some of these storms may contain damaging winds near 90 km/h and hail of 2 to 3 cm.

The Watch was issued at around 4 p.m. EST and most areas in the Ottawa Valley have receive the same advisory.

According to The Weather Network, thunderstorms could begin as early as 6 p.m. and continue until at least 11 p.m.

The severe weather is likely caused by the high humidity which was above 80 percent for most of the day.
Opinion / Columnist

Insufficient financial inclusion, unbanked masses and financial literacy are increasingly attracting investors

Benefits





Digital payments and SDGs

When she needed to transfer money to a friend in a faraway village last March, Mouna Ahmed, a gender equality activist in Liberia, did not have to worry about long bank queues and complex paperwork. Instead she took her phone, tapped on the mobile money app, punched in an amount and pressed the send button. Minutes later, her friend acknowledged the kind gesture."Transferring the money took less than a minute," Ms. Ahmed told Africa Renewal.A leading Liberian telecom company, Lonestar Cell MTN, launched mobile money in the country in 2013. Since then, Ms. Ahmed says, "I pay my electricity, water and cable television bills through my cell phone." Last year, the company announced it will offer transfers in both US and Liberian dollars - a relief for customers who must currently use the US dollar forpayments.Liberians haven't had much experience with cashless payment methods, particularly mobile money (popularly known as "mobile wallet"); even credit and debit cards are little used. Although businesses and individuals still issue age-old cheques, mobile wallet use is steadily increasing.Unlike in Liberia, where mobile money is the primary means of making cashless payments, Rwanda is using several different methods. The country's ambitious Smart Rwanda Master Plan (SRMP) seeks to digitize all government financial transactions by 2018, which will allow citizens to make online payments as well as use debit and credit cards for services in health care, finance and education, among other areas.This strategy is an offshoot of Rwanda's Vision 2020, a government blueprint designed in 2000 for achieving a knowledge-based economy (in which growth depends more on information than on production) and leading the country to the middle-income bracket by 2020.Already most bus operators in Kigali, Rwanda's capital city, accept prepaid cards. Thousands of commuters riding swanky city buses need only swipe a debit card on a card reader fitted on a bus dashboard before taking their seats. Gone are the days when conductors collected cash payments.M-Pesa sets the pacePhilip Ngarambe, the chief operations officer of AC Group, a digital payment systems company in Rwanda, explains that previously, "by the time [cash] gets to the company there are so many hands it has gone throughfrom the conductor to the bus driver to the person collecting it, to taking it to finance and the bank account," that businesses lost between 40% and 60% of revenues through cash pilfering.Rwanda may be ahead of the curve in cashless commuting, but Kenya's M-Pesa, a mobile payment service launched in 2007, is acclaimed for the revolutionary impact it has had on society. M-Pesa (a Swahili word for "mobile money") allows people, even in rural areas, to transfer money to one another, make day-to-day purchases and pay for services such as electricity and water.The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), the London-based industry group that represents mobile operators worldwide, has lauded M-Pesa's pioneering effort for demonstrating "the potential of mobile technology to transform access to financial services in emerging markets."Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa are also bellwethers of cashless payment use in Africa, according to GSMA.The Egyptian government, in collaboration with MasterCard and the Egyptian Banks Company (EBC), is working on a similar project that will allow 50 million citizens to use a single mobile payments gateway. The gateway will link citizens' national IDs to a digital system, which means all those in the financial mainstreamsuppliers, distributions, customers, government and so oncan transact with one another.Similarly, the Nigerian government and MasterCard are planning a national ID programme with biometric functionality that citizens can use to pay for goods and services and to receive salaries. That project, targeting 100 million citizens, will be the largest of its kind on the continent.Tantalizing investment opportunityA pan-African bank, Ecobank, and MasterCard have set their sights on 100 million customers in 33 African countries (including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda) with a service dubbed Masterpass Quick Response (QR). Masterpass QR is a digital system that enables customers to make online and in-store payments. In-store customers can make payments by scanning a QR bar code downloaded on a mobile device.Paradoxically, Africa's lack of financial inclusion - the slow adoption of tools of global commerce, such as banking and financial literacy - has proved attractive to investors. About 90% of retail transactions in sub-Saharan Africa are cash based, while just 34% of adults have traditional bank accounts, according to the World Bank - suggesting tantalizing potential for investors.More than 500 million Africans currently use mobile phones; according to GSMA's 2016 annual report, that number will rise to 725 million by 2020, while 84 million have active mobile money accounts. That report also notes the use of mobile money in 31 African countries.Mobile money transactions in sub-Saharan Africa could exceed $1.3 billion by 2019, according to data by the consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. Experts forecast that the increasing number of mobile subscribers will inevitably lead to an increase in the mobile money market.Also on investors' radar is the $62 billion per year - and growing - of international remittances to Africa, which a company like WorldRemit, an international money transfer enterprise founded by Somaliland's Ismail Ahmed, has successfully targeted. Unlike the big global money transfer companies such as Western Union that mostly require receivers to pick up cash from banks, WorldRemit enables African immigrants in Europe and North America to use their debit or credit cards to send money directly to recipients' bank accounts or mobile wallets in Africa."I send money to my folks in Ghana every month. I use WorldRemit," says Naa Atswei Kodia, a Ghanaian living in the United States.For individuals, digital payments save time; for businesses, they send monies seamlessly into accounts; and even government transparency and accountability credentials are enhanced with digital payments. "The use of smart cardsalso protects the environment, as there are no longer paper tickets littering [Kigali]," adds Mr. Ngarambe.In Rwanda, electronic payments have reduced the birth registration time from six hours to 40 minutes, reports GSMA. In Tanzania, paying a vehicle license fee now takes an hour, instead of a whole day, as was the case previously.Less cash leads to less crime, researchers say. A study by William Jack and Tavneet Suri titled, Mobile Money: the Economics of M-PESA, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a US-based nonprofit research organization, found that a few months after M-Pesa debuted, consumers cited personal safety and security as reasons for using the service.Jude Onwuegbuzie, a Nigerian businessman and legal practitioner, told Africa Renewal, "These days, people traveling between cities don't carry cash, so highway robberies are no longer lucrative in Nigeria."The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the foreign aid arm of the US government, touts success in partnering with the Liberian government to implement the Mobile Solutions Technical Assistance and Research (mSTAR) project, which enables teachers in Nimba County in northern Liberia to receive monthly salaries paid in the capital, Monrovia, through their phones."The mobile money payment eliminated time away from their classrooms and reduced costs to receive their salaries by 84%," USAID states on its website.Mobile money moves the poor from the informal to the formal financial sector. With 40.5% of its GDP in the informal sector, Africa has the highest rate of the shadow economy, according to the World Bank. By comparison, the figure is 16% for countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). "Payments provided via an account can provide the on-ramp to financial inclusion," maintains the World Bank.GSMA considers mobile payments relevant to 11 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1, because it helps to eliminate extreme poverty; SDG 5, because financial services empower women economically; and SDG 9, because digital payments and access to credit services lead to new industries.But regulatory bottlenecks often slow progress in the cashless payment industry. A lack of interoperability among mobile transactions in some countries, meaning individuals cannot transact across carriers, is a problem, says Daniel Monehin, MasterCard's division president for sub-Saharan Africa. In Liberia, for instance, Ms. Ahmed says that she cannot send money to people on another mobile phone network.GSMA advises countries to allow banks and nonbank actors into the financial sector and advises providers to focus on "operational efficiency."Nigeria penalizes certain amounts of cash withdrawals, which encourages people to make cashless transactions. That policy will help modernize Nigeria's payment system, says GSMA.Still, Neal Estey, a former director of the Boston University's Center for Finance, Law and Policy, is circumspect about digital payments. Mobile money "should not be sold as a miracle cure for financial inclusion," he argues, because people in developing countries who use mobile money instead of opening bank accounts cannot build a financial record, have no credit ratings and do not enjoy the benefits of banking.But banks hungry for good returns are feeling the winds of change, which is why many are already partnering with credit card and mobile payment companies."The future of mobile banking will sooner or later belong to the banks," says Sunil Sachdev, CEO and chief business development officer of Meed, a US-based mobile financial services company.
Statement from the Heart

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates from across the country have agreed to a landmark Uluru Statement calling for the establishment of a First Nations voice enshrined in the constitution.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar described the Uluru Statement as a significant milestone for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, saying constitutional reform will enable real change in the lives our Australias First Peoples.

Commissioner Oscar also acknowledged the significant work of Referendum Council Co-Chair Pat Anderson and her colleagues in achieving a broad consensus on the proposal for change.

This is just the beginning, Commissioner Oscar said.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have devoted a significant amount of time to these discussions over many years, in fact, over generations.

This movement for change has been a long conversation for our peoples. We hope that the nation will recognise this and acknowledge constitutional change needs to occur.

Delegates will now work through options to take the reform proposal to Government and the Australian people.

Uluru statement

We, gathered at the 2017 National Constitutional Convention, coming from all points of the southern sky, make this statement from the heart:

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes were the first sovereign Nations of the Australian continent and its adjacent islands, and possessed it under our own laws and customs.

This our ancestors did, according to the reckoning of our culture, from the Creation, according to the common law from time immemorial, and according to science more than 60,000 years ago.

This sovereignty is a spiritual notion: the ancestral tie between the land, or mother nature, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were born therefrom, remain attached thereto, and must one day return thither to be united with our ancestors. This link is the basis of the ownership of the soil, or better, of sovereignty. It has never been ceded or extinguished and co-exists with the sovereignty of the Crown.

How could it be otherwise? That peoples possessed a land for sixty millennia and this sacred link disappears from world history in merely the last two hundred years? With substantive constitutional change and structural reform, we believe this ancient sovereignty can shine through as a fuller expression of Australias nationhood.

Proportionally, we are the most incarcerated people on the planet. We are not an innately criminal people. Our children are alienated from their families at unprecedented rates. This cannot be because we have no love for them. And our youth languish in detention in obscene numbers. They should be our hope for the future.

These dimensions of our crisis tell plainly the structural nature of our problem. This is the torment of our powerlessness.

We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish.

They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country.

We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution. Makarrata is the culmination of our agenda: the coming together after a struggle. It captures our aspirations for a fair and truthful relationship with the people of Australia and a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination.

We seek a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations and truth-telling about our history.

In 1967 we were counted; in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country.

We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.
Editorial

Towards an authoritarian state

In the aftermath of the indiscriminate attacks in the city of New York in 2001, Australia pledged its support to a global war on terror. At the tip of the spear, we joined military invasions of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003 with the stated objective of obliterating Al-Qaeda and the Taliban and depose Saddam Hussein.

Fire has been met with fire and as a result hundreds of thousands of innocent people have been killed and displaced in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan and places far from here.

In Australia, ground stations at places like Pine Gap have supported targeted drone assassinations of suspected terrorist figures, and everyone in their immediate vicinity, in any country in which the US chooses to conduct them. Across the Five Eyes alliance of intelligence agencies, Australia has supported the development of high-resolution, real-time surveillance of the entire population, militarising the entire internet in the process. US bases in Australia have been expanded ceding our sovereignty to the US.

Against this background the powers of police and intelligence agencies are expanded and widened to fight the so called war on terror; and every time we surrender some of our hard-fought freedoms, we are told to accept in good faith that these expanded powers are needed to keep us safe such as detention without charge and sedition laws.

ASIO can now copy, delete or modify data held on any computer covered by a warrant. It can use innocent third-party computers to gain access to a computer that is part of a network it has a warrant to monitor. In fact, the definition of network is so wide open, ASIO could monitor the entire Australian network  a network of networks  with just one warrant. ASIO can also store the content of communications  going well beyond the storage of metadata by internet providers.

The Senate passed the National Security Legislation Amendment Bill (No 1) 2014 with the full support of the Labor Party. The handling of amendments to the Bill was appalling, there was no debate as expected, the Attorney General remained mute when serious and important questions were asked of him and the Senate was treated with utter contempt.

The legislation built on the coercive, draconian ASIO and other terror laws passed by the Howard government. The legislation is wide open to abuse with reportage of ASIO or police actions on security matters illegal and punishable by 10 years in jail. This applies to journalists, anyone taken in for questioning, even if it is because there is a suspicion that the person might know something or might associate with a suspect, as well as be suspects themselves. The Bill criminalises legitimate journalist reporting of matters in the public interest and it overturns the publics right to know. Whistle blowers will be jailed.

The original bill provided immunity for those carrying out torture; this has been amended but the amendment cannot be taken seriously as anyone reporting torture could be jailed for 10 years.

It strengthens ASIOs powers, boosts its funding and abolishes the National Security Legislation Monitor, the only semblance of accountability or independent review of the application of the laws.

Freedom of the press, already severely limited by the high concentration of media ownership in Australia, is in the process of being outlawed.

Under the new laws if you are arrested for a terrorist offence you will be in jail for a long time with little chance of getting bail. Under these circumstances you want it to be done on more than a whim or a guess.

There is nothing in the legislation that would prevent ASIO and other agencies using these powers against any who might express dissent or question the capitalist system.

The ramping up of fear over terrorism is also happening at the same time that the US military is building up its forces in the north of the country in preparations for war against China.

The assault against workers and their unions has also been ramped up as the struggle of the working class inevitably extends beyond the workplace to fighting for and defending health care, public education, public transport, social security and all the other social and economic gains we tend to take for granted.

Stronger, militant unions are the biggest barrier to employer dreams of life without unions, and the government/big business agenda of destroying the social security system and public sector.

Class war  people versus profits  is being waged by the government, media and employers.
Human rights

The call by a United Nations expert for an Australian human rights act reminds us that fundamental human rights in Australia are not protected by a Bill of Rights, says the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA).

The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants visited Australia in November 2016 to investigate the human rights status of migrants and people being held by Australia in immigration detention. A report on his visit will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council next month.

In the report, the Special Rapporteur noted that the strong focus on securitisation and punishment blemishes the countrys good human rights record and that it is a fundamental principle of human rights law that one person cannot be punished only for the reason of deterring another. Ultimately, the Special Rapporteur concluded that regarding human rights issues, the [offshore processing] system cannot be salvaged.

The report added that crossing borders irregularly is at most an administrative offence and cannot be considered a crime, especially when done with a view to requesting international protection. It said that pushbacks and screening at sea do not meet Australias human rights obligations.

ALA national president Tony Kenyon welcomed the report, saying it was a wake-up call regarding the status of human rights protections in Australia.

Australia should guarantee that no one will ever again be subjected to the systematic inhumane treatment that arises in offshore detention, as has been revealed by so many reports and investigations, Mr Kenyon said.

As Australia seeks election as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, it must demonstrate its commitment to respecting human rights by implementing the recommendations of UN experts.

The Special Rapporteur was right when he said that the only way to resolve this problem is to end the offshore detention policy. Australia must finally join the vast majority of countries and pass a strong human rights act that provides genuine protection to everyone subjected to Australias jurisdiction, Mr Kenyon said.

Of particular concern is the sexual assault of female asylum seekers and refugees on Nauru. Women living in offshore detention facilities are getting married for protection, because they know there is no protection from the police, according to the Special Rapporteur, Mr Kenyon said.

The report contains more than 30 specific recommendations to the Australian government, to ensure the treatment of migrants does not conflict with obligations under international law, including:

Incorporating human rights protections into its law, by way of a constitutional guarantee, a Bill of Rights, or at least a legislative guarantee of human rights  a human rights act  with a clause of precedence over all other legislation.

Ensuring that all legislation, including the Migration Act, is fully in line with international human rights standards.

Ensuring that immigration detention is only used as a measure of last resort and is limited to the shortest time possible. Migrants should only be detained if they present a danger to the public or of absconding.

Stateless people and refugees with adverse security or character assessments should not be held in indefinite detention.

Quickly closing down the regional processing centres in Papua New Guinea and Nauru and terminating the offshore processing policy, in order to remedy the systemic human rights violations that the policy gives rise to.

Ensuring that reports of abuse in regional processing centres are properly investigated by an independent and competent oversight mechanism, and that persons found guilty are held accountable.

Ensuring full and proper access to justice for all detainees, including by means of a more accountable system for lodging complaints within detention centres.

Ensuring that migrants, asylum seekers and refugees have free access to competent lawyers so that they can challenge any decision made that threatens their rights and freedoms, especially in expulsion, detention and asylum procedures.

Repealing laws that discriminate against migrants on the basis of disability.

Administrative decisions surrounding migration can have serious ramifications, such as deportation to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in offshore detention, or even being sent back to face death in a migrants home country, as the Special Rapporteur has noted, Mr Kenyon said.

As we hear that the detention centre on Manus Island will be closing down soon, it is essential that everyone who has been sent there by Australia is treated humanely and that their safety is assured. Forcing people to settle in PNG is not the answer. Implementing the Special Rapporteurs recommendations in full is more important than ever.

A strong federal human rights act will ensure that the rights of everyone in Australia are protected, Mr Kenyon said.

The ill-treatment that we see too often in immigration detention could be avoided if essential protections, such as access to natural justice and fair trial guarantees, were enshrined in legislation.
How To Diagnose And Treat HPV In Men

The Only Sign You Have This Hyper-Common STD Is Warts - Checked Yourself Lately?

"Safety first" applies to a lot of things in life, but especially when it comes to your sexual health. You've heard it time and time again, but it is beyond important to keep up with all the safety precautions needed to stay protected when you're having sex  no matter who your partner is.

Even if you think you've been going about it the right way (using condoms during intercourse, barriers when giving oral, washing your sex toys with antibacterial cleansers and getting checked regularly for STIs), there are still other factors that could lead to contracting an STI. Take, for example, the STI that doesn't show up on any test for men: HPV.

Typically, there's more concern from women about this STI, since it has been directly linked to cervical cancer. But men can also be infected with HPV, and can carry it without even knowing  a big reason why this disease spreads, and so many people have it. Just how many people are we talking? It's estimated that 75% of the reproductive-age population is infected, and up to 5.5 million new cases get reported each year, according to the CDC.

Want to know more? We've got you covered. From the symptoms to the diagnosis and how to prevent it, here's everything you need to know about HPV.

What Is HPV?

HPV isn't just one virus  there are a ton of different strains of this disease. "HPV (Human papillomavirus) are a group of viruses that affect the skin and moist membranes lining the body such as in the mouth and throat, anus and penis. Infection with the virus often causes warts," explains public health epidemiologist Leah de Souza-Thomas. "There are more than 100 types of HPV and more than 30 human papillomaviruses known to infect genital areas." Also, as mentioned earlier, if you're going to accidentally contract any STI, this is likely to be the one. "Genital HPV infection is highly contagious and common, with the CDC reporting that most sexually active people in the United States will have HPV at some point in their lives," she says.

Symptoms Of HPV

Why has HPV become so common? One big factor is that the symptoms of this STI rarely show up. And if you don't know you have it, you're likely not taking all of the precautions needed in order to not spread it to others. "Most HPV infections do not cause any sign and symptoms and resolve spontaneously," says Dr. Ameer Pirzada. "However, in some cases it may cause warts that may persist and lead to precancerous lesions. Precancerous lesions increase the risk of developing malignancy." In other words, cancer. Which is a pretty scary symptom of a disease that most of the population has  or will have at some point. "Precancerous lesions may be seen around the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, mouth or in the throat," says Dr. Pirzada. "Most people have the virus, but it remains dormant and disappears without any medical intervention. However, in an active virus, skin infections may start to appear and these are called warts. Warts are basically rapid growth of cells on the cutaneous (skin) region."

RELATED: How To Diagnose And Treat Genital Herpes

Warts that show up because of HPV come in a few distinct shapes, and show up on certain places of the body. "'Common warts' are warts that are usually found on hands and feet," says Dr. Pirzada, "but it is also well documented that they may appear in other areas such as the elbows or knees. Common warts resemble the appearance of a cauliflower and they are mostly raised above the surrounding skin. Plantar warts are mostly found on the soles of feet. They are known to grow in an inward direction rather than an outward direction. Generally, these warts may cause pain when walking. Subungual and periungual warts are mostly found under the fingernails. Flat warts are most commonly found on the arms, face or forehead."

If left untreated, HPV can cause some more serious complications. "Genital warts caused by HPV can grow fairly large and can disfigure the penis and scrotum in men, and labia in women if left untreated," explains Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger, MD, Director of Urology at New York Urology Specialists. "High-risk HPV infection can predispose to cervical cancer in women, [as well as] oro-pharyngeal cancer (from oral sex), penile cancer and anal cancer."

How Is HPV Spread?

There's only one way to make absolutely sure you're protected against contracting HPV  and you're not going to like it. "Abstinence is the only 100% way to prevent the transmission of HPV," says Dr. Pirzada. "The risk of transmission can be reduced if a person limits his sexual partners that way the spread can be controlled. Another way to reduce the spread is to pick sex partners who have had few or no partners in the past. Condoms provide limited protection against HPV transmission. Unfortunately, HPV is transmitted primarily by skin-to-skin contact."

How To Prevent HPV

Aside from safe sex practices and limiting your amount of sexual partners, there are vaccines that can help prevent you from getting this disease. However, these vaccines have age restrictions due to the fact that the younger you get vaccinated, the more effective the treatment is. "Gardasil Vial (vaccine) is approved to be used in boys and men of age ranging between 9 and 26 years for the prevention of genital warts," Dr. Pirzada says. "This vaccine has the capability of preventing genital warts caused by two strains of HPV, these are HPV 6 and HPV 11."

There is another type of HPV vaccine that works well in preventing the disease from being contracted  as long as it is given early on. "Gardasil 9 HPV vaccine is available for men and women and protects against nine different viruses that cause genital warts and cancer," says Dr. Shteynshlyuger. "Gardasil 9 works best if given before exposure/infection essentially before onset of sexual activity. It protects against 90% of viruses that cause genital warts and 85-90% of viruses that cause cervical cancer. Usually, three doses are given. The second dose is given at least two months after the first and the third dose, six months after the first dose. For children, studies showed that two doses are usually sufficient. Adults over 26 can also benefit from Gardasil but the benefit is decreased; as a result Gardasil is usually recommended to men and women under age 26."

How To Diagnose HPV

Yet another reason why the majority of the population has this STI  it doesn't show up when you screen for it. "Currently, there is no reliable test for HPV infection in men," de Souza-Thomas explains. "Men who are at high risk of anal infection and developing anal cancer may be offered an anal smear. Genital warts are a sign of infection with HPV and are in most cases easy to see. Check for abnormal growths on your penis, scrotum or around the anus and see your doctor if you suspect you have genital warts."

If you do see warts that match up to the description of the types listed earlier, Dr. Shteynshlyuger says your doctor can test to confirm. "Genital warts associated low-risk HPV strains can be diagnosed visually by an experienced physician; biopsy of genital wart can confirm the diagnosis," he explains. "In gay men, anal testing can test for high-risk cancer-causing HPV."

AskMen Recommends: Concerned you may have picked up an unwanted infection from a recent sexual encounter? We're not here to shame you. But before you let things fester (or sleep with other people), you should find out what your STI status is, and, if you have one, take action immediately. If you don't have the opportunity to see a doctor or to go to a health clinic, consider getting ordering an at-home test kit. Check out our list of the best at-home STI kits so you can find out where you stand ASAP.

How To Treat HPV

Since most HPV cases are asymptomatic, there's not much that can be done in the way of treatment options, since there isn't anything to treat. "Occasionally warts go away without any intervention, particularly in children," Dr. Pirzada says. "However, theres no cure for a virus, no one can make it completely go away, it may remain dormant but is never eliminated from the body. Even after successful treatments, warts can appear in other areas as well.

RELATED: How To Diagnose And Treat Chlamydia

Medications  typically, topical ointments  will be prescribed; these are directly applied on the lesion. When medications do not work, your doctor may ask you to undergo a small surgery. He/she can remove the wart by freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy), burning with an electrical current (electrocautery), surgical removal or laser surgery." If you do end up having to seek treatment to remove warts caused by HPV, make sure you speak with your doctor about the best course of after care  including how long you should wait before having sex again. Typically, doctors recommend waiting at least two weeks until everything is healed, but this can vary depending on the extent of the warts being removed.

The good news is that although this STI is extremely common and easy to pass along, those that do wind up contracting the disease rarely experience complications from it, and for the most part, HPV is asymptomatic. Of course, this is not to downplay the dangers of this STI. Although there is no cure for it, if you do contract HPV chances are that you won't notice much of a change in your day-to-day. Armed with this knowledge, it's probably a smart bet to start being more diligent in how you choose your sexual partners, and how many partners you have. Less is more when it comes to preventing HPV.
We acknowledge the Sovereignty of the First Nations Peoples. The Web CPA Archive Only

A sorry tale of capitalism The present scandal enveloping the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is a microcosm of the capitalist system in all its all-consuming greed and individualism. It is the story of how a small group of conspirators allegedly set out to rob the ATO of millions of dollars by syphoning off a proportion of the PAYG payments that had been deducted from the wages of the employees of thousands of contractors whose payrolls they managed. Adam Cranston leaves Sydney Police Centre in Surry Hills after being released on bail. In a period of less than 12 months they allegedly syphoned off $165 million in PAYG tax payments through a complex web of bank accounts and trusts while managing a gross payroll of $1.3 billion through sham subcontractors. The allegations have yet to be tested in court. So far 10 arrests have been made with seven people charged with conspiracy to defraud the Commonwealth, two with money laundering and another with extortion. The story as told includes allegations of fraud, sham contractors, phoenix companies, privatisation, greed, internecine fighting over the carve-up of the spoils, extortion, non-payment of workers, and the purchase of millions of dollars worth of luxury goods for personal use with taxpayer money. It has the makings of a great film once the court hearings are over! The alleged conspirators have the mentality that keeps the capitalist system ticking. Their behaviour is little different to that witnessed amongst the traders and financial advisers in banks, insurance companies and hedge funds. In fact, they mostly have backgrounds in finance, accounting, marketing and taxation law. The toll so far: The theft of $165 million of taxpayers money of which half is unlikely to be recovered.

Seven individuals facing charges of defrauding the Commonwealth, including Adam and Lauren Cranston, the son and daughter of the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation Michael Cranston.

While there is no suggestion that Cranston senior was involved in the scam, he is none-the-less due to appear in Court in June in relation to allegations of abusing his position as a public official by seeking information about the tax offices investigation into the alleged tax fraud involving his son, Adam. He was stood down without pay on May 18.

Four other ATO staffers have been stood down, including two Assistant Commissioners. Ironically, Cranston senior recently chaired the OECD Task Force on Tax Crimes. Unauthorised access to records is considered to be a serious offence within the ATO. From legal to illegal The following is a brief overview of how the conspiracy allegedly evolved and eventually came undone based on the statement of facts prepared by the Australian Federal Police for the court on May 17: Back in April 2014, IT executive Simon Anquetil set up Plutus Payroll Australia, a company specialising in payroll services. Employing aggressive marketing techniques his company quickly signed up large numbers of mostly IT companies and government departments as clients who contracted out the management of their payroll to his company. It offered a PAYG zero-fee payroll service for its clients, handling wages, superannuation, tax and other payments for businesses. These departments included Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Social Services, Border Protection and Justice. Amongst the thousands of private sector clients were Telstra, Fujitsu Australia and the IT FinXL. In effect, the payroll systems of these government agencies were privatised. The payroll side of Plutus was legal. This too good to be true business that operated without charging fees should have rung alarm bells, but slick marketing answered any such concerns with claims that it made its profits from other services. Then in March 2016, Cranston junior (Adam) and his mate Jason Onley set up a company called Synep. According to Fairfax media which broke the story, Cranston (junior) is a finance executive and Onley is the managing director of a corporate finance and business consulting service. Straw directors In June Synep buys Plutus Payroll and sets up a second tier of seven firms which are registered as businesses. They were all registered between May and July. These second tier companies had legal responsibility to Plutus Payrolls contractors in handling wages and other worker entitlements such as superannuation. In order to distance themselves from these companies, young and mostly hard-up directors were recruited for these firms, what the Federal Police call straw directors. Cash-strapped people including a pole dancer, an ex-Nomads bikie, an unemployed plumber, a single teen mother, drug addicts and social security recipients were recruited to sign on as directors. Monthly payments were made to the straw directors of the second tier companies while the conspirators retained control of them. It seems the less the straw directors knew the better. Daniel Rostankovski and an IT team which included Lauren Cranston (sister of Adam) and business woman Devin Michelle Hammond managed the straw companies. The idea was to pay the wages as required, the ATO around 50-60 percent of PAYG tax due on those wages, and carve up the rest among themselves. It all seemed too easy. Tax lawyer Dev Menon was able to advise them as to the amount they could cream off without raising suspicions within the ATO and on trusts and other measures to hide the money trail. He used to work for KPMG and is presently a partner in Clamenz Lawyers. His innovative approach to tax is highly reputable throughout the industry and he has been involved in many prominent tax and insolvency matters, his profile says on the law firms webpage. Too greedy by far The story continues: The AFP got wind that something was amiss and began wiretaps last October. These revealed concerns among the gang that the proportion going to the ATO was down to 36 percent. The tapes showed internecine battles over the carve-up of the takings, in particular Cranston juniors spending sprees and Simon Anquetils desire to retain 20 percent of the spoils. It gets serious when in December one of the straw directors, Danielle McDonnell, allegedly took control of a second tier companys bank account which had $1 million in it. As a result that second tier company could not pay wages for one of its clients or the 50-60 percent needed for the ATO. They did not want to pay it from another second tier company as that would create a link between them. The ATO investigations continued with the net closing in on the gang. The ATO serves garnishee orders on five of the straw companies in January 2017, and they cannot make any payments to the contractors. Cranston junior seeks assistance from his father to check on the ATOs audit of Plutus which leads to the unauthorised access of records. Stephen Barrett who had offered A Current Affair a scoop on the ATO scam which was rejected turns his attention demanding $5 million payment from the gang. On April 27 the ATO, which was co-operating with the AFP in the investigation, froze the bank accounts of Plutus for unpaid debts meaning contractors and workers could not be paid. When Menon became aware that the ATO realised they had outstanding liabilities that they could not meet he discussed with Cranston junior the winding up of the two tier companies  what is known as phoenixing. Thats the story so far according to the allegations made in a statement by the AFP prepared for the court on May 17. Raids The AFP carried out raids on a number of Sydney properties, searching premises and seizing assets worth millions of dollars and other material in Sydney, Wollongong and the Southern Highlands. According to a list issued by the AFP, the assets seized include: 25 luxury motor vehicles

$15 million in bank accounts

18 luxury residential properties

12 motorbikes

Two aircraft

Firearms. The media then speculates on links between some of the main players and the criminal underworld, developers and possibly bikies. One of the lawyers involved is linked to jailed former Labor power-broker Eddie Obeid. Investigations continue and it will take some time to sort out the complex contracting and other tax structures. If ever there were an indictment of capitalism and all its 21st century features then it would be hard to go past the fraud allegations enveloping the Australian Taxation Office. The victims in all of this are the workers who were not paid and the workers who may now owe the ATO money because of underpayment of PAYG income tax over the past year or so. Sorry tale The saga  and we still have more to learn about it  is indicative of white-collar crime. It goes to the heart of capitalism, a system based on corruption, greed, individualism and exploitation and a capitalist state that does little to protect the victims of this crime  working people. There were a number of specific factors that contributed to this mighty heist. They include: The use of contractors and subcontractors where there is no accountability or transparency instead of managing the payroll in-house  that is the privatisation of the working of government

Massive cuts to staff at the ATO adding up to almost 30 percent of employees in the past five years and an increasing reliance on external consultants, casuals and part-time staff to do work that was previously done by permanent employees

The slashing of red tape within the ATO  a form of deregulation

Lack of protection of workers entitlements when companies go into liquidation and failure to impose heavy penalties on directors

The lack of effective laws and willingness by authorities to stamp out the practice of phoenixing. This is where a company is stripped of its assets, is left with no funds to pay wages and other entitlements, outstanding debts or tax. The company goes into liquidation, the assets are used to start a new company under a new name, by the same people, and often from the same premises

Inadequate funding of watchdogs such as the Australian Security and Investments Commission and a seeming reluctance to come down heavily on offenders. All of which begs the question: Who knows how many other schemes are fleecing the ATO and community of income through contractors and subcontractors? Next article  A stain on the soul Back to index page
A stain on the soul

The politicising of boat people has been a shrinkage of the Australian soul: Tim Costello, World Vision Australia

Statement

Peter Dutton must be sacked. His lie aimed at smearing refugees on Manus Island has been exposed: His claim that refugees had led a five-year-old boy into the detention centre, implying the boy had been sexually assaulted, and that this had sparked the attack where navy officers fired on the centre.

Minister Peter Dutton.

The story has been completely discredited. Dutton has been contradicted by PNG Defence Force chief of staff Raymond Numa and Manus district police chief David Yapu, who has said there was an unrelated incident two weeks earlier where there was no suggestion there had been a sexual assault.

Dutton claims he has facts about the incident but has refused to provide any evidence or release the CCTV footage of the Good Friday event.

We demand:

Duttons sacking as Immigration Minister

The release of CCTV footage of the Good Friday incident on Manus Island to prove what really happened

That the government close the Manus detention centre, evacuate the refugees and asylum seekers and bring all the refugees and asylum seekers to Australia #BringThem Here

Petition: Endorsed by: Mums 4 Refugees, Teachers for Refugees, Doctors for refugees, Grandmothers against detention of refugee children NSW, Labor for Refugees NSW, National Tertiary Education Union NSW, People Just Like Us, Hunter Asyluim Seeker Advocacy.

On May 21, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton announced a new and nearly impossible deadline for people seeking asylum forced into Fast Track, which immediately puts thousands of people at risk of being deported back to danger.

The complex and long process affects people who arrived by sea between August 13, 2012 and December 31, 2013, who have had to wait up to four years to apply for asylum. Recently they received letters from the government demanding that they lodge their application in as little as 30 days, or risk losing income support, Medicare and non-renewal of their bridging visa.

The government is now demanding that the 7,500 remaining people submit a complex and long refugee application, 116 questions long, by October 1, 2017.

One of the people affected by this new and unfair process is Hashim.

Hashim was born in Iraq and has both physical disabilities and significant mental health conditions. In his youth, he experienced severe family violence and was forced to leave home and live on the streets as a teenager. Hashim was verbally and physically abused, stolen from and exploited while living rough and eventually escaped to Australia by boat when he was 19.

Hashim was refused his application for protection because the department did not consider the harm he faced as a homeless and disabled youth to be serious. His sister, who also fled to Australia, was granted protection and in an appeal to the Immigration Assessment Authority (IAA), Hashim tried to explain that her application was accepted, and his should be too. He also attempted to provide additional medical evidence but the IAA refused to consider either factor as Fast Track applicants are not permitted to present new information.

People denied refugee status do not have access to income support, welfare or Medicare and many will no longer have the right to work in Australia while they appeal.

Hashim, who is already restricted in his capacity to work by his disability, is now no longer entitled to welfare support which will force him into destitution.

Additionally, the negative decision has caused him extreme distress and Hashim is afraid that hell be forced to return to Iraq where he wont have appropriate medical care or access to welfare, or even support from his sister.

Barkhado is one of 1,562 people at risk of becoming homeless, hungry and in need of mental health services by Christmas.

Since arriving in Australia from Yemen in 2013, Barkhado and her daughters have had to wait an agonising three and a half years to apply for visa protection. Despite the incomprehensible trauma Barkhado was subject to in Somalia and Yemen before arriving in Australia, it is the ongoing uncertainty of visa protection that has taken its toll on her mental and physical health.

Since the Australian governments introduction of the Fast Track policy in December 2014, we are now starting to see the human cost of this program on the 24,500 people who have been unable to fairly present their refugee case.

Barkhado and her family now have to wait another 12 months before they are invited to attend an interview and while they wait Barkhados family hold grave concerns for her health.

Approximately 3,000 people across the country this Christmas and twice that by Christmas 2018  including children born in Australia  could be destitute. The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) says it is already experiencing a huge increase in people presenting who are at risk of homelessness and predict 1,562 additional people will be at our doorstep by Christmas.

People seeking asylum whose applications have been rejected, wont have access to income support, welfare and Medicare, and around half will no longer have the right to work in Australia while they appeal the decision.

They are in absolute destitution, left to perish for up to two to three years while their refugee claims are being considered, said the ASRCs Kon Karapanagiotidis. The intention of the government is to make things so unbearable that they all give up and go back home to danger.

The government has cut legal assistance by 85 percent and has extended the application form to 101 questions that is only available in English and requires them to accurately specify their place of residence and work and study details since birth. This is the most complex process in living memory. The system is set up for people to fail.

The ASRC is hosting a Telethon on June 20, 2017, on World Refugee Day and is also urging the public to donate generously to the ASRC Winter Appeal before 30 June 2017 to ensure the organisation can respond to the unprecedented demand for key housing, food aid and mental health services that will support the 1,562 people like Barkhado, and at least 3,000 nationally by Christmas, who are struggling to get by under Fast Track.

As an independent human rights organisation, support from our community is the only way to keep the lights on and our 30+ programs open. If we fail to raise the funds needed, many of the people in crisis will have nowhere else to turn to for help, said Karapanagiotidis. Families, single women and children will end up homeless on the streets, and hundreds will be at risk of going hungry and be without the vital mental health care and support they need to not lose hope and stay safe.
South Africa

Communists convene broad front

The South African Communist Party (SACP) has entered a new chapter of its history by forming the beginnings of a broad front of progressive forces in an effort to rescue the National Democratic Revolution, the name given to the transformation of the country under the rule of the African National Congress (ANC) following apartheid. The SACP aims to reverse the disastrous course the country has taken in recent years.

The presidency of Jacob Zuma has turned out to be a dream turned sour.

On May 19-20, the SACP convened an Imbizo  a traditional Zulu term for a gathering of leaders  to discuss the current crisis in South Africa and hopefully stimulate a process of renewal. Several hundred movers and shakers from some 33 political and civil society organisations took part in the conference. They included representatives from the South African Council of Churches, which has drawn much public attention for its critical examination of the situation in the country.

At the end of the Imbizo, the participants adopted a short statement, which set out their concerns and resolve to work together: Notwithstanding the diversity of the participants present, we all broadly agreed about the nature of the challenges facing our country and the imperative of developing a common minimum platform. The important gains we made collectively as South Africans from the mid 1990s in terms of building a unifying sense of nationhood, a vibrant non-racial democracy, and a progressive constitution are now under threat.

The SACP is in a tripartite alliance with the ANC and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), and has traditionally worked almost exclusively within the alliance structure to influence the transformation of the country from the colonial-apartheid state of the past into a developmental state premised on eliminating poverty. For the SACP, this has been a key strategic route that should lead to socialism.

Revolution under threat

But much of the transformation that comprises the National Democratic Revolution has begun to unravel in recent years. This is largely due to what could be termed the corporate capture of the state. Monopoly capital has made deep inroads into state enterprises and, at the national level, there has been the emergence of a parallel state based on the corruption of top officials and the governing bodies of key institutions and wings of government.

Economic institutions, such as the national treasury (finance ministry), revenue service (tax administration), and public investment and procurement bodies have become sites of looting for networks of individuals and companies linked to them clustered around South African President Jacob Zuma.

The criminal justice system, the special police operations unit (known as the Hawks), the national police service, the national prosecuting authority, and intelligence services have similarly been manipulated to favour networks of patronage and to persecute whistle-blowers.

The problems have quickly become systemic. Though the ANC government has over the years made important advances in tackling poverty and racialised inequality, for every step forward that is now taken, there are two steps back.

The nub of the matter is that an alien substance has now found its way in the ranks of our movement and government and is contaminating the DNA of our revolutionary politics, said SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande at the Imbizo. This includes the rise of private, including personal and profit, interests that seek to displace the interests of the people as whole and take control of our basic wealth and public resources.

South Africa is now facing greater political and social uncertainty than at any time since the height of the struggle against white minority rule.

The problems at the top of government are amplified on the ground, particularly within poor communities in urban and rural areas, where the slow pace of change has become intolerable for many, reflected in numerous violent protests that take place each day in different areas. At the provincial and local levels, corruption has become hardwired into government activity and acts as a brake on social, economic, and infrastructure development, while organisationally, ANC branches and structures are factionalised channels of patronage and nepotism.

None of this rapid decline over recent years has happened without resistance and vocal anger by local communities, civil society groups, business groups, opposition parties, and many within the ANC itself. There have been mass protests against corruption and corporate state capture, and the widespread call now, including from the SACP and COSATU, is for Zuma to go.

One particularly horrifying upshot of the degeneration of institutions is the increasing failure of the police to tackle crime. South Africa is one of the worlds most violent countries that is not in a state of armed conflict. Recently, there has been an upsurge of killings of women and young girls, often linked to human trafficking, the trade in human body parts for witchcraft, and the increasing dysfunction of households and communities.

The Zuma presidency

For the alliance (comprising the ANC, SACP, and COSATU), the presidency of Jacob Zuma has turned out to be a dream turned sour. At first, Zuma was seen within the alliance as a man of the Left, and his election as head of the ANC in 2009 as the organisations return to its more traditionally left agenda.

The SACP has taken a self-critical attitude in its appraisal of the Zuma presidency, and has tended to regret its involvement in the palace politics of the ANC. It also considers that the tripartite alliance has failed to live up to its promise of being the vanguard of the National Democratic Revolution. In this respect, the Imbizo was part of the SACPs effort to reconnect itself and the alliance with mass organisations along non-sectarian lines to create a new platform for renewal.

The party has pointed out that much of the basis for the current crisis emerged before Zuma, including the influence of the billionaire corporate dynasty of the Gupta brothers from India, who took up residence in South Africa in the early 1990s.

The Gupta brothers have had a particularly close relationship with Zuma and have been involved in the appointment of cabinet ministers and heads of state enterprises in an effort to create favourable channels for their business dealings. Despite repeated calls for Zuma to distance himself from the Guptas, and a scathing report entitled State of Capture by the Public Protector (a constitutional watchdog on government), which details their shady dealings with government, they continue to wield great influence.

Race against time

The SACP made clear that the Imbizo was not an internal party affair, but a broad consultative forum for different forces brought together by a common concern for what is happening to South Africa. The first deputy general secretary of the party, Jeremy Cronin, pointed out in a radio interview the day after the meeting that the SACP sees it as crucial that the process emerging out of the Imbizo must not be captured for narrow party concerns, and that we must not be divided on the issues that face us on party political lines. Cronin said that this is what is happening amidst similar crises in Venezuela and Brazil, and that as a result aggressive external agendas are coming into play.

In December this year, the ANC will hold its 54th National Conference, at which it will elect a new leader. That represents a cut off point for Zuma, but much depends on what will happen before that, both in terms of the prospect that he will be recalled by the organisation and what progress, if any, will be made to clean up the ANC. At present it is so chopped and diced by factional battle lines that it is incapable of laying a unifying basis for change.

The South African Council of Churches has warned that South Africa is fast becoming a mafia state. The SACP-convened Imbizo gave the sense of a race against time to halt this process. Its declaration contained a minimum platform of action to address the worst of the rot.

These included: appointing an independent judicial commission of enquiry into state capture; urgent attention to ensuring good corporate governance and adherence to developmental mandates and public interest priorities in state-owned entities; an end to the abuse and factionalising of the criminal justice system; strengthening the oversight role of parliament; implementation of the alliance decision for lifestyle audits of public representatives; halting the roll out of the nuclear energy program (which is mired in controversy over corruption and lack of public consultation); campaigns to promote the constitutional values of non-racialism, to fight against xenophobia and tribalism, and the epidemic of gender-based violence.

The participants in the meeting also committed themselves to creating a network to coordinate their joint work. Solly Mapaila, the second general secretary of the SACP, stressed that the party must take the outcome of the Imbizo far and wide: This must feed into a broad range of channels, not back into the SACP itself.

Peoples World
Ukraine and MH17

A Russian newspaper obtained copies of secret documents of the Security Bureau of Ukraine (SBU) about special operations to destroy evidence of mass murder in the sky over the Donbass on July 17, 2014. The Sovershenno Secretno newspaper (translates as Top Secret) has conducted an investigation into the downing of the Malaysian passenger Boeing over Ukraine.

The copies of the documents that the newspaper obtained  orders, coded telegrams and plans  were written on official letterheads of the Ukrainian Security Service. According to the newspaper, Ukrainian President Poroshenko and his generals should be put on trial in The Hague as war criminals.

The person who handed the documents to the newspaper said that it was part of his very long and exhausting work.

In Ukraine, I have a few friends, who are fed up with the fact that other people wipe their feet on them. They are two-faced guys: they want those bastards to be held accountable for what they did, but at the same time, they want a security cushion and offer to buy those documents, the anonymous source of information said.

Believe me, I just want those bastards from the SBU to get what they deserve, he added.

The newspaper published copies of four criminal orders of the Security Bureau of Ukraine. The information that the documents contain suggests the following:

the new Kiev authorities  President Poroshenko and his generals  are entirely responsible for the shoot-down of the Malaysian aircraft;

Ukraines military aviation was involved in the plane crash;

to cover the traces of the monstrous crime, the SBU had been conducting special operations since the end of July 2014 to destroy the facts of the special operation that pointed to the presence of combat aircraft on combat missions on July 17, 2014.

Pravda.Ru asked an expert opinion on the subject from editor-in-chief of the Top Secret newspaper, Sergei Sokolov.

Can you assert that the information that your newspaper has obtained is genuine and trustworthy?

We have had a number of meetings with the source of this information. We additionally checked the papers with the help of veterans of special services, who know all about the departmental bureaucracy. It looks very much like in Russia, because the SBU is an offspring of the USSRs KGB. The documents that we have are arranged in a way as they should be arranged at the security department. Plus, the source told us that he received the documents from the depths of the SBU.

The people who handed the documents to that person dislike the Ukrainian government, and we have to buy those documents. All circumstances of the story convince us that the documents are authentic. Of course, Russias Investigative Committee will have to look into all this.

What about the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Council of Europe? Do you intend to submit these documents to international organisations?

I do not believe that they can do anything, because, as we could see, international organisations believe in the story about the Russian Buk missile complex that downed the Boeing. They do not want to listen to what Russia has to say on the subject, they are blind.

Do you plan to contact Malaysian and Dutch sides? These countries are highly interested in the investigation.

Of course, but it is only the families of the victims who are interested in learning the truth about what happened. Everyone else wants to blame Russia for everything. We are sending the documents to Russias Investigative Committee in the first place.

Pravda.ru
Chelsea Manning freed

MAY 17  Chelsea Manning has said that when shes released today shes looking forward to breathing the warm spring air again. In fact, the weather in Leavenworth County in Kansas is topping 86F (30 C) degrees this week, so after seven years in military detention, this now famous whistleblower will finally step out of the disciplinary barracks at the US armys Fort Leavenworth base on a rather hot and sultry day.

The 29-year-old will be free at last, closing a painful chapter on what has been an extraordinary and thoroughly disturbing saga. This brave, principled  but also vulnerable  person has been put through the wringer.

While Manning is fortunate enough to have received a commutation of her crushing 35-year jail sentence, she has still spent seven long years behind bars, with extended periods of solitary confinement so harsh that the UNs torture expert Juan Mendez considered it tantamount to torture.

Manning has been branded a traitor  not least by current president Donald Trump. There were calls for her to receive the death sentence. As it was, she was charged with numerous serious offences, including the extremely grave aiding the enemy (of which she was acquitted).

Yet despite all of the vitriol poured over her by members of the US military and political establishments, Manning is nothing less than an honourable whistleblower who felt compelled to tell the world about apparent US wrongdoing in its military conduct in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Working as a US intelligence analyst in Iraq, Manning began to see documents that convinced her that the US military was committing war crimes overseas and doing nothing to bring the perpetrators to justice. Worse, it may well have been deliberately covering up such conduct.

The best-known example was the attack by two US Apache helicopters on a group of civilians in the al-Amin al-Thaniyah district of Baghdad on July 12 2007.

At least 12 people were killed, including two Reuters reporters, Saeed Chmagh and Namir NoorEldeen.

While it was far from the only occasion when US military conduct in Iraq was highly dubious, here was vivid cockpit video and audio laying bare the callous behaviour of the US pilots. Some of their cockpit commentary includes language like: Oh yeah, look at those dead bastards  nice. Nice. Good shootin.

Was this disclosure in the public interest? Like the Abu Ghraib torture photos or the Pentagon Papers on the Vietnam War, its hard to see how it wouldnt be.

Reuters had previously tried  and failed  to obtain the helicopter footage through a freedom of information request. Manning  via WikiLeaks  provided the material.

What happened to Manning as a result of her whistle-blowing is well known.

The revelations over wrongdoing (including the Baghdad helicopter attack) went un-investigated, while Manning herself was court martialled and given the longest sentence in US history for leaking information.

This low-ranking, 20-something was punished in such a way as to send an unmistakable message to other would-be whistleblowers. Ahead of Mannings court martial in the summer of 2013, Edward Snowden had exposed a previously unknown global apparatus of surveillance being run by the USs National Security Agency.

If the US authorities couldnt get Snowden (who was granted asylum in Russia), they could certainly punish Manning.

You might think the US military authorities wouldnt stoop to vindictiveness when punishing one of their own, but youd be wrong.

During eight months of pre-trial solitary confinement at the US Marine Corps base Quantico in Virginia, Manning was kept in a windowless 12-feet-by-six-feet cell containing only a bed, a toilet and a sink.

After putting Manning on suicide watch, the Quantico authorities subjected her to a regime of draconian and demeaning rules: clothing and glasses confiscated, required to observe strict verbal commands and replies, even at one point having to sleep and stand to attention completely naked.

In an Amnesty podcast from last year, Manning recounts: The conditions in my cell were far beyond what is normally associated with solitary confinement. I needed permission to do anything in my cell. I was not allowed to move around the cell to exercise. I was not allowed to sit down with my back against the wall.

It was all clearly designed to break Manning down ahead of her court martial, and the UN believed it was part of an effort to coerce her into co-operation with the authorities, possibly to pressure her into implicating others.

Post-conviction the vindictiveness continued. Having announced immediately after receiving her sentence an intention to transition to a female identity, Manning has had to fight a long and arduous battle for recognition of her right to do this.

On top of being an embattled military whistleblower, shes had to become an embattled trans campaigner struggling within a rigid and deeply unsympathetic environment.

Despite bleak periods, Manning has come through. Against the odds, shes survived. And now shell regain her freedom on a warm summers day in Kansas.

In so many ways Manning is the epitome of a human rights defender  someone who takes personal risks to stand up for the rights of others.

At Amnesty we have a word for people like that.

Its called being brave.

Morning Star
DANBURY  When digital photography replaced traditional film-and-print photography, darkrooms became closets, reading rooms, or simply places where old chemicals, loupes and photo paper languished.

Not the darkroom at Still River Editions, however. At the Danbury fine art printing business theres still a working darkroom  one of the few remaining in the area. Still River Editions develops black-and-white film only, in addition to its core business of archival and fine art digital printing in color and black and white.

Black-and-white film photography is on this weird uptick again, Mark Savoia, co-owner of Still River Editions, said. Its an alternative product in a way and people want to be different. Its vintage. People want to see their photos in their hands.

As long as they keep making film and paper, well keep developing it, he added.

Still River Editions is celebrating its 30th anniversary and will hold a celebration in conjunction with Connecticut Open House Day from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The event will feature photographers who contributed to the exhibit Connecticut: Morning, Noon and Night, which goes on display at Still River Editions on Friday. The 16 contributing photographers are members of the Connecticut chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers.

In addition to black-and-white film processing, Still River Editions offers services such as restoration and retouching of old photos, and scanning of film and flat artwork. Its clients include historical societies, art publishers, professional photographers and museums.

Savoia and his wife, Catherine Vanaria, opened the business in 1987 as Connecticut Photographics on Shelter Rock Road. They quickly outgrew the original store and within two years moved to their current location at 128 E. Liberty St. Their original business focus was on black-and-white film processing and printing, as well as slide processing.

Everyone had a need for that at that point, Savoia said. Digital changed everything. The old days of shoot and process have been taken away.

In the 1990s, Savoia and many of his clients questioned how long it would take for digital photography to take over. Savoia saw it coming and slowly converted his business model to match the needs of his clients.

When it started happening, wed play a game of when digital was going to surpass film  10 years? Five years? Savoia said. The guesses got shorter and shorter and then it seemed to happen overnight. But we were ready for it. We had been doing both.

Savoia and Vanaria launched a digital division of Connecticut Photographics in the late 1990s and called it Still River Editions. They recently combined the divisions, rebranded and officially renamed the company Still River Editions, named after the river that flows near the parking lot.

As the industry changed, so too did their clients. Originally serving primarily commercial and other professional photographers, their clientele now is mainly fine artists, portrait photographers and people looking to restore old photographs.

Things have changed and weve had to change with it, Savoia said.

Vanaria does most of the black-and-white darkroom work. She is also an assistant professor of art and chair of the art department at Western Connecticut State University.

Lys Guillorn has been with the company since 1998 and serves as the gallery director and manager. She specializes in digital photo restoration.

On occasion, a customer will come in after finding undeveloped rolls of film in an attic or basement.

You never know what youll find, Savoia said, pointing to the old Vivian Maier photos of Chicago uncovered in 2007. Its a good reason to keep the darkroom open.

Still River Editions is not equipped to develop color film, however.

I feel sad when people come in and ask about that because theres nothing we can do about it, Guillorn said.

Savoia and Vanaria have seen drastic changes in the industry over the past 30 years and have adapted with the times. Savoia doesnt see more major changes coming in the near future.

What we are doing now is pretty much what it will be like for a while, he said. If anything, people will want more prints because theyd rather see something on their wall instead of just on their phones or TVs.

cbosak@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3338
Compared to last years Memorial Day weekend, more people died on Connecticuts roads.

Three people were killed in two separate accidents on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Orange and on Interstate 91 on Rocky Hill.

The deaths marred an otherwise quiet weekend that saw fewer tickets issued and a lower number of DUI arrested compared to last year.

The 719 speeding tickets issued were fewer than the 829 that were given out in 2016.

There were 31 DUI arrests, 16 less than the number that the previous Memorial Day weekend.

There were also fewer accidents  302  than the 350 investigated during the same period a year ago.

In all, there were 2,658 total violations issued by troopers, including unsafe lane changes, following too closely, using a cell phone or texting while driving. In 2016, there were 3,382.

Before the holiday weekend began, state police warned of aggressive enforcement to catch DUI drivers and those who dont wear seatbelts.

Fatal accidents

This year, there were three people killed during the holiday period.

More Information 2017 Memorial Day statistics, statewide Traffic violations: 2,658 Accidents: 302 DUI: 31 Speeding tickets: 719 Fatalities: 3 See More Collapse

Another person was killed on I-84 in Waterbury on Thursday and a motorcyclist was killed on a Danbury road on Sunday night.

The first fatal accident of the holiday weekend happened on I-91 south in Rocky Hill.

Jose Diana, 25, and Mark Nunez, 21, were killed in an accident after colliding with a tractor trailer, State Police said.

Eric Leon Davis, 35, of Ohio, and Robert Paul Lemelin, 29, of Nevada, were stopped in the left center lane in the area of exit 24 in Rocky Hill, the report said.

There was heavy traffic at the time, according to state police, due to an earlier disabled vehicle located in the median about half a mile south of exit 24.

Witnesses told state police the vehicle Diana and Nunez were traveling in approached the tractor trailer at a high rate of speed before colliding with the back of it.

After hitting the rear of the tractor trailer, Diana and Nunezs vehicle spun out of control and eventually stopped on the right shoulder, the report said.

Diana and Nunez were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the report.

A Stratford man died following a rollover accident with ejection on Route 15 on Saturday afternoon, according to a report from state police.

The accident occurred on Route 15 southbound between exits 57 and 56 in Orange around 4:15 p.m., the report said.

Michael Zawadski, 44, of Stratford, was traveling southbound on Route 15 in the right lane, according to the report.

Taylor Stanford, 21, of Milford, was traveling in the left lane at a high rate of speed, the report said. Stanford veered left off the roadway and ran over the curb located in the median. As a result, Stanford lost control of the car and struck Zawadskis vehicle.

The hit caused Zawadskis vehicle to roll over, which led to Zawadski being ejected, according to the report. Zawadskis vehicle came to an uncontrolled stop down an embankment located on the right shoulder.

Stanfords car traveled off the road and collied with a wire rope guardrail on the right shoulder, the report said. Stanford was partially ejected from the car.

Zawadski was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the report said.

Stanford was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital with injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening, according to the report.

Just before the weekend started, state police said Sevdi Coma, 48, of Southbury, died Thursday in an accident on an I-84 entrance ramp.

Coma lost control of his Volvo sedan while turning onto the highway near exit 17 in Middlebury around 9:45 p.m., according to a police accident report.

The accident occurred around 9:45 p.m. as Coma was entering I-84 on an entrance ramp near exit 17, according to the report. He was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

Coma once lived in Bethel, according to a Lexis search.

In Danbury, the driver of a motorcycle was killed late Sunday after crashing into two cars on Clapboard Ridge Road.

Police said the accident occurred around 11:13 p.m. Sunday when Ariel Suero, 23, was driving a Suzuki GSX-R motorcycle at a high rate of speed heading north on Clapboard Ridge Road.

Suero passed through the intersection with Beckerle Street shortly before hitting a 1999 Audi A6 driven by Grant Sorrentino, 18, of Danbury, who police said was heading in a southbound direction and taking a left turn.

After the collision, police said Sueros motorcycle continued down the road where it crashed into a 2001 Jeep Wrangler driven by Scott Decker, 29, of New Milford, who was traveling south.

Suero was taken to Danbury Hospital where he died, police said.

More information about the accident wasnt immediately available.

Anyone with information about the accident is being asked to call Sgt. Rory DeRocco or Officer Matthew Malone at 203-797-2157.
WASHINGTON - Mike Dubke has resigned as White House communications director in the first of what could be a series of changes to President Donald Trump's senior staff amid the growing Russia scandal.

Dubke, who served in the post for three months, tendered his resignation May 18. He offered to stay on to help manage communications in Washington during Trump's foreign trip, and the president accepted.

Dubke's last day on the job has not been determined. But it could be as early as Tuesday, when he was expected to meet with his staff at the White House, said a senior administration official, who required anonymity to discuss a personnel move that has not yet been formally announced.

Dubke's resignation was first reported by Mike Allen of Axios in his Tuesday morning newsletter.

In an email to friends and associates on Tuesday morning, Dubke wrote: "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."

White House chief of staff Reince Priebus said in a statement: "I want to thank Mike Dubke for his service to President Trump and this administration. We appreciate Mike and are very grateful for his service to President Trump and our country. Mike tendered his resignation just before the president's historic international trip and offered to remain on board until a transition is concluded. Mike will assist with the transition and be a strong advocate for the president and the president's policies moving forward."

Dubke, 47, who has worked closely with White House press secretary Sean Spicer, served as a behind-the-scenes player helping manage communications strategy and responses to crises such as the firing of James Comey as FBI director, as well as rollout plans for policy and other initiatives.

The communications operation - and Dubke and Spicer specifically - have come under sharp criticism from Trump and many senior officials in the West Wing, who believe the president has been poorly served by his staff, in particular in the aftermath of the Comey firing.

Dubke was the rare Trump newcomer in a White House in which personal relationships and proximity to the president are the currency. He arrived in mid-February, a few weeks into Trump's term, and struggled to build alliances with some colleagues on the senior staff, not having worked on Trump's campaign or his transition team.

Jason Miller, the Trump campaign's senior communications adviser, was slated to serve as communications director in the White House, but he stepped aside a few weeks before Inauguration Day, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

During the first few weeks of the presidency, Spicer held the dual roles of press secretary and communications director, but it became too much for him. Dubke was then hired to fulfill the communications director responsibilities.

Dubke previously was a Republican strategist who founded Crossroads Media and had long ties to party establishment figures, including strategist Karl Rove.
Just after the inauguration in January 2017, Nathaniel Teichman, chief operating officer of an audio sharing app, went to a rally for Planned Parenthood in Washington Square Park in New York City. He saw a problem. Activists who called the offices of their representatives in Congress became stuck on hold and had to endure long waits before they could voice their messages.

It seemed like there had to be a way to use technology to make it easier for people to take part in the democratic process, said Teichman, 30, who studied business at Columbia University.

Since graduating, Teichman had wanted to pair his business background with his passion for music. In 2015 he began working for Venmo co-founder Iqram Magdon-Ismail on an app called Ense. It functions like an audio version of Twitter allowing musicians to share sound clips. After the election of President Donald J. Trump inspired Teichman to political action, he wondered if Enses model could be repurposed so that citizens could share their personal stories with their representatives.

Related: Getting Started With Small Business App Development

In early 2017 he began working pro-bono on nights and weekends with collaborators, Aneesh Bhoopathy and Phil Ditzler, whom he met through Ense. With a little bit of computing magic and a little bit of manual labor, he said, they co-founded the app Stance. It delivers audio clips, many of them wrenching testimonials, from users mouths straight into representatives voicemails.

For the activist on the go, Stance means no more navigating automated phone prompts, no more waiting on hold, and no more being unable to get through when call volumes run at flood levels. During the House vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, for example, some 7,000 new people used Stance to make themselves heard.

Its using audio sharing technology to get people more involved, said Randy Lee, 50, a partner at Limebeat Studios in Manhattan, who also collaborated with Teichman.

Since its launch in early March, more than 20,000 people have downloaded Stance on their iPhones and Androids, Teichman said. All of them have the choice to also have their audio messages publicly tweeted at their representatives. When New York City-based web designer Ryan Giglio chose this in late March, because he was worried about a bill that could weaken internet privacy, his representative, Democrat Carolyn Maloney, tweeted back at him.

I think the app is great, its a great low-friction way of participating in a very high-friction system, Giglio said.

In an e-mail, Maloney said, Any new technology that better enables constituents to reach out to their representatives is a change for the better.

Related: How to Include Politics in Your Marketing Without Turning Anyone Off

Shes not the only member of Congress learning about Stance. In Montana, Democratic Senator Jon Tester began fielding questions from reporters about the new ways he is hearing from his constituents through apps like Stance and Countable.

It doesnt matter if it is through an app, mail, e-mail, phone or fax, people should always be able to contact their representation, Tester e-mailed. As technology advances, its critical that members of Congress are able to hear from their constituents in as many ways as possible.

Teichman said Stance will continue to develop, particularly with the aim of making it easier for congressional staffers to tally and catalog users concerns. Teichman also hopes that with enough people choosing to publicly tweet their audio clips, new data sets can emerge to help fact-check public officials.

Related: 8 Ways To Pivot Your Business To Kickstart Growth

Politicians always say when they cast their votes that theyre just representing the will of their constituents, he said. This allows us to say, Well, actually we have 300 of your constituents who say the opposite.

A lesson he takes from his experience founding Stance is that in entrepreneurship it is helpful to find a previously unaddressed problem that can be solved by repurposing and modifying a tool that already exists. Its how he got from the music collaboration idea at the heart of Ense to Stance, an idea that that allows more of the collaboration that is at the heart of representative democracy.

Everyones trying to do something right now, Teichman said. This is what we can do.

Related:

When Faced With a Busy Signal, One Activist Turned a Music App Into a Tool for Democracy

Want to Create an Indispensable Mobile App? Do This!

Apple Wants to Teach You How to Make Apps



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Nearly 80 PA people have been charged for Jan. 6 riot. Three are dead.

news
Nine days to go and, finally, the Tories announce they intend to concentrate on Brexit for the rest of the campaign. Hallelujah!

To be honest, after taking a short break for an election detox, I had hoped it would be all over bar the shouting by now. Sadly not. There's still more than a week of this patronising nonsense until we actually get the chance to cast our votes.

On the day Mother Theresa decided she would go to the country, I warned that a campaign lasting the best part of two months had the potential to go pear-shaped. Events, dear lady, events, as Harold Macmillan almost said.

No one could have predicted the awful atrocity in Manchester. But even before the bomber struck to such evil and devastating effect, things were starting to unravel. Boredom and irritation set in long ago, as the politicking expanded to fill the time available in the 24-hour news cycle.

Theresa May (pictured at the Sky / Channel 4 election special) is the only show in town, writes RICHARD LITTLEJOHN even if he does not believe she will deliver the kind of tungsten-tipped Brexit he wants

An election supposedly about Britain leaving the EU has inevitably become about anything but. The nadir was reached the day after my last column, when the Green Party staged a rally against 'Period Poverty', attracting widespread coverage on the rolling news channels and in the anti-Tory Press.

At first, I thought period poverty might be something to do with Poldark.

Turns out it was a protest against VAT on sanitary products. A noble enough cause, but what the hell has the price of tampons got to do with Brexit?

Quite a lot, apparently. VAT is imposed on sanitary products by an EU edict. So you might have thought the Greens would be all in favour of Britain breaking free of the Brussels yoke. Nothing could be further from the truth.

They want to derail Brexit and keep us in the EU  tampon tax and all, presumably.

Go figure, as our American cousins say.

This was just one daft diversion from the central purpose of calling the election. Some of the others, such as the furore over the so-called 'dementia tax' (which is nothing of the sort) have proven to be more serious.

If Mother Theresa is in trouble in the latest polls, she has only herself to blame. This should have been a short, sharp election focused on a single, defining issue.

The Conservative Party isn't exactly brimming with talent, but anyone who seriously thinks Labour is a credible government in waiting should be sectioned, Little John goes on

MIND HOW YOU GO Today's edition of Mind How You Go combines two of my favourite topics  'hate crimes' and police helicopters. In the wake of the Manchester bombing, it was a dead cert that the Old Bill would report a serious spike in 'hate crimes' again Muslims. That's what you get when you advertise for complaints. Hate crime is, of course, in the eye of the beholder, any beholder. But no one expected that one such victim of 'hate' would be the late Osama Bin Laden. Police in Cambridge scrambled a helicopter following a report of a racist incident at a garden party. In the wake of the Manchester bombing, it was a dead cert that the Old Bill would report a serious spike in 'hate crimes' again Muslims, writes Richard Littlejohn A female officer who attended the scene pressed a panic button when she heard revellers performing a karaoke version of a song making fun of the former Al Qaeda leader. Soon, the place was swarming with ten coppers as the whirlybird hovered overhead. A mobile phone and the karaoke machine were seized. A police spokesman said they were investigating an incident of incitement to racial hatred. Since when did taking the proverbial out of a mass murderer like Bin Laden become a criminal offence? Advertisement

It should have been held on the same day as the local elections in early May and would have resulted in a decisive victory for the Tories.

By now, she would be the unassailable mistress of all she surveyed and Britain's future independence would be assured. Instead, it has dragged on, and on, and on, with every new day bringing another pointless policy initiative, giving her opponents a new line of attack.

Yesterday, for instance, the deeply unimpressive Home Secretary Amber Rudd was doing the rounds on radio and TV.

The presenters all wanted to question her about the failure of so-called control orders to stop known terrorist suspects from operating with impunity.

Instead, they were forced to ask her first about a new initiative on domestic violence  obviously at the insistence of her media handlers. Admittedly, domestic violence, like VAT on tampons, is a legitimate subject for debate. But neither is what this election is supposed to be about, for heaven's sake.

Hubris took over, bolstered by initial predictions of a three-figure majority. Theresa was running round Wembley with the cup before a ball had been kicked.

Frankly, I've never believed the polls and always thought the Tories would be happy with any kind of majority approaching 50.

Little John says that if Mrs May only has herself to blame if she is in trouble in the latest polls, adding: 'This should have been a short, sharp election focused on a single, defining issue'

ANDY BURNHAM PANDERS AGAIN Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is spoken of as a 'moderate' successor to Corbyn. He has been widely praised for his response to last week's attack. Yet Burnham was a Home Office minister when Labour was encouraging mass immigration and creating ghettos in our cities. He opposed anti-radicalisation measures in a cynical attempt to appeal to the Muslim vote. After last week's bombing, he said the perpetrator 'wasn't a Muslim' and disgracefully tried to draw some kind of moral equivalence between organised and deeply embedded Islamist terrorism and the murder of MP Jo Cox by a lone, Right-wing nutter. If a two-bob opportunist like Burnham is Labour's future, we're all in more trouble than we thought. Advertisement

That's still achievable, but time is at a premium. It's no secret that I'm not a paid-up member of the Theresa May fan club, but I do intend to vote for her next week.

She's the only show in town, even if I have little confidence in her delivering the kind of tungsten-tipped Brexit I want. Most people I know feel much the same. She's the 'Who Else Is There?' candidate.

The Conservative Party isn't exactly brimming with talent, but anyone who seriously thinks Labour is a credible government in waiting should be sectioned.

You don't need me to reiterate the shocking unsuitability of the terrorist-loving Trots in the Corbynista cabal, especially in the wake of the Manchester attack. OK, so there's been a Tory wobble. Good. Wobbles concentrate the mind at this stage in an election campaign.

Don't read too much into Labour's apparent resurgence, either. Back in 1987, I spent a month on Neil Kinnock's election battle bus. As polling day approached, a couple of rogue polls suggested Labour was going to win and the Conservatives went into a blind panic.

Glenys Kinnock started mentally measuring up the curtains at No 10. On election night, I stood outside the Welsh Windbag's constituency home as the BBC's Vincent Hanna marched up to the front door bearing an exit poll which pointed to a Labour majority. We could hear the cheering coming from within.

Lovely, tidy, smashing.

Littlejohn also says the General Election should have been held on the same day as the local elections in early May and would have resulted in a decisive victory for the Tories

JACQUI SMITH'S SHOWCASES MAKEOVER Former Labour Home Secretary 'Jackboots' Jacqui Smith has had a dramatic make-over. So much so, that when I saw her sitting on Andrew Marr's BBC sofa on Sunday, I could have sworn it was Tony Soprano's shrink, Dr Jennifer Melfi. Advertisement

A couple of hours later, after the count, I watched Kinnochio slump away as the realisation dawned that the Tories had romped home by 102 seats.

The smell of stale chip fat hung in the air, a poignant olfactory requiem for his abject failure.

Oh dear, how sad, never mind.

It's now up to Theresa to get back on track, to show real leadership, to ignore the squabbling, wobbling munchkins in her private office, and remember why she called this election in the first place.

HOW THE SMARTEST VOTE According to a survey by academics, the 'brainiest' and best-qualified people in Britain vote Lib Dem. Which only goes to prove yet again you have to be very intelligent to be seriously stupid. Advertisement

She told us Brexit means Brexit and the only  repeat, only  reason for calling an election two short years after the last one was to give her a mandate to get on with it. If she really intends to be true to her word, she is entitled to our support next week and will deserve our long-term gratitude if she pulls it off. We shall just have to take her on trust.

More than 17 million people voted Leave. We've got no choice other than to give her a solid mandate to turn that decision into reality. The alternative is too horrible to contemplate.

Despite the fevered speculation surrounding the latest polls, I fully expect her to be returned to Downing Street with an increased majority.

Just so long as it doesn't go to her head and she can resist the temptation to call another election over the next five years.
Cheap and convenient, but fatally flawed. That is the world we have created by our dependence on computers.

The 150 million compensation bill faced by British Airways for letting down tens of thousands of passengers over the bank holiday weekend is a reminder of what happens when we put too much faith in technology.

The cost on this occasion was only in time and money. But as the cyber-attack on the NHS showed, if computers crash, lives can be at risk.

Far worse, I fear, is in store as we hurtle naively towards a fully interconnected world.

People checking in for flights at Heathrow also faced long queues on Sunday, as more flights were cancelled and delayed

And its not just the threat posed by countries such as Russia with a history of cyber-aggression, or rogue outfits such as WikiLeaks and Edward Snowden, the worker at Americas National Security Agency who masterminded the biggest leak of state secrets in history.

On a more mundane level, security experts have proved that cars can be taken out of their drivers control and crashed if the onboard computers are interfered with. In a similar way, medical devices such as pacemakers can be sabotaged remotely.

Household devices including digital thermostats  part of the mushrooming internet of things  are vulnerable, too.

Fraudsters

Our financial security is at severe risk, with internet banking a huge and easy target for fraudsters who can trick us into transferring money, or hack into our accounts and do it themselves.

Meanwhile, countless daily online activities involve security systems that rely on sending messages to our phones, such as the authorisation codes that banks send to check an account-holder is indeed making a transaction.

Yet the international mobile phone system is alarmingly vulnerable. Its central software  SS7  is easily breached, so an outsider might be able to read every message you send or receive. The result? A criminal can loot your bank account just as if they had your bank card and PIN.

Even those with valid bookings for Sunday were barred from coming inside the Terminal 5 building (pictured) until 90 minutes before departure to avoid overcrowding

But its not our obsession with having the latest technology that is to blame. Believe it or not, some software used by the financial system in this country is so old, it still does its sums in pre-decimal currency.

Unsurprisingly, banks are reluctant to admit this and explain to the public why their systems are so outdated.

Gone are the days when we carefully checked cheque-book stubs against paper bank statements. Today, we believe what we see on the screen. But this is a paradise for criminals, pranksters and other enemies, who use the anonymity intrinsic to our computer systems to wreak havoc.

Why have we let this happen? Its simple. Since the invention of the internet, security has never been a priority. And our dependence on computers is increasing far faster than our ability to secure them.

In researching my book on computer security, Cyberphobia, I became increasingly horrified by the vulnerabilities I discovered we are creating.

That said, even I would never have imagined a blue-chip company such as BA would build an IT system vulnerable to a single power failure. Nor that, in the safety-first world of aviation, it would fail to have a back-up system in place.

Dozens more BA flights were cancelled from Heathrow on Sunday morning, adding to the passenger blacklog

Since the problem arose on Saturday, I have repeatedly asked BA to give me  a computer security expert  details of what went wrong. While blathering about a power surge, the company provides no real account of where it happened or why it caused such devastation.

Power surges  spikes in voltage  are highly unusual in this country, with its well-maintained electrical grid. The companys silence is as suspicious as its shaming inability to give a proper explanation to its passengers.

Flaw

Of course, part of our general problems with interconnectivity are technical. Modern software programs  the instructions that make a computer work  are too complex for any one person to understand. Inevitably, they contain flaws which remain invisible until something goes wrong and it is too late.

True, software companies make available program updates (known as patches) that help to prevent problems. But many users fail to install these. This was the case with the NHS cyber-attack. Hospital trusts were sent details of a security patch the previous month, but many neglected to update their systems.

This may have been because staff were too busy, or simply because they did not understand the need to keep their computers up to date. Alternatively, they may  rightly  have feared that by installing the patch they could cause something else to go wrong.

Thousands of British Airways customers were facing another day of chaos on Sunday as they queued out the doors at Heathrow in order to rebook flights cancelled on Saturday

In that attack, criminals exploited a flaw in an ancient piece of software, Windows XP.

Released in 2001, XP is now so old that Microsoft no longer bothers to issue updates. Most computer users have long since junked it in favour of more modern operating systems.

But many medical devices in the NHS, such as the MRI scanners vital for diagnostic images, work only on XP.

There is another danger. Computers can send out spam email, or become part of a botnet  an army of remotely managed computers that can be used to attack anything connected to the internet.

Against such threats, we need an equally formidable resistance. But we have nothing of the sort.

Our legal and regulatory system, and our habits and attitudes, are woefully out of date, given our dependence on computers and networks.

It doesnt help that discussion of the dangers is mostly cloaked in jargon.

Alex Cruz (pictured) was appointed boss of British Airways last year

But just as we can discuss road safety without needing to understand the physics of acceleration and braking, or the design of an automatic gearbox, it is absolutely vital that we get to grips with the online dangers we face.

The first principle to adopt is if you cant protect it, dont connect it.

Not everything has to be online. Already, some intelligence agencies are returning to paper records  typed with carbon-paper copies on mechanical typewriters  to reduce the cyber-attack risk.

True, electronic record-keeping brings convenience. Information is instantly available and easily copied or transported. But it also brings risks to the confidentiality, availability and integrity of the data. We need to make the price of carelessness more punitive.

Greedy

Next year, a new EU directive will come into force which subjects companies to hefty fines for data breaches. That is overdue and something Britain should keep, even after Brexit.

Just as a restaurant chain would not survive carelessness with food, any user of computers should adopt high standards of technological hygiene.

But I am not optimistic. We as consumers  individuals, companies and governments  are greedy, impatient and lazy. We want the latest technology at the cheapest price, with the fastest communication and the least hassle.

We urgently need deep changes in the hardware and software we use  but also in the way we humans behave.

Otherwise, the inconvenience BAs customers experienced this weekend is just a foretaste of the woes that await us all.
A Sydney mother has won her battle to allow her daughters to wear pants to school - and a campaign for 'uniform gender equality' is now gaining rapid momentum.

Mother-of-four Melissa Mibus' two young daughters had been forced to wear tunics or summer dresses at John Palmer Public School in Sydney's north-west.

But after a major push from the disgruntled mother, the school agreed to change its uniform policy to allow its female students to wear trousers or shorts.

'I felt that all girls should at the very least have the choice to wear pants and shorts,' Ms Mibus told Daily Mail Australia.

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Melissa Mibus (pictured) has won her battle to allow her daughters to wear pants to school

Her two young daughters (pictured left with their brother and sister) had been forced to wear tunics or summer dresses at John Palmer Public School in Sydney's north-west before the school changed its policy

'I guess I feel that it should never have been an issue in the first place. I'm very glad that my daughter's school has now included pants and shorts for girls.

'Hopefully other schools will follow their lead.'

Ms Mibus has now approached NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes, calling on him to introduce gender-neutral uniform options in all of the state's public schools.

Mr Stokes said it was 'bloody ridiculous' that female students weren't given an option, but didn't say he would be moving to change government policy.

'I guess I feel that it should never have been an issue in the first place,' Ms Mibus said (stock image)

'Girls should have the option to wear shorts or pants as uniform to schools if they want to. It's just common sense,' he told The Daily Telegraph.

'I am advised there was no need to change the department's policy for this issue as the school, John Palmer Public School, made changes to their uniform for girls under the existing departmental policy.'

The issue is gaining national traction, with nearly 20,000 people signing a petition in Victoria for uniform gender equality in schools in just over two weeks.

Co-founder of Girls Uniform Agenda Amanda Mergler is campaigning for nation-wide school uniform legislation.

Ms Mibus has now approached NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes (pictured), calling on him to introduce gender-neutral uniform options in all of the state's public schools

Co-founder of Girls Uniform Agenda Amanda Mergler is campaigning for nation-wide school uniform legislation

'Let's get them put shorts on and do away with the skirts and dresses,' she told Channel Nine's Today show on Tuesday.

'For those girls who want skirts and dresses they can remain. Girls should be able to choose whether they wear shorts or a dress to school.'

Ms Mergler said she pulled her children out of a public school when the principal refused to allow her daughter to wear shorts.

'Their argument was they were trying to look like a private school. They needed girls in dresses and boys in ties. We see that marketing as part of it,' she said.

The Education Minister said it was 'bloody ridiculous' that female students weren't given the option (stock image)

The issue is gaining national traction, with nearly 20,000 people signing a petition in Victoria for uniform gender equality in schools in just over two weeks (stock)

'No-one wants to be forced. We have heard from an eight-year-old girl in South Australia recently. She was very distressed about having to wear a dress to school.

'She is in year three. It really upsets you, she wrote to her principal a beautiful letter, ''please can I wear shorts and pants like the boys sitting beside me",' Ms Mergler said.

The discussion continued on Channel Seven's Sunrise program, with guest panelist Prue MacSween suggesting some schools were winding the clock back to the 19th century with uniform policy.

'I had to check the calendar to see if it was 1817 or 2017 This is absolutely ridiculous that schools have these archaic traditions,' she said.
When it comes to booking a hotel, it's about far more than the room itself.

And on Wednesday, the Gourmet Traveller Australian Hotel Guide Awards revealed the best of what Australian hotels have to offer their guests - from club sandwiches to mini bars.

Here, FEMAIL looks at the winners of the awards, and what makes each one just that little bit special.

Victoria's Jackalope took out the inaugural Hotel of the Year award for 2017 - an extraordinary 46 room hotel built on a 143-year-old Mornington Peninsula homestead

'I think MONA gave me the confidence that people would appreciate a daring, bold vision in this part of the world,' Jackalope owner Louis Li, 29, said

HOTEL OF THE YEAR

Victoria's Jackalope took out the inaugural Hotel of the Year award for 2017 - an extraordinary 46 room hotel built on a 143-year-old Mornington Peninsula homestead.

'I think MONA gave me the confidence that people would appreciate a daring, bold vision in this part of the world,' Jackalope owner Louis Li, 29, said.

'Luxury should be defined by rarity.'

The stunning hotel, which is also the New Hotel of the Year and Regional Hotel of the Year, describes itself as being set on a 'pristine property amid the world-renowned Mornington Peninsula wine region'

Other best hotel awards Large Hotel of the Year: QT Melbourne, Vic New Hotel of the Year: Jackalope, Mornington Peninsula, Vic Boutique Hotel of the Year: The Old Clare Hotel, Sydney, NSW Regional Hotel of the Year: Jackalope, Mornington Peninsula, Vic Advertisement

The stunning hotel, which is also the New Hotel of the Year and Regional Hotel of the Year, describes itself as being set on a 'pristine property amid the world-renowned Mornington Peninsula wine region'.

They also boast 'an intoxicating vineyard acreage' which frames the luxury hotel which is famed for being 'unique in both destination and design'.

The hotel also has a stunning black 30 metre infinity pool, a pool deck pavilion and two dining areas - the contemporary Doot Doot Doot Restaurant and the unique Flaggerdoot Cocktail Lounge.

They also have a Cellar Door and Food Store called Rare Hare.

Accommodation ranges from the Terrace Room at $650 per night to the Lair which costs $1,100 per night.

They also boast 'an intoxicating vineyard acreage' which frames the luxury hotel which is famed for being 'unique in both destination and design'

BEST BREAKFAST

A competitive category, the Best Hotel Breakfast award went to Collins Kitchen at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne.

Run by Executive Chef, Jason Camillo, the restaurant is described as 'combining quality flavours with a bespoke selection of carefully cultivated local produce'.

The A La Carte Breakfast menu features seasonal fruits, a wide selection of organic bread, an array of sides, including wood fire roasted mushrooms and smashed avocado and a three egg omelette.

Another favourite is the superfood breakfast which features two poached eggs, kale, sprouts, cottage cheese and avocado.

A competitive category, the Best Hotel Breakfast award went to Collins Kitchen at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne

The impressive breakfast buffet features a juice, smoothie and superfood bar, yoghurt and seasonal fruits, a bakery section and an area for Victorian cheeses, cold cuts and a carving station.

It also features an egg station where guests can enjoy free range eggs any style, a wok and steamer for meals like pork buns and dim sum and a patisserie with croissants, carrot cake, fresh waffles and pancakes.

It is the third year in a row that Collins Kitchen has been crowned Best Hotel Breakfast.

The impressive breakfast buffet features a juice, smoothie and superfood bar, yoghurt and seasonal fruits, a bakery section and an area for Victorian cheeses, cold cuts and a carving station

BEST MINI BAR

This year, the mini bar crowned Australia's best is located in Como The Treasury in Perth.

The generous and complimentary mini bars include layered Czech honey cakes, seasonal fruits and a drinks selection of mixers, juices and craft beers.

They also supply guests with fresh milk, teas by King and glassware by Riedel.

Taking to Instagram, the hotel group announced the exciting news.

'Minibars are so often treated as an afterthought that it's a relief to check into a room and find one assembled with care and attention to detail like the ones at @comotreasury,' they wrote.

This year, the mini bar crowned Australia's best is located in Como The Treasury in Perth - the generous and complimentary mini bars include layered Czech honey cakes, seasonal fruits and a drinks selection of mixers, juices and craft beers

BEST CLUB SANDWICH

For 2017, the coveted Best Club Sandwich award went to The Louise, in South Australias Barossa Valley, for their 'unconventional version featuring prime regional produce'.

The delicious club at the boutique hotel is served in a brioche bun with charred chicken breast.

It is also topped with Linke's Barossa bacon, mayo made in-house and spiced with Newman's horseradish.

Taking to Facebook, the hotel staff said it was the sort of food 'our chef team love to eat themselves'.

'Not any old club sanga by any means, local local local ingredients which make it the best of the lot!' They wrote.

For 2017, the coveted Best Club Sandwich award went to The Louise, in South Australias Barossa Valley, for their 'unconventional version featuring prime regional produce'

The delicious club at the boutique hotel is served in a brioche bun with charred chicken breast. It is also topped with Linke's Barossa bacon, mayo made in-house and spiced with Newman's horseradish

BEST POOL

Likely one of the most competitive categories, this year the Best Pool award went to The Johnson hotel in Brisbane, Queensland.

The 50-metre pool at the boutique hotel was designed by former Olympic swimmer Michael Klim and is the 'sensational centrepiece' of The Johnson's "urban resort"'.

The pool is surrounded by sunloungers, padded booths and 'jaunty umbrellas in orange, white and aqua above the city', according the Gourmet Traveller.

Likely one of the most competitive categories, this year the Best Pool award went to The Johnson hotel in Brisbane, Queensland

The 50-metre pool at the boutique hotel was designed by former Olympic swimmer Michael Klim and is the 'sensational centrepiece' of The Johnson's "urban resort"'

The pool is surrounded by sunloungers, padded booths and 'jaunty umbrellas in orange, white and aqua above the city', according the Gourmet Traveller

BEST BAR

Also a fiercely competitive category, the Best Bar award for 2017 went to the QT Hotel in Melbourne.

Also named the Large Hotel of the Year, this hotel took home the Best Bar award for its 11th floor 'rooftop cocktail terrace with commanding city-skyline views'.

The incredible view of the QT Rooftop Bar looks out across across Melbournes inner city rooftops and the venue an host up to 185 people.

'People will celebrate their passion for cool bars of the highest calibre through glamorous designer decor, cutting edge sound, and music made for igniting passion and pleasure,' the Rooftop At QT website reads.

Some of the most notable menu items include the Vanilla Passionfruit Pisco Sour, a QT Rooftop G&T made with Elderflower Quinine Syrup and a 'Apricot Mule' cocktail made with Apricot, Honeyed Apricot and Smoked Hickory Bitters.

Also a fiercely competitive category, the Best Bar award for 2017 went to the QT Hotel in Melbourne

Also named the Large Hotel of the Year, this hotel took home the Best Bar award for its 11th floor 'rooftop cocktail terrace with commanding city-skyline views'

BEST SERVICE

Arguably one of the most important and prestigious awards, the Best Service award went to Halcyon House at Cabarita Beach in New South Wales.

Reasons listed for the hotel's award include house-made lemonade for guests on arrival and 'special care in a crisis'.

'During the floods in northern NSW earlier this year, Halcyon GM Mauro De Riso organised helicopters to shuttle guests to the airport,' the Gourmet Traveller website reads.

'Just one example of routinely exceptional service.'

Arguably one of the most important and prestigious awards, the Best Service award went to Halcyon House at Cabarita Beach in New South Wales

'During the floods in northern NSW earlier this year, Halcyon GM Mauro De Riso organised helicopters to shuttle guests to the airport,' the Gourmet Traveller website reads
A relaxed Queen Maxima swapped her usual formal wear for a flowing orange trouser suit and shades to pay a visit to a farm in Vietnam.

The Queen of the Netherlands was given a tour of a farm in Da Lat on Tuesday, where she was snapped laughing and chatting with farmers and crouching down to get a closer look at rows of plants.

The 46-year-old mother of three chose loose fitting trousers in a vibrant shade of orange for the occasion, which she teamed with a casual white tee and a matching sleeveless jacket perfect for southern Vietnam's soaring temperatures.

And she proved she's not all about designer labels as her colourful two piece was in fact a high street buy from Zara.

Queen Maxima, radiant in orange and wearing a pair of aviator shades, laughed as she toured the farm of Xuan Toan in Da Lat

The Queen, wearing a pair of oversized shades and with her hair loose, looked delighted to be paying a visit to Vietnam

In-keeping with her relaxed look, Queen Maxima added a pair of flat sandals, a basket handbag and a pair of over-sized aviator sunglasses.

She wore her blonde hair loose and accessorised with gold jewellery including a statement cuff on her wrist.

The Dutch monarch crouched down low to get a closer look at the rows and rows of plans as farmer Xuan Toan showed her around on Tuesday.

The farm is supported by the Horti Dalat programme, which supports farmers to grow their businesses in the country.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands visits a grocery store that offers banking services of the Lien Viet Post Bank

Thirsty work! The royal pauses for some light refreshment amid a hectic day of engagements

Staff seemed very excited by by the royal visitor and were eager to capture a photo

Her next stop was a business meeting organized by the International Finance Corporation on agriculture at the Intercontinental hotel in Ho Chi Minh

The Dutch Queen is in Vietnam for three days in her capacity as the UN Secretary General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development.

She later visited a grocery store that offers banking services of the Lien Viet Post Bank, which allowes women to save and transfer easily money by phone and provides also small loans for entrepreneurs.

Later Maxima attended a business meeting organized by the International Finance Corporation on agriculture at the Intercontinental hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Proving she's not all about designer buys, Maxima stepped out in a mustard two piece from Zara

The financial whizz is the UN Secretary General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development

Before meeting her husband King Willem Alexander of The Netherlands, Argentinian-born Maxima was pursuing a high-flying career in finance.

While studying for her degree in economics from the Pontifical Catholic Universit, she worked for for Mercado Abierto Electronico S.A, an electronic securities and foreign-currency trading market.

She also balanced her studies with working in the sales department of Boston Securities SA in Buenos Aires, conducting research on software for financial markets.

After graduating, she took up a job with HSBC in New York where she rose to vice president of institutional sales for Latin America.

Her next move was to Dresdner Kleinwort Benson in New York.

She worked as vice president of the emerging markets division, before moving to Deutsche Bank in Brussels.

The Dutch monarch leaned down to get a closer look at the rows on plants on Xuan Toan's farm in Da Lat

She accessorised her vibrant orange outfit with flat sandals, a gold cuff and a raffia bag

Maxima chatted to farmers as she made her way around the rows of crops on Tuesday
An artist who is known for giving sick kids something to smile about by inking them with fake tattoos has also turned his hand to a horse.

Benjamin Lloyd, based near Auckland on New Zealand's north island, shared pictures on social media of the skull 'tattoo' he gave a stunning white pony.

'I love boosting a horses confidence with a custom tattoo 50 likes and ill tat a lion up.(airbrushed on not permanent) Peace,' [sic] the artist wrote.

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Benjamin Lloyd, based near Auckland on New Zealand's north island, shared pictures on social media of the skull 'tattoo' he gave a stunning white pony

Pictures show the tethered white horse sporting a black and white skull design, with interwoven leaves on its right shoulder

Pictures show the tethered white horse sporting a black and white skull design, with interwoven leaves on its right shoulder.

The images have garnered 32,000 likes on Facebook, with many admiring comments

'Oh I want my horse done! Bloody amazing!' wrote one commenter.

' I'm waiting for the wannabe animal hippies to say it's wrong blah blah... but I'm aware Ben uses safe ink and I'm trained in animal handling, that horse is happy and content... but for the animal hippies it might be best to say to people and educate them about animal welfare and that this shouldn't be done by just anyone,' another wrote.

Mr Lloyd also airbrushes fake tattoos on children (pictured) to help sick kids by providing them with a 'confidence boost'

Mr Lloyd, based near Auckland on New Zealand's north island, is planning to go to Starship Hospital and give young patients airbrushed tattoos

'However, some people were unimpressed with the stunt.

'I CANT BELIEVE SOMEONE WOULD DO THIS TO A HORSE!!!! Are you kidding me do you really think this animal wants to be airbrushed???? No,' wrote one critic.

It's not the first time that Mr Lloyd has showcased his talent online.

In another picture posted to his social media account, a young boy was seen smiling as he got a fake ink design featuring skulls and roses 'tattooed' on.

Mr Lloyd said he has given a number of children the airbrushed artwork to 'boost their confidence'

After sharing the shots and video online, Mr Lloyd wrote: '50 likes and i'll go to Starship Hospital and tat (sic) all the kids up'.

The next morning, he woke up to almost 400,000 likes, and just under 10,000 comments.

'Well it looks like i'm off to starship,' he posted.

Mr Lloyd said he has given a number of children the airbrushed artwork to 'boost their confidence'.

'The kids are so amazed. As soon as they get the tattoo it boosts their confidence,' the young New Zealand artist said

Mr Lloyd uses a custom, non-toxic ink that can be washed off in the shower to create his tattoos

'The kids are so amazed. As soon as they get the tattoo it boosts their confidence,' he previously told the NZ Herald.

The young artist said he uses a custom, non-toxic ink that can be washed off in the shower to create his tattoos.

Each tattoo takes about nine minutes to complete.

Incredibly, Mr Lloyd was inspired to help young children with his airbrushing due to the bullying he received as a kid for a burn he had on his hand.

Mr Lloyd was inspired to help young children with his airbrushing due to the bullying he received in school for a burn he had on his hand

'I was teased every day at school and so I would draw over my hand and up my sleeve,' he told Stuff NZ.

'I just got better and better, eventually I had a line up of people wanting me to draw on them, I was doing deals with kids swapping cards and marbles.'

Mr Lloyd's posts quickly went viral online, with thousands of people commenting on them.

People have praised Mr Lloyd for his amazing work, calling it 'beautiful', 'fantastic', and 'incredible'

'Beautiful ink for kids. I love that you do this and all the kids look so happy... keep being a fantastic human,' one woman wrote.

'That's so incredibly kind hearted of you. Amazing to see someone do caring and selfless,' Amber Gollagher said.

'Love love love this. From a parent who spent 6 months with my son before he passed. This is a great thing you do,' Nancy Hayne wrote.
Earlier today they were twinning in matching florals.

And Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark once again proved they're style sisters this evening as they both stepped out in statement print dresses for an offiicial dinner.

The Danish royals rounded off their two day visit to Sweden with an official dinner at City Hall, and Princess Mary rounded things off on a fashionable note in a black and white printed dress with an asymmetric hem.

Crown Princess Victoria, 39, stood out in an unusual multicoloured print dress featuring what appeared to be architectural motifs.

They were joined by their husbands Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Prince Daniel of Sweden who both looked handsome in smart suits.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden (second left) and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark (second right) both opted for statement prints for an official dinner at City Hall in Stockholm

Both royals opted for elaborate print dresses with Crown Princess Victoria opting for a rather colourful number

The couples were joined by Eva-Louise Erlandsson Slorach, the President of the Stockholm City Council (centre) who looked regal in bright purple

The couples make their way inside for a dinner to mark the end of the Danish royal visit to Sweden

Crown Princess Mary acessorised with elegant drop earrings and carried a small black clutch

Earlier today, the stylish couples swapped partners with Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Crown Prince Daniel of Sweden paying a visit to Nya Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, and Crown Princess Victoria and Crown Prince Frederik popping into Stockholm Vatten water factory in Drottningholm.

For the occasion, Crown Princess Victoria looked feminine and chic in a blush pink floral print midi skirt and matching pink blouse with ruffle detailing.

Crown Princess Mary, meanwhile, chose a navy dress emblazoned with white flowers; she offset her look with a white tailored coat and vibrant yellow heels.

The two royal couples share a close bond with both Mary and Frederik attending the christening of Victoria and Daniel's youngest Oscar a year ago.

Politician Anna Konig Jerlmyr; a guest; Crown Princess Mary; Crown Prince Frederik; President of the Stockholm City Council Eva-Louise Erlandsson Slorach; Crown Princess Victoria; Prince Daniel, Margareta Bjork and Mats Berglund

Crown Princess Victoria looked feminine in a floral print midi skirt and matching pink blouse as she arrived at Stockholm Vatten water factory in Drottningholm

Princess Mary displayed her maternal side as she played with sick children at the hospital

The Princess bonded with a sick child at the hospital as she and Prince Daniel took a tour of the venue

The royal showed off a glossy mane as she crouched down and held hands with a little blonde girl at the hospital

The royal crouched down to speak to a child's parent in the play area outside

The sartorially clued-up royal played in the sandpit with one youngster

The stylish couples swapped partners with Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Crown Prince Daniel of Sweden paying a visit to Nya Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset

Crown Princess Mary chose a navy dress emblazoned with white flowers as she joined her family friend at the university hospital

Mary took off her coat to reveal her flowing summer gown, which she offset with bright yellow heels for the occasion

Crown Princess Mary and Prince Daniel later arrived at a reception at the Danish Embassy

The royal offset her look with pearl earrings and a matching pearl bracelet for the day

Prince Frederik, who has four children with Crown Princess Mary, acts as godfather to the one-year-old prince.

Princess Mary displayed her maternal side as she played with sick children at the hospital, crouching down to speak to a child's parent in the play area outside and even getting in the sandpit.

After the eventful visit, Princess Mary and Prince Daniel joined fellow Dane and MP Anders Samuelson and spent time at the Aleris Care Home in Fiskstra.

The care home caters to many senior citizens in the Swedish capital and the visiting royal and politician were given a grand tour.

After the eventful visit, the Princess joined fellow Dane and MP Anders Samuelson and spent time at the Aleris Care Home in Fiskstra

The royal visitors even tried out dual wheelchairs, which allow elderly couples and friends to take a trip outside - or around the care home - together

The care home caters to many senior citizens in the Swedish capital and the visiting royal and politician were given a grand tour

The royal visitors even tried out dual wheelchairs, which allow elderly couples and friends to take a trip outside - or around the care home - together.

The design is also roomier, allowing for a more comfortable experience for a larger elderly person.

Both royals appeared to enjoy the experience, with Prince Daniel smiling broadly as the couples sat side by side in the devices.

Crown Princess Victoria and Crown Prince Frederik popping into Stockholm Vatten water factory in Drottningholm

The stylish royal, who wore her hair scraped into a low chignon, warmly greeted her hosts for the day

The royals chatted away to their guides as they were treated to a tour of the factory

It's been a busy few days for the royal friends and last night Victoria of Sweden ensured she stole the limelight in an unusual floral dress featuring an elegant swan print.

The two couples attended a welcome dinner at the Eric Ericsonhallen concert hall with Mary, 45, opting for a simpler, but equally elegant blue lace dress.

Mother-of-four Mary let her hair down after rocking a chic updo earlier in the day, while Victoria stuck with her signature scraped back bun.

The chic royal accessorised her outfit with a blush pink clutch and matching drop earrings as she arrived at the water factory

The royals didn't let a little shower ruin their day as they shielded under umbrellas upon their arrival at the natural water factory

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, 39, looked striking in a floral and swan print dress while her Danish counterpart Mary, 45, opted for a simpler look in blue lace at an official dinner with their husbands last night

The Danish royals joined Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Princess Daniel for a dinner at Eric Ericsonhallen at Skeppsholmen in Stockholm

Earlier in the day, both women opted for sharp suits as they kicked off the official visit in suitably smart fashion.

The Scandinavian royals put on a smart display as they joined forces at Stockholm harbour on Monday.

Princess Mary opted for an elegant loose fitting two piece in cream adding a touch of bling in the form of a bejeweled brooch.

Rarely choosing to shun heels the Danish royal opted for a pair of stylish snake skin heels as she met with the neighbouring royals.

The ladies were joined by Crown Prince Daniel and Crown Prince Frederik (right) who both looked dapper in dark blue suits

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark were twinning in sharp tailoring today as they visited the Danish jewellery boutique Olen Lynggaard, in Stockholm

Both Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Victoria of Sweden opted for sharp suits as they were joined by husbands Frederik of Denmark and Daniel of Sweden in Stockholm today

Both royals were delighted to be presented with bouquets by a little girl in a summery floral dress and rose gold sandals

Victoria of Sweden opted for a more traditional suit in navy with a fitted jacket with gold button detailing and figure hugging trousers.

She added a flash of colour to her ensemble in the form of floral shirt with red hues perfectly complementing her scarlet stilettos.

The Swedish royal, 39, rarely chooses to wear her hair down and today could be seen sporting her signature scraped back low bun.

A vision in white: Princess Mary was her typical glamorous self in a cream trouser suit and snakeskin heels

The two princesses were almost a mirror images of one another as they chatted at a reception on Monday morning

Mary opted for a cream loose fitting two piece while Victoria chose a traditional navy suit showcasing flashes of scarlet in the form of her accessories

Mary also chose to wear her hair up opting for a twisted chignon style for her engagement on Friday.

The two women could be seen chatting together at a reception before making their way outside to pose by Stockholm's waters.

Joining them today were their husbands Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Daniel of Sweden.

Mother-of-two Crown Princess Victoria has welcomed the Danish royals to Sweden

Crown Princess Mary shares a close bond with her Swedish counterpart and attended the christening of her son Oscar last year

The princes also opted for matching ensembles in the form of navy suit. But while Frederik chose a burgundy tie Daniel opted for a sky blue one.

The Danish royals made the short journey to the Swedish capital on Sunday for Business Promotional Campaign to Sweden.

They were greeted by Victoria and Daniel but also by Victoria's brother Carl Philip who is the Duke of Varmland.

The Scandinavian foursome stepped out onto the balcony to pose before Stockholm harbour

Mary and her husband Federik made the short journey to the Swedish capital on Sunday

The royal couples are thought to be close with Frederik acting as godfather to Victoria and Daniel's youngest child Prince Oscar

The fivesome made the most of the good weather and were seen enjoying a ride aboard the Dannebrog Royal Yacht at the Skeppsholmen harbour.

Later Mary and Victoria went their separate ways from their husbands to visit the Danish jewellery boutique Olen Lynggaard.
The weather may be less than favourable in the UK but in Belgium Queen Mathilde could be seen making the most of the summer sun.

The Queen of Belgium cut an elegant figure in a sleeveless emerald dress as she welcomed the jury for the Queen Elisabeth Competition to her home in Brussels on Tuesday.

The 44-year-old showcased her enviable figure with a waist-cinching belt and showcased her lengthy legs in a pair of nude heels.

Queen Mathilde looked glamorous in green as she welcomed the jury of the Queen Elisabeth Competition to her home in Brussels

Famous for her perfectly coiffed locks Mathilde certainly didn't let standards slip as she welcomed her guests today.

The mother-of-four added a touch of sophisticated bling to her ensemble in the form of statement earrings set with an elegant stone.

Mathilde kept her beauty look to a minimal this afternoon opting with a soft smoky eye and a slick of berry lipstick.

The Belgian royal showcased her enviable figure with a waist-cinching belt and flaunted her lengthy legs in a pair of nude heels

The royal beamed with delight as she welcomed the judges of the annual music competition

The Belgian royal was joined by her husband King Philippe, 57, who looked distinguished in an indigo suit for his visitor's arrival on Tuesday.

The couple were today welcoming the jury who will decide the winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition 2017.

After greeting their guests the King and Queen posed for a commemorative photo with the judges.

Queen Mathilde acts as Honorary President of the Queen Elisabeth Competition

Mathilde and her husband King Philippe posed for a commemorative photo with the judges

The competition is an annual music contest, this year asking for cello players to put their musical talents forward.

This year is the first time the competition has asked for cello players with previous categories including singing and violin.

Finals for the competition started on Monday and will continue until June 3 with each evening seeing an audience hear two finalists perform at the Brussels Centre for Fine Arts.

Around midnight on the last final evening, the jury will announce the ranking of the laureates.

Queen Mathilde acts as Honorary President of the Queen Elisabeth Competition.
To coincide with the release of 'Wonder Woman'  in theaters nationwide June 2  many fashion labels have launched collections inspired by the iconic superhero.



The highly anticipated blockbuster is the latest in a series of Warner Brothers movies based on DC Comics characters, and stars Israeli actress Gal Gadot, 32, in the lead role.

FEMAIL rounds up the most stylish items inspired by the ever-popular comic character that will have you feeling like a modern day heroine  magic lasso and skintight outfit not required.

heroine chic: In anticipation of Wonder Woman fashion brands have launched collections inspired by the iconic superhero to coincide with the movie's release (nationwide June 2)

Left: Star Black Diamond & 14K Rose Gold Single Reverse Hook Earrings by Kismet by Milka, $290; saksfifthavenue.com. Right: Star Diamond & 14K Rose Gold Single Reverse Hook Earrings by Kismet by Milka, $365; saksfifthavenue.com

Wonder Woman tee by Junk Food, junkfoodclothing.com

Left: Two-Star Diamond & 14K Yellow Gold Drop Earrings by Kismet by Milka, $925; saksfifthavenue.com. Right: Heroine Star Earcuff Black Diamonds (Single) by Kismet by Milka, $1,080; kismetbymilka.com

Superhero style: The highly anticipated blockbuster is the latest in a series of Warner Brothers films based on DC Comics characters, starring Israeli actress Gal Gadot

Wonder Woman Adjustable Necklace by Alex and Ani, $88; alexandani.com

Wonder Woman tee by Junk Food, junkfoodclothing.com

Wonder Woman Limited Edition Comic Print Magnet Nukini by NUYU, $64; ronrobinson.com

Love, Truth, Beauty 5-piece Set by Benefit Cosmetics, $49; hsn.com

The fictional superhero became a household name in 1975 after becoming a popular television series with actress Lynda Carter, 65.

The age-defying star joined Gal at the movie's premiere in Hollywood, California, and looked incredible in a black pantsuit.

Gal opted for a red sequin Givenchy gown. She accessorized her showstopping ensemble with a selection of gold and diamond jewelry by Tiffany & Co. She opted for a pair of sensible and affordable shoes, walking the red carpet in the Starda flat sandal by Aldo ($50).

Lynda, 65, joined Gal at the movie's premiere in Hollywood, California, this week. While Gal stunned in a red sequin Givenchy gown, Lynda looked sensational in a black pantsuit

Defeating bad guys: The fictional superhero became a household name after becoming a popular television series in 1975 with actress Lynda Carter

Crystal 2-Tone Geometric Cuff Bracelet by R.J. Graziano, $59.95; hsn.com

Wonder Woman Face of Justice Cropped Yoga Legging by NUYU, $116; ronrobinson.com

Left: Wonder Woman Charm Bangle by Alex and Ani, $32; alexandani.com. Right: Wonder Woman Logo Charm Bangle by Alex and Ani, $38; alexandani.com

Left: Wonder Woman watch by Nanette Lepore. Pre-order now at: 646-713-2715. Right: Wonder Woman Earrings by Alex and Ani, $48;alexandani.com

Save the Day Cape Blazer by Project Gravitas, $269; hsn.com. Live on HSN on June 1, 2017 from 9PM to 11PM EST
Though Robin Wright is among the many Hollywood actresses demanding equal pay to their male co-stars, a new interview reveals her calls for a raise may have gone unmet by producers.

In Junes edition of Rhapsody Magazine for United Airlines, the 51-year-old actress - who currently plays Claire Underwood on Netflix's House of Cards, and will also star in the upcoming Wonder Woman - opened up about how she continues to be affected by the Hollywood pay gap.

'I dont think Im getting paid the same amount,' she hesitantly told the magazine. 'They told me I was getting a raise. But... I dont think so.'

Golden years: At 51 years old, actress Robin Wright is enjoying renewed career success with roles in Netflix hits like House of Cards and superhero blockbusters like Wonder Woman

Disappointed: In the June edition of Rhapsody Magazine for United Airlines, Wright admitted that she still does not receive equal pay for her work on House of Cards as Kevin Spacey

Going public: In 2016, Wright publicly revealed the demands she made to House of Cards producers that requested her salary match that of her male co-star

This news comes almost exactly a year after Wright revealed her demands for equal pay in a conversation with the Rockefeller Foundation. After learning that her House of Cards co-star Kevin Spacey reportedly earns as much as $500,000 per episode, Wright told show producers, 'You better pay me, or I'm going public.'

Despite the viral praise for Wright's demands, the star was later told that equal pay was 'not possible,' despite the fact that she has equal screen time as Spacey, and even earned the show a Golden Globe for her performance in 2014 (Spacey went on to win in 2015).

Unable to hide her disappointment at the pay disparity, Wright told Rhapsody Magazine, 'I really don't like being duped. Nobody does.' It would seem that her equal paychecks are unlikely to happen anytime soon, either.

'Its such a male-dominant workforce still. Theres a conditioning,' she said. 'And changing the condition of men is what needs to happen. A reeducation. A new way of thinking. A new philosophy.'

The disappointment over the pay gap issue has led Wright to shy away from the 'spokesperson' title, and yet her story likely speaks to many women in Hollywood and beyond.

'I think [change] needs to happen in all of these industries, when were doing the same thing that a man is doing, and were still getting paid less,' Wright concluded.

Change in the air: Wright believes that in order for the pay gap to close, there must be a shift in cultural attitudes for men and women

Don't ask her: The actress firmly rejects the title of 'spokesperson' for these issues

Intense! Wright is set to star as the fierce General Antiope in the upcoming Wonder Woman film, out June 2

Rekindling the flame? Early on Tuesday, Wright was spotted leaving JFK airport with ex-husband Sean Penn. The two were involved for 21 years and have two children together

One man Wright has been enjoying time with is ex-husband Sean Penn, 56, with whom the actress was spotted arriving in New York City early on Tuesday morning.

Wright, who is reportedly single since splitting from fiance Ben Foster in 2015, was involved with Penn from 1989 until 2010. The couple has two adult children together.

Perhaps Wright's latest role served as a welcome respite from the male-dominated Hollywood industry. The actress is set to star as General Antiope in the highly-anticipated - and female directed - Wonder Woman film.

Wright gushed to Rhapsody magazine about her excitement participating in the production: 'These girls had trained for months to become fighters. They had this hormone-raging estrogen strength. The men were kind of pulverized a little bit,' she told Rhapsody Magazine, while smiling.

The DC Comics film, out June 2, is expected to be one of the first smash hits of the summer.




A royal fan has recalled the extraordinary moment she comforted the embattled Queen as she faced a huge backlash from the public over her handling of the death of Princess Diana.

Katie Jones features in Tonight's Channel 5 documentary Diana: 7 Days That Shook The Windsors, which examines how the Queen was perceived as cold and uncaring for remaining holed up at Balmoral while an outpouring of public grief took place in London.

Katie and her grandmother Enid Jones were among thousands of mourners who gathered at Buckingham Palace to see the Queen return the day before Diana's funeral.

Katie recalled: 'I was waving my flowers and, and she came over and asked me if she wanted me to go and put them down with all the rest of the flowers. And I said no, theyre for you maam.

Shed held my hand at this point, she was shaking. She sort of questioned me like "are you sure?".

'I was like, "I think you deserve them, I think youve done the right thing staying with your grandsons". I think I actually said you know "if my mum had just died, Id want my grandma with me".'

Scroll down for video

Katie Jones and her grandmother Enid (handing flowers to the Queen) as the monarch faced a bitter backlash in the days following Diana's death

Katie reassured the monarch she'd done the right thing by staying at Balmoral to keep William and Harry away from the public glare

Footage also shows Prince Philip walking behind the Queen as people in the crowd urged her to 'take care of the boys Ma'am.'

A clearly irate Philip turns to them and says: 'Thats what weve been doing, thats what weve been doing.'

'The attitude of the crowd was unpleasant and it was something which I have never, ever seen before in any Royal occasion, ever,' Enid recalled. You know, usually when the Queen goes by. People clap, people cheer, people wave. They dont just stand there.'

But she hoped her granddaughter's words had made a difference, saying: 'I actually think perhaps what Kate said struck home and people realised that perhaps theyd been totally unfair to someone who after all has given her life to our country.'

Footage from the documentary sees Prince Philip snapping at people in the crowd who urged the Queen to look after William and Harry

In the days after Diana's death sympathy had turned to anger against the royal family for not putting on a sufficient show of public grief for Diana.

'Thats the thing I most recall actually is the speed in which it, it turned from those sort of tears and, this trauma to anger, against the Royal Family,' said Anji Hunter, Tony Blair's former head of government relations.

'Tony was talking to the Queen and just saying "Look, you know, things are getting a little bit hot down here".'

The Mail's Richard Kay said: 'There were battles going on, there was no doubt about it. Messages were being relayed to try encourage the Queen to engage more.

The Queen finally arrived back in London to view floral tributes to Diana the day before her funeral, after facing a tidal wave of negative public opinion

'They wanted the Queen to come down to London as soon as possible. But the Queen and her immediate family were still resistant to that.

'Tony Blair spoke to Prince Charles and implored Charles to talk to his mother to try and, sort of, break the logjam.'

According to royal biographer Tina Brown the Queen was only concerned with William and Harry and not courting the media and public opinion.

'It was actually the first time in her whole long reign that the Queen was thinking of family before she was thinking of her people,' she explained.

'And for that we should really admire her, because her whole attention and thoughts were for these children, she wasnt thinking about how this was going to, quote, be played on the media.

The Queen was determined not to play to public opinion and to focus on her grandsons in the days after Diana's death

'However it finally became clear to her, out of self-preservation, for which shes known, that this was something bigger, and more important, than her own personal feelings.'

In an unprecedented break with protocol, the Queen asked her press secretary to appear on TV to defend the royals and explain that they had stayed away to be with William and Harry.

She also agreed to make a statement on television, her first live broadcast in 50 years.

'It was very hard for the Queen to do, to what she had to do, yielding, if you like, to public pressure,' Richard Kay recalled.

The Queen made the rare step of asking her press officer to make a statement defending the family, saying her priority had been to protect William and Harry from the limelight

'She knew better than anyone if she lost, or the Royal Family lost the affection of the public then their days really were numbered.'

The sustained public criticism was also a huge source of stress to Prince Charles who had immediately been convinced he would be 'blamed' by the public for Diana's death.

He believed it was his duty to walk in the funeral procession, yet was worried it would put him in danger.

'The Prince of Wales was convinced that he was going to be the focus of the anger, that he was the real target of the anger, he thought that he might have been attacked, actually physically attacked,' Richard Kay explained.
The treat is so popular that it has developed a sizable black market for collectors in the United States

Kinder Surprise is currently banned in the United States, as it is considered a choking hazard per FDA regulations

The chocolate treats are a slight variation on Kinder Surprise - an egg-shaped chocolate that features a toy inside

In January 2018, chocolate brand Ferrero will launch Kinder Joy in the US

Chocolate lovers rejoice, because the incredibly popular Kinder Surprise is at last set to hit shelves in the United States, after years of being banned.

Kinder Surprise, more casually known as a Kinder egg, is a hollow chocolate egg which contains a toy at its center; presently, more than 3.5 billion Kinder Surprise eggs are sold around the world each year.

However the United States has remained a notable exemption to those sales statistics, as the wildly popular treat is currently banned. FDA regulations consider the toy nested within the egg to be a choking hazard.

Coming soon: After years of fighting FDA regulations, Ferrero will release the popular Kinder Joy in the United States in January 2018

A global sensation! Kinder Surprise, which sells a reported 3.5 billion units each year, is presently banned in the United States

Since 1938, the United States has upheld a ban on all candies with embedded toys.

Now, a slight variation of the Kinder Surprise will allow the treat to bypass these regulations with ease and is set to go on sale in the US in January 2018.

The updated treat, called the Kinder Joy, features two individually packaged halves: one half contains chocolate cream and crispy wafer balls, while the other half contains the highly-coveted toy.

This version of the treat is already being sold in India, China, and Korea.

Though Kinder Surprise have been outlawed in the United States since their 2001 debut, that hasn't stopped Americans from attempting to get their hands on the prized candy.

Even a cursory Google search reveals a slew of forums discussing complex import tactics for Kinder Surprise eggs, and websites willing to defy customs and ship the eggs for a hefty fee.

Though the chocolate is quite literally fun and games, US customs appears to take Kinder Surprise violations quite seriously. The Independent reported that when one of its staffers was caught with the eggs in their luggage, they were fined a total of $12,000 for 10 eggs.

The black market: Kinder Surprise have been illegally available in the United States, but those caught with the treats are looking at hefty fines

Ferrero SpA, Kinder's parent company, presently sells many of its other products in the United States, including Ferrero Rocher and Tic Tacs.

Judging by many of the enthused social media reactions to the Kinder Joy news, fans of the toy-filled chocolate have been awaiting this day for some time.

With Kinder Joy, Ferrero will likely be adding a crown jewel to its bevy of popular products - and a hefty increase to its already astronomical $10 billion in year profits.
Several anonymous Starbucks baristas have opened up about their experiences working for the coffee chain  and they're not feeling a latte love.

Business Insider recently spoke to a handful of former and current 'partners'  what the brand calls its in-store employees  and they certainly had plenty to gripe about.

The top shared complaint, though, seems to be that Starbucks expects its partners to forge a connection with customers, but doesn't give them the time to do so as they are expected to turn out drink orders at a rapid pace.

Gripes: Anonymous Starbucks employees recently shared their complaints about the company

Several of the sources that spoke to Business Insider complained about wages. According to Glassdoor, the average pay for a Starbucks baristas is $9.54 an hour.

While that's higher than the national minimum wage of $7.25, it amounts to $381.60 a week, or about $1,526.40 a month, before taxes. As a yearly salary, it's just over $18,300  only about $6,000 above the national poverty threshold of $12,082, according to the Institute for Research on Poverty.

While under current laws, the company is well within its rights to pay that much, the employees who spoke up insisted that the work they do is worth more.

'My team wants to be able to afford rent and groceries,' said one, who noted that Starbucks may be generous enough to offer tuition assistance, but argued that most employees would prefer a raise instead.

'It's not a company; it's a cult that pays $9 per hour,' added a former employee from Florida.

Elaborating on the 'cult' characterization, the Florida employee explained that the training process is designed to feel 'genuine and unique' for new hires, but it's not unique at all  managers have a handbook of steps taking them through the training process, which is a 'carefully detailed and structured activity'.

Of course, many companies have similar procedures, with uniform checklists for training and making new hires feel welcome.

The most frequent complaint, though, seems to be how busy the baristas are. Quite a few current and former employees complained that stores were understaffed, and they were expected to perform too many duties at a time.

Familiar problem: They said they were overworked and underpayed

On top of those duties  taking orders, making drinks, cleaning, restocking  they are also expected to connect with customers, something the employees who were interviewed said is impossible.

'Managers say ... we need to do a better job at connecting. Obviously, we're not connecting, because we have mobile here and we have drive-thru here, and we're running around like crazy, ' explained a current employee.

'It's exhausting being the only one on the floor,' added another. 'We're getting screamed at by customers for not being fast enough, so we try to go fast, and we mess up the money, or we mess up the drinks, and then we get yelled at for messing up the money and messing up the drinks. It's all incredibly tiresome.

'There is no customer connection when we're as busy and understaffed as we are,' the barista went on. 'I've had people call the store to complain that we seemed rushed and upset. The stress is overwhelming. A four-hour shift is too exhausting at this point, because there's nobody to help us.'

'Starbucks demands that we do several tasks at once, so how can it be expected to "connect with customers"?' asked another.

Despite these complaints, however, Starbucks has a 3.8 out of 5 star rating on Glassdoor, with 78 per cent saying they'd recommend the company to a friend and a huge 87 per cent saying they approve of the CEO.

The top complaints there seem to be how busy the job is, and that management doesn't pay enough attention to the baristas' needs.

Most of the reviews, though, are positive.

'Great benefits and fun place to work,' wrote a former barista from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Another former barista from Pittsburgh wrote: 'Great team environment. Sometimes the environment becomes stressful when the store is busy, but co-workers and supervisors delegate tasks very well so that no one is too overwhelmed. Corporate also does a great job of making partners feel valued in their stores.'

Meanwhile, there is an entire Reddit page dedicated to Starbucks partners, which currently has 27,542 subscribers. Most of the posts in the subreddit are positive or complaints about customers.
As if your abdomen is being singed with a red-hot poker is how one woman describes the pain of endometriosis.

Like someone is trying to prise you apart. Its the worst pain imaginable, says another.

And endometriosis doesnt just cause debilitating pain  it is also a leading cause of infertility.

Yet although about 1.5 million women in the UK are affected, endometriosis has long been a Cinderella condition.

Earlier this month, in a letter published in The Lancet, women with endometriosis called for more research.

Endometriosis doesnt just cause debilitating pain  it is also a leading cause of infertility (picture posed by model)

Endometriosis has received little funding because it only affects women and there remains a gender bias in research, says Andrew Horne, a professor of gynaecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Edinburgh.

It has also suffered because it is an invisible chronic pain condition  its not like having a broken leg for example  and other people struggle to envisage what its like to live with.

Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that normally forms the lining of the womb each month occurs elsewhere in the body.

This can cause pain, as every month the tissue is expelled at the time of menstruation, but has nowhere to go.

It also triggers inflammation, which can lead to the development of scar tissue that sticks to internal organs, causing even more pain. If endometriosis forms around the reproductive organs, it can affect fertility.

Famous sufferers include Marilyn Monroe, who is believed to have become addicted to the painkillers prescribed to help with the condition. Its also thought to have contributed to her difficulties conceiving.

Hormonal drugs can help reduce symptoms by lowering the levels of oestrogen (the hormone is thought to encourage endometriosis), but this can trigger menopause-like side-effects.

There are surgical options to cut or burn away the tissue. However, it regrows in as many as three out of four women, according to some experts.

Famous sufferers of endometriosis include Marilyn Monroe

In desperation some women opt for a hysterectomy, but even this does not solve the problem for all.

But new options may be on the horizon with the discovery that endometriosis cells behave much like cancer cells.

Scientists now hope to exploit that similarity and use cancer drugs to treat the condition.

A study published a fortnight ago in the New England Journal of Medicine found that some forms of endometriosis show genetic cancer-like changes.

Canadian scientists studied tissue from the wombs of 39 women with a type of endometriosis called deep-infiltrating, a relatively rare form of the disease that, as the name implies, pushes deep within tissue.

The results are interesting as they found that the endometriosis had a number of the gene mutations that you would see with cancer  but not enough for it to become a cancer, says Professor Horne.

The news is of particular interest to Professor Horne as he and his team at Edinburgh University are testing cancer drugs as a treatment for a more common form of endometriosis.

The new treatment will target endometriosis in the peritoneum  the lining of the pelvis  which is where the condition occurs in 80-90 per cent of cases (although it can affect many areas in the body, from around the bowel to the lungs).

The endometriosis tissue invades the peritoneum, sticks to it and forms its own blood supply in much the same way cancer cells would do, says Professor Horne.

And we have found that the cells in the peritoneum of women with endometriosis differ metabolically (i.e. in the way they produce energy) from cells in women without it.

They produce energy in a similar way cancer cells do.

Normally cells break down sugars in their mitochondria  the energy packs within the cells. Cancer cells instead switch off their mitochondria and break down sugars in the cytoplasm  the main area of the cell. This is known as the Warburg effect.

The cells in the pelvis of women with endometriosis also behave in this way. Professor Horne and his team have been testing cancer drugs that switch off the Warburg effect.

Endometriosis affects some 1.5 million women in the UK (picture posed by model)

These are dichloroacetate, a drug that has been used for years for another condition, lactic acidosis, and is being tested on those with brain tumours; galloflavin, which is also being tested for breast cancer; and gossypol, currently being tested for use in breast and prostate cancer.

We have done lots of tests with promising results  it seems that we can change the endometriosis cells back to normal cells, adds Professor Horne.

So far the research, funded by the charity Wellbeing of Women, has been carried out on donated tissue collected from women with endometriosis.

But the researchers are starting to test the treatments on mice, too, to help see if they reduce the pain of the condition, says Professor Horne.

Its envisaged that the drugs would be offered in the early stages of the disease to prevent widespread painful growths and would be given in far smaller doses than may be used for cancer to minimise the side-effects. Dichloroacetate, for example, can cause numbness and fatigue.

The treatment for endometriosis may be given as tablets but it would need to be taken every day, adds Professor Horne. Another option would be to give it as a vaginal ring or coil that slowly releases small amount of the drug.

He hopes to start trials on women within a year.

If successful, the research could have wider implications.

A respected endocrinologist once said to me: When we find a cure for endometriosis, well be able to cure cancer,  says Lone Hummelshoj, chief executive of the World Endometriosis Research Foundation.

Hugh Byrne, a consultant gynaecologist at St Georges and the Lister Hospitals in London, welcomes the cancer drug research. There is a need for more options for women with endometriosis and this approach makes sense, he adds.

Endometriosis does behave like a cancer: it spreads around the body, invades and destroys local tissue, and is sporadic in that it affects some women and not others.

However, this is early stage research and we need far more data.

Professor Horne is speaking and answering questions at the Wellbeing of Womens seminar Endometriosis: The 1 in 10, on Thursday, June 29, 6pm to 8pm, at The Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole St, London W1G 0AE. For tickets go to wellbeingofwomen.org.uk, or call 020 3697 7000.
Back pain plagues millions worldwide, leaving sufferers in almost constant agony as they desperately seek ways to beat it.

But scientists have shown their excruciating symptoms can be beaten through the use of an implant that shocks their spine twice a day.

In a new British study, the ReActiv8 gadget was found to significantly reduce the pain of 50 per cent of sufferers within three months.

And researchers claim the device, which is fitted like a pacemaker beneath the skin, may even be able able to completely eradicate symptoms after three years.

It was also found to boost the quality of life of volunteers - something that is known to be affected by living with chronic back pain.

The device works by zapping nerves around the spine, activating muscles that barely get used and therefore weaken with age, causing discomfort.

Scientists have shown that the agonising symptoms can be beaten through the use of an electrical device that zaps their muscles (stock)

Some 53 patients across Europe and Australia suffering from chronic back pain, which is believed to affect one tenth of the population, were involved in the Barts Health NHS Trust trial.

The device, which is fitted during surgery, zapped their backs for 30 minutes each morning and evening.

It works by stimulating nerves close to the L3 vertebra by using two electrical leads connected to a small battery-powered generator.

This shock then activates the muscles deep in the back, that are usually left inactive and therefore weaken as people become older.

Positive effects of the device were seen after just three months, with the pain score having improved by a third, The Times reports.

But the reduced discomfort lasted throughout the year, according to lead researcher Dr Vivek Mehta, a consultant in pain medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital.

The shock it gives activates the muscles deep in the back, that are usually left inactive and therefore weaken with age, causing symptoms of pain (stock)

More than 80 per cent of patients fitted with the device expressed their satisfaction, the results of the trial showed.

Dr Mehta told the newspaper that the innovative device, created by Mainstay Medical, does not interfere with day-to-day activities.

HOW DOES IT WORK? ReActiv8 is an implantable device that is designed to deliver an electric shock to nerves close to the spine. Two leads are placed near the dorsal ramus nerve at the L3 vertebra - known to support the weight of the torso. These are both connected to a small battery-powered generator which can give off a shock typically for 30 minutes twice a day - but this can be amended by doctors to provide more or less. The ReActiv8 won European approval to be marketed for treating back pain last year following a body of evidence highlighting its benefits. But only patients in Ireland and Germany have so far received the devices under recommendations of their physicians. Medical Mainstay, which manufactures the device, applied for market approval in Australia earlier this year. Both the UK and the US are still trialing the gadget, with results shaping their decisions expected next year. Over time, the device helps the brain and body learn how to better control the muscles, allowing patients to recover from chronic lower back pain. This technique of electrical stimulation to reactivate the motor control system is well established for other skeletal joints and muscles. Source: Mainstay Medical Advertisement

He added: 'The data that I'm presenting is that the patients are quite satisfied with the level of stimulation and they can carry on with their work as they would normally do.'

The next step of the long-term trial on the ReActiv8 device involves using it in a study against placebos on 128 people.

Timothy Deer, clinical professor of anaesthesiology and pain medicine at West Virginia University, told The Times that the findings were 'exciting'.

He added: 'Some of these patients can't work or spend time with their families, so this is about changing their lives as much as about reducing their pain.'

All of the volunteers had previously been given medication to combat their symptoms, but to no avail. They were also found to be unsuitable for spinal surgery.

This is the case for millions of patients, as operations to fix the discomfort are only conducted if doctors know the cause.

Instead, many are forced to rely on painkillers - which a range of recent studies have shown to be ineffective in many instances.

Exercises are considered the primary option for many sufferers, with stretches having proved to work in those plagued by the discomfort.

The findings were presented at the International Neuromodulation Society's world congress in Edinburgh yesterday.

It comes after New York-based researchers found in March that Islamic prayer rituals are also effective in fighting back pain.

They said if performed five times a day like their religion states, it can actually increase elasticity of the joints.

While a major review of medical evidence in January showed that yoga can also relieve the agony of back pain.

The practice, which includes stretching and breathing exercises, is an effective way to improve mobility and ease the chronic discomfort, University of Maryland experts said.
Too many children are being given sleeping tablets with unknown side effects as parents desire 'perfect' children, experts warn.

The so-called 'sleep hormone' melatonin is naturally produced by the body at night-time and is authorised as a prescription for adults over the age of 55 who are suffering from insomnia.

Yet an exponential rise in the number of children under 14 being hospitalised with sleep disorders over the past decade has led to concerns that some children are being prescribed the hormone 'off label' - using drugs in an unauthorised disease or age group.

Experts are worried melatonin is being used by parents in a quest for 'perfect' children.

Short-term complications of melatonin drugs include headaches, nausea, dizziness and drowsiness. In the long term, animal studies suggest the drugs can have a negative impact on a user's hormones.

NHS prescription data does not specify child ages, however, melatonin use has increased ten-fold among under-55s in the past decade, with GPs and nurses reporting overuse in children.

Pushy parents are giving their children sleeping pills in the quest for 'perfect' youngsters

HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD FALL ASLEEP Establish a routine that involves going to bed and waking at the same time every day, even on weekends. Give your child a warning that bedtime is approaching and leave them to sleep by themselves if possible. Switch off computers and televisions an hour before bed. Avoid sugary and caffeinated food and drinks in the evening. Eat heavy meals early in the day if possible. Listen to calming music or read a book before bed to help children relax. Source: The Children's Sleep Charity Advertisement

Dr Neil Stanley, an independent sleep expert and former director of sleep research at the University of Surrey, said: 'Unless a child has a diagnosed condition such as autism that has been scientifically proven to be helped by melatonin, there is no medical rationale for a child to be given it.

'For non-autistic children it is a fashionable treatment for parents wanting "perfect" children,' The Guardian reported.

Autistic children often fail to produce adequate amounts of melatonin.

Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) says melatonin appears relatively safe when used for up to 18 months. Yet, its safety beyond that timeframe is unclear.

Vicki Dawson, founder of the NHS Doncaster-funded The Childrens Sleep Charity, said: 'Parents are aware you can get it in the US in supermarkets. I've had parents say it is a natural remedy, but it's not.'

Experts advise behavioural programmes, such as establishing bedtime routines, should be tried if your child struggles to nod off.

A statement from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society noted its concern at melatonin drugs being purchased online and stressed parents should try lifestyle changes before medication.

It adds children taking melatonin should be supervised by a paediatric sleep specialist and treatment should be stopped if it proves ineffective.

This comes after researchers from the University of Toronto found people who move around while dreaming may be at a higher risk of dementia or Parkinson's disease in much later life.

They believe this is due to sleep disorders being caused by dysfunctional cells in the brain stem.
Rock climbing significantly reduces depression, new research reveals.

Just eight weeks of the sport takes symptoms of the mental health disorder from moderate to mild, a study found.

Researchers believe a combination of the sport's physicality, alongside its social aspect and required concentration eases depression.

Study author Eva-Maria Stelzer, from the University of Arizona, said: 'You have to be mindful and focused on the moment.

'It does not leave much room to let your mind wonder on things that may be going on in your life - you have to focus on not falling.'

Rock climbing significantly reduces depression - taking symptoms from moderate to mild

JUST 12 WEEKS OF TAI CHI COMBATS DEPRESSION Taking part in Tai Chi could help to combat depression, research claims. Going to classes in the ancient Chinese martial art for 12 weeks significantly reduces symptoms of the blues, according to researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital. It can work independently of treatment, suggesting it can scupper the need for antidepressant prescriptions. The findings hold promise amid soaring rates of depression worldwide, with drugs and therapy often proving ineffective. Tai Chi, which has been used for more than 1,000 years, combines deep breathing with slow, gentle movements. Advertisement

Researchers from the University of Arizona analysed more than 100 adults from Germany who were randomly allocated to one of two groups.

One group started bouldering - rock climbing without ropes or harnesses - immediately, while the other waited to start the sport.

Both groups took part in bouldering for three hours a week for a total of eight weeks. Most of the participants were new to the sport.

At various points throughout the study, depression symptoms were investigated using standard assessments.

Results revealed those that starting bouldering immediately experienced more than a six point improvement in their depression score, which took their symptoms from moderate to mild.

Those waiting to start the sport experienced an average improvement of 1.4 points.

The researchers believe the physical aspect of bouldering, combined with its social side and the concentration involved are behind its benefits for the mental health disorder.

Stelzer said: 'Bouldering, in many ways, is a positive physical activity.

'There are different routes for your physical activity level and there's a social aspect, along with the feeling of an immediate accomplishment when bouldering.'

'You have to be mindful and focused on the moment.

'It does not leave much room to let your mind wonder on things that may be going on in your life - you have to focus on not falling.'

The findings were presented at the 29th Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention in Boston.

This comes after researchers from McMaster University found so-called 'good bacteria' in yogurt eases depression.

Some 64 per cent of adults with irritable bowel syndrome and symptoms of depression saw their mental health improve within just six weeks of taking a daily 'good bacteria', or probiotic, supplement, the study revealed.
Sex education classes and birth control advertising fail to curb teenage pregnancy rates, research suggests.

Instead, they may encourage young people to have unprotected sex which results in unwanted pregnancies.

The findings have emerged following analysis of pregnancy rates after Government funding for a range of schemes designed to promote safe sex was cut.

Budgets were slashed in 2010 and despite criticism at the time that it would have a detrimental impact, the reverse appears to have happened.

The decline in teenage pregnancy rates is greatest in areas where local councils have been forced to make the biggest cuts to such services, experts say.

Experts also believe the trend could be down to many youngsters being part of a 'sensible generation' less likely to partake in the type of risky behaviour their parents engaged in, The Times reports.

Since slashing funding to a range of schemes designed to cut teenager pregnancy rates in 2010, the amount has significantly fallen in England (stock)

David Paton and Liam Wright, of the universities of Nottingham and Sheffield respectively, spoke of their findings in the Journal of Health Economics.

They wrote: 'There are arguments to suggest that the impact [of the cuts] on teenage pregnancy may be not as bad as feared and, indeed, that spending on projects relating to teenage pregnancy may even be counterproductive.

'There's less long-term risk-taking behaviour, so these trends might all be of a piece.

'Put simply, birth control will reduce the risk of pregnancy for sex acts which would have occurred anyway.

'But [it] may increase the risk among teenagers who are induced by easier access to birth control either to start having sex or to have sex more frequently.'

Despite only noticing a small effect in their analysis, the findings remained true after the data was thoroughly adjusted.

The researchers assessed the funding of services and the subsequent teenage pregnancy rates of 149 local authorities.

The findings were backed up by a 2009 study that found sex education classes in schools contributed to higher pregnancy rates.

TEENAGE PREGNANCY RATES Only 21 girls among every 1,000 aged between 15 and 17 became pregnant during 2015 in England and Wales, official figures showed in March. This is exactly half of the 42 in 1,000 recorded in 2007, according to the Office for National Statistics. There was a similar fall among the under-16s, with pregnancies for 13 to 15-year-olds falling from 8.1 in every 1,000 to 3.1 over the same period. The overall number of teen pregnancies in England and Wales for 2015 was 20,351  the lowest since records began in 1969  down from 22,653 in 2014. Advertisement

This was mirrored by a major Cochrane review of sex education classes last year which found they had 'no apparent effect'.

Before the turn of the century, Britain was faced with some of the highest rates of pregnant adolescents across Europe.

Health officials attempted to combat the problem by giving local councils vast amounts of money.

In response, some decided to open sexual health clinics across schools and fund special classes to curb the rising rates.

Others chose to give young girls the option to freely get the morning-after-pill at their pharmacies.

When implemented in 1999, teen pregnancy rates in England and Wales were around the 42,000 mark. This fluctuated up and down until 2007, when a decreasing trend was starting to appear.

Teenage pregnancy rates in England and Wales have continued to decrease since then, and the overall number in 2015 was 20,351  the lowest since records began in 1969.

Conceptions among under-18s have halved in just eight years, according to the most recent official statistics published in March.

Experts believe it is because the so-called 'sensible generation' are turning away from smoking, drinking, drugs and risky sex.

The decline also coincides with the rise of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, which has transformed the behaviour of young people. Many now choose to stay indoors and interact with the world through their computer screens.

Researchers have also previously pointed to a stigma that is attached to teenage pregnancy that could also have impacted on the sexual behaviour of young people today.
For most of us, an orgasm is a blissful release of pleasure.

But for some, the big O can bring on some rather unexpected side effects - including hallucinations, crying, sneezing and even an orgasm in your foot.

These, and other bizarre symptoms, have actually been reported in scientific literature in what experts call 'peri-orgasmic phenomena'.

Typical effects of an orgasm are whole-body and pelvic sensations, as well as flushing, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and heavy breathing, according to a new report in Sexual Medicine Reviews.

Psychological responses can also include feelings of love, happiness, and relaxation.

Some women have reported feeling the sensation of flying after having an orgasm (file)

The report authors concluded: 'The human sexual response is complex and diverse.

'We aim to draw attention to these varied phenomena and to provide some guidance for the clinician encountering a patient who reports unusual symptoms with orgasm.'

We take a look at eight of the strangest symptoms that can be triggered by climaxing.

Crying

Becoming tearful or feeling sad, depressed, anxious or agitated after sex are symptoms of a condition called postcoital dysphoria (PCD) or 'post sex blues'.

According to the review, this is quite common, and often occurs within a stable relationship.

PCD at some point in their life was reported by a whopping 46 per cent of 230 Australian female university students surveyed.

Another study found a higher correlation of PCD among identical and non-identical twins, suggested the condition may be hereditary.

Hallucinations

Some women have reported their lover has literally taken them to another world.

Of nearly 50 females who reported experiencing 'expanded sexual response,' 76 per cent to 100 per cent said they felt a sensation of flying, according to a 2011 study from Turkey.

Up to 75 per cent claimed they had a feeling of leaving their bodies and up to 24 per cent noted a sense of entering a cartoon world.

Almost a quarter of respondents reported after climaxing experiencing the phenomenon of having the strong sensation that a current experience has already been experienced in the past, known as deja vu.

Sneezing

Reports linking sneezing and orgasms date back to the 1900s - in fact, one case from 1972 describes a 59-year-old man who developed severe sneezing and a runny nose after orgasm, which continued for 10 years.

Experts believe that activating one part of the parasympathetic nervous system during orgasm may trigger a different branch of it, too, which causes sneezing.

Sickness

Labelled 'post-orgasm illness syndrome', this is a side-effect that can affect men after ejaculation.

The researchers describe men reporting severe fatigue, overheating, and a temporary flu-like state after sex. 'Onset of these symptoms is rapid and can last up to four to seven days' said the report.

The scientists explain that the body can misidentify proteins in your own semen as foreign invaders, which ramps up the immune system response and makes you feel ill.

Seizures

One of the more distressing side-effects of post-orgasm phenomenon is what's technically known as orgasmolepsy - a form of reflex epilepsy after orgasm.

It was first recorded in 1960, when a pregnant 23-year-old woman developed partial seizures in the second trimester of her second pregnancy. After the birth, these seizures recurred, frequently immediately after orgasm.

Another 20-year-old patient had epileptic attacks triggered by masturbation or fantasies.

Scientists do not fully understand what causes it, but they think firing of the amygdala response - coupled with hypocretin deficiency, which occurs with narcolepsy - may be to blame.

Pain

Females can experience pain with orgasm even if she doesn't feel pain with intercourse, according to the review.

A 2009 study reported three cases of women who experienced this, without any physical causes of pain.

Men are not immune, either - patients with chronic prostate disease have also been known to experience pain with orgasm, too.

An orgasm in the foot

According to a 2013 case report in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, a 55-year-old woman said that when she experienced a vaginal or clitoral orgasm while having sex with her husband, she felt the same sensation in her left foot afterwards.

The researchers believe it may be due to partial regeneration of damaged nerve fibres in her foot.

Headache

There are more than 60 published articles in the literature on the topic of orgasm-associated headache. These are 'type 2' headaches, described as bilateral, explosive, and triggered by some kind of excitement.

Their duration can range from several minutes to three hours, and may be alleviated with antimigraine medication, says the review.
The Bridier family only had five days with their four-year-old daughter Jade before she died of a rare brain tumor.

Everything was seemingly normal for Jade until she slipped and hit the back of her head while on vacation in Mexico in August of 2016.

Later that day, the little girl from Bryan, Texas, began to see double and her eyes were crossed, prompting her parents Vicky and Troy Bridier to take her to the ER.

Doctors conducted a CT and MRI scan before delivering the news on August 24 that Jade had an inoperable tumor at the base of her brain, called a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

Jade's condition rapidly worsened within days and she lost her ability to walk, eat, urinate and talk, with her last words being: 'Mommy, I want to go home'.

Just five days after Jade's brain tumor was diagnosed, on August 29, she died.

Now Vicky, 42, has dedicated her life to spreading awareness of the rare cancer and hosted an emotional father-daughter dance in honor of Jade's birthday on May 20.

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Jade Bridier, four, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), on August 24. Her condition worsened within days, robbing her of speech and mobility. Pictured: Jade at the hospital (left) and with her father Troy Bridier (right) in August

Jade, from Bryan, Texas, died just five days after her diagnosis on August 29 at the age of four. Her last words spoken were: 'Mommy, I want to go home'. Pictured with Vicky Bridier in August

Vicky said Jade's tumor was the second most aggressive case of DIPG that doctors had ever seen.

Speaking to Daily Mail Online on Tuesday, Vicky said: 'When she was diagnosed with DIPG, I had never heard of it. In my heart I knew she wasn't going to live long. She was losing every single function and ability so rapidly.

'We never had the opportunity or time to process. I just asked all the questions - there was no cure and no survival rate.

'I went immediately into mommy mode, I didn't have time to do research.'

Just two days into Jade's stay at the pediatric intensive care unit at Texas Childrens Hospital, Jade couldn't walk, hold her head up, eat or talk.

Because Jade was taught sign language as a baby, she was able to communicate slightly by signing.

The last thing Jade signed was that she was hungry, before she desatted and her heart was unable to keep up with her body.

She died just five days after her diagnosis.

Vicky (pictured with husband Troy, a Texas State Trooper and Jade in 2012) launched the website Troopers Angel Jade to share her daughter's story and to raise money for DIPG research

Jade's tumor, located at the base of her brain, was the second most aggressive case of DIPG that doctors had ever seen, Vicky said. Pictured: Jade (left) on vacation in Mexico before she fell and Jade before her symptoms showed (right)

WHAT IS DIFFUSE INTRINSIC PONTINE GLIOMA (DIPG)? A Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a rare an inoperable type of brain tumor. It mostly affects children, with most diagnoses occurring between four and 11 years of age. More than 90 percent of its victims will die within 18 months of diagnosis. Each year, there are around 100-150 new diagnoses in the United States. The cause of the tumor remains unknown. Symptoms include lack of facial control, double vision, headaches, vomiting, weakness, seizures and balance problems. One of the early indicators of the cancer is a child falling, tripping or losing balance. Advertisement

Shortly after Jade's death, Vicky and Troy, who is a Texas State Trooper, took a two week road trip to sort through their emotions.

Vicky decided while on the trip that she wanted the answers doctors weren't able to provide her about Jade's cancer.

She added: 'I wanted to know why my child and why DIPG.'

Vicky launched the website Troopers Angel Jade to share her daughter's story and to raise money for research.

Vicky said Jade had always wanted to go to a father-daughter dance but she had told Jade she could only attend when she turned five, which would have been this May.

In honor of Jade's fifth birthday, there was a dance and Texas State Troopers were filmed clutching onto their daughters as they swayed with the music.

Vicky said: 'Jade was such a princess in every way and wanted to go to a daddy-daughter dance. She didn't get that night so I needed to honor that wish.'

The night was heartfelt and Troy was filmed dancing with his and Vicky's other daughter Mila, two.

So far, the fundraiser has raised nearly $70,000 and Vicky said it won't be the last event.

She added: 'Nothing has progressed in 60 years with research around DIPG. We need to make a change. I'm on a mission to find a cure.'

The Bridier family is close with the family of Brock Fleming, a young Texas boy who was diagnosed with DIPG and died seven months later at seven years old.

The Flemings worked with a local state representative to introduce a bill to Texas state legislation that would help increase awareness of the rare brain disease.

The bill was recently passed, making May 17 DIPG Awareness Day in Texas.

In honor of Jade's fifth birthday, a fundraiser was held. Texas State Troopers were filmed clutching onto their daughters as they danced. The moment was touching and Troy was filmed dancing with his and Vicky's other daughter Mila, two (pictured left and right)

Vicky said Jade had always wanted to go to a father-daughter dance but was told she could only attend when she turned five, which would have been this May. Pictured: The Bridier family on May 20

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How to Share With Just Friends How to share with just friends. Posted by Facebook on Friday, December 5, 2014

DIPG is a highly aggressive brain disease and it is extremely difficult to treat, due to the tumor being found at the base of the brain.

It is found mostly in children aged between four and 11. It affects the part of the brain that controls the heartbeat, breathing, swallowing, eyesight and balance.

The tumor eventually limits the child's ability to move and speak. And at the time of diagnosis, children are given around a year to live.

As of January last year, no child diagnosed with this condition has ever survived.

Approximately 300 children are diagnosed with DIPGs each year. And due to the fast growth of the tumor, symptoms usually develop quickly.

They include problems with balance and walking, vision issues (including double vision, drooping eyelids, uncontrolled eye movements, blurred vision), problems eating, nausea and facial weakness or drooping, usually on one side of the face.
One drab afternoon a few years ago something very unusual happened to me.

I was lounging under a tree in a packed east London park when I experienced a sudden feeling of vertigo, followed immediately by an overwhelming and intense sense of familiarity.

The people around me vanished and I found myself lying on a tartan picnic blanket amid a field of high golden wheat. The memory was rich and detailed. I could hear the sway of the wheat ears as a gentle breeze brushed through them. I felt warm sunlight on the back of my neck and watched as birds wheeled and floated above me.

It was a pleasant and extremely vivid recollection. The problem was that it never actually happened. What I was experiencing was an extreme form of a very common mental illusion: deja vu.

We view our memories as sacred. One of the most fundamental doctrines of Western philosophy was established by Aristotle. He saw a newborn baby as a kind of empty ledger, one that is gradually filled as the child grows and accumulates knowledge and experience.

Whether it's how to tie a shoelace or recalling your first day at school, memories make up the autobiographical map that helps us navigate the present day. Jingles from old television adverts, the name of the second-to-last prime minister, the punchline to a joke: memories are the constituent parts of individual identities.

Most of the time memory systems run quietly in the background as we go about the business of everyday life. We take their efficiency for granted. Until, that is, they fail.

When a brain tumor left Pat Long with persistent deja vu, he began to question the very nature of reality. Here, he tells his story for the first time (file image)

For the past five years I have been suffering epileptic seizures resulting from the growth and eventual removal of a lemon-sized tumour from the right-hand side of my brain. Before my diagnosis I appeared fit and healthy: I was in my mid-30s and displayed absolutely no symptoms. Until, that is, the afternoon that I woke up on the kitchen floor with two black eyes after suffering my first recorded seizure.

Seizures, or fits, occur after an unanticipated electrical discharge in the brain. They are usually preceded by something called an 'aura', a sort of minor foreshock lasting anything up to a couple of minutes before the main event begins. The nature of this aura differs greatly from patient to patient. Some people experience synaesthesia, extreme euphoria and even orgasm at the onset of a seizure. My own aren't nearly as exciting-sounding, being distinguished by sudden shifts in perspective, a rapidly increased heart rate, anxiety, and the occasional auditory hallucination.

It occurs with varying degrees of magnitude up to ten times a day, whether as part of a seizure or not

Pioneering English neurologist John Hughlings Jackson was the first to define the epileptic aura, observing in 1898 that its hallmarks included vivid memory-like hallucinations, often alongside the feeling of deja vu. 'Old scenes revert,' one patient told him. 'I feel,' said another, 'in some strange place.'

By far the most significant trait of my aura is the striking sense of having lived through that precise moment before at some point in the past  even though I never have. During my most intense seizures, and for a week or so afterwards, this feeling of precognition becomes so pervasive that I routinely struggle to discern the difference between lived events and dreams, between memories, hallucinations and the products of my imagination.

I don't remember deja vu happening with any kind of regularity before the onset of my epilepsy. Now it occurs with varying degrees of magnitude up to ten times a day, whether as part of a seizure or not. I can find no pattern to explain when or why these episodes manifest themselves, only that they usually last for the length of a pulse before vanishing.

Many of the estimated 50 million people in the world with epilepsy experience long-term memory decline and psychiatric problems. And it's hard for me not to worry whether the blurring of fact and fiction that I experience might one day engender a kind of mania. By trying to understand more about deja vu, I'm hoping to make sure that I never lose my way on the path back to reality from that same 'strange place'.

In Catch-22, Joseph Heller described deja vu as 'a weird, occult sensation of having experienced the identical situation before in some prior time or existence'. Peter Cook put it his own way in a magazine column: 'All of us at one time or another have had a sense of deja vu, a feeling that this has happened before, that this has happened before, that this has happened before.'

Taken from the French for 'already seen', deja vu is one of a group of related quirks of memory. Research from 50 different surveys suggests that around two-thirds of healthy people have experienced deja vu at one time or another. For the majority, it is dismissed as a curiosity or a mildly interesting cognitive illusion.

While deja vu is instantaneous and fleeting, deja vecu (already lived) is far more troubling. Unlike deja vu, deja vecu involves the sensation that a whole sequence of events has been lived through before. What's more, it lacks both the startling aspect and instantly dismissible quality of deja vu.

Pat Long, a journalist, was diagnosed with a brain tumor five years ago. The tumor was removed but left lingering seizures and deja vu (file image)

A defining feature of the normal deja vu experience is the ability to discern that it isn't real. On encountering deja vu, the brain runs a sort of sense check, searching for objective evidence of the prior experience and then disregarding it as the illusion that it is. People with deja vecu have been known to lose this ability completely.

Professor Chris Moulin, one of the foremost experts on the deja experience, describes a patient he encountered while working at a memory clinic at a hospital in Bath, England. In 2000, Moulin received a letter from a local GP referring an 80-year-old former engineer known as AKP. As a result of gradual brain-cell death caused by dementia, AKP was now suffering from chronic and perpetual deja vu: deja vecu.

AKP claimed that he had given up watching television or reading the newspaper because he knew what was about to happen. 'His wife said that he was someone who felt as though everything in his life had happened before,' says Moulin, now at the Laboratoire de Psychologie et NeuroCognition CNRS in Grenoble. AKP was resistant to the idea of visiting the clinic because he felt as though he'd already been there, despite the fact that he never had. On being introduced to Moulin for the first time, the man even claimed to be able to give specific details of occasions that they had met before.

AKP did retain some self-awareness. 'His wife would ask him how he could know what would happen in a television programme if he'd never seen it before,' says Moulin, 'to which he would respond, 'How would I know? I have a memory problem.'

On that day in the park, my vision of the picnic blanket and the wheat field disappeared when a paramedic began to shake my shoulder. Despite the fact that my memories had been hallucinations, they still felt as valid as any truly autobiographical memory. Moulin classes this as a form of deja experience in which an image is somehow imbued with a sense of reality.

Deja vu experiences can be so transitory and short-lived that they are almost impossible to recreate in clinical conditions

'Our feeling is that deja vu is caused by a sense of familiarity,' he says. 'Rather than just feeling like something has a feeling of 'pastness' about it, something comes to mind that has a phenomenological characteristic, so that it appears to be a real reminiscence.'

Other patients of Moulin's have exhibited what cognitive scientists call 'anosognosic' tendencies, either being unaware of their condition or lacking the immediate capacity to tell memory from fantasy. 'I spoke to one woman who said that her feelings of deja vu were so strong that they were for her exactly like autobiographical memories,' Moulin tells me. 'Some of the things that happened to her were quite fantastic; she'd have memories of taking helicopter flights. These memories were hard for her to overcome because she had to spend a long time trying to work out whether something had happened.'

After his first encounter with AKP, Moulin began to become interested in the causes of deja vu and how subjective feelings can interfere with day-to-day memory processes. Discovering that there was very little credible literature describing the causes of deja vu, Moulin and colleagues at the Language and Memory Lab at the Institute of Psychological Sciences, University of Leeds, began to study epileptics and other sufferers of profound memory defects in order to draw conclusions about deja experiences in the healthy brain and explore what deja vu means for the workings of consciousness generally.

They were faced with an immediate problem: deja vu experiences can be so transitory and short-lived that they are almost impossible to recreate in clinical conditions. The job that they faced, then, was one of trying to catch lightning in a bottle.

Emile Boirac was a 19th-century psychic researcher and parapsychologist with an interest in clairvoyance typical of the Victorian era. In 1876, he wrote to a French philosophy journal to describe his experience of arriving in a new city but feeling as though he had visited it before. Boirac coined the phrase deja vu. He suggested that it was caused by a sort of mental echo or ripple: that his new experience simply recalled a memory that had previously been forgotten.

While this theory is still considered plausible, subsequent attempts at explaining deja vu experiences have tended towards the more outlandish.

Sigmund Freud's 1901 book The Psychopathology of Everyday Life is most famous for exploring the nature of the Freudian slip, but it also discusses other defects in the process of recollection. The book documents one female patient's deja experiences: on entering a friend's house for the first time, the woman had the feeling that she had visited before and claimed to know each successive room in the house before she walked through it.

What Freud's patient experienced as she walked through the house would now be described specifically as deja visite, or 'already visited'. Freud attributed his patient's feeling of deja visite to the manifestation of a repressed fantasy that only surfaced when the woman encountered a situation analogous to an unconscious desire.

Again, this theory hasn't been entirely discredited, although somewhat typically Freud also suggested that deja vu could be traced back to a fixation on the mother's genitals, the sole place that, he wrote, 'one can assert with such conviction that one has been there before'.

Only now, almost 150 years after Emile Boirac invented the phrase, are researchers like Chris Moulin beginning to understand what actually causes deja vu

The accepted scientific definition of deja vu was formulated by South African neuropsychiatrist Vernon Neppe in 1983 as 'any subjectively inappropriate impression of familiarity of the present experience with an undefined past'. He also identified 20 separate forms of deja experience. Not all of them were related to seeing: one of Chris Moulin's patients was a man who had been blind since birth yet claimed to have experienced deja vu, while Neppe's descriptions of deja experiences include deja senti (already felt) and deja entendu (already heard).

Freud's diagnosis of deja vu as a purely psychological phenomenon  rather than one caused by neurological errors  had the unfortunate effect of shifting explanations for deja experiences towards the absurdly mystical.

In 1991 a Gallup poll of attitudes towards deja vu placed it alongside questions about astrology, paranormal activity and ghosts. Many people consider deja vu to be outside the realm of everyday cognitive experience, with assorted cranks and crackpots claiming it to be incontrovertible proof of extrasensory perception, alien abduction, psychokinesis or past lives.

It's not hard for me to feel sceptical about this last explanation in particular, but these fringe theories mean that deja vu has received very little attention from mainstream science. Only now, almost 150 years after Emile Boirac invented the phrase, are researchers like Chris Moulin beginning to understand what actually causes the system errors in what neuroscientist Read Montague memorably called the 'wet computer' of the brain.

It's no coincidence that people with epilepsy whose seizures tend to trigger deja vu are those whose seizures originate in the part of the brain most involved with memory, Long writes

The hippocampus is a beautiful looking thing. The mammalian brain contains two hippocampi, positioned symmetrically at the bottom of the brain. 'Hippocampus' is the ancient Greek word for seahorse, and there's a resemblance in the way that a seahorse's delicate tail coils in on itself to meet its long snout. It's only in the last 40 years that we have really begun to understand what these delicate structures do.

Scientists used to think of memories as being arranged together tidily in one place, like documents in a filing cabinet. This consensus was overturned in the early 1970s when cognitive neuroscientist Professor Endel Tulving proposed his theory that memories actually belong to one of two distinct groups.

What Tulving called 'semantic memory' refers to general facts that have no real bearing on personality, being independent of personal experience. 'Episodic memories', meanwhile, consist of recollections of life events or experiences. The fact that the Natural History Museum is in London is a semantic memory. The time that I visited it on a school trip at the age of 11 is an episodic one.

Aided by advances in neuroimaging, Tulving discovered that episodic memories are generated as small pieces of information at different points across the brain and then reassembled into a coherent whole. He saw this process as akin to actually experiencing episodic memories again. 'Remembering,' he said in 1983, 'is mental time travel, a sort of reliving of something that happened in the past.'

My own epilepsy originates in the temporal lobe, a region of the cerebral cortex tucked behind the ear and responsible primarily for the processing of sensory information

Many of these memory signals arose from the hippocampus and the area surrounding it, suggesting that the hippocampus is the brain's librarian, responsible for receiving information already processed by the temporal lobe, then sorting, indexing and filing it as episodic memory. Just as a librarian might order books by subject matter or author, so the hippocampus identifies common features between memories. It might use analogy or familiarity, for example grouping all memories of various museum visits together in one place. These commonalities are then used to link the constituent parts of episodic memories together for future retrieval.

It's no coincidence that people with epilepsy whose seizures tend to trigger deja vu are those whose seizures originate in the part of the brain most involved with memory. Nor is it surprising to learn that temporal lobe epilepsy affects episodic memory more than semantic memory. My own epilepsy originates in the temporal lobe, a region of the cerebral cortex tucked behind the ear and responsible primarily for the processing of incoming sensory information.

In his book The Deja Vu Experience, Professor Alan S Brown offers 30 different explanations for deja vu. According to him, any one alone may be enough to trigger a deja experience. As well as a biological dysfunction like epilepsy, Brown writes that stress or tiredness could cause deja vu.

My experiences of deja vu began during the long period of recuperation following my brain surgery, a time spent almost entirely indoors, moving in and out of a series of semi-conscious states that mostly included being sedated with opiates, sleeping and watching old movies. This recuperative twilight state might have made me more susceptible to deja experiences, through being fatigued, taking in an excess of sensory information or relaxing to the point of being comatose. But my situation was clearly an unusual one.

Brown is also a proponent of what is called the divided perception theory. First described in the 1930s by Dr Edward Bradford Titchener, divided perception refers to the times when the brain isn't quite paying enough attention to its surroundings. Titchener used the example of a person about to cross a busy street before being distracted by a shop window display. 'As you cross,' he wrote, 'you think, 'Why, I crossed this street just now'; your nervous system has severed two phases of a single experience, and the latter appears as a repetition of the earlier.'

My experiences of deja vu began during the long period of recuperation following my brain surgery, a time spent almost entirely indoors, moving in and out of a series of semi-conscious states that mostly included being sedated with opiates, sleeping and watching old movies

For much of the last century this idea was accepted as a plausible trigger of deja vu. Another common explanation was one offered by a doctor working at the Boston veterans' hospital. In 1963 Robert Efron suggested that deja vu could be caused by a sort of processing error: he believed that brains were responsible for assimilating events through the temporal lobe before then adding a sort of timestamp to them to determine when they happened.

Efron saw deja vu as resulting from the lag between seeing and adding that timestamp: if the process took too long, the brain would think that an event had already happened.

But Alan Brown and Chris Moulin both agree that the way that the hippocampus indexes memories by cross-referencing them according to familiarity is a more likely cause of deja vu.

'My belief is that a per-seizure deja vu experience is triggered by spontaneous activity in that area of the brain that handles familiarity evaluations,' says Brown. Probably, he says, in the area surrounding the hippocampus, and most likely on the right side of the brain. The precise point at which I have a lemon-shaped hole.

At Duke University's Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Alan Brown and Elizabeth Marsh devised an experiment to test Brown's theory that deja vu experiences are caused by an error when the hippocampus does its job of grouping memories. At the start of the experiment, students from Marsh's and Brown's universities (Duke and the Southern Methodist University in Dallas) were briefly shown photographs of locations  dorm rooms, libraries, classrooms  on the two campuses.

A week later the students were shown the same pictures, this time with new images inserted into the set. When asked if they'd visited all of the locations in the photographs, a portion of the students replied yes  even if the photograph in question was of the rival campus. Many university buildings look the same, so by planting the seed of confusion about which places the students had actually visited, Brown and Marsh were able to conclude that just one element of an image or experience can be enough for the brain to call up a familiar memory.

Chris Moulin and his University of Leeds colleague Dr Akira O'Connor had already recreated deja vu in lab conditions in 2006. Their aim was to find out more about the process of memory retrieval by exploring the difference between the brain registering an experience and then running that sense check to see if the same experience had actually occurred before or not.

Moulin suggests that deja vu is caused by a 'momentary overinterpretation of familiarity, something that comes about through panic or stress or that triggers a sense of something other. You've got this very excitable part of the brain which is just scanning the environment all the time looking for familiarity,' he says, 'and something goes on in deja vu which means [there's] some other information inbound later that says: 'This can't be familiar.'

Moulin concluded that the brain operates a sort of spectrum of memory retrieval, ranging from the completely successful interpretation of visual memory at one end and a full state of perpetual deja vecu at the other. At some point along the spectrum lies deja vu  neither as serious as deja vecu, nor as seamless as the way that the brain should be working.

Moulin also suggests that somewhere in the temporal lobe is a mechanism for regulating the process of remembering. Problems with this  like the ones caused by my temporal lobe epilepsy  can leave patients without any kind of fallback to let them know that what they're seeing has never happened to them before, effectively trapping them forever in a Moebius strip of memory.

But why do normally healthy people encounter it?

Brown suggests that deja vu happens to healthy people only a few times a year at most, but can be stimulated by environmental factors. 'People experience it mainly when they are indoors,' he says, 'doing leisure activities or relaxing, and in the company of friends; fatigue or stress frequently accompany the illusion.' He says that deja vu is relatively brief (10 to 30 seconds), and is more frequent in the evening than in the morning, and on the weekend than on weekdays.

The shock of repeated deja vu isn't physical, necessarily, but instead causes a kind of psychic pain that can feel physically sickening

Some researchers claim a connection between the ability to remember dreams and the likelihood of experiencing deja vu. In his work, Brown suggests that although deja vu occurs equally in women and men, it is more common in younger people, those that are well-travelled, earn higher incomes and whose political and social outlooks are more aligned to the liberal.

'There are some plausible explanations for this,' he tells me. 'People who travel more have more opportunities to encounter a new setting that they may find strangely familiar. People with liberal beliefs may be more likely to admit to having unusual mental experiences and willing to figure them out. A conservative mindset would likely avoid admitting to having strange mental events, as they might be seen as a sign that they are unstable.

'The age issue is a puzzle because memory usually gets more quirky as we age, rather than the other way around. I would guess that young people are more open to experiences and more in touch with unusual mental happenings.'

One of the first comprehensive studies of deja vu was conducted in the 1940s by a New York undergraduate student called Morton Leeds. Leeds kept an extraordinarily detailed diary of his frequent deja experiences, noting 144 episodes over the course of a year. One of these episodes, he wrote, was 'so strong that it almost nauseated me'.

Following my most recent seizures I've experienced something similar. The shock of repeated deja vu isn't physical, necessarily, but instead causes a kind of psychic pain that can feel physically sickening. Dream images suddenly interrupt normal thoughts. Conversations seem to have already taken place. Even banal things like making a cup of tea or reading a particular newspaper headline seem familiar. It feels occasionally like I'm flicking through a photo album containing nothing but the same picture reproduced endlessly.

Some of these sensations are easier to dismiss than others. Coming closer to finding an answer to what causes deja vu also means approaching a kind of resolution for my more persistent deja episodes, the ones that are the hardest of all to live with.

The night before completing this piece I had another seizure. The deadline had clearly been on my mind, as I suddenly had an intense memory of sitting down to write these closing sentences. When I regained my composure enough to read the finished article the next day, there was nothing here but blank space. It was another illusion. Now I'm actually typing this conclusion. It is, to borrow a famous solecism, like deja vu all over again.

This article was originally published by Mosaic and is republished here under a Creative Commons licence. Daily Mail Online extended the headline
Women who leave it late to have children are at a much greater risk of severe complications, experts warn.

Those who become mothers over 44 were more than twice as likely to die or suffer a serious condition than those who gave birth in their 20s, a study found.

They were also more than ten times as likely to end up in intensive care than those who have a child in their early twenties.

Women who leave it late to have children are at a much greater risk of severe complications, experts warn (picture posed by a model)

While many studies have suggested older mothers are more likely to have a stillbirth or a baby with conditions such as autism and Downs syndrome, there is less research about the risk to their own health.

Lead author Dr Sarka Lisonkova, assistant professor in maternal medicine at the University of British Columbia in Canada, said: Women usually worry about their babies, and not so much about the implications for their own health.

While severe adverse conditions in mothers are rare, they do increase more rapidly with age at childbirth in womens late 40s or later. It is important to counsel women about all potential risks.

She added: Women are in a difficult position when they contemplate delaying childbirth in order to advance their education and career. Higher education and higher socio-economic status are associated with improved birth outcomes, but in contrast, older maternal age is a risk factor.

Older mothers are at a higher risk because they are more likely to be overweight and unhealthy. The fact their reproductive systems are older also means a greater risk of complications  which include ruptures, embolisms, hysterectomies, sepsis and heart problems.

Dr Lisonkova said pregnancy places increased demands on a womans body, but added that staying healthy and a normal weight decreases the risks

The researchers looked at mothers aged 15 to 60 giving birth in Washington State between 2003 and 2013. They looked at 828,269 live and stillbirths, but did not include twins and other multiple births.

Among those aged 20 to 24, the rate of those dying or suffering a potentially life-threatening condition was 156.2 per 10,000 births. It was slightly lower for those aged 25 to 29, with a rate of 143.4. This rose to 230.8 for mothers aged 40 to 44, and to 355.1 per 10,000 births for those aged over 44  meaning almost double the risk of those in their 20s.

The rate of admissions to intensive care was 80.2 per 10,000 deliveries for mothers over 44 compared to just 7.1 among those aged 20 to 24.

However, the absolute risk for all age groups remained low. Even for those aged over 44, just 3 per cent suffered serious complications or death.

Almost one in six mothers over 44 suffered diabetes during their pregnancy, and were also at greater risk of kidney failure, according to the study, which was published in the journal PLOS Medicine.

Dr Lisonkova said pregnancy places increased demands on a womans body, but added that staying healthy and a normal weight decreases the risks.

The authors wrote: These results should improve counselling to women who contemplate delaying childbirth. As maternal age continues to increase, the rate of severe maternal morbidity is likely to increase.

Despite health warnings, British women over 40 now have more babies than those under 20.
Soaring cut-off lists in Delhi University colleges are causing heartache among students and parents in the capital.

Even a distinction percentage in CBSE Class 12 examination does not guarantee a ticket to the hallowed campus.

According to the figures released by CBSE, of the total 10,091 students who have scored 95 per cent or above marks, only 2,326 students are from Delhi.

Grade cut-off lists are causing disappointment among Delhi students despite them celebrating brilliant results (picture for representation)

'Since we are looking at students who have secured marks above 95 per cent, to say the least, there are not a lot of seats that students from Delhi can be hopeful about,' Maharaj K Pandit, chairperson of the admission committee of University of Delhi, told Mail Today.

'The students from other boards have a fair chance of cornering the limited seats that we have.'

Parents' bodies and city politicians complain that students of other states, passing out from 'lenient boards', edge past CBSE-affiliated aspirants from Delhi, leaving the latter with less attractive or costlier options for higher studies.

'Education in the capital is a curse for our children,' said Madhu Gupta, a parent and teacher. 'First you struggle for admission in nursery. Then, after 14 years of education in Delhi, you go through the same rigour for a college seat. All because students from some dubious board score higher.'

This is one issue that has brought bitter political rivals, BJP's Union minister Vijay Goel and AAP's education minister Manish Sisodia, together.

Last year, the two pitched for reservation for students from Delhi and higher number of seats in the university.

Parents are also peeved with the CBSE as there is no transparency in marking and called stopping revaluation a retrograde step (picture for representation)

'Our pitch with HRD ministry did not yield results. We are working on a policy reserving 85 per cent of the seats in Delhi's other central university, Ambedkar University, to provide respite to city students,' said Atishi Marlena, education advisor to deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

He pointed out that last year, in DU's prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce, most students admitted under B.Com (Hons) and economics (Hons) were from Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Education.

Many parents Mail Today spoke to pointed out media reports where state board toppers had failed to answer even simple questions because they had allegedly scored well either by cheating or using imposters.

'Such students eat into deserving candidates,' said a parent, requesting anonymity.

BEATING DISABILITY TO SUCCEED Najrul Islam (above) scored 80 per cent, with 95 in political science Najrul Islam was born with partial vision. But when he turned nine, he lost his sight completely after an operation which doctors told him it would improve his vision went wrong. Unable to feed a family of 10, his father, a mill worker, decided to send his son to Delhi where his education could be taken care of Four years later, Najrul scored 80 per cent in Class 12 board exams. He scored 95 in political science. 'I am happy with my result. I will apply to DU and study political science,' Najrul said, adding he wants to apply for civil services. 'I did prepare a timetable, but could barely stick to it. I started studying from October. I studied for three hours a day,' he said. Najrul studies in SHK government SBV school in Lajpat Nagar. In this school, out of 23 visually impaired students, 20 scored first division. Advertisement

Parents are also peeved with the CBSE as there is no transparency in marking and called stopping revaluation a retrograde step.

'There is no logic in it,' Sandhya, a teacher, told Mail Today.

Others said they feel cheated. What is different from last year is that, from 2017, some subject answer sheets cannot be verified. It is learnt that history is one of them.

At the same time, there is verification of marks for political science.

'Simply put, verification is only like re-totalling. Even if the examiner has goofed up in an answer sheet, there is no course correction,' said a south Delhi teacher not willing to be named.

'The CBSE does not have an open house session like top universities before the board exam. In some ways, it's like a lottery,' said another south Delhi teacher.

'I refuse to believe that moderation has been done. And there is no revaluation from this year onwards. The CBSE is playing with the careers of children,' said Usha Khandelwal, a parent.

Students, who gathered outside schools for results on Sunday, were an anxious lot.

'We just don't know if we'll get a seat in DU,' said Shubham (name changed) from Vasant Valley School.

'Besides the high cut-off, the tedious wait for new lists adds to our misery.'

Ishita Sharma from Ahlcon International School in east Delhi voiced similar concerns.

'I have got 82 per cent marks but I am not sure if I will be able to get the course or college of my choice.'

Meanwhile, top DU officials are waiting to release an accommodating cut-off for students across India and are currently analysing the situation several state boards have presented them with.

CBSE topper once got ZERO in exams

When Raksha came home with a zero when she was in class 3, her father simply told her: 'score marks lower than zero if possible but gain knowledge, not marks.'

The Noida-based girl who has probably presented a challenge for batches to follow, Raksha Gopal is now CBSE's all India topper at 99.6 per cent in humanities.

Raksha attributes her success story at the age of 17 to her parents, sister and teachers. For Raksha, scoring high marks in class 12 does not happen without hard work. 'Out of what I have scored in class 12, 90 per cent is due to hard work and the rest 10 is because of luck,' said Raksha Gopal with a beaming smile.

Noida-based Raksha Gopal (in yellow), CBSEs all-India topper with 99.6 per cent in Humanities, with her family members who expressed happiness over results

'Students often focus on quantity of the syllabus but it is the quality of what you have studied that helps you score in boards,' said Raksha.

Monila Sarkar, her class teacher defines all-rounder students like Raksha as consistent and focussed not just when the board exams are approaching but throughout the year.

'Raksha would follow everything we told her as teachers and would come to us whenever she had a doubt. She was equally engaged in her French classes, showing keen interest in everything that was important to her,' said Monila.

A chief finance officer with Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation, Raksha's father Gopal Srinivasan wants his daughter to go to Delhi University and preferably to Lady Shri Ram College or Miranda House.

Even though she said she feels on the top of the world, Raksha advises other students to not treat the 12 board exams as their end of the world.

Still making up her mind about her future course of action, Raksha is eyeing a spot in Jesus and Mary College, Lady Shri Ram College and Miranda House to pursue BA (hons) in political science.

Raksha's mother points out the rule her family has followed during exams. 'A day before exams, we do not allow our children to study beyond 5 in the evening. This helps in cutting down unnecessary anxiety a child goes through. We followed this in our elder daughter's case too and it helps,' said Ranjini.

The darker side of exam results

Official data showing suicide rates among teenagers failing or falling short of desired results in examinations has prompted concern.

In 2015, as many as 1,360 students (below the age of 18) across the country killed themselves and with failure in examinations cited as the reason during investigation.

As per data of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 8,934 students committed suicide for various reasons, including failure in examinations or inability to handle pressure or fear of facing challenges.

Out of the 1,33,623 people (of all age groups) who committed suicide, 1,468 were students below 14 years while 7,940 were 14 to 18.

In the five years leading to 2015, 39,775 students killed themselves. The number of attempted suicides, many unreported, is likely to be much higher.

The NCRB data further reveals that 19.7 per cent of students who killed themselves are students of up to class 5 (primary level). The suicide rate has increased among the middle level, where 21.2 per cent of the students are of up to class 8.

Students of matriculation/ secondary level (up to Class 10) who ended their lives across the country is 21.7 per cent, whereas 11.9 per cent of the students were intermediate students (up to Class 12).

Counsellors reveal that young people find it difficult to cope with failure in examinations and careers and professional help is difficult to find because India endures an 87 per cent shortage of mental-health professionals.

The situation is exacerbated by low public spending on mental health; India spends less than Bangladesh on mental-health services.

'A common cause of concern is pressure from parents to do well in the Class 12 board exams. There are many students who suffer silently until they crumble under intense stress and pressure,' said Dr Rupa Murghai, counselor of BML Munjal University.

Rajiv Mehta, consultant psychiatrist, Sir Ganga Ram hospital said: 'The major reason why students are committing suicide is expectation. Nowadays, people are more worried about results, and not hard work.'

For help with depression or suicidal thoughts, contact the Vandrevala Foundation Helpline on 1 860 266 2345 or email help@vandrevalafoundation.com
The Patna administration on Monday destroyed 30,000 bottles of Indian made foreign liquor worth Rs 1.25 crore on the outskirts of the city.

Being tipped as Bihar's biggest consignment of liquor destroyed ever since prohibition was imposed in the state in April last year, the bottles were crushed by a road roller under the monitoring of Patna DM Sanjay Agarwal.

The bottles destroyed on Monday were part of the various seizures made by the police and the excise officials in the last few months from various parts of the state capital.

30,000 bottles of Indian-made foreign liquor worth Rs 1.25 crore destroyed

On May 4, it had been reported how liquor worth crores had gone missing from the 'maalkhanas' in police stations in Bihar with the rats being blamed for this by the police officials.

Soon after the report, the Patna administration had flung into action and on May 9, 17,000 bottles of foreign liquor were destroyed.

'We had seized the consignment destroyed today from many parts of the state capital which was being brought to be supplied to customers further. On Monday, 30,000 bottles worth Rs 1.25 crore have been destroyed and we will be destroying the liquors bottles as and when we get court's permission in the future as well,' said Sanjay Agarwal.

Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi

Prohibition was imposed in Bihar in April 2016 and since then, on a regular basis, excise and police officials have been recovering huge consignments of foreign liquor from the state which are being smuggled from Jharkhand, Haryana and UP.

More than 5 lakh litres of foreign liquor and 3 lakh litres of country made liquor have been seized since April 2016.

Out of the seized liquor, almost 1.55 lakh litres of liquor has been destroyed in 20 districts across the state.
Rajasthan has taken the 'digital route' to development, but incidents like cow vigilantism and hate crimes dent the image of the government, feels the incumbent chief minister.

However, Vasundhara Raje said such acts are not exclusive to Rajasthan, but are taking place across the country.

In an interview with Mail Today, Raje said such acts won't be tolerated and only the law of the land will prevail.

Raje claims to have surpassed the road network target for the state but says cow vigilantes are denting the image of the government

'Incidents of cow vigilantism are a matter of concern as they put the government in bad light, but such incidents are happening everywhere and not just Rajasthan.

'We have, in fact, acted swiftly and took strict action against the culprits. Such acts cannot be tolerated,' she said.

The chief minister, who will be completing her second term next year, takes umbrage on singling out Rajasthan over the issue of hate crime.

She cites an example of honour killing where an engineer from Kerala was killed in Jaipur for marrying a Rajasthani girl, but police showed no leniency and arrested the killers immediately.

Cow vigilantes guard a highway. Many cases of gau rakshaks attacking traders have come up in Rajasthan

'Our government does not discriminate on the basis of caste, region or religion. We arrested the killers of the man hailing from Kerala, but the government there (Kerala) is silent over targetted killings of BJP and RSS workers,' Raje said.

She, however, believes that the government would contest the next elections on the basis of its development works.

'We have an active state government, active Centre and an active party organisation. These together have put Rajasthan in smart mode. The pace of development has increased in Rajasthan over the last four years,' Raje said.

There have been many cases of cattle traders being attacked in the state

She lauded the progressive approach of the BJP-led central government which, the CM claimed, has sped up infrastructure development.

She has a special mention for Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari who has shown great interest in expansion of road network across the country.

'The BJP government in 2013 had promised increasing the road length in Rajasthan from 5,000 km to 20,000 km in five years, but in just four years we have already constructed 21,000 km of roads,' she said.

'By 2018, we will be able to construct 30,000 km of roads. Such fast pace of development is possible only because of the positive and development-oriented attitude of the governments in the state and Centre,' the chief minister iterated.

Digital initiatives such as Abhay by Jaipur Police, Bhamashah scheme for women empowerment, smart solutions by the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) that includes traffic and sanitation service management, environmental censors, LED-based smart lighting, online surveillance and wi-fi hotspots are going to be the poll plank in 2018 when Rajasthan goes to polls.

Raje is, however, undeterred by the Aam Admi Party's (AAP) plans to contest Assembly elections in Rajasthan. 'They are welcome. It is ademocratic country and everybody has a right to contest election anywhere and against anybody,' she said.

She also listed a number of initiatives in the education sector, power reforms, delivery of justice at the doorsteps of citizens through 'Nyay Aapke Dwar' programme and water conservation via Mukhyamantri the Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan (MJSA) scheme.

She claimed power transmission and distribution losses came down to 15 per cent from 58 per cent by involving locals and urging them to reduce wastage of power.
A ban on trading cattle for slaughter has been temporarily suspended by the Madras High Court, dealing the first legal blow to the controversial measure.

The Madurai bench of the Tamil Nadu court has lifted the order issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for four weeks, in a move which a lawyer involved claimed was effective countrywide.

The sudden ruling prohibiting the sale and purchase of cows for slaughter last week had sparked protests against what many saw as an overreach by the Hindu-right Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Muslim protesters shout slogans against Prime Minister Narender Modi and his government during a portest against a ban on the sale of animals for slaughter in Chennai on Tuesday

The Madurai bench of the Tamil Nadu court has lifted the order issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for four weeks

Some states where cow slaughter is legal vowed to fight the decree.

The Madras High Court stayed the federal ban on Tuesday, becoming the first jurisdiction to mount a successful challenge.

'The court ruled that the order be put in abeyance for four weeks and asked the central and state governments to reply to the petition filed by my client,' Ajmal Khan, a lawyer for the petitioners, told news agency AFP.

The petitioners from Tamil Nadu objected to the ban, saying it infringed on their right to eat what they choose.

The ban on the sale or trading of cattle for slaughter imposed by the Narendra Modi government last week had triggered protests across India

Beef and buffalo meat is a common delicacy in some south and northeastern Indian states but taboo in most of India.

Some states organised 'beef fests' to protest the ban. Organisers in Kerala state killed a calf, triggering outrage and counter rallies by BJP supporters where cows were adorned with flowers.

The slaughter of cows, as well as the possession or consumption of beef, is banned in most but not all Indian states.

Some impose up to life imprisonment for infringements.

Cows are considered sacred in Hindu-majority India, and their slaughter was already a punishable offence in many states

The new federal ban affected not just the trade in cows - an animal considered sacred for Hindus - for slaughter across India, but bulls, bullocks, buffaloes, calves and camels as well

Kerala, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Puducherry - four jurisdictions that allowed cow slaughter - have said they will resist the ban.

Modi's ascent to power in 2014 has spurred demands for a nationwide ban on cow slaughter by radical Hindu groups, who often resort to violence over the sacred animal.

Following Modi's shock slaughter ban, animal markets across India you can no longer buy or sell cattle, including cows, for slaughter

At least a dozen people, mostly Muslims, have been killed by Hindu mobs over rumours that they were eating beef, slaughtering cows or smuggling them.

The move by the Madras High Court brings some relief to Muslim-dominated beef and leather industries that employ millions of poor workers.

The ban threatens $4 billion in annual beef exports and millions of jobs.

'I filed the petition because I thought the ban undermined basic rights such as the right to profession,' Selvagomathy told Reuters news agency, adding that the lifting of the ban applied to all Indian states.

Abdul Faheem Qureshi, head of the Muslim All India Jamiatul Quresh Action Committee that supports meat sellers, welcomed the decision by the court in southern India and said his organisation would seek a suspension from India's highest court.
The Indian Army killed 10 alleged terrorists including Hizbul Mujhaideen commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat over the weekend. Sabzar is the man believed to be the successor of Burhan Wani (right)

Militant ranks in the Kashmir valley are abuzz with chatter about a serious rift between Zakir Musa and the current leadership of the Hizbul Mujahideen.

Radio and mobile conversations intercepted by India's intelligence agencies reflect a high level of distrust between former Hizbul commander and the terror outfit he led until recently.

Hizbul terrorists seem to suspect that a personal messenger close to Musa tipped off the Jammu and Kashmir police cell about the location of Sabzar Ahmad Bhat's hideout.

Sabzar was killed last week in an encounter very close to his hometown of Tral. While agencies are not confirming whether they were indeed tipped off by Musa's men, this new development could set off a fratricidal war among Kashmiri terrorists.

In the aftermath of the encounter killing of Burhan Wani's suspected successor Bhat, Indian agencies recorded multiple conversations where the Hizbul Mujahideen cadre can be heard discussing whether Zakir Musa betrayed Sabzar Bhat.

Hansraj Ahir, minister of state for home, refused immediate comment on India Today's story about the Hizbul rift, but added that the government would 'take help from every quarter to eliminate terrorists who tried to destabilise the country'.

The completely damaged house where two militants including a top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Sabzar Ahmad Bhat were killed in an encounter with security forces at Soimoh village of Tral in Pulwama district of south Kashmir

Zakir Musa had delivered a much talked about audio address on May 10 in which he declared war on Hurriyat separatists and advocated the beheading of Hurriyat leaders at Lal Chowk.

It was in the same address that he announced his allegiance to a pan-Islamic Caliphate and broke away from the ranks of the Hizbul Mujahideen.

This development has rattled Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin and his bosses who run the United Jehad Council (UJC).

Inputs received by intelligence agencies suggest that the UJC now wants Musa dead at the earliest possible and wants no effort to be spared to achieve this goal.

Army personnel returning after a fierce encounter with militants at Soimoh village of Tral in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Saturday

Clearly, the ISI does not want control of the terrorist leadership to slip from its control and into the hands of terrorists who are affiliated to a pan-Islamic Caliphate.

It was after Musa broke away that Sabzar Bhat was appointed as the new commander of Hizbul cadre in the valley.

His death last week is a blow to the damage containment strategy that Hizbollah bosses in Pakistan had drawn up.

Hizbul bosses have now appointed tech savvy 29-year-old terrorist Riyaz Naikoo as Sabzar's replacement.

Naikoo is seen as being relatively moderate and has been chosen with the hope that he can stop the Hizbul cadre from being attracted to the hardline Islamic ideology of ISIS.

A Policeman in action against stone pelters during violent clashes which erupted following the killing of Bhat and his associate at Tral

Given that he is tech savvy, his bosses hope that like Burhan he too will be able to attract youngsters to the terror fold.

Post that Sabzar Bhat had been appointed the Hizbul Chief in the Valley by its protectors and providers in Pakistan.

In the meantime, several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have welcomed India Today's report of cracks within the terror ranks.

'A rift between terrorist organisations is a good sign,' said Panthers Party chairman Harsh Dev Singh, a former education minister.

Such development, he observed, would help the government rein in militants. 'Peace will come to the valley,' Singh remarked.

The BJP described reports of chinks within Hizbul as a rare occasion for security agencies to seize upon.

'Inter-rivalry is normal among different outfits, but a rift within the Hizbul Mujahideen is rare and is good for our intelligence agencies,' noted party spokesman Anil Gupta.

'With this rift, we will get more information about their activities. Security forces should take advantage of this,' he added.

Incidentally, not only the Hizbul leadership in the Valley, but a number of lower-rank operatives have also been gunned down by forces recently.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while giving the joint statement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin said: 'Germany and India are made for each other.'

After holding talks on wide-ranging issues like trade, skill development, cyber security and terrorism, PM Modi also called for 'outcome- oriented' momentum in Indo-German ties and a 'quantum jump' in economic relations of both nations.

PM Modi after holding talks with Merkel added: 'The pace of development of our relations is fast, direction is positive and destination clear. Germany will always find India as a powerful, prepared and capable partner.'

The two leaders held talks on issues like trade, skill development and terrorism

Germany's Chancellor promised to push hard in Brussels for progress to be made on a free-trade agreement between India and the EU

Meanwhile, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany will push hard in Brussels for progress to be made on a free-trade agreement between India and the European Union.

In a speech on Tuesday warning of growing 'protectionist tendencies' worldwide, she said: 'It's important to us that we make progress on the German-Indian, or rather EU-Indian free trade agreement.'

She made the speech at a Berlin business forum where she shared a platform with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. 'We will do a major push in Brussels to ensure that these negotiations progress again,' she said.

PM Modi also called for 'outcome- oriented' momentum in Indo-German ties and a 'quantum jump' in economic relations of both nations.

German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel and MoS for external affairs M J Akbar hold documents at a ceremony in Berlin

Merkel also went out of her way to laud India as a 'reliable partner' on major projects and noted that it was working hard to implement the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

'India wants the world not just to be interconnected but also that it should be sensibly run,' Merkel added.

Her remarks come after US President Donald Trump repeated his criticism of Germany's trade surplus with his country, tweeting that the 'MASSIVE' US trade deficit with Europe's largest economy 'will change'.

PM Modi also took time out of his schedule to meet Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra who was in Berlin promoting her Hollywood film Baywatch

Modi told the forum that economic collaboration between Germany and India was still 'below full potential'.

He also declared that 'the world needs a strong leadership, which is demonstrated by Chancellor Merkel.'

'Germany is a large, reliable and trustworthy partner for us,' he added.

The Prime Minister also took some time out of his hectic schedule of bilateral talks and meetings in Berlin to meet Priyanka Chopra.

The Bollywood-cum- Hollywood actress was in the city for a special promotion of her latest film, Baywatch.
The AAP government's ambitious project for centralised medicine procurement - known as the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) - seems to be in shambles, forcing officers in the health department to brainstorm on its existence.

The CPA was formed in 2015 for centralised procurement of medicines and equipment at all Delhi government hospitals.

'Currently, there are lot of issues in the functioning of CPA. But instead of scrapping it down, the government has planned to strengthen it,' a senior medical superintendent of a government hospital told Mail Today.

Senior doctors of government hospitals have claimed that CPA has 'failed' (picture for representation only)

Last week, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had expressed displeasure on the unavailability of medicines after he paid a surprise visit to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Mongolpuri.

The Delhi government appointed a new medical superintendent at the hospital after Kejriwal found that it had failed to comply with his orders to provide free medicines and diagnostic test facilities under CPA.

Even senior doctors of government hospitals confirmed Mail Today that CPA has totally failed. The pharmacies at these hospitals don't have enough stock of medicines, they say.

To resolve the crisis of unavailability of medicines, Kejriwal has once again empowered medical superintendents to purchase medicines and medical equipment on their own, a source from health department said.

The chief minister last week paid a surprise visit to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Mongolpuri but was displeased to find the pharmacy out of supplies

On Tuesday, in a high-level meeting chaired by Kejriwal, it was discussed to raise the power of medical directors to make purchases.

The meeting was attended by health minister, chief secretary, health secretary and all medical superintendents.

However, health minister Satyendra Jain's office said CPA will not be scrapped but will be modified and strengthened.

Kejriwal, who earlier curtailed the purchasing power of MS, has now allowed them to make procurement of medicine and equipment worth Rs 50 lakh.

'Earlier, we were toothless tiger. The CM has now empowered medical superintendants. Now, we can make purchases till Rs 50 lakh for medicines and equipment. Earlier, we were able to make the purchases till Rs 10 lakh. Now, we can even do the tendering process of medical tools in advance,' said a medical superintendent of a government hospital.

Sources said during the discussion, the topic of shutting the central procurement body was raised.

According to senior government officials, Kejriwal has said his government will act against officials who are responsible for not paying bills of suppliers, which has led to medicine crisis.

He has, in a letter, instructed Delhi's top bureaucrat Chief Secretary M M Kutty to respond by Wednesday on why bills have not been paid.

Currently, the CPA does the tendering part on behalf of all hospitals to decide different supplies of medicines
SGT Andrew T. Smith (Ret.), founder of Chattanooga-based Honoring the Sacrifice Foundation, shared a sweet tea with Si Robertson this Memorial Day weekend, sitting down to reflect on the true nature of service and sacrifice.

Silas Merritt Uncle Si Robertson served from 1968  1993 in the United States Army before retiring to his home in Louisiana, and Duck Dynasty fame.



God gave me the platform with the show, and thats a place for us to stand and say something about honoring those who serve this country. Whether policemen, EMT, or all branches of our military, they all need to be honored for their sacrifice, Mr. Robertson said.



According to Mr. Robertson, Its very important as a nation, since we are the ones who send them; we need to have their back going over to war and coming back. We owe a debt to the veterans that we cant pay.



After discussing the important work of the foundation, Mr. Robertson appealed to all Americans to never forget the men and women who have died for this country.



Honoring the Sacrifice Foundation will be hosting its fourth annual American Heroes Dinner at the Convention Center on July 14.



Tickets and sponsorships are available at www.honoringthesacrifice.org.


Journalist Arnab Goswami and his news channel Republic TV were on Monday asked by the Delhi High Court to bring down the rhetoric against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who has filed a Rs 2-crore defamation suit against them for alleged slanderous remarks relating to the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar.

Justice Manmohan said the journalist and his news channel can put out stories by stating facts related to the investigation into Pushkar's death, but cannot call the Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram a criminal.

The court also said that just because Tharoor was not coming to their show or not giving an interview, it cannot be a reason to say he was running away, as was said on the channel.

Delhi High Court called out Goswani and his news channel Republic TV and told him to bring down the rhetoric against the Lok Sabha MP

'A person has a right to be silent,' the court said with regard to the lack of response from Tharoor, adding that 'someone' has not understood how law operates.

The observations by the court came as it issued a notice to Goswami and his channel seeking response to Tharoor's plea claiming Rs 2 crore in damages from them for allegedly making defamatory remarks against him while airing news relating to his wife's death.

The court did not pass any interim order injuncting the channel from airing its news, but said whatever be the provocation, 'you (Goswami) cannot call him a criminal masquerading as a politician'.

'That is uncalled for and presumptive. You cannot use language like this. You cannot call him names. Bring down the rhetoric,' the court said.

Thereafter, senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, appearing for the journalist and the channel, said he will advise his clients accordingly.

Tharoor has already filled a Rs 2-crore defamation suit against them for alleged slanderous remarks relating to the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar

Sethi also said that his clients will place on record the justification for the statements made against Tharoor and therefore, no interim order should be passed. The court, thereafter, listed the matter for hearing on August 16.

During the arguments, senior advocate Salman Khurshid, who appeared for Tharoor, said that since May 6, when the channel was launched, it has been airing three to five hours of shows every day entirely on Pushkar's death and making defamatory statements against the MP.

The lawyer said that the channel and the journalist have condemned Tharoor as guilty and he should be arrested.

The court said a journalist has a right to investigate, which cannot be curbed, but added that it has to be tempered and balanced.

The channel said it has only aired facts regarding the investigation. It told the court that it had reports of senior police officers associated with the probe who have said that evidence was not gathered properly and was allowed to be tampered with.

The channel claimed it also has audio tapes of Pushkar's conversation with a reporter just a day prior to her death.

Tharoor's lawyer opposed the contentions saying the police, which was probing the case, had not said anything, but the channel's statements have harmed his reputation apart from causing emotional hurt and pain.

According to Tharoor, Goswami earlier as the editor-in- chief with another news channel had aired such news, which was restrained by the National Broadcasting Standards Authority.

In the lawsuit, he claimed to have suffered humiliation and severe loss of reputation in the eyes of the public and he has baselessly been declared by the defendants as the alleged murderer of his late wife.

Sunanda was found dead in a suite of a five-star hotel in South Delhi on the night of January 17, 2014.
The Reserve Bank will soon come out with final guidelines to limit customers liability in case of fraudulent electronic banking transactions, RBI deputy governor S S Mundra said on Tuesday.

Mundra said the final guidelines will clearly spell out the timeline for reporting fraudulent transactions, the liability customers will have to bear in case of unauthorised transactions and the responsibilities of banks in such instances.

In a draft circular released in August 2016, RBI had said customers will have zero liability if there is a breach of the security architecture and systems of the bank provided it is reported within three working days after receiving a communication from the bank.

RBI deputy governer S S Mundra said the Reserve Bank would limit customer liability

If a customer's involvement is not clearly established, customer liability will be limited to Rs 5,000 provided it is reported within seven working days, the circular had stated.

RBI had asked for comments and suggestions on the issue from stakeholders.

'Based on the feedback received, final guidelines on limiting liability of customers are expected to be issued shortly,' Mundra said at an event here.

The RBI deputy governor said technology is being increasingly used in the delivery of banking services in recent years but it has brought in associated risk of security as is evident in a few high profile cyber incidents, thefts of personal information, fraudulent use of ATMs, net banking frauds and cases of unauthorised access to bank servers.

With greater thrust on digital banking, especially in the wake of demonetisation and consequent increase in complaints relating to the unauthorised or fraudulent transactions, a need for having a comprehensive policy to limit the liability of customers cannot be overemphasised, the deputy governor said.

He also asked banks to strengthen their IT security system ahead of the release of the final guidelines.

In view of the impending guidelines, it would be prudent on the part of the banks to internally tighten their IT security system and customers service delivery through the IT-enabled platform and operating procedures so that grievances are minimised, Mundra pointed out.

He asked banks to improve their call centre services and automated response system in order to reduce problems that customers encounter while using them.

'My experience is that you keep on navigating through the menu and finally you need to talk to the customer service representative. It is good to use the technology, but we need to ensure that the technology is serving the intended purpose,' he observed.

Mundra said some of the banks have started using artificial intelligence and have done a pilot of putting a robotic assistance in the branch for guiding the customers. I would only urge that though it is a smart move, but ensure that it also does not end up in the same fashion as call centres or automated response system.

It should be able to really help the customers, he said.

The central bank will also come down hard on banks which charge exorbitant fees to customers, Mundra said.

'Banks have been granted autonomy to fix fees and charges but it should not be used to deny services to the common man. We are seeing this worrying trend in some organisations,' Mundra said.
BA boss Alex Cruz speaks to BBC news about the Bank Holiday fiasco

British Airways' bearded el capitano Alex Cruz is ridiculed by Jack Straw over his disappearing act during the airline's bank holiday meltdown.

Writing to the Times, the former foreign secretary says that, during a ministerial crisis, 'rule one is to face the music'.

Might plucky Jack be touting for a spot of corporate advisory work? Due to an unfortunate 'cash for access' scandal in 2011, his post-political career path has hardly been paved with corporate gold a la Blair, Mandelson and Campbell.

Beard alert: Disgraced ex-Barclays chief Bob Diamond has been spotted around the City fashioning greying, goatee-style chin fluff. He looks absurd, but when did oily Bob, 65, ever do dignity?

Re BA's woeful response to the IT crisis, the forthright verdict of brooding Ulsterman David Burnside, 65, head of the airline's public relations during Lord King's 1980s heyday: 'An unmitigated disaster.

During any crisis, senior management need to be on the ground, rallying staff. The chief executive wasn't visible for three days. Wrong, wrong, wrong'

Ed Balls's revelation that Gordon Brown was flummoxed by the fancy cuisine during his fateful meeting with Tony Blair at Granita restaurant ('What's polenta?') reminds a City acquaintance of a dinner he arranged for Brown during the International Monetary Fund conference, unwisely held in a trendy Washington restaurant.

He recalls: 'Gordon refused to eat anything on the menu. The chef had to knock him up steak and chips.'

Everything's a 'Jenga tower?' nowadays, isn't it? Dusty Lloyds chairman Lord Blackwell insists there'll be no 'Jenga tower' collapse of the City after Brexit.

Blackwell's HSBC counterpart Douglas Flint used the same analogy to describe job losses back in January.

The popular game Jenga was launched in 1983 by former marketing consultant, now multi-millionaire, Leslie Scott, with the help of a 30,000 loan. Secured from Lloyds, as it goes.
As the chief executive of British Airways (now International Airlines Group) since 2005, Willie Walsh is one of the few FTSE 100 bosses recognisable to swathes of the travelling public.

Indeed, over the years Walsh has faced down the trade unions and dealt with major crises such as the bungled inauguration of operations at Terminal 5.

The public has become used to him leading from the front.

So it was shocking to find him missing from check-in areas at Heathrow or the television screens at the weekend.

Absent: BA boss Willie Walsh missing from check-in areas at Heathrow or the television screens at the weekend

As the boss of the holding company IAG, Walsh deliberately kept himself in the background. In my chat with Walsh yesterday he made it clear that he deliberately held back.

He did not want to step on the toes of BA's own chief executive, Alex Cruz, who is new to the job.

In the recent past Walsh has also faded in the background when there have been problems at other airlines in a group which now includes Iberia and Aer Lingus.

If that explains Walsh's absence from communicating with customers, it doesn't account for the late appearance of Cruz who did not emerge before the cameras until Monday.

Sure it is understandable that Cruz was up to his neck with electrical engineers and systems experts as BA fought to get planes back in the skies, the booking system up and running again and sort out the growing baggage mountain.

But one might have thought he would find time out to do some personal grovelling.

Walsh is at pains to shift the blame away from Cruz and is firmly resistant to any notion of resignation.

He argues that Cruz was doing what he is paid to do in such circumstances  which is to work flat out with the engineers to get the systems back up.

The initial failure, caused by an electrical fault or surge, was compounded, Walsh says, when the 'uninterruptable' power system was restarted and caused havoc, taking out not just the main system but back-up computers powered by diesel and battery.

Walsh totally rejects the notion that it was cost cutting of IT and the outsourcing of jobs which was at the core.

One big lesson for Walsh from this is that if BA.com is not working then the group needs the capability to connect to customers using social media sites. This did happen over the weekend but it was more serendipity than strategy.

The terrible frustration for passengers at the start of a half-term holiday is understandable. Many of us know personally the heartbreak of losing luggage and the tensions of travelling with young people, the elderly and infirm.

If it is any comfort to BA passengers, what happened was not the worst such incident. When US carrier Delta's systems went down in August 2016, plum in the middle of the American holiday season, some 2,300 flights were lost, against 600 or so at BA.

IAG shares, after an early steep fall, bounced back in later trading. There will be revenue and profits impact and the need for expensive investment in more robust back-up systems.

The reputational damage will linger and Cruz's leadership will hang by a gossamer thread. Planes may be back in the skies but the confidence of customers in BA has been shattered.

Gold fix

Peter Hambro rightly is frustrated by the efforts of Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, aided by M&G's Debt Opportunities Fund and others, to eject him from the board of gold miner Petropavlovsk, which he founded.

He fears that using their holding of 30 per cent of its shares, the Russian-backed group is seeking to achieve a backdoor takeover.

Hambro and three non-executives would be removed. And the founder and the company's army of small investors would miss out on a bid premium.

Hambro says that accounting rules mean that the underlying income and value of the enterprise is far greater than recognised in the current share price. Time for the Takeover Panel to ripple its muscles.

Marxist chic

What does Goldman Sachs know which no one else does?

The Wall Street Journal reports it has invested a chunky $2.8billion (2.2billion) in bonds issued by the Marxist regime in Venezuela's basket case economy. The bonds currently trade at a 31 per cent discount.

Goldman must be rubbing its hands at the prospect of a Corbyn government and all those bonds in newly nationalised industries.
Norwegian Air has launched a new rewards perk allowing customers to build up points when shopping online that they can then put towards free flights.

So far there are 1,000 retailers signed up, including the likes of Tesco, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer and Asos.

Shoppers just need to click through to the retailers' websites via the low-cost airline's eShop. Then they just carry out their online shopping as normal.

Points are earned on every purchase made, with around one to ten per cent of the purchase price paid back in Norwegian Air's CashPoints.

Singapore skyline: You can use your Norwegian Air CashPoints to pay for your flight

Norwegian Air currently flies to 50 destinations and is well-known for its cheap flights to the US, hitting headlines in 2014 as the first low-cost airline to offer transatlantic flights.

It currently offers flights to New York, Boston, Denver, Florida, Las Vegas, LA, Oakland, Providence and Seattle starting from 139 one way.

And last week the airline also announced it will soon offer flights to Singapore starting at 179 one way.

What are CashPoints worth?

Norwegian Air has added the new perk on top of its existing frequent flyer programme.

The airline already offers free perks and reward points the more you use the airline (see below).

Under the new scheme, each CashPoint you earn is worth 1 Norwegian Krone, which at the time of writing was worth around 9p. This means with most of the more popular retailers offering lower redemption rates it would take a huge spend to earn many points at all. For example, it would take around a 100 spend at retailers such as John Lewis (paying 1 per cent) or an 19 spend at Buyagift.com (paying 5.5 per cent) to earn a single point.

According to the budget airline, flights to Europe cost from 29 or 322 CashPoints. So you would have to spend a whopping 32,200 in John Lewis or 5,854 with a more rewarding partner to earn enough for a free European flight.

Flying further afield will cost you even more. Flying to the USA with the airline costs from 139 one way or 1,543 CashPoints, and flights to Singapore cost from 179 or 1,987 CashPoints.

The more lucrative way to use the scheme is to click through before signing up for your household bills. Taking out a new mobile contract, home insurance or even switching your energy tariff offers much higher returns in flat-rate rewards.

For example, Taking out an M&S energy tariff earns 138 CashPoints, a Tesco Mobile contract gets you 178, a Sky TV family bundle gets you 642, an O2 Pay monthly contract earns 535 and Asda home insurance bags you 297 points.

You can use your points to pay for part or all of your ticket, and, unlike Avios, this includes taxes.

Alternatively you can buy extras such as free baggage allowance, seat reservations, cancellation insurance or ticket changes.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU EARN? When This is Money looked, we found the following selection of deals. Adidas - 5.5 per cent,

Apple - 1.5 per cent,

Asos - 1.5 per cent,

Carphone Warehouse - 149 points

Debenhams - 1.5 per cent,

EE -416 CashPoints,

Halfords - 1.5 per cent,

iTunes - 3.5 per cent,

John Lewis - 1 per cent,

Love Theatre -2.5 per cent,

M&S - 1.5 per cent,

Morrisons-30 CashPoints

Mothercare - 2 per cent

Notonthehighstreet.com - 2.5 per cent.

So how easy is it to get started?

To start clocking up points you can register for an account for free and access the Reward eShop on a desktop, mobile or tablet.

It will pay a flat rate or percentage of your spend back in its rewards currency, CashPoints, as long as you click through its website first before spending.

Doing so wont affect any deals you receive from the retailer or the products you are offered.

How does it work with the frequent flyer scheme?

Under the existing frequent flyer scheme you earn points when you buy flights. Flyers get 2 per cent back on LowFare tickets and 20 per cent on Flex Tickets.

You can earn extra points with its hotel, car hire, parking and holiday partners. These sit in the same pot as anything you earn from the eStore.

The reward scheme also comes with extra perks. For every six flights you take you receive one reward that lasts for a year. The first reward is a 2 per cent CashPoints boost when you buy LowFare tickets.

After that you get a choice. You can get further CashPoints boosts when buying flights (you can pick this up to five times, meaning a maximum 10 per cent back in points per flight).

Alternatively, you can earn 12 months of free seat reservations or fast-track boarding and after 18 flights you can get free baggage on all flights for a year. This seems a lot, but every single trip counts as one flight. Therefore, a roundtrip with stopovers is worth four flights. Unfortunately, only the account holder qualifies, so anyone travelling with you wont benefit unless they use their own points.

The big apple: It will cost 139 one way or 1,543 CashPoints for a ticket to New York

Is it worth signing up?

Typically the best reward schemes are offered by more premium airlines, with the most well-known schemes offered by Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. So it is great news that a cheaper airline is offering extra perks and rewards for your loyalty. But remember, if you want a more comfortable flight, you will need to factor in extra costs. These budget airlines offer a no-frills service, which often means they charge extra for meals, drinks and even blankets.

There is little to lose from signing up, but don't expect to earn enough for a free flight quickly.

Remember the golden rule with these types of scheme is to never to let them influence your spending. Clicking through the website should be your last step after checking for the cheapest deals elsewhere.

It is also, of course, only worth considering if Norwegian Air offers flights from an airport near you, and you want to travel to the countries it services.

When it comes to the rewards, it should be noted while there are a fair amount of offers of around 5 to 10 per cent and higher, when This is Money looked, the most eye-catching rates on offer were with slightly less popular retailers. You are likely only to get around 1 or 2 per cent back with high-street retailers such as John Lewis, Marks and Spencer and Halfords so you won't get a great deal of points quickly.

The new Norwegian Air scheme works in much the same way as a cashback website or the Avios store. You should therefore also check whether you could earn more by using either of these, or any similar rewards scheme you might have through your bank account or credit card. For example, when This is Money looked, you could earn 5 per cent back on spending at Debenhams and 7.5 per cent back with Marks and Spencer when clicking through popular cashback site Quidco. This compares to 1.5 per cent for both from the eStore.

It could therefore be more lucrative to shop online using a cashback website and then use your earnings to buy flights with the airline separately. Its also worth remembering these sites when you are booking flights in the first place.
Thousands of family holidays were ruined by a massive British Airways IT failure at the weekend and now the battle for compensation begins.

Whether you were caught up in the chaos or you are worried about your next trip, here is everything you need to know to win redress.

Compensation battle: Thousands of family holidays were ruined by a massive British Airways IT failure at the weekend

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS IF YOUR TRIP IS DELAYED

Under EU law you are entitled to compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled.

How much you get depends on how late you arrived at your destination, and how far you had to travel.

The only caveat is that the reason for the delay must be within the airline's control.

Lawyers are concerned that BA may try to dodge paying out by claiming the delays were caused by an 'extraordinary circumstance'.

No one yet knows exactly what caused the computer failure and how much of the blame lies with BA.

For example, if it had been hit by a cyber attack it might refuse to pay out, but if it was a routine technical fault it might have no option but to compensate travellers.

However, British Airways has told Money Mail it will not try to wriggle out of compensation claims.

GET YOUR CLAIM IN AS SOON AS YOU CAN

Speed is of the essence if you were delayed over the Bank Holiday.

BA is going to be inundated with thousands of requests for compensation over the next few months, so you should get yours in before the backlog builds.

To be eligible for flight delay compensation you must have arrived at your destination at least three hours late, and have either been travelling from an EU airport or returning to the EU with a British or European airline.

If you were travelling on a short-haul flight of less than 1,500km  from London to Madrid, for example  you can claim 250 (217). Between 1,500km and 3,000km  flights such as London to Athens  it's 400 (347).

If you were travelling more than 3,500km  London to New York, for instance  it's 300 (260) for delays up to four hours and 600 (520) for more than four hours.

If your flight was delayed for five hours or more and you decided not to travel, you can demand a full refund for the flight on top of this compensation.

Long waits: Thousands of passengers faced travel misery at Heathrow (pictured) and around the world after BA's computer system went down

The same applies if your flight is cancelled but just to confuse matters the compensation amounts may be different.

If BA didn't provide you with a replacement flight, you will get the same compensation as if you were delayed (see above). However, if you were offered another flight the amounts vary.

As all of BA's flights were cancelled within seven days of the departure date the compensation is as follows.

If travelling fewer than 1,500km and your replacement flight arrives at its destination more than two hours later than your original flight, you are entitled to 250 (217).

Between 1,500km and 3,500km it's 200 (173) if you arrive between two and three hours late, and 400 (347) if you're more than three hours late.

More than 3,500km, and arriving up to four hours late it's 300 (260) and over four hours it's 600 (520).

If the chaos caused you to miss a connecting flight, BA should refund you the price of the whole journey. You will also be entitled to compensation as usual under EU regulations.

However, if you booked the connecting flight separately to your original flight you will likely only be able to claim for the first leg  though it is still worth complaining and explaining why you are holding BA responsible.

To claim, write to BA at British Airways Customer Relations, EU Compensation Claims, PO Box 1126, Uxbridge, UB8 9XS and request compensation under EU regulation 261/2004. You can also apply online at britishairways.com.

Act fast: BA is going to be inundated with thousands of requests for compensation over the next few months, so you should get yours in before the backlog builds

Include your flight number, the date and time of travel, how long and why you were delayed and all passenger names.

Enclose your boarding pass  but keep copies. If your claim is rejected, you can take your complaint to the Ombudsman.

British Airways is signed up to independent adjudicators the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR). Call 020 7536 6099 or complain online at cedr.com/aviation. If you lose your claim there is a 25 fee.

For a full list of which Ombudsman services airlines are signed up to visit the Civil Aviation Authority website.

MAKE THE AIRLINE BOOK A NEW FLIGHT

GET YOUR BAGGAGE BACK Thousands of holidaymakers are still waiting for their suitcases to turn up following the weekend of chaos. BA says sorting out the problems may take several days. Under EU regulation 889/2002 your airline is liable if your hold luggage is lost, delayed or damaged. Report missing bags online at ba.com or call 03444 930 787. BA says missing bags on flights back to the UK will be delivered for free. If you are overseas, the airline is advising customers to buy essential items and keep the receipts so you can file for compensation when you return. Around 500 is a reasonable amount to claim for clothes and toiletries per person per week, according to Frank Brehany, consumer director of HolidayTravelWatch. You have 21 days to submit a claim from when your luggage goes missing. You may be able to claim on your insurance for costs not covered by the airline.

Usually if your flight is cancelled and you still want to travel, your airline should arrange to get you on another flight.

BA told passengers to try to re-book via the airline's website or by calling its customer services number 03444 930 787. Those who booked through a third party were told to contact their travel agent.

However, many travellers couldn't get a replacement flight for days and didn't want to travel as a result.

If you decided to postpone your trip you have until the end of November to book another BA flight.

If you were due to fly on Monday, May 29 or Tuesday, May 30, you also have the option of rebooking if you didn't want to travel during the chaos.

When disruption is severe, airlines may advise you to make your own travel arrangements and offer to reimburse the cost. If you booked flights to your destination through another airline, BA says you should submit the receipts when you claim.

However, in the midst of the confusion and having had very little guidance from BA, some passengers may have made bookings for which they won't be repaid.

If you called a travel agent for help you might not be covered. And if you had to book a higher cabin class because there were no other seats available BA has not confirmed if it will pay the difference.

ASK YOUR TRAVEL AGENT TO HELP

If your flights were part of a package holiday your contract is with your travel agent, rather than the airline themselves.

This means the agent is responsible for arranging alternative travel to get you to your destination.

Under the Package Travel Regulations 1992 they must offer you a similar trip or refund you the cost of the holiday if this isn't possible.

The alternative doesn't have to be an exact match  you may be offered a different hotel or even a slightly different destination.

If you're not happy with the solution they offer, you can demand a refund instead.

Regulations: If your flights were part of a package holiday your contract is with your travel agent, rather than the airline themselves

If you missed the first few days of your holiday as a result of the delays you can ask for a partial refund from your agent, at their discretion.

However, if you booked the flights through a third-party website or travel agent and the hotel separately, you should claim your refund directly from BA as usual.

DON'T CLAIM FOR LAVISH SPENDING

Under EU regulation 261/2004 your airline must pay for care and assistance during delays of more than two hours.

For short-haul flights (to Europe), after two hours you should be given food, drinks and, if you are delayed overnight, accommodation.

If you are flying further afield on medium-haul flights  of around four hours  you have to wait three hours before qualifying for help. For long-haul flights it's four hours.

BA says it gave out vouchers for passengers to use at shops and restaurants in the terminal.

But because systems were down many travellers had to buy their own food and drink. You should be able to claim the money back if you have all the receipts.

BA says it gave out vouchers for passengers to use at shops and restaurants in the terminal. But because systems were down many travellers had to buy their own food and drink

But be reasonable  BA will not reimburse you for a three-course meal and a bottle of wine. Fliers given out by the airline suggest a figure of 25 per person per day to be a reasonable amount to claim.

Thousands of holidaymakers also had to arrange their own overnight accommodation. In response, hotels near Gatwick and Heathrow hiked their prices to as much as 1,000 per night or more over the weekend.

BA wouldn't say how much passengers could claim for hotel costs, but forms handed out at the airport suggested around 200 a day.

It will help your case if you can provide them with a screenshot of the hotel website showing that there were no cheaper rooms available when you booked.

If you had to travel home and then back to the airport when your flight was cancelled you can claim for petrol, train fares and the cost of calling to arrange lifts.

You will need to provide the receipts and you must, again, be reasonable. BA will not reimburse you for a 200 taxi ride if there were trains running.

Some travel insurance policies will cover extra costs but not all of them (see below).

BEWARE TRAVEL COVER LOOPHOLES

If you booked your accommodation as part of a package holiday your travel agent is responsible for reorganising your whole trip, including car hire or any excursions booked through them.

If you arranged your accommodation separately and the booking is non-refundable your airline is not obliged to cover the cost under EU law.

So your best option is to try to claim on your travel insurance for the days you missed. Many holidaymakers will also have paid for car hire and day trips in advance. Your travel insurer may cover these costs, too.

Some holiday policies will pay out on what is known as 'consequential loss' as a result of flight delays or cancellations.

James Daley, of Fairer Finance says: 'Most travel policies have a provision for things such as missed excursions or choosing to abandon your holiday due to a lengthy delay.

'But the devil's always in the small print, and many travel policies are riddled with exclusions.'

Direct Line says it will cover affected BA passengers up to 5,000 per person for costs such as accommodation, missed excursions, unused car hire, parking charges and extended kennel and cattery costs for pets while their owners are away.

You must pay the first 75 of any claim per person for a single trip policy or 50 per person if you bought annual cover.

However, if you chose the cheapest, no-frills cover you may struggle to recoup all your losses

And you can't claim double compensation. So if the airline payout covers all your costs your travel insurer will not compensate you on top of that.

If your insurer won't pay, then you should contact the hotel or car hire company and explain the situation to them. They may allow you to re-book.

A spokesman for BA says: 'We are providing customers with information on how to apply for EU compensation and to claim for reasonable expenses. We will fully honour our obligations.'

v.bischoff@dailymail.co.uk
Savers handed shares when Halifax Building Society became a bank two decades ago are nursing a 92 per cent loss.

Halifax floated on the stock market 20 years ago this Friday, on June 2, 1997.

Customers with at least 100 in a Halifax account at the end of 1996 were given a minimum of 200 shares worth 1,469 when the society demutualised.

Thousands of so-called 'carpetbaggers'  cynical investors who opened accounts for the free shares  flocked to Halifax for a slice of the 20billion windfall.

Handout: Customers with at least 100 in a Halifax account at the end of 1996 were given a minimum of 200 shares worth 1,469 when the society demutualised

The value of the basic 200-share handout peaked at more than 2,300 in 2007.

But it crashed when the bank had to be taken over by Lloyds and bailed out by the taxpayer at the height of the credit crunch.

As a result, that 1,469 windfall would be worth just 121 today, according to an analysis by investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown.

On the plus side, you would have received 1,539 in regular dividend payouts over the years. So, should you hold on to your old Halifax shares, or is it time to get rid?

Analysts say parent company Lloyds is still a good bet for investors who want an income  but don't expect to recover those losses.

Ian Gordon, banking expert at Investec asset managers, says: 'I don't see the share price rising much, but Lloyds remains attractive because of the dividend it pays, which I think will grow.

'If you're looking for a strong and sustainable income, then Lloyds meets that description better than any other major bank.'

Halifax, established 164 years ago in the Yorkshire town of the same name, was one of Britain's best-loved building societies, with more than eight million members.

Until the mid-Eighties, the mutual mainly offered savings accounts and mortgages. But after regulations were relaxed in the 'Big Bang' in 1986, many building societies started offering current accounts, stockbroking, insurance and estate agency services.

In 1997, mutuals such as Halifax, Woolwich, Alliance & Leicester and Northern Rock became banks by floating on the London Stock Exchange. The idea was that private ownership would help them grow faster.

Most societies offered customers free shares as a sweetener. That resulted in thousands of bargain-hunters depositing money.

The nickname 'carpetbagger' originated from the American Civil War, when opportunistic travellers carried bags made of carpet material.

When Halifax put the proposals to float on the stock market to its members, 97 per cent voted in favour.

The float created 7.5 million shareholders, who each received an average of 333 shares, worth 2,446.

Halifax merged with Bank of Scotland in 2001 to become HBOS in a 28 billion deal that created Britain's fifth largest bank. By then, the value of the minimum 200-share handout had risen to about 1,500.

But the financial crisis turned HBOS's loans toxic and it had to be rescued by Lloyds. The deal, brokered by Gordon Brown in January 2009, saw the state put up 20 billion to own 43 pc of an enlarged Lloyds.

Halifax customers retained shares in Lloyds. At the takeover, their original holding was worth 147  a tenth of the value a year earlier.

Lloyds is finally back in private hands again after the Government sold the last of its shares this month. The share price now sits at 71p, up from 45p after the takeover in 2009.

And after a decade in the doldrums, banking analysts are more optimistic. Neil Woodford, Britain's best-known fund manager, who sold most of his bank stocks in 2003, earlier this month bought 200 million of Lloyds shares.

Lloyds doubled its profits to 1.3 billion in the first three months of 2017, despite paying 350 million for mis-sold payment protection insurance. The PPI scandal has cost the bank more than 17 billion, but payouts are starting to ease off.

Mr Gordon expects profits to grow as cost-cutting measures kick in. Under CEO Antonio Horta-Osorio, Lloyds has announced 24,000 job losses and 400 branch closures, and figures show it now spends just 47p to bring in each 1 of revenue  the least of any large UK bank.

Mr Gordon believes the Lloyds dividend will rise from 3.05p last year to 5.5p in 2019. That means someone with their original 200 Halifax shares would earn 9.13 a year, up from around 5 today.

Nicholas Hyatt, of broker Hargreaves Lansdown, says that's not to be sniffed at. If you invested 121 in the FTSE 100's highest dividend-paying firm, Shell, you earn nearer 8.60 a year.

He says: 'Lloyds has become a boring, low-risk bank, but it is generating plenty of cash and is willing to give it to shareholders.'

p.thomas@dailymail.co.uk
Boost: Ryanair said it had experienced a 'surge in bookings' over the weekend

The computer meltdown that marooned thousands of British Airways passengers has given budget rival Ryanair a boost.

The airline said that it had experienced a 'surge in bookings' over the weekend as desperate passengers tried to find empty seats.

BA came under fire on Saturday after a system failure caused mass cancellations and brought misery to 300,000 passengers.

Ryanair took to Twitter over the weekend to mock BA, using the hashtag 'shouldhaveflown ryanair'.

Chief operating officer David O'Brien yesterday said: 'It was a disaster for BA. We had a bit of fun on social media but we do take it very seriously.

'A lot of people tried to book with us last minute to get to weddings.'

Shares in BA owner IAG yesterday fell 1.4m per cent, or 8.5p, to 605.5p. Ryanair, which initially slumped during early trading in Dublin, finished up 2.4 per cent.

Ryanair said it did not expect to see any significant benefit in the long term as BA customers would likely remain loyal to the brand.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's restaurant empire has reported its first profit since 2012 thanks to opening new eateries overseas.

The 50-year-old said the last financial year had been 'pivotal' for the group, which reported an after-tax profit of 739,000 for the year to August 2016, up from a 2million loss the year before.

Revenues rose 3 per cent to 51.9million, helped by creating new steak restaurants  Maze Grill Park Walk and Maze Grill Royal Hospital Road  in London.

Ramsay, a father of four, said: 'Our strategy of creating and incubating exciting new restaurants in London and launching them across the world has been highly successful.'

The change was driven by a 24 per cent jump in overseas revenues  which are run under licence by partners  up to 3.6million.

Gordon Ramsay Group has signed deals to open six restaurants in the US and Canada, including a Hell's Kitchen in Las Vegas and Gordon Ramsay Steak in Baltimore.

It already has 31 restaurants, with its 14 British outlets concentrated in London and one at Heathrow Airport.
Permanent role: Allied Minds's Jill Smith

NEW CHIEF Inventions business Allied Minds has appointed Jill Smith as permanent chief executive.

She was made interim boss at the company in March, after co-founder Chris Silva quit shortly before a 114million write down.

MERGER COMPLETES Asset manager Henderson Group has completed its merger with US firm Janus Capital, creating an investment titan with around 257billion in assets under management.

STAMP DEAL Stamp and coin specialist Stanley Gibbons has sold its 25 per cent holding in art group Masterpiece back to the firm for 1.4million.

PROTEIN GEL Nutrition brand Science In Sport has secured a patent for its WHEY20 protein gel.

HEAVY LOSSES No-frills airline Fastjet took more heavy losses after boss Nico Bezuidenhout cut ambitious expansion plans after taking over in August.

PROPERTY PLAY Property investment company CLS Holdings has agreed to buy a property in Dortmund for 30.1million. The office space currently generates rents of 2.4million.

REMORTGAGE RISE The mortgage market was propped up in April by homeowners seeking a new deal, according to conveyancer LMS.

The business said 38,475 transactions were made in April, an 8 per cent rise on 35,500 deals made in March.

FACTORY FUND A British manufacturing fund should be set up by the Government to offset Brussels trade barriers, think tank Civitas has said.

HACK ATTACK Data protection breaches could cost businesses 118million in fines this year, research by law firm EMW suggests.

FAST DRUGS Scientists at the Universities of Manchester and York have discovered an enzyme that will make drugs used to treat Parkinsons cheaper and quicker to make.

SELL OFF Troubled outsourcing group Capita is in advanced talks to sell its recruitment division as it seeks to reshape itself under a new leadership team.

BANK COUP Banking scion Peter Hambro, 72, is battling an attempted boardroom coup at his gold mining company.

Petropavlovsk shareholders Renova, Sothic and M&G want to replace Hambro and three non-executive directors, criticising corporate governance.
Carol Rogers won in the Miscellaneous Fiber Arts category for her pillow Remembering Jimmy Judith Hepplewhites intricate knitted cape Encircled Shoes from 1890, by Mary Bob Hagmann Previous Next

The Chickamauga Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution had four first-place wins in the Tennessee State, NSDAR Division of the annual NSDAR American Heritage contest.

The winners will advance to the national level to compete with other division winners.

The theme of this years competition is Moving Family Traditions Forward with the Arts.

Carol Rogers won in the Miscellaneous Fiber Arts category for her pillow Remembering Jimmy, crafted from pieces of her late brothers clothing. Shelia Nelsons original story Revival at Hoot Holler Church celebrating her familys storytelling tradition, won first place in the Literature and Drama/ Fiction Short Story or Narrative category. Judith Hepplewhites intricate knitted cape Encircled, featuring a stylized DAR logo, won first place in the Knitting category. The first-place award in the Cross Stitch and Needlepoint category Shoes from 1890, is a needlepoint piece researched, drawn and stitched by Mary Bob Hagmann, honoring the founding of the NSDAR in 1890.

For more information see the Chickamauga Chapter, NSDAR website at www.tndar.org/~chickamauga.



* * *

Sheila Nelson's entry:

Ive been listening to stories all my life. My first memories are of sitting on my grandparents front porch, listening to my people talk. Aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, cousins, visiting distant and not-so-distant relatives---all had a story to tell. And they told them well enough that I can remember most of them fifty years later.

As the years passed, I noticed after a family dinner was eaten the men moved into the living room, to talk about work, sports, hunting

...but the women stayed in the kitchen to clear the table, wash the dishes, divide the leftovers.and tell stories. This was as good as the dinner itself and oh! how I looked forward to it!!! They wove tales about life in general, kinfolk that had lived and died, strange occurrences that bordered on the supernatural, Bible interpretations, and yes, a little bit of local gossip. Sometimes the stories were scary, sometimes hilarious, sometimes reflective, and sometimes without a proper ending.and always spoken in the cadence and dialect of Southeast Tennessee Twang. It IS our mother tongue. I love these stories and I love these women.

This is my familys art. Storytelling. And the women excelled at it. They still do. To this day we gather at my grandparents house, where my Mother now lives, and we sit on her porch and we eat in her dining room and we tell stories.

My submission Revival at Hoot Holler Independent Church is based on a true story told by my Aunt Martha long ago during a summer evening spent on my grandparents porch.

Revival at Hoot Holler Independent Church

By Shelia Parker Nelson



I always did like to go to a good church service. Every weekend me and Margaret Ann would drive over towards the ridges, lookin to see if some little old church was ahavin a revival. It was good to sit in the house of God after workin all week. Sometimes Id slide my shoes off during the singin. It felt sgood to work my toes and if the choir cut loose on Heavens Jubilee, my toes got some good exercise!

They was one time when Hoot Holler Independent Church was ahavin a mid-week revival and me and Margaret Ann took a notion tgo. Hoot Holler had the best choir you ever heard. They sang them old convention-style gospel songs out of the red-back Church Hymnal and their four-part harmony would come in so clear and sounded good to my ears! The sopranos was airy-like, liftin their notes to the ceiling and the altos would sing middlin notes, partin the hair on the top of your head. The tenors would hit you in the kneecaps and then here come the basses, makin that old tonguen groove floor rumble under our feet. Everbody would clap their hands durin singin timeand we left our earthy cares behind us for a little while.

Plate-passin time come around after the last choir song. Me and Margaret Ann always give a dollar each. Yes, I think the gospel is free, but somebodys got to pay the light bill and its nice to have a bathroom inside the church house. Well, we give our dollars and we settled ourselves down, waitin for the visitin preacher to come bring the message.

The pastor led us in prayer and we prayed for them that couldnt be at the revival because they was sick and afflicted, and then we prayed for the missionaries around the world and then he said to raise up your hand if you had lost loved ones that needed to be saved. I raised my hand

and I could hear other hands going up. Aint it funny how you can hear peoples hearts in that holy time of prayer? We prayed that we would be revived and the pastor declared amen and we all amend after him.

Then he introduced us to the revival preacher. He was an older man, but looked to be right spry from the way he hopped up to the pulpit. His hair was white, just as white as it could be and he had a lot of it too, it put me in the mind of a big white cloud. His blue eyes were deep-set and sparkly and he had the air of a joyful man.

He said he was glad to be there and then he read his text from the book of James. I always did like the book of James. You know James was the Lords earthy brother and his book teaches about facin trials and temptations and not bein stuck-up and givin all of yourself to God and doin good works and takin care of widows and orphans and bridlin your tongue. More people ought to read it and study on it.

Well, I knew this was goin to be a good sermon! I looked over at Margaret Ann and she nodded her head. She likes the book of James too. And, sure enough, that revival preacher had barely got started preachin before the amens started! Everbody was agreein with him on everthing he was preachin! And I did too, but I didnt amen out loud. Margaret Ann did though. She dont hold with a woman keepin quiet in church.

Well, the revival preacher was preachin real hard on the fourth chapter. Its the one about quarrelin and fightin amongst each other. It says not to speak evil one of another and not to judge your brother. The revival preacher was bearin down on how we ought to treat each other and his blue eyes was ablazin with the Truth and his voice was like a gentle thunder.

Well, I was alistenin with my whole heart. I was so intent on what he was sayin that it startled me when I saw somethin come flyin over the pulpit and land in the middle of the aisle, about halfway down the church. I leaned over and saw his teeth alayin there on the floor.

That revival preacher didnt miss a lick. He kept on apreachin and people acted like there never was a set of false teeth come flyin out of a preachers mouth to land on the floor. They didnt bat an eye when he strode out from behind the pulpit, waving his big, worn Bible while tellin us to Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.

He walked down the aisle towards his teeth, never lookin down, but instead raisin his Bible and preachin the Word. He reached down and picked up his teeth, put them in his coat pocket and preached all the way back to the pulpit, never once loosin his place or his dignity.

Well, he ended his sermon and we had altar call and there was a lot of people on their knees askin God to forgive them for backbitin their brothers and sisters and thankin God for this vapor of a life He give to us.

Me and Margaret Ann both shook his hand when we left. His joyful blue eyes looked at us, full of the love of God. And hed put his teeth back in. We didnt talk about it on the way home. I was beginnin to think maybe I had imagined his teeth flyin over the pulpit, to land on the floor not three feet from me.

When we finally go to my house and I opened the car door to get out Margaret Ann said to me, You reckon that kind of thing happens has happened to him before? He acted like nothin happened. And I studied on it for a little bit and I said to her Well, I believe it was like he told us from the Bible tonight. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up. I

reckon he was being lifted up so much that it didnt bother him at all to see his teeth alyin there on the floor.

Well, we went to Hoot Holler Independent Church revivals for many years afterwards, but we never did hear that old preacher preach the Word again. He went on to Glory just a couple of weeks after preachin so hard that his teeth come out. I like to think of him stridin down them streets of gold, never once fearin that hell lose his teeth while shoutin hallelujahs to the King of Kings.




Shares in big data firm Fusionex International crashed to an all-time low yesterday after a row broke out over plans to remove the company from the UK stock market.

Fusionex lost around 10.1million of its value in the first day of trading since it revealed plans to go private after the markets had closed on Friday.

The firm, which provides data processing software to clients such as Ford and RBS, has since seen its joint broker Peel Hunt and its public relations firm Buchanan walk out the door.

Both were noticeably absent from Friday's market announcement, which has also led non-executive chairman John Croft to announce his resignation.

Nightmare start: Fusionex lost around 10.1m of its value in the first day of trading since it revealed plans to go private after the markets had closed on Friday

In a statement, Peel Hunt said: 'Responsible brokers resign when there are major disagreements over points of principle, and this was the case here. We cannot comment further on the specifics.'

Fusionex, which is more than 40 per cent owned by Malaysian founder Ivan Teh, said it has been undervalued by markets and would rather spend the cost of listing on developing its business.

It said going private will be in the best interests of investors, despite warning they may struggle to sell shares and could lose money if they do.

A vote on the plans will take place in Malaysia on June 15, just on the cusp of the 20 days minimum notice required for investors.

With the approval of just 75 per cent of attendees needed, Teh's large stake in the firm, along with a low expected turnout at the meeting, the plans are likely to go through.

Shares sank 64.1 per cent, or 82.75p, to 46.25p.

The FTSE 100 started the week by falling off the record highs it hit on Friday. It finished down 0.3pc, or 21.12 points, at 7526.51.

The fall came despite JP Morgan arguing that UK stocks are likely to claw back their recent underperformance.

STOCK WATCH - PROPHOTONIX Tech designer ProPhotonix shot up after sailing through an important sales milestone for one of its laser products. The company creates a range of multi-purpose LED lights and lasers which are used in the technology of major firms such as Panasonic and Sony. Yesterday, ProPhotonix said it has sold more than 100,000 of a particular type of laser which is used to develop object detection systems in robots. Shares rose 6.2 per cent, or 0.88p, to 15p.

Analysts in particular recommended the blue chip dividend-paying UK exporters, which make up a large portion of the FTSE 100.

In a note, the firm said: 'The UK is a defensive market with a high-dividend yield. It should perform better in the backdrop of potential softening in activity indicators.'

Shopping centre investor Intu Properties became one of the index's winners after announcing a joint venture which will see it partly own the Madrid Xanadu shopping centre in Spain. Shares rose 0.2 per cent, or 0.5p, to 270.2p.

Security and outsourcing giant G4S is among those tipped to return to the blue-chip index in a reshuffle today.

The firm was demoted from the index in December 2015 after a series of botched contracts and a perceived failure to supply adequate security at the London Olympics in 2012.

But a turnaround under boss Ashley Almanza has seen shares surge 74.4 per cent over the past year, with revenues rising 9 per cent in the first quarter alone. Shares fell 0.6 per cent, or 2p, to 326p.

The chief operations officer of Wizz Air cashed in on a recent spike in the airline's share price.

Its shares took off last week after the firm announced a record 28 per cent rise in full-year profits.

It also said it had seen no signs of demand for flights weakening since Brexit. Its shares were still in flight yesterday, rising 2.5 per cent, or 58p, to 2343p.

Wealth management firm Brewin Dolphin enjoyed a strong day of trading after analysts at Peel Hunt upgraded it to 'buy' from 'add'.

The broker praised the firm's interim results, released earlier this month, which saw it post profits of 28.4million, up 32.1 per cent on the year.

Yesterday its shares rose 1.6 per cent, or 5.3p, to 337p.
Today, Money Mail reveals how insurers can give savers back the cash they invested in annuities.

More than five million pensioners are currently blocked from cashing in their pots because they were sold lifetime contracts.

Last week, we disclosed that major insurers, including Prudential, Scottish Widows and Legal & General, were investigating ways to let pensioners exchange their small monthly annuity incomes for one-off cash lump sums.

However, their bosses warned it would be difficult to unpick these lifetime deals  and some even ruled it out.

Annuities grief: More than five million pensioners are currently blocked from cashing in their pots because they were sold lifetime contracts

Yet proof exists that it is possible  because one insurer has already paid out to large numbers of customers.

As part of Money Mail's Unlock Our Annuities campaign, we have obtained the details behind a scheme run in 2013 by Phoenix Life to let several thousand customers cash in tiny annuities.

It is the first time the story behind the scheme has been told  and, crucially, it provides a blueprint that Phoenix says all insurers could copy.

To pay out, Phoenix used the government's so-called small pots rules, written in 2012, to allow savers to cash in two pension pots worth up to 2,000 each. These rules still exist and, today, let you cash in up to three pots, worth up to 10,000 each.

The giant insurer wrote to 7,000 customers, asking if they would like a lump sum instead of their monthly incomes.

'We're voting Labour over pension U-turn' Tory supporters have vowed to vote Labour in next week's election over the Government's annuity betrayal. They have switched allegiance after the Treasury axed plans to let people turn their paltry monthly pension incomes into a lump sum. Money Mail reader Lionel Kaye described it as a 'terrible U-turn without any consultation with voters'. Steve Vince wrote: 'I was expecting to be able to pay off my mortgage. Now, it looks like I will have to keep working for another five years. The Conservatives have lost my vote.' Graham Newman echoed this, adding: 'My wife and I decided not to vote Tory because of their U-turn on annuities.'

Letters detailed how much savers would get and stressed the offer was optional.

Recipients had all bought annuities worth less than 2,000 and some were receiving as little as a few hundred pounds a year.

Phoenix realised that, to some, a lump sum would be more useful for things such as paying debts and home repairs. Customers were given six weeks to decide and 65 per cent asked to cash in.

The payouts were subject to income tax like other earnings.

Phoenix explained to customers that they were giving up guaranteed lifetime incomes, which, even if small, might be important for covering bills.

The offer was made to people aged between 60 and 85.

This age limit was set over concerns that very elderly people might be less able to make an informed choice about a big financial decision.

Other insurers could adopt this approach to allay executives' concerns.

To work out the amount to hand back, Phoenix calculated how much the company had set aside on its balance sheet to pay a customer an income for the rest of their life.

This was done using average life expectancies. Phoenix did not take into account individual circumstances and health because the annuities it was paying out were standard contracts, not enhanced deals tailored to the customer.

Some insurance bosses have claimed they would have to conduct health checks on customers to work out payouts  but Phoenix says this is not necessary.

The majority of pensioners had standard annuities before pension freedoms were introduced in 2015, so most firms could use the same methods as Phoenix to calculate fair payouts, says the company.

Phoenix included the cost of administration and set a final figure for each customer, factoring in their age and how long they had been taking an annuity income.

Scheme: Phoenix used the government's so-called small pots rules, written in 2012, to allow savers to cash in two pension pots worth up to 2,000 each

Crucially, the annuity pay-out scheme helped reduce Phoenix's costs  not increase them. This should encourage the chief executives of insurance firms, some of whom have complained that paying annuities would be too expensive.

Phoenix says it was able to save money because it no longer had to administer as many small monthly payouts.

Danny Dowd, head of retirement propositions at Phoenix, says: 'The big driver behind the offer was that this could benefit our customers, giving them more options in retirement.

'We saved a small amount of money, but that wasn't the main motivation.

'The numbers speak for themselves in terms of how much customers appreciated the offer. We made it clear that it was optional, and more than six in ten still took the deal.

'It was a positive thing to do and was well received by our customers.'

Phoenix is considering repeating its scheme. 'We are still thinking about whether we could do this again, but we don't want customers to cash in annuities that are offering them good value in retirement,' adds Mr Dowd.

It took Phoenix three months to devise the plan in 2013, and Mr Dowd says pension rules are now more complicated.

One wrinkle is that customers are now allowed to cash in 10,000 by law if their company allows it, up from 2,000.

With more money involved, 'more consumer protections' need to be put in place, says Mr Dowd.

These could include more prominent warnings spelling out that savers could face tax bills, lose state benefits and valuable income streams a spouse may have inherited.

Mr Dowd says: 'I believe other insurers may be able to do something like we did, but they will need to protect their customers' interests.'

d.hyde@dailymail.co.uk
A major investigation into inheritance payouts has been launched after a bank discovered it was sitting on almost 130,000 belonging to a Holocaust survivor who died 12 years ago.

Santander is trawling through databases after realising it failed to contact the man's solicitor about two of his five accounts.

The bank admits to poor record-keeping and fears it may have left other families or executors of wills in the dark.

A spokesman refused to say how many could be affected, but Money Mail understands other banks may have made similar errors.

In some cases, bereaved families could receive thousands of pounds in interest to cover the delays.

Inheritance denied: Santander discovered it was sitting on almost 130,000 belonging to a Holocaust survivor who died 12 years ago

The heart-rending story of Karl Lenobel, who spent much of his childhood in Nazi concentration camps, is one of the first to emerge. Karl was captured as a teenager in Vienna with his parents and moved from camp to camp until the war ended in 1945.

He survived, but his parents perished at the hands of the Nazis. The last thing he remembered his mother saying before she died was to look after his older sister, Katherine, who'd escaped to Britain before war broke out.

So, when Katherine's husband died in the Nineties, Karl, who had emigrated to America to work as a sea merchant, moved to London. He stayed there until he died, aged 84, in October 2004.

Because neither he nor Katherine, who'd passed away six months earlier, had children of their own, Karl left most of his savings to three children's charities.

He told his solicitor, Geoffrey Greenhouse, that because he hadn't had a childhood, he wanted to help make sure others didn't miss out. Karl had been a prudent saver and invested the money he'd accumulated over the years in the stock market.

His sister had left him her life savings to pass on to the charities, too.

Mr Greenhouse acted on Karl's wishes to the letter, closing the three Santander accounts in his will and distributing the money. Yet, inexplicably, the bank failed to inform Karl's solicitor about two other accounts in his name.

Mr Greenhouse had no idea these accounts even existed until last November, when he received a letter from Santander stating that there was 127,338 in two Instant Saver accounts belonging to Karl.

HOW TO HUNT DOWN CASH Look out for a letter from a bank informing you of any accounts that are still open in a late relative's name. Don't throw away post from a bank you don't recognise without opening it. If you receive a letter, fill in the forms included and send a copy of your ID in the prepaid envelope provided. You should be paid interest at 8 pc on top of the balance. You can also claim expenses for any costs you incur seeking tax or legal advice. This is important as the extra money could mean you owe inheritance tax. If you don't receive a letter, check old paperwork in case there are any documents you've missed. If you are in any doubt, call the bank and ask it to run a search for the person's name, looking for accounts with and without their middle name and in their maiden name.

The bank had made a note on the accounts that Karl had died, but had failed to contact Mr Greenhouse  even though it had his details on file.

Santander says the problems first came to light around 18 months ago, when it began investigating ways to improve its treatment of bereaved customers, prompted by Money Mail's Looking After Your Legacy campaign, which highlighted the difficulties grieving families face dealing with departed loved ones' finances.

The bank discovered dormant accounts with what are known as 'deceased indicators' on them. This meant it knew the customers had died, but nothing had been done to distribute the money in the accounts.

Now, the bank is working to get those funds to the right people by tracing relatives and the solicitors in charge of the estates and urging them to get in touch.

The letter sent to Mr Green-house in November says: 'We write to inform you that the accounts of the late Mr Karl Lenobel are still open. We realise this is a very sensitive matter and we're sorry for any distress this letter may cause, however we'd like to understand what you want us to do with the accounts.'

The bank requested that Mr Greenhouse complete the enclosed probate form and return it in a prepaid envelope, along with a copy of his ID.

When Mr Greenhouse questioned why the bank had not notified him sooner, Santander wrote: 'Following an in-depth review of a number of accounts, we found that some customers who are now deceased had money held in their accounts which was not paid out to their next of kin or estate after their death. Please accept my sincere apologies for any distress this may have caused.'

The bank is adding interest of 8 per cent a year and says it will pay any reasonable expenses, such as for tax advice.

In Karl's case, the interest has boosted his total balance to 219,941 after tax. Mr Greenhouse, of Greenhouse Stirton & Co Solicitors in London, began his career specialising in reuniting Holocaust survivors and their families with money in German and Swiss bank accounts.

He says: 'I was worried they thought I hadn't done my job properly, but the bank knew he had died  I'd closed three other accounts there.

These charities should have had this money years ago. Karl also left some of his estate to the children of a man who had survived the camps with him, so they will get a small share, too.'

Santander is trawling through databases after realising it failed to contact the man's solicitor about two of his five accounts

Sue Willis, director simplification for Santander UK, says: 'We recognise that the service we provided the late Mr Lenobel's estate was not good enough. We are sorry for this.

'It was a review of our probate and bereavement processes, in part triggered by the campaign run by Money Mail, that led us to identify that two of Mr Lenobel's accounts were still open.

'Losing a loved one is, of course, a distressing time. We have redefined our service focusing on what the bereaved customer needs at this time.

Changes we have now put in place mean that the mistakes we made in managing Mr Lenobel's estate after his death cannot be repeated.'

Santander has had problems with missing accounts before. In 2012, Money Mail revealed that savers were being fobbed off when they tried to withdraw cash from old passbook accounts.

The bank accused customers of withdrawing funds years earlier but, in many cases, later discovered the savings did still exist. Many customers had passbooks from Abbey and Alliance & Leicester, which Santander took over in 2004 and 2008, respectively.

In the case of the dormant accounts belonging to deceased customers, Santander will continue to send letters chasing the next of kin to take action.

If it receives no response after several attempts at contact, the money will go to the Government.

Claims can still be made if relatives were to come forward at a later date.

For more information, call Santander's dedicated line for bereaved customers on 0800 587 5870, or write to: Bereavement Centre, PO Box 524, Bradford BD1 5ZH.

v.bischoff@dailymail.co.uk
Tori Spelling and husband Dean McDermott were already struggling with their mounting financial crisis, and this week a judge ruled they have to pay off another $220,000 debt.

DailyMail.com has learned the 90210 actress was hit with a $220,000 default judgment in the legal battle with City National Bank.

The mother-of-five blew off the case despite being served, so a Los Angeles judge ordered her and husband Dean to pay up this week. It's another ruling after a series of financial woes for the reality show couple.

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Tori Spelling, 44, and husband Dean McDermott, 50, have been ordered by a judge to pay $220,000 to City National Bank on a default judgment

In the past year alone, they have been forced to pay debts by the IRS, American Express and to McDermott's ex for child support.

In December, Spelling and McDermott were sued by City National. The bank accused the couple of taking out a $400,000 loan in 2010

However, they defaulted on payments and currently have an outstanding balance of $188,000 they refuse to pay.

City National also accused Spelling of overdrawing $17,000 from her checking account that the actress didnt have the funds to repay.

Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott mounting debt problems January 2016: Tori Spelling is sued for $37,981.97 by American Express for her unpaid credit card bill. A judge ruled she had to pay the debt in October. November 2016: After a judge ruled Spelling had to pay what she owed to American Express, the credit card company hit her with yet another lawsuit. This time, they sued her for $87,594.55 in unpaid credit card bills. December 2016: City National Bank sues the couple for their outstanding balance of $188,000 they refuse to pay on a $400,000 loan. In May, they were hit with a default judgment of $220,000 after Spelling never showed up to court. March 2017: Dean McDermott is sued by his ex wife Mary Jo Eustace for 100,000 in child support payments. He told the judge: 'I've fallen on hard times.' The ex couple spoke outside of the courtroom and Eustace withdrew her claims with prejudice, meaning she can refile at any time if he doesn't pay up the $100,000. April 2017: The IRS drained the couple's bank accounts after they had $707,487.30 in unpaid federal taxes from 2014. It is not known the total amount they owe the government or if they owe more from their 2015 taxes. Advertisement

City National filed suit for a total of $205,000 in damages from Spelling and McDermott.

Recently, the bank filed a motion for default against the couple explaining Spelling has blown off the case despite being served with the legal docs weeks ago, but she missed the deadline to respond to the allegations in court.

The judge came back and granted the motion for default. On April 20th, the judge set a hearing on a default judgment for May 22. He allowed Spelling one last chance to head to court and make a plea to defend herself.

Then on May 24, documents were filed revealing the judge granted the banks motion for default judgment and ordered the couple to cough up $202,066.10 to City National plus $17,730.56 for a grand total of $219.796.66.

In April, the IRS drained the couple's bank accounts. They were federal tax lien for $707,487.30 on their 2014 filings.

They were sued by American Express twice for their unpaid bills. In October 2016, they were forced to pay the $38,000 debt to the credit card giant.

The mother-of-five never showed up to court after being served legal documents for her debt on the $400,000 loan. She missed the deadline to respond to the allegations in court

On May 24, documents were filed revealing the judge granted the City National Banks motion for default judgment

In November, American Express sued the TV star for 87,000 in unpaid bills.

In addition to these debts, McDermott is being sued by his ex wife Mary Jo Eustace for $100,000 in back child support.

However, after her ex begged, Eustace withdrew her claims with prejudice, mean she can refile at any time if he doesn't pay up the $100,000 in back child support.

Though Spelling and McDermott have been hit with several lawsuits, they manage to maintain a lavish lifestyle.

The couple moved into a sprawling 4,714-square-foot, 1980s-era estate in a gated community in Woodland Hills in December. They rent the five-bedroom, five bathroom, home - for $9,500 a month.

Financial struggle? In December Spelling and McDermott rented a $9,500-a-month home with five bedrooms and five bathrooms
Maddilyn-Rose Stokes died after suffering cardiac arrest on Thursday - a week after she was badly burnt by 'scalding bath water'

The father of a two-year-old girl who died from cardiac arrest just one week after suffering severe burns to the lower half of her body 'should have known better' than to leave her injuries untreated, according to devastated family members.

Maddilyn-Rose Stokes' uncle Gwyn Stokes was shaking in anger as he spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the Brisbane toddler's death.

Mr Stokes, who lives in Sydney, had never met Maddilyn-Rose and has only met her older sister once, but said if he knew they were in danger he would have gladly taken them.

'I have a little girl the same age, and going from the news reports they are exactly the same, happy and always chatting.

'I just can't see how this could happen, he should have known better,' he said

Mr Stokes only found out his niece had died when he saw the police reports on Friday.

Father Shane David Stokes (pictured right) and mother Nicole Betty Moore (pictured left) are the parents of Maddilyn-Rose Stokes who died of a suspected cardiac arrest

Gwyn, Glyn and Shane Stokes, right with their grandparents - both Glyn and Gwyn are estranged from their younger brother

'They said the father was 30, the mother was 23 and the little girl was two - I just had this feeling it was them.

'I still can't put in to words how I feel about it - I am just so angry - and I get really upset every time I think about it.'

Maddilyn-Rose's parents Shane Stokes and Nicole Betty Moore had been found guilty of failing to provide necessities of life to the young girl after the eldest Stokes brother, Glyn, reported them to child services.

They were sentenced to an 18-month good behaviour bond but the prior conviction makes Gwyn Stokes even more angry over the toddler's death.

'They have been in trouble over Maddi before - but now she is dead,' he said.

The young girl had severe burns - her parents told police she got them after accidentally being put into hot bath water.

'I don't understand how a parent would just leave it,' he said.

'That is a situation where you can't even wait for two hours you have to get help straight away.'

Shane with his two daughters - his brother Gwyn said he would have been happy to open his home to the girls - and still is

Mr Stokes last saw his brother in '2012 or 2013' when Maddilyn-Rose's older sister was just two.

Mr Stokes last saw his brother in '2012 or 2013' when Maddilyn-Rose's older sister was just two.

'She had an overfull nappy and wasn't in clean clothes and that didn't sit well with me then - but I never saw him again.

'I don't know how to tell my kids that they will never have the chance to meet their cousin.

'And I think it is even harder when I look at my own daughter who is only a little bit younger because I can imagine what she is like.'

The devastated uncle also revealed he and his brothers were brought up by their father's parents after 'a very bad start to life'.

The devastated uncle also revealed he and his brothers were brought up by their father's parents after 'a very bad start to life'

Mr Stokes hadn't seen Shane, or his partner Nicole, 'for years' and had never met their youngest child

Mr Stokes said he has told his wife they will 'open their doors' to his brother's older child and let her know she has a place in their family.

Both Gwyn and Glyn are 'looking for answers' and asking their younger brother to 'tell the truth about what happened to the baby'.

The family home in a Northgate housing commission complex remains a crime scene after police launched an investigation into the toddler's death on Thursday.

He says he doesn't know how to tell his daughter who is the same age as Maddilyn-Rose, pictured, that she won't have a chance to meet her cousin

Police said the cause of death could not be confirmed until an autopsy was performed in coming days.

Queensland police said the investigation could stretch for weeks.

Police confirmed on Friday Maddilyn-Rose's parents were persons of interest in the case, an were assisting the police with inquiries.

The Child Protection Unit is working alongside police in the investigation.
A man has died and more than 40 people are being treated for possible rabies exposure in north-east Brazil, following an alarming spate of attacks by vampire bats, it has been reported.

The death is the first recorded case of human rabies in Brazil since 2004.

The outbreak is the largest wave of attacks ever registered in the region and is being attributed to a disturbing rise in the bat population nesting close to humans.

Last Saturday, disease control teams from Bahia state health authority (SESAB) were out in force culling vampire bats by catching them and applying a venom paste to their bodies, in a bid to control the rising numbers.

One man has died and more than 40 people are being treated for possible rabies exposure in north-east Brazil after a spate of attacks by vampire bats. Above, one of the bats caught by disease control agents in Salvador

Edivalson Francisco Souza (above), the 46-year-old who died, was milking a cow on a farm in Paramirim when he accidentally stepped on a rabies-carrying bat, which bit his foot. Right, venom paste is applied to a bat; the poison is passed on when they make contact with other bats

Souza dismissed the incident, washed the wound but failed to seek medical help. When he was eventually found to have rabies, it was too late for doctors to administer the vaccine and he passed away shortly afterwards in March this year

According to SESAB, Edivalson Francisco Souza, the 46-year-old who died, was milking a cow on a farm in Paramirim when he accidentally stepped on a rabies-carrying bat, which bit his foot.

The farmer dismissed the incident, washed the wound but failed to see a doctor.

Three weeks later, after being hospitalised for seven days suffering from headaches, nausea, severe anxiety and shortness of breath, Edivalson remembered the incident.

He tested positive for rabies but it was too late for doctors to administer the vaccine and he passed away shortly afterwards in March this year.

SESAB immediately issued a public health alert, warning of the risks of contracting rabies and ways to stay vigilant.

Within days of the fatality, residents living in the capital city, Salvador, some 400 miles from Paramirim, reported a flurry of attacks by the blood-thirsty creatures that appear to have added human blood to their menu.

Over the last three months, dozens of frightened locals in Salvador have told of being terrorised by the bats at night. Many have woken up to the distressing sight of their bed sheets soaked with blood after the creatures sunk their fangs into their toes, heels and elbows. Above, the injury suffered by one unnamed resident

One of the victims, Matheus Andrade (left), who lives in the historic centre of the city said: 'I was bitten three times, twice on my toes and once on my heel, in two successive nights around the middle of May

According to veterinarian Aroldo Carneiro, it's common for people to confuse bat bites with a simple cut. Above, a vampire bat caught by a resident

Matheus, a 22-year-old refrigerator engineer, was not the only member of his family to suffer the terrifying ordeal. His mother, Rose Fernandes, 54, was also bitten on her toe while she slept. (Both pictured above)

Over the last three months, dozens of frightened locals have told of being terrorised by the flying mammals at night.

Many have woken up to the distressing sight of their bed sheets soaked with blood after the animals sunk their fangs into their toes, heels and elbows.

One of the victims, Matheus Andrade, who lives in the historic centre of the city said: 'I was bitten three times, twice on my toes and once on my heel, in two successive nights around the middle of May.

'I didn't realise until the second time that I had been attacked by a bat. At first I thought I had somehow cut my toe during the night.

'I normally sleep with the windows and doors open and the bats flew in. I never felt any pain at all on both the nights I was bitten. But in my dreams, I did feel as if something had hooked itself onto my toe.

Vampire bats (above, some of the ones caught) - or the common bat - are small nocturnal creatures with a wingspan of about eight inches. They only live in the Americas and feed solely on blood, puncturing the skin of their prey with sharp incisors

Disease control agents in the region have been vaccinating pets and warning residents about the dangers of rabies-carrying bats

'When I woke up in the morning, I found the bed was wet. It had been raining overnight and I thought water had dripped in. But it was my blood. It was such a shock.

'The wound was tiny but deep, the blood was dark and thick and the area wouldn't stop bleeding even when I tried washing it off.'

The 22-year-old refrigerator engineer was not the only member of his family to suffer the terrifying ordeal.

His mother, Rose Fernandes, 54, said: 'I was bitten on my toe too while I slept. I didn't feel anything. My husband woke me up and showed me the dirty sheet.

'We thought I had cut myself without knowing. But as soon as Matheus told me the same thing had happened to him, we realised it had to be a bat because of the fang-like puncture marks in our toes.

'It has never happened before and it was very frightening. Now we shut up all the windows and doors at night even though it's hot.

A poster issued by the local authorities warning of the dangers of rabies, and not seeing a doctor if bitten by a vampire bat

'And it's a good thing we did because the other night I woke up in the early hours of the morning at 1:30 because I heard something banging up against the window.

'The bat that had bitten me before seemed to have come back for more and was trying to get in. It kept hitting against the glass. It even flew away at some distance and came hurtling back even harder slamming up against the window,' recalled the teaching assistant, shuddering at the memory.

Both mother and son went to the Couto Maia Hospital and have been prescribed 30 days of anti-rabies and tetanus vaccines, which must be taken until the middle of June.

According to veterinarian Aroldo Carneiro, it's common for people to confuse bat bites with a simple cut.

Vampire bats, or the common bat, are small nocturnal creatures with a wingspan of about eight inches. They only live in the Americas and feed solely on blood, puncturing the skin of their prey with sharp incisors.

Carneiro, who heads the rabies surveillance unit, explained: 'The bite does not cause intense pain because in bat saliva there are analgesic and anticoagulant substances, the latter prevents the quick healing of the wound.'

He stressed that bat attacks on humans are rare in Salvador but cited destruction of the nocturnal mammals' natural habitat and large numbers of abandoned properties in the city centre as factors contributing to the outbreak.

He said: 'We have detected shifts in bat behaviour and a worrying increase in the population in the area. We believe this is due to deforestation and the destruction of caves, which forces the bats to migrate to the cities.

Carneiro, who heads the rabies surveillance unit, explained: 'The bite does not cause intense pain because in bat saliva there are analgesic and anticoagulant substances, the latter prevents the quick healing of the wound'

'The city centre does not have the normal source of food for hematophagous beings (who feed on blood) such as horses and cattle. The vampire bats must find an alternative to live so they bite dogs and cats, and when these aren't available they turn to humans.

'In addition, there are many buildings in the historical centre of Salvador which are abandoned and have openings that give access to the wild animals. The empty places provide shelter and nesting sites and this has allowed the numbers to grow.'

To combat the wave of attacks, a task force of disease control agents have been visiting homes in the terrorised neighbourhoods advising residents on how to protect themselves at night - by keeping windows and doors shut, putting up mesh screens, plugging cracks in the roof that can serve as an entrance for the animals, illuminating dark areas in the house and not leaving fruit out overnight.

The teams have been vaccinating cats and dogs. Last year, 91,000 dogs and 32,000 cats were immunised, and agents have been re-emphasising to residents that rabies is almost always fatal unless victims receive early preventative treatment.

Recent surveillance action resulted in the capture of 16 bats and lab tests identified the presence of the rabies virus in a couple of those caught.

Last year, 91,000 dogs and 32,000 cats were immunised. (A warning poster, above)

Carneiro said: 'Our disease surveillance teams have been out over the weekend controlling the numbers by trapping them and putting a venom paste on their bodies. This poison is passed on when they make contact with other bats.

'They must be culled because there are too many in the area, living too close to residents.'

Professor Valdirene Meira da Cunha, 42, believes a bat mistook her home for a cave because after feasting on her big toe, it took refuge on her wall.

She said: 'I turned on the light and I couldn't believe it. The bed was covered with my blood. I don't know what made me look up, but when I did I saw the bat hanging on the wall above my head.

'It was like a scene out of a horror movie, it was absolutely terrifying and my scream woke everyone up.'

Pensioner Ubaldina dos Santos, 85, said she has not been able to sleep since the outbreak in the area.

'We're trying not to panic,' she said anxiously.

'But the houses we live in are old, with crevices and cracks where the bats can enter.

'Everyone is living in fear of waking up and finding a vampire bat drinking their blood like Dracula,' she added.
Two middle school girls, both aged 14, were killed and a 15-year-old boy suffered critical injuries in Ohio on Memorial Day weekend after police say a car drifted over a line and struck them.

The deadly collision took place Sunday afternoon in Coventry Township, just south of Akron.

Summit County Sheriff's Office spokesman Bill Holland said the driver has been identified as a 24-year-old woman from nearby New Franklin, and charges are pending.

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Double tragedy: Amber Thoma (left) and Taylor Galloway (right), both 14 from Ohio, were killed in a car accident in Coventry Township on Sunday afternoon

Devastating impact: This photo purports to show a 1999 Ford Escort after it allegedly drifted across a white fog line and slammed into a group of four middle-schoolers

The accident took place Sunday on South Main Street near the intersection of Leicester Drive in Coventry Township, Ohio

As of Tuesday morning, authorities have not officially released the names of the deceased, but friends and family identified the victims as Amber Thoma and Taylor Galloway, who both were on the verge of graduating from Coventry Middle School.

Holland said the children were walking on the right side of the road at around 4.40pm Sunday when a 1999 Ford Escort drifted across the white line known as the 'fog line' and mowed them down

According to a press release from the sheriffs office, at around 4.45pm deputies responded to reports of a crash at South Main Street near the intersection of Leicester Drive.

Galloway was pronounced dead at the scene. Thoma was taken to Akron General Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries, with her brother, Christian, by her side.

Speaking to the station WKYC of his late sister at a candlelight vigil that was held for the two girls on Monday, Christian Thoma, described his beloved sibling as outgoing and beautiful.

A makeshift memorial has sprung up on the side of the road where the two girls were fatally struck by a car

The 15-year-old boy who was walking with Thoma and Galloway was transported to Akrons General Hospital in a critical condition, according to the sheriffs statement.

Another boy who was walking with the group escaped the accident unharmed.

A neighbor told WEWS-TV that local teenagers headed to a store or park nearby often walk in the roadway along that stretch because it doesn't have sidewalks.

Meanwhile, loved ones have launched GoFundMe campaigns for Thoma and Galloway to help raise money for their funerals.

'Anyone who got a chance to know Amber couldn't help but to fall in love with her,' wrote a Thoma family friend in the description of the fundraiser. 'Our hearts are all heavy grieving the loss of our beautiful brown-eyed-girl.'

Outpouring of grief: Some 200 people attended a candlelight vigil that was hold in Thoma and Galloway's honor on Monday night

Both Thoma and Galloway were eighth-graders and were set to graduate from Coventry Middle School with the rest of their class on Tuesday night.

Classes at Coventry Middle School resumed on Tuesday as scheduled, but grief counselors were made available to students and staff, and the graduation ceremony was pushed back to Wednesday, reported Cleveland19.
Today show host Karl Stefanovic has been caught in a cringeworthy moment with the viral internet stars from the 'Charlie bit my finger' video.

Harry Davies-Carr and his brother Charlie Rose to fame after their playful moment sitting together turned into one of the first ever viral videos ten years ago.

The iconic video of Harry saying 'Charlie bit my finger' has since received more than 850,000,000 views.

An irritated Harry appeared with Charlie and father Howard on Today on Tuesday morning, as Stefanovic awkwardly pleaded with them to recreate the video.

An irritated Harry Davies-Carr (left) appeared with Charlie (right) and father Howard on Today on Tuesday morning, where Karl Stefanovic asked for them to recreate their famous 'Charlie bit my finger' video

'Just before we go - a dramatic reenactment of that particular scene', Stefanovic says in the video.

Harry appears to be unimpressed with the request and tells Stefanovic 'I think it's OK'.

But his father encourages him to go along with it, as Charlie moves into position to bite his brother's finger.

Harry continues to resist among cries of 'go on' from Stefanovic and his father.

Eventually Harry reluctantly raises his hand and puts out a finger, which Charlie gently bites down on

Harry (left) and his brother Charlie (right) rose to fame after their playful moment sitting together turned painful for Harry ten years ago

But eventually he reluctantly raises his hand and puts out a finger, which Charlie gently bites down on.

Stefanovic can be seen wildly fist-pumping the air while co-host Lisa Wilkinson awkwardly asks in a British accent for Harry to say 'Charlie bit my finger'.

Harry says 'Charlie bit me' before returning to sitting straight-faced.

'Best TV of the day, thanks guys, you're going to be going viral again,' a grateful Stefanovic says.
Convicted paedophiles will be banned from travelling overseas and will have their passports cancelled under new measures to be introduced by the federal government.

The new legislation, due to be introduced next month, will make it illegal for convicted child-sex offenders to leave or attempt to leave Australia, while dual citizens on child-sex offender registers also will be prevented from travel.

Victorian senator and anti-pedophile campaigner Derryn Hinch who fought for the measures told the Herald Sun he was 'over the moon' at the development.

Convicted paedophiles will be banned from travelling overseas and will have their passports cancelled under new measures to be introduced (Bangkok Red Light District pictured)

The new legislation, due to be introduced next month, will make it illegal for convicted child-sex offenders to leave or attempt to leave Australia. Pictured is Australian man Robert Ellis, who molested 11 young girls in Bali and will likely die behind bars

'This will be the greatest thing I could achieve in my first year in the senate,' he said.

'I could have been on 3AW for years banging away about this, but being elected to the Senate made it possible.'

He said almost half of convicted paedophiles travelling overseas were flying directly to South-East Asia for sick 'child rape holidays'.

'It is unconscionable behaviour and we are going to stop it,' he said.

It's expected Justice Minister Michael Keenan and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop will introduce the plans to parliament on Tuesday.

If approved, the legislation will permanently stop Australia's 20,000 registered child sex offenders from ever travelling overseas. The anti-child sex tourism laws will be some of the toughest in the world if approved.

If approved, the legislation will permanently stop Australia's 20,000 registered child sex offenders from ever travelling overseas (stock image)

Suspects in an alleged Internet porn operation cover themselves in the Philippines

Late last year, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull responded to reports 780 registered Australian child sex offenders had travelled overseas.

'What we're talking about is some of the worst grubs you can imagine, they're a disgrace to Australia,' Mr Turnbull said at the time.

'We believe that by further co-operation with the states and territories, once we identify people who have been convicted of serious offences of this kind, then of course the Foreign Minister can revoke their passports.

'We don't want Australians travelling to South East Asia for these sexual criminal activities.'

Australian accused paedophile Peter Scully (right) faces a number of serious charges in the Phillipines, including murdering a 12-year-old girl, multiple counts of sexual abuse, torture, rape and human trafficking
A senior Conservative was urged to apologise yesterday after claiming that most food bank users were not 'languishing in poverty'.

Former justice minister Dominic Raab claimed many people receiving food parcels had 'episodic' cash problems as he sought to defend the Government's record during a TV debate.

Some 1.2million food parcels were handed out last year, according to The Trussell Trust charity.

Former justice minister Dominic Raab (pictured) claimed many people receiving food parcels had 'episodic' cash problems

Asked why so many people were using food banks during an election debate hosted by BBC's Victoria Derbyshire, he said: 'In terms of the food bank issue, and I've studied the Trussell Trust data.

'What they tend to find is the typical user of a food bank is not someone that is languishing in poverty, it is someone who has a cash flow problem episodically.

A spokesman for the charity said delays to benefit payments and low wages were the most common reasons for food bank referrals.

Mr Raab was challenged by the SNP's John Nicholson, who said the charity would be 'outraged'. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron also described Mr Raab as 'out of touch' and called on him to apologise.

Mr Farron said: 'We are seeing nurses, police officers and the just-about-managing having to go to food banks as their pay cheques won't stretch any further.

Some 1.2million food parcels were handed out last year, according to The Trussell Trust charity

'These are stupid and deeply offensive comments by Dominic Raab and he should apologise.'

A Trust spokesman said: 'Trussell Trust data shows the main reasons for a food bank referral are delays and changes to benefit payments and low-income issues that include people who are struggling with low pay or insecure forms of employment.

'It is our experience that people living in poverty are more likely to experience a sudden short-term crisis where they are referred for emergency food whilst the underlying causes are addressed.'
Flat graves that were popular for a few years a generation ago photo by John Shearer Pioneering woman veteran Beverly Allison Swingle photo by John Shearer Medal of Honor recipient William Zion photo by John Shearer Reuben Brown of Alabama served with  thats right  the Union photo by John Shearer Up-close view of grave of Irish native Patrick O'Leary photo by John Shearer Noted Chattanoogan Sam S. Nicklin photo by John Shearer Ben Nicklins grave photo by John Shearer Ferman Henderson photo by John Shearer Stanley spouse was named Prudence photo by John Shearer Grave of Anthony Osterdock of Indiana photo by John Shearer Ohioan Henry Britton rests near giant tree photo by John Shearer O.H. Russell marker also by tree photo by John Shearer Unusual medallion on back of one grave photo by John Shearer Grave of Dr. Bob Fowler photo by John Shearer Previous Next

While over at the National Cemetery visiting the grave of my late mother, Velma Shearer, Monday afternoon and photographing it with a flag and a floral arrangement in front of it, I began to notice how different some of the graves nearby are.

Around the area just left of the entrance, the markers are all kinds of shapes and sizes, not just the vertical shape with a rounded top used for decades except for a brief period when flat markers were used.

With the quiet setting, even though numerous automobiles were driving around the giant circle and a storm was moving in, I decided to photograph a few of these markers.

I began wondering what their stories were and whether many  particularly the ones from the Civil War era  ever get visited often by descendants or by anyone other than Boy Scouts delivering flags.

I also realized they were all likely different in personality, but similar in their service to their country or their support of a spouse who had worn a military uniform.
The conditions of two Maine police officers who were injured while doing an active search on Saturday have been updated.

Officer Nathan Desjardins, 20, is in critical condition while Officer Dale Stout was released from the hospital today, said the Fryeburg Police Department.

Both were injured while searching for 38-year-old Jennifer Bousquet, of South Berwick, Maine, when their boat overturned and collided near the shore if the Saco River.

Officer Nathan Desjardins, 20, is in critical condition while Officer Dale Stout was released from the hospital today after their boat crashed while looking for a woman

Jennifer Bousquet, 38, had been canoeing with 62-year-old Wayne Demers, of Somerworth, New Hampshire, and 54-year-old Brian Day, of South Berwick

The policeman were then airlifted to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine. Desjardins's family said the young officer has suffered 'intensive head trauma.'

In a statement released Monday to the media, the family of Fryeburg Officer Nathan Desjardins said his mother, father and older brother are with him.

Desjardins, who is going into his senior year at the University of New England, is in critical condition.

The Saco River where all the incidents have occurred. The police boat flipped and crashed

Auburn Police Department writes words of support to the department on Facebook

The Fryeburg police department in Fryeburg, Maine. The Maine Warden Service has taken over the handling of the crash and the search

Meanwhile, high water hampered the search for 38-year-old Jennifer Bousquet, of South Berwick. Wardens say the search is now a recovery operation.

Bosquet had been canoeing with 62-year-old Wayne Demers, of Somerworth, New Hampshire, and 54-year-old Brian Day, of South Berwick. They were able to get to safety.

All along the shore of the river, the Maine Warden Service has used dive teams and K-9 units along with their aviation units to find Bousquet.

The Warden Service is handling both the crash and the search.




Perched incongruously on a branch, these albino sparrows could be the rarest birds in Britain.

The result of a genetic mutation, the pure white sparrows are thought to be the first pair ever spotted.

The fledglings hatched just a few weeks ago and were spotted by birdwatcher Clare Kendall.

The result of a genetic mutation, the pure white sparrows are thought to be the first pair ever spotted

The fledglings hatched just a few weeks ago and were spotted by birdwatcher Clare Kendall

I got up really early to make a cup of tea, said the 50-year-old, who lives on a houseboat on the Kennet and Avon Canal in Wiltshire.

As I looked out of the kitchen window on my boat, I saw these two birds bathing in the shallow edges of the canal.

They were splashing about and preening their feathers. She added: I couldnt believe it. At first, I thought I hadnt woken up properly. But now I see them every day.

They love feeding in the rowan and hawthorn trees, and they bathe in the canal with their brothers and sisters, who have brown feathers.

Sightings of albino sparrows are incredibly rare with just a handful confirmed worldwide.

An albino sparrow was photographed at the Sanctuary Lakes in Melbourne, Australia, in 2015.

Another was spotted in Britain in 2010 and reported to the RSPB, while a white sparrow was also spotted in Norfolk in 2015.

No sighting of a pair of albino sparrows has been recorded before, however.

The birds spotted by Miss Kendall are leucistic, which means they have a partial loss of pigmentation, resulting in white feathers.

Fully albino birds also have pink eyes and legs, and - in common with other species with albinism - they often suffer from visual deficiencies.

The birds spotted by Miss Kendall in Wiltshire are leucistic, which means they have a partial loss of pigmentation, resulting in white feathers

Dr Martin Fowlie, spokesman for the RSPB, said the birds were rare.

Ive been bird watching for more than 30 years and I have never seen an albino sparrow, he said.

Ive never heard of two in the same nest before.

But it makes sense, because it is a genetic mutation which means they are unable to produce melanin, which is the dark pigment in hair and skin, or feathers.

Though beautiful, the ghostly birds may not survive long, Dr Fowlie warned.

Because they are white, they are an obvious target for predators. They might have a short life, he said.

But Miss Kendall and her neighbours have fallen in love with the albino sparrows, and have mounted a round-the-clock vigil to keep them safe.

Were feeding them and taking care of them, she said.

I really want this story to have a happy ending with them breeding more white sparrows next year.

That would be a great thing for BBCs Springwatch to film, wouldnt it?

Sadly it is not just the pale Wiltshire pair of sparrows that are facing an uncertain future.

Although they are in abundance in Britain, sparrows are under threat globally with their numbers in steep decline.

Conservationists blame increased urbanisation and fragmentation of the birds habitat.

Sparrows are consequentially among the worst hit species and have declined by 150 million in the last 30 years.

Dr Richard Inger, an ecologist at the University of Exeter, which led a 2014 study into their numbers, said: We should all be worried that the most common species of bird are declining rapidly, because it is this group of birds that people benefit from most.
The US Navy SEAL who plunged to his death in New Jersey after his parachute failed to open during a display has been named as 27-year-old Remington Peters.

The Naval Special Warfare Center released a statement from his family on Monday evening in which they expressed their 'heartbreak' over the 'passing of our courageous warrior'.

Special Operator First Class Peters, of Colorado, was performing as part of Navy Parachute Team 'The Leap Frogs' when landed in the Hudson River during a jump that was part of Fleet Week at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.

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Tragic passing: Remington Peters (left and right) died following the accident during Fleet Week

Peters (pictured on another jump) was part of the US Navy's elite skydiving demonstration team known as 'The Leap Frogs'

Both Peter's (pictured with Rebecca Lincoln, believed to be his girlfriend) family and the Navy have paid tribute to the loss of a 'courageous warrior'

'Although our time with him was cut short, we are so grateful that we were blessed with such a positive and principled loving man,' said the family statement.

'He is painfully missed. No words could do justice, but we are so grateful for all that he taught us, and all the love he gave us in his 27 wonderful years.

'Today, we honor our selfless, humble, and quiet professional.'

'Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, and I ask for all of your prayers for the Navy SEAL community who lost a true patriot today,' added Rear Adm. Jack Scorby, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic.

Peters was performing in an aerial exhibition as part of New York Harbor's annual Fleet Week festival on Sunday.

He was pulled from the waters of Morris Canal near the mouth of the Hudson River moments after the accident, witnessed by thousands of spectators watching the show from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Recovery: U.S. Coast Guard rescue Peters who fell into the Hudson River after his parachute failed to open during a Fleet Week demonstration over the river in Jersey City

Investigation: Officials surround a U.S. Navy Seal's parachute that landed in a parking lot after the parachutist fell into the Hudson River when his parachute failed to open

Navy officials told the DailyMail.com that the accident was apparently caused by an equipment malfunction, though the specific nature and cause is currently unknown. An investigation into the accident is already underway.

Peters, a member of the Navy SEALs commando unit that operates under the Naval Special Warfare Command, was pronounced dead at the Jersey City Medical Center, Rear Admiral Jack Scorby told a news conference outside the hospital.

The 27-year-old was a decorated Navy SEAL who had been a member of the parachute team for more than a year. He is a veteran of two combat deployments and had more than 900 jumps.

Peters had enlisted in the forces in 2008. His many awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

He was a member of the West-Coast-Based Special Warfare Unit before joining the Navy Parachute Team, San Diego.

Peters was a member of the Navy SEALs Parachute Team, the Leap Frogs, (pictured coming in for a landing in Coronado, California last year)

Peters, (left and right) was performing with 'The Leap Frogs' landed in the Hudson River during a jump that was part of Fleet Week when his parachute failed

Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Remington Peters, comes in for a landing presenting the SEAL trident during a practice jump at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida in February 2016

Amateur video recorded by Aaron Moss showed a piece of the parachute coming down after he separated from his chute and landed in the water.

Scorby gave few details about the cause of the accident except to say that the skydiver's 'parachute did not open.'

It is standard emergency procedure in skydiving to perform a cut-away if the main cute does not deploy. A cut-away is when a skydiver disconnects themselves from the harness connected to the main malfunctioning parachute, in preparation for opening the reserve parachute.

It is not yet clear if Peters was able to cut-away or if his reserve chute deployed or also malfunctioned.

A Naval spokesman said that, based on early investigations, the tragedy was 'an apparent equipment malfunction' but warned it was too early to speculate.

Sunday's festivities, part of a week-long showcase that brings dozens of US warships and thousands of service members to the New York City area every year, included demonstrations by the US Navy Parachute Team, known as the Leap Frogs.

A member of the US Navy's elite skydiving demonstration team plunged to his death on Sunday when his parachute (a piece of which is seen above in amateur video) failed to open while performing in an aerial exhibition as part of New York Harbor's annual Fleet Week festival

Amateur video recorded by Aaron Moss showed a piece of the parachute coming down after the parachutist separated from his chute and landed in the water

The parachutist was pulled from the waters of Morris Canal near the mouth of the Hudson River moments after the accident, witnessed by thousands of spectators watching the show from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey

The skydiver, a member of the Navy SEALs commando unit that operates under the Naval Special Warfare Command, was pronounced dead at the Jersey City Medical Center

The Navy gave few details about the cause of the accident except to say that the skydiver's 'parachute did not open'

The team is the official skydiving demonstration unit of the US Navy, comprising active-duty Navy SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen and support personnel.

It is sanctioned by the Defense Department and recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration, according to its website.

Bjoern Kils, 37, of Jersey City, was watching the event from a boat when he saw three Leap Frogs jump from a helicopter, complete their aerial maneuvers and land.

'Almost the same time that they touched down in Liberty State Park, we heard a splash and turned around very quick. I saw the water splash, and apparently there was a fourth parachutist,' said Kils, who runs charter boats.

'We're not sure where he came from. We didn't see him exit the same helicopter and apparently the chute did not deploy.'

The 27-year-old, with Rebecca Lincoln who is believed to be his girlfriend, was a decorated Navy SEAL who had been a member of the parachute team for more than a year. He is a veteran of two combat deployments and had more than 900 jumps

It is not yet clear why Peters' parachute did not deploy on Sunday (he is pictured during another jump last year)

Peters (pictured) had enlisted in the forces in 2008. His many awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Peters's body was pulled from the waters of Morris Canal near the mouth of the Hudson River moments after the accident, witnessed by thousands of spectators watching the show from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey

Kils saw emergency responders pull a man out of the water.

'They pulled him out of the water and started doing chest compressions,' he said.

'He was just limp in the water.'

Theresa Saleeby Awad was with her family at the event and they 'watched as this tragedy unfolded.'

'My husband and I are in tears tonight,' she said yesterday. 'Our hearts ache for this fallen soldier who wanted nothing more today than to delight a cheering crowd.'

US Coast Guard crews work on a parachutist in the waters of the Morris Canal after the skydiver's chute failed to open during an aerial exhibition as port of New York Harbor's Fleet Week festival in New York City
Cop killer Rick Charles Maddison had a violent criminal history which included charges of torture and deprivation of liberty as well as convictions for assault.

Maddison, who was shot dead by police late on Tuesday morning, had been accused of torturing and holding a woman against her will in September 2008.

He had been wanted by police in relation to multiple domestic violence and weapons offences when pulled over in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, on Monday afternoon.

Almost a decade ago he he had been charged with torture, deprivation of liberty, assault occasioning bodily harm, causing willful damage, stealing, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and common assault.

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Rick Maddison was once described by a judge sentencing him for assault as a thug

Cop killer Rick Maddison has an extensive criminal record in Queensland

Paramedics try to save the life of Senior Constable Brett Forte, who was shot dead by Rick Maddison

Flowers have been placed outside Toowoomba police station in tribute to Senior Constable Brett Forte

He was also charged with four drug offences after a search of his home.

Police alleged the offences began while Maddison, then 31, was a passenger in a vehicle on the Gatton bypass, near Toowoomba, west of Brisbane. He was accused of having then held a woman against her will and assaulted her over a weekend.

He appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court and was refused bail. Despite submissions that the case against him was not strong, Maddison was refused bail and remanded in custody.

A year later, Maddison was back before Toowoomba District Court over a one-punch assault which left his victim with a facial fracture, according to the Toowoomba Chronicle.

The court heard Maddison had been involved in an altercation with another patron of a Toowoomba night club on the night of December 8, 2007.

Maddison, who believed the patron had inadvertently splashed urine on him in the club's toilets earlier that evening, ran into the man later that night.

Senior Constable Brett Forte was shot dead by Rick Maddison near Gatton, west of Brisbane

Police say they are aware of Rick Maddison's extensive criminal history which includes charges of torture and deprivation of liberty

A police roadblock near the scene of where Brett Forte was shot dead by Rick Maddison

Cop killer Rick Maddison, described as a career criminal, was wanted for domestic violence and weapons offences

Crown prosecutor Sarah Farnden said Maddison believed the man was laughing at him, the pair exchanged words and Maddison punched him once in the face, causing a fracture near the man's eye.

Maddison pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm, was ordered to pay $10,000 compensation to the victim and jailed for six months but the sentence was suspended for three years.

Judge Michael Forde noted Maddison had pleaded guilty before Toowoomba Magistrates Court to a similar charge in 2005 which left another man with a fractured skull.

'It is clear you have a very thuggish element about you,' Judge Forde said.

On the earlier occasion, Maddison had punched his victim twice. He was fined $1000 and ordered to pay $5000 compensation.

Paramedics work to save the life of Senior Constable Brett Forte near Gatton, west of Brisbane

A woman who lives nearby shot this video of paramedics trying to save the life of Senior Constable Brett Forte

Senior Constable Brett Forte was shot dead, allegedly by Rick Maddison, on Monday afternoon

Stories also emerged of gun-mad Maddison regularly discharging his firearm at night.

Local Peter Hills, whose daughter, 5, and wife are behind the police line near where the fugitive is holed-up, said Maddison would shoot his weapon 'on average two or three nights a week'.

'It has tamed off a little bit,' Mr Hills told Daily Mail Australia. 'A month to a month a half ago - he went ballistic one night'.

Police have visited him for discharging his firearm several times, he said.

'You wouldn't hear a god damn thing (shots fired) in town because of the wind'.

'(I don't think) we're going to hear gunshots out there anymore.'

A heavily armoured police vehicle involved in the hunt for alleged cop killer Rick Maddison

Police and ambulance vehicles are the scene of the shooting of Senior Constable Brett Forte on Monday afternoon

Police block a road near the shooting of Senior Constable Brett Forte as they hunt for Rick Maddison

Maddison died of a gunshot wound to the chest on Tuesday morning after being holed up in a shipping container at a farm house near Gatton for about 20 hours, Queensland police media confirmed.

'Just after 11am, the wanted man left the shed he was in and ran into bushland,' a police spokeswoman said.

He was shot while fleeing and received a gunshot wound to the chest. He received treatment but died at the scene. No police were injured during the arrest.

Maddison, 41, shot Senior Constable Brett Forte about 1.40pm during a police chase through the region. He also fired at other officers, police vehicles and a police helicopter.

The Shepherd family, who own a local hotel, feasted on McDonald's out the front of one of the roadblocks set up after the initial encounter with Maddison.

They'd all spent the night together in their cars, given they live on the same dirt track, Wallers Road, as where Maddison was holed up.

The Shepherd family spent the night eating McDonald's outside the roadblock

The Shepherd family own a local hotel and spent the night at a police road block

'It was a real bonding experience,' son Brady joked.

Mother Kylie witnessed the police chasing the ute yesterday and fled her home after warning her kids not to return to the property.

The family reported a lot of traffic picking up on their quiet lane in the past month, which they attributed to him.

Meantime, locals expressed shock about Maddison on social media. 'I call him Uncle Rick!' a Facebook user said. 'WTF' said others.

Queensland Police Union CEO Ian Leavers said on Tuesday morning he was aware of Maddison's past.

'This guy they are after, he has got serious history,' Mr Leavers said.

'I know a bit about him but while it is unfolding I have to hold back.'

Mr Leavers indicated Maddison should not have been at large.

'I would like to say more but I just don't want to hamper anything more because obviously there could be prosecution down the track and I want justice to happen very quickly.'
A gang of thugs on a rampage have left an intervening off-duty policeman 'barely recognisable' in an alleged attack during a Perth crime spree.

Police say that the group of men, that included a 16-year-old boy, smashed their way into several Roleystone shops around 9pm on Sunday night, pelting a truck driver with bricks in the process, 7 News reported.

After breaking in to a bakery and only leaving with $15 from a charity tin, they moved on to neighbouring units, including the IGA and a United petrol station, in further alleged robbery attempts.

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A gang of thugs have been on a crime spree in Roleystone that involved smashing into several shops and assaulting an off-duty police officer.

The gang smashed their way into a bakery around 9pm on Sunday evening however only managed to leave with $15 from a charity tin.

The rampage in the Perth suburb left substantial damage to several units including this smashed door.

When a police officer heard the shop alarms, he came to investigate.

Police say the senior constable made an attempt to apprehend one of the men outside the bakery before two men allegedly began to attack the officer and punched him in the face repeatedly.

The police officer was taken to Royal Perth Hospital after suffering severe facial injuries including a broken jaw and broken nose in an attack the police union has described as 'savage.'

'I am disgusted by the actions of the cowards who did this,' WA Police Union president George Tilbury told Perth Now.

'The offenders have left the senior constable with facial injuries so severe that he is barely recognisable.'

After five men were questioned by detectives, three have been charged, including one child.

A 23-year-old man from Armadale and a 25-year-old man from Thornlie face a string of charges including assault and aggravated burglary and will appear before the Armadale Magistrates Court today.

A 16-year-old boy from Beckenham has also been charged with five offences also including assault and aggravated burglary.

He will face the Perth Childrens Court today.

The United petrol station that was targeted by the group of men in Roleystone, Perth.
Three workers were dramatically rescued after the crane they were on collapsed and they left clinging to a broken platform in the air.

Emergency services were called to Ryrie Street in Geelong at around 8.45am on Tuesday after the crane collapsed.

The three men were trapped 15m in the air on a broken elevator platform.

Three workers were dramatically rescued after the crane they were on collapsed on Tuesday

Aerial pictures of the rescue show the workers clinging to a platform as it dangled perilously against a tall office building.

A County Fire Authority spokesman told Daily Mail Australia that emergency crews used a tele-boom to rescue the men.

'We were called to Ryrie Street at about 8.45am after a crane collapsed and was leaning against a building,' the spokesman said. 'The men were 15m in the air.'

After the rescue, one was treated for an injured hand at the scene, the spokesman said.

The three men were left clinging to a broken elevator platform around 15m in the air
Tomasz Schafernaker has been voted Britain's favourite weather forecaster

He's described parts of Scotland as nowheresville, been sick while reading the shipping forecast and was caught on TV rudely getsuring at a fellow presenter.

But it appears that viewers just love Tomasz Schafernaker telling us the weather forecast.

He has just been voted the nations favourite  beating off competition from BBC Breakfasts Carol Kirkwood.

The 38 year-olds exuberant presenting skills have gained him a legion of fans since he became the youngest male ever to present the BBC weather at the age of 22.

In 2010, Schafernaker, who has 43,000 followers on Twitter, shocked his fans- and bosses - by appearing on the cover of a gay magazine Attitude Active in only a pair of tight rubber shorts.

His makeover stunned staff who were unaware of his impressive physique, which is usually kept well-hidden under his suit.

Born in Gdansk, Poland, Schafernaker attended the independent school St. Johns College, Southsea, in Portsmouth before the University of Reading where he gained a BSc (Hons) in meteorology.

In 2010, Schafernaker was about to do the weather forecast on the BBC News Channel at around 11am, when news presenter Simon McCoy made a light-hearted remark.

In 2010, Schafernaker was about to do the weather forecast on the BBC News Channel at around 11am, and was caught raising his middle finger in a gesture

Schafernaker, who has 43,000 followers on Twitter, attended the University of Reading where he gained a BSc (Hons) in meteorology

Now we will have the weather forecast in a minute and or course it will be 100 per cent accurate and provide all the detail you can possibly want, said McCoy. Ive just seen Tom Schafernaker preparing for it.

In the belief that he was off camera Schafernaker was seen raising his middle finger to McCoy in a gesture.

Instantly realising his mistake, Schafernaker moved his hand to his face to disguise it.

The clip has received more than 5.5million views on YouTube.

Schafernaker, who famously had to apologise in 2007 when he referred to the Outer Hebrides and Western Isles as nowheresville, failed to finish the early-morning Radio 4 shipping forecast in December last year - the first time in 91 years.

Sounding as though he was on the verge of tears or being sick, he was heard saying: Mull of Kyntyre to Cape Wrath southerly or southerly four or five...excuse me... four minutes before a colleague takes the reins.

The queasy-sounding broadcast, at 5:20am on December 4th - hours after his office Christmas party - left some listeners seriously worried about the weathermans health.

Brendan Cole poses with Schafernaker after presenting him with the best TV weather presenter award in the press room at the TRIC Awards 2010

Schafernaker famously had to apologise in 2007 when he referred to the Outer Hebrides and Western Isles as nowheresville

While there appeared to be a BBC South East Christmas party taking place on December 3rd, Schafernaker agent said he had not attended.

And in 2009, on Radio 4 Schafernaker jumbled his words and accidentally said muddy shite for Glastonbury instead of muddy site.

He then giggled on and off throughout the rest of the forecast.

BBC Breakfasts Carol Kirkwood came second in the Radio Times poll of over 50 national and regional weather presenters, with BBC Scotlands Judith Ralton in third while Ian McCaskill, who died in December, was ninth.

Schafernaker said of the poll: Im really flatteredHopefully well have a lovely summer. It wont be anything to do with me though! Im not promising  thats why Im saying hopefully

Tim Glanfield, RadioTimes.com Editor, said: Despite the availability of weather forecasts at the touch of a button or a swipe of the phone, the fact that 25,000 people voted for their favourite weather presenter just shows the enduring popularity of our TV meteorological guides to us weather obsessed Brits.
At least 27 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded after two car bombs ripped through Baghdad, including one that targeted an ice cream parlour.

Sixteen people died in the first blast as ISIS militants detonated a car bomb outside an ice cream shop as it was packed with women and children breaking their Ramadan fast shortly after midnight on Tuesday.

A few hours later a second bomb the exploded by a government-run pension officer near the city's Al-Shuhada Bridge, killing a further 11 people.

More than 100 people are thought to have been wounded in the two attacks in total.

ISIS detonated a car bomb outside this ice cream parlour in Baghdad as it was packed with women and children breaking their Ramadan fast in the early hours of Tuesday morning

At least 16 people died after ISIS militant remotely detonated a car bomb outside the shop, which is a popular landmark in Baghdad

The ice cream parlour explosion was one of three to rock Baghdad in the early hours of Tuesday after ISIS declared 'all-out war' during the holy month of Ramadan

Much of the front of the shop was destroyed in the explosion, with windows blown out and wires torn from the ceiling

Blood and twisted metal were still visible on the street outside the ice cream shop on Tuesday morning following the blast

CCTV footage taken moments before the bomb at the ice cream parlour (pictured) shows traffic weaving through the city centre before a fireball engulfs the street

Tuesday's attack comes as Iraqi troops slowly push ISIS fighters out of their last strongholds in the northern city of Mosul

No group has claimed responsibility for the second attacks, but ISIS regularly bombs the city and had called for 'all-out war' during the holy month of Ramadan, which started on May 26.

Horrifying footage showed the first explosion tearing through the popular ice cream shop.

The bomb was placed inside a parked car and remotely detonated, according to Iraqi officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Footage posted on social media showed chaotic scenes on the streets surrounding the blast.

A number of bloodied wounded lay on the ground, others propped themselves up on the colorful park benches outside the ice cream shop.

Hours after the first attack, another bomb detonated outside a government building elsewhere in Baghdad, killing seven people and injuring 38 (pictured)

No group has claimed responsibility for the bomb, which exploded in the early hours of Tuesday in the Karkh district in Baghdad

A member of the Iraqi fire brigade helps to clear bomb debris and blood off the street in front of the government building

The second bomb was detonated outside a pensions office in the centre of Baghdad during the morning rush hour

One traumatised young girl, wearing a ribbon and bow in her hair, wandered the streets dazed.

Ramadan is often marked by an uptick in violence in Iraq.

Last year, Baghdad was rocked by a huge truck bomb that targeted a popular retail district in the city center.

Young people and families were shopping for new clothes ahead of the holiday marking the end of Ramadan when it went off.

The blast killed hundreds in the single deadliest event in Baghdad since Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003.

ISIS also claimed responsibility for that bombing, which ultimately led to the resignation of Iraq's interior minister.

Tuesday's attack comes as Iraqi troops slowly push ISIS fighters out of their last strongholds in the northern city of Mosul.

Police say at least 15 people died in the blast at the ice cream shop, while another 40 were hurt. The bomb is believed to have been stored in a car and detonated remotely

Horrifying footage and photos showed the explosion tearing through the packed district in the Iraqi capital at around midnight

Passersby crowded around the ice cream parlour in the aftermath of the attack which took place as Muslim flooded the streets to break their Ramadan fast

ISIS claimed responsibility for the callous attack, just a few days into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when families rush to restaurants and cafes at sundown

Iraqi commanders say the offensive, which recently entered its eight month, will mark the end of the ISIS caliphate in Iraq, but concede the group will likely increase insurgent attacks in the wake of military defeats.

Iraqi forces pressed forward with the offensive against jihadist-held areas of Mosul as the United Nations warned of grave danger to civilians in the final stages of the battle.

Iraqi forces have retaken the city's east and large parts of its western side, but the jihadists are putting up tough resistance in areas they still hold.

ISIS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed by US-led air strikes have since regained much of the territory they lost.

The bomb was placed inside a parked car and remotely detonated, according to Iraqi officials
A kangaroo who became helplessly trapped after falling into a canal has been saved by rescuers who loaded him onto a kayak before releasing him into the wild.

Wildlife Warriors from Australia Zoo captured the dramatic rescue at the canal on the weekend.

In the video, a young male kangaroo can be seen bounding in the shallow water of a canal desperately looking for an escape route.

A kangaroo who became helplessly trapped after falling into a canal has been saved by rescuers who loaded him onto a kayak before releasing him into the wild

The kangaroo grabbed onto the kayak and rested his weary paws after becoming esxhausted

A man in a kayak cautiously follows the drenched roo who appears distressed as he continues to leap his way down the canal.

Eventually the kangaroo can't go any further and grabs onto the kayak where he rests his weary paws.

Another rescuer sedates the kangaroo which allows them to lift him to dry land.

Rescuers can be seen checking if the young roo has injured his paws on barnacles or rocks in the canal.

Another rescuer sedated the kangaroo which allowed them to lift him to dry land

They then wash his feet with disinfectant and wait for him to wake up before giving the all-clear.

After some time the kangaroo climbs to his feet, gains his bearings and hops off into the bush.

The Wildlife Warriors said it was a 'particularly challenging' rescue and they had to work quickly because of the rising tide.

A rescuer holds onto the sedated kangaroo before he was pulled to dry land and treated
A Texas State Representative said he called ICE on protesters at the state capital Monday and then allegedly threatened to shoot another lawmaker during a chaotic scene on the House floor.

Texas Republican Matt Rinaldi said he only threatened to shoot Democrat Poncho Nevarez because Nevarez threatened his own life before that.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the gallery of the Texas State Capital in Austin on Monday to protest Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), aimed at 'sanctuary cities'.

The protesters held signs and chanted, though house rules do not allow support or opposition to be shown from the gallery, according to the Texas Observer.

Texas Republican Matt Rinaldi, left, said he called ICE on protesters in the Texas State Capital Monday, then he allegedly threatened to shoot Democrat Poncho Nevarez, right. Rinaldi later claimed he threatened Nevarez because Nevarez threatened him first

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the gallery of the Texas State Capital in Austin on Monday to protest Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), aimed at 'sanctuary cities'

The protesters wore red shirts and carried signs as they chanted and marched through the state capital building

Representative Ramon Romero Jr, left, a Democrat, said he was standing with fellow Democratic Representative Cesar Blanco, right, when Rinaldi came over and said: 'This is BS. That's why I called ICE.' Blanco and Rinaldi then got into a bit of a scuffle

State House leadership stopped the session and asked state troopers to clear the gallery. The demonstration continued for about 20 minutes as officers led people out of the chamber peacefully in small groups. There were no reports of arrests.

But even after the protest ended, tensions remained high. Representative Ramon Romero Jr, a Democrat, said he was standing with fellow Democratic Representative Cesar Blanco when Rinaldi came over and said: 'This is BS. That's why I called ICE.'

The Texas Observer reports that Romero told them he said: 'F*** them, I called ICE.'

Rinaldi and Blanco then began shouting at each other. A scuffle nearly ensued before other lawmakers separated the two.

Later, a group of Democratic lawmakers held a press conference to accuse Rinaldi of threatening to 'put a bullet in the head' of Nevarez on the House floor during a second near scuffle.

After the scuffle on the House floor, a group of Democratic lawmakers held a press conference to accuse Rinaldi of threatening to 'put a bullet in the head' of Nevarez, pictured speaking

Protesters marched in the Texas State Capital in Austin on Monday to oppose the SB 4 bill, which the governor just signed into law

Texas' new law requires police chiefs and sheriffs - under the threat of jail and removal from office - to comply with federal requests to hold criminal suspects for possible deportation. Those who oppose the law are pictured on the south steps of the state capital

Police also can ask the immigration status of anyone they stop. The bill was viewed as a crackdown on Austin and other 'sanctuary cities,' a term that has no legal meaning but describes parts of the country where police are not tasked with helping enforce federal immigration law. Protesters are pictured inside the state capital

In a subsequent Facebook statement, Rinaldi admitted saying he'd called federal authorities and threatened to shoot Nevarez - but said his life was in danger, not the other way around.

'Today, Representative Poncho Nevarez threatened my life on the House floor after I called ICE on several illegal immigrants who held signs in the gallery which said "I am illegal and here to stay,"' Rinaldi wrote on Facebook Monday.

'Several Democrats encouraged the protestors to disobey law enforcement. When I told the Democrats I called ICE, Representative Ramon Romero physically assaulted me, and other Democrats were held back by colleagues.

'During that time Poncho told me that he would "get me on the way to my car." He later approached me and reiterated that "I had to leave at some point, and he would get me." I made it clear that if he attempted to, in his words, "get me," I would shoot him in self defense.

'I am currently under DPS protection. Several of my colleagues heard the threats made and witnessed Ramon assaulting me.'

After Nevarez and other Democrats held a press conference, Rinaldi responded with this Facebook post

The protesters held signs and chanted, though house rules do not allow support or opposition to be shown from the gallery, so state House leadership stopped the session

House leadership asked state troopers to clear the gallery. The demonstration continued for about 20 minutes as officers led people out of the chamber peacefully in small groups. There were no reports of arrests

Monday's protest was organized by activists who canvassed over Memorial Day weekend in Austin. They informed anxious immigrants about the rights they retain despite the law and urged grassroots resistance against it.

Texas' new law requires police chiefs and sheriffs - under the threat of jail and removal from office - to comply with federal requests to hold criminal suspects for possible deportation.

Police also can ask the immigration status of anyone they stop. The bill was viewed as a crackdown on Austin and other 'sanctuary cities,' a term that has no legal meaning but describes parts of the country where police are not tasked with helping enforce federal immigration law.

SB 4 is reminiscent of a 2010 Arizona 'show your papers' measure that allowed police to inquire about a person's immigration status during routine interactions such as traffic stops. It was eventually struck down in court.

A legislative session that began in January concluded Monday, and the day was supposed to be reserved for goofy group photos and sappy goodbyes. Lawmakers are constitutionally barred from approving most legislation on the last day.

Mexicans who served in the United States Army in Vietnam and Iraq under the promise of becoming citizens and ended up as deportees take part in a protest while commemorating the Memorial Day, in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico

A deported Mexican US Army vet holds an American flag while commemorating Memorial Day, in Ciudad Juarez on the border with El Paso, Texas

Monday's protest, pictured, was organized by activists who canvassed over Memorial Day weekend in Austin
A thought creeps in. Then his cousin. Then his siblings. Then his friends.What if something happens to him? What if we dont have enough? What if she thinks I was mean? What if they misunderstood me? If I tell him, he is going to hate me. If I do that, Im going to get hurt. If hes elected, the country will be destroyed. If I speak up, I might lose my job.Before you know it, your formerly private, comfortable living quarters are invaded. Doubts start repeatedly ringing the front door.Worries are suddenly couch-surfing in the living room of your mind. Fears over-stay their welcome.Not only does this trio make for poor house guests, they make it impossible to have much space for God. They take up all the available room. They pull down the shades, eat all the food, and junk up the place, leaving our inner lives in shambles.Our ancient ancestors in the desert first elected the Fear-Doubt ticket as their president in an upset victory over the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Weve been repeating the same contemptible pattern ever since.With a deadly virus of cowardice and cynicism mixed with a touch of amnesia and rebellion, our forefathers reacted the same as we might have, when they first stood outside the new home God had built for them and assured them they could successfully fight for and inhabit.Their response seemed eerily familiar:If we do what he says, things arent going to work out very well.No thanks God, I dont think I can do what you want, that seems scary.I dont think so, our kids might get hurt.God is mean and isnt looking out for us.In the face of the invitation to know a dreamy life they had not found previously imaginable, they permitted their fears to grossly misinterpret all Gods good intentions and they temporarily sided with the Devil. They became co-accusers with Satan (God hates us) instead of co-laborers with the God who had responded to their desperate cries with concerned rescue.Fear makes for abysmal misinterpretations.A hard marriage, a declining investment account, or a resistant strain of sin thats pummeling us or someone we love----and we presume Gods inattention or worse, his malicious intentions. God mustnt care and is not to be trusted. What else can we conclude when we let fear take over the airwaves of our inner dialogue?And in our present cultural moment when fear is a virtue and worry a sign of responsibility, letting Gods view point and commands be the authoritative voice in our lives is all the less likely. It might even seem wrong.But Moses, mouthing Gods paternal concerns, reassured his wobbly-kneed constituency this way:Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place. (Deut. 1:29-31)We cant do a thing about the presence of impulses that surge within us when facing an arduous task, a future uncertainty, or some commanded obedience. If we feel afraid, I doubt we can vanquish all feelings of fear.But we can ignore them.We dont have to let them decide our course of action. We can actively fight fear by making sure we dont confer upon its voice the same authority as Gods. We can sucker punch fear in the mid-section when it tries to jab us in the jaw.Fear, Doubt, and Worry are a triumvirate that makes God-loyalty impossible. If we bow to them, we will always be acting against the God who is against them but for us. If we lend them credibility in our hearts and let them direct our steps, well find it easy to be pre-occupied with our inner voices but difficult to love anyone else fully, even the folks that we think we are protecting by succumbing to the neurotic Trinitys compulsive exhortations (Fear, the Father, Doubt, the Son, and Worry, the Anxious Ghost).Its a healthful practice to disobey fear, distrust our doubts, and worrying our worries by listening to Gods loyalty for, commands to, and affections toward us.If He is carrying us, who can jar us from his arms? If His strong arm defends our children, then how can we spend all our mental energy in worry for them? If our future is His to form, then how can we step into it defensively?But to appropriate this posture, well need the same remedy that Lucy encountered when she repeatedly failed to heed Aslans summons in Prince Caspian, because she was afraid her siblings would make fun of her or would be agitated with her. When at last she saw the great Lion, he said, Lucy, you have listened to fears. Come let me breathe on you.When we discover weve become the most nervous kids on the block, its a perfect time to come breathe in the life, replenishment, and ways of the One who has not only given us permission to ignore fear, but has adored us so fiercely, that hes mandated we disregard it and all its soul-mangling cousins, siblings, and friends entirely.-----
A canine belonging to the NSW police dog unit has won the hearts of hundreds of social media users for assisting officers in making a whopping 14-kilogram drug haul at Boggabilla on Sunday.

The bust which was publicized by the NSW police force on its Facebook page on Tuesday has since been flooded with congratulatory messages specifically thanking Buster, the dog for a job well done.

One social media user commented 'Good Doggo doing more job than me' while the others were repetitive congratulatory messages like 'Well done Buster.'

Busted by Buster, the canine that helped the NSW police force in a 14 kilogram drug haul

Even the NSW Police Dog Unit Facebook page had also posted a congratulatory message to Buster along with details of the haul.

Dubbed as Operation Northmore, the drugs were discovered by the Traffic & Highway Patrol, Queensland Police, and New England Local Area Command, during a operation held from May 26 till 29 targeting heavy vehicles and dangerous drivers in Bogabilla and surrounding areas.

Officers had search a van and allegedly located more than 14 kilograms of cannabis in vacuum sealed bags under a row of seats.

NSW police said the drugs will undergo forensic examinations and has booked the driver

Police said the drugs were seized and will undergo forensic examinations.

A 29-year-old Victorian driver was arrested and taken to Bogabilla police station and has been charged with the supply of an indictable quantity of drugs.

He has been refused bail and is due to appear at Moree local court on June 14.

Operation Northmore held from May 26 till 29 targeted heavy vehicles and dangerous drivers
Of the many baubles in the Prince of Waless proverbial crown, few appear to give him greater pleasure than Dumfries House

Of the many baubles in the Prince of Waless proverbial crown, few appear to give him greater pleasure than Dumfries House, the magnificent Palladian property in Ayrshire that he and a consortium saved in 2007, acquiring the site for 45 million from the 7th Marquess of Bute.

So it is entirely fitting that the house, now fully restored, is to become the setting this summer for an event run by N.M. Gwynne, Old Etonian author of the acclaimed books Gwynnes Latin and the best-selling Gwynnes Grammar, which the Prince has described as outstandingly useful, exactly what is needed.

The 75-year-old Gwynne will host a three-day traditional teaching course in August for delegates paying 395-a-head to stay at one of the 2,000-acre estates outlying buildings, Dumfries House Lodge, voted one of the ten most luxurious bed and breakfasts in the world since opening in 2012.

Unfortunately, the page on the Dumfries House website extolling the courses virtues falls some way short of Gwynnes punctilious standards.

It manages to offer two variations in spelling of his Christian name (Nevile and Neville) and omits an essential full stop at the end of the concluding sentence listing his professional accomplishments.

Dumfries House, the magnificent Palladian property in Ayrshire that Charles and a consortium saved in 2007, acquiring the site for 45 million from the 7th Marquess of Bute

Unfortunately, the page on the Dumfries House website extolling the courses virtues falls some way short of Gwynnes punctilious standards

Ah, no! yelps Gwynne, whose parents chose to call him Nevile rather than the more usual Neville.

N.M. Gwynne is author of the acclaimed books Gwynnes Latin and the best-selling Gwynnes Grammar

Thats been changed since I last approved it. I did actually check it.

His pain intensifies when told of the appearance of the phrase country house accommodations  an American usage that has no place in Gwynnes Grammar, Part Three of which addresses itself to The Formation of Plurals.

That was not me, he says, explaining that he read through only his biographical details.

The three-day course, billed as exploring why education today can benefit from the education of yesterday, comes complete with butler service.

Lets hope the butlers at least manage to mind their Ps and Qs.

Charless controversial former valet Michael Fawcett, who has been put in charge of the Dumfries House Trust, was paid a staggering 248,000 in the past year.

More bleak news for Paul Nuttall, the potato-headed Ukip leader. Im disappointed with the present policy of Ukip, historian and author Count Nikolai Tolstoy, 81, one of the partys most stylish members, tells me.

Hes especially unimpressed by Nuttalls proposal to ban the burka.

I cant approve of dictatorial measures like that. Mrs May is backing Brexit so thered be no point in trying to obstruct her.

A new playmate for Princess Charlotte - Kate's ex's baby

Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, friend of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, has given birth to her second girl.

Posting this picture of her new daughter, online, she writes: Introducing our gorgeous Cienna Freya Finch, born 26.05.17, weighing 8lb 6oz.

Natasha, 34, is married to Kates ex-boyfriend Rupert Finch.

Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, friend of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, is married to Kates ex-boyfriend Rupert Finch

Posting this picture of her new daughter, online, she writes: Introducing our gorgeous Cienna Freya Finch, born 26.05.17, weighing 8lb 6oz'

Earlier this month, Natasha (pictured with Rupert) told me: After I have the baby, Id like to take about four months off  if I can. To keep myself sane, I think four is right. Id like more children after this because Id love a big family.

'Also Rupert might feel a bit outnumbered with three girls so hes probably going to want to try for a boy.
Jeremy Corbyn was enjoying a meal before the FA Cup final on Saturday

Jeremy Corbyn's protection officers tackled two moped thugs who tried to rob an elderly woman at knifepoint outside a trendy restaurant.

The incident happened outside The Beagle in Hoxton, East London, on Saturday, as the Labour leader enjoyed a meal before watching his beloved Arsenal in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

His armed officers, from the Metropolitan Police, heard a commotion and were forced to hoist their weapons when the pillion passenger brandished his knife.

The policemen ordered the him to drop his blade, but he ran off.

A source told The Sun: 'Because of who they were guarding they could hardly give chase or it would have been a dereliction of duty. They called it in on their radios to local units.'

Mr Corbyn and key members of his election team were dining in the restaurant - said to be his favourite - before he watched his Gunners beat Chelsea 2-1 to win the FA Cup.

Can Akalin, 29, the Turkish owner of the nearby Hoxton Cabin bar, told The Sun: 'There was police all over Cremer Street. It's shocking. I hope the woman is okay.'

A 17-year-old boy was later charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, two counts of handling stolen goods and driving with no licence or insurance.

He appeared in custody at Thames Magistrates' Court yesterday.
A Sudanese refugee mother who claimed witchcraft made her drive into a lake in Melbourne killing her three youngest children has been jailed for 26 years.

Akon Guode, 37, was sentenced to a maximum of 26 years and six months with a non-parole period of 20 years over the deaths of her three children and attempted murder of a fourth child on Tuesday.

The Sudanese refugee wailed in court as Justice Lex Lasry outlined the difficult personal circumstances Guode had experienced in the years before she killed her one-year-old son Bol, and four-year-old twins Hanger and Madi, by driving her 4WD into a Wyndham Vale lake on April 8, 2015.

'People don't understand why you did what you did,' the Victorian Supreme Court judge said.

'In my opinion your actions were the product of extreme desperation.'

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Akon Guode (left) has been jailed for 26 years for murdering three of her children and trying to kill a fourth

One-year-old Bol and four-year-old twins Hanger and Maudit all died when their mother intentionally drove a car carrying them into a Melbourne lake

Joseph Tito Manyang (pictuered right) leaves the Melbourne Supreme Court after Guode was sentenced to 26 years prison for killing three of their children

Guode had an affair with Manyang (right) after moving in with him and his wife

The African migrant claimed witchcraft made her drive into a lake in Melbourne, killing her three kids. She is pictured at their funeral in 2015

Justice Lasry said Guode had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after moving from Sudan to Australia.

'You watched your husband be shot to death before being repeatedly raped until you were unconscious,' he said.

'In some respect, this sentence is inadequate but at the same time excessive for what you have been through'.

He said she had committed a 'horrendous crime on innocent children' which was a 'total betrayal of trust'.

Guode came to Australia with three children in 2006 from Sudan after her soldier husband was killed in civil war.

After moving to Victoria she lived with her dead husband's cousin, Joseph Manyang and his wife, began an affair with Mr Manyang and bore him four children.

Her relationship with Mr Manyang caused her to become isolated from the Sudanese community, which was gossiping about the affair.

She was also depressed and in debt at the time she drove into the lake.

Justice Lasry said Guode had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after moving from Sudan to Australia

A 4WD is removed from Lake Gladman, Melbourne on April 9, 2015 after Guode drove it into the lake

Police established Guode had to make at least three turns before the car carrying her four youngest children entered Lake Gladman.

After the bodies of her children were pulled from the lake, Guode was interviewed by police but released without charge.

In July 2016, police released a statement that alleged Guode had spoken about killing herself and her children the day of the murders, the ABC reported.

It was also reported that a court had heard she owed large debts.

The court was told Guode had sent almost $100,000 to family in South Sudan from when she moved to Australia in 2008, according to the ABC.

The mother-of-seven blamed a dizzy spell for causing her to lose control of the car

Earlier in June of 2016, a court heard a 000 call from the moment Guode drove into the lake.

A witness could be heard in a recording saying: 'I saw them just drive full bolt into the water'.

After the bodies of her children were pulled from the lake, the mother-of-seven blamed a dizzy spell for causing her to lose control of the car.

But an investigator said the car was deliberately driven into the water.

Several police re-enactments showed the car could not have drifted off the roadway, as Guode claimed.

The re-enactments also demonstrated a driver would need to turn the steering wheel three times to get into the water.

A coffin with the bodies of one of the three children during a funeral service on April 18, 2015

Several passers-by and witnesses recalled hearing the car's engine's revving after it had landed in the water.

A key witness also testified that Guode believed witchcraft had caused the crash.

Guode had told the woman she thought she was under a 'spell' when she drove into Lake Gladman.

The woman said Guode believed her lover's wife may have used a witch doctor against her.

The witness gave evidence she overheard Guode say she would 'rather take her own life and that of the kids' than see them live with her lover, Joseph Manyang, and his wife.

During Guode's committal hearing Mr Manyang said he believed it was an accident and continued to visit Guode in prison.

He said she was a good mother who loved all her children.

Guode will return to court on January 31.

WHO IS AKON GUODE? * She comes to Australia as refugee in 2006 with her three oldest children to escape war-torn Sudan where her first husband died. * She stays with her dead husband's cousin, Joseph Manyang and his wife and children. * Guode and Manyang start an affair in 2008 and have a daughter, Alual in 2009. * Guode gives birth to twins Hanger and her brother Madit in 2010, Manyang leaves his wife. * Guode also has another son, Bol, with Manyang. HOW HER CHILDREN DIED: * On April 8, 2015, the mother-of-seven drives her 4WD into a Melbourne lake, with four of her children inside. * Her one-year-old son, Bol, and the four-year-old twins die. * Six-year-old daughter Alual is hospitalised but survives. ARREST: * Guode is questioned by police and released without charge. * She tells family members she felt dizzy before the crash. * Community rallies behind her and her family to help pay for funerals. * Guode is interviewed again in August, charged with three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and taken into custody. POLICE CASE: * Police say CCTV footage shows Guode drive past Lake Gladman five times before her car plunges into the water. * They allege Guode's car appears to make three distinct steering moves before entering the water without braking. * Prosecutors allege she drove 'full bolt' into lake. * Court hears that at the time, Guode was being chased by debt collectors. * On the day of the murders, a rumour circulated that due to community pressure, the children's father, Joseph Manyang, was leaving the Guode home and moving back with his wife. COMMITTAL: * Guode breaks down during several emotional court hearings and begs for bail. * Joseph Manyang says he does not believe she could harm their children. * Court hears she suffered depression-like symptoms in the years before the deaths and struggled to cope with a community backlash over her affair with Mr Manyang. * Key witness who allegedly heard Guode admit to causing the deaths fails to appear to give evidence, telling a police officer she'd be 'gotten rid of' if she testified. * Court hears Guode believe witchcraft caused the crash and that she was under a 'spell' when she drove into the lake. HEADING FOR TRIAL: * Guode enters a plea of not guilty in August to the charges and is committed for trial, to take place in late January. * Avoids trial with guilty pleas on Monday to the infanticide of Bol, the murders of Hanger and Madit, and attempted murder of Alual. Advertisement
A 16-year-old Sydney girl missing for three days has handed herself in to police.

Zoe Irwin, from St Peters in the city's inner-west, had last spoken to her mother on Friday afternoon.

The high school student's disappearance, after she had arranged to meet someone in Bondi on Friday night, sparked a police search.

However, New South Wales police have confirmed she handed herself in at Surry Hills Police Station at 7pm on Monday night.

This came hours after her mother publicly begged her for an assurance she was safe.

Patricia Di Croce told Daily Mail Australia on Monday afternoon her daughter would spend days away with friends but Zoe's disappearance was out of character.

A desperate search is underway for a 16-year-old girl missing for almost three days after she went to meet someone in Bondi

'She will take off with friends, but she always keeps in touch at least once a day and/or I see Facebook activity, neither of which has happened since Friday which is why I've contacted police,' she said.

The worried mother pleaded with Zoe or her friends, many of whom were older than school age, to tell her the teenager was safe and well.

'No one's getting in trouble, I don't care what they're doing, I just want to know that she's okay,' she said.

Ms Di Croce said she was contacting her daughter's friends to piece together a timeline to work out where she ended up.

'I'm going through her Facebook friends list contacting everyone to see if they know where she is but they're being very tight-lipped because they don't want to get themselves in trouble,' she said.

'They don't what to tell me what's going on, for all I know she's sitting next to one of them.'

The business analyst said Zoe was seen with a girl in Bondi Junction on Friday night but other sightings around Sydney on Saturday were 'sketchy' at best.

'She doesn't have to speak with me if she doesn't want to, I just want someone to tell me they've heard from her or know where she is,' she said.

Zoe Irwin, from St Peters in Sydney's inner-west, last spoke to her mother about 2.30pm on Friday and her family are concerned for her welfare

Ms Di Croce said Zoe's phone was going to voicemail and may just have run out of battery, but that was unlikely as it was a teenager's 'lifeblood'.

Zoe moved from the U.S. with her mother, a business consultant at the University of New England, more than a decade ago after their parents' relationship broke down.

She worked at a flower shop in Enfield, deeper into the inner-west, since January.

The teenager appeared to be looking for her own place as she posted on Facebook saying she was looking for a room - and her mother was helping her find one.

'Hey there if anybody has a room for rent, I'm looking for a home, obviously will pay, thank you,' she wrote in March.
A Sydney man has been forced to wear a gas mask to bed because of a 'rotten egg' smell coming from a WestConnex road construction site.

Peter Erling, who lives on Florence Street in St Peters, said he wears the mask to stop the foul stench and metallic taste from waking him up in the middle of the night.

Other locals have complained of the odour causing breathing problems, insomnia, itchy skin and headaches.

Peter Erling (pictured), who lives on Florence Street in St Peters, said he wears the mask to stop the foul stench and metallic taste from waking him up in the middle of the night

A Sydney man has been forced to wear a gas mask to bed because of a 'rotten egg' smell coming from a WestConnex road construction site (stock image)

Since March the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has received 99 complaints from residents and business owners concerned the strong smell is affecting people's health, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Work is underway on the new M5 section of the $17 billion motorway and the site sits on the old Alexandria landfill dump.

On May 17 EPA hired a consultant to advise how to minimise the odour.

The EPA said the maximum penalty for a corporation not complying with a prevention notice is $1million.

Mr Erling said he was told by authorities that the rotten egg stench is Hydrogen Sulphide.

WestConnex Action Group spokesperson Pauline Lockie said the EPA needs to penalise the contractor as the smell has been around for over two months.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted WestConnex for comment.

Demolition underway in Chandos Street, Ashfield for the $17B Westconnex Tollway

A spokesperson from Sydney Motorway Corporation, representing WestConnex said: 'Sydney Motorway Corporation (SMC) and New M5 contractor CDS are continuing to work with the Environment Protection Authority to manage odour at the site of the former Alexandria Landfill.

'An odour specialist continues to visit site on a daily basis, and when any smell or odour is present it does not pose a risk to human health or the environment.

'SMC and CDS have fully cooperated and regular inspections will continue to be carried out to ensure odours are managed in line with our requirements.

'There are ongoing measures in place to reduce the smell.

Additional pumps were installed in March to remove excess water from site and deodoriser spray is being applied to any affected areas.'
Two gatecrashers who allegedly bashed a father-of-two to death at a party in Brisbane have been charged with his murder.

The victim, known only as Justin, was at a party in Beenleigh on the outskirts of Brisbane on May 20 when he was randomly attacked by five men about 9.40pm.

The 37-year-old was taken home by his girlfriend, who didn't realise how badly he was hurt until she couldn't wake him up in the morning.

Justin, 37, died in hospital last week after he was beaten by five men at a party in Brisbane on May 20 and two of his alleged killer have been charged with murder

Blood left on the ground outside the house on Aragon Street, Beenleigh, where he was attacked

Justin was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital with serious head injuries but died two days later at 6.43pm on May 23.

Kawana Renae Pinikera, 36, and a 17-year-old boy were initially charged with grievous bodily harm but their charges were upgraded to murder on Tuesday.

One of Justin's family members, Hannah Grealy, paid tribute to 'Juddy' on the night of his death last week.

'May your laugh remain mischievous as all hell, your jokes still be as hysterical after a few tins, and may you find your next chapter of happiness,' she said.

Officers investigate the scene and collect dozens of beer bottles for forensic examination

'May justice also be served to the rotten scum who did this to you... Fly high Justin, forever apart of our family and forever remain in our hearts.'

Police alleged Justin was attacked in the front yard of the house on Aragon Street in Beenleigh until they were chased off by other partygoers.

One of those who rushed to his aid lamented on Facebook that he was unable to save the father-of-two, simply writing 'I tried', followed by a crying emoticon.

Pinikera and his 17-year-old co-accused face Brisbane Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
The family of a schoolgirl who from an undiagnosed heart condition has suffered a further tragedy after the sudden death of the teen's younger sister.

Taylor Muir, 14, died in hospital yesterday from the same genetic disorder her older sister Jodie died three years ago.

Their devastated parents Laura and Peter Muir from Shettleston, Glasgow in Scotland, set up a trust after losing Jodie in 2014.

Tragic: Taylor Muir, 14, died in hospital yesterday from the same genetic disorder her older sister Jodie died three years ago

Devastating: Jodie Muir died in 2014 from an undiagnosed heart condition the morning after a house party in Scotland

Taylor passed away after her heart stopped beating and staff at the hospital were unable to bring her back, friends said.

Now the community is rallying round to raise money for the family to help them at this difficult time.

In a heartbreaking post to social media, friends wrote: 'Taylor was only 14 and had her full life ahead of her.

'She was not only beautiful inside and out, but she was so comical and always made us laugh and smile.'

Mrs Muir set up the Jodie Muir Memorial Trust after her daughter died and received a charity award for it last week

'To lose one child is devastating but to lose two is utterly cruel and heartbreaking. This fund has been set up to help our friends Laura and Peter so they can give Taylor the send off she truly deserves.'

Mrs Muir set up the Jodie Muir Memorial Trust after her daughter died and received a charity award for it last week.

Jodie had died at her father's the morning after going to a house party. The death was ruled as 'inconclusive heart failure.'

Speaking at the time of her sister's passing, Taylor described her as 'smart, funny, gorgeous and creative'.

Mother Laura said to the Daily Record at the time: 'We might never see her face again but she will never be without us and we we will never be without her. She just brought so much happiness to us.

'I will never understand it and I don't think anyone will understand it.

'I take comfort from the fact that not one person can say a bad word about Jodie.'

The campaign has already raised 7,000. Donations can be made here.
Friends of cop killer Rick Maddison pleaded with him on Facebook to hand himself in without more bloodshed moments before he was shot dead by police after trying to flee from a shipping container he spent the night holed up in.

Just after 11am on Tuesday, Maddison emerged from the hide-out and sprayed shots at waiting police officers at a property in Gatton, an hour west of Brisbane.

Specialist police returned fire and shot him at least three times in the chest. He was declared dead at the scene, ending a 22-hour siege that lasted through the night.

'The only way it's going to end now is he's going to take himself out or the cops are going to take him out,' one close friend told the Courier-Mail just before Maddison was shot.

The friend said Maddison had not been the same since a stint in jail and the death of a close mutual friend, leading jockey Stathi Katsidis, some six years ago.

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Cop killer Rick Charles Maddison (pictured) has been shot dead by police after fleeing from a shipping container in bushland

The 41-year-old gunman, who shot dead a police officer on Monday afternoon, emerged from his hideout just after 11am on Tuesday and sprayed shots at waiting officers. He was fatally shot in the chest and declared dead at the scene

Senior Constable Brett Forte (pictured with his wife Susan and one of their two young children) was shot dead by Maddison at about 1.40pm on Monday, following a police chase

On Monday, Maddison shot dead Senior Constable Brett Forte at 2.20pm during a wild police chase in the Lockyer Valley Region.

Maddison then went on the run, using an automatic rifle to fire shots at a circling police helicopter from a sheltered position before retreating to a nearby property.

Four streets bordering the national park were placed in lockdown and specialist units moved in, as terrified residents listened to the echo of gunshots through the night.

Police initially said no officers were injured during the bloody shootout, but later clarified that one officer had suffered minor injuries after a high power round shattered the glass of an armoured vehicle and slashed the man.

Local Peter Hills, whose daughter, 5, and wife were both behind the police line, said he felt 'utter relief' knowing the gun-crazy man had been shot dead.

'Justice is done. I'm happy about it. I will not lose any sleep at all over it tonight, I'll sleep really good,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday.

Mr Hills said it was the right outcome 'for once' given Maddison won't have to go to jail or go to court.

'We didn't realise the extent of how dangerous he was... to learn how (dangerous) he was ... utter relief.'

Maddison had a violent criminal history which included charges of torture and deprivation of liberty as well as convictions for assault

Commissioner Ian Stewart said on Monday night that police wanted to resolve the stand-off 'as peacefully as humanly possible'. The exclusion zone around the area is still in place

Career criminal Maddison fired shots at specialist officers as he tried to flee the shipping container he had hid in overnight. He was fatally shot in the chest

Maddison had a violent criminal history which included charges of torture and deprivation of liberty as well as convictions for assault.

He had been accused of torturing and holding a woman against her will in September 2008, and was also wanted by police in relation to multiple domestic violence and weapons offences.

Almost a decade ago he he had been charged with torture, deprivation of liberty, assault occasioning bodily harm, causing willful damage, stealing, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and common assault.

In one attack he broke bones in a man's face after a night club alteration. In another he fractured a man's skull.

Violent past: In a previous attack, Maddison broke bones in a man's face after a night club alteration. In another he fractured a man's skull

Ambulances and police cars are seen at an intersection in Gatton near where Maddison was holed up for almost 20 hours

Harrowing video emerged of the moment police officers bravely tried to save the life of a hero Queensland senior constable who was shot dead by Maddison on Monday.

Daily Mail Australia obtained video from a Lockyer Valley resident who watched with her heart in her mouth as cops worked frantically to save the life of a married father-of-three.

In the video, filmed on a mobile phone from the window of a nearby home, officers sprint up the road, sirens wail and police can be seen performing CPR on Snr Const Forte.

'Jesus Christ!' the woman could be heard exclaiming.

Police later bellowed for her to step away from the windows due to the active shooter, sources said.

Truck driver Peter Hills (right) and fellow local resident Terry Hayden (left) were forced to watch helplessly behind a barricade for hours. Mr Hills said he felt 'utter relief' knowing the gun-crazy man had been shot dead

Harrowing video emerged of the frantic moment (pictured) police officers bravely tried to save the life of Senior Constable Brett Forte, after he was shot dead on Monday afternoon

Maddison, who was believed to be armed with an assault rifle, abruptly stopped and got out of his car during the chase involving two police vehicles and four officers and shot Snr Const Forte.

Maddison, from Toowoomba, then drove down a dirt road at Seventeen Mile, just northwest of Gatton.

It was understood the police vehicle Snr Const Forte had been travelling in rolled over after the chase resumed and Maddison also fired at a police helicopter while fleeing into bushland before entering a farm house.

The husband of the woman who filmed the video told Daily Mail Australia she was frightened and 'freaking out a bit' after gunfire rang out through the area.

Police officers would later carry the wounded officer off the paddy wagon onto her front lawn and 'keep him alive', he said.

The video, shot from the window of a nearby home, shows officers sprinting up the road, sirens wail and police can be seen performing CPR on the respected veteran of the police force

Police cars are seen parked on the road on Tuesday after Maddison was shot dead

The incident occurred at the Lockyer Valley near Toowoomba, an hour west of Brisbane (pictured)

TIMELINE OF EVENTS - Tactical response officers travelling in two police cars tried to pull over a vehicle on Wellers Road, Seventeen Mile, in Queensland's Lockyer Valley about 1.40pm on Monday - Rick Charles Maddison, who was believed to be armed with an assault rifle, got out of his car and opened fire on the police vehicles - Senior Constable Brett Forte was shot - Maddison then drove down a dirt road and one of the police vehicles rolled over after the chase resumed - Maddison also fired at a police helicopter while fleeing into a farm house - Snr Constable Forte was airlifted to Brisbane Hospital but was confirmed to have died by 4pm - Police announce an emergency declaration has been declared under the provisions of the Public Safety Preservation Act and an exclusion zone has been put in place - A manhunt began for Maddison who was holed up in a farm house - After a 20-hour siege, the 41-year-old gunman tried to flee a shipping container he spent the night hiding in - He opened fire at waiting specialist police officers and was fatally shot in the chest Advertisement

Several locals were forced to watch helplessly behind a barricade for hours while their wives were stuck in their homes behind police lines.

Truck driver Peter Hills had been stuck outside on Adare Road for six hours when he spoke to Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Hills, who drives fresh produce for a living, said his wife called him on Monday afternoon asked: 'Do you know if they're shooting a movie or something?'

His partner witnessed streams of police cars, including black specialist vehicles and detective vehicles zooming down her street and then changing direction.

'There's a black paddy wagon, there's another police car, now there's an unmarked D-car... and then there was a little bit more - and then more went!' he recounted her telling him.

'And then all of a sudden they've all gone back the other way.'

Fatally wounded as he pursued the offender through the Lockyer Valley Region, Snr Const Forte was remembered as a hero by the Queensland police minister.

'My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the Queensland Police Service officer who was tragically killed this afternoon while doing his job selflessly serving the people of Queensland,' Mr Ryan said.

'Along with millions of Queenslanders, I pay tribute to his service. He will never be forgotten. With honour, he served.'

Police set up a roadblock near where Snr Const Forte was shot in an effort to trap the killer

Special Emergency Response Team officers were called in to help track down the known offender

It's understood the police vehicle Snr Const Forte had been travelling in rolled over after the chase resumed and the wanted man also fired at a police helicopter while fleeing into bushland

Local resident Kyal Pennell, 23, who was trapped in his home due to the exclusion zone, said he could hear 'non-stop bursts of automatic gunfire' and police sirens.

'Every five minutes there's gunfire. There's been handgun shots, machine gun shots, and shotgun shots from what I can tell,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Monday afternoon.

At 4.30pm, Mr Pennell said police holding semi-machine guns arrived at the front gate of his home to evacuate him and his neighbours from the area. Gunshot bursts were still echoing through the valley.

'As far as I know, a couple of guys broke out of a jail and they've shot a police officer on the front lawn,' one man told 9 News.

'I had to go pick up the kids because the wife couldn't get out, I was at work.'

Police said they have Maddison contained but they are yet to capture him

'This guy they are after, he has got serious history,' Queensland Police Union CEO Ian Leavers told Nine on Tuesday, without going into details.

Commissioner Ian Stewart told a press conference late on Monday night that police wanted to resolve the stand-off 'as peacefully as humanly possible.'

Snr Const Forte was airlifted to Brisbane Hospital but was confirmed to have died by 4pm.

He had served in the force for 15 years and was a member of Toowoomba's Tactical Crime Squad.

His wife, Susan, is also a police officer.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in a statement her thoughts and prayers were with Snr Const Forte's family and friends.

'Every day, the brave officers of the Queensland Police Service put their lives on the line when they go to work,' Ms Palaszczuk said.

'Each of us should be immensely grateful for the work they do.'

In a tragic coincidence, Snr Const Forte's death comes on the anniversary of slain Gold Coast detective Damian Leeding's shooting after he responded to an armed robbery at the Pacific Pines Tavern in 2011.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has attacked 'disgusting' media interest in her party's alleged breaches of electoral disclosure laws.

Hanson slammed a Canberra press gallery reporter on Tuesday morning for 'stupid questions' regarding a leaked phone conversation detailing a donation.

'I cannot believe you are asking stupid questions like that. I have a general shot dead in his electorate, we have people homeless in the cold weather...and you're worried about something like that? I think it's disgusting,' she spouted as she arrived at Parliament House.

The Australian Electoral Commission is investigating whether One Nation has breached disclosure laws in relation to a Jabiru light aircraft used by Senator Hanson.

The Australian Federal Police, Electoral Commission of Queensland, Queensland police and Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission are also making enquiries into aspects of the party's funding.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has slammed a reporter for 'stupid questions' after she was asked about a leaked phone conversation relating to a plane donation

Hanson and Victorian developer Bill McNee were heard on the recording discussing the donation of money towards a plane

Hanson poses with the One Nation light plane that was donated to her by Victorian property developer Bill McNee

Senator Hanson indicates in a recorded conversation leaked to the media on Tuesday a Victorian property developer Bill McNee donated money to the party to cover a year's rent on its Brisbane office and the plane.

She goes on to say Mr McNee's identity was a tightly guarded secret within the party.

'Who knows Bill's name? No-one, we always kept it very, very quiet. Who knows that he paid the money up-front for the office?' she asks.

Senator Hanson says the leaking of the recording is a case of disgruntled former One Nation officials seeking revenge.

An Australian Electoral Commission investigation into Hanson's One Nation isn't restricted to the use of an aircraft, former party president Ian Nelson says.

This includes a transfer of funds by Victorian businessman Bill McNee to Senator Hanson's adviser James Ashby, a licensed pilot, to buy a Jabiru light aircraft after a discussion at her home - organised by Mr Nelson and then-party secretary Saraya Beric - in April 2015.

Hanson said she cannot believe she would be asked 'stupid questions' regarding the plane as Queensland faces bigger issues

Senator Hanson says the leaking of the recording is a case of disgruntled former One Nation officials seeking revenge

Mr Nelson told AAP he's handed information to the AEC, which is investigating possible breaches of electoral funding disclosure laws by One Nation.

Mr Ashby told AAP he had complained to Queensland police about another leaked recording in which he suggested One Nation might make money by selling campaign material to candidates at inflated prices.

'That's a complaint I've made. I also know that other members within the One Nation party office have made complaints over secret recordings,' Mr Ashby said, but would not name them.

Labor senator Murray Watt says the latest recording showed Senator Hanson had 'something to hide'.

'When will Senator Hanson start telling the truth about this plane? When will she start convincing us that she is actually complying with Australian electoral laws?' Senator Watt said.

Records show the aircraft, which bears the One Nation logo and has been used on multiple trips by Senator Hanson, was registered to Mr Ashby in June 2015.

One Nation have bragged about the light aircraft saying it costs taxpayers nothing

Senator Malcolm Robert says Hanson and One Nation is of high integrity

One Nation are under investigation by the Australian Electoral Commission

Mr Ashby, who operates a Queensland printing business, has said his company bought the plane and "the hours for party use have been declared".

Senator Hanson has on a number of occasions described it as the "party's plane" and said she paid for fuel when she needed to use it.

However, a payment from the party of $1187 is noted as "Jabiru aircraft service" in an Electoral Commission of Queensland disclosure for the period from January to June 2016.

One Nation senator Malcolm Robert said his leader and Mr Ashby were people of high integrity.

'The slightest thing deviating from the truth she quickly corrects it - she is very strong on integrity and the same with James,' he told Sky News.

Asked why Senator Hanson indicated in the phone call she wanted to keep Mr McNee's identity a secret, Senator Roberts said: 'I've never met Bill, but he's a very private person.'

Senator Hanson says in the audio recording donations had been properly recorded with the AEC.
Average retail gasoline prices in Chattanooga have not moved in the past week, averaging $2.00 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 170 gas outlets in Chattanooga. This compares with the national average that has fallen 0.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.36 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Chattanooga during the past week, prices on Monday were 13.7 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 7.9 cents per gallon lower than a month ago.

According to GasBuddy historical data, gasoline prices on May 30 in Chattanooga have ranged widely over the last five years:

$2.14 per gallon in 2016, $2.47 in 2015, $3.42 in 2014, $3.20 in 2013 and $3.24 in 2012.

Areas near Chattanooga and their current gas price climate:

Knoxville- $2.08, down 1.2 cents per gallon from last week's $2.09.

State of Tennessee- $2.10, up 0.3 cents per gallon from last week's $2.09.

Huntsville- $2.10, flat from last week's $2.11.

"With the summer driving season officially started, gasoline prices stand just a few cents higher than where they started last summer, an impressive feat," said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com. "Surprisingly, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Maine, Missouri and Iowa just witnessed the cheapest Memorial Day at the pump since 2005, a major feat. With the national average now seeing minor decline and roughly at the same point it was a week ago, summer gas prices are shaping up to be quite a bit lower than previous expectations and similar to what we saw last summer. This sets up a great summer season to hit the road, pointing to rising U.S. oil production in the midst of oil production cuts from OPEC for the stable prices."
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who is in charge of the Russian investigation, stressed the importance of honesty and integrity during a commencement address to graduates.

Mueller, who was appointed as the special counsel to oversee the probe into possible connections between the Kremlin and President Trump's 2016 election campaign, spoke to the graduating class at Tabor Academy, in Massachusetts, Monday.

'When given the opportunity to address students, I always mention integrity because it is so essential to who and what you ultimately will become,' Mueller said, according to CNN.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who is in charge of the Russian investigation, was the commencement speaker for the graduating class at Tabor Academy, in Massachusetts, Monday

'Whatever we do, we must act with honesty and with integrity, and regardless of you chosen career, you are only as good as your word.'

While Mueller did not mention the Russia investigation, the schoolmaster joked the commencement speaker had 'a few things going on' right as he thanked him for his speech.

Mueller, who served as the FBI director from 2001 to 2013 under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, stressed that patience was also an important skill - something that he was still working on - but said 'nothing else matters' if you aren't honest.

'You can be smart, aggressive, articulate and indeed persuasive, but if you are not honest, your reputation will suffer, and once lost a good reputation can never, ever be regained,' he said.

'As the saying goes, if you have integrity, nothing else matters, and if you do not have integrity, nothing else matters.'

Tabor Academy announced Muller as its graduation speaker three weeks before Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed him as special counsel.

Mueller stressed the importance of honesty and integrity during his commencement address

Mueller's granddaughter was one of the 133 students in the graduating class at Tabor Academy (pictured) a private college preparatory school in Marion

Mueller's granddaughter was one of the 133 students in the graduating class at Tabor Academy, a private college preparatory school in Marion with annual tuition of $43,000 for day students and $59,000 for boarding students.

She delivered the introduction for her grandfather who she described as her role model.

Mueller, who worked as a federal prosecutor in Boston in his early career, was appointed to lead the Russia probe by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein shortly after President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey.

Although he was hailed by Republicans and Democrats for his reputation and decades of service, there were some concerns that, until recently, he had worked at the same law firm that represents Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Both Kushner and Manafort are having their ties to Russia scrutinized.

Although Mueller has now been cleared by the Justice Department, the White House may still use his former law firm, WilmerHale's, connection to Manafort and Kushner to undermine the findings of his investigation, according to two sources close to the White House.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein recently named Mueller (pictured in June) as the special counsel to lead a probe of Russian election interference

In this Sept. 4, 2013, file photo, then-incoming FBI Director James Comey talks with outgoing FBI Director Robert Mueller before Comey was officially sworn in at the Justice Department in Washington

There were some concerns that Mueller had worked at the same law firm that represents Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner (together at Rome's Fiumicino Airport, May 23)

Immediately following Mueller's appointment last week, White House officials began reviewing the Code of Federal Regulations, which prevents government lawyers from investigating their former clients for a year after they get hired.

Mueller didn't represent Trump, Kushner, or Manafort.

Former White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter wrote that it would be 'ridiculous' to bar Mueller, since lawyers already must follow professional guidelines, arguing that a subject of an investigation otherwise could block hundreds of lawyers from working by hiring a firm.

DOJ's approval notwithstanding, if Trump associates were to get into legal trouble, they could try to use Mueller's firm's ties to attack the investigation or try to reverse a decision.

Meanwhile, fired FBI Director Comey is preparing to testify before Congress but reportedly wants to talk with Mueller before going public.
Ryan David Evans, has been found guilty of bashing Sydney pig farmer Keith Cini (pictured) to death with a pick handle

A man has been found guilty of bashing a Sydney pig farmer to death with a pickaxe handle in one of two violent home invasions a month apart.

Ryan David Evans, 28, was found guilty of bashing Keith Cini to death but not guilty of the attempted murder of his partner Lucina Boldi - who pretended to be dead after being savagely beaten.

The NSW Supreme Court ruled Evans guilty of six of seven charges relating to the attack at Badgerys Creek in west Sydney in 2014 and another in Medway.

He was also found guilty of bashing Brett Delamont, who was left with brain damage.

Photographs supplied by the court earlier this month showed the devastation of the savage attack on the pig farmer.

The grisly scene where Mr Cini was murdered included blood-soaked handprints, broken doors and overturned furniture.

Daughter Leanne Adam after her father's killer was found guilty in NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday

Ms Adam (right) her husband Adam Adam (centre) and Brett Delamont's wife Alana Bush (left) leave NSW Supreme Court after Evans' verdict

Photographs supplied by the court earlier this month showed the devastation of the savage attack on the pig farmer

Ms Boldi woke in the early hours of May 30, 2014 to see her husband Keith Cini being attacked by Evans in the hallway of their Badgerys Creek home in Sydney.

She described the terrifying moment she was forced to play dead in her own home to avoid being beaten to death.

She said a person in black with their face covered came towards her so she quickly shut her bedroom door.

'I put my back to the door trying to hold the person out but I wasn't strong enough,' she told court during the hearing in May.

Ms Boldi was knocked to the ground by Evans, who was wielding a pickaxe handle.

'I got hit on the head and then the person ... kept hitting me,' she said.

Blood-soaked handprints and broken doors show the devastating impact of the deadly home invasion

Alana Bush departing the NSW Supreme Court after breaking down in tears when describing to the jury the moment Evans struck her husband Brett Delamont with an axe

'I put my arms up to protect my face.'

She begged her attacker to stop but the blows kept coming.

Ms Boldi wiped her eyes with a tissue during her testimony and several times looked at Evans in the dock.

The court heard Mr Cini was found not breathing in the hallway of the home in a pool of blood, with his legs taped together.
A 44-year-old man found dead in a wheelie bin in Melbournes north-east last Saturday has been identified.

Victorian police say that the man was from Broadmeadows but are refusing to divulge his name.

The grim discovery was made by a garbage truck driver while emptying a wheelie bin at the intersection of Young and Butler Street in Preston.

Police released this image of a T-shirt from Korean boy band Big Bang's 2015 world tour in the hope it could help identify the man

The driver had made the shock discovery just after 8am on Saturday.

The garbage collector who discovered the body was 'quite distressed' from the whole ordeal, police said.

Once the body was discovered the surrounding area was cordoned off as a crime scene with the street blocked off to pedestrians.

The garbage collector who discovered the body was 'quite distressed' from the whole ordeal

Police said investigation into the man's death was still ongoing and they are treating it as suspicious.

It was earlier reported that the deceased had worn a white t-shirt bearing from Korean boy band Big Bang's 2015 world tour, grey/blue Everlast tracksuit pants and black Nike runners.
Shocking footage shows an angry traveller unleashing a violent attack on a check-in machine at Gold Coast Airport.

The man is seen slamming a metal garbage bin into the machine in a fit of rage before he was wrestled to the ground by bystanders.

One of the four men who intervened claimed airport security and police were slow to react to the terrifying incident.

Shocking footage shows an angry traveller unleashing a violent attack on a check-in machine at Gold Coast Airport

'There was no security around there - that was the thing that was a bit scary,' a man known only as Deano told 2GB Radio.

'It was at least five or six minutes before the police actually turned up (and) nobody from the airport came in.

'This guy was going off, I couldn't understand what he was saying... I just ran in. I didn't even think about it.'

The heavily outnumbered man continued to struggle, despite having four men holding him down.

'He kept resisting and he just kept screaming and mumbling. It was a language nobody's every heard of before. We didn't know what was going on.'

Gold Coast Airport released a statement acknowledging the incident.

One of the four men who intervened claimed airport security and police were slow to react to the terrifying incident

'Australian Federal Police provides a first response role regarding security incidents at Gold Coast Airport,' the statement read.

'The airport takes security and the safety of passengers and staff seriously and is working with AFP as the matter is investigated.'

The Australian Federal Police said a 29-year-old man was detained at the scene after reports he was 'damaging property and threatened an individual'.

'The safety of the travelling public at major airports remains a key priority for the AFP,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

'Further investigations in relation to this matter are ongoing.'
Two police officers who took a cheeky selfie with a drunk man after tucking him into bed have said it's 'all part of the service.'

The Tasmanian officers were reunited with the rowdy man, Reece Park, who admits despite his embarrassment he won't be giving up grog anytime soon.

The three unlikely friends appeared on Sunrise to talk about the experience that saw them go viral on social media.

'What happened on Saturday night?' Sunrise co-host Kochie asked a sheepish-looking Mr Park during the interview.

'Not too sure to be honest. Just a few beers gone badly,' the young man laughed.

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Tasmanian cops posed for a hilarious selfie with Reece Park who had a big night out

'We were called to a taxi and Reece was pretty unresponsive. He didn't know where he lived and wasn't saying much,' Constable Blyth (pictured right) said

Constable Jeremy Blyth briefly explained how he and his partner Constable Natalie Siggins came to meet Mr Park.

'We were called to a taxi and Reece was pretty unresponsive,' Constable Blyth said.

'He didn't know where he lived and wasn't saying much. We were lucky enough to figure out his address.'

Constable Natalie Siggins added that this kind of call was nothing new for the force.

'It's all part of the service and making sure everyone gets home safe,' she said.

'Every member of the Tassie police force would go above and beyond. In our eyes we're just doing our job,' Constable Blyth added

'Every member of the Tassie police force would go above and beyond. In our eyes we're just doing our job,' Constable Blyth added.

Both Constable Siggins and Blyth tucked Mr Park into bed and waited for a mate of his to arrive home so he wasn't alone.

But Mr Park admits the hilarious encounter won't stop him going out on a Saturday night in the future.

On Monday the infamous selfie was uploaded to a Reddit thread by user CtrldKilla.

'After a blackout night my mate woke up to a ripper selfie on his phone!' The caption said.

The user added that the cops seen in the photo were from Launceston and the emblem of the Tasmanian police is clearly visible on the male officer's hat.

The two police officers dressed in full uniform were all smiles in the shot while Mr Park gave a 'hang loose' hand signal in the background.

The photo has been a hit among Reddit users who have been commenting on the post non-stop since it appeared on the site.
Sydney socialite Shari-Lea Hitchcock took to social media to share a picture of her battered face and accused a mystery man of the attack.

The ex-swimsuit model turned lawyer posted a selfie on Instagram late on Monday night, showing gashes above her right eyebrow and above her upper lip.

Bruising and redness can also be seen on her face in the picture.

Troubled socialite Shari-Lea Hitchcock took to social media to share a picture of her battered face and accused a mystery man of the attack

The 47-year-old, who had an 18-year affair with late billionaire Richard Pratt, claimed she sustained the injuries at the hands of a man after she 'ran to help' a woman.

'What a prize he is,' she noted in the caption.

She added in a comment: 'I promised I would not call the police! He's an abusive man. I ran to help her.'

The woman in question told Daily Mail Australia: 'I have no idea about anything that happened in the afternoon.

Hitchcock had an 18-year-affair with late cardboard king Richard Pratt (pictured together)

Shari-Lea Hitchcock Hitchcock (second from right) is seen enjoying drinks with her daughter Paula (far right), Lizzie Buttrose (third right) - Ita Buttrose's niece - and other friends

'I was at work all day, it's just nonsense. It has nothing to do with me.'

An NSW Police spokesman confirmed officers were called to Fitzwilliam Road in Vaucluse to reports of an assault on Monday evening.

Officers from Rose Bay Local Area Command attended and found a 47-year-old woman with scratches to her face and bruising,' the spokesman said.

Police are continuing their inquiries.
Jared Kushner could have been trying to get direct access to Russian President Vladimir Putin when he met with a Russian banker in December.

President Donald Trump's son-in-law met with Sergey Gorkov, the chairman of state-owned VneshEconomBank (VEB), and close associate of Putin, after a meeting with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

Investigators are now looking into that 30-minute meeting to determine what the two discussed, according to The New York Times.

The outlet is reporting that Kushner could have been trying to find a direct line to the Russian President, outside typical diplomatic means.

Jared Kushner, left, could have been trying to get direct access to Russian President Vladimir Putin when he met with Sergey Gorkov, right, the chairman of state-owned VneshEconomBank (VEB) in December

Gorkov is a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, who promoted Gorkov to the position of chairman of the VEB

Before this report, Kushner was already being scrutinized for his conversation in December with Kislyak, where he allegedly tried to establish a back channel for communications between Russia and Trump's transition team.

On Monday night, Fox News is reported that it was in fact the Russians who approached Kushner about creating a secure line between the two, but only for one conversation about Syria.

The outlet reported that a permanent form of communication was never discussed.

All the negative attention surrounding Kushner is starting to make the President's senior advisor seem 'vulnerable', according to CBS News, especially as Trump is looking to change communications strategy to deal with the Russia investigation.

Before this report, Kushner was already being scrutinized for his conversation in December with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, left, where he allegedly tried to establish a back channel for communications between Russia and Trump's transition team

Fox News is reporting that the Russians approached Kushner about creating a secure line between the two, but only for one conversation about Syria. Allegedly, a permanent form of communication was never discussed

All the negative attention surrounding Kushner is starting to make the President's senior advisor seem 'vulnerable' especially as Trump is looking to change communications strategy to deal with the Russia investigation

Kushner has agreed to testify before a Senate committee investigating Russia ties to the Trump campaign.

Those investigators are now particularly interested in his conversations with Gorkov.

Gorkov graduated from the Russian academy of Federal Security Service, which trains people to serve in the FSB, Russia's security service. He was promoted to his post as chairman of VEB by Putin himself.

VEB, the largest state-run bank, has been used to plant Russian spies in the US, bail out Putin's close friends and fund Putin's projects, according to The New York Times.

Gorkov, right, graduated from the Russian academy of Federal Security Service, which trains people to serve in the FSB, Russia's security service

The VEB has been used to plant Russian spies in the US, bail out Putin's close friends and fund Putin's projects

The bank said in a statement to CNN that the company met with Kushner in his business role, not in his role as a Trump advisor.

'During 2016 the bank's management repeatedly met with representatives of the world's leading financial institutions in Europe, Asia and America ... including the head of Kushner Companies, Jared Kushner,' the bank said.

Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters in Moscow in March that the Kremlin was not aware of the meeting between Kushner and Sergey Gorkov, head of Russia's Vnesheconombank at the time and that it was routine.

The bank said in a statement the conversation was about the practices of 'foreign development banks and promising trends.'

VBN held meetings on the topic on three continents with the heads of financial institutions and large businesses, the statement said. Gorkov met with Kushner because he was in charge of a major real estate company, the bank claimed.
Four men have pleaded guilty to their roles in the daylight shooting murder of a Sydney bodybuilder near a western Sydney playground two years ago.

Omar Rajab, 24, pleaded guilty to murdering the 22-year-old Hedi Ayoub in a Punchbowl park in June 2015.

Mohammed El Chami, 26, Bilal Allouche, 24, and Ebrahim Allouche, 30, also pleaded guilty to murder accessory charges in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Four men have pleaded guilty to their roles in the daylight shooting murder of bodybuilder Hedi Ayoub (pictured with wife Jessica) near a western Sydney playground two years ago

Mr Ayoub's (pictured) body was found underneath a tree in Punchbowl park in Sydney's west on June 29, 2015

The Allouche brothers plead guilty to assisting Rajab after he killed the 22-year-old, while El Chami admitted to failing to tell police about the crime.

Mr Ayoub's body was found underneath a tree in Punchbowl park in Sydney's west on June 29, 2015.

All four men had been charged with murder and were due to face trial this week.

The court heard Mr Ayoub was known as a standover man for his Middle Eastern family and had threatened to get Rajab and his family.

El Chami and Ebrahim Allouche remain on bail and left court without making statements.

Allouche was seen leaving court trying to cover his face with a black hooded jumper, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Justice Elizabeth Fullerton adjourned the case for a two-day sentence hearing beginning on June 28.

Mr Ayoub's body was found underneath a tree in Punchbowl park in Sydney's west on June 29, 2015
A woman accused of sending her daughters to Africa to undergo genital mutilation wants to represent herself in a proposed trial.

The African-born woman and her husband, whose names are suppressed, are due to stand trial at the Beenleigh District Court in Brisbane.

They are charged with sending their daughters, aged 12 and nine at the time, back to Africa in late 2015 for genital mutilation.

A Brisbane woman accused of sending her nine and 12-year-old daughters to Africa to undergo genital mutilation wants to represent herself in a proposed trial

During a mention of the matter on Tuesday, the court heard the woman wanted to represent herself in the trial.

The court was told that would create an issue given the woman's limited understanding of English, and that her daughters are listed as protected witnesses.

As such, the woman cannot conduct a cross-examination of the girls and would have to appoint a lawyer to fulfil that role during the trial.

Judge Craig Chowdhury adjourned the matter until Thursday when he wants an interpreter present to ensure the woman fully understands her legal requirements.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has revealed just how unpopular the former Health Secretary is at Westminster, admitting this will 'not be a good thing' for the West Suffolk MP. Mr Hancock, who has been thrown out of the Tory Parliamentary Party for going 10,000 miles away from his constituency to appear on the ITV show, got covered in slime, cockroaches and spiders last night. H e was also picked by the public to endure a second Bushtucker trial tonight, called Tentacles of Terror. And in a hint that his colleagues at Westminster have played their part, Mr Heaton-Harris said: 'I know the format of the show. There's a lot of people in the House of Commons & House of Lords who've downloaded a certain app [I'm a Celeb] so they can vote'. He added that he believed that "hundreds" of MPs and peers have downloaded it. Mr Hancock received an icy reception from his fellow campmates when he arrived yesterday - with Boy George threatening to walk out and Chris Moyles asking 'what about his constituents?' ITV newsreader Charlene White also gave him a grilling about his motives and Mike Tindall said: 'All I heard him say was bulls**t bulls**t bulls**t!!'. The former Health Secretary tried to reassure the camp that 'Rishi's great, he'll be fine' and 'stability' has been restored in politics when they grilled him on his reasons for entering the jungle. Campmate Charlene White told him: 'We've had stability for all of five minutes Matt'. As Hancock prepares for his second Bucktucker trial tonight, crew are reportedly holding a backstage sweepstake including taking bets on how many trials he will have to endure, according to the Sun .
Rising Artists Series: A Cellos Prayer, featuring Anna Park on cello and Kristopher Schwinn on organ will be presented at The Church of the Nativity Episcopal Church, 1201 Cross St. in Fort Oglethorpe at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 25.



Ms. Park will be playing selections from Bachs Cello Suite No. 3 and Camille Saint-Saenss Priere (Prayer) for cello and organ, Op. 158.

"This performance is part of Nativitys monthly Rising Artists series that features Chattanoogas most accomplished young musicians playing works for solo instruments and organ.

Nativity also presents a mini-Concert series with organist and music director Kristopher Schwinn.Ms. Park is a senior music education major with cello concentration at Southern Adventist University. She began playing the violin when she was four years old and also studied piano and flute before focusing on cello in middle school. She was co-principal and then principal cellist of the Gwinnett County Youth Symphony and also a member of the Emory-YSO. She began her music degree at the University of Georgia before transferring to SAU where she is assistant principal cello of the SAU-SO. She studies with adjunct instructor David Peyton, a cellist in the Greenville-SO and theory professor at Lee University. Ms. Park has traveled extensively to Asia, Africa, and South America as a music minister. After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate degrees in conducting or special education.This free performance takes place during the worship service. Childcare is provided.
A hundred of Melbourne's most disadvantaged citizens will be attending a fancy lunch at the city's five-star Intercontinental hotel.

The hotel was unable to refund The Langley Group their booking after the consulting company cancelled their luncheon last minute because no other paying customers would take the appointment.

Rather than wasting the coveted booking the business decided to donate a free meal to the city's homeless.

'These people that would normally never have the opportunity to come into a place like that are going to have a full five-star dining experience,' The Langley Group's Mahta Manzouri told Nine News (pictured is the restaurant)

The luncheon is set to take place on Wednesday at noon after meticulous planning by the Langley Group

'These people that would normally never have the opportunity to come into a place like that are going to have a full five-star dining experience,' The Langley Group's Mahta Manzouri told Nine News.

The luncheon is set to take place on Wednesday at noon after meticulous planning by the Langley Group.

They've managed to secure 100 places for diners which will include youths and asylum seekers but it was no mean feat.

They've managed to secure 100 places for diners which will include youths and asylum seekers but it was no mean feat

In the end Melbourne City Mission, St Mary's House of Welcome and Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project were able to select approximately 30 people from each charity group to partake in the special day

In the end Melbourne City Mission, St Mary's House of Welcome and Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project were able to select approximately 30 people from each charity group to partake in the special day.

House of Welcome provides breakfast, lunch, snacks, showers and emergency assistance for more than 200 people a day. While they don't provide accommodation it's a welcome relief to have a full stomach for the portions of the day, particularly as winter approaches.

They will be packing a tram full of their chosen diners who will be travelling from Fitzroy to be in attendance.

They will be packing a tram full of their chosen diners who will be travelling from Fitzroy to be in attendance

Melbourne's City Mission is a similar organisation and has the largest homeless services in the region for young people under 24.

Brigidine Asylum Seekers works more intuitively with those who haven't yet got a place to stay in Australia.

They believe that every 'race, religion and gender deserves the right to protection,' their website reads.

The hotel was unable to refund The Langley Group their booking after the consulting company cancelled their luncheon last minute because no other paying customers would take the appointment (pictured the Intercontinental restaurant)

The groups said that many of their regulars were the kind of people that would appreciate a break from their life of poverty.

Many individuals were suffering from mental health issues and others had conditions that make them socially isolated.

Some of the diners on Wednesday will be hopeful hospitality students in training and have been offered a behind-the-scenes tour of the hotel's kitchen and facilities after lunch.
A man has been charged with indecent assault after he 'patted down' a young boy while pretending to be a police officer.

Officers were called to a second hand store on Moreton Bay Road in Cleveland, Queensland at 3pm on Monday.

A man in the store allegedly approached a young boy and identified himself as a police officer.

Officers were called to a second hand store on Moreton Bay Road in Cleveland, Queensland (pictured) at 3pm on Monday

A man has been charged with indecent assault after he 'patted down' a young boy while pretending to be a police officer (stock image)

He then patted the boy down outside his clothing before fleeing the store and driving away, police said.

The boy wasn't physically injured as a result of the incident.

A 54-year-old Birkdale man has been charged with one count each of indecent treatment of a child and impersonating police.

He is due to appear in the Cleveland Magistrates Court on June 30.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444.
South Korea has conducted a joint drill with a US supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber after North Korea's state media earlier accused the United States of staging a drill to practice dropping nuclear bombs on the Korean peninsula.

North Korea's state media reported that the B-1B bomber, a long-range, multi-mission supersonic aircraft, flew over South Korea to stage 'a nuclear bomb dropping drill'.

Moon Sang-gyun, a spokesman for the South Korean defense ministry, confirmed the military exercise took place on Monday but declined to give further details.

The joint drill took place after North Korea fired at least one short-range ballistic missile on Monday that landed in the sea off its east coast, the latest in a fast-paced series of missile tests defying world pressure and threats of more sanctions.

South Korea conducts joint drill with US supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber (file picture) after North Korea's latest ballistic missile test

It followed two successful tests of medium-to-long-range missiles in as many weeks by the North, which has been conducting such tests at an unprecedented pace in an effort to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting the mainland United States.

A government source in Seoul said that two B-1B bombers arrived in the airspace over the East Sea at around 10:30am local time - five hours after the North test-fired its missile, the Korean Herald reported.

The planes flew around 80 kilometers east of Gangneung, a city near the Military Demarcation Line border between North and South.

Warplanes from America's USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, and South Korea's F-15K fighter jets, joined the planes for the 'frantic' drill, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

The exercise was a show of force against North Korea after its multiple missile test-fires.

Meanwhile, North Korea accused the US of trying to provoke a nuclear war crisis.

'Such military provocations of the US imperialists is a dangerous reckless racket for bringing the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of a war,' North Korean state media reported.

Monday's launch is Kim Jong-un's regime third missile in as many weeks.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of a new anti-aircraft weapon system on Monday

The state news agency boasted the system would 'completely spoil the enemy's wild dream to command the air'

South Koreans at a railway station in Seoul watch a television broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing what appeared to be a short-range ballistic missile on Monday

The missile was fired from the region of Wonsan in an easterly direction into the Sea of Japan, South Korea's military said.

President Trump said Monday that North Korea has shown 'great disrespect' to China with its latest missile launch.

Jumping back into foreign policy after returning from his first overseas trip, Trump endeavored to drive a wedge between hermetic North Korea and its political benefactor  following futile efforts by the U.S. to get it to back off its aggressive actions.

'North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile...but China is trying hard!' Trump tweeted.

North Korea's latest 'successful' launch landed into the Sea of Japan, in a provocation toward one of the United States' closest allies.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed to join forces with the US to take action against North Korea after the launch.

'As we agreed at the recent G7, the issue of North Korea is a top priority for the international community,' he said. 'Working with the United States, we will take specific action to deter North Korea.'

The Japanese leader vowed his country will make utmost efforts to protect its people, while staying in close touch with South Korea and other countries.

The rocket was believed to be a Scud-class ballistic missile and flew about 450 km (280 miles), South Korean officials said. North Korea has a large stockpile of the short-range missiles, originally developed by the Soviet Union.

Kim Jong-un has tested Scud-type short-range missiles many times in the past, most recently in April, according to U.S. officials. However, experts say it may be trying to test new capabilities that may be fed into its efforts to build an ICBM.

President Trump said Monday that North Korea has shown 'great disrespect' to China with its latest missile launch

President Trump tweeted about North Korea Monday, a day after from his first overseas trip

'There are many possibilities ... It could have been a test for a different type of engine. Or to verify the credibility of the main engine for ICBM's first stage rocket,' said Kim Dong-yub, a military expert at Kyungnam University's Far Eastern Studies department in Seoul.

Modified versions of the Scud have a range of up to 1,000 km (620 miles).

On Tuesday, the United States will test an existing missile defense system to try to intercept an ICBM, the first such test, officials said last week.

Monday's launch was immediately reported to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who called a meeting of the National Security Council, the South Korean office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

The US Pacific Command said the short-range missile, launched from near Wonsan Airfield, was tracked for six minutes until it landed in the Sea of Japan.

It was not deemed a threat to North America. The command said it was working on a more detailed assessment of the missile launch.

'We continue to monitor North Korea's actions closely,' PACOM said in a statement.

The North Korean State News Agency said the system would soon be deployed throughout the country

'US Pacific Command stands behind our ironclad commitment to the security of our allies in the Republic of Korea and Japan,' it added.

It comes after reports emerged that the United States is sending a third aircraft carrier to the western Pacific region in an apparent warning to North Korea.

The USS Nimitz, one of the world's largest warships, will join two other supercarriers, the USS Carl Vinson and the USS Ronald Reagan, in the western Pacific, the sources told VOA.

The move is extremely rare for the US military, who rarely send three aircraft carriers to the same region.

Earlier on Monday it emerged that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of a new anti-aircraft weapon system and ordered its mass production and deployment throughout the country, after weeks of defiant ballistic missile tests.

The North has been pushing to develop a wide range of weapon systems since early last year at an unprecedented pace including a long-range missile capable of striking the mainland United States.

The USS Carl Vinson has been deployed to the region, along with the USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan supercarriers

In recent weeks tested its intermediate-range ballistic missile, making some technical advances.

North's KCNA news agency did not report the exact nature of the weapon or the time of the test but said it was organised by the Academy of National Defence Science.

The ANDS is a blacklisted agency that is believed to be developing missiles and nuclear weapons.

The reclusive state rejects U.N. and unilateral sanctions by other states against its weapons programme as an infringement of its right to self defense and says the programme is necessary to counter U.S. aggression.

It last conducted a ballistic missile test a week ago. The United States denies any intention to attack the North.

KNCA said: 'Kim Jong Un ... watched the test of a new type of anti-aircraft guided weapon system organized by the Academy of National Defence Science.

'This weapon system, whose operation capability has been thoroughly verified, should be mass-produced to deploy all over the country.'

The system will 'completely spoil the enemy's wild dream to command the air, boasting of air supremacy and weapon almighty.'

This release from Korean Central News Agency shows the new weapons system being fired

The guided missile system is supposed to be a deterrent for U.S. air superiority

The new weapon comes after weeks of North Korean ballistic missile tests

KCNA said Kim was accompanied by his military aides and listed the three men believed to be the top officials in the country's rapidly accelerating missile programme.

They are Ri Pyong Chol, a former top air force general; Kim Jong Sik, a veteran rocket scientist; and Jang Chang Ha, the head of the Academy of National Defence Science, a weapons development and procurement centre.

North Korea said last Monday that it had successfully tested what it called an intermediate-range ballistic missile that met all technical requirements and could now be mass-produced, although outside officials and experts questioned the extent of its progress.

On Tuesday, the head of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency said that if left unchecked, North Korea is on an 'inevitable' path to obtaining a nuclear-armed missile capable of striking the United States.

Appearing at a Senate hearing, Defense Intelligence Agency Director Vincent Stewart declined to offer a time estimate but Western experts believe the North still needed several years to develop such a weapon.
Rebel Wilson insists a lady never tells her age, and has shown a court ladies don't much like toothy photos either.

The actress is suing Bauer Media over a series of articles she says damaged her Hollywood career when she was 'hot, hot, hot' property.

Wilson again repeatedly denied claims from defence barrister Georgina Schoff QC that she had lied to journalists about her real age.

Wilson told the court she did not tell reporters she was 29 when she was in fact 35, but simply used her 'standard comment' that 'a lady never tells'.

'I understand you're being paid per day and you're trying to drag this out as much as possible,' she told Ms Schoff.

'To say any lady who doesn't disclose her age....is a serial liar is a huge leap in logic.'

Rebel Wilson (pictured) has accused a lawyer of dragging out cross-examination in her defamation trial against Bauer Media

Wilson claims the lawyer is prolonging the case because they are getting 'paid by the day'

As her defamation trial rolled on in the Supreme Court in Melbourne on Tuesday, Wilson said she had sought to make changes to an article in another publication, Fairfax, because she found it unflattering.

She said the Fairfax article had used an old photo that showed a 'fang tooth' before she'd been able to afford dental work.

Wilson again repeatedly denied claims from defence barrister Georgina Schoff QC that she had lied to journalists about her real age.

She admitted she had asked Fairfax CEO Greg Hywood to change elements of an 'unflattering' article that made reference to her age, and included the toothy photo.

Wilson (center) is suing Bauer Media for a series of articles published that she alleges painted her as a liar

She said that request came when she was the face of online streaming service Stan, and Mr Hywood had offered to assist her if she ever needed help.

Wilson said the Fairfax article referred to her attending a film school she had never studied at.

She denied she had tried to control media references to her age, stating her request to change the Fairfax article came about because of her 'business relationship' with Mr Hywood.

'I knew there was mystery as to my age because I'd stopped disclosing it as of 2009,' she said.

She said the mystery 'suited me' but denied she'd lied during media interviews.

She claims the Bauer articles, published in May 2015, caused her to be fired from two DreamWorks films.

Wilson insists she also missed out on further movie roles because the stories said the actress lied about her real name, age and childhood.

The trial continues.

Wilson told court on Monday that she still believes she is related to Walt Disney
Donald Trump's meeting with the pope made the headlines for all the wrong reasons after a photo showed a grinning president standing next to a miserable-looking Francis.

But it appears Francis may simply have resting pope face after he was spotting looking miserable during his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday.

Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau were seen flashing big smiles at the camera during their trip to the Papal Library, in the Vatican.

Scroll down for video

Glum Francis looked just as miserable meeting Justin Trudeau (pictured together Monday with Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau) as he did President Trump

Donald Trump's meeting with the pope made the headlines for all the wrong reasons after a photo showed a grinning president standing next to a miserable-looking Francis, along with Trump's wife Melania (R), Jared Kushner (L) and Ivanka Trump

Meanwhile, the head of the Catholic church looked unimpressed by the meeting, standing slightly hunched over, with a bored look on his face.

Vatican correspondent John Thavis believes that the Pope may have been trying to avoid partisanship by deliberately not smiling during Trudeau's visit.

'I think he's trying not to smile,' Thavis, author of the Vatican Diaries, told the National Post, adding that Francis is 'acutely aware that a photo with a smiling pope has its own special value that goes well beyond nuanced Vatican statements on policy positions.'

'He's trying to avoid even the slightest hint of political support or endorsement,' Thavis added.

Souza also roasted Trump when he met with Pope Francis on Wednesday (right), and posted the image on the left with the caption 'Mutual admiration, 2016'

The 80-year-old papal leader was later seen smiling joking during both meetings with Trudeau and Trump.

But that did not stop Trump's critic's mocking him mercilessly in countless memes after the miserable-looking official photograph was posted online, as many interpreted the picture as Francis being unhappy to meet the American president.

'The pope finally finds something he hates about his job,' one Twitter user joked.

'That feeling when you've just been given an 2016 electoral college map but didn't ask for one,' another added next to a picture of Trump's meeting with Francis.

Even Barack Obama's former photographer Pete Souza roasted Trump after he posted an image of Obama locked in a handshake with Pope Francis in the Oval Office. The two men are beaming at each other, with Souza rubbing salt in the wound by writing: 'Mutual admiration, 2016'.

However, since the latest papal meeting, Twitter users have suggested that the pope simply doesn't like politicians.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was accompanied by wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau to the Vatican on Monday where he is thought to have asked for an apology

The PM is expected to ask Pope Francis for a formal apology for the role of the Catholic Church in the residential school system. Pictured: The politician and his wife present a gift

Despite the awkward subject matter Pope Francis and the PM shared a friendly greeting

'The Pope is basically every kid that has to take a gizillion pictures with relatives on their first holy communion,' another jokes.

'Almost like it has nothing to do with politics,' another tweeted.

Trudeau visited the Vatican on Monday where he is thought to have asked Pope Francis for an apology.

The 45-year-old wore a somber expression as he arrived for his private audience with Pope Francis this afternoon.

The politician was expected to ask the Pope for a formal apology for the role the Catholic Church played in the residential school system.

Trudeau was joined by his supportive wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau who looked modest as she joined her husband to the Vatican.

The couple cut a somber figure in black and Sophie, 42, added a small pillbox hat complete with a veil to her ensemble.

The request for an apology is based on a report on Canada's history of taking indigenous children away from their parents and sending them to residential schools.
Chelsea Clinton's husband and daughter enjoyed a fun day out in a park in lower Manhattan today to celebrate Memorial Day.

Marc Mezvinsky and daughter Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky didn't let the gloomy New York City skies stop them from appreciating the lush green of the metropolitan park.

The 39-year-old investment banker sported khaki shorts matched with some dark brown and burnt orange sneakers as he enjoyed a meal on his stroll.

Chelsea Clinton's family - husband Marc Mezvinsky and daughter Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky - enjoy Memorial Day at a park in lower Manhattan, New York

Are you going to share? Marc guzzles down his food while his daughter watches him

Going for a stroll: The 39-year-old sported khaki shorts matched with some dark brown and burnt orange sneakers

Mark also wore a navy buttoned vest with a white tee shirt while pushing his 2-year-old daughter in the park.

Little Charlotte wore a cute multicolored polka-dotted dress with floral pink shoes.

Hillary Clinton's granddaughter wore a matching blue jacket as her father as her fiery tresses hung just below her hair .

The duo seemed to have a great time on their visit playing close to a fountain.

Chelsea was not with her family at the visit but her parents were also out enjoying the festivities of the holiday.

Daddy's little girl: The duo seemed to have a great time on their visit playing close to a fountain

Chelsea Clinton wasn't with her family for this trip as her mother made an appearance at the Chappaqua Memorial Day Parade

Hillary Clinton made a patriotic appearance at the Chappaqua Memorial Day Parade on Monday.

Dressed entirely in white and blue with a pair of sneakers emblazoned with stars and stripes, she beamed as she made her way through her hometown with husband Bill and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

All three carried American Flag umbrellas to keep the morning drizzle at bay.

Clinton, who is slowly returning to public life after her crushing election defeat, took to Twitter share her excitement about marking the occasion.

Dressed entirely in white and blue with a pair of sneakers emblazoned with stars and stripes, Hillary beamed as she made her way through her hometown with husband Bill and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

'A rainy but wonderful morning march in the Chappaqua Memorial Day Parade.

'Thinking of our veterans who gave their lives for this country,' she said.

Clinton waved to crowds lining the streets as they made their procession through the town.

She was dressed casually in a white raincoat, blue shirt and navy blue pants.

Despite the downpours, the 69-year-old also sported a pair of blue reflective sunglasses.

The Clintons have been taking part in the parade annually for years.
Legendary actor Robert De Niro said the country has turned into a 'tragic dumbass comedy.'

The Goodfellas actor and two-time Oscar winner spoke Sunday at Brown University's commencement ceremonies in Rhode Island.

He said that 'in movie terms' the US was once an 'an inspiring, uplifting drama' but now was nothing but a 'tragic dumbass comedy.'

'You talkin' to me?': De Niro once again did not mince words when it came to his feelings about Trump, saying the country was now a 'dumbass comedy' at Brown University on Sunday (above)

De Niro, 73, was there to accept an honorary doctorate of fine arts. The actor has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, once saying 'I'd like to punch him in the face.'

The actor, who has starred in such iconic films as Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, and The Godfather II, doesn't mince words about the president, saying he watches CNN just to keep up with 'the idiot.'

At a Q&A the day before the ceremony, he said, according to ET Canada: 'Dont be famous for being famous. We have a president now who is here because he was on one of those [reality] shows.

The Taxi Driver actor, who is not a fan of Trump, called his presidency 'nightmarish'

'And where are we? There might be people who disagree on that. Its just a nightmarish situation as far as Im concerned.'

As for Trump's promise to shake up the system, he said to the graduates: 'And you know what, now, you did shake it up, buddy. You shook it up real well. But now we have to get back to reality. And you guys have to do it. Thats all I have to say. Plus us. But you guys. Its your future.'

Also being honored was Hamilton star and Tony winner Daveed Diggs who told the graduates they would need to bring new ideas to the future because 'the old ones have made a mess of things.'
Teenage ISIS fighters are said to be shooting people dead for failing to quote the Koran in a besieged Philippines city.

As 50,000 people fled the city of Marawi in the south of the country, some reported the terror they had left behind.

Terrified residents reported young jihadis taking orders from commanders in their early 20s to force people to recite verses of the Islamic scripture, but when they failed, they would be shot dead to a chorus of laughter.

Philippine authorities on Tuesday warned Islamist militants occupying parts of a southern city to surrender or die, as attack helicopters pounded the gunmen's strongholds where up to 2,000 residents are still feared trapped.

The militants had killed at least 19 civilians, while 20 security forces and 65 gunmen had died, according to the military

A government soldier points to graffiti on some metal shutters which reads, 'Welcome ISIS,' with a crown painted over it

Confiscated ISIS paraphernalia and heavy duty weapons being guarded by a Philippine marine

A Philippine Marine guards communication equipment, high-powered firearms, including a 50-caliber machinegun, ammunitions, uniforms, and black ISIS-style flags Tuesday, May 30, 2017 in Marawi city southern Philippines

Philippine Marine Major Rowan Rimas holds one of several high-powered firearms, which were recovered by Government forces in the fighting against Muslim militants

Communications devices, rifles, grenade launchers, assault rifles and ammunition belonging to ISIS laid out on a table having been confiscated

A woman calls out to her relatives after identifying bodies dumped off a cliff along the highway leading to Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao on May 28, 2017

More than 100 people have been confirmed killed in the conflict, which began last week when gunmen waving black flags of the Islamic State (IS) group rampaged through the mostly Muslim-populated city of Marawi.

Tens of thousands managed to flee and one woman told The Telegraph her decision to leave was sealed when she witnessed teenage jihadis laughing at innocent people being shot.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law across the entire southern region of Mindanao, home to roughly 20 million people, in response to the crisis as he warned that local militant groups were uniting behind IS and becoming a major security threat.

But the militants, initially estimated by the nation's defence chief to number just 100, have withstood eight days of intense air assaults and street-to-street combat, prompting the government's threats on Tuesday.

ISIS plan to burn a city General Eduardo Ano, the military chief, said extremists had plotted to set Marawi ablaze entirely to project ISIS' influence. The extremists wanted to kill Christians in nearby Iligan city on Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, to mimic the violence seen by the world in Syria and Iraq, Ano said. Southeast Asian fighters fleeing the Middle East 'could look to Mindanao to provide temporary refuge as they work their way home,' said a report late last year by the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, predicting a high risk of regional violence. Marawi is regarded as the heartland of the Islamic faith on Mindanao island. Advertisement

'We call on the remaining terrorists to surrender while there is an opportunity,' military spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla said in a statement.

'For the terrorists, not surrendering will mean their sure death.'

Padilla also said the surrender call warning was aimed at limiting the loss of more lives and property.

Up to 2,000 residents were trapped in areas held by the militants, according to the local government, and the International Committee of the Red Cross had voiced alarm they would be caught in the bombing raids or crossfire.

The militants also took a priest and up to 14 other people hostage at the start of the crisis, and their fate remains unknown.

The militants released a video in which they threatened to kill the hostages, according to a report by the SITE Intelligence Group on Monday that could not be verified.

And clashes on Tuesday appeared to be as intense as previous days as military helicopters fired rockets repeatedly on that part of the city and black smoke rose from the buildings that were apparently hit.

The gunmen were being backed by foreign fighters, including those from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, authorities said.

Government troops head to the frontline as fighting with Muslim militants in Marawi city enters its second week on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, in southern Philippines

A Filipino villager (left), who was trapped inside the Maute stronghold, is assisted by a government troop after she escaped in Marawi City, Mindanao Island, southern Philippines

Philippine forces pressed their offensive to drive out militants linked to the Islamic State group after days of fighting left corpses in the streets and hundreds of civilians begging for rescue from a besieged southern city of Marawi

A Philippine Marine fires his weapon towards the stronghold of Maute group in Marawi city

A Philippine Marine runs for cover near the stronghold of Maute group in Marawi City, southern Philippines

A soldier points his gun over a wall as troops walk through the streets in a bid to remove ISIS

Government troops take positions as fighting with Muslim militants in Marawi city enters its second week

Government troops line the streets of Marawi in the south of the Philippines amid ISIS tension

Government troops cross a bridge after securing a village outside Marawi city on Tuesday

The militants had killed at least 19 civilians, while 20 security forces and 65 gunmen had died, according to the military.

The death toll looked likely to climb, with soldiers reporting the smell of corpses in a public market still being held by the militants.

Martin Thalmann, deputy head of the ICRC's Philippine delegation who is in Marawi, also said on Monday his staff had received reports from people trapped inside the militants' areas that residents had died from stray bullets and sickness.

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law in the Philippines

The violence began when dozens of gunmen went on a rampage in response to an attempt by security forces to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a veteran Filipino militant regarded as the local leader of ISIS.

Hapilon, a senior member of the Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom gang, is on the US government's list of most-wanted terrorists.

He was being protected in Marawi by the local Maute group, which has pledged allegiance to ISIS.

Hapilon, the Maute and other militants had been planning a major attack on Marawi, one of the few Islamic cities in the mainly Catholic Philippines with a population of 200,000 people, armed forces chief General Eduardo Ano said.

He said they were planning to launch the assault to coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began on the weekend, but the raid on Hapilon triggered them to attack earlier, according to Ano.

Muslim separatist rebellion in the southern Philippines has claimed more than 120,000 lives since the 1970s.

The main Muslim rebel groups have signed accords with the government aimed at forging a final peace, giving up their separatist ambitions in return for autonomy.

The Maute, the Abu Sayyaf and other hardline groups are not interested in negotiating and have in recent years looked to IS to help them.

The Marawi violence was intended to highlight their credentials to IS, security analysts have said.

Duterte said Saturday he was prepared to enforce martial law for as long as was necessary to end the terrorist threat.

Filipino troops inspect graffiti outside a parade of shops which reads, 'I love ISIS' with the date under it as well as 'ISIS fighters' written on the ground

Up to 2,000 residents were trapped in areas held by the militants, according to the local government, and the International Committee of the Red Cross had voiced alarm they would be caught in the bombing raids or crossfire

Philippine Marines aim their weapons towards the stronghold of Maute group in Marawi

The Islamic fighters are said to be well-armed and resilient and experts have warned that with ISIS weakened in Syria and Iraq, battered by years of American-led attacks, Mindanao could become a focal point for regional fighters.

The fighters' support network in Marawi remains unclear, though the power of one militant group - the Mautes - has grown in recent years.

Led by members of the city's Maute clan, the group has become increasingly active across Lanao del Sur province, where Marawi is located, and has been instrumental in the fighting this past week.
Manuel Noriega, the former military ruler of Panama who was ousted by a US invasion in 1989, has died aged 83, according to the country's President.

Juan Carlos Varela announced Noriega's death on Twitter late on Monday, and said his passing marked the closing of a chapter in Panama's history.

Noriega had suffered a brain haemorrhage following the first of two surgeries to remove a benign brain tumour in March.

The former dictator, who ruled the Central American nation from 1983 to 1989, was released from prison in January and transferred to house arrest in Panama for the first time in three decades ahead of his operation.

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General Manuel Antonio Noriega speaks 1988 in Panama City during the presentation of colors to the San Miguel Arcangel de San Miguelito volunteer batallion. Panamanian authorities reported his death early on Tuesday morning

Recent sighting: Panamanian ex-dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega (in the red cap), arrives home after being placed under house arrest for three months in Panama City in January this year, just weeks before he was due to undergo surgery for a brain tumor

President Juan Carlos Varela tweeted early Tuesday morning: 'The death of Manuel A. Noriega Closes a chapter in our history; his daughters and their families deserve a burial in peace'

Noriega, who spied for the CIA before his drug trafficking and brutal regime sparked a US invasion in 1989, initially served a 17-year drug sentence in America and was later sent to face charges in France.

The final years of his life were spent in a Panamanian prison for murder of political opponents during his 1983-89 regime.

He accused Washington of a 'conspiracy' to keep him behind bars and tied his legal troubles to his refusal to cooperate with a US plan aimed at toppling Nicaragua's leftist Sandinista government in the 1980s.

In recent years Noriega suffered various ailments including high blood pressure and bronchitis.

In 2016, doctors detected the rapid growth of a benign brain tumor that had first been spotted four years earlier, and in the following January a court granted him house arrest to prepare for surgery on the tumor.

He is survived by his wife Felicidad and daughters Lorena, Thays and Sandra.

Following Noriega's ouster Panama underwent huge changes, taking over the Panama Canal from US control in 1999, vastly expanding the waterway and enjoying a boom in tourism and real estate.

Panamanian police officers enter the emergency section of the Santo Tomas Hospital in Panama City this morning

Mugshots years apart: Noriega, in a mugshot left in Miami in 1990 and right December 2011, taken at El Renacer penitentiary

Noriega arrives at Renacer prison, south east of Panama City, in December 2011; He was sent to France in 2010 and convicted in money laundering charges. The following year he was extradited to Panama where he was sentenced for disappearance of political opponents

Today the Central American nation has little in common with the bombed-out neighborhoods where Noriega hid during the 1989 invasion, before being famously smoked out of his refuge at the Vatican Embassy by incessant, loud rock music blared by U.S. troops.

Known mockingly as 'Pineapple Face' for his pockmarked complexion, Manuel Antonio Noriega was born poor in Panama City on February 11, 1934, and was raised by foster parents.

He joined Panama's Defense Forces in 1962 and steadily rose through the ranks, mainly through loyalty to his mentor, General Omar Torrijos, who became Panama's de facto leader after a 1968 coup.

FROM DICTATOR TO DETAINEE: NORIEGA'S TURBULENT PAST The late Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, who rose to power while working for the CIA, ruled ruthlessly 1983-1989 and was ousted by a US military invasion. Noriega, 83, died late Monday in a Panama City hospital as he was recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor. Here are some notable moments of Noriega's life: February 11, 1934: Noriega is born to a poor family in Panama City's Guachimango district. He goes on to graduate from a military academy in Peru and embarks on a military career. 1968: Participates in a coup that ousts president Arnulfo Arias, and backs popular strongman general Omar Torrijos. Around this time Noriega reportedly goes onto the CIA's payroll. Torrijos makes him chief of Panama's military intelligence. 1983: Noriega takes command of the National Guard and becomes Panama's de facto ruler, two years after Torrijos dies in a mysterious plane crash. December 20, 1989: US forces invade Panama to oust Noriega, accusing him of drug trafficking. Noriega takes refuge in the Vatican embassy for 10 days, then surrenders to the US soldiers, who take him to the United States. 1992: A US court sentences Noriega to 40 years prison for drug trafficking. The sentence is later cut to 17 years. April 2010: Noriega is extradited to France, where he faces charges of laundering $3 million from the Medellin drug cartel through French banks. July 2010: A French court sentences Noriega to seven years in prison. December 11, 2011: France extradites Noriega to Panama, where he was sentenced in absentia to three 20-year prison sentences for the murder of opponent Hugo Spadafora and military commander Moises Giroldi, and for killing rebellious soldiers trying to overthrow him in what became known as the Albrook massacre. January 28, 2017: A Panama court agrees to temporarily release Noriega to house arrest to prepare for surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. The ex-dictator's family and lawyers say he has suffered strokes, respiratory problems, prostate cancer and depression. March 7, 2017: Doctors remove the brain tumor, but complications lead to cerebral bleeding. Following a second operation doctors put him in an induced coma. May 29, 2017: Noriega dies at the San Tomas public hospital. Advertisement

As Torrijos' intelligence chief, Noriega monitored political opponents and developed close ties with U.S. intelligence agencies guarding against possible threats to the canal.

Two years after Torrijos died in a mysterious plane crash in 1981, Noriega became the head of the armed forces and Panama's de facto ruler.

Noriega ruled with an iron fist, ordering the deaths of those who opposed him and maintaining a murky, close and conflictive relationship with the United States.

At the apex of his power he wielded great influence outside the country as well thanks to longstanding relationships with spy agencies around the world, said R.M. Koster, an American novelist and biographer of Noriega who has lived in Panama for decades.

US soldiers secure a position outside the Vatican embassy in Panama City when Noriega was seeking asylum during Operation Just Cause, on December 24, 1989. He only surrendered when the Americans played loud rock music for days

Merry christmas! The US invaded in an attempt to remove Noriega and bring him to the US for trial on drug charges; Noriega was extradited to the US and spent nearly 20 years in prison in Florida after being convicted on drug trafficking charges

US troops patrol the streets and clear debris in the area of the Panamanian Defense Force headquarters in Panama City during Operation Just Cause, on December 26, 1989

Noriega was considered a valued CIA asset and was paid millions of dollars for assistance to the U.S. throughout Latin America, including acting as a liaison to Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Noriega also helped the US seize drugs at sea and track money laundering in Panama's banks, and reported on guerrilla and terrorist activities.

Washington ultimately soured on him, especially after a top political opponent was killed in 1985 and Noriega appeared to join forces with Latin American drug traffickers.

Foes in the Panamanian military attempted several coups but failed, and their leaders were summarily executed by firing squad.

With the knowledge of U.S. officials, Noriega had formed 'the hemisphere's first narcokleptocracy,' a U.S. Senate subcommittee report said, calling him, 'the best example in recent U.S. foreign policy of how a foreign leader is able to manipulate the United States to the detriment of our own interests.'

The beginning of his downfall came in 1988 when federal grand juries in the Florida cities of Miami and Tampa indicted Noriega on drug-trafficking charges.

Initially he reacted with defiance, thumbing his nose at US economic sanctions designed to drive him from power. He famously waved a machete at a rally while vowing not to leave, and in 1989 he nullified elections that observers say were handily won by the opposition.

Noriega (pictured in 1989) helped the US seize drugs at sea and track money laundering in Panama's banks, and reported on guerrilla and terrorist activities

Washington ultimately soured on Noriega (pictured in 1989), especially after a top political opponent was killed in 1985 and Noriega appeared to join forces with Latin American drug traffickers

US President George H.W. Bush ordered the invasion in December 1989, and Noriega was captured and taken to Miami.

During the operation, 23 US military personnel died and 320 were wounded, and the Pentagon estimated 200 Panamanian civilians and 314 soldiers were killed.

Prosecutors accused Noriega of helping Colombia's Medellin cocaine cartel ship 'tons and tons of a deadly white powder' to the United States.

The defense cited court documents describing him as the 'CIA's man in Panama' and argued that the indictment 'smells all the way from here to Washington.'

Jurors convicted Noriega in April 1992 of eight of 10 charges. Under the judge's instructions, they were told not to consider the political side of the case - including whether the U.S. had the right to invade Panama and bring Noriega to trial in the first place.

During his years at a minimum-security federal prison outside Miami, Noriega got special POW treatment, allowed to wear his Panamanian military uniform and insignia when in court.

He lived in a bungalow apart from other inmates and had his own television and exercise equipment. He was said to be a TV news junkie and a voracious reader about politics and current events.

After completing his 17-year sentence in 2007, Noriega was extradited to France and received a seven-year sentence for money laundering.

Despite amassing great wealth, Noriega had worked hard to cultivate an image of a man of the people

FILE - In this July 5, 1986 file photo, Miss USA, Christy Fichtner, left, and Miss Panama, Gilda Garcia Lopez, salute while flanking General Manuel Antonio Noriega in Panama City. Pictured right is Miss Colombia, Maria Monica Urbina. A source close to the family of former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega said Monday, May 29, 2017, that he has died at age 83. (AP Photo/Jim Ellis, File)

George H Bush (second from right) and Manuel Noriega (right) are pictured during a meeting in Panama in 1983

But Panama wanted Noriega to return to face in-absentia convictions and two prison terms of 20 years for embezzlement, corruption and murder of opponents, including military commander Moises Giroldi, who led a failed rebellion on October 3, 1989, and Hugo Spadafora, whose decapitated body was found in a mailbag on the border with Costa Rica in 1985.

In mid-2011, France approved his extradition to Panama.

Despite amassing great wealth, Noriega had worked hard to cultivate an image of a man of the people.

He lived in a modest, two-story home in an upper-middle-class neighborhood in Panama City that stood in stark contrast with the opulent mansions customary among Latin American dictators.

'He would only say `hello' very respectfully,' said German Sanchez, who lived next door for 16 years. 'You may think what you like of Noriega, but we can't say he was anything but respectful toward his neighbors.'

'The humble, the poor, the blacks, they are the utmost authority,' Noriega said in one speech.

While some resentment lingers over the U.S. invasion, Noriega has so few supporters in modern-day Panama that attempts to auction off his old home attracted no bidders and the government decided to demolish decaying building down.

Late in life, the ex-dictator essentially had zero influence over his country from behind bars.

Manuel Noriega watches as U.S. Drug Enforcement Agents place chains around his waist aboard a C-130 transport plane in 1990

Manuel Noriega lived in a modest, two-story home in an upper-middle-class neighborhood in Panama City that stood in stark contrast with the opulent mansions customary among Latin American dictators. He is pictured with his daughter

Noriega (right) is pictured ahead of going on trial in Paris, France in 2010 accused of using French bank accounts to launder bribes from a Colombian cocaine cartel in the late 1980s

'He is not a figure with political possibilities,' University of Panama sociologist Raul Leis said in 2008.

'Even though there's a small sector that yearns for the Noriega era, it is not a representative figure in the country.'

In 2014, Noriega reportedly sued the makers of the computer game Call Of Duty after they named a treacherous character Manuel Noriega and also referred to him as Old Pineapple Face.

Noriega broke a long silence in June 2015 when he made a statement from prison on Panamanian television in which he asked forgiveness of those harmed by his regime.

'I feel like as Christians we all have to forgive,' he said, reading from a handwritten statement. 'The Panamanian people have already overcome this period of dictatorship.'

But for the most part Noriega stayed mum about elite military and civilian associates who thrived on the corruption that he helped instill - and which still plagues the Central American nation of some 3.9 million people, a favored transshipment point for drugs and a haven for money laundering.

'He kept his mouth shut and died for the sins of others,' Koster, the biographer, said in a 2014 interview. 'Nobody else ever went to prison.'

Meanwhile, families of more than 100 who were killed or disappeared during his rule are still seeking justice.
Radio host Meshel Laurie has slammed Schapelle Corby and her family for acting like celebrities.

Meshel let rip about the media circus surrounding the convicted drug smuggler's return to Australia in a segment on KIIS101.1's Matt & Meshel show on Tuesday morning.

Speaking to co-host Matt Tilley, she bemoaned the state of Aussie celebrities.

'This country, I can't even,' she said.

'If we're going to make such a big deal out of Schapelle, who smuggled drugs into Bali and went to jail and now she's home. Who cares?'

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A radio host has blasted Schapelle Corby for acting like a celebrity. The convicted drug smuggler has amassed close to 175,000 followers on Instagram

Meshel Laurie (second from left) let rip about the media circus surrounding the convicted drug smuggler's return to Australia

She also blasted her family for acting smug about evading reporters, referencing a video Corby posted on Instagram.

It shows her watching live television footage of two black vans on a motorway leading media on a false trail after she flew in from Bali.

'The video of her and [sister] Mercedes, so up herself because, 'we're all watching the video on TV and everyone thinks you're in those cars but really we're here',' Meshel said.

'I mean, who do you think you are? You think you're Taylor Swift or something, big balling it in your hotel room?

'You're a convicted drug trafficker who got out of jail. Who cares?'

She adds: 'Come on, Australia, grow up. Are we really that sad that we're now going to make Schapelle Corby a celebrity?

The 39-year-old posted a picture of a surrealist portrait to her Instagram on Monday

'Have we run out of molls on The Bachelor? Can't we get proper celebrities again, people who are talented?'

Her tirade leads her co-host to marvel at the amount of Instagram followers Corby has racked up in a few days  nearly 175,000  and then promptly unfollow her.

And Meshel isn't the only one tired of the coverage Corby's deportation to Australia is getting.

Today show host Karl Stefanovic spoke about how her family had made the media look like 'idiots.'

'I realise there's interest, but why oh why oh why?' he said on Monday morning's show.

A member of the Corby family walked out of the family's home wearing a mask

The man in the terrifying mask placed two yellow handwritten signs on the back of a car

As well as smug Instagram posts, the Corby family has taken to wearing bizarre masks

Corby eluded journalists in her first 48 hours back on home soil and the clip on her Instagram page is believed to be the first time she has shown herself publicly since her return to Australia.

The one-time Gold Coast beauty student hadn't been properly sighted since returning to Queensland early on Sunday morning, sparking an elaborate cat-and-mouse game with waiting media.

The clip starts with a large television screen showing live chopper footage from Channel 7's Sunrise program of two black vans taking a motorway offramp.

The camera pans away to show Ms Corby, dressed in black and white, smiling and giving a one-shoulder shrug as she stands watching the television in what appears to be a hotel room.

'There's the convoy, Pelle's being chased by helicopter in that car, but... there we are,' says Mercedes, before turning the camera to show Corby's grinning face

Corby shrugs her shoulders to the camera, seemingly thrilled at giving the media the slip

It's been thought she might be hiding out in Brisbane's Sofitel hotel.

'There's the convoy. 'Pelle's being chased by helicopter,' her sister Mercedes is heard saying as she shoots the video and gives a chuckle.

'In that car, but ... there we are,' she is heard saying as she pans to her sister.

Mercedes Corby also posted the video on her Instagram account, writing sarcastically: 'Doing what they do best ... factual news reporting!!!'

On Monday their mother, Rosleigh Rose, wasn't keen to divulge Corby's whereabouts to a thinned-out media pack camped outside her Loganlea home, south of Brisbane.

'Didn't you know? She caught a flight yesterday to Cairns,' she said.

'Ummm, I might have to go to the airport to get on a plane to Darwin, Cairns, Gladstone, wherever.'

The caption also thanks Corby's private bodyguard and 'friend' John McLeod (pictured), who is among those believed to be filmed inside a room at the Sofitel Hotel, in Brisbane

A man wearing a horror mask was spotted at Schapelle Corby's mother's house on Sunday

But in one of the stranger turns in a homecoming that already includes horror masks and media-duping convoys, the 39-year-old posted a picture of a surrealist portrait to her Instagram on Monday.

The artwork shows the former inmate riding a fantastical steed against a cosmic backdrop, aptly accompanied by the caption: 'FREEDOM'.

She was deported to Australia from Indonesia over the weekend, almost 13 years after she was caught with 4.2kg of marijuana in her boogie board bag at Bali's Denpasar Airport.
An online magazine dubbed the Islamic State 'terror handbook' has praised terrorist acts on Australian soil while encouraging supporters to lure victims through fake classified ads.

The latest edition of propaganda magazine Rumiyah praised Man Haron Monis, Numan Haider and Farhad Jabar, who are responsible for three separate fatal attacks in Australia since 2014.

A piece was also published detailing how would-be terrorists can use classifieds websites such as Gumtree and eBay to capture hostages before executing them, according to 9 News.

The article said either fake job adverts, property inspections or second-hand items can be posted to lure unsuspecting victims to an 'appropriate location.'

An online magazine dubbed the Islamic State 'terror handbook' has praised terrorist acts on Australian soil while encouraging supporters to lure victims through fake classified ads

Islamic State called on lone wolves 'to create as much carnage and terror as one possibly can' and praised previous attacks

'After garnering a significant amount of applicants, one can then arrange the 'job interview' ... before attacking, subduing, binding, and then slaughtering them,' the article said.

When listing a property for rent, the article advises advertising studio apartments or small student accommodation.

The article also suggested listing second-hand items at reasonable prices that are only available for pick up.

'Upon the target's arrival, one can then proceed to initiate his attack,' the article said.

Disturbing tactical advice was also handed out about how to drown out screams with a stereo and what equipment to use to bound victims, 9 News reported.

Islamic State called on lone wolves 'to create as much carnage and terror as one possibly can' and praised previous attacks.

Numan Haider (pictured), 18, was killed with a single bullet to the head after he stabbed two police officers outside the Endeavour Hills police station, south east of Melbourne, on September 23, 2014

Fifteen-year-old Farhad Jabar (pictured) shot police accountant Curtis Cheng outside Parramatta police headquarters in October 2015 before being gunned down by officers

Iranian-born Man Haron Monis (pictured) took 18 people hostage inside Sydney's Lindt Cafe before executing Tori Johnson after a 16-hour standoff in December 2014.

Such lone wolf attacks include those carried out on Australian soil by Monis, Haider and Jabar.

Haider, 18, was killed with a single bullet to the head after he stabbed two police officers outside the Endeavour Hills police station, south east of Melbourne, on September 23, 2014.

Fifteen-year-old Jabar shot police accountant Curtis Cheng outside Parramatta police headquarters in October 2015 before being gunned down by officers.

Iranian-born Monis took 18 people hostage inside Sydney's Lindt Cafe before executing Tori Johnson after a 16-hour standoff in December 2014.

Rumiyah has previously published details about how knife attacks should be carried out in public and cars driven into crowded public spaces, 9 News reported.

Rumiyah has previously published details about how knife attacks should be carried out in public and cars driven into crowded public spaces
The Australian Defence Force's chief imam signed a petition protesting against a push by former prime minister Tony Abbott to ban Islamist extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Sheikh Mohamadu Nawas Saleem added his name to this petition in February 2015 after Mr Abbott proposed to prohibit the group, which campaigns for a global Islamic caliphate based on sharia law.

Now, federal Attorney-General George Brandis is again rejecting a call for that group to be banned, despite its recent calls for ex-Muslims to be killed and its advocacy of domestic violence.

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Defence's chief imam Sheikh Mohamadu Nawas Saleem signed a pro-Hizb ut-Tahrir petition

The Australian Defence Force's chief imam signed the petition in February 2015

His name was on a list of Muslim community leaders opposed to a push to ban Hizb ut-Tahrir

The Defence Force's chief imam has been paid $717 a day since mid-2015 for religious advice

Attorney-General George Brandis has declared Hizb ut-Tahrir won't be banned in Australia

The Turnbull Government is reluctant to ban Hizb ut-Tahrir only three weeks after Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, announced it would prohibit the politically-motivated Islamist group.

In early 2015, Sheikh Saleem endorsed a petition which accused Mr Abbott of making 'politically convenient threats to 'tackle' and 'crack down' on Islamic groups such as such as Hizb ut-Tahrir ... whose only 'crime' has been to criticise the Abbott government's stance towards Muslims domestically and abroad'.

He is on the board Imams Victoria and since June 2015 has received $717 a day as a member of the taxpayer-funded Religious Advisory Committee to the Services, which advises the Australian Defence Force.

The petition claimed that Hizb ut-Tahrir disavowed and have never supported terrorist acts, but it declined to mention how they are banned in Germany, The Netherlands, Russia and a range of Muslim-majority nations including Pakistan, Bangladesh and even Saudi Arabia.

Hizb ut-Tahrir spokesman Uthman Badar told a forum that ex-Muslims deserved to be killed

Now Senator Brandis has declared the group will not be banned, even though Daily Mail Australia in March caught its spokesman Uthman Badar on camera saying people deserved to be killed for leaving Islam.

'The ruling for apostates as such in Islam is clear, that apostates attract capital punishment and we don't shy away from that,' Badar said at Bankstown, in Sydney's west.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan referred his extraordinary admission to the Australian Federal Police.

Despite this, Senator Brandis has again rejected listing Hizbut Tahrir as a terrorist organisation in Australia.

The attorney-general had sought fresh advice from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation last week.

Earlier this month, Indonesian security minister Wiranto said the Indonesian activities of Hizbut Tahrir had 'clearly caused conflict in society' and threaten the integrity of his country.

Senator Brandis told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday he had sought the professional advice of security agencies about the group on a number of occasions, including last week.

It was the 'strong view' of ASIO analysts that Hizb ut Tahrir Australia - which describes itself as a 'political party' on its official website - did not fit the definition of a terrorist organisation in the criminal code.

There are 23 bodies listed as terrorist organisations in Australia.

Before a group is listed the attorney-general must be satisfied on reasonable grounds that the organisation is 'directly or indirectly engaged in preparing, planning, assisting or fostering the doing of a terrorist act, or advocates the doing of a terrorist act'.

Hizb ut-Tahrir held a conference at Campsie, in Sydney's west earlier this month, asking if Muslims in Australia will be imprisoned in concentration camps.

In April, Hizb ut-Tahrir Women posted a video arguing that Muslim men could hit their wives with a stick if they disobeyed them, describing domestic violence as a 'beautiful blessing'.
Schapelle Corby is using her huge following to raise awareness for missing children after stepping out in public on Sunday with a photograph of William Tyrrell stuck on her handbag.

The convicted drug smuggler caused shockwaves on Sunday when she was photographed with the unusually decorated handbag - but has continued her drive for missing youngsters online.

While she remain in hiding her Instagram feed and following continues to grow - with the former beautician's focus on children who have vanished without a trace.

Schapelle Corby appears to have taken up an interest in raising awareness for Australias missing children following her high-profile deportation from Indonesia - she posted about missing teenager Hayley Dodd on Tuesday

The convicted drug smuggler had also posted about William Tyrrell

Her post came after she sent shock waves through the Australian community for using a bag decorated with his picture

The latest target for Ms Corby's spotlight is Hayley Dodd, who went missing when she was just 17 in 1999.

Ms Dodd was last seen hitchhiking between Moora and Badgingarra in Western Australia on July 29, 1999.

Francis John Wark was charged in December 2015 with murdering the 17-year-old - his trial is ongoing - the teenager's body has never been found.

Ms Corby, who has 174 thousand followers posted a photograph of the teenager on Tuesday begging her followers to look into the case.

'There are so many missing children in Australia, more awareness needs to be raised,' Ms Corby wrote.

This comes after the infamous Australian posted a photograph of William Tyrrell calling for questions to be answered over the three-year-old's disappearance.

'Where's William Tyrrell? #DontBeDistractedByTrivia #Williamicare,' she wrote.

'Where's William Tyrrell? #DontBeDistractedByTrivia #Williamicare,' she wrote on one image - showing the missing three-year-old - pictured

She also tried to raise awareness for Hayley Dodd who went missing from Western Australia's wheat belt in 1999 - her body never found

Ms Corby has also made references to the Daniel Morcombe foundation - which was started after the boy went missing from a Queensland bus stop in 2003

William went missing from his grandmother's home on the NSW Mid North Coast in September 2014. He has never been found.

Ms Corby uses references to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation in her posts tagging Daniel's law in each missing child picture.

Daniel Morcombe was abducted and murdered in December 2003 as he waited for a bus on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

His parents have since set up a foundation in his name aimed at educating children.

Ms Corby's post about Hayley Dodd attracted more than 2000 likes in its first 40 minutes.

Hayley Dodd was never found after she disappeared - her parents continue to work towards finding clues which could leaf them to her

Schapelle is calling for media attention for missing children

The missing girl's mother had posted about Schapelle Corby on Sunday calling for people to give her space.

'All the news now. Give the girl a break no matter what your view is. She has served her time and deserves a chance,' she wrote.

This is a stark contrast to the Tyrrell family who released a public statement about their anger towards Ms Corby for using Williams photograph.

'We are not happy,' they wrote on Facebook.

'Williams family and their campaign to support the NSW Police in their investigation in the search for William have absolutely no association with Schapelle Corby, her supporters or her family and had no prior knowledge of Miss Corbys intention to use Williams image in this way.'

William's family appeared upset by the woman's use of his image and claimed they were not aware of her campaign

But William's grandmother believes publicity is a good thing for the boy, pictured

But William's grandmother Natalie Collins claimed the rest of the family had 'no right to be angry'.

'When I first saw it I was a bit shocked and confused and upset about it  I was thinking ''why is she doing this'',' Mrs Collins told Daily Mail Australia.

But she soon 'came around to the idea' after realising how much publicity the convicted drug smuggler was receiving.

'We haven't heard much about him for a while so I think it is good for people to see the picture so they can keep looking for him.'

There have been mixed results for the posts online as well with some people slamming Ms Corby's posts and others thanking her for her efforts.

Daniel Morcombe was abducted and murdered in December 2003 as he waited for a bus on Queensland's Sunshine Coast

His parents have since set up a foundation in his name aimed at educating children

'Stop acting like a good person. Your a drug smuggler. You should of got the death penalty. SCUM,' said one person.

'It's so wonderful to have someone speaking up for these missing children xx Thankyou,' said another.

While others warned her to be careful with her choices.

'Check with the families first is the only thing I'd say.'

Others took the opportunity to poke fun at Ms Corby who hasn't been seen since she touched down in Australia.

'So she's 35? Ok will keep an eye out babe but I reckon she's gonna be as hard to find as you LOL.'
British Airways has been accused of profiting from passengers trapped by the global IT crash who went on to pay huge sums for expensive upgrades just to reach their destinations.

Some passengers shelled out as much as 1,600 to complete their journeys with other airlines, and it has been suggested BA will not fully refund those customers should they claim a refund.

Other passengers paid the firm 800 to get hold of the only spare seats available, which were so-called in 'premium economy'.

Meanwhile energy companies have denied BA claims that a 'power surge' was behind the system failure.

British Airways has been accused of profiting from the global IT crash chaos by 'charging passengers expensive upgrades to complete journeys'

More than 300,000 people are believed to have been affected by delays and cancellations at Heathrow, pictured, since Saturday

It comes as the company said some 25,000 passengers had still not been able to travel after the system failure, which is thought to have affected more than 300,000 people over the weekend.

According to The Times, aviation consultant Alex Macheras said two women due to fly to Tel Aviv in Israel had their flights cancelled on Saturday and a replacement flight also shelved on Sunday.

Mr Macheras said the women were then given 'premium economy' seats for a flight this week on condition they paid 800 each for an 'upgrade'.

The Times also reported BA told passengers 'booking via different carriers would be at your own expense and would have to be claimed back through travel insurance'.

It is understood around 10 per cent of short-haul flights from Heathrow were cancelled yesterday with the airline unable to confirm a full schedule will operate today.

Energy companies have also rejected suggestions that a 'power surge' was to blame for the crash, as suggested by BA's 800,000-a-year chief executive Alex Cruz.

Energy firm SSE, which supplies power to the company's headquarters in Harmondsworth, said there was no recorded power surge on its side of the meter.

UK Power Networks, which supplies energy to Heathrow, also said it had seen no electrical issues.

BA chief executive Alex Cruz, pictured, has apologised for the chaos and blamed it on a 'power surge', which energy companies have since disputed

Shares in British Airways' parent company tumbled today after the catastrophic IT failure.

Bungling BA admits a 'significant number of passengers' are STILL without missing luggage FOUR DAYS after IT meltdown BA has apologised for the problems and admitted that it 'still has work to do' on the missing luggage. In a statement, it said: 'We are continuing to make good progress in reuniting bags with customers around the world who were affected by the major IT systems failure on Saturday. 'Although we have already flown many bags to the correct airport, there is still some work to do and we know there are still significant numbers of customers who are yet to receive their luggage. 'We are very sorry for the frustration this situation is causing at a very busy time of year for holidays.' Advertisement

Shares in the International Airlines Group dropped about three percent in the first day of trading after a weekend that saw hundreds of flights cancelled.

Shares in IAG, which is also listed in Madrid, fell heavily in early trading in Spain on Monday.

George Salmon, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, says that while BA is now running a full schedule, IAG is counting the cost of a calamitous weekend, with the cost of compensation and refunds predicted to run into the tens of millions.

Salmon says 'the whole sorry episode has undeniably put a dent in BA's reputation for delivering a premium service.'

It comes as the airline has been hit by a lost luggage crisis with thousands of people who checked in their bags at the start of the Bank Holiday weekend before their flights were cancelled still desperately trying to find them.

The airline has admitted its website has been unable to cope with the number of people trying to post a lost luggage report.

Some passengers are so angry with the company that they are planning to boycott British Airways from now on.

Passengers are now facing a new crisis with the airline 'struggling to cope with lost luggage reports'

Boss breaks cover to blame 'power surge' BA boss Alex Cruz finally emerged from the airline's corporate bunker yesterday to offer 'profuse apologies' to customers. For two days, the Spanish chief executive hid behind choreographed video statements and even issued an email to staff in an attempt to gag them. Yesterday, he broke cover for a series of interviews, in which he claimed a 'power surge' was to blame for the IT crash. It comes after the 51-year-old, who joined BA in 2015, faced calls to resign. Speaking to broadcasters, he blamed a power surge at a data centre near Heathrow for the problem. He also rejected claims the failure had anything to do with outsourcing the running of computer systems to India. 'They've all been local issues around a local data centre who have been managed and fixed by local resources,' he said. 'We did have a power surge in one of our data centres which affected the network. It stopped the millions of messages that come between all the different systems ... in the BA network. We will make a full investigation to find out exactly what happened.' Advertisement

A couple who had to abandon their holiday to New York today told how the airline had sent their luggage to the city days later.

Teacher Andy Cotton, 30, and his partner were due to travel to the city for her 30th birthday, but got caught up in the chaos at Heathrow Terminal Five on Saturday.

After waiting several hours at their gate they were told to head home and that the flight was aborted.

This morning, the couple received another email saying the luggage was 'on the way' to John F. Kennedy Airport three days after they were forced to abandon their plans to travel there.

Mr Cotton said he currently had no idea where his own baggage was, and said the pair were 'currently having to go out and spend loads of money on replacing things that we need that are essential to us so we can get on with things'.

Asked how he would described BA's customer service during the affair, Mr Cotton said: 'Very very poor.'

The crisis has been blamed on savage cost cutting by BA's controversial Spanish boss, Alex Cruz, who has faced calls to resign.

Yesterday Mr Cruz, who insisted he intends to stay on, said only 75,000 had been affected by the crisis. But in fact, this is just the number who had flights cancelled, with BA admitting that 'many more' suffered delays.

Lost revenue, refunds and compensation mean the crisis will cost BA tens of millions of pounds.

BA admitted today that many passengers are still without their luggage four days on

The airline has also been criticised for charging customers up to 55p-per-minute to register compensation claims on a 0344 number - although it is also providing a free 0800 number too.

Chief once known as 'Slasher' due to cuts The former head of BA was once known as 'Slasher' due to his willingness to make cuts. Willie Walsh, who first went to BA as chief executive after turning around Aer Lingus, is now chief executive of BA's parent company IAG and recently saw his salary rise from 735,000 to 825,000. After cutting costs by 30 per cent at Aer Lingus, with measures including 2,500 lay-offs, he reduced staff and froze pay after moving to BA. Following this weekend's chaos however, questions are being asked over whether the cuts culture has gone to far Advertisement

BA has faced accusations it is keeping customers in the dark about their legal rights to compensation.

Letters to passengers do not include any reference to the fact they are entitled to up to 524 per person as well as a refund.

However BA said it was 'doing everything we can to help customers', adding: 'We will fully honour our obligations.'

Sky News presenter Jonathan Samuels tweeted BA saying '48 hours with no luggage & no updates on phone number or website! ... Any advice?' and was advised to check the BA website.

David Ruthven, from Scotland, asked: 'British Airways what are you doing about missing luggage? How many days will this take to find?'

After being referred to the website, he added: 'Time for the whole management to stand down  not fit for purpose. Scandalous!'

BA advises people to register their bag as missing online on the basis it will be traced and couriered to them, but it seems the site cannot cope the demand.

Shares in BA's parent company IAG, headed by Willie Walsh (pictured in May), tumbled today

A message reads: 'We know that some customers are having issues creating a delayed bag report via our website. If this is happening to you then please call us.'

However the number it gives has been so busy people cannot get through.

And while operating hours for UK customers are 6am-8pm, this extends to 7.30am-11pm for Americans and 7am-11pm for those in France and Spain.
NOTE: The Press Council has decided this article has breached its Standards of Practice. Read the full adjudication here.

Sydney's train system has been thrown into chaos after a young man jumped in front of a train just north of the CBD.

The man aged in his late 20s was fighting for life after leaping from the Milson's Point station platform in front of horrified passengers about 2.20pm on Tuesday.

Witnesses told Daily Mail Australia train drivers rushed to help the man who was wedged under the front carriage while commuters looked on.

Sydney's train system has been thrown into chaos after a young man jumped in front of a train just north of the CBD (police cleaning blood off the train pictured)

The man aged in his late 20s was fighting for life after leaping from the Milson's Point station platform in front of horrified passengers about 2.20pm on Tuesday

Witnesses told Daily Mail Australia train drivers rushed to help the man who was wedged under the front carriage while commuters looked on

'F***, I thought he was dead for sure,' the witness said.

The man was treated at scene for an hour before he was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital in critical condition with significant arm, chest and head injuries.

Passengers who witnessed the traumatic collision were seen breaking down in tears and running from the station.

Witnesses said the two train drivers were 'shattered' and could not believe the man was alive when the reached him.

The man was treated at scene for an hour before he was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital in critical condition with significant arm, chest and head injuries

Police and passengers mill at the front of Milson's Point station after it was closed

The suicide attempt shut down trains between North Sydney and Wynyard just before peak hour.

Thousands of office workers in North Sydney would likely need to take buses home as police said trains could be cancelled for several hours.

The accident was just a day after a 25-year-old man was hit and killed running across the tracks in Sydney's south after spraying graffiti on a train.

For information and support about suicide prevention, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Emergency officers move a stretcher through the station to retrieve the man from the tracks
A bus is dangling perilously over a cliff face on Sydney's northern beaches after crashing through a fence.

The vehicle was attempting to drop disadvantaged children from charity group Stewart House at their Curl Curl facility before appearing to overshoot a driveway and smashing through a barrier.

Stewart House provides physical and emotional support for over 1,800 children across New South Wales and the ACT.

The minibus is now hanging over a 5 metre embankment as emergency services work to rescue the vehicle.

Police say the driver and young passengers are off the bus and are unharmed.

The vehicle, from children's charity Stewart House which provides physical and emotional support, appears to have missed a driveway leading to the facility

A bus is dangling perilously over a cliff face on Sydney's northern beaches after crashing through a fence

The minibus is hanging over a 5m embankment as emergency services work to rescue the vehicle
A teacher has been found guilty of 19 counts relating to sexual intercourse with three teenage students.

A bisexual Sydney high school teacher has been found guilty of having sex with three students between 2007 and 2013.

Cameron White faced a District Court trial over sex offences relating to a male and two female students from three Sydney school campuses.

Cameron White, 39, arrives at Downing Centre Court on Tuesday where he was found guilty

39-year-old Cameron White arriving at Downing Centre Court

The 39-year-old looked at supporters on Tuesday in the Downing Centre court and shrugged after he was found guilty of 19 sexual intercourse charges, many in circumstances of aggravation.

White had his bail revoked following the verdict.

His sentencing hearing is set for July 21.
A 'reckless' and 'dangerous' bus driver has been filmed counting cash at the wheel while driving along a busy dual carriageway using just his wrists to steer the vehicle.

The driver, who has since been suspended by his employer, appears to be counting money while moving the wheel with his arms.

Shocked passenger Lisa Doolan was making her way back from Heathrow Airport to Oxford when she saw the potentially dangerous action taken by the man.

She filmed an eight-second clip and has since revealed she has not received an apology from the Oxford Bus Company.

The diver was filmed using his hands to count cash as he drove along a busy road after leaving Heathrow

Instead, the firm asked her to remove the video from social media in a bid to protect the privacy of the driver.

Ms Doolan uploaded the video online and wrote: 'Yikes. Heathrow Express reckless driver doing admin and counting money rather than hands on steering wheel.

'Does any other bus company go from Heathrow to Oxford? Oxford Bus Company is reckless and dangerous!'

Phil Southall, Managing Director of the company, said: 'At Oxford Bus Company we do not tolerate dangerous or reckless driving in any form.

'The driver in question has been suspended from duty pending our internal procedures.'

On March 1, drivers who were caught using their phones at the wheel faced getting six points and a 200 fine - double what the previous punishment was.

The company later asked Ms Doolan to remove the video from her social media page 'for driver privacy'

Shocked passenger Lisa Doolan was making her way back from Heathrow Airport (pictured) to Oxford

In that month, Thames Valley Police caught 478 people using mobile phones when behind the wheel, which was the second highest number in the UK.

Nicci Saunders, of Eynsham, Oxfordshire, whose firefighter partner Joe Wilkins was killed after being struck by a careless driver five years ago, said the man's behaviour in the video was 'disgusting'.

Miss Saunders, who is an ambassador for road safety charity Brake, told the Oxford Mail: 'It's unthinkable. For someone to think it's OK to put all those people's lives at risk is horrendous.'
After 37 years of searching, Syd Pearson has finally hit the jackpot when he struck it lucky at a Victorian gold fields.

The 68-year-old garbage man from Maryborough was elated to discover the gigantic piece of 4.3kg gold nugget after years of trying.

The rock is worth almost $300,000 which he was unaware of when it was first dug from the ground.

After 37 years of searching Syd Pearson (pictured) hit the jackpot when he struck gold

'I lit a ciggie and made a cup of tea but I didn't have to bloody stir it,' Mr Pearson said.

Soon after he put the stone in his toolbox he drove home to tell his wife the good news. He decided to name the stone Lady Catherine as a way of honouring his wife.

The stone has now been lodged in Victoria's prospecting history books, part of the rich tapestry of the state's contemporary gold rush.

Victoria's largest nuggets Welcome Stranger 72.02kg - Worth $4+ million Blanche Barkly 49.41kg - Worth $2 million Poseidon 29.6kg - Worth $1.3 million Welcome 68.98kg - Worth $4 million The Hand of Faith 27.2kg - Worth $4 million Lady Catherine 4.23kg - Worth $300,000 Advertisement

Sandwiched between Avoca, Castlemaine and Wedderburn, thousands of enthusiasts have returned to the 'Golden Triangle' in a bid to strike it rich.

At around 96 per cent, the gold pulled from the soil in the area would be considered among the purest in the world.

Prospectors have to only issue a $22 permit to legally claim the gold that they discover.

Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria president Olly Oleszek told the Herald Sun that Mr Pearson's nugget was one of two discovered in the last six months.

It was among the largest found in the last decade, adding that larger rocks still remained in the ground.

Mr Pearson and his business partner Jason have been digging for gold nuggets for decades and said 166 years since the first rush began, they didn't mind continuing it.

'It's like fishing,' he said. 'You're always after another big one.'

The Lady Catherine has since been sold sold to a private buyer in the US but not before Mr Pearson had two replicas created for keepsake, while the other one was used as a displayed at the Melbourne Museum.

'I always dreamed of finding the big one. I was persistent and never gave up.'
New shocking details have been revealed about the practice of a deregistered Booragoon vet who this month was forced to pay $200,000 in damages.

The State Administrative Tribunal found Elizabeth-Jo Willot Vickridge guilty of breaching the Veterinary Surgeons Regulations Act between July 2010 and February 2013, after she gave provision to a veterinary student on work placement to perform surgery on live animals.

Information regarding the watchdog's judgement last week reveals a number of her clinic employees were allowed to perform a range of prohibited tasks including euthanasia while she was absent from the practice, WA Today reports.

Elizabeth-Jo Willot Vickridge was found guilty of breaching the Veterinary Surgeons Regulations Act between July 2010 and February 2013

Ms Willot Vickridge owns the Rabbit Shop & Medical Clinic in Booragoon and was registered as a veterinary surgeon there

In one alarming incident, the judgement said an unregistered employee with no veterinary qualifications had performed an act of euthanasia at Ms Willot Vickridge's Perth clinic.

The report detailed that the employee telephoned Ms Willot Vickridge to inform her about the condition of the animal who gave the go ahead if approved by the owner.

'The respondent was too busy to go into the practice and instructed [the employee] to euthanase the animal if she obtained the owner's consent,' the judgement read.

The Veterinary Surgeons Regulations Act states that only a registered veterinary professional is allowed to go ahead with an euthanasia procedure.

Three rabbits are pictured at Ms Willot Vickridge's clinic where a number of cases of negligence led to the veterinary surgeon having to pay $200,000 in damages

Another rabbit brought in to The Rabbit Shop clinic where a 15-year-old was made to perform surgery without any prior experience

In another case, it was found Ms Willot-Vickridge had allowed a 15-year-old on a work placement at the clinic to complete an ultrasound on a rabbit, which is considered surgery under the act.

The judgement found that Ms Willot-Vickridge began the procedure on a female Lop Dwarf rabbit and then ordered the unqualified worker to complete the remaining tasks as she left the room.

Having never performed an ovariohysterectomy, the worker was shocked at her exit and even though completing the procedure without problem, felt uncomfortable throughout.

Key evidence used that led to the findings were the reports Ms Willot Vickridge would request at the end of each day which would summarise the day's work.

Ms Willot Vickridge who owns the Rabbit Shop & Medical Clinic in Booragoon, was registered as a veterinary surgeon.

Following the ruling, Ms Willot Vickridge has been ordered to pay $100,000 by May 30 and a further $100,000 over the course of two years.

Ms Willot Vickridge will also be removed from the Register of Veterinary Surgeons in WA on August 14.
Morning Pointe of Chattanooga at Shallowford residents, associates and friends donated furniture, clothing, shoes, toys and more for their annual Alzheimer's yard sale. The one-and-a-half day sale proceeds benefited the Alzheimer's Association. The assisted living community raised over $1,200 for the cause.

As part of the life enrichment program, Morning Pointe partners with local non-profit organizations that spread awareness about Alzheimers disease to families and caregivers.

Morning Pointe received the Top Corporate Team award, raising more than $12,000 during the Southeast Tennessee Mid-South Chapter Alzheimers Association 2016 Walk to End Alzheimers.

For more information about the Longest Day activities at Morning Pointe of Chattanooga at Shallowford, call (423) 296-0097.
The owner of a show ride that killed a young girl has pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the machine was kept in a safe condition.

Eight-year-old Adelene Leong died when she was flung 10 metres off the high-speed AirMaxx 360 ride at the Royal Adelaide Show in September 2014.

In the South Australian Industrial Relations Court on Tuesday, C,J and Sons Amusement Pty Ltd, and director Jenny-Lee Sullivan, pleaded guilty to breaching work health and safety laws, ABC News reported.

Ms Sullivan's husband and the company's co-director, Clinton Watkins, had charges against him dropped.

Eight-year-old Adelene Leong (pictured) died in September 2014 when she was flung 10 metres off a ride at the Royal Adelaide Show

Police and safety officers on scene at the Royal Adelaide Show after the young girl was killed

The court heard the ride was not properly maintained and a lack of information was provided in log books that were meant to detail any repairs and service.

'This is a significant failing to maintain this device,' Safework South Australia prosecutor Stephanie Halliday said.

Mark Griffin QC, the lawyer for the defendants, said they were traumatised by the tragic incident and Mr Watkins had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

'Their deep sorrow and sadness at the events of that day... is so profound,' Mr Griffin told the court.

Police in front of the Airmaxx 360 ride where the eight-year-old girl was killed in September 2014

Kim Neo Ng, the mother of Adelene, who was on holiday from Malaysia at the time of the fatal incident, said in a statement provided to the court she was deeply affected by her daughter's death.

'I spend most of my days in tears and no longer feel any joy or happiness,' the statement said.

A penalty will be announced on July 7.
Video footage has caught the moment a newborn baby girl is rescued from a public toilet after being abandoned by her mother.

The baby was found stuck in the toilet by local residents on May 27 in Yulin City, China's Shaanxi province.

Rescuers to the scene said the girl was found lying face up in human excrement.

Traumatic: In order to rescue the baby, the firefighters had to saw through concrete

The baby was rescued by a team of police and firefighters on May 27 in Yulin, China

Locals discovered the newborn when they went to use the bathroom.

The mother was nowhere to be found so they alerted the police and fire service who conducted a rescue operation to collect the child from the cesspit.

Hu Xiaogang, one of the rescuers said the girl was lying face up in human excrement but fortunately not enough for her to drown.

Hu Xiaogang, one of the rescuers said the girl was lying face up in human excrement

She was taken to hospital where she is said to be in a stable condition

He said: 'The baby appeared to be a newborn. Her umbilical cord was still attached.'

In order to rescue the baby, the firefighters had to saw through concrete and hammer away at the floor to get to the cesspit.

Footage shows the rescue operation taking place.

She was taken to hospital where she is said to be in a stable condition. Her umbilical cord was cut at the scene.

Authorities are now searching for the child's mother.
North Korea has claimed its latest test missile landed just seven metres from its target in Japanese waters amid some bizarre threats and warnings by Kim Jong-un.

The ballistic missile launched on Monday travelled 280 miles before landing in the Sea of Japan, which the state called a success.

As a result, South Korea conducted a join drill with a US supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber, prompting the North's dictator to claim the allied countries were practising dropping nuclear bombs.

Kim Jong-un said the reclusive state would develop more powerful weapons to defend North Korea against the United States, and state media quoted him as saying: 'He expressed the conviction that it would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send a bigger 'gift package to the Yankees' in retaliation for American military provocation'.

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The ballistic missile which was launched by North Korea on Monday was supposedly a success

This release from Korean Central News Agency shows the new weapons system being fired

The North Korean missile is launched which eventually landed just seven metres from its target 280 miles away, the state has claimed

President Trump tweeted about North Korea Monday, a day after from his first overseas trip

The missile launched on Monday was equipped with an advanced automated pre-launch sequence compared with previous versions of the 'Hwasong' rockets, North Korea's name for its Scud-class missiles, KCNA said.

That indicated the North had launched a modified Scud-class missile, as South Korea's military has said.

The North's test launch of a short-range ballistic missile landed in the sea off its east coast and was the latest in a fast-paced series of missile tests defying international pressure and threats of more sanctions.

South Korea said it had conducted a joint drill with a US supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber on Monday.

Donald Trump has been accused of practicing dropping nuclear bombs

North Korea's state media earlier accused the United States of staging a drill to practise dropping nuclear bombs on the Korean peninsula.

The US Navy said its aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Carl Vinson, also planned a drill with another US nuclear carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, in waters near the Korean peninsula.

A US Navy spokesman in South Korea did not give specific timing for the strike group's planned drill.

North Korea calls such drills a preparation for war.

Monday's launch followed two successful tests of medium-to-long-range missiles in as many weeks by the North, which has been conducting such tests at an unprecedented pace in an effort to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting the mainland United States.

Such launches, and two nuclear tests since January 2016, have been conducted in defiance of US pressure, UN resolutions and the threat of more sanctions.

They also pose one of the greatest security challenges for US President Donald Trump, who portrayed the latest missile test as an affront to China.

'North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile ... but China is trying hard!' Trump said on Twitter.

South Korea conducts joint drill with US supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber (file picture) after North Korea's latest ballistic missile test

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of a new anti-aircraft weapon system on Monday

Japan has also urged China to play a bigger role in restraining North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's top national security adviser, Shotaro Yachi, met China's top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, for five hours of talks near Tokyo on Monday after the North's latest test.

Yachi told Yang that North Korea's actions had reached a new level of provocation.

'Japan and China need to work together to strongly urge North Korea to avoid further provocative actions and obey things like United Nations resolutions,' Yachi was quoted as telling Yang in a statement by Japan's foreign ministry.

A statement from China's foreign ministry after the meeting made no mention of North Korea.

North Korea has claimed major advances with its rapid series of launches, claims that outside experts and officials believe may be at least partially true but are difficult to verify independently.

A South Korean military official said the North fired one missile on Monday, clarifying an earlier assessment that there may have been more than one launch.

The test was aimed at verifying a new type of precision guidance system and the reliability of a new mobile launch vehicle under different operational conditions, KCNA said.

However, South Korea's military and experts questioned the claim because the North had technical constraints, such as a lack of satellites, to operate a terminal-stage missile guidance system properly.

'Whenever news of our valuable victory is broadcast recently, the Yankees would be very much worried about it and the gangsters of the south Korean puppet army would be dispirited more and more,' KCNA cited leader Kim as saying.
This is the moment a tattoo artist father appeared to ink his baby girl's arm - but luckily all is not as it seems.

Concerned viewers feared he was using a real needle and asked 'is that legal?' amid fears for the youngster's welfare.

They also questioned how the little girl was able to sit perfectly still and why she wasn't screaming in agony during the impromptu tattoo session in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

The girl proudly holds up her hand and says 'look!' before begging her father to do more designs

Concerned viewers had feared the father was using a real needle and asked 'is that legal?' amid fears for the youngster's welfare

Viewers had also questioned how the little girl was able to sit perfectly still - but when the truth was revealed they labelled her dad a 'genius'

At one point she even smiles with delight and shows off her new inking to the camera, asking: 'Can I have a butterfly and a flower?'

But after watching the video for a few seconds almost every viewer changed their mind and branded the man a 'genius' after realising what was really going on.

The man, named Alex Epifanio, appears to be holding a tattoo gun but it is actually equipped with a ballpoint pen instead of a needle.

It means that while the device's motor is making a loud whirring sound it is not actually harming the girl.

Over the course of a few minutes he draws a perfect star on the back of his daughter Alexys' hand.

The man appears to be holding a tattoo gun but it is actually equipped with a ballpoint pen instead of a needle

One commenter said: 'For a minute I thought it was a real tattoo not just a pen'

She then proudly holds up her hand and says 'look!' before begging her father to do more designs.

Her father Alex moved to the UK more than a decade ago after working at tattoo studios in Brazil and Portugal.

His bosses say that when he joined their firm he surprised them with his 'ability to fit in despite the p***-taking and general banter - usually at his expense'.

The adorable video has racked up thousands of views from across the globe with commenters praising Alex as a 'genius' for giving her daughter her a 'special' tattoo experience.

Luke McAllister said: 'For a minute I thought it was a real tattoo not just a pen.'

Over the course of a few minutes he draws a perfect star on the back of the girl's hand

The device's motor is making a loud whirring sound but it is not actually harming the girl

Another added: 'Am I the only one that is shocked at how well he can draw a star?'

GothicDragon79 commented: 'Thank God this is not real! The girl wants a tattoo so her daddy gives her an almost-real tattoo but thank God it's just a pen.

'But the girl is happy with her 'real' tattoo so in this case it was a clever idea from her dad.'

Sabrina Lake said: 'Too cute, she just wanted some of her dad's work on her, too!

'Even if it was only pen, she'll probably remember it for the rest of her life as something special.'

In the UK it is illegal for anyone under 18 to have a tattoo without parental consent.

Apart from ballpoint inkings, an alternative is henna - where a design is painted on to the body.

Henna artists can often be found abroad or at festivals where punters queue up for their intricate designs.

But the NHS has warned that getting one with black dye could be a major risk because the chemicals involved are 'powerful and toxic'.
Jeremy Corbyn last night refused to promise to cut immigration if he is elected on June 8.

The Labour leader said he would not 'put a figure' on how many people would be allowed into Britain - unlike Theresa May who has recommitted the Tories to getting net migration down to the tens of thousands.

He said the number of new arrivals to Britain would 'probably' be lower if he was PM, but refused to give a number.

Mr Corbyn said: 'I am not going to stand here and put a figure. Our Prime Minister has done that now in the third election and got nowhere near meeting that figure.

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Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in the debate last night) refused to promise to cut immigration if he wins the General Election on June 8

The Labour leader (pictured today with June O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of the London Early Years Foundation) will likely come under further criticism today following his debate intervention on immigration

'I would have thought that under a managed migration system it certainly would not go up any more. It would probably - I don't want to be held to this - probably come down. It is a probability.'

And he stressed that immigration had benefited Britain.

He said: 'We should also remember that if people hadn't migrated to this country, we would have a much worse health service, education system and transport system than we have.'

Mr Corbyn was challenged about his views over immigration as he faced a tough TV grilling in a Sky News and Channel 4 election special.

His comments are likely to infuriate many of Labour's traditional voters who want Britain to regain control over its borders.

During the hour and a half TV election special, the Labour leader was pummelled by voters over his support for the IRA during its reign of terror, refused to say whether his shadow chancellor still wants to abolish MI5, and declined to endorse his party's support for the nuclear deterrent.

While he was grilled on his views on Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent by the presenter, Jeremy Paxman.

Jeremy Corbyn was also grilled by an audience member over his views on the IRA during the the Sky and Channel 4 election special

Jeremy Paxman grilled the Labour leader over his views on Trident - and why the Labour manifesto promises to support it despite Mr Corbyn's lifelong opposition to nuclear weapons

And he was visibly uncomfortable as he was called out as he tried to argue that he was 'contributing' to the Northern Ireland peace process.

And in one particularly painful exchange with Paxman he was unable to say whether his shadow chancellor John McDonnell still supported disbanding MI5.

An audience member called Callum pressed Mr Corbyn on how he could be 'trusted' after his well-documented ties with IRA and Sinn Fein in the 1980s - including inviting Gerry Adams to tea at the House of Commons weeks after the Brighton bombing.

Mr Corbyn initially dodged the question, saying: 'I wanted dialogue in Northern Ireland during the 1970s and 1980s.'

Theresa May also faced tough questioning from the audience as she appeared on the election special . She defended her party's policy on social care and said only she can be trusted to stand up to Brussels over Brexit

But Callum pointed to a specific commemoration for Republican dead that had been attended by Mr Corbyn.

Mr Corbyn replied: 'The commemoration I think you are referring to was a period of silence for everyone who died in Northern Ireland.'

But the audience member shot back: 'It was actually to commemorate the people who were killed (an attack). The reason they were killed is there were on the way to kill British policemen.'

Mr Corbyn said: 'The contribution I made was to call for a peace and dialogue process. It is only by dialogue and process that we brought about the peace in Northern Ireland.

'I think that is a good thing. Going forward, in the Brexit negotiation we need to make sure we don't return to any kind of hard border in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.'
A Muslim politician interrupted a parliamentary hearing to declare she was happy to be in an arranged marriage as a child bride expert spoke about honour killings.

Mehreen Faruqi, a Pakistani-born Greens politician in New South Wales, told the inquiry into human trafficking that she consented to her parents finding her a husband.

The feminist MP's intervention came as a violent crime expert said child brides were often afraid of being killed for leaving an arranged marriage.

'Could I very quickly clarify, thank you. Just on that line of questioning, I mean there is a difference between arranged marriages and forced marriages,' said Ms Faruqi, who is also the Greens' spokeswoman for women.

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Mehreen Faruqi interrupted a discussion on honour killings to endorse her arranged marriage

The Pakistani-born MP campaigns for abortion rights and defends arranged marriages

'Arranged marriages could be forced marriages but not necessarily all arranged marriages are forced marriages.

'Mine was an arranged marriage, it wasn't a forced marriage at all. I just want to clarify that.'

Ms Faruqi, a former academic and civil engineer who campaigns in favour of abortion on demand and gay marriage, was cross examining child bride experts from the Australian Institute of Criminology, when she interrupted them to offer her personal testimony about being matched with her husband Omar.

Their son Osman Faruqi is a journalist with the left-wing news website, Junkee.

Nationals MP Trevor Khan, who is on the upper house inquiry, offered her his apologies about any possible inference about arranged marriages, as she interrupted the proceedings.

'I'm sorry, if I gave that impression, I'm sorry,' he said.

Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi wanted to highlight how she was happy in an arranged marriage

Australia's first female Muslim MP also campaigns for gay marriage and abortion law reform

Samantha Lyneham (right), from the Australian Institute of Criminology, gave evidence

Mehreen Faruqi (pictured with Australian Greens leader Richard Di Natale) is married to social justice campaigning

Samantha Lyneham, a research analyst into violence and exploitation, had been telling the Monday morning hearing that girls forced into arranged marriages were often afraid to leave the abusive relationships.

'They were afraid in many cases of honour-based violence and honour killings in some cases,' she said.

A Melbourne man has this month become the first person convicted of breaking federal child marriage laws enacted in 2013.

That was also the year Ms Faruqi became Australia's first female Muslim MP.

Egyptian-born Anne Aly last year became the first Muslim woman elected to federal parliament as the Labor member for Cowan in Perth.

Mehreen Faruqi told a parliamentary inquiry not all arranged marriages were forced marriages

Ibrahim Omerdic was sacked as an imam in November after he was charged with conducting a child marriage

In a separate case in April, Melbourne man Mohammad Shakir, 34, pleaded guilty to entering a marriage with a 14-year-old bride.

As part of the plea, two charges were withdrawn by prosecutors in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court, including allegations Shakir had sex with the girl between September 30 and October 1, 2016, after their wedding.

The ceremony was conducted in Noble Park by former imam Ibrahim Omerdic, 61, who also faces charges relating to the illegal marriage.

He was stood down from the Bosnian Islamic Society and Noble Park Mosque, after his arrest in November last year, and later sacked.
A 17-year-old boy was left foaming at the mouth and only 30 minutes from death after having his drink allegedly spiked before being abandoned in a wheelie bin.

Chris Gorman, of Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, was left in the bin after passing out at a party and was saved by police on patrol who called an ambulance.

The teenager began to feel unwell after drinking vodka on Friday night - and became unable to walk before being left in the bin by others at the party.

Chris Gorman, pictured, almost died after his drink was allegedly spiked during a night out

Chris Gorman, of Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, was left in a wheelie bin by his so-called friends after passing out at a party and was saved by police on patrol who called an ambulance

Chris, who wants to study manufacturing and welding at college, told Daily Record reporter Sally Hind: 'The only thing I remember is waking up in the hospital.

'I feel terrible. I can't drink water and eat properly. But I've had messages from people all over the place, not just friends, asking if I'm OK.'

His older brother Darren, 26, added: 'The police just came across him. At first they thought it was drink but then he started foaming at the mouth.

'He was in a really bad state. The doctors said half an hour longer and he wouldn't have been here.'

The teenager began to feel unwell after drinking vodka on Friday night - and became unable to walk before being left in the bin by others at the party. He was later taken to hospital

Chris was taken to Monklands Hospital in Airdrie after being found by officers in the early hours of Saturday and he was kept in there until 7pm that day

Chris was taken to Monklands Hospital in Airdrie after being found by officers in the early hours of Saturday and he was kept in there until 7pm that day.

Chris's older brother Darren (above) posted shocking photographs of him on Facebook

The boy's plight first came to light when Darren, a pizza delivery manager, posted shocking photographs on Facebook of Chris in the bin and later in hospital.

He wrote: 'Got a phone call in the early hours of the morning this morning as my 17-year-old brother Chris Gorman had been left in a wheelie bin in the middle of Cumbernauld by his 'friends'.

'He had his drink spiked and when we arrived the ambulance was already with him and his eyes were rolling while he's foaming from the mouth.

'Scary reality to be told that if he had been left half a hour longer chances are he wouldn't be here now. I apologise for the pictures but if this raises a little awareness and stops someone else ending up in the same state it's worth it.

'He's had a harsh lesson as to who his real friends are and those who would rather get a laugh out of the situation and spread the image of him in a wheelie bin through group chats.'
A 16-year-old girl from Mornington has been missing since Monday with concerns she is with a 22-year-old man without a phone or access to money.

Indianna Williams was last seen at 1.15pm on Monday in the seaside town Mornington, south of Melbourne, and was suppose to arrive at her grandmother's house in Huntingdale.

The family and police are concerned Ms Williams may be with a 22-year-old man in the Ringwood area.

Indianna Williams (pictured) is missing and the family is concerned she is with a 22-year-old man in the Ringwood area

The disappearance is out of character and it is believed she does not have access to money or a mobile phone, according to the family.

Ms Williams is 170cm tall with a slim build and blonde hair and was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and black jeans.

Anyone who sights Indianna is urged to contact Mornington Police on 5970 4900.
This adorable footage shows the moment a four-year-old boy discovered his love of horses as he galloped through his family's stables with a newborn foal.

The youngster named Pordur, from Iceland, gently encourages the animal out of its stall and shouts 'woah! woah!' in delight as its neighing mother follows behind.

Wearing a woolly hat, the boy then goes in for a cuddle and kiss - but decides that he'd much rather join in with his newfound friend.

This is the moment a four-year-old boy from Iceland discovered his love of horses

The youngster named Pordur ran galloped around the stables and was followed by the foal

Wearing a woolly hat, the boy then goes in for a cuddle and kiss

The pair share a tender moment in the middle of the stables before going off on the trot together

He suddenly races off into a gallop and the foal named Koggur quickly joins in while wagging its tail.

Pordur gasps in delight as he realises his foal friend - who was born in December - is following behind him.

He then goes off for another trot and the horse joins in as the other animals in the barn look on with jealousy.

The boy's mother Sigurlina said that the pair share a special bond and added: 'Ever since that day they have become more and more curious about one another.

At the start of the clip the youngster gently encourages the animal out of its stall and shouts 'woah! woah!' in delight as its neighing mother follows behind

The video has racked up tens of thousands of views, with commenters branding the pair 'best friends' and adding: 'Omg. It's so cute!'

The boy's mother Sigurlina said that the pair share a special bond and added: 'Ever since that day they have become more and more curious about one another'

The youngster gives the horse another cute cuddle after running around the stables

'He comes with us to the stables, where we have allowed Koggur to come out and run around with Pordur.

'Koggur seeks Pordur out. He is far more likely to follow him than he is to follow us.'

The video has racked up tens of thousands of views, with commenters branding the pair 'best friends' and adding: 'Omg. It's so cute!'

Asta Kara said: 'It does not get much cuter than this.'

Sigrun Baldursdottir commented: 'Wow! This is a wonderful video.'

Guorun Eik Skuladottir added: 'You will always be aware of how great it is for children to grow up in the countryside and around animals.'
A hero 82-year-old has been praised by police after he tackled a woman who viciously attacked his wife, and kept her restrained until police arrived.

Yousef Youkhaneh heard his wife Christine screaming after being repeatedly hit around the head with a piece of wood in the couple's back yard.

He chased the attacker, and as he wrestled with the burglar, Mrs Youkhaneh, 76, called 911.

Mr Youkhaneh told SFGate: 'I heard a scream from my wife. I run to the scream and I see that my wife is bloody and the blood is coming out from her head, all over. Somebody hurt her.'

Santa Clara Sheriff's Office posted a picture of officers with Yousef Youkhaneh (center) who they branded a hero

Mrs Youkhaneh, 76, (pictured left) called 911 while her husband tackled the attacker. Deputies from the Santa Clara Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene, and arrested Rehnu Singh, 50, (pictured right)

Deputies from the Santa Clara Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene, and arrested Rehnu Singh, 50.

The department later posted a picture of officers with Mr Youkhaneh, alongside the words: 'Many times we meet citizens we see as heroes. Yousef, 82, defended his wife from an attacking burglar & held the suspect till we arrived!'

Mrs Youkhaneh needed stitches after being hit around the head. She stated: 'I put my hand to my head, and she hit at my hand, very bad.

'I tried to see who they are, and I see the lady just hitting me, like shes going to kill me. No reason. I never saw her before.'

She told her husband to make sure the woman didn't get away.
After undergoing an on-site evaluation and demonstrating compliance with nationally developed standards for stroke care, Parkridge Medical Center has earned The Joint Commissions Gold Seal of Approval for certification as a Primary Stroke Center.In stroke care time is brain, says Jean E. Range, MS, RN, CPHQ, executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, The Joint Commission. By achieving certification as a Primary Stroke Center, Parkridge Medical Center has proven that it has the ability to provide effective, timely care to stroke victims and can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients."Each year about 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nations third leading cause of death.On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today," officials said.Achieving this distinction from The Joint Commission underscores our commitment to providing the best possible care to patients in our community, says Tom Ozburn, FACHE, president and CEO of Parkridge Health System. We are tremendously proud of our physicians and staff, who have worked tirelessly to earn this certification and elevate the level of healthcare we provide.The Joint Commissions Primary Stroke Center Certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Associations statements and guidelines for stroke care. The Joint Commission launched the programthe nations firstin 2003. A list of programs certified by The Joint Commission is available at www.qualitycheck.org
Nicola Sturgeon renewed her vow to tear up the UK today as she unveiled plans to hike taxes to bankroll a 118billion spending splurge.

Launching the SNP manifesto, the Scottish First Minister insisted there must be a fresh referendum on independence.

Miss Sturgeon told the event in Perth that Theresa May's refusal to hold a vote on the issue before the process of leaving the EU is complete was 'completely unsustainable'. She said if the SNP wins a 'majority' of seat north of the border on June 8 it will 'reinforce her mandate' to force a ballot as early as Autumn next year.

However, she did appear to hint that she could give some ground on the timing if Brexit takes longer than expected.

The intervention comes amid rising concerns that a hung parliament opening the door to splitting the UK. Jeremy Corbyn said this week that he would 'open discussions' with the SNP about another referendum if he becomes PM after June 8.

Meanwhile, Miss Sturgeon has repeatedly refused to deny that she would demand the concession in return for propping up the veteran left-winger in power.

Nicola Sturgeon told the event in Perth today that Theresa May's refusal to hold a vote on the issue before the process of leaving the EU is complete was 'completely unsustainable'

The SNP leader insisted that a new referendum on independence should be held as early as Autumn next year

The manifesto also pledges to reintroduce the 50p top rate of income tax nationally

Miss Sturgeon was cheered as she told SNP activists at the launch this morning that 'extreme Brexit' was a unacceptable risk for Scotland

Miss Sturgeon was cheered as she told SNP activists at the launch this morning that 'extreme Brexit' was a unacceptable risk for Scotland.

'That is why I believe so strongly that at the end of the Brexit process - not now, but when the terms of the deal are known - Scotland must have a choice about our future; a choice between following the UK down the Brexit path or becoming an independent country,' she said.

'There is just too much at stake for Brexit simply to be imposed on Scotland, no matter how damaging it turns out to be.

'Our future must be decided by us, not for us. Last year's Holyrood election delivered the democratic mandate for Scotland having such a choice, and the recent vote of the Scottish Parliament underlined it.

'If the SNP wins a majority of Scottish seats in this election, that will further reinforce our mandate.

MAIN POINTS FROM SNP MANIFESTO Hold a new referendum on Scottish independence as early as Autumn next year

Give Scotland control over its own immigration policy

Raise taxes to fund 118billion in new spending over the next five years

Oppose cuts to welfare and end the freeze on benefits increases

Support triple lock on pensions, which sees them rise by the highest out of inflation, average earnings, or 2.5 per cent Advertisement

'And in these circumstances, any continued Tory attempts to block Scotland having a choice - when the time is right and the options are clear - would be democratically unsustainable.'

Asked whether she stood by her previous timetable for rerunning the 2014 independence referendum, Miss Sturgeon said: 'I've said at the end of the process.

'I've said that for a reason  because it's important people have clarity about Brexit and what it means, and they have clarity about the options.

'I said autumn 2018 to spring 2019 for a reason, because that's when Theresa May is saying the Brexit process will end; so I've taken her at her word. If that changes then of course we will have to consider our timing in light of that.'

The comment raises the prospect that Miss Sturgeon could ease her demands if a new Brexit deal is phased in.

The manifesto also pledges to reintroduce the 50p top rate of income tax nationally - despite the SNP opting to freeze it at 45p north of the border.

In total, the party wants to raise an extra 10billion - while loosening borrowing rules will free up tens of billions more.

The SNP said its spending plans amounted to 80billion, including ending the cap on public sector pay rises and scrapping the freeze on benefits.

Pending independence, the blueprint says SNP MPs at Westminster will push for Scotland to have control of its own immigration policy.

Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme earlier, Miss Sturgeon's Westminster deputy Angus Robertson said the SNP will launch a tax raid to raise cash for public services.

He said: 'There are additional tax revenues which we will be outlining in the manifesto, including an additional rate of income tax to be seat at 50 pence right across the UK.'

Launching the SNP manifesto today, the Scottish First Minister insisted there must be a fresh referendum on independence

However, Miss Sturgeon did appear to hint today that she could give some ground on the timing of a referendum if Brexit takes longer than expected

SNP supporters queued outside the venue in Perth today before going in to cheer Miss Sturgeon as she unveiled the manifesto

But he was grilled over why the SNP, who are in government in the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, has not used its devolved powers to increase taxes.

Mr Robertson said: 'The Scottish government has already made announcements about what it is going to be doing with its tax raising powers, but we should remember that the main economic levers are exercised in Westminster.'

But the plans will fuel criticisms that the SNP are 'not credible' because last year they dropped their election promise to raise the income tax threshold to 50 pence in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon and Angus Robertson, pictured yesterday campaigning in Lossiemouth, unveiled the SNP's manifesto today

Mr Robertson tried to bat away these concerns, and said that in Westminster the SNP will vote 'to end austerity, to end cuts damaging our public services and pushing people into poverty'.

The SNP's leader in the House of Commons also said his party wants Scotland to be given control over its own immigration policy.

He said immigration is 'profoundly important' to the economy north of the border and the SNP does not want to cut it.

He added: 'We want the opportunity for people to come and to go, and what we certainly don't want is a restrictive immigration policy imposed on us by Westminster which is going to damage our economy and our public services.'

But he was unable to say if he wants immigration to go up, and if so by how much.

Mr Robertson is facing a tough battle from the Tories to keep his seat of Moray in the General Election.

He said the election is a 'two horse race' between the SNP and the Tories in Scotland as he tried to win over voters by promising to protect benefits and pump more money into services.

Nicola Sturgeon unveiled plans to hike income tax to bankroll a public spending splurge in her party's manifesto today
Tyrese Glasgow, 12, (pictured) hanged himself when he worried about getting into trouble for forgetting his schoolbag

A boy was found hanged after he forgot to take his satchel to school.

Tyrese Glasgow, 12, returned to his home in Mossley, Greater Manchester, after realising on the school run that he did not have his text books with him.

But when he got back home, Tyrese - who 'hated getting into trouble -discovered he had misplaced his door key and was unable to get into the property.

When he eventually got into the house, Tyrese ran upstairs into his bedroom. When he did not turn up for lessons, the school rang his mother, who found her son hanging in his bedroom.

Before his death, Tyrese had been awarded 'star of the term' award at the 1,300 pupil Saddleworth School in Oldham.

He had also been given high 'green' grades by teachers under a scheme for good behaviour.

But, at an inquest into his death, his mother Katy Cross, 32, said the youngster feared he would be given a 'red' mark for arriving at school without his bag.

Miss Cross, who was dropping her son off at school when he realised he had forgotten his things, told the Stockport hearing: 'I told him to go and get it and come back straight away and go back to school.

'It would have taken him ten to 14 minutes and, if he had done exactly that, he would have been on time.

'He just didn't want to go without his bag because he would have been graded "red" for forgetting his books.'

Miss Cross added that she thought her son had a door key, but that the school later contacted her at work to say Tyrese had not showed up.

'I started ringing him and messaging him and I thought he was just ignoring me because he had been caught out,' she said.

His mother Katy Cross, 32 (with whom he is pictured), told the Stockport hearing that he feared getting a bad mark in the behaviour programme for forgetting his bag and books

At an inquest into his death, the hearing heard how the Year 7 pupil (left and right) had been a 'giddy funny boy' but had been badly affected by his parents' split

'I spoke to my partner Brian and asked him to go home to check on Tyrese. When I got home, I shouted him and there was no answer.

'I shouted him again and started walking up and that's when I darted into his room.'

Miss Cross and her partner tried to revive Tyrese but he was pronounced dead in Tameside Hospital. A post mortem examination confirmed he died from asphyxiation.

His missing front door key was later discovered under the handbrake of her car by Tyrese's mother as she left work to return home.

Tyrese's father Anthony Glasgow (pictured with Tyrese), described his son as 'beautiful'

The hearing heard how the Year 7 pupil had been a 'giddy funny boy' but had been badly affected by his parents' split.

Miss Cross adding that he had undergone counselling.

'Now and again, he would get really annoyed with himself or when he was in trouble. He would get upset and angry, like clenching fists.

'I sat with him and calm him down he would just get his breath back and be apologising and then the tears would come and he would calm down.

He would look angry at first and then he would be in tears and saying how sorry he was. It would take him about 20 minutes to calm down.'

The hearing was told Tyrese - a keen cross country runner - had previously placed a tie round his neck in front of his mother for attention after an incident when he was trouble for throwing stones.

Although the matter was reported to his school it was not passed onto counsellors who had been assigned to help him.

Tyrese's father Anthony Glasgow, a 35-year old former soldier who served in Iraq with the British army, described his son as 'beautiful'.

'Everyone that has a child wants to create the best human being that understands the world,' she said. 'He made me want to make sure he could deal with this world because it's not a nice world.

'The day he went a part of me died. He was my boy, I just want him back.'

Coroner Anna Morris recorded a narrative conclusion, saying there was 'no evidence' that Tyrese intended to take his own life.

Before his death, Tyrese had been awarded 'star of the term' award at the 1,300 pupil Saddleworth School in Oldham (pictured)

She said that she would write to the school and Tameside Council to ask about better 'family focus' to support children.

' He was a young man who was struggling to cope with the complex and competing emotions that adolescence brings,' she said.

'But he was a popular and loved child who impacted on everybody he met and his family said they were very proud of him and was well liked at school by teachers and he had many friends.'

She added: 'I am concerned about the access young people and Tyrese had to child adolescent emotional service through the schools, which is no doubt due to the tight budgets they find themselves on.

'The information shared didn't include important details which could have helped a counsellor expert to talk to Tyrese about why he had previously put a tie around his neck on a previous occasion.

'There is a gap for families who are having difficult relationships with children but do not need social services intervention but would benefit from family focus support.'
Rebel Wilson has arrived at court in a pair of Mickey Mouse-inspired high-heels, a day after insisting claims cartoon legend Walt Disney is her uncle are true.

The 37-year-old Hollywood star rocked a black pair of stilettos as she walked into the Melbourne Supreme Court on Tuesday, for the latest day of her ongoing defamation suit against Bauer Media.

Wilson is suing Bauer Media, the publisher of magazine Woman's Day, over a series of articles she claims damaged her acting career at a time she was considered 'hot, hot, hot' property.

In a seemingly a subtle dig at her detractors, Wilson flaunted the pair of black heels complete with two round 'ears' as an accessory, a day after claiming she was related to the founder of Disney and creator of Mickey Mouse.

Rebel Wilson has arrived at court in a pair of Mickey Mouse-inspired high-heels (pictured), a day after insisting claims cartoon legend Walt Disney was her uncle are true

Wilson flaunted the pair of black heels complete with two round 'ears' as an accessory, a day after claiming she was related to the founder of Disney and creator of Mickey Mouse

On Monday, Wilson told the courtroom her grandmother had not made up a 'lovely', but untrue story, that her family was related to the pioneering animator.

During cross-examination Wilson said she believed Disney was her uncle by marriage - a claim the magazine articles had portrayed as being false.

She said her grandmother had researched a family tree confirming the familial link to Disney's wife Lillian Bounds and was 'proud' to have the connection.

Wilson previously told the court she had visited Disneyland many times and is part of the secret, invite-only Disneyland Club 33.

Accessorising with the cartoon-themed stilettos, Wilson matched her shoes with a black skirt and loose-fitting top, while a bright red blazer ensured she kept warm.

Inside the courtroom on Tuesday, she again repeatedly denied claims from defence barrister Georgina Schoff QC that she had lied to journalists about her real age.

On Monday, Wilson told the courtroom her grandmother had not made up a 'lovely', but untrue story, that her family was related to the pioneering animator

During cross-examination Wilson said she believed Disney was her uncle by marriage - a claim the magazine articles had portrayed as being false

Wilson told the court she did not tell reporters she was 29 when she was in fact 35, but simply used her 'standard comment' that 'a lady never tells'.

'I understand you're being paid per day and you're trying to drag this out as much as possible,' she told Ms Schoff.

'To say any lady who doesn't disclose her age....is a serial liar is a huge leap in logic.'

As her defamation trial rolled on in the Supreme Court in Melbourne on Tuesday, Wilson said she had sought to make changes to an article in another publication, Fairfax, because she found it unflattering.

She said the Fairfax article had used an old photo that showed a 'fang tooth' before she'd been able to afford dental work.

Wilson again repeatedly denied claims from defence barrister Georgina Schoff QC that she had lied to journalists about her real age.

She admitted she had asked Fairfax CEO Greg Hywood to change elements of an 'unflattering' article that made reference to her age, and included the toothy photo.

Wilson claims the lawyer is prolonging the case because they are getting 'paid by the day'

Wilson (center) is suing Bauer Media for a series of articles published that she alleges painted her as a liar

She said that request came when she was the face of online streaming service Stan, and Mr Hywood had offered to assist her if she ever needed help.

Wilson said the Fairfax article referred to her attending a film school she had never studied at.

She denied she had tried to control media references to her age, stating her request to change the Fairfax article came about because of her 'business relationship' with Mr Hywood.

'I knew there was mystery as to my age because I'd stopped disclosing it as of 2009,' she said.

She said the mystery 'suited me' but denied she'd lied during media interviews.

She claims the Bauer articles, published in May 2015, caused her to be fired from two DreamWorks films.

Wilson insists she also missed out on further movie roles because the stories said the actress lied about her real name, age and childhood.

The trial continues.

Wilson told court on Monday that she still believes she is related to Walt Disney
A website claiming Schapelle Corby was sacrificed for political gain has been heavily promoted outside the Queensland home of the convicted drug smuggler's family.

A sticker for the expendable.tv website was emblazoned on the side of a car seen leaving the Corby residence on Tuesday, driven by an unknown woman wearing a head scarf.

The sticker also included an image of Corby with the tagline 'Schapelle Corby is innocent!!' and advertises the website as a place where people can find the 'truth' about the now 39-year-old's case.

A car seen leaving the Corby home on Tuesday was emblazoned with a sign on the door saying 'Schapelle Corby is innocent!!'

Schapelle Corby is pictured back in Australia following her deportation from Bali on Saturday

Schapelle Corby is pictured receiving a kiss from her mother after she was found guilty of smuggling marijuana in Bali, Indonesia

The website goes into significant detail about 'the political sacrifice of Schapelle Corby' and cites more than a dozen reports and case exhibits.

'A 27-year-old Australian woman, Schapelle Corby, was sentenced to 20 years in an Indonesian prison in May 2005, after 4.2kg of marijuana had been found in her boogie-board bag on arrival in Bali. However, her fate had been determined not in Bali, but in Canberra,' the website says.

Corby arrived back home on Sunday, 12 years after her sentence was handed down when she was found guilty of importing marijuana, despite protesting her innocence.

'This is a frightening but entirely true narrative; a grotesque political horror story which is still unfolding today. It exposes what happens when an individual's human rights conflict with strategic political need,' the expendable.tv website adds.

An unknown woman wearing a head scarf was seen driving a car with a sticker protesting Schapelle Corby's innocence

The car's sticker was promoting the expendable.tv website, where people are told they can find the 'truth' about the Schapelle Corby case

'It reveals the ruthless use of a government's organs of state, and a regime of unprecedented opinion management, against a single working class woman and her desperate family.'

The website claims 'the high profile of such a tenuous drug case soon began to have an effect upon the already tense relationship between Australia and Indonesia' and further claims that 'given the vital importance of this relationship, and the political imperative of maintaining it, the pressure upon Australian politicians created by the case was intense'.

The website allows users to read through 'the politics' and 'the smears' and also provides an option to leave a personal message for Corby.

It is not clear who is behind the website, only that there are a number of 'gatekeepers' who are scattered across three continents, or when the website was established, although comments date back to 2011.

The video 'Expendable - the political sacrifice of Schapelle Corby' was also posted to YouTube in 2012.
Ringleader Moabdul Gaffar, 45, preyed on poor and desperate people and told parents to drug their children so they did not make a noise in the back of lorries

A trafficking gang who made at least 1.2million smuggling illegal immigrants and terrorists out of Britain has been jailed for 50 years.

Ringleader Moabdul Gaffar, 45, preyed on poor and desperate people and told parents to drug their children so they did not make a noise in the back of lorries.

He was even happy to help when an undercover reporter told him he was heading to Syria to fight for ISIS and another said he was on the run from the police.

Gaffar boasted he did it all the time and ran journeys through Dover and into France twice a week from Whitechapel, east London.

The gangmaster was branded a disgrace to himself and the country that gave him a home during the trial at Isleworth Crown Court.

Gaffar and his lieutenants Abdul Tafader, 34, Juned Ahmed, 31, safe house owner Kasa Miah, 49, all admitted involvement, along with Answar Ali, 48, who organised taxis from Whitechapel to the south coast.

Following a four-week trial three other members of the gang were convicted of conspiracy to facilitate a breach of French immigration law by non-European Citizens.

Travel agent Shamim Miah, 47, helped smuggle migrants out of the country along with cabbies Niam Uddin, 57, and Nogib Ali, 60, who drove them to meet a truck in Purfleet, Essex.

Shamim Miah ran New Skypath Travel from the top floor of Osborn Street in Whitchapel and rented the sweetshop downstairs to Tafader.

The jury was discharged after failing to reach verdict against fellow cabbie Foyjul Islam, 43. The prosecution announced he will not face a retrial.

Judge Douglas Marks Moore said he considered Shamim Miah and Gaffar to be principally involved in the conspiracy.

He jailed Shamim Miah for 12 years and Gaffar for nine-and-a-half years.

The judge told Shamim Miah that he had an utter disregard for this countrys welfare and that he was quite determined to circumvent border controls.

You have got to look at the nature of this case and what it is all about, it is not a case of illegally moving cigarettes or bottles of whiskey, but vulnerable people, vulnerable human beings, the Judge said.

Mr Gaffar was seen to be boasting and bragging with regard to the undercover journalists, demonstrating his ability to move individuals out of Britain.

It was perfectly clear that he was demonstrating blatant disregard for all the rules and procedures that govern us which he was aware of.

Travel agent Shamim Miah (left), 47, helped smuggle migrants out of the country along with cabbies Niam Uddin (right) , 57, and Nogib Ali, 60

He was equally informed by one of the undercover journalists that one of them wished to go to Iraq or Syria.

This was an opportunity for him to demonstrate and element of morality.

He didnt.

I consider that to be a significant aggravating factor in this sentence.

Tafader was jailed for six years and 10 months, Juned Ahmed was jailed for five-and-a-half years.

The judge called drivers Niam Uddin and Nogib Ali masters of their own misfortune and jailed them both for four-and-a-half years.

Answar Ali was jailed for two years and 10 months.

Kasa Miah was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for two years.

The gang loaded migrants on to the back of freight lorries and drove to Dover before the vehicles crossed on a ferry to Calais, the court heard.

They were taken as far as Paris for 600 while 1,300 bought them passage to any country in Europe.

The lorry and ferry route was the one taken by bloodthirsty ISIS executioner Jihadi John.

The judge said the undercover reporters should be congratulated as they placed themselves in considerable peril and considerable risk to catch out the gang.

They should be congratulated for exposing this wicked and most horrible trade, the Judge said.

Miah, 47, used his firm Skypath Travel in Whitechapel, east London, as a front in the enterprise

The journalists paid Gaffar, also known as Zahid Gaffar, to smuggle them out of the country.

One of the reporters said he was heading to India to escape police and the other newsman said he was planning to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS.

Prosecutor Stephen Shay said the undercover reporter told Gaffar his friend wanted to get out of Britain, adding: He is going to Syria, he is a fighter man. He wants to go to Syria. I am going to bloody India.

Gaffars response was: Okay no problem.

From his office in Whitechapel, Gaffar told the journalists he did this thing all the time and ran journeys twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.

Mr Shay said he put himself forward as a competent and professional smuggler of persons.

Tafader then arranged for taxis to drive the reporters and a large group of South Asians to a safe house in Wapping operated by Kasa Miah.

Ahmed, Answar Ali and the other minicab drivers were communicating with old-style walkie-talkies as the migrants where ushered into a waiting room, where one reporter counted at least 17 people.

The national newspaper journalists managed to capture audio and video footage from their journey.

After a run to Dover on 27 April 2015 was aborted as it was too closely watched that evening the reporters returned to the Whitechapel office the next day.

They were put in taxis with 19 others and driven to Purfleet lorry park where they met other groups who had also arrived in taxis.

Once there, under the supervision of Tafader, they where they were loaded onto a lorry driven by Romanian Sorin-Niculae Vartelomai.

They were allowed only a mobile phone, which had to be turned off and 5kg of luggage in the lorry that was carrying only empty Nescafe jars.

The trafficking gang who made at least 1.2million smuggling illegal immigrants and terrorists out of Britain were jailed for a total of 50 years at Isleworth Crown Court

While being driven towards Dover the journalists texted the vehicles number plates to a support team keeping watch outside the depot gates.

They trailed the lorry down the M20 and notified police who used number plate recognition technology to track the vehicle.

Following the tip off from reporters the lorry was stopped on the French side of the border.

The gang masters boasted they could take families along with their young children, including babies, who could be dosed up with cough medicine to keep them quiet.

Apart from the journalists there were 19 passengers on the lorry.

Among them were 11 Bangladeshi men aged between 25 and 38, five Pakistani men between 24 and 25, and a Bangladeshi couple with a toddler.

The poor souls that huddled together in the back of the lorry had all come to the country legally but had overstayed their visas, many had entered the UK on student visas.

Gaffar made at least 1.2million from the operation which he used to pay other gang members.

He was described as terrible and unscrupulous and a disgrace to himself and this country that gave him a home and allowed him to start a business.

Telephone numbers in the migrants phones were traced back to Tafader and dad of five Shamim Miah.

Gaffar was arrested at Heathrow Airport trying to board a flight to Abu Dhabi on his way to Dhaba, Bangladesh on April 30 and over the next two months the rest of the gang were rounded up.

All the minicab drivers were employed by River Cars Ltd in Whitechapel.

Phone records show Shamim Miah arranged for migrants to be on the lorry and cell site evidence shows all four drivers were in the Purfleet area.

The minicab drivers took the journalists and other passengers to Purfleet and taxi log and phone records show they made 20 similar journeys earlier in 2015.

Each time they would meet parked lorries along the English south coast before the lorries were driven to Dover to cross into France.

Mr Shay said the evidence suggests that the conspiracy to smuggle migrants out of the UK was in operation in January 2015 and it continued after the sting.

The day the newspaper's article was published on May 11, 2015, Shamim Miah sent a message from his phone saying sorry BHAI today also cancelled due to Sun newspaper report.

As late as the 30 May Tafader texted Juned Ahmed and Shammim Miah job done and the gang exchanged massages saying everyone arrived in Paris and one for Paris tomorrow.

Tafader even sent a WhatsApp message to Shamim Miah with a link to the BBC website article Illegal immigrants smuggled out of UK and back again.

Pavlos Panayi, defending Shamim Miah said The fact that he appears to be above the parapet doesnt mean that he is not in the trenches.

It would be wrong to place him as the architect for this conspiracy.

Alistair Smith, defending Gaffar said: Much blame has been laid at his feet in his absence.

He acted as a face of this conspiracy.

It was a role that he played, but it was not a role that was only played by him or was specific to him.

He was emphatically and explicitly not a people smuggler to Syria.

This was an economic arrangement as far as he was concerned.
Jeffery Alexander (pictured), 19, has been accused of fatally shooting Ladarian Tyrell Phillips, 30, in the back in South Beach, Miami, on Sunday

Two men were shot dead over an argument about a parking space in a crowded tourist spot during rowdy Memorial Day celebrations.

Rapper Jeffery Alexander, 19, has been accused of fatally shooting Ladarian Tyrell Phillips, 30, in the back in South Beach, Miami, on Sunday.

The brawl escalated after Alexander and three friends in a white BMW tried to parallel park in a tight spot along Ocean Drive - and struck a parked gold Buick Regal.

The driver inched forward and struck the car 'a couple more times' and then 'began force pushing the Buick back in an attempt to move it', according to the arrest warrant.

The Buick owner was standing across the road and ran over with another man to confront the other driver.

He asked the driver of the BMW 'how many more times he was going to hit his vehicle', sparking an argument.

The BMW's driver then yelled at the Buick owner to 'step the f*** back', and handed a gun to Alexander, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, according to the report.

Police said Alexander fired three shots as the BMW pulled away from the parking space.

Mr Phillips, of Homestead, Florida, was fatally shot in the back and the Buick's owner was shot in the leg, police said.

The BMW crashed into two police cars several blocks away, but it didn't stop completely until confronted by two officers, who fired at it, said police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez.

The brawl escalated after Alexander and three friends in a white BMW tried to parallel park in a tight spot along Ocean Drive (pictured) - and struck a parked gold Buick Regal several times

One suspect in the car, who is unidentified, was shot and died at a hospital.

Three other suspects in the car were detained, including one apprehended by a K9 officer after fleeing the scene on foot, police said.

The Buick's owner identified Alexander as the gunman, according to the arrest report.

Alexander was held without bond Monday at a Miami-Dade County jail on charges of second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder. Jail records didn't show whether he had an attorney.

Miami-Dade Police will investigate the shooting involving the two officers, according to a Miami Beach Police policy requiring an outside agency to investigate shootings involving officers.

Crowds packed South Beach for Memorial Day weekend events, including an air show featuring military jets speeding over the neighborhood's famous beaches and Art Deco buildings

Both officers were placed on administrative leave, Rodriguez said.

Crowds packed South Beach for Memorial Day weekend events, including an air show featuring military jets speeding over the neighborhood's famous beaches and Art Deco buildings.

Officials have said the events were proceeding calmly, though a Georgia man was arrested for allegedly firing a gun at an occupied taxi cab Saturday night in South Beach, wounding a passenger inside the vehicle.

In past years, the Memorial Day weekend was marked by mayhem leading to hundreds of arrests, while traffic jams overwhelmed the island city.

In 2011, a dozen officers fired more than 100 shots at a car on a crowded South Beach street, killing the driver and wounding four bystanders.

The next year, a naked man chewed off parts of a homeless man's face during a struggle alongside a highway linking Miami Beach and downtown Miami. The homeless man survived, after police shot his attacker dead.
Rikki Neave was found strangled to death in Peterborough in 1994

Specialist prosecutors have taken over the investigation into a man suspected of the infamous historic murder of schoolboy Rikki Neave.

James Watson, 35, attempted to flee the country after being released on bail over the murder of the six-year-old, but was extradited and has been in UK custody since.

The schoolboy was found strangled to death on the same estate in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, where Watson grew up in 1994.

Watson was already on a lifetime prison licence for burning down a police station when he was arrested and questioned on suspicion of his murder in April last year.

The Crown Prosecution Service has now referred the case to The Treasury Counsel - a team of prosecutors which handles the serious and complex cases.

Father-of-one Watson was extradited from Portugal and has remained in custody after he fled the UK in a campervan, as he remained on police bail over the killing.

Prosecutors from the Crown Prosecution Service were considering what action to take following the arrest and his extradition in August last year - but now the case has been passed to the Treasury Counsel.

Father-of-one Watson was extradited from Portugal and has remained in custody after he fled the UK in a campervan, as he remained on police bail over the killing

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: 'The man arrested in relation to the Rikki Neave murder investigation remains in prison following a breach of licence.

'The Crown Prosecution Service have referred the case to the Treasury Counsel who specialise in serious and complex cases.'

A spokesman for the Attorney General said: 'Treasury Counsel prosecute the most serious criminal cases in the country and First Senior Treasury Counsel heads the team of 10 Senior and 7 Junior Treasury Counsel.

'Treasury Counsel are appointed by the Attorney General. They are divided into 2 groups: Senior Treasury Counsel and Junior Treasury Counsel. The First Senior Treasury Counsel is the head of the team and appointments are for three years.

RIKKI NEAVE MURDER TIMELINE 1994 - Rikki Neave was last seen leaving his home on the Welland estate in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, to go to school on November 28 1994. His naked body was found in nearby woodland the following day and a post-mortem examination found he had been strangled. Rikki's clothes - including grey school trousers, a jacket and a white shirt - were later found in a dustbin yards from the wooded area. The scene in Peterborough Cambridgeshire in 1994 where six year old Rikki Neave was killed 1996 - Rikki's mother Ruth Neave, 48, was charged with her son's murder but was later found not guilty by a jury at Northampton Crown Court. She admitted child neglect and cruelty and was sentenced to seven years in prison. 2000 - Following her release from prison for the child cruelty offences, she and her husband Gary Rogers fought a bitter campaign to have the murder inquiry re-opened. However, it would not be another 15 years until they got their wish, after holding a press conference urging police that the killer was still at large. Ruth Neave being arrested and taken into police custody accused of the murder of her son. She was later cleared after a trial 2011 - James Watson poured petrol over the British Transport Police base in Peterborough before lighting it. He was jailed for five years and given a lifetime police licence 2016 - Watson was arrested and questioned over the murder of Rikki. After being released on police bail he fled the country and headed to Portugal in a campervan. He was caught and, after a hearing in a Portugese court, is bailed and sent back to Britian, where he is immediately jailed for breaching the terms of his pirson licence. He has remained in custody ever since. 2017 - The Crown Prosecution Service has now referred the case to The Treasury Counsel - a team of prosecutors which handles the serious and complex cases. Advertisement

'The title Treasury Counsel derives from the days when all Crown counsel at the Central Criminal Court were instructed by the Treasury Solicitor.

'That procedure was changed in 1908, and since then the Director of Public Prosecutions has instructed the permanent counsel there.'

He was jailed for a minimum of five years and given a life-time prison licence for pouring petrol over the British Transport Police base in Peterborough before lighting it in 2011.

Watson, of Peterborough, pleaded guilty to burglary and arson, and to the theft of 2,500 from his father's home.

James Watson, 35, attempted to flee the country after being released on bail over the murder of the six-year-old, but was extradited and has been in UK custody since

Judge Nicholas Coleman jailed him indefinitely and ordered him to serve a minimum of five years and to be on licence for life for pouring petrol over the police base in September 2011.

He stole uniforms, belts, CS sprays, seized cannabis and keys to a police car before fleeing.

The attack destroyed evidence of 50 crimes and prejudiced 167 which are ongoing, Peterborough Crown Court heard.
A family claim their YouTube star pet pug was mauled to death within an hour of arriving at an 'out-of-control' day care centre for dogs.

Ted the Dublin Pug - real name Buddy - died after he was allegedly attacked and bitten by a lurcher at the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA)'s care centre.

Buddy's owners, Ciara Maher and Paul Cusack, have now threatened to take legal action against centre as they claim the facility was understaffed at the time.

They say Buddy died after suffering asphyxiation and two puncture wounds.

Ted the Dublin Pug - real name Buddy - died after suffering asphyxiation and two puncture wounds when he was allegedly attacked and bitten by a lurcher at a day care centre in Dublin

His owners Ciara and Paul studied 30 minutes of CCTV footage (pictured) from the venue, which they claim shows many dogs running 'out of control' shortly before Buddy died

Five-year-old Buddy died less than an hour after Ciara's parents had dropped him off for a 20 Euro stay at 9.30am on May 2.

Ciara, 32, from Dublin, Ireland, said: 'We are absolutely heartbroken. Buddy was a part of our family and to lose him like this is devastating.

'You think you're giving your dog a treat, paying for him to be looked after at a place like this, and then an hour later you're told he is dead. I was numb.

'We've had him since he was a puppy and the whole family looked after him. My dad would make these YouTube videos of him because he had a really big personality.

Five-year-old Buddy died less than an hour after Ciara had dropped him off for a 20 Euro stay

Ciara, 32, from Dublin, Ireland, said: 'We are absolutely heartbroken. Buddy was a part of our family and to lose him like this is devastating'

'He was a perfectly healthy dog so for this to happen is just unthinkable. The day care centre is like a creche.

'It's supposed to be a luxury for the dogs, but they have all different breeds and sizes in together, and not enough staff.

'Mum and dad left him off at 9.30am and around 10.30am I had a call to say he had passed away. They called my mum first to say there had been an accident so I assumed something had fallen on him or something.

'They said he was in an altercation with a larger dog. I was in total shock. I wanted to drive there straight away but my boss wouldn't let me so I got a taxi and met Paul there.'

The DSPCA insists five members of staff were looking after 43 animals at the time Buddy died

Ciara's fathermade YouTube videos of Buddy 'because he had a really big personality.'

The DSPCA insists five members of staff were looking after 43 animals at the time Buddy died.

Ciara and Paul studied 30 minutes of CCTV footage from the venue, which they claim shows many dogs running 'out of control'.

Now buddy's owners want a change in legislation ensuring the dogs have more supervision to prevent further tragedy

Ciara said: 'I don't think they really know what happened. They say there was five staff on but how many of them were actually monitoring dogs in the day care centre?

'The vet said Buddy had two puncture wounds in his neck and died from asphyxiation. The larger dog had got its jaws right around Buddy's neck.

'When I saw him he was covered in mud still. I could barely look at him. It's just so unnecessary.

'You can see on the CCTV that it's chaos in there. There's only one member of staff visible and the whole thing is out of control.

'We really want a change in the legislation that means there has to be a certain number of staff per dogs. I don't want another family to go through this.'

The DSPCA said it could not comment for legal reasons.
Dramatic video footage has caught the moment passersby rush to save a woman who accidentally backed her car into a river.

The incident took place on May 25 in Taicang City, China and was caught on surveillance camera.

The vehicle can be seen sinking as the driver climbs out of the sunroof.

The car can be seen reversing backwards when suddenly it speeds up

The woman and the man can be seen in the water during the rescue attempt

The woman was caught on camera backing her car into a river outside an automotive parts factory.

The car can be seen going straight over a barrier and into the water.

In a matter of seconds the car starts to sink. The driver manages to climb out of the sunroof and called out for help.

The car continues to move backwards before eventually entering the lake

Shocking moment: The car soon began to sink upon entering the water

An employee from the factory attempts to rescue the woman however he then gets himself into danger as he is unable to swim.

Another passerby rushed over to help the pair, dragging the man first.

In the footage, a group of passersby rushed to help the rescue effort dragging the pair back over the barrier.

The woman was rescued shortly after.
Aerotek, a provider of recruiting and staffing services, announced it will host a career fair on Saturday, June 3 to hire production employees at the Volkswagen Conference Center in Chattanooga. Aerotek has already hired 1,000 employees for job openings at the plant since December to accommodate plant production.

Aerotek is searching for production employees who are reliable and prepared to work. Extensive training will be provided.



Job requirements include:



 Work rotating shifts (Rotate every week between two shifts)

 Perform repetitive movements while continuously standing or sitting

 Meet background check and urine/hair drug screen requirements.

The Career Fair will be Saturday, June 3, from 11 a.m.  3 p.m. at the Volkswagen Conference Center, 8001 Volkswagen Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416.

For more information, contact Danny Scherer at dscherer@aerotek.com. Applicants who are unable to attend the job fair can apply online at www.AerotekTN.com.
Pictures have emerged of a British tourist who died on a Croatian party island after she was discovered unconscious in front of a nightclub.

Sarah Lee-Anne Reid, from Northern Ireland, was rushed to hospital after being found by the nightspot on the island of Hvar in the Adriatic Sea.

Doctors battled to save the 20-year-old but she died after suffering cardiac arrest in the ambulance.

Sarah Lee-Anne Reid, from Northern Ireland, died on a Croatian party island after she was found unconscious in front of a nightclub

Miss Reid, from Magheraknock near Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland, was found unconscious at about at 9:30pm on May 26.

Her family have paid tribute to their 'precious daughter'.

In an announcement released through a funeral director, they said Miss Reid was a 'much loved sister... and granddaughter' who will be 'missed always'.

was rushed to hospital after collapsing by the nightspot on the island of Hvar (file picture) in the Adriatic Sea

According to local reports, Miss Reid's body was sent to a regional hospital in the city of Split to determine the cause of death.

A public prosecutor has ordered an investigation into the death.

'The case is under investigation of the public prosecutor of the county Split-Dalmatia so we are not allowed to comment results of the autopsy', said Antonio Alujevic, a spokesman for the regional KBC Hospital in city of Split.

'There were no traces of violent death found,' police added.

Hvar is a top tourist destination in Croatia. Up to 400,000 British tourists visit the country every year.

Hollywood stars and celebrities, including Prince Harry, have been known to spend their holidays at the island.

The Foreign Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British woman who tragically died while on holiday in Croatia.'
A video has emerged from Russia of a little boy being freed by firemen after getting his head stuck in a potty.

In the footage, which was filmed in the city of Saratov on May 29, the firemen gently ease the plastic latrine off the one-year-old's head.

The child's mother had already tried unsuccessfully to free her son.

The boy was unhurt in the incident but noticeably scared.

According to the firemen, it was far from the first time they've had to release a child's head from a potty.

A video has emerged from Russia of a little boy being freed by firemen after getting his head stuck in a potty

In the footage, which was filmed in the city of Saratov on May 29, the firemen gently ease the plastic latrine off the one-year-old's head

In 2015, another unfortunate little boy was left stuck in a potty in the Russian city of Miass.

Ekaterina Bogdanova, the rescue service press officer, said at the time the child did not panic but was a bit upset.

She said: 'Rescuers needed to cut the plastic potty chair to free the little one.'
A car boot sale trader who draped Nazi and Confederate flags over his stall 'in support of Manchester' has said he didn't know the Swastika on it wasn't still being used by the German armed forces.

Anthony Williams displayed the offensive kriegsmarine flag bearing a swastika at the Bryn-Y-Grog event in Wrexham on Sunday.

His stall also featured the controversial Confederate flag across a table.

Anthony Williams, above, said he didn't realise the Swastika on it wasn't still being used by the German armed forces

Shopper Natasha Borton was horrified when she spotted the Nazi and Confederate flag at a car boot sale in Wrexham

Mr Williams, 56, was spoken to by police after the incident but said he didn't mean to offend anyone and denied he had told organisers who asked him to remove it that he had put it up 'in support of Manchester' after last week's terrorist bombing, which killed 22 people.

He told the Daily Post Wales the flag had been displayed alongside the American Confederate flag at around 6am when he and his friend first arrived.

Mr Williams said he had owned the Confederate flag for more than 35 years and that he used it in American Civil War enactments, but that the German flag had been brought by his friend.

He claimed people had expressed an interest in buying it - including a couple he believed were German - and that there had been no complaints until the organisers asked him to take it down towards the end of the sale.

Mr Williams, of Wrexham, said: 'I was told it was the German navy, which as far as I could see was not involved in the same way the SS were in the Second World War.

'I saw that it had the Swastika on it. But I don't know if it's not still used today. I might be a bit of an idiot for not looking it up properly but I won't make that mistake again.'

He said that he was not anti-Islamic, adding: 'What I said was I'm not happy about what happened in Manchester and I'm against Islamic State, not against Muslims because I have Muslim friends, and I've also been a pastor of a church and had a copy of the Koran.

'I was asked the once to take it down. I did not refuse to take it down. It was late on in the day. The flag had been up since six in the morning. Muslims and whoever else had walked past and never said anything about it.'

The flag, which was on sale for 4, has since been thrown away by the friend who brought it with him to the car boot sale.

Police were made aware of the flag after Natasha Borton spotted the Nazi flag draped over the rear of a car and the Confederate flag hanging from a chair.

She said: 'Me and my partner were in disbelief. We thought he was selling it and it was war memorabilia - not that it makes it okay.'

Miss Borton, from Wrexham, posted the photos on social media and has had an overwhelmed with the response to the photos.

She added: 'It has been quite nice people coming out and talking in solidarity.

'People aren't going to stand for it. He can't do that. Have your opinions but keep them at home, don't brandish them at a car boot sale.'

Facebook user Brian Andrews slammed the man's decision to display the flags.

He said: 'What a t*t. Obviously hasn't a clue what he's on about. If he'd have done that over here (Germany) he'd deffo be charged and would get a big fine or even a short jail term.'

Rachel Gunn added: 'Manchester doesn't f***ing want him.'

PC Thomas Hough of North Wales Police posted on Twitter '@NWPolice are aware of this and we are progressing with an investigation, no further details at present #ThankYou #Wrexham'.

Mr Williams said he had owned the Confederate flag for more than 35 years and that he used it in American Civil War enactments

Miss Borton, 29, reported the flag to staff members at the car boot sale, who asked him to remove it.

A statement on the Bryn Y Grog Antiques Emporium Facebook page said: 'Mrs Price, the proprietor of Bryn Y Grog, was made aware this morning of a trader who was displaying an inflammatory flag.

'She went to speak with the trader to request that he remove it as it was offensive on every level.'

The trader was initially unwilling to remove the offensive flag.

'As it was towards the close of the car boot sale it was decided not to pursue the matter. Mrs Price was later informed that the trader did remove the offensive flag.

'The decision was made instantaneously that the trader would no longer be welcome at any event or establishment as part of the Bryn Y Grog group.

'We would like to apologise to anyone who was in close proximity of any of this morning's events and look forward to seeing you all again soon.'

A North Wales Police spokesman said Mr Williams had been spoken to, and that an 'out of court resolution' would be sought between him and the car boot sale organisers.
A West Australian nightclub has faced threats for advertising a Schapelle Corby homecoming party with boogie board-themed drinks and a boardies dress code.

Exit Nightclub in Bunbury, about two hours south of Perth, posted a flyer on their Facebook page advertising 'Bunno's Only Corby Party - 12 years on, she's home'.

The caption on the social media post read: 'Welcome back Shazza Corbs (sarcasm alert for humour impaired).'

A West Australian nightclub has faced threats for advertising a Schapelle Corby homecoming party with boogie board themed drinks and a boardies dresscode

'This Saturday we're getting loose for Australia's number one gal (not). Free entry til 11pm. Bintangs. Boogie board cocktails.'

Exit manager Lachie McAlister told Daily Mail Australia that the only controversy was people not understanding the event was a joke.

'The whole thing is satirical and in no way are we condoning any part of what happened, or meaning to offend anyone including Schapelle herself,' Mr McAlister said.

'We are actually quite disappointed that there has been a few negative comments as we only intended to create a light-hearted laugh at the whole situation and grab some much needed attention.'

Exit Nightclub in Bunbury, about two hours south of Perth, posted a flyer on their Facebook page advertising 'Bunno's Only Corby Party - 12 years on, she's home'

'I knew when I created it that media attention was almost certain, I mean I couldn't stop laughing at the idea while making up the poster.'

Mr McAlister said the venue has been hosting a few 'outside the box' events recently, including having full size bouncy castles inside the club to filling the entire bottom floor with beach sand.

The event will be held on Saturday 3 June from 11pm at the venue on Victoria Street.

Comments on the event ranged from laughter, people genuinely interested and getting their friends involved, to someone who said: 'What is the world coming to?'

The nigthclub (pictured) advertised the event with 'This Saturday we're getting loose for Australia's number one gal (not). Free entry til 11pm. Bintangs. Boogie board cocktails'

Schapelle Corby was deported back to Australia on Saturday, 13 years after she was arrested at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, after 4kg of cannabis found in a boogie board bag.

Her return attracted huge media attention in Bali, with crowded scenes outside her Balinese villa, the parole office and her journey to the airport in Denpasar before her departure.

She switched her flight to Brisbane from Virgin to Malindo Air at the last minute, avoiding a large group of journalists booked on the same flight home.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Exit Nightclub for additional comment about the event.

Schapelle Corby (pictured in Denpasar before her flight) was deported back to Australia from Bali on Saturday. She arrived in Brisbane on Sunday morning
Two aggressive British drunks caused a major security scare that saw around 770 Eurostar passengers stranded in Calais.

A Eurostar service from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras, which departed shortly after 9pm on Monday, was stopped an hour later at Calais-Frethun station after several passengers complained about the men.

But as police were removing the pair, who were described as 'completely drunk', the doors were left open and several passengers got off for a break, leading to fears that migrants could have stowed away.

This led to the French authorities insisting on all passengers going through security checks again  a process that took more than six hours.

Eurostar passengers travelling from Paris to London on Monday night were delayed for six hours after police taking two drunk Brits off the train (pictured, passengers in Calais)

While the train was stopped the doors were left open, leading to fears that migrants had stowed away, meaning all passengers had to have a second security check (pictured)

The train did not arrive in London until 4.10am on Tuesday, making a total journey time of nine hours for what should have been a three-hour trip.

'The police were dealing with a couple of aggressive British drunks on board,' said a source working for SNCF, France's national railway.

'It was very warm night, and doors were opened while the train was stopped still. This caused a security scare, and everybody on board had to be re-checked.'

Police and customs officers were involved in the re-checking of tickers and passports, which went on past 3am.

Once the train arrived in London, irate travellers found themselves joining long lines for taxis, which had been provided by Eurostar.

One irate passenger Tweeted: '4.15am arrival time. So, so tired. Eurostar  look forward to hearing real reason for delays and compensation. But handled as best it could (be) at time.'

Another wrote: 'Poor and expensive judgement calls by Eurostar tonight  6.6 hour stop in Calais to remove disruptive passengers.'

Around 770 travellers had to have their passports re-examined and undergo a second security check, leading to a six hour delay

The train eventually pulled into London at 4.10am, meaning a journey that should have lasted three hours ended up taking nine

Eurostar itself initially used the social media platform to announce: 'Apologies to ES9059 passengers. French authorities have been holding train in Calais. We are seeking its release asap.'

Later the company said: 'Sincere regrets and apologies to passengers,' and encouraged those on board to claim compensation.

Meanwhile the drunk passengers were told no charges would be brought against them, and so found a hotel room in Calais to sleep off the heavy night.

Calais is currently in a state of high alert following the arrival of hundreds of asylum seekers who are trying to get on board trains and ferries heading to the UK.

Some 8,000 were removed from the area following the destruction of the so-called 'Jungle' refugee camp last October, but some have returned, according to the Pas de Calais prefecture.

Security has also been tightened up following a series of terrorist attacks in France and Britain claimed by Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.

Earlier this month a refugee died after climbing on the roof of a Eurostar train at Paris Gare du Nord station.

He was 'killed within seconds' by a bolt of electricity from overhead power lines, leading to widespread disruption of services.
Russian explorers have found a billion roubles in Soviet-era money in a swamp - but the haul is completely worthless because it's not legal tender.

The group from Saint Petersburg went on a search for the cash after hearing rumors of large piles of money in old missile silos after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The eventually found a haul in a swamp in an abandoned mine in Russia's Vladimir region, more than 100 miles from Moscow.

The group from Saint Petersburg went on a search for the cash after hearing rumors of large piles of money in old missile silos after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991

The eventually found a haul in a swamp in an abandoned mine in Russia's Vladimir region, more than 100 miles from Moscow

There had been a flood at the mine, which essentially created a swamp full of bills of the Soviet-era currency

'We were told that there is an abandoned missile silos and that there could be hidden treasure  billions of Soviet rubles,' Anton Alekseev, a member of the group who hosts a YouTube channel, told Russia's Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper.

'We wanted to check whether this is so,' he said of their journey, documented on YouTube by In the Now.

Upon coming across the mine, Alekseev and his explorer friends found thousands of bank notes bearing the face of Vladimir Lenin, according to the BBC.

The site contains approximately one billion rubles, which is worth about 13.5million ($17.5million) in current exchange rates.

But the funds are worth nothing because Soviet rubles are no longer legal tender in the Russian Federation.

Upon coming across the mine, Alekseev and his explorer friends found thousands of bank notes bearing the face of Vladimir Lenin

The site contains approximately one billion rubles, which is worth about 13.5million ($17.5million) in current exchange rates

But the funds are worth nothing because Soviet rubles are no longer legal tender in the Russian Federation

Team member Olga Bogdanova said that the mass amount of money found in the mine was difficult to see.

'There's delight and some sadness, because you realise that this is a bygone era which will never return, that all this money would have been more than enough for anybody,' she said.

In the Soviet era, a salary of just 100 rubles would have been acceptable for a person.

The Soviet-era currency - the Soviet ruble - first circulated in 1961 and was replaced by Russian rubles the early 1990s.

The Russian ruble made its first appearance in December 1991 in parallel to the Soviet ruble, which was in circulation until 1993.
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A group of daredevils strapped on their parachutes before throwing themselves over the edge of Britain's most notorious suicide hotspot Beachy Head.

The 16 jumpers headed to the 530ft tall cliff in East Sussex on Sunday in a bid to make the location 'fun' rather than 'tragic'.

An onlooker said the group, who came from as far as South Africa, 'flew like birds', before cracking open their parachutes and floating down to the beach below.

The 16 jumpers headed to the 530ft tall cliff in East Sussex on Sunday in a bid to make the location 'fun' rather than 'tragic'

An onlooker said the group, who came from as far as South Africa, 'flew like birds', before cracking open their parachutes and floating down to the beach

Police confirmed to MailOnline that the jump was not illegal but warned that people should be aware of the hazards at the base of the cliff at all states of the tide.

Freelance filmmaker Jack Adams, who went to video his friends, said one participant even did a backflip off the edge.

The 22-year-old sky diver said: 'It was quite refreshing to see it as a place where they can have a lot of fun, and do what they love to do. Rather than the location being tragic.

'It's great that people are going down as well, and having fun and living life to the full.

'It's great to see people still having fun and maybe breaking the rules a little bit. But having fun, and doing what they love to do.

The jumpers could be seen throwing themselves over the edge of the striking cliffs

Jack Adams, who recorded the jumps, admitted it 'can be dangerous' but said: 'They are all skilled at what they do'

He added: 'It's just such a beautiful location as well. It was just after sun rise, and the sky was nice and golden.

'I took photos from the edge of the cliff. There was lots of mist, and it looked stunning.

'We couldn't see the beach at one point. They all lined up, and jumped off. There was a big crack when the parachute opened.

'One guy did a huge backflip off the top. To see it off a cliff, followed by a guy opening his parachute, was something else to see.

'They all landed safely, because they are all skilled at what they do.'

Video from the jump shows the 16 daredevils plunging towards the ground on Sunday

They then deploy their parachutes and float down to the beach below

Beachy Head is the tallest chalk sea cliff in Britain and there are an estimated 20 deaths by suicide there every year.

Jack, who has taken part in 200 sky dives over the past three years, says he now plans to take up base jumping.

He added: 'It was absolutely insane, but really cool. I do sky diving, so I am used to having a parachute on.

These images show the terrifying view the parachute jumpers face when they throw themselves over the edge of the cliff

Beachy Head is the tallest chalk sea cliff in Britain and there are an estimated 20 deaths by suicide there every year

Jack, who filmed the jumps, added: 'It was absolutely insane, but really cool. I do sky diving, so I am used to having a parachute on'

'But it was really cool to see them fly like a bird for a few seconds, and then open their parachute.

'Obviously it can be dangerous. But they all know what they are doing. It's certainly an extreme sport.

'They all looked over the edge to make sure it was clear, and then one by one they all ran. It is really great to see it happening.'

An Eastbourne Borough Council spokesman said: 'Members of the public should always stay a safe distance away from the cliff edge at Beachy Head and away from the cliff face when relaxing on the beach beneath.

'The cliff edge is prone to erosion and fissures in the chalk are very common.

'People enjoying the downland must use their common sense and adhere to the number of warning signs adjacent to footpaths in the area.'
Senior Constable Brett Forte has been hailed a hero following his actions that saved the life of his partner when they came under gunfire on Monday during a traffic stop.

As Snr Const Forte and his partner approached career criminal Rick Maddison's vehicle, his female co-worker yelled 'It's a trap'.

Maddison had exited his car and was waiting with an automatic rifle. He began firing at their vehicle through the windscreen.

In his final act of heroism, Snr Const Forte slammed the car into reverse and accelerated back, driving his colleague out of harms way as they came under gunfire.

Senior Constable Brett Forte (pictured) was shot dead by Rick Maddison on Monday afternoon

He was a respected 15-year veteran of the Queensland Police Service who was a decorated officer, dedicated to his job

As Forte lay in a ditch on the side of the road dying, his fellow police officers gave every effort to save his life. He was their 'brother in blue'.

Forte had been a police officer for 16 years, working most recently in Toowoomba's tactical crime squad. Following his death on Tuesday an outpouring of tributes have been made to the 'fantastic cop' who gave his life for his job.

'So dedicated was he, that he paid the ultimate price for it,' Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

His colleagues have described their workmate as a man they were grateful to work with citing him as 'brave', 'courageous' and to be 'sorely missed'.

A funeral services van (pictured) arrives at the scene where Maddison was shot dead by police on Tuesday

Retired police officer Greg Lewis emotionally described the tragedy as simply 'terrible'.

'He'll never see his family grow up, he'll never see his grandchildren, his parents lose their son, his wife loses her husband, their children lose their father,' he said.

'It shouldn't happen,' he told 9 News.

Snr Const Forte's life focused around his love for his job. His father was in the highway patrol, his wife, who he met through his position, is a highly decorated officer who works with domestic violence victims.

His brother-in-law is also a policeman and his friends were colleagues.

The shooting deaths of both Snr Const Forte and Maddison occurred in Queensland's Lockyer Valley (pictured)

Snr Const Forte was remembered as a 'hero' officer by Queensland police minister Mark Ryan

Queensland police commissioner Ian Stewart said he was 'proud'

One mate, Anthony Lynham, Minister for Mines said: 'My heart just bleeds for their family.'

With his wife Susie the pair have three children. She was working when the call came over the radio, and broke down when she was told he didn't make it.

The father-of-three is remembered as a decorated officer by Queensland police minister Mark Ryan.

'A hero lost his life today,' Mr Ryan said in a statement following Monday's shooting.

After stopping a vehicle in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane on Monday afternoon Snr Const Brett Forte was shot dead by Rick Maddison.

Maddison had been wanted by police in relation to multiple domestic violence and weapons offences when pulled over.

Cop killer Rick Maddison (pictured), who was shot dead after a 21-hour siege, had an extensive criminal record in Queensland

Maddison died of a gunshot wound to the chest on Tuesday morning after being holed up in a shipping container at a farm house near Gatton for about 20 hours

The career criminal shot him before fleeing to a nearby farm house sparking a 21-hour stand-off with police. He was then shot dead by police on Tuesday, a day after he killed the senior constable.

Maddison had been wanted by police in relation to multiple domestic violence and weapons offences when he was pulled over.

Witness described the ordeal to 9 News as 'absolutely terrifying', detailing the loud gunfire as 'full on.'

'I could hear single police fire, machine gun fire, what sounded like shot-gun fire as well, there were some loud crashes and bangs,' Kyal Pennell said.

Friends say cop killer Rick Maddison never recovered from the death by overdose of his friend, champion jockey Stathi Katsidis

The sun sets on the field on Tuesday night as the aftermath of Maddison's actions leave the lives of Forte's loved ones changed forever

Almost a decade ago Maddison had been charged with torture, deprivation of liberty, assault occasioning bodily harm, causing willful damage, stealing, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and common assault.

The cop killer had a violent criminal history which included charges of torture and deprivation of liberty as well as convictions for assault.

There will be a minutes silence before Wednesday night's State of Origin game between Queensland and New South Wales for officer Brett Forte.

The police service has offered a full police funeral with full police honours, likely to be hosted in Toowoomba's biggest cathedral. His wife Susie will be offered a role in that funeral, as well as his three children.


A city worker crashed her Land Rover into a row of parked cars while three children were in the back after drinking wine and champagne at her husband's birthday party.

Gemma Hewes, 40, wrote off a Renault Espace and left four other cars with visible damage when she crashed in a quiet residential street in Wimbledon, south west London.

The mother-of-two, a director with BNP Paribas Real Estate, then begged homeowners not to call police as her wrecked car was towed away from the scene.

Gemma Hewes (pictured, left, with her husband Ross) crashed her Land Rover into a row of parked cars after drinking wine and champagne at her husband's birthday party

She was later arrested at the 1.15m home she shares with 40-year-old husband Ross in Southfields, south west London.

Hewes, a former pupil at 35,000-a year Woldingham School in Surrey, pleaded guilty to driving the black 3.0 litre Land Rover Discovery with excess alcohol on her breath.

The court heard her reading was 74 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

She also admitted driving without due care and attention when she appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court.

She was fined a total of 1350, with 85 costs, ordered to pay a 90 victim surcharge and was disqualified from driving for 17 months.

The court heard how Hewes had been out with family and friends to celebrate her director husband's 40th birthday.

The mother-of-two (left and right) was later arrested at the family's 1.15m home in Southfields, south west London

Prosecutor Paul Poulter told the court how company director Stephen Holsgrove, 57, was inside his home at 8.15pm on May 7 when he heard a loud bang.

'He says his vehicle and four other cars were damaged and he saw a woman wearing jeans trying to get two children out of the Land Rover,' he told the court.

'She said: "Please don't call the police. I've had a few glasses of wine".'

Mr Poulter said police officers then arrived at her home, where she was crying and upset.

She left five cars with visible damage when she crashed in a quiet residential street in Wimbledon (pictured)

'She told the officers she had been driving and using her hands free and hit a car,' he told the court.

'She had been in Wimbledon, where she said she had a glass of champagne and two glasses of wine.'

Hewes' lawyer Tom Dunn said the court case was a 'dark day' for Ms Hewes and her family.

'She is not a drinker, she rarely drinks, but on this occasion consumed some alcohol and did not realise she was impaired by alcohol at the time she drove,' he said.

'She received a telephone call via bluetooth and spoke for several minutes,' explained Mr. Dunn.

'She recalls a parked car protruding and obviously overcompensated.

'The steering column then broke and she was unable to avoid contact with other cars.'

He added that the cost of the damage was being paid for by the family.

Her husband is a director with Capita Real Estate.

Magistrate Isabel Vass told Hewes: 'By good luck no one was stepping out and you were distracted and that is related to your alcohol consumption.

'Anything more than one small glass of wine will put you over the limit.'
David Davis today slammed Labour for being 'naive' about Brexit as he warned Brussels wanted to guarantee its citizens greater rights in the UK than Britons have.

The Brexit Secretary warned Labour's Angela Rayner she was wrong to think simply taking a 'nice' position with the EU would produce a good result.

He said instead: 'We're going to have to be quite tough with them.'

Prime Minister Theresa May is today turning her election campaign back to Brexit in an attempt to halt a slide in her polling ratings.

David Davis (pictured at the Tory manifesto launch) today slammed Labour being 'naive' about Brexit as he warned Brussels wanted to guarantee its citizens greater rights in the UK than Britons have

The Tories have published a series of documents they claim show the EU is set to demand life time rights for its citizens living in Britain that are stronger those of Britons.

They will include the right to bring spouses into Britain from non EU countries - something UK citizens cannot do without meeting strict criteria.

Mr Davis cited the leak from European sources of the so-called 'Downing Street dinner' as evidence that the EU was going to drive a hard bargain as the UK prepares to leave the bloc.

His comments came as shadow education secretary Angela Rayner accused the Tories of making Britain 'look like ogres' in Europe with their tough approach to negotiations so far.

The two frontbenchers also clashed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme over the implications of Britain leaving the EU without a trade deal

Ms Rayner said: 'The negotiation is part of a dialogue between two parties and at the moment, unfortunately, Theresa May and the way that she's handled it has made us look like ogres across Europe.

'If you see the pictures now, Theresa May is at the back of the queue whenever she's talking to the leaders of Europe.

'We're a laughing stock across Europe and we don't need to be.'

The Brexit Secretary warned Labour's Angela Rayner (pictured left campaigning with John Prescott) she was wrong to think simply taking a 'nice' position with the EU would produce a 'nice' result

She added: 'I believe it's the way Theresa May has handled it so far.

'You've got Boris Johnson and David Davis and people like that, that are on the world stage trying to negotiate it that laugh and smirk and think it's all one big laugh.'

Mr Davis said delivering a successful Brexit would ensure a strong economy which would allow extra investment in public services.

He added: 'What you heard there was an incredibly naive view of the way the Europeans are going to play this.'

The EU's negotiating guidelines said EU citizens should be able to continue sending welfare benefits abroad and bring in partners from other countries, Mr Davis said.

He added: 'Angela is just simply wrong - 'Oh well, if we're nice to them, if we take a nice stance...' We're going to have to be quite tough with them, I'm afraid.'

Mrs May will later declare Jeremy Corbyn is too weak to negotiate Brexit as she seeks to put the country's exit from the EU 'truly at the heart of this election campaign'.

Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured last night's TV debate) is today turning her election campaign back to Brexit in an attempt to halt a slide in her polling ratings

The Tories have published a series of documents they claim show the EU is set to demand life time rights for its citizens living in Britain that are stronger those of Britons

In a direct appeal to voters, the Prime Minister will argue she is the only leader who can take on 'aggressive' Eurocrats in Brussels, with formal talks to start just 11 days after polling day.

CORBYN REFUSES TO BACK LOWER IMMIGRATION Jeremy Corbyn refused to commit to lower immigration in a live TV grilling tonight. The Labour leader said the number of new arrivals to Britain would 'probably' be lower if he was PM. But he rejected demands to set a figure. Mr Corbyn said: 'I am not going to stand here and put a figure. Our Prime Minister has done that now in the third election and got nowhere near meeting that figure. 'I would have thought that under a managed migration system it certainly would not go up any more. It would probably - I don't want to be held to this - probably come down. It is a probability.' In her own TV test, Theresa May was told by Jeremy Paxman it was 'her job' when home secretary to deal with immigration. She replied: 'It's a constant work to ensure you're dealing with immigration and ensuring there is no more abuse in the system. 'We will of course have another tool to do this when we leave the EU' Advertisement

The rallying call in which she will brand herself 'the Prime Minister 100 per cent committed' to Brexit is hoped to focus voters' minds on the stark choice they face to halt a drop in the Tory poll lead.

During a visit to the West Midlands, Mrs May will put immigration unapologetically at the core of her speech, with a pledge to stand up for voters who have lost jobs or seen their wages fall because of high numbers of arrivals.

She will promise that concerns about immigration will no longer be 'dismissed as parochial', and people with a desire for their 'country to make the decisions that matter to Britain here' will not face 'ridicule'.

In an attempt to win support of voters from all parties who backed Brexit, Mrs May will celebrate the referendum as 'a quiet revolution by all those who felt let down and left behind for too long'.

The latest negotiating documents released by the European Commission show how their estimated 100billion euro divorce bill includes paying the salaries of teachers at schools attended by the children of Eurocrats for two years after Brexit.

Mrs May is expected to say: 'The European Commission... is adopting an aggressive negotiating position, which can only be met by strong leadership on behalf of Britain.

'Jeremy Corbyn is in no position to provide that kind of leadership. He has no plan to deliver Brexit, and he has already admitted he would give control of our borders and control of our laws back to Brussels.'

Mrs May will hope returning the focus to Brexit will end the squeeze on her poll ratings ahead of next week's general election

She will say with Britain's future prospects and prosperity depending on 'getting Brexit right' there could be only one choice when it came to deciding who should lead the country into the negotiations.

'I am clear about the instruction I have been given, clear about what needs to be done, and ready to get on with the job on day one  while Jeremy Corbyn doesn't have the belief, the will or the plan to deliver Brexit.'

Mrs May will say the Brexit vote was 'a revolution in which millions of our fellow citizens stood up and said they were not prepared to be ignored any more'.

'Since the first day I stepped through the door of No 10 as Prime Minister, I have been clear that the mission of the government I lead is not just to get the best possible deal for Britain in Europe, but to take this opportunity to shift the balance of Britain in favour of ordinary working people.'
Numbering more than 50,000 worldwide with several already in Hamilton County, Little Free Libraries are book exchange sites maintained by volunteers from which anyone may take a book and/or leave a book. Unlike public libraries, the little free library charges no fees, requires no registration, and is available 24 hours a day.Less common are Little Free Pantries, small food pantries stocking a limited number of staple foods which anyone may take when they are in need. Unlike larger food pantries, the Little Free Pantry is intended to solve a small immediate need for food.It does not address larger needs or replace traditional food pantries or food programs. It also asks no questions and has no requirements to prove need. It is also self service and available 24 hours a day."As Christians generally, we recall Jesus words in the 25th Chapter of the Gospel of Matthew: 'for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' As Lutherans specifically we remember that Martin Luther devoted quite a bit of space in both his Small and Large Catechisms to the phrase 'Give us this day our daily bread.' Among other things, he stated: 'For when you mention and pray for daily bread, you pray for everything that is necessary in order to have and enjoy daily bread and, on the other hand, against everything which interferes with it.' We sincerely hope that this library and pantry help in getting food to our neighbors who are hungry and will act against whatever prevents our neighbors from having daily bread," officials said."Ascension Lutheran Church hopes that the library and pantry will become a valuable asset to the surrounding neighborhood and provide a gathering point and a place to meet neighbors. The church has taken responsibility for constructing the pantry and library as well as stocking an initial supply of books and food. While donations from the church will continue, it is hoped that people from the community will make donations as well. Donations can be made simply by placing books or non-perishable food in the library or pantry respectively."
One of the country's most exclusive university colleges has seen its shocking history of sexism continue, with revelations male students use Facebook to compare having sex to 'harpooning whales'.

St Paul's college, at the University of Sydney, has seen awards given to men for gang rape, murders and the creation of 'pro-rape' groups, since it was founded in 1850.

And now the college has again been slammed, after a disgusting post to the 'St Pauls 2017' Facebook group by a male student re-surfaced, after being published in March.

The post, which received more than 100 likes, advises other 'lads' on how their peers can help them to 'get rid of some chick' the morning after a sexual one-night stand.

The elite St Paul's college, at the University of Sydney, has seen its shocking history of sexism continue, with the revelation of a Facebook post comparing having sex to 'harpooning whales'

It reads: 'G'Day Lads,

If you ever want to get rid of some chick who either (a) won't leave your room after a r**t in the morning or (b) if you've harpooned a whale and she's taking the whole bed preventing all chances of sleep, I'll be there with a purposeful c**kblock to rescue you.

Simply message me the code word 'argh' and your room number and I'll be there with a well thought-out lie (terrifying lump on penis, broken foot or personal emergency) which requires your immediate assistance and her immediate exit.

Happy Slaying.'

Among the members of the Facebook group are graduates of the elite college who now work in highly paid careers such as accounting, law and investment banking.

The student responsible for posting the message to the Facebook group was given a temporary suspension from the college, News.com.au reports.

In a statement, the college's warden said he was dismayed by the 'gross' post.

'St Paul's College does not tolerate unacceptable or offensive behaviour and comments, and takes these matters very seriously,' Dr Ivan Head said.

'The attitudes expressed by the individual on Facebook were grossly offensive and completely contrary to the values of respect and integrity we expect from students.

'The student has been counselled by the College's Officer of Discipline and warned that a repeat of such behaviour will result in immediate expulsion.'

The college (pictured) has seen awards given to men for gang rape, murders and the creation of 'pro-rape' groups, since it was founded in 1850. In a statement, the college's warden said he was dismayed by the 'gross' post and confirmed that the student had been suspended

In 1977, an 18-year-old female was bashed, raped and killed on St Paul's main oval. No one was ever charged over her murder and it remains a cold case.

Just weeks after that horrific murder, a male student who was one of four to gang rape another student was handed an 'Animal Act of the Year Award' by his peers.

Three decades on in 2007, the college was again embroiled in controversy when a post prior to the 'Jazz Dinner Dance (JDD)' surfaced on Facebook.

It urged 'gentlemen' to purchase a ticket because it was the kind of event 'at which a College girl dreams of losing her virginity'.

In 2009 the college again made headlines when it was revealed students had started a 'Define Statutory: Pro-rape, Anti-consent' group on social media.

A woman's officer at the University of Sydney said St Paul's college had a 'r**t-and-boot' culture that she dubbed 'disgusting'.

'It perpetuates the idea that a woman's body is nothing to be respected,' Katie Thorburn said.
A Little Mermaid statue has been coated in red paint by animal rights activists protesting brutal whale hunts in Denmark.

The 94-year-old monument, a tribute to Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, was found covered in paint on Tuesday morning.

Vandals had then written 'Denmark defend the whales of the Faroe Islands' on a footpath nearby.

A 94-year-old Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, a tribute to writer Hans Christian Andersen, has been covered in red paint by animal rights protesters

The activists wrote 'Denmark defend the whales of the Faroe Islands' on the pavement nearby (Danmark is the Danish spelling for the country)

Police say they have opened an investigation into the latest act of vandalism to target the mermaid. She has been painted once before, knocked off her rock, and decapitated

Every year around 800 pilot whales are herded into coves on the Faroe Islands before being stabbed to death during a hunt known as grindadrap - or 'the grind'.

Traditionally a bonfire was lit when a pod of whales was spotted near the islands in order to alert fishermen to ready their boats.

Today word spreads on social media before the vessels head out to drive the mammals into the shore.

Hunters armed with knives mounted on long poles then gather in a cove, where they kill the animals by severing their spinal chords and arteries.

The practice dates back at least 300 years. Locals say the whales are not under threat and the killings violate no laws.

Workers were quick to remove the paint, which appeared overnight on Monday. While the Faroe Islands are self-governing, they are still part of the Kingdom of Denmark

The mermaid statue was created by sculptor Edvard Eriksen and has sat at the entrance to Copenhagen harbour since 1913

Islanders say the killings, usually carried out with a knife mounted on a long pole, breach no laws because the pilot whales are not endangered

The Faroe Islands comprises 17 inhabited islands located around 260 miles north of John O'Groats, Scotland.

In the 1940s the population voted to succeed from Denmark, but after the government failed to agree a deal the proposal was dropped in favour of laws allowing greater home rule.

Today the islands are largely self-governing, though still technically part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Pilot whales are highly sociable and intelligent creatures, and researchers believe they are capable of grief and may even possess their own culture.

The Faroese hunts rely on the whales' loyalty to work, as the mammals will attempt to defend each-other even while being hacked to death.
Facebook has apologised after mistakenly banning a design of a profile picture frame relating to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in China.

The social media site first rejected the frame as it 'belittles, threatens or attacks a particular person, legal entity, nationality or group'.

It was later approved after complaints from internet users.

'End Dictatorial Rule': Fung Ka Keung submitted oneof two picture frames on Facebook last Friday but got rejected soon

The logo was rejected as Facebook said it contained belittlement and threat to the party

Fung, 38, chief executive at Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union, told MailOnline that he submitted two designs with one stating 'Don't forget 4th June'. While the other design said: 'end dictatorial regime'.

The logos were made to remind the public of a commemoration ceremony set to be held in Victoria Park, Hong Kong, next week marking the 28th anniversary of the student-led democracy movement in Tiananmen Square, Beijing.

The incident left an unknown number of students dead with some predictions into the thousands.

Fung said: 'The logo about ending dictatorship was designed by a local political organisation, Hong Kong alliance, and that's the first one that was rejected by Facebook.'

He claimed that Facebook had disapproved of the logo on May 27, the morning following the submission.

Facebook said the logo failed to meet the terms and policies.

Considering 'ending dictatorship' might be vile, Fung submitted a second frame of 'Don't forget 4th June' closely after the rejection.

However, the submission remained in review mode for more than 24 hours.

'I think there might be reasonable doubt if there is just one case, but it is difficult for people not to think that there might be political considerations when two submissions were rejected or delayed,' Fung told MailOnline.

Facebook rejected Fung's picture frame submission as it failed to meet the company's terms and policies (left). 'Don't forget 4th June', was approved after being in held for 72 hours (right).

1989: The student-led democracy movement made waves online after violence ensued

Tank Man: The day after the incident, a brave man stood in front of the tanks in a bid to stop any further killings

The incident has caught local news media's attention as Fung made a public post on Facebook last Sunday.

Facebook then approved the use of the picture frame on Monday, along with an email apology to Fung.

'Our member of staff had mistakenly rejected your picture frame. We sincerely apologise for the incident and had approved the use of your frame now,' as written in the email.

Fung claimed over 2300 people added the frame to their profile pictures on Facebook after the approval.

The second frame,'Don't forget 4th June' was approved at around 5pm local time today.

Hong Kong web users were sceptical of the delay following reports that the social media giant planned to expand into mainland China.

'That's what they will do to earn some Chinese yuan!' commented 'Apple Chi Na'.

'It's sad that Facebook has to kneel in front of the communist country,' said Kar Stadt.

Fung said he was not surprised to think that this incident could be controlled by the Chinese government as there are so many media companies trying to settle business in China.

MailOnline has contacted Facebook for further comment, a spokesperson replied: 'The frame was disapproved incorrectly. We apologize for this mistake and have let the user know we approved his submission.'
An investigation has been launched after an intruder snuck into a hospital room where a suspected killer was being treated.

Russian tourist Aleksie Makeev is accused of stabbing a thief in the Mexican resort city of Cancun, and was hospitalized after being beaten by an angry mob.

Now police are examining how a local named Rodrigo Castillo managed to access Makeev's room and post a picture on social media.

Rodrigo Castillo posted a selfie taken at the bedside of Russian tourist Aleksie Makeev, who is accused of killing a suspected thief in Mexico

Castillo wrote alongside the picture: 'Have you seen? We pulled out the devil from this Russian nazi, hahahah. He will respect us or he will receive another beating.'

Makeev was brutally beaten with sticks and rocks by an angry mob in the Caribbean resort after he stabbed a youth, who reportedly broke into his flat.

The 20-year-old, who Makeev said entered his flat in order to attack him, later died of his injuries.

That incident followed a string of confrontations between local residents and Makeev, who allegedly repeatedly insulted them.

The Russian was taken to the hospital for treatment and extra security measures were supposedly put in place to protect him from angry locals.

Prosecutors have launched an investigation into how Castillo was able to break through the ring of security to take the selfie in the patient's hospital room.

They are also trying to locate Castillo so that he can be interviewed in connection with the police investigation into the death of the man stabbed by the tourist.

Ignacio Bermudez, the head of the hospital, said it was believed that Castillo got into the room after posing as a member of the prosecution team.

He added that Makeev's condition was improving and that he had requested a wheelchair so that he could move around the hospital.
Israeli actress Gal Gadot plays the lead role in action movie Wonder Woman

Lawmakers in Lebanon are calling for blockbuster Wonder Woman to be banned - because lead actress Gal Gadot is Israeli.

Sources claim the country's ministry of economy is hoping to secure the ban, because of the star's nationality, and her support for Israel's army.

Posters advertising the movie have already appeared around capital Beirut, where a premier is due to be held tomorrow.

There are widespread calls on social media for Wonder Woman to be banned, with lobby group Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel-Lebanon leading calls for it to not be screened.

In order for the movie to be banned, there would need to be a recommendation from a six-ministry-member committee. An insider, who is not authorised to talk to the media, told Associated Press that the process has yet to begin.

Lebanon is officially at war with Israel and has a decades-old law that boycotts Israeli products and bars Lebanese citizens from traveling or having contacts with Israelis.

Posters for the movie have already appeared across Beirut, and a premier is due to be held tomorrow

Campaigners have lobbied for the movie to be banned because of Gadot's nationality and support for the Israeli army

The Facebook campaign has praised the ministry's call, saying it is advocating a ban because Gadot was a soldier in the Israeli army, and has expressed support for Israel's military policies against the Gaza Strip, a coastal Palestinian territory run by the militant Hamas group.

In a widely shared posting on her Facebook page, Gadot had praised Israel's military during the Gaza-Israel 2014 war, sending prayers to Israeli soldiers 'who are risking their lives protecting my country against the horrific acts conducted by Hamas'.

Officials at the Lebanese economy ministry were not immediately available for comment.

Wonder Woman: Gadot is an unpopular choice among campaigners in Lebanon, who have called for the film to be banned

Cinemas in Beirut are already advertising the film, which is set to be premiered tomorrow in spite of calls for a boycott

The security official said banning a movie would be something that would ultimately come from the country's interior minister, following a recommendation from the six-member committee.

Even though Lebanon enjoys a greater margin of freedom of expression than other countries in the region, prior censorship remains in place, particularly with content relating to Israel, religion and homosexuality.

Reflecting tightening of censorship, an Egyptian movie about a celebrity Muslim cleric, Mawlana, and a Lebanese movie, Beach House, about friends discussing their identities were banned in Lebanon earlier this year.

Mawlana was later shown after cuts were made, said one cinema manager, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing controversy. The two movies were approved in Egypt.

The movie is based on the DC Comics character, Wonder Woman. It has earned Gadot acclaim, as a rare leading female role

Crowned Miss Israel, Gadot went on to serve the mandatory two-year military service in Israel, before starting her acting career and was cast in a series of Hollywood movies and shows

There is no clear mechanism for appeal of a ban on art work and public campaigns often are the only means to protest a ban. Religious institutions also have a say in art work with religious references.

Despite the controversy in Lebanon, Wonder Woman is set to open as scheduled during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan across theaters in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait on Thursday. It is scheduled for release June 22 in Oman and June 29 in Bahrain.

The movie is based on the DC Comics character, Wonder Woman. It has earned Gadot acclaim, as a rare leading female role.

The Israeli actress appeared in reprisals of the Fast and Furious, none of them were banned in Lebanon.

Crowned Miss Israel, she then went on to serve the mandatory two-year military service in Israel, before starting her acting career and was cast in a series of Hollywood movies and shows, before landing the role of Wonder Woman in last year's Batman Vs Superman.

That is when the campaign against her movies in Lebanon began, as the same campaigners sought to bar Batman Vs Superman, which was shown in Lebanese theaters.
President Trump said Russian officials must be 'laughing' at the U.S., following reports that his own son-in-law's Russia contacts were coming under scrutiny and that Moscow thought it had 'leverage' over his circle.

'Russian officials must be laughing at the U.S. & how a lame excuse for why the Dems lost the election has taken over the Fake News,' Trump tweeted on Tuesday morning.

Trump hadn't tweeted about 'fake news' since May 28th. Over Memorial Day, his tweets were restricted to the holiday observances, plus another about a North Korean missile launch.

The president has long contended that the a series of probes of Russian election interference were a 'witch hunt and that media reports on his campaign's Russia contacts are bogus.

President Trump tweeted Tuesday that 'laughing at the U.S., once again blasting 'fake news' reports

On Tuesday, CNN published the latest in a long line of revelations about Russia and the Trump campaign, reporting that Russian officials talked about having potentially 'derogatory' information about Trump and his inner circle.

The report cited intercepted communications purporting to show Russia thought it had an ability to influence the administration.

Based on the intercepts, intelligence thought 'they had the ability to influence the administration through the derogatory information,' according to the report.

However the report cautioned the sources noted the information 'could have been exaggerated or even made up.'

President Trump tweeted about Russia following a series of reports about federal investigators and his inner circle

Russia would be aware of U.S. efforts to monitor communications, and has has introduced false information to confuse U.S. intelligence in the past.

The sources didn't reveal which aides the conversations related to. A previous report referenced Russian officials talking about their ability to influence fired White House National Security Advisor Mike Flynn.

Flynn was fired after revelations about his failure to disclose his Russia contacts during the presidential transition.

The report follows a series of reports about Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and his own Russia contacts.

The Washington Post reported Friday that Kushner tried to set up a 'back channel' communication with the Russians during the presidential transition.

President Donald Trump (L) and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner take part in a bilateral meeting with Italy's Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni (not seen) in Villa Taverna, the US ambassador's residence, in Rome on May 24, 2017

Russian President Vladimir Putin is a bigger threat to world security than the so-called Islamic State group, according to veteran US Senator John McCain who also admits Donald Trump makes him "nervous"

Following multiple reports that investigators are honing in on Kushner's meeting with Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak and with the head of a Russian bank, his attorney, Jamie Gorelick, released a statement.

'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,' she said.

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly on Sunday defended the 'back channel'  where Kushner would have used Russian facilities in the U.S. to communicate with Moscow rather than using U.S. facilities  as a 'good thing.'

He said on Sunday news shows that the channel wouldn't harm U.S. security interests.

"It's both normal, in my opinion, and acceptable," Kelly said. "Any way that you can communicate with people, particularly organizations that are maybe not particularly friendly to us, is a good thing."

On MSNBC Tuesday, host Joe Scarborough blasted Kelly for going out to defend the administration rather than either declining to comment or quitting.

Arizona Senator John McCain has called the Russians and Russian President Vladimir Putin a greater threat than ISIS, a group President Trump has called 'wicked' and 'evil losers.'

McCain made his comments on Australian television, where he contrasted Russia, a nation that the U.S. accuses of hacking the presidential election following its invasion of Ukraine and ongoing support for Bashar al-Assad in Syria, and ISIS.

"I think ISIS can do terrible things," McCain said, The Hill reported.. "But it's the Russians who tried to destroy the fundamental of democracy and that is to change the outcome of an American election.
After nationwide outrage, Australian icon Healthy Harold has been saved from extinction by a last minute funding promise.

On Tuesday, Life Education CEO David Ballhausen said the beloved program had been defunded for the first time in 'literally decades'.

But by 9pm, Education and Training Minister Simon Birmingham announced a reversal of the decision via Twitter.

'We support and will work with Life Education Australia to ensure the funding and the program continues,' he wrote.

Iconic children's health program Healthy Harold has had its Government funding reinstated

Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham reversed the decision just before 9pm on Tuesday

Life Education had requested $500,000 per year under the new Federal Budget, as they had received previously, but were denied.

According to Senate Estimates, some of this money came from the Department of Education, while some came from the Department of Health.

Government funds make up only a quarter of the money the organisation needs to run, with the rest coming from fundraising and schools who pay Healthy Harold to come and visit.

'This is quite remarkable given the compelling need that exists across our community for strong, sustained and effective preventive health education,' a press release from Life Education read.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten slammed the decision to cut the program

One Twitter user highlighted the lack of job opportunities for unemployed giraffe hand puppets

The program has received Government funding for the past 35 years

When news spread that Healthy Harold could face the chop, people flocked to social media to share their thoughts

Healthy Harold works out of a caravan which visits schools to discuss food and nutrition, personal safety, physical activity, cybersafety, safety with medicine and legal drugs like tobacco, alcohol and caffeine.

Life Education also works with high school students and discusses illegal drug use.

The organisation had estimated their program would reach 750,000 people over the 2017/18 financial year.

When news spread that Healthy Harold could face the chop, people flocked to social media to share their thoughts.

The Labor Party issued a 'breaking' email to supporters urging them to sign a petition to get the funding reinstated, and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten spoke out over Twitter slamming the decision.

'Of all the things to cut, why would you cut an iconic program that teaches kids how to be healthy? Mindless,' he wrote.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Senator Birmingham's office to question the change of heart, but a spokesperson declined to comment.
Six drug traffickers who posed with wads of cash, flash watches and cars have been jailed for a total of 42 years.

Kenechi Ochereobia, 25, and brother Oluchi, 22, supplied vast amounts of crack and heroin to nearly 300 drug dealers from their bases in Hackney, east London and Cardiff.

Police discovered images of Kenechi wearing a designer watch, posing with thousands of pounds of cash resting on the central console of a Mercedes.

Officers also found around 23,000 in cash hidden in a safe in Kenechis Cardiff home, Blackfriars Crown Court heard.

Following a seven week trial the gang leader, Kenechi Ochereobia (left) received 12 years jail for conspiracy to supply heroin while his brother Oluchi (right) was handed eight years

Police discovered images of Kenechi wearing a designer watch, posing with thousands of pounds of cash resting on the central console of a Mercedes

Following a seven week trial the gang leader, Kenechi Ochereobia, received 12 years jail for conspiracy to supply heroin while Oluchi was handed eight years, after he took over running of the operation last August.

Kenechi controlled the operation through a central mobile phone number, which he and his brother used to contact hundreds of numbers via text when they had supplies of drugs available.

The brothers would receive orders back, and then instruct their couriers to supply users in Norwich.

Their couriers would then collect the money in exchange for the drugs in Norwich.

Judge Jane Sullivan said: You were in control of a drugs line called the Jamie line.

This was a well organised and profitable business as evidenced by the 20,000 found in a safe in your house in Cardiff.

You travelled frequently between your partners home in Cardiff and your parents house in London, overseeing the running of the drugs line.

Officers also found around 23,000 in cash hidden in a safe in Kenechis Cardiff home

This picture shows Heroin wraps recovered by police as part of their investigation, which spanned the breadth of the country

The prosecution argued he lived a lavish life off the back of his heroin profits, finding photos of him posing with bundles of cash and expensive items.

On one trip they made 5,000 from three days dealing in Norwich.

Kenechi Ochereobia ran a clothing brand called AP but this was just a front for his drug dealing.

The racket was smashed in September 2016 after the gang were all arrested by police.

One of the main couriers, Frankie Dos Santos, 27, had also posed with large amounts of cash, was handed seven years for his vital role.

He was arrested at Liverpool Street station boarding a train to Norwich with 100 bags of heroin on him.

Calvyn Green, 25, was given five years for his role as courier in the group.

Elliot Murawski, 26, who became a distributor of heroin after he himself became addicted and owed the gang money, was given four years in jail.

Trusted lieutenant to Ochereobia, Jaivon Prince, 20, received six years for his role managing and transporting the drugs.

Fellow gang member Frankie Dos Santos is pictured here posing with a huge wad of cash

27-year-old Dos Santos (left) was handed seven years for his vital role. Jaivon Prince (right), 20, received six years for his role managing and transporting the drugs

In a packed public gallery, family members wept and gasped as the lengthy sentences were read out.

Kenneth Millett, prosecuting said: The case revolved the Jamie Line, which all acknowledge was the conduit for the supply of heroin and crack cocaine to some 273 Norwich based drug users.

Drugs would be couriered from London to Norwich, where they would be dealt from safe houses.

Drugs would then be delivered to locations throughout Norwich by a runner.

It is clear from the evidence that the Jamie Line was already up and running and supplying drugs prior to conspiracy period of March to September 2016.

A complete qualification of the drugs supplied over this period cannot be precisely identified.

However it is clear that substantial amounts of cocaine and heroin was supplied, around 1.5 kilograms.

The crown suggest a substantial profit was made, and a lavish lifestyle enjoyed by Kenechi Ochereobia and others.

Calvyn Green (right), 25, was given five years for his role as courier in the group. Elliot Murawski (right), 26, who became a distributor of heroin after he himself became addicted and owed the gang money, was given four years in jail

The Crown have always contended that the AP brand was used by him as a front, a cover by which he would seek to explain his level of income and lifestyle should he be subject to the attention of the authorities.

Detective Sergeant Paul Harris, from the Mets Trident and Area Crime Command, said: This was a complex investigation spanning from Cardiff to Norwich via London.

Kenechi Ochereobia tried to hide his involvement in the large-scale supply of drugs in Norwich by pretending to be a legitimate clothes distributor, whilst in reality he was getting younger gang members to run drugs across the country.

' I would like to thank South Wales Police and Norfolk Constabulary for their support on this operation.
This image of Charle Gard was published by his parents earlier today

The parents of Charlie Gard revealed they have had the cash needed for his life-saving treatment for eight weeks  but are still fighting to save their son.

Connie Yates and Chris Gard stated they raised the 1.3million from public donations as long ago as March - but are unable to take their nine-month old son to receive the experimental treatment in the US due to a legal battle.

Today, his parents published a new photograph of him, right, sporting an Arsenal top, alongside a furious statement.

On Facebook, the family wrote: 'We've had the money for eight weeks but apparently it's in Charlie's "best interests" to be dragged through a legal process to strip us of our parental rights, and in that time he could have been getting treatment.'

This comes after the Court of Appeal ruled last week that doctors at Great Ormond Street should be allowed to withdraw Charlies life support and allow him to die  a process which could begin this week.

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The nine-month old's parents (Connie Yates and Chris Gard, pictured with him on Sunday) have raised 1.3m in public donations for him to undergo experimental treatment, but a court has said they cannot take him to the US for the therapy

The Court of Appeal ruled last week that doctors at Great Ormond Street should be allowed to withdraw Charlies life support and allow him to die  a process which could begin this week

The hospital's refusal to allow Charlie to be taken abroad for therapy was condemned as inhuman by his parents yesterday

But his desperate parents are to ask the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling.

They said they were ready to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg if necessary.

Charlie has a rare genetic condition which saps energy from his muscles, lungs and other organs and he is being kept alive by a ventilator.

Doctors at Great Ormond Street told the Court of Appeal he could not see, hear, move or make any sound and that it was unethical to keep him on life support.

But his parents insist Charlie does respond to them and have fought for the chance for their only child to undergo the experimental nucleoside treatment in the US.

Miss Yates, 31, a carer, said: We have had our parental rights stripped away as if they dont matter at all.

Charlie's desperate parents are to ask the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling. They said they were ready to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg if necessary

Charlie has a rare genetic condition which saps energy from his muscles, lungs and other organs and he is being kept alive by a ventilator

The way we have been treated by doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital has been inhuman.

Our son is basically being kept as a prisoner at the hospital.

Great Ormond Street Hospital said: We listen to and respect the views of every parent whose child is in our care but our duty is always to act in the best interests of the child.

We will continue to support and co-operate with Charlies parents as best we can at this difficult time.
Theresa May savaged Jeremy Corbyn over his soft stance on terrorism today - and warned he would be 'naked' in Brexit talks.

The Prime Minister said the veteran-left winger was unable to take the 'tough decisions' needed to keep the country safe.

And she told voters that the Labour leader would need to be propped up in power by the pro-EU SNP and Lib Dems - leaving him 'naked' in talks with 'aggressive' Eurocrats like Jean-Claude Juncker.

The rallying call came in a speech designed to focus voters' minds on the stark choice they face on June 8.

Theresa May today declared that Jeremy Corbyn is too weak to negotiate Brexit as she seeks to put the country's exit from the EU 'truly at the heart of this election campaign'

The rallying call came in a speech in the West Midlands today designed to focus voters' minds on the stark choice they face on June 8

The Tories are still signficantly ahead in the polls, although the gap with Labour has narrowed

Mrs May has been trying to get the Tory campaign back on track after the 'Dementia Tax' row that forced a manifesto U-turn. Although the party is still significantly ahead in the polls, the cap with Labour has narrowed.

Conservative nerves will be soothed by ICM research for the Guardian today which gave the Conservatives a more comfortable 12 point advantage.

During a visit to Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, Mrs May said Mr Corbyn's failure to say that he could walk away from the table if the EU tried to impose a punitive deal was dangerous.

She said that effectively meant Labour was telling Brussels they would accept a 'deal at any price'.

'He is not prepared to use the nuclear deterrent. He is not prepared to take action against terrorists,' Mrs May told activists.

'He is not prepared to give the police the powers they need to keep us safe. He is not prepared to take a single difficult decision for the good of our economy.

'He is not prepared to answer questions about his long track record of supporting people who want to harm and even attack our country.'

Referring to the TV election special overnight, Mrs May said: 'Last night showed that Jeremy Corbyn's minders can put him in a smart blue suit for an interview with Jeremy Paxman.

'But, with his position on Brexit, he will find himself alone and naked in the negotiating chamber of the European Union.

'Now, I know that's an image that doesn't bear thinking about, but actually this is very serious.'

The PM added: 'I am prepared. I'm ready to go. Jeremy Corbyn is not.'

Mrs May put immigration unapologetically at the heart of her speech, pledging to stand up for voters who have lost jobs or seen their wages fall because of high numbers of arrivals.

She promised that concerns about immigration will no longer be 'dismissed as parochial', and people with a desire for their 'country to make the decisions that matter to Britain here' will not face 'ridicule'.

In an attempt to win support of voters from all parties who backed Brexit, Mrs May hailed the referendum as 'a quiet revolution by all those who felt let down and left behind for too long'.

The latest negotiating documents released by the European Commission show how their estimated 100billion euro divorce bill includes paying the salaries of teachers at schools attended by the children of Eurocrats for two years after Brexit.

Mrs May chatted happily to Tory supporters as she camaigned in Wolverhampton today

The PM is appealing for a Tory majority on June 8 to push through plans for Brexit

During a visit to the West Midlands today, Mrs May put immigration unapologetically at the core of her speech

Mrs May said: 'The European Commission... is adopting an aggressive negotiating position, which can only be met by strong leadership on behalf of Britain.

'Jeremy Corbyn is in no position to provide that kind of leadership. He has no plan to deliver Brexit, and he has already admitted he would give control of our borders and control of our laws back to Brussels.'

She said that Britain's future prospects and prosperity depending on 'getting Brexit right' there could be only one choice when it came to deciding who should lead the country into the negotiations.

'I am clear about the instruction I have been given, clear about what needs to be done, and ready to get on with the job on day one  while Jeremy Corbyn doesn't have the belief, the will or the plan to deliver Brexit.'

Mrs May said the Brexit vote was 'a revolution in which millions of our fellow citizens stood up and said they were not prepared to be ignored any more'.

'Since the first day I stepped through the door of No 10 as Prime Minister, I have been clear that the mission of the government I lead is not just to get the best possible deal for Britain in Europe, but to take this opportunity to shift the balance of Britain in favour of ordinary working people.'

Corbyn fails to answer how much Labours manifesto childcare pledge will cost in car-crash interview

Jeremy Corbyn was today left frantically searching his iPad after he was unable to say how much his own party's manifesto pledge to extend free childcare will cost.

The floundering Labour leader was left speechless when faced with the basic question about his own flagship policy during the car-crash interview.

He was caught flicking through his manifesto to try to find out the cost of giving 30 hours free childcare to all two to four year-olds, during the exchange on the BBC Woman's Hour programme.

Jeremy Corbyn desperately reached for the Labour Party manifesto as he was left speechless when asked how much the manifesto pledge would cost

A squirming Mr Corbyn told the presenter 'I'll give you the figures in a moment' before she replied 'you are logging into your iPad'.

Listeners branded the interview 'painful' and 'excruciating' on Twitter as they accused the Labour leader of having a Diane Abbott moment.

And he later suffered a second disastrous interview today after infuriating Mumsnet users with a slapdash appearance.

The Labour leader arrived late for the webchat before leaving to catch a train after around half an hour - 30 minutes earlier than planned.

Asked by the presenter Emma Barnett how much the policy would cost, he said: 'It will cost erm, it will obviously er...It will obviously cost a lot to do so we accept that...'

The presenter said: 'Presumably you have the figures?'

But when he was pressed again by the presenter on figures Mr Corbyn was again left floundering.

In an excruciating exchange, he told the presenter 'I'll give you the figure in a moment' as he rummages through some papers on the desk in front of him.

A woman, who appears to be an aid, enters the radio studio to hand him a copy of Labour's manifesto.
The Hunter Museum will present a solo exhibit by Chattanooga native Wayne White. The exhibition, opening Friday, June 30 through Oct. 1, will delve into Whites Word paintings, cardboard, wood, and bronze sculptures, larger than life puppets, and sketches created throughout his career.



"Wayne White built his impressive career on both coasts, working first as an illustrator for print publications in New York, then as a set designer for television shows and music videos in Hollywood.

After creating illustrations for the East Village Eye, The New York Times, Raw Magazine, and The Village Voice, White joined the team working on Pee Wees Playhouse. As the program shifted to California, so did White, and the move led to further work in broadcast television, as well as three Emmy awards for his work on Pee Wees Playhouse. He also created the sets for Beakmans World, and was art director for music videos of hit pop songs including The Smashing Pumpkins' Tonight, Tonight and Peter Gabriel's Big Time," officials said.The Hunters exhibition is the culmination of a yearlong focus on Wayne White in Chattanooga, which began with Wayne-O-Rama, a large scale, immersive art installation and experience in Chattanoogas Southside. "This ambitious project brought together Whites clever wit with his impressive design and building skills and is on view through September. Maquettes related to Wayne-O-Rama will be part of the Hunter exhibition," officials said.Mr. White has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from MTSU, and has had numerous solo exhibitions around the country. His work is included in such collections as The Detroit Institute of the Arts, the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, Los Angeles, and the New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York. In 2012, Beauty is Embarrassing, a documentary on Mr. Whites life, premiered in Austin. It has aired nationwide on PBS and is available from Netflix.General admission to the Hunter Museum, including this special exhibition, is $15 for adults and free for youth 17 and under. As always, members are admitted free.

Thrill After Thrill Exhibit Related Events:



Saturday, July 1; Saturday, Sept. 23

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Beauty is Embarrassing Screening

All are invited to see Beauty is Embarrassing, a film about the artist Wayne White whose work is featured in the Hunters special exhibit Thrill After Thrill: Thirty Years of Wayne White.



Saturday, July 1, 8 and 15

2-3:30 p.m.

Weekend Wayne Docent Training

Sign up to be a Weekend Wayne Docent, attend three training sessions, and give tours of Thrill After Thrill to museum guests on Saturdays during the run of the exhibit.



Thursday, July 6

6-8 p.m.

Bands on the Bluff: Nick Lutsko and Friends

Celebrate the art of Wayne White with a kaleidoscope of music through a performance by Nick Lutsko. This is the third in a series of six monthly concerts, all taking place on first Thursdays. Bands on the Bluff is presented in partnership with SoundCorps and generously sponsored by Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED.



Thursday, July 13

6-7 p.m.

Thrill after Thrill with Creeping Critters

Explore Wayne Whites work through a demonstration by Matthew Dutton, another Chattanooga artist whose work was inspired by Wayne Whites visions. Matthew will share Waynes work with us and then invite us into the creation process for his own creeping critters.



Thursday, Aug. 17

6-8 p.m.

Cocktails in Color: Funhouse

With technicolor gallery experiences and a surprise specialty cocktail curated by Flying Squirrel mixologists, guests are in for a funhouse of a night. This series is co-presented by The Flying Squirrel.



Thursday, Aug. 24

6-7:30 p.m.

Art Wise: Distinguished Speakers at the Hunter Presents Wayne White

We are proud to welcome artist Wayne White as he discusses his work and his Chattanooga roots. The Art Wise series is generously sponsored by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee Community Trust.



Sunday, Sept. 17

2-4 p.m.

Family Fun Day: Waynes World

Take a trip to Waynes World as we explore the thrilling world of the current special exhibit. This fun filled afternoon for kids of all ages will include puppetry, dance, music, games, crafts and all kinds of color.



Thursday, Sept. 21

6-7 p.m.

Faculty Dialogues: The South of Wayne White

Explore the South of Wayne White during an in-gallery walking dialogue with Dr. Jennifer Beech of UTCs Department of English.



Thursday, Sept. 28

6-7:30 p.m.

Teen Thrills

Teens only are invited to this special night of creating art and an over-the-top play inspired by Thrill after Thrill: Thirty Years of Wayne White.
A young artist with a 'heart of gold' has died after being struck by a train while walking along the edge of the tracks.

Max Heyer, 22, was hit by the train that was carrying 43 people in Oceanside, California, on Sunday night.

The surfing fan, who was described as 'the kindest soul', was found dead while his friend suffered a wounded arm and was rushed to hospital in a 'serious' condition.

Max Heyer (pictured), 22, of Oceanside, California, died after being struck by a train while walking along the edge of the tracks

Mr Heyer's loved ones flocked to social media to pay their respects to him, saying he was 'sweet, unique and softly-spoken'

The train driver went into emergency braking after spotting the two men, but crashed anyway at 10.26pm on the tracks parallel to South Coast Highway.

Police found the man with an injured arm first, who was in his early 20s, and then looked further and found Mr Heyer dead, Fox 5 reported.

None of the 43 passengers on board the train were injured.

Mr Heyer's loved ones flocked to social media to pay their respects to him.

'R.I.P. Max Heyer. I'm so sorry bud you will be missed you were the nicest person,' one wrote.

Another shared a photo of him surfing and wrote: 'Taken way too soon. I snapped this photo of Max Heyer the same day that I first called California my home.

The train driver went into emergency braking after spotting the two men, but crashed anyway at 10.26pm on the tracks parallel to South Coast Highway

'His style was unparalleled and although soft spoken, I was soon able to see the heart of gold that he bared.

'Future photo/video shoots with him only left me telling others what a good kid he truly was. The kindest soul.'

'Rest easy Max Heyer, always such a great human, never heard one bad thing about him, sad day,' another added.

His friend, who was in his early 20s, suffered a wounded arm and was rushed to Scripps La Jolla Hospital (pictured) in a 'serious' condition

'Yet another sweet, unique, and all around cool guy lost. Life really scares the s*** out of me.

'You never know what's gonna happen within a blink of an eye. Rip Max Heyer,' a third friend wrote.

'An Amtrak train was traveling southbound when two persons were observed walking on the edge of the tracks,' Oceanside police said.

'The train went into emergency braking but the train struck the two persons.'
The identities of a man who pleaded guilty to murdering a Sydney bodybuilder and three men who pleaded guilty as an accessory, have been revealed.

Omar Rajab, 24, pleaded guilty to murdering 22-year-old Hedi Ayoub in Salmon Reserve in Punchbowl, western Sydney in June 2015.

Mohammed El Chami, 26, Bilal Allouche, 24, and Ebrahim Allouche, 30, also pleaded guilty to murder accessory charges in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Omar Rajab, 24, (bottom right) pleaded guilty to murdering Sydney bodybuilder Hedi Ayoub in a western Sydney park in 2015. Mohammed El Chami, 26, (bottom left), Bilal Allouche, 24, (top right) and Ebrahim Allouche, (top left) 30, also pleaded guilty to murder accessory charges

Four men have pleaded guilty to their roles in the daylight shooting murder of bodybuilder Hedi Ayoub (pictured with wife Jessica) near a western Sydney playground two years ago

The mugshots of the four men were seen for the first time after

The Allouche brothers pleaded guilty to assisting Rajab after he killed the 22-year-old, while El Chami admitted to failing to tell police about the crime.

Mr Ayoub's body was found underneath a tree in Punchbowl park in Sydney's west on June 29, 2015.

All four men had been charged with murder and were due to face trial this week.

Mr Ayoub's (pictured) body was found underneath a tree in Salmon Reserve, Punchbowl in Sydney's west on June 29, 2015

The court heard Mr Ayoub was known as a standover man for his Middle Eastern family and had threatened to get Rajab and his family.

El Chami and Ebrahim Allouche remain on bail and left court without making statements.

Allouche was seen leaving court trying to cover his face with a black hooded jumper, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Justice Elizabeth Fullerton adjourned the case for a two-day sentence hearing beginning on June 28.

Mr Ayoub's body was found underneath a tree in Punchbowl park in western Sydney on June 29, 2015
President Donald Trump took another swipe at longtime U.S. ally Germany, firing off a tweet that chided the nation for its trade surplus with the U.S. and for shirking its defense responsibilities.

The missive came after Angela Merkel, the longest serving European head of state, warned that fellow European allies could not longer 'completely depend' on others, in the latest sign of strain between the U.S. and its key 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 tweeted Tuesday morning.

His rebuke came after summit meetings last week that exposed splits between Trump and European leaders.

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President Donald Trump took another swipe at longtime U.S. ally Germany , firing off a tweet that chided the nation for its trade surplus with the U.S. and for shirking its defense responsibilities

Trump reportedly told allied leaders that 'the Germans are bad, very bad,' according to a German press report. Trump economic advisor Gary Cohn explained during the trip that Trump said 'they're very bad on trade, but he doesn't have a problem with Germany.'

Merkel cautioned Monday against seeking 'simple answers' to complex global issues, a day after suggesting that Europe's relationship with the U.S. had shifted significantly following NATO and G-7 meetings with Trump that produced disappointing results.

'The times in which we could completely depend on others are, to a certain extent, over,' she said at an election rally in Munich.

The comments the rally Sunday in Bavaria, where Merkel stressed that 'we Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands,' were widely seen as acknowledgement from Europe's most powerful leader of the changing dynamic of trans-Atlantic ties.

Her foreign minister, a political rival, upped the rhetoric Monday by declaring that with Trump's policies, 'the West has become smaller.'

Merkel's remarks came after a Group of Seven summit at which the Europeans couldn't reach an agreement with Trump on climate change.

'The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days,' she said. 'And so all I can say is that we Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands.'

Merkel also emphasized the continued need for friendly relations with the U.S. and others. Her spokesman Steffen Seibert, said Monday the chancellor is 'a convinced trans-Atlanticist.'

His rebuke Tuesday morning came after summit meetings last week that exposed splits between Trump and European leaders.

Trump warned that Germany's trade and defense policies were 'very bad' for the U.S., stoking a growing feud with Merkel, who on Monday said her European allies could not longer 'completely depend' on others

U.S.-German relations 'are a strong pillar of our foreign and security policy, and Germany will continue working to strengthen these relations,' Seibert said. 'Precisely because they are so important, it's right to name differences honestly.'

Where Europe's relationship with the U.S. during the Cold War and in its immediate aftermath had a strong emotional component, Merkel's comments suggest she now sees them as more 'pragmatic and transactional,' said Sylke Tempel, an expert with the German Council on Foreign Relations.

'She feels there is a turning point - trans-Atlantic relations won't be the relations we've seen over the last decades,' Tempel said. 'Trump accelerates it, but it was to be expected.'

She also noted that Merkel is seeking a fourth term as chancellor in September, and does not want to be seen as being too close to an American president who is widely disliked in Europe.

'You don't want to be sitting too comfortably in Trump's boat, or in Trump's boat at all, because Trump's not liked here,' she said.

During a speech Monday in Berlin, Merkel did not specifically mention Trump but quoted a 1963 speech by former President John F. Kennedy in Frankfurt, where he told the audience 'those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.'

'With change comes insecurity, skepticism ... and, not infrequently, the glorification of the supposedly good old days,' Merkel said. 'Particularly in view of the complexity of global contexts, a wish for simple answers spreads. But anyone who puts on national blinkers and has no view of the world around him will ultimately get lost.'

Her main challenger in September, the Social Democrats' candidate Martin Schulz, doubled down on Merkel's Sunday comments, saying the summits made it clear that Trump was a president 'who wants to humiliate others, who presents himself like an authoritarian ruler.'

'Europe is the answer, and stronger cooperation between the European countries at all levels is the answer to Donald Trump,' Schulz said on ARD public television. 'And above all else, we must not submit to Trump's arms-race logic.'

And Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, also a Social Democrat, said Monday that if the Trump administration 'finds pushing through national interests more important than an international order... then I say that the West has become smaller - it has at least become weaker.'

He added, however, that he hopes 'we can win back the United States one day, because there are also large parts of American society that we must not forget.'

Following the G-7 meeting in Sicily on Saturday, Merkel was sharply critical of Trump's decision not to join the other countries in reiterating support for the 2015 Paris Agreement that aims to slow global warming, calling the G-7 climate talks 'very unsatisfactory.'

'Here is a situation where it's six, seven if you include the EU, against one,' she said. 'That means there are so far no signs whether the United States of America will remain in the Paris agreement or not.'

Merkel lifts a glass of beer during an election campaign event in Munich on Sunday. 'The times in which we could completely depend on others are, to a certain extent, over,' she said at the event

Trump did not hold a news conference after the summit but later tweeted that he would make his 'final decision' on the Paris accord this week.

Germany has also bristled at criticism from Trump over NATO defense spending and the country's large trade surplus.

Trump rebuked NATO allies publicly at a meeting in Brussels last week, lecturing them about the need for them to spend more on defense.

'This is not fair to the people and taxpayers of the United States,' Trump said.'If NATO countries made their full and complete contributions, then NATO would be even stronger than it is today, especially from the threat of terrorism.'

The 28 member nations, plus soon-to-join Montenegro, have renewed an old vow to move toward spending 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense by 2024. Only five members meet the target: Britain, Estonia, debt-laden Greece, Poland and the United States, which spends more on defense than all the other allies combined.

Germany does not.

Trump took aim at the EU member nation on Tuesday for the deficit - and the trade surplus it has with the US.

Because Germany is part of the European Union, Trump cannot negotiate directly with Merkel on trade. His economic advisor, Cohn, said last week that Trump was aware of that when he brought up Germany's 'very bad' practices at a meeting with EU leaders in Brussels.

Trump suggested Tuesday that he's looking for a way to act, saying on Twitter, 'This will change.'
Ivanka Trump came under fire on Sunday after her brand's Twitter account shared a 'tone deaf' recipe for champagne popsicles to mark Memorial Day.

Critics accused the First Daughter of being 'out of touch' and insensitive to the occasion which is to give remembrance to veterans who lost their lives in service.

The tweet was posted on Ivanka Trump HQ's Twitter page on Sunday morning.

It read: 'Make champagne popsicles this #MemorialDay' and included a link to the company's website with the words: 'Turn up the music - it's a three day weekend.'

The website post featured an illustration of a picnic basket and the tag line: 'Memorial Day. It's the kickoff to the summer.'

It included a list of recipes and guides including one from Good Housekeeping for 'boozy popsicles'.

Ivanka Trump has come under fire over this Twitter post which her company, Ivanka Trump HQ, shared on Sunday

While Ivanka acknowledged the nation's fallen servicemen and women in a post on her personal account, her company was inundated with complaints.

One critic shared a photograph of her veteran father, writing alongside it: 'Ivanka, this is my father. He served 6 tours of Vietnam and doesn't give a f*** about your champagne popsicles today.'

Another said: 'My father did not take a grenade and lose an eye on Saipan for freaking champagne popsicles.'

Their criticisms were echoed by hundreds of others who claimed she had missed the point of the day entirely.

They claimed her insensitivity was made worse by the fact that her father has never served in the military.

President Trump was granted deferrals during Vietnam so that he could attend college. One was issued after he was diagnosed as having bone spurs in his heels and was deemed unfit (some of the Twitter critics included the hashtag #bonespurs in their complaints on Sunday).

Many of the critics were the children or relatives of veterans who accused her of missing the point of the occasion

Others likened the 'tone deaf' First Daughter to Marie Antoinette and said the post was made worse by the fact President Trump has never serviced in the armed forces

Others complained that the decadent recipe demonstrated Ivanka's poor grasp on the country's means.

They harshly likened her to Marie Antoinette, the crucified last queen of France who was executed in the French revolution by disgusted civilians who had grown tired of the monarchy's excess.

Antoinette responded 'let them eat cake' when she was told that the people were so poor they had no bread to eat.

Over the weekend, Twitter users likened Ivanka's champagne popsicle post to the infamous quote.

'That's one hell of a let-them-eat-cake tweet. The dead can't drink champagne, and a lot of your dad's cult can't afford it,' said one user.

The company has not responded to the criticism. Other tweets it posted along with the Memorial Day hashtag included 'Up your grill game with 10 tips from Jamie Oliver' and 'What are your MDW plans? Consider these fun ideas.'

Ivanka shared a message from her personal account on Sunday night to mark the occasion.

Ivanka returned to the US last week with her husband Jared Kushner after joining her father during his first overseas tour. She is pictured arriving with her husband in Rome on May 23

Ivanka shared her own Memorial Day message on her personal Twitter account

'Today we honor the men & women in our armed forces who have lost their lives to protect our freedom. Thank you for your service #MemorialDay,' she said.

She did not join her father at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday morning and has not been seen since returning to Washington DC from Rome last week.

President Trump spoke at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday

Upon their arrival back in the US, Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were confronted with growing claims that he is the focus of senate committee investigations into the Trump transition team's ties with Russia.

Unnamed sources claimed Kushner, who serves as senior advisor to the president, tried to establish a back channel to allow US and Russian officials to communicate away from the watchful eye of authorities.

Neither Ivanka nor Jared has commented on the allegations.

President Trump has not addressed it directly either but claimed on Sunday that the 'fake news media' had begun fabricating stories and making up sources.

'Whenever you see the words 'sources say' in the fake news media, and they don't mention names....it is very possible that those sources don't exist but are made up by fake news writers,' he said.
An angry city sculptor - seeking redemption for Wall Street's Charging Bull - placed a sculpture of a urinating dog next to the Fearless Girl statue.

Alex Gardega's statue of a small dog, he calls the Pissing Pug, was placed near Fearless Girl's left leg.

Gardega called the Fearless Girl statue 'corporate nonsense', adding that 'it has nothing to do with feminism', according to the New York Post.

Angry city sculptor, Alex Gardega - seeking redemption for Wall Street's Charging Bull - placed a sculpture of a urinating dog (pictured) next to the Fearless Girl statue

The New York sculptor claims the statue was placed opposite of artist Arturo Di Modica's bull as a publicity stunt by $2.5 trillion asset manager State Street Global.

The statue was part of State Street Global's campaign to increase gender diversity in Wall Street's 'traditionally male environment'.

Gardega (pictured) called the Fearless Girl statue 'corporate nonsense', adding that 'it has nothing to do with feminism'

And most importantly, the statue was placed in front of the bull two months ago to symbolize the power of women on International Women's Day.

But according to Gardega, the little girl statue is a 'disrespect to the artist that made the bull'.

'That bull had integrity,' Gardega told the Post.

He said he made the urinating dog poorly in an attempt to 'downgrade' the statue.

'I decided to build this dog and make it crappy to downgrade the statue, exactly how the girl is a downgrade on the bull,' said Gardega.

Despite women calling Gardega's attempt at redemption for the bull 'misogynistic', he claims that he is 'pro-feminism' and has 'nothing against the sculptor whatsoever'.

Fearless Girl's creator, Kristen Visbal, did not respond to requests for comment over the incident.

Last month, the bull's sculptor, Di Modica, demanded the removal of the Fearless Girl statue.

Fearless Girl's creator, Kristen Visbal, did not respond to requests for comment over the incident

Fearless Girl was supposed to be a temporary installation celebrating International Women's Day, but given its popularity Mayor Bill de Blasio extended the statue's permit for 11 months after women's groups pressured him to keep it around longer. It will stay up through Feb 2018

Di Modica said his 11-foot-tall bull is supposed to represent 'freedom in the world, peace, strength, power and love' but Fearless Girl has turned his work's message into something negative, he claimed.

Fearless Girl was supposed to be a temporary installation celebrating International Women's Day, but given its popularity Mayor de Blasio extended the statue's permit for 11 months after pressure from women's groups to keep it around longer.

It will stay up through February 2018.

Di Modica is suing State Street Global for trademark and copyright infringement.

And this isn't the first time Fearless Girl has been disrespected.

A disgusting photo of a man humping the little girl statue went viral just days after millions celebrated and honored women on International Women's Day.
German authorities detained a 17-year-old Syrian outside Berlin on Tuesday on suspicion that he was planning a suicide attack in the German capital, officials said.

Police in the state of Brandenburg said the teenager was detained in the county of Uckermark, northeast of Berlin, after they learned he had sent a WhatsApp message to his mother saying farewell and that 'he had joined the jihad', or holy war.

'Evidence of the planning of a concrete act has not yet been identified during the police investigation,' police said in a statement.

German police detained a 17-year-old Syrian outside Berlin on Tuesday on suspicion that he was planning a suicide attack in the German capital The ministry had no immediate details on how close he was to carrying out an attack on Berlin (pictured above)

The WhatsApp message talking about jihad to the suspect's family was sent within the last week and Brandenburg authorities were told of it late Monday night by two other German states, Brandenburg police spokesman Torsten Herbst told The Associated Press.

He said police were investigating but so far 'evidence of the planning of a concrete act has not yet been identified'.

The ministry had no immediate details on how close he was to carrying out an attack or other information on the suspect.

The state Interior Ministry's office identified the suspect as Syrian, but Herbst said investigators were checking to see whether he falsely registered as a Syrian but was actually from a North African country.

In December, a Tunisian citizen attacked a Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 and injuring dozens (pictured above)

Officials said the arrest was the result of coordinated intelligence from several German states.

The teenager, whose name wasn't released, came to Germany in 2015 as an unaccompanied minor and registered as an asylum-seeker.

He has been living since 2016 in a home for minor refugees in Uckermark.

His asylum home was raided on Tuesday. Details of his planned outrage were not revealed by police but media reports said that his scheme was 'advanced'.

Herbst said the teenager was still being interrogated.

German security officials have repeatedly warned that the country is in the crosshairs of international terrorist groups.

Germany saw a number of violent attacks by Islamic extremists last year, including the deadly truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market that left 12 victims dead and dozens of others injured.

The attack, carried out by a young Tunisian man who had been denied asylum in Germany, was later claimed by the Islamic State group.
This is the terrifying moment a group of illegal immigrants had to jump for their lives into the ocean when their tiny inflatable boat erupted into a blazing inferno.

The 34 migrants, including nine women, were attempting to get from Africa to Spain when the boat there were in caught fire on Monday.

Footage of the accident was captured by Portuguese rescuers who threw the migrants a dinghy and alerted the Spanish coastguard.

The Spanish coastguard had to rescue 34 migrants stranded in the middle of the Mediterranean on Monday after the dinghy they were in burst into flames

Dramatic video shot by the Portuguese air force shows the vessel catching fire before the migrants are forced to abandon ship

Eventually rescue boats and a passing fishing vessel managed to rescue the migrants, all of whom survived.

The video, published by the Portuguese Air Force, shows how the men and women are crammed into the tiny boat when flames suddenly erupt among them.

Fire can be seen shooting into the boat and into the water before the whole inflatable is engulfed.

At first, the migrants - most of them not wearing life jackets - try to put the fire out before realising it is a hopeless task.

One by one, they then abandon the boat by jumping into the freezing sea.

The group, which included nine women, were attempting to cross from Africa to Spain when an explosion in a near-empty fuel tank caused the blaze

All of the migrants were rescued after the accident. It is thought that one of them has since been arrested on suspicion of people smuggling

They are left floating in the water with fire still raging around them. The boat was completely destroyed.

It is believed the fire was caused by an explosion in a near-empty fuel tank.

The dramatic incident happened off the coast of the Mediterranean island of Alboran between the Spanish mainland and north Africa.

It was spotted by a Portuguese aircraft patrolling the borders who called in Maritime Rescue.

Life boats were thrown into the water for the immigrants to climb into whilst one of the 34 was plucked to safety by the emergency helicopter.

'We feared for our lives,' said one of them.

More than 1,000 migrants have died trying to cross the Mediterranean so far in 2017, the vast majority of those by drowning (pictured, the migrants are rescued by the Spanish coastguard)

A spokesman for Spain's maritime rescue said. 'There was panic, tension and nerves but luckily it all worked out well in the end.'

All 34 were treated by the Red Cross on their arrival at the port of Motril in Granada before being taken on to hospital. They were then put in a make-shift camp before they are processed and sent back home.

It is understood one man has been arrested in connection with illegal trafficking.

UN figures released in April showed the death toll of migrants crossing the Mediterranean has already passed 1,000, with around 150 thought to be children.

Many drowned after over-filled boats capsized, while some were crushed to death, suffocated or starved while adrift at sea.
A Belgian university was forced to apologize to students after sending an email that suggested women wear low-cut outfits to their graduation ceremony.

The message was sent to medical students at the Brussels Free University (ULB) ahead of their June graduation.

'From an aesthetic point of view,' the email read, ' it is better for young women to wear a dress or skirt, and a nice revealing neckline.'

Men were told to wear a suit for the graduation event.

The email, which was sent to medical students at the Brussels Free University (ULB), pictured, ahead of their June graduation, told men to wear suits and women to wear a dress with a 'revealing neckline'

The email, which said its advice was not obligatory, caused outcry on social media and the school was forced to apologize.

University officials posted a statement on Facebook and Twitter in order to apologize on behalf of its medical faculty.

The statement said that the advice was inappropriate and went against the university's values.

Dean of the medicine faculty, Marco Schetgen, said that the email was likely sent by a woman, as the secretariat does not include any men, according to Belgian news outlet RTL.

The email, which said its advice was not obligatory, caused outcry on social media and the school was forced to apologize

'No, it's not a hoax,' he said, confirming the email had been sent out. He added that he was shocked when he learned of the email.

The email was first brought to students' attention through the light-hearted Facebook page, ULB Confessions, which interrupted its usual jokes with the 'little scandal'.

Students responded to the post in swarms, accusing the university of being sexist because of the Facebook post.

One student responded to the post: 'No one has the right to tell you how you should feel in your skin. Nobody has the right to tell you how to dress.

'No one has the right to tell you how to play your role as a woman. No one has the right to take away this freedom that has been (and is still being) obtained with such difficulty.'
Heroic bystanders worked desperately to rescue a Dallas cop after a hit-and-run driver plowed into his squad car and sent it crashing 30ft down into a creek.

The officer, who has not been identified, was responding to a burglary call around 2pm on Monday when his vehicle was T-boned by a driver in a Chevy Silverado, according to CBS-DFW.

Police said the suspect 'failed to yield the right of way and collided with the squad car'. The impact caused the officer's car to leave the road and land in a creek.

Scroll down for video

Heroic bystanders (pictured) worked desperately to rescue a Dallas cop after a hit-and-run driver plowed into his squad car and sent it crashing 30 feet down into a creek

The officer, who has not been identified, was responding to a burglary call around 2pm on Monday when his vehicle was T-boned by a driver in a Chevy Silverado

Witness Video: Dallas Police vehicle involved in crash goes into creek. Citizens try to help. pic.twitter.com/ruOBCEl02T  Larry Collins (@LarryNBC5) May 29, 2017

About a dozen bystanders rushed to aid the officer and pushed the vehicle back on its wheels to help him out of the car.

The officer was then transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. As of Tuesday morning, he is said to be in stable condition.

Sources told CBS the officer has a punctured lung but should recover.

Police believe the Silverado that hit the officer's patrol car was stolen. Authorities are still searching for the driver who fled the scene on foot.

It's also unclear if the driver intentionally hit the officer's vehicle.

Witness Lenora Jefferson toldNBC-DFW she heard 'this loud crash' before seeing the officer's car become 'airborne' and plummet into 'the ravine'.

Police said the suspect, who was driving a white Silverado (pictured) 'failed to yield the right of way and collided with the squad car'. The impact caused the officer's car to leave the road and land in a creek. The suspect fled the scene on foot

The investigation is ongoing as police continue to search for the suspect. The officer suffered a punctured lung, but he's expected to recover. The squad car (pictured) was pulled from the creek around 6.30pm on Monday

'When they hit him, he went airborne. I was like, "I got to go down there,"' Richard Robertson, told CBS.

Robertson said he had to 'slap' the officer three times in order to get him to regain consciousness.

Benji Rogers also jumped in to help save the officer.

'Other people were coming down, so I get everybody, "Look guys, we got to get this car up out of the water,"' Rogers told CBS.

The squad car was pulled from the creek around 6.30pm.

The Dallas Police Department tweeted on Monday thanking the citizens for their quick-thinking actions that helped save the officer's life.

'Thank you to these brave and caring citizens who ran to the aid of one of our officers today. The love from our community is truly inspiring.'
A Muslim sheikh and the female founder of a right-wing political party have captured the shocking moment they were attacked by an angry Muslim man in a restaurant.

Shia imam Mohammad Tawhidi and Kim Vuga, the former star of SBS reality program 'Go Back To Where You Came From' turned political aspirant, were having lunch at an eatery in Adelaide, South Australia, when they were attacked.

Footage taken by Mrs Vuga, the founder of the Love Australia or Leave party, shows the pair being abused by the Muslim man as he goes on an expletive-laden rant.

Sheiki Tawhidi, a self-proscribed 'imam of peace', has been forced into hiding during recent months after facing a barrage of death threats and abuse from Muslims.

Opening up about his recent restaurant ordeal, the imam told Today Tonight the attack against him and Mrs Vuga was the latest sign of what he's previously called 'a serious problem' with the Muslim religion.

He told Daily Mail Australia the incident captured on camera occurred the day before Ramadan, when Muslims refrain from food and water for the holy month.

Muslim sheikh Mohammad Tawhidi (pictured) and the female founder of a right-wing political party has opened up on the shocking moment they were attacked by an angry Muslim man

The shia imam and Kim Vuga, the former star of SBS reality program 'Go Back To Where You Came From' were having lunch at an eatery in Adelaide when they were attacked (pictured)

'Instead of dealing with the message that needs reformation, they attack the messenger,' he said.

'They want to rip you apart - since when did we accept this type of attitude in Australia?'

Footage of the incident shows the imam and Mrs Vuga being approached by an agitated man as they sit in the restaurant.

Yelling and swearing at the pair, the man calls Mrs Vuga a 'b***h' and stomps his foot on the ground, before being escorted from the eatery by two men who intervene.

He then moves outside where Sheikh Tawhidi seemingly tries to attempt to calm the situation, only to be spat at by the man

Describing the moment she came under attack Mrs Vuga, a former candidate for the Senate in Queensland, said she feared what the aggressive man would do.

'What we could've had is a radical attack in a family restaurant,' Mrs Vuga claimed.

The confrontation comes just weeks after Sheikh Tawhidi was spat at and called a pig as he walked down the street in the Muslim heartland of Sydney.

Mrs Vuga (pictured), the founder of the Love Australia or Leave party, claimed she was scared the Muslim man would launch a radical attack on them

'What we could've had is a radical attack in a family restaurant,' Mrs Vuga claimed

The moment he was verbally abused as he walked along Haldon Street in Lakemba - home to Australia's largest mosque - was captured on video by the man who spat at him.

Asked what the insult meant by Seven News reporter Bryan Seymour, he said: 'It means, 'May God curse you, you pig, you dog.'

The Muslim man, who describes Sheikh Tawhidi as a fraud and a 'lying piece of sh**' on his personal Facebook page, later uploaded footage of the confrontation online.

Sheikh Tawhidi picked up the footage and uploaded it himself, writing: 'A captured video footage from the very phone of the radical Muslim.'

'"May God curse you, you pig, you dog". It's interesting how we are yet to see a pig or dog damage this planet like these radicals have,' he added.

Sheikh Tawhdidi claimed the holy Koran had influenced the men who abused him.
Education Commissioner Candice McQueen announced on Tuesday that 18,340 students in 917 classrooms across the state will benefit from the Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) program in the 2017-18 school year. Nearly 95 percent of districts in Tennessee will receive VPK funding designed to serve 4-year-olds who are at-risk. A list of preliminary funding amounts by district and the number of classrooms that funding supports is located on the departments website.

The application process was strengthened this year to ensure the program provides children with a high-quality opportunity to develop school readiness skills and a strong foundation for learning. Pursuant to the requirements outlined in the Pre-K Quality Act of 2016, this year VPK funding was awarded on a competitive basis in order provide consistently high-quality VPK programs that prioritize serving students from low-income families.



High-quality early learning opportunities are one of the best investments we can make in our kids, Commissioner McQueen said. We want to ensure we are supporting strong early learning opportunities for our students with the greatest need, and that is reflected in the updated application process and in these grantees.



To ensure VPK funds are used to maximize and increase student outcomes, the funding for districts for 2017-18 VPK programs changed from a formula-based allocation to a competitive grant process based on program quality standards, including:



full enrollment in programs serving the highest-need students;

use of a quality curriculum aligned to the Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards for 4-year-olds;

daily schedule that maximizes instructional time, minimizes transitions, and contributes to childrens healthy growth and development;

use of student outcome data to improve instruction;

frequent classroom observations with job-embedded support for pre-K teachers; and

family outreach to maximize enrollment and support at-home learning.

Moving to a competitive application process is the first of many targeted updates the department is undertaking to ensure VPK funding is utilized to support high-quality pre-K programs across the state. As the department continues to make pre-K program quality improvements, we will continue to partner with districts across the state to measure program quality and to provide strategic professional development and support.



To find out more about VPK in Tennessee, visit the departments website or contact Candace Cook, director of voluntary pre-K programs, at Candace.Cook@tn.gov.


A carpenter who slit his wife's throat after she 'flipped like The Incredible Hulk' during a furious row has been cleared of her murder.

Robert Rhodes, 43, of Earlswood, Surrey, claimed he acted in self defence after his wife Dawn, 38, 'attacked' him at their home.

Rhodes had discovered his partner of 21 years was seeing another married man when he secretly went through messages on her mobile phone.

Robert Rhodes, 43, has been found not guilty of murdering his wife, Dawn, 38, after the pair rowed

Prosecutors claimed that Rhodes (left) of Earlswood, Surrey, cut Dawn's throat from behind in a 'coup de grace' manoeuvre during the final row

He set up a fake Facebook profile to contact the lover and told him: 'Thank you for screwing my wife and my life.'

Prosecutors claimed that Rhodes cut his wife's throat from behind in a 'coup de grace' manoeuvre during the final row in the dining room of the house in Earlswood.

But Rhodes was cleared of murder after he described to the Old Bailey how Dawn lashed out with a knife during a row and hit him over the head.

He looked upwards at the ceiling and sighed with relief as the jury delivered their verdict following 36 hours and 21 minutes of deliberations spread over eight days.

Members of Dawn Rhodes' family looked shocked as the judge told Rhodes he could now leave the dock.

The Common Serjeant of London, Judge Richard Marks told the jury they would not have to serve on a case again for another ten years and added: 'I am sure you would join with me in saying that irrespective of the verdict this has been a great tragedy for all. There are no winners, there are only losers.'

The judge left court after telling Dawn Rhodes' family: 'The court's sincere condolences.'

Robert Rhodes found out his wife was having an affair with a married work colleague on Christmas Eve 2015.

He agreed to move into the spare bedroom while trying to salvage the relationship but in early 2016 Dawn moved into her mother's home.

Rhodes set up a fake Facebook account to contact her lover's wife with the message: 'Hi my name is Rob Rhodes, husband of Dawn Rhodes who your husband works with and has been f***ing since Christmas.

'Dawn is leaving me for him. I thought you should know. Sorry they have screwed us both. I have tried to fix this but they won't do it.'

Rhodes also offered to get her pregnant and confided in her that he had thought about killing himself and researched how to slit his wrists.

The prosecution claimed Rhodes refused to accept his relationship with Dawn was over and repeatedly begged her to come back home even after the divorce petition was issued in late May 2016.

Police arrived at the house in Earlswood in June last year to find Mrs Rhodes lying in a pool of blood and Mr Rhodes in an upstairs bedroom

Prosecutor Simon Russell-Flint said: 'His complete denial of the reality of the matrimonial position even when the divorce petition was actually issued, his continual protestations of love and affection, whatever he was saying to her was driving her to the end of her tether.

'The combined effect of his actions and words, it had all the potential to explode.'

On June 2 last year Dawn and her mother Elizabeth went to Brighton for the day.

When they returned Robert Rhodes was agitated and acting 'like a cat on a hot tin roof'.

The row began soon after Dawn's mother left and at 7.35pm he dialled 999 to say his wife had attacked him with a knife.

Police arrived minutes later at the house to find Dawn lying in a pool of blood and Rhodes in an upstairs bedroom.

The cut to Dawn's throat had severed her carotid artery and jugular veins and also passed through her windpipe.

Rhodes found out his wife was having an affair with a married work colleague on Christmas Eve 2015

Rhodes told officers his wife had a 'short fuse' and hit him twice on the back of the head with a knife during the row.

In his police interview, Rhodes said his wife had 'flipped' and threatened him with a knife.

Rhodes said: 'I was scared. she was really angry.

'One minute she was fine and the next she was like the Incredible Hulk. She just went. I have never seen her like that.

'It takes a lot to scare me but I knew that blade was there.'

Rhodes claimed that he lashed out with a knife in self defence while she was standing in front of him, cutting her throat with one blow.

Prosecution pathologist Dr Ashley Fegan-Earl concluded that it more likely the attack was carried out from behind.

The court heard how Mrs Rhodes had confronted her estranged husband about his new relationship with a divorcee he had met through a dating website.

During the row, she grabbed a kitchen knife and made a 'growling noise' as she 'came at him at speed', according to Rhodes.

He agreed to move into the spare bedroom while trying to salvage the relationship but in early 2016 Dawn moved into her mother's home

He managed to disarm her and take the knife, which he then swung out once and slashed her across the neck, leaving a 13cm gaping wound, according to his account.

Following the incident, Rhodes, who was smaller than his wife, fled upstairs, called 999 and barricaded himself into a bedroom where he waited for police, jurors heard.

Rhodes was treated in hospital for injuries to the back of his head and a cut across the palm of his left hand.

Prosecutor Simon Russell-Flint QC had told jurors of the couple's relationship troubles which led up to her death.

They had known each other for 21 years and were in the process of getting a divorce, the court heard.

On their last Christmas Eve together, Rhodes discovered his wife was having an affair with a work colleague and she asked him to move into the loft conversion.

Rhodes had met a new girlfriend through an online dating website and his wife found out about it on May 31 last year - two days before her death.

The defendant, who was dressed smartly in black suit and tie, made no reaction as the jury delivered its verdict while Mrs Rhodes' family looked on.
The story of a missing girl who vanished 33 years ago has been told in her own words via a Florida sheriff's office Twitter account as part of an eerie stunt to reignite interest in her case.

Marjorie Christina Luna was eight when she vanished without a trace from Greenacres, Florida, in 1984, as she walked to buy cat food from a store near her home in the middle of the afternoon.

Her body has never been found and no one has ever been convicted of her kidnapping or murder.

Over the weekend, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office told her story as they imagined it in her own words.

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Marjorie Christiane Luna, known as Christy to her loved ones, vanished when she was eight in Florida in 1984

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office told Christy's story in her own words over the weekend

'No one knows what happened to me, or at least no one has said anything for 33 years, but it's never too late to speak up,' said one of its eerie tweets.

The story began on May 26, 1984. Christy, her sister and her mother drove to Dubois Beach.

They spent the morning of May 27 there before returning to their home in Greenacres.

At around 2.30pm, as her mother and sister slept in their house, Christy decided to walk to Belk's grocery store to buy cat food for her pet. She was never seen again.

In its eerie narration of her disappearance, the sheriff's office's posts read: 'Wait, something doesnt feel right... Someone keeps looking at me Something is wrong; my heart is pounding.

'HELP!!!' and then 'STOP!!! NOOO, DONT DO THAT!...Why are you taking me? Why are you doing this? Nothing will ever be the same after this'

On the day before her disappearance, Christy and her family drove to Dubois Beach. They spent the morning there on May 27 before returning home

It went on to narrate the events following Christy's abduction.

'Mommy is starting to worry! It's not like me to be out for so long. She is driving around looking for me, please find me!

'Mommy & Allie went to my friends house and the neighbors. Mommy is holding my picture, asking them if theyve seen me. It's about to rain...Everyone is looking for meat home, at the neighbors, in sewers, ditches, even in the trunk of cars.'

The sheriff's office shared photographs of the little girl taken before she went missing and also released a computer-generated image of what she may look like now.

It posted a map of the route she would have walked from her home to the grocery store and also one of her distraught mother's appearance on television in the days that followed.

Christy was taken as she walked to Belk's store near her home where she was going to buy food for her cats at 2.30pm

The sheriff's office shared a computer-generated image of what Christy may look like today

Christy's mother, Jennie Luna (now Jennie Johnson), still lives in the same house as she did when the girl went missing.

The sheriff's office social media campaign was inspired by a similar effort from Canadian officers investigating the murder of 16-year-old Kerrie Ann Brown.

Their campaign triggered new tips but did not lead to an arrest.

Child molester Victor Wonyetye was suspected in her disappearance but was never arrested. He died in 2013

While no one has ever been arrested for Christy's murder, police have have suspected several men.

Convicted child molester Victor Wonyetye is one of them. Immediately after her disappearance, he moved from Greenacres to New Hampshire where months later,another young girl vanished on her way to school near where he worked.

He was jailed in New Hampshire for separate offences and moved back to Florida after his release. His New Hampshire inmates later claimed he confessed to killing both girls while behind bars.

In 1992, he went on trial for other charges in Palm Beach County. Christy's mother attended it, desperate he would confess to murdering her daughter during the proceedings. He died in 2013 aged 69.

Brothers Willis and Chuck Rambo were also suspected in Christy's disappearance. They lived on the same street and she had visited their house before.

After her disappearance, the pair were convicted of molesting her best friend but they have never been arrested in connection with Christy's case.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office on (561) 688-3000 or visit its website here.
A 17-year-old girl was found by her family lying on a Sydney road, bleeding and with a fractured skull after an incident involving a car.

The Roselands family were waiting for the teenager to return from the gym when her friend approached the house and informed them something had gone wrong, reported Nine News.

Police believe Nadine Nanouh could have been sitting on the bonnet of her friends car, and fallen as it moved along the road, but her family are hesitant to believe the story.

Nadine Nanouh (pictured) was found by her family bleeding and unconscious on Legge Street in Roselands

Her brother Ahmed (left) was the first to see her and said she was in a 'bad state'

'[Her friend] said she was leaning on the car and she slipped and hit her head, I don't know,' said Nadine's brother Ahmed.

'So I've run out and she's on the floor bleeding and in a bad state at the time.

'Apparently she was sitting on the car... I'm waiting for her to wake up properly so I can ask her the proper story.'

Nadine's mother was filmed crying as she poured water over the section of road stained with her daughter's blood.

When emergency services arrived at the scene, they cordoned off part of Legge Street, but struggled to keep family members away.

The P-plate driver of the vehicle was given a blood alcohol test, but it came back clear.

Police are treating the incident as an accident and Nadine remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Nadine's mother was seen pouring water over where the teenager's blood had stained the road

Detectives say Nadine may have been sitting on the bonnet of a car but her family say they'd rather get the full story from her
A Russian anti-submarine warship entered the English Channel as Vladimir Putin steps up support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The Severomorsk passed through the Dover Strait and headed towards the North Sea today, after taking part in operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

The 7,000 tonne vessel, which makes up Russia's Northern Fleet, is heavily armed with anti-ship missiles, torpedoes and gatling guns.

A Russian anti-submarine warship entered the English Channel as Vladimir Putin steps up support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

The Severomorsk passed through the Dover Strait and headed towards the North Sea today, after taking part in operations in the Mediterranean Sea

The 7,000 tonne vessel, which makes up Russia's Northern Fleet, is heavily armed with anti-ship missiles, torpedoes and gatling guns

Russian Captain Vadim Serga told the Daily Star: 'Today, large anti-submarine ship of the Northern Fleet, Severomorsk, passed through the Dover Strait, the narrowest part of the English Channel, and then the Russian ship will cross the strait zone to the North Sea and then to the North-east Atlantic areas.'

Tensions between Britain and Russia are severely heightened after Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson cancelled a trip to Moscow over Putin's support for Syria following a chemical attack which killed 87 civilians.

Russia has rejected accusations from the West that al-Assad's forces were responsible for a chemical attack and has also lashed out at the US for its cruise missile strikes against a Syrian air base.

The Severomorsk's sighting off our coastline comes just a month after a top US and NATO military officer warned that there is now more Russian naval activity in Europe than at any point in the Cold War.

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Navy Admiral Michelle Howard, who heads NATO's Allied Joint Force Command in Naples and commands US forces in Europe and Africa, said Russia's strident manoeuvre could leave the West at a disadvantage.

She warned that when 'you think about what happens when they move forces around, you look at the alliance and they end up splitting and distracting the view of the alliance.

'We're seeing activity that we didn't even see when it was the Soviet Union. It's precedent activity.

'Theyre a global navy, I understand that. But the activity in this theatre has substantially moved up in the last couple of years.'

Earlier this month the Royal Navy's HMS Somerset shadowed a Russian submarine as it passed through the English Channel.

The Plymouth-based Type 23 frigate followed the submarine Krasnodar off the Dover Strait and the English Channel.

The Severomorsk's sighting off our coastline comes just a month after Nato Admiral Michelle Howard, warned there is now more Russian naval activity in Europe than the Cold War

Pictured: The Dover Strait has seen an increase in Russian naval activity in recent months. The Severomorsk was seen heading up the Channel towards the North Sea

Commander Tim Berry, the commanding officer of HMS Somerset, said: 'Policing the sea both in home waters and further afield is core business for the Royal Navy.

'Escorting foreign warships, in this case a Russian submarine, through UK waters is just part of our ongoing effort to protect our island nation.'

Last month, Somerset's sister ship HMS Sutherland escorted two Russian warships as they sailed close to UK territorial waters.

Speaking at the time, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: 'HMS Sutherland is carefully marking these Russian ships as they pass close to UK waters. The Royal Navy maintains a vigilant watch and is always ready to keep Britain safe.'
A single mother has been killed after a man fleeing police in a stolen car collided into the Ferrari she was riding in.

Janae Rice, 32, was a passenger in a white Ferrari when it was crashed into by a stolen red Chevy Malibu in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday afternoon.

Rice, a mother of a 12-year-old boy, was visiting the city from California for a friend's birthday when she was killed.

Janae Rice, 32, was a passenger in a white Ferrari when it was crashed into by a stolen red Chevy Malibu driven by Demarco Moseley in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday afternoon

Police arrested Demarco Moseley, the 25-year-old driver of the Malibu, on a string of charges including homicide by vehicle, possession of marijuana and theft.

Demarco Moseley, 25, was charged with homicide by vehicle, possession of marijuana and theft

Moseley is accused of stealing the Malibu and fleeing police when they tried to pull him over.

He allegedly struck the Ferrari that Rice was in just moments later.

Moseley and the unidentified driver of the Ferrari were not injured in the crash.

The victim's devastated brother, Ray Coleman, told Fox Atlanta: 'She lit up the room. (She was) very spiritual, very caring, she really lived for her son AJ.'

Rice's young son is now tragically an orphan after his father died some time ago.

Coleman said Rice was severely beaten and she and her son were kidnapped at gunpoint by AJ's father back in 2004.

Moseley is accused of stealing the red Malibu and fleeing police when they tried to pull him over. He allegedly struck the white Ferrari that Rice was in just moments later

Rice, a mother of a 12-year-old boy AJ (right), was visiting the city from California for a friend's birthday when she was killed

'After going through that you know she found the will to be strong and to live life, have fun as much as possible, take care of her son and do everything for him,' Coleman said.

Rice's friend, Reknesha Connor, said the 32-year-old was in Atlanta to celebrate her birthday.

'I can't believe this happened, she is such a beautiful person,' Connor said.

'She is spiritual, humble, loving. She has a son, his father is already deceased so he was all she had.'
His company's biggest airline is facing one of the worst weeks in its history - but the usually outspoken Willie Walsh has remained resolutely quiet.

The former British Airways chief, who is now head of BA's parent company IAG, has not been seen in public since a computer meltdown hit 75,000 air passengers, ruining holidays and business trips.

Walsh, 55, is accused by some of having initiated the cost-cutting culture said to have led to the computer crash behind this weekend's carnage.

Willie Walsh, the chief of BA's parent company, has not spoken publicly since its computers crashed, leaving thousands of customers stranded. He is pictured in 2010 during strike talks

Huge queues at Heathrow's Terminal Five over the weekend as passengers told of their fury

Walsh was dubbed 'Slasher' during his days at Aer Lingus after he cut 2,500 jobs at the Irish airline, but his ruthlessness got him noticed and he took over as CEO at BA.

He was chief executive of BA from 2005 to 2011, a rocky time for the airline industry as it dealt with the continued fallout from 9/11 and the financial crisis.

Walsh was never afraid to speak his mind, saying: 'The airlines that go out of business are the ones that say 'oh well' and wait for business to come back.'

The airline reduced staff numbers by 6,000 between 2008 and 2010 with Walsh calling striking cabin crew 'dysfunctional' and claiming some staff were 'out of touch with reality'.

During strike talks in 2010, he accused union bosses of portraying him as 'Hitler and the devil'.

In 2010, British Airways joined forces with Spanish airline Iberia in a 5 billion merger to create IAG, Europe's third largest scheduled airline.

Walsh, who first went to BA as chief executive after turning around Aer Lingus, is chief executive of IAG and saw his salary rise from 735,000 to 825,000 following the merger and in 2015 it was reported that his total pay was almost 5million.

From his position at IAG, Walsh is still said to hold much of the power for finances at BA and some have said he is as to blame for the problems which led to this weekend's meltdown.

Walsh, who started out as a pilot, has never shied away from battles in the past. A family meber at his 2million west London home said he was 'away on business'

The businessman, who has faced down countless challenges during his time in the air industry, has been hit by one of the biggest of his career this week, after 75,000 passengers were hit by the computer failure and thousands of flights were cancelled.

IAG, saw shares fall by around 3% in the first day of trading in London after the problem emerged.

Shares in IAG, which is also listed in Madrid, had already tumbled heavily in trading in Spain on Monday, wiping around 410 million euro (357 million) off the stock.

Walsh has not made a public statement since the computers went down and an old video interview on the company's website still shows him talking about the impact of Brexit.

His daughter Hannah, speaking at his 2million west London home today, said he was away on business.

Mr Cruz said a full investigation would look into the failure which affected 75,000 passengers

Instead, BA CEO Alex Cruz has been put in front of the cameras to make a series of apologies, while insisting the meltdown was not due to the company's decision to outsource jobs to India.

Cruz announced that a full investigation would take place into the failure which affected 75,000 passengers as thousands of flights were cancelled.

He said: 'On Saturday morning we did have a power surge. It did affect our communications systems.

'We are now focusing on making sure everyone's needs are addressed. We will make an in-depth investigation to make sure we get to the bottom of exactly why this happened and we will react. Absolutely this will not happen again at British Airways.'

The airline said today that its systems are 'back up and running' but accepted that work to reunite passengers with their bags is 'continuing'.
When the sun gets too much, you can head to the beach, sit down in the park or you could head to your local IKEA.

This is exactly what many people in Nantong, China did over the extended holiday this weekend.

Images show people feeling right at home at the home improvement store, lying in beds and falling asleep on sofas on May 29.

Bizarre: Customers can be seen allowing their children to sleep in the display beds

Some customers can be seen lying and taking a nap on the sofa while others browse

Images from the store in Nantong show customers taking a nap in the display armchairs.

While other customers let their babies nap in the beds.

Other customers can be seen browsing the store, walking around the sleeping visitors, reports news163.com.

The average temperature in Nantong is 32 degrees Celsius.

Customers take a relaxing break on one of the many sample armchairs

A woman cuddles her child lying on the bed while other customers look at a wardrobe

Two customers relax, sitting on a sofa inside the home furniture store

IKEA opened up their first shop in China in 1999 and the country is now home to three of the top five largest IKEA stores in the world, only beaten by one in Stockholm.

After the first shop opened in Beijing, pictures emerged of shoppers camping out on the sofas with their families, reading newspapers and eating biscuits.

The flat-pack chain was founded by 87-year-old Ingvar Kamprad in 1943 and it is now the worlds largest furniture retailer.

In July 2015 the company was forced to ban customers after there were complaints from visitors that they could not sample the furniture as people were sleeping on it.

However despite this ban, shoppers and people working nearby have yet again started wandering into the store for a nap and to escape the humidity as summer in China starts to heat up.
A body was found in a California river on Monday, 18 days after a local teen was filmed being swept away by its icy currents.

Raymond Cabalfin Jr, 19, was seen leaping into the American River with a female friend after they and their pals hiked the Lake Clementine Trail near Auburn, 30 miles outside Sacramento.

She was able to climb out, but Cabalfin was seen shouting for help as he was quickly pulled away by the river, the Sacramento Bee reported.

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Missing: Raymond Cabalfin Jr, 19, was filmed leaping into the American River near Sacramento on May 11 after hiking with friends, but he was overcome by strong currents and icy water

Swept away: The video shows Cabalfin being pulled away quickly by the water. On Monday a body believed to be Cabalfin was found three miles downstream; it hasn't yet been identified

The body, which has not yet been confirmed to be Cabalfin, was spotted in the water near the Robie Point hiking area at around 3pm on Monday.

It had been seen by a hiker around three miles downstream of where Cabalfin disappeared.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter confirmed that it was a corpse, and authorities then retrieved it from the water.

'The body that was recovered today was consistent with a body that had been submerged in the water for some time,' Scott Liske, the supervising ranger for the Auburn State Recreation Area, said.

'It was obvious that this body did not enter the water in the last 24 hours.'

Cabalfin's family has been notified, but the body is too badly decomposed to be identified by them.

Gone: Cabalfin's friends described him as a sheltered boy who hoped to be a doctor or nurse. He was a regular at the gym and was physically very fit

Instead, identification must be made by the coroner's office. There was no obvious trauma to the body, authorities said.

Neither Cabalfin nor his friend were wearing life jackets or other flotation devices when they leaped into the water.

But even if they had, the coldness of the water, coupled with fast currents, would have posed a serious danger.

'With multiple years of drought, a lot of visitors to the river forgot what it's like with real runoff,' Liske said. 'When you jump into the cold water, it's a shock to the system.

'This is all of the rivers this year from Northern California to Central California. They are all charged with fast cold water. We are urging everyone to stay alive by staying out.'

He added: 'But if you want to go into the water, wear a life jacket.'

Cabalfin's family had opened a GoFundMe page in order to pay for private searches; as of Tuesday it had raised $5,560.

Cabalfin exercised at a local gym and was in 'really good shape,' Evan Alexander, the boyfriend of Cabalfin's older sister, told the Sacramento Bee.

'He grew up in a traditional Asian family and was very sheltered,' Alexander added, saying he had hoped to be a nurse or doctor one day.

He also said that officials had bungled the investigation.

'Parents were not notified by any agencies about the incident,' he said. 'They only heard about it from his friend who was there when he was swept away.'
A 20-year-old mother-of-two from Maryland faces up to 40 years in prison after she admitted to luring an 18-year-old man to a park where he was ambushed by four MS-13 gang members and stabbed 153 times.

Prosecutors say Vanesa Alavardo, then aged 19, laughed and cheered on the knife-wielding assassins as they slaughtered Christian Villagran Morales, whom she had led to his death with the promise of a sexual encounter at Malcolm King Park in Gaithersburg on the night of June 16, 2016.

Alvarado, who was born and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and was scheduled to learn her fate on Tuesday.

Femme fatale: Vanesa Alvarado, 20 (left), faces 40 years in prison for luring Christian Villagran Morales, 18 (right) into a deadly MS-13 ambush with a promise of sex

Crime scene: Villagran Morales, a landscaper from Maryland, was found dead inside Malcolm King Park in June 2016, having been stabbed 153 times

Jose Coreas-Ventura (left) and Jose Cuadra-Quintanilla (center) are awaiting trials in Villagran Morales' murder. Oscar Delgado-Perez (right), who had been deported twice, faces federal charges related to immigration violations

WHO ARE MS-13? The ultra-violent street gang MS-13 was the first to be designated as an international criminal group. With as many as 20,000 members in 46 states, the gang has expanded far beyond its initial roots. Members are accused of major crimes including murder, kidnapping, prostitution, drug smuggling and human trafficking. Major roundups of MS-13 members have taken place across the country since the early 2000s. In Charlotte, N.C., 53 gang members were arrested as part of Operation Fed Up, which targeted MS-13 members. In 2016, 58 members of MS-13 were rounded up as part of 'Operation Mean Streets'. Previously, two of their most notable killings include stabbing to death a federal witness in 2004 and chopping the hands off of a 16-year-old boy in 2005. Advertisement

Alvarado was arrested just two weeks after the brutal murder along with one of the four suspected attackers, then-16-year-old Juana Gutierrez Vasquez, who also later admitted to his role in the ambush attack, claiming that the victim was a rival gang member.

According to prosecutors, however, Villagran Morales did not belong to any criminal enterprise, but rather was a hardworking landscaper who had relocated from New Jersey, where his mother lived, to Maryland for work, and who dreamed of eventually moving back to his native Guatemala to start a small farm.

In the months after the man's stabbing death, police in Montgomery County arrested three other suspects in the murder, among them Jose Coreas-Ventura, Oscar Delgado-Perez and Josue Cuadra-Quintanilla.

Coreas-Ventura and Cuadra-Quintanilla are awaiting trials. The case against Delgado-Perez was dropped to clear the way for federal prosecutors to bring him up on charges related to immigration violations, to which he has pleaded guilty, reported the Washington Post.

By the time of Villagran Morales' murder, Delgado-Perez had been deported back to his native El Salvador twice, in October 2014 and February 2015, according to federal authorities.

Details of the violent attack on Villagran Morales were laid bare in court documents filed as part of Alvarado and Gutierrez Vasquez's guilty pleas.

According to the filings, not long before his violent death, the landscaper had a chance encounter with Gutierrez-Vasquez, Cuadra-Quintanilla and Coreas-Ventura at a store where he would usually go to pick up candy or juice after work.

The trio asked the 18-year-old if he belonged to a gang, to which Villagran Morales replied that he did but refused to state his gang affiliation.

Mistaken identity: Prosecutors said Villagran Morales (pictured) had been accosted by three MS-13 gang members shortly before his death and flashed at them hand signs associated with a rival gang, to which he did not belong

When asked by the trio of suspected MS-13 gang members to show hand sings for any gangs, according to the documents, the 18-year-old landscaper responded by flashing signs associated with the 18th Street gang, which is a rival of MS-13, an international gang founded in Los Angeles, California, with factions throughout the US as well as Central America.

Following the meeting with Villagran Morales, one of the three men called the leader of the local MS-13 gang, who immediately put out a hit on the perceived rival, according to prosecutors.

The gang then allegedly devised a plan in which Vanesa Alvarado, a high school dropout with a history of heavy drug use who was friends with the local MS-13 gang, and who also knew Villagran Morales, would act as a honey trap.

On June 16, 2016, Alvarado texted Villagran Morales, saying she wanted to have sex with him and asking him to meet her in the densely wooded Malcolm King Park.

Police said she was in on the murder plot as a 'known associate of MS-13.'

Four MS-13 members accosted the pair in the Gaithersburg park and asked Villagran Morales if he wanted to smoke marijuana before they fell upon him, knives drawn, and proceeded to stab him 153 times.

Prosecutors said Villagran Morales (left and right) did not belong to any criminal enterprise. He was a hardworking landscaper who dreamed of eventually moving back to his native Guatemala to start a small farm

Despite his small stature, Villagran Morales had a powerful built owing to weightlifting, and at first he was able to put up a fight, but eventually he became overwhelmed and pleaded his attackers to spare his life, but to no avail.

According to prosecutors, Alvarado not only witnessed the slaying but egged on the killers and laughed at the victim, and after the murder she led her friends to the scene of the crime to look at Villagran Morales' body.

Alvarado's defense attorney plans to ask for a sentence of 25 years, writing in a court document that his client, who has two young children, is 'certainly remorseful' over her role in the killing.
France is enlisting Iraqi soldiers to hunt down and kill French jihadists fighting for ISIS before they return home and carry out terror attacks, it has been claimed.

Special forces are reportedly supplying ground forces with names and photos of up to 30 French citizens who have fled to Iraq.

High-ranking French ISIS militants have been selected as targets amid fears they will return home to carry out atrocities, it is claimed.

It comes as a shipment of a so-called 'jihadi drug' increasingly used by ISIS fanatics was intercepted in Paris.

France is enlisting Iraqi soldiers to hunt down and kill French jihadists fighting for ISIS before they return home and carry out terror attacks, it has been claimed. File picture shows a masked Iraqi counter terrorism operative

Illegal shipments (pictured) of the so-called 'Jihadi drug' Captagon worth a total of almost 1.5m have been intercepted in France for the first time

According to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal, French special forces have been using Iraqi soldiers to hunt down the 'high-value' targets for a number of months.

Ground units have been given photographs, alibis and location coordinates taken from surveillance drones and radio intercepts, according to the newspaper, which says its information comes from Iraqi officers as well as current and former French officials.

France's Defence Ministry has not immediately responded to requests for a comment, the Independent reports.

France has been hammered by a wave of deadly terror attacks carried out by ISIS fanatics over the last three years.

In November 2015, a team of extremists slaughtered 130 in Paris when they targeted bars, restaurants, the Stade de France and the Bataclan music festival.

The following summer, a 19 tonne cargo truck was driven into crowds celebrating Bastille Day on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, killing 86.

Last year, it was estimated that some 1,700 French citizens had fled the country to join ISIS in Iraq or Syria. Hundreds of those are believed to have been killed.

Meanwhile, illegal shipments of the so-called 'Jihadi drug' Captagon worth a total of almost 1.5m have been intercepted in France for the first time.

The euphoria-generating drug is increasingly used by ISIS terrorists as they set off on their murderous missions

It comes as the euphoria-generating drug is increasingly used by ISIS terrorists as they set off on their murderous missions.

Details of the customs haul at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport were today made public for the first time.

Some 350,000 tablets of the amphetamine-based Captagon were first found at France's busiest airport on January 4.

Then, on February 22, another 300,000 were found - making a total of 135kgs of Captagon with a street value of 1.4million.

In both cases, the drugs were hidden within industrial steel moldings destined for Saudi Arabia, via the Czech Republic, and Turkey.

Details of the customs haul at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport were today made public for the first time

The shipment originated in Lebanon, said a customs official, adding: 'This is the first time that this drug has been seized in France.'

There have been similar seizures in other European countries this year, including Holland, where the country's first known fake Captagon laboratory was found in April.

Hundreds of thousands of the pillswere discovered, along with three guns, in the premises in the town ofBrunssum, and there were two arrests.

Captagon, which was invented to treat sleep disorders, keeps users awake for long periods of time, and can make them feel hugely energetic and happy.

ISIS terrorists have often spoken about taking the addictive hallucinogenic pills - hence the 'Jihadi drug' tag.

It has become particularly associated with the war in Syria, where thousands of fighters take the drug before entering battlefields.

While Captagon is a brand name for the fenethylline drug, there are also plenty of fake versions stamped with the word 'Captagon' to increase their street value.

The biggest legal consumer of Captagon is Saudi Arabia, where there is also a highly lucrative cocaine market.

The seizure in France comes as the country remains under a State of Emergency following a series of ISIS attacks across Europe.
Photos: Cult-Heroine Mathematician Becomes A Work Of Art At New Chicago Hotel

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on May 30, 2017 3:55PM



Emmy Noether isn't a household name, even thought the cult-hero German mathematician ought to be. But at a new Chicago hotel, Noetherwho battled persecution and sexism to help establish Einstein's Theory of Relativityis not only well known, she's something of a patron saint.

A stunning installation honoring the under-sung Noether helps anchor the just-opened Hotel EMC2. (We are definitely, gloriously in math and science-geek territory here.) The hotel's aesthetic is all about the intersection of art and sciencewith dollops of whimsyand a Noether homage seemed like an ideal choice for Scott Greenberg, president at SMASHotels, which spearheaded the new hotel.

Noether's symmetry theorem is considered a foundational text of contemporary physics and it girds research like that of the Higgs boson. But she had to fight to advance her work. She fled Nazi Germany after she was fired because of her Jewish heritage; and her work that validated Einstein's relativity was published with a male co-author despite it being her formulation.

Noether is a "great symbol and heroine of the hotelintellectually and how she lived. Einstein recognized her as one of the most important scholars," Greenberg told Chicagoist. "She labored quietly" due to persecution, but "her curiosity drove her. That goes to the nature of what the hotel is about: science and art. Curiosity pulls us forward."

For the artwork, Greenberg reached out to Eugenia Cheng, a mathematician and Senior Lecturer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Greenberg calls Cheng "the Neil deGrasse Tyson of mathematics" due to her knack for making complex concepts palatable for laymen.

Hotel EMC2 is now open at 228 E. Ontario St. There are science-meets-art designs throughout the space, including a zoetrope and science experiment-invoking chandelier "infusiary" that pours flavored liquor. But Cheng's Noether pieces seem like the star. "Those who have viewed [the installation] say, 'it will be a pilgrimage for people who love physics," Greenberg says.
Nathaniel Jordan has been charged following the crash, which killed Taelyn Woodson

Police investigating the death of a six-year-old girl believe the car she was in crashed because the driver was punched in the face.

Taelyn Woodson was in the back seat of the van when it veered off the road in Muncie, Indiana, on Sunday. Three more children were injured.

A 27-year-old man, Nathaniel Jordan, has been arrested.

Investigators claim Jordan, the boyfriend of Taelyn's mother Jessica Skeens, lashed out during an argument on northbound State Road 67, Fox 59 reports.

It is thought Skeens, 28, may have lost control when her boyfriend punched her and grabbed the steering wheel.

The van left the road and rolled into a ditch before landing on its wheels.

Jordan was arrested on charges of neglect of a dependent causing death, felony criminal recklessness and criminal battery.

The van left the road and rolled into a ditch before landing on its wheels during Sunday's fatal crash

It is thought alcohol contributed to the crash. Fox 59 states that further charges are possible following an investigation.

A statement from Indiana State Police said: 'No or improper use of child restraints and seat belts contributed to injuries in the crash.'

Skeens suffered a broken arm as a result of the crash, while three children - one of them a child of Skeens' - were treated for minor injuries.

Jordan was treated for minor injuries before he was taken to Delaware County Jail.
A woman has managed to escape alive after she was allegedly doused in methylated spirits and held captive for three days over a $4000 drug debt.

Police said the woman was taken from a home in Para Vista, northern Adelaide, forced into a car and driven about 45km across the city to Christies Beach on Friday.

The four people who allegedly took the woman against her will and brutally attacked her before threatening to set her alight were known to her.

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Inside the Christies Beach unit where a woman was allegedly held captive for three days

The woman was taken to the unit after allegedly being doused in methylated spirits and threatened to be set alight

The woman managed to flee the unit on Monday and seek help from a nearby resident

The woman was allegedly held captive inside a unit on Ferris Street before she managed to flee the property on Monday and seek help nearby, where she was treated by paramedics.

'Someone walked down the driveway and knocked on the door and said they'd been held captive somewhere around here for three days,' Luke, a witness, told 7 News.

'She'd been beaten pretty badly and she was scared for her life.'

Three men and a woman were charged by police with unlawful detention and aggravated assault.

Stephen James Tucker (pictured) was one of three men charged with unlawful detention and aggravated assault

Jackson Wood (left) and Hayden White (right) were also charged over incident and faced court on Tuesday, along with Tucker

Thirty-six-year-old Hayden White, Stephen James Tucker, 34, and Jackson Wood, 23, faced Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court heard the victim was at home when she was attacked about 11pm,The Advertiser reported.

'White... punched her several times to the nose and caused bleeding. She was held by the hair and had her hair cut off,' prosecutors said in court.

'He then poured methylated spirits onto her face and threatened to burn her.'

The three men were granted bail but prosecutors sought a review, with a 72-hour window for a decision to be made.

A 29-year-old woman from Hackham who was also charged over the incident was granted bailed to face Christies Beach Magistrates Court on July 29.
A European Union court has said a Spanish woman with a British passport cannot be stopped from bringing her Algerian husband to live in the UK in a blow to Theresa May's immigration clampdown.

Perla Nerea Garcia Ormazabal, a Spanish national, moved to the UK as a student in 1996 and began working full time in the UK in 2004 before being declared a British citizen five years later.

She married Algerian Toufik Lounes in April 2014 and the husband contacted the Home Office to get a residence card as a family member of an EEA (European Economic Area) national.

Just weeks later he was served with a notice to say he was being deported having illegally overstayed the six-month visitor visa he used to enter Britain back in 2010.

Advocate General Yves Bot has dealt a blow to Theresa May's Brexit immigration clampdown

The couple are attempting to use the EU's legislation to overturn the decision of the UK government as Theresa May attempts to crack down on immigration.

But according to Advocate General Yves Bot, 'a non-EU national may benefit from a right of residence in the member state in which his EU citizen family member resided before acquiring the nationality of that member state and developing a family life there'.

Ahead of the official ruling, he advised the UK should not be able to strip the residency of a citizen of a fellow EU state and that its laws should not be stricter than the bloc's.

The decision to deport Mr Lounes was based on the fact his wife, by gaining British citizenship, forfeited her EEA rights.

But the High Court, where the couple went to appeal, has doubts regarding the compatibility of the UK legislation with EU law and has asked the Court of Justice to give a ruling.

In his 'official opinion', Bot said Garcia Ormazabal no longer falls within the definition of a beneficiary within the meaning of the directive.

'It follows that her spouse is not eligible, on the basis of the directive, for a derived right of residence in the member state of which his spouse is now a national,' she said in a statement released by the Court of Justice of the European Union.

'Her legal situation has profoundly altered, both in EU law and in national law, on account of her naturalisation.'

Fifteen judges will pass a final ruling in the summer and the ruling will be used as a blueprint for future cases.

The Court of Justice of the European Union where 15 judges will decide on the landmark case

Theresa May tried to slash immigration while she was Home Secretary for six years and has now renewed her ambitions as PM in the Tory manifesto.

Now, as the case looks set to become a key point of contention during Brexit debates, the Conservative manifesto promises to cut migration to the tens of thousands for the third successive election.

Mrs May will change the law to make it more expensive for firms to bring in foreign workers and make it more expensive for non British nationals to use the NHS.

The Prime Minister's blueprint for power sets out her red lines ahead of the Brexit talks, which the EU say can begin within hours of the election being declared.
A fish without a face has been discovered during a world-first exploration of a deep-sea abyss by Australian scientists.

Scientists on board the CSIRO's Investigator are looking at Commonwealth marine reserves from northern Tasmania to central Queensland.

The team are towing small nets with an underwater camera deep inside the eastern abyss, which reaches depths of up to four kilometres.

Scientists have came across an unusual faceless fish, which has only been recorded once before by the pioneering crew of HMS Challenger off Papua New Guinea in 1873

A fish without a face (pictured) has been discovered during a world-first exploration

Australian scientists came across the fish in Commonwealth marine reserves

Di Bray from Museums Victoria said the awesome finds had ranged from curious to bizarre, ABC reported.

'On the video camera we saw a kind of chimaera that whizzed by - that's very, very rare in Australian waters.

'We've seen a fish with photosensitive plates that sit on the top of its head, tripod fish that sit up on their fins and face into the current,' she said.

At a depth of 4,000 metres off Jervis Bay the crew said the highlight was an unusual 'faceless fish'.

The fish has nostrils and a mouth but no face.

Di Bray from Museums Victoria said the finds they are making range from curious to bizarre

The researchers believe the creature has eyes way under the surface but they are not visible.

Back in the 1870s pioneering crew aboard the HMS Challenger caught the fish in the Coral Sea.

Ms Bray said the group was collecting things that were unknown in the Australian waters.

'We think a lot of them are going to be new ... and we're not even scratching the surface of what we know about our abyssal plain fishes.'
The student who allegedly stabbed a classmate in the eye with a pen during an exam at school has been charged with assault and reckless grievous bodily harm.

A year seven student in North Sydney was hospitalised on April 28 after he was allegedly stabbed in the eye with a pen by a student with special needs.

The boy who allegedly stabbed the 12-year-old victim has been charged with assault and reckless grievous bodily harm, according to The Daily Telegraph.

A year seven student was allegedly stabbed in the eye by a classmate with intellectual disabilities during an art exam on Friday

The child was granted bail, but is under order not to go to Cammeraygal High School and does not speak to certain students.

The class was sitting an art exam on April 28 when the boy was allegedly stabbed, with his injuries requiring surgery to fix, the Daily Telegraph reported.

It is claimed the child, who has no history of violence at the school, is usually accompanied by a teacher's aide but was alone at the time.

The injured boy was taken to Randwick Children's Hospital on Friday afternoon, where his family have remained by his side.

'[His father] stayed all night at the hospital by his bed,' the boy's grandmother told the Telegraph.

'For somebody to do that with a pen in your eye, that's bad.'

The other boy, who is reported to have intellectual disabilities, was removed from the classroom and suspended from school until investigations are complete.

A spokesperson for NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia enquiries were ongoing.

Principal Kathy Melky issued a letter to parents saying the school had safety policies in place, but explained: 'unfortunately, there are still times when incidents take place'.

A parent told the Telegraph a group of parents had filed a report with police noting multiple threats allegedly made by the young boy to stab, beginning at the start of the year.

The boy's injuries are reportedly so bad he required surgery at the Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick (pictured) to help his eye heal

The parent also claims no offer of comfort or counselling was made by the school on the day, and children were 'sent home as normal'.

'Parents are hearing the news second-hand and there have been no offers of counselling,' they said, further claiming their children were 'traumatised' by the incident.

The NSW Department of Education disputes this, and a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'Parents have been informed of the incident, and counselling was offered to students present in the classroom at the time'.

'Violence or threats of violence are not tolerated in NSW public schools,' they said.

'Staff immediately gave first aid to a student who was injured during an incident with another student at the school on Friday.

'The alleged perpetrator was removed from the classroom straight away, an ambulance was called, the injured students family notified, and police contacted.

'The alleged perpetrator was suspended, with further action pending the outcome of the police investigation and enquiries by the Department of Education.'

The Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick were contacted for comment, but declined to provide any update on the injured boy's condition.
The heroin addict ex-boyfriend of Baby Doe's mother believed the toddler was a demon and said it was her 'time' to die before he killed her, prosecutors allege.

Baby Doe was so named after her little body was discovered on Deer Island in Boston in June 2015. After an appeal from police which went viral, she was identified as two-year-old Bella Bond months later.

Michael McArthy, Bella's mother's heroin addict ex-boyfriend, is accused of murdering her and dumping her body in the water after storing it in his refrigerator of their Dorchester, Massachusetts, apartment where authorites say he killed her by hitting her in the face.

Prosecutors said on Tuesday that the 36-year-old was obsessed with the occult and told Bella's mother, Rachelle Bond, that he sensed 'evil spirits' in their apartment.

Police issued a computer generated image (left) of Baby Doe after finding her body in June 2015. It took two months for the toddler to be identified as two-year-old Bella Bond (right)

After her June 25, the girl's mother says he told her: 'She just died. It was her time. She was a demon,' CNN reported from the trial.

Rachelle Bond helped him dispose of her daughter's body. She pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact in February.

Michael McCarthy, Bella's heroin addict ex-boyfriend, is accused of murdering her. He is pictured at his Boston murder trial last week

She claims she was so afraid of the man that she went along with what he was saying and that her drug addiction also stopped her from speaking out.

McArthy denies killing the toddler, claiming it was all her mother.

His lawyers told a court on Tuesday: 'He had nothing to do with her tragic death. Michael did not even know that Bella was dead until the police who arrested him told him.

'The prosecution's case rests entirely upon the uncorroborated and unbelievable testimony from Rachelle Bond.'

They flipped the prosecutors' claims, insisting that it was in fact Bond who was obsessed with evil and satanism.

McArthy's lawyers cited a diary she kept to support their argument, telling how she'd used it to document her outlandish beliefs that world leaders rape and kill 'babies' and 'drink their blood'.

She said so many children go missing 'because the leaders of every country get together and torture and rape and kill these innocent children every year just so they can drink their blood and eat their flesh, so that these reptilian demons can have a moment's sanity.'

Bella's body was found in a trash bag on the shore of Deer Island by dog walker Bonnie Flynn.

Bella's mother Rachelle Bond (left in September) told police McCarthy (right in the same month) was obsessed with the occult and satanism

The girl's mother said she he killed her by hitting her and that afterwards, he told her Bella was a 'demon'

She testified at the trial, describing how she found the bag tied neatly with a knot in the middle.

'It was carefully tied. I got a suspicious feeling about the bag,' she said. When she untied it, flies poured out and then she saw the toddler's two legs.

'I looked away, thinking that it wasn't real,' Flynn said. She then called 911, telling an operator: 'I just found a dead baby on the beach.'

It took months for police to identify Bella. They called her Baby Doe for months and their campaign to establish what happened to her went viral.

Police were led to her mother and McCarthy after receiving a tip from a friend who had stayed with them in the months before her death.

That friend described how the pair abused he by locking her in a closet while she screamed.

The pair were arrested in September, 2015.

In opening statements on Tuesday, Suffolk Assistant District Attorney David Deakin said: 'She was alone and unclaimed...Almost immediately that little girl became known as Baby Doe.

Bella was never been reported missing by her mother. Friends would later tell police they hadn't seen her for months when Baby Doe was found

The couple went on a drug binge for days after Bella's death while they decided what to do with her body, police say. They were eventually arrested in September after a friend called police after seeing the Baby Doe appeal

The little girl's body was found tied in a trash bag after washing up on Deer Island. She had been put in a duffel bag which was weighed down with weights that were found nearby

Authorities say McCarthy hit her at the couple's apartment in Dorchester, Massachusetts, (pictured) then kept her body in the refrigerator before throwing it in water

'Baby Doe finally had a name, an identity. No one could give her back her life.'

Prosecutors previously claimed that on one night in May, 2015, a month before she was found, Bella became 'unruly,' according to Bond.

McCarthy then went in her room to try and quiet the girl down and get her to go to bed.

Bond came in shortly after and allegedly found her daughter dead from McCarthy punching her in the stomach repeatedly.

'She found Mr McCarthy standing over Bella, who was on a bed and the mattress was on the floor, standing over Bella with his hand near her abdomen,' Deakin said.

'When Miss Bond looked at Bella, her head was swollen, and her face was gray. She asked Mr McCarthy what he had done.'

The pair went on a drug-binge for several days before finally throwing her body in a weighted-down duffel bag into the water.

The duffel bag and weights were discovered shortly after Bella's body was found.

The trial continues.
A woman betting shop worker may have suffered permanent eye damage after being sprayed in the face by a robber.

The man attacked the woman at Corals in Elizabeth Road, Bishop's Stortford, then clambered over the counter to snatch banknotes.

He made off on foot, running into Norfolk Way in the town.

A cashier working in a betting office was sprayed with an unknown chemical during a robbery in Bishop's Stortford yesterday evening. Police are currently searching for this man, pictured

The assailant leaped over the counter during the attack around 8pm yesterday

The man fled the scene after assaulting the cashier and stealing a bundle of banknotes

The robbery happened between 8pm and 8.12pm yesterday evening and Hertfordshire Police have issued cctv images of a man they wish to speak to.

DS David Boden said 'The victim suffered an eye injury which required hospital treatment and she was obviously very upset and shaken.

'At this stage, we are still working to establish exactly what the substance was and it is not known at this time if the victim suffered permanent damage to her eye.'

Police said the man approached the counter as if he was gong to place a bet before spraying his victim, jumping over the counter and running of with an amount of cash.

Police have asked anyone who recongises the man in the photograph to contact them on the Hertfordshire Constabulary non-emergency number 101, quoting reference A2/17/1044.

People can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously with a tip off or fill out a form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Christopher Jones (pictured) has been a taxi driver for 34 years and was behind the wheel when he hit Steven John Beard

A speeding black cab driver who ran over and killed a father-of-three as he walked home from his 40th birthday party was today spared jail.

Christopher Jones, 56, hit Steven Beard at 40mph as he crossed the road in Eltham, southeast London.

Mr Beard suffered critical injures and pronounced dead shortly after the collision at around 2.30am on November 8, 2015.

He had been walking home with his daughter Lois, who was in her 20s, after celebrating his birthday in Woolwich, southeast London.

Jones, a cab driver for 34 years, could have avoided the collision if he hadn't been speeding through the well-lit 30mph zone, the court heard.

The Old Bailey was told Jones had amassed nine points for speeding in 30mph zones and failing to comply with traffic lights in the nine months before the accident.

He also failed to inform the DVLA that he had been diagnosed with diabetes.

But Judge Christopher Moss handed the London taxi driver a two-year sentence suspended for two years after he admitted causing death by careless driving.

Jones' barrister Karen Dempsey said he has been traumatised by the crash and is 'a shadow of his former self'.

She said: 'The reality of the situation is he will never be getting back in a car.'

Judge Moss said he could suspend the sentence because of Jones' 'personal character', his health and mental health problems, and his lack of previous convictions.

He said: 'You don't need a lecture from me - you know what you did on that night, you took another man's life because of your careless driving.

'You know perfectly well that if you had been concentrating at the time Mr Beard would not have died.

'You know that and you don't need me to emphasise it anymore. You were driving over the speed limit, although not hugely.

The Old Bailey (pictured) was told Jones had amassed nine points for speeding in 30mph zones and failing to comply with traffic lights

'Had you been concentrating and driving carefully you would have seen Mr Beard and this tragedy would never have occurred.'

Mr Beard's partner Kirsty Watts, who sat in the public gallery throughout the hearing, branded the sentence 'disgusting'.

She described 'the devastating impact upon all of the family's lives caused by the loss of Mr Beard', and revealed she has undergone counselling to deal with her grief.

Jones, of Eltham, was also disqualified from driving for five years and ordered to attend a rehabilitation course for 30 days.

He must pass an extended test before he can drive again, but Ms Dempsey said: 'He simply can't face getting into a vehicle and driving.'
A lawyer suffered panic attacks after her obsessive ex-boyfriend launched an alleged campaign of harassment because she broke up with him.

Aswiny Uthayakumar, 28, said she was hounded with texts and emails from Dan Galvin, who turned up to her office in Paddington.

Galvin, 30, then insisted on walking his ex-partner to the station and forced her into a tight bear hug even though she had told him not to touch her, it was claimed.

Aswiny Uthayakumar (left), 28, said she was hounded with texts and emails from Dan Galvin (right), 30, who turned up to her office in Paddington

The legal manager told Miss Uthayakumar she would be arrested for time wasting if she reported his harassment to police, Willesden Magistrates Court heard.

He was issued with a warning by police but continued to contact his ex, saying he had only been advised not to contact her, the court heard.

The pair met through the online dating app Happn in April 2016.

Miss Uthayakumar, an in house lawyer for consumer watchdog magazine Which?, broke their relationship off three months later, after becoming concerned about his controlling behaviour.

She claims she was left suffering panic attacks that could be triggered by the slightest stressful situation, following his alleged harassment campaign.

Giving evidence from behind a screen, she said: He didnt seem to understand my reasoning [for ending things] he wouldnt leave me alone.

He would constantly message me and he was quite aggressive in his text messages. He made me feel quite uncomfortable.

Miss Uthayakumar was forced to block him on all her social media accounts and eventually went to the police in mid-August last year.

She said: I said I didnt want to see him again. I didnt think it was working for me - I thought he was a good guy but I had seen a side of him that I didnt want to carry on seeing.

Galvin (pictured, arriving at court) denies harassment, assault by beating and common assault

He repeatedly called her using a withheld number, sent messages to her friends, the court heard.

When he received the prevention of harassment notice he still turned up at her place of work, with a beer can in hand.

Miss Uthayakumar said it was almost like he had camped out waiting for her.

She told the court: I said you shouldnt be contacting me. You shouldnt be near from me. We stood about 3 metres apart but I had a conversation with him because I thought it might give him some closure if he didnt have it already.

I just let him talk. I didnt try to reason with him, then I said I really have to go now, please move out of my way I have to go now.

I didnt want to be physically near me. He said ''Im going to walk you to the station.''

He asked if he could give me a hug, I said no but he said Im going to get my hug and he embraced me totally - he tried to pat my head.

Miss Uthayakumar said she was anxious because Galvin had completely ignored the police: It just showed that he didnt care. If the police had contacted me about something I would have stopped immediately because I would have been disbarred.

Later she received an email from Galvin saying he had spoken to the head of police and that she would be arrested for time wasting if she contacted police again.

Miss Uthayakumar said: He said I wouldnt get my visa for my upcoming trip to Australia, that I wouldnt be able to work in New York and I wouldnt be able to become a fully qualified solicitor.

He also told her: Im not prohibited from contacting you. Ive been advised not to but I can if I want to.

Miss Uthayakumar said she was left shaking and terrified when Galvin turned up at her new office on Chancery Lane - where she was working a secondment - just a few days later.

He found her placement on LinkedIn, the court heard.

Miss Uthayakumar said Galvin's behaviour left her feeling 'scared' and 'stressed'

She said: I was walking down High Holborn at around 8pm and he was there on the street. He was just standing there.

I was so scared I had a panic attack at the bottom of Chancery Lane Station steps and I had to be helped by a member of the public.

Dan come along side us and shouted Shes exaggerating, shes ridiculous but I was just trying to breathe.

The member of the public had to help Miss Uthayakumar on to the train because she was so nervous, the court heard.

At 11pm that evening, Galvin turned up at her family home although her parents turned him away Miss Uthayakumar said she was left terrified by the incident.

She said: I was scared. My parents didnt know what had been going on because I didnt want to worry them.

Its just increased my anxiety and stress levels and as you know the legal profession is very stressful.

Miss Uthayakumar claimed months after Galvin was arrested stressful situations would trigger a panic attack.

I dont date anymore because its too difficult. I used to be open and trusting but Im not now.

Galvin, from Paddington, denies harassment between 9 and 20 September, insisting Miss Uthayakumar had given mixed messages.

He denies assault by beating and common assault in relation to the bear hug he gave the victim on 9 September.

The trial continues.
Cop killer Rick Charles Maddison was armed with a rifle and firing at police when he was fatally shot by police on Tuesday morning.

The 41-year-old had threatened to blow up elite police officers during a near 24-hour stand off as a way of keeping them away from the shipping container he had holed up in at a farm house near Gatton, reported the Daily Telegraph.

When he finally attempted to flee, Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski says he was firing at police with what is believed to be a SKS rifle.

Cop killer Rick Maddison was firing at police as he died, the Deputy Police Commissioner says

Earlier in the Queensland siege, he had threatened to blow up elite police officers

The Deputy Commissioner said he declined to surrender and instead took 'matters into his own hands'.

'He approached police, he was challenged, he shot at police, he was challenged again,' he said.

'And when pointing his weapon, police returned fire, fatally wounding him.'

Fire from Maddison's powerful rifle is reported to even have damaged the window of an armoured car during the lengthy siege.

On Tuesday, the bomb squad was inspecting the crime scene.

Maddison has an extensive criminal record in Queensland and was once described as a thug by a judge sentencing him for assault

It has been revealed that Maddison had a violent criminal history which included charges of torture and deprivation of liberty as well as convictions for assault.

Maddison, who was shot dead by police late on Tuesday morning, had been accused of torturing and holding a woman against her will in September 2008.

He had been wanted by police in relation to multiple domestic violence and weapons offences when pulled over in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, on Monday afternoon.

Almost a decade ago he he had been charged with torture, deprivation of liberty, assault occasioning bodily harm, causing willful damage, stealing, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and common assault.

He was also charged with four drug offences after a search of his home.

Pictured: Paramedics try to save the life of Senior Constable Brett Forte, who was shot dead by Rick Maddison

Flowers have been placed outside Toowoomba police station in tribute to Senior Constable Brett Forte

Police alleged the offences began while Maddison, then 31, was a passenger in a vehicle on the Gatton bypass, near Toowoomba, west of Brisbane. He was accused of having then held a woman against her will and assaulted her over a weekend.

He appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court and was refused bail. Despite submissions that the case against him was not strong, Maddison was refused bail and remanded in custody.

A year later, Maddison was back before Toowoomba District Court over a one-punch assault which left his victim with a facial fracture, according to the Toowoomba Chronicle.

The court heard Maddison had been involved in an altercation with another patron of a Toowoomba night club on the night of December 8, 2007.

Maddison, who believed the patron had inadvertently splashed urine on him in the club's toilets earlier that evening, ran into the man later that night.

Senior Constable Brett Forte was shot dead by Rick Maddison near Gatton, west of Brisbane

Police say they are aware of Rick Maddison's extensive criminal history which includes charges of torture and deprivation of liberty

A police roadblock near the scene of where Brett Forte was shot dead by Rick Maddison

Cop killer Rick Maddison, described as a career criminal, was wanted for domestic violence and weapons offences

Crown prosecutor Sarah Farnden said Maddison believed the man was laughing at him, the pair exchanged words and Maddison punched him once in the face, causing a fracture near the man's eye.

Maddison pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm, was ordered to pay $10,000 compensation to the victim and jailed for six months but the sentence was suspended for three years.

Judge Michael Forde noted Maddison had pleaded guilty before Toowoomba Magistrates Court to a similar charge in 2005 which left another man with a fractured skull.

'It is clear you have a very thuggish element about you,' Judge Forde said.

On the earlier occasion, Maddison had punched his victim twice. He was fined $1000 and ordered to pay $5000 compensation.

Paramedics work to save the life of Senior Constable Brett Forte near Gatton, west of Brisbane

A woman who lives nearby shot this video of paramedics trying to save the life of Senior Constable Brett Forte

Senior Constable Brett Forte was shot dead by Rick Maddison on Monday afternoon

During the lengthy siege, stories emerged of gun-mad Maddison regularly discharging his firearm at night.

Local Peter Hills, whose daughter, 5, and wife were behind the police line near where the fugitive is holed-up, said Maddison would shoot his weapon 'on average two or three nights a week'.

'It has tamed off a little bit,' Mr Hills told Daily Mail Australia. 'A month to a month a half ago - he went ballistic one night'.

Police have visited him for discharging his firearm several times, he said.

'You wouldn't hear a god damn thing (shots fired) in town because of the wind.

'(I don't think) we're going to hear gunshots out there anymore.'

A heavily armoured police vehicle involved in the hunt for cop killer Rick Maddison

Police and ambulance vehicles are the scene of the shooting of Senior Constable Brett Forte on Monday afternoon

Police block a road near the shooting of Senior Constable Brett Forte as they hunt for Rick Maddison

Maddison died of a gunshot wound to the chest on Tuesday morning after being holed up in a shipping container at a farm house near Gatton for about 20 hours, Queensland Police confirmed.

'Just after 11am, the wanted man left the shed he was in and ran into bushland,' a police spokeswoman said.

He was shot while fleeing and received a gunshot wound to the chest. He received treatment but died at the scene. No police were injured during the arrest.

Maddison, 41, shot Senior Constable Brett Forte about 1.40pm during a police chase through the region. He also fired at other officers, police vehicles and a police helicopter.

The Shepherd family, who own a local hotel, feasted on McDonald's out the front of one of the roadblocks set up after the initial encounter with Maddison.

They'd all spent the night together in their cars, given they live on the same dirt track, Wallers Road, as where Maddison was holed up.

The Shepherd family spent the night eating McDonald's outside the roadblock

The Shepherd family own a local hotel and spent the night at a police road block

'It was a real bonding experience,' son Brady joked.

Mother Kylie witnessed the police chasing the ute yesterday and fled her home after warning her kids not to return to the property.

The family reported a lot of traffic picking up on their quiet lane in the past month, which they attributed to him.

Meantime, locals expressed shock about Maddison on social media. 'I call him Uncle Rick!' a Facebook user said. 'WTF' said others.

Queensland Police Union CEO Ian Leavers said on Tuesday morning he was aware of Maddison's past.

'This guy they are after, he has got serious history,' Mr Leavers said.

'I know a bit about him but while it is unfolding I have to hold back.'

Mr Leavers indicated Maddison should not have been at large.

'I would like to say more but I just don't want to hamper anything more because obviously there could be prosecution down the track and I want justice to happen very quickly.'
15 Of Our Favorite Events In Chicago This Week



Patton Oswalt. Image via the 26th Annual Comedy Festival's website.

The long weekend may be over, but street fest season is on the horizon.



TUESDAY MAY 30



PAELLA + WINE DINNER: Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! hosts hosts a Paella Cooking Demo & Wine Dinner with Executive Chef Matt Holmes from 6 to 8 p.m. The interactive class will include a five course dinner paired with spanish wines and a a how-to recipe for the classic rice dish. Tickets are $42. Call 773-935-5000 for tickets.



WEDNESDAY MAY 31

AV CLUB COMEDY FEST: The Onions AV Club is back for their fourth annual 26th Annual Comedy Festival. Patton Oswalt, Mike Judge, Christopher Guest headline the festival that crosses venues around the city for the next five days. Oswalt will be taping a live Netflix special at Lincoln Hall while Music Box Theatre will be screening Idiocracy on 35mm with Mike Judge. Be sure to catch The Adventures of Pete & Pete Reunion and whatever viral weirdness ensues at their very own Clickhole Live! For ticket information and schedule through June 4, visit the festivals website.





UNDERGROUND FILM FEST: Now in its 24th year, the Chicago Underground Film Festival is the longest running underground film festival in the world. More than 100 features, documentaries and shorts will screen over five days at Logan Theater. Wednesdays opening includes the Chicago Premiere of Laura Stewarts narrative/documentary hybrid film Drifting Towards The Crescent. Check out the opening night party at Elastic Arts after the screening. For the full schedule and ticket information, visit the festival website.

ITALIAN GLAM: Rome's Giuda eschews the glitter to channel the denim and fist-pumping side of glam rock. The band spits out foot-stomping anthems that are heavy on the drums and powered by riffs that would make Slade proud. The quintet doesn't make it over here all that often, and the last couple of times we saw them that means that people travel from other parts of the country just to catch their shows. Wednesday's appearance at 1st Ward at Chop Shop should be pure pandemonium.



LADY LIVE LIT: Join the ladies of Miss Spoken for an evening of storytelling at Galley Cabaret. The night's theme is "Breakin' The Law." 7 p.m. Entry is a $5 suggested donation.



THURSDAY JUNE 1



Image courtesy of Pivot Arts Festival.

PIVOT ARTS FESTIVAL: The 5th annual Pivot Arts Festival shows off some of the citys most innovative artists in theater, dance, puppetry and more. The ten day festival takes place at venues throughout Uptown and Edgewater. Theres also a Celebrate Community! Parade on Saturday followed by a full afternoon of free family-friendly performances. Tickets range from free to $35. Visit the festival website for the full schedule.

ROSCOE VILLAGE WINE STROLL: Wine, strolling and hors d'oeuvres at every stop. The 4th Annual Roscoe Village Wine Stroll takes place this Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. Sample more than 40 different wines while visiting neighborhood businesses and boutiques. Tickets are $50 in advance.

ROCK AND ROLL MOVIE: You can't accuse of Minneapolis' Cloud Cult of low ambitions. The long-running indie group pushes the boundaries, writing the story and music for the new film The Seeker (out June 8). Starring How i Met Your Mother's Josh Radnor and Alex McKenna from What Women Want, the film aims to match the emotional core of the group's music with striking visuals. Cloud Cult appears at The House Of Blues on Thursday night to play two sets. The first set will see the band providing the live soundtrack to a screening of The Seeker, with a second set focusing on a variety of songs from the band's sprawling catalog.

SKETCH COMEDY FEST: Get ready to laugh at the Story Arc Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773. It's the first year for the two-week festival, where groups like Handsome, Spooky Dookie and Vienna Juvenile will push the boundaries of sketch comedy. Visit their website for schedule and ticket information.

TWIN PEAKS NIGHT: The party team of Stardust & Heaven Malone present Twin Peaks Night at Berlin this Thursday beginning at 10 p.m. They'll have live music and DJ sets to set the mood, plus LQQKS by Sadhaus, Ivory, Lucy Stoole and JoJo Baby. RSVP here.

SGT PEPPER ANNIVERSARY: On this 50th Anniversary of the release of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper, DePaul hosts a special event featuring scholarly lectures and live performances from 7 to 9 p.m. at the DePaul Student Center. "Transformations: The Golden Anniversary Of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper" will celebrate the album that changed how we view and consume art and culture. Free.



FRIDAY JUNE 2



Image courtesy of Do Division Street Festival.

DO DIVISION: DoDivision Street Fest has garnered quite the reputation as a destination for rock fans with a lineup booked by Empty Bottle and Subterranean. ADULT., The Ponys, Lucky Boys Confusion and Protomartyr are among the headliners for this years three-day fest in West Town. In addition to the two main stages, theres also a The Family Fun Fest and Sidewalk Sale and Do Fashion. Entry is a $5 suggested donation.

FLAVORS OF MEXICO: Eat your way through the flavors of our neighbors to the south in Little Village this weekend. Flavors of Mexico returns for a third year with mom and pop restaurants serving up authentic Mexican street foods along with live music, carnival rides and arts and crafts. Free.





Jonathan McReynolds. Photography by Jason McCoy. Photo courtesy of DCASE.

GOSPEL MUSIC FEST: The 32nd Chicago Gospel Music Festival takes over Millennium Park this weekend with performances from The Rance Allen Group, Jonathan McReynolds with special guests Anthony Brown & Travis Greene, Vashawn Mitchell, Malcolm Williams & Great Faith, a Tribute to Jessy Dixon and many more. Some of Fridays programming will also take place at the Chicago Cultural Center. Visit the festival website for the full schedule. Free.

LINCOLN PARK GREEK FEST: St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Lincoln Park hosts their 40th Annual Greek Fest this weekend. Greek eats and "filoxenia" (Greek hospitality and generosity of spirit) will be front and center at this family friendly event, plus live cover bands and a meet & greet with the cast of Tony n' Tina's Wedding on Sunday. Donations accepted for admission.
Jeremy Corbyn supporters today hurled anti-Semitic abuse at a Jewish journalist who skewered the Labour leader over his childcare policy - comparing her to Miss Piggy.

A string of Corbynistas spouted a stream of highly offensive tweets at Emma Barnett following the Woman's Hour interview.

The Labour leader condemned the vile posts describing them as 'totally unacceptable'.

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Emma Barnett, pictured with Jeremy Corbyn today, was targeted by vile trolls after skewering the Labour leader over his childcare policies in a Woman's Hour interview

The BBC reporter, pictured on television, was compared to a pig and branded a Zionist online

Miss Barnett, an award-winning BBC journalist, was branded a 'Zionist shill' and had her family attacked in a series of highly offensive tweets.

The abuse came after the Labour leader suffered a car crash interview with Miss Barnett on the Radio Four show.

Mr Corbyn was launching his manifesto promise to extend free childcare, but was left speechless when asked how much the plan would cost.

Some of his supporters quickly rounded on Miss Barnett online.

One Twitter user called Steve McNamara posted a picture of Miss Piggy with the message '@Emmabarnett looking pleased with herself after asking Corbyn questions.'

He later branded her a 'Zionist shill' - which means a stooge.

Labour Insider posted a series of tweets accusing the journalist of being a Zionist

One Twitter user compared her to Miss Piggy in an abusive post in the wake of the interview

Another said the BBC journalist will have blood on her hands if the interview turns support against the Labour leader

David Carter also hurled abuse at the award winning reporter online after the interview

Mary-Ann Penniman accused Miss Barnett of towing the Israeli line and said she cannot be trusted to interview a left leaning politician

Another Twitter user called Lucy Shoop told the journalist 'the blood of the disabled and the hungry stomachs of children in poverty will be on your hands if this hurts his campaign.'

Another, called Mary-Ann Penniman, accused the Jewish journalist of towing Israel's line and said she was not the right choice to interview a 'left wing politician.'

Mr Corbyn has faced criticism for failing to root out anti-Semitism in the Labour Party since taking over as leader.

Last month, more than 100 Labour MPs signed an open letter calling on the party to expel former London mayor Ken Livingstone from the party over controversial remarks on Adolf Hitler and Zionism.

In October, the Home Affairs Select Committee accused Mr Corbyn of failing to provide 'consistent leadership' in tackling anti-Semitic abuse within Labour ranks.

The abuse came as Labour launched its race and faith manifesto today in Watford.

Award-winning journalist Emma Barnett called out the abuse in a posting on Twitter

Asked about it at the launch later in the day, Mr Corbyn said he condemned it.

He said: 'It is totally and absolutely completely unacceptable for anyone to throw abuse at anyone else.

'Journalists do ask difficult questions and journalists do do a job that does require asking difficult questions sometimes in difficult circumstances.

'If you don't like what a reporter says or asks me, or anybody else, understand the question they're asking, we will all do our best to answer those questions.

Jeremy Corbyn, pictured at the race and faith manifesto launch in Watford today, aid the abuse is totally unacceptable

'But under no circumstances whatsoever should anyone throw personal abuse at anyone else because they are doing the job that they have been employed to do and I will not tolerate it under any circumstances.'

Miss Barnett called out the abuse online, posting on Twitter: 'So abuse from supporters begins. He didn't know his figures plain & simple. Catch up on my interview.'

Poll shows that just 13% of Jews will back Labour British Jews will overwhelmingly back the Tories in the General Election, a new poll suggests. Some 77 per cent of those polled said they will vote Conservative and just 13 per cent said they will vote for Jeremy Corbyn's party. The findings emerged in a Survation polling for the Jewish Chronicle shows. Labour is also seen as having the biggest problem with anti-Semitism out of the main parties, with Ukip second, the Liberal Democrats third and the Tories fourth. Last month, more than 100 Labour MPs signed an open letter calling on the party to expel former London mayor Ken Livingstone from the party over controversial remarks on Adolf Hitler and Zionism. In October, the Home Affairs Select Committee accused Mr Corbyn of failing to provide 'consistent leadership' in tackling anti-Semitic abuse within Labour ranks. Labour's manifesto specifically commits to try to 'build a society and world free from all forms of racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia'. Advertisement

During the car-crash interview, Mr Corbyn was left frantically searching his iPad after he was unable to say how much his own party's pledge to extend free childcare will cost.

The floundering Labour leader was speechless when faced with the basic question about his own flagship policy.

Listeners branded the interview 'painful' and 'excruciating' on Twitter.

Miss Barnett challenged the Labour leader over not knowing his sums. She said: 'You don't know it. You are logging into your iPad.

'Is this not exactly the issue which comes up with people and the Labour Party which came up under Gordon Brown, that we cannot trust you with our money?'

She added: 'You are holding your manifesto there you flicking through it, you have got an iPad there and you don't know how much it is going to cost.

'My point is it's quite troubling, this is a policy you are launching today Mr Corbyn and you don't know how much it is going to cost.'

In a disastrous day for the Labour leader, he later infuriated Mumsnet users by turning up to his web chat late and then leaving 30 minutes early.

Mumsnet confirmed they had expected the Labour leader to stay for an hour but that his staff said he had to leave after 20 minutes.

After leaving, Mr Corbyn came under a storm of criticism from users furious at his brief appearance.

User TwoLeftSocks said it was a 'patronising token effort' while Bluntness100 said: 'I didn't see anything on here showing he was willing to listen. It was a half arsed attempt at it.'

User IStoleTheRainbow said: 'Very disappointed. Not really anything else to say.'
Police in Portugal have arrested a former boyfriend of the British travel rep scarred with acid in a horrific attack on the Algarve earlier this month.

The arrest was made on the Atlantic island of Madeira, where victim Ellie Chessell's ex lives.

Detectives did not name the 34-year-old detainee in a statement confirming the arrest.

Last month a former boyfriend of Chessell's, Madeira-based Claudio Gouveia, spoke of his shock after learning Chessell, 29, had been attacked. He branded the attacker an animal and urged police to put him behind bars.

Chessell, from Newport on the Isle of Wight, had acid poured over her on May 6 near the hotel she was working at in Alvor.

Police in Portugal arrested on Tuesday an unnamed 34-year-old former boyfriend of Ellie Chessell, 29, on the Atlantic island of Madeira, where the acid attack victim's ex lives. Chessell, from Newport on the Isle of Wight, had acid poured over her on May 6 near the hotel she was working at in Alvor

Last month a former boyfriend of Chessell's, Madeira-based Claudio Gouveia, spoke of his shock after learning Chessell, 29, had been attacked. He branded the attacker an animal and urged police to put him behind bars

The Policia Judiciaria confirmed on Tuesday in a statement: 'The PJ, through the Department of Criminal Investigation in Portimao, has identified and arrested a 34-year-old unemployed man on suspicion of attempted homicide on the island of Madeira.

'The arrested man had a relationship with his victim and after they broke-up, tried to seek revenge.

'Executing a previously prepared plan, he obtained the help of a third person, who on the night of May 6 in the area of Alvor near Portimao, attacked the woman with acid, causing her burns and serious injuries on several parts of the body.'

Detectives also said the man suspected of attacking Chessell had a criminal record, although they did not say what for.

A spokesman for the force at its HQ in Lisbon declined to confirm the identify of the suspect.

It was not immediately clear if the man suspected of carrying out the attack had also been held.

Chessell, a Thomson and First Choice employee, suffered second- and third-degree burns to more than 50 per cent of her body after being doused with around two litres of acid.

She was attacked in the street close to the four-star hotel she had worked at for the past two months in the Algarve holiday resort of Alvor near Portimao.

The Policia Judiciaria confirmed on Tuesday in a statement: 'The PJ, through the Department of Criminal Investigation in Portimao, has identified and arrested a 34-year-old unemployed man on suspicion of attempted homicide on the island of Madeira. Pictured: Ellie and Gouveia with her parents

Chessell, a Thomson and First Choice employee, suffered second- and third-degree burns to more than 50 per cent of her body after being doused with around two litres of acid. She was attacked in the street close to the four-star hotel she had worked at for the past two months in the Algarve holiday resort of Alvor near Portimao

Police sources said at the time they believed she had been lured to the spot where she was targeted after receiving a message or phone call.

She was taken to hospital locally before being transferred to a specialist burns unit at a Lisbon hospital.

A spokesman for the Policia Judiciaria in Lisbon, the police force investigating the acid attack, confirmed at the time: 'There are no arrests at the moment but we expect to close the investigation soon.'

Portuguese national Claudio Gouveia described Chessell as 'someone special' in his life earlier this month and said she had suffered a 'disgusting' act of evil

Sources close to the probe, confirming Portuguese press reports detectives were focusing their attention on a violent former boyfriend who may have stalked Chessell and got to her using a fake Facebook account, said: 'We believe the incident is related to a break-up the British woman was involved in.'

Portuguese national Claudio Gouveia, who hails from Cristiano Ronaldo's home city of Funchal on the Atlantic island of Madeira where Chessell was previously based, described the blonde as 'someone special' in his life earlier this month and said she had suffered a 'disgusting' act of evil.

Pointing the finger at someone she might have met since they last spoke, Claudio insisted in broken English after learning of the attack: 'I had no information about it and I'm surprised about the accusations of an ex-boyfriend.

'I'm surprised not to be contacted by the police but I'm definitely going to the station to clear up this misunderstanding and find out why and how I'm being involved if they mean me as the ex-boyfriend.

'I haven't been with Ellie for about three months so I guess they could mean another boyfriend. I'm not sure she had anyone since me.

'I have no idea about her life since she left Madeira. We have never talked since. I couldn't tell if she had anyone else but it is likely.'

Saying his heart went out to Chessell and her loved ones, he added: 'Let her family know if there is anything I can do to not hesitate to contact me at any time.

'I hope Ellie is going to be alright. She is someone special who was such an important part of my life and this is disgusting news.

I pray she fully recovers and everything goes back to normal for her. She's a really nice girl and this was an awful thing to happen.'
A 19-year-old woman has been sentenced to death in Pakistan after she accused her cousin of raping her at gunpoint.

The woman said she was asleep at her family home in Rajanpur, in the country's central Punjab province, when the attack happened.

She reported the crime to the local panchayat, a tribal court that operates outside the official justice system in remote areas of the country, but was told she had intentionally seduced her attacker.

A 19-year-old woman who accused her cousin of raping her at gunpoint in Pakistan was sentenced to death by stoning after a tribal council ruled she had seduced him (file image)

The panchayat, which included the alleged rapist's father, then found her guilty of adultery and declared her a Kari, or adulteress, the Express Tribune reports.

As a result the teen was sentenced to death by stoning or to be sold off, according to the Hindustan Times and Tribune.

The council decided no action needed to be taken against the alleged rapist.

The following day the woman and her father went to the police, who have now launched an official investigation.

An arrest warrant has now been issued for the members of the tribal council, and the woman taken to a refuge away from the village.

Women declared Kari are often executed by their own family in so-called honour killings to restore their reputation.

Another warrant has also been issued for the alleged rapist, local media reports.
President Donald Trump subtly defended his son-in-law in a Tuesday morning tweet that endorsed an article on Jared Kushner's alleged attempt to open up a back channel with Russia.

Trump retweeted a Fox News article that quoted an anonymous source as saying Kushner's secret communications with a Russian diplomat were about Syria.

The source told Fox the Russians, not Kushner, asked for a secure line to the Trump administration to talk about the conflict there.

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President Donald Trump subtly defended his son-in-law in a Tuesday morning tweet that endorsed an article on Jared Kushner's alleged attempt to open up a back channel with Russia

The Fox News report said it was the Russians, and not Jared Kushner - seen leaving his Kalorama home Tuesday morning - who wanted the secret back channel

Kellyanne Conway went on Fox & Friends Tuesday morning and said the president had full confidence in his son-in-law Jared Kushner (pictured)

Fox's report claimed that the call was supposed to be a one-off communication to discuss the sitting president's approach to the Russian ally. It was not intended as a permanent line for talks.

It contradicted a May 26 Washington Post report that claimed Kushner offered a back channel to the Russians during an early December meeting at Trump Tower.

The Post's report says that Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the US, told superiors that it was Kushner who broached the subject.

The Trump relative suggested Russian diplomatic facilities in the US for the private talks, Kisylak reportedly said.

Fox says it received its information from an anonymous source who is familiar with the matter. The Monday report was published a day after Trump slammed the 'fake news media' for basing articles on sources that may not be real.

'Whenever you see the words 'sources say' in the fake news media, and they don't mention names....,' he said in a two-part tweet, '....it is very possible that those sources don't exist but are made up by fake news writers. #FakeNews is the enemy!'

Trump seemed just fine with the practice on Tuesday morning when it was used in an article that helped clear Kushner's name.

The White House later found itself in a conundrum over the situation after the president's spokesman slammed anonymous sources during his daily briefing.

'I'm not going to get into what the president did or did not discuss. What your question assumes is a lot of facts that are not substantiated with anything but anonymous sources that are so far being leaked out,' he told a Washington Post White House Correspondent asking about his news outlets reporting.

In response to a follow-up question from DailyMail.com about the president's tweet endorsing the Fox report that also relied on anonymous source, Spicer brought up a dossier of information the White House had already slapped down and claimed it was 'largely the basis' for the Post's claim.

'Most of the publications here even refused to publish it in the first place. So I'm not going to get into confirming stuff, there's an ongoing investigation,' he said.

Trump retweeted a Fox News article that quoted an anonymous source as saying Kushner's secret communications with a Russian diplomat were about Syria

The article rehashed Kushner's talk with Kisylak that took place in secret at Trump Tower after the billionaire businessman had been elected. Barack Obama was still president at the time of the meeting that is also at the center of accusations involving Mike Flynn.

Flynn has been accused of having inappropriate talks with the Russians during the transition period, as well.

He attended the December meeting with Kislyak at Trump Tower and had follow up talks with the Russian ambassador, during which he claimed they did not discuss sanctions and had to back track about the acting attorney general approached him about the lie.

Kushner left the meeting with Kislyak off of disclosure forms he submitted to the government when applied for security clearance this year at the start of the Trump administration.

The omission brought him under FBI scrutiny in conjunction with the bureau's probe into Russian interference in the presidential election.

In the Post's telling of the meeting, it was Kushner who proposed the back channel and Kislyak who was taken aback.

The article suggests that Kislyak's communications on the matter were intercepted by an intelligence agency and leaked.

It noted that Russia sometimes feeds false information to confuse prying ears and that could be the case here. Fox's article claimed that the proposition was turned around - it was the Russians who wanted to set up private talks.

The Post was first informed of the meeting and the back channel in December, its article says. It could not confirm the part about the attempt at secret talks until now, it said.

According to the Post, it obtained the information on the back channel from a letter it was sent last year.

It cited unnamed officials who reviewed the anonymous letter it received as having confirmed that portion.

Democrats have repeatedly requested that Kushner's security clearance be retracted until the investigation into him is complete, and they renewed their calls after the Post article was published.

White House officials said over the weekend that they saw no problem with the back channel, if there was one, however.

Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, said Tuesday morning that Trump retains 'full confidence' in Kushner, as well.

'The facts are that Jared Kushner has said from the very beginning hes willing to go and share any information that he has with Congress, with the FBI,' she said in Kushner's defense.

And giving the Trump son-in-law the president's stamp of approval, she added, 'I think its very important to recognize that the President has expressed full confidence in Jared Kushner and also went on to note the considerable progress and very large important portfolio that Jared oversees here at the White House.'
This is the shocking moment a brave mother reversed her car down a narrow residential street to escape three would-be carjackers.

Clare Dovey, 40, was pulling in to a driveway in Kitts Green, Birmingham, when three masked men jumped out of a blue Toyota, allegedly brandishing weapons, and sprinted towards her.

Miss Dovey, a special needs teacher, slammed her gears into reverse and backed her Volkswagen up the usually quiet residential street and around a corner to escape.

Clare Dovey, 40, was pulling in to her driveway in Kitts Green, Birmingham, when three men jumped out of a blue Toyota brandishing weapons and sprinted towards her (pictured)

The car pulled up in front of her vehicle and the 'carjackers' began chasing her (pictured)

The alleged carjackers then ran back to their vehicle and drove away, while Ms Dovey drove to her friend's house before contacting police.

Her son Shanie Graham, 20, told the Birmingham Mail his mother has been left shaken by the incident.

He said: 'She didn't spot them until they came past her and pulled up.

'She immediately put the car into reverse and started reversing back up the road. What you can't see on the video is that she has to reverse between two cars parked on either side of the road.'

He added: 'She's fine now just a little shook up. I just want them caught so they can't do it to anyone else. I'd hate for it to happen to anyone else's mother, daughter, sister or female relative.'

West Midlands Police said it is investigating the incident, which happened on May 22.

Ms Dovey, a special needs teacher, slammed her gears into reverse and backed her Volkswagen up the usually quiet residential street and around a corner in order to escape
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Thousands of guests flocked to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library this weekend to pay respect to the former president on what would have been his 100th birthday.

The library hosted a party that included 100 artifacts of Kennedy's life, including 40 that had never been seen.

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh paid tribute to Kennedy's advocacy for veterans, an act which had particular significance on Memorial Day, the Boston Herald reported.

Mayor Walsh said: 'Let us look, as President Kennedy did, to the sacrifice of our fallen heroes as a guiding light for our own service to our country and humanity.'

The 35th president of the United States was assassinated in Dallas in November 1963, 46 years old, but his legacy and mystery has endured.

Acting library director James Walsh said: 'I think the positive message that he sent has a tendency to resonate...how well spoken he was, that his speeches were quite well-known and have stand the test of time.'

Walsh added: 'His promise may have been cut short, but his life had the completeness of perfection. The way he lived, the way he died, could not have been improved up.'

JFK's 100th birthday celebration included this massive, 800-pound cake, designed to look like the presidential library

The celebration was particularly poignant on Memorial Day, with visitors reminded of the sacrifices that Kennedy made while serving as a young lieutenant in World War 2

Acting library director James Roth (left), Executive Director Steven Rothstein (centre) and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh (right) cut the 800-pound cake

More than 40 new artifacts were on display at the museum, including this chair from JFK's time as a Massachusetts Senator (left) and helmet given to him by NASA after the first manned orbital flight

A collection of JFK's ties. Kennedy has consistently topped polls for America's favorite president, partly due to the tragic way his life was cut short in Dallas aged 46

Guests check out various items owned by Kennedy. Boston Mayor Martin Walsh urged citizens to look 'as President Kennedy did, to the sacrifice of our fallen heroes as a guiding light for our own service to our country and humanity'

Two letters from JFK. When elected in 1960 he was the youngest president ever as well as the first Catholic president

Kennedy famously served as a lieutenant on patrol boats in the Pacific during World War 2. In one incident his ship, PT 109, was cut in half by a Japanese destroyer, giving Kennedy a back injury that would persist for the rest of his life

Kennedy (right) aboard an ocean liner in 1938 with his brother Joseph P. Kennedy (pictured left) and his father Joseph P. Kennedy (pictured centre). JFK's older brother died during a top secret mission in World War 2. In turn JFK was expected to step up and fulfill his father's lofty ambitions
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For portrait photographer Robert Kalman, the art form is all about people. He has traveled across continents to document people in their environments  whether the streets of New York and Paris or rural villages in Central America. And one timeless Nicaraguan village has, over the years, continued to draw him back.

Since his first trip to Larreynaga, Kalman has returned at least five times to document the lives of villagers there.

Im compelled to make images of people and, in making their portraits, also in some way tell their stories, Kalman, 68, told DailyMail.com.

Growing up in Queens, New York, Kalman picked up a camera for the first time in 1958. A basically self-taught photographer, he worked in the New York Times newsroom in the late 1960s before becoming an English teacher and later an elementary school principal. He had had 15 years of freelance photography experience before the opportunity arose to travel to Nicaragua in 1990. He was 40 years old.

Photographer Robert Kalman has made portraits of villagers in Larreynaga, Nicaragua 20 years apart. Pictured at left are Juan Garcia and his great grandson, Elgin in 1990. The same pair is pictured 20 years later at right

Kalman first traveled to Nicaragua through the Sister Cities International program. He and six other Americans traveled to the Central American nation in 1990, an election year. Pictured at left is Yanet in 1990 and, 20 years later, Yanet with her son Pedro

He lived in Rhinebeck, a town in Upstate New York, at the time. The town was paired with Larreynaga, Nicaragua as part of Sister Cities International, a network that pairs cities and towns across the world to foster diplomacy and cultural understanding.

He traveled to Nicaragua with six other Americans, who helped monitor the countrys election that year and provided material aid.

At the time, the U.S. had a trade embargo enacted by Ronald Reagan on the Central American nation, which was governed by the socialist Sandinista party. The economy was in shambles. The US government was of the opinion that the election in which Daniel Ortega, a Sandinista, would face off against Violeta Chamorro, an anti-Sandinista, would be unfair.

Against this backdrop, Kalman did not really know what to expect. But he took out his 35mm camera and got to know the villagers of Larreynaga, which is about two hours by car from Managua, the capital.

What I discovered was, the people were so welcoming and so open and so curious. And they just allowed me to make photos that I had really never made before.

It was the first time that I had really traveled anywhere, and I fell in love with the people.

Pictured at left are Juan and his brother, Julio, in 1990. Pictured at right is Julio in 2012. Juan died in his sleep of heart failure before the second picture could be made. Julio is pictured in the same doorway in both photos

Kalman did not know what to expect against the backdrop of the 1990 election, in which Daniel Ortega, a Sandinista, faced off against Violeta Chamorro, an anti-Sandinista. The United States government had a trade embargo against the nation at the time and believed the election might be unfair. Pictured at left is Jose as a child in 1990, and as a man in 2010

He found that the Nicaraguans, who unlike Americans were not necessarily used to being photographed hundreds of times, lacked the camera behavior that he tries to subvert in his subjects. Pushing for something more than a cheesy smile can be difficult once people know  or think they know  how to behave in front of a camera.

Rather than having camera behavior, [the people of Larreynaga] took the experience as a very serious event. So they presented themselves in a way that wasnt typical in my photographic experience, he said.

The people of Larreynaga invited Kalman into their homes with open arms, could communicate through his fluent enough Spanish and were delighted six months later when he returned to present them with prints of the photos he had taken. He would return at least five more times in the following years.

Anytime I returned, people would behave as if I lived there, you know, it was like oh, yes, Robert, you take our pictures, thats great.

And in 2010, he decided to return to Larreynaga yet again to photograph the same citizens he had photographed 20 years prior. As it is a small town, he had little difficulty finding the same people and in some instances was able to set up their portraits exactly as they had appeared 20 years prior.

He wrote in his artists statement: The resulting images of these campesinos (farmers or laborers), frozen in time across twenty years, seem to pull in opposite directions: while they mark the passage of time, they also remain timeless.

Fidelina is pictured in 1990 and 2010. She lost her right leg to diabetes. Kalman said: 'Rather than having camera behavior, [the people of Larreynaga] took the experience as a very serious event. So they presented themselves in a way that wasnt typical in my photographic experience'

Faustino is pictured at left in 1990. When Kalman tried to photograph him in 2010, he showed him a copy of the 1990 portrait. Faustino insisted it was not a photograph of him and initially refused to sit for a picture, but was eventually persuaded. A villager later told Kalman that she thought Faustino was embarrassed by his poverty-stricken appearance in 1990, which is why he initially refused

His photos are currently on view in an exhibition called The Nicaraguans: A Timeless Passage, at the Soho Photo Gallery in Manhattan, New York. They are also collected in a book called 'Diptychs: A Nicaraguan Village Revisited.'

Kalman has also traveled to Panama, where he has documented the indigenous Kuna population and the Kunas third gender group called the Omeggid. Next up is a trip to Israel to document its transgender community.

Some segments of society get bad press because theyre misunderstood and feared, and you know, my goal is to break down those barriers that confuse people, Kalman said.

I dont want to say its now become my lifes work, but Im really interested in sort of championing the underrepresented or the misrepresented.

Candalaria is pictured at left in 1990 and at right in 2010. Note the FSLN flag in the photograph at left. FSLN stands for Sandinista National Liberation Front. In 1990, he was still experiencing the stressful effects of the Nicaraguan Civil War, a series of conflicts from 1978-1989. Twenty years later, he was filled with optimism and hope
Upon initial inspection bomb squad officers and a HAZMAT team believed a device they were looking at was a dangerous bomb - it turned out to be a homemade sex toy.

The confusion resulted in a major metropolitan police station being evacuated, two police officers rushed to hospital and the arrest of a man who was suspected over terrorism crimes - until its maker revealed it was just a homemade sex device.

After being found during a raid in Sydney's south-west forensic testing will assist police in investigating if the man was truthful in his denial that his craft was not an explosive.

Although the case was seemingly closed, police are still trying to answer one question.

Police arrested the owner (pictured) of the suspected bomb however he has now been released after claiming the device was a mere sex toy

If the device was as harmless as the man claims, why were five officers who were involved in the item's discovery, struck with burning skin, vomiting and irritated eyes?

The chain of events began on May 26, a Friday night, when police from Liverpool Local Area Command raided a Casula Road home on suspicions of drug activity.

During their search, police found a putty-like substance alongside what they believed was a switch device wrapped in plastic.

After the device was moved to Liverpool Police Station the bomb squad was contacted, Fairfax reported.

Upon studying the item a bomb squad officer - according to police - deemed it was a live incendiary device.

HAZMAT agreed that the putty, if moved, was likely to explode.

Half of Liverpool Police Station was then evacuated while the bomb squad took control of the detonation.

Simultaneously, officers who came into contact with the item were struck with symptoms including dizziness and vomiting.

Ambulances were then sent to the homes of those officers and two were taken to hospital by ambulance.

Police from Liverpool Local Area Command raided a Casula Road home on suspicions of drug activity where they found the device

Police then moved to arrest the owner of the suspected bomb, who hadn't been at home when his place was raided.

The man then claimed the device was merely a sex toy, who said the putty and electrical component was to instigate a vibration.

He was released and the putty was sent off for testing.

'At this stage a person had been interviewed and the chemical is still being forensically examined,' Liverpool LAC crime manager Detective Inspector Dean Johnstone said.

'The general feel is we believe it was some sort of sealant but we're not sure what else was contained in it.

'He has given us a version but based on that we need to see what the chemical make up is.'

The officers who fell are now recovering and police will continue to carry out forensic examination to rule out any suspicions.
President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is rejecting calls to 'lay low,' as he was spotted leaving his Kalorama home Tuesday morning, likely ready for a day of work at the White House.

Kushner became a central figure in the Russia-Trump saga on Friday with the Washington Post reporting that he had asked Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak for a secret back channel to the Kremlin at an early December meeting, while Trump's team was transitioning into the White House.

The Post sniffed out details of the meeting by looking at Russian intercepts showing that Kislyak had reported the conversation to his superiors, while FBI sources told the paper that the encounter, and another that Kushner had with a Russian banker, was of investigative interest.

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President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, a top White House aide, was spotted leaving his Kalorama home Tuesday

As of Friday, Jared Kushner has become a central figure in the controversy surrounding President Trump and the Russians

Jared Kushner, according to reporting from the Washington Post, had asked the Russian ambassador in early December for a secret back channel to the Kremlin

One White House official told NBC News that they were 'speechless' when they heard Jared Kushner had requested a secret back channel to Russia

Some at the White House have advised Jared Kushner, seen leaving his Kalorama home, to keep a low profile with his name in the news

Press Secretary Sean Spicer wouldn't confirm or deny the Post's story, though told the reporter 'your question presupposes facts that have not been confirmed.'

'I would just say that Mr. Kushner's attorney has said that Mr. Kushner has volunteered to share with Congress what he knows about these meetings and he will do the same if he's contacted in connection with any other inquiry,' Spicer said from the podium Tuesday.

NBC News reported that several of Kushner's White House colleagues have cautioned Kushner, now a top White House adviser, to keep a low profile as connections to Russia have continued to plague the Trump White House.

While no evidence of collusion has been unearthed, investigations by a special counsel and by both houses of Congress have derailed much of the president's agenda as the White House has been forced to answer questions about Russia on an almost daily basis.

On Tuesday, the news broke that Trump's Communications Director Mike Dubke had turned in his resignation and was headed out the door.

Meanwhile, Kushner was supposed to be one of the main Trump aides leading a White House 'war room,' to combat the onslaught of negative news coverage related to Russia.

NBC News reported that Kushner would be joined by Chief Strategist Steve Bannon and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus in handling the effort.

By Sunday, officials were more skeptical that Kushner would play a leading role, NBC News reported, now that he was tainted by questions concerning the Trump team's relationship with Russia, in the aftermath of the Democratic National Committee being hacked.

One White House official told NBC that they were 'speechless' when they heard the news that Kushner allegedly wanted a Russian back channel.

Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway spent her Tuesday morning defending Kushner, telling the audience on Fox & Friends that the back channel allegations are 'just a rush to judgment.'

'We've been talking about this for about eight months and yet you have Sen. Feinstein saying she has not changed her position that there's evidence of collusion, you have Sen. Graham saying as much, you have CIA director, Mr. Brennan, in testimony last week refusing to make that leap, that conclusion,' Conway said.

'And so I know  it's a lot easier to scream Russia, Russia, Russia all day and even as Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden out there talking about the whole election,' she added.

Kushner, she pointed out, said he'd be willing to share information with Congress and with the FBI, as special counsel Robert Mueller has taken over the agency's investigation.

Trump's son-in-law was also defended by the president's National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster and by Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, who said, as Conway put it, 'back channels like this are the regular course of business.'

'I think it's very important to recognize that the president has expressed full confidence in Jared Kushner and also went on to note the considerable progress and very large important portfolio that Jared oversees here at the White House,' Conway said.

The president had talked to the New York Times Sunday.

'Jared is doing a great job for the country,' Trump said. 'I have total confidence in him. He is respected by virtually everyone and is working on programs that will save our country billions of dollars.'

'In addition to that, and perhaps more importantly, he is a very good person,' the president added.

That hasn't stopped Democrats, like Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota, from backing a review of Kushner's security clearance.

Kushner initially didn't report his early December meeting with Kislyak on forms he filled out for his security clearance.

'I think we should look at that,' Franken said Tuesday morning on CBS.

'This is a pretty bad breach. Look, they, these guys, the administration, they're not acting like people who have nothing to hide.'

Additionally, Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., called on Kushner to resign.

'It is very clear that Jared Kushner lied on his security clearance form,' Lieu said Tuesday on CNN.

'The White House does not deny that he omitted multiple Russian meetings,' Lieu added. 'Now we know that those meetings were significant.'
President Jimmy Carter called in to Morning Joe on Tuesday to pay tribute to host Mika's late father, his former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski who died last week at the age of 89.

'It's been one of the most valuable things in my life, the relationship with Dr. Brzezinski.

'He was the most brilliant person that I have ever known...you can be truly proud of him,' said 92-year-old Carter as Mika and her co-host and fiance Joe Scarborough listened.

Dr. Brzezinski died on Friday in a hospital in Virginia. He served as President Carter's national security adviser between 1977 and 1981 after serving as a counselor to his predecessor, Lyndon B. Johnson.

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President Jimmy Carter called in to MSNBC's Morning Joe on Tuesday to give a glowing tribute to host Mika Brzezinski's father who died last week

Fmr. Pres. Jimmy Carter remembered the life & discussed the legacy of @zbig on the show today https://t.co/42nvzoFvOi  Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) May 30, 2017

Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski served as Carter's national security adviser between 1977 and 1981. He is pictured advising the former president in 1977

He navigated the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979, when dozens of officials working in the US embassy in Tehran were held against their will for 444 days.

On Tuesday, President Carter commended his career.

'I think one of the best things that ever happened to the United States of America was having him in the forefront of shaping our foreign policy.

'The books he wrote and his interviews on television in times of crisis were always positive and sound.

'He was completely dedicated to serving the United States of America and (was) very loyal to me personally,' he continued, adding he was a 'great friend'.

The Morning Joe hosts appeared touched by his kind words. Joe removed his thick-rimmed reading glasses at one point.

Mika, who announced her father's death on Instagram, was not the first member of the family to hear from the former president.

'It's a pleasure to talk to you personally, I talked to Ian, your brother, the night before last and also to your mother,' President Carter said.

She was humbled by his kind words for her father. 'Thank you, so much. Very generous,' she said as he ended the call.

President Carter (left in October) described his relationship with Brzezinski (right in 2007) as one of the most valuable things in his life

Carter said it was one of the 'best things that ever happened' to the country having Brzezinski at the forefront of the foreign policy. They are pictured with Ambassador of the USSR Anatoliy F. Dobrynin in January 1977

Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough, who recently announced his engagement to Mika, was touched by President Carter's words

Mika, 50, has been filling her social media pages with warm memories of her father since his death last week.

Joe joined her, posting thoughtful words of his own on Twitter.

Brzezinski is pictured with his wife Emilie in 2011. He died last Friday aged 89

Their tributes are echoed by those of statesmen and women who worked with him and unanimously considered him a gifted political strategist.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said: 'Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski was one of our most important national security leaders.

'Zbig was also my professor, mentor and dear friend. I was captivated by his brilliance, his originality and his sophisticated understanding of international politics and grand strategy.

'His absence will be felt and his presence sorely missed.

'As we celebrate Zbig's life and reflect on his legacy, my thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences are with his beloved with Emilie, his children and his grandchildren.'

President George H.W. Bush and National security adviser general Brent Scowcroft said in a joint statement: 'Zbigniew Brzezinski was a great American who served our nation with honor.

'Widely respected as a scholar and a practitioner, his command of foreign affairs made him both an instrumental architect of key policies - and an influential voice in key policy debates.'
Tribune Publisher Tronc Could Face Competition Buying The Sun-Times

By Rachel Cromidas in News on May 30, 2017 5:01AM



Getty Images / Photo: Scott Olson

Tronc, the oddly named company that owns and publishes the Chicago Tribune, among other papers, has been poised to acquire the Sun-Times and the Chicago Reader amid major concerns that Chicago could be on its way to becoming a one-newspaper town.

But now it's looking like those who want to see the Tribune and the Sun-Times remain completely separate have some hopeat least two other buyers have expressed interest in buying the Sun-Times, a rep for the Newspaper Guild told Politico Monday night.

David Roeder, who works with the Chicago News Guildthe labor union that represents the staff of the Sun-Times and the Readertold Politico's Natasha Korecki (a Sun-Times alum) that at least two groups of buyers have expressed interest in buying the newspaper. The news comes as a deadline looms for potential buyers to come forward. Tronc (it's actually tronc, with a lowercase t, but we can't bring ourselves to start a sentence that way) has been poised to buy Wrapports Holdings, LLC, which owns the Sun-Times and the Reader, after working with the federal Department of Justice's antitrust division to ensure that the acquisition would keep Chicago's two biggest newspapers running independently. The DOJ is currently investigating tronc's intention to buy the company, and has given other buyers until June 1 to come forward.

Many have already noted the irony and humor in the potential acquisition, while others fear that it represents another nail in the coffin of Chicago's dwindling news industry. It's also unclear what will happen to the Reader in all of thisThe staff recently authorized a strike, and some are hoping a new buyer can step in to rescue the historic alt-weekly from the jaws of tronc.

There's now some hope that that could happen, at least for the Sun-Times. From Politico:



There are two who have contacted the guild. And there may be others who we haven't talked with, Roeder told POLITICO on Monday. I don't know where they are in the process. Still, Roeder said he believes a deadline, originally set for this week, was likely to be extended. Roeder said he could not comment on the identities of the possible competing purchasers.

Roeder also noted that Most people at the Sun-Times and the Reader don't want to see the sale to tronc." The Guild has taken out ads and launched a petition and social media campaign to urge the Department of Justice to heavily scrutinize the sale and to encourage other buyers to step in.


Sir Anish Kapoor has infuriated South London residents over plans to add a storey to his studio - as it will prevent light from reaching their homes

As an artist, he is used to working with light and shade.

But now Turner Prize-winning sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor has infuriated South London residents over plans to add a storey to his studio - as it will prevent light from reaching their homes.

The 63-year-old designer, who co-created the Olympic Park Orbit slide, has submitted an application to Southwark council as he wants to build another floor at the site on Farmers Road in Camberwell.

Sir Anish's studio, which was once a dairy factory, backs onto a row of Grade II-listed Georgian buildings.

Documents lodged with the council state that he needs the space 'to expand the applicants' capacity to produce work'.

An online petition - entitled 'Stop Anish Kapoor stealing our light and colour!' - has so far garnered 157 supporters, who are calling for a public consultation.

They say that the extension, which would have corrugated aluminium cladding, would impinge on their privacy, as well as block views and light.

The 63-year-old designer, who co-created the Olympic Park Orbit slide, has submitted an application to Southwark council as he wants to build another floor at the site on Farmers Road in Camberwell (artist's impression from Caseyfierro Architects, above)

Sir Anish's studio (pictured, how it currently looks) was once a dairy factory - and it backs onto a row of Grade II-listed Georgian buildings

An online petition - entitled 'Stop Anish Kapoor stealing our light and colour!' - has so far garnered 157 supporters, who are calling for a public consultation. Above, another view of the existing building

Residents say that the extension, which would have corrugated aluminium cladding, would impinge on their privacy, as well as block views and light. (Above, how it could look)

Part of it reads: 'We cant understand how these plans can go through, especially as it will create a claustrophobic, prison like feel, with a real effect on our light and view.'

Nicholas Abrahams, a film-maker who owns a property in the area, told the Evening Standard: 'I've owned this ground floor flat for 10 years.

'It will clearly affect the light coming in. If someone builds upwards, you have the sky blocked out and feel enclosed.'

Meanwhile, on Southwark's planning portal, one resident wrote: 'As a working artist myself, I understand the need for studio space, yet I am strongly opposed to the current suggestions as it seems that the excessive and wasteful use of space within the studio are being suggested to the detriment of the quality of life and rights to light of those living in the surrounding neighbourhoods.'

The proposal has yet to go before the council's planning committee, and a decision is expected by June 2.

Documents lodged with the council state that Sir Anish needs the space 'to expand the applicants' capacity to produce work'

From Orbit to 'The Bean: Kapoor's works of art

Kapoor, whose huge works of public art are landmarks in cities from London to Chicago, was born in Bombay, now Mumbai, in 1954.

As well as his Turner Prize award in 1991, for an untitled work, he was also the winner of this year's million-dollar Genesis Prize, awarded for commitment to Israel and Judaism; he was born to a Hindu father and Jewish mother.

Here are just some of his notable works...

The ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture, and slide, in front of the Olympic Stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic park

The Cloud Gate (known as 'The Bean) in Chicago's Millennium Park

Leviathan - formed out of interconnected balloons - at the Grand Palais in Paris

The stainless steel Sky Mirror in the grounds of Chatsworth House in Derbyshire

Kapoor's untitled 1991 Turner Prize-winning piece
Chelsea Clinton, the 37-year-old only child of Bill and Hillary Clinton, is fueling speculation that she could one day run for office -- honing her Twitter profile, publishing a new book and becoming increasingly vocal in the wake of her mother's presidential defeat.

Gone is the publicity-shy former first daughter with bouncy curls -- replaced by a tireless liberal campaigner, who last year criss-crossed the country to tell Americans why they should elect her mother the first US woman commander-in-chief.

Her mother's loss at the polls to a billionaire former reality star has only seemed to fuel Clinton's ire.

She deluges her 1.7 million followers on Twitter with outrage about Donald Trump's administration, and thoughts on everything from World Menstrual Hygiene Day to child marriage, as the media devotes column inches to whether she will run for office.

Chelsea's official line is she's not -- but in true politician style, she often couches those denials with caveats such as 'right now, no.'

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Staying pit: Chelsea Clinton said she has no plans to tun for political office during an appearance on 'Today' Tuesday (above)

In an interview with Savannah Guthrie on 'Today' Tuesday, Chelsea said: 'Well, last year, when I was campaigning for my mom, I think really up until my due date with Aidan, being on the stage at the convention, so proud to support her there, just a few weeks after he was born, I did so many events for my mom.

'I had a chance to share my thoughts publicly in forums. Did lots of interviews. Now, I continue to share my views after the inauguration.'

Guthrie then pressed Chelsea for an answer, at which point she said: 'I don't have any plans to.'

Chelsea making her way to 'Today' on Tuesday

She went on to state: 'I think we've talked about this before. One of my earliest memories is being 3-years-old and standing on the side of one of my dad's campaign rallies. And a woman saying to me, Chelsea, do you think you'll run for governor of Arkansas, I think I said, I'm 3.'

Chelsea then further explained her answer by stating: 'I don't think being a citizen is just something that happens in an election year. We have to feel responsibility to every day. And these days, more than ever. I don't have plans to run for office. I do plan to keep being an activist and raising my voice online and off.'

Speculation about Chelsea's political future returned to the fore Tuesday with the publication of her third book -- a 28-page hardback picture book for children called 'She Persisted' about 13 diverse US women who 'changed the world.'

The collection of stories was inspired by Elizabeth Warren according to a release sent out by publisher Penguin Young Readers, and as evidenced by Chelsea's decision to use the Massachusetts senator's rally cry for the title of the book.

That rally cry was born out of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's attack of Warren on the Senate floor in February when she opted to read a letter written by Coretta Scott King criticizing Jeff Sessions while debating his nomination for Attorney General.

After she refused to stop reading the letter, which broke an arcane rule that states no Senator shall impugn a fellow Senator, McConnell stood at his podium and said: 'She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.'

Among the 13 women making an appearance in the children's picture book will be Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Oprah Winfrey and Sonia Sotomayor.

Less familiar names including Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, and Margaret Chase Smith are also featured in the collection.

Chelsea Clinton's new children's book "She Persisted," a title that plays off the now infamous words of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, goes on sale Tuesday

'I wrote this book for everyone whos ever wanted to speak up but has been told to quiet down - for everyone whos ever been made to feel less than,' said Chelsea of her first foray into the world of children's literature.

'The thirteen women in She Persisted all overcame adversity to help shape our country - sometimes through speaking out, sometimes by staying seated, sometimes by captivating an audience.'

She then added: 'With this book, I want to send a message to young readers around the country - and the world - that persistence is power.'

This is the third book Chelsea has released, having previously written a social empowerment book for middle-school children in 2015 entitled 'It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going!' and then just this past January releasing her worldwide health tome 'Governing Global Health: Who Runs the World and Why?'

The latter proved to be a dismal failure for Chelsea, who never even bothered to promote the book in the wake of her mother Hillary's defeat in last year's election.

That might explain why the book performed so poorly, and just two months after its release was number 128,444 on the Amazon bestsellers list.

Chelsea's official author bio states that in addition to her write she is 'Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation, where she works on many initiatives including those that help to empower the next generation of leaders.'
President Trump's press aide Hope Hicks is taking heat for issuing an exceedingly complimentary statement about her boss in response to a story about jokes he has told at other people's expense.

Hicks, the White House director of strategic communications, responded to a Washington Post story that catalogued some of Trump's quips about his aides, staff members and even foreign leaders  in an account that maintained many of the riffs had an edge to them that could ruffle subordinates.

Among the described slights are calling chief of staff Reince Priebus 'Reince-y' and calling Speaker Paul Ryan a 'Boy Scout.'

But it was Hicks' over-the-top response to the story that was drawing attention in Washington Tuesday.

White House Director of Strategic Communications Hope Hicks, pictured during the presidential transition at Trump Tower, is getting grief for gushing about the president's 'magnetic personality' in a press statement

'President Trump has a magnetic personality and exudes positive energy, which is infectious to those around him,' Hicks told the paper in a statement.

'He has an unparalleled ability to communicate with people, whether he is speaking to a room of three or an arena of 30,000,' she continued. Then she added: 'He has built great relationships throughout his life and treats everyone with respect.'

'He is brilliant with a great sense of humor . . . and an amazing ability to make people feel special and aspire to be more than even they thought possible,' she concludes.

The paper ran her statement in full.

A statement by White House press spokeswoman Hope Hicks cited the president's 'magnetic personality,' his 'positive energy,' and his 'a great sense of humor'

A statement by White House press spokeswoman Hope Hicks cited the president's 'magnetic personality,' his 'positive energy,' and his 'a great sense of humor'

Former Obama national security spokesman Tommy Vietor was among those ridiculing the comment online.

'Hope Hicks does a hilarious impression of North Korean propaganda in this quote to @AshleyRParker,' the author he wrote.

The unalloyed testament to Trump's humor recalls a glowing medical letter by Trump's longtime physician, Harold Borenstein, raising the possibility that the effusive statement about his humor was a way to push back at the Post.

'If elected, Mr. Trump, I can state unequivocally, will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency,' Borenstein wrote in December 2015. He called Trump's lab results 'astonishingly excellent.'

The Post article also included a blistering quote from Tim Miller, a former Jeb Bush aide and spokesman for an anti-Trump super PAC.

Former Obama press aide Tommy Vietor wrote that Hicks did a 'hilarious impression of North Korean propaganda' in her statement

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway (L), stands with White House press aide Hope Hicks during a news conference with U.S. President Donald Trump and King Abdullah II of Jordan, at the White House April 5, 2017 in Washington, DC

The statement about Trump's humor evoked a letter from Trump's physician vouching for his 'extraordinary' physical strength and stamina

'Trump is so deeply insecure that not even becoming president of the United States quenched his need to make others feel small to build himself up,' Miller said.

'Choosing to work for him necessitates a willingness to be demeaned in order to assuage his desire to feel like a big, important person,' he added.

The statement, rather than the original story itself, also drew a write-up in The Hill.

Other Trump jokes included in the story including ribbing Vice President Mike Pence about his smaller crowd sizes compared to Trump, and even taking a dig at his own sons as he handed over the keys to the family business.

'I hope at the end of eight years, Ill come back and say, Oh, you did a good job, Trump said. Then he added: 'Otherwise, if they do a bad job, Ill say, Youre fired,' he said.

Other jokes include telling New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie 'no more Oreos,' and joking that UN ambassador Nikki Haley 'could easily be replaced.'
Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is 'convinced' the Syrian government was not behind an alleged chemical attack which killed dozens in the country last month.

Yesterday, Putin agreed with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that use of chemical weapons was a 'red line'.

'According to our information, there is no proof of the use of chemical weapons by Assad,' he told Figaro Live, a day after his first meeting with Macron in the Versailles Palace, near Paris. 'We are convinced he did not do so.'

Several Western nations including France accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of carrying out an attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhun, in which 88 people including 31 children were reported to have been killed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is 'convinced' the Syrian government was not behind an alleged chemical attack which killed dozens in the country last month

Yesterday, Putin agreed with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that use of chemical weapons was a 'red line'

US President Donald Trump ordered air strikes three days later on the Syrian air base from where Washington believes the attack was launched.

In an interview with AFP late last month, Assad, a longstanding Moscow ally, dismissed the allegation as '100-percent fabrication'.

Asked about Macron's assertion that use of chemical weapons in Syria would be considered a 'red line', Putin replied, 'I agree.'

Macron had also said Monday that France would respond immediately to any use of these arms.

The Russian leader added that Macron had agreed with him that 'this issue should be placed in a wider context.'

He said the international community should 'establish a joint policy' to address the use of chemical weapons by 'anyone, any force... and make a response that would render the use of chemical weapons simply impossible.'

US President Donald Trump ordered air strikes three days later on the Syrian air base from where Washington believes the attack was launched

In an interview with AFP late last month, Assad, a longstanding Moscow ally, dismissed the allegation of the attack as '100-percent fabrication'

A report by French intelligence services said the April 4 attack bore the 'signature' of the Syrian government, accusing it of possessing chemical weapons in violation of commitments made in 2013.

Since the start of the Syrian conflict in March 2011, Damascus has been repeatedly accused of using chemical weapons.

A 2013 attack in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta that left hundreds dead crossed a 'red line' drawn by then US president Barack Obama.

The massacre led to an international accord under which Assad agreed to hand over Syria's entire chemical weapons arsenal.

But since then, dozens of other attacks have been recorded, though responsibility has often been difficult to assess.

Last week an official at UN headquarters in New York said the UN was working to obtain security assurances needed to dispatch an international team of experts to Khan Sheikhun.

Since the start of the Syrian conflict in March 2011, Damascus has been repeatedly accused of using chemical weapons

Russia has criticised the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for not sending experts to the site, instead analysing samples gathered from 'various sources'.

The Russian defence ministry said Syria's military has said it is ready to halt fire around the site if experts are sent in to conduct a probe.

Last year reports by UN and OPCW investigators concluded that Damascus had carried out three chlorine attacks and that the jihadist Islamic State group was behind a mustard gas attack.
Nazir Afzal has resigned as Chief Executive of the UK's police and crime commissioners

The Muslim police chief who brought the Rochdale grooming gang to justice quit so he could appear on Question Time to discuss the Manchester terror attack, it was revealed last night.

Nazir Afzal, the head of the national body for police commissioners, was advised against going on the show because of the potentially controversial policing issues that could have been raised.

But Mr Afzal stepped down from his position as chief executive of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) to make an appearance on the BBC's topical debate programme on May 25.

The APCC said: 'Nazir told the board that he intended to go on Question Time to discuss the recent events in Manchester.

'The Board, made up of all parties, advised that it would be inappropriate for him to do so, given the number of contentious issues relating to policing which could be raised especially in discussion with politicians who were appearing and during purdah.

'He resigned from his post in order to make this appearance. We thank him for his service during his year at the APCC.'

Mr Afzal stepped down from his position as chief executive of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners to make an appearance on the BBC's Question Time on May 25 (above)

Mr Afzal later tweeted that he was 'prohibited from doing ANY media or public engagement following terror attack, when public needed more reassurance and understanding.'

In a statement on its website the APCC said that when Mr Afzal took up his post he signed a contract saying he would not do any media without the consent of the board.

It said this was 'essential' because the apolitical APCC is made up of Conservatives, Labour, Plaid Cymru and Independent Police and Crime Commissioners, and the chief executive's role is politically restricted.

Mr Afzal announced his resignation on Twitter yesterday, writing: 'Given media calls I confirm that I've resigned as chief executive of country's police and crime commissioners. I'm not saying anything publicly'.

The BBC then claimed his departure was connected to a 'row over media coverage of terror attacks'.

The experienced lawyer oversaw a number of high profile convictions, including the Rochdale grooming gang and disgraced former BBC presenter Stuart Hall.

He also led the prosecutions of Coronation Street actors Bill Roache, who was cleared of rape, and Michael Le Vell, who was also acquitted of child sex abuse.

On the day of the Manchester Arena bombing which killed 22 people and injured dozens more, Mr Afzal tweeted: 'Manchester is my home now and my heart breaks for those who lives were taken. These deluded narcissistic criminals never divide or defeat us.'

The highly experienced lawyer announced his resignation on his Twitter account

Mr Afzal tweeted that he was 'prohibited from doing ANY media or public engagement following terror attack, when public needed more reassurance and understanding.

The following day, he tweeted: 'I prosecuted terrorists of all motivations. They're not soldiers. They're sad narcissists- thinking the world owes them. We owe them nothing.'

Alongside a photo of Manchester city centre, he wrote: 'Terrorists want us to change our lives because of them. They lose when we don't.'

The BBC claimed some on the board of the APCC 'tried to block Nazir Afzal from speaking out' about last week's attack.

Mr Afzal led the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in North West England from 2011 to 2015. He became the first Muslim to be appointed to such a position and was Britain's most senior lawyer within the CPS.

In 2015 Mr Afzal quit his role at the CPS after he was accused of sending a text message to a defendant.

An internal inquiry exonerated him but he nevertheless handed in his resignation as more senior colleagues insisted his departure is due to an 'on-going drive for efficiency'.

Mr Afzal proved himself to be an outspoken advocate of bringing to justice those accused of the most heinous and sometimes sensitive offences.

This included a move to overturn an earlier decision on an Asian Rochdale sex grooming ring that led to a series of convictions.

Mr Afzal (pictured speaking after the sentencing of Stuart Hall), led the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in North West England from 2011 to 2015

He has taken to Twitter several times in recent days to share his views on terrorism

He said that an over-sensitivity to political correctness and 'fear of appearing racist' by 'white professionals' may have stalled justice.

More recently he was responsible for the successful conviction of Hall.

Mr Afzal took up his post in 2011 and led a huge team of about 700 lawyers, legal staff, and administrators.

He was responsible for all criminal prosecutions across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Cumbria.

After studying law in Birmingham, Mr Afzal qualified as a solicitor and worked in private practice until he joined the CPS in 1991.

He began his CPS career in central London and has prosecuted and advised on many high profile cases.

Mr Afzal was awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List in 2005 for his public service and involvement with the local community.
A helicopter pilot who has spent four years barricaded inside his 495,000 Lake District farmhouse has lost his appeal and been ordered to leave by a judge.

Peter Elliott, 49, from Appleby in Cumbria, told his estranged wife, who he has been locked in a bitter divorce battle with since 2012, that the only way he would leave the detached property was 'in a body bag'.

Using rocks and trees to block off the entrance to the home, Mr Elliott erected flags and banners reading 'JUSTICE' and 'INJUSTICE' as he prepared to appeal an eviction order by the High Court.

But today a judge dismissed his bid, dashing his chances of remaining in the sprawling Lake District property. Speaking at the Court of Appeal in London today, a judge said he established no basis for challenging a ruling ordering Mr Elliott to be evicted last year.

Determined: Former pilot Peter Elliott blocked himself inside his 495,000 home in the Lake District with rocks and trees to stop his ex-wife from entering

Happy: Estranged wife Leonie Butler, 45, pictured outside court, has been trying to get Mr Elliott to move out of the farm they shared together

The former couple have been engaged in a bitter 6million divorce battle since November 2012, and Ms Butler has now won an order to have Mr Elliott 'committed to prison' for six months

Mr Justice Keehan had analysed the case at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London in August.

He heard that Mr Elliott had earlier been ordered to leave his farmhouse home in Appleby, Cumbria, and hand it to ex-wife Leonie Butler so that it could be sold.

He had concluded that Mr Elliott, who was then 49, had failed to comply with that order.

He said Mr Elliott was in contempt of court and imposed a six-month prison sentence.

Mr Elliott was subsequently arrested.

Another judge had ordered Mr Elliott to transfer Pinewood House to Ms Butler in 2012 - so that it could be sold and the proceeds split - after the pair fought over money following the breakdown of their relationship.

Not going anywhere: Last year Mr Elliott told MailOnline, 'There is no reason why I should be evicted. I'm not going anywhere'

Speaking from the Court of Appeal in London today, Master Marie Bancroft-Rimmer said he had established no basis for challenging a ruling made by a High Court judge last year.

Last year Mr Elliott told MailOnline he had no intention of leaving the property.

Speaking in October, he said: ' 'I am going nowhere, I have said all along. There is no reason why I should be evicted.'

The former couple have been engaged in a bitter 6million divorce battle since November 2012, when Mr Elliott was ordered to leave the farm, which is solely in Ms Butler's name.

The court heard how he piled up tree branches and built a 'big rock pile' in front of the property in a bid to keep out a security firm sent to serve his eviction notice in March.

Ms Butler has now won an order to have Mr Elliott 'committed to prison' for six months. A judge suspended the term for two months last Thursday, giving Mr Elliott one last chance to leave.

According to the Sun, Mr Justice Moylan said: 'It is now four years since the financial remedy order and she is still waiting for its enforcement.

'Mr Elliott is wilfully obstructing the order by refusing to vacate the property and enable its sale.'

Speaking today, Mr Elliott, who rarely leaves his home, branded the decision 'unfair' and pledged to continue to fight for the property.

He said: 'She can have all of it but not my home. Why can't we buy my home out of it? I am not going. They either do sell it to me or we are having a big bun fight about it.'

Mr Elliott said he put up the barbed wire as a means to protect himself, adding: 'I am prepared for a siege'.
Pupils at a school which was handed Britain's worst possible Ofsted report have allegedly been gagged from speaking out about the poor standards in their classrooms.

Willenhall E-ACT Academy in the West Midlands - which has been put into special measures - has used 'draconian measures' to ban pupils from speaking openly about the problems there.

A slideshow shown to students in an assembly warns they face Academy sanctions if they do anything that brings the school into disrepute.

Willenhall E-ACT Academy in the West Midlands - which has been put into special measures - has used 'draconian measures' to ban pupils from speaking openly about the problems there

They were also told to 'ignore the press' during the Power Point presentation.

One student, who asked not to be named, said attempts to silence them was a 'violation' of their freedom of speech.

A father of two pupils added: 'Surely the school should be promoting a healthy discussion and debate about the issues the face.

'This just feels like they are brushing it under the carpet and using draconian measures to cover up the massive problems at the school.

'I think they are just taking things to the extreme in a desperate bid to protect the school's reputation.'

The school hit the headlines earlier this month when it was rated as 'inadequate' in all five inspection categories and put into special measures.

The damning inspectors report found 70 per cent of teachers at the school left during 2015 and 2016 and pupils did not feel safe.

The report states that even inspectors visiting the school in March had food thrown at them and were 'jostled' in corridors by 'rude' pupils.

The school hit the headlines earlier this month when it was rated as 'inadequate' in all five inspection categories and put into special measures

The damning inspectors report found 70 per cent of teachers at the school left during 2015 and 2016 and pupils did not feel safe

A third of pupils in one year regularly fail to turn up and one student said it was 'normal' to disrespect senior teachers.

Inspectors also found graffiti and litter inside school buildings and watched as pupils gathered on staircases instead of going to detentions.

A former security guard at the academy revealed a Year 8 student once tried to stab him with an Allen key.

Independent councillor Darren Hazell, who represents the school area, said: 'I think they have got the right to speak out.

'There have been a number of changes with teachers coming and going and the school has not been in a suitable position.

'But that should not stop students talking about it.'

Councillor Liz Hazell, who is an ambassador for the school, added: 'In the long term the school needs to be more transparent from the public and students' point of view.

'However, we have to remember exams are ongoing now and we don't want anything to distract the pupils from that at this time.

'Let them get through them first and then sort out these problems after.'

Parents Tracey Millinchip, 38, said her 14-year-old daughter had been bullied at the school. Stephen Hawkins, 62, also spoke out earlier this month after the damning Ofsted report

E-Act chiefs said the instructions were to keep pupils focused during exams.

A statement said: 'This is not a question of freedom of speech, but about helping ensure all of our students are focused on their studies.

'For those taking exams, this is a very important time in the school year and we do not want them to be distracted in any way.

'We are absolutely committed to being open and transparent, and we continue to work closely with parents and guardians who are being kept updated on every stage of progress.

'There have been challenges at Willenhall, but we are doing everything possible to ensure the academy continues to make rapid progress so we are able to offer the best possible education to our students.

'We are absolutely committed to turning this academy around.'

The mixed school has just over 1,300 pupils, making it the largest school in the borough of Walsall.
Horvin Ruiz faces multiple charges after being arrested for allegedly shooting an AK-47 at passing cars and police while driving on a Miami highway early Monday morning

A Florida driver is facing multiple charges after firing an AK-47 at fellow motorists as he drove on Miami's Palmetto Expressway early Monday morning.

Horvin Ruiz, 36, was arrested by Miami-Dade Police after he allegedly opened fire on the highway, shooting at drivers and police, according to NBC Miami.

His arrest affidavit, obtained by Local 10 News, stated that Ruiz fired about 108 shots before 'unexpectedly' surrendering.

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Ruiz faces 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder with a deadly weapon, three counts of child abuse and attempted premeditated first-degree murder.

The incident took place at about 1.20am on Monday, when Ruiz, in a red Toyota Corolla, allegedly fired an assault rifle at passing cars, concrete barriers and even a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser.

During the rampage, Ruiz reportedly lost control of his car and smashed into a concrete barrier divider. He then turned the car around to drive the wrong way down the highway, before hitting an oncoming car and finally crashing to a full stop.

Ruiz is said to have fired about 108 shots at motorists and police while driving this Corolla

After crashing his car, Ruiz fired at police before he ran out of ammunition and surrendered

Ruiz is said to have used this AK-47 assault rifle to shoot at passing motorists and police

Video courtesy of NBC 6

Authorities said that Ruiz continued to shoot his AK-47 from inside the car. When he ran out of bullets, he switched to a handgun and fired at police. A Miami-Dade cop returned fire.

Eventually, Ruiz is said to have run out of ammunition and surrendered to police.

Two cars were hit by bullets during the incident. The driver of one car, Enrique Bendana, received a minor head injury and, after driving himself to a gas station, was taken to the hospital.

Ruiz, shown being taken into custody, faces multiple charges and is being held without bond

Authorities said that eight people were victims of Ruiz's alleged shooting rampage, according to the Miami Herald.

In addition, the car that Ruiz crashed into contained a family of five, including a pregnant mom and three kids, ages two to six.

It's unclear to police if the shooting was random or the result of a dispute with someone.

According to court records, Ruiz was charged with burglary in 1998 and marijuana possession in 2005.

Ruiz is being held without bond.
A Texas principal who committed suicide in a high school parking lot was told he could resign or risk being fired after district officials were made aware of allegations he was having an affair with his secretary.

Dennis Reeves, a married father-of-two, shot himself in his truck at Kirbyville High School, north-east of Houston, a week ago.

The 45-year-old principal had just left a meeting with the district's superintendent and assistant superintendent in which they had confronted him about claims he was having an affair with the female colleague.

Dennis Reeves, 45, shot himself in his truck at Kirbyville High School, north-east of Houston, last week

In a statement to police, Superintendent Tommy Wallis said he and Assistant Superintendent Georgia Sayers had met with the female employee on May 23 when she claimed to have had an affair with Reeves, KDFM reports.

'She stated the relationship began as a friendship and it turned into a romantic affair,' Wallis told police. 'She stated Mr Reeves told her that if their relationship was uncovered he would kill himself.'

They immediately called a meeting with Reeves at the high school that afternoon to confront the allegations.

Reeves repeatedly denied having an affair with the woman.

Wallis said he told Reeves that he could resign without any investigation, but if he did not resign and it was revealed he had lied about the affair he would be fired.

'He immediately stated he was resigning in lieu of the investigation,' Wallis told police. 'When signing the resignation, he was (visibly) shaken. While signing his name, his hands were shaking.'

Wallis and Sayers said they then escorted him out of the building.

According to the police statements, as Reeves walked off, he told Sayers: 'I am not good'. Sayers responded: 'I know Dennis.'

The district officials said they became uncomfortable when they noticed the principal's truck still in the parking lot some time after he had left the meeting.

Wallis said he then called authorities to ask them to check on Reeves. Kirbyville Police Chief Paul Brister said he found Reeves dead in his truck with a gunshot wound to his head.

The statements to police provide the first insight into the circumstances surrounding Reeves' shock death last week.

Reeves was married to his wife Tammy (above) and they had two sons - one of whom had just graduated from high school

Reeves had come out of a meeting with the district's superintendent and assistant superintendent when he killed himself in the parking lot of the high school

Reeves was married to his wife Tammy and they had two sons - one of whom had just graduated from high school.

The district officials had initially told media last week they had met with Reeves for a 'basic meeting' to discuss a number of things before he told them he was quitting.

'We had several things to discuss. We called the meeting to visit with him about a couple of things - summer school, staffing patterns, several things to discuss,' Wallis told KDFM last week.

When asked if something in the meeting could have provoked Reeves to commit suicide, Wallis said: 'I don't have any idea what Mr Reeves was thinking. I can't get into anybody's head.'

Authorities found Reeves in the truck with the .380-caliber semi automatic pistol he used to kill himself.

The engine of his truck was still running and the transmission was in reverse but Reeves' foot was on the brake.

The superintendent and assistant superintendent were the only ones left at the school when Reeves was found dead.

His brother-in-law, Trey Ainsworth, told the New York Post last week that the family were at a loss as to why the married father-of-two would take his own life.

Ainsworth said the family were unaware of any legal troubles Reeves may have been facing or whether he was suffering from medical conditions like depression.

'There's nothing that indicated that he would do this. We don't know of anything,' he said.

'It's kind of a shock to everyone. Everybody loved Dennis. He was a great guy. It seemed like in recent years he was like citizen of the year in Kirbyville. The kids loved him, and his teachers loved him, too.'

The engine of his truck (above) was still running when he was found. Police said the transmission was in reverse but Reeves' foot was on the brake

Tributes flowed in on social media from devastated students and colleagues following news of Reeves' death.

'Dennis Reeves was more than a principal. He was the kids supporter, voice, cheerleader, backbone if needed and disciplinarian if necessary! He did all of it out of love,' one parent wrote.

'Mr Reeves showed up when he didn't have too, he fought for his students when no one else would... My heart hurts for everyone's lives that he touched as well as my daughter! He was her principal and was wonderful! I am so hurt by his lost!'

One of his students wrote: 'Breaks my heart. My principal for three years, he put up with a lot from me but through it all he believed in me. I remember a conversation between us when he broke down in tears and encouraged me. Dennis Reeves was a great man. You just never know what people are going through.'

If anyone is seeking help please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1 800 273 8255 or visiting the website.
Byiringiro Mupenzi was found naked near his car in an apartment parking lot at around 2am on Monday

A man who was found partially decapitated in a Houston apartment complex parking lot on Monday has been identified as a 25-year-old African refugee.

Byiringiro Mupenzi was found naked near his car in the Santa Clara apartment parking lot at around 2am.

Neighbors heard him yelling 'help' moments earlier.

When police found him, he had suffered stab wounds to his neck and head. He was declared dead at the scene.

On Tuesday, his family told of their shock and grief, describing the man as a 'good person'.

'Its sorrow time, we are so sad for the situation.

'I know he was a friend for everybody so theres not any reason why,' his brother, Nganizi Kashima, told Click 2 Houston through a translator.

Mupenzi came to the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2012. He lived in the building where his body was found with his distraught mother.

The 25-year-old's body was found in the parking lot of the Santa Clara apartments in Houston, Texas

Mupenzi's car was taken away from the scene. Police believe he was

'She cant even speak, shes so sad she cant even speak,' his brother added.

The young man's body was discovered after a neighbor called police when they heard his cries for help.

Manar al Quraishi said he looked into the parking lot after hearing the cry for help and saw Mupenzi lying naked with a wound to his neck.

Authorities believe he may have been attacked in his car which was towed away from the scene.

The man's brother Nganizi Kashima said he was a 'friend to everybody'. No arrests have been made
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The Dragon Boat Festival holiday from Sunday to Tuesday is putting pressure on China's railway system, as more and more people choose to travel by train.

Some 12.1 million passenger trips were made Sunday, up 8.8 percent year on year, China Railway, a state-owned company, said Monday.

The company will add 253 trains Monday, when about 9.1 million passenger trips are expected.

It forecast that total railway passenger trips would reach 44.6 million between Saturday and Tuesday, up 10.5 percent year on year.

The Dragon Boat Festival, also called the Duanwu Festival, is traditionally celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on Chinese lunar calendar. It falls on Tuesday this year.

The festival commemorates ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan. Chinese people eat zongzi, a type of rice dumpling, and race dragon boats during the festival.
Burger King is in trouble with Belgium's monarchy over an ad campaign using a photo of King Philippe.

The online poll asked Belgians to vote for the global fast-food giant as the true ruler of the country, where the US brand will launch next month.

King Philippe's representatives asked the local unit of Burger King, owned by Restaurant Brands International, to explain itself on Monday.

Burger King is in trouble with Belgium's monarchy over an ad campaign using a photo of King Philippe (right)

Burger King's online poll asked Belgians to vote for the global fast-food giant as the true ruler of the country

'We told them that we were not happy with them using an image of the king in their campaign,' said palace spokesman Pierre-Emmanuel De Bauw.

They added that the image of the Monarch, who appears in cartoon form, could not be used for commerce.

Shana Van den Broeck, a spokeswoman for Burger Brands Belgium, said that the company is considering whether to make changes to the advertising.

'We are deliberating on how to proceed,' she said. 'Should we make a change to our campaign we would communicate that.'

The animated advert, noting that King Philippe was crowned in 2013, announces the brand's launch in Belgium this month and asks: 'Two Kings. One crown. Who will rule? Vote now ... '

Anyone clicking to vote for the 57-year-old monarch then faces a series of questions such as: 'Are you sure ... ? He won't cook you fries.'

King Philippe's representatives told the local unit of Burger King the image of the Monarch, who appears in cartoon form, could not be used for commerce

The spoof poll may have touched a nerve in Brussels.

In 1950 Belgians held a real referendum on a proposal to abolish the monarchy in light of the role of King Philippe's grandfather, Leopold III, during Nazi occupation.

Leopold was forced to abdicate in favour of his son, Philippe's uncle.
Police said Margaret Burke was sleeping when Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Patrick McGee (pictured) entered her Long Island home through an unlocked slider door

A US Coast Guard member allegedly attacked a 67-year-old New York woman in her home Saturday night.

Police said Margaret Burke was sleeping when Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Patrick McGee entered her Long Island home through an unlocked slider door, according to the East Hampton Star.

The 22-year-old walked through the home until he came upon Burke and started hitting and biting her, police said.

Authorities said McGee also choked Burke, who was able to fight back and managed to escape.

Burke then alerted her husband, who was sleeping in another bedroom.

Her husband called police, and when officers arrived they found McGee sleeping in the victim's bloodied bed.

Police say McGee appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. McGee's attorney, Brian DeSesa, said his client does not remember what happened.

Coast Guard officials say McGee is assigned to the Montauk station in Long Island.

McGee, who has served in the Coast Guard for three and a half years, does not know the victim, sources told the Star.

'We are fully cooperating with town police,' Senior Chief Petty Officer Eric Best of the Montauk Coast Guard Station told the newspaper on Monday. 'We have to let this investigation take its course,' Best added.

He was charged with first degree burglary and three misdemeanors of obstruction of breathing, assault, and resisting arrest.
The Senate Intelligence panel is seeking information from longtime Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen in its deepening Russia probe, the lawyer confirmed in a statement.

Cohen isn't currently cooperating, blasting the panel's request as 'poorly phrased.'

'I declined the invitation to participate, as the request was poorly phrased, overly broad and not capable of being answered,' said Cohen, in a statement to ABC News.

The committee voted last week to give panel chairman Sen. Richard Burr and vice chair Sen. Mark Warner blanket subpoena power as they probe Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Attorney Michael Cohen is pictured arriving in Trump Tower in New York in 2016. A House intelligence committee staffer says the panel recently issued a subpoena to President Donald Trump's personal attorney

The network reported that the committee voted for the authority after Cohen had declined its request to provide 'information and testimony.'

The push for information from the longtime Trump attorney comes as the committee continues to seek the cooperation of fired White House National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.

Flynn's lawyers have refused to turn over documents in the committee's request for Russia-related documents, citing his 5th Amendment rights against self-incrimination.

'Producing documents that fall within the subpoena's broad scope would be a testimonial act, insofar as it would confirm or deny the existence of such documents,' Flynn's attorney Robert Kelner said.

The committee is also seeking information from former Trump associates Roger Stone, Carter Page, and Paul Manafort.

Cohen has gained a reputation for bombastic confrontations with reporters on and off air.

Fired National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, Michael Cohen, then-executive vice president of the Trump Organization and special counsel to Donald Trump, and now-Energy Secretary Rick Perry, speak in the lobby of Trump Tower in 2016

Trump lawyer Michael Cohen clashed with Brianna Keilar on CNN

Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC) (L), and ranking member Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) speak to the media after a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence closed door meeting at the U.S. Capitol, on May 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. The committee is investigating possible Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election

He reportedly threatened legal action against Daily Beast reporter in 2015, threatening: 'I will take you for every penny you still don't have. And I will come after your Daily Beast and everybody else that you possibly know  So I'm warning you, tread very f---ing lightly, because what I'm going to do to you is going to be f---ing disgusting.'

He ultimately apologized for laying into the reporter, who had asked about accusations in a 1993 book that Trump had assaulted his former wife, Ivana.

'In my moment of shock and anger, I made an inarticulate comment  which I do not believe  and which I apologize for entirely,' Cohen said afterward.

Ivana Trump issued her own statement in response to the report that set off Cohen. ''I have recently read some comments attributed to me from nearly 30 years ago at a time of very high tension during my divorce from Donald. The story is totally without merit,' Ivana Trump said in the statement.

Cohen also clashed with CNN host Brianna Keilar on air when she said Trump was down in the polls.

'Says who?' Cohen responded, asking: 'Which polls?'

Keilar responded: 'All of them.'

Cohen retorted: 'You're going to all be very surprised when he polls substantially higher than what you all are giving him credit for.'

Cohen has been the source of Russia speculation before  and it didn't pan out. He appeared in a dossier of dirt on Trump, some of which has been discredited, including a claim that he had been in Prague to meet with Russians last August.

Trump ripped apart the allegations, telling of how he called in Cohen about it.

'I said, 'I want to see your passport.' He brings his passport to my office. I say, 'Hey, wait a minute. He didn't leave the country. He wasn't out of the country,' Trump said.

'They had Michael Cohen of the Trump Organization was in Prague. It turned out to be a different Michael Cohen,' Trump said. 'It's a disgrace what took place. It's a disgrace, and I think they ought to apologize to start with Michael Cohen.'
A New York City subway hula hoop performer says he was left covered in blood and needing stitches after a dance group attacked him using his own prop for trying to defend an elderly Jewish couple.

Jean Loup Wolfman, 48, of Brooklyn, says the 'showtime' dancers were upset because they did not get tips for their dance routine and started threatening a man wearing a yarmulke and his wife at the Union Square subway station on Sunday.

'He starts screaming at the guy, like violently, "I will slap that beanie off your head!"' a battered and bruised Wolfman recalled. 'And he goes to the guy's yarmulke like this, and he slaps the yarmulke off the guy's head.'

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Battered and bruised: Jean Loup Wolfman, 48, is shown with a black eye after he says a group of 'showtime' subway dancers attacked him Sunday for defending an elderly couple

Ouch: Wolfman, a street performer from Brooklyn, required two stitches to his face (pictured) and 10 staples to the back of the head after being punched

Wolfman stepped in and tried to calm down the irate dancers, handing them over $1 as a tip, but his largess failed to produce the desired effect and the performers ended up chasing him around the station.

In a last-ditch effort to deescalate the situation, the 48-year-old grabbed his hula hoop and challenged one of his much-younger pursuers to a friendly dance-off, but Wolfman's plan backfired.

'He started hitting me with the hula hoop and stuff, and at that point, I just started screaming for the police,' the man recounted to CBS New York.

According to Wolfman, he was then punched in the face and had his guitar thrown down a flight of stairs.

Prop turned assault weapon: Wolfman says one of the attackers took his hla hoop and beat him with it after he proposed to have a dance-off instead of a fight

Bustling hub: The incident took place at the Union Square station on Sunday afternoon

The Brooklyn performer thought the confrontation was over when he says one of the enraged dancers ran up to him and delivered another blow to the back of his head when he was not looking.

Wolfman, who lives in Fort Greene, was able to flag down a police officer and point out one of the suspects, leading to his capture.

The NYPD has confirmed to the New York Daily News that officers have arrested 21-year-old Stefan Britt in connection with the assault.

Wolfman required 10 staples and two stitches to close the wounds sustained in the melee, but says he would do it again to help a fellow New Yorker in need.
A 35-year-old father from Visalia, California was run over by a car in his front yard while his young daughter watched in horror on Saturday.

Eric Fisher was doing yard work when he saw two men fighting across the street, ABC 7 reported.

Neighbors said Fisher, nicknamed Fish by his family and friends, went over and asked them to leave because children were outside playing.

Eric Fisher, 35, was doing yard work on Saturday while his daughter, eight, played. He was allegedly struck by a hit-and-run driver in front of the young girl after he asked two men to stop arguing

The married father-of-two was dragged a block down the street before the man and woman in the car sped away

One of the men then reportedly got into a car with a woman behind the wheel and slammed Fisher straight into a fence. Chaylin Funez, 18, was arrested on Monday and charged with the homicide and hit-and-run.

Chaylin Funez, 18, was arrested on Monday and charged with the homicide and hit-and-run

Fisher's eight-year-old daughter, who witnessed what was happening, ran inside and told her mother that something was wrong.

'She runs in saying "Daddy is hurt,"' Fisher's wife Alice said.

But when Alice came out, she realized her husband was still pinned underneath the tires of the car.

Fisher was dragged down the street for a block before he fell from under the car and Funez and the man allegedly sped away.

'When I come out, my husband is underneath the tires, and I'm pleading and yelling, "Please stop," but she just kept going,' Alice told ABC 7.

'I don't understand how another human being could do this.'

His eight-year-old daughter, who witnessed what was happening, ran inside, screaming: 'Daddy is hurt'

Fisher was taken to the hospital and had his leg amputated, but died a short time later

Fisher had his leg amputated in the hospital but died a short time later.

'My brother, Fish, didn't deserve this,' his brother-in-law Juan Aleman said. 'He didn't deserve to die this way. No one deserves this. He was a good guy, all he ever wanted was to just help somebody.'

Police have released the male passenger of the car after determining that he was only a witness to the crime.

A GoFundMe page has been set up in support of Fisher's family.
A TV reporter had to flee after being pelted with rubbish during a live broadcast about violence on the streets.

Alex Rodriguez was live on air talking about recent disturbances in the neighbourhood when the angry onlooker launched his attack.

The footage comes as many taxi drivers gathered in the city today to protest against multinational companies such as Uber and Cabify, which they say engage in unfair competition.

Rodriguez was interviewing a local woman, Maria Jose, about what it was like to live in Tetuan in the centre of the Spanish capital of Madrid.

But the shot was suddenly interrupted when an onlooker began throwing things at them.

Rodriguez can be heard shouting 'cuidado, cuidado,' which translates as 'Look out, look out,' as he ducks a flying projectile.

Under fire: A TV reporter, right, had to flee after being pelted with rubbish during a live broadcast about violence on the streets

Alex Rodriguez, pictured running away, was live on air talking about recent disturbances in the neighbourhood when the angry onlooker, wearing green, launched his attack

The reporter then runs away down the street where he had been working, near Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

A man in a green shirt, high vis trousers and bobble hat can then be seen giving chase.

He is filmed stopping to pick up items out of what appears to be a bin, flinging them at the reporter before continuing to run after him.

The assailant was filmed stopping to pick up items out of what appears to be a bin, flinging them at the reporter before continuing to run after him

The footage then starts to shake violently as the cameraman flees in the opposite direction to avoid the man.

Just moments before the incident, neighbours were seen throwing eggs from their windows at the TV crew from the programme, Telecinos Ana Rosa.

The area has increasingly become known for violent disturbances in recent times.

The footage comes as many taxi drivers, pictured, gathered in the city today to protest against Uber and Cabify, which they say engage in unfair competition

The Madrid taxis protested for twelve hours from 6am to 6pm, in a day of national strike under the slogan 'against the dismantling of the public sector of the taxi'

It has been compared to The Bronx and one street has even gained a reputation as the most dangerous in Spain.

There have been a number of reports of gunfire, street fights, drug deals and fires in the area.

Last year a battle between police and locals erupted after a cop asked a pedestrian to stop leaning against his patrol car.

There were six arrests following the brawl, which left 14 police officers with injuries.

Previously there have also been reports of violent prostitutes beating people up in the streets.

Taxi drivers from all over Spain were demonstrating to protest against the position of the public authorities they believe favor unfair competition from multinational companies
A former Guantanamo Bay inmate is among six people from an alleged ISIS recruiting network who were detained on Tuesday.

Sabir Mahfouz Lahmar was one of the six suspects arrested in Bordeaux as part of the crackdown, a French judicial source said.

Lahmar was freed from the US detention center in Cuba in 2009 after France agreed to accept him, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed.

The 48-year-old was one of six Algerians detained in Bosnia in 2001 on suspicion of plotting to bomb the US embassy in Sarajevo.

Sabir Mahfouz Lahmar (left and right) has been arrested for allegedly being part of an ISIS recruitment network in France eight years after he was freed from Guantanamo Bay

The Justice Department later backed off the allegations, but held the men at Guantanamo for years.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy agreed to take him in April 2009, and Lahmar moved to Bordeaux later that year.

The French official said Lamar, at 48, is the oldest of the four men and two women who were arrested and said that there were no indications the group was plotting an attack.

As of January 19 this year, there were 41 prisoners remaining in the center.
Hackers have published naked photos of thousands of plastic surgery patients who had work done at a Lithuanian clinic, it has been reported.

Local authorities said more than 25,000 private photos and pieces of personal information from the Kaunas-based Grozio Chirurgija clinics were published on the internet.

The leak includes intimate photos and data of more than 1,500 Brits, MailOnline has learned.

A hacking group called Tsar Team, who broke into its servers earlier this year, is now demanding ransom from clients in Germany, Denmark, Norway, the UK and other EU countries.

Hackers have published naked photos of thousands of plastic surgery patients who had work done at Lithuanian clinic Grozio Chirurgija. Pictured: One of the alleged leaked photos

Local authorities said more than 25,000 private photos and confidential patient information was published on the internet. Pictured: A censored list of just some of the thousands of patients whose information was stolen and the ransom attached

A hacking group called Tsar Team is now demanding ransom from clients in Germany, Denmark, Norway, the UK and other EU countries Pictured: The Grozio clinic which was hacked

Police say several hundred images were released in March and rest of the database was made public Tuesday.

'It's extortion. We're talking about a serious crime,' said Andzejus Raginskis, Deputy Chief of Lithuania's Criminal Police Bureau.

It is unclear how many patients have been affected, but police say dozens have come forward to report being blackmailed.

The hackers obtained uncensored 'before and after' photos of patients who underwent cosmetic procedures, the Lithuania-based Lrytas TV reported.

Victims have been told to pay up to 2,000 to guarantee nude images, passport copies, social security numbers and other data would not be made public.

Victims have been told to pay up to 2,000 to guarantee nude images, passport copies, social security numbers and other data would not be made public

The hackers obtained uncensored 'before and after' photos of patients who underwent cosmetic procedures. Pictured: The hack as reported on Lithuanian TV

The unauthorised collection of personal data in Lithuania is punishable by up to three years in prison (file photo of a patient at the clinic)

The hackers had also demanded that the clinic pay 344,000 in ransom to prevent the data dumping - but it refused.

'Clients, of course, are in shock,' said Jonas Staikunas, director of Grozio Chirurgija. 'Once again, I would like to apologize.

'Cyber-criminals are blackmailers. They are blackmailing our clients with inappropriate text messages.'

The unauthorised collection of personal data in Lithuania is punishable by up to three years in prison.

Police are working with security services in other European countries and have warned that people who download and store the stolen data could also be prosecuted.

The hackers obtained uncensored 'before and after' photos of patients who underwent cosmetic procedures (pictured, the clinic's website)

The Grozio Chirurgija clinic opened in 2009 and boasts 'caring staff and a cozy environment'.

It says it is cooperating with authorities 'to prevent the unauthorised processing of personal data'.

On its website, it warned clients not to open or download anything sent by the blackmailers and to immediately inform the police of any suspicious texts or emails they have been sent.
A six-year-old girl was killed in a gruesome accident in Indiana when her mother was punched by her boyfriend while driving.

Taelyn Ann Marie Woodson died while riding with her mother Jessica Skeens, 28, who was 'drunk driving' with a van full of her four children and her boyfriend Nathaniel Leon Jordan, 27, who was in the passenger seat.

State Police say Jordan punched Skeens while she was driving and then grabbed her steering wheel.

Taelyn Ann Marie Woodson (pictured) was ejected through the van's window. A Go Fund Me Page has been set up to help pay for her burial

State Police say Jordan punched Skeens while she was driving and then grabbed her steering wheel.

Authorities say while there were no improper use of child restraints, there may be more charges for the couple involved in the deadly accident (pictured) pending toxicology

When Jordan grabbed the wheel it caused the vehicle to leave the four-lane highway and roll over into a ditch and back onto its wheels at 4.30pm on Sunday.

Investigators say little Taelyn was riding in her seat but was partially ejected through the window.

The girl was pronounced dead at the scene according to the Delaware County coroner.

Skeens was arrested today and is being held without bond according to The Star Press.

Jessica Skeens (left) was arrested Tuesday for 'drunk driving.' She is being held without bond. Her boyfriend Nathaniel Jordan (right) was arrested Sunday

The mother-of-four is being held on preliminary charges including neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a Level 1 felony carrying a maximum 40-year prison term; driving while intoxicated causing death, three counts of neglect of a dependent and possession of marijuana.

Jordan was arrested on Sunday and is being held in the Delaware County jail on preliminary charges of neglect of a dependent causing death, criminal recklessness and domestic battery. His bond was set at $57,500.

Three of Skeens's other children were riding in the van, two of which were in child restraining seats- they were all taken to IU Health Ball Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Skeens was taken to the hospital with a broken arm from the crash.

Jordan was also taken to the hospital and was treated for minor injuries before being taken to jail.

While the incident is still under investigation more charges could be brought against both Jordan and Skeens pending toxicology results.

'No improper use of child restraints and seat belts contributed to injuries in the crash' according to a statement released by the Indiana State Police.

A Go Fund Me page was created to help the family with the cost of the burial.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday was scheduled to interview two candidates to replace James Comey as head of the FBI, former agency No. 2 James Pistole and former Assistant Attorney General Chris Wray, the White House said.

The interviews mark a re-start of sorts for the search to find someone to replace Comey, who Trump fired on May 9. Trump said earlier this month he was 'very close' to picking a nominee for the post and he had already met with several candidates.

'The president will be meeting with two additional candidates this afternoon, both Chris Wray and John Pistole,' White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters.

Will he be hired? John Pistole, who was being interviewed by the president, ran the Transportation Security Administration and was previously second in command at the FBI.

Fired: James Comey was terminated as FBI director earlier this month, a move which Trump said was because he had lost confidence in the nation's top law enforcers

'When the president feels as though he's met with the right candidate he'll let us know.'

Pistole, the former head of the Transportation Security Administration, served as deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2004 to 2010. USA Today was first to report that Trump would be meeting with Pistole.

Wray served as assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department's Criminal Division from 2003 to 2005.

Comey was leading an FBI probe into possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia to sway the 2016 presidential election.

His dismissal prompted an outcry from Democrats and some Republican lawmakers and raised questions about whether the president was trying to interfere with the investigation.

The week after Comey was fired, reports emerged that Trump had asked Comey to end the agency's investigation into ties between former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn and Russia, according to a source who has seen a memo of the conversation written by Comey.

The Department of Justice appointed a special counsel, former FBI director Robert Mueller, to head an independent investigation of the Russia matter.
Guangzhou's petrol-powered buses will soon be a thing of the past. Starting this year, the southern Chinese city will begin replacing the thousands of public buses with greener, more energy-efficient vehicles.

According to the new plan, all buses that use petrol and diesel will be replaced with pure electric buses by 2020, meaning Guangzhou will have about 30,000 new energy public vehicles including buses and taxies by 2020.

To attract individual consumers of electric cars, Guangzhou also plans to lower electric vehicles prices, reduce maintenance costs and build more charging stations. More than 120,000 individual electric cars are expected to be on the streets in the city by 2020.

According to the new measures, the number of parking spaces with electric car chargers is no less than 30 percent of the total parking seats in new office buildings, shopping malls and restaurants. The city plans 100,000 charging piles by 2020.

Guangzhou is now seeking public opinions on the plan.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer dramatically exited the White House press briefing on Tuesday, his first day back at the podium since the president returned from his overseas trip, as reporters hurled questions at him about the administration's assault on anonymous sourcing and fake news.

Spicer abruptly ended his Tuesday afternoon briefing after three news outlets the president has called 'fake news' and 'the enemy of the American people' pressed the Trump spokesman on his claims and demanded he provide a list of stories the White House believes to be false.

'What I'm telling you is that the reason the president is frustrated is the perpetration of false narratives, the use of unnamed sources over and over again about things that are happening that don't ultimately happen and I think that is troubling,' Spicer said in his final word on the topic.

Packing up, Spicer told the room, 'thank you, guys, very much,' and left amid yelling, and some booing.

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White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer dramatically exited the White House press briefing on Tuesday, his first day back at the podium since the president returned from his overseas trip, as reporters hurled questions at about the administration's assault on anonymous sourcing and so-called fake news

The dispute began at the top of the 20 minute question and answer session that centered on an article that said Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, had attempted to set up a back channel with Russia, and reports that have claimed the White House is on the verge of a staff shake up

The dispute began at the top of the 20 minute question and answer session that centered on a Washington Post article that said Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, had attempted to set up a back channel with Russia, and reports that have claimed the White House is on the verge of a staff shake up.

Giving the Post the first crack of the bat on Tuesday, a reporter for the outlet asked Spicer if the president knew about the effort to set up a back channel when it was happening.

Spicer told the Post's Phil Rucker, 'I'm not going to get into what the president did or did not discuss. What your question assumes is a lot of facts that are not substantiated with anything but anonymous sources that are so far being leaked out.

'You're asking if he approves of an action that is not a confirmed action,' Spicer added...Your question presupposes facts that have not been confirmed.'

White House officials cast a back channel like the one Kushner was said to have floated to the Russians as normal in weekend appearances - but they did not confirm that an exchange of that nature had happened.

The president suggested that the conversation had occurred when he retweeted a Fox News story Tuesday morning on the incident.

The Fox story leaned on an anonymous source who said that the topic did come up, but it was the Russians, not Kushner, who suggested a back channel. The purpose of a private line would have been to talk about Syria, Fox's source said.

Trump on Sunday said the stories that use anonymous sources are 'fake' and it's 'very possible' the people journalists say they are quoting do not exist. His tweet on Tuesday endorsing the Fox article flew in the face of that claim.

Spicer suggested during a back and forth with DailyMail.com, immediately after he rebuffed the Post, that Fox's anonymous source was more reliable than the Washington Post's the latter's report was based on a dossier that most news outlets refused to print when it contents could not be verified.

'The dossier that is largely the basis of this has been largely discredited in the first place. Most of the publications here even refused to publish it in the first place. So I'm not going to get into confirming stuff, there's an ongoing investigation,' he rebutted.

Spicer abruptly ended his Tuesday afternoon briefing after three news outlets the president has called 'fake news' and 'the enemy of the American people' demanded that he provide a list of stories the White House believes to be false

The Post said in its original report that the information it received came in the form of a letter. It sat on it for months as it worked to confirm the details of Kushner's meetings with the Russian ambassador at Trump Tower in December.

As the briefing unfolded, Spicer continued to hammer anonymous sources that have appeared in numerous unflattering articles on the White House and its operations.

'I think he is very pleased with the work of his staff. I think that he is frustrated, like I am, and some of the others, to see stories come out that are patently false. To see narratives that are wrong,' Spicer told the AP's Catherine Lucey. 'To see "fake news." When you see stories get perpetrated that are absolutely false, that are not based on fact, that is troubling and he's rightly concerned.'

It was then that CNN's Jim Acosta jumped in to ask for an example.

Spicer brought up the case of a BBC reporter who claimed that Trump was not wearing his earpiece during a discussion with the Italian prime minister.

'Someone from the BBC and ultimately an incoming reporter from the New York Times retweeted that the president was being rude by disrespecting the Italian prime minister,' Spicer said, 'when in fact you all and everyone in the meetings that we sit in watched the president with the one earpiece that's been used by other presidents.'

DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO: Trump on Sunday said the stories that use anonymous sources are 'fake' and it's 'very possible' the people journalists say they are quoting do not exist. His tweet on Tuesday endorsing a Fox article that used one defending Jared Kushner flew in the face of that claim

Spicer said he saw the reporter 'who is now joining the New York Times push out and perpetuate, with no apology' fake news.

At that point, the New York Times' Peter Baker interjected to say that Spicer was blowing up one tweet from the widely-covered trip.

'With all due respect I was asked to give an example and I did. I gave an answer to Jim,' Spicer said. 'I didn't come here with a list of things.'

A moment later CBS News' Chip Reed joined in, turning the conversation back reports on the White House's staffing and messaging problems.

'And now you want to go back to that,' Spicer replied testily.

Trump has called the Times, CBS and CNN 'fake news' and 'the enemy of the people' in the past. He decried the anonymous sourcing news outlets have used in reports on his administration as 'fake news' in a set of tweets on Sunday.

'Whenever you see the words 'sources say' in the fake news media, and they don't mention names....,' he said, '...it is very possible that those sources don't exist but are made up by fake news writers. #FakeNews is the enemy!'

With the room of reporters in revolt over the White House's claims, Spicer ended his briefing and dashed on Tuesday afternoon as reporters groaned and shouted at him to come back.

'Sean, come on!' one journalist hollered at him at the end.
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Stephen King once said 'Nobody likes a clown at midnight,' but if you're trucking through Nevada down the I-95 or I-6 and need a late-night rest stop you might not have a choice.

That's because the interstate road happens to play home to what may be America's creepiest spot for an overnight stay: The Clown Motel, which houses hundreds of pale-faced, grinning clowns in its lobby, and also uses them for decoration on the bedroom doors.

And just to complete the Stephen King 'IT-meets-The-Shining' vibe, it's located in Tonopah, a town infested with black cats, and is located just next to an old cemetery.

Would you stay here?

Is this the creepiest motel in America? Based in Tonopah, a former mining town in the Nevada Desert, it plays host to bikers, truckers and anyone who won't let a good night's sleep be disturbed by creepy decor

The entrance to the Clown Motel's lobby doesn't look too clown-heavy. But behind this door - and the curious juxtaposition of a smiling clown and a caution sign - it's a totally different story

As well as hundreds of dead-eyed dolls and small figurines, the Clown Motel also has a life-size clown 'guest' sitting down next to the guests' couch

There is a truly staggering number of pale-faced funsters on display in the lobby - and a big TV to distract anyone who's becoming too unnerved

Issues of Clowning Around, the official magazine of the World Clown Association, are also available to interested customers considering a startling change in career

The life-size clown in the lobby is more than a little eerie - as are his statue 'friends' to the left and right

Red noses are available for a dollar for anyone wanting to clown around - while books about cowboys provide a welcome respite from the dominant theme

Why so serious? This clown (left) seems to be having a harder time of things than his friends. Meanwhile, the life-size clown appears to be missing a finger or two (right)

McDonald's icon Ronald McDonald makes a (presumably unofficial) guest appearance in the hotel's lobby, as do commemorative T-shirts for those who want to show off their unusual holiday

Despite - or perhaps because of - its uniquely creepy decor, the Clown Motel most commonly plays host to bikers and truckers passing down the I-95, which connects Oregon to Southern California, and the I-6, which can be used to get from California to Utah and Idaho.

The main lobby features shelves lined with hundreds of glassy-eyed dolls and pottery statues, and a love-sized clown in the chair to cozy up to.

The front desk also sells red noses for when you give up fighting the gnawing terror of the grotesque decor and decide to join 'em instead.

Even the cleaning man wears clown pants.

The dolls on display in the lobby run the full gamut of clowny accoutrements, from white faces and top hats to parachutes. There's even (at the back, top shelf, center) some kind of bear-clown

The clowns' smiling faces seem almost endless - including one sitting on a moon hanging from the shelf

Visitors can even take clowns home with them, if they so wish. The local paper has published a feature (cover pictured on board) on Katherine Mizzi, daughter of Clown Motel owner Joe Mizzi, who likes to hunt ghosts in the area

Outside of the lobby the clown presence is toned down a little - though there's still a smiling clown on the front of every door

The motel has garnered some positive reviews online, despite its rather creepy choice of theme

The interiors of the rooms are - possibly thankfully, depending on your point of view - largely free of clowns. Some of them have pictures of the white-faced entertainers but they can be covered on request

Bikers are welcomed at the hotel - possibly because they're too macho to admit that clowns can be scary

The motel has spectacular views of the surrounding Nevada countryside, and is easily accessed from the I-95 and I-6

But those with coulrophobia - the fear of clowns, of course - might still be able to get a good night's sleep, if they can bear to step foot on the property at all.

That's because the interiors of the rooms only have pictures of clowns, not dolls, and they can be covered up on request.

But the creepiness doesn't end there: The site next to the hotel is a cemetery where 300 people have been buried beneath leaning crosses and tin signs.

Several of those interned there died of a mysterious plague in 1902, and 14 of them were miners who died in a fire in 1911.

And the town has a number of ghost sites nearby, including the Mizpah Hotel, according to the Pahrump Valley Times - although even that is surely not as creepy as the Clown Motel.

The motel (seen in the rear of the picture) is located next to this cemetery, which contains 300 people

Some of those interned in the cemetery include the victims of a mysterious turn-of-the-20th-century plague and 14 miners who died in a fire in 1911

The town also has many black cats, and reportedly has a number of haunted buildings - just to add to the eeriness

The Clown Motel's pastel blue paint job cuts a sharp figure on the rolling brown plains of Nevada
Paul O'Neill, creator of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, died of from accidentally overdosing on prescription drugs

Paul O'Neill, the 61-year-old creator of the band Trans-Siberian Orchestra who was found dead in Florida hotel room last month, died from an accidental overdose.

A coroner's report released on Tuesday revealed that O'Neill had a mixture of methadone, codeine, diazepam and antihistamine in his system when he was found dead in Tampa Embassy Suites in Florida on April 5.

The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's report revealed that he was found with a cut on his head which would suggest he had collapsed before he died.

It gave his cause of death as intoxication and the manner was drug abuse but noted that he was battling heart disease and hypertension when he died.

Announcing his death last month, the band said O'Neill died from 'chronic illness' but gave no further details.

O'Neill's family has not commented publicly since he died.

He put the band, which is known for their over-the-top theatrical shows, together in 1986.

Its members paid tribute to him last month, describing him as a 'friend and leader'.

O'Neill was found by his daughter and a member of hotel staff who broke in when they hadn't heard from him.

O'Neill was found dead in his room at Tampa Embassy Suites on the University of South Florida campus on April 5

He created Trans-Siberan Orchestra, which is know for its over-the-top Christmas concerts, in 1986

The Tampa Bay Times obtained a copy of the 911 call the hotel employee made after discovering him.

'He is not breathing. His daughter's here. He is on the floor already.

'The daughter is next to me, we just cme up. He had his door locked, we were worried about him so we broke him.

'I don't know how long he's been this way. He's stiff,' the man said as he was questioned by an operator.
USAA reinstated its advertising on Hannity this week after receiving backlash from veterans for pulling its commercials along with other companies when the show's host pushed a theory surrounding the death of DNC staffer Seth Rich.

The military insurer withdrew its advertising last week along with nine others as Hannity came under fire for giving time to the unproven theory that Rich was the source of the WikiLeaks emails that plagued Hillary Clinton's campaign.

Its customers complained about the withdrawal, accusing it of buckling to 'liberal pressure' and claiming Hannity was merely doing his job by asking questions.

They also threatened to boycott USAA in huge numbers.

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Military financial services group USAA has announced it will resume advertising on Hannity after withdrawing its business last week

Hannity was admonished by several companies for giving time to the unproven theory that murdered DNC staffer Seth Rich was killed because he was the source of stolen emails which WikiLeaks published before the election

USAA released a statement Tuesday confirming it had reinstated its Hannity advertising. PIctured is USAA CEO Stuart Parker

On Tuesday, USAA released a statement confirming it had reinstated its Hannity advertisements as a result of the outcry.

'We heard concerns from many members who watch and listen to these programs.

'Our goal in advertising has always been to reach members of the military community who would benefit from USAAs well-known commitment to service.

'Today, the lines between news and editorial are increasingly blurred.'

Hannity has been admonished for reigniting conversation about Rich's 2016 murder.

The 27-year-old was shot as he made his way home from a bar in Washington DC on July 10. He was working for the DNC at the time.

On July 22, WikiLeaks published a trove of emails that were stolen from senior members of the committee.

Republicans were outraged by USAA's withdrawal from the show. They accused the company of buckling to 'liberal pressure'

Hannity welcomed the news that USAA was returning on Tuesday and encouraged his fans to get behind it

The hacker Kim Dotcom claimed earlier this month that Rich was the source of the hack, going against the Democrats' narrative that it was the work of Russian cyber-terrorists who were eager to thwart Clinton's chances and put Trump in the White House.

Dotcom believes Rich was killed because someone within the DNC discovered his betrayal and wanted to cover up what he'd allegedly found.

When Dotcom shared his theory on Twitter and promised to possess evidence that would prove it, Hannity engaged him and asked him to appear on his show to discuss it.

Rich's grieving family were outraged and accused the pair of tarnishing their dead son's name.

Politicians joined them in their fury, labeling Hannity 'disgusting' for even entertaining Dotcom's so-far unsubstantiated claims.

The boycott from advertisers last week was started by Cars.com but several other businesses followed suit including Crowne Plaza Hotels and the mattress company Leesa.

Hacker Kim Dotcom was the first to share the theory that Rich's death was not the attempted robbery police claimed it was

The Rich family are outraged by the suggestion that their son would have betrayed the DNC before his death and have called for any theorists to quieten their suspicions

Hannity welcomed USAA's announcement that it was bringing its business back on Tuesday.

'Please support them. They are returning to my show,' he said, sharing a link to The Associated Press's article on the subject.

Some of his followers were not satisfied and demanded an apology from USAA for taking its business away in the first place.

'Why even accept them back? They turned their back on you,' said one. The gesture also wasn't enough to win back some customers who have already cut ties with the company.

'I cancelled not switching back because their business ($$) got hurt. They didn't give a c**p before,' one commented.
Vili Fualaau has filed for legal separation from Mary Kay Letourneau, 20 years after he first fell in love with his then-grade school teacher.

Fualaau submitted paperwork on May 9 in Issaquah, Washington seeking to end to his 12-year marriage to Letourneau, who is the mother of his two children.

The documents state that the two own no property and have no debts, with neither party asking for spousal support.

Fualaau, now 33, was just a sixth-grade student when he began having an affair with Letourneau back in 1996, despite the fact that the 34-year-old was married and had four young children.

The couple first met when Fualaau was in Letourneau's second grade class in Seattle, but did not begin to have a sexual relationship until four years later, when he was 12.

Letourneau, now 55, ultimately got a divorce from her first husband and served seven years in prison to be with Fualaau, who she married shortly after her release.

She gave birth to the couple's first child while out on bail in 1997, and their second while in prison.

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Over: Vili Fualaau filed for legal separation from Mary Kay Letourneau earlier this month

In the beginning: Letourneau was 34-years-old and a married mother of four young children when she began having a relationship with Fualaau, who was 12 and her student (coupe, above)

Happy days: Fualaau was banned from seeing Letourneau in prison, but the pair were married in 2005 after her release (above with daughters Audrey and Georgia in 2015)

Fualaau also stated in his filing that the couple's two children are no longer dependent while asking for a fair division of the couple's joint assets.

The couple could have celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary just last week.

TMZ was the first to report on the split.

These days, Fualaau works at a home and garden center while Letourneau is employed as a legal assistant, unable to teach due to her status as a sex offender.

Fualaau has also been working to get his DJ career up and running, spinning at a local bar on weeknights under the name DJ Headline.

He and his estranged wife also hosted Hot for Teacher nights at a local bar a few years after their marriage.

Two years ago, the couple broke their silence on the eve of their tenth wedding anniversary in a sit down interview with Barbara Walters for the 20/20 special American Scandal.

In that interview, Letourneau said that the relationship between the two did not start until after the school year was over, and that it quickly became physical..

'The incident was a late night that it didn't stop with a kiss. And I thought that it would and it didn't,' said Letourneau.

'I loved him very much, and I kind of thought, 'Why can't it ever just be a kiss?''

By the time Fualaau was 13, Letourneau was pregnant, but she managed to keep everything under wraps until the following year, when her husband found a love letter sent by the pre-teen.

He quickly alerted the authorities who questioned Fualaau and later arrested Letourneau, whose husband stood by her side through that first sentencing and the public ridicule which followed as news of the relationship became public.

Fualaau was a troubled Samoan boy from a broken home living in a rough part of Seattle. His father served time in prison for an armed robbery, and he had a difficult relationship with his mother.

Letourneau by comparison was livign what appeared to be a picture-perfect life with her two sons, two daughters and handsome husband.

Troubled teacher tempts teen: Letourneau got pregnant with their first daughter Audrey when Fualaau was just 13, and gave birth (left) shortly before pleading guilty to second-degree child rape in 1997 (right)

Gone girl: After the birth of her second child with Fualaau, Letourneau's husband filed for divorce and moved to Alaska with the couple's four children

Letourneau did not let that dampen her relationship with Fualaau, and while out on bail she gave birth to their daughter Audrey.

Three months later she entered a guilty plea to charges of second-degree child rape and was sentenced to six months in prison.

She was paroled however after three months on the condition that she stay away from Fualaau, a condition she quickly broke when the two were discovered having sex in a car just weeks after her release.

Letourneau then began to serve her seven-year prison sentence, during which time she gave birth to the couple's second daughter, Georgia.

After the birth of her second child with Fualaau, Letourneau's husband filed for divorce and moved to Alaska with the couple's four children.

She remains close to her four children from her first marriage, and told Walters: 'All of our holidays were always together, and they're very close with their sisters.'

Fualaau did admit in that interview however that it was awkward being less than two years older than his wife's oldest son.

Picture perfect: Letourneau's four children from her first marriage, Steven, Jackie, Mary Claire and Nick in the mid-90s

Girl power: Letourneau's three oldest daughters, Jackie, Mary Claire and Audrey

Being a father at such a young age and bringing up the girls without Letourneau was a struggle Fualaau told Walters back in 2015 during their interview.

He was eventually forced to drop out of high school and slipped into a depression, stating that at one point he battled alcoholism.

'I don't feel like I had the right support or the right help behind me,' he said. 'From my family, from anyone in general. I mean, my friends couldn't help me because they had no idea what, what it was like to be a parent, I mean, because we were all 14, 15.'

He was not allowed to visit Letourneau while she was in prison but he believes contact with her would've helped him. She was the only person he really needed to talk to, he said.

'I mean, if they gave me more options or choices to make instead of just saying, 'Oh, you can't talk to her anymore,' and I was like, 'I really do want to talk to her, though,'' he said.

'I'm surprised I'm still alive today. I went through a really dark time.'

Letourneau was released in August 2004, and married Fualaau in May of the following year, by which time her former student was a 21-year-old adult.

Then, in a move that shocked many, she opted to remain in the community where she had lived with her ex-husband and four children.

Family unit: The Fualaau sisters (George left, Audrey center) pose with their father in a photo posted on Monday

The couple's two daughters, Audrey and Georgia, also joined them for their 2015 interview with Walters.

Both girls said that they attend school and sing in a choir in the same district where their mother once taught. Audrey graduated high school that June, while Georgia graduates next month.

The Fualaau sisters said their parents have told them how they met, but they were not taken aback by the scandalous circumstances surrounding their mom and dad's relationship.

'There was never a sit-down chat, 'Now is the time we're going to talk to our children about this,'' explained their mother.

'They seemed to already know... because they grew up with it.'

Letourneau and Fualaau also revealed back in 2015 that despite their age difference most of their arguments revolve around child-rearing these days.

'He told them [Audrey and Georgia] several years ago that they are not permitted to have a boyfriend, and I thought to myself, 'That's not gonna work,' said Letourneau with a smile.

Fualaau seems to have gotten past that, and can be seen in numerous photos with his daughter Audrey and her boyfriend on Facebook.
Airbnb apologized this week after being accused of committing an act of cultural appropriation stemming from an ad for a weekend rental property in California consisting of a 'Sioux-style' teepee.

The Facebook post, which has since been deleted, featured a photo of a mother standing with her two children in front of a large Native American-style tent, situated in a rugged landscape.

The copy that accompanied the image read: 'This Memorial Day weekend, go off the grid with your kids in true Sioux style, no tent-pitching necessary. Inside this 250-square foot tipi, which accommodates up to 7 people, you'll have the comforts of a cozy master bedroom. And outside, you're surrounded by desert riches: Joshua trees, succulents, epic sunsets, and peacocks, yes peacocks. Its an unconventional getaway for a special family like yours. The only problem you'll run into, is figuring bow to get the little ones to want to go home.'

Teepee-gate: Airbnb has been accused of cultural appropriation stemming from this ad for a weekend rental property in California consisting of a 'Sioux-style' teepee

Native American activists quickly seized on the ad, accusing the online rental marketplace of promoting age-old racist stereotypes to make a profit, as BuzzFeed News first reported.

'Folks want to be us with the "comforts of a master bedroom" but don't want to deal with the actual consequences of being Native,' tweeted Dr Adrienne Keene, a professor at Brown University, the author of the blog Native Appropriations and a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.

In another tweet, Dr Keene suggested that the ad was calling to mind the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in North Dakota.

'Remember just a few months ago when water protectors in ND were being violently pulled out of their tipis at gun point?' she wrote.

Native American authors and activists, inclduing Brown University professor Dr Adrienne Keene, sharply rebuked Airbnb on Twitter

Mari Kurisato, an artist, writer and an Ojibwe Nakawe Native from Denver, shared photos of Native Americans on horseback facing off against law enforcement officials and heavy machinery during the North Dakota standoff, writing: 'Dear @Airbnb This is true Sioux Style Your ad campaign is tasteless racism.'

Another commenter pointed out that Joshua Tree, California, where the controversial teepee rental was situated, is not traditional Sioux territory.

According to the website of Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center, the Great Sioux Nations covers the entire state of South Dakota and parts of Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Nebraska and Iowa.

One commenter pointed out that Joshua Tree, California, where the controversial tepee rental was situated, is not Sioux territory

Airbnb apologized, saying: 'We should not have used this language and we want to apologize to everyone for our poor judgement. We have deleted these posts

Nick Papas, a spokesperson for Airbnb, released a written statement to the Daily Mail on Tuesday that read: 'We should not have used this language and we want to apologize to everyone for our poor judgement. We have deleted these posts.

The San Francisco-based Airbnb has been the subject of multiple complaints from customers claiming racial discrimination against non-whites.

Last year, the company revamped its reservation requests system to emphasize trip details, reviews and verified IDs while downplaying users' photos.
The United States will not impose a ban for now on bringing laptops into airline cabins on flights from Europe to the US.

US aviation security officials stepped back from imposing the ban on carry-on computers on Tuesday.

But the Department of Homeland Security said a ban, already in place for US-bound flights from the Middle East, could still be implemented for Europe if the threat level worsens.

Secretary John Kelly 'made it clear' that a ban on passengers carrying tablet and computer-sized electronics on board flights to the United States 'is still on the table' when he spoke to European officials.

The United States will not impose a ban for now on bringing laptops into airline cabins on flights from Europe to the US, according to the Department of Homeland Security (file photo)

'Secretary Kelly affirmed he will implement any and all measures necessary to secure commercial aircraft flying to the United States - including prohibiting large electronic devices from the passenger cabin - if the intelligence and threat level warrant it,' the department said in a statement.

Kelly spoke with European Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos and Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc over the phone on Tuesday.

Both sides agreed on the need to improve 'aviation security globally, including through a range of potential seen and unseen enhancements', according to a department spokesman.

Kelly had told Fox News Sunday over the weekend that he 'might' ban laptops from airplane cabins on all international flights both into and out of the United States.

A European Union official said the call was 'good.'

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the United States and the EU were working to continue to find a common response to the threat of explosives to flights.

The Department of Homeland Security said a ban, already in place for US-bound flights from the Middle East, could still be implemented for Europe if the threat level worsens (file photo)

After meetings with airlines and European officials, the Department of Homeland Security has declined to offer a timetable for making a decision and instead said it would be made by Kelly on a review of threats.

One major issue that has been under consideration is the potential safety implications of storing large numbers of laptop batteries in the cargo holds of airliners.

Airline and government officials say there have been discussions about potential alternatives to an expansion of the laptop ban, including enhanced screening, but that no decisions have been made.

In March, the United States announced laptop restrictions on flights originating from 10 airports, including in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, because of fears that a concealed bomb could be installed in electronic devices taken onto aircraft.

Britain quickly followed suit with restrictions on a slightly different set of routes.

The US restrictions cover about 350 flights a week. Extending the ban to all European airports would affect nearly 400 flights a day and cover 30 million travelers.
Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn will provide some documents to the Senate intelligence committee as part of its probe into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election.

The panel had asked Flynn to testify, as well as to turn over documents related to its probe of Russian election interference. Flynn's lawyers initially refused, invoking his 5th Amendment rights against self-incrimination.

Flynn has been seeking immunity, and his lawyer has said previously he has a story to tell.

Flynn was fired from his top security job after misleading Vice President Mike Pence about his own contacts with Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak.

Michael Flynn, then - President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for National Security Adviser arrives at Trump Tower in New York. Flynn will provide some documents to the Senate intelligence committee as part of its probe into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election

'The context in which the Committee has called for General Flynn's testimonial production of documents makes clear that he has more than a reasonable apprehension that any testimony he provides could be used against him,' his lawyer Robert Kelner argued.

The Senate panel has become increasingly aggressive in its search for documents.

The committee voted last week to give panel chairman Sen. Richard Burr and vice chair Sen. Mark Warner blanket subpoena power as they probe Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

The Senate Intelligence panel is seeking information from longtime Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen in its deepening Russia probe, the lawyer confirmed in a statement.

Fired National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, Michael Cohen, then-executive vice president of the Trump Organization and special counsel to Donald Trump, and now-Energy Secretary Rick Perry, speak in the lobby of Trump Tower in 2016

Attorney Michael Cohen is pictured arriving in Trump Tower in New York in 2016. A House intelligence committee staffer says the panel recently issued a subpoena to President Donald Trump's personal attorney

Cohen isn't currently cooperating, blasting the panel's request as 'poorly phrased.'

'I declined the invitation to participate, as the request was poorly phrased, overly broad and not capable of being answered,' said Cohen, in a statement to ABC News.

The network reported that the committee voted for the authority after Cohen had declined its request to provide 'information and testimony.'

Flynn has come under fire for failing to initially register as a foreign agent for work done on behalf of a client linked to the government of Turkey, and for ommisions on his security clearance documents related to his attendance at a Gala celebrating Kremlin-backed RT.

A Turkish businessman paid the Flynn's consulting group $530,000 to burnish the country's image.

A person close to Flynn says he will turn over documents related to two of his businesses as well as some personal documents the committee requested earlier this month. The person says Flynn plans to produce documents by next week.

Flynn's decision comes after he invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination in declining an earlier request from the committee. Flynn's attorneys had argued the earlier request was too broad and would have required Flynn to turn over information that could have been used against him.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss Flynn's private interactions with the committee.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin says the allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential election are 'fiction' invented by the Democrats in order to explain their loss.

In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, Putin reaffirmed his strong denial of Russian involvement in the hacking of Democratic emails. The interview was recorded during Putin's Monday trip to Paris and released Tuesday.

He said the claims of Russian meddling are driven by the 'desire of those who lost the U.S. elections to improve their standing by accusing Russia of interfering.'

Putin added that the 'people who lost the vote hate to acknowledge that they indeed lost because the person who won was closer to the people and had a better understanding of what people wanted.'
This Saturday, Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Iowa where he'll participate in Sen. Joni Ernst's annual 'Roast and Ride' fundraiser, which will feature a motorcycle ride, a pig roast and plenty of political speeches.

While Pence's heading to Iowa could be perceived as a way to shore up his own political credentials  it is the state that holds the first presidential caucus, though it's something his advisers deny  it's at least a move to stem the tide of Democratic dominance heading into 2018.

And, according to reporting from Politico, it's just the beginning of a Pence-forward summer tour, which will take the vice president through the Midwest and to classically red states like Georgia, in which a too-close congressional race has Republicans hot and bothered.

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Vice President Mike Pence (center) will be traveling this summer in support of fellow Republicans, while President Trump's (left) administration continues to be in hot water

Vice President Mike Pence, seen Sunday at the Indy 500, will head to Iowa later this week in support of Republican candidates, as his party could experience a bruising 2018 primary

Vice President Mike Pence gives a thumbs up at the Indy 500. According to a poll taken in March, he's the only prominent name in politics to receive a net positive rating

Mike Pence, seen speaking at the Naval Academy's graduation, will travel to Iowa and then likely campaign in Michigan and Wisconsin, along with Georgia, to help GOP candidates out

They have reason to be concerned.

Every generic poll that has been taken since President Trump and Pence's swearing-in has shown a Democrat on top, going into next year's midterm fight.

The Real Clear Politics average of generic Congressional polls shows the Democrats, at this point, 6.1 points ahead.

But for Republicans, Pence  a conservative former House member and governor  is a shiny spot.

In March, a USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll, showed that Pence was the only person in politics who received a positive rating.

While Trump sat at a negative 2 percent, Pence received a net positive of 12 percent, with 47 percent of respondents saying they had a positive impression of the veep, compared with 35 percent who viewed him unfavorably.

Pence was viewed more favorably than Trump, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, both political parties and Congress as a whole.

In an unusual move, Pence has already created a political action committee, the Great America PAC, in order to give money to Republican candidates who may find themselves in need.

'We are in for a turbulent campaign cycle, as nearly all parties in power face during a new president's first midterm,' Scott Jennings, the deputy political director for George W. Bush, told Politico. 'But the question is, do you shrink in the face of a tough cycle or do you fight like hell to hold on? And Pence is going to fight like hell, it seems, which will hopefully embolden every candidate out there.'

He's expected to stump for governor and Senate races in Michigan, and in Wisconsin for Gov. Scott Walker, who could have a tough re-election fight, Politico reported.

On June 9, before the Georgia June 20 run-off, Pence will campaign for GOP congressional candidate Karen Handel, who could be upset by Democrat Jon Ossoff, for a seat that previously belonged to Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, and once belonged to Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

It's been in Republican hands since 1979.

Later in the summer, Pence will be a major attraction at the Republican National Committee summer conference in Chicago, Illinois, and head to the Republican Governors Association meeting in Aspen, Colorado.

'He will be one of the top-tier surrogate requests from every campaign for the cycle,' Jeff Roe, GOP hopeful Ted Cruz's campaign manager in 2016, told Politico.

Roe also acknowledged that Pence's work for other Republicans could come to benefit him too, if he decides to run for president, or if Trump's political problems put the vice president in that position.

'All of this will help him build relationships nationally that he barely had the time to create while on the ticket for four months last fall,' Roe said.
President Trump's first overseas trip was 'extraordinarily successful,' and his relations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel are 'fairly unbelievable,' White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters Tuesday.

Spicer held his first televised press briefing in more than two weeks, after a trip that got mixed reviews as the president met Saudi leaders without incident, visited holy sites in the Middle East and bonded with Israeli leaders, lectured European leaders on their defense spending, didn't personally affirm the nation's Article 5 commitments to defend NATO, and mostly avoided the simmering Russia controversy by failing to hold a press conference.

'This was an extraordinarily successful nine-day trip the president took,' Spicer said, providing his own review of the president's day-by-day accomplishments.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer spoke glowingly about President Trump's first overseas trip during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Spicer was equally upbeat in his assessment of Trump's relations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on a day when Trump tweeted Germany was 'very bad' by slacking on defense spending and holding a trade surplus with Washington.

'I think the relationship the president has had with Merkel, he would describe as fairly unbelievable,' Spicer said.

Merkel stoked concerns about a split in the transatlantic alliance when she said in a speech in Munich Monday that ''The times in which we could completely depend on others are, to a certain extent, over.'

Spicer didn't hold back as he recapped an 'the incredible, historic trip,' which he attended along with Trump and several aides and family members  though Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner bailed out after Rome as reports came forward that he was a subject of inquiry of the FBI's Russia investigation.

'I think the relationship the president has had with Merkel, he would describe as fairly unbelievable,' Spicer said

President Donald Trump took another swipe at longtime U.S. ally Germany , firing off a tweet that chided the nation for its trade surplus with the U.S. and for shirking its defense responsibilities

'It truly was an extraordinary week for America and our people,' Spicer said.

Nor did he leave it to the pundits or historians to issue pronouncements about the president's first trip abroad.

'We've never seen before at this point in a presidency such sweeping reassurance of American interest and the inauguration of a foreign policy strategy designed to bring back the world from growing dangers perpetual disasters brought on by years of failed leadership,' Spicer said.

He called Trump's speech on extremism 'a historic turning point that people will be talking about for many years to come.'

Trump got mixed reviews in Europe after he chided NATO leaders for insufficient defense spending. Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Donald Trump and European Council President Donald Tusk attend the G7 summit in Taormina, Sicily, Italy, May 26, 2017

His rebuke Tuesday morning came after summit meetings last week that exposed splits between Trump and European leaders.

'The president's historic speech was met with nearly universal praise,' he said, allowing some others to do the praising.

Spicer quoted Egyptian President Al-Sisi, who flattered Trump during their meeting by saying, 'Let me say that you have a unique personality that is capable of doing the impossible.'

'I agree!' Trump quipped at the time, with a smile.

Spicer also talked up 'historic economic development deals,' and name-checked major U.S. companies that were involved, including Locked-Maritn, Raytheon, Boeing, GE, DOW Chemical, Honeywell, Emerson, Alcoa, and CISCO.

Spicer went on to review another of Trump's speeches, delivered at the Israel Museum. He called it 'highly praised' and a 'moving address.'

Trump warned that Germany's trade and defense policies were 'very bad' for the U.S., stoking a growing feud with Merkel, who on Monday said her European allies could not longer 'completely depend' on others

Merkel lifts a glass of beer during an election campaign event in Munich on Sunday. 'The times in which we could completely depend on others are, to a certain extent, over,' she said at the event

In Europe, Trump 'boldly stood up for American taxpayers and our common defense by calling on other NATO countries to pay their fair share.'

The speech wasn't as well received in Europe, where NATO leaders appeared uncomfortable while Trump told them to pony up and spend more on defense, while paying more for past years when defense spending fell short of a 2 per cent pledge.

It didn't take long for the Democratic National Committee to crank out a release mocking Spicer's claims.

'Sean Spicer may have tried to filibuster criticism of President Trump's foreign trip during today's White House briefing, but calling this trip 'extraordinarily successful and historic' would be best described as an alternate fact,' the DNC said in a statement.

They included clips of more negative reviews, including a State Department official who told the Daily Beast ''When it comes to diplomacy, President Trump is a drunk tourist,' and a quote from Merkel expressing displeasure that the U.S. wouldn't agree to a joint G7 statement on climate change.

Merkel called it 'very unsatisfactory' and said, 'We have a situation of six against one'.

French President Emmanuel Macron said his prolonged televised handshake with Trump during the trip was a deliberate effort at one-upsmanship.

'One must show that you won't make small concessions, even symbolic ones, but also not over-publicize things, either,' he told Journal de Dimanche. 'My handshake with him  it wasn't innocent,' he added.
Jeb Bush has dropped out of the race for the Miami Marlins.

The ex-presidential candidate and former Florida governor is no longer interested in buying the Marlins and has ended his pursuit of the team, two people close to the negotiations said Tuesday.

One of the people said former New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter, who had been part of Bush's group, is still exploring a bid with other investors.

The two people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the parties involved aren't commenting publicly on the status of negotiations.

Hit and miss: Jeb Bush (left) is reportedly no longer interested in buying the Miami Marlins and has ended his pursuit of the team. Former New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter (right), who had been part of Bush's group, is said to be still exploring a bid

Jeter becomes the frontman for an investment group competing with a group led by businessman Tagg Romney, son of former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. The Romney group includes Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine and former Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart.

Earlier this month, Commissioner Rob Manfred said the Romney and Bush-Jeter groups were relatively even in their price offers. Both bid about $1.3billion to buy the team from Jeffrey Loria, who bought the Marlins for $158.5million in 2002 from John Henry.

Four weeks ago, Bush said he was optimistic he could close the deal. But one of the people confirming Bush's withdrawal said he didn't put up enough of his own money to have the controlling interest he sought.

Up for sale: The Marlins have said they hope to close a deal around the time of the All-Star game in Miami on July 11

'Given the interest we have inside Miami and among people that are potential partners, I'm really excited about it,' Bush said in early May. 'It's a sport that has huge potential in Miami. I'm excited about the community aspects of this.'

Rival: Jeter and Bush were part of an investment group competing with a group led by businessman Tagg Romney, son of former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney

The commissioner's office wants the purchasing group to demonstrate it has enough cash both to close the deal and operate the team. Because of MLB's debt service rule, more than half of the winning bid could require cash.

Manfred declined to comment Tuesday. A spokesman for Jeter didn't respond to a request for comment, and Romney has not publicly discussed his interest in the team.

Jeter and Bush were part of rival efforts to buy the Marlins before joining forces. Jeter, a 14-time All-Star shortstop, retired in 2014 after 20 seasons with the Yankees.

The Marlins have said they hope to close a deal around the time of the All-Star game in Miami on July 11.

Bush, 64, lives in Miami. He served two terms as governor from 1999-2007 and was an unsuccessful candidate last year for the Republican nomination for president.

Jeter, 42, lives in Tampa and has long talked of his desire to own a team. Romney, 47, has been a Massachusetts businessman, venture capitalist and political adviser.
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The U.S. military has shot down mock warhead over the Pacific in a key success for it missile defense program, just days amid growing fears over North Korea's weapons capability.

The Pentagon announced the first missile defense test was taking place today involving a simulated attack by an intercontinental ballistic missile, firing off an interceptor from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a Reuters witness at the base said.

The Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) interceptor successfully struck its target over the Pacific Ocean in an exercise aimed at helping gauge American ability to counter any potential similar threat from North Korea.

U.S. Missile Defense Agency Director Vice Adm. Jim Syring told NBC News the test was a 'critical milestone'.

'This system is vitally important to the defense of our homeland, and this test demonstrates that we have a capable, credible deterrent against a very real threat. I am incredibly proud of the warfighters who executed this test and who operate this system every day,' Syring said.

The U.S. military has shot down mock warhead over the Pacific in a key success for it missile defense program (the rocket is launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Tuesday)

A man and a child watch as the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) element of the U.S. ballistic missile defense system launches during a flight test from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

The est comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Pyongyang over North Korea's continued provocations.

Just two days ago, North Korea fired at least one short-range ballistic missile on Monday that landed in the sea off its east coast, in Japan's maritime economic zone, the latest in a fast-paced series of missile tests defying world pressure and threats of more sanctions. Kim Jong-un has claimed its latest test missile landed just seven meters from its target in Japanese waters.

The missile launched on Monday was equipped with an advanced automated pre-launch sequence compared with previous versions of the 'Hwasong' rockets, North Korea's name for its Scud-class missiles, KCNA said.

That indicated the North had launched a modified Scud-class missile, as South Korea's military has said.

President Donald Trump has warned that while he prefers piece, he is prepared to take military action against North Korea which 'has been a flagrant menace for far too long.'

He also described Monday's test as showing 'great disrespect' for Pyongyang ally China.

As a result, South Korea conducted a joint drill with a US supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber, prompting the North's dictator to claim the allied countries were practicing dropping nuclear bombs. The US Navy said its aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Carl Vinson, also planned a drill with another US nuclear carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, in waters near the Korean peninsula.

North Korea calls such drills a preparation for war.

The North Korean test fire came on the heels of two previous successful tests of medium-to-long-range missiles in as many weeks by the North, which has been conducting such tests at an unprecedented pace in an effort to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting the mainland United States.

From Harris Grade Road north of Lompoc, California, spectators watch an interceptor missile launch from an underground silo at Vandenberg Air Force Base

The Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) interceptor successfully struck its target over the Pacific Ocean in an exercise aimed at helping gauge American ability to counter any potential similar threat from North Korea

The Pentagon announced the first missile defense test was taking place today involving a simulated attack by an intercontinental ballistic missile, firing off an interceptor from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California

Kim Jong-un said the reclusive state would develop more powerful weapons to defend North Korea against the United States, and state media quoted him as saying: 'He expressed the conviction that it would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send a bigger 'gift package to the Yankees' in retaliation for American military provocation'.

Today's $244 million US test has been heralded as a success after it brought down the mock intercontinental ballistic missile. However, that missile is just one weapon among North Korea's arsenal.

It does not prove that America can defend its against one of Pyongyang's intercontinental-range missiles, while the dictatorship is also understood to be moving closer to the capability of putting a nuclear warhead on such a missile and could have developed decoys sophisticated enough to trick an interceptor into missing the real warhead.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of a new anti-aircraft weapon system on Monday

This release from Korean Central News Agency shows the new weapons system being fired

President Trump tweeted about North Korea Monday, a day after from his first overseas trip

America's last intercept test, in June 2014, was successful, but the longer track record is spotty. Since the system was declared ready for potential combat use in 2004, only four of nine intercept attempts have been successful.

Donald Trump has been accused of practicing dropping nuclear bombs

North Korea says its nuclear and missile programs are a defense against perceived U.S. military threats.

Laura Grego, senior scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, which has criticized the missile defense program, calls the interceptor an 'advanced prototype,' meaning it is not fully matured technologically even if it has been deployed and theoretically available for combat since 2004.

The interceptors are, in essence, the last line of U.S. defense against an attack by an intercontinental-range missile.

The Pentagon has other elements of missile defense that have shown to be more reliable, although they are designed to work against medium-range or shorter-range ballistic missiles. These include the Patriot missile, which numerous countries have purchased from the U.S., and the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, which the U.S. deployed this year to South Korea to defend against medium-range missiles from North Korea.
Poor maintenance and recent warm weather may have triggered the disastrous Bank Holiday meltdown in the British Airways computer system.

A decision to make key maintenance staff redundant  coupled with overheating computers  are likely to be factors in the fiasco, say union leaders.

The blackout of a BA computer data centre at Heathrow and the failure of a back-up system meant flights across the world were grounded.

As a result, some 75,000 people had their flights cancelled and many more suffered long delays.

Poor maintenance and recent warm weather may have triggered the disastrous Bank Holiday meltdown in the British Airways computer system

Repercussions are still being felt today, with thousands of people yet to be reunited with their luggage.

Yesterday, worried investors wiped more than 500 million off the stock market value of parent company IAG, although it recovered most of this during the day.

The company also faces a compensation and refund bill that could reach 150 million.

Spanish chief executive Alex Cruz has blamed a power surge at a Heathrow data centre  essentially an air-conditioned warehouse holding banks of computers  for the collapse of the IT system on Saturday morning.

He said a back-up system that should have rescued the situation failed to come online for an unknown reason.

However, Mr Cruzs explanation has been called into question by companies supplying electricity to Heathrow, who say they have no record of a power surge.

A decision to make key maintenance staff redundant  coupled with overheating computers  are likely to be factors in the fiasco, say union leaders

The GMB union believes the real cause was cost-cutting, leading to a failure of maintenance at the data centre and a lack of staff to re-boot the equipment once it failed.

One theory is that the computers overheated because the air conditioning struggled to cope with the recent high temperatures.

The Daily Mail has learned that a small team of experienced engineers responsible for maintaining BAs data centres and back-up systems were made redundant last year.

They were part of a group of some 700 computer and IT staff let go following a decision to save money by outsourcing work to India and the private firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

GMB national aviation officer Mick Rix said there was a history of maintenance and overheating problems at the BA data centres.

He added: At the top of the back-up facility are major air-conditioning systems which keep the electrics and computers cool.

Because of the high temperatures last year, staff were having to hose the top of the building down to keep it cool. The fact that was necessary is evidence of serious under-investment.

Yesterday, worried investors wiped more than 500 million off the stock market value of parent company IAG, although it recovered most of this during the day

BA has been busy getting rid of people, including people working in data centre maintenance who have been doing an extremely vital job, but it has come back to bite them.

Mr Rix said the blame for the fiasco should be put at the door of BAs parent company, IAG, which is run by Willie Walsh, and also owns Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus.

Over the last year and a half, the company has been going through a succession of redundancies and cuts. That has had a massive role to play in the problems we have seen over the bank holiday weekend.

OWNER BACKS UNDER-FIRE BOSS CRUZ Pressure: Alex Cruz The boss of the company that owns British Airways finally broke his silence last night to offer customers a sincere apology. Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group, admitted the IT meltdown that grounded hundreds of flights had caused reputational damage to the once-proud brand. But insisting that he fully understood the huge frustrations felt by many travellers, Mr Walsh stood solidly behind BAs chief executive Alex Cruz, who has faced calls to quit. He said Mr Cruz could not be held responsible for a catastrophic electrical failure. Mr Walsh, who built his personal reputation by being highly visible during past crises, told the Daily Mail: I dont get out there in my high-vis jacket any longer. He said it was an operational issue so it was for BA and Mr Cruz to deal with. He added: Alex did all he could in very, very difficult circumstances. It was not a problem of his making. He has worked flat out to fix it. I sincerely apologise to all concerned. Advertisement

The British Airways brand is being trashed which could have serious long-term consequences. No-one wants to see that.

He added: The truth is that it is not a British company any more. It is pretending to be a British company and is trading on Britains brand. Theresa May was asked yesterday if BA was worthy of being the countrys flag carrier.

She said: It is up to them to sort their IT out and ensure they are able to provide the services people expect them to provide as British Airways.

I recognise the considerable disruption that it caused for all those individuals hoping to get away for their holiday or break and found themselves stuck in airports and unable to travel. We all feel for those people.

Its important that British Airways has a compensation scheme for people who were travelling.

BA was unable to comment on the claims made by the GMB union about maintenance problems and staff shortages. Instead, the airline continued to insist the problems were caused by a power surge.

This is at odds with evidence from the National Grid, SSE and UK Power Networks, who are responsible for electricity in the Heathrow area and said they were unaware of a power surge. Heathrow airport, which has its own private network, said there was no power surge on its system.

A BA spokesman said: As we have said the power supply issue caused the collapse of our IT systems. It was not an IT failure. The data centre is manned by UK-based staff.

He said private contractors at TCS were involved in helping to restore BAs computer systems.
A woman who was part of a multi-state 'Bonnie and Clyde' crime spree with her boyfriend has pleaded guilty in a 2008 shooting death at a highway rest stop.

Dana K. Tutor, 42, pleaded guilty on Monday to second-degree murder and first-degree robbery in the September 8, 2008 death of trucker Valentin Kirilchuk, 39, in Platte County, Missouri.

The rest-stop slaying just north of Kansas City was part of a multi-state crime spree perpetrated by John Matthew Hughes, 41, then Tutor's boyfriend. The couple talked of getting 'Bonnie and Clyde' tattoos to commemorate the notorious outlaw couple, said prosecutors.

Tutor 'wanted to be like Bonnie and Clyde, and she was. Just like Bonnie and Clyde, she and her boyfriend John Hughes are robbers and murderers,' said prosecutor Eric Zahnd, the Kansas City Star reported.

Dana K. Tutor, 42, pleaded guilty on Monday to second-degree murder and first-degree robbery in a 2008 murder committed with her boyfriend John Matthew Hughes, 41

Hughes previously pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and robbery in Kirilchuk's death.

The crooked couple were making their way west after Hughes had committed another murder, days earlier, in Zanesville, Ohio, where he stabbed 53-year-old David E. Durben to death.

Durben was found dead on September 2, 2008. Hughes pleaded guilty to theft and murder in his slaying.

Prosecutors said a gun that Hughes stole from Durben, a long-haul truck driver, was used in the murder of Kirilchuk.

The second murder took place at the northbound rest stop on Interstate 29 between Camden Point and Dearborn.

The murder of Kirilchuk took place at this northbound rest stop on Interstate 29

Tutor went up to the cab of Kirilchuk's truck and told him she needed $100. Prosecutors said her fingerprint on the passenger side window of his truck.

Kirilchuck, a Ukrainian immigrant, followed Tutor to the rest area's main building, where Hughes was pretending to be talking on a pay phone, prosecutors said.

Then, Hughes forced the trucker into the men's restroom with a 9mm handgun, where a struggle ensued and Hughes shot the man in the head, said prosecutors.

Hughes, a Mississippi native, was later arrested in Nebraska. He is serving life in prison for the Ohio murder and has said he has committed 'at least' a dozen other murders that he has not been charged with.

'I feel that I'm the antichrist,' Hughes explained in an interview with KMBC, explaining that he wanted the death penalty.

The murder in Missouri was a way for him to regain 'control' over his girlfriend Tutor and two other passengers, another couple, who were in the car, he said in the interview.

Tutor faces up to 20 years in prison under the terms of her plea deal.
Democrats are reportedly pushing hard for daytime TV host, Jerry Springer, to run for governor of Ohio in 2018.

Springer, who served as the Cincinnati mayor in 1977, tried to get the Democratic nomination for governor in 1982.

Former Ohio governor, Ted Strickland, told Business Insider that he discussed a possible run with Springer, who is still actively involved in state politics.

Strickland said he 'certainly would start out with wide name recognition', adding that Springer 'has a very strong ability to communicate what I think is the heart of the Democratic message'.

Democrats are reportedly pushing hard for daytime TV host, Jerry Springer (pictured in 1998), to run for governor of Ohio in 2018

Springer (pictured as Senate candidate), who is the former Cincinnati mayor, tried to get the Democratic nomination for governor in 1982. Former Ohio governor, Ted Strickland, recently said he discussed a possible run with Springer, who is still actively involved in state politics

Springer told Business Insider on Tuesday that he will 'let people know' if he decides to run for office.

'The issue of me running for political office frequently comes up because I am constantly touring around, giving speeches and raising money for the party,' he said in a statement.

'Truthfully, I've been doing that for at least the last 30 years as a private citizen because I believe joining the conversation is part of being a good citizen.

'If I do ever decide to throw my hat in the ring...I will let people know. At this point...I don't even have a hat,' he added.

Tim Burke, the Hamilton County Democratic Party chairman, doesn't think Springer has said no, but he noted that the host hasn't said yes, either.

Springer is set to keynote the Geauga County Democratic Party dinner next month.

Springer told Business Insider on Tuesday that he will 'let people know' if he decides to run for office. Last month, the 73-year-old said at the Sandusky County Democratic Party dinner that he did not 'need' to 'run for office'

Springer served on the Cincinnati City Council (left in 1977 and right in 1970) until 1974, when he resigned after he used a check to pay a prostitute

Last month, the 73-year-old was also the keynote speaker at a similar dinner for the Sandusky County Democratic Party, at which he said he did not 'need' to 'run for office', according to Business Insider.

Springer also considered runs for US Senate in Ohio in 2000 and 2004, but he decided against it.

The host told the Cincinnati Enquirer in February, that the idea of him running for governor gained steam because of President Donald Trump's 2016 election victory.

Springer, who painted himself as a 'populist, liberal progressive', told the Enquirer: 'People are thinking that somebody outside the traditional political establishment can win.'

The host served on the Cincinnati City Council until 1974, when he resigned after he used a check to pay a prostitute.
Authorities believe that a man plunged to his death from a cliff and into a river in a Washington State park while trying to take a selfie with his girlfriend.

Although rescue and emergency crews returned for a second day of searching for him at Palouse Falls State Park in Washington on Tuesday, the Franklin County Sheriff's office is deeming their efforts to be a 'search and recovery'.

The identity of the 25-year-old man has not been released yet, although he is said to be from Spokane, Washington.

A man from Spokane, Washington slipped and fell to his death while hiking the falls in Washington's Palouse Falls State Park. He was attempting to take a selfie when he fell

On Monday afternoon, the man and his girlfriend hiked up Palouse Falls, according to authorities. While the couple was trying to take a selfie, the man apparently lost his footing and plummeted off the cliff and into the water below.

A fellow park visitor said that he saw a woman climbing in a steep area of the park and shouting that her boyfriend had fallen off the cliff, reports the Tri-City Herald.

The man is said to have fallen from just above the 198ft waterfall, according to The News Tribune.

Emergency and rescue teams arrived at the falls at about 2.30pm on Monday and spent several hours searching for the man without success.

The man's girlfriend, who has not been named, told authorities that he hit a rock on his way into the water, before being swept downstream, according to CBS News.

The water is said to be very cold and high at the moment.

The man was attempting to take a selfie with his girlfriend when he slipped off the cliff, just above the 198-foot Palouse Falls. He apparently struck a rock on the way down into the water

Authorities have been concerned about hikers' safety along unmarked trails at the state park

Washington State Parks has expressed concern about the safety of unmarked trails near the falls.

In late 2015, park officials erected temporary fencing to prevent hikers from attempting potentially dangerous trails near Palouse Falls.

The fencing was removed in 2016, however, and replaced with new signs warning hikers of the perils of using unmarked trails.

'Travel beyond this point is on potentially hazardous trails,' read the warning on the signs. 'Users assume all risk associated with travel beyond this point. Rescue costs will be at the expense of the injured party.'
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Billionaire developer Mohamed Hadid pleaded 'no contest' Tuesday to charges involving the Bel Air mega-mansion that's put him at war with his neighbors for more than two years.

And when he's sentenced June 27, the father of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid could be sent to jail, put on probation, ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and fees, plus post a multi-million dollar bond to cover the cost of completing - or demolishing - his controversial, half-finished house.

Hadid, 68, was a no-show today at Los Angeles Superior Court in Van Nuys where he faced three charges of criminally violating building regulations and ignoring orders to stop construction while building the 30,000-square-foot luxury home that's been dubbed 'Starship Enterprise' because of its huge size.

Mohamed Hadid, pictured with daughters Gigi and Bella, has pleaded 'no contest' to three charges of breaching building codes and refusing to comply with the city's orders to halt construction

Neighbor Joe Horacek called the ritzy Strada Vecchia Road in Bel Air 'peaceful' before the construction of Hadid's 'Starship Enterprise'

The 30,000 square-food mansion towers over other homes in the area, including Joseph Horacek's home, pictured below. Hadid bought the hilltop plot on Strada Vecchia Road in Bel Air in 2011

A bird's eye view shows the enormous property being built by Hadid in the hills above Los Angeles. Joe Horacek's home is below, former big band singer Carole Cramer's is above

Instead, his high-profile lawyesr - Robert Shapiro of O.J.Simpson fame - was in court to enter 'no contest' pleas to the charges,

The phrase 'no contest' literally means 'I do not wish to contest.' A 'no contest' plea results in a California criminal conviction. When a defendant pleads 'no contest', he is not technically admitting guilt but is still allowing the court to determine his punishment.

Each of which carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Attorneys Robert Shapiro, right, and James W. Spertus, left, appear in court for the case of Mohamed Hadid v City of LA at the Van Nuys Courthouse West in Los Angeles on Tuesday

That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to additional penalties City Attorney Tina Hess is asking Judge Eric Harmon to impose on Hadid. Hess also wants Hadid to:

*Complete 200 hours of community labor

*Be put on probation

*Pay $250,000 to a local community fund to repair damage to the local area around Hadid's luxury mansion

*Reimburse the city for the many times it had to send building and safety inspectors to the house;

*Post a bond to cover the expense of either rebuilding the house so that it complies with the law, or tearing it down

LA is demanding that Hadid post a bond - which would total millions of dollars - 'so that the city is not left with the carcass of this building,' Hess told the court.

'The bond is to make sure the money is there to complete the house - and bring it into compliance with building codes - if Hadid just walks away,' Hess later told DailyMail.com. She couldn't estimate how much that bond would be, but said that city building officials will calculate an estimate between now and Hadid's sentencing.

Judge Harmon said the City of Los Angeles has a total of 16 conditions it is asking him to impose on Hadid. He set a date of June 27 for sentencing when he will hear evidence from Hadid's lawyers and from the other side - city experts and bitter neighbors.

The judge added that when he sentences Hadid, 'Everything is on the table,' including possible jail time.

Several of the Bel Air locals who have battled Hadid for years, were in court today and were happy that the judge decided to delay sentencing rather than sentence him today.

'It gives the judge the opportunity to review all the evidence, to hear from all the city officials and neighborhood citizens Hadid has treated so egregiously,' neighbor Joe Horacek, 75, told DailyMail.com after today's hearing.

Scaffolding and unfinished construction show the true views that neighbors have put up with as issues surrounding the enormous home were disputed. Horacek said the ugly view makes it almost impossible to sell his neighboring home

Crew workers move scaffolding and other structures as they demolish parts of the home in June. Neighbor Horacek said that Hadid had built several illegal rooms in the house that he hid under a tarp during construction

'Hadid has total disrespect for the court and for the rule of law. I will be disappointed if he doesn't go to jail.'

Daniel Love, President of the Bel Air Association - which represents some 1,500 homeowners - called the judge's decision to hold off sentencing till he'd reviewed all evidence and heard from witnesses, 'a step in the right direction.'

Love told Mail Online: 'I hope the sentence of the court will show developers that they have to be responsible and follow the law.'

Another neighbor, Kenny Hassid, told DailyMail.comthat the delay in sentencing 'gives the judge the chance to read all the material and realize just how badly Hadid has violated our neighborhood.

'That house is an giant eyesore. I want it reduced to a reasonable size and restored to a state where it is within the law.'

Some locals would like to see the mega-mansion torn down. But Hadid has vowed that will never happen. 'Demolish this house? Never!' he told Town and Country. 'This house will last forever. Bel Air will fall before this will.'

The long drawn-out story of how Palestinian-born Hadid set out to build one of the biggest and most expensive luxury homes in LA is filled with nasty accusations of thievery, bribery and intimidation.

Hadid bought the hilltop plot on upscale Strada Vecchia, Bel Air in 2011 for just under $2 million. He knocked down the ranch-style house that was already there and started building a monster mansion.

Neighbors watched with increasing alarm as the massive house grew larger and larger. By 2014, the house was 9,000 square feet bigger - and 31 feet taller - than regulations allowed, they protested. And a 70-seat IMAX movie theater, plus two huge decks included on the property, were also illegal, they insisted.

Neighbor Joseph Horacek said Mohamed Hadid's mansion looms over his home and negatively affects the value of his property. He told DailyMail.com he and his wife bought a home in the desert and spend most of their time there out of fear that the mansion will fall onto their house

The two huge decks coming down the hillside and the 70-seat IMAX theater are allegedly building violations under Los Angeles code

But Hadid - hoping to sell the giant mansion for $50 million - continued to build, despite orders from Los Angeles City Council to stop, and in December 2015, in an almost-unprecedented move, the city decided to prosecute him criminally.

Since then, Hadid - with the aid of his high-priced lawyers - has filed papers with the court and the city, proposing modification that his lawyers maintained would bring him into line with planning regulations.

But neighbors he's been feuding with for years say Hadid's suggested changes are just elaborate efforts to delay a court decision to force Hadid to comply with regulations.

Earlier this month, Hadid applied for building permits that he claimed would bring him into compliance. But added neighbor Joe Horacek: 'He's just playing games. My attorney look at the new permits Hadid is proposing and there are too many violations to count.'

The flamboyant Hadid started his career restoring old cars. He loves to drive around in his 1928 Phaeton drophead Packard.

According to his Wikipedia page, he is the only person ever to represent Jordan in the Winter Olympics, competing as a speed skater in 1992.

He has been married twice. His second marriage to Real Housewife Yolanda Foster from 1994-2000 produced his two daughters, Gigi, 22, Bella, 20, as well as his son Anwar, 19, who is also a model.

He is now engaged to Iranian-born model Shiva Safai, star of the soon-to-air E! Network reality show Second Wives Club.

Hadid is engaged to Iranian-born model Shiva Safai, who is 33 years his junior, and the star of the soon-to-air E! Network reality show Second Wives Club

Hadid has a checkered history that's included him filing for bankruptcy eight times since 1996. Nearly 100 lawsuits have been filed against him alleging issues as varied as fraud, substandard construction and trademark infringement and at least 15 liens have been put on his property for unpaid debts.

He was born in Nazareth but his family moved around the Middle East when he was young. While Hadid was in his teens, his family relocated to Washington, D.C. where his father worked for Voice of America.

Previous battles have seen him fighting with Sylvester Stallone, who called him 'an unscrupulous, unlicensed predator,' after working on the Rocky actor's home, and even with President Donald Trump, who he outflanked in a multi-million-dollar land deal in Aspen, Colorado.

He has built many Ritz-Carlton hotels and several mega-mansions as well as the Holmby Hills home where Michael Jackson died.

But in a letter he sent to the New York Times, but was never published, Hadid stressed his credentials.

'I have done business with many large American institutions including Morgan Stanley, LaSalle Partners, and Rockefeller. I have built several buildings for the US government.

'I also worked with all the major banks in the US including Chase, Riggs Bank of America and a dozen more. I was partner with Rodman, Rockefeller, Lincoln Properties, Dinahue, Ritz-Carlton and others,' he added.

'I am the man that saved The Aspen Institute from leaving Aspen, CO by donating more than 45 acres in the heart of the city.'
Mercedes Corby has spoken for the first time about the emotional return of her drug smuggling sister Schapelle.

'Yes, I'm very happy ... We had a little moment in the car, but its yet to fully hit,' Mercedes told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Wednesday morning.

'We're just letting her relax, she can figure it out as time goes by. Time to relax, find herself.'

Mercedes also shot down rumours that Schapelle was next in line for reality TV show The Bachelorette, saying 'No, thats not going to happen.'

Scroll down for video

Mercedes Corby (pictured on Sunday) has spoken for the first time about the emotional return of her sister Schapelle

No media has caught a glimpse of Schapelle's face since returning home, 13 years after she was caught with 4.2kgs of marijuana at a Balinese airport

When asked for 'proof of life', a shy Schapelle Corby was briefly coerced to speak on the phone to prove she was in the same room as Mercedes.

'Kyle and Jackie O? Hello,' she softly said, before handing the phone back to her sister.

Mercedes went on to explain that it was her 'prankster' brother and brother-in-law who had donned freakish masks to confuse media waiting at her family home.

She said Schapelle had 'worked out social media pretty quickly' and was 'passionate' about using her media status to draw attention to missing people.

'That was Schapelle's idea (to put the face of William Tyrell on her handbag). Why not use this for something that she thinks should have more coverage.'

'Missing children is something that she's compassionate about. She really liked the Daniel's Law, that's something that she's always following.'

'I'm really proud of her.'

Schapelle, 39, and her extended family went to extreme lengths to avoid the media circus waiting at Brisbane airport when she touched down on Sunday morning.

Schapelle and Mercedes Corby are seen in a car near Brisbane airport on Sunday

Since joining Instagram prior to her release, Corby has amassed close to 170,000 followers in little more than 48 hours and shared her video with her growing number of fans on Monday

The extreme lengths taken by Corby, 39, and her security detail began in Bali, with a last- minute change of flights a deliberate effort to avoid the media pack.

Corby was led to Ngurah Rai airport by a convoy of Balinese police, including two armoured vehicles with machine gun-wielding officers wearing bullet proof vests.

While 40 journalists boarded a Virgin Airlines flight from Denpasar to Brisbane in the expectation she would be joining them, the convicted drug mule gave them the slip.

Instead she hopped onto a Malindo Air plane, sitting in business class and wearing a headscarf in an apparent attempt to hide her identity.

Keeping the headscarf over her head as she disembarked the jet, Corby was thought to have then boarded one of the 12 black vehicles that left the airport soon after.

But it is now clear she did not, instead being whisked away to relax and watch the madness about her return unfold on television.

Despite their best efforts, no media has caught a glimpse of her face since returning home, 13 years after she was caught with 4.2kgs of marijuana at Denpasar airport.

Schapelle Corby (pictured) showed her face for the first time since arriving in Australia, appearing smug in a video showing her watching her dramatic homecoming unfold on TV

In another tactic to throw media off the scent, a woman bearing a striking resemblance to Corby appeared at Mercedes' home just after 9am (pictured)

A man wearing a freakish horror mask was also spotted at Schapelle Corby's mother's house following the drug smuggler's extraordinary return to Australia

Seemingly in an effort to throw media off her sister's scent, Mercedes arrived at her Gold Coast home just hours after taking the video shared on Monday.

In another decoy tactic, a woman bearing a striking resemblance to Corby appeared at Mercedes' home just after 9am, while the real Schapelle was still in her hotel.

People wearing masks and family showing up to Mercedes house to 'party' with Schapelle also added to the mystery surrounding her whereabouts.

Corby's decision to avoid the media attention and share the video to Instagram is a sign of how things have changed in the 13 years she's been in Indonesia.

Since being set free from her strict parole conditions, she has seemingly wasted no time getting accustomed to the world of social media.

Seemingly having a newfound fan of Instagram, minutes before she left her Bali villa Corby posted this picture on Instagram writing: 'Big thank you to my Bali family'

In another of her posts on Monday, Corby uploaded a photo of her controversial handbag which features a photo of missing toddler William Tyrell (pictured)

Corby has spent nearly 13 years in Bali after her arrest for smuggling 4.2kg of marijuana onto the Indonesian island

In another of her posts on Monday, Corby uploaded a photo of her handbag which controversially features a photo of missing toddler William Tyrell.

'Where's William Tyrrell?' she captioned the photo, before including the hashtag: '#Williamicare'.

It comes after she raised her handbag to the media pack outside her parole office just prior to heading to the airport to fly home to Bali.

The family of the missing boy was split about her decision, with some outraged and others pleased she was raising awareness about him.

The latest target for Ms Corby's spotlight is Hayley Dodd, who went missing when she was just 17 in 1999.

Ms Dodd was last seen hitchhiking between Moora and Badgingarra in Western Australia on July 29, 1999.

Francis John Wark was charged in December 2015 with murdering the 17-year-old. His murder trial is ongoing and the teenager's body has never been found.

Ms Corby also uses references to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation in her posts, tagging Daniel's law in each missing child picture.

Daniel Morcombe was abducted and murdered in December 2003 as he waited for a bus on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Rolf Harris is to launch a fresh bid to overturn his sexual abuse convictions after paying private detectives to find evidence to brand his victims liars in his recent trial

Rolf Harris is to launch a fresh bid to overturn his sexual abuse convictions after paying private detectives to find evidence to brand his victims liars in his recent trial, it emerged yesterday.

The disgraced 87-year-old entertainer walked free from court after jurors failed to reach a verdict in a retrial, saying: 'I feel no sense of victory  only relief.'

Now he hopes to clear his name after prosecutors announced he will not face a third trial over claims from three women who came forward after his original conviction in 2014 for indecently assaulting four other women and children between 1968 and 1986.

After Harris's three-year court battle finally came to an end, it can be revealed how the millionaire artist used private investigators and top lawyers to undermine his accusers.

He even launched a bid to go on trial via videolink from his 3 million home in Bray, Berkshire.

The bid came as Harris was due to go free early from Stafford Prison halfway through his latest trial after serving less than three years of a five-year and nine-month sentence.

But Judge Deborah Taylor rejected the application and ordered him to appear at London's Southwark Crown Court to face four charges of indecently assaulting three girls aged 13 to 16, which the jury were unable to reach a verdict on after a two-week trial.

Now he is to seek leave to appeal against his original conviction for attacks on children, whom his lawyer has branded 'false victims' out to get part of his 11 million fortune. His case is due to be heard before the Court of Appeal within the next few months. If he is successful, it would raise the possibility that Harris could seek compensation for wrongful imprisonment.

The bid came as Harris was due to go free early from Stafford Prison halfway through his latest trial after serving less than three years of a five-year and nine-month sentence

Victims reacted with fury to the tactics of Harris's lawyers to portray them as lying gold diggers.

His youngest victim, Wendy Wild, who was just seven when she alleged she was groped at a disco in 1969, has repeatedly been branded a liar by Harris's barrister Stephen Vullo QC. Mr Vullo suggested Miss Wild, who has waived her right to anonymity, was out for compensation, saying: 'She indicated in court that ... the reason she had made her complaint was for closure.

'She subsequently issued proceedings and received 22,000 in damages [from Harris].'

Another woman, who claimed Harris grabbed her breast when she was 13 at the BBC Television Studios in 1983, was asked by Mr Vullo: 'Do you remember talk online of people going after Mr Harris' 11 million fortune through compensation?' She replied: 'It's never been about money.' During the latest case, it also emerged that police did not question the mother of one of the alleged victims because she claimed she would take her own life if officers approached her after being quizzed by Harris's private investigators.

Yesterday Judge Taylor cleared Harris of molesting a 14-year-old girl at the Lyceum Theatre in London on July 10, 1971, assaulting a 16-year-old during ITV's Star Games in 1978, and grabbing the breast of the 13-year-old after children's show Saturday Superstore.

In a statement, Harris said: 'I feel no sense of victory, only relief. I'm 87 years old, my wife is in ill-health and we simply want to spend our remaining time together in peace.'
He was a cocaine-snorting killer who practised black magic with vats of blood and animal entrails, boasted of having a witch on his staff and a portrait of Adolf Hitler on his wall.

These were the breathless claims made by the U.S. government when it invaded Panama in 1989 and dethroned its fearsome dictator, General Manuel Noriega, blasting him out of his sanctuary in the Vatican embassy after ten days of exposure to ear-splitting heavy metal music.

What Washington conveniently omitted to add was that the brutal ruler had also been a CIA agent for decades, even as he made hundreds of millions of dollars helping drug traffickers flood the U.S. with cocaine and marijuana.

General Manuel Noriega (pictured), the former military dictator of Panama, has died aged 83

America has backed some deeply unsavoury types in its long war against communism, but few came more vicious and depraved than Noriega, who has died aged 83. Given his penchant for leaving opponents headless in jungle clearings, it was very much a deal with the devil.

His passing on Monday night  in a Panama City hospital following a botched brain tumour operation  ends an episode in the history of CIA meddling that it would love the world to forget.

As a U.S. Senate investigation later ruled on what it called one of the nation's 'most serious foreign policy failures', Noriega was allowed, with American connivance, to establish the Western hemisphere's first 'narcokleptocracy'  a government that revolved around illegal drug dealing and corruption.

Pineapple Face, as Noriega was nicknamed due to his heavily pockmarked skin (although he preferred the moniker 'Maximum Leader'), was a wily political operator who ran the tiny Central American state from 1983 to 1990.

Its possession of the Panama Canal, proximity to left-wing regimes such as Nicaragua and Cuba, and position on the cocaine trafficking route up from Colombia, meant the U.S. was desperately keen to have a friendly face in power.

But as with Saddam Hussein, with whom he is often compared, America's friendship with Noriega became increasingly fraught as he became first an embarrassment and finally a threat so serious he had to be removed by force.

Noriega, who made millions helping drug traffickers flood the US with drugs, suffered brain hemorrhage after surgery to remove a tumour in March. Pictured: Noriega in January after release from prison

Noriega, who reportedly wore red Y-fronts to 'ward off the evil eye' and kept a collection of teddy bears dressed as paratroopers, lived the life of a debauched drug king.

The cocaine-fuelled parties in his mansions were legendary, with various mistresses and prostitutes on tap  even as he posed as a crucial ally in Washington's war on drugs.

He pulled off the same feat in America's other great battle in Latin America against communism.

Noriega kept a collection of teddy bears dressed as paratroopers

While providing the U.S. with secrets about Cuba, he sold its leader Fidel Castro thousands of Panamanian passports at $5,000 each for use by Cuban and possibly Soviet bloc agents. He tortured and murdered political opponents with abandon. Against ordinary Panamanians who dared to protest, he unleashed his feared anti-riot thugs the 'Dobermans', and his paramilitary 'Dignity Battalions', who mercilessly attacked peaceful demonstrators with clubs, rubber hoses and, later, even sniper rifles.

Noriega, of mixed European descent, was born in a Panama City slum in 1934, but excelled at school. He wanted to be a psychiatrist but, failing to get into medical school, opted for a career in Panama's National Guard. He was recruited as a CIA agent while at a military academy in Peru in 1967.

The following year, a military coup in Panama provided him with the opportunity for advancement and he became intelligence chief for the country's military dictator, General Omar Torrijos.

When Torrijos died in a mysterious plane crash in 1981  an 'accident' for which many blame Noriega  he appointed himself general and, within two years, was de facto ruler.

Noriega was a cocaine-snorting killer who practised black magic with vats of blood and animal entrails, the US government claimed as it invaded Panama and dethroned Noriega in 1989

Calling himself El Man, he'd already earned a reputation for using brutal tactics against opponents, a fact he reinforced by turning up for political speeches brandishing a machete.

The grisly fate of Hugo Spadafora, an outspoken critic of Noriega, showed how far he would go.

In 1985, Dr Spadafora was dragged from a bus on the Costa Rican border by a Noriega death squad. His mutilated, tortured and decapitated body was later found in a U.S. mail bag. Other political enemies were dropped from helicopters.

Noriega wanted power, but above all he wanted money. Just as he was forging stronger links with the U.S., he was doing the same with Colombian drug cartels. He became a key agent for the notorious Medellin Cartel, dominated by drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Noriega biographers estimate he earned at least $772 million from drugs  allowing Colombian traffickers to use Panama as a stopover for cocaine and marijuana shipments to the U.S.

American narcotics agents became increasingly alarmed but Washington didn't want to hear. He was viewed as an asset.

In 1986 Noriega met White House aide Colonel Oliver North at a London hotel during the infamous Iran-Contra scandal, the secret U.S. operation to fund the right-wing Contra rebels in Nicaragua with the proceeds of illegal arms sales to Iran.

The United States also claimed that Noriega boasted of having a witch on his staff and a portrait of Adolf Hitler on his wall

The U.S. Congress had banned funding of the Contras but Noriega offered to assassinate leaders of Nicaragua's left-wing Sandinista government or commit acts of sabotage there.

The White House never took him up on these chilling offers, but it did use Panama as a listening post and a channel for money and weapons for the Contras.

Noriega, who drank heavily and relied on stimulants such as amphetamines, revelled in his terrifying reputation. He rarely denied accusations he was a murderer, rapist and torturer although, comically, he was sensitive about people mentioning his bad skin, the result of teenage acne.

In 1989, he put down a military coup attempt and allegedly shot dead its leader himself in front of witnesses.

By then, however, America's tolerance for his behaviour was running out, especially as he was boasting he had President George H.W. Bush 'by the cojones' over 'intelligence secrets'.

In December 1989, Bush ordered 27,000 U.S. troops to go in and depose him. In the biggest U.S.military operation since the Vietnam War, the invaders took control. Troops who stormed his fortress home  a Spanish Colonial-style house in Panama City  were astonished by what they found.

A first-floor room had been turned into a huge armoury of rifles, pistols and machine guns. Noriega even had a James Bond-style attache case fitted with a sub-machine gun, a hole cut for its barrel and a trigger in the handle.

What Washington conveniently omitted to add was that the brutal ruler had also been a CIA agent for decades

In his office, a bust of Napoleon sat next to his military graduation photo and the teddy bears.

Drinks coasters depicted classical Greek erotic scenes, his out tray was full of pornography and on the wall was a picture of the Fuhrer. Four pounds of cocaine was found in a safe and another 100lb in his office.

Sceptics later dismissed accusations of black magic as a bid to discredit Noriega. But the Creole stock from which he came widely believed in voodoo and he never denied the rumours.

Troops and reporters found a diary detailing visits by two Brazilian witches who would fly in (by plane) to perform black magic.

Cow tongues with nails driven through them, which, it was claimed, were used in black magic rituals, were also found.

Adjoining Noriega's bedroom was another odd touch  a chapel with implements for Catholic mass, and a priest's robes.

In the bathroom of another house, officials reported finding a bucket of dried animal blood and entrails  voodoo accessories.

By then Noriega had taken refuge in the Vatican embassy and on Christmas Day 1989 his brutal reign ended on a note of farce when he became the first victim of a new brand of U.S. Army psychological warfare.

Pineapple Face, as Noriega was nicknamed due to his heavily pockmarked skin, was a wily political operator who ran the tiny Central American state from 1983 to 1990

In Operation Nifty Package, armoured cars mounted with giant speakers blasted the embassy with round-the-clock, hard rock and heavy metal songs. The titles said it all: Nowhere To Run, Wanted Dead Or Alive, No Alibis, Prisoner Of Rock And Roll. Noriega, an opera lover, gave himself up on January 3, 1990 and was flown in chains to Florida.

After becoming the first foreign ruler to be tried in the U.S., he was jailed for 40 years for drug-trafficking, money-laundering and racketeering. He had stayed behind bars ever since, being extradited to Panama and reportedly becoming a born again Christian. His last few years were spent in a wheelchair.

Noriega had three daughters with his late wife Felicidad, and yesterday, Panama's president, Juan Carlos Varela, said they 'deserve to bury him in peace'. That was an honour he rarely accorded his enemies.
Labour has drawn up secret plans to throw open Britains doors to thousands of unskilled migrants after Brexit.

An internal policy document leaked to the Daily Mail reveals the party is considering introducing a visa for migrants seeking low-skilled, unskilled or seasonal work.

The document, drawn up this month by Jeremy Corbyns domestic policy adviser, Lachlan Stuart, also proposes axing rules which limit foreign spouses living here unless they can show they will not be a burden on the taxpayer.

The document, drawn up by Jeremy Corbyns domestic policy adviser, reveals the party is considering introducing a visa for migrants seeking low-skilled, unskilled or seasonal work

Labours manifesto made no mention of a plan to allow in more unskilled migrants. Mr Corbyn has repeatedly refused to say whether he thinks immigration levels are too high. It came on a day of chaos for Labour in which:

Mr Corbyn suffered another car-crash interview on the BBCs Womans Hour show in which he was unable to say how much his flagship childcare policy would cost;

The Labour leader was forced to apologise after his supporters bombarded presenter Emma Barnett with vile anti-Semitic abuse, on the day he was launching the partys policy to tackle anti-Semitism;

Mr Corbyn was branded a huge disappointment by users of the Mumsnet website after he cut short an election chat with mothers;

Labours shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry faced mockery after suggesting British farmers could not increase exports to Australia after Brexit because the food would go off.

Labours manifesto promises fair rules and reasonable management of immigration, but gives few details on the type of regime it would operate after Brexit.

Mr Corbyn, who has always opposed a cap on migration, said on Monday that immigration would probably come down under Labour, but added: Dont hold me to that.

Emma Barnett, pictured with Jeremy Corbyn, was targeted by vile trolls after skewering the Labour leader over his childcare policies in a Woman's Hour interview

The BBC reporter, pictured on television, was compared to a pig and branded a Zionist online

The leaked policy document suggests Labours plans could add tens of thousands every year to net migration, and will cause alarm in working-class Labour constituencies which voted for Brexit.

The document says Labour would also relax rules on handling asylum claims if it wins power.

The party last night confirmed the document was genuine but insisted it was only one of several discussion documents and was not yet official policy.

But the document appears to set out a detailed blueprint that Labour will pursue if Mr Corbyn wins power next week.

It reveals that Labour would open tier 3 of the immigration system to new applicants for the first time. This route into Britain, which was one of the five original tiers created by Labour in 2008, was never used because of the huge influx of migrants from Eastern Europe.

Tier 1 visas are for entrepreneurs and business investors, tier 2 for skilled migrants sponsored by UK businesses, tier 4 is student visas and tier 5 offers temporary visas for young people aged 18 to 30. All four are operating.

In March 2013, David Cameron announced tier 3 would be shut down completely in a speech in which he questioned why it was even created.

There was even, extraordinarily, a tier specifically created for those with no skills at all. Now why would you want to create such a tier? he said.

Jeremy Corbyn, pictured at the race and faith manifesto launch in Watford, has repeatedly refused to say whether he thinks immigration levels are too high

But in Labours policy document, a senior official writes: We envisage a requirement to make continued use of the current five-tiered tiered visa system, including the currently unused tier applicable to those seeking low-skilled, unskilled or seasonal work.

The document also proposes scrapping the means test which limits some family migration.

Anyone wanting to bring in a spouse or partner from non-EU countries has to meet a before-tax income requirement of 18,600.

Introduced by Theresa May when she was Home Secretary, it was designed to stop wives or husbands becoming a burden on the State.

The Tories have pledged to increase the minimum amount, but scrapping it entirely could  according to official figures  add between 14,000 and 18,000 a year to migrant numbers.

The basis of Mr Corbyns post-Brexit immigration policy is a green card system. Anyone who successfully applied would have permanent residency rights.

Jeremy Corbyn appeared on the BBC's One Show tonight in a bid to allow voters to get to know him better

All EU citizens living here would be granted a card and applications would be open to anyone with family connections, a job offer, relevant skills for employment and refugee or asylum status.

Mr Corbyns advisers admit the proposal would require five entirely new IT systems.

On asylum, the document says: We would overhaul our discredited current system in order to uphold our obligations to those fleeing war and persecution. Immigration is driven more by economic requirements of both migrant and host far more than it is regulated by systems of permit control. The numbers might go up or down but not as a consequence of these changes. We are not setting false, misleading, divisive targets.

A Labour spokesman said: After Britain leaves the EU, free movement of labour will come to an end. Labour will introduce fair rules and managed migration, based on the needs of our economy.

A number of discussion papers have been produced. This is part of one such document. It is not a statement of Labour policy, which is set out in our manifesto.
Jeremy Corbyn told BBC1's The One Show last night that as a toddler he was always trying to get out of his pram.

He also confessed he was not much good at school work  bombing his A-levels with two E grades.

After the day he had yesterday, his spin doctors might observe that little has changed.

Mr Corbyn submitted himself to the One Show interrogation, just as Theresa May and her husband Philip did a few weeks ago. The One Show is most certainly not about policy and costings of proposed government programmes. Just as well!

Jeremy Corbyn told BBC1's The One Show last night that as a toddler (pictured) he was always trying to get out of his pram

The youthful Corbyn (pictured left and right, as a teenager) was a rangy lad, prone to spots perhaps. Is that why he took up a beard?

For when it came to facts and figures, Mr Corbyn was yesterday infused with the spirit of hapless duo Laurel and Hardy, or maybe TV politics comedy The Thick Of It.

We did get to see some old photographs of Jeremy in his pram, with his grandfather and brothers, with his parents and as a student aid worker in Jamaica, where he was a keen photographer. But the camera had a light leak in it, he said. Rather like Labour's manifesto did.

The youthful Corbyn was a rangy lad, prone to spots perhaps. Is that why he took up a beard? The impression we gained was of a child of privilege  privately schooled, not under pressure to earn at home, though he did a paper round.

The programme ended with a section about his great hobby  manhole covers. A television first.

But what a day. From the moment Mr Corbyn woke up  had he perhaps risked a few pints of Guinness on Monday night after just about surviving his TV debate with Jeremy Paxman?  it went from prang to snapped-elastic twang.

Yes, the Corbyn day brought moments of wonderful farce. In some ways he is so hopeless he cheers us up. But it is terrifying to think this clown might soon be our PM.

Mr Corbyn submitted himself to the One Show interrogation, just as Theresa May and her husband Philip did a few weeks ago

Things started calamitously when he went on Radio 4's Woman's Hour to discuss Labour's proposals for childcare. Presenter Emma Barnett asked him if he could tell her how much it would cost. 'I presume you have the figures,' she said.

Corbyn, blustering: 'Yes I do!'

Pause.

'Ermmmmmmmm.' Cue frantic scrabbling for some statistics on his iPad. Phone. Notepad. Anything!

Ms Barnett, with the air of a disappointed tutor: 'Is this not exactly the issue with people and the Labour Party  that we cannot trust you with our money?'

Meanwhile, from outside the studio you could surely hear the sound of spin doctors, as in The Thick Of it, beating their heads with their briefcases, kicking the walls, and swearing like sergeant majors.

Here was Labour's big policy of the day and Corbyn did not know the costs. Billions, schmillions. Who cares? It's only public money.

From the moment Mr Corbyn woke up yesterday morning, it went from prang to snapped-elastic twang

Off Mr Corbyn staggered to Mumsnet, the website for middle-class, social-activist mothers which is the Guardianistas' answer to Good Housekeeping. He arrived late. Never a good idea with Mumsnet types.

The launch of Labour's 'race and faith manifesto' in Watford was also a bit of a disaster because by this point hard-Left Labour online loonies were dishing out disgraceful, anti-semitic abuse to Emma Barnett. Mr Corbyn tried to apologise for this. Too late, really.

And who should be the front man at the race and faith event? Why, that fine, upstanding man of the cloth, er, Keith Vaz, the sleazemeister who was caught with his trousers (or were they another chap's?) round his ankles last year amid allegations of drugs and prostitution. You may recall that Mr Vaz claimed to be a washing-machine salesman called Jim.

Just to help matters along, Labour frontbencher Barry Gardiner had a row on daytime telly's Daily Politics, saying that questions about Labour's benefits spending plans were 'nitpicking'.

And then Emily Thornberry, Labour's answer to Hattie Jacques  she's the multi-millionaire lawyer who is really called Lady Nugee  offered the nation her thoughts on post-Brexit food exports to the antipodes. There was no point exporting British food to Australia, quoth her ladyship, because 'it will go off'.

Does she think fresh produce is still transported in the cargo-holds of unrefrigerated, coal-powered ocean steamers?
Britain can no longer deploy a division overseas as it did during the Iraq War because of a 'gutting' of its military capabilities, a damning US report has warned.

Defence chiefs will struggle to sustain much more than a brigade  around 6,500 troops  in a future war because of a significant slashing in the number of troops, it says.

The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) said London will also face 'severe constraints' on its ability to engage in air warfare overseas.

Those constraints have 'already been felt' in the campaign against Islamic State, to which the UK has only been able to make a 'very modest contribution', it says.

Stretched: UK defence chiefs will struggle to sustain much more than a brigade  around 6,500 troops  in a future war because of a slashing in the number of troops, a Washington-based think tank says. Pictured: Scottish Desert Rats platoon soldiers in Basra, Iraq, in 2003

The report, from a Washington-based think-tank, will infuriate ministers who have repeatedly emphasised the significant role the UK has played in the defeat of IS.

American experts found America's closest and most powerful allies had all seen their military power 'erode substantially in the past two decades'.

The report, 'Dealing with allies in decline', says: 'America's most important NATO allies have been gutting their military capabilities over the past quarter century.

'Indeed, the decline of UK military capabilities offers a particularly stark national example of the overall European trend.'

The authors note that how, during the 1990s and early 2000s, the UK was by far the most important US partner in conflicts, such as the Persian Gulf War to the Iraq War.

'Modest': The UK's constraints have 'already been felt' in the campaign against Islamic State, to which it has only been able to make a 'very modest contribution', the report says. Pictured: Scottish Desert Rats platoon soldiers inspect a car in Basra, Iraq, 2003

British forces peaked at 46,000 during the invasion phase and then fell away year on year to 4,100 in May 2009 when the UK formally withdrew from Iraq.

There are currently just 78,407 regular soldiers in the Army, down from 102,000 in 2010.

A division is typically between 25,000 and 50,000 troops, comprising of several brigades.

But the report warns: 'Significant reductions in mechanized capabilities and Army end strength mean that for the next several years, the United Kingdom will probably be able to deploy and sustain no more than a brigade (around 6,500 troops) in overseas combat missions.'

It quotes another study which states it would now be 'impossible' to 'field and sustain division-sized mechanised units with multiple fighter-bomber squadrons for support' like the UK did in 2003,

Disagreement: Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has said 'Britain is playing a leading role, through our airstrikes, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and our training'

The report, published this month, also criticises the strength of the Royal Navy, saying it is still unclear whether there will be enough jets to fly off Britain's new aircraft carriers.

On the RAF, it adds: 'Moreover, with 'much of the RAF's airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilityon track to being demobilized,' and with RAF combat forces shrinking to the size of roughly five US, Air Force squadrons, London will face severe constraints on its ability to engage in sustained air operations overseas.

'Those constraintscombined with declining political will to use force overseas have already been felt in the ongoing counter-ISIS air campaign, to which the United Kingdom (like many NATO allies) has only been able to make a very modest contribution.'

The report will infuriate ministers who have repeatedly emphasised the significant role the UK has played in the defeat of Islamic State. Pictured: Displaced Iraqis flee their homes as Iraqi forces battle with Islamic State militants, in western Mosul, Iraq

This erosion in military power of America's allies in contrast to Russia's build-up of forces means the US will struggle to defend its 'overmatched' allies.

America's traditional responsibility as guarantor of stability and security in Europe and East Asia is becoming 'more difficult to uphold', the report warns.

It says: 'In the event conflict occurs, the United States will face even greater challenges in defending its increasingly overmatched allies in these regions.'

The Conservative manifesto pledges to 'maintain the overall size of the armed forces, including an army that is capable of fielding a war-fighting division'.

An MoD spokesman said: 'The Army, in line with the Strategic Defence and Security Review of 2015, is ready and capable of deploying a potent, large scale, war fighting force at divisional level with sufficient notice.'

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has said 'Britain is playing a leading role, through our airstrikes, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and our training'.
Our brains are notoriously untrustworthy, often inventing memories and relying on biases to fill in gaps in our understanding.

One of these gaps is in our field of vision, which has blind spots that the brain fills in with made-up information.

A number of optical illusions take advantage of this phenomenon, tricking our brains by placing shapes directly in our blind spots.

Now a new study has found that our brains prefer this 'fake vision' to the real thing, suggesting we should be less trusting of our senses, one expert claims.

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This 'blind spot' optical illusion shows how our eyes fill in gaps in information. The trick presents a series of crisscrossed lines with black dots at the corners. However, your brain doesnt allow you to see all of the 12 dots at the same time because it assumes most are grey

HUMAN BLIND SPOTS The blind spot in human vision is the result of a patch at the back of each eye that lacks light-sensitive cells. This gap is where neurons leave the eye and head toward the brain to pass on visual signals. We normally don't notice these blind spots because each eye can fill in for the other. When part of our vision in one is is obstructed, the brain invents what is in the missing area by assuming whatever is in the regions around the spot continues inwards. But the new study suggests that, even though our brain knows this information is invented, it prefers it to our normal visions. Advertisement

The brain favours these invented images even though they are 'mostly unreliable', the researchers claim.

The study, from the University of Osnabruck, Germany, reveals that when choosing between two identical visual objects - one generated internally based on information from the blind spot and an external one - we are surprisingly likely to show a bias toward the internal information.

If the brain harbours this preference in other ways, it suggests we should be less trusting of our senses, Dr Christoph Teufel of Cardiff University, who wasn't involved in the study, told New Scientist.

'Perception is not providing us with a [true] representation of the world,' he says. 'It is contaminated by what we already know.'

To make sense of the world, humans and animals need to combine information from multiple sources.

This is usually done according to how reliable each piece of information is - for example, to know when to cross the street, we usually rely more on what we see than what we hear - but this can change on a foggy day.

This is proven by the 'blind spot' optical illusion that shows how our eyes fill in gaps in information.

The trick presents a series of crisscrossed lines with black dots at the corners.

However, your brain doesnt allow you to see all of the 12 dots at the same time because it assumes most are grey

'In such situations with the blind spot, the brain "fills in" the missing information from its surroundings, resulting in no apparent difference in what we see,' said study coauthor Professor Peter Konig.

'While this fill-in is normally accurate enough, it is mostly unreliable because no actual information from the real world ever reaches the brain.

'We wanted to find out if we typically handle this filled-in information differently to real, direct sensory information, or whether we treat it as equal.'

If you close your left eye, stare at this cross hair with your right eye and slowly move your head towards and away from the screen, the dot disappears. This is because the dot enters a blind spot and your brain assumes it is a continuation of the white background

OPTICAL ILLUSIONS Optical illusions arrange a series of patterns, images and colors or play with the way an object is lit in order to trick our brains into thinking something is there  when it is not. When light hits our retina, it takes about one-tenth of a second for our brain to translate that signal into perception, reports Discovery News. Evolutionary neurobiologist Mark Changizi says this neural delay makes our brains generate images of what it thinks the world will look like in one-tenth of a second. Advertisement

To do this, Professor Konig and his team asked study participants to choose between two striped visual images displayed to them using shutter glasses.

Each image was displayed either partially inside or completely outside the visual blind spot.

Both were perceived as identical and 'continuous' due to the filling-in effect, and participants were asked to select the image they thought was real.

'We thought people would either make their choice without preference, or with a preference towards the real stimulus, but exactly the opposite happened - there was in fact a strong bias towards the filled-in stimulus inside the blind spot,' said study lead author Mr Benedikt Ehinger.

The study asked subjects to choose between two striped visual images, one 'real' (right) and one inset in the blind spot (left), displayed using shutter glasses. Surprisingly, participants mostly chose the stimulus inside the blind-spot as the 'real' continuous image

The striped stimuli used in the study. The left image is the 'fake' stimulus, which was made to look like the 'real' one (right) using a blind spot in the human vision. When positioned in the blind spot, participants' brains filled in the left image to make it look like the right one

'Additionally, in an explorative analysis of how long the participants took to make their choice, we saw that they were slightly quicker to choose this stimulus than the one outside the blind spot.'

The team says that understanding how we integrate information from different sources with different reliabilities can inform us of the mechanisms used by the brain to make decisions based on our perceptions.

'By finding out how implied stimuli are compared to real ones, we can better understand how other internal sources of information are weighted against external, real information,' Professor Konig said.

The blind spot in human vision is the result of a patch at the back of each eye that lacks light-sensitive cells.

This gap is where neurons leave the eye and head toward the brain to pass on visual signals.

We normally don't notice these blind spots because each eye can fill in for the other.

When part of our vision in one is is obstructed, the brain invents what is in the missing area by assuming whatever is in the regions around the spot continues inwards.

But the new study suggests that, even though our brain knows this information is invented, it prefers it to our normal visions.
Security experts have warned of a major Android malware scam on Google's Play Store.

Dubbed malware, its uses apps believed to have been downloaded up to 18 million times to infect devices.

Once installed on a phone, the apps generate large amounts of fraudulent clicks on advertisements, generating revenues for the perpetrators behind it.

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The malware, dubbed 'Judy', is an auto-clicking adware which was found on 41 apps developed by a Korean company. Pictured, one of the affected apps

HOW IT WORKS The malware, dubbed 'Judy', is an auto-clicking adware which was found on 41 apps developed by a Korean company. The malware uses infected devices to generate large amounts of fraudulent clicks on advertisements, generating revenues for the perpetrators behind it. Advertisement

'The malicious apps reached an astonishing spread between 4.5 million and 18.5 million downloads,' said Check Point, the security firm that discovered the malware.

The malware, dubbed 'Judy', is an auto-clicking adware which was found on 41 apps developed by a Korean company.

The companys name is Kiniwini, and it also appears on the Google Play Store as ENISTUDIO corp, say the researchers.

The malware uses infected devices to generate large amounts of fraudulent clicks on advertisements, generating revenues for the perpetrators behind it.

The malicious apps reached an astonishing spread between 4.5 million and 18.5 million downloads.

THE AFFECTED APPS REVEALED Fashion Judy: Wedding day Fashion Judy: Waitress style Chef Judy: Character Lunch Chef Judy: Picnic Lunch Maker Animal Judy: Rudolph care Judys Hospital: Pediatrics Fashion Judy: Country style Animal Judy: Feral Cat care Fashion Judy: Twice Style Fashion Judy: Myth Style Animal Judy: Fennec Fox care Animal Judy: Dog care Fashion Judy: Couple Style Animal Judy: Cat care Fashion Judy: Halloween style Fashion Judy: EXO Style Chef Judy: Dalgona Maker Chef Judy: ServiceStation Food Judys Spa Salon Chef Judy: Hotdog Maker  Cook Chef Judy: Birthday Food Maker Fashion Judy: Snow Queen style Animal Judy: Persian cat care Fashion Judy: Pretty rapper Fashion Judy: Teacher style Animal Judy: Dragon care Chef Judy: Halloween Cookies Fashion Judy: Wedding Party Animal Judy: Teddy Bear care Fashion Judy: Bunny Girl Style Fashion Judy: Frozen Princess Chef Judy: Triangular Kimbap Chef Judy: Udong Maker  Cook Fashion Judy: Uniform style Animal Judy: Rabbit care Fashion Judy: Vampire style Animal Judy: Nine-Tailed Fox Chef Judy: Jelly Maker  Cook Chef Judy: Chicken Maker Animal Judy: Sea otter care Animal Judy: Elephant care Judys Happy House Advertisement

'Some of the apps we discovered resided on Google Play for several years, but all were recently updated,' the team said.

It is unclear how long the malicious code existed inside the apps, hence the actual spread of the malware remains unknown.

Other developers are believed to have used the same code to crete their own versions of the exploit.

'We also found several apps containing the malware, which were developed by other developers on Google Play.

'The connection between the two campaigns remains unclear, and it is possible that one borrowed code from the other, knowingly or unknowingly.'

It is unclear how long the malicious code existed inside the apps, meaning the true spread of the malware remains unknown

The oldest app of the second campaign was last updated in April 2016, meaning that the malicious code hid for a long time on the Play store undetected.

These apps also had a large amount of downloads between 4 and 18 million, meaning the total spread of the malware may have reached between 8.5 and 36.5 million users.

After Check Point notified Google about this threat, the apps were swiftly removed from the Play store.
Ice Age Europeans trekked thousands of miles from their birthplace to become immigrants in faraway empires, new research has revealed.

Researchers studying the DNA of men and women from the Ice Age found that more than half were buried hundreds of miles away from their place of birth.

And around one in five Ice Age dwellers migrated up to 3,175km (1,973 miles) in their lifetime, which is roughly the distance from London to Egypt.

Archaeological data suggests prehistoric populations moved around the globe to join faraway affluent empires, according to researchers.

Ice Age Europeans trekked thousands of miles from their birthplace to become immigrants in faraway empires in Hamburg, Berlin and Budapest, new research has revealed

THE GEOGRAPHIC POPULATION STRUCTURE TOOL Researchers used a recently-developed technology called the Geographic Population Structure (aGPS) tool to find out whereabouts in the world Ice Age Europeans are likely to have originated from. The tool works by analyzing more than 100,000 genetic markers in DNA taken from the remains of Ice Age humans. Genetic markers are genes that are known to be highly distinct from one geographical population to the next. The genetic marker results are compared to a database storing information about the genetic make-up of different countries. When a match is found, scientists can identify what part of the world a person is likely to be from with great precision. In this study, researchers compared this information with the burial place of Ice Age humans. By doing this, they could work out how far each ancient human had travelled from their place of birth in their lifetime. Advertisement

Until recently, assumptions about origins were based on where people were buried, researchers said.

'However, this does not take into account the migrations which we now know took place thousands of years ago,' said Dr Eran Elhaik, assistant professor of Animal and Plant Sciences at the University of Sheffield, who carried out the research.

Using a recently-developed technology, the ancient Geographic Population Structure (aGPS) tool, the researchers were able to find the geographical origins of ancient DNA.

This in turn enabled them to combine hundreds of snapshots from the past into a reconstruction of modern history from 12,000 BC to the modern era.

'This is by far the most comprehensive reconstruction of our genetic history,' Dr Elhaik said.

'Our work reveals the colonisation of Europe, step by step, and answers many questions concerning the origins and migrations of Europeans.'

Researchers studied the DNA of 300 Eurasians and Near-Easterners that lived from the Ice Age to Late Iron Age period.

They found around 50 per cent of those studied had DNA that originated around 200km (124 miles) away from their site of burial.

And 32 per cent of Ice Age Eurasians were buried between 200km (124 miles) and 1000km (1,609 miles) away from their likely birth place.

The remainder of those studied were buried between 1000km and 3,175km (1,973 miles) away from the area that their DNA originated from.

'The migration patterns revealed by our work were remarkably complex and dynamic, and the difficulties in interpreting them correctly are significant,' said Dr Elhaik.

Researchers studying the DNA of men and women from the Ice Age found that more than half were buried hundreds of miles away from their place of birth (stock image of prehistoric skull)

'The challenge for us now is to understand why these migrations took place.

'What caused a particular group of people to make a journey of over 3000km [1,864 miles] at a time when travel was complicated and dangerous?

EVOLUTION OF MAN 55 million years ago - First primitive primates evolve 15 million years ago - Hominidae (great apes) evolve from the ancestors of the gibbon 8 million years ago - First gorillas evolve. Later, chimp and human lineages diverge 5.5 million years ago - Ardipithecus, early proto-human shares traits with chimps and gorillas 4 million years ago - Australopithecines appeared. They had brains no larger than a chimpanzee's 2.8 million years ago - LD 350-1 appeared and may be the first of the Homo family 2.7 million years ago - Paranthropus, lived in woods and had massive jaws for chewing 2.3 million years ago - Homo habalis first thought to have appeared in Africa 1.8 million years ago - Homo ergaster begins to appear in fossil record 1.6 million years ago - Hand axes become the first major technological innovation 800,000 years ago - Early humans control fire and create hearths. Brain size increases rapidly 400,000 years ago - Neanderthals first begin to appear and spread across Europe and Asia 200,000 years ago - Homo sapiens - modern humans - appear in Africa 40,0000 years ago - Modern humans reach Europe Advertisement

'When we combine our results with archaeological and climate data, we can begin to see why.'

He said archaeological data allowed the team to find areas where the land had become exhausted from over-farming.

This may have driven Ice Age settlers to seek greener pastures.

'We can also pinpoint the formation of city states and "biodiversity centres", corresponding to ancient empires that drew immigrants from other countries,' he said.

The results allow the researchers to confirm the theory of the massive migration of populations from the steppes of the Caucasus, which is in Siberia, to Central Europe during the Late Neolithic period (3500 to 2300 BC).

Dr Elhaik said: 'We discovered that Central Europeans were always on the move, continuously mixing with other populations and forming ancient cities in Germany, Denmark and Hungary, for example close to modern-day Hamburg and Berlin, and Budapest.

'In contrast, Near Eastern peoples tended to stay close to home.

'Genetic data can answer many questions that archaeology alone cannot. For example, is a specific decoration indicative of an alien culture, or simply an import?

'These new insights are fascinating, not just in a historical context, but because they provide additional proof of the unlikelihood of a 'day zero' of ethnic homogeneity, except perhaps in a very few isolated places.

'Even if it had existed, there must be practically no-one alive on Earth who could trace all their ancestors to one ethnically homogeneous population.'

The research was presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics on Monday.

Chair of the ESHG conference, Professor Joris Veltman, director of the Institute of Genetic Medicine at Newcastle University, said: 'This fascinating work illustrates the power of modern genetic approaches to study human history and migration.

'The scientists demonstrate that information in ancient DNA samples, even of low quality, can be used to provide a very precise geographical localisation of the origin of a person.'
Our understanding of the universe, based largely on Einstein's theory of general relativity, relies on four fundamental forces: Gravity, electromagnetic, and the strong and weak nuclear forces.

These forces stop planets, molecules and even atoms from tearing themselves apart and are the building blocks for the physical rules of the cosmos.

But in recent decades, whispers of a fifth force of nature have surfaced, and if it exists, it could overthrow everything we know about how the universe works.

Now, researchers have discovered the ultimate way to test whether this fifth force is real, and it involves tracking the stars at the centre of our galaxy.

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The four forces that govern our universe are gravity, electromagnetic, and the strong and weak nuclear forces. Researchers have now discovered the ultimate way to test if an extra, fifth force is real, and it involves a close look of the very centre of our galaxy (artist's impression)

STUDYING THE FIFTH FORCE OF NATURE Holes in Einstein's theory of general relativity suggest that either our understanding of gravity is wrong, or that a fifth force of nature exists. Researchers have now found the ultimate test of this mystery force. They will study the orbits of stars as they pass near the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy. At the centre of the Milky Way, where its supermassive black hole lies, gravity is so strong that signs of a fifth force will be easier to detect. If an extra force is influencing the way the stars move, the team will notice as their direction will shift away from predictions made using the standard model of physics. The team have already begun taking measurements, and will follow the stars over the next two decades. Advertisement

The four forces of nature hold the standard model of physics together, which is what we use to describe the behaviour of particles and matter.

The smaller forces of the four are strong and weak nuclear forces.

While the strong nuclear force holds atomic nuclei together, the weak nuclear force allows the radioactive decay of certain atoms.

At the large-scale end of the four forces sit gravity and electromagnetic forces.

The electromagnetic force binds molecules together, while gravity stops entire planets and galaxies from being torn apart.

But the problem with these four fundamental forces is that, since Einstein's crowning theory surfaced, several holes have been poked in the way we understand gravity.

Gravity is the last of the four forces that humans are yet to figure out how to create and control.

The force doesn't explain everything that it supposedly controls - studies of our universe have shown that there is more gravity in our universe than can be produced by all of its visible matter.

Up until now scientists have explained this gap with a poorly-understood entity called dark matter - though researchers are yet to prove it exists.

Based on a lack of evidence for dark matter, some physicists have controversially suggested that gravity should be removed from the list of fundamental forces.

But others propose that a fifth force of nature might exist that fills the gaps in our understanding.

Researchers have begun tracking the orbits of stars near the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy to try to fill gaps in Einstein's theory of general relativity. This image shows the orbits of two stars, S0-2 and S0-38, located near the Milky Ways supermassive black hole

WHAT ARE SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES? Supermassive black holes are incredibly dense areas in the centre of galaxies with masses that can be billions of times that of the sun. They act as intense sources of gravity which hoover up dust and gas around them. Their intense gravitational pull is thought to be what the stars within galaxies orbit around. How they are formed is still poorly understood. Astronomers believe they may form when a large cloud of gas up to 100,000 times bigger than the sun, collapses into a black hole. Many of these black hole seeds then merge to form much larger supermassive black holes. Alternatively, a supermassive black hole seed could come from a giant star, about 100 times the sun's mass, that ultimately forms into a black hole after it runs out of fuel and collapses. Advertisement

One group of researchers has proposed the ultimate test for the theory of a fifth force, and it involves tracking stars at the centre of our galaxy.

They have already begun taking measurements, and will follow the stars over the next two decades to reach a definitive conclusion on gravity and the 'fifth force'.

'Einstein's theory describes [gravity] beautifully well, but there's lots of evidence showing the theory has holes,' said team member Professor Andrea Ghez, director of the University of California, Los Angeles, Galactic Centre Group.

'The mere existence of supermassive black holes tells us that our current theories of how the universe works are inadequate to explain what a black hole is.'

At the centre of our galaxy, where its supermassive black hole lies, the influence of gravity is so strong that signs of a fifth force will be easier to detect, she said.

The team used some of the most detailed images of the centre of the Milky Way ever taken - captured by the Keck Observatory in Hawaii.

They will track the orbits of stars close to the galaxy's supermassive black hole to measure the direct influence of gravity on the movement of the stellar objects.

Scientists are looking for deviations to Albert Einstein's theory of general relatively to prove that a fifth fundamental force does exist

If a fifth force is influencing the way the stars move, the team will notice as their direction will shift away from predictions made using the standard model of physics.

'This is really exciting. Our work on studying stars at the centre of our galaxy is opening up a new method of looking at how gravity works,' said Professor Ghez.

'By watching the stars move over 20 years using very precise measurements taken from Keck Observatory data, you can see and put constraints on how gravity works.'

'If gravitation is driven by something other than Einstein's theory of General Relativity, you'll see small variations in the orbital paths of the stars.'

This is the first time the fifth force theory has been tested in a strong gravitational field.

Historically, measurements of our solar system's gravity created by our sun have been used to try and detect the fifth force, but that has proven difficult because its gravitational field is relatively weak.

'It's exciting that we can do this because we can ask a very fundamental question  how does gravity work?' said Professor Ghez.

Professor Ghez and her UCLA team are now looking forward to summer of 2018.

That is when a star called S0-2 will be at its closest distance to our galaxy's supermassive black hole, and will be pulled in at maximum gravitational strength.

This will be a point where any deviations to Einstein's theory is expected to be the greatest, giving the strongest test yet of whether the fifth force of nature exists.
Evidence of the mighty brain power of the octopus has been captured on film after one of the creatures made off with a fisherman's haul.

The footage was shot by a BBC camera crew working on the program Super Smart Animals.

It shows the moment a huge octopus steals a crab caught up in a trap before making a daring escape.

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OCTOPUS THIEF The Giant Pacific Octopus has a huge amount of brain matter, two thirds of which are located in its tentacles. It uses this intelligence to poach crabs, sneaking into traps laid by fishermen. In BBC footage, shot for the program Super Smart Animals, one of the creatures is seen creeping into a crab trap in waters near Vancouver, Canada. It can be seen smothering and consuming its prey, before beating a hasty retreat, leaving only an empty shell in its wake. Advertisement

The Giant Pacific Octopus has a huge amount of brain matter, two thirds of which are located in its tentacles.

It uses this intelligence to poach crabs, sneaking into traps laid by fishermen.

Its intelligence allows it to figure out a way in and then out of the trap.

In the BBC's footage, one of the creatures is seen creeping into a trap laid in waters near Vancouver, Canada.

It can be seen smothering and consuming its prey, before beating a hasty retreat, leaving only an empty shell in its wake.

This is just one example of the incredible intelligence of these invertebrates, which scientists are discovering is far more advanced than we first thought.

Octopuses are believed to be highly intelligent, more so than any other kind of invertebrate, but their learning capability is still much debated among biologists.

One scientist, speaking to Max Knoblauch from Pacific Standard, suggests that the creatures intelligence could evolve much further with time.

Cephalopods clearly manipulate objects, they clearly use tools, Dr Russell Burke from Hofstra University in New York told the magazine.

They dont build things, aside from shelters, but its certainly imaginable that given the time, given some other factors, those kinds of things could happen.

Footage shot by a BBC camera crew has captured the brainpower of the Giant Pacific Octopus (pictured) which has a huge amount of brain matter, two thirds of which are located in its tentacles

Octopuses have been known to break out of aquariums and into others in search of food.

In April 2016, Inky the octopus escaped from the National Aquarium of New Zealand after the lid to its tank was left open.

The invertebrate made the most of the opportunity by crawling out of its enclosure and across the room to a drain, which it used to reach the ocean.

Octopuses use their intelligence to poach crabs, by sneaking into traps laid by fishermen (pictured) to feast on the crabs inside

As well as crabs caught in traps (pictured) octopuses have even boarded fishing boats and opened holds to eat crabs stored inside

Octopuses have even boarded fishing boats and opened holds to eat crabs stored inside.

They are the only invertebrate which has been shown to use tools, with some species retrieving discarded coconut shells and reassembling them to use as shelter.

In laboratory experiments they can be readily trained to distinguish between different shapes and patterns.

In BBC footage, shot for the program Super Smart Animals, a Giant Pacific Octopus is seen creeping into a crab trap (pictured) in waters near Vancouver, Canada

The invertebrate can be seen smothering and consuming its prey (pictured), before beating a hasty retreat

Octopuses are believed to be highly intelligent, more so than any other kind of invertebrate. All that is left in its wake is an empty shell (pictured)

In several widely contested studies, they have even been shown to practise observational learning.

In some countries, octopuses are on the list of experimental animals on which surgery may not be performed without anaesthesia.

British animal testing laws regard them as 'honorary vertebrates', extending them protections not afforded to other invertebrates.


Microbes that can eat plastic may be helping to break down the alarming amount of synthetic waste in our oceans, research suggests.

Plastic waste from household and industrial rubbish is being dumped into the ocean at a rate of one truckload per minute.

But despite this, there is only a hundredth as much plastic floating around in the sea as expected, scientists have found.

Now a study has suggested this mismatch could be explained by a boom in numbers of marine microbes that have the ability to digest plastic.

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Microbes that can eat plastic may be helping to break down the alarming amount of synthetic waste in our oceans, research suggests (stock image)

THERE WILL BE MORE PLASTIC THAN FISH IN THE SEA BY 2050 The amount of plastic rubbish in the world's oceans will outweigh fish by 2050 unless the world takes drastic action to further recycle, a report released in 2016 revealed. Researchers warned eight million tonnes of plastics currently find their way into the ocean every year - the equivalent of one truckload every minute. At current rates, this will worsen to four truckloads per minute in 2050 and outstrip native life to become the largest mass inhabiting the oceans. An overwhelming 95 per cent of plastic packaging - worth 65 - 92billion - is lost to the economy after a single use, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation report stated. And available research estimates that there are more than 150 million tonnes of plastics in the ocean today. Advertisement

Plastic production is continuing to rise, which means more synthetic waste should be entering the oceans.

But water surveys of areas where plastic waste washes up have found that less rubbish is accumulating than expected, according to New Scientist.

One such area is the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre located in the Atlantic Ocean, a region surrounded by strong ocean currents.

The currents create spinning vortexes and once plastic floats into the area it cannot escape and so rubbish quickly accumulates over time.

But even here, researchers are recording a tenth to a hundredth less plastic rubbish than expected.

'The trend should be there,' Richard Sole, a researcher at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona who led the new study, told New Scientist.

His team used mathematical modelling to prove that physical processes, such as the churning of the ocean, aren't enough to break down plastic waste.

Plastic waste from household and industrial rubbish is being dumped into the ocean at a rate of one truckload per minute (stock image)

Instead, they suggest, a boom in the numbers of bacteria with ability to digest plastic could explain why there is so much 'missing plastic'.

'A paradoxical observation is the lack of a trend in plastic accumulation found in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, despite the rapid increase in plastic production and disposal,' the scientists said in a research paper.

'In this paper we show, using mathematical and computer models, that this observation could be explained by the nonlinear coupling between plastic (as a resource) and an evolved set of organisms (the consumers) capable of degrading it.

But a rise in plastic-eating bacteria may not necessarily be good news for marine wildlife.

It's possible that microbes could be breaking large bits of plastic into microscopic pieces, which may have a more harmful overall impact.

This is because marine animals are more likely to swallow tiny pieces of plastic, and as these particles can accumulate and the body tissue and cause poisoning.

'To really tackle the plastic problem, we need to stop it getting into the oceans in the first place,' Dr Cole added.
You could soon fold a mountain of clean laundry without lifting a finger.

A Japanese firm has combined its $16,500 fully automatic laundry folding robot with a desk lamp that responds to voice controls.

Since Lumigent lights up automatically when spoken to, the integration will enable the lamp to command the basic Laundroid operations.

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A Japanese firm has combined its $16,500 fully automatic laundry folding robot (pictured) with a desk lamp that responds to voice controls

HOW DOES IT WORK? Users simply load the machine with clean dry clothes and the robot arm inside will do the rest. Prior to the latest announcement, the machine operated via an app or control buttons on the device. However, by Seven Dreamers combining its $16,500 fully automatic laundry folding robot with a desk lamp that responds to voice controls, users simple tell the lamp what they want done to their laundry. And the lamp relays the message to Laundroid. Advertisement

The Laundroid was developed by Seven Dreams, which is a Tokyo-based group of technologists dedicated to creating novel, world-first products.

And the team has been developing its robotic laundry folder since 2005.

'Laundroid is not just a laundry folding machine nor another ordinary house hold electronics like the others,' Seven Dreamers shared on its website.

'It is a new household robot that will bring evolution to every house, having headache with laundry folding. It is a new service we provide to the world to make daily life's easier for everybody.'

Users simply load the machine with clean dry clothes and the robot arm inside will do the rest.

Prior to the latest announcement, the machine operated via an app or control buttons on the device.

However, by Seven Dreamers teaming up with Cerevo, an IoT consumer electronics firm, the collaboration will make folding laundry even easier.

Under this partnership, Seven Dreamers will integrate Laundroid with Cerevo's Lumigent, a robotic desk lamp with voice recognition and transformation functions.

Lumigent lights up automatically when spoken to, enabling Lumigent to command the basic Laundroid operations.

By connecting with various IoT devices in the home, Laundroid will facilitate the establishment of a new relationship between people and robots.

Since Lumigent (pictured) lights up automatically when spoken to, the integration will enable the lamp to command the basic Laundroid operations

Users simply load the machine with clean dry clothes and the robot arm inside will do the rest. Prior to the latest announcement, the machine operated via an app or control buttons on the device

However, the announcement has noted that the technology will not work with Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant or any other virtual, Engadget reported.

Laundroid is also designed with artificial intelligence, so it is able to learn the characteristics of clothing.

It can fold, depending on the user's preference, fold clothes by item or by family member  it will create separate piles for each person living in the house.

By remembering and organizing clothing that has been worn, Laundroid can serve as an online closet.

Seven Dreamers is planning to offer a 'clothing concierge' service that will help users enjoy fashion by providing opportunities for them to wear an almost limitless range of new clothing.

By connecting with various IoT devices in the home, Laundroid will facilitate the establishment of a new relationship between people and robots

The Japanese firm has proposed 2017 for when it will have a working Laundroid for the market.

It has also suggested pairing the machine with Panasonic washers and dryers by 2018, as Panasonic has invested some 60 million into the folding robots.

And Seven Dreamers has also suggested building its Laundroid with every new home constructed in Japan in 2020.
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Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Japanese National Security Advisor Shotaro Yachi co-chaired the fourth round of high-level political dialogue between the two countries on Monday.

Yang said at the meeting that China-Japan relations are currently at an important juncture with both new opportunities and outstanding challenges as this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations.

The two sides should remind themselves of their original intention for normalizing ties, take history as a mirror while facing to the future, and push for the continuous enhancement of bilateral relations based on the spirit of four important political documents between China and Japan and the four-point principled agreement reached in November 2014, Yang said.

Yang also said that China attaches importance to developing its relationship with Japan and this stance has not changed. He called on the Japanese side to conform to the trend of times and implement, with specific policies and concrete actions, the consensus that the two countries are each other's cooperative partner rather than threats, and that China's development is an opportunity for Japan.

Yang also urged Japan to honor its words and abide by relevant rules regarding the historical and Taiwan issues and make joint efforts with China to safeguard the peace and stability in the East China Sea.

He also called upon Japan to speak and act cautiously regarding the South China Sea issue and to play a constructive role as relevant countries in the region are making their efforts to solve the issue properly.

Welcoming Japan to discuss cooperation with China under the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative, Yang said the two sides should speed up transformation and upgrade of bilateral economic and trade cooperation and should expand cooperation in new areas.

He also urged the two sides to further enhance communication between local governments and the young people, among others, so as to promote mutual understanding between the two peoples and lay solid foundation for the development of bilateral ties.

For his part, Yachi said that cooperation between China and Japan, two major countries in Asia, is vital to the region and the two sides shall fully implement the consensus that they are each other's cooperative partner rather than threats.

He said that Japan's stance on the Taiwan and historical issues has not changed and Japan is dedicated to improving its relationship with China and is willing to make joint efforts with China to enhance exchanges at all levels, expand positive aspects and properly manage disputes in bilateral relations.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concerns.
It may be a common sight in the world of Star Wars, but so far laser weapons have struggled to make it onto a real battlefield.

However, that could soon change as Department of Defense bosses have revealed a new $3.2m project with Clemson University engineers to investigate the science behind laser weapons.

The military has already deployed some lasers as defensive weapons to shoot down incoming missiles and drones, but the two new projects will address underlying issues with making them more widespread.

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The two new projects are based on helping develop the fundamental technology that could see laser weapons such as those seen here in Star Wars: The Force Awakens become a reality.

John Ballato and Lin Zhu are taking two different but complementary approaches to creating a high-energy laser that could be used as a weapon.

Both are grappling with the odd things that happen to light at extremely high intensity and are among the challenges that must be overcome before more lasers join the fight.

The military has already deployed some lasers as defensive weapons to shoot down incoming missiles and drones.

Ballato's and Zhu's work is the latest example of how Clemson researchers have carved out a niche in laser-weapon research.

Since 2011, five have received a total of nearly $16 million from the Department of Defense High-Energy Laser Joint Technology Office.

In the latest round of funding, Ballato's focus is on the optical fiber that channels the light.

His challenge is to figure out what materials should be used to make the optical fiber so that they do not decrease the laser's power.

Zhu is working on diodes that convert electricity to light.

The main challenge for him is engineering a highly powerful light beam that also goes in one direction, a difficult combination. (Learn more about Zhu's research here.)

Much of the laser research is based out of what is commonly called COMSET, which stands for the Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies at Clemson's Advanced Materials Research Laboratory in Anderson County.

Handheld laser blasters were also used throughout the films, seen here in 'Star Wars: Episode IV, A New Hope' (1977) with actors, from left, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia and Harrison Ford as Han Solo

'They have done a spectacular job in adding to Clemson's already stellar reputation in defense research, especially as it relates to lasers,' Stephen Foulger, COMSET's director, said of Ballato and Zhu. 'Their awards are well-deserved and a testament to the strength of their research and the COMSET program.'

Ballato, the former COMSET director, said that Clemson's edge in laser research can be traced back to the late 1990s.

At the time, all the optical-fiber research was primarily focused on telecommunication. It was the early boom days of the internet and optical fiber is what carries internet traffic.

Ballato and other Clemson researchers looked for an under-served market and found one in the Department of Defense.

'Time and again we've listened to what they needed,' he said. 'We've written proposals specifically targeting new ideas around what they need. The testament is in the funding. We've delivered on those problems. We just keep on doing it.'

Clemson has maintained its relationship with the military through two wars while building up research infrastructure and expertise. COMSET now has the only industry-grade optical fiber capability at a U.S. university.

The university's facilities include a two-story draw tower that allows researchers to create optical fiber. A team of researchers complement each other by focusing on different parts of a laser.

Earlier this year a silent killer that could spell the end for enemy drones has been tested by US Army infantry troops for the first time.

During a ten day firing exercise, 50 drones were brought down by the laser weapon, an improved version of a system that was tested last year.

And it is hoped that Stryker infantry-transport vehicles mounted with the laser could soon be deployed to the front lines.

A silent laser system that could take down enemy drones has been tested by the US army. The Mobile High Energy Laser is mounted on Stryker infantry-transport vehicles (pictured)

DRONE KILLERS Researchers are engineering and testing lasers that can destroy and melt components of incoming threats, including enemy drones, missiles, mortars, and artillery. The laser can now achieve five kilowatts of power, up from two last year. By 2018, it's hoped that it will be able to shoot an 18-kilowatt beam. It includes on-board radar tacking and a camera which allows soldiers to visually track enemy drones and aircraft, as well as increased range. It can perform a 'hard kill,' when the on-board laser shoots a drone out of the sky, and also includes the ability to cut off communications between a drone and its ground control station - what is termed a 'soft kill'. Advertisement

The Mobile High Energy Laser (MEHEL) is just one system the US Army is exploring to deal with the growth of inexpensive off-the-shelf unmanned aerial systems that are being used in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

MEHEL 2.0 is one of three drone-killing systems under evaluation at the 2017 Maneuver Fires Integration Experiment at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, which ran from April 3 to April 13.

The laser can now achieve five kilowatts of power, up from two last year.

By 2018, it's hoped that it will be able to shoot an 18-kilowatt beam.

It includes on-board radar tacking and a camera which allows soldiers to visually track enemy drones and aircraft, as well as increased range.

It can perform a 'hard kill,' when the on-board laser shoots a drone out of the sky, and also includes the ability to cut off communications between a drone and its ground control station - what is termed a 'soft kill'.

And this is the first time that infantry soldiers have been in charge of testing the system.

Lieutenant colonel, Jeff Erts, who is in charge of the experiments, said: 'They love the system and they are excited about not only what they can do with it in the air, but what they can do with it on the ground as well.'

The 5kW laser system was used to destroy 50 unmanned aerial vehicles (pictured) during the 2017 Maneuver Fires Integrated Experiment at Fort Sill, Oklahoma which ran from April 3 to April 13.

Also tested was The Joint Tactical Autonomous Resupply System, or JTARS.

This drone is designed to move materials from the rear of the battlefield to the front line, without requiring a manned convoy operation.

The JTARS vehicle flew two low-weight individual first aid kits a short distance, as part a demonstration of the system.

Last year, MEHEL 1.0 was capable of shooting down 21 out of 23 drone targets.

At that time, the laser could achieve two kilowatts of power.

Researchers are also working to deploy laser weapons for Forward Operating Bases.

These, too, could incinerate and destroy approaching enemy drones or other threats, including mortars and cruise missiles.

Last June, it was revealed that laser weapons and Stinger missiles could be integrated into detection systems and mounted on vehicles, including Humvees and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, to better protect ground units.

A Ground-Based Air Defense (GBAD) Directed Energy On-The-Move was then set to head into the next phase of development, enabling the vehicles to fire lasers while in motion.

The system mounted atop a ground vehicle can fire a 30 kilowatt-laser while stationary.

When completed in 2022 it will be able to fire on the go, and will likely be used by the Marine Corps to be paired with the Stinger Missile system.
Uber has fired Anthony Levandowski, the ex-Google engineer at the centre of a major self driving lawsuit.

Uber announced the firing of its vice president of technology in an internal email to employees today, and has maintained that its self-driving technology did not copy Google's earlier work.

It wanted Levandowski to cooperate in order to help with the case, but the engineer cited his Fifth Amendment rights to avoid possible incrimination.

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High-profile: Levandowski, a 'swaggering' six-foot-seven tech leader, is one of Silicon Valley's most significant figures in the development of self-driving cars

WHAT IS LiDAR? In lidar  or light detection and ranging  scanning, one or more lasers sends out short pulses, which bounce back when they hit an obstacle, whether clouds, leaves or rocks. In self-driving cars, the sensors constantly scan the surrounding areas looking for information and acting as the 'eyes' of the car. Advertisement

Levandowski, who stepped aside from some of his duties last month, will exit with immediate effect.

Uber last month named Eric Meyhofer to replace Levandowski as head of its Advanced Technologies Group.

Meyhofer will continue to lead the team, an Uber spokeswoman said.

'Over the last few months Uber has provided significant evidence to the court to demonstrate that our self-driving technology has been built independently,' Angela Padilla, Uber's associate general counsel for employment and litigation, wrote in an email to employees, according to the New York Times.

'Over that same period, Uber has urged Anthony to fully cooperate in helping the court get to the facts and ultimately helping to prove our case.'

Levandowski is accused of stealing information from 14,000 pages worth of documents related to Google's self-driving technology before he left to build his own start-up, which was later purchased by Uber.

At issue is whether Uber's current efforts and progress are due to and built on Google's achievements.

Ealier this month a federal judge ordered Uber to stop using technology that a key executive downloaded before he left Waymo, the Alphabet Inc. autonomous car arm that was spun off from Google.

The order filed in a trade secrets theft lawsuit also forcesUber to return all downloaded materials.

Judge William Alsup in San Francisco said in the ruling that Waymo has shown compelling evidence that a former star engineer named Anthony Levandowski downloaded confidential files before leaving Waymo.

And, Judge Alsup says Levandowski must remain quarantined from Uber's work on lidar until the lawsuit is resolved,Bloomberg reported.

Anthony Levandowski is a fiercely talented and driven man who Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick (left) has likened to his brother from another mother - but now he is accused of stealing Google's self-driving car secrets before he left to work for Uber

The Judge also says evidence shows that before he left Waymo, Levandowski and Uber planned for Uber to acquire a company formed by Levandowski.

The ruling prevents Uber from using the technology on a navigational tool called Lidar that robotic cars need to see what's around them.

The ruling from U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco, made public on Monday, said Uber 'likely knew' or should have known that the engineer, who now works at Uber, took Waymo materials while Uber was contemplating buying the engineer's company.

However, the judge also said few of Waymo's alleged trade secrets have been traced to Uber's self-driving car technology, and that Waymo's patent claims against Uber have proved 'meritless.'

The case is being heard by Judge Alsup, who says in the ruling that Waymo has shown compelling evidence that Levandowski downloaded confidential files before leaving

As of now, Uber has not been issued an order to halt its program altogether as the court battle wages on.

But, Waymo was granted a bid for 'expedited discovery,' with the trial now set for October, according to Bloomberg.

According to Bloomberg, both companies hailed the ruling a success, as Waymo claimed the expedited trial would 'hold Uber fully responsible for its misconduct,' and Uber said Judge Alsup's decision would allow it to 'continue building and utilizing all of its self-driving technology.'

Uber also said the trial will 'demonstrate that our technology has been built independently.'

But, the ruling by District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco Monday was mainly a victory for Waymo, the autonomous car unit spun off from Google, even though the judge refused to order a halt to Uber's autonomous car research as Waymo had requested, the experts said.

Waymo showed 'compelling evidence' that a former Waymo engineer named Anthony Levandowski downloaded thousands of confidential files before leaving the company, the order said.

Levandowski set up his own firms, which then were sold to Uber for $680 million. Evidence showed that Levandowski and Uber planned the acquisitions before Levandowski left Waymo, Alsup's order said.

'He clearly believes that Levandowski is guilty as sin and that Uber hired him, knowing this full well,' said John Coffee, a Columbia University law professor who specializes in white-collar crime and corporate governance.

'He is ruling that some of this information is stolen (or 'misappropriated') and in the long run that will likely have a devastating impact on Uber.'

Waymo is seeking an unspecified amount of damages and a court order preventing Uber from using its proprietary information - bringing its self driving project to a halt.

Waymo sued Uber in February alleging that the ride-hailing company is using stolen self-driving technology to build its own autonomous cars.

Monday's ruling prevents Uber from using the technology on a laser navigational tool called Lidar that robotic cars use to see what's around them.

'The bottom line is the evidence indicates that Uber hired Levandowski even though it knew or should have known that he possessed over 14,000 confidential Waymo files,' Alsup wrote.

'At least some information from those files, if not the files themselves, has seeped into Uber's own Lidar development efforts.'

Uber was ordered to return all downloaded materials to Waymo by noon on May 31.

In an earlier hearing, Alsup expressed skepticism over whether Uber actually used any Waymo trade secrets.

'I've given you lots of discovery, and so far you don't have any smoking gun' showing that Uber knew Levandowski possessed any Waymo trade secrets, Alsup said.

Waymo attorney Charles Verhoeven said the company suspects such evidence exists.

Levandowski declined to answer questions during a deposition, citing his constitutional rights against self incrimination.

Verhoeven also said Uber was improperly withholding thousands of documents on the grounds that they are confidential legal documents.

The judge did not make a ruling from the bench during the May 3rd hearing.

The hearing is the latest phase in a courtroom battle over trade secrets that threatens to topple a central pillar of Uber's growth strategy.

Autonomous cars promise to change the economics of the ride-hailing business.

Among Uber's biggest expenses is the cost of attracting drivers, who have a high turnover rate.

And Uber's ability to expand into suburban and rural markets, and areas with low vehicle ownership, and continue to offer a ride within three minutes, largely hinges on the availability of a network of self-driving vehicles.
General Atomics' new predator drone has broken a company endurance record for non-stop hours in flight.

The MQ-9B 'SkyGuardian' drone flew for 48.2 hours in a row, with reserve fuel left.

The company's previous record was held by the Predator XP drone, which flew 46.1 hours in 2015.

The MQ-9B (pictured) took off on May 16th, 2017 from Laguna Airfield at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona, with 6,065 pounds (2,750 kilos) of fuel

The MQ-9B's test flight took off on May 16th, 2017 from Laguna Airfield at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona, with 6,065 pounds (2,750 kilograms) of fuel.

It flew between 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) and 35,000 feet (10,668 meters) high and landed on May 18th, with 280 pounds (127 kilograms) of reserve fuel left.

The endurance test was a part of a larger test program that began with a first flight in November 2016.

THE THREE VERSIONS OF THE DRONE There are three versions of the MQ-9B drone, all of which are designed to fly in excess of 35 hours with airspeeds up to 210 knots (388 kilometers per hour, 240 miles per hour) and reach altitudes of more than 40,000 feet (12,192 meters): The first version of the drone was designed to operate under the requirements of non-military air space. A weaponized version of the drone is being acquired by the UK's Royal Air Force under the Protector program. A maritime patrol version, called SeaGuardianTM, is designed for open-ocean and shore surveillance. Advertisement

'This long-endurance flight is not only a significant achievement for our MQ-9B SkyGuardian aircraft but also a very timely landmark event for our company as we celebrate 25 years of aviation innovation this year,' said Linden Blue, CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-SI).

'GA-ASI continues to push the envelope with versatile, reliable, cost-effective, and combat-proven RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) systems and sensors, and this latest feat is a testament to our industry legacy.'

GA-ASI designs and manufactures RPA systems, radars and electro-optic mission systems.

Development of the MQ-9B drone began in 2012, funded for internally by the company.

The drone was designed to operate under the requirements of non-military air space.

A weaponized version of the drone is being acquired by the UK's Royal Air Force under the Protector program - a counter terrorism program introduced by former UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

A weaponized version of the drone is being acquired by the UK's Royal Air Force under the Protector program - a counter terrorism program introduced by former UK Prime Minister David Cameron

A maritime patrol version, called SeaGuardianTM, is designed for open-ocean and shore surveillance.

The company is currently building three company-owned aircraft, and plans to deliver production aircraft next year.

All three versions of the drone are designed to fly in excess of 35 hours with airspeeds up to 210 knots (388 kilometers per hour, 240 miles per hour) and reach altitudes of more than 40,000 feet (12,192 meters).
Deep beneath the oceans surface, scientists exploring the Central Pacific Basin have spotted behaviour thats never been seen before outside of the fossil record.

Among the many remarkable creatures observed during the mission, researchers with the NOAAs Okeanos Explorer witnessed the moment a snail appeared to be munching on the feces of a sea lily.

Experts say this behaviour can be traced back hundreds of millions of years to the Palaeozoic Era.

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Among the many remarkable creatures observed during the mission, researchers with the NOAAs Okeanos Explorer witnessed the moment a snail appeared to be munching on the feces of a sea lily' (pictured)

THE EXPEDITION The expedition kicked off on April 27, in effort to collect new data on the deep-water areas of the Pacific, beginning near the American Samoa capital Pago Pago, and ending near Honolulu, Hawaii. It comes as part of the three-year Campaign to Address the Pacific monument Science, Technology, and Ocean Needs, which aims to explore Pacific marine monuments sanctuaries, the last relatively pristine marine ecosystems on the planet.' Over 23 days, researchers conducted remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives in American Samoa, the high seas, and the Jarvis Island, Kingman Reef, and Palmyra Atoll Units of Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. On May 19, they returned to Honolulu. Advertisement

The findings come as part of over two weeks of exploration in the Central Pacific Basin, and researchers say it was like seeing a living fossil, according to New Scientist.

During the dive, which began near American Samoa capital Pago Pago, and ended near Honolulu, Hawaii, the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) spotted snails crawling about crinoids, also known as sea lilies.

And, one snail was spotted snacking on a sea lilys excrement.

We saw this amazing footage of the snail that seemed to be eating a crinoid, Del Bohnenstiehl of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, and a geologist on the ship, told New Scientist.

No one had seen this before.

'A scientist from the Smithsonian said he had seen it in the fossil record, but never live.

The expedition kicked off on April 27, in effort to collect new data on the deep-water areas of the Pacific, which largely remain a mystery.

Over the course of 23 days, researchers conducted remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives in American Samoa, the high seas, and the Jarvis Island, Kingman Reef, and Palmyra Atoll Units of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM).

The Central Pacific Basin encompasses some of the most remote areas on Earth, the mission plan explains.

The findings come as part of over two weeks of exploration in the Central Pacific Basin. During the dive, the ROVs also captured footage of remarkable deep sea creatures, including brittle stars, crabs, and corals

The expedition kicked off on April 27, in effort to collect new data on the deep-water areas of the Pacific, which largely remain a mystery. On May 19, they returned to Honolulu, where the mission came to an end

Large swaths of this region have never been mapped using high-resolution mapping systems and the vast majority of these waters remain unseen by human eyes.

The expedition will collect critical data to better understand the origin of seamounts in this area and how the deepwater communities on these seamounts are connected.

On May 19, they returned to Honolulu, where the mission came to an end.

During the dive, the ROVs also captured footage of remarkable deep sea creatures, including brittle stars, crabs, and corals.

ALIEN-LIKE CREATURES SPOTTED BENEATH AMERICAN SAMOA In less than than two weeks after the 2017 American Samoa expedition started in February, the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) imaged a slew of creatures that are truly out of this world. A cosmic jellyfish caught on camera looks remarkably like a UFO, spreading its opposing tentacles out like a disc as it floats through the water in eerie stillness. It has two sets of tentacles, some facing up and some facing down, the researchers explain in the footage. 'You can see the yellow, likely reproductive organs. 'In the center is the digestive system, with the mouth in red. Its really amazing to see. The researchers have also observed a number of other enthralling creatures, including a sinister pink anemone that looks like Venus flytrap. These are really beautiful creatures, the researchers say in the footage. The tentacles of this anemone have stinging cells that have microscopic harpoons that inject venom' Hydroids are closely related to most jellyfishes, the researchers explain. Its bottom portion blooms out with a full skirt of tentacles, and another group of tentacles surrounds its mouth Perched atop a dead coral  like a stem  it sits waiting with its mouth open, displaying an array of spike-like tentacles. But, when the ROV approaches, the mouth closes up. The researchers also spotted an alien-looking hydroid, sitting at a depth of roughly 3,770 meters, which appeared to dance on the seafloor, with countless tentacles covering its strangely shaped body. And, they saw a fish out for a stroll on the seafloor. Advertisement

They even saw a forest of bamboo corals blanketing the sea floor, according to New Scientist.

This is one of just 12 such continuous carpets of the coral known to exist in the world, said Scott France, a deep-sea biologist at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

The mission comes as part of the three-year Campaign to Address the Pacific monument Science, Technology, and Ocean Needs , which aims to explore Pacific marine monuments sanctuaries, the last relatively pristine marine ecosystems on the planet.'
It has caused a media furore - but, the 'alien megastructure' star may be something a little more mundane, a new theory claims.

It says that instead of a giant craft, dips in brightness were actually caused by a gigantic ringed planet that puts Saturn to shame and clouds of comets that contain more mass than Jupiter.

They say that in fact, the phenomenon could be 'entirely natural'

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In 2015, astronomers spotted a star, known as Tabby's Star that could be seen mysteriously brightening and dimming. Astronomers have issued an internet-wide call for action after discovering this morning that Tabbys Star has once again begun to dim (artist's impression)

TABBY'S STAR Tabby's Star, known officially as KIC 8462852, has baffled experts since it was discovered in 2015. Observations revealed its light dimmed regularly, as do distant stars when their planets pass in front of them. But while the stars of most exoplanet systems are seen to dim by a few per cent, KIC 8462852 dimmed by more than 20 per cent over periods of months. Some have claimed this dimming could be evidence of a Dyson Sphere  a hypothetical structure which could be used by an advanced alien race to harness the energy of a star. Scientists remain skeptical, offering that the dimming could be explained by a dust ring around the star or a hail of comets passing in between the star and Earth. Advertisement

'KIC 8462852 stood out among more than 100,000 stars in the Kepler catalogue because of the strange features of its light curve: a wide and asymmetric dimming taking up to 15 per cent of the total light, together with a period of multiple, narrow dimmings happening approximately 700 days later,' Fernando Ballesteros at the University of Valencia in Spain and his colleagues wrote in the journal Arxiv.

'Several models have been proposed to account for this abnormal behaviour, most of which require either unlikely causes or a finely-tuned timing.

'We aim at offering a relatively natural solution, invoking only phenomena that have been previously observed, although perhaps in larger or more massive versions.'

The researchers created a simulation to test their theory using a large, ringed body whose transit produces the first dimming and a swarm of Trojan objects sharing its orbit that causes the second period of multiple dimmings.

The team say a dip in 2011 which reduced the brightness of Tabbys star by up to 15 per cent, can be explained by a massive ringed planet five times the size of Jupiter transiting in front of it.

'In this context the recent observation of a minor dimming can be explained as a secondary eclipse produced by the passage of the planet behind the star.'

The team also predict another dimming that could prove their theory.

Researchers say that instead of a giant craft, dips in brightness were actually caused by a gigantic ringed planet that puts Saturn (pictured) to shame and clouds of comets that contain more mass than Jupiter

'Our model allows us to make two straightforward predictions: we expect the passage of a new swarm of Trojans in front of the star starting during the early months of 2021, and a new transit of the main object during the first half of 2023.'

Earlier this month astronomers have issued an internet-wide call to action after discovering this morning that Tabbys Star has once again begun to dim.

The mysterious phenomenon was first detected in 2015, when a star in the constellation Cygnus was found to be winking, with dramatic fluctuations in brightness  but, scientists arent quite sure whats causing it.

Since it was first detected, scientists have been hard at work attempting to explain the fluctuations, which have seen brightness dip as much as 20 percent before reverting to normal.

If an 'alien megastructure' really is to blame, one scientist has suggested that spotting it could be relatively easy  as long as experts focus on the right places.

According to Boyajian, the dip was at 2 percent as of Friday morning, and it looks like its the start. This will offer scientists an extraordinary chance to measure the light from Tabbys Star, officially called KIC 8462852, in efforts to uncover the mysterious cause behind the dimming

He says that astronomers should turn their attention to 64 pulsar stars near our planet, which he believes offer the best chance of hosting an alien megastructure.

In a paper published last year, Professor Zaza Osmanov said the alien megastructures are more likely to be shaped like thin discs rather than 'spherical shells.'

If his theory is correct, this would allow a Dyson's Sphere to exist in a star's 'habitable zone.'

And in his new paper, Professor Osmanov argues that if the Dyson's Sphere does exist in a habitable zone, it should be easy to spot using infrared telescopes.

Several theories were suggested for Tabby Star's behaviour, with one expert suggesting that this 'winking' may have been caused by the rotation of an alien megastructrure, called a Dyson's Sphere

WHAT IS A DYSON SPHERE? A suggested method for harnessing the power of an entire star is known as a Dyson sphere. First proposed by theoretical physicist Freeman Dyson in 1960, this would be a swarm of satellites that surrounds a star. They could be an enclosed shell, or spacecraft spread out to gather its energy - known as a Dyson swarm. If such structures do exist, they would emit huge amounts of noticeable infrared radiation back on Earth. But as of yet, such a structure has not been detected. Source: All About Space magazine The Dyson Ring, left, is the simplest form of Dyson structure. Creating a Dyson bubble would be an incredible engineering challenge but it is considered to be far more feasible than surrounding a star in a rigid sphere Advertisement

Professor Osmanov is urging astronomers to focus their search on 64 pulsar stars.

In his paper, published on arXiv, Professor Osmanov said: 'We have argued that by monitoring the nearby zone of the solar system approximately 64 pulsars are expected to be located inside it.'

But Professor Osmanov has warned that should we find the alien megastructure, it could be extremely powerful.

He said: 'Rapidly rotating pulsars are very powerful and harvesting their energy would be quite profitable, but a habitable zone would be much farther and mass of a material required for constructing the mega-ring would exceed the total mass of all planets, asteroids, comets, centaurs and interplanetary dust in a typical planetary system by several orders of magnitude.'

This suggests that an alien civilisation living on a megastructure could be strong enough to wipe out humanity.
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Filled with steep ledges and mountains of different colored rocks, the Grand Canyon is an iconic geologic landscape that people come from all over the globe to lay eyes on.

However, NASA has released an image of the formation from a viewpoint that is out of this world.

The student-controlled EarthKAM camera aboard the International Space Station has captured a photograph of the Grand Canyon from low Earth orbit, which shows the details of its ridged edges that stretch for miles and snow capped mountains that sit to the north.

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The student-controlled EarthKAM camera aboard the International Space Station has captured a photograph of the Grand Canyon from low Earth orbit, which shows the details of its ridged edges that stretch for miles and snow capped mountains that sit to the north

Middle school students programmed a camera aboard the International Space Stationthe Sally Ride EarthKAMto photograph the Grand Canyon that stretches through sits in Arizona.

EarthKAM is the only program providing students with such direct control of an instrument on a spacecraft orbiting Earth, teaching them about environmental science, geography and space communications.

The project was initiated by Dr. Sally Ride, America's first woman in space, in 1995 and called KidSat.

The digital camera has sat aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since 2000, allowing students to use the internet to control it.

And the latest image captures one of the Seven Wonders of the World  the Grand Canyon.

HOW OLD IS THE GRAND CANYON? Filled with steep ledges and mountains of different colored rocks, the Grand Canyon is an iconic geologic landscape that people come from all over the globe to lay eyes on The debate over the age of the Grand Canyon has raged for 150 years. Proponents of 'old canyon model' argue that the Grand Canyon was carved 70 million years ago in the same place and to nearly the same depth as the modern canyon. There is a group of researchers, however, that support the 'young canyon model', which claims the canyon was cut entirely in the last six million years. A recent study refutes both of these models by arguing that some segments are very ancient, but says the full system - which makes up the majority of the Grand Canyon - is young. The study, however, will do little to settle the debate over the Grand Canyon's age. Much of the canyon's history has been eroded or carried away by the river. What remains is open to interpretation, with some scientists suggesting the gorge cannot be defined as the 'Grand Canyon' without the Colorado river running through it. Advertisement

The steep walls of the Colorado River canyon and its many side canyons make for an intricate landscape.

Visible as a darker line snaking along the bottom of the canyon, the river lies at an altitude of 2,345 feet (715 meters), thousands of miles below the North and South Rims.

Temperatures are furnace-like on the river banks in the summer. But Grand Canyon Village, the classic outlook point for visitors, enjoys a milder climate at an altitude of 6,890 feet (2,100 meters).

And to the right, sits the snow capped San Francisco Peaks, which is a volcanic mountain range in the north central area of Arizona.

To celebrate the centennial of the U.S National Park Service last year, Expedition 48 Commander Jeff Williams of NASA had taken hundreds of images of national parks from his vantage point in low Earth orbit, aboard the International Space Station. Featured is a stunning image of the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon has become a geologic icona place where you can almost sense the invisible tectonic forces within the Earth.

Experts have recently discovered that parts of the ancient canyon are at least 70 million years old.

Some of the area has only been carved less than six million years ago, making this world famous landmark relatively young in geological terms, and 65 million years younger than previously believed.

The students are not just sticking to capturing stunning landscapes in the US, as just last year, a group focused in on the Sahara desert in western Libya

Geologists used a technique called thermochronology which dates events by measuring temperature of rocks, revealing when those at the surface now replaced others that had been removed by erosion.

The study, published in Nature Geoscience, found two parts are ancient, one being created between 50 and 70 million years ago and the other 15 to 25 million years old.

But the remaining two were carved just five to six million years ago when the Grand Canyon became one giant thoroughfare when all the smaller segments became linked due to erosion from the Colorado River.

In July 2016, the orbiting laboratory flew over Lake Powell and the border of Utah and Arizona. The massive lake, which spans 254.1 square miles, is located on the Colorado river and is the second largest artificial reservoir in the United States

Earlier this year, astronauts aboard the ISS shared their view of Lake Powell (pictured). At full capacity, the reservoir impounds 24,322,000 acre-feet of water, a vast amount that is used to generate and supply water to several western United States, while also aiding in flood control for the region

The data found one segment known as Marble Canyon was beneath several kilometers of rock strata and so was not carved until the last six million years.

Another called the eastern Grand Canyon, the area visited by five million tourists to the National Park a year, was about half carved to the level of the red cliffs between 25 and 15 million years ago.

But the inner gorge was carved in the last six million years by the powerful Colorado River.

The students are not just sticking to capturing stunning landscapes in the US, as just last year, a group focused in on the Sahara desert in western Libya - taken in October.

However, months before in July, the orbiting laboratory flew over Lake Powell and the border of Utah and Arizona.

Expedition 50 Flight Engineer Thomas Pesquet of the European Space Agency shared this photograph from the International Space Station on Feb. 14, 2017, writing, 'Venice, city of gondoliers and the lovers they carry along the canals. Happy Valentine's Day'

Thomas Pesquet of the European Space Agency photographed the Rocky Mountains from his vantage point in low Earth orbit aboard the International Space Station. He shared the image with his social media followers on Jan. 9, 2017, writing, "the Rocky mountains are a step too high ? even for the clouds to cross'

The massive lake, which spans 254.1 square miles, is located on the Colorado river and is the second largest artificial reservoir in the United States.

Earlier this year, astronauts aboard the ISS shared their view of the lake.

At full capacity, the reservoir impounds 24,322,000 acre-feet of water, a vast amount that is used to generate and supply water to several western United States, while also aiding in flood control for the region.

The region draws nearly 2 million people every year, even though it is remote and has few roads.

Most of the area in view is protected as part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, which is the largest amount of protected land in a US national monument.
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Where better for a Hollywood star to get over a messy divorce than a country synonymous with leggy blondes with liberal attitudes - in a hotel famed for its beds?

Its perhaps no surprise that when Johnny Depp was in the throes of a very public split from his young wife Amber Heard last year, he went to Sweden, and checked straight into Stockholms Grand Hotel.

Depp was travelling with his band, The Hollywood Vampires, but while it may be traditional for rock stars to trash hotel rooms, surely even the most hardened wouldnt deface an 8,000-a-night suite at the Grand.

Its perhaps no surprise that when Johnny Depp was in the throes of a very public split from his young wife Amber Heard last year, he went to Sweden, and checked straight into Stockholms Grand Hotel, pictured

The Grand has great views - and an appropriately grand interior - it's 'all hand-painted wallpaper, sumptuos sofas and bathrooms with more marble than the Taj Mahal, writes Rachel Shields

The Hollywood seal of approval: Johnny Depp is seen here leaving the Grand Hotel on May 30, 2016

The Swedish style aped across British living rooms may be a byword for minimalism, yet the Grand makes no apologies for its luxurious decor. It is all hand-painted wallpaper, sumptuous sofas and bathrooms with more marble than the Taj Mahal.

The comforts of the hotel are such that when Depp stayed in the luxurious Bernadotte Suite earlier last year, he did what most guests do: stayed in and ordered room service.

After staying at the Grand, I can hardly blame him for opting for breakfast, and everything else, in bed.

The Veranda Restaurant is one of the most glamorous spots to eat in the city

The comforts of the hotel are such that when Depp stayed in the luxurious Bernadotte Suite earlier last year, he did what most guests do: stayed in and ordered room service

When the hotel opened in 1874, it was the first in Europe to change its sheets between guests. While other establishments might have caught up on this front, the Grands beds are still sumptuous, velvet-headboarded extravaganzas vast enough to accommodate a groupie or five.

With only my husband for company in my King Size, I dragged myself downstairs and out into the biting wind which whipped around the beautiful quayside on which the hotel stands. We quickly discovered that our London clothes were inadequate when it came to fending off the icy Nordic weather. Togged up in every jumper, scarf and jacket we owned, we were also lagging pitifully behind the Swedes in the style stakes. Even local toddlers, kitted out in brightly coloured Polarn o Pyret snowsuits, looked more fashionable.

The good news? Less than a five minute walk away there are armfuls of brands like Acne, Ganni and Fjallraven to be had. And the bad? Youll need to sell your left kidney to afford more than a couple of items. Wandering around a Moroccan bazaar, scooping up a bargainous bounty to take home, this is not.

A little warmer and a few hundred pounds lighter, we wandered towards the galleries and vintage shops of nearby Sodermalm. Anointed the coolest neighbourhood in Europe by Vogue, no less, the area seemed eerily similar to parts of London's Shoreditch,

Johnny Depp and his entourage were seen drinking in the Grand bar in the early hours of the morning

Fancy a dip in style? The Grand has you covered, with its enticing, moodily lit pool

We Brits have swallowed Swedish style wholesale, with the result that Stockholm now feels strangely familiar  all man buns, beards and people working on Mac books in cafes. But what cafes.

The Swedes take their coffee very seriously, and make simple, perfect cups. Forget endless matcha-chai-soy-almond milk-wet-dry-skinny options (I was even rebuffed when trying to order a decaf). The Swedes simply do Good Coffee, with cake. Always with cake. The tradition - known as Fika in Sweden  usually involves tucking into a fluffy, sticky cinnamon bun sprinkled with cardamom seeds.

Luckily a walk around the vintage clothes shops, a trip to the Vasa museum  which tells the story of a warship which, like a Swedish Mary Rose, sank just moments after leaving Stockholm harbour on its maiden voyage  and the citys impressive modern art museum was enough to work up an appetite before dinner at the hotel.

Run by chef Mathias Dalgren, the hotel has as many Michelin stars as it does restaurants  three. We plumped for the Veranda restaurant, which is known for its smorgasbord.

The countrys most famous culinary export after Ikeas meatballs, the smorgasbord is  like everything else in Sweden  a superior version of the British equivalent: the buffet.

The terrace at the Grand is one of the places to be seen in Stockholm and features natty striped furniture

The heaving tables are also approached in a far more civilised fashion than those endured in British hotels, with foods eaten strictly in order, and a clean plate for each course.

We tried to set about the spread in restrained Scandinavian style, but while my blonde, bearded husband may have been mistaken for a native in the street, once armed with a plate there was no disguising his greedy Anglo-Saxon heritage.

We tucked into five different types of herring, gravlax, hot and cold smoked salmon, soups, charcuterie, meatballs with ligonberry jam and a huge array of desserts, all washed down with the hotels homemade 1874 Aquavit.

Of course the Grand is used to catering to far more exalted guests than us. The banquet for the first Nobel Prize was held there in 1901, and the winners and their families still stay at the hotel every year.

The pairing seems apt  for while the Grand may not have cracked world peace or a cure for cancer, staff have got hosting a decadent city break down to a fine art.
She once revealed she felt uncomfortable filming in swimwear.

But Pia Miller put everyone to shame on the beach on Monday as she shot scenes for her hit show Home And Away.

The 33-year-old showed off her insane body in a floral bikini while filming alongside co-star and onscreen love interest, Jake Ryan.

Not an inch to pinch! Busty Home And Away star Pia Miller showed off her amazing bikini body on set of the soap on Monday

What a bod! The 33-year-old showed off her insane body in a floral bikini while filming alongside co-star and onscreen love interest, Jake Ryan

The brunette's taut figure was on display as shirtless Jake playfully chased her in the surf.

She scrunched her hair into a bun, and flaunted her natural glow by going practically makeup free.

Pia told OK! last year: 'I've never really felt comfortable doing a photo shoot wearing swimwear.'

Gorgeous: Natural beauty Pia stunned in her swimwear on the set of the popular soap

Chase! The brunette's taut figure was on display as shirtless Jake playfully chased her in the surf

Say what? Pia told OK! last year: 'I've never really felt comfortable doing a photo shoot wearing swimwear

'But since taking the role on Home And Away, and my character is in swimwear, I've really had to go, 'Right I have to embrace this and be cool with it, or I'm going to shy away from it all the time.''

Despite her claims, Pia hasn't held back from flaunting her figure in barely-there swimwear, both on set and on social media.

Flaunt! Despite her claims, Pia hasn't held back from flaunting her figure in barely-there swimwear, both on set and on social media

She was clearly living-out her desire to embrace her fears and face them head on during during Monday's cold-weather shoot.

The Chile-born beauty once credited sleep, healthy eating and regular workouts for her stunning looks.

'My workout philosophy is to combine weights or high-cardio with a low-impact regime like yoga or Pilates for rest and recovery,' she told Women's Health and Fitness.

'For me, it's about balancing the two  eating right and sleeping right. I'm a big sleep advocate.'

Looking amazing: Despite often being praised for her natural beauty, Pia previously told News Corp that she believes true beauty extends beyond the physical

Despite often being praised for her natural beauty, Pia previously told News Corp that she believes true beauty extends beyond the physical.

'My mum always reminded me that I was greater than my appearance and my physical beauty,' she said.

'Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and packages and you have to understand that it's more than just physical appearance.'
She's the Real Housewives Of Sydney star who is no stranger to controversy.

And it seems Lisa Oldfield's politically-incorrect sense of humor has upset some of her Instagram followers.

On Monday, the 41-year-old shared an offensive meme about people's annoying behaviour on Facebook.

'Is anything she does ever tasteful? 'Real Housewives Of Sydneys Lisa Oldfield upsets fans on Monday after sharing a bizarre Instagram post about waterboarding

Her post referred to the waterboarding torture method used at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, which upset some of her fans.

The meme read: 'Your fate if you add me to your stupid Facebook groups or send me unsolicited game requests. Get f**ked'.

While the post attracted several 'likes', one of Lisa's Instagram followers wrote angrily: 'Truly? This is distasteful.'

Another fan replied: 'Is anything she does ever tasteful?'

'Truly? This is distasteful': The post, which saw Lisa vent her frustration at being invited to join political Facebook groups, included an image of waterboarding - which upset some followers

Making headlines! The Real Housewives Of Sydney breakout star is no stranger to controversy

Lisa told Daily Mail Australia she has asked people to stop adding her to Facebook groups that don't align with her own values in the past.

For example, she is an advocate of marriage equality - but Facebook friends have tried to add her to groups supporting Margaret Court.

Annoyed at the volume of requests, she said 'I was at the end of my tether, venting my frustration. They can stop following me on Instagram.'

She said the frequent group requests also distracts from her charity work.

Drama! Lisa's personal life, in particular her marriage to former One Nation politician David Oldfield, has been the focus of The Real Housewives Of Sydney

Lisa's personal life, in particular her marriage to former One Nation politician David Oldfield, has been the focus of The Real Housewives Of Sydney.

On Monday, they had 'couples therapy' on The Kyle And Jackie O Show and David was accused of 'emotionally cheating' with the nanny.

'I'm aware that David is deluded and thinks the nanny has a thing for him,' said Lisa, but her husband said her remarks were 'complete rubbish'.
PR Queen Roxy Jacenko returned to Instagram on Tuesday after a rare three-day hiatus.

While it may seem short, its practically unheard of for the 36-year-old, believed to be her biggest absence in some time.

Her big re-entry raised more concern than fanfare, as the blonde beauty looked a little drained, while fans noticed she wasn't wearing her wedding ring.

The return of Roxy! PR Queen Roxy Jacenko returned to Instagram on Tuesday after a rare three-day hiatus

The Sweaty Betty PR founder sat in a cab outside Sydney's historic St. James Trust building.

Usually flaunting her liberal-yet-classy makeup, she opted for a notably understated look.

Still stunning as ever, the blonde beauty raised her recently touched-up eyebrows, failing to raise a smile in the snap.

While it was Roxy's triumphant return to social media, her wedding ring was absent once again.

Concern: The 36-year-old big re-entry raised more concern than fanfare, as the blonde beauty looked drained, while fans noticed she wasn't wearing her wedding ring

The socialite is on record as preferring to not wear the ring at the gym, but her tagged photos reveal she'd just attended eyebrow feathering specialists Amy Jeaney Couture.

Fans were quick to notice, with one commenting: 'Lost ya wedding ring...'

The Instagram account Roxy manages for her daughter Pixie, 5, also ended its hiatus on Tuesday.

Back! The Instagram account Roxy manages for her daughter Pixie, 5, also ended its hiatus on Tuesday

Just dance! The video post showed her adorable brother Hunter, 3, sporting Bugs Bunny pyjamas while putting on a cute dance display

The video post showed her adorable brother Hunter, 3, sporting Bugs Bunny pyjamas while putting on a cute dance display.

'When my brother is left on his own with some music the ottoman becomes a podium,' she wrote in the caption.

The blonde beauty has been pictured wearing her wedding ring inconsistently since photos emerged last month that showed her kissing ex-boyfriend Nabil Gazal.

Inconsistent; The blonde beauty has been pictured wearing her wedding ring inconsistently since photos emerged last month that showed her kissing ex-boyfriend Nabil Gazal

Roxy received her wedding ring from jailed husband Oliver Curtis, who is expected to be released in less than a month.

Despite the make-out moment with her former lover on the balcony of his luxury apartment, Roxy has insisted she intends to maintain her relationship with Oliver.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia, she revealed that when her hubby gets out of the slammer in June, there won't be any big celebrations planned and it will be 'business as usual.'
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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday exchanged congratulatory messages with his Barbados counterpart, Freundel J. Stuart, to mark the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his message, Li said China-Barbados relations have maintained a good momentum of development in the past 40 years, with mutual political trust constantly enhanced and economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges yielding great results.

The two sides have maintained close coordination on international and regional issues and worked jointly to safeguard the interests of developing countries, Li said.

China attaches great importance to its relations with Barbados and is willing to take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties to work with the Barbados so as to bring the friendly partnership to a higher level, the Chinese premier said.

Meanwhile, Stuart said in his message that Barbados-China relations are based on mutual respect and a shared goal of realizing national development and improving people's welfare.

The two countries have maintained frequent high-level contacts for years, noted Stuart, adding that bilateral communication has been fruitful and the scope of cooperation has continuously expanded.

Barbados is committed to strengthening its partnership with China, increasing bilateral interactions and deepening their mutually-beneficial cooperation, said the Barbados head of government.
They took time to head outside Los Angeles for their Memorial Day weekend.

And Anna Paquin, 34, looked like she was enjoying her time with husband Stephen Moyer, 47, and the couple's four-year-old twins, Poppy and Charlie.

The doting parents held tightly onto their children as they stopped by a grocery store in Santa Barbara, California over the weekend.

Happy family! Anna Paquin, 34, looked like she was enjoying her time with husband Stephen Moyer, 47, and the couple's four-year-old twins, Poppy and Charlie

Anna opted to stay comfortable as she carried her son in a casual blue sundress and black flats.

The former True Blood star opted for large black sunglasses and had her hair thrown back in a casual ponytail for the day trip.

Stephen was equally casual in a grey cargo shorts and a light green T-shirt.

He wore brown and blue running shoes and a black hat to keep the sun out of his face.

Fun in the sun! The doting parents held tightly onto their children as they stopped by a grocery store in Santa Barbara, California over the weekend and had some fun at a local park

He held on tight to his little girl who was dressed in colorful red pants and a light blue T-shirt with a purple sun hat on her head.

At one point, the couple brought their kids to a park with Stephen carrying a skateboard and helmet as his son tagged closely along behind him.

The active couple pulled their offspring around in a large basket that attached to the front of a three-wheeled contraption Stephen rode alongside Anna.

Adventurous day: The active couple pulled their offspring around in a large basket that attached to the front of a three-wheeled contraption Stephen rode alongside Anna

Anna later put on a big floppy hat as she stayed close to her adorable daughter, who also participated in the skateboarding activity.

Anna is getting ready to head back to television as she joins Phillip K. Dick's Electric Dreams.

It's a sci-fi series co-starring Terrence Howard and will air on Amazon.

The series is based on stories from acclaimed science fiction writer Phillip K. Dick and will include 10 standalone episodes.

Family fun! Anna later put on a big floppy hat as she stayed close to her adorable daughter, who also participated in the skateboarding activity

Anna and Stephen are also expected to work on a collaboration later this year.

According to Deadline, the 33-year-old actress and her 47-year-old hubby will star and direct the new film The Parting Glass.

The film tells the story of a family reeling from the death of their sister and follows the kin as they mourn her life by piecing together past memories.

The indie drama will be Moyer's first time in the director's chair.
It is a day to remember the fallen.

And Nicky Hilton toasted Memorial Day by sharing a picture of her daughter Lily next to an American flag while playing with balloons on Monday.

The 10-month-old appeared to be trying to bite a balloon as her father James Rothschild carried her on his shoulders.

Marking the day: Nicky Hilton toasted Memorial Day by sharing a picture of her daughter Lily next to an American flag on Memorial Day Monday

The 33-year-old socialite was clearly proud of the family moment, as she captioned it: 'MDW us.'

As if that was not exciting enough, her sister Paris also shared details about a meeting she had with a war veteran, who is somehow one of her biggest fans.

In an Instagram posting she said: 'Happy #MemorialDay! This was one of my favorite moments in life that I will treasure forever!

I met this man, he told me he was a 99 year old World War 2 #Veteran & that he drove alone 4 thousand miles just to come meet me.

A veteran fan: Paris Hilton revealed a 99-year-old drove for four thousands miles to see her

Theatre of screams: The Second World War veteran joined the squealing crowd

Wrapped in the flag: 'Military brat' Ciara alos marked the day with a photograph

It's a rap: Hip hop star Pitbull was another who hailed those who made the 'ultimate sacrifice'

As you do: Chris Pratt and John Kraskinski marked the day by doing push-ups

'So I invited him to sit at my table & hang out with us. He said it was the best night of his life.

'Made me so happy to see him so happy. So blessed to have met & spent time with him! '

Ciara, whose father was in the Army, shared an image of herslef draped in the The Star-Spangled Banner, which she captioned: 'That Red White & Blue. #MilitaryBrat.'

Also paying tribute was Pitbull, who said: 'Today we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for America #MemorialDay.'

Making a meal of it: Neil Patrick Harris celebrated by dining with Seinfeld and Howard Stern

Taking the cake: Reese Witherspoon marked the day by making cupcakes

Memorial memories: Kelly Ripa shared family snaps from almost a decade ago

Meanwhile Chris Pratt teamed up with The Office star John Krasinski in partaking in an exercise session in honour of the fallen.

After posting the exercise they performed, he said: 'Thank you to all fallen heroes and their families. Today we remember and honor you.'

Others to mark the day included Nicki Minaj, who posted a bottle of her wine brand next the American flag, Halle Berry and Jessica Alba, who took the opportunity to plug her Honest Company.

Wine plug: Nicki Minaj posted a snap of one of her wine bottles next to the flag

Craft works: Halle Berry revealed she makes things with her children in honour of the fallen

An Honest mistake? Jessica Alba shared a favourite quote on a branded background

Holmes front: Katie shared her respect in a social media posting

Meanwhile, Neil Patrick Harris marked the day by revealing he had enjoyed dinner with Howard Stern, Jerry Seinfeld and their respective spouses the previous evening.

He said: 'Jerry Seinfeld, the Count of Comedy, invited us over last night to dine with Howard Stern, the King of All Media, Johnny Muse, the Lord of the Hamptons, and their equally royal and impressive spouses.

'Delicious food, inspired conversation, and genuine friendship. It was a night we'll remember for a long time. #thanks #grateful #goodtimes.'

Salute: Baywatch star Zac Efron also shared a touching snap and message

Taking a break: Ariel Winter briefly stopped posting bikini snaps to share her tribute

Horse play: Miley Cyrus shared a flashback photo of herself riding with a sibling
In a matter of days convicted drug trafficker Schapelle Corby has amassed over 171,000 followers on her newly launched Instagram account.

This means she has now overtaken Australia's PR maven and Instagram queen Roxy Jacenko, who has 170,000 followers and has uploaded almost 4000 posts over the years.

Social media users are following Schapelle's every move as she shares updates in Australia, after living in Indonesia for the past 12 years, nine of those spent in prison.

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Roxy wont be happy! Schapelle Corby is officially more popular on Instagram than PR queen Jacenko after gaining over 170,000 followers in just THREE days

Schapelle posted nine snaps to Instagram the first day her account was activated, documenting her trip to Australia from Bali.

She has shared personal captures of everything from the pet dogs she had to leave overseas to the media frenzy outside her home, as well as her business class flight home.

While the 39-year-old is following under 100 people herself, including her supportive sister Mercedes, she has seen an incredible influx of fans follow her in a short time span.

Social media addict: Schapelle posted nine snaps to Instagram the first day her account was activated, documenting her trip to Australia from Bali

Buzz: While the 39-year-old is following under 100 people herself, including her supportive sister Mercedes, she seen an incredible influx of fans follow her in a short time span

In two days she gained over 40,000 Instagram followers and has now caught up with Roxy.

Roxy, 36, regularly shares everything on her social media account, from her toned physique to her children Hunter and Pixie, as well as elevator selfies of her latest fashion.

In addition to Roxy, Schapelle has overtaken several other local Sydney celebrities on social media.

Well-liked: In two days she gained over 40,000 Instagram followers and caught up with Roxy Jacenko, the popular businesswoman with 170,000 followers

Revealing: Roxy, 36, regularly shares everything on her social media account, from her toned physique to her children Hunter and Pixie, as well as elevator selfies of her latest fashion

These include famous faces like reality star Cheryl Maitland, former Australian Idol contestant Ricki-Lee Coulter and international model Erin McNaught.

Schapelle is yet to take a proper selfie for Instagram, preferring so far to show either her back, half her face or share videos looking happy with her supporters.

She has also made no mention of her Balinese boyfriend, Ben Panangian, who she allegedly left behind in Indonesia.
His muscular torso and glistening pecks set pulses racing and won the hearts of women across the country.

But Aidan Turner has revealed that producers had to adjust his Poldark costumes last year after putting on weight.

The 33-year-old, who plays Ross Poldark in the hit period drama, took some time off after becoming 'a little but burnt out' and travelled to Odessa in Ukraine and Helsinki to visit friends.

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Sex appeal: Aidan Turner admits he needed his Poldark costumes widened after returning from holiday 'a few pounds too heavy'

However, on his return to set , the Irish actor found himself struggling to fit in the outfits.

He said: 'I showed up a few pounds too heavy and I think they had to split the back of the waistcoat It was too tight around here,' he said, gesturing to his stomach, 'and not tight enough up here', pointing to his upper body.

'His physicality is very much a part of who he is. It's something I can't get too lazy about. It's boring but I have to do it.'

Break: The 33-year-old, who plays Ross Poldark in the hit period drama, took some time off after becoming 'a little but burnt out' and travelled to Odessa in Ukraine and Helsinki to visit friends

A scene in series one in which Turner's character appears topless while scything was voted TV moment of the year at the National Television Awards and transformed Turner into a national heart-throb.

Turner bared his chiselled torso while cutting grass in a field. And Twitter went into overdrive when he stripped off for a nude swimming scene.

But speaking to the Radio Times, he said neither him nor his family see him as sex symbol.

Heartthrob: A scene in series one in which Turner's character appears topless while scything was voted TV moment of the year at the National Television Awards and transformed Turner into a national heart-throb

He said: ' It's never mentioned [at home], strangely enough. They don't say anything. We don't keep photographs or posters of my jobs in the house

'I mean, we watch the shows. My mum's obviously a big fan, but there's no shrines to Aidan Turner around the house.'

Asked if it has been difficult acclimatising to this level of celebrity, he said: 'If I go to an event or a screening or something, yeah, you're naturally going to attract a load of fans and then it can be more intense.

'But walking around, I get the odd thing. You keep the head down and you walk fast. I don't tend to loiter.'

Asked if he watched Strictly Come Dancing, he said: 'No. I hate it. God, I hate watching it now, I can't stand it really.'

Lothario: Turner bared his chiselled torso while cutting grass in a field. And Twitter went into overdrive when he stripped off for a nude swimming scene

'I don't know if I'm eligible because I used to compete at an amateur level. I think you need to be, like, a raw beginner. They haven't asked me, no. And just for the record, I wouldn't do it.'

Turner took up ballroom and Latin American dancing at the age of six and represented his country for 10 years.

While Turner is an object of affection for many women, he suggested that he does not think of himself as a 'real man'.

He told the Radio Times: 'My dad is one of the old stock. He can do anything - fix a vintage car, do plumbing, lay flooring. He's one of those real men, you know? They're a dying breed.'

While Turner is an object of affection for many women, he suggested that he does not think of himself as a real man

He said his relationship with his horse in the drama 'has matured'.

'I talk to him all the time. I rarely use any other horses unless Seamus isn't around for some reason, (because) I understand how he works and I guess he understands how I work.'

Turner recently announced he would be keeping his clothes on for series three and the only glimpse of Ross Poldark's flesh will be 'topless sleeping'.

But speaking to the Radio Times, he said neither him nor his family see him as sex symbol

But two new heartthrobs are set to steal the limelight. Tom York and Harry Richardson, who play Demelza's brothers, say they will be the ones leaving viewers steamed-up in the third series of the BBC drama - with their own topless scenes.

Speaking at a preview screening of the first episode of series three, Richardson teased: 'I think more than one of us gets our top off.'

A trailer showed that he and York will both bare their chests in the Cornish drama. Asked whether he had been to the gym to get toned he quipped 'I don't think anyone can compete with Aidan.'

The new series will follow on from the events of the last, which saw Elizabeth (Heida Reed) pregnant, although it was unclear if the father of her baby is former lover Poldark or her husband George Warleggan (Jack Farthing).

Poldark returns next month (JUN) on BBC One.

The new issue of Radio Times is now on sale
George Clooney has said he has been banned by his wife from attending his own humanitarian 'Oscars' as they count down the days to the arrival of their twins.

Clooney, 56, is co-founder of the prestigious Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, given annually to an individual whose actions have saved countless lives and advanced humanitarian causes.

The actor co-chairs the selection committee, which awarded this year's $1.1 million dollar (850,000) prize to Dr Tom Catena, the lone doctor for 750,000 patients in a war zone in Sudan.

Clooney said that he was at the glittering Oscars-style awards ceremony 'in spirit' but said that his barrister wife Amal, 39, would never forgive him if he missed the birth of their twins

But this year he explained his enforced absence from his own weekend conference in a video message to the audience at the glittering Oscars-style awards ceremony in Yerevan, Armenia.

Clooney said that he was there 'in spirit' but said that his barrister wife Amal, 39, would never forgive him if he missed the birth of their twins.

He said: 'I really would have been there but if I came and my wife had twins while I was away I could never come home.'

Their twins were reportedly originally due in the first week of June but recent US reports claim that they are expected to arrive early 'any day now'.

Dr Catena, 53, carries out all major surgery, removing shrapnel and amputating limbs.

Bomb victims often walk for seven days to receive treatment from 'Dr Tom', who sees up to 500 patients a day on his rounds and is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

As the only permanent doctor in the Nuba Mountains, an area the size of Austria, he also delivers babies, deals with malaria and measles epidemics and runs an HIV awareness and testing campaign.

George Clooney has said he has been banned by his wife from attending his own humanitarian 'Oscars' as they count down the days to the arrival of their twins

He said: 'I really would have been there but if I came and my wife had twins while I was away I could never come home'

His is the only fully-functioning hospital in the entire region but often has no electricity, running water and phone access and only got its first X-ray machine last year.

On Sunday night, Dr Catena was presented with the prestigious award at the ceremony, which was attended by Armenia's president Serzh Sargsyan and featured spectacular operatic and ballet performances.

Celebrity guests included Manchester United's Armenian star Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the ceremony's host paid tribute to the 'resilience' of the people of Manchester.

Their twins were reportedly originally due in the first week of June but recent US reports claim that they are expected to arrive early

Dr Catena insisted that organisers send three Armenian doctors to Sudan to cover his patients before he could be persuaded to attend.

Paying tribute to him, Clooney said: 'As violence and war continue to threaten people's spirits and perseverance, it is important to recognise, empower and celebrate people like Dr Catena, who are selflessly helping others not only to survive but thrive.

'Dr Catena is a role model to us all and yet another example of people on the ground truly making a difference. United, we can all make a difference.'

Dr Catena's original 80-bed Mother of Mercy of Mercy Hospital has expanded to 435 beds with over 40 nurses. He performs 1,200 operations a year.

Dr Catena said: 'The true value of the prize is to highlight the atrocities going on in the Nuba Mountains.

'It is very helpful to have people like George Clooney who are very dedicated to the struggle. They are not in it as a flash in the pan but for the long haul.

'I don't want a lot of commotion and hoopla. I just want to go back to work. But with the exposure from this award we hope to expand and improve our services and become a teaching hospital.'
As the daughter of rock god Phil Collins she certainly has good genes.

And Lily Collins displayed good jeans as well when she wore a trendy denim jacket while stepping out in Los Angeles on Monday.

She seemed to be making the most of her Memorial Day break by using it as an opportunity to run errands in the trendy West Hollywood area.

Denim: Lily Collins wore a jean jacket as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Monday

The 28-year-old looked in typically good form in her denim jacket, black trousers and white shoes.

The daughter of Susudio star Phil Collins and Buster actress Jill Tavelman was also wearing tinted sunglasses.

Lily was recently in France for the Cannes Film Festival, where she had been promoting another new Netflix movie, Okja, alongside co-stars Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano and Jake Gyllenhaal.

The stunning actress documented her trips to both France, and a later one to the United Kingdom with a series of posts on Instagram.

Time well spent: She was out and about running errands on Memorial Day

Cannes: Lily was recently in France promoting Okja with Jake Gyllenhaal

Shortly before leaving London, she shared a photo of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, with nothing but the blue sky as a backdrop.

'Looks like it's time to fly away again,' the British-born beauty captioned the image.

'Leaving a little piece of me here as always...'

Thrilling stuff indeed, as her most rabid fans would doubtlessly attest.

Jet-setter: She documented her trip to France with social media posts
They're the Australian model besties enjoying time together in Europe.

And Megan Blake Irwin and Bambi Northwood Blyth wore matching tops in a snap from France shared to Bambi's Instagram on Saturday.

The attractive duo were seen in Paris, where Bambi's husband Dan Single fell three storeys from a hotel balcony during Fashion Week in March and is still recovering.

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Twinsies! Megan Blake Irwin and Bambi Northwood Blyth were all smiles, wearing matching tops in a snap from France shared to Bambi's Instagram on Saturday

Brunette Bambi, 26, showed off her slender figure in a blue off-shoulder top tucked into jeans, while blonde Megan, 22, wore a red version of the top the same way.

The high-profile models also donned similar circular-shaped sunglasses and their hair back in low ponytails.

They held onto each other as they posed for the photo with half-smiles and Bambi captured the image: 'Goes to France once!'

Joie de vivre: The attractive pair shared another shot from the same day to Megan's Instagram from Cafe Louis Phillippe, where they rubbed noses together and smiled

The attractive pair shared another shot from the same day to Megan's Instagram from Cafe Louis Phillippe, where they rubbed noses together and smiled.

Megan added the hashtags '#LoveHer' and '#LongTime', while Bambi gushed 'I LOVE YOU' in the photo's comments section.

'Beautiful friends in Paris, tres jolie!' wrote a supporter.

Besties: The attractive duo were seen in Paris, where Bambi's husband Dan Single fell three storeys from a hotel balcony during Fashion Week in March and is still recovering

Bambi's husband Dan Single is in Paris recovering from a three-storey fall from the Grand Amour Hotel where the twosome stayed during Fashion Week.

The couple came under fire for launching a Go Fund Me page asking the public to pay over $250,000 to help pay for the Ksubi founder's medical expenses.

The backlash forced Dan to delete the page and also saw Bambi terminate her Instagram account temporarily.
She rocketed to fame in the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise.

And the usually demure Dakota Johnson continued to send pulses racing as she attended the Gucci Cruise 2018 fashion show at Palazzo Pitti in Florence, Italy on Monday, with some serious sideboob on show.

The 27-year-old actress put on a racy display, bringing along her sisters Stella Banderas, 20, and Grace Johnson, 17.

Stunner: Braless Dakota Johnson showed off some serious sideboob in an extreme plunging floral dress as she attended the Gucci show in Italy with sisters Stella Banderas and Grace Johnson on Monday

Stunner: She sent pulses racing as she attended the brand's Cruise 2018 fashion show at Palazzo Pitti in Florence, Italy

The plunging black maxi showcased her enviable curves perfectly, and featured an array of pretty pink rose patterns.

Teaming it with pink embellished slip-ons, she wore her hair in a half top knot and accessorised with reflective sunglasses as she sat FROW with her siblings.

Dakota and Stella share the same mother, actress Melanie Griffith, while Dakota and Grace have father Don Johnson in common.

Mane attraction: The brunette beauty worked her tresses into a saucy half up 'do

The 27-year-old actress put on a racy display, bringing along her sisters Stella Banderas, 20, and Grace Johnson, 17

The trio put on a glamorous display as they posed alongside Salma Hayek, whose husband Francois-Henri Pinault is chairman of Groupe Artemis, which owns an array of designers including Gucci, YSL and Balenciaga

Hug it out! Salma and Dakota shared a sweet hug as they stood outside the event

Royal wave: Dakota greeted her fans as she risked a serious wardrobe malfunction in her high-end garment

The trio put on a glamorous display as they posed alongside Salma Hayek, whose husband Francois-Henri Pinault is chairman of Groupe Artemis, which owns an array of designers including Gucci, YSL and Balenciaga.

Dakota's next project is a remake of Dario Argento's horror classic Suspiria, originally shot in 1977.

'It feels like we're not making this for anyone but ourselves, which is how I would like to feel all the time when I make films,' she said of the film in the February edition of Vogue.

'I know that's not going to happen, but the thing about Fifty Shades is that even if it's commercial and mainstream, the subject matter isn't. In that way I can do something mass but stay true to my weird interests.'

Simple the breast! The beauty showcased plenty of sideboob in her floral number

No shade: Dakota sported a pair of retro inspired shades as she got into her car

In the revival, the rising star plays the innocent American ballerina Susie Bannion alongside actresses Chloe Grace Moretz and Mia Goth, who all play students at a mysterious dance academy.

Tilda Swinton - who's collaborated with the film's director Luca Guadagnino several times before - takes on the role of Madame Blanc, the school's stern headmistress.

Suspiria wrapped up principal shooting in Berlin in March and is set for a late 2017 release.
After bravely discussing her mother's tragic disappearance in 2000 during The Voice auditions, Sarah Stone has revealed another tragic fall out from the unsolved mystery.

The 22-year-old's brother Alex, 27, reportedly blamed the songstress for mother Linda Grimstone vanishing after dropping her children off at school.

'He pushed me away,' the star revealed to Woman's Day , but added that he'd since decided to reconcile with his younger sister.

'He pushed me away': The Voice contestant Sarah Stone says her 'angry' brother 'blamed her' for their mother's tragic disappearance 17 years ago

'Alex had a lot of anger towards me about what happened and he pushed me away,' Sarah said.

'So I became angry at him for getting so angry at me for something so out of my control... he wouldn't leave his room (and) it broke my dad's heart.

The publication reported it was a fiery 'bust-up' between the pair that forced them to realise they needed to reconcile to fight through the pain.

'We just sat there and looked at each other... we said "why are doing this to each other?" We realised it was important to stick together.'

Tragic: The 22-year-old's brother Alex (R), 27, reportedly blamed the songstress for mother Linda Grimstone vanishing after dropping her children off at school (also pictured is her dad)

Thankfully, they're now stronger than ever, with Alex inviting Sarah to be a bridesmaid at his recent wedding.

He was also there to support his sister through the blind auditions on The Voice, where she's now down to the final 12 after being selected for Boy George's team.

Speaking of the tragedy during her first audition, Sarah said she had not seen or heard from her mother since she was six-years-old.

'(She) dropped us off at school and that was the last time we saw her, she completely disappeared off the face of the earth,' she told The Voice.

Stronger than ever: It was reported a fiery 'bust-up' between the pair that forced them to realise they needed to reconcile to fight through the pain and they're now better than ever

Awful: Speaking of the tragedy during the audition, Sarah said she had not seen or heard from her mother since she was six-years-old

'Still to this day no one really knows what happened to my mum, so that's always something that I guess is a question in the back of our minds.'

'It's something you can never sort of brace yourself for,' she later told Nine Honey.

Linda Anne Grimstone disappeared on September 4 in 2000 after dropping her two children, six-year-old Sarah and 11-year-old Alex, at Croydon Hills Primary School in Melbourne's north-east.

Mystery: Linda Anne Grimstone (pictured) disappeared on September 4 in 2000 after dropping her two children off at school

She never returned to pick them up and was not seen since.

Ms Grimstone's car was found at 10am the following day in bushland at Powers Lookout, about 270km north east of Melbourne.

The police could not explain why she was at Powers Lookout, according to the National Missing Persons Centre.

Motivation: Now 17 years after her disappearance, Sarah said her mother's disappearance was the motivation behind her music

Ms Grimstone remains number five on Australia's missing persons list.

Sarah said her father Stephen was her 'rock' and never recovered from his wife's disappearance.

'My dad isn't ready to stop looking for her. Mum was his absolute soul mate. He adored her to the point where he still talks about her every day. Every single day,' she said.
She's the Insta-famous blogger who has translated likes on social media into a modeling career.

But fans of boho bikini blogger Mimi Elashiry, 21, haven't liked her latest Instagram post captioned 'Sun Down syndrome'.

The since-deleted post, captured by Mamamia, saw the model blasted in the comments for making light of dementia symptoms and a genetic disorder.

This caption is terrible!' Bikini blogger turned model Mimi Elashiry blasted over beach side down syndrome Insta post

On Sunday, Mimi shared a photo of her sitting on the beach to her 886,000 Instagram followers.

'Sun Down syndrome,' she captioned the picture, the description immediately raising the ire of her fans.

Sundown syndrome refers to symptoms of confusion felt by dementia sufferers, while Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder.

Controversial caption: On Sunday, Mimi shared a photo of her sitting on the beach to her 886,000 Instagram followers

Bad choice of words: Sundown syndrome refers to symptoms of confusion felt by dementia sufferers, while Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder

'This caption is terrible. So sad to use it when showing yourself smiling on the beach,' one person commented.

'You should really change that caption,' another wrote, while another follower said: 'Sundown syndrome is an actual syndrome not to be used in a playful manner.'

Mimi has since deleted the post and Daily Mail Australia has contacted her for comment.

Backlash: Mimi has since deleted the post and Daily Mail Australia has contacted her for comment

It's not the first time influencer Mimi has courted controversy, hitting back at Australia's Top Model judge Alex Perry who had criticised the rise of selfie-taking users, calling themselves 'models' on Instagram.

Mimi told Daily Mail Australia in 2015 she had labels Victoria's Secret, Calvin Klein and Gap interested in her modelling with them due to her social media following.

'For Alex Perry to say that - Hes in a different realm,' Mimi said.

'I understand he has a different perspective because hes been in the industry a lot longer and comes from a conventional side, but there's a commercial landscape now thats more versatile.'
Chris Pratt and John Krasinski marked Memorial Day by putting each other through their paces.

The American actors - and real-life friends - both found themselves in the United Kingdom for this year's Memorial Day.

But despite being across the Atlantic, both stars showed America was still very much in their hearts on this important day.

All worked up... John Krasinski and Chris Pratt commemorated Memorial Day by undertaking The Murph Challenge together in the UK

The men, both 37, commemorated Memorial Day by undertaking The Murph Challenge, a fitness test raising money for the LT. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

The grueling challenge saw both actors completing a workout which consisted of a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air-squats, followed by another one-mile run.

After completing the challenge, the sweaty stars took to Instagram to share videos of themselves discussing their workout.

Both John and Chris look understandably exhausted, with sweat seen dripping off their foreheads.

Meaningful: 'Whether you do a Murph Challenge or just take some time to remember, remember that's what today is all about,' John said in an Instagram video

Firm friends: The stars have been good friends for years, after meeting through John's wife, actress Emily Blunt

'My hands are shaking,' said Chris, as an out of breath John laughed beside him.

After managing to catch their breaths, Chris went on to explain a bit about the Navy SEAL for who the challenge is named after.

'Michael Murphy is a Navy SEAL. One of the many in uniform who gave his life for his country,' he said.

Catching up: The American actors both found themselves in the UK on Memorial Day, and decided to commemorate it together

Doing it tough: The friends - seen here at an event in 2015 - undertook the grueling fitness challenge together. 'My hands are shaking,' said Chris, following their workout

After cooling down, the two filmed another - slightly less breathless - video to commemorate Memorial Day.

Again sitting side-by-side outdoors, John encouraged fans not to lose sight of the significance behind the holiday.

'Whether you do a Murph Challenge or just take some time to remember, remember that's what today is all about,' he implored.
She's the Oscar-winning actress who credits moisturiser and sunscreen as the secret behind her youthful complexion.

And Nicole Kidman, 49, revealed her age-defying visage once again this Tuesday as she touched down in Sydney following a long haul-flight ahead of filming scenes for Aquaman, and her upcoming 50th birthday celebrations.

Shielding her eyes behind a pair of dark frames, the fiery-haired star was spotted looking decidedly line-free as she strolled through the international arrivals terminal with her security entourage.

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Smooth landing! Nicole Kidman, 49, revealed her age-defying visage once again this Tuesday, as she touched down in Sydney after a long haul-flight

Not a line in sight: Shielding her eyes behind a pair of dark frames, the fiery-haired star was spotted looking decidedly line-free as she strolled through the international arrivals terminal

The red carpet regular looked typically stylish, swathed in a chic grey coat and scarf layered over a pair of skinny jeans.

Her look was completed with a pair of pointy-toe ballet flats, a black designer handbag and her weighty diamond engagement ring.

Nicole appeared to be wearing minimal makeup, enhancing her cheeks with a swipe of pink and painting her pout with pink lipstick.

Staying shady: Known for her alabaster complexion and youthful visage, Nicole has long been a proponent of sun protection

Minimal: Nicole appeared to be wearing minimal makeup, enhancing her cheeks with a swipe of pink and painting her pout with pink lipstick

Chic: The red carpet regular looked typically stylish, swathed in a chic grey coat and scarf layered over a pair of skinny jeans

After briefly greeting fans with a smile, Nicole strolled outside before slipping away in a taxi.

Known for her alabaster complexion and youthful visage, Nicole has long been a proponent of sun protection.

'From the time I was a little girl, my mum taught me to protect my skin from the sun,' Kidman revealed in a recent advertisement for Neutrogena, a brand for which she has been name the newest global ambassador.

Taking care: 'Looking after the health of my skin is something I've grown up understanding,' she once explained of her youthful visage

Designer wares: Nicole carried a Valentino black handbag as her bodyguard toted her Louis Vuitton carryall

Busy schedule: A security guard was spotted opening up the door for a smiling Nicole before she was whizzed away by her driver

'Looking after the health of my skin is something I've grown up understanding,' she explained.

'Now, of course, I'm looking to keep my skin as young as it can be, I mean we all are,' the Big Little Lies star revealed in a preview of her upcoming Neutrogena commercial.

'As time passes, I've realised that sun protection has become just part of the story,' she added.

'I've learned that your skin needs a lot of attention and support, just like the rest of your body, to keep it its healthiest.'

Nicole has previously admitted to trying Botox, but has said that she no-longer uses it

No time to chat! Nicole didn't have time to mingle with onlookers at the airport

Happy to home: Nicole looked very pleased to be home
They married in 2009 and share a daughter and Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault are clearly as much in love as ever.

The famous couple strolled hand-in-hand Monday through the streets of Florence, Italy.

The Mexican actress, 50, and the French multi-millionaire businessman, 55, also indulged in a little shopping before heading to Gucci's Cruise 2018 Collection.

Still in love: Salma Hayek, 50, and Francois-Henri Pinault, 55,who wed in 2009, strolled hand-in-hand Monday through the streets of Florence, Italy

Hayek wore a sleeveless white shirt and a teal patterned skirt for the outing and paired the ensemble with platform sandals.

She carried a dark jacket and added a fedora pulled down over her forehead and a pair of large cat eye sunglasses.

Pinault opted for black patterned jeans and a white t-shirt with a black bomber jacket and sneakers.

The Frenchman is chairman of Groupe Artemis, which owns an array of designers including Gucci, YSL and Balenciaga.

Fashionistas: The actress and multi-millionaire businessman - who share daughter Valentina, nine - indulged in some shopping before heading to Gucci's Cruise 2018 Collection

The couple joined several other celebrities for the exclusive Gucci event held at Florence's Palazzo Pitti.

Hayek posed for pictures with Fifty Shades star Dakota Johnson, 27, who attended the collection launch with her half-sisters Stella Banderas, 20, and Grace Johnson, 17.

The mother of all three young women is actress Melanie Griffith. Dakota and Grace's father is Miami Vice star Don Johnson while Stella's dad is Spanish actor Antonio Banderas.

Famous names: At the Gucci event, Hayek posed for pictures with Fifty Shades star Dakota Johnson, 27, and her half-sisters Stella Banderas, 20, and Grace Johnson, 17
Jessica Chastain chose the closing press conference at the Cannes Film Festival to voice her concern about the way women were represented in the movies selected for competition.

The Hollywood actress, who was on the jury at the prestigious festival, said she was surprised, and not in a good way, by the female characters she saw on screen.

'This is the first time Ive watched 20 films in 10 days and I love movies, and the one thing I really took away from this experience is how the world views women from the female characters that were represented,' she stated, as reported by The Wrap.

'It was quite disturbing to me, to be honest  with some exceptions,' she said.

Speaking out: Jessica Chastain, a juror at Cannes, said she found the way women characters were portrayed on film 'disturbing' at the festival's closing press conference

Chastain, who has twice been nominated for an Oscar for her performances in Zero Dark Thirty and The Help, considered the female roles to be somewhat passive and reactive.

She suggested that more women filmmakers and storytellers be included for consideration in competition in the future.

'I do hope that when we include more female storytellers we will have more of the women I recognize in my day to day life, those who are proactive, have their own agency, dont just react to the men around them, they have their own point of view,' Chastain said.

Not convinced by movie portrayals: She said women in real life are 'proactive..... dont just react to the men around them... have their own point of view'

Wants better storytelling: Will Smith, who was also a juror along with Chastain, echoed the need for greater diversity, saying he'd like to see more black characters on screen

Will Smith, also a juror, added at the press conference that he'd like to see a greater variety of storytelling, too.

'A couple of black folks wont hurt there either, he quipped.

There was success for women filmmakers at Cannes this year with Sofia Coppola becoming only the second female in the festival's history to be named best director for The Beguiled.

Diane Kruger was named best actress and Joaquin Phoenix was named best actor while the coveted Palme d'Or went to the satirical The Square.
They're the self-described 'geeks' competing to win this season of House Rules.

And twins Andrew and Jono showed how close their bond is during Tuesday night's episode, when Andrew sliced his wrist on broken glass and was rushed to hospital.

The 27-year-old's 'life-threatening' injury provided a brief moment for the bickering contestants to come together as they approached the show's first elimination.

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Emergency: Andrew and Jono showed how close their bond is during Tuesday night's episode of House Rules, when Andrew sliced his wrist on broken glass and was rushed to hospital

Andrew and Jono joined the other teams to remove the panes of glass from Aaron and Daniella's Gold Coast house for this week's design challenge.

As Andrew attempted throwing the glass into a rubbish tip, he cut his wrist with a glass shard and instantly recoiled in pain.

'Doctor! Doctor Doctor!' screamed Sean, a Tasmanian paramedic who immediately watched what happened.

Working: Andrew and Jono joined the other teams to remove the panes of glass from Aaron and Daniella's Gold Coast house for this week's design challenge

Horrific: As Andrew attempted throwing the glass into a rubbish tip, he cut his wrist with a glass shard and instantly recoiled in pain

'Hospital! Hospital! Hospital!' yelled Andrew as he was rushed to a security stand.

'Ambulance, definitely call an ambulance!' he continued. 'It's ripped open big time.'

Sean's fiancee Ella, also a paramedic, observed the severity of the injury.

'Hospital! Hospital! Hospital!' yelled Andrew as he was rushed to a security stand

Assistance: Sean's fiancee Ella, also a paramedic, observed the severity of the injury

'It looks like you've cut an artery,' she stated before she frantically asked the security guards on set: 'Where's your medi-kit?'

Andrew's twin brother Jono, who instantly called an ambulance, yelled into his mobile phone: 'It is serious, this is life and death!'

Team NSW competitor Troy ran over to Andrew, took his hard hat off his head and calmly wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Distraught: Andrew's twin brother Jono, who instantly called an ambulance, yelled into his mobile phone: 'It is serious, this is life and death!'

Supportive: Team NSW competitor Troy ran over to Andrew, took his hard hat off his head and calmly wiped the sweat off his forehead

'Just breathe mate, you've got to relax,' he instructed him.

'Sit down before you fall down, bro. The more you stress bro, the more you're gonna bleed,' he continued.

'Your artery is literally straight from your heart, you can bleed out very quickly,' an anguished Ella explained as she assisted Andrew.

'Sit down before you fall down, bro. The more you stress bro, the more you're gonna bleed,' he continued

'Your artery is literally straight from your heart, you can bleed out very quickly,' an anguished Ella explained as she assisted Andrew

She then jumped on the phone to the ambulance to describe the injury and detailed Andrew had 'no pulse in right wrist, life-threatening.'

He was taken in the ambulance with his brother Jono beside him and the two are later seen on camera as Andrew awaited emergency surgery.

Jono emotionally described how he was 'struggling to stay composed' seeing his twin brother in pain.

Strong bond: He was taken in the ambulance with his brother Jono beside him and the two are later seen on camera as Andrew awaited emergency surgery

Emotional: Jono described how he was 'struggling to stay composed' seeing his twin brother in pain

'I was in shock,' he said, while fighting back tears.

'I was really struggling to stay composed,' he continued. 'I actually thought I'm losing my brother.'

The remaining contestants, visibly shocked by Andrew's injury, pull together as a crew and vow to help the brothers complete their renovation zone.

'I was really struggling to stay composed,' he continued. 'I actually thought I'm losing my brother'

Serious: The day after the incident, Jono returned to the work site and told contestants Harry and Sean Andrew's injury left his hand and arm 'numb'

Distressed: The remaining contestants, visibly shocked by Andrew's injury, pull together as a crew and vow to help the brothers complete their renovation zone

'We may fight and curse each other as a group, but we're a weird family and we're going to protect each other like no tomorrow,' declared Bec.

The day after the incident, Jono returned to the work site and told contestants Harry and Sean Andrew's injury left his hand and arm 'numb'.

Harry and Sean told him the teams have decided to come together to get the twins' zone done.

Group hug: Harry and Sean told him the teams have decided to come together to get the twins' zone done

'It's nice to have the support of the other teams,' described Jono in a video confessional

'It's nice to have the support of the other teams,' described Jono in a video confessional.

'This is a competition [but] they're offering their help and they're going to do anything they can to get us across the line this week,' he added.

Meanwhile NSW team Troy and Bec volunteered to design the 'bonus room' for this week's challenge, which Kate said 'will be their demise'.
Kim Kardashian has made it clear she thinks the rift between her momager Kris Jenner and stepfather Caitlyn Jenner is irreparable.

Kris, 61, was said to be furious about her ex's decision to tell all in her just published memoir The Secrets Of My Life in which she detailed her long battle with gender identity and spilled the beans on her intimate life with the mother of six.

When asked by Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen if there's a chance her mom would ever speak to the trans celebrity again, Kim, 36, responded: 'Zero. No, one. No, I would say two percent. And those are Kendall and Kylie. That's their percentage. All fair, I think.'

Telling it like it is: Kim Kardashian, 36, has said she thinks there's almost 'zero' chance her mother Kris jenner will ever speak again to her ex Caitlyn Jenner

Kylie and Kendall are Kim's half-sisters who appear on the family's reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians along with Kim and her sisters Kourtney and Khloe.

And it's not just Kris and Caitlyn who aren't speaking.

Kim, too, hasn't been in touch with her former stepdad.

Caitlyn, during her book tour in Australia, told the Today program May 12: 'I really haven't talked to (Kim) in a long time.'

Feud: Keeping Up With The Kardashians momager Kris, left, was said to be furious after ex-husband Caitlyn, right, spilled the beans on their intimate life in tell-all The Secrets Of My Life

Shared interest: Kim said the only possible reason Kris and Caitlyn might communicate would be over their daughters Kendall and Kylie Jenner, pictured in April

And in an interview publicized in Britain's Sunday Times this weekend, the former Olympian stated she doesn't see herself appearing any more on KUWTK.

Meanwhile, Kim also weighed in on her younger half-sister Kylie's split from longtime love Tyga while on the Bravo show Sunday.

The wife of Kanye West said she is pleased their split was 'easy' and drama free.

Andy Cohen asked Kim: 'On a scale of one to 10, how relieved were you when Kylie and Tyga finally called it quits?'

To which the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star said: 'I was  I feel like a lot of drama  And it doesnt mean hes a bad person at all

'I just think that sometimes people  and what was great was that it was so easy, that split. There has not been any drama with her since.'
While she wasn't Richie's pick last season on The Bachelor, things seemed to have worked out in Kiki Morris' favour with her stealing the heart of Sydney beau Jeremy Banks.

But in the reality TV contestant's Instagram post on Tuesday, the pair didn't seem to be communicating effectively.

The 29-year-old posed seductively in a white and black bikini while her boyfriend appeared to be disinterested as he checked his mobile device.

Digital distraction: Jeremy is far too busy to glance in the direction of his bombshell girlfriend while she poses for Instagram

The swimsuit complemented the blonde's slender physique and accentuated her womanly curves.

The social media enthusiast accompanied the picture with the caption: 'Vaycay required to wear this new bikini @jembanks book the flights lets goooooo!'

The couple moved in together earlier in the year and have been consistently documenting their close relationship on social media.

Loved up: The couple flaunt matching pearly whites in cupid Instagram post

Couple getaway: Kiki begs Jeremy to take her on another holiday so she can flaunt her new bikini

Kiki shared a picture of the pair last week showing Jeremy blind folded at a 'Fifty Shades' inspired dinner.

The caption suggested the couple were more loved up than ever: 'Such a romantic night with @jembanks #fiftyshadesau inspired decadent degustation menu @barmachiavelli #6courses #deliciousfood blindfolded of course!'

Hottie housemates: The couple passed another milestone this year when they committed to living under the same roof

Give me attention! Kiki calls on the praise of her followers and boyfriend in multiple scantily clad Instagram pictures

And while Kiki keeps her fans up-to-date with regular pictures of the pair together, it has been over a month since Jeremy's last post featuring his girlfriend.

The busty blonde is not shy about flaunting her body to her near 80,000 followers and it doesn't seem to bother Jeremy either.

She even got her gear off for a nude photo shoot after losing a bet to her boyfriend in March.

The picture that was deleted soon after being posted featured the former glamour model posing nude in the drivers seat of a car with nothing but a take-away cup protecting her modesty.
She touched down at Sydney airport on Tuesday morning.

And Nicole Kidman, 49, didn't waste any time recovering from her jet lag, stopping in to visit her mother Janelle soon after touching down.

The smiling actress made her way inside her mum's home ahead of her birthday and filming scenes for Aquaman.

No place like home! Smiling Nicole Kidman visited her mother Janelle in Sydney on Tuesday after touching down in Australia

The Lion actress cut a casual figure as she stepped out of her Mercedes, wearing a pair of skinny jeans.

The movie star paired the look with a snug navy jumper and spotted shirt, accessorising with a chic leather handbag.

Wearing her blonde locks swept back from her face in a messy updo, Nicole wore a pair of aviator sunglasses.

Helping hand: Nicole beamed as she emerged from the luxury car, a male employee opening the door for the A-lister

Legs for days! The Lion actress cut a casual figure as she stepped out of her Mercedes, wearing a pair of skinny jeans

Fashionable: Wearing her blonde locks swept back from her face in a messy updo, Nicole also donnede a pair of aviator sunglasses

Nicole beamed as she emerged from the luxury car, a male employee opening the door for the A-lister.

It was hard to believe Nicole had just stepped off an international flight hours earlier, the beauty boasting a flawlessly smooth complexion and taut visage.

As she made her way to her mother Janelle's front door, the man followed her clutching a bag from luxury brand Chanel, possibly a present for her mum.

A present for mum? As she made her way to her mother Janelle's front door, the man followed her clutching a bag from luxury brand Chanel

Keeping it casual! The movie star paired the look with a snug navy jumper and spotted shirt, accessorizing with a chic leather handbag

Looking amazing: It was hard to believe Nicole had just stepped off an international flight hours earlier, the beauty boasting a flawlessly smooth complexion and taut visage

The trip to Sydney comes after Nicole was honoured at Cannes Film Festival on Sunday.

She won the highly-coveted 70th Anniversary Jury Prize, accepting the award via video link from her home with husband Keith Urban in Nashville, Tennessee.

Nicole apologised for not being able to accept the award while gushing: 'I'm just absolutely devastated not to be with you tonight , but I'm thrilled to be receiving this award.'

Recognised: The trip to Sydney comes after Nicole was honoured at Cannes Film Festival on Sunday

Accepted overseas: She won the highly-coveted 70th Anniversary Jury Prize, accepting the award via video link from her home with husband Keith Urban in Nashville, Tennessee
It may have hit UK screens way back in March, but the Love Actually sequel has finally arrived Down Under.

The 16-minute sequel titled Red Nose Day Actually was uploaded to YouTube on Friday, with viewing made accessible to Australian audiences.

More than a decade after the film tugged at rom-com fans' heartstrings, the original cast reunited for a special follow-up in order to raise money for charity.

Finally here: The Love Actually sequel, which is titled Red Nose Day Actually, and takes place more than a decade after the original, can finally be viewed by Australian audiences

Although the follow-up to the 2003 Christmas classic was released so long after its British airing, the lag meant Australians were treated to the extended version, which also aired in the US.

In the full version, the fate of Laura Linney's character Sarah and her love life was revealed.

Fans may remember in the original flick, Sarah gave up a shot at love with her hot co-worker to admirably care for her sick brother.

Bonus scenes: Though Australians had to wait two months after the sequel's UK release, they were treated to an extra scene that featured Laura Linney's (pictured) character

In love: In the new scene, which also aired in the US, Laura's character Sarah is happily married to a hunky character played by Patrick Dempsey (pictured)

However, in the additional scene included in the US version, Sarah is seen chatting to a man (played by Patrick Dempsey) who is soon revealed to be her husband.

'I love you very much,' he tells her when she phones him.

'I just cant resist the way you always answer the phone. Youre a very nice wife.'

Iconic: Mark (played by Andrew Lincoln, pictured) declared his love to his best friend's fiancee Juliet (Keira Knightley) in Love Actually

The cue cards are back: After promising to marry a supermodel, Andrew Lincoln's (pictured right) character Mark announces he married none other than Kate Moss (pictured left)

The love life of Andrew Lincoln's character Mark also seems to have fallen into place.

After failing to woo his best friend's fiancee Juliet (Keira Knightley) in an iconic scene involving cue cards with declarations of love in the original film, he promised he'd marry a supermodel.

In a nod to that moment, supermodel Kate Moss makes a cameo in the sequel, confirming that he did, in fact, fulfil his promise.

The short YouTube clip also checks in with the various other characters who graced screens in the famous film.

Along with Laura, Keira and Andrew, actors including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, Rowan Atkinson, Colin Firth and Thomas Sangster all reprised their roles.
She's the Victoria's Secret alumnus, known for her nonchalant demeanour.

But Shanina Shaik showed a more cheeky side to her personality, as she posted adorable throwback snaps of herself in her younger years on Monday.

A photo shared to her Instagram Story saw the 26-year-old beaming for the camera, wrapped up tightly in a pink onesie and a striped blanket.

'Baby Nina': Shanina Shaik, 26, posted adorable throwback snaps of when she was a little girl, to her Instagram Story on Monday

The photo of a cherub-faced Shanina, is in contrast to the personality of today, known for her defined cheekbones and plump pout.

One of Australia's biggest modelling exports, the Melbourne-born star has gone on to front various campaigns including Sephora and Seafolly.

Shanina has also graced the runways of Victoria's Secret, Chanel, Tom Ford, Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney.

'Omg I found my baby book': Another image shared to Shanina's Instagram Story, saw the exotic beauty as a baby, laying on a bed

'Hehe': While another snap saw Shanina in her pre-teen years, sporting long brunette locks and beaming for the camera, for a fashion catalogue

Another image shared to Shanina's Instagram Story, saw the exotic beauty as a baby, laying on a bed.

Sporting a wide grin, Shanina was propped up by a pillow and surrounded by a number of award ribbons.

'Omg I found my baby book,' the fiancee of DJ Ruckus, real name Gregory Andrews, captioned the throwback, alongside the hash-tag #babynina.

Stellar run: One of Australia's biggest modelling exports, Shanina has gone on to front various campaigns including Sephora and Seafolly

In demand: The statuesque personality has also graced the runways of Victoria's Secret, Chanel, Tom Ford, Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney

While another snap saw Shanina in her pre-teen years, sporting long brunette locks and beaming for the camera.

Donning sleepwear for a fashion catalogue, she wrapped one arm around her fellow model.

'Hehe!!' Shanina simply captioned the sweet throwback.
She is currently in the throes of a new romance.

And proving her relationship is going from strength to strength, Kate Hudson enjoyed a low-key family outing with her new beau Danny Fujikawa and her son Bellamy, five.

The actress, 38, sported a laid-back look as she stepped out in Malibu on Monday - attempting to go incognito under a straw hat and shades.

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Low-key: Kate Hudson enjoyed a family outing with her new beau Danny Fujikawa and her son Bellamy, five, for Memorial Day on Monday

Kate swapped her usual red carpet glamour for a much more casual ensemble, as she donned a pair of distressed flared jeans and a loose-fitted grey t-shirt.

She sported a pair of aztec printed loafers on her feet and hid her face underneath a huge straw fedora hat that featured a large circular rim.

Sporting a dark pair of sunglasses, Kate appeared to go make-up free - flaunting her natural beauty as she cut a relaxed and content figure alongside her loved ones.

The How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days stars wore her blonde tresses down to graze her shoulders and was seen juggling her mobile phone with a hoodie, sweets and a red balloon - no doubt to Bellamy's delight.

New love: The Bride Wars star was joined by her new love musician Danny Fujikawa

She shares the five-year-old with her former fiance and Muse front man Matt Bellamy.

They had been together for four years, before calling off their engagement in December 2014.

Now, Kate is dating new beau Danny, with the pair making their red carpet debut at the premiere of her mother Goldie Hawn's new movie Snatched earlier this month.

Danny had joined Kate and her little boy Bellamy on their Memorial Day outing.

The Chief rocker dressed down for the occasion in a pair of grey chinos and a crew neck sweatshirt.

Laid-back look: The actress attempted to go incognito under a straw hat and shades, while donning flared jeans and a loose-fitted t-shirt

He and Kate were first romantically linked in March - photos had emerged of the pair running errands together.

Little is known about the star apart from that he is a musician in the LA based folk band and co-founded an independent record label Lightwave Records in 2013.

Kate, meanwhile, is known for being notoriously private when it comes to her relationships.

In an interview with Marie Claire, the Hollywood actress explained she doesn't like to talk about dating out of respect for her children.

Going public: He and Kate were first romantically linked in March - photos had emerged of the pair running errands together - and they made their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of Snatched earlier this month

She is also mother to son Ryder Robinson, 13, whom she shares with her ex-husband and The Black Crows star Chris Robinson.

She said: 'The reason I don't talk about anything like that is because I have kids.

'People ask that question as if, 'Oh yeah, it's really healthy to publicly talk about who I am or am not dating when I've got a tween.' [Ryder] can read, and he can hear.

'I'm not going to indulge in that kind of thing until there's someone in my life who I am introducing to my kids.'

Meanwhile, as Kate was enjoying some downtime with her family in Malibu, her actress mother Goldie, 71, was spotted in high spirits as she stepped out in Brentwood.

Smile! As Kate was enjoying some downtime with her family in Malibu, her actress mother Goldie, 71, was spotted in high spirits as she stepped out in Brentwood

The movie star had enjoyed lunch with a pal and hammed it up for the cameras, as she made her way past photographers on her exit.

Goldie was seen beaming from ear-to-ear as she waved in the direction of waiting cameras while strolling in the sunshine.

Flaunting her age-defying looks, Goldie - who is married to Kurt Russell - sported a laid-back look for her lunch date in cropped cargo trousers and a loose-fitted Nike fleece.

She has recently released her latest film Snatched alongside Amy Schumer.
Rumours swirled that she was engaged to beau and former felon Dean Gibbs.

But last Wednesday, Cheryl Maitland dismissed the reports, telling Daily Mail Australia, 'no we aren't engaged.'

The couple are still very much in love, with the Married At First Sight star gushing over the convicted drug trafficker, in an Instagram snap captioned 'bubbyyyy' on Tuesday.

'Bubbyyyy': Married At First Sight's Cheryl Maitland, 26, gushed over beau Dean Gibbs, in a loved-up snap shared to Instagram on Tuesday, after dismissing engagement rumours

The image shared with Cheryl's 166,000 Instagram followers, saw the brunette cutting a glamorous figure in a plunging ensemble.

Her long locks fell around her face, that was enhanced with a bronzed complexion, defined brows, lashings of mascara and soft pink gloss over her very plump pout.

Cuddling up to beau Dean, the muscular hunk cut a casual figure in a black T-shirt as he beamed for the camera.

'BUBBYYYY,' Cheryl captioned the photo that was taken at an outdoor event.

Rumours: The affectionate post comes shortly after rumours swirled of an engagement. A Woman's Day report claimed friends of the couple were convinced Dean was planning on a proposal

The affectionate post comes shortly after rumours swirled of an engagement.

A Woman's Day report claimed friends of the couple were convinced Dean was planning on a proposal.

'Cheryl's never been this keen on a boyfriend in the past and she wants to settle down while she's young,' an inside source told the publication.

Cheryl and Dean are not shy in sharing their affection.

No truth: However Cheryl dismissed the reports, telling Daily Mail Australia last Wednesday: 'No we aren't engaged'

The pair regularly take to Instagram, pining for one another, when distance keeps them apart.

A former felon, Dean was convicted of dealing cocaine in 2014, but the brunette's Instagram fans insist he's a 'better sort' and match for Cheryl, than her TV 'ex-husband'.

Cheryl 'married' Andrew Jones on controversial reality dating series, Married At First Sight.

Claim to fame: Cheryl 'married' Andrew Jones on controversial reality dating series, Married At First Sight
She has been enjoying some downtime after the whirlwind that followed the release of Beauty And The Beast - her latest movie.

Emma Watson enjoyed huge success with the live-action Disney adaptation that broke records on its release to cinemas.

But with the promo trail for the movie now over, the actress, 27, has been spotted enjoying a break from it all, as she stepped out in New York with friends on Monday.

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Low-key: Emma Watson, 27, took a break from her busy schedule of late to take a stroll in New York with her friends on Monday

Emma cut a low-key figure as she hit the streets of NYC, sporting a casual ensemble that paired together a checked shirt, cropped white FRAME Denim jeans and complementing plimsoll trainers.

Her blouse featured ruffled detailing around the sleeves and thanks to its partially sheer material, teased a look at Emma's dark-hued lingerie underneath.

Sweeping her chestnut tresses up into a tousled bun, Emma donned a pair of stylish shades to protect her eyes from the beaming sunshine and slung a canvas tote bag over one shoulder.

Risque: Thanks to its partially sheer material, the actress left little to the imagination by teasing a look at Emma's dark-hued lingerie underneath her checked shirt that she paired with cropped FRAME jeans and plimsolls

The Harry Potter star appeared content and relaxed as she enjoyed some downtime with her friends in the city.

And as well as spending time with her pals for Memorial Day, Emma has also been seen catching up with her boyfriend, William Mack Knight - who is 10 years her senior.

They were spotted making a rare appearance in New York recently, as they enjoyed a dinner date in the city's trendy East Village.

Romance: And as well as spending time with her pals for Memorial Day, Emma has also been seen catching up with her boyfriend, William Mack Knight - who is 10 years her senior (pictured above last year)

Emma and the American tech boss, 37, had met in late 2015, several months after her split from British rugby player Matthew Janney.

While she has never publicly spoken about their relationship, it's said their romance is getting serious, as William's mother Katherine revealed she has been introduced to Emma.

She told The Mirror: 'I have met Emma and she's a wonderful girl. We don't see them very often because he's busy and working very hard.'
They were the makers of the top three dishes in Sunday night's MasterChef invention test.

Now Tamara, Ben and Samuel fought it out on Tuesday night to win the coveted immunity pin.

In the first round of the immunity challenge, the contestants had to reinvent the humble mac and cheese into a restaurant worthy dish.

Ready for battle! MasterChef's Tamara, Ben and Samuel fought it out on Tuesday night to win the coveted immunity pin

Inventive: They had 45 minutes to give mac and cheese the 'MasterChef creative touch' with the best dish heading into the final round for the immunity pin

They had 45 minutes to give mac and cheese the 'MasterChef creative touch' with the best dish heading into the final round for the immunity pin.

Tamara made a super-sized chilli mac and cheese with crispy prosciutto.

Samuel decided on a healthy mac and cheese bake with a cauliflower base.

Yum! Tamara made a super-sized chilli mac and cheese with crispy prosciutto

Winner! After tasting the three dishes, the judges were most impressed with Tamara's dish as they said: 'We loved where you took it'

Ben, who tends to steer clear of carbs, struggles with an idea but settled on a chicken and leek mac and cheese.

The judges were worried about Ben's complex take on the dish for a simple 45 minute challenge with Gary saying: 'It all just seems really complicated and I'm questioning whether or not you'll get it done in time.'

After tasting the three dishes, the judges were most impressed with Tamara's dish as they said: 'We loved where you took it.'

Prestigious: Tamara then went on to cook for the immunity pin against celebrity chef Clinton McIver

Tamara then went on to cook for the immunity pin against celebrity chef Clinton McIver.

Instead of having to choose between a pantry to cook with, Tamara had to pick one out of four herbs to hero in the two cook's dishes.

She had to pick between parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, and she chose rosemary to feature in her cook.

Herby choice: Instead of having to choose between a pantry to cook with, Tamara had to pick one out of four herbs to hero in the two cook's dishes

Tamara had 75 minutes to create her dish while Clinton only had 60.

Tamara decided to create roast chicken, rosemary and garlic dumplings with a roast chicken broth.

Clinton made rosemary lamb with various pickled vegetables and pear for a touch of sweetness.

Yummy! Clinton made rosemary lamb with various pickled vegetables and pear for a touch of sweetness

Tamara started to worry with 35 minutes left as she started her broth too late and was hoping it would still pack a punch of flavour.

Clinton's struggle came with not being familiar with the MasterChef kitchen and not knowing where things were and the capability of the appliances.

The judges then tasted each dish without knowing how cooked what and then scored the dishes out of ten.

Big hit: Tamara's dish had a warm welcome from the judges as George said: 'It's comfort in a bowl!'

They loved Clinton's dish as Gary said: 'It's seemingly so simple but with so much flavour!'

Tamara's dish had a warm welcome from the judges as George said: 'It's comfort in a bowl!'

With a score of 27 out of 30, Clinton won the immunity challenge as Tamara lost out on the immunity pin by just two points.
Rebel Wilson returned Down Under for her high-profile defamation trial in Melbourne against publisher Bauer Media this month.

And the Hollywood star has approached each appearance at Supreme Court of Victoria with her signature quirky flair.

From a koala purse and Mickey Mouse flats, to leather-look leggings, glitter-soaked loafers and a bright pout: Here's how Rebel kept an upbeat persona for her trial.

Bright colours, a koala purse and Mickey Mouse flats: A look at Rebel Wilson's quirky ensembles during her defamation trial against Woman's Day magazine in Melbourne

The blonde star gave off an infectious grin as she appeared in high spirits when greeting the public before and after her court appearances.

During her pre-trial date last Friday Rebel sported a cheerful appearance with a bright pink lipstick applied to her pout for the outing.

The Pitch Perfect actress also debuted her eccentric grey koala-shaped purse as she emerged from the building.

In following days, she chose to keep her koala accessory close as she mixed up her court-appropriate attire.

Not taking the Mickey! During cross-examination in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Monday, Wilson said she still believed Walt Disney was her uncle by marriage - a claim the magazine articles had portrayed as a falsehood

Quirky! She chose to sport flats that appeared to be adorned with Mickey Mouse ears during the court appearance

During cross-examination in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Monday, Wilson said she still believed Walt Disney was her uncle by marriage - a claim the magazine articles had portrayed as a falsehood.

She chose to sport flats that appeared to be adorned with Mickey Mouse ears during the court appearance.

Rebel kept her base basic with a black T-shirt and pencil skirt, while adding a bright red blazer jacket to her look.

All smiles! The blonde star gave off an infectious grin as she appeared in high spirits when greeting the public before and after her court appearances

Corporate chic! Carrying her koala-shaped purse, Rebel looked stylish in a strapless black frock with a collared white blouse beneath it

On another day she placed her long blonde locks up into a ponytail as she went for a more corporate appearance surrounded by court officials.

Carrying her koala-shaped purse, she looked stylish in a strapless black frock with a collared white blouse beneath it.

However, not all of her outfits were as tailored, as she dressed down during the week in leather-look leggings and skirts.

She also wore two identical zipped jackets in pink and black on separate days, which she added extra flair with glitter-soaked heeled loafers with pearls.

Twinning! She also wore two identical zipped jackets in pink and black on separate days, which she added extra flair with glitter-soaked heeled loafers with pearls

Opting for comfort, Rebel also arrived at court in a matching warm grey suit with a black blouse underneath.

The tailored ensemble looked warm and cosy as she strutted the pavement in black heels.



Rebel, now a California resident, happily posed with fans during the proceedings.

That looks comfortable! Rebel also arrived at court in a matching warm grey suit with a black blouse underneath

For the fans: Rebel, now a California resident, happily posed with fans during the proceeding

The Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect actor flew in from the United States for a pre-trial hearing at the Supreme Court of Victoria last Friday.

She is suing Bauer Media for defamation over a series of magazine articles she says cost her movie roles by portraying her as a liar.

She claimed her reputation had been damaged, saying she missed out on roles and that others were terminated because of the articles.
She is known for her glamorous appearance on red carpets everywhere, but Selma Blair was not afraid to display her more natural side on Friday.

The stunning 44-year-old was seen sporting a stripe of silver roots at her parting, as she headed for a coffee and a spot of shopping in Los Angeles.

Despite the striking style however, it was instead her ring-free left hand that caught attention - in an apparent dismissal of recent rumours she had become engaged to boyfriend Ron Carlson.

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Going back to her roots! Selma Blair, 44, seen sporting a stripe of silver roots at her parting and an UNOde50 bracelet as she headed for a coffee and a spot of shopping in Los Angeles

The Dark Horse star cut a more casual figure than usual as she headed out in sunny LA, with her true locks growing through.

Leaving her hair in loose waves however, she mirrored the natural vibe of her look in her make-up - keeping her face mostly fresh and accessorising with just dark sunglasses to prove her effortless beauty as she ventured out.

Maintaining the low-key vibe from head to toe, the Michigan native slipped her slim figure into a comfortable grey jumper and skinny jeans, paired with summery sliders.

Natural: The Dark Horse star cut a more casual figure than usual as she headed out in sunny LA, with her true locks growing through (L)

Low-key: Leaving her hair in loose waves however, she mirrored the natural vibe of her look in her make-up - keeping her face mostly fresh and accessorising with just dark sunglasses

Comfortable: Maintaining the low-key vibe from head to toe, the Michigan native slipped her slim figure into a comfortable grey jumper and skinny jeans, paired with summery sliders

Never without a touch of glamour however, Selma then slung a sleek green handbag over one shoulder and wore an UNOde50 bracelet as she sipped on her coffee on the city streets.

The Anger Management actress was clearly embarking on a relaxing day off amid her busy schedule, as she also carried a large shopping bag in her other hand, and chatted animatedly to a friend on the phone.

Flashing a wave at cameras however, Selma's ring-free left hand became clear to see - amid recent rumours she had become engaged to Ron Carlson.

Finishing touches: Never without a touch of glamour however, Selma then slung a sleek green handbag over one shoulder as she headed out in the city

Not true? Flashing a wave at cameras however, Selma's ring-free left hand became clear to see - amid recent rumours she had become engaged to Ron Carlson

The Cruel Intentions star first fuelled speculation when she met her filmmaker beau for lunch on Wednesday, with a chunky ring on her fourth finger.

However, the star sported the very same band on her right hand for her chores run in LA, in an apparent dismissal of the swirling rumours.

The couple are thought to have been dating for two years, but kept their love secret for the first half of their romance.

Fuelling the fire: The Cruel Intentions star first fuelled speculation when she met her filmmaker beau for lunch on Wednesday (above), with a chunky ring on her fourth finger

Ron only revealed his identity as her mystery man in late December, by sharing a photo of the actress with her horse on Instagram.

Confirming their relationship, he wrote in the caption: 'It's just a first kiss, so keep it clean please, she's taken.'

The Legally Blonde star was previously married to Ahmet Zappa, who she divorced in 2006, before she embarked on romance with fashion designer Jason Bleick.

Statement: However, the star sported the very same band on her right hand for her chores run in LA, in an apparent dismissal of the swirling rumours

'She's taken': The pair are thought to have been dating for two years - with Ron only revealing his identity as her mystery man in December, by sharing a photo of the actress with her horse on Instagram

The pair welcomed son Arthur Saint, now 5, before they separated in 2012 after two years together.

Meanwhile Selma is no doubt enjoying some relaxing time off in LA, ahead of an undoubtedly busy promotional tour for her new film Mom and Dad.

Co-starring Nicolas Cage, the horror flick follows a teenage girl and her little brother's attempts to survive a wild 24 hours, which sees a mysterious mass hysteria cause parents to exert violence on their own children.

The film was shot back in July, and is expected to be released later this year.
He's the former Rugby League star that has never been afraid to make fun of himself in the name of a laugh on the Footy Show.

And Beau Ryan did not disappoint on Tuesday when he posted a short clip to Instagram that showed Baywatch stars Zac Efron and Alexandria Daddario giving him a chest wax.

The video, which was a sneak peak of a piece that will air on Thursday's Footy Show, of Zac and Alexandria chatting about the big screen Baywatch adaptation, showed the aftermath of the 'depilatory date'

Ouch! Beau Ryan posted a short clip to Instagram, on Tuesday, that showed Baywatch stars Zac Efron and Alexandria Daddario giving him a chest wax.

'We're with Beau and this is what we did to him,' Zac said to the camera before he panned it around to show a bare-chested Beau still with some of the wax on his freshly-plucked, albeit slightly red skin.

He also sported a freshly-shaved head for the occasion.

'I'm in the movie, but, yeah? I'm in the movie,' Beau asked the Hollywood stars and, after not getting a response he repeated his question: 'So, I'm definitely in the movie, yeah?

With that, Zac panned the camera back to he and Alexandria before he offered a rather unconvincing: 'yeah, sure. 100 per cent.'

Silky smooth: 'We're with Beau and this is what we did to him,' Zac said panning the camera around to show a bare-chested Beau still with some of the wax on his freshly-plucked, albeit slightly red skin

Raven haired beauty Alexandria did her part to keep up the ruse telling Beau: 'For' sure, we wouldn't lie.'

Zac then said 'Baywatch 2 - here's the crew,' before giving Beau a cheeky laugh.

Beau captioned the post with: 'Sometimes you've just got to let @zacefron do whatever he likes to you. See you on Thursday night @nrlfootyshow.'

Screen test? 'I'm in the movie, but, yeah? I'm in the movie,' Beau asked Zac and Alexandria

Beau's fans were quick to comment on the video, however more were concerned with the 'hotness' of the Baywatch stars than any pain that he may have gone through during the waxing.

'He's so hot and she's so pretty. WTF,' one fan commented while another offered a similar: 'Zac is bae.'

Beau's appearance in Baywatch 2 not be out of the realm of possibility entirely with the hunky ex-ruby league star set to make his big screen acting debut in the forthcoming film Chasing Comets.

Promises promises: With that, Zac panned the camera back to he and Alexandria before he offered a rather unconvincing: 'yeah, sure. 100 per cent'
It was an emotional episode of House Rules on Tuesday night, as 'geek' twin Jono broke down in tears as brother Andrew was rushed to hospital with a 'life-threatening' injury.

And as fans took to Twitter to voice their concerns for the pair, they were outraged by another team's selfish response to the serious situation.

Viewers slammed Fiona and Nicole for lacking in compassion as they hoped the team's injury would benefit them ahead of the first elimination.

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'They really are the lowest of the low': House Rules fans OUTRAGED as Fiona and Nicole hope 'geek' twin Andrew's life-threatening injury makes for a competitive advantage

Emergency: Andrew and Jono showed how close their bond is during Tuesday night's episode of House Rules, when Andrew sliced his wrist on broken glass and was rushed to hospital

The all-female team said: 'If Jono and Andrew have to withdraw that's good for us. That's going to mean that we're automatically through.'

During the episode, Andrew was rushed to hospital after he cut his wrist with a glass shard and instantly recoiled in pain.

Putting into perspective how severe the incident was, Andrew, 27, candidly told the cameras from his hospital bed, 'I thought I was dead, to be honest', while Jono added: 'I actually thought 'I'm losing my brother'.'

House Rules fans were shocked by Fiona and Nicole's comments, with one viewer writing: 'Says it all - they really are the lowest of the low.'

Another surprised user wrote: 'Is Nic serious? It is goof for them that Andrew and Jono might not finish. #disgraceful #whereisthecompassion #disgusting.'

'Where is the compassion?' Viewers were not pleased by the all-female team's comments

'Fiona and Nicole just thinking about themselves': House Rules fans were shocked by Fiona and Nicole's comments on how the twin's exit from the show could mean they avoid elimination

Other Twitter accounts praised paramedic team Sean and Ella for their quick response in helping Andrew, while singling out Fiona and Nicole from the other groups' upbeat attitudes.

'Fiona and Nicole just thinking about themselves, couldn't care about others, get rid!!' and 'So the groups are thinking of #andrewandjono except for #fionanicole who think about themselves,' were just two Tweets slamming the pair.

There was also a flood of support for Andrew and Jono by keen viewers, wishing them a speedy recovery and hoping they stay within the competition.

Mixed emotions! Other Twitter accounts hoped Andrew would make a speedy recovery, praised paramedic team Sean and Ella for their quick response in helping the twin and singled out Fiona and Nicole from the other groups' upbeat attitudes

Working: Andrew and Jono joined the other teams to remove the panes of glass from Aaron and Daniella's Gold Coast house for this week's design challenge

The accident occurred when Andrew and Jono joined the other teams to remove the panes of glass from Aaron and Daniella's Gold Coast house for this week's design challenge.

As Andrew attempted throwing the glass into a rubbish tip, he cut his wrist with a glass shard and instantly recoiled in pain.

'Doctor! Doctor Doctor!' screamed Sean, a Tasmanian paramedic who immediately watched what happened.

Horrific: As Andrew attempted throwing the glass into a rubbish tip, he cut his wrist with a glass shard and instantly recoiled in pain

'Hospital! Hospital! Hospital!' yelled Andrew as he was rushed to a security stand.

'Ambulance, definitely call an ambulance!' he continued. 'It's ripped open big time.'

Sean's fiancee Ella, also a paramedic, observed the severity of the injury.

'Hospital! Hospital! Hospital!' yelled Andrew as he was rushed to a security stand

Assistance: Sean's fiancee Ella, also a paramedic, observed the severity of the injury

'It looks like you've cut an artery,' she stated before she frantically asked the security guards on set: 'Where's your medi-kit?'

Andrew's twin brother Jono, who instantly called an ambulance, yelled into his mobile phone: 'It is serious, this is life and death!'

Team NSW competitor Troy ran over to Andrew, took his hard hat off his head and calmly wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Distraught: Andrew's twin brother Jono, who instantly called an ambulance, yelled into his mobile phone: 'It is serious, this is life and death!'

Supportive: Team NSW competitor Troy ran over to Andrew, took his hard hat off his head and calmly wiped the sweat off his forehead

'Just breathe mate, you've got to relax,' he instructed him.

'Sit down before you fall down, bro. The more you stress bro, the more you're gonna bleed,' he continued.

'Your artery is literally straight from your heart, you can bleed out very quickly,' an anguished Ella explained as she assisted Andrew.

'Sit down before you fall down, bro. The more you stress bro, the more you're gonna bleed,' he continued

'Your artery is literally straight from your heart, you can bleed out very quickly,' an anguished Ella explained as she assisted Andrew

She then jumped on the phone to the ambulance to describe the injury and detailed Andrew had 'no pulse in right wrist, life-threatening.'

He was taken in the ambulance with his brother Jono beside him and the two are later seen on camera as Andrew awaited emergency surgery.

Jono emotionally described how he was 'struggling to stay composed' seeing his twin brother in pain.

Strong bond: He was taken in the ambulance with his brother Jono beside him and the two are later seen on camera as Andrew awaited emergency surgery

Emotional: Jono described how he was 'struggling to stay composed' seeing his twin brother in pain

'I was in shock,' he said, while fighting back tears.

'I was really struggling to stay composed,' he continued. 'I actually thought I'm losing my brother.'

The remaining contestants, visibly shocked by Andrew's injury, pull together as a crew and vow to help the brothers complete their renovation zone.

'I was really struggling to stay composed,' he continued. 'I actually thought I'm losing my brother'

Serious: The day after the incident, Jono returned to the work site and told contestants Harry and Sean Andrew's injury left his hand and arm 'numb'

Distressed: The remaining contestants, visibly shocked by Andrew's injury, pull together as a crew and vow to help the brothers complete their renovation zone

'We may fight and curse each other as a group, but we're a weird family and we're going to protect each other like no tomorrow,' declared Bec.

The day after the incident, Jono returned to the work site and told contestants Harry and Sean Andrew's injury left his hand and arm 'numb'.

Harry and Sean told him the teams have decided to come together to get the twins' zone done.

Group hug: Harry and Sean told him the teams have decided to come together to get the twins' zone done

'It's nice to have the support of the other teams,' described Jono in a video confessional

'It's nice to have the support of the other teams,' described Jono in a video confessional.

'This is a competition [but] they're offering their help and they're going to do anything they can to get us across the line this week,' he added.

Meanwhile NSW team Troy and Bec volunteered to design the 'bonus room' for this week's challenge, which Kate said 'will be their demise'.
She rarely puts a foot wrong when it comes to her fashion choices.

And Salma Hayek failed to disappoint as she attended the Gucci Cruise 2018 show with her fashion mogul husband Francois-Henri Pinault in Florence on Monday.

The 50-year-old opted for a spring chic vibe for the occasion, slipping into a brightly-coloured floral dress with a ruffled neckline.

Blooming lovely: Salma Hayek looked spring chic in a ruffled floral dress as she attended the Gucci Cruise 2018 show with husband Francois-Henri Pinault in Florence on Monday

The vintage-inspired number showed off her slender figure, with a classy velvet belt cinching in her tiny waist.

She teamed the dress with towering gold wedges, while shielding her eyes with a pair of studded sunglasses.

The actress accessorised the look with a pink velvet bag, tying in perfectly with the pink roses on her frock.

Stylish: The actress, 50, accessorised the look with a pink velvet bag, while shielding her eyes with a pair of studded sunglasses

Warm greeting: Salma was seen greeting fellow actress Dakota Johnson with a hug as she arrived at the star-studded show

Wearing her raven tresses down over her shoulders, she displayed her glowing complexion, accentuating her lips with a pink lipstick.

Meanwhile, her husband Francois-Henri, 55, was looking dapper in a navy suit, which he teamed with a crisp white shirt.

Salma was seen greeting fellow actress Dakota Johnson with a hug as she arrived at the star-studded show, also opting for a floral frock for the occasion.

Hello petal! The Mexican star teamed her floral dress with a pair of towering gold wedges

She also posted a snap of her with Elton John at the show on her Instagram page, captioning the snap with the words: 'So lovely hanging out with @eltonjohn and @davidfurnish at #gucci cruise fashion show in #florence.'

The Mexican actress was seen enjoying a spot of shopping with her husband ahead of the show on Monday.

Francois-Henri is the chairman of Groupe Artemis, which owns an array of designers including Gucci, YSL and Balenciaga.

Salma, who was in Cannes last week for the film festival, recently revealed she once suspected her beau of cheating after she heard a 'sexy voice' coming from his phone.

Glam: Salma was joined at the event by Dakota and the Fifty Shade Of Grey star's sisters Stella Banderas and Grace Johnson

Star-studded: The actress also posted a snap of her with Elton John at the show on Instagram

The actress, who insists she has 'always trusted' Francois, was informed by him it was actually a language app he was using to improve his English accent.

Speaking on The Graham Norton Show, she said: 'One day there was a message on his phone that said, "Hi, if you want to improve your English why don't we practice now".

'It was a very sexy voice and I thought, "What the hell? Who is this Elisa coming after my husband," but then I thought, "No, let it go."

'Anyway, about three hours later I just screamed and shouted at him, "Who is Elisa and why is she calling you?"
Social media support from Eminem has helped raise 2 million in donations for the victims of the Manchester terror attack.

The US star, real name Marshall Mathers, tweeted his fans after the attack at Manchester's MEN Arena last Monday to urge them to donate to a JustGiving page set up to help the families of the 22 people killed, and those who were injured.

Eminem, who is notoriously quiet on social medial, posted a rare message on Twitter which has helped donations to soar to over 1.8 million so far, with the page setting a target of two million.

Donation: Social media support from Eminem has helped raise 2 million in donations for the victims of the Manchester terror attack

Alongside other celebrities such as Justin Timberlake, who have tweeted links to the page, Eminem threw his support behind the fund set up by the Manchester Evening News and the British Red Cross on Thursday.

Eminem, who has 20 million Twitter followers, personally gave an undisclosed donation.

He told his followers: 'Join me in helping Manchester victims & their families, Make a donation to the @BritishRedCross and @MENnewsdesk.'

Manchester City Council thanked the star in a tweet, alongside thousands of fans who posted screenshots of their own donations.

Support: Eminem, who is notoriously quiet on social medial, posted a rare message on Twitter which have helped donations to soar to over 1.8 million

Doing his bit: Tom Hardy has also launched a JustGiving page to raise money for the victims

Actor Tom Hardy has also launched a JustGiving page to raise money for the victims of the terror attack, which he calls 'cruel, cowardly and barbaric.'

The 39-year-old actor has set up a fund to raise money for the British Red Cross, in order to support the victims and their families of the tragic bombing - and has already raised over 34,000.

In a heartfelt post on the page, the Peaky Blinders star urges fans to donate 'as a gesture of goodwill and love' following the 'inconceivable atrocity' that took place at the Manchester Arena, following Ariana Grande's concert on Monday.

Devastated by the bombing, which left 22 dead and 119 injured, the RocknRolla star penned a lengthy message to his followers on the site, which saw him vent his disgust at the act and urge fans to help those 'beginning a new life without those they love'.

He began: 'I am hoping to raise money for The British Red Cross Society because the families and children will need support.'

Supportive: On Thursday, JustGiving verified the actor's page as genuine

Reflecting on the tragedy, he went on: 'What happened at the AG [Ariana Grande] concert in Manchester was a tragedy; families and children attacked and murdered; in a place where they should be safe and enjoying a concert - it is an inconceivable atrocity.

'There is no bringing back those who have been lost, pointlessly, in such a cowardly and brutal fashion. I am truly saddened by what I have witnessed and there is no doubt that Terrorism is an evil thing.

'I hope that between us we can raise some funds as a gesture of goodwill and love to help in some small way towards repairing some if any of the damage done'

'Unimaginable': Devastated by the bombing the RocknRolla star penned a lengthy to his followers, which saw him urge fans to help those 'beginning a new life without those they love

After expressing his devastation, he then went on to address the support the surviving victims and devastated families of those lost will now need.

Tom continued: 'There will be much to do and for many the beginning of a new life without those that they love and also a new life damaged irrevocably by the actions of a crime which has no reason, no heartfelt purpose but was simply a cruel cowardly and barbaric, meaningless act of violence.'

He finished his post by urging his fans to donate what they can to the cause, in order to fight against the 'unacceptable' act.

Confirming the fund as genuine, he then assured fans at the bottom that their money will go straight to the cause, both saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Good work: The contributions from his page take the total raised for victims of the suicide bombing to 2million

Tom joins many showing an outpouring of support following the horrific attack.

Fans had been leaving the Manchester Arena on Monday when a terrorist detonated a bomb outside the exit - killing twenty two, including the bomber, and injuring 119.

Chilling video footage sees panicked gig-goers screaming and fleeing for the exit, after hearing the sound of the explosion ripping through the venue's lobby.

Many of the victims were teens and children, having headed to the venue to watch pop star Ariana Grande perform.

The 23-year-old, who had just finished her set when the bomb was set off, has since cancelled the rest of her tour in wake of the tragedy and promised to return to the city for a tribute concert.
She enjoys carrying out her motherly duties and dressing to impress with her trademark glamorous looks.

But Luisa Zissman looked radiant while going make-up free when she went shopping with her baby Indigo Esme Collins in Hertfordshire on Tuesday.

The former Apprentice star, 29, kept it low key as she showed off her slender post-baby body in the loose fitted T-shirt.

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Natural beauty! Luisa Zissman looked radiant as she went make-up free when she went shopping with her baby Indigo Esme Collins in Hertfordshire on Tuesday

Keeping it casual, the Celebrity Big Brother star teamed her comfortable attire with a pair of stylish ripped jeans.

The glamorous mum-of-two ditched her sky-scraper heels as she sashayed across the car park in a pair of comfortable flat flip flops.

Luisa looked utterly relaxed as she enjoyed bonding with her youngest child.

Sensational figure: The former Apprentice star, 29, kept it low key as she showed off her slender post-baby body in the loose fitted T-shirt

Satisfied with her purchases, the reality star pushed the trolley packed with pink and scarlet fuchsias as she headed towards the car with her daughter.

The businesswoman also raises seven-year-old Dixie, who she shares with her ex husband Oliver Zissman.

Luisa started dating her husband Andrew Collins in late 2013, a few months after she found was propelled into stardom on The Apprentice.

Before and after: The businesswoman showed off her natural beauty as she ditched her usual glamorous make-up look

Glamorous! Luisa is always dressed to impress when she is seen out and about

The Irish business tycoon proposed to her with a 1.5million ring in Paris in October 2014 before they tied the knot in France in July 2015.

The Milton Keynes native gave birth to their daughter Indigo in August 2016.

Describing her dream to add to her brood, she told OK! magazine: My dream is to have four daughters who are all really into horse riding, like me.

'Im not sure Id know what to do with a boy!
She's the veteran actress who rose to stardom on the 90s mini-series Come in Spinner.

But now Rebecca Gibney is all set for the premiere of the second season of the TV thriller Wanted.

For the 52-year-old actress, filming the second series of the critically acclaimed show was no mean feat, as her and her family had to relocate for the job.

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Wanted: Rebecca Gibney said filming the second series of the critically acclaimed show was no mean feat, as her and her family had to re-locate for the job

Rebecca, her husband and her 13-year-old Zachary has to pack up and move to Queenstown in New Zealand to shoot the new season of the thrilling show.

The show was also produced and co-created by Rebecca's husband Richard Bell.

Despite the drastic change, Rebecca said that the move abroad has taught her son a valuable life lesson.

Moving time! Rebecca, her husband and her 13-year-old Zachary has to pack up and move to Queenstown in New Zealand to shoot the new season of the thrilling show

She told The Daily Telegraph: 'He has lived and breathed Wanted for the past two years.'

'He understands how passionate we are about the show, and it also shows him what you can achieve when you work so hard.'

The new season of Wanted is due to premiere next week on Channel Seven, and Rebecca is already making plans for a third season of the show.

Life lessons: 'He (Zachary) understands how passionate we are about the show, and it also shows him what you can achieve when you work so hard'

More of the TV thriller coming! 'We are pitching season three at the moment and we will be waiting with bated breath to see if the show rates and if people watch it'

She said: 'We are pitching season three at the moment and we will be waiting with bated breath to see if the show rates and if people watch it.'

The impending success of the show comes just weeks after Rebecca revealed she had crippling self-doubt in her early years as an actress and wants younger actresses to not go through the same thing.

She told Woman's Weekly: 'That would be the biggest advice I would give any young woman: remember you are unique and there is no one else like you - believe in yourself and manifest whatever it is that you want.'
The Australian actress has created an enviable international career with gusto and style.

And Teresa Palmer delighted the panelists of breakfast show Good Morning America on Monday with her presence.

The 31-year-old appeared on the high-rating TV program to promote her new horror flick, Berlin Syndrome.

Good Morning America hosts gush over Teresa Palmer's new horror flick Berlin Syndrome as she reveals husband Mark Webber thinks her obsession with scary films is 'weird' on Monday

Sounds scary! In the film, Teresa plays an Australian photojournalist who becomes a captive in a Berlin apartment by an unsuspecting abductor

Hosts Michael Strahan, Amy Robach, George Stephanopoulos and Lara Spencer only had positive things to say about the star and her new role in the scary movie.

In the film, Teresa plays an Australian photojournalist who becomes a captive in a Berlin apartment by an unsuspecting abductor.

Michael labeled Teresa 'talented', while 'horror movie aficionado' Amy claimed the film was one of the scariest she'd seen.

The blonde host went on to say, 'Its so frightening, so real', before adding she's often judged for 'loving' horror films.

'I'm obsessed with them... my husband thinks I'm really weird': Teresa admitted she's obsessed with horror films, as host Amy Robach said people found it odd she enjoyed them so much

Teresa agreed immediately, jumping in to say: 'I'm obsessed with them... my husband thinks I'm really weird!'

Teresa is married to film director and former actor Mark Webber.

The couple have previously admitted to meeting on Twitter, when Teresa got in touch about a movie Mark had directed.

Happy family! The Adelaide-born star shares newborn son Forest Sage and three-year-old son Bodhi Rain with husband Mark Webber and is the step mother to Mark's nine-year-old son Isaac

The Adelaide-born star shares newborn son Forest Sage and three-year-old son Bodhi Rain with Mark and is the step mother to Mark's nine-year-old son Isaac.

Teresa and Mark met in 2012 and married in Mexico in 2013 while she was pregnant with their first child, Bodhi.

Berlin Syndrome was released in Australian cinemas on April 20
Theirs was one of the most tumultuous relationships in Hollywood - fraught with constant break-ups and reconciliations.

But eight years on from finally calling it quits and Robin Wright and Sean Penn seemed to have reignited their relationship - or at least a friendship.

The two were spotted jetting off on a couple trip from New York on Tuesday.

Giving it another try? Sean Penn acts the gent and lugs the bags as he jets off with ex-wife Robin Wright from New York on Tuesday

Destination unknown: The two were spotted jetting off on a couple trip

The pair arrived at John F Kennedy airport in the city, climbing into the same car.

House Of Cards star Robin carried just a purse while her ex-husband appeared to be carrying all their luggage, pulling an over night bag, while carrying a duffel bag in his arms.

The pair share two adult children from their intense decade-long on/off romance - Dylan, 26, and Hopper, 25.

What a gent: House Of Cards star Robin carried just a purse while her ex-husband appeared to be carrying all their luggage, pulling an over night bag, while carrying a duffel bag in his arms

But while Robin and Sean co-parented their children following their split, the two exes were rarely seen together.

Following in her parent's footsteps, Dylan is now an actress and model.

And in a new interview Wonder Woman actress Robin showed her admiration for Sean when she said of Dylan: 'She gets her skills from her dad. Seans a great writer.'

Hopper appeared in Brad Pitts new movie War Machine which was released on Netflix in May. 'They call us for advice all the time,' Robin told Rhapsody Magazine for United Airways.

rare sighting: While Robin and Sean co-parented their children following their split, the two exes were rarely seen together

Got his hands full: While Robin carried just a purse, her former spouse grappled with the bags

Following their 2010 divorce Sean went on to day a slew of beauties, most recently Charlize Theron. The two were engaged to be married, before she called things off in June 2015.

Around the same time Robin split for the second and final time from her then-fiance, Ben Foster, who is now dating actress Laura Prepon.

Sean and Robin's relationship began in 1989 following his split from first wife Madonna, with the two swiftly welcoming their two children.

The two climbed into the same car as they arrived at the airport

But despite their mutual adoration their romance was famously unstable, with the pair publicly splitting and reconciling before they eventually tied the knot in 1996.

Various splits followed - with reports that Sean had been spotted romancing other women.

Indeed in the years before the two eventually split for good in 2009 ,the two had filed for both divorce and legal separation on separate occasions, later withdrawing the papers.

As they were: The two are seen during their marriage, in 1996
Michael Nance, a reality TV contestant who appeared in Emily Maynard's season of The Bachelorette, has been found dead at 31.

Police were called to a residence in Texas at 2.10am to check on an unresponsive male, according to TMZ.

He was pronounced dead soon after.

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Tragedy: Michael Nance, a reality TV contestant who appeared in Emily Maynard's season of The Bachelorette in 2012, has been found dead at 31

Tribute: Former Bachelorette Emily took to Twitter on Tuesday morning after learning of Michael's death

The Austin PD told TMZ the death is not suspicious, but the exact cause of death will be determined by a medical examiner.

Emily, who starred as The Bachelorette in 2012, took to Twitter after learning of his death, writing on Tuesday: 'So sad waking up to the news about Michael Nance.

'Such a kind heart with so much talent. Sending prayers and love to his family and friends. '

Details emerging: The Austin PD told TMZ the death is not suspicious, but the exact cause of death will be determined by a medical examiner

Will be missed: Sean Lowe shared his condolences on Twitter, writing that Michael 'was a sweet man with a kind soul'

Michael appeared on season eight of the Bachelorette, where he fought for the heart of Miss Maynard with 25 other men. He made it to the fourth episode, tying for 11th place.

The Austin, Texas native worked as a rehabilitation counselor and had a thriving side-career as a musician, passionate about sharing art with others.

He was an alumnus of Texas A&M, graduating in 2009 with a degree in biomedical science.

After her heart! Michael appeared on season eight of the Bacherlorette, where he fought for the heart of Emily with 25 other men

Gentle soul: The Austin, Texas native worked as a rehab counselor and also had a popular music following, with one of his Bachelorette castmates describing him as 'a gentle giant.' Above you can see the musician-counselor in a photo from his Instagram

Many members of the Bachelor Nation expressed their grief online, sharing their condolences with Michael's family and loved ones.

Sean Lowe (who placed third in Emily's season, and was later season 17's Bachelor) wrote, 'My heart breaks to hear about the passing of my friend Michael Nance. He was a sweet man with a kind soul. We all loved him on The Bachelorette.'

Fellow cast member Tony Pieper recalled Michael's creativity, telling E! News, 'My fondest memories of Michael were when he would sing and play guitar in the Bachelorette house.'

In loving memory: Nance was a beloved son, friend, musician, and longtime companion of pup Mia, seen above

He described the Texas native as infectiously positive, saying, 'You could tell that was his happy and joyous place.

'He had such a big heart and was such a genuine guy. We lost a good one in Michael. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. RIP, buddy.'

Fellow cast member Kalon McMahon added, 'He was one of the nicest and most genuine guys in the house.

'We kept in touch after the show and I'm just really sad. His music was amazing. He was amazing. He was a gentle giant.'
Diane Kruger is set to get a permanent piece of body art after losing a bet to her In The Fade director Fatih Akin.

Apparently the actress was so sure the dark revenge flick wouldn't make it to Cannes, let alone get an award, she bet the German filmmaker she'd get a 'traditional anchor tattoo' if the film went all the way, the filmmaker told AFP.

The 40-year-old star was proved fabulously wrong when the film dazzled at the French festival this week, even earning Kruger a Best Actress honor for her performance.

I bet you! Diane Kruger may find herself with her first tattoo after losing a bet with her In The Fade director Fatih Akin when she wagered the film 'would never' make it to Cannes. Above the actress and director pose together Sunday at the closing ceremony of Cannes

While filming, the German-born beauty wasn't sure the dark film would resonate with everyone.

According to Fatih, months before its release Diane bet him the film would 'never' make it into competition, yet alone win an award.

So when the Inglourious Basterds beauty was honored with the festival's Best Actress award, she was both delighted and surprised.

What a role: Not only did the film make it to Cannes, but the blonde beauty was honored with the festival's Best Actress award for her gritty portrayal of Katja, a mom seeking vengeance after the brutal slaying of her family. Above you can see a still from the film

Keeping her promise! It looks like Fatih is serious about making Diane follow through with the bargain, telling interviewers he's already found a tattoo parlor 'not far from' his Hamburg home. Above, Diane is seen with her Cannes honor this past weekend

It seems that Akin is serious about their wager, having already selected the spot his muse will go under the needle.

'It's not far from where I live (in Hamburg.) There's good!' he explained.

A tattoo would certainly make Diane more like her fierce In The Fade character Katja.

In the Hamburg, Germany set film Diane plays a tough-as-nails mom who's ditched a past of crime for family life with her husband and son.

Ink time! A tattoo would make the starlet more like her tough character Katja, who seeks revenge after her family is taken out by terrorists. Above, you can see a very glam Diane besides director Fatih Akin

But her world is tossed into chaos after her family is killed in a bomb attack by Neo-Nazi terrorists.

Devastated by their deaths, Katja then goes on a mission to avenge her loved ones.

In The Fade features mostly European talent, with Kruger acting besides German actors Denis Moschitto and Ulrich Tukur.

In The Fade debuts November 23 in the USA.
Tuesday is reportedly the last day of filming in Toronto for the young stars of A Life In A Year.

And Jaden Smith will likely be relieved about that after he was 'kicked out' of the Four Seasons hotel for going on a Twitter rant about the 'cheese-spiked pancakes' he was served on Saturday.

The lactose intolerant 18-year-old son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett shared his displeasure with his six million social media followers, saying he was 'surprised to be alive.'

Puckering up: Cara Delevingne blew Jaden Smith a cute kiss as her co-star closed his eyes as they reportedly wrapped filming on A Life In A Year in the Canadian city of Toronto on Tuesday

And the hotel apparently took him at his word when he tweeted: 'I Hope The Four Seasons In Toronto Puts Me On The No Stay List.'

The Karate Kid star gave no indication of where he's now staying.

But he put it all behind him to resume filming in the Canadian city.

Jaden and Cara were spotted getting up close and personal in the movie about a teen who sets out to give his dying girlfriend an entire life in the last year she has left.

Face-off: The 18-year-old got back to work with his Brit co-star after getting 'kicked out' of the Four Seasons hotel following a Twitter rant about 'cheese-spiked pancakes' he was served

Another rant: Jaden as Daryn appeared to be having a difference of opinion with the beautiful 25-year-old's character as they filmed on the street

Body shove: Cara plays Daryn's girlfriend who is dying of cancer

The 24-year-old Brit beauty showed off her model creds - and her long legs - in a pair of teeny Daisy Duke denim shorts that she wore with a red T-shirt, a camouflage jacket and black boots.

Sporting a pink wig, she appeared to be teasing her co-star, blowing him a kiss as she stood right next to him then throwing her arms in the air and walking off.

Jaden, in character as Daryn, was smartly dressed in a baby blue dress shirt, dark tie, khaki pants and black boots.

Extravagant gesture: Cara threw her arms out wide as Jaden walked behind her, smiling

Model creds: Cara, wearing a pink wig, showed off her her long legs in a pair of teeny Daisy Duke denim shorts that she wore with a red T-shirt, a camouflage jacket and black boots

Getting direction?: The couple appeared to be paying close attention to something

His father Will is producing the Mitja Okorn-directed film that also stars Terrence Howard and Nia Long.

Meanwhile, it has been a tough week for Jaden as Netflix canceled his show The Get Down after just one season.

The drama followed a crew of South Bronx teens in New York in the 1970s.

Looking good: Jaden was smartly dressed in a baby blue dress shirt, dark tie, khaki pants and black boots for the scene
They famously had a punch up at a London awards ceremony in 2004.

And Piers Morgan poked fun of his long-standing rivalry with Jeremy Clarkson when the pair bumped into one another in St Tropez, proving that any animosity is firmly in the past.

The journalist, 52, shared a snap of himself laughing and joking with the former Top Gear host by the water's edge in the French holiday destination.

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Moving on: Piers Morgan poked fun of his rivalry with Jeremy Clarkson when the pair bumped into one another in St Tropez, proving that any animosity is firmly in the past

The blurry image sees the two long-time rivals guffawing with laughter following their chance meeting.

Piers captioned the snap: 'Bumped into an old mate in St Tropez last night and we didnt even punch each other.'

The pair have been at each other's throats over the years, using any excuse to tear each other down on social media.

When Morgan was the editor of a tabloid newspaper he published pictures of Clarkson, 53, getting friendly with a female work colleague - after Clarkson had denied any wrongdoing.

Piers captioned the snap: 'Bumped into an old mate in St Tropez last night and we didnt even punch each other'

Four years later, Clarkson punched Morgan three times in the head at British Press Awards in London, leaving the former with a broken finger and Piers with a scar on his forehead.

Jeremy famously teased Piers on Twitter and in a newspaper after his CNN show Piers Morgan Live was axed.

Recalling the insults thrown at him, Piers chuckled: 'He called me a "ghastly little weasel", a "friendless broken shell", "genuinely awful", and generously concluded: "Everyone hates him".

However, the pair decided to lay their feud to rest over a drink at their local pub in Kensington, west London in 2014.

Punch-up: Clarkson punched Morgan three times in the head at British Press Awards in London, leaving the former with a broken finger and Piers with a scar on his forehead

Describing their tense meet-up, Piers wrote in the Mail On Sunday: 'For the first half an hour, it was excruciatingly awkward.

'When youve spent a decade publicly abusing, denigrating and brawling with someone, its quite hard to hit the STOP button and pretend like nothings happened.'

But the pair managed to salvage something of a friendship.

'Were never going to be best friends, obviously. Too much blood, literally, has been spilled', Morgan concluded.
They reunited at the weekend after her humiliating short-lived romance with Scott Disick.

And Bella Thorne and Gregg Sulkin appear to be fully back-on again as they went out for dinner together on Monday in Studio City, California.

The 19-year-old actress and her former love - who turned 25 on Monday - were spotted stepping out for a date at a burger bar to celebrate.

Reunited: Bella Thorne and Gregg Sulkin appear to be fully back-on again as they went out for dinner together on Monday in Studio City, California

PDA: The former Disney star - who recently said that Cannes is too 'fancy' for her liking - stayed within her comfort zone at Counter Burger, alongside her former beau

The former Disney star - who recently said that Cannes is too 'fancy' for her liking - stayed within her comfort zone at Counter Burger, alongside her former beau.

She also put Gregg to hard work, moving a box which was marked full of books.

The teen kept it casual in a baggy yellow sweatshirt and black tracksuit pants.

Hanging out: The 19-year-old actress and her former love - who turned 25 on Monday - were spotted stepping out for a date at a burger bar to celebrate

She covered her head with a black beanie, and sported silver sneakers.

After dinner Gregg took Bella to a movie theater in Sherman Oaks. Bella and Gregg dated for just over a year before going their separate ways in August.

Gregg was seen celebrating his 25th birthday dinner with friends at Cocina Condesa in Studio City, followed by a night out at Avenue LA in Hollywood on Friday night, where he was overheard talking about how much he still cared for Bella Thorne.

Man hands: She also put Gregg to hard work, moving a box which was marked full of books

The pair lasted a lot longer than Bella and Scott 'The Lord' Disick.

Bella and the baby daddy of Kourtney Kardashian had been spotted out partying together earlier this month, then last week, popped up in Cannes, France, where they got frisky poolside.

However, just 24 hours later at the same pool, Scott was canoodling on the same pool lounger with his ex Chloe Bartoli.

Bella reunited with Gregg over the weekend, sharing a picture snuggled up to the English actor.

Friendly exes: Bella Thorne cuddled up to former boyfriend Gregg Sulkin and wished him a happy birthday on Sunday

She was scantily clad in a lace bra and panties, in the picture she captioned: 'Happy birthday Gregg!!!! I love you :)) always been such a wonderful person:) glad we are here through thick and thin. Let's party you old man!!'

The pair spent the day together on Sunday at the Malibu beach party for rapper G-Eazy's birthday.

Since breaking up with Gregg, she briefly dated Tyler Posey and has been romantically linked to Charlie Puth, Jordan Clarkson and most recently 35-year-old Disick.
She is one of Hollywood's most in-demand IT girls so no doubt she has a few would-be suitors have been trying to catch the eye of this star.

Paris Jackson may be dating again, as she looked very cozy with one young man on Sunday.

The 19-year-old was seen walking along arm-in-arm with a mystery man in West Hollywood.

Close companion: Paris Jackson may be dating again, as she looked very cozy with one young man on Sunday

The pair seemed very comfortable around each other with the blue cap-wearing man putting his arm around Paris' shoulders and she, in turn, wrapped her arm around his waist.

He also had the daughter of Michael Jackson in fits of giggles as they hung out with a friend after having lunch together.

A source said the mystery man is Paris' new boyfriend with the twosome spending all weekend together.

The source said: 'The new couple spent Saturday night together at a house party where her boyfriend played guitar and sang all night with his acoustic band.'

Come here you:The 19-year-old was seen walking along arm-in-arm with a mystery man in West Hollywood

Lol: The mystery man also had the daughter of Michael Jackson in fits of giggles as they hung out with a friend after having lunch together

For her day date, Paris wore a pair of ripped up jeans with a cropped olive halter top.

The top allowed for the star to show off her tiny waist and flat abs.

The star accessorized the look with reflective round lens sunglasses from Sunday Somewhere and beat up Converse.

Low key: For her day date, Paris wore a pair of ripped up jeans with a cropped olive halter top

Her possible beau wore jeans with a tight muscle-flaunting Superman tee and a LA Dodgers cap.

The mystery man is the first Paris has been linked too since split with boyfriend Michael Snoddy.

The star and the 27-year-old drummer dated for a year before going their separate ways in February.
MADISON  Wisconsin Democrats say they are increasingly optimistic about their chances of knocking off Republican Gov. Scott Walker next year, even though a top-tier candidate has yet to emerge and theyre still recovering from a devastating 2016 election.

Democrats gathering this weekend for their state convention say liberals are energized in opposition both to President Donald Trump and to Republicans like Walker closely tied to him. Walkers approval rating has been below 50 percent since early 2014.

I think theres a ton of opportunity for Democrats, said Democratic state Rep. Chris Taylor. What we need to do is have a bold, inspiring agenda.

Trump became the first Republican presidential candidate to win Wisconsin since 1984, with a narrow 23,000-vote victory that was the third-closest of any state he won. In that same election, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson outperformed Trump on his way to a surprising re-election win against former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold.

While Democrats are looking for a candidate to take on Walker in 2018, they also have to defend the Senate seat held by Tammy Baldwin. And they must rebuild a weakened infrastructure that has suffered repeated losses against Walker. His campaign operation was molded in part by Trumps chief of staff, Reince Priebus, when he was state party chairman before leading the Republican National Committee.

Walker, who remains popular with his Republican base, has all but announced his re-election bid, saying hes ready for another four years and questioning why he wouldnt run again  given a bevy of positive economic data, including a 17-year low state unemployment rate.

His state budget proposal also is designed to give him something else positive to run on, with proposed funding boosts for K-12 schools and higher education after years of cuts.

Walkers list of accomplishments as governor is long. Hes known best nationally for a measure ending collecting bargaining for Wisconsins public workers, spurring an unsuccessful attempt to recall him in 2012.

He also has worked with the Republican-controlled Legislature over the past seven years to enact a host of other conservative priorities. Those include requiring photo identification to vote; making the state right-to-work; legalizing the carrying of concealed weapons; making abortions more difficult to obtain; expanding school choice programs; freezing University of Wisconsin tuition; and cutting taxes by nearly $5 billion.

Walkers critics say his agenda has devastated public education, severely harmed worker rights and wages, removed protections for the most vulnerable and weakened the states economy. While unemployment is low, Wisconsin lags its Midwest neighbors in private sector job creation, and Walker has yet to hit the promise he made in 2010 to add 250,000 private-sector jobs.

But its vital that Democrats have their own message rather than just running as counter to the Trump-Walker Republicans, said Joe Zepecki, a strategist who worked for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke in 2014.

All of the makings are there for a really good year for Democrats if we can walk and chew gum at the same time, Zepecki said.

Republicans cast the Democratic Party as in a state of disarray, frequently citing decisions by several potential candidates not to take on Walker, including Rep. Ron Kind, venture capitalist Mark Bakken and Wisconsin Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling.

Wisconsin is a top 10 state for business and education with an unemployment rate at its lowest point since 2000, so its no surprise that serious Democrats are refusing to run against Wisconsins comeback, said Walkers campaign manager Joe Fadness.

Milwaukee businessman and political newcomer Andy Gronik and state Rep. Dana Wachs, of Eau Claire, are two of the most frequently discussed possible candidates. At least a half-dozen more are possible.

Democratic pollster Paul Maslin said the ultimate candidate is the least important factor for Democrats now. More important, he said, is crafting the message to tap into the unhappiness with Trump and Walker.

We have to have a message that speaks to people who have been left out of the mix, Maslin said. Thats why Trump won. We have to talk change and speak to why we are going to upset the status quo.
They're both models and offspring of the famous Primrose Hill set.

And Pixie Geldof, 26, and Daisy Lowe, 28, looked typically stylish as they attended the London launch of their friend Alexa Chung's fashion collection at Danish Church of Saint Katharine on Tuesday.

Wearing their signature looks of indie rocker inspired garments, the girls smiled as they cosied up for photos.

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Stylish: Pixie Geldof, 26, and Daisy Lowe, 28, looked typically stylish as they attended the London launch of their friend Alexa Chung's fashion collection

Daisy, who is the daughter of Pearl Lowe, looked adorable in a vintage inspired polka dotted maxi skirt, which turned sheer in the light to expose her underwear.

The skirt gave a glimpse of her endless model pins, as it featured a sheer skirt layered over some high-waisted black bottoms.

Her black T-shirt was playfully emblazoned with 'double trouble!' over her bust, and she tucked it into her skirt to emphasise her hourglass shape.

Dotty: Daisy, who is the daughter of Pearl Lowe, looked adorable in a sheer vintage inspired polka dotted maxi skirt

The London socialite added a pop of colour with her red lip, which she co-ordinated with her red nails and satin-finish red platforms.

Styling her raven tresses in a loose blow-out, Daisy tousled her fringe over her forehead.

Her alabaster skin was perfectly complemented by her ladylike monochrome and red colour scheme.

Vintage: The skirt gave a glimpse of her endless model pins, as it featured a sheer skirt layered over some high waisted black bottoms

Red finish: The London socialite added a pop of colour with her red lip, which she co-ordinated with her red nails and satin-finish red platforms.

Lovely: Styling her raven tresses in a loose blow-out, Daisy tousled her fringe over her forehead.

Meanwhile, Pixie, who is the daughter of rocker legend Bob Geldof, opted for a slightly edgier look.

Wearing a pastel pink graphic T-shirt, the musician paired the top with some pale wash vintage mom jeans.

She slung a Noughties style Christian Dior handbag over her shoulder, which featured a rainbow striped strap and a large CD charm.

Pals: The girls posed for pictures together

Beaming: The girls looked extremely happy

Grunge glam: Meanwhile, Pixie, who is the daughter of rocker legend Bob Geldof, opted for a slightly edgier look

Old school: Wearing a pastel pink graphic T-shirt, the musician paired the top with some pale wash vintage mom jeans

Wearing minimal make-up, she let her raven locks hang loosely tousled, and sported several silver earrings in one ear.

Pixie teamed her look with a pair of zig zag print platform shoes, which added height to her petite frame.

She rolled the bottom cuffs of her mom jeans up stylishly, and sported a golden tan.

Trendy:Pixie teamed her look with a pair of zig zag print platform shoes, which added height to her petite frame

Minimal: Wearing minimal make-up, she let her raven locks hang loosely tousled, and sported several silver earrings in one ear

Green with envy: It girl Alexa looked stunning in a glittering green maxi dress, which highlighted her extremely slender frame

It girl Alexa looked stunning in a glittering green maxi dress, which highlighted her extremely slender frame.

The model went braless under the dress, and wore her shoulder-length brunette bob in tousled waves.

She paired her long green frock with some black velvet loafers, and smiled as she posed for photos in the grand setting of the church.

Although Alexa has been heralded as a fashion muse, this collection spells her debut foray into the world of design.

Saucy: The model went braless under the dress, and wore her shoulder-length brunette bob in tousled waves

Peace: She paired her long green frock with some black velvet loafers, and smiled as she posed for photos in the grand setting of the church

Stylish: Pixie posed with stylish Kyle De'Volle

While she has worked a model for over a decade, Daisy revealed in a podcast for Glamour that learning dance had taught her to feel 'proud' of her body.

She explained: 'The best gift that Strictly gave me was making sure that I did dance every day.

I think with modelling youre constantly scrutinised for your body and it was such a gift using my body and feeling proud of it, of what it could do.

To take yourself out of that and do something physical and then be really proud, eventually, of what you can do because it certainly doesnt happen straight away!'

Confidence: While she has worked a model for over a decade, Daisy revealed in a podcast for Glamour that learning dance had taught her to feel 'proud' of her body

Happy: The girls looked thrilled as they smiled with each other

Stike a pose: Models Amber Anderson and Harriet Longhurst looked sartorially savvy for the event

Feeling blue: Tallulah Harlech and Laura Bailey looked lovely in a navy colour palette

Best foot forward: Amber and Daisy posed together

Fashion darlings: Pixie slung her arm around Henry Holland

Say cheese! Daisy cosied up to Henry Holland

Lads: Jack Guinness and Henry Holland looked dapper at the event

Happy: Designer Emilia Wickstead and Veronika Heilbrunner smiled for photos

Denim darling: Hannah Weiland wore a triple denim look

Fancy footwear: Erik Torstenson and Natalie Massenet sported quirky footwear

Success: Alexa's collection won a round of applause

Group photo: Everyone looked thrilled with the collection
She's known for her experimental style sense and is usally a hit with the viewers at home.

But Britain's Got Talent viewers were left divided on Tuesday when Alesha Dixon donned a ruffled yellow mini dress.

Flaunting her enviably lean legs, the 38-year-old songstress dazzled in the tiny gown, but fans couldn't help pointing out that she 'looked like a daffodil'.

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Battle of the leggy ladies! The public deemed Amanda Holden as superior in the style stakes on Tuesday's episode of Britain's Got Talent as they were divided by Alesha's yellow dress

One fan tweeted: 'Amanda: "@AleshaOfficial what are you going to wear tonight?" Alesha: "a daffodil I think"'

Whilst others added: 'Why has Alesha Dixon come as the toffee penny wrapper from the Quality Street tin of sweets?

'Every episode of#BGT, I go "what the f**k is Alesha wearing??'

Leggy lady! Flaunting her enviably lean legs, the 38-year-old songstress dazzled in the tiny gown, but fans couldn't help pointing out that she 'looked like a daffodil'

Eccentric look: Whilst Alesha won over some viewers, many were confused by the look

Turning heads: Alesha ensured all eyes would be on her in the vibrant dress

Divided: Alesha's dress divided fans with some remarking she looked like a daffodil or a quality street. Amanda was consistently praised for her glamorous get up

Meanwhile, Amanda was praised for her glamorous gold gown, which clung to her hourglass curves.

'Amanda looks stunning!' one fan remarked, as others added: 'Amanda Holden slaaaaaayin' yet again', 'Amanda has won tonight's outfit award'.

On Sunday Amanda joked that she was 'hoping to' spark complaints from viewers with the racy wardrobe she has lined up for Britain's Got Talent's live shows.

'I can't wait to wear my dresses. They are very flattering, very feminine and a few are what you would expect, she told The Sun on Sunday.

She joked: 'Will people be complaining to Ofcom? I hope so, I really do.'

'I haven't done my job if they aren't!'

The talent judge added: 'I like to know no one six foot tall and skinny has worn it on a red carpet before.'

Going for gold: Amanda was praised for her glamorous gold gown, which clung to her hourglass curves. 'Amanda looks stunning!' one fan remarked

Amanda's comments came after her ensembles raised eyebrows on last year's show, sparking a number of complaints to TV watchdog Ofcom.

However, a spokesperson for Ofcom revealed that they wouldn't be launching an investigation into the show in June last year.

They said: 'We assessed a number of complaints about the suitability of clothing worn by two female judges before the watershed, but won't be taking the matter forward for investigation.

'The dresses worn by the judges did not raise issues under our rules on nudity, and the judges were not portrayed in a sexualised way.'
She spent the holiday weekend partying in bikinis with best pal Vanessa Hudgens.

But Ashley Tisdale went right back to work maintaining her gorgeous figure as she was seen leaving a gym in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old revealed her toned legs in tight leggings as she kept a close hold of her husband Christopher French, 35.

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Work it: Ashley Tisdale, 31, was seen leaving a gym with husband Christopher French, 35, in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Dressed in a dark hoodie with pink graphics, the former Disney star locked her arm around Christopher's arm as they walked along the sunny sidewalks.

She sported cute Nike sneakers, retro shades, and a tight bun while enjoying some post-workout time with her beau.

At one point, the actress planted a kiss on Christopher's shoulder as he rocked a grey hoodie and navy jogger pants.

The couple were clearly enjoying the day with as Ashley carried a large water bottle to keep hydrated.

Smooches: The actress planted a kiss on Christopher's shoulder as he rocked a grey hoodie and navy jogger pants

Hold on tight: Dressed in a dark hoodie with pink graphics, the former Disney star locked her arm around Christopher's arm

Ashley and Christopher became engaged in 2013 after a year of dating, and went on to tie the knot the following year in a stunning ceremony in Santa Barbara, California.

Meanwhile, Ashley enjoyed pool time with Vanessa over the long weekend.

The two actresses turned up the heat as they posted an Instagram video of themselves and friends frolicking in bikini's.

Solo: She sported cute Nike sneakers, retro shades, and a tight bun while carrying a large botte of water to keep hydrated

They had a series of twerk festivals as the ladies shook their ample assets to several different hit songs including DNA by Kendrick Lamar.

Vanessa wore a tiny leopard print bikini, while Ashley covered herself up a bit more but showcased her backside in a separate saucy video.

The two actresses became fast friends as they skyrocketed to fame while starring in the hugely successful High School Musical in 2006.

Both beauties continue to work today as Ashley stars in ABC Family's Young & Hungry and Vanessa in the superhero sitcom Powerless.

Bevy of bikinis: Ashley and Vanessa Hudgens turned up the heat as they posted an Instagram video of themselves and friends frolicking in bikini's over the holiday weekend

Ample assets: Ashley showcased her bountiful backside in a separate video posted
She's partied the past few days away with self-confessed 'sex addict' Scott Disick.

But while at 18 she's officially an adult, Sofia Richie still has to answer to a certain Mr Richie.

And it seems that despite the distance between them, U.S.-based pop star Lionel was keeping a close eye on his daughter as she lived it up in the South Of France.

'Hello, young lady!' Lionel Richie FaceTimes daughter Sofia while she cavorts around France with 'sex addict' pal Scott Disick; the teen is pictured speaking to her father on Sunday

Oh dad! The teen was pictured FaceTiming with her 67-year-old father on her iPhone as she walked in Monaco with Disick and a group of friends

Birthday celebrations: Scott and Sofia enjoyed the night life in Monaco

The teen was pictured FaceTiming with her 67-year-old father on her iPhone as she walked in Monaco with Disick and a group of friends on Sunday.

Just as the gang - clad in matching white outfits - ventured off their yacht and out on The town to enjoy the local nightlife, Lionel decided to touch base with the youngest of his three children.

And it looked to be a serious conversation, with Lionel's face filling the screen as he chatted with Sofia. The teen held a drink in the other hand - at 18 she is of legal drinking age in Europe.

Daddy's little girl: The young model concentrated on her father as she walked alongside Disick - who seemed to be listening in

Not a chance: While Sofia had been pictured living it up with Scott in France, she made it clear to her fans that she wouldn't dream of dating the 34-year-old father-of-three

Landward ho! In fact the teen seemed disgusted at the very idea, as she tweeted: 'Just so everyone can get their panties out of their asses, Scott and I are just homies'

For her part, the young model concentrated on her father as she walked alongside Disick - who seemed to be listening in - and her friends.

When she'd said her farewells, Scott checked in with Sofia, with the two having a brief conversation of their own.

While Sofia has been pictured living it up with Scott in France, she made it clear to her fans that she wouldn't dream of dating the 34-year-old father-of-three.

In fact the teen seemed disgusted at the very idea, as she tweeted earlier on Sunday: 'Just so everyone can get their panties out of their asses, Scott and I are just homies.'

Hitting the town: Scott was celebrating his 34th birthday with his friends

Checking in: Lionel decided to touch base with the youngest of his three children

Her comments came just hours after the two were pictured playfully wrestling on the deck of their luxury yacht, Scott lifting a squealing Sofia as he flirtily manhandled her.

Also on the yacht was his ex, Chloe Bartoli, who has worked as a stylist for Sofia and has been pictured with Scott this week.

The girls were not the only two to spend time with Scott - with a series of women spotted at his side over the past few days.

Crop top mafia: The girls, who included Chloe, wore similar outfits, including deck shoes

Lothario: Scott has romanced a series of women during his week in the sun

They included Bella Thorne, 19, who has made it clear she was thrilled to have ditched him in Cannes.

The actress flew to France with the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star but was said to be enraged at Scott for 'using' her after he was spotted getting close to Chloe just hours after he was photographed cuddling up to Bella by the pool.

After returning to the US, Bella wrote on Instagram: 'Couldn't be happier to be back home.'

Meanwhile, on Tuesday Kourtney Kardashian, Scott's ex-girlfriend and the mother of his three children, showed him exactly what he was missing.

She posted an Instagram snap of herself on what appeared to be a yacht in the harbor at Cannes with her boy toy model lover Younes Bendjima, 23,

The couple were pictured on recliners with a topless Younes showing off his impressive pecs as her assets were barely contained in a red swimsuit.




Wonder Woman

Rating:

Ka-pow! She made her first appearance in a DC comic 76 years ago, then she twirled around in star-spangled hot-pants during a 1970s television series. However, it has taken until now for this she-crusader to finally star in her own film.

Wonder Woman opens this week, with Israeli actress Gal Gadot starring as a rebooted Diana Prince, the warrior who battles evil forces armed only with her god-killer sword, her magic metal cuffs and some really great lipstick shades.

This Diana is long of thigh and short of skirt, as tradition demands, while under her swelling C-cup breastplate, there lurks a heart formed of goodness and gold  for Wonder Woman 2017-style is still a girl who knows where her duty lies.

Wonder Woman opens this week, with Israeli actress Gal Gadot starring as a rebooted Diana Prince, the warrior who battles evil forces armed only with her god-killer sword, her magic metal cuffs and some really great lipstick shades

If no one else will defend the world, she cries early on, then I must!

About time, too.

Of the 55 comic-book films produced by Hollywood in the last decade, none have been centred on a solo female character.

It has been four decades since Lynda Carter starred as Diana in the TV adaptation of the comic book characters tale.

She is back, and once more the future of justice begins with her  which is what nobody said about Labours Diane Abbott, ever.

So is the new Wonder Woman the ultra superheroine feminists have been waiting and longing for? Actually, she is pretty darned marvellous.

Gadots Diana looks like a young Angelina Jolie who has grown strong on pasta and cream and knows how to twirl her Lasso of Truth  yes, shes still got it, in more ways than one.

Diana is not just strong and kickass, she is also kind, warm and not prepared to accept the death of civilians and soldiers as collateral damage  like the pesky men do.

She is also no slouch in the combat department. There are bone-splintering scenes when Wonder Woman smashes men to bits, absolutely pulverising them to man-rubble in that comic book.

In the end, Wonder Woman has a message  and a warning  for all womankind. The first is that only love can save the world. The second is to be careful in the World of Men, for they do not deserve you

I have to admit, my heart soared. Wham, bam, thank you maam.

Her mythic backstory has little changed. Diana, daughter of Queen Hippolyta, comes from a tribe of Amazons who live on a man-free island that looks a bit like Capri, only with fewer prosecco bars. My mother sculpted me from clay and I was brought to life by Zeus, Diana explains, displaying an unsure grasp of biology, even though she can speak 100 languages. Shes got an aunt in the army called Antiope (Robin Wright, lovely scars) who teaches her how to fight and shoot three arrows at once.

Soon, Captain Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) arrives on the island, a handsome spy who so typifies the all-American, square-jawed hero that he looks as if he might have padded up with a couple of boiled eagle eggs in each cheek.

Wow, he says, when he first looks at Diana, and we all know it wont be too long before they are making Malteser eyes at each other and having superhero, eve-of-battle sex. Discreetly of course.

Theirs is the Clark Kent/ Lois Lane relationship at the heart of the film  with the twist being that he is the secondary Lois character, forever at her mercy, smitten by her charm, running at her heels. Together, they leave to fight the War to End All Wars and with 25million dead in over 27 countries, its a big ask.

They visit jolly old London which she thinks is hideous, but she needs to get kitted out in proper clothes  but whats this? High heels she cant run in, dresses that constrict?

Wonder Woman wonders if corsets are armour and is puzzled when their purpose is explained.

Why do women have to hold in their stomachs? she wonders.

Only someone without a stomach would ask that, says Steves secretary Etta (Lucy Davis, who is hilarious).

Its all preposterous nonsense of course, but good fun and a big summer hit  if a little too dark for younger children. And it is interesting that a film which tries so hard to address gender balance relies so heavily on clumsy stereotypes elsewhere; the baddies are still the Germans (plus Turks, the Scotsman is a drunk, the Italian a flirt and so on. The British generals just bumble around being luxuriantly-moustachioed cowards, waiting for an impetuous American hero in a flying jacket to save the day).

In the end, Wonder Woman has a message  and a warning  for all womankind.

The first is that only love can save the world. The second is to be careful in the World of Men, for they do not deserve you.

Tell us something we dont know, girlfriend.
She was rumoured to be the next Bachelorette, but it looks like convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has decided to stay out of the spotlight - for now.

The 39-year-old, who returned to Australia on Sunday after almost a decade in a Bali prison and three years on parole, was the subject of online gossip she would follow in Sophie Monk's footsteps in the reality TV franchise.

But while fans on Twitter hoped to see Schapelle find love on The Bachelorette, her sister Mercedes Corby told The Kyle And Jackie O Show: 'That's not gonna happen!'

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Sorry boys! She was rumoured to be the next Bachelorette, but it looks like convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby (pictured) has decided to stay out of the spotlight - for now

Speaking exclusively to KIIS FM's breakfast show for the first time since Schapelle's return on Wednesday, Mercedes didn't have time for the bizarre speculation.

Co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson asked Mercedes: 'What about the rumour of Schapelle being the next Bachelorette? Now, is that laughable to you guys or is that plausible?'

She replied, 'It's er... no, that's not gonna happen!', before asking: 'That's the one where they give out the roses, isn't it?'

'No, that's not gonna happen!' Speaking to The Kyle And Jackie O Show, Schapelle's sister Mercedes didn't have time for the speculation. Pictured: The 2017 Bachelorette Sophie Monk

'That's the one where they give out the roses, isn't it?' Mercedes (right) didn't appear to be too familiar with the Network Ten dating show. Pictured with Schapelle (left)

Kyle Sandilands also pointed out that Schapelle may not be single, as she left behind her boyfriend, fellow convicted drug offender Ben Panangian, in Indonesia.

The shock jock said: 'She just left Ben's place! Ben would be devastated.'

The couple met in Kerobokan Prison in 2006, a year after the former beauty student was jailed, and have stayed together through her ups and downs in Bali.

'Ben would be devastated': Kyle Sandilands also pointed out that Schapelle may not be single, as she left behind her boyfriend, fellow convicted drug offender Ben Panangian, in Indonesia

Coming soon? It comes after fans speculated that Schapelle - a social media sensation with 180,000 Instagram followers - would now be considered as the next Bachelorette

But due to their criminal histories, they are unlikely to be reunited in their respective countries as Schapelle cannot return to Indonesia and Ben cannot enter Australia.

It comes after fans speculated Schapelle - a social media sensation with 180,000 Instagram followers - would now be considered as the next Bachelorette.

Despite only being active on Instagram for a few days, Schapelle has already overtaken Sydney's PR queen Roxy Jacenko in popularity.
She gave birth to her first child in early October.

But just eight months later, South African stunner Candice Swanepoel is back modeling lingerie for Victoria's Secret.

The Angel, 28, stars in a black and white video posted to Instagram by the high-profile brand with the caption: 'She's back.'

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Shed the pounds: Candice Swanepoel is officially back to work as a Victoria's Secret Angel just eight months after giving birth to her son Anaca

Flaunting it: The South African beauty starred in a black and white video posted to social media by the lingerie brand in which she wears just a white lace thong bodysuit

The blonde beauty is seen wearing a white lace thong bodysuit with her long hair tumbling down her back.

She strikes a series of poses showing off her toned physique and flat tummy.

In one shot she presses up against a full-length mirror showing just how well she's bounced back from her pregnancy figure.

Sexy: The 28-year-old strikes a number of poses in the clip revealing her toned physique

Video star: Her impossibly long legs are sculpted and her long blonde hair tumblesd down her back

Striking: Candice clearly has managed to lose her baby weight in record time

Lingerie ready: She showed off her enviably flat tummy and her post-pregnancy cleavage

The arty clip also shows Candice in silhouette and in close up as she pouts for the camera and writhes around.

She wears long fake eye lashes and her lips are made up as a cupid's bow.

Her hair is blown out and styled in loose voluminous waves.

Blonde bombshell: Candice wears long fake eye lashes and has her lips made-up as a cupid's bow for the video shoot

Breathy: She pouts and poses in close up

Dance: The VS Angel is also pictured in silhouette as she moves around in a room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a wood floor

Barely there: Candice gave fans a good look at her rear thanks to the skimp thong design

Picture perfect: Her front was pretty good too

Of course, Candice hasn't been absent from the limelight as she embraced her new role as a mother.,

She's been sharing her pregnancy and birth journey with her fans on social media and happily showing off son Anaca.

She also stars with her baby in a series of ads for GAP's Mama Said charity campaign.

New mama: Candice hasn't been hiding while on leave from her high profile modeling gig; she's been sharing her journey to motherhood with her fans via social media

Good genes: She shares her son with longtime beau Hermann Nicoli, a Brazilian male model whom she's been with since 2005

Loving her new role: The South African has also starred in GAP's Mama Said charity campaign with her baby boy

A few days ago, the stunner shared new images of herself with little Anaca.

The tot wears a blue hoodie with bear ears and a turquoise and white striped top as he cuddles up to his famous mom.

The model holds him tightly in her right arm as she snaps the selfie with her left while wearing a black spaghetti-strap top.

She also shared a snap of herself posing in athletic gear against a city skyline to her personal Instagram a week ago with the caption: 'Getting back into the groove.'

Cutie: A few days ago, the stunner shared a selfie with little Anaca who looked adorable in a blue hoodie with bear ears and a turquoise and white striped top
Paul Hogan filmed a bizarre interview with Channel Seven's Sunrise on Wednesday while discussing his battle with the Australian Tax Office.

The Crocodile Dundee star, 77, left co-hosts Samantha Armytage and David Koch stunned as he wore nothing but a striped dressing gown.

A confused Samantha asked: 'Nice and rugged up. Did we get you straight out of bed?', as Paul answered questions via video link from his backyard.

'You got me out of bed': Paul Hogan filmed a bizarre interview with Channel Seven's Sunrise on Wednesday while discussing his battle with the ATO - wearing nothing but a dressing gown

Paul joked: 'You got me out of bed. They said, "It's Sunrise". I thought, it's the Cash Cow! Tricked me again, you mongrels.'

After their initial surprise, both Sam and Kochie were laughing at the situation, as Sam giggled: 'God love you!'

The interview then turned to more serious matters, as Paul discussed his issues with the Australian Tax Office.

'Nice and rugged up. Did we get you straight out of bed?': The Crocodile Dundee star, 77, left co-hosts Samantha Armytage and David Koch stunned

'God love you!' After their initial surprise, both Sam and Kochie were laughing at the situation

The ATO had pursued the star for almost a decade, alleging he owed $150 million in back taxes, penalties and interest and that he'd used offshore tax havens.

No charges were ever brought, and Paul has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Speaking to Seven News on Tuesday, the furious actor said he was considering legal action against the ATO.

He said, 'I didn't pay tens of millions to get out of anything. Not only have they breached confidentiality, but they have lied.

'I should have sued the mongrels. I think I might have to.'

'I was considering suing the government towards the end of it': The interview then turned to more serious matters, as Paul discussed his issues with the Australian Tax Office

Paul continued speaking on the topic on Sunrise, saying: 'I was considering suing the government towards the end of it, and the judge, the Supreme Court judge that adjudicated it, did the negotiation between me and the tax office.

'They investigated me for six years and still got nothing,' he complained, before wrapping up the live TV interview.

'Back to bed,' Kochie suggested, to which Paul replied: 'Oh cut it out!'

'He's very relaxed isn't he?' Sam joked afterwards, and Kochie responded: 'Oh yeah. As he always is'.
Last month he hinted at a new romance when he shared a loved up snap with beautiful Channel Ten employee, Hannah Scott.

But now it seems Kris Smith's relationship with the brunette beauty may already be over, shortly after it first begun.

For the pair have not been pictured together on social media for several weeks.

Is it over? Kris Smith hasnt been pictured with Network Ten employee Hannah Scott for weeks as she shares cryptic post about break-ups

Adding further speculation to a split is a cryptic Instagram post about breakups shared by Hannah on Tuesday.

'A sincere and positive impact will last a lifetime, even if the relationship does not,' the quote read.

In April, Kris appeared to have found himself a new 'girlfriend' in the Network Ten research executive.

Posting a snap of the 'couple' on Instagram, several friends congratulated the pair on going public.

Taken? In April, Kris appeared to have found himself a new 'girlfriend' in the Network Ten research executive

What does it mean? Adding further speculation to a split is a cryptic Instagram post about breakups shared by Hannah on Tuesday

Kris declined to comment when contacted and Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Hannah.

Hannah has been working at Network Ten for two years as a research executive, and it is possible they met during Kris's appearance on I'm A Celebrity, earlier this year.

The brunette beauty appears to be in her mid twenties, having graduated with a media degree from the University Of Wollongong in 2011.

You beauty! Hannah appears to be in her mid twenties, having graduated with a media degree from the University Of Wollongong in 2011

Familiar with reality TV stars? Hannah is good friends with model and former reality TV star Sarah Lawther (left), who won Beauty And The Geek in 2011

According to her Instagram account, Hannah lives near Bondi and spends a lot of her time at the world-famous beach.

She is good friends with model and former reality TV star Sarah Lawther, who won Beauty And The Geek in 2011.

Hannah is also pals with blogger Pia Muehlenbeck, with the two spotted together on floating nightclub The Island earlier this year.

Did she get some Instagram tips from her? The brunette is also pals with lawyer turned blogger Pia Muehlenbeck (right)

Did they meet on I'm A Celebrity? Hannah has been working at Network Ten for the past two years as a Research Executive. Pictured at the Ten Christmas party last year

The brunette looks quite similar to Kris' former girlfriend, lingerie model Maddy.

Kris and Maddy, 28, dated for four years before he confirmed they had split in October.

However, the Myer ambassador said he had been trying to work things out before appearing on I'm A Celebrity.

Kris also shares a six-year-old son Ethan with Dannii Minogue, who he dated for three-and-a-half years before breaking up in 2012.

Kris has a type! Hannah looks quite similar to Kris' former girlfriend, lingerie model Maddy King
They are spending a few days in her home town of Montreal, Canada.

And Bachelor star Nick Viall and fiancee Vanessa Grimaldi appear to be in domestic bliss as they were spotted shopping for homewares together.

The 36-year-old reality star even wore a Canadian tuxedo alongside his chosen lady.

Couple: Bachelor star Nick Viall and fiancee Vanessa Grimaldi appear to be in domestic bliss as they were spotted shopping for homewares together

The duo were dressed casually, both in sneakers and jeans, with Nick doing 'double denim' with a jean shirt.

The special education teacher looked pretty in a simple tank top and a moto jacket.

He arrived in Canada ahead of the weekend and after heading back to their hotel, Vanessa shared a snap of them lying on a bed together, captioned 'Reunited with my Americano'.

Double denim: The 36-year-old reality star even wore a Canadian tuxedo alongside his chosen lady

Nick also took to Instagram, sharing a picture of his bride-to-be asleep in bed, saying 'Really enjoying the sights of Montreal'.

This is Nick's first trip back to Montreal since he visited her hometown on an episode of The Bachelor, according to E!.

A source told E!: 'It's Nick's first trip to Montreal since filming the show. He didn't really get to see that much during their hometown date, the visit was so short.

Retail together: The special education teacher looked pretty in a simple tank top and a moto jacket as Nick supped a coffee

'It's really his first chance to check out the city. Also, they're spending time with Vanessa's family. For Dancing with the Stars, she really supported him, now, he's going there to support her.'

Previously Vanessa's family had expressed concern that falling in love with Nick meant she would be leaving them behind and her career as a special education teacher.

While she has been living with Nick in Los Angeles, Vanessa has maintained she is not giving everything up for love.

'...my Americano': Vanessa Grimaldi, who got engaged to Nick Viall on the 21st season of The Bachelor, which aired this year, is back in her hometown Montreal with her fiance

'Really enjoying the sights of Montreal': Earlier on Saturday, Nick's Instagram page played host to an photo of Vanessa apparently asleep in bed

She told E! earlier this year about making a move to be with her partner: 'My family was very supportive of the idea of moving.

'I'm still bringing and carrying on my work from home with me. I'm still planning on teaching. I'm still planning on being part of that life that I had in Montreal.

'It was a decision we both made together and we're both very happy about that decision. Both of our families are very happy that we're together and we're starting our life together.'

Nick had vied unsuccessfully for Andi Dorfman's hand - coming in second to Josh Murray - on the 10th season of The Bachelorette, which ABC broadcast in 2014.

The 11th season of The Bachelorette aired in 2015 and saw Nick finish second again once spin-class instructor Kaitlyn Bristowe picked personal trainer Shawn Booth.

Nick had also given Bachelor In Paradise a go for its third season, which aired last year, but he hadn't wound up managing to become one of its six winners either.
PJI Asks Supreme Court to Honor U.S. Heritage of Religious Freedom in Asylum Case Contact: Brad Dacus, Pacific Justice Institute, 916-616-4126



WASHINGTON, May 30, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- By invoking the Founding Fathers' sensitivity to the role of religious persecution in early American history, Pacific Justice Institute has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to honor America's heritage of religious freedom for immigrants seeking asylum.



PJI filed an amicus curiae ("friend of the court") brief asking the Court to review the ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Xue v. Sessions, a case involving a Christian who fled China for the United States seeking religious asylum. The appellant, Ting Xue, not only had to practice his faith in secret to avoid discovery and punishment at the hands of Chinese authorities, he was also arrested for attending a church that wasn't state-approved.



Xue was then confined in unsanitary conditions, beaten by interrogators, and fined more than half of his annual wages. After his release, Xue narrowly avoided being sent to a labor camp when Chinese authorities re-arrested members of his church, which continued to operate despite a previous raid.



Though the Tenth Circuit did not dispute the facts of Xue's case, the court still ruled that religious persecution does not necessarily exist where an immigrant has had to practice his or her faith in hiding to avoid harassment or punishment by his native country's authorities.



Federal circuit courts are split on the issue of what constitutes persecutionwhich, surprisingly, has no statutory definition under the Immigration and Nationality Act ("INA"), the federal law governing immigration in the United States. PJI is essentially asking the Supreme Court to resolve that split, at least in part.



"The Founding Fathers understood that persecution exists where a government has created a climate of fear for people of certain faiths or belief systems," said PJI president Brad Dacus. "The United States' history as a refuge for those fleeing religious persecution predates its existence as a nation, and PJI is dedicated to making sure it stays that way."



America's heritage as a haven for the religiously persecuted dates back to 1620, when the Pilgrims who faced persecution at the hands of the Church of England fled across the Atlantic Ocean to found the colony of Massachusetts. Congress stayed true to that heritage by enacting the Refugee Act of 1980, which incorporated religious asylum provisions into the INA.



PJI filed the amicus curiae brief in Xue because the non-profit law firm represents immigrants who have come to the United States seeking religious asylum. PJI has had some success on behalf of immigrants it has represented: In February, PJI convinced the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service to grant asylum to a missionary from the Middle East who had experienced torture and discrimination for his commitment to his Christian faith.



"Immigrants from a variety of faiths have risked life and limb to come to the United States to practice their religion openly and freely," Dacus said. "It should be pretty clear that persecution exists where they can't do that. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will recognize that, too."

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She gave birth to her second daughter aged 47.

And former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips said she was treated like some kind of freak after falling pregnant.

Arlene, now 74, said she experienced prejudice as an older mother after having Abi in 1990.

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Speaking out: Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips, now 74, said she was treated like some kind of freak after falling pregnant aged 47

She told Good Housekeeping magazine: [I was told] I was some kind of freak, that I would find it hard to bond with my baby when I could be the grandmother.

Im so vociferous if anybody says something to me that I find offensive. But I was so vulnerable. I let all these remarks go by with tears in my eyes.

Nowadays, being an older mother is very common. When you let all those things go you see the absolute joy of having a baby when youre older. You really do feel like youve been given a gift.

The dancer and choreographer married her first husband, fashion designer Danny Noble, when she was 27 and he was just 18.

Older mother: Arlene said she experienced prejudice as an older mother after having her second child in 1990

She fell pregnant with her second daughter in 1990 with her partner, set designer Angus Ion.

Speaking to The Daily Mail in 2006, Arlene said she was stunned after as she thought she was heading for the menopause.

She said: We didnt discuss it [another child], it just wasnt on the menu. I already had Alana, and Angus soon saw her as his own.

No one could have been more stunned. I thought I was heading for the menopause and here I was expecting a baby. It was such a blessing.

'Absolute joy': Arlene, pictured with her daughter Abi, now 26, said, Nowadays, being an older mother is very common. When you let all those things go you see the absolute joy of having a baby when youre older'

While at the Royal Free Hospital in London her first appointment, the doctor told her she was the oldest mother-to-be they had ever had.

She added: He told me that at my age I should be a grandmother not a mother. That made me feel terrible.

New issue: The full interview appears in the July issue of Good Housekeeping

Arlene also spoke about feeling self-conscious at the school gates.

She said: When she was little I felt terribly old and self-conscious at the school gates. Now she is a teenager I notice it much less. Perhaps thats because it feels as though theres less of a gap in age between women as they get older or maybe Im just more confident these days.

The main worry is always whether you will see your children grow up. My own mother died from leukaemia when I was 15 - she was only 43, so you cant legislate for that.

Miss Phillips was a member of the original Strictly Come Dancing judging panel from 2004 to 2009.

But she was axed in 2009 aged 66, in replace for 30-year-old Alisha Dixson, leading almost 1000 people to complain to the BBC about its decision to replace her.

Then and now: Arlene described Abi as a 'blessing', revealing she was stunned to discover she was pregnant since she thought she was heading for the menopause

Speaking to this months Good Housekeeping, she said she was never told why she was sacked.

She said: Ive never really been given a real reason [as to why I was axed]. I dont think I will ever know the answer. Certainly after Strictly I was in a very vulnerable situation. Prior to finding out that I was not going to be on the panel I had lost my manager of 30 years to cancer. I couldnt think about fighting,

I couldnt think about losing a job. I was in despair and grief-stricken. I didnt stand up or make my voice heard. I wasnt in a place to be able to do that. But I have a 48-hour rule  its what I tell dancers and its what I tell my children  give yourself 48 hours to moan and groan, then just get up and get on with it.

The full interview appears in the July issue of Good Housekeeping, on sale 1st June.
A supporter of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party shouts slogans during campaigning in Phnom Penh. Amnesty International says the government has ramped up use of the courts to harass political activists and rights defenders ahead of elections

Cambodia's government has ramped up use of the courts to harass political activists and rights defenders ahead of elections, Amnesty International said Tuesday, warning the climate of fear was likely to get worse.

Millions of Cambodians will head to the ballot box on Sunday for local polls across more than 1,600 communes -- an early litmus test for next year's crunch general elections.

The impoverished Southeast Asian kingdom has been run for more than 32 years by strongman prime minister Hun Sen, one of the world's longest serving leaders.

But in 2013 his ruling party suffered a surprise setback when the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) made huge gains and nearly won.

Since then the authorities have embarked on what Amnesty described as "a systematic campaign, using the criminal justice system to harass and intimidate" opponents.

In a report titled "Courts of Injustice", the group said at least 27 Cambodian human rights defenders and political activists are currently behind bars on trumped-up charges.

Hundreds of others are subject to criminal proceedings "as part of a concerted attempt" to crush any public criticism.

As a result a large proportion of the political opposition and human rights community "live under the threat of immediate imprisonment", the report said.

Champa Patel, Amnesty's director in the region, said Hun Sen's government has paid "much lip-service" to the judiciary's independence.

"But the evidence reveals a cynical manipulation of the criminal justice system to serve political goals and silence people whose views the government refuses to tolerate," she said.

Sok Eysan, a spokesman for ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), denied the report's allegations and said it was peddling a "Cold War ideology".

Amnesty has always viewed the government as the "enemy", he said.

"They have been attacking us and painting colours on the ruling party since the beginning."

Sunday's election is a bellwether for opposition efforts to unseat Hun Sen after three decades.

Sebastian Strangio, an expert on Cambodian politics, told AFP Hun Sen's party "risks losing control of a lower level of government that they have controlled since the fall of the Khmer Rouge in 1979".

Hun Sen has historically eschewed campaigning himself.

But last week he said he would attend a rally and parade on Friday -- something analysts said indicated his nervousness.

Hun Sen and his defenders say the 64-year-old has brought much needed stability and growth to Cambodia after decades of crippling civil war and genocide.

Detractors say he and a coterie of political allies have amassed huge riches while presiding over an endemic culture of corruption.

His popularity is especially low among the young who make up a huge chunk of Cambodia's population and voted in droves for the opposition in 2013.

In recent weeks Hun Sen has made increasingly shrill speeches, threatening "war" if his party loses.
An IS group attack targeting civilians in the Baghdad district of Karrada last year killed more than 300 people

A suicide bombing at a popular Baghdad ice cream shop killed at least 16 people, officials said Tuesday, an attack claimed by the Islamic State group.

The overnight bombing in the Karrada district in central Baghdad also wounded 75 people, officials said.

IS issued a statement claiming the attack, identifying the bomber as an Iraqi who detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle targeting Shiite Muslims.

IS considers members of Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority -- including the women and children who were victims of the Karrada blast -- to be heretics and frequently carries out attacks against them.

The bomber struck just days after the start of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, during which Iraqis often stay out late shopping or socialising after breaking their daily fast.

Images and footage posted on social media showed the devastating impact of the blast, which ripped through the crowded area around Al-Faqma ice cream shop, scattering rubble across the street.

One photo showed cups of ice cream scattered on the blood-stained ground.

Brett McGurk, the US diplomat coordinating the international coalition fighting IS, condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Iraq.

"ISIS terrorists tonight in Baghdad target children & families enjoying time together at an ice cream shop. We stand w/Iraq against this evil," McGurk said on Twitter, using an alternate acronym for IS.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed by coalition air strikes have since regained much of the territory they lost and are now fighting to retake the last jihadist-held areas in second city Mosul.

But defeats on the battlefield have not prevented IS from carrying out deadly attacks targeting civilians, including a bombing in Karrada district last year that killed more than 320 people.
Narendra Modi and Angela Merkel will address stalled talks on an EU-Indian free trade and investment deal at a time when New Delhi is eyeing nervously Beijing's Silk Road trade and infrastructure initiatives across Eurasia

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel for joint cabinet talks in Berlin Tuesday as the Asian population giant and Europe's top economy seek to deepen ties.

Merkel has long cultivated strategic relations with the world's biggest democracy and rival Asian power to China, whose Prime Minister Li Keqiang will also visit Berlin this week.

Merkel often stresses that Germany and the European Union must compete with the new emerging economic giants, and on Sunday she said that Germany can no longer completely depend on traditional allies the United States and Britain in the age of President Donald Trump and Brexit.

Modi and Merkel will address stalled talks on an EU-Indian free trade and investment deal at a time when New Delhi is eyeing nervously Beijing's Silk Road trade and infrastructure initiatives across Eurasia.

The two leaders -- who will meet again at a G20 summit in the German city of Hamburg in July -- are also expected to discuss the growing military reach of China across the contested South China Sea and into the Indian Ocean.

Modi -- before embarking on his tour, which also takes him to Spain, France and Russia -- wrote that "India and Germany are large democracies, major economies and important players in regional and global affairs".

"Our strategic partnership is based on democratic values and commitment to an open, inclusive and rules-based global order," he wrote in a Facebook entry, contrasting India with the one-party state China.

- Global impact -

A German foreign ministry spokesman, Martin Schaefer, stressed that India enjoys rapid economic growth and development and, with a current population of over 1.3 billion, "will soon be the most populous country on Earth".

"Everything that happens in India -- politically, economically and socially -- has, because of the country's size and importance, a direct impact on the whole world, including us."

Having had a dinner Monday at the Schloss Meseberg retreat outside Berlin, Modi and Merkel on Tuesday lead a joint cabinet meeting grouping foreign, economy, environment and other ministers.

Germany is India's largest trading partner in the EU, and a top source of foreign direct investment. More than 1,600 German companies with over 400,000 employees operate on the subcontinent.

New Delhi has said several agreements will be signed on trade, defence cooperation, and science and technology, at their fourth intergovernmental consultations -- a format Germany has only with a few countries, which include China, Israel and France.

The two leaders will then attend an India-German Business Summit, where German CEOs may announce investments but also reiterate complaints about barriers their businesses face in India, including tariffs, red tape and poor infrastructure.

Two-way trade has more than tripled over the past decade to over 17 billion euros ($19 billion) in 2016, of which German exports make up almost 10 billion euros.
Central African internal-displaced people gather around a truck where volunteers distribute fire wood in Bangassou. At least 108 people were slaughtered and 76 injured during an attack by several hundred fighters on the town on May 13

They were attacked by "drugged, drunk and uncontrollable" armed men, and now the residents of a Central African town live in terror after one of the most murderous raids in months was carried out right under the nose of UN troops.

At least 108 people were slaughtered and 76 injured during the attack by several hundred fighters on Bangassou on May 13, according to the Central African Red Cross and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The attackers "threw severed hands and feet at us", said Djamil, a Bangassou resident who has now sought refuge in a camp near the cathedral of the southeastern town on the border with Democratic Republic of Congo.

MINUSCA, the UN mission in the CAR, said the raiders were members of the anti-balaka militias. These largely Christian forces emerged to take on former rebels of the mainly Muslim Seleka alliance, with the two sides engaged in horrific revenge attacks.

During the attack on Bangassou, several hundred people holed up in a mosque. "MINUSCA told us to take shelter in the mosque and that's what we did," Djamil says. "Then the UN troops abandoned us."

"Given the number of the attackers, the UN soldiers had to fall back," a source close to the UN mission confirmed.

- After UN troops left -

"As soon as the UN troops left, a wave of anti-balaka rushed up to the mosque, yelling and brandishing machetes and home-made guns," said the bishop of Bangassou, Juan-Jose Aguirre. "I tried to talk with them, but they finished by shooting a friend who wanted to protect me."

"They saw the imam come out. They shot him. He fell to his knees, mortally wounded." the bishop said. "When I came back, I found him like that and I carried him off to lay him down with dignity. The anti-balaka shouted at me not to touch him."

"They were drugged, drunk and uncontrollable," a humanitarian worker recalled.

A displaced man in the Central African Republic in Bangassou, where over 100 were slaughtered on May 13

Terrified by the flare-up of violence, residents of Bangassou are digging in or fleeing. Only a few shops remain open on the central market and streets are deserted.

On Sunday, "armed elements taken for anti-balaka banned humanitarian workers from undertaking a mission in the area," MINUSCA said on Monday.

"Moreover, the armed elements kidnapped a woman and five children before killing them in the bush," the statement said.

- 'Woman buried alive' -

Last Wednesday, the supposed anti-balaka fighters "abducted two women being treated in hospital. One of the women was killed on the spot while the other was buried alive," according to MINUSCA.

Confronted with the escalation of violence, humanitarian teams now fear "new large-scale attacks on the town", an aid worker told AFP, asking not to be named.

Clashes between the Seleka, officially disbanded in September 2013, and the anti-balaka degenerated that year into ethnic and religious massacres that targeted mainly civilians.

A Central African internal displaced woman holds a child inside an emergency room of the MSF-run (Doctors Without Borders) hospital in Bangassou

Military intervention by France in Operation Sangaris followed by the deployment of UN troops reduced the number of atrocities, but armed bands still run wild in parts of the deeply poor country.

"This hunting down of Muslims, the looting of their shops, their houses ... It is revenge against the Seleka," the bishop said. "In people's minds, the Muslims of Bangassou are allies of the ex-Seleka."

Late in April, some 481,000 people were refugees in neighbouring countries, while half a million were internally displaced in the CAR, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The identity of the anti-balaka fighters remains unclear. "The people who have massacred us are unknown," said Ali, a displaced trader.

In the mineral-rich region fights to control resources such as diamonds, gold and timber frequently take place between rival gangs, but civilians are still in the front line.

"These young people are idle," the bishop said. "I've been meeting them since the month of February, because this is my diocese, to ask them to leave schools alone, particularly."

At the heart of his bishopric lies another displaced persons camp, this one for Christians.

For the UN troops in the region, they are "exhausted", according to a MINUSCA source, who recalled that six UN soldiers perished in the Bangassou region at the beginning of May.
Government workers train homeless children in first aid and try to gather paperwork so that they can be moved to a shelter

Barefoot and wearing shabby clothes, the two-year-old wanders through the dirty streets of Cairo alongside her mother, who has also spent all her life without a home of her own.

For Egypt's government and civil society groups, tackling the growing problem of street children -- some from second- and even third-generation homeless families -- is proving difficult.

In the low-income district of Sayeda Zeinab, workers from the ministry of social solidarity set out to help street children, this time to give them first-aid training.

Members of the ministry's "Children Without Shelter" programme wear matching green shirts bearing the slogan "We are with you... a safe decent life for every child."

They train the youngsters in first aid, and at the same time try to gather any paperwork so they can move them later to a shelter.

Residents of the Banati Foundation shelter -- estimates for the number of homeless children in Egypt vary wildly

But on this occasion, the team returned empty-handed, with no other option but to leave the children to continue fending for themselves in the street.

"The law doesn't allow shelters to receive children unless they have a birth certificate," said team leader Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed.

"Most of them are second- and third-generation street children and don't have any official papers, and usually their fathers refuse to acknowledge paternity," he said.

According to the most recent ministry figures from a 2014 survey, Egypt has about 16,000 street children, said Hazem el-Mallah, spokesman for the "Children Without Shelter" programme.

- Domestic violence -

However, the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, estimates there are tens of thousands of street children in the country, its Egypt representative Bruno Maes says.

"The main factors pushing the children out of their homes are domestic violence... incest and poverty," said Maes.

The Banati Foundation works with second- or third-generation street children for whom the civil society organisation was able to produce identity papers

"In general, it affects households experiencing unemployment, drug use, low or no education", he said.

Hannah Aboulghar, a paediatrician at the Banati Foundation which has worked with street children since 2009, says no figures are credible but the problem is getting worse.

About 24 million people -- nearly a third of the country's 90-million population -- live below the poverty line, according to official figures.

"The problem is definitely deteriorating, and the figures are rising while the ages of the street children are declining," said Aboulghar.

She said street children come mainly from the mushrooming "poverty belt" of slums outside cities such as the capital and Alexandria. Government estimates show about eight million Egyptians live in such areas.

"During the beginning of the previous decade, most street children came from poor villages in the south, but in the last 10 years the slums have expanded exponentially," said Aboulghar.

The slums "have been throwing children into the streets where they practise prostitution, theft and begging," she added.

- Some are saved -

Civil society organisations such as the Banati Foundation that work with street children face the same difficulties as the government in helping them.

In Banati's large shelter, toddlers play in a nursery with toys, paper and paints.

They are second- or third-generation street children for whom Banati was able to produce identity papers, thus saving them from the fate that befell their constantly homeless parents.

"The real problem is that there are entire generations living on the streets," said Aboulghar.

Among them are three children of 22-year-old Amira, who has herself been homeless since the age of five.

"I've got used to this life, and what I've liked most about it is the freedom of no one telling me to do anything, or force me to do anything, and everything is allowed," Amira said.

Yet she wishes she had gone to school. "If I'd been educated I would have become a very good person," she said.

Amira got married informally, which deprived her children of official birth certificates.

But Banati was able to help document her marriage to the children's father, who is now serving a prison term for theft.

The documentation made it easer to acquire identification papers for her children, who were then transferred to the shelter where they now live.

Banati also offers support to vulnerable young women who can potentially turn to the streets, such as 15-year-old Nesrine.

She has been wanting to get married since she was 12 so she can "get out of the house and live away from problems".
Companies are pleading with the Chinese government to delay the implementation of new cybersecurity legislation amid concerns about unclear provisions and how the law would affect personal information and cloud computing

China will implement a controversial cybersecurity law Thursday despite concerns from foreign firms worried about its impact on their ability to do business in the world's second largest economy.

Passed last November, the law is largely aimed at protecting China's networks and private user information at a time when the recent WannaCry ransomware attack showed any country can be vulnerable to cyber threats.

But companies have pleaded with the government to delay the legislation's implementation amid concerns about unclear provisions and how the law would affect personal information and cloud computing.

The government appears to still be scrambling to finalise the rules.

Just two weeks ago, Zhao Zeliang, director of the cybersecurity bureau, gathered some 200 representatives from foreign and domestic companies and industry associations at the new headquarters of the Cybersecurity Administration of China (CAC) in Beijing.

The May 19 discussion centred on a draft of the rules for transferring personal data overseas, participants told AFP.

Attendees received an updated version of the document, as well as Zhao's assurance that regulators would remove some of the language that had received strong objections, they said.

The new document, obtained by AFP, removed a contentious requirement for companies to store customers' personal data in China.

- 'Headaches for companies' -

But concerns remain.

"The regulator is unprepared to enforce the law" and it is "very unlikely" anything will happen on June 1, said one participant, who asked for anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue.

That impression was only strengthened a few days after the meeting, when authorities issued 21 new draft documents describing national standards on topics from cloud computing to financial data, noting they would be available for public comment until July 7.

More new drafts, including detailed guidelines on cross-border data transfers, were published Saturday.

It is "crystal clear that the regulatory regime is evolving and does not simply switch on like a light June 1", said Graham Webster, an expert on Sino-US relations at Yale Law School.

Beijing, he said, is "wrestling with legitimate challenges that every country faces, and ... much of the caution and ambiguity comes from a desire to get things right."

But the process is causing "headaches for companies, Chinese and foreign alike".

- Protecting 'national honour' -

China already has some of the world's tightest controls over web content, protected by what is called "The Great Firewall", but even some of its universities and petrol stations were hit by the global ransomware attack in May.

The draft cybersecurity rules provided at the CAC meeting address only one part of the sweeping law.

The legislation also bans internet users from publishing a wide variety of information, including anything that damages "national honour", "disturbs economic or social order" or is aimed at "overthrowing the socialist system".

Companies are worried that the new law could lock them out of the market.

Paul Triolo, a cybersecurity expert at the Eurasia Group, wrote in a research note that regulators will likely introduce "new hurdles for foreign company compliance and operations" in industries, such as cloud computing, where China is actively seeking a competitive advantage.

As a result, "companies with politically well-connected competitors could see their profile raised for things such as cybersecurity reviews".

The European Union Chamber of Commerce, among other groups, has urged Beijing to "delay the implementation of either the law or its relevant articles".

It "will impose substantial compliance obligations on industry" and "cautious, sound, consistent and fully reasoned supporting mechanisms related to its implementation are essential," the group said in a statement last week.

The chamber called on policymakers to follow a "transparent" process that will help eliminate "discriminatory market access barriers".

While there is no indication the law itself will be pushed back, the draft rules distributed at the CAC meeting says companies will have until December 31, 2018 to implement some of its requirements.

"It's been enormously difficult for our companies to prepare for the implementation of the cybersecurity law, because there are so many aspects of the law that are still unclear," said Jake Parker, vice president of the US-China Business Council.

"There's not enough information for companies to be able to develop internal compliance practices."
The militants, initially estimated to number just 100, have withstood eight days of intense air assaults and street-to-street combat, prompting the Philippine government to call on them to surrender

Philippine authorities on Tuesday urged Islamist militants occupying parts of a southern city to surrender for the sake of trapped civilians, as attack helicopters pounded the gunmen's strongholds with rockets.

More than 100 people have been confirmed killed in the fighting, which began on Tuesday last week when gunmen waving black flags of the Islamic State (IS) group rampaged through the mostly Muslim-populated city of Marawi.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law across the entire southern region of Mindanao, home to roughly 20 million people, in response to the crisis as he warned that local militant groups were uniting behind IS and becoming a major security threat.

But the militants, initially estimated by the defence chief to number just 100, have withstood eight days of intense air assaults and street-to-street combat, prompting the government's surrender calls on Tuesday.

"We are giving those inside an opportunity to surrender. There is still a chance to lay down your arms," military spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla said on DZBB radio.

"If you do that, it will be better so no one else will be dragged into this, no more buildings will be destroyed."

Asked why the government had issued a surrender call, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said: "To lessen the damage on the ground, definitely so the civilians will be less affected".

Up to 2,000 residents are trapped in areas held by the militants, according to the local government, and the International Committee of the Red Cross has voiced alarm that they will be caught in the bombing raids or crossfire.

The militants also took a priest and up to 14 other people hostage at the start of the crisis, and their fate remains unknown.

A Philippine Air Force MD-520MG Defender light attack helicopter fires rockets at militant positions in Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao on May 30, 2017

Helicopters fired rockets on a pocket of the city held by the militants throughout Tuesday morning, and black smoke rose from the buildings that were apparently hit, according to an AFP reporter in Marawi.

The gunmen are being backed by foreign fighters, including Malaysians, Indonesians and Singaporeans, authorities have said.

The violence began when dozens of gunmen went on the rampage in response to an attempt by security forces to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a veteran Filipino militant regarded as the local leader of IS.

Hapilon, a senior member of the Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom gang, is on the US government's list of most-wanted terrorists.

He was being protected in Marawi by the local Maute group, which has pledged allegiance to IS.

More than 100 inmates of two Marawi jails escaped at the start of the conflict. The military said some of the escapees may have joined the fighting.
Sri Lanka has appealed for volunteers to help with a massive recovery operation in the wake of devastating flooding that left 183 dead and tens of thousands without clean drinking water

Sri Lanka appealed Tuesday for volunteers to help with a massive clean-up after landslides and floods left at least 193 dead and tens of thousands without safe drinking water.

The government sought help to purify wells contaminated by the floods, the worst in 14 years after record rainfall in the island's southwest.

The Disaster Management Centre said nearly 600,000 people had been forced from their homes. Just over 1,300 houses were completely destroyed in landslides, while nearly 7,000 suffered structural damage, according to official figures.

Water supply minister Rauf Hakeem said 40 percent of those affected had no access to piped drinking water, and there was an urgent need to purify contaminated wells in flood-hit areas.

He said 400 people had volunteered so far for a major clean-up of wells and appealed for donations of water pumps.

"Our workers have volunteered to join a major (well) clean-up," the minister told reporters in Colombo. He said flooded pumping stations had been restored but an area just outside Colombo was still without piped water.

Government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said many victims had started moving back into their homes as floodwaters receded but authorities remained concerned about the spread of disease.

"We have started sending additional doctors, nurses and medical supplies to prevent any outbreak of diseases such as rat fever (leptospirosis) and diarrhoea," said Senaratne, who is also health minister.

"We could also have a dengue outbreak in about two weeks. We are very conscious of that. Additional medical teams will be checking on mosquito breeding grounds as well."

The military has deployed more service personnel in addition to the thousands already involved in distributing food and other essentials to flood victims in the districts of Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle and Matara.

Sri Lanka has experienced scattered showers in many parts in the past 24 hours but flood waters are rapidly receding, officials said.

In addition to the official death toll of 193, another 94 people were listed as missing as of Tuesday afternoon.

In May 2003 250 people were killed and 10,000 homes destroyed after a similarly powerful monsoon.

- Aid on its way -

The government announced Tuesday it would cut back spending on new vehicles to save money as Colombo sought international assistance for the clean-up.

"The cabinet decided today that we will not purchase any cars for ministers or the government this year in view of the natural disaster," Senaratne said.

A third aid ship was expected to arrive from India later Tuesday, Senaratne said, adding that three ships from China and another from Pakistan were also expected in Colombo this week.

Australia, Japan and Singapore were among the other nations rushing to donate inflatable boats and other aid.

The UN was donating water containers, water purification tablets and tarpaulins while the World Health Organization will support medical teams in affected areas.
People at a railway station in Seoul look at a news report on the arrest of Chung Yoo-Ra, the 20-year-old daughter of the woman dubbed South Korea's "Rasputin", on January 3, 2017

The daughter of the woman at the centre of a corruption scandal that led to the ousting of South Korea's president will return home Wednesday from Denmark, officials said.

Chung Yoo-Ra, 20, will be "immediately put into custody" when she arrives at Incheon airport after being extradited from Denmark, a justice ministry spokesman said.

The ministry sent five officials to Denmark on Monday to accompany her home, he said.

Chung is the only child of Choi Soon-Sil, the close confidante of former President Park Geun-Hye.

Choi -- nicknamed "Rasputin" for her close influence over the then-president -- is one of the figures in the influence-peddling scandal that sparked huge street protests demanding Park's ousting.

Chung dropped her appeal against extradition from Denmark, a Danish court announced last week, as Seoul wants to detain her for questioning.

The daughter is the alleged beneficiary of millions of dollars which South Korea's largest conglomerate Samsung paid to finance her equestrian training and luxurious lifestyle in Europe.

During a trial session on Monday, Choi reacted angrily to news that her daughter's extradition was imminent, news reports said.

"You don't blackmail my daughter!" Choi screamed at prosecutors.

"Are you going to pound on the table while threatening her as you did to me?" she was quoted as saying by the JoongAng daily.

Park and Choi are already on trial for allegedly accepting or seeking millions of dollars in bribes from conglomerates including Samsung.
home World Egypt launches air strikes in Libya following deadly bus attack against Coptic Christians

Egypt has launched air strikes targeting terrorist bases in Libya on Friday in response to the killing of 29 Coptic Christians in the south of Cairo earlier that day.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the shooting attack on two buses and a truck carrying Coptic Christians in the Egyptian province of Minya. The Copts were on their way to the monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor, 85 miles south of Cairo, when the convoy was stopped by up to 10 armed men dressed as soldiers. At least two children, aged two and four, were among those who were killed after the gunmen opened fire on the Copts.

Just hours after the incident, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi ordered the air strikes on what he called terrorist camps in Libya. "Egypt will not hesitate to strike terrorist camps anywhere," he said.

According to CBC, six air strikes were carried out near Derna in eastern Libya at around sundown. The Egyptian military said that the operation had been conducted after it was determined that the camps had produced the gunmen who were responsible for attacking the Coptic Christians on Friday morning.

"The terrorist incident that took place today will not pass unnoticed. We are currently targeting the camps where the terrorists are trained," Sissi said.

East Libyan forces, who are close allies of Egypt, said they participated in the air raids, which had targeted a number of sites used by forces linked to al-Qaeda.

A resident in Derna said that the camps targeted in the attacks have been used by fighters belonging to the Majlis al-Shura militant group.

Majlis al-Shura spokesperson Mohamed al-Mansouri claimed in a video that the raids did not hit any of the group's camps, but instead hit civilian areas.

According to the Guardian, more air strikes were conducted against Libyan terrorist bases on Saturday, with a warning that there may be more raids coming, possibly including groundstrikes.

Sissi had declared a state of emergency in Egypt in April following the suicide bombings that killed 45 people on two Coptic churches on Palm Sunday.

Some say the attack on Friday has undermined the Egyptian government's efforts to boost its security after the Palm Sunday bombings.

"This proves that applying the state of emergency doesn't provide safety and Coptic Christians are still heavily targeted," said Ishak Ibrahim, a researcher on religious affairs at the Cairo-based Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.

ISIS has described Coptic Christians as its "favorite prey" when the group took credit for the attack that killed 29 worshippers in a Coptic cathedral in Cairo in December 2016.

Sissi had promised Pope Towadros II, leader of the Coptic church in Egypt, that the government will not rest easy until the perpetrators of Friday's attack were punished.
A pedestrian walks past the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Genbaku Dome on May 24, 2016

Yoshie Oka, the first person to raise the alarm outside Hiroshima that the Japanese city had been hit by an atomic bomb, has died aged 86, media and acquaintances said Tuesday.

Oka was 14 years old on August 6, 1945 and working in Hiroshima as a communications operator at an underground command centre of the Imperial Japanese Army.

After the bomb fell, she contacted another military unit in the city of Fukuyama east of Hiroshima, local media including public broadcaster NHK reported.

"Hiroshima is almost destroyed," she said. "We were hit by a new type of bomb."

Local media said she died of malignant lymphoma on May 19 in hospital in Hiroshima after spending years recounting her experiences of the bombing and its aftermath to visitors and students in the city.

"She was an honest person who called a spade a spade," said Fumio Kajiya, also an atom bomb survivor who worked with Oka in telling stories of the bombing.

"We have lost another great eyewitness," Kajiya told AFP.

American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped its deadly payload, dubbed "Little Boy", over the city at 8:15 am local time.

It marked the first use of an atomic weapon and ultimately claimed the lives of some 140,000 people.

Some died immediately while others succumbed to injuries or radiation-related illnesses weeks, months and years later.

In May last year Barack Obama made a historic visit to Hiroshima, becoming the first serving US president to do so.

Ahead of his visit, Oka reportedly said she wanted him "to firmly see how innocent citizens suffered".
Sudanese government troops were involved in an attack on a compound in Juba in July 2016, with at least 13 facing charges for rape and murder

A South Sudan military court on Tuesday opened the trial of 13 soldiers accused of raping foreign aid workers and murdering a local journalist during fighting in Juba last July.

The chilling attack cast a spotlight on atrocities by government troops but also led to a damning probe into the failure of United Nations peacekeepers to protect civilians, which led to the sacking of the force's commander.

The suspects appeared in court in a variety of uniforms indicating attachment to different units, including four in the colours of the "Tiger Division" which guards the president.

"There is a crime of murder, we have a crime of raping, we have a crime of looting and we have a crime of damaging property. There were a lot of investigations that have been taking place," military prosecutor Abubakr Mohamed Ramadan told AFP.

Civil war broke out in South Sudan in 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

An August 2015 peace deal collapsed last July when fierce fighting erupted in Juba between forces loyal to Kiir and Machar.

A Human Rights Watch report documented targeted ethnic killings, rapes and gang rapes, beatings and looting during the clashes.

The report describes how on July 11, government forces attacked the Terrain compound housing some 50 employees of foreign organisations.

- Pleas for help -

Witnesses told HRW how the soldiers "killed a prominent journalist, raped or gang raped several international and national staff of organisations, and destroyed, and extensively looted property."

They also allegedly killed a local journalist "presumably because of his Nuer ethnicity".

The UN force in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, has come under fire over allegations its peacekeepers did nothing to protect civilians from violence in Juba by Sudanese troops in July 2016

A report from a special UN investigation showed that despite pleas for help, UNMISS peacekeepers stationed just 1.2 kilometres (0.7 miles) away failed to come to their aid.

There were multiple requests made to the peacekeepers from China, Ethiopia, India and Nepal to dispatch forces "but each UNMISS contingent turned down the request, indicating their troops were fully committed."

During the attack, "civilians were subjected to and witnessed gross human rights violations, including murder, intimidation, sexual violence and acts amounting to torture perpetrated by armed government soldiers," it said.

The report found that a lack of leadership in the UN mission, which has some 13,000 uniformed personnel in South Sudan, culminated in a "chaotic and ineffective response" during the July fighting.
In 2016, demonstrations marking the Biafran declaration of independence turned bloody, with Amnesty International saying troops gunned down more than 60 people

Shops, schools and businesses were shut in southeast Nigeria on Tuesday, 50 years to the day since an independent republic of Biafra was declared, sparking a brutal civil war.

In Onitsha, the economic hub of Anambra state on the banks of the River Niger, most markets were closed and the streets were largely empty of people and traffic.

Separatist sentiment persists in the region, which is dominated by the Igbo people, and the main pro-Biafran independence group has called on supporters to stay at home.

"No work today, we are Biafran, we are not Nigerians," said Ebere Ichukwu Eli, one of the few people to venture outside, where there was a visible security presence.

"No violence, it is a peaceful sit at home. We are protesting peacefully," the 47-year-old told AFP.

A woman who gave her name only as Justine, said: "The market is closed today. I'm just going home to stay with my children.

"We want our one Biafra. It's our land. That's why we all sit at home today."

- Over 100 arrested -

The closures were either to commemorate the anniversary in support or because of fears of violence, local people said.

Nigerian police last week denounced "planned protests and order of market closures" and warned it would "deal decisively" with any breach of the peace or unlawful protest.

Last year, demonstrations marking the declaration of Biafran independence turned bloody. Amnesty International said the military gunned down more than 60 people.

Support for secession has increased since the arrest in late 2015 of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the pro-independence Indigenous People of Biafra movement

Since August 2015, more than 150 people have been killed in pro-Biafra protests, said Amnesty's Nigeria director Osai Ojigho. Nigeria's government denies the claim.

"We urge the Nigerian security agencies to conduct themselves in a manner that will ensure public order without resorting to force," he added.

Amnesty said the security forces had arrested more than 100 members of pro-Biafran separatist groups in the run-up to Tuesday's anniversary.

Calls for independence never disappeared even after the 30-month civil war, which left more than one million dead, most of them Igbos, mainly from starvation and disease.

Many people accuse the government of failing to invest in the southeast since the end of the war in 1970, blighting development. Some see it as a punishment for the conflict.

Support for secession has increased since the arrest in late 2015 of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the pro-independence Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement.
Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos has undergone medical checks in Spain

Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who has been dogged by reports of poor health, has returned to Luanda after nearly a month in Spain, party officials said Tuesday.

Dos Santos's medical condition has recently been subject to fierce speculation, with his daughter Isabel forced to deny rumours that he had died while in Spain.

Anastacio de Brito, spokesman for the ruling MPLA party, told AFP that the 74-year-old president arrived back in Angola on Monday evening.

The party confirmed for the first time on Monday that dos Santos had undergone medical checks while in Spain on an extended "private visit".

Dos Santos, who has been in power since 1979, will not contest an election in August, marking a historic change in the oil-rich country.

He has reportedly received cancer treatment in Barcelona over several years.

Defence Minister Joao Lourenco has emerged as Dos Santos's chosen successor and is on course to take power after the election.

Opposition parties have called for the government to be more transparent about the president's health.
Iraqis gather at the site of a car bombing near Baghdad's Al-Shuhada Bridge on May 30, 2017 which killed at least 11 people

Three suicide bombings in Baghdad and a city to the west have killed at least 42 people, targeting Iraqis breaking their fast and elderly people collecting their pensions, officials said Tuesday.

The strikes came as forces fought to retake the last areas held by the Islamic State group in their former stronghold of Mosul.

The first IS-claimed car bombing struck a Baghdad ice cream shop during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when Iraqis often stay out late shopping or socialising after breaking their daily fast.

A second attack claimed by the group targeted the country's main pension office, while a third bombing was carried out at an army checkpoint in Hit, some 120 miles (200 km) west of Baghdad.

Haidar Hussein, 22, had been sitting with friends at a coffee shop near the Al-Faqma ice cream parlour in the capital's central Karrada district.

Smoke billows near Al-Shifa hospital in west Mosul on May 30, 2017 during battles between Iraqi forces to retake the city from Islamic State group fighters

A police captain tried to prevent a small white pickup truck from approaching the area, but the driver kept going forward and then the truck exploded, he said.

The blast sent rubble flying, sparked a fire and threw Hussein to the ground, injuring his arm and leg. At least 16 people were killed and 75 injured in the attack.

After checking himself for wounds, Hussein began to look for his friends.

"Many people were on the ground, including women and children, and the screams of the women and children got louder," he said.

Among the dead was Hussein's 22-year-old friend Karar, who left behind two wives and three children.

Images posted on social media showed the devastating impact of the attack, which left ice cream cups scattered on the blood-stained ground.

Iraqis check a popular ice cream shop in Baghdad's Karrada district on May 30, 2017 in the aftermath of a suicide bombing that killed at least 16 people

In the second strike, a suicide bomber blew up a vehicle near Iraq's main pension office, which is close to one of the principal bridges over the River Tigris, said the Baghdad Operations Command.

The blast killed at least 11 people and wounded at least 40, officials said.

The bombing at the Hit checkpoint killed 15 people, including four soldiers and a journalist, while 23 others were injured, Anas al-Ani, spokesman for the department of health in Anbar province told AFP.

The Iraqi chain Asiasat TV said its journalist Souhaib al-Hiti had died in the attack, for which no group has yet claimed responsibility.

- 'Wanton savagery' -

The US State Department said in a statement that it condemned the Baghdad bombings in "the strongest possible terms".

"These brutal attacks, whose victims included innocent children breaking the Ramadan fast and elderly Iraqis collecting their pensions, demonstrate once again the wanton savagery of the enemy we face," spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

The UN called the bombings an "outrage" while Paris turned off the lights of the Eiffel Tower on Tuesday night in tribute to the victims.

The bombings in Baghdad come as Iraqi forces fight to retake the last IS-held areas of Mosul, a city that was the jihadist group's emblematic stronghold.

Iraqi forces are more than seven months into a massive operation to recapture the city, and have already taken back its whole eastern side and much of the west.

Iraqi forces are more than seven months into a massive operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State group, and have already recaptured its whole east side and much of the west

Three neighbourhoods north of Mosul's Old City -- Al-Shifaa, Al-Saha and Al-Zinjili -- are now the target of a broad assault by Iraqi soldiers, police and special forces that was launched last week.

IS is mainly relying on "snipers and suicide bombers" to target Iraqi forces, as it is running low on mortar rounds and explosives after losing sites it previously used to produce them, Iraqi Brigadier General Shakir Kadhim Mohsen told AFP.

The United Nations has warned that up to 200,000 civilians who are believed to remain in IS-held areas of the city are in grave danger and that large numbers could flee.

"We are deeply concerned that right now, in the last final stages of the campaign to retake Mosul, that the civilians... in (IS) areas are probably at graver risk now than at any other stage of the campaign," Lise Grande, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Iraq, told AFP.

The World Food Programme said Tuesday that it "has identified worrying signs of an increase in the rate of malnutrition among newly displaced children from western Mosul."
Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega had been serving lengthy prison sentences for murder and forced disappearances during his rule

Panama's former dictator Manuel Noriega, who was on the CIA payroll, ousted from power by US troops in 1989, and spent years in prison for drug trafficking and money laundering, has died aged 83, authorities said.

Noriega died late Monday in Panama City's Santo Tomas Hospital where he had been recovering from surgery in March to remove a brain tumor, and a subsequent operation to clean up cerebral bleeding.

President Juan Carlos Varela wrote on Twitter that Noriega's death "closed a chapter in our history."

Ruben Murgas, a friend who was director of state radio during Noriega's rule, initially said that the ex-strongman was cremated in a small private ceremony Tuesday attended by a handful of friends and family, including his three daughters.

However the event was a "farewell ceremony," and the ex-dictator's remains will actually be cremated on Wednesday, Noriega's lawyer Ezra Angel later told AFP.

The cause of Noriega's death -- pronounced around 0400 GMT Tuesday -- has not been given. Murgas said there will be no autopsy.

Noriega had been serving lengthy prison sentences in Panama for murder and forced disappearances during his 1983-1989 dictatorship.

Following years of ill-health that included respiratory problems, prostate cancer and depression, Noriega's family pleaded with the authorities to let him serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest. But the government rejected their appeals.

- CIA agent to US pariah -

A man reads a newspaper announcing the death of Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega on May 30, 2017, outside Santo Tomas Hospital in Panama City

Born in 1934 to a poor family, Noriega entered Panama's military at a young age and rose through the ranks to become de facto ruler of a country that hosts the strategic Panama Canal.

"I knew Noriega when I was a lieutenant and he was a second lieutenant," said a former National Guard general Ruben Dario Paredes, a Noriega critic.

He was "very attentive and normal, correct, disciplined, and decent -- but when that man reached the rank of general he was definitely someone else. Power disfigured him, corrupted him," Paredes told AFP.

Noriega was reportedly recruited onto the CIA payroll in 1967, the year before he took part in a 1968 coup against then-president Arnulfo Arias.

Noriega supported one of the coup leaders, General Omar Torrijos, who promoted him to head the feared G-2 military intelligence unit.

In 1983, two years after Torrijos' death in a mysterious plane crash, Noriega -- nicknamed "pineapple face" for his pock-marked visage -- took charge of the now-defunct National Guard and became Panama's de facto ruler.

During his ascent and time in power Noriega juggled work for the CIA along with relationships with Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, Cuba's Fidel Castro and other foreign intelligence services.

Panama's former dictator Manuel Noriega was toppled when US troops invaded Panama in December 1989 during Operation Just Cause

But his increasingly brutal rule and his close ties with the drug trade led the United States to seek his ouster.

He was toppled in a December 1989 US invasion, the largest such US military operation since the Vietnam war. He surrendered to US troops in January 1990.

He was flown to the United States where a US court in 1992 convicted him of drug trafficking and money laundering charges and sentenced him to 40 years in prison, although this was later reduced to 30 years.

In 2010 Noriega was extradited to France, where he was convicted of money laundering, then extradited to Panama the following year in poor health.

He had been sentenced in absentia there to prison for political murders and his role in killing soldiers attempting a coup against him.

"In the name of God, I had nothing to do with the death of any of those people," he said at one hearing. "There was a permanent conspiracy against me, but here I am, unafraid."

Nevertheless, in 2015 Noriega issued a blanket apology "to anybody who felt offended, affected, prejudiced or humiliated by my actions."

Campaigners for victims of the military regime say he has taken secrets to his grave.

"After the death of Noriega it is now more difficult to know the truth about all that happened," Maritza Maestre, president of the Victims' Committee, told AFP.
South Korea's new President Moon Jae-In has previously expressed ambivalence over THAAD

South Korea's new President Moon Jae-In Tuesday ordered an investigation into why his office was kept in the dark about the arrival of four more launchers for a controversial US missile defence system, his spokesman said.

The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system is being deployed in South Korea to counter threats from North Korea, which on Monday test-fired another missile as it seeks to develop its nuclear weapons programme.

The left-leaning Moon, who took office this month following the ousting of impeached president Park Geun-Hye, has previously expressed ambivalence over THAAD. The system is strongly opposed by China for fear it will undermine its own military capabilities.

Moon's spokesman said the defence ministry, while briefing the de facto transition team last week, had failed to tell the new government that four more launchers had been brought into the country.

The president has not yet reshuffled the cabinet appointed by his predecessor Park Geun-Hye.

"President Moon said it was very shocking," spokesman Yoon Young-Chan told journalists.

"He ordered (an investigation) to find out how the four additional launchers were brought into the country, who made such a decision, why this has not been disclosed to the people and why this has not been reported to the new administration even to date."

One THAAD battery is usually composed of a powerful X-band radar, six mobile launchers and 48 missiles.

Two missile launchers are already in place and the existence of four more had widely been suspected but not announced.

The conservative government under Park started installing the THAAD system to cope with North Korea's missile and nuclear threats.

But tensions between South Korea and China have risen as a result, sparking economic boycotts by Beijing. Chinese tour groups have quietly halted visits to the South and supermarkets under the Lotte brand -- the company that made land available for THAAD -- are losing business in China.

The system has also drawn strong objections from people living near the site.

Moon wants to put THAAD's deployment on hold, saying it should be discussed and approved by parliament and citing its potential impact on the country's security and environment.
Surging violence in Central African Republic has forced 68,000 people to flee conflict-ravaged areas this month, while another 20,000 have crossed into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo

Surging violence in Central African Republic has killed hundreds and forced some 88,000 people to flee their homes since the beginning of the month, the United Nations said Tuesday.

One of the world's poorest nations, the country has been struggling to recover from a three-year civil war between the Muslim and Christian militias that started in 2013.

A new flare-up of sectarian violence since the beginning of May has forced 68,000 people to flee conflict-ravaged areas while another 20,000 have crossed into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo as refugees over the past two weeks alone, the UN refugee agency said.

That brings the number of internally displaced people in CAR to over 500,000, and the number of refugees in neighbouring DRC to over 120,000, UN figures show.

"Significant rebel activity in towns along the DRC border as well as rumours of possible attacks are pushing people to flee," UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch told reporters in Geneva, saying many of the displaced were sleeping in the open or in makeshift shelters.

On May 13, at least 108 people were slaughtered and 76 injured during the attack by several hundred fighters on Bangassou, a town near the DRC border that until now had largely been spared from violence, UN and Red Cross figures show.

- Aid access severely restricted -

Baloch said UNHCR desperately needed more funds to help the displaced, indicating that so far it has received just six percent of the $209 million it needs to provide aid in CAR this year.

Many of those displaced by the surge in violence in Central African Republic are sleeping in the open or in makeshift shelters, the UN says

Humanitarian access is also severely restricted in many areas due to the security situation, he said.

Baloch pointed out that "the refugees who are fleeing CAR are trying to remain close to the border in DRC hoping to be able to return soon."

UNHCR expressed particular concern for the refugees in an area near the small DRC town of Ndu, just across the Mbomou River.

"People there arrived with hardly any belongings and some were wounded and require treatment," it said, indicating that aid workers had not yet managed to bring in assistance by road due to the remoteness of the area.

The renewed sectarian bloodletting has pitted factions of the Christian anti-Balaka militia against the mainly Muslim ex-Seleka rebels, with the violence mainly targeting civilians.

The country initially descended into bloodshed in March 2013 following the overthrow of leader Francois Bozize Seleka rebels, which triggered the country's worst crisis since its independence from France in 1960.

Military intervention by France in Operation Sangaris followed by the deployment of UN troops reduced the number of atrocities, but armed bands still run wild in parts of the deeply-poor country.
The militants, initially estimated to number just 100, have withstood eight days of intense air assaults and street-to-street combat, prompting the Philippine government to call on them to surrender

Philippine authorities on Tuesday warned Islamist militants occupying parts of a southern city to surrender or die, as attack helicopters pounded the gunmen's strongholds where up to 2,000 residents were feared trapped.

More than 100 people have been confirmed killed in the conflict, which began last week when gunmen waving black flags of the Islamic State (IS) group rampaged through the mostly Muslim-populated city of Marawi.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law across the entire southern region of Mindanao, home to roughly 20 million people, in response to the crisis as he warned that local militant groups were uniting behind IS and becoming a major security threat.

But the militants, initially estimated by the nation's defence chief to number just 100, withstood eight days of intense air assaults and street-to-street combat, prompting the government's threats on Tuesday.

"We call on the remaining terrorists to surrender while there is an opportunity," military spokesman Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla said.

"For the terrorists, not surrendering will mean their sure death."

Padilla also told AFP the surrender call was aimed at limiting the loss of more lives and property.

Up to 2,000 residents were trapped in areas held by the militants, according to the local government, and the International Committee of the Red Cross voiced alarm they would be caught in the bombing raids or crossfire.

"The risks and the vulnerabilities of the people inside Marawi are rising every day," ICRC spokeswoman Lany Dela Cruz told AFP.

A Philippine Air Force MD-520MG Defender light attack helicopter fires rockets at militant positions in Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao on May 30, 2017

The militants also took a priest and up to 14 other people hostage at the start of the crisis.

A video of the priest appeared on social media on Tuesday in which he repeated the militants' demands to withdraw, although it was unclear when the footage was filmed and its veracity could not be immediately verified.

Clashes on Tuesday appeared to be as intense as previous days, according to an AFP reporter who followed security forces who had to run from militants' sniper fire coming from nearby buildings.

Military helicopters fired rockets repeatedly on that part of the city on Tuesday morning, and black smoke rose from the buildings that were apparently hit.

The militants had killed at least 19 civilians, while 20 security forces and 65 gunmen had died, according to the military.

- Planned major assault -

Philippine Marines aboard their truck drive past as smoke billows after military helicopters fired rockets at militant positions in Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao

The violence began when dozens of gunmen went on a rampage in response to an attempt by security forces to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a veteran Filipino militant regarded as the local leader of IS.

Hapilon, a senior member of the Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom gang, is on the US government's list of most-wanted terrorists.

He was being protected in Marawi by the local Maute group, which has pledged allegiance to IS.

The gunmen were being backed by foreign fighters, including Malaysians, Indonesians and Singaporeans, authorities said.

Hapilon, the Maute and other militants had been planning a major attack on Marawi, one of the few Islamic cities in the mainly Catholic Philippines with a population of 200,000 people, armed forces chief General Eduardo Ano said.

He said they were planning to launch the assault to coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began on the weekend, but the raid on Hapilon triggered them to attack earlier, according to Ano.

A Muslim separatist rebellion in the southern Philippines has claimed more than 120,000 lives since the 1970s.

The main Muslim rebel groups have signed accords with the government aimed at forging a final peace, giving up their separatist ambitions in return for autonomy.

A Philippine Marine aims his assault rifle as he and other Marines advance toward militant positions in Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao

The Maute, the Abu Sayyaf and other hardline groups are not interested in negotiating and have in recent years looked to IS to help them.

The Marawi violence was intended to highlight their credentials to IS, security analysts have said.

Duterte said Saturday he was prepared to enforce martial law for as long as was necessary to end the terrorist threat.
Saudi security personnel surround a rest house at the al-Munissiyah district, north-east of Riyadh, during a search for Al-Qaeda terror suspects on January 16, 2006

Norway says it "regrets" Qatar's expulsion of a Saudi Arabian human rights activist on his way to claim refugee status in the Nordic nation.

Mohammed al-Otaibi, 49, fled to neighbouring Qatar in March facing trial in a Saudi anti-terrorism court over his human rights work, the Gulf Center for Human Rights said Monday.

"It's regrettable that Qatar chose to deport that person to Saudi Arabia," Norwegian foreign ministry spokeswoman Ane Haavardsdatter Lunde told AFP in an email statement late Monday.

"We are concerned by the situation and we will continue to monitor the developments for this person through a dialogue with relevant organisations and countries," she added.

The official Qatar News Agency (QNA) said a foreign ministry source had confirmed the deportation.

"The extradition was... based on legal procedures and regional and international agreements relating to the extradition of accused persons and criminals," the agency said.

Qatari authorities said the deportation had taken place last Wednesday.

The Norwegian Ministry of Justice on Monday confirmed that Otaibi had received a travel permit to Norway as a UN quota refugee.

First arrested in 2009, Otaibi in 2013 co-founded the Union for Human Rights in Riyadh.

Authorities closed it down after about one month, but he continued his work, issuing reports and giving television interviews, the Gulf Center said.

New York-based Human Rights Watch warned in April that Otaibi would be at risk of a long prison sentence and possible ill-treatment if forcibly returned to Saudi Arabia.
home World Eritrean government arrests 100 Christians in massive crackdown against unregistered churches

The Eritrean government has arrested nearly 100 Christians this month as part of the massive crackdown against unregistered churches.

According to World Watch Monitor, the arrests took place in the days leading up to Eritrea's Independence Day on May 24.

On May 9, a total of 10 Christians were arrested from a home in Ginda, north-east of Asmara, for holding secret meetings there. Church members have resorted to holding secret meetings in people's houses since a law was passed in 2002, banning churches other than the Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and also Sunni Islam.

On May 17, more than 35 Christians were arrested from their homes in Adi Quala, a market town some 16 miles (25 kilometers) from the Ethiopian border in the country's Southern Region.

The arrests reportedly took place after the officials went door-to-door on May 15 and asked household members to indicate whether they were Muslim, Jehovah's Witnesses, or members of the Orthodox Church, Lutheran Church, Catholic Church or Pentecostal Church. The next day, security officers came to arrest all those who indicated they were Pentecostals.

On May 24, the authorities reportedly arrested 49 Evangelicals outside the capital Asmara, during a post-wedding celebration. The newly-weds, who were in their late 20s, were among those who were arrested.

The crackdown on Christians is not limited to members of unauthorized churches. In 2007, the authorities removed the legitimate patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, Abune Antonios, from office and installed Bishop Dioskoros of Mendefera in his place. The move has been seen as a violation of the Church's constitution since the patriarch is traditionally appointed by Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Pope, for life.

Antonios had come under fire from the government beginning 2006 when he refused to excommunicate 3,000 members of the Medhane Alem Orthodox Sunday School revival movement and called for the release of imprisoned Christians accused of treason. The government stripped him of his title in 2007, but he is still recognized as canonical patriarch by the Eritrean Churches in Diaspora and by Oriental Orthodox Churches.

The 89-year-old patriarch has been held under house arrest since 2007, but the location of his incarceration remains unknown. His family and friends are concerned that he is not receiving adequate medical treatment as he is suffering from diabetes.

"He remains incommunicado under house arrest despite reports emanating from Eritrea during August 2016 that indicated his release was imminent," said advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) in a statement.

CSW Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas called for the patriarch's immediate and unconditional release as well as his reinstatement.

"We also to urge the international community not only to express concern at the patriarch's plight, but to also remind the Eritrean authorities that his removal constituted an unlawful interference in church affairs, and to request his immediate release and return to office," he added.
Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi (C) chaired peace talks between the government, army and dozens of ethnic insurgent groups

Myanmar's military said Tuesday it was probing whether troops killed three civilians in the country's violence-wracked northeast after their bodies were found buried near an army post riddled with bullets.

The corpses of the three men were discovered about three miles away from northeast of military command in Mai Khaung village in Kachin State, where thousands of people have been displaced by recent fighting.

Local activists and media reported the men had been tortured and stabbed before they were killed, citing local officials.

"Responsible authorities started investigating on May 29th whether soldiers from military command were involed in the case," the office of the commander-in-chief said in a statement.

Kachin activist Khon Ja said the men were from nearby internally displaced person (IDP) camps run by Christians.

"They were last seen arrested by (the) Tatmadaw," she said, using another name for Myanmar's army.

The military ran Myanmar for 50 brutal years, rife with rights abuses, including against the many ethnic minorities that have been battling the state since independence in 1948.

Since handing over power to a quasi-civilian government in 2011 the army has been working to spruce up its image as the country opens up to foreign visitors and investors.

Last year seven soldiers were sentenced to five years of hard labour for killing villagers during an interrogation, in a rare show of military accountability.

The probe announcement comes the day after the end of peace talks between the government, army and dozens of ethnic insurgent groups.

The talks, chaired by new civilian de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, ended with a peacemeal agreement on some aspects of a new federal state but no substantial moves toward a nationwide ceasefire.

Fighting in Myanmar's borderlands has reached its worst point in decades in recent months, sending tens of thousands fleeing their homes in Kachin and neighbouring Shan State.

The army's announcement of an investigation also comes days after a video showing men in military uniforms viciously beating and threatening to kill handcuffed detainees sparked outrage on social media.

The footage shows several men dressed in army uniform kicking and beating three handcuffed men, asking whether they belong to the Ta'ang National Liberation Army ethnic armed group.

An official from the TNLA told AFP the video was first recorded a year ago.
The UN mission to probe alleged atrocities against Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims has been ordered to "urgently" investigate abuses reportedly committed by the security forces, particularly in Rakhine state

The UN rights council on Tuesday named a three-person team to probe alleged atrocities against Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims, a key step in an investigation already rejected by the country's government.

The Geneva-based human rights council voted in March to create a Myanmar fact-finding mission, in a politically sensitive move that faced fierce resistance from the civilian-led government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The mission was ordered to "urgently" investigate abuses reportedly committed by the security forces, particularly in Rakhine state where troops have been accused of raping, torturing and murdering members of the Rohingya community.

Decorated Indian lawyer and women's rights campaigner, Indira Jaising, Sri Lanka's former human rights chief Radhika Coomaraswamy and Christopher Dominic Sidoti, a prominent human rights advocate from Australia, were appointed to lead the probe.

The group is scheduled to meet soon in Geneva to chart a work plan, a rights council statement said.

But it is not yet clear if they will be granted access to Rakhine, or even be permitted to land in Myanmar.

Speaking in Brussels earlier this month, Suu Kyi made clear that her government had "disassociated" itself from the resolution setting up the probe, calling it out of touch "with what is actually happening on the ground."

The north of Rakhine state has been under lockdown since October, when the military launched a campaign to hunt down Rohingya militants who staged deadly attacks on police posts.

Some 100,000 people from the Muslim minority were displaced by the violence, most of them fleeing to Bangladesh.

An earlier UN rights office report based on testimony from Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh said Myanmar's security forces may be guilty of crimes against humanity.

Myanmar has rebuffed those charges and has refused to allow international observers into the area.

The rights council called on the government to give investigators "full, unrestricted and unmonitored access to all areas".

Matthew Smith, who heads the Fortify Rights watchdog in Bangkok which closely tracks the Rakhine situation, told AFP the government had "no defensible reason to not cooperate with this mission."

He said investigators appointed Tuesday were "a strong team that's certainly up to the task."

The mission is scheduled to give the rights council an oral update of their findings in September.

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A security guard stands in the empty Ogbaru Market as shops and businesses shut down to mark the anniversary of the Biafra independence declaration

Shops, schools and businesses were shut in southeast Nigeria on Tuesday, 50 years to the day since the declaration of an independent republic of Biafra sparked a brutal civil war.

In Onitsha, the economic hub of Anambra state on the banks of the River Niger, most markets were closed and the streets were largely empty of people and traffic.

Separatist sentiment persists in the region, which is dominated by the Igbo people, and the main pro-Biafran independence group has called on supporters to stay at home.

"No work today, we are Biafran, we are not Nigerians," said Ebere Ichukwu Eli, one of the few people to venture outside, where there was a visible security presence.

"No violence, it is a peaceful sit at home. We are protesting peacefully," the 47-year-old told AFP.

A woman who gave her name only as Justine said: "The market is closed today. I'm just going home to stay with my children.

"We want our one Biafra. It's our land. That's why we all sit at home today."

In Aba, 150 kilometres (95 miles) south by road from Onitsha, churches on Sunday urged followers to stay at home as a peaceful protest.

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, Nnamdi Kanu, told AFP his aim was for "civil disobedience" to force a referendum on self-determination.

- Over 100 arrested -

Local people said the closures were either to commemorate the anniversary in support or because of widespread fears of violence

Local people said the closures were either to commemorate the anniversary in support or because of widespread fears of violence.

Nigerian police last week denounced "planned protests and order of market closures" and warned it would "deal decisively" with any breach of the peace or unlawful protest.

Last year, demonstrations marking the declaration of Biafran independence turned bloody. Amnesty International said the military gunned down more than 60 people.

Since August 2015, more than 150 people have been killed in pro-Biafra protests, said Amnesty's Nigeria director Osai Ojigho. Nigeria's government denies the claim.

"We urge the Nigerian security agencies to conduct themselves in a manner that will ensure public order without resorting to force," he added.

Amnesty said security forces had arrested more than 100 members of pro-Biafran separatist groups in the run-up to Tuesday's anniversary.

Nigerian Army spokesman Colonel Sagir Musa said in a statement that security had been increased across the southeast in places seen as "real or potential flashpoints".

"The aim is to proactively checkmate possible security breaches in view of sordid/divisive utterances and in some cases blatant actions by secessionist agitators," he added.

- Secessionist revival -

Support for secession has increased since the arrest in late 2015 of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the pro-independence Indigenous People of Biafra movement

Calls for independence never disappeared even after the 30-month civil war, which left more than one million dead, most of them Igbos, mainly from starvation and disease.

Many people accuse the government of failing to invest in the southeast since the end of the war in 1970, blighting development. Some see it as a punishment for the conflict.

"Most people here will follow the instructions. We want to show government that we are angry. There's no hope here for our children," said Chuks, a 43-year-old taxi driver in Aba.

"I'm double graduated and I couldn't find a decent job. I have to work as a driver to feed my family."

Support for secession has increased since the arrest in late 2015 of IPOB leader Kanu, who is currently on trial in Abuja charged with treasonable felony.

A court ordered his release on bail in April.

Kanu, who is in his 40s, told AFP in an interview that his time in prison gave him the chance to reflect and plot out the quickest possible path to independence.

"The mission and the values of IPOB are very simple: to restore Biafra, to make sure Biafra comes by whatever means possible," he said.

"We have chosen the track of peaceful agitation, non-violence, persuasion, logic, reason, argument. We are going to deploy all of that to make sure we get Biafra."

He added: "Our ultimate goal is freedom, referendum is the path we have chosen to take to get Biafra... There is no alternative."
Syrian girls walk past destroyed buildings in the rebel-held town of Douma, on the eastern outskirts of Damascus on May 6, 2017

Russian air strikes over the past month have killed 27 Syrian civilians, a monitor said Tuesday, the lowest monthly civilian death toll since Moscow began its bombing campaign.

Moscow first launched air strikes in support of its ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in September 2015.

Since then, it has killed more than 12,000 people including 5,000 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Moscow denies the claims and says it only targets "terrorist" groups.

Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said that "Russian air strikes killed 27 civilians, including eight children and three women" from April 30 to May 30.

"This is the lowest monthly recorded civilian toll" since Russia's intervention, he said.

The highest 30-day toll was in September 2016, with 592 civilians killed, according to the Observatory.

Abdel Rahman said the past month's air strikes had hit only territory controlled by the Islamic State group, with no recorded Russian bombardment of areas included in a safe zones deal struck in Kazakhstan earlier this month.

That agreement, signed by regime allies Russia and Iran along with rebel backer Turkey, envisions the creation of four "de-escalation" zones including some of Syria's bloodiest battlegrounds.

The Britain-based Observatory relies on a network of sources inside Syria and says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used.

Human rights groups and Western governments have criticised Russia's air war in Syria, saying it bombs indiscriminately and targets civilian infrastructure including hospitals.

In addition to the Russian and Syrian air forces, warplanes from the US-led coalition fighting IS have also been carrying out bombing raids on Syria since September 2014.

Last week, the Observatory recorded the deadliest monthly toll for US-led coalition strikes on Syria, with 225 civilians killed between April 23 and May 23.

The Syrian conflict has killed more than 320,000 people since it began with anti-government protests in March 2011.
Indian activists last year take part in protest to mark the 24th anniversary of the destruction of the 16th-century Babri mosque in New Delhi

An Indian court Tuesday charged a minister and two senior leaders from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party with criminal conspiracy over the destruction of a mosque in 1992 that triggered deadly religious riots.

The trio were accused of inciting a Hindu mob to destroy the 16th-century Babri mosque in the city of Ayodhya, which ignited a wave of religious violence across India.

Water Minister Uma Bharti, as well as Lal Krishna Advani and M M Joshi, two leaders in Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), were among 12 present at the court in Lucknow as the judge read out the charges against them.

"The Court has invoked an additional charge of criminal conspiracy against them. They will all now face a joint trial," prosecution lawyer R K Yadav told reporters.

The trio denied any involvement in the demolition of the mosque, but the court ruled there was "enough evidence on record" to bring charges of criminal conspiracy.

They were granted bail.

Before the ruling, Bharti said she did not consider herself a criminal and saw no conspiracy behind the razing of the mosque.

"It was an open movement... there was no conspiracy," she told reporters.

A lower court had dropped the charges brought by India's Central Bureau of Investigation, but the Supreme Court last month ruled they should be tried.

The destruction of the mosque at Ayodhya in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state has fuelled numerous riots across India between Hindus and Muslims that has left thousands dead.

Many Hindus believe the mosque was only built after the destruction of a temple that marks the birthplace of their god Ram, and it remains hugely divisive.

Some BJP leaders, including Bharti, want a temple built on the ruins of the razed mosque -- an idea that horrifies Uttar Pradesh's significant Muslim minority.

The Hindu-right party won Uttar Pradesh in a landslide election in March, and appointed firebrand priest Yogi Adityanath as head of the state.
Online shopping giant Amazon saw its share price top $1,000 for the first time, pushing its market capitalization to more than twice that of Walmart, another milestone in the upstart company's history.

Shares of Amazon surged above $1,000 for the first time Tuesday, marking another milestone in the rise of the American online retail giant.

Near 14:10 GMT, the company's shares were selling at $997.97, up 0.2 percent after earlier getting as high as $1,001.20. Amazon's market capitalization stood at about $478 billion, more than twice that of Wal-Mart Stores.

After going in public in May 1997 at $18 a share, Amazon has benefited from tectonic shifts in US technology and consumer shopping habits that are expected to continue to remake the retail industry.

The company has evolved from its origins as an online bookseller into a broad-based retailer of apparel and household staples, from electronics to sausage casing. And with its "Prime" subscription service, it also has become a creative force in Hollywood and beyond.

Amazon shares have appreciated especially rapidly over the last three years in anticipation that e-commerce will become a much bigger force in the retail sector.

Online sales currently comprise about eight percent of the US retail market. Amazon alone accounts for about 43 percent of US online sales, according to consultancy Slice Intelligence.

E-commerce is expected to grow between eight and 12 percent this year, according to the National Retail Federation, about three times as much as the rest of the industry, which has faced massive store and mall closures.

Amazon, whose revenues grew to $35.7 billion in the first quarter, also has impressed Wall Street by laying out a plan to achieve greater profitability.

It is in the process of investing $1.5 billion to establish its own delivery network and lessen its dependence on shipping giants FedEx and UPS. That will help contain delivery costs, which grew 30 percent to $1.9 billion in the first quarter.

The surge above $1,000 a share also raises questions about whether Amazon intends to pursue a stock split. At Amazon's annual meeting a week ago, chief executive Jeff Bezos said the matter was under consideration.

The company had three previous stock splits, in June 1998 and in January and August 1999.

Amazon currently is the fourth biggest company by market capitalization after Apple, Google parent Alphabet and Microsoft.
Indian Muslims protest against a ban on the sale of animals for slaughter in Chennai on May 29, 2017

An Indian court Tuesday temporarily suspended a ban imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on the sale of cattle for slaughter, dealing the first legal blow to the controversial measure.

The government last week prohibited the sale and purchase of cows -- an animal considered sacred for Hindus -- for slaughter across India.

The sudden ruling sparked protests against what many saw as an overreach by the Hindu-right Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Some states where cow slaughter is legal vowed to fight the decree.

The Madras High Court in the southern state of Tamil Nadu stayed the federal ban on Tuesday, becoming the first jurisdiction to mount a successful challenge.

"The court ruled that the order be put in abeyance for four weeks and asked the central and state governments to reply to the petition filed by my client," Ajmal Khan, a lawyer for the petitioners, told AFP.

The petitioners from Tamil Nadu objected to the ban, saying it infringed on their right to eat what they choose.

Beef and buffalo meat is a common delicacy in some south and northeastern Indian states but taboo in most of India.

Some states organized "beef fests" to protest the ban. Organisers in Kerala state killed a calf, triggering outrage and counter rallies by BJP supporters where cows were adorned with flowers.

The slaughter of cows, as well as the possession or consumption of beef, is banned in most but not all Indian states. Some impose up to life imprisonment for infringements.

The new federal ban affected not just the trade in cows but bulls, bullocks, buffaloes, calves and camels.

Kerala, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Puducherry -- four jurisdictions that allowed cow slaughter -- have said they will resist the ban.

Modi's ascent to power in 2014 has spurred demands for a nationwide ban on cow slaughter by radical Hindu groups, who often resort to violence over the sacred animal.

At least a dozen people, mostly Muslims, have been killed by Hindu mobs over rumours that they were eating beef, slaughtering cows or smuggling them.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) shakes hands with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, on May 30, 2017

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday discussed cooperation on oil and the conflict in Syria with powerful Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at a meeting in the Kremlin.

Oil producers within and outside the OPEC cartel last week agreed to extend a November accord to cut crude production by nine months in a move spearheaded by Moscow and Riyadh.

"We are grateful to you for your ideas and joint work on the combined steps by OPEC members and non-members," Putin told 31-year-old Prince Mohammed, who is the country's defence minister, the Interfax news agency reported.

"The actions we agreed are helping to stabilise the situation on the world hydrocarbon markets."

The world's two biggest producers have worked together to bolster faltering oil prices despite deep differences over the conflict in Syria and Moscow's warm ties with Saudi Arabia's regional foe Iran.

Putin told Prince Mohammed that Moscow and Riyadh "together were working on the issues of resolving difficult situations, including in Syria."

Prince Mohammed's meeting with Putin comes shortly after US President Donald Trump visited Riyadh as part of his first overseas trip.

Putin again reiterated an invitation for Saudi monarch King Salman to visit Russia and insisted it would be a "good sign and a good signal."
Consumers' short-term outlook for business conditions grew slightly dimmer and the share of survey respondents expecting jobs to become more plentiful also slipped, the Conference Board reported

US consumer confidence edged down for the second straight month in May, as optimism continued to retreat from record highs, according to a closely-watched monthly survey released Tuesday.

Consumers' short-term outlook for business conditions grew slightly dimmer and the share of survey respondents expecting jobs to become more plentiful also slipped, the Conference Board survey showed.

The confidence index decreased to 117.9 points from 119.4 in April, defying analysts' expectations, but a central component, the Present Situation Index, added a modest 0.4 points to 140.7.

Along with the surge on Wall Street, consumer sentiment boomed following November's election of President Donald Trump on hopes of economic renewal sparked by promises of slashed taxes and regulation.

But the Trump agenda has met with delays in implementation as well as some obstacles in Congress, stymying many of the White House's goals, particularly changes to health care and tax policy.

Lynn Franco, head of economic indicators at the Conference Board, noted that, despite the drop in the overall index, consumer views of present-day conditions held steady, suggesting economic conditions were unchanged.

"Looking ahead, consumers were somewhat less upbeat than in April, but overall remain optimistic that the economy will continue expanding into the summer months," she said in a statement.

The share of respondents saying conditions were "good" fell slightly to 29.4 percent from 30.8 percent.

Meanwhile, those saying jobs remained "plentiful" also fell slightly from 30.3 percent to 29.9 percent.

Ian Shepherdson of Pantheon Macroeconomics said the May numbers remained well above their pre-election levels and were supported by sky-high stock prices and an increasingly tight labor market.

However, he said, "We remain skeptical of the reliability of the data, given that the candidate who won the most votes lost the election."

The survey showed those expecting more jobs in the coming months fell to 18.6 percent from 21.9 percent, while those expecting fewer jobs fell 1.8 points to 12 percent.

The percentage of consumers expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months shrank nearly four points to 25.1 percent.

Those believing things will get worse also fell three tenths of a point to 10.1 percent.

James Bohnaker of IHS Markit said high consumer confidence, rising disposable incomes and growing household net worth all point to a rebound in consumption in the second quarter after a lackluster start to the year.

"We expect real consumer spending growth to be above three percent in the second quarter since the first quarter pullback was temporary," he said in a client note.
The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case over voting rights that is part of a long-running dispute between Republicans and Democrats

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a case over voting rights that is part of a long-running dispute between Republicans and Democrats.

The court said it would consider an appeal from the Republican-controlled state of Ohio after a lower court blocked a policy to purge voter-registration lists of people who do not vote regularly, saying it violated federal law.

The state's officials argue that canceling the registration of voters who had appeared inactive for six years helped keep voting rolls current and accurate.

But critics say that purging voter lists was aimed at removing minorities, poor voters and others who tend to support the Democratic Party.

An appellate court ruled in September last year that the Ohio authorities had violated the National Voter Registration Act, passed by Congress in 1993 to make it easier to register to vote.

The Supreme Court's decision to hear the case represents a victory for the Ohio authorities.

Critics condemned the move.

"The right to vote is not a use-it-or-lose-it right," said Demos, a liberal think-tank.

Ohio removed hundreds of thousands of people from voter-registration lists in 2015, civil rights groups say.

The majority of those purged voted Democratic, including a high proportion of African Americans and Hispanics, they say.

"As we have seen time and time again, homeless voters and other marginalized voters have to fight to make their voices heard in the electoral process," said Brian Davis of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH).

Rules governing voting rights are the source of many legal disputes in the United States.

Republicans say new restrictions are needed to crack down on voter fraud. Most Democrats say that problem is negligible and really used to justify suppressing the Democratic vote.

Last week, the Supreme Court found Republican lawmakers in North Carolina guilty of illegally using race to draw up congressional districts that would dilute the strength of African-American voters.
Nigeria's first lady Aisha Buhari has gone to London to 'spend some time' with the country's 74-year-old president being treated for an undisclosed illness

Nigeria's first lady left for London on Tuesday to join President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been in the British capital receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.

Aisha Buhari's office released a brief statement saying she was going to Britain to "spend some time" with her 74-year-old husband.

"Her Excellency will spend some time with her husband President Muhammadu Buhari who is presently on medical vacation," said a statement, which included photographs of her boarding a plane, dressed in an all-white outfit.

"She (Aisha Buhari) expressed her appreciation to the millions of Nigerians who have been praying for his quick and safe return."

Buhari left Abuja for London on May 7 for a "follow-up medical consultation" after spending nearly two months in Britain being treated for what he described as one of the worst illnesses of his life.

His health is being watched closely as a previous president, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, died in office in 2010 after receiving treatment abroad for a longstanding but undisclosed illness.

Yar'Adua's absence triggered months of political turmoil.

The Nigerian presidency has insisted that despite Buhari's sickness there is no political vacuum as Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had formally been given powers as acting president.

Yet in the weeks that Buhari has been gone there have been several statements from the military rejecting rumours that a coup was being planned.

Most analysts agree a coup is unlikely in Nigeria's strengthened democracy.

But there are fears that Buhari's prolonged absence has led to government inertia and that his signature war against corruption is grinding to a halt.
An advertisement for food products from the US is on display during the opening day of the "Fruit Logistica" trade fair in Berlin on February 8, 2017

A brewing diplomatic crisis between the United States and Germany has its roots in President Donald Trump's frequent criticism of the large US trade deficit with the European economic powerhouse.

Here are some key facts about the economic relationship between the two countries:

- Trade deficit -

The US trade deficit in goods and services with Germany in 2016 fell to $67.8 billion, due to a 0.7 percent increase in exports to $80.4 billion, and a 5.7 percent drop in imports, which totalled $148.1 billion, according to government data.

That ranks as the second largest deficit, behind China ($310 billion), and followed by Mexico ($62 billion), and Japan $56 billion.

Unlike those countries, however, where the US has a surplus in services, it has a deficit with Germany in both goods and services, the latter amounting to $2.3 billion last year.

- Imports -

The United States is Germany's most important export market, but Germany ranks as the fifth biggest source of US imports, behind China ($480 billion), Mexico ($324 billion), Canada ($313.5 billion) and Japan ($165 billion).

Capital goods make up nearly $40 billion of products imported from Germany, while autos, parts and engines amounted to $32 billion, followed by consumer goods at nearly $20 billion.

- Exports -

Germany is the sixth largest market for US exports, behind Canada ($322 billion), Mexico ($262 billion), China ($170 billion), UK ($121 billion) and Japan ($109 billion).

The largest component of US exports to Germany was "other goods and services," which totalled just under $28 billion last year, followed by non-auto capital goods at $21 billion.

- Investment -

In 2015, German firms invested $255.5 billion in the United states, an increase of nearly 14 percent over the previous year, ranking as the seventh biggest foreign investor. The UK was first with $484 billion followed by Japan with $484 billion.

- Employment -

German companies are the third largest foreign employer in the United States, with over 670,000 workers, nearly half of which are employed in manufacturing.
A man builds a tent at sunset in a camp for internally displaced people in Kaga Bandoro, Central African Republic

A damning United Nations report on Tuesday alleged horrific crimes in the Central African Republic including rape, murder, torture, kidnapping and the use of child soldiers, which could amount to war crimes and even genocide.

The UN said "appalling" crimes over 12 years between 2003 and 2015 were committed by the army, armed groups and international forces.

Its report -- which documents cases of gang rape, sexual slavery, the torching of entire villages and possibly genocide -- was prepared for a new court that is being set up in the capital Bangui to judge the crimes.

In a separate report the UN said surging violence has killed hundreds and forced around 88,000 people to flee their homes since the beginning of the month, bringing the number of internally displaced people in CAR to over 500,000.

The country has been struggling to recover from a three-year civil war between Muslim and Christian militias that started in 2013.

The UN said it noted "serious violence against people on the basis of their religion, ethnicity or perceived support for armed groups" and said the court should consider investigating some of the incidents further as possible genocide.

"As long as impunity reigns, this terrible trajectory -- with each armed group committing appalling acts of violence -- may continue," said the head of the UN's MINUSCA forces in the country, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga.

A special prosecutor and four judges have been appointed to the new "special criminal court" -- two from Central Africa, one from Burkina Faso and one French national, the first time CAR's justice system will prosecute crimes under international law.

"We know some people are getting anxious about this report," said Andrew Gilmour, the UN's Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights.

"We are talking of those who committed some of the most appalling violations, who are now aware that their actions were observed," he added.

"Naturally they are nervous that justice will catch up with them."

CAR descended into bloodshed in March 2013 following the overthrow of leader Francois Bozize by Seleka rebels, which triggered the country's worst crisis since its independence from France in 1960.

Sectarian bloodletting has pitted factions of the Christian anti-Balaka militia against the mainly Muslim ex-Seleka rebels, with the violence largely targeting civilians.

Military intervention by France from 2013 to 2016 and the deployment of UN troops reduced the number of atrocities, but armed bands still run wild in parts of the deeply poor country.
Rwanda's National Election Commission president Kalisa Mbanda, pictured in Kigali in 2013, says the social media controls aim at avoiding expressions that could dangerously divide the Rwandan population

Western diplomats in Rwanda voiced their concern on Tuesday over an order that presidential candidates must submit their social media messages to the country's election commission for pre-approval before dissemination.

"We are all concerned about this recent development and I think it is important to really understand what is behind this very, very serious limitation on the freedom of expression," said US ambassador Erica Barks-Ruggles.

The envoy was speaking at a panel on human rights organised by the European Union and attended by foreign diplomats as well as Rwanda's justice minister.

The measure giving control over social media use to the National Electoral Commission (NEC) will take effect at the start of the official campaign period on July 14 ahead of elections on August 4.

The rule states that all "messages, photographs and other campaign material" to be published on social networks must be submitted to the commission for approval at least 48 hours before they are due to be published.

It is aimed at "avoiding expressions, words, acts that can lead to acts of insecurity, the awakening of divisionism among the Rwandan population," said Kalisa Mbanda, election commission president.

Germany's ambassador Peter Woeste said other countries also faced problems of controlling hate speech, but asked whether "censorship [is] the way to go?" EU ambassador Michael Ryan described the measure as "too limiting".

Rwanda opposition figures have also criticised the move saying it will be used to block any criticism of President Paul Kagame who has been in charge of the country since 1994 and is running for a third term after changing the constitution to permit his candidacy.

Four opposition candidates are hoping to run against Kagame, if they are granted approval by the election commission.

While the constitution enshrines a multiparty system, there is virtually no opposition in the country, with the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) exerting total control over the political, social and economic spheres.

Since the end of the genocide, which killed around 800,000 people mostly from the Tutsi ethnic group in 1994, Rwanda has been praised for its economic performance and stability but criticised for its attacks and limitations on freedom of expression.
Coalition planes earlier this month pounded the front of a convoy that had apparently been headed toward a garrison where coalition commandos have been training local forces fighting the Islamic State group, whose flag is pictured

Iran-backed, pro-Syrian regime forces are again massing close to where US-led warplanes bombed them this month, the Pentagon said Tuesday, raising the likelihood of additional strikes.

Coalition planes on May 18 pounded the front of a convoy that had apparently been headed toward the At-Tanf garrison, where coalition commandos have been training and advising local forces fighting the Islamic State group.

That strike occurred inside an established "deconfliction zone" northwest of the garrison, and the Pentagon says it appeared that the forces were trying to build a "fire base" for artillery units.

The deconfliction zones are agreed upon between Russia and the coalition, and are designed to stop either side inadvertently striking the other's forces on the ground and in the air.

"We continue to see massing, we are concerned about it," Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said, noting that "hundreds" of troops were in the area, though smaller numbers were actually inside the deconfliction zone.

Coalition planes dropped leaflets over the weekend warning the pro-regime troops to stay away, he added.

"We have seen them patrolling in the vicinity of the established deconfliction zone, around the At-Tanf training site," Davis said.

Ahead of the May 18 strike, US military officials tried to use a special channel with the Russians to ask them to tell the pro-regime forces to leave.

Both sides regularly communicate through the hotline and have again spoken over the latest At-Tanf situation.

Davis said it was unknown if any Iranian forces were on the ground but said the troops are "at the very least enabled" by Tehran.

While the United States has been leading a campaign against IS in Syria since 2014, it has for the most part avoided engaging directly in the country's civil war.

The Pentagon has stressed the May 18 attack did not signal broader US involvement in the civil war, but Damascus condemned the strike.

The development comes in the context of growing tension over which forces will take on IS in Syria's east.

President Bashar al-Assad's army is trying to prevent US-backed forces from leading that fight.
Tunisia has been under a state of emergency since November 2015, when a suicide bombing in Tunis claimed by IS killed 12 presidential guards

Tunisia has detained six people in the central region of Kasserine suspected of belonging to a group linked to the Islamic State group, authorities said Tuesday.

The announcement comes after a jihadist leader was killed in a National Guard operation on Sunday night in Kasserine's Mount Salloum area near the border with Algeria.

Judiciary spokesman Sofiene Sliti said the six suspects were detained on Monday as the same security operation continued.

The interior ministry said they belonged to "sleeper cells" of Jund al-Khilafa, or Soldiers of the Caliphate, which has carried out attacks in the country in the name of IS.

The ministry also said the jihadist killed on Sunday had belonged to the Okba Ibn Nafaa Battalion, which is linked to Al-Qaeda, and not to IS as it had previously said.

DNA tests showed the jihadist was named Sami Rhimi, was born in 1993 and had joined the group in 2012, it said, after the judiciary spokesman on Monday identified him as someone else.

Authorities said on Monday he had been plotting attacks during the holy month of Ramadan, which started on Saturday and during which Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk.

Since its 2011 revolution, Tunisia has experienced an increase in jihadist attacks that have cost the lives of dozens of members of the security forces and 59 foreign tourists.

The country has been under a state of emergency since November 2015, when a suicide bombing in Tunis claimed by IS killed 12 presidential guards.
US Ambassador Nikki Haley will be the first US ambassador to address the UN Human Rights Council at a session on June 6

US Ambassador Nikki Haley, who has accused the United Nations of anti-Israel bias, will travel to Israel next week and deliver an address to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Haley will be the first US ambassador to address the rights council, speaking at a session on June 6 that will be followed by a speech on the US role at the council, the US mission said.

The former governor of South Carolina has criticized the UN rights body as "corrupt" and the US administration has been weighing a withdrawal from the council.

"We haven't made a decision yet," Haley told reporters when asked if the United States would quit the council.

Haley said she would discuss possible reforms at the council and "then we will make a decision after that."

From June 7 to 9, Haley will hold meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders during her visit to Israel and visit a UN peacekeeping mission in the region.

Haley said she was hoping to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, but that these meetings had yet to be confirmed.

The US ambassador has won applause from the Israeli government for pledging to stand up to what she has termed "Israel-bashing" at the United Nations.

She has condemned a Security Council resolution demanding that Israel halt the expansion of Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian land as a "terrible mistake."

The resolution was adopted after the former US administration refused to use its veto to block the measure and instead abstained.

Countries with questionable human rights records such as China and Saudi Arabia have seats on the UN body.

In Geneva, Haley will also discuss the human rights crisis in Venezuela.

It will be her second visit abroad as US ambassador. Last week, she visited Syrian refugee camps in Jordan and Turkey.
Syrian Residents of Khan Sheikhun demonstrate on April 7, 2017 to protest a suspected chemical weapons attack that was reported to have killed 88 people, including 31 children

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview published Tuesday, said he was "convinced" the Syrian government was not behind an alleged chemical attack in the country last month that killed dozens.

In an interview with the online news feed of the conservative French daily Le Figaro, Putin added that he agreed with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that use of chemical weapons was a "red line".

"According to our information, there is no proof of the use of chemical weapons by (Syrian President Bashar al-) Assad," he said.

"We are convinced he did not do so," Putin told Figaro Live, a day after meeting with Macron in Versailles.

Several Western countries including France have accused Assad's government of carrying out the April 4 attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhun that was reported to have killed 88 people, including 31 children.

US President Donald Trump ordered air strikes three days later on the Syrian air base from where Washington believes the attack was launched.

In an interview with AFP late last month, Assad, a longstanding Moscow ally, dismissed the allegation as "100-percent fabrication".

"There is no proof of the use of chemical weapons by (Syrian President Bashar al-) Assad," said Russian President Vladimir Putin in an interview with the conservative French daily Le Figaro

Asked about Macron's assertion that use of chemical weapons in Syria would be considered a "red line", Putin replied, "I agree."

Macron had also said Monday that France would respond immediately to any use of these arms.

The Russian leader added that Macron had agreed with him that "this issue should be placed in a wider context."

He said the international community should "establish a joint policy" to address the use of chemical weapons by "anyone, any force... and make a response that would render the use of chemical weapons simply impossible."

A report by French intelligence services said the April 4 attack bore the "signature" of the Syrian government, accusing it of possessing chemical weapons in violation of commitments made in 2013.

Since the start of the Syrian conflict in March 2011, Damascus has been repeatedly accused of using chemical weapons.

A 2013 attack in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta that left hundreds dead crossed a "red line" drawn by then US president Barack Obama.

The massacre led to an international accord under which Assad agreed to hand over Syria's entire chemical weapons arsenal.

But since then, dozens of other attacks have been recorded, though responsibility has often been difficult to assess.

Last week an official at UN headquarters in New York said the UN was working to obtain security assurances needed to dispatch an international team of experts to Khan Sheikhun.

Russia has criticised the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for not sending experts to the site, instead analysing samples gathered from "various sources".

The Russian defence ministry said Syria's military has said it is ready to halt fire around the site if experts are sent in to conduct a probe.

Last year reports by UN and OPCW investigators concluded that Damascus had carried out three chlorine attacks and that the jihadist Islamic State group was behind a mustard gas attack.
This file photo taken on April 30, 2017 shows a member of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, made up of an alliance of Arab and Kurdish fighters, removing an Islamic State group flag in Tabqa, about 55 kilometres (35 miles) west of Raqa

A US-backed battalion of Syrian Arab fighters edged closer to the outskirts of the Islamic State group stronghold of Raqa Tuesday, a spokesman for the unit and a monitor said.

"Our forces are 400 metres (yards) from Al-Mishleb", a neighbourhood in the eastern outskirts of Raqa city, said Syrian Elite Forces spokesman Mohammad Khaled Shaker.

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor, said the advance came after heavy air strikes from the US-led coalition fighting IS.

The coalition has been backing a Kurdish-Arab alliance, the Syrian Democratic Forces, which in November launched an offensive to capture Raqa city from the jihadists.

Shaker said on Tuesday that his battalion was not part of the SDF but "an independent group within the international coalition" that acted "in coordination and cooperation" with the alliance as part of the Raqa operation.

The SDF have approached Raqa from the north and the west, but are still far from launching an assault on the city.

The alliance is only three kilometres (almost two miles) from IS's de facto Syrian capital to the north, but as far as 25 kilometres from it to the west.

The jihadists still control areas south of the city.

The SDF was created in 2015, after IS overran large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014.

The Syrian Elite Forces was formed in early 2016, Abdel Rahman said, and its members come from the Arab tribes from Raqa province and the neighbouring province of Deir Ezzor.

They joined the anti-IS offensive in December 2016.

The battalion is headed by Ahmad Jarba, who led top Syrian opposition body the National Coalition from July 2013 for a year.

Syria's conflict has killed 320,000 people since it started in 2011 with anti-government protests. It has since evolved into a complex war involving jihadists and world powers.
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People watch a ground based interceptor missle take off at Vandenberg Air Force base, California on May 30, 2017

The US military said Tuesday it had intercepted a mock-up of an intercontinental ballistic missile in a first-of-its-kind test that comes amid concerns over North Korea's weapons program.

A ground-based interceptor launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California "successfully intercepted an intercontinental ballistic missile target" fired from the Reagan Test Site in the Marshall Islands, the military said in a statement.

The test saw a rocket from the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system blast into space and then deploy its "exo-atmospheric kill vehicle," which smashed into the dummy ICBM, destroying it in a direct collision.

"This system is vitally important to the defense of our homeland, and this test demonstrates that we have a capable, credible deterrent against a very real threat," Vice Admiral Jim Syring, director of the US Missile Defense Agency, was quoted as saying.

The exercise marked a significant step for the GMD system, which has had a checkered record in previous tests.

Though it succeeded in the last test in 2014, it failed during the three prior attempts against slower-moving, non-ICBM missiles.

"The intercept of a complex, threat-representative ICBM target is an incredible accomplishment for the GMD system and a critical milestone for this program," Syring said.

- Milestone -

The success of Tuesday's test is a watershed moment for the US military's effort to establish an effective -- though limited -- ground-based defense against ICBMs.

A ground based interceptor missle take off at Vandenberg Air Force base, California on May 30, 2017

It came a day after North Korea test-fired yet another ballistic missile, the latest in a series of launches that have ratcheted up tensions over Pyongyang's quest to develop weapons capable of hitting the United States.

Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said Tuesday's trial was not timed specifically in response to tensions with Pyongyang but that "in a broad sense, North Korea is one of the reasons why we have this capability."

"They continue to conduct test launches, as we saw this weekend, while also using dangerous rhetoric that suggests they would strike the United States homeland," Davis said.

He also pointed to Iran's increasing missile capabilities as threatening US strategic interests in the Middle East.

The technology behind the GMD is extremely complex, and the system uses globally deployed sensors to detect and track ballistic missile threats.

The interception is a move that the Pentagon says is akin to hitting a bullet with another bullet -- though at far higher speeds.

"Initial indications are that the test met its primary objective, but program officials will continue to evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test," the US military statement read.

The missile defense system will comprise 44 interceptors by the end of the year, so it could thwart an attack from a rogue state or a volley of rockets.

But the interceptors, based in California and Alaska, would be overwhelmed by a full-scale attack from countries like Russia or China, which could fire dozens of missiles at a time.
US aviation security will not be imposing a ban on carry-on computers on flights coming from Europe, for now

US aviation security officials stepped back Tuesday from imposing a ban on carry-on computers on flights coming from Europe, which had been proposed to guard against possible bomb-laden electronics from the Islamic State group.

But the Department of Homeland Security said a ban, already in place for US-bound flights from the Middle East, could still be implemented for Europe if the threat level worsens.

In a phone discussion with European Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos and Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc Tuesday, DHS Secretary John Kelly "made it clear" a ban on passengers carrying tablet and computer-sized electronics on board flights to the United States "is still on the table," DHS said in a statement.

"Secretary Kelly affirmed he will implement any and all measures necessary to secure commercial aircraft flying to the United States -- including prohibiting large electronic devices from the passenger cabin -- if the intelligence and threat level warrant it."

A European Commission spokesperson confirmed the discussion, saying that no decision had been made on the laptop ban, but that the two sides "agreed to intensify talks" on tightening aviation security.

On March 21, Washington announced a ban on carry-on laptops and other electronics larger than cellphone on direct flights to the United States from 10 airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa.

The move came after intelligence officials learned of efforts by the Islamic State group to fashion a bomb into consumer electronics.

From any of those airports, US-bound passengers were forced to keep their electronics in checked baggage.

One day later Britain announced a similar ban for flights originating from six countries, and by early May DHS was threatening to impose a similar restriction for flights from Europe to the United States.

That would have a huge effect on the coming high travel season, with more than 3,250 flights a week scheduled to leave EU airports for the US this summer.

But after weeks of discussions, no decision was made. EU officials acknowledge that the decision is in the hands of US authorities.

DHS spokesman David Lapan said that Europan officials would be given ample warning ahead of any ban.
Oil giant ExxonMobil is facing increasing pressure from shareholders to account for the cost of climate change policy, and invest more in renewable energy.

ExxonMobil's controversial stance on climate change will be back in the spotlight Wednesday when shareholders vote on an environmentalist-backed measure calling for an accounting of climate policy risk.

The US oil giant has successfully beaten back shareholder proposals on climate change for years, but the measures have been picking up momentum and a number of leading institutional investors that supported Exxon previously, have signaled they may break ranks this time.

The proposal, submitted by the New York State Common Retirement Fund, seeks an annual assessment of Exxon's asset portfolio under different policy scenarios, including those that limit temperature increases to under two degrees Celsius and are consistent with the 2015 Paris climate accord.

Environmentalists have argued that Exxon's petroleum-dominated portfolio of assets could become uneconomic under tougher climate policies, and the company has not thoroughly analyzed this risk. They call on Exxon to invest more in renewable energy and less in oil.

Exxon has pointed to its research collaborations with leading universities on alternative energy, while maintaining that oil will remain "the world's primary fuel through 2040," according to its proxy statement.

The oil giant said it already conducts its own stress tests under various scenarios and its current processes "sufficiently test the portfolio to ensure long-term shareholder value."

A similar shareholder proposal failed last year, but garnered 38.2 percent of the vote, surprisingly strong support for a measure opposed by management.

Leading institutional investors, including BlackRock and Vanguard Group, have signaled they may support environmentalists this year, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

The Exxon vote comes after shareholders of midsized US oil company Occidental Petroleum on May 12 voted overwhelmingly (67 percent) in favor of a similar proposal. Chevron, the number two US oil company, also faces a vote on a climate policy assessment at its annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday.

Exxon has long been a lightning rod over its stance on climate change, which included publicly challenging climate science at a time when most scientists and some leading oil companies called for action.

The company is now facing an investigation by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on whether it knowingly downplayed the risk of climate change.

Exxon in recent years has shifted its stance, recognizing climate change as a risk that needs to be mitigated and even calling on President Donald Trump to honor the Paris agreement. But that has done little to appease environmentalists, who say management should be doing more.

Former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson now serves as Trump's secretary of state.
The United States begins a small arms weapons transfer to Kurdish fighters battling the Islamic State in Raqa

The United States on Tuesday began providing small arms to Kurdish fighters battling the Islamic State group in northern Syria, the Pentagon said, fulfilling a pledge that has infuriated Turkey.

The weapons transfers have begun ahead of an upcoming offensive to recapture Raqa, the last major bastion for IS in Syria.

"We have begun to transfer small arms and vehicles to the Kurdish elements" of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Pentagon spokesman Major Adrian Rankine-Galloway said, referring to a Kurdish-Syrian Arab alliance fighting IS.

The weapons include AK-47s and small-caliber machine guns, Rankine-Galloway added.

President Donald Trump this month approved arming the fighters from the Kurdish Peoples' Protection Units (YPG), drawing strong condemnation from Turkey.

Ankara says the YPG is linked to Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) separatists, who have waged an insurgency since 1984 that has killed more than 40,000 people inside Turkey.

Turkey's concerns about the YPG were significant enough for Ankara to launch its own military operation inside Syria in August 2016, dubbed Euphrates Shield.

The operation had the dual goals of targeting IS and the Kurdish militia, particularly to prevent the YPG from controlling a contiguous strip of territory along the Syria-Turkey border.

While the Kurds have failed to link up the two "cantons" under their control in the northeast with the Afrin region to the west, the Turkish operation has largely floundered.

The SDF have now advanced to within a few miles of Raqa on several fronts, and this month captured the strategic town of Tabqa and the adjacent dam from the jihadists.

Washington has sought to placate Ankara by saying the weapons will be handed out judiciously, and that it will monitor these to make sure they don't go into Turkey.

The Pentagon insists the SDF are the only fighting force currently on the ground capable of seizing Raqa.

Still, Washington must strike a careful balance. Turkey is a NATO ally and home to a key airbase that the US-led coalition uses to hit IS.
Washington UN envoy Nikki Haley told reporters that China is pushing Pyongyang through back channels to change its behavior and discussing with the United States the timing of a possible new sanctions resolution

The United States and China are discussing next steps in response to North Korea's missile tests and could reach a decision on new sanctions this week, Washington's UN envoy Nikki Haley said Tuesday.

China is pushing Pyongyang through back channels to change its behavior and discussing with the United States the timing of a possible new sanctions resolution, Haley told reporters.

"It's about at what point do we do the resolution... at what test model do we say now is the time to go forward," she said.

"We do think they are trying to counter what is happening now and they have the lay of the land," Haley said of the Chinese government.

"We are going to keep the pressure on China but we will continue to work with them ... and I think we will decide this week on what that looks like."

North Korea has carried out three missile tests in less than three weeks, defying UN warnings that it faces new sanctions.

On Monday, Pyongyang test-fired a short-range missile that fell provocatively close to Japan.

The United States launched talks on new sanctions with China a month ago with a view to drafting a proposed resolution to present to the council, but no text has been agreed.

Haley said the council was not backpedalling but rather carefully considering the next moves.

"Nothing is changing North Korea's actions and so it's regrouping and saying okay, what are we going to do if this is going to happen every other day," said Haley.

"How should we respond in a way that actually stops these things or slows them down?" she added.

China has pushed for a revival of the six-party talks that have been dormant since North Korea walked out on the negotiations in 2009.

Haley has said that the United States will open a dialogue with Pyongyang if it halts its missile and nuclear tests.

North Korea is seeking to develop a long-range missile capable of hitting the US mainland with a nuclear warhead, and has so far staged five atomic tests, two of them last year.

The Security Council adopted two sanctions resolutions last year to ramp up pressure on Pyongyang and deny leader Kim Jong-Un the hard currency needed to fund his military programs.

In all, six sets of sanctions have been imposed on North Korea since it first tested an atomic device in 2006.
US President Donald Trump (L) and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud shaking hands during a signing ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh on May 20, 2017

US officials came out Tuesday to praise and defend President Donald Trump's first Middle East tour, but one question about democracy in the region was met with a diplomatic pause.

At the White House, Trump's spokesman Sean Spicer hailed an "unprecedented" foreign policy triumph that had "united the civilized world in the fight against terrorism and extremism."

Despite criticism that Trump had brushed human rights concerns under the carpet when seeking arms deals and counter-terror cooperation, the White House insisted the trip had been a win.

But at the State Department, Washington's top diplomat for the Middle East -- acting assistant secretary of state Stuart Jones -- appeared momentarily ill-at-ease at a press briefing.

Jones is a respected career diplomat and former US ambassador to both Iraq and Jordan who has been thrust into the limelight as the administration has been slow to fill more senior posts.

He accompanied Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Saudi Arabia and Israel last week and took to the State Department podium to brief reporters on their achievements.

His account of success in building ties with Saudi and other Muslim and Arab leaders matched the later White House briefing in substance, if not in Spicer's hyperbolic language.

But when an AFP reporter asked him whether the United States believes that democratic governance could help limit the spread of extremism, he fell silent.

Tillerson, the reporter noted, had criticized Iran's conduct in the wake of this month's elections there, while standing alongside officials from Saudi Arabia.

"How do you characterize Saudi Arabia's commitment to democracy, and does the administration believe that democracy is a buffer or a barrier against extremism?" AFP asked.

For 20 long seconds, Jones stood silently at the podium considering his response as reporters stirred nervously. Then he repeated the criticism of Iranian democracy.

Trump and Tillerson's visit, he said, had made progress in working with the countries of the Saudi-led Gulf Cooperation Council to combat extremism -- of the kind backed by Iran.

"Clearly one source of extremism, one terrorism threat, is coming from Iran and that's coming from a part of the Iranian apparatus that is not at all responsive to its electorate," he said.

Officials took no more questions -- but the uncomfortably long pause was quickly picked up upon by outside observers.

Shadi Hamid, a fellow at the Brookings Institution and writer on Islam and politics, tweeted: "Good God. That's the longest pause I've ever seen from a US official."

In a headline to a blog post, the progressive news magazine Mother Jones quipped: "At the State Department, sometimes silence speaks volumes."

Another news site, The Week, suggested the official had been "completely stumped" by the question, and many social media users joked they thought their video footage had frozen.

Others, including some former foreign policy officials, defended Jones as an honorable and well thought-of career officer defending a policy that was not of his making.
Actress Keri Russell poses on her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at the star unveiling ceremony, May 30, 2017 in Hollywood, California

Actress Keri Russell, best known for her role as a ruthless KGB operative in the long-running series "The Americans," was honored on Tuesday with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The 41-year-old actress told AFP she was awestruck to receive the 2,613th star on the famous sidewalk alongside other celebrities such as Judy Garland or Marlon Brando.

"It's such an incredible, iconic moment," she said.

A native of California, Russell first garnered attention for her title role in the hit television series "Felicity," for which she won a Golden Globe Award in 1999.

She was again nominated last year -- but did not win -- for her role in FX's critically-acclaimed "The Americans," which is set in the 1980s and follows a husband and wife team of undercover Soviet operatives in the United States.

The spy thriller, which wrapped its fifth season on Tuesday, has drawn parallels with the current frosty relations between the US and Russia, especially following allegations that Moscow tampered with last year's presidential elections won by Donald Trump.

"It is very much in our world right now," Russell acknowledged. "Luckily our show is a period piece set in the 80s and the Cold War... the news now will not change the way the 80s ended.

"But it is interesting and fun it's all back in the news again," she added. "It's so relatable."

"Felicity" creator J.J. Abrams lauded Russell's talent during the ceremony, describing her as someone who shied away from the limelight and one of the "sweetest" people he knows.

"What she does so beautifully is become other people. And she does it in a way that most actors would only dream of being able to do," Abrams said.

Russell's co-star on "The Americans" and real-life love, Matthew Rhys, also attended the ceremony.

The couple welcomed their first child together last May. Russell also has two children with ex-husband Shane Deary.
BERLIN (AP) - Senior security officials in Germany said Monday they are optimistic about intelligence sharing with the United States and Britain, despite friction in other policy areas in recent months.

Speaking at a gathering of intelligence experts in Berlin, Germany's top security official said cooperation with the Trump administration was "excellent" when it came to combating terrorism.

While a meeting in Sicily exposed deep differences between the United States and other members of the Group of Seven on issues such as climate change and trade, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said there was relative unanimity when it came to joint anti-terrorism measures.

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, left, listens to German domestic intelligence chief Hans-Georg Maassen during a symposium in Berlin, Germany, Monday May 29, 2017. Maassen said he hopes cooperation with the U.S. won't become more difficult under President Donald Trump, arguing that the Americans also need information from European agencies. (Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa via AP)

"The issue of security brings everyone together," he said.

De Maiziere's comments echoed those of Germany's domestic intelligence chief, Hans-Georg Maassen, who told public broadcaster ARD that "we have always viewed the Americans as reliable partners, despite all the problems we had in recent years" - a reference to U.S. spies eavesdropping on German government phones.

"We need the Americans because the Americans have good and reliable information," Maassen added. "On the other hand ... the Americans need the information of German and European intelligence services."

Germany saw a number of violent attacks by Islamic extremists last year, including the deadly truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market that left 12 victims dead. The attack, carried out by a young Tunisian man who had been denied asylum in Germany, was later claimed by the Islamic State group.

Maassen told reporters in Berlin the threat posed by Islamic extremists hasn't lessened and authorities now believe there are 10,000 adherents of Salafist ideology - a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam - in Germany alone. A year ago that figure stood at 8,650, he said.

Both officials said they expected intelligence cooperation with Britain also to remain good, even after the country leaves the 28-nation European Union.

"I'm confident that the issue of security won't be the most difficult in the Brexit negotiations," said de Maiziere.

One issue that has plagued intelligence cooperation even among close partners is the fact that countries keep separate records on suspected extremists, meaning people who are under surveillance in one country can often travel freely in another.

The Manchester concert bomber Salman Abedi transited through Duesseldorf Airport four days before the May 22 attack without German authorities being aware that he had been on the radar of British security services.

"We have to dissolve the national data silos," said Maassen.

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Geir Moulson contributed to this report.
ATLANTA (AP) - Democrats hope to enlist military veterans in another type of fight - for majority control of the House.

Looking ahead to next year's elections, Democrats are trying to recruit at least two dozen military veterans to challenge Republican incumbents, arguing that candidates with a military background on their resumes appeal to independent voters and can help the party break the GOP grip on Washington.

"Veterans have had the experience of putting the country first, before personal politics" and party dictates, said Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass, who did four tours of duty in Iraq, left the Marines as a captain and was elected to Congress in 2014. That tends "to attract the kind of independent voters who are looking for a good leader," Moulton added.

FILE - In this Dec. 13, 2016 file photo, Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., speaks during an event in Beverly, Mass. Democrats hope to enlist military veterans in another type of fight _ for majority control of the House. "Veterans have had the experience of putting the country first, before personal politics" and party dictates, said Moulton, who did four tours of duty in Iraq, left the Marines as a captain and was elected to Congress in 2014. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Several veterans already have announced their bids in some of the 79 Republican-held House districts that national Democratic Party leaders have identified as top targets.

Decades ago, veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam were mainstays in Congress. In 1969-71, 398 veterans served in the House and 69 in the Senate, according to the Congressional Research Service. But the change to an all-volunteer force in 1973 sent those numbers plummeting.

The extended post-Sept. 11 conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq helped reverse the trend, and now there are 80 veterans in the 435-seat House and 20 veterans in the 100-member Senate.

For Democrats, struggling to return to the majority, military veterans provide potential candidates as the party deals with an electoral wipeout during Barack Obama's presidency, with the loss of more than 1,030 seats in state legislatures, governor's mansions and Congress.

Moulton and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., who lost both legs and partial use of an arm in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Iraq, have spoken to veterans in districts ranging from obvious Democratic targets to places where the path to victory isn't as obvious.

The party needs to pick up 24 seats to reclaim a House majority next November.

In the Philadelphia suburbs, former Air Force officer Chrissy Houlahan is challenging two-term Republican Rep. Ryan Costello in one of 23 districts where Democrat Hillary Clinton topped Trump in November. Outside Denver, former Army Ranger and combat veteran Jason Crow, a onetime campaign adviser to Obama, is running for the seat held by another veteran, five-term GOP congressman, Mike Coffman.

Both mentioned President Donald Trump as factors in their campaign.

"All the bravado and the wailing and gnashing of teeth isn't the way we conduct ourselves as professional service members," Houlahan said of Trump's rhetoric.

Said Crow: "I'm deeply troubled by President Trump and what he's trying to do to country and our democracy."

Dan McCready, a former Marine who attended Harvard Business School alongside Moulton, steered clear of Trump as he announced his bid to win the more Republican-leaning North Carolina district of three-term Republican Rep. Robert Pittenger.

But all three candidates, along with Moulton, agreed that veterans offer voters an approach rarely taken on Capitol Hill.

"We know what it's like to serve the country in non-political ways, and we're standing up to say that the system is broken," said Crow. He added that any military unit brings together "Republicans, Democrats, unaffiliated, every different background, every part of the country, urban rural, every rung of the economic ladder, and they have to come together very quickly ... or the mission fails."

Democratic veterans have run notable campaigns in recent years.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a West Point graduate and former Ranger, emphasized his record to attract enough voters in a conservative state. In Missouri last year, former Army intelligence officer Jason Kander drew national attention for his U.S. Senate campaign ad in which he assembled an AR-15 rifle while blindfolded. He lost by 3 percentage points, but got 230,000 more votes than Clinton, who lost the state by 18 points.

Seth Lynn, who runs the nonpartisan Veterans Campaign, an organization that trains veterans running for office, says research suggests veterans running against a non-veteran get "about a 2-point bump" on average.

Lynn isn't yet tracking exact numbers of veteran candidates, but says he's seen a "noticeable uptick" among Democrats.

Some of that, Lynn says, is the usual clamoring by the party out of power: Republican veterans arose in 2010, the first midterm under Obama, and Democrats' boasted a large slate in 2006, amid opposition to the Iraq war during President George W. Bush's second term.

Those veteran candidates did not all win, of course. But those midterm years marked the last two times voters tossed out the House majority in favor of the other party.

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Follow Barrow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BillBarrowAP.

FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2017, file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. administers the House oath of office to Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Pa., during a mock swearing in ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington. Democrats hope to enlist military veterans in another type of fight _ for majority control of the House. In the Philadelphia suburbs, former Air Force officer Chrissy Houlahan is challenging Costello in one of 23 districts where Democrat Hillary Clinton topped Trump in November. (AP Photo/Zach Gibson, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 6, 2012, file photo, Iraq war veteran Jason Crow addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.. Democrats hope to enlist military veterans in another type of fight _ for majority control of the House. Outside Denver, former Army Ranger and combat veteran Crow, a onetime campaign adviser to President Barack Obama, is running for the seat held by another veteran, five-term GOP Rep. Mike Coffman. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is assailing internal leaks as he considers an overhaul of his White House staff and grapples with a burgeoning crisis involving alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 campaign.

Frustrated with what he views as his team's inability to push back against the drumbeat of new revelations, Trump is seeking expanded teams of lawyers and experienced public relations hands. While he has called his first trip abroad a "home run," it was shadowed by reports about Moscow's interference and possible improper dealings with the Trump campaign and associates.

The latest reports hit close to the Oval Office, alleging that Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner proposed secret back-channel communications with Russia during the presidential transition.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk from Marine One across the South Lawn to the White House in Washington, Saturday, May 27, 2017, as they return from Sigonella, Italy. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Trump struck back Sunday, after maintaining a limited social media presence throughout his nine-day trip. He unleashed a flurry of tweets, lashing out at what he called the "fake news" media. He focused heavily on leaks - both those coming out of the White House and an intelligence leak blamed on Americans about the deadly bombing at a concert in Britain.

On the bombing investigation Trump wrote: "British Prime Minister May was very angry that the info the U.K. gave to U.S. about Manchester was leaked."

Trump also wrote that "many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies." He added that it is "very possible that those sources don't exist but are made up by fake news writers."

Even when authorized, top officials in the Trump White House frequently request anonymity to brief reporters "on background," meaning their names will not be disclosed.

Trump, who made no public appearances Sunday, was expected to deliver remarks at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day.

Trump's longtime lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, has joined a still-forming legal team to help the president shoulder the intensifying Russia investigations. More attorneys with deep experience in Washington investigations are expected to be added, along with crisis communication experts.

During the Monica Lewinsky investigation, the Clinton White House brought on a dedicated group of lawyers and a created a separate media operation to handle investigation-related inquiries so they didn't completely subsume the president's agenda.

As he mulls changes, Trump has entertained formally bringing back his former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, and former deputy campaign manager, David Bossie. Both Lewandowski and Bossie discussed the prospect with the president before his trip, according to a person told of the conversations.

Lewandowski's return would be notable, given the fact that he was fired by Trump after clashing with staff and Trump's adult children. Nonetheless, Lewandowski has the trust of the president - an advantage that many of Trump's aides lack.

Major issues await Trump. He has signaled he will soon make a decision on whether to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. And the search continues for an FBI director to replace the fired James Comey.

On the policy front, he must defend his budget plan, and the Republican health care bill that narrowly passed the House faces an uncertain future in the Senate. On that topic, Trump tweeted Sunday night: "I suggest that we add more dollars to Healthcare and make it the best anywhere. ObamaCare is dead - the Republicans will do much better!"

Trump also has to decide soon on a Pentagon recommendation to add more U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, as well as boosting reinforcement for the beleaguered Afghan military.

While taxes have taken a back seat in recent weeks, Trump tweeted Sunday: "The massive TAX CUTS/REFORM that I have submitted is moving along in the process very well, actually ahead of schedule. Big benefits to all!"

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Associated Press writers Julie Bykowicz, Vivian Salama and Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

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On Twitter, follow Thomas at https://twitter.com/KThomasDC and Colvin at https://twitter.com/colvinj
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - Moldova's government is expelling five Russian diplomats from the former Soviet republic.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign and European Integration Ministry confirmed Monday that the diplomats will be expelled. Spokeswoman Ana Samson did not identify them or explain the decision.

Moldova's pro-Russian President Igor Dodon reacted on Facebook, calling the move "a disgusting gesture against our strategic partner," Russia. He says the five have 72 hours to leave Moldova.

Dodon suggests the expulsion is "probably an order from the West or perhaps across the ocean," alluding to the United States.

Russian Ambassador to Moldova Farit Muhametshin was quoted as saying he will analyze the document sent to him.

In March, Moldova's government accused Russian intelligence agents of intimidating Moldovan lawmakers, intelligence officials and pro-European politicians visiting Russia in recent months.
Two women accused of fatally poisoning Kim Jong-un's half-brother at Kuala Lumpur airport have appeared in court wearing bullet-proof vests.

Siti Aisyah, from Indonesia, and Doan Thi Huong, from Vietnam, were protected by armed police as they appeared for a hearing in the Malaysian capital on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a counsellor from the Indonesian embassy said Aisyah wrote to her parents from jail, asking them to 'pray for me that the case will be over soon' but adding: 'Don't think about me too much.'

Aisyah and Huong are accused of smearing a deadly amount of VX nerve agent on Kim Jong-nam's face on February 13. They say they were duped into thinking they were playing a prank for a hidden-camera show.

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Siti Aisyah, from Indonesia, appeared in court Tuesday accused of poisoning Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un

Co-accused Doan Thi Huong was also in court in Kuala Lumur for a brief hearing. The women wore bullet-proof vests and were guarded by armed police

Yusron Ambary, counsellor at the Indonesian Embassy, read a letter that Aisyah wrote to reporters outside the courtroom.

She said: 'I am in good health. Just pray. Don't think about me too much. Keep healthy and pray at night. I have a lot of people helping me.

The pair are accused of smearing deadly VX nerve agent on Jong-nam's face. They say they thought they were taking part in a hidden-camera show

'The embassy officials always come to see me, my lawyers also. Don't worry.

'Pray for me so that the case will be over soon and I can go back home. Send my love to my son Rio.'

Armed escorts accompanied the women, who smiled at their embassy representatives as they were brought to the dock.

The case was then officially transferred to the High Court, because the lower court does not have the authority to try murder cases.

Prosecutor Iskandar Ahmad said the date for their first appearance in the High Court would usually be within a month.

The suspects would then enter pleas and the trial would have to start within 90 days, Iskandar said.

Police have said four North Korean suspects fled Malaysia the day of the attack. Defense lawyers fear the women will be used as scapegoats in their absence.

Aisyah (left) wrote to her family from jail telling them 'pray for me that the case will be over soon' but also asking 'don't think about me too much' (right, Huong enters the court)

There was a heavy police presence around the trial, with armed guards standing watch outside the courtroom during the women's brief appearance

Although Malaysia never directly accused North Korea of carrying out the attack, speculation is rampant that Pyongyang orchestrated a hit on a long-exiled member of its ruling elite.

Although Kim, who was estranged from his family, was not an obvious political threat, he may have been seen as a potential rival in the country's dynastic dictatorship.

North Korea has denounced such speculation.

CCTV appears to show (circled in red) a man purported to be Kim Jong Nam being accosted by a woman in a white shirt at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia on February 13. It emerged that he had been poisoned with a lethal nerve agent
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - An 82-year-old man fought off a woman 30 years his junior who had just attacked his wife with a wooden object outside their Northern California home.

Yousef Youkhaneh was inside his San Jose home Sunday when he heard his wife scream from the backyard. Christine Youkhaneh, 76, had been hit on the head by a 50-year-old transient who authorities say was trying to break into the house.

He hurried out and scuffled with the suspect, holding onto her ankle until Santa Clara County sheriff's deputies arrived.

"More than 10 minute, we fight with each other. She was like tiger, really! Very strong," he told news station KTVU (http://bit.ly/2rdOxAb ) as he showed the bruises on his arms.

The television station reports they started fighting in the back of the house and ended up in the front. His wife had to have stitches.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office posted a photo of deputies with Yousef Youkhaneh on Twitter, saying that "many times we meet citizens we see as heroes."

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Information from: KRON-TV.
Philando Castile was shot to death by a police officer last July barely more than a minute after his car was pulled over in a St. Paul, Minnesota, suburb for an apparent broken taillight. Attorneys for St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez, who goes on trial this week for manslaughter, have maintained he was reacting to the presence of a gun and feared for his life.

A criminal complaint gives a timeline of the July 6 traffic stop, as compiled by investigators from squad car audio and video recordings:

9:05 p.m. - Castile's vehicle comes to a stop.

9:05:15-9:05:22 - Yanez approaches vehicle on driver's side.

9:05:22-9:05:38: - Yanez leans at driver's side window, greets Castile, tells him of brake light problem.

9:05:33 - Officer Joseph Kauser approaches vehicle on passenger side, stands near rear door.

9:05:38 - Yanez asks for driver's license and proof of insurance.

9:05:48 - Castile provides proof of insurance.

9:05:49-9:05:52 - Yanez glances at card, tucks it into outer pocket.

9:05:52-9:05:55 - Castile tells Yanez: "Sir, I have to tell you that I do have a firearm on me." Castile interrupts to say "OK" and places right hand on holstered gun.

9:05:55-9:06:02 - Yanez says, "OK, don't reach for it, then." Castile says, "I'm ... I'm ... (inaudible) reaching ... Yanez interrupts to say, "Don't pull it out." Castile says: "I'm not pulling it out." His girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, says, "He's not pulling it out." Yanez shouts: "Don't pull it out!" Yanez draws his gun with right hand while reaching inside driver's window with left. Yanez removes left arm from car, fires seven shots, the last at 9:06:02.

9:06:03 - Reynolds yells: "You just killed my boyfriend!"

9:06:42 - Reynolds begins livestreaming on Facebook.
Significant events in life of former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega:

- Feb. 11, 1934: Born in Panama City. Grows up in low-income El Chorrillo neighborhood with adoptive parents.

-1957: Studies at military academy in Peru. Upon return, he joins Panama's military, the National Guard, becoming chief of western province of Chiriqui.

FILE - In this July 5, 1986 file photo, Miss USA, Christy Fichtner, left, and Miss Panama, Gilda Garcia Lopez, salute while flanking General Manuel Antonio Noriega in Panama City. Pictured right is Miss Colombia, Maria Monica Urbina. A source close to the family of former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega said Monday, May 29, 2017, that he has died at age 83. (AP Photo/Jim Ellis, File)

-December 1969: Allows Gen. Omar Torrijos to land in Chiriqui from Mexico after military uprising against commander of National Guard.

-1970: Promoted to lieutenant colonel and takes over feared G-2, the military intelligence bureau. For a decade he collaborates closely with CIA.

-July 31, 1981: Torrijos dies in plane accident, and members of secret service temporarily take over National Guard.

-Aug. 12, 1983: Noriega assumes command of National Guard, which he will convert to Panama's Defense Forces.

-May 17, 1984: Electoral court declares Noriega-backed Nicholas Ardito Barletta as winner of presidential election as opposition alleges fraud.

-Sept. 27, 1985: Barletta forced to resign and replaced by Eric Delvalle.

-June 1987: Mass protests erupt after a retired colonel reveals that members of the secret service and electoral court judges were behind fraud in the 1984 election.

-February 1988: Noriega charged in Miami and Tampa with ties to drug trafficking and money laundering.

-Feb. 25, 1988: Delvalle tries to remove Noriega as Defense Forces commander, but legislature removes Delvalle instead.

-March 1988: Coup attempt against Noriega fails.

-May 1989: Elections held and opposition accuses Noriega of interfering in vote, including stealing and destroying ballot boxes.

-Aug. 31, 1989: With Noriega's backing, Francisco Rodriguez named provisional president after election annulled.

-Oct. 3, 1989: Troops loyal to Noriega put down revolt by other soldiers. Rebels later shot.

-Dec. 15, 1989: Noriega named head of government by National Assembly, which gives him special powers and declares Panama in state of war.

-Dec. 20, 1989: As U.S. troops invade to depose him, Noriega goes into hiding, finally surrendering on Jan. 3 after standoff at Vatican's diplomatic mission. He's taken to Florida to face drug charges.

-1992: After conviction, is sentenced to 40 years in prison for drug trafficking, though sentence later reduced.

-April 27, 2010: Extradited by U.S. to France, where he is convicted of laundering money in France during 1980s and sentenced to seven years in prison.

-Dec. 11, 2011: Sent back to Panama and immediately imprisoned.

-Jan. 29, 2017: Allowed to switch to house arrest to prepare for surgery to remove benign brain tumor.

-March 7, 2017: Undergoes surgery for tumor, then suffers bleeding in brain that requires second operation hours later, leaving him in critical condition.

-May 29, 2017: Noriega dies at a hospital in Panama City of unspecified causes

FILE - This Jan.1990, file photo shows deposed Panamanian Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega, who is serving a 40-year sentence in Miami for drug trafficking. A source close to the family of former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega said Monday, May 29, 2017, that he has died at age 83. The source was not authorized to be quoted by name. (AP Photo, File)
BAGHDAD (AP) - A massive bombing by the Islamic State group outside a popular ice cream parlor in central Baghdad and a rush hour car bomb in another downtown area killed at least 31 people on Tuesday, Iraqi officials said.

Later in the day, bombings in and around the Iraqi capital killed seven more people.

The attacks come as IS militants are steadily losing more territory to U.S.-backed Iraqi forces in the battle for Mosul, the country's second-largest city. The Sunni extremists are increasingly turning to insurgency-style terror attacks to distract attention from their losses.

Iraqi security forces remove destroyed vehicles at the site of a deadly bomb attack, in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, May 30, 2017. Another bomb exploded outside a popular ice cream shop in the Karrada neighborhood of Baghdad just after midnight on Monday, killing and wounding dozens of civilians, hospital and police officials said. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

The nighttime attack outside the ice cream parlor in the bustling Karrada neighborhood killed 17 people and also wounded 32, police and health officials said.

A closed-circuit camera captured the moment of the explosion, the video showing a busy downtown avenue, with cars driving down the street when the blast strikes. A huge fireball then engulfs a building, forcing the cars to scramble to get away. Other videos of the attack posted on social media show wounded and bloodied people crying for help on the sidewalk outside the ice cream parlor.

In the second attack, an explosives-laden car went off during rush hour near the state-run Public Pension Office in Baghdad's busy Shawaka area, killing 14, a police officer said. At least 37 people were wounded in that attack, he added.

In separate online statements, IS claimed responsibility for the two attacks, saying its suicide bombers targeted gatherings of Shiites. The Associated Press could not verify the authenticity of the statements but they were posted on a militant website commonly used by extremists.

Later Tuesday, seven people died and 19 were wounded in four separate bombings in and around Baghdad, officials said. The attacks targeted commercial areas and a patrol of Sunni anti-IS tribal fighters, they said. No group immediately claimed those attacks.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The attacks came just days into the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast during daylight hours. After sundown, families break their fast and Baghdad's restaurants and cafes quickly fill up with people staying up long into the night.

During Ramadan last year, another section of Karrada was hit by massive suicide bombing that killed almost 300 people, the deadliest single attack in the Iraqi capital in 13 years of war. The attack was also claimed by IS.

Details of how the militants managed to stage Tuesday's attacks were not immediately clear. After last year's attack, Iraqi authorities stepped up security in Karrada, especially in the area of the bombing.

In the northern city of Mosul, Iraqi troops are pushing IS fighters out of their last strongholds. Iraqi commanders say the offensive, which recently entered its eight month, will mark the end of the IS caliphate in Iraq, but concede the group will likely increase insurgent attacks in the wake of military defeats.

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Associated Press writer Sinan Salaheddin in Baghdad and Maamoun Youssef in Cairo contributed to this report.

Women grieve at the site of a deadly bomb attack, in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, May 30, 2017. Another bomb exploded outside a popular ice cream shop in the Karrada neighborhood of Baghdad just after midnight on Monday, killing and wounding dozens of civilians, hospital and police officials said. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

Iraqi security forces and civilians inspect the site of a deadly bomb attack, in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, May 30, 2017. Another bomb exploded outside a popular ice cream shop in the Karrada neighborhood of Baghdad just after midnight on Monday, killing and wounding dozens of civilians, hospital and police officials said. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

Iraqi security forces and civilians inspect the site of a deadly bomb attack, in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, May 30, 2017. Another bomb exploded outside a popular ice cream shop in the Karrada neighborhood of Baghdad just after midnight on Monday, killing and wounding dozens of civilians, hospital and police officials said. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

Civilians inspect the site of a deadly bomb attack, in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, May 30, 2017. Another bomb exploded outside a popular ice cream shop in the Karrada neighborhood of Baghdad just after midnight on Monday, killing and wounding dozens of civilians, hospital and police officials said. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Unease about white supremacist activity in Portland deepened after the fatal stabbings of two men who tried to shield young women from an anti-Muslim tirade, and some people worry that the famously tolerant community could see a resurgence of the hostilities that once earned it the nickname "Skinhead City."

The attack aboard a light-rail train happened Friday, the first day of Ramadan, the holiest time of the year for Muslims. Authorities say Jeremy Joseph Christian started verbally abusing two young women, including one wearing a hijab. When three men on the train intervened, police say, Christian attacked them, killing two and wounding one.

Court documents released Tuesday for the first time mentioned a fourth man who was the first to intervene and was not attacked, but they did not identify him by his full name.

Jeremy Joseph Christian shouts as he is arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Authorities say Christian started verbally abusing two young women, including one wearing a hijab. When three men on the train intervened, police say, Christian attacked them, killing two and wounding one. (Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian via AP, Pool)

Christian, 35, was defiant during his brief initial court appearance Tuesday, shouting: "You call it terrorism, I call it patriotism!"

He made repeated outbursts, saying, "You've got no safe place!" and "Death to the enemies of America!"

Christian, who faces aggravated murder and other charges, didn't enter a plea. He has been appointed public defenders. Lane Borg, head of the local public defender agency, said the office was "saddened by this tragedy" but urged people to let the justice system take its course.

In the probable cause affidavit, prosecutors said video feeds in the back of a patrol car captured Christian saying after his arrest that he had stabbed three people in the neck. His court-appointed attorney, Gregory Scholl, did not immediately return a call for comment.

The deaths stunned the city, but also underscored nervousness about recent events, including a series of apparent hate crimes in the region and contentious public rallies that have drawn national attention.

The Pacific Northwest has a long and violent history of white supremacist and other racist activities, despite its more recent reputation for being one of the nation's most socially liberal regions.

"The idea that Portland is so liberal supersedes this dark, hidden secret about racism," said Karen Gibson, a professor of urban studies at Portland State University.

Many of the early settlers to Oregon were from Southern states and brought with them negative attitudes about blacks, Gibson said. Only about 6 percent of the Portland population is black, while more than 70 percent is non-Hispanic white, statistics show.

Some residents said President Donald Trump has caused those racist demons to stir again with his administration's travel ban, his promise to build a wall along the border with Mexico and his crackdown on illegal immigration.

Since Trump's election, Portland has led all major metropolitan areas in reported hate crimes, Mayor Ted Wheeler's office said.

"I don't have that feeling like it can't happen here - the way people talk about Portland - because we've got racism. We've got all kinds of things," said Murr Brewster, who came to see a memorial at the city's transit center.

"It's everywhere and the trouble is, it's getting more and more prevalent."

The lone man to survive Friday's stabbings says he's having a difficult time processing what happened. Micah Fletcher told KGW-TV (https://goo.gl/HJjwpI) that he's focusing on trying to get better.

"I'm healing," Fletcher told the station. He was released from the hospital Monday and attended the hearing, where a scar on his neck was visible.

On Tuesday, Wheeler reiterated his call to organizers of a June 4 rally to cancel, saying he fears it could further enflame tensions. The event organized by the group Patriot Prayer is billed on its Facebook page as a Trump Free Speech Rally in "one of the most liberal areas of the West Coast." Several counter-protests are planned.

Christian attended a similar rally in late April wearing an American flag around his neck and carrying a baseball bat. Police confiscated the bat, and he was then caught on camera clashing with counter-protesters.

Wheeler has also asked the federal government to cancel a June 10 rally that targets Sharia law out of fears it could create unrest.

"These kinds of rallies ... are typically people who come from elsewhere and hold rallies here because we are a deep blue city. They are intending to be provocative," Wheeler said Tuesday in a phone interview with The AP. "I'm going to do my best to keep the peace here."

Joey Gibson, the rally's organizer, condemned Christian in a phone interview with The AP and said he would not tolerate any Nazi presence at the upcoming event.

He acknowledged that Christian had shown up at a Patriot Prayer rally on April 29 with a baseball bat and had made the Nazi salute. But Gibson said he hurled insults at rally organizers as well as counter-protesters.

"He came yelling at everyone, cussing at everyone. He threatened me and tons of people," Gibson said. "We told him, 'You gotta get out of here.'"

The stabbings cap a series of unsettling events in recent months in and around Portland.

Earlier this year, organizers of a small community parade affiliated with the city's famous Rose Festival canceled the celebration over fears of violence after protesters said the local Republican Party had plans to allow a "neo-Nazi hate group" to march with them. Local GOP leaders denied the charges.

In the suburb of Troutdale, an Iranian refugee found his home painted with racist graffiti and death threats. And in Gresham, another eastern suburb, prosecutors charged a man with a hate crime after police said he chased down a black teenager with his car after a fight and struck him, killing him.

For years, Portland was the home base for Volksfront, a now-defunct white separatist organization founded in 1994, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups.

"There have been skinheads in that region forever," said Heidi Beirich, spokeswoman for the law center.

One of the most infamous attacks in Portland's racial history occurred in November 1988, when an Ethiopian immigrant was beaten to death by three white supremacists in front of his apartment.

Mulugeta Seraw was a student who came to the United States to attend college. The members of the California-based White Aryan Resistance killed him with a baseball bat.

The Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League won a multimillion-dollar civil case in 1990 against the White Aryan Resistance on behalf of his family, and the damages crippled the organization.

___

Associated Press Writer Nicholas K. Geranios in Spokane, Washington, contributed to this report.

Micah Fletcher, a victim of a stabbing attack on a light rail train that left two dead, watches as suspect Jeremy Christian is arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Authorities say Christian started verbally abusing two young women, including one wearing a hijab on the train Friday, when three men on the train intervened. (Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian via AP, Pool)

Votive candles bearing the photos of two men who were fatally stabbed on a Portland, Ore., light-train while trying to stop another man from harassing two young women with an anti-Muslim tirade, sit on a rain-soaked memorial on Tuesday, May 30, 2107 in Portland. Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, and Ricky Best, 53, died in the attack. The suspect, Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, made a first court appearance on charges of aggravated murder and attempted murder Tuesday in a Portland, Oregon courthouse. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)

A young woman comforts a crying man outside the courtroom after Jeremy Christian was arraigned in Portland, Ore, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Christian was in Multnomah County courtroom facing two counts of felony aggravated murder and other charges for a stabbing incident last Friday, May 26, 2017, on a Portland light-rail train. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

A flower and message are shown at a memorial in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, May 30, 2017, for the victims who were fatally stabbed while trying to stop a man from shouting anti-Muslim insults at two young women on a Portland light-rail train. The suspect in last week's attack, Jeremy Joseph Christian, made a first court appearance in Portland on charges of aggravated murder and attempted murder on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)

Flowers, candles and chalk tributes are seen on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, covering a memorial to two men who were fatally stabbed after shielding two young women from an anti-Muslim tirade on a Portland, Ore., light-rail train. Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, made a first court appearance on charges of aggravated murder and attempted murder Tuesday in a Portland, Oregon courthouse. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)

In an April 29, 2017 photo provided by John Rudoff, Jeremy Joseph Christian, right, is seen during a Patriot Prayer organized by a pro-Trump group in Portland, Ore. Christian, who police say fatally stabbed two other men who tried to shield young women from an anti-Muslim tirade on a Portland light-rail train Friday, May 26, 2017, makes his initial court appearance in Portland Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Police officer at left is unidentified. (John Rudoff via AP)

An unidentified man looks back at people yelling at him as he is escorted out of the building after a large group of people outside the courtroom where Jeremy Christian was being arraigned pursued and threatened him in Portland, Ore, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Christian was in Multnomah County courtroom facing two counts of felony aggravated murder and other charges for a stabbing incident last Friday, May 26, 2017, on a Portland light-rail train. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

A man and woman hold hands as they comfort each other outside the courtroom where Jeremy Christian was arraigned in Portland, Ore, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Christian was in Multnomah County courtroom facing two counts of felony aggravated murder and other charges for a stabbing incident last Friday, May 26, 2017, on a Portland light-rail train. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
WOODBURN, Ore. (AP) - Teresa Alonso Leon envisioned a better life in a promised land when she was brought from Mexico to America as a young girl. Instead, her family wound up in an unheated house in Oregon with no indoor plumbing, eking out a living by picking strawberries.

It is all the more remarkable, then, that Alonso Leon became one of the first people brought to the U.S. illegally to become a lawmaker in America when she was elected last November to Oregon's Legislature.

Alonso Leon's victory "shows that human potential does not know immigration status, and that among America's immigrants, especially those who have come here as children and benefited from the right to education, their potential offers leadership for the country," said Arturo Vargas, executive director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

In this May 18, 2017, photo, Oregon Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon, left, speaks with her legislative aide, Audrey Mechling, in Alonso's office in the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Ore. Alonso is Oregon Legislature's first Latina immigrant lawmaker. (AP Photo/Andrew Selsky)

The irony that Alonso Leon was elected the same day that Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton is not lost on her.

"We didn't get our woman president that we were hoping for, but they got me as a legislator," Alonso Leon said with a laugh in her small office in the Oregon Capitol.

Alonso Leon, a Democrat, became a U.S. citizen in 2012. Now, with Trump stepping up immigration enforcement, she sees herself as a defender of her constituents. Her district is centered around the predominantly Latino town of Woodburn, 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Portland.

U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, known by its acronym as ICE, already has focused on the town, stopping two vans loaded with workers in February and taking several people away. Alonso Leon is a former Woodburn City Council member.

"When I think about the folks in my community who wake up so early to go to work, and now they wake up in the morning to go to work and hope and pray that they don't get pulled over by ICE, to me that's just unacceptable," Alonso Leon said in an interview. Some kids are even afraid to attend school, she said, worried they'll return to empty homes, their parents gone.

On a recent afternoon, students streamed out of Woodburn High School, many chatting in Spanish as they headed for their yellow buses. Four out of five students at the school, which Alonso Leon once attended, are Latino.

"Our Latino students see her as inspirational," said Victor Vergara, principal of the high school's Academy of International Studies. "They see her and think 'We can do that. She looks just like us.'"

Since taking office, Alonso Leon has joined three other Oregon state lawmakers in filing a public records request with ICE to obtain details of enforcement actions, to determine how they have changed.

Among her bills is one that would require Oregon's public universities and community colleges to promote inclusiveness and diversity. Another would prohibit state agencies from contracting with companies that don't prevent sexual harassment and discrimination. The Oregon Trial Lawyers Association said in support of the measure that many workers face on-the-job discrimination, and that the state shouldn't spend taxpayer money with companies that refuse to have policies barring harassment.

Some of Alonso Leon's fellow lawmakers, however, are unhappy about illegal immigration. Republican Rep. Sal Esquivel introduced a bill that sought to repeal a 1987 law that made Oregon America's first sanctuary state. The bill died in committee.

"States need to comply with federal immigration laws," Esquivel said in an email.

On the streets of downtown Woodburn - which resembles a Mexican town in many ways, with numerous taquerias, signs written in Spanish and wall murals - people are excited about Alonso Leon's election.

"We're proud," said Manuel Villanueva, owner of El Forastero, which sells cowboy boots and hats. "She is Latino, and can lower the racism we see."

The possibility of more ICE raids has hurt Woodburn's small businesses because people are reluctant to shop. Alonso Leon and others brainstormed a solution.

"We started 'small business Saturdays' to encourage folks to eat something new, buy something new that they've never tried before," Alonso Leon said. Other politicians have come out in support.

Alonso Leon comes from the Purepecha indigenous people. Hoping for a better life, her family left San Jeronimo, a village in Michoacan state on the shores of Lake Patzcuaro, famous for its fishermen who use butterfly nets from canoes.

In their rented Oregon house, they used an outhouse and got water from an outdoor hose, Alonso Leon recalled. During the winters, they'd fill buckets and bring them inside so the water wouldn't freeze.

"I remember this one winter, it didn't matter if we had saved water because the water we had saved froze anyway inside the house," she said. "Many winters, we kind of huddled up in my parents' bedroom."

Alonso Leon's family gained permanent residence status under a Reagan-era amnesty.

When Alonso Leon campaigned for the state House, her materials were in English, Spanish and Russian, with Woodburn also home to Russian Old Believers.

"I feel so much pride," Alonso Leon said, choking up with emotion. "It's such an honor to represent one of the most diverse communities in the entire state."

Her ascendancy comes at a key moment, House Speaker Tina Kotek said.

"Having Teresa in the caucus and in this chamber allows her to give voice to those Oregonians who have been particularly impacted by the immigration rhetoric coming down from the federal administration," Kotek said. "She's doing a great job."

Nationally, at least one situation mirrors Alonso Leon's. Blanca Rubio, who was brought illegally to the U.S. from Mexico as a child, was elected in November to the California State Assembly.

Two other immigrants overstayed visas and became lawmakers after obtaining U.S. citizenship: Isela Blanc, who was also elected in November to Arizona's Legislature, and Adriano Espaillat, who won a seat in New York's Legislature in 1996 and was elected to Congress last year.

"They're as American as everyone else," Vargas said. "And they love the country to the point that they make a sacrifice to serve the public."

___

Follow Andrew Selsky on Twitter at https://twitter.com/andrewselsky

In this May 18, 2017, photo, Oregon Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon poses for a photo in front of her office in the state Capitol in Salem, Ore. Alonso, one of the first people brought to the U.S. illegally to become a lawmaker in America, has been making an impact as the first Latina immigrant member of the Oregon Legislature. (AP Photo/Andrew Selsky)
SYDNEY (AP) - U.S. Sen. John McCain has urged Australia not to abandon its alliance with America despite jitters over President Donald Trump, saying the U.S. needs its allies more than ever to remind it of its principles.

The Republican senator is in Australia for talks on security in the Asia-Pacific region. He acknowledged in a speech on Tuesday that America is going through "a rough period." But he urged Australia to stick with the U.S. "to encourage us to stay true to who we are at our best and remind us always just how much is at stake."

McCain emerged as one of Australia's staunchest advocates following a spat earlier this year between Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over a refugee deal.

U.S. Sen. John McCain has a discussion after delivering a speech at the invitation of the United States Studies Centre in Sydney, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. In February, the Republican senator leaped to Australia's defense after President Donald Trump got into a heated discussion with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over an Obama-era agreement on the resettlement of refugees. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

U.S. Sen. John McCain delivers a speech at the invitation of the United States Studies Centre in Sydney, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. In February, the Republican senator leaped to Australia's defense after President Donald Trump got into a heated discussion with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over an Obama-era agreement on the resettlement of refugees. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
BANGKOK (AP) - Thai police arrested a British journalist at a Bangkok airport on Tuesday and charged him with arms possession for attempting to carry protective gear onto a flight to war-torn Iraq.

Anthony Cheng, 46, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport for possessing a gas mask and a bullet-proof vest without a license, said police Lt. Col. Somchai Maneerat, adding that the items are classified as military weapons under Thai law.

Under Thai law, a license is needed to possess body armor. Violating the law carries a prison sentence of up to five years.

Cheng, who works for Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, was on his way to Mosul, where Iraqi forces are fighting to retake the city from the Islamic State group.

He was released on bail of 100,000 baht ($3,000), Somchai said.

In a similar case in August 2015, Hong Kong photojournalist Hok Chun Anthony Kwan was detained at Suvarnabhumi Airport for possessing a bulletproof vest and helmet.

The Foreign Correspondent's Club of Thailand said in a statement Tuesday that it was "deeply unhappy" with the decision to charge Cheng.

"The FCCT urges the Thai authorities to drop the charges against Tony Cheng, and to find a way going forward whereby journalists are able to carry the equipment they need to protect themselves," the statement said.
TOKYO (AP) - Japan has urged China to do more to influence North Korea to help pressure the country to stop its nuclear and missile development.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida says that during talks in Tokyo on Tuesday, he urged Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi to have China play a greater role in dealing with Pyongyang.

The talks come one day after North Korea conducted a missile test for the third straight week. The missile fell in waters about 200 nautical miles off Japan's western coast, within the Japanese-claimed Exclusive Economic Zone.

China's State Councilor Yang Jiechi, left, and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, right, shake hands prior to their meeting at the Iikura guesthouse Tuesday, May 30, 2017, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

Growing missile threats from North Korea are seen as helping Japan and China improve their ties and cooperate.

Beijing has significant influence over Pyongyang, 90 percent of whose trade is with China.
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) - The Indian man wept as a helicopter landed in Nepal's capital carrying the body of his brother, one of hundreds of climbers who have died while attempting to climb Mount Everest.

The body had been left on the mountain for a year until last week, when a team of Sherpa climbers managed to recover it along with two others. But the high-risk expedition, financed with about $92,000 from the Indian state of West Bengal, has sparked heated debate in the mountaineering community about the morality of risking more lives to retrieve bodies from one of the most unforgiving places on Earth.

"It was a very dangerous operation," West Bengal state official Sayeed Ahmed Baba acknowledged. "It was difficult to find Sherpas who were willing to go. But we had to do it for the families."

FILE - In this May 28, 2017 file photo, the bodies of Indian climbers, that were retrieved from Mount Everest by a rescue team of eight sherpas, lay on the ground in Kathmandu, Nepal. A high-risk expedition to retrieve bodies from Mount Everest has led some to question if risk is acceptable. Bringing bodies down from the mountain gives the families of the deceased closure. But some mountaineers say death is a well-known risk in climbing Everest, and it's not worth endangering more lives to bring down those who are already lost. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha, File)

On the helipad Sunday in Kathmandu, Debashish Ghosh felt relief as he watched the Indian team unload the three bodies from the back of the chopper.

"We are finally able to bring him home," he said of his brother, Gautam. "After we cremate the body there will be peace for his soul and relief to our family."

Many in the mountaineering community said that peace of mind came with unacceptable risk. Climbers who attempt to scale the world's tallest mountain know they could die from any number of challenges, including low oxygen, frigid temperatures, strong winds and steep falls. Asking others to carry down the bodies - often much heavier because they are frozen and covered in ice - puts more people in danger, they said.

"It is just not worth the risk," said Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association. "To get one body off of the mountain, they are risking the lives of 10 more people."

About 300 climbers have died since Everest was first conquered in 1953, and at least 100 - maybe 200 - corpses remain on the mountain. Most are hidden in deep crevasses or covered by snow and ice, but some are visible and have become macabre landmarks, earning nicknames for their plastic climbing boots, colorful parkas or final resting poses.

The most difficult bodies to retrieve are near the 8,850-meter (29,035-foot) summit in the low-oxygen area known by mountaineers as the death zone.

That is where the body of Gautam Ghosh was found last week along with the body of another Indian climber, Ravi Kumar, who died earlier in May after falling from the route on his way down from the summit. A third Indian man who died last year was recovered from the nearby South Col, the last camp at 8,000 meters (26,240 feet) before climbers make their final push for the summit.

Once the team of eight Sherpas reached the bodies, they had to break them from the surrounding ice, wrap them and tie them with ropes and slowly drag them down in high winds to Camp 2, a rocky expanse at 6,400 meters (21,000 feet) that is the highest helicopters can reach.

Expedition leader Eric Murphy, who last week guided his clients to the summit, criticized the retrieval and said he wouldn't want anyone to risk their own life to bring his body down if he died on the mountain.

"It is a sacred place and a good place to rest," Murphy said. "I would really question whether it is appropriate to risk so many to bring down one who is already lost."

It is often Sherpas who are hired for retrieval expeditions. Climbers from the ethnic group that has lived for centuries around Everest have become an integral part of the Himalayan mountaineering world, and rely on the pay they can earn during the three-month climbing season to carry their families through the year.

Despite the danger of bringing down bodies, climbers are often asked to do so by the families of those who die, said Dan Richards of Global Rescue, a Boston-based agency specializing in mountain rescue.

Of the six people who died on Everest this year, only the body of an American doctor was left on the mountain.

"It becomes much more dangerous than simply climbing if you're attempting to recover and transport a heavy load," Richards said. A recovery team faces the same risks as climbers, including altitude sickness, edema, frostbite, hypothermia as well as accidents and avalanches.

But some believe the dangerous effort is still worth it.

"It is always better to bring down the bodies, which also leaves the mountain cleaner," said veteran mountaineer Reinhold Messner, who was the first to scale Everest without bottled oxygen and climb the world's 14 highest peaks.

FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 23, 2015 file photo, graveyards of sherpas and memorials of mountaineers stand with Mount Taboche looming over it, near Thuglha Pass, Nepal. About 300 climbers have died since Everest was first conquered in 1953, and at least 100, maybe 200, corpses remain on the mountain. Sherpas, climbers from the ethnic group that has lived for centuries around Everest, have become an integral part of the Himalayan mountaineering world, and rely on the pay they can earn during the three-month climbing season to carry their families through the year. (AP Photo/Tashi Sherpa, File)

FILE - In this May 16, 2013 file photo, Nepalese Sherpas rest on their way to climb Mount Everest. A high-risk expedition carried out by eight sherpas to retrieve bodies from Mount Everest has led some to question if risk is acceptable. About 300 climbers have died since Everest was first conquered in 1953, and at least 100, maybe 200, corpses remain on the mountain. Sherpas, climbers from the ethnic group that has lived for centuries around Everest, have become an integral part of the Himalayan mountaineering world, and rely on the pay they can earn during the three-month climbing season to carry their families through the year. (AP Photo/Pasang Geljen Sherpa, File)

FILE- In this March 11, 2017 file photo, trekkers hike towards Everest Base camp near Lobuche, Nepal. A high-risk expedition to retrieve bodies from Mount Everest has led some to question if risk is acceptable. Bringing bodies down from the mountain gives the families of the deceased closure. But some mountaineers say death is a well-known risk in climbing Everest, and it's not worth endangering more lives to bring down those who are already lost. (AP Photo/Tashi Sherpa, File)
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) - Some 200 troops and 60 combat vehicles from Norway arrived in Lithuania Tuesday, completing a multinational NATO unit of more than 1,000 soldiers in the Baltic nation neighboring Russia.

Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis says the Norwegian soldiers added to a deployment that "signals that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all."

At last year's NATO summit in Warsaw, Poland, the 28-member alliance decided to deploy forces in the countries bordering Russia and Belarus. The Baltic countries and Poland fear that after Russia's military involvement in Georgia and Ukraine, other former Soviet republics could be next.

The Norwegians joined German, Belgian and Dutch troops and armored vehicles in NATO's enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battlegroup. The deployment is NATO's most significant presence close to the Kaliningrad exclave, the Russian territory wedged between Poland and Lithuania that is the most militarized zone in Europe.

Similar NATO units led by Britain, Canada and the United States also have deployed in parts of Poland, Latvia and Estonia.
MOSCOW (AP) - A top Russian diplomat has complained about "the threat of leaks" from the White House to the media, saying it hampers cooperation between Russia and the United States.

Speaking to Russian news agencies on Tuesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said: "You don't know what's going to happen tomorrow: maybe you'll see what you discussed with your counterpart on the pages of Washington Post or on CNN."

Ryabkov did not elaborate, but added that the communication with the Trump administration is currently "on the basic level" because he "wouldn't tell my counterparts in Washington what I wouldn't be able to tell you."

Ryabkov's comments came several days after top White House adviser Jared Kushner faced allegations that he tried to create back-channel communications with Russia.
PANAMA CITY (AP) - Manuel Noriega had become a problem. At least that's the way it looked from Washington.

For years, the Panamanian military man had been a close and sometimes clandestine ally of U.S. governments as he rose to power in a country defined by a U.S. strategic asset, the Panama Canal, and in a region where America was fighting a series of proxy wars against Soviet allies.

But things were going sour. The populist strongman who had long cooperated with the CIA was growing increasingly independent, more embarrassingly thuggish. Officials in Washington - and grand juries in Florida - decided he was in cahoots with the drug traffickers he once helped fight.

ADDS CONFIRMATION BY PANAMANIAN PRESIDENT, FILE - In this May 2, 1989 file photo, Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega walks with supporters in the Chorrilo neighborhood, where he dedicated a new housing project, in Panama City. Former Panamanian dictator Noriega died late Monday, May 29, 2017, at age 83. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela wrote in his Twitter account that "the death of Manuel A. Noriega closes a chapter in our history." (AP Photo/John Hopper, File)

So in December 1989, President George H.W. Bush sent American troops into Panama City to arrest Noriega - the last of several times that U.S. military forces have directly toppled a government in the Americas.

After a few days of fighting, the Central American dictator fled to asylum at the Vatican Embassy on Christmas Eve, setting off a bizarre siege in which U.S. troops bombarded the mission with thunderous rock and rap music. Ten days later, he finally surrendered and was whisked to Miami.

Noriega was never again a free man. He was imprisoned first in Florida, then in France, and finally at home in Panama, where he died on Monday at age 83.

Manuel Antonio Noriega was born poor in Panama City on Feb. 11, 1934, and was raised by foster parents.

He joined Panama's Defense Forces in 1962 and steadily advanced through the ranks, mainly through loyalty to his mentor, Gen. Omar Torrijos, who became Panama's de facto leader after a 1968 coup.

As Torrijos' intelligence chief, Noriega monitored political opponents and developed close ties with U.S. intelligence agencies guarding against possible threats to the canal. Two years after Torrijos died in a mysterious plane crash in 1981, Noriega became the head of the armed forces and Panama's de facto ruler.

Noriega ruled with an iron fist, ordering the deaths of those who opposed him and maintaining a murky, close and conflictive relationship with the United States.

At the apex of his power he wielded great influence outside the country as well thanks to longstanding relationships with spy agencies around the world, said R.M. Koster, an American novelist and biographer of Noriega.

Noriega was considered a valued CIA asset and was paid millions of dollars for assistance to the U.S. throughout Latin America, including acting as a liaison to Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Noriega also helped the U.S. seize drug loads at sea and track money laundering in Panama's banks, and reported on guerrilla and terrorist activities.

But Washington ultimately soured on him, especially after a top political opponent was killed in 1985 and Noriega appeared to join forces with Latin American drug traffickers. Foes in the Panamanian military tried several coups but failed, and their leaders were summarily executed by firing squad.

The beginning of his downfall came in 1988 when federal grand juries in the Florida cities of Miami and Tampa indicted Noriega on drug trafficking charges.

Initially he reacted with defiance as the U.S. imposed economic sanctions designed to drive him from power. He famously waved a machete at a rally while vowing not to leave, and in May 1989 he nullified elections that observers say were handily won by the opposition.

U.S. President George H.W. Bush first responded by calling on Noriega to cede power, and then backed a failed coup in October. Finally, he ordered the invasion in December 1989.

During the operation, 23 U.S. military personnel died and 320 were wounded, and the Pentagon estimated 200 Panamanian civilians and 314 soldiers were killed.

Prosecutors accused Noriega of helping Colombia's Medellin cocaine cartel ship "tons and tons of a deadly white powder" to the United States. The defense cited court documents describing him as the "CIA's man in Panama" and argued that the indictment "smells all the way from here to Washington."

Jurors convicted Noriega in April 1992 of eight of 10 charges. Under the judge's instructions, they were told not to consider the political side of the case - including whether the U.S. had the right to invade Panama and bring Noriega to trial in the first place.

During his years at a minimum-security federal prison outside Miami, Noriega got special prisoner of war treatment, allowed to wear his Panamanian military uniform and insignia when in court. He lived in a bungalow apart from other inmates and had his own television and exercise equipment. He was said to be a TV news junkie and a voracious reader about politics and current events.

After completing his 17-year sentence in 2007, Noriega was extradited to France and given a seven-year sentence for money laundering.

But Panama wanted Noriega to return to face in-absentia convictions and two prison terms of 20 years for embezzlement, corruption and murder of opponents, including military commander Moises Giroldi, who led a failed rebellion on Oct. 3, 1989, and Hugo Spadafora, whose decapitated body was found in a mailbag on the border with Costa Rica in 1985.

In mid-2011, France approved his extradition to Panama.

Noriega had worked hard to cultivate an image of a man of the people despite amassing great wealth. He lived in a modest, two-story home in an upper-middle-class neighborhood in Panama City that stood in stark contrast with the opulent mansions customary among Latin American dictators.

"He would only say 'hello' very respectfully," said German Sanchez, who lived next door for 16 years. "You may think what you like of Noriega, but we can't say he was anything but respectful toward his neighbors."

"The humble, the poor, the blacks, they are the utmost authority," Noriega said in one speech.

While some resentment still lingers over the U.S. invasion, Noriega has so few supporters in modern-day Panama that attempts to auction off his old home attracted no bidders and the government decided to tear the decaying building down. Late in life, the ex-dictator had essentially zero influence over his country from behind bars.

"He is not a figure with political possibilities," University of Panama sociologist Raul Leis said in 2008. "Even though there's a small sector that yearns for the Noriega era, it is not a representative figure in the country."

Old allegations of corruption and troubling security problems continue to plague Panama. The Central American country of 3.9 million people is considered a favored transshipment point for drugs and a haven for money laundering.

But no place in the hemisphere has seen faster growth.

Following Noriega's ouster Panama underwent huge changes. It took over the Panama Canal from U.S. control in 1999, vastly expanded the waterway and has seen a boom in tourism and real estate.

Noriega broke a long silence in June 2015 when he made a statement from prison on Panamanian television in which he asked forgiveness of those harmed by his regime.

"I feel like as Christians we all have to forgive," he said, reading from a handwritten statement. "The Panamanian people have already overcome this period of dictatorship."

But for the most part Noriega stayed mum about elite military and civilian associates who thrived on the corruption that he helped instill.

"He kept his mouth shut and died for the sins of others," Koster said in a 2014 interview. "Nobody else ever went to prison."

Meanwhile, families of more than 100 who were killed or disappeared during his rule are still seeking justice.

In recent years Noriega had suffered various ailments including high blood pressure and bronchitis. In 2016, doctors detected the rapid growth of a benign brain tumor that had first been spotted four years earlier, and in the following January a court granted him house arrest to prepare for surgery on the tumor.

He is survived by his wife Felicidad and daughters Lorena, Thays and Sandra.

Ezra Angel, a lawyer for Noriega, said Tuesday there was no official word on what caused his death.

FILE - In this Nov. 8, 1989 file photo, Panamanian military strongman Gen. Manuel Noriega talks to reporters in Panama City. Panama's ex-dictator Noriega died Monday, May 29, 2017, in a hospital in Panama City. He was 83. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - In this May 20, 1988 file photo, Panamanian military strongman Gen. Manuel Noriega raises his fists to acknowledge the crowd cheers during a Dignity Battalion rally in Panama City. Panama's ex-dictator Noriega died Monday, May 29, 2017, in a hospital in Panama City. He was 83. (AP Photo/John Hopper, File)

ADDS CONFIRMATION BY PANAMANIAN PRESIDENT, FILE - This Jan.1990, file photo shows deposed Panamanian Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega, who is serving a 40-year sentence in Miami for drug trafficking. Former Panamanian dictator Noriega died late Monday, May 29, 2017, at age 83. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela wrote in his Twitter account that "the death of Manuel A. Noriega closes a chapter in our history." (AP Photo, File)
BERLIN (AP) - German state police were questioning a 17-year-old asylum-seeker Tuesday after a tactical unit took him into custody on suspicion that he was planning a suicide attack in Berlin.

Police in Brandenburg state said the teenager was detained Tuesday in the village of Gerswalde, 100 kilometers (60 miles) northeast of Berlin, after they learned he had sent a farewell message to family members and told them that "he had joined the jihad," or holy war.

The WhatsApp message talking about jihad to the suspect's family was sent within the last week and Brandenburg authorities were told of it late Monday night by two other German states, Brandenburg police spokesman Torsten Herbst told The Associated Press.

He said police were investigating and the teen was still being questioned but so far police had no evidence that a concrete attack was planned.

The federal Interior Ministry said it had no indications that an attack had been imminent.

The state Interior Ministry's office identified the suspect as Syrian, but Herbst said investigators were checking to see whether he falsely registered as a Syrian but was actually from a North African country.

The teenager, whose name wasn't released, came to Germany in 2015 as an unaccompanied minor and registered as an asylum-seeker. He has been living since 2016 in a home for minor refugees in Gerswalde, and was detained there in the Tuesday morning raid.

German security officials have repeatedly warned that the country is in the sights of international terrorist groups.

Germany saw a number of violent attacks by Islamic extremists last year, including the truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market that left 12 victims dead and dozens of others injured. The attack, carried out by a young Tunisian man who had been denied asylum in Germany, was claimed by the Islamic State group.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with a Mexican immigrant who faced deportation after he was convicted of having consensual sex with his underage girlfriend.

The justices ruled unanimously that while Juan Esquivel-Quintana committed a crime under California law, his conduct did not violate federal immigration law.

The opinion comes as the Trump administration steps up enforcement of the nation's immigration laws, including deporting those who commit crimes. Immigration arrests have increased 38 percent this year, compared with a similar period last year.

California law makes it a crime to have sex with anyone under 18 if the age difference is more than three years. That applied to Esquivel-Quintana, who had sex with his 16-year-old girlfriend before and after his 21st birthday.

But Esquivel-Quintana said his conduct would have been legal under federal law and the laws of 43 other states that are less strict. The government argued that courts should defer to immigration officials in interpreting laws that are vague.

Writing for the court, Justice Clarence Thomas said the generic federal definition of sexual abuse of a minor requires the victim to be younger than 16. Since Esquivel-Quintana's conduct did not constitute sexual abuse under federal immigration laws, Thomas said the state conviction did not count as an aggravated felony and he could not be deported.

Esquivel-Quintana moved to the United States with his family when he was 12 and became a lawful permanent resident. He served 90 days in jail after pleading no contest to the California charges involving sex with a minor.

He later moved to Michigan, where federal officials began deportation proceedings. Immigration officials said he was convicted of "sexual abuse of a minor" - a deportable offense under federal immigration laws.

An immigration judge said he should be deported and the Board of Immigration Appeals agreed. A divided federal appeals court affirmed that ruling.

Esquivel-Quintana has been living in Mexico since being deported but now plans to return to the U.S., his lawyer, Michael Carlin, said.

Justice Neil Gorsuch took no part in the case, which was argued before he joined the Supreme Court.
PARIS (AP) - The Paris prosecutor's office says it has opened an investigation into 19 French members of the European parliament after one of their colleagues from the far-right National Front claimed they used aides for political activity in France while they were on the parliament's payroll.

The office said Tuesday that, in addition to the MEPs, more than 20 parliamentary aides are investigated for receiving money through an alleged breach of trust.

It wouldn't name any of them, but confirmed that new French minister of European affairs Marielle de Sarnez filed a slander complaint against the National Front MEP who initiated the report to the prosecutor.

Several of the party's members have been under a similar investigation for allegedly tricking the European parliament out of about 300,000 euros ($336,000) paid to aides.
BRUSSELS (AP) - Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has had to reschedule some less-pressing commitments after Princess Astrid fired the starting gun for a race in Brussels too close for comfort.

Michel's office said Tuesday that his hearing was badly affected when the princess shot the gun for Sunday's Brussels 20K race with the prime minister standing next to her. The prime minister was seen grimacing in pain just after the shot went off.

Michel has kept his major appointments, but had to make room in his calendar for medical care. It's unclear how long he will need to be treated.
BROOKHAVEN, Miss. (AP) - The Latest on a series of shootings in Mississippi that left eight people dead (all times local):

3:20 p.m.

A Mississippi man accused of killing eight people showed little emotion during his first court appearance.

A portrait of slain Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputy William Durr, peers out of the tributes left on his car at the Lincoln County-Brookhaven Government Complex in Brookhaven, Miss., Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Durr was among the eight people gunned down during a county wide killing spree that began Saturday night. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A judge denied bond Tuesday for 35-year-old Willie Corey Godbolt, who is charged with one count of capital murder and seven counts of first-degree murder.

Lincoln County Justice Court Judge Roger Martin says the court will appoint an attorney for Godbolt.

Martin sent Godbolt to the Copiah County jail to await action by a grand jury. It's unclear whether authorities will complete their investigation in time for the next Lincoln County grand jury meeting in late June.

Godbolt's hearing was held in Gallman County, the county just north of where he is accused in the weekend killings. Mississippi Bureau of Investigation spokesman Warren Strain says it was moved out of Brookhaven because of safety concerns.

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12:30 p.m.

A Mississippi sheriff says the man accused of killing eight people at three houses eluded police by leaving the scenes quickly and changing vehicles multiple times.

Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing said Tuesday that two other sheriff's departments and the highway patrol were helping his small department try to capture Willie Corey Godbolt over the weekend.

He says the initial call to remove someone from a house Saturday night seemed routine and a single deputy responded, with a second officer a few minutes behind. Authorities say Deputy William Durr was shot and killed along with three other people at that first house.

The sheriff says Godbolt changed vehicles three or four times as he went to two other homes across the county and killed four more people.

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11:20 a.m.

Officials say the man accused of fatally shooting eight people in Mississippi had been arrested previously.

Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing said Tuesday that his department had arrested William Corey Godbolt in disturbing the peace, assault and domestic violence cases. Rushing says Godbolt's last arrest was more than a year ago for simple assault.

The sheriff didn't know whether Rushing had been convicted on any charges.

Investigators say Godbolt shot and killed the victims, including a deputy, at three locations over the weekend. They say he will be charged with one count of capital murder and seven counts of first degree murder.

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10:10 a.m.

Funeral services are being arranged for the eight people who died in a string of related shootings over the weekend in Mississippi.

Investigators say all eight people were shot and killed by Willie Corey Godbolt on Saturday and Sunday in Lincoln County, south of Jackson.

The first funeral will be held Thursday afternoon for Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy William Durr at a church in Brookhaven, and he will buried later that day at a cemetery in Bogue Chitto (BOH'-guh CHIT'-uh).

Services for 17-year-old Jordan Blackwell and his 11-year-old cousin, Austin Edwards, will be held Saturday at a Brookhaven junior high school.

The same location will host the funeral for Sheila Burage, 46, and husband Ferral Burrage, 45, on Sunday afternoon.

Finally, a funeral is planned for 55-year-old Barbara Mitchell, her 35-year-old daughter, Tacarra May, and Mitchell's 53-year-old sister, Brenda May, on Monday at the school.

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9:45 a.m.

A man accused of fatally shooting eight people in Mississippi has been released from a hospital.

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation spokesman Warren Strain said Tuesday morning that Willie Corey Godbolt is now being held in an "undisclosed detention facility."

After being arrested Sunday morning in Brookhaven, Godbolt was taken to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for a gunshot wound to be treated. Investigators haven't said publicly who shot Godbolt but say he was not wounded by police while being arrested.

Godbolt awaits an initial court appearance, where a judge will decide on setting bail and make sure he has a lawyer. Officials in Lincoln County Justice Court say that appearance is not yet scheduled.

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2:40 a.m.

A Mississippi teen says his 18-year-old cousin sacrificed his life to shield him from a gunman's bullets.

Fifteen-year-old Caleb Edwards says he could feel the force of the impact as Jordan Blackwell was shot. Edwards' 11-year-old brother Austin was also fatally shot. Caleb said after his brother was shot, "I thought I was going to die."

The cousins were among eight people killed in a rampage at three different houses.

With his mother standing by his side Monday, Caleb spoke calmly as he recounted to The Associated Press how he felt the force of the impact as Blackwell was shot Sunday.

Investigators say 35-year-old Willie Corey Godbolt will be charged with one count of capital murder and seven counts of first degree murder. He could make an initial court appearance Tuesday.

A Lincoln County resident pauses to take a photograph of the makeshift memorial for slain Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputy William Durr at the Lincoln County-Brookhaven Government Complex in Brookhaven, Miss., Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Durr was among the eight people gunned down during a county wide killing spree that began Saturday night. The flower and tributes are on the cruiser Durr drove. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Katrina Ebbers, whose husband is a Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy, cries as she sits near the makeshift memorial for slain Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputy William Durr at the Lincoln County-Brookhaven Government Complex in Brookhaven, Miss., Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Durr was among the eight people gunned down during a county wide killing spree that began Saturday night. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A Brookhaven police investigator has a black and blue stripe across her badge in Brookhaven, Miss., Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Lawmen across the state are wearing this black and blue ribbon on their badges in honor of Lincoln County Sheriff's Office deputy William Durr who was among the eight people gunned down during a county wide killing spree that began Saturday night. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
MONTAUK, N.Y. (AP) - A U.S. Coast Guard member beat a 67-year-old woman inside her New York home and was arrested while sleeping in her bed, authorities said.

Matthew Patrick McGee, 22, appeared to be under the influence of drugs, alcohol or a combination when he was arrested late Saturday night, East Hampton Police Capt. Christopher Anderson told Newsday (http://nwsdy.li/2qAhunY ).

He said McGee entered the home in Montauk on eastern Long Island through an unlocked rear door. Investigators said he beat the woman and choked her before she was able to escape, alerting her husband who was sleeping in another bedroom. Police said the attack lasted an "extended period."

When police arrived, they kicked in the bedroom door and found McGee asleep in the woman's bed.

The victim was treated at a hospital for her injuries and released Sunday morning.

McGee, who has no criminal record, was arraigned Monday on charges including assault, burglary and resisting arrest.

Attorney Brian DeSesa said his client does not remember what happened.

"He's still trying to figure everything out," DeSesa said.

Coast Guard officials say McGee is assigned to the Montauk station. Senior Chief Petty Officer Eric Best, who is in charge of the station, said his agency is cooperating with the investigation.

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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A student originally from Mexico, Eric Cruz Lopez was among the most visible immigration activists on the University of Connecticut campus - up until he was charged with spray-painting expletives about President Donald Trump on the walls of school buildings.

Now his arrest is hurting the push for a bill that would allow students without legal immigration status at the state's public colleges and universities access to financial aid.

Cruz, who had testified himself in favor of the legislation, was charged on May 7 with more than 100 counts of misdemeanor vandalism. Police said he gave a statement admitting to the vandalism. He did not respond to requests for comment.

The case led state House leaders to postpone a planned vote last week on legislation that would open up $165 million in institutional financial aid to students without legal status at public colleges and universities. Those students are studying under an Obama-era executive order known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which grants them special visas.

State Sen. Beth Bye, a West Hartford Democrat and co-chair of the legislature's Higher Education Committee, said she's still hopeful lawmakers will look past the arrest and to the bigger picture.

"It's frustrating to see this one person's action, in a moment in time, hurt the hopes and dreams of hundreds of Connecticut college students, putting their hopes and dreams out of reach," she said. "His actions are not indicative at all of who these students are."

Connecticut Students for a Dream, for which Cruz worked as an organizer, wrote to lawmakers distancing themselves from his actions.

The group plans a rally at the state Capitol on Wednesday to make another push for the legislation.

"For four years, we have marched, rallied, and organized for these proposals," said Camila Bortolleto, a spokeswoman for the group. "We've won support from all of Connecticut's higher education institutions, dozens of community groups, labor unions, and legislators in both parties. ... It's resoundingly clear: Our state supports these proposals."

But some conservatives, including commentator Ann Coulter, have latched on to Cruz Lopez's arrest as an example of why they say the students don't deserve support.

Cruz led a protest march on campus in November following the presidential election and appeared before the Board of Trustees in December to demand the school codify protections for the students after Trump said he planned to reverse the previous administration's executive order.

Cruz also has been to the Capitol several times to support the financial aid legislation. The students are currently not allowed to receive government aid, even though the money comes from a pool generated by tuition payments, to which they contribute.

Cruz, who came to the United States when he was 7 and lives in Bridgeport, testified the students simply want to be allowed to compete on a level playing field. He said he took the spring semester off because he needed to earn money to continue his studies.

"I have been worried about paying for college since I was 10, knowing that because we had to go to a food pantry to get food, paying for my education was going to be hard," he said.

The University of Connecticut and the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system both support the legislation, which has passed the Senate in each of the last two years. It was supposed to start this year in the House vote and may die without a vote in the lower chamber.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) - A Greek far-left militant group has claimed responsibility for a bomb explosion outside an Athens bank office last month.

In a posting on a leftwing website Tuesday, the Popular Fighters Group said it selected the office because it housed bad loan management services.

The April 19 attack caused no injuries and minor damage. Police were able to evacuate the area in time because it was preceded by an anonymous warning call.

The Popular Fighters Group has previously claimed responsibility for a December 2013 shooting attack on the German ambassador's residence in Athens, in which nobody was hurt.

Greece has several small far-left and anarchist groups that periodically attack symbols of state authority and wealth.

Last week, a parcel bomb injured former prime minister Lucas Papademos. No group has claimed responsibility.
RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. (AP) - Jury selection began Tuesday for a North Carolina church minister accused of beating a man to expel his "homosexual demons."

Brooke Covington, 58, a longtime minister at Word of Faith Fellowship in Spindale, North Carolina, is the first of five church members to face trial in the case. Each defendant will be tried separately. Seven jurors had been selected by Tuesday afternoon; selection was to continue Wednesday.

Covington has pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and assaulting former church member Matthew Fenner in January 2013. If convicted, Covington faces up to two years in prison.

In this photo taken May 19, 2017, Brooke Covington, a member of the Word of Faith Fellowship church in Spindle, N.C., leaves a hearing at Rutherford County Courthouse accompanied by attorney, Joshua Valentine, in Rutherfordton, N.C. Covington and other church members are accused of kidnapping and assaulting Matthew Fenner, a former church member, because he is gay. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

Fenner, 23, said he was leaving a prayer service Jan. 27, 2013, when nearly two dozen people surrounded him in the sanctuary. He said they slapped, punched, choked and blasted him - a church practice that involves intense screaming - for two hours as they tried to expel his "homosexual demons."

As part of an ongoing, two-year investigation into abuse of Word of Faith Fellowship congregants by church leaders, The Associated Press interviewed four former church members who said they witnessed Fenner's assault.

Based on exclusive interviews with 43 former members, documents and secretly made recordings, the AP reported in February that Word of Faith Fellowship congregants were regularly punched, smacked, choked, slammed to the floor or thrown through walls in a violent form of deliverance meant to "purify" sinners by beating out devils.

Fenner said he joined the sect with his mother and brother in 2010. He fled after he said he was attacked.

"You can't imagine the emotional toll this has taken on my life. I had to put a lot of things on hold because of this. ... I can't do anything until this is over," Fenner told the AP in a previous interview.

The defense had filed requests to move the trial out of Rutherford County, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains midway between Charlotte and Asheville, due to years of negative publicity about the church's practices. As an alternative, the defense asked to have a jury brought in from another area.

The judge did not describe his reasoning for denying those requests.

"We are going to pick a jury and we are going to pick a jury today," said Superior Court Judge Gary Gavenus.

Over the last few years, there have been numerous delays in the case.

At first, the five defendants were represented by the same attorneys - all members of Word of Faith Fellowship. Assistant Prosecutor Garland Byers Jr. filed a motion in 2015 to disqualify the law firm, citing conflicts of interest. A judge agreed, but the church appealed. A year later, though, the church attorneys withdrew the appeal, and the defendants got their own new attorneys.

One of the defendants, Sarah Anderson, left the church in 2015, saying her 1-year-old son was being abused. It's unclear whether she will testify at Covington's trial and if she does, what she will say.

The AP's investigation also revealed that congregants were ordered by church leaders to lie to authorities investigating reports of abuse and that two assistant district attorneys and a veteran social worker were among those who coached congregants and their children on what to say to investigators. After the AP report, the prosecutors, including one who is a son-in-law of a church founder, left their jobs, and the social worker resigned.

The sect was founded in 1979 by Jane Whaley, a former math teacher, and her husband, Sam, a former used car salesman. Under Jane Whaley's leadership, Word of Faith Fellowship grew from a handful of followers to its current congregation in North Carolina, and another nearly 2,000 members in churches in Brazil and Ghana. It also has affiliations in other countries.

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Mohr reported from Jackson, Mississippi.

This photo taken May 19, 2017, shows Brooke Covington, a member of the Word of Faith Fellowship church in Spindle, N.C., leaving a hearing at Rutherford County Courthouse in Rutherfordton, N.C. Covington and other church members are accused of kidnapping and assaulting Matthew Fenner, a former church member, because he is gay. Covington, 58, has pleaded innocent to one count each of kidnapping and assault. If convicted, she faces up to two years in prison. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
CLEVELAND (AP) - The police officer who shot and killed Tamir Rice was fired Tuesday for failing to disclose that he had been forced out of another department before Cleveland hired him, while his partner was suspended for driving too close to the 12-year-old seconds before the boy was killed.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams announced the discipline against officers Timothy Loehmann, who shot the boy, and Frank Garmback, who was driving the cruiser.

Tamir, who was black, was shot outside a recreation center in November 2014 as he held a pellet gun that the white officers mistook for a real firearm. The killing became part of a national outcry about police violence against black boys and men. The officers weren't charged criminally, but Tamir's mother settled a federal civil rights lawsuit with the city for $6 million.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams speaks to a reporter after a press conference in Cleveland, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The police officer who shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice was fired Tuesday for inaccuracies on his job application, while the officer who drove the patrol car the day of the shooting was suspended for violating a tactical rule, Chief Williams announced Tuesday. (AP photo/Dake Kang)

Loehmann was fired because the department concluded he wasn't truthful on his job application, failing to reveal that a suburban department had allowed him to resign instead of being fired at the end of a six-month probationary period. An evaluation in the suburban department's file had said Loehmann had a "dismal" handgun performance, broke down in tears at the gun range and was emotionally immature.

Garmback was suspended for 10 days for violating a tactical rule for his driving that day, with a disciplinary letter saying he drove too close to Tamir. Video of the shooting shows the patrol car skidding to a stop just feet from the boy.

The officers' union said it was challenging the discipline, while Tamir's mother said both officers should have been fired.

The two officers had gone to the center after a man waiting for a bus called 911 to report a "guy" was pointing a gun. He told the dispatcher that the guy could be a juvenile and the gun might be a "fake," information that wasn't conveyed to the officers. Loehmann shot Tamir within two seconds after the police cruiser stopped near the boy.

A county prosecutor announced in December 2015 that Loehmann and Garmback wouldn't be indicted.

After that, Williams ordered a committee to determine if the officers violated department rules.

"There's a 12-year-old kid, dead. People on both sides are going to say, 'It wasn't enough, it was too much,'" said Williams. "We have to be fair and objective."

Stephen Loomis, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolman's Association, called the discipline "unjustified" and said the union filed grievances minutes after they were announced.

"This is a politically motivated witch-hunt," Loomis said. "Those officers acted appropriately and within the guidelines they had to work with."

Loomis called Loehmann's firing a "joke," saying that officers haven't been fired in the past over job applications.

Tamir's mother, Samaria Rice, said she was relieved Loehmann was fired. "He should never have been a police officer," she said. But she said Garmback also should have been fired for driving so close to her son.

She and her attorney, Subodh Chandra, said Cleveland city agencies suffered from systematic problems and that they hope a Department of Justice investigation will lead to rare federal civil rights charges.

"Shame on the city of Cleveland for taking so long to deal with the situation," said Samaria Rice. "We still need accountability."

Cleveland police brass said they have taken steps to curb the use of deadly force and overhaul their hiring process.

Two officers were disciplined in 2015 for failing to thoroughly check Loehmann's personnel file before he was hired. Williams said the department now makes sure to read through all applicants' personnel files and employment history.

Earlier this year, the 911 operator who took the call about Tamir was suspended for eight days for failing to tell the radio dispatcher that the caller had said Tamir could be a juvenile and the gun might be fake.

Garmback and Loehmann were both on administrative duty when they were notified of the disciplinary measures Tuesday morning. Loomis said the police union plans to apply for arbitration and hope to have the case before an arbitrator by the end of the summer.

Garmback could be back on patrol after his suspension, if Williams permits it. Cleveland police spokeswoman Jennifer Ciaccia said he would first have to go through a reintegration program.

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2014, file photo, Tomiko Shine, left, holds a sign with a photo of Tamir Rice, a boy fatally shot by a Cleveland police officer, while protesting a grand jury's decision in Ferguson, Mo., not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, during a demonstration in Washington. Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams announced Tuesday, May 30, 2017, that Timothy Loehmann, the police officer who shot and killed the 12-year-old boy, has been fired for inaccuracies on his job application, while the officer who drove the patrol car the day of the Nov. 22, 2014, shooting, Frank Garmback, has been suspended for 10 days for violating a tactical rule for his driving that day. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2015, file photo, "R.I.P. Tamir Rice" is written on a wooden post near a makeshift memorial at the gazebo where the boy was fatally shot, outside the Cudell Recreation Center in Cleveland. Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams announced Tuesday, May 30, 2017, that Timothy Loehmann, the police officer who shot and killed the 12-year-old boy, has been fired for inaccuracies on his job application, while the officer who drove the patrol car the day of the Nov. 22, 2014, shooting, Frank Garmback, has been suspended for 10 days for violating a tactical rule for his driving that day. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Teachers, students and parents at a Connecticut high school on Tuesday protested remarks made by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who quoted a former student in calling the school "nothing more than adult day care ... a dangerous day care."

Connecticut Democratic U.S. Rep. John Larson and Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy were among those at East Hartford High School who said DeVos was wrong about the school.

"You don't know East Hartford," said Larson, who graduated from the school five decades ago. "I think it's only fitting when you stereotype a community, when you paint with a broad brush, and you're the secretary of education, you have a responsibility to come out and meet these students."

Malloy touted the school's successes, including having the largest graduation rate increase in the state last year.

DeVos made the comments last week before a U.S. House subcommittee in defending Republican President Donald Trump's plan to cut funding for public schools and higher education programs while promoting school choice. The plan includes providing federal tax money for private school scholarships.

DeVos said she met with a man who went to East Hartford High School and he told her students "ruled the classroom" and "it was an adult day care." She identified him only as "Michael."

"Michael got a diploma, but not an education," DeVos said. "Michael's story is important because there are literally millions of students in this country just like him. The system simply passes them along."

U.S. Education Department spokeswoman Liz Hill said Tuesday that DeVos did not stereotype the school or community.

"She relayed one student's experience and used his own words to describe the challenging circumstances he faced in high school," Hill said in a statement. "He, like so many other students across the country, needed another option but didn't have access to one."

Local teachers took DeVos' comments personally.

"You walk into our classrooms and see very dedicated professionals and students learning high quality level things," said Annie Irvine, president of the local teachers' union. "She (DeVos) should be our biggest supporter, and right now she's our biggest adversary."
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - The parent company of Churchill Downs racetrack, home of the Kentucky Derby, has moved its online wagering operations from Silicon Valley to Kentucky.

A decade ago, when Churchill Downs Inc. was building its TwinSpires online wagering business, the operations were based in California to tap into that region's high-tech prowess.

Company CEO Bill Carstanjen said Tuesday that Churchill Downs is confident it can fill those high-tech skills in its hometown of Louisville.

Churchill says that in 2016, $1.1 billion was wagered through TwinSpires, amounting to 10 percent of total betting on U.S. horse races.

TwinSpires, which also has operations in Lexington, Kentucky, employs more than 200 people. TwinSpires plans to add 25 more Louisville employees. Churchill is investing $2.2 million to expand its Louisville offices to house the TwinSpires headquarters.
SAO PAULO (AP) - Embattled Brazilian President Michel Temer insisted on Tuesday that he'll stay on the job until his term ends in December 2018 despite growing calls for his resignation. He also pledged to push ahead with austerity measures meant to cure the country's economy.

Temer has been under increasing fire since country's top prosecutor opened investigations into him for alleged obstruction of justice and passive corruption two weeks ago.

The president denies any wrongdoing and accuses a business mogul of conspiring against him. He was defiant as he addressed a generally friendly audience of business leaders at the Brazil Investment Forum.

Brazil's President Michel Temer attends the Brazil Investment Forum 2017, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The union representing Brazil's federal police investigators expressed concerns Monday about how probes into government corruption will be handled by the newly named justice minister, who is a personal friend of Temer. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

"Today we are on the right track. We put the country back on track," he said, saying he will leave "the house in order" for the next president.

Recent polls show Temer's popularity in single digits and eight of his ministers are under investigation for alleged corruption. Recent outbursts of street protests have prompted some parties to leave the president's coalition in Congress.

Brazil's top electoral court is scheduled to begin deliberations next week on whether he should be removed for illegal financing of his 2014 re-election campaign as vice president. Former President Dilma Rousseff, who was impeached and ousted last year, could also lose her political rights in the same trial.

Brazil's President Michel Temer arrives to the Brazil Investment Forum 2017, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. The union representing Brazil's federal police investigators expressed concerns Monday about how probes into government corruption will be handled by the newly named justice minister, who is a personal friend of Temer. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - Nigerian officials say the 82 young women released by Boko Haram extremists this month are now joining those already freed in a special rehabilitation program.

Aisha Alhassan, minister of women's affairs and social development, said Tuesday that the women will attend months of remedial studies. They will have doctors and nurses available to help them heal from the trauma of three years in captivity.

Some have criticized how the freed women have remained in Nigeria's capital instead of rejoining their families. But Alhassan says they are in Abuja "with their full consent."

Freed school girls attend a handing over Ceremony ahead of their studies in Abuja, Nigeria Tuesday, May. 30, 2017. Officials in Nigeria say the 82 young women released by their jihadist captors earlier this month are now joining those already freed in a special rehabilitation program. Aisha Alhassan, Nigeria's minister of women's affairs and social development, said Tuesday that the newly released women will attend remedial studies. (AP Photo/Olamikan Gbemiga)

The young women will not be returning to rural Chibok, where they were abducted from school in 2014. Officials say they will be placed in other schools in September.

Nearly 300 schoolgirls were seized in the mass abduction.

Aisha Alhassan, Nigeria's minister of women's affairs, right, smile with Freed school girls during a handing over Ceremony ahead of their studies in Abuja, Nigeria Tuesday, May. 30, 2017. Officials in Nigeria say the 82 young women released by their jihadist captors earlier this month are now joining those already freed in a special rehabilitation program. (AP Photo/Olamikan Gbemiga)
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The U.N. humanitarian chief warned Tuesday that civil war is causing Yemen to spiral toward total collapse with the threat of famine increasing and over 55,000 suspected cholera cases since late April.

Stephen O'Brien told the U.N. Security Council that "Yemen now has the ignominy of being the world's largest food security crisis." More than 17 million people desperately need food, including 6.8 million who are "one step away from famine," he said.

"The people of Yemen are being subjected to deprivation, disease and death as the world watches," O'Brien warned.

FILE -- In this Monday, May 15, 2017 file photo, people are treated for suspected cholera infection at a hospital in Sanaa, Yemen. Jamie McGoldrick, the U.N. humanitarian chief in Yemen, told The Associated Press on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, that treatable diseases like cholera could ravage Yemen this year without an increase in aid and an end to the two-year-old civil war. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed, File)

He said the country's "spiral downwards towards a total social, economic and institutional collapse" is a direct consequence of actions by fighters loyal to the former president and Shiite Houthi rebels and their supporters.

But it "is also, sadly, a result of inaction - whether due to inability or indifference - by the international community," he said.

O'Brien called for urgent action "to stem the suffering" in the Arab world's poorest nation, stressing that if there was no conflict "there would be no descent into famine, misery, disease and death."

But the U.N. envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, told the council that serious negotiations on the first steps to a cessation of hostilities have been slow and the key parties are reluctant to even discuss the concessions needed for peace.

"I will not hide from this council that we are not close to a comprehensive agreement," he said.

Yemen, which is on the southern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, has been engulfed in civil war since September 2014 when Houthi rebels swept into the capital of Sanaa and overthrew President Abed-Rabbo Mansour Hadi's internationally recognized government.

In March 2015, a Saudi-led coalition, backed by the United States, began a campaign against Houthi forces allied with ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh in support of Hadi's government. Since then, the Iranian-backed Houthis have been dislodged from most of the south, but remain in control of Sanaa and much of the north.

Cheikh Ahmed said violence is continuing on numerous fronts, much of it focused on the western coastline where pro-government forces are attempting to make progress toward the port of Hodeida and inland toward the city of Taiz. Violence is also continuing in the border area between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, he said.

He urged the Security Council "to strongly convey to the parties that they need to engage immediately with the United Nations to agree on steps to avoid further bloodshed, to halt the slide towards famine and to recommit to a peaceful end to the war."

A group of 22 international and Yemeni humanitarian and human rights organizations - including Save The Children, Oxfam and the International Rescue Committee - also called on the Security Council to end its year-long inaction on Yemen and take action to bring about an immediate cease-fire and end the country's humanitarian crisis which is now "the largest in the world."

Cheikh Ahmed and O'Brien stressed that the conflict now threatens access to the port of Hodeida on the Red Sea, a lifeline for most of Yemen's population.

Cheikh Ahmed said that during his recent visit to the region he made clear to both parties that the spread of fighting to Hodeida would threaten the flow of desperately needed food and medical supplies and lead to "a devastating loss of civilian life and infrastructure."

In addition, over 1 million civil servants haven't been paid for months, which O'Brien said is affecting more than 8 million people and pushing more and more families toward poverty and starvation.

Cheikh Ahmed said he has proposed a compromise which would allow the continued flow of commercial and humanitarian supplies through Hodeida "and ensure the end of any diversion of customs revenues and taxes so that they can be used to support salaries and services rather than the war or personal benefit."

Under his proposed agreement, Cheikh Ahmed said, parallel negotiations would take place on avoiding military clashes in Hodeida and resuming salary payments nationally to all civil servants. "Yet even serious negotiations of these first steps have been slow to start," he said.
NEW YORK (AP) - Independent Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders told graduating college students in New York on Tuesday that instead of giving up in despair over the state of current events the "only rational choice" is to stand up and fight back.

"You do not have the moral right to turn your back on saving this planet and saving future generations," the former Democratic presidential candidate told the audience at Brooklyn College during remarks that at times sounded more like a campaign speech than a commencement address.

Sanders was raised in Brooklyn and told the crowd he attended Brooklyn College for a year before leaving the city and finishing his college education elsewhere. He said as a youth he remembered a teacher talking about oligarchies, corrupt societies where small groups of people are in control.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders walks between graduates as he arrives for the Brooklyn College commencement ceremony, Tuesday, May 30, 2017, in New York. The former Democratic presidential candidate, who hails from Brooklyn and attended the school for a year, urged graduates to stand together and not let demagogues divide the country. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

"It never occurred to me as a kid in Brooklyn that the United States of America, our great nation, could move in that direction, but that is precisely in my view what is happening today," Sanders said.

He called out Republican leadership in Congress for wanting to cut social programs such as food stamps and take funds away from Planned Parenthood while giving tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans. He didn't mention any Republicans by name.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue last week defended Republican President Donald Trump's proposal to cut $191 billion from food stamps over the next 10 years.

Sanders, a frequent critic of Trump, on Tuesday told his audience that the impulse for people to decide the system is rigged and there's no point to getting involved "is understandable, but it is wrong," and he urged the graduates to think big.

"If we are prepared to stand together, if we take on greed and selfishness, if we refuse to allow demagogues to divide us up," he said, "there is no end to what the great people of our nation can accomplish."

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders walks between graduates as he arrives for the Brooklyn College commencement ceremony, Tuesday, May 30, 2017, in New York. The former Democratic presidential candidate, who hails from Brooklyn and attended the school for a year, urged graduates to stand together and not let demagogues divide the country. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
ATLANTA (AP) - Nine years after a teen allegedly killed a man who stopped to ask for directions, his murder conviction has been tossed because of a faulty search warrant.

The Georgia Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed the conviction of Avery Leon Bryant, who was 17 when prosecutors say he shot Newton Gordon in East Point in 2008.

The unanimous opinion says there was enough evidence to convict Bryant. But it says a key search warrant in the case wasn't valid because it didn't state with "particularity" what was to be seized.

The justices found there was a "reasonable probability" of a different outcome if the evidence had been excluded.

A spokesman said the Fulton County district attorney's office plans to ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling. If that's not successful, the district attorney's office plans to prosecute the case again.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has dismissed allegations of Russian meddling in last year's U.S. presidential election as 'fiction' invented by Democrats to divert the blame for their defeat.

In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro released Tuesday, Putin reaffirmed his strong denial of Russia's involvement in the hacking of Democratic National Committee emails that yielded disclosures that proved embarrassing for Hillary Clinton's campaign.

The claims of Russian interference were driven by the 'desire of those who lost the U.S. elections to improve their standing,' Putin said in the interview recorded during his Monday visit to France.

Giving no quarter: Putin called claims he was behind election hacking 'fiction' and said: 'They simply lost, and they must acknowledge it.'

Winner: Putin's language echoes President Trump's description of claims of Russian interference as 'fake news'

'They want to explain to themselves and prove to others that they had nothing to do with it, their policy was right, they have done everything well, but someone from the outside cheated them,' he continued. 'It's not so. They simply lost, and they must acknowledge it.'

The 'people who lost the vote hate to acknowledge that they indeed lost because the person who won was closer to the people and had a better understanding of what people wanted,' the Russian leader said in a reference to President Donald Trump.

Russia's hopes for a new detente under Trump have been shattered by congressional and FBI investigations of the Trump campaign's ties to Russia. In the Le Figaro interview, Putin said the accusations of meddling leveled at Russia have destabilized international affairs.

He argued that trying to influence the U.S. vote would make no sense for Moscow as a U.S. president can't unilaterally shape policies.

'Russia has never engaged in that, we don't need it and it makes no sense to do it,' he said. 'Presidents come and go, but policies don't change. You know why? Because the power of bureaucracy is very strong.'

The Russian leader added that he agrees with Trump that anyone could have been behind the hacking of the Democrats' emails.

'Maybe someone lying in his bed invented something or maybe someone deliberately inserted a USB with a Russian citizen's signature or anything else,' Putin said. 'Anything can be done in this virtual world.'

Just accept you lost: Vladimir Putin's message is unlikely to go down well with Hillary Clinton, who was last seen marking Memorial Day in her home town of Chappaqua, New York

The assessment echoed a remark by Trump during a September presidential debate in which he said of the DNC hacks: 'It could be Russia, but it could be China, could also be lots of other people. It could be someone sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds.'

Asked about French President Emmanuel Macron's warning that any use of chemical weapons in Syria was a 'red line' that would be met by reprisals, Putin said he agreed with that position.

But he also reiterated Russia's view that Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces weren't responsible for a fatal chemical attack in Syria in April.

The U.S. last month struck a Syrian air base with cruise missiles after accusing Assad's military of killing scores of civilians with a nerve agent launched from the base.

Putin said Russia had offered the U.S. and its allies the chance to inspect the Syrian base for traces of the chemical agent. He added that their refusal reflected a desire to justify military action against Assad.

'There is no proof of Assad using chemical weapons,' Putin insisted in the interview. 'In our deep belief, it was a provocation. Assad didn't use the weapons.'
FORT IRWIN, Calif. (AP) - One Mississippi National Guard member was killed and three others were injured during a training exercise in the California desert.

Investigators were trying to determine what caused the death and injuries Monday night at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, a remote facility 37 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Barstow in the High Mojave Desert midway between San Bernardino and Las Vegas.

A military helicopter flew the three injured soldiers to a hospital in Loma Linda, where they were in stable condition Tuesday. The names of all four are being withheld until 24 hours after their families are notified.

The members of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, based in Tupelo, Mississippi, were participating in a two-week-long training, which focused this week on maneuvering tanks, said Kenneth Drylie, spokesman for the center. Drylie said it did not involve live-fire exercises.

The troops were doing an armored brigade combat team exercise, which emulates an overseas deployment to a war zone, Drylie said. Also participating in the training are National Guard members from California, Missouri, and members of the Air Force. He declined to comment further, saying the accident is under investigation.

Lt. Col. Christian Patterson, spokesman of the Mississippi National Guard, said the exercise has been suspended for the unit that the four members belonged to but the rest of the Mississippi Guard troops will still participate. He said no further details would be released to avoid compromising the investigation.

The center is one of the few places in the country with room for 10,000 troops to battle each other. It does 10 such training exercises a year with all branches of the military using the facility, Drylie said.

"It's basically like a full deployment overseas except that it's in the California desert," Drylie said.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A Trump administration order to deport a man who entered the country illegally nearly three decades ago and became a respected businessman in Hawaii was "inhumane" and "contrary to the values of the country and its legal system," a federal judge wrote Tuesday in an unusually impassioned opinion.

"President Trump has claimed that his immigration policies would target the 'bad hombres,'" 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt said. "The government's decision to remove Magana Ortiz shows that even the 'good hombres' are not safe."

Reinhardt said the 9th Circuit lacked authority to block the March order to deport Ortiz to Mexico. Still, he said it was difficult to see how the order was consistent with President Donald Trump's promise of an immigration system with heart.

FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2010 pool file photo, Circuit Judge Stephen Reinhardt listens to arguments during a hearing in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, in San Francisco. A Trump administration order to deport a man who entered the country illegally nearly three decades ago and became a respected businessman in Hawaii was "inhumane" and "contrary to the values of the country and its legal system," Reinhardt, a judge on the nation's largest federal appeals court, wrote Tuesday, May 30, 2017, in an unusually impassioned opinion. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, Pool, File)

Reinhardt said Ortiz, who came to the U.S. in 1989, was well-established in Hawaii's coffee farming industry, paid his taxes and had three U.S. citizen children from whom he would be torn away.

Nicole Navas, a U.S. Department of Justice spokeswoman, said the agency declined comment on the case.

Reinhardt is considered to be one of the most liberal judges on the 9th Circuit and his rulings often place him on the side of immigrants and prisoners. Reinhardt wrote a 2012 opinion striking down California's gay marriage ban.

He also wrote a 1996 opinion that struck down a Washington state law that prohibited doctors from prescribing medication to help terminally ill patients die.

Reinhold joined the nation's largest federal appeals court in 1980 after being nominated by President Jimmy Carter.

His opinion in the Ortiz case came as the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with a Mexican immigrant who faced deportation after he was convicted of having consensual sex with his underage girlfriend.

The justices ruled unanimously that Juan Esquivel-Quintana had committed a crime under California law, but his conduct did not violate federal immigration law.

Also Tuesday, a divided 11-judge panel of the 9th Circuit upheld a law that bars people who are in the country illegally from avoiding deportation if they are habitual drunks. The law holds that those people do not have good moral character.

The ruling overturned a decision by a smaller 9th Circuit panel that included Reinhardt that said alcoholism is an illness, not a moral defect.

The rulings come against a backdrop of stepped up immigration enforcement by the Trump administration. U.S. immigration arrests increased nearly 40 percent in early 2017 from a comparable period last year, according to figures provided by immigration officials. However, actual deportations were down from late January to late April compared with a year ago.

Ortiz, 43, won a reprieve from deportation in 2014 and was seeking legal status on the basis that his wife and children are U.S. citizens when the government "without any explanation" ordered him in March to report for removal the next month, according to Reinhardt.

Ortiz has at least one conviction for driving under the influence, but Reinhardt said that was not the basis for his removal order.

Ortiz appealed to the 9th Circuit in an effort to block the removal order. Now, he will be returned to Mexico and face a 10-year bar on his return, the judge said.

A call and email to Ortiz's attorney, James Stanton, was not immediately returned.

Reinhardt is not the first federal judge to criticize an immigration move by the Trump administration.

A federal appeals court in Maryland earlier this month refused to reinstate the president's revised travel ban on people from six Muslim-majority countries, with judges in the 10-3 majority calling the administration's action discriminatory and its reasoning nonsensical.

In another rebuke, a federal judge in San Francisco blocked the administration's attempt to withhold funding from "sanctuary cities" that limit cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities.
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - The Hungarian government said Tuesday it was seeking to engage with New York state about the status of Budapest-based Central European University, founded by billionaire George Soros.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sent letters to Prime Minister Viktor Orban and President Janos Ader advocating for CEU, saying recent changes to Hungary's higher education law "attempts to close the university for no legitimate reason."

"CEU is an important collaboration between New York and Hungary," Cuomo said in the letters obtained by The Associated Press. "I hope that this important partnership will be allowed to continue with the guarantee of CEU's independence."

President and Rector of the Central European University, CEU, Michael Ignatieff, center, speaks during a press conference in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Sitting at left is deputy rector in charge of Hungarian issues Zsolt Enyedi and at right deputy rector for the Social Sciences and Humanities at the CEU, Eva Fodor. (Zoltan Balogh/MTI via AP)

Foreign Ministry spokesman Tamas Menczer said the ministry was working with Cuomo's office to schedule a meeting about the university.

CEU, founded in 1991, is accredited in New York state, but doesn't have a campus there, one of the new rules in the amended law. CEU issues diplomas accepted in Hungary and the U.S.

The legal amendments adopted in April also call for bilateral agreements between Hungary and the home countries of foreign universities operating in the country. In the case of the United States, Hungary is also seeking agreements with the schools' home states.

The changes could force CEU to move, although Rector Michael Ignatieff reiterated Tuesday that the school is determined to stay in Budapest.

"We hope that in the course of the next few months, this absurd effort by the government to shut us down will be taken away," Ignatieff told reporters. "Budapest is our home, we're staying here and it's business as usual."

The U.S State Department, however, has said the U.S. "has no authority or intention" to negotiate about CEU or other American universities with a presence in Hungary.

A Foreign Ministry official is expected to travel in about two weeks to Maryland to speak with officials there about McDaniel College, Menczer said. Established in 1867 as Western Maryland College, the college also has operated a campus in Hungary since 1993.

Cuomo's office said a meeting with Hungarian officials also was tentatively scheduled for June.

The conflict over CEU is part of a wider dispute between Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Soros, whose ideal of an "open society" is at odds with Orban's desire to turn Hungary into an "illiberal state."

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David Klepper in Albany, New York, contributed to this report.
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. (AP) - Yellowstone National Park is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information about the shooting death of a rare white wolf near Gardiner, Montana.

The wolf is believed to have been shot April 10 or 11. Wildlife managers euthanized the 12-year-old female wolf after hikers found it injured.

Park Superintendent Dan Wenk says due to an outpouring of donations the park established the Yellowstone Resources Rewards Fund. Up to $25,000 will pay the reward in the wolf shooting case. Any money left over will be used for future resource violation cases in the park.

FILE - In this April 6, 2016, file photo provided by the Yellowstone National Park Service, a white wolf walks in Yellowstone National Park, in Wyo. Yellowstone National Park is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information about the shooting death of a similar rare white wolf near Gardiner, Mont. The wolf is believed to have been shot April 10 or 11. Wildlife managers euthanized the 12-year-old female wolf after hikers found it injured. (Neal Herbert/Yellowstone National Park via AP,File)

Anyone with information is asked to contact the National Park Service Investigative Branch via phone at 1-888-653-0009; via text at 202-379-4761; online at www.nps.gov/isb and click on "submit a tip;" via email at nps_isb@nps.gov; via Facebook message @InvestigativeServicesNPS or via Twitter @SpecialAgentNPS.
GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) - Wyoming U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi is recovering from emergency gallbladder surgery and a spokesman says the Republican hopes to be back on the job soon.

Enzi tells the Gillette News Record (http://bit.ly/2qx2SdY) that he had been feeling a little bit off, and on Sunday, he felt increasingly worse and went to the hospital where doctors removed his gallbladder. The surgery was performed at Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette.

The 73-year-old Enzi, a former mayor of Gillette, missed a scheduled speech Monday at a Gillette cemetery.

Press Secretary Max D'Onofrio says Enzi remained in the hospital Tuesday and hoped to resume his schedule when Congress returns next week to Washington from recess.

Enzi has been a senator since January 1997. He is chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.

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Information from: The Gillette (Wyo.) News Record, http://www.gillettenewsrecord.com
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A federal appeals court has upheld a law that bars people who are in the country illegally from avoiding deportation if they are habitual drunks.

A divided 11-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday said Congress may have reasonably concluded that people who regularly drink alcohol to excess pose a greater risk to themselves and others. The law considers regular drunks not to have good moral character.

The ruling overturned a decision by a smaller 9th Circuit panel that ruled that alcoholism is an illness, not a moral defect.

The decision came in the case of Salomon Ledezma-Cosino, who faced deportation after his arrest in California in 2008 on suspicion of driving under the influence.

His attorney, Kelsi Corkran, said the ruling further stigmatizes alcoholism.
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Serbia's foreign ministry has summoned Macedonia's ambassador to explain why a Serbian intelligence officer and a ruling party official were wiretapped during violent protests last month in Macedonia's capital.

The Belgrade-based KRIK investigative group has released transcripts of what is said were conversations between the Serb intelligence officer, the party official and a leader of the Serb minority in Macedonia. The transcripts allegedly show that the three conspired for pro-Russian interests.

Last week, Macedonia's foreign ministry summoned the Serbian ambassador to Skopje over the presence of a Serbian intelligence officer during a violent invasion of parliament that left more than 100 people injured.

The Macedonian ambassador was asked why only Serbia's ambassador was questioned and not Western envoys whose officials were allegedly also present in parliament during the incident.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The head of the North Carolina NAACP was among more than 30 people arrested Tuesday during a demonstration against Republican lawmakers' refusal to expand Medicaid coverage - the latest in a long string of protests the NAACP and members of the Moral Monday movement have waged since the GOP returned to power in 2013.

With zip-ties on their wrists, the Rev. William Barber and 31 other protesters were led away by police as supporters continued protest chants in support of health care for all.

Before Tuesday's arrests, a group comprising doctors, health care workers, clergy and others marched through the hallways and gathered near the offices of House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger, where other protesters sat outside. Police also arrested some protesters who had entered Brunswick County Republican Sen. Bill Rabon's office.

Rev. William Barber II, center, president of the North Carolina NAACP, is arrested in front of Sen. Phil Berger's office during a sit-in Tuesday, May 30, 2017. More than thirty people were arrested inside the state Legislative Building as they protested Republican lawmakers' refusal to expand Medicaid coverage. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP)

Demonstrators wanted the General Assembly to expand health coverage to poor and disabled people. They also protested in support of preserving the federal health care law passed under former President Barack Obama.

"We never come to get arrested," Barber told the media. "But what we do come to do is exercise our constitutional right."

The arrests came after complaints received by officers, General Assembly Police Chief Martin Brock said. Those taken into custody will face second-degree trespassing charges, Brock added.

In a statement released before the demonstration, Barber said that a universal health care system is a necessity and that health care should be viewed as a human right.

"If you do not consider the poor up front in your policies, according to our Constitution, you are uncivilized and un-Christian," Barber said Wednesday, attacking Republicans' denial of Medicaid expansion and push to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.

According to an NAACP handout distributed to gatherers, the expansion would save the state $3.9 billion in federal funds per year and prevent up to 1,145 unnecessary deaths annually.

"This is about facts...and it's about real people," Barber said. "It's not just about numbers. But there's a face on the numbers."

Protesters announced a health care rally for Tuesday evening on the lawn outside of the Legislative Building.

Barber and his allies have spent the past four years protesting Republican policies on education spending, the environment, the minimum wage and fracking. More than 1,000 people have been arrested since then in nonviolent protests of civil disobedience.

Earlier this month, Barber announced that he is stepping down after 12 years as the NAACP state leader and will focus on a campaign for poor people, just as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. had started before he was assassinated.

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This story has been corrected to reflect that protesters gathered at the office of Sen. Bill Rabon, not Sen. Ronald Rabin.
MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) - The Latest on fight that led to crash that killed 6-year-old Indiana girl (all times local):

5:15 p.m.

A woman who crashed a van on an Indiana road after being punched by her boyfriend has been charged in connection with the death of her 6-year-old daughter who was thrown from the vehicle.

This May 28, 2017 photo provided by the Delaware County Sheriff's Office in Muncie, Ind., shows Nathaniel Jordan. Police say Jordan punched his girlfriend as she was driving a van carrying him and her four children along an Indiana highway Sunday, May 28, 2017, causing a single-car crash that killed her 6-year-old daughter. Jordan faces preliminary neglect, criminal recklessness and other charges. (Delaware County Sheriff's Office via AP)

WRTV-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2rBZLBl ) that 28-year-old Jessica Skeens was arrested Tuesday on preliminary charges that include neglect of a dependent resulting in death and driving while intoxicated causing death.

Police said she had a blood-alcohol level over 08 percent, which is the legal limit.

Taelyn Woodson was killed in Sunday's crash along State Road 67.

Police say Skeens and 27-year-old Nathaniel Jordan were arguing when he punched her and grabbed the steering wheel. The van rolled over in a ditch.

Skeens suffered a broken arm. Jordan and three of Skeens' other children suffered minor injuries.

Jordan faces preliminary neglect and criminal recklessness charges.

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Noon

Police say a man punched his girlfriend as she was driving a van carrying him and her four children along an Indiana highway, causing a single-vehicle crash that killed her 6-year-old daughter.

Twenty-seven-year-old Nathaniel Jordan of Muncie, Indiana, was arrested following Sunday's crash along State Road 67 that killed Taelyn Woodson. Jordan faces preliminary neglect and criminal recklessness charges.

Online records don't list an attorney for Jordan, who remained jailed Tuesday on $57,500 bond.

State Police say 28-year-old Jessica Skeens and front-seat passenger Jordan were arguing when he punched her and grabbed the steering wheel. The van left the highway and rolled over in a ditch about 50 miles northeast of Indianapolis, killing Woodson.

Police say Skeens suffered a broken arm. Jordan and three children were treated for minor injuries.

CORRECTS DAY OF THE WEEK TO SUNDAY, NOT SATURDAY - Indiana State Police investigate a one-vehicle accident on Sunday, May 28, 2017, along the Muncie Bypass where a child was killed. Police say a man punched his girlfriend as she was driving a van carrying him and her four children along an Indiana highway, causing a single-car crash that killed her 6-year-old daughter. (Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press via AP)
PARIS (AP) - The U.N. envoy for Syria says a renewed relationship between France and Russia can help encourage a political solution in Syria.

Staffan de Mistura met on Tuesday in Paris with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

De Mistura referred to Russian President Putin's visit to France a day earlier to meet with newly-elected President Emmanuel Macron.

Both leaders said they don't want Syria to collapse into a failed state. They agreed that progress could be made through a joint effort which, Macron said, "today we laid the foundations for."

Le Drian said he agrees with de Mistura that the immediate priority is to "establish an effective and lasting cease-fire in the whole (Syrian) territory."
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Authorities trailing a man suspected of sexually assaulting and killing two young women who disappeared from their Los Angeles neighborhoods used his DNA to tie him to the 2011 crimes after he spit on a sidewalk.

Geovanni Borjas, 32, was identified as a suspect in the slayings of Michelle Lozano, 17, and Bree'Anna Guzman, 22, after investigators used a controversial DNA testing technique known as familial DNA testing, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said.

The technique enabled investigators to compare forensic evidence from the victims to law enforcement databases to identify likely relatives of the person who may have committed the crime. The search resulted in a match to Borjas' father, whose DNA was on file from a prior arrest, Beck said.

Fernando Duran, right, father of murder victim Bree'Anna Guzman, embraces an unidentified man as the Los Angeles Police Department announces the arrest of a suspect in the 2011 kidnapping and murders of two young women, at police headquarters in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Geovanni Borjas, 32, was charged with two counts each of murder and forcible rape, and one count of kidnapping in the deaths of 17-year-old Michelle Lozano and 22-year-old Bree'Anna Guzman, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Detectives began following Borjas and collected his DNA surreptitiously after he spit on a sidewalk, the chief said. That sample matched the DNA that was collected from the crime scenes and Borjas was arrested Thursday, he said.

Borjas was charged Tuesday with two counts each of murder and forcible rape, and one count of kidnapping and was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon. A call placed to a number listed for Borjas in public records went unanswered Tuesday, and it was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment on the allegations.

Lozano was found dead April 25, 2011, a day after she disappeared from the Lincoln Heights neighborhood. Her body was found wrapped in plastic bags and stuffed inside a container that was dumped in the brush along Interstate 5, police said. An autopsy found she had been strangled.

"Michelle was murdered, she was sexually assaulted and she was discarded," Beck said. "These two murders were horrific."

Borjas is also charged with kidnapping, sexually assaulting and killing Guzman, who had disappeared from the Boyle Heights neighborhood on Dec. 26, 2011. Guzman, who had dreamed of becoming a pastry chef, told family members she was going to a nearby pharmacy to buy cough drops but never returned. Her body was found a month later along a ramp leading to State Route 2.

Detectives have said forensic evidence linked the two slayings, but have declined to provide specific details. Investigators are still trying to determine if Borjas knew the two victims, but he hasn't cooperated with detectives, Beck said.

Several members of Guzman's family attended the police news conference Tuesday afternoon. Her father broke down in tears as he described his daughter's life. He said his daughter did not know Borjas.

"He's in jail and he's never going to leave," Guzman's father, Richard Duran, said in Spanish. "That gives me a lot of happiness. I have closure now."

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said investigators had exhausted every lead in the case and credited the familial DNA testing with giving detectives the break they needed to finally solve the case. The technique has raised ethical issues in the forensics community, but law enforcement officials have argued the testing can provide investigators with valuable leads.

It has been used only a handful of times in Los Angeles and led to the arrest of Lonnie Franklin Jr. in the Grim Sleeper serial killings, which spanned from 1985 to 2007. Sheriff's officials also used it earlier this year to solve the decades-old killing of the ex-wife of Righteous Brothers singer Bill Medley.

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Associated Press writer Amanda Lee Myers contributed to this report.

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Follow Michael Balsamo on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MikeBalsamo1 .

Fernando Duran, father of murder victim Bree'Anna Guzman, thanks authorities as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, left, and Police Chief Charlie Beck announce the arrest of a suspect in the 2011 kidnapping and murders of two young women, at police headquarters in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Geovanni Borjas, 32, was charged with two counts each of murder and forcible rape, and one count of kidnapping in the deaths of 17-year-old Michelle Lozano and 22-year-old Bree'Anna Guzman, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck, left, and Mayor Eric Garcetti announce the arrest of a suspect in the 2011 kidnapping and murders of two young women, at police headquarters in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Geovanni Borjas, 32, was charged with two counts each of murder and forcible rape, and one count of kidnapping in the deaths of 17-year-old Michelle Lozano and 22-year-old Bree'Anna Guzman, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Latest on a deadly stabbing attack on a Portland, Oregon, light-rail train (all times local):

6:40 p.m.

Transit officials plan to halt all buses and trains Friday in a moment of silence honoring the men killed and others affected by the attack on a northeast Portland train.

Votive candles bearing the photos of two men who were fatally stabbed on a Portland, Ore., light-train while trying to stop another man from harassing two young women with an anti-Muslim tirade, sit on a rain-soaked memorial on Tuesday, May 30, 2107 in Portland. Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, and Ricky Best, 53, died in the attack. The suspect, Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, made a first court appearance on charges of aggravated murder and attempted murder Tuesday in a Portland, Oregon courthouse. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (https://goo.gl/y5ktAS ) that MAX operators will stop trains at their nearest station and bus drivers will pull over at stops or along their routes at noon Friday.

TriMet also invites the public to participate in the minute of silence.

"TriMet stands together with our community," the agency said in a statement.

The statement refers to Rick Best, 53; Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23; and Micah Fletcher, 21. Best and Namkai-Meche died of multiple stab wounds. Fletcher was released from an area hospital late on Monday.

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4:40 p.m.

Prosecutors say the man charged with stabbing three men aboard a Portland light-rail train confessed while in the back seat of a patrol car after his arrest.

Court documents released Tuesday say Jeremy Joseph Christian was captured on video and audio surveillance saying he had stabbed three people in the neck. Two died.

The probable cause affidavit written by Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Ryan Lufkin says Christian also calls himself a "patriot" and says, "That's what liberalism gets you" as he discusses the killings.

Christian appeared in court on aggravated murder and other charges Tuesday, but he didn't enter a plea.

His court-appointed attorney, Gregory Scholl, didn't immediately return a call.

Authorities say he stabbed three men who tried to stop him from shouting anti-Muslim slurs at two young women. One of the women was wearing a Muslim head covering and both were black.

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4:05 p.m.

Commotion erupted outside the courtroom as the man charged with stabbing three men aboard a Portland light-rail train was arraigned.

Just as Jeremy Christian concluded his brief appearance, yelling and screaming could be heard from the hallway as supporters of the victims confronted a supporter of the defendant.

Deputies escorted the man from the scene, prompting the group to lash out at law enforcement for protecting him.

Those involved in the confrontation could not get into the courtroom because all the seats were taken.

Courtroom security barred spectators from leaving the arraignment until the disruption simmered down.

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3:20 p.m.

The lone man to survive a stabbing attack on a Portland, Oregon, light rail train says he's having a difficult time processing what happened.

KGW-TV reports (https://goo.gl/HJjwpI) that Micah Fletcher says he's focusing on trying to get better. "I got stabbed in the neck on my way to work, randomly, by a stranger I don't know, for trying to just be a nice person," he said. "Like, I don't know what to do after that, you know."

He told the TV station, "I'm healing. That's what I'm doing. As much as I can, in whatever way I can."

A hospital spokeswoman says Fletcher was released Monday night.

Authorities say Jeremy Christian on Friday started verbally abusing two young women, including one wearing a hijab. Police say when three other men on the train, including Fletcher, intervened, Christian attacked them. Two men were killed.

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2:54 p.m.

The man police say fatally stabbed two men who tried to shield young women from an anti-Muslim tirade shouted "you call it terrorism I call it patriotism!" during his first court appearance.

Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, was in Multnomah County courtroom Tuesday afternoon facing two counts of felony aggravated murder and other charges for the Friday incident on a Portland, Oregon, light-rail train.

He made repeated outbursts in court.

He has been appointed public defenders. Lane Borg, the head of the local public defender agency, said the office was "saddened by this tragedy" but urged people to let the justice system take its course.

Authorities say Christian started verbally abusing two young women, including one wearing a hijab. Three men on the train intervened before police say Christian attacked them, killing two and wounding one.

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1:43 p.m.

The man charged with stabbing three men on a Portland light-rail train told jailers that he has no income, no mental health issues and does not remember the last time he had a permanent address.

Court documents based on Jeremy Christian's interview at the Multnomah County Jail show he was concerned about free speech. The interviewer wrote that Christian became loud and animated when talking about what he believed to be the suppression of free speech.

Christian says he went to school through 9th grade, but passed the high school equivalency exam commonly known as the G.E.D. and took some community college classes.

Christian has three prior felonies.

Christian faces aggravated murder and other charges. Police say he went into a racist tirade on the train and stabbed the men who intervened, killing two and wounding a third.

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12:20 p.m.

The homicide detective investigating a triple stabbing on a Portland light-rail train says in court documents that surveillance and cellphone video shows 35-year-old Jeremy Christian cutting the three victims with a knife last Friday.

Detective Michele Michaels says in a probable cause affidavit made public Tuesday that the videos have audio of Christian spewing racial and religious epithets during the attack that killed two men and wounded a third.

Michaels says surviving victim Micah Fletcher told her Christian yelled the epithets and also threatened to decapitate people.

Police and witnesses say the victims were defending two teen girls who were the focus of Christian's tirade. One is black and the other was wearing a hijab. Michaels says the girls told her they had felt threatened.

Christian faces charges of aggravated murder and other crimes.

He told jailers he has no permanent address.

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10:10 a.m.

The mother of a 23-year-old man stabbed to death on a Portland light-rail train while trying to defend two young women from an anti-Muslim tirade has asked President Trump to encourage Americans to protect and watch out for each other.

In a letter to Trump, Asha Deliverance said her son Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche and two other men acted did not hesitate to confront the bully because the two female passengers were being harassed. Her son and another man died. A third man was injured and released from a hospital Tuesday.

Deliverance says she is grieving but proud of her son's selfless action.

She urged Trump to condemn acts of violence that result from hate speech and hate groups. She says such a step would deeply honor her son's sacrifice.

The president said in a tweet Monday that the three stabbing victims stood up to hate and intolerance, and the attack was unacceptable.

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8:55 a.m.

The lone surviving victim of a triple stabbing aboard a Portland light-rail train has been released from the hospital.

Micah Fletcher suffered a neck wound Friday after coming to the defense of two young women who were verbally abused by a man before he allegedly stabbed Fletcher and two other men who died. One of the women was wearing a hijab.

Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Julie Reed spokeswoman said Tuesday that the 21-year-old man was discharged.

Fletcher is a local college student and poet.

Back in high school, he won a citywide Portland Public Schools poetry slam. In one of his poems, he spoke out against the prejudice faced by Muslims since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

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12:23 a.m.

The man police say fatally stabbed two other men who tried to shield young women from an anti-Muslim tirade on a Portland, Oregon, light-rail train makes his initial court appearance Tuesday and the city's mayor says he hopes the slayings will inspire "changes in the political dialogue in this country."

Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, faces two counts of felony aggravated murder and other charges.

The attack happened Friday, the first day of Ramadan, the holiest time of the year for Muslims. Authorities say Christian started verbally abusing two young women, including one wearing a hijab. Three other men on the train intervened before police say Christian attacked them, killing two and wounding one.

President Donald Trump condemned the stabbings, writing Monday on Twitter: "The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them."

Mayor Ted Wheeler said he appreciated Trump's words but stressed the need for action. Wheeler urged organizers to cancel a "Trump Free Speech Rally" in Portland and other similar events next weekend, saying they are inappropriate and could be dangerous.

Jeremy Joseph Christian shouts as he is arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Authorities say Christian started verbally abusing two young women, including one wearing a hijab. When three men on the train intervened, police say, Christian attacked them, killing two and wounding one. (Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian via AP, Pool)

Micah Fletcher, a victim of a stabbing attack on a light rail train that left two dead, watches as suspect Jeremy Christian is arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland, Ore., Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Authorities say Christian started verbally abusing two young women, including one wearing a hijab on the train Friday, when three men on the train intervened. (Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian via AP, Pool)

A young woman comforts a crying man outside the courtroom after Jeremy Christian was arraigned in Portland, Ore, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Christian was in Multnomah County courtroom facing two counts of felony aggravated murder and other charges for a stabbing incident last Friday, May 26, 2017, on a Portland light-rail train. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

A message at a rain-soaked memorial to two men who were fatally stabbed while trying to stop another man from shouting anti-Muslim insults at two young women on a Portland, Oregon, light-rail train, urges residents not to forget Mulugeta Seraw, a young Ethiopian man who was beaten to death by white supremacists with a baseball bat in Portland nearly 30 years ago. The suspect in last week's attack, 35-year-old Jeremy Joseph Christian, made a first court appearance on charges of aggravated murder and attempted murder Tuesday. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus)
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Former NAACP head Ben Jealous is running for governor of Maryland, his campaign announced Tuesday.

The Democratic candidate will formally announce at a news conference in Baltimore on Wednesday morning, campaign officials said in a statement.

Jealous backed former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders last year and has been a strong supporter of former President Barack Obama.

FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2013 file photo, NAACP president and CEO Benjamin Jealous speaks at the Let Freedom Ring ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The former NAACP head announced Tuesday, May 30, 2017, that he will seek the Democratic nomination for governor of Maryland, and the candidate will formally make the announcement at a news conference in Baltimore on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

"I want to protect the Obama legacy, bring Bernie's dreams to reality, and build a future for Maryland that harnesses our shared hopes and dreams," Jealous said in the statement.

Jealous, 44, could be running in a crowded Democratic primary to take on Republican Gov. Larry Hogan next year. Maryland is a blue state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1.

Jealous was elected president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 2008, when he was 35. He was the youngest person ever elected to the position.

Under Jealous, the nation's largest civil rights group worked to abolish death penalty laws, opposed "stop-and-frisk" police tactics and "stand-your-ground" self-defense laws, and embraced gay rights in a historic 2012 vote to support same-sex marriage rights.

Jealous also was credited with boosting the organization's finances and helping to stabilize it.

Jealous will be announcing his candidacy Wednesday at Baltimore Blossoms, a flower store opened by his cousin Rachelle after the unrest in Baltimore prompted by the 2015 death of Freddie Gray in police custody.
EARTH CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Republican Gov. Eric Greitens signed legislation Tuesday to ban local governments from mandating union working conditions for construction projects, a move he touted as a way to lower costs of public construction but met pushback from Democrats and unions.

Missouri counties, cities and other local governments currently have the option to issue bid requirements mandating union working conditions for contractors if the projects are less than half funded by the state.

Greitens in a statement said those agreements "drive up the cost of construction and kill jobs."

The measure passed this year by the Republican-led Legislature will ban the practice completely. Governments that violate the law will lose state funding and tax credits for two years. It takes effect Aug. 28.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who signed similar legislation in April, during a bill signing by Greitens at a remanufacturing plant in suburban St. Louis praised the action by Missouri's new GOP governor.

"It's nice to have a governor who's actually delivering on behalf of the workers and taxpayers in this state," Walker said.

Greitens and other supporters said the change will give more opportunities to non-union contractors and make it cheaper to build schools and other public buildings.

But some Democratic opponents in the Legislature argued it limits local choice, will lead to low-quality workmanship on public buildings and will mean lower wages for workers.

St. Louis Democrat Sen. Jake Hummel, the secretary-treasurer of the state AFL-CIO union, told The Associated Press the so-called project labor agreements are rare and used to ensure projects are completed on time, under budget and with skilled laborers.

"When we're talking about such a small amount of projects, why are we making sure that we're taking one more tool out of a local government's toolbox?" Hummel said.

Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Webber in a statement said Greitens' signature is "rubbing salt in the wounds of working families by celebrating another attack on their paychecks," referencing legislation passed this year to ban local minimum wages that are higher than the state's wage floor.

Webber also said Walker's appearance shows the governor "is attacking local workers in order to impress big money and corporate donors from around the country."

The legislation is one of several changes to state labor policies proposed by Greitens, who took office in January.

Within a month of taking office, Greitens signed a right-to-work law banning mandatory union fees - a big win for Republicans. His election has eased the path for labor legislation supported by Republican legislative leaders that failed to become law under former Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

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Associated Press writer Summer Ballentine contributed to this report from Jefferson City, Missouri.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has insisted he would not soften Britains foreign policy if he became prime minister, after Conservative claims that he would be soft on terrorism.

Mr Corbyns attempt, in the wake of last weeks Manchester bombing, to draw a link between British involvement in military interventions overseas and terrorism at home led to Tory accusations that he was making excuses for extremists.

But on the Sky News/Channel 4 Battle for Number Ten general election TV special, Mr Corbyn condemned the bomber for his appalling, abominable and atrocious act.

We will deliver a profound change in our society.



Britain, under a Labour government, will work #ForTheMany. #BattleForNumber10 pic.twitter.com/k1Yzn3Kx0R  Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) May 29, 2017

Mr Corbyn and Theresa May were being questioned separately by studio audiences and interviewed by Jeremy Paxman, after the Prime Minister refused to go head-to-head with other party leaders in a debate.

Challenged over whether he would soften the UKs foreign policy, Mr Corbyn said: Its not about softening our foreign policy. Its about absolutely condemning what happened in Manchester.

He added: We have to have a foreign policy around the world that doesnt leave large areas without any effective government  such as in Libya at the present time  which can become a breeding ground for enormous danger for all of us.

Remember the rules: Labour must give all costings and details.

Tories dont need to give any costings or details.#BattleForNumber10  David Schneider (@davidschneider) May 29, 2017

My point was absolute condemnation. My point was that we need more police not less  thats why weve pledged to provide 10,000 more police on our streets  and we need a foreign policy that doesnt leave large areas of the world ungoverned so that we have a more secure future for all of us.

Do not allow this to become an attack on our multicultural society or the wonderful faith of Islam. This was a perversion of Islam, what was done in Manchester.

Asked whether he would provide backing for fighters taking on the Islamic State terror group in Syria, Mr Corbyn said that the anti-IS forces on the ground were complex and sometimes fighting each other.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn answers questions from the studio audience during a joint Channel 4 and Sky News general election programme (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

He said: We have to cut off the funds for IS, cut off the arms for IS, cut off their publicity as well, but also bring about a peace process in Syria by reconvening the Geneva talks, including all the neighbouring countries as well as Iran, but also bring about a constructive dialogue in Libya, so we dont have huge areas of that country, with all its oil wealth, ungoverned and a prey for this kind of thing.

Mr Corbyn was challenged by an audience member who claimed the Labour leader had openly supported the IRA in the past by attending a commemoration for eight IRA members killed by the SAS in Loughgall.

Mr Corbyn said there was a period of silence for everyone who died in Northern Ireland at the 1987 event.

Well, at least there is one Jeremy that @Theresa_May isn't too scared to debate #BattleForNumber10  Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) May 29, 2017

When pressed further, Mr Corbyn said: The contribution I made to that meeting was to call for a peace and dialogue process in Northern Ireland.

Its only by dialogue and process we brought about peace in Northern Ireland and I think thats a good thing. And I think going forward, we need to make sure in the Brexit negotiations there is no return to any kind of hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Defending champion Garbine Muguruza moved safely into round two of the French Open but the home nation almost lost its great hope on only the second day of the tournament.

Kristina Mladenovic has been one of the standout players of 2017 and arrived in Paris with ambitions of becoming the first French winner of a singles title at Roland Garros since Mary Pierce in 2000.

But a back problem suffered in practice on Sunday almost put paid to her chances before she had started and she needed all her fighting spirit to defeat Jennifer Brady 3-6 6-3 9-7 in a match that lasted one minute short of three hours.

ALLEZ KIKI



The Chatrier crowd goes wild as @KikiMladenovic wins 2hr59min battle over Brady 3-6 6-3 9-7. #RG17 pic.twitter.com/vq61UYxKNu  Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 29, 2017

Mladenovic left the court for treatment after losing the first three games and cried at the end having finally served out the victory at the third time of asking.

She explained: I did a wrong movement and I blocked my back. If it were not Roland Garros, I wouldnt have walked into the courts today. Thats to tell you how bad this was.

This morning was way better, but it was really bad still for being at the top level of playing. And especially on the serve.

I thought I was out of this tournament. But I took some medications when I went off at 3-0, and the doctor said to give it a try and see.

Kristina Mladenovic

Mladenovic is due to face former runner-up Sara Errani in the second round on Wednesday, and she is confident she will have recovered.

The 24-year-old said: Its nothing dangerous and bad, and it can release in couple of hours or a couple of days. Im lucky I have a good team and good specialists around me.

Im positive about my conditioning on Wednesday. Just extremely happy to give myself a chance to be still in the tournament, and Im sure I will come back better.

Muguruza has had a tough time since winning her maiden grand slam title here last year with victory over Serena Williams.

The Spaniard has not made the final at any tournament since but appears to have come into some form again and saw off another former champion, 2010 winner Francesca Schiavone, 6-2 6-4.

I think it was a tough first match, Muguruza said. Schiavone can be a very tricky player. I think she has moments where shes unbelievable.

Im happy that I managed to be composed out there, because I wasnt sure how I was going to react again on the centre court, playing against an ex-champ.

Rather than drawing strength from her achievements of 12 months ago, Muguruza is trying to put it out of her mind.

I know I played good here before, she said. That doesnt make me extra confident this year. I think I have to earn that confidence here, and, like today, going out there, trying to deal with things. Thats what brings me confidence. Not remembering how I played last year.

Second seed Karolina Pliskova has been under the radar in the build-up because of her relative lack of success on clay but the Czech made a solid start, beating Zheng Saisai 7-5 6-2.

Caroline Wozniacki withstood a fine challenge from 17-year-old Australian wildcard Jaimee Fourlis, eventually winning 6-4 3-6 6-2, while dark horses Sam Stosur and Kiki Bertens also won.
A significant number of holidaymakers are still without their luggage as British Airways continues to recover from the chaos caused by a major system failure.

The airline said its IT systems are back up and running and it was operating a full schedule on Tuesday but apologised to those who had not been reunited with their bags.

Travellers getting away for half-term breaks were stranded at airports over the bank holiday weekend and have been forced to start their holidays without their baggage.

Our Chairman and CEO, Alex Cruz, apologises for the disruption caused by the recent IT system issues and... https://t.co/DRqwuM3SvF  British Airways (@British_Airways) May 29, 2017

In the latest update for passengers on its website, BA said: Although we have already flown many bags to the correct airport, there is still some work to do and we know there are still significant numbers of customers who are yet to receive their luggage.

Passengers left without luggage are being advised they can claim money back for essential items.

A BA spokesman said: We are very sorry for the frustration customers are experiencing and understand the difficulties they are facing.

Beyond carnage!! Hope we make our flight for the World Championships @British_Airways #dusseldorf #bigbackhands pic.twitter.com/nQp8EuzSdd  Chloe Thomas Wu Zhang (@Clopingpong) May 28, 2017

Were working round the clock to reunite customers with their luggage. We are delivering bags to customers, at homes or hotels, as soon as the bags arrive at their final destination.

Customers can update their personal details or check the very latest status of their bag delivery on ba.com.

Experts predict the knock-on effect of the IT outage could continue for several days and BA is facing huge compensation costs, with reports suggesting the bill could top 100 million.

Passengers queuing at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 (Emily Wilson/PA)

The airlines parent company, IAG, saw shares fall by around 3% in the first day of trading in London after the problem emerged.

Shares in IAG, which is also listed in Madrid, had already tumbled heavily in trading in Spain on Monday, wiping around 410 million euro (357 million) off the stock.

BA has said there is no evidence it was the victim of a cyber attack and added the cause of the IT issues was a surge after total power failure.

Following a worldwide IT systems failure this weekend, @British_Airways expect to run a full flight schedule at Heathrow today. [1/2]  Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) May 30, 2017

We're working with @British_Airways to get delayed bags to passengers as soon as possible. Visit https://t.co/8m4SXjzH65 for more info [2/2]  Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) May 30, 2017

The spokesman said: It was not an IT issue, it was a power issue. There was a total loss of power.

The power then returned in an uncontrolled way, causing physical damage to the IT servers.

We know what happened, we are investigating why it happened.

Remember when Theresa May was warned about security risks of BA outsourcing IT, ignored warnings & failed to act? https://t.co/AynBr89qck  GMB Union (@GMB_union) May 29, 2017

BA chief executive Alex Cruz has promised a full investigation into the failure, which affected 75,000 passengers as thousands of flights were cancelled.

He said: On Saturday morning we did have a power surge. It did affect our communications systems.

We are now focusing on making sure everyones needs are addressed. We will make an in-depth investigation to make sure we get to the bottom of exactly why this happened and we will react.

Absolutely this will not happen again at British Airways.
Arsenal are expected to announce whether Arsene Wenger will continue as their manager on Wednesday afternoon.

The FA Cup winners are refusing to confirm widespread reports that Wenger, 67, has agreed terms on a new two-year contact at the Emirates Stadium.

Wengers future has been up in the air for much of the season as both he and the club refused to publicly announce their intentions.

The Frenchman has been at the helm for almost 21 years and, despite a section of supporters calling for him to depart this summer when his contract expires, he is now expected to further that stay after holding talks with Arsenals board on Tuesday.

Having failed to qualify for a Champions League place for the first time since 1996, the pressure on Wengers future undoubtedly increased with the Frenchman previously admitting that the continuing uncertainty led to an absolutely horrendous environment at the club this season and contributed to their fifth-place finish in the Premier League.

Wenger added: Once the game starts and you are a fan, you stand behind the team, that is what I have not accepted this season and I will never accept it.

Arsenal's season ended on a high as they lifted the FA Cup (Adam Davy/PA)

Outside of the game I never had any word with any journalist in 20 years when they criticised my decisions and it is the same with the fans.

But when a game starts you support your team. We have played some games in a hostile environment and I never accept that.

Nine wins from their final 10 matches saw the Gunners turn what looked like a disappointing season into a somewhat positive one with Saturdays FA Cup success moving Arsenal ahead of Manchester United as the most successful team in the competitions history.

Following that victory at Wembley, Wenger was asked if he would be preparing a presentation ahead of the meeting and the Frenchman said: The best presentation is to watch the game.

Ive played until the end of my contract, which is today basically. I think I have shown you that I have exactly the same commitment.

For me, the contract does not have special meaning but, because of the debate, maybe I should have sorted that out earlier.

The long-standing uncertainty over Wengers future at the club led to planes carrying anti-Wenger slogans, boycotts of home games and signs and banners being displayed inside stadiums during away games.

In the midst of those protests, the club endured a turbulent spell as Arsenal crashed out of the Champions League following a 10-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich in February and suffered crushing away defeats against Liverpool, West Brom and Crystal Palace.

Could Wenger turn his back on Arsenal? (Barrington Coombs/EMPICS Sport)

Despite beating Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final, Arsenals superiority over rivals Tottenham all but ended with a 2-0 defeat in the north London derby as Spurs went on to finish above their neighbours for the first time since 1995.

However, Arsenal would reel off four consecutive league wins to push the fight for a top-four place until the final day and despite a 3-1 victory over Everton, the Gunners missed out by one point.

Earlier on Tuesday, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright spoke of his fears Wenger could leave the Gunners totally in the lurch by walking away this week  fears that could soon be allayed.

Ian Wright has voiced his concerns about the future at Arsenal (Richard Sellers/EMPICS)

Writing in his column in The Sun, Wright said: Ive got a nasty feeling Arsene Wenger will walk away from the Arsenal job today, leaving the club totally in the lurch.

And you would have to say it would serve them right, because there has been absolutely no forward planning for the day when he finally left the Emirates.

The only way the board should have let him run down his contract is if they had private assurances he was staying.

Otherwise, it is total incompetence to get to this stage.
The Labour Party has accused the Conservatives of never caring about Wales as it launched a new poster warning of the dangers of another Tory government.

The poster  Dont let the Tories trample over Wales  is being unveiled in Cardiff by Welsh Labour leader and First Minister Carwyn Jones, shadow Welsh secretary Christina Rees and campaign chairman Wayne David.

We've just launched our new election advert. Our message is clear - Don't let the Tories trample over Wales #StandingUpForWales pic.twitter.com/OfqHGr1DhE  Welsh Labour (@WelshLabour) May 30, 2017

Mr Jones will say Wales could not afford another five years of Conservative rule in Westminster and will warn of more cruel cuts should Theresa Mays party win next weeks General Election.

This election is crucial for the future of Wales, and the stakes for local communities could not be higher, he will say.

Its communities like this that will suffer the hardest with five more years of cruel cuts. We simply cannot let the Tories trample all over Wales again. All the progress weve made as a country  with our investment in health and education, our support for manufacturing and industry, building new schools, hospitals and homes  is at risk.

Labour Party poster

Mr Jones will say that Wales could face a return to the 1980s with a Conservative government being given a free rein.

The simple truth behind the big Tory deceit is this: the Tories have never cared about Wales, he will say.

Prime Minister Theresa May (right) and First Minister Carwyn Jones (Ben Birchall/PA)

The last time they ran Wales, they crushed the hope and aspiration of a country, devastating communities, dismantling our industries and destroying the life chances of successive generations.

Only a vote for Welsh Labour can stop the Tories.

A vote for Welsh Labour is a vote for free school breakfasts, building new schools and hospitals, support for jobs and industries like steel, for more police on the streets, for investment in rail, and big new energy projects.

These are Welsh Labour policies, Welsh Labour priorities  but they need the partnership of a Welsh Labour government and a strong team of Welsh Labour MPs in Westminster.

Every vote for a Welsh Labour candidate on June 8 will help us stand up for Wales together  and stop the Tories trampling all over Wales again.

A recent poll gave the Conservatives a 6% lead over Labour in Wales and predicted Mrs Mays party would win nine seats from Labour  giving the Tories the majority of Parliamentary seats in Wales for the first time in the democratic era.
A 37-year-old man has appeared in court charged under the Terrorism Act after being arrested at Stansted Airport.

Dutch national Aweys Faqey, of north London, was charged on Tuesday with preparing acts of terrorism after his arrest on May 23.

It is alleged that he obtained or applied for cash loans and bought tickets to fly to Turkey.

Aweys Faqey was arrested at Stansted Airport (Chris Radburn/PA)

A 37yo man has been charged under the Terrorism Act following his arrest at Stansted... https://t.co/V2pktAWgjK pic.twitter.com/2NS9K4fzs9  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) May 30, 2017

The charge also says he attended Stansted Airport in possession of 700 dollars (544) and 400 euros (347).

Somalian-born Faqey appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon and spoke only to confirm his identity.

Faqey, who has a wife and five children in the Netherlands, and a wife and child in Kenya, has lived in the UK since 2013.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on June 9.
Andy Murrays amazing powers of defence gave him the impetus to put early doubts behind him in a first-round French Open win over Andrey Kuznetsov.

The world number one arrived in Paris short of form and confidence and nursing a heavy cold after only four wins since February.

Play in the clay!



In his first match on Chatrier since the 2016 final, @andy_murray manages a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 win over Kuznetsov. #RG17 pic.twitter.com/swTp2kKBRB  Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2017

The Scot showed why he has been struggling in the second set, allowing Russian Kuznetsov, ranked 73, to dictate and aiming sarcastic grins and applause at his box.

But a remarkable point early in the second set put him on the right course. Chasing a lob that looked certain to win the point, Murray somehow hooked it back over his shoulder, Kuznetsov netted the smash and the top seed went on to win 6-4 4-6 6-2 6-0.

It was a good get, said Murray. When the lob went up, I thought that I wouldnt be able to reach it, but I did. I think he made a couple of simple errors after that. I got the break, and then obviously didnt look back from there.

It definitely got better as it went on. I started to move a bit better towards the end. I was hitting the ball better when I was defending. Thats something the last few weeks I havent done so well and didnt start off the match doing particularly well.

But once I was getting a little bit more on my ball when I was defending, there werent too many openings for him in the points. It was a decent start, considering obviously how I played in the build-up.

Andrey Kuznetsov

The first set was a mixed bag. Murray held on to his serve having lost the opening three points of the match, then broke the Russian to lead 4-2. And a poor game when he was serving for the set was swiftly cancelled out by a break to love.

From 1-2 in the second set, Kusnetsov won four games in a row and, although Murray retrieved one break, the Russian served out the set at the second attempt to level the match.

The contest looked like it could go either way but, once Murray took control, he showed the sort of ruthlessness that bodes well for the rest of the tournament.

Andy Murray

In the fourth set, the 30-year-old toyed with his opponent, pulling him forward time and again with drop shots as he reeled off eight games in a row to finish the match.

Murray said: Some of the shots towards the end of the match, its obviously a lot easier to play them when youre two sets to one up and 4-0 or 5-0 up, its a bit easier to have the freedom to try a drop shot or a lob or a big return.

Its a bit different doing it at that stage than at 4-4 in the first set. But it was good towards the end. It was better. I still think I can do some things a bit better than I did today, obviously.

The Scot will next face Slovakian Martin Klizan, who was involved in a bad-tempered encounter with French wild card Laurent Lokoli.

Kyle Edmund

Kyle Edmund made it three Brits into the second round with a 6-3 6-2 7-5 victory over Portugals Gastao Elias.
Police are hunting for a dangerous prisoner - believed to be armed with a razor blade - who has escaped from a hospital.

Michal Kisier, 30, gave his guards at Salisbury District Hospital the slip at 7pm.

He was in the hospital receiving treatment for a head wound.

Michal Kisier escaped from Salisbury District Hospital and is believed to be carrying a razor blade (Wiltshire Police/PA)

Kisier is described as white, 5ft 6in tall with blonde hair and of medium build with tattoos on his neck. He was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a black t-shirt with blue trainers.

Wiltshire Police said Kisier is believed to have a razor blade in his possession and is considered to be dangerous.

The public are advised not to approach him for their own safety. If anyone sees a man matching the description they should call 999 immediately, a force spokeswoman said.

Police officers and dogs are searching the area and a helicopter is also assisting in the search.

Search ongoing for escaped prisoner in Salisbury, Follow link for more information and call 999 with any sightings https://t.co/RTHdFBVYP0  Wiltshire Police (@wiltshirepolice) May 30, 2017

Inspector Martyn Sweett said: My officers are doing everything they can to find Kisier and we will keep the community updated.

We ask that the public are vigilant and call us on 999 with any sightings but it is important that you do not approach him.

Kisiers real name is Michal Kisiel and he sometimes uses the spelling Michael.
BUENOS AIRES, May 29 (Reuters) - A strike by one of the labor unions at Barrick Gold Corp's Veladero mine in Argentina, the site of three cyanide solution spills in 18 months, has ended, the company said on Monday.

Formal talks have started with the union to address their concerns, Barrick said in a statement. It did not say what these concerns were.

The AOMA union could not immediately be reached for comment.

The strike, which began early on Sunday, was the latest blow to hit the mine, one of Barrick's five core operations.

Leaching activities at Veladero have been restricted since March 29 when a pipe carrying cyanide solution used for processing gold from ore failed at the mine's heap leach facility.

Construction in the heap leach valley that is needed for full operations to resume at the mine was not affected by the work stoppage, Barrick said. It said it still expects to resume normal leaching activities in the second half of June.

The government of Argentina's San Juan province, where Veladero is located, said earlier this month that it had approved a plan for improving safety following the facility's most recent cyanide solution spill.

Barrick's stock was little changed, up 5 Canadian cents at C$22.08 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Barrick, the world's biggest gold producer, agreed in April to sell 50 percent of Veladero to China's Shandong Gold Mining Co Ltd for $960 million. (Reporting by Nicolas Misculin in Buenos Aires and Parikshit Mishra in Bengaluru; Writing by Hugh Bronstein and Nicole Mordant; Editing by Steve Orlofsky and Sandra Maler)
MILAN, May 29 (Reuters) - Monte dei Paschi di Siena said on Monday it was in exclusive talks with a domestic fund and a group of investors over the sale of its bad loan portfolio, which it needs to offload before it can be taken over by the state.

The negotiations mark the latest stage in a long-running process to rescue the world's oldest bank, which includes efforts to enable it to shed its bad loans.

Italy's fourth biggest bank had 26 billion euros ($29.04 billion) in gross defaulting debts at the end of last year and has set a June 28 deadline for the talks with Quaestio, the fund which manages Italy's banking industry rescue fund Atlante and will also conduct negotiations on behalf of other investors.

The bank did not name those investors but sources have said they are U.S. private equity fund Fortress and Italian bad loan manager Credito Fondiario, in which U.S. fund Elliott has a 44 percent stake.

Monte dei Paschi, which emerged as Europe's weakest bank in stress tests in July last year, has requested a state bailout to help to fill an 8.8 billion euro capital shortfall after failing to raise funds on the market in December.

The bank expects to get a nod from European regulators by the end of June, a source close to the matter said, after months of negotiations over the terms of its bailout and a restructuring plan that is set to include thousands of job cuts.

This would pave the way for the Italian government to take a stake of around 70 percent in the bank as early as in July, the source said.

Part of the capital shortfall will be plugged through the conversion of junior debt into shares in line with new European rules seeking to limit the use of taxpayer money to rescue ailing banks.

While talks to save the Tuscan bank seem to be heading towards a positive conclusion, Rome faces a much bigger hurdle winning EU backing for a state rescue of two Veneto-based regional lenders. The two, Popolare di Vicenza and Veneto Banca, have a combined capital shortfall of 6.4 billion euros.

To allow Monte dei Paschi to shift the bad debts off its balance sheet, Atlante and the other investors are set to take on the majority of some tranches of bad loans repackaged as securities, sources close to the matter told Reuters last week.

The sources said Atlante and the other investors could buy the junior and mezzanine tranches in a securitisation of Monte dei Paschi's bad loan portfolio for 1.3 billion euros, while the senior tranche would be backed by a state guarantee and sold to institutional investors.

One of the sources said Fortress and Credito Fondiario were carrying out due diligence on the portfolio, which was expected to close on June 9. Fortress, Elliott and Credito Fondiario declined to comment. ($1 = 0.8953 euros) (Reporting by Silvia Aloisi. Editing by Jane Merriman)
By Alexander Tanas

CHISINAU, May 29 (Reuters) - Moldova's pro-European government expelled five Russian diplomats on Monday, a move the country's Moscow-backed president Igor Dodon described as "outrageous" and aimed at undermining Moldova-Russia relations.

Moldova has been ruled by a succession of pro-European Union administrations but Dodon's election in late 2016 reflected a loss of trust in its leaders as well as Russia's increasingly assertive influence over ex-Soviet states.

Moldova's government gave no reasons for the expulsions. Russia's ambassador to Moldova, Farit Mukhametshin, confirmed the sanction but gave no further details.

"The government has taken an outrageous step regarding our strategic partner, Russia," Dodon said in a Facebook post.

"This has most likely been done on orders from the West, maybe even from across the ocean, by those who are worried that a constructive and effective dialogue has finally been found between the presidency and the Kremlin," he said.

As in Ukraine and Georgia, past moves by Chisinau to forge closer ties with the EU were met with strong resistance from Moscow. In 2014 when Moldova signed a political and trade pact with the EU, Russia imposed a retaliatory ban on Moldovan produce.

Dodon won the presidential race after campaigning to put the brakes on seven years of closer relations with the EU, after a massive corruption scandal sapped the popularity of his pro-Brussels rivals.

Even so, Moldova's parliamentary majority and government remain close allies of Europe.

Earlier this year, Moldovan officials accused Russia's security apparatus of seeking to derail a Moldovan probe into a Russian-led money laundering operation by harassing Moldovan officials as they traveled to or through Russia.

Moldova, Europe's poorest country, borders EU member Romania, with which it has close linguistic and cultural ties, but remains heavily reliant on Russian energy supplies. (Additional reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Dmitry Solovyov in Moscow; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Larry King and Richard Lough)
BOGOTA, May 29 (Reuters) - Colombia and the Marxist FARC rebel group have agreed to extend a weapon hand-in deadline for guerrilla fighters by 20 days, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Monday, after logistical delays slowed parts of the group's demobilization process.

The Andean country and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels signed a peace deal late last year to put an end to more than 52 years of war. The conflict, which also includes a smaller rebel group and paramilitary gangs, has killed more than 220,000 people.

Under the accord, rejected in a public referendum but pushed through by congress, all rebels are required to live in special camps around the country and hand in all their weapons to the United Nations, which is overseeing the demobilization process.

Rebel commanders, however, complained that the 180-day hand-in period, which expires May 30, would not be sufficient because of camp construction delays, including setting up sanitation and housing.

"In a joint agreement with the United Nations and the FARC we have agreed that the arms hand-over will not end tomorrow as had been planned, but instead within 20 days," Santos said in a televised speech.

"The change in date does not in any way affect the firm decision and clear commitment of the government and the FARC to comply with the accord," he said, adding the rebels' stay in the demobilization camps would also be extended until August 1.

Nearly 7,000 rebels have been living in the 26 camps since the beginning of the year. Some commanders will be prosecuted in special tribunals for war crimes, but the majority of fighters will receive amnesty and government support to reintegrate.

Earlier this month the Constitutional Court struck down two provisions meant to speed approval of laws tied to the peace deal, which the FARC said posed a threat to the process. A broad peace law has already been approved by Congress, as has the amnesty law, but the ruling will likely extend debate in congress on pending projects about rural reform and political participation for the FARC.

Despite the potential delays, Santos' coalition has a majority in Congress and looks set to pass the legislation. (Reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Andrew Hay)
CARACAS, May 29 (Reuters) - Two Venezuelan opposition leaders were wounded on Monday by security forces dispersing protests in the capital Caracas against President Nicolas Maduro, according to one of the leaders and an opposition legislator.

Maduro's adversaries have for two months been blocking highways and setting up barricades in protests demanding he call early elections and address an increasingly severe economic crisis that has left millions struggling to get enough to eat.

Fifty-nine people have died in the often violent street melees, which Maduro calls an effort to overthrow his government.

"We were ambushed," said two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, who accompanied protesters in an effort to march to the headquarter of the government ombudsman's office but was blocked by security forces.

"This government is capable of killing or burning anything," Capriles said in a press conference.

He said 16 others were injured in the march, adding that he would file a complaint about the issue with state prosecutors.

Legislator Jose Olivares, who is a doctor, tweeted a picture of a bruise on Capriles' face that he said was the result of a soldier hitting him with a helmet during the clashes.

During the same march, opposition deputy Carlos Paparoni was knocked to the ground by a a water cannon sprayed from a truck, requiring that he receive stitches in his head, Olivares said.

The Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Corina Pons, writing by Brian Ellsworth; Editing by Andrew Hay)
TOKYO/BEIJING, May 30 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's top security adviser has urged China to play a bigger role in restraining North Korea's nuclear and missile development programmes, Japan's foreign ministry said in a statement.

National security adviser Shotaro Yachi made the remarks in a meeting near Tokyo with China's top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, on Monday, the same day that North Korea conducted the latest in a quick succession of missile tests.

Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency said on Tuesday a new ballistic missile controlled by a precision guidance system had been tested and that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had ordered the development of more powerful strategic weapons.

Yachi told Yang during five hours of discussion that North Korea's actions had reached a new level of provocation.

"Japan and China need to work together to strongly urge North Korea to avoid further provocative actions and obey things like United Nations resolutions," Yachi was quoted as telling Yang, urging China to take on a bigger role.

They also discussed regional issues of concern, with China's foreign ministry saying in a statement that Yang told Japan it should view China's development as an opportunity, not a threat, and that it should deal with issues like the South China Sea and Taiwan cautiously and keep its word.

China, the world's second-largest economy, and Japan, the third-largest, have a difficult political history, with ties strained by the legacy of Japan's World War Two aggression and conflicting claims over a group of uninhabited East China Sea islets.

Beijing is also suspicious about Tokyo's stance on the disputed South China Sea and over self-ruled Taiwan, once a Japanese colony and claimed by China as its own.

Yang said relations were currently at an important juncture with both new opportunities and outstanding challenges, China's Foreign Ministry said late on Monday.

He called on Japan to speak and act cautiously on the South China Sea and to play a constructive role as relevant countries in the region are making efforts to solve the issue properly.

However, the Chinese statement made no mention of North Korea. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Elaine Lies; Editing by Paul Tait)
SOFIA, May 30 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

-- Bulgaria's third largest lender, First Investment Bank, has decided to capitalize its 2016 profit of 98.8 million levs ($56.19 million) to meet the central bank's requirements to boost its capital. (Capital Daily, 24 Chasa, Standart, Trud)

-- Bulgarian Centre for Prevention of Corruption and Organised Crime said the country lacks capacity and coordination to combat graft and do not have a dedicated body to investigate high level corruption. (Duma, Capital Daily)

SEGA - Defence Minister Krasimir Karakachanov said the defence ministry will review again the offers for the purchase of jet fighters for the army. The previous interim government ranked the offers in April and said talks should start with Sweden for the purchase of SAAB's Gripen jet fighters. ($1 = 1.7584 leva)
By Tom Allard

MARAWI CITY, Philippines, May 30 (Reuters) - Dozens of foreign jihadis have fought side-by-side with Islamic State sympathisers against security forces in the southern Philippines over the past week, evidence that the restive region is fast becoming an Asian hub for the ultra-radical group.

A Philippines intelligence source said that of the 400-500 marauding fighters who overran Marawi City on the island of Mindanao last Tuesday, as many as 40 had recently come from overseas, including from countries in the Middle East.

The source said they included Indonesians, Malaysians, at least one Pakistani, a Saudi, a Chechen, a Yemeni, an Indian, a Moroccan and one man with a Turkish passport.

"IS is shrinking in Iraq and Syria, and decentralising in parts of Asia and the Middle East," said Rohan Gunaratna, a security expert at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

"One of the areas where it is expanding is Southeast Asia and the Philippines is the centre of gravity."

Mindanao has been roiled for decades by bandits, local insurgencies and separatist movements. But officials have long warned that the poverty, lawlessness and porous borders of Mindanao's predominantly Muslim areas mean it could become a base for radicals from Southeast Asia and beyond, especially as Islamic State fighters are driven out of Iraq and Syria.

Although Islamic State and groups affiliated to the movement have claimed several attacks across Southeast Asia in the last two years, the battle in Marawi City was the first long drawn-out confrontation with security forces.

On Tuesday, a week after the fighting began, the government said it was close to retaking the city.

Last year, Southeast Asian militants fighting for Islamic State in Syria released a video urging their countrymen to join the cause in the southern Philippines or launch attacks at home rather than attempting to travel to Syria.

Jakarta-based terrorism expert Sidney Jones passed to Reuters some recent messages in a chatroom of the Telegram app used by Islamic State supporters.

In one, a user reported that he was in the heart of Marawi City where he could see the army "run like pigs" and "their filthy blood mix with the dead bodies of their comrades".

He asked others in the group to pass information on to the Amaq News Agency, a mouthpiece for Islamic State.

Another user replied, using an Arabic word meaning pilgrimage: "Hijrah to the Philippines. Door is opening."

The clash in Marawi City began with an army raid to capture Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of Abu Sayyaf, a group notorious for piracy and for kidnapping and beheading Westerners.

Abu Sayyaf and a relatively new group called Maute, both of which have pledged allegiance to Islamic State, have fought alongside each other in Marawi City, torching a hospital and a cathedral, and kidnapping a Catholic priest.

The urban battle prompted Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to impose martial law across the whole island of Mindanao, an area roughly the size of South Korea with a population of around 21 million.

FIGHTERS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST

The head of the Malaysian police force's counter-terrorism division, Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, named four Malaysians who are known to have travelled to Mindanao to join militant groups.

Among them were Mahmud Ahmad, a Malaysian university lecturer who is poised to take over the leadership of Islamic State in the southern Philippines if Hapilon is killed, he said.

Security expert Gunaratna said that Ahmad has played a key role in establishing Islamic State's platform in the region.

According to his school's research, eight of 33 militants killed in the first four days of fighting in Marawi City were foreigners.

"This indicates that foreign terrorist fighters form an unusually high component of the IS fighters and emerging IS demography in Southeast Asia," Gunaratna said.

According to an intelligence brief seen by Reuters, authorities in Jakarta believe 38 Indonesians travelled to the southern Philippines to join Islamic State-affiliated groups and about 22 of them joined the fighting in Marawi City.

However, an Indonesian law-enforcement source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the actual number of Indonesians involved in the battle could be more than 40.

Indonesia officials believe some militants might have slipped into Marawi City under the cover of an annual gathering of the Tablighi Jamaat just days before the fighting erupted. The Tablighi Jamaat is a Sunni missionary movement that is non-political and encourages Muslims to become more pure.

An Indonesian anti-terrorism squad source told Reuters that authorities have beefed up surveillance at the northern end of the Kalimantan and Sulawesi regions to stop would-be fighters travelling by sea to the southern Philippines and to prevent an influx of others fleeing the military offensive in Marawi City.

"The distance between Marawi and Indonesian territory is just five hours," the source said. "It should not get to the point where they are entering our territory and carrying out such (militant) activities." (Additional reporting by Rozanna Latiff in KUALA LUMPUR, Agustinus Beo Da Costa in JAKARTA, Kanupriya Kapoor in SINGAPORE and Manuel Mogato in MANILA; Writing by John Chalmers; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
COPENHAGEN, May 30 (Reuters) - Denmark's right-leaning government is seeking to create jobs through pension reforms and tax cuts to entice people to work, but its proposals to be presented later on Tuesday may not get the needed support of rightest ally Danish People's Party.

The government envisage average Danish GDP growth at 2 percent per year until 2025 from a current projection of around 1.5 percent. It has also raised its economic growth forecast for this year to 1.7 percent from a previous forecast of 1.5 percent.

Denmark's economic recovery is gathering pace, but companies face labour shortages, prompting the government to focus on jobs.

"We will strenghten and prolong the current economic upswing through reforms to increase the labour supply and our productivity," finance minister Kristian Jensen said in the report seen by Reuters ahead of the official release.

Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen secured a broad housing tax deal this month, ending months of policy deadlock. However, he also dropped a proposal to increase the retirement age due to a lack of support from anti-immigrant Danish People's Party (DF).

A key part of Rasmussen's new plan is to increase work force by up to 60,000 by getting more people off social benefits, incentivise people to postpone retirement, increase average workhours, and recruiting people from abroad.

Rasmussen's three-party government holds 53 of the 179 seats in the Danish parliament and is dependent on the DF's 37 seats to secure a majority.

The DF is generally supportive of the country's generous welfare model and has said it does not support tax cuts higher earners.

It has recently improved relations to main opposition party Social Democrats in a bid to increase political leverage over Rasmussen by highlighting that it has other options should he prove unwilling to cooperate sufficiently. (Reporting by Erik Matzen, writing by Teis Jensen, editing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Jeremy Gaunt)
By Marja Novak

LJUBLJANA, May 30 (Reuters) - The yield on Slovenia's 10-year benchmark bond jumped on Tuesday as demand sank after the Finance Minister Mateja Vranicar Erman offered to step down.

It rose to 1.292 percent from 0.958 percent on Monday, Reuters data showed.

Prime Minister Miro Cerar did not accept Erman's resignation, which was offered on Monday because of a probable delay to the sale of Slovenia's largest bank, state-owned Nova Ljubljanska Banka (NLB), sources told Reuters.

The yield rose to its highest since July 13, 2016, when the previous finance minister, Dusan Mramor, resigned for personal reasons.

Analysts said any further signs of political instability could push the yield higher, adding the yield would linger around 1 percent if political tensions calm down.

"Political crisis and complications are reducing Slovenia's credibility on the capital markets which in return increases bond yields. If the political tension eases, the yield is not likely to rise any further," Matej Simnic, an analyst at investment firm Alta Invest, said.

Slovenia has agreed to sell 75 percent of NLB in exchange for European Commission approval for state aid to the bank in 2013.

It planned to sell 50 percent of NLB through an IPO this year but the sale may be delayed. The government on Monday refused to give state guarantees to what could amount to about 400 million euros in compensation payable by NLB to Croatian banks who repaid depositors at NLB's predecessor Ljubljanska Banka.

Slovenia has been relucant to sell its major companies and banks in the past so the government still controls about 50 percent of the economy and about 44 percent of the banking sector. (Reporting by Marja Novak Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
BUDAPEST, May 30 (Reuters) - Hungary's radical nationalist opposition Jobbik party will campaign in 2018 elections on a drive for higher wages as it says the country's huge wage gap relative to western Europe has triggered a mass migration westward that must be stopped.

Jobbik has been moving away from its roots as a far-right, anti-Semitic radical group and is targeting a broader swathe of the electorate ahead of next year's vote, aiming to build on its 11 percent support rate in recent polls.

Party leader Gabor Vona told a news conference on Tuesday that low wages relative to western Europe had led hundreds of thousands of people to head for the west and also helped increase the indebtedness of Hungarian households over the past decade.

"We believe this (low wages) is the most important issue in Hungary, and the root cause of all other problems," Vona said.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government has already been hiking wages and has also raised minimum wage levels sharply.

In March, Jobbik launched an initiative with politicians from eight Central European countries calling for a "European Wage Union" aimed at seeking more equal wages within the EU.

The committee that launched this initiative includes Jaak Madison, an Estonian politician who represents the Conservative People's Party of Estonia, and Poland's Solidarity80 trade union, Jobbik said.

Vona said Jobbik was also committed to Hungary's European Union membership.

"We have submitted the wage union proposal to Brussels as we believe the unity of the EU can be preserved and Central and Eastern European countries can also find their part in it," he said.

"Jobbik is absolutely committed to EU membership."

This marks a change in stance. In 2010, when Jobbik first entered parliament, the party had expressed eurosceptic views in its programme. Before elections in 2014 it said it wanted a referendum on EU membership.

Instead of its economy catching up in competitiveness with the west, Hungary's only competitive product now is its skilled and cheap labour, Jobbik said in a statement.

"Central Europe has aged and has been deserted... The mass emigration from our region puts downward pressure on wages in the west, while production is relocated to the east from the west," it added.

Orban's right-wing Fidesz party had a 33 percent support rate in the latest opinion poll by Tarki. Jobbik had 11 percent while the other main opposition party, the Socialists, had 10 percent. About 36 percent of voters were undecided.

Vona is aiming to attract voters from the left, where opposition parties are in disarray, and also from the right, he told Reuters earlier this year. (Reporting by Krisztina Than; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
By Katy Migiro

NAIROBI, May 30 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Well-known in Kenya for successfully defending deputy-president William Ruto against war crimes charges, British lawyer Karim Khan has taken on another controversial case - digging into the "dark shadows" of the country's colonial past.

Khan will advise Kenyan lawyers on whether the evidence they gather from hundreds of elderly Kenyans is strong enough to bring a case under English law against the British colonial government which they accuse of displacement and torture.

"In the dark shadows of colonialism, exploitation was rife and where it is properly evidenced ... it's only right that it is recognised," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone.

"Where there was wrongdoing, acknowledge it and not only (with) lip service but a meaningful apology."

Survivors and their descendants hope to win compensation from Britain's High Court and the return of land from which they say they were evicted in the 1930s to make way for tea plantations.

"It is something that deserves proper scrutiny," he said, adding that such cases can help people to find closure and improve bilateral relations.

"Certain historical injustices need to be recognised ... It's something that I feel very passionately about and it's really worthwhile."

More than 5,200 elderly Kenyans won almost 14 million pounds ($18 million) in compensation from Britain in a 2013 out-of-court settlement for abuse by colonial forces during the 1950s Mau Mau insurgency.

Khan has an impressive profile, having successfully prosecuted in the international criminal tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda, as well as defending former Liberian president Charles Taylor in the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

HARD FIGHT

Expectations have also been raised by his strong track record at the International Criminal Court, where cases against Ruto, Kenya's Ambassador Francis Muthaura and Sudanese rebel leader Bahar Idriss Abu Garda were all dropped.

"We will do our best for you," he told a cheering crowd of thousands in Kericho, at the heart of Kenya's tea estates, 18 months ago where he was invited by the county governor.

"Let us set our course and sail to that distant land where we hope we will find justice."

Three tea-producing county governments in Kenya had planned to pursue a joint case but only Nandi has engaged lawyers.

"The other two counties might start their own processes and, if needs be, we shall consolidate the cases into one," said Nandi County's legal advisor George Tarus.

Khan, 47, who specialises in international criminal and human rights law, said his interest in representing victims dates back to the pro bono work he did in 2009 for the United Nations-backed "Killing Fields" tribunal in Cambodia.

The tribunal gave life sentences to top cadres of the 1970s Khmer Rouge for the death of one-fifth of the population in mass executions, starvation, torture, and disease in labour camps.

"I was very humbled to see what it meant to a whole variety of very old victims and survivors," he said.

Khan is cautious about discussing the Nandi case.

The British government has always distanced itself from the actions of its colonial predecessor, saying the liabilities of the colony had been inherited by the Kenyan government.

Also the High Court would have to decide to waive the statute of limitations on claims, which is six years for personal injury, as it did in the Mau Mau case.

"These are very hard fought battles," said Khan. "They don't always result in success." (Reporting by Katy Migiro @katymigiro; Additional reporting by Daniel Wesangula; Editing by Belinda Goldsmith; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, womens rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org to see more stories.)
By Anna Pujol-Mazzini

LONDON, May 30 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Fighting between militia groups has killed about 300 people and uprooted 100,000 in Central African Republic this month, the worst bout of displacements since 2013.

Civilians have been the first victims of a conflict which started when a mainly Muslim Seleka rebel alliance ousted President Francois Bozize four years ago, sparking reprisals from Christian militias.

Here is a snapshot of the humanitarian situation in the country:

* One in five Central Africans is currently displaced and nearly half a million of these have taken refuge outside the country.

* Most Central African refugees are now in camps in Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congo Republic. Cameroon hosts over half of all Central African refugees.

* Around 2.2 million people, around half the population, need humanitarian assistance, according to the United Nations.

* One in seven children will die before they reach they turn five, and a third of children are out of school, according to UNICEF.

* Sixty-eight percent of girls are married before turning 18.

* Despite being rich in diamonds and gold, Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world and ranks last out of 188 countries in terms of human development.

Sources: United Nations, World Food Programme, UNICEF, Reuters, Thomson Reuters Foundation, Human Development Index (Reporting by Anna Pujol-Mazzini @annapmzn, Editing by Ros Russell. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit http://news.trust.org)
AMSTERDAM, May 30 (Reuters) - The Dutch senate on Tuesday approved a European Union "association agreement" with Ukraine, a final hurdle to the treaty, which strengthens the former Soviet republic's ties with Western Europe and moves it further from Moscow's orbit.

It did so following amendments made at the EU level to tak into consideration the Dutch referendum vot last year against the agreement.

"Today's vote in the Dutch Senate sends an important signal from the Netherlands and the entire European Union to our Ukrainian friends: Ukraine's place is in Europe. Ukraine's future lies with Europe," said EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

The agreement, a treaty, had already been negotiated and approved by all EU governments and by Ukraine in 2014, and had even partially gone into effect pending ratification when it was abruptly rejected by Dutch voters in a snap referendum held in April 2016.

The Dutch vote was as much a rebuke to Prime Minister Mark Rutte and the European Union as a rejection of the treaty, which focuses mostly on trade ties.

But Rutte and the European Union diplomats were forced to renegotiate parts of the treaty in order to render it palatable to Dutch parliament or risk seeing it derailed, since it cannot be ratified without support from all European Union legislatures.

Ultimately the treaty was amended to underline it does not make Ukraine a candidate for EU membership, does not entitle Kiev to financial aid or military assistance from the bloc, and does not give Ukrainians the right to live and work in EU member states.

The amended version passed Dutch parliament in March, and the Senate approved it Monday, both by comfortable margins.

(Reporting by Toby Sterling Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
PARIS, May 30 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed his support for Syria's opposition on Tuesday in a meeting with its chief coordinator, a day after hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin, a key backer of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

The unannounced meeting with Riad Hijab and a broader delegation from the Riyadh-based High Negotiations Committee (HNC), which includes political and armed groups, came as Macron seeks to review French policy on the six-year civil war.

"The president spoke of his personal commitment to the Syria dossier and of his support for the Syrian opposition in view of a political transition," his office said in a statement.

Opposition officials were not immediately available for comment on the meeting.

Macron's electoral victory has offered an opportunity for Paris to examine its policy on Syria with some considering the previous administration's stance as too intransigent and leaving it isolated on the subject.

Macron, a newcomer to international diplomacy, said on Monday that his priority in Syria was to eradicate Islamist militants.

Alongside Putin in 17th century palace of Versailles outside Paris, Macron on Monday said he had agreed to set up a working group with Russia, including to exchange information. It was not immediately clear what that would entail.

Macron's government says it backs U.N.-mediated peace talks in Geneva. However, Macron also called for a "political and diplomatic framework to build peace" without specifying whether it was a new initiative or part of the U.N. process.

United Nations special envoy Staffan de Mistura will hold talks in Paris with France's foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian later on Tuesday. (Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Ingrid Melander)
By Environment Correspondent Alister Doyle

OSLO, May 30 (Reuters) - The United States is resisting plans to highlight how climate change is disrupting life in the oceans at a U.N. conference of almost 200 nations next week, Sweden's deputy prime minister, who will co-chair the talks, said on Tuesday.

President Donald Trump doubts that global warming has a human cause and that U.S. scepticism has even affected preparations for the June 5-9 U.N. Ocean Conference in New York, Isabella Lovin told Reuters.

The conference is due to issue a "Call for Action" to limit damage to marine life from threats the United Nations says include global warming, over-fishing and pollution such as plastic waste.

"I think I can safely say that the United States has not been very keen on strong language on climate change," Lovin said in a telephone interview.

"We are not prepared to leave that (strong language) out. That's really fundamental," Lovin said of the draft documents. "The impacts of climate change are almost immeasurable."

It is unclear how the differences will be resolved. Lovin, who is also Sweden's minister for international development cooperation and climate, will co-chair the global ministerial talks with Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.

Among climate impacts, a U.N. panel of scientists says rising water temperatures are damaging coral reefs and driving fish stocks polewards, sea levels are rising and carbon dioxide absorbed from the air has formed a harmful mild acid in water.

"The decline of the oceans is really a threat to the entire planet ... We need to start working together," Lovin said.

The conference is seeking ways to implement a U.N. sustainable-development goal to safeguard the oceans, adopted by all governments in 2015. A parallel U.N. goal calls for "urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts".

Marlene Moses of Nauru, who heads a U.N. group of Pacific island states, said valuable tuna stocks had often moved eastwards with warmer currents in recent years, depleting traditional catches off some western islands.

She said it was vital to factor in climate change in any plan to protect the oceans.

"Leaving climate change out of a document in the context of oceans is like cutting off the right arm of the Pacific island countries," she told Reuters.

More broadly on climate change, Trump is undecided on whether to carry out his election campaign pledge to quit the global 2015 Paris Agreement, which seeks to phase out greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from burning fossil fuels, this century.

He tweeted after a Group of Seven summit in Italy on Saturday, "I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week!" All other G7 leaders reaffirmed strong commitment to the global deal.

Lovin said it had been hard to engage Washington in the ocean conference, partly because key posts at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration remain unfilled since the end of the Obama administration.

The ocean conference will also promote partnerships, such as between governments and businesses, to address issues such as marine pollution, ocean acidification, and marine research.

It will also compile voluntary commitments, such as a Peruvian plan to safeguard local fishing fleets and a scheme by Malaysia's Sabah region to end "fish bombing" by 2020, in which explosives are used to catch fish. (`Editing by Mark Heinrich)
By Geert De Clercq

PARIS, May 30 (Reuters) - French nuclear regulator ASN said on Tuesday it will "probably" issue a final ruling in the autumn on whether the reactor that utility EDF is building in Flamanville is safe for use, in the latest delay in the process.

The ASN said in 2015 it had discovered excessive carbon concentrations in the cover and bottom of the Flamanville reactor vessel, which can weaken the mechanical resilience of the steel and its ability to resist the spreading of cracks.

Since then, Areva, which designed the EPR reactor, EDF and the ASN have been testing whether weak spots could jeopardise the safety of the reactor.

The regulator's green light about the reactor vessel is crucial for EDF and Areva, as European Union antitrust authorities have made it a precondition for their approval of EDF's planned takeover of Areva's reactor unit.

The ASN has repeatedly postponed deadlines for ruling on the safety of reactor vessel.

And in what will be another delay, an ASN spokesman said in an email that the regulator now expected a "firm position probably in (the) autumn".

The ASN's definitive position would probably come at the start of the autumn, he told Reuters by telephone.

In October 2015 the ASN said a ruling was due "soon". In January 2016, it pushed back the decision to the end of 2016, and in January, ASN chief Pierre-Franck Chevet said a ruling was due by the middle of this year. In March, the ASN again delayed this to "the end of summer".

Earlier on Tuesday, the ASN said it expected to receive technical reports about the reactor vessel by the end of next month. It will analyse these and then draft a provisional ruling on Flamanville, which will be made public in early to mid-July. It will then invite feedback on this ruling from the public, civil society, local authorities and the companies involved.

With the Flamanville reactor vessel welded in place in 2013 and covered by thousands of tonnes of concrete since then, taking out the vessel would delay the reactor startup by several years and cost billions of euros.

EDF has repeatedly said it is confident the ASN will find the vessel fit for operation.

French news agency AFP on Tuesday quoted an ASN official in Normandy as telling a local information meeting that ASN would rule early July on the vessel.

The Flamanville reactor is years behind schedule and billions over budget, but EDF CEO Jean-Bernard Levy said this month EDF plans to load fuel in the reactor before end-2018.

Construction in Flamanville started in 2007 and the plant was supposed to go online in 2012, but EDF has announced new delays and cost overruns every few years. The company said in 2015 the reactor would cost 10.5 billion euros ($12 billion), up from an initial budget of 3 billion. ($1 = 0.8948 euros) (Editing by Mark Potter/Alexander Smith)
By Camillus Eboh

ABUJA, May 30 (Reuters) - Nigeria's upper chamber of parliament voted on Tuesday to halt a concession agreement with the local division of Italian oil company Eni to repair, operate and maintain Port Harcourt refinery, saying the deal lacked transparency.

Nigeria, an OPEC oil producer, has been seeking investment in its energy sector to reduce reliance on imported oil products that consume a large part of the country's foreign currency reserves.

It has a refining capacity on paper of 445,000 barrels per day (bpd), but imports most of its gasoline needs because its refineries have been shut or running at reduced capacity for years due to neglect.

Eni said in May it was in talks to work with Nigerian energy company Oando on the deal as part of an effort to increase refining levels.

Members of the Senate voted to back the motion brought by Senator Sabo Mohammed. The motion was titled: "Non-transparent transaction relating to the planned concession of the Port Harcourt refinery to Agip and Oando by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources." Agip is a subsidiary of Eni.

The Senate will now set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the concession award.

"We are willing and available to provide as much clarification on the issue as the Senate requires," Oando spokesman Ainoije Irune said.

Officials at Eni could not immediately be reached for comment.

(Additional reporting by Paul Carsten and Alexis Akwagyiram; Editing by Edmund Blair and Jane Merriman)
By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON, May 30 (Reuters) - DNA from mummies found at a site once known for its cult to the Egyptian god of the afterlife is unwrapping intriguing insight into the people of ancient Egypt, including a surprise discovery that they had scant genetic ties to sub-Saharan Africa. Scientists on Tuesday said they examined genome data from 90 mummies from the Abusir el-Malek archaeological site, located about 70 miles (115 km) south of Cairo, in the most sophisticated genetic study of ancient Egyptians ever conducted. The DNA was extracted from the teeth and bones of mummies from a vast burial ground associated with the green-skinned god Osiris. The oldest were from about 1388 BC during the New Kingdom, a high point in ancient Egyptian influence and culture. The most recent were from about 426 AD, centuries after Egypt had become a Roman Empire province.

"There has been much discussion about the genetic ancestry of ancient Egyptians," said archeogeneticist Johannes Krause of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Germany, who led the study published in the journal Nature Communications.

"Are modern Egyptians direct descendants of ancient Egyptians? Was there genetic continuity in Egypt through time? Did foreign invaders change the genetic makeup: for example, did Egyptians become more 'European' after Alexander the Great conquered Egypt?" Krause added. "Ancient DNA can address those questions."

The genomes showed that, unlike modern Egyptians, ancient Egyptians had little to no genetic kinship with sub-Saharan populations, some of which like ancient Ethiopia were known to have had significant interactions with Egypt.

The closest genetic ties were to the peoples of the ancient Near East, spanning parts of Iraq and Turkey as well as Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

Egypt, located in North Africa at a crossroads of continents in the ancient Mediterranean world, for millennia boasted one of the most advanced civilizations in antiquity, known for military might, wondrous architecture including massive pyramids and imposing temples, art, hieroglyphs and a pantheon of deities.

Mummification was used to preserve the bodies of the dead for the afterlife. The mummies in the study were of middle-class people, not royalty.

The researchers found genetic continuity spanning the New Kingdom and Roman times, with the amount of sub-Saharan ancestry increasing substantially about 700 years ago, for unclear reasons.

"There was no detectable change for those 1,800 years of Egyptian history," Krause said. "The big change happened between then and now." (Reporting by Will Dunham; Editing by Sandra Maler)
By Maximiliano Rizzi

BUENOS AIRES, May 30 (Reuters) - The head of one of Argentina's largest farm groups will ask Congress to investigate five acquisitions made by Brazilian meatpacker JBS over more than a decade due to suspicion of overpricing, he told Reuters on Tuesday.

Dardo Chiesa, head of Argentina's Rural Confederation (CRA), said the company, whose founders are mired in a corruption scandal that threatens to topple Brazil's president, bought Argentine companies "at exorbitant prices to compete unfairly."

Chiesa said he was scheduled to speak before Congress next week and would reveal his suspicions that JBS paid bribes in order to be favored in export quotas managed by former President Cristina Fernandez's government. He said he did not have any proof of bribes.

"We are going to gather information first but there is information we want to investigate that they won't give to CRA... either a congressional committee takes it or it goes to a prosecutor," he said.

JBS, which did not immediately respond to request for comment, bought five meatpackers in Argentina, several of which have since shut down.

"ColCar was worth $3 million, they paid $15 million. Venado Tuerto was worth $6 (million) and they paid $27 (million)," Chiesa said. Other companies JBS bought in Argentina were Swift Rosario, Frigorifico Pontevedra, and Frigorifico San Jose.

Argentina under President Mauricio Macri has been trying to recover its standing as a top global beef exporter that was lost during the Fernandez government.

JBS grew from a family-run butcher to the world's top beef company with operations in the United States and Australia thanks to financing from Brazil's state development bank BNDES.

"You see the president of JBS recognizing he paid bribes in Brazil. And here?" said Chiesa.

Joesley Batista resigned last week as chairman after pressure from BNDES. (Writing by Caroline Stauffer; Editing by David Gregorio)
The joint opposition (JO) today requested President Maithripala Sirisena to issue a circular ensuring the safety of government servants who are providing relief to flood and landslide-affected people disregarding standard protocols and circulars.

It said though the President had requested officers to disregard circulars when providing relief, the officers were not keen to take effective decisions or to take a risk because they fear action against them.

As soon as the government came to power, it questioned more than 200 soldiers about money spent to provide relief to flood victims in 2014. The army obtained Rs.50 million to uplift the livelihood of those living in flooded-affected areas and returned the balance Rs.26 million to the government. The transaction was transparent. Even former Army Commander Daya Ratnayake was questioned on this matter. Against such a background, soldiers and other officers shy away from taking prompt action, MP Bandula Gunawardena said today.

He said this was why the President, as the Minister of Defence, should assure the officers who take action in good faith would not be faulted.

The MP said the present state mechanism appeared to be faily passive during the disaster while media institutions and other organizations are providing relief.

He said funds allocated to the Housing and Constructions Ministry to construct housing units across the country should be utilized to build and refurbish houses for the landslide and flood victims.

The MP also requested the government to hold meetings chaired by district secretaries on how best to coordinate the provision of relief to the victims and discuss the other measures that needed to be taken in this situation. (Lahiru Pothmulla)
The Cyclonic storm MORA, which originated over the Bay of Bengal, is moving away from Sri Lanka and is expected to make landfall today along the Bangladesh coast, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

It said strong winds with a speed of about 80 kilometres an hour could be expected over the country, particularly over the western slope of the central hills and surrounding sea areas.

The DMC said showers or thundershowers would occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-Western and Central provinces. Heavy rainfall of about 100 mm can be expected at some places. It said showers or thundershowers would also occur at several places in the Northern and North-Central provinces and in the Trincomalee District.

The sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankesanturai and from Galle to Batticaloa via Hambantota can be very rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 70 to 80 kmph. The other sea areas around the island can be rough at times with the likelihood of wind speeds increasing up to 60 to 70 kmph.
The Hambantota Port Development Project (HPDP) agreement with China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd (CM Port) will be renegotiated to achieve a win-win situation with crucial discussions to be held on Friday, Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Smarasinghe said.

He told the weekly SLFP news briefing today that national interests would under any circumstances be compromised but the US$1.4 billion equity swap with the Chinese Company extremely necessary to ease Sri Lankas debt servicing and strengthen foreign reserves.

The minsiter said he would try his best to make the US$1.4 billion joint venture to be based on a 60 - 40, 70 - 30 or even a 51 - 49 percent equity equity swap.

He said there would be no selling or leasing of 15,000 acres of land to China for 90 years in the Hambantota district to set up an exclusive economic zone. The lease period will definitely be less than 90 years.There will be no selling of lands or properties to the Chinese. There will be no violation of the laws of the land. There will be new clauses and a new agreement.

Since I assumed duties as the Minister of Ports and Shipping I did a thorough study on the all aspects of the HPDP and I have decided as the minister in charge to renegotiate the framework agreement signed by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and the CM Port," the minister said. (Sandun A Jayasekera)
The recent back-to-back visit of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to New Delhi and Indian Premier Narendra Modi to Colombo reinforces the two neighbouring countries commitment to strengthen a long-standing partnership

GULF NEWS: The recent back-to-back visit of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to New Delhi and Indian Premier Narendra Modi to Colombo reinforces the two neighbouring countries commitment to strengthen a long-standing partnership that seeks to enhance all-round prosperity and development.

By embarking on his second visit to the island nation since assuming office in 2014, Modi seems to have given a clear message that New Delhi is determined to reverse the prolonged neglect of a special relationship, which is not only more than 2,500 years old, but often marked by a lack of understanding on the part of India of Sri Lankan nationalism.

As Nihal Rodrigo, former Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary, who had also served as the Secretary-General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, put it candidly, India and Sri Lanka have had deep relations, not always cooperative and yet mutual engagement with each other has more often led to be a major asset to both countries.

Indeed, Modis effort to transform India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations, through a calibrated mix of cultural diplomacy and robust economic cooperation attains great significance at a time when China is aggressively harnessing its strategic One-Belt-One-Road initiative to make deeper forays into Indias extended neighbourhood in South Asia.

Recognising its shortcomings in conventional economic diplomacy because of the inability to invest lavishly in transcontinental infrastructure initiatives unlike China, New Delhi has taken the right approach of giving special emphasis on historical linkages that have shaped South Asias geopolitical traditions, apart from enhancing the existing economic engagement with Colombo.

Very rightly, Indian foreign office mandarins are carefully extricating the India-Sri Lanka ties from the morass of mutual distrust, caused by the interventionist policies of the 1980s, in order to try and create a conducive and harmonious atmosphere for greater economic integration. But then, that is easier said than done.

In the words of Professor S.D. Muni, former Indian diplomat and an eminent South Asia expert, apart from being the first Indian to be conferred Sri Lanka Ratna  Sri Lankas highest national honour: Sri Lanka has a strong and alert middle-class that does not always sees all its interests tied to India economically, as it would like to play competitive forces based on its strategic location.

Muni believes there will be reservations in Sri Lanka on issues like speedy conclusion of second-generation trade agreements and that economic relations between India and Sri Lanka will grow depending on the areas of mutual interests and may not be defined by any one side, least India.

Former Central Bank Deputy Governor Weerakoon Wijewardena agrees that negative sentiments may lead to truncated agreements but emphasises simultaneously on his countrys need for deeper economic engagement with India to successfully align with the Asian supply chain.

India, being Sri Lankas second-largest trading partner after the United States and a source of about 20 percent of its imports and 5 percent of exports, is of great importance to Colombo so far as trade and commerce is concerned, feels Wijewardena, while recollecting how India came to Sri Lankas rescue when the latter was facing a severe external sector crisis.

On many occasions, New Delhi had extended a generous SWAP facility to the Sri Lankan Central Bank for enabling Colombo to wade through foreign currency shortages to meet its external sector obligations, says Wijewardena.

Indian policymakers hit a real masterstroke by invoking Buddhism to mend the derailed India-Sri Lanka tie. After all, it was a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, Anagarika Dharmapala, who played the most distinct role in preserving Buddhist heritage in the Indian subcontinent through his Kolkata-based organisation, Maha Bodhi Society.

Moreover, spiritual diplomacy not only helps India to put the contentious baggage of interventionist Tamil political agenda of the past to the backburner  without compromising her support for inclusive reconciliation agenda to usher lasting peace in Sri Lanka though  but also underlines New Delhis disinclination in challenging Sri Lankan sovereignty any longer in the garb of protecting minority rights. Undoubtedly, Lord Buddha is a great leveller, presenting a self-awakened India longing to bring real progress to the people in her neighbourhood through mutually beneficial partnership based on sovereign equality.

The cornerstone of India-Sri Lanka relations is seeking cooperation through consultations based on mutual compromises and avoiding unnecessary confrontation. Global politics is replete with instances of how calibrated diplomacy, painstaking negotiation and hard compromise have helped accomplish the most unexpected results.

According to Rodrigo, India and Sri Lanka are close in much more than their geographic proximity and do provide even a sample for courage in cooperation and consultations.

SAARC would benefit from the example of Indo-Sri Lanka compromises and cooperation rather than excessive competition, asserts the former Sri Lankan foreign secretary.

Professor Muni, while acknowledging the role and responsibility of both nations in stabilising the Indian Ocean region, however, warns that Colombo may not like to work with India alone on all strategic and regional prosperity issues, partly because New Delhi has never been very enthusiastic in responding to Sri Lankan initiatives on matters pertaining to regional security, that involves countries like Pakistan or China.
Northern Provincial Council member M.K. Sivajilingam is identified as a politician who always raises his voice on issues confronting the people of the North, a one-time Parliamentarian who created a sensation by contesting from the Kurunegala district during the 2015 Parliamentary elections. As a political bureau member of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) he entered politics at a very young age. Born in Velvettithurai he knew Prabhakaran from his childhood. Once Prabhakaran approached Sivajilingam for assistance to flee to India as there was a threat on his life, but later it boomeranged on him with the attempts made by Prabhakaran on Sivajilingams life. In this interview, Sivajilingam discusses his political life, the armed groups that were present in the North and the LTTE. Excerpts from the interview are as follows:

How was the beginning of your political life?

My mothers younger brother was a lawyer known as Motilal Nehru. In 1965 he contested Point Pedro representing the Communist Party. My uncle was popular with S. A. Wickramasinghe, Colvin R. De Silva, and Pieter Keuneman who frequently visited my uncles home. Though I did not understand what they were discussing, I really enjoyed their conversations. During Sirimavo Bandaranaikes rule when an attempt was made to have scales of marking for Sinhala and Tamil students on gaining entrance to the Universities, I joined the agitation campaigns organized by the Tamil students movement as a school boy. They showed their displeasure by protest marches and putting up black flags and opposing the politicians. We realized that these agitations are not going to help in achieving anything, and therefore the youth decided to go for an armed struggle. In 1969 the TELO movement began. The youth who joined started robbing banks, shops, co-operatives and small scale thefts continued. They also got themselves involved in minor attacks on people and through these actions they earned money. I was just sixteen years old when I joined the TELO organization. I joined their political unit and did not take part in

armed struggles.

Is there a relationship between you and Prabhakaran, and when did you first meet him?

There is, but it is a distant relationship. Some say that I am the brother-in-law of Prabhakaran. Our relationship is based purely on marriage and not on a blood relationship. I knew Prabhakaran from childhood. We are from the same village and he was my elder brothers best friend. Those days he used to visit our house and kept on chatting with my brother for hours. On such occasions he had spoken to me also. In 1969 after sitting for the Ordinary Level examination, Prabhakaran became a member of the TELO.

During Sirimavo Bandaranaikes rule when an attempt was made to have scales of marking for Sinhala and Tamil students on gaining entrance to the Universities, I joined the agitation campaigns organized by the Tamil students movement as a school boy

Can you remember Prabhakarans childhood?

Prabhakarans father was a district land officer. He was a law-abiding government officer. He was also the caretaker of the Velvettithurai Sivan Kovil and was a total vegetarian. He was a strict person and these strictures were enforced on his children too. Prabhakarans elder brother could not go bare chested wearing only a sarong like the other children of the village. Whenever they go out they were required to wear shorts. They were brought up under a strict disciplinary system. Prabhakaran was not boisterous when he was a child. Later when he joined the armed groups his father became very angry.

How did you get acquainted with the TELO?

Kumarappa, Gopalaswamy Mahendrarajah alias Mahaththaya were my class mates and with them I joined TELO. I joined it in protesting against the ill-treatment meted out to the Tamil community by the government.

You are the one who helped Prabhakaran to escape to India. Can you describe how it took place?

There was a time when Prabhakaran and TELO worked together. The well known Nirveli Bank robbery in Jaffna at that time was done by Thangathurai, Kuttimany, Prabhakaran and Thevan. They robbed Rs 8.1 million. Ten days after this robbery, Thangathurai, Kuttimany and Thevan were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Navy at Point Pedro. Prabhakaran went into hiding. Though at that time there were five or six armed groups in the North, till 1983 they all had less than 100 members in each. After this incident, excepting for about a dozen members, all others were arrested.

My mothers sisters son was very close to Prabhakaran, and he along with Prabhakaran, went into hiding. Prabhakaran sent me a message through him asking me to help him flee to India in order to escape from the Army. I found him a safe place to stay in the Velvettithurai area. There we discussed many things. Prabhakaran said that most of their comrades had been arrested and we should in some way or other go to India and gather the rest and face the Sri Lankan army.

There was an accomplice of the TELO who owned boats. After contacting him I was able to send ten including Prabhakaran to India, and in order to avoid any suspicion they were sent from a place close to the Velvettithurai army camp. Prabhakaran opted for 05th of June to leave saying that it was a very auspicious day. But however they left only on the 06th of June 1981. Only twenty one years later did I see Prabhakaran again. In 1982 the alliance between the LTTE and TELO broke off. We began to act separately and the LTTE acted as a separate organization. In 1990 I revealed to the Indian media person, Narayan Swamy, how I helped Prabhakaran to escape to India. He had quoted this in the book Ceylon Tigers. This angered Prabhakaran and he was furious as to why I made this revelation.

An Indian media person referred to this incident of the slaying of Dass, the TELO leader by the same organization, as a diversion of the Tamil Eelam struggle, and compared it to Sri Sabharathnam chopping off his own right hand. Within a month of this incident the LTTE began to attack us. They were keen to wipe out all other organizations and show to the outside world that they were the only saviours of the Tamil people

On how many occasions did Prabhakaran make attempts on your life?

When they attacked TELO, they stormed into five houses searching for me, suspecting that I was hiding in one of them. In 1989 during the election period, they made two attempts. During 1990-1991 two attempts were made in Colombo. I was shot at in 1994 and had a narrow escape. In 1996, on 25th August a grenade attack was launched at the District Secretariat in Trincomalee. During 1997-1998 they attempted to kill me during my election campaigns. In 2000 too I escaped their attempts. Not only from the LTTE, I had threats on my life from the Army as they suspected me to be a member of the LTTE. The EDPD also attempted to kill me. At that time it was a matter between life and death.

What was the reason for the disagreement between the LTTE and TELO?

In 1984 a struggle between two camps of TELO broke out. I visited the warring camps in the company of Sri Sabharathnam the leader of the organization. He supported one camp and with his knowledge, members of the other group were shot down. After this incident the TELO organization became weak. An Indian media person referred to this incident of the slaying of Dass, the TELO leader by the same organization, as a diversion of the Tamil Eelam struggle, and compared it to Sri Sabharathnam chopping off his own right hand. Within a month of this incident the LTTE began to attack us. They were keen to wipe out all other organizations and show to the outside world that they were the only saviours of the Tamil people. In 1984 on 29th April they launched their first attack on TELO. It was not limited to a single area. There were continuous attacks in Jaffna, Batticaloa and Trincomalee areas.

If I had remained in Velvettithurai I would have been definitely killed by them. During that time my parents and brothers and sisters lived in the safe house which accommodated Prabhakaran prior to his escape to India. They raided this house and several other house in search of me. I saved my life by fleeing to Mannar. Despite myself being a childhood friend of Prabhakaran and helping him on many occasions he was after my life. I reliably understood that he had given orders to kill me. I was the only one in Prabhakarans list that escaped death. Two of my cousins who were assigned to kill me are now living in London. The LTTE fell out with me as I did not join them nor condone their activities. They harmed the civilians in many ways. Our aim was to win the rights of Tamils through a political solution, whereas their aim was to win them through an armed struggle. When I was the Mayor of Velvettithurai they bombed the town hall in their attempt to kill me. But I was saved as on that day I was away in Colombo.

How did TELO become a political party?

In the face of threats by the LTTE I came to Colombo and stayed with my uncle Motilal Nehru and kept away from all these activities for about two years. In 1988 TELO became a political party. In 1989 the Tamil United Liberation Front contested the Parliamentary elections. I was asked by TELO to contest at the elections but I declined. I gave my support to them. During my stay in Colombo the threats on my life continued. I was informed of groups following me on motorcycles.

I continued to be with the TELO. I contested from Trincomalee in 1994, and was the Mayoral candidate from the TELO party at the CMC elections in 1997. Under Chandrika Kumarathunga, the Jaffna Provincial council elections were held. I contested for the Velvettithurai UC and won. In 2001 we formed the TNA with four parties joined together. During a campaign in Kayts, the EPDP attacked us and I was severely injured. Two persons who travelled with me in the vehicle were killed and 29 sustained injuries. However I won in that election and came to Parliament.

We realized that these agitations are not going to help in achieving anything, and therefore the youth decided to go for an armed struggle. In 1969 the TELO movement began. The youth who joined started robbing banks, shops, co-operatives and small scale thefts continued

What is your last recollection about Prabhakaran?

In 2002 the LTTE declared that they needed to meet the TNA. Accordingly, fifteen MPs went to meet Prabhakaran. They met Prabhakaran, Pottu Amman, Soosai, Karuna Amman, Thamil Chelvam and Anton Balasingham in Kilinochchi at the LTTE political office. After twenty one years I met Prabhakaran there. He greeted me saying, how are you Sivajilingam, you have changed a lot and I replied we met after a long time and it is natural to see a change. After that we met on several occasions, where we never spoke of our past relationships but spoke only of finding a strategy for a political solution.

Where are the brothers and sisters of Prabhakaran?

His elder brother Manoharan is living in Denmark, one of his elder sisters Jagadeswary, is in India while the other sister is in Canada.

You were one time in the hit list of the LTTE, but many identify you as a LTTE supporter. Why are these allegations levelled at you?

During the war I staged a protest in front of the Indian Parliament urging an end to the war, for the LTTE to hand over their weapons to a third party, to end the war and enter a political journey. I suggested these to Thesam, a Tamil media person. Seeing this the LTTE was offended and scolded me in foul language. I was convinced since the 2001 attack on the World Trade Centre in USA that no freedom struggle could be won by war. I was convinced that any solution could only be achieved through discussion. My view was that power should only be devolved under a united Sri Lanka. Because of these policies I was considered as a traitor by the LTTE. As a politician I will always stand up for the issues of the Tamil People. I appeal to the government to heed their requests. These are seen by some in a different perspective and they call me a Tiger.
Around three years ago, the photo of a buffalo calf among a sea of buffaloes was doing the rounds on social media. A machete in his hands raised over his head, a man stood next to the calf whose head was bowed as if ready to accept its fate, ready to die.

People were aghast and Gadhimai came to be known to urban India.

A festival held every five years, in a village called Bariyarpur, a few kilometres away from the India-Nepal border came to be known as the largest animal sacrifice event at once place. Why would we in India be bothered about this festival?

Because it was learnt that more than 80 per cent of the devotees were from India and so were its animals - goats and buffaloes stuffed into buses and tractors were being taken to Bariyarpur to sacrifice to goddess Gadhimai.

Messages poured in asking us to do something, anything to stop the illegal transport of these animals, to stop the cruel slaughter of our animals. My colleague and superstar for animals, Gauri Maulekhi, filed a case in the Supreme Court seeking directions to stop the smuggling in Gadhimai.

Little did we know that the illegal transport at Gadhimai was just the tip of the iceberg for illegal cattle trade in the country. While the Gadhimai temple committee has announced a stop to the slaughter of buffaloes on their premises, buffaloes continue to be overloaded in trucks and transported illegally across the country.

By the time the animals would reach animal markets from farms or slaughterhouses from animal markets, because of the way they were packed in trucks, many would have collapsed or have broken limbs.

Under the Supreme Courts direction, a committee was set up to deliberate on ways that the illegal transport could be curbed. Soon after, following the Supreme Courts merging of the case against the illegal transport of cattle to Bangladesh, committees were set up with participation of animal husbandry departments of various states across India, including but not limited to Karnataka and West Bengal.

With increasing measures to protect the cow, the buffalo has to bear the brunt of the milk industry as well as the beef industry. Photo: AP

In-depth discussions took place over several months, soon after which it was recommended that regulations for live animal markets and case property animals should be made. The government still didnt move to make the regulation.

It was after a year from this, in 2016, following a contempt notice sent to the ministry of environment, forests and climate change that the rules were drafted and put out for public consultation.

The draft rules were notified in January, 2017 and many, including me and my organisation at HSI/India were elated. We were able to do something, just like millions of people around the country and the world wanted us to.

There was going to be a sustainable, long-term solution, not only to the illegal transport to Nepal but within India too. There was no hidden agenda to interfere in people's food choice or to side with one political party.

After the duration of 30 days of public consultation, the government delayed the notification by a further couple of months to further deliberate. On May 23, the rules were finally notified.

Unfortunately for the animals, it coincided with the third year of the present government and it became politicised. Was it intentional? We don't know.

Was the government springing a surprise on its people and the state governments? No. Was the government barging into the homes and kitchens of its people and banning beef? No.

The livestock market rules, now being debated all over newspapers and television channels, basically have provisions for registration of animal markets, provision of food, water and non-slippery flooring options and regulations for proper disposal of carcasses among other conditions for care and maintenance of animals.

The rules include the animal buffalo in the definition of cattle.

Veterinary facilities and inspection have been made mandatory with regulation on housing facilities, prohibition on hot branding, and pulling and hitting of animals, while giving the animal market committee, headed by the district magistrate, the authority to monitor these markets and implement rules.

Another inclusion in the rules is the animal buffalo in its definition of cattle. However, representations by cattle traders and some state governments are making the government rethink and go back on their word on providing the most basic relief to the buffaloes that enjoy absolutely no protection in comparison to its fair cousin, the holy cow.

With increasing measures to protect the cow, the buffalo has to bear the brunt of the milk industry as well as the beef industry. They enjoy no positive story in religion or mythology in spite of being similar to the cow in sentience, the ability to suffer and feel pain.

Without even a glance at the regulations and with false rumours of a beef ban, we have let ignorance take over and guide our demons to throw the mythological symbol of the demon, the buffalo to the pits of death - perhaps to where we think it best belongs.

What pains me is that the very animals we were setting out to save are now being exempt from saving. Are we that disconnected that we cannot feel for the dark-skinned, sturdier buffalo who loves her own life as much as the cow does?

Are we that miserly that to politicise an issue and create another trending hashtag, we give up our moral sense of being kind to the animal which is on its road to death?
India and Russia will once again try to resuscitate a partnership which is badly in need of repair. It is often said that India and Russia share longstanding ties which are durable. The end of the Cold War has not been able to dent this relationship, but there are signs that this relationship needs some repair urgently.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Russia on June 1 for the annual India-Russia summit wherein he is expected to unveil, along with Russian president Vladimir Putin, an ambitious vision document to outline the agenda for economic cooperation in the coming decades.

Bilateral

Earlier this month, the two nations took stock of the bilateral relationship in a range of sectors, including civil nuclear, trade and investments during the meeting of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), a key forum to address major issues concerning bilateral ties.

There is an urgent need to prioritise economic ties, which have been going downhill for some time. Though the two nations set a target for their bilateral trade of $30 billion (Rs 3,000 crore) by 2025, it was a measly $7.8 billion (Rs 780 crore) in 2015.

So there is now talk of targeting pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food processing, and energy with a new focus. The two nations are yet to conclude the general framework agreement (GFA) for units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam nuclear plant and two deadlines have been missed since last year. The pact is now likely to be signed during the 18th annual India-Russia summit next month.

The much delayed International North South Transport Corridor will also be fast-tracked in a fresh attempt to give a boost to regional connectivity.

It remains to be seen if this fresh attempt will be enough to alleviate political tensions in the India-Russia bilateral relationship. There is concern in New Delhi is Moscows decision to side with China in ensuring that Pakistan does not get isolated globally.

At the 2016 BRICS summit in Goa, Russia did not back Indias demand to name two Pakistan-based terror groups as perpetrators of terrorism against India, thereby shielding Pakistan from censure.

This shift in the Russian stance is also evident in the role that it envisions for itself in Afghanistan, coming almost four decades after the 1979 Soviet invasion of the country. Russia hosted a February six-nation conference in Moscow on Afghanistans future with participation from India, Iran, Pakistan, China and Afghanistan.

Modi will meet Vladimir Putin on June 1. Photo: Reuters

This was Russias second initiative after the first trilateral conference in December, including only China and Pakistan. The December conference agreed upon a flexible approach to remove certain (Taliban) figures from (United Nations) sanctions lists as part of efforts to foster a peaceful dialogue between Kabul and the Taliban movement.

Concern

The three states underscored their concern about the rising activity in the country (Afghanistan) of extremist groups, including the Afghan branch of ISIS (the Islamic State) and underlined that the Taliban is a necessary bulwark in the global fight against the Islamic State.

Kabul and other partners like New Delhi were surprised, while the Taliban was ecstatic. It is joyous to see that the regional countries have also understood that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is a political and military force, noted a statement issued on the Talibans behalf. The proposal forwarded in the Moscow tripartite of delisting members of the Islamic Emirate is a positive step forward in bringing peace and security to Afghanistan.

So Moscow was more careful for the February meeting, broadening outreach by inviting India, Iran, Afghanistan and most regional stakeholders while pointedly excluding the US and NATO. It was left to Afghanistan to underscore American centrality in the countrys unfolding dynamic and to push for inclusion of the US as one of its most important partners to end war and usher in sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

Prism

Vladimir Putin, intent on viewing South Asia through the prism of Russias geopolitical competition with the West, may have decided that the time was right for tilting towards Pakistan. US-Pakistan ties may have hit their nadir and the Trump administration, expressing isolationist tendencies, remains consumed by multiple domestic crises.

The global arms market has become more difficult for Russia to navigate, with China deciding to produce its own weapons rather than procuring them from Russia. Moscow needs new buyers.

Moscow and Islamabad held their first joint military exercise in September 2016 and their first bilateral consultation on regional issues in December. Russia lifted an arms embargo against Pakistan in 2014 and will send four Mi-35M attack helicopters this year.

Russian troops participated in this years Pakistan Day military parade. And the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor linking Xinjiang to the Pakistani port of Gwadar could be merged with the Russia-backed Eurasian Economic Union. This at a time when India became one of the few countries to boycott the One Belt, One Road summit organised by China earlier this month.
At a time when New Delhi has toughened its stand against separatists and militants alike, J&K governor NN Vohra seems to be holding a different opinion, at least with regard to Hurriyat-G chairman and pro-Pakistan hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani by counting on him to restore normalcy in the restive region.

Veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar has dropped a bombshell, saying Vohra has appealed to Geelani to make the Valley's youth shun protests, even as the aged leader had helped last year to calm things down.

In a write up "The Danger Of Becoming Jammu vs Kashmir for NDTV, published on May 30, Aiyar has thrown light on his recent visit to Kashmir.

I spent most of last week in Kashmir with a team from the Kolkata-based Centre for Peace and Progress led by its chairman OP Shah, meeting everyone we could. That, of course, included four Hurriyat leaders - Mirwaiz Omar Farooq; Shabbir Ahmed Shah; AM Bandey - and the one who's got everyone's goat: Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Aiyar says in the introductory paragraph.

But the next paragraph makes a startling revelation about Vohra having made a ferment appeal to Geelani. But we also met Governor NN Vohra, who not only spent 90 minutes briefing us in detail, but also thanked us most generously for making the visit, underlining the need to reach out to all sections of Kashmiri opinion. Indeed, he even asked us to convey to Geelani his request that Geelani appeal to the youth to not jeopardise their own education and their future employment prospects by taking to the streets, even as Geelani had helped last year to calm things down.

On May 25, an official handout from the information department confirmed the meeting between the governor and the visiting delegates led by Aiyar. But there was no mention of the governor having appealed to Geelani.

Governor NN Vohra.

The governor appreciated the initiatives of the Centre for Peace and Progress and thanked the delegation for their valuable contribution towards the restoration of normalcy in the state, the official handout said.

Call it fate or coincidence, on the day the governor supposedly sought Geelanis help, defence minister Arun Jaitley ruled out any talks with the separatists. In this current atmosphere of violence, we will not hold talks with separatists who are instigating violence. Not for now, he told a news channel. Jaitley also said the NDA government would neither compromise with separatists nor with terrorists.

On May 28, home minister Rajnath Singh asserted that the BJP-led NDA government has found a "permanent solution" to the vexed Kashmir issue but ruled out inviting separatist groups for talks on the matter.

But if Aiyar is to be believed, Vohra made his appeal to Geelani, within a month of having met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital.

The governor seems almost dependent on Geelani with regard to the Kashmir unrest. Photo: Reuters

On May 5, Vohra had called on Modi and discussed with him the security situation and continued unrest in the Valley at the meeting that lasted about 45 minutes.

While many look at Aiyars visit as part of some Track-II diplomacy aimed at resuming dialogue with separatists, the visiting delegate hasnt ruled out such assumptions. Our principal objective was to demonstrate to the governments at the Centre and the state, and skeptics and hardliners around the country, that every shade of political opinion and every section of society could be brought together around a table. We succeeded, Mani says in his write-up.

While talking to mediapersons in Kashmir, Aiyar had said that on return to New Delhi he would use the power of his pen to carry forward his agenda. But his first write-up shows the governor almost-dependent on Geelani with regard to the Kashmir unrest.
I have been an observer, partner and friend of India for over three decades and have always been a believer in the immense potential of the country. It has been 35 years since my first visit to India and I have never felt more optimistic about the countrys future than now.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India will have a great influence in shaping our global future as the country pursues a more inclusive path going forward  "together with all, development for all".

I first met Prime Minister Modi in 2003 at the India Economic Summit in New Delhi, and again at our first Annual Meeting of the New Champions, in Dalian, Peoples Republic of China, in 2007. The then chief minister of Gujarat clearly struck me as a passionate leader who saw the power of innovation as a resounding driver of economic growth and social progress. Over the last 45 years, I have had the great privilege of meeting almost every world leader. Thus, I am often asked, "What makes a good leader?"

Time and again, I have observed four defining qualities: brains, soul, heart and good nerves.

Marching with a Billion; Uday Mahurkar; Penguin Random House India

There are only a handful of leaders in the world who, in my view, possess all four qualities, and Prime Minister Modi is one of them.

First, a leader must have the necessary contextual intelligence  the "brains"  to connect the dots. Prime Minister Modi has been an innovative force in embracing technology to improve Indias economic prosperity, civic participation and digital governance. It comes as no surprise that the prime minister is one of the most followed global leaders on Twitter, with over 28 million followers, engaging them by providing policy updates, inviting ideas and feedback, and sharing the progress being made by the government.

Second, in a rapidly changing world, leaders need values and vision to serve as their radar and compass in navigating the future. The "soul" helps provide this vision and direction. Without a compass, a leader cannot exercise leadership responsibly, and without a radar system, leaders cannot be responsive.

Much has been said and written about the key initiatives of the prime minister, from Make in India to Digital India to Skill India, to name but a few. The "red thread" throughout all these initiatives is his ability to create strong narratives and mobilise resources to help implement the vision.

Third, a leader needs "heart"  namely passion and empathy. Knowing the prime ministers philosophy, it doesnt surprise me that he is developing an inclusive growth agenda focused on empowering the poor and providing them with an enabling environment by expanding direct benefit transfer through bank accounts to electrifying remote villages, among others.

Fourth, a leader must be able to combine a strong vision with the ability to translate that vision into action, and to effectively address the many simultaneous and complex challenges that we are facing. This requires what I call "good nerves". Here, what stands out is Prime Minister Modis ability to take critical, and sometimes unpopular, decisions for the long-term benefit of the country and its citizens. The recent demonetisation initiative is a good example of this.

What stands out is PM Modis ability to take critical, and sometimes unpopular, decisions for the long-term benefit of the country and its citizens. Photo: PTI

Prime Minister Modis consistent focus on responsible and responsive citizenship highlights the power of brains, soul, heart and good nerves in action. Initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Namami Gange focus on the power of citizen engagement in helping restore and regenerate Indias natural environment and ecosystems.

There is purity of purpose in this. Marching with a Billion provides a uniquely detailed account of the prime ministers many initiatives. And while it may be too early to assess their success, it is clear they are consistently driven by the red thread of vision and passion.

As the forum continues to deepen its engagement with India, I personally believe in a promising future for the country for many reasons, among which are a vibrant democracy and pluralistic society, the quality of Indian entrepreneurs, the countrys demographic dividend, an energetic leadership and the significant multiplier effect of the reform and innovation policies that are being enacted.

In my conversations with business leaders, politicians, academics and young people from around the world, Indians everywhere feel deeply engaged, energised and empowered to participate in Prime Minister Modis new vision for India.

With such a decisive and strong leader, there is a great opportunity for Indians to participate in not only reforming, but also transforming India  responsively and responsibly.
The second of three men charged in a November robbery on Ivy Road has pleaded guilty.

Djimon Spann, an 18-year-old from Thomasville, North Carolina, was in Albemarle County Circuit Court on Tuesday for a plea hearing on the seven charges he faced after being arrested on the night of Nov. 20.

Authorities said Spann was one of three men who committed an armed robbery in the 4300 block of Ivy Road in the early morning hours of Nov. 20. Arun Turay, 19, was arrested on the same night as Spann; he faces a hearing on June 5. Kalton Payne, 19, was arrested the next day; he pleaded guilty to his own set of charges on May 10.

In court Tuesday, Spann submitted Alford pleas to charges of robbery and using a firearm in the commission of a felony, as well as a charge of unlawful wounding that had been downgraded from malicious wounding. An Alford plea means that the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges that the prosecution has enough evidence to convict him or her.

In return, prosecutors dropped a second weapon charge, two grand larceny charges and a charge of petty larceny.

Police in November said that the three men are connected to a larceny from a Woodbrook-area business and a series of car break-ins in the Forest Lakes community. The Ivy Road robbery was an isolated incident involving a male victim who was injured and taken to Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital for treatment.

A pre-sentence report is being prepared for Spann; it will likely be completed ahead of an Aug. 8 hearing set in the case.
COLUMBUS  A steady stream of adults and children came to St. Isidore Catholic Church.

They waited in line to see a statue of the Virgin Mary.

What is so special about this statue? There are lots of statues of Our Lady of Fatima, said Tom Ross.

Ross is a custodian of the special sculpture that has been traveling across the world since 1947 through the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima.

Carved by Jose Thedim from mahogany wood, the statue was on display Monday at the local church. St. Isidore is one of the stops on the nationwide tour that marks the 100th anniversary of an angel and Mary appearing to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal.

The sculptor is based on what the children saw in 1917.

At St. Isidore, the doors were open to anyone who wanted to see the statue and pray for Marys intercession. Plans are for 100 dioceses to be part of the tour in celebration of the anniversary.

The statue has been to every continent except Antarctica, Ross said.

This statue has been traveling continuously for 70 years nonstop. Its been to hundreds of countries, including Russia, Red China, Vietnam, he said.

The apparitions of Mary began to appear to children Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto during World War I. Ross said the message Mary gave during those visits was that war was a punishment from God for sin and if people did not stop offending God, a worse war would break out.

She told those little children to pray the rosary every day to obtain peace for the world, he said. So we might draw the conclusion that the message of Fatima in 1917, if it had spread far enough and wide enough that there might not have been a World War II.

The statue was created to help spread her message. It first traveled in war-torn Europe, then was brought to other countries.

Today, in 2017, it is still bringing a message of hope and peace, but more importantly its bringing a message that has brought a responsibility. The message of Fatima demands a response, Ross said.
New Delhi: Shares of Adani Group companies surged up to 6 per cent today after the group agreed to pay royalties on coal produced from its USD 16.5 billion Carmichael coal project in Australia after it struck an agreement with the Queensland government to help the controversy-hit project move forward.

The scrip of Adani Enterprises surged 5.93 per cent, Adani Transmission gained 4.27 per cent, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (3.43 per cent) and Adani Power (2.43 per cent) on BSE. Adani Ports was the top gainer among the 30-Sensex components.

The agreement with Queensland government "meets Adani's expectations and requirements," the company said in a statement, without providing details of the accord. In the statement, Adani chairman Gautam Adani described the move as a "benchmark decision" that showed the "strong commitment" of the Queensland government to the project.

The Carmichael coal project, Australia's largest, has been delayed since first being proposed in 2010 due to protests by green groups over its environmental impact.
Melbourne: Indian energy giant Adani Group said today that it has struck a deal on 'royalties payments' with the Queensland government for its 21.7 billion dollars coal mine project in Australia, a major breakthrough for the controversy-hit Carmichael venture.

According to the company statement, the deal with the state has met Adani's expectations and requirements and the move would mean that the project was back on track to generate 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in the regional state.

"This shows a strong commitment by the State government to the project and is a benchmark decision to take this project forward," the statement said. "I thank the Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, and the elected members of the State for their continued support to make this happen.

I also wish to thank Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten for their support for the changes to the Native Title Bill," said Gautam Adani, Adani Group Chairman.

The company will consider the final investment decision at the next board meeting, it said. The project, which is the most advanced in the Galilee Basin, involves a phase one mine production of 25 million tonnes per annum, and construction of a 388-kilometre standard gauge open access common user rail line.

Peak mine production in later phases will rise to 60 million tonnes per annum. To accommodate that later stage mine production, Adani will also expand the port capacity from 50 million tonnes per annum to 120 million tonnes per annum of its owned and operated bulk coal port facility at Abbot Point near Bowen in North.

The future of the so called?biggest mine in the world and largest in Australia was put on hold recently after the state cabinet's split on the royalties payment. Adani wanted the Queensland government to delay the start of royalty obligations on the coal mine it hopes to build in Queensland's Galilee Basin.

Earlier, state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had said the Indian mining giant would have to pay "every cent" of royalties for the proposed mine that was followed by Adani's announcement to defer its final investment plan on the project. The project has been mired in several controversies in the past. It came under strong criticism from environmentalists and also faced several legal challenges from time to time.
Coal India which accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal production is eyeing one billion tonnes of output by 2020.

Kolkata/New Delhi: State-owned Coal India today reported 38 per cent decline in consolidated net profit at Rs 2,716 crore for the quarter ended on March 31, 2017, due to higher expenses.

Coal India Ltd (CIL) had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 4,398 crore in the corresponding quarter of previous fiscal. The consolidated income of the company increased to Rs 26,635.9 crore in the last quarter of FY2016-17, from Rs 24,583.8 crore in the January-March quarter of 2015-16, the PSU said in a filing to the BSE.

The consolidated sales (net of other levies but including excise duty) increased to Rs 24,032.5 crore in January-March, over Rs 22,141 crore in the year-ago period. Total expenses increased to Rs 22,357.5 crore in the last quarter of 2016-17, over Rs 18,173.8 crore in the January- March quarter of 2015-16.

"During the quarter/year ended March 31, 2017 the company has declared and paid two interim dividends...amounting to Rs 12,352.76 crore," it said adding that the board decided to recommend such interim dividend already paid as final dividend and no additional dividend has been recommended for 2016-17.

The company's output during January-March quarter increased to 176.37 million tonnes, from 165.24 MT in the same period of 2015-16. The company's offtake for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, was higher at 151.5 MT compared to 145 MT in the same quarter of 2015-16.

On standalone basis, the company's profit decreased to Rs 13,438 crore in January-March 2017, over Rs 14,188.6 crore in the same quarter of 2015-16. CIL's standalone income dropped to Rs 13,485.2 crore over Rs 14,251 crore in the year-ago period. Shares of the company closed at Rs 267.65 apiece on BSE, down 0.26 per cent from the previous close.

Coal India which accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal production is eyeing one billion tonnes of output by 2020. The miner has reported the Q4 results as per the new accounting standards and FY16' Q4 figures are restated.

The miner informed the bourses that its employees benefit cost was at Rs 9,229 crore during the quarter, sharply higher from Rs 7,843 crore registered in the corresponding quarter of FY2015-16.

CIL provisions jumped to Rs 1,238 crore which is mainly on account of grade slippages during the quarter as against Rs 291 crore in the same quarter of FY2015-16.
Of the 23 new discoveries made in last fiscal, 13 discoveries were in the onshore wells and 10 in the offshore wells.

Mumbai: The state-run ONGC has seen reversal in onshore domestic crude oil production as it increased to 5.97 MMT during the fiscal year ended March from 5.82 MMT in FY16, logging a growth of 2.4 per cent due to early monetisation of discoveries at Ankleshwar, Cauvery (Madnam) and Rajahmundry (Keshnapalli West), among others.

ONGC Chairman and Managing Director D K Sarraf today also said that the last fiscal year has been "excellent" one as the company had as many as 23 new discoveries compared to 17 in 2015-16.

"Around 60 per cent of the discoveries have been monetised in the same year," Sarraf told reporters here. Of the 23 new discoveries made in last fiscal, 13 discoveries were in the onshore wells and 10 in the offshore wells, he said.

The production is expected to jump further to 6.05 MMT during the current year backed by similar monetisation of Ahmedabad (Gamij) and Mehsana besides existing ones in Cauvery (Madnam) and Rajahmundry (Keshnapalli West).

The company drilled its highest-ever number of wells -- 501 -- during FY17, against 392 in FY16 and 401 in FY15. The Central government's initiative for Reassessment of Hydrocarbon Resources (HC)' in Indian sedimentary basins which is being undertaken by ONGC is expected to get complete by end of November this year, Sarraf said.
GST would replace multiple taxes system from July 1, and it would also boost economic growth in the country.

New Delhi: Chartered accountants' apex body ICAI has set up desks to help small businessmen and traders on Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is set to be rolled out from July 1.

ICAI GST Sahayata Desks have been made operational, without any charge, at all major cities to facilitate small businessmen, traders, shopkeepers and public at large.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) said these desks would be made operational at around 200 locations in different part of the country.

Among others, these desks would create basic awareness on GST, inform individuals about the benefits and help them in migration to the new system.

"The GST Sahayata Desks would be operational w.e.f May 28, 2017 till September 30, 2017 at pan India level," it said in a release today.

The GST would replace multiple taxes system from July 1, and it would also boost economic growth in the country because of development of common market, ICAI President Nilesh S Vikamsey said.
44% of education searches are now coming from tier 2 and tier 3 cities such as Patna, Guwahati, Aligarh and Kota among others.

Mumbai: Indias online education segment is set to become a multi-billion dollar industry by 2021 thanks to the growing influence of the internet on the education sector in the country.

With the increasing penetration of smartphones and improving quality of internet, a study conducted by Google along with KPMG said that the online education sector is likely to grow eight-fold to become $1.96 billion industry by 2021.

According to it, the growth in online searches for education has doubled in last two years while there has been a three-fold growth in searches through mobile devices.

Interestingly, 44 per cent of education searches are now coming from tier 2 and tier 3 cities such as Patna, Guwahati, Aligarh and Kota among others. There has also been a four-fold growth in education content consumption on YouTube in the last one year, the report noted.

Segment wise, the report highlighted that reskilling and online certification is currently the largest. In 2016, it was valued at $93 million, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 38 per cent to reach $463 million by 2021.

As per the report, the primary and secondary education category has the largest addressable audience with a base of around 260 million when compared to the other categories. Owing to this, the primary and secondary supplementary education segment was the second largest category in 2016, and will grow at a CAGR of 60 per cent to reach $773 million, making it the largest category in 2021.

The test preparation which is a small segment as of today is likely to grow at an impressive CAGR of 64 per cent to become a $515 million category in 2021.

There are several evolving trends in the Indian online education segment that are contributing to the growth opportunities ahead. These include emergence of hybrid learning channels, continuous need for working professionals to learn new skills as well as emergence of technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence that is enabling online education vendors to design customised content. At the same time, it will be critical for players to deliver differentiated offerings for consumers to see continued value in online education channels, said Sreedhar Prasad, partner, KPMG India.
Mumbai: Terming it as 'lovely coincidence', ' Berlin-bound' Priyanka Chopra met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning.

While PeeCee is holidaying in Germany post her Hollywood release, Prime Minister Modi is on a six-day-four-nation tour.

The 34-year-old took to Instagram to share the moment with her fans and even thanked the Prime Minister for taking out time to meet her.

"Was such a lovely coincidence to be in #berlin at the same time as the Prime Minister. Thank you @narendramodi Sir for taking the time from your packed schedule to meet me this morning," wrote the 'Quantico' star.

Was such a lovely coincidence to be in #berlin at the same time as the Prime Minister. Thank you @narendramodi Sir for taking the time from your packed schedule to meet me this morning.  A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on May 30, 2017 at 1:04am PDT

A few days ago, Akshay Kumar also met PM Narendra Modi to discuss his upcoming film 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha,' which was a planned visit.
Mumbai: Sushant Singh Rajputs public image has taken a major hit after exchanging heated words with a seasoned journalist during the trailer launch of his upcoming flick Raabta. The actor is now notorious for losing his cool at the drop of a hat and he, of course, has his PR agency to blame for it.

A well-placed source tells us that an irate Sushant has fired his public relations agency for allegedly tarnishing his reputation and joined hands with a rival of the company. The actor quit the agency right after the release of 'MS Dhoni :The Untold Story'.

Sushant has been in the news for throwing tantrums and acting super pricey. Recently, during the film premiere of docu-drama Sachin: A Billion Dreams, Sushant got aggressive while answering questions to a point that his co-star and rumoured ladylove Kriti sanon had to tap his hand to calm him down.

Well, what he needs at this moment is not a fresh team but some time off to introspect and mend his ways. Lets face it, when you create a scene with 100 prowling eyes watching, examining each and every step that you take, you cannot really blame the PR agency for not being able to control the damage.
Mumbai: Bengali TV actor Vikram Chatterjee has been charged with culpable homicide, not amounting to murder, in the case regarding death of model-anchor Sonika Singh Chauhan.

A car being driven by Vikram, who was travelling with Sonika, had crashed, leaving both injured. Sonika ultimately succumbed to her injuries.

The charge can get Vikram a maximum of ten years in prison.

The actor had reportedly been heavily inebriated, and was rash driving.

The accident happened at Rash Behari Bose road and both of them were rushed to the hospital by passersby, where Sonika was declared brought dead.

The police consequently filed a stricter complaint, based on the high speed that the actor had been riding in, according to a report by NDTV.
Mumbai: Robert De Niro says that in movie terms, the country was once an inspiring uplifting drama but now has turned into a tragic dumbass comedy.

The two-time, Oscar-winning actor spoke to Brown University graduates Sunday at the Ivy League schools commencement ceremonies. He urged them to work to stop the insanity and to strive to make the world better.

De Niro received an honorary doctorate of fine arts.

Actor and rapper Daveed Diggs, who won a Tony Award for his role in the phenomenon Hamilton, also was among those who received honorary degrees. Diggs told the graduates that the country needs their new ideas because the old ones have made a mess of things.
Rajinikanth during his meet-and-greet session with fans few days back.

Chennai: A member of Rajinikanth's fans association was on Monday expelled for alleged breach of disciplinary norms, days after the 'superstar' warned his supporters against misconduct.

All India Rajinikanth Fans Association Administrator V M Sudhakar announced the expulsion of 'Saidapet' G Ravi and asked other members not to have any truck with him either directly or indirectly.

Stern action would be taken against those found having any link with Ravi, he said in a release here.

"Saidapet G Ravi is expelled from his primary membership for breach of discipline and hampering the unity of the association," Sudhakar said without elaborating further.

He also directed members and functionaries not to take part in media talk shows or give interviews without the prior sanction of the association headquarters.

Two days after his fans staged a protest against some fringe outfits opposed to his political entry, Rajinikanth, on May 25 had warned that if members engaged in actions affecting the association's reputation, they would be expelled.

He also had authorised Sudhakar to take action if warranted.

Taking Rajinikanth's recent address to his fans in which he asked them to be ready for 'war', a hint that he may join politics, some pro-Tamil outfits had opposed it, saying he was not a native of Tamil Nadu.

Following this Rajinikanth's fans had staged a protest. Media witnessed debates too on film stars entering politics.
Mumbai: Veteran Tollywood director-producer Dasari Narayana Rao passed away in Hyderabad today. He was 75 years old.

The director had been critically ill for a while, having been hospitalised early this year.

The veteran director was admitted in a private hospital in Secunderabad on January 29 in a critical condition, but has remarkably improved.

The treatment is going to continue at home as the doctors have set up a mini hospital at Dasaris house. Twice every day, doctors from the hospital will visit him to check his health condition, a source close to Dasari had told Deccan Chronicle.

Dasari Narayana Rao also holds the Guinness record for directing the most number of films.

He is survived by his sons Arun Kumar Dasari and Hari Hara Prabhu.
If you want to wrap your head around a concept or learn about a burning issue, you can now borrow human books. Introduced in Denmark in 2000 by Ronni Abergel, the human library aims to use people's (human books) experiences to spread awareness and confront prejudices in society. From racism to caste discrimination, from sexual abuse to polygamy, from gender inequality to LGBTQ rights, the human books engage people with their stories and experiences.

The Human Library Organisation (HLO) organises events across the world where participants can choose a human book from several categories. Once a reader selects a human book, he or she has a one-on-one chat with them for 30 minutes.

Who can become a book? Anyone who has faced discrimination, been victimised or has a story to tell.

Mr Abergel says, Books are carefully recruited and prepared for publication based on their personal experiences and backgrounds. Typically, they are members of groups in the community that are exposed to stigma, stereotypes or prejudices because of their social status, religion, occupation, ethnicity, sexuality, lifestyle, health or disability. Not everyone can be published; only those with valid experiences and who are able to communicate and understand their role as an open book.

Harshad Fad, who works with the Human Library Organi-sation in India, says, We decide the issues we want to highlight, and then we find people who represent them. It is like composing music and then putting the lyrics to it.

Detailing the process of recruiting human books, Mr Fad said candidates are given questions that revolve around the kind of prejudices they have faced and experiences they want to share with readers.

The Human Library Organisation also reaches out to people whose experiences allow readers to challenge deep-seated prejudices. There are a lot of issues that people don't know much about. For example, sex trafficking. People don't understand the gravity of the problem. So we approach NGOs who help us to find a book that can talk about that issue. We had an NGO volunteer who spoke about sex trafficking survivors and the dangers they face.

Human book Aditya Raja, who represents the LGBTQ community, said that sharing extremely personal stories of his trials and tribulations with a group of strangers made him feel vulnerable at first, but it was a unique experience to have a dialogue with readers as it helps them to see the human side of an issue that they haven't encountered in their lives.

Mr Raja has interacted with people of different ages and backgrounds at two events recently held in Hyderabad, and he feels that often people leave the session with an entirely different opinion or more informed opinion.

He says people who are biased don't understand the issues faced by the LGBTQ community. Whatever misperception the readers have, they can directly ask the human book during the interaction session. It changes their perspective entirely.

The human library concept, born out of the Stop the Violence movement in Denmark in 2000, has spread across the world. Australia has become the first country to have a permanent human library. The HLO recently held events in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune. It is represented in over 70 countries, mostly in partnership with local organisations.

Highlighting its growing popularity, Mr Abergel says, We engage many thousands of volunteer books, editors and librarians across the world. We are expanding every day with more book depots and more partners in new countries.

The Human Library Organisation is looking to spread its wings further. It is very important for the concept of the human library to reach more and more people and cities. We are helping local organisers to understand the process. People are reaching out to us through social media to organise events. Currently, there are 30 human books in India, says Mr Fad.
The three women corporators  Manjula Narayanaswamy, JD(S), Mamata Vasudev (BJP) and Asha Suresh (Congress)  protested in the well of the House with bottles of poison liquid in front of them.

Bengaluru: In high drama, three women corporators jumped into the well of the BBMP Council and threatened to commit suicide by consuming floor cleaning liquid on Monday. They were protesting against the alleged harassment by Rajarajeshwarinagar MLA Munirathna and his followers. It is alleged that Mr Munirathnas supporters assaulted and pulled Laggere corporator Manjula Narayanaswamys saree during the foundation laying ceremony for development works at the ward on May 19 which was attended by CM Siddaramaiah.

The three women corporators  Manjula Narayanaswamy, JD(S), Mamata Vasudev (BJP) and Asha Suresh (Congress)  protested in the well of the House with bottles of poison liquid in front of them. However, council opposition leader Padmanabha Reddy snatched the bottles and pacified them.

As the council meeting began, the three corporators staged the dharna and alleged that even the police behaved rudely with them and favoured Munirathna. Ms Manjula Narayanaswamy said Mr Munirathnas followers embarrassed her by trying to strip her. A couple of corproators were only mute spectators. Will the police arrest Mr. Munirathna after I die, she asked. JD(S) MLA T.A. Sharavana asked why Mayor Padmavathi did not utter a word when Ms Narayanaswamy was being abused and humiliated in public. Ms Padmavathi took objection and said the MLA should not try to mislead the council.

Only fulfilling my role, says Munirathna: With three JD(S) corporators threatening to commit suicide during the BBMP Council meeting on Monday, blaming Raja Rajeshwari Nagar MLA Munirathna for forcing them to take the extreme step, he rubbished their allegations. Munirathna said that he was not at the spot when the alleged assault on a woman corporator took place during the inauguration of developmental works at Laggere ward recently.

After the inauguration, I left the venue along with CM Siddaramaiah and others. Only later did I learn about the fight. I am only fulfilling my role as an MLA. I never interfered with the work of corporators.
The police have arrested Dr C.S. Nagalakshmamma, who is a gazetted officer, for attesting the documents of Pakistani nationals which the Kerala man, Mohammed Shihab (26), had brought to her for verification.(Representational image)

Bengaluru: Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths, who are grilling the three Pakistani nationals including two women and a Kerala-based man who assisted their stay in the city, have picked up a senior doctor from the Jayanagar Government Hospital for helping the three arrested Pakistanis get Aadhaar Cards.

The police have arrested Dr C.S. Nagalakshmamma, who is a gazetted officer, for attesting the documents of Pakistani nationals which the Kerala man, Mohammed Shihab (26), had brought to her for verification.

During the raid on Shihab's house in Kumaraswamy Layout on Thursday, CCB sleuths had found three Pakistani nationals  Sameera alias Najma (25), whom Shihab had married, her cousin Khasif Shamshuddin (31) and his wife Kiron Ghulam Ali (25). The police had found Aadhaar cards in their names as well.

When the police started investigating as to how they managed to get the Aadhaar cards, they found that Shihab got it done for Rs 100. During the interrogation, Shihab revealed that he got the documents verified from Dr Nagalakshmamma and produced them at a new Aadhaar centre at Kadirenahalli and obtained the cards for all the three Pakistani nationals.

Dr Nagalakshmamma admitted that she signed the documents, but denied that she had any clue that they were Pakistanis. I verified the documents, but I had no idea they were Pakistanis. I have helped many people this way. The guy approached me three months ago seeking help in getting documents verified for Aadhaar card. I did not doubt him as he produced the rental agreement, she said.

A case has been filed by against Dr Nagalakshmamma by UID Bengaluru Regional Deputy Director, Ashok Lenin, for her role in helping the Pakistani nationals get the Aadhaars cards. The police are also contemplating booking those at the Aadhaar centre for dereliction of duty.
A massive hunt is underway to nab the remaining five absconding culprits. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

Rampur: The Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday arrested four more accused in the shocking Rampur molestation case, taking the number of nabbed perpetrators to nine.

Out of the four arrested, one has been identified as a 16-year-old minor, named Rahees. The other three have been identified as Fazil, Bhoora, Qasim.

A massive hunt is underway to nab the remaining five absconding culprits.

Reacting sharply to the case, Uttar Pradesh ADG Law and Order Aditya Mishra on Monday dubbed the incident as 'sad', while saying that the police would ensure that such misconduct is not repeated in future.

"This is very serious and sad incident. We will try that this kind of incident should not get repeated in future," Mishra told ANI.

Asserting that the police have taken fast action in the case, he further informed that four accused have been arrested till now.

The state police successfully arrested four prime accused in the molestation case till yesterday.

While three men were arrested on Sunday night, the fourth was nabbed on Monday.

Social media was set on fire, after a video of two women being molested by a group of men in broad daylight in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur surfaced.

Around 12 to 14 boys can be seen in the video, molesting the women, even while they pleaded to let them go.

Proving the sheer fearlessness of the perpetrators, the boys filmed the entire development and posted it on social media.

Besides manhandling and molesting the girls, the boys were laughing and making jokes the whole time, while the distraught girls kept on begging to be spared.

Surprisingly, it was not much long ago when the Yogi-Adityanath Government has launched 'Anti-Romeo' squads to check on eve-teasing in public areas, to ensure the safety of girls in the state.
R Sooraj being taken into the hospital, in Chennai. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

Chennai: An Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - Madras PhD scholar was allegedly beaten up on Tuesday by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) students for organising 'Beef Fest' in the campus.

The Indian Express reported, ABVP also issued death threats to all the students who participated in the fest.

The victim, R Sooraj has been beaten up for conducting 'Beef Fest' in IIT. He has been seriously injured in his right eye.

A group of 70 to 80 students held the beef festival on Sunday evening to demonstrate against the Centre's notification.

Earlier this week, expressing strong disapproval of the Centre's move, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by attacking the BJP-led government at the centre and the RSS, saying there was no need for the people of his state to draw lessons from New Delhi or Nagpur on their food habits.
However, it wasnt clear which countries have been impacted by the Judy malware.

A new malware called Judy is now infecting millions of Android smartphones globally close on the heels of WannaCry holding PCs at ransom, says a report.

According to security solutions firm Check Point, the malware  Judy  uses infected devices to generate large amounts of fraudulent clicks on advertisements, generating revenues for the perpetrators behind it.

The total spread of the malware campaign on Google Play (Googles official app store) may have reached between 8.5 and 36.5 million users, Check Point said on its blog.

The auto-clicking adware was found on 41 apps developed by a Korean company. However, it wasnt clear which countries have been impacted by the Judy malware.

Some of the apps (that were infected) we discovered resided on Google Play for several years, but all were recently updated. It is unclear how long the malicious code existed inside the apps, hence the actual spread of the malware remains unknown, it added.

After Check Point notified Google about this threat, the apps were swiftly removed from the Play store, the blog said.

Earlier this month, a ransomware called WannaCry wrecked havoc across over 100 countries, hitting systems in countries, including Russia and the UK. The malware infected computers running on older versions of Microsoft operating systems like XP, locking access to files on the computer.

Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
The Supreme Court had on April 19 ordered prosecution of Advani, Joshi, Uma Bharti, and other accused for criminal conspiracy in the politically sensitive case. It had also ordered day-to-day trial to be concluded in two years. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

Lucknow: A special CBI court in Lucknow will frame charges on Tuesday against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

The leaders will appear on Tuesday before the Special CBI judge S K Yadav.

The court had also asked BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmia and Sadhvi Ritambara to present themselves before the court in person.

While directing the accused to present themselves in person, the judge had said no application for adjournment or exemption from personal appearance shall be entertained.

The court, which is hearing two separate cases relating to the demolition, would also frame charges against Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma alias Prem Ji, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Dharma Das and Satish Pradhan in the second matter.

The Supreme Court had on April 19 ordered prosecution of Advani, Joshi, Uma Bharti, and other accused for criminal conspiracy in the politically sensitive case. It had also ordered day-to-day trial to be concluded in two years.

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 apex 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. It 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 Bombay High Court had on May 4 reversed the trial court verdict acquitting Bhagora and others and had convicted 11 people (one convict is dead) in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the conviction of an IPS officer in the sensational 2002 Bilkis Bano case.

A vacation bench of Justices A K Sikri and Deepak Gupta said that there is no urgency for hearing the matter as the convicted officer has already undergone the sentence.

The bench, however, listed the matter for hearing in the second week of July, observing the fine is of Rs 15,000 only.

IPS officer R S Bhagora, currently serving in Gujarat, has been convicted along with four other policemen by the Bombay High Court recently after the trial court had acquitted them.

The counsel appearing for Bhagora said if the conviction is not stayed, then he will be terminated from the service as per service rules.

He said the court should grant stay on the conviction.

The Bombay High Court had on May 4 reversed the trial court verdict acquitting Bhagora and others and had convicted 11 people (one convict is dead) in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case.

Along with five policemen, two doctors were also convicted by the HC.
Chennai: Amid a nationwide debate over the central government rule that bans the sale of cows for slaughter at animal markets, a section of students from IIT-Madras held a beef festival on the campus to protest the ban on Sunday.

The spontaneous protest on campus saw around 70-80 students gather to discuss the notification. After the discussion, students served beef, which was brought from outside, as a token of protest.

Stating that the beef festival was not a planned one, Abhinav Surya, a final year student of IIT-M said, The progressive students of IIT Madras participated in the event to condemn the recent legislation which bans cattle for slaughter in animal markets.

The government is interfering in the personal food habits of people. This is a clear move by the Centre to further its communal agenda, he added.

Azhar Moideen, a final year student of IIT-M who participated in the protest, said, The main call was for a discussion to happen and along with it beef was also distributed.

Apart from the right to consume food, there is economy and production involved in it. Its a directive against the people who rear cattle, trade in cattle and people involved in the leather industry. The government is unwilling and unable to support the farmers, he said. This move is anti-farmer, anti-Dalit and anti-Muslim, he added.

Though the IIT-Madras administration does not take any view on the protest, other section of students belonging to the right wing student body criticised it.
The protesters will be taking out a march from the Gymkhana Club to the District Magistrate (DM) office.(Representational Image)

New Delhi: All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists will go on a nationwide strike against the proposal by the Central Health Ministry to regulate sale of drugs through e-portal and implementation of online pharmacy.

The one-day strike is expected to paralyse some hospitals while millions of patients across the country fear to get severely affected.

Meanwhile, the pharmacists in Lucknow are already staging a protest against the same.

The protesters will be taking out a march from the Gymkhana Club to the District Magistrate (DM) office.

However, medicines will be available at all government and private hospitals.

Meanwhile, the state administration has deemed the protest as invalid, sending out instructions of taking strict action against those shutting down their shops.

The medicines are considered to be important under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

In Lucknow itself, there are 1800 wholesale and 3200 retail pharmacy shops.
IT officials, after raids at various offices of Sekhar Reddy, managing partner of SRS Mining seized about Rs 97 crores of Old Currencies, Rs 34 crore of new Currencies and about 177 kgs of gold bars.

Chennai: The Enforcement Directorate, Chennai on Monday attached 30 kg of gold bars worth Rs 8.5 crore of J. Sekhar Reddy, and his associates in connection with the exchange of old notes to new currency notes under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2OO2 (PMLA).

The sand mining baron was arrested first by the CBI in December last year in connection with seizure of currency notes worth Rs 33 crores from his offices after raids by Income-Tax officials. Later, in March this year, Enforcement Directorate arrested him on charges of Money laundering.

IT officials, after raids at various offices of Sekhar Reddy, managing partner of SRS Mining seized about Rs 97 crores of Old Currencies, Rs 34 crore of new Currencies and about 177 kgs of gold bars.

According to an official statement, based on the CBI cases registered against Reddy and his associates in relation to such seizures, about Rs 34 crores of new currency seized was provisionally attached.

The officials further added that Reddy has stated that cash seized by the Income-Tax department belongs to his SRS mining Company and he admitted that it was unaccounted money.

Reddys accomplice, Srinivasulu has stated that he used to receive money from SRS mining and used a part of the same for converting into gold bars through Premakumar as per the instructions of Sekhar Reddy, the officials added.

The unaccounted cash was converted into gold bars through an associate Prem Kumar, from whose residence I-T officials seized the Rs. 8.5 crore worth gold bars.

On reasonable belief that the seized 30 kgs of gold bars, worth Rs.8.5 crore are part of proceeds of crime, the same were provisionally attached under the provisions of PMLA, an official statement said. Further investigations are in progress.
The Prime Minister will be discussing ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in combating terrorism. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Following his visit to Germany, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Spain on Tuesday to kick-start his two-day visit to initiate bilateral engagements with President Mariano Rajoy.

During his stay, he will meet the top leadership of the country to discuss issues of mutual interests. He is also expected to call on King of Spain - King Felipe VI tomorrow.

The Prime Minister will be discussing ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in combating terrorism.

Prime Modi will also meet top Chief Executive Officers of the Spanish industry and encourage them to take part in the 'Make in India' initiative.

During his tour to Spain, a number of agreements are likely to be inked in the fields including, renewable energy, high speed rail, infrastructure, civil aviation, water waste management and air space management.

In the first leg of his four nation tour to Germany, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed number of regional and global issues, including Brexit, terrorism, Afghanistan as well as China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.

Discussions on climate change and the possibilities of including India in the G 20 contact also took place.

The two leaders also reviewed Brexit, its effects on both India and Germany as well as the future of the European Union (EU).

The two sides, during bilateral talks, also discussed how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programs including skill development, energy sector, environment, smart cities and digital India.

The German side appreciated India's economic reform agenda, the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism that was established in 2015 to assist German businessmen in India.

After concluding his visit, Prime Minister Modi said that he had a "very good interaction" with Merkel.
Srinagar: Kashmirs chief Muslim cleric and separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Monday alleged that Indias military leadership and supporting government at the Centre are openly encouraging the security forces to commit genocide in the Valley.

If you go by the statements of the Indian Army Chief and those from the ruling dispensation in New Delhi, you will know they are brazenly asking more than 700,000 troops deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to commit genocide of its Muslim population, the Mirwaiz alleged.

Referring to Army Chief General Bipin Rawats latest statement in which he had said that he wished the Kashmiri youth instead of hurling stones were firing weapons at the security forces and then I would have been happy...then I could do what I (want to do), the Mirwaiz said the remarks were aimed at inciting them to pick up arms and get killed.

This anti-Kashmiri statement of the Army Chief of India is appalling, to say the least. It also reflects that it is the Army which is in control here, he said.

The Mirwaiz who is under house arrest said in the statement mailed to newspapers that read, the statements coming out of New Delhi show that the government has decided to openly admit that it has handed Kashmir and its people over to the Army. It has granted them absolute authority but no accountability to deal with Kashmiris. The Army, with the sole objective to keep Kashmir with India, can go to any extent no matter even if all Kashmiris have to be repressed, killed or humiliated for that, he alleged.

He said that Arun Jaitley as Defence Minister also defended the action of Major Leetul Gogoi in which he tied a Kashmiri shawl weaver to the bonnet of an Army jeep during the April 9 by-poll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat by saying that in war-like zones tackling the situation should be left to the military as it requires military solutions which also makes it clear that the Army can commit worst human rights violations with impunity.

The level of arrogance of power and contempt exhibited towards the people of Kashmir, through such insensitive statements, no longer shocks the people of Kashmir as we have come to realize that we are no longer considered human beings by the Indian state. Also New Delhi is only interested in a military solution to a political and human issue, he said.

I would like to ask the government in Delhi that if the dispute could not be resolved through a military solution over the last 70 years, when wars have been fought externally and severe repression unleashed internally upon Kashmiris in which lakhs of Kashmiris and thousands of Indians and Pakistanis have perished and continue to do so, as a means of dispute resolution, how can it produce a different result now, when the next generation of Kashmiris raised under occupation is all the more determined to achieve their fundamental right to exercise their will?, the Mirwaiz asked.

Referring to reports that two persons killed by the Army in Uri sector of the Line of Control (LoC) last week and who, as per its claim, were members of Pakistan Armys Border Action Team (BAT) were actually very old persons possibly septuagenarian or octogenarian who could hardly be militants or soldiers, the Mirwaiz said it is the sad story of one-upmanship and tit-for-tat between India and Pakistan that is played out each day in Jammu and Kashmir and along the LoC and in which civilians get caught and suffer.

He asserted that maturity and goodwill demand that all accept the reality of the problem at hand which is essentially political and human in nature, and resolve it as such that is politically and in keeping with human values and principles. No amount of military might can solve the dispute.

Other separatist leaders and various Kashmiri political and social groups have also criticised the Army Chiefs I wish stone-pelters had guns in their hands remark.

On Monday, Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch alleged that the Indian Army chief has showcased criminal leadership by backing the use of Kashmiri civilian as a human shield.

In a tweet, Roth wrote: Indian army chief shows criminal leadership, backing as innovative troops use of Kashmir man as a human shield.

The government has, however, thrown its lot behind Gen. Rawat over his assertion the dirty war in Jammu and Kashmir calls for innovation. Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday took to Twitter to express the Centre's backing on the issue. Totally agree with #IndianArmy chief's statement that the dirty war in Jammu and Kashmir calls for innovation," Naidu tweeted while quoting a news daily article.
Maoists still have a mass base of two lakh cadres spread over 35 districts and possess nearly 10,000 firearms, 4,000 of them company-made and the rest countrymade.

Hyderabad: Maoists still have a mass base of two lakh cadres spread over 35 districts and possess nearly 10,000 firearms, 4,000 of them company-made and the rest countrymade, according to a report of the Special Intelligence Branch, the anti-Maoist wing of the Telangana State police.

In the report, which is available with this newspaper, the police alleged that the Maoists still extort Rs 120 crore to Rs 150 crore every year through extortions/levies from various sources like contractors industria-lists/businessmen.

CRPF former chief Kode Durga Prasad said, Maoists survive by threat and intimidation, and they extract massive amounts from people, He said half the 24-member Maoist central committee had been killed in encounters, had surrendered or had been arrested. The strength of the Maoists politburo has weakened too. The cadres were dwindling, and they are finding difficult with recruitments, he said.

The April 25 Maoists ambush of CRPF personnel in a neutral territory in Sukma district in Chhattisgarh saw a large number of militia members working in support. CRPF additional director general Sudeep Lakthakia said, Security forces getting ambushed is an operational hazard in tribal areas. The Maoists and the militia supporting them are large in number. They had a 1:5 superiority during the recent attack.

Asked about tribals supporting the Maoists in Chhattisgarh Mr Lakhtakia said locals worked the fear of Maoists. Maoists threaten them. For survival, Maoists are resorting to attacks desperately. They are now focusing on South Chhattisgarh bordering Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state. The Peoples Liberation Guerilla Army, an armed outfit of the Maoists, has two military battalions operating in the hinterland. Prof. Nandini Sundar from the Delhi School of Economics department of sociology, who has done extensive work on tribals in the area, said: How many deaths will it take to realise that too many people have died?

She said the only permanent solution was dialogue and ensuring the constitutional rights of the Adivasis over their land and forests. The security establishment is trying to claim that they have reduced the Maoist footprint and this is the last gasp. Unless the underlying issues are addressed, only sending in more CRPF personnel will not work.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday met senior BJP leader L K Advani who is here to appear before a special CBI court in connection with a case relating to the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.

The chief minister welcomed Advani with a bouquet of flowers as the former deputy prime minister stopped at the VVIP guest house before leaving for the special court.

Yogi was waiting at the guest house for Advani along with other state leaders.

Later, the chief minister held a meeting with Advani and other senior leaders.
New Delhi/Kolkata/Chennai: The raging row over ban on sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets kept the political pot on the boil on Monday, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declaring her government will not accept it.

She called the ban imposed by the Modi government undemocratic and unconstitutional, and said it would be challenged legally.

Protests were organised in several parts of Tamil Nadu Kerala. Tamil Nadus main opposition DMK has planned a protest on May 31.

It is a deliberate attempt to encroach on the states powers. It is undemocratic, unconstitutional and unethical. It is also an attempt to destroy the federal structure of the country, Banerjee told journalists in Kolkata.

We are not accepting the ban. We will challenge it legally. We will consult the state's Advocate General on this matter. I will request the Centre not to interfere with the state's matter and destroy the federal structure, Banerjee said.

Protests were held in several parts of Tamil Nadu, including Madurai, Coimbatore, Erode and Hosur. Several activists of a little known pro-Tamil outfit were detained in Madurai where they had organised a beef eating contest.

A group of students at IIT, Madras, held a beef-fest on their campus on Monday night.

DMK slammed the E.K. Palaniswami government for keeping mum on the matter when neighbouring Kerala and Karnataka had opposed the ban.

DMK working president M.K. Stalin will lead a protest on May 31 in Chennai against the ban, the party said, adding the fundamental right to choice of food granted by the Constitution has been snatched away.

Meanwhile, the Congress-led UDF observed a black day in various parts of Kerala and took out protest marches against the cow slaughter ban. The ruling CPM said it would organise evening dharnas in 2000 places across the state on June 2.

The protests will be held from 4 pm in public places in panchayats, municipalities and corporation areas, CPI(M) state secretariat said in a press release.

Meanwhile, The AICC in-charge of communications, Randeep Surjewala, condemned such actions by Congress workers, saying it was completely unacceptable and alien to civil society, our culture and principles.

PETA wants action on calf killing

Animal rights body PETA has written to the Kerala police demanding strict action against the Youth Congress workers allegedly involved in public butchering of a calf in the states Kannur district.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has also called for the accused to be psychiatrically evaluated and counselled saying such people may harm humans in the future. It said that the Centres ban on sale of cattle for slaughter exists to eliminate cruelty to animals at markets. All the accused should be booked under Section 429 and all other relevant sections of the law and the accused should be required to undergo psychiatric counselling and evaluation, a PETA statement said on Monday. Section 429, which applies to cruelty to animals valued at over Rs 50, stipulates imprisonment for up to five years.
New Delhi: Following an unruly debate on Arnab Goswamis recently launched news channel Republic TV, Kerala Communist Party of India (Marxist) Lok Sabha MP from Palakkad, M B Rajesh lashed out at the journalist in an open letter.

The CPM leaders letter that was posted and widely circulated on Facebook scorned Goswami for lacking the integrity, poise and credibility expected of a news anchor, as said in a report in The Indian Express. The Lok Sabha MP referred to Goswami as the most unethical and cowardly journalist he had ever seen.

Rajesh was previously called on the May 26 show for a discussion on the three year anniversary of the Modi-led NDA government. The topic was, however, changed at the last minute where he was asked to defend Kodiyeri Balakrishnans (Kerala CPM state secretary) remark on the army. Rajesh said he could have boycott the show but decided to partake in order to avoid accusations of running away in his absence.

In spite of Goswamis continuous interruptions, he tried to clarify on the show that Balakrishnans remarks were not directed the army but against the atrocities committed in the name of AFSPA, Rajesh said.

According to the report, Rajesh hit out at Goswami in the letter saying, It was evident from your substandard and abusive remarks against the CPI(M) that your sense of history is poorer than that of a primary school child. Your history teacher in school would have been much ashamed to see the shameless and naive expression of your ignorance about history.

The Lok Sabha MP further went on to speak about his proud provenance as his father was in the Indian Army and had fought in the 1971 war. As the ward of a veteran, Ive also partaken in the sacrificial living of an army family, like several others. Now, tell me, apart from your highly hypocritic and extremely dramatic expressions in the name of army, only to raise ratings, what have you genuinely done for our army? he inquired of Goswami in the letter.

The letter posted on Facebook has gone viral and has been shared over 6000 times. Facebook users have also asked for a Malayalam translation.

Earlier in May, the former editor-in-chief of Times Now channel, Arnab Goswami launched his news channel Republic TV which has been a site of controversy ever since. The NDA Kerala vice-chairman Rajeev Chandrasekhar backed channel, was slapped with a defamation suit by MP Shashi Tharoor for allegedly making offensive comments about him while covering his late wife Sunanda Pushkars death.
New Delhi: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on terror charges, has applied for Malaysian citizenship, according to agency sources.

Naik has been changing his base quite frequently after the NIA moved the Interpol for issuance of a Red Corner Notice (RCN), international arrest warrant, against him, they said.

The preacher, who is believed to be having Permanent Residence status in Malaysia, has now sought its citizenship but no decision has been taken so far on his application, the sources said.

The Indian government is planning to use its diplomatic channels to frustrate all attempts by the controversial preacher to get citizenship in any country, they said.

The Malaysian authorities were aware about terror cases pending against the controversial Islamic preacher, they said.

Naik is being probed for terror and money laundering charges. He had fled from India immediately after an investigation against him was initiated.

His present place of stay is unknown and it is believed that he has been shuttling between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, African and Southeast Asian countries, the sources said.

The controversial preacher is accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering several crores of rupees over the years.

The Interpol was approached against Naik after a year- long probe during which the NIA gathered evidence of his NGO - Islamic Research Foundation - and Peace TV, being used to allegedly promote hatred between different religious groups.

The central government has already banned his NGO and taken his TV channel off air. During the probe, the NIA claimed to have found 37 properties owned by Naik and companies run by him, which are estimated to be worth more than Rs 100 crore.

A Special NIA court in Mumbai, while issuing a non- bailable warrant against Naik, had said that "there are reasonable grounds to believe that Naik is evading arrest and that he will not voluntarily appear before the court or before the agency."

The NIA alleged that Naik has been promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his speeches and lectures on various platforms and inciting Muslim youths and terrorists in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts.

Naik had fled from India on July 1, 2016 after terrorists in neighbouring Bangladesh claimed that they were inspired by his speeches on waging jihad.
New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Union minister Uma Bharti, who has been charged with criminal conspiracy by a special CBI court in Lucknow in the Babri Masjid demolition case, and asked the prime minister to uphold the law and the Constitution.

The Congress also hoped that 25 years after the demolition of the structure, justice will be done and the guilty would be punished in accordance with the law of the land.

One of the accused, Uma Bharti is a Union Cabinet minister. Having been chargesheeted, she must resign. Prime Minister must come forward and uphold the rule of law and the Constitution, AICC incharge of communications Randeep Surjewala said.

He said on December 8, 2011, the Supreme Court had ordered that hearing be held on day-to-day basis, but since 2013, 185 adjournments have taken place in the case.

Time for law of the land to deliver justice expeditiously, he said. The opposition party voiced hope that the trial will now begin. Those who are guilty must be punished in accordance with the law of the land without any fear or favour, Surjewala said.

A CBI court on Tuesday framed charges under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of Indian Penal Code against BJP leaders L.K. Advani, Bharti, Murli Manohar Joshi and some others.

Arrival of the BJP veterans for the court appearance prompted the partys Hindutva faces to raise the pitch for the construction of Ram Temple.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath too met Advani. BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj said no power on earth could stop the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Another BJP leader and one of the accused in the case, Vinay Katiyar, insisted that there was no conspiracy as the mosque was razed by a big crowd in the open.

It is not appropriate to charge a few persons with criminal conspiracy, the one-time firebrand Hindutva leader and former UP BJP chief told media on Tuesday.

Katiyar targeted SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav saying that a case should have been lodged against the former chief minister over the firing by police on kar sewaks in Ayodhya in 1990.

The BJP leaders claimed he had not delivered a speech on December 6, 1992, when the 16th-century structure was demolished. He also claimed that the case had reached the judgement stage before the apex court gave its new ruling.
Bengaluru: Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra has taken strong objection to the Centres new regulation on sale of cows and buffaloes for slaughter through animal markets, which has now been stayed by the Madras High Court.

Jayachandra put forth his legal opinion before the State Cabinet on Tuesday.

Without bringing amendments to the Central act, the Centre has framed the rules which are contradictory and overlap with both the state and central Acts. Moreover, the new regulations clearly encroach on the powers of the state since Animal Husbandry is in the concurrent list, Jayachandra explained to the Cabinet.

Banning the sale of animals in the market has adversely affected the trade, he pointed out.

Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting here on Tuesday, Jayachandra said, I have explained to the Cabinet that more legal consultations are needed before adopting the new regulations. The Centre has framed a rule which would harm the trade interests of the state. In the state Act, animals can be sold in the open market and there are no restrictions on age but the new regulations impose an age limit for sale of livestock.

No decision on RERA

The Cabinet has not taken any decision on the framing of rules for the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA).

The Cabinet has deferred its decision on implementing RERA. We felt larger consultations were needed before implementing RERA, Jayachandra explained.

It was also decided to extend Krishi Bhagya scheme to the Horticulture department. Under various housing schemes, the government has decided to construct 6.45 lakh houses in 2017-18.

Since the Centre has passed the Goods and Service Tax (GST) bill, the state has decided to obtain approval for the bill in the coming session of the legislature. The GST will come into force from July 1, 2017.

To enforce the Supreme Court order on the row over Bababudangiri Dargah, the court had authorized the state government to hear both sides before implementing the verdict. The Cabinet has given its approval to constitute a committee headed by a retired high court judge to here the grievances of both parties, Jayachandra explained.
IIT Madras research scholar Sooraj who was injured in the attack by a group of students was taken to hospital for treatment on Tuesday. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: A research scholar of IIT Madras was brutally attacked by a group of students inside the campus on Tuesday for taking part in the beef festival.

Sooraj R, PhD scholar in the Aerospace department of IIT-M was having his lunch at the mess inside the campus when a group of right-wing students allegedly attacked him.

They continuously punched him in the face. He was seriously injured in his right eye and admitted to a private eye hospital for treatment.

Around 70 IIT-M students conducted the beef festival on Sunday evening protesting against the Centres decision to ban the trade of cattle for slaughter in animal markets. The student who led the group in the attack had been issuing threats to the students who participated in the event for the last couple of days, a IIT-M student said. Sooraj who hails from Kerala was a core member of Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC) and actively takes part in all the discussions and events on campus.

The protest against the central governments decision was a spontaneous one. It was not organised under any banner. The research scholar who attacked Sooraj had already faced an enquiry for attacking a student. We filed a complaint with the dean of students, IIT Madras. We are going to file a police complaint, said Swaminathan, member, APSC. The IIT administration was not available for comment.
Chennai: Funny it might sound, but it seems superstar Rajinikanth is getting the worst of abuse from his Kollywood colleagues for indicating political intentions whereas the hardcore politicians have welcomed him to their fold and only a few of them have sneered, at worse.

After the scathing attack from director Seeman, who recently rubbished Rajinis Patcha-Tamizhan (pure Tamilian), it was celebrated filmmaker Bharatiraja's turn on Tuesday to slam the superstar for daring to dream of leading the Tamil people despite not being one among them.

Raja's brutal and vulgar outburst might have shocked a few at that media conference called by some film directors at the Press Club to condemn the police for booking May 17 Movement founder Thirumurugan Gandhi and three associates under the Goondas Act after they violated the prohibitory order to gather at the Marina to commemorate the Eelam war victims.

After slamming the police for Thirumurugan's detention under the Goondas' Act, Raja turned his ire against non-Tamils wanting to dominate the natives here.

They say that we Tamils have no good leaders, so they must come and lead us. Let that be so, if we Tamils have no leadership, what are you going to do about it? If my wife has not conceived, who are you to come and father my

child? You can ask for share in anything but how can you demand share in my bed? thundered Raja, while the others on the dais heard him in stunned silence.
Hyderabad: There is no clarity on who should bear the expenses to be incurred to develop lakes in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits.

While the state government says that GHMC should meet the expenditure from its internal resources, the Corporation says that the state government should obtain funds from the Centre to meet the expenditure.

In a letter to the state government, the GHMC has requested the state government to release funds for the expenses incurred in preparing a detailed project report for the development of lakes.

GHMC has planned to develop and beautify lakes within its limit and convert them into picnic spots. Of the 168 such lakes, the GHMC has proposed to take up development works on 19, initially.

The development and beautification exercise includes construction of compound walls or fencing the area around the lake, providing pathways, lawns and fountains, development of plantation and greenways, provision of seating arrangements, parking area for vehicles and lighting .

Also cafeteria, bypass drains and toilets would be provided. In undivided AP, the government had planned to take up this exercise under the National Lake Conservation Programme to tap funds from National River Conservation Directorate of the Centre.

According to officials, the total cost will be about Rs 200 crore. As per the directions of the state government, the GHMC spent `1.26 crore to prepare the DPR for the 19 lakes identified for development. The state government told the GHMC to meet the expense from its internal resources, and refused to give any financial commitment.

Meanwhile, the GHMC commissioner, in a letter to the state government, said that the condition was applicable only on consultancy charges for the DPRs and not on development funds.
HYDERABAD: Vyshakh Thaliyil, a student of University of Hyderabad was detained along with 19 other members at Bangalore for conducting a beef festival to protest against the Central governments ordinance. The protest was conducted on Monday at Town Hall.

The protest was to start at 5 pm. There were many right wing activists protesting against our festival. About 100 policemen were also present. I was picked up even before we could start the public meeting, said Vyshakh.
Hyderabad: In the very second month of the current financial year, the TS government is facing a financial crisis.

The state government is not able to pay even pending bills of the previous year. These bills are mounting due to non-payment.

According to officials, the present financial liabilities of the state government are about Rs 10,000 crore including pending bills. Of this, about Rs 5,000 crore is related to pending bills of various departments. In the previous year, the state government had diverted about Rs 1,000 crore belonging to Centrally-sponsored schemes. Till today, the state government did not release the amounts to the departments concerned.

For example, the Central government has released Rs 16.74 crore to the agriculture department under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana to develop organic farm clusters.

The total scheme cost is Rs 27.84 crore and the TS government has to contribute Rs 11.13 crore as its share. But state government did not release this amount to the agriculture department.

Recently, agriculture department officials held a meeting with finance officials and requested them to release the funds.

The state government has to pay about Rs 3,000 crore to its employees towards Pay Revision Commission arrears. It had announced the release of this amount but due to financial problems, is not in a position to do so.

The state government has to pay about Rs 5,000 crore in pending bills to contractors of various departments. Due to the financial crunch in the previous year, the state government did not clear the bills.

In the last two months, more bills were added to pending bills. The state government has distributed tractors to farmers at 50 per cent subsidy. Under this scheme, a farmer can buy a tractor that normally costs Rs 10 lakh, for Rs 5 lakh, the remaining to be paid to the manufacturer by the state government.

According to officials of the agriculture department, the state government did not pay the subsidy amount to the company till today. Despite increasing the states own revenue the government is not able to clear the liabilities.
Kochi: A notorious thief from Mumbai who would take flights to various locations across the country including Kochi to commit robberies was finally arrested by Nedumbassery police. Kamaruddin Sheikh (47), a native of Jogeswari West in Andheri, was hunt down by a police team led by Baiju P.M., Circle Inspector of Nedumbassery, from Mumbai. The special team zeroed in on the accused while probing a case related to theft of gold ornament worth Rs 3.5 lakh and cash from a guest of a luxury hotel near the international airport here in January this year.

The accused used to take a flight from Mumbai to the target locations every Saturday morning and return home by Sunday evening after conducting the theft. Sheikh would dress up like a corporate executive and upon landing at the airport, he would take a taxi and visit the targeted hotels in guise of attending an official meet. On entering the hotel, he would go straight inside and return in the same taxi after lifting valuables from unlocked rooms, Baiju P.M. said.

At times, guests at these hotels had spotted him coming out from the rooms though he would flee the scene after apologising for entering the wrong room mistakenly, the officer said. Earlier while acting on a complaint, the Nedumbassery police scrutinized CCTV footage from the hotel and spotted him moving around with the stolen bag. Upon checking ticket details, they found out the suspect belonged to Mumbai.

Soon, a police team was dispatched to the city and after tracing his mobile number, they nabbed him from a luxury apartment in Andheri. During interrogation, the accused confessed to visiting several hotels across Kerala including four luxury hotels in Munnar. He had landed in Kochi at least on three occasions and stole Rs 1.92 lakh from a hotel in Elamakkara and Rs 32,000 from another in Nedumbassery earlier. Sheikh owned at least two apartments in Mumbai and also ran an apparel business firm there.
Hassan: With a weak opposition at the Centre, efforts are on to unite all regional parties under the leadership of Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, according to Janata Dal (S) supremo, H D Deve Gowda.

Speaking to reporters here, he also revealed that he had been contacted by a couple of political parties on the election of the next President of the country, but had refused to take part in the race for the post.

There are other leaders, who are capable of holding the Presidents post. I am happy building the JDS in the state and have no interest in Delhi politics, he said.

Referring to Mr Narendra Modis completion of three years as Prime Minister, Mr Gowda was at his sarcastic best. I dont know whether the Centre has come out with the ban on cow slaughter to mark the completion of his three years although beef is exported in huge quantities and the business runs into crores in his native place of Gujarat, he remarked.

Maintaining that the ban would only create problems in the country,he wanted to know what farmers were supposed to do with their weak cattle now that they could not slaughter them. Also hitting out at the wide publicity Mr Modis three year anniversary was receiving in about 900 cities across the country, he said, I have never seen such huge publicity for any Prime Minister in the past.

The JDS veteran, however, refused to comment on Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumars meeting with Mr Modi. He later went on to take on the judiciary, which he claimed had not proved to be effective in its role in the country.
The political cost of putting up with nationalism, redefined in narrow Hindi-Hindutva chauvinistic terms by the BJP government in its role as benevolent patriarch, has boiled down to a straight confrontation with the other side  that is parochial and parapolitical loyalties. In this fight, states like West Bengal and Kerala have declared trespass-ers will be prosecuted! The categorisation of responsibilities for legislation in the Constitution puts wilful encroachments of the power of states by pushy centralising governments in New Delhi in the wrong. Therefore, bans like the cow slaughter notice by the Narendra Modi government (which has been stayed for four weeks by the Madras high court) is a breach and a violation. It is mystifying why the Modi government deliberately chose to tread on the powers of states. There are enough satellites on constitutional clauses circling around the BJP who could have warned it of the consequences of taking on the states in a legal-political fight. It was a gift on a plate to regional parties and a boost to the resurgence of parochialism in Indian politics.

As a countervailing measure, quoting the Constitution and warning off aggrandising Hindi-Hindutva chauvinism seems an obvious response in places where histories, cultures and therefore politics is different from that of the BJPs beef-banning fortresses. Neither Kerala nor West Bengal can allow a ban that hurts sentiments, injures businesses and destabilises the substantial communities for whom cow slaughter and beef-eating are kosher. Even the BJP, working overtime in Meghalaya to craft an election win in 2018, cant afford the luxury of pretending to be blind or submitting to the encroachments of the Centre on banning cows from slaughter, because it would alienate the majority of the population and therefore jeopardise its larger agenda of a footprint across all regions in India. A Centre versus states battle is inevitable as the politics of cooperative federalism has morphed into a centralising-homogenising juggernaut with very old chestnuts being pulled out to bolster the BJPs mission of unifying India in the image of its founders, however different that is from the idea of the nation as crafted by the founding fathers of Free India. The reintroduction of Hindi as the language of official communication was the first chestnut that entirely predictably provoked very negative responses from Tamil Nadu and pushed the Mamata Banerjee government to make Bengali a compulsory language in all schools in West Bengal. The BJP should have known better, as it fanned the embers of parochial and primordial attachments.

It is almost possible to see hubris in the ban on cow slaughter. As necessary as it was for the BJP to bind the Hindu vote to itself in the strategies it adopted to win the Uttar Pradesh elections by aggressively campaigning on its Hindutva agenda, and using the success to forcefully engage in states where it has no base, the party ought not to have miscalculated on how far it should go in unrolling its homogenised India blueprint. Mistaking the defeat of regional parties and the BJPs unprecedented advance in states like West Bengal, where it emerged as the second largest party in terms of votes after Trinamul Congress in the recent Contai byelections, or even the successful rallies it organised in Naxalbari and inside Ms Banerjees Bhowanipore constituency for comatose parochialism indicates that identity and sentiment as primordial attachments are loaded ideas that can be used as much by parties like Trinamul Congress as by the BJP in Meghalaya. Between hardcore politics of the kind where national and regional parties collectively decide to work on finding a candidate for the forthcoming presidential election and parapolitics of language and food, a new political space may be opening up that will challenge the BJPs skills on playing with sentiment and running a government in a plural and diverse democracy. The BJPs strengths may have grown since 2014 at the expense of regional parties and the Congress and CPI(M) in West Bengal, but that doesnt mean the aspirations that underlie their existence have lost their appeal and altogether disappeared.

It is therefore commonsense that Ms Banerjee met Prime Minister Modi to talk about development and the Ganga erosion problems after working to organise an Opposition meeting in New Delhi to find an alternative candidate for the presidential election, or rather an alternative to the idea of a Sangh loyalist taking up residence on Raisina Hill, then joining her sworn enemies in West Bengal and Tripura like the Congress and CPI(M) for lunch at Sonia Gandhis invitation. Nitish Kumar did much the same, though he stayed away from the lunch, but came to New Delhi to lobby with Mr Modi for money. The flexibility required to handle the contradictions in contemporary Indian politics is summarised in West Bengal Congress leader Adhir Chowdhurys comment: The fight within Bengals political premises is a separate issue from the dialogues between two parties at the Centre. By meeting Mr Modi, neither Ms Banerjee nor Mr Kumar has taken him and the party he leads off the list of key political rivals in their states. Instead, they have taken on

Mr Modi in claiming ownership of the development agenda. The third anniversary spiel that the BJP means development and a rupture with the past failures to deliver development to the masses was contested by Ms Banerjee via the Ganga erosion issue and Mr Kumar by connecting to Bihars history of forced migration to Mauritius. In weaponising food and language, the BJP has stirred up one kind of sentiment. The one nation-one thought strategy is difficult in a federal polity with as many differences as exist in India. West Bengal, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Jammu and Kashmir are some of the exceptions, as is Tamil Nadu on the language issue. Divisions can be made to work for electoral ends, as Ms Banerjee successfully demonstrated by her appeals to the Muslim community and the hill tribes of Darjeeling and the Dooars, or the BJP has done in Uttar Pradesh. Divisions can also be made to work where the Constitution has created separate spaces for states and the Centre. In a serious confrontation, the play of contending sentiments will be unpredictable and risky as it could turn into an engagement of old parochial and primordial loyalties against a newly-minted homogeneity.
India supports 15 per cent of the worlds population but possesses only four per cent of the worlds water resources. World Bank data shows that only 35 per cent of Indias agricultural land is irrigated  defined as the artificial application of water to land or soil. This means that 65 per cent of farming depends on rainfall.

Indias weather pundits are starting to sweat over this years monsoon prospects and the countrys water equation. According to international water safety organisation Water Aid, India has the most rural people living without access to clean water  63.4 million. The rural poor were highly vulnerable to the effects of extreme weather and climate change, the group said in a report.

India ranks in the top 38 per cent of countries worldwide most vulnerable to climate change and least ready to adapt, according to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index. Rural communities dependent on farming to make a living will struggle to grow food and feed livestock amid soaring temperatures, and women  typically responsible for collecting water  may have to walk even greater distances during prolonged dry seasons.

India supports 15 per cent of the worlds population but possesses only four per cent of the worlds water resources. World Bank data shows that only 35 per cent of Indias agricultural land is irrigated  defined as the artificial application of water to land or soil. This means that 65 per cent of farming depends on rainfall.

Successive Indian governments have done little to conserve water for off-season use. Even after constructing 4,525 large and small dams, the country has managed to create per capita storage of only 213 cubic metres  compared to 6,103 cubic metre per capita in Russia, 4,733 in Australia, 1,964 in the US, and 1,111 in China.

Farmers in India do a lot of talking about the weather  specially, it seems, when there is no weather in sight. During the month of May, when the land heats up like a furnace and most fields lie fallow, when wells have run dry and the sun taunts from its broiling perch in a cloudless sky, there is no topic more consuming  or less certain  than when and how the summer monsoon will arrive.

Indias water crisis stems from a complex mix of economic, geographic and political factors. While climate change has caused rains to become more erratic, most parts of the country receive a more than adequate amount of rainfall. Water harvesting and management, though required, remains little more than a fad. Many of the areas that are prone to flooding are the same ones that face drought months later. A staggering $52.7 billion has been allocated to so-called major and medium irrigation projects from the First Five-Year Plan (1951-56) to the 11th (2007-12), but irrigation has reached only 45 per cent of Indias net sown area.

Today, Indias agricultural sector accounts for more than 90 per cent of total water drawn, but contributes only 15 per cent to the countrys GDP.

Second, it has been observed that even though minimum support prices are currently announced for 23 crops, the most effective price support is for sugarcane, wheat and rice. This creates highly skewed incentive structures in favour of these water intensive crops.

As traditional mixes of crops have been replaced with high-yielding wheat, rice, sugarcane and cotton, the consumption of water has gone up. In addition, new artificially modified seeds may be giving higher crop yields, but they are also thirstier than natural seeds.

Scientists and activists have consistently warned that relentless groundwater extraction will lead to a steep drop in water tables across the country. Some farmers in these parched states now need to drill down 100 metres or more for water, compared to the 1.5 metres that was the norm in the 1960s, according to research by a local government scientist.

India will need to rein in the systemic corruption that has dogged irrigation projects across the country. In some states these projects have sparked social unrest and political turmoil as seen in Maharashtra and Karnataka, where tenders were awarded at grossly inflated prices.

The proliferation of power plants is another area that requires serious re-examination. Government policies that make water and land cheap in the area seem to be the reason for the location of thermal plants.

Without government intervention to reset the revenue balance in favour of less water-intensive crops, experts warn the sustained production of thirsty crops will further deplete scarce water resources. The government has asked farmers to shift to less water-consuming crops, but it does little to support such a change. Erratic prices for vegetables, oil seeds and pulses limit the incentives for farmers to plant them.

India must rein the huge corruption in irrigation projects in Karnataka and Maharashtra. In these states they are sparking social unrest and political turmoil. The best hope comes from the judiciary which has cracked the whip on these scams. It has also disallowed drinks majors PepsiCo and Coca Cola from drawing water from Thamirabarani river for their bottling plants in view of the acute water shortage. The burgeoning of power plants is another point that requires a serious relook.

Israel has been a role model for the world in matters of water management and India is now actively seeking the countrys help. Israels successes were in large part due to the major innovation of drip irrigation. The country has also set the template for reusing wastewater in irrigation. It treats 80 per cent of its domestic wastewater, which is recycled and constitutes nearly 50 per cent of the total water used for agriculture.

Realising its dire predicament decades ago, Israel studied the water equation and made itself all but independent from mother nature. Israel took 70 years to solve its water problem; India wont need that long, as it can emulate Israeli advances. But New Delhi must summon the political will to act before the water runs out. Changing governance, raising money and installing technologies all take time and the climatic stresses are mounting fast.
Who is a sadhu, in a spiritual sense? Literally, a sadhu (or sadhvi) is one who is immersed in sadhana, which refers to the practice of something with a single-pointed focus to the exclusion of all else. Sadhana could be used for intense engagement of any kind  in music, studies, writing a book, and so on  provided it is done with the intention of honing and deepening whatever one is doing. I have often heard sadhus being described as holy men of India, which is at best a partial understanding. A sadhu is not quite a part of worldly holiness, which underlies a basic need that human beings have for auspiciousness. An entire body of sacred rites and rituals, designed to make holy or auspicious, has sprung from this need. Deep down, all of us know that we rarely have complete control over our lives and circumstances. Life often brings us things we might least expect, and our best-laid plans can go completely awry.

Holy rituals hand human beings a proverbial straw to cling to as they attempt to navigate this world of uncertainty. They form a kind of psychological safety net  we might feel that doing this or that might protect us and our loved ones from harm, or wearing a charm or a suitable gem will ward off anything unfavourable. Or, we might want to have some way of ensuring success. All very human and understandable, we might say, when we think of the need for holiness in human beings. Why would a sadhu not participate in these, then? This brings us to the quality of dispassionate detachment, and its importance for a sadhu. To be dispassionate is to weigh the positive and the negative equally on the scales of life, and to view one with as much equanimity as the other, remaining unaffected by either. This dispassion is a natural outcome of the process of understanding everything as part of a whole, rather than as separate and unconnected parts.

If we are in a universe where everything is of the divine, and everything is connected with everything else by a spark of the divine, then there is no scope for imperfection. I might perceive something as imperfect, because in that moment, it does not suit my vision of how things should be. Letting go of this shouldness opens the door to the isness of life. Once we accept that this is, it simply is, and there is no other way it should be, we have slipped into a dispassionate state of being. Then, there is no need for safety nets, no need to try and safeguard ourselves against the vagaries of life. The dispassionate sadhu is ready for whichever way the waves of life might toss him or her, and has thus no need for charms and rituals either to stave off bad luck, or to bring good luck. For, they are two sides of the same coin of reality, after all.
(From L-R) Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Founder & CEO Sarthak Educational Trust, Shri M. Jagadeeshwar, IAS, Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Telangana, Shri Navreet Kang, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, Shri Jayesh Ranjan, IT Secretary, Department of IT, Electronics & Communication, Government of Telangana and Madhu Khatri, Associate General Counsel and Accessibility Lead, Microsoft India at the first-ever Microsoft Accessibility Summit in India that is focused on enhancing technology access for people with disabilities.

Microsoft India today hosted its first-ever Accessibility Summit (#ThinkAccessAbility) in the country to enhance technology access for people with disabilities. The summit aimed at demonstrating the business value of accessible technology for organizations, the need for a collaborative effort as well as assessing policys role in creating an accessible India. The summit brought together leaders from the government, non-profit organizations, filmmakers, entrepreneurs and budding technologists to present their views and best practices around accessibility and technologys potential in aiding inclusion.

Shri Navreet Kang, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India said, We believe that inclusion of persons with disabilities is imperative for Indias growth. It is therefore, critical that we empower them with equal access and opportunity. We look forward to public-private partnerships that can enable better social inclusion and help people with disabilities achieve more.

Speaking at the summit, Shri Jayesh Ranjan, IT Secretary, Department of IT, Electronics & Communication, Government of Telangana said, Our vision is to ensure that persons with diverse abilities have equal access to the physical environment, transportation, information and communication technologies, and to other facilities and services. The Microsoft Accessibility Summit provides an ideal platform to bring together policymakers and influencers to understand the policy environment and chart a direction for making life, experiences and opportunities accessible to all.

A platform to discuss, imagine and bring new perspectives for innovative use of technology

Through a series of constructive sessions, the conference focused on the role of technology in creating accessible businesses, scalable and sustainable models for skilling youth with disability. It also examined how assistive technologies can help in treating Autism Spectrum Disorders and Special Learning Disabilities (SLD). There was a special focus on the need for regulatory policies for innovation on accessible technologies and inclusive hiring practices. These interactions also provided insights into regulations, specifications and standards in terms of accessibility along with an understanding of optimization of existing hardware and software configuration to drive accessibility. Shri M. Jagadeeshwar, IAS, Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Telangana also contributed to the discussions as part of the summit.

Technology innovations for driving accessibility

The summit featured unique technology-based projects that empower people with disabilities. These included innovations from non-profit organizations, assistive technologies developed by Microsoft partners as well as Microsoft solutions. A young team of three students from IIT Kharagpur showcased White Cane, a personal assistant device for the visually impaired, which they have developed as part of Microsoft Imagine Cup.

According to Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Founder & CEO Sarthak Educational Trust, Accessibility is one of the dire necessities for creating an inclusive environment. The difference between the able bodied and disabled is not so much because of physical challenges, as due to the fact that everything around us is designed from the perspective of able bodied people only. In such a scenario, accessible and adaptive technologies act as a support system to promote inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.

Speaking at the conference, Madhu Khatri, Associate General Counsel and Accessibility Lead, Microsoft India said, At Microsoft we believe there are no limits to what people can achieve when technology reflects the diversity of everyone who uses it. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and inclusion in our products and our culture, and we are deeply inspired by the opportunity to work with others around the world to explore whats possible. A market-driven ecosystem is the best environment for encouraging greater accessibility for all users. The Summit is a significant step forward in advancing our efforts towards sensitizing stakeholders and partners on the need for the business and social value of accessibility.

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Lenovo faces its toughest battle in its home base of China, where it has slipped out of the top 10 smartphone vendors.

After a bruising fall from its spot as the world's third-largest mobile phone maker following its acquisition of Motorola three years ago, China's Lenovo Group Ltd is counting on a push upmarket to stop the bleeding in its smartphone business.

While the company, which vies with HP as the world's largest PC maker, returned to profit in the year to March, losses in its smartphone business worsened as marketing expenses for new products and key component costs increased.

The group's phone problems started after it acquired Motorola Mobility from Google for $2.9 billion in 2014 but struggled to integrate the assets. That, combined with fierce competition from lower-end manufacturers in its home base of China such as Xiaomi and Oppo, saw its global position fall to eighth in 2016.

A recently announced reorganisation of its China business aimed at sharpening the PC brand's consumer focus comes amid an ongoing effort to tighten its mobile branding and shift the focus to pricier models under its Moto brand.

"Our strategy is to prioritise mature markets ... which need brands and innovative products, whereas emerging markets need efficiency," Chairman Yang Yuanqing said of Lenovo's mobile business at a press conference in Hong Kong on Thursday.

"So we will have two teams catering to the two kinds of markets with different product lines."

Lenovo faces its toughest battle in its home base of China, where it has slipped out of the top 10 smartphone vendors. Shipments domestically declined 80 per cent year-on-year or 55 per cent quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter of 2017, according to data from Canalys.

The company currently has three phone brands in China - the premium Moto brand, the cheaper Lenovo series, and an online-focused ZUK brand launched in 2015.

A Lenovo spokeswoman said its global mobile strategy would focus on the Motorola brand, although it would continue to support its other lines, such as ZUK.

Moto products, including a premium series of modular phones designed with detachable components that can be replaced or upgraded, helped propel Lenovo to be the second-biggest vendor in Brazil, after Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, Yang said.

Shipments in Brazil rose 56 per cent in the first three months of the year according to Lenovo, overtaking India as its biggest market, where volume grew 34 per cent.

The average selling prices of Lenovo's mobile products rose 15.1 per cent in the past year, according to its financial report.

Mature market competition, where Yang said Lenovo's main rivals are Samsung and LG Electronics Inc, is less fierce than in emerging markets, where the low entry barrier allowed in "too many Chinese vendors, some of which compete irrationally".

He added Lenovo will have three more telecom partners in the US this year, while its performance in Western Europe is improving.

NEW PRIORITIES

Yang said Lenovo is on track to meet its goal of turning around the mobile business by the second half of the fiscal year starting in April.

At the same time, some analysts say the company should cut its mobile losses in China and focus on building its strength in other markets.

"I think they should deep-six their China mobile business. Their non-China probably has a chance if it's very narrowly geographic and product focused," said Bernstein analyst Alberto Moel.

Lenovo is the fourth-biggest smartphone seller in India, with a 9.5 per cent market share, which compares with Samsung in top place with 28.1, according to IDC.

While it faces increasing competition from new entrants Oppo and Vivo, it enjoys good brand loyalty.

"I like Lenovo phones for their good battery backup, smart looks and the overall experience," said Bhaskar Kotian, a Mumbai businessman who has purchased at least six Lenovo smartphones for friends and family in the past two years.

Despite calls to write off its China problems, Yang insists there are no plans to walk away from its domestic mobile business.

"We would never give up our China mobile business, because it is 30 per cent of the world market," he said.

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Earlier last week, a OnePlus employee had posted on the global forum suggesting that OnePlus 3T stock is about to run out. This led many to believe that the firm might be discontinuing its current flagship smartphone. OnePlus India has offered clarity on the matter, stating that the device will be available in India till the end of 2017.

OnePlus told Gadgets Now that the OnePlus 3T (64GB and 128GB) will be available in India until later this year. Users can purchase the device from OnePlus official online store and Amazon stores. "The OnePlus 3T (both 64GB and 128GB variants) will continue to be available for purchase in India until later this year. OnePlus products and accessories are available through all three official sales channels, including oneplusstore.in, Amazon.in and the OnePlus Experience Store in Bangalore," said the company in the statement.

The companys latest move hints that the OnePlus 5 launch might be close. Although, the Chinese company hasnt offered any official confirmation yet, rumours suggest that the OnePlus 5 smartphone might launch next month.

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Samsung is set to begin selling the refurbished versions of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones, starting June in South Korea. Little did we know, the firm was even planning on re-branding it all together.

While not much has changed, however; as pointed by Droidholic, the refurbished unit comes with a large R stamped onto the backside. There are several reports indicating that the company has renamed the smartphone with the name, Galaxy Note FE, wherein FE stands for Fandom Edition.

(Image: Droidholic)

Hardware-wise, the smartphone is reported to be carrying a smaller battery, i.e. 3,200mAh battery and is speculated to cost 30 per cent lesser than the Galaxy Note 7.

(Image: Droidholic)

ET News quoting sources close to the matter stated, The Galaxy Note FE was named Galaxy series loyal customers. The main purpose of re-launching the smartphone is to carter to the interests of its fans.

Samsung Electronics is expected to supply 300,000 units of Galaxy Note FE.

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Protesters take cover from fire thrown by riot police during a march towards the Ombudsman's Office in protest of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo: AP)

Caracas: Thousands of Venezuelans demonstrated after the opposition vowed to intensify pressure on President Nicolas Maduro as they seek to stop him from

strengthening his grip on power.

Masked and helmeted protesters on Monday hurled stones state ombudsman's office in central Caracas. Maduro's political opponents vowed earlier to step up

protests over his plan to reform the constitution, which they say is a bid to cling to power.

Monday's rally was the first since the weekend announcement of the stepping up of pressure on Maduro, although the MUD opposition coalition has not given details on what this would entail.

As in other rallies, demonstrators threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police as they tried to march along a major highway in Caracas. Opposition leader Henrique Capriles said he was beaten by National Guard as he left a rally broken up by tear gas. And lawmaker Carlos Paparoni said he was injured in the

head with tear gas canisters. Other demonstrators said they were hit by buckshot fired by police.

Anti-government violence spread to other cities. In San Cristobal in the western state of Tachira, two taxis and a bus were set on fire and used to block a highway.

Supporters of Maduro marched in another part of Caracas. Maduro has launched steps to set up a constituent assembly that the opposition says he plans to stack in his favor.

"If we allow the fraud that they want to call a constituent assembly, Venezuela will be lost," said Freddy Guevara, opposition deputy speaker of the National Assembly legislature. He called on opposition supporters to "get ready for an escalation" of protests, but urged demonstrators to refrain from violence.

The opposition brand the leftist president a dictator and blame him for shortages of food and medicines. He accuses them of attempting a "coup" with US backing. Prosecutors say 59 people have been killed in clashes since the protests erupted on April 1.

The government and opposition accuse each other of sending armed groups to sow violence in the protests.
Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday urged Pope Francis to visit Canada to apologise to indigenous peoples for the Catholic Church's treatment of aboriginal children in schools it ran there.

Starting in the late 19th century, about 30 percent of children of Canada's native peoples, or about 150,000 children, were placed in what were known as "residential schools" in a government attempt to strip them of their traditional cultures and ancestral languages.

For over a century, the schools were government-funded but many were administered by Christian Churches, the majority of Roman Catholics.

"I told him how important it is for Canadians to move forward on real reconciliation with the indigenous peoples and I highlighted how he could help by issuing an apology," Trudeau told reporters after meeting the pope. He said he had invited the Argentine-born pontiff to make the apology in Canada.

Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission said in a 2015 report that the practice, which kept children from the First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples far from their parents, amounted to "cultural genocide". Many children were physically and sexually abused.

The commission made 94 recommendations, including that the Pope issue a formal apology in Canada to survivors and their descendants for the Church's "role in the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse" of the children.

Trudeau said that in their private talks, the Pope "reminded me that his entire life has been dedicated to supporting marginalised people in the world, fighting for them and that he looks forward to working with me and with the Canadian bishops to figure out a path forward together." Canadian bishops have said the pope might visit next year.

Trudeau said he and the pope also discussed climate change. Unlike US President Donald Trump, who met the pope last week, Trudeau and Francis agree that climate change is caused by human activity.

"We talked about how important it is to highlight the scientific basis of protecting our planet and the moral and ethical obligations to lead, to build a better future for all people on this earth," Trudeau said.

At last week's Group of Seven (G7) summit in Sicily, Trump refused to back a landmark international agreement reached in Paris in 2015 to reduce global warming.

Trump said he would decide this week on whether to pull out of the accord, which was backed by his predecessor Barack Obama. Trudeau, who is Catholic, said he had "a deeply personal and wide-ranging, thoughtful conversation with the leader of my own faith.''
Hours before North Korea a ballistic missile, US defense secretary James Mattis offered a dark outlook of what war with North Korea would look like.

In an interview with CBS News Face the Nation Gen. Mattis said that a conflict with North Korea would be probably the worst kind of fighting in most peoples lifetime.

The bottom line is it would be a catastrophic war if this turns into a combat if were not able to resolve this situation through diplomatic means, he said.

We always assume that with a testing program they get better with each test, Gen. Mattis said.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, center, answers to a reporter's question about North Korea's missile launch, at his official residence in Tokyo. (Photo: AP)

Beijing: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's top security adviser has urged China to play a bigger role in restraining North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs, Japan's foreign ministry said in a statement.

National security adviser Shotaro Yachi made the remarks in a meeting near Tokyo with China's top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, on Monday, the same day that North Korea conducted the latest in a quick succession of missile tests.

Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency said on Tuesday a new ballistic missile controlled by a precision guidance system had been tested and that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had ordered the development of more powerful strategic weapons.

Yachi told Yang during five hours of discussion that North Korea's actions had reached a new level of provocation.

"Japan and China need to work together to strongly urge North Korea to avoid further provocative actions and obey things like United Nations resolutions," Yachi was quoted as telling Yang, urging China to take on a bigger role.

They also discussed regional issues of concern, with China's foreign ministry saying in a statement that Yang told Japan it should view China's development as an opportunity, not a threat, and that it should deal with issues like the South China Sea and Taiwan cautiously and keep its word.

China, the world's second-largest economy, and Japan, the third-largest, have a difficult political history, with ties strained by the legacy of Japan's World War Two aggression and conflicting claims over a group of uninhabited East China Sea islets.

Beijing is also suspicious about Tokyo's stance on the disputed South China Sea and over self-ruled Taiwan, once a Japanese colony and claimed by China as its own.

Yang said relations were currently at an important juncture with both new opportunities and outstanding challenges, China's Foreign Ministry said late on Monday.

He called on Japan to speak and act cautiously on the South China Sea and to play a constructive role as relevant countries in the region are making efforts to solve the issue properly. However, the Chinese statement made no mention of North Korea.
North Korea on Monday test-fired a ballistic missile for the third time in less than three weeks, earning a rebuke from US President Donald Trump who said it showed disrespect for neighbouring China.

The launch of the short-range projectile, which fell provocatively close to Japan, was the Norths 12th ballistic missile test this year  in defiance of UN sanctions warnings and US threats of possible military action.

It went ahead despite tough talk from Mr Trump, who promised last week at the G7 summit that the big problem of North Korea will be solved.

North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile... but China is trying hard! Mr Trump said in a tweet.

The US leader has urged China, the Norths sole major ally and key trade partner, to do more to press Pyongyang to curb its missile and nuclear programmes.

South Koreas military said the Scud-type missile travelled for 450 km. Japan said it was estimated to have fallen into its exclusive economic zone, extending 200 nautical miles from the coast.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe swiftly condemned the test  the second time this year that a North Korean missile has fallen close to its shores  vowing concerted action with the US.

We will never tolerate North Koreas continued provocations that ignore repeated warnings by the international community, Mr Abe told reporters.

As agreed during the G7 summit, the North Korean problem is the international communitys top priority. The North has been stepping up efforts towards its ultimate goal  developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can deliver a nuclear warhead to the continental US.
Sydney: Russian President Vladimir Putin is a bigger threat to world security than the so-called ISIS group, according to veteran US Senator John McCain who also admits Donald Trump makes him "nervous".

Republican McCain -- one of US President Trump's most outspoken critics in his own party -- said Russia's alleged meddling in elections was a danger to democracy.

"I think he (Putin) is the premier and most important threat, more so than ISIS," McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation late Monday.

"I think ISIS can do terrible things ... but it is the Russians who are trying, who tried to destroy the very fundamental of democracy and that is to change the outcome of an American election.

"I have seen no evidence they succeeded but they tried and they are still trying. They just tried to affect the outcome of the French election.

"So I view Vladimir Putin, who has dismembered the Ukraine, a sovereign nation, who is putting pressure on the Baltics, I view the Russians as the far greatest challenge that we have."

McCain's comments come with the Trump team embroiled in controversy over its relationship with Moscow, which US intelligence agencies say tried to sway last November's election in the property tycoon's favour.

A broad investigation into Russia's apparent meddling is being led by Robert Mueller, a respected former FBI director who was given wide powers to pursue the case as a special counsel.

The US Senate and House Intelligence committees are also leading their own probes.

Over the weekend the furore pierced the innermost circle of the White House with reports that Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner sought a secret communications link to Russia -- an allegation the president called "fabricated."

Asked about the Kushner revelation, McCain, in Australia on a visit, said: "My view of it is I don't like it.

"I know that some administration officials are saying 'well that's standard procedure'.

"I don't think that it's standard procedure prior to the inauguration of a president of the United States by someone who is not in an appointed position."

When put to him by the ABC that some people feel nervous about international security with Trump as president, McCain said he understood why.

"I am nervous from time to time," he said. "I do believe that the president has great confidence in the national security team. I do believe most of the time that he accepts their advice and counsel.

"Can I tell you that he does (that) all the time? No. Does it bother me? Yes, it bothers me."
Terry Selwood, 73, said the 2.7m shark landed in the boat and grazed him.

A 73-year-old Australian fisherman on Monday said that he caught a far bigger fish than he hoped for when a 2.7-meter great white shark leapt into his boat, knocking him off his feet.

Terry Selwood was left with a badly bruised and bleeding right arm where the airborne shark struck him with a pectoral fin as it landed on him on the deck of the 4.5-meter power boat on Saturday off Evans Head, 725 km north of Sydney.

Mr Selwood sprung up on the gunnel at the bow of the boat to avoid the thrashing shark and steadied himself by clinging to the tubular metal frame of the sun shelter, known as a bimini.

I didnt give it a chance to look me in the eyes. I wanted to get up and get on top of the gunnel ... it was thrashing around madly, he told Australian Broadcasting Corp. He used a hand-held radio to call the coast guard and stayed on the gunnel until a rescue boat arrived.
Cruz told the BBC that he will not resign and that flight disruption had nothing to do with cutting costs. (Photo: Twitter)

London: The embattled Chief Executive of the British Airways Alex Cruz on Monday ruled out resigning over the crippling flight disruption and maintained that the computer glitch had nothing to do with cutting costs or outsourcing IT services to India.

Cruz said a power surge, had "only lasted a few minutes", but the backup system of the airline had not worked properly.

He said the IT failure was not due to technical staff being outsourced from the UK to India.

Cruz told the BBC that he will not resign and that flight disruption had nothing to do with cutting costs.

"I can confirm that all the parties involved around this particular event have not been involved in any type of outsourcing in any foreign country," he told Sky News.

"They have all been local issues around a local data centre."

BA's GMB union has said outsourcing IT jobs to India could have made the problems worse.

The union spokesperson said it could have been avoided had "hundreds of dedicated and loyal" not been replaced by cheaper Indian staff in 2016.

Cruz also said that no BA passengers' data had been compromised in the IT meltdown and said there was no evidence it was the result of a cyber attack, promising not to allow such an outage to happen again.

The IT failure was caused by a short but catastrophic power surge at 9.30 am on Saturday that affected the company's messaging system, he said, and the backup system failed to work properly.

"We will have completed an exhaustive investigation on exactly the reasons of why this happened," Cruz said. "We will, of course, share those conclusions once we have actually finished them.

"We have no evidence whatsoever that there was any cyber-attack of any sort."

Cruz said he was "profusely sorry" to the thousands of passengers still stranded at airports worldwide. He claimed two-thirds of passengers will have reached their destination by the end of the day.

The BBC also reported of a leaked staff email revealed Cruz had told staff not to comment on the system failure. When asked about the email he told the public broadcaster that the tone was clear: "Stop moaning and come and help us".

Until now, Cruz had only posted videos on Twitter apologising for what he called a "horrible time for passengers", the report noted.

The airline is now close to full operational capacity after the problems resulted in mass flight cancellations at Heathrow and Gatwick over the weekend.

The airline cancelled 13 short-haul flights at Heathrow on Monday.

Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, advised affected BA passengers not to travel to the airport unless their flights had been rebooked, or were scheduled to take off on Monday.

Passengers on cancelled flights have been told to use the BA website to rebook.

BA is liable to reimburse thousands of passengers for refreshments and hotel expenses, and travel industry experts have suggested the cost to the company - part of Europe's largest airline group IAG - could run into tens of millions of pounds.

Davy analyst Stephen Furlong said the cost to the carrier of cancelling one day of operations was around 30 million pounds.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, is welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, near Paris, France. (Photo: AP)

Versailles: The use of chemical weapons in Syria is a red line for France and would result in reprisals, President Emmanuel Macron said after meeting his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday.

Meeting Putin for the first time, Macron told a news conference that France and Russia must cooperate to "eradicate terrorist groups" in Syria and did not directly criticise Moscow's role there.

France and Russia back different sides in the Syrian conflict, with Putin supporting President Bashar al-Assad and Macron part of a western coalition that supports rebel groups and has accused Assad of using chemical weapons in the past. Macron said it was essential to talk with all actors in the Syria conflict, including representatives of Assad.

"Our two countries will cooperate on Syria, this is essential," Macron said. "We need strong cooperation because we have a joint priority, which is the fight against terrorism." Macron said he wanted Paris and Moscow to bolster intelligence sharing on Syria and to work together on finding a political solution to the conflict, but gave no details on what a political deal might look like.

Sounding less forthcoming, Putin said he wasn't sure if France's Syria policy was "independent" because it was part of a US-lead alliance, adding that Paris and Moscow had points of disagreement and agreement over Syria.

Putin said he and Macron had agreed the fight against terrorism was their top priority, but stressed that he hadn't changed his views on Syria and told Macron so.

Macron's warning of French retaliation in the event chemical weapons are used echo the line taken by US President Donald Trump, who in April ordered cruise missile strikes in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack that Washington blamed on Damascus. "Any use of chemical weapons would results in reprisals and an immediate riposte, at least where France is concerned," Macron said, standing next to Putin in the Versailles palace outside of Paris.

Former US President Barack Obama put himself in a tough spot with his "red line" ultimatum to Syria on the use of chemical weapons, a phrase he first used in August 2012. But he backtracked in the face of congressional opposition. In April, Russia's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Vladimir Safronkov, told the UN Security Council that Obama's threat of military action if a "red line" was crossed had provoked such attacks.

Syria agreed in September 2013 to destroy its chemical weapons programme under a deal negotiated with the United States and Russia after hundreds of people were killed in a sarin gas attack in the outskirts of the capital, Damascus.

But French intelligence concluded that forces loyal to Assad carried out a sarin nerve gas attack in April this year in northern Syria and that Assad or members of his inner circle ordered the strike, a declassified French report showed. Assad has denied his government used chemical weapons.
Germany unleashed a volley of criticism on Monday against US President Donald Trump, slamming his short-sighted policies that have weakened the West and hurt European interests.

The sharp words from foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel came after Mr Trump concluded his first official tour abroad which took him to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Brussels and then Italy for a G7 summit.

They followed Chancellor Angela Merkels warning on Sunday that the US and Britain may no longer be completely reliable partners.

Germanys exasperation was laid bare after the G7 summit which wrapped up on Saturday with the US refusing so far to sign up to upholding the 2015 Paris climate accord.

Mr Gabriel said that anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk.

The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union, he said, judging that the West has become smaller, at least it has become weaker.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Versailles Palace, near Paris on Monday. (Photo: AP)

France would respond immediately to any use of chemical weapons in Syria, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday while urging a stepped-up partnership with Moscow in fighting the Islamic State group in the country.

A very clear red line exists on our side, the use of chemical weapons by whomever, Mr Macron said at a joint news conference in Versailles with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Our absolute priority is the fight against terrorism and the eradication of terrorist groups and Daesh in particular, he said, using an alternate name for the ISIS.

Its the guiding principle of our action in Syria and in which I want... for us to be able to strengthen our partnership with Russia. The newly-elected French leader said he favoured a democratic transition in Syria that would preserve the Syrian state. He added that failed states in the region are a threat to our democracies, and we have seen each time they have enabled terrorist groups to advance.
Berlin: India and Germany on Tuesday vowed to take "strong measures" against those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on a host of key issues like trade, skill development and climate change.

"Pace of development of our relations is fast, direction positive and destination clear. Germany will always find India as powerful, prepared and capable partner," Modi said at a joint press interaction after holding talks with Merkel.

Following their talks, the two sides also signed 12 MOUs/agreements in fields like cyber policy, development initiatives, sustainable urban development, continued development of cluster managers and skill development, digitalisation, railway security and promoting vocational training.

The two sides also issued a joint statement after Modi and Merkel held the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC).

The two leaders underlined their common concern about the threat and global reach of terrorism and extremism while condemning terrorist violence in all its forms and manifestations, the joint statement said.

"They agreed on the need to take strong measures against all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary and safe havens that sustain and support terrorist groups and organisations," it said.

India and Germany hailed their closer collaboration in countering these challenges through regular meetings of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.

They also called for finalisation and adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, it said.

Making a reference to terrorism, Modi said it was a big problem that faces future generations and all forces of humanity must come together to fight the menace.

"Both our countries will work together to tackle this problem together and cyber security and intelligence sharing is a very important aspect of this cooperation," he said.

Modi's remarks assume significance as they come in the wake of a spate of terror attacks that have struck European countries like Germany, France, the UK and Sweden recently.

The latest terror attack to have rocked Europe was at a concert in Manchester where a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing 22 people.

Modi said a comprehensive review of bilateral relations was undertaken during the talks with Merkel.

"A quantum jump in economic relations can be seen between India and Germany and an outcome-oriented momentum can be seen building," he said.

"At the last IGC in New Delhi, we had set up a fast-track system for German companies to invest in India and that has shown very good results, especially the Mittlestand (medium enterprises) companies," Modi told reporters.

On her part, Merkel said India has proved to be a reliable partner and the two sides have been able to deepen cooperation.

Modi also made a call for European Union (EU) unity and said India would play a positive role in enhancing that through Germany.

In a major boost to Merkel, who has been fighting against secessionist tendencies within the economic bloc since the Brexit vote in June last year, the prime minister praised her "strong leadership".

"EU unity, proactiveness and strong relations with other countries is extremely important for global development. We want the EU to become stronger and India will play a positive role towards that through the medium of Germany," Modi said.

"Europe and the world are facing lots of challenges and to fight those, India believes, the world needs the strong leadership of Chancellor Merkel," he said.

Noting that India and Germany were "made for each other", Modi highlighted that skills development was a key area of cooperation.

Germany has set global benchmarks in the field of skill development, which is important for India, Modi said.

India, with 800 million youth and 65 per cent of the population under the age of 35, will be benefited by skills development that Germany can provide, he said.

Modi said bilateral cooperation will extend to the field of sports and the Indian youth can benefit from Germany's strong football training skills.

Merkel said India and Germany had further expanded and deepened the bilateral relationship during Modi's visit.

"There has been signing of a number of declarations of intent with 1 billion euros going into development cooperation between the countries," she told reporters.

During their talks, the two leaders also expressed their commitment to strengthen global non-proliferation efforts.

Germany also backed India's bid for the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Both countries, that are part of the G4, reaffirmed the urgent need for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, including its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, to make it "more effective, efficient and responsive" to the existing challenges to international peace and security and representative of the contemporary geo-political realities, the statement said.

India and Germany agreed to continue cooperation towards the common aim of developing climate-friendly, efficient and sustainable solutions for India's expanding energy needs and other areas of sustainable development, the statement said.

The two sides also vowed to strengthen the bilateral cyber relationship as laid out in the Joint Declaration of Intent on German-Indian Cooperation on Cyber Policy.

"Both sides looked forward to a successful conclusion of the work of the UN Group of Governmental Experts in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security," the statement said.

Modi and Merkel also underlined their determination to ease bilateral trade and investment. They pointed to the potential of open markets and the importance of investment protection for foreign investors for deepening trade relations and for attracting investments to the mutual benefit of both countries.

"They also reaffirmed their strong commitment to the EU-India Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement and their commitment to bring about a resumption of the negotiations at the earliest possible date. This would, inter alia, allow to establish provisions for the mutual protection of new foreign investments," the statement said.

The signing ceremony for the MoUs took place at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, between senior Indian and German ministers and envoys before Modi and Merkel addressed the media.

The two leaders' formal IGC deliberations lasted over an hour.

Modi was joined by his delegation of senior ministers including Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.

The last IGC was held in New Delhi in October, 2015, when bilateral ties were significantly scaled up.

Modi and Chancellor Merkel later proceeded to their meeting with senior business leaders before inaugurating the Indo-German Business Summit 2017.

Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the EU and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.

"There has been FDI of 2 billion dollars (from Germany) in the past two years," Indian Ambassador to Germany Mukta Dutta Tomar, said, highlighting the success of a fast track mechanism set up in 2015 to assist German businesses work in India and improve the ease of doing business.
A media arm of the Islamic State group, shows people inspecting damage from airstrikes and artillery shelling in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the ISIS. (Photo: AP)

Beirut: 14 civilians were killed late on Monday when ISIS group jihadists shelled a government-controlled neighbourhood of Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor city, a monitor said.

Three children were among the dead in the regime-held Al-Joura district, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "The shelling hit just before families were gathering to break the Ramadan fast," said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. Besieged by ISIS since early 2015, the regime-controlled third of Deir Ezzor city is home to an estimated 100,000 people.

Most of the surrounding oil-rich province is also controlled by ISIS. "At least six mortar rounds hit the Al-Joura district. Daesh has been regularly hitting this neighbourhood with mortars," said Omar Abu Leila, an activist from Deir Ezzor 24, which publishes news on the city. He said over 40 people had been wounded, including women and children.

"Some of them are in critical condition, but the health situation in the neighbourhood is deteriorating because of the lack of staff, medicine, and medical equipment," he told. The World Food Programme has been dropping humanitarian aid into Deir Ezzor since April 2016, and Russian and Syrian government planes have also carried out their own independent air drops.

More than 320,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict broke out in March 2011.
Pakistan's Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf said that Pakistan had enough evidence to prove that Jadhav was a 'spy.' (Photo: AP)

Islamabad: Pakistan has claimed that Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a military court, was providing "crucial intelligence" about the recent terrorist attacks in the country.

"Jadhav continues to provide crucial intelligence with regard to recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan," Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told Dawn News in an interview.

However, Zakaria did not elaborate on the details of the intelligence being provided by Jadhav. The Hague-based International Court of Justice stayed Jadhav's execution on May 18 but it has to decide the issue of jurisdiction in the case, Pakistani officials said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf told Dawn News that Pakistan had enough evidence to prove that Jadhav was a "spy".

Ausaf said Pakistan has information on Jadhav that could not be disclosed due to security reasons. "The evidence would only be presented before the ICJ once it resumes the hearing," he said.

Ausaf said the ICJ's 'procedural order' of May 18 was neither Pakistan's defeat nor India's success and emphasised that when the case re-starts, "Pakistan would be on solid ground to win".

Responding to a question regarding the constitution of a new legal team, Ausaf said that there were no plans to change the team. However, he said it would be "expanded". When asked why he did not represent Pakistan at the May 15 hearing at the ICJ, Ausaf claimed that he "knew prior to the judgement that the ICJ is going to announce the provisional order".

Jadhav, 46, was last month sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities" against the country.

The ICJ on May 18 stayed the execution of Jadhav. The ruling triggered criticism of the Pakistan Foreign Office for its "poor handling" and also for its choice of attorney Khawar Qureshi, who presented Pakistan's case before the ICJ.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have held "very good" discussions on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues like the Brexit consequences, trade and radicalisation in the context of recent terror attacks in Europe.



In their informal talks yesterday at Schloss Meseberg, the Chancellor's official country retreat near Berlin, both leaders also exchanged views on China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative and climate change.



"Had a very good interaction with Chancellor Merkel," Modi said in a tweet after his meeting.



"The interaction lasted nearly three hours, and covered various areas of mutual interest including smart cities, skill development, clean energy etc. There was appreciation for India's economic reform agenda, including GST (Goods and Services Tax)," a Prime Minister's Office statement on the meeting said.



"The leaders had discussions that covered the bilateral agenda and how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programmes. There was appreciation of India's reform agenda, particularly GST," India's Ambassador to Germany Mukta Dutta Tomar told reporters at a briefing here last night.



Highlighting that this is Modi's second bilateral visit to Germany since 2015, she said that the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism set up in 2015 to assist German businesses work in India received appreciation from the German side.



"In fact, there has been foreign direct investment of 2 billion dollars (from Germany) in the past two years. The figures speak for themselves," she said.

Regional and inter-global issues were also discussed during the three-hour-long interactions -- some at the delegation level and some one-to-one between Modi and Merkel.



"The consequences of Brexit (the UK's exit from the European Union) and how it would affect India and Germany were covered by the two leaders," Tomar said, adding that the prime minister reiterated the utmost value that India attaches to the EU's cohesiveness, which is a major factor of stability in global politics.



The issue of radicalisation and terrorism and each country's experience in dealing with it was discussed, with recent terrorist events in Europe also mentioned in this context, she said.



Peace in Afghanistan and the importance of an the "Afghan-led and owned reconciliation and development process" was touched upon, with the prime minister expressing appreciation over the German presence in Afghanistan and calling for a consolidation of efforts in the country, Tomar said.



The Belt and Road Forum in Beijing earlier this month, where Germany was represented by its economy and energy minister, also featured in the exchange, during which the Chancellor explained German participation and India reiterated its stand against the initiative, she said.



"Our position is well known on this issue," the ambassador said, in reference to India's opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the flagship project of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative, which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).



Modi will today hold formal talks with Merkel as part of the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) where he will be joined by his delegation of senior ministers, including Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.



The prime minister will receive a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, following which he will begin discussions with Merkel across a range of economic and political issues.



At the IGC, the two leaders are expected to clinch a host of agreements and sign MoUs to open a "new chapter" in Indo- German relations.



"Several MoUs are expected to be signed. This would obviously broaden the scope and expand the canvas of bilateral cooperation that we have with Germany," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

India and Germany have over 25 working groups, including in areas such as climate change, energy, infrastructure, and tourism.



Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the European Union (EU) and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.

There are more than 1,600 German companies and 600 German joint ventures in India and the German economic profile supports excellence and expertise that match with India's development priorities of Make in India, Clean India, Skill India, Digital India, Smart Cities, the MEA said.



"We will chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with (the) focus on trade and investment, security and counter- terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine," the prime minister had said in a Facebook post before he left for Berlin yesterday.



Modi and Chancellor Merkel will also hold a meeting with senior business leaders before inaugurating the Indo- German Business Summit 2017 later today.



"Economic relations with Germany is the most important pillar of our partnership. It has preponderance over other areas," the MEA said.



Modi will end his Germany visit with a courtesy call on German President, Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at his official residence of Castle Bellevue before leaving for Spain.



Modi arrived in Germany yesterday at the start of his four-nation tour, which will cover Spain, Russia and France besides Germany.



From Berlin he heads to Madrid, where the premier will hold a bilateral summit with Spanish Premier Mariano Rajoy and call on Spanish King Felipe VI as well as interact with a select group of Spanish CEOs keen to invest in India.



"There is significant potential for deepening bilateral trade and investment ties. We seek active participation of Spanish industry in various Indian projects including infrastructure, smart cities, digital economy, renewable energy, defence and tourism," Modi had said ahead of his visit.



The first meeting of the India-Spain CEOs Forum will be held on the sidelines of the Spanish leg of the visit.
Pakistan has claimed that Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a military court, was providing "crucial intelligence" about the recent terrorist attacks in the country.



"Jadhav continues to provide crucial intelligence with regard to recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan," Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told Dawn News in an interview.



However, Zakaria did not elaborate on the details of the intelligence being provided by Jadhav.



The Hague-based International Court of Justice stayed Jadhav's execution on May 18 but it has to decide the issue of jurisdiction in the case, Pakistani officials said.



Meanwhile, Pakistan's Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf told Dawn News that Pakistan had enough evidence to prove that Jadhav was a "spy".



Ausaf said Pakistan has information on Jadhav that could not be disclosed due to security reasons.

"The evidence would only be presented before the ICJ once it resumes the hearing," he said.



Ausaf said the ICJ's 'procedural order' of May 18 was neither Pakistan's defeat nor India's success and emphasised that when the case re-starts, "Pakistan would be on solid ground to win".



Responding to a question regarding the constitution of a new legal team, Ausaf said that there were no plans to change the team. However, he said it would be "expanded".



When asked why he did not represent Pakistan at the May 15 hearing at the ICJ, Ausaf claimed that he "knew prior to the judgement that the ICJ is going to announce the provisional order".



Jadhav, 46, was last month sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities" against the country.



The ICJ on May 18 stayed the execution of Jadhav.



The ruling triggered criticism of the Pakistan Foreign Office for its "poor handling" and also for its choice of attorney Khawar Qureshi, who presented Pakistan's case before the ICJ.
The murder trial of the only two suspects arrested in the assassination of the North Korean leader's half brother was transferred to another Malaysian court today.



Armed escorts accompanied the women, Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam and Siti Aisyah from Indonesia, as they arrived for their morning court appearance in Kuala Lumpur.



Both smiled at their embassy representatives as they were brought to the dock and wore the same clothes as they did at earlier court appearances.



Their case was formally transferred to the High Court as the lower court had no jurisdiction to hear a murder case.



Prosecutor Iskandar Ahmad said the date for their first appearance in the High Court would usually be within a month.

The suspects would then enter pleas and the trial would have to start within 90 days, Iskandar said.

The two women are accused of smearing VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nam's face at the Kuala Lumpur airport on Feb. 13. Kim died soon afterward.



The women have said they were duped into thinking they were playing a harmless prank for a hidden-camera show. Yusron Ambary, counsellor at the Indonesian Embassy, said Siti wrote a letter to her parents recently, asking them not to worry about her.



"I am in good health. Just pray. Don't think about me too much. Keep healthy and pray at night. I have a lot of people helping me. The embassy officials always come to see me, my lawyers also. Don't worry. Pray for me so that the case will be over soon and I can go back home. Send my love to my son Rio," he read from the letter to reporters outside the courtroom.



Police have said four North Korean suspects fled Malaysia the day of the attack. Defense lawyers previously expressed fear the women will be scapegoats because other people believed to have knowledge of the case left the country.



Although Malaysia never directly accused North Korea of carrying out the attack, speculation is rampant that Pyongyang orchestrated a hit on a long-exiled member of its ruling elite. Although Kim was not an obvious political threat, he may have been seen as a potential rival in the country's dynastic dictatorship. Norht Korea has denounced such speculation.


North Korea confirmed its test-firing of a precision-guided ballistic missile was "successful", the state-run news agency KCNA reported today, a day after the projectile landed in waters provocatively close to Japan.



North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un supervised the launch of the "new-type precision guided ballistic rocket" -- the third missile test by the nuclear-armed regime in less than three weeks and carried out in defiance of UN sanctions warnings and US threats of possible military action.



"The ballistic rocket flew toward the east sky where the day broke and correctly hit a planned target point... after flying over the middle shooting range," the report said.



South Korea's military earlier said the Scud-type missile travelled eastward for 450 km (280 miles). Japan said it believed it had fallen into its exclusive economic zone, extending 200 nautical miles from the coast.



The missile test triggered swift condemnation from US President Donald Trump who said it showed "disrespect" for neighbouring China, the North's sole major ally, which has sought to dampen tensions over Pyongyang's weapons programme.



The launch was aimed at testing a weapon "capable of making ultra-precision strike on the enemies' objects at any area", the North Korean report said.



"It also verified ultra-precision guidance correctness in the re-entry section," it said.



"Whenever news of our valuable victory is broadcast... the Yankees would be very much worried about it and the gangsters of the south Korean puppet army would be dispirited more and more," the report quoted Kim as saying.



It added that the projectile was showcased for the first time last month as part of Pyongyang's annual military parade to mark the 105th birth anniversary of the regime's founder Kim Il-Sung.



Following North Korea's test-firing earlier this month of what analysts said was its longest-range rocket yet, the UN Security Council vowed to push all countries to tighten sanctions against Pyongyang.



But China has made it clear that the push for talks -- and not more sanctions -- is its priority. On Monday it pleaded again for dialogue.



"We hope that related parties can remain calm and restrained, ease the tension on the peninsula, and bring the peninsula issue into the right track of peaceful dialogue again," the Chinese foreign ministry said.



The US has said it is willing to enter into talks only if the North halts its missile and nuclear tests.



Several rounds of UN sanctions have done little to stop the isolated regime from pushing ahead with its ambition to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can deliver a nuclear warhead to the continental US.


Curfew-like restrictions remained in force in parts of Kashmir for the third day today to maintain law and order following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat in an encounter with security forces.



The restrictions were in place in the districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian  all in south Kashmir, while similar curbs also continued in seven police station areas in Srinagar and in Sopore township in north Kashmir, officials said.



In Srinagar, restrictions continued in seven police station areas of Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Kralkhud and Maisuma.



The officials said restrictions on the assembly of people under Section 144 CrPc also continued in the districts of Budgam and Ganderbal in central Kashmir.



The curbs in these areas continued for the third day as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in view of the separatists' call for a march to Tral area in south Kashmirs Pulwama district today.



While the separatists had called for a shutdown for two days - on Sunday and Monday - a spontaneous strike was observed in the areas where there were no restrictions.



Most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments in these areas were shut, the officials said.

They said public transport was off the roads, but private cars, cabs and auto-rickshaws were seen plying.



The authorities have suspended mobile Internet services in the valley, while the outgoing call facility on prepaid numbers has also been snapped as a precautionary measure.



The authorities have also suspended class work in all schools and colleges across Kashmir for today, while Kashmir University has postponed all examinations scheduled to be held today.
Six Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were today injured during mortar firing practice near this town in Rajasthan along the Indo-Pak border.



The incident took place at about 8:30 am when a 51mm mortar fell short of its target at the forces' firing range in Kishangarh.



The six personnel suffered injuries due to the blast of the ammunition, out of which two are critical, a senior BSF officer said.



The troops were participating in a firing exercise.



Officials said one of the critically injured personnel will be air evacuated to a hospital in Jodhpur while others are being treated here.



This is the second such incident here this year after four personnel were injured in similar circumstances in March.



Few days after this, six men of the paramilitary were injured in similar circumstances during mortar firing exercise at its centre in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh.



The BSF is deployed in Rajasthan as part of its task to guard the India-Pakistan International Border (IB).


Naxals torched a bus after asking passengers to alight in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district while seven rebels were arrested today following a face-off with police in a nearby area, an official said today.



When the private bus was on its way to Orchha from Narayanpur, a group of Naxals, some of them armed, stopped the vehicle last night near Jhorigaon village, located about 300 kms from the state capital, Superintendent of Police, Santosh Singh told PTI.



The rebels asked the passengers to de-board and then set the bus ablaze, he said.



The exact number of passengers is not known but all of them are reported safe, the SP said.



Security personnel rushed to the spot soon after receiving an alert. A combing operation has been launched in the region to nab the attackers, he said.



According to Singh, the Naxals are frustrated with the road construction work in the region and therefore are committing such acts.



"The ultras have been opposing road construction from Narayanpur to Orchha in Abujhmaad - considered as a Maoist den," Singh said.



"Despite their disruption, construction has been completed in around 45-km patch of the total 66 kms, under security cover of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and district force," he said.



The construction of the remaining portion is underway, the SP said.



In another incident, seven Naxals, including three women, were today arrested in another nearby village in Narayanpur.



They were nabbed after an exchange of fire between the ultras and security personnel near Tekanar village in early hours of Sunday on suspicion that they were involved in the skirmish, Singh told PTI.



He claimed that during interrogation, the rebels admitted to their involvement in several other incidents, including arson, following which they were arrested today.



A team of security personnel was out on an anti-Maoist operation in the forest between Dhanora and Orchha villages of the district on Saturday night when the Maoists started firing on them near Tekanar village, leading to a gunbattle between the two sides, he said.



However, the Naxals soon escaped from the spot.



Later seven suspects, including three women, were held from the spot for questioning, the SP said.

"During interrogation, they admitted to their association with the outlawed CPI (Maoist)," Singh claimed.



"One of them had surrendered in the past before police but later rejoined the banned outfit," he said.



The SP also claimed that interrogation of the Naxals led to the revelation of crucial details about their functioning in Dhanora and Orchha areas, located around 300 kms from Raipur.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel today held the fourth round of the inter-governmental dialogue to set a roadmap for the bilateral strategic ties.



Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, where he was greeted by Merkel and senior German officials.



He then introduced the Chancellor to his accompanying Indian ministerial delegation.



Modi received a guard of honour and was welcomed as the music choir of the German Army played the Indian National Anthem.



The two leaders then headed inside for the fourth India- Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) Plenary session, the focal point of Modi's two-day visit to Germany.



Modi was holding formal talks with Merkel as part of the IGC -- held every two years -- where he was joined by his delegation of senior ministers, including Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.



The last IGC was held in New Delhi in October 2015, when bilateral ties were significantly scaled up.

At the IGC in Berlin, the two leaders were expected to clinch a host of agreements and sign MoUs to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.



"We will chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with (the) focus on trade and investment, security and counter- terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine," the prime minister had said in a Facebook post before he left for Berlin yesterday.



Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the European Union (EU) and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.



There are more than 1,600 German companies and 600 German joint ventures in India and the German economic profile supports excellence and expertise that match with India's development priorities of Make in India, Clean India, Skill India, Digital India, Smart Cities, the Ministry of External Affairs said.



Modi and Chancellor Merkel will also hold a meeting with senior business leaders before inaugurating the Indo-German Business Summit 2017 later today.



"Economic relations with Germany is the most important pillar of our partnership. It has preponderance over other areas," the MEA said.



Yesterday on the first day of his Germany visit, Modi held informal discussions over dinner with Chancellor Merkel on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues like the Brexit consequences, trade and radicalisation in the context of recent terror attacks in Europe.



Both leaders also exchanged views on China's One Belt, One Road initiative and climate change during their informal talks at Schloss Meseberg, the Chancellor's official country retreat near Berlin.



"The leaders had discussions that covered the bilateral agenda and how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programmes. There was an appreciation of India's reform agenda, particularly GST," India's Ambassador to Germany Mukta Dutta Tomar told reporters at a briefing here last night.



Highlighting that this is Modi's second bilateral visit to Germany since 2015, she said that the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism set up in 2015 to assist German businesses to work in India received appreciation from the German side.



"In fact, there has been foreign direct investment of 2 billion dollars (from Germany) in the past two years. The figures speak for themselves," she said.



Regional and inter-global issues were also discussed during the three-hour-long interactions -- some at the delegation level and some one-to-one between Modi and Merkel.



"The consequences of Brexit (the UK's exit from the European Union) and how it would affect India and Germany were covered by the two leaders," Tomar said, adding that the prime minister reiterated the utmost value that India attaches to the EU's cohesiveness, which is a major factor of stability in global politics.



The issue of radicalisation and terrorism and each country's experience in dealing with it was discussed, with recent terrorist events in Europe also mentioned in this context, she said.



Peace in Afghanistan and the importance of the "Afghan-led and owned reconciliation and development process" was touched upon, with the prime minister expressing appreciation over the German presence in Afghanistan and calling for a consolidation of efforts in the country, Tomar said.



The Belt and Road Forum in Beijing earlier this month, where Germany was represented by its economy and energy minister, also featured in the exchange, during which the Chancellor explained German participation and India reiterated its stand against the initiative, she said.



"Our position is well known on this issue," the ambassador said, in reference to India's opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the flagship project of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative, which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).



Modi will end his German tour with a courtesy call on German President, Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at his official residence of Castle Bellevue before leaving for Spain.



Modi arrived in Germany yesterday at the start of his four-nation tour, which will also cover Spain, Russia and France.
A special CBI court here on Tuesday granted bail to senior BJP leaders L.K.Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti and nine others in the Babri Mosque demolition case.



The lawyers for Advani, Joshi and Uma Bharti moved an application seeking quashing of charges against them on the ground that they had not played any role in the demolition of the mosque. ''No case is made out against them...they were trying to control the crowd,'' the lawyer of the accused said in the discharge application.



Special judge S.K.Yadav granted bail to the accused personal on their furnishing personal bonds.



The court has reserved its order on the discharge application. The order on the discharge application is likely to be delivered later today.



The court had summoned Advani and others for framing of conspiracy charges against them in the matter. The charges would be framed on Tuesday if the discharge application was rejected.



The Supreme Court had earlier restored the criminal conspiracy charge against Advani, Joshi and Uma Bharti, in the Babri Mosque demolition case and transferred the trial from the Raebareli special court to Lucknow.






Contradictory to the projections, Kashmiris, setting up an example of communal harmony, offered free meals to the pilgrims at various places including at Nigeen Club and Tourist Reception Center in Srinagar.



This year the yatra is starting just a week ahead of Burhan's first death anniversary when security agencies apprehend trouble. A senior police officer said 200 CCTVs would be installed at Baltal and Chandwari base camps, and also at the vital points en-route cave shrine. The CCTVs will also be installed at various points along the highway stretch to ensure a close watch on the vehicles ferrying pilgrims, he said.



The officer added there are apprehensions that militants may disrupt the yatra and for that south Kashmir route would be under highest security surveillance. Asked whether they would need support from the Army, the officer said, Army may press in Unarmed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for round the clock surveillance.

With militancy on surge and unrest at its peak in the Kashmir Valley, the Centre has given nod to deploy 600 additional companies of para-military forces along the Amarnath yatra routes."Though there are no specific threats to pilgrims, the Central and State governments are taking no chances. The deployment will be made well in advance especially in south Kashmir districts to sanitize the areas from possible militants and stone pelters," sources told Deccan Herald.The 40-day long pilgrimage is scheduled to start on June 29 from the twin routes of Baltal in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district and Chandanwari in southern Anantnag district.They said the deployment of around 600 additional para-military companies for this year's yatra was nearly three times higher than the previous year. Notwithstanding the unrest and militancy in the Valley, State police chief Shesh Pal Vaid is optimistic that the yatra will pass on peacefully."Stringent security arrangements have been made for the yatra this year and I am hopeful it will be peaceful. We don't have any reports of stone pelting threats, he said.Around 2.5 lakh devotees have so far registered themselves for the arduous trek to south Kashmir Himalayas. Every year, thousands of devotees undertake the yatra in July and August to pay obeisance at the shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, located at an altitude of 11,998 feet in the Himalayas.Last year around 2.21 lakh pilgrims offered prayers at the Shrine despite disturbances in the valley after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces. Though the authorities suspended the yatra for a few days after the situation turned volatile following Burhan's killing, there was no incident of stone pelting on pilgrims reported from anywhere.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today sought "outcome-oriented" momentum in Indo-German ties and a "quantum jump" in economic relations, as he held wide-ranging talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on key issues like trade, skill development, cyber security and terrorism.



"Pace of development of our relations is fast, direction positive and destination clear. Germany will always find India as powerful, prepared and capable partner," Modi said at a joint press interaction after holding talks with Merkel.



Following their talks, the two sides also signed a joint declaration of intent on cyber politics, development initiatives, sustainable urban development, continued development of cluster managers and skill development, cooperation in the field of digitalisation, cooperation in the field of railway security, promoting vocational training and continued cooperation on an Indo-German centre for sustainability.



Modi, who along with Merkel held the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) to set a roadmap for the bilateral strategic ties, said they conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations.



"We are looking at outcome oriented momentum in India- Germany ties and a quantum jump specially in economic ties. We had wide ranging discussions today. India-Germany partnership will help our nations and also help the world," he said.



On her part, Merkel said India has proved to be a reliable partner and the two sides have been able to deepen cooperation.



Talking about the threat of terrorism, Modi said humanitarian forces must unite to combat the menace.
Nine Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were injured during an early morning mortar firing practice on Tuesday at the Kishangarh field firing range near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan along the Indo-Pak border.



The incident took place at about 8:30 am when troops were participating in a firing exercise and a 51mm mortar fell short of its target at the forces firing range in Kishangarh. While speaking to DH, BSF PRO Rajasthan, DIG Ravi Gandhi said, "Soldiers were immediately given first aid by an available doctor and evacuated to Ramgarh BSF where again they were given first aid. Subsequently, they were shifted to Jaisalmer. As per report 6 of them suffered minor bruises. BSF has also evacuated all of them to Jodhpur by helicopter and will be treated at MDM hospital".



This is the third such incident reported this year involving mortars at a firing range of the BSF that guards India's border with Pakistan and Bangladesh. A bigger and more powerful, 81 mm mortar, was accidentally blown up in January this year when BSF personnel were practising at the firing range. Two soldiers had lost their lives in this accident and three more, including an officer, were injured.



Another accident took place in March when a 51 mm mortar blew up, injuring four personnel. A few days later, six men of the border guarding force were injured in similar circumstances during mortar firing exercise in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh.
Karnataka airports had the highest number of fliers among South Indian states while it ranked third nationally in 2016-17.



According to the statistics provided by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Karnataka also topped the number of aircraft movement among five South Indian states and two Union Territories.



There were 247.4 lakh passengers who took flights from Karnataka in 2016-17, clocking a growth of 21.2% compared to 2014-15, according to a report by Ministry of Civil Aviation.



Only Delhi and Maharashtra is ahead of Karnataka when it comes to a number of passengers -- 577 lakh and 543.2 lakh respectively. The growth rate for Karnataka has been impressive compared to Delhi (18.7%) and Maharashtra (12.6%).



Among the South Indian states, Tamil Nadu follows Karnataka with 229.1 lakh fliers (13.8% growth) and Kerala at 154.9 lakh (12.8%), Telangana 151 lakh (20.5%) and Andhra Pradesh 37.3 lakh (46.8%).



When it comes to aircraft movements, Karnataka had 1.95 lakh services in 2016-17, which is a growth of 15% compared to 2014-15. Delhi and Maharashtra had 3.97 lakh (15%) and 3.95 lakh (7.2%) aircraft movement.



However, on cargo movement, Tamil Nadu has a better record with 3.77 lakh tonne followed by Karnataka at 3.2 lakh tonne. Nationally, airports in Delhi and Maharashtra dealt with the highest quantity of cargo -- 8.57 lakh tonne and 8.25 lakh tonne respectively.



Overall, Indian domestic carriers flew more than 10 crores passengers as against 6.1 crore in 2013-14. Indian carriers operated 496 aircraft in March 2017, up from 395 in March 2014.



The report said aviation sector is one of the fastest growing industries in India with over 13.1 crore total departures in 2016-17, registering a 20% year-on-year growth.



The distance flown by scheduled operators rose to 17,000 crore km (2016-17) from 11,400 crore km (2013-14), it said.
Union minister Sanjiv Baliyan has blamed two former BSP legislators for the caste-based violence at Saharanpur in western Uttar Pradesh.



He alleged the former legislators had funded the Bheem Army, considered to be behind the flare-up in Saharanpur, wherein two persons were killed and a dozen policemen injured in a series of incidents between May 5 and May 23.



"Two former BSP legislators have forced caste and communal conflict in western Uttar Pradesh...a thorough investigation into these cases is on and several people have been identified...all those guilty will have to go to jail," Baliyan told reporters here yesterday.



The Minister of State for Water Resources said both the former BSP legislators had been close to previous chief ministers.



"One of them is also involved with the mining mafia," he alleged.



The BJP leader also blamed Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan for the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.

On the 40-year-old Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan, Baliyan said water cannot be stopped under the pact but dams could be built.



The Indus Waters Treaty has been an outstanding example of conflict resolution but scarcity of water in the basin states since the early 1990s has brought the agreement under strain and its "survival appears weak, according to a UN report.



The treaty permitted India to create storages on the western rivers of 1.25, 1.60 and 0.75 million acre feet (MAF) for general, power and flood storages, respectively, amounting to a total permissible storage of 3.6 MAF.


The infighting in the ruling BJD turned ugly today when party MP Baijayant Panda was hit by a stone as his supporters and some partymen pelted stones at one another in Mahanga area.



The incident happened when some partymen hurled stones and eggs at a procession led by Panda after he inaugurated a drinking water project in the area in Kendrapara district, police said.



Panda was seen hit by a stone and he sat down on the ground surrounded by his supporters. Later police escorted the MP up to a chopper. Soon his supporters pelted stones at the other partymen. Immediate police intervention controlled the situation.



"Forget stones & eggs, they can't cow me down even if they use bullet. These MPLAD funded projects = 5.2 million litre of drinking water," Panda tweeted immediately after the incident. Panda, MP of Kendrapara, had allocated funds for the overhead water tank at Jatiparilo village under Mahanga Assembly segment represented by state's Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena.



While local BJD leaders and minister's supporters alleged that they were not invited to the inauguration function, Panda rejected the charge and claimed that all the local leaders, including the local MLA, were invited. "Even names of local leaders were written in the plaque," Panda told reporters.



Panda blamed some "Babus" (officers) for the hooliganism in the ruling BJD and hoped party president Naveen Patnaik would definitely take steps after being aware of the incident.



Panda said "I have been in the party since its inception in 1997. In the first 17 years, we had a policy against hooliganism and infighting. But things have changed in the last three years. "When some 'Babus' (officers) sitting in AC rooms have started deciding the party activities, it has become a victim of indiscipline. This is not a good sign."



Panda, who was recently removed from the post of spokesman of BJD's parliamentary party, said he had already taken up the matter of indiscipline in the party with the president. "I have raised the issue in BJD's parliamentary party meeting. I am sure once Naveen Babu gets to know the truth, he will certainly take steps," Panda told reporters.



BJD spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP P K Deb said "the incident is an outcome of lack of communication and misunderstanding. The party president will examine the matter."



BJD vice-president and minister S N Patro described the incident as a local problem. "It will be sorted out locally. The district president of the party, local MP and local MLA will resolve the matter."



Senior BJP leader and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, however, came down on the ruling BJD over the attack on the MP. "There is no democracy in the state," he said.



Congress leader Suresh Routray said such incidents would be explosive in the coming days as the government and the ruling party were functioning in an arbitrary manner.
The National Green Tribunal today cracked the whip on seven hotels in the picturesque Kasauli town of Himachal Pradesh, directing the demolition of illegally constructed portions of their buildings and imposing fines ranging from Rs 5-10 lakh on each of them.



A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also imposed hefty environmental compensation on the hotels -- Bird's View Resort, Chelsea Resorts, Hotel Pine View, Narayani Guest House, Hotel Nilgiri, Hotel Divsikha and AAA Guest House for causing irretrievable damage to the ecology, polluting the environment and raising unauthorised constructions.



"We direct that the unauthorised and illegal construction raised in violation of the planning laws affecting environment, ecology and natural resources adversely, should be demolished in terms of the provisions of the NGT Act of 2010," the bench, also comprising Expert Members Bikram Singh Sajwan and Ajay A Deshpande, said and sought compliance within two weeks.



The tribunal imposed an environmental compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each on Bird's View Hotel, Hotel Divsikha and AAA Guest House, Rs. 7 lakh each on Chelsea Resorts, Hotel Pine View and Narayani Guest House and Rs. 10 lakh on Nilgiri hotel.



"Each of these five noticees shall pay the environmental compensation within two weeks from the date of pronouncement of this order, failing which the same shall be recovered as arrears of land revenue and their premises shall be liable to be sealed and water and electricity supply shall also be disconnected," the bench said.



The tribunal noted that Bird's View Hotel, which had permission for five rooms and two cottages, has carried out excessive construction and built nine rooms, one cottage and a three-storey frame structure adjoining the existing building without obtaining prior approval from Town and Country Planner, Solan.



Similarly, Chelsea Resorts which had permission for two blocks with three-storeys each has illegally constructed four blocks besides a twin parking unit.



Hotel Pine View originally had permission for three storeys in one block with a total capacity of seven rooms but its owner has constructed a seven-storey structure in two inter-connected building blocks.



Narayani Guest House had consent for three storeys and one floor for parking. However, the owner has constructed a six-storey building.



Nilgiri Hotel had permission for three storeys but the bench noted that including basement, there were eight storeys of the building.



"With great sense of regret, we notice that the present cases are glaring examples of flagrant violation of the above canons of law, violations of statutory duties and more particularly environmental jurisprudence. The noticees in the present cases could not quench their thirst for indiscriminately and illegally constructing properties for earning money while destroying natural resources and destroying the environment. These cases are examples of cruel human and nature conflict, the conflict that is activated by greed for money," the NGT said.



The tribunal directed the Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh to appoint a team for this purpose which will work in assistance with the state pollution control board to ensure compliance of this direction.



The NGT noted that there was shortage of staff and infrastructure with the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board and the Town and Country Planning department, which was an "impediment" in carrying out their duties and functions effectively.



It directed the Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh to consider the proposal of the respective departments for enhancement of staff and infrastructure to make functioning of the Board and the Department effective. "Appropriate mechanism should be provided for collection, handling and disposal of Municipal Solid Waste from such hotels/guest houses, in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016," it said.



The judgement came on the plea filed by Society for Preservation of Kasauli and its Environs (SPOKE) contending that such a huge commercial activity cannot be permitted due to the fragile ecology of Kasauli town.
Moving a vital step forward in space technology, the Indian Space Research Organisation is all set to launch its heaviest rocket GSLV-Mark III, carrying communication satellite on June 5 from country's spaceport in Sriharikota.



GSLV-Mark III is capable launching four ton class of satellites to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The GSLV rocket is the first developmental flight, carrying 3136 kg GSAT-19 satellite to a GTO.



A senior official from ISRO here on Tuesday said "GSLV Mk III-D1/GSAT-19 mission is scheduled to be launched on 5, June, 2017 at 4.28 pm from the second

launch pad at SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota".



According to ISRO official, after getting clearance from Mission Readiness Review (MRR) committee and Launch Authorisation Board (LAB), the countdown of the GSLV-Mark III launch mission will be announced.



GSAT-19 satellite with a lift-off mass of 3136 kg, is the communication satellite of India, configured around the ISROs standard I-3K bus.



GSAT-19 carries Ka/Ku-band high throughput communication transponders. Besides, it carries a Geostationary Radiation Spectrometer (GRASP) payload to monitor and study the nature of charged particles and the influence of space radiation on satellites and their electronic components.



GSAT-19 also features certain advanced spacecraft technologies including miniaturised heat pipe, fibre optic gyro, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometer, Ku-band TTC transponder, as well an indigenous Lithium-ion Battery.




The Delhi High Court today stayed a trial court order allowing former IAF chief S P Tyagi, a key accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, to travel to Indonesia.



Decrying the "special treatment" given to Tyagi, Justice I S Mehta said, "I do not understand, why the accused persons always want to travel abroad...why should he (Tyagi) be given the special treatment."



Staying the trial court order till July 12, it agreed to the contention of the CBI that the former 71-year-old IAF chief, who is on bail, may tamper with the ongoing probe in the case.



The court, which is hearing the CBI's appeal against the grant of bail to Tyagi and two other accused in the case, said, "You (Tyagi) are facing trial in a case and also getting special treatment. What is this? Till July 12, you will not travel. The trial court order is stayed till that time."



The high court's interim order came on a plea of CBI challenging the trial court's May 24 decision permitting Tyagi to travel abroad.



CBI's standing counsel Sanjeev Bhandari said the trial court's order was illegal and should be set aside as the accused may flee from justice.



However, Tyagi's counsel opposed the contention, saying his client is going to Indonesia with his family and will return.



He submitted that the CBI's appeal should be heard tomorrow as the senior counsel for the accused was not available today.



The CBI opposed Tyagi's contention and said the accused is scheduled to travel from tomorrow onwards.



Tyagi, who along with his cousin Sanjeev Tyagi and lawyer Gautam Khaitan are accused in the case relating to alleged irregularities in the procurement of 12 VVIP choppers from UK-based AgustaWestland during the UPA-2 regime, have been granted bail by the trial court.



The high court had issued notices to the three accused on the pleas in which CBI has alleged that they were influential persons who could hamper the ongoing probe if they remained out of custody.



Tyagi, who had retired as IAF chief in 2007, was granted bail by trial court on December 26 last year.



Thereafter on January 4 this year, the lower court here had also granted bail to Sanjeev Tyagi and Khaitan in the scam, saying no purpose would be served by keeping them in custody.



During the earlier hearing, the agency had claimed in the high court that if S P Tyagi remained out on bail, he could "alert other potential accused".



The agency had also said its probe was "multi-layered" as it spread across several countries since various companies were allegedly used to "camouflage the bribe money".



All the accused have denied the allegations levelled against them by CBI.


A trainee IAS officer drowned in the early hours of Tuesday when he jumped into a swimming pool of a training institute to save a woman colleague, police said.





Ashish Dahiya (30), who hails from Haryanas Sonepat, was rushed to Fortis Hospital where he was declared brought dead.





Suspecting foul play, his family members have sought investigation. They said he was a good swimmer.





Dahiya was at a poolside party at the Foreign Service Institute in Ber Serai, near the Jawaharlal Nehru University, when the incident took place. Police suspect that he had consumed alcohol.





Dahiya and around 30 trainee civil servants had gathered to celebrate their last day of training. At around 1 am, some of them decided to go for a swim.





A woman officer accidentally fell into the pool and a few trainee officers, including Dahiya, jumped to rescue her. The woman was pulled out safely.





However, Dahiya did not come out of the pool. He was then seen unconscious and floating.





A medical officer was called but attempts to revive him with CPR before he was taken to hospital did not help.
Indo-Pak ties cannot improve until the two countries overcome mutual distrust and animosity, Pakistan's interior minister said today as he accused India of "stubbornness" in resolving bilateral issues.



In a meeting with Sohail Mehmood, Pakistan's High Commissioner-designate to India, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told him that the responsibility entrusted on him was a challenging one. He hoped Mehmood would use all his capacity to fulfil his responsibilities and protect the interests of Pakistan. Mehmood is poised to head to New Delhi anytime now as India has issued him a visa.



The 55 year-old Mehmood, one of Pakistan's senior-most diplomats, has started key meetings with Pakistan's top leadership before taking up his responsibilities in India. He was until recently Pakistan's ambassador to Turkey and replaces Abdul Basit, who has completed his three-year term.



Minister Khan told Mehmood that the "dream" of prosperity and peace between India and Pakistan could not be achieved till their ties were weighed down by animosity and distrust, according to a statement issued by his office.



He said it was essential for lasting peace in the region that "sincere efforts" be made to resolve longstanding bilateral issues with India. "It was unfortunate that every effort made by Pakistan proved futile due to lack of trust and stubbornness of the Indian government," he claimed.



Ties between India and Pakistan have been tense of late over a number of issues, including the status of Kashmir.



India has accused Pakistan of supporting militants, who infiltrate from the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir into the Valley and target Indian security forces. One such attack in last year killed 18 Indian soldiers and India retaliated with "surgical strikes" on terrorist launchpads in PoK.



Most recently, the Pakistan Army sentenced Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav on charges of espionage after a secret trial. India had demanded consular access to Jadhav, which Pakistan has repeatedly denied claiming the man was an Indian spy.
The Punjab police today claimed to have busted a terror module that allegedly had Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar on its hit-list.



Four persons, including a woman, have been arrested, who according to the police, were planning to carry out targeted killings under the banner - 'Khalistan Zindabad'.



On the radar of these "highly radicalised youth" were Congress leaders Tytler and Kumar, as well as those they considered responsible for incidents of sacrilege or desecration, an official spokesman said here today.



Tytler and Kumar have faced allegations related to their role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi.

The youths had formed a group  'Khalistan Zindabad' - after having been radicalised over Facebook and other social media platforms by certain individuals based in Pakistan, various middle-eastern countries and the UK, the spokesman said.



Working in close collaboration with their handlers and associates based in India and abroad, the youths were in the process of mobilising funds, procuring weapons and arranging training for its members, when the Mohali police swooped on them, the cops claimed.



Those arrested have been identified as Harbarinder Singh, Amritpal Kaur alias Amrit, Jarnail Singh and Randeep Singh, police officials said.



While Harbarinder and Amritpal were nabbed from the Mohali bus stand on May 29, Jarnail and Randeep were arrested today from Gurdaspur and Ludhiana respectively, according to the police.



The police also claimed to have seized two .32 bore pistols with 4 magazines and 5 live rounds from them.



These weapons were to be used to carry out killings of those accused of sacrilege or desecration and leaders or members of some socio-religious organisations in Punjab, the police claimed.



The four have been booked under various sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Arms Act and sections of the IPC.



They have been remanded in police custody for seven days, police officials said.
Yoga guru Ramdevs proposal for setting up a Vedic Education Board seems to have been shelved by the Union government.





The Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry was examining Ramdevs proposal for establishment of a Vedic Education Board on the lines of the Central Board of Secondary Education.



At this moment, there is no (such) proposal, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said when asked about the status of the Yoga gurus proposal.

When asked if the proposal got stuck somewhere, the minister said, Nothing gets stuck.



Ramdev was pitching for establishment of the board since 2015. The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) reportedly held the first meeting to look into the idea of setting up the board in March last year.



At a meeting later in 2016, the then school education department secretary S C Khuntia (now Chief Secretary of Karnataka) blocked the proposal, by pointing out that the governments sanction for establishment of a private board would open the doors for similar requests from other organisations, according to sources in the ministry.



Haridwar-based Vedic Education Research Institute (VERI), run by Ramdevs Patanjali Yogpeeth, had submitted a proposal with the Union government for setting up of Vedic Education Board. In its proposal, the VERI had sought powers for the board to grant affiliation to schools offering education with a blend of the traditional Gurukul system and modern curriculum.



Though the HRD ministry did not support Ramdevs proposal citing several reasons during discussions held at the PMO, the Yoga guru was confident of getting it through.
In a unique show of community support for a CRPF martyr, an 'akhara' is being built in his memory in Haryana for which each villager would either donate a brick, a cement bag or a day's wage.



CRPF personnel Ram Mehar, a resident of Kheri Man Singh village in Karnal district, was killed in a Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh recently.



The family of Mehar, who liked wrestling, has donated one and a half kanals of land for the wrestling ring. Other villagers are too pooling in to build the memorial.



The initiative is the effort of a Chandigarh resident, Sanjeev Rana who launched 'Ek eent Shahid ke Naam' (One brick in the memory of martyr).



Under it he motivated people to donate at least one brick or a sack of cement in memory of those who laid down their lives in the line of duty.



He said people should not rely on the government for the construction of memorials or institutions for the martyrs. With the involvement of locals, any memorials can be built as martyrs belong to the people first.



"I met the family of martyr Ram Mehar and his younger brother, Ramesh Kumar, told me that his brother liked wrestling," he said.



The family runs a makeshift wrestling ring in the village where around fifty youngsters practice daily and a few of them have even made their mark in the Army in the past.



"The family wanted to set-up a proper facility for wrestling thus it was decided to make a proper wrestling ring in the village," he said.



The construction has started after collecting the building material from locals who donated bricks, sand and cement. It would be functional in about two months.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar today said the recent notification by the central government banning sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter was a "gross injustice" to farmers.



The controversial move by the environment ministry has kicked off a major political storm with the chief ministers of West Bengal and Kerala opposing the notification.



Several places in Kerala and Tamil Nadu have witnessed protests during the past few days against the ban, with those opposed to it hosting 'beef fests', saying the Centre's decision interfered with the food habits of people.



"Either the government should set up an ashram (asylum) to feed old cattle or should pay farmers a monthly compensation for feeding old cattle. This (notification) is a gross injustice to farmers," Pawar said while interacting with reporters here.



In an apparent dig at the RSS, the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP, Pawar said another ashram for old cattle can be opened at Nagpur, which houses the Sangh headquarters.



"They have so many institutes. They can open another one for old cattle," he said.



Referring to Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, Pawar claimed that the freedom fighter, whom the Hindutva forces consider as their ideal, too was in favour of cow slaughter.



"Everyone should pay respect to the cow. Savarkar used to say that cow is useful to all, but he had no issues if a cow was slaughtered after its utility was over," Pawar said.



Dismissing speculations, Pawar reiterated that he was not in the race for the president's post. "I have been insisting that I'm not in that race. I don't want to retire from public life at this moment," he quipped.



The veteran politician said he had convinced the opposition parties not to discuss any name for the post of president until there is a broad consensus on the issue.



"I have suggested that the candidate for presidential post should be chosen through consensus with the government. If there is no consensus a committee should be formed and empowered to decide a name," Pawar added.
Two bike-borne men attacked an upcoming Kannada actor right in front of the court complex in Ramanagaram on Tuesday morning.



Arjun Dev, the actor, his car driver Dhananjay and the actors assistant Manjunath survived the attack. The front windshield of the car was damaged in the attack, which was reportedly linked to a civil dispute.



Yugapurusha, Devs first film as hero, is slated for release next Friday. The actor is currently busy shooting his second movie Bathaas.



A petition was to come up for hearing involving Dev in the Ramanagaram court. The actor reached the court premises around 11 am. I parked my car and was about to open the door when I was attacked, he told DH.



The two men were wearing helmets. The pillion rider got down, took an iron rod from the rider, rushed towards my car and tried to hit me. I sensed danger and closed the door immediately. The man repeatedly hit the front windshield, he recalled.



Raises alarm



A few people rushed to the actors aid as he raised an alarm. The suspect got onto the bike after seeing the crowd and the two escaped. Before fleeing, the two made gestures at me suggesting that they would teach me a lesson, he said.



The reason for the attack is yet to be ascertained, but the actor claimed that a civil dispute might have triggered the attack. I have no rivals, but strongly suspect a civil dispute to be the cause for the attack, he said. Local residents told the actor and the police that four men had come on two bikes to carry out the attack.



The police have obtained CCTV footage from nearby areas to establish the identity of the suspects. The police have booked the suspects under IPC Sections 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 427 (mischief causing damage) and 506 (criminal intimidation).
Thick smoke billowed from Varthur lake on Tuesday as a huge pile of garbage was set on fire by miscreants.



Residents took pictures and videos, which went viral in no time. The person who shot the video said the fire was near the stormwater drain entering the lake. Joint commissioner of BBMP, Mahadevapura zone Dr B V Vasanthi Amar said illegal dumping of waste was still rampant despite penalties levied and warnings issued to the culprits.



We need to find out why such incidents are happening. Miscreants set the garbage on fire. We will strengthen enforcement to check such incidents, said Vasanthi.



Sridhar Pabbisetty of Namma Bengaluru Foundation said, It is unfortunate that illegal dumping of garbage continues unabated. Unless we act quickly and secure the lakes and rajakaluves immediately, there will be more such incidents. There is a huge quantity of garbage on the lake and the action by government agencies is woefully insufficient.



He said the National Green Tribunals order on dumping of waste and debris into lakes must be implemented. Elan Kulandaivelu from Whitefield Rising blamed the BBMP for its failure. Lakes have become a dump yard in the absence of proper waste processing units.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ambitious project  the Rs 46,000-crore, 706-km Mumbai to Nagpur super communication highway  is rapidly turning into a political issue.



Not just Opposition parties, even BJP ally Shiv Sena is raising serious concerns over the project.



While the Congress and the NCP are campaigning against the project, Shiv Sena and farmers leader Raju Shetti-led Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathana are expressing deep reservations.



The demand to scrap the project has come to the forefront, amidst demands to waive farm loan and procurement of agriculture produce including tur dal. Over the past two months, farmers have staged a series of protests over land acquisition and corruption.



We will create a Singur-like situation if samruddhi corridor is not scrapped, Shetti had warned. We wont allow the farmers land to be taken away for building the expressway. What is the use of building this at the farmers cost? Thackeray had recently said.



On Tuesday, NCP chief Sharad Pawar held a meeting on the issue. This is going to be troublesome for farmers, state NCP president Sunil Tatkare said.



Last week, Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam had attacked the chief minister on the issue and questioned the change in the request for qualification (RFQ) bids.



When the first bid was floated, 40 companies and consortiums came in. However, the RFQ was altered and only five remained. We would like to know why the chief minister is silent on the issue, he said.
The Supreme Court has refused to stay the conviction of IPS officer R S Bhagora in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gang-rape case, which is one of several ongoing Gujarat riot cases.



A bench of Justices A K Sikri and Deepak Gupta did not see the need to expedite the case as the convicted officer had already undergone the sentence. The bench put off the hearing to the second week of July, observing that the fine would be Rs 15,000 only.



Currently serving in Gujarat, Bhagora is one of the five policemen convicted in the case by the Bombay High Court on May 4, after being acquitted by the trial court. He is one of the 11 people convicted in the case (one dead), including two doctors.



Pleading the court to stay Bhagoras conviction, the counsel representing the IPS officer said he would be terminated in accordance with service rules if the conviction is not stayed.



The high court had said the five policemen and the two doctors have been convicted under Indian Penal Code sections 218 (not performing their duties) and section 201 (tampering of evidence).



On January 21, 2008, a special court had convicted 11 men and sentenced them to imprisonment for raping Bilkis Bano and killing seven of her family members on March 3, 2002, in the aftermath of the Godhra riots.
The government foiled the proposed march of separatists to Tral in south Kashmir by imposing curfew-like restrictions in Srinagar and other major towns of the Valley, as the strike continued for the third consecutive day on Tuesday.



Reports said authorities had sealed all the routes leading to slain Hizbul commander Sabzar Bhats native Rathsun village in Tral by rolls of concertina wires. Armoured vehicles were stationed at major check points to prevent the movement of pedestrians and vehicles.



The separatists had asked people to march towards Tral to offer funeral prayers of Bhat, who succeeded the poster boy of new militancy Burhan Wani in July last year.



The reports said a small gathering of people defied the restrictions and organised a rally in Rathsun. Earlier, scores of youth assembled at the Tral bus stand and raised slogans against the security forces.



Police and paramilitary forces were deployed in strength in all major and small towns including Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Bijbehara, Pampore, Awantipora, Tral, Kakpora and Mattan.
The Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry has favoured Union Minister Maneka Gandhis request for scrapping the rule stipulating the compulsory mention of fathers name on academic certificates.



It, however, needs to find out if mentioning the students fathers name for his/her academic certificates is mandatory in higher education.



Thats a good suggestion. If somebody wants to mention his/her mothers name, its his/her choice. We will look into it to see if mentioning the fathers name is mandatory, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said.



So far we understand that mentioning the fathers name in a students certificate should not be mandatory. I know some cases where students submitted the name of their mother for the academic records with their educational institutions, instead of giving the name of their father, an official in the ministry said.



The issue brought to the notice of the ministry by Maneka Gandhi, however, needs to be examined, he said.
HARRISBURG  Hospice of Central Pennsylvania is looking for military veterans to volunteer for a program to support veteran patients.

The Vet-to-Vet Visitation program pairs volunteers with military veteran hospice patients.

Hospice of Central Pennsylvania has been participating in the program for the last two years. It cares for up to 50 veterans at a time and expects to care for 700 veterans this year.

Hospice workers say veterans can offer a connection to veteran patients that others may not be able to.

With staff and volunteers, we have specialized training on how to deal with patients at the end of life. But, we may not always understand where theyre coming from and their lives before they were admitted to hospice care, said Hospice and Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie Schaefer. They might not have been in the same era or the same place, with combat, but they can understand these stories in a way that nobody else can.

Family members of patients have said the program has even allowed them to learn things about their loved one they never knew.

Family members are telling us that theyre hearing stories, hearing history about their loved one that theyve never heard before, said Fred Anderson with Hospice of Central Pennsylvania. Some of their stories about being in World War II, or maybe serving in Vietnam, that this veteran patient may not have necessarily conveyed to their family. But, its coming out because weve connected them with a fellow volunteer.

All volunteers are provided training that introduces them to hospice concepts, end-of-life issues and good listening techniques.

The Vet-to-Vet Visitation program is a local affiliate of We Honor Vets, a national program of the Department of Veterans Affairs Hospice and Palliative Care Initiative.

People who wish to volunteer can call Hospice of Central Pennsylvania at 717-732-1000 or 1-866-779-7374, or visit www.hospiceofcentralpa.org/volunteer.
The ruling Congress on Tuesday submitted a notice to the Legislative Council secretariat, seeking to move a no-confidence motion against Council chairman D H Shankaramurthy.



The party wants to take up the motion in the extended budget session of the legislature scheduled to start from June 5. The Congress is the single largest party with 35 MLCs, including three associated members, in the 75-member Upper House. But the party is going to fall short of three members to prove the majority and thereby oust Shankaramurthy, who has been elected to the Council from the BJP. Currently, two seats are vacant in the House.



The Congress is, therefore, banking on the support of JD (S) to remove Shankaramurthy from the post of chairman. The JD(S) has 14 MLCs, while the BJPs strength is 23. The ruling party is planning to replace Shankaramurthy with senior leader S R Patil, who was dropped from the Cabinet last year. Patil is a Lingayat leader from north Karnataka. He was in the probables list to the post of state Congress president.



We have submitted the notice following the direction from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and party president G Parameshwara. Shankaramurthy has lost the confidence of the House. Hence, the party has decided to move a no-confidence motion against him. We hope all secular forces will support our move, Congress MLC V S Ugrappa said. The notice is signed by eight Congress MLCs.



The Congress had been planning to oust Shankaramurthy for the past two years, but it had not firmed up the plan so far. With the crucial elections to the Legislative Assembly likely to be held in about a years time, the ruling party has decided to install its own man in the chairmans post. This will ensure smooth passage of important bills in the Upper House. The Congress government had a bitter experience in the Council in 2015 as it delayed the process of giving approval to a bill pertaining to the BBMP re-structuring, a source in the Congress said.



When contacted, Shankaramurthy said he has no clue of the Congress move. His term is scheduled to end in June 2018.

DH News Service
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and the ruling BJP in the state have gone on an offensive against the Congress on the Kerala incident where a cow was slaughtered by the Youth Congress workers.



The chief minister took a dig at the Congress by tweeting late on Monday night. By slaughtering a cow in Kerala, Congress has shown its true face. Vinaash Kaale Viprit Buddhi (One loses mind when the end is near). Congress now is a sinking ship.



He followed it up with another tweet, Gujarat Congress must answer on cow slaughter by Congress in Kerala.



The BJP has been facing protests from several communities, including the Patels, Dalits and the OBCs, on multiple issues. While it is believed to be working hard to woo several communities into its fold, raising the issue of cow slaughter could help it corner any opposition in the state.



The chief ministers statements on social media were followed up by a protest video that began circulating on multiple social media platforms. The video announces that the people of Gujarat will not forgive the Congress (in the upcoming Assembly polls) for the sin committed in Kerala.



The video also uses the Congress election symbol, hand, with a no entry sign embossed on it.



The video begins with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, Protecting cows would protect the human race too. The 88-second video moves on to show what it calls were misdeeds of other Gandhi and link the Kerala incident to Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi as a surname, but action like butcher, says the audio juxtaposing pictures of Rahul and Congress workers seen in the cow slaughter video from Kerala.
The government is closing three-fourths of a 350-year-old temple tank to favour a private land developer in Vasanthapura.



Once a tranquil, picturesque suburb, Vasanthapura, off Kanakapura Road, is now a bustling neighbourhood in the southern part of the city.



Historians say the tank was built in the 17th century by Shivajis father Shahaji Raje Bhonsle, who had camped there. The temple dates back to the days of Chola rule (4th to 12th century), and was built in a clearing in the midst of a lush forest, where legend has it sages used to meditate.



The developer in question, N Balakrishna Naidu, is going all out to get a broad approach road to his land, and the bureaucracy is on his side. A good road adds immensely to the real estate value of his land, and makes it more saleable.



Work is afoot to close almost three-fourths of the tank to build a road about 50 feet wide. Naidu ostensibly offered a part of his land to the temple, and the muzrai authorities, in a letter to the revenue authorities, cited this act of generosity to justify building a road over the tank.



Officials have recently altered the survey of the kalyani (Kannada for stepped temple tank), shrinking its extent. Muzrai tahsildar Dinesh admitted something was wrong with the maps, and blamed it on the architect and engineer in charge.



The intention of doctored map is to show that Naidu has parted with his land to develop the tank, and justify the road cutting through the kalyani.



Muzrai commissioner Shadakshari and deputy commissioner Kantharaju, under whom the temple falls, claimed they were not aware of what was happening at the tank.



Where is this kalyani? Is anything happening there? Let me check with the tahsildar. If this is happening, we will halt it, Kantharaju told DH.



Tank almost closed



A lovely piece of work from the era of the Maratha ruler, the tank was in good shape till the late 1980s. With the advent of the software industry, construction burgeoned in the area, and the tank was filled with all kinds of debris, and almost closed.



The kalyani was vandalised, and its smooth, artistically carved stones cast aside and broken. The muzrai department showed scant respect for the structures antiquity and heritage value.



Citizens campaign



The tank was restored following sustained efforts by citizen activists in 2013. The temple land, according to government records, is spread across an acre and 33 guntas, or about 80,000 sq ft. Land grabbers have taken possession of some parts.



In 2013, DH had covered the citizens campaign extensively, following which the muzrai department dropped its plans to cover up the tank. It has now begun work on it again.



The Vaishnavite temple in Vasanthapura, dedicated to Vasanthavallabha Swamy, has been a favourite venue for weddings. In 1887, Vasanthapura was a village five miles south of Bengaluru, with a population of just 112.



In 2012, citizens petitioned the government against the muzrai departments misrepresentation of the survey to build a road.



They had also mentioned that the new road would benefit developer Naidu alone, since no settlement exists beyond his estate. Naidu did not respond to repeated attempts to reach him for this story.
Driven by the explosive growth in smartphone usage and a dramatic fall in data charges, the online education industry in India is set for an eight-fold increase. By 2021, the industry will be $1.96 billion strong, a transformation powered by tier 2 and 3 cities besides the six metros.



Google and KPMG on Tuesday jointly released these findings from their report 'Online Education in India: 2021.' The report also indicated that the paid user base will see a six-fold increase from 1.6 million users in 2016 to 9.6 million users in 2021.



Over the past two years, online searches for education saw a two-fold growth. Google searches from mobile devices were three times higher than two years ago. But the most visible four-fold growth was seen in the consumption of YouTube videos linked to education over the past one year.



So, why do learners get online? Working professionals currently dominate the space. Reskilling and online certifications are the largest category today at $93 million. But by 2021, private tuitions will occupy the top slot. The report shows that in five years, primary and secondary supplemental education will grow at 60% annually to become a $773-million industry by itself.



Test preparation (for various competitive examinations) will be the fastest growing category in 2021. The cumulative annual growth rate will be a high 64%.



How will online education look in the near future? The report points to 'gamification' concepts to enhance engagement between teachers and learners. So scientific and mathematical concepts will be explained through simulations, and just as in games, students will get incentives and level advancement badges and the like.



There will be greater collaboration between online and offline. Online players will establish offline touch-points for students. Besides, big data and artificial intelligence will assist in design of content customised for different category of students. Wearable devices and virtual labs will also be part of the future, the study said.



The shift to online is decisive. As Google India's industry director Nitin Bawankule put it, Online content is 30 to 40% cheaper than offline. It is more convenient and accessible. Sixty per cent of the content is consumed through smartphones and tablets.



The report was based on a primary qualitative and quantitative research that covered over 3,600 respondents across 27 geographies. These included both metro and non-metro cities. The respondents were in the age group of 16-45 years, both male and female, who were online/offline course takers. Parents were also part of the survey.
The Madras High Court on Tuesday stayed for four weeks the Centres notification on implementation of new rules on cattle trade.



A Madurai bench comprising Justices M V Muralidharan and C V Karthikeyan issued the interim order on the two pleas which said that the rules should be quashed as they were against the Constitution, breached the principle of federalism and were contrary to the parent legislation  Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.



Referring to the contention of the petitioners that the notification was related to food and hence ought to have been approved by Parliament, the bench issued a notice to the Centre and asked it to file a report within four weeks.



The order has come amid a raging row on the ban, with non-BJP parties and state governments of Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry stridently opposing the notification.



Though the governments counsel argued that the Centres decision is only to regulate the animal markets, the judges ordered a four-week stay on the notification banning sale of cattle for slaughter.



The petitions, filed by S Selvagomathy and Asik Ilahi Bhava, pointed out that the Supreme Court had, in various decisions, held that the right to choice of food is part of the right to personal liberty, conscience and privacy.



By imposing a ban on slaughter of animals for food, the citizens with a choice to eat the flesh of such animals would be deprived of such food, which violates the right to food, privacy and personal liberty, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the petitioners said.



They said the rules were a burdensome interference in the freedom of trade and business guaranteed under the Constitution.



The farmers and other traders involved in sale of cattle or other animals and slaughterhouses and its employees would be gravely deprived of their right to livelihood.



The petitioners also alleged that the local bodies throughout the country have been prohibiting slaughter of animals, creating unrest among various sections of the society. Also, anti-social elements have taken up the role of cow vigilantes.
The state government has appealed in the Supreme Court to allow it to continue counselling for allocation of engineering seats even after counselling for medical and dental courses is completed.



Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil said this at the press conference held by Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) to release the CET results.



Most students who fail to obtain a medical or dental seat take up engineering. However, the Supreme Court had ordered that counselling for engineering should be completed by July 31, every year. Dr Patil said that the government has appealed to the Supreme Court to extend this date. If the request is accepted, we intend to conduct one round of counselling for engineering after that of medical and dental is completed, he said.



Regarding the demand of private engineering colleges to increase the fee for government quota seats by 10%, Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy said that no decision has been taken on the matter, yet.



Rayareddy said they have directed the Consortium of Medical Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (Comed-K) to conduct counselling for private engineering seats only after KEA completes its counselling.



Answering a question about Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Rayareddy said that they had to increase the exam fee as the Centre confiscated Rs 441 crore in the form of tax and hence the university is having financial issues.



Ranks pertaining to architecture and medical and dental courses will be available only after the National-Eligibility-cum-Entrance test (NEET) and the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) scores are announced.



The KEA has made arrangements to receive NEET and NATA scores online after they are published and, candidates are advised to check the KEA website for details. This year, KEA has added an additional centre in Koppal, to the existing 15 centres in different parts of the state, for document verification.

DH News Service


Senior BJP leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and others are in for a long haul as charges were framed against them in the Babri Masjid demolition case.



With a special court in Lucknow rejecting their discharge plea, the accused will now have to face trial in the 25-year-old case also for the charge of criminal conspiracy to bring down the structure.



Though it would take long before the conclusion of the trial, as a long list of around 800 witnesses needs to be examined, the accused have to suffer the process, which is quite punishing. Notably, the apex court had asked the trial court to wrap up the proceedings in two years.



The Supreme Court had on April 19 restored the conspiracy charge against the top BJP leaders and others. The court had then used its power under Article 142 to do complete justice to club the trial of Advani and others then going on in Raebareli court with scores of kar sevaks  who were being tried at a special court in Lucknow.



As the apex court had then already directed for framing of charges, there was little chance for the trial court to allow discharge plea by the 12 accused.



It is relevant to point out that addition of conspiracy charges do not enhance the maximum punishment of five years in jail, as prescribed under the offences that are mainly related to promotion of enmity between different groups on the ground of religion.



However, shifting of the trial from a magistrate court to a sessions judge has taken away the right of appeal from the accused.



The BJP leaders were hitherto being tried by a magisterial court in Raebareli. They would now have to approach the high court for any appeal against an order by the sessions court.



The Lucknow sessions court was also directed to conduct proceedings on a day-to-day basis from the stage at which the trial proceedings, both at Raebareli and at Lucknow, were continuing, until the conclusion of the 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. In such an event, on the grant of adjournment to the next day or a closely proximate date, reasons for the same shall be recorded in writing, the apex court had said.
The Bengaluru zonal unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized illicit contraband cocaine from a Ugandan woman at Cantonment Railway Station on the intervening night of May 29 and 30.



The suspect identified as Aisha Manutebi was travelling in a sleeper class of Karnataka Express (Train number 12628). On a tip-off, the NCB sleuths arrested the woman. The illicit contraband cocaine, weighing 200 gram, was found in her baggage concealed in a box of a headphone, the officials said.



The value of the seized drugs is about Rs 1 crore in the international market, they added. Upon questioning, she disclosed that she had procured the contraband from Delhi and was bringing it to Bengaluru. The drug was seized and she was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Illicit trafficking/smuggling of cocaine attracts a punishment up to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and fine under the Act, the officials said.
The police are probing if the three Pakistanis who were caught staying illegally in the city, were in contact with anyone in Pakistan. The police are ascertaining their modes of possible communication, including coded data.



The police have informed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) about the arrests. The MHA is likely to contact its Pakistani counterparts to gather details about the Pakistani nationals. The investigation indicates that the four, including a Keralite, had plans to settle down in India for love. However, the police suspect a deep-rooted conspiracy in their decision to settle down in India. They may have planned to settle down here as sleeper cells as well.



We are also verifying if any banned outfits had helped them cross over to India. We are carefully analysing their statements, a senior police officer said. Sameera (25), Pakistani wife of Mohammad Shihab, along with her two cousins Kiran Ghulam Ali (26) and Khasif Shamshuddin (30), all from Karachi, were arrested with the Keralite, Shihab on May 25.



Meanwhile, the arrested Chief Medical Officer of Jayanagar Government Hospital C S Nagalakshmamma told the police during interrogation that T H Ravi Kumar, an office assistant, would usually bring a bunch of documents for attestation and she always obliged.



She also told the police that she never took money for attesting documents and that she was not aware if Ravi Kumar collected money. The police picked up Ravi Kumar based on her statements. The police may include Ravi Kumar in the FIR for getting the fake documents attested to help the Pakistani nationals get Aadhaar cards.



Meanwhile, Subodh Yadav, commissioner, Health and Family Welfare Department, suspended Nagalakshmamma and Ravi Kumar for misuse of office.
Several Midstate district attorneys and lawmakers are asking for increased funds for programs aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect.

The group is calling on state lawmakers to include $9 million in new state funding in the upcoming 2017-18 state budget to help fund an increase in home visiting services like PinnacleHealths Nurse-Family Partnership.

Home visiting services provide guidance and support for at-risk parents during pregnancy and through the first few years of the childs life when other programs like Early Head Start begin.

Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed said funding for these programs was included in Gov. Tom Wolfs budget, but not in the budget passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and sent to the state Senate.

I look out my window onto the square, Freed said. Its happened more than once when Ive seen a woman pushing a stroller and shes with her mother or an older relative, and weve prosecuted both of them.

I wonder if we are going to end up prosecuting these children, and if we can get them into programs, its far more likely that we are not going to, he said.

Successful home visiting service programs have been shown to reduce child abuse and neglect by 50 percent or more, according to a report by the national anti-crime organization Fight Crime: Invest in Kids cited by the group.

For Freed, investing in such programs are proactive steps at reducing crime.

If we can impact them at that early age, they are far less likely to come into the system, Freed said. If we can positively impact them at that age, we probably wont see them as adults.

I think so much of the discussion about adults in the system and how we handle adults in the system tends to be an inch deep and a mile wide, he said. We are really pushing the ball up the hill when we are talking about people who are ingrained into the system.  These programs have a much better track record.

Freed said the programs are beneficial to the child and the supporting family member.

The yearly earnings for a mother receiving visiting services can increase by $3,600 and save families up to $6,000, according to a news release issued by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.

It helps reduce child abuse and neglect, Freed said. The kids dont become victims. The parents dont become perpetrators. It has beneficial effects, the studies show, for bettering their education, holding down jobs.  Unless you are a total sociopath, nobody says I want my kid to follow me into a life of crime. This provides an opportunity for people who may have had a rough time.

More than 4,200 substantiated claims of child abuse were reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services in 2015, and incoming state inmates were 65 times more likely than the general population to have been physically abused by a parent, caregiver or other adult, according to the news release issued by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.
Bengalureans who depend on eating joints had a tough day on Tuesday as hotels and darshinis remained closed as a mark of protest against the tax rate proposed under GST. The hotel owners association claimed the bandh was successful, while people who had no other means had to shell out more money for food.



Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association (BBHA) had declared a bandh. Hotels like Vidyarthi Bhavan, Sukh Sagar and A2B were shut in support of the bandh. Association sources said there were around 3,000 registered darshinis and almost 90% of them remained shut.



Restaurants like Empire, Imperial and McDonalds supported the bandh by shutting down from 6 am to 6 pm. Radhakrishna of Brahmins Coffee Bar said, To prevent future losses, we held a protest today. The hotels will be open tomorrow.



Hotel owners claimed they suffered a loss of 10% to 15% in business on account of the bandh.



Though people were aware of the bandh in advance, they faced difficulty finding some joint to have food. Anil Kumar Gowda, a techie, said, I eat out on a regular basis, given my work schedule. The bandh caused a lot of inconvenience to me and my colleagues.



M V Raghavendra, vice president of BBHA, said, This strike was on behalf of the customers. If the proposed increase in tax under GST is implemented, prices are likely to go up and there will be a loss of 30% in hotel business. We are expecting a positive response from the government.
A security supervisor played policeman to nab his own colleague who bought a iPhone online, using the formers debit card details. This, after the police ignored his complaint, saying they were busy with a dacoity case.



Krishne Gowda A N (51) got a message on his phone on May 8, that his salary of Rs 18,500 had been credited to his account. Twenty minutes later, he received another message saying Rs 17,499 was debited.



Gowda rushed to KR Puram police station to lodge a complaint, but the station house officer told him that officials of the rank of sub-inspector deal with cash-related cases and as all of them were busy with a dacoity case, he was told to come later.



The supervisor went to the bank where he had his account and gave a written complaint, seeking information on how the money was drawn. Bank authorities told him he should produce a copy of the police complaint.Gowda again went to the police station, but officials still seemed to be busy.



He returned to the bank with a few friends and protested before the staff, demanding they furnish details. They relented and told Gowda the money was used for the online purchase of a Grey Apple i-phone. They gave him the delivery address and a phone number through which the order was placed.



He tried visiting the address, but it was misleading. He returned to his office and called the number from the landline. There was no response. A little later, the landline received a call, with the caller saying he had received a call from his own office. Gowda asked for his name and discovered the culprit was Alok Kumar Sahoo, a security guard. He and his friends rushed to Sahoos house and nabbed him.



Sahoo handed over the iPhone to Gowda and promised to return his money. He confessed to have stolen Gowdas card details and PIN number stored on the latters phone in a message. Sahoo then escaped.
Around 4.5 lakh people have been fined in the past four years for smoking in public in the state, according to the Union Health Ministry. This year alone, Rs 1.6 crore has been collected in fines from 1.5 lakh smokers.



One in three people consumes tobacco in Karnataka, of whom 20% chew tobacco. It is a major concern today in the state, said Dr Vishal Rao, Head and Neck Cancer Surgeon and Member of the High Power Committee for Tobacco Control, government of Karnataka.



Of all the tobacco products consumed in the state, cigarettes contribute only 4%, while 8% are beedis and chewing tobacco makes up 20%.



Around 30% of the people who consume tobacco will die prematurely. Every year, 10 lakh cases of cancer are diagnosed in India. Of these 40% to 50% are attributed to 18 kinds of cancers that are known, said Dr Rao.



We see around 15,000 to 20,000 patients every year who suffer due to tobacco consumption. Around 75% of these patients suffer from advanced stages of diseases, said Dr Vijay Agarwal, consultant of Medical Oncology, HCG Hospital.



Dr Rao said that around 50,000 cases of cancer are detected each year in the state and at any given point of time, there are 1.5 lakh cases. These include women, especially the urban poor, who chew tobacco, he said. Chewing tobacco is not considered a taboo among these women and a lot of this is cultural. Many tobacco marketing industries take advantage of this too, said Dr Rao.



Experts in the field consider empowerment of panchayat development officers (PDO) who penalise offenders under provisions of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, as a unique strategy to control tobacco consumption in villages.



Before the government order, it was common to see smokers in front of shops and schools in villages. We were helpless and could not intervene as we were not authorised to stop them. Now, after the drive was enforced eight months back, 70% of the shops have already complied with the rules, said PDO from Kodagu district, Ashok Kumar.



Dr Rao terms the drive against smoking in public places as nicotine displacement therapy as the offenders are believed to get scared once they get caught by the police and as a result start secreting adrenaline. He said it is the same as consuming tobacco as nicotine releases adrenalin. As a result, there is less urge to consume tobacco.



According to the doctor, tobacco industries should be made accountable for tobacco usage among people and there should be more drives to implement the law.
The shutdown of medical outlets in the city on Tuesday forced people to go from store to store in search of medicines, although they somehow managed to get them.



Following the protest by medical shop owners against the online sale of medicines, many shops remained closed. Although a few were open, people had to sweat it out to get the required medicines.



Manjunath, who came to buy medicine from a store on the premises of Bowring Hospital, was turned away as it did not have the drug he asked for. He approached the store next door, but with little luck.



Any kind of protest is fine, but it is difficult when it comes to medicines, he said.



Private shop owners who did not take part in the protest said people came to their stores for medicines of particular brands. Some medicines are not sold in government medical stores on the premises of hospitals.



Many people came to us seeking certain brands of medicines. The hospitals only sell generic drugs. People are definitely finding it difficult, said Ravi, pharmacist from Trust Chemists and Druggists.



The 24-hour protest received support from 8,000 chemists in all zones of Bengaluru and 28,000 pharmacists throughout Karnataka.



Representatives of the Bruhat Bengaluru Chemists and Druggists Association (BBCDA) submitted a memorandum to the government, raising concerns against online sale of drugs. The possibility of selling drugs to minors, uploading same prescriptions on different websites to procure more medicines than prescribed are some of the concerns.



Raghavendra Rishi, treasurer of BBCDA, said running online stores was a violation of law and should not be permitted.



We are waiting for a response from the government at the earliest, he said.Bhagoji T Khanapure, drugs controller of Karnataka, said sale of drugs online was not permitted.



There are a few people who are selling drugs online without the authoritys knowledge. We have issued show cause notices to such sellers, he said.
Christian Clews, the operator of a family-owned Carmel Valley horse ranch, has brought on a new attorney to represent him on federal charges of possession and distribution of child pornography.

Clews appeared in court on Friday, May 26, with his new attorney, Gina Tennen of Woodland Hills. Formerly, Clews, 51, was represented by San Diego attorney Hamilton Arendsen. No reason for the change was given in court.

Clews appeared before Judge Dana M. Sabraw. A hearing to discuss motions and set a trial date was scheduled for 11 a.m. on July 21.

Tennen said she needed time to familiarize herself with the case and review several hundred pages of documents, as well as numerous text messages seized by investigators.

Clews, a former long-time member of the Carmel Valley Community Planning Board, remains under house arrest at the family ranch at 11500 Clews Ranch Road.

The charges against Clews stem from a two-year investigation by the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes local police departments, prosecutors and federal law enforcement agencies. The lead investigator on the case is a special agent with U.S. Homeland Security.

The investigation began in late 2014 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified the San Diego task force that it had detected two child pornography images uploaded by an individual with a cellular phone. According to court documents, investigators traced the cell phone to Clews and his familys business, Clews Horse Ranch.

Last October, task force agents searched Clews home on the horse ranch property, and seized multiple electronic devices, which contained numerous child pornography image and video files, according to court documents.

A statement of facts filed with the court by task force members said that on the date his home was searched, Clews admitted to possessing and distributing child pornography.

Following his arrest on Dec. 20, Clews was released on a $150,000 bond, under the conditions that he remain on his property or in his house, and wear an electronic monitoring device.

At a court hearing in January, a federal prosecutor requested additional restrictions on Clews movements, citing allegations by at least three people that they had been subjected to inappropriate sexual contact by Clews when they were minors.

No further details of the allegations were offered, and the prosecutor declined to comment after the hearing.

Clews attorney said in court that his client vociferously refutes the allegations of inappropriate sexual contact.

No charges have been filed against Clews in relation to the allegations. However, Clews conditions of release were altered to only allow him out on the ranch property from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, as long as no minors are present.

Following Fridays hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Rene Green declined to comment on whether additional charges will be filed regarding the allegations of inappropriate sexual contact.
Anti-Ragging Mobile App Launched to Fight Ragging

Published: May 30, 2017

Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar has launched an Anti-Ragging Mobile App of the University Grants Commission (UGC) to help students register complaints against the menace of ragging in the country. Previously, students were required to visit the website to register a complaint against ragging.

The new app will work on android platform and will facilitate students to register a complaint against ragging instantaneously. Students can log in and register their complaints immediately.The complaint will be sent to the concerned authorities for timely action and the action will be initiated immediately. As the records indicate that timely action had resulted in the decrease of ragging instances in campuses. This app is aimed at giving a feel of security to students.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2017

Topics: National  UGC

Latest E-Books
Fact Box: See Through Frog

Published: May 30, 2017

Scientists have discovered a new glass frog species with transparent skin through which its beating heart is visible in the Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador. The frog with the scientific name Hyalinobatrachium yaku is known to possess unique physical and behavioural traits.

The frog has dark green spots on its back. The frog has been discovered by employing a combination of fieldwork in the Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador and DNA sequencing in the lab. However, the scientists have observed that not all frogs have the heart that is white.

Under Threat

Scientists have identified that the newly identified species is already under the threat of extinction. The male of this new species are found to protect the eggs which are attached below the leaves of the tree until they hatch and fall on the water stream below. So, this glass frogs require pristine streams to breed in. Hence, if the stream gets polluted or dried up then these frogs cannot survive. These new species is already in danger as its habitat is threatened by oil exploitation. The habitat of the species is at present marked by rampant road building and oil exploitation.

Generally, the Amphibians are considered the most threatened vertebrate class on the planet. Of the known 6,260 species of amphibians assessed by using IUCNs categories and criterias, nearly one-third of the species (32.4%) have been identified as globally threatened or extinct.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)



The IUCN is the worlds oldest and largest global environmental organisation working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. It was founded in 1948. It is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland. It is a leading non-governmental authority on the environment and sustainable development. It is also involved in data gathering and analysis, research, field projects, advocacy, lobbying and education. IUCN is best known to the wider public for compiling and publishing the IUCN Red List, which assesses the conservation status of species worldwide.





Month: Current Affairs - May, 2017

Topics: Environment  Insights

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George Kurian Appointed as Vice-Chairman of National Commission for Minorities

Published: May 30, 2017

The Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has appointed a renowned social and educational activist George Kurian as Vice-Chairman of National Commission for Minorities.

The other appointed members of the National Minority Commission are social activist Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi (Chairman), former Maharashtra minister Sulekha Kumbhare, Jain representative Sunil Singhi and Vada Dasturji Khurshed Kaikobad Dastoor.

For the first time a Jain member has been appointed to the panel after the community was notified as minority in January 2014. Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi and Jain are the six notified minority communities in the country.

National Commission for Minorities

The Union Government has set up the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. The commission is made up of a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and five members. Unlike other bodies like NCSC and NCST, NCM has no constitutional backing or status.

NCM was made a statutory body in 1992 via the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. It works under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and before the formation of this ministry it came under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Some state viz. Andhra Pradesh, Assam , Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi , Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have also set up State Minorities Commissions.

Theres no prescribed selection process for making appointments with the Cabinet Appointments Committee arbitrarily picking up names from a list suggested by the nodal ministry.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2017

Topics: Chhattisgarh  Persons in News  TNPSC

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The pilot project includes an electric charging station, 100 Mahindra e2o taxis and 100 e-rickshaws by Kinetic, essentially flagging off the government's clean energy targets of 2030.

Olacabs has partnered with Mahindra and the government of Maharashtra to introduce the first pilot project involving electric taxis in India. Called the Mass Electric Transport system, the ride hailing service provider has officially included 100 Mahindra e2o all-electric vehicles in its fleet, along with 100 e-rickshaws by Kinetic to ply on Nagpur roads.

The move was two months in discussion and logistic arrangement stages, and has finally been flagged off. The first leg will provide Mahindra and Olacabs with crucial on-road experience of plying all-electric vehicles, which will allow Mahindra to develop more EVs, including all-electric buses to ply on city roads. While the first phase of the project will only involve two major companies, phase two of the Mass Electric Transport system will also introduce electric vehicles by Indian car makers Tata Motors, TVS and a few others in what is expected to be a rapidly growing sector. Tata Motors already has all-electric buses ready for production, along with all-electric rickshaws to enhance last mile connectivity.

More than 50 charging points are also being developed by Ola, spread across four different locations in Nagpur. The company is investing Rs. 50 crore into the infrastructure. Interestingly, Mahindra Electric has also released its EV 2.0 roadmap for electric vehicles of the near future. The company has stated its plans to manufacture more EVs and increase battery assembly, which falls in line with higher implementation of electric vehicles in the country.

The government of India has released explicit intentions to shift majorly to EVs by 2030, and this is the first step towards such achievements. While first steps are always welcome, the massive nature of India's transportation industry is going to require wider inflow of cash and faster implementations to make the clean energy switch.
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The back of Sheets-Young Medical Equipments business cards carry the words of Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Rick Young, one of the organizations founders, said his mother used to carry cards with the verse on them before she passed away in 2007. The verse fits the not-for-profit company Rick and his wife Cecilia CeCe started in 2009, which has grown to help hundreds of people every year but is currently facing severe financial cuts.

The organizations roots lie in Ricks past work in healthcare, which brought him face to face with the needs of many elderly and disabled individuals. He worked at a hospital in Columbia, Missouri for more than 20 years, then returned to his hometown of Fredericktown and began working in home healthcare.

One of the individuals he cared for was the late Karen Sheets, a classmate of Youngs from Fredericktown High School. Sheets had been involved in a severe car accident shortly after graduating from high school and was left disabled.

And I had gained a reputation for being the go-to guy if you needed equipment, Young said. Because if I saw some sitting around that someone wasnt using and someone else needed, Id ask about it. And nine times out of 10, theyd say, Sure, Rick. If you know somebody that needs it, then take it. Were not using it.

When Sheets passed away, her family approached Rick and offered to give him all of the medical equipment shed acquired over time in the hopes that someone else could use it.

I went home and told CeCe, The Lords trying to tell us something. We need to do something with this, Young said. So in the summer of 09, we formed our not-for-profit corporation.

The mission of Sheets-Young Medical Equipment was and is to provide medical equipment to those who are struggling to obtain it themselves because of insurance difficulties or direct financial inability. There is no set cost for the equipment and no payment is required, but there is a suggested donation amount for each item if the individual is able to contribute.

Young said when the corporation began, he envisioned serving Fredericktown and Madison County, and possibly further north in the Lead Belt as word spread. At the end of 2015, however, Sheets-Young had equipment out in more than 30 counties in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kansas, and other nearby states. Young estimates there are now over 40 counties with equipment provided by the corporation, and at least one piece that went home with a Canadian trucker and his wife who were passing through the area.

So I tell people that we officially went international, Young said.

Since the corporation requires no payment for equipment provided, it relies heavily on donations and support from medical organizations such as the L.I.F.E. Center that recently announced deep cuts and the closure of its Fredericktown office.

Young said the L.I.F.E. Center provided Sheets-Young with about one-third of the corporations total budget, and that support is now gone.

Now, we dont know what thats going to mean for us, Young said. We dont get paid, and we dont have money to pay employees, so we cant really lay off people.

The organizations van now has more than 190,000 miles and storage space in the building is running low as more donations come in. Young said plans to add on to the building or to replace the van were put on hold by the cut to their budget.

All of that just came to a screeching halt with this going on, Young said. And were looking at other avenues, but its going to be rough, because from what Im hearing, anybody that has anything to do with healthcare has suffered some kind of cuts.

Several churches donate to the corporation monthly, but Young said its difficult to find a steady commitment from within the healthcare industry. While some of those that come to Sheets-Young for help are unable to pay, some make sure to repay the corporation down the road.

Young mentioned one lady who requested equipment so she could bring her husband home from a nursing home, but was unable to pay. She promised to send money when she was able.

We hear that a lot, Young said. Sometimes we see it, sometimes we dont. But she started sending $25 a month. Every month without fail. And then it jumped up to $35. We still get it every month, and that has been four years ago now, I think.

The corporation is able to fill a gap that is created by the nature of the healthcare system, which leaves many without the financial ability to obtain equipment they need. One example Young gave is that hospitals can not take back many items once theyve been issued to a patient, so extra supplies often get simply thrown away.

Sheets-Young is able to accept those extra supplies and store them until theyre needed by someone else. Young said for a bureaucratic system plagued by waste and fraud, deeper cuts to the system only further hurts those who were already in need.

Im sure something will happen and well get some funding, Young said. Once people find out that we need some more backing. But its just going to be a problem for a while.

Despite financial frustration, the corporation is expanding and working in what Young describes as he and CeCes mission field. He has been approached about the possibility of opening satellite offices in Poplar Bluff and Washington County.

I tell people all the time that I feel more blessed than the people that we help, Young said. Because I get to see all of it. Its so great. I enjoy it.

Sheets-Young Medical Equipment is located at #12 Cap America Drive in Fredericktown and can be reached at 573-783-4623.
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The Trump administration has decided not to delay the rule  due to start June 9  but seek public input on how to change it.



WASHINGTON (AP)  The Trump administration is allowing to go forward an Obama-era rule that puts stricter requirements on professionals who advise retirement savers on their investments. But it's leaving open the possibility that deep changes to the rule will still be made.

Wall Street and Republican lawmakers have been pushing against the so-called fiduciary rule, which requires that financial pros who charge commissions put their clients' best interests first when advising them on retirement investments. President Donald Trump in February told the Labor Department to delay implementing the rule, due to be phased in starting June 9.





. . .
Award-winning travel writer Zoe McIntyre and photographer Alecsandra Raluca Dragoi, from the prestigious National Geographic Traveller magazine, are visiting Donegal this week to see just how amazing this county really is.

Late last year, Donegal topped National Geographic Travellers The Cool List: 17 for 2017, so Donegal Tourism invited Zoe and Alecsandra to come and experience at first-hand the spectacular scenery and the wealth of things to see and do in this part of Ireland.

Zoe and Alecsandra flew to Donegal Airport, recently voted the world's second most scenic airport landing.

Their busy programme includes visits to Horn Head, Doe Castle, Fanad Head Lighthouse, Malin Head, Fort Dunree, Donegal Castle, Glenveagh National Park and Castle, the Slieve League Cliffs and Donegal Craft Village. Theyll also enjoy a guided tour of a Donegal Brewing Company, a surfing lesson with Bundoran Surf Co, as well as some well-deserved down time in Lough Eske Castle.

Julie Wakley, Tourism Irelands Head of Great Britain, said: Tourism Ireland is delighted that journalist Zoe McIntyre and photographer Alecsandra Raluca Dragoi have taken the time to visit Donegal this week. Its an excellent opportunity to highlight the county and to maximise the superb National Geographic Traveller cool accolade. Visits like this are a really effective way of generating positive exposure, helping to showcase the superb tourism experience on offer in Donegal to a huge audience of potential holidaymakers across Britain and inspiring them to put Donegal on their holiday wish list for 2017."
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Funding of 100,000 has been announced for three Donegal.

The piers at Glengad, Port Inver and Owey Island will receive the additional funding from the Department of the Marine.

Minister of State Joe McHugh welcomed the funding.

The funding will help Donegal County Council in the repair and development of fishery and aquaculture-linked marine harbours , said McHugh.

Glengad is getting 30,000 towards the reconstruction of the quay wall while Port Inver has been allocated 27,000 for the reconstruction of the pier head and the provision of new steps and ladders.

The pier at Scailpnaloing on Owey Island is to get 45,000 towards the reconstruction and the provision of steps and railings.

I want to thank Minister Michael Creed for extending the programme and securing this additional funding."

This Local Authority programme forms part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marines 2017 Fishery harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, whereby the Department co-funds up to 75% the total cost of approved projects with the Local Authority providing the balance.
Challenges could lie ahead for Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership.

The organization, which provides assistance and services for qualifying low-income individuals, has its funding in the crosshairs with President Trumps latest budget proposal, which calls for the elimination of some key grant programs.

Southeast Alabama CAP, which changed its name from Human Resources Development Corporation last June, covers Coffee, Barbour, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties. The organization works with about 15,000 families, said Michelle Glaze, community services manager. Regena Adams, community/volunteer coordinator, said the amount of people being assisted has gone up in her 10 years with the organization in her experience.

The organization is entirely funded by grants, Glaze said. It receives some small appropriations from city and county government, but not enough to sustain the agency by themselves.

(Our state and federal organizations) have said that this is the most worrisome year in many, many years for funding, Glaze said.

The state receives the grants, and then distributes the grant money from there.

Two programs in particular that affect the organization across the board are the Community Services Block Grant and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

According to a selection of the budget posted on CNN.com on May 23, the budget proposes to eliminate  (LIHEAP) in order to reduce the size and scope of the Federal Government and better target resources within the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families." Meanwhile, also according to the budget proposal, CSBG constitutes a small portion of the funding these grantees receive, and funds are not directly tied to performance, which limits incentives for innovation. Also, the proposal says that CSBG has duplicate services through other federal programs.

However, Glaze said that those funding sources, as well as others dealing with foster grandparents and child nutrition, are of vital importance to SE Alabama CAP.

If (Trump) zeroes them out, it pretty much wipes out everything were able to do, she said.

SE Alabama CAP has received enough funding to fund its energy-assistance program for this summer to help qualifying individuals with energy bills. That program begins in June by assisting qualifying seniors and homebound individuals and runs through Sept. 30. Oct. 1 is when a new budget could start to affect what SE Alabama CAP could do. That could affect a lot of assistance with food needs by clients, Glaze said, as well as the heating-assistance program that starts in January, among other programs.

In 2015, according to the Community Services Block Grant Information System Survey, more than 186,000 low-income people in Alabama received services from community action agencies, with 57,820 of those being children. About $12 million in CSBG funds were used to support entities in the state.

SE Alabama CAP also has programs that promote work readiness, help with getting a GED, assist with getting food, counsel on housing and home buying, provide clothing, teach financial literacy, and more.

Karinne Simmons, CEO of SE Alabama CAP, said the organization is gathering stories from people who have benefitted from its programs and will forward the stories on to legislators.
Florida Sen. George Gainer (District 2) has sent a letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, asking that agency not to approve the deep injection well that Waste Management wants to install at Springhill Landfill as a means of disposing of landfill wastewater ( also known as leachate water) some 3,700 feet underground.

The letter, dated May 30, comes after a Jackson County Commission meeting in which the well was discussed, and which Gainer attended.

In his letter, Gainer writes that, after the meeting he agreed with constituents who oppose it. I share their deep concerns that the disposal well could not only impact our water supply but question if this well is even needed at all.

He went on to say that, at the public meeting, it was disclosed that there is more than adequate capacity at existing locations to dispose of the leachate. It is clear that a new deep injection disposal well is not needed. For that very reason, the permit request should be denied.

Gainer added that he has serious issues that disposal of the leachate water in a new well could cause contamination to seep into the Upper Floridan aquifer, which is the source of drinking water for most of the state. The risk is just too great.

Gainer also indicated he was concerned with the number of inconsistencies in the presentation and that he was troubled by the entire process.

I cannot stress enough my total opposition to this permit being issued, Gainer wrote. Before any final decision is made, I would expect the Department to brief me on the findings of your review.
Aine Lawless, a second year Multimedia student at Dublin City University from Dundalk, has been chosen to represent Ireland in Washington DC this summer as part of the prestigious Washington Ireland Program (WIP).

Aine is one of four DCU students to secure a place on the programme following a rigorous selection process, with applications of over 380 students from 19 different universities and colleges.

WIP is a 12-month programme that brings university students from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to Washington DC for summer internships and leadership training.

It aims to inspire and develop promising leaders through a programme of personal development, policy debate and community service.

Chosen participants are those who can demonstrate a commitment to service, a track record of leadership and who excel both in influencing their environments and in making significant contributions for the benefit of others.

Aine has a keen interest in cross border relations. She is a graduate of the Glencree Young Peace Builders Programme and currently acts as a student ambassador for DCU.

For the past year she has been the campus coordinator of the 8x8 Photo and Film Festival, which has informed students on the global refugee crisis and refugee issues in Ireland.

One of her biggest passions is the Irish language and its relevance as a modern European language and shes an active member of the Irish language society, Cumann Gaelach.

30 talented students in total will travel to Washington DC next week to complete the summer programme.

This time spent in DC will include extensive opportunities for cultural exchange and personal development  including living in host families, working closely with their American peers and gaining real life exposure to the US democratic process.

Upon completion, the graduates will go on to become part of the active WIP alumni network who are working to make a positive difference in their communities.
Fianna Fail TD for Louth Declan Breathnach has criticised the Communications Minister for failing to take action on mobile phone coverage. Despite claims of 90% coverage by some mobile operators, the reality on the ground is that coverage in many parts of County Louth is completely sub-standard.

Deputy Breathnach said, 'I have been contacted a number of times in recent weeks about worsening phone coverage in County Louth that doesnt seem to be specific to any one provider.

'Mobile signals seem to have deteriorated which is impacting not only on general customers personal use but also on businesses in the county, particularly in rural areas.

'The mobile phone network is essential for businesses looking to stay in contact with customers and suppliers.

'Its more important now than ever before as a greater number of businesses are relying on the mobile phone network for email access on smart phones.

'Peoples reliance on smart phones is set to increase in the years ahead so its important that the necessary investment in mobile infrastructure takes place to support this growth.

'People in Louth will be familiar with the issue of calls dropping unexpectedly and internet access grinding to a halt without notice.

'Mobile phone operators are keen to highlight the availability of new features for customers but its becoming apparent that they havent put in place the necessary infrastructure to support these developments.

'This is why we are seen an increase in problems with coverage and reliability in Louth.

'We need state-of-the-art mobile and broadband coverage to support jobs growth.

'Mobile phone operators have been focusing on large urban areas and leaving the rest of the country out of the loop.

'This is extremely frustrating for people living outside the main towns and cities, and particularly for those who have to travel through the countryside on a regular basis.

'Another issue of concern is the impact of roaming charges on border communities. Brexit has created a great degree of uncertainty over the future of roaming charges.

'Prime Minister May needs to commit to waiving roaming charges in border areas following Brexit.

'My party has called on Minister Denis Naughten to establish a universal service obligation to guarantee a minimum standard for mobile phone services throughout the country.

'Fianna Fail will continue to push for this until the issue is resolved satisfactorily.
The U.S. Supreme Court once again has changed the landscape for software infringement litigation. In a decision released last week, the court severely undercut the ability of plaintiffs to seek out courts that have a track record of being friendly to the plaintiffs position  a practice called forum shopping.

The Supreme Courts unanimous ruling in TC Heartland v. Kraft Food Brands compels plaintiffs seeking software infringement remedies to submit their cases only in district courts located where the defendant in the case either resides, or conducts a significant amount of business. The decision overturned previous rulings that allowed the filing of such patent cases just about anywhere the defendant did any kind of business or had any connection, however tenuous.

That leeway had led to a high concentration of patent proceedings landing in just a few courts, with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas the clear leader, by volume. Many information technology providers, as well as congressional lawmakers, have expressed dismay at the behavior of the EDTX in cases pursued by patent assertion entities, or PAEs, often disparagingly called patent trolls.

Legal analysts disagree on the impact of the Supreme Court decision, however. If their differing opinions actually play out in the legal system, the Courts ruling may not be as definitive in practice as it is in theory.

In general, PAEs, also known as non-practicing entities, or NPEs, acquire patents from parties that hold licensing rights but never intend to produce a product or provide a service covered by those patents.

The acquiring PAEs also have no intention of marketing the patented product or service. A high number of such patents involve software licenses. PAEs then search for organizations that allegedly have infringed the acquired software patents and seek to recover licensing fees  or hefty financial settlements resulting from aggressively pursued lawsuits.

A Stunning Development

The decision could reduce significantly the role of the Texas venue, and also curb software patent trolling.

The ruling stunned the nations IP community by declaring that a nationwide venue for patent cases is now dead, wrote Thomas Duston, a partner at Marshall, Gerstein and Borun. The consequences of the Supreme Courts action cannot be overstated. Venues favored by patentees  in particular, the EDTX  are destined to see a dramatic decline in patent litigation.

The courts decision can help curb decades of misuse, said Ed Black, president of the Computer & Communications Industry Association.

Patent plaintiffs flock to magnet jurisdictions because they anticipate gaining an advantage, notes an amicus brief filed by BSA/The Software Alliance. Limiting undue forum shopping is necessary to eliminate the perception that patent litigants can alter the result of litigation through choice of venue.

The high court ruling is an important step in restoring balance in litigation and confidence in the patent system, said Aaron Cooper, a vice president at BSA.

Patent holders win 72 percent of jury trials in the EDTX, according to another brief filed by a group of Internet companies and other businesses.

The Supreme Court has issued a significant ruling in the longstanding battle against those who would abuse our patent system, noted Linda Moore, president of TechNet. By ensuring that lawsuits must be filed in the states where defendants are incorporated, this ruling will help limit the practice of forum shopping and curb frivolous lawsuits.

Court Sought to Attract Patent Cases

The EDTX got into the business of patent law because several judges consciously decided to cultivate that specialty. The reasons were varied, but one draw was that such cases were intellectually stimulating. Another likely factor was a philosophical bent to prefer the jury trial, versus the summary judgment, as the ideal decision vehicle.

We have evidence that Judges Ward and Davis consciously sought to increase the number of patent cases in the Eastern District of Texas, said Greg Reilly, a professor at the Chicago-Kent College of Law and coauthor of a study of EDTX practices.

At a symposium at SMU, both acknowledged as much and identified a desire for interesting cases as their reason, he told the E-Commerce Times.

The result was that the court engaged in forum selling, according to the study.

Forum shopping is the action of the plaintiff seeking the most favorable venue. Forum selling is the actions judges take to try to attract plaintiffs, said Daniel Klerman, a professor at the USC Gould School of Law and coauthor of the study.

Forum shopping is a relatively accepted part of litigation. Forum selling is usually considered bad and is a phenomenon that has only recently been identified, he told the E-Commerce Times.

The patent activity at EDTX took off. In 2012, 23 percent of all U.S. patent cases were filed in the Eastern District of Texas, increasing to 28 percent in 2015 and 44 percent during the first half of 2015, according to Klerman and Reilly.

In 2015 alone, Judge Rodney Gilstrap was assigned 1,686 of the EDTX patent cases, according to Jonas Anderson, a professor in the Washington College of Law at American University.

To efficiently process cases, local rules were adopted to keep tight schedules and minimize summary judgment motions, other filings and discovery. The EDTX rocket docket protocols favored plaintiffs by limiting defendants opportunities to rebut, while keeping the threat of lengthy and expensive trials looming  a situation that often forces settlements.

Talk of the Extinction of Trolls is Premature

The Supreme Court decision may curb PAE activities, but by no means is it a death knell for patent trolls. Many cases will be filed in Delaware instead, as a large number of companies are incorporated there, according to David Elkins, a partner at Squire Patton Boggs.

PAE activity may slow down in general, as a result of other legal factors that limit the basis for filing suits, but a significant amount of PAE activity will remain, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Two other federal districts  Delaware, and Central California  also are good venues for PAEs, Elkins noted.

If a case that would have been filed in the Eastern District of Texas before TC Heartland is filed in one of these other districts, then the two sides motivation to settle will not be too different, he said.

Its much too soon to count out the EDTX.

NPEs may expand the range of targeted defendants from a single alleged original violator to any subsequent user to which the original violator may have passed along or marketed the software, both Reilly and Klerman suggested.

NPEs may also sue retailers rather than manufacturers  that is, original violators  in the Eastern district. That might enable them to sue even more often in that court. If a retailer such as Walmart or Target has deep pockets, the NPE might be just as happy suing the retailer as suing the original violator, Klerman said.

The decision may encourage these plaintiffs to extend their actions, Michael Smith, a partner at Siebman, Burg, Phillips and Smith, told the E-Commerce Times.

I hesitate to declare the EDTX dead. It has always managed to survive thus far, said American Universitys Anderson.

I think that there will be some dropoff in cases in east Texas, but the judges and the community are so invested on keeping the patent litigation train running, I dont think this signals the end of the district as a major player in patent litigation, he told the E-Commerce Times.

One impact of the decision is that alternative courts will not be as friendly to PAEs, and plaintiffs will have more leverage to settle for lesser amounts, said Anderson. Basically, the price of paying off trolls just went down.
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(Photo: REUTERS / Carlos Eduardo Ramirez)Opposition supporters hold a national a flag during a rally against Nicolas Maduro's government in San Cristobal March 22, 2014. Two Venezuelans died from gunshot wounds during protests against Maduro, witnesses and local media said on Saturday, pushing the death toll from almost two months of anti-government protests to 33.

The Lutheran World Federation say it is deeply concerned about the grave situation in Venezuela and has called for the building of a society where everybody is included.

The LWF, which represents 74-million Lutherans worldwide, adopted a public statement at its May 10-16 Twelfth Assembly, in Windhoek, Namibia.

The assembly said it is "deeply concerned and moved by news that has been conveyed to us about the grave situation in Venezuela."

The grave situation in the oil-rich nation was described by The New York Times which wrote May 30 that "Venezuela needs international Intervention  now."

The Times reported that the huge protests afflicting Venezuela that started in early April, were sparked by a decision of its Supreme Court to assume the powers of Venezuela's National Assembly in violation of the country's Constitution.

"In response, President Nicolas Maduro has responded with an iron fist. More than 50 people have been killed, 1,000 injured, and 2,700 arrested, and that last figure doesn't include the country's more than 180 long-term political prisoners.

'AUTHORITARIAN RULE'

"The Organization of American States is considering action against Venezuela under its Democratic Charter for Mr. Maduro's brazen transition to authoritarian rule," said the Times.

It also noted that the international community also has a responsibility to protect the people of Venezuela and to respond urgently to its economic and humanitarian

crisis while observing the severity of the suffering of the 31 million people facing widespread shortages of basic supplies, including food.

The LWF statement said the Lutheran assembly requests "the government to facilitate the receipt of contributions from abroad, especially medicines and food."

The assembly is the highest decision-making body of the LWF and meets every six or seven years.

It said it "affirms that conflict resolution mechanisms will require all parties to fundamentally rethink the view they have of themselves and the other, in order to transform the currently polarized debate into one about the people's common interests and objectives."

The Lutherans called on Venezuelan society to take seriously the consequences of its actions in the context of "a growing aggression in global politics."

It affirmed that the government of the South American nation cannot use growing aggression as a justification for denying unrestricted guarantees of the human rights of all people.

The LWF also affirmed the implementation of socio-political conflict resolution mechanisms, which are available within the framework of democracy.

It noted that conflict resolution mechanisms will require all parties to fundamentally rethink the view they have of themselves and the other, in order to transform the currently polarized debate into one about the people's common interests and objectives.
Around the country, science instruction is changingstudents are being asked to make models, analyze data, construct arguments, and design solutions in ways that far exceed schools previous goals.

That means science testing, of course, needs to change as well.

Students have got to show us how they know, not just what they know, said James Pellegrino, a co-director of the Learning Sciences Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Chicago and an expert on assessment.

Yet considering federal requirements around science testing, and states logistical, technical, and financial limitations, putting a new, performance-heavy state science test in place is no easy task.

Of the 18 states now using the Next Generation Science Standards, which were released in April 2013, only Illinois, Kansas, and Nevada, as well as the District of Columbia, have moved completely from their previous science tests to ones that align to the newer three-dimensional benchmarks. Illinois and the District of Columbia were the first to take the leap, putting an operational test in place in spring 2016. Illinois did so especially quickly to comply with federal reporting requirements, designing a new test in just six monthsa move some experts have questioned.

I was really kind of surprised they went forward with the assessment as soon as they did, said Peter McLaren, a former state science supervisor for Rhode Island, who now consults with states and districts on NGSS implementation.

Most other states that have adopted the NGSS are taking things a bit more slowly, aiming to start operational tests aligned to the standards in 2019 or later, with a few, including Kentucky, an early adopter, aiming for 2018. About a dozen more states are using standards based on the same framework as the NGSS, and many of those are on similar schedules for implementing large-scale tests.

Federal Pressure

Complicating the changeover to new assessments is the fact that federal law (both the No Child Left Behind Act and the new Every Student Succeeds Act) requires states to test students in science at least once in grades 3-6, 6-9 and 10-12 each year. Consequently, many states are giving tests aligned to their previous state standards, despite the fact that students may be learning the updated standards. And at the same time, theyre pilot- and field-testing the new assessments.

Thats the case in Washington state, which adopted the Next Generation standards in 2013. Students are currently taking exams based on to the 2009 standards. NGSS-aligned exams are being designed and field-tested now and will go into place next year.

We were a little earlier adopting than those states around us [including Oregon and California], so that puts a little more pressure on us to get going, said Cinda Parton, the director of assessment for the Washington education department. With the new tests, I think well be on a cycle of continuous improvement.

Wisconsin is piloting NGSS-type items on its current science assessment. The state is not an NGSS adopter, but its locally controlled, and about 80 percent of districts there are using the standards, said Kevin Anderson, the science education consultant at the Wisconsin education department.

Were trying to do our best to live in both worlds, realizing that moving forward we want a test thats more in line with current research in science education.

California has taken its own tack, asking the U.S. Department of Education for permission to skip its yearly testing and instead only give pilot NGSS tests for 2017 and 2018. That means students wouldnt get scores for those two years.

There was no desire on any front to continue with the old standards and the old test, said Keric Ashley, the deputy superintendent for the California education department. And to slap together a test to meet the requirements didnt seem to be the right approach.

The department refused the states request last December. But California, somewhat boldly, went ahead anyway with its pilot tests this spring. And now, officials say, the federal government is reconsidering.

We are in conversations about a one-year waiver, said Ashley. Based on those conversations, were hopeful it will be approved.

Promise of NGSS Tests

The Next Generation Science Standards outline what K-12 students need to know about physical, life, and earth and space sciences, yet in a more complicated format than previous state standards. The standards were developed by 26 state partners in collaboration with science, science education, higher education, and business and industry groups.

Each standard has a performance expectation, which lays out what students should be able to do. For instance, they may need to make a model, conduct an investigation, or interpret data. Standards also have three other dimensions": disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts. These describe the facts students need to know, what they should do to act like a scientist or engineer, and how the facts connect to other fields of science.

Previous standards tended to present the facts and aspects of scientific reasoning, such as what makes for a good experiment, explained Pellegrino, who is working on a National Science Foundation-funded project to create performance tasks for classrooms using the NGSS. And the associated tests tended to assess students on the facts and inquiry separately.

The point of the NGSS, alternatively, is to fully integrate knowing and doing in the classroom.

This now is a much deeper challenge in terms of what were expecting kids to show us, Pellegrino said.

Large-scale tests aligned to the new standards should have sets of interrelated questionsknown as clustersthat refer to a single stimulus, such as a graph, an image, or an animation of an experiment, according to a 2015 report by the Science Assessment Item Collaborative, convened by the Council of Chief State School Officers in partnership with WestEd, which develops assessments.

The tests should ideally be given online to allow for interactivityso a student can, for instance, simulate collecting data or running an experiment. And they should be able to measure students skills on a continuum of learning.

The tests being created so far do have more bells and whistles than previous ones, but students wont mistake them for video games or authentic lab work.

In many cases, the test-delivery platforms will look similar to those being used for math and reading tests aligned with the Common Core State Standards.

In a sample middle school item from the American Institutes for Research, one of several vendors working with states to produce NGSS-aligned tests, students see an animation of Jupiters moons orbiting the planet.

Theyre given a tool to measure distance within the animation and shown data on each of the moons by name. Then theyre asked a series of questions that allow them to determine which moon is which.

Youre asking kids to not just exhibit knowledge but to apply and use that knowledge, said Jon Cohen, the president of AIR assessment. Were able to do all kinds of cool stuff.

Illinois Out in Front, Amid Scrutiny

Given that NGSS test questions are labor-intensive to create, some states plan to share items with one another.

Illinois, which did not administer science tests in 2015 and received a warning from the federal government for being out of compliance, needed to craft a test quickly last year. The state made a deal with the District of Columbia, which already had a bank of items, to be able to use those test questions and return the favor down the road.

The state produced approximately hour-long tests for 5th and 8th grades and for biology classes. The tests each had about 20 items and included multiple choice and constructed response, or short-answer, questions.

The state also had to set up a variety of platforms for managing and delivering the test, Daniel L. Brown, the division supervisor for assessment for the Illinois state board of education, explained.

Ultimately, in my position, Id love to have two years to be able to build this system. Its not ideal to have to do it in six months because you introduce all sorts of risk, he said. We tried to satisfy a requirement and at the same time build something for the future.

Some experts see Illinois as a cautionary tale. They are trying to make use of assessments that were hastily assembled to try to align with the Next Generation Science Standards for which the evidence is lacking about how valid they are, said Pellegrino. They had no money and no time.  The Illinois case illustrates the exact problem all states are going to have if they try to do this too quickly.

Brown said the first year of testing had some technology problems, but he thinks the test lined up with the three-dimensional nature of the standards. And this year, test administration has gone much more smoothly, he said. However, because of delays in the state budget, results for even the first years test have yet to be seen.

As of today, weve got about 1.4 million items that have to be hand-scored, Brown said last month. Were about 10 percent in.

The District of Columbia is going through benchmark-setting for its scores and plans to release results from its first test in June.

In Nevada, which began NGSS-aligned tests this spring, officials said they know other states will be watching their outcomes.

It took courage to move in this direction, said Peter Zutz, the administrator of assessment, data, and accountability management for the states education department. All eyes are on Nevada.

Officials in California, for their part, expressed relief at having some leeway in starting their official tests.

Had this been a different subject matter, and different standards, it might have been possible to speed up the development of the test, said Ashley, the deputy superintendent there. This assessment could not be built in a short period of time.
Now that pro-charter-school forces have taken control of a coveted piece of K-12 real estatethe Los Angeles Unified school boardproponents of school choice are hoping the expensive and hard-fought victory in the nations second-largest district will lead to a more robust expansion of charters around the country.

After years of trying, charter school supporters succeeded in seizing the majority of seats on the Los Angeles board in a runoff election earlier this month, guaranteeing that the panel with broad powers over the 640,000-student district will support stalled efforts to expand the citys charter sector.

It was a stinging defeat for the citys teachers union, long the dominant player in the districts politics.

Los Angeles Unified is the largest district in the country governed by an elected board, and the race for influence over its future direction pitted pro-charter forces who want to significantly grow charter schools there against teachers unions that have been aggressively fighting to hold the line on charters.

The elections price tagwhich brought an unprecedented $15 million in independent spendingunderscored the tactical importance these groups see in Los Angeles.

Some view the Los Angeles race as a harbinger for battles over school board elections in other cities, and possibly bigger legislative battles in states over the expansion of the charter school market.

I think this is a tectonic shift, said Steve Zimmer, the union-backed school board president and one of two incumbents who were ousted.

This was financed by private-sector reformers, he said. You cant get away from that [...] the way that theyre going to be emboldened now, in terms of other school districts, in terms of the California legislature and beyond.

Zimmer, a two-term incumbent, lost his seat to Nick Melvoin, whose candidacy was heavily bankrolled by pro-charter forces, including billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad. (The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation has provided support to Education Week.)

With wealthy pro-charter-school backers like Broad and Netflix founder Reed Hastings, and the powerful 35,000-member United Teachers of Los Angeles in its backyard, the district has become well-trod turf in the proxy wars between charter supporters and unions.

Spending in the 2013 school board racethe last time Zimmer was up for re-electionwas also driven by a heated battle between charter- and union-backed candidates and broke campaign spending records at that time.

Marketplace for Charters

But while charters have made meaningful inroads into Los Angeles, they have nowhere near the market share that charters have in Detroit, the District of Columbia, and New Orleans, which enroll 40 percent or more of students in their respective cities.

Twenty-four percent of Los Angeles students attend charters, according to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Nationally, charter school growth has remained relatively flat in recent years, with just about 5 percent of public school students enrolled.

Upping the ante in this election was the future of an initiative spearheaded by the Broad Foundation to expand the number of charters in the city.

Initially the plan, which was leaked in its preliminary stages to the Los Angeles Times in 2015, called for doubling the number of charter schools in the city. After strong pushback, the plan was subsequently revamped to include investments in district schools. Any charter school expansion depends on the school board, which gets first crack at approving or denying new charter school applications.

I certainly think that the elections signal an appetite for reform as opposed to a status quo, said Myrna Castrejon, the executive director of Great Public Schools Now, the organization that was set up to carry out the Broad plan for charter expansion.

The group is currently developing grant programs to create new schools and tackle other issues such as teacher retention and recruitment for charters and noncharters.

I think this election opens up the possibility for the district to increase innovation  and that should happen in both sectors, Castrejon said, and we stand ready to be part of that citywide conversation.

The city is already home to several fast-expanding, nationally recognized charter networks run by nonprofit management organizations.

A Confidence Booster

Nationally, charter school advocates are trying to glean lessons learned from the elections results and how they might replicate their success in Los Angeles to other jurisdictions. The victory in Los Angeles comes a few months after a bruising defeat for the charter sector in Massachusetts.

If you invest in a strong set of candidates in a city that has a base of support for charter schools both in terms of the sheer number of charters and public knowledge of charters, you can impact the outcome of a board election, said Nina Rees, the president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, the countrys largest charter-advocacy group.

The fact that it happened in Los Angeles is very significant; it gave us confidence that we can play in these school board races and win, she said.

Rees said outspending opponents is no guarantee of victory. Charter advocates are still smarting from last falls loss in Massachusetts, when their pricey ballot initiative to lift the cap on the number of charters in the state was soundly defeated.

The effort to keep the cap was organized and mostly funded by teachers unions.

Although charter backers spent handsomely on their campaigns$26 million was poured into lifting the cap against the $16 million raised to keep it62 percent of Massachusetts voters sided with the unions.

Governing Realities

In Los Angeles, the California Charter Schools Association (and various groups it funds) and Broad accounted for nearly $9.5 million of the almost $15 million in independent expenditures that flooded the school board race, according to campaign-finance records.

Its important to note that what the key distinguishing factor was between these two scenarios was the fact that a lot of people were already familiar with charter schools [in Los Angeles], said Rees. Whereas in Massachusetts, you only had a handful of people impacted by charter schools.

The winning charter-backed candidates also had backgrounds working as teachers in Los Angeles Unified, an important asset, Rees added.

But even with a newly configured school board thats supportive of robust charter growth, those ambitions may shatter against the realities of running the vast school district, said Lawrence Picus, a professor of education finance and policy at the University of Southern Californias Rossier School of Education.

All the school districts baggagedeclining enrollment and a largely failed effort to put iPads in the hands of every studentwhich haunted Zimmer throughout his campaign, remains.

The school district faces what appears to be some difficult financial times due to declining enrollment, said Picus, who lives in the district that was represented by Zimmer.

The new board members will find themselves enmeshed in very complex budget challenges that will distract them from more charter schools.
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Tyre slashed on car parked in Peel

Police are appealing for information after a tyre on a car parked in the west of the Island was damaged.

The 4x4-type vehicle was parked in the North View area of between between 9.30pm on Sunday and 7.30 yesterday morning when the damaged was caused.

Officers says a bladed item or similar implement has been used to damage the tyre.

Anyone who can help police find the person responsible is asked to contact Peel Police Station.
Government increases funding for Yemen and East Africa appeals

The Isle of Man is donating a further 100,000 to support those affected by two major humanitarian crises.

The Manx Government is giving an additional 50,000 to both the Yemen and East Africa appeals currently being run by the Disasters Emergency Committee.

The Island has already donated 100,000 to each campaign, bringing the total contribution for both appeals to a total of 300,000.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle says the Government's increased support reflects the continuing severity of the crises.

Yemen has been suffering food and water shortages since 2015 as a result of civil war, while 16 million people are in need as food, water and medical treatment in East Africa as a result of drought and conflict.
The city of Nagpur in Maharashtra has a special significance in the Ambedkarite social consciousnessit is the site of the mass historic struggle for reclaiming the Buddhist tradition, symbolised by Deeksha Bhoomi. Nagpur also symbolises both the wound of a massacre (the brutal, collective murders of four members of the Bhotmange family in Khairlanji) and the mass resistance against it. So when women rooted in the PhuleAmbedkarite ideology decided to take out a march on the 110th death anniversary of the pioneering reformer Savitribai Phule on 10 March 2017, Nagpur was the chosen destination. Thousands marched to protest the increasing violence against women from marginalised sections. Violence that is invariably an outcome of the ideologies of Brahminism, Manuwad and Hindutva, all of which have provided the legitimating force to hierarchies, subordination, discrimination and subjugation of women as the ideal form of social order.

The women marchers commemorated and saluted the contribution of Savitribai and Fatima Sheikh (a teacher and supporter of the Phules) towards womens emancipation. The Chalo Nagpur campaign signified that the struggle against gender oppression was simultaneously a struggle against caste discrimination and class exploitation, as well as a struggle against subjugation/erosion of democratic voices. Moreover, this was a struggle against the commoditisation of women, the physical and sexual abuse they encountered, and the multiple forms of enslavement they confronted.

Preparations and Discussions

An event of such a magnitude would not have been possible without a lot of groundwork and prolonged exchange of ideas, as well as debates within the womens groups involved in organising it. The deliberations went on for over six months, and involved debates over a number of issues: articulation of common concerns, and symbols of struggle; the ways of addressing gender question; the perspective from which to oppose Brahminical culture and politics, the perception about the nature of oppression, subordination and violence that women suffer and the nature of their struggle. Furthermore, since the notion of difference and the diversity of approaches to address the gender question are firmly rooted in the gender discourse, any collective action was bound to reflect this heterogeneity.

Some of us who draw on the PhuleAmbedkarite perspective are firmly rooted in understanding the intersectional character of womens subordination and the violence they suffer. We are aware of the interlinks of caste and gender subordination, exploitation, subjugation, and the vulnerabilities and violence women encounter at the intersections of caste and class. For us, the question of violence, subordination, and exploitation against women is not just a gender concern, but a caste and class question. Hence, the issues we were addressing and our attempts aimed at challenging the multiple forms and intersectional character of vulnerabilities that women confront.

Gender Politics as a Quest

We view gender politics as a quest in which visibility and representation are necessary aspects of politics (vis-a-vis the question of omission and silencing). Yet there is a need to consciously move beyond these aspects to address the structural and intersectional nature of the violence and suppression women experience and fight. We believe that there is a need to effectively struggle against violence, and build consciousness about the systemic, institutional character of multiple forms and dimensions of violence, abuse, and vulnerability, as opposed to addressing the question of justice and dignity by living under and remaining within the boundaries of structures and orders of injustice.

The quest for justice cannot be addressed without questioning the systems that breed indignity. We cannot achieve justice by remaining within and becoming visible through the structural boundaries which create injustice and indignity. It is the very structure of social, material and cultural enslavement that needs to be challenged and destroyed to genuinely address the question of freedom and emancipation.

Trafficking and Criminalising Victims

This understanding informed our views on trafficking and the worst forms of exploitation and brutal violence against women from the lower castes, lower classes, Adivasi communities and other vulnerable sections.

This perspective made us consider violence and abuse against women, including prostitution, as a systemic, structural and institutional form of violence, which in our society intersects with caste, class, and ethnicity as with other forms and systems of oppression of underprivileged persons. We believe that women cannot achieve the goal of freedom and emancipation by remaining within the bounds of this structural violence and by attempting to gain visibility and dignity within the very structures and institutions that are rooted and thrive on their exploitation and abuse. We also wish to assert that the struggle against prostitution must be strengthened as it is rooted in brutal exploitation which is simultaneously based on violence and enslavement involving gender, caste and class.

Women from the oppressed and exploited sections do not enter into prostitution willingly, or as a matter of choice but are forced into it due to social and economic vulnerabilities. Women and children should not be forced to live with prostitution. We, PhuleAmbedkarite women/men firmly reject the systems of violence and exploitation. When we resolutely challenge the systems and structures of oppression we do not seek to criminalise or exclude victims of violence and exploitation. Rather we seek to work towards collective consciousness against such systems. Those who contribute to the politics of visibility or in reality induce women from the oppressed sections to live with their exploitation and abuse, are actually agents of violence against them. Those who justify prostitution do not live and experience the violence and abuse. It is through these agents of exploitation and violence that abuse and oppression become normal and natural conditions of existence.

To take another poignant example, people engaged in manual scavenging too are forced to do so in order to earn for their own and their families survival, but that does not, therefore, make manual scavenging normal. Those who demand dignity for the manual scavengers even as they continue to do the scavenging are actually agents of violence. Likewise, the struggle for womens right to dignity and justice has to be rooted in a firm denial and rejection of the system of oppression.

An Egalitarian Universe

The Chalo Nagpur campaign was a historic attempt that represented women from all over India who are attempting to forge a collective struggle ahead towards building interactions, connections and to dialogue with women across the world for an egalitarian universe.

We submitted this resolution at the conclusion of the campaign:

(i) We, the women of India, have come together to fight the repressive ideologies of Brahmanwad, Manuvad, Hindutva, and the social orders of power and domination that they constitute and control.

(ii) We profoundly recognise and salute the efforts of Savitribai Phule, Jyotiba Phule, and Babasaheb Ambedkar for their efforts to emancipate all deprived sections of India, in general and women, in particular.

(iii) We also salute those who have selflessly fought and continue fighting for the cause of the larger humanity both in the past and present contextthe mothers who have lost their children due to the ideologies of Brahmanwad, Manuvad and Hindutva. We salute the struggle waged by Irom Sharmila in centring the issue of women rights.

(iv) Together we resolve to fight against the Brahminical ideology which has victimised Dalit women on account of caste-based public patriarchy and has made them face brutal violence and oppression at the hands of upper caste patriarchy. It is necessary to note that according to the National Crime Records Bureau, from 2000 to 2015, the reported cases of rape against Dalit women in India stood at 20,300; and these women continue to be deprived of justice.

(v) Many educated women have become victims of domestic violence, shaped by Brahminical and Manuvadi ideology; the legal mechanism in this regard, has favoured menthe perpetratorswho are also victims of Brahminical and Manuvadi ideology. We resolve to work towards ending this violence.

(vi) We condemn all ill practices and structuressocial, political, economic and culturalsuch as forced prostitution, manual scavenging, demanding dowry, religiously sanctioned sexual violence as seen in the Devadasi system, witch-hunting, etc, which have enslaved women for ages and are the outcome of Brahmanvad and Manuvad. We resolve to fight against those who trap women confronting multiple vulnerabilities into prostitution as well as those who ignore the structural and institutional forms of enslavement, including caste, class, and gender, which make these women vulnerable; as well as those who work in inculcating a sense of indifference towards their conditionsexploitation and brutal oppression of the women victimised by the above-mentioned ideologies and order. Instead of making these women conscious of their slavery, they are being made to speak the language of willing prostitution. We condemn this as a form of violence against women and resolve to work against those who make the oppressed seemingly live happily with the violence and subordination in their lives.

(vii) We consider it necessary to collectively combat against all forms of slavery against women by all ideologies of domination and power, and we would wish to accord priorities in arresting atrocities attempted on those who are the most vulnerable. We hope to carve out the existing legal system in such a way that no woman will face subjugation and imposition.

(viii) While we have an effective legislation against rape, this legal measure will need to provide special attention to Dalit womens victimisation and multiple vulnerabilities, with special punitive actions. Similarly, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 will also note the priority and specificity of the Dalit woman as the most vulnerable among vulnerable and will have stringent punitive action. We will also work towards the strict implementation of all laws created for ensuring justice for women by going beyond the rhetoric of mere pronouncements.

(ix) We support the principle of difference as a feminist practice so that women from all castes, tribes, religions, ethnicities, genders and sexualities may express themselves freely as citizens of this land and will become autonomous beings.

(x) We, as the collective voice of all women of India, will forge ahead to end all ideologies, structures, and contexts of enslavement in Indian society in the near future, and that each and everyone will fight to end slavery encountered by everybody.

(xi) We value the principle of representation and the policy of 33% reservation. We demand that it should be raised to 50% as women comprise half of the total population. In this too, we assert, priority will be accorded to women from the most victimised/socially, economically and culturally deprived sections in India.

(xii) We appreciate the fact that women of the deprived sections, that is, Dalit, Adivasi, Other Backward Classes and minorities, have selflessly participated in and have helped the struggle for womens liberation in India by making womens protest visible, and heard, in the public domain. We observe that so far women from the deprived sections were/are considered to be in the add-ons category by relatively less-deprived women. We resolve to end such patron- client categories and relationships in the process of emancipatory struggles.

(xiii) We stress that the ideals and values of justice, freedom, and dignity as claims of all women and men will be enshrined in social and institutional practices, part of family upbringing and educational institutions, and a part of public domains, such that a discriminatory, iniquitous and hierarchical society is arrested and healthy human society is nurtured in its place.

(xiv) This Chalo Nagpur initiative by women on 10 March 2017 marks an effort on part of women to commemorate the 120th death anniversary of Savitribai Phule, the first trained woman teacher, who dared to liberate all women from the bonds of enslavement by educating them; we recognise and salute all women from international communities, as well as menmale feministswho support and participate in this emancipatory project. Let us work towards a transversal politics to combat all enslavements against all women in the world.
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A lot has changed in the three decades that have passed since Sir Simon Burns was first elected the Conservative MP for Chelmsford in 1987.

He has fought and won seven elections, served seven different Tory leaders and sat on both sides of the Commons, on the front and backbenches.

Sir Simon took the decision that this Parliament would be his last, with plans to step down as an MP in 2020.

But with Theresa May's decision to call a snap general election for June 8, Sir Simon stayed true to his word and decided to bow out before anymore ballots could be cast in his favour.

We sat down with Sir Simon for one final interview before he becomes a private citizen:

When you took up the post 30 years ago, did you think you would be in the position for that long?

No, but I hoped to because I wanted it to make it a career for life, providing the people of Chelmsford would allow me to.

In politics, anything can happen and I was fortunate that it did happen.

Was there anything in particular that led you to become an MP?

Yes, it might sound sad but I decided the night of and the next day of the November 22 and 23, 1963, when John F Kennedy was assassinated. I had been brought up in Ghana, there was no television and I never saw newspapers. I came back to England where I went to boarding school while my parents stayed in Ghana and all of a sudden I had access to television, newspapers and news magazines.

There was this President of the United States, who was young and attractive, with a wife and children. All of a sudden, he glamorised politics. He made me think, particularly when he was killed, that public service was a career I would like to enter.

For the rest of my life up until June 1987, I structured my life insofar as I could, to become a Member of Parliament as soon as possible. Fortunately for me, I could realise my dream at a very young age.

Is there a particular moment during your 30 years as an MP you can pinpoint as the best?

I was on the frontbench one way or another, for 25 of those years.

Probably the highlight was the first time I was made a minister which was back in 1993 or 1994.

It's fair to say you haven't been a figure of controversy within the Conservative Party?

One has worked at it. I saw I had a job to do. If I became a minister that was great, I could contribute, but my number one priority was to the people of Chelmsford, because if you forget your roots and you don't provide a good constituency service people will soon get fed up of you and feel you are taking them for granted.

They may not feel inclined to support you during the good times  and particularly the bad times  because you haven't bothered to do your job. For me, the important job was providing what I hoped was a first class constituency service, turning round the letters quickly and taking up the issues.

A lot of things people brought to me I couldn't solve. I tried and I was successful in many cases and at times I wasn't successful. There's no point as a Conservative MP people writing to me demanding that I vote in the House of Commons to renationalise the railways  I don't believe in it, my party doesn't believe in it and we have never fought an election manifesto on that policy, so in those cases, I'm afraid I can't do what my constituents want and I would tell them so.

Where they had a problem, whether it was with the tax man or the Department for Work and Pensions, to me it was a priority to take it up and if they had a justified problem that needed resolving, I would make sure it was resolved.

There must have been times when the people of Chelmsford wanted something the party didn't?

Every time I stood as a candidate I said to people before they cast their vote that if they voted for me they were getting the Conservative candidate elected and that I was fighting the election on the party manifesto.

The only time I made an exception was in 1987 when I said I wouldn't support Sunday trading, which at the time I didn't agree with. I've changed my views since and when Sunday trading came, I kept my promise and didn't vote for it when the Commons voted on it.

In the last six months, I have had letters urging me to vote to end our nuclear weapons. I fight election after election on having strong defences and nuclear capability, so I was going to disappoint them.

They probably expected it and actually, if I look at the letters I received, most of the senders weren't going to vote for me.

(Image: Anthony Channer)

You have spoken in the past about originally supporting the Remain campaign and not backing Sunday trading hours, what do you say to other MPs who refuse to move on?

I don't say anything because it is up to them. They make their decisions and they live with the consequences. Life does move on and there are a number of issues which I believed in 1987 that I wouldn't support now.

I was supportive of capital punishment in 1987. But now, if there had been a vote before I left the Commons, I wouldn't vote for it because there have been too many miscarriages of justice and if we had capital punishment, people would have been convicted wrongfully and executed.

That to me is as bad as the state killing someone for some heinous crime. You can't do that and without finding a system to ensure there are no miscarriages of justice, and you can't, I changed my view.

The people of Chelmsford must have liked you if they kept voting for you for 30 years?

They have been extremely kind and I have tried to work hard on their behalf.

Of all the leaders you served, is there one where you thought you were at the pinnacle of your career?

I suppose David Cameron as I was Minister of State for two departments in his administration and he funnily enough was the party leader I personally knew best.

I knew Thatcher because I was in the Commons with her for five years but she was very much a figure on a pedestal and although you met her and chatted with her, it wasn't the same.

I knew John Major quite well but I knew David Cameron extremely well because by the time he came into the Commons, I had been there 14 years and I got to know him very well when he was a backbencher. We got on rather well.

Did you find it hard to switch off when you came home?

That is the problem  you can't. Until last month, I had a House of Commons computer here. My friends said 'Why do you do it?' but it is in my nature.

As soon as I would get home on a Thursday, I would switch it on and about 5.30 on a Monday morning, I would switch it off as I went to work. So I would see those emails all through the weekend.

That must have impacted on your personal life?

Oh yes, absolutely. It cost me a marriage.

Do you have any regrets?

No because that is what I wanted to do. I wish, when I was married, I had been able to be a bit more laidback on the job and instead of putting the job first all the time, had more of a balance. If I did it again, I would make sure that was the case.

How would sum Chelmsford as a place?

I think Chelmsford is great. It is a community still, where neighbours know each other, you look out for one another and it has a community spirit, unlike London, which is where I lived before I moved to Chelmsford.

I found in London that you could say hello to your neighbour every day but not know them and never talk to them properly. Chelmsford is not like that. It's a great place, it's aspirational. We have fantastic education here and despite what people say, the railways are alright  although they do need improving.

What's the most positive change you've seen to Chelmsford?

Becoming a city was very good but it has also grown with the times.

What advice can you give to your successor, whoever they may be?

My advice is be true to yourself and be honest. If you say you're going to do something, do it. If you say you're going to support something, support it or don't say you're going to because you will always get caught out.

And, importantly, make sure you are a first class constituency MP.

Of course it is great to be minister and be directly influencing policy but look after your base.

It is the people of your constituency who send you to parliament, who give you the wonderful opportunities to do this or do that on their behalf, to meet interesting people. Don't forget them.

Would you also say it's important to be in your constituency and be readily seen?

I think it helps if you are part of the community. Obviously depending on where your constituency is, you can't go home every night, but you can certainly have a home there.

So in that respect, I think it is helpful if you have a home and live in your constituency. You pay your council tax, you have your dustbins emptied, so you understand when things go wrong how irritating it is and have a better take on it.

I have enjoyed living here for 31 years, having moved here before I had been elected.

Do you plan to stay in Chelmsford now?

Probably not because my family have grown up and they don't live in Chelmsford anymore. I want to see them regularly so I will probably move to be closer to where they live.

What's next for you?

I have got one job which is very much part time. On an ad hoc basis, I will lecture to civil servants, NGOs and political people on the workings of government and parliament.

I also am going for a trial in September to hopefully do the same at an American university.

You made it clear you would stand down before the next election. Do you wish you could have had those three more years?

Yes, I would have loved them. When I made the decision, it was because we had the Fixed Term Parliament Act on the basis that the election would be in May 2020. Calling the election came as one hell of a surprise.

Have you any parting words you'd like to share with the people of Chelmsford?

I will never be able to thank the people of Chelmsford enough for the confidence and the honour they bestowed upon me for electing and re-electing me as their Member of Parliament.

It has been a fantastic 30 years  at times very challenging, at times sad, at times very happy  but what was always sustaining was the support I got from people in Chelmsford when I tried to do my best for them, even if people didn't always agree with the decisions that I took.
Hamas, a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist organization, has recently published a Document of General Principles and Policies in which it outlined its positions on Israel. After three years of internal consultations, the document was rolled out in English on Twitter with a clear intention to reach international audiences. As such, the new document can pave the way for engagement with the international community and eventually lead to the recognition of Hamas.

Hamas itself described the document as transformative, setting out new policy positions on Israel and the two-state solution. For example, it emphasizes Hamass problem with Zionism not the Jewish people and widely accepts a two-state solution, saying that the establishment of a fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as its capital along the lines of the 4 June 1967, with the return of the refugees and the displaced to their homes from which they were expelled, to be a formula of national consensus.

Moreover, Hamas endorsed the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as a national framework for the Palestinian people inside and outside of Palestine and urged the building of Palestinian national institutions on sound democratic principles, foremost among them free and fair elections. This shift towards more pragmatic positions should be welcomed by international players including the European Union. However, the international community should not lose sight of demanding any Palestinian government to recognize Israel, abide by previous diplomatic deals and condemn violence.

Europe should also ask Hamas to clarify the existing ambiguities and contradictions found in the document as well as repeal its 1988 Charter that includes anti-Semitic rhetoric and adopt the new pragmatic positions instead. The EU ought to think twice about its no-contact policy towards the organization, which prevents both sides from having a dialogue without an intermediary. Allowing for a joint and direct communication platform would send an important signal that Brussels is willing and ready to engage with Hamas and even empower its moderate elements.

However, according to some observers, the EU should rather drop the conditions of recognition of Israel and abiding by previous agreements. In their opinion, these should exclusively apply to the Palestinian Authority government and not to Hamas as a political group. Clarifying such a detail could help overcome what is regarded as one of the main obstacles in holding elections and achieving national reunification that benefits from international acceptance.

Time to Bring Hamas in From the Cold  Commentary by Hugh Lovatt  European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
Written by ACM

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Former Prime Minister Constantin Mitsotakis who died nowadays in Greece, leaves a Legacy whose real main points are, in fact, both of Historic value, as well as much More Topical and "Spicy" than most Establishment's members would dare acknowledge, despite several routine hommages, etc., filling the mainstream Medias Today as far as he's concerned.

The most Important is that CM served as Prime Minister of an exceptional Government almost of "National Unity", which associated Together almost All Political Parties, (from his own, Center-Right ChristianDemocrats/EPP of "New Democracy", up to ...even the "Communist" Party, included, etc), Focused mainly in the Fight against Corruption, which had become a Vital Necessity, already back on 1990-1993, after a Decade of "Socialist" PASOK's former Governments during the Eighties, which had been notoriously filled by a Growing Series of big Scandals about Money, massive Clientelism, Cronyism, Oppression and abuses against Dissidents, even elimination of some critics or investigators, etc.

In fact, that infamous Big "DEBT", which still Hampers EU Member Greece Today, bothers all Europe, and Risked to provoke even a Euro-Zone's Crisis, often exploited by some Foreign Anti-European forces in order to attempt to Undermine and/or Slander the European Integration process, hade Started since that Crucial Period, i.e. from 1981 onwards. I was mainly due to former "PASOK" Governments excessive Clientelistic abuses, which brought a Huge, DisProportional Number of counter-productive Cushy Job Holders into the payroll of the State and the wider Public Sector, far Beyond what its thin Economic productive basis could support.



This was notoriously Hidden, Disguised under a Goldman Sachs' SWAP, through 1998 - 2002, i.e. when Greece entered EuroZone, even UnPrepared, in exchange of Accepting Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, pushed by Clinton, Blair, Jospin and Schroeder, Alema, etc. (all Socialists) then. Only to notoriously "Explode", at the latest, on 2009, in the middle of a Global Financial Crisis, when the accumulated Huge Debt thrown over Greece became inevitably obvious, provoking an original Shock.



But the Anti-Corruption new Governemental Coalition of 1990, was Forced to Interrupt its work, only a Few Years later, from 1993-1994, since, as an indirect consequence of the former Yugoslavia Conflicts, the Socialists of "PASOK" exploited the aftermath of Yugoslavia's Break up, in order to Hide behind a neo-Nationalist reaction as far as FYROM's provocative claims were concerned, topling that 3 Years-long, exceptional, quasi-National Unity Government.



If it had been let Free to normaly pursue its main, Anti-Corruption aim to Investigate, Reveal and Punish all Scandals and serious Abuses committed by former "PASOK" Governments and their cronies during the 1980ies, it might have played a really precious and much needed, Historic role, in unveiling various Crimes and bringing those responsible to Justice, as well as in Preventing the subsequent considerable Worsening of that Hidden "Debt" Crisis which was later exploited by some Foreign Networks, as a "weak point" in EU Integration, in attempts to Undermine all Europe, (Comp. Supra).



That exceptional, 1990-1993 quasi-National Unity Government had already kick-Started a necessary Reduction of the DisProportioante Number of Civil Servants, after a Decade of Massive, Costly and CounterProductive Clientelism by fromer "PASOK" Governments during the 1980ies, but this effort was cut short too soon.



-----------------------------------



Constantin Mitsotakis was known for his support to EU's "Copenhagen Critera", (adopted bck on 1991, i.e. during his term in office), which should be respected by each 3rd Country wishing to become Candidate for EU Accession. It's mainly about Conditions related to Human Rights' respect, Democratic principles and Rule of Law, (which, if they were really applied, would have, f.ex., prevented Turkey's controversial and unpopular EU bid, Sparing to Europe all those Troubles which were provoked precisely because those Copenhagen Criteria weren't seriously used in that case).



He also launched Greece's moves in order to join the Shenghen area, after supervising its entry into the EU itself.



Last, but not least, it's during Constantin Mitsotakis' Government that Cyprus lodged an official Application, back on 1990, in order to become EU Member, (something which was Achieved on 2004). It was a kind of ...Kopernician Revolution, since Cyprus' geopolitical Strategy, until then, had been much more Focused on the initial "Non-Aligned" Movement, dating from the Earlier, DeColonisation Period, marked by ArchiBishop Makarios, Naser, U Thant, Sukarno, King Hasan II, Burgiba, Zhou Enlai, Ho Chi Minh, Tito, Castro, Assad, Boumedien, Gandi and Nehru (India), etc, which represented, at a moment, about 2/3 of UNO's Member States, opposed to the Cold War Division. Strategicaly located Islands of Cyprus and Malta, subsequently left the NAM and made a pro-European U-Turn, aligning themselves with the EU.



------------------



The President of ChristianDemocrat/EPP Parties, Joseph Daul, experienced former long-time Chairman of EU Parliament's ChristianDmocrat/EPP Group and Strasbourg's MEP, hailed "a Visionary Leader", speaking of Constantin Mitsotakis' death. EU Commission's President, Jean-Claude Juncker, experienced former Long-Time Prime Minister of Luxembourg and Euro-Group's Chairman, called C.M. a "European" and "Emblematic Figure", whose "Life was associated with important moments of EU integration".



Inter alia, it's also German mainstream Medias such as "Zeit", "FAZ", "Welt", etc., as well as Austrian "Die Presse" and Swiss "NZZ", French "Le Monde", American "AP" and "Bloomberg" Press Agency, "NYT", etc., which Published relevant articles.

The former Prime Minister had been reportedly Condemned by the NAZI Occupation to Death during the 2nd World War, and was Arrested by the Putchist regime of the Colonels, later-on, being obliged to Escape in exile to Paris during 1967-1974.



He just missed a whole Century, passing away at 99 Years old, in quite good Health, reportedly among his Family.



-------------------------------



C.M. is survived by his Daughter, MP. Dora Bakoyannis, former Foreign Minister and f. President of CoE Assembly's Political affairs Committee, and his Son, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, young President of main opposition party of "New Democracy" in Greece, (ChristianDemocrats/EPP : Comp. f.ex. Statements also to "Eurofora", during EPP Summits in Brussels, at ...+...).



His Party is currently credited by Polls with a 16 to 18% Advance compared to Tsipras' governing Party of the Left, but Greece is reportedly threatened by a 2020 Peak in the service of its Debt, which originated from the Early 1980ies (Comp. Supra).

Meanwhile, most among those counter-productive cushy job holders and/or political lackeys who profited from former Clientelist Governments' (mainly PASOK) of the Past, after having abusively being paid, for many Decades, quite confortable Salaries, several Allowances, Social Security and Holliday Leaves, etc. in Permanent and Safe, Public Sector Jobs, that they didn't deserve, povoking that huge, but initialy Hidden "Debt", which grew like a "Silent Killer" between 1981-2009 (Comp. Supra), are, recently, in the process of attempting to transform that also into more or less Cosy Retirement Pensions, due to last for another 2 or 3 Decades+, without even working at all, no more, while, on the Contrary, the Productive sector of the Economy and, particularly, most Small-Medium Businesses, have notoriously Suffered a lot, being still seriously threatened with extinction, and the various Victims of the 1980ies' and further Discriminations, Abuses or even Crimes, incuding Poor People, after having Suffered a great lot all this time, have been notoriously thrown in an Unprecedented level of Impoverishment, vainly seeking for Justice to be done, at last. I.e. reaching a rare but Crucial point, where real Economic Efficiency, and Social or Moral Justice, (sometimes even merely Criminal), have, in fact, become Synonymous..

.



So that Kyriakos, who already has a relevant Experience as former Minister for Administrative Reform, theoreticaly might, eventualy, (alone or together with others) be given a Chance, by the Greek People, to Conclude, sooner or later, his Father's Unfinished Task, even if in Harder, but more Pressing circumstances.

(../..)

--------------------------------------------------

***

(NDLR : Headlines Photo : published by his son, Kyriakos, at his personal Website, now.

+ 2nd Photo : From "AP" Archives, dated Spring 1990)
In a country where television commercials for sanitary napkins still use a blue liquid to demonstrate the absorption capabilities of the product, intimate hygiene products are now beginning to find a place in womens essential toiletries. In the last couple of years, this niche market has grown significantly, attracting new players like Ozone 1M. Intimate feminine hygiene products is now a Rs 200-250 crore market.

Speaking to exchange4media, Neeta Aggarwal, Chief Marketing Officer, Ozone Group, said that she may have used the word difficult to describe marketing intimate washes to women in India, but that is not the case anymore. The difficulty so far has been that women have taken the discomfort that comes with menstruation in their stride. However, women are now more open to talking about menstruation. And once they recognise that intimate hygiene is an issue, it will be easier to get them to use products like Ozone 1M, she said.

Ozone Pharmaceuticals is taking the prescription route to market its intimate hygiene products. We are in talks with doctors who are prescribing the product to women. In addition, we are also educating women about the need for such products, revealed Aggarwal. A doctor, she feels, is best placed to educate women about the need for such products, which is the reason why Ozone Pharmaceuticals is focussing on prescription-based marketing. Marketing of products such as those for intimate hygiene requires advertisers to be bold, added Aggarwal.

The company is currently marketing Ozone 1M as a product that women can use during their period while their long-term goal is to impress upon women to make it a habit to use intimate wash and creme products. Aggarwal said that her team was surprised to learn that feminine hygiene products were not in demand in the metros alone. Our sales team has found that the product is seeing an uptake in places such as Rae Bareli, Una, Gorakhpur, and such smaller towns and cities. In fact, the highest sales are coming in from these geographies and not the metros, she said.

On the occasion of World Menstrual Day (Sunday May 28) Ozone 1M had launched the #thatsmydate campaign to initiate conversation about menstrual and intimate hygiene and self-care. As part of the campaign, Ozone 1M urged women to share the date of their next period on social media and on a canvas placed at Inner Circle in Connaught Place, New Delhi.

Read more news about (marketing news, latest marketing news,internet marketing, marketing India, digital marketing India, media marketing India, advertising news)
You will have to submit your details to WES and see what they say.



None of us works for WES so we can't tell you what your exact results will be.



That said, considering a Canadian Bachelor's Degree is 4 (four) years duration and not 2, it's not likely that your qualification from India will be evaluated to be equal to a Canadian Bachelors Degree.



Your only option is to submit your documents to WES and see what happens.
Former Mayor Phil Hardberger has endorsed Councilman Ron Nirenberg in his pursuit to oust incumbent Ivy Taylor from City Hall.

The endorsement from Hardberger, who served as mayor from 2005 to 2009, comes days after the City Council voted in favor of a team that included Taylor ally Hope Andrade, rejecting a Chicago company recommended by city staff and represented by Hardberger. The firms were seeking a major city contract to operate San Antonios new river-barge fleet.

Nirenberg was the only council member to vote against Andrades bid in support of the team backed by Hardberger.

Nirenberg and Taylor are facing each other in a June 10 runoff, after ascending from a crowded field of 14 in the May 6 general election. Early voting begins Tuesday and ends June 6.

In a video that runs nearly four minutes, Hardberger makes the case for why hes supporting Nirenberg and notes that the upcoming election is a real important one. He asks voters to be with me in my support for Nirenberg.

Ron is terrifically prepared, assuming he becomes mayor, he will be the best-prepared mayor that I think San Antonios ever had, Hardberger said on the video. I mean, he did his homework so well even as a council person. He always knows more than anyone else because of preparation.

The former mayor recounts meeting Nirenberg in his office when the then-political neophyte was mustering support for his initial District 8 council race.

Id never met him, didnt know much about him, but he brought white papers, or position papers, that he himself had written on every conceivable subject, Hardberger said. Thats unheard of for a City Council person.

Hardberger said he was further impressed when he read the papers because Nirenberg showed clear thinking on both sides of various issues and an ability to conclude what should be done.

He also lauds Nirenberg for keeping partisanship from the nonpartisan mayors race.

Nirenberg said he was pleased to win the former mayors support.

Im proud and excited to have Mayor Hardbergers endorsement. He sits in the pantheon of great San Antonio mayors and his support is meaningful to our city, Nirenberg said. And as an esteemed former mayor and lifelong servant to our country, he agrees with the majority of San Antonio that we need new leadership in the mayors office to restore the momentum weve lost under Taylor.

Earlier this month, Nirenberg also received an endorsement from former Mayor Julian Castro, who block-walked the West Side on the candidates behalf.

Hardbergers endorsement is unsurprising. Hes been a Nirenberg supporter since he endorsed the councilman in his 2013 race. The two have built a friendship and have stayed in touch over the years. That closeness has become something of a target in the mayoral campaign because of Hardbergers association with the losing Chicago firm.

The team comprising Andrade, a well-known politician who is currently chair of VIAs board and a former secretary of state, Lisa Wong, restaurateur, and Landrys Seafood Inn & Oyster Bar  San Antonio Inc., won the contract in a 10-1 vote.

Ron Nirenberg has been a loyal foot soldier for the former mayor and current lobbyist, especially on the barge contract. Hardbergers endorsement is his payday, said Greg Jefferson, a spokesman for Mayor Ivy Taylors re-election campaign. Nirenberg was the cheerleader for a skewed bidding process that gave the Chicago firm for which Hardberger lobbied an unfair advantage.

Nirenberg insulted local small-, women-, and minority-owned businesses in the process. But at least he was clear about where his loyalties lie, Jefferson said.

Kelton Morgan, Nirenbergs campaign manager, rejected Jeffersons accusations.

Coming from someone who just gave a (multimillion-dollar) city contract to the person who stood with her on stage when she announced her re-election campaign, that is rich, Morgan said.

He was alluding to Andrade, who introduced Taylor at her November 2016 re-election campaign announcement.

Phil Hardberger is one of the best and most-respected mayors this city has ever known, Morgan said. The 58 percent of the people who voted against Mayor Taylor agree with Mayor Hardberger that San Antonio needs new leadership.

jbaugh@express-news.net

Twitter: @jbaugh


Beyond mines in Kazakhstan that are among the most lucrative in the world, the sale gave the Russians control of one-fifth of all uranium production capacity in the United States. Since uranium is considered a strategic asset, with implications for national security, the deal had to be approved by a committee composed of representatives from a number of United States government agencies. Among the agencies that eventually signed off was the State Department, then headed by Mr. Clintons wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton.



As the Russians gradually assumed control of Uranium One in three separate transactions from 2009 to 2013, Canadian records show, a flow of cash made its way to the Clinton Foundation. Uranium Ones chairman used his family foundation to make four donations totaling $2.35 million. Those contributions were not publicly disclosed by the Clintons, despite an agreement Mrs. Clinton had struck with the Obama White House to publicly identify all donors. Other people with ties to the company made donations as well.



And shortly after the Russians announced their intention to acquire a majority stake in Uranium One, Mr. Clinton received $500,000 for a Moscow speech from a Russian investment bank with links to the Kremlin that was promoting Uranium One stock.



The New York Timess examination of the Uranium One deal is based on dozens of interviews, as well as a review of public records and securities filings in Canada, Russia and the United States. Some of the connections between Uranium One and the Clinton Foundation were unearthed by Peter Schweizer, a former fellow at the right-leaning Hoover Institution and author of the forthcoming book Clinton Cash. Mr. Schweizer provided a preview of material in the book to The Times, which scrutinized his information and built upon it with its own reporting.



Whether the donations played any role in the approval of the uranium deal is unknown. But the episode underscores the special ethical challenges presented by the Clinton Foundation, headed by a former president who relied heavily on foreign cash to accumulate $250 million in assets even as his wife helped steer American foreign policy as secretary of state, presiding over decisions with the potential to benefit the foundations donors.



In a statement, Brian Fallon, a spokesman for Mrs. Clintons presidential campaign, said no one has ever produced a shred of evidence supporting the theory that Hillary Clinton ever took action as secretary of state to support the interests of donors to the Clinton Foundation. He emphasized that multiple United States agencies, as well as the Canadian government, had signed off on the deal and that, in general, such matters were handled at a level below the secretary. To suggest the State Department, under then-Secretary Clinton, exerted undue influence in the U.S. governments review of the sale of Uranium One is utterly baseless, he added.



American political campaigns are barred from accepting foreign donations. But foreigners may give to foundations in the United States. In the days since Mrs. Clinton announced her candidacy for president, the Clinton Foundation has announced changes meant to quell longstanding concerns about potential conflicts of interest in such donations; it has limited donations from foreign governments, with many, like Russias, barred from giving to all but its health care initiatives. That policy stops short of a more stringent agreement between Mrs. Clinton and the Obama administration that was in effect while she was secretary of state.



Either way, the Uranium One deal highlights the limits of such prohibitions. The foundation will continue to accept contributions from foreign sources whose interests, like Uranium Ones, may overlap with those of foreign governments, some of which may be at odds with the United States.





Let's imagine every corporate and professional left/liberals fantasy came true in November, and America got it's first female president...thereby solving all womens and gender-related problems in the same way that a two term black presidency fixed everything for Black America!Anyone here recall the public investigation and trial of Bill&Hill for using their foundation to earn money from a sale that increased Russian control of this strategic asset - uranium? Me neither...because it never happened! And the fact that money flows from corporations and foreign corporations and sovereign wealth funds in Arab and Gulf States sitting on huge reserves of oil, should tell any of us that regardless of how corrupt Donald Trump may be, he's not likely any more corrupt than any other major politician or international capitalists who seek to influence foreign governments for financial and strategic interests!In other words, the laser-like focus on Russia by CIA, NSA, and FBI leaked sources tells me that a large body of unelected, corrupt insiders who have profited from the international drug trade for more than 40 years, have moved their criminal syndicates into military spending and wars of regime change...which kill thousands and destroy the lives of millions forced into exile...not to mention destroy billions of dollars worth of property, are still ventures providing enormous profit potential for the top players....just ask Dick Cheney and Halliburton about the steep rise of their company after gaining billions in Iraq reconstruction contracts.So, the continual drip, drip, drip of leaks and inuendos about Russia fixing US elections and controlling the President, tells me that the US Deep State is all in agreement on one point: Capitalist Russia and Capitalist China are not part of the club! And needless to say, their allies like Iran also have to be dispatched!Anyone who would like to live another 10 or 20 years or see their children have a chance to grow into adulthood, should start focusing on the most dangerous issue of the day: The Deep State has effective control of the majority of US media, and gives the orders to elected officials/not the other way around. And the continual push for direct confrontations with two other nations armed with nuclear warheads means that the people running the asylum today have no appreciation of risk! That seems to be obvious after past regime change operations, but they are still pushing forward to their ultimate objective which will likely end with WWIII...because of the stupid assumption that Russia and China will just acquiesce in the face of destruction!
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The number of refugees coming to the United States dropped to one of the lowest levels in years after President Donald Trumps executive order limiting their arrivals and banning travel from certain mostly Muslim nations went into effect in late January, according to a recent report.

Federal judges quickly blocked that order and a revised version that was subsequently issued. But the brief time the orders were in effect, combined with an apparent effort by the State Department to slow the flow, has put the country on track to receive the fewest refugees since 2012, advocates said.

In the administrations latest setback over the so-called travel ban, a federal appeals court in Virginia last week refused to reinstate the modified order, saying it discriminated on the basis of religion. That likely punts one of Trumps trademark issues to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Despite the nations overall plunge in resettlement, Texas still received the most refugees in the country after California, roughly 3,900, according to State Department data analyzed by the Pew Research Center, a think tank in Washington, D.C.

Refugee arrivals have been on the decline since the beginning of the fiscal year in October, dropping from more than 9,900 to about 7,400 in December. But advocates said its normal for admissions to slow at the start of the financial year and that the drop came after a particularly strong push from President Barack Obamas administration to resettle more refugees by years end in September.

What was unusual was that the consecutive monthly decline not only continued but fell precipitously, from more than 6,700 in January to 2,070 in March, marking the lowest number of monthly arrivals since October 2013. Little more than 1,800 refugees were resettled then.

In all, lower refugee arrivals have only occurred in 18 of the months since October 2000, when the State Department began collecting such statistics.

Weve never seen a reduction in January, February, March like that, said Jen Smyers, director of policy and advocacy at Church World Service, one of nine national resettlement agencies contracted by the federal government. It clearly was not just the executive orders, but having a new administration that is deprioritizing resettlement.

After judges halted the presidents programs in February and March, national resettlement rose slightly to 3,316 in April. The country has accepted a total of more than 42,400 refugees since October.

Though the executive orders were only briefly implemented before being swept up in litigation, they had a big effect, Smyers said, reducing resettlement to about 65,000 refugees this year if it continues at the current pace.

That is almost half of the goal of 110,000 set by President Barack Obama for 2017 and lower than the 85,000 who were resettled in 2016.

Its also lower than the average annual refugee admissions target of 95,000 since the U.S. Refugee Act of 1980, which provided systematic procedures for refugee arrivals, Smyers said.

And its on par with resettlement just five months after 9/11, when admissions were halted to the single digits before climbing to more than 2,000 in January 2002, according to State Department data.

Even right after the attacks, President George W. Bushs administration continued processing refugee applications, though they barely trickled in for the first few months.

By contrast, Trumps executive orders would completely shut down resettlement for 120 days while security procedures are reviewed. Upon resumption, he said, he would cap the number of refugees accepted this year at 50,000. And he said at first that he would prioritize those claiming religious persecution if they are from a minority religion, which in Muslim countries is likely Christianity.

In the revised travel ban, which attempted to address judicial problems with the first, Trump also issued a 90-day suspension of entry for anyone from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. He removed Iraq from the list after objections from military leaders who argued that the U.S. had an obligation to protect Iraqi translators who have served alongside them for more than a decade. Trump also struck a complete ban on Syrian refugees and took out specific references to religion.

As part of considering whether the executive orders violate the Constitution by discriminating against Muslims, federal judges have also prevented the refugee cap from going into effect

The courts have found so far that setting that number to 50,000 is part and parcel of a Muslim ban, Smyers said.

The State Department said in a statement that Obamas goal of 110,000 refugees is a ceiling on refugee admissions, it is not a mandatory target.

We have adjusted the pace of refugee arrivals in conformity with Department of Justice guidance regarding the court order and consistent with our operational capacity under available funding, a spokeswoman said.

In Texas, more refugees have arrived so far this year than in 2016, State Department data shows. Between October and May, 4,157 refugees were resettled statewide, a 10 percent increase.

Thats because refugee allocations are planned months in advance, Smyers said.

The process of resettlement can take two to three years while applicants go through intensive and laborious background checks.

And though Gov. Greg Abbott withdrew Texas from the federal refugee resettlement program last fall, citing security concerns about Syrians, 428 from that war-ravaged country have arrived in Texas this fiscal year, compared with just 148 last year.

The federal government has jurisdiction over refugee resettlement and now simply contracts with private charities rather than working through the state government.

Despite the overall increase in refugees, thanks largely to a bump at the beginning of the fiscal year, the number resettled in Texas similarly declined almost every month. It fell from 1,096 in October to just 94 in March, before rising again to 351 in April.

Ali Al Sudani, director of refugee services at Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, said his organization resettled half its refugees, 180, in the first quarter between October and December. That plummeted to 116 in the second quarter and just 60 during April and May.

These refugees were in the process of coming to the U.S., then its like, No. Now yes, he said. When everything is in limbo, that delays the whole process.

Security checks expire after several weeks, so many had to redo the process, which can take months, and some are still waiting, he said.

Jeff Watkins, vice president for global initiatives at the YMCA of Greater Houston, said his organization also is on pace to receive the target amount of refugees this year, noting that it has resettled 636, compared with 464 during the same period in 2016.

lomi.kriel@chron.com
In a city renowned for its history and known for battles fought over the centuries, San Antonios Cenotaph just across from the Alamo is perhaps the most sacred monument of all.

Rising 60 feet into the sky, it salutes the memory of those who fought the 13-day siege of the Alamo and sits on the site where their bodies were piled and burned after the Mexican army made its final charge under Santa Anna.

Telling the story of the fallen there, and at monuments dotting other parts of one of the nations oldest cities, founded in 1718, is an evolutionary process sometimes fraught with controversy, as recently unveiled plans for a makeover of the Alamos grounds underscore.

The fact that were celebrating 300 years is really important for this city to own its history and  tell all facets of it, District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino said. We have incredibly diverse layers and layers of history that I think are important for our city to tell.

Those layers are everywhere in the city center. A series of monuments, most of them in memory of wars dating to the Texas Revolution but some of well-known historic figures, dot downtown in an oval that runs from Commerce Street west to Milam Park and northeast to the new Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, which opened three years ago. At 100 E. Market St., a monument pays tribute to the 141st Infantry Regiment, the oldest militia unit in Texas, dating to the Revolution. It fought in conflicts ranging from the Spanish-American War to Italy and the Rhineland campaign during World War II.

A plaque at the City Council Chamber in Main Plaza marks the surrender of Gen. David Twiggs and more than

$3 million worth of ordnance, wagons, mules, horses, supplies, money and a chain of forts to Confederate forces as the Civil War began. At 70, he was dismissed for treachery despite having written his superiors four times for directions on what to do if Texas seceded from the Union. Another plaque commemorating the centennial of the Confederacy also notes Twiggs Feb. 18, 1861 surrender.

A monument dedicated to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and in honor of those who, like him, died for freedom, stands outside one corner of City Hall and was erected after his death in 1946. The Cadena-Reeves Justice Center has a Purple Heart Memorial saluting wounded combat veterans from all wars and a Still on Patrol plaque that mentions 3,505 submariners who paid the ultimate price during World War II. A smaller plaque next to it commemorates the light aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto for its role in the push to the Philippines and Japan in the same war. The ship was decommissioned in 1947.

Perhaps the newest monument in town, the Medal of Honor River Portal serves as a gateway to the Tobin and honors 32 recipients of the nations highest award for military valor who were born, raised, enlisted or retired here. Seven granite pylons with brass plaques salute the recipients, who range from privates to presidents and include many Hispanics, among them the late Sgt. Santiago J. Erevia, Louis Rocco, Cleto Rodriguez and Roy P. Benavidez, who was famous for spitting into a medics face to alert him that he was still alive.

The Tobin, originally called Memorial Auditorium and intended to salute American soldiers in World War I, still retains another tribute from that conflict  a mother, hands clasped in prayer, standing over two doughboys. The area near the arts center is rich in monuments to other wars, among them bronze statues dedicated to Korea and Vietnam and a granite tablet commemorating the Battle of the Bulge. Veterans of the battle met there in 1995 to dedicate the marker.

Night Watch, dedicated Dec. 11, 1994, to Korean War veterans, depicts two bronze soldiers fighting a winter war in a deep, icy foxhole. Canteens, grenades and an ammo belt dot the ground as they await attack. Designed by Emilio Aguirre and sculpted by Jonas Perkins, the memorial lists the casualties for the 1950-1953 war  54,246 dead, 103,000 wounded, 8,177 missing in action and 7,000 prisoners of war, half of whom died in captivity. Seven Marine Reservists from the 20th Infantry Battalions C Company were lost in action.

A short walk away is Hill 881 South, the citys memorial to Vietnam. It shows a bronze Marine Corps radio operator helping a fallen comrade during one of a series of battles at Khe Sanh during the spring of 1967. The $200,000 memorial was dedicated Nov. 9, 1986, and drew a crowd of 10,000 to watch the keynote speech given by Gen. William Westmoreland, who commanded U.S. forces in Vietnam from 1964 to 1968.

The Cenotaph to the Heroes of the Alamo and Other Patriotic Texans, finished in 1940 and made of marble, granite and concrete, has a colorful history. Italian-born artist Pompeo Coppini created marble reliefs of Alamo defenders James Bowie and James Bonham, with others in the background. Crockett, William Barret Travis and other Texian soldiers are on the west side. A male Spirit of Sacrifice and a female Spirit of Texas are on the north and south sides.

The Alamo defenders are not buried under the Cenotaph, but a Texan hero of the war  Ben Milam, who was killed in 1835  rests under his statute in a park named for him a short walk from the famous Mi Tierra Mexican restaurant. A grave marker to Milam sits at the base of the statute. It notes that he helped in the capture of Goliad on Oct. 9, 1835, and was killed two months later.

The spacious, elegant park includes a 26-foot copper-domed gazebo designed by Jalisco architect Salvador de Alba Martin with cast iron columns and railings,

There have been many changes at the park, which first arose in 1848; improvements include 200,000 cherry red and mocha DHanis bricks laid in the parks promenade a quarter-century ago, but its had few troubles. The same cant be said of Travis Park. Perhaps a 10-minute walk east, its shadowed by a towering statute of a Confederate soldier erected in honor of troops who died for the South during the Civil War.

The issue has rankled some around town in the wake of a racially motivated mass shooting two years ago in a South Carolina church. After the shooting, a dozen-plus local activists and politicians demanded the removal of the 1899 monument, which says Lest We Forget. Critics see it as an affirmation of slavery, and some have called for its removal, pointing to the 1861 Texas Declaration of Causes, which supported the institution of slavery.

Defenders of the statue, one of them Sons of Confederate Veterans member John McCammon  whose relatives served for the South  countered at the time that the flag wasnt connected with slavery. That was a battle flag carried by soldiers on the field to differentiate between the Union troops and the Confederate troops, he said in a July 18, 2015, San Antonio Express-News story.

The statue remains, but it could be relocated  just where isnt yet clear.

Councilman Trevino noted that the Cenotaph would be moved to a new location under plans for a transformation of the Alamo grounds and that the citys Department of Arts and Culture will make a recommendation on moving the Travis Park statute. Whatever happens, he wants to tell a broader story and hopes to provide a way to put that monument into context.

A recommendation could come out by early summer. The final proposal will get a thorough public airing after before it goes to the City Council for approval.

My stance on history is we must tell all of our history, Trevino said. Its important for many people to feel recognized and to provide for understanding and for healing  two very important things.

sigc@express-news.news

This story was updated May 31 to correct a date.
One veteran says farming is similar to the military

By Diego Flammini

Assistant Editor, North American Content

Farms.com

Military veterans returning from active duty could be given assistance in beginning agricultural careers if a bill in Wisconsins State Legislature passes.

The bipartisan bill calls for the creation of a Veteran Farmer Assistance and Outreach Program. The program would be intended to integrate veterans into the field of agriculture and support veterans currently working in agriculture.

The program would also involve the Department of Corrections to help previously incarcerated veterans find work in agriculture.

Wisconsins Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the Department of Military Affairs and University of Wisconsin Extension would work together to provide veterans with the necessary resources.

Wisconsin bill would offer veterans careers in agriculture A bipartisan proposal in the Wisconsin Legislature seeks to connect military veterans with careers in agriculture. The bill's text says the mission of the program is designed to "integrate veterans into the field of agriculture and support veterans currently working in agriculture."

Working on a farm is similar to life in the military, according to one veteran.

It feels like the military again, Brian Sales, a 10-year U.S. Army veteran, told Todays TMJ4. Its a 24-hour operation, theres always something to do (and) things are always changing.

There are over 68,000 farms in Wisconsin and a farmers average age is 56, according to the USDAs National Agricultural Statistics Service.

An aging farm population means theres a variety of opportunities for veterans in ag.

Not every single veteran that has access to an opportunity is going to become a farmer, State Rep. Evan Goyke told TMJ4. But getting that opportunity to be hands on will connect with some individuals.

The bill is based on the Warriors to Agriculture Program introduced in West Virginia in 2015.

A hearing on the bill in Wisconsins state assembly is scheduled for June 8.
Linn County law enforcement agents on May 24 executed five coordinated search warrants from Albany to Oregon City, seizing several pounds of methamphetamine and heroin and arresting three people, according to the Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team.

The raid, which came less than a month after the narcotics team formed May 1, was part of a larger operation involving federal drug enforcement agents targeting the source of the drugs, believed to be in Mexico.

"Any time you get a big fish in a case like this, it's going to spill into other countries," said Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley.

The operation involved 19 agencies, including the Benton, Marion, Clackamas and Polk County sheriff's offices; the police departments from the Narcotics Enforcement Team and Corvallis; the Oregon National Guard; the DEA and the FBI.

Rogelio Conrique-Villalpando, 39, and his wife, Matilde Conrique-Sepulveda, 41, of Oregon City, were arrested on federal charges for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.

The couple worked as managers at the now-closed San Blas Mexican Restaurant in Albany, 2845 Santiam Highway SE. The establishment was also searched May 24 and subsequently shut down for several health code violations, according to Albany Police Capt. Eric Carter.

"It is clear that drug sales were happening via the restaurant," he said.

Maritza Pallanez, 24, of Albany, the daughter of Matilde and Rogelio, was arrested on state charges for possession and distribution of heroin and methamphetamine.

Carter said the operation was the culmination of information gathered over the past seven months.

The Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, which consists of investigators from the Albany, Lebanon and Sweet Home police departments, the Linn County Sheriff's Office, and the DEA, was created after the county was designated a High Density Drug Trafficking Area in January 2016.

To get such a designation, Sheriff Riley said the county had to show that the area is a significant center of illegal drug production, that such activities have a harmful impact on the area, that local agencies have committed resources to combat the problem, and a significant increase in federal resources is necessary to tackle the problem.

Riley said this first case validates the designation, while also revealing there is more work to be done.

"This confirms what we suspected, and why we asked for the designation," Riley said. "But for the very first case to be this major is alarming."

Riley added that nearly every criminal case law enforcement agencies deal with can be traced back to drugs.

"If somebody steals your barbecue grill because they're looking for money for more drugs, that's part of the complex problem, and it would be interesting to be able to trace that data," he said.

He added that this operation is only the beginning for the narcotics team.

"Any major drug dealers looking to set up shop in Linn County are on notice," he said. "More's coming."
Deveron UAS News www.DeveronUAS.com

Deveron UAS Corp., is pleased to announce that it has been granted approval as a Compliant Operator under its Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) for the operation of a small unmanned airborne vehicle (UAV or Drone) system within visual line-of-sight, issued under the authority of the Minister, Transport Canada, pursuant to the Aeronautics Act. The certificate is valid for aerial data collection and surveying throughout Canada, and meets the highest level of approvals under Transport Canadas regulatory environment related to UAV activities.

Deveron is one of the first companies in the country to receive this Compliant status as well as one of the first to receive Compliant approval using the senseFly eBee UAV system.

Our focus is to grow a standardized network of drones to enable scalable data collection at the enterprise level in agriculture, commented Deverons Co-founder and Head of UAS Agriculture, Norm Lamothe. Being one of the first nationally compliant operators in Canada is a huge achievement for us and we look forward to continuing to provide commercial feedback in safely operating a national drone data service company. Additionally, we couldnt be more thrilled to achieve compliance with the senseFly platform and are excited about continuing to bring their global leadership in the drone space directly to our customers.

This award of national compliance is excellent news for Deveron UAS. The company has rapidly become a major and respected player on the North American agricultural scene and its SFOC will give it the flexibility required to continue servicing clients at scale, said Jean-Christophe Zufferey, the CEO of senseFly. From our side, we are delighted to play a small part in the companys ongoing success through producing fleet-friendly, end-to-end eBee drone platforms that Deverons team can rely on for accurate, consistent data collection across Canada and beyond.







Source : Deveron UAS
Mr Scott said he believed there was a lack of support by the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) for new saleyards in the South West and that it was providing poor advice to the Minister on this matter.
Dec. 2, 1923  May 23, 2017

Bob Eshbaugh, 93, of Albany, and most recently at the Oregon Veterans Home in Lebanon, passed away on May 23, 2017.

Bob was born in Rockwell City, Iowa to parents Paul and Madge Eshbaugh.

He attended the one-room school house on the farm property and, upon high school graduation, Bob began his pursuit of flying and traveled to California to attend the Aero Industries Technical Institute.

In 1943 during World War II, Bob joined the U. S. Army Air Corps/U.S. Air Force and trained as a B-29 bomber pilot. Bob also flew the Bamboo Bomber," BT-13 and various trainers. He was discharged as a Flight Officer Dec. 1945  never leaving the U.S.  but ready to serve as needed.

Bob graduated in 1950 with a Bachelors of Arts from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa.

Soon after he returned home, he met Betty Ewing. They were married August 18, 1950. They were happily married for almost 60 years.

Bob and Betty had two daughters Paulette and Annette. The family lived in Iowa and Minnesota, finally moving to Albany where Bob started his own small business.

Bob and Betty were active members of the Albany Elks Club, traveled the world including Europe and China, enjoyed many ocean cruises and shared the fun by also taking the whole family on many vacations. He was proud and blessed to have family nearby.

Dad could never pass up an airport or old bomber airplane and was able to relive his pilot days with a flight on a B-29 at a local air show. Last summer, he was able to ride and fly a Boeing Stearman biplane with the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, the same aircraft used to train many military aviators in the 1940s. He said it was the best day ever." Bob and his daughter, Paulette, participated in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in May 2014; a lifetime experience to be remembered.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother Alma; wife Betty; and sisters Margaret Strain and Joyce Ellis.

Bob is survived by his two daughters Paulette and husband Carl Myers and Annette and husband Ron Easdale; two grand-daughters Ashley and husband Joshua Wahl and Laurel and husband Dan Rightmer; and two great-grandsons, Michael and Brandon.

Thank you to the staff and vets at the Oregon VA Home in Lebanon where Bob was loved and cared for.

A private family remembrance was held on May 28.

Fisher Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. If you would like to remember Bob, donations can be made to the South Willamette Valley Honor Flight. We know he would be so honored. (swvhonorflight.org or any Umpqua Bank for the SWV Honor Flight)

Online condolences for the family may be posted at www.fisherfuneralhome.com.
Telling the extraordinary story of the unexpected friendship between Queen Victoria and young clerk Abdul Karim, who travelled from India to be a part of the Queens Golden Jubilee, one of this years big hits could be Victoria And Abdul, with Judi Dench and Ali Fazal leading the film in the respective titular roles. Check out the brilliant first trailer for the Universal Pictures release below:

Finding favour with the Queen herself, Abdul and Victoria become extremely close, as the monarch begins to question the constrictions surrounding her long-held position. Forging an alliance that nobody could have predicted, the two have a loyalty to one another thats envied, with her household and inner circle all doing their best to destroy the friendship.

Despite their best efforts, the relationship is one that deepens, allowing Victoria to see a changing world through a fresh set of eyes, with the Queen soon joyfully reclaiming her humanity.

As well as the trailer above, you can check out the first poster and two new first look images for the film below:

Also starring Adeel Akhtar, Simon Callow, Michael Gambon, Eddie Izzard, Ruth McCabe, Tim Pigott-Smith, Julian Wadham, Olivia Williams and Fenella Woolgal, with Stephen Frearers as director and Lee Hall as writer, Victoria And Abdul is expected to hit UK cinemas on September 15, 2017.

by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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Hosiery major Dollar Industries Limited registered a turnover of Rs 906 crore for the FY 2016-17 as against Rs 830 crore during the previous year of FY 2015-16, as per the audited financial result, recording a revenue growth of 9.15 per cent. Revenue for Q4 FY17 was Rs 282 crore, witnessing a growth of 23.24 per cent as against Rs 229 crore for Q4 FY16.

Profit After Tax (PAT) grew by 64.95 per cent to Rs 43.46 crore during fiscal 2017. Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBIDTA) also witnessed a growth of 36.74 per cent standing at Rs 101.19 crore. The export revenue of the company stood at Rs 72.24 crore. To boost its growth further, the company is eyeing for substantial number of EBOs across major cities of India by the end of 2020 which would be operated by a franchise model.

"FY 2016-17 was the most challenging year for the hosiery industry due to demonetisation followed by escalating cotton prices across the world. But we have been able to record a higher growth in operating profit than the industry standards. It has been a satisfying year for us at Dollar Industries with the brand making inroads in newer territories and also consolidating its position in the existing hosiery markets in India and abroad," said Vinod Gupta, managing director, Dollar Industries Limited.

Hosiery major Dollar Industries Limited registered a turnover of Rs 906 crore for the FY 2016-17 as against Rs 830 crore during the previous year of FY 2015-16, as per the audited financial result, recording a revenue growth of 9.15 per cent. Revenue for Q4 FY17 was Rs 282 crore, witnessing a growth of 23.24 per cent as against Rs 229 crore for Q4 FY16.#

"We are committed to maintain the topline growth of the company 15-20 per cent YOY. We are making efforts to improve EBITDA and PAT margins and aiming to achieve 15 per cent EBITA in next three years. We have achieved market penetration of 88 per cent across India which is a result of the teams aggressive marketing and advertising strategy backed by superior product range, technology upgradation and capacity expansion," added Gupta.

Dollar Industries is the only hosiery and knitwear company in India having fully integrated production unit which has spinning capacity of 400 tonnes per month, knitting capacity of 300 tonnes per month and dyeing and bleaching capacity of 400 tonnes per month, elastic manufacturing capacity of 10,00,000 metres per month and cutting capacity of 3,00,000 pieces per day. The company has also invested in wind power of 5 MW and an effluent treatment plant with zero liquid discharge.

"The company is going to be asset light. Moreover, we would be increasing our presence across India with special emphasis on consolidating the existing market. Our new diversifications in terms of products will see a nationwide rollout. We have received encouraging responses in the online platform both in terms of visibility and e-commerce. We will push the e-commerce sales up to the maximum percentage in our total turnover. Moreover super premium category will be the prime focus for Dollar Industries Ltd in the coming days, added Gupta.

The number of distributors for Dollar Industries Ltd has grown from 550 in FY 2009-10 to 850+ in FY 2016-17. The company has also increased the reach across MBOs from 30,000 in FY 2010-11 to over 80,000 in FY 2016-17. The company is diversifying its product range and will soon introduce more variants in sleepwear, lounge wear, activewear and sportswear. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The South Indian Garment Association (SIGA) has urged Union finance minister Arun Jaitley to levy uniform rate of GST on yarn & fibre, finished fabric & processed fabric and readymade garments. The association has also suggested, in a letter addressed to Jaitley, that no discrimination be made between branded and unbranded garments under the new tax regime.

The excise law at present discriminates between branded and unbranded garments. By merely attaching a label, a garment becomes branded and falls under the purview of excise duty, affecting garment industry adversely. Most of the women's and men's traditional wear do not carry any label, while a section of manufacturers who are involved in manufacturing mens casual and formal wear for mass market sale have no brand name/label and are out of the purview of excise duty. This discrimination is causing unwanted unhealthy business practices because there is no specific definition of brand relating to garments, said the association in the letter.

SIGA adds that the basis of GST is 'one tax one nation' and is devised for lowering rate of tax across the nation. Current rate of excise duty is at 2 per cent (with an abatement of 40 per cent) and the VAT rates are 5 per cent to 5.5 per cent in most of the states.

The South Indian Garment Association (SIGA) has urged Union finance minister Arun Jaitley to levy uniform rate of GST on yarn & fibre, finished fabric & processed fabric and readymade garments. The association has also suggested, in a letter addressed to Jaitley, that no discrimination be made between branded and unbranded garments under the new tax regime.#

The garment industry provides maximum employment opportunities especially to women, un-educated, poor common man, backward and under privileged community of the society. All the sectors such as manufacturing, designing, marketing, logistics, packaging as well as retailing provide maximum jobs and there is a huge scope for further development in the country, according to SIGA.

However, operational costs and high rentals are making it difficult for medium and small entrepreneurs in manufacturing or retailing or related industry of packaging or logistics. Simultaneously, traditionally run tailoring shops are vanishing due to heavy running costs and higher wages of work force. Hence, it is becoming challenging for garment industry to develop further keeping pace with changing time and trends. The garment industry has become one of the biggest support system for the textile industry.

Garment Industry is a complex and sensitive industry governed with many complications in manufacturing with very high rate of rejection due to many reasons as well as fashion cycle, also run by climates, regional traditional wears, etc. In such a scenario, tax rates play a major role to sustain garment trade and industry. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Affiliates of Exxon Mobil Corporation and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) have signed an agreement to conduct a detailed study of the proposed Gulf Coast Growth Ventures project in Texas and begin planning for front-end engineering and design work. The agreement follows recent selection of San Patricio County, Texas as proposed project site.

The proposed project is part of ExxonMobils $20-billion Growing the Gulf investment programme.

This agreement represents an important step in the progression of the Gulf Coast Growth Ventures project, said Philippe Ducom, president, chairman and chief executive officer of ExxonMobil Saudi Arabia Inc. We have a long and successful relationship with SABIC, which will be enhanced by this potential project that will create value for our companies and our communities.

Affiliates of Exxon Mobil Corporation and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) have signed an agreement to conduct a detailed study of the proposed Gulf Coast Growth Ventures project in Texas and begin planning for front-end engineering and design work. The agreement follows recent selection of San Patricio County, Texas as proposed project site.#

In April 2017, ExxonMobil and SABIC selected a site in San Patricio County, Texas, for the proposed petrochemical complex that would include an ethane steam cracker capable of producing 1.8 million tonnes of ethylene per year, a monoethylene glycol unit and two polyethylene units.

The project is one of 11 major chemical, refining, lubricant and liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects associated with ExxonMobils Growing the Gulf initiative in the United States that have been made possible by the abundance of low-cost natural gas.

ExxonMobils projects, once completed and operating at mature levels, are expected to have far-reaching and long-lasting benefits. Projects planned or under way are expected to create more than 35,000 construction jobs and more than 12,000 full-time jobs.

ExxonMobil and SABIC have successfully collaborated on several petrochemical joint ventures in Saudi Arabia, including the Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company and Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Company. Most recently, the companies constructed world-scale specialty elastomers facilities at the Al-Jubail joint venture complex to help meet the growing demand for rubber-based industrial and automotive products. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The Garment Show of India, one of the fastest growing exhibitions for the apparel retail industry of the country, will host over 100 exhibitors, comprising leading brands and manufacturers and retailers of a variety of products like ladies tops, trousers, leggings, denims, mens shirts, blazers and more. The event will be held in Delhi from June 4-6, 2017.

Participants and brands from various garment hubs like Delhi, Noida, Jaipur, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ludhiana, Kolkatta, Hyderabad, Tirupur and many others will be present at the exhibition.

"Our vision is to make Garment Show of India a one stop platform for everyone who is involved in apparel, fashion or retail business. The idea is to bridge the gap between buyers and sellers. Our exhibition has manufacturers/brands that can offer quality, fashion and competitive prices and match up with the requirements of retailers, retail chains, e-commerce companies and distributors," said Gagan Marwah, organiser, Garment Show of India.

The Garment Show of India, one of the fastest growing exhibitions for the apparel retail industry of the country, will host over 100 exhibitors, comprising leading brands and manufacturers and retailers of a variety of products like ladies tops, trousers, leggings, denims, men's shirts, blazers and more. The event will be held in Delhi from June 4-6, 2017.#

The exhibition will prove to be an ideal platform for everyone related to the fashion or garment business as they can see the latest trends, meet suppliers from all over India and negotiate for best rates, said the organiser in a press release.

More than 10,000 visitors are expected to visit the show from places like Delhi, NCR, Meerut, Aligarh, Kanpur, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Lucknow, Bihar, Gorakhpur, Haridwar, Saharanpur, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Panipat, Hyderabad, Trichi, Madurai, Chennai, Bangalore, Surat, Ahmedabad, etc. To attract visitors from all parts of India, especially from tier II & III cities, massive promotions are being carried through newspapers, radio, outdoor advertisements, social media and roadshows all over the country.

Shiv Naresh, one of the most reliable players in sportswear, Brand Kaira from Hyderabad that makes attractive ladies wear, Babeez from Mumbai, Indira Hosiery from Ludhiana, Reecrook and Cactus from Bangalore that make innovative denims, Dotted Jeans, Tinted, Royal Wood, Mac Mount and several others will participate in the exhibition. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Russian regions, especially Ivanovo and St. Petersburg, are turning out to be the main players in driving forward both the light industry (as the Russian textile and apparel industry is called) and fashion. The Ivanovo region, located in the European part of the country, accounts for 80 per cent of the entire Russias cotton fabric manufacturing.

Further, construction of a synthetic fibre plant is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2017 in the Vichuga special economic zone (SEZ) in the Ivanovo region. Synthetic fibre is not yet produced in Russia, and the to-be constructed plant has already secured orders for 80 per cent of its proposed production capacity, Russian news agency Tass reported.

The Vichuga SEZ will also include an industrial technology park built to accommodate small enterprises that will use synthetic fibre to produce finished products.

Russian regions, especially Ivanovo and St. Petersburg, are turning out to be the main players in driving forward both the light industry (as the Russian textile and apparel industry is called) and fashion. The Ivanovo region, located in the European part of the country, accounts for 80 per cent of the entire Russia's cotton fabric manufacturing.#

Another important driver of the light industry in Russia is the St. Petersburg light industry development programme until 2020. The programme includes a set of measures to support small businesses in the textile and apparel sector.

In addition, the city is also building an industry-specific business accelerator to promote new designers, including through the use of advanced technologies like 3D printing, robotic sewing machines and others. The project St. Petersburg as the Centre of High Fashion and Light Industry won three nominations of the national competition organised with the support of the Russian Agency for Strategic Initiatives.

Even the Russian government is supporting the growth and development of the light industry. The anti-crisis plan for 2017 provides for RUB 2.2 billion capital inflow into the sector, which will be in the form of subsidies to finance current manufacturing operations, purchase of domestically produced fabrics, upgrade of production facilities, and import substitution projects.

Earlier this year, the Russian Parliament had passed a bill that allows textile, leather and apparel manufacturers with more than 250 employees to qualify as medium-sized rather than large businesses. As a result, these businesses get access to cheaper loans and government-supported SME programmes. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
A few hours ago, actress Priyanka Chopra met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in between his packed schedule in Berlin, terming it 'such a lovely coincidence'.

"Thank you for taking the time to meet me this morning Narendra Modi sir. Such a lovely coincidence to be in Berlin at the same time," Priyanka, who has been making India proud in Hollywood, tweeted.

She even shared a glimpse from her meeting with Modi on Twitter as well as Instagram.

Vivek Oberoi Takes A Dig At Salman Khan & Aishwarya Rai Bachchan!

The actress, who is known for her acting skills as well as supporting social and humanitarian causes, is seen in a white dress with a floral print during the meeting.

Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Germany, is in a black bandhgala.

Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Germany, Modi will travel to Spain, Russia and France.

Meanwhile, Priyanka, whose Hollywood debut film Baywatch opened internationally to mixed reviews, is enjoying a break in Berlin. Baywatch, also starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, is slated to release in India on June 2.
"After my death, I would like to be reborn as Ambareesh's son." This was a statement that was made by the man himself, the Late Puttanna Kanagal, the legendary yester-year director of the Kannada Film Industry.

It is a very well known fact that Rebel Star Ambareesh was discovered by the Late Puttanna Kanagal and his discovery eventually turned out to be a precious gem for KFI. "Even the screen name, Ambareesh, was given to me by Puttanna Kangal," recounts Ambareesh, who's birth name is Malavalli Huchche Gowda Amarnath.

Although Ambareesh started with a small role in Puttanna Kanagal's Nagarahavu(1972), he acted in various movies enacting small time roles under the mentorship of Puttanna Kanagal, until he climbed up the ladder of stardom and became a hero in the movie Amarnath(1978).

It is no surprise that the major turning point in Ambareesh's life was the association with Puttanna Kanagal and the Rebel Star never forgets to acknowledge that. While at 'Weekend with Ramesh', Ambareesh shared some insights about his life. Read on to find some excerpts from that episode.

About Puttanna's Films:

"Puttanna's movies were very complex. The title and climax of the movies were so intense that it would shock the audience. Often, his movies were deemed to be eccentric and obnoxious. Most of his movies were anti-sentiment and anti-women, as a result of which, it wouldn't suit the Indian sentiments," said Ambareesh.

About Ranganayaki:

Ambareesh said, "Ranganayaki was a risky movie as it had sensitive story. A story of a son loving his mother. Or maybe a step lower than that - infatuation. Yet, the movie was well accepted by the audience and the movie was declared a super-hit. That's Puttanna-ji for you."

About Being The Latecomer On The Sets:

"I used to be late, everyday. He used to despise people who were late-comers on the set. The fixed time to be on set was 9am. I used to come at 10.30am and give lame reasons, yet, he forgave me each time. "I have come to direct a film, not hear your stories" was what he used to say to me everytime I made an excuse," said Ambareesh, which reflects that Puttanna Kanagal was strict but disciplined as well.

About The Love Story Between Aarti And Puttanna Kanagal:

"Puttanna is a tremendous director. The love between Aarti and Puttanna was at its peak when one day, after the last shot, Aarti was removing the makeup. Puttanna-ji looked up at the sky, looked at Aarti and started composing the shot. I guess he drew inspiration from things we don't even pay attention to," said Ambareesh.

About The Legend Himself:

"Puttanna Kanagal was a self made man. But, when at work, he was the one to make the call. He used to treat everyone in the same manner regardless of Aarti or me or anyone else on the set. He did not like people wasting time on his set, even if they were his close ones. He had a short temper and never used to tolerate indiscipline and laziness. He was very strict. He used to be the first person to arrive at the shooting location, every time," recollected Ambareesh.

About His Death:

Recalling his memories, Ambareesh said, "He had a heart attack and was admitted to the hospital. Although he was unable to talk at that time, he motioned to me and showed that he would start a new film with me in 10 days. Before that could happen, we lost him. Not just my loss, it was Kannada Film Industry's biggest loss. Had he been alive today, you would have seen a 100 more talented artists like me attain success. He was a creator in himself."
Multi-faceted and multi-talented V. Ravichandran, most popularly known as 'Crazy Star', celebrates his 56th birthday today. Ranadheera star Ravichandran, recognised as one of the stalwarts of the Kannada Film Industry, is the son of notable Producer and Director, N. Veeraswamy.

Born on 30th May, 1961, V. Ravichandran was brought up in Bengaluru. He started his career stint in Sandalwood at the age of 21, with the film Khadeema Kallaru as an antagonist and has never looked back since then.

Presently, he is married to Sumathi and has three children, among whom, Manoranjan Ravichandran has recently begun working as an actor in his debut movie, which is scheduled for a June 2017 release.

With the new style and attitude, V. Ravichandran is back in the movie business as a protagonist, yet again. On account of his birthday, three upcoming Kannada movies - Ceasar, Dasharatha and Bakasura have released their first look posters as a gift to the star.

To add to the celebration, the film team of Ceasar' has decided to release a teaser-trailer of their movie. Concurrently, many celebrities and other stalwarts of the KFI have conveyed their wishes to the 'Crazy Star' on this day.

Apart from being a talented actor, he has also served as a screenwriter, songwriter, composer, producer and director. He is also credited with the discovery of the talented Hamsalekha, who is a renowned music director in Sandalwood. Together, they have worked in more than 25 movies and have given the Kannada audience some numbers that are fresh and trending, till date.

With more than 35 years experience in the film industry, Ravichandran has achieved a wide-spread fame and recognition across the country and has captured the likes of his audience with his portrayal of different mannerisms and getups in his movies, and has rightfully been awarded the title 'The Showman of KFI'. Filmibeat team heartily wishes V. Ravichandran a very happy birthday.
They are the new friends in tinsel town! Yes, we are talking about none other than Pavitra Rishta actress Ankita Lokhande and Beyhadh actor Kushal Tandon! The duo often post pictures of them hanging out with each other on the social media, which has raised many eyebrows.

The actress eho broke up with her long-time boyfriend, Sushant Singh Rajput a while ago, was in news recently for her alleged link-up with businessman Vikas Jain. Needless to say, she was quite miffed with the rumours.

And our very own TV heart-throb, Kushal is very much single too, post his break up with Gauhar Khan. In fact, the rumours about the two being in a relationship sparked sometime last year and Kushal completed denied all of them and chose to call Ankita, a 'very good friend'.

Kushal had slammed rumours of dating Ankita and tweeted, "A write-up just based on a picture? guess u guys not paying well to ur so called reliable sources :-) anky1912 r v." He also wrote, "Website is done! False . A website is never "done".. One picture with an opposite s*x, n they r 'dating'."

Recently, Ankita shared an image of the duo on Instagram and captioned it as, "Unexpected friendships are the best ones ." Even Kushal shared a picture of the duo and wrote, "@lokhandeankita dance is the joy of existence."

Well, this surely left several tongues wagging.
The sets of Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi witnessed a sugar rush as back to back cakes flowed in to celebrate two birthdays, one after the other. The occasions were the birthdays of the oldest & most adorable member of the Mittal family, and the most charming & most loved member.

Yes, we are talking about the real life actors portraying these roles - Maasa aka Neena Cheema and Ranveer Mittal aka Abhishek Malik. The entire team gathered to make both these actors feel special in a customary cake cutting ceremony and clicked pictures to make the moment memorable.

Neena Cheema said, "As you all know, I'm the head of the Mittal family and just like the position I hold onscreen, the entire Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi team ringed in my birthday with same amount of love and respect off-screen."

She further said, "It was very touching and thoughtful of them to have remembered my birthday. From the actors to the technicians, everyone contributed to making that moment become memorable."

Abhishek Malik said, "My mom sister and niece surprise visited me on the sets of my show on my birthday morning. They came all the way from Delhi. I was glad that my birthday became a reason for my family to have visited my work place for the first time, the feeling is unexplainable."

"One funny incident that kept repeatedly happening was that during the shoot on my birthday, every half an hour the 'Happy Birthday' song would be played. I threw a bash for the entire cast and crew which was momentous."

"They're my family now as most of my days are spent with them. We partied till 4 AM in the morning, not realizing that the day was over. I would specially like to thank our producer Nivedita Basu for taking time off of her busy schedule to be a part of my birthday celebrations."

We wish the Mittal family a long association of togetherness!
Charles River Development ist eine Partnerschaft mit Northfield Information Services Inc. eingegangen, mit der die Integration der Portfolio-Optimierungslosung und die Produktfamilie an anlagenubergreifenden Faktormodellen von Northfield in die Charles River Investment Management Solution (Charles River IMS) verankert wird. Unter dieser Vereinbarung werden die Kunden von Charles River Zugang zu allen von Northfield entwickelten Faktormodellen, darunter Aktienkapital-, Real-Estate-Investment-Trust(REIT)-, Private-Equity-, Multi-Asset- und anderen Modellen, erhalten.

Die von Charles River bereitgestellten Portfolioverwaltungs-, Risikoanalyse- und Attributionsfunktionen kombiniert mit den Faktormodellen von Northfield helfen Anlagefirmen bei der Ermittlung, Bewertung und Reduzierung von Risiken uber Anlageklassen hinweg und verschaffen ihnen einen einheitlichen Uberblick uber Leistung und Risiko. Northfields Modelle unterstutzen Absolute-Return- wie auch Relative-Return-Strategien und decken alle gehandelten Wertpapiere und illiquide Vermogenswerte weltweit ab. Der Portfolio Optimizer von Northfield ermoglicht Kunden, ein Portfolio anzulegen, das mit zunehmendem Risikoniveau auch eine hohere Rendite generiert und zugleich die Praferenzen und den Anlagestil jedes Vermogensverwalters berucksichtigt. Die Kunden von Charles River konnen zudem die Faktormodelle, Analysen und Datenquellen von Drittanbietern bei ihrer ganz spezifischen Zusammenstellung von Anlageprodukten und -Strategien mit einbeziehen.

Dan diBartolomeo, CEO von Northfield, erklarte: "Unsere innovativen Risikomanagementlosungen sind eine naturliche Erweiterung der Anlageplattform von Charles River und werden Kunden bei der Integration von faktorbasierter Risiko-, Attributions- und Portfoliooptimierung in ihren Anlagenprozess unterstutzen. Angesichts der zunehmenden Differenziertheit und Komplexitat institutioneller Portfolios erhalten Kunden durch unsere Partnerschaft die Moglichkeit, von unseren vereinten Fachkenntnissen zu profitieren."

"Wir arbeiten mit fuhrenden Anbietern von Faktormodellen zusammen, damit wir unseren Kunden die bestmogliche Losung zur Verwaltung ihrer Portfolios bieten konnen", sagte Peter Lambertus, CEO von Charles River. "Die Partnerschaft mit Northfield ist ein bedeutender Schritt nach vorn, um unseren Kunden die Verwaltung und Uberwachung von Risiken zu erleichtern und ihnen einen einheitlichen Uberblick uber Leistung und Risiko bereitzustellen."

Uber Northfield

Northfield ist ein marktfuhrender Anbieter von Analyse- und Betriebseffizienzlosungen, mit denen Anlageexperten die Performance individueller Portfolios und die unternehmensweite Betriebsleistung steigern konnen. Das im Jahr 1985 gegrundete Unternehmen hat offene Risikoanalysemodelle zur Ermittlung, Bewertung und Kontrolle von Risiken entwickelt, die die meisten borsengangigen, weltweit gehandelten Wertpapiere abdecken. Die Produkte von Northfield basieren auf einer soliden Investitionstheorie und haben sich bei den Nutzern aus der globalen Branche institutioneller Anleger bewahrt. Mit uber 200 Kunden weltweit und Niederlassungen in Boston, Chicago, London und Tokio ist Northfield bestrebt, der bevorzugte Partner fur institutionelle Anleger und Vermogensverwalter zu sein. Weitere Informationen erhalten Sie unter www.northinfo.com.

Uber Charles River

Charles River ermoglicht solide und effiziente Investitionen uber alle Vermogensklassen hinweg. Uber 350 Unternehmen aus der institutionellen Anleger-, Vermogensverwaltungs- und Hedge-Fund-Branche nutzen das Charles River IMS zur Verwaltung von Vermogensanlagen im Wert von insgesamt mehr als 25 Billionen USD. Unsere Software ist eine servicebasierte Losung, die mittels einer einzigen Plattform die Anlagenverwaltung automatisiert und vereinfacht. Dies umfasst die Unterstutzung von Portfolioentscheidungen und Risikomanagement sowie den Handel und die Abwicklung nach dem Handel unter Berucksichtigung der Risiken und der Compliance wahrend des gesamten Vorgangs. Charles River hat seinen Hauptsitz in Burlington, Massachusetts, und unterstutzt mit uber 750 Mitarbeitern in 11 regionalen Buros Kunden auf aller Welt. Weitere Informationen erhalten Sie unter www.crd.com.

Die Ausgangssprache, in der der Originaltext veroffentlicht wird, ist die offizielle und autorisierte Version. Ubersetzungen werden zur besseren Verstandigung mitgeliefert. Nur die Sprachversion, die im Original veroffentlicht wurde, ist rechtsgultig. Gleichen Sie deshalb Ubersetzungen mit der originalen Sprachversion der Veroffentlichung ab.

Originalversion auf businesswire.com ansehen: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171004006317/de/

Contacts:

Charles River Development

Mary Masi-Phelps, +1 781-425-6155

marymasiphelps@crd.com
Secures Approval for Financial Restructure to Attract 'Transformational' Opportunity

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 6, 2017) - DXI Energy Inc. (TSX: DXI) (OTCQB: DXIEF) ("DXI" or the "Company"), an upstream oil and gas exploration and production company operating in Colorado's Piceance Basin and the Peace River Arch region in British Columbia, today announced the results of its Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders held on June 2, 2017 at the Company's Vancouver office.

The following sets forth a brief description of each matter which was voted upon at the Meeting and the outcome of the vote:





Description of Matter Outcome

of Vote Votes

For Votes

Against Votes

Withheld 1.

Fix the number of directors to be elected at the Meeting at five (5). Passed

97.17%

2.83%

0.00%

2.





















To elect the following five (5) nominees to serve as directors of DXI for the ensuing year, or until their successors are duly elected or appointed, subject to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (B.C.) and by-laws of DXI:

















































Robert Hodgkinson Passed 96.64% 0.00% 3.36% Craig Sturrock Passed 97.03% 0.00% 2.97% Ronnie Bozzer Passed 97.26% 0.00% 2.74% A. Ross Gorrell Passed 97.25% 0.00% 2.75% James Dai Passed 97.38% 0.00% 2.62% 3.











To approve the re-appointment of BDO Canada LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditors of DXI to hold office until the next annual meeting or until their successors are appointed and to authorize the Board of Directors to fix their remuneration as such. Passed











99.04%











0.00%











0.96%











4.











To approve a non-brokered private placement of up to 58,333,333 common shares at Cdn$0.06 per share to repay outstanding loans to insiders and non-insiders, for payment of deferred salaries to insiders and non-insiders, for payment of historical trade payables and for general working capital. Passed 92.80% 7.20% 0.00% 5.





To approve a restructuring of current debt of the Corporation by way of an amendment and restatement, which involves insider's participation. Passed





94.43%





5.57%





0.00%







"I am very pleased the shareholders have supported the board's proposals. We have been given the flexibility to prudently address the strong disconnect between the value of our energy portfolio (and other intangible assets) and DXI's market capitalization. This affirmative vote will allow the management team to immediately put into motion initiatives that will add real incremental value to any transaction chosen by the Company to benefit and protect all stakeholders," states Robert L. Hodgkinson, Chairman & CEO.

About DXI Energy Inc.: DXI Energy Inc. is an upstream oil and natural gas exploration and production company operating projects in Colorado's Piceance Basin (25,684 net acres) and the Peace River Arch region in British Columbia (14,444 net acres). DXI Energy Inc. maintains offices in Calgary and Vancouver, Canada. The Company is currently publicly traded on the OTCQB (DXIEF) and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: DXI).

Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains statements about oil and gas production and operating activities that may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation as they involve the implied assessment that the resources described can be profitably produced in the future, based on certain estimates and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by DXI Energy and described in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, adverse general economic conditions, operating hazards, drilling risks, inherent uncertainties in interpreting engineering and geologic data, competition, reduced availability of drilling and other well services, fluctuations in oil and gas prices and prices for drilling and other well services, government regulation and foreign political risks, fluctuations in the exchange rate between Canadian and US dollars and other currencies, as well as other risks commonly associated with the exploration and development of oil and gas properties. Additional information on these and other factors, which could affect DXI Energy Inc.'s operations or financial results, are included in DXI Energy Inc.'s reports on file with Canadian and United States securities regulatory authorities. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change unless otherwise required under securities law.

The TSX does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Follow DXI Energy's latest developments on: Facebook http://facebook.com/dxienergy and Twitter @dxienergy.

Contact:

DXI Energy Inc.

Robert L. Hodgkinson

Chairman & CEO

604-638-5055

investor@dxienergy.com

Craig Allison

Investor Relations - New York

914-882-0960

callison@dxienergy.com




Rapid recruitment of 23 patients in less than a year

Consensually agreed assessment tools (BSID-III, VABS-II) for cognitive assessment behavior

Regulatory News:

Lysogene (Paris:LYS) (FR0013233475 LYS), a leading, biopharmaceutical company pioneering gene therapy technologies to treat central nervous system diseases, today announced the completion of enrollment in its "Sanfilippo A Multi-national Observational Study" (SAMOS). Sanfilippo A is also known as Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIA (MPS IIIA).

SAMOS is particularly important as there is currently no validated biomarker in MPS IIIA that reflects CNS disease progression and response to future therapy. SAMOS has therefore been designed to evaluate clinical change in untreated MPS IIIA patients. As agreed with the regulatory authorities, this international multi-center study is to function as a non-concurrent control group for the upcoming Lysogene Phase II/III pivotal gene therapy trial, scheduled to start during the first quarter of 2018.

"Lysogene has taken a very proactive and rigorous approach to gaining a better understanding of MPS IIIA," said Dr. Benedicte Heron, neuro-pediatrician (Armand-Trousseau Hospital, APHP Paris, France). "The company's efforts in running this observational study will support its own plans for future research and therapy development while also aiding the scientific community as a whole.

"Enrollment of the 23 children from 5 countries has been rapid, reflecting the strong interest from the key opinion leaders running our clinical sites and the network of patient associations to address the significant unmet needs in MPS IIIA," stated Samantha Parker, Chief Patient Access Officer at Lysogene.

In designing SAMOS, Lysogene established the first international neurologist and neuropsychologist MPS IIIA expert group. This group determined that the most scientifically rigorous and relevant primary endpoint was cognitive assessment using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition (BSID-III). The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, 2nd edition (VABS-II) was determined to be the most appropriate as a secondary endpoint measure.

Further validating the choice of endpoints for neuronopathic MPS, a consensus meeting, among international experts, was organised in London, 2-3 December 2016, by an academic group in consultation with the UK Society for Mucopolysaccharide Diseases and US National MPS Society, and chaired by Elsa Shapiro1. From all the available instruments the BSID-III is recommended to measure cognitive outcomes and the recommended instrument to measure adaptive behavior is the VABS-II, using the extended interview format (van der Lee, 2017).2

Lysogene previously issued baseline data from SAMOS assessing cognitive age using the BSID-III in the first 15 patients, aged between 3 and 8 years old, which confirmed the progressive intellectual decline, hyperactivity and behavior changes in these individuals.

Lysogene has also successfully completed a Phase I/II trial and 5-year follow-up study of four MPS IIIA patients with no adverse events related to the treatment.3

Lysogene is Targeting Treatment for the Neurological Symptoms of MPS IIIA:

MPS IIIA is a lethal CNS disease requiring targeted treatment. Lysogene's gene therapy candidate for MPS IIIA is a rAAV vector serotype rh.10 carrying the gene coding for SGSH. This in vivo gene therapy offers the possibility of a one-time treatment by inserting a healthy copy of the SGSH gene and allowing the body to start making the missing enzyme, therefore slowing or halting disease progression. Lysogene's gene therapy is delivered directly to the CNS in one neurosurgical procedure. By delivering the missing SGSH gene, Lysogene believes MPS IIIA patients will be provided a permanent source of functional enzyme in the brain that reverses phenotypic abnormalities of CNS neural cells.

For more information on SAMOS: www.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02746341.

About Lysogene

For more information: www.lysogene.com.

____________________

1 Shapiro Neuropsychology Consulting, LLC, Portland, OR, USA and Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

2 J.H. van der Lee, et al., Cognitive endpoints for therapy development for neuronopathicmucopolysaccharidoses: Results of a consensus procedure, Mol. Genet. Metab. (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ymgme.2017.05.004

3 Tardieu, M., et al. Intracerebral Administration of Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Serotype rh.10 Carrying Human SGSH and SUMF1 cDNAs in Children with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIA Disease: Results of a Phase I/II Trial, Human Gene Therapy (2014), http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/hum.2013.238

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170529005271/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Europe

Annie-Florence Loyer

NewCap

afloyer@newcap.fr

+ 33 6 88 20 35 59

+ 33 1 44 71 00 12

or

North America

Marion Janic

RooneyPartners

mjanic@rooneyco.com

+ 1 (212) 223-4017

or

Investors:

Chris Maggos

LifeSci Advisors

chris@lifesciadvisors.com

+41 79 367 6254








Corporate Communications Division Mazda Motor Corporation, Japan +81-3-3508-5056 [Tokyo] +81-82-282-5253 [Hiroshima] mailto: media@mazda.co.jp

TOKYO, Oct 30, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Mazda Motor Corporation's production and sales results for September 2017 and for April through September 2017 are summarized below.I. Productionhttp://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_Mazda1030117Production.jpg1. Domestic Production(1) September 2017Mazda's domestic production volume in September 2017 decreased 5.7% year on year due to decreased production of passenger and commercial vehicles.Domestic production of key models in September 2017CX-5: 34,370 units (up 15.7% year on year)Mazda3 (Axela): 17,337 units (down 24.7% year on year)CX-3: 12,651 units (up 22.3% year on year)(2) April through September 2017Mazda's total domestic production volume in the period from April through September 2017 decreased 0.1% year on year due to decreased production of passenger vehicles.Domestic production of key models in the period from April through September 2017CX-5: 192,122 units (up 18.6% year on year)Mazda3 (Axela): 84,624 units (down 14.9% year on year)CX-3: 65,171 units (up 21.8% year on year)2. Overseas Production(1) September 2017Mazda's overseas production volume in September 2017 increased 4.1% year on year due to increased production of passenger vehicles.Overseas production of key models in September 2017Mazda3: 21,597 units (up 21.6% year on year)Mazda2: 8,677 units (up 2.2% year on year)CX-4: 7,136 units (up 37.2% year on year)(2) April through September 2017Mazda's total overseas production volume in the period from April through September 2017 increased 3.4% year on year due to increased production of passenger and commercial vehicles.Overseas production of key models in the period from April through September 2017Mazda3: 118,985 units (down 5.5% year on year)Mazda2: 48,496 units (down 6.9% year on year)CX-4: 31,645 units (up 46.2% year on year)II. Domestic saleshttp://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_Mazda1030117Domestic.jpg(1) September 2017Mazda's domestic sales volume in September 2017 increased 7.4% year on year due to increased sales of passenger and commercial vehicles. Mazda's registered vehicle market share was 6.2% (up 0.5 points year on year), with a 2.4% share of the micro-mini segment (down 0.1 points year on year) and a 4.8% total market share (up 0.2 points year on year).Domestic sales of key models in September 2017Mazda2 (Demio): 5,347 units (down 5.1% year on year)CX-5: 4,549 units (up 157.4% year on year)Mazda3 (Axela): 4,216 units (down 10.2% year on year)(2) April through September 2017Mazda's total domestic sales volume in the period from April through September 2017 increased 4.0% year on year due to increased sales of passenger vehicles. Mazda's registered vehicle market share was 4.8% (unchanged year on year), with a 2.3% share of the micro-mini segment (down 0.1 points year on year) and a 3.9% total market share (down 0.1 points year on year).Domestic sales of key models in the period from April through September 2017Mazda2 (Demio): 23,516 units (down 8.9% year on year)CX-5: 17,110 units (up 94.4% year on year)Mazda3 (Axela): 11,849 units (down 9.7% year on year)III. Exportshttp://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_Mazda1030117Exports.jpg(1) September 2017Mazda's export volume in September 2017 increased 0.4% year on year due to increased shipments to Europe, Oceania and other regions.Exports of key models in September 2017CX-5: 30,000 units (up 17.5% year on year)Mazda3: 11,957 units (down 28.3% year on year)CX-3: 11,871 units (up 45.3% year on year)(2) April through September 2017Mazda's total export volume in the period April through September 2017 increased 0.9% year on year due to increased shipments to Europe and other regions.Exports of key models in the period April through September 2017CX-5: 175,278 units (up 15.5% year on year)Mazda3: 74,833 units (down 11.7% year on year)CX-3: 58,629 units (up 23.0% year on year)About MazdaMazda Motor Corporation (TSE: 7261) started manufacturing tools in 1929 and soon branched out into production of trucks for commercial use. In the early 1960s, Mazda launched its first passenger car models and began developing rotary engines. Still headquartered in Hiroshima in western Japan, Mazda today ranks as one of Japan's leading automakers, and exports cars to the United States and Europe for over 30 years. For more information, please visit www.mazda.comSource: MazdaContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
NIEL, Belgium, June 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

TriMix-MEL (ECI-003), a rationally designed mRNA immunotherapy based on the unique TriMix platform, starts Phase Ib trial in adjuvant melanoma patients

eTheRNA immunotherapies, a clinical-stage company developing mRNA based cancer immunotherapies from its unique TriMix platform, announces the start of the first Phase Ib oncology clinical study evaluating its novel candidate TriMix-MEL (ECI-006) in metastatic melanoma patients showing no evidence of disease after surgical removal of their tumor, but at risk for disease recurrence.

TriMix-MEL is a rationally designed, investigational immunotherapy comprising eTheRNA's core TriMix mRNAs, which include a unique combination of three mRNAs encoding proteins that act highly synergistically via three different pathways for the optimal activation of dendritic cells (DCs), a type of dedicated immune cell also known as an antigen presenting cell (APC). TriMix-MEL also contains mRNAs encoding five melanoma-associated antigens. The Phase Ib study is designed to evaluate the immunogenicity, safety and tolerability of TriMix-MEL in-vivo, which is injected directly into lymph nodes (intranodal administration) in melanoma patients.

eTheRNA has generated clear signs of clinical anti-tumor activity in previous Phase I/II trials with TriMix ex-vivo immunotherapies, where immature DCs were extracted from the patient and activated ex-vivo using TriMix in combination with melanoma-associated antigens before being re-injected. The Company has also generated strong pre-clinical evidence showing that TriMix in-vivo immunotherapies are at least as effective as the ex-vivo approach in activating DCs, enhancing potent antigen-specific T-cell immunity and stimulating a directed cytotoxic T-cell response in multiple cancer models.

This new Phase Ib study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of intranodal administration of TriMix-MEL in stage IIc/III/IV melanoma patients after surgical removal of their tumor lesions. The study will additionally explore the immune response following five intranodal administrations of TriMix-MEL over a period of 14 weeks. The study will be conducted in different countries including Belgium and Spain and preliminary top-line results are expected in Q3 2018.

eTheRNA plans to start several further clinical studies over the next 12 months, designed to deliver results to confirm that:

TriMix can become the cornerstone for cancer immunotherapy, either as an immune activator in combination with antigens or as a tumor environment enhancer alone, and

TriMix in-vivo immunotherapies can deliver clinical proof-of-concept results alone and in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma and breast cancer

A number of these new studies will also be used to determine the optimal route of administration for TriMix in-vivo immunotherapies (i.e. intranodal or intratumoral).

Kajo Kallen, CMO of eTheRNA, said:"We are delighted to begin the clinical development of TriMix-MEL, the novel in-vivo immunotherapy candidate derived from our unique TriMix technology platform. Based on the success of the TriMix ex-vivo approach in treating melanoma patients, and the positive pre-clinical results we have generated with an in-vivo approach, we are confident that TriMix-MEL has the potential to provide this patient population with improved treatment outcomes. We look forward to reporting the results from the Phase 1b study later in 2018."

Dirk Reyn, CEO of eTheRNA, said:"This first patient in our own oncology clinical trial with TriMix-MEL represents an important milestone for eTheRNA and is a significant step from an academic spin-off to an independent biotech company. We are looking forward to generating more clinical data to validate the broader use of our TriMix technology platform. Based on the data we have generated to date, we are excited by the potential of our TriMix-based in-vivo immunotherapies to deliver long-lasting clinical remission, alone or in combination therapy, to a broad range of cancer patients so they can enjoy more years of good quality life."

About eTheRNA

eTheRNA intends to become a leading cancer-focused mRNA immunotherapy company by developing and commercializing rationally designed mRNA immunotherapies that deliver long-lasting clinical remission to a broad range of cancer patients.

eTheRNA's products are based on its unique TriMix platform, a combination of three mRNAs encoding proteins that act highly synergistically to activate dendritic cells (DCs), a type of dedicated immune cell also known as an antigen presenting cells (APC), to promote enhanced T-cell immunity. In combination with mRNA coding for tumor-specific antigens, TriMix products can also promote an antigen-directed cytotoxic T-cell response.

The Company has already generated compelling clinical data from initial TriMix ex-vivo candidates, paving the way for the clinical development of TriMix in-vivo mRNA immunotherapies, which are administered intranodally or intratumorally. The Company has also generated strong pre-clinical data showing the effectiveness of TriMix in-vivo immunotherapies in multiple cancer models.

eTheRNA believes its TriMix platform has the potential to provide cancer patients with better clinical outcomes and is committed to establish its unique technology as the gold standard in the wider area of immune-oncology - both as a monotherapy and in combination with other cancer therapies.

eTheRNA was established in January 2013 and is backed by leading international life sciences investors since March 2016.

www.etherna.be

@eTheRNA_immuno

Contacts

eTheRNA

Dirk Reyn, CEO

Email: dirk.reyn@etherna.be

Tel: +32-3-369-17-40



Media Relations

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

David Dible, Mark Swallow, Marine Perrier

Email: etherna@citigatedr.co.uk

Tel: +44-(0)-20-7638-9571


CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. dollar strengthened against the other major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday. The U.S. dollar rose to near 2-week highs of 1.1122 against the euro, 0.9794 against the Swiss franc and 0.7416 against the Australian dollar, from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.1163, 0.9773 and 0.7438, respectively. Against the pound,the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars, the greenback advanced to 4-day highs of 1.2794, 0.7035 and 1.3477 from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.2839, 0.7054 and 1.3449, respectively. If the greenback extends its uptrend, it is likely to find resistance around 1.08 against the euro, 0.99 against the franc, 0.72 against the aussie, 1.24 against the pound, 0.69 against the kiwi and 1.37 against the loonie. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Japanese yen strengthened against the other major currencies in the Asian session on Tuesday. The yen rose to a 7-week high of 141.82 against the pound, from yesterday's closing value of 142.82. The yen advanced to near 2-week highs of 123.25 against the euro and 113.17 against the Swiss franc, from yesterday's closing quotes of 124.20 and 113.79, respectively. Against the U.S. and the Australian dollars, the yen climbed to near 2-week highs of 110.77 and 82.23 from yesterday's closing quotes of 111.26 and 82.76, respectively. Against the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars, the yen rose to 1-week highs of 77.99 and 82.22 from yesterday's closing quotes of 78.45 and 82.65, respectively. If the yen extends its uptrend, it is likely to find resistance around 138.00 against the pound, 121.00 against the euro, 110.00 against the franc, 108.00 against the greenback, 81.00 against the aussie, 76.00 against the kiwi and 80.00 against the loonie. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
STOCKHOLM, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The EQT Mid Market Europe fund has successfully closed at the hard cap of EUR 1.6 billion

Comprehensive investor demand shows continued support for EQT's industrial approach and platform of investment strategies

Strengthens EQT's leading position in the Northern European markets which hold ample investment opportunities for strong industrial value add in the mid-market segment

EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT Mid Market Europe fund (the "fund") has been successfully closed at the hard cap of EUR 1.6 billion. The fund targets high-quality mid-market companies in Northern Europe with strong market positions and growth potential. The fund demonstrates EQT's capability to combine the firm's global multi-product platform and the "local with locals" approach with offices across the world and the specialist skills of EQT's industrial network.

"We believe Northern Europe is one of the most attractive regions for private equity investments, and EQT has a proven track record and a market-leading footprint. The fund fortifies EQT's position as a mid-market investor and will offer high-quality mid-sized companies the opportunity to develop into stronger and more sustainable businesses", says Jannik Kruse Petersen, Partner and Head of Mid Market Europe at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to the fund.

The fund has already closed four investments: TransIP (largest domain name, hosting and virtual private server provider in the Benelux based in the Netherlands), Utimaco (global provider of cyber security and compliance solutions based in Germany), Adamo (fiber-based service provider based in Spain), and Fertin Pharma (the world's largest independent developer and manufacturer of medicated chewing gum, based in Denmark).

"The successful fundraise reflects investors' trust in EQT's industrial approach and proven track record of value creation for both investors and society. Approximately 80% of the commitments were made by investors in prior EQT funds, confirming the strength of being an integrated alternative investments firm as well as the ability to attract new sources of capital", says Jussi Saarinen, Partner and Head of Investor Relations at EQT Partners.

EQT Mid Market Europe is backed by a notable, blue-chip investor base including pension funds, insurance companies and fund-of-funds, among other institutions, such as AP4, AP6, BNP Paribas Fortis, Danica Pension, Danske Bank Wealth Management, DnB Private Equity, eQ Asset Management, GoldPoint Partners, HarbourVest Partners, Neuberger Berman Private Equity, SEB Asset Management, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois and UBS Asset Management.

The fundraising for the EQT Mid Market Europe fund has now closed. As such, the foregoing should in no way be treated as any form of offer or solicitation to subscribe for or make any commitments for or in respect of any securities or other interests or to engage in any other transaction.

Contacts

Jannik Kruse Petersen,

Partner and Head of Mid Market Europe at EQT Partners,

Investment Advisor to the EQT Mid Market Europe fund,

+45-33-181-249

EQT Press Office,

+46-8-506-55-334,

press@eqtpartners.com

About EQT

EQT is a leading alternative investments firm with approximately EUR 36 billion in raised capital across 23 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 19 billion and approximately 110,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

About the EQT Mid Market Europe fund

EQT Mid Market Europe is a EUR 1.6 billion fund which targets control or co-control investments in high-quality, medium-sized companies in Northern Europe (including the Nordics, DACH and the Benelux) with attractive value creation and growth potential. The fund will seek to make investments in companies with an enterprise value between EUR 100 million and EUR 300 million. The EQT Mid Market Europe investment advisory team consists of 37 professionals across six offices in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Munich, Oslo and Stockholm.

More information www.eqtpartners.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/eqt-ab/r/eqt-closes-eur-1-6-billion-mid-market-europe-fund-at-hard-cap,c2275753

The following files are available for download:
AMSTERDAM (dpa-AFX) - Dutch producer confidence weakened for the first time in six months in May to the lowest level in four months, figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics showed Tuesday. The producer confidence index dropped to 6.1 in May from 8.3 in April, which was the highest score since February 2008. In May, producers in the industry were mainly less positive about their production in the next three months and in their assessment of the order book. They were also less positive about their stocks of finished products. Entrepreneurs in the textile, clothing and leather industry were the most positive, followed by the wood and construction industry. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
SINGAPORE--(Marketwired - May 30, 2017) - Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX VENTURE: ZMS) (FRANKFURT: W1I) (OTC PINK: ZMSPF), a developer of leading-edge photonics technologies for healthcare, industrial and scientific markets, is pleased to announce that a tier 1 positron emission tomography (PET) OEM in China has made a $100,000 order of LFS scintillation crystals for a PET medical scanning configuration. The order was made through the Shanghai EBO Optoelectronics partnership and represents a second Chinese OEM to order LFS scintillation crystals.

"Although this order is relatively small, it represents the broader success that Zecotek is experiencing in the Chinese PET marketplace," said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek Photonics Inc. "Medical device OEMs recognize the performance and cost benefits of our LFS crystals and other photonics technologies. Our partnership with EBO Optoelectronics is paying early dividends as this is the second major PET OEM in China to order our scintillation crystals. We will assist with the integration of our crystals in their scanning devices and expect that this initial order will lead to long term contractual opportunities."

After comparative tests with other many other scintillation materials, the tier 1 PET OEM chose Zecotek's LFS crystals to be configured for a specific design of PET medical scanner. The LFS series of scintillation crystals are uniquely qualified to operate in PET scanners due to their superior timing resolution, excellent photon detection efficiency, and competitive pricing, key characteristics for the new configurations of high resolution PET scanners.

As one of the world's fastest growing markets, China's medical scanning device industry represents a significant opportunity for Zecotek and its strategic partners Shanghai EBO Optoelectronics and Beijing Opto-Electronics Technology Company (BOET). EBO Optoelectronics has been instrumental in Zecotek gaining access to major PET OEMs in China. BOET, a subsidiary of North-China Research Institute of Electronics-Optics, will supply the LFS scintillation crystals. Having two strategic partners in China is a significant advantage for Zecotek's marketing efforts for its patented LFS scintillation crystals, solid-state photo detectors and integrated detector modules.

EBO Optoelectronics is the largest crystal array producer and supplier in China and uses Zecotek's LFS scintillation crystals exclusively for their PET arrays. It has an extensive and impressive international customer list including the top PET OEMs in the world, and serves the second largest medical device market in the world.

BOET is an industry leader in growing, cutting, polishing and large scale production of scintillation crystals grown by the Czochralski method. Zecotek's patented manufacturing process permits the growth of very large-diameter boules with uniform properties and without cracking (a problem with many competing scintillation materials), resulting in high element output and lower unit costs.

Zecotek has created strategic partnerships with the goal of becoming the leading supplier of scintillation crystals and other the key components in China and around the world.

About Shanghai EBO Optoelectronics Co. Ltd.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Shanghai, EBO has more than 120 employees and 4,000 square meters of manufacturing space. Shanghai EBO fabricates and supplies crystal arrays to an extensive customer base which includes: Neusoft Medical Systems, Samsung Medical, Topgrade Healthcare, FMI Medical Systems, IHEP of CAS, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and many domestic and foreign universities and research institutions. EBO has the highest standard processing production line and offers shaped crystal customization and crystal array assembly to end users.

About Zecotek

Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX VENTURE: ZMS) (FRANKFURT: W1I) (OTC PINK: ZMSPF) is a photonics technology company developing high-performance scintillation crystals, photo detectors, positron emission tomography scanning technologies, 3D auto-stereoscopic displays, 3D metal printing, and lasers for applications in medical, high-tech and industrial sectors. Founded in 2004, Zecotek operates three divisions: Imaging Systems, Optronics Systems and 3D Display Systems with labs located in Canada, Korea, Russia, Singapore and U.S.A. The management team is focused on building shareholder value by commercializing over 50 patented and patent pending novel photonic technologies directly and through strategic alliances with Hamamatsu Photonics (Japan), the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Switzerland), Beijing Opto-Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. (China), NuCare Medical Systems (South Korea), the University of Washington (United States), and National NanoFab Center (South Korea). For more information visit www.zecotek.com and follow @zecotek on Twitter.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what may have been stated.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. If you would like to receive news from Zecotek in the future please visit the corporate website at www.zecotek.com.

For Additional Information Please Contact:

Zecotek Photonics Inc.

Michael Minder

T: (604) 783-8291

ir@zecotek.com
Company announcement no.27/2017- 30 May 2017 At Royal Unibrew A/S' Annual General Meeting on 27 April 2017 a resolution was adopted, following a proposal by the Board of Directors, to reduce the Company's share capital by a nominal amount of DKK 2,800,000 from nominally DKK 108,200,000 to DKK 105,400,000 by cancelling 1,400,000 treasury shares of a nominal value of DKK 2 each. The capital reduction has been implemented and registered with the Danish Business Authority yesterday. After the reduction the Company's share capital is nominally DKK 105,400,000 divided into shares of DKK 2. The revised Articles of Association can be found on the Company's website www.royalunibrew.com under Investor, Corporate Governance. After the cancellation of treasury shares, the Company's holding of treasury shares represents 542,590 shares, corresponding to 0.5%. Please direct any queries to the undersigned at tel +45 29 23 00 44. Yours sincerely Royal Unibrew A/S Lars Jensen CFO Attachment: https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=633330

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 30, 2017 / Since 2013, urban submarkets have seen a great upsurge of housing development, with considerable high-rise buildings reshaping skylines and rejuvenating downtowns that used to be missing the contemporary housing options in the past. However, as the cost of living in these areas continues to rise faster than wages and the number of jobs outside of cities increases, many real estate experts, including Western Rim Property Services CEO Marcus Hiles, predict a resurgence of activity in suburban submarkets in 2017. Hiles, as Texas' leading developer of luxury multi-family communities, explains the influencing factors behind the move, and the rise of "new suburbia."

While much will depend on the actions of the incoming presidential administration, authorities have generally agreed that the era of low mortgage rates are over, and as a result, home sales will begin to moderate in the coming year. As individuals seek affordable housing and move farther into the suburbs, The Washington Post reported that, "the percentage of people who drive to work will increase for the first time in a decade." Citing a Jan. 14 Forbes article, Hiles explained that corporations are exiting cities, and young professionals are following the jobs. Outside of Dallas, for example, Toyota and FedEx headquarters are moving to West Plano, State Farm has established a massive presence in Richardson, and large employment sectors already exist in Irving, Plano and North Dallas. The locations in which apartments are being constructed have coincided with this trend. Although Dallas' Uptown and Downtown submarkets experienced an urban revival and an abundance of properties opened, most of the construction - 82 percent - continues to be in areas outside of the city-center.

Marcus Hiles noted that as young professionals seek more space than they can afford in a city, empty nesters look to downsize and reduce upkeep, and millenials search for their first residence, developers have had to adapt to a shifting market, and as a result, the suburbs have become decidedly more urban. Rima Chodha, a former New York City resident who recently moved to a townhome in nearby Huntington Station, explained to the New York Times, "What makes us happy is a small, functional, modern space along with a community and amenities that provide the quality of life we've become accustomed to while living in the city." Rental properties are now commonly seen near town centers, within walking distance of restaurants, bars, theatres, shops, schools, parks and train stations. These modern multifamily communities allow for residents to retain a semblance of a city lifestyle, with the added conveniences of landscaping and maintenance services, walking trails, dog parks, gyms, pools, and spas.

Marcus Hiles is a Texas real estate investor, developer and philanthropist who founded Western Rim Property Services in 1988 with a unique vision of luxury living. Nearly three decades later, his company owns and manages over 15,000 upmarket residential rental properties. An active member of his community, Hiles supports local, national and global initiatives for education, women and children.

Marcus Hiles - Chairman & CEO of Western Rim Property Services: http://www.MarcusHiles-News.com

Marcus Hiles Dallas News Frequenter and Western Rim Improve the Lives of Texas Residents: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/marcus-hiles-dallas-news-frequenter-030100776.html

Marcus Hiles (@marcus.hiles) - Instagram photos and videos: https://www.instagram.com/marcus.hiles/

Contact Information

MarcusHiles-News.com

www.MarcusHiles-News.com

marcus@marcushiles-news.com

SOURCE: Marcus Hiles
PART I STATEMENT OF STANDALONE AUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2017 (' in crore) Sr.

No. Particulars Quarter ended Year ended 31.03.2017 31.12.2016 31.03.2016 31.03.2017 31.03.2016 Audited Unaudited Audited Audited Audited 1 Income from operations Revenue from operations 1284.49 1160.12 1205.29 4761.43 4224.84 Other income 35.02 58.50 71.03 200.41 226.33 Total Income 1319.51 1218.62 1276.32 4961.84 4451.17 2 Expenses (a) Cost of materials consumed 877.34 747.58 762.14 3144.71 2767.09 (b) Purchases of stock-in-trade 107.44 26.91 44.70 225.12 118.29 (c) Changes in inventories of finished goods,

work-in-progress and stock-in-trade (109.65) (0.22) (15.45) (168.12) (63.59) (d) Employee benefits expense 85.67 88.08 94.43 358.32 362.69 (e) Finance Costs 55.82 47.09 19.10 163.83 39.77 (f) Depreciation and amortisation expense 21.73 23.53 21.37 91.74 98.63 (g) Other expenses 242.33 213.98 241.11 889.41 815.39 Total Expenses 1280.68 1146.95 1167.40 4705.01 4138.27 3 Profit before exceptional items and tax 38.83 71.67 108.92 256.83 312.90 4 Exceptional items (net) (57.88) (35.94) (1426.01) (99.80) (1451.71) 5 Profit / (loss) before tax (19.05) 35.73 (1317.09) 157.03 (1138.81) 6 Tax Expenses (10.09) (10.31) 5.81 (0.70) 45.30 7 Profit / (loss) from continuing operations after tax (8.96) 46.04 (1322.90) 157.73 (1184.11) 8 Profit / (loss) from discontinued operations before tax (3.21) (29.87) (1.22) (33.27) 146.70 9 Tax expense on discontinued operations - - - - 61.31 10 Profit / (loss) from discontinued operations after tax (3.21) (29.87) (1.22) (33.27) 85.39 11 Profit / (loss) for the period / year (12.17) 16.17 (1324.12) 124.46 (1098.72) 12 Other comprehensive income: (i) Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss 4.32 (50.98) (35.26) (54.95) (47.88) (ii) Income tax relating to items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss (0.93) 0.89 2.38 1.73 6.75 13 Total comprehensive income after tax (8.78) (33.92) (1357.00) 71.24 (1139.85) 14 Paid-up equity share capital 125.35 125.35 125.35 125.35 125.35 (Face value of equity share of ' 2 each) 15 Reserves excluding Revaluation Reserve as per balance sheet 4073.94 4002.70 16 Earnings Per Share (for continuing operations) (of - 2 each) (a) Basic (0.14) 0.74 (21.11) 2.52 (18.89) (b) Diluted (0.14) 0.74 (21.11) 2.52 (18.89) Earnings Per Share (for discontinued operations) (of ' 2 each) (a) Basic (0.05) (0.48) (0.02) (0.53) 1.36 (b) Diluted (0.05) (0.48) (0.02) (0.53) 1.36 Earnings Per Share (for continuing operations and discontinued operations) (of ' 2 each) (a) Basic (0.19) 0.26 (21.13) 1.99 (17.53) (b) Diluted (0.19) 0.26 (21.13) 1.99 (17.53)

STANDALONE SEGMENT-WISE REVENUE, RESULTS, ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2017 (' in crore) Sr.

No. Particulars Quarter ended Year ended 31.03.2017 31.12.2016 31.03.2016 31.03.2017 31.03.2016 Audited Unaudited Audited Audited Audited 1. Segment Revenue: (a) Power Systems 704.16 636.30 708.80 2684.05 2424.68 (b) Industrial Systems 580.66 523.85 496.75 2078.00 1800.54 Total 1284.82 1160.15 1205.55 4762.05 4225.22 Less: Inter-Segment Revenue 0.33 0.03 0.26 0.62 0.38 Total income from operations 1284.49 1160.12 1205.29 4761.43 4224.84 2. Segment Results: [Profit / (loss) before tax and finance costs from each segment] (a) Power Systems 54.38 64.11 49.49 208.00 116.98 (b) Industrial Systems 36.89 54.26 55.73 190.04 174.28 Total 91.27 118.37 105.22 398.04 291.26 Less: (i) Finance costs 55.82 47.09 19.10 163.83 39.77 (ii) Other un-allocable expenditure net of un-allocable income (3.38) (0.39) (22.80) (22.62) (61.41) Add: (i) Exceptional items (net) (57.88) (35.94) (1426.01) (99.80) (1451.71) Profit / (loss) from ordinary activities

before tax (19.05) 35.73 (1317.09) 157.03 (1138.81) 3. Segment Assets: (a) Power Systems 2265.25 2148.13 2192.02 2265.25 2192.02 (b) Industrial Systems 965.13 886.28 823.02 965.13 823.02 (c) Unallocable 4000.12 4340.76 3289.85 4000.12 3289.85 (d) Discontinued Operations 160.63 248.97 320.32 160.63 320.32 Total segment assets 7391.13 7624.14 6625.21 7391.13 6625.21 4. Segment Liabilities: (a) Power Systems 949.08 926.54 1047.91 949.08 1047.91 (b) Industrial Systems 405.64 395.71 328.83 405.64 328.83 (c) Unallocable 287.70 401.33 213.41 287.70 213.41 (d) Discontinued Operations 0.98 12.20 80.59 0.98 80.59 Total segment liabilities 1643.40 1735.78 1670.74 1643.40 1670.74

STANDALONE STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (' in crore) Particulars As at 31.03.2017 As at 31.03.2016 Audited Audited A ASSETS 1 Non-current Assets: (a) Property, plant and equipment 1232.78 1296.04 (b) Capital work-in-progress 8.23 2.00 (c) Investment property - - (d) Other intangible assets 46.23 50.53 (e) Intangible assets under development 28.01 37.95 (f) Financials assets (i) Investments 440.65 481.69 (ii) Loans 6.64 9.44 (iii) Others 46.89 44.57 (g) Other non-current assets 3.18 0.64 Sub-total Non-current Assets 1812.61 1922.86 2 Current Assets: (a) Inventories 750.76 407.17 (b) Financials assets (i) Investments 5.22 0.95 (ii) Trade receivables 1480.37 1642.99 (iii) Cash and cash equivalents 554.48 510.41 (iv) Bank balances other than (iii) above 1.27 1.62 (v) Loans 1466.97 1051.05 (vi) Others 204.27 287.42 (c) Current tax assets (net) 51.86 26.46 (d) Other current assets 902.69 522.68 Sub-total Current Assets 5417.89 4450.75 3 Assets classified as held for sale and

discontinued operations 160.63 251.60 TOTAL - ASSETS 7391.13 6625.21 B EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity (a) Equity Share capital 125.35 125.35 (b) Other equity 4073.94 4002.70 Sub-total Equity 4199.29 4128.05 Liabilities 1 Non-current Liabilities: (a) Financials liabilities (i) Borrowings 503.60 4.15 (ii) Other financial liabilities 1.10 1.21 (b) Provisions 59.77 52.70 (c) Deferred tax liabilities (net) 214.75 240.25 Sub-total Non-current Liabilities 779.22 298.31 2 Current Liabilities: (a) Financials liabilities (i) Borrowings 710.23 578.18 (ii) Trade payables 1091.33 1047.40 (iii) Other financial liabilities 255.36 148.40 (b) Other current liabilities 285.97 319.15 (c) Provisions 68.75 75.62 Sub-total Current Liabilities 2411.64 2168.75 3 Liabilities associated with group of assets classified as held for sale and discontinued operations 0.98 30.10 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 7391.13 6625.21

Notes on standalone financial results:

1. The above audited standalone financial results have been reviewed by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Directors at the meeting held on 26th May, 2017.

2. Exceptional items include the following:

(' crore) Particulars Quarter ended Year ended 31.03.2017 31.12.2016 31.03.2016 31.03.2017 31.03.2016 Amount paid towards Sales tax Amnesty scheme (5.73) (3.39) - (9.12) - Amount paid towards final settlement of Litigation claims (20.00) - - (20.00) - Unrealised exchange gain / (loss) on loans and advances (32.15) (32.55) (11.07) (70.68) 57.02 Profit on sale of portion of land at Kanjurmarg, Mumbai - - - - 246.30 Liquidation of investment in subsidiary company - Crompton Greaves Holdings Mauritius Limited - - - - 31.63 Profit on sale of investment in joint venture - CG Lucy Switchgear Limited - - - - 39.51 Provision made against loan given to subsidiaries net of exchange gain - - (862.90) - (1272.90) Provision made against investment in subsidiaries - - (545.86) - (545.86) Compensation to employees pursuant to voluntary retirement scheme - - - - (1.23) One-time payment to former CEO & Managing Director - - (6.18) - (6.18) Total (57.88) (35.94) (1426.01) (99.80) (1451.71)

3. Other comprehensive income is in respect of fair valuation of other investment and employee benefits.

4. Discontinued businesses:

a. In respect of discontinued Distribution Franchise business (Jalgaon), the Company and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) have raised demand on each other and the matter is under dispute. The Company and MSEDCL are in the process of constituting a Permanent Dispute Resolution Body (PDRB) to arrive at a solution in near future. The Company does not expect any adverse impact with respect to above.

b. The Company has concluded the sale transaction of its B2B Automation business, which was transferred under slump sale transaction agreement to ZIV automation India Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary) to Alfanar on 6th March, 2017. Consequently, the company has recorded the loss of ' 7.15 crore which is disclosed under the Discontinued Operation.

c. Details of the discontinued businesses as on 31st March, 2017 included therein are given below in terms of the requirement of Indian Accounting Standard (Ind AS) 105:

' crore Particulars Quarter Year ended 31.03.2017 31.12.2016 31.03.2016 31.03.2017 31.03.2016 Gross Sales / Income from Operations - 17.12 34.61 51.01 2071.13 Profit / (Loss) before Tax (3.21) (29.87) (1.22) (33.27) 146.70 Net Profit / (Loss) after Tax (3.21) (29.87) (1.22) (33.27) 85.39

5. The Company has changed its name from Crompton Greaves Limited to CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited with effect from 27th February, 2017.

6. Figures of the previous quarters / year have been regrouped, wherever necessary to correspond with the current quarter / year. Hence, the corresponding component figures are comparable with all respective quarters / year financial results.

For CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited

Place: New Delhi K.N. Neelkant Date: 26th May, 2017 CEO & Managing Director

DIN: 05122610

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED AUDITED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2017 (' in crore) Sr.

No. Particulars Quarter ended Year ended 31.03.2017 31.12.2016 31.03.2016 31.03.2017 31.03.2016 Audited Unaudited Audited Audited Audited 1 Income from operations Revenue from operations 1710.06 1428.05 1850.67 6119.75 5594.95 Other income 23.24 6.16 33.52 68.70 111.49 Total income 1733.30 1434.21 1884.19 6188.45 5706.44 2 Expenses (a) Cost of materials consumed 1091.44 911.69 1177.46 3945.88 3476.67 (b) Purchases of stock-in-trade 118.72 26.90 40.66 236.41 118.16 (c) Changes in inventories of finished goods, work-in-progress and stock-in-trade (61.43) (28.06) 54.50 168.17) 16.78 (d) Employee benefits expense 125.78 131.65 147.86 537.10 559.01 (e) Finance costs 62.48 51.08 28.96 188.03 79.97 (f) Depreciation and amortisation expense 43.77 34.10 45.13 149.99 171.65 (g) Other expenses 317.41 262.70 275.34 1098.32 994.13 Total expenses 1698.17 1390.06 1769.91 5987.56 5416.37 3 Profit before share of profit / (loss) in associates and joint venture, exceptional items and tax 35.13 44.15 114.28 200.89 290.07 4 Share of profit / (loss) in associates and joint venture (0.63) (0.34) (0.40) (1.57) 1.20 5 Exceptional items (net) (69.34) (3.39) 39.74 (72.73) (111.26) 6 Profit/ (loss) before tax (34.84) 40.42 153.62 126.59 180.01 7 Tax expense (3.09) (8.01) 8.26 16.60 66.73 8 Net profit / (loss) from continuing operations after tax (31.75) 48.43 145.36 109.99 113.28 9 Loss from discontinued operations before tax (417.31) (74.23) (195.48) (611.47) (491.50) 10 Tax expense/ (credits) on discontinued operations (5.06) (0.69) 42.78 (10.85) 82.40 11 Loss from discontinued operations after tax (412.25) (73.54) (238.26) (600.62) (573.90) 12 Net loss for the period / year (444.00) (25.11) (92.90) (490.63) (460.62) 13 Other comprehensive income: (a) (i) Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss 1.50 (50.98) (33.21) (57.77) (45.83) (ii) Income tax relating to items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss (0.22) 0.89 2.38 2.44 6.75 (b) (i) Items that will be reclassified to profit or loss (26.48) (53.37) 21.87 58.86 136.56 14 Total comprehensive income after tax (469.20) (128.57) (101.86) (487.10) (363.14) 15 Total comprehensive income attributable to: (a) Equity holders of the parent (469.21) (128.62) (102.43) (487.33) (361.81) (b) Non-controlling interests (0.01) (0.05) (0.57) (0.23) 1.33 16 Paid-up equity share capital 125.35 125.35 125.35 125.35 125.35 (Face value of equity share of ' 2 each) 17 Reserves excluding Revaluation Reserve as per the balance sheet 3985.74 4471.81 18 Earnings Per Equity Share (for continuing operation) (of ' 2 each) (a) Basic (0.50) 0.77 2.31 1.75 1.83 (b) Diluted (0.50) 0.77 2.31 1.75 1.83 Earnings Per Equity Share (for discontinued operations) (of ' 2 each) (a) Basic (6.58) (1.17) (3.80) (9.58) (9.16) (b) Diluted (6.58) (1.17) (3.80) (9.58) (9.16) Earnings Per Equity Share (for continuing and discontinued operations) (of ' 2 each) (a) Basic (7.08) (0.40) (1.49) (7.83) (7.33) (b) Diluted (7.08) (0.40) (1.49) (7.83) (7.33)

CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT-WISE REVENUE, RESULTS, ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2017 (' in crore) Sr.

No. Particulars Quarter ended Year ended 31.03.2017 31.12.2016 31.03.2016 31.03.2017 31.03.2016 Audited Unaudited Audited Audited Audited 1. Segment Revenue: (a) Power Systems 1057.84 846.19 1270.27 3739.40 3474.22 (b) Industrial Systems 646.21 578.73 578.99 2360.61 2118.80 (c) Others 6.34 3.16 1.84 20.36 13.60 Total 1710.39 1428.08 1851.10 6120.37 5606.62 Less: Inter-Segment Revenue 0.33 0.03 0.43 0.62 11.67 Total income from operations 1710.06 1428.05 1850.67 6119.75 5594.95 2. Segment Results: [Profit / (loss) before tax and finance costs from each segment] (a) Power Systems 90.78 109.68 121.38 384.36 328.63 (b) Industrial Systems 28.84 43.04 43.31 156.49 138.87 (c) Others (0.30) 0.48 2.33 0.08 (1.00) Total 119.32 153.20 167.02 540.93 466.50 Less: (i) Finance costs 62.48 51.08 28.96 188.03 79.97 (ii) Other un-allocable expenditure net of un-allocable income 21.71 57.97 23.78 152.01 96.46 Add: (i) Share of profit / (loss) in associates and

joint venture (0.63) (0.34) (0.40) (1.57) 1.20 (ii) Exceptional items (net) (69.34) (3.39) 39.74 (72.73) (111.26) Profit/ (loss) from ordinary activities before tax (34.84) 40.42 153.62 126.59 180.01 3. Segment Assets: (a) Power Systems 3321.21 3232.47 3218.17 3321.21 3218.17 (b) Industrial Systems 1437.71 1390.86 1385.33 1437.71 1385.33 (c) Others 34.11 32.50 33.03 34.11 33.03 (d) Unallocable 2244.61 2598.11 1928.38 2244.61 1928.38 (e) Discontinued Operations 3017.08 4057.58 4276.85 3017.08 4276.85 Total segment assets 10054.72 11311.52 10841.76 10054.72 10841.76 4. Segment Liabilities: (a) Power Systems 1514.64 1447.62 1475.01 1514.64 1475.01 (b) Industrial Systems 482.27 480.54 408.78 482.27 408.78 (c) Others 6.84 8.23 6.01 6.84 6.01 (d) Unallocable 209.72 255.66 119.78 209.72 119.78 (e) Discontinued Operations 1151.53 1444.84 1725.72 1151.53 1725.72 Total segment liabilities 3365.00 3636.89 3735.30 3365.00 3735.30

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (' in crore) Particulars As at 31.03.2017 As at 31.03.2016 Audited Audited A ASSETS 1 Non-current Assets: (a) Property, plant and equipment 1376.29 1500.74 (b) Capital work-in-progress 28.18 14.23 (c) Investment property - - (d) Goodwill 143.54 468.41 (e) Other intangible assets 184.79 618.51 (f) Intangible assets under development 33.30 75.47 (g) Financial assets (i) Investments 203.92 230.32 (ii) Loans 6.65 9.44 (h) Deferred tax assets 26.62 89.87 (i) Other non-current assets 3.21 0.97 Sub-total Non-current assets 2006.50 3007.96 2 Current Assets: (a) Inventories 882.10 585.01 (b) Financial assets (i) Investments 5.22 0.95 (ii) Trade receivables 1877.15 2077.01 (iii) Cash and cash equivalents 724.49 792.41 (iv) Bank balances other than (iii) above 36.22 4.48 (v) Loans 76.25 31.95 (vi) Others 173.28 238.37 (c) Current tax assets (net) 70.57 38.31 (d) Other current assets 1212.48 571.09 Sub-total Current assets 5057.76 4339.58 3 Assets classified as held for sale and discontinued operations 3123.84 3690.88 TOTAL - ASSETS 10188.10 11038.42 B EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity (a) Equity Share capital 125.35 125.35 (b) Other equity 3985.74 4471.81 Sub-total Equity 4111.09 4597.16 1 Non-current Liabilities: (a) Financial liabilities (i) Borrowings 503.80 599.02 (ii) Other financial liabilities 1.14 1.25 (b) Provisions 71.21 52.77 (c) Deferred tax liabilities 262.30 342.71 (d) Other non-current liabilities 0.94 6.34 Sub-total Non-current liabilities 839.39 1002.09 2 Current Liabilities: (a) Financial liabilities (i) Borrowings 710.67 692.21 (ii) Trade payables 1383.14 1302.65 (iii) Other financial liabilities 404.28 365.93 (b) Other current liabilities 556.24 420.14 (c) Provisions 84.08 80.43 Sub-total Current liabilities 3138.41 2861.36 3 Liabilities associated with group of assets classified as held for sale and discontinued operations 2099.21 2577.81 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 10188.10 11038.42

Notes on consolidated financial results:

1. The above audited consolidated financial results have been reviewed by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Directors at the meeting held on 26th May, 2017.

2. Exceptional items include the following:

(' crore) Particulars Quarter ended Year ended 31.03.2017 31.12.2016 31.03.2016 31.03.2017 31.03.2016 Amount paid towards Sales tax Amnesty scheme (5.73) (3.39) - (9.12) - Amount paid towards final settlement of Litigation claims (20.00) - - (20.00) - Profit on sale of portion of land at Kanjurmarg, Mumbai - - - - 246.30 Profit on sale of investment in joint venture - CG Lucy Switchgear Limited - - - - 13.93 Provision made against loan given to subsidiaries net of exchange gain - - 86.23 - (323.77) Compensation to employees pursuant to voluntary retirement scheme - - - - (1.23) One-time payment to former CEO & Managing Director - - (6.18) - (6.18) Impairment of Goodwill (43.61) - (40.31) (43.61) (40.31) Total (69.34) (3.39) 39.74 (72.73) (111.26)

3. Other comprehensive income is in respect of fair valuation of exposure in foreign subsidiaries, other investment and employee benefits.

4. Discontinuing businesses:

a. In respect of discontinued Distribution Franchise business (Jalgaon), the Company and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) have raised demand on each other and the matter is under dispute. The Company and MSEDCL are in the process of constituting a Permanent Dispute Resolution Body (PDRB) to arrive at a solution in near future. The Company does not expect any adverse impact with respect to above.

b. The Company has concluded the sale transaction of its B2B Automation business, comprising of ZIV Aplicaciones y Technologia, S. L, (Spain), its subsidiaries alongwith the related Automation business in United Kingdom, Ireland, France and India to Alfanar on 6th March, 2017. Consequently, the company has recorded the loss of ' 239.78 crore which is disclosed under the Discontinued Operation.

c. The Company in its Board meeting held on 10th February, 2017

I. Has decided to divest its two Indian subsidiaries namely Crompton Greaves Consumer Products Limited (CGCPL) and CG Power Solutions Limited (CGPSOL) and it's in the process of identifying prospective buyer. Accordingly, these have been classified as discontinuing business.

II. Has decided to classify PT. CG Power systems Indonesia as continuing operation considering the potential growth opportunities of the business.

However, overseas power T&D business of the Company at Hungary, Ireland, France, US and Belgium will continue to be reflected as discontinuing operations.

d. Details of the discontinued businesses as on 31st March, 2017 included therein are given below in terms of the requirement of Indian Accounting Standard (Ind AS) 105:

' crore Particulars Quarter Year ended 31.03.2017 31.12.2016 31.03.2016 31.03.2017 31.03.2016 Gross Sales / Income from Operations 704.00 827.65 1083.15 3298.43 6130.77 Loss before Tax (417.31) (74.23) (195.48) (611.47) (491.50) Net Loss after Tax (412.25) (73.54) (238.26) (600.62) (573.90)

5. The Company has changed its name from Crompton Greaves Limited to CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited with effect from 27th February, 2017.

6. Figures of the previous quarters / year have been regrouped, wherever necessary to correspond with the current quarter / year. Hence, the corresponding component figures are comparable with all respective quarters / year financial results.

For CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited
PUNE, India, June 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a new market research report " Prosthetic Heart Valve/ Artificial Heart Valve Market by Type (Transcatheter Heart Valve, Tissue Heart Valve, and Mechanical Heart Valve), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW) - Global Forecast to 2022 " published by MarketsandMarkets', the Prosthetic Heart Valves Market is projected to reach USD 8.86 Billion by 2022 from USD 4.84 Billion in 2017, at a CAGR of 12.9% during the forecast period.

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Browse 64 market data tables and 35 figures spread through 156 pages and in-depth TOC on "Prosthetic Heart Valve/ Artificial Heart Valve Market"

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The key factors driving the growth of this market include the rising geriatric population and the subsequent growth in the prevalence of HVD, regulatory approvals for new and advanced prosthetic heart valves, increasing government funding for heart valve research, rising awareness about HVD, and favorable reimbursement scenario for prosthetic heart valves.

Medtronic plc (Ireland), Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (U.S.), Boston Scientific Corporation (U.S.), St. Jude Medical, Inc. (an Abbott Laboratories Company) (U.S.), LivaNova PLC (U.K.), Symetis SA (Switzerland), Jenavalve Technology, Inc. (Germany), CryoLife, Inc. (U.S.), TTK Healthcare Limited (India), Colibri Heart Valve, LLC (U.S.), Lepu Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (China), and Braile Biomedica (Brazil) are the prominent players in the global Prosthetic Heart Valves Market.

Speak To Analyst: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=245407958

The Transcatheter Heart Valves Segment Is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Prosthetic Heart Valves Market in 2017

Based on the type of valve, the Prosthetic Heart Valves Market is segmented into transcatheter heart valves, tissue heart valves, and mechanical heart valves. The transcatheter heart valves segment is expected to command the largest market share in 2017. The large share of this segment can be attributed to factors such as the rising prevalence of aortic stenosis, increasing pool of patients owing to approvals for extended valve indications, and technological advancements. The preference for transcatheter heart valves is expected to see high growth in the future as they are implanted through a minimally invasive procedure while the other valve types require open-heart surgery.

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North America to Command the Largest Market Share in 2017

Based on region, the Prosthetic Heart Valves Market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. In 2017, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the global market. Factors such as the rapid growth in the aging population and prevalence of valvular heart diseases, favorable reimbursement scenario, and rising product approvals for heart valves are contributing to the growth of the North American Prosthetic Heart Valves Market are driving the growth of the North American Prosthetic Heart Valves Market.

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LONDON, May 30,2017 /PRNewswire/ --Chubb today announced the appointment of Kyle Bryant to the newly-created role of Regional Cyber Risk Manager, Europe.

In his new role, Kyle will bring together Chubb's dedicated local cyber risk expertise across its European region into a single practice. This will ensure a consistent proposition for Chubb's local broker partners and clients while delivering enhanced insight and support to them from across the wider region.

Kyle's role represents an expansion of his previous position as Cyber Risk Manager for Continental Europe. It will additionally include management responsibility for the company's cyber risk proposition in the UK and Ireland as well as its London-based wholesale division, Chubb Global Markets.

Chubb's European cyber team currently includes full-time local cyber risk underwriters in nine key markets: the UK and Ireland, the London market, Benelux, France, Germany & Austria, Iberia, Italy, the Nordics and Switzerland. These are supported by specialist underwriters in Poland and the Czech Republic and three dedicated cyber risk engineers covering the UK and Continental Europe.

With 11 years of insurance industry experience, Kyle has held various posts within the field of technology and professional liability insurance. He joined the company eight years ago in New York. Prior to moving to Europe, he held the position of Regional Manager for technology and professional liability for the US Mid-Atlantic region at ACE, which acquired Chubb in January 2016. Since 2015, Kyle has been responsible for the strategy, development and performance of Chubb's growing cyber risk portfolio in Continental Europe.

Kyle will be based in London with a dual reporting line to Grant Cairns, Head of Financial Lines, UK and Ireland and Adrian Matthews, Chief Operating Officer, Continental Europe. His appointment is effective immediately.

Andrew Kendrick, Regional President, Europe at Chubb said:

"Cyber risk is rising high on many board agendas. This month's WannaCry attack has acted as a further wake-up call while implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation across Europe will further raise the stakes for companies and their management teams.

"Bringing together all of our resources into one practice with such an established leader as Kyle at the helm, gives Chubb a powerful proposition. Our aim continues to be to combine the most effective underwriting with best-in-class enterprise risk management expertise to give our clients the comprehensive and holistic protection they need in this evolving risk area."

About Chubb

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: chubb.com/uk

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NEWPORT BEACH, CA--(Marketwired - May 30, 2017) - Vemanti Group, Inc. (OTC PINK: VMNT), "Company," a diversified holding company, today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to acquire majority interest of Two Group, JSC, "TGJ," an internet technology conglomerate based in HCMC, Vietnam, as a first step of making strategic investments into Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

The transaction, once ratified and finalized, will provide the Company with an established framework to capitalize on the fast growing internet economy of Vietnam, especially in e-commerce and online advertising. The plan is for the existing management team of TGJ to continue to run the business in their current capacities. The existing investors of TGJ will continue to hold a material interest in the company moving forward and will participate in future growth equity investments.

Established in 2013, TGJ (www.two.vn) is the parent company of 4 wholly-owned subsidiaries, all operational and revenue-generating, across strategic information technology markets in Vietnam. Its current portfolio is principally focused in internet-based industries, including e-commerce, local search, social media, and streaming media.

Brief descriptions of the 4 entities:

Kay.vn (www.kay.vn) - A complete e-commerce solution that enables any merchants to set up an online store to sell their goods with built-in logistics, CRM, POS, inventory, sales and marketing functions. Its friendly subscription- and fee-based modules allow sellers to organize their products, customize their storefront, accept payments, track and respond to orders -- all within days and with a few clicks of the mouse.

Diadiem.com (www.diadiem.com) - A B2B data mapping provider to Google Maps, Navteq, Apple Maps, and other businesses that utilize location-based search results for on-demand logistics management such as ride-hailing. It also offers consumer local search services such as quickest routes, real estate listings, nearby restaurants, hotels, shops, etc. With detailed location information of close to 2 million businesses across Vietnam, the company generates revenue primarily by delivering relevant ranked-search results and online advertising, allowing businesses to share more information and provide special offers.

Yume.vn (www.yume.vn) - A social network of over 3 million accounts that allows users to visually share and discover new interests by posting (commonly known as 'pinning') images or videos to their own or others' boards (i.e. a collection of pictures and articles usually with a common theme) and browsing what other users have posted. Branded and one-off sponsored posts placed in the streamed are paid for advertisers.

16Plus.vn (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0c0HV0negGSvz7mV6fH6ng) - A YouTube channel that leverages high-profile bloggers and social media influencers to create short movies to build brand and product awareness among the young adults. Its in-house produced movies have generated over 50 million views. This is an integral marketing component of the overall e-commerce business strategy.

The combined entities are part of TGJ's synergistic long-term growth strategy targeting the booming internet economy of Vietnam and Southeast Asia. The Company will start a due diligence period of the next 90 days where it will ascertain the value of the aforementioned entities before entering a Letter of Intent (LOI) with closing terms and conditions.

"I am delighted to welcome Vemanti into Two Group," explains Thang Duc Tran, Chairman and CEO for TGJ. "Over the past months we have come to greatly appreciate the savvy approach to partnership and tone of Vemanti. They are the right partner for the existing Two Group management team to be working with for the next phase of our evolution. We have felt for some time that the opportunity within our markets and our sector broadly has far more potential than we have been able to practically execute ourselves. With this new partnership, we will now have the management and financial capacity we want and need."

According to the report titled "Analysis of Southeast Asian eCommerce Market" published in August, 2016 by Frost & Sullivan, Southeast Asia is poised to become one of the world's fastest-growing regions for e-commerce revenues, exceeding US$25 billion by 2020 with Vietnam being one of the key markets.

Tan Tran, CEO of Vemanti, commented, "From the start, we've always strived to do more, and to grow in important and meaningful ways. In the technology industry, where revolutionary ideas drive the next big growth areas, you need to be strategic to stay relevant. We're pleased at the prospect of becoming a key investor of Two Group. It's an exciting time to be part of Southeast Asia's internet economy, especially in e-commerce, online travel and advertising. And with Southeast Asia fast becoming the fourth-largest market after the EU, US, and China, we expect to continue to make 'bets' in this major economic region and a driver of global growth."

About Vemanti Group, Inc.

Vemanti Group, Inc. (OTC PINK: VMNT) is a diversified holding corporation that's looking to be active in high-growth and technology-driven emerging markets. The Company plans to grow by adding value-added and fundamentally-sound businesses to its portfolio.

About Two Group, JSC.

Two Group, JSC is a multi-asset technology conglomerate based in HCMC, Vietnam. Its current portfolio encompasses several internet-based industries, including e-commerce, local search, social media, and streaming media.

Legal Disclaimer

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and section 21e of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Those statements include the intent, belief or current expectations of the company and its management team. Forward-looking statements are projections of events, revenues, income, future economics, research, development, reformulation, product performance or management's plans and objectives for future operations. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Accomplishing the strategy described herein is significantly dependent upon numerous factors, many that are not in management's control.

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Investor Relations

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Donald Trump paid tribute to the United States' fallen soldiers and their families on Memorial Day. Addressing an audience that included relatives of service members during ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, the President said, 'they died in war so we could live in peace.' It was his first public remarks since returning from a five-nation Middle East Europe tour. The president spoke of the sacrifice of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly's family whose son Robert was killed in Afghanistan in 2010. Trump also paid tribute to World War II veteran and former Senator Bob Dole, Christopher D. Horton, an Oklahoma National Guard sniper, and Army Maj. Andrew D. Byers, both of whom were killed in action in Afghanistan. Horton's widow, Jane, and Byers' parents, Rose and David, were at the ceremony. The president promised that America's gratitude to them is boundless and undying. In an apparent reference to the fight with the Islamic State, he said, 'Today a new generation of American patriots are fighting to win the battle against terrorism.' Vice President Mike Pence accompanied Trump at the memorial ceremony, where Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford also spoke. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Tripping.com, the world's largest search engine for vacation homes and short-term rentals, today announced the "Summer of Tripping" getaway series. Each week from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Tripping.com will give away a free stay at a vacation rental. With 10 million properties to choose from, lucky vacationers will have access to beautiful homes in the mountains, near scenic lakes, on ocean beaches, and everywhere in between.

Studies show that over the past decade and a half, there has been a steady decline in the amount of vacation time used by Americans. Studies showed that in 2016, 54% of workers didn't use all of their vacation days, and a shocking 34% used none of their time off. This is problematic for both individuals and the economy, as vacations have proven to lead to less stress, better health and happiness, and increased productivity and creativity in the workplace.

This summer, Tripping.com is actively encouraging Americans to take a vacation. The "Summer of Tripping" is an online giveaway in which Tripping will give away a vacation rental credit of $1,500 to one lucky winner each week from May 29 - September 3. With over 10 million properties worldwide, winners can choose to load up the car for a weekend getaway, revisit their childhood vacation spot, or fly to an exotic destination. Wherever the winners choose to travel, Tripping.com will provide a place to stay so they can enjoy their time off.

"The best vacations are sometimes the most simple -- driving up to the lake or heading into the mountains. A vacation doesn't have to be exotic or international to be fun and relaxing. It's all about enjoying the moment, escaping the everyday, and spending time with the people you care most about," said Jen O'Neal, CEO and founder of Tripping.com. "I encourage everyone to get away this summer, and I hope that the 'Summer of Tripping' campaign encourages more people to take a vacation."

Tripping.com makes searching for and booking vacation rentals easy and stress free. Pulling from the largest selection of available properties, the process is simple: enter your preferred destination and dates, and Tripping.com gives you immediate access to all available properties from our partners. Price comparison is also offered for properties listed on multiple sites, giving access to the most properties at the best prices.

To enter the giveaway each week, go to SummerofTripping.com to access the entry form and Official Rules. Each week the giveaway begins again, so be sure to visit every week and enter again for your chance to win. For more chances to win, search for properties on Tripping.com or encourage friends to sign up using your referral link; for details on how to gain additional entries, please see the Official Rules.

About Tripping.com

Headquartered in San Francisco, Tripping.com is the world's largest site for vacation homes and short-term rentals. With over 10 million property listings in 150,000 destinations worldwide, Tripping.com makes it easy to compare vacation rentals from the world's top travel sites including HomeAway, VRBO, TripAdvisor, Booking.com and more. To find an amazing vacation rental for your next trip, visit www.tripping.com.

Citations:

"The State of American Vacation 2017." Project Time Off.

http://www.projecttimeoff.com/state-american-vacation-2017

"Travel Habits of Americans: 34% of Americans Didn't Take a Break in 2016." The Skift.

https://skift.com/2017/01/30/travel-habits-of-americans-34-of-americans-didnt-take-a-break-in-2016/

Media contact:

Caroline Brayson

Email Contact




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Newstrike Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: NR) - which as of June 1st, 2017 will trade under the symbol "HIP" on the TSX-V - ("Newstrike" or the "Company") announced today a partnership with one of Canada's most iconic group of artists, the members of the band, The Tragically Hip.

The band members, through controlled companies, are significant investors in Newstrike and active stakeholders in the evolution of the company.

The future is looking up....

Statement from The Tragically Hip:

"Hello Friends,

We are happy to announce that we have become partners with one of Canada's newest, soon to be public, licensed producers of medicinal marijuana. The company is called Newstrike and, after much discussion and assessment on our part, we've decided that this company- and the many creative people in it- are a perfect fit for The Hip.

Medicinal cannabis is legal in Canada, and it already greatly benefits the health and well being of many of our fellow Canadians.

There is a commitment from the Federal Government to legalize recreational use in just over a year, and with good reason. The harm wrought by the prohibition of marijuana has been thoroughly researched and documented.

This is a common-sense-policy and, in our opinion, is a change for the best.

Newstrike has done its due diligence with respect to all aspects of this business. They've hired pre-eminent scientists and growers, developed large, well-structured sites and have the wherewithal and expertise to take this on.

We are excited about our involvement with Newstrike and are looking forward to the prospect of contributing creatively to their efforts.

More to come,

G + G + J + R + P"

www.thehip.com

Statement from Newstrike:

"The members of The Tragically Hip are known to a generation of Canadians as artists that have never waivered in their commitment to quality and integrity. As investors, they will apply those same principles to Newstrike. I am proud, humbled and honoured that they chose to partner with and invest in us." Said CEO Jay Wilgar.

As one of just 45 licensed producers of medical cannabis from Health Canada, Newstrike is uniquely positioned at a time of unprecedented opportunity: Opportunity that will be enhanced by harnessing the artistic and business acumen of the band members in brand development within the government's evolving regulatory framework.

"With prohibition ending after 93 years we believe that Canadian adult consumers will look toward brands that speak to quality, best in class production and trust. No one knows Canada and Canadians like the members of The Tragically Hip. With their involvement and support Newstrike firmly believes we are developing the brand that adult consumers who choose to use cannabis will turn to." said Executive Chairman, Scott Kelly.

About Newstrike

Newstrike Resources is a publicly traded Canadian medical cannabis company licensed to produce cannabis through its wholly-owned subsidiary. Newstrike Resources owns, operates or has identified a diversified network of growing platforms in Ontario. For more information visit www.newstrike.ca.

The company's senior management team is composed of seasoned executives with strong experience building companies in complex and highly regulated environments including Jay Wilgar - Chief Executive Officer, Jim Macpherson - Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Epp - Chief Operating Officer and Jennifer Maccarone - Chief Quality Officer.

Forward-Looking Information: This media advisory contains "forward-looking information" for the purposes of applicable securities laws, which is based upon Newstrike's current expectations. Statements about the operations of the Company through its subsidiaries, production capacity and expansion sites and anticipated participation of partners are statements containing forward-looking information. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Accordingly future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Such factors include those described in the Company's Filing Statement dated May 18, 2017 filed with the TSX Venture Exchange and available on www.sedar.com. Newstrike assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

Media Inquiries

For inquiries or interview requests please contact:

Allan Rewak

Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations

ARewak@Newstrike.ca

647-206-1231




OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- CannaRoyalty Corp. (CSE: CRZ)(CSE: CRZ.CN)(CNSX: CRZ)(OTCQX: CNNRF) ("CannaRoyalty" or the "Company") announced today the Company's first quarter financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017. All figures are reported in Canadian dollars ($), unless otherwise indicated. CannaRoyalty's financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS").

"During the quarter, we significantly expanded our balance sheet through an equity financing, the increase in value of certain holdings and the addition of new investments," said CEO Marc Lustig. "Moving forward, we expect to see a marked increase in revenues from a number of sources including royalty agreements, business units - most notably CR Brands, coming on-line and our strategic relationship with River, a leading California state-wide distribution company. Our focus in Q1 was on establishing infrastructure, opening our US office and engaging in soft- launch commercialization activities in preparation to fulfill the US$20mm revenue purchase commitment from River in California. With these key elements in place, we are well positioned to continue to deploy capital and build on initiatives that will enhance shareholder value."

For communicating greater detail on financial performance and to provide updates on its key assets for stakeholders going forward, the Company plans to hold quarterly conference calls starting with its Q2/2017 quarterly results.

Financial and Operational Highlights for Q1-2017:

-- Increased revenues to $301,111 from $nil in Q1-2016; -- Realized a net loss of $2,053,785 or $0.05 per share compared to a net loss of $1,736,165 or $0.13 per share compared to Q1-2016; -- Ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents to $11,946,417; -- Closed a bought deal prospectus financing for aggregate gross proceeds of $15 million; -- Executed a binding term sheet with Rich Extracts LLC which provides CannaRoyalty the right to a 30% royalty stream on Rich Extracts' gross revenues in perpetuity; -- Acquired a 20% equity interest in Anandia, a Canadian cannabis biotechnology company focused on providing analytical testing services and developing cannabis strains for safe and effective medical applications; and -- Launched the CR Brands Division under newly appointed U.S. executive, Mr. David E. Vautrin, to manage and commercialize CannaRoyalty's portfolio of wholly-owned and licensed cannabis brands.

Subsequent to the Quarter End:

-- Completed a strategic financing and related arrangements with River, the first medical cannabis distributor to receive local permits for medical cannabis wholesale logistics, distribution and transportation in California; -- Announced Rich Extracts' receipt of a processing license from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission ("OLCC"), which allows Rich Extracts to commence commercial operations in Oregon; -- Launched "The Terpistry" in collaboration with Dr. Jorg Bohlmann, a wholly-owned venture of CannaRoyalty, to focus on the development and sale of cannabis products with innovative terpene formulations; -- Joined the OTCQX Best Market, under the symbol "CNNRF," upgrading to OTCQX from the OTCQB Venture Market;

Update to Board of Directors

The Company has accepted the resignation of Chuck Rifici from the Board of Directors, effective immediately. "We thank Chuck for his contributions to our Board and wish him well as he pursues a new endeavor in the cannabis sector" stated CEO Marc Lustig. The Company intends to announce the new nominee to the Board ahead of its Annual General meeting which is being held on Friday, June 16th, 2017.

CannaRoyalty's unaudited interim condensed financial statements and management's discussion & analysis ("MD&A"), for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017, are available via CannaRoyalty's website at www.cannaroyalty.com and have been filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About CannaRoyalty

CannaRoyalty is a fully integrated, active investor and operator in the legal cannabis sector. Our focus is to build and support a diversified portfolio of growth-ready assets in high-value segments of the cannabis sector, including research, consumer brands, devices and intellectual property. Our management team combines a hands-on understanding of the cannabis industry with seasoned financial know-how, assembling a platform of holdings via royalty agreements, equity interests, secured convertible debt and licensing agreements.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in CannaRoyalty's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward- looking statements.

Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements including the Company's expectations with respect to pursuing new opportunities and its future growth and other statements of fact.

Although CannaRoyalty has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; investing in target companies or projects which have limited or no operating history and are engaged in activities currently considered illegal under US Federal Laws; changes in laws; limited operating history; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindering market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry and; regulatory or political change.

There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. CannaRoyalty disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and CannaRoyalty does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.

Contacts:

Joanna Longo

Investor Relations

Jlongo@cannaroyalty.com

1-844-556-5070

www.cannaroyalty.com




DENVER, COLORADO -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- TrackX Holdings Inc. (TSX VENTURE: TKX) ("TrackX" or the "Company") announces the financial and operational highlights from its second quarter ended March 31, 2017. All results are reported in Canadian dollars.

Financial Highlights

-- Revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2017 were $2,960,693, a 414% increase over the $576,378 reported for the six months ended March 31, 2016. -- Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were $1,327,502, a 334% increase over the $306,311 reported for the three months ended March 31, 2016. -- Gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $454,953, representing 34.3% of revenues versus a negative gross margin of ($146,376) for the comparable three-month period ending March 31, 2016. -- Adjusted EBITDA loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $885,521 compared to a loss of $410,262 for the prior year's comparable period.

"Several catalysts occurred during the quarter that contributed to our positive growth," said President and CEO Tim Harvie. "We expanded our reach via our partnerships with Barcoding and All Premium. Going forward, our oversubscribed private placement solidified the Company's balance sheet to ensure that we can capitalize on new opportunities to grow our business."

Selected Financial Information

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Canadian dollars - in Six-month Period Ended Three-month Period Ended thousands except per share) March 31 March 31 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017 2016 2017 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue $ 2,961 $ 576 $ 1,328 $ 306 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross Margin 904 (192) 455 (146) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss for the period (1,594) (894) (1,036) (467) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loss per share (0.03) (0.14) (0.02) (0.06) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted EBITDA (Loss)(i) (1,307) (781) (886) (410) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS (international financial reporting standards) measure and excludes stock based compensation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q2 2017 and Subsequent Period Operational Highlights:

-- On May 10, 2017, TrackX Holdings Inc. completed a bought deal private placement for gross proceeds of $5.2 million with a syndicate of investment dealers led by Haywood Securities Inc. and including Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Paradigm Capital Inc. -- In February, the Company announced the completion of Phase 1 of its national roll-out with a leading U.S. used car retailer. -- Also in February, the Company announced its partnership with Barcoding, Inc., a leader in supply chain efficiency, accuracy and connectivity. -- In January, the Company announced a partnership with Mexico-based All Pretium Consulting Services, a consortium that focuses on digital transformation, Internet of Things (IoT) and big data solutions for large enterprises.

New CFO Appointment

In addition, the Company has appointed Mr. Gene McConnell, CA, of Denver, CO as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. McConnell is a partner with C Squared Solutions, LLC whose more than 30-year career includes serving as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Controller for companies in the technology, software, service, cable, manufacturing, finance and medical and dental products sectors. The company and wishes to thank Mr. Mark Lotz of Vancouver who served as CFO as TrackX transitioned to a public company.

About TrackX

TrackX, based in Denver, Colorado, is an enterprise Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) software platform provider leveraging multiple auto-ID technologies for the comprehensive management of physical assets. TrackX's Global Asset Management for the Enterprise (G.A.M.E.) enables the IIoT by providing unique item level tracking, workflow processing, event management, alerts and powerful analytics to deliver solutions across a growing number of industries. This platform creates unprecedented visibility and business intelligence of man-to-machine and machine-to-machine interaction. TrackX delivers significant value to a growing list of Fortune 500 companies and for customers in industries such as transportation, beverage, brewery, healthcare, hi-tech, hospitality, mining, agriculture, horticulture, manufacturing and government.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements that address future plans, activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur including the Company's anticipated pipeline and value of current and customer deployments and future opportunities are the managements best estimates and cannot be guaranteed or relied upon and is forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contacts:

Knox Henderson

TrackX Holdings Inc.

khenderson@trackx.com

778-373-2003



Sean Peasgood

Sophic Capital

Sean@SophicCapital.com

416-565-2805




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Fura Gems Inc. ("Fura" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: FUR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashim Roy as Vice President - Operations, Venkatasubramanian ("Venkat") Meenakshisundaram as Principal Geologist and Tarun Malkani as a Business Advisor to the Company.

Mr. Roy, Vice President - Operations, will be based in Fura's administrative headquarters in Dubai. Mr. Roy will report directly to the President & CEO of the Company and will be responsible for managing the Company's operations and evaluating new opportunities for the Company.

Prior to joining Fura, Mr. Roy was the General Manager for the Montepuez ruby mine in Mozambique and also worked as Head of Geology and Exploration at the Kagem emerald mine in Zambia, both operations were owned by Gemfields plc, the world's leading supplier of colour gemstones. During his tenure at Gemfields, Mr. Roy was responsible for developing the greenfield ruby project in Mozambique, which is believed to be one of the largest ruby deposits in the world. Mr. Roy has also worked for over two decades as a senior scientist in the Department of Atomic Energy, India where he specialised in atomic minerals and rare earth related minerals. Mr. Roy is a Professional Geoscientist and has a Masters in Applied Geology and Masters in Business Administration from India.

Mr. Meenakshisundaram, Principal Geologist, will be based in Colombia and will be responsible for managing the geology for the Company's Colombian emerald assets.

Prior to joining Fura, Mr. Meenakshisundaram was the Chief Geologist for Rio Tinto. Mr. Meenakshisundaram led and generated projects in India for Rio Tinto for several commodities but focussed mainly on diamond exploration. Mr. Meenakshisundaram was a part of the team that discovered the most significant diamondiferous pipe in the last two decades in Bunder located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Mr. Meenakshisundaram has over 30 years of experience in the field of geology having worked in diverse commodities, i.e. base and precious metals, diamonds and industrial minerals. Mr. Meenakshisundaram has a Masters of Science degree in Geology and has also accomplished several benchmarks including establishing and handling community relations in advanced exploration projects in India and Mongolia while working with Rio Tinto.

Mr. Tarun Malkani will join as a Business Advisor for the Company and will work closely with the President & CEO of the Company. Mr. Malkani will be based in India and will advise the Company on new opportunities.

Prior to joining Fura, Mr. Malkani held senior management positions in variety of functional areas with companies like Rio Tinto, Alcan, Eastman Chemicals, Monsanto, Bayer and Exim Bank. Mr. Malkani has almost a decade of experience in metals and mining and was the Chief Operating Officer for Rio Tinto's Bunder diamond project in India. Mr. Malkani graduated as a chemical engineer from the Institute of Chemical Technology and also completed his Masters in Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management - Calcutta.

Dev Shetty, President & CEO of Fura, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Ashim, Venkat and Tarun to the senior management team of the Company. Having worked with Ashim, who is rated as one of the best coloured gemstone geologists in the world, I am confident that Ashim along with Venkat and Tarun will add immense value to the Company and its shareholders. We will continue to further strengthen the team by bringing the best talent to the business."

About Fura Gems Inc.

Fura Gems Inc. is a natural resource company which is engaged in the acquisition and exploration of resource properties in Colombia.

Regulatory Statements

This press release may contain "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the appointment of new members to the Company's managerial team, the impact of the appointment of the managerial appointments on the Company, the Company's exploration activities and the Company's performance. Generally, forward looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of exploration activities; regulatory risks; risks inherent in foreign operations; and other risks of the mining industry. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Contacts:

Fura Gems Inc.

Dev Shetty

President & Chief Executive Officer

dev.shetty@furagems.com




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Canstar Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: ROX) ("Canstar") is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2017 Field Season.

The 2017 field work includes trenching and channel sampling of 4 high priority sites where the company has identified gold mineralization through exploratory channel and grab sampling in late 2016. The field season also will include a drilling program testing targets along the Aviator trend as well as targets identified from this current work.

Trenching work will target 3 new showings and the surface exposure associated updip to the recently announced 22-meter intersection containing 0.5 g/t gold, including 7 meters containing 0.7 g/t gold (see Company's press release dated March 15, 2017). It will also include a newly identified area on the east side of the property that was identified in Fall of 2016; this was a 360 meter trend from which several grab samples yielding multigram samples containing up to 4 g/t gold (see Company's press release dated November 17th, 2016) occurring on the same trend as a historic mining operation (ca. 1898) known as the Treasure Mine.

Danniel Oosterman, President and CEO of Canstar Resources states, "2017 will be a key year in assessing the Kenora Gold Project's potential. Between drill testing the remaining high priority targets on the Aviator Trend, and assessing these newly identified areas we hope to bring exciting new developments to the table as we determine the nature and extent of the gold mineralization on the property and look forward to understanding some of these new zones on the east side of the project."

Danniel Oosterman, P.Geo is President and Chief Executive Officer and is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and is responsible for and has approved the technical information in this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Danniel J. Oosterman, P.Geo

President & CEO

Forward-Looking Statements

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward- looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of the Company's mineral properties, and the Company's financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with the activities of the Company; and other matters discussed in this news release. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Contacts:

Canstar Resources Inc.

Danniel J. Oosterman, P. Geo.

President & CEO

doosterman@canstarresources.com



Canstar Resources Inc.

Karen Willoughby

Director Corporate Communications

1-866-936-6766

kwilloughby@canstarresources.com




VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - May 30, 2017) - Trek Mining Inc. (TSX VENTURE: TREK) ("Trek Mining" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017 and the accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis are available for download on the Company's website at www.trekmining.com and at www.sedar.com. All dollar amounts are in United States dollars.

Quarterly highlights and recent developments

Completed the acquisition of Luna Gold Corp.

Raised $61.4 million (approximately C$81.9 million), net of finance fees, in a private placement and brokered financing

Initial drill results confirmed extension of mineralization along strike from existing reserves at Aurizona

Secured two additional exploration concessions at Warintza (total property size now 26,777 hectares)

Cash and short-term investments at end of Q1-2017 of $85.7 million (approximately C$110 million)

On March 31, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Luna Gold Corp. and rebranded as Trek Mining Inc. The combined company is well-funded with a diverse portfolio of assets, anchored by near-term production at its cornerstone 100%-owned Aurizona Gold Mine ("Aurizona") in Brazil. Trek expects to complete a feasibility study for Aurizona in June 2017 and hopes to initiate mine construction in Q3, with the objective of pouring gold at Aurizona by year-end 2018. Aurizona is expected to produce on average 150,000 ounces of gold per year during its first five years of production.

Concurrent with development activities, exploration is underway at Aurizona to test both near-mine and district targets. In its initial drill program on the Piaba West target, the Company intersected 3.90 grams per tonne gold over 11.0 metres in a step-out drill hole located 300 metres along strike of the currently defined Piaba gold deposit. This intersection, along with additional results from 18 shallow holes drilled on the Piaba West target, confirmed that mineralization extends at least 300 metres along strike to the west and also at depth below the western extent of the existing pit (see Trek's May 17, 2017 news release). The Company will continue to drill along strike to test the western extent of mineralization and will also infill existing drilling, with the expectation of adding to the resource base and extending the mine life.

At the Company's other projects, production ramp-up at the Peru-based Koricancha Mill continues with over 2,000 ounces of gold poured in Q1-2017. The Company also expanded its Warintza project in Ecuador with two additional exploration claims, in addition to the three announced in January 2017. The five claims received in 2017 are free of nongovernmental royalties. The Company has increased its outreach programs with various stakeholders to establish the relationships and social support required to recommence exploration activities at this promising copper-molybdenum property.

At March 31, 2017, the company had $85.7 million (approximately C$110 million) of cash and short-term investments and no cash debt, with a working capital balance of $87.8 million.

On behalf of the Board of Trek Mining Inc.

"Christian Milau"

CEO & Director

About Trek Mining Inc.

Trek is a Canadian mining company with a portfolio of production, near-production and exploration-stage projects in North and South America. The Company is producing gold from its Koricancha Mill, a custom-built gold and silver ore processing facility in Peru, and is completing a feasibility study for its past-producing Aurizona Gold Mine in Brazil, with the objective of pouring gold at Aurizona by the end of 2018. Trek's exploration properties include both near-mine and district exploration opportunities at Aurizona; the Warintza project, a porphyry copper-molybdenum exploration project in Southeastern Ecuador; the Ricardo project, a porphyry copper-molybdenum exploration project in Chile; and Elk Gold, a past-producing high-grade gold mine in British Columbia, Canada. Further information about Trek's business strategy and portfolio of assets is available at www.trekmining.com or by email at ir@trekmining.com.

Technical Information

Scott Heffernan, M.Sc., P.Geo., the Company's EVP Exploration, is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical and scientific disclosure throughout this news release.

Cautionary Notes

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This document contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). The use of the words "will", "expects", "hopes", "objective", "expected", "expectation" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include statements regarding planned exploration activities and results at Aurizona, and the anticipated restart of production at Aurizona. Although Trek believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Trek can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in Trek's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators, and assumptions made with regard to: the anticipated results of the feasibility study for Aurizona; the anticipated Board of Directors decision to approve construction of Aurizona; the ability to raise the capital required to fund construction and development of Aurizona; the ability to restart production at Aurizona; timing of the anticipated restart of production; and the Company's ability to resume exploration activities at the Warintza Project. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and Trek does not undertake any obligations to publicly update and/or revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of additional information, future events and/or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Trek Mining Contacts



Christian Milau, Chief Executive Officer

Rhylin Bailie, Vice President Investor Relations

Tel: +1 604-558-0560

Email: ir@trekmining.com


THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- MEXICAN GOLD CORP. (TSX VENTURE: MEX)(OTC: SRXLF)(FRANKFURT: 4QW1) ("MEX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Palisade Global Investments Ltd. ("Palisade") has further increased its ownership of the company and maintains its status as largest shareholder of Mexican Gold. Palisade provided the lead order for the recently closed private placement, investing $505,050 to acquire 1,683,500 units of the company. In addition, Palisade recently bought shares in the open market as disclosed through insider filings.

Palisade now holds 5,385,000 Shares and 5,016,500 Warrants of Mexican Gold Corp. The 5,385,000 MEX Shares represent approximately 15.86% of MEX's issued and outstanding common shares. The 5,385,000 MEX Shares and 5,016,500 MEX Warrants held by Palisade collectively represent approximately 26.70% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Mexican, assuming the exercise of the MEX Warrants.

Sean Zubick, Co-founder & Partner of Palisade Global Investments Ltd. stated, "We are pleased with the progress with Mexican Gold over the past couple months. Since our initial investment on March 13, 2017, MEX is up 140%. Management changes have been made, board appointments have occurred, and the maiden resource is expected be released in the coming weeks. It is our belief that Mexican Gold continues to be one of the most undervalued companies on the Venture exchange. We would like to thank all MEX shareholders and partners that are supporting the company."

"Palisade has been instrumental in the turn-around of Mexican Gold and we are thankful for their continued support in developing the Las Minas property. On behalf of the board, I would like to say a special thanks to Sean Zubick for his tireless effort in cultivating a high performance culture at Mexican Gold," stated Ali Zamani, Chairman, Mexican Gold Corp.

About Mexican Gold Corp.

Mexican Gold Corp. is a Canadian based mineral exploration company committed to building long-term value through ongoing discoveries and strategic acquisitions of prospective precious metals deposits in Mexico. Mexican Gold is exploring the Las Minas Project, which is located in the core of the Las Minas district in the Veracruz State, Mexico. The district is host to one of the largest under-explored skarn systems known in Mexico and has a strong production history that dates back to the Aztec era.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements about the magnitude or quality of mineral deposits, anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs, future operations, results of exploration, prospects, commodity and precious metals prices, future work programs, anticipated financial and operational results, capital expenditures and objectives and the completion and timing of mineral resource estimates. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including the risks identified in the Company's disclosure documents available at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based on the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) have reviewed or accepts responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

Contacts:

Mexican Gold Corp.

Brian Robertson

President & CEO

807-474-4270 or 807-251-1816

807-474-4272 (FAX)

info@mexicangold.ca

www.mexicangold.ca




NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Today, the H&M Foundation and WaterAid are embarking on the second phase of our global partnership for safe water, sanitation and hygiene in some of the world's poorest communities, with the goal to achieve long-term transformational change and improved living conditions. The program expands on an initiative that began in 2014.

In the second phase of WaterAid's partnership with the H&M Foundation, we are broadening the scope with a holistic approach to enable sustainable access to water and sanitation services to people in their communities, in their homes, at healthcare facilities and in schools.

The primary goal of this global program is to improve the wellbeing and living conditions for some of the world's poorest people by focusing on sustainable solutions. At the local level, we will be working in four target countries; Cambodia, Ethiopia, Pakistan and Uganda. Although our goals are similar in all four countries, given varying cultural, social and economic contexts, this will be done through different approaches and activities. By drawing on best practices, case studies and lessons learned from the work in these countries, WaterAid will seek to further the sustainability agenda globally through advocacy and the influencing of key stakeholders on national and global levels for sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services.

WaterAid and the H&M Foundation partnered in 2014 on a three-year program to bring transformational change for more than 250,000 students across the world. The program also engaged a wide range of partners and helped influence and update national education policies in the countries where we were working, as well as the global Sustainable Development Goals. The H&M Foundation donated 60 million SEK to WaterAid between 2014-2017, and now embarking on the second phase, the foundation will donate another 60 million SEK between 2017-2020.

Jennifer Membreno, WaterAid's Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships, comments on the partnership with H&M Foundation:

"With funding from the H&M Foundation, we will be able to transform the lives of some of the world's poorest people by improving their wellbeing and living conditions -- not only today, but tomorrow and for many years to come. The program will showcase how targeted efforts can successfully contribute to the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals and WaterAid's vision of a world where everyone, everywhere, will have safe water, decent toilets and improved hygiene."

Diana Amini, Global Manager of the H&M Foundation, comments on the partnership with WaterAid:

"Lack of access to water, sanitation and hygiene is a huge global issue and a priority for the H&M Foundation. But it's not something that any single organization or company can solve -- it requires global collaboration by governments, NGOs, civil societies and businesses. By partnering with WaterAid we have been able to make a real difference to individuals and communities, but also to contribute to the systemic change needed globally and nationally."

Notes to the Editor:

Key statistics:

663 million people in the world -- one in ten -- do not have clean water

Almost 2.4 billion people in the world -- one in three -- live without improved sanitation

Diarrhea is the second biggest killer of children under five years old globally. Around 315,000 children die each year from diarrhoeal diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation. That's almost 900 children each day, or one child every two minutes. Nearly 9 out of 10 cases of diarrhea can be prevented by safe water, sanitation and hygiene

Every year diseases caused by dirty water kill more people than all forms of violence, including war. 43% of these deaths caused by disease are children under five

Globally, just 31% of schools have clean water and 34% have adequate toilets.

Access to clean water and sanitation could save approximately 842,000 lives every year

Access to clean water and sanitation could save approximately 842,000 lives every year More than 1 out of 3 hospitals in developing countries don't have clean water and soap for handwashing

If everyone everywhere had clean water, the number of diarrhoeal deaths would be cut by 34%

For every $1 invested in water and sanitation, an average of $4 is returned in increased productivity

Just $25 can help provide one person with access to safe water

About WaterAid

WaterAid's vision is of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. The international organisation works in 37 countries across Africa, Asia, Central America and the Pacific Region to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in some of the world's poorest communities. We work in partnership with local organisations and influence decision makers to maximise impact. Since 1981, WaterAid has reached 23 million people with safe water and, since 2004, 21 million people with sanitation. For more information, visit www.wateraidamerica.org, follow @WaterAidAmerica on Twitter, or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wateraidamerica.

About the H&M Foundation

The H&M Foundation is a non-profit global foundation, privately funded by the Stefan Persson family, founders and main owners of H&M. It's an independent legal entity operating beyond the company's value chain with its own staff, strategy and board.

The mission of the H&M Foundation is to drive long lasting positive change and improve living conditions by investing in people, communities and innovative ideas. Through partnerships with experienced organizations around the world, the H&M Foundation works within the areas of Education, Water, Equality and Planet. In addition to this, we can also provide emergency relief.

Since 2013, the family has donated SEK 1.1 billion (USD 154 million/EUR 123 million) to the H&M Foundation.

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For further information or interviews please contact:

Brittany Galvan

Marketing Maven PR

(310) 405-0346

Brittany@MarketingMavenPR.com






LONDON (dpa-AFX) - The World Health Organization or WHO on Tuesday asked the tobacco industry to compensate for the massive environment issues caused by tobacco growing and usage.



WHO, in its first report on tobacco's impact on the environment, said the extensive use of chemicals, energy and water, and pollution from manufacturing and distribution of tobacco products, cause massive harm to the environment.



'From start to finish, the tobacco life cycle is an overwhelmingly polluting and damaging process,' the report said.



As per the report, to mark World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday, the ecological footprint goes far beyond the effects of cigarette smoke. According to WHO, tobacco use kills 7 million people a year.



In order to control pest or disease outbreaks in tobacco plants, large quantities of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and fumigants are required. The report noted that many of these chemicals are banned in some countries as they are so harmful to both the environment and farmers' health.



To cure tobacco leaves, vast quantities of wood are burned, contributing to deforestation. Some big growers are also using coal that emits carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas blamed for global warming, the WHO said.



In addition, millions of kilograms of non-biodegradable cigarette butts are discarded every year, the report noted. Also, tobacco waste contains over 7,000 toxic chemicals that poison the environment, including human carcinogens.



The UN agency called for the tobacco industry to compensate for its products that contribute to greenhouse gases, but it did not give any estimate of damage.



Oleg Chestnov, WHO Assistant Director-General, said, 'Tobacco growing, the manufacture of tobacco products and their delivery to retailers all have severe environmental consequences, including deforestation, the use of fossil fuels and the dumping or leaking of waste products into the natural environment.'



As per the report, Japan Tobacco, Philip Morris International, and British American Tobacco report on their use of environmental resources and waste streams, but the data is limited and opaque.



Further, China National Tobacco Co, which produces roughly 44% of cigarettes consumed globally, was criticized for not publishing comprehensive environmental data.



The WHO said it should be mandatory for tobacco companies to supply information on environmental damage.



'All producers should be required to compensate for the environmental harms caused by deforestation, water use, waste, etc. through offsets in order to ultimately reduce the long-term ecological harm their business causes,' the report said.



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GRAND ISLAND, NE -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Sense Technologies, Inc. (OTC PINK: SNSGF). Sense Natural Products, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sense Technologies, Inc. (www.SenseNaturalProducts.com) which operates a unique all-natural soybean crush mill in Scribner, Nebraska, is entering Tyson Foods, Inc.-sponsored trials to determine the ileal amino acid digestibility of its unique soybean meal known as xMeal. Once these trials are complete, it will move into production trials to determine how much additional performance can be achieved with xMeal versus standard solvent soybean meal (SBM).

xMeal has performed exceptionally well in real world trials and empirical studies, and it has achieved significant results for its growers. Both poultry and swine growers have reduced the need for antibiotics, reduced death loss, improved feed efficiency, and improved average daily gain. xMeal has provided higher energy content per delivered pound, and is delivering a concentrated product that has around half of the moisture content (waste) of similar products. These ongoing trials have demonstrated significant health benefits, which have resulted in increased profitability for the growers that use xMeal.

Sense Natural Products also produces a premium soybean oil. This is a proprietary process that creates a 99.5% pure unrefined raw degummed soybean oil. Because the oil is never refined, the health properties that remain in the oil have shown significant benefits, including reduced death loss and greater feed conversion, all the while saving the grower delivery costs and reducing waste. The caloric density associated with its purity meets or exceeds that of refined oils, but contains many more heat-sensitive nutrients than usually found in refined oils.

With these developments in Sense Natural Products, Inc., management now anticipates a projected increase in the gross revenue of SNSGF by over twenty million dollars per year in the first year. This fast-growing company is poised to lead the way to a sustainable high-protein, high-energy, ultra-high-nutrition soybean meal for both animal and human nutrition while helping reduce... or even eliminate... the need for antibiotics in animal feed.

Swine and Poultry growers interested in performing trials of xMeal or xOil should contact the plant at (402) 664-2400

About Sense Technologies, Inc.

SNSGF is a fully-reporting entity.

Sense Technologies, Inc. http://SenseTech.com develops and markets backing awareness products for safety and acquired the assets and intellectual property of Scribner Natural Products in September of 2016. The facility reopened and commenced operation as Sense Natural Products, Inc. in September of 2016 and more information can be found at: www.SenseNaturalProducts.com

About Sense Natural Products

Sense Natural Products is an industrial food and feed products company in Scribner Nebraska, where it operates a proprietary all natural extruded and expeller pressed soybean crushing mill. Learn more about the history of Scribner Natural Products and the current management team of Richard Bell and David Dennis from an interview with Michael Yorba segment 1 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3d6GH7RIAU and, segment 2 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgRE_ykvGo4

See the Public Wire report

Http://www.publicwire.com

"We are on a fast track because it is in our shareholders' interest to commence the profit potential just as soon as we can" said Bruce Schreiner, Sense Technologies, Inc.'s President. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/sense-technologies-inc-provides-further-130100187.html

Forward Looking-Statement

This press release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. In particular, there is no assurance that the parties will reach a definitive agreement for the proposed transaction or that the transaction will be completed. Additionally, no assurance can be provided that the terms of any transaction will be similar to those contemplated by the Letter of Intent. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contact Sense Technologies, Inc.

Website: http://www.sensetech.com/

Email: info@sensetech.com




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Orla Mining Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: OLA) ("Orla" or the "Company") announces that Charles Jeannes, George Albino and Tim Haldane have been added to the Director nominations included in the management information circular for the Company's upcoming Annual General Meeting on June 19, 2017. Messrs. Jeannes, Albino and Haldane are being nominated to help lead the next phase of corporate growth alongside the proposed slate of returning Director nominees Richard Hall, Marc Prefontaine, Jean Robitaille and Hans Smit. Upon election, Mr. Jeannes will be appointed Non-Executive Chairman. To facilitate the proposed Director changes, Troy Fierro, Alain Bureau and Aaron Wolfe will not be standing for re-election.

"Troy and Aaron provided stability and leadership during the smooth transition of the Company and acquisition of the Cerro Quema development project in Panama, while Alain has been instrumental in the development of Cerro Quema to date. We are all sincerely thankful for the many important contributions these gentlemen have made," said Marc Prefontaine, President and CEO. "At the same time, we are excited by the potential of adding three pillars of the mining industry to our Board. Chuck, George and Tim bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable to Orla as we continue to advance our strategy of becoming a premier mid-tier gold producer."

Mr. Charles Jeannes. Mr. Jeannes has over 30 years of experience in the mining industry, serving most recently as President and Chief Executive Officer of Goldcorp Inc. from 2009 until April 2016, and Executive Vice President, Corporate Development from 2006 until 2008. From 1999 until its acquisition by Goldcorp Inc. he was Executive Vice President, Administration, General Counsel and Secretary of Glamis Gold Ltd. Prior to joining Glamis, Mr. Jeannes worked for Placer Dome Inc. as Vice President North America. He is currently a Director of Tahoe Resources Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corporation, and serves as a University of Nevada, Reno Foundation Trustee (a non-profit Board).

Dr. George Albino. Dr. Albino was a Managing Director and Mining Analyst at GMP Securities, L.P., Research Division. from 2010 until 2016. Prior to this, he was an Analyst at Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd., Research Division, focusing on North American precious metal producers and exploration companies as well as base metal, uranium and diamond companies. Dr. Albino has over 35 years of experience in mining and finance as a geologist for 18 years and as a highly-ranked sell side analyst covering mining (principally gold) stocks for 19 years. Before joining the financial services side of the business, he worked in the mining industry, academia and government as an Exploration and Research Geologist exploring for precious metals, base metals and diamonds. He is currently a Director of Eldorado Gold Corporation.

Mr. Tim Haldane. Mr. Haldane served as Senior Vice-President of Operations, USA & Latin America at Agnico Eagle Mines Limited from 2014 until February 2017, and Senior Vice President of Latin America at Agnico Eagle from 2006 until 2014. Mr. Haldane previously served as Vice President of Development of Glamis Gold Ltd. Mr. Haldane previously served as Vice President of Development of Glamis Gold Ltd. Tim developed several successful mines during his 40 year mining career, including most recently El Sauzal, Pinos Altos, and La India in Mexico.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Marc Prefontaine, M.Sc., P.Geo., President & Chief Executive Officer

About Orla Mining Ltd.

Orla Mining is a mineral exploration company led by a group of seasoned mining executives with strong financial backing. The company's focus is to acquire mineral exploration opportunities where the Company's exploration and development expertise and corporate share structure could substantially enhance shareholder value. The 100% owned Cerro Quema project in Panama includes a near-term gold production scenario and significant exploration upside. Cerro Quema's 14,800 Ha concession boasts paved road access, a supportive local population and private land ownership. The Cerro Quema project is currently in the last stage of the permitting process for a proposed open pit mine and gold heap leach operation. Please refer to the Cerro Quema Project - Pre-Feasibility Study on the La Pava and Quemita Oxide Gold Deposits dated August 22, 2014, which is available on SEDAR.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's objectives and strategies. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements are discussed in this news release, including without limitation, assumptions that the Company's activities will be in accordance with the Company's public statements and stated goals; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained and that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to: risks related to uncertainties inherent in the preparation of preliminary economic assessments, drill results and the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Company's objectives and strategies, including costs and expenses. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Contacts:

Marc Prefontaine

President & Chief Executive Officer

www.orlamining.com

info@orlamining.com




Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Westinghouse Electric Company was recognized on Wednesday, May 24, for its strong commitment to the economic and democratic development of Ukraine. The award was presented at the Ukraine Gala, hosted by the American Center for a European Ukraine in cooperation with the U.S. Ukraine Business Council.

"Westinghouse is deeply honored to be recognized by these important U.S.-Ukrainian organizations, which are committed to advancing the national interest of Ukraine. We view our relationship with Ukraine as a partnership, we are not just an investor and supplier," said Luc Van Hulle, interim president, EMEA Region. "Westinghouse believes there is even more that can be accomplished between Westinghouse and Ukraine to further increase energy security and efficiency, and we look forward to our continued deepening cooperation."

Westinghouse provides up to 30 percent of Ukraine's power supply by supplying nuclear fuel.

"With Ukraine advancing diversification in its nuclear fuel supply in cooperation with Westinghouse, it now allows other countries in Europe who remain solely dependent on Russian fuel deliveries to have a strong technical and economically attractive alternative source of fuel for the benefit of their energy security and cost competitiveness," said Michele DeWitt, senior vice president, Nuclear Fuel.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530005640/en/

Contacts:

Westinghouse Electric Company

Sarah Cassella, +1 412-374- 4744

Manager, External Communications

Email: cassels@westinghouse.com
LEXINGTON, KY -- (Marketwired) -- 08/01/17 -- Rhino Resource Partners LP (OTCQB: RHNO) ("Rhino" or the "Partnership") today announced that it plans to release its 2017 second quarter financial results on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, before the market opens. The Partnership will not host a conference call this quarter and any inquiries can be made to Rhino's investor relations department.

About Rhino Resource Partners LP

Rhino Resource Partners LP is a diversified energy limited partnership that is focused on coal and energy related assets and activities, including energy infrastructure investments. Rhino produces metallurgical and steam coal in a variety of basins throughout the United States.

Additional information regarding Rhino is available at its web site - RhinoLP.com.

Investor Contact:

Scott Morris

+1 859.519.3622

smorris@rhinolp.com




OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsman

Next week, the Taxpayers' Ombudsman, Sherra Profit, will release the results of an examination that looked at Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance (CPP/EI) ruling letters issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

The report will highlight the findings and recommendations of the Ombudsman regarding the information that is provided by the CRA when a ruling is made regarding a person's employment status. A CPP/EI ruling is an official decision made by the CRA that confirms whether a worker is considered an employee or self-employed. This decision is important as it determines if the employment is insurable and pensionable, and who is responsible for withholding and remitting CPP, EI and income taxes.

The examination looked at whether the CRA communicates sufficient information so that workers and payers can understand the reasons behind the CRA's decision and decide whether to appeal it.

The Taxpayers' Ombudsman may initiate a systemic examination when a service issue may impact a large number of taxpayers or a segment of the taxpayer population. Recommendations arising from systemic examinations serve to uphold taxpayers' rights, enhance transparency, and improve the service that taxpayers receive from the CRA.

Associated links

Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsman

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Henderson, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - May 30, 2017) - On the Move Systems (OTC Pink: OMVS) is pleased to announce that Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD - www.roboticassistancedevices.com) is in advanced discussions with a major distribution partner for the distribution of its autonomous robotic units in North America. RAD's partner manages tens of thousands of security guards and has thousands of clients.

"We believe that the versatility of your security robots, particularly the all-terrain capability and advanced electronics allowing integration into our client's existing security systems, allows us to offer supplemental security services that will significantly benefit our customers," said a Vice President of the partner in charge of corporate security services. "Our intention is to support and team with you to offer your security robots along with our human guards through our network of locations to our existing customer base."

RAD expects to sign a distribution agreement with this partner in approximately 30 days. The name of the potential distribution partner cannot be mentioned at this time due to confidentiality.

RAD is expected to commence proof of concepts in July and to sign on new clients. This is in addition to the existing 10 robot commitments that were signed up last month for total contract values of $1 million. OMVS is continuing its due diligence process on RAD as part of the binding LOI that was entered into on May 11th, 2017 for the purchase of 100% of RAD by OMVS. It is anticipated that the acquisition will close before August 10, 2017.

RAD currently has a sales pipeline of over 50 Fortune 500 companies and over 25 qualified dealers and distributors that have a combined customer base of more than 35,000 end user corporations.

For further information please refer to www.sec.gov.

CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this news release other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" that are based on current expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the ability of On the Move Systems to provide for its obligations, to provide working capital needs from operating revenues, to obtain additional financing needed for any future acquisitions, to meet competitive challenges and technological changes, and other risks. On the Move Systems undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement(s) and/or to confirm the statement(s) to actual results or changes in On the Move Systems expectations.

Investor Relations:

Everest Corporate Advisors Inc.

Jack Thompson

www.everestcorp.net

702-902-2361
OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 06/12/17 -- As part of an on-going effort to better understand factors influencing housing systems in Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) will release a new product based on credit reporting agency data - Homeowners' Debt at a Glance.

Homeowners' Debt at a Glance is a series of "quick-read" analyses of consumer credit data focused on homeowners, mortgage holders and potential homebuyers' debt and credit use.

The first quick-read will look at mortgage delinquency rates and be made available on Tuesday, June 13th at 9:00 am Eastern Time through the Housing Observer Online.

For more information on CMHC, visit our website or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contacts:

Audrey-Anne Coulombe

CMHC Media Relations

(613) 748-2573

acoulomb@cmhc-schl.gc.ca




Alytus, Lithuania, 2017-05-30 16:09 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Snaige AB reached an EBITDA of EUR 452 thousand (according to consolidated unaudited data) within the first quarter of this year, which is 3% higher than during the same period last year. The unconsolidated unaudited sales of the company exceeded EUR 7 million and were slightly higher than during the same period last year. According to Gediminas Ceika, Director General of Snaige AB, the first quarter of the year was traditionally inactive, these months in the business of consumer refrigeration equipment are considered "off season". In Ceika's opinion, this year will be full of challenges. "Most of raw material suppliers as early as last year declared an increase of the prices of raw materials and materials. This will inevitably have influence on our business too. Competition will become fiercer since not all the producers are going to increase prices. Yet we are also ready to actively operate in all our markets and especially the ones where we sell our production with the trademark of "Snaige". Director General of Snaige AB Gediminas Ceika +370 315 56206 Attachment: https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=633450

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
ALBANY, New York, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The competitive landscape of the global market for thermoformed shallow trays features a highly fragmented competitive landscape, with the leading five vendors collectively holding only about 15% of the overall revenue of the market in 2016, observes Transparency Market Research (TMR) in a recent report. These top vendors, including Pactiv LLC, Anchor Packaging, Inc., and Huhtamaki Oyj operate amid intense competition from a large number of regional, domestic, and international players in key regional markets.

To ensure sustainable returns, companies need to focus on forging long-term partnerships and expand product portfolios to match the extensive and varying needs from customers. An instance of adoption of the long-term strategy is the company Pactiv LLC. The company gathers around 70% of its revenue from top 12 consumers to whom the company supplies on agreements of around 2-3 years. In December 2016, the company invested around US$14 mn towards the expansion of its manufacturing and warehousing facility to meet the vast rise in demand from the food service industry.

Obtain Report Details athttp://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/thermoformed-shallow-trays-market.html

North America to Remain Top Contributor of Revenue to Global Market

On the basis of the type of material used to manufacture thermoformed shallow trays, the plastic segment dominates, accounting for over 95% of the overall market in 2016. Plastics are expected to remain the most preferred material for manufacturing thermoformed shallow trays over the forecast period as well, with the segment of paper-based laminates to further witness a loss in its already meagre share in the global market over the forecast period.

In terms of geography, North America is presently the leading contributor of revenue to the global market and is expected to retain dominance over the report's forecast period as well. The North America market for thermoformed shallow trays will chiefly benefit from the strong manufacturing capabilities of thin gauge thermoformers in the region. The region is expected to exhibit a 5.3% CAGR over the report's forecast period. The market in APAC, which presently holds the second leading share in the global market, is expected to lead in terms of growth rate over the forecast period. The burgeoning food and beverages industry in the region will provide thrust to the market for thermoformed shallow trays.

For more information on this report, fill the form: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=24590

Cost and Lead Time Benefits over Injection Molding Compel Manufacturers to Adopt Thermoforming

Some of the key factors driving the global market for thermoformed shallow trays are the vast cost and time benefits offered by the thermoforming technology over the conventional injection molding technology, the vast rise in use of thermoformed shallow trays in bakery applications, and the ease of customization provided by thermoformed shallow trays. It has been observed that the tooling cost incurred in thermoforming is nearly 15-45% cheaper than tooling in the process of injection molding. Furthermore, lead times in the thermoforming process are 2-3 time shorter than in the process of injection molding.

Moreover, the market will also significantly benefit from the rising adoption of thermoformed packaging as the key packaging solution in the burgeoning food industry and rising scope of applications in the pharmaceutical industry. However, certain factors, such as the restricted scope of use of thermoformed shallow trays for the packaging of liquids and heavy components with complex shapes. The limited capability of thermoformed trays in the packaging of products with complex shapes is expected to negatively affect their rate of adoption to a notable extent, compelling manufacturers to prefer alternative packaging solutions such as cans, blisters, clamshells, and boxes.

Non-petroleum-based Products to Witness Increased Demand

The increased preference of manufacturers towards non-petroleum-based polymers for thermoformed shallow trays is a key trend observed in the market in the past few years and could be used as an excellent growth opportunity to strengthen positioning in the global market. Sugarcane-based bio-degradable materials such as poly lactic acid (PLA) have particularly gained importance for their effective properties such as resistance to oil, printing capabilities, compatibility with food products and high visual appeal. Thermoform packaging manufacturers are further exploring non-petroleum based packaging materials to reduce their carbon footprint and adopt environment friendly approach in their business practices.

This review of the global thermoformed shallow trays market is based on a recent market research report published by Transparency Market Research, titled "Thermoformed Shallow Trays Market (Material Type - Plastic (Polyethylene Terephthalate, Poly vinyl chloride, Polypropylene, Polyethylene, and Polystyrene) and Paper-based Laminates; Application Type - Food (Meat, Poultry, and Seafood, Bakery Products, Dairy Products, Snacks, and Food Services), Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics and Personal Care, Industrial Goods, and Electronics) - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016-2024."

Browse Press Release:

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/thermoformed-shallow-trays-market.htm

For the study, the market has been segmented as follows:

By Material Type

Plastic Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) Polypropylene (PP) Polyethylene (PE) Polystyrene (PS) Others

Paper based Laminates

By Application Type

Food Meat, poultry & seafood Bakery products Dairy products Snacks Food services Others

Pharmaceuticals

Cosmetics & personal care

Industrial goods

Electronics

By Region

North America

Latin America

Europe

Middles East and Africa (MEA)

(MEA) Asia Pacific (APAC)

Other Research Reports by TMR:

Fresh Meat Packaging Market:

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/fresh-meat-packaging-market.html

Thermoform Packaging Market:

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/thermoform-packaging-market.html

About Us:

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.

TMR's data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - Pfizer Inc. (PFE) said that the European Commission has approved TRUMENBA (Meningococcal Group B Vaccine) for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) in individuals 10 years of age and older. Adolescents and young adults are a critical demographic for vaccination against MenB due to inherent environmental and social risk factors such as close-quartered living and sharing behaviors. Early symptoms can be misinterpreted as the flu, but meningococcal disease can lead to death within 24 hours.3 Despite antibiotic treatment, 10 to 15 percent of people with meningococcal disease will die.3 Of those adolescents who survive, three in five experience significant physical and mental disabilities.4 Adolescents remain a very important group for vaccination, as up to a quarter may be asymptomatic carriers of Neisseria meningitidis. Pfizer said it continues to invest significantly in manufacturing processes and facilities to ensure a sufficient supply of TRUMENBA in Europe, where the majority of meningococcal disease cases (60 percent) among adolescents and young adults are caused by serogroup B Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The Company is attracting top talent with its strong Board and highly-qualified Management Team

AUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / May 30, 2017 / Bravatek Solutions, Inc. (OTC PINK: BVTK), a next generation cyber security software, hardware and solutions provider, today announced that it has retained a nationally known sales executive, Mr. Jim Brown as a Vice President of Sales to coordinate sales activity, and oversee the installation of its nationwide sales organization.

Mr. Brown is a prominent and qualified sales and marketing executive with over twenty years of sales experience with technology-based firms. Jim has an impressive track record of making things happen--including contributing large sales volumes while also leading the development of local and national sales efforts. Jim's expertise in developing prominent sales processes, implementing effective client training strategies, and launching effective marketing initiatives should help Bravatek increase revenues while making sure clients get up and running, smoothly and efficiently. In addition to leading major corporate sales efforts, Mr. Brown has helped launch effective marketing communications programs and cloud-based software training programs for several Fortune 500 companies, including the Xerox Corporation, Comcast Business Services and United Airlines.

Bravatek projects that its domestic sales organization will grow to over a hundred technology, software, telecom services and hardware representatives by the end of 2018. These reps will represent the "best of the best" in sales, service, training and installation. Bravatek's goal is to create the most revered team ever assembled in the cyber security software industry. The model for future growth will be based on the same model that Jim helped launch on behalf of Comcast Business Services. When Jim started there, they were generating approximately $300,000 in revenue during Year 1, only to exceed $1 billion dollars of revenue by Year 6.

Bravatek has also asked Jim to act as the Western Regional Director of Government Services, and in this capacity, Jim will oversee the implementation and management of our software implementation team. Jim will also oversee Bravatek's Military Services Program, thereby giving leverage to Bravatek's existing government contract vehicles, IDIQs, MSAs, etc. that are already signed, but are now capable of being rapidly implemented nationwide. Jim has over twenty years of sales and management experience and is known for excellent team-building and sales management in Internet technology, digital communications and the broadband services industries.

Jim has led sales teams that have successfully implemented technology-based solutions for municipal, corporate and military-based infrastructures. He is currently working on major cloud-based installations for municipal and corporate clients in the cities of Phoenix, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Seattle, Salt Lake City, and Denver. Jim is also available to handle various other projects based upon Request for Proposals (RFPs) for cyber security solutions sought by those municipal, corporate and government entities.

Mr. Brown will work closely with the Bravatek executive team to present a comprehensive cyber security communication platform for United States military operations throughout the West Region with special emphasis upon email server environments.

"Bravatek Solutions, Inc.'s national and international sales initiatives have now obtained a significant marketing and sales advantage with the retention of this seasoned sales executive. Our 'First to Market' sales strategies will hopefully result in significant growth with sustainable sales both nationally and internationally in 2017 and beyond," commented Bravatek Solutions, Inc.'s Chairman & CEO, Thomas A. Cellucci, PhD, MBA.

Jim's family lives in the State of Colorado, where Jim's wife is currently the Lt. Governor of Colorado.

About Bravatek Solutions, Inc.

Bravatek Solutions, Inc. is a high technology security solutions portfolio provider that assists corporate entities, governments and individuals protect their organizations against both physical and cyber-attacks through its offering of the most technically-advanced, cost-effective and reliable software, tools and systems.

For more information, visit www.bravatek.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements", as defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and the actual results and future events could differ materially from management's current expectations. The economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors identified in the Company's previous filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward looking statements in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media contact:

Bravatek Solutions, Inc.

media@bravatek.com

1.866.490.8590

SOURCE: Bravatek Solutions, Inc.


PUNE, India, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The report "Warehouse Management System Market by Component (Software, Services), Implementation (On-Premise, On-Cloud), Tier Type (Advanced, Intermediate, Basic), Industry (Automotive, Food & Beverages, Healthcare, E-Commerce), and Region - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets' , the warehouse management system market was valued at USD 1.32 Billion in 2016 and is projected to reach USD 3.23 Billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 14.1% between 2017 and 2023.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )



Browse 38 market data tables and 60 figures spread through 183 pages and in-depth TOC on"Warehouse Management System Market"



http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/warehouse-management-system-market-41614951.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.



Factors anticipated to drive the growth of the market include emergence of multi-channel distribution networks, growth of the e-commerce industry, increased adoption of on-cloud WMS solutions, and globalization of supply chain networks.

"The software segment accounted for the largest share of the warehouse management system market"

Based on component, the software segment is expected to lead the warehouse management system market between 2017 and 2023. In a dynamic supply chain ecosystem, warehouse operating companies have realized the importance of WMS software, as this software accurately manages their inventory. Therefore, increasing awareness of WMS software among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the growing adoption of cloud-based WMS software solutions are key factors driving the demand for WMS software.

Download PDF Brochure : http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=41614951

"The food & beverages industry segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR between 2017 and 2023"

The food & beverages industry segment of the warehouse management system market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2017 and 2023. Factors such as the need for automated and hygienic handling of food items, enhanced traceability of food items, and increased sale of packaged food products are propelling the implementation of WMS solutions in the warehousing facilities of food & beverages companies.

"North America expected to lead the warehouse management system market between 2017 and 2023"

North America is one of the key growth regions in the warehouse management system market. Increased adoption of cloud technology, growth of the e-commerce industry, highly developed warehousing infrastructure, and extensive third-party distribution network are influencing the growth of the warehouse management system market in North America. In addition, the presence of established manufacturing companies in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are further contributing to the growth of this market.

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Key players operating in the warehouse management system market include Epicor Software Corp. (US), JDA Software Group, Inc. (US), Manhattan Associates, Inc. (US), Oracle Corp. (US), SAP SE (Germany), IBM Corp. (US), Infor, Inc. (US), PTC Inc. (US), PSI AG (Germany), TECSYS Inc. (Canada), BluJay Solutions (UK), and HighJump (US).

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http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/warehouse-robotic-market-128876258.html

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Summit Materials, Inc. (NYSE: SUM, "Summit" or the "Company"), a leading vertically integrated construction materials company, today announced that management will attend the following upcoming investor conference:

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Building Infrastructure Conference

October 3-4, 2017

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Financial Centre London, United Kingdom

Summit's latest investor presentation will be provided at these conferences. Prior to Summit's attendance, the company will post a copy of the presentation it intends to use in the "Investors" section of the Company's website at www.summit-materials.com.

About Summit Materials, Inc.

Summit Materials is a leading vertically integrated materials-based company that supplies aggregates, cement, ready-mix concrete and asphalt in the United States and British Columbia, Canada. Summit is a geographically diverse, materials-based business of scale that offers customers a single-source provider of construction materials and related downstream products in the public infrastructure, residential and nonresidential, and end markets. Summit has a strong track record of successful acquisitions since its founding and continues to pursue growth opportunities in new and existing markets. For more information about Summit Materials, please visit www.summit-materials.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "intends," "trends," "plans," "estimates," "projects" or "anticipates" or similar expressions that concern our strategy, plans, expectations or intentions. Any and all statements made relating to the expectations for our anticipated benefits from recent acquisitions, the macroeconomic outlook for our markets, potential acquisition activity, our estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, cash flows, sales volumes and financial results are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and, therefore, our actual results may differ materially from those expected. We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and, of course, it is impossible to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results.

In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the results or conditions described in such statements or our objectives and plans will be achieved. Important factors could affect our results and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. Such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170929005085/en/

Contacts:

Mr. Noel Ryan

Vice President, Investor Relations

Summit Materials, Inc.

noel.ryan@summit-materials.com
European engineering services supplier deploys industry solution experience from Dassault Systemes' new streamlined portfolio for Energy, Process Utilities

Improved collaboration, consistent data delivery support and accelerated processes in capital projects

Digital transformation of project management and execution is key driver to reduce delays and costs in EPU industry

Dassault Systemes (Paris:DSY) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) was selected by I&C Energo a.s. to help it transform its engineering services in the European energy sector. I&C Energo is deploying Dassault Systemes' "Capital Facilities Information Excellence" industry solution experience to efficiently manage documents, projects and configuration related to the engineering, construction, maintenance and optimization of power plants and other industrial facilities.

The deployment, which follows I&C Energo's two-year evaluation of market solutions, is aimed to strengthen I&C Energo's international business by mitigating the industry's increasing schedule and budget pressures. Based on Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform, "Capital Facilities Information Excellence" provides a single source of information in a unified digital environment for comprehensive, real-time visibility on project activities. I&C Energo's design and commissioning teams can seamlessly collaborate on project specifications, industry regulations compliance and project governance, while quickly making decisions that reduce the risk of late or inaccurate changes.

"As part of our vision to be an international leader in our field, the unified management of project documentation, schedules and reporting for large projects will bring us a competitive advantage," said Jan Krska, CSO, member of the Board of Directors, I&C Energo. "Dassault Systemes evaluated our needs not just from a technical standpoint, but from a business standpoint. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform will help us to improve and scale our business."

"Companies that engineer, build, or operate capital facilities need agility and efficiency to differentiate their market offering while minimizing their risk exposure," said Thomas Grand, Vice President, Energy, Process and Utilities Industry, Dassault Systemes. "Using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, I&C Energo can rely on consistent information to adhere to standards, improve asset quality and safety, and reduce project-related time and costs, resulting in a better experience for its customers."

"Capital Facilities Information Excellence" is part of Dassault Systemes' new streamlined portfolio of Energy, Process Utilities industry solution experiences based on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Engineering, procurement and construction companies, as well as owners and operators of capital facilities, can bring differentiated business value across all stages of the lifecycle of large plants and assets with an integrated approach to improving safety, compliance, delivery and sustainability.

Social media:

Share this on Twitter: I&C Energo selects @Dassault3DS to improve its capital projects energy process utilities 3DEXPERIENCE

Connect with Dassault Systemes on Twitter Facebook LinkedIn YouTube

For more information:

For more information on Dassault Systemes' industry solution experiences for the Energy, Process and Utilities Industry, please visit http://www.3ds.com/industries/energy-process-utilities/

Dassault Systemes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions: http://www.3ds.com

About I&C Energo

I&C Energo a.s. belongs among the largest Czech suppliers of capital projects and maintenance services for various industrial applications in the field of technological process control systems and LV, HV and EHV power supply systems. A significant part of our activities consists of so-called machine activities focused on piping systems, steel structures and other technological machinery. Other standard applied products of the company include supplies and services in the field of building technologies, including electronic security systems for buildings or electronic fire-protection systems.

The company carries out its supply and engineering solutions from the position of a system integrator of major manufacturers and suppliers of regulation, control, information and security technologies, components and systems.

It has been in the market since 1993 and its supplies and services are provided mainly in the power industry and large industrial plants, where the nuclear power industry is its principal sector.

For our Czech and foreign customers it represents a reliable partner, able to assume full responsibility from the projection stage through supply of material, realization and putting into commission as well as any subsequent service.

www.ic-energo.eu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2O55f4QKaE

About Dassault Systemes

Dassault Systemes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, provides business and people with virtual universes to imagine sustainable innovations. Its world-leading solutions transform the way products are designed, produced, and supported. Dassault Systemes' collaborative solutions foster social innovation, expanding possibilities for the virtual world to improve the real world. The group brings value to over 220,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit www.3ds.com.

3DEXPERIENCE, the Compass logo and the 3DS logo, CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, ENOVIA, DELMIA, SIMULIA, GEOVIA, EXALEAD, 3D VIA, BIOVIA, NETVIBES and 3DEXCITE are registered trademarks of Dassault Systemes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171114006260/en/

Contacts:

Dassault Systemes Press Contacts

Corporate France

Arnaud MALHERBE

arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com

+33 (0)1 61 62 87 73

or

North America

Suzanne MORAN

suzanne.moran@3ds.com

+1 (781) 810 3774

or

EMEAR

Virginie BLINDENBERG

virginie.blindenberg@3ds.com

+33 (0) 1 61 62 84 21

or

China

Grace MU

grace.mu@3ds.com

+86 10 6536 2288

or

India

Santanu BHATTACHARYA

santanu.bhattacharya@3ds.com

+91 124 457 7100

or

Japan

Yukiko SATO

yukiko.sato@3ds.com

+81 3 4321 3841

or

Korea

Myoungjoo CHOI

myoungjoo.choi@3ds.com

+82 10 8947 6493

or

AP South

Tricia SIM

tricia.sim@3ds.com

+65 6511 7954
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Hope Hicks, a former model and longtime member of President Donald Trump's communications team, has been appointed as White House Communications Director. The 28-year old former employee of the Trump Organization has been serving as interim White House Communications Director since Anthony Scaramucci was fired in July after just 10 days in office. After picking Hicks for the interim post, Trump had said, 'She's always on the phone talking to the reporters, trying to get the reporters to straighten out their dishonest stories. Hicks is a tremendously talented person'. She is the third White House communications director of Trump's presidency. Trump's longest-serving political aide and one of his most trusted confidants, Hicks had also worked as his Strategic Communications Director and Campaign Press Secretary. With her appointment, women are at the head of both media wings of the White House. As White House Communications Director, Hicks will be responsible for shaping the government's message, while White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be briefing the media. A section of US media had complained that the former Ralph Lauren fashion model was not qualified for the job, one of the most powerful roles in Washington. Hicks also was criticized by some with regard to a statement she issued in May regarding Trump's character and personality. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Regulatory News:

Adocia (Paris:ADOC) (Euronext Paris: FR0011184241 ADOC), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on diabetes treatment with innovative formulations of approved proteins, today announced that six abstracts supporting the application of its proprietary BioChaperone technology for the development of innovative diabetes treatments have been accepted for poster presentation at the upcoming American Diabetes Association 77th Scientific Sessions from June 9-13, 2017 in San Diego, CA.

"We are pleased to be featuring a strong and varied set of data from our programs at this year's ADA Scientific Sessions, which gathers global leaders dedicated to improving the life of people with diabetes. This gives us the opportunity to showcase the significant progress that the company has made, particularly with our lead phase 3-ready program BioChaperone Lispro," commented Gerard Soula, Adocia's Chairman and CEO. "We are also very excited to share promising data from two of our earlier-stage programs, BioChaperone Glucagon and our BioChaperone-enabled combinations of glargine and GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Details of the six accepted abstracts on programs based on BioChaperone technology are presented below:

Poster #964: Ultra-rapid BioChaperone Lispro (BCLIS) Improves Postprandial Blood Glucose (PPG) Excursions vs. Insulin Lispro (LIS) in a 14-Day Treatment Study in Subjects with Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM)



Presenting Author: Dr. Tim Heise, MD

Session: Clinical Therapeutics/New Technology-Insulins

Date and Time: Saturday, June 10 at 11:30 AM 12:30 PM

Location: Hall B



Additionally, findings from this study will also be showcased in a moderated poster discussion session titled, "Insulins with a 'Twist'" on Sunday June 11, 2017 12:00 PM 1:00 PM PDT in Hall B. During this session, moderators will share valuable outlook on advances in insulin development.

Poster #994: Ultra-rapid BioChaperone Lispro (BCLIS) Improves Postprandial Blood Glucose (PPG) Control vs. Insulin Lispro (LIS) in a 14-Day Treatment Study in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM)



Presenting Author: Dr. Tim Heise, MD

Session: Clinical Therapeutics/New Technology-Insulins

Date and Time: Saturday, June 10 at 11:30 AM 12:30 PM PDT

Location: Hall B

Poster #996: Proportional Dose-Exposure Relationship of Ultra-rapid BioChaperone Lispro (BCLIS) in Healthy Japanese Subjects



Presenting Author: Dr. Gregory Meiffren, PhD

Session: Clinical Therapeutics/New Technology-Insulins

Date and Time: Saturday, June 10 at 11:30 AM 12:30 PM PDT

Location: Hall B

Poster #1150: Preclinical efficacy of a stable aqueous formulation of human glucagon with BioChaperone technology (BC GLU)



Presenting Author: Dr. Gregory Meiffren, PhD

Session: Clinical Therapeutics/New Technology-Insulins

Date and Time: Saturday, June 10 at 11:30 AM 12:30 PM PDT

Location: Hall B

Poster #1153: BioChaperone technology enables rhGlucagon aqueous formulation for use in rescue and dual hormone artificial pancreas (DHAP)



Presenting Author: Dr. Olivier Soula, PhD, MBA

Session: Clinical Therapeutics/New Technology-Insulins

Date and Time: Saturday, June 10 at 11:30 AM 12:30 PM PDT

Location: Hall B

Poster #1029: BioChaperone technology enables the development of glargine-liraglutide and glargine-dulaglutide combinations



Presenting Author: Dr. Remi Soula, PhD, MBA

Session: Clinical Therapeutics/New Technology-Insulins

Date and Time: Saturday, June 10 at 11:30 AM 12:30 PM PDT

Location: Hall B

About the ADA Scientific Sessions

The American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions offers researchers and health care professionals from around the globe an exclusive opportunity to share ideas and gain knowledge about the recent advances in diabetes research, treatment, and care. Attendees will have access to more than 3,000 original research presentations, take part in thought-provoking speaking engagements with leading diabetes experts, and expand their professional networks.

About ADOCIA

Adocia is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that specializes in the development of innovative formulations of already-approved therapeutic proteins. Adocia's portfolio of therapeutic proteins for the treatment of diabetes, featuring four clinical-stage products and six preclinical-stage products, is among the largest and most differentiated in the industry.

The proprietary BioChaperone technological platform is designed to enhance the effectiveness and/or safety of therapeutic proteins while making them easier for patients to use. Adocia customizes BioChaperone to each protein for a given application in order to address specific patient needs.

Adocia's clinical pipeline includes four novel insulin formulations for the treatment of diabetes: two ultra-rapid formulations of insulin analogs (BioChaperone Lispro U100 and U200), a rapid-acting formulation of human insulin (HinsBet U100) and a combination of basal insulin glargine and rapid-acting insulin lispro (BioChaperone Combo). Adocia is also developing an aqueous formulation of human glucagon (BioChaperone Human Glucagon), two combinations of insulin glargine with GLP-1s (BioChaperone Glargine Dulaglutide and BioChaperone Glargine Liraglutide), two combinations of insulin Lispro with synergistic prandial hormones (BioChaperone Lispro Pramlintide and BioChaperone Lispro Exenatide), and a concentrated, rapid-acting formulation of human insulin (HinsBet U500), all of which are in preclinical development.

Adocia aims to deliver "Innovative medicine for everyone, everywhere."

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Adocia and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Adocia considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, which estimates are subject to numerous risks including the risks set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of the Reference Document filed with the French Autorite des marches financiers on April 11, 2017 (a copy of which is available on www.adocia.com) and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Adocia operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Adocia or not currently considered material by Adocia. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Adocia to be materially different from such forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530005965/en/

Contacts:

For more information please contact:

Adocia

Gerard Soula, +33 4 72 610 610

Chairman and CEO

contactinvestisseurs@adocia.com

or

Adocia Press Relations Europe

MC Services AG

Raimund Gabriel, +49 89 210 228 0

adocia@mc-services.eu

or

Adocia Investor Relations USA

The Ruth Group

Tram Bui, +1-646-536-7035

tbui@theruthgroup.com
The Illinois legislature was working on Monday-- and in a very bipartisan way. The House has 67 Democrats and 51 Republicans but the vote on Robyn Gabel's Automatic Voter Registration bill was 115-0. The Senate had already passed i-- also unanimously. (It had passed last year as well but was vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner (which is exactly what the grotesque Jersey slob did when the legislature in his stated passed it last year), claiming their could be fraud. His concerns were addressed in the current wording of the bill. The new law will add over a million new voters to the rolls in Illinois.

SB1933 reforms current registration laws so that whenever an eligible Illinois resident applies for, updates or renews a drivers license or state ID, he or she will be automatically registered to vote or have their registration updated, unless they opt out. It also creates a similar program for other state agencies, such as the Department of Human Services and Department of Natural Resources.



...Automatic voter registration, as passed this year, will allow technology to help make our elections more secure, more efficient, and more open to all citizens of Illinois, said Rep. Fortner [R]. This bill will create a seamless process for citizens to register and keep their registration up-to-date as they move. At the same time, it respects the privacy of those in the system and those who choose not to participate.



Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) first introduced the proposal in 2015, which passed in both the House and Senate with broad bipartisan support before Governor Rauner issued a veto.



 I am proud that my colleagues in the House voted to bring automatic voter registration to Illinois, making voter registration more modern, efficient and accessible to all eligible voters, said Rep. Gabel. This legislation is a model of bipartisan cooperation and I urge Governor Rauner to sign it into law.



We retooled parts of this plan based on suggestions from both sides of the aisle. Theres no plausible reason Gov. Rauner shouldnt sign it the moment it lands on his desk, Sen. Manar said. If he is serious about modernizing Illinois government and saving money for taxpayers, then automatic voter registration is an excellent way to do both.

Oregon was the first state to pass Automatic Voter Registration (2015) and the increase in voter registration has been huge. California followed several months later and in 2016 West Virginia, Vermont, Connecticut, Georgia, DC and Alaska passed it as well, Alaska in a referendum. This year Colorado approved it, as did Nevada-- although, again, a Republican governor (Brian Sandoval) vetoed it.





Almost every state in the Union has an Automatic Voter Registration bill pending this year except for 11 states controlled by the Republican Party: Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, both Dakotas, Wisconsin, Kansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, North Carolina and New Hampshire. Bob Brady (D-PA) introduced federal legislation that would automatically register ever eligible American citizen to vote in federal elections but no Republicans have signed on as co-sponsors, dooming it until 2018 when Democrats are likely to win back control of the House.





Meanwhile, the great state of Maine may be next to pass this. It won in the House last Thursday 74-68, all the Democrats and independents plus one Republican in favor and the rest of the Republicans opposed. Shenna Bellows is the sponsor in the state Senate which is scheduled to vote today. She needs to get one Republican to vote with the Democrats to pass it. It's a bill, though, that Governor LePage, who opposes expanding the franchise, is pretty certain to veto. How do I know? Well, in the early 1970s Maine passed same day voter registration and the second LePage and the Republicans took control of the state government they repealed it. We asked our old friend Shenna , who was the chair of the successful drive to overturn LePage's and the GOP's repeal of same day registration, how she plans to persuade a Republican to help pass automatic voter registration today.

"Every person who supports democracy in its truest form," she told us last night, "understands that voting is foundational to democracy. In an era of voter suppression and the rise of grave threats to our democracy, it becomes all the more important that we champion measures that increase voter participation and empowerment. Thats the goal of LD1232, Maines automatic voter registration bill, which passed the Democratically controlled Maine House of Representatives last week and is pending for a vote in the Senate. One would think it would be unanimous. Constitutional rights shouldnt be a partisan issue. One would hope that a Governor looking to his legacy would sign it. Alas, weve been down this road before. Not only has Republican Governor Paul LePage vetoed numerous measures that would have benefitted the people of Maine, hes actively campaigned against voting rights. Indeed, he was a leader in a 2011 voter suppression effort when Republicans controlled the legislature and repealed Maines election day registration law, a law that had been on the books for almost forty years. The people rose up in 2011. We passed a so-called peoples veto to restore same day voter registration via ballot measure. Governor LePage and his allies may block automatic voter registration by veto, but that doesnt mean we dont have options if he does. We have principle and politics on our side."

UPDATE: Maine





An amendment has made the bill into a study. Shenna just got back to us with the wording: "This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve directing the Secretary of State to study the implementation of automatic voter registration. The Secretary of State is required to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs by March 1, 2018." Very disappointing for everyone who was inspired by the unanimous vote of approval in Illinois yesterday.





More Update: Worse yet, it failed.The Dems were not united. Senate Democrats Bill Diamond and Dawn Hill voted against it. And the Republicans were united against it. It failed 20 to 15 in a Senate that has 18 Republicans and 17 Democrats. Because the motion was "ought not to pass" the vote itself was on the merits of the actual underlying bill, not the study. Terrible news.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Valens GroWorks Corp. (CSE: VGW)(CSE: VGW.CN) (with its 100%-owned subsidiaries, the "Company" or "Valens") has elected to terminate discussions for the proposed acquisition of late-stage cannabis production license ("LP") applicant Royal Green Acres Manufacturing Ltd. ("RGAM"), and has released RGAM from the restrictions and obligations of the exclusivity period.

The Company is expediting the acquisition of its own Licences to Produce ("LP") and Licences to Sell ("LS") under the revised Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations ("ACMPR") process, as a follow up to its recently awarded Controlled Drugs and Substances Dealer's Licence ("DL").

The Company's decision follows Health Canada's May 26, 2017 press release introducing several improvements to its medical cannabis program, expected to have direct application to the Company's expansion plans. Health Canada states that effective immediately the application process for becoming a licensed producer of cannabis for medical purposes is as follows:

-- Intake and Initial Screening -- Detailed Review and Initiation of Security Clearance Process -- Issuance of Licence to Produce ("LP") -- Introductory Inspection (as cultivation begins) -- Pre-Sales Inspection -- Issuance of Licence to Sell ("LS")

These improvements streamline the application process for issuing LPs, with some stages of the application reviews taken concurrently, permitting licensed producers to manage production on the basis of their vault capacity, authorizing longer validity periods for licences and security clearances, and streamlining the review and approval of applications to modify or expand an existing production facility for licensed producers with a record of good compliance.

Health Canada's expedited process may allow the near-term issuance of an LP to the Company, and expedite the process to acquire an LS concurrent to our DL cultivation activities. This process would recognize the extensive multi-year process completed for our DL that included many of the same LP stages now expedited, including application, facility design and construction, and security clearance of key personnel.

About Valens GroWorks Corp.

Valens GroWorks Corp is a CSE-listed company with an aggressive acquisition strategy in progress, providing management, consulting, testing and support services to domestic and international licensees, as well as financing the buildout of established, fully-licensed operations. The Company seeks to capture a broad spectrum of clinical trial and R&D clients, medical marijuana users, as well as recreational users once legalized, in pursuit of its ambitious seed to sale and farm to pharma objectives.

The Company has two wholly-owned subsidiaries based in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia: 1) Valens Agritech Ltd. ("VAL") which holds a Controlled Drugs and Substances Dealers Licence at its state-of-the-art Health Canada inspected and approved two-acre secured site and 17,000 sf production facility in Kelowna, British Columbia, and is seeking to add a Licence to Produce and Licence to Sell to its operations, and 2) Supra THC Services Inc. ("Supra"), a Health Canada Dealers-Licenced cannabis testing lab with an established scientific team supporting its operations, positioning to provide sector-leading analytical and proprietary services to Licensed Producers and ACMPR patients.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

VALENS GROWORKS CORP.

Robert van Santen, Chief Financial Officer

Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or is "anticipating", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements include statements regarding the use of proceeds from a proposed funding. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to: the ability to obtain any necessary financing; the economy generally; competition; regulation and anticipated and unanticipated costs and delays. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. We seek safe harbor.

Contacts:

Greg Patchell

+1.250.860.8634




The Botswana Power Corporation has issued an Expression of Interest to select a partner for the creation of an IPP joint venture company. Cooperation proposals must be submitted by June 14.Botswana state-owned electric utility Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) is planning to build a 100 MW solar power plant at an unspecified location in Botswana in conjunction with the local Ministry of Minerals, Green Technology and Energy Security (MMGE). The company is now seeking a potential partner for the project through an Expression of Interest it issued on May ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
DUBLIN, October 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Global Oilfield Process Chemicals Market 2017-2021" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

The global oilfield process chemicals market to grow at a CAGR of 5.40% during the period 2017-2021.

Global Oilfield Process Chemicals Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.

One trend in the market is rising demand for novel chemical products. The oil and gas industry is continuously compelling the oilfield process chemical manufacturers to develop and launch innovative products that meet an extensive range of challenges in terms of quality, pumpability, reliability, deliverability, and environmental compliance along with the required performance standards.

According to the report, one driver in the market is increased demand for energy. The ever-growing demand for energy has resulted in an increase in onshore and offshore exploration activities. This rise in exploration activities is driving the market for oilfield process chemicals. Crude oil and natural gas play a critical role in the global energy supply chain. In 2016, crude oil emerged to be the largest source of energy around the world accounting for approximately 35% of the global energy demand. The rising oil demand, leading to an increase in exploration and production activity, is enhancing the demand for oilfield process chemicals.

Further, the report states that one challenge in the market is volatile crude oil prices. Persistent price variations of oil pose a major threat to the global oilfield process chemicals market. Owing to the supply-demand variabilities and the unprecedented political situation in the Middle East, which has the major share of world's oil supply, there is an instability in the price of crude oil in the foreign market. This instability has intentionally increased the prices of oilfield process chemicals. Therefore, the manufacturers of oilfield process chemicals are unable to plan and produce accordingly because of the fluctuating crude oil prices.



Key vendors

Baker Hughes

BASF

Halliburton

Schlumberger

The Dow Chemical company

Other prominent vendors

Akzo Nobel

Albemarle

Ashland

CES Energy Solutions

Chemex

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company

Clariant

Dorf Ketal

DuPont

Ecolab

Gulf Coast Chemical

Huntsman International

Lamberti

Newpark Resources

SICHEM

Solvay

Stepan

Lubrizol

Key Topics Covered:



Part 01: Executive Summary



Part 02: Scope Of The Report



Part 03: Research Methodology



Part 04: Introduction



Part 05: Market Landscape



Part 06: Market Segmentation By Product Type



Part 07: Geographical Segmentation



Part 08: Decision Framework



Part 09: Drivers And Challenges



Part 10: Market Trends



Part 11: Vendor Landscape



Part 12: Key Vendor Analysis



Part 13: Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vf5hk9/global_oilfield





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Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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PUNE, India, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The report "Rocket and Missile Market by Type (Missile, Rocket), Launch Mode (Surface-to-Surface, Surface-to-Air, Air-to-Air, Air-to-Surface, Subsea-to-Surface), Propulsion (Solid, Liquid, Hybrid, Scramjet, Turbojet, Ramjet) & Region - Global Forecast to 2022", published by MarketsandMarkets', the rocket and missile market is projected to grow from USD 55.53 Billion in 2017 to USD 70.00 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 4.74% during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the increasing geopolitical conflicts, war, and terrorism, which are driving the demand for rockets and missiles globally.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )



Browse 134 market data Tables and 45 Figures spread through 182 Pages and in-depth TOC on"Rocket and Missile Market".

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/rocket-missile-market-203298804.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

Based on type, the missile segment is projected to lead the rocket and missile market during the forecast period.

Based on type, the rocket and missile market was dominated by the missile segment in 2017 and is expected to continue its dominance till 2022. Missiles are versatile weapons and can be fired in various modes, angles, and platforms. To inflict maximum damage on adversaries, missiles are now equipped with guidance technologies which enable them hit targets with precision. Developing countries such as China and India, among others, are investing more in ballistic missiles. These countries are investing more in advanced technologies and focusing on manufacturing a wide range of offensive fighting vehicles. For instance, in May 2017, China tested its DF-26 missile which can attack aircraft carriers and air defense batteries with precision. India recently signed a contract with Israel to acquire more than 275 launchers and 5,500 spike missiles. The deal includes transfer of technology to build another 1500 launchers and 30,000 missiles.

Download PDF Brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=203298804

Based on launch mode, the surface-to-surface segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The rocket and missile market has been analyzed and segmented based on launch mode into surface-to-surface, surface-to-air, air-to-air, air-to-surface, and subsea-to-surface. The rocket and missile market is dominated by the surface-to-surface segment. This segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, primarily driven by the upgrade and modernization programs, procurement of cruise as well as ballistic missiles, and use of advance guidance systems.

The U.S., China, and India are expected to be lucrative markets for rockets and missiles.

The U.S., China, and India are expected to be the largest rocket and missile markets in the coming years. The U.S. is estimated to dominate the market during the forecast period. This rapid growth can be attributed to the increasing research and development activities undertaken in the region for the development of advanced technology-based designs of man portable warfare systems. The China rocket and missile market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2017 to 2022. China has been investing heavily in the design and development of guided man-portable air defense systems over the last five years.

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Major players in the rocket and missile market are Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.), MBDA, Inc. (U.K.), Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (Israel), Thales Group (France), Saab AB (Sweden), Raytheon Company (U.S.), and Kongsberg Gruppen (Norway), among others.

Browse Related Reports

Shoulder Fired Weapons Market by Component (Launcher, Ammunition), Technology (Guided, Unguided), Range (Short range, Medium Range, Extended Range) and Region - Global Forecast to 2022

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/shoulder-fired-anti-tank-market-130342841.html

Ammunition Market by Caliber (Small, Medium, Large, Artillery, Mortar), Application (Defense, Civil & Commercial), Type (Cartridge-Based, Non-Cartridge Based), Cartridge Type (Rimfire, Centerfire) - Global Forecast to 2021

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/ammunition-market-923.html

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VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - May 30, 2017) - Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX VENTURE: AQS) (OTCQB: AQSZF) ("Aequus" or the "Company"), a specialty pharmaceutical company with a focus on developing, advancing and promoting differentiated products, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017 and associated Company developments. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are in Canadian currency.

Q1 2017 Key Highlights

Corporate Finance

On March 13, 2017, the Company closed an agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. ("Canaccord") to which they agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 17,250,000 units at a price of $0.30 per unit, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $5,175,000. Net proceeds of the offering will be used for the development of the Company's drug pipeline, business development and other general corporate purposes.

Commercial Activities

The Company recorded revenue of $293,002 in Q1 2017 compared to $116,083 in Q1 2016, representing a growth of 152% when comparing the two quarters. Revenues are attributable to its promotional activities for Tacrolimus IR, which launched in December 2015, and PR Vistitan', which launched in April 2016.





Vistitan', which launched in April 2016. Sales and marketing costs for Q1 2017 were $349,145, which included $71,014 in amortization and share based payments expenses. Depreciation and amortization, and share-based payments for Q1 2017 were $45,917 and $25,097, respectively, compared to $42,398 and $60,444, respectively, in Q1 2016. The amortization costs were primarily related to the acquisition costs of TeOra.





Aequus incurred sales and marketing expenses in Q1 2017 of $349,145 in Q1 2017 compared to $443,863 in Q1 2016, a decrease associated with launch related expenses that had been incurred in Q1 2016.

"We are pleased with the first year of progress of our commercial activities and the execution of our overall strategy to date," said Ian Ball, Chief Commercial Officer at Aequus. "In the currently reported quarter and on a cash flow basis, our commercial revenues have covered the costs associated with our commercial infrastructure. We expect to add additional commercial products in 2017 that will leverage our existing salesforce giving us further confidence in our continued growth."

Revenues are expected to continue to grow in the current year as these products continue to penetrate market share held by the branded equivalents and similar medications within the class, along with new prescription products that Aequus is currently negotiating for the Canadian market. Sales levels are expected to be inconsistent and unpredictable over the next twelve months as reimbursement activities and inventory stock-up occurs for each product.

Development Program Activities

The Company incurred research and development expenses of $398,273 in Q1 2017 as compared to $169,093 in Q1 2016. The increase in research and development expenses by $229,180 was attributable to the successful completion of the second Proof of Concept clinical study for AQS 1301 (a once-weekly transdermal formulation of aripiprazole), FDA Pre-IND meeting preparations for AQS1302 (a long-acting transdermal formulation of clobazam) and ASQ1303 (a long-acting formulation of pyridoxine/doxylamine) and manufacturing of Clinical Trial Materials for AQS1303 in preparation of a Proof of Concept clinical study expected in mid-2017.





On March 2, 2017, Aequus acquired a license from Transdermal Pharma Research Laboratories LLC to a transdermal patch containing cannabinoids for the use in epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis ("MS"), and certain other neurological disorders, broadening the Company's pipeline and a complement to its growing neurology franchise. Aequus recently published a survey involving over 400 physicians in Canada and the United States which validated the medical need for improved clinical trial data supporting safety and efficacy of medical cannabis, reliability of dose delivery systems, high quality data collection tracking real world clinical outcomes, physician education, and quality controlled ingredients.

"Our entrance into the medical cannabis space is based on our ability to leverage our internal expertise in drug delivery to address the concerns identified by physicians," said Doug Janzen, Chairman and CEO of Aequus. "We are confident that we can bring new revenue generating prescription products to Canada, advance novel cannabinoid formulations, add partnerships in the neurology and ophthalmology areas, and bring new drug delivery platforms to market in 2017."

Other

Additionally, the Company issued Camargo Pharmaceutical Services, LLC 158,437 common shares on May 29, 2017 in connection with a service agreement to provide regulatory consulting services for the Company's product development programs in the United States.

ABOUT AEQUUS PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX VENTURE: AQS) (OTCQB: AQSZF) is a growing specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing high quality, differentiated products. Aequus' development stage pipeline includes several products in neurology and psychiatry with a goal of addressing the need for improved medication adherence through enhanced delivery systems. With a focus in neurology and other specialty areas, our most recent addition to the development pipeline was a long-acting form of medical cannabis, where there is a high need for a consistent, predictable and pharmaceutical-grade delivery of products for patients. Aequus intends to commercialize its internal programs in Canada alongside its current portfolio of marketed established medicines and will look to form strategic partnerships that would maximize the reach of its product candidates worldwide. Aequus plans to build on its Canadian commercial platform through the launch of additional products that are either created internally or brought in through an acquisition or license; remaining focused on highly specialized therapeutic areas. For further information, please visit www.aequuspharma.ca.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER

This release may contain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believe", "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "potential" and similar expressions. Forward- looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as the factors we believe are appropriate. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements relating to: the implementation of our business model and strategic plans; the Company's expected revenues; the timing of public listings; the advancement of the Company's transdermal pyridoxine/doxylamine program into a Proof of Concept clinical study; the Company's potential regional partnerships for its internal programs; the timing of public reimbursement decisions for Vistitan'; the regulatory requirements for the its transdermal aripiprazole program; and the Company's expectations regarding the tech transfer to its development partner with respect to the Company's transdermal patch for clobazam and doxylamine/pyridoxine transdermal patch. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Aequus, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In making the forward looking statements included in this release, the Company has made various material assumptions, including, but not limited to: obtaining positive results of clinical trials; obtaining regulatory approvals; general business and economic conditions; the Company's ability to successfully outlicense or sell its current products and in-license and develop new products; the assumption that the Company's current good relationships with its manufacturer and other third parties will be maintained; the availability of financing on reasonable terms; the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled staff; market competition; the products and technology offered by the Company's competitors; and the Company's ability to protect patents and proprietary rights. In evaluating forward looking statements, current and prospective shareholders should specifically consider various factors set out herein and under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated April 29, 2016, a copy of which is available on Aequus' profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, and as otherwise disclosed from time to time on Aequus' SEDAR profile. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties, or a risk that is not currently known to us materialize, or should assumptions underlying those forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and we do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are inherently uncertain. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward looking statements.

Vistitan': Trademark owned or used under license by Sandoz Canada Inc.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Aequus Investor Relations

Email: investors@aequuspharma.ca

Phone: 604-336-7906
The global dental fittings marketis projected to grow to USD 4.95 billion by 2021, at a CAGR of more than 5% over the forecast period, according to Technavio's latest report.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530005721/en/

Technavio has published a new report on the global dental fittings market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire)

In this report, Technavio covers the market outlook and growth prospects of the global dental fittings market for 2017-2021. Based on the end-users, the market is divided into hospital and dental clinic segments.

The dental fittings include dentures, archwires, anchorage appliances, and ligatures. The braces or the brackets are meant to place the misaligned or crooked teeth in place. Based on the product type, the global dental fittings market is segmented into dentures and other dental fittings such as archwires, ligatures, and anchorage appliances

Technavio's research study segments the global dental fittings market into the following regions:

Americas

EMEA

APAC

Dental fittings market in the Americas

"The Americas is the largest and fastest-growing segment of the dental fittings market. The market in the regional segment is dominated by North America, due to the high awareness about oral healthcare and cosmetic dentistrysays Srinivas Sashidhar, a lead analyst at Technavio for orthopedics and medical devices research.

The presence of sophisticated healthcare infrastructure facilities in the US and Canada is also a significant factor boosting the dental fittings market in the Americas. Also, a significant rise in the dental fittings market in Mexico due to the growth in medical tourism can be expected.

This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free

Dental fittings market in EMEA

The dental fittings market in EMEA is projected to be worth USD 1.21 billion by the end of 2017, and continue to grow at a moderate pace through the forecast period driven by the increase in older adult population and the migration of individuals to Europe for affordable dental treatment.

Additionally, the promotions undertaken by Eastern European governments and dental organizations to increase the awareness regarding the advanced dental treatments available in the market is also boosting the market growth. Countries such as the UK, Germany, France, Italy, the UAE, South Africa, are expected to be the key revenue contributors to the market in EMEA.

Dental fittings market in APAC

"APAC occupied nearly a quarter of the global dental fittings market in 2016. The region's growth in the market is expected to be driven by a rising demand for laser dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and better infrastructuresays Srinivas.

The dental fittings market in Australia and Japan is driven by cosmetic and laser dentistry with the advanced equipment and robotic technology. Medical tourism has been increased in this region because of low dental treatment costs. Australia, India, China, Japan, and South Korea have some of the most advanced medical and healthcare facilities in APAC.

The top vendors in the global dental fittings market highlighted in the report are:

Danaher

Dentsply Sirona

Institut Straumann

Browse Related Reports:

Global Orthopedic Prosthetics Market 2017-2021

Global Blood and Fluid Warming Devices Market 2017-2021

Global Orthodontic Services Market 2017-2021

Become a Technavio Insights member and access all three of these reports for a fraction of their original cost. As a Technavio Insights member, you will have immediate access to new reports as they're published in addition to all 6,000+ existing reports covering segments like cardiovascular devicescentral nervous system, and in-vitro diagnostics. This subscription nets you thousands in savings, while staying connected to Technavio's constant transforming research library, helping you make informed business decisions more efficiently.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies.

Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, resellers, and end-users.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530005721/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 630 333 9501

UK: +44 208 123 1770

www.technavio.com
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- The OFL congratulates the Ontario government on the steps it has taken today toward updating Ontario's outdated labour and employment laws, and on their plan to increase minimum wage across the province.

The OFL recognises the collective efforts of workers in Ontario for their strong advocacy on changes to the labour and employment laws in our province and winning a schedule for reaching a $15-minimum wage.

"The Labour movement has supported the call for a $15 minimum wage, and we're pleased to see this important step being taken," said OFL President Chris Buckley. "Now it is time to put legislation in place that will guarantee decent conditions in the workplace for all workers, as well as decent pay."

The Labour movement in Ontario is advocating for wide-ranging changes to the Employment Standards Act and Labour Relations Act to make sure every job in Ontario is a decent job, and that it is easier for workers to join and keep a union. The OFL will be engaging with the legislative committee and MPPs over the summer to ensure that the details of the proposed legislation will yield the desired outcome: delivering stability and fairness for all workers in Ontario.

"Every Canadian has a constitutional right to access meaningful collective bargaining under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms," said Buckley. "Our government must protect this right through legislation that removes obstacles for all workers who desire to exercise their rights and join a union."

Employment and labour laws are 20 years behind the times, and this is a much-needed update. While some of these announcements go further than the Special Advisors' recommendations, there are improvements that can still be made through legislation, said Buckley.

To make it fair, legislation should immediately include:

-- Guaranteeing the Charter right of all Ontarians to bargain collectively with their employer by implementing card-based certification in every sector and for all workplaces to reduce barriers for employees who want to organize. -- Extending access to collective bargaining for all Ontario workers by introducing broad-based bargaining models that include other sectors of the economy. -- Providing options for neutral telephone or online voting when union members need to vote. -- Extending the Labour Relations Act to cover all workers with no limitations. All workers deserve protections under the Labour Relations Act and the Employment Standards Act. -- Removing all exemptions to the minimum wage. -- Mandating parity for all workers with respect to wages, benefits, and working conditions - regardless of whether they are full-time or part- time workers. -- Protecting the right to concerted activity so that workers can form groups to pursue collective action. -- Extending and increasing access to just cause protection for all workers, unionized and non-unionized workers alike. -- Extending successor rights to protect employees against losing their jobs and their union when a worksite changes hands, not only to the building services but also to all other contract service industries. -- Prohibiting replacement workers to make sure the law does not undercut workers who are fighting for decent work. -- Extending Personal Emergency Leave to all workers and ensuring that it is not combined with any other leave. -- Providing ten paid job-protected days of leave for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. -- Providing seven paid sick days for all workers separate from Personal Emergency Leave.

The list above is a partial list of OFL priorities. Click here to see the full list. To read the OFL submission to the Changing workplaces review, click here.

The OFL's www.MakeItFair.ca campaign takes on issues of inequality in the workforce, and coincides with the province's "Changing Workplaces Review." The campaign gives voice to unions' demands for across-the-board changes to the Employment Standards Act and the Labour Relations Act that would improve standards for every worker and make it easier for them to join a union.

The OFL represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. For information, visit www.OFL.ca and follow @OFLabour on Facebook and Twitter.

The Fight for $15 & Fairness is a campaign supported by community, labour, student and faith groups across Ontario, calling for sweeping reform to employment and labour laws. Central in the campaign is the demand for a $15 minimum wage for all workers, regardless of age, student status, job or area of work. For more information, visit 15andfairness.org or follow @fairwagesnow.

For information on the Fight for $15 and Fairness demands, please visit: http://15andfairness.org/demands/.

Contacts:

Ontario Federation of Labour

Meagan Perry

Director of Communications

416-894-3456

mperry@ofl.ca




Pharma companies have been facing recent problems in retaining their customers as the companies concentrate mostly on their brands. In fact, a popular 2011 poll marked pharma as one of the least customer friendly industries on the planet. The growing competition in the pharmaceutical industry is becoming a major concern for the different vendors in the market to maintain positive customer relationships, and eliminate competition.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530006178/en/

Quantzig offers a variety of healthcare analytics solutions. (Graphic: Business Wire)

In a blog titled Walking the Fine Line Must Pharma Companies Try to 'Please' Their Customers, global analytics and advisory firm Quantzig evaluates some of the ways pharma industries are using customer analytics to manage their customers.

Quantzig notes that analytics can "determine that whether the deployment of the customer retention solutions will deliver expected results or not. Also, it sees that if the pharmaceutical industry can focus on customer engagement, keeping the privacy factors of patient-medical service provider configuration intact."

In terms of customer engagement, "Customers generally restrict themselves from approaching a pharma company for the second time for a health issue. Analytics provides a holistic approach in such situations. This approach helps pharmaceutical companies to engage with their patients, thereby understanding their actual need and providing them with solutions that are aligned to those needs."

For more insights, get in touch with Quantzig's analytics solutions experts

Customer analytics has made the pharmaceutical industry start to use social media like Facebook and Twitter pages as a preferred medium for communicating with their customers. Through social media channels, pharma companies can now deliver the required information related to common ailments, its impact, and solutions for their cure. This will help in gaining customer loyalty as customers will be able to seek suggestions for their various queries.

Read the entire blog here: https://www.quantzig.com/blog/walking-fine-line-must-pharma-companies-try-please-customers

More information on how customer analytics is being adopted in the pharma industry and how leading pharmaceutical companies are achieving almost 60% patient conversion rate using customer analytics, can be found using Quantzig's resources. These resources are compiled from Quantzig's team of over 500 analysts with industry expertise.

About Quantzig

Quantzig is a global analytics and advisory firm with offices in the US, UK, Canada, China, and India. For more than 12 years, we have assisted our clients across the globe with end-to-end data modeling capabilities to leverage analytics for prudent decision making. Today, our firm consists of 120+ clients, including 45 Fortune 500 companies. For more information on all of Quantzig's services and the solutions they have provided to Fortune 500 clients across all industries, please contact us

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530006178/en/

Contacts:

Quantzig

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

jesse@technavio.com
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Attn: Assignment Editor

What: Welland and South Niagara area residents greatly concerned about the closure of their hospitals will make their way to Queen's Park on Wednesday, May 31st, to present Premier Wynne with 2,500 personal letters opposing the closure of their local hospitals. The Niagara Health Coalition, Save Welland Hospital group, and the Ontario Health Coalition will meet with Members of the Provincial Parliament and Party Leaders on that day to urge them to stop the planned hospitals closures. The group will go into the Legislature to watch debate, will hold a media event, and will be greeted by the political parties. When: May 31st at 12:30 p.m. Media event Where: Queen's Park, Provincial Parliament, North side in front of Wellesley Street. Who: Niagara Health Coalition, the Ontario Health Coaltion, Save Our Welland Hospital Group, Welland MPP Cindy Forster, MPP Jeff Yurek, PC Health Critic, Major of Wainfleet, April Jeffs, Councellor from Welland, May Ann Grimaldi, Sue Hotte, Chair, Niagara Health Coalition and Natalie Mehra, Executive Director, Ontario Health Coaltion.

Background:

The government's plan is to close 5 entire community hospitals in Niagara in the communities of Welland, Port Colborne, Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls. They claim that they will build one hospital to replace all five, on the southern outskirts of Niagara Falls. The Welland hospital services the medical needs of 100,000 Welland and area residents. Our campaigns have pushed back plans, but the currently-proposed ambulatory care centre to replace the hospital will not provide in-patient health care services, emergency care, nor complex and acute care. It will not be a hospital. In addition, plans to totally close the hospitals and a number of urgent care centres in South Niagara are still in the works. The Niagara-on-the-Lake hospital has already been closed as a hospital. Plans for any new hospital are not concrete and will take a decade or more, if they ever materialize.

In addition, there are plans to close 2 entire hospitals in Hamilton and dramatically restructure all the hospitals around the Hamilton-to-Niagara region. The Grimsby hospital (West Lincoln Memorial) was swallowed up by Hamilton Health Sciences after the provincial government axed the new hospital in that community that it had previously approved. These changes along with the cuts in Niagara will dramatically impact access to care for millions of people in the Hamilton Niagara region. The hostipals closures must be stopped and restructuring plans deserve full scrutiny and public debate.

May 31, 2017: Media Event: At the Provincial Legislature, Queen's Park, Ontario (North Doorss)

Contacts:

Sue Hotte, Chair

Niagara Health Coalition

905-932-1646



Natalie Mehra

416-230-6402




HOUSTON, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Equus Total Return, Inc. (NYSE: EQS) ("Equus" or the "Company") today announced that U.S. Gas & Electric, Inc. ("USG&E") and its controlling shareholder MVC Capital, Inc. ("MVC") have terminated the Stock Purchase Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 24, 2017 ("Merger Agreement"), between Equus, certain shareholders of USG&E, and MVC as the representative of the selling USG&E stockholders.

On May 30, 2017, USG&E and MVC notified Equus that it had accepted a proposal from Crius Energy Trust, that was considered by the respective boards of directors of USG&E and MVC to constitute a "Superior Proposal" (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, and accordingly provided Equus with a notice of termination. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, USG&E paid Equus a termination fee of $2.5 million. Notwithstanding the termination, Equus intends to pursue other merger and acquisition opportunities seeking to complete its plan of "reorganization," within the meaning of Section 2(a)(33) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

"While we regret that we will not conclude the acquisition of U.S. Gas & Electric," stated John Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of Equus. "Nevertheless, we remain committed to achieving a transformative reorganization for the benefit of Equus and its shareholders."

"As the Company's largest shareholder, we reaffirm our commitment to support Equus in pursuing a transformative transaction to become an operating company," stated Michael Tokarz, the Chairman & Portfolio Manager of MVC. "We fully support Equus and its management in sourcing, identifying and evaluating prospective companies to achieve this strategic objective."

About Equus

Equus is presently a business development company (BDC) that trades as a closed-end fund on the New York Stock Exchange, under the symbol "EQS". Additional information about Equus can be obtained from its website at www.equuscap.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements regarding possible future circumstances. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements including, in particular, the performance of the Company, including our ability to achieve our expected financial and business objectives, our ability to conclude our plan of reorganization and complete the transactions contemplated thereby, the performance of our existing portfolio investments, the other risks and uncertainties described herein, as well as those contained in the Company's filings with the SEC. Actual results, events, and performance may differ. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as to the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The inclusion of any statement in this release does not constitute an admission by the Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statements are material.

Contacts:



Patricia Baronowski

Pristine Advisers, LLC

(631) 756-2486




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Partners Value Investments Inc. (the "Company") announced today its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2017. All amounts are stated in US dollars.

The Company recorded an increase in net book value during the first quarter of $274 million ($3.72 per share) to $2.6 billion ($35.65 per share). The increase is primarily due to increase in investment income earned and the quoted market prices of the Company's long-term investment portfolio. The market price of Brookfield's Class A common shares increased 11% during the quarter to $36.46 per share.

The net income for the quarter was $5 million, down from net income of $21 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease is primarily driven by the recognition of valuation losses on the change in value of the warrant liability. Adjusting for the warrant liability valuation loss, net income for the quarter was $19 million.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the three months ended March 31 (Thousands, US dollars) 2017 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investment income Dividends $ 18,216 $ 14,660 Other investment income 1,394 1,352 --------------- --------------- 19,610 16,012 Expenses Operating expenses (1,118) (1,182) Financing costs (781) (90) Retractable preferred share dividends (6,358) (6,232) --------------- --------------- 11,353 8,508 Other items Investment valuation gains (losses) 12,582 241 Warrant liability valuation loss (14,446) - Amortization of deferred financing costs (473) (416) Change in value of fund unit liability - 406 Income taxes (2,812) (6,629) Foreign currency gains (losses) (1,421) 18,850 --------------- --------------- Net income $ 4,783 $ 20,960 --------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------

Financial Profile and Net Book Value

The Company's principal investment is its interest in 86 million Class A Limited Voting Shares ("Brookfield shares") of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. ("Brookfield"), representing a 9% fully-diluted interest as at March 31, 2017. In addition, the Company owns a diversified investment portfolio of marketable securities.

The information in the following table shows the changes in net book value:

For the three months ended March 31 2017 2016 ----------------------- ----------------------- (Thousands, US dollars, Per Per except per share amounts) Total Share Total Share ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net book value, beginning of period(1) $ 2,347,968 31.93 $ 2,260,264 $ 30.73 Net income(2) 4,783 0.07 20,960 0.28 Other comprehensive income(2) 274,558 3.73 76,491 1.05 Distributions (5,624) (0.08) - - ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- Net book value, end of period(1,3) $ 2,621,685 35.65 $ 2,357,715 $ 32.06 ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- ------------- --------- ------------ ---------- 1. Net book value per common share is non-IFRS measure. 2. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was 73,543,831 (2016 - 73,546,899). 3. As at March 31, 2017, there were 73,543,831 (December 31, 2016 - 73,543,831) common shares of the Company issued and outstanding on a fully diluted basis.

The information in the following table has been extracted from the Company's Statement of Financial Position:

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at (Thousands, US dollars, except per share December 31, amounts) March 31, 2017 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 20,424 $ 5,544 Investments Brookfield Asset Management Inc.(1) 3,127,341 2,829,156 Other securities 725,414 612,734 Accounts receivable and other assets 9,037 20,881 ----------------- ----------------- $ 3,882,216 $ 3,468,315 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable and other liabilities $ 195,999 $ 119,196 Preferred shares(2) 526,466 521,155 Warrant liability 153,882 139,526 Deferred taxes(3) 384,184 340,470 ----------------- ----------------- 1,260,531 1,120,347 Equity Common equity 2,621,685 2,347,968 ----------------- ----------------- $ 3,882,216 $ 3,468,315 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Net book value per share(4,5) $ 35.65 $ 31.93 ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- 1. The investment in Brookfield Asset Management Inc. consists of 86 million Brookfield shares with a quoted market value of $36.46 per share as at March 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 - $32.96). 2. Represents $533 million of retractable preferred shares less $7 million of unamortized issue costs as at March 31, 2017 (December 31, 2016 - $529 million less $8 million). 3. The deferred tax liability represents the potential future income tax liability of the Company recorded for accounting purposes based on the difference between the carrying values of the Company's assets and liabilities and their respective tax values, as well as giving effect to estimated capital and non- capital losses. 4. As at March 31, 2017, there were 73,543,831 (December 31, 2016 - 73,543,831) voting and non-voting common shares of the Company issued and outstanding on a fully diluted basis. 5. Net book value per common share is a non-IFRS measure.

Note: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities regulations. The words "potential" and "estimated" and other expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events, trends or prospects and which do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements with regard to the Company's potential future income taxes.

Although the Company believes that its anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond its control, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to: the financial performance of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., the impact or unanticipated impact of general economic, political and market factors; the behavior of financial markets, including fluctuations in interest and foreign exchanges rates; global equity and capital markets and the availability of equity and debt financing and refinancing within these markets; strategic actions including dispositions; changes in accounting policies and methods used to report financial condition (including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates); the effect of applying future accounting changes; business competition; operational and reputational risks; technological change; changes in government regulation and legislation; changes in tax laws, catastrophic events, such as earthquakes and hurricanes; the possible impact of international conflicts and other developments including terrorist acts; and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in the Company's documents filed with the securities regulators in Canada.

The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether written or oral, that may be as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contacts:

Investor Relations

647-503-6516

ir@pvii.ca




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Northern Empire Resources Corp. (TSX VENTURE: NM) (the "Company" or "Northern Empire") announces that the Company has completed its acquisition (the "Acquisition") of the Sterling Gold Project, the Hoodoo Canyon Property and various royalty rights on mineral properties located in Nevada and California pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement with Sterling Gold Mining Corporation ("Sterling"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Imperial Metals Corporation as previously announced by the Company on February 15, 2017.

The consideration for the Acquisition included: cash consideration of US$10,100,000, including US$1,500,000 that has already been paid and also including the posting of certain permitting bonds for the property, and the issuance of 5,000,000 pre-Consolidation (as defined below) or 1,666,666 post-Consolidation common shares of Northern Empire ("Shares") to Sterling. The Company entered into an equity participation agreement with Sterling pursuant to which Sterling may be issued up to an additional 5,000,000 pre-Consolidation or 1,666,666 post-Consolidation Shares so that Sterling can maintain its equity ownership of the Company. The Company also granted a 2% net smelter returns royalty on certain portions of the Sterling Property to Sterling.

Michael G. Allen, President, CEO and Director of Northern Empire stated, "The acquisition of the Sterling Property is a transformational event for Northern Empire. The property features significant gold mineralization, existing mine infrastructure and permits, and exploration upside. At this point I wish to thank everyone who has assisted in completing the transaction. In the coming weeks, we will be launching an aggressive exploration program to unlock the value of Sterling."

Northern Empire also announces the completion of the previously announced private placement (the "Offering") of subscription receipts. The Company issued 78,230,095 subscription receipts at a price of $0.25 per subscription receipt (the "Offering Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of $19,557,523.75. The offering was led by Cormark Securities Inc. on behalf of a syndicate of agents which included GMP Securities L.P., Haywood Securities Inc. and PI Financial Corporation (the "Agents"). The gross proceeds have been released to the Company in connection with the closing of the Acquisition.

Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE: CDE) ("Coeur") acquired an aggregate of 16,000,000 subscription receipts. Assuming the automatic conversion of the subscription receipts into Shares at the Qualification Time (defined below), Coeur would hold 16,000,000 pre-Consolidation Shares or 5,333,333 post-Consolidation Shares, representing approximately 11.7 per cent of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company.

Each subscription receipt will automatically convert into one pre-Consolidation Share or 0.333 post-Consolidation Shares without any further payment or action on the part of the holder thereof, at the time that is the earlier of: (i) 12:01 am (Toronto time) on October 1, 2017; and (ii) 12:01 a.m. (Toronto time) on the third business day after the issuance of a final receipt for the prospectus qualifying the issuance of the shares underlying the subscription receipts (the "Qualification Time").

Pursuant to the terms of an agency agreement dated May 30, 2017, the Agents were entitled to a cash commission equal to 6 per cent of the gross proceeds of the offering, which is reduced to 3 per cent on subscriptions received in respect of certain investors on the president's list. In addition to the cash commission, the Company issued to the agents 2,100,543 compensation warrants to acquire, for no additional consideration, 2,100,543 compensation options (the "Compensation Options") of the Company. Each Compensation Option is exercisable into one pre-Consolidation Common Share or 0.333 post-Consolidation Shares (each a "Broker Share") at 133 and 1/3% of the Offering Price (such exercise price and number of Broker Shares to be issued shall be adjusted to give effect to the Consolidation such that each post-Consolidation Broker Share shall have been issued for an equivalent of $1.00 per Broker Share until May 30, 2019. At the Qualification Time, the Compensation Warrants will be automatically converted into Compensation Options on behalf of, and without any required action of, the agents.

All securities issued in the Offering are subject to a Canadian securities law resale restriction period expiring October 1, 2017. The Company has agreed to use its reasonable commercial efforts to file a prospectus qualifying the Shares to be issued upon the automatic conversion of the subscription receipts in each of the qualifying provinces by July 29, 2017. If a final receipt for the prospectus is not issued by such date, each subscription receipt will automatically entitle the holder thereof to acquire 1.1 Shares without further payment or action on the part of the holder.

The offering is subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Insiders of the Company have subscribed for subscription receipts under the Offering. The issuance of subscription receipts to insiders pursuant to the Offering (the "Insider Participation") will be considered to be a related party transaction within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in Sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101 in respect of any Insider Participation.

Upon completion of the Acquisition, the Company consolidated its capital on a 3 to 1 basis the "Consolidation"). One new post Consolidation common share will be issued for every three pre-Consolidation Shares issued to any shareholder of the Company. The Company's name and trading symbol will remain unchanged.

Effective at the opening on May 31, 2017, the common shares of the Company will be listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on a consolidated basis. The Company's common shares will resume trading on June 1, 2017.

Sterling Property Highlights

-- High Grade Gold in Nevada. Northern Empire filed an NI 43-101 resource estimate on the Sterling Property on May 2, 2017. Total inferred resources on the Sterling Property were estimated at 709,000 oz Au with an average grade of 2.23 g/t Au. Included in this estimate is the Sterling Deposit where a pit constrained resource of 231,000 oz Au in 1,958,000 tonnes with an average grade of 3.67 g/t Au was determined. Further information on the Sterling Project Resources, please refer to the Company's news releases dated April 3 and May 2, 2017, and the Technical Report titled "Sterling Property, Nye County, Nevada, USA: A Property Under Option to Purchase by Northern Empire" that was posted May 2 on SEDAR. -- Permitted to begin operations. The Bureau of Land Management has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact ("FONSI") and approved the next phase of mining at Sterling. This permit was issued on May 12, 2016, is transferable, and has an indefinite term. -- Location. The Sterling Property is located approximately 185 kilometers NW of Las Vegas on the eastern flank of the Bare Mountains. The property is accessed via highway I-95 and gravel roads. -- Significant Engineering Completed by Imperial Metals. To achieve the FONSI, Imperial Metals created designs for the new pits and heap leach facilities that Northern Empire will be able to use as a basis for development going forward. -- Significant infrastructure in place. Imperial Metals ceased underground mining in 2015. Processing facilities, mine offices and generators are on site and are currently being used to rinse heaps from prior operations.

About Northern Empire

Northern Empire is an aggressive, Vancouver based, gold explorer working to take advantage of the current improving market conditions by assembling a value driven portfolio of properties. In addition to the Sterling Gold Project, Northern Empire holds the Richardson Gold Project, one of the most attractive exploration targets in the Tintina Trench.

About Coeur

Coeur Mining is a well-diversified, growing precious metals producer with five precious metals mines in the Americas employing approximately 2,000 people. Coeur produces from its wholly-owned operations: the Palmarejo silver-gold complex in Mexico, the Rochester silver-gold mine in Nevada, the Kensington gold mine in Alaska, the Wharf gold mine in South Dakota, and the San Bartolome silver mine in Bolivia. The Company also has a non-operating interest in the Endeavor mine in Australia. In addition, the Company owns the La Preciosa project in Mexico, a silver-gold exploration stage project. Coeur conducts exploration activities throughout North and South America.

Qualified Persons

The 2017 resource estimate was prepared by Norwest Corporation in accordance with requirements of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). Technical work, analysis and findings were completed by Derek Loveday, P.Geo., Allan Turner, P.Geol., and Sean Ennis, P.Eng. Each person is an independent "Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the information in this news release.

Michael G. Allen, P. Geo., President of Northern Empire, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release. He is the non-independent qualified person for this new release and has verified the data.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF NORTHERN EMPIRE RESOURCES CORP.

Michael G. Allen, President, CEO and Director

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

Certain information set forth in this news release contains "forward-looking statement", and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws. Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements, which include the Company's expectations about the future performance based on current results and expected cash costs and are based on the Company's current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs, which may prove to be incorrect. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "projects", "plans", and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which, may cause the Company's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projects of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: liabilities inherent in mine development and production; geological risks, the financial markets generally, the results of the due diligence investigations to be conducted by the Company. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statement will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipate in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

Northern Empire Resources Corp.

Michael G. Allen

President, CEO and Director

604 646 4524



Jeff Sundar

Director

604 646 8356




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/30/17 -- Scorpio Gold Corporation ("Scorpio Gold" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: SGN) is pleased to announce its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017 ("Q1"). This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 and its related Management Discussion & Analysis for the same period, available on the Company's website at www.scorpiogold.com and under the Company's name on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. All monetary amounts are expressed in US dollars unless otherwise specified.

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q1 2017 Q1 2016 % Change --------------------------------------------- $ $ Revenue ($000's) 9,875 9,428 4.7% Mine operating earnings 27.5% ($000's) 2,378 1,865 Net earnings ($000's) 40 1,079 -96.3% Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share (0.00) 0.01(2) -100% Adjusted net earnings(1) 30.9% ($000's) 1,461 1,116 Adjusted basic and diluted net earnings per share(1) 0.01 0.01(2) - Adjusted EBITDA(1) ($000's) 2,075 1,569 32.2% Adjusted basic and diluted EBITDA per share(1) 0.01 0.01 - Cash flow from (used by) operating activities ($000's) 3,449 (366) 1042.3% Total cash cost per ounce of 9.4% gold sold(1) 876 801 Gold ounces produced 5,741 8,508 -32.5% Gold ounces sold 8,102 8,300 -2.4% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) This is a non-IFRS measure; refer to Non-IFRS Measures section of this press release and the Company's Management Discussion & Analysis for Q1 of 2016 for a complete definition and reconciliation to the IFRS results reported in the Company's financial statements for Q1 of 2016.

(2) This number was adjusted following a change in the calculation of the non-controlling interest's share of MRG's net income (loss). See the section of the MD&A entitled "Equity" for a description of the resulting changes.

Brian Lock, CEO, comments, "Despite lower production in Q1 of 2017 compared to Q1 of 2016, operating cash flows increased significantly from Q1 2016. Even though the Company sold slightly fewer ounces in Q1 of 2017 compared to Q1 of 2016, a decrease in gold inventories and higher average realized prices, compared with Q1 last year, were primary factors in the increase in operating cash flow.

Based on the Company's updated mine plan, the Company currently anticipates mining of gold at Mineral Ridge through August 2017. Due to permitting timelines, the Company anticipates production of gold at Mineral Ridge to be 20 - 25,000 ounces through to August 2017 from the Mary LC, Brodie and Bluelite south pits. The Custer pit and other areas for which permitting is outstanding, are not included in this production estimate and will be evaluated for economics of associated mining timelines when permits are received. There can be no assurances that, when the permits are received, production on the Custer Pit and other areas will commence if it is not economically viable to do so. Total cash costs are expected to be $1,050 -$1,100 per ounce of gold sold. This increase in costs is due to the projected lower production level in 2017 while fixed costs remain relatively constant. The 2017 mine plan calls for an average daily production rate of 11,500 tonnes which includes an average of 1,798 tonnes of ore delivered to the crusher on a daily basis over the 226 scheduled mining days. The decreased metal production in Q1 of 2017 is attributed to reduced mining rates, somewhat offset by higher grade and favorable leach pad recoveries.

Proposed exploration activities for 2017, which are dependent on the Company's finances, are intended to include geological mapping, geophysical surveying, sampling and drilling activities at Mineral Ridge's Drinkwater pit, North Springs, Tarantula and Eagle Canyon areas, as well as at the Orleans and the Goldwedge properties. Also included in the proposed exploration activities is an evaluation of potential unrecovered mineralization of the Mineral Ridge leach pad with a view to initiating a feasibility study for building a mill facility to recover additional gold mineralization.

Given the Company's short remaining life of mine, it is taking initiatives as set out above to extend the life of mine at Mineral Ridge. The Company is also currently evaluating various business alternatives which involve re-financing its long-term debt which matures in August 2018 and/or raising additional financing through an equity financing or other types of financing."

Highlights for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2017:

-- 5,741 ounces of gold were produced at the Mineral Ridge mine during Q1 of 2017, compared to 8,508 ounces during Q1 of 2016. -- Revenue of $9.9 million, compared to $9.4 million during Q1 of 2016. -- Total cash cost per ounce of gold sold(1) of $876 compared to $801 during Q1 of 2016. -- Mine operating earnings of $2.4 million compared to $1.9 million during Q1 of 2016. -- Net earnings of close to nil ($0.00 basic and diluted per share), compared to $1.1 million ($0.01(2) basic and diluted per share) during Q1 of 2016. -- Adjusted net earnings(1) of $1.5 million ($0.01 basic and diluted per share) compared to $1.1 million ($0.01(2) basic and diluted per share) during Q1 of 2016. -- Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $2.1 million ($0.01 basic and diluted per share) compared to $1.6 million ($0.01 basic and diluted per share) during Q1 of 2016.

(1)This is a non-IFRS measure; please see Non-IFRS performance measures section.

(2) This number was adjusted following a change in the calculation of the non-controlling interest's share of MRG's net income (loss). See the section of the MD&A entitled "Equity" for a description of the resulting changes.

Non-IFRS Measures

The discussion of financial results in this press release includes reference to Adjusted EBITDA, Total cash cost per ounce of gold sold and Adjusted Net Earnings, which are non-IFRS measures. The Company provides these measures as additional information regarding the Company's financial results and performance. Please refer to the Company's MD&A for the three months ended March 31, 2017 for definitions of these terms and a reconciliation of these measures to reported International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") results.

About Scorpio Gold Corporation

Scorpio Gold holds a 70% interest in the producing Mineral Ridge gold mining operation located in Esmeralda County, Nevada with joint venture partner Elevon, LLC (30%). Mineral Ridge is a conventional open pit mining and heap leach operation. The Mineral Ridge property is host to multiple gold-bearing structures, veins and lenses at exploration, development and production stages. Scorpio Gold also holds a 100% interest in the advanced exploration-stage Goldwedge property in Manhattan, Nevada with a fully permitted underground mine and 400 ton per day mill facility. The Goldwedge mill facility has been placed on a care and maintenance basis and can be restarted on short notice.

Scorpio Gold's Chairman, Peter J. Hawley, P.Geo., is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the content of this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

SCORPIO GOLD CORPORATION

Brian Lock, Interim CEO

Website: www.scorpiogold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The Company relies on litigation protection for "forward-looking" statements. This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's plans with respect to the exploration, development and exploitation of its Mineral Ridge project, including the short life of the Mineral Ridge mine, the Company receiving approval of its pending permitting applications any forecasts regarding future production or costs related thereto. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements, including risks relating to operation of a gold mine, including unanticipated changes in the mineral content of materials being mined; unanticipated changes in recovery rates; changes in project parameters; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the failure of contracted parties to perform; availability of skilled labour and the impact of labour disputes; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; changes in metals prices; the availability of cash flows or financing to meet the Company's ongoing financial obligations; the ability of the Company to refinance its long-term debt; unanticipated changes in key management personnel; changes in general economic conditions; obtaining the required permits to expand and extend mining activities and the life of mine; other risks of the mining industry and those risk factors outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis as filed on SEDAR. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof.

Contacts:

Chris Zerga

President

Tel: (819) 825-7618

Email: czerga@scorpiogold.com



Investor Relations

Jag Sandhu

JNS Capital Corp.

Tel: 778-218-9638

Email: JAGJNS@outlook.com




BRUSSELS, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Leaders from politics and business gathered today in Brussels for the sixth annual Romanian Energy Day, organised by the Romanian Energy Center, in cooperation with the European Parliament and with the support of the Permanent Representation of Romanian to the European Union. The meetings take place over two days and discussions began today, with renewable energy sources, addressing energy poverty and European energy security high on the agenda.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/517603/Romanian_Energy_Center.jpg )



Corneliu Bodea, President of the Romania Energy Center, said: "This is an important occasion to gather leaders from business and industry, as well as those in government in the EU and Romania and beyond, to address the very pressing issues we face today in the Central and South-Eastern Europe. The European Union has some clear energy targets, including increasing energy efficiency, increasing EU energy production and diversifying supplier routes and countries, completing the internal energy market and building missing infrastructure links. Romania and the C&SEE region have an enormous role to play in regional cooperation that could help deliver on these targets and we are pleased to be able to bring key players together for these discussions."

Speaking at the event, Alexey Golovin, Vice-President of KazMunayGas International, said: "Energy security means economic security, and the Black Sea, with its great energy resources and interconnected network of refineries and pipelines, is increasingly seen in 2017 by business and foreign investors as being the economic and energy lifeline for Europe. KMG International's home is Romania, our business reaches into six EU countries and across ten Black Sea nations. KMG International is bringing energy security of supply with our stakeholders, public and private, to Romania and the region, delivering new resource and energy related projects that total billions of dollars to our national and industry partners."

The event continues tomorrow, with Victor Negrescu MEP, Luminita Odobescu (Permanent Representative of Romania to the European Union) and Minhea Constantinescu (Romanian Ambassador at Large for Energy Security) all addressing the meeting inside the European Parliament. Toma Petcu (Energy Minister, Romania) and Maros Sefkovic (European Vice-President for Energy Union) will provide the closing remarks.

http://evenimente.crenerg.org/


DUBLIN, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Commercial Vehicle Pedestrian Protection Systems (PPS) Market 2017-2021" report to their offering.

The global commercial vehicle pedestrian protection system market to grow at a CAGR of 7.36% during the period 2017-2021.

This report, Global Commercial Vehicle Pedestrian Protection System Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.



One trend in the market is ray-tracing simulation is expected to replace drive testing of automotive radar sensor-based PPS systems. Systems that consist of regions of varying opagation velocity, absorption characteristics, and reflecting surfaces are a reality and modern radar waves need to pass through such media to be effective.

According to the report, one driver in the market is PPS growth to be driven by the rising incidents of pedestrian injuries and deaths. The most frequent pedestrian injuries involve the lower or upper leg following an impact with a vehicle. If it is a low velocity accident, the injuries are largely restricted to the areas below the torso, where maximum injuries follow the impact with the ground or surrounding obstacles. If it is a high velocity accident, there are high chances of a secondary impact (often causing head injury) with the upper bonnet, windscreen, or windscreen surround.

Further, the report states that one challenge in the market is PPS may emerge as a reason behind driver inattentiveness, negating the benefits of such systems. Since the invention of automobiles, road accidents have been a common phenomenon. According to many studies, cell phones have topped the list of causes of distraction for drivers. But over the last few years, ADAS that are designed and developed for enhancing the vehicle safety and to assist the driver while driving have become a cause of concern.

Key vendors:



Daimler Trucks

MAN

Scania

Volvo Trucks

Continental

Delphi

Robert Bosch

ZF TRW

Other prominent vendors:



DAF

Iveco

Autoliv

Clarion

DENSO

Hitachi Automotive

Magna International

Mobileye

Valeo

Key Topics Covered:

Part 01: Executive summary



Part 02: Scope of the report



Part 03: Research Methodology



Part 04: Introduction



Part 05: Market landscape



Part 06: Market segmentation by technology



Part 07: Market segmentation by geography



Part 08: Decision framework



Part 09: Drivers and challenges



Part 10: Market trends



Part 11: Vendor landscape



Part 12: Key vendor analysis: OEMs



Part 13: Key vendor analysis: Suppliers

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/m4wb7f/global_commercial

Media Contact:

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716
Meditrix, a Tokyo, Japan-based Contract Research Organization (CRO), received an investment from genae, a CRO and service provider for the medical industries.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed. With this investment, genae further expands its activities in Japan and in the Asia Pacific region and obtained a call option to acquire all remaining shares of Meditrix.

Led by Ichiro Oshiba, President, Meditrix is a full service CRO with focus on clinical studies of medical devices in pre- and post-marketing stage in Japan. In such activities, the company is contributing to collecting clinical data by utilizing its trained resources and its proprietary Electronic Data Capture system, tailored for the Japanese market.

Meditrix operates from its HQ in Tokyo and from branch offices in Osaka and Fukuoka.

FinSMEs

30/05/2017
Nivesh.com, a Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India-based innovative mass market mutual funds investment platform targeting mainly the highly potential markets in the tier 2 and 3 cities of India, raised an angel funding of undisclosed amount.

Backers included:

 Rahul Gupta, CEO of Right Global Infosolutions and former president at private equity firm Sonoma Management Partners;

 Sandeep Shroff, CEO of Silicon Valley-based MyStartUpCFO.com and former head of investor relations at Infosys, and,

 P V Sahad, founder and former CEO of The VCCircle Network.

The company will use the funds for network expansion, reaching more customers, and improving the investment experience.

Led by Anurag Garg, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Sridhar Srinivasan, Co-founder, Nivesh.com is a mass market mutual funds investment platform which simplifies the process by categorizing funds as per broad investment objectives, and further curating schemes to provide a shortlist. After initial account creation, investors can transact in mutual funds in few steps. Post transaction, the platform helps them track the portfolio performance with alerts and notifications.

Nivesh.com is owned by Providential Advisory Services Private Limited. The company was incorporated on 1st August 2016 and commenced operations on pilot basis in January 2017.

FinSMEs

30/05/2017
Ahmedabad: India's first three cases of Zika virus infection were reported from Ahmedabad between February 2016 and January 2017, but the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, which takes preventive and curative measures in the city, was unaware of this till a World Health Organisation (WHO) report became public on 26 May.

What is more, as it has turned out, it was the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) of three cases having been found to be Zika-positive in Ahmedabad, but neither the central nor the Gujarat government informed the city's municipal corporation about it.

Since this did not happen, even the medical fraternity in Ahmedabad and in Gujarat at large was completely unaware of the presence of the Zika virus in Ahmedabad until now.

The mosquito-borne virus was detected in one man and two women of the industrial suburb of Bapunagar area in Ahmedabad. First, it was detected in a 64-year-old man in February 2016, next in a 34-year-old new mother in November and the last in a 22-year-old pregnant mother in January 2017.

On 26 May, the WHO published a report which said: "On May 15, 2017, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, reported three laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika virus disease in Bapunagar area, Ahmedabad district, Gujarat. The routine laboratory surveillance detected a laboratory-confirmed case of Zika virus disease through RT-PCR test at (state government-run) B.J. Medical College."

Despite the discovery, the state government did not alert the city municipal corporation.

Bhavin Joshi, medical officer of health at the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), told IANS: "We do not have any intimation from the ministry or the state government in this matter. No new cases or abnormalities have been reported in the recent past."

Joshi added, "The state government had ordered the AMC to take preventive actions against mosquito-borne diseases in the first week of January 2017 and from January 7 onwards, we began following the order." However, the AMC was told nothing about Zika.

Dr Yogendra Modi, superintendent at the municipal corporation-run Shardaben Hospital as well as president of Indian Medical Association, said: "We were not informed about the presence of Zika virus in the city, though usually they notify us (in all such vector-borne viruses)."

"These are old cases. They were confirmed in January. We shared the information with the WHO then, and the WHO has now decided to go public. These are not fresh cases," said a union health ministry official.

Gujarat Chief Secretary JN Singh, who convened an urgent press briefing on Sunday in the wake of the scare created by the WHO report, said: "There is nothing to worry about, these are isolated cases and there is no epidemic situation."

Singh, however, parried questions by the media about why the community at large was not alerted.
New Delhi: Tired of carrying a debt burden which is larger than Indias annual spend on healthcare, the government is now thinking of selling off Air India. The question is why now? And even if there is political consensus on the sale, who will come forward as a buyer/strategic partner when the airline is under Rs 50,000 crore debt burden? Possible answers to these two questions seem rather interesting.

The government seems to believe this is the right time to take a bold call on Air India, given the strong popular support it believes to have generated on a whole range of other contentious issues in the last few months, such as demonetisation. Some in the government believe if a bold decision is needed on Air India, there couldnt be a better time than the present.

Besides, it is almost certain that the current dispensation does not want to carry the debt burden on the airline any longer. A person close to developments expressed the current managements helplessness in running the airline for much longer. He declined to be identified. But confirmed that an earlier proposal, under which 17 public sector banks were being asked to take equity in lieu of debt (Rs 20,000 crore in all) in Air India, was no longer working out.

Basically, the airline has been pushed to the wall as far as debt is concerned. Perhaps talking of disinvestment shows governments exasperation in dealing with the tangled web which Air Indias finances have become.

Air India is in a helpless situation. The debt servicing alone requires Rs 2500-3000 crore annually. The airline cannot survive for long in its present state of (financial) affairs. The government has to take a call, the person quoted earlier said.

This person went on to say that though he had no knowledge of whether any interested potential investor in Air India had approached the government, the airline had assets worth Rs 30,000-35,000 crore for anyone to consider. Despite the debt pile. He also said that an earlier proposal, to first consider sell off of the two Strategic Business Units (SBUs)  engineering and ground handling  could be a sensible option. But no final call has been taken on Air India as of now. Will the government consider writing off the entire Rs 50,000 crore debt of Air India  or even some portion of it?

Separately, a senior official in the ministry of civil aviation said that a road map for the revival of Air India is likely to emerge in the next three months. The official, who also declined to be identified, said that the NITI Aayog had sent a set of recommendations to the ministry a month back, which is when the set of events culminating in Finance Minister Arun Jaitley talking of disinvestment, started. The NITI Aayogs recommendations have set the cat among the pigeons.

This official said that the government has already pumped in over 25,000 crore into Air India and is committed to pump in another 25,000 crore as part of a turnaround plan which was approved in late 2000 under the Manmohan Singh government. The thinking is, why invest such a huge additional sum in the airline over the next 15 years? We are looking at all options and a roadmap should be ready in the next three months.

Meanwhile, Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said today that the government is examining all options for the revival of Air India. Speaking in a presser to mark three years of the Modi government, Raju said "all courses of action are being examined by us (to revive the fortunes of Air India). We have not closed any option.

Both Raju and MoS Jayant Sinha declined to get into specifics, and did not directly answer a question on whether a foreign airline will be allowed to pick up a stake in Air India.

Currently the foreign direct investment rules allow a foreign airline to hold a 49 percent stake in a domestic airline. This provision has been used by Singapore Airlines to acquire a 49 percent stake in Vistara with Tata Sons acquiring the remaining 51 percent. Similarly, AirAsia Berhad used this provision to launch AirAsia India. Remember, Qatar Airways has been hinting at starting Indian operations by starting an airline from scratch in India. Will the Indian government allow Qatar to pick up a stake in Air India? There are no clear answers on this one yet.
Beyond pep talks, the make or break point of Narendra Modis ongoing European visit is whether the PM and his German counterpart, Chancellor Angela Merkel, manage to seal a formal deal to cement a fresh bilateral trade agreement. Currently India doesnt have one with Europe after the old treaty came to a close in December 2015. Part of this was the termination of trade contract with Germany--a country with which India has trade worth $18.73 billion at this point compared to $23.5 billion in 2011-12. The declining trade and the slow paced negotiations on a fresh trade agreement for several years (since 2007) have been an area of discomfort in Indo-German relations. Germany, one of the top exporters to India and a major importer, has been pushing India on this issue. If PM Modi is able to seal the deal with Merkel at this point, it will be a major development in Indo-German relations and not only for economic reasons.

This will also mark a new chapter in international relations to check the dominance of US and the growing clout of China. The clue lies in Merkels recent public disapproval of Donald Trumps US, which has distanced itself from rest of the world on trade and global climate pacts. "The era in which we could fully rely on others is over to some extent. That's what I experienced over the past several days," Merkel said an apparent reference to the US' reversal from the Paris climate pact.

Trump has also pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal signing an executive order, giving room to China to occupy a dominant role, gain trade and economic dominance, in the region. To be sure, Germany isnt averse to China, but not as an unconditional ally. Though it was part of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) summit initiative orchestrated by China and boycotted by India, Germany and other European countries have been openly reluctant to sign the deal (read report here ), citing concerns that the draft of the document is highly in favour of Chinese firms to hijack the OBOR projects and leaves no room for a fair chance for Europe to participate in the projects. This uneasiness, coupled with Germanys open face off with US, presents a good opportunity for India to make its moves in the European region. A fresh trade agreement with Europe and closer ties on counter-terrorism and climate change will strengthen Indias strategic ties in the region and clout internationally.

PM Modi has already indicated some tangible outcome in trade pacts with Germany during this trip. I am confident that this visit will open a new chapter in our bilateral cooperation with Germany and further deepen our Strategic Partnership, Modi said in a statement before leaving the country for his four-nation tour. Whether this translates into a solid partnership is something one should wait and watch when Modi and Merkel jointly address a session of CEOs as part of inter-governmental consultations on Tuesday.

Modi said he and Merkel plan to "chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with focus on trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine". Germany is the seventh largest foreign direct investor (FDI) in India and the total FDI from April 2000 until December 2016 amounted to $9.54 billion. A total of 1,800 German companies are operating in India.

Emerging an alternative to China, though smaller in size, is critical for India to safeguard its interest in the region. Chinas growing influence in Pakistan, with which India has fought four full-fledged wars since 1947, through the OBOR and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is a major concern for India (read an earlier piece here). India has made its stance clear when it boycotted the OBOR meet and stands isolated internationally in opposing the project. But the fact is that there is a general agreement for the OBOR from most countries, including many of Indias neighbors. This backing was evident from the opening ceremony that was attended by heads of 29 states, including Russian President Vladmir Putin. Also, delegations from over 100 countries were present in the ceremony. Most eastern countries are kicked by the prospects of the project and what it means for each one of them in the future in terms of investments. China alone has promised to fork out $124 billion for OBOR. In other words, this money will go to projects in different countries along the corridor as loans from China and will, in turn, boost trade and employment for them.

CPEC, which passes through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (a geography India claims to be its part) is central to the OBOR project. The CPEC involves construction of roads, railways and power plants. It will directly link China to the Gwadar port on the southwestern coast of Balochistan in Pakistan on the shores of Arabian ocean, something Pakistan built with significant Chinese assistance. The OBOR envisages significant additional investments in CPEC.

To sum up, it is imperative for India at this stage to check Chinas growing influence by gaining approval and trust of major global powers such as Germany and other major European countries. Europes face off with Trumps US and the regions apprehensions on OBOR's fine print offers a golden opportunity for India to strengthen its strategic ties with the region. Modis four-nation tour, particularly his meeting with Merkel, will be watched closely for this reason.
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered three separate FIRs besides also launching a preliminary enquiry to probe alleged irregularities in Indian Airlines-Air India merger and purchase of 111 aircraft, leasing of planes and giving-up of profit-making routes by Air India. These decisions, according to the CBI, caused a loss of thousands of crores to the exchequer.

While the CBI is obviously acting at the behest of the Centre and some may term this probe as a witch hunt against UPAs Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, it is a fact that the decision to merge erstwhile Air India and Indian Airlines was taken for all the wrong reasons by the UPA worthies.

In fact, the entire decision making process which lead to this ill fated merger shows there was a failure at several layers of the government of the day. Make no mistake: Patel was not the sole promoter of this idea. As per a report of the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) of 2011, the merger process was examined in all aspects at various levels - by the Consultant (Accenture), the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Minister of Civil Aviation, a Committee of Secretaries, a Group of Ministers (GoM) and the Cabinet. This was, thus, a collective decision, arrived at after multiple levels of due diligence. Hence, it wouldnt be wrong to call it a collective failure of the government of the day.

But why is everyone trying to find faults with a decision which was implemented a decade back, now? For one, the merged entity  the Air India of today  has never ever reported a net profit in its decade long existence while the separate airlines were profitable.

This piece in Economic Times examines why the merger of the two airlines created a loss making one. Between 2001 and 2006-07, the standalone Air India declared a profit each year!

And in this piece in Business Today, former Civil Aviation Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy quotes Accenture report which had highlighted two factors for the sub-optimal performance of the two erstwhile airlines: an ageing fleet and the fact that the two existed individually.

The report had gone on to say that merger of the two entities and replacement of the ageing fleet would result in a profit of Rs 1,000 crore in the first year itself. Instead, in the three years following the merger in 2007 we have seen losses escalate from Rs 1,200 crore in the first to Rs 2,600 crore in the second to Rs 5,500 crore in the third.

Now that uncomfortable questions are being raised about the need for the Indian taxpayer to continuously fund this loss making behemoth, the government wants to exit Air India. Perhaps by calling into question the inefficiencies of the previous regime, the NDA government may be able to deflect some of the criticism coming its way for continued bumbling on Air India!

Secondly, the merged entity has seen its market share slide to a shadow of its former self, when it ruled the Indian skies, as better and far more efficient private airlines have nudged Air India to the margins of the industry. And third, the entire process of so-called integration of the two erstwhile airlines was handled in such an inept fashion that it took several years to be completed, even on paper. In reality, many employees within the airline still refer to themselves as Indian Airlines employees and see themselves as distinct from the merged entity making it evident that though on paper the merger has been achieved now, it has not been accepted by all. And this is almost a decade after the merger was completed on paper!

It is obvious then that the merger was suggested and pushed through for all the wrong reasons. Today, India is supporting an airline which had already received upwards of Rs 25,000 crore of public money but is yet to turn the corner; it is slated to receive an equal amount more, over the next few years, despite a financial turnaround which is nowhere in sight. Was the merger the trigger for Air Indias present state and had it not happened, would the two airlines have fared better? The answer to the first part of the question is a resounding yes.

Lets look at the scathing observations the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) made in 2011 about this ill fated merger:

1) Inexplicably, synergised / integrated operation between AIL and IAL (even though this was recommended / recognised in 2004) was not factored in as part of the acquisition project analysis either for AIL or IAL. The initiation of action towards the merger in March 2006, less than a few months after completion of independent large scale acquisition of aircrafts by IAL (Airbus) and AIL (Boeing) in late 2005 (after long drawn out procedures/ negotiations) appears somewhat ill-timed, with loss of significant synergistic opportunities.

Had the possibility of merger (with attendant route rationalisation, network integration, common maintenance/ overhauling facilities and other synergies) been considered  even at a late stage  in the process of fleet acquisition, the underlying economics could have been significantly altered; perhaps, even a common acquisition process for AIL/ IAL could well have been considered. In our view, the potential benefits for the merger would have been far higher, had this been undertaken before finalization of the massive and separate fleet acquisition exercises undertaken by AIL and IAL. This is what CBI wants to probe  the massive fleet acquisition by the two airlines which resulted in insurmountable debt. This has been drowning the merged entity ever since.

2) The financial case for the merger was not adequately validated prior to the merger. Detailed item-wise financial analysis was not available, so as to assess the reasonableness and robustness of the projected benefits (on account of revenue synergies and cost and capital productivity synergies). The proposed revaluation of fixed assets had no operational or cash flow benefits.

3) There were huge delays in actualisation of the merger/ operational integration. The single code passenger reservation system (which was a critical element in network integration) was activated only in February 2011.

4) HR factors in any merger process are the most complicated. Even in March 2006, apprehensions with regard to HR problems due to a potential merger were expressed. HR integration below the level of DGM, representing 98 percent of the staff, has still not taken place. The CAG made these observations in 2011, four years after the merger had been completed on paper.

5) The Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the erstwhile IAL and AIL and MoCA was flawed. The non-financial parameters included in the MoU included minor or insignificant parameters or gave undue weightage to such parameters, at the cost of critical traffic and operating parameters in the airline industry (such as those being monitored by Directorate General of Civil Aviation). This skewed the MoU ratings of IAL and AIL unduly to present a rosy picture of performance. The overall combination of financial and non-financial parameters devised for the MoUs were such as to ensure that the MoUs became a meaningless exercise, rarely (if ever) reflecting poor performance, and ensuring lack of effective accountability for all parties concerned.

There are a number of explanations the UPA government and its functionaries owe about their handling of Air India. But even the present government is not covering itself with glory  its handling of the merged entity has also been inept. The sooner a disinvestment is initiated, the better it will be for the airline.
New Delhi: Chemists across the country will down shutters today in protest against the "stringent" regulations on the sale of medicines.

According to the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), their several representations opposing the regulations on the sale of medicines in the country, submitted to the government, went unheeded, following which the one-day strike was called.

"We have been asked to upload all information related to sale of medicines on a portal, which is not possible with the existing infrastructure," said a senior member of AIOCD.

The chemists are also opposing online pharmacy, which they say, poses a threat to their business.

"The online pharmacy will also encourage irrational usage of medicines and sale of fake drugs," the AIOCD member said.

The chemist body is also likely to hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar tomorrow to highlight their concerns.
On 11 May, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee - Indias biotech regulator, approved the commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) mustard, Dhara Mustard Hybrid (DMH)-11. DMH-11 and GM cotton, Indias only transgenic crop so far, have something in common-a gene conferring resistance to the herbicide glufosinate.

Six days later, European parliamentarians voted against allowing the import of products made from GM cotton because that could encourage the use of glufosinate on the continent. Glufosinate is classified as toxic for reproduction in Europe.

Why is India embracing the more widespread use of glufosinateand that too, for a food cropwhen Europe is shunning the product?

Dr Deepak Pental of the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, University of Delhi South Campus, where DMH-11 was developed, said: Glufosinate will only be used in seed production, not in farmers fields because mustard has no serious weed issue needing the herbicide.

When asked if an alternative herbicide to glufosinate for seed production exists, he replied No.

Indian farmers arent buying that argument having burnt their fingers with Bt cotton, GM cotton named for the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, the source of another gene transferred to the seed for its insecticidal action against the larvae of the bollworm, a crop-destroying moth that especially targets cotton.

When Bt cotton was first introduced in 2002, we believed it would control the bollworm, Badrinarayan Chaudhary, general secretary of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh told FirstPost.

Instead, Bt cotton has taken farmers further from low-input, high-output agriculture.

Fifteen years later, we are still facing the bollworm, said Chaudhary. Now farmers growing Bt cotton use eight chemical sprays on their crop, and with the improvement in yield having tapered off, they are saving less.

Asked why farmers do not revert to the old seed, Chaudhary said: Cheap desi seeds are no longer freely available compelling farmers to buy expensive Bt cotton seeds.

Scientist and biosafety expert Dr Vandana Shiva affirmed that cotton seed prices have increased 71,000 percent since Bt cotton was introduced.

Monsanto, the agro giant behind Bt cotton, earns royalty from Bt cotton seed sales.

Proponents for DMH-11 say it has been indigenously developed so pricing should not be an issue. But that still doesnt justify a switch. Officials say that GM mustard will increase the yield, but where are the results of the field trials proving this, questioned Chaudhary.

DMH-11 is not a higher yielding hybrid than existing non GM mustard hybrids. DMH-11s yield is comparable with DMH-1s (a non GM hybrid), which has similar parents; both are 20-30 percent more productive than pure lines, admitted Dr Pental.

Then why did Dr Pental and his team develop DMH-11? If we want major increase in yield in mustard, we need a robust system of hybrid seed production, Pental explained. Barnase/barstar, the system we have used, is the most robust system available for large scale hybrid seed production. Whereas, the system used for DMH-1 is unstable, and therefore has a limited future and limits the scope for developing higher yielding, disease resistant, quality hybrids. According to Dr Pental, genetic engineering-based pollination control will enable the production of hybrid mustard seeds using any set of parents, which makes for a robust seed production system.

Now that we have a system to continuously improvise on the seed by systematically improving the parents, we could create a seed that is more productive by 50-60 percent, Pental said. This [gradual process of improvement] is common to all crops. First generation hybrids were only 5-10 percent more productive than varieties; successive hybrids are phenomenally more productive.

Chaudhary has grown skeptical about achieving increasing yields with GM crops based on the experience with Bt cotton. He feels Indian farmers should be left to do what they do bestwork the land using hardy desi seeds.

Mustard farming in India is typically dry land, a kind of farming applied in semi-arid areas devoid of irrigation facilities, using drought-resistant crops. Dry land farming is also why Indias oilseed yield is roughly 50 percent of the global average, as per Problems and Prospects of Oilseeds Production in India, an Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad report.

If the governments objective is increasing the mustard yield to cut Indias Rs 64,000 crore vegetable oil import bill, history may provide a few pointers. In the mid-eighties, edible oil was Indias largest import despite the country being the worlds second largest oilseeds cultivator. An initiative to increase the total area under oilseeds and the area under irrigation took the country to 95-98 percent self-sufficiency by the early nineties.

Liberalising the edible oilseed sector starting in 1994 undid this achievement as cheaper imports flooded the countryof late these include GM canola oil from Canada.

Consider: India had 25.2 million hectares under oilseeds in 1993 and 25.7 million hectares in 2014. Whereas, cotton acreage increased more than 50 percent between 2005 and 2015, as a result of higher Minimum Support Prices for the crop, according to State of Agriculture 2015-16, a ministry report.

Pushing farmers to grow oilseeds again will mean making the crop as attractive as cotton, one of its main competitors for requiring similar agro-climatic conditions. Increasing the Minimum Support Price is said to be behind this years 71.09 lakh tonnes record mustard crop.

Reinstituting high import duties on edible oil would also help revitalise domestic production, said Dr Shiva, a proponent of cold-pressed ghani oil for being healthier than solvent-extracted oils.

Would GM mustards leaves be healthy and what of the oil?

Close to two decades of consumption has established the safety of Canadian GM canola oil, said Dr Pental.

But it is neither as safe nor as healthy as cold pressed oils, as per this analysis by Harvard University professor Guy Crosby. Europe grows and consumes only non GM canola oil.

Indian cattle fed GM cottonseed meal are 30 percent less fertile, said Chaudhary. When we did not allow GM brinjal, why are we allowing GM mustard?
Googles India-born CEO Sundar Pichai received a stock award of $198.7 million in 2016, almost double his 2015 stock award of $99.8 million, a media report said.

That brought his total compensation in 2016 to $199.7 million, almost twice the $100.6 million he earned in 2015.

Pichai received a salary of $650,000 in 2016, slightly less than the $652,500 he earned in 2015, CNBC TV-18 reported on Friday.

But Page and Brin are each worth more than $40 billion through their stock holdings.

According to the report, Pichais raise came during a year when Googles sales rose 22.5 percent and net income rose 19 percent as it maintained its position as the top seller of Internet advertising.

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Bengaluru: Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia today did not rule out the scope for rationalisation of tax rates fixed on various goods and services under the GST regime to be implemented from 1 July.

"One thing we would agree is that there is a scope for rationalisation of tax rates on various goods and services," he said here in an interaction with the industry on

GST.

Even the Central Board of Excise and Customs Chairperson Vanaja Sarna had yesterday said the GST Council could revise rates if there is any justification for

reconsideration.

Various industries and businesses, including traders, FMCG and automobiles had been petitioning the Central government for revising rates.

On concerns by representatives of food processing sector, Adhia said a decision on the rates of foodgrains, especially wheat and rice, would be taken at the 3 June meeting.

"It was already mentioned by (Finance Minister Arun) Mr Jaitley that this is one issue which is still pending before the GST Council, and it will take a decision. We understand the food processing industry needs to be encouraged," he said.

He also argued that if these items were kept in the exempted category, the food processing industry will be losing.

He said the Council will take a view on the definition of branding.

On concerns raised by representatives of financial services sector, Adhia said dismissed the fear of loans getting costlier due to implementation of GST.

"There have been some concerns raised in the financial service sector that loans and all of these will become costlier, no way (it is going to be so)," he said.

"All people in financial services will know, we are not charging service taxes in deposits as well as loans, but taxes on other services. Loans are not going to become

costlier. That is a misplaced fear, because of lack of understanding," he added.

Adhia also said the GST may push India's GDP up by more than 4 percent because of the simplicity and predictability of the new indirect tax regime, which will

encourage people to be tax compliant.

"Economists have argued that India's GDP may go up by more than 4 percent because of GST - that is the kind of potential it has," he said.

"Why will the GDP go up? It is because businesses require simplicity, predictability of tax regime. These are the things which are going to be fulfilled by GST," he added.

Adhia said the new indirect tax regime will create problems but one should find solutions, instead of not allowing it to happen.
New Delhi: Six more airports in the country, including Patna and Chennai, will do away with the practice of tagging and stamping domestic passengers' hand baggage from 1 June.

CISF Director General O P Singh told PTI that the new airports include Jaipur, Guwahati, Lucknow and Trivandrum, apart from Patna and Chennai.

"We had run a trial at these six airports for a few weeks. After finding that an enhanced number of new gadgets, CCTVs and security paraphernalia has been put in place, the process of doing away with the tagging and stamping of domestic air passengers' hand baggage will begin from June 1," the DG said.

The Central Industrial Security Force had first initiated this new system at seven airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Ahmedabad from April 1.

The force is tasked with guarding 59 civil airports in the country.

Singh said five more airports at Varanasi, Pune, Goa, Bhubaneswar and Vishakhapatnam would be next in line where the tagging and stamping of passengers' hand baggage will be done away with in the coming days.

"The trial will now begin at these five airports," he said, adding the force proposes to initiate this people- friendly measure at all the airports under its cover, by the year-end.

By having the stamped tags on the hand baggage, the security personnel used to be assured that no weapon or ammunition-like material enters the aircraft with the passenger and now with the deployment of smart cameras and repositioning of security paraphernalia at the six new airports, the same objective is being achieved.

The procedure remained a major irritant for passengers and they have made many complaints in this regard to airport authorities saying this system poses hassles for them as it consumes time and in case they forget to get it tagged, security personnel would ask them to go back and get it done.

The output roller trays at the six airports, which will initiate the new drill, have now been extended in order to provide more visual clarity to the security personnel on each and every bag even as they have been instructed to minutely go through the x-ray images before clearing the handbags.

A committee comprising officials of the CISF, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the airport operators has been recently constituted to smoothen the roll-out of this new protocol at all the 59 airports guarded by the paramilitary force.

This was done after a high-level meeting chaired by Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju and his counterpart in the civil aviation ministry, Jayant Sinha, in which the earlier BCAS order about stamping the hand baggage tags was stayed.

The meeting while staying an earlier BCAS order had sought a thorough review of the security apparatus before the new measure could be launched.

The CISF said it had sought modifications in the airport security for doing away with the hand baggage stamping and "to make sure that passengers could not access bags containing restricted items which are segregated by CISF personnel for checking (after X-ray scanning)".

DG Singh had said the new measure will enhance "passenger experience and provide hassle-free security environment to them" while travelling through the airports.

The new protocols are only meant for domestic passengers and those travelling to international destinations will have to get their hand baggage tags stamped as usual.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Nevada elected officials, Gold Star families and veterans marked Memorial Day with remembrance ceremonies in the north and south of the state.

Republican U.S. Sen. Dean Heller attended a pancake breakfast and a Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery ceremony in Reno, and then delivered a speech at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley.

Gov. Brian Sandoval was in southern Nevada, where temperatures reached the mid-90s, for a ceremony at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City.

Sandoval told the crowd that most Americans never fully understand the sacrifice of the nations soldiers, and that remembering them helps lay a foundation for a stronger future.

The Republican governor also praised organizations and volunteers who preserve the burial sites.

In Elko, Gil Hernandez of the Veterans of Foreign Wars led a ceremony at the cemetery in which the names of fallen soldiers from this area were read. He introduced speaker Jerry Franco, VFW state commander, as the organizations first statewide leader who is a Native American.

Franco reminded participants that freedom isnt free.

The event included recognition of attending veterans, along with a reminder from Hernandez that fewer World War II veterans were alive to attend this years service than last years.
New Delhi: India is all set to host for the first time its own mobile mega show 'India Mobile Congress' from 27-29 September to showcase the country's growing prowess in the global telecom market.

The event, to be held in New Delhi, is being billed as India's answer to high profile and marquee mobile shows that are held annually in markets like Shanghai and Barcelona.

"We have been feeling the need to hold such an event in India for a long time. We hope that like the Mobile World Congress, this event too will establish its significance in the coming days," Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha told reporters.

The Department of Telecom and the Ministry of Electronics and IT have thrown their weight behind the event, which is being organised by the industry association COAI, and K AND D Communications.

The 'India Mobile Congress' with special focus on reaching out to the Asian markets will see technology titans converge to offer a peek into the digital future.

Terming the Indian telecom sector as a "success story", Sinha said the time has come for the country to exhibit its prowess in the global arena.

The Indian telecom market is the second-largest in the world after China and has a total subscriber base (mobile and landline combined) of over 1.18 billion.

"We need to take the latest in the world of technology and leverage it for our flagship programmes including Skill India, Digital India, Smart Cities and Make in India," Sinha said.

The minister further said the government is aware of the issues surrounding the industry's financial health and asserted that all efforts will be made to ensure that India's success story in the telecom sector is taken forward.

"The growth is happening. There are certain concerns around the balance sheet of some companies...The government is aware of it and has constituted an inter-ministerial panel to debate all issues. The panel has already held its first meeting," the minister said.

The conference at the upcoming event will have special emphasis on topics like Internet governance, 5G, sustainable wi-fi, smart cities and smart governance and Internet of Things and Machine to Machine Communication.

India Mobile Congress is expected to see the participation of telecom giants like Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, as well as telecom operators like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and

Idea Cellular.

The three-day event is expected to draw 5,000 paid participants and 800 exhibitors.

Countries like the US, the UK, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Korea, the Philippines, Bhutan and Japan have evinced interest in participating and creating awareness around the upcoming event, COAI director general Rajan Mathews said.

"We have GSMA Barcelona that focuses primarily on the West...We never had a marquee event here that showcases the opportunities in India. The South East Asia region has much to learn from what is happening in India on the policy front and manufacturing...how we share infrastructure and how we provide affordable services," Mathews said.

India's experiences with regard to mobile payment, e-health and e-education have a global relevance, he said adding that the event would also highlight the country's innovation, skill base and the startup ecosystem.
New Delhi: Indian banks' stressed assets are likely to increase to 15 percent of total loans by March 2018 even as their regulatory capital requirements will continue to rise till 2019, S&P Global ratings said Tuesday.

Indian banks' credit profiles are unlikely to improve over the next 12 months, said S&P Global Ratings in areport titled 'No Quick Cure for India's Banking Blues'.

The banking sector's total stressed assets will increase to13-15 percent of the total by the end of March 2018, with PSU banks accounting for most of that loans, S&P Global Ratings' credit analyst Deepali Seth Chhabriasaid.

"The performance of the S&P rated public sector banks that we rate was dismal in the March quarter of the last fiscal. Year-over-year increase in non-performing loans (NPLs) led to higher provisions and lower profits and the capital available to absorb unexpected losses remained thin," S&P said.

Besides, loan growth was among the lowest in a decade.

"India's public sector banks will have to continue to rely on external capital infusion to meet the Basel III capital requirements, or sell off their non-core assets or investments," Chhabria said.

The report said PSU banks operate with a thin capital cushion.

In addition, they may be required to make large "haircuts" on loans to unviable stressed projects, the regulatory capital requirement will continue to rise till 2019, and profitability will remain subdued.

The government has promised to infuse Rs 70,000 crore into its PSU bank sover 2016-2019, with Rs 10,000 crore allocated for fiscals 2018 and 2019 each.

"In our view, these amounts will not be sufficient to fully resolve the public sector banks' looming capital shortfall," S&P said.

It said capital shortfall and asset quality problems could pave the way for consolidation among the government-owned banks.

Also, consolidation needs to be accompanied by significant improvement in risk management practices, efficiency gains, capitalisation and improvement in overall governance.

"The government's capital infusion and extraordinary support will be a key rating factor for India's PSU banks," S&P said.
New Delhi Snapdeal has raised over Rs 113 crore from early investor Nexus Venture Partners and founders Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal, amid talks of a potential sale of the e-commerce firm to larger rival Flipkart.

NVP pumped in Rs 96.26 crore in the round, while Bahl and Bansal contributed Rs 8.45 crore each, according to regulatory filing with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

The shares were allotted on 10 March, 2017, it added. Bahl and Bansal were allotted 1,300 Series J preference shares, while Nexus was given 14,810 preference shares, the filings showed.

It is not clear how long the fresh financing round will help Snapdeal in continuing operations as it faces intense competition from rivals Flipkart and Amazon.

E-mails sent to NVP and Snapdeal remained unanswered. The cash-strapped firm, over the past few months, has trimmed workforce and shut down non-core operations in a bid

to control costs.

Also, the development gains importance as Snapdeal's largest investor SoftBank has been proactively mediating a potential sale of Snapdeal to Flipkart for the last few weeks.

The Japanese investment firm, according to sources, has succeeded in getting Board members to agree to the said sale but a term sheet for due diligence with Flipkart is yet to be signed.

SoftBank has already written off over US $1 billion on valuation of its investment in Snapdeal.

One of the leading contenders in the Indian e-commerce space, Snapdeal has seen its fortunes failing amid strong competition from Amazon and Flipkart.

Compared to a valuation of about US $6.5 billion in February 2016, the sale to Flipkart could see Snapdeal being valued at about US $1 billion.

The deal between Snapdeal and Flipkart, if completed, would mark the biggest acquisition in the Indian e-commerce space.
Hyderabad: Over 200 startups shut down in 2016 for a slew of reasons ranging from lack of funding, the startup idea unable to scale, the product or service not being in demand to Me-Too ideas and competition. In a bid to handhold startup entrepreneurs and guide them on their entrepreneurial journey, TiE Hyderabad, and Woxsen School of Business, Hyderabad, have launched the TiE - Woxsen Entrepreneurship Development Program 2017. The program will give startup entrepreneurs the chance to connect with each other and improve their entrepreneurship skills.

Under this programme, 20 start-ups would be chosen and taken through a rigorous workshop programme of six days covering two weekends. The program includes knowledge-sharing sessions by the faculty of Woxsen School of Business and seasoned entrepreneurs and captains of industries from diverse sectors. There is no age criteria for the program that will be held on 14-16 July and 28-30 July. 

Veen Pula, Chairman, Woxsen School of Business, said the programme was aimed at engaging [with] young startups and continuing to inspire them with the fodder of industry updates and advanced techniques to strategise their next move. TiE Woxsen Entrepreneurship Development Program's specially designed syllabus and structure for startups."

Todays startup trends reveals that many startups are not seeing the light of the day as the mortality rate is increasing. This can be caused by many factors. The most important one being preparedness of the startup founder along with his perseverance which needs to be continuously nurtured. This program is one step towards this nurturing, Pradeep Mittal, President, TiE Hyderabad, said.

The program aims to take the participant through the entire cycle of entrepreneurship. Sreedevi Devireddy, Executive Director, TiE Hyderabad, said it will take the participant to "Business-Plan framework, defining a target audience, validating a business idea, building consistent marketing plan, to the funding options for the venture. Post the workshop, shortlisted startups will be presented to potential investors for funding, she added.

The application deadline is 20 June. Registrations are open for the program at hyderabad.tie.org.
Pianist Elie Dufour, bassist Yann Phayphet and drummer Marc Michel met in France in 2010. They ended up creating EYM Trio, a jazz band which balances strong rhythms and beautiful harmonies, captivating the audience right from their first chords. Their music includes covers and original compositions inspired by rhythms from North Africa, Bulgaria, Romania and India.

In 2016, the band embarked for a seven gig tour outside Europe for the first time to India. They returned with a new experience and fresh inspiration, which evolved into their song called 'Bengaluru'.

The trio have not been able to get over their time in India and its audience. So, they're back in India this week. They are performing five concerts organised in association with the music agency Gatecrash. Here's the schedule :

May 31 - Bonobo, Mumbai

1 June - Shisha Cafe, Pune

2 June - The BFlat Bar, Bangalore

4 June - Depot48, Delhi

7 June - The Piano Man Jazz Club, Delhi.

They are the fresh young faces of European jazz, so walk on to any of the venues mentioned above and get ready for a new experience in Jazz music!
Ashwini Dhir's upcoming comedy Guest Iin London has landed in legal soup owing to its striking similarity with what many perceived as its prequel, Dhir's 2010 comedy Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?.

The Hindu reports that Warner Bros Pictures, the studio behind Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?, have moved to the vacation bench of the Bombay High Court seeking a stay on publishing any promotional material related to the film. It has alleged that Panaroma Studios, the force behind Guest Iin London, has breached a contract with Warner Bros Pictures of not using the word atithi anywhere in their film.

However, the background theme song of Guest Iin London, as heard in the trailer, has the word atithi in it. Also, the film was initially titled Atithi In London which is why the makers were compelled to change it to Guest Iin London. The rationale behind the agreement is to prevent Guest Iin London from cashing in on the success of Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?.

However, Live Law reports that the vacation bench of the Bombay High Court ruled that since Guest Iin London is slated to release on 16 June, there is no urgency regarding hearing the matter. Thus, the court ruled that the case will be heard before a regular bench when the court reopens on 6 June.

"This Arbitration Petition has been moved for urgent ad-interim reliefs restraining the Respondents from issuing any public material / promotional material with reference to the movie Guest iin London. It is the case of the Petitioner that this movie is being passed of as a continuation of an/or having connection with the movie Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?. The learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Respondents states that there is absolutely no urgency entertaining this Petition today as the movie is not going to be released before 15 June, 2017. In view of this statement, I find that there is no urgency. List this matter before the Regular Bench on 6 June, 2017," ruled Justice Justice BP Colabawalla.

Guest Iin London stars Kartik Aaryan, Kirti Kharbanda, Paresh Rawal, Tanvi Azmi and Sanjay Mishra.
Berlin: Actor Priyanka Chopra on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in between his packed schedule in Berlin, terming it "such a lovely coincidence".

"Thank you for taking the time to meet me this morning Narendra Modi sir. Such a lovely coincidence to be in Berlin at the same time," Priyanka, who has been making India proud in Hollywood, tweeted. She even shared a glimpse from her meeting with Modi on Twitter as well as Instagram.

The actor, who is known for her acting skills as well as supporting social and humanitarian causes, is seen in a white dress with a floral print during the meeting. Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Germany, is in a black bandhgala.

Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Germany, Modi will travel to Spain, Russia and France.

Meanwhile, Priyanka, whose Hollywood debut film "Baywatch" opened internationally to mixed reviews, is enjoying a break in Berlin. Baywatch, also starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, is slated to release in India on 2 June.
London: Irish boy band Boyzone has confirmed a reunion plan to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

In a post shared on the Boyzone Instagram page, the quartet, Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy, shared their plans to release new music and embark on a tour next year.

"2018 will see Boyzone celebrate their 25th anniversary! That's something that Ronan, Keith, Mikey & Shane are incredibly proud of. Plans are being hatched for new music and lots of touring throughout the year."

"But next year still seems a long way off, so in case you can't wait, the Boyz are hitting the road for some exclusive UK shows later this summer. Dates and ticketing details will be announced here soon... #boyzone2017," the post read.

The band split in 1999 but have reunited a number of times over the years.

They were left devastated when bandmate Stephen Gately tragically passed away in October 2010 at the age of 33 from a congenital heart defect.
If youre tired of the exhaustive coverage of who wore which gowns at Cannes 2017, theres something more interesting for you to look at  the films that premiered at the festival.

Heres a look at ten of the best:

THE SQUARE

Dir: Ruben Ostlund

After the terrific Force Majeure and his tongue-in-cheek yet moving Oscar snub YouTube video, Swedish filmmaker Ostlund returns with another strange story  this time chronicling a loud breakdown at a museum. The film won the Palme dOr at the fest, sealing Ostlund as one of the most fascinating modern filmmakers. Considering he backed out of directing the critical and commercial bomb Passengers and then went on to bag an award at Cannes, its safe to say he makes good life choices.

THE BEGUILLED

Dir: Sofia Coppola

To be honest Id lost faith in Coppola after seeing many of her films post-Lost In Translation  every subsequent project became less memorable, and The Beguiled, which is a remake of a Clint Eastwood movie, didnt inspire much confidence. Surprisingly the film received rave reviews at Cannes and even bagged Coppola the Best Director trophy. It remains to be seen if the film is worthy of the honour it was bestowed, or its a matter of Coppola being a festival darling since she was a child. In any case with Colin Farrell, Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning and an erotic horror genre the film sure looks alluring.

120 BEATS PER MINUTE

Dir: Robin Campillo

Campillo, who wrote the excellent French film The Class goes behind the camera for a fascinating political drama about ACT-UP, an organisation in the '90s that launched AIDS awareness and fought against the public xenophobia against the disease during that time period. The film won the Queer Palm award at the fest.

LOVELESS

Dir: Andrey Zvyagintsev

After the incredible (but also severely depressing) 2014 film Leviathan, Russian filmmaker Zvyagintsev returns with another bleak drama with a political undercurrent. The story is about a divorced couple finding themselves working together to find their missing son. The film garnered tremendous reviews at Cannes, with many critics hailing it as a masterpiece. It also bagged the prestigious Jury Prize at the fest, and is a favourite to win the Foreign Language Oscar next year.

YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE

Dir: Lynne Ramsay

No one thought director Lynne Ramsay would top her terrifying and gripping We Need To Talk About Kevin, but it looks like shes done the impossible as the film received the biggest buzz in the fest. Reminiscent of Scorseses Taxi Driver, the film follows a vigilante played by Joaquin Phoenix tortured by existential angst. The film won the Best Screenplay trophy for Lynne as well as a Best Actor award for Phoenix, who was predictably, delightfully strange during his acceptance.

THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER

Dir: Yorgos Lanthimos

After delivering fascinating social commentaries on the human condition with Dogtooth and The Lobster, Greek filmmaker Lanthimos is back with another esoterically titled film, which no doubt delves into his favorite theme  confinement. This time his Lobster star Colin Farrell plays a surgeon who is forced to make an awfully deadly choice to fix the problems in his life. The film won the Best Screenplay award at the fest, tying with Lynne Ramsays film.

THE FLORIDA PROJECT

Dir: Sean Baker

Sean Baker, who blew everyone away with the fiery, pulsating, iPhone-shot comedy drama Tangerine is back with a story that chronicles a bunch of kids growing up and having all kinds of strange adventures in Orlando, while their parents struggle to make ends meet. Like in his previous film, Florida consists mainly of non actors improvising  and if the reviews are anything to go by, this is going to be another memorable feature from the new filmmaker. A24 has picked up the rights for the film, and we hope to see it in theaters this year.

GOOD TIME

Dir: Josh and Ben Safdie

Who knew Robert Pattinson, the Twilight star, would go on to become one of the most interesting actors starring in boundary pushing cinema? This time his performance has been praised in Good Time, which is described to be a pulsating, heart stopping heist thriller in the vein of Michael Mann. Even as this film earns them accolades the Safdie brothers are already ready to roll their next film, a much bigger project starring Jonah Hill and produced by Martin Scorsese.

THE PROMISED LAND

Dir: Eugene Jarecki

As were witnessing the slow decline of the might of America theres nothing more fascinating than a film on how such a vast empire ended up in this state. Jareckis documentary portrait of the fall of the USA chronicles the past 70 years, putting spotlight on the rise of racism, corruption, greed and bigotry that ultimately led to the rise of Trump and his legion of supporters.

WIND RIVER

Dir: Taylor Sheridan

It was hard to believe that the actor who played the pugnacious cop in Sons of Anarchy went on to write the screenplays of Sicario and Hell or High Water  two exceedingly great films. And its even more amazing that hes now directed a murder mystery, which has also received great reviews. The film, which stars Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen investigating murders on a Native American reservation won the Un Certain Regard directing prize for Sheridan.
There is a certain joy we, as viewers, get out of watching scary real life scenarios playing out on our laptop screens. We watch Narcos to marvel at the sheer power that Pablo Escobar wielded in Columbia. We eagerly wait for the next episode of Last Week Tonight, to see John Oliver make sense of and poke fun at politics. We devour House of Cards because it seems to resemble American politics to the point of being uncanny.

At such a time, comparisons between real-life US President Donald Trump and reel-life US President Frank Underwood are inevitable. Both are disliked by a sizeable population of people, both are seen as threats to democracy because they hold absolute power, and both are in the public eye for crimes they have been accused of. While social media is filled with speculation about Trump's impending impeachment, Frank Underwood's America is witnessing the investigation of its President for crimes he committed as Vice President.

But one episode into Season 5, and you realise that Underwood is not like Trump. He is far worse  because he is better than Trump.

[Spoilers ahead]

The difference between the real and reel Presidents is that the latter makes you feel afraid because of his mere presence. Many of Trump's critics, too, fear him, but this is because of his policies, constant faux pas and trenchant opinions. Underwood, on the other hand, is ruthlessly ambitious and not afraid of crushing anyone who comes in his way.

Underwood courts death with ease. If you thought that one of the very first scenes from the show, where he basically murders an injured dog to put it out of its misery, is the extent to his cold blooded-ness, you need to watch the conversation he has with domestic terrorist Joshua Masterson, who took the Miller family hostage in Season 4. This scene is shot particularly well; the camera focuses on Spacey's face as seen from inside Masterson's cell. He tries to get into and manipulate Masterson's mind, and the viewer watches this conversation play out as the glass separating them is splattered with the terrorist's spit and blood.

There is also the stark contrast between their rhetoric. Trump exudes confidence, as is evident from the way he speaks about his businesses and the achievements of his government. Underwood's speeches are not only filled with confidence, but they also make Democrats and supporters want to put faith into him. Sample the powerful scene when he walks into Congress unannounced and turns around the debate from centering on his crimes to garnering support for the declaration of war in America and abroad: The fire in his eyes is evident as he screams, "I will not cease," and "I will not yield."

One also cannot help but compare the Donald-Melania and Frank-Claire equations. Robin Wright as Claire is perfection; as if her poise is not admirable enough in itself, she is also very convincing as a scheming First Lady. Her ability to exploit people emotionally is evident in the scene where she convinces Masterson's mother to tell her own son to turn himself in. Frank and Claire are back together as a team now, with more aligned political goals. Claire is a great partner for Frank, because she both complements Frank and is able to help him see the larger picture when he loses sight of it.

A large part of the media attention that Donald and Melania Trump have received of late is damaging, due to the body language Melania exhibits at international events when Donald tries to hold her hand. I just cannot get myself to believe that Melania could ever successfully convince a anxiety-stricken mother to go on camera and tell her terrorist-son to surrender himself.

But this season sees a continuation in the change of Claire's character arc which began in Season 4. Her interactions with Frank remained largely cold, but you can see the cracks in her steely exterior when her mother died. In this episode of House of Cards, she breaks down unexpectedly, at the funeral of Mrs Miller's husband.

Despite all of these differences, there is one similarity between the two  their inability to take criticism or questions regarding their policies. While Trump is infamous for completely denying news reportage that reflects him in a bad light, Underwood's administration simply refuses to address the subject of his alleged crimes.

In an interview where she is pitted against Washing Herald editor Tom Hammerschmidt, who wrote an article detailing Frank's involvement in Zoe's death among other crimes, Claire constantly dodges questions, instead giving answers whose content can only be considered fluff. This inability to counter dissent is the couple's Achilles' heel.

To ameliorate the situation, he begins using any opportunity to portray himself as a responsible President. He goes to Mr Miller's funeral with the hope that the family and his critics will not blame him for Miller's death. Unfortunately for him, the press and people of America see through his ways. The Washington Herald reports that Mr Miller's daughter blames him for his death, and Claire is attacked with paint when she visits a store that has been bombed, hoping to make people feel like the State cares about their safety.

Oftentimes, over the past few months, several Americans, as well as people over the world, have questioned how Donald Trump came into power, considering that he joined the Presidential race at a later stage and included unpopular objectives like the building of a wall and banning of Muslims in his campaign.

If you too, have found yourself thinking similarly, watch House of Cards to get an answer to the question, "How did we get here?"
What do you do when you see three young saree clad women with gajra in their hair and the one in the middle happens to be Sofia Ashraf? You click on it.

Sofia Ashraf, the rapper from Chennai who shot to fame after her song 'Kodaikanal Won't' went viral, is back with 'Period Paatu', a song on menstrual hygiene. The rapper, who also calls herself Sista From The South, made a video with Blush to mark World Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28.

While a large portion of women in India continues to be fairly uninformed about period products, Sofia takes it upon herself to educate people about products available for women. Sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cups, she sings about it all through a quirky adaptation of Villu Paatu, a taditional Tamil storytelling form. Not merely products, she even discusses the pros and cons of these products in terms of health risks and environmental harm owing to insufficient dumping space.

The reactions to 'Period Paatu' have been surprisingly positive so far, with a few people crying cultural appropriation in the comments section of the video. "I can't bear the accent and I am South Indian," reads a comment. Remarks like these has a lot of people scratching their heads since Sofia herself is a Tamilian. One can't possibly appropriate their own culture in the sense that it starts coming off as an attempt of violation and trivialization of the original culture, right?

The sista from the south is well-known among millennials for her extremely creative yet political and deeply subversive work. She usually generously laces her songs with political allusions which depict her activism. Be it asking consumer goods giant Unilever to clean up their industrial mess in Kodaikanal in 'Kodaikanal Won't' or resisting political bullying in Tamil Nadu with 'Democracy is Dead', it is comforting to see young women expressing their opinion out in the open, when there are already so many forces silencing voices of dissent.

It's safe to say that this generation is, indeed, doing something right. Here's the video:
Before leaving for Mumbai to start shooting for Kaala on Saturday, Rajinikanth spoke to reporters at Chennai airport like an actor who had no intentions to turn politician.

"Kaala's shooting is starting from tomorrow. I am leaving for Mumbai now for the shoot. My job is acting and I am going now to take care of my work. What you are doing is your work and let me do mine,'' he said.

That clinical devotion to the call sheet would seem to suggest that all the talk about a real life political role for Rajinikanth is much ado about nothing. But away from the public glare, information is trickling in about work happening to facilitate a political launch for the Superstar.

Sources indicate that at the Rajinikanth end, his wife Latha is the pointsperson setting up the back office. Before the superstar left for Mumbai, phones were worked to set up meetings with people from all walks of life, where Rajini popped the question if he would be taking the right decision by jumping into politics and heard different points of view.

With advice coming from a Chennai-based editor, the decks, it would seem, are being cleared for a political plunge once Rajinikanth is through with the shooting part for Kaala. 40 per cent of the movie, being produced by son-in-law Dhanush is being shot in Mumbai and the remaining part will be shot at a Dharavi set that is erected in Chennai.

There is buzz about an August 15 launch though there is no official confirmation on the date.

Sources in Chennai and Delhi suggest that barring last minute jitters and change of plan, it is almost certain that Rajini will float his own political outfit. He has been advised by top politicians, including in the BJP, that joining the saffron party will not be politically prudent. Rajini's party will then have a pre-poll alliance with the BJP and the Panneerselvam faction of the AIADMK. Given Vijaykanth's equation with Rajini, the two actors could come together as well in the hope of producing a political blockbuster.

The BJP got only 2.8 per cent vote in the assembly elections last year while the DMDK fared worse with 2.4 per cent. The expectation is that Rajini will play a pinch-hitter role and bring at least 12 to 15 per cent vote to the kitty. If OPS is able to take away a significant chunk of the AIADMK vote, the rainbow coalition should be able to beat the DMK-Congress alliance that garnered 37 per cent in 2016. It could do even better if the Sasikala-Palaniswami camp comes a cropper and that vote shifts to Rajinikanth.

While the Math sounds tempting, much depends on Rajini's Yes. No one knows if Rajini has bought into the idea completely. He is conscious of his image as a demi-god now and remains wary of tasting the embarrassment of a failure at this stage of his life.

Sources say if the elections were to be held only in 2021, chances that Rajini will step in and have a four-year long probation period were pretty remote. It looks more likely that he has been promised an early 2018 election that will enable him to do an NT Rama Rao, who strode to power within eight months of launching his party in 1982. The idea is to keep the run-time short, almost package it like a movie promotion.

Given that Rajini won't have 233 other candidates to stand under his umbrella, he is looking at credible faces to be by his side.

The Indian Express reported that one of the names being considered is K Pandiarajan, former school education minister in the Jayalalithaa regime. Pandiarajan switched over to the OPS side but of late, is not much in the public glare with Panneerselvam preferring the counsel of V Maitreyan and KP Munusamy.

Rajini during his address to his fans two weeks back, laid down the ground rules for those seeking to be cast with him in a political role. No room for dishonest persons, he declared. That will mean many old timers from Tamil Nadu's political fraternity will not find favour with the Superstar.

While BJP sources are certain Panneerselvam will be part of the plan, there are doubts if he will indeed agree to be a number 2 to a political novice. The PMK could also be on the radar given Anbumani Ramadoss's youthful image but the former Union Health minister has always spoken against actors ruling the roost in Tamil Nadu's political arena.

But Kollywood that claims to know Rajinikanth well, remains certain he won't bite the political bait.

Actors and producers who have worked with him say he shuns controversies and does not have the stomach for a political fight. K Hariharan, author and Professor of Film Studies says the stage-managed event with the fans seemed like a pure marketing gimmick for 2.0, that will release in January 2018.

"They got mileage free of cost,'' says Hariharan, adding, "It is not the first time he has hinted at a political entry. It is like an alarm that he raises and then he switches off the clock. He is just not interested in politics.''

Rajinikanth's films, especially the recent ones, were never suspense thrillers. They followed a predictable script and were designed for an audience that felt happy seeing their favorite hero give a paisa vasool performance, peppered with his stylish mannerisms.

But his political role seems full of suspense and the chatter on the street is that even Rajini may not know the script, leave alone the climax.
For a good part of 2017 so far, Shruti Haasan has been in news for being the chosen one to play the title role in Sundar C's ambitious period drama Sangamithra. The film, which also stars Jayam Ravi and Arya, is set in the 8th century AD and it tells the story of a warrior princess who would do anything to protect her kingdom. And then, in mid-May, the cast and crew of Sangamithra, including music director AR Rahman and production designer Sabu Cyril, landed in Cannes to unveil the first look of the film at the prestigious film festival.

Prior to that, Shruti Haasan had been spending quite some time in London where she had been practising sword fighting under the aegis of Tim Klotz, resident fight director at the Drama Centre, a leading drama school in London. It was one the skill sets that she wanted to acquire before she could dedicate a couple of years to the period film, which was supposed to be made in two parts with a budget of more than Rs 200 crores, according to some reports. The concept art that was unveiled at Cannes made it quite evident that there's going to be plenty of warfare and it was in the realm of Baahubali, so to speak, in terms of its genre and what Sundar C was aiming for.

However, on 29 May, all of a sudden, Sri Thenandal Films, which is producing the film, announced on Twitter  Due to unavoidable circumstances, we are unable to proceed working with Shruti Haasan in Sangamithra. Although the production house and director Sundar C didnt explain what went further, Shruti Haasan made it clear that her decision to opt out of the film was due to lack of clarity over the script and proper dates that the team wanted from her. "At a conceptual level, Sangamithra is an ambitious film, and as artistes, we all dream of doing roles like these. But unfortunately, things didn't fall in place," Shruti Haasan says.

Her spokesperson informed the media that, Unfortunately, Shruti Haasan had to take a call not to be part of Sangamithra. Knowing it was a massive undertaking and a long commitment spanning over two years, she knew the importance of her training, a comprehensive script and proper date calendar. She hired and started training with one of best combat trainers April onward to make sure she was ready in time for shoot. Despite her enthusiasm and commitment to Sangamithra, she has had to give the film a miss since she had not received a proper bound script nor a proper date calendar. She is currently caught up with promoting her Hindi film Behen Hogi Teri, prep for Sabash Naidu and her musical associations.

After almost six months of spending time in London, Los Angeles and occasionally in India, Shruti Haasan is now back in India to promote her upcoming film Behen Hogi Teri in which shes paired with Rajkummar Rao. Directed by Ajay K Pannalal, the film has Shruti playing a Lucknowi girl  Binny  which she says is a first in her career in Hindi cinema. The story is based on a chapter in the director's life, and my character is inspired by the life of the director's sister. So, the kind of love and focus he has for the character is special. It was a simple, heart-warming story with plenty of layers. It's a circumstantial comedy, which is close to real life, and Im a big fan of the genre. To get comedy right in that sort of closer-to-reality comedy is always going to be a challenge, but that's something which we have all enjoyed very much, the actress says.

Shruti Haasan is all praise for the production house, saying that the makers stayed true to the directors vision, which made a lot to difference to the story. We didnt want to do something just because its in vogue right now. Its really great when a director wants to stay true to the genre and tell the story which he wants to tell, without thinking about what others are doing, she adds.

Although shes an avid traveller, Shruti has never been to Lucknow to shoot; however, director Ajay was keen on shooting Behen Hogi Teri in live locations, and that decision, Shruti says, helped her to get into the character a great deal. Its not like other films where we build a set in Mumbai and then go to the actual location to shoot the exterior portions. We have shot in several authentic places in Lucknow. I cant even remember when was the last time I did something like this, where everything is set in such a real space. It contributed a lot to my performance and also understanding the character, Shruti confesses, Lucknow has its own charm and it has several historic monuments which are scattered generously all over the city. One thing I noticed was how rooted it was in its culture. Right from the people, the food, the clothes to the way they carry themselves  everything felt so unique.

Ask her if she could relate to Binny at a much deeper level, the actress admits that she could see her younger self in the character. I was a lot like her when I was young. Binny is fun and opinionated, vulnerable but tough, at the same time. I could relate a lot to that part of her life, but of course, the setting and her family is nowhere close to what I've experienced in my life. I think most situations in others lives aren't like what Ive been through (laughs), Shruti quips.

From the trailer, it is obvious that the film revolves around the concept of how one man tries hard to escape being brozoned and Shruti adds, It was lovely working with Rajkummar Rao. He gets the vibe right and the fact that people are talking about our chemistry says a lot about how much we enjoyed playing our characters. So, has she ever faced such a situation in real life? No chance! But, Ive been friendzoned plenty of times. But that was a long time ago, she laughs.
The Wonder Woman movie seems to get plagued with controversy with each passing minute. After a series of issues that have already caused a furor all across the world, the latest dispute that the movie has been inflicted with is the question on whether or not Wonder Woman will release in Lebanon.

According to The Daily Star  the state run National News Agency of Lebanon  Wonder Woman is to be banned from releasing due to the movie's Israeli lead actress Gal Gadot.

This news follows after the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in Lebanon urged the government to ban the screening of the film across the country. They seemed to have taken similar measures at the time of the release of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, another movie in which Gadot played a pivotal role.

At that time, a representative from BDS had allegedly sent a letter to Lebanon's Ministry of Economy and Trade highlighting Gal Gadot's service in the Israeli army and her open support for the Israeli Defence Forces in the Gaza War. The Arab News reached out to a cinema chain in Lebanon and a representative from the chain (on the condition of anonymity) alleged that a premier screening of the movie had been planned over the week, pending an official announcement.

This controversy follows hot on the heels of the latest storm that Wonder Woman found itself in the middle of, when a renowned theater chain in the United States of America  Alamo Drafthouse (Austin, Texas)  announced a Women's Only screening of the movie which caused major backlash and mixed reactions across the world, with people expressing their views all across Twitter and Facebook.

Here are a few tweets that show some of the angry responses

@drafthouse Er, isn't this kinda inherently sexist? Not to mention the fact that the legality is questionable given the Civil Rights Act...  Joe Scibelli (@JoeScibelli22) May 25, 2017

@drafthouse If you had a guys only screening of Thor 3 there'd be an uproar and you know it.  Marc Taylor Swift (@terminalpreppy1) May 25, 2017

Right before this, the movie had found itself embroiled in yet another controversy  this time over Gal Gadot's armpits. People felt that the first iconic female superhero this world has seen, could not possibly have hairless armpits (as shown in a still from the initially launched trailer of the film). Once again angry Twitterati took to the social media platform to express their opinions, and Wonder Woman found itself drowned in a sea of hate reactions.

And here are some more tweets on the hairless armpits controversy

Just speaking aesthetically, the new Wonder Woman trailer had me wishing she had armpit hair.  mattson tomlin (@mattsontomlin) March 12, 2017
(Corrects to remove extraneous information in paragraph 3)LONDON Tesco Chief Executive Dave Lewis has been called as a prosecution witness in the trial of three former senior executives accused of fraud and false accounting at Britain's biggest retailer, a court heard on Tuesday.Christopher Bush, who was managing director of Tesco UK,Carl Rogberg, who was UK finance director, and John Scouler,who was UK food commercial director, were charged by theSerious Fraud Office (SFO) in September with one count of fraud by abuse of position and one count of false accounting.Their lawyers have said the three would plead not guilty at a trial set to start on Sept. 4.

At a case management hearing at Southwark Crown Court in London on Tuesday the court heard that Lewis, CEO since September 2014, was among 10 new witnesses called by the crown.The court heard that other witnesses called include Tesco's group general counsel Adrian Morris and the head of its internal audit, who was not named.Tesco declined to comment on Tuesday.

The SFO has said the alleged crimes occurred between Feb. 1and Sept. 23, 2014. Tesco issued a statement to the London Stock Exchange on Sept. 22, 2014, saying that during its final preparations for a results announcement it had identified a 250 million pound ($321 million) overstatement of first-half profit, mainly due to booking commercial deals with suppliers too early. The discovery led to the suspension of eight senior membersof staff including Bush, Rogberg and Scouler; sent Tesco'sshares tumbling; and plunged the company into the worst crisis in its near 100-year history.The profit overstatement, identified three weeks after Lewis took over as CEO from the sacked Philip Clarke, was later raised to 263 million pounds.

Bush and Scouler attended Tuesday's hearing, though Rogberg was absent.The judge set aside days in June and August for further legal argument.In April a court approved a deal between Tesco and the Serious Fraud Office to settle a probe over the 2014 scandal. That deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) related to the potential criminal liability of the UK subsidiary, Tesco Stores Limited, and no other person.($1 = 0.7780 pounds) (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Susan Fenton)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Sanjeev Miglani

| NEW DELHI

NEW DELHI India has rejected an Australian request to take part in joint naval exercises with the United States and Japan for fear of antagonising China, which has warned against expanding the drills, navy officials and diplomats said.Australia formally wrote to the Indian defence ministry in January asking if it could send naval ships to join the July wargames as an observer, in what military experts saw as a step toward eventual full participation.Four officials from India, Australia and Japan told Reuters India blocked the proposal and suggested that Canberra send officers to watch the exercises in the Bay of Bengal from the decks of the three participating countries' warships, instead. New Delhi is worried that China will step up activities in the Indian Ocean where it is building infrastructure in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, feeding India's anxiety about being encircled, Indian military sources and diplomats said. Indian navy officials say there have been at least six submarine deployments by China in the Indian Ocean since 2013 and that Chinese submarines have been docking in Sri Lanka and its long-time ally Pakistan. "India is being careful about China," said Abhijit Singh, a former Indian navy officer who heads maritime studies at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi."India is aware they have upped their maritime engagement in this part of the world and they could just become more brazen with their submarine deployments. We don't want that to happen," Singh said. New Delhi's ties with Beijing have soured in recent years over a territorial dispute in the Himalayas and China's military support of Pakistan.

China has also been concerned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's avowedly nationalist government has stepped up public engagement of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader who lives in exile in India and whom it regards as a "splittist".An Indian defence ministry spokesman confirmed there had been a request from Australia for observer status in the July exercises, but he said he was not in a position to provide any details of the Indian response. Both the United States and Japan supported the idea of involving Australia, seeing it as a natural partner in the effort to balance China's growing might, the four officials said.MALABAR EXERCISES

The Malabar exercises started out as India-U.S. drills in 1992 but have included Japan every year from 2014. Dozens of warships, submarines and aircraft take part in the wargames, which are aimed at getting the three powerful navies used to working together. U.S. military officials say this will help in future operations, including joint patrols across the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.The exercises are now held in waters close to the East and South China Sea as well as the Indian Ocean.China, which claims most of the South China Sea, has protested the expansion. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims on the strategic waterway, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year.

A spokesman for Australia's Minister of Defence Marise Payne refused to comment on the Malabar exercises. But one Australian official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said it was increasingly unlikely Canberra would join the drills although it was keen to do so.Australia has also traditionally been wary of upsetting China, its largest trading partner.It takes no sides in the disputes in the South China Sea and has declined to join naval exercises there, although it does support U.S.-led freedom of navigation activities in the region. Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at Australia National University, expressed frustration that China was effectively wielding veto power over other countries' security cooperation.India, Japan, the United States and Australia already have bilateral security, dialogue and exercise arrangements with each other, including in some three-country configurations, he said. "It should be normal and natural for countries with common interests, high levels of trusts and overlapping capabilities to work together on security issues, without another country imposing a veto on who trains with whom," he said. (Additional reporting by Colin Packham in SYDNEY; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Sankalp Phartiyal and Samantha Kareen Nair

| MUMBAI/BENGALURU

MUMBAI/BENGALURU Reliance Communications' balance sheet troubles, which have wiped off more than a third of its value this month, have thrown into sharp relief the squeeze afflicting India's telecoms sector: fickle users, wafer-thin margins and crippling debt.Reliance Communications, known as RCom, has seen its shares and bonds tumble since it reported weaker results over the weekend - along with a shrunken user base and higher debt. It said on Monday it was in talks with banks to defer loan repayments due over the next four months. RCom, owned by billionaire Anil Ambani, is a relatively small player in an industry dominated by the likes of Bharti Airtel and Vodafone, and its financial position is considerably worse than its rivals.But almost all India's mobile operators posted a loss in the first quarter and the one exception, Bharti, recorded its smallest profit in four years. Vodafone all but pulled out of the world's second biggest mobile market earlier this year, merging its Indian business with Idea Cellular.The culprits? Costly airwave auctions and, since last year, unprecedented price wars sparked by months of free voice and data from Jio - a new entrant backed by Ambani's brother and India's richest man, Mukesh Ambani."RCom quarterly numbers reflect the difficult times that lie ahead for telecom companies," said Gaurang Shah, head investment strategist at Geojit Financial Services. "My sense is that the stock and the entire telecom area is a highly avoidable sector right now given the pricing pressure and competition from Reliance Jio," he said.

Despite the Indian stock market hitting record highs on a near-daily basis since late April, telecoms firms have been under pressure. RCom's shares have plunged more than 40 percent this month and are trading at an all-time low, while shares in larger rival Idea have fallen nearly 10 percent in that time. During a call with investors, RCom called for lower spectrum and license fees and more time to pay for airwave purchases from past auctions. Earlier this month, Bharti Airtel Chief Executive Gopal Vittal also suggested moves including lowering of airwave costs. BANKS ON ALERT

India's central bank has judged the problem serious enough that it asked commercial banks last month to review their loan exposure to the industry by end-June, and consider raising loan loss provisions in the sector.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said the sector's earnings had deteriorated to the point that it was untenable for telecoms players to even cover the interest costs tied to loans."The sector is under pressure due to competition," said one senior public sector banker. "No doubt even the RBI is concerned - that's why they've told banks to review exposure immediately."Bharti Airtel has a net debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of 3.05 times as of March 31 - suggesting its debt is three times its core profit. No. 3 ranked Idea, which is merging with Vodafone's local arm to form India's top mobile carrier, was at 4.87 times as of end-March. RCom's net debt to EBITBA ratio is more than 9 times. Typically, analysts consider that ratios higher than 4 times can indicate a company could face trouble meeting its debt obligations.

Rating agency Fitch has a negative outlook on the sector, and said last week it expected further pressure. It expects Jio, which has battered the market with highly subsidized prices and phones as it claims market share, to continue offering cheaper tariffs.RCom itself puts overall borrowing in the sector at 8 trillion rupees ($124 billion), while overall EBITDA was 530 billion rupees ($8.2 billion) in the fiscal year ending in March 2016. This means that the average debt to EBITDA ratio is running at more than 6.6 times in the sector. "Policy action and a financial package is critically needed to infuse operational viability in the sector," said the head of RCom's consumer business, Gurdeep Singh, on the investors' call.The government has formed a panel to examine the matter. But it is not clear what the Indian government can do about the problem other than defer some spectrum payments owed and lower fees payable on gross revenues, said a senior official at one credit rating agency."If those things are lowered that will provide some relief, but whether that will be adequate one does not know, because the debt problem is too severe," he said. (Reporting by Sankalp Phartiyal and Samantha Kareen Nair; Additional reporting by by Devidutta Tripathy, Abhirup Roy and Swati Bhat in Mumbai; and Gaurav Dogra, Tanvi Mehta in Bengaluru; Writing by Euan Rocha; Editing by Clara Ferreira-Marques and Alex Richardson)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
New Delhi: The ministries of tourism and culture have issued notifications making it mandatory for beneficiaries of their various schemes to have Aadhaar numbers.

The notifications state that beneficiaries of their various schemes need to have Aadhaar as an identity document for delivery of services, benefits and subsidies from the government.

The schemes of the tourism ministry are mostly programmes to train individuals in short-term courses to generate employability.

The schemes of the culture ministry are mostly financial assistance in the form of scholarships and fellowships to people in the field of culture.

These two ministries now have joined five other central government ministries which have issued 14 similar notifications for 11 schemes, including access to primary and secondary education.

"Any individual desirous of availing the benefits under the scheme is hereby required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar or undergo Aadhaar authentication," said the notification from the tourism ministry.

The 14 notifications earlier were issued by the ministries of social justice and empowerment, human resource development, health and family welfare, labour and employment, and women and child development.

Most of these ministries have asked beneficiaries to enrol for Aadhaar in order to avail benefits under their schemes.

The tourism ministry's 12 May notification states that those who had applied for Aadhaar before 30 March, 2017 would be able to avail benefits.

The culture ministry's 3 May notification has, however, set a deadline of 31 May for beneficiaries who do not possess the Aadhaar number to make an application for it.
Earlier this week, the Kerala High Court ruled that the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) cannot prohibit candidates from wearing a hijab (a religious headdress) while appearing for its entrance examinations. The writ petition (Fida Fathima v Union of India) was filed by members of the Muslim Students Federation at Calicut University, on grounds that AIIMS' dress code for the examinations was unconstitutional and violated a Muslim females right to freedom of religion.

While the Kerala High Court rightly observed that the right to wear religious headdress would be covered by Article 25 (right to freedom of religion), the Supreme Court has differed from this interpretation of Article 25. The apex court has, in fact, upheld such bans in the past and ruled that the bans do not violate the right to freedom of religion.

A Muslim womans right to wear a religious headdress (including other forms of religious dresses, such as veils) has also been debated in other countries in Europe, some of which have enacted legislations to ban the same. The right to wear attire as mandated under one's faith is a part and parcel of one's right to freely practise their religion, and any restriction on this right is unsustainable under the Indian Constitution and international human rights law.

Hijab in Islam

'Hijab' is an Arabic word which means barrier/partition. A hijab (in the context of Islam) refers to a headscarf or a full dress which covers the hair and neck, except for the face, feet and hands. A broader meaning of hijab is 'to cover' or 'veil'. In the writ petition filed by the students, the petitioners contended that under the Quran and hadiths (the sayings of Prophet Muhammad), a Muslim woman must cover her body except for the face with loose outer garments when in public or in the company of men whom she could theoretically marry (non-mahram).

Wearing a veil or hijab is linked to the notion of modesty of a woman under the Quran, and it is believed to protect women against sexual assault, as the veil prevents unwanted attention to a womans body.

Ban on religious headdresses worldwide

Various countries in Europe have placed partial or complete restrictions on specific forms of the Islamic veil (through local or national laws). In 2011, Belgium became the second country after France to ban full-face veils (burka and niqab) in public places, and any violation of this law entails a fine and imprisonment of up to seven days.

Many reasons have been attributed to the ban. Bulgaria banned the burka (an Islamic veil which covers full-face and body) for security purposes in the light of Islamic militant attacks in Europe. Egypts Cairo University banned professors from wearing the niqab in 2015 to enable professors to communicate easily with students.

Subsequently, the Egyptian government drafted a Bill to ban the burka in public places and government institutions. A lawmaker and academic supported the legislation in Europe, on grounds that the veil is not a requirement of Islam, and that the Quran "calls for modest clothing and covered hair, but does not require facial covering".

Although the United Kingdom has not banned the Islamic dress, schools are permitted to prescribe their own dress code, including a ban on face veils. The most common reason cited for banning veils is to enable identification and security concerns. Some believe that the bans are motivated by fears of terrorism.

Interestingly, in 2016, several coastal towns in France also banned the 'burkini' (beachwear which refers to a wetsuit covering the head, primarily designed for Muslim women). Frances main argument was that the burkini violated the principle of secularism enshrined in the French Constitution.

Another reason cited for banning the burkini is Frances excessive fear of Islamic extremism. These bans continue despite Frances highest administrative court ruling that the bans constitute a "serious and manifestly illegal violation of fundamental freedoms".

In March 2017, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that employers could prohibit workers from wearing religious symbols (including headscarves) in workplaces. The ECJ observed: "An internal rule of an undertaking which prohibits the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign does not constitute direct discrimination". It backed companies who wished to project a neutral image by banning religious symbols.

Indian judiciary on the right to wear hijab

The Kerala High Court, in the present case, allowed the petition challenging AIIMS' dress code. The Court relied on its earlier ruling (in Amna Bint Basheer v CBSE & UOI), which involved the All India Pre-Medical Entrance Test (AIMPT) 2016 conducted by CBSE.

The high court, in the earlier case, had ruled that the dress code prohibiting headdress would not be enforced against individuals who were required to wear the dress as part of their faith and that this was a right protected under Article 25.

The Supreme Court, however, has expressed its views in support of exam dress code, prohibiting religious headdresses and veils. While hearing a petition challenging such a dress code in the AIPMT entrance exams, the apex court observed that no discourtesy would be shown to any religion by not wearing the headdress for the duration of the exam. The court even termed the insistence on wearing the headdress during the exam as an "ego issue".

Right to wear religious headdress guaranteed by the Constitution and Human Rights Law

Under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, all persons enjoy the right to practise, profess and propagate religion. Under the Constitution, this right can be curtailed only on grounds of public order, morality and health. When interpreting the validity of any restriction placed on fundamental rights, courts look into the reasonableness of the restricting measure in question. A test which is generally employed by the Indian courts to assess reasonableness in cases involving Article 14 (right to equality) is the 'reasonable nexus' test, in which the Court determines whether the measure had a reasonable nexus with the objective behind the measure.

The test was also relied upon by the petitioners in the Fida Fathima case, who submitted that the restricting measure (dress code) did not have a reasonable nexus with the objective of the dress code. AIIMS had prohibited the headdress to prevent cheating; however, the court accepted the contention of the petitioners, that candidates could instead report to the examination centre earlier to enable proper frisking.

The petitioners also based their arguments on the 1986 Supreme Court ruling in Bijoe Emanuel v State of Kerala, wherein the apex court had affirmed the right to religion under Article 25. The petitioners successfully argued that prohibiting religious headdresses would also violate Article 14 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which protects the freedom of thought, conscience and religion of a child.

The Kerala High Courts decision is a welcome interpretation of the right to freedom of religion in India.

For a Muslim woman, a religious dress is part of her identity, and in places where she has been brought up to wear a hijab as part of her faith, she might feel vulnerable when prohibited from wearing her religious attire. It is also possible that when restrained from wearing the veil, a Muslim woman is

It is also possible that when restrained from wearing the veil, a Muslim woman is hindered from participating in public life; she may choose not to go out (or appear for an entrance examination) if it means disobeying her religion. Should a similar issue come up before the Supreme Court, the court must recognise these concerns and uphold the right to religion, which includes the wearing of religious headdresses such as the hijab.

The author is a research fellow at Centre for WTO Studies, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. She is also a volunteer at Strategic Advocacy for Human Rights (SAHR). Views expressed are personal.
New Delhi: General Bipin Rawat handed over keys of 10 ambulances and gifted 15 sniffer dogs to the Myanmar Army.

He also visited the Defence Services Academy at Pwin Oo Lwin where he interacted with the officers and the faculty. The army chief handed over the keys and gifted the dogs to Senior General Soe Win, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Army.

Rawat, on a four-day visit to Myanmar, on Monday met the country's iconic leader Aung San Suu Kyi and held talks with the top military leadership to boost defence and security cooperation between the two countries. Myanmar is one of India's strategic neighbours and shares a 1,640-km-long border with a number of northeastern states including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.

Myanmar's president Htin Kyaw had visited India in August last year during which the two countries had agreed to step up bilateral coordination between border guarding forces to

ensure security in the areas along the border.

India has been concerned over some militant groups from the North East taking shelter in Myanmar. The country has been assuring India that it would not allow any insurgent group to use its territory against India.
Here's the full text of Kerala MP MB Rajesh's open letter:

Mr Arnab Goswami,

I am writing this open letter regarding the show [on Republic TV] aired on 26 May at 10 pm, in which I too was a participant. During the course of that show, you arrogantly told me, "I have handled bigger leaders than you". Perhaps that was the only truth you said in that entire show.

This one sentence alone is enough to highlight your ego, arrogance and pettiness. I have never claimed that I am a big leader. Just as you have handled much bigger leaders than me, I have had the privilege of talking to anchors who are more honest, gentle, decent, civilised and knowledgeable than you.

You have every right to imagine that you have a larger than life image. But my impression of you is that you are not only biased and prejudiced but that you also lack substance, integrity, credibility and even confidence as a journalist. I am sure that you are well aware of your weaknesses and I have always felt that your screams and outbursts are your frustrated attempts to cover up this confidence deficit. You are the most unethical journalist I have ever seen.

On 26 May, I got a call from your channel requesting my time for a debate  'On three years of the Narendra Modi government', between 10 to 10:15 pm. When I reached the Asianet studio (with whom you have a tie up), as directed by your office at around 9:50 pm, I saw Ravi Shankar Prasad on the screen and came to know that the discussion on Modi government was about to conclude.

I immediately asked the Asianet employees in the Palakkad studio to reconfirm the topic for which I had been invited. Aravind, an Asianet employee, contacted your channel in my presence and reconfirmed the topic as 'three years of Modi government'.

Then suddenly, I came to know on air that you had changed the topic to Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's alleged 'speech against the army'. I could have boycotted the show at that moment but I chose to remain because, in my absence, you may repeatedly scream the lie that I ran away from the show. I wanted to avoid such a situation and tried to present my views on the fabricated story.

Whatever little time I got, in between your uncivilised outbursts, I repeatedly countered your biased statements that Kodiyeri had insulted the Indian Army. I said that not a single TV channel in Kerala, including your own Asianet, had taken up this story as a topic of debate. I said that this was not a controversy in Kerala because everybody knew that his comments were only against the atrocities committed in the name of Armed Forces Special Powers Acts (AFSPA), and not against the army.

Still, you continued your accusations against the CPM as part of your prepared screenplay. I drew your attention to a Supreme Court order, issued on 27 April, 2016, to investigate all the 1,528 murders in Manipur done by security forces under AFSPA. You ignored that inconvenient fact, probably because you might not have keenly observed such issues related to AFSPA. (After all, this sort of journalism, anchoring in your case, depends more on the ability to make as much noise as possible and does not require careful reading, updating, thorough knowledge of the topic and keen observation. People like you can survive with your voice alone, without using your brain.)

Then you, like a coward safely surrounded by the Sangh brigade, continued spitting venomous lies against CPM without even giving me an opportunity to intervene. Despite my repeated statements, that we have never insulted the Indian Army, you deliberately put the subtitle "against army" next to my picture on the screen. This can only be seen as the dirty act of a loyal servant to appease your immediate boss, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, and your ultimate masters, the Sangh Parivar.

It was evident from your substandard and abusive remarks against the CPM that your sense of history is poorer than that of a primary school student. Your teacher of history in school would have been much ashamed to see the shameless and naive expression of your ignorance on the subject. If you wish to learn the role of Communists in the Indian freedom struggle, I can suggest some pamphlets used for beginners because you may not be able to digest any serious work of history.

When I told you that it is not the Communists but VD Savarkar who had betrayed the freedom struggle by sending repeated clemency petitions to the British Government, it appeared as if you were hearing about it for the first time in your life. I can send the copies of those clemency petitions for your kind perusal so that the next time you can be better prepared to defend your 'patriotic' Hindutva masters. You can also think of arranging a tuition to help you acquire some basic facts about our history.

Anyway, if you work hard to overcome your deficiencies, you may be able to improve your understanding of various topics to some extent. But I am not sure, whether at this age you will be able to develop the basic norms of conduct, culture and civilised behaviour. Many of these qualities owe much to the manner in which we were brought up in our childhood.

Here, I must tell you that to me, the army is not just a newsroom experience. I was born in a military hospital and my entire childhood was spent in an army environment. Arnab, I am the proud son of a father who served in the Indian Army for long years. He fought in the 1971 war as well. As the ward of a veteran, I've also partaken in the sacrificial living of an army family, like several others. Now, tell me, apart from your highly hypocritical and extremely dramatic expressions in the name of the army, aimed only to raise the ratings, what have you genuinely done for our army?

My last piece of suggestion to you, the self-proclaimed ambassador of the army, is to find time to watch recordings of your 'performances' at least once. Then, you will realise how disgusting it is and will definitely search for some other career options. Till you find time to do that, we will have no other option but to bear with the high levels of pollution created by your senseless utterances.

I dare to write this letter to you because neither am I a big leader, as you rightly pointed out, nor do I wish to become one.

My best wishes and regards,

MB Rajesh

The author of this open letter is a Member of Parliament who represents the Palakkad constituency of Kerala. He is a member of the CPM party.
In a huge relief to the BJP-led NDA government, the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Tuesday granted bail to all 12 accused, including senior BJP leaders Lal Krishna Advani, Union minister Uma Bharti and Murli Manohar Joshi in the Babri Masjid demolition case. The bail was granted on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each. This was the first time that these leaders had appeared before a court in connection with this case.

The three BJP senior leaders, with other accused appeared before the CBI court on Tuesday. BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmia and one-time firebrand Hindutva preacher Sadhvi Ritambara were also summoned to appear before the court.

The lawyer for the accused said that the accused has submitted a discharge application in which the accused have said that there is no case against them. "Within the next half an hour, the court should take a decision," Prashant Singh Atal, lawyer for the accused in the case, told CNN-News18, when asked about how much time the court will take on deciding on the discharge application.

If the discharge application is rejected, charges will be framed against the accused.

We have submitted discharge application, if Court rejects it, then charges will be framed: Prashant Atal, lawyer of accused #Babri pic.twitter.com/ESlVj7PJbX  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 30, 2017

BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj asserted that no force on earth can stop the construction of the biggest Ram temple in Ayodhya and said he was fortunate to appear in front of a special CBI court in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

IANS quoted to the leader as saying, "No force on earth can stop the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya." Sakshi Maharaj is one of the accused in the case. "I didn't do anything wrong. In fact, I was fortunate to be part of that as it was a pious thing to do," he said. The BJP leader also said that Ayodhya should not be remembered for the mosque but as the birthplace of Lord Ram. "Don't be mad, there was no Babri mosque. Babar was a foreigner who had nothing to do with India. You people (media) should not repeatedly call it 'Babri'. It was, it is and it will remain Ram Janmbhoomi (birthplace)," Sakshi Maharaj said.

Babar was a foreigner who had nothing to do with India,media should not repeatedly call it 'Babri'. It is Ram Janmbhoomi: Sakshi Maharaj,BJP pic.twitter.com/9ejJt4QdmV  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 30, 2017

Asked if he had any role in demolishing the mosque, the BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh's Unnao also said: "There was no structure, but there was a small Ram temple, so we tried to make a new temple."

Special CBI judge SK Yadav on 26 May had said that no application for an adjournment or exemption from personal appearance would be entertained. The Supreme Court on 19 April had ordered the prosecution of Advani (89), Joshi (83), Bharti (58) and other accused for criminal conspiracy. It also directed that the trial be concluded in two years.

The court, which is hearing two separate cases relating to the demolition of the 16th-century mosque, would also frame charges against Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma alias Prem Ji, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Dharma Das and Satish Pradhan in the second matter.

Speaking with ANI earlier, Bharti rejected the conspiracy charges against the leaders. "It was an open protest, as it was during the time of emergency. What conspiracy was there in it I dont know," she said.

Before her scheduled court appearance she said: "It is the matter of God and in such a case I can only have expectations from him. Since I have taken part in it with devotion, I dont consider myself as a criminal."

Ye khula aandolan tha jaise emergency ke khilaf hua tha. Iss andolan mein kya sazish thi mujhe pata nahi abhi: Union Min Uma Bharti #Babri pic.twitter.com/ZuxWr5WigW  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 30, 2017

Earlier, Advani met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after he arrived at the VVIP guest house in Lucknow before leaving for the special court. Other senior party leaders, like Venkaiah Naidu backed the accused leaders and said that they will come out of this "unscathed."

This is a legal process,let it happen;our leaders are innocent, they will come out unscathed;don't want to make any comment: V Naidu #Babri pic.twitter.com/qgulln5qXo  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 30, 2017

The Supreme Court had called the destruction of the mosque a "crime" which shook the "secular fabric of the Constitution" while allowing the CBI's plea seeking restoration of criminal conspiracy charge against the four BJP leaders, including Katiyar (62), and Ritambara (53) and Dalmia, who is in his late 80s. However, the top court had said BJP leader Kalyan Singh, who is the Rajasthan Governor and during whose tenure as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh the disputed structure was razed, was entitled to immunity under the Constitution as long as he held the gubernatorial office.

It had transferred the case against Advani, Joshi, Bharti and three other accused from a Raebareli court to Lucknow for a joint trial in the demolition case. Hindutva leader Vedanti claimed that he was among those who had pulled down the disputed structure in Ayodhya. "I was one of those who had pulled the dome down," Vedanti, who is here to appear before the special court in the Ayodhya case, told reporters.

With inputs from agencies
18:23 (ist)

If found guilty, accused in Babri Masjid demolition case could face imprisonment up to five years

A special CBI court on Tuesday charged the 12 accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case of criminal conspiracy under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to be read with sections 153, 153A, 295, 295A and 505, CNN-News18 said. Let's take a look at what the sections mean:

As per Section 120B, an accused, if found guilty, is punished according to the nature of the conspiracy. Considering the accused are also charged with other five sections (153, 153A, 295, 295A, and 505) of the IPC, if found guilty, they could be looking at an imprisonment of minimum six months to five years or more, depending on the CBI court's verdict.

Section 153, which talks about provocation with intent to cause a riot. Considering a riot was caused, the 12 leaders could be sentenced to imprisonment which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Section 153A talks about promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony. The leaders could be subject to imprisonment which may extend to five years and are also liable to pay a fine.

Section 295 talks about injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class. This is punishable by imprisonment for a term of up to two years, a fine, or both.

Section 295A talks about deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. This is punishable by imprisonment for a term which may extend to four years, a fine or both.

Section 505, on the other hand, talks about making statements conducing to public mischief. It is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to five years and a fine.
Ahead of the court hearing on the Babri Masjid case, Union Minister Uma Bharti told the press that she does not consider herself a criminal. "This was an open movement like the one that gathered momentum against the imposition of emergency. I don't see from where did the conspiracy angle creep in," Bharti told ANI.

Ye khula aandolan tha jaise emergency ke khilaf hua tha. Iss andolan mein kya sazish thi mujhe pata nahi abhi: Union Min Uma Bharti #Babri pic.twitter.com/ZuxWr5WigW  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 30, 2017

Sakshi Maharaj, another BJP leader and accused in the case also reasserted that he did not think that he did anything wrong by being a part of the movement that led to the demolition of the Babri mosque.

"I didn't do anything wrong. In fact, I am sure that it was a very pious thing to do. This is not about Babar, the foreigner, or the mosque built by him. This was a Ram Mandir and nothing in the world can stop us from building a temple there," Sakhsi Maharaj told CNN-News 18, moments before the case's hearing.

The case assumes significance as a special CBI court will finally frame charges against senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Bharati among others for their alleged role in the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992. The BJP stalwarts are accused of criminal conspiracy, inciting riots, damaging public property etc amid others.

Charges would also be framed against Sadhwi Ritambhara, BJP MP Vinay Katiyar and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Vishnu Hari Dalmia.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath reached the government guest house in Lucknow to meet Advani ahead of the hearing. The BJP has firmly thrown in its weight behind the accused leaders, reiterating that the party will not interfere in the course of justice but will ensure that the Ram temple is made in place of the disputed structure. The issue of Ram temple even reappeared in the BJP's manifesto ahead of the Assembly Elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Last week, the counsel of the accused had moved a plea in the court to exempt Advani, Joshi and Bharati from personal appearance, but it was turned down.

Charges against six others accused in the matter  Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Baikunth Lal Sharma, Dharm Das, Champat Rai Bansal and Shiv Sena's Satish Pradhan, who were granted bail, will also be framed on Tuesday.

All the accused are facing charges of conspiring to bring down the mosque.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had opposed dropping the charges against these leaders in the Supreme Court after which the the apex court directed the special CBI court in Lucknow to hold daily hearings on the 25-year-old matter and wrap it up within two years.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to hold an urgent hearing on a plea by Gujarat Police officer Ramabhai Bhagora seeking stay of a Bombay High Court order convicting him in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case that took place during 2002 Gujarat riots.

A vacation bench of Justice AK Sikri and Justice Deepak Gupta said there was "no urgency" even as Bhagora's counsel told the bench that his client had already undergone the sentence and if the conviction was not stayed, then he would lose his job.

Even as the vacation bench refused to stay the conviction, it also turned a deaf year to counsel's pleading for a notice to be issued to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which had investigated the case, on plea for the stay of conviction.

The Bombay High Court, while convicting Bhagora along with four other policemen and two medicos on 4 May, had sentenced them to a jail sentence that they had already undergone and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000.

While rejecting CBI's plea seeking the death sentence for three of the 11 convicts who were sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial court in the case, the high court had set aside the acquittal of five policemen and two medicos on the agency's plea challenging their acquittal.

They were acquitted by the trial court in January 2008.

The policemen were charged with tampering of evidence by fudging documents and compromising the inquest panchnama (diary).

The victim was 19 years old and pregnant when she was subjected to the horror. The horrifying incidents occurred in Randhikpur village near Dahod on 3 March, 2002 when she and around a dozen of her family members were attacked by a mob and many of them killed.

Only Bilkis and two relatives, Saddam and Husain, survived while her mother, sister, minor daughter and other relatives were killed.

Holding them guilty of murder, gang-rape and raping a pregnant woman, the trial court by its 21 January, 2008 verdict had sentenced 11 to life imprisonment.

Those sentenced to life imprisonment included Jaswant Nai, Govind Nai, Shailesh Bhatt, Radhyesham Bhagwan Das Shah, Bipin Chandra Joshi, Kesarbhai Vohania, Pradeep Mordhiya, Bakabhai Vohania, Rajubhai Soni, Mitesh Bhatt and Ramesh Chandana.

The CBI had moved the high court seeking death sentence for both the Nais and Bhatt, who was accused of killing Bilkis Bano's 3-year-old daughter by pounding her head with a stone.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the conviction of an IPS officer in the sensational 2002 Bilkis Bano case. A vacation bench of Justices AK Sikri and Deepak Gupta said that there is no urgency for hearing the matter as the convicted officer has already undergone the sentence. The bench, however, listed the matter for hearing in the second week of July, observing the fine is of Rs 15,000 only.

IPS officer RS Bhagora, currently serving in Gujarat, has been convicted along with four other policemen by the Bombay High Court recently after the trial court had acquitted them. The counsel appearing for Bhagora said if the conviction is not stayed, then he will be terminated from the service as per service rules. He said the court should grant stay on the conviction.

The Bombay High Court had on 4 May reversed the trial court verdict acquitting Bhagora and others and had upheld the conviction of 11 people (one convict is dead) in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case. Along with five policemen, two doctors were also convicted by the High Court.

The High Court bench had said that the seven persons  doctors and the policemen  are convicted under sections 218 (not performing their duties) and section 201 (tampering of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

A special court had on 21 January, 2008 convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment 11 men for raping Bilkis and murdering seven of her family members in the aftermath of the Godhra riots while acquitting seven persons including the policemen and doctors. The convicts later approached the Bombay high court challenging their conviction and sought for the trial court's order to be quashed and set aside.

The CBI had also filed an appeal in the high court seeking harsher punishment of death for three of the convicted persons on the ground that they were the main perpetrators of the crime. According to the prosecution, on 3 March, 2002, Bilkis Bano's family was attacked by a mob at Randhikpur village near Ahmedabad during the post-Godhra riots and seven members of her family were killed. Bilkis, who was five months pregnant at the time, was gang raped while six other members of her family managed to escape from the mob.

The trial in the case began in Ahmedabad. However, after Bilkis expressed apprehensions that witnesses could be harmed and the CBI evidence tampered, the Supreme Court transferred the case to Mumbai in August 2004. The convicts had challenged the order on three main groundsthat all evidence in the case was fabricated by CBI, that Bilkis gave birth to a child after the incident, thus, the same proved that she could not have been gang raped, and the failure to find the bodies of some of her family members proves that they were not killed.
Bengaluru: Close on the heels of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's denouncement of slaughtering of a calf in Kerala, the Karnataka government on Monday used police force to stop a "beef fest" organised by a students' unions to protest against the Centre ban on trade of cattle for slaughter.

In a tweet on Sunday night, Gandhi had condemned the slaughtering of cow in public, which resulted in Kerala unit of the Congress suspending three of its workers.

"What happened in Kerala is thoughtless, barbaric and completely unacceptable to me and Congress Party. I strongly condemn the incident," Gandhi had tweeted.

The Left-affiliated Students' Federation of India (SFI) had sought police permission for a protest against the central government for ordering a ban on the trade of cattle, including buffaloes, cows and camels, for slaughter.

The police, however, did not give permission, though there is no ban on cow slaughter in the Congress-ruled state.

Tension grew between saffron activists including Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) and Left-leaning protesters, as both the groups had assembled outside the Town Hall at the same time, which resulted in a minor scuffle, police said.

The police soon swung into action and detained the culprits.

Similar 'beef fests' were held in Kerala and in Tamil Nadu's Chennai on Sunday.

Despite not having a ban on cow slaughter, the local police registered a case after BJP's complaint under the provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) will probe the controversial merger of Air India and Indian Airlines, besides alleged irregularities in purchase and lease of aircraft by the two state-run carriers under the United Progressive Alliance(UPA) government which caused "huge" losses to the exchequer.

The investigative agency on Monday registered three FIRs and a preliminary enquiry (PE) to go into the controversial decisions made by the erstwhile Manmohan Singh government with regard to the two national carriers, including surrender of profitable routes to favour private airlines.

The cases have been registered against unidentified officials of Air India, Ministry of Civil Aviation and others under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption, CBI spokesperson RK Gaur said.

"The cases relate to decisions taken by the the ministry during the tenure of the UPA which caused losses of tens of thousands of crore of rupees to the exchequer," he said.

"The allegations relate to purchase of 111 aircraft for national airlines costing about Rs 70,000 crore to benefit foreign aircraft manufacturers. Such a purchase caused an alleged financial loss to the already stressed national carriers," Gaur said about the first FIR.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India had in 2011 questioned the rationale behind the government's decision to order 111 airplanes for AI and Indian Airlines  48 from Airbus and 68 from Boeing  for about Rs 70,000 crore in 2006.

Calling the decision a "recipe for disaster", the government auditor had said it should have raised "alarm" in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Public Investment Board and The Planning Commission.

The second case pertains to leasing of a large number of aircraft without due consideration, proper route study and marketing or price strategy, he said.

"It was also alleged that the aircraft were leased even while aircraft acquisition programme was going on," he said.

The third case involves allegations of surrender of profitable routes and timings of Air India to favour national and international private players which allegedly caused a "huge" loss to the state-run carrier.

In its report on the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines, the CAG had called it "ill-timed". Now the CBI will go into various aspects of the merger.

The government auditor had said,"The financial case for the merger was not adequately validated prior to the merger."

The merger proposal had received the Manmohan Singh cabinet's approval on 1 March, 2007.

The CBI's action follows the Supreme Court's 5 January direction on a petition filed by the Centre for public interest litigation led by lawyer Prashant Bhushan.

CBI sources said "all stakeholders" were under its scanner with regard to the merger of the two state-run airlines.

The process for the merger was initiated by the then civil aviation minister Praful Patel of NCP on March 16, 2006.

Patel had sought a concept paper on the merger and a presentation was made before the prime minister on March 22 that year. A group of ministers (GoM) had later examined the proposal. Indian Airlines officially merged with Air India in April 2007.

The current Air India chairman-cum-managing director Ashwani Lohani had recently said the merger was behind Air India's "downfall".

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had on Saturday favoured disinvestment of Air India, saying the airlines market share was just around 14 per cent whereas its debt burden stood at a

staggering Rs 50,000 crore.
One of the students who led the beef protest at IIT Madras in Chennai was assaulted allegedly by students from a right-wing group, according to a report in Times Now.

#BeefFest organiser violently attacked by right-wing students of Indian Institute of Technology Madras for conducting the fest on campus pic.twitter.com/VUDcaoP0XM  News18 (@CNNnews18) May 30, 2017

Sooraj beaten very badly for organising the beef event, complaint has been filed; It's a very difficult and scary situation: An IIT student  News18 (@CNNnews18) May 30, 2017

The M.Tech student, Sooraj, is associated with the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle, the news channel reported. He was allegedly one of the main organisers of the beef protest. Sooraj's left eye was seriously injured and he was rushed to the the Sankara Nethralaya Eye Hospital.

Sooraj, who helped organise the beef protest, reportedly went to the dean and informed him that the students would be holding the event. Sooraj was reportedly having lunch when a bunch of IIT students surrounded him and asked him if he'd participated in the beef fest.

Abhinav, a friend of Sooraj told Times Now, "The students who attacked him are a part of campus. They have been threatening students, saying they'll attack them and even kill them. Five to six people beat him up. We've taken this up with the dean, who has assured us of serious action."

On Sunday, IIT Madras students organised a beef fest to protest against the Centre's new beef trade regulation. According to India Today, more than 80 students supported the cause by participating in this fest, calling the Centre's idea "food fascism".
New Delhi: The Congress is likely to postpone its organisational elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, which go to polls later this year.

This was decided at a meeting between leaders of these states with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, where leaders of the party's Central Election Authority (CEA) were also present, sources said.

This comes amid demands from leaders of these states for not holding organisational polls due to the upcoming assembly elections.

Party leaders from the states had petitioned the Congress leadership for exempting them from holding organisational polls saying it would be feasible for them to do so.

They also said the priority of the party was to contest the assembly elections and urged the leadership for focussing on the strategy to win these states.

The assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh are due in October-November which clash with the internal election process.

The Congress party's organisational elections are underway and the Election Commission has given the party a deadline for holding them by the end of December, after granting it extension.

The internal polls will elect the party president and state chiefs, along with its central body by 15 October, as per the schedule released by the CEA.

Sources said that as per the Congress party's constitution, there is a provision for exempting 20 percent of the electorate from participating in internal polls and thus the decision, a senior Congress leader told PTI.
New Delhi: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on terror charges, has applied for Malaysian citizenship, according to agency sources.

Naik has been changing his base quite frequently after the NIA moved the Interpol for issuance of a Red Corner Notice (RCN), international arrest warrant, against him, they said.

The preacher, who is believed to be having Permanent Residence status in Malaysia, has now sought its citizenship but no decision has been taken so far on his application, the sources said.

The Indian government is planning to use its diplomatic channels to frustrate all attempts by the controversial preacher to get citizenship in any country, they said.

The Malaysian authorities were aware about terror cases pending against the controversial Islamic preacher, they said.

Naik is being probed for terror and money laundering charges. He had fled from India immediately after an investigation against him was initiated. His present place of stay is unknown and it is believed that he has been shuttling between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, African and Southeast Asian countries, the sources said.

The controversial preacher is accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering several crores of rupees over the years.

The Interpol was approached against Naik after a year-long probe during which the NIA gathered evidence of his NGO  Islamic Research Foundation  and Peace TV, being used to allegedly promote hatred between different religious groups.

The central government has already banned his NGO and taken his TV channel off air. During the probe, the NIA claimed to have found 37 properties owned by Naik and companies run by him, which are estimated to be worth more than Rs 100 crore.

A special NIA court in Mumbai, while issuing a non-bailable warrant against Naik, had said that "there are reasonable grounds to believe that Naik is evading arrest and that he will not voluntarily appear before the court or before the agency."

The NIA alleged that Naik has been promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his speeches and lectures on various platforms and inciting Muslim youths and terrorists in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts.

Naik had fled from India on 1 July, 2016 after terrorists in neighbouring Bangladesh claimed that they were inspired by his speeches.
Bhubaneswar: Fishermen were asked not to venture into the sea in Odisha as severe cyclonic storm 'Mora' crossed the Bangladesh coast on Tuesday, raising possibility of rains at many places in the state.

The storm over Northeast Bay of Bengal moved further North-Northeastward and latest observations indicate that it crossed Bangladesh coast about 30 km south of Chittagong this morning, the IMD office said.

The system is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards towards northeastern states and weaken into a cyclonic storm and then into a deep depression.

Under its impact, rain and thundershowers are likely to occur at many places in districts of north Odisha and a few places over south Odisha during next 24 hours, it said.

Advice for hoisting Distant Warning Signal Number Two (DW-II) at Paradip and Gopalpur ports has been issued, the IMD office said adding fishermen are advised not to venture into sea.

The Odisha Government has already alerted the Collectors of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts to remain in a state of preparedness to deal with any situation in view of 'Mora'.

State's Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Maheswar Mohanty had held a meeting with senior officials to review preparedness to meet the situation.

Collectors of other districts have also been instructed to remain watchful in view of the storm. According to the IMD, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts may receive rainfall due to the impact of Mora.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said the AAP government should run awareness programmes on dengue and chikungunya, similar to the pan-India campaign on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

A bench of acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan made a big impact across the nation, the Delhi government should do something similar.

"It is a very good attempt by the central government. It is everywhere, whether it's TV, radio or newspapers. So something on that line should be done for dengue and chikungunya," the bench observed and told the Delhi government "you should do that".

The bench also pulled up the Centre, the Delhi government and the civic bodies over their failure to issue advertisements highlighting the preventive steps to check vector-borne diseases in the city.

However, the counsel for all the authorities submitted that preventive steps have been taken and advertisements have also been issued.

The counsel for the Centre said they had long-term plans to tackle vector-borne diseases, to which the court asked whether they had any short-term plans.

It also asked the Delhi government counsel why were they pulling senior doctors from their hospitals to mohalla clinics in different parts of the city.

"It is a very good concept, but you (Delhi government) should not pull out the senior doctors from the hospitals," the bench said.

The court's oral observation came during the hearing of two PILs seeking directions to the authorities to take steps to stop the outbreak of vector-borne and other diseases in the national capital.

Earlier, the high court had said the aggression shown in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign by the Centre would have yielded better results if it was also shown in spreading awareness about dengue and chikungunya.

The court had also expressed displeasure over the report that already 90 cases of chikungunya and 36 cases of dengue have been reported so far this year and that too, when humidity level was yet to rise and monsoon yet to arrive.

As many as 4,431 cases of dengue were reported till the end of 2016 in Delhi, according to a report of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation which tabulates the data on behalf of all the three municipal corporations in the city.
Two Mumbai-based organisations have joined hands to create sensible discussions on khatna or female genital mutilation in the Dawoodi Bohra community with a unique reach out campaign during the month of Ramadan.

Launched by Sahiyo and We Speak Out, the campaign, titled Each One Reach One 2, aims to start a sensible dialogue with at least one member of the Bohra community on the issue of female genital mutilation. The campaign, currently in its second year, will go on for a month and is aimed at promoting conversations about female genital cutting during Ramadan.

In February 2016, the two organisations launched the first edition of the campaign to help break the silence around the practice of Khatna in the Bohra community. "The conversations are friendly, respectful and non-judgmental that would help us all understand one another," a joint statement by the organisations read.

To make the conversation sensible, the organisations will be releasing a communication guide which will help members of the community ask open-ended questions to their near and dear ones and engage them in a meaningful conversation.

The practice of female genital mutilation of minor girls in the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community has been under the scanner recently with the Supreme Court hearing a PIL on the issue. On 8 May, 2017, the Supreme Court, termed the issue of female genital mutilation as "extremely important and sensitive".

As Firstpost author Devika Agarwal says in her article,"The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines female genital mutilation as 'all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons'."

"The practice is condemned internationally on grounds that it is discriminatory and amounts to cruelty against girls," she adds.

The recent arrest of a Dawoodi Bohra doctor in the United States, on charges of female genital mutilation, has encouraged debate and introspection on the issue both within and outside the community. In India, Minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi has identified the practice as illegal under existing Indian laws.

Many countries like Australia, USA and the United Kingdom have banned the practice, the Firstpost article said, adding, "There is no law in India banning FGM or Khatna to declare it illegal."

If you want to join the organisations in their efforts, contact them on info@sahiyo.com and info@wespeakout.org. The campaign is on and will go on until 26 June. For more information, check out the websites www.sahiyo.com and www.wespeakout.org.
A special CBI court in Ranchi has ordered Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and others to be present during the next hearing of a case related to fodder scam.

Former chief minister Jagannath Mishra and ex-chief secretary Sajal Chakraborty have also been summoned to be present along with Yadav.

The CBI court was hearing case no RC-64A/96, one of the infamous fodder scam cases which is related to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 95 lac from Deogarh Treasury between 1991-1993.

During the investigation it emerged that forged vouchers were used to withdraw money on the behalf of animal husbandry department for purchasing fodder and other stuffs for livestock.

Special CBI court resumed hearing after the Supreme Court accepted the CBI plea to continue criminal conspiracy charges against Yadav in fodder scam cases.

The RJD chief has already been convicted in one of the fodder scam cases with respect to Chaibasa Treasury and his appeal against this is pending in the Supreme Court.

The Jharkhand High Court had dropped the charges of criminal conspiracy against Yadav. The high court had ruled, citing the law on double jeopardy, that once a person has been convicted or acquitted, he cannot be tried for the same offence again. But the apex court quashed this decision and allowed the CBI to pursue cases of criminal conspiracy against the accused in all four fodder scam cases separately.

But in the case of one RK Rana in those very cases the same judge had declined to interfere with the trials in different cases.

Therefore, the court said that "Such inconsistent decision-making ought to have been avoided at all costs so as to ensure credibility of the system." The court held that the order passed in the case of Rana was on "sound basis". The Supreme Court also ruled to conclude trials in all the cases within nine months.
New Delhi: A 30-year-old Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer drowned while rescuing a woman colleague from drowning in the swimming pool of the Foreign Service Institute in south Delhi's Ber Sarai on early Tuesday.

Police was informed about a man drowning in the swimming pool of the institute. He was rushed to Fortis Hospital where he was declared brought dead, police said.

The deceased, Ashish Dahiya, was a resident of Sonipat, Haryana and was attending a pool side party with friends from the Indian foreign and revenue services, they added.

During the party, they decided to go for a swim in the pool located at the club. Police suspect they had consumed alcohol.

According to eyewitnesses, a woman officer accidentally fell into the pool and the officers, including Dahiya, jumped in to rescue her, police said.

As the woman officer was safely pulled out, it was noticed that Ashish was missing. Later, he was found floating in the pool.

He was taken to a hospital where he died. The family of the deceased has reached Delhi.
Srinagar: The Indian Army on Monday evening killed two Pakistani soldiers in a counter offensive strike on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri sector to foil a Border Action Team (BAT) attack from the Pakistani side.

Defence sources said in Srinagar on Tuesday: "Special forces of the army targeted the Pakistani troopers along the Uri LoC (Line of Control) yesterday."

"Inflicting casualties on the Pakistani troopers, a convoy of three vehicles was attacked by our troopers in which two Pakistani troopers were killed and four injured," the source said.

"The weekly run of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service was cancelled on Monday as our troopers were carrying out a major counter offensive strike to pre-empt any BAT attack from the Pakistani side," it added.

The defence sources said commandos of Indian Army had taken position at a vantage point on the LoC overlooking the Chakothi-Muzaffarabad road in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir on Monday.

The sources said the counter offensive operation strike was carried out by the Indian Army as it had actionable information that the militants assisted by Pakistani Army were planning a BAT attack on the Indian soldiers in Uri sector.

Last week, Indian Army had killed two Pakistani soldiers while foiling an attack by the BAT at Uri sector.

The latest round of retaliatory actions between the two armies started on 1 May when two Indian soldiers were killed and their bodies mutilated by a Pakistan Army's BAT in Poonch sector.

In revenge of the act, Indian Army launched a punitive strike on 9 May and destroyed two Pakistan Army bunkers across the LoC. On 23 May, the army also released a video of the military action that showed heavy artillery destroying bunkers and shelters.
The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has declared the results of Class X matriculation and XII (Commerce and Science stream) exam results 2017 on Tuesday. The students can check their grades on the official websites: jac.nic.in or jac.jharkhand.gov.in

In case, students are unable to check their results due to the heavy traffic on either of the official JAC websites, they can try checking alternate websites such as examresults.net or check the page at small intervals of time.

While 57.91% of the candidates who appeared for Class X have cleared the exam, for Class X, 52.36% have passed the Science stream exam and 60.09% students passed in the Commerce stream, Hindustan Times reported.

This year, the board conducted the Class X board exams from 18 February to 7 March at various centres across the state, in which more than 4.7 lakh students appeared.

There were 29 evaluation centres across the Jharkhand, while each centre had around 35 examiners who checked the answer sheets under the CCTV surveillance, The Times of India reported.

Steps to obtain results:

Log on to JAC official website, jac.nic.in or jac.jharkhand.gov.in

Go to Results tab

Enter your roll number and other details in the form

Click Get to check your detailed grades

Download the result and take a printout for future reference.

As has been observed over the course of the past few weeks, the dates and times of result announcements have been frequently changed around. The information above has not been independently verified. However, this article will continue to be updated to reflect official updates as and when they come in.
One of the traditions of the Indian armed forces has been not only maintaining its distance from the civilian population but living a parallel existence. That is why there were (and are) cantonments. There was a certain mystique to that lifestyle, a separate line reflected even in the physical topography of the military area.

By opening its doors to the public or, if you like, coming down to the level of the rest, that mystique has been lost and familiarity has and continues to breed contempt.

Except for 1962 when Lieutenant General Biji Kaul planned to take over the nation from Jawharlal Nehru and hoped his arrangement with Chinese premier Chou En Lai would support that move Indian Generals have maintained a low profile. They were not politicalor, at least apolitical. Kaul took a petulant stab at gamesmanship when he tried to railroad General Manekshaw with a self-indulgent court of inquiry for conduct unbecoming at the staff college in Wellington, Nilgiris but not much else was aired in public.

Perhaps the only other time that the incumbent chiefs displayed inter-service rivalry was in 1971 when credit for the victory over Pakistan was being sliced up but even then it was mostly in-house and discreet.

The chiefs never gave interviews to the media. Three and two star Generals were not even allowed to make statements without clearance. Today, the lure of that microphone and the irresistible urge to appear in million homes has lifted that self-imposed ban, a ban that generated respect, awe and the courtesy of distance. Subsequent chiefs and three star generals in the past forty years have had different agendas with a posse of aspirants jockeying for post-retirement plum assignments in the public and private sector and spending much of their time sliding up to captains of industry and politicians rather than concentrating on being the top field commanders.

As media encroached into the military psyche and soldiers and officers began to seek the armour of public confessions and indictments against their own the pedestal the uniform had been placed on began to shake and turn rickety.

General Bipin Rawat is just the recipient of that legacy. His far too frequent dire statements of intent have about them a lack of grandeur and sound tinny. Take the latest little grandstand. People are throwing stones at us, people are throwing petrol bombs at us. If my men ask me what do we do, should I say, just wait and die? I will come with a nice coffin with a national flag and I will send your bodies home with honour. Is it what I am supposed to tell them as chief? I have to maintain the morale of my troops who are operating there."

Four star Generals do not speak like this. This is the language you might use to ginger up your men when you are about to go into battle, not a TV sound bite. Someone must inform the General that such intemperate remarks are not populist and do not show you as a statesmanlike military strategist. You are almost going against the civilian administration and displaying frustration against the current situation. It is the same tenor used by Tej Bahadur to complain about the quality of the food, Naik Bhagat about the corruption and the ease with which soldiers and officers quickly give interviews on television about each other has now become dangerous. Not so long ago, even Major Gogoi would have been brought up on charges for going on a television show after the Kashmir incident and inquiry against him. Who gave him permission?

Ironically, General Rawat himself went on record as saying: Soldiers should refrain from coming out on social media to complain about their grievances. Rawat warned would-be whistleblowers A few colleagues are using social media to draw the medias attention to their problems. It affects the morale of the jawans and thereby the army You can be held guilty of a crime.

Isnt the General leading the way and doing pretty much the same by expressing his thoughts in public? Is he saying he wants to declare war and hit back or else his men will be confronted by an absence of morale. At that lofty level there has to be a point to what you say. What he is saying is: I hate this tying of my hands and I want be cut loose and declare war in Kashmiror else I cannot guarantee my boys will be prepared to carry on.

Grumbling about the role he has been ordered to play. Seems it is time for more circumspection and a return, literally and figuratively to the barracks.

Thing is, through history, Generals dont talk about morale being lost, they just make sure it isnt. Thats why you get the flag and the star plate.

Maintain that military discretion, it is the vital weave in the fabric.
On May 18, one of Spains roadside Osborne bulls was used as a gigantic 14-meter-high canvas for a reproduction of Picassos famous anti-war mural Guernica. This powerful urban masterpiece in the Mediterranean resort town of Santa Pola, in Alicante province, was the work of Sam3, a street artist from Murcia whose signature is recognized around the world thanks, among other things, to social media.

Now, after some deliberation, city officials in Santa Pola have backed the transformation of the otherwise all-black icon. But they note that the Osborne company has the last word as to whether the bull is repainted or not, as it has image rights over what used to be a roadside billboard advertising brandy, but has since become a popular symbol of Spain.

El monstruo de la guerra fue retratado en 1937 y Guernica es solo uno de sus nombres, le gusta pastar donde hay inocentes y desarmados. Tauromaquia de cobardes. Reverencia a #picasso Posted by Sam3 on Thursday, May 18, 2017

The Sam3 bull in Santa Pola: "The monster of war was portrayed in 1937 [by Picasso] and Guernica is only one of its names, it likes to prey on the innocent and unarmed. Bullfighting is for cowards. Respect to Picasso"

Guernica is war and all that it implies: horror, abuse, devastation, death, victims, spectacle, explains Sam3, who has collaborated with the British urban artist Banksy, and whose art can be seen around the world.

Sam3 relates all these concepts to bullfighting, a tradition he criticizes, though he appreciates the iconic nature of the Osborne bull. It is, he says, a symbol, and it makes a useful canvas.

The Osborne bull is a gigantic monster akin to Don Quixotes windmills. It watches us closely, but also turns its back on us Sam3

In fact, the street artist has a very particular take on the Osborne bull. It is a gigantic monster akin to Don Quixotes windmills, he says. It watches us closely, but also turns its back on us. It represents something very irrational and characterizes the spirit of the Mediterranean people.

The Santa Pola bull in 2009. Sam3

Can we class art as vandalism? muses Mercedes Landa, who is in charge of tourism at this popular summer resort. When I look at the bull now, I see art, but also a cry for freedom and a cry against war. Everyone in Santa Pola is talking about our very own Guernica, though its not the municipalitys decision whether or not the bull should go back to black. That is a decision for the Osborne group, as they are the ones who pay for its maintenance. Anyway, she adds, we're going to send a letter to the company to see if there is a chance of keeping it.

When I look at the bull now, I see art, but also a cry for freedom and a cry against war Mercedes Landa, tourism chief Santa Pola

According to Landa, the bull has had its ups and downs in this particular part of Spain. Once his testicles were yanked off, she explains. And not long ago, there was a storm that toppled it. It has also been painted several times before.

One of the occasions Landa is referring to was in 2009, when Sam3 superimposed a painting of a lean heifer on the bull as an allusion to the economic crisis. On that occasion, the town hall did want the painting scrubbed off. Although the message was opportune, it ridiculed the figure of the bull, Landa says.

A Sam3 mural in Murcia. Facebook

The Guernica bull carries with it an implicit anti-bullfighting message, which appears to be acceptable to the town hall. It has become the most original Osborne bull in Spain, says Landa, who has clocked its tourism potential. Given the artists fame and the controversy surrounding it, the best thing would be to tell people a bit about Sam3. It has already attracted quite a few visitors wanting to be have their photograph taken with it.

There is also an Osborne bull in the Madrid region that bears the Sam3 signature. This one has a skeleton painted on it, in another reference to the economic and social crisis in Spain.

A Sam3 mural in Villa Real. Pascual Arnal

When queried about the Guernica reference on the Santa Pola bull and the town halls request to keep it, an Osborne spokesman told EL PAIS that the Osborne group is evaluating how to proceed to restore and recover the integrity of the bull located close to the Salinas Natural Park in Santa Pola.

Who is Sam3? Little is known about Sam3, except that he was born in Elche in 1980 and grew up in Murcia. But while the artist prefers to remain largely anonymous, his work can be seen on buildings and walls in Athens, Quito, Lisbon, Atlanta, Paris and in many Spanish cities, including Murcia, Madrid and Barcelona. An artist who uses the streets as his gallery, Sam3 believes that drawing is a daily exorcism. There is also a political element to his work, though he prefers not to make too much of this. Just painting in a public space is a political statement, he says. Politics is nothing more than the stuff that affects us all. At times ironic and at others poetic, he is one of the greatest urban artists of our time and was the only Spanish artist to collaborate with British street artist Banksys ambitious Bethlehem project, Santas Ghetto, which decorated the wall dividing Israel from Palestine in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Christmas Eve 2007. Sam3 considers himself to be a novice on social networks, which are, he says, a double-edged sword. However, photos of his art have been shared by his followers on photography platforms such as Flickr for the past 10 years.

English version by Heather Galloway.
Dimapur: One person was killed and four others were injured in a bomb blast that took place inside a medical store at Church road in Dimapur on Monday evening.

An eyewitness said that two persons came in car and lobbed a bomb inside the shop.

Three salesmen and two customers present in the shop were injured after the bomb exploded.

One customer called Abdul Rashid was seriously injured.

He died at a private hospital on Monday night.

The four others injured in the blast were identified as Bindan Biwas (39), Dilwar Hussian (22), Mithu Biswas (42)and Ihelung Newmai (22).

They were out of danger, the police said.

A police officer said it appeared that a crude bomb was hurled inside the medical store.

An investigation was started to ascertain the motive behind the incident, the police officer said.
Berlin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have held "very good" discussions on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues like the Brexit consequences, trade and radicalisation in the context of recent terror attacks in Europe.

In their informal talks on Monday at Schloss Meseberg, the chancellor's official country retreat near Berlin, both leaders also exchanged views on China's 'One Belt, One Road' (OBOR) initiative and climate change.

Ich bin sicher, dieser Besuch wird zu vorteilhaften Ergebnissen fuhren und die deutsch-indische Freundschaft vertiefen. pic.twitter.com/jgbL3UOjVe  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 29, 2017

"Had a very good interaction with Chancellor Merkel," Modi said in a tweet after his meeting.

"The interaction lasted nearly three hours, and covered various areas of mutual interest including smart cities, skill development, clean energy etc. There was appreciation for India's economic reform agenda, including GST (Goods and Services Tax)," a Prime Minister's Office statement on the meeting said.

"The leaders had discussions that covered the bilateral agenda and how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programmes. There was appreciation of India's reform agenda, particularly GST," India's ambassador to Germany Mukta Dutta Tomar told reporters at a briefing here on Monday night.

Highlighting that this is Modi's second bilateral visit to Germany since 2015, she said that the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism set up in 2015 to assist German businesses work in India received appreciation from the German side.

"In fact, there has been foreign direct investment of $2 billion (from Germany) in the past two years. The figures speak for themselves," she said.

Regional and inter-global issues were also discussed during the three-hour-long interactions  some at the delegation level and some one-to-one between Modi and Merkel.

"The consequences of Brexit (the UK's exit from the European Union) and how it would affect India and Germany were covered by the two leaders," Tomar said, adding that the prime minister reiterated the utmost value that India attaches to the EU's cohesiveness, which is a major factor of stability in global politics.

The issue of radicalisation and terrorism and each country's experience in dealing with it was discussed, with recent terrorist events in Europe also mentioned in this context, she said.

Peace in Afghanistan and the importance of the "Afghan-led and owned reconciliation and development process" was touched upon, with the prime minister expressing appreciation over the German presence in Afghanistan and calling for a consolidation of efforts in the country, Tomar said.

The Belt and Road Forum in Beijing earlier this month, where Germany was represented by its economy and energy minister, also featured in the exchange, during which the chancellor explained German participation and India reiterated its stand against the initiative, she said.

"Our position is well known on this issue," the ambassador said, in reference to India's opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the flagship project of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative, which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Modi will on Tuesday hold formal talks with Merkel as part of the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) where he will be joined by his delegation of senior ministers,

including Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar.

The prime minister will receive a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the chancellery, the office of the German chancellor, following which he will begin discussions with Merkel across a range of economic and political issues.

At the IGC, the two leaders are expected to clinch a host of agreements and sign memorandum of associations (MoUs) to open a "new chapter" in India-German relations.

"Several MoUs are expected to be signed. This would obviously broaden the scope and expand the canvas of bilateral cooperation that we have with Germany," the ministry of

external affairs said in a statement.

India and Germany have over 25 working groups, including in areas such as climate change, energy, infrastructure, and tourism.

Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the European Union (EU) and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.

There are more than 1,600 German companies and 600 German joint ventures in India and the German economic profile supports excellence and expertise that match with India's development priorities of Make in India, Clean India, Skill India, Digital India, Smart Cities, the MEA said.

"We will chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with (the) focus on trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine," the prime minister had said in a Facebook post before he left for Berlin on Monday.

Modi and chancellor Merkel will also hold a meeting with senior business leaders before inaugurating the India-German Business Summit 2017 later on Tuesday.

"Economic relations with Germany is the most important pillar of our partnership. It has preponderance over other areas," the MEA said.

Modi will end his Germany visit with a courtesy call on German President, Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at his official residence of Castle Bellevue before leaving for Spain.

Modi arrived in Germany on Monday at the start of his four-nation tour, which will cover Spain, Russia and France besides Germany.

From Berlin he heads to Madrid, where the premier will hold a bilateral summit with Spanish Premier Mariano Rajoy and call on Spanish King Felipe VI as well as interact with a

select group of Spanish CEOs keen to invest in India.

"There is significant potential for deepening bilateral trade and investment ties. We seek active participation of Spanish industry in various Indian projects including infrastructure, smart cities, digital economy, renewable energy, defence and tourism," Modi had said ahead of his visit.

The first meeting of the India-Spain CEOs Forum will be held on the sidelines of the Spanish leg of the visit.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condemned the killing of an e-rickshaw driver in Delhi for stopping two men from urinating in public and directed the authorities to punish the culprits.

Modi, who is on a four-nation tour, also sanctioned Rs 1 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) as ex-gratia to the next of the kin of the 32-year-old driver Ravindra Kumar who was beaten to death for espousing the 'Swachha Bharat', an official spokesman said.

"The prime minister condemned the incident and directed the authorities to bring to book and punish the culprits for committing such inhuman act," the spokesman said.

Kumar was beaten to death on Sunday night allegedly by a dozen men after he objected to two of them urinating outside the GTB Nagar Metro Station, according to the police.

Two men had bought liquor from a shop near the metro station and consumed it near Gate No. 4 on Monday evening. They also urinated outside the station, to which the driver objected.

The duo told Kumar that they would get back at him later and left the place in another e-rickshaw,

Around 8 pm, the duo, along with 10 others, returned to the metro station and attacked Kumar. He was rushed to a hospital where he died.

Another e-rickshaw driver, who tried to intervene, was also assaulted.

Swachh Bharat is an ambitious programme initiated by the prime minister and he has been encouraging the public to contribute to this endeavour.
Tuesday  the second day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's four-nation visit to Germany, Spain, Russia and France  will see the India-Germany inter-governmental consultations (IGCs) take off on the last day of Modi's visit to Germany this year.

As the two countries discuss various issues, it is worth looking at how India's bilateral ties with Germany  Indias largest trading partner within the European Union  have evolved over the years.

As far as the history of India-Germany ties are concerned, India was one of the first countries to diplomatically acknowledge and accept the Federal Republic of Germany after the Second World War in 1945, according to Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung  a political foundation in Germany.

It was in 1951 that the two countries decided to establish an economic relationship.

As this Firstpost article notes, a strong economic partnership with Germany means that the country can provide for many schemes and programmes devised by Modi like Digitial India, Make in India and Skill India.

The German embassy in Berlin had launched the Make in India Mittelstand (MIIM) Programme in September 2015 to facilitate the German Mittelstand (SMEs) to do business in India. Currently, 73 German Mittelstand (SMEs) companies are being facilitated through MIIM Programme for their market entry and investment in India. Out of these, 46 companies have progressed well in India investment plan, the embassy claims.

Germany is currently also one of the leading foreign direct investors in India, with around 1,800 German companies operating in India. As per data with Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Germany is the seventh biggest FDI source for India. From April 2000 to March 2017, various German companies have invested about $9.7 billion in India, which is about 3 percent of total FDI flows the country has witnessed. Indian corporate entities have also invested over $7 billion in Germany.

Indian officials also say that 600 joint ventures are also in place.

Another Firstpost article notes that textiles, metal and metal products, electro-technology, leather and leather goods, food and beverages, machinery, pharmaceuticals, auto components, chemicals, gems and jewellery, and rubber products are the main exports to Germany. The key items imported from there are machinery, electro-technology, metal and metal products, chemicals, auto components, measurement and control equipment, plastics, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, paper and printing materials.

India and Germany have been strategic partners since 2000. The website of the Indian Embassy in Berlin explains that the IGCs between India and Germany is meant for a review of cooperation and provides a platform for fresh ideas.

India is one of the few countries with whom Germany has such a dialogue mechanism.

The third IGC before the current one was held in New Delhi on 5 October, 2015. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also visited India in 2007, 2011 and again in 2015 for the third IGC. On the other hand, Modi visited Germany in April 2015 whereas External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Germany in August 2015. Former German President Joachim Gauck paid a visit to India in 2014.

India and Germany also cooperate closely on the issue of the expansion of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) within the framework of G-4 with Japan and Brazil.

Both countries seek to become permanent members of the UNSC.

The India-Germany Defence Cooperation Agreement, established in 2006, provides a framework for defence cooperation. The High Defence Committee meetings at the Defence Secretary level take place annually and atlernately in New Delhi and Berlin.

Moreover, there are currently over 150 joint science and technology research projects and 70 direct partnerships between universities of both countries.

However, over the last six years, the total trade between the two nations has been on a decline. From a high $23.5 billion in 2011-12, the total trade has come down to $18.73 billion in 2016-17. India has a trade deficit with Germany. As trade is on a decline, the deficit too has declined from $7.6 billion to $4.2 billion over the last six years.

The strategic partnership between India and Germany is also limited because Germany does not have a lot of geopolitical influence in south Asian affairs.

Modi, during his current visit to Germany, stressed on the need for counter-terrorism efforts in Europe as he described terrorism as the "gravest challenge facing humanity".

The prime minister had also said that he and Merkel will "chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with focus on trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine."

With inputs from PTI
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek to repair India's drifting partnership with Russia when he meets President Vladimir Putin this week, amid wariness over Moscow's renewed interest in New Delhi's backyard, analysts say.

The two leaders will look to stem a decline in trade between the once robust economic partners and resolve tensions over their shifting global alliances when they meet on Thursday ahead of a summit in Saint Petersburg.

The two countries enjoyed a 70-year alliance forged during the Cold War, when the Soviet Union was India's largest trading partner, diplomatically and main arms supplier, providing everything from tanks to aircraft.

But the relationship became unmoored following the collapse of the USSR, as India underwent an economic transformation and increasingly sought to build trade ties with Western nations.

That process has accelerated in recent years as New Delhi has orbited closer to Washington, and Russia has fostered relationships with India's chief regional rivals Pakistan and China, analysts say.

Russia remains an important partner for India but "the basis for the relationship is, however, very weak", said Dhruva Jaishankar, foreign policy fellow with Brookings India.

"People-to-people exchanges are limited, young Indians are less likely to study Russian, and even areas like energy and information technology, where the two countries have comparative advantages, are underdeveloped," he said.

The two leaders are expected to discuss a framework agreement for Moscow to supply more reactors to a nuclear plant in southern India as the country seeks to reduce its reliance on highly polluting coal.

Russia has supplied two reactors to the plant under a long-delayed agreement, and has been pushing to supply more.

A revival of two-way trade, which slumped to below $8 billion in 2015 despite an ambitious bilateral target of achieving $30 billion by 2030, will be a key priority during Modi's visit.

Pivot to Pakistan

New Delhi, which is the world's top arms buyer, once relied on Moscow for its military hardware, but has increasingly turned to the United States, France and Israel to update its Soviet-era defence equipment in recent years.

Furthermore, Modi is now seeking to manufacture military hardware locally, asking foreign firms to work with domestic contractors under his "Make in India" campaign, in a bid to reduce reliance on costly imports.

Although Russia is close to finalising a deal to build Kamov military helicopters in India, its recent pivot towards Pakistan has not gone unnoticed in New Delhi.

Moscow lifted its embargo on arms supplies to India's arch rival in 2014, according to Russia's ITAR-TASS news agency, and was holding talks on supplying Islamabad with combat helicopters.

Moscow also rattled India recently with its decision to support the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a project opposed by New Delhi because it runs through the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

The last few years have seen "a parting of the ways on many big issues, in particular on Afghanistan", where Moscow is seeking to broker a peace deal with Taliban insurgents, Jaishankar said.

Moscow  which fought a disastrous military campaign in Afghanistan during the Soviet era  has been increasingly flexing its muscles on the world stage, hosting a regional conference earlier this year that was aimed at facilitating peace talks between the Taliban and Kabul.

India has been a key supporter of Kabul's government and has poured more than $2 billion into the country since the former Taliban regime  which was allied with Pakistan  was toppled in 2001.

But, while New Delhi has traditionally taken a dim view of attempts to negotiate a peace settlement with the Taliban, it does not see Russia's renewed role in Afghanistan as hostile, said Brahma Chellaney from the New Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research.

"India appreciates that Russia is re-entering Afghanistan as an important player, and in doing so, not directly working against India's interest," he told AFP.

Modi's four-nation tour of Europe will also include stops in Germany and Spain to drum up foreign investment, and a face-to-face with newly-elected President Emmanuel Macron in France.
Chants of death to the dictator grow louder as Iran protests intensify The protests in Iran that were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini have now entered the 42nd day. The demonstrations are more powerful than ever and so is the crackdown by Iranian authorities. Thousands of mourners defied heightened security measures as they made their way to Aminis burial site in
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a four-nation tour of Germany, Spain, Russia and France with the aim of improving bilateral ties and global economic engagement on Sunday. The first of his stop was Germany where he had a discussion on terrorism, skill development and cyber security among other things with German chancellor Angela Merkel. This is the full text of his speech at Indo-German Business Summit in Berlin on Tuesday.

"It is a great pleasure to meet you all. It is an added pleasure to talk to you in the presence of an enlightened leader like chancellor Merkel. In fact, I do not miss any opportunity of meeting her. I particularly recall my interactions during my visit to Hannover Fair in April 2015. India was partner country in that fair. This was followed by chancellor Merkels visit to India in October 2015. Together, we have had several rounds of discussion with German and Indian CEOs. Today again, I can see a lot of energy and enthusiasm in this hall. I can also see a number of Indian CEOs present here.

Germany is among Indias most important partners both bilaterally and in the global context. I am very happy to see the participation of German companies in Indias growth story. It is equally heartening to see that Indian companies have also made their presence felt in Germany. Germany ranks 7th among foreign investor countries in India. Major sectors attracting FDI inflows from Germany are engineering, chemicals and services. About 600 India-German joint ventures are presently operating in India. They provide employment to around two hundred thousand people. However, there is tremendous potential in India-Germany economic collaboration. Our economic partnership is still below its full potential. To enhance this, we, in India, are ready with open arms to welcome German companies. With a view to help the German companies, we have put in place a fast-track mechanism. A number of issues have already been resolved through this mechanism. We are doing it sincerely because we value German participation a lot.

We are on the path of making India a global manufacturing hub. Already a good eco-system exists in India for manufacturing. India already offers:

A globally cost competitive manufacturing eco-system;

A vast pool of skilled professionals with knowledge and energy;

World class engineering education base and strong R and D facilities;

Rise in GDP and purchasing power creating further growth in the domestic market;

One of the most liberal FDI policy regimes in the world;

Governments focus on easing the business environment further.

Due to these strengths, as said by UNIDO, India is already the sixth largest manufacturing nation in the world. To make it better, we are working hard on various enablers.

Through our Make in India initiative, we are committed to transform India as a major player in the global value chain. Prime motive is the creation of jobs and narrowing the gap between affluent and lower sections of society. 'Make in India' has already created a strong impact.

Germany is contributing in a big way in the success of 'Make in India'. Particularly, Indias participation as partner country in the Hannover Fair has given a big boost to India-German partnership. During the Hannover Messe, specific areas for collaboration were mutually identified. This included manufacturing, skill development, railways, cleaning of rivers, renewable energy, education, science and technology. In addition, we are also implementing a strategic market entry support programme, since September 2015. It is called MIIM (Make in India Mittelstand). This is mainly to assist German Mittelstand companies in entering the Indian market.

The MIIM programme has been offering a wide range of business support services. The initiative has resulted in growing interest of German companies in India.

The outcomes are that in this short period:

83 companies expressed interest in joining the programme;

73 Companies have enrolled as official members;

47 are at the advanced stage of investment implementation and another ongoing and very successful programme between India and Germany is the Indo-German Managers Training Programme. This is for advanced training of business executives, especially from Indian SMEs. The programme has resulted in:

increased investments, the creation of new joint ventures and increased B2B contacts between the two countries

Over 500 Indian managers have benefited by this programme so far.

In addition, there is a good weather already existing. Some examples are that:

Bosch, Siemens, BASF and SAP have started specific R and D operations exclusively in India

Mercedes Benz India inaugurated its second manufacturing facility in Chakan in July 2015. This will double the plant capacity to 20,000 units per annum.

For our efforts, we have also received good global recognition. I would like to mention some of them.

India remains a bright spot in the subdued economic landscape across the world;

India has emerged as the fastest growing major economy the last three years with GDP growth rate of over 7 percent;

We have moved up 32 places in last two years in the Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum  this is highest for any country;

India also moved up 19 places on the Logistics Performance Index of 2016 of World Bank;

We have also moved up 16 places on the Global Innovation Index of WIPO in 2016.

We are third among the top 10 FDI destinations listed by UNCTAD;

These are just a few examples. Our emphasis has been on reducing government and enhancing governance. I would give some examples:

We are moving fast towards becoming a digital economy;

GST is among the most historic reforms India has ever done  and it is going to be implemented from the June;

In the last two years, we have moved towards a low tax regime both on personal as well as corporate side;

We have lowered the corporate tax from 30% to 25 % particularly for new investments and smaller ventures;

New laws and institutions for bankruptcy and insolvency, as well as IPR and arbitration, are now in place;

More than seven thousand reforms have been implemented on the front of Ease of doing business;

36 white industries have been taken out from the requirement of environmental clearance;

Similarly, more than 50 items have been taken out of defence list;

Validity period of industrial licenses has been increased up to fifteen years;

Custom clearance has been made 24X7 at 19 ports and 17 air cargo complexes;

Incorporating a company along with allotment of DIN, PAN, TAN and the CIN is now just one-day affair;

Power connection is provided within a time frame of 15 days;

Indias ranking is now up by 111 places on Getting Electricity parameter of World Bank.

The above examples are in addition to thousands of reforms done by the states. Along with the Federal Government, the states have also taken a keen interest in implementing such reforms. I will give you some examples:

Here, I am mentioning about some states but due to a sense of competition, the trend of reforms is spreading fast to all the states.

Reforms include 

100% implementation of single window system for payments & approvals in 16 states;

100% implementation of e-filing of tax returns in 13 states;

Automated online building plan approval in 13 states;

E-filing system for commercial disputes have been implemented in 11 states;

Specialised commercial courts have been established at district level in 13 states;

Now, India has one of the most liberal FDI policy regimes in the world. More than 90% of the foreign investment flows are under the automatic route. Last week, we formally decided to abolish the Foreign Investment Promotion Board which was made in 1990s to examine the FDI proposals. The idea is to expand the engagement of overseas investors in the Indian economy. Due to this approach, Our FDI outlook has been ranked highly positive by various international agencies.

There has also been tremendous growth in the FDI inflows in the last 3 years and has now reached to $60 billion in 2016-17.

India is a big country. Hence, nothing is enough when it comes to development. We have many dreams. And the dreams are big. But we have small timelines. And this is your opportunity.

These opportunities range from building millions of houses to setting up hundreds of smart cities; modernisation of railway networks and stations to setting up of high-speed rail corridors; generation of renewable energy to construction of transmission and distribution networks. In addition, there is an ever-growing need for national highways, bridges, and mass urban transport systems, schools, hospitals and skill training institutes.

We are trying to empower our people to realise this potential through our campaigns like Digital India and Skill India. To tap the youth energy fully, we have launched the Start up India and Stand up India campaigns.

When I spoke in April 2015, our process of reform had just started. Now, I can safely say that we have completed a sizeable part of it. However, we are committed to do more and more; in a faster and better manner. I strongly believe that we should create institutional networks to understand and advocate such reforms. This is necessary to leverage the underlying economic potential of our two countries. At the end, I invite more and more German colleagues and companies to India.

Our direction, desire and dreams create tremendous business opportunity. Never before, India was so much ready for business. We are on a take off stage. Moreover, our democratic values and an alert judicial system will ensure the safety of your investments.

I assure you that we will work hand-in-hand with you to make your efforts successful.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's four-nation Europe tour kick-started on Monday with his visit to Germany. From there, he goes to Spain, the first official visit by an Indian prime minister in almost three decades. After his stay in Spain from 30 to 31 May, Modi travels to Russia.

On 2 June, Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will address the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, where India is the "guest country". The visit will also include a detailed interaction with the governors of Russian states and its industry leaders. Modi's Russia visit is important at many levels, especially since it follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Goa for the 17th India-Russia Annual Summit which was held right before the BRICS Summit in Goa in October 2016.

The summit saw the launch of several military and energy agreements between the two countries that celebrated 70 years of diplomatic links. Before Modi meets Putin again in Russia, Firstpost takes a look at the key points that were discussed at the India-Russia summit, and which are likely to be part of Modi's agenda when he arrives in Russia as part of the four-nation tour.

Stand on growing terrorism

According to IANS, Modi had said, "Russia and India are firmly committed to fighting terrorism." He had also hinted that Moscow has supported the Indian Army's recent cross-border surgical strikes at terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Modi had highlighted the similar stands both countries have adopted towards terrorism. "Russia supports our actions to fight cross-border terrorism that threatens our entire region," the prime minister had said.

Military and defence agreements

Their meeting in Goa primarily focused on the defence ties between the two countries. India and Russia signed 16 agreements worth several billion dollars and announced three deals, boosting their military, strategic, energy and economic cooperation. The deals included the purchase of missile systems, frigates and joint production of helicopters as well.

A report by The Indian Express had said that the major deals signed were the S-400 air defence system worth $5 billion. Modi and Putin also held talks of bilateral engagement and signed a total of 16 MoUs and made three announcements to boost ties in sectors like trade and investment, hydrocarbons, space and smart cities.

Modis 'Make in India' initiative got a huge uplift in October last year as well. The two countries had agreed to jointly manufacture 200 Kamov 226T multi-use helicopters in India.

Energy ties and conservation strategies

In Goa, Modi had highlighted the fruitful partnership developed between the two countries since his 2015 visit to Russia where he had stated that India-Russia ties in the energy sector would see growth. According to IANS, one of the biggest agreements included Russian state oil company Rosneft and an investment consortium led by Trafigura signing a pact to acquire 98 per cent stake in Essar Oil for $10.9 billion and pay another $2 billion to buy Vadinar Port from the Indian industrial group.

Nuclear projects

The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project was also highlighted upon by both parties in Goa. According to a report by Russia and India report, Putin began his speech at the joint press conference by congratulating all those responsible for the success of the Kudankulam plant. Nuclear energy will make a very significant contribution to the energy security of India. It will give an additional impetus to the growth of the Indian economy, he had said.

The Russian President had added that his country would continue to promote the further development of nuclear energy in India. In the next 20 years, at least another 12 nuclear reactors could be built in India with Russian assistance, Putin had said according to the report.

Overall, both leaders had hailed the conference as a huge success.

In an interview with Russia and India Report, Petr Topychkanov, South Asia expert and Associate in the Carnegie Moscow Centers Non-Proliferation Programme, had said, I believe now, that the most efficient way to do that is to use military technology and energy cooperation for actively engaging private companies, and to expand existing contacts between Russian and Indian companies to dual-use and civil technologies and products.

Modi hailed Russia as "an old friend of India" and said the ties between the two countries were "truly privileged and unique". Putin added to this by saying that Russia was likely to build a dozen nuclear reactors in India over the next two decades to boost electricity generation in energy-hungry India.

The agreements and deals signed in Goa in October 2016 are likely to move to the next level when Modi arrives in Russia.
Berlin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid a courtesy call to German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier at his official residence in Berlin before leaving for Spain on the second leg of his four-nation trip.

Modi met Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue, the scenic official residence of the German president located in Berlin's Tiergarten district on the banks of the river Spree, and signed the visitor's book before being given a tour of the castle.

"Thank you, Germany! My visit has led to very positive outcomes in terms of furthering the close ties India and Germany enjoy," Modi said in his goodbye message as he left for Spain on the second leg of his four-nation tour which will then cover Russia and end in France.

Earlier, external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted some photographs of the meeting.

"Reaffirming resolve for the strong and dynamic relationship. PM@narendramodi calls on President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue," Baglay tweeted.

"After fruitful bilateral engagements, PM @narendramodi concludes first leg of his visit, departs from Germany," he tweeted.

Modi's next stop is Spain where he will discuss with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy ways to deepen bilateral engagement, including in the high-tech sector. This will be the first visit by an Indian prime minister since 1988.

From Spain, he will travel to St Petersburg in Russia on 1 June where he will hold the 18th India-Russia Annual Summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin and attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on 2 June.

The prime minister will be in Paris on 2 and 3 June where he will hold official talks with newly elected French president Emmanuel Macron with a view to further strengthening India-France strategic ties.

Earlier, Modi was received by German chanceller Angela Merkel at the Chancellery for the fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) during which the two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral issues and clinched 12 agreements.

Eight of the declarations of intent were signed by senior ministers and envoys in the prime ministerial delegation in the presence of the two leaders while the others were confirmed on the sidelines.

They covered areas of digitalisation, skill development, sustainability, cyber policy, development cooperation, advanced training, vocational education, health sector, alternative medicine, foreign service institutes, railway safety and sustainable urban development.

"The world can't move forward without innovation and we believe innovation and democratic values are a guarantee for development. India and Germany have both in our blood and we will move together in that direction," Modi said at the conclusion of the IGC, a format he likened to the Pragati meeting he holds in Delhi.

The two leaders issued a joint statement at the end of their deliberations, in which they agreed to further strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Germany by deepening cooperation on foreign policy and security issues as well as on sustainable development and enhanced trade and investment ties.

Merkel later hosted Modi over a luncheon meeting with senior leaders followed by the inauguration of the Indo-German Business Summit, where Modi set out India's stall as an investment-friendly destination and the world's fastest growing major economy and a "bright spot in the economic landscape of the world".

Here's a list of the MoUs signed during the Germy trip 

1.JDI on Cooperation in the Field of Digitalization, Empowerment and Economic Impact

2.Collaboration on Training of Indian Skill Development Officers and Cluster Managers

3.JDI on Indo-German Centre for Sustainability

4.JDI on German Indian Cooperation on Cyber Policy

5.JDI on Indo-German Development Cooperation

6.JDI on continuation of cooperation in the field of advanced training of corporate and junior executives from India

7.JDI on Cooperation in Vocational Education and skill development for Machine Tools

8.Cooperation in Health Sector

9.Cooperation in Alternative Medicine

10.JDI on Collaboration between Foreign Service Institutes

11. JDI on Cooperation in Railway Safety

12.JDI on Cooperation for Sustainable Urban Development
Raipur: Naxals torched a bus after asking passengers to alight in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district while seven rebels were arrested following a face-off with police in a nearby area, an official said on Tuesday.

When the private buswas on its way to Orchha from Narayanpur, a group of Naxals, some of them armed, stopped the vehicle last night near Jhorigaon village, located about 300 kms from the state capital, Superintendent of Police, Santosh Singh told PTI.

The rebels asked the passengers to de-board and then set the bus ablaze, he said. The exact number of passengers is not known but all of them are reported safe, the SP said. Security personnel rushed to the spot soon after receiving an alert.

A combing operation has been launched in the region to nab the attackers, he said. According to Singh, the Naxals are frustrated with the road construction work in the region, and therefore are committing such acts.

"The ultras have been opposing road construction from Narayanpur to Orchha in Abujhmaad  considered as a Maoist den," Singh said. "Despite their disruption, construction has been completed in around 45-km patch of the total 66 kilometres, under security cover of the India-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and district force," he said. The construction of the remaining portion is underway, the SP said. In another incident, seven Naxals, including three women, were today arrested in another nearby village in Narayanpur.

They were nabbed after an exchange of fire between the ultras and security personnel near Tekanar village in early hours of Sunday on suspicion that they were involved in the skirmish, Singh told PTI.

He claimed that during interrogation, the rebels admitted to their involvement in several other incidents, including arson, following which they were arrested today. A team of security personnel was out on an anti-Maoist operation in the forest between Dhanora and Orchha villages of the district on Saturday night when the Maoists started firing on them near Tekanar village, leading to a gun-battle between the two sides, he said. However, the Naxals soon escaped from the spot.

Later seven suspects, including three women, were held from the spot for questioning, the SP said. "During interrogation, they admitted to their association with the outlawed CPI (Maoist)," Singh claimed. "One of them had surrendered in the past before police but later rejoined the banned outfit," he said.

The SP also claimed that interrogation of the Naxals led to revelation of crucial details about their functioning in Dhanora and Orchha areas, located around 300 kms from Raipur.
Its been a long time since Ulle Jehe last set foot in a gas station. Filling up is no longer an unavoidable chore, even though she drives on a daily basis through the cobblestone streets of the historic center of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.

Jehe has an electric car that does not require diesel or gasoline. She plugs it in for a recharge and shes ready to go, she explains at the wheel of her small white Nissan Leaf, one of many such vehicles circulating in this city of around 420,000 people.

Jehe, 39, is a graphic designer who bought the car not just for environmental reasons, but also because of attractive government subsidies. Five years ago, we began needing a second car, and we didnt think twice about it, she says.

In 2011, Estonia  the country with the highest per capita rate of start-ups in the world; a place where each of its 1.3 million citizens has a digital national ID document, and where all paperwork can be done online  launched an ambitious and pioneering program to encourage the use of electric cars.

The former Soviet satellite state had not reached its carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions threshold established by the Kyoto protocol, partly due to the industrial slowdown that followed the fall of the Iron Curtain.

A user at electric car hire firm Elmo in Tallinn. Julian Rojas

And so, using one of the most controversial tools of the climate-change accord, Estonia sold its emissions surplus to Spain, among others. The money was used to fund stimulus programs encouraging the use of electric cars.

We needed to reduce emissions, so this model was encouraged, explains Marko Pomerants, the countrys environment minister, sitting inside his office in downtown Tallinn, where EL PAIS has traveled as part of the EU-funded Europe for Citizens Program. Electric buses and tramways were bought, as well as electric cars to be used as official vehicles at ministries and town halls across the country, he adds. A raft of subsidies was offered to citizens and businesses and a very economical public car-sharing scheme created.

The Baltic state was also the first country in the world to set up a network of recharging stations.

Electric-car use is growing in Europe, in part due to the Dieselgate scandal  revelations that Volkswagen (and later other automakers) tampered with their cars electronics systems in order to trick emissions tests. There is greater awareness about the fact that the vehicles we drive are poisoning us.

A few weeks ago, the European Parliament released a stinging report concluding that the European Commission and most member states did not act against the emissions breach even though they were aware that the levels of nitrogen oxide (NO x ) in diesel vehicles under real driving conditions were far higher than those reflected in lab tests.

The government has also introduced electric trams and buses in the capital, where 430,000 of Estonias 1.3 million citizens live. Julian Rojas

They were more interested in the interests of the national auto industry than in the average citizen or air quality, said the MEP Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, a liberal democrat and one of the rapporteurs of the inquiry.

The European Parliament has approved this document, which demands stricter oversight to prevent this kind of fraud taking place again. The report also focuses on the importance of implementing air-quality improvement measures. One of these is the electric car.

However, an analysis of the Estonian model shows that without subsidies, few people are prepared to make the change from internal combustion to electric. Estonia ended its financial aid program in August 2014. Until then, the government had subsidized up to half of the cars price to a maximum of 17,000, putting the cost of Jehes Nissan Leaf cost at around 23,000 instead of nearly 40,000.

Electric cars have the greatest potential for reducing local emissions, especially in urban areas Mari Jussi, Stockholm Environmental Institute

Since then, sales of these vehicles have plummeted, explains Sulev Narusk, CEO of the Union of Car Sellers of Estonia. The facts prove him right: throughout the duration of the program, around 660 electric cars were sold, most of them in 2014. But in 2015, there were only 35 electric vehicle registrations. It was the same in 2016. Estonia went from leading the pack to trailing the field.

Without public subsidies, users are still reluctant to adopt this type of vehicle, notes Lauri Hussar, editor-in-chief of Postimees, the countrys largest-circulation daily. Three years ago, Hussar did the math and figured that the best option was to purchase an electric car. Besides the government subsidies, these cars enjoy other advantages: free parking in many downtown areas and use of bus lanes, which saves him 15 minutes on his daily work commute.

Lauri Hussar, editor of newspaper Postimees, needed a new car. He did the calculations and opted for an electric one. I believe its the future of the automobile industry, he says.

The electric car is sensible, ecological, technically innovative, and I believe that this is the future for the automotive industry, he says, adding that cheaper batteries, new models with greater autonomy, and increasingly innovative designs are going to breathe new life back into the sector.

In Europe, governments intend to raise taxes on diesel fuel. Even so, when it comes to electric car numbers, the EU is far behind the United States and China, which has clearly decided that the future lies in electric cars.

Pollution causes around 520,000 premature deaths in Europe every year, according to the European Environmental Agency. There is growing pressure on countries to guarantee clean air, and this non-oil-dependent mode of transportation seems like the solution.

Electric cars have the greatest potential for reducing local emissions, especially in urban areas, although it can in no way be the only measure, says Mari Jussi of the Stockholm Environmental Institute and an expert on pollution and environmental issues in Estonia.

He says that newly registered vehicles in Estonia consume 20% more fuel than the average for new cars in the EU. To Jussi, one of the most effective measures to encourage the shift to electric models  especially now, with the end of public subsidies  is to levy taxes on heavily polluting vehicles and use the revenue to improve infrastructure for electric cars.

Practically at the same time the public subsidies were introduced, Ermo Kontson created his pioneering electric-taxi company in Tartu, the second-biggest city in Estonia. In 50 years no one will remember gasoline, the future is electric vehicles, he says.

More taxes, more sales

This system is already in place in other EU countries, but in Estonia, where vehicle owners dont pay taxes regardless of whether their cars are green or not, government attempts at introducing such legislation have failed. Environment Minister Pomerants admits as much, and says that his bill was the subject of so many amendments that the government decided to put the project on the back burner for a while.

Julia Poliscanova, an expert on environmental vehicles at Transport and Environment, a powerful EU-registered group that lobbies for air quality, agrees that taxes could be one of the ways to incentivize change. Another would be to adopt a measure in use in California that forces automakers to sell a minimum number of electric cars.

Besides this, it is essential that governments guarantee the infrastructure for their maintenance, she says. This includes recharging stations as well as specialized repair shops and battery spares.

But how will consumers be encouraged to buy electric cars if they are afraid of being stranded on the way, say, from Spain and France? Estonia has 167 ultrafast recharging stations, with one at least every 60 kilometers, according to Environment Ministry figures. It remains to be seen whether the nation that was once a pioneer in using electric vehicles can return to innovation.

English translation by Susana Urra.
New Delhi: Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said India's defence preparedness is the "best deterrence" and will guarantee peace in the region.

"... Security requirements are dictated by the neighbourhood you have. Obviously, a view of the peculiar situation from the point of view of where we are located, our preparedness is the best deterrence which is certainly a guarantee for peace as far as our region is concerned," Jaitley said after giving away the Raksha Mantri's Awards for Excellence for the years 2014-15 and 2015-16.

The minister said domestic defence manufacturing is also impacted by the security environment in the country.

"No country can indefinitely wage wars and battles only on the strength of trying to buy equipment from outside. Its security preparedness will be incomplete if we rely only on that. If you look at the kind of human resource we have there is no reason why we should not become a force to recon with. We are a country which is home to almost 17 percent of global population. Having completed several decades after Independence, we have now for three years in a row achieved the distinction to be among the fastest growing global economies," the minister said.

Jaitley said India needs to "unleash its full potential to concentrate on this area."

"As the economy grows, a large part of the revenue has to be spent on defence preparedness... Now emphasis has to be on utilising our entire potential as a country," he said.

Jaitley also said the recently approved strategic partnership model which aims at promoting private industry in defence manufacturing, will help in creating competition.

"Recent policy on strategic partners factors in both these. The capacity of DPSUs and their order profiles to keep them busy will also be taken into consideration... We also need to explore defence manufacturing in India with private sector participation," Jaitley said.

"Healthy competition between the two will bring out the best in both. Competition always is guarantee of competence," the minister added.
Meerut: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the government was making efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue at the earliest, and asserted that 'Kashmir, Kashmiri and Kashmiriyat' belonged to India.

Those who make attempts to hurt the pride of jawans also need to be taught a lesson, Singh said during an event at Subharti University on Delhi-Dehradun highway in Meerut.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told the 20-nation grouping B20 that India was fighting corruption and terrorism.

In such a condition if they do not provide India with details of Indians who have bank accounts overseas then it would be difficult to check graft, Modi had told B20 leader, Singh said.

"As a result, India now has access to information from foreign countries because of which Indian government would be able to seize black money," he said.

On purported video clips of Pakistan killing two Indian soldiers, the home minister said the defence forces have several times responded to such provocations and the surgical strikes were one of them.

The senior BJP leader also termed the three-year term of his party-led NDA government as "successful".

He asked the elected representatives to keep their doors open round-the-clock for the public.

In his 47-minute address, he touched upon issues including demonetisation, farmers' issues, corruption, economy, foreign policy, among others.
On Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh police arrested four more accused for molesting a girl in Rampur, bringing the number of total arrested to nine. ANI posted on Twitter that out of those arrested, one was a minor.

Rampur molestation case: Total nine accused including one minor arrested so far  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 30, 2017

Hindustan Times reported that a 16-year-old was arrested and identified the others arrested as Fazil, Bhoora, Qasim. On Sunday, IANS reported that the police arrested Shah Nawaz, the main accused. On 22 may, Shah Nawaz along with 14 others molested two girls on a city road, filmed the incident and posted it on social media.

According to a report in The Times of India, the video showed a bunch of men groping and being led to a deserted spot. Despite pleas from the girls, the men continue to molest them, while some film it.

After the incident, the police took suo motu cognisance of the matter and lodged the FIR against several people and all residents of Kuva Kheda village of Rampur.

After the incident, Samajwadi leader Azam khan drew flak for saying that such crimes could be avoided by ensuring that women stay at home under strict vigil.

"After the Bulandshahr incident, everyone should try to keep women of the family indoors. Girls should not go to places where there is a brazen dance of shamelessness," said Azam Khan while referring to the July 2016 gang rape of a minor and her mother in Bulandshahr.

He also flayed the current BJP government saying that under their rule women were not safe.

In the past, the Supreme Court ordered Khan to apologise for referring to the Bulandshahr case as a 'political conspiracy'.
New Delhi: Rights watchdog Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) on Monday condemned the attacks on Dalits in Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh and sought an independent inquiry into the role of the state police during the violence.

A CHRI delegation visited the violence-affected Shabbirpur and neighbouring villages in the district, as part of a national level fact-finding team led by the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR).

"Together with the team, the CHRI strongly condemns the mass attack on Dalits in Shabbirpur village on May 5 and the failure of the local administration in preventing and stopping the violence," it said in a statement.

The right body demanded that an independent inquiry be conducted into the "performance of all concerned units of the UP Police to identify all acts of negligence, complicity and/or violation, particularly against its duties in the POA (Prevention of Atrocities) Act".

At the minimum, the inquiry must include a review of the steps taken by the state police to monitor law and order in the district following unrest in April, it said.

The CHRI said it must also include "steps taken by all concerned police units in charge of the affected villages to ascertain legality and necessity of all their actions including assessing threat levels, requesting additional force, and actions to stop the violence; and allegations claiming delay in registering FIR for the Dalit victims and ill-treatment by the police personnel".

Violence first broke out in Saharanpur about 40 days ago following a procession to mark Ambedkar Jayanti. On 5 May, a person was killed and 15 people were injured in clashes between Dalits and upper caste Thakurs.

About a dozen police vehicles were set ablaze and 12 policemen were injured on 9 May. On 23 May, another person was shot dead and two others were wounded.
New Delhi: Rights watchdog Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) on Tuesday condemned the attacks on Dalits in Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh and sought an independent inquiry into the role of the state police during the violence.

A CHRI delegation visited the violence-affected Shabbirpur and neighbouring villages in the district, as part of a national level fact-finding team led by the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR).

"Together with the team, the CHRI strongly condemns the mass attack on Dalits in Shabbirpur village on 5 May and the failure of the local administration in preventing and stopping the violence," it said in a statement.

The right body demanded that an independent inquiry be conducted into the "performance of all concerned units of the Uttar Pradesh police to identify all acts of negligence, complicity and/or violation, particularly against its duties in the Prevention of Atrocities (POA) Act".

At the minimum, the inquiry must include a review of the steps taken by the state police to monitor law and order in the district following unrest in April, it said.

The CHRI said it must also include "steps taken by all concerned police units in charge of the affected villages to ascertain legality and necessity of all their actions including assessing threat levels, requesting additional force, and actions to stop the violence; and allegations claiming delay in registering FIR for the Dalit victims and ill-treatment by the police personnel".

Violence first broke out in Saharanpur about 40 days ago following a procession to mark Ambedkar Jayanti. On 5 May, a person was killed and 15 people were injured in clashes between Dalits and upper caste Thakurs.

About a dozen police vehicles were set ablaze and 12 policemen were injured on 9 May. On 23 May, another person was shot dead and two others were wounded.
Agartala: Tripura's Left Front government will not implement the new cattle trade and slaughter rules as it is against the interests of the people, a state minister said on Tuesday.

"The new cattle trade and slaughter rules framed by the central government are against the interest of the people. We will not carry out the new rules," Tripura's Agriculture and Animal Resource Development Minister Aghore Debbarma told IANS.

"The central government is yet to send us the new cattle trade and slaughter rules. They did not consult us on this issue," he said.

"If people are not able to sell their cattle, how will they take care of livestock when it turns unnecessary for them? How will it be determined that the cattle being purchased from the market is for slaughtering?" said Debbarma, also the member of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) central committee.

With the aim to prevent cruelty to animals, the union forest, environment and climate change ministry last week modified rules, making it mandatory to ensure that cattle are not bought or sold at cattle markets for slaughtering. The list of animals includes cows, bulls, buffaloes, heifers, calves and camels.

The ruling CPM also strongly censured the central government's new cattle slaughter rules.

"A large section of people, specially those from the Dalit community, are engaged in the business of cattle skin. Farmers engaged with cattle business, minorities, those who depend on cattle for their source of protein would be directly affected," CPM Tripura state secretary Bijan Dhar told reporters.

"We have a federal democracy in our country. The central government cannot do many things without involving the states. The BJP government unilaterally framed this important cattle trade and slaughter rules," he said.

Dhar, also a CPM central committee member, said the central government without studying the gravity of the impact of the new cattle trade and slaughter rules enforced it from a "communal view point".

"According to the new rules, there would be no animal market 50 km from the international border. But in Tripura a large number of weekly cattle and general markets, besides permanent towns, are much less than the 50 km from the India-Bangladesh border," the Left leader said.

"According to government statistics, over 12,000 farmers have committed suicide every year since 2014 due to debt burden and the government's anti-farmer policies. The new cattle trade and slaughter rule would only deepen the crisis of the farmers, and people involved with the cattle and skin trades," he added.

Cow slaughter had so far been allowed in West Bengal, Kerala and parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim where a large section of people consume beef.
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday released figures which claimed that the anti-Romeo squads in the state were a "huge success".

An official statement said that in a little more than two months, over 3.38 lakh people have been warned to behave and not to repeat "mistakes" like eve-teasing (molestation), passing lewd comments and engaging in obscene acts in public places.

A total of 538 cases were filed and legal action has been initiated against 1,264 people, an official said.

These actions, he further stated, were taken against people at malls, markets, outside schools, colleges and educational institutions, bus and railway stations.About 7.42 lakh people were questioned.

Anti-Romeo squads, a poll promise of the BJP that secured a remarkable victory in the Uttar Pradesh election, had earlier drew criticism from certain quarters, with visuals of policemen targeting young boys and girls going viral on TV and on social media.

The state government, the official told IANS, has, however cautioned the police and the anti-Romeo squads not to harass innocent people or take penal action like shaving off heads and blackening faces.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday evening sought an explanation from a woman minister in his government after her pictures inaugurating a beer bar in the state capital went viral in the social media.

Pictures show Minister of State for Women Welfare Swati Singh  accompanied by two senior IPS officers Gaurav Pandey (SSP, Raebareli) and his wife Neha Pandey (SP, Unnao)  inaugurating the beer bar by the name of 'Be the Beer' in Gomtinagar on Saturday. Incidentally, women across Uttar Pradesh are staging protests against liquor outlets demanding prohibiting liquor in the state as done in neighbouring Bihar.

The political circles were taken by surprise, as that there has been no such precedence and that the bar she inaugurated does not even have a valid licence so far.

Swati Singh is a new entrant to politics and came into the limelight last year after she launched a blistering campaign against BSP chief Mayawati, who in retaliation to her husband Daya Shankar Singh's objectionable remarks made similar comments about Swati and her daughter.

She won from the Sarojini Nagar assembly constituency in Lucknow and went on to become a minister.

Explanation has also been sought from the IPS couple as to how they left headquarters without the permission of their reporting authorities. Both officers were marked present on duty when they were attending the bar inauguration.

Inspector General of Police, Lucknow JN Singh has sought explanation from the two police officers. While BJP spokespersons refused to comment on the matter, some even saying they were not aware of it, opposition parties have blasted the minister for her conduct.

Ajay Kumar Lallu, the Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the state assembly, said the incident had further exposed the "double character of the BJP leaders".
A Spanish executive is in the eye of the storm over an IT crash at British Airways that caused travel chaos this past weekend. The CEOs nationality is apparently the most relevant part of Alex Cruzs resume, at least to the influential British tabloid Daily Mail, which headlined its story BAs Spanish boss FINALLY apologizes to customers.

Alex Cruz, British Airways CEO.

Cruz, a 50-year-old from Bilbao with 10 years experience in the industry, is described as controversial and beleaguered by a newspaper that is the loudspeaker for Brexit and which embodies English nationalism.

The paper says there are calls for resignation for a man who outsourced hundreds of jobs to India in 2016. Cruz has denied that this move caused the IT crash that affected thousands of travelers over the weekend and refuses to step down over it.

The Daily Mail said Cruz tried to gag staff from commenting on the meltdown

Speaking on Sky News, Cruz said that the cancellations and delays had affected 75,000 people. He also said that the problem was triggered at a local data center.

I can confirm that all the parties involved around this particular event have not been involved in any type of outsourcing in any foreign country, he told Sky News.

Following scenes of chaos on Saturday and Sunday, the company said that Gatwick airport was back to normal on Monday. At Heathrow, Britains largest airport, long-haul connections are operating normally, but short-haul flights within Europe continue to accumulate problems.

The Daily Mail said that Cruz tried to gag staff from commenting on the computer meltdown.

Coverage continued with an article by Robert Hardman, the queens biographer, suggesting that the word British should be dropped from British Airways.

Cruz has been dealing with criticism that the jewel in the crown of British aviation was handed over to a Spaniard

Iberia and BA merged in 2011 to create the holding company International Airlines Group (IAG), the sixth-largest airline group in the world by revenue. IAG also owns Vueling and Aer Lingus.

Alex Cruz took over BA in April 2016 after a successful career at Vueling, which he had headed since 2009. Before that, he worked at ClickAir and as an industry analyst.

Since his appointment, Cruz has been dealing with criticism that the jewel in the crown of British aviation was handed over to a Spaniard.

It is not just the tabloids who are criticizing his handling of the weekend meltdown. In an editorial, the Financial Times called Cruzs explanations completely inadequate saying that he should be ruthless with the subordinates involved in the chaos, but that as CEO he is ultimately responsible.

English version by Susana Urra.
For the BJP, the contrast couldn't be any greater  while they're celebrating the Narendra Modi government being in power for three years  a special CBI court in Lucknow, hearing the Babri Masjid demolition case, framed charges of criminal conspiracy, inciting the mob, promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and disrupting communal harmony against Union minister Uma Bharti and two of the party's senior leaders LK Advani, and Murli Manohar Joshi.

What makes the contrast even greater is that for the past 25 years, the BJP has been insisting that the charges of criminal conspiracy were false and leveled against them because of "political reasons", blaming the animus of the then Congress-led Narshimha Rao government at the Centre.

The BJP's spectacular growth  a negligible two seats in the Lok Sabha in 1984, which jumped to 85 seats in 1989, rose to 120 seats in 1991, becoming the country's single largest party with 187 seats in 1996 and forming a government for 13 days before finally forming a coalition government in 1998  is attributed to LK Advani's Ram Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya.

Words such as pseudo secular and Muslim appeasement were Advani's creations. During his yatra, he set the terms of political discourse. BJP leaders have long held the Ram temple in Ayodhya as an article of faith and described the Babri Masjid as a "disputed structure". They never believed that it was a place of worship for Muslims.

Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee are the BJP's founding fathers. It is precisely because of Advani's role in building the foundation of the BJP, being the principal architect of the party and its subsequent growth across the country that he is still given a place of prominence within the party.

But at this very moment, when BJP has a firm grip on the levers of power at the Centre, Advani, Joshi, Bharti, and other Sangh Parivar leaders have been charged by the CBI court of grievous criminal offences.

According to a report in CNN-News 18, these leaders have been charged under IPC Section 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) to be read with Section 153 (inciting a mob with an intent to cause riots), Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and disrupting communal harmony), Section 295 (defiling a place of worship with an intent to insult the religion), Section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any community) and Section 505 (provocative statements causing public mischief).

Incidentally, this is second time in past 25 years that they have been charged with criminal conspiracy. They had earlier been acquitted by the Raebareli court. However the Supreme Court turned the back the clock and revived the charges.

Two key questions to be considered:

1. Now that Bharti has been charge sheeted, will she resign from the government?

2. What's the political fallout?

Sources in BJP, including those close to Bharti, have ruled out a resignation. Finance minister Arun Jaitley earlier poured cold water on any such notion, and rejected the Congress' demand for her resignation, saying that if one was to act on a charge sheet, many Congress ministers and chief ministers would be in trouble.

BJP MP Subramanian Swamy told CNN-News18 that the charge sheet was of a different nature, was not related to any case of corruption, and there was no conflict of interest with the portfolio Bharti holds. "This whole case is totally devoid of any merit," Swamy added. "There was no masjid which was demolished in the first place."

Bharti, for her part, said there was no conspiracy but an "open movement" which led to the demolition and thus there was no scope for any conspiracy.

When the NDA government was in power, Buta Singh, who held the portfolio of the communication ministry, was shown the door after being charge sheeted in a corruption case. Although, the fact that Singh later had to resign as Bihar governor during the Manmohan Singh regime after being indicted by the Supreme Court, is another matter entirely.

BJP leaders argue that Bharti's case is different and that the standards set by the Vajpayee government for Singh do not apply, more so because Bharti was made a minister by the Vajpayee government when she was an accused in the case.

Now let's examine the potential political fallout. The most interesting thing to watch, for those paying close attention, is to see how vigorously the CBI pursues the case against the BJP top brass.

Consider this  the Supreme Court ordered the CBI court to examine all witnesses, hear arguments and deliver its verdict in two years  if the special court can adhere to that time frame, the verdict should be out around summer 2019  when the general election would be in full swing.

It's anybody's guess what impact the verdict, be it exoneration or conviction, would have on the public mood.

While senior BJP leaders are avoiding the subject, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made his position clear. After Advani landed in Lucknow and reached the VVIP guest house, Adityanath welcomed him and the two leaders discussed the issue behind closed doors.

One doesn't need to be a mind reader to discern Adityanath's thoughts. He has been a staunch supporter of constructing the Ram temple in Ayodhya and is slated to visit the city on Wednesday. He will land at 9.30 am, head to Hanuman Garhi temple, later go for a darshan of Ram Lala, attend some official programs and return to Lucknow before sundown.

Today's framing of charges by CBI court against senior BJP leaders has revived the Ram temple issue in the minds of the public. Adityanath's visit will only shine a spotlight on the subject.

As for the political fallout? We'll have to wait and watch.
Even though a special CBI court on Tuesday granted bail to all 12 accused in the Babri demolition case, including BJP leaders Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, the court rejected the petition to dismiss the charges against them, reports said.

The court has charged all the 12 accused of criminal conspiracy under Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code to be read with sections 153, 153A, 295, 295A and 505,CNN-News18 said. From being the face of the Hindutva brigade to now charged with criminal conspiracy, if found guilty, Joshi, Bharti and Advani are likely to be looking at a rough ride ahead. Firstpost takes a look what the sections mean for the accused and what lies ahead with the three senior BJP leaders.

As per Section 120B, an accused, if found guilty, is punished according to the nature of the conspiracy, therefore, the 12 leaders could be punished as per the other five sections (153, 153A, 295, 295A, and 505).

Section 153, which talks about provocation with intent to cause a riot. Considering a riot was caused, the 12 leaders could be sentenced to imprisonment which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Section 153A talks about promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony. The leaders could be subject to imprisonment which may extend to five years and are also liable to pay a fine.

Section 295 talks about injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class. This is punishable by imprisonment for a term of up to two years, a fine, or both.

Section 295A talks about deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. This is punishable by imprisonment for a term which may extend to four years, a fine or both.

Section 505, on the other hand, talks about making statements conducing to public mischief. It is punishable with imprisonment which may extend to five years and a fine.

What lies ahead for the Advani, Joshi and Bharti

The CBI court on Tuesday said that it has sufficient evidence on record to charge all the 12 accused with criminal conspiracy, and set the next date for Wednesday.

Advani, 89, made his second appearance in the case in 25 years on Tuesday. The recent turn of events is likely to have impacted the senior BJP leader, who according to India Today, had refused to sign on the court documents but did so only after being convinced by his lawyers. Having been sidelined by the current BJP leadership by making him part of the inconsequential BJP Margdarshak Mandal, Advani may as well be looking headed for trouble.

As for Bharti, questions are being raised on whether Uma Bharti should step down considering charges are being framed. The BJP hasn't made any statement if she will or won't. In fact, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy was asked this during a live interaction on CNN-News18, he walked out.

Bharti, however, on Tuesday that there was no conspiracy but an "open movement" which led to the demolition of the 16th-century mosque.

"I was present in Ayodhya on 6 December, 1992, which is no secret. Crores of BJP workers, lakhs of officials and thousands of political leaders participated. It was an open movement like the movement against the Emergency. I don't see any conspiracy," Bharti told IANS.

Bharti also said she appeared in the special CBI court out of respect for the court but had "expectations only from God". "In a matter concerning God, my hopes also rest on God. Because I contributed (in the movement) with complete faith, I don't consider myself guilty," she said.

Joshi, 83, was part of the triumvirate, which had guided the BJP in the 1990s, and one of key accused in the Babri demolition case. However, with Narendra Modi and Amit Shah at the helm of affairs for the BJP, Joshi like Advani has been sidelined as well. If found guilty, the Babri demolition case will make things even more difficult for the senior BJP leader.

The mood in the party, however, has remained positive with several BJP leaders commenting that the accused in the case are innocent. In fact, BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said, "Our leaders are innocent. They will come out unscathed."

This is despite the fact that the Supreme Court last month had called the demolition as a "crime which the secular fabric of the Constitution of India".

Follow live updates on the Babri Masjid demolition case here.
The special CBI court on Tuesday rejected the discharge petition filed by the lawyers of the accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case and framed charges against all 12 accused including BJP stalwarts LK Advani, MM Joshi and Uma Bharti.

Advani and others were charged under Section 120 B read with 153, 153a, 295, 295a and 505 of the Indian Penal Code. The special CBI court also granted bail to all 12 accused on Tuesday, including Advani, Bharti and Joshi, on personal bond of Rs 50,000 each.

After the court's framing of charges, speculations were rife whether Union minister Uma Bharti should submit her resignation or not.

Congress' Manish Tiwari told India Today news channel, "I guess, the person who will be contemplative today is Advani... A lot of people in the BJP will be thinking if the government they put into office is turning on their own."

BJP leader Shaina NC, on the other hand, told CNN-News 18, "The matter is subjudice. We must wait and it's for legal experts to advice. When there is a public movement, we need to view it rationally."

Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu strongly defended the BJP leaders, saying they are innocent and will come out unscathed.

"Our leaders are innocent. They will come out unscathed," Naidu, told reporters, adding that he would not comment beyond it as the matter is in the court.

Naidu also noted that the NDA government did not move to withdraw the case against the top saffron leaders.

Calling for a faster trial, BJP's Shazia Ilmi said there is a need to establish legally that the onus will be on the prosecuted. "It is up to to the prime minister whether he wants to keep Bharti as a minister or not," she told India Today.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy stated that the mosque was just a structure and there is no case of conspiracy. "There is nothing in the case. No masjid was demolished as there was no masjid. I see no reason for Uma Bhartiji to resign," Swamy told CNN News18.

Union minister PP Chaudhary asserted that the BJP leaders have not been proven guilty. "The charges framed do not mean they are proved. The evidence is also required. I believe they are baseless, without a foundation. I believe they(the accused) will be acquitted," he said.

Refusing to comment on Bharti's resignation, he told India Today, "There is no issue of conspiracy as it was all in the open. I don't think there are any point of charges."

BJP's Vinay Katiyar, who was the president of Bajrang Dal in 1992, trained his guns on Samajwadi Party's Mulayam Singh Yadav. "Nobody destroyed the masjid, Mulayam Singh started the firing, and he himself has accepted that 16 people were killed. He murdered them, he should be booked for it," Katiyar told ANI.

Meanwhile, Bharti maintained that there was no conspiracy since it was an "open movement" which led to the demolition.

"I was present in Ayodhya on 6 December, 1992, which is no secret. Crores of BJP workers, lakhs of officials and thousands of political leaders participated. It was an open movement like the movement against the Emergency. I don't see any conspiracy," Bharti told the media.

Bharti said she appeared in the special CBI court out of respect for the court but had "expectations only from God". "In a matter concerning God, my hopes also rest on God. Because I contributed (in the movement) with complete faith, I don't consider myself guilty," she added.

Earlier, all the 12 accused had pleaded not guilty and had moved a 'discharge application' rejecting the charges levelled against them.

With inputs from agencies
The Madras High Court has granted a four-week stay on the Centre's notification on cattle slaughter, according to media reports.

Madurai Bench of Madras HC grants a 4 week stay on central govt notification on cattle slaughter, directs state and GoI to reply in 4 weeks.  ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

The environment ministry on Friday notified the stringent Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, banning the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.

Environment minister Harsh Vardhan had said the new rules, which banned the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter aimed at regulating such markets and also the sale of bovines. Vardhan noted that the rules were "very specific" and sellers and buyers had to ensure that cattle are not brought or sold in the markets for slaughter and an undertaking to this effect had to be obtained.

He clarified that these provisions only apply to animals in the livestock market and animal seized as case properties. The rules defined cattle as a bovine animal including bulls, bullocks, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers and calves and camels.

The new rules also prohibited the establishment of an animal market in a place which is situated within 25 km from any state border and within 50 km from any international border.

Various bodies and political parties had reacted sharply to the government's decision. saying it was "ill advised" decision which would widen the "terrorism" by cow vigilantes.

The All India Meat and Livestock Exporters Association claimed the government's decision will eventually hit the farmers. "It is the unproductive cattle, which arrives in large number for sale in these markets, as their feasibility virtually cease to exist, while the per day maintenance cost goes up.

"The high yielding milching animals rarely arrive at the cattle market for sale. The per day cost incurred on a buffalo ranges from Rs 125 to Rs 150, while the general price of the milk sold is Rs 40 per litre. If the per day milk production dips, then gradually the cattle becomes unproductive," a spokesperson of the association, Fauzan Alavi, said in Lucknow. The CPI termed the decision as "most unwise" and alleged that it was taken by the RSS.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asked whether the Centre will ban the consumption of fish, another minister in his cabinet termed the decision as against the Constitution. Others said it will give rise to unemployment while VHP demanded a law to completely ban cow slaughter and life imprisonment for such acts.

Union minister Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said the Centre was examining issues raised by states and some organisations on the recent ban imposed on sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter. The ban was notified in the backdrop of some observations made by the Supreme Court and a parliamentary committee on preventing cruelty to animals and breaking nexus in animal markets, including for smuggling, Naidu told reporters.

"However, subsequently some issues were raised by some state governments and other trade organisations. These issues are being examined by the government," Naidu said. The environment ministry, which had notified the rules last week, received 13 representations on them.

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi: The Centre is examining issues raised by states and some organisations on the recent ban imposed on sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter, Union minister Venkaiah Naidu said.

The ban was notified in the backdrop of some observations made by the Supreme Court and a parliamentary committee on preventing cruelty to animals and breaking nexus in animal markets, including for smuggling, Naidu told reporters.

"However, subsequently some issues were raised by some state governments and other trade organisations. These issues are being examined by the government," Naidu said.

The environment ministry, which had notified the rules last week, received 13 representations on them.

The ministry had notified the stringent Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, banning the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.

The decision is expected to hit export and trade of meat and leather.The rules define cattle as a bovine animal including bulls, bullocks, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers and calves and camels.The new rules also prohibit establishment of an animal market in a place which is situated within 25 km from any state border and within 50 km from any international border.

Meanwhile, officials in the environment ministry have said that they received several representations on the ban on sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter and are in the process of studying them.Various bodies and political parties have reacted sharply to the government's decision, saying it is an ill-advised move which will widen the 'terrorism' by cow vigilantes.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had asked whether the Centre would ban the consumption of fish next and had suggested exploring legal options.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee described the Centre's notification on cattle slaughter as a deliberate attempt to encroach upon the state's powers and said that her government will not accept it.
New Delhi: Ahead of state Assembly polls, BJP president Amit Shah will visit Gujarat on Wednesday to meet booth-level party workers.

As part of his 110-day countrywide tour, Shah will be on a one-day visit to Gujarat. He will start his visit with tribal-dominated Chhota Udepur district, BJP said in a statement.

Shah will reach out to the people in Chhota Udepur district and educate them about the various welfare schemes started in last three years by Prime Minister Narendra

Modi's government, it added.

He will also hold meetings with booth-level workers in Devaliya and Bodeli villages and will discuss the party's strategy for the coming polls. He will also listen to the problem of tribals and will

have lunch with booth in-charge of Devaiya village, the party said.

Later in the evening, the BJP president will address a meeting of party workers in Akota in Vadodara.
New Delhi: Sacked Delhi minister Kapil Mishra on Wednesday sought Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's "direct intervention" in the city's health department over an alleged scam in purchase of medicines by the AAP government.

Mishra has been alleging irregularities in purchase of medicines and in payment to suppliers. But the government rejected his charges as "baseless", saying all its hospitals have at least "80 percent availability" of medicines.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Chief Secretary MM Kutty seeking a response behind the "non-payment" of bills and directing him to act against officers responsible for "lapses".

"It is saddening that the chief minister is putting pressure on the chief secretary while keeping mum on the role of the health secretary or the health minister over the issue. I think the chief minister's order, going out of the way should also be considered an act of corruption," Mishra wrote to Baijal.

In his letter, Mishra claimed to have found "life-saving drugs" dumped in three trucks in the basement of a government hospital. The name of the hospital is being withheld as the authorities could not be immediately reached for comment.

"This (alleged shortage) has been reviewed at various levels. There is no crunch and the chief minister has already directed the chief secretary to act against the officers responsible for the delay in payments to few vendors," a health department official, on the condition of anonymity, said.

He also attacked Kejriwal and the city's health secretary, alleging their involvement in the "scam".

"The chief minister has been putting pressure on the chief secretary since the scam surfaced. It is an attempt to shield the health minister. I seek your direct intervention in the health department as the accused involved in the matter may try to damage proof," Mishra wrote to Baijal.
Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday shot off letters to his counterparts in other states asking them to "stand together" and "oppose" the ban on sale of cattle for slaughter and urge the Prime Minister to withdraw the new regulations.

"Unless we stand together and oppose this anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular move, it may mark the beginning of a series of similar measures aimed at destroying the federal democratic fabric and secular culture of our country", Vijayan said in his letter.

"I would therefore fervently appeal to you to convey your objection to the 2017 Rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to the Prime Minister, and to request him to withdraw the rules introduced without any consultation with the states", he said in the letter to various chief ministers.

He said that since the matters dealt within the rules squarely fall within the purview of state legislatures,the state governments should be allowed to formulate necessary policies and laws to suit the socio-cultural and economic milieu of the state.

The rules impose several restrictions on cattle trade, which would have serious repercussions on the livelihood of millions of people, especially those in the agricultural sector, in the country.

"It appears strange that the rules are promulgated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 since they have nothing to do with the objects of the Act. Neither are the rules covered by the express delegation of legislative powers contained in the Act", he said.

Vijayan said it was nothing but a "covert attempt to usurp the powers of state legislatures" in the guise of rules under a Central Act.

The subjects covered by the rules belong to entries 15 and 18 of the state list in the constitution, he said.

This "impermissible encroachment" into the domain of the state legislatures was a "clear violation of the spirit of federalism", which is one of the basic features of the constitution, he said.

The rules, by imposing unreasonable restriction on the fundamental right to carry on any trade or occupation under Article 19(1)(g) of the constitution, will not stand the test of constitutionality. They also violate the basic right of a person to freedom of choice regarding his food, he said.

"It is unfortunate that such a drastic measure was introduced in exercise of the rule making power, surpassing the elected representatives of the people and avoiding any public debate," he said.

"This is nothing but a negation of the democratic principle, which is indisputably accepted as forming part of the basic structure of the constitution", Vijayan said.

Apart from the constitutional and legal infirmities of the rules, the "disastrous consequences which are likely to arise if these rules are brought into force, make one shudder", he said.

It will definitely produce a chaotic situation in the rural agricultural economy in all the states, the chief minister added.
Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani sought a response from the state unit of Congress over slaughter of a calf in Kerala, saying it has revealed the "true face" of the party.

Cow slaughter is banned in Gujarat. In a tweet in Hindi, Rupani said, "Gujarat Congress should reply to the act of cow slaughter by Congress (workers) in Kerala. Congress revealed its true face by killing cow in Kerala. Vinash kaale viprit buddhi (wrong thinking in times of calamity). Congress is now a sinking ship," he said in another tweet.

Congress hit back asking why the cow-loving BJP government gave away grazing lands to industry in Gujarat.

"If BJP cares so much about cow, why has it gifted thousands of hectares of grazing land in the state to the industry at throwaway prices," said Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil.

Gohil also cited statements by a BJP candidate in Kerala who had promised "best quality beef" if he won in a Lok Sabha election, and a minister in Meghalaya who said that beef should be made available at a cheaper rate.

"Union minister Kiren Rijiju had admitted that he consumes beef, so what will the chief minister say to him?" Gohil asked.

The Congress on Monday suspended three workers in Kerala for publicly slaughtering a calf in protest against notification against sale of cattle for slaughter.
Patna: Senior BJP leader Sushil Modi on Tuesday alleged that RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav got two plots of land allotted in his name in violation of the MLA Cooperative Society's bye-laws.

The state government had earmarked 15 acres of land for 30 years to the MLA Cooperative Society at Kautilya Nagar in Patna for allotment of residential plots to MPs, MLAs and MLCs. The 30-year lease will come to end in December, 2017.

Apart from Prasad, the chairman of the MLA Cooperative Society, Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav, an RJD Lok Sabha member, also got two plots allotted in his name in violation of the bye-laws of the Society, Modi alleged. Modi said that the bye-laws allowed allotment of only one plot to a member of the Society.

Besides, plots situated adjacent to those of Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi, too had been allotted to Prasad's brother-in-law Anirudh Prasad Yadav and his close confidant and party Rajya Sabha MP Prem Chand Gupta to make Prasad's plot size bigger, he claimed describing the allottment as a "scam".

Patna District Magistrate has prepared a detailed report on the irregularities of the Cooperative Society which was submitted to the chief minister three months back, Modi said.

"CM Nitish Kumar should make the DM's report public and also cancel the plots of those who have violated the bye-laws," Modi demanded.

He said that penalty should be imposed on Prasad and others for using the plots for commercial purposes. He said that Prasad is, at present, occupying for all practical purposes five plots of the society - numbering 207, 208, 209, 210 and 211.

"As per the bye-laws of the Society, no member of the society will be allowed to have more than one plot. When the bye-laws prohibit the allotment of more than one plot, then how Prasad got allotted two plots in his name and that too at the 1992 rate of Rs 37,000," Modi wondered.

Not only this, even the then CM Rabri Devi using her influence got registered a plot (number 209) from Abdul Bari Siddqiqui, the state's Finance Minister, in 2003, Modi alleged.

Modi said that the BJP would chalk out further course of action if action was not taken in the matter.
Manuel Antonio Noriega, the former military ruler of Panama, died on Monday at the age of 83, bucking the trend of most 20 th century Latin American dictators: despised at home, found guilty by the courts and having spent almost three decades in different jails . He was spared death behind bars due to a brain tumor, for which he was being treated in a hospital in the capital of the Central American nation.

Manuel Antonio Noriega in 1989, in Panama City. ROBERT SULLIVAN (AFP)

More information Muere a los 83 anos el exdictador panameno Manuel Antonio Noriega

More than 27 years have passed since Noriega, dressed in the uniform of a general of the Panamanian armed forces, handed himself over to US troops that had invaded his country, ending six years of military rule that began in 1983.

Since that day, January 3, 1990, Noriega has spent most of his time in jail, first in the United States, and then in France and Panama.

Death of Manuel A. Noriega closes a chapter in our history; his daughters and family deserve a peaceful funeral, tweeted Panamas President Juan Carlos Varela on Monday evening.

A CIA informant since the 1950s, and referred to by agency head Bill Casey in the year he was arrested as my boy, Noriega rose to power through his ability to keep the United States happy, while maintaining good relations with Castro in Cuba, Daniel Ortega in Sandinista Nicaragua, as well as Pablo Escobars Medellin drug cartel, which used the country as a staging post to ship cocaine into the United States. It was Noriegas links to drug trafficking that brought about his downfall.

Noriega climbed his way up through the ranks of the Panamanian armed forces, supporting military ruler General Omar Torrijos, who died in an air accident in 1981, the circumstances of which have never been clarified. From that moment on, Noriega, who ran the intelligence and security services became Panamas ruler.

In the final decade of the cold war, Panama had become a key ally of the United States, a time when the Cuban Revolution appeared to be consolidating and the Sandinistas and other left-wing guerrillas were fighting in Central America.

Manuel Noriega in 1989 Reuters

While supporting the United States in its counter-insurgency operations in the region, Noriega plunged his country into an unprecedented economic, political and social crisis. Any opposition was ruthlessly stamped out: opposition leader Hugo Spadafora was found decapitated in 1985.

Noriega eventually became a liability for Washington: the CIA continued to support him, but the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) had amassed evidence of his drug trafficking links to Colombias drug bosses.

In 1988, he was accused by a US court of drug trafficking. In December 1989, following rigged elections and a failed coup against Noriega, US President George Bush, himself a former CIA director, gave the order to bomb Panama ahead of an invasion to capture Noriega, who eventually gave himself up on January 3, 1990

In 1992, Noriega was tried before a US court and sent to jail for 40 years, later reduced to 30 years. He was kept in relatively comfortable conditions, enjoying privileges denied most prisoners. In April 2010 he was released and extradited to France, where he was found guilty of money laundering. A year later, he was extradited to Panama, where he had been found guilty in absentia of involvement in the murder of Spadafora and given a 20-year sentence.

It was Noriegas links to drug trafficking that brought about his eventual downfall

Since March, Noriega had been in an intensive care unit after undergoing two operations in less than eight hours and then suffering a brain hemorrhage. Months after being extradited from France in 2011, it Noriega was found to have a brain tumor, which his doctors said was growing.

Ruben Dario Paredes, a former head of Panamas National Guard, insisted at the time that the former dictators condition had been exaggerated to secure his release.

Noriega, like so many other Latin American strong men wanted to die a free man. He failed.

English version by Nick Lyne.
Chandigarh: The Income Tax Department has started an inquiry into the mining contracts allegedly bagged by four former employees of Punjab minister Rana Gurjit Singh, even as the state government ordered a judicial probe in the matter on Monday.

While opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), demanded sacking of Gurjit Singh, the state irrigation and power minister, pending inquiry in the case, he exuded confidence of coming out clean in the probe.

Questions were being raised over the allotment of mining contracts to Amit Bahadur at Saidpur Khurd village in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar for Rs 26.51 crore, Kulvinder Paul Singh at Mehadipur in SBS Nagar for Rs 9.21 crore, Gurinder Singh at Rampur Kalan village in Mohali district for Rs 4.11 crore and Balraj Singh at Bairsal village for Rs 10.58 crore.

"An inquiry into the mining contract awarded to four persons whose names have appeared in newspaper reports, has been initiated but it is at preliminary stage now," an income tax official said on Monday.

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh also ordered setting up of a judicial commission to probe the allegations of impropriety against the state irrigation and power minister in the multi-crore sand mining auctions held recently by the state government, an official spokesman said.

The one-man commission would include Justice (Retd) J S Narang and would submit the report within one month.

The terms of reference for the inquiry commission, formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act, would be notified soon, an official statement said.

Rana has offered to resign in order to ensure a free and fair investigation into the matter, however the chief minister asked him to continue till the outcome of the judicial probe, a decision decried by opposition parties, it said.

The chief minister announced his decision to set up the commission after taking suo motu cognisance of media reports accusing the minister of acquiring certain mines in the names of his company's staff, the statement said.

Rana has denied any links of his company, Rana Sugars Limited, with the auctions and has said his company has no stake, direct or indirect, in the sand mining business.

"There was no question of allowing any deviation from the government's policy of clean governance," Amarinder Singh said, adding he would take all steps to ensure that there was no violation of the trust reposed by the people in his government and the Congress.

In a statement issued, Gurjit Singh welcomed the probe and said he has full faith in the judicial process and expressed confidence that he will come clean.

Opposition parties, the AAP, the SAD and the BJP, have been demanding immediate sacking of Rana for allegedly acquiring sand and gravel mines through "benaami transactions in the name of his former cook and staff".

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded the minister's resignation or dismissal from state cabinet pending inquiry, arguing that otherwise the entire probe would appear to be "meaningless and a farce".

"The belated inquiry ordered by Amarinder Singh into the mining scandal appears to be a tailor-made exercise to absolve the accused minister, Rana Gurjit Singh. We are of the firm opinion that if Rana Gurjit Singh continues to be a member of cabinet, the said inquiry can never be free, fair and impartial," AAP leader and MLA from Bholath Sukhpal Khaira said in a statement.

The party said it would stage a sit-in protest outside the the residence of the Punjab chief minister to press for its demands.

The AAP also sought to remind the ruling Congress of its "double standards" saying it had vociferously rejected the Justice Jindal Commission which was tasked to probe role of former education minister in NDA government in state, Sikandar Singh Malooka, on grounds that he had not resigned from the cabinet.

"The Congress had also staged a 'dharna' to pressure the then Badal government to sack the minister but why different yardsticks now," Khaira asked.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) termed the judicial inquiry ordered by the government as "too little too late" and demanded immediate sacking of the minister to ensure a free and fair probe.

"Rana has admitted that his Nepalese cook who earns a few thousand made a successful bid for a Rs 26 crore sand and gravel mining site. Other employees of Rana have also bagged mining sites taking the total amount of investment by the employees to Rs 50 crore. The minister has agreed to all this but has come out with a lame excuse that the employees left his service recently. This is unbelievable," party spokesman Daljeet Singh Cheema said in a statement.

"This is a clear case of corruption, benaami deals and possibly even hawala transactions. It would have been in the fitness of things if chief minister Amarinder Singh had handed over the case to the Enforcement Directorate besides involving the Income Tax authorities," he added.

These agencies would have been able to investigate and bust the money trail which allowed paupers with few pennies in their name to acquire sand mines, he said.

"Obviously all this was done at the behest of Rana Gurjit. If the minister is not sacked it is likely he will be able to influence key witnesses and a fair investigation of the case would not be possible," he alleged.

The BJPs youth wing in Punjab sought a CBI probe in the matter pertaining.

BJP's Punjab unit secretary Vineet Joshi issued a statement demanding the government order a CBI probe to inquire into the mining contracts allegedly bagged by four former employees of the Punjab minister.

The two two-day sand auctions related to 50 mines and they have generated a revenue of nearly Rs 300 crore, leading to the highest ever earnings from the mining sector for the state government.

Another 56 mines would be put to auction on 11 June and the government is expecting to generate another Rs 300 crore from them. The state government's revenue from the mine auction last year was merely Rs 40 crore.
Chandigarh: The opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) held a dharna outside the Punjab assembly complex in Chandigarh on Tuesday demanding immediate sacking of irrigation minister Rana Gurjit Singh over allegations of impropriety against him.

The AAP legislators and other leaders including the party Member of Parliament Bhagwant Mann, who is also the state unit chief, demanded that chief minister Amarinder Singh should immediately sack his minister.

The AAP leaders termed as an "eyewash" the state government's decision to order a judicial inquiry to probe the allegations of impropriety against the irrigation and power minister.

The AAP legislators held a meeting in the Vidhan Sabha complex and then they tried to march towards the residence of Amarinder Singh to stage a dharna there on the issue.

However, the police stopped them near the barricades set up just outside the Vidhan Sabha complex. They were prevented from marching towards Amarinder's residence.

The AAP leaders including Bhagwant Mann, Sukhpal Khaira and others were taken into preventive custody by the police as they tried to cross the barricades.

Earlier, Khaira told reporters that the "belated inquiry ordered by Amarinder Singh into the mining scandal appears to be a tailor-made exercise to absolve the accused minister".

"Till the time Rana Gurjit Singh continues to be a member of cabinet, the said inquiry can never be free, fair and impartial," the AAP leader and MLA from Bholath said.

Bhagwant Mann also hit out at the Congress government, alleging that they were following in the footsteps of the previous Akali government.

"What is the difference between the previous Akali and the present Congress government, corrupt practices are continuing as before," Mann alleged.

Mann and Phoolka said they will also meet Punjab Governor on this issue.

"It is surprising that Rana's former employee, a cook, who drew a salary of just Rs 11,000, overnight becomes the owner of one of the most expensive sand and gravel mines in the state by bidding a whopping Rs 26.51 crore," Mann said.

"The minister must resign forthwith or he should be dismissed from the cabinet pending inquiry or else the entire exercise would appear to be meaningless and a farce," he said.

The AAP reminded Congress of its "double standards" as they had vociferously rejected the Justice Jindal Commission to probe the role of the then education minister Sikandar Singh Malooka on the grounds that he has not resigned from the cabinet.

"The Congress had also staged a 'dharna' to pressurise the then Badal government to sack the minister but why different yardsticks now," Khaira asked.

Khaira said that if the minister is not sacked, then the AAP will hold a statewide agitation on the issue.

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh had ordered on Monday the setting up a one-man judicial commission to probe the allegations against Rana Gurjit Singh.

The inquiry will be conducted by Justice (Retd) J S Narang and he would submit his report within one month.
Mumbai: Union minister Ramdas Athawale has stuck to his position that if NCP chief Sharad Pawar was keen on contesting the presidential election, he should join the National Democratic Alliance.

Athawale's comments, made at Dombivili in Thane on Monday after similar remarks last week in Nagpur, come against the backdrop of Pawar's name being earlier discussed by the Opposition camp for the presidential post.

However Pawar, a veteran politician from Maharashtra, had said that he would not be contesting the polls.

When reporters here asked the Union Social Justice Minister on who should be the next president, Athawale said, "This decision lies with the NDA. If Pawar wants to become the president, he should join the NDA."

He also said that Pawar shares a good relation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "If a 'Marathi manoos' becomes the president, (I) will be happy", said the chief of Republican Party of India (Athawale), an ally of BJP.

To another question, the Union minister said Pawar may not become the candidate of the opposition parties.

During an interaction with reporters in Nagpur on Saturday, Athawale said, "Only the NDA candidate will win the election. Pawar shares a good relation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he should discuss with the PM and BJP president Amit Shah about his candidature."

"We will support him if he fights as an NDA nominated candidate, but he should not contest as a UPA candidate", he said.

On the recent controversy involving Maharashtra minister Dilip Kamble over his remarks against journalists, Athawale said, "Journalists are our friends. They have a right to ask questions".

At an event in Hingoli last week, Kamble, the state social justice minister had said, "Journalists write anything for money and they should be thrashed with shoes."
New Delhi: The Centre is examining representations given by states and some other organisations on the recent ban on sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter, Union minister said.

These rules were notified in the backdrop of some observations made by the Supreme Court and a parliamentary committee on preventing cruelty to animals and breaking nexus in animal markets including smuggling, Naidu told reporters.

"However, subsequently some issues were raised by a few state governments and other trade organisations. These issues are being examined by the government," Naidu said. The environment ministry, which had notified the rules last week, received 13 representations on them.

The ministry had notified the stringent Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, banning the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.

The decision is expected to hit export and trade of meat and leather.

The rules define cattle as a bovine animal including bulls, bullocks, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers and calves and camels.

The new rules also prohibit establishment of an animal market in a place which is situated within 25 kilometres from any state border and within 50 kilometres from any international border.

Various bodies and political parties have reacted sharply to the government's decision to ban the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter, saying it is an "ill-advised" decision which will widen the "terrorism" by cow vigilantes.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had asked whether the Centre would ban the consumption of fish tomorrow and had suggested exploring legal options.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the Centre's notification on cattle slaughter as a "deliberate attempt to encroach upon the state's powers" and said her government will not accept it.
Lucknow: An ambitious highway project that aims to link Lucknow to Ballia would now be known only as Purvanchal Expressway, as the Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday decided to drop the word 'Samajwadi' from its name.

The expressway, linking the state capital with the eastern parts of UP, had been mooted by the previous Samajwadi Party government headed by Akhilesh Yadav. The state cabinet in a meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, decided to drop the word 'Samajwadi' from the name and it will be known only as 'Purvanchal Expressway,' minister for industrial development, Satish Mahana told reporters.

Work on the expressway will begin only after 80 percent land for the project is acquired, the minister said, adding that 40.71 percent of the required land has already been acquired.

The minister said that tenders which had earlier been invited for the project, will get cancelled on their own.

A target has been set according to which the 353 kilometres long expressway is to be completed in two years, he said.

In another important decision, the cabinet gave its approval to increase the retirement age of Provincial Medical Service (PMS) doctors from 60 to 62 years. With this 1,000 more doctors will be available in 2017-2018, which is a step towards improvement in the health sector which faces shortage of medical practitioners, health minister Siddharth Nath Singh said.

The cabinet also discussed the mining policy. Special arrangements will be put in force to check illegal mining by installing CCTV and GPS, it is learnt. A decision was also taken to increase the time slot of 'pattas' (mining lease contracts).
China is behaving like a "bully" with its militarisation of islands in the South China Sea, Republican United States senator John McCain said on Tuesday, activity Washington must confront with its allies to find a peaceful solution.

In a speech in Sydney, McCain said China was asserting itself globally, best illustrated by militarising artificial islands in the South China Sea, a claim repeatedly rejected by Beijing.

"I think it is very clear that the Chinese by filling in these islands are militarising them and that is in violation of international law," the Arizona senator said.

McCain's comments are set to escalate tensions between the United States and China just days before delegates from both countries are scheduled to attend a regional security conference in Singapore.

China claims most of the resource-rich South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims on the strategic waterway.

The United States estimates Beijing has added more than 3,200 acres (1,300 hectares) of land on seven features in the South China Sea over the past three years, building runways, ports, aircraft hangars and communications equipment.

To counter the perceived Chinese aggression, the United States has conducted so-called freedom-of-navigation exercises, the most recent of which was conducted by a United States navy warship near Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands.

At the same time, United States president Donald Trump is seeking China's cooperation to rein in ally North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.

Allies such as Australia have so far refused to participate in freedom-of-navigation exercises in the fear of alienating Beijing.

While McCain stopped short of calling on Australia to undertake the exercises, the former United States presidential nominee said allies must work together to find a peaceful solution.
An Ohio police officer who fatally shot a black 12-year-old boy in 2014 was fired on Tuesday following an internal investigation, city officials said.Timothy Loehmann, a rookie with the Cleveland Division of Police, shot Tamir Rice, who was playing in a playground with a toy gun that fired pellets.

It was one of a string of killings that fueled protests against use of deadly force by U.S. police, particularly against minorities.

Frank Garmback, a second officer involved in the shooting, will be suspended for 10 days and receive additional tactical training, Cleveland Director of Public Safety Michael McGrath said at a news conference.

In 2015, a Cuyahoga County grand jury declined to charge Garmback or Loehmann.In March, a Cleveland police dispatcher was suspended for eight days for failing to warn officers that a 911 caller had described the scene at the playground as probably a child with a fake gun. (Reporting by Timothy Mclaughlin in Chicago; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and James Dalgleish)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Cyclone Mora has formed in the east-central part of Bay of Bengal and it is expected to move towards the north-east part of India. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, it is expected to intensify into a 'severe cyclonic storm' over the next 24 hours. According to the IMD, wind speeds will be in the range of 100-150 kilometres per hour.

The storm made landfall in Bangladesh in the main port city of Chittagong at 6 am on Tuesday. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said in a special weather bulletin that it is packing winds of up to 117 kilometres per hour after authorities evacuated hundreds of thousands of people from low-lying coastal villages. After this landfall, the storm is expected to dissipate, turn into a deep depression which cross Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.

Along the Andaman Islands, the storm will result in wind speeds int he range of 40-50 kilometres per hour.

According to an Accuweather report, the coastal region of Bangladesh is prone to storm surges and that the topography along with high population density has earlier resulted in eight out of the top ten 'deadliest' cyclones to originate in the Bay of Bengal.

What does it look like?

Ganesh Kumar Das, a scientist in the Area Cyclone Warning Centre of IMD, Kolkata is quoted in DNA as saying, "Based on present conditions, the cyclone storm is likely to transform into a severe cyclonic storm and pass closer to the east coast of Bangladesh, near Chittagong. It will not make a landfall in India. We will only see heavy to very heavy rainfall in the range of 70-11 0mm as a result, and fishermen from Bengal have been warned not to venture into the sea due to squally winds...Just after landfall, the pattern will change and moisture will decrease as it move close to the hills. Usually, when a cyclone makes a landfall, the eastern side of the eye of the storm is the worst affected."

What are the warnings?

30 May, 2017: Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely over Assam and Meghalaya. Rainfall at most places

with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

31 May, 2017: Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over Assam and Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Gale winds speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph would prevail over Mizoram and Tripura on 30 May. Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kilometres per hour gusting to 65 kilometres per hour would prevail over South Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur and along and off West Bengal coast on 30 May.

Expected damage over Mizoram and Tripura: IMD warns that there will be damage to thatched huts. Minor damage to power and communication lines due to breaking of branches. Major damage to Kutcha and minor damage to Pucca roads. Some damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.

Sea conditions are expected to be extremely rough along and the off the coast of West Bengal on 30 May and fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea for the next 24 hours.

The Accuweather report says that there could be significant flooding in Guwahati, Jorhat, Dibrugarh.

What's being done about this?

The Mizoram government has issued a warning and has advised people to take precautions and preventive measures as it is expected that the cyclone could cause landslides and floods. According to a NDTV report, the Indian Navy's Eastern fleet ships have been put on the highest state of readiness to extend help to cyclone-hit parts of Bangladesh as well. A navy official is quoted in the report as saying, "It is likely to turn into deep depression and make a landfall in Bangladesh by tomorrow afternoon/evening. Indian Navy Eastern Fleet ships are at the highest state of readiness to render assistance if required."

According to a BBC report, in Bangladesh, port cities have been asked to display the highest warning system known as 'great danger level 10'. Evacuation efforts were ongoing, with nearly 300,000 people already shifted to cyclone shelters, Bangladesh disaster management authority spokesman Abul Hashim said. "We are targeting zero casualties and we will try our best to evacuate more than a million before the landfall," he added.

This cyclone comes on the heels of heavy rains in Sri Lanka which have claimed at least 180 lives in floods and landslides; more than a 100 people are still missing.

How can I track this cyclone?

With inputs from AFP
Dhaka: At least six persons were killed in Bangladesh after Cyclone Mora wreaked havoc in the country's south-eastern coast on Tuesday leaving behind a trail of damaged houses and trees.

Authorities were battling to evacuate more than half a million people from the coastal areas. Four persons were killed after they were hit by falling trees in Cox's Bazar district and Rangamati town, bdnews24 reported.

One child died in Bhola district while moving into a cyclone shelter while a woman died of a heart attack during the storm.

The powerful storm made landfall around 6 am in Kutubdia, near the fishing port of Cox's Bazar, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said.

Cyclone Mora was likely to move further in a northerly direction, the BMD said.

Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader told the media in Dhaka that around 20,000 houses were damaged.

As many as 300,000 people were taken to shelters in over 10 districts most vulnerable to the cyclone, additional secretary Golam Mostafa, a spokesperson for the disaster management ministry's control room, was quoted as saying by bdnews.

"The people were moved out to at least 400 cyclone shelters or safer places like schools and government offices in the coastal areas," he said.

Significant damage was reported in refugee camps housing Rohingya Muslims from neighbouring Myanmar, BBC reported.

The districts at risk were Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barisal and Pirojpur.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was monitoring the situation from Vienna, where she has gone to attend a conference on atomic energy, said Hasina's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.

"The prime minister is maintaining round-the-clock communication with Dhaka on the storm situation. She has ordered all-out preparations to tackle the storm," he said.

The met office said that the cyclone had already started to lose strength, but strong winds with heavy rain and thundershowers in Cox's Bazar and Chittagong were likely to continue.

Fishing boats and trawlers were advised to remain in shelters. All flights in and out of Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport were also cancelled.

A total of 88 medical units, 6,010 local volunteers and 15,000 Red Crescent volunteers were on alert, while about 50,000 more volunteers were on standby in 19 coastal districts, said Abu Syed Mohammad Hashim, director of the disaster management department.

The ministry of disaster management and relief has set up 24-hour control rooms.

About 18 million people live in 19 coastal districts, with 10 of them being in high-risk areas. The country's two main seaports in Chittagong and Mongla stopped operations, and river transport across Bangladesh was also suspended.
Relations between the United States and Germany veered further toward crisis on Tuesday as President Donald Trump complained about the United States trade deficit with Germany and said that it must pay more for the NATO military alliance.

His censure follows a volley of criticism from Germany after the president concluded his first official tour abroad on Sunday, returning from Saudi Arabia, Israel, Brussels and then Italy for a G7 summit.

"We have a massive trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay far less than they should on NATO and military," Trump wrote on Twitter. "Very bad for US, this will change."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel had made waves in Berlin on Sunday, warning that the United States and Britain may no longer be completely reliable partners.

"Transatlantic ties are of paramount importance to us... but the current situation gives more reasons for... us to take our destiny in our own hands," she said, stressing that "Europe must become a player active in international affairs."

German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel was blunter on Monday, slamming the US president's "short-sighted" policies that have "weakened the West" and hurt European interests.

During his trip, Trump rejected pressure from G7 allies to commit to abiding by the 2015 Paris climate accord and berated 23 of NATO's 28 members  including Germany  for "still not paying what they should be paying" toward the funding of the alliance.

Weakening the West

Days earlier, in Saudi Arabia, Trump had presided over the single largest US arms deal in American history, worth $110 billion over the next decade  including ships, tanks and anti-missile systems.

Gabriel said on Monday that "anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk."

"The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union," he added, judging that "the West has become smaller, at least it has become weaker."

Germany's harsh words for Washington, traditionally a close ally, were highly unusual and came as relations have grown increasingly tenuous.

Merkel on Tuesday repeated her call for Europe to take control of its own destiny, but also dismissed any talk that Germany is shifting away from its old ally and pivoting East.

Threatening retaliation

Trump launched a salvo against German car exports to the United States last week, saying that "the Germans are bad, very bad" during a meeting with senior European officials in Brussels, the German weekly Der Spiegel reported.

He had begun attacking Germany and Merkel during his election campaign last year.

In keeping with his nationalist economic agenda, he hit out in particular at Germany's substantial trade surplus with the US, threatening to introduce customs duties in retaliation.

After a frosty meeting with Merkel in Washington in March  which he initially described as "great"  he launched a diatribe the following day, accusing Germany of owing "vast sums of money" to NATO and the United States.

For her part, Merkel had called on Trump after his election to uphold the values of Western democracy following a divisive presidential campaign.
Nearly 1.1 million: that is how much Pablo Ibar, who has been behind bars in the United States for 23 years, needs to raise in order to retain a good lawyer who might prevent his execution for a triple murder that he denies having committed.

Pablo Ibar, in a photo from 2009. Gaston De Cardenas EFE

Thanks to financial aid, donations and his familys tireless work, the fundraising drive has already secured over 701,000. Now, the Pablo Ibar Association is launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise the remaining amount.

Ibar, a US resident who is of Basque descent on his fathers side, was arrested in 1994 and accused of murdering a bar owner and two models at the formers home in Broward County, Florida.

During the trial, which extended to 2000, Ibar was defended by a court-appointed attorney who suffered from addiction problems and was himself later arrested. As a result of a weak defense, Ibar was sentenced to death.

He has been fighting for 22 years, and he is not going to give up now

Pablo Ibars wife Tanya

A series of endless appeals ensued. In the US, this requires a lot of money. Thanks to financial aid that poured in from Spain, Ibar got a new lawyer, Benjamin Waxman, who last year got the court to order a re-trial and to admit that Pablos original defense had been inadequate.

We are not asking him to be released just like that, for no reason. We are asking for a fair trial, since he never got one, says his father, Candido Ibar, who was born in Spains northern Basque region but emigrated to Florida in the 1960s to play pelota.

Candido was in Spain on Monday to support the crowdfunding campaign that will let his son retain the same lawyer and hopefully bring Pablo home after 23 years in prison  16 of them on death row.

Candido offered a press conference in Madrid together with Andres Krakenberger, president of the Pablo Ibar Association.

This pending trial is the last chance for Pablo. He is desperate, and so are we, said Krakenberger. If Pablo is sentenced to death again, another years-long process would begin to try to prevent his execution. Thats something we cannot afford.

The association chief insisted that all they want is a fair trial.

It was the Florida court itself that admitted that Pablo was sentenced to death due to an inefficient defense.

Story of a storm

There are specific dates in Pablo Ibars life that explain the storm he has been navigating for over two decades.

The first one is July 14, 1994. Pablo was 20 years old and his parents were separated: his mother, a native of Cuba, lived in Broward County, Florida and would later die of cancer. His father, a Basque pelota player, had set up residence in Connecticut.

Pablo lived near his mother, where he shared an apartment with bad company. He and some of these individuals were arrested that afternoon and charged with petty drug dealing. Since then, Ibar has not been a free man.

His court-appointed attorney was hooked on prescription drugs, assaulted his own wife, and was finally arrested on drug-related charges

While that case was under investigation, police detectives received blurry video footage of an individual accused of a triple homicide. Days earlier, a resident of Miramar, located in the same county, had been killed inside his home along with two women who were there with him at the time. The face in the surveillance video looked similar to Pablo Ibars. He was accused of murder, and taken to prison.

Another key date is May 5, 1997. After three years in jail, the trial finally began. Ibar, 23, was assigned a court-appointed counsel. From the beginning, Kayo Morgan showed himself to be incapable of putting together a proper defense. He was hooked on prescription drugs, had assaulted his own wife, and was finally arrested on drug-related charges.

Years later, Morgan signed a letter admitting that, at the time of the Pablo Ibar case, he had been in no condition to defend a murder suspect. His inadequate defense strategy failed to debunk the prosecutions key piece of evidence: a blurry black-and-white surveillance video showing an individual committing the murders.

Even though the fingerprints, blood and hair found at the scene of the crime did not match Ibars, a jury still found him guilty.

Pablos defense will also ask for the video footage to be left out, due to its extremely low quality

The third red-letter day in his life is June 14, 2000, when Ibar was sentenced to death. My life is over, he thought when he heard the verdict. But his family managed to put together enough money for an appeal. On September 7, 2006, a judge turned down the request for a re-trial. Ibar had been behind bars for 12 years at this point.

On February 13, 2011 a second appeal was rejected. All this time, Ibar has maintained his innocence and underscored that there is no physical evidence linking him to the scene of the crime.

Then, on February 5 of last year, a third appeal prospered. The judge ordered a re-trial. Pablos wife, Tanya, got the news over the phone. She had to walk outside to get some fresh air and try to stop crying. It was the first patch of clear sky in a 22-year-long storm.

Pablo Ibar in a file photo. EFE

At this point, Ibar was taken out of death row at Raiford penitentiary, in northern Florida, and transferred to a prison in Broward County. But he is not allowed visits here, and can only communicate with his family through a monitor  one hour on weekends and another hour sometime during the rest of the week.

His wife Tanya is there in front of the screen every week, just like she was there in person at Raiford every Saturday between the years 2000 and 2016. It was a four-hour drive there and again four hours back. She never gave up. She still wont.

But life in solitary confinement, with a trial date that never materializes, means that time is practically at a standstill for Ibar. He is desperate. There are days when he cant take it any more. Thank goodness he is very tough mentally, because this is very, very hard, says his father.

The process is currently at a stage known as status conferences, a series of pre-trial hearings to determine the validity of some of the evidence and witness testimony.

In the best of cases, Ibar still has to wait over a year to know whether he finally gets to go home

Pablos defense will also ask for the video footage to be left out, due to its extremely low quality and testimony from several experts who said that the individual who appears in it is not Ibar.

When these issues are resolved, the judge may set a trial date. According to the Pablo Ibar Association, the earliest possible date would be late this year or in early 2018. The trial itself will last at least five or six months.

In the best of cases, Ibar still has to wait over a year to know whether he finally gets to go home.

At this point, Pablo is going to keep fighting, says his wife. He has been fighting for 22 years, and he is not going to give up now. What hes going through is very tough, but he is very strong. And he knows that he is innocent. That is why he has so much strength and faith.

English version by Susana Urra.
By Ayman Al-Warfalli

| BENGHAZI, Libya

BENGHAZI, Libya Egyptian jets carried out air strikes on the Libyan city of Derna on Monday, continuing days of attacks against Islamist militants Egypt says were responsible for ambushing and killing Egyptian Christians last week, Libyan commanders said.Egypt's air force began the attacks just hours after masked men boarded vehicles driving dozens of people to a monastery in the southern Egyptian province of Minya and opened fire at close range, killing 29 and wounding 24.A witness said on Monday one attack hit the western entrance to Derna and two others hit Dahr al-Hamar in the city's south. "The air strikes are joint ones between the Libyan National Army and Egyptian army," Ahmad Messmari, a spokesman for Libyan National Army, an eastern Libyan faction allied with Egypt.An Egyptian military spokesman declined to comment. But Libyan operational commander Brigadier Abdulsalam Al-Hasi told Reuters the strikes targeted Majlis Mujahideen Derna and Abu Salim brigade, two local Libyan groups allied with al Qaeda.Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Egypt had targetted militant bases in Libya "to get rid of them and to limit their ability to threaten Egypt's national security".

Speaking at a news conference in Cairo with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Shoukry said Egypt looked forward to "Russia utilising all of its available capabilities to work together to get rid of terrorism".Islamic State claimed responsibility for last week's attack in Egypt, the latest targetting the Christian minority there. Two church bombings also claimed by Islamic State killed more than 45 people last month.According to Yasser Risk, chairman of state newspaper Akhbar Elyoum and a former war correspondent with close ties to Egypt's presidency, 15 targets were hit on the first day of strikes, including in Derna and Jafra, in central Libya, where what he called "terrorism centres" were located.

He said the targets included leadership headquarters as well as training camps and weapons storage facilities. Sixty jets were used in the earlier raids, he said. Egypt has carried out air strikes in Libya occasionally since its neighbour descended into factional fighting in the years following the 2011 civil war that ousted Muammar Gaddafi.Islamist militant groups, including Islamic State, have gained ground in the chaos, and Derna, a city of about 150,000 that straddles the coastal highway linking Libya to Egypt, has a long history with Islamist militancy.

Islamic State first attempted to establish a presence in Libya in Derna, but it faced armed resistance from more locally affiliated militant groups including Majlis Mujahideen Derna coalition and Abu Salim brigade. It was driven out of the city in 2015 and later set up its main Libyan base in Sirte.Egypt has been backing eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, whose Libyan National Army has been fighting Islamist militant groups and other fighters in Benghazi and Derna for more than two years.Messmari told reporters in Benghazi late on Sunday that Haftar's forces were coordinating with Egypt's military and the weekend raids targeted ammunition stores and operations camps.Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Friday the air raids targeted militants responsible for plotting the attack, and that Egypt would not hesitate to carry out additional strikes inside and outside the country. (Additional reporting by Asma Alsharif and Ahmed Aboulenein in Cairo; Writing by Patrick Markey; Editing by Louise Ireland and Giles Elgood)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that France will respond immediately to any use of chemical weapons in Syria, while urging a closer partnership with Russia in fighting the Islamic State (IS) in the country.

"A very clear red line exists on our side  that is the use of chemical weapons by whomever," Macron said at a joint news conference after his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, The Guardian reported on Monday.

The highly symbolic meeting in the sumptuous setting of the Palace of Versailles was aimed at defining the two leaders' personal relationship after tension and mistrust during the French presidential election campaign and suggestions Russia had sought to meddle in the French democratic process.

Emerging with Putin from two hours of talks and lunch in the 2,300-room palace, Macron said he wanted to strengthen cooperation with Russia in seeking a solution to the Syria conflict. He said this involved talking to all parties in a "diplomatic and political framework".

But Macron said France would show "no weakness" if chemical weapons were used, and would immediately respond.

French spies amassed and publicly released evidence last month that indicated the Assad regime had used toxic sarin gas on the town of Khan Sheikhun, an attack that provoked the US to launch missiles on a Syrian air base in its first targeted attack against the Syrian president's forces.

Macron said he favoured a democratic transition in Syria that would "preserve the Syrian state". He said: "Failed states in the region are a threat to our democracies, and we have seen each time they have enabled terrorist groups to advance."

"Our absolute priority is the fight against terrorism," he added, calling for the "eradication of terrorist groups"  and IS in particular  through closer partnership with Russia.
Paris: French president Emmanuel Macron has warned that France will respond immediately to any use of chemical weapons in Syria, while urging a closer partnership with Russia in fighting the Islamic State in the country.

"A very clear red line exists on our side - that is the use of chemical weapons by whomever," Macron said at a joint news conference after his first meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, The Guardian reported on Monday.

The highly symbolic meeting in the sumptuous setting of the Palace of Versailles was aimed at defining the two leaders' personal relationship after tension and mistrust during the French presidential election campaign and suggestions Russia had sought to meddle in the French democratic process.

Emerging with Putin from two hours of talks and lunch in the 2,300-room palace, Macron said he wanted to strengthen cooperation with Russia in seeking a solution to the Syria conflict. He said this involved talking to all parties in a "diplomatic and political framework".

But Macron said France would show "no weakness" if chemical weapons were used, and would immediately respond.

French spies amassed and publicly released evidence last month that indicated the Assad regime had used toxic sarin gas on the town of Khan Sheikhun, an attack that provoked the United States to launch missiles on a Syrian air base in its first targeted attack against the Syrian president's forces.

Macron said he favoured a democratic transition in Syria that would "preserve the Syrian state". He said, "Failed states in the region are a threat to our democracies, and we have seen each time they have enabled terrorist groups to advance."

"Our absolute priority is the fight against terrorism," he added, calling for the "eradication of terrorist groups"  and the Islamic State in particular  through closer partnership with Russia.
There is an opportunity for India to tap amid the shifting sands of trans-Atlantic partnerships. Prime Minister Narendra Modi couldn't have timed his Europe sojourn better. To understand how rapidly ties are being made and unmade, we need only to recall last week's events during the NATO Summit in Brussels.

The optics were telling and the significance not to be missed. As NATO leaders walked up towards Emmanuel Macron to greet him, the newly elected French president swerved at the very last moment to avoid Donald Trump's outstretched hands and embraced German Chancellor Angela Merkel instead. He kept ignoring Trump till the US president's hands were left awkwardly hanging, mirroring accurately Europe's current relationship with Washington.

The video of the greeting, which has since gone viral, was tweeted by Macron himself. The French president later shared a bone-shattering, fist-clenching, white-knuckled handshake with his US counterpart that left both alpha males grimacing in pain.

A Bruxelles, unis avec nos allies de @NATO. pic.twitter.com/7nyaoI8hki  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 25, 2017

Macron's gesture should not be seen in isolation. At the end of that three-day trans-Atlantic meet, Merkel, clearly unhappy with Trump's positions on Paris Climate Accord, NATO's defence spending, free trade and Russia, announced that Europe should chart its own future and take its fate into own hands instead of relying on old partnerships. The comments were made inside a beer tent during her campaign trail in Munich but has since reverberated around the world with pundits straining to define it as a seismic shift in global politics. Merkel is widely favoured for a fourth term as Chancellor in September elections.

To a certain extent the comments could be related to Merkel's domestic compulsions. Trump's rhetoric on NATO has upset America's trans-Atlantic partners and Merkel has consistently been accused by rivals at home of not being critical enough of Trump's policies. This may be seen as a tactical move to deny her Opposition the political space.

Yet, taken together, Macron's gesture and Merkel's comments are clear indications of a more assertive Europe that feels shortchanged by a retreating US and UK and increasingly feels the need to develop a stronger bond and share more responsibilities. The departure of UK, Europe's second-largest economy, will put even more pressure on Germany to drive the Europe engine and in Macron, Merkel feels she has found the right partner. A strong Franco-German relationship is slowly taking shape, at least that's how German media is interpreting the latest turn of events.

In a piece titled, 'What Was Merkel Thinking?, Spiegel Online writes: "Merkel has (already) sharpened her focus on France, saying that she and President Emmanuel Macron have agreed on a "new push" in Franco-German cooperation and that the two countries intend to present a "roadmap" for desired reforms. Foreign minster Gabriel, for his part, has presented a more concrete plan. In addition to strengthening the eurozone, it sketches out possible joint German-French investments, a joint defense fund and more intense cooperation on foreign policy. Efforts at strengthening Europe, in other words, are on the way  and Merkel's comments are an expression of that."

The question is, how does a recalibration of US-EU partnership align with India's interest? The importance lies in the fact as Europe struggles to cope with a wave of protectionism sweeping across the West, it must look elsewhere to keep the flags of 'free trade' and 'climate change' flying. India and China present the most obvious choices. Both Modi and China's President Xi Jinping have reaffirmed their faith in climate accord. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Germany soon after Modi's departure cannot therefore be a mere coincidence.

German newspaper Handelsblatt wrote on its front page on Monday that "after the disappointing G7 summit, the German chancellor is turning her hopes for free trade and climate protection to India and China", reports Economic Times.

Chinese trade ties with Germany run deeper but of late has been subjected to, as Indira Bagchi writes in Times of India, "predatory trading practices. Although Germany sent an official-level delegation to the OBOR summit, it has asked for the OBOR process to be made more transparent, in accordance with WTO."

Fearing that Chinese companies may bag the lucrative infrastructure projects, Germany refused to sign a trade deal, citing lack of transparency. China's repeated flouting of WTO norms and protectionism have largely been ignored by the West so far which remained fixated on the size of Chinese market but as India takes rapid strides in simplifying the tax structure and enhancing ease of doing business, it is fast becoming a profitable alternative. For the West, India's shared democratic values provide a further ideological cushion.

If things so far seem rosy for India, in reality they aren't. In fact, one of Modi's significant challenges during the trip to Berlin is to convince the Germans that investment in India won't be subjected to the vagaries of retrospective taxation, land reforms and steep tariffs. Germany, consequently, has been pushing for investor protection under a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and also the resumption of the old Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) which lapsed in March this year.

The BIT with Germany was among the 23 agreements India had allowed to lapse because they were perceived to be disadvantageous for India. The new model BIT that India is trying to push through makes it difficult for multinational companies to go for international arbitration in case of a dispute before it has exhausted all domestic legal options.

As Indivjal Dhasmana writes in Business Standard, "European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen had earlier expressed concern about the lack of any legal protection for investors from EU nations. The letter had termed the move by India unilateral and pointed to rising capital costs and legal uncertainty as concerns that will keep away investors."

This has also hampered negotiations on FTA and the entire Indo-German relationship has been taken hostage. The potential for improving the relationship is huge in terms of both economy and geopolitics. The prime minister had said in his Facebook post on Monday that he will try to "chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with focus on trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine."

He would know that economy would be the fulcrum on which Indo-German ties will rest and India must show to Berlin that it is ready to walk the talk on free trade. As PTI states in a report, trade between the two countries stands at 17.42 billion in 2016, up only marginally from 17.33 billion the previous year. Germany is the seventh largest foreign direct investor (FDI) in India and the total FDI from April 2000 until December 2016 amounted to $9.54 billion. A total of 1,800 German companies are operating in India.

This is just a fraction of the economic potential the two nations can unleash. In his intergovernmental talks, Modi could point to the education sector where Germany and India have grown closer despite the areas of differences.

Germany, as a provider of higher education with a fraction of the fees required to pursue studies in the US or UK, has become a favourite destination for Indian students. As Indian Express writes in a report quoting German government data, "5,998 Indian students went to Germany for higher education in 2011-12. The number grew to 13,740 in 2015-16." The report also quotes Stephan Lanzinger, Counsellor at the German Embassys Science and Technology section, as saying: "In Germany, there are virtually no tuition fees, yet the quality of higher education is excellent. The cost of living is relatively low and the standard of living is high."

In the geopolitical arena, India provides Germany the pivot it needs in Asia if Merkel is serious about expanding Europe's sphere of influence beyond the Atlantic. For India, middle power Germany provides the stability it seeks in a world where one major power is looking inward and the challenger, to borrow from Samir Saran, "is undertaking an unabashed, confrontational and neo-colonial smash and grab in South Asia."
Geneva: The UN rights council on Tuesday named a three-person team to probe alleged atrocities against Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims, a key step in an investigation already rejected by the country's government.

The Geneva-based human rights council voted in March to create a Myanmar fact-finding mission, in a politically sensitive move that faced fierce resistance from the civilian-led government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The mission was ordered to "urgently" investigate abuses reportedly committed by the security forces, particularly in Rakhine state where troops have been accused of raping, torturing and murdering members of the Rohingya community.

Decorated Indian lawyer and women's rights campaigner, Indira Jaising, Sri Lanka's former human rights chief Radhika Coomaraswamy and Christopher Dominic Sidoti, a prominent human rights advocate from Australia, were appointed to lead the probe.

The group is scheduled to meet soon in Geneva to chart a work plan, a rights council statement said.

But it is not yet clear if they will be granted access to Rakhine, or even be permitted to land in Myanmar.

Speaking in Brussels earlier this month, Suu Kyi made it clear that her government had "disassociated" itself from the resolution setting up the probe, calling it out of touch "with what is actually happening on the ground."

The north of Rakhine state has been under lockdown since October, when the military launched a campaign to hunt down Rohingya militants who staged deadly attacks on police posts.

Some 1,00,000 people from the Muslim minority were displaced by the violence, most of them fleeing to Bangladesh.

An earlier UN rights office report based on testimony from Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh said Myanmar's security forces may be guilty of crimes against humanity.

Myanmar has rebuffed those charges and has refused to allow international observers into the area.

The rights council called on the government to give investigators "full, unrestricted and unmonitored access to all areas".

Matthew Smith, who heads the Fortify Rights watchdog in Bangkok which closely tracks the Rakhine situation, told AFP the government had "no defensible reason to not cooperate with this mission."

He said investigators appointed Tuesday were "a strong team that's certainly up to the task."

The mission is scheduled to give the rights council an oral update of their findings in September.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is derived from Ramadhaa which means 'heat of the sun'. The month was named thus because it burns the sins of the believers. Since the Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed in 610 CE in the month of Ramadan, it has been regarded as holy for Muslims worldwide.

A month-long fast is observed by Muslims worldwide to commemorate this first revelation. Ramadan, in 2017, began on 26 May and will end on 24 June (culminating in Eid ul-Fitr). In maintaining a fast from dawn to sunset, the principle of abstinence is established for Muslims. A physical and spiritual detoxification is also the aim behind maintaining the fast.

The fast is meant to remind believers about having compassion for others. However, certain fringe elements have tainted the holy month after attacks have been carried out in Muslim-majority nations.

At the start of the holy month, in Afghanistan's eastern city of Khost, a Taliban car bomber killed 13 people. The targets were CIA-funded militia group. On the second day of the holy month, Islamic State claimed responsibility for shooting dead 29 Christians on a bus in central Egypt. Several other attacks including Tuesday's Baghdad car bombing have been linked with their occurrences during Ramadan.

European security services are preparing themselves for more attacks during Ramadan, as per The Telegraph.

The fundamental question would then be why and not who carries out these attacks. Why would Islamic State maim an Islamic ritual? Why would the Islamic Caliphate decimate its Muslim brothers?

According to The Atlantic, an Islamic State supporter told them over Twitter that "Ramadan is the holy month of jihad."

There is a certain honour attached with committing 'good deeds' during Ramadan. In the Islamic State dictionary, the term 'good deeds' refers to terrorist attacks.

In 2015, the then-Islamic State spokesman Abu Muhammad al-Adnani celebrated Ramadan by calling for attacks.

The Independent reported that Islamic State released an infographic in their weekly titled, al-Naba. In the infographic, the terror group listed 14 attacks across Europe, US, Asia, Africa, Syria and Iraq, and were gung-ho after 'murdering' 5,200 people in "military operations" during Ramadan.

But why is Islamic State emphasising on 'military operations' when they possibly can think of other horrifying options like severing heads and video-taping the acts?

Mohammed Emwazi, an Islamic State militant was killed in January 2016. Emwazi was better known as Jihadi John, who gained notoriety by appearing in several Islamic State videos. Then onwards, it can be said that Islamic State heavily relied on social media for its recruitments. Several more horrific videos followed. Twitter, Facebook were abuzz with fake profiles built specifically to hypnotize more and more youth.

Islamic State seemed to have the won the propaganda war on social media, but it seems that they are losing battles on the ground.

The Atlantic mentions that Islamic State faces a danger of being eliminated, with airstrikes killing prominent leaders in the group and campaigns to reclaim Mosul and Raqqa becoming successful.

Hence, to demonstrate its power, the terror group will have to look for ways to create terror. Any chance would be golden for the group, even if it meant bloodshed during the holy month of Ramadan. Besides, it appears that Islamic State has been encouraging lone wolf attacks.

Beating the evergreen propaganda drum, as reported by The Express, the terror group told its fanatics to "wait and hide for them in houses, corners, roads" and commit murders. The Express further said that another message was doing the rounds on the Internet, saying jihadis must "never leave one metre without making it hell on earth for disbelievers."

The message also claims that "the tyrants on the island" have closed the door on immigration so militants should have the "door of Jihad opened in their faces". The message ended with the words: "God bless you."

Terrorism and religious propaganda certainly go hand-in-hand, and IS seems to have claimed the phrases as their motto.

Religious hardliners possess enormous power to transform even a rock. They have the power to malign religious teachings and lead one away from the truth. Similar to what IS is doing with its recruits, leading them away, far away, from Islam's truth, encouraging a fallacious martyrdom.
Paris: French customs officials said that they had intercepted 135 kilogrammes (300 pounds) of Captagon, dubbed the "jihadists' drug", at Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport this year, a first for France.

Captagon, a type of amphetamine, is one of the most commonly used drugs among fighters in the Syrian war. "It is the first time that this drug has been seized in France," the customs agency said in a statement.

Customs officials at Charles de Gaulle discovered 350,000 Captagon pills weighing 70 kilograms on 4 January, hidden among industrial moulds exported from Lebanon and apparently heading for the Czech Republic.

An investigation was launched by German and Czech authorities "and it revealed that the real intended destination was Saudi Arabia, by passing through Turkey", the agency said.

Another 67 kilograms of the drug were found at the airport in February, hidden in steel moulds.

Captagon is classified by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime as an "amphetamine-type stimulant" and usually blends amphetamines, caffeine and other substances.

Fighters who have taken the drug say it helps them to stay up for days and numbs the senses, allowing them to kill with abandon.
Kuala Lumpur: The murder trial of the only two suspects arrested in the assassination of the North Korean leader's half brother was transferred to another Malaysian court on Tuesday.

Armed escorts accompanied the women, Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam and Siti Aisyah from Indonesia, as they arrived for their morning court appearance in Kuala Lumpur.

Both smiled at their embassy representatives as they were brought to the dock and wore the same clothes as they did at earlier court appearances.

Their case was formally transferred to the high court as the lower court had no jurisdiction to hear a murder case.

Prosecutor Iskandar Ahmad said the date for their first appearance in the High Court would usually be within a month.

The suspects would then enter pleas and the trial would have to start within 90 days, Iskandar said.

The two women are accused of smearing VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nam's face at the Kuala Lumpur airport on 13 February. Kim died soon afterward.

The women have said they were duped into thinking they were playing a harmless prank for a hidden-camera show. Yusron Ambary, counsellor at the Indonesian Embassy, said Siti wrote a letter to her parents recently, asking them not to worry about her.

"I am in good health. Just pray. Don't think about me too much. Keep healthy and pray at night. I have a lot of people helping me. The embassy officials always come to see me, my lawyers also. Don't worry. Pray for me so that the case will be over soon and I can go back home. Send my love to my son Rio," he read from the letter to reporters outside the courtroom.

Police have said four North Korean suspects fled Malaysia the day of the attack. Defense lawyers previously expressed fear the women will be scapegoats because other people believed to have knowledge of the case left the country.

Although Malaysia never directly accused North Korea of carrying out the attack, speculation is rampant that Pyongyang orchestrated a hit on a long-exiled member of its ruling elite. Although Kim was not an obvious political threat, he may have been seen as a potential rival in the country's dynastic dictatorship. North Korea has denounced such speculation.
Manchester: A train station next to the scene of last week's suicide bombing in Manchester reopened Tuesday for the first time since the carnage in which 22 people were killed, as the city slowly returned to normal.

Manchester-born Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher was to make his solo debut later on Tuesday with a charity concert, the latest in a flood of tributes in Britain's third-largest city for the victims of last Monday's concert attack.

"We Will Remember You," read signs accompanied by heart images and surrounded by floral tributes at Manchester Victoria station as service resumed.

"Tragically taken away. But never to be forgotten," read a note left by transport minister Chris Grayling at a morning ceremony, while Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham wrote: "We will always stand with you".

"I think it will take a long time to get back to normal. There's still a weird feeling, you know, armed police, a lot of unease," said 59-year-old David Keys as he got off a train.

Sharon Glyn, 48, said she felt "goosebumps" as her train pulled into the station, while 29-year-old Andrew Shivas said: "Can't let them win".

Manchester Victoria station is connected to the Manchester Arena, one of Europe's biggest indoor venues, by a covered space that was the scene of Monday's blast, in which 116 people were also injured.

Most of the victims were young people attending a concert by US pop idol Ariana Grande, which had just finished, and parents waiting to meet their children.

Help pick people up

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The bomber has been identified as 22-year-old Salman Abedi, a Manchester-born university dropout of Libyan origin who reportedly fought in the Libyan conflict to topple former dictator Moamer Gadhafi.

Abedi's brother, Hashem, and father, Ramadan, have been arrested in Libya, where authorities say the two brothers were both IS jihadists.

Fourteen more people are being held in Britain and police have released a security camera image of Abedi carrying a large blue suitcase, appealing for any information about where Abedi might have been with the luggage.

Britain's terror threat level was raised to maximum in the wake of the attack but lowered again over the weekend, while armed soldiers who had been deployed to assist police patrols were being pulled back.

Police say they have uncovered a "large part" of the network behind the attack but questions have intensified over apparent intelligence failures in identifying Abedi as a potential terror threat.

Prime Minister Theresa May has also come under heavy criticism for drastic cuts in police numbers during her time as interior minister, as campaigning has resumed ahead of a general election next week.

May has said that while overall numbers of officers have gone down, budgets for counter-terrorism policing have risen.

Manchester has seen several inter-faith vigils and shows of defiance in recent days, as well as calls for calm following a sharp rise in hate crimes.

Gallagher said proceeds from his show would go to a Red Cross-supported appeal after the blast that has already raised millions of pounds.

"I want to try and help pick people up," Gallagher, 44, told The Manchester Evening News.

Gallagher has a rocky relationship with his older brother Noel, who played guitar for Oasis and wrote most of the band's hits. They parted ways in 2009.

A tweet from Liam on Monday wishing his brother a happy birthday had fans speculating on social media that a hoped-for reunion could be on the cards.
Berlin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday held the fourth round of the inter-governmental dialogue to set a roadmap for the bilateral strategic ties.

Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery, the Office of the German Chancellor, where he was greeted by Merkel and senior German officials. He then introduced the chancellor to his accompanying Indian ministerial delegation.

Modi received a guard of honour and was welcomed as the music choir of the German Army played the Indian National Anthem. The two leaders then headed inside for the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) Plenary session, the focal point of Modi's two-day visit to Germany.

Modi was holding formal talks with Merkel as part of the IGC  held every two years  where he was joined by his delegation of senior ministers, including Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman, energy minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar. The last IGC was held in New Delhi in October 2015, when bilateral ties were significantly scaled up.

At the IGC in Berlin, the two leaders were expected to clinch a host of agreements and sign MoUs to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries. "We will chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with (the) focus on trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine," the prime minister had said in a Facebook post before he left for Berlin on Monday.

Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the European Union (EU) and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country. There are more than 1,600 German companies and 600 German joint ventures in India and the German economic profile supports excellence and expertise that match with India's development priorities of Make in India, Clean India, Skill India, Digital India, and Smart Cities, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Modi and chancellor Merkel will also hold a meeting with senior business leaders before inaugurating the Indo-German Business Summit 2017 later on Tuesday. "Economic relations with Germany is the most important pillar of our partnership. It has preponderance over other areas," the MEA said.

On Monday, on the first day of his Germany visit, Modi held informal discussions over dinner with chancellor Merkel on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues like the Brexit consequences, trade and radicalisation in the context of recent terror attacks in Europe. Both leaders also exchanged views on China's One Belt, One Road initiative and climate change during their informal talks at Schloss Meseberg, the chancellor's official country retreat near Berlin.

"The leaders had discussions that covered the bilateral agenda and how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programmes. There was appreciation of India's reform agenda, particularly GST," India's Ambassador to Germany Mukta Dutta Tomar told reporters at a briefing in Berlin on Monday night.

Highlighting that this is Modi's second bilateral visit to Germany since 2015, she said that the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism set up in 2015 to assist German businesses work in India received appreciation from the German side. "In fact, there has been foreign direct investment of $2 billion (from Germany) in the past two years. The figures speak for themselves," she said.

Regional and inter-global issues were also discussed during the three-hour-long interactions  some at the delegation level and some one-to-one between Modi and Merkel. "The consequences of Brexit (the UK's exit from the European Union) and how it would affect India and Germany were covered by the two leaders," Tomar said, adding that the prime minister reiterated the utmost value that India attaches to the European Union's cohesiveness, which is a major factor of stability in global politics.

The issue of radicalisation and terrorism and each country's experience in dealing with it was discussed, with recent terrorist events in Europe also mentioned in this context, she said.

Peace in Afghanistan and the importance of the "Afghan-led and owned reconciliation and development process" was touched upon, with the prime minister expressing appreciation over the German presence in Afghanistan and calling for a consolidation of efforts in the country, Tomar said.

The Belt and Road Forum in Beijing earlier in May, where Germany was represented by its economy and energy minister, also featured in the exchange, during which the chancellor explained German participation and India reiterated its stand against the initiative, she said.

"Our position is well known on this issue," the ambassador said, in reference to India's opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the flagship project of president Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative, which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Modi will end his German tour with a courtesy call on German President, Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at his official residence of Castle Bellevue before leaving for Spain.

Modi arrived in Germany on Monday at the start of his four-nation tour, which will also cover Spain, Russia and France.
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Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

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I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

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Berlin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday backed German chancellor Angela Merkel's "strong leadership" in uniting the European Union at a time when the economic grouping was showing signs of strain post-Brexit and over the protectionist policies of US president Donald Trump.

Modi, whose visit to Germany comes less than a week after Merkel provided the strongest indication yet that the European Union and the United States under president Trump were drifting apart, said India would play a positive role in boosting unity in the grouping.

Modi's support comes at a crucial time for Merkel, who has been fighting secessionist tendencies within the bloc since Britain decided to leave the 28-member bloc through a referendum in June 2016. The prime minister praised her "strong leadership" and said a European Union-focused vision is what the world needs.

"EU unity, proactiveness and strong relations with other countries are extremely important for global development. We want the EU to become stronger and India will play a positive role towards that through the medium of Germany," he told reporters at a joint briefing with Merkel.

Modi said India and Germany were "made for each other".

Merkel last week had said that reliable ties forged since the end of World War II "are to some extent over." Germany's foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel also blasted the United States, saying the Trump administration's "short-sighted policies... stand against the interest of the European Union".

The remarks came soon after G7 and NATO summits, where news reports suggested that not all was well between her and Trump, who is leading the US towards a more protectionist stance on economic issues and has called for NATO to pay for their share of expenditure of the Atlantic alliance.

The two countries are also not on the same page on climate policies. Trump has vowed to walk away from the historic Paris deal while Merkel supports the agreement.

"Europe and the world are facing lots of challenges and to fight those, India believes, the world needs the strong leadership of chancellor Merkel," Modi added.

Merkel on Tuesday repeated that Europe must "take our fate into our own hands" and went on to say that it should step up as a diplomatic player on the international stage.

In Washington, Trump swiftly reacted to Merkel's comments. Soon after her statement, Trump tweeted, "We have a massive trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay far less than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for US. This will change(sic)."

Merkel, however, had also said Germany's relationship with the US was of "outstanding importance" but it must also engage with other important nations.

"We live in a globalised world and India...is a partner," she said.

Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the European Union (EU) and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday sought "outcome-oriented" momentum in India-German ties and a "quantum jump" in economic relations, as he held wide-ranging talks with German chancellor Angela Merkel on key issues like trade, skill development, cyber security and terrorism.

"Pace of development of our relations is fast, direction positive and destination clear. Germany will always find India as a powerful, prepared and capable partner," Modi said at a joint press interaction after holding talks with Merkel.

Modi on India's economic ties with Germany

Following their talks, the two sides also signed a joint declaration of intent on cyberpolitics, development initiatives, sustainable urban development, continued development of cluster managers and skill development, cooperation in the field of digitalisation, cooperation in the field of railway security, promoting vocational training and continued cooperation on an India-German centre for sustainability.

According to CNN-News 18, Modi said India and Germany are working together in the field of development and since Germany is adept at skill development, it can help India in honing the talent of 800 million youths. This will lead India to the path of development and growth, he added.

"Germany is a very reliable partner for India and it has helped India in Indian Railways," Modi said.

The prime minister recounted how Germany associated with India in the Clean Ganga Project.

"I admire Chancellor Angela Merkel's vision. Climate change is a major challenge for us and there will be no compromise on global protection," the prime minister said.

The prime minister said that Germany is a key partner for Make in India as it sets global benchmarks.

"Democracy and global order are the demands of this world. Our joint focus is very clear," Modi said after his talks with Merkel. "I learnt a lot about the European Union from Merkel," the prime minister said before signing off.

Modi on terrorism

Terrorism also figured majorly during the talks between Modi and Merkel.

"Terrorism poses a grave threat to future generations. Humanitarian forces must unite to combat the menace," the visiting prime minister said.

Modi spoke of cyber security being another challenge and said they have to address it on real time basis. "Intelligence sharing can help us thwart all cyber security threats," he said.

Merkel on partnership with India

Terming India as a "reliable partner", Merkel sought to deepen cooperation with the South Asian nation going forward.

"We have a great interest in India's development. In supporting India in its development, German companies will also get a great opportunity," the German chancellor said.
Seoul: North Korea confirmed that its test-firing of a precision-guided ballistic missile was "successful", the state-run news agency KCNA reported on Tuesday, a day after the projectile landed in waters provocatively close to Japan.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un supervised the launch of the "new-type precision guided ballistic rocket"  the third missile test by the nuclear-armed regime in less than three weeks and carried out in defiance of United Nations sanctions warnings and United States threats of possible military action.

"The ballistic rocket flew toward the east sky where the day broke and correctly hit a planned target point... after flying over the middle shooting range," the report said.

South Korea's military earlier said the Scud-type missile travelled eastward for 450 km. Japan said it believed it had fallen into its exclusive economic zone, extending 200 nautical miles from the coast.

The missile test triggered swift condemnation from United States president Donald Trump, who said it showed "disrespect" for neighbouring China, the North's sole major ally, which has sought to dampen tensions over Pyongyang's weapons programme.

The launch was aimed at testing a weapon "capable of making ultra-precision strike on the enemies' objects at any area", the North Korean report said.

"It also verified ultra-precision guidance correctness in the re-entry section," it said.

"Whenever news of our valuable victory is broadcast... the Yankees would be very much worried about it and the gangsters of the south Korean puppet army would be dispirited more and more," the report quoted Kim as saying.

It added that the projectile was showcased for the first time last month as part of Pyongyang's annual military parade to mark the 105th birth anniversary of the regime's founder Kim Il-Sung.

Following North Korea's test-firing earlier in May of what analysts said was its longest-range rocket yet, the United Nations Security Council vowed to push all countries to tighten sanctions against Pyongyang.

But China has made it clear that the push for talks  and not more sanctions  is its priority. It pleaded again for dialogue on Tuesday.

"We hope that related parties can remain calm and restrained, ease the tension on the peninsula, and bring the peninsula issue into the right track of peaceful dialogue again," the Chinese foreign ministry said.

The United States has said it is willing to enter into talks only if the North halts its missile and nuclear tests.

Several rounds of United Nations sanctions have done little to stop the isolated regime from pushing ahead with its ambition to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can deliver a nuclear warhead to the continental United States.
Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un supervised the test of a new ballistic missile controlled by a precision guidance system and ordered the development of more powerful strategic weapons, the North's official KCNA news agency reported on Tuesday.

The missile launched on Monday was equipped with an advanced automated pre-launch sequence compared with previous versions of the "Hwasong" rockets, North Korea's name for its Scud-class missiles, KCNA said. That indicated the North had launched a modified Scud-class missile, as South Korea's military has said.

The North's test launch of a short-range ballistic missile landed in the sea off its east coast and was the latest in a fast-paced series of missile tests defying international pressure and threats of more sanctions.

Kim said the reclusive state would develop more powerful weapons in multiple phases in accordance with its timetable to defend North Korea against the United States.

"He expressed the conviction that it would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send a bigger 'gift package' to the Yankees" in retaliation for American military provocation, KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

South Korea said it had conducted a joint drill with a US supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber on Monday. North Korea's state media earlier accused the United States of staging a drill to practise dropping nuclear bombs on the Korean peninsula.

The US Navy said its aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Carl Vinson, also planned a drill with another US nuclear carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, in waters near the Korean peninsula.

A US Navy spokesman in South Korea did not give specific timing for the strike group's planned drill.

North Korea calls such drills a preparation for war.

Monday's launch followed two successful tests of medium-to-long-range missiles in as many weeks by the North, which has been conducting such tests at an unprecedented pace in an effort to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting the mainland United States.

Such launches, and two nuclear tests since January 2016, have been conducted in defiance of US pressure, UN resolutions and the threat of more sanctions.

They also pose one of the greatest security challenges for US President Donald Trump, who portrayed the latest missile test as an affront to China.

"North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile ... but China is trying hard!" Trump said on Twitter.

Precision guidance

Japan has also urged China to play a bigger role in restraining North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's top national security adviser, Shotaro Yachi, met China's top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, for five hours of talks near Tokyo on Monday after the North's latest test.

Yachi told Yang that North Korea's actions had reached a new level of provocation.

"Japan and China need to work together to strongly urge North Korea to avoid further provocative actions and obey things like United Nations resolutions," Yachi was quoted as telling Yang in a statement by Japan's foreign ministry.

A statement from China's foreign ministry after the meeting made no mention of North Korea.

North Korea has claimed major advances with its rapid series of launches, claims that outside experts and officials believe may be at least partially true but are difficult to verify independently.

A South Korean military official said the North fired one missile on Monday, clarifying an earlier assessment that there may have been more than one launch.

The test was aimed at verifying a new type of precision guidance system and the reliability of a new mobile launch vehicle under different operational conditions, KCNA said.

However, South Korea's military and experts questioned the claim because the North had technical constraints, such as a lack of satellites, to operate a terminal-stage missile guidance system properly.

"Whenever news of our valuable victory is broadcast recently, the Yankees would be very much worried about it and the gangsters of the south Korean puppet army would be dispirited more and more," KCNA cited leader Kim as saying.
DUBAI Oman is mediating between Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's government and its Houthi opponents over a U.N. plan to resume peace talks in the war-torn country, a Yemeni government official said on Tuesday.Yemen has been torn by two years of civil war, which has killed over 10,000 people, displaced more than three million and ruined the country's infrastructure. The war, which has sucked in a Saudi-led Arab coalition, has shown little sign of ending.The war has been exploited by al Qaeda and the Islamic State group to widen their influence in the impoverished country, prompting repeated U.S. air strikes against militants.The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdel-Malek al-Mekhlafi was in Muscat at Oman's invitation to discuss ways to bridge differences with the Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa with their allies, over plans presented by the U.N. special envoy to Yemen last week.

The plans, presented by U.N. Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed during a regional tour last week, included confidence building measures such as turning over the Red Sea port of Hodeidah to a neutral party, opening Sanaa airport for civilian traffic and paying civil servants' salaries.U.N. aid chief Stephen O'Brien warned on Tuesday that any attempt to extend the war to the strategic port city would "directly and irrevocably drive the Yemeni population further into starvation and famine". [nL1N1IW0YM]The Omani side has conveyed to Mekhlafi the Houthis' willingness to accept this plan but also its insistence that civil servants' salaries be paid first.

"The differences regarding Hodeidah now centre on the identity of the neutral party which will manage the port," the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters.Oman maintains good ties with the Houthis, who seized Sanaa in 2014 in a campaign that eventually forced Hadi to flee to Saudi Arabia in 2015 with his government. The Gulf Arab state had long mediated in international affairs, including facilitating talks between Iran and the United States.

Hadi's government, which had recently made some small gains at the battlefront after months after a long stalemate, has threatened to attack Hodeidah, where most of Yemen's food and humanitarian supplies enter, unless the Houthis agreed to turn the facility over to neutral observers.The Houthis have in turn demanded that the Saudi-led coalition that controls Yemen's airspace allow Sanaa airport to reopen and that the Yemen central bank, which Hadi had moved last year from Sanaa to Aden, pay salaries that had been withheld from civil servants for several months.The Yemeni official said the Omani side have informed Mekhlafi in talks on Monday that the Houthis were ready to agree to Ould Cheikh Ahmed's plan in full."The differences are not confined to the neutral party that will administer Hodeidah port," the official said. (Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari; Writing by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Tom Heneghan)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Heekyong Yang and Ju-min Park

| SEOUL

SEOUL South Korean President Moon Jae-in has ordered a probe after the Defence Ministry failed to inform him that four more launchers for the controversial U.S. THAAD anti-missile system had been brought into the country, his spokesman said on Tuesday.The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system battery was initially deployed in March in the southeastern region of Seongju with just two of its maximum load of six launchers to counter a growing North Korean missile threat.During his successful campaign for the May 9 presidential election, Moon called for a parliamentary review of the system, whose deployment has also infuriated China, North Korea's lone major ally. "President Moon said it was very shocking" to hear the four additional launchers had been installed without being reported to the new government or to the public, presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan told a media briefing.Moon had campaigned on a more moderate approach to Pyongyang, calling for engagement even as the reclusive state pursues nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions and threats of more sanctions.The U.S. military in South Korea did not have immediate comment on Moon's comments. The South Korean military also did not immediately comment.CHINA TENSIONS EASING

Moon's order of a probe into the THAAD launchers came amid signs of easing tensions between major trading partners South Korea and China. South Korea's Jeju Air said on Tuesday China has approved a plan to double its flights to the Chinese city of Weihai from June 2.China has been incensed over the THAAD deployment, fearing it could give the U.S. military the capability of seeing into its own missile systems, and could open the door to a wider deployment of the system, possibly in Japan and elsewhere, military analysts say.

China has denied it had discriminated against South Korean companies, which have faced product boycotts and bans on Chinese tourists visiting South Korea. A Korean-Chinese joint drama My Goddess, My Mom" starring South Korean actress Lee Da-hae, whose broadcast had been indefinitely delayed in China, was told by its Chinese partner recently that it will soon be aired, according to JS Pictures, Lee's agent. An official at South Korean tour agency Mode Tour told Reuters it hoped China may lift a ban on selling trips to South Korea, which had been in place since March 15, as early as the second week of June. Although there have been no official orders from the Chinese government to lift the ban, a few Chinese travel agencies have sent inquiries about package tours, he said. However, Lotte Group has yet to reopen any of the 74 retail stores in China it was forced to close in March after the group allowed South Korea to install the THAAD system on land it owned. BOMBER DRILL

The United States, which has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, has a mutual defence treaty with Seoul dating back to the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a truce that has left the peninsula in a technical state of war.South Korea's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday it had conducted a joint drill with a U.S. supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber on Monday. North Korea's state media had earlier accused the United States of staging "a nuclear bomb dropping drill".

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talked to Moon by phone on Tuesday, Japan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, and both agreed that North Korea's continued provocations were unacceptable.Abe told Moon that dialogue for dialogue's sake with North Korea would be meaningless, and that China's role in exerting pressure on the North was important.The North's KCNA news agency reported leader Kim Jong Un supervised Monday's test of a missile equipped with a new precision guidance system and an improved pre-launch automated sequence and a new mobile launch vehicle.Kim said North Korea would develop more powerful weapons in multiple phases in accordance with its timetable to defend North Korea against the United States."He expressed the conviction that it would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send a bigger 'gift package' to the Yankees" in retaliation for American military provocation, KCNA quoted Kim as saying. (Additional reporting by Jack Kim, Hyunjoo Jin, Christine Kim and Suyeong Lee in Seoul and Kiyoshi Takenaka in Tokyo; Writing by Bill Tarrant; Editing by Nick Macfie)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Seoul: South Korea's new liberal president is demanding an investigation because he says he wasn't told about the arrival of several additional launchers for a

contentious US missile defense system meant to cope with North Korea's nuclear threats.

Before taking office on 10 May, Moon Jae-in vowed to review the THAAD system's deployment, which has infuriated both Pyongyang and Beijing, which considers the system'spowerful radar a security threat.

Moon's office said Tuesday that it found that four additional THAAD launchers have arrived in South Korea since the original two launchers were installed in April.

It says the former government's defense ministry didn't report the arrival of the additional launchers when it gave Moon a policy briefing after his inauguration.

Seoul said in early May that THAAD was operating.
Colombo: Sri Lankan authorities on Tuesday grappled with the paucity of safe drinking water in flood-hit regions and appealed for public assistance in cleaning up wells contaminated during the country's worst torrential rains in 14 years that has claimed 183 lives.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the adverse weather condition had left 112 people injured and nearly six lakh people have been forced from their homes, with thousands suffering structural damage from flood inundation and landslides.

State television broadcast called for public assistance to clean drinking wells contaminated by the monsoon floods.

Sri Lanka's water supply minister Rauf Hakeem said 40 percent of those affected did not have access to piped drinking water, and there was an urgent need to clean contaminated wells in flood-affected areas.

"Our workers have volunteered to join a major clean up," the minister told reporters in Colombo, adding water distribution stations had also been flooded, disrupting the piped supply.

In total, 5,45,243 people of 1,42,811 families had been affected by the weather calamity. The southwest monsoon unleashed torrential rains, which ravaged 14 districts in the western and southern parts of the country on Friday and Thursday.

The disaster is described as one of the worst-ever calamities since the 2003 floods.

The official death toll was at 183, with another 110 people were listed as missing, the Daily Mirror reported.

The Meterological Department (MeT) in its weather forecast said the cyclonic storm MORA is expected to get weakened when it enters the Bangladesh land and the possibility for heavy rain and strong winds will be reduced by Wednesday.

However, under its influence, cloudy skies, windy and showery conditions are expected over the country.

The MeT warned that the sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai and sea area off the coast extending from Galle to Batticaloa via Hambantota can be very rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 70-80 kmph.

There were scattered showers in many parts of Sri Lanka in the past 24 hours but flood waters were rapidly receding, officials said.

The DMC had issued an urgent evacuation warning last evening instructing residents living along the Kelani River and within the Divisional Secretariats of Kollonnawa, Kaduwela, Wellampitiya, Kelaniya, Biyagama, Sedawatte, Dompe, Hanwella, Padukka and Avissawella to move to safer areas.

The DMC said the residents of Meethotamulla were already evacuated.

It said water levels in the Kelani River were rising rapidly as indicted by the water gauges at Nagalagam Street, Hanwella and Glencourse and warned residents to move away from the vulnerable area as it was under an imminent flood threat.

Those living along the banks of Nilwala Ganga, The Gin Ganga and Kalu Ganga were also asked to move to safer areas because of the rising water levels.

Meanwhile, the DMC requested the people to be vigilant on rising water levels.

"Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces. Heavy falls (about 150 mm) can be expected at some places," it said.

Charities have warned on Monday that thousands of people affected by the floods and landslides are at risk of potentially fatal diseases such as dengue fever, as the death toll from the disaster continued to rise.

Sri Lanka has sought international assistance, with India sending two naval ships laden with supplies over the weekend.

Indian Navy diving and medical teams arrived in INS Shardul on Monday and have been deployed to assist Sri Lanka Navy operations at Kalutara, Ratmalana and Galle.

Following India's lead in sending out emergency relief to Sri Lanka, more countries have started pledging assistance to provide relief to the flood victims.
Colombo: The death toll from the devastating floods and landslides which hit Sri Lanka has increased to 164, with 104 people still reportedly missing, the Disaster Management Centre said on Monday.

Over 400,000 people were affected by the severe rains and strong winds that started on 24 May, and over 1,00,000 people were relocated, Xinhua reported.

People residing in low lying areas towards southern Sri Lanka were advised to evacuate due to the threat of rivers overflowing as the meteorology department on Monday warned of more rains followed by strong winds.

The meteorology department said that the depression in the east central Bay of Bengal had intensified in to a Cyclonic storm "MORA" but was now moving away from the island.

Under its influence cloudy skies, windy and showery conditions are expected across the country, the department said.

"Strong winds about 80 kmph can be expected over the country (these wind conditions are especially expected over the western slope of the central hills) and surrounding sea areas," the department said in its latest weather report.

It also said that rains or thundershowers would occur at times in the western, Sabaragamuwa, southern, north-western and central provinces.

Heavy rains above 100 mm could be expected at some places, particularly in the western slope of the central hills.

Aid has continued to pour into Sri Lanka.

Tri forces along with rescue teams continued search and rescue operations while many other teams were also seen distributing dry ration and food to those who remained in their houses which were partially inundated.

Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena who visited some of the worst affected areas over the weekend has assured immediate relief to the victims, and has pledged to build new homes.
Russian president Vladimir Putin is a bigger threat to world security than the 'so-called' Islamic State (IS) group, according to veteran United States senator John McCain, who also admits President Donald Trump makes him "nervous".

Republican McCain, one of Trump's most outspoken critics in his own party, said Russia's alleged meddling in elections was a danger to democracy.

"I think he (Putin) is the premier and most important threat, more so than IS," McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation late on Monday.

"I think IS can do terrible things... but it is the Russians who are trying, who tried to destroy the very fundamental of democracy and that is to change the outcome of an American election,"

"I have seen no evidence they succeeded but they tried and they are still trying. They just tried to affect the outcome of the French election,"

"So I view Putin, who has dismembered the Ukraine, a sovereign nation, who is putting pressure on the Baltics... I view the Russians as the greatest challenge that we have," McCain said.

McCain's comments come with the Trump team embroiled in controversy over its relationship with Moscow, which United States intelligence agencies say tried to sway last November's election in the property tycoon's favour.

A broad investigation into Russia's apparent meddling is being led by Robert Mueller, a respected former FBI director who was given wide powers to pursue the case as a special counsel.

The United States Senate and House Intelligence committees are also leading their own probes.

Over the weekend, the furore pierced the innermost circle of the White House with reports that Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner sought a secret communications link to Russia  an allegation the president called "fabricated."

Asked about the Kushner revelation, McCain, in Australia on a visit, said: "My view of it is I don't like it,"

"I know that some administration officials are saying 'well that's standard procedure',"

"I don't think that it's standard procedure prior to the inauguration of a president of the United States by someone who is not in an appointed position," McCain said.

When put to him by the ABC that some people feel nervous about international security with Trump as president, McCain said he understood why.

"I am nervous from time to time," he said. "I do believe that the president has great confidence in the national security team. I do believe most of the time that he accepts their advice and counsel,"

"Can I tell you that he does (that) all the time? No. Does it bother me? Yes, it bothers me."
Taron Margaryan: The City Council will have interesting sittings (video)

All factions represented in the City Councils have worked well in the past four years. They have had achievements but it is not enough, Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan said during the last sitting of the outgoing City Council. He added that the demands of Yerevan citizens are not fully met. In view of drawbacks, I can only say that we did not have enough time [to address them all]. But we have received the vote of confidence of our co-citizens. And this period is enough to realize everything else, he said. Speaking about an incident that occurred in one of his campaign offices on the day of municipal elections in Yerevan, Mr Margaryan said, We had normal elections. I do not want to assess other political forces; all of them are members of the City Council and received a vote of confidence by residents. They are ready to serve the interests of our citizens and we are ready to cooperate with them. Zaruhi Postanjyan earlier announced that that she was going to turn Taron Margaryans life into a living hell. When asked to comment on Postanjyans statement, the Yerevan mayor said, I think we are going to have interesting sittings [with Postanjyan's presence]. You will attend them and see everything with your own eyes. Asked whether Postanjyan was ill-disposed towards him, Taron Margaryan said, The time will come and you will see everything.
President Frank Underwoods return helped push Netflix stock to an all-time high on Tuesday, as investors anticipate the boost House of Cards has historically provided to the streaming companys subscriber base.

Netflix was trading above $164 in the hours after House of Cards fifth season was released in its entirety. The political drama, which stars Kevin Spacey as Underwood and Robin Wright as his formidable wife and running mate, Claire, is widely considered the crown jewel of the streaming services original content series.

In anticipation of the series return, brokerage firm Loop Capital raised its price target from $172 to $180, citing its ability to drive subscriber growth. David Miller, the firms managing director, noted that Netflix delivered 2.23 million domestic subscribers when House of Cards fourth season debuted in Q1 2016, far exceeding Wall Streets expectations.

The next 1-2 weeks' worth of trading sessions should be very interesting, and likely rewarding, for long investors of NFLX because of [House of Cards return].  We believe the same pattern is set to take place here. Miller wrote in a May 23 research note.

Though traditionally slated for release earlier in the year, Netflix delayed House of Cards debut this year after showrunner Beau Willimon left his role. Miller cited Willimons departure, as well as prior commitments for Spacey and a robust slate of new original series in Q1, as further cause for the shows delayed arrival.

With 110,000+ titles to choose from, and with the NFLX recommendation engine so sophisticated, our research reveals that most subscribers have more titles in the queues than they have time to watch, Miller wrote. That said, we do admit that there are certain original series produced in-house by NFLX which clearly move both the U.S. and International subscriber lines, and hence, move the stock, and House of Cards is one of them.

Netflix blamed its disappointing subscriber growth in its most recent fiscal quarter on the delay in House of Cards production. The company said it hit the 100 million subscriber milestone last month, and plans to add an additional 3.2 million subscribers in Q2.
Anahit Bakhshyan will not join Zaruhi Postanjyan

I am not going to join anyone to create a living hell for another person, Anahit Bakhshyan, a member of the Yerevan Council of Elders, said after she was asked whether she was going to join Zaruhi Postanjyan and turn [Mayor] Taron Margaryans life into a living hell. I am coming to work and cooperate, raise problems and demand a solution to them, control the activities of the mayor. I do not want to see a hell anywhere, said Anahit Bakhshyan. She says she has learned serious lessons from her four-year work in the City Council and she is going to use her experience in her future work. Everyone must work and consistently raise the problems. Only in that case shall we be able to change many things. Anahit Bakhshyan is most concerned over the imperfection of question and answer session during the sittings of the previous council. She says they will not allow such things to occur during the sittings of the next City Council. The Municipality does not like question and answer sessions and wants to have them removed from the agenda but they are envisaged by law.
Churchill Downs Inc. has moved its online wagering operations from Silicon Valley to its Kentucky hometown, where the Kentucky Derby is run at its namesake racetrack.

A decade ago, when the company was building its TwinSpires online wagering business, the operations were based in California to tap into its high-tech prowess. Now the company is confident it can fill those high-tech skills in Louisville, its CEO Bill Carstanjen said Tuesday.

"When we thought the skill sets were strong enough here in the state where we could duplicate all of those skills, that's when we really wanted to do it," he said. "Because we always liked the idea of the strategists of the business ... being located here with the rest of us."

TwinSpires has become a lucrative part of the Louisville-based racing and gambling company as a platform for mobile wagering on thoroughbred, harness and quarter horse races.

In 2016, $1.1 billion was wagered through TwinSpires, amounting to 10 percent of total betting on U.S. races, the company said.

"Technology, specifically mobile, is the equine industry's fastest-growing sector," Carstanjen said.

TwinSpires employs more than 200 people, altogether. That includes operations that will continue in Lexington, Kentucky. It plans to add 25 more Louisville employees. The parent company said it is investing $2.2 million to expand its Louisville offices to house TwinSpires headquarters.

No state incentives were used to lure those headquarters to Kentucky, Carstanjen said. Churchill executives cited efforts to make Louisville a tech hub as a key factor for the relocation.

"Ten years ago, it was really a challenge for us to imagine building this business in Kentucky, when it seemed that so many of the resources and types of skills we needed were found more easily in California," Carstanjen said. "Frankly, we didn't think we could do it here."

Gov. Matt Bevin, who toured the headquarters, said the TwinSpires relocation reflects his goal of making the bluegrass state "a net attractor of young talent, smart talent."

"It's a compliment to us ... to this community, to the commonwealth of Kentucky that it's a place where you can bring high-tech jobs," he said.
The Trump administration is nearing completion of a policy review to determine how far it goes in rolling back former President Barack Obamas engagement with Cuba and could make an announcement next month, according to current and former U.S. officials and people familiar with the discussions.

President Donald Trumps advisers are crafting recommendations that could call for tightening some of the trade and travel rules that Obama eased in his rapprochement with Havana but which are expected to stop short of breaking diplomatic relations restored in 2015 after more than five decades of hostility, the sources said.

The policy review, coordinated by the National Security Council, is expected pick up steam now that Trump has returned from his first foreign trip, one administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump threatened in a tweet shortly after his election in November to terminate Obamas approach unless Cuba made significant concessions, something its Communist leadership is unlikely to do.

The White House said in February that Cuba policy was under comprehensive review and that human rights on the island would be a major part of any revised strategy.

Obama implemented his Cuba normalization measures through executive actions that bypassed Congress, and Trump is believed to have the power to undo much of it with the stroke of a pen.

DIVISIONS IN TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

But there are divisions within his administration over to what extent he should go, especially given that Obamas opening to Washingtons former Cold War foe has created opportunities for American companies ranging from telecommunications to airlines.

Some aides have argued that Trump, a former real estate magnate who won the presidency promising to unleash U.S. businesses and create jobs, would have a hard time defending any moves that close off the Cuban market.

A group of 54 U.S. senators reintroduced legislation last Thursday to repeal all remaining restrictions on travel to Cuba, signaling support for U.S.-Cuba detente on Capitol Hill.

But the Republican administration has been under heavy pressure from Cuban-American lawmakers such as U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart to take a much harder line than Trump's Democratic predecessor.

There is little support in the administration, however, for a full-scale reversal of Obama's steps that began with a breakthrough with Cuban President Raul Castro in 2014.

Among the options under consideration are tightening restrictions on U.S. firms doing business with Cuban state or military enterprises and re-imposing stricter rules on Americans traveling there, according to people familiar with the discussions.

It remains unclear, however, which recommendation will make their way to Trump, though the sources said a list was likely to be ready for his consideration in coming days or weeks.

Were getting closer, an administration official said.

An announcement of changes could come as soon as June, according to the official and people familiar with the matter.

The Daily Caller newspaper reported on Sunday that Trump would announce policy changes in a June speech in Miami, citing sources from a group opposed to the broader U.S. economic embargo that remains in place against Cuba.

But the timing could also depend on factors such as whether Trump fills key Latin America posts at the State Department and elsewhere that remain vacant, sources told Reuters.

The White House considered making a Cuba announcement on May 20 to mark the 115th anniversary of Cuba's independence, but that coincided with Trump's overseas trip and the review also was not yet finished, the sources said.

(Reporting By Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Updated

Uber has fired Anthony Levandowski, an executive at the center of a high-profile legal battle between the ride-hailing company and Google over driverless car technology.

Waymo, the self-driving venture of Alphabets (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google, filed a lawsuit against Uber claiming it used stolen trade secrets to develop its own autonomous vehicles. Levandowski, who was once a Google engineer, allegedly swiped the documents from his former employer.

Uber has denied the accusations in court, although Levandowski recently elected to use his Fifth Amendment rights when the company was ordered by a judge to turn over files. A spokesperson for Uber said it had been urging Levandowski to cooperate with an internal investigation for months, adding that he did not meet a deadline set by the company.

Earlier this month, the judge presiding over the case suggested that it warrants a criminal investigation. However, he added that few of the allegedly stolen trade secrets appear in Ubers self-driving technology.

Levandowski is a co-founder of Otto, a San Francisco-based startup focused on developing software for self-driving big-rigs. Uber acquired Otto in 2016, and Levandowski became a vice president of technology at Uber.

Waymo believes that Levandowski downloaded 14,000 documents while he still worked at Google, where he was a senior engineer in the tech giants fledgling driverless car venture. Waymo, which recently struck a new partnership with Uber rival Lyft, is attempting to show that Uber was aware of Levandowskis alleged actions. Uber has fought back against those claims.

The Uber spokesperson said employees who previously worked for Levandowski will now report to Eric Meyhofer, who took charge of the companys Advanced Technologies Group in April.
Hermitage Capital Management CEO Bill Browder on Tuesday called Russia an enemy of the United States and explained how it could inflict more harm on America than ISIS.

ISIS is a bunch of ragtag terrorists whereas Russia is a kleptocracy, a mafia state with nuclear weapons. They [Russia] could annihilate the United States of America and they very well may if we play our cards badly with these people, he told FOX Business Liz Claman in an exclusive interview.

Browder added that Russian President Vladimir Putin used the countrys primary security agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB), to meddle in the U.S. presidential election.

Its pretty clear that Vladimir Putin ordered it. This is what he [Putin] does, we shouldnt feel too special. He does it to everybody. He did it to France, he did it to the Netherlands and he did it to Germanyeven the little country of Malta is being messed around with electoral Russian meddling.

Browder, who ran one of the largest foreign investment fund in Russian companies from 1996-2006, said he became a threat to Russia after discovering huge massive stealing in the oil and gas companies he invested.

I decided that I was going to try to research how they did the stealing and then expose it through the international media and for a while this was an extremely profitable investment strategy, but as you can imagine, the guys who were doing the stealing werent so happy about me exposing their ill-gotten gains, he said.

As a result, Browder said he was inexplicably arrested, blacklisted by the Russian government as a threat to national security and expelled from the country in 2005.

According to Browder, his Russian tax lawyer and partner, Sergei Magnitsky, who remained in the country, challenged the Russian government over massive tax fraud and later died in prison in 2009.

Vladimir Putin and his regime tortured and murdered my lawyer for discovering $230 million that was stolen. It wasnt stolen from me. These were taxes that we paid that were stolen from the Russian government. He exposed it and then he was tortured for 358 days and killed, he said.
The number of speeding tickets issued by the Florida Highway Patrol has dropped for three straight years as the agency deals with a shortage of troopers.

Since 2010, the agency has lost 993 troopers  or about half of its workforce of 1,946 troopers, to retirement or resignations, the highway patrol's director Col. Gene Spaulding told the Tampa Bay Times.

"That's a big turnover," said Spaulding, a 24-year veteran of the agency. "That's really tough."

This spring, for example, Spaulding said the agency has 240 vacancies and the reinforcements aren't filling the void. The trooper academy typically has 80 recruits per class three times a year. He said the current class doesn't even have half of that number.

Meantime, Spaulding said the agency does what it can to provide public safety, patrolling areas that include Interstates 4, 75 and 95 and Florida's Turnpike in the nation's third most populated state that also doubles as a tourist destination.

The Herald cited low pay as a possible reason for high turnover. A starting trooper in Florida makes about $34,000, the same wage that's been in effect since 2005. In Mississippi, starting pay for a trooper is $38,000 and $47,000 in Louisiana.

It's been three years since the last pay raise for most of state law enforcement. The $82.4 billion budget passed this year by the Florida Legislature includes a 5 percent raise. Even so, the salaries will remain behind troopers in surrounding states. And, the Herald noted, local police and sheriff agencies are luring troopers with pay increases. In Miami-Dade County, for example, the starting salary is over $50,000.

"This is crisis," state Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, told the newspaper. He's been advocating for two years for across-the-board pay raises for state workers.

Spaulding said response times for troopers are getting longer as the workload increases. In 2011, the state reported 229,000 crashes. In 2016, the number increased to 395,000 crashes. And the number of tickets written by troopers has dropped about 18 percent from 317,000 in 2011 to 258,000 in 2016.

Local governments are picking up the slack, said Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight, who spent 20 years working for the highway patrol. In 2008, for example, Knight said the sheriff's department worked 38 percent of the crashes in Sarasota County. Now it's up to 71 percent.

"It's not the fault of the highway patrol," Knight said, adding that the Legislature is not stepping up to take care of the highway patrol.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the Tampa Bay Times was responsible for the source story.
Canadian actor William Shatner wont discuss American politics or President Donald Trump.

I dont want to discuss Trump or [George] Takei, the 86-year-old actor told The Daily Beast. Listen, Im Canadian and Im apolitical. I love America. I consider myself a guest here. I wont do anything that might get me deported.

The news publication reported that in the run-up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Shatner was mum on candidate Trump. In September 2016, he was also one of the few notable absences when the cast and crew of Star Trek past and present signed an open letter endorsing Hillary Clinton, claiming that Trump stood against the shows message of inclusion.

WILLIAM SHATNER SUED FOR $170 MILLION

However, after the election results came in, Shatner tweeted the following:

Takei recently compared Trump to an alien life form during an appearance on MSNBC.

Today, in this society, we have alien life forms that we call trolls, said the 80-year-old. And these trolls carry on without knowing what theyre talking about and some of these trolls go on to become presidents of nations.

Takei added Trump is no different than the trolls who have criticized Star Treks more diverse cast.

Meanwhile, Shatner is choosing to focus on his career.

Id like to be on The Voice and sing a song from my forthcoming Christmas album, he said on his show business goal. That reminds me I havent recorded the album yet. I must do that before I get old!
Travel Channel's hit series "Man v. Food" has long been a favorite of extreme food fanatics.

This summer, the show that made Adam Richman a household name is back with new episodes after a five year hiatus-- but with one big thing missing: the show's original host.

The series, which originally ran for four seasons from 2008 to 2012, featured Richman eating his way across America, taking on the most extreme challenges, from fiery hot foods to larger than life platters.

But the new season of Man v. Food will be hosted by food lover, actor and restaurant business veteran Casey Webb, Travel Channel announced earlier this month.

And the internet is not happy about it.

COMPETITIVE EATER DEVOURS 255 MARSHMALLOW PEEPS, BREAKS WORLD RECORD

Fans of the original show's host havent held back in expressing their opinions over the reboot's new face. Online, people have even gone so far as to start a social media petition, encouraging others to write to Travel Channel to show the network their support of Richman, claiming hes the reason the show succeeded.

Many people have stated they wont be watching the new show without the original host. Twitter user Kate McLoughney wrote, Definitely won't be watching this.. No one can replace @AdamRichman !!

Gioia Rizzo tweeted, What a joke. The show became what it was because of its charismatic host & his passion for food. This is an insult. Done with this channel. Others were in agreement.

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Though Richman may have become famous chowing down on extreme eats, the TV personality has cut back on overindulging in real life, shedding 70 pounds on 2014.

Production for the new Man v. Food began in May, shortly after Travel Channels announcement. For extreme food fans open to checking out the new season with host Casey Webb, the show is set to premiere in August.
A Muslim man claims he was served and accidentally ate pork, a food prohibited in his religion, after ordering a halal pepperoni pizza advertised at Little Caesars.

Now, he plans on making the franchise pay up.

The Detroit News reports that Mohamad Bazzi, 32, saw a sign in the window of a Dearborn, Mich., Little Caesars on March 20 announcing it served halal pepperoni, meaning the food meets Islamic guidelinesthe equivalent of being kosher in Judaism, explains the Detroit Free Press.

He says he ordered a pie that he began eating with his wife at home before they realized the pepperoni was not halal. Bazzi previously worked at a pizza shop and says he was able to see the difference, while his wife, a converted Muslim, tasted the difference having grown up eating pork.

According to court documents, the pair say they became sick and filed a police report three days later. Bazzi returned to the franchise in May and ordered another halal pepperoni pizza, which he claims again contained pork.

When he complained in a recorded conversation, the manager claimed he asked for a regular pepperoni pizza with a halal sticker on the box, which he denies.

"They have no regard for people's religious beliefs," says Bazzis lawyer. "This is a violation of the Muslim faith." A rep for Little Caesars says they cannot comment on pending litigation, but are taking the claim very seriously. Click On Detroit has photos of the franchises signs advertising the halal option as well as Bazzis receipts.

Moughni says the transaction violates a state law referred to as the Wayne County Halal and Kosher Anti-Fraud and Truth-In-Labeling Ordinance, and Bazzi is suing the company to the tune of $100 million.

(Read about a little-known billionaire's job: making cheese for our pizza.)

This article originally appeared on Newser: Muslim Customer Sues Little Caesars for $100M
A terminally ill man in Massachusetts has spent the last few years rebuilding and fixing donated bicycles so that children can enjoy riding a bike regardless of their financial situation.

Just because these kids are poor or live in poverty situations, they dont need to feel that way when they get a bike, Bob Charland, of Springfield, Mass., told Fox News. They need to be happy. They need to be proud that theyre riding something new and shiny to them.

'HEART OF A LION': POWERLIFTER WITH SPECIAL NEEDS HITS PERSONAL BEST

Charland, a trained mechanic who fixes the old bikes with new wheels, brakes, gears and pedals, was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive, degenerative brain disease. The tremors are already evident but he remains undeterred in his work.

It gives me a sense of purpose and then, when I do get to see the smiles on the kids faces, it makes it all worth it, he said.

Charlands work began years ago, but after a local news outlet covered his story, bike donations soared. Behind the Lynndale Garage where he works, there are well over 100 bikes waiting for repair.

Theres no shortage of work and no shortage of bikes, he said.

Dozens of students at DeBerry Elementary School have received a bike from Charland, which Principal Stefania Raschilla said helps make them feel important and special.

INJURY RATES IN YOUNG FEMALE ATHLETES MAY BE UNDERESTIMATED

Some of the students have never had a bike before and so they were so excited to have these bikes and have the opportunity to go home and share then with their siblings, Raschilla said.

Children often repay Charland in the form of thank you notes and letters.

I love getting the letters from kids, he said. I love getting the cards, parents saying thank you. When you have somebody in first grade writing you a letter it really means a lot. Its huge.

Charland said that he wants to keep going as long as he can, and that is long-term goal is to turn his Pedal Through Youth start-up into an official non-profit organization.

Im going to keep doing this as long as I physically can, he said. I think I have a lot of work ahead of me.
One hundred years, one month and 27 days ago, the U.S. Congress declared war on Germany and officially entered into what was then called The Great War. Although the United States troops were relative latecomers to the conflict, its still unlikely that many Americans who served in World War I would consider it great in any fashion.

The war would come to be known for some of the most abysmal fighting conditions ever known by mankind. Trench warfare and chemical weapons like mustard gas covered much of Europe. Even 100 years later, the battlefields are still preserved carefully, to ensure that any residual canisters that may still lie hidden are not accidentally discharged.

In the relatively short amount of time the United States spent in World War I, from 1917-1918, more than 115,000 Americans were killed, among the 4.7 million U.S. service members overall.

On this Memorial Day, to be able to stand in the same locations our predecessors stood 100 years ago, its a stark reminder of the tremendous impact these men and women had at home and abroad.

But their service and their legacy live on today, as we, and several of our students, will see firsthand as we travel to Europe to retrace the experiences of some of the individuals who came before us.

Over the past three years, weve focused on the 715 members of the Bucknell University community who served and have learned incredible stories of selflessness and sacrifice. And now weve traveled to battlefields and grown closer to the Bucknellians who put their lives on hold in order to serve.

Student Anthony Paolella chose to research George Wilson Potts, Class of 1913; Potts was one of the 40 Bucknellians who gave their life to the effort. Julia Carita chose to study Thomas W. Agnew, who served in the ambulance corps and earned the French Croix de Guerre with a bronze star before returning and graduating in 1920.

Amy Collins researched 1st Lieutenant Charles OBrien, who, in September 1918, despite a serious leg wound, continued to lead his men until felled, and received the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously. And Julia Stevens focused on Katherine Baker, who served as a nurse alongside the French troops. She worked so tirelessly that a building of the Henri Rollet Association for at-risk children outside of Paris is dedicated to her.

These stories are just a few of the men and women who served in WWI, but they encapsulate the stories of all service members, across all wars and across all generations so well.

Among other stops, our team will also travel to Varennes-en-Argonne, where the state of Pennsylvania erected and still maintains a monument to commemorate all of the states soldiers, sailors, and Marines who served and gave their lives in France.

In wars that were fought thousands of miles away from our shores, its easy to lose sight of the impact these men and women had at home and abroad.

On this Memorial Day, to be able to stand in the same locations our predecessors stood 100 years ago, its a stark reminder of the tremendous task placed before them.

Were honored to have the opportunity to remember them in this fashion, thanks in large part to their answering that call.

David Del Testa is associate professor of history at Bucknell University and Adrian Mulligan is associate professor of geography at Bucknell University. Both serve as advisors for the Bucknellians in WWI project
Armenian FM: Azerbaijan's act directed against the OSCE itself

Remarks by Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian at the joint press conference with Lamberto Zannier, the OSCE Secretary General Ladies and gentlemen, I am glad to welcome Lamberto Zannier, the OSCE Secretary General, in Yerevan. Armenias involvement in all the dimensions of the OSCEs activity, implementation of the OSCE programmes in Armenia can indeed be considered exemplary. The visit of the Secretary General takes place at a time when the Organization has to close its last office in our region since one of the OSCE participating states, Azerbaijan, by abusing its right of veto, blocked the extension of the mandate of the OSCE Yerevan Office. Baku attempted to present this within Azerbaijan-Armenia dimension, while in reality it is related to the OSCE-Azerbaijan relations. This is an act directed against the OSCE itself. I believe that the OSCE Chairmanship, as well as the participating states and the Secretariat have made relevant conclusions in regard to this destructive step of Baku, which totally contradicts the OSCE vision and goals. Regarding the Office I would like to add that we anticipate that many programmes, which Office has been implementing, will continue to be realized within other formats. We have had a comprehensive discussion with Mr. Zannier both during a tete-a-tete meeting and with participation of delegations that followed. We exchanged views on the issues of the Organization's agenda, activities in all three dimensions, discussed the process of implementation of the priorities of the Austrian Chairmanship. We also touched upon the Parliamentary elections held in Armenia on April 2. We stated that the unprecedented number of observers monitored the elections. The assessments of the international observation missions are indeed valuable, according to which the elections were well organized, fundamental human rights were respected and the voting results reflect the will of the people of Armenia. I presented to Mr. Zannier the efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries aimed at advancing the peaceful settlement process of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. We highlighted the importance of implementation of the agreements reached during the last years summits in Vienna and St. Petersburg, the realization of which, as you know, Azerbaijan continues to obstruct. We also focused on other urgent international and regional security-related issues. Using this opportunity I would like to emphasize that during his six-year tenure the Secretary General and I established solid working contacts and warm personal relations, which greatly contributes to effective cooperation within the OSCE. As most probably, this is the last visit of Mr. Zannier to Armenia in his current capacity, I would like to thank him for close cooperation and wish him every success in his future endeavours.
Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, began shortly after the Civil War. General John A. Logan, a leader of Northern veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance, and May 30, 1868 was designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country.

James Garfield, a politician and former Union general, spoke on the first Decoration Day at Arlington National Cemetery. Almost 150 years later, his message about the cost of our liberty, the sanctity of our institutions and the importance of national unity seems intended for our divisive times.

Garfield was not only a war hero and statesman, but a minister, college president and professor who had taught Greek, Latin and literature. His oratorical skills have long been forgotten, but his words commemorating the fallen should not be lost.

He asserted that they died in defense of the old American principle that all owe due submission and obedience to the lawfully expressed will of the majority. This is not one of the doctrines of our political system -- it is the system itself. It is our political firmament, in which all other truths are set, as stars in Heaven.  Its overthrow would have brought such ruin as might follow in the physical universe, if the power of gravitation were destroyed.

According to Garfield, the Civil War began in a dispute over the results of an election -- an insight worth remembering as we approach Memorial Day 2017.

I love to believe that no heroic sacrifice is ever lost; that the characters of men are molded and inspired by what their fathers have done; that treasured up in American souls are all the unconscious influences of [their] great deeds.

To foster a spirit of national unity, we would do well to remember Garfield's thoughts on the abiding value of America's heroes: I love to believe that no heroic sacrifice is ever lost; that the characters of men are molded and inspired by what their fathers have done; that treasured up in American souls are all the unconscious influences of [their] great deeds.

Following his speech, 5,000 people decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington. At the time, Garfield was a congressman from Ohio. He would eventually become the 20th president and be assassinated only six months after his election in 1881.

Decoration Day gradually became known as Memorial Day. With the advent of World War I, it was changed to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars. It became a federal holiday in 1971.

This year, lets view Memorial Day not simply as an opportunity for a long weekend but as an occasion for reflection on the costliness of liberty. Lets remember the fallen and what was said at the first Decoration Day.

As Garfield urged, let us consider this silent assembly of the dead.  [Their] voices  will forever fill the land like holy benedictions. Here  let them rest, asleep on the Nations heart, entombed in the Nations love!

But while they sleep in our nation's love, let us remain awake, for eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
Did the Russians try to interfere with last Novembers Presidential election? Without a doubt. Were there conversations between Russian representatives and members of the Trump campaign team? Very likely. Did the Russians succeed in altering the outcome of the election in any way, or was the Trump campaign complicit in their attempts? Absolutely not.

What do I base this conclusion on? Having an actual understanding of how campaigns are run and won, whats possible, and whats impossible. And quite frankly, any thinking person who actually takes a few moments to study the 2016 presidential campaign will come to the same conclusions.

But lets be honest, there are some who are so disappointed and stunned by the choice Americans made, so disbelieving of the results, they are remarkably susceptible to believing almost anything. They are absolutely convinced that something must be amiss.

The Democrats, along with too many in the news media, keep obsessing on creating a nexus between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives. This is rooted in their relentless desire to prove that Trump won through some nefarious means. How else do you explain so many blue collar Democrats in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin voting for Trump? With mass hypnosis ruled out, the Russians have been selected as the most plausible culprit to sell to the American people.

There are some who are so disappointed and stunned by the choice Americans made, so disbelieving of the results, they are remarkably susceptible to believing almost anything.

The truth is that no one has given a credible explanation of what the Russians actually did, or even could do, to change or affect the outcome. The most concerning scenario would be actual evidence that the Russians somehow hacked state voting machines, and manipulated the outcomes. But Republican and Democrat officials, including President Obama, have universally agreed this never happened.

So lets start reviewing all the other possibilities. Could the Russians have secretly funneled millions of dollars to the Trump campaign? No, it would have showed up on the spending side when contributions and expenditures didnt match. Other than trying to flood cash in the form of street money, which would likely be immediately exposed, it is virtually impossible to spend significant dollars that remain undetected.

Could the Russians have worked anonymously behind the scenes to provide unmatched strategic advice, sophisticated polling, or innovative TV commercials far superior to the abilities of American pollsters and media consultants? I think you would find unanimous agreement that American consultants on both sides of the aisle are far more advanced than political consultants anywhere else in the world. I would go as far as to say if an entire team of Russian strategists showed up daily to Trump Tower, it would add no real value. So lets also rule that one out.

On a recent appearance on one of the most popular shows on MSNBC, I asked the host what he thought the Russians did to help Trump. He mentioned that they ran very negative stories about Hillary on Russian TV. Im going out on a limb on this one, but Im guessing for most Americans the main source of their political news is not broadcast in Moscow.

On another talk show appearance, I directly asked the Clinton campaign Communications Director what she believed the Russians did to hurt their efforts? She mentioned the hacking and leaking of sensitive emails. This has certainly never been proven, but lets ignore any irony of that claim, and for the moment assume she is correct. So the real smoking gun is that the Russians publically exposed that the DNC and Hillarys campaign secretly conspired to game the system to the detriment of Bernie Sanders?

Ok, where is the conspiracy? There is absolute no logical or strategic reason the Russians needed to collude with the Trump campaign to leak this information. They could simply do it on their own. So if these problematic revelations really did hurt the Clinton campaign, there are two parties that are responsible: The Russians for hacking and leaking, and the Clinton campaign for colluding with the DNC in the first place. But not the Trump campaign.

Furthermore, there seems to be little empirical evidence that exposing the DNC/Clinton exchanges had any real impact on the race. The most scandalous emails were leaked to the public in July. According to the Real Clear Politics (RCP) poll average, Clintons lead in the race actually increased in the weeks that followed.

The Russians' penchant for meddling could lead one to conjecture that quite possibly they acquired other damaging information on Clinton that was covertly passed off to the Trump campaign for them to exploit. Possibly even a full dossier of salacious material from years of spying on Clinton. But can anyone name a single piece of negative information about Hillary distributed by the Trump campaign where the source was a mystery? I think not.

Lets be clear, the witch hunt now underway has absolutely nothing to do with getting to the bottom of the facts, and everything to do with the 2018 elections. And until someone comes up with a single piece of evidence that proves the Russians coordinated with the Trump campaign resulting in the change of a single vote, how about we start worrying about real issues.
Heres some unsolicited advice for German Chancellor Angela Merkel: Achtung!

Merkels uncalled-for remarks about the United States no longer being a trustworthy partner for its European allies set off a frenzy. Was she so displeased with President Trump during last weeks G-7 meeting? Was their discourse so strident that she thought a verbal warning shot was necessary?

Or is she just trying to keep her job?

Remember, Germany has federal elections scheduled for September, and Merkel, while slightly ahead in most polls, has no sure lock on keeping her party, the Christian Democrats, in the majority. A strong, though receding surge for Socialist Martin Schulz, and a newly energized far-right party, the Alternative for Germany, has squeezed the chancellor, who has been in power since 2005.

But Merkels horrible decision to open the gates of Europe to tens of thousands of refugees from the Middle East and Africa turned her own people against her. Only Germanys robust economy has saved her from humiliation in the last round of local elections  often an indicator of how federal elections will turn out.

Since she invited migrants into her country, and forced her neighbors to do the same, Europe has suffered nearly a dozen major terror attacks, none more horrific than the December 2016 Christmas market truck massacre in Berlin, which killed 12 and left Germany feeling very exposed to lone-wolf Islamic horror.

And who was among the first to decry Merkels come-one, come-all policy? Donald Trump. Who spoke up about the lopsided trade deficit the United States has with Germany? Donald Trump. Who lectured European members of NATO  specifically Germany  about not paying its fair share for the continents defense. Same answer.

Among her European counterparts, Merkel is used to being treated with deference. Germany is really the economic engine for the entire continent, and the only country willing to shell out its own resources to bail out the neer-do-wells like Greece, who have become addicted to free money.

When the United Kingdom opted out of the European Union last June, Merkel took it as a personal affront and has since schemed to make the U.K. pay a heavy price for its willfulness.

You might not like Mr. Trump, Frau Merkel. He is rude and outspoken and typically, in your view, American. But remember: Russia is to your east. Vladimir Putin is not impressed with the paltry defense force Europe could put together, if it did not have the United States behind it.

Verstehen?
As a Wellesley graduate, I was shocked and dismayed by Hillary Clintons commencement address. Actually, that is #FakeNews. I was neither shocked nor dismayed by Mrs. Clintons speech (but I did graduate from Wellesley  with honors!) It was exactly the kind of self-pitying, leaden and all-about-me performance that I would have expected from the entitled former Democrat candidate and now sore loser.

Also, it revealed this: Hillary hasnt learned a thing. As her friend Mike Bloomberg recently told an audience of Harvard Business School grads  Hillary lost the election because she had absolutely no message. She still doesnt.

In addition, she is utterly lacking in self-awareness. She spoke at length about what she sees as a full-fledged assault on truth and reason, telling the graduating seniors that the future of America, indeed the future of the world, depends on brave, thoughtful people like you insisting on truth and integrity right now every day. This, from a woman who ran for our nations highest office while distrusted by nearly two-thirds of the country, with good reason.

As long as Mrs. Clinton and her loyalists blame James Comey, Vladimir Putin, sexism and the alt-right for her loss, Democrats will never rebuild their bridges to the working class Americans who elected Donald Trump.

In her remarks, Hillary criticized people  aka Trump followers, presumably  on social media for sowing division at a time when we desperately need unity, and then proceeded to give a highly partisan and divisive speech.

Did she ever consider that there might be families in the audience who voted for her opponent? That they might not enjoy her taking veiled potshots at President Trump, and that this was their daughters day too?

Echoing the liberal media, Hillary went after President Trump through innuendo and cliches, talking about the dangers of fomenting fear and of alternative facts. Good thing there was no Q&A; someone might have wanted further clarification of how she came under sniper fire in Bosnia, or how a video caused the Benghazi attack or how the Monica Lewinsky scandal stemmed from a vast right-wing conspiracy and not Bill Clintons unruly libido.

Hillary trod dangerous pathways as she remarked, when people in power invent their own facts and attack those who question them, it can mark the beginning of the end of a free society. She is correct, of course, but a cursory review of her multiple dodges and lies about her mishandling of classified information and efforts to destroy evidence reveals a woman who fully earned her low trustworthiness ratings from Americans.

The election is over, but Hillary cannot let it go. This is good news for Republicans. As long as Mrs. Clinton and her loyalists blame James Comey, Vladimir Putin, sexism and the alt-right for her loss, Democrats will never rebuild their bridges to the working class Americans who elected Donald Trump.

Hillary Clinton missed an opportunity at Wellesley. She could have delivered a message of unity, and helped our anxious country begin to heal. Her followers need to see her putting country above politics; they need to see her as she briefly appeared at the inauguration, supporting the peaceful and legitimate transfer of power. Apparently, that is just too heavy a lift for Mrs. Clinton. She is happier nursing her wounds, and continuing to inflict them on the country.

The former First Lady could also have talked about the dramatic changes taking place in our economy, and how women are thriving as entrepreneurs. She could have talked about the founders of Rent the Runway, or Sarah Blakely, who created Spanx, or Essie Weingarten, who bet her lifes savings on a new idea and created a nail polish empire sold to LOreal in 2010. These women are inspirational; they didnt shatter glass ceilings, they ignored them. It is true we need women in politics, and running NGOs, but we also need women making money and boosting the economy. Thats where the funding for free college tuition and refugee services comes from  a lesson Hillary may never have learned.

The New York Times tells us that the students cheered Mrs. Clinton thunderously. Of course they did. They have been weaned on courses like Love and Intimacy in the Womens and Gender Studies department or Changing Gender Constructions in the Modern Middle East in the History Department. Theres nothing wrong with those studies, unless they crowd out learning how the progressive policies of Bernie Sanders and Mrs. Clinton have failed in France, for instance, leading to a stagnant economy with few opportunities for progress. Or how capitalism has delivered billions from poverty, including in Communist China, where the growth miracle of recent decades was facilitated by policies that encouraged entrepreneurship and private enterprise.

Hillary Clinton missed some history lessons too, apparently. She alluded to Nixons presidency which would eventually end in disgrace with his impeachment for obstruction of justice. That isnt true, of course; Nixon resigned from office. It was her husband Bill who was impeached. Amazing she would get that wrong, in delivering what was sure to be a much-reviewed address. Maybe a little too much of that Chardonnay, Mrs. Clinton?
Before Facebook battled fake news, it went to war with outrageous clickbait stories. It lost -- to the very news outlets who are supposed to be keepers of journalistic integrity.

At least those news outlets arent truly making up stories. They are just hyping ridiculous, implausible and divisive stories as a way of making money and undermining the president.

The news medias anti-Trump fixation has blossomed into a business model for a struggling industry. The more outlandish the headline, the more people click on it and the more ad revenue it generates. Thats also the precise model for clickbait.

The latest craze has been the push to impeach President Donald Trump. It wont happen, yet so-called news outlets are sending out a tidal wave of digital data on the topic -- stories, videos, tweets and more. Put the word impeachment in a headline and watch traffic skyrocket. Its the same strategy that has driven everything from internet memes to the NeverTrumpers.

Journalists and social media experts know that a polarized electorate means demented liberals and besieged conservatives might both click on an impeachment story. So they report on topics that would have laughed at in the past -- a mixture of impeachment-might-really-happen stories and articles on the dangers of a Pence presidency.

Some of this is standard, far-left outlets promoting the idea, for example. Ezra Kleins Vox site urging, The case for impeaching Trump  and fast; The New Republic getting behind the idea that, Democrats Should Proudly Call for Trumps Impeachment; and HuffPosts especially humorous, The Inevitability Of Impeachment.

Current MSNBC host (as of today) Lawrence ODonnell took that pitch to cable, President Donald Trump now sits at the threshold of impeachment, because of ignorance.

Thats more like wishful thinking than journalism.

Except the major news media are doing the same darn thing. Theres USA Today asking, Impeachment: Donald Trump's worst nightmare? and CNNs legal analyst claiming, There are lots of ways to get to impeachment. ABC, CBS and NBC did their part when news of the alleged Comey memo was released, discussing impeachment, impeachable offenses and the scary sounding I-word.

Yes, some Democrats have talked impeachment. Its mostly the far left who wanted Trump impeached from Day One or kooks and back-benchers. Those are the very politicians journalists use to manipulate an agenda -- normalize something silly or undermine the credibility of an argument. Sen. John McCains TV career in a nutshell.

When media outlets arent talking about Trump, its President Mike Pence. HuffPost made the argument, stating that a post-Trump GOP would be splintered. That led to them manufacturing, The Case For President Pence. The millenial womens site Bustle cautioned that, Trump Impeachment Buzz Looms Large. Alternet even pretended his tenure would lead to, A Nightmare Right-Wing Agenda. And the financial site The Street chose a slightly more business version of that phrasing, a Nightmare for Tesla and Elon Musk. Apparently, Pence is the social conservative Freddy Krueger.

None of this is journalism. Its rank speculation. Its the news media at its worst, ratcheting up anger and anxiety to make some cash.

Journalists love these kinds of meaningless stories. Is That Dress White and Gold or Blue and Black? Who cares? Lets get the clicks!

TV does it just as much. Does Rachel Maddow have Trumps tax returns? Oh my Gawd! Not the tax returns!!!! Overhyped? Yep, but at least short-lived. Then theres the NeverTrump phenomena, pushed by journalists and inside-the-Beltway conservatives desperate to derail Trumps campaign.

That insanity lead to the Evan McMullin disaster, the bogus non-entity trying to steal Utah from Trump to throw the vote into the House of Representatives. It was promoted by many of the same conservative pundits who now attack Trump at every turn. The Donald still beat Clinton in Utah by 18 percent. Eighteen!

Nevertheless, The Washington Post was still writing about the buzz about Utah being in play on Election Day. Later that day, the Post reminded readers, that McMullin, had been polling neck-and-neck with Trump despite announcing his candidacy only in August. In all, the Post mentioned McMullins fruitless candidacy 217 times from August to November.

Readers got played and its happening again. News organizations have learned that, Trump may be the news industrys greatest opportunity to build a sustainable model. And they are going to milk his presidency for every last dollar.

Barely a year ago, the Post was anguishing how the press corps needs a new business model. Theyve found it and journalists no longer care how legitimate their stories are.

As long as it pays their salaries and attacks Trump.
Editor's note: The following column originally appeared in The Hill newspaper and on TheHill.com.

Here is my question for Trump voters: What do you hear the president saying with his new budget?

My guess is that you dont want to hear that giant sucking sound as he takes your money  dollars from hard working people  to cut taxes for the rich.

The Trump administration would say that characterization is fake news.

They say their budget is written from the perspective of salt of the earth people who think taxes are too high.

During the 2016 campaign, Trump made statements that I considered outrageous, offensive and often factually wrong. But his supporters loved it. Even with falling support, the president still has 81 percent approval among Republican voters, according to the latest Fox News poll.

And Trumps base delights in mocking journalists for not hearing what they hear in Trumps words. They laugh at critics who fact-check his every mistake and exaggeration.

They laugh even harder at Hillary Clinton when she argues that Trumps budget shows an unimaginable level of cruelty and lack of imagination and disdain for the struggles of millions of Americans, including millions of children.

So tell me, Trump voters, what thrilling message are you getting from a president whose budget reduces funding for programs that benefit you? I refer to cuts to programs to feed children; help student with school loans; and to help seniors and the disabled get to the doctor.

Last week, an analysis from The Atlantic magazine concluded that core Trump backers  older, white voters without a college education  will be hurt by this budget. Those are the blue-collar voters in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Iowa who made the electoral college map turn red across the Midwest for Trump.

These same voters represent a majority of those receiving benefits from federal government programs such as food stamps and Social Security Disability payments, Ron Brownstein wrote in The Atlantic. And those programs are targeted for large cutbacks in the Trump budget.

Trumps budget comes as the Congressional Budget Office announces that the House GOP plan to replace ObamaCare will leave 23 million more people without health insurance by 2026.

Even some Republicans dont like what they hear.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), the conservative Majority Whip, said the budget was basically dead on arrival.

The voters that elected Trump or brought [him] to the dance are the populists out there in the Midwest and South who rely on these programs that hes talking about reducing, William Hoagland, a former budget aide to Senate Republicans who is now at the Bipartisan Policy Center, told the New York Times.

The only get up-and-holler I hear in the Trump argument is anti-immigrant, racist, hateful rage.

Trump is playing on white working class resentment against racially diverse young people, immigrants and minorities  people who are falsely and callously characterized as lazy, undeserving bums who lie to get a Social Security disability check, an unemployment check or to qualify for food stamps.

We want to measure compassion, true compassion, by the number of people we help to get off those programs, said Mick Mulvaney, the White House budget director, in arguing for people to stop talking about how many programs exist or how many people are being helped by those programs.

But what about deserving Trump voters who will lose benefits?

Mulvaney only expressed concern for people who complain theyve paid high taxes but still see poor people.

There is no denying the near-record number of people getting disability payments. There is no denying that the record number of people who qualified for food stamps after the 2008 recession has stayed high nine years later, even as the unemployment rate has fallen below five percent.

And the Trump argument then logically rewards people with high paying jobs, investments and savings by cutting corporate taxes, income taxes and taxes on inheritance.

But wait a minute.

What happened to Trumps campaign promise to look out for the little guy instead of the too big to fail crowd on Wall Street?

The Trump budget cuts Medicaid by a whopping $610 billion over the next decade. According to the AARP, Medicaid is the primary means of support for 65 percent of people in nursing homes. The program pays for 45 percent of total nursing home bills.

Trump won voters aged 65 and older by 52 percent to Clintons 45 percent.

More specifically, he won white voters aged 65 and older by 58 percent to Clintons 39 percent.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, Wisconsin has 1.046 million people enrolled in either Medicaid or CHIP. Michigan has 2.34 million people enrolled in those programs. Pennsylvania has 2.927 million.

Trump won each of those states by less than one percentage point. His aggregate margin across all three was around 77,000 votes.

The Trump budget also hacks away at the farm insurance programs that rural farmers in the Midwest use to staying in business during bad crop years.

2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, a multimillionaire, suffered during his campaign when a video surfaced of him complaining that 47 percent of Americans were too poor to pay taxes and therefore likely to vote against his tax cut plan.

It did not help matters that the tape was revealed months after the Romney family sought permits to install a car elevator in their new seaside California mansion.

As conservatives have been quick to point out for decades, the top one percent of wage earners pay about 50 percent of all federal income taxes.

The bottom sixty percent of wage earners pay barely two percent of federal income taxes.

This Trump budget comes from a songbook written for the top one percent. They have every reason to sing along. But how can 81 percent of Republicans approve of this?
North Koreas latest missile launch, while certainly not the most sophisticated of its recent firings, sends an ominous message: Pyongyang will not be denied the ability to hit any target it desires, including U.S. bases and eventually the homeland. But is Kim Jong Un simply copying the well-worn playbook of its ally, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC)?

The evidence is quite telling. While North Koreas missile arsenal -- now at over 1,000 short, medium and long-range weapons -- is creating nothing short of a slow-moving Cuban Missile Crisis in Northeast Asia, China has also been working to perfect its own missile technology on a much more massive scale, and per some experts, represents the gravest threat to the U.S. military today.

Indeed, since the days of the early Cold War, Beijing has been developing missile platforms to deter the West. Chinas efforts picked up rapid speed after the thawing of relations with the United States in the 1970s, allowing for the acquisition of dual-use technologies to aid their efforts. Beijing developed short, medium, and long-range missiles, pairing them with miniaturized nuclear warheads to deter Moscow, at the time its most dangerous adversary.

But as the Cold War ended, China began to craft new missile platforms to take on what it considered its next challenge: the United States. Beijing watched with horror as Washington crushed what was then considered one of the more powerful militaries of the world in Iraq in near lightening fashion in 1991. Chinese leaders would correctly conclude that if war between America and China occurred anytime soon they would lose, and lose royally.

This leaves the United States in a bind as it faces not one, but two nations armed with quickly growing missiles arsenals in a part of the world where Washingtons interests are vital.

Events closer to home would see Chinas worst nightmare almost come true. The 1995-1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis nearly brought Beijing and Washington to blows. The blows, however, would have been all American, as Chinas military would soon discover they could not even find American aircraft carriers operating close to their shores, let alone attack them.

The PRC was determined not to suffer that fate. Chinese leaders, even today, know they cant match America in all aspects of modern warfare. However, missiles give them an asymmetric advantage as they are cheap to build and hard to defend against.

For the last twenty years, Beijing has been on a crash course to ensure it has not only the ability to strike carriers operating in the Pacific with showers of missiles, but also any military bases near China, or any U.S. allies such as Japan or Taiwan for that matter. Beijing can now call upon thousands of ballistic, cruise and in the future, hypersonic missiles to strike across large swaths of Asia. And of most concern, a carrier-killer missile that could target and sink naval vessels at ranges as far as 2,500 miles.

North Korea, it seems, is following a slower but similar strategy. Guided by Chinese direct and indirect assistance, the Kim regime is now pursuing missiles of all different ranges, sizes and capabilitieseven developing what could end up becoming its very own carrier-killer.

Just like China, North Korea knows it cant match Americas military might head-on. So instead, Pyongyang is betting the sheer size and scale of its missile arsenal will keep President Trump at bayand Kim Jong Un in power.

This leaves the United States in a bind as it faces not one, but two nations armed with quickly growing missiles arsenals in a part of the world where Washingtons interests are vital. Missile defenses systems could certainly be deployed across Northeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific but are expensive, so expensive that defending against every single missile threat is impossible.

There does seem a simple solution: for Washington to deploy land-based missiles, just like China and North Korea. However, thanks to the Intermediate-Range Forces Treaty (INF) signed by the U.S. and Russia towards the end of the Cold War, Washington is prohibited from developing missiles with ranges of 310-3420 miles, the exact range or weapons America needs.

So how should America respond? With no restriction on sea-based weapons, America could expand dramatically the size of its submarine fleet that can carry cruise missiles to ensure Washington could respond dramatically to any Chinese or North Korean threat. But building more subs takes years, and America and its allies are facing this threat now.

America could also withdraw from the INF treaty, perhaps not upsetting Russia as it has been caught violating it anyway. But unfortunately, it would still take years for America to build new missile platforms and would open the door for Russia to quickly deploy new systems to Europe, potentially gaining a crucial military advantage over NATO.

For the moment, China and now North Korea might have one crucial military advantage over America. One that nations like Iran and others will be all too eager to replicate.
Senator John McCain is right. Vladimir Putin is the premier and most important threat, more so than ISIS.

To be sure, ISIS represents a great threat. Fortunately, the threat is slowly, but surely being brought under control.

The Russian threat, however, is not under control, and Vladimir Putin is actively undermining American leadership abroad, the integrity of our political system, and the sovereignty of our allies.

Further, the Trump administrations unprecedented relationship with Putin has worsened the threat posed by Russia globally.

Trumps recent foreign trip to Europe only exacerbated the threat as well. By unmistakably failing to endorse Article 5 of the NATO treaty in his address to our NATO allies, the president swung the trip unequivocally to Putins advantage.

Until recently, the West has largely downplayed Russias military might, minimizing the capabilities of their outdated equipment and poor organization.

Over the past few years, however, the Russian government has undertaken one of the most rapid and aggressive efforts in the world to overhaul their military, including a $720 billion initiative aimed at modernizing their full arsenal of weaponry by 2020.

While it is difficult to foresee a direct conflict between Russia and the United States, Russian involvement in Syria demonstrates Putins willingness to support his political goals with military strength.

Russias heavy-handed support of Bashar al-Assad demonstrates that Putin stands ready to insert himself into hot, internal conflicts on the side of murderous despots, like Assad, as a means of dividing the West.

Putin has stepped up his aggression in Ukraine. In just the past year, he has mobilized a full 40,000 troops on the Russian-Ukrainian border, in what American officials fear may be an invasion in the making. He continues to send menacing signals in Eastern Europe, and his aggressive campaign of cyberwarfare internationally continues.

Under Putins leadership, Russia remains anti-Western, anti-democratic, and unpredictable. Even more troublingly, his authoritarian model has attracted legions of admirers, including in the West. Not only does the Russian strongman president have his defendersincluding Donald Trumpbut researchers in Western countries have noted a growing public tolerance for, and even admiration of, authoritarian brands of leadership.

Petro-politics are also central to Putins efforts to both undermine and evade international sanctions. Most recently, Putins plot to transport Syrian crude oil through the Caribbean was uncovered. Putins planned scheme involved selling Syrian oil through Venezuelan front companies, which would subsequently deliver the oil to the U.S. market.

Meanwhile, as American leadership retreats from the geopolitical war against Russia, Vladimir Putin continues to manipulate the European continent to his advantage on all sides and represents the greatest threat to democracy in a generation.

Make no mistake, as Senator McCain rightfully warns, Putin is assembling a menacing, new global order and it poses a much greater threat than ISIS ever could.
It takes a special kind of low life to smear the military on Memorial Day. And the folks who run the lefty website Vox  are that kind of low life.

They published a despicable hit piece accusing the Marine Corps of having a toxic masculinity problem -- compared them to a fraternity house.

Click here for a free subscription to Todd's newsletter: a must-read for Conservatives!

Author Alex Ward said there was a fight for the soul of the Marine Corps.

"Theres a 'toxic masculinity culture' in the Marine Corps, James Joyner, a professor at the Marine Command and Staff College, told me. That may be what is at the core of the women-in-infantry debate among Marine ranks: the identity crisis of a historically macho club now being forced to let in women," Ward wrote.

As if there's something wrong with demanding that our fighting men -- be masculine?

The story sparked widespread outrage among patriots on social media.

"Vox marks Memorial Day by crapping on the Marines," Twitchy declared.

Call me crazy but I'm pretty sure the Marine Corps is supposed to be both masculine and toxic," popular blogger Matt Walsh tweeted.

Click here to join Todd on Facebook - one of the nation's biggest conservative communities.

But we're dealing with the kind of people who seem to want our Marines to prance into battle wearing high heels and camouflage rompers.

I am unfamiliar with Mr. Ward, but it sounds as if Vox has a toxic snowflake problem. Liberal newsrooms have a history of attracting writers who suffer from microaggressions at the mere mention of the military or anything patriotic.

That's the only reasonable explanation for why an American news publication would intentionally attack the military on Memorial Day.

Did you know President Obama was once an avid reader of Vox? Not surprising.



I am all but certain the Vox report would've caused a meltdown in the Obama Pentagon -- think mandatory group hugs, essential oils and white wine spritzers.

But there are no white wine spritzers in Defense Secretary James "Mad Dog" Mattis' Pentagon.

"Find the enemy that wants to end this experiment (in American democracy) and kill every one of them until theyre so sick of the killing that they leave us and our freedoms intact," the retired general once said.

And if that quote doesn't trigger the progressives, consider the general's opinion on men who beat up women:

"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them. Actually it's quite fun to fight them, you know. It's a hell of a hoot. It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right up there with you. I like brawling."

Oorah, Secretary Mattis! Oorah!

All that to say, I sincerely doubt our brave Marines are going to lose any sleep over the flatulent emissions coming from the emasculated pajama boys over at Vox.



Semper Fi, America.
President Donald Trump said he thinks Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and top White House adviser, is doing a great job for the United States.

In a statement provided to The New York Times on Sunday, the president said Jared is doing a great job for the country.

I have total confidence in him, Trump continued. He is respected by virtually everyone and is working on programs that will save our country billions of dollars. In addition to that, and perhaps more importantly, he is a very good person.

JARED KUSHNER WANTED SECRET COMMUNICATIONS CHANNEL WITH RUSSIA, NEW REPORT ALLEGES

Trumps comments follow recent reports that Kushner, who is married to Trumps daughter Ivanka, is under FBI scrutiny as part of a probe into collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Kushner may possess substantial information relevant to the investigation, officials told NBC News.

A recent report from The Washington Post claimed that Kushner attempted to coordinate a secure, private line of communication with Russia. During a December 2016 meeting with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak, Kushner allegedly proposed the use of Russian diplomatic facilities as a way to shield pre-inauguration discussions with Kislyak from monitoring, according to The Post.

But on Monday, a source told Fox News that it was the Russians, not Kushner, who wanted to set up the communication line. According to the source close to Kushner, the concept of a permanent back channel was never discussed. Instead, only a one-off for a call about Syria was raised in the conversation.

Kushner is eager to talk to Congress about the meeting and any others of interest, the source told Fox News.
Work will continue despite closure of OSCE Office in Yerevan - OSCE Secretary General (video)

OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier is in Armenia to bid farewell to the staff of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. We are here because, unfortunately, we have been unable to reach a consensus and extend the mandate of the OSCEs Office in Yerevan. We have to end our work with Armenia, the official said during a press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian. The office has faced an uncertain future since Baku vetoed late last year a further extension of its mandate, objecting to a humanitarian demining program implemented by it in Armenia. However, the move will not hinder the organization from cooperating with Armenia. The OSCE will continue to stay involved here [in the region], said Lamberto Zannier. Edward Nalbandian said in turn, Abusing its right to veto, Azerbaijan forced the closure of the Yerevan office, blocking the renewal of its mandate. Baku attempted to present this within Azerbaijan-Armenia dimension, while in reality it is related to the OSCE-Azerbaijan relations. Azerbaijan had a similar OSCE office shut down in Baku in 2015. Anyway, the OSCE Chairmanship did not give a relevant assessment to Bakus steps. The OSCE is governed [in its work] by the consensus rule and we never point our finger at the side that breaches the agreement. I regret the closure of the office and we are trying to find ways to continue our work here. But we need to discuss some financial issues, the OSCE Secretary General said. For the first time, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs have voiced direct targeted criticism this year, urging Azerbaijan not to violate the ceasefire on the line of contact. But it did not prevent Baku from escalating the situation on the border with Artsakh. It is about the time that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries passed from words to concrete actions, the Armenian FM said.
Sen. Bernie Sanders slammed congressional Republicans health care plan on Tuesday during the keynote address at a New York college commencement ceremony, but has fallen short on a health care promise of his own.

Sanders, I-Vt., who received an honorary degree from CUNY's Brooklyn College, spoke in familiar campaign rhetoric at the commencement ceremony, blasting Republicans health care plan, the American Health Care Act, which passed the House of Representatives last month and is currently awaiting action in the Senate.

He also took aim at the Trump administrations budget proposal, which was introduced last week, and the president's tax plan.

The Republican leadership wants to throw 23 million Americans off of health insurance, cut Medicaid by over $800 million, cut food stamps, defund Planned Parenthood, cut Head Start and after-school programs, and make drastic cuts in Pell Grants and programs that help working-class kids to be able to go to college, Sanders said. And unbelievably, at the exact same time they are throwing people off of health care, they have the chutzpah to provide $300 million in tax breaks to the top 1 percent.

Chutzpah is a Yiddish word meaning supreme self-confidence or nerve.

Working-class and middle-class families are struggling, Sanders said. Cuts to life-and-death programs that could mean survival, or not survival, for those families.

Sanders added: We are going to bring health care for all as a right, not a privilege.

Sanders, for his part, promised Vermont constituents at a town hall in March that he would introduce a single-payer health care plan within a few weeks, but has yet to introduce any such legislation. A spokesperson from Sanders' office told Fox News that they are working on the bill and plan to roll out the legislation this summer.

Thats the best timeline I can give right now, the spokesperson told Fox News in an email.

Sanders in his speech again brought up the issue of tuition-free colleges and universities, and reducing student loan debt, but painted a grim picture for the Brooklyn College graduates, saying we face a serious crises: You know, and I know, these are tough times for our country.

We live in an oligarchic community, Sanders told the graduates. We have a corrupt political system which is undermining American democracy and its important we talk about that and understand that.

Sanders told the graduates that their role in the future of the U.S. is moral.

The issues we deal with today: economic issues, social issues, racial issues, environmental issues  not only impact your lives, but they impact the lives of future generations, Sanders said. You do not have a moral right to turn your back on saving this planet and saving future generations.

He added: The only real response we can make is to stand up and fight back, reclaim American democracy, and create a government that works for all of us -- not just the 1 percent.

Before Sanders took the podium, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also made remarks at the Brooklyn College commencement, referring to this era of fake news.

The Internet has put so much information at your fingertips, its sometimes hard to figure out whats important, Schumer said. And to distinguish whats true, and what isnt.
Last fall, as retired Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn traveled the country stumping for Donald Trump, his business partner holed up in a small Washington hotel room with the former head of Turkish military intelligence to work on a special project.

General, hi. Im Bijan Kian, welcome to Washington, D.C., Mr. Kian, the head of Mr. Flynns consulting firm, greeted the Turkish dignitary. Gen. Flynn, my partner, sends his regards to you.

The hotel room meeting was filmed as part of a documentary the Flynn Intel Group was producing for a Turkish businessman, who paid $530,000 to the lobbying shop to polish the countrys image after a botched military coup. That contract has landed Gen. Flynn in legal jeopardy.

The unfinished, never-distributed film, details of which havent been previously reported, appears to represent the core of the Flynn Intel Groups work for Turkish interests.

The contract is at the heart of an expanding investigation into Mr. Flynns business dealings. In February the retired three-star general was forced to resign, under fire over his conflicting statements about his contacts with Russian officials before the inauguration, after 24 days as Mr. Trumps national security adviser.

Mr. Flynn didnt disclose to the federal government until March that his company was paid to represent Turkish interests. He is now facing military, congressional and criminal investigations into allegations that he improperly concealed his financial ties to Turkey and Russia, and into whether the ties played any role in his decisions as the presidents adviser.

Click for more from the Wall Street Journal.
A House intelligence committee staffer said the panel has issued a subpoena to President Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, as part of its ongoing investigation into Russia's election meddling, Fox News confirmed.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal committee matters.

Cohen is a former Trump Organization executive who served as a cable television surrogate for the Republican during the presidential campaign.

He told ABC News that he has been asked by both the House and Senate intelligence committees to provide information and testimony about contacts he had with Russian officials. Cohen told ABC he turned down the invitations.

In February, The New York Times reported that Cohen helped to broker a Ukraine peace plan that would call for Russian troops to withdraw from Ukraine and a referendum to let Ukrainians decide whether the part of the country seized by Russian in 2014 should be leased to Moscow. The Russian government denied knowing anything about such a plan.

The Times reported that the peace plan was the work of Felix Sater, a business associate who has helped Trump try to find business in Russia, and Cohen.

Cohen was a fierce defender of Trump during the campaign, often haranguing probing reporters and famously challenging a CNN reporter live on-air to name the specific polls that showed then-candidate Trump behind his rival, Hillary Clinton.

In the early 2000s, he formed his own firm working on a range of legal matters, including malpractice cases, business law and work on an ethanol business in Ukraine. Cohen also owned and operated a handful of taxi medallions, managing a fleet of cabs in New York.

Cohen's business associates in the taxi enterprise included a number of men from the former Soviet Union, including his Ukrainian-born father-in-law.

Cohen has made his own unsuccessful attempts at public office, losing a city council race and briefly running for state assembly in New York.

Fox News' John Roberts, Serafin Gomez and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The mayor of Portland, Ore., urged federal officials and organizers to shut down "alt-right" Trump rallies planned for the upcoming weekend after two men were stabbed to death while coming to the aide of two women during an anti-Muslim tirade.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Monday that the "alt-right demonstrations" would only fuel hatred and fear during a time of tragedy.

'HEROES' DIED PROTECTING WOMEN FROM ANTI-MUSLIM RANT, PORTLAND MAYOR SAYS

"There is never a place for bigotry or hatred in our community, and especially not now," Wheeler said in a three-part note posted on Twitter.

The mayor assured that the city did not issue permits for the "Trump Free Speech Rally" and other similar events scheduled for this Sunday and June 10. U.S. officials already issued a permit for the Sunday rally.

"Our city is in mourning, our community's anger is real, and the timing and subject of these events can only exacerbate an already difficult situation," Wheeler said, adding that the permits should be revoked.

The appeal, however, opened the debate about First Amendment rights in the U.S. Violent protests between far-right and far-left protesters have derailed appearances by contentious figures on college campuses and in liberal cities like Portland and Berkeley, California.

The Facebook page for Sunday's event stated there would be speakers and live music in "one of the most liberal areas on the West Coast," adding that it will be "an uplifting experience to bring back strength and courage to those who believe in freedom." The description also thanked President Donald Trump.

The Associated Press said one of the speakers attending will be Kyle Chapman, who describes himself as an American nationalist and ardent supporter of Trump.

MISSISSIPPI SHOOTING: RELATIVE 'DEVASTATED' AFTER RAMPAGE LEAVES 8 DEAD

Trump condemned the fatal stabbing on the official POTUS Twitter page on Monday, saying the violence was "unacceptable."

"The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them," Trump tweeted.

Ricky John Best, 53, and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, 23, were killed Friday as they tried to stop Jeremy Joseph Christian from harassing the women, one of whom was wearing a hijab, authorities said. Another person who stepped in was seriously injured.

Christian's social media postings indicate an affinity for Nazis and political violence. He is accused of aggravated murder, intimidation  the state equivalent of a hate crime  and being a felon in possession of a weapon and is scheduled to be in court Tuesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The White House declined Tuesday to answer questions on whether President Trump knew about adviser Jared Kushners alleged attempts during the presidential transition to establish back-channel communications with Russia.

Asked if Kushner had indeed attempted to negotiate a back channel with Russia, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said at the daily press briefing,That assumes a lot. I am not going to get into what the president did or did not discuss. But what your question assumes is a lot of facts not substantiated by anything but a lot of anonymous sources that are so far leaked out.

He also pointed out that National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said over the weekend that so-called back-channel communications with other countries are generally helpful.

The investigations into whether Trump associates colluded with the Kremlin during the 2016 presidential race and before Trump assumed office now include questions about Kushners role, according to several recent news reports.

Spicer on Tuesday also reiterated that an attorney for Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, has said his client is willing to discuss the matter with investigators.

He spoke hours after White House Communications Director Michael Dubke confirmed he is leaving the job, fueling speculation about a West Wing shakeup amid Trumps continued frustration over so-called fake news.



The president gets frustrated when he sees false stories being published, said Spicer, who also said Trump is very pleased with his team, including an unbelievably qualified Cabinet.

The press conference started with Spicer reviewing Trumps just completed nine-day international trip with such superlatives as incredible and historic, but ended with him again defending the administrations allegations about fake, or intentionally erroneous, news. Spicer then abruptly exited the briefing room.

On the question of German Chancellor Angela Merkel appearing this weekend to suggest that European Union countries can no longer rely on the United States under Trump, Spicer said the two world leaders have a fairly unbelievable relationship.



He also disputed the assumption that Merkel was moving away from Trump, after the president declined last week to join six other nations at the G-7 summit in Brussels in reaffirming their commitment to the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, which attempts to reduce greenhouse gases linked to climate change.

Spicer read Merkels comment Sunday in which she suggested the EU go forward amid friendships with the U.S. and other nations. He also said Trump has great respect for Merkel.
Germany and the U.S. emerged from Memorial Day weekend in a war of words, as Chancellor Angela Merkel and her coalition partners attacked Americas reliability as a world power and President Trump fired back on Twitter.

Merkel said at a beer tent rally in Munich Sunday that Germany cannot "fully rely" on the U.S., and that continental Europe really must take our fate into our own hands.

Martin Schulz, head of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD), which is Merkel's coalition partner in the federal government, went further, calling Trump a "destroyer of all Western values."

The chancellor represents all of us at summits [NATO and G7] like these, said Schulz, seen as a challenger to Merkel in the upcoming September election. "I reject with outrage the way this man takes it upon himself to treat the head of our country's government.

Trump countered on Tuesday, renewing his allegation Germany doesn't pay its full, 2 percent of GDP share toward defense -- a requirement of NATO membership. He also rapped the European economic powerhouse for its trade policies.

We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military," Trump tweeted. "Very bad for U.S. This will change"

Economists agree with Trump that the U.S. trade gap favors Germany by $67.8 billion per year. That trade deficit is the second largest after China's $310 billion advantage over the U.S.

MERKEL URGES EU TO CONTROL ITS OWN DESTINY, AFTER TRUMP VISIT, CLIMATE CHANGE DECISION

Trump has confronted Merkel over her country's failure to meet the NATO guidelines for defense expenditures. Germany is one of the 23 NATO members that has not met the 2 percent goal of defense spending. The European economic powerhouse ranked 15th among NATO members, spending a mere 1.2 percent of its gross national product on military defense.

The U.S., Greece, Poland, Britain and Estonia are the only NATO members who meet (or exceed) NATOs criteria for armed forces spending. A Politico story published last week, titled "Trump's right about Germany," said "Merkel's economic policies really are hurting the U.S.

MERKEL: EUROPE MUST STAY UNITED IN FACE OF ALLY UNCERTAINTY

It is not the first time that anti-American rhetoric has played a role in a German election campaign. Former social democratic Chancellor Gerhard Schroder mobilized voters around anti-American sentiments to win the 2002 election. In his memoir, Decision Points, President George W. Bush accused Schroder of reneging on German support for the U.S. in the Iraq war. That touched off a war of words between Bush and Germanys then justice minister.

When he was foreign minister, Germany's current social democratic president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, called Trump a "hate preacher." Steinmeiers successor as foreign minister, the social Democrat Sigmar Gabriel, has pivoted away from the U.S and toward the Islamic Republic of Iran. Just days after the U.S and other world powers reached a nuclear deal with Iran in 2015 to curb its atomic program, Gabriel went to Iran with a delegation of business leaders. He made a second trip last year to jump-start business deals with Iran.

This past week, Gabriel was engulfed in scandal after inviting a hard-line anti-Western, anti-U.S. Iranian cleric to the foreign ministry for a conference promoting religious peace. The extremist Iranian religious leader Hamidreza Torabi, a key organizer of the Quds event in Berlin, an anti-Western rally calling for the destruction of the Jewish state, appeared at the foreign ministry event.

Torabi sponsors buses for pro-Hezbollah and pro-Iranian regime activists to travel to Quds, which also serves as a gathering spot for boycott campaigns against Israel.

Although the U.S. has designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, Merkel has declined to outlaw the Lebanese militant group. There are 950 active members and supporters of Hezbollah in Germany.

The Israeli Embassy told Fox News that Germany should have never invited Torabi to the conference.

Any person who incites violence has no place in a dialogue that uses religions as a bedrock to bring peace, tolerance and understanding between people, nations and religions, the ministry said. Moreover, there is no doubt that a person who incites violence against Israel and Jews in the name of God, in the city of Berlin, has no place in such a dialogue, certainly not one organized by the German government.

Torabi, who heads the Islamic Academy of Germany, held a poster in downtown Berlin at the 2016 anti-Israel Quds rally urging the rejection of Israel and terming the Jewish state illegal and criminal.
President Trump will meet Tuesday afternoon with two additional candidates who could potentially replace former FBI Director James Comey.

Trump, picking up where he left off with his search for a new FBI chief, invited former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) chief John Pistole, and former head of the Justice Departments criminal division under former President George W. Bush, Chris Wray, to the White House for consideration.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at his first press briefing since the presidents overseas trip that the candidate meetings will continue until Trump finds the right leader.

The president will be meeting two additional candidates this afternoon- Chris Wray and John Pistole, Spicer said. Hell meet candidates today, and will continue to do so until he finds the right leader.

Pistole was rumored to be under consideration immediately after Comey was fired, but he did not respond to Fox News request for comment earlier this month as to whether he would take the job. Pistole is currently the president of Anderson University in Indiana.

Pistole has law enforcement experience spanning from 1983 until 2010, and was named deputy for former FBI director, now Special Counsel, Robert Mueller, in 2004, and was responsible for the FBIs counterterrorism division after 9/11. Pistole moved on to be TSA administrator for President Barack Obama from 2010 until 2014.

When pressed on whether either candidate was a finalist, Spicer responded: The president is the ultimate decision maker. When he makes a decision on how best to lead the FBI, hell let us know.

Since Comeys ouster earlier this month, there has been an ever-changing roster of candidates who could potentially replace himall with various levels of law enforcement and legislative experience. But the only candidate who came out as a potential top choice for the president was former Sen. Joe Lieberman, who withdrew his name from consideration last week while the president was overseas.

Liebermans withdrawal came after the president brought on his long-time attorney Marc Kasowitz to represent him in the ongoing Russian election meddling probe. Lieberman is a partner of Kasowitzs New York law firm Kasowitz, Benson, Torres. With the FBI involved in the investigation, sources suggested Liebermans installation to head the bureau could present a potential conflict of interest.

Before Lieberman became the leading candidate, the list of possible directors included former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly; former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Mich., who was endorsed by the FBI Agents Association; Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe; Colorado Springs, Colo., Mayor John Suthers; former federal appellate court judge and current Boeing executive John Luttig; Director for the FBIs Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch Paul Abbate; Associate Judge for the New York Court of Appeals Mike Garcia; and Larry Thompson, former deputy attorney general under President George W. Bush.

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News request for comment as to whether any of those candidates are still under consideration.
The Russians are "laughing at the U.S." amid ongoing probes the Kremlin meddled in the 2016 election, President Trump tweeted Tuesday, adding that the investigations are partisan attempts to deflect blame for Hillary Clinton's loss.

Trumps tweet came amid the newest murky Russia revelation to hit the headlines, with son-in-law and top aide Jared Kushner reportedly under FBI scrutiny for a meeting with a Russian official in which the pair allegedly sought to establish a back channel communications apparatus to discuss military policy in Syria.

Russian officials must be laughing at the U.S. & how a lame excuse for why the Dems lost the election has taken over the Fake News, Trump wrote.

His tweet echoed a message he wrote on May 11 expressing similar exasperation at the Russia inquiry: Russia must be laughing up their sleeves watching as the U.S. tears itself apart over a Democrat EXCUSE for losing the election.

Trumps remarks also come on the heels of a Tuesday article in The L.A. Times reporting comments made by Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., who had previously chaired the House Intelligence Committees investigation into the Russia affair. Nunes, speaking at an April fundraising dinner, said the lefts uproar over alleged election interference was all about creating a narrative and protecting Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee.

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 said.

Nunes stepped aside from his role chairing the Houses Russia investigation amid ethics complaints revolving around his handling of classified information. In his stead, Nunes named a trio of respected Republican representatives.

Trump on Tuesday also fired another shot at Germany  and NATO  after Chancellor Angela Merkels Sunday jab that Europe may no longer be able to rely on following the lead of the United States.

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.
One of Jay Zs business partners, Juan Perez, is being sued by the landlord of the West 27th Street recording studio where Jay Z, Beyonce, 50 Cent, Jennifer Lopez and Kanye West have all made music.

Perez, co-founder and former manager of Jay Zs 40/40 Club and now president of Roc Nation Sports, was the guarantor of the five-year lease that Roc the Mic LLC signed in 2012 for the fifth-floor space at 115 W. 27th St.

According to the complaint of landlord Joel Berman in Manhattan Supreme Court, Roc the Mic stopped paying rent and vacated the premises in 2015, leaving behind a pool table, dangling wires and gaping holes in the ceiling.

Perez and his pals evidently removed electrical equipment and the Yankee uniform of Alex Rodriguez, a frequent visitor, that had graced one wall.

They basically trashed the place and left a lot of junk behind, Bermans lawyer Gil Santamarina told me. Joel has been unable to re-rent the space, in part because of the condition in which it was left.

This article originally appreared in the New York Post.
In a state known more for its alligators, there is a new job title: Pro python hunter.

An estimated 100,000 pythons are living in and ravaging Floridas Everglades. They will eat 160 animals in five years and have no enemies.

Even alligators are no match for the Burmese python. A 13-footer caught and killed recently had three baby deer in its belly.

PYTHON HUNGERS DESCRIBE DANGERS OF WRANGLING 15-FOOT SNAKE IN FLORIDA EVERGLADES

The invasive snakes got here after pet owners ditched them in the swamps and, over the years, they have multiplied exponentially.

Florida Fish & Wildlife said the pythons have decimated the states small mammal population. In Miami-Dade County, the South Florida Water Management District decided Floridas python problem has become so big and so bad, paying for a python posse to find and kill them could be the answer.

Its a two-month, $175,000 pilot program. Twenty five python hunters get paid $8.10 an hour to drive, hike and crawl in the hot and humid Everglades, looking for snake dens and wrestling the big beasts to the death.

"The cool thing for us, as Swamp Apes, in looking for pythons is first and foremost, pythons are cool, man, says Tom Rahill, one of the snake hunters. "They're huge and I'm a country boy and we get to jump on snakes.

SNAKE FAN HUNTS PYTHONS IN FLORIDA TO SAVE OTHER CRITTERS

Rahill founded Swamp Apes, a loose-knit club which specializes in not only removing pythons, but taking veterans out into Floridas buggy backcountry to save the ecosystem and try to restore the natural Everglades.

Joe Detre fought in Bosnia. Now he targets well-camouflaged constrictors.

"It's really soothing, that's a good term to use and just being out here in nature and searching for the pythons, he said, there's nothing like it.

In seven weeks, the 25 pros have killed and removed 149 pythons. The longest one was a 16-footer. Most are in the 7-, 8- and 9-foot range. The hunters also get $50 for every snake they bag, and for each foot longer than 4, theres an additional $25.

As veteran Tom Aycock and his wife Melanie caution, it is a very hard and tedious mission.

We can log in many, many hours, sometimes days and days, without finding a python, Aycock said. And then there are days well find 13 in one day, added Melanie.

Florida has twice held well-publicized Python Challenges, where 1,500 amateur snake hunters from around the country put their wrangling skills to the test. But Water District Chairman Dan OKeefe said using the 25 experts, and paying them, is proving to be much more effective.

FLORIDA TEENS CAPTURE 13-FOOT PYTHON ESCAPING WILDFIRES

"These are people that are passionate about the Everglades, OKeefe said. Theyre passionate about dealing with the problem of the pythons. Theyre out here on a regular basis, they know where to look. They know where to find the snakes and theyve had good results."

Because of that, OKeefe said he anticipates making the program permanent, which could generate one of the coolest business cards in the state, professional python hunter.

Rahill, of Swamp Apies, said its a no-brainer.

They're no place for them, he said. They don't belong here.

About half of the pythons captured and killed were females. And when each female can lay 40 eggs per clutch, that translates into thousands of additional baby pythons that will now never be born in the vastness that is the Florida Everglades.
Foreign Minister of Armenia to participate in the Fifth Paris Peace Forum

Armenia: EU and Armenia Hold annual Dialogue on Human Rights

Todays Shushi, Occupied and Cleared of Armenians, is a Real Example of Turkish-Azerbaijani Policy of Ethnic Cleansing of Artsakh

Ookla, the the global leader in internet testing and analysis has awarded Ucom

Sweden will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector

STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH

SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders

PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces

There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

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UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS

There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces

LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN

This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan

Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments

Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex
Summer travelers may well find themselves stuck in long security lines and squeezed into cramped seats. For frequent travelers, or those who can and want to pay extra, perks are available including upgrades to first-class seats, airport lounges and free food.

Are the benefits worth the cost? The Associated Press sent two journalists on a two-day visit to Orlando, Florida  one with perks, and one without.

Scott Mayerowitz, who until recently covered the airline industry, has elite status with airlines, hotels and car rental agencies. He also has a five-year membership in a Transportation Security Administration program that lets him use fast-track lanes at airport security. Premium credit cards aimed at frequent travelers get him into airport lounges.

WORST AIPORTS FOR SUMMER TRAVEL DELAYS

Candice Choi, who covers the food industry, has no such perks.

Scott saved more than 45 minutes total in waiting in lines at the airport, avoided crowds and got free food along the way. Candice thought Scott's biggest advantage was the time he saved. The extra space and food he got seemed nice, but less meaningful for a short trip.

Here's how their experiences differed:

SECURITY

Scott breezed through the TSA's checkpoint in less than 2 minutes without having to take off his shoes. His laptop stayed in his suitcase, thanks to his membership in the Global Entry program, which includes expedited screening.

It took Candice nearly 15 minutes to get through regular security, which included taking off her shoes and jacket. There was also a delay after she forgot to remove a bottle of water from her purse, and found herself waiting shoeless for her belongings as a TSA agent searched her bag.

On the return flight, Scott cleared security in about 3 minutes. It took Candice 19.

AIRPORT

Scott headed for the roomy airline lounge, and took advantage of the free Wi-Fi, newspapers and breakfast spread that included bagels, muffins, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, yogurt and coffee. A day pass costs more than $50, but credit cards aimed at frequent travelers often include lounge access as one benefit that comes with a hefty annual fee of $450 to $550. Scott's card also refunded him the $100 TSA Global Entry fee.

At the gate with everyone else, Candice found a seat with a table. There were outlets to recharge phones and a tablet to order food and get flight updates. She generally avoids eating much right before and during flights, though, and didn't buy any food for the gate.

BOARDING AND THE FLIGHTS

Scott's airline status means he boards early, and often gets upgraded for free to first class  where there are no middle seats and passengers still get hot meals. Finding space for luggage in the overhead bins also isn't a worry.

Elite status starts after flying 25,000 miles a year, or five roundtrip flights between New York and San Francisco. Rack up more miles, and the perks increase substantially.

On this trip, Scott got upgrades both ways on Delta Air Lines. He was a served an egg sandwich, yogurt and fruit on the way to Orlando, a second breakfast after the first he enjoyed earlier in the lounge.

NURSE ON JETBLUE FLIGHT CREDITED WITH SAVING LIFE OF FELLOW PASSENGER

Candice waited in a disorganized crowd by the gate to board. Her pass said "Zone 3," which was really the sixth of Delta's seven boarding groups. The last passengers to board often struggle to find space for their bags, but there was still room in the overhead bins by the time Candice neared her seat.

Booking the flight a week in advance left Candice with a handful of middle seats to pick from. That can feel stifling for longer flights or with annoying seatmates, but was tolerable for a two-hour flight. She got cranberry juice and peanuts and defended her sliver of an armrest.

Once in Orlando, Scott was off the plane in seconds. Candice was six minutes behind as other passengers gathered their belongings and the plane cleared out.

RENTAL CAR

Members of car rental loyalty programs, even those without status, get to skip the lines at the rental counter. So Scott headed straight to the garage. He spotted a BMW X3 SUV in a lane of cars for those with National's "executive elite" status, which comes with 12 annual rentals. He settled into the plush leather seat, turned on the nine-speaker stereo and drove off.

Candice isn't a member of any car rental programs. But on a Thursday morning, there was only one person ahead of her in line. Registration was quick and she could have picked a car from a fleet that included midsize options like the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla.

Ultimately, Scott picked her up in his rental SUV.

UNIVERSAL THEME PARK

At the parks, it was Candice's turn to be elite. Both paid $165 for a two-park ticket, but Candice added on a $99 "Universal Express" pass that let her skip lines. With Orlando at 94 degrees and humid that day, she couldn't have been happier.

On The Incredible Hulk roller coaster, Candice went through a separate entrance and to the front of the line. It took about 10 minutes for the entire experience. On the way out, she waved at Scott, who had barely moved in line in the sweltering heat.

It took Scott 42 minutes, despite it being a slow day at the park.

HOTEL

Scott was given a corner room on the 26th floor of a newer tower with floor-to-ceiling windows looking over the city. He also got access to the hotel club with free breakfast and drinks, and a nighttime happy hour with complimentary beer, wine and desserts.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Elite status at hotels starts with 10 nights at a chain. The benefits start at check-in, where members often get a dedicated line. On this trip, there was nobody waiting to check-in, so there was no advantage.

Candice had a room with comparable furnishings on the 12th floor of the hotel's older tower. But she didn't get the huge windows, and her view of the pool was slightly obstructed.

Scott was rousted from sleep at 6:45 a.m. the next morning, when an electrical fire meant an evacuation and a trek down 26 flights of stairs. Later, the front desk manager left a voicemail apologizing for the rude awakening and giving Scott 15,000 points  enough for a free night at the same hotel.

The disturbance wasn't an issue for Candice  there was no fire alarm in her tower, so she got to sleep in.
Democratic members of the Texas Legislature allegedly assaulted and threatened a Republican colleague on Monday after the Republican called immigration authorities to report illegal immigrants who were protesting on site, according to The Washington Times.

The altercation, according to Republican Representative Matt Rinaldi, started after he called Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in response to repeated interruptions of the days proceedings from illegal-immigrant demonstrators.

According to a Twitter post from Rinaldi, several Democrats encouraged the protestors to disobey law enforcement.

SANCTUARY CITIES PROTESTS INTERRUPT TEXAS HOUSE SESSION

When I told the Democrats that I called ICE, Representative Ramon Romero physically assaulted me, and other Democrats were held back by colleagues, Rinaldi wrote. During that time Poncho told me that he would get me on the way to the car. He later approached me and reiterated that I had to leave at some point and he would get me. I made it clear that if he attempted to, in his words, get me, I would shoot him.

Romero disagreed with Rinaldis explanation of events. Countless members witnessed the scuffle, Romero wrote on Twitter, and they will all tell you no assault occurred.

Representative Poncho Nevarez, who Rinaldi accused of threatening him, labeled Rinaldi a liar and hateful man.

Hispanic Democratic lawmakers involved in the altercation told The Texas Tribune it wasnt physical, but indicated that Rinaldi got into peoples faces and cursed repeatedly. Video shot from the House floor and posted on Facebook shows both Republicans and Democrats pushing each other.

He came up to us and said, Im glad I just called ICE to have all these people deported,' state Rep. Cesar Blanco, D-El Paso, told the Texas Tribune. The demonstrators were protesting the recent signing of the SB-4 law.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the legislation earlier in May as part of an effort to remain consistent with federal immigration law. The law effectively bans sanctuary city policies in Texas and gives law enforcement officers the ability to ask the immigration status of people they stop.

Officers who dont comply with federal immigration agents could face jail time and fines.

Read more from The Texas Tribune.
A Christian geologist-turned-creationist, who claimed Grand Canyon National Park denied his request to obtain rocks from the Park based on his religious beliefs, is suing on grounds of alleged religious discrimination.

Andrew A. Snelling, a geologist with a doctorate in the field from the University of Sydney, named the Grand Canyon National Park and the U.S. Department of Interior and the National Park Service in his lawsuit.

Dr. Snelling, in November 2013, requested permission to remove 60 half-pound rocks from various areas of the Colorado River within the canyon, from park administrators  a request that was denied last July.

GRAND CANYON HITS 6 MILLION VISITORS, SETTING ANNUAL PARK RECORD

Dr. Snellings lawsuit, filed May 9, alleges NPSs actions demonstrate animus towards the religious viewpoints of Dr. Snelling  and violate Dr. Snellings free exercise rights by imposing inappropriate and unnecessary religious tests to his access to the park.

His beliefs were not mentioned in his permit request, but, according to the New York Times, Dr. Snelling was no strange to park officials, as he had guided many Biblical-themed rafting trips through the canyon and done research there.

Its one thing to debate the science, said Gary McCaleb, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative Christian nonprofit representing Dr. Snelling. But to deny access to the data not based on the quality of a proposal or the nature of the inquiry, but on what you might do with it is an abuse of government power.

ELECTRIC CAR CHARGERS ARE COMING TO 100 NATIONAL PARKS THIS YEAR

The lawsuit alleges Grand Canyon National Park discriminated against Dr. Snelling because of his creationist beliefs and by doing so violated Snellings constitutional rights and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, according to ScienceMag.org.

It also alleges NPS did not abide by President Trumps recent religious freedom executive order.

"This case perfectly illustrates why President Trump had to order executive agencies to affirm religious freedom, said McCaleb. Because park officials specifically targeted Dr. Snelling's religious faith as the reason to stop his research.

Karl Karlstrom, a geologist at the University of New Mexico who reviewed Dr. Snellings proposal for NPS, offered a different opinion. Karlstrom said the proposal was not well-written, up-to-date or well referenced and concluded Dr. Snelling has no scientific track record and no scientific affiliation since 1982.

When reached for comment, a Grand Canyon National Park representative said the National Park Service does not comment on pending litigation.
The city of Cleveland fired a police officer involved in the controversial November 2014 shooting of Tamir Rice and suspended a second officer in the case, officials announced Tuesday, more than two years after the death of the 12-year-old boy.

Officer Timothy Loehmann was terminated. Officer Frank Garmback will have to go through additional training once his suspension ends, Cleveland Public Safety Director Michael McGrath said at a news conference.

Loehmann was fired for inaccurate details on his job application, not for the Rice shooting, Fox 8 reported. A disciplinary letter against Loehmann previously cited his failure to reveal during the Cleveland police application process that a suburban department allowed him to resign instead of being fired at the end of a six-month probationary period.

Garmback, who was driving the police cruiser that skidded near Rice, was suspended for 10 days for violating a tactical rule involving his approach to the gazebo where the boy was shot. A discipline letter against Garmback has cited him for driving too close to Rice. Surveillance video of the shooting shows the patrol car skidding to a stop just feet from the boy.

On November 22, 2014, police were called to the Cudell Recreation Center responding to reports of a man with a gun. Police said when Loehmann and Garmback encountered Rice, the child refused three times to drop the weapon he was holding.

TRANSIT OFFICER FIRED AFTER ASKING FOR PASSENGER'S IMMIGRATION STATUS

Loehmann shot Rice, who died the next day. Officers later found he was holding a pellet gun.

Earlier this year, the 911 dispatcher who took the call that led to the shooting was suspended for eight days for failing to inform the dispatcher who sent the two officers to the recreation center that the man who called 911 about "a guy" pointing a gun at people also said it could have been a juvenile and the gun may have been "fake."

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Police Chief Calvin Williams and Deputy Chief Wayne Drummond also appeared at the news conference.

JUSTICES WILL HEAR OHIO APPEAL OVER PURGING VOTER ROLLS

Theres a 12-year-old kid dead. I mean, you know, people on both sides are going to say it wasnt enough, it was too much, Williams said. We have to go through our process, we have to be fair and objective to everyone in this process.

The Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office did not indict Loehmann and Garmback in Rices death. In January, the Cleveland Police Department announced Loehmann and Garmback as well as a third officer would face administrative charges, The New York Times reported.

Click for more from Fox 8.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Connecticut community fired back at Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Tuesday after she called a high school in the district "nothing more than adult day care" during a budget hearing last week.

Students and parents, along with the East Hartford Education Association, a teachers union, gathered outside East Hartford High and chanted, "DeVos is wrong! East Hartford strong!" the Hartford Courant reported.

"Betsy DeVos messed with the wrong district," union president Annie Irvine said at the rally.

Last week, DeVos criticized the high school and said a former student, named Michael, described the place "a dangerous day care." The education secretary was speaking at a budget hearing before a House Appropriations subcommittee last week.

"Michael described a school where students were the real ones in charge of the class, and they would make it impossible for the teacher to teach," DeVos said during her testimony.

SEAHAWKS' SHERMAN KEEPS PROMISE TO SEND STUDENT TO COLLEGE

Some parents and teachers argued that DeVos' comments were "inexcusable."

"We are here this morning because we cannot ignore the inexcusable and unforgivable attacks against our public schools and against our students. Betsy DeVos's uninformed assault on East Hartford Public Schools is reckless, and it is irresponsible," Sheila Cohan, the president of Connecticut Education Association, said in a statement on the group's website.

The Department of Education Press Secretary Liz Hill said in a statement to Time.com that DeVos' testimony showed the challenges a student faced in a high school.

SCHOOL DISTRICT SUED OVER ANTI-ISLAMOPHOBIA CAMPAIGN

"The Secretarys focus is on individual students and ensuring they each have access to a high-quality education that meets their needs. In her testimony, she relayed one student's experience and used his own words to describe the challenging circumstances he faced in high school. He, like so many other students across the country, needed another option but didnt have access to one," the statement read.

"For anyone to assert that Michaels individual story should be generalized to the broader student population is a symptom of the one-size-fits all status quo that too many continue to seek to defend. Michael is an individual student with an individual story to tell. He was able to rise above what he considered challenging circumstances and go on to excel academically. We should be applauding students like him."
A Minnesota Transit officer was fired after he was caught on video asking a light rail passenger if he was in the country illegally.

After the exchange with the transit officer, the passenger, Ariel Vences-Lopez, 23, was arrested for fare evasion and was taken to the Hennepin County jail in Minneapolis. He was eventually placed on a detainer for immigration violations, the Star Tribune reported.

The incident occurred May 14 and was captured on cellphone video. The officer is seen asking Vences-Lopez for a government-issued ID after an apparent ticket dispute. When Vences-Lopez shook his head, the officer asks: Are you here illegally?

TEXAS REPRESENTATIVES TRADE ASSAULT, THREAT ALLEGATIONS AMID ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION DEBATE

That video eventually went viral. The police chief released a statement on Saturday saying the officer no longer was an employee of the department.

We are working to reestablish the trust that was broken by this isolated incident, said a statement released by Metro Transit Police Chief John Harrington. The image of a single officers questioning immigration status is not reflective of, nor does it represent, the practices and procedures of Metro Transit officers.

The statement said that Vences-Lopez was picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents days after his arrest  but three days before the video was posted on Facebook. The department said there was no reference to his immigration status on the police report and ICE was not contacted.

Vences-Lopez is awaiting deportation to Mexico.

JUSTICES SIDE WITH MEXICAN IMMIGRANT IN UNDERAGE SEX DEPORTATION CASE

Minneapolis is not a sanctuary city but since 2003 has had an ordinance in the books preventing police officers from asking about a persons immigration status unless its relevant to a crime.

Harrington said he is reminding all the officers about the laws in the books.

We strongly value our relationship with all of the communities we serve, he said, and fully understand the importance of our riders need to feel confident that they can interact with our officers without fear.
The man accused of killing eight people including a deputy sheriff during a shooting spree in a rural Mississippi town was denied bond in an appearance before a judge Tuesday.

Lincoln County Justice Court judge Roger Martin denied bond for 35-year-old Willie Corey Godbolt, who was charged with one count of capital murder and seven counts of first-degree murder, according to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI). Martin also said the court will appoint an attorney for Godbolt.

Godbolts hearing was held in nearby Gallman County due to safety concerns, according to MBI communications director Warren Strain. On Monday, Strain released a statement stating Godbolt either knew or was related to each of his victims.

Godbolt is accused of gunning down eight people in three different locations. The shooting rampage allegedly started after a domestic dispute between Godbolts estranged wife and her family surrounding the custody of his children. Shortly after he was arrested, Godbolt spoke to a reporter from the Clarion-Ledger and appeared to confess to the alleged crimes.

Fifty-five year-old Barbara Mitchell, 53-year-old Brenda May, 35-year-old Tocarra May, and Lincoln County deputy sheriff William Durr were killed at a home on Lee Road in Bogue Chitto. According to authorities, Durr responded to a domestic call at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Saturday.

PORTLAND MAYOR URGES U.S. OFFICIALS TO SHUT DOWN 'ALT-RIGHT' RALLIES

An 11-year boy and 17-year-old Jordan Blackwell were shot and killed at a seprate home on Coopertown Road in Brookhaven. Police also say the bodies of 45-year-old Ferral Burage and 46-year-old Shelia Burage were discovered at a third home on East Lincoln Road.

Caleb Edwards was at the home on Coopertown Road and told The Associated Press how his cousin Jordan saved his life. I thought I was going to die, Edwards said. Caleb described how he felt the impact of his cousin Jordan being shot while he protected him from the gunfire, and told WJTV he played dead so the shooter wouldn't notice him.

DC SNIPER'S LIFE SENTENCE THROWN OUT

His 11-year-old brother Austin also was shot and killed.

A preliminary hearing for Godbolt has been scheduled for July 26.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The mother of a 4-year-old girl and a good Samaritan died after trying to save the child after she fell from a rock into a cold, raging river in Utah, officials said Tuesday.

Utah County sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon said London DeDios had been playing with her mother on Memorial Day near Bridal Veil Falls when she fell. Her mother, Brenda DeDios, and six other people jumped into the Provo River to try to save her.

"So many tragedies here," Cannon said. "Tragic a child went in, tragic two people went in to save that child are now passed away. Yes, it's preventable."

The body of the 4-year-old was found Tuesday near Nunn's Park in Provo, about a mile from where she fell into the river. Officials told FOX 13 Salt Lake City they found the girl's body below the water level stuck under logs. Search and rescue teams were aided when officials lowered the water level in the river earlier in the day.

The girl's mother and the bystander, Sean Thayne, were pulled unconscious from the river three miles downstream, according to FOX 13. They were both rushed to the hospital where they later died.

Cannon said the Provo River temperature was 45 degrees at the time of the tragedy and it was moving about 4 to 7 mph.

"There were at least six people who acted heroically in their effort to save London," said. "The sad reality is that those heroics would not have been necessary had there been proper planning to keep this young girl out of the water."

The deaths over the holiday weekend came amid warnings from officials around the state urging people to be careful around rivers that are high, fast and icy as warm spring temperatures melt heavy snow that fell in the Utah mountains.

Relatives told FOX 13, "Brenda was loving and caring for all and would do anything for her children. Her family will miss her greatly."

Two GoFundMe pages have been set up for London and Brenda DeDios, in addition to Sean Thayne.

Thayne's family told Fox 13 in a statement, "We would like to send our sad condolences to the other drowning victims as only we can understand their grief at this tragic loss."

Drownings are the third-most unintentional injury death in Utah for people 17 and under, according to the Utah Department of Health.

A total of 42 children drowned in the state from 2011 to 2015, and about half were 4 or younger. The most common location for the drownings are rivers, streams and lakes. while pools account for three in 10 drownings.

Many occur at family gatherings where no one is designated as the "water watcher" to prevent children from wandering off, the health department said.

Read more from FOX 13 Salt Lake City.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A woman who survived the Pulse nightclub shooting died on Monday in a head-on crash, Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan told WFTV.

Jahqui Sevilla, 20, was described as a private person who was trying to move on from the June 12, 2016 attack.

She was leaving the nightclub when Omar Mateen began shooting guests. Sevilla hid behind a couch with her friend, Paula Blanco, and Blancos boyfriend, Cory Connell, during the incident.

FBI RETURNS ITEMS TAKEN DURING PULSE SHOOTING INVESTIGATION

Sevilla said that she carried Connell out of the club after the shooting but he later died.

49 people were killed in the shooting.

Sevilla lost control of her Mitsubishi Lancer, crossed the median and crashed head-on into a northbound vehicle on Memorial Day, troopers said. The Orange County crash killed the drivers of both cars, investigators said.

The crash remains under investigation as troopers try to determine whether alcohol played a role in the accident.
Pamplona, Spain, may have the Running of the Bulls, but a Twin Cities race track has its own popular tradition.

This is the fourth year of the Running of the Bulldogs at Canterbury Park, and 48 dogs took part in the canine competition to see which would come out on top.

There's nothing in the playbook for Vikings Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur and his wife Jennifer to help their five-year-old bulldog Penny win the Super Bowl of dog races.

"I don't know if she's even going to run. This will be her first race, and we haven't trained her so we'll see how she does," Shurmur said.

She's one of four dozen dogs with an unbridled passion for beating the odds.

"We have not placed any bets, but I think some of our friends have probably bet against us," bulldog owner Wendy Beck said.

Canterbury Park came up with the race a few years ago to attract a different crowd. Little did they know, that was the starting line for a brand new tradition.

"We were doing wiener dog races for a while. It's popular with families and kids. We wanted to appeal to people who may not come out to the track for another reason," Canterbury Park Vice President of Marketing John Groen said.

Some of the dogs are natural sprinters right out of the gate, while others like three-year-old Chesty couldn't bear to stop after their race was run.

"I knew he'd make it across the finish line, but after that I didn't know if I could catch him or stop him. Maybe he'll run around the entire track? I don't know," Chesty's owner Jenny Price said.

Read more from FOX 9.
Our educational system did not fail - Serzh Sargsyan (video)

Today, at the Assembly Hall of Matenadaran, Serzh Sargsyan participated at the event dedicated to the National Program for Excellence in Education (NPEE). At the event summarized was the entire process of the program implementation, announced was the kick-off of the process on the creation of a net of schools with the Ararat Baccalaureate new educational program and proclaimed were the first schools from the marzes of Armenia and Artsakh enrolled in the program. In the framework of the event, Serzh Sargsyan handed letters of commendation to the best schools which participated in the creation of the net of schools throught the Ararat Baccalaureate new educational program and the schools which registered impressive results in the subject exams. The President of Armenia greeted the participants of the meeting and congratulated all teachers and educational establishments which received certification in the framework of the Ararat Baccalaureate educational program. By the introduction of this program, we make an important step towards the institution of high and established international standards in our school system. For years, we were saying that the best possible education, knowledge-based economy, and high technologies are critical for Armenias future. I believe on this we have formed consensus and public opinion long ago, and there is no disagreement in our society on these objectives. Today, through the Ararat Baccalaureate educational program, we respond to the question how to reach this noble and superb goal. This a national program for excellence in education which means we will be implementing it steadfastly throughout our Republic. In reality, today we have announced the commencement of the first stage of that work. The Ararat Baccalaureate educational program is also called upon to solve an important social issue. It is obvious that in recent year, serious entrepreneurial activities have been unfolding also in the area of education, and there are already some schools which are conducting a vigour marketing and advertising policy. We should follow the process closely, monitor the processes going on around the public schools, they should be in the center of attention of the Ministry of Education, our society because very often that competition is not fair and unhealthy, while the advertising should never be built on belittling the others. Public or free of charge school doesnt mean bad school, while private school surely doesnt mean that all necessary knowledge is taught there. Standards should be applicable for the evaluation of the entire system. We need to exercise great efforts to assist in the efforts which are undertaken in our marzes, especially in the schools, because it is no secret that schools in our marzes have larger problems related to the material and technical base than the schools in Yerevan. We need to continue this work with confidence that our educational system, our school system doesnt rest on Yerevan only. We should be able to create an educational system which will be competitive and wanted, competitive and wanted also by our compatriots who live outside Armenia and who would wish to receive their education in Fatherland, Armenia. This might probably become a component of repatriation. Dear Friends, I once again congratulate all teachers and the entire staff of educational institutions on this success. My special gratitude goes to Ter Mesrop and his team because they have put in enourmous efforts. I would also like to particularly thank the teachers who came and easily proved the high level of their knowledge. Yes, they passed exams and there is nothing dishonorable in that, and its not about the lack of trust. In general, tests like that should be mandatory in our state administration system and should be held regularly, because any profession is a complex of a constantly renewed knowledge. But at this point, its not what I wanted to say: I want to say, dear teachers, that at the end of the day, you proved the simple truth that our educational system did not fail. You gave the answer, and this the best answer to all pessimists who were talking for years that the educational system of Armenia had failed, that we dont have teachers anymore, etc, etc. The Minister of Education has said a very important thing here related to the April War. Everybody mentions that our 18-year old conscripts are serving with excellence and defend the borders of our Fatherland. However, they receive these ideas not only in the family but first and foremost at school. Thus, I believe everyone of you sitting here should stress it every time, Serzh Sargsyan said at this remarks addressed to the participants.
Six parents filed a lawsuit against a California school district over its anti-Islamophobia campaign, stating that the policy violated the U.S. Constitution because it favored one religion.

The Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund, which filed the lawsuit against San Diego Unified School District on behalf of the parents last Tuesday, said the policy should protect all students, regardless of their religion, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

"Its our position that the anti-bullying policies should protect all students regardless of ethnicity and affiliation, and they shouldnt be singling out any religious group for special treatment, as they seem to be doing here," Charles LiMandri, president and chief counsel for the Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund, told the newspaper.

LiMandri also said the campaign was a "politically correct solution to a problem that does not exist."

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA TO END LAVISH SPENDING ON MEALS

Board members in San Diego Unified School District unanimously voted on April 4 to pass the campaign aimed at protecting Muslim students from bullying. Only one board member was absent at the time and news of the campaign gained little attention.

Criticism began pouring in when the anti-Islamophobia campaign gained traction on news sites and social media. Some called it an unwanted intrusion of Muslim beliefs and culture, while others said it prioritized one religion over another.

The San Diego Union School District told Fox News it could not comment on pending litigation, but provided resources that defended its decision to form the program. One of the reasons stemmed from an April survey by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) which found that Muslim children were more susceptible to bullying in school compared to students practicing other religions, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The survey also found that a teacher or student official was involved in 25 percent of reported anti-Muslim incidents.

PROM NIGHT CONFLICT PITS MUSLIM STUDENTS VS. EDUCATION OFFICIALS

Along with protecting Muslim students from bullying by creating "safe spaces," the district would provide more lessons about Islam to help students better understand the religion, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. A district staff added that students already learned about Islam, but more resources would be beneficial.

The policy would ensure Muslim holidays would be recognized on staff calendars, but students would not be getting those days off. The district also planned to consider high school clubs that promote American Muslim culture and engage in partnerships with the Council on American Islamic Relations.

A letter outlining the plans was expected to be sent to staff and parents of the district's 132,000 students before the school year ends.

District officials also provided a detailed outline of Frequently Asked Questions on its website, where it explains how Muslim students weren't obtaining "special treatment."

"The District takes seriously the bullying of any student, and we have programs and procedures already in place to address bullying," according to the website.

The district said it would not be endorsing Islam and that the policy did not violate the separation between church and state because they were not promoting or teaching a religion. The initiative was not a "separate effort" from its current anti-bullying policy for all students, the site stated.

The lawsuit, however, asks a judge to immediately halt the policy while the merits of the claim are considered.

TEXAS TEACHER'S 'MOST LIKELY TO BECOME A TERRORIST' AWARD FOR STUDENT DRAWS BACKLASH

LiMandri said he was open to settlement talks and that an attorney for the school district appeared open to revisiting its partnership with the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

"No one is saying we have to have expensive, protracted litigation," LiMandri said at a news conference Thursday. "There can be a more commonsense approach to this where all students can be protected and no students are being favored to the disadvantage of anyone else."

Hanif Mohebi, executive director of Council on American-Islamic Relations' San Diego chapter, said the lawsuit "seems to be an attempt to have the courts enforce growing Islamophobia in our state and nation, and to strip away much-needed protection for Muslim students who face increasing bullying."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The University of California has announced it will no longer pay for the meals of its governing board after a newspaper reported lavish spending on dinners.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Sunday that UC President Janet Napolitano 's office reimbursed regents for more than $225,000 in dinner parties since 2012, including $17,600 for a banquet held the night before the board voted to raise tuition.

UC Board of Regents Chair Monica Lozano and Napolitano said in a statement that regents will "absorb their costs for board dinners" to avoid questions over how money is spent.

The newspaper reports Monday the reversal was the idea of regent Richard Blum.

Dinner costs are paid out of a private endowment designated for university business costs not covered by state or tuition funds.

Earlier this month, California Gov. Jerry Brown announced that he is withholding $50 million from the University of California in light of an audit last month that claimed to have found a stash of $175 million in secret funds while officials requested more money from the state.

A state audit found that under university system President Janet Napolitano, former Department of Homeland Security chief, UC administrators hid $175 million from the public while increasing tuition and asking the state for more money.

The UC Board of Regents in January voted to increase in-state tuition and fees by $336 next academic year. Some lawmakers called for a reversal of the tuition hike in the wake of the audit.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
The U.S. military successfully shot down a mock nuclear warhead simulating the speed and range of a potential North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile, the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency said Tuesday.

In a statement, the agency said an unarmed rocket launched from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean was "destroyed" by a ground-based interceptor launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Southern California as it traveled outside Earth's atmosphere.

The successful test was the first of its kind in nearly three years.

It came two days after North Korea tested a SCUD-type ballistic missile that landed in Japan's maritime economic zone in the Sea of Japan.

This system is vitally important to the defense of our homeland, and this test demonstrates that we have a capable, credible deterrent against a very real threat," said MDA Director Vice Admiral Jim Syring. "I am incredibly proud of the warfighters who executed this test and who operate this system every day."

While Tuesday's test wasn't designed with the expectation of an imminent North Korean missile threat, the military will closely look for progress toward the stated goal of being able to reliably shoot down a small number of ICBMs targeting the United States. The Pentagon is thirsting for a success story amid growing fears about North Korea's escalating capability.

The $244 million test will not confirm that the U.S. is capable of defending itself against an intercontinental-range missile fired by North Korea. Pyongyang also is understood to be moving closer to the capability of putting a nuclear warhead on such a missile and could have developed decoys sophisticated enough to trick an interceptor into missing the real warhead.

Syring's agency sounded a note of caution.



"Initial indications are that the test met its primary objective, but program officials will continue to evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test," his statement said.



About half of the previous tests of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system have failed, attracting criticism from the Government Accountability Office and the Pentagons own weapons testing office, which says the system has a limited capability to defend the U.S. against an ICBM attack.

Faced with the prospect of an enemy state obtaining long-range weapons, the Pentagon rapidly deployed the interceptor system in 2004, long before development and testing were complete.

The Pentagon has other elements of missile defense that have shown to be more reliable, although they are designed to work against medium-range or shorter-range ballistic missiles. These include the Patriot missile, which numerous countries have purchased from the U.S., and the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, which the U.S. deployed this year to South Korea to defend against medium-range missiles from North Korea.



Thirty-six interceptors stand guard at Vandenberg and at Fort Greely in Alaska. By the end of 2017, the Pentagon plans to have forty-four.

Fox News' Dan Gallo and Jonathan Hunt contributed to this report. The Associated Press also contributed to this report.
A Washington state man is feared dead after he fell from a cliff and into a river at Palouse Falls State Park while he was taking a photo with his girlfriend on Monday, police said.

The man, 25, was hiking at the state park with his girlfriend when he slipped and fell from the cliff and into the Palouse River, according to Franklin County Sheriff's Office.The girlfriend told investigators that they were taking photos at the time.

MISSING WOMAN FOUND ALIVE 5 DAYS AFTER CAR CRASH

Rescue crew searched for the man's body, but turned up empty. They are expected to resume search and recovery on Tuesday.

The man's name has not been released.

Officials conveyed concerns about the Palouse Falls trails, warning hikers that the paths were potentially dangerous, the Spokesman-Review reported.

A fence was placed in late 2015 to keep people off the trails, but reopened about a year later.
Recent violence in the southern Philippines, including the beheading of a police chief, has fueled concerns the Islamic State group's violent ideology is gaining a foothold in the region where a Muslim separatist rebellion has raged for decades.

In the past week, gunmen linked to Isnilon Hapilon, a commander of the Abu Sayyaf militant group who has pledged allegiance to ISIS, swept into Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, burning buildings, seizing a Catholic priest and his worshippers and raising the black flag of the terror group.

The death toll since Tuesday is close to 100, according to the AP, which includes 16 civilians, 61 militants, 11 soldiers, and four police officers.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the south through mid-July after the militants went on the deadly rampage in Marawi, a lakeside city dotted with hundreds of mosques, following an unsuccessful military raid to capture Hapilon.

As many as 180,000 people, about 90 percent of the population, have fled the usually bustling town due to the violence, according to Reuters.

On Monday, attack helicopters were seen streaking low over Marawi, firing rockets at militant hideouts, as heavily armed soldiers went house to house in search of fighters. Thousands of people have fled the cityi, leading a local official to describe it as like "a ghost town," according to SkyNews.

The army insists the drawn-out fight is not a true sign of the militants' strength, and that the military has held back to spare civilians' lives.

"They are weak," Gen. Eduardo Ano, the military chief of staff, told the Associated Press while speaking at a hospital where injured soldiers were being treated. "It's just a matter of time for us to clear them from all their hiding places."

The group of fighters however have turned out to be remarkably well-armed and resilient. In recent years, small militant groups in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia have begun unifying under the banner of ISIS.

Last week, Jose Calida, the top Philippine prosecutor, said that Indonesians and Malaysians were among the fighters in Marawi, and that the violence on the large southern island of Mindanao "is no longer a rebellion of Filipino citizens."

Rohan Gunaratna, a terrorism expert at Singapore's S. Rarajatnam School of International Studies, told the AP that ISIS and the smaller regional groups are working together to show their strength and declare a Philippine province part of the caliphate that ISIS says it created in the Middle East.

The ongoing fighting in Marawi, along with smaller battles elsewhere in the southern Philippines, may be precursors to declaring a province, which would be "a huge success for the terrorists,' he added.

Last week, two suicide bombings in Jakarta, Indonesia, killed three police officers, an attack claimed by ISIS.

While Indonesia has been fighting local militants since 2002, the rise of the Islamic State group has breathed new life into those militant networks and raised concern about the risk of Indonesian fighters returning home from the Middle East.

Experts have warned that as ISIS is weakened in Syria and Iraq, battered by years of American-led attacks, the region in the Philippines could become a focal point for regional fighters.

Southeast Asian fighters fleeing the Middle East "could look to Mindanao to provide temporary refuge as they work their way home," said a report late last year by the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, predicting a high risk of regional violence. Marawi is regarded as the heartland of the Islamic faith on Mindanao island.

The fighters' support network in Marawi remains unclear, though the power of one militant group  the Mautes  has grown in recent years. Led by members of the city's Maute clan, the group has become increasingly active in a number of towns across Lanao del Sur province, where Marawi is located, and has been instrumental in the fighting this past week.

Muslim rebels have been waging a separatist rebellion in the south of the predominantly Roman Catholic nation for decades. The largest armed group dropped its secessionist demands in 1996, when it signed a Muslim autonomy deal with the Philippine government. Amid continuing poverty and other social ills, restiveness among minority Muslims has continued.

Hapilon is an Islamic preacher and former commander of the Abu Sayyaf militant group who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group in 2014. He now heads an alliance of at least 10 smaller militant groups, including the Maute.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read more from SkyNews.

Read more from Reuters.
A massive bombing outside a popular ice cream parlor in central Baghdad and a rush hour car bomb in another downtown area killed at least 31 people on Tuesday, Iraqi officials said.

The Islamic State terror network claimed responsibility for the ice cream parlor attack -- but a source in Baghdad told Fox News a militia group unrelated to ISIS was responsible.

ISIS claimed responsibility in separate online statements, saying a suicide bomber carried out the attack. However, officials told Al Jazeera that the explosives were placed in a parked car.

Several militias have been fighting for control of the more lucrative areas of Baghdad, the source said.

Families with children were enjoying a late-night snack after breaking their fast for Ramadan when the explosions went off, according to Iraqi officials.

A closed-circuit camera video of the explosion showed a busy downtown avenue, with cars driving down the street, when the massive blast struck.

EGYPT SACKS LOCAL SECURITY CHIEF AFTER ATTACK ON CHRISTIANS

Then, a huge fireball engulfed a building, forcing the cars to scramble to get away. Videos of the attack posted on social media showed wounded and bloodied people crying for help on the sidewalk outside the ice cream parlor.

The attacks came as ISIS militants were losing more territory to U.S.-backed Iraqi forces in the battle for Mosul, the country's second-largest city. The Sunni extremists are increasingly turning to insurgency-style terror attacks to detract from their losses.

It was unclear how many of the dead were children. Al Jazeera reported that one girl, wearing a ribbon and bow in her hair, wandered around in an apparent daze after the blast.

In the second attack, an explosives-laden car went off during rush hour near the state-run Public Pension Office in Baghdad's busy Shawaka area, killing 14, a police officer said. At least 37 people were wounded in that attack, he added.

Police and security officials say the explosion in the Iraqi capital's bustling Karrada neighborhood early on Tuesday also wounded 27 people. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

ISLAMIC STATE MILITANTS SHELL BESIEGED SYRIAN CITY, KILL 13

Officials codemned the attack and spoke out against ISIS aafter the group claimed responsibility.

"[ISIS] wants Iraqis to fear going out and this is to show they are still present and able to strike the heart of the Iraqi capital, even as they are being defeated on the battlefield," Hayder al-Khoei, a London-based Middle East expert, told Al Jazeera.

Brett McGurk, the U.S. envoy to the coalition against ISIS tweeted, "Isis [IS] terrorists tonight in Baghdad target children & families enjoying time together at an ice cream shop. We stand w/Iraq against this evil."

The attacks came just days into the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast during daylight hours. After sundown, families break their fast and Baghdad's restaurants and cafes quickly fill up with people staying up long into the night.

During Ramadan last year, another section of Karrada was hit by massive suicide bombing that killed almost 300 people, the deadliest single attack in the Iraqi capital in 13 years of war. The attack was also claimed by ISIS.

Fox News' Hollie McKay and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The U.N. children's agency says a person in Finland has donated the largest private cash gift ever contributed to UNICEF, 6 million euros ($6.7 million.)

A spokeswoman for the Finnish Committee for UNICEF says the donor decided to give the money after being moved by photos and news reports depicting the horrible living conditions for people in Syria.

The spokeswoman, Kirsi Haru, said Tuesday that some 2 million euros will be channeled to Syria, while 1.5 million euros will to go help children in Vietnam and Bolivia. The rest was to be used for general aid purposes.

Haru says the donor asked to remain anonymous.

She says some of the funds were distributed last year, while the rest will be spent this year
German state police detained a teenage asylum-seeker on Tuesday on suspicion that he was planning a suicide attack in Berlin, the countrys capital.

Police in the state of Brandenburg said the unidentified asylum seeker, 17, was detained in the village of Gerswalde, about 60 miles northeast of Berlin.

The arrest came after the teenager apparently sent a farewell message to family members and told them that he had joined the jihad, or holy war, according to Brandenburg police.

MERKEL URGES EU TO CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY, AFTER TRUMP VISIT, CLIMATE CHANGE DECISION

The message was sent to the suspects family within the last week and Brandenburg authorities were informed of it late Monday night by two other German states, Brandenburg police spokesman Torsten Herbst told The Associated Press.

Police are investigating but evidence of the planning of a concrete act has not yet been identified, said Herbst.

The state Interior Ministrys office identified the asylum-seeker as Syrian, but investigators are inspecting whether the suspect registered as a Syrian but was from a different country.

The teenager, whose name has not been released, traveled to Germany in 2015 as an unaccompanied minor and registered as an asylum-seeker. He has been residing in a home for minor refugees in Gerswalde since 2016.

MERKEL WARNS AGAINST SIMPLE ANSWERS AFTER TRUMP MEETINGS

The detainment comes a week after the Manchester terror attack that killed at least 22 people and injured dozens after an Ariana Grande concert.

Germany has experienced a number of violent attacks by Islamic extremists last year including the deadly truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market that killed 12 people and injured dozens. Responsibility for the attack, which was carried out by a Tunisian man who had been denied asylum in Germany, was later claimed by the Islamic State.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


Indian authorities have charged 10 Christians, a minority long targeted by Hindu nationalists for their faith, with violating conversion laws by allegedly attempting to forcibly convert Hindu youth to Christianity, India Today reported.

The Christians were taking the children to a Christian summer camp  with their parents approval -- when they were detained. Authorities said the parents had allegedly failed to file legal paperwork with the government to make their conversion official, meaning the children are legally still Hindu.

Last week Madya Pradesh police stopped a bus with 60 children, accompanied by nine chaperones, as it was going to the camp in Nagpur. The next day authorities stopped a bus with 11 children of Christian parents, plus chaperones, who were also traveling to the Nagpur summer camp.

In both cases the police said the childrens parents had not gone through the required legal paperwork to legitimately convert to Christianity and, thus, their children are considered Hindu, according to Catholic site Crux. Taking Hindu children to a Christian summer camp violates the Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act 1968.

For changing to another religion, one needs to submit a written application to the district collector and only after the stipulated process, a person can change religious identity, which didnt happen in the case of any of the parents claiming to be Christians, said Krishnaveni Desavatu, the police superintendent, told reporters, according to The Indian Express.

This is why, the children and their parents will be officially treated as Hindu tribals and not Christians, he was quoted in The Indian Express as saying.

The traumatization of these tribal and Dalit children from the villages of western Madhya Pradesh is symptomatic of the paranoia and targeted hate that is currently sweeping across north India.  John Dayal, United Christian Forum spokesman

The 10 chaperones face charges of trying to forcibly convert the children from Christian families.

Officials said they rescued the 71 children and placed them in welfare homes until they could be interviewed, after which officials said they would return the children to their families.

The children and their families are part of the nations lowest caste, known as Dalits, a group that is sometimes called the untouchables because their touch is believed to defile higher-caste Hindus. Although discrimination against Dalits was outlawed in 1955, the problem persists  especially among Christian Dalits.

The Indian Express newspaper said that the adult chaperones originally faced charges of engaging illegally in conversion and kidnapping, because it was uncertain at first whether the parents had been aware of the youths trip to the camp. Later, the kidnapping charges were dropped, and news coverage mentioned only charges for illegally trying to convert people to a non-Hindu religion.

Christian leaders say the families already were Christian, and as such were not engaging in conversion.

They called it part of a pattern of harassment of Christians in India.

The traumatization of these tribal and Dalit children from the villages of western Madhya Pradesh is symptomatic of the paranoia and targeted hate that is currently sweeping across north India, said John Dayal, spokesperson of the United Christian Forum and past president of the All India Catholic Union, according to Crux.

No laws were broken by anyone in this instance, as indeed in incidents of anti-Christian violence in recent weeks, he was quoted as saying. These are Christian children going to a summer camp in Nagpur. The involvement of the police and local civil authorities needs closer studyapart from rampant impunity and turning a blind eye to [Hindu nationalist] violence, the law and order institutions have been heavily infiltrated and radicalized under almost 15 years of Bharatiya Janata Party rule in Madhya Pradesh.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party shut down a Christian charity called Compassion International amid the governments claim that it was doing conversions.

Dayal called on the Roman Catholic Church to press government officials to issue a categorical assurance, in clear language, that targeting of Christians of all denominations will stop forthwith and district police and administrative heads will be held personally responsible.

The children and their parents will be officially treated as Hindu tribals and not Christians.  Police superintendent Krishnaveni Desavatu

Christians are a tiny minority  only 1 percent  in the Madhya Pradesh state, where the latest incidents took place. More than 90 percent of the states residents are Hindu.

Indian authorities have raided villages and compelled Christians into reconversion, which includes forcing them to conduct Hindu rituals, according to Crux.
A Catholic priest who claims he's been kidnapped alongside more than 240 hostages by fighters linked to the Islamic State in the Philippines appealed Tuesday to President Rodrigo Duterte to stop the vicious terror spree.

In a video that surfaced on Facebook, Rev. Teresito Chito Suganob, vicar general of the Prelature of Marawi, pleaded to Duterte to consider the lives of the hostages, most of whom are Christian. He asked the president to stop the airstrikes and air attacks.

In the past week, gunmen linked to Isnilon Hapilon, a commander of the Abu Sayyaf militant group who has pledged allegiance to ISIS, swept into Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, burning buildings, seizing Suganob and his worshippers and raising the black flag of the terror group.

PHILIPPINES VIOLENCE FUELS FEARS OF ISIS FOOTHOLD IN SOUTHERN PART OF COUNTRY

Mr. President, please follow your heart, please consider us, he said, according to MindaNews. You know its hard. Mr. President, from time to time we hear the outburst of guns from your ground of enemies; heavy firearms from your side. Its hard.

He added: They dont ask for anything. They just ask that you to leave this place peacefully. Dont give so much attack. The city in my background is ruined like this.

Suganob is seen wearing a black polo and standing in front of ruined homes in Marawi.

Duterte declared martial law in the south through mid-July after the militants went on the deadly rampage in Marawi, a lakeside city dotted with hundreds of mosques, following an unsuccessful military raid to capture Hapilon.

The death toll since Tuesday is close to 100, according to the AP, which includes 16 civilians, 61 militants, 11 soldiers, and four police officers.

In the 5-minute video, Sugnob pleaded to Duterte that they were the victims and that his captors are ready to die for their religion.

Mr. President, we are asking for your consideration.

The militants include foreign fighters and local gunmen who want to establish a regional branch of the Islamic State group, the military said Tuesday.

Soldiers have taken control of about 70 percent of Marawi, where the gunmen have been fending off the army for a week, military chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Ano said.

"They wanted to show the world that there is an ISIS branch here which can inflict the kind of violence that has been seen in Syria and Iraq," Ano told The Associated Press, using an acronym for the Islamic State group.

Marawi is regarded as the heartland of the Islamic faith on the southern Mindanao island.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned Tuesday of sending a bigger "gift package" to the United States after successfully launching its third missile test in recent weeks.

North Korea's official KCNA news agency quoted the rogue leader, saying that Pyongyang would continue to develop its missile program in preparation for a possible attack, Reuters reported.

"He expressed the conviction that it would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send a bigger 'gift package' to the Yankees," KCNA added.

VIDEO: NORTH KOREA LAUNCHES SCUD MISSILE INTO SEA OF JAPAN

North Korea launched a short-range Scud ballistic missile from the eastern coastal town of Wonsan late Sunday. The missile flew for 6 minutes until it landed in the Sea of Japan, a statement from U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii said.

Kim has vowed to develop a nuclear-armed missile with the capability of reaching U.S. soil. Though it's believed that the communist nation is still several years away from that goal, the continued tests, despite pressure and threats from global powers to halt them, shows its determination to develop that capability.

On Tuesday, the U.S. military is expected to test for the first time an interceptor missile  used to shoot down a intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

IS NORTH KOREA'S EMP THREAT REAL OR 'SOMETHING OUT OF A JAMES BOND MOVIE'?

This is the first time the U.S. military has attempted to test a ground-based interceptor against an "intercontinental class target," The Missile Defense Agency confirmed to Fox News.

The test has been seen as the United States' preparation for a possible North Korea attack. Defense Secretary James Mattis said Sunday that conflict with North Korea would be "possibly the worst kind of fighting in most people's lifetime."

JAPAN VOWS TO TAKE ACTION WITH US AFTER NORTH KOREA MISSILE TEST

President Trump joined leaders of South Korea and Japan on Monday to condemn North Korea. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed to take action with the U.S. to "deter North Korea." On Twitter, Trump said North Korea showed "great disrespect" for China in its latest launch.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) is coming under unusual fire from the United Nations for naming a womens center after a notorious terrorist.

U.N. officials, as well as Norwegian officials, took issue with the Womens Technical Affairs Committee (WTAC) for naming a West Bank center after Dalal Mughrabi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization, according to Legal Insurrection. Mughrabi was part of the Coastal Road Massacre of 1978 that left 38 Israeli civilians dead -- 13 of whom were children  and another 71 injured in one of the most brutal terror attacks in Israeli history.

The United Nations disassociated itself from the center once it learned the offensive name chosen for it and will take measures to ensure that such incidents do not take place in the future, the U.N. said in a statement provided to Fox News, in which it also said its support of WTAC ended last year.

The glorification of terrorism, or the perpetrators of heinous terrorist acts, is unacceptable under any circumstances. The U.N. has repeatedly called for an end to incitement to violence and hatred as they present one of the obstacles to peace.

The U.N.s action surprised some observers, as the international body has a long history of ignoring such behavior.

U.N. officials also point out that the centers inauguration occurred after the international body ended its association with the WTAC and that it wants the U.N. Women logo removed from the building immediately.

We will follow up accordingly to ensure that that happens, according to a U.N. statement provided to Fox News.

Meanwhile, Norway is demanding that the PA refund the money the Scandinavian nation donated for the centers construction and to remove their nations name from the center.

On Friday, Norways foreign minister, Brge Brende, condemned the PA for naming the center, which was funded in part by Norway, after Mughrabi.

The glorification of terrorist attacks is completely unacceptable, and I deplore this decision in the strongest possible terms, Brende said in a statement to Fox News. Norway will not allow itself to be associated with institutions that take the names of terrorists in this way. We will not accept the use of Norwegian aid funding for such purposes.

Brende also said that Norwegian officials had been unaware that a decision was made to name the center after Mughrabi and that Norway would no longer participate in future projects with the PA until it receives assurances that it will not happen again.

The Palestinian Authority has named numerous buildings and streets in the West Bank after Mughrabi, including two other schools. In 2010 it tried to name a public square after her on the anniversary of the Coastal Road Massacre but faced criticism for the decision.

A ceremony took place a year later in the town of Al-Bireh with a dozen people in attendance, none of whom were Palestinian government officials, according to a 2011 Haaretz article.
Some 200 troops and 60 combat vehicles from Norway arrived in Lithuania Tuesday, completing a multinational NATO unit of more than 1,000 soldiers in the Baltic nation neighboring Russia.

Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis says the Norwegian soldiers added to a deployment that "signals that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all."

At last year's NATO summit in Warsaw, Poland, the 28-member alliance decided to deploy forces in the countries bordering Russia and Belarus. The Baltic countries and Poland fear that after Russia's military involvement in Georgia and Ukraine, other former Soviet republics could be next.

The Norwegians joined German, Belgian and Dutch troops and armored vehicles in NATO's enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battlegroup. The deployment is NATO's most significant presence close to the Kaliningrad exclave, the Russian territory wedged between Poland and Lithuania that is the most militarized zone in Europe.

Similar NATO units led by Britain, Canada and the United States also have deployed in parts of Poland, Latvia and Estonia.
A Turkish court on Tuesday acquitted two Turkish men who were charged with aiding and abetting their younger brother in the 2005 shooting death of their sister in Germany.

Hatun Surucu, a 23-year-old divorced mother, was killed by three shots to the head in Berlin by her youngest brother in what prosecutors described as an "honor killing" meant to punish her for her Western lifestyle.

The shooter, her 20-year-old brother, was sentenced to 9 years and 3 months in prison in April 2006. Her two older brothers, Alpaslan and Mutlu Surucu, were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

A German court annulled the acquittals in 2007 but by that time the men had left for Turkey. Turkey, which does not extradite its citizens, agreed to put the brothers on trial in the country.

Prosecutors had demanded that the two be sentenced to between 15 and 20 years in prison each for allegedly helping their brother carry out the killing, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency.

But the court in Istanbul ruled that there was no "sufficient, certain and credibly concrete" evidence against the two and acquitted them.

Fidan Ataselim, head of a rights advocacy group against violence against women, expressed disappointment with the verdict. She said the court rejected a request for her group  "We Will Stop Women's Murders"  to be a party to the trial and speak on behalf of the victim.

"The suspects had attorneys ... their voices were heard," Ataselim said. "(Hatun) wasn't able to speak for herself, her voice wasn't heard."
Spherion Utah VP Aubrey Robison Named one of Utah Business Magazine's "30 Women to Watch"

May 17, 2017 // Franchising.com // SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah branches of Spherion Staffing Services, a local recruiting, staffing and workforce solutions provider, are proud to announce that Vice President Aubrey Robison has been named one of Utah Business Magazines 30 Women to Watch for 2017. Awarded annually by Utah Business Magazine, a monthly publication covering the latest news and trends across the states economic landscape, the 30 Women to Watch program commemorates female business leaders who demonstrate excellence in entrepreneurship, innovation, management and community improvement.

Robison joined Spherion Utah in August 2013, and has held various sales, business development, professional placement and management roles during her tenure. In her current vice president role, Robison oversees day-to-day operations and leads new business generation for Spherion branches in Salt Lake City, Orem, Riverdale and Taylorsville. Under her guidance, the Spherion Utah offices cumulatively have grown their revenue by more than 50 percent and expanded their profit by 100 percent. Robison also leads a South Jordan direct hire team that has been the companys top performer for three years in a row.

In addition to her devoted involvement in expanding the Spherion brand and connecting Utah workers and businesses, Robison also is the co-owner and president of the companys Boise franchise, which opened in June 2016.

It is an honor to be included among such a prestigious list of strong, confident and successful women who inspire and drive change across their respective industries and communities, said Robison. My team and I take great pride in being part of the conversation around how to build a better and more sustainable workforce throughout Utah, and we are thrilled to continue connecting our most talented and ambitious workers with professional opportunities that allow them to shine.

Beyond her extensive work with Spherion, Robison is an active participant in numerous local business and philanthropic organizations which strive to make Utah a better place to live and work. She serves on the leadership boards of several economic and civic associations, including the Department of Workforce Services, the Utah Manufacturing Association and the Governors Office of Economic Development, while also contributing to community-focused groups such as TIFIE Humanitarian, People Helping People and the Roots Charter School. Additionally, Robison is a member of the leadership team of GroEco, a national company that helps local farmers establish indoor agriculture operations and distribution channels as part of a larger effort to counter world hunger.

Aubrey is an exceptional ambassador for the Spherion brand, and she has been instrumental to our growth and success throughout Utah, said Ron Zarbock, Spherion Utah Franchise Owner. Her endless energy and uncanny ability to connect with people from all walks of life have forged relationships of the highest value. She exemplifies the exceptional standards of leadership, work ethic and creativity that this Award represents, and we cannot think of a more deserving recipient.

Robison and her fellow nominees will be honored at the 18th annual 30 Women to Watch awards ceremony, scheduled to take place this afternoon (Wednesday, May 17th) at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.

For more information on Spherion and its workforce services, visit spherion.com/utah.

About Spherion

Spherion (spherion.com) is a leading recruiting and staffing provider, specializing in temporary and direct hire placement of administrative, clerical, customer service, light industrial and professional job candidates. To help clients attract, engage and retain a high-performance workforce, Spherion offers in-depth market knowledge, outstanding customer service, a strong network of talent and unique insights from its groundbreaking Emerging Workforce Study, now in its 20th year. As an industry pioneer, Spherion has, for more than 70 years, matched candidates to clients in virtually every industry across the U.S. Today, each Spherion office is independently owned and operated by a team of local specialists, dedicated to delivering great experiences, powered by technology but always with a personal touch. To learn more about one of the nations fastest-growing industries, visit spherion.com/franchise and explore how Spherion is actively expanding into new territories, with more than 75 franchise markets available.

SOURCE Spherion

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Charges have been dropped against three men who were among a group of six charged in the beating of a Fredericksburg man who died several years later.

Tuesday morning in Fredericksburg Circuit Court, prosecutor Justin Witt announced his motion to drop the charges against Howard Glendale Vaughn Jr., DeQuan Quante Ellis and Rashon Jamal Graves.

Tuesdays move came four weeks after a judge dismissed charges against three other men for the same incident. That dismissal came after Witt and defense attorneys had presented their cases.

Judge Sarah Deneke said there was no evidence that linked the men to the 2011 beating in the Central Park Walmart parking lot or the eventual death of Stuart Cole.

Cole died in December 2015 after suffering a seizure in his Fredericksburg apartment, with a medical examiner later ruling that the cause of death was related to brain injuries the 22-year-old suffered that August night in the Walmart parking lot.

Police and the prosecution said the parking lot incident arose from an argument at the store in which sharp words were exchanged. A group of six young men later cornered Cole and beat him.

During the trial, defense attorneys admitted that one defendant punched Cole and another kicked him. But they contrasted the prosecutions story with one that had Cole being a willing participant in a spur-of-the-moment fight.

They also countered the prosecutions assertion about Coles health issues and death, saying there could have been other causesa pair of car crashes and marijuana use being their primary focus. Coles mother and brother took the stand and denied that he was a chronic user of marijuana.

Vaughn, 24, of Spotsylvania, testified during the trial, but said he didnt see who punched or kicked Cole.

Ellis, 23, of Fredericksburg and Graves, a 23-year-old Florida resident, and Vaughn reached plea agreements prior to the trial of the other defendants. But with the result of last months trial, it came as no surprise that the charges against the three remaining defendants were dropped.
Meaning and Memory: Memorial Day address by Dr. Mike Stevens on May 29, 2017:

Good morning. This is the 151st Memorial Day observance here in the Fredericksburg Confederate Cemetery, and I believe it to be both an honor and a privilege to be able to participate in such a meaningful and important event. On behalf of all those who worked so hard to bring it all together, I thank you for coming.

Memorial Day is the day we set aside to remember and to honor our fallen war heroes, to remember and to honor those who died defending their country. Here, in this special place, we meet to remember and to honor those who fought and fell for the Confederacy, for cause, and comrade, and country.

There are six Confederate generals buried here, along with well more than 3,000 Southern soldiers, over 2,000 of them known only to God.

More than 3,000 Southern men, over 2,000 of whom will remain unknown forever, resting eternal within the sound of my voice.

And the fact is that, unlike the generals, these men were not professional soldiers. Rather, they were ordinary men and boys, with lives and loves, with moms and dads and wives and children, with hopes and dreams, with futures filled with bright promise and exciting possibilities. But these ordinary men and boys, when faced with ultimate truth as they saw it, did what needed to be done, and each paid the ultimate price for having done so. They chose to believe and answered the call of duty.

In this cemetery, in this special place, if we stop and listen closely, not with our ears but with our hearts, we can hear the echoes of those who are buried here. We who understand hear their voices across time, voices of men dead for over a century who nonetheless look to us the living to protect their memories and their stories, to protect that for which they were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. And the question is simply put: What would these men have wanted of us?

To those of us who do understand, the answer is obvious. The men resting here would have wanted and would have expected their sacrifice and their suffering to be honored and defended, acknowledged and respected. Never forget, nor dishonor, would have been their counsel and their prayer.

Walking the holy ground of this cemetery allows us to reflect upon these men who believed that there are things more important than life itself, who risked everything for the promise of nothing save honor and principle. Walking this ground allows us a unique opportunity to ponder not only what they did but also why and how they did it.

And by so doing we can learn more about ourselves, about the human condition, about the difference between living ones values and not simply professing them, about the higher virtues of honor, and duty, and love of God and country, of courage and self-sacrifice and loyalty to cause and comrade, about the difference between giving ones life and not simply losing it, about the loftier side of the human soul, about the meaning of life itself: The terms by which it is lived and the terms upon which, at last, it must be surrendered.

By being here today, we assure that these men will not be forgotten and lost to time but will be remembered and honored forever, for who they were, for what they did, and for what they can teach us.

By being here today, we help preserve the memories and the meaning, the sacrifices and the stories, of these men, men whose bond to cause and comrade and country was so strong that they were willing to die rather than to deny it.

We are here today to remember loss. We are here today to remember courage and commitment and sacrifice. And we are here today to remember that here lie thousands of brave Southern men who risked and lost their lives for cause and country.

And yet, on this Memorial Day, I worry that their memory means too little to too many of us. I worry that the significance of this day is no longer the memory but the holiday. Talk to Americans about Memorial Day and you are likely to hear about a long weekend away from work, deals at car lots, shopping bargains at the mall. Ask them what the holiday is really supposed to mean, and many may well tell you that it signifies the beginning of summer, or a day at the beach.

We must not forget our past or these men who are buried here. This can happen if we stop telling their stories. This can happen if we become indifferent to our shared history and heritage, or if we let our memorials disappear or be destroyed.

Individual acts of neglect have diminished the importance of this day. Individual acts of determination can restore it:

--Visiting this special place regularly and bringing your children and grandchildren, telling them the stories of the brave men buried here.

--Supporting the Fredericksburg Ladies Memorial Association as it continues to maintain and be a good steward of this holy place.

--Joining our local battlefield preservation organization, CVBT, in its ongoing efforts to preserve the hallowed ground of our remaining Civil War battlefields.

--Becoming involved with our two local Civil War round tables, the Rappahannock Valley CWRT and the Civil War Round Table of Fredericksburg. The Rappahannock Valley CWRT has contributed thousands of dollars to the preservation effort over the years, and it was the Civil War Round Table of Fredericksburg that was responsible for dedicating a new headstone here this weekend to Pvt. Samuel Reuben Ard, 15th South Carolina, who was killed inthe Battle of Chancellorsville.

Act as if what you can do makes a difference. Because it does.

To remember is to understand, and by these and other acts we can offer our thanks to these men who gave their lives for cause and country, and we can be confident that Memorial Day at the Fredericksburg Confederate Cemetery will always be special, and that those brave Southern men, those brave Southern heroes who gave their lives for their country will be remembered and honored, forever and for all time.

In 1915, Mary Nowlin Moon of the Daughters of the Confederacy chapter in Lynchburg, said this: A part of my heritage was that I came into this world with the blood of a soldier in my veins. It is mine, to cherish, to nurture and to make grace, and to pass along to those yet to come. It would greatly please my ancestor to know that I remember. It would please him to know that I appreciate what he did and delight him to know that I do not consider the Cause which he held dear to be lost or forgotten. Rather that I am extremely proud of the fact that he was a part of it and was numbered among the greatest and bravest men which any Cause ever produced.

We are here today to honor our Confederate ancestors, and its a fine and noble thing we do. Each flag we see reflects someone brave who lost his life for cause and comrade and country. Each flag we see reflects a sacrifice that must be honored and respected. For these brave men, these ordinary men who did such extraordinary things, have earned that right to be remembered and to be honored until the end of time.

We are the future for whom they fought. Right now, their memory is in our hands. I hope and pray that we will make them proud.

May God bless their memory, may God bless all our veterans, and may God continue to bless this greatest of all countries, the United States of America.

Dr. Michael Stevens is a founding member of the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust, and its past president.
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Farmer-owned co-op First Milk has dropped its A litre price by between 0.28p/litre and 0.35p/litre for next month.

The co-ops about 1,000 producers will now receive 25.49p-27.25p/litre dependent on milk pool.

The fall comes despite the highest ever AHDB Dairy UK wholesale average butter price at 4,300/t and second biggest for cream at 1,960/t for May.

See also: Farming unions condemn milk price decreases

The processor will increase its B price for next month by 1p/litre to between 24-25p/litre.

The First Milk price has now fallen consecutively since March by an average of 0.67p/litre across the four different milk pools.

You will be aware that there have been some price reductions in the market over the last few weeks, which have impacted the pricing mechanisms that we have in place with our customers, said First Milk chairman Clive Sharpe.

Positive signals

Looking ahead, there has been some upward movement particularly in short-term markets, which is a welcome positive signal.

He added: As a result, the B price range for June is increased by 1p/litre to 24p/litre-25p/litre and we anticipate that B prices for July will be a minimum of 25p/litre.
Defra secretary Andrea Leadsom has promised to increase UK farm productivity and scrap unnecessary red tape for farmers, if the Conservatives are re-elected on 8 June.

Mrs Leadsom said Brexit would allow her party to translate the body of European law into domestic regulations so rules around the environment, food and farming will be set in the UK.

Writing on the Conservative Home website, she said: Over time, that means we will be able to prioritise scrapping unnecessary burdens on farmers and ensure that our environment is enhanced by laws that focus on the needs of the UK, rather than 28 EU member countries.

See also: Post-Brexit farm policy could take until 2025

Mrs Leadsom, who is also the Conservative candidate for South Northamptonshire, said leaving the EU would also present huge opportunities for the environment, our food and farming industries, and rural communities.

The food and farming industry employs one in eight people in the UK and generates more than 100bn each year for the economy.

Citing Conservative election manifesto commitments to the food and farming, she said: Our priorities are simple: to grow more, sell more and export more Great British food, and to be the first generation to leave our environment in a better state than we inherited it.

Although farm productivity is higher than ever before, Mrs Leadsom cautioned: There is still much more we can do to support innovation in farm techniques, skills development, greater resilience to disease and floods, as well as environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Funding pledge

Mrs Leadsom also repeated her partys manifesto commitment to fund agriculture to the same level, if the Conservatives are re-elected.

Last summer, we moved swiftly to provide farmers with continuity and certainty on EU agricultural funding, she said.

It means that if elected on 8 June, Theresa Mays Conservatives will commit to the same spending on farming and food production over the next Parliament as is now provided by the EUs Common Agriculture Policy.

Mrs Leadsom said the UK had some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world, adding: We will build on that.

The Conservatives have pledged to make CCTV in slaughterhouses mandatory and control the export of live animals for slaughter.

On environmental policy, Mrs Leadsom said her party had already launched the first ever litter strategy for England, which would educate people and introduce enforcement against littering.

She added: We have also committed to plant 11m trees  and a further one million just in our towns and cities.

We are funding natural flood management projects to better protect communities, and we are introducing greater safeguards for our ancient woodland.

Mixed reaction

The ministers comments drew a mixed reaction from Conservative Home readers.

Victor Southern said: Good to hear from this minister after months of silence.

But blogger BrianH13 branded Mrs Leadsoms pledges as a massive self-contradiction.

He said: Unfortunately, to grow more needs more land put to agriculture and/or increasing intensity and yield, neither of which is conducive to improving the environment.
Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon has launched the partys election manifesto by pledging to protect the future success of the [agri-food] industry by fighting for Scotland to remain a member of the single market.

In the manifesto the SNP said there should be no question that the Scottish parliament should have full control of EU agricultural funding following Brexit.

And she has laid out plans to bring an end to the UK governments great rural robbery by demanding Westminster passes on all of the compensatory funding it receives from the EU because of the low payment rates in Scotland.

See also: Leadsom commits to scrap unnecessary red tape if re-elected

Currently this 194m convergence uplift payment is split between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but the Scottish parliament has long argued that the money rightfully belongs to Scottish farmers.

Mrs Sturgeon said: As our farmers face huge uncertainty on issues like trading tariffs, seasonal migrant workers and the future of rural funding, and the Tories treat our fishing industry as expendable once again  we will stand up for Scotlands rural economy in Brexit negotiations.

SNP MPs will make sure the UK government guarantees to match the current share of EU funding beyond Brexit and repays farmers their missing millions, including the 160m convergence uplift Scottish farmers have been short changed on.

Nine pledges

In its manifesto the SNP makes nine pledges which will impact Scottish agriculture, including to:
Story Highlights Index has remained between +2 and +4 throughout May

Economic outlook component at a post-election low of -6

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans' confidence in the economy remains slightly positive, with Gallup's U.S. Economic Confidence Index registering +3 for the week ending May 28. The index has ranged from +2 to +4 throughout May.

Despite being positive, Americans' confidence in the economy is lower than it was after a post-election boost from December to March when the index regularly yielded scores of +10 and above. A stock market downturn in late March shook Americans' confidence, and the index has remained below +10 since. Still, the recent confidence levels are well above the largely negative ratings that Gallup recorded from 2008 through 2016.

Gallup's U.S. Economic Confidence Index is the average of two components: how Americans rate current economic conditions and whether they feel the economy is improving or getting worse. The index has a theoretical maximum of +100 if all Americans were to say the economy is doing well and improving, and a theoretical minimum of -100 if all were to say the economy is doing poorly and getting worse.

For the week ending May 28, one in three Americans (33%) assessed the economy as "excellent" or "good," while 22% said it was "poor," resulting in a score of +11 for the current conditions component -- similar to the previous week's +12. This component has been fairly stable in 2017, registering double-digit scores in nearly all weeks so far this year.

Meanwhile, half of Americans (50%) said the economy is "getting worse," and 44% said it is "getting better," producing an economic outlook score of -6. Though not meaningfully different from the -4 recorded in the previous three weeks, the latest score is the lowest for this component since November's election. The economic outlook score has gradually dipped since a record high of +15 in March.

Bottom Line

Americans' confidence in the economy remains below the peaks seen throughout President Donald Trump's early months in office and has varied little throughout May.

The public's confidence in the economy often has been stable for prolonged stretches of time in Gallup's tracking and appears to have settled at a point barely in positive territory for now. Americans remain upbeat about the current state of the economy -- likely because of low unemployment, healthy stock values and relatively low gas prices -- but are slightly negative about the economy's outlook.

These data are available in Gallup Analytics.

Gallup.com reports results from these indexes in daily, weekly and monthly averages and in Gallup.com stories. Complete trend data are always available to view in the following charts:

Daily: Employment, Economic Confidence, Consumer Spending

Weekly: Employment, Economic Confidence, Job Creation, Consumer Spending

Read more about Gallup's economic measures.

View our economic release schedule.
More than 500 people participated in a pair of emotional Memorial Day ceremonies in Corvallis.

More than 400 people were on hand for an event at the Benton County Veterans Memorial, with another 100 in attendance at ceremonies at Crystal Lake Cemetery.

Oregon National Guard members kept adding chairs to the lawn area outside the armory on Northwest Kings Boulevard, with some spectators occupying their own lawn chairs on the sidewalk at the shopping center across Lincoln Avenue.

The event began under slightly threatening skies with a bit of a breeze. But by the time of the 21-gun salute and the closing benediction one hour and 45 minutes later, the ceremony had been favored with mostly blue skies.

Keynote speakers Clyde Marshall, a 1963 Philomath High School graduate, and A.J. Hering, Corvallis High School class of 1964, shared gripping stories of their service in Vietnam.

A.J. and I are not speakers  were just a couple of old Marines, Marshall said.

Old Marines that could almost smell the ambush that awaited them in one operation.

The hair on my neck stood up, I heard a church bell ring out  and then all hell broke loose, Hering said.

Old Marines that braved 115-degree temperatures and 100 percent humidity, slept in the elephant grass with the snakes, slaked their thirst via the morning dew, came under consistent enemy fire and ran like you know what for the final chopper ferrying Marines out of danger.

No world-class sprinter could have beaten us back to that chopper, Marshall said, and we were carrying packs with 70 to 80 pounds.

Marshall has returned to Vietnam twice, in 2000 and 2014.

It was the right thing for me, Marshall said. I visited with men who once were my enemies. They could not have welcomed me more or treated us better.

Hering has not returned, and I respect his decision, Marshall said.

Hering, whose grandson James just enlisted in the Marines, meanwhile, encouraged Vietnam vets to get help, talk to someone. A lot of folks have been holding things in for 40 to 50 years.

The audience saluted Marshall and Hering with standing ovations at the beginning and end of their speeches.

Special guest speaker Brig. Gen. William J. Edwards, land component commander of the Oregon Army National Guard, noted the challenges families  and the country  face when loved ones are lost in battle.

We are all living not for ourselves but for all of them, Edwards said. And we are eternally grateful. Memorial Day is about honoring heroes who are here only in spirit. We need to keep those memories alive.

Les Whittle, a Navy veteran of the Korean conflict and lead organizer of the event for its first 18 years, has passed the logistical torch to his daughter, Becki Whittle-Goslow. But Les was still in the middle of things, handling some of the introductions and adjusting the microphones so that the audience could hear the speakers.

Crystal Lake event

Earlier, under cloudy skies with a bit of a breeze and amid the chirping of birds, more than 100 people gathered for a ceremony at Crystal Lake Cemetery sponsored by American Legion Post 11.

Jody Draper read the May 5, 1868 Memorial Day order from Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, which called for observances to honor Union soldiers who died in the Civil War.

Joel Nelson offered a reading of Lincolns 1863 Gettysburg Address, and Nicky Jones recited the World War I-inspired poem In Flanders Fields.

Music was provided by Dianne Nelson and the Corvallis Community Band, Steve Matthes directing.

Corvallis Mayor Biff Traber gave a short  but emotional  speech, noting I stand in awe that we are able to live and thrive because of their sacrifice.

The keynote speaker was Lt. Col. Warren Brainard, ROTC commander at Oregon State University.

Brainard told the story of Capt. Robert A. Brett Jr., a 1966 Corvallis High graduate who was commissioned out of the OSU ROTC program in 1970. Bretts F-111 was shot down over North Vietnam in 1972. His remains were eventually interred at Arlington National Cemetery in 2002.

Robert did not come home, Brainard said. I wanted to put a face on why we are here today. We need to keep this day an important day.

The reason, Brainard emphasized repeatedly during his speech, is that freedom isnt free.

Brainard was one of dozens of officials and spectators who participated in both events. Brainard participated in the roll call reading of the names on the Benton County Veterans Memorial. Traber was present at both events and bugler Pat Johnson played taps at both ceremonies.
Evan Burns woke Monday shortly before 6 a.m. when one of his roommates yelled Fire!

The two went to alert their remaining roommates to the fire only to find an intruder attacking two of them with a knife.

The attacker turned his attention to Burns, knocking him to the ground and stabbing him. Burns kicked the man, trying to break free. Another roommate started punching the attacker, offering Burns a means for escape.

I got up and my only thought was I had to get out, Burns said during a phone interview on Wednesday.

Burns ran out of the house on Northwest 27th Street in Corvallis. He was covered in blood from a knife wound in his nose and upper lip. Having just woken up, he was wearing only his underwear.

The 22-year-old alerted a man outside to call 911. He yelled to his neighbors, who had been woken by the fire, to call the police. A neighbor told him to keep running, that the suspect was behind him. Burns sprinted toward Northwest Harrison Boulevard.

I saw the killer was chasing me so I kept running and I was trying to yell at cars to stop and people to call 911, he said. No one would stop. People were just passing me. It was really ridiculous.

Burns didnt stop until he saw the police arriving.

Shortly thereafter, officers arrested 22-year-old Benjamin Leland Bucknell on suspicion of arson and attempted murder.

Authorities say Bucknell poured gasoline on the ground outside the basement bedroom windows at 413 NW 27th St. and started a fire before breaking into the house and attacking the roommates with a knife.

Bucknell is facing 20 felony charges, including attempted murder, first-degree assault, arson and burglary. He pleaded not guilty to all charges during his Tuesday arraignment in Benton County Circuit Court.

Albany attorney Thomas Hill is representing Bucknell. Hill said after the arraignment that he will be considering whether mental health issues are a factor in the case. On Friday, he said he could not offer more comment on the case until he is able to investigate further.

'We're all like family'

Burns now has stitches in his nose and lip. He has a cut on his head from being knocked to the ground by the attacker. He has minor cuts to his arms, legs and back from the knife.

Police say the roommate who alerted Burns to the fire, Nadav Mouallem, was asleep in a sleeping bag that caught fire.

When Mouallem and Burns went to wake the other roommates, they heard one of them, Catherine Lisman, screaming from upstairs. Her boyfriend, Dan Rinkevich, also was yelling for help. When the two men got upstairs, the intruder started stabbing Burns. Mouallem helped fight him off.

Lisman and Rinkevich sustained serious stab wounds to their heads and shoulders, as well as skull fractures, a court affidavit states. They underwent emergency surgery at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.

The suspect allegedly stabbed another roommate, Jesus Valencia-Camacho, in the left side of his head, the affidavit states. According to the document, Valencia-Camacho has lost the ability to see from his left eye. He was taken by helicopter from Good Samaritan to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland for treatment, the affidavit states.

Another roommate, Nolan Butuso, sustained a cut to his face during the attack.

Mouallem was uninjured.

The first thing we all thought of was each other, and thats what kept us alive, Burns said. Were all like family, and it was our worries for each other that made sure we all got out.

'Everybody was a hero'

The suspect's piercing blue eyes have been haunting Annie Todd since Monday.

There was no remorse, the 22-year-old Todd said on Thursday outside her apartment. It was horrible. Ive never seen someones face like that.

Todd, who lives next door to Burns and told him to keep running when she saw him exit the house, came face-to-face with the attacker just moments before shouting out her warning to Burns.

Todds boyfriend, Matthew Goodlett, woke her after hearing an explosion outside their bedroom window, which faces the house where Burns lives. Goodlett grabbed a fire extinguisher from their apartment and went to put out the fire while Todd ran to her friends house to tell them to evacuate. She was surprised to find the front door wide open.

Todd said she entered the kitchen and saw a man attacking Valencia-Camacho, who was on his knees. The suspect, who was wearing a yellow bandana over his face, was standing over Valencia-Camacho, stabbing him in the face. Blood was splattering onto the kitchen walls and ceiling. Todd locked eyes with the attacker, who continued to stab Valencia-Camacho.

It was like he didnt care I was there, she said. It wasnt going to stop him.

Todd was on a cellphone with a 911 emergency dispatcher and yelled, Hes stabbing my friend!

She screamed at the attacker to stop, and he pushed Valencia-Camacho aside. The intruder took a step toward her, and she ran. She went to her apartment; she and Goodlett went inside and locked the door. They watched from an upstairs window as Burns ran by. Todd then saw the suspect leave the house and go toward Northwest Tyler Avenue.

Todd ran back outside. She found Valencia-Camacho hobbling out of the front of his house. She helped him onto a couch on the porch.

Lisman and Rinkevich, covered in blood, joined them on the porch. Todd, an emergency veterinary technician, started applying pressure to everyones wounds. She retrieved a rag from somewhere, and Goodlett took paper towels from their apartment. Butuso had a minor cut to his face and started helping his more badly injured roommates.

I kept saying, Jesus, its going to be OK, and he said, Annie, I know, Todd said.

A few minutes later, the Fire Department arrived. Todd, who was still on the phone with the 911 dispatch center, had her arms wrapped around Valencia-Camacho, trying to stop the flow of blood from his head and shoulders, her phone cradled between her neck and shoulders.

When she saw the first responders, she lowered her shoulder and her phone fell into a puddle of blood.

Todd helped Valencia-Camacho to an ambulance. She then ran back to the porch to help Lisman and Rinkevich.

Everybody in that house was a hero, Todd said. Nobody was concerned for themselves.

Blood covering her arms and legs, Todd sat on the porch with Butuso and talked with police. She then washed her friends blood off her skin and went to visit them at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. There, she talked with a trauma counselor.

On Tuesday, Todd said, she visited Valencia-Camacho in Portland.

Jesus is like the most positive, friendliest person youve met in your life, Todd said. They became friends last summer, after Todd and Goodlett moved in next door.

Todd took the roommates three cats into her apartment and cared for them for the first two days after the attack; the cats now are back with their owners. Shes also gone into the house to retrieve belongings for the roommates.

Theyre just such good people, she said. For one bad person that came into that house, there were seven good people helping each other out.

Long road to recovery

Burns, who went to stay with his family in Roseburg after the attack, said the roommates face a long road to recovery filled with doctors appointments.

Were going to continue being there for each other in the coming days, he said.

Burns said he didnt know Bucknell before the attack. He was unsure if the other roommates knew him.

I just hope that this gentleman who attacked us finds remorse for his actions, Burns said. I dont wish justice out of anger, but I just want to make sure he isnt able to do this again to anyone else.
The Albany Police Department has launched what strikes us as a wonderful idea to combat a distressingly common form of crime: car break-ins.

If you are a regular reader of the Gazette-Times' Police Log feature (and, since our internet numbers don't lie, we know that you are), you frequently come across accounts in which laptop computers or purses or tools are swiped from vehicles. In a number of these cases, the vehicles have been left unlocked or windows rolled down.

Since these car break-ins tend to be crimes of opportunity, the best way to curb them is to reduce the opportunities. The owners of vehicles are in the best position to cut down on those opportunities. But sometimes, they need a reminder.

So officers with the Albany Police Department have launched a program (inspired by a similar program in Eureka, California) in which they patrol parking lots and keep an eye out for the same sort of giveaways that help tip off crooks that a vehicle might be easy pickings: Doors unlocked. Windows rolled down. Valuables such as laptops, purses or tools (a surprisingly frequent target of thieves) left in plain sight.

Even something like personal mail left in plain sight can provide an opportunity for identity thieves.

The Albany officers are armed with what they call "Vehicle Security Report Cards." If you've left valuables where thieves can grab it, the officers will mark that you've failed the report card, and they'll leave it on your windshield, like a parking ticket. If you've locked your doors, rolled up your windows and don't have valuables in plain sight, your report card will indicate that you've passed.

So, as you approach your vehicle and spy what appears to be a ticket attached to your windshield, you may at first experience that sinking feeling that accompanies getting a ticket. But that's a whole lot better than finding that scofflaws have smashed a window and taken off with everything they could carry.

We know what you're thinking: Why do we need this kind of reminder to do something that's just common sense?

Well, the answer to that is listed with depressing frequency in our daily Police Log listings. And, in fact, when Albany police officers rolled through a parking lot in that city in one of the first outings for the program, they found that 30 percent of vehicles failed the security check. Our guess is that the number isn't much different in Benton County; in fact, it might be higher.

Despite the program's obvious benefits, some Albany residents have lodged complaints about the program, arguing that it gives law enforcement officers an opportunity to look inside parked cars for illegal items. It's a ludicrous argument: Someone who leaves, say, illegal drug paraphernalia in open view in a parked vehicle likely has other more serious issues that they should be worrying about first. (And talk about an open invitation for a thief looking to support a drug habit.)

If Corvallis police officers are able to steal this idea from their Albany counterparts, that would be great: This strikes us as an effective way to spread a simple crime-prevention message.

But even if this program never gets across the river, the main idea behind it  that simple precautions can go a long way toward stopping crime  is worthwhile to remember.

If you happen to be a victim of crime in Corvallis, the chances are overwhelming that it will be a property crime, not a violent crime. (Violent crime, of course, dominates the headlines, but property crime is much more common.) And vehicle theft represents a sizable proportion of the property crime in Corvallis. That's why this program is so valuable: It reminds us of the simple, but extremely effective, ways in which we all can be crime fighters. (mm)
An opportunity for foodies and beer lovers to get lost in a world of food and drink from a hand-selected range of food trucks and breweries from around New Zealand.
The Logitech K375s

The Logitech K 375s is used to connect multiple devices like smartphone, laptop etc at the same time. It helps in typing long documents, switching between apps, reading the news and also browsing through social media posts to make life easy for business professionals. A lot of things can be done just using one button without even touching the screen of the phone.

Also Read: Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam launched: Price, features and more

It also comes with a universal stand which helps in placing the mobile at a proper position to make the typing experience faster, smoother and more convenient. This stand has a soft rubber base with a cradle to hold the mobile devices at the ideal angle to both read and type. The Logitech K 375s is an OS-adaptive Keyboard which works with Windows PC, Android, and iPhone. This device is available in the market for Rs. 1995.

The Logitech Type+

This device gives you an experience of typing which you would get in a laptop. Even on a tablet, you can type quickly and accurately. The features like iOS shortcut keys help in switching between the apps, opening a search function, accessing the Home screen, and also controlling the volumes without even touching the display of the iPad. It is a light-weight device which protects the iPad from scratches and bumps. It is bearing a price tag of Rs. 6495 in the market.

Sennheiser HD 4.50BTNC

Sennheiser HD 4.50BTNC can be treated as perfect everyday companions for wireless listening on the move. The HD 4.50BTNC and HD 4.40BT are focused mainly on always-on, always-connected customers who enjoy listening to media and music every day and every hour.

Also Read: Logitech launches SmartDock in a bid to popularize video calling for offices in India.

They feature an advanced wireless technology along with audio codec of Bluetooth 4.0 and apt-X to offer true wireless Hi-Fi sound-effect. It is also designed ergonomically to offer ease of use, comfort, and convenience for the user. It uses NFC to pair with compatible devices and intuitive ear cup mounted controls to change the music tracks and also to make any calls using the microphone.

The Logitech MX Anywhere 2

The name itself says the device is designed to make things happen anywhere. Darkfield laser tracking gives you flawless control on virtually any surface such as glass tables in your hotel room, shiny laminate tops, train and airplane tray tables, and even your jeans.

By using Logitech Easy-Switch technology, you can pair up to three devices and easily switch between them with the touch of a button. It is also designed to scroll through long documents or web pages faster and easier.

One can charge quickly and get enough power for a full day of usage in only 4 minutes, with no downtime while recharging and also a full charge can last up to 2 months.

Also Read: CES 2017: Logitech Announces G533 High Performance Gaming Audio Headset

X300 mobile wireless stereo speaker

X300 mobile wireless stereo speaker is Engineered for wide-range sound where you can even connect your smartphone or tablet for a mobile theater experience. With no cords and no docks, you can take your music anywhere while traveling.

One can wirelessly connect and play up to 30 feet distance. Interestingly, you can also adjust the volume and manage phone calls just with the tap of a finger. It is designed to offer a deep, precise bass response and detailed mid- and high-range sound. 5 hours of continuous music can be enjoyed without recharging.
Nokia's rumored Android smartphones slated to launch soon Features oi -Harish Kumar These are some of the upcoming Nokia smartphones that will hit the market soon.

Nokia is back with a bang. And we have already seen the Finnish company launching its several Android-powered smartphones, the Nokia 6, Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and the classic Nokia 3310.

However, since the company is back into the smartphone market we are expecting to see a lot more action, and we are talking about some more smartphnoe launches that will happen this year.

While HMD Global will be manufacturing the new devices exclusively, they will follow the company's design guidelines and will retain the brand name.

In any case we are expecting smartphones like Nokia 7, Nokia 8 and Nokia 9-the company flagship smartphone-amongst other several smartphone to be launched soon in the market.

Top 10 Most-awaited 6GB-7GB-8GB RAM Smartphones of 2017

Moreover, Nokia will aim to launch phones in all price ranges. So, there will be many more smartphones that the company will be bringing to the market.

While this is a good news for the loyal Nokia fans, here are some of the upcoming Nokia smartphones that we know about.

Nokia 7 Rumoured Key Specs Nokia 7 runs Android,7.1 Nougat and features a 5.5 inches IPS LCD 1080 x 1920 pixels display and a Octa core, 1.8 GHz 4GB RAM Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor paired with and 64GB native storage capacity. The Nokia 7 boasts of a 24MP main snapper at its rear and an 8MP front-facing selfie shooter. There is a Non-removable Li-Ion 4000 mAh battery powering the phone with support for USB microUSB v2.0 and Dual SIM (Nano SIM). Nokia P1 Rumoured Key Specs Nokia P1 runs Android,7.0 Nougat and features a 5.3 inches IPS LCD 1080 x 1920 pixels display and a Octa core (2.45 GHz, Quad core, Kryo + 1.9 GHz, Quad core, Kryo) 6GB RAM Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998 processor paired with and 128GB native storage capacity. The Nokia P1 boasts of a 22.6MP main snapper at its rear and an 5MP front-facing selfie shooter. There is a Non-removable Li-Ion 3500 mAh battery powering the phone with support for USB Yes, microUSB v2.0 . Nokia Pixel Rumoured Key Specs

4.0 inches (10.16 cm) 480x800 px, 233 PPI Density

1.2 GHz Snapdragon 200

1 GB RAM

5 MP with Flash rear camera

1 MP front camera

1560 Mah Battery Nokia EDGE Rumoured Key Specs Nokia Edge runs Android,7.0 Nougat and features a 5.5 inches IPS LCD 1080 x 1920 pixels display and a Octa Core 2.3 GHz 4GB RAM Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor paired with and 64GB native storage capacity. The Nokia Edge boasts of a 23MP main snapper at its rear and an 5MP front-facing selfie shooter. There is a Non-removable Li-Ion 3800 mAh battery powering the phone with support for USB Yes, microUSB v2.0 . Nokia E1 Rumoured Key Specs Nokia E1 runs Android,7.0 Nougat and features a 5.2 inches IPS LCD 1080 x 1920 pixels display and a Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 2GB RAM Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 processor paired with and 16GB native storage capacity. The Nokia E1 boasts of a 13MP main snapper at its rear and an 5MP front-facing selfie shooter. There is a Non-removable Li-Ion 2700 mAh battery powering the phone with support for USB Yes, microUSB v2.0 and Dual SIM (Nano SIM). Nokia 9 Rumoured Key Specs Nokia 9 runs Android,7.1 Nougat and features a 5.27 inches OLED 1440 x 2560 pixels display and a Octa core (2.45 GHz, Quad core, Kryo + 1.9 GHz, Quad core, Kryo) 4/6 GB RAM Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998 processor paired with and 64GB native storage capacity. The Nokia 9 boasts of a 13MP main snapper at its rear and an 12MP front-facing selfie shooter. There is a Non-removable Li-Ion 3800 mAh battery powering the phone with support for USB v3.1, Type-C reversible connector . Nokia C9 Rumoured Key Specs Nokia C9 runs Android,v6.0 Marshmallow and features a 5.0 inches IPS LCD 1080 x 1920 pixels display and a Octa core Processor 3GB RAM Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996 processor paired with and 32GB native storage capacity. The Nokia C9 boasts of a 16MP main snapper at its rear and an 5MP front-facing selfie shooter. There is a Non-removable Li-Ion 4000mAh battery powering the phone with support for USB microUSB v2.0 and Dual SIM (Nano SIM). Nokia Z2 Plus Rumoured Key Specs Nokia Z2 Plus runs Android,7.0 Nougat and features a 5.5 inches IPS LCD 1080 x 1920 pixels display and a Yes, Quad Core 1.77 GHz 4GB RAM Snapdragon 820 processor paired with and 64GB native storage capacity. The Nokia Z2 Plus boasts of a 16MP main snapper at its rear and an 8MP front-facing selfie shooter. There is a Non-removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery powering the phone with support for USB Yes, microUSB v2.0 . Nokia D1C Rumoured Key Specs Nokia D1C (5.5-inch) runs Android,7.0 Nougat and features a 5.5 inches IPS LCD 1080 x 1920 pixels display and a Octa Core 1.4 GHz Cortex A-53 3GB RAM Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430 processor paired with and 32GB native storage capacity. The Nokia D1C (5.5-inch) boasts of a 16MP main snapper at its rear and an 8MP front-facing selfie shooter. There is a Non-removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery powering the phone with support for USB Yes, microUSB v2.0 . Nokia C1 Rumoured Key Specs Nokia C1 runs Android,v6.0 Marshmallow and features a 5.5 inches IPS LCD 1080 x 1920 pixels display and a Octa core (1.8 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A72 + 1.4 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A53) 2GB RAM Qualcomm MSM8976 Snapdragon 652 processor paired with and 32GB native storage capacity. The Nokia C1 boasts of a 13MP main snapper at its rear and an 5MP front-facing selfie shooter. There is a Non-removable Li-Ion 2800mAh battery powering the phone with support for USB Yes, microUSB v2.0 . Nokia Heart Rumoured Key Specs Nokia Heart runs Android,7.0 Nougat and features a 5.2 inches IPS LCD 1440 x 2560 pixels display and a Octa Core 1.4 GHz 2GB RAM Snapdragon 430 processor paired with and 16GB native storage capacity. The Nokia Heart boasts of a 12MP main snapper at its rear and an 8MP front-facing selfie shooter. There is a Non-removable Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery powering the phone with support for USB Yes, v3.1, Type-C reversible connector. Nokia 12 Rumoured Key Specs 5 inch OLED screen with Full HD resolution

runs on Android 7.0 Nougat

a Snapdragon 821 CPU, 4G LTE

64 or 128 GB of storage are here

plus a fingerprint scanner

a 21 megpaixel back camera

Best Mobiles in India
Galaxy J7 (2017) could be the first Samsung phone to feature rear dual cameras News oi -Chandrika The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) is expected to launch sometime in June

If you remember, well-known Chinese tipster mmddj_china had suggested way before than anyone else that the Galaxy C10 would be the first Samsung phone to come with rear dual cameras.

At the same time, he also said that the Galaxy J7 (2017) features a rear dual-camera setup as well. However, the leaks and rumors we have seen about the device by now, suggest otherwise. So we didn't pay much heed to his claims. Well, up until now at least. The leakster has now posted images of the plastic casing of the alleged Samsung J7 (2017). Moreover, he says that the device will be launched before the Galaxy C10.

Moto E4 Plus live images leak along with protective case: Here's what to expect

So if this information turns out to be true, J7 (2017) will be the first Samsung phone ever to boast dual cameras on its back. If you take a look at the image, you can see the cutout for two cameras, which are apparently placed vertically.

Of course, we have no way to verify the credibility of this image, still from the size, it does look like a casing of a Samsung phone.

Talking about the other specs, a purported Galaxy J7 (2017) first impression video revealed that it will be coming with a 5.5-inch 1080p display and will be powered by an Octa-core Samsung Exynos 7870 processor, coupled with 3GB RAM.

The phone is rumored to come with 16GB internal storage space and will be powered by a 3600mAh battery. Contradicting with this leakster's claims, the video only showed a single rear camera setup.

Source Via

Best Mobiles in India

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Nokia 6

The Nokia 6 is likely to be priced below Rs. 20,000 in India. The Nokia 6 flaunts a 5.5-inch FHD 1080p IPS LCD display. Under its hood, there operates an octa-core Snapdragon 430 processor paired with 3GB/4GB RAM and 32GB/64GB storage, which can be further expanded up to 128GB. Imaging wise, there is a 16MP main snapper with PDAF at its rear and an 8MP selfie camera. The other aspects include a fingerprint sensor, 4G LTE, a 3000mAh battery, Android 7.1.1 Nougat OS, dual speakers and NFC.

Nokia 5

Nokia 5 is said to be priced below Rs. 15,000 and bestows a 5.2-inch HD 720p IPS LCD display. The Nokia 5 is fueled by Android 7.1.1 Nougat OS and employs an octa-core Snapdragon 430 SoC just like the Nokia 6. It has 2GB RAM and 16GB storage that can be further expanded up to 128GB. It has similar camera aspects as the Nokia 6 except for the use of a 13MP rear snapper. The goodies on board are 4G LTE, a 3000mAh battery, NFC, and OTG support.

Nokia 3

The Nokia 3, being the low-end model among the three phones, is expected to be priced below Rs. 10,000. The Nokia 3 is fitted with a 5-inch HD 720p IPS LCD display. The is powered by a quad-core MediaTek MT6737 processor and comes with similar RAM and storage capacity has the Nokia 5. The smartphone has an 8MP main snapper and an 8MP front-facer as well. The other aspects of the Nokia 3 are Android 7.0 Nougat OS, OTG support, 4G LTE and a 2650mAh battery.
MI5 launches inquiry into Manchester attack intelligence failure

Iran Press TV

Mon May 29, 2017 12:45PM

Britain's domestic counter-intelligence agency (MI5) has launched an inquiry into how it missed warnings from the public about the threat posed by the man behind the Manchester terrorist attack.

"There is a lot of information coming out at the moment about what happened, how this occurred, what people might or might not have known," Home Secretary Amber Rudd told the media on Monday.

She made the remarks in the wake of several arrests, which made authorities lower the terrorism threat level, citing progress in the investigation.

"It is right that MI5 take a look to find out what the facts are," she said, adding, "We shouldn't rush to make any conclusions at this stage."

Media reported that MI5 was alerted at least three times to the "extremist views" of Salman Abedi, a 22-year-old who grew up in Manchester in a family of immigrants from Libya.

They also reported that people who knew Abedi raised concerns years before he carried out the attack. The Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group took responsibility for the bombing.

Rudd further warned that some members of the terror network, whose activities led to the deadly attack, were still potentially at large.

Abedi allegedly detonated a sophisticated device at a concert hall in Manchester last week. At least 22 people lost their lives and dozens more were wounded.

Fourteen people are now in custody in connection with last Monday's bombing, the deadliest act of terror in Britain in over a decade.

The British government has deployed thousands of troops across the country to guard key sites.

With security and police cuts having risen to the top of the political agenda, Britons will head to the polls in 10 days to elect a new government.

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Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, May 29, 2017  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Coalition military forces conducted 18 strikes consisting of 21 engagements against ISIS targets in Syria:

-- Near Abu Kamal, a strike destroyed three ISIS well heads.

-- Near Tanf, a strike destroyed three ISIS bunkers.

-- Near Dawr Az Zawr, seven strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit, damaged an ISIS-held building, and destroyed nine ISIS fuel trucks, five ISIS well heads, an ISIS oil still and a vehicle bomb facility.

-- Near Raqqa, eight strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions, two vehicles, two vehicle bomb factories, two vehicle bomb facilities, and an ISIS mechanical facility.

-- Near Tabqa, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a fighting position.

Additionally, three strikes were conducted in Syria on May 27 that closed within the last 24 hours.

-- Near Raqqa, three strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a six fighting positions, an ISIS-held building and a weapons cache.

Strikes in Iraq

Coalition military forces conducted seven strikes consisting of 58 engagements against ISIS targets in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government:

-- Near Hawayjah, a strike destroyed two vehicles.

-- Near Beiji, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle, a vehicle bomb and a vehicle bomb facility.

-- Near Mosul, five strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; damaged 14 ISIS supply routes and a vehicle bomb; suppressed seven fighting positions and two ISIS tactical units; and destroyed 49 vehicles, seven ISIS roadblocks, three fighting positions, two mortar systems, an ISIS checkpoint, an ISIS staging area, a carport, a command and control node, a rocket-propelled grenade system and a medium machine gun.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

These strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIS terrorist group and the threat it poses to Iraq, Syria, the region and the wider international community. The destruction of targets in Syria and Iraq further limits ISIS' ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

The list above contains all strikes conducted by fighter, attack, bomber, rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft; rocket-propelled artillery; and some ground-based tactical artillery when fired on planned targets, officials noted.

Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike, they added. A strike, as defined by the coalition, refers to one or more kinetic engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single or cumulative effect. For example, task force officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIS vehicle is a strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of ISIS-held buildings and weapon systems in a compound, having the cumulative effect of making that facility harder or impossible to use. Strike assessments are based on initial reports and may be refined, officials said.

The task force does not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target.

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Deputy Secretary General addresses NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Tbilisi

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

29 May. 2017

Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller outlined the decisions taken by Allied leaders last week in a keynote speech to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Tbilisi on Monday (29 May 2017). She highlighted that the Alliance is stepping up in the fight against terrorism and making progress on fairer burden-sharing across NATO.

The Deputy Secretary General welcomed that NATO is now a full member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS  a strong symbol of the Alliance's commitment to the fight against terrorism. NATO AWACS surveillance aircraft will also support the Coalition with airspace management, and a new terrorism intelligence cell at NATO headquarters will improve the sharing of information among Allies. Ms. Gottemoeller stressed that NATO leaders also agreed to do more to ensure fairer burden sharing across the Alliance, with national plans setting out how Allies intend to meet their defence commitments. She highlighted that Montenegro will soon become the 29th member of the Alliance  a clear sign that the door to NATO membership remains open.

The Deputy Secretary General also thanked Georgia for its contributions to NATO, including in Afghanistan. She noted that NATO continues to support Georgia, helping to boost its defence capabilities and to prepare the country for NATO membership. Ms. Gottemoeller added that NPA members play an important role in representing constituents and holding political leaders to account for the decisions they take.

During her visit to Georgia, Ms. Gottemoeller will meet with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidzem, Defence Minister Levan Izoria and the Chairman of the Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze.

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Cholera death toll rises to 471 in Yemen: WHO

Iran Press TV

Mon May 29, 2017 5:15PM

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the death toll of a cholera epidemic in Yemen has passed 470, as the impoverished Arab country continues to be targeted by military aggression launched by its northern neighbor, Saudi Arabia.

According to the latest figures released by the United Nations health agency on Monday, at least 471 people have lost their lives after contracting the acute intestinal infection.

WHO's latest bulletin, which has covered the period from April 27, however, added that there was a "significant decrease" in the average number of positive cases recorded on a daily basis in the week up to May 27 compared to the previous seven-day period.

"The average daily number of cases recorded between May 21-27 was 2,529 - down from 3,025 in the previous seven days," it said.

Caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, cholera infection first became epidemic last October and spread until December, when it dwindled, but only to worryingly resurface again at the end of April.

The WHO's Yemen coordinator, Omar Saleh, added in the bulletin that toward the end of the current month, some 38,000 cases had been recorded, saying "the epidemic is very serious and spreading in an unprecedented manner."

He further noted that the total number of suspected cholera-hit cases stood at 51,832.

The country's Health Ministry has already announced that 19 of 22 of Yemen's provinces are threatened by the disease. On May 14, it also declared a state of emergency in the capital Sana'a in connection with the epidemic.

Since March 2015, Yemen has been heavily bombarded by Saudi warplanes as part of a brutal campaign against the impoverished country in an attempt to crush the popular Houthi Ansarullah movement and reinstall the former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

The relentless airstrikes have put more than half of all health facilities in Yemen in a state of complete or partial shutdown. Furthermore, there are critical shortages in medical staff in over 40 percent of all districts, according to the Health Ministry.

Nearly 3.3 million Yemeni people, including 2.1 million children, are currently suffering from acute malnutrition. Latest tallies show that the war has so far killed over 12,000 Yemenis and wounded thousands more.

Some 19 million out of the country's 28 million population are in dire need of humanitarian aid and many of whom are reported to be on the brink of famine.

International organizations, including the United Nations and the Red Cross, say the Saudi-led war on Yemen and an embargo against the country may be responsible for the cholera epidemic. The Saudi aggression has taken a heavy toll on the poor country's facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools, and factories.

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Trump's NATO speech 'disrespected our closest allies': Pelosi

Iran Press TV

Mon May 29, 2017 12:20PM

US House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has censured President Donald Trump's speech at a NATO summit last week, saying the lecture "disrespected our closest allies."

"President Trump's brash and condescending lecture to NATO leaders disrespected our closest allies and dishonored the common defense pact that has been a guarantor of global security for nearly seven decades," Pelosi said in a statement.

Trump used his speech at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday to publicly scold 23 NATO members  including Germany -- for failing to live up to their commitment to spend 2 percent of their GDP on defense.

The president said NATO allies should pay the United States to defend them and even suggested that many were in arrears and owed the US past dues.

"This is not fair to the people and taxpayers of the United States and many of these nations owe massive amounts of money from past years. And not paying in those past years," he said.

Trump also rattled many European leaders by failing to explicitly affirm Article 5 of the NATO charter, which says NATO allies must aid a fellow member under attack.

"His failure to affirm America's commitment to NATO's mutual defense pledge  invoked only once, when NATO allies rushed to our side in Afghanistan after 9/11  is not only shameful but also dangerous," Pelosi said.

The House minority leader also said that Trump's disregard for Article 5 would only embolden what she described as "Russian aggression" in Europe.

"The president's offensive speech offered a fitting end to a trip that achieved little beside strained relationships and diplomatic missteps," Pelosi said. "Protecting America's national security requires us to be strong and smart, not reckless and rash."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a speech Sunday that Germany and other European countries could no longer depend on the US for security.

"The times when we could fully rely on others are to some extent over  I experienced that in the last few days," Merkel told her supporters. "We Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands."

Trump, who returned home on Saturday, took to Twitter over the weekend and described his maiden foreign trip as "a great success" for America.

The US president also claimed that NATO partners had given him a big win on the issue of spending and that money was already beginning to roll in.

"Many NATO countries have agreed to step up payments considerably, as they should. Money is beginning to pour in - NATO will be much stronger," he said.

Trump was highly critical of the military alliance on the campaign trail, but has softened his stance to some extent since taking office in January.

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India imposes curfew in Kashmir, locals defy ban

Iran Press TV

Mon May 29, 2017 5:42AM

Indian authorities have imposed a curfew in Indian-administered Kashmir on the first day of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan.

The lockdown in the mainly Muslim region on Sunday was, however, defied at night by thousands of people who attended the funeral of a top pro-independence commander, Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, who had been shot dead by government forces earlier.

"Restrictions have been put in place in some areas to maintain law and order," police chief Shesh Pal Vaid told media.

The curfew followed widespread violence on Saturday over the killing of Bhat.

Government forces in riot gear set up barricades in the main city, Srinagar, and other towns in southern Kashmir to prevent people from reaching Bhat's funeral in his hometown.

Authorities also shut down internet and mobile services on Saturday just hours after a month-long ban on 22 social media sites like Facebook and Twitter ended.

Bhat, who was the head of the Hizbul Mujahideen militant group, and a 16-year-old associate were killed by government forces in Tral area.

Last year, Bhat had been chosen as the pro-independence force's top commander after former commander Burhan Wani was killed, triggering months of anti-India protests which left scores of people dead.

Anti-India sentiments are high in Kashmir. The region has been divided between India and Pakistan but is claimed in full by both since 1947, when the two partitioned and gained independence from Britain.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars over Kashmir.

India has deployed about 500,000 soldiers in its portion of the disputed region, where various pro-independence groups have for decades been fighting for either independence or a merger with Pakistan.

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Merkel, German Officials Chide Trump's Actions For 'Weakening' The West

RFE/RL May 29, 2017

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has cast further doubt on how much Europe could rely on the United States after a G7 summit over the weekend highlighted the difficulties in successfully implementing the Paris climate accord.

Speaking at a conference on sustainable development in Berlin on May 29, Merkel doubled down on comments from a day earlier, saying that while it is important to maintain friendly relations with the United States and Britain, the days of Europe relying on others "are somewhat over."

"Recent days have shown me that the times when we could rely completely on others are over to a certain extent," Merkel said, adding she was still a "convinced transatlanticist."

"We also know that we Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands," she added, underlining growing frustration with U.S. President Donald Trump, especially on climate policy.

Merkel's comments come after the G7 meeting in Sicily failed to end in a deal to uphold the Paris climate accord, while there was also a split on trade and the question of refugees.

At the same time, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel slammed Trump's "short-sighted" policies, which he said have "weakened" the West and hurt EU interests.

"Anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones, and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk," Gabriel said.

"The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union," he said, adding that "the West has become smaller. At least it has become weaker."

Stephan Bierling, an expert on transatlantic relations at Germany's University of Regensburg, told The Washington Post that "the belief in shared values has been shattered by the Trump administration."

"After the inauguration, everyone in Europe was hopeful that Trump would become more moderate and take into account the positions of the G7 and of NATO. But the opposite has happened. It's as if he is still trying to win a campaign," Bierling said.

Merkel's comments came a day after the G7 meeting in Sicily failed to end in a deal to uphold the Paris climate accord, while there was also a split on trade and the question of refugees.

During a meeting with European Union leaders in Brussels on May 26, Trump sharply criticized NATO members that have not met defense spending targets, including Germany, and reportedly complained about German auto exports.

Martin Schulz, Merkel's challenger for the chancellor job in September elections, appeared to find common ground with the German chancellor.

He told broadcaster ARD that European countries must bond ever closer together in response to Trump's attitude.

"Europe is the answer," he said. "Stronger cooperation among the European countries at all levels is the answer to Donald Trump."

Schulz said Trump resembled an "authoritarian leader" who wants to "humiliate others."

Meanwhile, Trump, upon his return from Europe, issued an upbeat assessment of his first trip abroad as president.

"Just returned from Europe. Trip was a great success for America. Hard work but big results!" Trump wrote on May 28 on Twitter.

With reporting by Reuters and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/merkel-convinced- transatlanticist/28516450.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Greek air force fighter jet crashes, pilot safely ejects

Saudi Press Agency

Monday 1438/9/3 - 2017/05/29

Athens, Ramadan 3, 1438, May 29, 2017, SPA -- Greek authorities say an air force pilot has been rescued after his fighter jet crashed during a training flight into the Aegean Sea.

According to AP, the jet was one of a pair of aging Mirage 2000s engaged in aerial combat training south of the Sporades island complex Monday. An air force statement said the plane developed engine problems, forcing the pilot to eject.

The statement said he was later picked up by a military search and rescue helicopter.

--SPA

17:34 LOCAL TIME 14:34 GMT

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Afghan Forces Kill 44 Militants Across Country in Past 24 Hours

Sputnik News

23:36 29.05.2017(updated 23:51 29.05.2017)

The Afghan Defense Ministry said that Afghanistan's security forces killed 44 militants in the country's various provinces in the past 24 hours.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Afghanistan's security forces killed 44 militants in the country's various provinces in the past 24 hours, including local commanders of the Taliban radical movement and Daesh terrorist group, the Afghan Defense Ministry said on Monday.

"During the past 24 hour, Afghan National Defense and Security Forces conducted joined offensive operations in order to protect lives and properties of people also defeating the insurgents in different parts of the country that as a result, 44 insurgents including 3 local commanders of Taliban and 4 Daesh [Daesh] affiliates killed, 8 insurgents wounded and 1 other arrested," the ministry said in a statement.

The militants were eliminated during operations held by Afghan forces in the provinces of Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Faryab, Ghazni, Helmand, Herat, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khost, Kunodz, Logar, Nangarhar, Paktia, Paktika and Urozgan.

Afghanistan has long been suffering from unstable political, social and security situation due to the activity of Daesh terrorists and the Taliban. The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces are currently conducting joint offensive operations to combat terrorism across the country.

 Sputnik

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Flaming Thunder Drills Involving 5 NATO States' Servicemen Start in Lithuania

Sputnik News

15:26 29.05.2017(updated 15:42 29.05.2017)

Lithuanian Armed Forces said that the annual military exercise Flaming Thunder has started on Monday in the Lithuanian city of Pabrade, involving over 700 servicemen from five NATO member states.

VILNIUS (Sputnik)  The annual military exercise Flaming Thunder has started on Monday in the Lithuanian city of Pabrade, involving over 700 servicemen from five NATO member states, the Lithuanian Armed Forces said in a statement.

"The Flaming Thunder exercise will be held at the Gen. Zukauskas polygon in Pabrade for the fifth time. The servicemen will conduct artillery and mortar fire in daytime and nighttime within the drills," the statement read, adding that over 700 servicemen from Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands will be engaged.

The Dutch servicemen will participate in the Flaming Thunder exercises for the first time, the statement specified.

The drills will be held until June 3.

 Sputnik

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Gunmen in Pakistan kill aide of former Afghan warlord Hekmatyar

Iran Press TV

Tue May 30, 2017 5:25PM

Gunmen in northwestern Pakistan have shot dead the former secretary to Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a former Afghan warlord who recently signed a peace deal with the Kabul government.

Shaid Ahmad, a local Pakistani police officer, said Mohammad Fareed was returning home from a mosque in the Taj Abad area of the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar when the gunmen opened fire on Tuesday.

"He died on the spot and the assailants made their good escape on motorcycles," media outlets quoted the officer as saying.

Hekmatyar's party, which was once considered as Afghanistan's second largest militant group after Taliban, blamed "elements against peace" for the killing. Qareeb Ur Rahman Sayeed, spokesman for the party, also confirmed Fareed was Hekmatyar's former secretary and a senior party member.

Local Pakistani media said Fareed was a relative by marriage to Hekmatyar.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack.

Hekmatyar is the latest in a series of controversial figures that Kabul has sought to reintegrate by granting judicial immunity for past crimes.

Back in September last year and following months of negotiations between Kabul and Hekmatyar, the two sides signed a landmark peace deal, which gave him and his followers immunity for past actions and granted them full political rights.

The deal, however, sparked revulsion from human rights groups, which argue that it was too lenient toward the warlord and many of his militants.

Hekmatyar, a former anti-Soviet commander in the 1980s who waged a guerrilla war against the Soviet forces occupying Afghanistan, stands accused of leading the militancy that allegedly killed thousands of people, mostly civilians, in Kabul, during the 1992-1996 civil war.

In the wake of Taliban's reign of terror in 2001, Hekmatyar was hence forced to go into hiding. He had been blamed for maintaining ties with several militant groups including Taliban and al-Qaeda.

Afghanistan has been gripped by insecurity since the United States and its allies invaded the country as part of Washington's so-called war on terror in 2001. Many parts of the state remain plagued by militancy despite the presence of foreign troops.

During the past 16 years, the Taliban militants have been conducting terrorist attacks across the country, killing and displacing civilians.

In addition, the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, which is mainly active in Syria and Iraq, has recently managed to take recruits from Afghan Taliban defectors.

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Trump: Germany Not Adequately Contributing to NATO

By VOA News May 30, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his accusation that Germany does not pay its fair share of dues in NATO, three days after a meeting with the country's leader that the White House said went well.

"...they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for U.S. This will change," Trump wrote on Twitter Tuesday.

After the recent G-7 meeting in Sicily, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, "The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days."

But Tuesday, Merkel clarified that she remains committed to strong ties between the U.S. and Germany.

"Our trans-Atlantic relationship is of the utmost importance," she said. "And the statement I made, or what I said recently, is due to the fact that, in the face of the present circumstances we have additional reasons for us to realize that we have to take our fate in our own hands in Europe."

Merkel, among other European leaders, was sharply critical of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision at the recent G-7 meeting in Sicily not to reiterate support for the 2015 Paris agreement to combat climate change. In a pared down final communique, all G-7 nations except the U.S. pledged action to mitigate climate change. Merkel has said the climate agreement is so important there should not be any compromise on it.

While acknowledging that Germany and Europe should strive to maintain good relations with the United States and Britain, which is leaving the European Union, Merkel said, "We need to know we must fight for our own future as Europeans, for our destiny."

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Famine Looms in Former Boko Haram Stronghold in NE Nigeria

By Lisa Schlein May 30, 2017

The United Nations is warning that more than 1.4 million people in northeastern Nigeria could face famine by September because of a severe funding shortage. To date, only 28 percent of the U.N. appeal for more than $1 billion to provide humanitarian aid for nearly seven million people has been received.

Since Boko Haram militants began their armed rebellion against the government of Nigeria in 2009, the United Nations estimates more than 20,000 people have been killed, nearly two million are internally displaced inside the country, and about 200,000 have taken refuge in neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Government forces have recaptured much of the territory held by Boko Haram, but the security situation remains fragile.

The U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, says food is in short supply and traditional coping measures have been exhausted.

"Although the humanitarian response has increased substantially, we have not turned the corner yet," he said. "If the funding situation is not sustained, the situation can easily relapse into a famine situation."

Kallon says 43,000 people already are in a state of famine.

Nigeria has entered the so-called lean season when food stocks are at their lowest. U.N. estimates indicate 2.8 million people will be in urgent need of food between June and September. This is also the rainy season, a period when disease outbreaks are expected.

The situation means some of the 450,000 severely malnourished children could die, according to Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria Peter Lundberg.

"If they die, they will most likely die from disease that could be easily prevented if their immune system had been much stronger," Lundberg told VOA. "So, what we will see is that people will die from diarrhea disease or malaria or anything else that they normally would be able to survive if they were in a much better nutritional condition."

The United Nations says people in northeastern Nigeria also are living through a protection crisis. It says thousands are victims of sexual violence and exploitation, while tens of thousands have been used as suicide bombers.

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McCain: Russia, Putin 'Greatest Challenge We Have'

By Ken Bredemeier May 30, 2017

U.S. Senator John McCain said Monday he views Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, as the "greatest challenge we have," even more so than that posed by the Islamic State group.

Speaking during a visit to Australia, McCain told the Australian Broadcasting Company Russia has tried to "destroy the very fundamental of democracy" with efforts to influence the U.S. presidential election and others elsewhere in the world.

The comments come as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration faces investigations into whether it had links to Russia, including reports that Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and a senior White House adviser, attempted to establish a back-channel communications link to Russian officials in the weeks before Trump's inauguration.

"I know that some administration officials are saying, 'Well, that's standard procedure,'" McCain said Monday. "I don't think it is standard procedure prior to the inauguration of a president of the United States by someone who is not in an appointed position."

The New York Times quoted White House spokeswoman Hope Hicks as saying Kushner "was acting in his capacity as a transition official," and that he has agreed to discuss the meetings with congressional investigators.

Trump has rejected any allegations that his campaign colluded with Russia.

"Jared is doing a great job for the country," Trump told Times late Sunday. "I have total confidence in him. He is respected by virtually everyone and is working on programs that will save our country billions of dollars. In addition to that, and perhaps more importantly, he is a very good person."

The 36-year-old Kushner, a New York real estate executive before joining Trump's White House staff, is married to Trump's oldest daughter Ivanka, who also is a White House adviser.

Kushner, according to several news accounts, sought to create the secret communications link with Moscow as he met with the Kremlin's ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, early last December. Some foreign affairs experts said the move, while former president Barack Obama had weeks left in his term, worried them that it could undermine U.S. security and some opposition Democrats have suggested that Kushner's security clearance should be revoked.

Kushner's lawyer has said that he is willing to cooperate with congressional probes of Trump campaign links to Russian officials. One key lawmaker, Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Sunday, "He seems to be a very open person. I'd let him speak for himself when the time is right."

Two Trump administration officials, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, both said they saw nothing wrong with Kushner's overture to Moscow.

Trump hits back

Kushner's connection with the Russia probe was alleged in a Washington Post report while Trump was on a nine-day trip to the Middle East and Europe. Trump, when he returned to Washington, quickly assailed news media reports of White House turmoil linked to investigations of his aides and their ties to Russia.

"It is my opinion that many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies made up by the #FakeNews media," Trump said. "Whenever you see the words 'sources say' in the fake news media, and they don't mention names, it is very possible that those sources don't exist, but are made up by fake news writers. #FakeNews is the enemy!"

He later added a defense of his use of Twitter, saying the media "works hard at disparaging & demeaning my use of social media because they don't want America to hear the real story!"

Trump and White House aides face months of investigations into alleged ties to Russian officials during the presidential campaign and afterwards. There also are accusations from opposition Democrats that Trump has tried to obstruct justice and curtail the probes.

A special counsel is investigating whether Trump aides colluded with Russian officials to help him win the November election, while congressional committees have called on numerous current and former Trump aides to testify.

The White House is bracing for the upcoming congressional testimony of former FBI chief James Comey. Trump fired Comey after allegedly asking him to drop the probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and his close ties to the Kremlin.

Some U.S. news reports, citing Trump aides, say the president could soon establish a White House "war room" to deal with the burgeoning number of questions about his administration's links to Russia. The reports say Trump has hired a New York lawyer to advise him in handling the various investigations.

Trump has frequently dismissed his campaign's connection with Moscow as an excuse by Democrats to explain his win over Democrat Hillary Clinton. She has blamed Russian meddling in the election as one of the reasons she lost. She has also blamed Comey for public announcements during the campaign that she was under FBI scrutiny for her use of email.

Democrats want to know whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians in hacking into unflattering Democratic Party emails and leaking them to the media through WikiLeaks to embarrass Clinton.

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Czech Court Rules Hacking Suspect Can Be Extradited To U.S. Or Russia

RFE/RL May 30, 2017

PRAGUE -- A court in the Czech Republic has ruled that a Russian computer-hacking suspect at the center of a tug-of-war between the United States and Russia can be extradited to either country.

The Prague Municipal Court issued the decision at a hearing on May 30 in the case of Yevgeny Nikulin, whom the United States accuses of hacking computers and stealing information from major Internet companies, including LinkedIn and Dropbox.

Russia is also seeking the extradition of Nikulin, 29, who was arrested by the Czech authorities in October 2016 based on an Interpol warrant requested by the U.S. government.

The ruling is subject to appeal and the final decision will be in the hands of the Czech justice minister, who can approve extradition to one country and block the other.

The hearing was held at Pankrac prison in the Czech capital, a rare step that underscored the sensitivity of the case.

Journalists were not allowed to bring cameras, mobile phones, and laptops to the hearing. Relatives of Nikulin attended but did not speak to reporters.

Czech authorities arrested the Russian in Prague on October 5, in cooperation with the FBI, after Interpol issued an international warrant.

The hearing was originally scheduled for May 11 but was postponed after Nikulin's lawyer Martin Sadilek said that he had not received some of the case documents.

Russia wants Nikulin extradited on a separate charge of Internet theft dating back to 2009.

Russian officials had previously said they were working to prevent his extradition to the United States.

A lawyer for Nikulin has claimed FBI agents tried to get him to confess to hacking the U.S. Democratic Party before the November 2016 presidential vote in which Republican candidate Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Nikulin's fate is being decided at a time when investigations into alleged meddling in the election by Russian President Vladimir Putin's government, which U.S. intelligence officials say sought to sway the vote in Trump's favor, remain in the spotlight.

With reporting by Lidovky.cz and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-czech-trial- hacker-extradition-us/28518049.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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DPRK apparently test-launches ballistic missile: S. Korean military

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:28, May 29, 2017

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) test-launched a ballistic missile early Monday from the country's east coast, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

The ballistic missile, which was believed to be of Scud type, was fired at about 5:39 a.m. local time (2039 GMT on Sunday) from the DPRK's Wonsan vicinity, the JCS said in a statement.

The missile flew some 450 km into eastern waters. The Scud missile is a short-range ballistic missile with a range of 300-500 km, which is known to target the South Korean territory.

The JCS said South Korea and the United Stateswere analyzing details on the missile launch.

It noted that South Korea's military was closely watching any possible provocation of the DPRK, while maintaining a full preparedness.

The Monday missile launch marked the third provocation of the DPRK since the new South Korean administration was launched earlier this month. It also logged the DPRK's ninth missile test-firing this year.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered a meeting of national security council to be held. The meeting was presided over by Moon's top national security advisor Chung Eui-yong.

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S.Korea denounces DPRK's ballistic missile test-launch

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:30, May 29, 2017

South Korea on Monday denounced the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s test-launch of a ballistic missile as it violated UN Security Council resolutions.

Seoul's foreign ministry said in a statement that Pyongyang's test-firing of a ballistic missile was in clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and posed a serious threat to peace and stability in the world as well as in the Korean Peninsula.

The DPRK test-fired a ballistic missile from the vicinity of Wonsan off the DPRK's east coast, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). It was believed to be of a Scud type, which has a range of 300-500 km.

The missile flew some 450 km into the DPRK's eastern waters. It was launched at about 5:39 a.m. local time (2039 GMT on Sunday).

The Monday missile launch marked the third provocation of the DPRK since the new South Korean administration was launched earlier this month. It also logged the DPRK's ninth missile test-firing this year.

The Seoul ministry said the DPRK's repeated provocations flew in the face of South Korea's call for peace and the denuclearization in the peninsula and defied the international community's concerted will for the denuclearization of the DPRK.

The ministry strongly denounced the missile launch, urging Pyongyang to immediately stop any provocations and rapidly come to the path to the denuclearization.

It said the South Korean government will never accept, and sternly deal with, any DPRK provocation, promising to defend people's safety and life by maintaining a full preparedness based on the firm South Korea-U.S. alliance.

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Pyongyang Launches What Is Believed to Be a Missile - South Korean Military

Sputnik News

00:29 29.05.2017(updated 08:15 29.05.2017)

The South Korean military has detected what is believed to be a missile launch by North Korea, local media reported on Monday. It was later confirmed by the US as a short-range ballistic missile.

According to the Yonhap New agency, the South Korean military detected a missile launch conducted by North Korea on Monday.

Seoul's Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) said that the launch was conducted from the area near the North Korean city of Wonsan that is located on the country's east coast. The military added that the projectile had covered some 450 kilometers (280 miles) before falling into the Sea of Japan.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga lodged a protest over the launch, saying that the missile fell in Japan's exclusive economic zone.

"The missile, which was fired from the eastern coast of North Korea, has fallen in the exclusive economic zone of Japan. It is necessary to ensure the security of Japanese ships and planes," Suga said at a press conference on Monday.

In the wake of the launch, South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered to convene the meeting of the country's national security council.

A White House official said after the launch that US President Trump was made aware of the latest actions of Pyongyang.

"The United States government is aware. The president [Donald Trump] has been briefed," a spokesperson told reporters.

Tensions around North Korea's activities with both nuclear and non-nuclear weapons have drastically escalated in recent months, after Pyongyang conducted a number of nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches in violation of the UN Security Council's resolutions.

US media reported earlier that Trump might order a strike against North Korea in light of the latter's military activities.

On Saturday, media reports emerged saying that the US aircraft carrier Nimitz was sent to the Asia-Pacific region to join two other American strike groups that had been already deployed near the shores of the Korean Peninsula.

Top North Korean officials have repeatedly said the country was ready for nuclear attacks in the event of US military aggression.

US Defense Secretary James Mattis said on Sunday that possible war with North Korea would be a disaster affecting all the nearby countries in the region, including China and Russia. He stressed that the fact that Pyongyang possesses "hundreds of artillery cannons and rocket launchers" within range of South Korean capital of Seoul would make the potential conflict particularly dangerous.

The most recent launch of North Korean ballistic missile took place on May 21. The ground-to-ground missile reportedly flew some 500 kilometers (310 miles) before falling into the Sea of Japan short of reaching Japan's exclusive economic zone.

 Sputnik

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After Talks With Putin, Macron Accuses Russian State Media Of Spreading 'Propaganda'

RFE/RL May 29, 2017

French President Emmanuel Macron accused Russian state news outlets of spreading "fake news" and "propaganda" against him during May's presidential election, after holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Versailles Palace outside Paris.

The meeting on May 29 was the first between the two men since Macron's decisive May 7 victory over right-wing rival Marine Le Pen, a Putin admirer whom the Kremlin and its surrogates appeared to favor, and came amid bilateral ties that remain strained.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Putin, Macron said RT and Sputnik were "organs of influence and propaganda" and "behaved like structures of the government."

Macron's team alleged that Russian hacking and disinformation efforts aimed to derail his campaign.

Putin denied that Moscow meddled in France's presidential election and said that by meeting Le Pen in Moscow in March the Kremlin had not tried to influence the vote.

Macron, 39, said the two leaders had a "frank exchange" over their "differences" on a number of issues, including the Ukraine standoff and Russia's support for President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war.

Macron has said he supports the continuation of Western sanctions targeting Russia over its 2014 seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and backing of armed separatists in eastern Ukraine, whose war with Kyiv's forces has killed almost 10,000 people.

He said last week that he wanted to bring together the "Normandy format," which groups the leaders of Russia, Germany, France, and Ukraine and which met first in Normandy, France.

On May 29, Macron said he and Putin agreed the time was right for a new round of peace talks on Ukraine, adding that the talks should take place "in days or weeks."

Putin, 64, said sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russia over its activities in Ukraine would not help stabilize the situation in the east of the country, where it borders Russia.

On Syria, Macron said the use of chemical weapons is a red line for France and would result in reprisals.

France and Russia back different sides in the Syrian conflict, with Putin supporting Assad and Macron part of a Western coalition that supports rebel groups and has accused Assad of using chemical weapons in the past.

Macron said he wanted Paris and Moscow to improve intelligence sharing on Syria and to cooperate on finding a political solution to the conflict, though he gave no details on what he thinks a deal would look like.

Putin questioned France's independence in its Syria policy because it was part of a U.S-lead alliance, adding that the two leaders had agreed the fight against terrorism was their top priority, even if his views on Syria had not changed.

"Any use of chemical weapons would result in reprisals and an immediate riposte, at least where France is concerned," Macron said.

"Our two countries will cooperate on Syria, this is essential.  We need strong cooperation because we have a joint priority, which is the fight against terrorism," he added.

Macron also said that Putin had promised "the whole truth" about an alleged campaign of abuse, including murder, targeting gay men in Chechnya, a mainly Muslim region in Russia's south ruled by Kremlin-backed strongman Ramzan Kadyrov.

"President Putin told me... he had undertaken several initiatives on the subject of LGBT people in Chechnya with measures aimed at establishing the whole truth about the activities of local authorities," Macron said, adding he would be "vigilant" on the issue.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/france-macron-russia-putin -ukraine-syria-meeting/28515517.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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With China Rattled by Long Bridge, India to Build 17 Highways for Jet Landing

Sputnik News

20:00 29.05.2017

India has announced a major overhauling of highways that can be used as airstrips for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Nitin Gadkari, India's Minister of Road and Transport, has said 17 highways along border areas will be developed to double up as airstrips which will have immense strategic value.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  The IAF had asked the country's national highway authority to build highways in definitive locations in such a way that it can land its combat jets for "operational contingencies" and disaster relief operations. These highways will be located in some 10 states, including Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal and Assam which is close to the border with China.

"People residing in border areas need highway network and better infrastructure. We are building 17 such highways which can be converted into airstrips," Gadkari told PTI. These highways will be equipped with weapon storage dumps, landing lights, fuel and fire-fighting equipment.

The IAF had landed Mirage 2000 aircraft on Yamuna Express Highway near Delhi in May 2015 after which more roads and stretches were being identified for the purpose in line with the experience of Myanmar. "Last year, IAF had sent a generic plan for utilization of highway as landing strips during eventualities at 21 locations to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for implementation," government sources told Sputnik.

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated India's longest river bridge which reduces travel time from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh by some five hours and by 165 km in distance.

The Indian government is developing road and railway projects along the border with China so that they can enhance country's defense capabilities in forward areas. Indian defense ministry has also expedited the work for carrying out final location survey of Misamari (Bhalukpong)-Tenga-Tawang strategic rail new line from March this year.

China has been asking India to adopt a cautious and restrained attitude on infrastructure development in areas where consensus has not been reached between the countries. "We hope India adopts a cautious and restrained attitude on the issue before the final settlement of the border issue with China to jointly control disputes, safeguard peace and tranquillity in border areas," the Chinese Foreign Ministry told an Indian news agency.

In January this year, Nitin Gadkari announced that $7.5 billion will be spent on road construction projects in the next five years for Arunachal Pradesh. China considers the upper part of Arunachal Pradesh as south Tibet and its territory. The two countries accuse each other of occupying thousands of square kilometers from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh.

 Sputnik

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India to Raise Another Mountain Corps Division With China in Mind

Sputnik News

19:40 29.05.2017

India is raising a second division of Mountain Strike Corps to strengthen its capabilities against neighboring China. The first division is stationed in Panagarh in West Bengal, the eastern Indian state.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  The second division of Mountain Strike Corps, which will be headquartered in Pathankot, will be raised to counter China to form a credible deterrence against the Chinese army.

The new 17 Mountain Strike Corps will have a strength of around 90,000 soldiers and it will take almost three years to become fully operational. It will consist of two new high-altitude infantry divisions and it will be spread from Arunachal Pradesh to Ladakh along the border with China.

"As far as the Strike Corps is concerned, we already have three Strike Corps against Pakistan and these are for plains that is basically one, two and twenty-one Corps. However, we were not having the Strike Corps in use against Chinese in mountains and hence a 17 Strike Corps for mountains have been raised and it will be fully deployed along the China border. So far we only have a defensive mechanism against the China, however with the Strike Corps coming and being raised, we will also have an offensive mechanism," Major General (Rtd) AK Siwach, a former head of the Territorial Army, told Sputnik.

"As far as the Chinese are concerned, the threat is real We should be well-prepared against any contingency," Major General Siwach added.

 Sputnik

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Spokesman: Military equipment not first priority

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, May 29, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said here on Monday in his press conference that Saudi Arabia thinks it needs support of trans-regional powers and thinks it may buy security with weapons and money.

The foreign ministry spokesman was replying to a question asked by a reporter that what is the aim of Saudi Arabia for convening a multi-billion-dollar contract to buy facilities from the US and what is the US strategy in this regard.

Qasemi reminded that a touchstone to sell weapons for the US government is to earn money, as the US president stated that 'we sold billions of dollars weapons so the US youngsters may find job'.

Thousands of people should die, so several youngsters could find job, such interpretation create a hard and dangerous situation, which might create wrong conception for some people that they can achieve their goals by using weapons.

History had proved that military equipment does not make priority and its clear pattern is Saudi Arabia war against Yemen, which over the past two years by bombardments and massacre of people still there is no success for them.

A reporter asked by re-election of President Rouhani whether diplomacy system of the country and foreign policy stances will face changes and whether there is any special program in agenda, Qasemi answered that programs, which started from the 11th government will be continued in the 12th government and incomplete programs should be completed through hard work while more priority will be givern to the neighboring states.

He said there is still time for establishment of the 12th government and colleagues in different committees are compiling regional strategies, which will be proposed to the government for approval.

1391**2050

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Iraqi forces reach Syrian border, pushing to free key town

Iran Press TV

Mon May 29, 2017 2:38PM

Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), also known as Hashd al-Sha'abi in Arabic, are pressing forward to liberate a key town, west of the embattled city of Mosul, from the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, after arriving at the Syrian border and establishing their control on a series of towns and villages in the area.

According to the Arabic-language al-Sumeria television news agency, the paramilitary fighters, consisting of some 40 mainly Shia Muslim groups, reached the Syrian border in the north on Monday, and are further tightening the noose around Daesh in the strategic town of al-Ba'aj.

"The Hashd al-Sha'abi forces just reached the Iraqi-Syrian border," announced Secretary General of Iraq's Badr Organization Hadi al-Ameri on Monday, adding that their fighters were already stationed in the border village of Um Geris.

Earlier in the day, the pro-government forces liberated the two villages of Taro and Wadi al-Midar, both located west of al-Qahtanyia area, which was completely freed on Sunday.

The two villages are also located north of the flashpoint town of Ba'aj, which, according to Sheikh Sami al-Masoudi, another Hashd al-Sha'abi leader, "is a strategic town for Daesh as it is the last supply line," linking the terror group with war-torn Syria.

Masoudi, whose remarks came shortly before Ameri's announcement of reaching the Syrian border, added that as soon as the PMU forces reached the border, they "will erect a dirt barricade and dig a trench to derail Daesh move."

The Hashd al-Sha'abi forces, backed by the air force, launched a major offensive last Monday to liberate Ba'aj and its surrounding villages and areas from the grips of Daesh, trying to reach the Syrian border and cutting the vital supply line of the terror group, whose days are numbered in Mosul, their last urban bastion in the Arab country.

The PMU forces reportedly number more than 100,000 fighters. Iraqi authorities say there are between 25,000 and 30,000 Sunni tribal fighters within their ranks in addition to Kurdish Izadi and Christian units.

The fighters have played a major role in the liberation of Daesh-held areas to the south, northeast and north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, ever since the terrorists launched an offensive in the country in June 2014.

Daesh losing more ground in Mosul

Iraqi forces on Monday launched a fresh wave of offensive against the remaining Daesh terrorists, holing up in Mosul's Old City.

"Our units are continuing to advance... and entered al-Saha al-Oula and al-Zinjili and al-Shifaa neighborhoods and the Republican Hospital," announced Iraq's Joint Operations Command (JOC) spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Rasool.

Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq, fell to Daesh in 2014, when the terrorist group began its campaign of death and destruction in Iraq, making the city its de facto capital in the Arab country.

Since October 2016, Iraqi army soldiers and allied volunteer fighters have been leading a major operation to recapture Mosul. They took control of eastern Mosul in January and the push for the western side, separated from the east by the Tigris River, commenced in February.

Latest figures show that Daesh has control of less than 10 percent of the city, mainly in the north of the densely-populated Old City. However, the liberation of the last militant-held patches proved more difficult than previously expected, as Takfiri terrorists have dug in among civilians and are fiercely fighting back with explosive-laden vehicles, booby traps, mortar fire and snipers.

Furthermore, army tanks and heavy vehicles are incapable of passing through the Old City's narrow and maze-like streets.

Rasool also noted that the Iraqi aircraft had dropped thousands of leaflets over the Old Mosul and several other areas of the city overnight, "urging citizens to leave toward our security forces."

Hundreds of thousands of people have already been displaced by the fighting in Mosul, and the figure is likely to mount as Iraqi forces close in on the last Daesh-held enclave in the city.

Meanwhile, Staff Lieutenant General Abdulghani al-Assadi, a high-ranking commander of Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), announced that the Iraqi forces had managed to liberate 49 residential buildings from the grips of Daesh. He added that 119 Daesh terrorists had also been killed in the operation.

"Daesh terrorists are directly targeting civilians," Assadi further noted, adding that to save more lives, the security forces had provided a number of transporting vehicles to evacuate as many civilians as possible from the battle grounds to safe zones.

Also on Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi visited some liberated areas of Mosul and met with the Iraqi troops in the area.

The full liberation of Mosul would spell the end for the Iraqi half of Daesh's so-called caliphate.

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Iraqi Shi'ite Militia Backed By Iran Recaptures Border Area With Syria

RFE/RL May 30, 2017

An Iraqi Shi'ite force backed by Iran has said it pushed Islamic State (IS) militants out of villages on the border with Syria on May 29, in a step toward reopening a supply route to send Iranian weapons to President Bashar al-Assad.

The Popular Mobilization Forces described its advance to the border with Syria north of the town of Baaj on May 29 as "a Ramadan miracle," referring to the Muslim fasting month that started over the weekend.

For the Popular Mobilization Forces, reclaiming the territory is a step toward achieving a linkup between Baghdad and Assad's forces in Syria, reopening a critical highway for supplying weapons to Assad's army, and giving the Syrian leader a significant advantage in fighting the 6-year-old armed rebellion against him.

"This will be the first step to the liberation of the entire border," said Ahmad al-Asadi, a spokesman for the Iranian-backed militia.

But the Iraqi forces backed by Iran cannot as yet link up with the Syrian Army and allied Iranian-backed militias in Syria, as Assad's forces have not as yet reached the Iraqi border from the Syrian side, despite concerted efforts in recent weeks.

To get there, they would have to pass through territory held by U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces that the U.S. military has been training to fight IS.

Iraq's Iranian-backed militia leaders say they are ready to move inside Syrian territory to assist Assad in battling rebel groups there. It is not known whether the Syrian Kurds would allow the Iraqi Shi'ite force to use their territory to reach Assad's troops, however, which are deployed further south and further west.

The Popular Mobilization Forces are taking part in the U.S.-backed Iraqi campaign to defeat IS in its Iraqi stronghold of Mosul and surrounding Nineveh Province.

The Iraq government's army has been focusing its efforts on dislodging the militants from Mosul, while the Iranian-backed forces have battled to reclaim the vast desert territory between Mosul and the Syrian border.

While reporting nominally to Iraq's Shi'ite-led government, the Popular Mobilization Forces have Iranian military advisers, one of whom died last week fighting near Baaj.

Iran backs militia forces in both Iraq and Syria, where it has helped to train and organize thousands of Shi'ite troops it has recruited from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Fighters from Lebanon's Hizballah also work closely with Iranian military commanders in Syria.

Eight months into the Mosul campaign, IS fighters have been dislodged from all of the city except an enclave by the western bank of the Tigris River.

Iraq's army over the weekend launched a new offensive to take the militants' enclave, which includes the densely populated Old City.

With reporting by AP, dpa, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iraqi-shiite-militia- backed-by-iran-recapture-border-area-with- syria-reopen-strategic-supply-route- weapons-syria-president-assad/28517688.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Car Bombings Kill 27 in Iraq's Capital

By VOA News May 30, 2017

Two separate bomb attacks on crowded streets in Iraq's capital early Tuesday killed at least 27 people and wounded dozens more.

The first blast happened near a popular ice cream shop in Baghdad's busy Karrada district, killing at least 16 people and wounding 75.

Hours later, a second explosion went off near a government office in the Shawaka section of the city. At least 11 people were killed in that blast.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for both attacks, saying they were both suicide car bombings targeting members of Iraq's Shi'ite Muslim majority, whom the group considers heretics.

The attacks come a few days after Muslims began observing the holy month of Ramadan, when they flock to cafes and restaurants at night after a fasting during the day.

Islamic State was also responsible for a big truck bombing in Karrada during Ramadan last year that killed about 300 people.

The militants have been steadily losing territory in Iraq as pro-government forces fighting on the ground and a U.S.-led coalition conducting airstrikes push to reclaim remaining areas that were first seized in mid-2014.

The biggest target is Mosul, the largest city Islamic State took over in Iraq, but one where the government is back in control in the eastern section and working to rout the last militants from the western side.

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Israel tests rocket propulsion system: Report

Iran Press TV

Mon May 29, 2017 9:19AM

Israel has launched a rocket to test a new propulsion system, with military officials refusing to say whether it was successful or not.

In a brief statement on Monday, the military said the test was "arranged in advance by the security services and was carried out as planned."

Eyewitnesses said it took place at the Palmachim airbase as the rocket left a trail visible for kilometers.

The military did not provided further details on the nature of the test or rocket system being tested. Rocket propulsion systems are often designed to launch large systems such as satellites and ballistic missiles.

The system could also be used on ground-to-ground missiles such as Israel's Jericho which is reportedly capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. It could also be installed in ground-to-air missiles like the Arrow.

Israel maintains a policy of secrecy about its atomic weapons program but the regime is widely believed to possess at least 200 nuclear warheads.

Tel Aviv is not a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), preventing international inspectors from visiting its atomic weapons installations.

The US is a key partner in Israel's military projects as well as a financier. In December, US Congress approved $600 million for Israel's missile program for the 2017 fiscal year.

The funds are intended for research and development in missile and rocket programs as well as procurement of Iron Dome rocket system and David's Sling and Arrow long-range missile systems.



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Libya's Derna bombarded again: Witnesses

Iran Press TV

Mon May 29, 2017 8:6AM

Warplanes have reportedly launched airstrikes on the Libyan city of Derna, days after Egyptian jets pounded alleged terrorist training camps in the city.

According to the residents who witnessed the airstrikes, one attack hit the western entrance to Derna, in eastern Libya, and the other two hit Dahr al-Hamar, in the south, on Monday, Reuters reported.

It is not clear who launched the airstrikes.

The city was bombed by Egyptian fighter jets on Friday, just hours after unknown gunmen attacked a bus carrying Coptic Christians south of the Egyptian capital, Cairo, and killed at least 28 people.

The Takfiri Daesh terror group claimed responsibility for the attack in Egypt. The group also claimed two church bombings that killed at least 45 people in Egypt last month.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi declared on Friday that he had directed the airstrikes against "terrorist camps," and warned that countries that support terrorism would be punished.

"Egypt will never hesitate to strike terror camps anywhere... if it plans attacking Egypt whether inside or outside the country," he said.

Critics, however, say airstrikes alone will not remove terrorists from Libya. They say the conflict in the North African country would be resolved only if the two rival governments in Libya reached an agreement and jointly focused on eliminating Daesh.

Libya has faced a power vacuum since a US-led military intervention resulted in the downfall of its longtime dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, in 2011. The country has been grappling with chaos and the emergence of numerous militant groups, including Daesh.

The country currently has two governments, one based in the capital, Tripoli, and the other based in the far east, in the city of Tobruk. The United Nations supervised a series of negotiations in 2015 that led to the establishment of a Government of National Accord late that year. But the split in the country continues.

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South Korean President Said Summit With DPRK is Needed - Spy Chief Nominee

Sputnik News

23:07 29.05.2017(updated 23:11 29.05.2017)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in had agreed on the need for a summit meeting with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) during his presidential election campaign, the spy agency chief nominee said Monday.

National Intelligence Service (NIS) director-nominee Suh Hoon told a parliamentary confirmation hearing that he talked with Moon, when Moon was a presidential candidate, about the need for an inter-Korean summit meeting.

Though they failed to discuss details, they agreed on the need for such a meeting, Suh said.

Moon was sworn in as president on May 10 after winning a landslide victory in the presidential by-election.

Right after his inauguration, Moon named Suh as NIS director, together with the appointments of the presidential chief of staff and the prime minister.

Suh, 63, is known to have played a key role in preparing for the past two inter-Korean summit meetings that were held in June 2000 and October 2007.

He entered the NIS in 1980 and served as a deputy NIS director from 2006 to 2008 under the late President Roh Moo-hyun.

President Moon was widely forecast to inherit the so-called "Sunshine Policy" of seeking to improve relations with the DPRK through economic cooperation.

However, Moon said he would sternly deal with any DPRK provocations.

The DPRK test-launched at least one ballistic missile, which was believed to be of a Scud type, early Monday from the country's east coast, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The South Korean government strongly denounced the DPRK's missile test-firing as it violates UN Security Council resolutions, urging Pyongyang to immediately stop any further provocations.

 Sputnik

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Kremlin Disagrees with Macron's Remarks on RT, Sputnik - Peskov

Sputnik News

20:26 29.05.2017(updated 20:31 29.05.2017)

Russian president's spokesman said that Kremlin does not agree with the remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron concerning Russian media outlets Sputnik and RT.

VERSAILLES (Sputnik)  The Kremlin does not agree with the remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron concerning Russian media outlets Sputnik and RT, Russian president's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Sputnik on Monday.

Macron earlier said that RT and Sputnik had been denied access to his election headquarters because they allegedly "spread false information, slander."

"We do not agree with this assessment," Peskov said.

 Sputnik

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Sources: Iran to Bankroll Pro-Government Militia Fighters in Syria

By Mehdi Jedinia, Ahed Al Hendi May 28, 2017

The Syrian government has asked Iran to take over the supervision and payroll of thousands of Shi'ite militiamen fighting alongside Russian and Syrian troops in support of President Bashar al-Assad, according to a government source and a news report.

The pro-opposition Syrian news website Zaman Al Wasel reported that it obtained a Syrian defense ministry document saying the Assad regime has approved a plan to give Iran responsibility for paying foreign fighters  mostly Shi'ites of varying nationalities. Shi'ite fighters mostly are paid in cash from Iran, the Syrian government and coffers of the Lebanese-based, pro-Iranian Hezbollah, according to analysts.

Iran would foot the bill alone in the future, a Syrian official told VOA on the condition of anonymity, confirming the Al Wasel report.

"The number of Shia militia has increased dramatically during the last two months," the official said. "While a big part of these militia were recruited by Iran, a relatively big part was recruited by the Syrian government directly. We are speaking about more than 50,000 militants from different nationalities. The Syrian government requested that Iran provide for all of the mentioned militias."

The document from Al Wasel put the number of fighters to be paid at 88,733  a figure analysts say is exaggerated. They estimate that about 10,000 Iranian combat troops are in Syria fighting alongside thousands of fighters from Lebanon's Tehran-affiliated Shiite militia Hezbollah and assorted Shiite militia made up of renegade Pakistanis, central Asians and other nationalities. Since January 2013, more than 1,000 members of Iran's elite Quds Force or other elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) units have been killed fighting in Syria.

Tehran says its forces are in Syria to protect the Zeinab Shrine in Damascus, a Shi'ite holy site. But since 2011, Iran has been a major backer of the Syrian regime in its war with rebel groups across the country, at first sending advisers, then forces from the IRGC and expanding far beyond the shrine area.

Iran has long expressed a desire to command a unified army in the region, particularly in Syria, and its growing power in Syria and Iraq is causing unease in Western capitals. In an interview with the Mashregh news agency last August, Mohammad Ali Falaki, an IRGC leader, announced formation of a unified army in Syria which appears to have come to loose fruition.

"It would hardly be abnormal for Iran's IRGC to be controlling yet more Shia jihadists," said Talha Abdulrazaq, a researcher at the University of Exeter's Strategy and Security Institute.

In the long run, the formation of a unified army in Syria under Tehran supervision appears very practical, analysts say.

"It seems plausible that the Syrian government shift the responsibility for management and organization of the militias, especially where financial burden is concerned," said Rasool Nafisi, a Middle East affairs expert in Washington.

Asserting its military prowess would help Iran push its political agenda in the region, some analysts believe.

"The bigger and more advanced army you control, the stronger voice you have," said Daryoush Babak, a Washington-based retired Iranian military adviser.

But unifying Assad supporters under Tehran's umbrella could worsen sectarian conflict in the region between Shi'ites and Sunni, analysts say.

Iran is looking for any chance to increase its influence and gain an upper hand against Saudi Arabia, its strongest rival in the war of minds and hearts, analysts say. Saudi Arabia and Iran support rival groups in Syria's civil war. And In a speech in Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump accused Tehran of contributing to instability in the region.

"Tehran and Riyadh  keep contradicting each other to prove whose ideology leads the region," said Nafisi.

While Syria has relied on Iran militarily in the fight against rebels and Islamic State, it's unlikely to grant Tehran a controlling foothold in the country, analysts say.

"In Syria, it is not likely to happen as long as the Assad regime harbors ambitions of regaining sovereignty rather than being reduced to an Iranian protectorate," said Alfoneh.

VOA's Noor Zahid contributed to this report.

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Syrian Troops Take Back Damascus-Palmyra Road for the First Time Since War Began

Sputnik News

15:09 29.05.2017(updated 17:02 29.05.2017)

Syrian forces have taken control of the Damascus-Palmyra highway for the first time since the start of the conflict.

PALMYRA (Sputnik)  Syrian government troops backed by allied forces have regained control of the Damascus-Palmyra highway for the first time since the start of the conflict, a local source told Sputnik.

"Daesh terrorists retreated in the direction of Sukhnah. The Damascus-Palmyra route is under the control of the army and allied forces," the source said Monday.

Since 2011, Syria has been engulfed in a civil war, with government forces fighting against numerous opposition and terrorist groups, including al-Nusra Front and Daesh, banned in a range of countries, including Russia.

 Sputnik

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German Lawmakers Not to Visit Incirlik While Germany Acts Against Turkey - FM

Sputnik News

19:39 30.05.2017(updated 19:44 30.05.2017)

Ankara will not allow German lawmakers to visit the Incirlik air base as long as Germany takes steps against Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Tuesday.

ANKARA (Sputnik)  Turkey blocked a group of German lawmakers from visiting the air base earlier in May prompting Chancellor Angela Merkel to suggest that Berlin may consider moving some 250 troops stationed at Incirlik to one of the neighboring countries.

"Germany negatively looks at Turkey, and now they say: 'We want to come to Incirlik'. Germany must understand that Turkey, which it can force to do what it wants, and to get what it wants from it, exists no longer. This remains in the past. In such conditions it is impossible to allow German parliamentarians to visit Incirlik. On Monday we will discuss this issue with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel," Cavusoglu told reporters in Ankara.

 Sputnik

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Ukraine Blames Separatists For Bombardment That Injures Eight Civilians

RFE/RL May 29, 2017

KYIV -- Ukrainian authorities are blaming Russia-backed separatists for a hail of artillery fire that injured at least eight civilians, damaged buildings, and interrupted water supplies in the front-line town of Krasnohorivka over the weekend.

The incident underscored a warning last week by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which said that the rate of violence in the Ukraine conflict so far this year had more than doubled on a year earlier.

Central Krasnohorivka was hit by at least 12 Grad (Hail) rockets and other heavy artillery fired from territory controlled by separatists early on May 28, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

The ministry said as many as 14 buildings were damaged or destroyed, including apartment buildings and residential houses.

Donetsk Governor Pavlo Zhebrivskiy posted images on Facebook early on May 28 showing damaged brick buildings and suggesting a hospital and school had been struck.

More than 9,940 people have been killed since fighting broke out between central Ukrainian authorities and Russia-backed separatists in April 2014.

A shaky cease-fire brokered in Minsk regularly gives way to fighting, and the OSCE said at least 44 civilians had been killed and 175 more injured in the Ukrainian conflict zone between January 1 and May 24, before last weekend's violence.

Moscow and Kyiv have each blamed the other for failing to uphold their end of the 2-year-old truce.

Deputy foreign ministers from Germany, France, Ukraine, and Russia are scheduled to meet in Berlin on May 30 "to review the current situation on the ground with regard to the cease-fire and with regard to all other commitments under the Minsk agreements," according to a German government spokesman.

Germany and France brokered the Minsk deal and have held numerous meetings with representatives of Ukraine and Russia, part of a four-way process known as the Normandy Format,

The planned meeting comes a day after talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles on May 29.

The EU and United States have imposed sanctions on Russia over its actions in eastern Ukraine, where Kyiv and NATO say Moscow fomented unrest in 2014 and has given strong military backing to the separatists who hold parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-krasnohorivka -bombardment-osce/28516309.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ukraine Security Service Searches Yandex Offices In 'Treason' Probe

Christopher Miller May 29, 2017

KYIV -- Ukraine's security service said searches of the Kyiv and Odesa offices of Russian internet giant Yandex as part of a treason investigation found that company management had "illegally collected" personal data on local citizens.

The May 29 searches came less than two weeks after President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree banning Yandex and several other Russian sites, including the popular social networks VK -- formerly VKontakte -- and Odnoklassniki.

"Law enforcement agents found that the management of the company illegally collected, accumulated, and passed on the personal data of Ukrainian citizens," the SBU said in a statement on its website.

The data included information about users' "occupation, lifestyle, location, residence, work, leisure, sources and amounts of income, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, and accounts in social networks.

"The information was transmitted to [Russian] security services for planning, organizing, and conducting reconnaissance, sabotage, and information-subversion operations in the country at the expense of Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability," the statement said.

Treason is punishable by 12 to 15 years in prison in Ukraine and the confiscation of property.

Asya Melkumova, a Yandex spokeswoman, confirmed the searches and told RFE/RL: "We have no information about reasons of today's SSU action. Our lawyers are on the way to the offices. Yandex is ready to provide all information regarding its operations in Ukraine, according and limited by Ukrainian legal procedures."

According to Ukrainian IT news site AIN.ua, staff of both offices were ordered by the SBU to leave the premises while the searches were conducted.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists he could not comment, saying, "We do not have complete information yet."

Yandex said it has been developing its services for Ukraine since 2005, providing its Ukrainian users with search engines, maps, navigation, online education, and other services.

"We have conducted our business in strict accordance with Ukrainian legislation and have focused on creating high quality local products," the company said in a statement. "While Ukraine is a small part of our business and the sanctions will not have a material negative impact on our consolidated results, we regret that this new legislation affects our 11 million Ukrainian users who rely on our services every month, and the thousands of Ukrainian organizations that use our technologies and services to grow and develop their businesses."

In signing the decree, which was published on May 16, Poroshenko cited the need to combat what he called Russian instruments of information warfare.

The move, which came at the request of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council and the SBU, added the companies to a long sanctions list that includes 1,228 individuals and 468 legal entities. It also sparked a public debate between critics who condemned it as censorship and a blow to freedom of expression and supporters who called it a long-overdue move in defense of national security.

Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in March 2014, after sending in troops and staging a referendum widely denounced as illegal, and has given strong support to separatists whose war against Kyiv's forces has killed more than 9,900 people in eastern Ukraine since April 2014.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine- yandex-sbu-raids/28516331.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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KN-17 Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile [ASBM]

The KN18 is the SRBM with terminal maneuverability that North Korea first flight-tested in late-May 2017. That missile was first seen at the April 15, 2017 military parade in Pyongyang, it was initially and erroneously assumed to have been a KN-17 anti-ship ballistic missile.

South Korea's intelligence agency told lawmajers that North Korea is focused on developing a "middle stage" [medium range?] missile for its goal to build an intercontinental ballistic missile. During a meeting of the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) said the North's KN-17 antiship missile had a range of five thousand kilometers [this makes little sense], enabled by a new type of liquid propulsion engine. Liberty Korea Party lawmaker Yi Wan-young, a member of the intelligence committee, passed on that assessment 15 June 2017.

The KN-17 is a North Korean counterpart to the Chinese DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile, nicknamed the carrier killer. By 2010 China was developing a new class of ballistic missiles that can be used against moving targets such as ships. One such technology is anticipated to cover a range of 2,000 kilometers and operate at a speed of Mach 10. The threat is also capable of maneuvering both during the midcourse and terminal flight phases for the purposes of guidance, target acquisition, and countermeasures. This threat, either Chinese of North Korean, could greatly impact the current concept of operations of US Navy ships and alter national defense policies.

If supported by a sophisticated command and control system with accurate, real-time target data from terrestrial, aerial and space-based sensors, such ASBMs could pose a significant threat to US Navy assets. While China may have the sensor element of such a Kill Chain, it is far from evident that the DPRK has the requisite target acquisition capabilities.

On 14 April 2017, North Korea issued new threats against the US: "The world would clearly see how the US' rash, arrogant aircraft carriers turn into a lump of scrap metal and gets buried at sea, and how the country vanishes from the Earth," state-run website Uriminzokkiri said. "Our super-hard-line responses include sudden, pre-emptive strikes involving land, naval, underwater and airmobile assets."

Lucas Tomlinson at FoxNews reported April 17, 2017 that "North Korea failed to launch a new type of ballistic missile, which exploded four seconds after launch. U.S. officials told Fox News the North Korean missile was a KN-17, a new type of Scud, which could be used to target ships... The only way a Scud gets a new designation is if it is substantially different, said Jeffrey Lewis, a scholar at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. "

On May 1, 2017 Kim Jong-un said they will sink US aircraft carrier if it gets any closer to the Communist nation's waters. Kim Jong-un threatened to destroy USS Michigan, an American naval submarine, if it got any closer to the Communist nation's waters. The Ohio-class nuclear-powered submarine was docked at a naval base in South Korea's Busan. Pyongyang warned that if the USS Michigan "tries to budge even a little, it will be doomed to face the miserable fate of becoming a underwater ghost. ... The urgent fielding of the nuclear submarine in the waters off the Korean peninsula, timed to coincide with the deployment of the super aircraft carrier strike group, is intended to further intensify military threats toward our republic," a North Korean website claimed.

Pyongyang also warned of sinking the USS Carl Vinson if it edged any closer to the North. "Whether it's a nuclear aircraft carrier or a nuclear submarine, they will be turned into a mass of scrap metal in front of our invincible military power centerd on the self-defence nuclear deterrence," the website said.

The KN-17 has a single, seemingly maneuvering, reentry vehicle (MaRV). The threat from a mobile medium range ballistic missile (MRBM) system deployed with a single MaRV could be capable of hitting an object the size of an aircraft carrier. While the Chinese counterpart DF-21 system might strike from distances of up to 3000 km away, the Scud-derivative displayed by the DPRK would have a range of hundreds of kilometers, depending on the mass of the warhead. The threat to the aircraft carrier might primarily derive from the kinetic energy of the warhead, rather than any explosive charge it might carry.

Iran Press TV reported 24 April 2017 that North Korea claimed it had the military power to sink an American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that was approaching waters off the Korean Peninsula in "one strike." The US had deployed a strike group, including the large USS Carl Vinson carrier, to the Korean Peninsula in what is intended to be a show of force amid North Korea's advancing missile and military nuclear programs.

Pyongyang, considering the deployment an act of provocation, said that it was ready to show its own military might by sinking the "nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a single strike." "Our revolutionary forces are combat-ready to sink a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a single strike," read an editorial on North Korea's official newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Sunday 23 April 2017. The article said Pyongyang had weaponry that "can reach continental US and Asia Pacific region."

As the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier was expected to arrive in waters near the Korean Peninsula, North Korea issued a fresh threat. The North's propaganda outlet Uriminzokkiri TV posted a three-and-a-half minute-long video on 27 April 2017 titled "Effects of sanctions on North Korea." The video claims that as the U.S. supercarrier approaches, the North's annihilating strikes will grow that much more powerful. It also said Pyongyang will not be startled by a mere U.S. nuclear-powered strike group and threatened to "inflict destructive punishment with no chance of survival on those who touch North Korea."





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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 29, 2017) - INV Metals ("INV Metals" or "Company") (TSX:INV) is pleased to announce that it has successfully reached agreement with the Ministry of Mining on the terms and form of the Mining Exploitation Contract ("Exploitation Contract") for Loma Larga ("Loma Larga" or "Project"), the Company's 100% owned gold project located in Ecuador. The Company anticipates the Exploitation Contract will be executed after the successful completion of the feasibility study ("FS") and other key milestones.

Ms. Candace MacGibbon, CEO, stated, "We are extremely pleased to announce the Company and the Government of Ecuador have agreed on the form and terms of the Exploitation Contract for the Company's flagship Loma Larga gold project. When executed, the Exploitation Contract will govern certain fiscal and other matters relating to the development and operation of Loma Larga. The Company may now move forward incorporating the fiscal terms of the Exploitation Contract into the FS."

She added, "The agreement on the terms and form of the Exploitation Contract marks a major achievement and milestone for the development of the Project and the Board of Directors and Management wish to thank the Ministry of Mining for its continued support of INV Metals and the mining industry. With the completion of our successful $27.6 million financing in March, the Company is fully financed to complete the FS, undertake ramp development and fund planned exploration at Loma Larga and our regional properties."

The Company commenced formal negotiations with the Ministry of Mines in early March. With the Exploitation Agreement negotiations substantially complete, INV Metals is advancing its plans to develop the underground mine with anticipated annual gold production of approximately 150,000 ounces over a 12 year mine life. Management is in the final process of selecting consultants to prepare the FS to advance the engineering design, support environmental permitting, provide information for community engagement, and determine financing requirements. The FS is expected to commence in early June and it is anticipated to be completed in up to 18 months.

Concurrent with the commencement of the FS, the Company intends to complete the engineering required to design and permit the development of the mine adit, related infrastructure and underground ramp to access the Loma Larga ore body. Depending on permitting requirements and timelines, management plans to commence the underground development in 2018, to engage in an advanced exploration program, confirm geotechnical conditions and provide employment and training opportunities for the local work force.

Exploration is ongoing at Loma Larga and on the Company's Tierras Coloradas and Las Penas greenfield properties. The Company's exploration budget for 2017 is $5 million.

Summary of Key Terms

A summary of the key items of the Exploitation Contract are noted below.

INV Minerales Ecuador S.A. INVMINEC ("INV Minerales"), the Company's wholly owned Ecuadorian subsidiary, has the right to develop and operate Loma Larga for a period of 25 years, subject to renewal.

INV Minerales will pay a royalty of 5% on the net income ("Royalty" or "Royalties") of precious metals and related by-product sales.

INV Minerales will pay US$15 million of the Royalty in advance ("Advanced Royalty") to primarily support community development and social programs.

Payments of the Advanced Royalty will be subject to the following schedule and milestones: US$5 million on the execution of the Exploitation Contract; US$5 million on the first anniversary of the execution of the Exploitation Contract; and US$5 million on the second anniversary of the execution of the Exploitation Contract.

The Advanced Royalty is deductible against future Royalties payable in the amount that is the lesser of 50% of the Royalties payable in a six month period or 20% of the total Advanced Royalty calculated annually.

Additional Taxation Matters

INV Minerales is also expected to be subject to the following taxes, which are currently in effect:

22% corporate income tax;

12% state profit sharing;

3% employee profit sharing;

Value added taxes ("VAT") which will be refundable on expenditures incurred after January 2018 when, and if, INV Minerales generates export sales;

An extraordinary revenue tax ("Windfall Tax") payable if the market price exceeds a stipulated base price for gold, silver and copper. The Windfall Tax will be calculated at 70% of the difference between INV Minerales' gross revenue and the theoretical revenue at a base price ("Base Price"). The Base Price will be determined on a monthly basis as the 10-year trailing average of the daily price of gold, silver or copper, adjusted for the US Consumer Price Index, plus one standard deviation. The Windfall Tax will not apply until 4 years after INV Minerales has recovered the undiscounted value of the cumulative investment in Loma Larga since the concession was granted.

INV Minerales will be subject to a "Sovereign Adjustment" in the event that the cumulative benefit derived from Loma Larga to the Government of Ecuador is not equal to at least 50% of the total benefits from the Project. The benefits to INV Minerales will be calculated annually as the net present value of the cumulative free cash flows of Loma Larga since the concession was granted. The benefits to the Government of Ecuador will be calculated as the net present value of the cumulative sum of corporate income tax, Royalties, Windfall Taxes, state profit sharing taxes, non-recoverable VAT and previous Sovereign Adjustment payments, if any, over the same period.

About INV Metals

INV Metals is an international mineral resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of precious metal projects in Ecuador. Currently, INV Metals' primary assets are: (1) its 100% interest in the Loma Larga gold property in Ecuador, (2) its 100% interest in the Las Penas, Tierras Coloradas, and La Rebuscada exploration projects in Ecuador, and (3) its 35% interest in the Kaoko property, located in Namibia.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties.

Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the execution of the Exploitation Contract, the terms of the Exploitation Contract, expectations regarding future tax rates, the successful completion of the FS, the timing of the FS, future financing needs, the development, production and mine life of an underground mine, the timing and completion of a mine adit and ramp development and the Company's objectives, goals and future plans. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the execution of the Exploitation Contract, changes in tax rates, the terms of the Exploitation Contract, the successful completion of the FS, the timing of the FS, future financing needs, the development, production and mine life of an underground mine, the timing and completion of a mine adit and ramp development and industry-wide risks and project-specific risks, and risks associated with mining and mineral exploration activities. There is no guarantee that the Exploitation Contract will be signed. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors, refer to the Company's annual information form dated March 27, 2017 and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this press release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Group Ten Metals Inc. (TSX.V:PGE) (OTC:DCGCF) (FSE:5D32) (the Company or Group Ten) is pleased to announce results from a 2016 prospecting and rock geochemical sampling program conducted at its Spy Ni-Cu-PGE project located 50km south of, and on trend with, the Wellgreen project, in the southwest of Canadas Yukon Territory.



Mineralization Along the Spy Sill





The exploration program, which was partially funded by the Yukon Governments Mining Exploration Program (YMEP), focused on the Spy Sill, a 75 to 100 metre Kluane intrusion that intrudes country rock for 8 km, and yielded the discovery of two new showings, the Solo and the 99. The 99 showing has lengthened the main mineralized trend along the Spy Sill from 950m to 1500m, while the Solo showing indicates the potential continuity of similar mineralization from the 99 showing to the Spy South showing, a distance of two kilometres. Highlights of 2016 surface sampling, along with selected historic samples for context, are presented in Table 1, below, with sample sites shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1  Mineralization Along the Spy Sill

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7bd59f60-c625-4338-b691-3929e869a44e

Michael Rowley, Group Ten Metals President & CEO, stated, We are very encouraged by the results of this recent exploration program as it confirms our expectations as to the extent of the mineralized trend along the Spy Sill which continues to show geological parallels with the high-grade portion of the Wellgreen deposit 50km to the northwest along the Kluane belt. These results provide a number of new target areas for drilling which we anticipate commencing later this year. We expect to provide additional updates on our planned 2017 Yukon exploration program over the coming weeks.

The 99 Showing occurs in sulphide-bearing mafic to ultramafic rocks close to the base of the Spy Sill. The Solo Showing is in a fault zone perpendicular to the contact between the Spy Sill and Hasen Creek sediments (country rock). Mineralization is found in the sill and in the contact zone. Grab sample 224271, collected in 1994 approximately 140m northwest and above the 99 Showing, returned significant results (see Table 1) from an underexplored horizon above the main body of the Spy Sill, opening up potential for mineralized horizons above the known mineralized layers close to the base of the sill. These samples are not necessarily representative of all the mineralization hosted in the area.

Table 1  2016 Surface Sampling Highlights and Historical Context

Showing Sample # Pt+Pd+Au (g/t) Cu (ppm) Ni (%) Description Sweet 16 615813 0.96 0.12 0.06 Gabbro/siltstone hornfels Sweet 16 615815 1.28 0.49 0.26 Same Taz 615818 1.14 0.89 0.04 Same Bugs 8460* 22.38 17.70 0.85 No information Wylie 182456* 16.13 15.08 5.25 Sulphide lens Spy 222657* 73.52 27.60 0.21 Sulphide lens 99 1353671 0.57 0.14 0.15 Peridotite with net textured sulphide 99 1353673 0.59 0.51 0.05 Gabbro with sulphide 99 224271* 9.27 2.91 0.28 Hornfels siltstone Solo 615821 1.54 0.31 0.76 Gabbro with sulphide Solo 1501265 2.18 0.17 0.14 Siltstone Spy South 184642* 2.5 0.38 0.20 Hornfels sandstone

*Historic sample from Report on Geological and Geochemical Surveys on the Klu Property, Yukon Dept. of Energy, Mines and Resources, Assessment Report #094164, Tulk 2001.

About the Spy Project

Group Ten Metals Spy Project is situated in the Kluane Ultramafic Belt, a 600km-long sequence of igneous and sedimentary rocks extending from northern British Columbia, through the Yukon and into southern Alaska. Spy consists of 146 claims covering 3,135 hectares, located 70 kilometers (km) northwest of Haines Junction and 270 km northwest of Whitehorse. Clastic sedimentary rocks and limestone of the Hasen Creek Formation are intruded by late Triassic and possibly older mafic to ultramafic sills including the Spy Sill.

Mineralization on the Spy project is classified as Gabbroid Ni-Cu-PGE +Au, the same as all ultramafic associated mineralization within the Kluane belt, including the Wellgreen project. These deposits are hosted in linear mafic to ultramafic intrusions in belts of metamorphosed volcanic and sedimentary rocks. In the Kluane belt, Ni-Cu-PGE + Au mineralization is associated with the Kluane intrusions, mafic to ultramafic sills or lenses that zone outwards from an ultramafic (peridotite) core to a mafic (gabbro) margin. Massive sulphide lenses occur around the margins of the Kluane intrusions and disseminated to net-textured sulphides can be found in both the intrusion and the adjacent host rocks. The intrusions have preferentially intruded close to the contact between the volcanic (Station Creek) and sedimentary (Hasen Creek) country rocks.

PGE-Ni-Cu mineralization occurs within and along the base of the 75-100m thick ultramafic Spy Sill where it intrudes the Hasen Creek siltstone. Mineralization along the contact varies from disseminated to massive sulfide lenses, with historic grab samples from the massive sulphide lenses assaying as high as 3.1 g/t Pt, 1.4 g/t Pd, 1.0 g/t Au, 3.1% Ni and 2.8% Cu from the gabbro, and 75.8 g/t Pt, 7.9 g/t Pd, 7.0 g/t Au, 2.6% Ni and 10.45% Cu, from the footwall siltstone (Tulk, 2001).

The highest-grade Ni-Cu-PGE+Au mineralization is associated with the basal contact of the Spy Sill and the footwall siltstone, but disseminated lower grade mineralization is also found throughout the entire sill and into the country rocks on either side. Several showings of massive and disseminated mineralization occur intermittently over a strike length of 1.5km between the 99 and Sweet 16 showings. To the south, the Solo and South Spy showings indicate that mineralization continues to the south, and further work is planned to test this area.

Next Steps

Group Ten is currently finalizing the 2017 Yukon field exploration program which is anticipated to include continued prospecting, trenching and sampling work south of the 99 Showing as well as drilling along the 1.5km mineralized trend identified within the Spy Sill. Additional work is also expected to be undertaken over the rest of the property, concentrating on mapping and chip sampling.

The Company is further conducting advanced assessment of potential additional platinum group element properties and will provide updates in that regard in Q2, 2017.

Quality Control and Quality Assurance

Garth Kirkham, P.Geo., is the qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, and he has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.

All rock samples are grab samples with no length.

Analytical work on 2016 samples was done by Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd. with sample preparation in Whitehorse, Yukon and geochemical analysis in Vancouver, British Columbia. Each rock sample was analyzed for gold, platinum and palladium using a 30g fire assay fusion (FA 130) with inductively coupled Plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) finish. In addition, 34 other elements were analyzed using an Aqua Regia digestion with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and (ICP-MS), method code AQ-270. All results have passed the QAQC screening by the lab. Bureau Veritas facilities are internally and externally audited to maintain ISO registrations and accreditations.

Historic samples were analyzed at Chemex Laboratories (now ALS Chemex) or Cominco Resource Laboratory, both in Vancouver. Gold, platinum and palladium were analysed by fire assay and the other elements by aqua regia digestion with ICP finish. No QAQC information is available.

About Group Ten Metals Inc.

Group Ten Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on exploration for deposits of platinum group metals (PGM), gold, nickel and copper. The Company controls a large land position in the Kluane Ultramafic Belt in the southwest Yukon Territory, the Black Lake / Drayton gold project in the Rainy River district in northwest Ontario, and the Duke Island Cu-Ni-PGM project in Alaska.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

GROUP TEN METALS INC.

Michael Rowley

Michael Rowley

President, CEO & Director

info@grouptenmetals.com

Forward-Looking Statements - Statements which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. It is important to note that actual outcomes and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental, environmental and technological factors that may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and prices. Readers should refer to the risk disclosures outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis of its audited financial statements filed with the British Columbia Securities Commission.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, May 30, 2017 /CNW/ - Lithium X Energy Corp. ("Lithium X", or the "Company") (TSXV: LIX) (OTCQX: LIXXF) is pleased to provide the following operational update on the Sal de los Angeles lithium project (the "Project") located in Salta province, Argentina.

As part of the Company's feasibility study inputs, a comprehensive drill and pumping test program has been initated for the Sal de los Angeles project. Diamond drilling will test the northern extension of the Diabillios basin beyond the current published resource limits (August 30, 2016 news release). A sonic drilling program will provide additional stratigraphic and hydrogeological data for increased resource confidence and a maiden reserve statement. Based on a number of factors including the current hydrological and resource model, Lithium X has outlined a potential wellfield. The Company intends to drill a production well in this area and complete long term pumping tests. Fieldwork is expected to be completed by September 2017. Results from this work will be incorporated into an upgraded mineral resource and reserve statement and will be incorporated into a feasibility study scheduled to be released in Q4 2017.

Seismic Survey

A seismic refraction tomography survey completed in February 2017 by Geophysical Exploration & Consulting S.A, indicates that the basin extends up to 3 kilometers north of the previously defined resource area, with basin depths up to 275 meters below the surface. The basin fill material is interpreted as a continuation of the known lithium bearing aquifers. The existing resource covers a total strike length of approximately 9.5 kilometres, with higher grade brines concentrated in the northern half of the strike length. The seismic survey results suggest a possible 30% increase in total basin strike length.

Diamond Drilling

Diamond drilling activities at the Project are focused on resource expansion, by incorporating potential brines to the north of the existing resource area.

Diamond drilling commenced in early May to test this northern extension of the Diablillos basin as defined by the seismic survey, focusing on delineating additional resources. The program consists of three diamond drill holes down to basement depth. HQ-sized core is collected to facilitate laboratory porosity analysis and brine sampling is performed at specific depth intervals during the drilling. A total of 700 metres of drilling is planned and conducted by Hidrotec S.A., with supervision by FloSolutions (Chile).

Sonic Drilling

Sonic drilling shall be completed within the current estimated resource areas and will focus on increasing the confidence level of the resource, with the objective of producing a feasibility level reserve estimate.

Lithium X has commissioned one of the few sonic drills available in Argentina to complete a further three holes throughout the basin, including the selected well field location. An additional sonic drill hole is planned in the northern extension, subject to positive results from the diamond drilling program. The purpose of the sonic drilling is to increase recovery of undisturbed core samples for additional drainable porosity testing; brine sampling will take place at specific depth intervals. The results are expected to increase resource confidence levels in order to increase measured & indicated resources and support the maiden reserve estimate. The first sonic drill hole is to be completed in the proposed well field location so as to provide accurate lithologies for efficient well field design.

The sonic drill program shall consist of 600 to 800 metres performed by Boart Longyear Argentina S.A. and shall be supervised by FloSolutions (Chile). The drill rig is currently on site with an anticipated start date within 10 days upon arrival of new drill rods.

Production Well Drilling

Production well drilling and testing will help prove the viability of the proposed well field location.

Following completion of the first sonic drill hole, a production well (DDP-02) is planned to be drilled and developed in the proposed wellfield site. The wellfield is to be located near the northern margin of the salar surface, where the best combination of high grade lithium brine and favourable hydrogeological parameters have been identified.

The production well shall be drilled to bedrock at an 18-inch diameter and be completed with 12-inch diameter stainless-steel blank and screened casing. Screened intervals are to match favourable aquifer lithologies, anticipated to start within the top 25 metres down to basement depth. Three observation wells will be completed to distinct depth intervals adjacent to the production well to monitor water level responses during the planned pumping test program.

This production well shall be the second production well installed at the Project. The first (DDP-01) was drilled and installed approximately 2 kilometres south.

Pumping Test Program

Lithium X will complete a pumping test program consisting of two long-term pumping tests to support the current feasibility study. The first 30-day test will be carried out in the existing production well (DPP-01) and its surrounding monitoring wells. The test is anticipated to commence immediately by AGV Falcon Drilling S.A. and will be supervised by FloSolutions (Chile). The second 30-day pumping test will be carried out on the new production well (DDP-2).

The long term pump tests are an important component of the feasibility study and have been designed to provide the following information:

Specific yield (drainable porosity) data to be incorporated in the updated resource estimate;





Information on the design and construction of the future brine wellfield;





Evolution of brine concentrations under a long term pumping regime;





Quantify hydaulic parameters of the hydrogeological units with the Salar for use in the 3D numerical brine reserve model and tools for the calibration of the reserve model.

The 3D numerical brine model will be developed using the FEFLOW software package and will be used to estimate the brine reserves for the Project and aid in the optimization of the future brine wellfield configuration and brine production pumping.

The scientific and technical content and interpretations contained in this news release have been reviewed and approved by VP of Project Development William Randall, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

ABOUT LITHIUM X ENERGY CORP.

Lithium X Energy Corp. is a lithium exploration and development company with a goal of becoming a low-cost supplier for the burgeoning lithium battery industry. The Company holds two projects in in the prolific "Lithium Triangle" in mining friendly Salta province, Argentina as well as its Clayton Valley project in Nevada. The Company's flagship project is the Sal de los Angeles lithium brine project, in which it owns a 50% interest, with an option to acquire up to 80%. The project consists of 8,154 hectares covering 95% of Salar de Diablillos, and has a NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate of 1.037 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in the indicated category and 1.007 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in the inferred category. The Company's second Argentinian project, the Arizaro lithium brine project, consists of 33,846 hectares covering part of the western and eastern portions of the Salar de Azario, one of the largest known salt lakes in the world. Lithium X will also own 19.99% of Pure Energy Minerals, a company exploring and developing a large land package surrounding Albemarle's Silver Peak lithium mine in Clayton Valley, Nevada.

For additional information about Lithium X Energy Corp., please visit the Company's website at www.lithium-x.com or review the Company's documents filed on www.sedar.com. Join the Company's email list at http://lithium-x.com/subscribe.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Paul Matysek

Executive Chairman

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "believes", "aims to", "plans to" or "intends to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Such information includes, but is not limited to the use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including the business of the Company, the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, competitive risks, and delay, inability to complete a financing or failure to receive regulatory approvals. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Lithium X Energy Corp.
Yearlong tensions

Capitol protesters

A brief but intense scuffle broke out on the Texas House floor just before the close of the legislative session Monday after a Dallas-area Republican enraged Democrats by telling them he called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when he saw signs from protesters that read, "I am illegal and here to stay."During the melee, Rep. Matt Rinaldi of Irving and Democratic Rep. Alfonso "Poncho" Nevarez threatened each other. Rinaldi said he would shoot Nevarez in self-defense after Nevarez said he would confront Rinaldi in the parking lot."He picked the wrong group of people to do that to on the wrong day," said Nevarez, of Eagle Pass, before apologizing for the scuffle. "I'm sorry it happened, but the fact is, he's asking for it."One Democratic lawmaker said Rinaldi threatened to "put a bullet in (Nevarez's) head." Rinaldi, a lawyer, said he is now under protection by the Department of Public Safety and would not confirm that's what he said, but added, "I made it clear that if (Nevarez) attempted to, in his words, 'get me, ' I would shoot him in self-defense."While Rinaldi said he called ICE as a response to protesters carrying signs identifying themselves as undocumented, some Democrats accused him of racial profiling."Matt Rinaldi looked into a House gallery full of Americans exercising their first amendment rights against SB 4 -- Americans of all ages and all ethnicities -- and he only saw 'illegals,'" Rep. Ramon Romero, D-Fort Worth, said in a statement. "Let me be clear, this was a personal attack on me as a son of Mexican immigrants."The day is normally reserved for technical corrections and ceremonial good-byes, but the morning was interrupted by hundreds of protesters who denounced one of the GOP-controlled Legislature's passage of a law already signed by Gov. Greg Abbott to allow law enforcement to ask people for their immigration status if detained.Tensions have run high on the issue all year, as Democrats have decried Senate Bill 4 as a discriminatory attempt to target and instill fear in the state's Latino communities.The mostly Latino demonstrators, who came from across the country, promised to make Texas the next battleground in the national immigration debate and work to unseat legislators in 2018 who supported the law.In a day-long show of force, protesters promised to oust Republican lawmakers who voted for Senate Bill 4, which allows for the jailing of sheriffs and police chiefs who refuse federal requests to hold undocumented immigrants who are detained for other crimes.Donning red shirts that read, "no to SB 4," protesters filled the House gallery in the opening hours of the final day's proceedings before erupting into chants and unfurling banners reading, "see you in court" and "see you at the polls."As a group of Latino representatives chanted along and raised their fists in solidarity as the protesters were ejected from the gallery, Rinaldi taunted the Democrats, several said.The taunts included profanity-laced insults about calling ICE, according to Democratic Rep. Cesar Blanco of El Paso who reminded Rinaldi his own Italian ancestors were once immigrants."'Well, at least my people love this country,'" Rinaldi responded, according to Blanco's recollection.Blanco said he said he reminded Rinaldi on Memorial Day that the first U.S. soldier to die in Iraq, Army Pfc. Diego Rincon, was not a citizen when he was killed by a suicide bomber in 2003. The two sides then began shoving each other, and the scuffle was broken up by several House members and the parliamentarian.When asked about the confrontation in the final minutes before the House adjourned, Speaker Joe Straus said it was possible to investigate members for an altercation on the floor, although it is unclear whether lawmakers would do that."There is no excuse for members making insensitive and disparaging remarks on the floor of the Texas House," Straus said later in a statement.Throughout the day, shouts echoed down the Capitol's marble halls as over 1,000 people lined four floors of the building's rotunda shouting "SB 4 is hate," and "si se puede," which loosely translates to, "yes we can."Protesters were apparently unfazed by the threats to call ICE agents and rallied on the steps of the Capitol for hours afterward.Gov. Greg Abbott signed SB 4 into law this month, although it has already been challenged in court by the ACLU of Texas, alleging the law is discriminatory and could lead to racial profiling.The House and Senate adjourned the legislative session without passing a property tax reform bill Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wanted passed. Lawmakers also failed to pass a bill that would license and regulate doctors, which will likely spur the governor to call lawmakers back for a special session to resolve.As the dust settled on the final legislative day, Nevarez promised to help oust Rinaldi from his House District 115 seat in northwest Dallas County, where he won by a margin of 2 percentage points in last year's race against Democrat Dorotha Ocker."I have no use for Matt Rinaldi," Nevarez said. "If I have to walk every day in his neighborhoods and knock on doors and tell (voters) want a waste of space that guy is, I'll do that."
On Tuesday, in the evening, at Government House, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs de Jersey hosted a reception for MS Queensland, where the Governor addressed guests and presented 2017 World MS Day Awards.
Description

GIS - 30 May, 2017: The Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research of India (CSIR) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding for research and education in marine sciences and technology.

The Memorandum of Understanding will cover various areas of cooperation namely the exchange of scientists and research scholars for the purpose of research, training and consultations as well as the organisation of bilateral scientific and technical seminars/ workshops/conferences and training courses on issues of interest.

It will also include the joint identification of scientific and technical problems, formulation and implementation of a joint research programme in areas of Marine Science of common interest in climate, ballast water, biofouling, pollution and other coastal issues.

The Mauritius Oceanography Institute is a parastatal research organisation which advises Government on the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes in respect to oceanography. The Institute undertakes and coordinates research and development in that field.
(TNS) -- CONCORD, N.H.  Every time the Executive Council approves another contract between a state agency and a vendor, Democratic Executive Councilor Andru Volinsky of Concord asks the same question: What is the hourly rate of their lowest-paid employee?Since January, hes gathered data on 27 different contracts, with only two vendors who declined to provide wage information.Volinsky believes the state should use its leverage as a major customer for contracted services to insist on a minimum wage of $15 an hour for employees working on state contracts, ranging from highway paving to snow removal.New Hampshire currently follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.After every Executive Council meeting, Volinsky posts a report called The $15 an Hour Spotlight, revealing the lowest hourly wage for each approved contract.While acknowledging that his idea has little chance of advancing in the current political environment, Volinsky says you have to start somewhere.You have to start with awareness, he said, which is my purpose distinctly right now. I want people to understand who the state is contracting with, because from that awareness flows the potential for action, and I want to move the state, as we go forward, to specifically setting minimum wages in state contracts so we can directly affect the economy.Thats a big reach for someone on the Executive Council, which has no legislative or policy-setting authority. Any minimum wage change in New Hampshire would have to go through the Legislature and the governors office, and past efforts along those lines have proven futile.The councilor from Concord, a prominent attorney best known for serving as lead counsel on the Claremont school funding lawsuits, is not dissuaded.He acknowledges that the policy hes proposing is unlikely to be implemented any time soon, given the makeup of the state Legislature and the five-member Executive Council, not to mention a Republican governor.As a member of the minority on the council, a lot of what Im doing is laying foundations, he said. Thats why I write these reports.Gov. Chris Sununu, while not endorsing Volinskys idea, said the state should try to get the best terms on contracts in every respect.I dont mind councilor Volinsky asking what the pay rates are from a labor standpoint, said Sununu. The state should use its leverage to get the best contract and the best performance of that contract for the services were looking for and that includes all aspects of a contract.Sununus new Commissioner of Administrative Services, Charlie Arlinghaus, echoed that sentiment.I think the council should look at the details of everything, and Councilor Volinsky has a particular interest in wage rates, which I think is terrific, he said. There is no detail of any contact that ought not to be examined and asked about. The more information the better.Going from information gathering to a mandatory minimum wage for state contracts, however, is quite a leap that neither would support.Greg Moore, with the conservative policy group Americans for Prosperity, sounded some of the themes that have surfaced over the years as the minimum wage has been debated.The solution to continue to see wage gains is continuing the policies that grow the economy. That means making the state more competitive to attract more employers here, said Moore. We do that through lowering their costs, like business taxes, health care costs and energy costs, not by artificially jacking up wages through the heavy hand of the government.$32.50 an hour is highestVolinskys survey confirms as much. The highest rate was cited by Delucca Fence Company of Methuen, Mass., which has a contract with the Department of Transportation, and pays its lowest paid employee $32.50 an hour.Thats an outlier, however, as the next highest wage was $18 an hour paid by Continental Paving of Londonderry and a handful of other DOT contractors.Most of the wages fall in the $13 to $15 an hour range, with the lowest hourly wage in Volinksys report so far coming from Alvin Coleman and Son of Conway for a project at the Glencliff Home, at $9.50 an hour.Only two vendors declined to provide the information, and there is no requirement that they do so, although Volinsky is not above public shaming to reach his goal.Bolens Septic and Portable Toilets, LLC of Stewartstown and Rowells Sewer & Drain, LLC of Tilton REFUSED TO DISCLOSE WHAT THEY PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES. Please take note!, he writes in his May 3 council report, all of which are posted on the council website.Messages left with Bolens Septic were not returned, while a manager at Rowells Sewer & Drain acknowledged that the company respectfully declined to provide the information.
(TNS) - Lalo Ojeda has lived with hurricanes all his life.He was 14 when Hurricane Carla inundated Galveston Island in 1961. He evacuated as Hurricane Rita barreled toward the coast in 2005, then rode out the devastating Hurricane Ike in his Galveston home in 2008.But Ojeda is watching the hurricane season that begins Thursday with more concern than usual. The retired Coast Guard employee worries that rising sea levels could make the next hurricane more destructive than those he's lived through."That's really scary to me," the 70-year-old said.A study released this month shows that rising sea levels threaten to make storm surges more dangerous, seemingly reinforcing Texas officials' push for federal funding for a storm-surge barrier, or Ike Dike, to protect Galveston."Every storm surge today reaches higher because it starts from a higher level, because sea level is higher," said study co-author Ben Strauss, a scientist who is vice president for sea level and climate impacts for Climate Central, a group of scientists and journalists dedicated to climate change awareness. "A small amount of sea-level rise can lead to an unexpectedly large increase in damages to most kinds of structures."Brian Streck, 62, a retired Galveston firefighter, has watched high tides creep into the streets around the house at the edge of West Galveston Bay, where he has lived for 37 years.He has no patience for climate-change deniers who doubt seas are rising."I've witnessed it," Streck said.High tides once flooded the streets around his home about twice a year; the flooding in the last decade has increased to a dozen times a year."I've considered selling this place because eventually I'm going to have a lake house," he said.Scientific studies have established an acceleration in sea-level rise because of a warming atmosphere. Coal and oil burning and the destruction of tropical forests have increased heat-trapping gases that have warmed the planet by 1.8 degrees since 1880. Earth has been losing 13,500 square miles of ice annually since 1979, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Sea levels are generally rising faster along the Texas Gulf Coast and the western Gulf than the average globally, according to a January study by NOAA."The western Gulf is experiencing some of the highest rates of relative levels of sea-level rise in the country," said NOAA oceanographer William Sweet, lead author of the study. "The ocean is not rising like water would in a bathtub."Sea-level rise is making storm surges larger, said John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas state climatologist at Texas A&M University in College Station."Compared to a storm that would have hit, say, 30 years ago, the additional storm surge we are talking about is on the order of ... about 7 inches," Nielsen-Gammon said.The NOAA study found sea levels rising at more than double the rate estimated during the 20th century, increasing to more than 0.13 inch annually. NOAA made six projections of sea-level rise, from low to extreme, and found the global mean level under the lowest projection could rise 2.3 inches by 2020 and 3.5 inches by 2030. The extreme projection shows a 4.3-inch rise by 2020 and a 9.4-inch rise by 2030.The rate of sea-level rise even under the lowest projection would increase the chances of severe flooding on the Texas Gulf Coast from storm surges or other causes from once every five years to once every two years by 2030 under the extreme projection, and 2060 under the low prediction."We're not talking much longer than a mortgage cycle," Sweet said. "I just bought a house, I've got a 30-year note. That's 2047."By 2100, sea level is expected to rise between 1.3 feet and 31 feet, the NOAA study predicts; Galveston Island and most of the Texas coast would be swallowed up under the latter scenario.Sweet said the lower levels were more likely, but added, "We ultimately don't know how much heating will occur."He warned there was no guarantee rising sea level wouldn't match the extreme prediction.The effects will be felt as far away as Austin, according to a recently released study by Mathew E. Hauer, who heads the Institute of Government's applied demography program at the University of Georgia. Hauer's study found that sea-level rise would force thousands from their homes along the Texas Gulf Coast as well as coastal areas nationwide.The study estimates Houston and Austin each would absorb 250,000 refugees from sea-level rise by 2100.The hardest hit would be Galveston County, where Hauer estimates 124,000 people could be forced from their homes. Rising water would force about 108,000 from their homes in Jefferson County, 42,000 in Brazoria County and 30,000 in Harris County, Hauer said.The Climate Central study estimated 14,000 homes in Galveston could be inundated by sea-level rise.Apart from sea-level rise, climate change is expected to cause hurricanes to be more intense and produce more rain, according to the NOAA."In our view, there are better-than-even odds that the numbers of very intense hurricanes (Categories 4 and 5, with winds of 130 mph or more) will increase by a substantial fraction," according to an overview of research by NOAA scientists.The number of hurricanes each season would likely remain the same or decrease, the overview determined.Funding for efforts to slow or halt sea-level rise generated by climate change was slashed in a recently released President Donald Trump administration budget.Trump has called climate change a hoax, but a White House official said Friday that his views were evolving after recent talks with European leaders. His budget cuts Environmental Protection Agency funding by 30 percent, more than any other agency.Texas officials have asked Trump to put a proposed $15 billion storm-surge barrier on his list of infrastructure improvements, but there is no guarantee Congress will fund the project.Even if Congress pays for the barrier system - which would shield Brazoria, Galveston, Harris, Chambers, Jefferson and Orange counties - work couldn't begin until 2021 at the earliest.NOAA is predicting 11 to 17 named storms this season, which runs from Thursday to Nov. 30, five to nine of them hurricanes and two to four Category 3 or higher hurricanes.According to emergency officials in Galveston and Brazoria counties, little can be done to offset the increasingly larger storm surges and reduce the likelihood of more destructive hurricanes.Forecasts of hurricane frequency don't matter, said Garret Foskit, Galveston County's emergency management coordinator. What matters is if one hits your community, Foskit said."One is the unlucky number," he said.No matter the predictions, people who live in a hurricane's path "are still going to have to do the same things," Foskit said. "They are still going to have to leave, they are still going to have to move their stuff."Ojeda said he learned the hard way during Ike that it's important to prepare."I'm a true believer that you learn by your mistakes," he said. "I told the wife to buy more canned goods, dry stuff."He owns two emergency generators after going for nearly two weeks without electricity after Ike.If a major hurricane approaches, he plans to evacuate.Said Ojeda: "If a 200 mph hurricane hits this island, there is not going to be (anything) left."2017 the Houston ChronicleVisit the Houston Chronicle at www.chron.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
DOWN THE ROAD

(TNS) -- The Road Runner is no doubt not the only one to notice that frequent red lights are a part of the Oracle Road experience in Arizona.That contrasts sharply with some other local corridors, where the lights are timed so well you could almost put your car in cruise control for long stretches.That corridor we know has been pretty problematic, its often overloaded and there are not a lot of good alternatives for access up into the northwest, said Paul Casertano, transportation program manager at the Pima Association of Governments. Both the public and traffic engineers alike recognize that there are some deficiencies in its operation.But things are about to change on Oracle, which serves as a key connection between Tucson and Oro Valley. This week, crews are set to start installing new signal cabinets and controllers to replace the aging equipment now in place and re-phase and retime intersections, eventually including all signalized crossings between River and Tangerine roads. The Arizona Department of Transportation, which manages Arizona 77, says the improvements will provide better traffic flow through the corridor.By the fall, the situation is likely to improve even more when ADOT networks the traffic signal boxes, so that they can be controlled remotely and centrally by engineers. As it stands, timing changes have to be done manually, making real-time, on-the-fly signal timing modifications all but impossible.Whatever the issue is, whatever adjustments we need to make, we can make them remotely, we can make them at that moment, ADOT spokesman Tom Herrmann said of the technology, which is being installed at only one other site in the state  Arizona 69 outside Prescott.Though the corridor is controlled by ADOT, equipment costs for the project  roughly $298,000  will be covered by the Regional Transportation Authority, though ADOT personnel will oversee installation, according to a 2014 RTA document.What we like to say, the public doesnt really care who owns the signals, they dont really care who owns the roadway, they just want it to operate better, Casertano said of the reason the RTA stepped in to pay.To evaluate the effectiveness of the technology, a before-and-after traffic movement study using Bluetooth technology and paid drivers is already underway. ADOT declined to provide the before data until the after all data is collected, but Herrmann said the agency is very confident ... it will work very well.Work on the above-mentioned signal project will begin Tuesday evening between Rudasill Road and La Reserve Drive. Working in overnight shifts from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday over the summer, crews will have to disconnect signals as they progress. Law enforcement will be on-site to direct motorists.A city contractor will start work on a Pima Road improvement project on Tuesday, with electrical work scheduled at the roadways intersections with Dodge and Columbus boulevards.The first stage is expected to be complete by June 16, and weekday shifts will last from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Travel restrictions will be in place.
Cyril Abiteboul has admitted Jolyon Palmer's F1 future is not secure.

Briton Palmer has struggled for form and results in the opening quarter of his second season with the French marque, while team newcomer Nico Hulkenberg has shone.

Boss Abiteboul told the French-language agency AFP: "We need two drivers who are able to score points.

"We're doing what's right for Jolyon to get him through this difficult phase," the Frenchman added.

So when asked if a prolonged struggle for Palmer endangers his place at Renault, Abiteboul answered: "We all need to have results.

"Nico shows that the car is able to score points, and Jolyon must also contribute.

"We are extremely supportive and there is no plan, but we are in an ultra-competitive environment and everyone has the pressure of results. For now we give ourselves time to analyse the situation," he added.

(GMM)
Fernando Alonso might not return to do next year's Indy 500.

That is the news from Zak Brown, the new McLaren executive who engineered the Spaniard's controversial skipping of the Monaco grand prix to bid for victory in the fabled US race.

But Brown is quoted by Brazil's UOL as suggesting he has other plans for Alonso in light of a similar race date clash in 2018.

"I hope he gets back on track with us to win the Monaco grand prix again," he said, "which means that perhaps the return (to Indy) will not happen in 2018.

"Of course the calendar isn't final yet but our main objective is to win again in Monaco with Fernando in the car," Brown added.

But he said that doesn't mean Alonso, 35, will never return to the 'Brickyard'.

"I think he's coming back someday, but I do not know what year," said Brown.

"He wants to win the triple crown and I don't believe he was expecting to win first time out. So I think he's coming back."

(GMM)
A hybrid bus that runs on both diesel and liquid nitrogen has completed a series of trials to bring it one step closer to the road. The hybrid busCE Poweris the first to be powered by liquid nitrogen and has been built by engineers at HORIBA MIRA as part of an Innovate UK consortium.

The Innovate UK consortium comprised industry, academic and local and national governmental organisations. It was led by Dearman and included Air Products, Cenex, Coventry University, HORIBA MIRA, Manufacturing Technology Centre, Productiv Ltd, and TRL (the Transport Research Laboratory).

The bus uses a hybrid propulsion system to reduce emissions during acceleration after stopping. This portion of the bus drive cycle traditionally has a heavy impact on the diesel engine and can produce large amounts of NO x and CO 2 emissions. As the Dearman Engine produces none of these harmful emissions, it will enable the bus to continue to stop frequently to unload and pull away from a bus stop without expelling the same level of damaging pollutants.

While driving at 20 mph or below, the liquid nitrogenstored in a low pressure insulated cylinders warmed up to the point of boiling, at which time it creates enough pressure to drive the multi-cylinder Dearman engine. Once the bus reaches 20 mph, the diesel engine will kick in as at this speed the bus requires less effort from the engine to operate.

The development of an on-vehicle cryogenic system was a notable achievement to come from the project. The innovative system was developed by the consortium team to store cryogenic nitrogen liquid at low pressure, then pressurize and store in high pressure cylinders for use in the Dearman engine. This stored pressure is then used to provide the rapid reaction pressure responses required. Jon Trembley, Head of Cryogenic Technology at Air Products

The bus trials were completed at HORIBA MIRAs engineering facilities and Proving Ground in Nuneaton and included components and full system testing along with an engineered drive cycle to simulate a standard bus route with a variety of stops.

The Dearman Engine has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of both buses and HGVs, reducing fuel consumption and cutting pollution. Crucially it can provide a cost effective alternative to other emerging zero emission technologies, whose environmental performance if often offset by complexity and cost. This successful trial could be the first step towards rolling out a British innovation to the streets of the UK and around the world. David Sanders, Commercial Director at Dearman

The benefits of using liquid nitrogen over an electric hybrid bus include a much longer life, local production and easy refueling. Batteries, which power many of the UKs electric hybrids, require changing several times over the course of a buss lifetime, whereas the liquid nitrogen system will last the lifetime of the bus, Dearman said. Liquid nitrogen can be produced locally without the need for neodymium or lithium, which are both used by motors and batteries and sourced from overseas. Furthermore, refueling liquid nitrogen can take a matter of minutes, enabling the bus to return to the road in a short timeframe.
Automobili Lamborghini is collaborating with Houston Methodist Research Institute in a research project focused on a biocompatibility study of composite materials to be used mainly in prosthetic implants, but also in subcutaneous devices.

The aim is to identify new materials that are lighter, better tolerated by the human body, and more resistant over time than those currently used in the medical field.

Automobili Lamborghini is a leader in the research and production of carbon fiber composite materials, and the Advanced Composite Lightweight Structures Department of Research & Development provides its experience not only in the automotive field but also in other sectors including biomedical.

In addition to Houston Methodist Research Institute, Lamborghini collaborates in Italy, on this and other research projects, with the Occupational Medicine Unit of Bologna University Hospital Authority St. Orsola-Malpighi Polyclinic, the Neurosurgery of IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, the Neurosurgery Humanitas University Rozzano-Milano, the CNR Institute of Neuroscience and Humanitas and IRCSS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute of Bologna.
New French President Emmuanel stood up to Vladimir Putin in their meeting yesterday.

Vive la France!

Russia tried to swing France's election to Marine Le Pen. He wants France to ease economic sanctions against his country. He wants to weaken the European Union and NATO.

Macron, who won the election in a landslide, isn't going to be a patsy for Putin.

His campaign didn't have contacts, secret or otherwise, with Russian operatives. His associates didn't try to set up back-channel communications with the Kremlin, and keep them hidden from France's intelligence agencies or foreign office. He sure as heck doesn't express admiration for the Russian dictator.

There's much to admire about Macron, who could become one of the Free World's most important leaders with Germany's Angela Merkel.
May 30, 1997

Jesse K. Timmendequas was convicted in Trenton, N.J., of raping and strangling a 7-year-old neighbor, Megan Kanka, whose 1994 murder inspired Megans Law, requiring that communities be notified when sex offenders move in. Timmendequas received a sentence of death that later was commuted to life in prison after New Jersey abolished capital punishment. Coincidentally, earlier this month a man being served an order to appear in court for an offense of Megans Law held officers at bay for 35 hours and was charged with shooting and killing a bystander. Tyleeb Reese, 35, was charged with murder in the shooting death of Robert Powell Jr., 56, in Trenton, authorities said.
GREENSBORO  Two High Point teenagers have been arrested in a series of car thefts.

According to a Guilford County Sheriff's Office news release, the investigation began when a victim reported his vehicle was stolen Friday afternoon by two females after meeting them on an online dating site.

At 5 p.m. on Friday, the girls were arrested in a traffic stop while riding in the stolen car. The vehicle was equipped with a LoJack vehicle location system. Deputies entered the vehicle as stolen into the National Crime Information system which triggered an alert for the stolen vehicle. The N.C. Department of Transportation License and Theft Bureau agents vehicle equipped with LoJack tracking equipment received a location alert on the stolen car and subsequently found the vehicle.

Authorities uncovered how the two females, 15 and 16, stole the vehicles. The pair used the dating site Plenty of Fish and pretended they were older. The male victims then traveled to the Daniel Brooks neighborhood in High Point, picked up the teens and took them back to their residences. When the victims became distracted at the residence, the teens would then steal their car keys and take off in the vehicles.

The two are believed to be behind at least four known car thefts since early April, according to the news release.

The 16-year-old was charged with two counts of felony larceny of a motor vehicle, felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle and two counts of felony conspiracy. The 15-year-old will have juvenile petitions forthcoming on the same charges.

The release states that the pair may attempt to commit similar acts in the future while released from custody and awaiting trial. The sheriffs office is warning anyone using online dating sites to do so with extreme caution. Suggestions include only meeting in public places. Detectives also warn that due to the ages of the suspects, victims should use extreme caution when with the minors.
WENTWORTH  As a career prosecutor, the hint of corruption in another district attorneys office can be disheartening.

I believe in the system  in prosecution, says Tom Keith, a former five-term Forsyth County district attorney. Its my life. Its energizing.

Thats why on March 11, the 72-year-old Keith came out of retirement to serve as the interim Rockingham County district attorney.

Former district attorney Craig Blitzer had resigned late the night before in the midst of a State Bureau of Investigation probe into his office and that of Wallace Bradsher, the district attorney of Person and Caswell counties.

The former prosecutors are accused of hiring each others wives in a scheme to collect more than $100,000 combined in unearned salaries.

On March 8, SBI agents raided Blitzers office looking for evidence.

Two days later, Gov. Roy Coopers staff was on the phone with Keith asking if he would consider taking the job  a decision he has not regretted, except mildly during turkey season.

Keith said that on the night of March 10 he told Coopers staff he was interested, but during an interview last week, he said that his definition of interested and Coopers didnt exactly mesh.

By interested I meant I would wake up the next morning and my wife and I would drive to Rockingham, look around the county and see what we thought, Keith said. I hadnt been to Rockingham County since 1971.

Keith served as the Forsyth County district attorney for nearly 20 years before retiring 11 months prior to the end of his fifth term.

Upon his retirement, the Winston-Salem Journal called him a strong district attorney who focused on serious cases.

During Keiths career he admittedly had some missteps, but he said his successes  and mistakes  help him guide his new staff.

But in March, he had yet to accept the job.

Before he and his wife could leave their house to visit Rockingham County his phone rang once more. It was again the governors counsel making sure he hadnt changed his mind.

Two minutes later, another phone call.

This time, it was the governor.

Cooper wanted to know if Keith could start that Monday.

Last week, Keith sat at a round conference table at the front of his office in Wentworth and said he retired to focus on crime-prevention projects.

He lifted a paper that hes been editing for publication. On the other side of the table was a document about an initiative called Project Safe Rockingham County.

An award hangs in one corner.

Behind a tall shelf are ads he ran in a local newspaper during a campaign.

Since taking over for Blitzer, Keith is on another campaign of sorts  to keep the legal machinery going until a permanent replacement can be found.

I thought I cant really complain and not do something about it, Keith said.

Prior to taking the job, Keith had been complaining to lawmakers about what he was reading about Blitzers office in media reports.

Keith has been around long enough to see district attorneys who, at various times in their careers, had gotten caught up in controversy and were either removed or resigned from office.

Mike Nifong, the former district attorney of Durham County, comes to mind. Nifong gained national attention in 2006 when he was removed from office and disbarred after it was discovered he withheld evidence in a sexual assault case involving the Duke University lacrosse team.

We could see the train wreck coming, said Keith, a past president of the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys. I was tasked to reach out to him. I called. I emailed. I even drove to Durham and sat in his office for two hours, but he never came out.

At that point, Keith asked lawmakers to create a district attorney standards commission, which would be modeled similar to the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission.

That commission, created in 1973, was established to consider and investigate complaints against judges and determine whether they should be disciplined or removed from office.

So far, theres no such group overseeing district attorneys.

That frustrated Keith when, in October 2016, Superior Court Judge Joe Crosswhite ordered the SBI investigation of Blitzer and Bradshers offices.

A couple of former district attorneys and I were bothered by this case, Keith said. We were concerned that this business was going to end badly.

Since they couldnt get permission to create a commission, they began researching how to petition for Bradshers and Blitzers removal.

But, ultimately, it wouldnt be necessary. Both resigned.

Soon after Blitzers resignation, Keith began meeting with staff, clerks, police chiefs and the sheriff to introduce himself and evaluate his new office.

This is a great place, Keith said. Everybody is so nice.

Unlike Forsyth County, which had 25 lawyers working in the prosecutors office, Keith has a staff of seven district attorneys.

Keith said: I was busy watching and listening and asking: Why do you do it this way? Can we do it better? 

He quickly determined that his staff did not have the experience to handle large, involved cases like the ones typically associated with homicides. He brought in prosecutors from other districts to help train them.

He also required law enforcement to start coming to hearings again  a standard in most courthouses  but not enforced under Blitzer.

Keith said that although he does not plan to run for re-election, he plans to finish out Blitzers term which ends on Dec. 31, 2018  or leave when Cooper says hes no longer needed.

I dont idle well, Keith said. Once I start a project, I cant stop.
A Kansas abortion clinic that was among the first in the country to open after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade has been inundated with patients. Some drive 10 hours or more to get there, coming from Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and even Louisiana. But thats only if they can get an appointment. Planned Parenthood clinics in the state, including this newest one, are only able to take about 10% to 15% of the patients seeking abortions. Kansas is one of the few states in the region still providing abortions in the wake of the court's ruling.
The shocking thing about Greg Gianfortes assault on a journalist isnt that he body-slammed and punched a reporter but that it took so long for the inevitable to occur.

Such an attack was foreshadowed way back in March last year when tough-guy Corey Lewandowski grabbed a female reporter who, apparently, was too brash for the tender sensibilities of then-candidate Donald Trumps inner circle.

A few months after his effrontery, Lewandowski left the campaign and joined CNN as a commentator. He now may be poised to rejoin Team Trump.

Gianforte, a Montana Republican, also was rewarded. His campaign in a special congressional election reportedly reaped more than $100,000 in online donations just before the vote, most of it in the aftermath of the incident. The Bozeman businessman also managed to win the election.

As captured in an audio recording, The Guardians Ben Jacobs is heard saying, You just body-slammed me and broke my glasses. Then, according to Fox News reporter Alicia Acuna, Gianforte climbed on top of Jacobs and began punching him, saying, something like, Im sick and tired of this. Arent we all?

The cause of his violent meltdown? Jacobs had asked Gianforte about health care. This isnt exactly high-handed heckling over a sensitive issue. What if it had been? Would Gianforte have throttled him? Gianforte did apologize for his actions after the election results were in and following 24 hours of denial.

It seems Gianforte, who has been charged with misdemeanor assault, is unfamiliar with the media beast known as a scrum, an impromptu assemblage of reporters, usually following an event, during which reporters fire off questions and jostle each other for a better position  sort of the way Trump bulldozed past Montenegro Prime Minister Dusko Markovic Thursday.

In Brussels for a NATO summit, the president proved that no one can out-bully him. He chastised other nations for not paying their fair share and did not offer his endorsement of Article 5, which was interpreted as insinuating that they might not be able to rely on the U.S. should, say, Russia decide to pursue its dream of re-establishing the empire, as it did in Crimea.

Trump obviously had changed his tune since earlier declaring in Saudi Arabia that he had not come to lecture. He all but wagged his finger, which may explain why newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron walked directly toward Trump and then, at the last moment, swerved to hug German Prime Minister Angela Merkel, shaking several other hands before getting to Trump last.

But Trumps coup de uncouth came when, apparently stricken by an urgent need to reach center stage for a group photo, the U.S. president literally pushed Markovic out of the way. Upon finding his preferred spot, Trump adjusted his tie and seemed oblivious to what the rest of the world observed as profoundly unseemly.

Markovic graciously has said he didnt notice the shove, adding that the U.S. president should be in the front row. Perhaps so, but a light tap on the shoulder and at least a pretense of manners in the form of, Excuse me, wouldnt have been such a strain.

While Trumps reflexive rudeness was merely embarrassing, Gianfortes attack was frightening. Both actions, however, flow from the same spout  our ever-coarsening culture and partisan hostility that erased all boundaries of civility during the 2016 election. It would be unfair to pin this evolution on Trump alone, but broadening acceptance of bullying tactics undoubtedly has been aided by the commander in chiefs own embrace, even celebration, of resolving differences by force, if necessary.

Recall candidate Trump encouraging his supporters to boo journalists at his rallies; his promising to pay legal expenses for a guy who punched a heckler; and his incessant demonizing of the mainstream media as fake news, or news he doesnt like.

Gianforte may be a hero to some, but his violent antics should send a chill up the spines of Constitution-minded Americans. Trumps rhetoric has normalized hatred of journalists and encouraged the sort of behavior weve now witnessed. The perpetrator wasnt some right-wing crazy from Bumduck; he was a respected businessman, now elected to Congress. If this doesnt worry you, we have bigger problems than Russia.
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Mobile phone users are being warned about how criminals are using text messages to steal victims money and identities.

Fraudsters are using a technique called SMS phishing  also known as smishing  to manipulate innocent people into taking various actions which can lead to them having money stolen.

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau  which sits alongside Action Fraud  has been given information that criminals are texting their victims claiming to be from their credit card provider.

The text will claim that a transaction has been approved on their credit card, and asks for the recipient to confirm by replying Y for Yes or N for No.

Through his method, the criminal has now received confirmation of the victims mobile phone number, which they can then use to 'talk' to their victim, and con them.

They might trick the victim into asking for their credit card details, their CVV number (the three digits in the back of your card) or for other personal information.

A spokesman from the bureau said: Theyll send you a text message that asks you to reply with your personal or banking details, or to call or text a premium-rate number they have created to run up a large bill.

Heres what you can do to protect yourself:

Always check the validity of the text message by contacting your credit card provider through the number provided at the back of the card or on the credit card/bank statement.

Beware of cold calls purporting to be from banks and/or credit card providers.

If the phone call from the bank seems suspicious, hang up the phone and wait for 10 minutes before calling the bank back.

Again, refer to the number at the back of the card or on the bank statement in order to contact your bank.

If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, report it to Action Fraud at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
Lulu & Po. Photo: Mete Ozeren/New York Magazine

Matthew Hamiltons lovely little restaurant, Lulu & Po, will close after dinner service tomorrow night. Hamiltons kitchen specialized in small plates with a locavore spirit and a personal touch that we described in an Underground Gourmet review as inventively composed, deftly assembled, and completely satisfying.

L&P opened on a sleepy Fort Greene side street in May of 2012  not a bad run when you consider that the life span of a restaurant these days, like that of a cocker spaniel, should be measured in dog years. Before anyone takes to the streets chanting the phrase Die greedy landlords, note that Hamilton doesnt attribute the closing to an astronomical rent increase. The restaurant just needed a little more foot traffic, he says. Its not that we were down in business, business just never really increased. It hit a plateau in 2014 and just kind of stayed the same. We tried everything. Its just time to go.

Hamilton, who has cooked at Zuni Cafe in San Francisco, and Prune and Uovo in the East Village, plans to take the summer off to spend more time with his daughter. But dont worry that youll never eat another DIY bone-marrow taco again: Hamilton says that cooking is definitely in his future, and that we should look out for a Lulu & Po pop-up sometime soon.




Haiti - Culture : Mapping of the Haitian music industry





The Haitian Association of Music Professionals, which had received a grant from UNESCO https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18197-haiti-music-towards-a-mapping-of-the-haitian-music-industry.html , to carry out a mapping of the Haitian music industry, closed this important project with a round table, which welcomed some fifty music professionals and several parliamentarians of the Culture Committee.



It should be recalled that in order to collect quantitative data, the one-year project included the implementation of field surveys in 6 departments of the country (Artibonite, Center, North, West, South and Southeast, as well as the Diaspora through an online questionnaire). In total, 1,520 professionals from 35 different occupations were interviewed. In addition, seven "focus groups" were carried out to obtain more qualitative data on the sector. At the same time, a series of interviews with a dozen resource persons gathered specific information. Today, the sector has a database and specific information that can be used as a basis for long-term work.



The roundtable aimed to question more specifically, professionals in the sector (some 20 from the province) to obtain their recommendations on various points to be included in the final report. The recommendations are aimed at both the sector and the State, in the short, medium and long term. The final report, approximately 120 pages long, will be printed and distributed by the end of June. An electronic version will also be made available.



In addition to the UNESCO grant, the mapping project of the Haitian music industry received financial support from partners such as the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), the Swiss Embassy in Haiti, FOKAL and the Lucienne Deschamps Foundation. It has also benefited from operational support, among others : of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism, the Center for Facilitation of Investments (CFI) and the Institut Francais and its network in Haiti.



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-18654-icihaiti-reminder-haitian-industry-survey-music-6-days-to-respond.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Technology : ECTEL donates computer equipment





Embert Charles, the Director General of the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) handed a donation of equipment and computer furniture to the community of Arcahaie, in the North of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.



The Mayor of Arcahaie, Rosemila Sainvil Petit-Frere thanked ECTEL and the National Council of Telecommunications (CONATEL) for facilitating this donation of equipment. High school students and a group of adult learners participated in the presentation ceremony, which included 16 computers and peripherals, four printers, 16 chairs and desks.



In thanking ECTEL for this equipment, Jean David Rodney, the new Director General of CONATEL, declared "We chose to put the equipment in the ICT Center of the Arcahaie community because it will serve many more people : the students and members of the community as a whole, Arcahaie is an important community. Our deepest gratitude to the people and governments of ECTEL Member States for this donation."



He also indicated that CONATEL was eager to work with ECTEL on issues in which the organization had already made progress, such as roaming and net neutrality. Stressing "CONATEL is committed to working with regional institutions such as the CTU and the ITU Area Office for the Caribbean on the development of ICT services for the Caribbean people."



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politics : Meeting between PM and Presidents of Associations of Mayors





On Monday afternoon, Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant gathered the Presidents of the Associations of Mayors of the West, South, Southeast, Grand'Anse, Nippes, Center, Artibonite, North and North-West, as a prelude to the meeting on Tuesday, May 30, with the National Council for Natural Risk Management.



The meeting allowed among others to the presidents of associations of mayors of South, Nippes and Grand'Anse, of exposing the situation in their regions hit hard by Hurricane Matthew in October 2016. They raised many issues faced by their municipalities in particular the lack of equipment for sanitation work.



Several avenues of solutions were evoked at this meeting.



The Prime Minister reiterated the will of the Government to continue to provide answers to the problems of these disaster departments. He also took the opportunity to recall his personal commitment to pursue the actions already under way and promised to establish a permanent dialogue between the Prime Minister and the country's town halls.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Have you ever found yourself saying, someday I am going to do something. Eventually that changes to, I always wanted to do that. Maybe its time to act on some of these things, before you just cant. In the mid...
By William Schwartz | Published on 2017/05/29

The first half of the first episode of "My Sassy Girl - Drama" consists entirely of an elaborate royal conspiracy. It involves nighttime, massive swordfights, escapes, a perilous childbirth scene, and is generally completely indistinguishable from a serious historical drama prologue. Then we flash forward ten years later and scholar Gyeon-woo (played by Joo Won) is trying to maintain balance on a boat while narrating about how cool and beloved he was back in China.

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"My Sassy Girl - Drama" is low brow in a way seldom seen in Korean dramas anymore. The entire style of humor is plucked straight from the early two thousands, with characters briefly being given dignity for the sole purpose of creating a joke wherein they inevitably lose it. I don't especially like Gyeon-woo. He's really smug. So it was oddly gratifying when he runs into Princess Hyeomyeong (played by Oh Yeon-seo), who reacts to his coolness by behaving like a drunk psycho.

Princess Hyemyeong is an odd character. She is frankly, not that pretty (most due to overly heavy makeup), and her personality is even worse. Yet Princess Hyeomyeong is a curiously bewitching main character on account of how she overreacts to every minor slight. The more I saw of her, the more I understood that weird dramatic prologue. Princess Hyemyeong is the worst possible enemy to such a conspiracy, because she is completely unwilling to act in a predictable pliant manner no matter how dangerous the potential consequences.

I can actually see how these two wildly divergent tones could work together. It definitely helps that, crude as the jokes may be, they are often understated as necessary. Take the scene at the inn. Not the one in the room, but at the desk, where the design is so blatantly anachronistic that even Gyeon-woo comments on it. A lot of the charm in "My Sassy Girl - Drama" is just from these goofy background details.

The entire Chinese sequence is another good example- the whole thing is an obvious reference to Chinese fandoms of Korean idols. I can't tell whether an actual Chinese fan would find this cute or offensive, although with the anti-THAAD boycott, it doesn't really matter. The production team is just throwing whatever weird idea they can come up with at the wall to try and see what sticks. That sentiment, at least, is pretty accurate to the original "My Sassy Girl" concept, although it remains to be seen whether that energy can be sustained for a full drama.

Review by William Schwartz

"My Sassy Girl - Drama" is directed by Oh Jin-seok, written by Yoon Hyo-je and features Joo Won, Oh Yeon-seo, Lee Jung-shin, Kim Yoon-hye, Son Chang-min, and Yoon Se-ah.
Published on 2017/05/30 | Source

Added episodes 13 and 14 captures for the Korean drama "Chicago Typewriter" (2017)

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Directed by Kim Cheol-gyoo

Written by Jin Soo-wan

Network : tvN

With Yoo Ah-in, Lim Soo-jung, Go Kyung-pyo, Kwak Si-yang, Jo Woo-jin, Yang Jin-sung,...

16 episodes - Fri, Sat 20:00

Synopsis

Writers from the 1930s are reincarnated in the present as a best-selling writer in a slump, an anti-fan, and a ghostwriter.

Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2017/04/07

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Published on 2017/05/30 | Source

Added episodes 5 and 6 captures for the Korean drama "Bad Thief, Good Thief" (2017)

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Directed by Jang Joon-ho, Oh Kyeong-hoon

Written by Cha I-yeong, Son Yeong-mok

Network : MBC

With Ji Hyun-woo, Seohyun, Kim Ji-hoon-I, Lim Ju-eun, Ahn Kil-kang, Jung Kyung-soon,...

50 episodes - Sat, Sun 22:00

Synopsis

A story of thieves who affect the authorities that manipulate Korea. It serves to bring satisfaction to those who are frustrated at the reality of the world.

Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2017/05/13

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Sales of Lidls own label Pimms alternative soar

By Lisa Riley

Lidl has reported a surge in sales of its own label Pimms alternative boosted by the sunny weather prior to the bank holiday weekend.

The discounter said it had seen sales of Peytons, launched at the beginning of May, boom in the run up to the long weekend  up 160% in the week that commenced 15th May - as sun-seekers picked up the tipple.

In addition to the hot weather boost, Peytons benefitted from its budget 6.99 price tag  significantly below the cost of popular alternatives such as Pimms (rsp: 15) and Sainsburys own label Pitchers (rsp: 12), said Lidl.

Consumers have been rushing to snap up a high quality cooler for a fraction of the price, said Lidls spirits expert Tristan Stephenson, adding, with its "classy fruity flavours and notes of summery spice", the drink was perfect for barbecues and dining alfresco.

Peytons, pitched as best enjoyed in the 'traditional way', is available to buy at Lidl stores across England, Scotland and Wales.
Aldi extends craft Festival Beer range

By Jo Gilbert

Discount supremo Aldi is bringing back its festival beer range for a second year with some notable additions.

Building on last years launch, the expanded range consists of 16 new artisan beers focusing on home-grown brewers.

The range features craft beers from breweries from across England and Wales, including Badger Englands Own, Wells Waggledance, Great Corby Session IPA, and a Sussex Traditional Pale Ale from the Hepworth Brewery in West Sussex.

Aldi said they are expanding the range to keep up with consumer demands as the craft beer market continues to swell, worth 100.5million in past year alone (Nielsen 52 w/e 25 March 2017).

Tony Baines, joint managing director of corporate buying at the UKs fifth largest supermarket, confirmed that the craft beer market is going from strength to strength with the range aiming to attract new customers into stores by developing new ranges in line with key trends.

The UK has a long history of brewing ale, but thanks to the recent boom, the UK now boasts more craft breweries per capita than any other nation.

Andy Hepworth, managing director and head brewer at Hepworth Brewery, said the partnership with Aldi would be a notable step in the brewerys history.

We have been brewing as an independent brewery since 2000, with the intention of reviving Horshams centuries old brewing tradition. Our partnership with Aldi will be a notable step in our history and will allow us to share our Pale Ale with the rest of the country, which is proudly made using Sussex grown ingredients, he said.

The new additions were selected by Aldis in house buying team and reached stores for the first time over the bank holiday weekend (Sunday, May 28) with an RRP of 1.29.
Second fatal explosion in Colorado puts safety of area oil and gas operations in question

Workers upgrading an Anadarko Petroleum Co. oil tank facility were caught in a fire that killed one and injured three in Mead, about 65 kilometres) north of Denver, Colorado, on May 25. The incident took place only a few kilometres away from the site of the Firestone home explosion which killed two and injured a third in April and was linked to a leaking Anadarko gas pipe.

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Anadarko, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), the Mountain View Fire Protection District, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB) will investigate the incident.

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper said there was no reason to believe that the circumstances behind the Mead oil tank facility explosion were similar to those that caused the Firestone incident.

In recent days, Anadarko has been distributing free gas detectors to home-owners near its oil and gas infrastructure in Firestone.

This follows a report from COGCC and Anadarko and delivered to Firestone residents on May 24 which showed that a new methane cloud had been discovered just west of the home explosion site during testing in early May, and that the methane levels were even higher than those at the site of the explosion.

Anadarko said it was permanently shutting in three wells in that neighbourhood, including the one that led to the explosion. The company said it believed the three wells were safe but was closing them down because of the "special circumstances and sensitivity surrounding this equipment."

This comes as a class-action lawsuit was filed against Anadarko by shareholders who claim the company failed to disclose its knowledge of risks involving its vertical wells in Colorado.

Also on May 25, an evacuation order was issued for all residents within a two mile radius of the East Cheyenne Gas Storage facility in Peetz, north-eastern Colorado, after equipment failure led to a gas leak.

The town has opened a shelter for evacuees and the company said it would reimburse evacuated homeowners for their expenses. There was no explosion or fire associated with the leak, but the growing plume of natural gas forced the authorities to order the evacuation, which affected about 25 people.

The East Cheyenne Gas Storage facility is owned by Midstream Energy Holdings and is located near two major pipelines, offering gas storage to meet demand peaks.



Colorado Democrats and environmental organisations expressed concern at the recent string of incidents involving oil and gas operators. The Sierra Club said the oil and gas industry could not be trusted to ensure public safety and called for more federal oversight in oil and gas operations.



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An employee has lost her legal bid to complete a $35,000 a year degree at La Trobe University after suffering a workplace injury.



The Administrative Appeals Tribunal was told the 52-year-old IP Australia worker had wrist and elbow problems for more than two-and-half years caused by her repetitive computer work in the intellectual property agency's patent section.



Moreover, she suffered aggravation of pre-existing bipolar disorder before she left the job in July 2015 and has not returned to work since.



However, the federal workplace insurer Comcare was concerned the university plan would hit taxpayers for tens of thousands of dollars a year of workers' compensation benefits, in addition to the $98,000 tuition fees, HECS payments, text books and materials.



Instead, a three-member tribunal panel decided that the employee will be able to access a $10,000 medical rehabilitation course aimed at getting her back to work.



IP Australia and Comcare have tried a variety of methods to help the public servent return to work. These include hiring private sector rehab experts, drafting return to work plans and reports, capacity assessments and suggesting rehab programs, according to Fairfax Media.



However, the employer and its insurer encountered what the tribunal described as a "resistant mindset" from the worker, who had a "view that the program should be devised in the way she preferred it".



Not long after she stopped working, the public servant asked for her rehab program to be altered to include a three-year full time postgraduate uni course, a Juris Doctor at La Trobe University with all fees, HECS payments text books and materials to be paid for by IP Australia.



When her employer said no, the worker appealed to Comcare who also resfused, so she took her case to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.



The public servant argued that IP Australia was unable to get her back into her old job and could not offer another role at her level.



Consequently, the uni degree was the appropriate way for her to be helped to get a new job with another organisation.



The tribunal considered evidence from five medical professionals, including the public servant's treating doctor, with the weight of the evidence suggesting she was capable of engaging in some for of return-to-work program with her employer.




This year is a special one for Tuska Open Air Metal Festival as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. A beloved staple of the festival summer for many visitors from all over the world, Tuska has brought a heavy mix of metal to Helsinki for two decades and this year is no different. Taking place once again at Suvilahti, Finnish and international metal acts will deliver a weekend filled with music from Friday, June 30 to Sunday, July 2.

Friday kicks off with the Finnish band Rotten Sound on the Vakeva Tent Stage, where later on acts such as Insomnium and Mayhem will perform. Highlights on the Radio Rock Main Stage for Friday include Wintersun, Suicidal Tendencies, the Devin Townsend Project and headliners Sabaton. As usual, the indoor venue Inferno Stage brings some different and more extreme tunes to the festival: Finnish Baptism will unleash black metal, while jouhikko (bowed lyre) player Pekko Kappi will break the metal frame with his electronic and rocky folk tunes. At Somusalistage, 100 lucky festivalgoers will get the chance to experience an intimate solo acoustic concert with Anneke van Giersbergen.

Saturday is also packed with heavy hitters like Impaled Nazarene, the freshly reunited Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus, as well as Soilwork, Lost Society, Triptykon, Electric Wizard and Amorphis. The Inferno Stages lineup for Saturday is curated by the founding members of legendary Finnish metal magazine and think tank Suomi Finland Perkele Tony Taleva and Pasi Kuokkanen, bringing acts such as Alabama Kush, Sleep of Monsters and Fear of Domination to the stage. Headliners of the night are the legendary Finnish band HIM, who recently announced that 2017 would be the final year of a career that has lasted over a quarter of a century, making Tuska one of the last chances to see them live.

On Sunday, Dirkschneider, Battle Beast, Baroness, Apocalpytica, Oranssi Pazuzu and Sonata Arctica (among others) will be sure to keep the energy high for the last day of the festival, with headliners Mastodon later closing out the 20th Tuska festival. Of course, the official festival days are followed by the after-parties, where bands like Barren Earth and Blind Channel will keep the night going at Virgin Oil Co.

As is right and proper for an anniversary celebration, there are many specials surrounding the festival. The Helsinki Art Museum (HAM), Tuska Festival and Tiketti Galleria will present exhibitions by Finnish rock photographer Ville Juurikkala, who documents HIM embarking on their farewell tour at HAM (15.6.-3.7.) and a wider selection of his work with other Finnish rock and metal artists at Tiketti Galleria (2.6.-2.7.).

To celebrate the special occasion, jewelry designer Heidi Vornan also designed a silver Tuska Festival Anniversary Collection, which includes earrings, necklaces and even a choker made from reindeer skin. The metal yoga event Musta Jooga Goes Tuska is happening again this year as well, and as a special treat it will feature live music: On June 20, the DFF acoustic duo Panu Willman and Heikki Iso-Sipila will accompany metal yogis at G Livelab.

Artists like Marco Hietala (Nightwish), Janne Wirman (Children of Bodom), Santeri Kallio (Amorphis), Burton (HIM), Akira Takasaki (Loudness), Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Firewind) and even Tuska promoter Jouni Markkanen came together to record the 7-minute-long Tuska20  The Anniversary Song. The proceeds will go to the Tuska 20 year-charity fund. Doing good while listening to metal, what could be better?

As usual, the festival weekend will kick off on Thursday, June 29 with Tuska Heatseeker at the rock club Tavastia, where Man With A Mission from Japan, Finnish Arion and Psychwork will get the festival mood going.

Tuska offers a variety of ticket options: From 255  for the three-day Turbo VIP package to 129 for a normal three-day ticket, while two- and one-day tickets are 105 and 75 respectively. All information and updates can be found on http://www.tuska-festival.fi/, as well as on the Tuska app (available for iOS and Android).

Story: Nina Ratavaara

Photos: Eija Makivuoti
His employment with the public broadcasting company was terminated yesterday by mutual consent, after it was determined that his ability to perform in his duties successfully had been compromised, according to a press release from YLE . YLEs board of directors convened to discuss the matter on Monday, 29 May.

Atte Jaaskelainen has stepped down as the senior editor-in-chief at YLE.

Jaaskelainen confirms in a letter distributed to his colleagues that the main reason for his resignation was the controversy that has surrounded him and the public broadcaster since late last year and that was inflamed, yet again, by his remarks in Sundays Helsingin Sanomat.

YLE, he suggested, could re-consider its affiliation to the Finnish Council for Mass Media (JSN), a committee established to defend the freedom of speech and publication, if JSN was deemed to interfere excessively in its editorial decision-making.

YLE would [in that event] likely have to establish its own body, he said to the newspaper.

Jaaskelainen later admitted that he had messed up.

I messed up by making a careless statement on a serious issue. Im not seeking to undermine the position of JSN, he tweeted after a couple of attempts clarify his statement.

The controversy dates back to last November. YLE on 25 November published a report detailing a possible conflict of interest involving Prime Minister Juha Sipila (Centre), an engineering firm owned by his relatives and a state-owned mining company.

Sipila voiced his displeasure with the report in a series of strident e-mails sent to Jaaskelainen and the reporter who penned the story, Salla Vuorikoski. Jaaskelainen reacted by demanding that the story be edited and by instructing his subordinates to tone down any follow-up coverage of the issue, kindling an internal crisis that culminated in the resignations of three experienced journalists, including Vuorikoski.

JSN later ruled that the public broadcaster had succumbed to political pressure. YLE also commissioned an independent audit into its journalistic practices, the results of which indicate that the problems were not limited to the any particular case but more deep-rooted.

Jaaskelainen on Monday estimated that the controversy is already threatening to dent the public broadcasters reputation as a reliable journalistic institution.

I am relinquishing my duties at YLE with a heavy heart, he said in the press release. I hope our decision will defuse the situation and allow the staff to continue their work.

Marit af Bjorkesten, the director of Svenska YLE, was named as the interim successor to Jaaskelainen. She will assume her new duties on Thursday, 1 June.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Markku Ulander  Lehtikuva
A High Court judge has praised the courage of a young garda who was assaulted during a drugs crackdown.

Mr Justice Bernard Barton awarded Garda Caroline Flynn more than 50,000 compensation for her injuries.

The court was told that Gda Flynn had been part of an Operation Anvil exercise against suspected drug pushers in the Ronanstown-Clondalkin area of Co Dublin in 2011 when she was assaulted.

While searching a man, she was hit in the face. Despite bleeding from the mouth, she and another garda pursued and arrested her attacker.

"Her actions are indicative of the way in which the vast majority of gardai carry out their duties," said Judge Barton.

"This case speaks out about the dedication of gardai and the risks they face."

Barrister John Hayden, who appeared for Gda Flynn, told the court she had been searching a suspect when he "whacked" her in the face and ran off.

Judge Barton said Gda Flynn, injured and bleeding, could easily have decided to do nothing. Instead, she chose to give chase.

Risk

As a result of the blow, Gda Flynn was left with damage to a nerve in a tooth that sent pain shooting up into her cheek.

She could no longer take a very cold or hot drink without risking pain that could last up to four hours.

Gda Flynn, who returned to work after the attack, told the court she had benefited from electrical stimulation of the nerve in 2012 but was told she may require future treatment under sedation.

"If she doesn't take precautions there is an ongoing risk that the pain could return at any time," said Judge Barton.

He awarded Gda Flynn 35,000 damages for pain and suffering to date and a further 15,000 for pain in the future.

He awarded her 3,189 for expenses to date, bringing the total award to 53,189 against the Minister for Public Expenditure on the basis that the injuries and assault had been caused maliciously to her in the course of her duty.

He said if a future stimulation procedure was necessary, the 2,000 cost should be borne by the State.
Joe Duffy has opened up about his friend Gay Byrne's cancer diagnosis, describing it as being "hit by a bus".

The Liveline presenter (61) praised the legendary broadcaster as someone who has had a great influence on him over his many years on the airwaves.

"Here is a man I saw striding out in November in his strong walking shoes, a man who never took a tablet in his life," Joe said.

"Then he was hit by a bus with the prostate cancer diagnosis and is now on more than 12 tablets a day. I've been with Gay a few times recently. His wife, Kathleen, and two daughters, Crona and Susie, are brilliant with him.

Grateful

"There hasn't been a more influential figure in Irish media and I'm especially grateful to him," he told the RTE Guide.

Byrne previously served as Duffy's radio boss.

"Of course, we used to dread him coming up from the studio after the show. He'd ask 'who set up Mary Murphy?' and you didn't know what to expect. But Gay was always fair," he said.

Duffy, who is one of RTE's highest-paid stars, is an independent contractor with the station.

"That's the way RTE wants it. They want to be able to say 'good luck' this evening if that's what they decide," he said.

"But that's my job. I remember when I was first offered the Spirit Level scheduled for Sunday, I said it to Gay and he said 'yes' and I said 'Gay, I'm working Monday to Friday', and he said 'yes, that's what you do'. So I said 'yes'."

The broadcaster's work ethic is important to him and he has instilled it in his triplets, Ronan, Sean and Ellen.

"It's all about work ethic and my kids also have it," he said.

"They work on their summer holidays and two of them have worked in customer services. Sometimes people come to them saying, 'I'm going to ring Joe Duffy about this'."

Meanwhile, the Dubliner has ruled himself out of appearing on a potential second series of Dancing With The Stars.

"You can't do it if you're doing a daily radio programme," he said.
The family of tragic fisherman Jamie McAllister has described the last few days as a "bad dream" after his body was recovered from the sea off Skerries on Saturday.

Speaking for the first time since the tragedy, Jamie's mum Elaine said it had been like "one big, long nightmare" since Friday's tragic incident.

Jamie (28) had been out working with his uncle, helping out on a boat in Skerries for a couple of days, but had been in the process of working towards an apprenticeship as an electrician.

The boat capsized on Friday afternoon metres from the coast but, while his uncle, Keith McAllister, was rescued, Jamie was not found until the following day, around 500 metres from the coast.

More than 100 members of his friends and family turned up on Skerries beach on Sunday night to pay an emotional tribute to Jamie, who was described by friends and family as the "life and soul of the party".

Fireworks were set off, fires were lit and Jamie's name was spelled out across the sand in candles in a celebration of his life.

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Elaine told the Herald that the touching tribute had provided her with some comfort.

"It's just been like one big, long nightmare of a day," she said. "You don't expect to have to bury your kids.

"I'm just going to miss him. What else can I say?

"We paid a big tribute to him at the beach. He put a smile on everyone's face.

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"We didn't realise how popular he was until Sunday night."

His cousin, Danielle, who grew up with Jamie, said the support from his friends had been a major help as the family tried to come to terms with the unthinkable.

"It's been a bad dream and you think you're just going to wake up from it," Danielle said.

"His brother, Ryan, they were best friends. They did everything together.

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"When you saw one you would see the other. They were like two peas in a pod.

"He is absolutely devastated.

"On Sunday there was his name in candles and a fire in a barrel, which had his name engraved into the barrel.

"We had fireworks when it was dark.

"When the fireworks went off there was a rainbow. There was absolutely no rain, and the rainbow went over the whole sky. It was weird. It was to celebrate his life."

Fund

A poem was written in memory of Jamie by his pal, James Reid, and placed on a plaque, which will be duplicated and sold with all proceeds going to a fund set up for the tragic victim.

The piece of writing "sums him up", according to his mum, who said "how they found words like that, I don't know".

An extract of the poem read: "The heart of our little town has been shattered. It goes to show how much you really mattered.

"But now you're gone up to a better place, to take over heaven with your cheeky face."

Jamie's body was transported home yesterday afternoon and his funeral is set to take place at St Patrick's Church, Skerries, tomorrow at noon.

Jamie leaves behind his broken-hearted parents Elaine and Troy, his sister Ela and brother Ryan.

His uncle and skipper of the boat involved in the tragedy, Keith, is recovering in hospital.

What makes the story even more poignant is the fact that Jamie was "filling in" for someone else when he perished as he helped his uncle to fish for razor clams.

A member of the public raised the alarm when they saw the boat capsize and the Skerries RNLI lifeboat was at the scene within minutes.

The multi-agency search was co-ordinated by the LE Niamh, along with the Irish Coast Guard.

Lifeboats from Skerries, Howth and Clogherhead were also involved in the operation, along with local fishermen who were mobilised following the incident.

Shocked

A business owner and friend of Jamie's family has vowed to raise funds for the 28-year-old's family following his tragic death at sea.

Xhemajil Abdullahu, fondly nicknamed 'Jimmy', has known the McAllister family for seven years and works alongside Jamie's mum in his pizzeria in Skerries.

Jimmy posted on Facebook: "I am really shocked after the incident off the coast yesterday and I am deeply touched by the loss of Jamie McAllister.

"My deepest condolences to Jamie's family and especially to his mom, who is a member of our staff.

"In honour of Jamie as a fisherman, I've decided that on Wednesday, which is the half-price fish day, I am going to donate all the money raised to Jamie's family.

"Let's contribute together to make the things a tiny bit easier and let his family know that we are here."

"He was just a gentleman, and no one would have anything bad to say about him.

"It's hard to find anyone like him."

An investigation into Jamie's death is due to begin early this week.
One of the cars targeted burns in the city

The family car of a senior Kinahan cartel figure was firebombed over the weekend as part of a series of tit-for-tat attacks, gardai believe.

The Herald has learned that a car linked to the 36-year-criminal was set alight outside a flats complex in Dublin's north inner city on Friday night. The car that was torched is registered to an innocent woman.

Gardai believe the cartel figure is responsible for organising a campaign of intimidation against extended members of the Hutch family - which includes five attacks on vehicles in just five days.

Investigating detectives are also probing a teenager's links to the attacks against the Hutch family.

Strike

Three of the attacks were carried out early last week, which led to the retaliatory strike against the vehicle linked to the Kinahan cartel member.

That attack on Friday then led to another two attacks against innocent Hutch family members the following day.

The cartel member is suspected of involvement in the 2010 murder of Eamon 'The Don' Dunne. He also has close ties to the family of David Byrne (33), who was murdered at Dublin's Regency Hotel in February last year.

Detectives now believe that a teenager carried out the five attacks on behalf of the Kinahan mob to help pay off a drug debt.

The youngster is believed to be from the north inner city area and is suspected of being the "main man" in a series of tit-for-tat exchanges currently being played out.

"Tensions are so high at the moment and the gangland structure is so fluid that the same individual could be responsible for all these attacks, on both sides," a source said last night.

It is believed that the suspected attacker of the five Hutch vehicles has "intimate knowledge" of the location of the family members because he is a former associate of the Hutch family.

"He is young. He knows all their movements," a source said last night.

"It is typical of what the cartel are at: picking out people in their own communities and using them for attacks like this, and worse.

"These are fellas who owe a drugs debt of a couple of thousand euro or less and they are prepared to betray their own community."

It is understood that the thug has been driven around in a silver saloon car for most of the attacks. The Herald previously revealed that five cars connected to the Hutch family had been targeted last week.

One of these incidents was an acid attack on the car belonging to Patsy Hutch's innocent daughter last Tuesday.

Disguised

Another happened at 1pm at Dunard Avenue on Saturday in the Cabra area, when a black Toyota Avensis car owned by an innocent taxi-man was broken into and set on fire by a young, disguised thug, who arrived in a silver car.

A car belonging to the innocent mother of an on-the-run Hutch gang member was also torched last week in the Buckingham Street area.

Armed gardai are continuing to patrol the streets of the north inner city following the latest escalation in attacks.
A yachtsman who failed to adequately secure a boat he was transporting by road has been fined.

Jeremy Beshoff (29) had only a single wire holding the boat to a trailer he was towing by car.

A garda sergeant said the yacht would not have stayed on the trailer if there had been a collision.

Judge Anne Watkin fined Beshoff, a motor dealer, 100 but did not disqualify him from driving.

The defendant, of Boghill Road, Howth, admitted before Dun Laoghaire District Court to two road traffic offences at Rock Road in Blackrock on June 18, 2015.

The court heard that Beshoff had a licence but was not covered to drive the particular vehicle he was in control of at the time.

He also admitted that he failed to take adequate procedures to prevent a load from falling.

Sgt Ronan Quinn said he stopped Beshoff driving a 2006-registered Range Rover on Rock Road at about 1pm on the date in question.

Serious

Sgt Quinn said the Range Rover was drawing a large trailer, which had a yacht sitting on it.

He said there was only a single wire securing the boat and that, if there had been an accident, the yacht would not have stayed on the trailer.

The sergeant accepted the matter was not the most serious, and he said the yacht made it to its destination.

Beshoff had contested the matters on the grounds of delay, saying it had been 16-and-a-half months since he was first summonsed to court.

His solicitor argued that Beshoff had lived under the threat of losing his driving licence for nearly two years.

However, Judge Watkin said she did not believe Beshoff had suffered any undue prejudice.

The court heard he was moving his yacht and would not have driven the vehicle had he realised his licence did not cover him to drive a load of that size.

The defence solicitor asked Judge Watkin not to put Beshoff off the road as he works in the motor trade and needs his driving licence.

"It is a mistake that he won't make again", the solicitor told the court.
An investigation is under way after more than 50 people, including four children, became ill after an outbreak of salmonella in north Dublin.

The HSE has confirmed that it is investigating an outbreak of food poisoning that has affected "multiple groups".

It said it is liaising with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and said an Outbreak Control Team had been formed.

The Food Safety Authority previously placed a closure order on the kitchen of O'Dwyer's Pub in Strand Road, Portmarnock.

Kitchen

The probe is focusing on cat- ering company Flanreil Food Services, which was operating out of the kitchen of the pub, but the source and cause of the outbreak has not yet been identified.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said yesterday it is aware of more than 50 people who became ill from a number of family parties supplied by a north Dublin food business on May 13 and 14.

As of last night, five people had been admitted to hospital and 16 cases of salmonella had been confirmed. The HSE said the first cases of food poisoning were reported on May 18.

"The investigation is focused on [a north Dublin food] business. A closure order was served on the food business on Friday, May 19," the spokeswoman said.

She said the investigation was continuing and included further examination of the food business operation and the food served.

It is also assessing information from those who fell ill and other guests who ate food.

"Members of the public should contact their GP if they have any concerns," the spokeswoman said.

"People who think they may be ill as a result of this outbreak may also contact the HSE's Environmental Health Service or Department of Public Health in Dublin to assist in the investigation of this outbreak."

Peter Coyle, a former Labour Party councillor for Portmarnock, said he believed the food at the centre of the outbreak was sent to Swords and not consumed on site.

A sign on the doors of the pub restaurant yesterday said it had been closed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Bacteria

The investigation comes after Dublin mother Sandra Murphy-O'Brien died from suspected food poisoning after attending a function celebrating a First Communion at the centre of the investigation.

Ms Murphy-O'Brien, a fitness fanatic aged in her 50s, was found dead at her home. She is understood not to have had any underlying health conditions at the time.

Salmonella bacteria live in the guts of many farm animals and can affect meat, eggs, poultry and milk.
Photo for illustration

Accordingly, a delegation led by the deputy head worked with the Chinese partner to discuss legal shipment of Vietnamese pork to the market.

Vietnam will officially export the commodity to China from this year, right after the delegation finalizes procedures.

The Chinese side asked Vietnamese specialized agencies, especially the Department of Animal Health, to soon check and solve technical problems related to epidemic control so that the country could remove restrictions on pork exports from Vietnam. The two sides will gradually conclude specific negotiations to sign deals for the official pork import from Vietnam.

Vietnam should complete procedures which satisfy the requirements from the market in order to prove that it effectively controls foot and mouth disease.

The Chinese side will send a delegation to Vietnam to survey the controls of the disease, in order to open the market for the commodity this year./.
Mr. Tran Ngoc Phuc speaking at the congress (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

The congress reviewed the work during the last term and elected a new executive board consisting of 15 members, of which Mr. Tran Ngoc Phuc was elected as the Chairman.

Many ideas were raised during the congress, such as promoting practical activities for overseas Vietnamese people in Japan; strengthening support for new Vietnamese arrivals to Japan, especially students and trainees; and building a website to help overseas Vietnamese people in Japan easily access updated information, and expand their networks in many localities in Japan.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong said that the number of overseas Vietnamese in Japan is increasing in recent time, and he hoped to witness the success and development of all of them. He affirmed that the Embassy respected the association's independent activities and was willing to support its activities for the community.

At the congress, Chairman Tran Ngoc Phuc said that the new Executive Board would focus on practical activities for overseas Vietnamese and admit more members to the association, as well as members who wish to contribute to the community to the current Executive Board.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Phuc was born in 1947 in Hue city. In 1968, he went to Japan to study and graduated as an engineer at Tokai University. In 1984, he established Metran Co., Ltd.

He has invented a high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFO) machine for infants and premature infants. The machine won the first prize at the respirator contest held by National Institute of Health (NIH) of the US. This device is a high-tech product, with three-time higher price compared to US and German products, but it is still selected by partners.

Currently, 90% of hospitals and infant nursing rooms across Japan have been equipped with Metran's HFO machines, and more than 200 machines have been exported to 12 countries around the world./.
At the bazaar, the Embassy promoted the image of the country and people of Vietnam through paintings, photos, handicraft and ceramic products, traditional costumes, leaflets and magazines displayed at Vietnams booth.

In addition, the Embassy also introduced many special dishes of the nation, such as spring roll and sweet and sour salad.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy, in cooperation with the Embassies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) such as Indonesia and Malaysia under the ASEAN Commission in Caracas, communicated ASEANs vision and integration process, in the framework of marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the block.

Although the security situation in Caracas capital was complicated, as street protests against the government were taking place, the bazaar still attracted a relatively large number of visitors./.
North High class' portraits of veterans to be on display Friday
It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the
The revenues of Metinvest B.V. (the Netherlands), the parent company of Metinvest international vertically integrated mining and metallurgical group, in March 2017 increased by 42.9% compared to the same month last year, to $663 million.

According to preliminary unaudited consolidated financial results of the company in accordance with IFRS, EBITDA in March amounted to $96 million, which is 5.5% more than in March 2016.

Compared to the previous month, Metinvest increased revenues by 10.9%, while EBITDA decreased by 36.4%.

Given the previous reports, in the first quarter of 2017 the company's revenues were $1.853 billion, which is 44% up from the first quarter of last year, while EBITDA rose by 3.4 times, to $402 million.

The revenues of the Metinvest mining segment in March 2017 stood at $319 million, that of the metallurgical segment at $534 million, while internal group sales amounted to $196 million, of which $189 million in the mining segment.

Compared to March of the previous year, revenues in the mining segment grew by 93.3%, in metallurgy by 50.4%, while internal group sales were up by 3.3 times.
First Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine Dmytro Storozhuk and Polish Ambassador to Ukraine Jan Pieklo have discussed at the National Academy of the Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine ways to improve further cooperation between the prosecution agencies of the two countries.

The main areas of such cooperation are the involvement of Polish law experts into education and scientific events in the academy and vice versa, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine quoted Storozhuk on Monday.

The sides also exchanged experience of training and professional development of employees of prosecutor's office, and discussed the current issues of legal science and practice.
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In October 2013, several months before the Lok Sabha elections were due, I wrote, on this page, that Indians had already decided that Narendra Modi would be the next prime minister. Now, with the next Lok Sabha poll still two years away, Ill make another prediction. Most Indians believe that Modi will win the next election and, therefore, a second term as prime minister.

This is not an overly extravagant claim. Opinion polls by various research agencies published over the last week suggest that there is no anti-incumbency factor. Modi is probably even more popular today than he was when he was first elected. The latest survey suggests that if a general election were to be held now, the NDA would win 48 % of the vote (far more than in 2014) and over 300 seats.

In the two years that remain before polls are due, can the Opposition reverse this state of affairs? In theory, yes. But in practice, it is difficult to defeat Modi.



There are several reasons for this, many of which the Opposition either does not see or fails to recognise.

The first and most important is leadership. It is no accident that Modi rose to national prominence in 2011/12 at a time when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seemed especially ineffectual and uninspiring. Sonia Gandhi was ill and had gone abroad for treatment. And it was not clear what Rahul Gandhis role was.

In the five years since then nobody has seemed like a credible challenger to Modis charisma and aura of strength. The public mood is anti-dynasty (at election after election, dynasts from all parties have been trounced), no new leaders have emerged and the one politician who offered a fresh alternative  Arvind Kejriwal  has seen his aura fade.

The second reason for Modis continuing popularity is that he has not betrayed the central theme of his appeal: Anti-corruption. Few people believe that the prime minister is personally greedy and there hasnt been one significant, corruption scandal during the life of his government.

But the Oppositions main problem is that Modi is a far shrewder politician than his rivals. We forget now how different a prime minister he is now from the man who first took office. Then, he wanted to be an international statesman, sought to make peace with Pakistan and moved legislation that benefited Indian industry.

That kind of prime minister was easier to attack. Rahul Gandhis best moments came when he portrayed the government as a suit-boot ki sarkar. Others made fun of Modis global ambitions. Nothing much came of his foreign travels, of his meetings with the Chinese and American presidents, and of his overtures to Nawaz Sharif.

But swiftly and deftly, almost without the Opposition realising it, Modi has recast his prime ministership. He no longer bothers to cultivate the CII, the businessmen who once seemed close have discreetly moved away, the foreign policy ambitions have been scaled down and his focus has moved from his original middle class core constituency to Indias poor.



Economists may argue about the merits of demonetisation  as indeed they did about Indira Gandhis nationalisation of the banks  but there is no doubt that with that one move, Modi has successfully re-invented himself as the scourge of the corrupt rich and as a prime minister who will reboot the economy while wiping out the accumulated hoards of black money.

The Opposition can argue  as it did in the 1971 election when it fought Indira Gandhi on bank nationalisation  that economic gimmicks will actually damage the economy in the long run. But nobody is listening. The battle for the public imagination has already been won.



So what is the Oppositions best hope? Well, if history is anything to go by, Modi can only be felled by unforeseen events that we have no control over. Mrs Gandhis goodwill disappeared after the global oil price hike of 1973 which ravaged the Indian economy. Rajiv Gandhis massive mandate was punctured by Swedish Radios claims about kickbacks in the Bofors scandal.

So yes, it is entirely possible that something startling will come out of nowhere to damage Modi. In such situations, it does not matter who leads the Opposition: In 1977 and 1989, the victory was shared by squabbling little men.

But unless that happens, we are looking at seven more years of Narendra Modi. And there is very little that the Opposition can do about it.

The views expressed are personal

letters@hindustantimes.com

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A little improvisation on a Noam Chomsky quote explains best Kashmirs diametrically held images in the Valley and in mainland India: The general population doesnt know the problem and it doesnt even know that it doesnt know.

In the obtaining conflict of sentiments, of emotions bolstered by partisan accounts, waging conflict is easier than waging accord. On offer are two relative truths; choices driven by predilections influenced by propaganda. Dialogue that is essential isnt easily acceptable.

Saner elements in the Valley recognise the need for reaching out to people beyond the Banihal Pass. But to them the wall of distrust  mortared each night by jingoistic television accounts  seems impenetrable.

A worrisome fall-out from it is the inexorable demise of traditional politics in Kashmir. Dialogue apart, there isnt a semblance of engagement between opposing voices except in studio wars. Regional forces such as the PDP and the National Conference are losing ground. Even the separatists weve known over the past quarter-century stare at irrelevance in the face of militancys Islamic edition!

The evidence of what could be in store was Zakir Musas threat to behead Hurriyat leaders who described Kashmir as a political dispute. There are unmistakable signs of the ousted Hizbul Mujahideen commanders religious pitch finding traction among sections of alienated youth. Ranks of stone-pelters are joined by children from affluent families. They do it out of conviction, revenge or disdain for the security forces. Not for money.

Officials with whom I spoke in the Valley agreed that if the situation was allowed to drift without political intervention, Hurriyat could be overrun by a parallel, fanatically uncompromising force. The choice, so to speak, is between the devil known and the devil unknown! The separatists decimation or fall in popular esteem could prop up entities thatll make Syed Ali Shah Geelani seem a moderate.

The distrust for dialogue is equal and mutual. On one side, public opinion is driven by excesses symbolised by the human shield episode; on the other by mobs stoning security forces. Wariness rooted in history makes even the talk about talks an act of treachery. A leader ruefully remarked that the Jammu and Kashmir he knew was now Jammu versus Kashmir.

But there has to be a way out of the blind alley. Kashmirs tragedy is aggravated by the absence of statesmen-politicians who could pull it out of the quick-sands in which it has sunk. Geelani, whos well-regarded in the Valley, is disregarded by New Delhi for his extra-territorial leanings.

The ageing separatist is a maximalist, not a terrorist. He could, if the Centre willed, be of use the way the NSCN(I-M) leaders were in Nagaland, in at least cooling tempers down. Hes in the twilight of his life  like the late Isak Chishi Swu at the time of the 2015 framework pact.

Only a miraculous shift away from majoritarianism in the Centres Kashmir policy can make the impossible happen. Its desirable but unlikely. In the outside chance of Geelani softening up to Modis Hindu India, his fate could be similar to Punjabs Harchand Singh Longowal.

That leads one to Mehbooba Mufti. Her presence at the helm, as I wrote earlier, is the buffer the Centre needs. But her ability to absorb shocks cannot be in excess of the freedom she has as a CM in coalition with the BJP.

Her short-term salvation could be in reaching succour to people from corruption and police excesses  stories about which abound in Srinagars social circles. The 2015 experience of Pakistani flags at Geelanis post-release meetings makes her circumspect about allowing Hurriyat leaders to meet and discuss Governor NN Vohras request of help for a peaceful Ramazan, Eid festival and the fruits season.

But the risk is worth taking for a peaceful Ramazan followed by a smooth Amarnath Yatra which is source of livelihood for more than one lakh Muslim families. In these difficult times thatll be a sobering reminder of Kashmirs syncretic past.

vinodsharma@hindustantimes.com
Congresss national secretary Sajjan Singh Verma on Monday announced Rs 1 lakh cash reward to anyone who slaps a shoe 25 times and blackens the face of the leader and his companions involved in slaughtering a cow in Kerala recently.

Verma, the four-time MLA and former minister, made this announcement on his twitter handle on Monday.

The tweet read, Kerral mai huvi gohatya nindaneya. Doshi neta va uskey saathiiyon ko sarey-aam 25 jootey marney va unka mooh kala karney wale ko meri aur se 1 lakh ka nakadh inaam.. (I condemn the cow slaughter in Kerala. Anyone who slaps a shoe 25 times and blackens the face the guilty leader and his companions publically will get a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh from me).

In Kerala, one of the few states where cow slaughter is not banned, Opposition organised beef festivals to protest against the Centres recent decision to ban sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.

A cow was slaughtered in Keralas Kannur in public view on Saturday evening, during a beef fest. A purported video of the slaughter, and cooking of the meat, went viral on social media and television, embarrassing the Congress party and sparking widespread condemnation across India.

Speaking to HT over phone, Sajjan Singh Verma, the former member parliament from Madhya Pradeshs Dewas constituency, said he stands by his tweet. He said he cant tolerate such acts whether they are from a leader or a worker of any political party.

It is not about the party. It is about the individual. Any individual who harms, mistreats or kills our revered cow, will have to face the ire of those who worship cow in this country. And this has nothing do with a party, he said.

Verma said he has been campaigning for last two months in various parts of the MP regarding declaring cow as the national animal. I am working for ensuring cow is made the national animal of our country given the contribution it has made to Indias civilizational ethos, he said.

It is not the first time that such an announcement has been made by a politician from MP on the social media. In January this year, BJP leader Akilesh Khandelwal, who is BJPs general secretary in Hoshangabad, announced Rs 10,000 reward to anyone who hurled a shoe at the filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Khandelwal made his announcement on his Facebook post. The post read, Sanjay Leela Bhansali ko jootey marney par Rs 10,000 rupiyey inaam. (Rs 10,000 reward to anyone who hurls a shoe at Sanjay Bhansali).
In a bizarre case, Madhya Pradesh police has seized over four feet long jata (matted hair locks sported as a turban by sadhus) of a swami as part of evidence.

The incident occurred in Guna district, nearly 220 kms from Bhopal, under the jurisdiction of Aron police station.

Abhay Pratap Singh, Aron police station in charge told HT over phone that one Vishnu Swami Raghunandan Das was attacked allegedly by a group of Bhil tribals at Gupteshwar Mahadev Ashram, nearly 60 kms from Guna district headquarters, on Saturday night. Singh said Swami was injured in the attack and admitted in the hospital.

When we questioned the Swami later, he said Bhil tribals from the nearby village had attacked him during night and cut his Jata. After this, police went to his ashram on Sunday and seized the jata as part of the evidence, he said.

Singh said Swami Raghunandan Das had constructed his ashram in the forest area. There are many mango trees around his Ashram premises. Bhil tribals used to go there regularly to pluck mangos from those trees. Swami Raghunandan Das didnt like this. He strongly objected to it, He would drive them away, he said.

Singh said this perhaps enraged Bhil tribals, who attacked him on Saturday night, beating him mercilessly and also cut his four feet long jata. Swami told police that he couldnt see the accuseds faces as it was dark but could recognise the Bhil tribals from their voice.

Singh said soon the accused Bhil tribals would be caught. Police have registered a case against the accused under sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 294 (obscene acts and songs), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 34(acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of IPC, he said.
Police in Kyiv on Tuesday are looking for the individual who shot dead a businessman in Kyiv's Dartnytsky District.

"At 08:16 a passerby called the precinct and said on Mykhailo Hryshko St. an individual got out of his Audi sedan and shot a man in the back several times. The individual got back into the car and headed toward Petro Hryhorenko Avenue. It has been preliminarily established that the victim received fatal gunshot wounds to the spine," Kyiv's National Police reported.

The shooter is driving a red Audi sedan. The "Intercept" action plan has been called by the police.

Police later said the identity of the dead individual had been established. He is a Kyiv resident, born in 1968. They did not release his name.

"Having examined the body, police experts identified four wounds. They collected four shells from a 9 mm pistol and began interviewing witnesses," said an updated police report, which identified the victim of the shooting as former acting head (2014) of the state-owned Ukrspyrt concern Viktor Pankov. Prior to his assassination, Pankov worked as an advisor to the Ukrspyrt director.

Chief of the Darnytsky District Police Station Serhiy Chernyshev told journalists four or five shots were fired, according to witnesses. He said evidence was being gathered at the scene of the assassination by detectives.

According to Chernyshev, the professional activities of the deceased man may have been the reason he was killed. He declined to identify the assassinated man as Pankov.

Pankov in 2008 and 2009 was a board member of the national joint-stock company Nadra Ukrainy. In 2012 he began working at Ukrspyrt as deputy general director in charge of legal issues, and later as acting Ukrspyrt general director and first deputy director in charge of production and financial issues. He left Ukrspyrt in December 2013.

At the start of 2014 Pankov was an advisor to the chairman of the board of Chornomornaftogaz. In March 2014 he returned to Ukrspyrt as deputy director in charge of legal issues. In December 2014 the Agriculture and Food Ministry sacked Mykhaylo Labutyna as Ukrspyrt general director, naming Pankov as acting director.

Pankov in 2016 was put in charge of Ukrspyrt's main office.
Actor-filmmaker Konkona Sen Sharma, who has made her directorial debut with A Death in the Gunj, has said she would definitely like to direct again if she gets interesting stories.

Filmmaker Aparna Sen with her daughter and actress Konkona Sen Sharma during a press conference in Kolkata, on May 28. (IANS)

This film (A Death In A Gunj) has gone to many film festivals including that in Busan and Toronto. We have mostly got a positive response, so I hope the audience will also like the film. The most fun part was to create 1970s world in this film. I hadnt thought that I would direct a film, but an interesting idea came up to my mind and then I developed it and eventually I made film on it. I enjoyed whole experience of direction and in future if I find any interesting story, I would like to direct again, Konkona said at a special screening of her film on Monday.

Celebrities like Vikramaditya Motwane, Rajkummar Rao, Nasseruddin Shah, Radhika Apte, Bhumi Pednekar, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Sudhir Mishra, Tanuja, Tanisha Mukerji, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Kalki Koechlin, Gulshan Devaiah and Ira Dubey attended the screening.

Kalki Koechlin, who plays an important character in the film, said she loved the subject of the film. I really liked the film. Its a really interesting subject. It is set in 1970s and look of the film is also different. I am glad that film has travelled to so many festivals, including Toronto and New York film festival and now it will release in India.

Konkona Sen Sharma addresses a press conference in Ranchi on May 21. (IANS)

Gulshan said that being an actor herself, Konkona can understand other actors well. That, he feels, made it a great experience to work in A Death in the Gunj. It was a really great experience for me to work in this film. I am really happy the way it has shaped up. I already knew Konkona will make good film when she narrated the story to me. I havent worked with such an amazing cast earlier in my career. Konkona herself is a fabulous actress, so she understands other actors and it was easy working with her matching with each others sensibilities.

Praising Konkonas first-time direction effort, Siddharth said: I am very excited for the film. There are some good actors in it. I feel its great that women are coming into the field of direction... More power to them.

Sonam Kapoor and Konkana Sen Sharma during the launch of a fashion store in Mumbai on Thursday evening. (PTI)

The film is an atmospheric thriller set in 1979 at McCluskieganj, near Ranchi. It also features Vikrant Massey Ranvir Shorey, Tillotama Shome, Jim Sarbh, Tanuja and the late Om Puri. The movie, which won the Best Director honour for Konkona at the New York Indian Film Festival, is jointly produced by MacGuffin Pictures and Studioz IDrream.

A Death In The Gunj will hit the screens in India on Friday.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
After his earlier campaign MARD-- Men Against Rape and Discrimination failed to bring the expected changes, actor Farhan Akhtar has launched a new campaign to combat gender-based violence that seeks to rope in youngsters to take the movement forward.

Actor Farhan Akhtar arrives to attend the prayer meet of his father and late actor Vinod Khanna at Nehru Centre in Mumbai, on May 3. (IANS)

#BasAbBahutHoGaya - #EnoughIsEnough was unveiled during a Facebook Live session with the actor-director announcing a short film contest for college students across the country.

Students would be required to make a two-minute-long short film capturing different facets of violence against women.

Unfortunately despite the progress we have made earlier, it seems it has not been enough. We have failed to make the strides that we wanted to through our campaign (MARD). There are several aspects to this new campaign that will unravel in the coming months, but right now we are focusing on college students. We would like young people to make the film on their understanding about violence against women, Farhan said.

Students can send in the entries till August 24, and the shortlisted films will then be judged by a jury, he said.

The winners of the contest will be announced on October 2, who then will get an opportunity to be part of the MARD concert that is scheduled to be held towards the end of the year.

MUMBAI, INDIA - APRIL 22:Swati Mohan Business Head India of Fox Networks Group with Indian directors Farhan Akhtar, Madhur Bhandarkar, Hansal Mehta, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and Imtiaz Ali during the launch of social campaign titled National Geographic Mission Blue to save water on Earth Day on April 22. (Photo by Pramod Thakur/Hindustan Times )

The campaign, which has been launched by Population Foundation of India (PFI) in collaboration with film director Feroz Abbas Khan and MARD, seeks to challenge the social norms that link masculinity to violence.

It is shocking to know that more than four in ten women, which is around 41 per cent in India experience violence before the age of 19. It has to stop. It is an initiative to come together and collectively raise our voice against the violence. I want everybody to stand together and pledge to outlaw all kinds of violence against women, he said.

Akhtar who was appointed as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador to South Asia in November last year, has been bringing the issues of gender equality to the centre stage, and advocating for change in the ideas of masculinity.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Lisa Haydon is definitely enjoying this new phase of her lifebeing a yummy mommy. Lisa and husband Dino Lalvani welcomed their bundle of joy, Zack Lalvani, on May 17 and they took to Instagram to make the announcement. The couple shared a picture with their son, though the babys face wasnt visible.

Zack Lalvani born 17th May 2017 A post shared by Lisa Haydon (@lisahaydon) on May 19, 2017 at 3:00pm PDT

Now after almost two weeks, Lisa has posted an adorably cute photo of her munchkin on her Instagram page and fans cant stop gushing. Though the photo doesnt show Zacks full face, clad in white shirt and a checkered bowtie with folded tiny hands, hes winning everyones heart. Looks like Zack might turn out to be the most stylish baby among all the star kids!

all my heart A post shared by Lisa Haydon (@lisahaydon) on May 29, 2017 at 4:38am PDT

Besides fans who are congratulating the couple on becoming parents and showering him with blessings, there are many who are comparing his lips and pout with his mommy. Comments such as His lips r totally like yours lisa, He has got your lips and jaw ..god bless the little one, Same like u see her/his lips, Ahaa such a well dressed charming boy, He got your lips lol, He has same lips like mommy, kept flowing in.

Following actor Kareena Kapoor Khans footsteps, who flaunted her pregnancy in style, Lisa also was seen making the most of the nine-month period, posting pictures of her baby bump and celebrating each moment to the fullest.

@elleindiaofficial inside story with @farrokhchothia @malini_banerji @namratasoni  A post shared by Lisa Haydon (@lisahaydon) on May 11, 2017 at 6:34am PDT

 A post shared by Lisa Haydon (@lisahaydon) on Apr 14, 2017 at 11:07am PDT

Polaroids A post shared by Lisa Haydon (@lisahaydon) on Mar 7, 2017 at 6:11am PST

During her pregnancy, Lisa also featured on a magazine cover, and she posted the picture on her Instagram page, and wrote, This is my favourite cover till date because my baby bump made it on as well. Needless to mention, she was referring to her soon-to-be-born baby.

The 30-year-old actor married the 44-year-old businessman in a private ceremonya beach wedding in Phuket, Thailand, in November last year, after a courtship of more than a year.

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In what must be a first even by the Indian censor boards fussy standards, filmmaker Ruchi Narains Hanuman Da Damdaara tongue-in-cheek revisionist take on the legend of Hanuman, has been granted a UA certificate with several verbal cuts. There is no precedent in Indian cinema of cuts or changes ordered by the censor board in any animation film or mythological drama.

Narains Hanuman Da Damdaar, which has Salman Khan lending his voice to Hanumans character, is caught in a peculiar situation.

So what gives, Mr Pahlaj Nihalani, we asked the censor board chief?

He replied, Normally animation films, and that too one about a mythological theme would be passed without a hitch. But this film has lots of dialogue featuring children, which may offend religious sentiments.

The filmmakers, meanwhile argue that what the censor chief terms offensive is nothing but an attempt to make the mythological figure of Hanuman accessible to younger audiences. The trailer of the film shows Hanuman saying, among other things, Hata Sawan ki ghata, its time for my katha.

Reasons Nihalani, That may be so. But the trendy language applied to religious characters may not be taken in the right spirit by everyone. We have to be very careful about religious content. Yes,weve cut quite a few of the dialogues. But better safe than sorry. Reminding that a UA certificate has been given, he adds, Children can come and watch the film with their parents. Problem kya hai?

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Actor Parineeti Chopra recently attended an event at a self-defense academy for women in Mumbai along with actor Akshay Kumar. At the event, the actor spoke about how her family went through financial crunch, when she was in school, and that she never had the money to learn martial arts. Talking about that phase of her life, Parineeti said that she did not have the money to go to school by car or bus and would cycle everyday.

I am so touched after coming here, as I am thinking about my life. I am from a very small city, Ambala. I had two brothers growing up and we had a lot of difficulties. We didnt have any money, so I used to commute by cycle, to school. We did not have a car, or even money for the bus. I used to fight with my mom and dad saying why do I have to cycle to school every day. I did not have the money to join a martial arts class during the time. I am so happy for you that you got this opportunity. Thank yourselves that you are graduating from such an institute. Make use of this knowledge and go kick some ass, she was quoted as saying.

Watch the video here:

However, this revelation doesnt seem to have gone down well with the rest of her classmates. Someone who knew her back then, claimed that whatever Parineeti spoke was nothing but a blatant lie, for publicity sake.

Read his post here:

Many people have reacted to his post and have tagged other friends as well. Kartika Varma Raja, who also went to the same school as Parineeti, agreed that this was not true. Even I am from CJM ambala. @anuj ..this is ridiculous man!! (sic) Another ex student from CJM, Deepali Malhotra Bhatti, replied, All cjmites can vouch for the lies about her financial status. Most kids from Ambala Cantt cycled to Cjm during those days, including many well-off ones. There could have been eve-teasing on roads but why the sob story of poverty?? (sic). Priyanka Mundhar, who is also from CJM said, Cant believe what she just said ! May be she wants people to relate with her... but she took it too far with this No Money story (sic).

Here are some of the comments made by her classmates on the Facebook post.

While everyone was waiting to hear Parineetis side of the story, the actor has finally posted an official statement on her Twitter account refuting all these false claims made by her classmates. I know I said this even that day but somehow its been misconstrued, about something very irrelevant about me having a car or not!! I was talking about using a car and driver to go to school thats all. The essence of what and why I was giving that examples was completely lost. (sic), she wrote.

Read her full statement here:

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Calling it a lovely coincidence, Berlin bound Priyanka Chopra met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning.

While the actor is holidaying in Germany post her Hollywood release Baywatch, Modi is on a six-day four-nation tour.

Was such a lovely coincidence to be in #berlin at the same time as the Prime Minister. Thank you @narendramodi Sir for taking the time from your packed schedule to meet me this morning.  A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on May 30, 2017 at 1:04am PDT

The 34-year-old took to Instagram to share the moment with her fans and even thanked the Prime Minister for taking out time to meet her.

Was such a lovely coincidence to be in #berlin at the same time as the Prime Minister. Thank you @narendramodi Sir for taking the time from your packed schedule to meet me this morning she wrote as the caption.

Priyanka also posted selfies from the Holocaust Memorial on her Instagram stories. Some on Twitter, however, didnt appreciate the photos.

The Holocaust Memorial in Berlin was opened to public in 2005. It was constructed to pay respect to the 3 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Many tourists have also previously posted pictures of them frolicking and striking poses at the memorial and got criticised for it on social media.

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(With inputs from ANI)


Actor Rajkummar Rao might be busy promoting his upcoming film Behen Hogi Teri, but, he harbours plans for Hollywood too. Does he plans to hire an agent there?

Right now I have to fulfil my commitments in Bollywood. And then, when I will be done here, I might hire a Hollywood agent by the end of this year or early next year. My priority is finishing the projects I have taken up in Bollywood, and, they can take up this entire year, says Rajkummar.



The 32-year-old already has some international projects in his kitty. He will be travelling to the US to finish the shooting of American film, 5 Weddings, which also stars actor Nargis Fakhri.

I have to go and shoot in Los Angeles for 5 Weddings with Nargis and Im also busy with Love Sonia, also a Hollywood project. Will see how things work out once I am there, he says.

Rajkummar currently has his hands full with Bollywood films Raabta, Behen Hogi Teri, Bose and Omerta.

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Around 8.5 lakh retail chemists, druggists and pharmacies observed a nation-wide day-long strike on Tuesday to press for their various demands, an official of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) said.

If our demands are not met, we will go on an indefinite strike, AIOCD president Jagannath Shinde told PTI in Mumbai.

Nearly 8.5 lakh chemists across the country went on a strike protesting against the stringent regulations on the sale of medicines, Shinde said and claimed that the strike was 100% successful.

Medical shops were closed in Mumbai on Tuesday during the all-India strike. (Satish Bate/HT Photo)

According to the AIOCD, their several representations opposing the regulations on the sale of medicines in the country, submitted to the government, went unheeded, following which the one-day strike was called.

We have been asked to upload all information related to sale of medicines on a portal, which is not possible with the existing infrastructure, Shinde said.

Medical shops closed in Guwahati during the all-India strike on Tuesday. (PTI)

Shinde said the industry has already sent 80,000 objection letters to the Centre in protest against e-portal and e-pharmacy.

The chemists are also opposing online pharmacy, which they say, poses a threat to their business.

The online pharmacy will also encourage irrational usage of medicines and sale of fake drugs, Shinde added.

A woman sits outside a closed chemist shop in Ahmedabad during the nationwide strike on Tuesday. (REUTERS)

Pharmacies shut across Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, in Telangana around 25,000 medical shops downed their shutters as part of the protest. Most chemists in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka also shut shop in support of the nationwide shutdown.

Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association general secretary Natarajan said nearly 20,000 of the 30,000 medical shops in the state remained closed. The remaining shops were open, but employees wore black badges in protest.
Adani Enterprises will move ahead with a final financing decision for its Carmichael coal mine project in Australia after an end to negotiations on how to pay government royalties, it said on Tuesday.

The Adani parent company board will consider the final investment decision at the next board meeting. the company said in a statement. No date has been set for the next meeting of the board though it typically meets once a month.

The Adani board last week deferred a final investment decision that had been expected by the end of May because the government had yet to sign off on a royalty regime with the Queensland state government.

Adani did not disclose the terms of the royalties.

The company is still counting on about $1 billion in loans from Australias federal government under the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility to pay for rail transport work.

Adani is also awaiting passage of Australias Native Title Amendment by its parliament, expected sometime next month.

The bill is designed to make it easier for companies like Adani to sign land rights agreements with indigenous land owners.

The Carmichael project is located in the remote Galilee Basin, a 247,000 square-kilometre (95,000 square mile) expanse in the central outback that some believe has the potential to become Australias largest coal-producing region.

Adani has battled environment groups trying to block what would be Australias biggest coal mine, arguing it will contribute to global warming and damage the Great Barrier Reef.

Adani says the project, at an initial cost of $4 billion, would pay billions of dollars in royalties and taxes, create jobs for the state and export coal to India help bring electricity to rural regions.
Ukraine from May 24-27 increased natural gas pumping into underground gas storage facilities (UGS) by 27.2%, to 61 million cubic meters per day due to the increase in gas imports from Hungary by 10 million cubic meters per day, according to live data from PJSC Ukrtransgaz.

So, if during May 1-23 the average daily injection was 48.2 million cubic meters, on May 24-27 it increased to 61.3 million cubic meters. In particular, on May 24 the figure amounted to 61.24 million cubic meters, on May 25 to 60.63 million cubic meters, on May 26 to 58.87 million cubic meters, and on May 27 to 64.65 million cubic meters.

In general, after the completion of the 2016/2017 heating season (from March 22 to May 27), Ukraine increased its gas reserves in its UGS by 20.8%, from 8.1 billion cubic meters to 9.789 billion cubic meters.

The increase in gas pumping occurred due to the growth of natural gas imports from Hungary. So, if on May 1-22 the average daily import along this route was about 1.6 million cubic meters, on May 23 it increased to 9.9 million cubic meters, on May 24 to 12.3 million cubic meters, on May 25 to 13.2 million cubic meters, on May 26 to 11.2 million cubic meters, and on May 27 to 12.2 million cubic meters.
British Airways (BA) said it would take steps to ensure there was no repeat of a computer system failure that stranded 75,000 passengers over a holiday weekend and turned into a public relations disaster.

BA had been forced to cancel all its flights from Heathrow, Europes busiest airport, and Gatwick on Saturday after a power supply problem disrupted its operations worldwide and also hit its call centres and website.

The airline was returning to normal on Monday, planning to run more than 95 percent of flights from London Heathrow and Gatwick, with only a handful of short-haul flights cancelled.

BA Chief Executive Alex Cruz said the root of the problem, which also affected passengers trying to fly into Britain, had been a power surge on Saturday morning which hit BAs flight, baggage and communication systems. It was so strong it also rendered the back-up systems ineffective, he said.

Once the disruption is over, we will carry out an exhaustive investigation into what caused this incident, and take measures to ensure it never happens again, Cruz said.

Over the weekend, some stranded passengers curled up under blankets on the floor or slumped on luggage trolleys, images that played prominently online and in newspapers.

Apologises all well and good but not enough. BA has lost another loyal customer #disgraceful, tweeted Tom Callway, who had been due to fly to Budapest.

The company was left counting the cost of the disruption, both in terms of a one-off impact to its profit and the longer term damage to its reputation.

Spanish-listed shares of parent company IAG, which also owns carriers Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling, dropped 2.8 percent on Monday after the outage. The London-listed shares did not trade because of a public holiday.

Flight compensation website Flightright.com said that with around 800 flights cancelled at Gatwick and Heathrow on Saturday and Sunday, BA was looking at having to pay around 61 million euros ($68 million) in compensation under EU rules. That does not include the cost of reimbursing customers for hotel stays.

BA would fully honour its compensation obligations, Cruz said. Of the 75,000 passengers who missed out on flights, around two-thirds would have been flown to their destinations by the end of Monday, he added.

COST CUTTING

BA has been cutting costs to respond to competition on short-haul routes from Ryanair and easyJet and recently faced criticism for starting to charge passengers for their in-flight snacks.

Irelands Ryanair was quick to seize on the marketing opportunity, tweeting Should have flown Ryanair with a picture of the Computer says no sketch from the TV series Little Britain to poke fun at BA.

Ryanair said it had seen a spike in bookings over the weekend but gave no further details.

The GMB union said that BAs IT systems had shortcomings after they made a number of staff redundant and shifted their work to India in 2016.

This could have all been avoided. BA in 2016 made hundreds of dedicated and loyal IT staff redundant and outsourced the work to India, Mick Rix, GMB National Officer for Aviation, said.

Cruz rejected the union criticism.

Theyve all been local issues around a local data centre, which has been managed and fixed by local resources, he told Sky News.

Several passengers complained about a lack of information from BA staff at the airport. Others said their luggage had been lost.

The airline said it was working to get reunite passengers with their luggage after many items were left at Heathrow over the weekend, although staff on Twitter warned this could take some time.

While other airlines have been hit by computer problems, the scale and length of BAs troubles were unusual.

Delta Air Lines Inc cancelled thousands of flights and delayed many others last August after an outage hit its computer systems.

Last month, Germanys Lufthansa and Air France suffered a global system outage which briefly prevented them from boarding passengers.
Indian cotton growers are embracing for a challenging year as a higher production in countries such as the United States, may keep prices low.

Higher prices of previous year have pushed farmers to grow more cotton and now the world faces an over-supply.

Indias cotton output in 2017-18 may also rise given the forecast of a normal monsoon.

The government may step in to protect the interest of farmers by raising the minimum support price, or purchase price of government agencies, slightly. There could also be import curbs to prevent the local farmers from the onslaught of dumping of cheaper cotton by countries such as China.

Here are some of the factors that could impact Indian farmers and textile companies:

1. Higher production

World cotton production is forecast to increase 7% to 113.2 million bales, or 24.65 million tonne in this crop year that starts from August 2017, after a 9% rise in 2016-17.

The higher 2017/18 cotton production projection is the result of favorable prices that are encouraging a rebound in area, the United States Department of Agriculture said in a report.

India, China, and the US are forecast to account for a combined 62% of global cotton production in 2017-18, as compared with 63% in 2016/17.

The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) said in a report that high cotton prices in 2016-17 are expected to encourage farmers to expand the area under cotton by 5% to 30.8 million hectares in 2017-18.

A normal monsoon forecast by Indias weather office IMD means a boost to the cotton and other agriculture products.

Indias cotton area is forecast to increase by 7% to 11.3 million hectares in 2017-18 as farmers are encouraged by better returns due to high cotton prices and improved yields last year. Assuming yield is similar to the five-year average, production could increase by 3% to about 6 million tonne, ICAC said.

After contracting in the last five seasons, Chinas cotton area may expand by 3% to 2.9 million hectares due to the stable cotton policy and high cotton prices.

ICAC forecast production in China is expected to rise by 1% to 4.8 million tonne, the first increase in five seasons.

Similarly, farmers in the United States are forecast to expand harvested cotton area by 12% to 4.3 million hectares and production could grow by 8% to 4 million tonne.

2. Sluggish consumption

While output gathers pace, ICAC says global cotton consumption is forecast to increase at by 2% to 24.6 million tonne as world economic growth recovers in 2017 and 2018.

After decreasing by 3% to 5.1 million tonne in 2016-17, Indias consumption is forecast to recover by 2% to 5.2 million tonne due to competitive prices for its cotton yarn products, expanding capacity and the resolution of the consequences of demonetisation.

Chinas mill use of cotton is forecast to increase by 1% to 7.7 million tonne, accounting for 30% of world cotton consumption. Mill use in Pakistan may grow by 1% to 2.3 million tonne due to new incentives for textile exports offered by the government while Bangladesh may witness 5% rise to 1.5 million tonne.

3. Exports and imports

A robust crop will encourage the US to export more while China is expected to dump its already-high inventory in the world market.

World cotton trade is forecast to rise 5% to 7.95 million tonne in 2016-17, after declines during the previous three seasons.

In 2017-18, the exports are expected to rise to 8.09 million tonne, tad higher than last year.

Whats worrisome, Indias exports are projected to decrease by 30% to 886,000 tonne, ICAC said.

4.Prices to remain subdued

With over supply in major countries, cotton prices may remain subdued.

Prices may also be tempered as China reduces its inventories by dumping cotton stock in world markets. Chinas share of global stocks was 61% in 2013-14. It has fallen to 54% by 2016-17, and is expected to fall further to 45% by the end of 2017-18, says USDA.

Meanwhile, stocks in India, Brazil, the US and Pakistan are expected to rise in 2017-18 with larger crops forecast.

With a view to promote cotton farming, the government increased the minimum support price, or purchase price of government agencies, by 1.5-1.6% to Rs 3,860 per quintal for medium staple length cotton and Rs 4,160 for long staple.

Last year, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) Limited was been asked to procure cotton at the MSP to protect the interest of farmers and avoid distress sales.

5.Indian textile firms to gain?

A higher cotton output may help Indian textile firms in keeping their input costs lower.

The rollout of Goods and Services Tax (GST) will also help lower the cost for companies.

Ample supply, softer prices and GST will improve the earnings outlook for textile firms.
Employees unions are not needed in information technology industry where work ethic is good and the staff are well-paid with techies even finding opportunities outside the company they work for, says a senior industry figure.

Whenever there is a downturn, there is always noise about unions coming into play in the IT industry but it never sustained, ex-Chief Financial Officer of Infosys Ltd, V Balakrishnan told PTI.

Work ethic is very good and salaries are high. Even today the attrition rate in the IT industry is double digit. It (talk of employees unions) always fizzles out after some point of time. It never sustained, he told PTI.

But I think even if there is a union, I dont think it will impact the industry much because IT industry is one of the best paymasters in the country and second, the people find opportunities outside, he said.

The employees unions work in industries where work ethic is bad and where employees are treated shabbily.

Following reports of layoffs and fears about further retrenchment in the slowdown hit IT industry, there had been some talk in recent times about forming a union.

IT industry is not bad, IT industry people are well taken care of, well-paid, and they find opportunities. Even one of the bad years, this year, where growth rate has come down, the attrition is still double digit.

So, I dont find a need for union in this industry. Even if there is a union, I dont think it will impact the industry much because people are well taken care of in this industry, said the former Board member of Infosys.

Balakrishnan said the reports about widespread job losses in IT industry are exaggerated.

If you look at all the leading companies, none of them are talking about huge job losses; they are all talking about the regular performance-based attrition, that is normal in the industry. So, to some extent the scare of job losses is exaggerated, he said.

He said IT is not a traditional industry. Its a global industry where you get global opportunities to work. This industry is different, its not like traditional industry. I dont know whether formal union kind of structure will succeed.

On if boom times are over for the Indian IT industry, Balakrishnan said: Thats what we had been told when 2000 dotcom happened...Y2K came up...2008 financial crisis. Same concerns were expressed then.

This industry goes through ups and downs, but it always found its feat and went into new areas, I think even this (current) crisis will be an opportunity for them to invest more into new digital, SMAC (social, mobile, analytics and cloud), mobility and new technologies. They will reinvent themselves, he said.

While it looks like the $150 billion Indian IT services industry would log single digit growth in the current fiscal, its possible that it could accelerate to double digit next year.

He said it could be so as opportunities are large, IT spending is still very large and the US economy, which is the largest market for India, is growing at one-and-half to two per cent, which is not bad, Balakrishnan said.
Singapores central bank has fined Credit Suisse and United Overseas Bank (UOB) a total of S$1.6 million ($1.2 million) for breaching anti-money laundering rules in transactions related to Malaysias scandal-ridden state fund 1MDB.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said on Tuesday it had fined UOB S$900,000 and Credit Suisse S$700,000 as it wrapped up its two-year probe into banks involved in 1MDB-related transactions, which revealed several breaches of anti-money laundering (AML) requirements and control lapses.

These include weaknesses in conducting due diligence on customers and inadequate scrutiny of customers transactions and activities, it said in a statement, adding it did not, however, detect pervasive control weaknesses at UOB and Credit Suisse.

The fines are smaller than those the authority has already imposed on other banks as part of its biggest money-laundering investigation. It has now imposed penalties of S$29.1 million on eight banks.

Once a pet project of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who chaired its advisory board, 1MDB is the subject of money-laundering investigations in at least six countries including Switzerland, Singapore and the United States.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing.

While the fines imposed on UOB and Credit Suisse may appear low relative to the amounts that we see imposed by U.S. and UK regulators, they are substantive by Singapore standards, said Nizam Ismail, partner at RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP, where he advises clients on financial services regulation.

Unfortunately, the presence of financial crimes is a reality and occupational hazard of major international financial centres. But when they are detected, the enforcement is robust and extensive - which is what MAS has done.

Last year, MAS fined DBS, UBS, Standard Chartered and private bank Coutts for breaches of Singapores anti-money laundering laws in connection to 1MDB transactions.

Separately, Swiss financial watchdog FINMA said on Tuesday it had conducted extensive investigations into Credit Suisses dealings surrounding 1MDB, resulting in a written reprimand for Switzerlands second-biggest bank.

As part of a two-year review into 1MDB-related transactions, Singapore has shut down the local units of BSI Bank and Falcon Bank due to failures of money laundering controls and improper conduct by senior management, frozen millions of dollars in bank accounts and charged several private bankers.

The price for keeping our financial centre clean as it grows in size and inter-connectedness is unstinting vigilance, said Ravi Menon, managing director of the central bank.

MAS has enhanced its AML surveillance and taken unprecedented enforcement actions against errant institutions and individuals, he said.

The extensive review uncovered a complex web of transactions involving shell companies and individuals operating in multiple jurisdictions, including the United States, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Luxembourg and Malaysia.

Credit Suisse takes a very serious view of our obligations in the prevention of money laundering and is firmly committed to upholding the high standards of the Singapore financial center, the bank said in a statement.

UOB, the smallest of Singapores three listed banks, also said it had accepted the findings by MAS.

We have instituted measures to address the areas of concern, including enhancing our training programme to raise risk and control awareness among our staff, it said.
Heightening uncertainties about the Goods and Services Tax (GST), West Bengal today said that its assembly will not move the bills required to roll out the new indirect tax.

GST is scheduled to be rolled out on July 1. While the Parliament had passed all the four GST-related bills during the budget session, states will have to ratify the State-GST legislation to rollout the new tax. Twenty-two states have so far passed the SGST Bill, other states have time till the first week of June to ratify it.

The dissent was expressed by Amit Mitra, state finance minister at the state secretariat in Kolkata on Tuesday. He will raise the West Bengals objections in the next GST council meeting on June 3, Mitra said.

Mitra also said that he will object to the Centres proposal to levy GST on items such as shoes, wig, and vernacular cinema. I shall also highlight that there are major objections from different sectors of the state to rolling out GST from July 1. The services sector is against it.

Rolling out GST as it stands today will be a double-burden on the states that are yet to recover from the shocks of demonetisation, said the Bengal finance minister, who was also the chairman of the empowered committee of state finance ministers.

This is not the first time that West Bengal has opposed GST. Along with Kerala, the state was foremost in its reservations against the new indirect tax.

The objective of GST of creating a unified market will fail if it is not adopted by all states. But indirect tax reforms in India have seen staunch opposition even in the past, case in point the adoption of VAT. Certain states such as Uttar Pradesh adopted VAT much later than the rest of India.
The Kolkata Police on Tuesday charged actor Vikram Chatterjee with culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the car crash that killed his co-passenger, popular model and TV prime time anchor Sonika Chauhan on April 29.

Sonikas death raised a storm in Bengals film and fashion industry with her friends demanding strong action against Vikram who was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.

Since Section 304 is a non-bailable section, the police will apply for rejection of Vikrams bail when he appears before the Alipore court on June 7.

Sonika was declared dead on arrival at a private hospital while Vikram was injured after the luxury sedan which he was driving at high speed, jumped the pavement on Rash Behari Avenue in south Kolkata. They had been partying at several popular night spots. The incident took place at around 4 am.

Read more: Model Sonika Chauhan killed in car accident, actor Vikram Chatterjee injured

Vikram was admitted at a private hospital on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass for about a week. As a result, his blood was not tested for alcohol content immediately after the accident as required by law.

After the police officially asked Vikram to report to Tollygunge police station and give his statement, the actor surrendered before the Alipore Court and pleaded for bail on May 5. The bail was granted.

Vikrams last film Khoj was screened at some festivals. He has also acted in Elar Char Adhyay and Ami Ar Amar Girlfriends.
The district administration on Tuesday honoured the students who secured the five top spots in the city in the CBSE Class 12 exams.

Noida hogged the limelight by doing better than the rest of the Delhi-NCR students. Raksha Gopal of Amity International School, Noida Sector 44, was the national topper with 99.6% (humanities stream). Similarly, other students from Delhi Public School, Noida sector 30 and Somerville School also performed impressively.

To honour the efforts of the students, district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar felicitated Raksha, Johana Ravindran of Somerville School, Aasra Khan of Amity International School, Faraz Rahman Mallik and Rhea Bhatia of Delhi Public School in his office.

All five students managed to score above 98% in the board examinations.

It is a proud moment for Noida residents that our students have performed extremely well in the Class 12 boards. It was my honour to personally meet the students. I congratulate them on their success and wish them the best for their future endeavours, said BN Singh.

Students were also delighted to meet Singh and said that such meetings instil confidence in them.

It is always inspirational to meet such dignitaries who encourage you, said Gopal.

Over 18,000 schools across the country are affiliated to the CBSE. As many as 10,98,891 candidates  6,38,865 boys and 4,60,026 girls  from 10,678 schools appeared for the exam this year.

There was a 2.82% increase in registration in 2017 compared to the previous year. Around 10,67,900 students  6,21,259 boys and 4,46,641 girls  had taken the exams in 2016.

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For years, Vedanshi Gupta has seen her family lead a humble life in a dingy lane in the old city of Lucknow. Daughter of a bangle seller, she decided to change her familys fortunes by studying well.

With her consistent hard work and will, Vedanshi of City Montessori School (Rajendra Nagar) scored 99% to share the third rank in the country in the ISC (Class 12 board examination). She shares her rank with four others.

I come from a family where girls are not educated and are expected to be involved in the household tasks. But my father always had dreams for us and ensured that we got the best education. It is his motivation and sacrifice that have made me achieve this percentage, the 18-year-old said.

With 100 in commerce, economics and mathematics, 96 in English and 95 in accountancy, she now has her eyes fixed on University of Delhis Sri Ram College of Commerce. Her elder sister Anubhuti, who scored 98.75% in ISC in 2015, is pursuing an undergraduate course from the same college.

Vedanshi said her parents and her school have helped her throughout. I have seen my parents cutting down their needs to ensure that our wishes are fulfilled. Every festival, they would get us new clothes but never bought anything for themselves, she recalled. Another thing that hit her deep in her heart was when her father would make rounds of the school meeting the principal and requesting for a fee concession as it was difficult for him to pay the full tuition fee.

It really hurt when he would struggle for a concession. I am grateful, my school supported me in every way and I could make my school and parents proud, she said. Deepa Tewari, the principal of City Montessori School Rajendra Nagar, is all praise for both the Gupta sisters.

I still remember when her father came to school for completing the formalities of admission in Class 11, he was wearing a shirt that was stained with the colours of Holi. They come from a very humble background. But the daughters are the pride of the school, Deepa Tewari, principal of City Montessori School Rajendra Nagar, said. Gupta also has a younger brother who is in the nursery class in the same school.

Read more | ISC result 2017: Wheelchair-bound Lucknow girl Aparna scales another high, scores 95%

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The state irrigation department will rejuvenate the Naini Lakethe lifeline of Nanital town and a tourist attraction an official said on Tuesday.

Residents are worried about the future of the lake in view of the alarming rate at which the water level is dropping.

Fears that the famed lake may become dry as the water level has down by more than 18 ft, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has ordered that the maintenance of the lake be handed over to the irrigation department, said DC Singh, chief engineer of the Kumaon division.

The Naini Lake, dependent on natural underground water, is the only drinking water supply source of the hill town.

Earlier, the public works department was looking after the maintenance of the lake and its role was limited to ensure drinking water supply for Nainital town, he said.

The department has the expertise for research and analysis of water bodies and is better suited for rejuvenation of lakes.

A joint survey will be conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkie, National Institute of Hydrology and Geological Survey of India and the study will be analysied by the department, he said.

The encroachment of the Sukhatal Lake--the catchment of the Naini Lake--will also be studied.

He further said that areas not encroached upon, will be developed for recharging of the Naini Lake.

The 47 nullahs in the catchment area of the lake will also be surveyed by the department and it will also suggest developing of alternate sources of drinking water supply to Nainital so that the water level is not depleted.
Speculation of differences within the BJP government in Uttarakhand are swirling as the tourism minister alleged a conspiracy after his helicopter was denied twice to land at spots where he was to attend official functions.

His complaint gave wind to conspiracy theories circulating in the hill states political circles after a senior cabinet minister praised former Congress chief minister Harish Rawat.

In a letter to chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, tourism minister Satpal Maharaj asked why his helicopter was twice denied permission to land despite his office informing the civil aviation department about the tours in advance. The civil aviation department is under the chief minister.

Also, Maharaj demanded an inquiry to probe possible conspiracy angles.

In the May 29 letter, the minister mentioned two incidents. The first was from May 10 when he was supposed to land in Wan, a remote spot in Chamoli district where was to attend function dedicated to local deity Latu Devta.

The second was on May 23. The minister was denied permission to land at Dronagiri hill in Chamoli district, where his department organised a trek to promote tourism in the area.

A double-engine helicopter from Dehradun brought the minister to at army helipad in Gopeshwar. Thereafter the pilot refused to take him to Dronagiri, citing Director General of Civil Aviation regulations.

The minister was taken aback by pilots refusal. This is not done when my programme was finalised almost 15 days ago. Why this fuss now? he demanded to know.

Maharaj said the incidents sent a wrong message to the masses and demanded an investigation into the civil aviation departments behaviour so that nothing similar repeats in the future.

Political gossip about a rift within the two-month-old BJP government flew over the helicopter drama. The reason was not hard to attribute as Maharaj switched from the Congress in 2014 and was the front-runner for the chief ministers post before the state assembly polls earlier this year.

He was not chosen after the BJPs landslide victory, but given a cabinet berth.

Maharaj is spiritual leader with a large fan following across states. So is younger brother, Bhole Maharaj, though the siblings reportedly have a strained relationship.

The previous Congress government gave VIP treatment to Bhole Maharaj and he continues to enjoy the privileges after the BJP came to power.

The grapevines were abuzz already with former Congressman and cabinet minister Harak Singh Rawats praise to two former chief ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal of the BJP and Harish Rawat of the Congress a few days ago.

The remarks were viewed as a slur on the incumbent chief minister, Trivendra Rawat. To make matters worse, Maharajs letter added fuel to the fire.

Government spokesperson Madan Kaushik dismissed the allegations of a rift, saying Maharaj has raised a point and the government will look into it.

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The Ukrainian energy sector will consume about 7 million tonnes of anthracite coal in 2017 against 10.5 million tonnes in 2016, Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Ihor Nasalyk has said at a meeting with market experts.

"If last year total generation needs were 27.352 million tonnes, this year it's 26.088 million tonnes. But if last year the figure amounted to 10.5 million tonnes of anthracite, then this year only 7 million tonnes, i.e. we reduced consumption of anthracite by 3.5 million tonnes this year. And, of course, this difference is covered with gas coal," he said.

Nasalyk added today there is a surplus of gas coal.

"We now have a surplus of gas coal. There are almost 1.9 million tonnes in the warehouses. And every day the figure grows by 15,000-20,000 tonnes," he said.
Getting admitted into the Delhi University colleges can be a dream for many Class 12 pass outs, which may be dampened by the skyrocketing cut-offs at many of these prestigious colleges. A seat under the extra-curricular activities (ECA) quota may be one way for students to get admitted into their chosen programs at their chosen colleges.

The university relaxes its cut-offs, by up to 15% depending on the colleges, based on ones prowess in the various extra-curricular activities, such as dance, music, debate, theatre, creative writing, among others. Last year, there were 865 seats under the ECA category, this year the number is expected to rise up to 1,000, according to sources.

My current best of four is 90. I want to do my BA in Journalism from LSR. The cutoffs for this are usually much higher. So if I get the relaxation under the ECA category, I may be able to qualify for the course of my choice, said Sanchita Nagpal, ex-student of Adarsh Public School.

Cultural and extra-curricular activities are a part and parcel of the academic and socio cultural fibre at the DU, with dance, music, theatre and debate as some of the more popular ones. The university has different societies that specialise in these activities, and they participate in multiple competitions at different levels. ECA seats are given because they fuel the societies, explained Shalini, head of ECA admissions.

However, students learnt at the DUs Open Days event on Tuesday that there are some prerequisites to be considered for these seats. Firstly, only a limited pool of activities are considered under this category.

I have been appearing on shows in Doordarshan since I was a toddler. I have also done some radio jockeying at the All India Radio. However, these will not be considered, so I will have to apply for the debating trials, said Mahika, who completed her Class 12 from South Delhi Public School.

Students will also have to go through trials to be selected for an ECA seat. The preliminary trials will tentatively start around June 17, and will last until June 26. Students will then be selected for a final round, which will be held between June 30 and July 6, explained Shalini.

During the online application process, a student has to upload just one certificate from the last three years, whichever they consider best illustrates their talents, as proof that they have previously participated in the events. During the final round, we check all the certificates a student has, she added.

Facts Maximum concession for ECA: Up to 15% relaxation in cut-offs, depending on the college No. of ECA seats: 865 in 2016; expected to rise to 1,000 this year Tentative dates of preliminary trials: June 17 to June 26 Final rounds of selection: June 30 to July 6 (tentative) List of extra curricular activities considered for the ECA quota: 1. Creative Writing: English and Hindi 2. Debate: English and Hindi 3. Dance:Indian classical, folk, western, choreography 4. Digital Media: Still photography, film making 5. Divinity 6. Theatre 7. Quiz 8. NSS 9. NCC 10. Music (vocal): Indian (classical, light and folk), western (light and folk), 11. Music (instrumental): Indian and western 12. Fine Arts: Sketching and Painting, sculpture

However, for NSS students, as they cannot really take part in trials, the procedure is a little different. The students will need to submit a certificate issued by their state government that they have completed 120 hours of training to qualify for an NSS seat. Then the students go through a question and answer round, like an interview instead of trials, said Shalini.

Though ECA can pave your way into a reputed institution, it does come at a price. We at DU take our societies and extra-curricular activities very seriously. So a student admitted under the ECA quota will have to sign a bond, that they will attend all practices and performances, said Shalini, while addressing students at the Open Day.

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If one is considering a Bachelors degree with History honours in DU, one must know that it is unrecognizably different from the History taught in school.

Anyone who has passed her/his Class 12 examination, irrespective of the stream, is eligible to apply. Usually, those with a penchant for informed arguments, literary nuances, social issues and sheer hard work tend to excel in History.

The History (Honours) course under the present CBCS Programme is only slightly different from the old Semester course of DU. It still consists of about eight papers on Indian history, four papers on European history and two papers on ancient societies of the world  all of which are compulsory. Among the optional ones, every student is supposed to choose from papers on history of USSR or history of USA (one or two colleges might offer options on Gender in Indian History or on modern Africa and Latin America) and history of China or South-east Asia (again very few colleges offer the option of Global Perspectives on Environment instead).

One also has the choice of doing a paper on the Making of Contemporary India. Apart from these, however, one has to do a couple of Skill Enhancement Papers plus four papers from other subject(s).

History graduates might look forward to a fulfilling career in diverse fields. Apart from the predictable Civil Services and management, one might consider print and electronic media, NGOs, law, academics, social work, tourism, museology, etc. It is of critical significance to realize that History Honours is neither a terminal degree nor a professional course. Many History students from DU have the option of working immediately after graduation. The more lucrative and fulfilling jobs await those who understand the long gestation period of the subject and continue to pursue further studies within or outside the discipline.

To be sure, the History syllabi are still primarily survey-oriented, i.e. they seek to survey all the important developments that took place during particular periods. However, the primary focus of the classroom pedagogy, reading materials and the examinations is to cultivate a disposition towards, and the skill for, critically appreciating multiple perspectives on past and present. This is usually a delightfully upsetting experience though it may disorient the students in the beginning. History graduates in the end develop a discerning eye for the long-term patterns of change in society. They are able to get a meaningful narrative out of what might appear like an entangled mumbo-jumbo of information to others. History, after all, studies past not so much to learn what happened previously as with a view to hone the ability to analyse complex social patterns with sensitivity to changes in time, place and human agencies.

The last bunch might, theoretically, be chosen from any subject ranging from Physics and Geography to Psychology and Philosophy. In reality, most of the colleges do not provide too many options to their students due to logistical issues.

The skill enhancement courses allow History students the choice of Understanding Heritage or Archives and museums and Understanding Popular Culture or Indian Art and Architecture.
IAS probationer Ashish Dahiya was an ace swimmer who learnt the skill in his childhood. During his training as a Himachal Pradesh police officer, he had once swum across the Bhakra Dam, recounted Dahiyas uncle Kuldeep Singh.

So when his family members received news of his drowning in a swimming pool in Delhi, they could not believe it. They could not understand how an ace swimmer drowned in a pool that was hardly 10 feet deep.

During his police training, he had won a gold medal in swimming. We cannot understand how he could drown, said his uncle.

Singh said the family has demanded a satisfactory autopsy of Dahiya. If not satisfied with the Delhi Police probe, he would approach the Central Bureau of Investigation, he said.

But the police dont suspect any foul play. Doctors have told us and Dahiyas family that he died of drowning as water had entered his respiratory organs. There were no external injuries on his body, said Ishwar Singh, DCP (South).

The officer said that a three-member board conducted the post-mortem and the entire procedure was videographed.

A native of Matindu village in Haryanas Sonepat, Dahiya was married to Pragya Dixit, an MBBS doctor, over two years ago. Apart from his wife, his family includes his parents and two brothers.

His father, Narender Dahiya, is a soil conservation officer with the Haryana government. His mother, Moorti Devi, is a government school teacher.

We received a call around 1.30 am that Ashish was involved in an accident. We immediately left for Delhi, said his uncle.

His death is a huge loss to our family as well to the nation. He would have made an excellent officer after training, said his brother, Surender.

Surender, who was in Delhi on Monday, was to meet Ashish later that night. The two had spoken over phone in the afternoon and fixed another time for meeting due to Ashishs party plans.

Dahiyas body was handed over to his family on Tuesday afternoon after which it was taken by road to his native village for cremation.
A 30-year-old trainee IAS officer drowned trying to save a woman colleague in a swimming pool of the Foreign Service Institute in south Delhis Ber Sarai around midnight on Monday, police said.

Ashish Dahiya from Sonepat in Haryana was among more than two dozen young officers who congregated for a poolside party before leaving for their assigned place of duty.

Most of the officers left before midnight, leaving Dahiya and about eight more behind. It was around that time that a woman Indian Revenue Service officer slipped into the 10-foot-deep pool.

Some of officers jumped in and rescued the woman, said Chinmoy Biswal, additional DCP (South).

In the commotion they failed to notice Dahiya has disappeared. But the woman remembered that he too was among those who helped pull her out.

She alerted her friends and a search began. They spotted Dahiya floating in the water with his face down.

Attempts were made to revive him. One of the officers is a doctor and he applied cardiopulmonary resuscitation before rushing him to Fortis Hospital, Biswal said.

Dahiya was brought to the hospital in Vasant Kunj at 12.50am, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Police later sent the body to AIIMS for an autopsy.

The 2016-batch IAS officer from the Jammu and Kashmir cadre was to report as an assistant collector in Srinagar from Thursday. He and his friends completed their training at the National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie a week ago.

His family members, who reached Delhi on Tuesday morning, said Dahiya was a good swimmer and questioned how he could drown in a placid swimming pool. They demanded a CBI probe.

During his training as a Himachal Pradesh police officer, he once swum across the Bhakra Nangal dam on the Sutlej, said his uncle, Kuldeep Singh.

Another family member said: We were informed that he died as water entered his lungs.

Ishwar Singh, the DCP (South), dismissed foul play and said the autopsy report confirms he drowned. There were no external injuries on the body. The autopsy was videographed.

Evidence suggests alcohol was served at the party, but it couldnt be ascertained if Dahiya was among those where were drinking.

The engineering graduate served as a police officer in Himachal Pradesh for over three years before writing the UPSC exam and qualifying for the Indian Revenue Service. He worked as an assistant commissioner with the Customs and Central Excise in Hyderabad until last August, before attempting the UPSC exam again.

This time he was ranked 53rd, a commendable feat as thousands of candidates write the tough test for the central administrative, police and allied services. Dahiya received the directors gold medal during his IAS training.

His wife Pragya is also preparing for the IAS. A family member said he was helping her clear the exam.
A research scholar at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi allegedly committed suicide in her room on Tuesday evening. Delhi Police said Manjula Devak (28) was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her room at Nalanda Apartment on the campus. The police received a call around 7.45 pm from a friend after which a PCR van reached the spot and took her to a nearby hospital where she was declared brought dead.

Manjula, a civil engineer pursuing a PhD in water resources, had earlier worked in the US but returned to join IIT Delhi. Originally from Indore, Manjula lived in the apartment with husband Ritesh Virha. He was in Indore at the time at the time of the incident. No suicide note was found in her room.

Neighbours said that Manjula was last seen on Monday night. Her friends told the police that they were alarmed after all phone calls made to Manjula went unanswered. Once at her apartment, they found it locked from inside. They later informed the police who broke open the door and found Manjula hanging.

One of the friends told the police that she did not suspect anything wrong with her. Police were told that she looked happy and had recently submitted a paper. Police are now waiting for the report of a post mortem examination, which will be conducted on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the police have seized Manjulas laptop and cell phone.  We will check the call data records and inform the SDM. The SDM will ask her family members to join investigation, said an officer while adding that Manjula got married to Ritesh in 2013.

SDM has to be roped in by the police in such cases if a deceased had been married for less than seven years.

Though the reason for the alleged suicide is not known yet, IITs have faced criticism for failing to cut stress on students, which has led them to take extreme steps in the past.

In May this year, a 19-year-old student at the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi (IIT) allegedly jumped off from the fourth floor of Vidhyanchal Hostel and suffered multiple fractures. Nitish Kumar Purti, an Engineering Physics student had joined IIT in 2016. Police said that he was depressed as he was forced to take up the course and could not cope with pressure.

A few days earlier, a third-year chemical engineering student, Jitesh Sharma, was found dead on a terrace of a hostel in IIT Bombay. He left behind a suicide note which, police said, suggested he was under depression.

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Recognising the contribution of animals in military service, the army has named a swanky officers mess lounge in Delhi cantonment after the forces longest-serving mule.

The new lounge at the Central Army Service Corps (ASC) officers mess on Polo Road has been christened Pedongi to honour the services of the mule who carried military loads for over 30 years.

Its rare for mules to be given names, a privilege reserved for horses. Named after Pedong town in Sikkim, Pedongi joined the army in 1962 and died in 1998.

Usually, mules serve the army for 18-20 years. Accounting for 6,000 to 8,000 mules, the armys animal transport (AT) units are assigned the responsibility of supporting some of its remote outposts located at heights of up to 19,000 feet.

The army is working on a proposal to deploy all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in mountainous areas to ferry weapons, ammunition and stores. It is also exploring the possibility of using drones to support its high-altitude deployments.

AT is a fading story in the army with technology providing options to replace animals. We thought it would be a fitting tribute to Pedongi, who also finds place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest serving military mule, said Lieutenant General BS Sandhu, who retired as director general of supplies and transport on April 30.

A few defence experts, however, maintained that the AT units cannot be completely done away with.

Technology has its limitations. Theres no way AT units can be completely disbanded, given the kind of terrain where our army is deployed, said Lieutenant General SPS Katewa, who retired as the Commandant of the ASC Centre and College in Bengaluru.

Mules played a crucial role during the 1999 Kargil war. Katewa said mules were moved from the eastern sector and Jammu region to Ladakh without acclimatisation. The animals performed a splendid job. Their importance was reinforced and plans to disband AT units were shelved, said Katewa.
Delhi Universitys move to include the third gender in its admission forms in 2014 was hailed as a progressive step, making transgenders hopeful of inclusiveness. But the latter remains a faraway dream. The ill-treatment by officials and other students during the admission process often leaves students of the third gender disheartened. As a result of which, many opt out of college.

This year, since the DU admissions opened on May 22, 36 applications from transgenders have been received so far. How many (...or few) end up joining is a number the officials refuse to disclose.

Sharing her ordeal, Anu, a Delhi-based transgender who visited the campus last year to fill up the admission form, recalls, When we were filing the form, they (some officials in DU) asked us: Kab se transgender ho aap? Matlab kitne dino se? I couldnt believe my ears. Padhe-likhe log bhi aisi baatein karte hain! (This is how the so-called educated strata of the society behaves). Especially because I was the one who had asked my friends from Uttar Pradesh and other neighbouring states of Delhi to fill the admission forms in person, rather than online. This shows how insensitive people are even in reputed educational institution like Delhi University. The incident made her decide against studying in DU, says Anu.

Wishing not to be named, another transgender from Delhi recalls how like any other first-timer in college, she was excited to visit the campus, but being teased and made fun of with slurs made her apprehensive. I approached a group of students to find get directions to the window for filling up the application for DUs School of Open Learning (SOL). They called me a chhaka. I never thought that educated people could be so insensitive. We are also a part of the society. I knew right then that I will never be one of them. She adds that many other dejected students like her end up quitting studies, and resort to vocational training.

They hold a grudge against both students and the administrative staff. Isha, who hails from UP, and came to Delhi last year to try for admission, shares, The behaviour towards us is weird. People should learn to behave properly with transgenders, now that we have been given the provision of studying with the mainstream. But, they shoo us away like animals.

College authorities say they do their bit to spread the message of equality on campus, but a lot more is required. Dr Rama Sharma, principal of Hans Raj College, says, We are aware of the issue and therefore, frequently organise counselling sessions for our students and staff to sensitise them about how to deal with those who come to seek admissions and study. I believe all colleges should try to make the environment friendly for everyone.

Gurpreet Singh Tuteja, Deputy Dean Students Welfare, DU, however, adds: The awareness and sensitising people towards transgenders should begin at the school level itself. It cannot start from the graduation level. Unless transgenders are not treated as equals since childhood, they are bound to face such issues.

Meanwhile, transgender Anu, who was emotionally shaken by the treatment meted out to her, decided to take the matter in her hands. She volunteers with Delhi-based SPACE NGO to sensitise youngsters and teachers towards the third gender. Through the project, Purple Board, we are working with fifteen schools of Delhi to bring about a change in peoples mindset and attitude. She is also learning dress designing.

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With an increasing number of people clicking pictures of artefacts installed on the Heritage Line of Delhi Metro that opened to public on Sunday, authorities are in a fix as the rules prohibit clicking of pictures on the premises while the line is being promoted to boost tourism.

However, to ensure that no untoward incident happens in the garb of clicking pictures, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has instructed its officials to keep a close eye on people clicking selfies and photographs. Those trying to click pictures of station areas or other strategic points will be pulled up.

A senior official of CISF said that since the line has been especially started to promote tourism and make people aware of the grandeur of Old Delhi, it is not fair to question every person, especially tourists or visitors, wanting to capture the beauty of the station.

In cases where CISF finds that a person doing photography is of a suspicious nature, he will be asked to show his identity card and delete the pictures. If the officials are satisfied with his credibility, he would be left else handed over to Delhi Police, he said.

CISF does not take any punitive action on people doing photography but hands over the person to police for background check.

The legacy of Shahjahanabad has been showcased in four Metro stations in three metro stations in heritage line  Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Delhi Gate, Kashmiri Gate using an independent theme for each station.

The narrative is structured thematically in a manner that each station will offer the viewer a different glimpse of a defining attribute of the Walled City.

For instance, the Red Fort and Jama Masjid stations have paintings with lesser known facts of the Mughal rule imprinted on it.

Besides, security, clicking selfies or photographs is also risky in the underground area of the station as people might fall due to distractions, he said.

A senior Metro official said that people cannot do photography using professional cameras but those clicking selfies should stick only to the areas where artefacts are installed. If they will click pictures of other areas, action would be taken against them by security agencies, he said.

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The CBSE results have brought a reason for the Delhi government to rejoice. A higher percentage of students studying in government schools passed the Central Board of Secondary Educations 12th exams than those in private schools.

Out of total students who appeared for the Class 12 boards in Delhi, 88.27% of the those studying in government schools passed the exams, while only 79.27% students studying in private schools managed to clear it.

We had seriously clamped down on cheating this year. During the exams last year, we found out that cheating had been almost institutionalised in many places. So in fact, we had expected the pass percentage to drop by four-five percentage points but we have done better, said Atishi Marlena, adviser to Delhis education minister Manish Sisodia, told HT.

Delhi government schools have consistently managed an 88-odd pass percentage since 2013. Last year, the pass percentage was 88.98% for government schools, while private schools had a pass percentage of 86.67%.

It is the support offered by the government that many government school teachers and principals believe is the reason behind the performance.

Teachers professional growth and also the students academic progress were supported by many government schemes. Infrastructure was also boosted, which meant that the students were offered more facilities to study, explained BK Sharma, principal of the Shaheed Hemu Kalani Sarvodaya BalVidyalaya in Lajpat Nagar. Sharmas school has secured a 93% pass percentage.

A little further south, the Government Boys Senior Secondary School in Sangam Vihar has reported a 99.35% pass percentage. After Right to Education, the education sector has improved significantly in India. However, under the new government, education has been a big focus point. Sisodia (the education minister of Delhi) takes personal interest in it, explained Ashok Tyagi, the principal of the Sangam Vihar school.

Education has indeed been the focus of the government, which introduced many schemes and initiatives to help boost the sector. Steps such as remedial classes for students of Class 10 and 12 were among them.

The government has also spent significant amounts of money on infrastructure. The government has piloted model government schools in the national capital.

However, the pass percentages for government schools have tinkered around 88% since 2011. If the government had worked so hard at the sector, why were the results not even better, asked a few school principals.

In fact, if you look at the pass percentages, they have dropped for many model schools this year. The Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in Rouse avenue reported a 13% lower pass percentage than last year. The government spent so much on infrastructure at these schools, to what avail? asked a principal from a government school.

The government, however, countered that change can only be gradual.

This is a system that was in shambles for years. Educational reforms take almost 10 years to show visible results. In fact, even if after the clampdown on cheating we have managed an 88.27% pass percentage, then it definitely is an achievement, said Marlena.
India continues to be a study in contrast in its relations with Africa and Africans. The human resources development minister, Prakash Javadekar, announced at the recent African Development Bank annual meeting in Gujarat that India would double the number of scholarships it offers to Africans to an impressive 50,000 over the next five years. He should have also considered announcing that India would be reworking its school curricula to try and counter deep-seated racist sentiment against Africans present among many Indians.

The scholarships will help Indians win hearts and minds in Africa, a continent that is becoming economically and strategically ever more important to India. There are already a number of long-standing programmes of scholarships, technical education and military training between India and many African countries. These have been highly rated by Africans and have helped India leave a positive image with African elites. Three of Nigerias presidents are alumni of Indias military academies. It is not uncommon to find cabinet ministers in English-speaking African countries who have spent time in Indian institutes of research and education.

Unfortunately, much of this goodwill is subsequently frittered away by periodic stories of Africans being attacked by mobs of Indians  in a few cases, some of them even being killed. A more insidious effect is the social ostracisation, verbal abuse and petty discrimination that Africans living in India face on a daily basis. New Delhis insistence that there is no racial element in such experience is ingenuous. While some of the Africans have been attacked over suspected criminal activity, such vigilantism is always accompanied by racial epithets. Any survey of Africans living in India would make it clear that they believe much of the negativity they face in this country is racially based. The Indian government regularly announces that it will launch racial sensitivity campaigns and that the perpetrators of attacks on Africans will be punished. But these are increasingly seen as verbal dressing to fend off criticism. The campaigns are invisible and the government never provides any evidence that any Indian has been convicted or imprisoned.

Africans are unfortunately often the recipients of discriminatory behaviour across the world. The World Values Survey, however, rates India as the second-most racially intolerant society in a poll of 80 countries across the world. Over 43% of Indians say they would not live next to someone of a different race. Not even Pakistan and Bangladesh rate as badly as India does. India may pride itself as representing an ancient civilisation, home of the some of most advanced moral philosophies ever developed but in the 21st century it needs to do much more to accept and counter its own dark side.
Militants continue shelling residential areas and civil infrastructure, in particular, on May 30, the Bakhmut Agrarian Union enterprise was fired upon, the press center of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) headquarters reported with reference to the Ukrainian side of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination.

"At about five o'clock in the morning on May 30, the enemy fired on the agricultural enterprise Bakhmut Agrarian Union in the village of Novoluhanske using large-caliber weapons banned by the Minsk agreements. Two pig farms were damaged after being hit by several 120-mm mines. One of them caught fire. Fortunately, there were no casualties among the farm's workers," the press center of the ATO headquarters said in a report posted on its Facebook page.

A JCCC monitoring team continues its work in Novoluhanske, establishing other consequences of the shelling.

"Thus, illegal armed formations of separate areas of Donetsk region [beyond government control] once again confirmed their disregard for the Minsk agreements and the intention to further aggravate the armed conflict in Donbas," the statement reads.
Miss India beauty contest second runner-up and Lucknow girl Pankhuri Gidwani has made it evident that she is serious about studies. She has scored 97.25% in the ISC examination, 2017, the results of which were declared on Monday.

97.25% it is. So there is something I would like all my friends and followers to know, reads Gidwanis latest post on Facebook. A student of La Martiniere Girls College, Lucknow she could not appear in the board examination in 2016 because of various reasons.

As her status reads, I had missed my board examinations for participating in Miss India (at 18) and after winning Miss India 2nd Runners up, I had to train for Miss Grand International and received 25th position out of 80 countries.

It was tough, she said in her post, to adjust to studies again after... after a year of glamour. I put my all into it, and this is the result I came forth with, her Facebook status update reads.

She writes, So all the people out there who think that something they want is impossible to accomplish, whether it is academics, your dreams or the love you want, you can achieve it all, just have the grit, determination and a true heart to pursue it all.

La Martiniere Girls College principal, Aashrita Dass praised Gidwanis efforts. It was good on her part that she came back from the contest to take the examination and finished her secondary education with good marks. This will add new feather to her modelling career.

Its so overwhelming! Wishes are pouring in from all quarters. It has been a thrilling journey for my daughter, said Gidwanis father, Deepak.

It was important on her part to strike a balance between academics and her modelling career. Pankhuri has scored 99 in history and wants to study performing arts or do a bachelors in Mass Media from Mumbai, he added.

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Actor Ranveer Singh is one person who always makes news when he steps out  not always for where he goes or who he accompanies, but, for what he wears. Quirky caps, print-on-print suits, capes, skirts and whatnot, the actor has tried it all. His sense of style can be described as quirky at the least and whacky, at best. May 2017 was no different.

Lets take a look at some of his looks:

HIP-HOP, RANVEER STYLE:

The actor turned up at the opening of a restaurant dressed like this. (Prodip Guha/HT Photo)

The actor wore a yellow sleeveless T-shirt, white pants and pink shoes to the opening of a restaurant in Mumbai. Are you feeling the hip-hop vibe?



ACCESSORY GAME STRONG:

The actor stepped out in Bandra earlier this month. (Viral Bhayani)

When he doesnt add his signature dose of quirk to his clothes, he makes sure that the accessories do all the talking. Take for example, the square-framed futuristic shades in a Lego-yellow hue.

SECRET AGENT RANVEER?:

The actor headed to the airport in an all-black ensemble. (Yogen Shah)

What does one even call a billowing all-black ensemble? The actor donned a flared skirt/dhoti like drape, a button-down shirt, a formal jacket, and a hat while heading to the airport. And here, he decided to ditch colour and top the look off with shades to match. After having completed the shooting schedule of his latest movie, the actor was headed to Europe on a break.

HIS CASUAL SIDE:

Ranveer Singh at Pali Hill, Mumbai. (Yogen Shah)

The actor had his swagger level at 999 in this photo as he got ready to zoom off. Taking athleisure to a whole new level, Singh teamed this grey hoodie with a black tee and swagster sunnies. Take that, fashionazis!

THROWBACK VERSION:

The actor on his way to filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopras residence. (Yogen Shah)

The fedora is a hot favourite with the actor, who is often seen donning the headgear with panache. And whats giving us the retro feels? Those caramel brown shades!

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The city police challaned 1,283 people from January to April this year for violations of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). The drive is to intensify in the coming days. The challans were issued to people found smoking in public places or selling tobacco to children.

With World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday, the Gurgaon police, along with Sambandh Health Foundation, in collaboration with the Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV), is extending the drive to curb tobacco consumption to the entire district.

There are 14,800 deaths in Haryana every year due to tobacco-related diseases, said members of VoTV. As a result, police and civil society organisations have been spreading awareness in the city about not smoking in public places.

Manish Sehgal, Gurgaon police spokesperson, said, We are keeping a close watch on people selling tobacco to children and strong action is being taken against them.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco kills more than seven million annually around the world. Cigarette smoking in India has also increased over the last decade, a WHO report said.

Sanjay Seth, trustee of Sambandh, said, The key to reduce tobacco consumption is implementing COTPA effectively.

Doctors in various hospitals also advised people to avoid smokers and smoking as the harmful chemicals cause cancer. Pregnant woman and unborn children are the most critical category to be affected by tobacco consumption, said Kanta Goyal, principal medical officer, civil hospital, Gurgaon.

Dr Surender Dabas, director, head, Neck and Thorax Surgical Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, said, Tobacco smoke consists of thousands of chemicals, including at least 70 known to cause cancer. These chemicals can also cause heart disease, lung disease or other serious health problems.

Paras Hospital Gurgaon, organised a candle light march on Tuesday evening urging the government to stop the sale of tobacco products for a day every week.

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In the year 2000, when I landed my first job right out of college in what is now Millennium City, the town was a mind-numbingly rural area with mostly retired armed forces personnel and hectares of mustard fields. The all-night cafeteria at the call centre where I worked had colleagues from around the country tucking into insipid food sourced from an airline caterer.

Our only respite from stale buns, watery pasta and yesterdays dessert was Zaika at Iffco Chowk, which was open (read: served booze) 24 hours, the old faithful Nirulas in Sector 14 and Dana Choga, right next to that. The street stalls of momos/kebabs/idli sambhar outside the office campus were barely palatable; the fiery sauce keeping us in the toilet more often than where we should have been  in our seats with fake American accents.

But that was then. Now you can find just about every cuisine known to mankind within a 10-km radius  if you take into account the DLF phases and sectors 56, 29 and 14. Meanwhile ,the momo-kebab-idli stalls have moved into swanky malls, Dana Choga is now DCK (thats Dana Choga Kitchen) and Nirulas is nowhere.

Today, everything from wraps and rolls, pizzas and thalis, burgers and littis, thukpas and pastas, biryanis and risottos to sushi and sorpotel is available. The streets are abuzz with shikanji (lemon-jeera-soda) vendors in summer and with shakarganji (sweet potato) carts in the winter. The sheer variety of takeaway is so much that you could order from a different outlet every evening of the week and not eat the same food for a month! If you live in Gurgaon, you can be sure to have a few takeaway pamphlets from a brand-new outlet with your newspaper pretty much every morning.

Of course, there are the star eateries with better PR and the much-publicised resto-bars in the Sector 29 complex that came into focus only because they were supposed to be within 500 metres of the national highway. Sure, there are the Delhi stalwarts and international chains who have moved to Gurgaon, but there is also a home-grown burger chain trying to make its mark.

There is even a Korean place serving up massive portions everyday and the NCRs only Goan restaurant is still doing its thing in an expanded space.

But its the small, niche players that really stand out  Zaika has been replaced on the favourites list by the Muradabadi chicken biryani guy a few doors down (no booze but what a marinade!). There is also a Kashmiri place near the Iffco Chowk metro station that is definitely worth a visit.

The latest phenomenon thats taking Gurgaon by storm, however, is the squads of food trucks  although their clientele tends to change with the weather. This passing heat wave must be murder for them, but hopefully they will bounce back once the monsoon arrives. The range of menus and service available at these joints rivals many established restaurants. The other enterprise that seemed to have been going great guns was the booming micro-brewery fad, But it seems to have fizzled out. Maybe Gurgaonwallas still prefer drinking at home  or rather  in their cars.

(Colin Fernandes is a former journalist and author of Viva Santiago.)
Bandhwari village residents on Tuesday protested on the National Green Tribunal (NGT) premises on Copernicus Marg in New Delhi against the solid waste management (SWM) plant in the area scheduled to start operations soon.

The plant, located along the Gurgaon-Faridabad road in Aravalli hills, stopped working in 2013 after a fire incident, but waste dumping continues, said the villagers, adding that it has polluted the groundwater.

The tribunal heard a plea on Tuesday by environmentalist Vivek Kamboj and Amit Chaudhery seeking directions to relocate the Bandhwari waste treatment plant and landfill site away from the forest and Aravalli hill area.

The next hearing is on Wednesday and villagers are planning to hold a massive protest on the NGT premises. On Tuesday, around 30-35 senior citizens of the village visited the NGT and demanded complete closure of the plant. They alleged that dirty, black water from the plant is collecting in depression areas in the Aravallis, affecting the area.

Earlier, the civic authorities promised us that our village will not be affected by the plant in any way. However, the reality is different, said Mahavir Tomar, a villager.

Another village resident, Mangal Tanwar, said, We came to inform the tribunal that the plant is destroying our forest. The authority should shift the structure elsewhere. The Aravallis are a critical water recharge zone, which is being polluted. We cannot breathe fresh air and our children are falling ill because of the contaminated water.

Vaishali Rana Chandra, an activist and Valley View Estate resident, who was present at the court during the hearing, said, Starting operations of the SWM plant will be a destructive idea for the Aravalli hills. We showed the tribunal water from the landfill. It must have percolated into the ground as the dumping took place in a mining pit.

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Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson is in no mood to allow bad Baywatch reviews bring him down: The 45-year-old-actor, who is usually very positive and diplomatic, took to his Twitter page to share his views on the negative reviews for his latest film, Baywatch. Baywatch marks the Hollywood debut of Priyanka Chopra.

Priyanka Chopra in a still from Baywatch.

The San Andreas star wrote, Yay positive upticks. Fans LOVE the movie. Critics HATE it. What a glaring disconnect. People just want to laugh & have fun. #Baywatch.

Yay positive upticks 

Fans LOVE the movie. Critics HATE it. What a glaring disconnect. People just want to laugh & have fun. #Baywatch https://t.co/GrPgdevRuz  Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 25, 2017

But, he did not stop there and later showed his displeasure with the critics. He shared, Oh boy, critics had their venom & knives ready ??. Fans LOVE the movie. Huge positive scores. Big disconnect w/ critics & people. #Baywatch.

Oh boy, critics had their venom & knives ready . Fans LOVE the movie. Huge positive scores. Big disconnect w/ critics & people. #Baywatch https://t.co/K0AQPf6F0S  Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 26, 2017

Johnson followed it up with a video showing various fans talking about how much they loved the film, adding, Fans across the country havin a BLAST & LOVING #Batwatch. Veryyy happy audience = best part of my job.

Fans across the country havin' a BLAST & LOVING #Batwatch. Veryyy happy audience = best part of my job.

(B+ CinemaScore ) pic.twitter.com/iTFV2NdutR  Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 26, 2017

The film has fared very poorly with critics, currently standing at a 19% rating on Rotten Tomatoes amidst judgements that the film is shallow and misguided.

Johnson stars alongside Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario, and Priyanka Chopra in the big-screen remake of the popular 90s television series, where lifeguards attempt to uncover a criminal plot that threatens all that is good and pure in the world of beach life.

Baywatch is scheduled to hit the theatres on June 2 in India.

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Actor-filmmaker George Clooney has claimed he faced the threat of never returning home if his wife gave birth to twins during his scheduled trip to Yerevan..

Actors Matt Damon (L) and George Clooney speak onstage at CinemaCon 2017 Paramount Pictures Presentation Highlighting Its Summer of 2017 and Beyond at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon in March in Las Vegas, Nevada. (AFP)

In a video address at the awards ceremony of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, held on May 28 in Yerevan, Armenia, the Oscar-winning actor, said: I really would have been (in Yerevan) but if I came there and my wife had twins while I was there, I could never come home.

Clooneys wife, Amal, an international human rights lawyer whom he married in 2014, is due to give birth in June.

The actor, who was in Yerevan last year when he presented the award at the inaugural Aurora ceremony, is co-chair of the awards prize selection committee.

A co-founder of humanitarian organisations The Sentry and Not on Our Watch, he has highlighted humanitarian crises in Sudan, Darfur and other parts of Africa.

At the event, the $1.1 million Aurora Prize went to American doctor Tom Catena, a Catholic missionary who has saved thousands of lives working as the sole doctor permanently based in Sudans war-ravaged Nuba Mountains, reports hollywoodreporter.com. As violence and war continue to threaten peoples spirits and perseverance, it is important to recognize, empower and celebrate people like Dr. Catena who are selflessly helping others to not only survive, but thrive, Clooney said.

Dr. Catena is a role model to us all, and yet another example of people on the ground truly making a difference.

The Aurora prize, launched last year, was set up to honour the survivors of the Armenian genocide of 1915-1923 and to inspire others today to follow the example of people of all nationalities who at that time came to the aid of people suffering in one of the earliest and, at the time, biggest humanitarian crises of the 20th century.

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Robert De Niro says that in movie terms, the country was once an inspiring uplifting drama but now has turned into a tragic dumbass comedy.

The two-time, Oscar-winning actor spoke to Brown University graduates Sunday at the Ivy League schools commencement ceremonies. He urged them to work to stop the insanity and to strive to make the world better.

De Niro received an honorary doctorate of fine arts.

Actor and rapper Daveed Diggs, who won a Tony Award for his role in the phenomenon Hamilton, also was among those who received honorary degrees. Diggs told the graduates that the country needs their new ideas because the old ones have made a mess of things.
Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf, who is more famous for controversies rather than his movies, has found himself again in a dispute.

US actor Shia LaBeouf poses during the photocall of the movie Man Down presented in the Orizzonti selection at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival on September 6, 2015 at Venice Lido. (AFP)

According to the court documents obtained by The Hollywood Reporter last month, LaBeouf - who was accompanied by wife Mia Goth - got into a verbal altercation with staffers at Jerrys Famous Deli, after bartender David Bernstein refused to serve LaBeouf and Goth a drink, allegedly because they were already too intoxicated.

Now a month later, Bernstein filed documents at L.A. Superior Court suing LaBeouf for defamation, slander and assault, and seeking damages of five million USD.

However, the Transfomers stars attorney Brian Wolf feels that Bernsteins lawsuit is absolutely baseless. The recent lawsuit filed against Shia is baseless. The statements attributed to Shia forming the basis of the action do not remotely constitute defamation. The case is little more than an effort to harass our client. We will vigorous defend and seek dismissal of this frivolous action and will seek recovery of all attorneys fees and costs from the plaintiff, Wolf shared.

In the lawsuit, Bernstein accuses the star of being significantly under the influence while entering the area where employees and bartenders work and slammed his fist on the bar.

In a video obtained by TMZ, LaBeouf can be heard screaming at Bernstein, calling him a f***ing racist b**ch.

The lawsuit also noted that Bernstein has worked at Jerrys Famous Deli for 32 years and that he is a beloved individual to his customers who are predominantly African-American.

This lawsuit comes after LaBeoufs January arrest in New York City during a protest against President Donald Trump after he allegedly attacked a 25-year-old man - and video of the entire incident was posted online.

LaBeouf was charged with misdemeanor assault and a harassment violation.

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Criminal conspiracy charges were framed on Tuesday against BJP stalwarts LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, water minister Uma Bharti and nine more leaders in connection with the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid. (Highlights)

They appeared in a special CBI court in Lucknow, pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath met the three accused outside the court in a sign of support. He will visit Ayodhya and pray at the disputed site on Wednesday.

Kalyan Singh, the BJP chief minister of Uttar Pradesh when the mosque was razed, was not arraigned because of the immunity given to governors from legal proceedings. He is now the governor of Rajasthan.

I dont consider myself a criminal. It was not a conspiracy, said Bharti, the 58-year-old water resources minister in the Narendra Modi government.

Fellow accused Vinay Katiyar, a former BJP parliamentarian, said: The demolition was spontaneous and there was never any conspiracy.

The BJP, which is committed to the construction of a temple in Ayodhya, defended the accused.

They are innocent, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu said.

But the opposition Congress demanded Bhartis removal from the ministry after the court order.

She must step down. We hope the Prime Minister will ask her to step down, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

Thousands of kar sevaks or supporters of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) razed the Mughal-era mosque in Ayodhya, which many Hindus believe was built on top of the birthplace of god Ram.

The destruction on December 6, 1992, unleashed some of the deadliest religious riots across the country since Independence, killing more than 3,000 people. The disputed site, comprising 2.7 acres, remains Indias most potent religious flashpoint.

Advani, a former home minister, said he tried to stop the clashes.

A CBI court dropped charges of criminal conspiracy against Advani and long-time comrade Joshi, aged 83, on technical grounds 16 years ago. The Supreme Court revived the case this April, saying the demolition shook the fabric of the Constitution.

Tuesdays order is viewed as a setback for the 89-year-old Advani whose name is doing the rounds in political circles as a possible candidate for the presidential polls. President Pranab Mukherjees term ends this July.

Besides the BJP leaders, the others accused in the case are firebrand Hindutva campaigner Sadhvi Rithambara, Vishnu Hari Dalmiya and Ram Vilas Vedanti of the VHP, Shiv Sena leader Satish Pradhan, Bakunth Lal Sharma, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das and Dharam Das.

The judge framed charges against them under Section 120(b) of the Indian Penal Code, which stands for criminal conspiracy.

They face trial for conspiracy in addition to charges against them for promoting religious enmity and defiling a place of worship with the intent to insult a religion.

I was one of those who pulled the dome down, right-wing leader Vedanti said on Tuesday ahead of his appearance in the special court.

The maximum punishment in such a case would be five years in jail or a fine or both, according to a lawyer who attended the proceedings.

The CBI had charge-sheeted 21 people but many of them, including Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and the VHPs Acharya Giriraj Kishore, Ashok Singhal, Paramhans Ram Chandra Das and Mahant Avaidhynath, died before the long-drawn trial ended.

This April, the Supreme Court ordered the lower court to wrap up the trial in two years.

(With inputs from HTC New Delhi and agencies)

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First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group for the settlement of the situation in Donbas, Iryna Gerashchenko, considers it necessary to block all websites of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (ORDLO) for violation of Ukrainian legislation.

"The next stage is to block all the websites of the ORDLO for violation of Ukrainian legislation, spreading ethnic hatred, undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty," she wrote on her Facebook page on Tuesday.
In what appeared to be a message to his supporters about his governments commitment to the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday gave a warm welcome to BJP leaders accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case. (Highlights)

Adityanath arrived in the state government-run VVIP guest house early in the morning to receive the leaders. Soon, several cabinet ministers, MLAs, and MPs made a beeline for the guest house.

The BJP workers raised slogans in support of the temple outside the venue and security personnel had a tough time controlling the crowd. The leaders accused in the Babri demolition case started arriving at the guest house at 10am.They were escorted to the room in which the chief minister was seated.

Adityanath stood at the main door of the government building to receive LK Advani, Murli Manor Joshi and Uma Bharti.

Adityanath was not discouraged from accompanying Advani and Joshi despite their reduced present position within the BJP.

AK Mishra, a political observer, said, Yogis gesture will boost the morale of the BJP cadre who are confident about construction of the temple now that the party has formed a majority government.

Yogi has been active in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement since the early 1990s when his guru Mahanth Avaidyanath was president of Ram Janmabhoomi Trust. Advani had attended the meetings organised by Adityanath in Gorakhpur and supported the temple movement.

Talking to reporters, saffron fold members Vinay Katiyar, Ram Vilas Vedanti and Sadhvi Ritambhara said, We have not committed a crime nor hatched a conspiracy to demolition the masjid.

At 12.05pm, when the BJP leaders started leaving the guesthouse for the court, Adityanath walked along with Advani and Joshi to a vehicle. He left the guest house after the BJP leaders fleet moved towards the court.

Jawahar Rajput, BJP MLA from Garautha in Jhansi, said, Yogi Adityanaths initiative to welcome senior BJP leaders has given a shot in the arm to the governments commitment to the building of the temple.

Political rivals, however, were quick to launch an attack on the chief minister.

The BJP leaders are not heroes but have been accused of demolishing a religious structure. The act of the CM will give fillip to the morale of communal elements, BSP state president Ramachal Rajbhar.

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The Union government may rethink a new rule banning cattle trade for slaughter after the issue snowballed into a national controversy, prompting anger from state governments and at least one high court hearing petitions against the rule.

Environment ministry sources said the department is examining petitions against the new rules.

We are still getting representations. Once all representations are received, they will be duly considered, a senior environment ministry official, requesting anonymity, told Mint. The official said a final call on it will be taken at the highest levelby the Prime Minister.

In a notification announced last week, the government said cows and buffaloes cannot be sold for slaughter at animal markets across India, allowing only farmland owners to trade at animal markets. The notification covers bulls, bullocks, cows, buffalos, steers, heifers and calves, as well as the camel trade.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the CPI(M), which rules Kerala, spoke in a rare voice of unity between the two arch rivals against the Narendra Modi government.

We wont accept the Centres decision  it is unconstitutional, Banerjee said, dubbing the ban as an attempt to encroach into state power.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged his counterparts to raise their voice against the restrictions on cattle trade, saying the Centres anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular move is an attempt to usurp power from the state governments.

Their comments came on a day the Kerala high court asked the central government to respond to petitions challenging the ban, according to local media.

Focus on cows, considered sacred by Hindus, and beef has increased since the BJP won power in 2014. The partys ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, has long pushed for a nationwide ban on cattle slaughter and trade.

But the beef ban was viewed as an attempt to limit peoples freedom to choose what they eat.

While the scope of the government rethink is unclear, reports have said the government could remove buffaloes from the purview of the ban.

On Monday, a representation was also given to environment ministry asking them to remove buffaloes from the definition of cattle. We also explained that trade has nothing to do with animal cruelty and that they are completely different (issues). If we will not change this, it will prevent farmers from rearing buffaloes and will also affect the dairy industry in the long run, said Fauzan Alavi, spokesperson for the All India Meat and Livestock Exporters Association (AIMLEA), a trade lobby group of buffalo meat exporters, according to Mint.

Meat exporters are among the hardest hit by the ban, which could crimp supplies to a Rs 1-lakh crore industry that sources about 90% of its requirement from animal markets. The rest comes for licensed breeders.

The other group that the ban affects the hardest is Muslims, who dominate the industry and are the main consumers of beef.

Muslims are considered a key support base of Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress, the CPI(M) and Congress. Banerjee wondered why the trade curbs were announced on May 23, just before the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The CPI(M) said it will organise evening dharnas in 2,000 places across in Kerala on June 2. The date coincides with BJP chief Amit Shahs three-day tour to the southern state, where the party is trying to make inroads.

The Congress has also attacked the ban, but it was seen on the backfoot after members of its youth wing slaughtered a cow in Kannur and distributed the meat to people on Saturday.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the Bombay high courts conviction of an IPS officer in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gang rape case in Gujarat.

A vacation bench headed by Justice AK Sikri also declined IPS officer RS Bhagoras request to list his appeal against the conviction verdict soon. The court refused to interfere keeping in view the gravity the offence against the convicted officer.

We cannot order any stay in such cases, the bench said.

The bench did not entertain Bhagoras argument that he might lose his job if the HC order is not put on hold, and listed his case for hearing in the second week of July. The court observed that the fine the officer has to pay was only Rs 15,000.

The officer and four others were among those convicted by the Bombay high court which set aside the trial court order finding them innocent in the case reported in the Gujarat riots of 2002. Two doctors who too were set free were also sentenced to jail by the HC.

The police officials, the court said, did not perform their duties properly and destroyed evidence to favour the accused.

A special court had on 21 January, 2008 convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment 11 men for raping Bilkis  who was then five-months pregnant - and murdering seven of her family members, while acquitting seven people including the policemen and doctors.

The convicts later approached the Bombay high court challenging their conviction and sought for the trial courts order to be quashed and set aside. The CBI had also filed a cross-appeal, seeking death for the convicted on the ground they were the main perpetrators. The agency also challenged the acquittal of the seven policemen and doctors.

According to the prosecution, on 3 March, 2002, Bilkis Banos family was attacked by a mob at Randhikpur village near Ahmedabad during the riots and seven members of her family were killed.

On an appeal, the SC had transferred the case from Ahmedabad to Mumbai in August 2004.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the conviction of an IPS officer in the 2002 Bilkis Bano case.

A vacation bench of Justices A K Sikri and Deepak Gupta said that there is no urgency for hearing the matter as the convicted officer has already undergone the sentence.

The bench, however, listed the matter for hearing in the second week of July, observing the fine is of Rs 15,000 only.

IPS officer RS Bhagora, currently serving in Gujarat, has been convicted along with four other policemen by the Bombay High Court recently after the trial court had acquitted them.

The counsel appearing for Bhagora said if the conviction is not stayed, then he will be terminated from the service as per service rules.

He said the court should grant stay on the conviction.

The Bombay high court had on May 4 reversed the trial court verdict acquitting Bhagora and others and had upheld the conviction of 11 people (one convict is dead) in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case.

Along with five policemen, two doctors were also convicted by the HC.

The HC bench had said that the seven people -- doctors and the policemen -- are convicted under sections 218 (not performing their duties) and section 201 (tampering of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

A special court had on 21 January, 2008 convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment 11 men for raping Bilkis and murdering seven of her family members in the aftermath of the Godhra riots. It had also acquitted the seven people, including the policemen and doctors.

The convicts later approached the HC challenging their conviction and sought for the trial courts order to be quashed and set aside.

The CBI had filed an appeal in the high court seeking harsh punishment for the three convicted persons on the ground that they were the main perpetrators of the crime.

According to the prosecution, on March 3, 2002, Bilkis Banos family was attacked by a mob at Randhikpur village near Ahmedabad during the post-Godhra riots and seven members of her family were killed.

Bilkis, who was five months pregnant at the time, was gang-raped while six other members of her family managed to escape from the mob. The trial in the case began in Ahmedabad.

However, after Bilkis expressed apprehensions that witnesses could be harmed and the CBI evidence tampered, the Supreme Court transferred the case to Mumbai in August 2004.

The convicts had challenged the order on three main grounds that all evidence in the case was fabricated by CBI, that Bilkis gave birth to a child after the incident, thus, the same proved that she could not have been gang-raped, and the failure to find the bodies of some of her family members proves that they were not killed.
The BJPs test case for granting citizenship to non-Muslims who fled or are fleeing persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan has run into rough weather in Arunachal Pradesh.

Much before the issue of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh hit turbulence in Assam in 1979, Arunachal Pradesh grappled with Chakma and Hajong refugees displaced from erstwhile East Pakistan in the 1960s.

The Narendra Modi governments decision to grant the Chakmas and Hajongs citizenship to honour a 2015 Supreme Court directive has stoked anger in the frontier state. Several NGOs have threatened to oppose the move.

Last Saturday, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU), the apex students body of the state, organised a consultative meeting of NGOs representing indigenous communities who fear being affected by Delhis decision.

The Union home ministry took this decision despite assuring us otherwise. We vehemently oppose the move to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees, said AAPSU president Hawa Bagang. We called an all-party meeting, where the presence of all 60 Arunachal MLAs and the states three MPs is mandatory. The meeting is scheduled within a week, he said.

The students body, which launched the movement against the refugees in 1990, fears citizenship would reduce indigenous tribes such as Tai-Khampti, Singpho and Mishmi to a minority, besides robbing them of beneficiary schemes.

Unlike the Tibetan refugees, who stay in designated camps, the Chakmas and Hajongs have spread out and established settlements by encroaching upon forest areas, Bagang said.

The population of Chakmas and Hajongs was about 5,000 when Delhi had them moved to southern Arunachal Pradesh between 1964 and 1969. Their population is now about 100,000.

The AAPSU said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could be using the Chakma and Hajong refugees as a test case for its Hindutva-centric plan to embrace non-Muslims from Indias neighbourhood, specifically Hindus from Bangladesh.

Displaced by dam, religious persecution

Members of the Singpho tribe. Singphos and Tangsas are indigenous tribes of southern Arunachal Pradesh in whose area the Chakma and Hajong refugees were settled. (Pronib Das/HT Photo)

The Buddhist Chakma and Hindu Hajong refugees began trickling into India in the early 1960s via present-day Mizoram  then the Lushai Hills district of Assam  after the Kaptai dam project submerged their land in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

A simultaneous move by East Pakistan, as Bangladesh was called before independence in 1971, to settle Muslims in CHT also forced many Chakmas and Hajongs out. The government in Delhi decided to shift the refugees to the sparely populated southern part of North East Frontier Agency, which later became Arunachal Pradesh.

The settlement of Chakmas and Hajongs in our land was done by keeping our people in the dark, Thingnong Umbu, chief adviser of All Tai-Khampti Singpho Students Union, said. He added that Delhi had initially allowed the refugees to stay temporarily for five to 10 years.

The AAPSU said the issue of Chakmas and Hajongs or their repatriation was left out when former prime minister Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of Bangladesh signed the treaty of peace and friendship on March 19, 1972.

Bagang said, Former MPs and people in areas where Chakmas and Hajongs have been settled kept appealing to Delhi to either confine them in designated camps or shift them out. Finally, AAPSU mobilised all political parties and organised a peoples referendum rally on September 20, 1995 for total removal of Chakmas and Hajongs from Arunachal Pradesh.

But the Committee for Citizenship Rights of the Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh (CCRCHAP), whose petition made Supreme Court rule in favour of their citizenship in 2015, said the two communities deserve to become Indians after more than 50 years of stay.

When the Congress in Arunachal Pradesh joined the campaign to oust Chakmas and Hajongs, CCRCHAP reminded the partys state unit president, Takam Sanjoy, of the Congresss stand on the issue.

Successive Congress-led governments at the Centre recommended granting of citizenship to the Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh in 1972, 1982, 1992 and in 1994, and we expect that the Arunachal PCC (Pradesh Congress Committee) will honour the decisions of their previous governments, said CCRCHAP general secretary Santosh Chakma.

Reports citing the Ministry of Home Affairs said Delhi is trying to find a way out of the complication by proposing measures such as requiring the Chakmas and Hajongs  like other Indians not residing in Arunachal Pradesh  to possess extendable inner-line permit and not granting them rights to purchase land.

Members of the Tangsa tribe. The population of Chakmas and Hajongs was about 5,000 when Delhi had them moved to southern Arunachal Pradesh between 1964 and 1969. Their population is now about 100,000. (Pronib Das/HT Photo)

Apprehensive Assam

NGOs such as All Assam Students Union (AASU) are apprehensive of the move to give Chakmas and Hajongs citizenship status in Arunachal Pradesh. The AASU had spearheaded the anti-foreigners Assam Agitation from 1979-1985.

The prime reason for this apprehension is the Modi governments move to grant citizenship to non-Muslim refugees who had fled persecution in Indias neighbourhood.

The Modi government had in December 2014 proposed to revise the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 1955 for granting Indian citizenship to all Hindus, Parsis, Christians, Buddhists and Sikhs of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who are seeking refuge due to religious persecution or fear of religious persecution.

The bill envisages reducing the period of stay of such refugees in India from 11 years to six years to become citizens.

Assam is particularly worried about 1.5 lakh undocumented Hindu refugees who came from Bangladesh after March 24, 1971, the cut-off date for detecting, detaining and deporting illegal immigrants as per the Assam Accord of 1985 that ended the six-year Assam Agitation.

The move is contradictory to the Assam Accord that says any person, whether a Hindu or Muslim, would be deemed illegal if found entering the state from Bangladesh after the cut-off date. We will not allow this to happen, said AASU adviser Samujjal Bhattacharyya.

Clause 6A of Assam Accord, which specifies the status of refugees or infiltrators after the cut-off date, was inserted by the Rajiv Gandhi government. The indigenous Assamese, who threw their weight behind the anti-foreigners stir, consider the accord as an inviolable official and legal document that ensures protection of their land, language and culture.

Protection of land, language and culture was the plank that made the BJP-led coalition come to power in Assam a year ago.

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal is quiet on the issue. But finance and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, virtually the second-in-command, said granting citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshis would benefit Assam as it would prevent Muslims from becoming the majority community.

Hindus are 68% of the states population. Because of rapid population growth, the immigrant Muslims are set to become a majority in the state in the coming days. Under such circumstances, granting citizenship to Hindu migrants from Bangladesh will prevent Assam from becoming a Muslim-dominated state, Sarma said a few weeks ago.

Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the BJPs ruling ally, has not taken any stand against the move, but party leader and former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has been vocal. It is the duty of AGP to ensure the Assam Accord is not diluted. They party has direct links to it, he said.

The AGP, of which Sonowal was a leader until he joined BJP in 2011, was born out of the accord.

Sonowal became the jatiyo nayak (community hero) after he  on behalf of AGP  won a long-drawn Supreme Court battle to scrap the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act of 1983 that was perceived to be heavily loaded in favour of illegal immigrants in Assam.

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A Canadian court has dismissed a plea by Sikhs for Justice for summons or an arrest warrant to be issued against a retired senior police officer from India, on the grounds that his presence in the country had not been sufficiently proven by the hardline activist group.

Tejinder Singh Dhillon, who retired as a senior officer of the Central Reserve Police Force and was first denied entry into Canada and then returned to the country courtesy a fresh visa and air ticket provided by its High Commission in New Delhi, is learnt to have left the country for India.

Dhillon left from Toronto airport on Sunday night while he had been scheduled to depart on Monday.

Since Dhillon was en route to Delhi, he was unavailable for comment on his decision to curtail his stay in Canada. However, that may have been precipitated by the private prosecution initiated SFJ on Friday.

The case came up before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on Monday, which did not issue either a summons or an arrest warrant, noting that Dhillons presence in Canada had not been sufficiently proved.

Gurpatwant Pannun, legal advisor to SFJ, reacted, It is travesty of justice that we were asked to prove Dhillons presence in the country while (the) Indian police officer was brought back to Toronto by the (Justin) Trudeau government on Canadas expense after issuing a public apology.

Pannun said SFJ will appeal the decision: We are filing an application under Access to Information Act to get the official records of Dhillons entry and exit in Canada from CSBA (Canadian Border Services Agency).

SFJ had earlier argued that the countrys criminal code allowed for extra territorial jurisdiction to Canadian Courts to prosecute foreign officials for torture committed outside when that official is present in Canada.

While Dhillon spent much of his career in the CRPF and in a training capacity, SFJ pinned its case on the period of Dhillons deputation to the Punjab Police and the Punjab Armed Police, filing an affidavit relating to torture.

Pannun earlier alleged, in a statement, With evidence in hand, there are reasonable and probable grounds to believe that during Dhillons tenure as DIG Jalandhar range, Sikh nationalists were tortured by the police officials under his command for propagating Khalistan. We are seeking arrest warrants against Dhillon so he could face trial in Canada for the crime of commanding and counselling torture.

Dhillon originally arrived in Canada on May 18 and after a harrowing experience that lasted nearly 24 hours in which he was denied entry in the country and placed on a flight back to India.

However, following expressions of regret from both the Canadian High Commission in Delhi and Canadas Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship department, he returned to Canada and attended the wedding and reception of a niece in a suburb of Toronto.

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The environment ministry said on Monday it has received several representations on the recent ban on sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter from animal markets, and it is in the process of studying them.

The ministrys statement comes after some media reports suggested that it could revisit its order to exclude buffaloes from the new restrictions.

The ministry had recently notified the stringent Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, banning the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.

We have received several representations. We are studying them. As of now, no decision has been taken, a top environment ministry official told PTI.

The decision is expected to hit export and trade of meat and leather.

The rules define cattle as a bovine animal including bulls, bullocks, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers and calves and camels.

The new rules also prohibit establishment of an animal market in a place that is situated within 25km from any state border and within 50km from any international border.

The ministry, in its official statement on May 27, had said 13 representations were received regarding the rules.

The representations received will be duly examined in the ministry, it had said in the statement.

Various bodies and political parties have reacted sharply to the governments decision to ban the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter, saying it is an ill-advised decision which will widen the terrorism by cow vigilantes.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had asked if the Centre would ban the consumption of fish tomorrow and had suggested exploring legal options.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday described the Centres notification on cattle slaughter as a deliberate attempt to encroach upon the states powers and said her government would not accept it.

Meanwhile, party vice-president Rahul Gandhi condemned the slaughter of a cow by Youth Congress workers at a public square in Keralas Kannur to defy the central governments curbs on the sale and purchase of the animal.

The Congress suspended three functionaries associated with the slaughter and party vice president Rahul Gandhi called the incident barbaric, saying his party wont tolerate such acts.

Focus on cows, considered sacred by Hindus, and beef has increased since the BJP won power in 2014. The partys ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, has long pushed for a nationwide ban on cattle slaughter and trade.

Most of the protests on Monday over the cattle trade rules were recorded in Kerala and neighbouring Tamil Nadu, where cow slaughter is not banned.

In IIT Madras, about 80 students organised a beef festival on the campus of the countrys premier engineering institute. It is our democratic right to choose our food, said Abhinav Surya, a final-year student.

Tamil Nadus main opposition DMK has planned a protest on May 31. DMK working president MK Stalin will lead the protest in Chennai, the party said, adding the fundamental right to choice of food granted by the Constitution has been snatched away.

(With PTI inputs)
A group of students at IIT-Madras allegedly thrashed on Tuesday a PhD scholar who had participated in a campus beef festival held to protest the central governments ban on sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets.

The organiser of the festival at the prestigious institution told HT that six to seven students surrounded Aerospace engineering PhD student R Sooraj during lunch time at a hostel canteen on Tuesday and attacked him.

Soorajs right eye was seriously damaged and he was rushed to the hospital, said Abhinav Surya, a final year mechanical engineering student who organised the beef festival.

We have lodged a complaint with the Dean of IIT-M and are planning to register a police complaint as well, Abhinav told Hindustan Times.

The Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry on Tuesday sought a report from the institute.

According to sources, the ministry has asked the institutes director to furnish complete facts about the incident after speaking to both the parties as it was felt that version of only one student was being shown by the media.

We have sought a report on the matter and clear facts will emerge once we receive a reply on the issue. Violence of any kind is not acceptable on the campus, said a source.

A group of 70 to 80 students held the beef festival on Sunday evening to demonstrate against the Centres notification and underline that they had a right to choose their own food.

The beef fest echoed with similar protests in other parts of the country, including neighbouring Kerala, against the controversial rule that many say hurts millions of poor farmers and mostly Muslim and Dalit meat traders.

The states of Kerala and West Bengal have rejected the notification and called it a violation of Indias federal structure.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered three FIRs pertaining to the affairs of the civil aviation ministry under the previous Congress-led government.

The First Information Reports (FIRs) relate to the purchase of 50 Boeing aircraft for the erstwhile Air India, leasing of aircraft, and handing over of lucrative international airline routes to private airlines, while the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines has been registered as a preliminary enquiry, a source in the CBI told Hindustan Times on condition of anonymity.

The cases come on the heels of the CBI raiding former finance minister P Chidambarams son Karti. The FIRs do not mention any public official by name but are built around a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) submitted to Parliament in 2011 and a subsequent report by the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC). Both reports pointed out glaring gaps in the acquisition process, which experts believe led to the national air carrier bleeding financially.

In January 2017, the Supreme Court had also asked the CBI to complete the probe on the same matter by June while hearing a public interest litigation filed by activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan on the Boeing purchase.

The Supreme Court had asked the attorney general to look into the allegations in a time-bound manner. We examined the evidence and decided to register three separate cases. We will finish the investigation soon, said a senior CBI official privy to the development.

According to the CBI official who spoke to HT, the CBI director sanctioned the registration of a case on Saturday after it remained under the scanner since 2014.

The other two cases  the merger and surrendering of routes  are part of a larger probe into the mismanagement of the national air carrier whose losses increased from Rs 63 crore to over Rs 7,000 crore in the 10-year period between 2004 and 2014 coinciding with the Congress-led UPA rule.

The FIR only mentions unnamed official of civil aviation ministry. The auditor, which covered the 2002-2010 period in its review, had said in its 121-page report that Air India was forced to buy aircraft from Boeing in a hurry. It also detailed events that led to the companys ambitious $11-billion purchase on a paltry equity base of $34 million.

A Boeing spokesperson declined to comment. Former civil aviation minister Praful Patel told HT: I am not aware of this. But if it is indeed true, I am happy. They should investigate and the truth must come out.

The first two decisions  purchase of aircraft and the merger  were decided by an empowered group of ministers headed by P Chidambaram, the then finance minister, and Pranab Mukherjee, the then external affairs minister. Patel was part of the group as civil aviation minister.

The CAG report, however, pinned the responsibility on Patels ministry, The erstwhile Air India was advised to revisit its proposal by the aviation ministry into expanding its requirement of aircraft. Whilst their earlier proposal for 28 aircraft had taken two years to prepare and submit, the revised long-term fleet for 50 aircraft plan was completed in four months, the auditor had said.

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Restrictions and curfew were imposed in several parts of Kashmir on Tuesday after separatists called for a march to Tral, the hometown of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Sabzar Bhat who was killed in an encounter on Saturday.

The Valleys joint separatist leadership that includes Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yasin Malik urged people to head to Tral to pay tributes to Bhat and seven militants killed in two gunfights.

Srinagar city is under curfew and with a large number of CRPF personnel and policemen deployed in the state capital. Major markets, business establishments and educational institutes remained shut, while only few private vehicles were seen on roads in some parts.

Restrictions have also been imposed in several major towns of Valley.

Authorities have suspended mobile internet services in Kashmir and outgoing calls on prepaid numbers have been barred.

All schools and colleges across Kashmir also remained suspend on Tuesday.

The restrictions have been in place since Bhat was killed, and the news of his death triggered spontaneous protests on Saturday.
A man shot on Tuesday morning in Kyiv's Darnytsky district is former acting director of the state enterprise Ukrspyrt Viktor Pankov, the police will consider all possible theories behind the murder, an adviser to the interior minister of Ukraine, member of the People's Front parliamentary faction, Anton Gerashchenko, has said.

"An assistant to director of the state concern Ukrspyrt, Viktor Pankov, has been shot dead in Pozniaky [residential area] this morning. Viktor Pankov twice served as head of this state company, which is constantly involved in scandals with the sales of unlicensed alcohol," he wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday.

He noted that the police will consider all possible theories of this murder, "beginning with personal relationships and ending with the non-fulfillment of personal financial obligations."

Police reported earlier they are looking for the individual who shot dead a businessman in Kyiv's Dartnytsky district.

Pankov in 2008 and 2009 was a board member of the national joint-stock company Nadra Ukrainy. In 2012 he began working at Ukrspyrt as deputy general director in charge of legal issues, and later as acting Ukrspyrt general director and first deputy director in charge of production and financial issues. He left Ukrspyrt in December 2013.

At the start of 2014 Pankov was an advisor to the chairman of the board of Chornomornaftogaz. In March 2014 he returned to Ukrspyrt as deputy director in charge of legal issues. In December 2014 the Agriculture and Food Ministry sacked Mykhaylo Labutyn as Ukrspyrt general director, naming Pankov as acting director.

Pankov in 2016 was put in charge of Ukrspyrt's main office.
PATNA

International Buddhist pilgrims have requested the Bihar government to construct a five-km all-weather road, with 800-feet bridge over Niranjana river, to connect the Mahabodhi Mahavihara temple with Dungeshwari caves and Sujatagarh in the pilgrimage city of Gaya.

These sites are considered important as it is believed that Gautam Buddha meditated for six years at Dungeshwari before proceeding to Mahabodhi Mahavihara in Bodh Gaya, where he attained enlightenment. Sujata stupa in Gayas Sujatagarh is where an old woman, Sujata, is believed to have offered kheer (a sweet dish prepared from rice and milk) to a frail Buddha, who got an energy boost after having it.

In the absence of a motorable road, pilgrims have to now take a circuitous 25-km detour via Gaya-Manpur-Bhusundi, making it practically impossible for them to visit all the three historic Buddhist sites in Gaya and then proceed the same day to Rajgir in Nalanda, part of the Buddhist circuit.

In a letter to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on April 26, pilgrims and monks have requested the government to construct a five-km stretch of modern road, linking Buddhas meditation sites with Sujata Stupa and connecting it with Nalanda. For this, the government would also have to construct a 800-feet (approx) bridge over Niranjana river, the letter said.

Connecting the Sujatagarh-Dungeshwari route with Rajgir-Nalanda highway would facilitate international tourists to cover maximum Buddhist sites in the state within a short span of time.

At present, the Sujata-Dungeshwari cave route does not have an all-weather road. The one existing now is damaged and unmotorable. Tourists visiting Bodh Gaya take Gaya-Manpur-Bhusundi route to reach Dungeshwari, which is an extra distance of almost 25-28 kms. This wastes a lot of time and money, said Shashikant of International Meditation Centre, Bodh Gaya.

International Buddhist monks and tourists, desirous of following Lord Buddhas footprints, trudge on this treacherous route from the Mahabodhi Mahavihara temple in Bodh Gaya to Sujatagarh and then to the Dungeshwari cave. The stretch being sparsely populated is considered unsafe for tourists, with many complaining of robbery and theft on the route, he added.

Prajnadeep, general secretary of the All India Bhikshu Sangh, said a survey was undertaken in 2013 to construct the road, but nothing moved thereafter.

Founder president of the Asian Buddhist Cultural Centre, Bodh Gaya, Bhante ST Anand, said that several meetings had been convened between the state and the Central governments on the issue in the last 35 years, but to no avail.

Bhante Satyanand of Dr BR Ambedkar Buddha Vihar, Agra, who has trudged on this route on many occasions, said, One can perceive the difficulties of a traveller only if one were to walk on this route.

MUCH NEEDED

BLURB

These sites are considered important as it is believed that Gautam Buddha meditated for six years at Dungeshwari before proceeding to Mahabodhi Mahavihara in Bodh Gaya, where he attained enlightenment

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Union information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu said on Tuesday the government has received several representations from the public on its notification banning the sale of cows and buffaloes for slaughter through animal markets and is examining them as the row over the issue escalated across the country.

In a notification announced last week, the government said cows and buffaloes cannot be sold for slaughter at animal markets across India, allowing only farmland owners to trade at animal markets. The notification covered bulls, bullocks, cows, buffalos, steers, heifers and calves, as well as the camel trade.

Naidu, however, refused to comment on whether the government will reconsider its notification. The Union minister added it is wrong to say that the government wants to restrict the food habit of the people.

The environment ministrys notification banning cow slaughter was in response to a Supreme Courts observation on the issue, he said.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the CPI(M), which rules Kerala, spoke in a rare voice of unity between the two arch rivals against the Narendra Modi government.

We wont accept the Centres decision  it is unconstitutional, Banerjee said, dubbing the ban as an attempt to encroach into state power.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged his counterparts to raise their voice against the restrictions on cattle trade, saying the Centres anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular move is an attempt to usurp power from the state governments.

Their comments came on a day the Kerala high court asked the central government to respond to petitions challenging the ban, according to local media.

The focus on cows, considered sacred by Hindus, and beef has increased since the BJP won power in 2014. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the partys ideological mentor, has long pushed for a nationwide ban on cattle slaughter and trade.
In a unique show of community support for a CRPF martyr, an akhara is being built in his memory in Haryana for which each villager will either donate a brick, a cement bag or a days wage.

CRPF personnel Ram Mehar, a resident of Kheri Man Singh village in Karnal district, was killed in a Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh recently.

The family of Mehar, who liked wrestling, has donated one and a half kanal land for the wrestling ring. Other villagers are too are pooling in to build the memorial. The initiative is the effort of a Chandigarh resident, Sanjeev Rana, who launched Ek eent shahid ke naam (One brick in the memory of a martyr).

Also read | Karnal CRPF soldier among 25 ambushed in Sukma Maoist attack

Under the initiative, Rana motivated people to donate at least one brick or a sack of cement in memory of those who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

People should not rely on the government for construction of memorials or institutions for martyrs. With the involvement of locals, memorials can be built as martyrs belong to the people first, Rana said.

I met the family of martyr Ram Mehar and his younger brother, Ramesh Kumar, told me that his brother liked wrestling, he said. The family runs a makeshift wrestling ring in the village where fifty youngsters practice daily.

The family wanted to set-up a proper facility for wrestling. So, it was decided to make a proper wrestling ring in the village, he said. The construction started after collecting building material from locals who donated bricks, sand and cement. It is expected to be functional in about two months.
In the last few years, cow vigilantism has been the catalyst of violence across India. The self-styled gaurakshaks have lynched people, snatched away cows and sparked a fear among a section of the population even without the sanction from the ruling parties and authorities.

Heres a list of major events related to the controversy:

September 2015: Dadri

The lynching of the 55-year-old Mohammad Ikhlaq by a mob perhaps rang the first warning bell about violent cow vigilantism. A public announcement was made from a nearby temple which gathered a mob and triggered the fatal attack on Ikhlaq. The killing saw nation-wide outrage and prominent writers, filmmakers and scientists returned government awards in protest.

October 2015: Kerala House

A group of men and Delhi Police personnel allegedly searched the Kerala House canteen, suspecting that beef was being served. Hindu Sena leader Vishnu Gupta lodged the complaint. The Kerala House temporarily removed buffalo meat, albeit legally procured, from its menu but it led to a huge political storm with states ruling CPI(M) and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal questioned the police conduct and attacked the Centre. A few days later, buffalo was back on the dining table.

June 2016: Haryana

Two men were caught over allegations that they were beef transporters. They were forced to eat cow dung and chant nationalist slogans.

July 2016: Una

Four Dalit men were strapped to a vehicle, stripped and caned mercilessly by self-styled cow protection vigilantes in Gujarats Una, resulting in a nationwide outrage. A video was made by the attackers and shared online to spread fear among the Dalits. The incident led to unity among opposition parties and the Rajya Sabha was stalled for a day in protests. The victims claimed they were skinning an already dead cow while the gaurakshaks alleged that the cow was killed for skinning. The opposition continued to attack the government and targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the incident happened in his home state.

August 2016: New Delhi

Prime Minister Modi lashed out at the cow protectors. I get angry when I see people, in the garb of cow protection, doing business. These people claim to be cow protectors as they want to hide their illegal trade, he said at a Townhall event in the Capital. Several BJP leaders have also slammed these self-styled gaurakshaks but things didnt change on the ground.

April 2017: Alwar

Pehlu Khan, a 55-year-old small dairy farmer, became the latest victim of cow vigilantism. Khan was waylaid by a BJP-dominated mob when he was transporting cows for his farm and mercilessly thrashed. He succumbed to his wounds 2 days after the incident. Even amid protests and outrage, the state police filed a case against Khans kin under animal cruelty laws. In the same month, Rajasthan government imposed a 10% surcharge on cow protection on all rent, mortgage and lease agreements.

May 2017: Kerala

Protesting against the Centres new ban on cow trading for slaughter, a group of Congress activists publicly killed a calf and distributed beef, sparking major controversy. While parties denounced the act a new tussle started over the justification of the new ban.

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After a 20-minute lecture on the political marginalisation of Muslims in India, a prominent Muslim scholar at the Darul-uloom-Deoband changes track.

We may be down. But we know one thing. Out future is in jamoooriyat, democracy. We have faith in India, in the Indian system, in the elections. No one can change the Indian constitution. And till then we are safe.

Even as alienation constitutes one element of the story of Muslims in contemporary India, political introspection constitutes another. They are thinking hard about political choices they have made in the past, and the political choices they ought to make in the future. It is a moment of remarkable openness in the community. And all options are on the table.

Engage with BJP

Four years ago, Manzar Islam was teaching social science at the Azad Academy in Araria. During a conversation about BJPs PM candidate Narendra Modis winning prospects in 2013, he had said, the irritation palpable in his voice, Why are you asking a Muslim this? You think we can like him? He added, confidently, that Modi would not win - for it was Hindus themselves who were opposing him, citing the late UR Ananthmurthy and Amartya Sen.

Islam is now retired and we met at his house, near his old school in Araria. His tone has palpably changed.

What do we do now? Even backwards and Dalits are going towards Modi. He will win in 2019. Islam also, in a matter-of-fact tone, speaks of the polarisation on the ground. Even at the ward level, if there are Muslim candidates, the other side would rally together behind a Hindu candidate. This mindset has percolated down. We will have to accept that the majority will decide.

Islam - a Nitish supporter himself - says the situation leaves the community with no choice but to now engage with Modi and BJP. The community and BJP should talk to each other. See, Modi himself is fine. He has not discriminated. It is not even his followers who cause problems. It is people acting in his name. If he can punish them, if both sides should show flexibility, we can find a common point.

This is a voice one increasingly hears from elders in the community, particularly those involved with running institutions.

In Bareilly, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi is the director of the Islamic Research Centre and the general secretary of the All India Tanzeem Ulama-e-Islam.

He says that Muslims have to accept that the PM, and now the UP CM, are from the BJP. There are problems. But I am in favour of talking to them; of telling them that we also want to be partners in sabka saath, sabka vikaas; we are also citizens; we also have rights. We should remind the PM of his statement that he wants to see Muslims with Quran in one hand, and laptops in another and ask him to implement it. We want to bridge the distance. He adds that Yogi Adityanath too, after taking over as CM, has changed his language and not said anything insensitive.

It was catering to these impulses within Muslim society itself that a delegation of the Jamiat-Ulama-I-Hind met the PM. It raised issues of the gulf between the government and Muslim community, but the meeting also marked the beginning of some sort of critical engagement.

It is a cycle

This approach however does not have many takers, particularly among the younger Muslims. This school believes that the community must wait for the secular parties to get its act together and this is only a passing phase.

A group of young Muslims in Deoband laugh off those who want to give the BJP a chance. In that party, the route to success is abusing Muslims. Look at Yogi - what was his politics except his hatred for us? And yet there are Muslims who cannot see this, says Shah Alam, sitting in a cloth shop.

A maulana at the Darul-Uloom-Deoband pointed to the futility of this approach. We need to remember BJP does not want Muslims because that is how they unite everyone else.

Instead, he argues that Muslims should get out of this sense of defeatism and remember that despite the aura of electoral invincibility, BJP had only been winning 30-40 percent of the vote. This means that a majority is against them. Secular parties need to strategise better, get united, and consolidate this vote. I refuse to believe all Hindus are communal and hate us. Then BJP would have won a majority of votes, and elections for sixty years. Even now it is a battle between secular and communal Hindus.

The fact that BJP could wait so long to emerge on the national stage in fact had a lesson for Muslims, he added - of patience and resilience. We can wait for a few elections if they can wait this long.

At the other end of the North Indian plains, in Kishanganj, a college lecturer - who did not want to be named - agreed and said there was no point talking to BJP. Rahul is a failure and so we have all failed and lost. What these secular parties should do is forget about us Muslims. Get the majority vote. Instead, if Modi goes to one temple, they should go to ten temples. If Modi puts tika, they should paste their entire forehead with tika. Go and win back the Hindu vote. We are waiting.

The alternative path

But not everyone wants to wait.

Mohammed Tanweer Alam, a student from Gorakhpur, believes that the marginalisation of Muslims is due to the failure of secular parties. Our problem is a problem of leadership. And this can be resolved through our own party, someone like Owaisi. His focus is on elevating the economic standards of Muslims, argues Alam. Owaisi is saying we dont want Haj subsidy. We want education. That is what Muslims need.

Not everyone is convinced.

In a college hostel in Patna, Tariq Anwar - who belongs to the CPI (ML) student outfit, AISA - warns Muslims against precisely this path. In difficult times, people take wrong decisions. And Muslims will end up doing that if they go with Owaisi. It will then become a minority versus majority election; we will be falling into a trap. We wont have the numbers and the majority will consolidate.

Indian Muslims remained wedded to Indian democracy. Within this, from engaging with BJP to sticking to secular parties to setting up their own party, they populate various political positions. But what is clear is they find themselves at a crossroads - seeking to restore their political relevance.

A special series by Hindustan Times takes a deep look at the churn within the Muslim community. How deep is the alienation? Are they looking for political alternatives? What questions are Muslim women asking? Are they warming up to the BJP? Find all the answers to the critical questions.

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Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on terror charges, has applied for Malaysian citizenship, according to agency sources.

Naik has been changing his base quite frequently after the NIA moved the Interpol for issuance of a Red Corner Notice (RCN), international arrest warrant, against him, they said.

The preacher, who is believed to have Permanent Residence status in Malaysia, has now sought its citizenship but no decision has been taken so far on his application, the sources said.

The Indian government is planning to use its diplomatic channels to frustrate all attempts by the controversial preacher to get citizenship in any country, they said.

The Malaysian authorities were aware about terror cases pending against the controversial Islamic preacher, they said.

Naik is being probed for terror and money laundering charges. He had fled India immediately after an investigation against him was initiated.

His present place of stay is unknown and it is believed that he has been shuttling between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, African and Southeast Asian countries, the sources said.

The controversial preacher is accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering several crores of rupees over the years.

The Interpol was approached against Naik after a year- long probe during which the NIA gathered evidence of his NGO -- Islamic Research Foundation - and Peace TV, being used to allegedly promote hatred between different religious groups.

The central government has already banned his NGO and taken his TV channel off air. During the probe, the NIA claimed to have found 37 properties owned by Naik and companies run by him, which are estimated to be worth more than Rs 100 crore.

A Special NIA court in Mumbai, while issuing a non- bailable warrant against Naik, had said that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Naik is evading arrest and that he will not voluntarily appear before the court or before the agency.

The NIA alleged that Naik has been promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his speeches and lectures on various platforms and inciting Muslim youths and terrorists in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts.

Naik had fled from India on July 1, 2016 after terrorists in neighbouring Bangladesh claimed that they were inspired by his speeches on waging jehad.

Read more | 10 things we know about Zakir Naik so far
The government has found a 55-year-old Jalandhar woman who was allegedly sold and tortured in Saudi Arabia and is sending her back to India, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said on Monday.

Reacting to an HT story in a tweet, Swaraj said Sukhwant Kaur  who had gone to the west Asian country on a three-month tourist visa in January  would be returning on a Sharjah-Mumbai Air Arabia flight.

She is expected to reach at 4.15am on Wednesday.

Thanks for bringing this to my notice. Sukhwant Kaur is returning home on 31 May 2017 at 0415 hrs by Flt G9406. https://t.co/jOSFcmFJA8  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 30, 2017

Earlier this month, HT had reported how Sukhwant, a resident of Ajtani village of Nurmahal division, was taken to Saudi Arabia by a Delhi-based agent.

Her husband Kulwant Singh told HT his wife was in contact with him over phone for a week after she landed in Dubai. But a few days later, her phone was found switched off and the agent stopped taking calls.

On May 7, my wife called me up from a hospital in Hail City of Saudi Arabia. She said the travel agent had sold her to a local resident and she was forced to work as a slave in his house and was being badly treated and even tortured, he said.

She was admitted to hospital and the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia assured all help to the family after Kulwant made an appeal to Sushma Swaraj on Twitter.

Sukhwant Kaur

My wife Sukhwant Kaur is in trouble. She wants to come back home but her passport is with a travel agent who has disappeared now, Kulwant Singh told Hindustan Times.
Restrictions and curfew were extended to several parts of Kashmir on Tuesday, days after Hizbul Mujahideen militant Sabzar Bhat was killed in an encounter with security forces on Saturday. A call by separatists to march to Tral, Bhats hometown, has added to the unease in the already tense valley.

Areas under 7 police stations, in mostly whats referred to as downtown area, in Srinagar were already under curfew since Monday. The roads in the area are completely deserted and only a few private vehicles plying on roads in some parts. A few young men huddle in front of shops to discuss the prevailing situation, while some child occasionally cycles by the barbed wires.

Offish Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and policemen keep an eye out for anyone trying to break the curfew or if any group of masked youngsters is preparing to pelt stones.

Soon after Bhats killing, there was a spontaneous shutdown in protest and stone-peltings across the Valley. Scores were injured and at least 13 people were hit in their eyes by pellets and brought to Srinagars SMHS hospital.

Anticipating trouble, the administration imposed curfew and restrictions since Sunday and snapped mobile internet services and mobile services on prepaid numbers.

For many, there is a lingering fear that the situation might become as worse as it was last year  a five-month-long unrest that claimed over 90 lives.

The CRPF soldiers on the streets keep their fingers crossed about what turn the law and order situation will take in the coming days. It depends on the local residents, what they want to do. Whether they want to continue with the shutdown or continue normally, said a soldier from Punjab, who has been posted in the valley for the last 5 years.

And if the situation worsens and becomes like last year, then we CRPF men will be facing stones. And if we retaliate with pellets or bullets, then there will be harsh criticism, he added.

Another soldier from Haryana, who is posted a few kilometres away, agreed. He too seemed agitated about the prescribed methods of retaliation on stone-pelters.

I hope the situation does not become like last year. I dont think it will become so, he said. If only the stone-pelters fired at us instead of stones. We could have retaliated with bullets without any qualms. But they dont. And our instructions are very strict to follow maximum restraint.

But how the security forces deal with stone-pelting protesters seems to hold the key to how whether the situation will worsen. If there are no casualties in the coming days, then perhaps the protests wont aggravate, said a senior journalist. It all depends [on the situation] if the cycle of killings [will] continue.

One civilian was killed in clashes during the encounter in which Bhat was killed. Amid uncertainty about what will happen in the next few days, the buzz on the streets is that the situation wont become like that in last year, but nonetheless, the first question on everyones lips right now is: Has there been a fresh killing?

A newspaper and magazine stall owner in Lal Chowk, one of the few small stores open in the area on Monday, summed up what most think about the condition in the valley.

The unfortunate thing is the normalisation of violence in the valley. There is shutdown, curfew and the possibility of protests  and yet we say that halaat is normal, sab theek hai (the condition is normal, everything is all right). Only if a civilian dies, we say: A casualty has been there, the situation might worsen, he said.

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Restrictions and curfew were extended to several parts of Kashmir on Tuesday, days after Hizbul Mujahideen militant Sabzar Bhat was killed in an encounter with security forces on Saturday. A call by separatists to march to Tral, Bhats hometown, has added to the unease in the already tense valley.

Areas under 7 police stations, in mostly whats referred to as downtown area, in Srinagar were already under curfew since Monday. The roads in the area are completely deserted and only a few private vehicles plying on roads in some parts. A few young men huddle in front of shops to discuss the prevailing situation, while some child occasionally cycles by the barbed wires.

Offish Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and policemen keep an eye out for anyone trying to break the curfew or if any group of masked youngsters is preparing to pelt stones.

Soon after Bhats killing, there was a spontaneous shutdown in protest and stone-peltings across the valley. Scores were injured and at least 13 people were hit in their eyes by pellets and brought to Srinagars SMHS hospital.

Anticipating trouble, the administration imposed curfew and restrictions since Sunday and snapped mobile internet services and telephony services on pre-paid mobile numbers.

For many, there is a lingering fear that the situation might become as worse as it was last year  a five-month-long unrest that claimed over 90 lives.

The CRPF soldiers on the streets keep their fingers crossed about what turn the law and order situation will take in the coming days. It depends on the local residents, what they want to do. Whether they want to continue with the shutdown or continue normally, said a soldier from Punjab, who has been posted in the valley for the last 5 years.

And if the situation worsens and becomes like last year, then we CRPF men will be facing stones. And if we retaliate with pellets or bullets, then there will be harsh criticism, he added.

Another soldier from Haryana, who is posted a few kilometres away, agreed. He too seemed agitated about the prescribed methods of retaliation on stone-pelters.

I hope the situation does not become like last year. I dont think it will become so, he said. If only the stone-pelters fired at us instead of stones. We could have retaliated with bullets without any qualms. But they dont. And our instructions are very strict to follow maximum restraint.

But how the security forces deal with stone-pelting protesters seems to hold the key to how whether the situation will worsen. If there are no casualties in the coming days, then perhaps the protests wont aggravate, said a senior journalist. It all depends [on the situation] if the cycle of killings [will] continue.

One civilian was killed in clashes during the encounter in which Bhat was killed. Amid uncertainty about what will happen in the next few days, the buzz on the streets is that the situation wont become like that in last year, but nonetheless, the first question on everyones lips right now is: Has there been a fresh killing?

A newspaper and magazine stall owner in Lal Chowk, one of the few small stores open in the area on Monday, summed up what most think about the condition in the valley.

The unfortunate thing is the normalisation of violence in the valley. There is shutdown, curfew and the possibility of protests  and yet we say that halaat is normal, sab theek hai (the condition is normal, everything is all right). Only if a civilian dies, we say: A casualty has been there, the situation might worsen, he said.

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Three Youth Congress leaders suspended from the party for slaughtering a calf in public in Kerala have expressed regret for their action, but accused rival BJP and CPIM supporters of more heinous crimes including murder.

We admit it was a big mistake. And we are ready to suffer for it. But at the same people should be aware of those who lynch poor in the name of keeping beef and execute their opponents in broad daylight, Rijil Makutty told HT on Tuesday.

Makutty, Josey Kandathil andK Sharafuddin slaughtered a calf in Kannur last weekend in protest against Centres decision to impose new restrictions on the trade of cattle meant for slaughter, triggering nationwide outrage.

Read more | Kerala cow slaughter: Congress distances itself, Rahul Gandhi says its barbaric, thoughtless

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi dubbed their protest as thoughtless and barbaric.

What happened in Kerala yesterday is thoughtless,barbaric& completely unacceptable to me &the Congress Party.I strongly condemn the incident  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) May 28, 2017

It was an instant reaction. We apologise to those who are really pained over our action. It is sad it brought enough damage to the party, said Josy Kandathil, the Youth Congress state secretary.

But the three said those criticizing them also included people who killed political opponents publicly. At times after barging into their opponents home, they stab rivals before their relatives. People are yet to forget 51 stab wounds on TP Chandrasekharan, Rejil said, referring to the killing of a rebel CPIM leader in 2012.

Kannur in north Kerala has been the site of unremitting violence between the CPI(M) and RSS with both sides accused of tit-for-tat killings.

Rejil had unsuccessfully contested against CPI(M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan in 2011 from Thalasserry constituency, after being handpicked by Gandhi. All three were student leaders and are known to be close to former MP K Sudhakaran.

They said it was their urge to do something different to register their protest landed them in trouble. They dismissed the idea of holding a beef festival as it had become too common.

The three said they had procured the calf from an abattoir and had got its butcher to accompany them. The professional butcher did the job. Many are spreading canards we slaughtered the calf, Rejil added.

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Three Ukrainian servicemen were injured in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone in Donbas on Monday, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's spokesman, Andriy Lysenko, has confirmed.

"Last day, no Ukrainian servicemen were killed, three were injured as a result of the shelling," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday.
A woman was detained on Tuesday from West Bengals North 24 Pargans district for allegedly forcing a group of young girls to indulge in adult chatting over phone in the name of tele-calling, police said.

We have detained a woman from a telecalling institute in North 24 Pargana districts Barasat for allegedly asking some of her employees to indulge in adult chatting with their customers, said an officer from Barasat police station.

According to the complainants, the woman, who gave advertisements in the news papers offering female telecallers jobs, allegedly asked the new joiners to have a sexual conversation by calling up people.

We were offered a telecallers job and were given a seven day training. However, on Monday we were asked to call up some people in random and have sexual conversations with them, said one of the girls who lodged the police complaint.

The woman threatened us when we refused to do the job. She also refused to return our documents which we submitted at the time of joining, she added.

Police said they are investigating if the organisation has any links with the sex rackets.

 We are interrogating the woman to know if the organisation is connected to a sex racket, the officer added.
The Madras high court suspended on Tuesday a controversial central government rule that outlawed sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets and triggered a political storm in India.

Even as the court ordered a four-week stay on the notification, the Centre said it was examining the points raised by several states, including Kerala and West Bengal, which call the order an attack on Indias federal structure.

The government, however, denied trying to restrict food habits of the people through the notification that has led to protests and staging of beef festivals in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Congress activists in Kerala killed a cow in a public square on Saturday, an act that sparked outrage and forced party leaders to condemn the incident.

A PhD scholar who participated in a campus beef festival at the IIT-Madras was allegedly assaulted by some students on Tuesday, police said.

Millions of Hindus consider the cow to be holy and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)  the idelogical mentor of the ruling BJP  has been pushing for a countrywide ban on cow slaughter.

Critics say the rule -- banning the sale of cows, bulls, bullocks, buffaloes, steers, heifers, calves, and camels for slaughter -- violates individual rights and will hurt millions of cattle and meat traders.

The slaughtering of animals for food, the food and culinary (items) made out of such animal flesh and offering sacrifice of animals are part of cultural identity of most communities in India, protected under the Constitution, petitioners Selvagomathy and Asik Ilahi Bhava told the Madurai bench of the high court.

Regulating cattle trade is a state subject but animal welfare is overseen by the Centre.

The new rules didnt amount to a blanket ban on cattle trade or their slaughter. But the move was expected to choke supplies to the countrys Rs 1-lakh crore meat and allied industries that source about 90% of their requirements from animal markets.

Beef and buffalo meat is a common delicacy in some south and northeastern states. Activists and opposition political parties say the rule discriminates against Muslims, Christians and lower-caste Hindus who rely on the cheap meat for protein.

Union information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu defended the move saying the notification was in response to a Supreme Court observation on preventing cruelty to animals and breaking the nexus in animal markets, including for smuggling.

Though Naidu said the government was examining the representation by states, he refused to comment on whether the notification will be reconsidered.

Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday asked the state police not to comply with the Centres notification.

What someone will eat is his or her personal choice. No one has the right to dictate. Dont follow that order. The state has not given any such order. The administration should ensure that there is no confusion, she told officials in Barrackpore.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday termed the ban anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular. He also wrote to his counterparts in other states asking them to stand together and oppose it.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said his government was analysing the developments.

We are examining devpmts & awaiting Govt Order on Centres recent curb on sale of cattle for slaughter, esp since this is a State subject (sic), he tweeted.

(With agency inputs)
The Make in India Mittelstand (MIIM) launched to encourage German small and medium industry (SME) to India has evoked major interest in Germany, giving further boost to bilateral business ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.

Germany is contributing in a big way to the Make in India. The Strategic Market Entry Programme -- MII Mittelstand -- started in September 2015 to facilitate entry into the Indian market has been a major success, Modi said addressing the India-Germany business summit also attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Over 83 German companies have expressed interest in joining the programme, 73 have officially enrolled, while 47 companies investments are in advanced states of implementation, he said.

Modi noted that the Indo-German Managers Training Programme had led to increased investments and creation of joint ventures by companies from both countries.

More than 500 Indian managers have benefited from this programme, he said.

Describing Germany as among Indias most important partners globally, which is the 7th largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India, the Prime Minister cited the examples of German majors in India.

Bosch, Siemens, BASF... they have also started exclusive R&D facilities in India. Mercedes Benz have started their second facility in Chakan (Pune) which will double their capacity to 20,000 units per annum, Modi said.

Noting that India attaches great value to the German partnership and has had several meetings with CEOs from that country, Modi said that India had been progressively easing its rules on doing business to encourage foreign investment.

Last week, we decided to abolish our Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in order to increase overseas engagement in India. FDI inflows into India reached $60 billion in 2016-17, he said.

According to the Indian government, the MIIM programme has so far mobilized investment of about euro 650 million and helped create 4,000 employment opportunities in India,

--IANS

bc/dg
A decade-old official letter of a bureaucrat, who is now holding a sensitive post in the Haryana chief ministers office (CMO), about land acquisition in Gurgaons Manesar has put the Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government in a tight spot.

The 1997-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Rakesh Gupta, who is currently the additional principal secretary (to CM), when posted as Gurgaon deputy commissioner (DC) in 2007 had moved the contentious letter seeking early action, as demanded by Manesar residents, to release their 400-odd acquired houses from the land acquisition exercise. But within the CMO and Haryana Advocate General (AG) office, the carefully-worded letter is being interpreted as an attempt by the then Congress government to build a larger case for dropping notified land from acquisition which the builders had bought from the farmers when the land acquisition exercise was underway.

CASE FILES At the core of allegations in Haryanas suspect land deals is that the previous Congress governments land acquisition proceedings scared the landowners, forcing them to sell off their land to builders at throwaway prices. Later, the land acquisition exercise, in many a case, was dropped after farmers/owners sold their land to the developers who threatened the land owners that the government will otherwise acquire their land. Hence, farmers lost their land and builders reaped a rich harvest. The CBI had last year registered a case.

The letter surfaced during the recent Supreme Court hearing in the suspect land deals in Manesar that the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) are investigating. Khattar government has been turning heat on former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on the issue of land deals across the state. As the officer holds a very sensitive position in the CMO, we had conveyed to the government about what transpired during the hearing in the Supreme Court, besides some oral observations of the court about this letter, a source in the AG office told HT.

OFFICERS TAKE I had only asked for an early action in public interestI had merely forwarded the details to the government urging industries department for an early decision regarding the pucca houses. I had also given reference of the letter written earlier by my predecessor to industries department on this issue. This was based on request of the villagers only as they had given representation to me. The NH-8 was blocked by the villagers and they removed the blockade after I went to meet them along with the then SP.

When contacted, Haryana AG BR Mahajan refused to comment. Sources say a counsel opposing the government placed before the Apex Court bench of justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and UU Lalit the letter to support the argument on how even the district administration was of the view that people were suffering due to acquisition and their request to release the acquired land should addressed in the earliest.

The catch, top government sources say, in the May 16, 2007 letter of Gupta as DC Gurgaon to then principal secretary (industries) PK Chaudhary, was that it was written after the notification under section 6 was published.

The acquisition proceedings cannot be dropped after notification under section 6 is notified, a government functionary said.

In his letter (No 1322-23/DRA) copied to managing director, Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation and Director, industrial department, Gupta had stated the residents of Manesar village blocked national highway No. 8 for almost two hours on May 13, 2007 causing inconvenience to public. The villagers told the administration that Hooda had announced in their village that cemented houses will be released from acquisition, which is yet to be implementedI will urge you for an early action in this matter so the problem is resolved, reads the letter written in Hindi. Incidentally, in his February 2, 2016 statement of immovable property return, IAS officer Rakesh Gupta has mentioned four properties, including 1084.42 square ft shop area (ABW Towers) Gurgaon that he and his wife own and purchased in 2007-08 for Rs 30 lakh.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi told German chancellor Angela Merkel in talks in Berlin on Tuesday that India will stay in the Paris climate accord even if the United States pulled out, a delegation source said.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity.

US President Donald Trump refused to endorse the global climate change accord at a summit of the G7 group of wealthy nations on Saturday, saying he needed more time to decide.
Nine personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) were injured on Tuesday during mortar firing practice near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan along the India-Pakistan border.

The incident took place at about 8:30 am when a 51 mm mortar fell short of its target at the forces firing range in Kishangarh.

While six personnel suffered injuries due to the blast of the ammunition, three others have minor injuries. All of them are stable now, a senior BSF officer said.

A Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been ordered into the incident, they said.

The troops were participating in a firing exercise.

Officials said all the injured personnel were air-lifted to a hospital in Jodhpur.

This is the second such incident here this year after four personnel were injured in similar circumstances in March.

Few days after this, six men of the paramilitary were injured in similar circumstances during mortar firing exercise at its centre in Jharkhands Hazaribagh.

The BSF is deployed in Rajasthan as part of its task to guard the India-Pakistan International Border (IB).
Authorities at Bhopal Central Jail are looking at a security nightmare as the overcrowded prison, which has around 3000 inmates, will now have to keep an eye on 10 more alleged Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) operatives.

Security arrangements were tightened at the jail after SIMI operative Safdar Nagori and 9 others were shifted there on Sunday. They were brought from Gujarat to Bhopal Central Jail after a court in Indore sentenced them to life imprisonment on charges of sedition and indulging in terrorist activities on February 27.

The jail now has around 40 dreaded inmates, including 32 alleged SIMI operatives, 3 IS-inspired suspects allegedly involved in the Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train blast in Shajapur district on March 7, and 15 men accused of running an Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) espionage ring in the state.

Jails in the central state are overcrowded, lack upgraded technology and surveillance systems. MP placed second in terms of prisoner occupancy rate with 140 prisoners crammed in jails against the authorised capacity for 100 inmates, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data.

Sources said the state has 122 prisons, including 11 central jails, 39 district jails and 72 sub-jails, with over 39,000 inmates against a capacity of 27,677. Every year around 4.1% inmates are brought to these jails, which require the creation of 375 additional barracks.

An internal assessment was conducted by the state jail department after the jailbreak by 8 SIMI men in October last year to find out what the states jails lack in terms of the manpower and infrastructure.

Eight SIMI men broke out of the high-security jail after killing one guard and holding another hostage and were killed hours after they escaped. It was the second such jailbreak by members of the banned outfit in three years.

According to the jail departments assessment, jails in the state need 46 watch towers, 49 night vision equipment, 42 baggage scanners, 32 CCTVs, 6 motorcycles per central jail, 2 motorcycles per district jail, 1 motorcycle for every sub-jail and 4 jeeps for central jails.

They also need an additional 568 barracks at a cost of Rs 284 crore to accommodate over 11,347 jail inmates, which are beyond the carrying capacity of the jails at present, according to the assessment.

And, authorities dont want to take any chances in terms of the security arrangements at the Bhopal Central Jail where most of the alleged SIMI operatives are lodged.

Jail superintendent Dinesh Nargave said as the number of SIMI operatives and suspects lodged in Bhopal jail had reached 32, the security has been tightened.

He added a separate zone has been created in the jail for around 40 inmates, including the alleged SIMI men, who are being monitored continuously through 42 close circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

Of the 15 accused of running an ISI espionage ring, only 4 to 5 have been placed in the dreaded category, he said.

Nargave said high-tech security and surveillance arrangements will soon be made and more CCTVs will be procured.

Sources said jail authorities are also planning to buy electroshock hand-held weapons such as stun guns and tasers for self-defence and controlling jail inmates who create a ruckus or try to escape.

They added the Bhopal Central Jail requires additional manpower for strengthening its security. At present, it has around 250 warders and 50 head warders but requires an additional 50 warders and 20 head warders. Against a requirement of 6 night vision equipment, it has one such equipment at present, sources further said.

Director general (DG Jail) Sanjay Chaudhary told the Hindustan Times the security arrangements have been enhanced and more measures would be taken up in the coming day in the Bhopal Central Jail.

Earlier, Chaudhary instructed officials that no jail employee should carry mobile phones inside the premises. He also said no official or private vehicle were to be allowed inside the jail except those carrying food material.

According to the National Crime Records Bureaus (NCRB) Prison Statistics India 2015, overcrowding was one of the biggest problems faced by prison inmates.

The occupancy rate at the all India level at the end of 2015 was 114.4%, it said.

At 276.7%, Dadra and Nagar Haveli is reported to have most overcrowded prisons, followed by Chhattisgarh (233.9%), Delhi (226.9%), Meghalaya (177.9%) and Uttar Pradesh (168.8%).

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday backed German Chancellor Angela Merkels strong leadership in uniting the European Union at a time when the economic grouping was showing signs of strain post Brexit and over the protectionist policies of US President Donald Trump.

Modi, whose visit to Germany comes less than a week after Merkel provided the strongest indication yet that the EU and the US under President Trump were drifting apart, said India would play a positive role in boosting unity in the grouping.

Modis support comes at a crucial time for Merkel, who has been fighting secessionist tendencies within the bloc since Britain decided to leave the 28-member bloc through a referendum in June last year.

The Prime Minister praised her strong leadership and said a EU-focused vision is what the world needs.

EU unity, proactiveness and strong relations with other countries is extremely important for global development. We want the EU to become stronger and India will play a positive role towards that through the medium of Germany, he told reporters at a joint briefing with Merkel.

Modi said India and Germany were made for each other.

Merkel last week had said that reliable ties forged since the end of World War II are to some extent over. Germanys foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel also blasted the US, saying the Trump administrations short-sighted policies... stand against the interest of the European Union.

The remarks came soon after G7 and NATO summits, where news reports suggested that not all was well between her and Trump, who is leading the US towards a more protectionist stance on economic issues and has called for NATO to pay for their share of expenditure of the Atlantic alliance.

The two countries are also not on the same page on climate policies. Trump has vowed to walk away from the historic Paris deal while Merkel supports the agreement.

Europe and the world are facing lots of challenges and to fight those, India believes, the world needs the strong leadership of Chancellor Merkel, Modi added.

Merkel on Tuesday repeated that Europe must take our fate into our own hands and went on to say that it should step up as a diplomatic player on the international stage.

In Washington, Trump swiftly reacted to Merkels comments. Soon after her statement, Trump tweeted, We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for US. This will change(sic).

Merkel, however, had also said Germanys relationship with the US was of outstanding importance but it must also engage with other important nations.

We live in a globalised world and India...is a partner, she said.

Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the European Union (EU) and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.
Following his visit to Germany, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday arrive in Spain to kick-start his two-day visit to initiate bilateral engagements with President Mariano Rajoy.

During his stay, he will meet the top leadership of the country to discuss issues of mutual interests. He is also expected to call on King of Spain - King Felipe VI on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister will be discussing ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in combating terrorism.

Prime Modi will also meet top Chief Executive Officers of the Spanish industry and encourage them to take part in the Make in India initiative.

During his tour to Spain, a number of agreements are likely to be inked in the fields including, renewable energy, high speed rail, infrastructure, civil aviation, water waste management and air space management.

In the first leg of his four nation tour to Germany, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed number of regional and global issues, including Brexit, terrorism, Afghanistan as well as Chinas One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.

Discussions on climate change and the possibilities of including India in the G 20 contact also took place.

The two leaders also reviewed Brexit, its effects on both India and Germany as well as the future of the European Union (EU).

The two sides, during bilateral talks, also discussed how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programs including skill development, energy sector, environment, smart cities and digital India.

The German side appreciated Indias economic reform agenda, the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism that was established in 2015 to assist German businessmen in India.

After concluding his visit, Prime Minister Modi said that he had a very good interaction with Merkel.
Union water resources minister Uma Bharti, who faces charges of criminal conspiracy in the Babri Masjid demolition case, said on Tuesday there was no conspiracy but an open movement which led to the demolition.

I was present in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, which is no secret. Crores of BJP workers, lakhs of officials and thousands of political leaders participated. It was an open movement like the movement against the Emergency. I dont see any conspiracy, Bharti told the media.

Bharti said she appeared in the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court out of respect for the court but had expectations only from God.

In a matter concerning God, my hopes also rest on God. Because I contributed (in the movement) with complete faith, I dont consider myself guilty, she said.

The CBI court on Tuesday ordered framing of charges against BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and nine others in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

The charges will be framed under section 120 B, criminal conspiracy.

Earlier, all the 12 accused had pleaded not guilty and had moved a discharge application rejecting the charges levelled against them.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman has stated he is intending to initiate the allocation of an additional UAH 5 billion for road repairs, in particular from funds received from special confiscation.

"I will offer the issue of about UAH 5 billion this year, including funds from special confiscation, to increase funding for roads," he said at a briefing, when inspecting the repairs of the Lviv-Ternopil road in Lviv region.

It is planned to spend about UAH 30 billion on road repairs in 2017.

Groysman stressed he would insist on allocating funds for the Lviv-Ternopil-Khmelnytsky-Vinnytsia-Uman-Odesa highway.

The premier said he is not satisfied with the pace of road repairs in Luhansk, Zaporizhia, Zakarpattia, Mykolaiv regions and Kyiv.

"I instructed the profile deputy prime minister, the head of the automobile agency this week to gather the heads of regions, clarify what the problem is there to help them get underway," the prime minister said.
One person was killed and four others were injured in a bomb blast that took place inside a medical store at Church road in Dimapur on Monday evening.

An eyewitness said that two persons came in car and lobbed a bomb inside the shop.

Three salesmen and two customers present in the shop were injured after the bomb exploded. One customer called Abdul Rashid was seriously injured. He died at a private hospital on Monday night.

The four others injured in the blast were identified as Bindan Biwas (39), Dilwar Hussian (22), Mithu Biswas (42) and Ihelung Newmai (22). They were out of danger, the police said.

A police officer said that a crude bomb was hurled inside the medical store.

An investigation was started to ascertain the motive behind the incident, the police officer said.
Indo-Pak ties cannot improve until the two countries overcome mutual distrust and animosity, Pakistans interior minister said on Tuesday as he accused India of stubbornness in resolving bilateral issues.

In a meeting with Sohail Mehmood, Pakistans High Commissioner-designate to India, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told him that the responsibility entrusted on him was a challenging one. He hoped Mehmood would use all his capacity to fulfil his responsibilities and protect the interests of Pakistan.

Mehmood is poised to head to New Delhi anytime now as India has issued him a visa.

The 55 year-old Mehmood, one of Pakistans senior-most diplomats, has started key meetings with Pakistans top leadership before taking up his responsibilities in India.

He was until recently Pakistans ambassador to Turkey and replaces Abdul Basit, who has completed his three-year term.

Minister Khan told Mehmood that the dream of prosperity and peace between India and Pakistan could not be achieved till their ties were weighed down by animosity and distrust, according to a statement issued by his office.

He said it was essential for lasting peace in the region that sincere efforts be made to resolve longstanding bilateral issues with India.

It was unfortunate that every effort made by Pakistan proved futile due to lack of trust and stubbornness of the Indian government, he claimed.

Ties between India and Pakistan have been tense of late over a number of issues, including the status of Kashmir.

India has accused Pakistan of supporting militants, who infiltrate from the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir into the Valley and target Indian security forces. One such attack in last year killed 18 Indian soldiers and India retaliated with surgical strikes on terrorist launchpads in PoK.

Most recently, the Pakistan Army sentenced Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav on charges of espionage after a secret trial. India had demanded consular access to Jadhav, which Pakistan has repeatedly denied claiming the man was an Indian spy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid a courtesy call to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at his official residence in Berlin before leaving for Spain on the second leg of his four-nation trip.

Modi met Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue, the scenic official residence of the German President located in Berlins Tiergarten district on the banks of the river Spree, and signed the visitors book before being given a tour of the castle.

Thank you Germany! My visit has led to very positive outcomes in terms of furthering the close ties India and Germany enjoy, Modi said in his goodbye message as he left for Spain on the second leg of his four-nation tour which will then cover Russia and end in France.

Earlier, external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted some photographs of the meeting.

Reaffirming resolve for strong and dynamic relationship. PM @narendramodi calls on President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue, Baglay tweeted.

After fruitful bilateral engagements, PM @narendramodi concludes first leg of his visit, departs from Germany, he tweeted.

Modis next stop is Spain where he will discuss with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy ways to deepen bilateral engagement, including in the high-tech sector. This will be first visit by an Indian prime minister since 1988.

From Spain, he will travel to St Petersburg in Russia on June 1 where he will hold the 18th India-Russia annual Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum the next day.

The prime minister will be in Paris on June 2 and 3 where he will hold official talks with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron with a view to further strengthening India-France strategic ties.

Earlier, Modi was received by German chanceller Angela Merkel at the chancellery for the Fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) during which the two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral issues and clinched 12 agreements.

Eight of the declarations of intent were signed by senior ministers and envoys in the prime ministerial delegation in the presence of the two leaders while the others were confirmed on the sidelines.

They covered areas of digitalisation, skill development, sustainability, cyber policy, development cooperation, advanced training, vocational education, health sector, alternative medicine, foreign service institutes, railway safety and sustainable urban development.

The world cant move forward without innovation and we believe innovation and democratic values are a guarantee for development. India and Germany have both in our blood and we will move together in that direction, Modi said at the conclusion of the IGC, a format he likened to the Pragati meeting he holds in Delhi.

The two leaders issued a Joint Statement at the end of their deliberations, in which they agreed to further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between India and Germany by deepening cooperation on foreign policy and security issues as well as on sustainable development and enhanced trade and investment ties.

Merkel later hosted Modi over a luncheon meeting with senior leaders followed by the inauguration of the Indo-German Business Summit, where Modi set out Indias stall as an investment-friendly destination and the worlds fastest growing major economy and a bright spot in the economic landscape of the world.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday night reached Madrid in Spain, the second leg of his six-day, four-nation tour in Europe.

Landed in Spain, marking the start of a very important visit aimed at improving economic and cultural relations with Spain, Modi tweeted.

During his stay, he is expected to meet the top leadership of the country to discuss issues of mutual interests. He is also expected to call on King of Spain - King Felipe VI on Wednesday.



Hola Espana! Prime Minister Modi arrives in Madrid, first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly three decades, is received by Spanish FM in a special gesture, said Gopal Baglay, spokesperson for the ministry of external affairs in a tweet.

The Prime Minister will be discussing ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in combating terrorism.

#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Madrid in Spain, on the second leg of his six-day, four-nation tour pic.twitter.com/ZSPDLNsep7  ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

Modi will also meet top chief executive officers of the Spanish industry and encourage them to take part in the Make in India initiative.

During his tour to Spain, a number of agreements are likely to be inked in the fields including, renewable energy, high speed rail, infrastructure, civil aviation, water waste management and air space management.

This is the first visit by an Indian prime minister since 1988.

Before leaving for Spain, Modi on Tuesday paid a courtesy call to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at his official residence in Berlin.

Modi met Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue, the scenic official residence of the German President located in Berlins Tiergarten district on the banks of the river Spree, and signed the visitors book before being given a tour of the castle.

Thank you Germany! My visit has led to very positive outcomes in terms of furthering the close ties India and Germany enjoy.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 30, 2017

Earlier in the day, Modi was received by German chanceller Angela Merkel at the chancellery for the Fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) during which the two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral issues and clinched 12 agreements.

Eight of the declarations of intent were signed by senior ministers and envoys in the prime ministerial delegation in the presence of the two leaders while the others were confirmed on the sidelines.

They covered areas of digitalisation, skill development, sustainability, cyber policy, development cooperation, advanced training, vocational education, health sector, alternative medicine, foreign service institutes, railway safety and sustainable urban development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday sought outcome-oriented momentum in Indo-German ties and a quantum jump in economic relations, as he held wide-ranging talks with German chancellor Angela Merkel on key issues like trade, skill development, cyber security and terrorism.

Pace of development of our relations is fast, direction positive and destination clear. Germany will always find India as powerful, prepared and capable partner, Modi said at a joint press interaction after holding talks with Merkel.

The two sides also signed a joint declaration of intent on cyber politics, development initiatives, sustainable urban development, continued development of cluster managers and skill development, cooperation in the field of digitalisation, cooperation in the field of railway security, promoting vocational training and continued cooperation on an Indo-German centre for sustainability.

Modi, who along with Merkel held the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) to set a roadmap for the bilateral strategic ties, said they conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations.

We are looking at outcome oriented momentum in India-Germany ties and a quantum jump specially in economic ties. We had wide ranging discussions today. India-Germany partnership will help our nations and also help the world, he said.

Merkel said India had proved to be a reliable partner and the two sides had been able to deepen cooperation.

Talking about the threat of terrorism, Modi said humanitarian forces must unite to combat the menace.
When three badly charred bodies surfaced in Madhya Pradeshs Guna town over the last week, police knew they were onto something.

But what has unfolded in the last 24 hours has, by their own admission, shocked even the police. A loan of Rs 20,000 triggered a murderous spree that left three school-going boys -- all of them friends and around 17 -- dead.

The main suspect is a friend, a minor and a Class 11 student, who was nabbed Sunday night. The same night another boy, also part of the group, was detained.

Details of the grizzly crime are sketchy but it all started when Hemant Meena, who lived in the Guna cantonment, gave a loan of Rs 20,000 to the main accused, Guna assistant superintendent of police Satyendra Tomar said on Tuesday.

On May 18, Hemants family had lodged a complaint that the teenager who left the house with Rs 40,000 to buy a motorcycle was missing.

Police began a probe and started questioning Hemants friends, who were neighbours in the cantonment. On May 25, Hemants burnt body was found by a roadside.

Two days later, another burnt body turned up near a railway bridge. Police were alarmed when on Sunday a charred body was found on the outskirts of the cantonment. The bodies were of two of Hemants friends they had questioned, Tomar said.

Police found that Hemant was last seen with the main accused and detained him on Sunday.

During his questioning, he told police he owed Rs 20,000 to Hemant, who had insulted him in front of his friends and asked for the money. He wanted to avenge the insult.

On May 18, he invited Hemant and four other friends for a party. They met outside the cantonment and got drunk and then four of them strangled Hemant, took away Rs 40,000 and doused his body in petrol and set it on fire, Tomar said.

The main accused then thought of extorting money from Hemants family. He sent one of the friends to Indore to make a call to the family, saying Hemant would be released on payment of Rs 50 lakh.

The idea was to throw off police as the call would be traced to a cellphone tower in Indore, which is around 200km from Guna.

But the friend got jittery and returned without making the call. The boy was nervous and would have cracked under pressure, the main accused told police. So, he strangled him, burnt the body and dumped it near the railway bridge.

He was not too sure of another friend, so he killed him and burnt the body. He had similar plans for the third friend but police got to him first.

The main accused had asked both his unsuspecting victims to get their own towels and petrol, police said.

The boy comes from a broken lower-middle class family. His father left his mother years ago and he was stayed with her in the cantonment area, Tomar said.

Mother of the main accused has also been arrested as she was aware of her sons crime but did not tell the police.
The Gurudongmar glacier in Sikkim  the source of one of iconic lakes in the world by same name  has receded one-fourth since 1989, a new study has found, implying down-stream impact on hydro-power projects and livelihood of people in Bengal and Bangladesh.

The Gurudongmar lake, named after founder of Tibetan Buddhism in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche, is the main source for Teesta river that flows from Himalayas in Sikkim to Bangladesh.

The sharing of Teesta river water is a contentious issue between India and Bangladesh with Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee refusing to provide even single drop of extra water to the neigbouring country where it is main source of irrigation. The river has major hydel potential for Sikkim with projects over 5,000 MW either proposed or under construction.

A new study published in American Geophysical Union this week says the Gurudongmar glacier retreat has increased by nearly four times between 1965 and 1989.

Between 1989 and 2016, the size of Gurudongmar lake has grown by one-sixth of its size in 1989, said Mauri S Pelto, professor of environmental studies at Nichols College in Dudley, Massachusetts, in a study on Sikkim glaciers.

The study found that terminus of the glacier has retreated by about 600 meters (one-fourth of the total length) since 1987 and the lake has moved upwards. The retreat distance is substantial given the length of the glacier is 25% of the 1996 glacier length of 2.4 km, the study based on satellite images of the glacier in the last 20 years found.

Gurudongmar like all glaciers in the region is different from other winter accumulating Himalayan snow-sheets. It is summer accumulation type which receives 80% of its snowfall during monsoon months between July and September.

Following the summer monsoon which ends in early September there is a transition period with some colder storm events where the snowline drops. Than November-February is the dry winter monsoon with limited precipitation, the study says.

The study also said between 2003 and 2012 the glacier lakes in higher reaches of Sikkim has increased with 85 new one detected in addition to existing 320.

Increase in lakes indicates faster melting and fragmentation of glaciers, a sign of climate change impact on the Indian sub-conditions biggest water source.

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Every time her seven-year-old son returns from school, Rayeesa Akhtar, a young Kashmiri mother who lives in uptown Srinagars Bemina area, thanks God and prays for schools to remain open through the summer. Hundreds of thousands of parents across Kashmir share her worrieschildren including Akhtars son stayed home on 130 days last year, when the July 8, 2016, killing of militant commander Burhan Wani had led to a series of curfews imposed by the police and strike calls issued by Kashmiri separatists.

The killing of Wanis successor, Sabzar Bhat, on May 27, 2017, threatens to further stoke the fire raging since the April 9, 2017 by-elections for a parliamentary seat. On May 27, 2017, separatists announced three days of strike and protests to mourn Bhats death while the police imposed curfew to prevent people from gathering. Yet, clashes took place between protesters and personnel of the state police and the Central Reserve Police Force resulting in the killing of a youth and injuries to 70 others.

In all, 2016 witnessed 2,690 incidents of stone-pelting, violent demonstrations, firing and use of shotgun pellets. This was 79% higher than the 1,500 insurgency-related incidents recorded in 1989, when the armed rebellion in Kashmir marked its beginning. The figure, shared by a top police official on condition of anonymity, for four-and-a-half months into this yearup to May 18, 2017is 1,031, and a repeat of last year is not unlikely. Since Bhats killing, 30 incidents of stone-pelting have been reported on Saturday and Sunday, according to top police officials quoted in the local press.

Changing face of violence

Violence, coupled with curfews and shutdowns, has repeatedly disrupted education in the Kashmir region. However, unlike the 1990s and early 2000s when violent incidents were mainly bomb blasts, grenade explosions and cross-firing, violence since 2010 has mainly taken the form of stone-pelting by protesters and use of force by security personnel by way of firing bullets and pellets to disperse protesters. Between January 1, 2010, and May 18, 2017, as many as 6,897 such law and order incidents have taken place, as against 1,970 insurgency-related incidents, data shared by the J&K police official show.

Source: Data shared by an official of the Jammu & Kashmir police

Schools, colleges in the crosshairs

So far this year, amid apprehensions that the security situation might flare up again, schools have pulled through, although instruction in colleges and universities has been interrupted repeatedly since the April 9, 2017, by-election for the Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary constituency. Widespread violence during the election had resulted in eight civilian deaths and closure of schools and colleges for four days.

Afterwards, some torture videos had gone viral and fuelled a gathering sense of anger among college and university students. Now, students, including womenwho had thus far steered clear of stone-pelting and similar activitiesare staging frequent protests.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has responded by repeatedly ordering educational institutions, particularly colleges, to remain closed as a precautionary measure against student protests. For example, Srinagars SP Higher Secondary School has been ordered shut on at least six occasions, including, most recently, on May 18, 2017. An April 2017 order had ensured closure of educational institutions across Kashmir for five consecutive days.

Losing more than an academic year

Educationists and civil society activists have been making fervent appeals on Facebook urging students to go back to class, now that they have expressed their anguish. Since the governments April 27, 2017, decision to block 22 social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter, Kashmiris have been using virtual private network (VPN) applicationswhich extend a private network across a public one, essentially how companies connect geographically-separated officesto access social media.

J&K education minister Syed Altaf Bukhari warned protesting students on May 18, 2017, that those falling short of attendance will not be allowed to take their exams.

Educationists are worried. We need our youth educated. We cant afford more ill-educated generations, Roshan Ara, who teaches at Srinagars College of Education, said referring to the chaos of the 1990s and early 2000s when heightened political turmoil had resulted in violence across Kashmir, depriving two generations of proper education.

A detailed look at the newspaper files of the time gives a clear sense of the intensity of violence in those yearsthe overwhelming majority of lead stories on newspaper front pages was about violent incidents.

Statistics from J&K Police, as revealed by the official, are even more revealing: Towards the end of 1989, over 1,500 violent incidents were recorded, which included 351 bomb blasts. The frequency of explosions, grenade launches, cross-firings, abductions and demonstrations registered a sharp increase in the years that followed. As many as 4,211 violent incidents which included explosions, improvised explosive device blasts and grenade attacks occurred in the year 1990 alone. The number of incidents went up and down over the years, to close 2016 with 2,690 incidents. This year has seen over 1,000 incidents in its first four-and-a-half months.

Source: Data shared by an official of the Jammu & Kashmir police (1989-2002), and from the annual reports (2003-2016) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Right after the onset of conflict in Kashmir, the working of schools and government offices was affected. After initial hiccups due to intermittent strikes, the functioning of schools came to a halt when employees of all educational institutions, in sync with employees of all government departments, went on strike for 73 consecutive days from September 14 to November 28, 1990, to protest against human rights violations. As many as 125 strike calls were issued by separatist organisations in the year 1990 alone, according to data compiled by the crime branch of the J&K Police.

Again, there were phases when the situation improved or deteriorated, and 2016 saw 130 days when curfew or shutdown was imposed. This year, since schools and colleges reopened on March 1, 2017, curfews and strike calls have disrupted normal life on more than 15 daysnearly a fifth (19%) of working daysan analysis of media reports shows.

Source: Data compiled by the crime branch of the Jammu & Kashmir police, analysis of media reports

Note: Data not available for 1997, 1998 and 2004.

In Srinagar, Akhtar remembers how her young child had to stay indoors for four months in 2016. An analysis of various surveys and reports shows that since July 8, 2016, educational institutions have stayed open on 80 out of 197 working days, meaning they have remained closed on 59.39% of working days.

Thankfully, so far schools have remained open, she said. But everybody says that if the situation worsens, it might not be possible to keep the schools open. Over the last 27 years, Kashmiris have become inured to political turmoil, security mayhem and human rights abuses. However, closed schools, and home-bound children, bring the realities of the conflict home, quite literally.

(Parvaiz is a Srinagar-based journalist.)

Indiaspend.org is a data-driven, public-interest journalism non-profit.
Six Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were injured during mortar firing practice near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan along the Indo-Pak border on Tuesday.

The incident took place at about 8:30am when a 51mm mortar fell short of its target at the forces firing range in Kishangarh.

The six personnel suffered injuries due to the blast of the ammunition, out of which two are critical, a senior BSF officer said.

The troops were participating in a firing exercise.

Officials said one of the critically injured personnel will be air evacuated to a hospital in Jodhpur while others are being treated in Jaisalmer.

This is the second such incident here this year after four personnel were injured in similar circumstances in March.

Few days after this, six men of the paramilitary were injured in similar circumstances during mortar firing exercise at its centre in Jharkhands Hazaribagh.

The BSF is deployed in Rajasthan as part of its task to guard the India-Pakistan International Border (IB).
It would be an immoral and criminal act to spoil the environment for future generations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, and underlined the need to protect nature, as the Donald Trump administration mulls to overturn the US position on the 2015 Paris climate accord.

Modis remarks came during a joint press interaction with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after the two leaders agreed to continue cooperation towards the common aim of developing climate-friendly, efficient and sustainable solutions for Indias expanding energy needs and other areas of sustainable development.

Emphasising the importance of protecting nature, Modi said playing with the well-being of future generations would be an immoral and criminal act.

#WATCH PM Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel issue joint statement in Berlin https://t.co/d0kNzSLDF0  ANI (@ANI_news) 30 May 2017

In response to a question on climate change, the Prime Minister reiterated Indias timeless values of nurturing and protecting nature.

Modi also recalled Indias commitment to generate 175 giga watts of energy from renewable sources by 2022.

Later in a joint statement, Modi and Merkel expressed great appreciation for the successful cooperation on fostering renewable energies in India.

Building on existing formats of cooperation, the leaders reiterated their support to the Indo-German Climate and Renewables Alliance as an overarching alliance between India and Germany with the objective to give recognition to ongoing collaboration of various stakeholders on energy and climate change as well as to enhance cooperation and synergies in these fields.

They underlined the importance of the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) in contributing to the further development of the Indian energy sector.

Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merkel reaffirmed the importance of the Indo-German Environment Forum (IGEnvF) in contributing to further cooperation on environmental issues, including biodiversity and climate change. They agreed to hold the next meeting of the Indo-German Environmental Forum in 2017 in New Delhi, said a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel look on as MoUs are exchanged between commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman and a German representative in Berlin on Tuesday. (PTI/ PIB Photo)

Both sides expressed their commitment to work towards the goals expressed in the New Urban Agenda, agreed at the Habitat III conference in 2016.

Until 2022 Germany intends to provide financial and technical assistance in the range of 1 billion euros.

The two leaders welcomed the meetings of the Working Groups for collaboration in water management, waste management, circular economy, and climate change held in 2016 and took note of the scheduled meetings for 2017 including the meeting of the proposed Working Group on Biodiversity.

The leaders acknowledged, in particular with regard to the G20, the ongoing important work and activities at different levels to fight marine litter and to counteract its impacts. They stressed the need for cooperation to follow-up on the work done so far within the G20.

Recognising the need to promote an ecosystem that creates entrepreneurial economy, Modi and Merkel agreed to promote cooperation in the field of Startups by facilitating interaction with various stakeholders in the Startups ecosystem.

German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel and India's minister of state for external affairs MJ Akbar sign documents as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel look on in Berlin on Tuesday. (REUTERS)

The two leaders welcomed the outcome of the annual negotiations on development cooperation held in October 2016, as well as the new envisaged commitments in bilateral development cooperation for 2017, each comprising an amount of 1 billion euros.

India and Germany share a long standing, trustful and successful development cooperation.

Lauding Germanys assistance in developmental projects over the years, Modi highlighted the successful Indo-German Solar Partnership founded in 2015 and the cooperation on Green Energy Corridors established in 2013.

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he will make a decision next week on whether the US will abide by the 2015 Paris agreement on cutting global carbon emissions.

I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week! Trump tweeted from the G7 summit in Sicily.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and delegation of the European People's Party (EPP) have discussed at a meeting the membership of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc 'Solidarity' in the EPP.

"The meeting participants also discussed ways of reforming the Ukrainian party system in accordance with European norms and the general progress of reforms in Ukraine," reads a report posted on the 'Solidarity' website.

The EPP is the largest political organization in Europe, which unites 75 member-parties from 40 countries, twelve heads of state and government, fourteen European commissioners, and also has the largest faction in the European Parliament.
Syrian rebels say the United States and its allies are sending them more arms to try to fend off a new push into the southeast by Iran-backed militias aiming to open an overland supply route between Iraq and Syria.

The stakes are high as Iran seeks to secure its influence from Tehran to Beirut in a Shiite crescent of Iranian influence through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, where Sunni Arab states have lost out in power struggles with Iran.

Tensions escalated in the southeastern region of Syria, known as the Badia, this month when government forces supported by Iraqi Shiite militias deployed in a challenge to rebels backed by President Bashar al-Assads enemies.

This has coincided with a march towards the Syrian border by Shiite militias from Iraq. They reached the frontier adjoining northern Syria on Monday. A top Iraqi militia commander said a wider operation to take the area from Sunni jihadist Islamic State would start on Tuesday and this would help Syrias army.

While in Iraq the United States has fought alongside Iranian-backed Iraqi government forces and Shiite militias against Islamic State, in Syria Washington has lined up against Assads Iranian-backed government and wants to block a further expansion of Iranian influence, with its regional allies.

The sides are vying for pole position in the next major phase of the fight against Islamic State: the battle to dislodge it from the eastern Syrian province of Deir al-Zor where many of the jihadists have relocated from Raqqa and Mosul.

Several rebel groups fighting under the Free Syrian Army (FSA) banner operate in the sparsely populated Badia, where they captured swathes of territory from Islamic State this year. U.S. air strikes on May 18 targeted Iran-backed fighters who had moved into the area.

Also in May, Damascus declared both the Badia and Deir al-Zor priorities of its campaign to re-establish its rule over Syria, which has been shattered by six years of war that have killed hundreds of thousands of people. The government is being helped by both Iran and Russia, while the opposition has been helped by the West and regional states which oppose Assad.

Rebels said military aid has been boosted through two separate channels: a programme backed by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), known as the MOC, and regional states including Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and one run by the Pentagon.

There has been an increase in the support, said Tlass Salameh, head of the Jaish Usoud al-Sharqiya, one of the FSA groups backed via the CIA-backed programme. Theres no way we can let them open the Baghdad-Damascus highway, he said.

A senior commander of a Pentagon-backed group, Maghawir al-Thawra, told Reuters a steady flow of weapons had arrived at their base near the Iraqi border since the pro-Damascus forces began deploying this month.

He said efforts to recruit and train local fighters from Deir al-Zor had accelerated at their garrison at Tanf, on the highway some 20 km (12 miles) from the Iraqi border.

The equipment and reinforcements come and go daily ... but in the last few weeks they have brought in more heavy military vehicles, TOW (missiles), and armoured vehicles, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Two armoured vehicles newly delivered to the Tanf garrison were shown in photos sent to Reuters from a rebel source. A video showed fighters unpacking mortar bombs.

In a written response to emailed questions from Reuters, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition did not say if coalition support to Maghawir al-Thawra had increased.

Colonel Ryan Dillon said coalition forces were prepared to defend themselves if pro-regime forces refuse to vacate a de-confliction zone around Tanf.

The coalition has observed pro-regime forces patrolling in the vicinity of the established de-confliction zone around the Tanf training site in Syria ... Pro-regime patrols and the continued armed and hostile presence of forces inside the ... zone is unacceptable and threatening to coalition forces.

U.S. jets this week dropped leaflets on pro-government forces instructing them to pull out of the Tanf area to the Zaza junction further from the border. The leaflets were obtained by Hammurabi Justice, a Maghawir-linked website.

The Syrian army could not be reached for comment.

A commander in the military alliance fighting in support of Assad told Reuters the deployment of government forces and pro-Damascus Iraqi fighters in the Badia would obstruct all the plans of the MOC, Jordan and America.

The commander, a non-Syrian, said Assads enemies were committed to blocking what they call the (Shiite) Crescent. But, he said, Now, our axis is insistent on this matter and it will be accomplished.

The Iraqi Badr militia said its advance to the Syrian border would help the Syrian army reach the border from the other side. The Americans will not be allowed to control the border, its leader, Hadi al-Amiri, told al-Mayadeen TV.
Thousands of drug stores in Uttar Pradesh did not open for business on Tuesday morning, protesting proposed government rules that they say will make selling medicines tedious and impractical.

Around 8,000 stores in Lucknow, the state capital, were closed, and representatives of unions for pharmacies said most of the 75,000 all over the state were shut as well for the day-long strike called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).

The medicine shop in Hazratganj opens before 9.30 am but its 10 now and the shutter is still down, said Rakesh Sharma, a local resident who was looking for fever medication.

Medicine stores in hospitals and at emergency wards, however, did not participate in the strike.

Selling medicine will become near impossible, said Giriraj Rastogi, patron, Chemists and Druggists Federation of Uttar Pradesh (CDFUP), referring to the new Union government proposals.

Under the plan, it will become mandatory for wholesalers to generate bills and upload it on a central server before selling drugs to a retail chemist. Also, a chemist will have to upload each prescription on the same server before they can generate the bill for a patient, which will be tedious and impractical, said Vikas Rastogi, spokesperson Lucknow Retail Chemists Association.

The traders have decided to take out a march during the day and hand over memorandums to the district magistrate, one addressed to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister and another to the Prime Minister. We wish our issues be solved and we are not forced take the agitation further, said Suresh Gupta, general secretary of the AIOCD.

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Yogi Adityanath will visit the makeshift Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya on Wednesday in his first trip to the temple town after assuming the office of the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Much significance is being attached to chief ministers visit in the backdrop of the shifting focus on the Ayodhya issue with a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court summoning senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and others for framing of charges for allegedly conspiring to demolish the 16th-century Babri Masjid.

Saffron party leaders LK Advani, Uma Bharti, Murli Manohar Joshi and nine others will be present in the Lucknow court on Tuesday when charges will be framed under section 120(b) of the Indian Penal Code.

Hundreds of Hindu zealots scaled the disputed Babri Masjid in 1992 and knocked it down, triggering a cycle of communal violence that claimed more than 3,000 lives. The controversial razing was the culmination of a festering dispute between Muslims and many Hindus, who believe the Mughal emperor Babur razed a temple at the site believed to be the birthplace of Hindu god, Ram. The demolition also buoyed the BJP to power in Uttar Pradesh and in other Hindi heartland states.

Adityanaths visit comes nearly two and a half months after the Supreme Courts suggestion that the Ayodhya dispute be resolved amicably with Chief Justice of India JS Khehar offering to mediate to help resolve the matter.

The chief minister will also attend the week-long birth celebrations of Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das and meet seers in the town. The Nyas is a trust dedicated to promoting and overseeing the construction of the temple in Ayodhya.

Yes, the chief minister will attend Mahant Nritya Gopal Das birth celebrations here, Vishwa Hindu Parishad spokesperson Sharad Sharma told the Hindustan Times on phone.

Led by Adityanath, the BJP government took charge in the state after the recent assembly election. After the installation of the first BJP government in the state in 1991, CM Kalyan Singh had also led his ministry for a darshan of Ram Lala at the disputed site.

After landing at Faizabad on Wednesday, the Adityanath will reach the Hanuman Garhi Temple and later go for a darshan of Ram Lala. He will also visit the Ram Ki Pairi at the Saryu and will interact with BJP workers and office bearers at Awadh University.

The chief minister will also review development projects with the officers there. Adityanath will visit the Digambar Akhara and Deen Bandhu Eye Hospital as well.

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A lady doctor was arrested in Bihars Kaimur district, 186 km southwest of Patna over charges of her involvement in a Rs 6.33-crore fund scam under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam on Monday evening.

Kaimur police said Dr Indu Singh, owner of a private nursing home at Kudra, 18 km from district headquarters of Bhabua, was one of the accused along with her husband, Dr Pramod Kumar Singh.

Pramod Kumar Singh, who was arrested on May 1, is at present languishing in a jail after a vigilance court in Patna declined him bail.

Indu Singh would be produced in the vigilance court in Patna, Kaimur superintendent of police, Harpreet Kaur said. She is accused of conducting fake tubectomy procedures and embezzling Rs 8,47,500 government money in the process, Kaur said.

Kaur said Indu Singh was among 23 persons, including 12 doctors, against whom the vigilance court had issued non-bailable warrants of arrest on May 19 for alleged irregularities committed between 2009 and 2012.

Kaur said the 23 accused were facing charges under Sections 420 (punishment for cheating), 409 (criminal breach of trust), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471(using forged document), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) and 34 (common intention) of Indian Penal Code and Section 13(1)(D) of Prohibition of Corruption Act.

The audit report of the State Health Society, Bihar, showed that payments under NRHM had been made for fake tubectomy procedures and deliveries. Some of the doctors were found to have conducted more than one tubectomy procedure and facilitating delivery on a single woman, Kaur, who had ordered a detailed investigation in the matter while reviewing the case last year, said.

The report had pointed out that a woman, Mina Devi, was shown to have given birth to 12 children within four months, besides undergoing tubectomy procedures 14 times during the same period. Surprisingly, she was 36 years of age when tubectomy was performed on November 23, 2009, but her age was shown as 29 when she gave birth to a child after four days, the report added.

The investigations also pointed to instancesreferred to by doctors in which at least 11 women were shown to have delivered children 5 to 12 times within four months, besides undergoing tubectomy 7 to 11 times in the same period, which proved the sham, deputy superintendent of police Dilip Kumar Jha, the investigating officer of the case, said.

In a related development, one of the prime accused, Varun Kumar Singh, surrendered in the vigilance court on Monday. The court had issued orders to attach the property of Singh, who runs a non-governmental organisation, after he was found absconding.

The scam was detected in 2012 and two FIRs were registered at Bhabua police station in the same year. Later, the case was handed over to the vigilance bureau.
Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje has admitted that recent crimes, including those by cow vigilantes, against minorities in the state show Rajasthan in a bad light, but stressed that firm action will be taken against those behind the violence.

The law of the land prevails in Rajasthan, and the government will ensure the culprits are brought to book, she said.

In April, gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes) brutally thrashed five cattle traders in Alwar leading to the death of one, 55- year-old Pehlu Khan, in a hospital days later.

Recently, the desert state hit the headlines again when a video -- showing Sikh men allegedly being thrashed by villagers in Ajmer -- surfaced.

Rajasthan cannot be singled out. Such incidents are happening across India. But this government will not tolerate such crimes as it shows the state in a bad light, Raje told PTI.

She said the administration acted swiftly and the perpetrators were arrested in the Pehlu Khan case.

The chief minister, who is due to complete her term next year, said, We do not discriminate among people on any lines. In less than a week, the accused in the honour killing of a Kerala engineer were arrested and an inquiry was also ordered into the Ajmer incident.

In a suspected case of honour killing, 28-year-old Amit Nair, a civil engineer, was shot dead last week allegedly by his in-laws here for marrying a Rajasthani woman.

Though our government did its part, the Kerala government is yet to speak out on the killings of BJP and RSS workers, said Raje.

The CM said she planned to make development her partys poll plank for the state Assembly elections.

The Centre and the state were actively working for the people, she said, adding that the ruling BJP was an active organisation. The state had seen a rapid growth in every sector in the last four years, she said.

These factors will be crucial in ensuring our victory in the polls, Raje said, adding that the BJP government had inherited discoms crippled by debts running into crores of rupees from the erstwhile Congress government.

Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje lays foundation stone for underpass at SMS hospital in Jaipur. (PTI Photo)

Bailing them out to put the crucial sector back on track was a massive and uphill task, she said.

Citing an example of the coordination between the Centre and the state, Raje said, Rajasthans road network by 2018 will be of 30,000 km. The state has already constructed 21,000 km of roads since the BJP formed the government in the state.

Apart from its plans to highlight investments in industry and agriculture, the Raje government will heavily bank its poll campaigns on schemes such as the Mukhya Mantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan (MJSA), the Nyay Aapke Dwar (legal camps), the Bhamashah Yojana and irrigation schemes.

These are our flagship programmes. The MJSA is decreasing the dependency on canals and rivers, thus reducing the financial burden on the state, she said.

On the AAP looking to make its debut in the Rajasthan polls, Raje said, I welcome them. This is a democracy.
The owner of the 6-seater speed boat, which collided with a 20-seater one in Udaipurs Fateh Sagar lake, said on Tuesday that the accident happened because the driver of the other boat was a minor and did not have a licence.

In the Monday evening accident, a 3-year-old girl fell into the lake .

Rescue operations by the police and private divers to find the girl proved unsuccessful till late on Tuesday evening.

Ashraf Khan, the contractor of the 6-seater boat, said his driver was professionally trained and licensed to drive the speed boat; the other boat was driven by a minor boy who did not have a licence.

In addition, their boat stopped in the middle of the lake as its engine went off. Our driver thought that the other boat would cross by the time his boat would reach but it did not, and the mishap occurred, Khan said.

Mohsin, the driver of the 6-seater, has been arrested for negligent driving; other victims were rescued and rushed to MB hospital, an official at the Ambamata police station told HT.

The incident, police said, occurred on Monday evening when Vidyadhar Saini, a chartered accountant from Jaipur, was riding the 6-seater boat with his family and neighbours, and their driver lost control of the boat and rammed into the 20-seater boat that was carrying 11 passengers.

When the collision took place, Saini, his daughter Chahak, his neighbour, and the neighbours seven-year-old son fell into the lake. Everybody was wearing life-jackets, but the one worn by the three-year-old girl proved too big for her; it came off when she fell into the water. Without the life-jacket, Chahak disappeared in the lake.

The victims told police that the driver of the boat was driving at a high speed and despite being asked to slow down, he continued with the pace.

The families of Saini and his neighbour had come to Udaipur on Sunday for a vacation.
After flushing out illegal inmates from hostels, the Allahabad University authorities are hopeful of a healthy and peaceful atmosphere on the campus.

AU vice-chancellor Ratanlal Hangloo thanked the police and the media for their co-operation in the drive aimed at flushing out anti-social elements and illegal inmates from hostels.

The drive which continued for several days concluded on Saturday. Though the students posed a stiff resistance against the drive, the university administration and the police remained adamant to carry out the orders of the Allahabad high court.

The police found empty cartridges, liquor bottles and material used in making crude bombs in hostel rooms.

The drive has freed hostels of illegal inmates. Students will now get a peaceful atmosphere at the university and hostels, he said.

Hostels inmates will now get proper facilities and discipline will be maintained. Inmates who have been allotted rooms will be allowed to return and new students will be provided rooms from July, the VC said.

Hostels will be allotted according to the courses. Proper checking of identity cards will be carried out at all the gates of the university to ensure only students enter the premises, he added.

SHO, Colonelganj, Awdhesh Singh confirmed some crude bombs exploded near Tarachand Hostel during the drive but denied any foul play. No one hurled bombs. It appears bombs were hidden in the hostel which exploded due to heat, he said.

In the past few years, frequent clashes were reported between the inmates of hostels and crude bomb explosions often rocked Katra, Colonelganj, Indian Press Crossing, Elanganj and Baghada.

Crude bombs were also used in clashes between inmates and traders and even police vehicles were targeted when the cops tried to restore order.

Read more: Allahabad University students clash with police, torch vehicles
An ambitious highway project that aims to link Lucknow to Ballia would now be known only as Purvanchal Expressway, as the Uttar Pradesh cabinet decided on Tuesday to drop the word Samajwadi from the name.

The expressway, linking the state capital with the eastern parts of UP, had been mooted by the previous Samajwadi Party government headed by Akhilesh Yadav.

The state cabinet, in a meeting presided over by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, decided to drop the word Samajwadi from the name and it will be known only as Purvanchal Expressway, minister for industrial development Satish Mahana told reporters in Lucknow.

Work on the expressway will begin only after 80% land for the project is acquired, the minister said, adding that 40.71% of the required land has already been acquired.

The minister said tenders which had earlier been invited for the project, will get cancelled on their own.

A target has been set according to which the 353-km-long expressway is to be completed in two years, he said.

In another important decision, the cabinet gave its approval to increase the retirement age of Provincial Medical Service (PMS) doctors from 60 to 62 years .

With this 1,000 more doctors will be available in 2017-2018, which is a step towards improvement in the health sector which faces shortage of medical practitioners, health minister Siddharth Nath Singh said.

The cabinet also discussed the mining policy. Special arrangements will be put in force to check illegal mining by installing CCTV and GPS, it is learnt.

A decision was also taken to increase the time slot of pattas (mining lease contracts).
A 15-year-old boy drowned off Juhu beach while his two friends aged 13 and 10 were saved by passersby on Monday afternoon.

According to the Santacruz police, the incident took place a kilometre from the main beach around 3.30pm. The victim, Kartik Devendra, and his friends Gajendra Devendra and Karpanna Devendra are residents of Nehru Nagar at Vile Parle (East).

The three boys had gone to the beach to beat the heat and entered from the Birla lane. They got into the water and Kartik was pulled in by a wave, said an officer.

One of the lifeguards, Suhail Mulani posted at the Juhu beach told HT, The incident took place 1.5 kilometres from where we stood. We keep patrolling the beach on foot but when our lifeguards went there they were not in the water. A private lifeguard and others at the beach managed to pull out the two kids.

The body of Kartik washed ashore on the beach near Ramada hotel after midnight. The Santacruz police have registered a case of accidental death. They confirmed that Kartik had died of drowning. The incident has again put the focus back on the need for deployment of more lifeguards and constant patrolling of the beaches.

Past incidents

April 17: An 11-year-old boy who had gone missing from his residence at Ghatkopar (East) on Monday evening was found dead at Juhu beach the following day. The police have not found any foul play in the death.

April 17: The body of Shahid Shaikh, 17, who had drowned on Monday, was found at Juhu beach on Tuesday at around 2.30 am next day. He had gone to the beach with his grandfather and two friends. He ventured into the sea at 2.30pm but got pulled in by strong currents. He was a resident of Juhu.

March 23: An outing at Juhu beach turned tragic for a group of friends from Santacruz (East). They plunged into the sea to beat the heat. One from the group, indetified as Arvind Pandey, drowned.

May 21: A 22-year-old Abrail Gulam Mohammad Shaikh was feared drowned off Juhu. He had gone for swimming with three friends.

May 18: A 26-year-old man from Bandra, who had gone to Juhu beach for a swim with his two friends, drowned. Irshad Qureshi was pulled in by strong currents.

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A 25-year-old labourer was arrested for allegedly killing his wife after a heated argument in Ghatkopar on Sunday.

The police said Sohail and Saima Shaikh, 22, lived in a room at Ramabai Nagar transit camp.

On Sunday, Sohail took his wife near a creek at Ghatkopar where they fought. He pelted stones at her and beat her with a stick, said Praful Phadke, senior police inspector from Pant Nagar police station.

He tried to pass it off as an accident, said Phadke.

The police said that they were patrolling when they saw Sohail taking his wife to hospital. He tried to mislead them by saying that she had injured herself in an accident.

The police took her to hospital but she was declared brought dead. The police questioned Sohail who confessed to his crime, said Phadke.

Investigations revealed that he suspected her character because of which there were frequent fights between the two. The accused has been booked under section 302 (murder) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Read more: Husband, in-laws kill Mumbai woman 4 days after wedding; her severed head found
The upper chamber of the Parliament of the Netherlands (Senate) has supported the ratification of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.

The Dutch parliamentarians voted to ratify this document at a meeting on May 30.

"The Senate of the Netherlands has ratified the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU. We are grateful to the Dutch parliamentarians for a wise and far-sighted decision that will benefit both countries and strengthen Europe," the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine said on its official Facebook page on Tuesday.

As reported, the Lower House of the Parliament of the Netherlands (House of Representatives) on February 23 officially confirmed the ratification of the Association Agreement with Ukraine.

To complete the ratification process, the Agreement should still be ratified by the government of the Netherlands.
Four premature babies, who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a government- run hospital at Amravati in Maharashtra, died in the early hours on Monday.

The parents of the children alleged negligence, after which some activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena beat up one of the doctors, the police said.

The four infants  two male and two female  born prematurely in the last one week were kept in incubators in the ICU of Punjabrao Deshmukh Medical College Hospital, Amravati district collector Abhijeet Bangar said.

Kailas Pundkar, senior inspector of Gagadenagar police station, said, One baby died due to asphyxia and the body was handed over to the parents. The cause of deaths of other three babies is yet to be ascertained as autopsies are underway.

Medical education minister Girish Mahajan has ordered inquiry by Amravati civil surgeon, Bangar told PTI.

According to hospital sources, the deaths took place between 1am and 1.30am. As the news spread in the morning, activists of MNS beat up Bhushan Katta, one of the doctors on duty, the police said.

Read more: Patients relative alleges negligence, damage property
As if the constant sniping by the Shiv Sena isnt enough, the Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra is facing flak from some of its smaller allies who had helped it garner support among farmers and Marathas during the last election.

Farmers leader Raju Shetti, whose Swambhimani Paksha is part of the National Democratic Alliance led by the BJP, has launched an offensive against the Devendra Fadnavis government demanding a better deal for farmers. In fact, he is leading a big rally in Mumbai on Tuesday to mark the culmination of a repentance march he started from Pune more than a week ago.

The other troublesome ally for the BJP is Vinayak Mete, who has floated a new political party, the Bharatiya Sangram Parishad. Mete, who used to be associated with the Nationalist Congress Party, shifted alliance to the BJP in 2014 with his Maratha outfit, Shivsangram. He is now upset with the BJP for not making him a minister in the state government.

Shetti, an MP from Hathkanangale constituency of Kolhapur district, is also opposing chief minister Fadnavis pet Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway, which has drawn criticism from the Shiv Sena too. The project is facing strong opposition from farmers whose land is sought to be acquired by the government. Shetti, who hasa following among farmers in western and central Maharashtra, has said his outfit is ready to shed blood in support of the farmers opposing the expressway.

Shetti may announce a parting of ways with the BJP government later in the day, during his rally in south Mumbai. Shettis anger with the BJP could also in part be fuelled by the troubles within his own party. The Paksha is on the verge of a split after MLA Sadabhau Khot, who was inducted in the Fadnavis government, has decided to distance himself from participating in to the ongoing protest march.

In the coming days, the BJP will have its hands full managing its allies to ensure no lasting damage is done politically.

Read: Plan your road commute better, farmers rally may lead to traffic snarls in Mumbai

Read: Swabhimani Paksha to hold rally for farm loan waiver in Mumbai today

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A container loaded with 14 tonnes of buffalo meat went missing from Nhava Sheva on Monday.

The consignment was supposed to be exported to Vietnam from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai. The value of the meat in Indian market would be around 35 lakh, Nhava Sheva police said.

According to the police, the consignment was sent from a company called Maria Frozen Ago Food Private Limited in Taloja. The container was dispatched in a trailer on April 18, and was supposed to be exported by 17th of this month. However, it never reached the port.

When the company officials learnt about it last week, they tried to contact the trailer driver, but to no avail. They later approached us and registered a complaint, said a police officer from Nhava Sheva police station.

The company officials have informed us that there were a total of 730 cartons of the meat and each carton consisted of 20 to 25 kilograms of meat, he said.

The police suspect that the driver of the trailer sold the meat to some other people before reaching the port.

One person alone cannot execute such a big task. We think more people were involved with him. We have registered a case under sections 407 (criminal breach of trust by carrier) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the accused, another police officer said.

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While the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government in the state is finding ways to deal with the Opposition Congress-NCP and ally Shiv Senas attempts to mobilise farmers over the issue of farm loan waiver, it may have to handle another problem  protests against land acquisition for its ambitious infrastructure projects.

For the past few weeks, farmers in Nashik and some other parts are staging agitation against the proposed Mumbai-Nagpur highway. Titled as Maharashtra Prosperity Corridor, the Mumbai-Nagpur expressway is chief minister Devendra Fadnavis dream project. Heres why we think the highway will be a bad political move for the Maharashtra government.

1. Scale of land acquisition

The state government plans to acquire nearly 52,000 acres of land across ten districts for the highway and the 24 nodes or cities planned along it. 84 per cent of this land is agricultural. The state has had a turbulent history with land acquisition with one of the biggest Special Economic Zones in Raigad (Reliance led Mahamumbai SEZ) failing to take off due to farmers protests. A majority of the trade enclaves planned a decade back have failed even after land was, in many cases, forcibly acquired from farmers. Farmers in this stretch have also lost land earlier to public projects including road widening, dams and have faced shoddy compensation for this. All of this brings down the credibility of the government vis a vis acquiring land from farmers.

2. Bypassing the law

The state government is using a short cut to acquire the land by bypassing the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 (all provisions except for compensation) and instead is using an amended Maharashtra Highways Act, 1955 to acquire land. By ignoring the more detailed and farmer-friendly law, the government hopes to hasten the project. But, this also means that farmers who lose their lands will not be promised jobs, landless labourers are unlikely to get anything in the bargain, no social impact assessment is carried out before acquiring land and there is no proper procedure to register dissent for the farmers.

Read: Mumbai-Nagpur expressway: MSRDC to raise Rs5,000cr from govt agencies

3. Political opponents are using the Highway to target Fadnavis-led government

Political opposition as well as ally Shiv Sena (ironically the department handling the project is led by a Sena minister) is targeting Fadnavis pet project. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray have both held meetings with agitating farmers and promised to back their demands against the project. To add to the governments woes, the states tallest farmers leader, former MP Raju Shetti has announced his opposition to the project. He has also promised that all farmer-led organisations in the state would oppose the project. This has isolated Fadnavis, who has been promoting this project as a game changer.

4. State government being projected as anti-farmer

The Fadnavis-led government has been on the backfoot on the issue of farmers and the agrarian crisis over a year now. The Opposition has consistently demanded a loan waiver for farmers, a demand that the cash strapped government cannot meet. This year, Congress-NCP upped its ante on the loan waiver demand by holding state wide protests. The recent tur dal (pigeon pea) controversy over purchase of pigeon pea from farmers has further painted the government as being anti-farmer. The Mumbai-Nagpur expressway is adding to this perception of the government with farmers taking to roads in protest against the acquisition. The district administration is worsening the picture by using police force to undertake measurement of lands required for the project and by putting cases against youngsters, who protest.

Read: Mumbai-Nagpur highway: MSRDC wants special power to plan smart cities on 25,920 acres

5. The project may turn into a miss more than a hit in the short term

The Mumbai-Nagpur highway is an ambitious project, which is unlikely to yield results for the Fadnavis-government any time soon, especially before the next 2019 elections. While Fadnavis hopes to get the project off the ground this year and complete some stretches before 2019 polls, this seems unlikely, given the nature of opposition on ground.

Raising resources, co-opting farmers opposed to the land acquisition, speedy execution are all mammoth tasks, which are unlikely to be completed within the given time frame.

Instead of being a showcase project, in the short term the Highway could well turn into a big miss for the government.

Read: Mumbai-Nagpur expressway: Motorists from 10 districts may pay for it, heres how

Read: Mumbai-Nagpur expressway: Land acquisition blues, again

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South Mumbai faced massive traffic snarls on Tuesday as farmers leader and MP Raju Shetty walks from Bhoiwada to Raj Bhavan, as part of farmers outfit Swabhimani Sangathna, that started a march at Kolhapur. Maharashtra HSC board results were announced today, and the state recorded a success rate of 89.50% (freshers only) in Class 12. While the state government is considering levying fuel surcharge on fuel for vehicles passing through 10 districts of the proposed Mumbai-Nagpur expressway, we give you five reasons why the super communication highway is a bad move for the Devendra Fadnavis-led government. Also, a new drug called N-bomb, which mimics the effects of LSD but costs half the price, has got Mumbai cops on their toes.

Here are todays top five picks:

1. Plan your road commute better, farmers rally leads to traffic snarls in Mumbai

South Mumbai faced massive traffic snarls on Tuesday as farmers leader and MP Raju Shetty walks from Bhoiwada to Raj Bhavan. Hundreds of farmers, part of farmers outfit Swabhimani Sangathna that started a march at Kolhapur, will end the protest at Raj Bhavan today, said Mumbai traffic police officials. The rally started from the Shirodkar school grounds, where the farmers stayed on Monday night.

2. Maharashtra HSC results today: State pass percentage 89.5%, Mumbai last among all divisions at 88.21%

Maharashtra has recorded a success rate of 89.50% (freshers only) in Class 12 state board exams results announced today.The Mumbai division, including Thane, Raigad, Palghar, finished last among the nine divisions with a pass percentage of 88.21%. Konkan division stood first with 95. 20%. Pune and Kolhapur recorded pass percentage of 91.16% and 91.40%, respectively. The science stream saw more than 95% students passing, followed by commerce at 91% and arts at 81.91%.

3. Five reasons why Mumbai-Nagpur super communication highway is not a good move

While the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government in the state is finding ways to deal with the Opposition Congress-NCP and ally Shiv Senas attempts to mobilise farmers over the issue of farm loan waiver, it may have to handle another problem  protests against land acquisition for its ambitious infrastructure projects. For the past few weeks, farmers in Nashik and some other parts are staging agitation against the proposed Mumbai-Nagpur highway. Titled as Maharashtra Prosperity Corridor, the Mumbai-Nagpur expressway is chief minister Devendra Fadnavis dream project.

4. N-bomb alert in Mumbai: Cheaper LSD-like drug has cops on their toes

The N-bomb has been keeping the Mumbai police on its toes lately  not the deadly nuclear bomb, but a potent but much cheaper LSD-like drug. The Anti Narcotics Cell said the synthetic drug, which has been popular in the west for over a decade, may be finding its way into Mumbais party circuit. The police discovered the N-BOMe street names include Smiley or N-bomb  had entered the country after the substance was found during two raids last year by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Goa and Bangalore.

5. Mumbai-Nagpur expressway: Motorists from 10 districts may pay for it, heres how

Vehicle owners in the 10 districts through which the proposed 706-km Mumbai-Nagpur expressway is going to pass might have to shell out more every time they refuel, as the Maharashtra government is mulling levying cess on petrol and diesel. According to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporationthe nodal agency for the projectthe cess might be levied on the sale of petrol and diesel, to raise additional revenue for the repayment of loans.
Sharad Pawars reputation was first besmirched when Gopinath Munde went to town over his alleged links to criminals. I well remember, soon after the March 1993 serial blasts, at a press conference at Varsha, he was asked what action his government would be taking against Dawood Ibrahim whose involvement in the blasts had by then been incontrovertibly established by the Bombay police. Will the government seize his properties and freeze his bank accounts, he was asked.

Pawar was never a good communicator and was not upto the tendency of reporters even then to seek sensational headlines. There is nothing to seize, he said cryptically, without further explanation and that was widely interpreted as reluctance to take action against the notorious don.

Everybody knew Dawood had scores of properties in the city, but what Pawar failed to explain was that these were mostly all benami  sometimes not even associated with close family members who could be held guilty by association. Munde seized on that controversy as also on the fact that the Congress under Pawar had given tickets to two criminals  Pappu Kalani (now associated with the BJP) and Hitendra Thakur.

Without in any way being otherwise involved with the criminals, Pawar could never live down a reputation for fostering such anti-social elements. Now, it is the BJP which could end up in a similar situation over what transpired in Nashik recently.

It is a city and district adopted by Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for development, so BJP functionaries there should have been doubly careful. However, it is taking our politicians a little while to understand the perils of social media  in the years when television channels had just arrived, they were hard put to watch their words which they could not retract later as they were wont to do with the print media by simply stating they had been misquoted. Now, they are being tripped up again and again by ordinary citizens shooting videos on their smart phones and posting these on Facebook or Whatsapp.

That is exactly what happened when some police officers attended the wedding of the daughter of a relative of Dawoods in Nashik last week; there are also varying versions of how exactly the bride was related to the don. Within hours the post was on social media. Nashik Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal promptly ordered a probe and then it emerged that not just the top cops but some BJP functionaries including Nashik Mayor Ranjana Bhansi and guardian minister Girish Mahajan had attended the wedding. Mahajan has since clarified that he attended the wedding at the invitation of the brides uncle who was a prominent Nashik citizen who was involved in philanthropy and social work.

Fadnavis has also asked for a report on what exactly transpired at Nashik. In the past, even Fadnavis was embarrassed when it came to light that a notorious gangster had the gall to seek a meeting with him in Mantralaya. That incident happened in October 2016 and brought Fadnavis much criticism, but then I noted that the man in question was the same externed criminal whom Ajit Pawar had admitted into the Nationalist Congress Party a few years ago and extolled his capacity to help the party grow.If the same man was now wooing Fadnavis, I do not think it was quite the CMs doing  criminals are great at doing whatever it takes to get close to power.

All that the current dispensations can then do is be alert to the possibility and undertake some due diligence before exposing themselves to such goons. Sadly, that has been greatly lacking in the BJP now, as it was in the Pawars case earlier. The criminals then end up ruling the roost, never mind which party is in power. Things never do change.

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Battling severe rheumatoid arthritis, a condition usually associated with the elderly, Ved Ahinave, a 17-year-old from Mumbai, scored 61.23% in the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams.

The results were declared at 1pm.

Ved wrote his exams without a writer, despite swelling and pain in his joints. He scored 66 marks in English and 77 marks in information technology.

My hands and legs started to hurt because of the strain, but I took frequent breaks and completed the paper, said the student of Swami Vivekananda International School and Junior College, Kandivli. I am happy with my score, I I want to work in the IT sector, just like my parents. I love computers, said Ved.

The 17-year-olds is a rare case.

Ved was diagnosed with arthritis when he was six. The disease is common among people in their late 40s and 50s. It causes the bodys immune system to attack the joints, leading to inflammation and thickening of tissues. His condition worsened when he was in Class 10.

Constant consumption of medicines  mostly steroids and painkillers  however stunted his growth, said his mother, Seema. He is 17, but is three feet and five inches tall, Seema said, adding they dont know what caused the disease.

Doctors tell me it could be because of low haemoglobin levels during my pregnancy. Some say it is genetic, said the mother.

Ved couldnt get a writer as the board refused to acknowledge his illness. We submitted medical certificates, including one from Sir JJ Hospital. But the board doesnt have provisions for arthritis, said his father Vishwas, 46, an electronics engineer. He used to succumb to bouts of depression, but my friend kept him motivated. His teachers, especially Miss Leena, helped him a lot.

There is no permanent cure for Veds disease. He is learning to live with it. He spends his time configuring phones. We think it can be a good profession if he gets to work from home, his mother said.

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The science stream fared better than commerce and arts, the HSC results declared on Tuesday show. Performances across city colleges were a tad better than last year, but top scores fell.

In the Mumbai division, the highest number of students (only those taking exams for the first time) passed in the science stream recording a pass percentage of 92.55%. Last year, it was 87.41%. Colleges said students scored better even in subjects such as physics, bifocal subjects such as electrical maintenance, computer science, and chemistry  traditionally considered difficult.  Our highest scorer bagged a full 200 in electrical maintenance, which is a rare feat, and many have scored in the 90s in mathematics too, said Hemlata Bagla, in charge principal, KC College, Churchgate.

The arts stream saw an increase of a few points to 79.71% from 78.5% last year. Psychology and sociology pulled up performances, said principals. Arts students have done well compared to the past, said Marie Fernandes, principal, St Andrews College, Bandra.

Commerce results stayed around the same  88%, up from 87.54% last year. The highest scorer at Vaze College, Mulund scored 100 out of 100 in book-keeping and accounts. Overall, 13 students in the college scored more than 90% in commerce. They outperformed science, said Vidyadhar Joshi, the vice- principal.

While, the pass rate for the Mumbai division jumped to 85.3%, from last years, 83.05%, most students scored below 60%, the less prestigious second class.

Of 2.89 lakh students clearing the exams in the division, 1.32 lakh got second class and 27,666 just managed to meet the minimum passing criteria of 35%.

Duttatray Jagtap, divisional board secretary said , Many students register at the last minute. One can imagine how much they must have prepared.

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The Mumbai police crime branch on Tuesday secured the custody of a man from Indore who was charged as the main accused in Malwani hooch tragedy that killed 106 persons in June 2015. The victims died after they drank a poisonous concoction of industrial methanol sold to them as hooch.

Dharmendra Jivbali Singh Tomar alias Sanjay Singhs arrest came after the Thane crime branch, investigating a matter after destroying illicit hooch dens in Mumbra, traced him to his house in Indore.

The unit 11 of the Mumbai crime branch, probing the Malwani hooch tragedy, sought Singhs custody for further investigation in the case. He has been remanded in police custody till June 5.

With Singhs arrest, the Mumbai police are likely to file a supplementary charge sheet in the case.

In 2015, the crime branch had filed a 13,760-page charge sheet with statements of 577 witnesses. The tragedy struck in Malwani slums on June 18 last year killing 106 persons and injuring over 100.

The prosecution, had in July last year, framed charges against 14 accused arrested in the case. They included local dealers, transporting agents and businessmen.

According to the police, Singh used to supply ethanol to the hooch dealers in Malwani.

READ

Malwani hooch case: 1 held from Gujarat

Malwani hooch tragedy: Murder charges added against 9 accused

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With Metro construction work under way across the city, and especially in the western suburbs, the Mumbai traffic police have intensified their action against illegally parked vehicles.

To test this, HT complained about vehicles double-parked vehicles in Oshiwara, Andheri (West) on Monday. The response was quick  traffic police constable Madhukar Khade promptly got in touch. Khade, from the DN Nagar traffic division, had been patrolling the area since the morning, and by afternoon had issued challans for at least 30 illegally parked vehicles, including autorickshaws and tempos on roads connecting SV Road and Link Road. Half an hour after HT informed the control room about traffic building up on the stretch Khade told us that more action had been taken, with 45 vehicles issued challans by late afternoon.

An officer from traffic police headquarters said constables have been instructed to pay special attention to easing traffic on roads in the western suburbs and south Mumbai, where Metro work is in full swing.

Constables are taking effective action on complaints of violations such as double parking, which slow down traffic, said a traffic police officer.

The police are also harnessing the power of Twitter to address traffic problems and help motorists alert others about jams. Motorist Rahul Sethi tweeted to them on Monday, Nariyan Nagar crossing on LBS westbound has unauthorised vehicles parked on both sides of the road.

Others complained about double parking at Andheri subway, which makes it difficult for motorists to navigate the narrow lanes, especially those connecting SV Road and Link Road.

Apart from resolving congestion issues, the police are also using their Twitter account to kick off an intensive road safety campaign that aims to spread awareness about the importance of helmets, and avoiding speeding and jumping signals.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently set aside 92 lots for street parking. Another 50 are being constructed by private builders and will be handed over to the BMC. However, officials admitted this was a small number, given the number of vehicles in Mumbai. The Western Express Highway alone sees 10 to 12 lakh vehicles a day, according to the traffic police.

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President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko expects from the European Union a special decision on launching the Association Agreement with the European Union at full capacity.

"The Netherlands will pass the ratification letter to Brussels in the near future. And the EU Council will launch a special agreement on the implementation of the Association Agreement with the EU to full capacity," Poroshenko said in his address on the occasion of the ratification of the Association Agreement by the Netherlands Parliament.
The N-bomb has been keeping the Mumbai police on its toes lately  not the deadly nuclear bomb, but a potent but much cheaper LSD-like drug.

The Anti Narcotics Cell said the synthetic drug, which has been popular in the west for over a decade, may be finding its way into Mumbais party circuit.

The police discovered the N-BOMe street names include Smiley or N-bomb  had entered the country after the substance was found during two raids last year by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Goa and Bangalore.

We have alerted our informants and increased cyber surveillance, said Shivdeep Lande, the deputy commissioner of police, ANC. Lande told HT the designer drug was a major concern for enforcement agencies in the west, as it has led to a lot of deaths.

So, what makes it so popular? Its price, said ANC sources.

While an LSD dot (which contains some micrograms of the liquid) costs between Rs6,000 and Rs8,000, the same amount of N-Bomb that would have the same psychedelic effect costs Rs3,000.

The drug has so far not been found in Mumbai during raids conducted by the NCB or the ANC.

But during two raids this year, the police discovered large quantities of LSD were being smuggled online in ways that go undetected  and the hunt for the N-bomb began. In March this year, the ANC recovered 1,400 LSD dots from five people, including two engineering students and a manager with a popular television channel. The recovered drug was worth Rs70 lakh. Their interrogation led to the arrest of a couple of LSD suppliers from Dahisar. The ANC recovered 46 dots from them.

In all this, what became clearer was how techno-savvy the smugglers had become. They were using the Dark Web  the hidden web used by drugs and arms traffickers as it bypasses cyber surveillance.

DCP Lande said the main accused in the Dahisar drug bust case, Samson Denson Rozario, 30, got the drug from a man he befriended during a trip to Nepal last year. The order was placed over a masked site on the Dark Web and the stamp-sized paper dots were sent from the Netherlands to Mumbai by courier, Lande said. Payment was made in Bitcoins, or virtual money.

The police believe the N-Bomb could also be brought into the city this way, and if so, it explains why the drug has not yet been found during raids Mumbai.

We suspect the trade of the N-bomb is going on over the Dark Web. Keeping that in mind, we are taking help from cyber experts and have put our field operatives on high alert, Lande said.

After the NCBs findings in Bangalore and Goa, the N-Bomb was included in the list of scheduled banned drugs under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) act in July last year.

The potent N-bomb

Also known as?

N-bomb or Smiley,

What does it do?

It is a powerful, synthetic hallucinogen. It mimics LSD or mescaline, another hallucinogenic drug made from a cactus plant

The effect of even a small amount of the drug lasts for up to 12 hours or longer

The drug is placed under the tongue, injected, snorted or, its vapourised fume is inhaled

Some also insert the drug rectally

It will, however, have no effect if swallowed

Small doses have been fatal

The drug is sold in liquid or powdered form or on soaked blotter paper. Experts say it is so toxic, one may be exposed to a fatal overdose by not wearing gloves while just handling it.

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Expect heavy traffic in south Mumbai in the evening, as farmers leader and MP Raju Shetty will walk from Bhoiwada to Raj Bhavan.

Hundreds of farmers, part of farmers outfit Swabhimani Sangathna that started a march at Kolhapur, will end the protest at Raj Bhavan today, said Mumbai traffic police officials.

The rally will start from Shirodkar school grounds, where the farmers stayed on Monday night.

They will march through the Khada Parsi junction, Mumbai Central, DB Marg, Opera House, Girgaum Chowpatty and then to Rajbhavan via Walkeshwar Road.

The Mumbai traffic police along with the local police station personnel will monitor the traffic situation.

The traffic police have advised motorists to plan their travel in advance

Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathana had supported the BJP through its political arm Swabhimani Paksha in 2014.

There seems to be a rift in the alliance, with Shetty organising a rally to protest against the BJP government for their anti-farmer policies.

Read: Swabhimani Paksha to hold rally for farm loan waiver in Mumbai today

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The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act has lowered land rates in Navi Mumbai by 25%-40% compared to the last auction.

In the recent auction conducted by City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), it was able to garner Rs245 crore by tendering six plots in New Panvel. This time the rates ranged from Rs65,250 per square metre to Rs96,000 per square metre which is low compared to the Rs1.25 lakh per square metre it commanded during the last auction.

According to Manohar Shroff, vice president, MCHI-CREDAI (Navi Mumbai),it was a RERA effect at play. The RERA does not allow builders to sell apartments till they obtain all requisite approvals. This has kept speculators at bay and now serious builders with proper plans are entering the field, said Shroff.

In the current realty market, the land prices consume 50-70 % of the total project costs. According to real estate consultant Mohan Arora, any reduction in land prices has a cascading effect on the final prices. Such decrease will only have a cascading effect and the result will be more affordable housing stock in the market, said Arora.

Currently, the prices in New Panvel range from Rs3,500 to Rs6,500 per square feet. The RERA disallows any sale till it gives a nod.

In addition, the builder has to disclose his entire construction plan as well as the time line about when he would give possession of the apartments. There are severe penal clauses in the Act against errant builders and brokers.

According to Liases Foras, a real estate research firm, exorbitantly priced land pieces are a menace to the realty sector. Those projects have never taken off in which the builder pays exorbitant land rates, said Pankaj Kapoor, CEO, Liases Foras.

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The state governments ambitious Shivaji Memorial project finds itself in choppy waters. The firms bidding for it have quoted figures that are exorbitantly higher than the estimated costs.

While the government had estimated the cost of the first phase to be around Rs2,500 crore, the lowest bid presented by the bidders is Rs3,826 crore  Rs1,300 crore more than the estimates.

Now, there are indications the state government will issue fresh tenders for the first phase of this project, which is to be built on a rock in the Arabian sea off the Mumbai coast.

According to Vinayak Mete, chairman, Shivaji Memorial Project, the gap between the bids received and estimates is too high. I have instructed the officials to first check how this kind of gap could exist. In addition, I feel its difficult to negotiate, but then we will also work out that option, said Mete. If still nothing works out, new bids will be prepared, he said.

About the project The mid-sea Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial involves building the worlds tallest statue, surpassing the height of New Yorks Statue of Liberty and the Statue of Unity in Gujarat According to the plan, the entire memorial will be 210m tall, close to a 12-storey structure, built entirely on an islet of 15.96 hectare The Shivaji statue will be 192m tall, with the height of the actual sculpture of the Maratha warrior king in an equestrian pose being 114.4m and the pedestal on which it stands being 77.6m, accommodating viewing decks, exhibition halls, museums and restaurants Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a bhoomipujan for the ambitious project in December.

The lowest bid quoted by Larsen & Toubro is Rs3,826 crore, which is much higher than the estimated Rs2,500 crore.

The total estimate for the project divided into two phases is Rs3,600 crore. In the first phase, work comprises reclaiming the sea, creating corresponding infrastructure, jetty work and eventually constructing the statue.

In the first phase, three companies submitted bids  Reliance Infrastructure, Afcons Infrastructure and L&T. Reliance Infrastructure did not stand up in the technical bid and the competition boiled down to just two  Afcons bid was Rs4,779 crore and the L&Ts bid was close to Rs3,826 crore.

This project is being executed despite protests that such grandiose plans are a waste of public money. Some have even pointed out that the state has more than 300 forts  many of them built by Warrior king Shivaji  which are in a bad shape. The prominent ones among them could be restored with a fraction of the money the government intends to spend on the memorial. Concerns are also being raised over the ecological damage the project would have on Mumbais coastline.

However Mete condemned the opponents saying such elements have hardly any sense of history. Memorials of great leaders are needed to inspire future generations. Any amount of money should be spent for such ventures, said Mete.

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The police have seized two laptops belonging to Ashish Choudhary, Sagar Thakkars aide, and found details of transactions between him with Shaggy in it.

It was found that the operations were run from Delhi and staged in China.

An officer said, Choudhary gave leads to Shaggy and decode digital messages. We also found that he had call centres in Delhi.

An officer from the Thane commiossionerate said, We also found more than 20 I-Cloud accounts, which are all fake and was used to redeem money and transfer it to accounts in China. 

In October 2016, the Thane crime branch raided nine call centres and arrested 70 people in connection with the scam. The police also arrested the primary accused, Sagar Thakkar, and his partner Jagdish Kanani, who is in jail.

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Focussing on digitisation, the state government officials have directed the development authorities to implement the online map approval systems in their respective areas.

The officials of Ghaziabad development authority said they will soon float a tender and invite private agencies to develop a software for the purpose.

The officials said the online system approving maps of residential, group housing and other commercial properties will soon be put in place to make clearances faster.

Normally, a residential map approval requires an average of 30 days, including time spent on formalities such as submission of drawing, NOCs from different departments, etc. The approval for group housing and commercial properties takes nearly 90 days. This manual system is cumbersome for applicants as they have to time and again visit the authority office to clear their doubts and objections raised during the course of the approval, said Ishtiyak Ahmad, chief architect & town planner, GDA.

Once the online system is in place, applicants can submit the requirements online and can also put up revised documents as sought by the authority. This will save time and also prove to be less cumbersome. The idea behind the online system is to go paperless and reduce hassles to applicants, he said.

This is the third instance of the authority getting a software developed for online map clearances. The previous two times, the project did not materialise.

In 2015, the authority dropped the plans of getting the online system after private developers were asked to fund the project but they backed off.

Last year, a meeting was held at Lucknow in which officials from Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Kanpur and Meerut took part and the state officials agreed that the government will roll out tenders and an agency will be selected for the software. However, this process too was not taken forward.

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The Greater Noida authority chief executive officer Debasish Panda has decided to give an interest waiver to builders whose realty projects are delayed owing to litigations.

The move is aimed at helping builders who are going through a financial crisis. The interest waiver will help revive stuck housing projects and deliver flats without further delay.

The Greater Noida authority had allotted group housing land to builders in 2008-09 on an instalment basis. Builders deposited 10% of total land cost at the time of the allotment. The remaining 90% was supposed to be paid in instalments. If a builder defaults on paying the instalments, then the authority charges a 12% interest on the principal amount. When the land disputes began, builders started defaulting on payments. Now they have sought a waiver for the period affected by litigation.

However, officials said some builders are making false litigation claims to avail of the waiver.

Many Greater Noida West builders have been demanding an interest waiver for the period during which they could not carry out construction because of court cases between farmers and the Greater Noida authority.

We will declare Zero Period for the time when construction was disrupted due to litigation. For the Zero Period, a builder will not need to pay interest on the defaulted principal amount. But the interest waiver for the Zero Period will be given only to genuine cases, Panda said.

There are around 20 realty projects in Greater Noida West which are seeking an interest waiver. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

To identify genuine projects that faced court cases in the Allahabad high court and the Supreme Court, the authority will conduct a survey.

I have ordered for a fresh survey to identify those projects, which were affected due to court cases. There are many builders seeking an interest waiver. We cannot give a waiver to everyone as the authority will go bankrupt. Those who faced problems due to litigation will be given an interest waiver, Panda said.

The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) has been for long demanding an interest waiver from the authority in Noida and Greater Noida.

Farmers in Greater Noida West had in April 2011 challenged the forceful land acquisition in the Allahabad high court. Dispute in some cases between the authority and farmers were settled in 2012. Others are pending in the high court and the Supreme Court even today.

I have asked my staff to look into the specific period when the construction in a particular project was affected due to litigation, Panda said.

There are around 20 realty projects in Greater Noida West which are seeking an interest waiver.

The Amrapali Group, which is developing 28,000 flats in the area, has also sought a waiver on interest.

Our work was affected from April 2011 to May 2015 due to litigation. We demand a waiver for the four years. If the authority agrees, will get a waiver of Rs 1,000 crore for the four years. This will put us out of the defaulters list and then banks will help us deliver flats on time, said Shiv Priya, director, Amrapali Group.

The Amrapali Group has 12 lakh square metres of land on which it is developing five housing projects.

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The World Culture Festival, organised by the Art of Living (AOL) Foundation in March 2016, has been mired in controversy since before it happened. Even as the event was being scheduled, the preparations prompted a case in the National Green Tribunal accusing the organisers of destroying the ecosystem around the floodplain of the Yamuna in east Delhi. By building ramps and flattening the area around it, environmentalists claimed, the Art of Living foundation was worsening an already bad situation.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had asked the foundation to deposit Rs 5 crore as initial compensation, before giving a go-ahead for the event. The remaining amount was to be decided after a committee assessed the damage. At that time, the AOL had first paid only Rs. 25 lakhs, and after much dithering, coughed up the remaining amount in June 2016.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankars response to the allegations at that time was to promise to build a biodiversity park in the place in which this 35 year anniversary of his foundation was being held. So far, no such efforts have been seen. Instead, the World Culture festival, which was an extravaganza of dance, music and celebrity (even the prime minister, Narendra Modi spoke at the event), left behind a mountain of garbage. To make matters worse, the floodplain that is usually made up of porous sand had been covered with mud and flattened by road rollers to prepare for the festival. Since compacted mud does not allow water to seep through, it would adversely affect the groundwater replenishment. Activists have also claimed that the event had destroyed birds nesting sites and choked the already polluted Yamuna with construction debris.

Garbage waiting to be collected at the site of the Art of Living World Culture Festival on the morning after the event, in New Delhi, on March 14, 2016. (Raj K. Raj/ Hindustan Times)

Now that the NGT appointed panel has estimated the damage and suggested restoration and rehabilitation of the flood plains would require at least Rs 42 crore and 10 years; the AOL has refused to accept the report, going so far as to call it completely flawed, unscientific and biased . Sri Sri Ravi Shankar even suggested that it was the NGT that should be fined instead, for allowing the event to take place at all.

The case is still being heard in the NGT, and no final decision has been made, but it will be an important case in the history of environmental legislation in India. Organisations that try to get around environmental regulations tend to think that they can get away with paying token fines or postpone it at least by taking recourse in complicated court cases. The Art of Living Foundation appears to be doing exactly that. Far from working towards building a biodiversity park and helping clean up the dying river that the Yamuna is; it is now trying to wash its hands off the problem by claiming that no one can tell what the state of the floodplain was before the event.

The problem is not one of how much degradation has exactly taken place, or of hypothesising what the space would have been like had the event not taken place. The problem is that organisations that have friends in high places feel entitled to do as they please and play fast and loose with regulations meant to safeguard the environment; knowing full well that they can eventually get away with it.

A strong precedent requires to be set in order to send out a message that safeguarding the environment is not a matter of convenience. Given this governments commitment to cleaning up Indias dying rivers evidenced by setting up of the Namami Gange and Yamuna revitalisation projects; it would do well to take a strong stand on organisations who try to get away with subverting environment and pollution rules.

@vidyathinks

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The ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC) has for three years now watered down the requirement for various industrial projects to conduct public hearings with affected communities. And they dont seem to be done yet.

Recently, the ministry announced a six-month period for industrial projects that have been operating in violation of environmental laws to effectively obtain post-facto clearances. What this means is that projects that have deliberately flouted the law, potentially causing environmental damage, can now pay a penalty and regularise their operations.

Worse, it is unclear if the notification now allows these companies to again bypass the public hearings they are required to conduct as part of the process to obtain an environmental clearance (EC).

Public hearings, which were established as part of the EC process by an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification from the ministry in 2006, are often the only avenue for people affected by projects to put forth their concerns. The notification requires the concerned pollution control authority, usually state pollution control boards, to advertise the hearing widely, including by publishing notice of the hearing in at least one major national and one regional language newspaper. In areas where there are no newspapers, authorities are required to use drum-beating and radio/television advertisements to publicise public hearings and concerned company is required to submit copies of the draft EIA report and summaries to various district-level authorities. These authorities are in turn required to provide documents available for public inspection.

In many cases, the public hearings are not satisfactorily held. In 2015, Amnesty International Indias research on three mines run by Coal India found that public consultations suffered from serious flaws. All these concerns were borne out late last year by a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Environment Clearance and Post-Clearance Mining. The report found widespread deficiencies and irregularities in 62 out of 196 of developmental projects that received environment clearance. The fact that nearly a third of the projects examined did not conduct public hearings properly displays the callousness of authorities.

The March notification is not the first attempt by the MoEFCC to dilute public hearings. Under the last few years of the UPA government, public hearing requirements for several projects were done away with. The trend continued with the NDA. In 2012 and 2013, the ministry issued office memorandums that sought to provide post-facto environment clearance to companies. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) quashed the office memorandums (OMs) stating that they were executive instructions that could not replace the requirements of the EIA notification and that they amounted to permitting what was otherwise prohibited by law. The NGT upheld the spirit of the EIA notification. However, the present notification is another attempt to dress up the OMs in different clothes.

The MoEFCC must clearly mention that public hearings are compulsorily held even where post-facto environmental clearances are sought to be given. Otherwise, the notification undermines environmental safeguards, and jeopardises the rights of the communities. Punitive action must be taken against projects operating without environment clearances, and adequate remedy provided to affected communities.

B Karthik Navayan is manager, business and human rights, Amnesty International India

The views expressed are personal
It is a moment of immense happiness for me, said Kulwant Singh, 60, looking relieved after receiving a call from the external affairs ministry on Tuesday morning, informing him about the return of his wife, Sukhwant Kaur, who was sold and tortured in Saudi Arabia for five months.

I had lost all hope of seeing her again in this life, said Singh, who earns Rs 250 a day by working as a labourer at a construction site. I thank the Almighty, he said.

Thanks for bringing this to my notice. Sukhwant Kaur is returning home on 31 May 2017 at 0415 hrs by Flt G9406. https://t.co/jOSFcmFJA8  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 30, 2017

Sukhwant, 55, returns on Wednesday, a fortnight after Hindustan Times highlighted her plight.

Union external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on Tuesday morning that Sukhwant, a resident of Ajtani village in Nurmahal, was returning from Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Sukhwant Kaur (PHOTO: Family album)

In January, Sukhwant left for Saudi Arabia on a three-month visa procured by a Delhi-based agent.

Sukhwant was in trouble. She wanted to return but her passport was with the travel agent, who has disappeared now, Kulwant Singh said.

On May 7, my wife called me up from a hospital in Hail City of Saudi Arabia. She said the travel agent had sold her to a local resident and she was forced to work as a slave in his house and was being treated badly and even tortured, he said.

Jagdish Singh, a former sarpanch of Ajtani village, said that he received a call from the ministry at 11.14 am on Tuesday informing him that Sukhwant was coming to Mumbai in a flight from Saudi Arabia at 4.15am on Wednesday.

Kulwant Singh talked to Vijay P Dwivedi, additional personal secretary to Swaraj, and requested him to arrange a flight ticket for Sukhwants arrival in Amritsar as he had no money to go to Mumbai.

The couples eldest daughter and a mother of two, Ranjeet Kaur, who had been running from pillar to post to get her mother back burst into tears of happiness after hearing the news that she will be able to see her mother on Wednesday.

I was not able to meet my mother before she left for Saudi Arabia but I will be there tomorrow to welcome her back, Ranjeet Kaur said.
Over the past day the militants have carried out 50 shelling attacks on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) area, five of them were carried out from weapons banned by the Minsk Agreements, as a result three Ukrainian servicemen have been wounded, the press centre of the ATO headquarters has reported.

Eighteen attacks were seen in the Mariupol sector; gunfire intensity increased to 17 shooting incidents in the Luhansk sector, and 15 attacks were seen in the Donetsk sector, the report said.

The hostile gunfire focused on Avdiyivka, which came under attack of 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers, heavy machineguns, and small arms, the army operation staff said.
Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh on Monday said it was KPS Gill who gave birth to terrorism in Punjab as director general of police (DGP ) during militancy.

Gill passed away at a New Delhi hospital on Friday at the age of 82. Lashing out at Gill, who earned the supercop sobriquet for wiping out terrorism from the state, the jathedar said in a statement that he was not the man who eliminated terrorism in Punjab, but was one who gave birth to it. Calling Gill a butcher, he said he hunted down Sikh youths on a mass scale during that period.

The Akal Takht heads scathing remark comes even as the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has maintained a stoic silence on Gill. Besides, any respectful person is ashamed of seeing what he did on pretext of organising cultural festivals in the state, he said. As per the Constitution, every person has the right to freedom of speech and expression. Those who consider him a supercop are free to do so, but the Sikhs see him a terrorist. First, he crushed humanity in Assam and then in Punjab. When he was appointed as DGP here, things had already got better. Sikhs will never consider a murderer the messiah.
With Punjab CM ordering a judicial probe into allegations of benami sand mining bids against Punjab power minister Rana Gurjit Singh, investors of Rajbir Enterprises, Rajbir Enterprises (Mohali) and New Rajbir Enterprises (three separate entities) on Monday claimed that they had invested around Rs 30 crore for the sand mines of Saidpur, Behloor Khurd and Mehdipur in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district.

Reacting to reports that Amit Bahadur had invested the money, the investors of the three entities said the money had been arranged by Sahil Singla and Capt JS Randhawa.

Giving details of the three entities, the promoters said, there are three partners in Rajbir Enterprises  Sahil Singla, Sanjit Singh Randhawa (both investors) and Amit Bahadur (working partner). Rajbir Enterprises (Mohali) includes Sahil Singla, Sanjit Singh Randhawa (both investors) and Kulvinder Paul Singh (working partner) and New Rajbir Enterprises includes Sahil Singla, Sanjit Singh Randhawa (both investors) and Ajitpal Singh Gill (working partner).

The investors made it clear that neither Amit Bahadur nor Kulvinder Paul Singh had invested any money and they were only working partners.

The investors said, each and every penny was accounted for and had been deposited through the proper banking channels.

Meanwhile, Amit Bahadur also clarified that he has never served or worked as a cook anywhere. He said he was actually a labour contractor and his annual income was to the tune of about Rs 9 lakh.
Bigg Boss is undoubtedly one of the most popular reality shows across the globe, and it has successfully traversed boundaries and had its own regional versions in India. While the Hindi version was hosted by Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan, the Kannada version was hosted by Sudeep. It wasnt long ago that it was announced that actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan will do the honours of hosting the Tamil version of the show. We have exclusively learnt that the show will also be made in Telugu and Jr. NTR, the actor known for films such as Yamadonga and Janatha Garage, has been roped in by the creators of the show.

Its true that NTR has been approached with the offer and he has given his nod, mainly because the show will give him an opportunity to reach every single Telugu household. He will shoot for the show as soon as he wraps up his portion on his next film, Jai Lava Kusa, a source close to NTR told HT, and added the star has been signed for a never heard before deal.

In the film, he plays triple role and will be seen romancing Nivetha Thomas and Raashi Khanna. For one of his roles, NTR will be seen wearing prosthetic and his look is being handled by Hollywood make-up artist Vance Hartwell, popular for his work in films such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Shutter Island. The look of the antagonists role has already gone viral. NTR will wear prosthetic make up for this character and he will speak with a stutter. Its going to be a very interesting character with a menacing side and audiences are in for a surprise.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

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Filmmaker Kunal Kohli, who has directed films such as Hum Tum (2004) and Fanaa (2006), is back in action, this time, with his debut Telugu film. Starring Baahubali actor Tamannaah Bhatia and Telugu actor Sundeep Kishan, the untitled project is a romantic comedy. On being asked about the film, Kunal remained tight-lipped and refused to divulge much details. The film is a romcom, love story and a slice of life story. We have just started shooting for the film in London, he said.

Currently, the star cast of the film is camping in London where the first leg of shooting is on. Kunal, Tamannaah and Sundeep also shared photos announcing the same on Twitter. Ask Kuanl why did rope in Tamannaah to play the lead in his film, he shares, Tamannah is one of the finest actresses. Meeting and interacting with her, and now working with her, Ive realised how hard working she is, and what a good actor she is. In Telugu cinema, she is also one of the biggest stars and has been on top of her game. She was my first choice and luckily for me I got my first choice.

On whether Tamannaahs popularity after Baahubali would serve as an advantage, Kunal feels it certainly would. Though we were in talks before the release of Baahubali 2, you cant bank on someone elses success for your own. You have to do your own hard work and make your film on your own merits, adds the filmmaker.

Tamannaah Bhatia is paierd opposite Sundeep Kishan in Kunal Kohlis untitled Telugu film.

So are there are any plans of dubbing the film in Hindi? Nothing as of now. We will be dubbing the film in Tamil only, adds Kunal, who plans to wrap up shooting for the film within the given time so that they can release it between October and December this year.

Meanwhile, Kunal, who made his directorial debut in Bollywood with Mujhse Dosti Karoge! (2002), is looking forward to the release of Phir Se that also stars popular TV actor Jennifer Winget. The film also marks the acting debut of Kunal.

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House of Cards

Cast: Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Joel Kinnaman, Paul Sparks, Neve Campbell, Patricia Clarkson, Campbell Scott

Rating: 4/5

It is said that the most dreaded time of the day at the White House comes in the evening. They call it the 5 o clock dump. It is when Donald Trumps advisors  press secretaries, intelligence personnel, personal aides, and the like  relay to him the days biggest headlines. They tend to be negative.

In House of Cards, the first original series produced by Netflix, now in its fifth season, President Francis Underwood doesnt have to worry about the clock chiming five. His troubles last the entire day, and extend well into the night.

The presence of his wife gives him strength, as it has for decades. Theyve been in this together, looking into each others eyes, sharing cigarettes (and concerned looks), silently acknowledging their sins, and even more silently forgiving them.

Their quest for power has created a strange dynamic between husband and wife, president and vice president  one which we arent necessarily supposed to understand. There is love, yes, but it comes at a cost  a terrible cost. Understanding what goes on inside the heads of Frank and Claire, trying to make sense of their ambition, clouded as it is by vengeance and sheer evil, is perhaps a task best left for a later time. Maybe season 7. Not just now.

Their story, it seems, rather terrifyingly, has only just begun.

Season 5 is a change of pace. Quite literally. There is a lot of waiting around in empty rooms, which often look like theyve been hastily abandoned by their previous occupants. Theres a foreboding sense of paranoia, a lot of cautious looking over the shoulders, and a lot of uneasy pacing about. More often than not, this wait is for horrible news. The lies and deceit have added up over the years. The ego, which once seemed unbounded, is now on the verge of implosion. Things have never looked this ominous for Frank and Claire.

This is also the first season without creator and showrunner Beau Willimon, who in his departure, also took with him some of the shows subtlety. Granted, House of Cards has never really been a subtle show, what with the central character never missing an opportunity to break the fourth wall and gloat into the camera.

It has, however, always been shrewd, like Frank, crafty, vain, and deceitful.

But this time, the characters tend to say whats on their minds more readily. The messages that were previously conveyed through silences, and masterful performances, are now told to us. Its almost as if the show has developed some of Franks insecurities.

Theyre like little children, Claire, he says, referring to the American people, the ones whove elected him into office, and the ones who havent. We have to hold their sticky fingers and wipe their mouths, teach them right from wrong, tell them what to think and what to feel and what to want.

This narcissism, this blatant condescension  itll soon get old. That is the concern  especially with what is happening in the real world. This trick will run its course, and like most things, Frank Underwoods time in office will come to an end.

And where the previous seasons were about Franks rise to the top, this one is about his (failing) attempts to stay there. There are two reasonable reactions a mountaineer can have after successfully scaling Mount Everest. He could take a breath, perhaps shed a proud tear, and consider the next challenge. Or, he could begin planning his descent, because the journey back is often overlooked, and almost always as deadly as the one to the top. Frank, upon achieving his dream of heading the White House, finds himself unraveling, dizzied by the height, disarmed by the loneliness.

He is surrounded by people whom he considers tangential to his ultimate plan  whatever that might be  each of whom is expendable. Their drama, their individual subplots are often just as intriguing as the main narrative. Two new additions to the cast, Patricia Clarkson and Campbell Scott, play advisors so shady that they give the monumentally crooked Doug Stamper cause for concern. Its all very enjoyable, this backroom bickering. Not to mention the intensive investigation the journalists of the Washington Herald are conducting on the Underwoods. Its classic House of Cards.

But leading up to this season, the question on most everyones minds, understandably, was how they would acknowledge the Trump presidency. They could have gone one of two ways: They could have easily chosen to ignore him, and continued the Underwoods story independent of the world outside. Or, they could have  and this is what they ended up doing  chosen to address Trump directly. The drama is, after all, ripe for the taking.

But there is one mistake that we make in comparing Frank Underwood to Donald Trump. We assume that they operate on a similar level of deviousness, we believe theyre equally cunning, equally calculating. But democracy, a wise man once said, isnt about politics and policy. Its about appealing to the majority.

Pitting Trump against Underwood  perhaps the only one who could bring him down, House of Cards offers something wholly unexpected. While it seems that we live in a world without consequences, in storytelling there are rules. There are good guys and bad guys. Crime does not pay. There is a comfort in knowing this.

Season 5 of House of Cards offers hope.

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South Indian star and daughter of Kamal Haasan, Shruti Haasan, has done an Aishwarya Rai.

Six years ago, on May 13, 2011, UTVs Ronnie Screwvala, director Madhur Bhandarkar and Aishwarya Rai threw a breakfast party at a plush Cannes hotel during the film festival there. Never mind it was poorly attended with almost nil presence of international journalists, who understandably, felt that the 8.30 am competition movie was of greater consequence than this early morning breakfast bash. But being an Indian and suffering from that sense of Indianness, this writer trooped into the meeting not as much for the food as it was for the curiosity about what Miss Rai and Mr Bhandarkar would announce.

I am doing a film with Aishwarya. It will be called Heroine, and my heroine will be Aishwarya, Bhandarkar beamed, happy at the thought of having signed up one of the best known faces in Indian cinema, also one of the most endearing faces at Cannes. For, Rai has been a permanent fixture at Cannes - part of Devdas (which sadly turned out to be a black mark for the festival chief, Thierry Fremaux, who till today gets his share of brickbats for having included this Sanjay Leela Bhansali work in the 2002 official selections), a member of the big jury and forever the Loreal icon.

Bhandarkar said that his Heroine would start shooting in June, barely a month away, and Rai quipped that she was delighted to part of this wonderful project.

But, then, little did the poor man know that morning at Cannes that just days after this grand campaign he would be left with no heroine. A week later after Cannes, Rai said she was pregnant and could not possibly do Bhandarkars movie. Her father-in-law, Amitabh Bachchan, came out with what seemed like lame excuses about why Aishwarya had not declared before Cannes that she was carrying a child.

Bhandarkar was devastated, and is said to have gone into a depression. Imagine the kind of sorry figure you cut in India and abroad when your heroine ditches you after this great PR exercise in a venue as important as the Cannes Film Festival. The question everybody asked then was, really Aishwarya did not know that she was pregnant when she went to Cannes? The answer was, of course, she did. But probably felt that such publicity at Cannes would do her good! One foreign journalist told this writer that the whole thing smacked of selfishness.

A post shared by @shrutzhaasan on May 21, 2017 at 6:46am PDT

Unfortunately Shruti has gone and done the same thing. On May 18, it was for the first time in this writers memory, that a South Indian movie company, Thenandal, had co-sponsored the much celebrated Market party - where the film Sangamithra team, Haasan, Jayam Ravi, Arya, AR Rahman and director Sundar C, was presented amid clinking Champagne glasses and noisy music.

Sundar and the rest spoke about how Sangamithra would like to equal if not better the recent success of Baahubali. There was also the Indian Ambassador to France pushing Sangamithra in most effusive of terms.

But one had this strange feeling that evening that Haasan was a little uncomfortable - which seemed even more apparent the next morning when the Sangamithra team held a press conference.

While the movie was still on the drawing board and with not even a script ready as yet, Sundar clarified that his film would have nothing to do with history or mythology. It would be pure fantasy, he added.

Shruti remained mostly silent during the press meet, but did say that her role was not yet clear. She was still awaiting the script. One felt that she was uneasy -- as uncomfortable as she was walking from her hotel room to the conference venue across the Croisette. You should have told me that we have to walk, she complained to her PR executive. I would have then worn flats,

And then about 10 days later on May 29, Haasan announced that she was no longer part of Sangamithra, because of the kind of time (two years) it would take to complete the project. And she was also busy with Sabhash Naidu, etc.

Really! One finds it difficult to understand - much like in the case of Rai - that Shruti would have taken the decision to quit Sangamithra post Cannes. Or, was it that the production company and Sundar thought that they needed glamour when they presented themselves at Cannes?

@shrutzhaasan  #luvushruti #jinglizee #cannesfilmfestival #shrutihassan A post shared by Shruti Haasan (@shrutihaasan.official) on May 19, 2017 at 7:05am PDT

Whatever it be, such things leave a bad impression in international media circles, which, in any case, do not have a high regard for mainstream Indian cinema.

Also, there have been other incidents of a film - apart from Heroine - being announced and subsequently disappearing. Shekar Kapur had many years ago announced the launch of Paani - a movie about water wars. It is yet to take off.

Fortunately, Bhandarkar pulled himself together, found a new heroine and got his Heroine made. One only hopes that Sangamithra would get made - and does not go the Paani way, further blotting Indias image at Cannes.

(Gautaman Bhaskaran covered the Cannes Film Festival for the 28th year.)

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Forty-one out of Pakistans 64 banned outfits are operating on Facebook as groups or individual user profiles, a media report said on Monday.

According to an investigation carried out by Dawn news last month, the outfits network, both interconnected and public, is a mix of Sunni and Shia sectarian groups, global terror organisations operating in Pakistan, and separatists in Balochistan and Sindh provinces.

The names of all banned outfits -- including acronyms and small variations in spelling -- were searched on Facebook to find pages, groups, and user profiles that publicly liked a banned outfit.

The biggest outfits on the social network, in order of size, are Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) with 200 pages and groups, Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) with 160, Sipah-i-Sahaba (SSP) with 148, Balochistan Students Organisation Azad (BSO-A) with 54 and Sipah-e-Muhammad with 45, according to Dawn news.

Other banned outfits that exist on Facebook include Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat, Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi, Jamat-ul-Ahrar, 313 Brigade, multiple Shia outfits and a host of Baloch separatist organisations.

An examination of some user profiles linked to these banned outfits indicates open support of sectarian and extremist ideology, Dawn news said in its probe report.

A few of these profiles have also publicly liked pages and groups related to weapons use and training.

While some of the Facebook pages and groups claim to be official representatives of the outfits, others appear to be managed by members and supporters in ideological agreement.

In general, the Facebook updates were in Urdu or Roman Urdu rather than English, suggesting the content was primarily for local consumption. A very small number were in Sindhi or Balochi, also indicating a niche target audience, the report added.
By Ju-min Park and Jack Kim

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of a new ballistic missile controlled by a precision guidance system and ordered the development of more powerful strategic weapons, the Norths official KCNA news agency reported on Tuesday.

The missile launched on Monday was equipped with an advanced automated pre-launch sequence compared with previous versions of the Hwasong rockets, North Koreas name for its Scud-class missiles, KCNA said. That indicated the North had launched a modified Scud-class missile, as South Koreas military has said.

The Norths test launch of a short-range ballistic missile landed in the sea off its east coast and was the latest in a fast-paced series of missile tests defying international pressure and threats of more sanctions.

Kim said the reclusive state would develop more powerful weapons in multiple phases in accordance with its timetable to defend North Korea against the United States.

He expressed the conviction that it would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send a bigger gift package to the Yankees in retaliation for American military provocation, KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

South Korea said it had conducted a joint drill with a US supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber on Monday. North Koreas state media earlier accused the United States of staging a drill to practise dropping nuclear bombs on the Korean peninsula.

The US Navy said its aircraft carrier strike group, led by the USS Carl Vinson, also planned a drill with another US nuclear carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, in waters near the Korean peninsula.

A US Navy spokesman in South Korea did not give specific timing for the strike groups planned drill.

North Korea calls such drills a preparation for war.

Mondays launch followed two successful tests of medium-to-long-range missiles in as many weeks by the North, which has been conducting such tests at an unprecedented pace in an effort to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of hitting the mainland United States.

Such launches, and two nuclear tests since January 2016, have been conducted in defiance of US pressure, UN resolutions and the threat of more sanctions.

They also pose one of the greatest security challenges for US President Donald Trump, who portrayed the latest missile test as an affront to China.

North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile...but China is trying hard!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2017

PRECISION GUIDANCE

Japan has also urged China to play a bigger role in restraining North Koreas nuclear and missile programmes.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abes top national security adviser, Shotaro Yachi, met Chinas top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, for five hours of talks near Tokyo on Monday after the Norths latest test.

Yachi told Yang that North Koreas actions had reached a new level of provocation. Japan and China need to work together to strongly urge North Korea to avoid further provocative actions and obey things like United Nations resolutions, Yachi was quoted as telling Yang in a statement by Japans foreign ministry.

A statement from Chinas foreign ministry after the meeting made no mention of North Korea.

North Korea has claimed major advances with its rapid series of launches, claims that outside experts and officials believe may be at least partially true but are difficult to verify independently.

A South Korean military official said the North fired one missile on Monday, clarifying an earlier assessment that there may have been more than one launch.

The test was aimed at verifying a new type of precision guidance system and the reliability of a new mobile launch vehicle under different operational conditions, KCNA said.

However, South Koreas military and experts questioned the claim because the North had technical constraints, such as a lack of satellites, to operate a terminal-stage missile guidance system properly.

Whenever news of our valuable victory is broadcast recently, the Yankees would be very much worried about it and the gangsters of the south Korean puppet army would be dispirited more and more, KCNA cited leader Kim as saying.
French President Emmanuel Macron rolled out the red carpet for Russias Vladimir Putin on Monday, but past suspicions of Russian meddling in the French election resurfaced with Macron denouncing Russian media and Putin denying hacking allegations.

The newly-elected Macron hosted Putin at the sumptuous 17th century palace of Versailles outside Paris for his first meeting with the Kremlin leader which he had earlier said would be marked by some straight talking.

The 39-year-old French leader and Putin exchanged a cordial, businesslike handshake and smiles when the latter stepped from his limousine, with Macron appearing to say welcome to him in French.

When they emerged from talks, which went on for almost an hour longer than scheduled, Macron said they had had a frank exchange and both men stressed they had agreed on the need to move forward on divisive issues such as Syria and Ukraine.

But at a joint news conference after their talks, ill-feeling came to the surface over past allegations made by Macrons camp that state-funded Russian news outlets had sought to destabilise his campaign.

With Putin alongside him, Macron repeated the accusation in a reply to a journalists question, saying: During the campaign, Russia Today and Sputnik were agents of influence which on several occasions spread fake news about me personally and my campaign.

They behaved like organs of influence, of propaganda and of lying propaganda, he said.

During the campaign, which climaxed with Macrons election on May 7, Macrons camp irritated the Kremlin by saying its campaigns networks, databases and sites had come under attack from locations inside Russia.

When his camp barred journalists from the two Russian outlets from Macrons headquarters, a Russian foreign ministry spokesperson denounced the move as outrageous ... bare-faced discrimination.

The Kremlin and RT itself have rejected allegations of meddling in the election.

Putin did not react to Macrons comments about the Russian media, but he bristled when a journalist suggested that Moscows hand was behind cyber attacks on the Macron campaign. These hacking allegations, he said, were not based on facts.

The Kremlin appeared to favour Macrons far-right opponent Marine Le Pen for the presidency during the campaign -- a view reinforced when Putin granted her an audience a month before the elections first round.

This did not indicate an attempt to influence the outcome of election, though, Putin said.

French President Emmanuel Macron (right) and Vladimir Putin at the Palace of Versailles. (AFP Photo)

We are ready to receive any person, always. If Madame Le Pen asked to meet us, why would we want to refuse her? .. The more so since she always publicly spoke out for developing relations with our country. It would be strange for us to refuse her, he said.

Dialogue vital

Both sides though sought to present Putins visit, which was intended to mark 300 years since Tsar Peter the Great visited France, as an occasion to relaunch Franco-Russian relations.

Macron, who took office two weeks ago, has said dialogue with Russia is vital in tackling a number of international disputes. Nevertheless, relations have been beset by mistrust, with Paris and Moscow backing opposing sides in the Syrian civil war and at odds over the Ukraine conflict.

Macron, whose country is part of a Western coalition that supports rebel groups and has accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of using chemical weapons, said any further use of chemical weapons in Syria was a red line for France which would result in reprisals.

But he said France and Russia, which backs Assad, should work together on Syria and he said he wanted France and Russia to boost sharing of intelligence in working together to find a political solution to the conflict.

Sounding less forthcoming, Putin said he was not sure if Frances Syria policy was independent because it was part of a US-led alliance, adding that Paris and Moscow had both points of disagreement and agreement over Syria.

Macron also said he and Putin were agreed the time was right for a new round of peace talks on Ukraine in the Normandy format which groups Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine.

Macron made no mention of Western sanctions on Russia over Ukraine, though Putin repeated Moscows view that their continued enforcement would not help stabilise the situation in Ukraines east.

Macron said he had also brought up the plight of gay men in Russias Chechnya following Russian media reports of torture and Putin had agreed to look into the activities of local authorities.

Putin later went to an exhibition on Peter the Great, who visited France in 1717. Macron showed him a painting of the young Louis XV, who was king of France at the time of the visit. Putin also commented to Macron on a painting depicting Russian Empress Catherine the Great.

Putin later went on to visit a newly opened Russian Orthodox cathedral in Paris. He had been due to attend the inauguration of the cathedral in October, but he cancelled the trip to France after then President Francois Hollande accused Russia of war crimes in Syria and refused to give him a red carpet welcome.
Police in Rome on Tuesday arrested a woman motorist who knocked down five pedestrians including a mother and son, seriously injuring two of them.

All five victims were hospitalised.

One of the pedestrians, a 30-year-old man, is in intensive care at Romes San Camillo Hospital after he was dragged under the cars wheels for several metres, while a young woman suffered a spinal cord injury, local daily Il Messaggero reported.

Passers by had to lift the car off the 30-year-old man who was trapped underneath it after the accident, the paper said.

Police ruled out an act of terrorism after the 43-year-old woman tested positive for drugs and was found in possession of 6 grammes of cocaine.

The woman allegedly felt unwell at the wheel and lost control of her Smart, which jumped a red light in the via dei Colli Portuensi in west Rome on Monday evening as people were crossing the road, police said.

The woman, referred to as MLA, lost her driving licence in February 2016, according to the police. She had allegedly knocked pedestrians before also, Il Messaggero said, without citing its sources.
On Wednesday, May 31, at 15.00, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference entitled "Actions of the State Executive Service destroy the main competitor of Russian space enterprises - Yuzhmash plant about blocking of economic activities of State Enterprise "Production Association Yuzhny Machine-Building Plant named after A.M. Makarov" due to the arrest of the company's accounts and threats to disrupt the contract concluded in April with the company S7 Sea Launch Limited for the production of the Zenit launch vehicle for the Sea Launch and Ground Launch projects. The participants will include Deputy Director of the State Enterprise "Production Association Yuzhny Machine-Building Plant named after A.M. Makarov" Serhiy Zakharchenko, head of the trade union organization of the state enterprise "Production Association Yuzhny Machine-Building Plant named after A.M. Makarov Valeriy Vasiliyev (8/5a Reitarska Street). Admission requires press accreditation. Additional information by phone: (050) 858 2161 or at: yeschenko.tetiana@gmail.com (Tetiana Yeschenko).
Panamas former dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega has died in Panama City, physically diminished after decades of imprisonment for crimes committed during his 1983-1989 rule.

Noriega, 83, passed away in Panama Citys public Santo Tomas hospital late Monday where he had been recovering from early March surgery to remove a brain tumour, and a subsequent operation to clean up cerebral bleeding.

The announcement of his death was made by government communications secretary Manuel Dominguez.

Mr. Noriega died tonight (late Monday), Dominguez told AFP.

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela wrote on Twitter that Noriegas death closed a chapter in our history. He said the ex-strongmans family deserved to bury him in peace.

Noriega had been serving lengthy prison sentences in Panama for murder and forced disappearances during his dictatorship.

The former dictator had been granted temporary release on February 28 from his prison overlooking the Panama Canal to undergo surgery.

Following years of ill-health that included respiratory problems, prostate cancer and depression, Noriegas family pleaded with authorities to him to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest.

But the government rejected their appeals, and said Noriega would return to prison once he recovered from the brain tumor surgery.

From CIA agent to US pariah

Born in 1934 to a poor family, Noriega entered Panamas military at a young age and rose through the ranks to become de facto ruler of a country that hosts the strategic Panama Canal.

I knew Noriega when I was a lieutenant and he was a second lieutenant, said a former National Guard general Ruben Dario Paredes, a Noriega critic.

He was very attentive and normal, correct, disciplined, and decent -- but when that man reached the rank of general he was definitely someone else. Power disfigured him, corrupted him, Paredes told AFP.

Noriega was reportedly recruited onto the CIA payroll in 1967, the year before he took part in a 1968 coup against then-president Arnulfo Arias.

Noriega supported one of the coup leaders, General Omar Torrijos, who promoted him to head the feared G-2 military intelligence unit.

In 1983, two years after Torrijos death in a mysterious plane crash, Noriega - nicknamed pineapple face for his pock-marked visage - took charge of the now-defunct National Guard and became Panamas de facto ruler.

During his ascent and time in power Noriega juggled work for the CIA along with relationships with Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, Cubas Fidel Castro and other foreign intelligence services.

But his increasingly brutal rule and drug dealings led the United States to seek his ouster.

Noriega was toppled in a December 1989 US military invasion, and surrendered to US troops in January 1990.

The former strongman was flown to the United States where a US court convicted him on drug trafficking and money laundering charges, and sentenced him to prison.

In 2010 Noriega was sent to France, where he was convicted on money laundering charges, then extradited to Panama the following year, where he had been sentenced in absentia to prison for political murders and his role in killing soldiers attempting a coup against him.

Noriega returned home as a wheelchair-bound broken man suffering from a series of ailments.

In 2015 Noriega issued a blanket apology to anybody who felt offended, affected, prejudiced or humiliated by my actions.

He likely went to the grave without divulging many secrets built up over a lifetime of shady dealings.
Prime Minister Theresa May is keen to build on the very strong relationship with India after Britain leaves the European Union, but it is unlikely that visa rules will be relaxed as promised by some members of her cabinet during the June 2016 EU referendum.

Less than two weeks before the June 8 mid-term election, the ruling Conservative Party continues to lead opinion polls, but the gap with Labour is narrowing by the day. May hopes to retain and increase the support of the 1.5 million-strong Indian community.

May told Hindustan Times on Monday that work was already on to ensure increased trade with India even before Britain leaves the EU, expected in mid-2019. She recalled having lengthy discussions on the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her visit to India in November 2016.

I want to ensure that we build on the very strong relationship that we already have with India. I was very pleased to visit India last November with a trade missionIts a hugely dynamic economy. I met fantastic businesses there, she said.

Migration, the bugbear

India has already indicated the mobility or visa issue will be one of the key issues in future talks on a free trade agreement, but May indicated there is unlikely to be any relaxation of rules. The Conservative manifesto also promises to bear down on non-EU immigration.

We have already made quite great strides in what we have provided in India, with the priority services, which are now being extended to the type of visas they cover. We are helping people to get swifter and smoother process of applying for visa for coming to the UK, she said.

Leading lights of the pro-Brexit campaign had promised easier visa norms for India and other Commonwealth countries after leaving the EU. The multi-billion pound Indian food industry struggling with a shortage of chefs was particularly promised a rescue after Brexit.

May said: We are maintaining our commitment to bring the levels of net migration down to sustainable levelsWe always look across the immigration system to ensure that we are enabling, welcoming the best and brightest to some to the UK, but we are working to ensure that the system works fairly and properly for everybody.

During her India visit, May had linked improving the UK visa offer to the return of thousands of Indians who have no right to remain in Britain. The issue of illegal Indians is one of key issues between the two countries.

The Home Office is discussing various ways in which that process (of returns) can be improved. It is something I have said internationally, that I think where there are people who are in a country illegally, they should be returned, but it is a question of getting a smoother process so that people arent spending quite so long waiting to be returned, she said.

The caste law debate

Talking about an anti-caste discrimination law, which has divided the Indian community in Britain, May said: I recognise the sensitivity on the caste issue; there is a consultation taking place. There was wording put into the relevant legislation in the House of Lords by Labour and Liberal Democrats working together on that, but I realise how sensitive this issue is.

May said if her government were returned to power, it will look carefully at the consultation results. The Conservative Party is seen to be closer to the influential Hindu-Sikh lobbies that oppose the anti-caste discrimination law.

Mays predecessor, David Cameron, had promised to nominate candidates from the black and minority ethnic (BME) communities in 20 % of the seats where sitting party MPs were retiring, but this has not been reflected in candidate selection for the forthcoming election.

We have some good BME candidates. This was a very rapid process of putting candidates in place because of the election being called at short notice. I have been heavily involved in doing a lot of work on getting more women as Conservative MPs and what we are looking at as a party is how we can perhaps use that experience and provide support to get more BME candidates in future, May said.

On the under-representation of minority communities in Britains judiciary, armed forces and civil services, May said: Under my predecessor as prime minister, there was a real push to increase diversity in judiciary. I know this is something that the current Lord Chancellor has taken up as well.

The Indian community is a very important part of our society here in the UK. I want to see a country where how far somebody gets on is about their talents and their willingness to work hard, regardless of their background, she added.

The Conservative Party had five Indian-origin MPs in the last parliament and it has 14 Indian-origin candidates in the June 8 election. It released a video last week seeking the support of the Indian community through a Hindi song, using images of a saree-clad May visiting temples in India and the UK, and her meetings with Modi.

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A day after the Nepal government deferred polls to local bodies by a week, Indian ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri met top Madhesi leaders on Tuesday and took stock of the political situation.

Media reports in Kathmandu said the Indian envoy insisted the Madhesi leaders, who recently formed the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN), should join the elections now scheduled for June 23.

The Madhesi leaders appraised Puri about the ground realities and their conditions for joining the polls during the meeting held at the Indian embassy.

Puri discussed the new political situation after the Nepal governments decision on Monday to defer the polls to ensure the participation of the Madhesi parties, Madhesi leaders and Indian embassy officials said.

Puri reportedly said there was a slim chance of amending Nepals new Constitution, as demanded by the RJPN, and urged the Madhesi leaders to focus on polls rather than resorting to protests.

Being the largest democracy, India cannot oppose the elections but it is their call whether to take part in the elections or not, an Indian diplomat said on condition of anonymity. The Madhesi leaders told the Indian side that they were waiting for the governments response to their demands, the diplomat added.

RJPN chairman Mahantha Thakur, Sharad Singh Bhandari, Rajendra Mahato and Anil Jha were among the leaders who attended the meeting.

Indias policy towards Madhes has reportedly changed and New Delhi has nudged the leaders to join the elections. The Madhes-based parties, however, are divided over participating in elections to local government bodies, which are being held after two decades.

Many in Kathmandu believe New Delhi wields considerable influence over the Madhesi leaders because of the geographical proximity of the Terai region. India also has a stake in desiring political stability in the Terai because of the open border between the two countries.

India has suggested that Madhesi leaders could consolidate the gains they have made by uniting on a common platform by joining the electoral process. Other forces could take the political advantage if the Madhesis insisted on boycotting the polls.

The Madhesis have called for the new Constitution to be amended to give them a fair share in an inclusive state.

Though we are interested to join the polls, without full assurance and action that the government is going to address our demands, it is impossible for us to contest the elections, said Sharad Singh Bhandari, a prominent Madhesi leader.
A mother who drowned three of her children and attempted to kill a fourth by driving the family car into an Australian lake was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years and six months in prison.

Akon Guode, 37, drove a SUV carrying four of her seven children into the lake in Melbourne in April 2015. Her 5-year-old daughter Alual survived after passersby pulled her from the partially submerged car.

But Guodes 16-month-old son Bol and 4-year-old twins, Hanger and her brother Madit, died.

Victoria state Supreme Court Justice Lex Lasry said he would have sentenced Goude to life in prison if she had not pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder.

People dont understand why you did what you did, the judge said.

In my opinion, your actions were the product of extreme desperation, he added.

Goude wept and wailed through her sentencing hearing as the judge outlined her crimes and her troubled life that led to it.

Born one of 16 children in 1979, she fled Sudans civil war in which her husband died and arrived in Australia as a refugee in 2006.

The judge set a non-parole period of 20 years and said she will likely be deported on release. Her hometown, the city of Wau, is now in South Sudan, which became an independent country in 2011. Its not clear to which country she will be deported.
British police revealed the Manchester suicide bombers petty criminal past today as the train station next to the scene of last weeks attack reopened for the first time since the carnage at a pop concert that left 22 people dead.

Police said 22-year-old bomber Salman Abedi had appeared in police records over theft, receiving stolen goods and assault in 2012 but was never flagged up for any radical views.

He was known to the police for some relatively minor matters, Manchester police chief Ian Hopkins told BBC radio, as questions grew over whether intelligence services missed any vital clues.

I am not privy to what the security service did or didnt know about the individual at this time, Hopkins said, following a report in the Mail on Sunday that US authorities had previously warned Britains MI5 intelligence service about Abedi.

As the investigation continued, Manchester-born Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher was to make his solo debut later today with a charity concert, the latest in a flood of tributes in Britains third-largest city for the victims of last Mondays attack.

We Will Remember You, read signs accompanied by heart images and surrounded by floral tributes at Manchester Victoria station as service resumed.

I think it will take a long time to get back to normal. Theres still a weird feeling, you know, armed police, a lot of unease, said 59-year-old David Keys as he got off a train.

Sharon Glyn, 48, said she felt goosebumps as her train pulled into the station, while 29-year-old Andrew Shivas said: Cant let them win.

The station is connected to the Manchester Arena, one of Europes biggest indoor venues, by a covered space that was the scene of Mondays blast, in which 116 people were also injured.

Most of the victims were young people attending a concert by US pop idol Ariana Grande which had just finished, and parents waiting to meet their children.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Abedi, a Manchester-born university dropout of Libyan origin, reportedly fought in the Libyan conflict to topple former dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

His brother Hashem and father Ramadan have been arrested in Libya, where authorities say the two brothers were both IS jihadists.

Fourteen more people are being held in Britain and police have released a security camera image of Abedi carrying a large blue suitcase, appealing for any information about where Abedi might have been with it.

Police were seen searching through a rubbish tip near Manchester on Monday.

We are just trying to make sure we capture everything that he has discarded so we can then see what the significance is. Has it (the suitcase) got DNA on it of people that may have helped him? Has it material he may have used? Hopkins said.

Hopkins said the big piece of work for the future would be working with our young people and trying to get to the heart of why people are feeling isolated and why they are subject to being influenced in this way and radicalised.

Britains terror threat level was raised to maximum in the wake of the attack but lowered again over the weekend, while armed soldiers deployed to assist police patrols were being pulled back.

Prime Minister Theresa May has come under heavy criticism for drastic cuts in police numbers during her time as interior minister, as campaigning resumed ahead of a general election next week.

May has said that while overall numbers of officers have gone down, budgets for counter-terrorism policing have risen.
Indian naval divers and medical teams on Tuesday joined rescue efforts in Sri Lankas flood-hit regions as the death toll in the countrys worst torrential rains since 2003 climbed today to 194.

The government has initiated efforts to purify wells and other potable water sources which have been contaminated by the floods as tens of thousands of affected people are left without safe drinking water.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the adverse weather condition had left 112 people injured.

Nearly 600,000 people have been forced to abandon their houses, with thousands suffering structural damage from flood inundation and landslides, it said.

The weather has begun to clear, and many of the more than 100,000 people, evacuated over the weekend, had returned home to clear debris and mud from their waterlogged homes. More than 80,000 others remained in relief camps as their homes were either destroyed or wiped out.

The Indian contingent of more than 300 navy personnel was assisting in the relief, with divers searching the brackish waters and medical teams seeing patients in makeshift tents set up at shelters.

INS Shardul has nearly 200 personnel on board, including specialised rescue, diving and medical teams, as well as a large amount of relief material and Gemini inflatable boats.

INS Kirch was carrying 125 personnel. It had diving teams, relief supplies, inflatable gemini boats and a mobile medical teams.

A third Indian naval ship arrived today, bringing relief supplies including rice, lentils, sugar, milk and blankets for the displaced.

Secy to President of SL and SL Navy chief receiving symbolically the relief material on board the 3rd relief and rescue ship INS Jalashwa, the High Commission of India in Colombo tweeted.

Indias Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Bagley tweeted SL Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake and High Commissioner encouraging India n SL Navy jt medical and rescue teams from the 3rd Indian Ship.

Lankan army trucks transported drinking water and food to affected areas. Helicopters ferried medicine, relief supplies and inflatable boats to remote areas, while small vessels plied the floodwaters in search of people.

Lankan Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said foreign assistance is continuing to flow in with India, China and Pakistan among the countries sending ship loads of humanitarian aid.

The rebuilding effort was well underway with the government approving Rs 2.5 million for every damaged house. Over 900 hosues in 15 districts have been completely destroyed, the spokesman said.

The disaster is described as one of the worst-ever calamities since the 2003 floods.

The official death toll was at 194, with 94 others listed as missing, the Colombo Gazette reported.

The MeT department in its weather forecast said the cyclonic storm MORA is expected to get weakened when it enters Bangladesh and the possibility for heavy rain and strong winds will be reduced by tomorrow.

However, under its influence cloudy skies, windy and showery conditions are expected over the country.

The MeT department warned that the sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai and sea area off the coast extending from Galle to Batticaloa via Hambantota can be very rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 70-80 kmph.

There were scattered showers in many parts of Sri Lanka in the past 24 hours but flood waters were rapidly receding, officials said.

State television broadcast called for public assistance to clean drinking wells contaminated by the monsoon floods.

Lankas water supply minister Rauf Hakeem said 40 per cent of those affected did not have access to piped drinking water, and there was an urgent need to clean contaminated wells in flood-affected areas.

Our workers have volunteered to join a major clean up, the minister said, adding that water distribution stations were flooded, disrupting the piped supply.

In total, 545,243 people of 142,811 families were affected by the weather calamity. The South-West monsoon unleashed torrential rains, which ravaged fourteen districts in the western and southern parts on Friday and Thursday.

The DMC had issued an urgent evacuation warning last evening instructing residents living along the Kelani river and within the Divisional Secretariats of Kollonnawa, Kaduwela, Wellampitiya, Kelaniya, Biyagama, Sedawatte, Dompe, Hanwella, Padukka and Avissawella to move to safer areas.

It said water levels in the Kelani river were rising rapidly as indicted by the water gauges at Nagalagam Street, Hanwella and Glencourse and warned residents to move away from the vulnerable area as it was under an imminent flood threat.

Those living along the banks of Nilwala Ganga, The Gin Ganga and Kalu Ganga were also asked to move to safer areas because of the rising water levels.

Meanwhile, the DMC requested the people to be vigilant on rising water levels.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces. Heavy falls (about 150 mm) can be expected at some places, it said.

Charities have warned on Monday that thousands of people affected by the floods and landslides are at the risk of potential fatal diseases such as dengue fever, as the death toll from the disaster continued to rise.

On Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghes orders, Rs two billion have been set aside to help the small and medium scale businesses destroyed by the floods, Senaratne said.

Senaratne has rejected criticism that the goverment was not prepared to face the disaster.

The government came under immense criticism over the absence of Minister of Disaster Management Anura Yapa who has not returned from a disaster management conference in Mexico.

Wickremesinghe left the country yesterday for medical treatment after postponing the visit over the last 18 months, Senaratne said.

Sri Lanka had sought international assistance, with India sending three naval ships laden with supplies in the last a couple of days.

Following Indias lead in sending out emergency relief to Sri Lanka, more countries started pledging assistance to provide relief to the flood victims.

Australia has said it would provide 500,000 dollars.

A Pakistani relief ship was also expected to arrive later on Tuesday. At least three Chinese ships will come a day after Wednesday.

Japan had promised portable generators and a team of experts to help with relief work.
A senior US lawmaker who was in Dharamshala earlier this month with a congressional delegation to meet Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has lashed out against Chinese criticism of the visit at the time, calling it negative and narrow-minded  (and) silly.

The delegation, comprising eight members of the House of Representatives was led by minority leader Nancy Pelosi and had extended and public engagements with the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community over two days, drawing petulant criticism from the Chinese.

Thats the negative and narrow-minded attitude that the Chinese government has taken, Eliot Engel, the top Democrat on the House of Representativess powerful Foreign Affairs Committee, said in an interview to Hindustan Times, in the sharpest response yet to Beijing from a member of the delegation.

If they have nothing to hide, then they shouldnt mind us going. We cant let the Chinese through political pressure or economic pressure make us forget about the plight of the Tibetan people, or make us forget about human rights and religious freedom issues, he added.

Engel, who has been a member of the House of Representatives from New York since 1989, also said its very irritating the way Pakistan has behaved itself on terrorism and added, It can either contribute to, with effort to reel in terrorism or it can be exposed as a spoiler. And were not afraid to move in now. And you, Im sure, saw whats congresss decision on the F16. Well play bad cop if we have to. And at the same time, we want to make sure that actions with the targeted sanctions or a decrease in security assistance, or even a terrorism designation.

He was referring to Obama administrations proposal to sell Pakistan eight F-16 fighter jets, which was essentially killed by bipartisan opposition in Congress that might have been started at a particularly bruising hearing, in absentia, for Pakistan of the House Foreign Affairs Committee of which Engel is the top Democrat and essentially deputy chair.

Engel, who co-founded the India Caucus in the House of Representatives in 1993, also said that during Prime Minister Narendra Modis coming visit to the US to meet President Donald Trump, he would like to see progress, among other things, on a quadrilateral engagement between India, United States, Japan and Australia.

Generally, he said, the two countries must focus on economics and trade. But, he also stressed on the role of the diaspora  the Indian American community which comes into play in a helpful way (to) deepen people-to-people ties. I think thats important.

Engels remarks against China were most significant, however, given Beijings obsessive insecurities about the Dalai Lama. Chinese government is a strong government. Their military is strong. I dont think that the Dalai Lama, aged 82 (he is actually 81), represents any sign of threat to them, Engel said.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson had said the visit to meet the Dalai Lama sent a very wrong signal to the world about Tibet independence and goes against the United States promises on Tibet. China firmly opposes this and has lodged solemn representations with the US.

The spokesperson had added: We urge relevant Congress people in the US to carefully handle the Tibet issue, stop all communications with the Dalai Lama and take immediate measures to deal with the negative impact of the visit.

Calling the statement silly and narrow-minded, Congressman Engel said, We support a One-China policy. But again, the Dalai Lama is not asking to be a separate country, hes just asking for autonomy within China, within Tibet. And I dont think thats too much to ask.

He went on to endorse the Dalai Lamas demand that Tibetans should choose his successor, and not China. I dont think that the Chinese in Beijing should determine who the next Dalai Lama is  let people to do that, Engel said.

Asked if he would like India and the US to coordinate their actions on Chins, he said, I dont think we want to be enemies with the Chinese. But I think we both look at some of their more aggressive moves with consternation. And thats why Id like (to talk about) the manoeuvres being done between India and United States, Japan and Australia. And Ive been pushing for that. I mentioned that to Prime Minister Modi as well.
President Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of Germany following Chancellor Angela Merkels suggestion that her country needs to adopt a more independent stance in world affairs.

Trump posted a tweet Tuesday saying 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.

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

Trump rattled some in Europe with his statements on NATO last week.

Merkel said Tuesday Germanys relations with the United States are of outstanding importance but it must engage with other key nations going forward. She also suggested in the wake of the Trump visit that Europes relationship with Washington had shifted significantly and reiterated her position that we in Europe have to take our fate into our own hands.
A top White House communications staffer has resigned as President Donald Trump considers a major staff overhaul.

The departure of Michael Dubke, Trumps communications director, comes as aides say Trump has grown increasingly frustrated by allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and revelations of possible ties between his campaign and Moscow.

It has been my great honor to serve President Trump and this administration, Dubke wrote in a statement. It has also been my distinct pleasure to work side-by-side, day-by-day with the staff of the communications and press departments.

Dubkes last day has not yet been determined.

A Republican consultant, Dubke joined the White House team in February after campaign aide Jason Miller  Trumps original choice for communications director  withdrew from the White House team. Dubke founded Crossroads Media, a GOP firm that specializes in political advertising.

Dubke is the latest White House staffer to leave this administration as scrutiny intensifies over contacts Trump staffers may have had with Russian government officials during the campaign and transition period.

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Dubke resigned before Trump left for his international trip earlier this month, suggesting that his departure is not linked to any pending shake-ups.

But his departure raises questions about whether previous Trump loyalists are headed to the White House. Trump has entertained formally bringing back his former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, and former deputy campaign manager, David Bossie.

Bossie told Fox News Fox & Friends that the Trump administration has reached out to him but hasnt offered him a job yet.

They have talked to many people, including me, Bossie said. He later added: Its an ongoing conversation and thats a fair way to put it.

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.

Dubkes hiring was intended to lighten the load on Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, who had also been handling the duties of communications director during Trumps first month in office. Trump has privately pinned some of the blame for his administrations rough start on the White Houses communications strategy.

While overseas, Trumps longtime lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, joined a still-forming legal team to help the president shoulder the intensifying investigations into Russian interference in the election and his associates potential involvement. More attorneys with deep experience in Washington investigations are expected to be added, along with crisis communication experts, to help the White House in the weeks ahead.

The latest revelations to emerge last week involved Trumps son-in-law and top aide, Jared Kushner. Shortly after the election, Kushner allegedly discussed setting up a secret communications channel with the Russian government to facilitate sensitive discussions about the conflict in Syria.

The intent was to connect Trumps chief national security adviser at the time, Michael Flynn, with Russian military leaders, a person familiar with the discussions told the AP. The person wasnt authorized to publicly discuss private policy deliberations and insisted on anonymity.

Flynn handed in his resignation in February after it was revealed he misled top White House officials about his contacts with Russian officials.

The disclosure of the back channel has put the White House on the defensive. Just back from his nine-day trip to the Middle East and Europe, Trump dismissed recent reports as fake news.
A top White House official stepped down on Tuesday in what is expected to be the first in a long-speculated personnel shake-up Donald Trump was understood to be planning to extricate his young presidency from an unending cycle of crises.

Michael Dubke, head of the White House communications team that Trump has tended to blame partly for his continuing miseries, and inability to project his message and defend him adequately, has resigned, citing person reasons. A replacement had not been announced.

I want to thank Mike Dubke for his service to President Trump and this administration, White House chief of staff Reince Priebus said in a statement. We appreciate Mike and are very grateful for his service to President Trump and our country.

Priebus also said Dubke had tendered his resignation just before Trump left for his first overseas trip but had offered to stay onboard until a transition is concluded.

Trump did not mention Dubke in tweets he posted just minutes before the news broke, decrying in one of them the ongoing Russia probe: Russian officials must be laughing at the US & how a lame excuse for why the Dems (Democrats) lost the election has taken over the Fake News.

The president also targeted Germany in a tweet, bringing up its trade surplus with the US and not meeting its Nato defence spending commitment. This came just days after Chancellor Angel Merkels stunning pronouncement that Europe cannot bank on the US anymore and needs to fend for itself.

FBIs investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 elections and alleged collusion by Trump campaign officials has come to be focussed in recent days on the presidents son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, and his reported request to the Russians to set up a secret back channel communications system run out of Russian diplomatic facilities to evade American monitoring,

Trump has defended Kushner and is reported to be focussed on personnel shake-up to get ahead of the probe. White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and press secretary Sean Spicer are rumoured to be most vulnerable, despite the president publicly backing them in the past.

Dubkes is not the first high-profile exit from the Trump White House, which is barely more than five months old. He follows national security adviser Michael Flynn, who was sacked for mischaracterising his interactions with Russians, and Katie Walsh, a deputy chief of staff.
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (L) shakes hands with Japan's National Security Advisor Shotaro Yachi as they co-chair the fourth round of China-Japan high-level political dialogue near Tokyo, Japan, May 29, 2017. (Xinhua)

TOKYO, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Japanese National Security Advisor Shotaro Yachi co-chaired the fourth round of high-level political dialogue between the two countries on Monday.

Yang said at the meeting that China-Japan relations are currently at an important juncture with both new opportunities and outstanding challenges as this year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations.

The two sides should remind themselves of their original intention for normalizing ties, take history as a mirror while facing to the future, and push for the continuous enhancement of bilateral relations based on the spirit of four important political documents between China and Japan and the four-point principled agreement reached in November 2014, Yang said.

Yang also said that China attaches importance to developing its relationship with Japan and this stance has not changed. He called on the Japanese side to conform to the trend of times and implement, with specific policies and concrete actions, the consensus that the two countries are each other's cooperative partner rather than threats, and that China's development is an opportunity for Japan.

Yang also urged Japan to honor its words and abide by relevant rules regarding the historical and Taiwan issues and make joint efforts with China to safeguard the peace and stability in the East China Sea.

He also called upon Japan to speak and act cautiously regarding the South China Sea issue and to play a constructive role as relevant countries in the region are making their efforts to solve the issue properly.

Welcoming Japan to discuss cooperation with China under the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative, Yang said the two sides should speed up transformation and upgrade of bilateral economic and trade cooperation and to expand cooperation in new areas.

He also urged the two sides to further enhance communication between local governments and the young people, among others, so as to promote mutual understanding between the two peoples and lay solid foundation for the development of bilateral ties.

For his part, Yachi said that cooperation between China and Japan, two major countries in Asia, is vital to the region and the two sides shall fully implement the consensus that they are each other's cooperative partner rather than threats.

He said that Japan's stance on the Taiwan and historical issues has not changed and Japan is dedicated to improving its relationship with China and is willing to make joint efforts with China to enhance exchanges at all levels, expand positive aspects and properly manage disputes in bilateral relations.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concerns.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]hat is the man himself, the Marquis de Lafayette said as he viewed French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdons statue of George Washington in 1824. I can almost realize he is going to move. The Commonwealth of Virginia had commissioned the statue in 1784 to be featured in the states capitol building, then under construction in Richmond. The 6-foot-tall marble sculpture is considered by many to be the best likeness of Americas first president. Erected in 1796, the statue stood in that same spot during the Civil War when the building served as the Confederate Capitol. Efforts to replicate the venerated artwork for other locations were interrupted by the war, when metal intended for statuary (bronze or another alloy) was diverted to making ordnance.

In antebellum Virginia, Houdons statue became an obsession for American artist William James Hubard. Born in England in 1807, Hubard eventually moved to Boston and established a reputation as a portrait painter and silhouette artist. In the 1840s, he relocated to Richmond, where he happened upon Houdons statue of Washington. Recognizing the value of Houdons work and also fearing some disaster might damage or destroy the original, Hubard urged that bronze copies be produced.

In 1853, the Virginia General Assembly granted him such a license. Finding no facilities sufficient for his needs, Hubard built a new foundry outside Richmond, calling it the Washington Foundry. Hubard also secured ample quantities of bronze for anticipated orders. But despite those preparations, only a handful of orders arrived. Among six produced, the first went to Columbia, S.C., for a new state house then under construction. Hubard filled other orders from North Carolina and the Virginia Military Institute. Three other copies wound up in St. Louis; Miami, Ohio; and New York City.

The start of the Civil War found Hubard with a substantial stock of bronze and a well-provisioned foundry. With that in mind, on April 16, 1861, he sent a letter to Captain Charles Dimmock, chief of Virginias Ordnance Department, proposing I will forth-with make two sample guns which shall be put to the most severe test [emphasis in original], and adding:

You know I am better prepared by practical experience for that class of arm and am willing to take any risk and I can make them quicker than you can obtain them from any other hands. I would not make them as mere commercial articlesaiming as I do none at expectation than the mere profit. The prices you can determine by those fixedand I am not willing to demand the contingent enumeration suggested by the necessity of the times.

Dimmock responded positively to the offer, asking for bronze howitzers to fill state needs. In the absence of complete records, it is probable that Hubard delivered only a half-dozen of these guns under the Virginia contract.

Two surviving 12-pounder field howitzers display stamps attesting to Hubards workone at Gettysburg National Military Park and another at Shiloh. Both examples display stamps on their trunnions stating W.J.H. and W.F. Those correspond, respectively, to William J. Hubard and Washington Foundry. The Gettysburg example has an additional mark of State of VA, alluding to the state orders, early in the war.

The surviving guns match closely the established prewar Model 1841 form used for U.S. Army field howitzers. This was a proven design, with plans and particulars easily obtained in Richmond. But though Hubard had facilities for casting the howitzers, he lacked the ability to bore out the guns and turn them (i.e., smooth the exterior). For that work, Hubard sub-contracted to the firm of Thomas Samson & James Pae; an additional stamp of S&P is visible below those of Hubard and the foundry.

On October 5, 1861, Hubard received a follow-up order for 10 howitzers from Colonel Josiah Gorgas, Confederate chief of ordnance. As was often the case with cannons, payment was based on the weight of the finished howitzer, set at 35 cents per pound. The contract also extended funds for Hubard to purchase a crane, ladle, flasks, and other equipment in order to expand production. Terms of the contract required they be delivered by November 20.

Once again, Hubard used the familiar Model 1841 pattern for the howitzers. In the early stages of the war, Confederate cannon-makers often selected well-known and proven patterns in an effort to expedite deliveries. While details of the newer, and more potent, 12-pounder Model 1857 Napoleon guns were available, those required more metal per unit. The Washington Foundry howitzer at Shiloh has a stamp indicating its barrel weight was 770 pounds when accepted. Napoleon gun barrels weighed about 1,230 pounds. Hubard could cast two howitzers with nearly the same amount of metal required for a Napoleon.

Hubards attentions were not confined to field artillery, however. In late November 1860, he offered advanced weapon designs and his services to South Carolina Governor William H. Gist. Not masking his sectional politics, he wrote:

I desire to submit for your examination certain important inventions in war arms, which have been reserved for the exclusive use of the South. They have not been patented, and not made public for the reason given to be implied in their having been held for southern advantage.

Hubard then gave general details of a breechloading rifle that fires 30 shots at one loading and is reloaded in about the same time required to cap an ordinary gun. He claimed the gun would work even if dropped in water. A carbine version could fire 60 shots in a minute. And Hubard also offered a pistol which was light and discharges from 10 to 12 shots in rapid succession and can be reloaded in the process of firing by the left hand. Certainly a formidable weapon, had it indeed been perfected.

For artillery, Hubard offered an improved shrapnel shell for use by field artillery. The shell when loaded can be fired with the accuracy of a solid ball; 25 percent more bullets can be packed into this shell. Hubards fuses would work under water. Furthermore, he stated, [t]here is not the least risk in loading or handling the loaded shell in any possible way.

Hubard claimed these inventions were developed over many years and had long been in hand. But want of occasion and proper attention has prevented their publicity. He cautioned, though, that work was needed to perfect these weapons before full use. [Y]our state, he noted, may be the first to require articles of defensive nature. Which was not exactly a bold prediction in those days after Lincolns election.

Later, in the spring of 1861, Hubard began collaborating with Lieutenant John Mercer Brooke of the Confederate Navy to manufacture signal lights, and also working with Brooke to improve shells, a burning composition, and other ordnance materials. By early 1862, he was at work perfecting an incendiary shell. Clearly the artist was making full conversion to a career in weapons manufacture. Beginning in July 1861, however, Brooke had expressed worry that his pace of work was slow and imprecise. Mr. Hubard will never get his incendiary shells filled, he is not steady to the point.

Hubards ordnance work would lead to his death. On February 15, 1862, as he was preparing one of his shells, an explosion ripped through the workspaceHubard was badly burned and died shortly thereafter. With that, one more of the Confederacys precious few foundries closed.

Shortly after Hubards death, Samson & Pae completed the turning and finishing of the last four howitzers from the Washington Foundry, charging the Confederate government $130 for work completed on each. It is worth noting that Samson & Pae, from their shop on 5th Street, continued to supply ordnance to the Confederacy until the end of the war. The monthly registers were often in excess of $4,000 with thousands of shot and shell delivered. The firm even produced a handful of breechloading light cannons for Confederate use in 1863.

Hubard left behind a wife, son, and daughter. A few months after his death, the Confederate Ordnance Department settled Hubards accounts, providing a few hundred dollars on the contract for howitzers. The department also paid $1,932.64 for raw bronze and copper that remained at the foundry. The bronze sold for 32 cents a pound, just three cents less than it would have fetched when finished as cannons. Possibly this was a gesture to the family, providing them some means.

As mentioned above, Hubards howitzers saw service in the Western Theater as well as in the East. But most details have been lost to history.

Three of the Washington statues were direct witnesses to war. The statue at the Virginia Military Institute was confiscated by Union troops in 1864, as part of Maj. Gen. David Hunters Raid into the Shenandoah Valley. For a time, the statue was on display in Wheeling, W.Va. Returned in September 1866, it graces the schools grounds today.

When the Federals captured Raleigh, N.C., in April 1865, soldiers rushed past North Carolinas copy of the statue as they occupied the capitol building. South Carolinas Washington statue was damaged during the Union occupation of Columbia, in February 1865, and still bears the scars.

The diversion of metal intended to honor President George Washington speaks to the dire measures the South had to undertake to arm itself. Metal originally allocated for artwork was instead used for making weapons. And an artist turned to subjects of belligerent intent.

Craig Swain, an information technology consultant in the Washington area, has studied the Civil War passionately since childhood. His expertise includes artillery, engineering operations, and the war in Charleston, S.C.
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]resident Abraham Lincolns grand review of the Army of the Potomac on April 9, 1863, would be remembered fondly by both awed onlookers and the regiments that paraded before him at Belle Plaine, Va. In many ways, the occasion marked the end of what had been a very troubled winter following the Battle of Fredericksburgwhat one Union soldier had called his armys

Valley Forge.

The mens morale was on the upswing, and new commander Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, who in just nine weeks had done much to refit and prepare the Unions principal army, was happy to show them off. As the third summer of the war approached, Decembers Fredericksburg disaster and the woeful Mud March of January seemed like distant memories.

Although the entire review was impressive, it was the crisply massed lines and steady step of the 1st Corps Iron Brigade of the West that brought the loudest murmur of approval and applause from the crowd, with some ladies reportedly fluttering their handkerchiefs as those regiments passed by.

The unit, adorned in their splendid black hats, was the armys only all-Western infantry brigade, made up of the veteran 2nd, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin, the 19th Indiana, and the recently added 24th Michigan.

This, Hooker said, leaning close to the president, is the famous fourth brigade. Lincoln smiled and, as was his habit, quipped: Yes. It is commanded by the only Quaker General I have in the army. He nodded in the direction of Brig. Gen. Solomon Meredith of Indiana, impossible to miss at 6-foot-7, 250 pounds.

[quote style=boxed float=left]Recently promoted, Meredith had entered the war as the 19th Indianas colonel and had quickly become a great favorite of the men, who dubbed him Long Sol in deference to his imposing height. They enjoyed telling stories of his rustic mannerisms.[/quote]

Meredith was raised a Quaker in his native North Carolina. As a young man, he walked to Indiana to start a new life. He married well there, and prospered as a farmer and in politics. He was Wayne County clerk at the time of Fort Sumter in 1861 and was well known as a Republican political crony of powerful Indiana Governor Oliver P. Morton.

Always a man who caught eyes because of his height, Meredith had the loud and forceful voice of a stump speaker and was singled out for his colorful use of the English language. He was, a specimen of the genuine Hoosier, one of his soldiers wrote home, who put on no airs and frequently talks to the private soldiers and is therefore very popular with the men but is not much of a military man.

Another veteran said that Meredith took double the risk in battle, as he was twice as big as most men: Stray scraps of iron running at large over the heads of a regiment are apt to pick out the tall ones.

When Long Sol and his Indiana boys were added to the Midwestern brigade in October 1861, Merediths military abilities were questionable, but it was recognized that he had rock solid political connections. Wisconsin men said in solemn tones that Meredith and his regiment were the pets of Indiana Governor Morton. The volunteer Badger officersmany of them sharply attuned to the direction of the political windsmade note of the fact. A story circulated about how a political rival quipped that Long Sol was so tall that he should be cut in half and his lower, and better, half be made lieutenant colonel of the 19th.

The 19th Indiana left its home state for the front on two trains on August 5, 1861. The new colonel rode in the smaller second train and took along two of his favorite horses. At Harrisburg, Pa., the train halted so that 10 rounds of ammunition could be issued to each soldier in case of trouble at Baltimore where a Union regiment had earlier been fired upon while passing through the city.

No violence occurred, however, as they marched through the city to a connecting rail line. Back in the cars and bored, the ammunition in their cartridge boxes tempted the young Hoosiers to try out their muskets on Rebel ducks and chickens along the tracks. Soon the cars were ablaze with shooting and filled with smoke. At least one horse was shot dead.

Meredith, still much the farmer, was outraged at the slaughter of valuable livestock. He stormed through the cars demanding to know who was shooting. No one, of course, admitted to the deed.

At Washington, days wore into weeks, and weeks into months without action. The new volunteersofficers and privates alikewere learning to be soldiers. There was constant drill and some heavy labor constructing fortifications in Virginia beyond the Chain Bridge over the Potomac River.

Some excitement finally transpired on September 11 when five companies of the 19th Indiana, along with other detachments, tramped five miles into the countryside. Confederate cavalry soon attacked the reconnaissance force. The shooting lasted about two hours, and Meredith was proud to report that his Indiana companies behaved with the utmost coolness and gallantry.

In spring 1862, Army of the Potomac commander Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan devised a plan to move his force by water to Fort Monroe, from where it would advance on the Confederate capital of Richmond. The Western brigade soldiers were crestfallen to learn that they and the rest of Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowells 1st Corps would not be part of the main campaign. They would be ordered only to occupy Fredericksburg, where they could be in a position to threaten Richmond and yet still protect Washington.

McDowells brigades moved from Washington by foot on April 4 in a march hampered by rain and snow. The columns reached Falmouth above Fredericksburg on April 23 and settled into a routine of work details, patrols, and drill.

Brigadier General Rufus King, the brigades first commander, had been promoted to a division post in late 1861, but it was not until May 8, 1862, that Captain John Gibbon of Battery B, 4th U.S. Artillery, which had been assigned to the brigade, was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers and given command of the Western regiments.

The change caused only a minor stir as the battery had been associated with the brigade for several months and some infantry volunteers had even been filling the depleted ranks in the battery. Gibbons tightening of discipline, however, was not greeted with enthusiasm. The new general was a Regular, after all, and the volunteers distrusted the Old Army manner.

No one was more upset than Colonel Sol Meredith, who had long made known his own ambition to win a star. He told anyone who would listen that volunteers should be commanded by volunteer officers, and then began writing letters to his powerful friends in Indiana and Washington to see what might be done.

Some of the Western regiments had marched off to war wearing gray militia uniforms, and even after the issue of the standard blue Union togs, some men still wore their old gray issues. Gibbon disliked the uneven appearance of his regiments, and required that the dark blue wool frock coats and black hats often issued to the Regulars be issued to all his men, along with white linen leggings and white cotton gloves.

The Midwesterners grumbled when it was discovered each soldier would pay for the gloves and leggings out of their clothing allowances. Gibbons order also called for extra underwear, stockings, and shoes. In making the requisition of his regiment, Meredith, aware of the displeasure in his ranks, slyly asked for four extra mule teams to transport the extra luggage. The request, of course, was denied, but Gibbon and Meredith were now at odds. Tensions escalated when the Indianans threw them away on the first long march and Gibbon sharply ordered they be reissued at additional cost.

One morning Gibbon emerged from his tent to find his horse equipped with four leggings. The breach of discipline upset the by-the-book Regular, who looked to the Indiana ranks to find the culprit without success.

A more troubling exchange erupted when Gibbon reviewed his brigade and issued a general order that singled out the marked contrast in appearance between the Wisconsin units and the 19th Indiana. The general also made a sour reference to the clothing discarded on recent marches, and stated that every soldier found without his issued clothing will be charged the cost of such clothingand have the amount deducted from his pay.

The order set off a storm, especially in the 19th Indiana, where the leggings and the general were especially hated. Meredith was fed up with Gibbons strict rules, and he secured leave to meet with his Indiana political friends in Washington to see about replacing the general or having his regiment transferred to another brigade.

Despite the efforts of Meredith and his political cronies, the Indiana regiment was not transferred and Gibbon was not removed. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton told Meredith and his friends that the matter was in the hands of 1st Corps commander McDowell, who, despite pressure from Hoosier political forces, refused the request to move the 19th Indiana from Gibbons brigade.

Meredith and his soldiers soon had more serious matters on their minds. The real war finally caught up to their brigade when the regiments were ordered on a series of marches in early August 1862 to find Confederate Maj. Gen. Thomas Stonewall Jacksons forces. With McClellan stalled outside Richmond, Jackson had slipped out of the defensive lines and headed for central Virginia to cause trouble for the Union.

Near dusk on August 28, the 1,900-member Western brigade finally found the combat for which they had longed. The column was marching along the Warrenton Turnpike, not far from the old First Bull Run battlefield, when it came under artillery fire.

Gibbon ordered the 2nd Wisconsin forward to capture what he thought was just a Confederate battery positioned near the Brawner Farm. Then, out of the woods on a far ridge line, Jacksons massed lines of infantry swept down on the lone Wisconsin regiment.

Surprised, Gibbon quickly ordered the 7th Wisconsin and 19th Indiana forward. The 2nd Wisconsin was no sooner engaged when the 19th Indiana came up on the left. Meredith brought his men in at the double-quick. Boys, he called as they advanced, dont forget that you are Hoosiers, and above all, remember the glorious flag of our country!

Bent Iron The Iron Brigade was devastated at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, Suffering more than 60% casualties. The casualty breakdown was as follows: Regiment # Of Men in Ranks Casualties 19th Indiana 308 210 24th Michigan 496 363 2nd Wisconsin 302 233 7th Wisconsin 364 175 6th Wisconsin 344 168 Total 1,814 1,152 The Iron Brigade never regained the strength it had before Gettysburg. The 2nd Wisconsin and the 19th Indiana mustered out in 1864, and the 7th Indiana and a New York sharpshooter regiment were patched into the brigade at various times. The brigade was finally dissolved in February 1865. D.B.S.

In the next hour of shooting, the 19th suffered terribly, and one soldier remembered that the lines of battle were close enough to do effective work. Merediths horse, Old Roan, was soon hit by a ball and fell, pinning the colonel. Meredith was pulled free by two officers, but was stunned. The colonels son, Samuel, a lieutenant in one of the 19ths companies, was also shot in the neck at about the same time.

For 90 minutes, until it was too dark to see, both sides fired at each other at murderously close range during what would evolve into the three-day Second Battle of Bull Run. Gibbon, whod see much fighting during the coming months, said later that the most terrific musketry fire I have ever listened to rolled along those two lines of battle. It was a regular stand up fight during which neither side yielded a foot.

As a result of his injury, Meredith missed the remainder of the battle, but was back in command when the brigade saw action at South Mountain, Md., on September 14, 1862. When his regiment stalled in the face of steep terrain and heavy opposition along the National Road, he sent his son, Samuel, to Battery B to request that two guns be brought up to bombard a Confederate strong point.

Lieutenant James Stewart was battery commander, and he later said that he looked up to see approaching the youngest and tallest, as well as the thinnest man I ever saw. The young officer saluted and said, Father wants you to put a shot into that house; it is full of rebel sharpshooters.

A native of Scotland, Stewart was a long-serving Regular and in his trademark blunt manner asked, Who in thunder is your father? Colonel Sol Meredith of the 19th Indiana, was the reply.

The veteran looked the young man up and down. You go back with my compliments to your father, Colonel Sol Meredith, of the 19th Indiana, and tell him I will require him to give me a written order to shell that house.

Young Meredith rode off, and returned with his father a few minutes later. I want you to shell that house, Long Sol told the artilleryman. When Stewart reiterated he wanted a written order, the colonel responded with By Jinks, I will give you a written order, and acquiesced.

Stewart rolled two guns forward and threw what Meredith called several splendid shootscausing a general stampede. The Rebels gone, the 19th Indiana again pressed up the hill. It was a most magnificent sight to see the boys of the Nineteenth going forward, crowding the enemy, cheering all the time, the colonel would write.

Meredith suffered an injury at South Mountain, and left the regiment to go to Washington to recuperate, and also to lobby for a generals star. While he was away, the Iron Brigade fought at the Battle of Antietam and Lt. Col. Alois Bachman was killed while leading the 19th. Not long after that battle, Gibbon was promoted to division command. The news brightened hopes for a promotion for Long Sol, a wish granted in November when he was named a brigadier general.

Now he needed a command to go with his new star and none appealed to him more than the Iron Brigadeas the Midwestern regiments had been christened for their hard fighting at South Mountain. Meredith was quick to approach the new Army of the Potomac commander and soon had Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnsides recommendation. I have been assigned to this glorious old Iron Brigade, he wrote to his friend and patron Governor Morton. He said he considered it a very high compliment.

Gibbon was outraged that Meredith had been promoted instead of his choice, Colonel Lysander Cutler of the 6th Wisconsin. Gibbon disliked Merediths discipline methods, and also thought he should have been present at Antietam. He approached Burnside and tried to have the appointment blocked, but the army commander turned down Gibbons request, saying Merediths many strong friends made such a move impossible.

The new Brigadier General and his command escaped heavy fighting at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, but by June 1863 they were on the march to Pennsylvania and chasing Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia.

On the morning of July 1, Meredith was slow getting his regiments out of camp at Marsh Creek south of Gettysburg. He and his men were unaware gunfire was already being exchanged northwest of town between Federal cavalry and Confederate infantry.

Infantry musket fire was flaring north of a fenced roadthe Chambersburg Pikeas the Westerners moved through the swale by the Lutheran Seminary Building. The 6th Wisconsin was halted as a reserve, while the four leading regiments advanced up the slope of a ridge to the west.

Major General John Reynolds, commanding the advance of the Union army, followed the leading 2nd Wisconsin, shouting Forward for Gods sake, and drive those fellows out of those woods! Brigadier General James Archers Brigade fired a most murderous volley, but the Black Hats surged forward and the surprised Confederates, expecting only cavalry or militia, retreated. Behind them, Reynolds had been shot and was dying.

At the same time, the 6th Wisconsin rushed north of the Chambersburg Pike and caught an advancing Confederate brigade in an unfinished railroad cut, capturing scores of Johnnies and the flag of the 2nd Mississippi Infantry.

By noon, the field was quiet as arriving Confederates consolidated for a final push. The 2nd and 7th Wisconsin, 24th Michigan, and 19th Indiana were posted in a thin patch of trees known as Herbst Woods at the western base of McPhersons Ridge. It was an awkward position, as the line had to curve down to a hollow to reach the 19th Indiana.

Colonel Henry Morrow of the 24th Michigan asked three times to better position his line, but Meredith refused. Major General Abner Doubleday, now in command of the field, had ordered Long Sol to hold the woods at all costs, and that was exactly what he was planning to do.

The Confederates came in heavier numbers in the early afternoon to clear the two ridges northwest of Gettysburg and capture the town. The outnumbered Black Hats were suddenly in a desperate fight to delay the Confederate advance so the Union army could concentrate south of Gettysburg. The lines were at times merely 90 feet apart as both sides fired furiously in the smoke-filled woods.

The Confederate pressure became too much, and the Union line was flanked on both ends and began a stubborn retreat. Before the Federals backed to the crest of Seminary Ridge, however, Meredith was already down, struck on the head by a piece of shell that fractured his skull. His horse had also been killed and had fallen on him, breaking his ribs and injuring his right leg.

The wounded general was taken from the field. A few days later he would return to Indiana to recover. In November, he rejoined the army, but active field service was too much for him. After a time he was appointed garrison commander at Cairo, Ill., and later at Paducah, Ky.

There was a happy reunion with his 19th Indiana in January 1864, when the three-year veterans returned to Indianapolis for a 30-day furlough. A special reception was organized at the Masonic Hall, and when Long Sol appeared, his old boys greeted him with cheer after cheer. These men, the tall general told the crowd, shared in all the honors won by the Army of the Potomac and the welcome received at the hands of friends at home compensates all they have endured.

It all turned sour the next day, however, when Merediths son, Samuel, still troubled by his Brawner Farm wound, fell ill and died. The general buried his son and was then confined to his room with fever and exhaustion. He was still spitting up blood from his Gettysburg injuries.

Politics called him again in mid-1864, when at Governor Mortons urging he unsuccessfully ran for the House of Representatives against incumbent George Julian. Hard words were exchanged during a bitter campaign, which included false claims that Meredith was a Southern sympathizer.

When the tall general encountered Julian at the Richmond, Ind., railroad station, he beat the congressman almost unconscious with a livestock whip. Only Merediths political influence and the fact he was still in the Army enabled him to have the charges dropped.

When the war ended, Meredith returned home to Indiana to resume farming. From 1867 to 1869, he served an appointment as surveyor general of the Montana Territory, and then came home to raise prize-winning livestock. He died in 1875 and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Cambridge City, Ind.

In the final tally, Meredith was one of those curious political officers tossed up by the Civil War, a man marked by both patriotism and ambition. His feud with Gibbon was carried out with a well-honed politicians guile using carefully crafted letters and sly whispers to the powerful forces outside the army.

His military ability was always regarded as mixed. A soldier in his regiment had hoped for Merediths quick promotion to general so the regiment would be rid of his careless day-to-day handling of the command. At Fredericksburg, where his brigade was at the very left of the Union line, his lines became snarled and he was temporarily removed from command. On another occasion, the general was caught out of camp without the proper pass and asked a new colonel to intercede for him with the army commander.

But the soldiers always liked Long Sols rustic Western style. He was remembered in the ranks for his role in keeping a private found sleeping on guard duty from a firing squad, and for his recognition that another soldier charged with disloyal language probably used the words in hot anger and had already proved his loyalty in battle.

In some ways, whatever his military successes and failures, or what General Gibbon, Governor Morton, and even President Lincoln said about him, would not matter. He would go down in lore as Long Sol Meredith of Indiana on his big horse, marching the storied Iron Brigade into the hard fighting at Gettysburg.

Lance J. Herdegen is the author of several books on Civil War topics, including The Iron Brigade in Civil War and Memory. His latest book is Union Soldiers in the American Civil War. Herdegen presently does historical research for The Civil War Museum of the Upper Midwest at Kenosha, Wis. He lives in Walworth County, Wis.
An agreement between Iran and Russia will have the former breaking free of the petrodollar. But the agreement opens up opportunities of barter trade with Russia in the form of the deal that was first signed in 2014.

The oil minister of Iran, Bijan Zanganesh has stated in an announcement that Iran and Russia are entering into an agreement which gives Iran the option to detach itself from the petrodollar. Moreover, the agreement allows Iran to barter crude oil for products with Russia, Zerohedge reported.

According to Russian news agencies, the announcement that was made by the oil minister of Iran, clearly indicates that the agreement has already been signed. However, Iran is waiting for an implementation from Russia, following which, oil tankers will be sent by Russia to Iran.

It must be mentioned here that it was in April 2014, that the $20 billion agreement was signed by Iran and Russia. However, according to reports from Russia Today, it was in 2017 that Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak had the plan back into action which will have Russia purchasing 100000 barrels of oil per day. And, the payment would be made in two modes. One mode will be cash, which will amount to 50 percent and the remaining 50 percent would be made in the form of goods and services.

Notably, the International Monetary Fund had issued a statement in February, stating that Iran was under SWIFT once again, however, the banks will face challenges as the US sanctions are still pending. Additionally, the statement stated, "US dollar clearing restrictions have not been lifted and pose a significant challenge for non-US banks who may do business with Iran, but may not be paid in US dollars." So, the ban on trade in US dollars still exists, due to which the country cannot sell oil in the open market.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
North Korea launched a third missile test on Monday morning, which landed in Japan's special economic zone. This action has been strongly condemned by South Korea and Japan due to its provocative nature and also for the threat it poses. Moreover, the United States' President Donald Trump has also been briefed about the incident.

North Korea fired the third ballistic missile test on Monday morning, challenging the world pressures and ignoring the need of more authorizations. According to CNN, the short-range missile traveled about 248 miles and reached an altitude of 120 km. The missile ultimately landed in the sea, which is also Japan's economic zone and where commercial ships operate.

In a statement, South Korea's Joint Chief of Staff has said that the missile was launched from Wonsan Airfield, Osorio. Moreover, Japan has also condemned such action, calling it "absolutely not acceptable" as it is a threat to the safety of air traffic as well as shipping.

President Donald Trump has been briefed about the incident, and over a series of tweets, he said that North Korea is showing great disrespect for its neighbors. It is worth mentioning that the medium-sized missile that was launched previously had the capability of reaching the United States' base. According to Reuters, the United States will test a missile defense system on Tuesday in an attempt to intercept an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Notably, this was the third missile test that was launched by North Korea since May 10, when South Korea's President Moon Jae took office. North Korea has however expressed that the missile tests are a way of responding to the threats posed by United States, South Korea and Japan.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
L istening to the Labour Party bang on about how they are going to improve tenants rights, you could be forgiven for thinking that at the moment it is perfectly legal for landlords to let damp, dangerous, rat-infested houses.

Shadow housing secretary John Healey has promised Labour will change all this, assuming it wins next months general election. Dont scoff, remember Donald Trump and Brexit  stranger things have happened.

Mr Healey has said Labour will introduce minimum standards to ensure rental homes are fit for human habitation, suggesting that currently they are not.

He also promised Labour will bring in requirements for safe wiring and appliances, freedom from damp and vermin infestation, appropriate water and sewage facilities, appropriate facilities for preparing and cooking food and general good repair.

Hurrah! screamed some newspaper headlines following this announcement. Labour vows to call time on bad landlords (the Guardian); Labour pledges crackdown on bad landlords (the Independent); Labour pledges tougher standards for rented houses (the BBC).

MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR RENTALS

What a load of twaddle. There are already minimum standards for rental accommodation in the UK and if Mr Healey isnt aware of this, then he is even less qualified to be the next housing minister than gaffe-prone Diane Abbott is to be Home Secretary. Landlords are already legally obliged to provide safe, secure, hygienic accommodation  and if they dont, councils have the powers to prosecute them.

In fact, rented homes should be far safer than owner-occupied houses because landlords are obliged to provide lots of safety features that home owners arent.

For instance, landlords must have gas appliances and flues tested at least once every 12 months and the tenant must be given a copy of the gas safety record to prove this has been done. All furniture and soft furnishings in rental properties must be fire retardant and landlords must provide working smoke alarms on every floor and make sure they are tested regularly. How many home owners bother to do that?

In rooms with solid fuel-burning appliances, such as coal fires and trendy wood burners, we must install carbon monoxide detectors.

While there is currently no legal requirement for landlords to have an electrical safety check unless they are running a House in Multiple Occupation, it is not true that we are allowed to let properties with faulty wiring. It must be safe and if it isnt, we can be prosecuted.

Councils have the power to inspect rental homes and if they find insufficient washing and cooking facilities, or that they are dangerously overcrowded or in a state of disrepair, they can take action against the landlord.

Landlords must provide tenants with an Energy Performance Certificate  an EPC  to show how much its likely to cost to heat and light their home. From next year, it will be illegal to re-let a property with an EPC of less than E, so landlords should already be taking steps to improve cold and draughty homes.

In addition, deposits paid by tenants must be protected in a government-approved scheme. If a landlord fails to do this, they could be forced to pay the tenant up to three times its value.

Tenants, and Labour, should be aware of all of these rules because they are explained in a government-issued leaflet, How to Rent, which landlords must give to new tenants. Not all landlords comply with the rules of course. A small minority will always stick up two fingers to the law.

However, in my humble opinion what is needed here is not new legislation but more action by local authorities to enforce the existing regulations.

Victoria Whitlock lets four properties in south London. To contact Victoria with your ideas and views, tweet @vicwhitlock
There are lots of things to know when visiting Venice, Italy for the first time. If youve never been to Venezia, here are some facts about Venice and a few things to should know before you go.

Things to know about Venice

Italy is a beautiful country, and the city of Venice is a gorgeous and super popular travel destination. I recently visited and loved everything about this floating city  the canals offer majestic views, the traditional Italian architecture has been preserved throughout the city, there are lots of wonderful sights, and the availability of pizza and gelato daily is amazing!

Top tips for visiting Venice, Italy

While everyone tells you what you should do when youre in Venice, I thought it would be helpful to tell you some tips for visiting Venice BEFORE you go. If youre not from Europe, youll find that there are lots of things that differ from the USA and other countries. If you are visiting Italy for the first time, here are some facts about Venice and a few things to know when visiting Venice, Italy.

10 Things To Know When Visiting Venice For The First Time

1. You do not need to know how to speak Italian

There are lots of things to know when visiting Venice, Italy, and Italian is not one of them! I arrived in Venice knowing the words ciao and Grazie, and thats it. No problem here, because Venice is a very tourist-friendly place and most of the Italians that work in airports, restaurants, and shops know some English.

2. Getting to and from the airport is easier by boat

One of the most fun facts about Venice is that it is surrounded by water. Cars can only go so far, and they definitely cannot drive through the city. We took the Alilaguna, a water taxi transportation company that takes you from the airport to some of the stops along the main city area. So much fun!

3. Lots of walking is required, with little to no accessibility

Venice is covered in cobblestone streets and walkways, and cars are not allowed. Pack your favorite walking shoes, you literally will walk everywhere. There are also lots of canals and waterways, which require lots of bridges with stairs to get over them. If youre using a stroller or traveling in a wheelchair, you will have a very hard time getting around.

4. There are lots of people, most are tourists

During peak times at the top attractions, youll have to make your way through the crowds. I recommend going early in the morning and staying later at night, most people are gone during those times. Also, wandering off the beaten path means fewer crowds and less costly food and drinks. The summer months are hot and extremely busy, so go in the off-season if possible. This is the best place to stay in Venice Italy, no matter when you go.

5. It is extremely easy to get lost

This has to be one of the top things to know when visiting Venice, Italy. The city is made up of lots of walkways and they are not very well marked, they can turn or stop abruptly, which can be confusing, and the streets and buildings look the same at times. It is very helpful to pre-plan your routes!

6. Not all shops and restaurants are always open

If you are traveling to Italy for the first time, you may be surprised to find that there are lots of boutique restaurants and shops that make their own hours. Some bakeries and cafes dont open until 10 am, and others may not open at all for the day. Other restaurants, pizza, and gelato shops all open and close at different times of the day. The same goes for the shops and some attractions. If you want to do/try something specific, check ahead of time to see when theyll be open.

7. You may have to pay a cover charge to dine in, use the public restrooms

It seems as though they like to nickel and dime people here. I noticed that many restaurants will charge cover per person in addition to your food order to simply sit at a table in their dining room. Also, the public toilets have the letters WC on them which stands for water closet (thank you commenter, Daniele, for this insight!) and they charge to use them. It was 1.50 Euro when we were in the Rialto area, so keep some change handy just in case! Plan your potty breaks ahead of time, especially if youre traveling to Venice Italy with kids!

8. Wifi is available, but youll need a European adapter to charge your electronic devices

You should have no problem finding a wifi connection at your hotel or at any place you patronize  just ask the staff for the password! This is one of the important things to know when visiting Venice, Italy, you will need a European adapter to charge your phones, tablets, and cameras, their wall outlets do not fit standard US plugs. This is a great all-purpose USB adaptor.

9. Do not feel obligated to buy and souvenirs from pushy street vendors

Venice is a touristy city, and where there are tourists, there are street vendors! Some of them call out to you and seem a little bit pushy, do not feel alarmed or obligated to buy. Simply say no thank you and keep moving. This includes some restaurants, gondoliers, and souvenir shops.

10. Venice gondola rides can be very expensive

Gondola rides are so awesome, but they can be pricey! To avoid this, you can get your gondola ride fix by taking the gondola taxi across the Grand Canal for just 2 Euro, in comparison to 100 for a private ride. If you do choose to take a private gondola ride, agree on the price ahead of time and be firm with your expectations.

I hope these tips for visiting Venice are helpful, enjoy your visit!

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U.S. President Donald Trump walks down from the Air Force One at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, the United States, May 4, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

BERLIN, May 29(Xinhua) -- Germany's top diplomat Sigmar Gabriel on Monday released harsh words on the United States, saying U.S. President Donald Trump's policies have weakened the West.

"The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union. The West has become smaller, at least it has become weaker," Gabriel said.

The German foreign minister referred to the G7 meeting and the NATO summit last week, noting that Trump's performance were unsatisfactory since he refused to endorse NATO's collective defense principles or the Paris agreement on climate change.

"Anyone who speeds up climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict areas and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting Europe's peace at risk," Gabriel said.

Gabriel made the remarks on the sidelines of a round-table discussion on migrant crisis in Berlin.

His words also echoed German Chancellor Angela Merkel's "beer tent speech" a day before, when Merkel also cast doubts on Europe's alignment with the United States and Britain.

Merkel, during a campaign in Germany's southern state of Bavaria, said following the election of Trump and Brexit, Europeans "really have to take destiny into their own hands."

Spiegel Online, an influential German news hub, dubbed the words of the two politicians as "a trans-Atlantic turning point," saying their speech clearly want to distance Germany from Trump.
Hedge funds are giving OPEC some credit again.

After four weeks of growing pessimism, bets on rising West Texas Intermediate prices jumped the most this year just as Saudi Arabia and Russia were mustering support for the deal they struck in Vienna last week, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission data show.

What happens to U.S. stockpiles will be key to sustaining the enthusiasm, and the Saudis know that. In addition to prolonging a historical deal with allies, the kingdom plans to reduce exports to the world's biggest consumer.

"With OPEC now consciously trying to reduce flows into North America, it's suggesting a faster than expected inventory unwind," Bart Melek, a commodity strategist at Toronto Dominion Bank, said by phone. "There may be a bigger upside as we go into summer driving season."

U.S. inventories, one of the most watched indicators of the global supply glut, have remained above the five-year average that OPEC has sought to break as production from shale plays keeps rising. But they have fallen for seven straight weeks, and the decline is likely to continue as Americans take to the roads, boosting demand for fuel.

Markets were initially unimpressed by Thursday's deal between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other top exporters to extend reduced output levels through March, without deeper cuts or any signals as to what happens later in 2018. Futures slumped 4.8 percent in New York before rebounding 1.8 percent Friday. WTI on Monday rose 0.4 percent to $49.99 a barrel.

"Ahead of the OPEC meeting there was a lot of optimism they would get a deal done, and potentially even a bigger cut," said Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at Chicago-based Price Futures Group.

Hedge funds' WTI net-long position - the difference between bets on a price rise and wagers on a drop - rose 20 percent in the week ending May 23, reaching 193,143 futures and options, according to the CFTC. The number had plunged 50 percent in the previous four weeks. Net-long positions in Brent, the global benchmark, rose 17 percent to 347,852 contracts, data from ICE Futures Europe showed.

As for fuels, pessimism over gasoline prices eased for a second week, with the net-short position on the New York-traded benchmark shrinking 79 percent, following a 38 percent contraction a week earlier, the CFTC data showed. Diesel bets moved to a net-long position of 10,846 contracts, from 4,053 net shorts.

When the Energy Information Administration reports on June 1 if U.S. stockpiles shrank for another week, oil investors will have a chance to reassess if their frustration following the OPEC meeting was exaggerated.

"I still think this was a knee-jerk sell-off," Melek said of the plunge in oil futures after the meeting. "In fact, things are better fundamentally than they were. Guess what? For the next three quarters we are going to get pretty robust deficits."
Kellogg Co. is closing its Houston distribution center and laying off 220 employees, according to documents released Tuesday by the Texas Workforce Commission.

An additional 201 people are being laid off from a distribution center in Fort Worth.

These layoffs stem from an announcement the company made in February that it will cease direct store delivery of its U.S. Snacks business and instead go to a warehouse model. This means it will ship snacks to retailers' warehouses instead of directly to their stores.

MORE: Americans are losing their appetite for cereal

Kellogg spokesman Kris Charles said the company is optimistic that its employees will find similar jobs with the retailers.

"As the distribution shifts from our network to our retailers' networks, so too will the work," he said in an email. "We've been actively engaged in conversations with some of our biggest retail partners who have expressed strong interest in hiring these employees for high-demand roles once the transition is complete."

Story continues below...

Daniel Acker

The warehouse model is already used by Pringles and the rest of Kellogg's North American business.

"While this is the right move for the future of the company, it was a difficult decision because of the impact on affected employees," John Bryant, Kellogg Co. Chairman and CEO, said in the February news release. "We are doing everything we can to help our employees manage through this transition."

END OF THE LINE: 34 companies that could be the next to announce mass store closures

The company is providing severance and benefits, as well as offering retention packages for impacted employees, according to the news release.

Documents from the Texas Workforce Commission said the last day for distribution center employees in the Houston facility, located at 3010 Claymoore Park Dr., will be between July 29 and Aug. 11. The last day for snacks retail execution employees will be between Aug. 4 and Aug. 17, though most do not physically work at the distribution center.
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More than 200 snow-set diamonds danced in the soft light of the boutique as Dr. Bridgitte Shen Lee held out her slender wrist.

The platinum watch cost her nearly $50,000 at Van Cleef & Arpels in New York, and a recent weekday afternoon provided the ideal occasion to wear it. She brought it out for a private birthday party at the retailer's River Oaks District store, where more than 30 women gathered to sip champagne and try on fine jewelry before sitting down to truffled white asparagus soup and lobster salad.

"I like things that are unique, one of a kind," she said as the boutique director admired the watch's custom strap, a thick cuff of dark blue alligator leather.

Retailers in the River Oaks District, faced with competition from other luxury destinations, rising e-commerce sales and a prolonged slump in oil prices, are striving to earn the business of shoppers like Shen Lee with over-the-top service, exclusive trips and lavish events for a privileged few.

Foot traffic is growing at the retail center, located inside the Loop on Westheimer, but its high-priced stores attract relatively few casual shoppers, elevating the importance of customer loyalty in a fast-changing industry.

A similar trend has emerged across the luxury sector, which has slowed its expansion in recent years as shoppers increasingly browse online and seek more personal experiences at brick-and-mortar stores. The Boston Consulting Group reported earlier this year that the most successful high-end retailers have customized their sales approaches to charm prospective clients and keep their best ones coming back in the face of sluggish growth.

In Houston, River Oaks District filled quickly despite the challenges it faced when it opened in the fall of 2015 amid a precipitous drop in oil prices. Less than two years later, it is 90 percent leased.

Shoppers agree that the tree-lined expanse of cream-colored storefronts has filled a niche in the market. Many of its retailers have only one area location, setting it apart from the Galleria's luxury wing and other upscale shopping destinations nearby.

"You feel like you're walking in Beverly Hills here," said Dr. Sippi Khurana, a rheumatologist and immunologist who attended the private party at Van Cleef. "It makes you feel good to be a Houstonian, to know that we have the market for this."

Challenges of oil bust

Somewhat hidden just a half-mile east of the Galleria, the district is a place for black credit cards, the invite-only sort with few limits. Range Rovers and Mercedes-Benzes park parallel to tall shadowbox windows showcasing couture and diamonds, and its restaurant patios pour white wine at lunchtime for the sharply dressed.

Equinox, an upscale fitness club with only three Texas locations, attracts the yoga-pants set with boutique classes and personal training. An iPic theater, a luxury cinema with in-seat food and cocktail service, draws traffic in the evenings.

Still, the oil bust has posed some challenges for the ultra-luxe storefronts. The region shed high-paying jobs as prices continued to fall, and wages haven't yet returned to peak levels amid the energy sector's nascent recovery, said Patrick Jankowski, regional economist at the Greater Houston Partnership.

"When your economic base gets slammed, you're going to see an impact on retail sales in the region, and you're especially going to see an impact on the luxury side," he said.

Many of River Oaks District's retailers revised sales forecasts that were drafted before the bust, anticipating that people affected by layoffs might hold off on pricier purchases. But for some, the brighter spots of the Houston economy - such as the medical, finance and tourism industries - cushioned the blow.

De Boulle, a Dallas-based jeweler and Patek Phillippe retailer, has attracted a steady influx of international travelers and local shoppers employed outside of the energy sector. Marketing manager Nick Boulle said sales have exceeded the company's expectations in the wake of the bust, and he expects traffic to continue to climb as the market recovers.

"We did have a little bit of a shock, and we were certainly nervous, but everything has been OK," he said. "The economy is much more diverse than we realized."

Now, with oil prices on firmer footing, the district's retailers face a twofold question: How to earn the loyalty of jet-setters with the means to visit some of the world's premier shopping districts, and how to attract other big spenders in Houston inclined to shop online or elsewhere in the city.

Many stores have answered with a greater emphasis on exclusivity and experience.

"Today's shopper demands it," River Oaks District marketing manager Jennifer Rivera said. "They can shop from anywhere, at the touch of their fingertips or the local mall, so we know we need to offer shoppers that extra something special."

New way of marketing

At Van Cleef's private party, thrown for client and Know Autism founder Tammy Tran Nguyen, gloved associates presented necklaces and bracelets on black velvet trays. Rose Chen, an executive at Texas Capital Bank, tried on one of the retailer's iconic Alhambra necklaces and made rounds at the lunch tables, collecting feedback from friends as she considered whether to buy it.

She understood the appeal of the party, similar to one she recently attended at Hermes. There, an associate taught guests about the retailer's signature scarves, and she has since gone back to make several purchases.

"It's a smart and different way of marketing," she said.

Shen Lee, co-founder of Vision Optique, eyed pieces she might want to add to a small but valuable jewelry collection she plans to pass on to her daughters. She wore a shock of red on the hand opposite her watch, a two-carat ring anchored by a rare pigeon's blood ruby from Burma. Human rights violations prompted the U.S. to ban sales of the stones in 2008, and they're now valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"I'm making a name for myself in the industry," she said. "It's about the legacy you leave behind."

She spent much of the party wearing a diamond-studded zipper necklace, a design inspired by the Duchess of Windsor. At nearly half a million dollars, it made for great photos to show like-minded friends.

At Kiton, a boutique where mannequins swathed in wool and cashmere model hand-cut suits, executives have flown the company's master tailor in from Italy to fit customers and hosted a three-star Michelin chef for private shopping events. Roberto Cavalli, a stop for sultry evening gowns, picks up Uber tabs for hotel-bound customers and treats their best ones to meals at the district's restaurants.

De Boulle, a store of gold and diamonds with a constant guard presence, courts its customers intently. Wine and fine spirits line the walls of the bar in the back, and its sales associates are trained to steam milk and espresso for specialty coffees.

'A reason to come back'

The efforts extend well beyond the store for the best customers. The retailer several years ago flew 10 clients to Switzerland to visit the Patek Philippe museum and dine with the watchmaker's president. This year, it plans to bring customers from Houston and elsewhere to see the watchmaker's 10-day exhibition in New York.

"Luxury shopping isn't just about the product; it's about the experience," Boulle said. "Certainly the passion and effort is in the products as well, but nowadays you have to do more to separate yourself."

At Giuseppe Zanotti, where gilded stilettos and sneakers top $1,000 a pair, manager Quintin Conwright often turns up the music and pops some champagne to entice shoppers into the store, which he'll open after hours for last-minute purchases. Unlike some of the district's highest-end retailers, which are somewhat insulated from e-commerce encroachment, his customers more frequently are shopping online, he said.

To distinguish the in-store experience, he has taken to writing thank-you notes, hand-delivering purchases and networking to score his clients hard-to-get restaurant reservations.

He has become close with the United Parcel Service worker who mans his route, at times calling him up for last-minute favors. At 7:15 p.m. one Friday, he managed to ship a customer's in-store purchase for next-day delivery in Miami.

"We have to give them a reason to come back," he said, "because they literally don't have to."
In 1892, when Ellis Island first opened on a chilly New Year's Day as an immigration station, the first undocumented person to arrive and be processed as a newly minted U.S. citizen was 17-year-old Annie Moore from County Cork, Ireland.

It was reported that she and her two younger brothers had spent four years apart from their parents before traveling 12 days in a grubby, overcrowded, dimly lit ocean steamer in order to meet them in the U.S.

The teenager was the first of millions of immigrants fleeing Europe in the midst of the first and second World Wars to pass through the now-famed detention center. A bronze statue of Moore now proudly stands at the New York Harbor as a reminder of how we arrived and, more notably, how we came to be as a nation.

Today, many of the immigrants coming through from Mexico and Central America face similar tales of persecution and travel to the U.S. in search of refuge.

In "Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay in Forty Questions" Mexican author Valeria Luiselli assumes a role not only as a "resident alien" or interpreter but, more importantly, as a storyteller. She relays the crisis of undocumented youth so we might examine their present struggles and link them to our own inexplicable past.

More Information 'Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay in Forty Questions' by Valeria Luiselli Coffee House Press, 104 pp., paperback, $12.95 See More Collapse

IN MARCH 2015, Luiselli elects to work as a translator in the New York City immigration courts. Her central role is to record unaccompanied children's answers from the intake questionnaire to help them gain asylum.

During the labyrinthine series of 40 questions, grim narratives of fairytale-like proportions are disclosed. The children recount their harrowing journey from Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador  known as the Northern Triangle  through Mexico. These countries are home of some of the highest rates of crime and government corruption in the world. The children, typically accompanied by a paid coyote, face a perilous journey aboard the network of Mexican freight trains nicknamed La Bestia (The Beast), only to arrive to succumb to gang violence, the unforgiving desert terrain or to the demanding expectations of ICE officers in hierlas, the Spanish word for icebox, which is used to describe the frigid holding cells migrants are housed in while awaiting immigration court.

ICE

Luiselli becomes dismayed by the intake story of her first assignment: Manu, a soft-spoken 16-year-old from Honduras. The teen originally fled gang violence in his home country and crossed into the United States to seek asylum with family members. Throughout Manu's process in the juvenile docket, Luiselli ruminates on her own journey as an outsider to this country and on her purpose as a writer: "Telling stories doesn't solve anything, doesn't reassemble broken lives. But perhaps it is a way of understanding the unthinkable."

Luiselli pens this book as a writer who is haunted by an injustice that reigns too close to home. Throughout, she is rattled by the atrocity these children are put through. "Numbers and maps tell horror stories," she writes, "but the stories of deepest horror are perhaps those for which there are no numbers, no maps, no possible accountability, no words ever written or spoken."

She zeros in on the language of the questionnaire, which ultimately determines if the child will be granted asylum. She offers the first question posed to immigrants on the intake questionnaire as her first line, "Why did you come here?"

THE U.S. houses the largest immigrant detention system in world. Luiselli shares her experience at the New York City unit where coalitions and nonprofits seem ready and able to assist immigrants with the asylum process. However, the problems become more prevalent along the Southwest border, where she casually road trips with her family while awaiting her green card.

You could even say that Texas, in and of itself, is a whole other bestia.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Lone Star State operates 22 immigrant detention facilities that on average incarcerate more than 7,000 individuals per year. Texas has the largest immigration detention population in the U.S. and that number is likely to increase under the Trump administration.

Just a few weeks ago, Gov. Abbott passed Senate Bill 4, which bans sanctuary cities and allows officers to question anyone's immigration status. As a result of the law passing, the ACLU issued a travel advisory for anyone coming to Texas, informing them to anticipate the possible violation of their constitutional rights when stopped by law enforcement.

City officials around Texas have spoken out against this measure and have organized lawsuits to sue the state. Luiselli's book seems well-timed to inform us of the draconian policies at hand. Unlike in New York City, though, many facilities in the Southwest are located in rural areas where legal representation and oversight of these facilities remain scarce.

Ricardo Brazziell/Associated Press

How we tell and listen to stories begins with origin. But in "Tell Me How It Ends" the stories Luiselli discloses have no beginning, no middle and no end. For many of the children featured in the book, their origin becomes a fractured narrative simply because of age, comprehension or because of the system.

Luiselli has a child of her own who, like her mother, becomes inquisitive about the chronicles her mother decodes. One night the girl asks, "So, how does the story of those children end?"

But Luiselli is at a loss for how even to begin to answer. Perhaps that is because endings are resolutions. For the thousands of unaccompanied and undocumented youth arriving on the tempestuous borderlands in the U.S., the crisis can be answered only with a call for a new beginning.

Veronica Salinas is a writer based in Houston.





Bookmark Gray Matters. It has no beginning, no middle and no end.
A bill that would have drastically changed the state's struggling school finance system failed before the Texas Legislature closed for session on May 29, leaving public school advocates who had hoped for added funding in distress.

House Bill 21 was originally proposed to put $1.5 billion into funding for most public schools in Texas, as well as simplify some of the formulas used to distribute money to schools. But after an amended version of the bill passed in the Texas House, funding was reduced to $530 million and a program that would subsidize private school tuition and homeschooling for children with disabilities was added in the Senate.

Many public school advocates responded to the changes negatively, and ultimately, both chambers of the Legislature could not agree on a resolution.

"Under the current school finance system, local taxpayers continue to pay an increasingly higher portion of the cost of education throughout Texas while the State essentially reduces its investment in educating our children," Katy ISD Superintendent Lance Hindt said in a statement. "House Bill 21 was a step in the right direction to adequately fund education. Unfortunately, the Texas Senate chose to kill HB 21 that would have provided additional funding to the state's 5.3 million public school students. Instead of focusing on the vast majority of Texas children, the Senate instead focused on sending public dollars to private schools."

Years ago, Katy ISD was one of many school districts across Texas to sue the state because of its finance system, which they said is unconstitutional by the way it distributes money, among other issues.

About a year ago, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the system is constitutional, though the court also said that the system has deep flaws. During this legislative session, lawmakers have pushed opposite points - some for added school funding and others for laws that could have potentially taken money out of public education to fund private and home education, or what some call "school choice."

This school year alone, Katy ISD has operated with about $4 million less than in the 2015-2016 school partly because the district has increasingly had to give more money back to the state due certain funding formulas. As its budget has tightened, officials within the school district hoped for drastic changes from this legislative session. Now, they'll have to wait again.
A Spring man accused of killing his neighbor after she apparently came at him with a roll of tape and her two dogs was taken back into custody Monday after a judge raised his bail from $50,000 to $175,000

Hector Campos, 43, is accused of shooting 53-year-old neighbor, Ana Weed, outside their adjacent homes on Jan. 24.

On the witness stand Tuesday, Campos maintained that he shot in self-defense because he was in fear for his life when he killed Weed. It is a story he told police when he was arrested and later recounted for Dr. Phil on a nationally televised show.

THE SHOOTING: Neighbor holds suspected shooter at gunpoint until police arrive

"I'm the one who's been trying to avoid conflict for a year now," he said Tuesday.

Campos, who had been free on bond, was in court because prosecutors wanted state District Judge Maria Jackson to raise his bail to $250,000, saying he is a danger to the community.

During a hearing that lasted almost two hours, prosecutor Joshua Phanco called witnesses who said Campos was retaliating against his neighbors because they helped his wife leave the country with the couple's infant daughter.

Weed's mother, Virginia Montalvo, said she believed Campos' wife was trying to escape an abusive marriage, so she and Weed helped her flee to Mexico.

TEMPERS FLARE: Outburst in court between neighbors involved in Spring shooting

"Hector Campos killed my daughter," Montalvo, 72, said as she sobbed on the stand. "She paid with her life."

Campos' attorney, Jon Parchman, said his client was being punished with an excessive bail because the Harris County District Attorney's Office has been pressured by Weed's friends and family on social media.

"Nothing has changed except the DA has a chance to look good and shake hands with the family and then she stops getting heat on social media," Parchman said. "If you look on Facebook, you can see all the posts to (District Attorney Kim Ogg) from the family, putting pressure on her, calling her a pro-murderer DA."

Ogg praised the judge's ruling.

"We have a duty to keep the public safe and respect for the rights of the accused," she said in a press release. "This defendant's own testimony confirmed the justifiable fears of the victims and neighbors that he was an unstable and imminent danger under the bail conditions for which he had first been released."

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WASHINGTON - Congressional Republicans knew their plan was potentially explosive. They wanted to kill landmark privacy regulations that would soon ban Internet providers, such as Comcast and AT&T, from storing and selling customers' browsing histories without their express consent.

So after weeks of closed-door debates on Capitol Hill over who would take up the issue first - the House or the Senate - Republican members settled on a secret strategy, according to Hill staff and lobbyists involved in the battle. While the nation was distracted by the House's pending vote to repeal Obamacare, Senate Republicans would schedule a vote to wipe out the new privacy protections.

On March 23, the measure passed on a straight party-line vote, 50 to 48. Five days later, a majority of House Republicans voted in favor of it, sending it to the White House, where President Donald Trump signed the bill in early April without ceremony or public comment.

"While everyone was focused on the latest headline crisis coming out of the White House, Congress was able to roll back privacy," said former Federal Communications Commission chairman Tom Wheeler, who worked for nearly two years to pass the rules.

The process to eliminate them took only a matter of weeks. The blowback was immediate.

Constituents heckled several of the lawmakers at town halls. "You sold my privacy up the river!" one person yelled at Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. - lead sponsor of the Senate bill - at a gathering in April. Several late-night comedians roasted congressional Republicans: "This is what's wrong with Washington, D.C. I guarantee you there is not one person, not one voter of any political stripe anywhere in America who asked for this," Stephen Colbert said.

The quick undoing of the Internet privacy rules has prompted lawmakers in more than a dozen states to propose local laws to restore privacy protections to their constituents.

The FCC privacy rules were among the first of more than a hundred regulations and laws being targeted for elimination or massive overhaul by Trump and Republican members of Congress who want to dismantle Obama-era regulations they view as burdensome.

How the privacy rules came to be undone helps to explain and inform the strategies behind the broader range of Republican initiatives in the works. The rollback of privacy, for example, was the first step by the Republican-led FCC to overhaul Obama-era net neutrality rules.

The rolling crises within Trump's administration and Republican infighting has slowed Republican lawmakers' work on Capitol Hill. But they remain positioned to capitalize on their control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, a power structure that has not existed in more than a decade.

"Trump and the Republicans are doing so many different things on parallel tracks, the news media and activists can't follow it all," said Trump adviser and former House speaker Newt Gingrich. "This is by design."

The Internet privacy rules were adopted in October during the last days of the Obama administration after an intense battle that pitted large Internet service providers, the advertising industry and tech giants against consumer advocates and civil rights groups.

The rules required Internet service providers to get explicit consent before they gather their customers' data - their browsing histories, the locations of businesses they physically visit and the mobile applications they use - and sell it to third parties. Proponents said the rules were necessary because consumers must use a provider to access the Internet.

The requirements were modeled after a law passed decades ago by Congress that prohibited telephone companies from collecting customers' calling histories and selling the information to third parties. "There has been an expectation from the beginning of the telecommunications era that your privacy is not up for sale," said Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., who fought to preserve the rules.

The industry, Republican FCC commissioners and lawmakers said the restrictions were too broad and should be limited to highly sensitive data, such as personal medical information, not data gathered from activities like online car shopping. The rules, they said, would cause consumers to miss out on customized promotions. And, opponents said, the threat to privacy was overstated - a provider might learn that a person visited a website but would not typically know what the person did while there.

Because the commission's privacy rules passed on a party-line vote, three Democrats in favor and two Republicans opposed, the rules were viewed as extremely partisan. This made them vulnerable from the start, said Jon Leibowitz, co-chair of the 21st Century Privacy Coalition, a group financed by Internet providers, which led the effort to eliminate the requirements.

The campaign to kill the FCC rules began just a few weeks after Trump's November victory.

Video: President Trump's repeal of a 2016 FCC regulation paves the way for Internet service providers to sell your browsing data without your consent. How much is your data worth and how can you protect it? (Jhaan Elker/The Washington Post)

Lobbyists from trade groups funded by large broadband companies - including Leibowitz's group and the Consumer Technology Association - made phone calls and held small, private meetings with Republican congressional aides, according to Hill staff, consultants and lobbyists on both sides of the issue. They were shopping for bill sponsors and approached Flake and Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., who had been vocal opponents of the rules when they were being crafted at the FCC. The two agreed to champion the cause.

"We had a broad coalition of groups, and we thought, 'We don't like it; let's present this to them,' " said Julie Kearney, vice president of regulatory affairs with the Consumer Technology Association, a trade group for the industry. "The administration and Congress did not come to us."

Flake and Blackburn declined to comment for this article.

Kearney said trade groups for Internet service providers asked Congress to use a legislative maneuver under the Congressional Review Act that allows Congress to kill recently adopted regulations with a simple majority vote. Before the 2016 elections, the 21-year-old act had been used only once, in 2001. Since November, Congress and Trump have employed it 14 times to kill Obama-era initiatives.

"The last administration was very aggressive with regulations," Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., who voted to eliminate the privacy rules. "We are looking for the quickest ways to do something about it."

By January, trade groups for tech companies such as Facebook and Google had joined the fight to undo the privacy rules, according to records and interviews. Those companies are regulated by a different government body, the Federal Trade Commission, but they worried that Congress might someday find a way to expand the reach of the rules so that they apply to all technology companies.

Trade groups for large advertisers also got involved in the effort to repeal the law, as did the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Consumer and civil rights groups were quickly outnumbered by their opponents, by a ratio of at least 50 to 1, according to Hill staff and lobbyists.

"This collaboration between Silicon Valley and cable companies has never been done before," said Gene Kimmelman, president and chief executive of Public Knowledge, a nonprofit that advocates for an open Internet and affordable technology. "Their united, massive economic and political power was insurmountable."

During the battle, Flake and Blackburn received large campaign donations from eight of the major Internet providers and big tech companies that wanted to see the rules killed, according to an analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics.

The groups gave Flake $22,700 in donations, compared with an average $4,510 they gave other senators between January and April. The groups gave Blackburn $20,500, compared with the $2,045 average donated to other House members in the same time. That is about three times the amount of money Flake and Blackburn received from those groups during the first quarter of last year.

Groups that worked to preserve the FCC rules donated no money to lawmakers during the first quarter of this year, according to the analysis.

By February, neither the House nor the Senate had introduced a bill. It appeared to some that the issue may have stalled - which caused several consumer and civil rights groups such as the Color of Change to let down their guard.

"We didn't think they would have the audacity to go after privacy . . . We dismissed the low rumblings," said Brandi Collins, a senior campaign director at Color of Change, who said data-directed advertising often targets minorities.

By the end of February, the trade groups for large Internet providers, the advertising industry and tech companies were working in tandem with congressional members who had taken up their cause. Howard Waltzman, a lawyer and lobbyist for the 21st Century Privacy Coalition, said this was "the pivotal moment."

An opinion piece under Flake's byline appeared in the Wall Street Journal on March 1, saying the rules took away "consumer choice" because people's browsing histories could not be used to offer them "innovative and cost-saving product offerings." The column said the rules would "create confusion" among customers because the FCC and FTC would regulate different parts of the "Internet ecosystem." The same arguments and similar phrasing were used in a letter the industry coalition sent to Congress.

Hours after Flake's opinion piece appeared in the Journal, he introduced a Senate bill to kill the rules. A week later, Blackburn did the same in the House.

For weeks, neither Flake nor Blackburn scheduled a vote because members feared a potential backlash from voters, according to lobbyists and several Hill staff members.

"There was a bit of chicken played between the House and Senate," said Dallas Harris, another lobbyist for Public Knowledge.

Finally, Flake scheduled the vote for March 22. It was not until then that the campaign against it took off.

The American Civil Liberties Union, Free Press and other groups delivered a petition with 100,000 signatures to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and other congressional leaders hours before the Senate began its debate on the bill.

When Senate Republicans passed the bill the following day on a narrow party-line vote, the issue finally exploded across the Internet and in mainstream, liberal and conservative media.

NBC, CNN, FOX and MSNBC carried stories about the vote. And conservative online platforms - such as Breitbart News and Reddit sites devoted to Trump - were packed with posts from Trump supporters who were angry about the bill.

More than 20,000 calls flooded House members' office phone lines, and more than a dozen members of the House Freedom Caucus - a congressional group of conservative and libertarian Republicans - told Blackburn they would likely not vote for the bill, several Hill staff told The Washington Post.

Waltzman said the fight intensified: "Suddenly, we were dealing with flat-out lies. Members were saying, 'These companies can see literally everything you do online.' That is simply not true."

Fearing more House Republicans could defect, Hill staff said, McConnell and other Republican leaders asked the Trump administration to issue a statement signaling that he would sign the bill. The White House staff did so.

Within hours, Blackburn introduced the bill on the House floor and called for a vote.

Rep. Michael E. Capuano, D-Mass., took to the floor, screaming: "What are you thinking? . . . Just last week I bought underwear on the Internet. Why should you know what size I take? Or the color? Or any of that information?"

Fifteen Republicans voted against the bill, but the measure still passed 215 to 205.

---

The Washington Post's Alice Crites contributed to this report.
The Trump administration is planning to disband the Labor Department division that has policed discrimination among federal contractors for four decades, according to the White House's newly proposed budget, part of wider efforts to rein in government programs that promote civil rights.

As outlined in Labor's fiscal year 2018 plan, the move would fold the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, now home to 600 employees, into another government agency in the name of cost-cutting.

The proposal to dismantle the compliance office comes at a time when the Trump administration is reducing the role of the federal government in fighting discrimination and protecting minorities by cutting budgets, dissolving programs and appointing officials unsympathetic to previous practices.

The new leadership at the Environmental Protection Agency, for instance, has proposed eliminating its environmental justice program, which addresses pollution that poses health threats specifically concentrated in minority communities. The program, in part, offers money and technical help to residents who are confronted with local hazards such as leaking oil tanks or emissions from chemical plants.

Under President Donald Trump's proposed budget, the Education Department's Office of Civil Rights - which has investigated thousands of complaints of discrimination in school districts across the country and set new standards for how colleges should respond to allegations of sexual assault and harassment - would also see significant staffing cuts. Administration officials acknowledge in budget documents that the civil rights office will have to scale back the number of investigations it conducts and limit travel to school districts to carry out its work.

And the administration has reversed several steps taken under President Barack Obama to address LGBT concerns. The Department of Housing and Urban Development, for example, has revoked a rule ensuring that transgender people can stay at sex-segregated shelters of their choice, and the Department of Health and Human Services has removed a question about sexual orientation from two surveys of elderly Americans about services offered or funded by the government.

The efforts to reduce the federal profile on civil rights reflects the consensus view within the Trump administration that Obama officials exceeded their authority in policing discrimination on the state and local level, sometimes pressuring targets of government scrutiny to adopt policies that were not warranted.

Administration officials made clear in the initial weeks of Trump's presidency that they would break with the civil rights policies of his predecessor. Attorney General Jeff Sessions ordered a review of agreements to reform police departments, signaling his skepticism of efforts to curb civil rights abuses by law enforcement officers. His Justice Department, meantime, stopped challenging a controversial Texas voter identification law and joined with the Education Department in withdrawing federal guidance allowing transgender students to use school bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity.

While these decisions have been roundly criticized by liberal activists, administration officials said that civil rights remains a priority for the Trump White House.

"The Trump administration has an unwavering commitment to the civil rights of all Americans," White House spokeswoman Kelly Love said in an emailed statement.

But Vanita Gupta, who was the head of Justice's civil rights division from October 2014 to January 2017, said that the administration's actions has already begun to adversely affect Americans across the country.

"They can call it a course correction, but there's little question that it's a rollback of civil rights across the board," said Gupta, who is now president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

Labor's budget proposal says that folding its compliance office into the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission "will reduce operational redundancies, promote efficiencies, improve services to citizens, and strengthen civil rights enforcement."

Historically, the two entities have played very different roles. Unlike the EEOC, which investigates complaints it receives, the compliance office audits contractors in a more systematic fashion and verifies that they "take affirmative action" to promote equal opportunity among their employees.

Patricia Shiu, who led the compliance office from 2009 to 2016, said the audits are crucial because most workers don't know they have grounds to file a complaint. "Most people do not know why they don't get hired. Most people do not know why they do not get paid the same as somebody else," she said.

Under Obama, officials in the compliance office often conducted full-scale audits of companies, examining their practices in multiple locations, rather than carrying out shorter, more limited reviews as previous administrations had done.

Some companies have questioned the more aggressive approach, noting the office has consistently found since 2004 that 98 percent of federal contractors comply with the law.

But the compliance office also scored some major recent legal victories, including a $1.7 million settlement with Palantir Technologies over allegations that the data-mining company's hiring practices discriminated against Asians. In a case involving Gordon Food Service, which serves the Agriculture Department, Pentagon and Federal Bureau of Prisons, the office found the company had "systematically eliminated qualified women from the hiring process." The firm agreed to pay $1.85 million in wages to 926 women who had applied for jobs and hire 37 of them. Gordon Food was also forced to no longer require women to take a strength test.

In Education Department budget documents, the administration acknowledges that proposed funding levels would hamper the work of that department's civil rights office. The budget would reduce staffing by more than 40 employees.

"To address steady increases in the number of complaints received and decreased staffing levels, OCR must make difficult choices," the budget documents say. "OCR's enforcement staff will be limited in conducting onsite investigations and monitoring, and OCR's ability to achieve greater coordination and communication regarding core activities will be greatly diminished."

Some critics of the civil rights office said school districts often felt they were presumed guilty in the eyes of the federal government.

"There was sort of this sense that . . . if there was a complaint filed, there must have been done something wrong," said Thomas Gentzel, executive director of the National School Boards Association. "But there's usually two sides to a story."

Education Department spokeswoman Liz Hill said that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Candice Jackson, who has been named as the acting head of the civil rights office, are committed to protecting all students from discrimination.

"Each civil rights complaint received by OCR is given due care and attention, with OCR serving as a fair and impartial investigative office," Hill said.

Jackson's nomination has added to the anxiety of civil rights activists. Jackson, a lawyer from Vancouver, Washington, and author of a book about women who had accused President Bill Clinton of sexual assault, has written that programs aimed at fostering a diverse student body dismiss "the very real prices paid by individual people who end up injured by affirmative action."

Similar concerns have been raised about Trump's likely selection of Eric Dreiband to head the Justice Department's civil rights division. A former Bush administration official and veteran conservative Washington lawyer, Dreiband has represented several companies that were sued for discrimination.

---

The Washington Post's Lisa Rein contributed to this report.
Two men are dead after a murder and suicide that may be connected, according to authorities.

Authorities made the first tragic discovery on Saturday around 3 a.m., when 34-year-old Matt Franks was found dead in the 11600 block of Katy Freeway.

The medical examiner has not ruled on cause of death, but KTRK reported it as an apparent suicide.

Then Monday morning, around 7 a.m, a friend discovered a bullet-riddled body inside the bedroom of an Elmview Place townhome. It's not clear when the shooting occurred, but police said Monday that it's being investigated as a murder.

Local news reports identified the second victim as Franks' boyfriend, Rafael "Ralfie" Reyes, though police only confirmed that the two were roommates.

There are no known witnesses, but a police spokesman said that investigators are looking into the possibility that the roommate may have played a role in slaying.

As word of the deaths spread online, friends took to social media to grieve.

"My beautiful friend gone too soon," wrote one woman. "My heart is broken and my mind confused. RIP Ralfie Reyes. I will remember you always."
Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron (photo/Xinhua)

PARIS, May 29 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron met Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Versailles, wherein they discussed the fight against terrorism, as well as the Ukrainian and Syrian conflicts, the two leaders said during a joint press conference held at the end of their exchange.

"On Syria, I remind you...our priority is the fight against terrorism, in particular Daesh or the Islamic State (IS)," Macron said, underling that France must "reinforce" its partnership with Russia in order to "assure stability, democratic transition with a red line: the use of chemical weapons by whoever it may be."

For his part, Putin affirmed that where Syria was concerned "we have judged that we cannot fight against the terrorist threat in destroying the (Syrian) state."

"What is more important is the fight against terrorism. The French president proposed to put in place a working group that the experts can go to Moscow as they can to Paris," he added.

Concerning the conflict in Ukraine, Macron reasserted his will to reach a de-escalation of the conflict.

"Our wish is that an exchange with Germany and Ukraine can be held as soon as possible, and that a full report can be established," he indicated.

He confirmed that "at this stage, the G7 had discussions which didn't exclude an escalation if necessary. My wish is that there would not be an escalation. We will have a Normandy format discussion in the coming days."

The French president also spoke about the persecutions of homosexuals in Chechnya.

"I reminded President Putin of the importance for France of the respect of all people. We have evoked the case of LGBT people in Chechnya and NGOs in Russia. We have agreed to have extremely regular monitoring," he said.

Putin affirmed for his part that the two had tried to find common ground.

"I am persuaded that the first interests of France and Russia go beyond these points of friction. Economic relations are growing," he said.
AUSTIN - When it comes to special legislative sessions, democracy does not come cheap.

While Senate and House officials said Monday they cannot pinpoint an exact cost, a 30-day session could easily cost taxpayers more than $800,000 - and perhaps as much as $1 million.

The calculation is based on the costs of per diem for lawmakers, the $150 per day they collect to cover expenses. With 182 lawmakers - 31 senators, 150 House members and the lieutenant governor - the amount for 30 days would be more than $800,000.

But officials said that in the past not every member collected those checks, so it might be less.

In the past, Legislative Budget Board officials have said that with overhead and expenses, including utilities, security, printing and staff support, the total could top $1 million.

Whatever the cost, special sessions have been a favored choice of Texas governors for years to get the public's business done - if it couldn't be completed during the regular session. The record holder in recent times was Gov. William P. Clements Jr., who called eight special sessions during his second four-year term.

Most governors called them for just a few topics, but Gov. Rick Perry called one in 2005 to address 22 topics. In 1989, Clements called one to address 59 topics, and another during his first four-year term to address 72 topics.

The record holders? Gov. William P. Hobby called ones in 1919 and 1920 to address 253 and 204 topics, respectively, and Gov. Miriam "Ma" Ferguson called one in 1933 to address 153 topics.

Since the dawn of the 20th century, the topics have ranged from drainage districts in the Houston area and overcrowding and deaths at prisons to school finance and an overhaul of the state's workers' compensation system.

For his part, Gov. Greg Abbott, who has yet to call a special session in his little over two years as governor, so far has not indicated he would put more than one topic on the list.
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Appraiser Brandon Thompson propped open a door to greet the next person who wished to argue that her home had been over-appraised.

"Shirley Ducker," Thompson called out to the crowd of several dozen. An 84-year-old woman rose from her seat.

Less than a week remained before the Wednesday deadline for most Fort Bend County residents to protest their home values. Ducker had been waiting at the appraisal office with her husband for nearly an hour to make her case: her home value in the Del Webb Sweetgrass community had risen incomprehensibly, from $167,180 to $175,810, leaving her with a tax bill she said was unaffordable.

"Nothing makes any sense," Ducker told Thompson, after sitting at his desk. "It would force us out."

Property taxes are a hot-button issue across the state, no more so than in Fort Bend County. The area has been among the fastest- growing and home values have skyrocketed in some pockets as a result. Of 214,607 single-family homes in the county last year, 68,265 increased by the maximum 10 percent cap for homesteads.

Getting an appropriate value, of course, is important because it determines one's tax bill. The appraisal district works for 209 jurisdictions - including county and city governments, school districts and municipal utility districts - which set their own tax rates.

Homeowners have not gone quietly with the rising values. People like Ducker continue to come asking for a second look. Those in the small town of Weston Lakes have also organized and spoken out, with leadership from resident Allison Walla.

She believes the district is trying to set the market rate, rather than value houses according to it. "The state of Texas as a whole can only look away for so long," Walla said.

While oversight of appraisal districts is limited, Fort Bend Central Appraisal District Chief Appraiser Glen Whitehead says his district acts within the law. Outside of legislative change, he maintains his office can do little to ease the burden.

A team of 46 appraisers assesses properties at market value, he said. The state comptroller's office periodically checks to ensure county values are within range of what is appropriate.

"We don't set the market," Whitehead said. "We simply are a reflection."

It falls to residents to make a case if they disagree.

Challenging the numbers

When Ducker received notice of her 2017 property value, she faced several options for protest, such as filing a protest online, meeting informally with an appraiser or hiring a company to represent her.

Ducker decided to meet Thursday with an appraiser at the district office, a long, low-slung building in Rosenberg. Typically, lines stretch out the door this time of year, Whitehead said. But with values rising a little less than usual this year, fewer people had shown up.

Still, cars crowded the parking lot. A uniformed sheriff's deputy patrolled inside. Seated with Thompson, Ducker listened as he checked her property details. She noted that her home was the worst in the neighborhood.

"It is a smaller house, absolutely," Thompson acknowledged.

"It is the smallest home," she retorted.

Thompson checked values on three similar, nearby properties. He decided he could lower Ducker's to $160,750.

It was an opinion reached irrespective of her or her story, Thompson later explained.

"Our master is market value," he said, no matter how much he may want to help. He asked Ducker if that sufficed. She said it would, and her tone softened.

"Beautiful day today," her 80-year-old husband, Gary, said, as he reclined in his chair and gazed toward the window.

'Out of hand'

Not everyone leaves satisfied.

For them, there is another, more formal step to take: presenting to an Appraisal Review Board, a panel of three residents appointed by a designated district judge. Much of the proposed legislative reform focused on these review boards.

Change is much-needed, says Wolfram Krause, another Weston Lakes resident.

When Krause went before the committee, he felt he was treated disrespectfully. Following heavy criticism from the neighborhood, the appraisal district this year reviewed every house in Weston Lakes. But Krause still believes his home is valued far above what he could sell it for in the current market.

He said he and his wife may need eventually to move.

"It's out of hand," Krause said.

Resident Jerry Mosbacher agrees it's an unfair fight. "All it is about is grabbing tax money," Mosbacher said. "It has nothing to do with what everything is worth."

Krause plans to protest again this year out of habit, he said, but he expects he will leave mad.

Considering all options

The number of protests in Fort Bend County reached nearly 72,000 last year, or 21 percent of all properties, according to appraisal district data. About half saw a change in value at an informal meeting or review board hearing.

Residents have 30 days from the day the appraisals are mailed out to file an appeal. Most were mailed out May 1, though some were mailed later and would have later filing deadlines.

In about 30 percent of the protests, property owners hired tax consultant O'Connor and Associates of Houston to represent them. The group works in about 150 of the state's 254 counties.

President Pat O'Connor said a bad experience with an appraiser often sends clients their way.

"People have become more aware that the process is not friendly at some appraisal districts," he said. "Taxpayers don't feel that they get a fair break or a fair hearing at some appraisal districts."

The Appraisal Review Board decisions in Fort Bend have been notably disappointing, he said.

Last year, 182 property owners appealed the ARB decision to court. Other residents can request arbitration if they do not want to sue.

Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert says the county does what it can to help. County leaders have lowered the tax rate steadily, offer a 20 percent reduction in value as a homestead exemption and knock $100,000 off property values for senior citizens and retired veterans.

Fort Bend County taxes make up only a small portion of the total tax bill, however - about 15 percent. School districts are responsible for the bulk of the tax collections, he said.

For disabled veteran Jim Bussey, though, the county's help is not enough. The Pecan Hill resident's home flooded and became unlivable, but the value still went up.

He plans to protest and is arming himself with time-stamped pictures of the damage. He decided he would have to tear down the home and rebuild, with plans to sell it and move to Arizona.

"Do they even care?" he asked.
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SAN ANTONIO - One of the Alamo's oldest markers is a 103-year-old Japanese monument, paying tribute to the fallen Alamo defenders and comparing the 1836 siege and battle with a conflict in Japan in 1575.

The monument was the object of scorn during World War II. But the marker, single-handedly conceived, produced and delivered by a Japanese scholar to honor the defenders and values of loyalty and self-sacrifice, has often gone unnoticed.

The Alamo had been in custodianship of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas for nine years and was in its infancy as a Texas shrine when Shigetaka Shiga, a world traveler and geography professor, brought the monument from Japan in 1914. He underwrote the costs of the granite marker, which stands about 4 feet tall in the Convento Courtyard.

The marker bears a poem, originally written by Shiga in classical Chinese, as was customary for scholars in Japan, comparing the siege and battle of the Alamo with the 16th century Siege of Nagashino Castle, fought under similar circumstances: young military leaders, makeshift fortifications and a badly outnumbered force of hundreds against thousands. The poem also alludes to the eighth century Battle of Suiyang, in China, in which a small loyalist force of the Tang Dynasty fought bravely but was defeated.

Shiga's narrative poem

The 1836 battle for Texas independence, ending in the deaths of at least 189 defenders, has been compared with other ancient battles.

Newspapers once heralded it as "the Thermopylae of the West," referencing an ancient conflict between 300 Spartans and a massive Persian army.

Shiga's poem, translated into English, makes reference early on to the men from Gonzales who entered the Alamo five days before the battle:

"Thirty-two men hear the news and hurry to the scene."

It mentions "the dauntless South Carolinian" - Alamo courier James Butler Bonham, a figure compared to Torii Suneemon, a samurai at Nagashino who escaped to get help and faced death in returning. More than halfway through, Shiga's poem shifts to first-person narrative:

"Now I am on a journey, far away from my home across the ocean.

I have come to San Antonio, where there are bushes of the graceful oleander.

And, as in a dream, I wonder if this is the very spot where that dreadful bloodshed took place in years gone by."

The poem concludes in words of friendship:

"In spirit there is not a distinction between East and West.

You need not wonder, then, if I drink a toast to your memory!

I have brought a well-polished stone from Japan,

And commemorate your heroic deeds with this humble inscription."

The marker was dedicated Nov. 6, 1914. In addition to Chinese and Japanese script, its inscriptions include "To the Memory of the Heroes of the Alamo" in English. Etched on back are these words: "Stone from the native province of Suneemon Torii, The Bonham of Japan, in the province of Nagashino, The Alamo of Japan."

Sister Margit Nagy, history professor at Our Lady of the Lake University, has researched the monument. Interviewed by Edward Tabor Linenthal for his 1991 book, "Sacred Ground: Americans and Their Battlefields," Nagy said Shiga was disturbed by anti-Japanese sentiments he encountered on the West Coast in 1912. Determined to strengthen bonds between the two countries and aware of similarities between the Alamo and Nagashino, he "decided to visit San Antonio for the purpose of erecting a monument to the heroes of both battles," Linenthal wrote.

According to Nagy, Shiga was greeted by about 100 prominent San Antonians at the dedication and given live oak acorns to plant in Japan.

"I shall tell the people of Japan these acorns came from the citizens of San Antonio and of the great state of Texas, and I shall strive to make my people better understand the friendliness, generosity and hospitality of the inhabitants of far-off America," Shiga told the crowd, according to a release Nagy wrote for the marker's centennial.

But after Shiga's death in 1927, World War II generated negative views about his goodwill gesture. The San Antonio Light's front page on April 22, 1943, announced, "S.A. Commissioners Ask Removal of Jap Monument."

The Light reported that the marker "stood in the glaring spotlight of national fury" after captive American flyers who participated in Doolittle's Raid over Tokyo, the first big moral victory for the United States after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, were executed by the Japanese. A city commission headed by San Antonio Mayor Gus B. Mauermann passed a resolution asking the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to remove the monument.

Controversy arises

Lita Small, the shrine's custodian, told the Light the DRT had fielded "numerous complaints" about the marker and considered covering it but would take up the issue at its convention.

Nagy, in a 1989 paper, "Remembering the Alamo Japanese-Style: Shigetaka Shiga's Monument as Tribute to the Alamo Heroes," said the marker reportedly was defaced a day after the Pearl Harbor attack and placed "under guard."

"Ironically, what seems to have saved the monument was misinformation about it as much as any conviction of the importance of maintaining this clear witness of Japanese goodwill toward Americans," Nagy wrote. "Thus one press report cites a representative of the (DRT) explaining that the donor, unable to express his sentiments in his own language of Japanese, had resorted to Chinese. Since the monument was in no way connected with the Japanese government and was not even in Japanese, no American should find it offensive."

Changing attitudes

Nagy, a former Fulbright scholar to Japan, began working on a brochure on the Alamo monument in the 1980s.

She also led efforts to coordinate ceremonies for its 75th anniversary and centennial.

"Without her, we wouldn't be celebrating here today," Nozomu Takaoka, consul-general to Japan, said at the 2014 centennial, crediting Nagy "for keeping track of this monument for so many years."

Takaoka said the monument embodies "a striking similarity between the spirit of the Japanese samurai and of the Texan cowboy, who hate to surrender and choose to go for broke." It reflects bonds that now manifest through a sister-city relationship between San Antonio and Kumamoto, Japan; the 2003 arrival of Toyota, which produces pickups here; and other business ties and ambassador programs, he added.

Today, Nagy's biggest question about the marker is how Shiga persuaded the DRT to accept it at the Alamo, before the Daughters had established a maintenance fund for the shrine or started raising funds for a new roof for its mission-era church.

"He truly, I think, was committed to that cause," she said. "I just admired the initiative he took."
AUSTIN -- The Texas Legislature's most tumultuous session in years ended Monday much as it began 140 days ago, with angry protests, partisan accusations and death threats, even as Gov. Greg Abbott was considering plans to call them back to Austin to fix a misstep: Keeping open the agency that licenses doctors.

While Abbott remained tight-lipped on details, he said at a morning bill-signing ceremony that he would announce his plans for a special session later this week. It is widely expected that Abbott might call lawmakers back to Austin for a short-turnaround session -- likely just a few days in duration -- sometime in June.

Special sessions can last up to 30 days. Most governors have waited until they finish signing bills in late June to avoid having the Legislature in session, which puts them position to override a veto.

"I'll be making announcements later this week about a special session," Abbott said Monday, just hours before the House adjourned for the final time about 1:15 p.m. and the Senate followed suit just over an hour later.

"When it gets to a special session, the time and topics are solely up to the governor of state of Texas, and, if we have a special session, convening only on the topics that I choose at the time of my choosing," Abbott said.

Asked whether he felt pressure from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to add the bathroom bill and property-tax reform to a special session agenda, Abbott was emphatic. "None," he said.

In what legislative leaders quickly read as a signal for an upcoming special session, Abbott said his biggest disappointment of the regular session was that lawmakers failed to pass a bill to keep the Texas Medical Board and related agencies open. Under state law, the operations of agencies periodically are reviewed and reauthorized -- and the medical agencies were on the list this year. If not reauthorized, they begin a shutdown process to go out of business.

"This is something that is incredibly easy to achieve that members could have very easily gotten together and agreed upon (that) specifically was not done," he said.

As Abbott was making his comments about a special session, lawmakers and advocacy groups were calling on him to add tax reform, the bathroom bill and the restoration of budget cuts for disabled children's therapy to the agenda for that session.

While Abbott and aides have steadfastly declined to discuss his plans, legislative leaders in both houses said Monday they increasingly do not expect Abbott to call a special session over the bathroom bill or property-tax reform, mostly because there is no consensus between the two legislative chambers currently on those issues. A special session would likely end in an impasse just as the regular session did, they said.

Patrick declined comment. But before in gaveling the Senate to adjourn for the final time, he told senators that while he might "normally say we'd see you in 18 months, we'll see you before that."

State officials have said the cost of a 30-day special session runs upwards of $800,000.

Sen. John Whitmire, a Houston Democrat who has been in the Legislature since 1973, said he can't predict what Abbott may do. "But over the years, I've been to a lot of special sessions and the key to it is communication and compromise," he said, noting that previous governors have empaneled back-to-back special sessions on school, finance and workers compensation reform where lawmakers were forced to come to a consensus.

"Right now, I don't know how anything will be different at the end of a special, except on the medical board sunset," he said. "Property tax reform is complex, and the bathroom bill is pretty partisan within the Republican Party, If those issues are in a call, right now, I don't see any consensus after 30 days to get a bill out."

State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, said he sees the potential for multiple special sessions, not just within the next few months but potentially leading to the 2019 session.

In addition to the sunset bill and property tax changes, he cited the possibility of Abbott calling a special session over redistricting.

Capriglione said he anticipated a short special session on the sunset bill, but a longer one on property tax reform.

"That's one of the bills that received a significant amount of testimony and we'd have to, and we should, allow the public to weigh in on that again," he said. "I think what all of us want as homeowners is to get a reduction in taxes. A lot of us think that local government can change the tax rate Tuesday and I'm not 100 percent sure that anything we've done this session would actually lower that."

State Rep. Jim Murphy, R-Houston, said he didn't have any expectations about what would happen if Abbott calls one or more special sessions.

"We had a good session; not a perfect session. But I don't know if compelling us to return is going to compel a different result," he said.

Murphy said he heard that a special session on the sunset bill possibly could be avoided if the governor can use an executive order to extend the life of agencies involved in "health and safety" issues.

In a legislative session that proved one of the most chaotic in years, from its highly controversial bills to a skin-tight budget to public animosity between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus, Monday final actions were punctuated with drama and tension.

Hundreds of red-shirted protestors flooded the statehouse throughout the day calling for repeal of the controversial ban on sanctuary cities. Some donned red capes reminiscent of characters in the dystopian 1985 novel "The Handmaid's Tale" to object to the Legislature's omnibus anti-abortion bill that Republicans also passed this session.

At one point, pro-immigration protestors packed the House gallery chanting "SB 4 has got to go" and the cacophony brought business to a standstill before House officials escorted them out. The Senate locked its gallery doors to avoid a similar disruption.

State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, and several Hispanic lawmakers -- all Democrats -- scuffled briefly on the House floor after Rinaldi announced during the shoutdown that he was calling federal immigration authorities to detain several protestors who said they were undocumented.

Several of the Democrats later accused Rinaldi of threatening to shoot them during the scuffle, but Rinaldi said later that the Democrats instigated the threats, and he told them he would shoot them in self-defense if attacked him. Rinaldi said he was placed under state police protection as a precaution.

In the Senate, the tone was ceremonial. Members elected Republican colleague Robert Nichols of Jacksonville -- a former mayor and state transportation commissioner -- as Senate pro tem, a post that will put him third in line of succession. He will serve as governor when Abbott and Patrick are out of state.

Despite his view that ethics-reform legislation approved by lawmakers this year is not tough enough, Abbott appeared satisfied with what was passed and sitting on his desk waiting to be signed into law. Ethics was declared a emergency topic -- a priority -- for fast action in January.

"It's highly unusual that a governor has called that as a emergency item without there being an ethics scandal to be addressed," he said, reflecting on reforms in past decades that sputtered or failed without the pressure of a public scandal. "I'm very proud of the Texas Legislature to step up and pass what I consider to be very robust, very meaningful, substantial ethics reforms making sure Texas and our representatives and our senators and those who work in the Capitol will be reflecting the highest standards."

Abbott was asked about his plans for a special session when he appeared Monday morning in a South Austin parking lot to sign a ride-share bill into law, a change he said will encourage free-market competition and more freedom for customers. He specifically criticized Austin officials for enacting local regulations that forced Uber and Lyft -- the two leading national ride-share companies -- from the market.

Allowing every community to establish their own rules amounted to a "chaotic scheme" that would only drive up costs to business and customers.

"Unacceptable," he said.

Austin and other cities had fought the legislation, arguing that local officials should be able to adopt ordinances to regulate local businesses. They have complained bitterly that state officials this session have passed a number of bills overruling local decisions in favor of state control.
(Photo/CGTN)

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) confirmed the test-firing of a ballistic missile on Monday was successful, reported the state-run news agency KCNA on Tuesday.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un guided the launch, the third in nine weeks, through a precision control guidance system. The missile was equipped with an advanced automated pre-launch sequence compared to previous versions of "Hwasong" rockets, KCNA said.

South Korean media reported Monday that it was a "Scud" missile, which flew about 450 km and Japan said it believed the missile had fallen into its exclusive economic zone, extending 200 nautical miles from the coast.

The launch was aimed at testing a weapon "capable of making an ultra-precision strike on the enemies' objects at any area," said the report.

China, the US, South Korea, Japan and Russia have all condemned DPRK's latest missile launch. The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday urged all sides to remain calm and exercise restraint, in a bid to ease the tense situation as soon as possible and put the issue back onto the correct track of peaceful dialogue.

US President Donald Trump Monday said on Twitter the DPRK's missile launch showed no respect for neighboring China.

"North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile," the President tweeted. He added: "But China is trying hard!"
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OTTAWA  New Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer was warmly embraced by his caucus Monday in a strong show of unity, but notes of discord are already apparent between him and at least two former leadership rivals.

Ontario MP Michael Chong, who ran on a platform to impose a revenue-neutral carbon tax arguing that the Conservatives need to address environmental concerns, sat with his hands in his lap as Scheer told his colleagues the Liberals carbon tax is just a cash grab.

We will repeal it and we will defend the rights of provinces to not impose a carbon tax, Scheer said to loud applause.

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Chong also did not clap when Scheer said: Conservatives realize that radical Islamic terrorism is a threat to all Canadians. He later told HuffPost Canada he is comfortable with the term and noted that hes used it before.

When asked before the speech how he would work with Scheer despite their different environment viewpoints, Chong told reporters:

I think my track record shows that I have always been a loyal Conservative, but always somebody who is willing to fight for the ideas that I believe in.

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Chong quit former prime minister Stephen Harpers cabinet in 2006 because he could not support a motion calling on the House of Commons to recognize Quebecois as an independent nation within Canada. Chong believed the motion equated civic nationalism with ethnic nationalism.

Liberals tried to brand Scheer as an extremist

The Scheer camp attempted Monday to deflect another issue  the influence of the social conservatives in handing him the partys leadership. Over the weekend, Liberals tried to brand Scheer, a practicing Roman Catholic and a social conservative, as an extremist.

"He won because of the social conservative wing of the party, so he will be under pressure to reopen those debates," Liberal whip Pablo Rodriguez said.

Scheer voted to oppose gay marriage and against expanding transgender rights. He voted in favour of all anti-abortion motions brought forward in the House.

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Tory MP Garnett Genuis tried to argue Monday that Scheers victory was not owing to the backing of the social conservative caucus. In a HuffPost Canada blog, Genuis outlined how Scheer won the leadership on the last two ballots Saturday:

About two-thirds of [social conservative Brad] Trost's voters went to Scheer, and a third went to [Maxime] Bernier.  Scheer then got about three-fifths of Erin O'Toole's voters, to Bernier's two-fifths. These things in combination were enough to push Scheer over the top. Some have said that Scheer won because of social conservatives  but it's actually much more correct to say that he won because he was able to cut both ways and gain momentum from across the conservative spectrum. He did much better with Trost's (likely) more socially conservative voters AND with the more progressive voters who generally made up O'Toole's voter coalition.

The party confirmed Monday that 118,137 ballots were counted in the 13th round to determine the winner. Scheer received 62,593 votes, Bernier had 55,544.

Leadership contender Kellie Leitch made no mention Monday of her call to screen newcomers for so-called Canadian values, but she came to Scheers defence, saying she didnt think his support among social conservatives made him less electable among women voters.

Andrew Scheer had support from across our party. That is why he is leader of our party today. The Conservative party is made up of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, she said, adding that she absolutely planned to run again in 2019.

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Scheer may be trying to create distance between himself and social conservatives, but Trost, who finished fourth Saturday with 14.3 per cent of party members support, told HuffPost he thinks the influence of social conservatives is now stronger than ever.

Noting Scheers outstanding voting record on social conservative issues, Trost said while he and fellow social conservative Pierre Lemieux were the perfect candidates for social conservatives, Andrew wasnt; he is more in the middle but he is not hostile. And he is open not just to people like myself but other people who share maybe more moderate views but similar views.

We are happy, he added.

Social conservatives trust Scheer, Trost said. I trust him to be fair and democratic about it....

I had a good working relationship with Mr. Harper; I have an outstanding relationship with Andrew. [But] will he support me on everything I want to do? Absolutely not.

Scheer took great pains during the campaign to distance himself from any suggestions that he would reopen the abortion debate or gay marriage.

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But he did court the social conservatives support  support he now wishes to play down.

Earlier this month, Genuis read a note from Scheer at the March for Life on Parliament Hill saying that the leadership candidate was sorry he couldnt be there but, as someone who is pro-life, thanked each and every one of them for making their views known.

Im proud to be running for leader of the Conservative party to become a prime minister under whom all Conservatives would be welcome in my caucus.

Genuis said that Scheer pledged, when he becomes prime minister, to support Cassie and Mollys Law, an amendment to the Criminal Code to protect women and their unborn children from violent attackers. The Liberals and New Democrats believe that bill would pave the way for limits on abortion rights.

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MP reads Scheer message at anti-abortion rally

Scheer also suggested he would stop funding abortions in developing countries, saying such assistance was part of Trudeaus ideological agenda.

I hope you will stand with me, and with the overall majority of pro-life members of Parliament, and include me at or near the top of your ballot. Thank you. That is from Andrew Scheer. Thank you and God bless, Genuis said, as he stopped reading from his BlackBerry.

Several other Tory MPs used their time on stage to call on social conservatives to vote for solidly pro-life candidates.

There are three of them: Pierre Lemieux, Brad Trost, and the candidate I support, Andrew Scheer, Manitoba MP Ted Falk said.

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The Liberals, who were announcing financial support to court gay travellers, suggested Scheer will be unfriendly to the LGBTQ2 community.

Small Business Minister Bardish Chagger noted that her government is a strong supporter of Pride parades right across this country.

Trudeau, she said, set the standard last year when he participated at the Toronto Pride Parade, the first ever for a sitting prime minister.

What was special about it was the fact that it was natural for him. He had been marching in Pride parades right across the country, including in Montreal, Vancouver for many, many years.

Pride parades, Chagger added, are important economic tourist events for our cities and celebrations of Canadas open, accepting and diverse culture, and there is nothing more important than that, she said.

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Scheer non-committal about Pride parades

Over the weekend, Scheer was non-committal about walking in gay Pride parades, when asked by Globals public affairs program The West Block.

Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault, Trudeaus special adviser on LGBTQ2 issues, said the prime minister marched in the Pride parade to demonstrate inclusion.

It matters to kids who are thinking about committing suicide. It matters to kids who have been kicked out of their homes by their parents because theyre intolerant of LGBTQ2 kids, Boissonnault said. I expect all leaders of parties in this country not just to be prepared to march in a parade, but to actually march in a parade and be fully inclusive of all Canadians. Were talking about millions of LGBTQ2 people in our country. This is not a fringe.

On Monday, Scheer tried to make a show of party unity, telling the caucus: Our team is united, positive, and focused on delivering for every-day Canadians and their families in 2019.

The new leader offered his former challengers a speaking slot during question period and most were assigned new seats on the oppositions front bench. Calgary MP Deepak Obhrai, who received 0.41 per cent of support and came in 14th place, received a seat in the second row. Trost was placed in the third row  away from the camera shots.

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Scheers press secretary, Marc-Andre Leclerc, said the new leader would announce his new shadow cabinet when the House resumes in September.

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An Ontario city councillor has been asked to step down after he sent a pornographic image to dozens of people through his government email account.

Niagara Regional Coun. Andy Petrowski sent out the message early Monday afternoon in response to an email from Coun. Bruce Timms about a road closure.

A Newstalk 1010 reporter took a screenshot of Petrowski's email, which was sent as a "reply all," and shared it on Twitter. The email showed an image of a nude woman sitting on a stool, with her legs spread.

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This is the email. Below the cut off is a woman fully nude, perched on a stool, her legs open. pic.twitter.com/ZyL6a1O9bW  Siobhan Morris (@siomo) May 29, 2017

There must have been a sale on these multimillion-dollar, taxpayer-funded, non-functional arches  guess who put these up in Ottawa. Youre right if you said  drum roll, please  Pomerlau  what a joke! the email read.

A few minutes later Petrowski sent out an apology, saying the email was sent by someone else using his iPad.

Petrowski sent this 6 minutes after the reply all that included a photo of a naked woman. I'm confused. pic.twitter.com/dNPtZSHHTf  Siobhan Morris (@siomo) May 29, 2017

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I have spoken directly to the (councillor) about this egregious conduct, and have requested his resignation from regional council, Niagara Regional Chair Alan Caslin told Niagara This Week on Monday.

Caslin told CKTB News that Petrowski didn't respond to the request for his resignation.

This is the second time in two years that Petrowski has claimed a message from him was actually sent by someone else.

The St. Catharines Standard reported that after the police chief received a text from the councillor's phone in January 2016 that read "Hello clown are you a tyrant?" Petrowski claimed he had left his phone unattended, but would not identify the person who he claimed had sent the message.

The Standard asked Petrowski to identify who allegedly sent the pornographic email from his account, but Petrowski responded to the reporter by calling the paper "fake news" and adding a "poo" emoji to a reporter's email signature.

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Petrowski was found less than two weeks ago to have violated the council's code of conduct for posting Islamophobic tweets. The councillor's Twitter bio reads "Pro-Trump, Pro-Nationalism, Pro-Life, Pro-Jesus, Pro-Constitution, Pro-Speech, Anti-LEFT, Climate Change is Natural."

"This pattern has continued without any contrition, without any change," MP Chris Bittle told CBC News.

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If you're one of those people who loves waterslides  especially the steep ones  you probably don't want to see this.

Terrifying footage captured over the weekend shows a 10-year-old boy fly out of a waterslide at a Northern California water park.

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The incident took place on Saturday, during the grand opening of The Wave water park in Dublin, Calif., reports 3NEWS.

The boy climbed to the top of the three-storey slide, called the Emerald Plunge, and launched himself down.

But when he reached the bottom, he flew over the side, hitting the slide's edge, before skidding several feet on the concrete. (Watch the footage above.)

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"Obviously that's not what you want to have happen on your first day," Linda Smith, the assistant city manager for the City of Dublin, told ABC News.

Amazingly, the video shows the boy get up quickly and walk away.

Park officials confirmed to CBS that he was treated in hospital for some scrapes on his back, but was otherwise fine.

The slide has been shut down for a few days, until officials figure out how to prevent future accidents.
After 12 magical days in the oh-so-glamorous French Riviera, we bid the 2017 Cannes Film Festival adieu.

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With 17 films competing for the iconic Palme dOr prize and over 12,000 film professionals in attendance, you bet everyone brought their fashion A game when it came to the red carpet. Although numerous worldly celebs looked incredible throughout the festival, we could only pick 10 to land on our best dressed list ... and here they are:

Is that Cinderella? No, it's Aishwarya Rai just slaying like a Disney princess on the Cannes red carpet wearing a stunning couture ball gown from Michael Cinco. The dramatic, voluminous number, featuring off-the-shoulder sleeves and beaded details, gave the 43-year-old Indian actress her fairytale moment  one where all eyes were on her.

Oh, and she also wore this number. Perfection, much?

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Aishwarya Rai wearing Ralph & Russo.

This year's festival really was Kidman's year. Not only was she honoured with a special award  a 70th Anniversary Jury Prize  created especially for the actress, she lit up the red carpet in not one, not two, not three, but four ensembles. Although they were all amazing in their own way, it was her black and white ballerina-inspired Calvin Klein by Appointment gown that we could not stop thinking about. With her red lip and pearl earrings, the outfit will go down as one of the 49-year-old Australian actress' best looks.

Nicole Kidman wearing Michael Kors.

We said it before, and will say it again: Bella Hadid is the queen of Cannes. There's no doubt her barely-there fiery red Alexandre Vauthier number took home last year's top honour, so for her 2017 Cannes run, she came for the throne yet again wearing another Alexandre Vautheir strapless number with the most goddess-like thigh-high slit.

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We're already predicting big things from the 20-year-old supermodel for next year's festival.

Bella Hadid in Dior.

How does a Victoria's Secret angel step out onto the Cannes red carpet? Like this. Elsa Hosk dazzled in a custom Alberta Ferretti powder blue off-the-shoulder gown with a thigh-high slit that had all heads turning. The Swedish supermodel's beauty look captured that old Hollywood vibe with her blond waves, nude lip and glowing skin.

Bollywood Star Deepika Padukone was the definition of beauty on the Cannes red carpet, looking stunning in a custom Brandon Maxwell one-shoulder gown. The actress' jewel-toned green eye makeup may have been the best beauty look of the festival, having all the dramatic elements needed to make a huge statement.

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Deepika Padukone wearing Marchesa Notte.

Hard work pays off. Emily Ratajkowski knows that. While on her way to the Cannes red carpet, she had to sew her custom Peter Dundas lace bodysuit and ballgown skirt in the car right up until the point of exiting. The sewing paid off, because the 25-year-old model and actress looked incredible.

Emily Ratajkowski wearing Twinset.

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Always one to make a red carpet statement? Kendall Jenner. Not only did she wear socks and sandals (*gasp!*) on one of the most important red carpets of the year, she brought one of the longest trains of the festival along with her. Wearing a whimsical Giambattista Valli couture frock equipped with a dramatic one-shoulder and simple floral print, Kendall broke a few traditional fashion rules, and she totally owned it.

We all know Bollywood beauty Sonam Kapoor is a fashion and beauty darling (she's a L'Oreal brand ambassador, FYI) but she took things to the next level at Cannes wearing a gold (!!!) Elie Saab couture gown.

Sonam Kapoor wearing Elie Saab.

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She may only be 19-years-old, but Elle Fanning is already a red carpet fashion icon. The Vogue cover girl made major waves when she wore a Vivienne Westwood gown that took 10 people to make and 300 hours to hand-craft. Also, the dress had unicorns on it, which is totally cute.

Elle Fanning wearing Gucci.

No best dressed list is complete without Rihanna in Dior. So here she is.

For ALL the looks from the 2017 Cannes Film Festival red carpet, check out the slideshow below!
(Photo/CGTN)

Australian tourism officials say a new wave of Chinese visitors is boosting tourism revenues, amid a rise in younger, more independent travelers who are seeking new experiences and spending more.

31-year old Shanghai native Fiona Zhou is trying to learn to surf in Australia. She says she wants to experience more of the local life and in this country, surfing is a part of life for Australians, so this makes her want to challenge herself.

This kind of view among Chinese tourists is becoming increasingly popular, and the length and cost of their stays down under have both increased.

The total spent by Chinese visitors to Australia in 2016 was about nine billion Australian dollars (6.7 billion US dollars), a vast amount that has prompted a shift in the way some companies do business.

As CGTNs Greg Navarro reports, an increasing number of the roughly 1.2 million Chinese tourists who visited Australia in 2016 are more willing to venture outside of the famous coastal cities, with rural areas struggling to meet the demands of an influx of visitors.

The launch of the China Australia Year of Tourism earlier this year has helped to promote trips down under, with changing travel habits bringing more and more benefits to Australias tourism industry.
"Harry Potter" has been a huge part of many people's lives.

Whether it was reading one of the books, or seeing one of the films, we have all experienced J.K. Rowling's wonderful wizarding world.

But the road to crafting one of literature's most iconic characters wasn't easy. Did you know the famed British author's first manuscript for "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" was rejected by 12 publishers before it was finally brought to life? Rowling had to battle through her failures and setbacks to finally unleash her work into the world.

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"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all," she once said.

From Viola Davis not getting her big break into Hollywood until she was 43, to Vera Wang using her failure with Team U.S.A's figure skating team to start an iconic fashion brand, check out all the female celebrities who started from the bottom and risen to the top, never giving up along the way.

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A Utah mom faces child abuse charges after she allegedly locked her two kids in the trunk of a car and went shopping at Walmart.

Tori Castillo was arrested and booked into jail Thursday, according to a police news release obtained by Gephardt Daily.

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She has been charged with four counts of child abuse involving physical injury and one of retail theft, according to the Weber County Sheriff's Office.

Riverdale police arrived at a Walmart Thursday for a report of child neglect, according to the news release. A witness told them that a woman had locked children in a car's trunk. Several people heard noise coming from inside the trunk. The kids, ages two and five, were "moving frantically," "causing the vehicle to shake."

Charity Maw heard them pounding against the wall, she told Good4Utah.

The little girls voice, just screaming, 'let me out! Im scared,' Maw said.

I was shocked, I was shaken, and I was mad.

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Shopper Heidi, who didn't want her last name used, told Fox 13 she told the girl how to open the trunks emergency latch. The two sweaty children jumped out right away.

While they waited for police to get there, the mother came back from the store, Heidi told Fox 13.

"The only explanation she had was, 'My babysitter didn't show up.'"

Police say the children were released to their father, according to Good4Utah. The state's Department of Child and Family Services is also investigating.
Saskatchewan MP Brad Trost says hed text Andrew Scheer a big question mark if he sees the new Tory leader marching in a gay Pride parade this summer.

Trost, who finished in fourth place in the crowded Conservative leadership contest, sat down with CBC News Power & Politics Monday to discuss the strength of social conservatives in the party.

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Trost conceded that many of his supporters backed Scheer after he dropped off the ballot Saturday, helping the former House Speaker leapfrog the front-runner, libertarian Quebec MP Maxime Bernier, to win the leadership.

Andrews a devout Roman Catholic, hes got a perfect voting record, five kids. I mean, that reeks family dad through and through, Trost said.

Scheer, an MP since 2004, has voted in favour of anti-abortion motions in the House of Commons and against same-sex marriage and transgender rights legislation. He has pledged, however, not to reopen debates on gay marriage or abortion, despite his personal views.

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But with summer looming, Scheer is already being asked if he will participate in Pride parades, as former interim Tory leader Rona Ambrose and Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown did last year.

So, if you saw Andrew Scheer at a gay Pride parade, you wouldnt be upset? Youd be cool with that? Youd understand what he was doing? host Rosemary Barton asked Trost.

I think I would send him a text message with a big question mark and I think Id get a response back pretty quick, Trost said with a smile.

Watch the full interview from CBC:

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Trosts views on gay rights sparked headlines during the lengthy race after he released a statement pledging never to march in Pride parades and criticizing Conservatives who do. His campaign manager, Mike Patton, released a video online in which he stated: In case you havent noticed, Brads not entirely comfortable with the whole gay thing.

Trost later told BuzzFeed Canada that he was uncomfortable with the gay lifestyle.

"A gay lifestyle would be people having  how would we put this  gay people having gay sex. That's their business, from my perspective, but it's not something I want to teach my kids is right and moral," Trost told the website.

Trosts impressive showing once the results were announced  besting former cabinet ministers such as Lisa Raitt, Michael Chong, Chris Alexander, Steven Blaney and Kellie Leitch  raised eyebrows.

Progressive Conservatives: it just took 10 rounds to eliminate a man who thinks being gay is a choice, hows this possible in 2017? tweeted Ian Capstick, a pundit and former NDP staffer Saturday.

Progressive Conservatives: it just took 10 rounds to eliminate a man who thinks being gay is a choice, how's this possible in 2017? #CPC17  Ian Capstick (@iancapstick) May 27, 2017

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In an apparent show of unity, Trost was given a speaking slot in question period Monday, as were other ex-leadership candidates. But unlike other rivals, Trost will not sit near Scheer on the oppositions front bench. Instead, Trost is now seated in the third row in the House.

Pride 'very politicized': Scheer

Scheer was pressed about Pride in an interview with Global News The West Block Saturday night. Host Vassy Kapelos noted how Ambrose took part in such events to show the party wanted to be more inclusive and asked if he would do the same.

Scheer said he had heard reports coming out of the Pride parades about not even allowing police officers march, and said the events have become very politicized. The Conservative Party will remain inclusive, he said.

But would you stay away from something like a Pride parade? Kapelos asked.

You tell me. Whats going on with Pride today? You know, they are not even allowing police officers, people who put their lives on the line for hard-working Canadians, Scheer said.

While uniformed police officers have been asked not to march in Torontos Pride parade this summer, thats not the case everywhere. Pride parades in Vancouver and Ottawa, for instance, will feature uniformed officers.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau became the first sitting prime minister to march in a Pride parade last summer  something Liberals just happened to highlight at a press conference Monday on LGBTQ2 tourism.

Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault, Trudeaus special adviser on LGBTQ2 issues, said politicians marching in Pride parades sends an important message.

It matters to kids who are thinking about committing suicide. It matters to kids who have been kicked out of their homes by their parents because theyre intolerant of LGBTQ2 kids, he said.

"I expect all leaders of parties in this country not just to be prepared to march in a parade, but to actually march in a parade and be fully inclusive of all Canadians. Were talking about millions of LGBTQ2 people in our country. This is not a fringe.

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With a file from Althia Raj

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Canadas indigenous affairs minister suggested Tuesday that Conservatives are in no position to criticize the inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women because they refused to call one when they were in power.

But Carolyn Bennetts stare-down of a heckler in question period may have said more than her words.

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Bennett faced questions from Tory indigenous affairs critic Cathy McLeod, who noted frustrations with the slow pace of the commission, including from the father of Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. Bill Wilson, a hereditary chief, called the inquiry a bloody farce last week.

McLeod mentioned MMIW inquiry hearings formally opened in Whitehorse, Yukon this week, but said they are shutting down for the summer.

Does the minister not recognize what so many others recognize, including the justice ministers father, that there (are) serious problems with this process? What is she going to do to fix it? she asked.

Inquiry is important, Tory critic says

The veteran Liberal read from prepared remarks on how families of victims have fought too long for an inquiry to quit now. The commission has conceded it needs better communications. Bennett said it will keep families at the heart of the process.

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The commission is committed to culturally sensitive and trauma informed ways to ensure this

Bennett stopped and locked eyes on someone across the aisle. After a few moments of silence, some started laughing and jeering. As Bennett sat down, some MPs looked genuinely confused.

We do acknowledge and we have supported this inquiry. It is important, McLeod said.

"This is a bit much coming from a party that opposed this commission for the whole of their mandate."

Still, the Tory MP pressed on that theres been little accomplished in 10 months.

McLeod asked Bennett to share with the House what she would do to ensure the inquiry keeps on track.

This is a bit much coming from a party that opposed this commission for the whole of their mandate, Bennett shot back, sparking a standing ovation from Liberals.

Bennett said families in Whitehorse are being heard by an independent commission of truly talented people.

The commission will continue to work throughout the summer and I have every confidence they will be able to fulfill their mandate.

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Shortly after the Liberals took power in 2015, then-interim Tory leader Rona Ambrose reversed the position held by the Stephen Harper government and announced Conservatives would support an inquiry.

Harper long maintained a formal inquest would only result in more study instead of action. He also expressed concerns the costs associated with an inquiry would snowball.

But McLeod, a former nurse in rural indigenous communities in B.C., made it clear last year she would be holding the government accountable on delivering tangible results.

"There is a need to take action in a way that will make a real difference," McLeod said at the time.

With a file from The Canadian Press, previous files

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The House of Commons can be a beautiful haven for the democratic exchange of ideas.

In theory.

Other times it can be filled with the shouts and murmurs of middle-aged politicians, consumed by what is surely the adrenaline rush that is Canadian political debate.

Green Party leader Elizabeth May has been a vocal critic of MPs who contribute to the latter scenario. Over the years, she has stood in the House to call out members who heckle and make Parliament look like  as she described it in 2014  "bad high school theatre."

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Watch the video embedded above for some of May's memorable anti-heckling moments.

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A six-storey tall giant yellow inflatable duck is proving to be an easy target for ridicule after it was revealed Canada 150 funding would go toward paying its six-figure rental fee.

The $200,000 price tag for the supersized waterfowl stirred some ruckus in the Ontario legislature Monday. Progressive Conservative MPP Rick Nicholls got cheeky and called the installation an absolute cluster duck.

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Get it?

It's an absurd waste of taxpayers' dollars, he said.

The duck will be touring Ontario waterfront communities as part of the Redpath Waterfront Festival and Ontario 150 tour.

Organizers say the famous duck is meant to draw a family crowd to the festival, where they can also enjoy musical dance performances, a lumberjack show, and tours of a navy frigate.

Lea Parrell, co-producer of the festival and tour, told HuffPost Canada she would have loved to have a more patriotic animal blow up  if there was money available.

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We wanted to do a loon, she said, but the cost to commission that kind of project would have been astronomically expensive.

I would have absolutely have loved to have done a beaver or loon, she said.

But the $120,000 in government funding wasnt enough to cover the cost of a custom giant inflatable beaver or loon.

Instead, they will stick with the plan to rent the Worlds Largest Rubber Duck from an American man who owns the giant yellow mallard. It has been touring the world since 2007, but hasnt yet made a stop in Canada.

Its so big, the thing can be seen from space.

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The touring giant duck is a replica of a version originally made by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. Hes known for constructing large playful installations set in urban areas.

Parrell said the duck is a fun and unique draw for Canada Day  and that its basically prime Instagram and selfie bait.

She hopes people will show up and say, Oh my goodness, I have a picture of myself taken with the Worlds Largest Rubber Duck who came to wish Canada a happy birthday.

With files from The Canadian Press

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Grateful for the support and friendship extended to them since fleeing their war torn country of Syria, the women of the collective are sewing the flags as a way of saying "thank you."

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One of the women in the collective, Emine, whispered to me she wanted to make a Canadian flag, said Reem Ali, Community Development Worker at the New Canadians Centre.

The next thing I knew, she had sewn one and was sharing it with the rest of the group. It was very heartwarming to see this.

Members of a pilot project, The Newcomer Womens Sewing Collective, is a first for the city. Still in its infancy, the eight-week program helps women join together to learn new skills, develop and enhance language, while at the same time sharing and honing their talents to create products suitable for a start-up social enterprise.

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This past weekend, the group was offered a table at the Gilmour Street Garage Sale  an annual neighbourhood sale meant to bring the community together.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the women of the group to engage with our community while earning some income for the work theyve produced. Were very grateful theyve been given this chance considering we are only a few weeks into the project, said Yvonne Lai, interim director of community development at the NCC.

For newcomer women, this is more than just a working environment," she continued.

"It is a safe space where they can connect with each other, form friendships and share details about their daily challenges as they build a new life in Peterborough.

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Many of the outreach programs designed to support integration into a welcoming community delivered by the NCC are not government funded. Programs like the Newcomer Womens Sewing Collective, Mother Goose and the Womens Group rely on the generosity of donor support.

By making a monthly donation of $5-$25, you can help newcomers like the women of the sewing collective have access to programs designed to develop and enhance language skills, build self-esteem and become independentevery month, all year long. Go here for more info.

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A woman in Toronto was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after she tried to walk between two buildings, fell and got stuck in the gap.

Toronto police responded to a building on College Street near Bathurst Street Monday night for a woman who had fallen off the roof of a three-storey building and got stuck.

Medical Call: College St/ Bathurst.. woman has fallen off a roof, 3 storeys. She is in betwn 2 bldgs. Units unable to get to her #951227^adc  Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) May 30, 2017

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The victim, in her 20s, was visiting friends at the time, police told CTV Toronto.

They were out on a rooftop patio and this lady decided to go over top from one roof to another, Sgt. Sean Cassidy said.

She stepped on a type of plastic that covered the three-foot-wide space, but it gave way, he added.

Firefighters had to scale down between the buildings to assess the woman, who was conscious, and then used a basket to hoist her up, District Chief Stephan Powell told AM640.

She was taken to hospital with serious leg injuries, police said, according to the radio station.

Another person who became stuck while trying to rescue her was uninjured, police told the Toronto Star.

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Yet another fitness craze is spreading on Instagram, thanks to yoga devotees demonstrating a new exercise which involves contorting their stomach into a strange pose.

Dubbed "alien yoga" on Instagram because of how your stomach looks while doing the movement, the practice is traditionally known as "nauli". It was apparently first mentioned around 500 years ago, and in some yoga traditions, was among one of the first exercises taught to new students. It is still fairly uncommon in Western yoga  though that might be changing.

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But what exactly is nauli, and is it a fitness trend we should be following?

According to nauli.org, nauli is a yogic cleansing exercise, or "kriya", which cleanses the internal organs and strengthens the abdominal area. It involves rolling the abdominal muscles from side to side in a wave-like movement. It may look difficult, especially in some of the Instagram videos, but this movement can be practiced by most yogis and by any age group.

The nauli exercise comprises a series of four movements in total  and nauli.org says you must master uddiyana bandha before attempting the next three:

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uddiyana bandha : an abdominal lock accomplished by emptying your lungs and pulling the abdomen in and up under the rib cage

: an abdominal lock accomplished by emptying your lungs and pulling the abdomen in and up under the rib cage madhyana nauli (central nauli): the isolated contraction of the central abdominal muscles.

(central nauli): the isolated contraction of the central abdominal muscles. vama nauli (left side nauli): the isolated contraction of the left side of the abdominal muscles.

(left side nauli): the isolated contraction of the left side of the abdominal muscles. daksina nauli (right side nauli): the isolated contraction of the right side of the abdominal muscles.

The website cautions that nauli is considered an advanced practice, and recommends learning the technique from an experienced teacher.

Many advise that pregnant women, and those with hernias, hypertension, heart disease, ulcers, or various gastrointestinal ailments do not practice nauli. Even for a fit and healthy person, nauli should not be painful  it should always still be practiced with care and caution.

For those who would rather just follow this weird and wonderful fitness trend on social media, @aubrymarie, @kellygreenyoga, and @yellabella are some of the yogis who have been demonstrating their nauli moves on Instagram and YouTube.

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SolisImages via Getty Images Young female blogger working at home.She sitting in her working room and typing something on laptop.

Written by Dr. Jim Asuchak, President of the Alberta Association of Optometrists

Eye strain, headaches and fatigue at work are all too common of concerns affecting a growing number of Albertans. Recently, a patient in his late 20s came in for his annual eye exam complaining of these symptoms and how it was affecting his productivity at work. He works as a draftsman for a local home builder, which requires him to sit in front of two large computer monitors for eight to 10 hours a day.

After an extensive discussion about his symptoms and work related tasks, a comprehensive eye exam to check his eye health and visual system was performed to rule out other possible problems. Like many other Albertans, he was experiencing digital eye strain.

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My patient's story is not unique. In fact, a recent survey commissioned by the Alberta Association of Optometrists revealed that more than 70 per cent of adults in Alberta experience symptoms of digital eye strain. That number rises for women (77 per cent) and millennials (83 per cent). The survey also helps to explain why these numbers are so high.

Adults in Alberta spend an average of 10.5 hours every day on digital devices, including computers, smartphones, televisions and tablets. Millennials reported spending an average of 12.5 hours a day on digital devices, with women averaging 11 hours. According to this data, it appears that people who spend more time on digital devices are more likely to experience symptoms--which makes sense when you understand what leads to digital eye strain.

Digital eye strain is caused by several factors, including exposure to blue light that is emitted by digital devices and staring at objects up close for extended periods of time. People typically blink 12 times a minute, but when they stare at a screen, they tend to only blink five times a minute, which means their eyes are not being lubricated properly. Concentrating on a screen also means extended focusing and converging of the eyes. All of this can lead to pain and discomfort as well as headaches, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, double vision, excessive tearing or dry eyes and irritation.

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Many people may be experiencing symptoms, but do not realize the problems are being caused by digital eye strain. Regular visits to an optometrist ensures an early diagnosis and treatment to alleviate the discomfort. I often explain it this way: If someone has a toothache, they would go to their dentist. If they have the flu, they would visit their doctor. So, if they have dry eyes, watery eyes, double vision or eye fatigue, they should see their optometrist.

While digital eye strain is a growing concern with sometimes debilitating symptoms, it's often simple to prevent and treat. Based on a person's digital device habits, an optometrist can recommend a customized solution, which may include:

Computer glasses and blue light-blocking lenses. An optometrist can prescribe special glasses to help reduce eye fatigue, and a coating to help block out blue light. They are especially helpful for people who spend a lot of time on a computer for work. Surprisingly, only 20 per cent of Albertans are aware computer glasses are available, and only four per cent of Albertans use blue light blocking lenses.

The 20-20-20 rule. Only 13 per cent of surveyed Albertans follow this rule, which involves looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This quick and simple adjustment can help relax the muscles in the eye and relieve eye strain.

Vision training. If someone is having difficulty with accommodation or aligning the eyes, they can sometimes benefit from exercises that can be performed in the office or at home.

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An adjusted environment. It seems straight forward, but less than half of surveyed Albertans adjust their screen brightness (45 per cent), have their screen properly positioned (35 per cent), increase text size on digital devices (35 per cent) or eliminate screen glare by reducing overhead lighting (28 per cent). These are all simple changes that can make a big difference.

For my patient suffering from eye strain and headaches, adding blue light blocking lenses to his glasses was the solution that worked for him. We relieved his symptoms, and he has since returned to my office to update his spare pair of glasses. He requested the same coating and lenses and says he would recommend them to anyone suffering from digital eye strain.

It really highlights the importance of letting your optometrist know of any concerns you may be experiencing. When it comes to eye health, there is no one-size-fits-all kind of solution. While this diagnosis was straightforward, some of the symptoms of digital eye strain can be indicators of more serious eye health concerns.

That's why it's important for all Albertans to check in with their optometrist on a regular basis. The Alberta Association of Optometrists recommends that adults have an eye exam at least every two years, and annually for those over 65. Children should have at least one eye exam between the ages of two and five, and yearly after starting school. Infants should have their first eye exam between six and nine months of age.

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Alberta Health covers the cost of annual eye exams for children up to age 19 and adults 65 and older. Medically necessary or urgent visits to an optometrist for situations such as an eye infection or injury, foreign object in the eye or sudden changes in vision are covered for all Albertans.

For more information or to find an optometrist in your community, visit www.optometrists.ab.ca.

Survey methodology: An online omnibus survey was conducted between April 20-21, 2017. Eight hundred and four Albertans aged 18 and over were surveyed. The estimated margin of error for the total sample is +/- 3.5%.
Zhang Tianwei displays his elaborate and delicate works of art depicting people and creatures. Huo Yan / China Daily

Kite maker sees his creations soar as he dazzles spectators with the colors and vision of his imagination

Can humans think in their dreams? Zhang Tianwei has no doubts about the answer. "Yes, I do."

The 79-year-old industrial artist and a retired technician has "thought out" solutions in his dreams to difficult aeronautical engineering problems at least twice in the past three decades. The results are plain to see as his "dynamic kites" in various shapes and sizes astound spectators as they seem to dance and frolic in the sky.

Zhang's kites can make nine movements simultaneously, propelled just by the wind, through built-in gearing systems, which are all handmade from simple raw materials like bamboo, wood and thread.

"The most useful metal pieces come from soft-drink cans, because the aluminum alloy is strong, corrosion resistant and malleable," said Zhang, pointing to a can on his table-turned workbench at home in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.

He cuts the can into 2-millimeter wide strips to make the "teeth" of the gear with a pliers, and a wheel is made from thick bamboo skin strips.

The wind wheel's axle is made from a pencil. He drills small holes into it and inserts thin wooden sticks, 1.5 millimeters in diameter, to fasten cloth or paper, which form the blades of a propeller.

"The diameter of the hole must not be wider than that, otherwise the stick would not be fastened properly," said Zhang. "Any minor errors would end in failure after days of hard work."

With a gust of wind to the wheels of one of his creations, a horse-and-cart frame made up of more than 1,500 pieces of bamboo skin strips tied together with nearly 5,000 knots, the "four-horses" can appear to gallop, shake their heads and swing their tails, and a "rider" can also move his arms to rein in the horses.

To raise the 2-kilogram structure into the air, it takes a 40-meter long kite combination, made up of 192 life-size Terrecotta Warrior kites in eight square formations.

Born into an industrial artist's family, Zhang learned how to make conventional kites from his father and grandfather from the tender age of 10. In the 1930s, his father was famous for making big kites "like small planes" in Xi'an.

But what motivated him to innovate the designs of a traditional kite was his participation in the 1986 First National Kite Competition in Weifang, Shandong province, as a representative of Shaanxi.

Although Zhang won a silver medal, the only medal the Shaanxi delegation obtained in that year's contest, he felt he had to improve.

"Weifang is the most famous place in China for its kite history and techniques. It was an eye-opening experience," he said. "They have reached such a height in applying conventional kite making skills that if I do not have my own unique strength and style it is almost impossible to win."

A book about a kite master, Wei Yuantai from Tianjin, which caught his attention in the 1950s when he was in junior middle school, proved inspirational. Wei was good at making kites that can seem to transform into various "creatures", such as a cock fighting in the sky. But this particular skill had largely vanished in the 1940s.

Graduating from a vocational school where he learned about machinery, Zhang believes his expertise in mechanics was a foundation for him to study Wei's works, and recover and revive the old-kite making techniques and improve them.

He started designing and making the elaborate kites in his own style after coming back from Weifang. "Conceiving the structure and the gearing system is the first difficult step, and then making the parts takes much longer and patience," Zhang said.

To make a crane kite open its mouth, swing its head, flap its wings and move its legs in the sky simultaneously, he must conduct a number of experiments to adjust his design and the parts to reach the "perfect" match.

His wife has been supportive but admits it was hard to understand at first. "I really could not understand his mania in making kites," Zhang Xiuzhen, 74, said. "But when I saw his happiness after making even a small breakthrough over these years. I gradually realized that making kites is a family heritage and part of his life."

Xiuzhen is now a skillful and experienced kite flyer in her own right, and "an important partner" to her husband in doing many kinds of experiments.

Zhang Tianwei appreciates her support and understanding.

He made fewer than 50 of his "dynamic kites" in 31 years, and every one is unique. "I always want to try new ideas in the next," Zhang said.

His works were shown in the Shanghai Expo in 2010 and appeared on Canada Post stamps in the 1990s. Foreign collectors bought his works. One of Zhang's concerns is that the craft may be lost after he passes away, as it is almost impossible to copy the kite, let alone learn the techniques, by just studying the blueprints.

Zhang is meticulous in drawing detailed blueprints for each of his works to help maintain the knowledge for future generations.

However, neither of Zhang's three sons are interested in learning his skills.

As a provincial intangible cultural heritage, Zhang hopes the government can digitalize his kite-making process in a more reader-friendly 3D format on computer to let young people experience the "mentally absorbing and brain-burning" tricks.
With a late start to our spring in the lower mainland, we experienced a spring market in Vancouver much earlier than our weather decided to adapt. One of the most beautiful times of year here on the west coast, spring has traditionally been a season that ushers new homebuyers into the Vancouver real-estate market.

Whether you're new to Canada or making the leap to home ownership for the first time this season, here are some considerations.

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Mild climate means easier adjustment period

Particularly for those coming from warmer climates like Iran or Asia, Vancouver's weather is undeniably attractive. With the mildest climate in Canada, Vancouver requires less of an adjustment than other parts of the country. However, often overlooked is that it also requires less of an investment in other areas, too. This includes clothing, household appliances (think snow blowers) and heating costs.

Even Canadian clients of mine that have made the move from other provinces often express their gratitude for the easy maintenance our mild seasons afford us. One client in particular, now living in a beautiful little home in Victoria, recalls the dizzying cost of heating her rural property in Ontario -- not to mention the annual cost of snow removal during the winter season.

Do your homework to ensure you won't be disappointed later on.

Community ensures an easier transition

No matter where in the world one goes, there is something deeply comforting about meeting others from the same place. Maybe it's the common bond we share over our birth country, or our language, humour, even our food. It doesn't really matter. But what does matter is that in a cosmopolitan city like Vancouver, being a newcomer is a lot easier when you can find some of the warmth and memories of home.

Finding a likeminded community ensures an easier transition to your new home. Even if it's another corner of Canada that you've decided to leave behind for now, you can be sure that at some point you'll run into someone from home in the GVA.

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Making the leap to a family home?

If so, get your facts straight. With the number of rule changes currently taking place in the real-estate market, it is essential that every new homeowner is re-approved by their lender. Forget about where you were at the last time you were approved for a mortgage, regulations are tightening and the best defence is to be prepared.

Newcomers are looking at 35 per cent down payment with a minimum full year of payments and taxes, while a solid pre-approval is necessary for anyone else local.

While the transition to a new home can be one of the most exciting times in your life, do your homework to ensure you won't be disappointed later on. Whether you're new to Canada or new to real estate, this is the time that ushers many new homebuyers into the market. If timing, and budget is right for you, I want you to be one of them.

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Now that 4/20 is over and we've had a chance to look back, here's four things we've learned about Vancouver's massive cannabis protest festival.

1. No minors are buying cannabis at 4/20

One thing that should be clear after this year's 4/20 is that virtually no minors are buying cannabis at the event.

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There was over $100,000 spent on policing 4/20 this year, meaning there were many dozens of officers at the event. In our talks with the VPD in the weeks before 4/20, we discussed the possibility of minors buying cannabis. With such large crowds, officers didn't want to be in the position of trying to make arrests over potential sales to minors.

We had agreed that if any police officers saw any sales to minors, they would immediately alert myself or other event organizers, and we would put a stop to it. Yet despite such a heavy police presence at the event, we did not receive even one alert from police about any booth selling to minors. Neither did any of our volunteers or security see any sales to minors. It just wasn't happening.

While it's possible that one or two minors might have slipped through and purchased some cannabis, the fact is that booths selling cannabis at 4/20 ask for ID and turn away people who are under age.

Indeed, compared to research by the B.C. government which shows that private liquor stores, nightclubs and restaurants fail to prevent sales to minors about half of the time, our 4/20 does a remarkable job of ensuring cannabis sales are limited to adults at our event.

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We should be congratulated for setting a good example, and not be attacked over something that simply does not occur.

We should be congratulated for setting a good example, and not be attacked over something that simply does not occur.

2. Vancouver police are very expensive

The second lesson learned from 4/20 is that Vancouver police are very expensive!

Policing is the number one cost for every public event in Vancouver, and some might say this is a problem that needs to be dealt with by city hall.

The policing cost for 4/20 at Sunset Beach was $127,000. Although this sounds like a big number, it's actually very small compared to the cost of some other public protests. For instance, the VPD spent $100,000 at the Trump Tower protest in March, an event with only a few hundred people in attendance.

Police also spent $43,000 at the Art Gallery this 4/20, where a group of cannabis anarchists had pledged to shut down three major streets around the Art Gallery for three days! (This group, called World Cannabis, is known for their disruptive and antagonistic behaviour against the rest of Vancouver's cannabis community.) Less than 300 people showed up at the Art Gallery, and the VPD brought a strong police presence to stop them from shutting down city streets.

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(Sadly, most of the media didn't see any difference between our well-planned and organized event at Sunset Beach and the disruptive anarchists at the Art Gallery. Many headlines just added the cost of these two events together and falsely proclaimed that our event at Sunset Beach cost $250,000, which is simply not correct.)

If people think the cost of 4/20 is too high, they should talk to the police, not to the event organizers. We do everything we can to keep costs low, but it's the police who decide how many officers to deploy. It's not our fault that police constables are paid over $120 an hour to attend public events, nor are we to blame that it's the police themselves that decide how many officers to deploy, with no oversight from the city.

I'm glad the police are there to keep our 4/20 event safe, and I don't want to second-guess their deployment decisions. But I will also add that during 4/20, most of the police officers that I saw weren't engaging with the public or patrolling the crowd, they were just standing in circles, talking to each other.

3. Vancouver's NPA party hates cannabis users

The third thing we learned from 4/20 this year is that the intolerance and hostility exhibited by the Vancouver Park Board is entirely due to the Non-Partisan Association (NPA), Vancouver's right-wing municipal party.

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The NPA dominate the Park Board and are known to be very anti-cannabis. They want the city to issue "closure orders" for all medical cannabis dispensaries in the city, an extremist position that would cost many millions of dollars in police enforcement and which goes against the strong local support for dispensaries across Vancouver.

The NPA Park Board seems to feel it is their job to stop people from using public parks. They recently banned a free non-profit free yoga class from using Dude Chilling Park, for no reason other than their own apparent desire to stop locals from enjoying a healthy stretch on Park Board territory.

At first, the NPA claimed that they just didn't think Sunset Beach was the right place for 4/20. But the policy they passed was to ban all cannabis events from all parks in the city, forever. This extreme stance makes it clear that their concerns have nothing to do with Sunset Beach in particular, or with the legality of cannabis use. They just don't like cannabis users, and don't want us holding any events in any Park Board territory, even after the federal laws change.

Some people say that anti-smoking bylaws mean the Park Board could not grant us a permit, but that is simply not true. The fact is that drinking liquor in a park is also against bylaws, as is loud music, staging, booths and everything else associated with these kinds of public events. The whole reason for a permit being issued is to allow a group to do something that is normally against the bylaws.

The Park Board absolutely has the power to issue 4/20 a permit, they just chose not to. This point was driven home by Park Board staff when they recommended that our 4/20 event be issued a permit, a recommendation that was ignored by the NPA.

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The Park Board's job is not to stop people from using public parks, nor is it their job to make moral judgements about who is worthy to use a public park and who is not. Their job is to facilitate the public's use of public park spaces, and that includes people doing yoga, as well as large public festivals like 4/20.

In a democracy, when 100,000 people want to gather for a public event, it is expected that elected officials will facilitate to ensure public safety, not ban the gathering because they disagree with the politics behind it.

Interestingly, although the city of Toronto has continued launching raids against dispensaries, their 4/20 celebration is licensed by the city and doesn't get the same kind of harassment we experience here in Vancouver.

It's time for city hall to accept our 4/20 celebration as part of the diverse social fabric that makes our city so very special.

4. Vancouver loves 4/20

The biggest thing we've learned after 23 years of hosting the 4/20 protest festival is that people love 4/20!

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We do no advertising or promotion for 4/20, yet it has grown into one of the city's biggest and most famous cultural celebrations. Indeed, I'm confident that if you asked Canadians to name one large public event that they associate with Vancouver, our 4/20 celebration would be at the top of the list.

For the past 23 years, every 4/20 has been bigger than the last. Despite artificial controversy drummed up by the corporate media and hostile politicians, the fact is that 4/20 is a beloved civic event with widespread support and a broad base of participation.

Not only do people come from across the Lower Mainland, they come from all across Canada, and even from other countries, to participate in Vancouver's unique cultural celebration. These visitors to our city also eat in restaurants, buy hotel rooms, and spend their money in our local economy.

I meet people of all ages and social groups at 4/20. There's grandmothers and grandfathers, moms carrying babies, businessmen in suits, and many families with children who use cannabis to treat epilepsy and other ailments. I see people from every cultural and social group, coming together in a peaceful celebration of cannabis and a protest against Canada's ongoing cannabis prohibition.

For the last two years at Sunset Beach, I have met dozens of locals who tell us how wonderful it is to have this event in their community. There's definitely a lot of local support for 4/20, and local businesses in the West End see a surge in visitors to local restaurants and hotels.

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After 23 years, it's clear 4/20 is here to stay. Vancouver's 4/20 protest festival is a safe, family friendly event that brings many social and economic benefits to our city.

It's time for city hall and the park board to stop fighting against their own citizens and to accept the local cannabis community and our 4/20 celebration as part of the diverse social fabric that makes our city so very special.

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Photo credit: Wilson Hui

Banff National Park is one of the most esteemed national parks in the world. However, with fame comes crowds, and hordes of fellow hikers, campers and selfie-takers can put a major damper on your summer park getaway.

As most adventurers are already aware, Parks Canada is offering free admission to all Canadian national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas to celebrate the Great White North's 150th anniversary. These four often overlooked national parks fall under most people's travel radar, making them ideal places to adventure, discover wildlife and experience Canada's unrivaled natural beauty this summer.

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Waterton Lakes National Park

Photo credit: Rod Brazier

Waterton Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Alberta's far southwest corner. Just a short 3-hour drive from Calgary, Waterton is littered with wildflowers and wildlife. Day hikes and horseback riding are seen as some of the best ways to explore the beauty of Waterton's backcountry, but the spectacular waterfalls, mountains, flora and fauna can also be explored by boat. Hop aboard the M.V. International for a truly unique scenic cruise through the deep, blue waters of Waterton Lakes. There's no denying that Waterton Lakes National Park is one of Alberta's best-kept secrets.

Grasslands National Park

Grasslands National Park brings the beauty of Saskatchewan's wide-open plains to life. It may not sound as mesmerizing as emerald lakes and Rocky Mountain peaks, but you'll be wowed by the adventures you have beneath the clear blue skies. Visitors can travel through time discovering dinosaur bones, backcountry hike through Valley of 1,000 Devils (including the famous 70-mile Butte Trail), then build a campfire and pitch a tent or sleep in one of the park's oTENTiks. Starry night skies, epic hiking trails, guided wagon rides, and a historic ranch are just a few of the many elements that make this underrated park one of the best for an adventure- and history-filled summer escape.

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

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Photo credit: David Stanley

When you're seeking a scenic island escape in a Mediterranean-like climate without a costly plane ticket, there's no better place to look than the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve in Sidney, British Columbia. The forested Gulf Islands are littered with scenic hiking trails leading to lighthouses, mountain peaks and lagoons loaded with seabirds, otters, seals, sea lions and porpoises. Camp along the shore and use a kayak, canoe or paddleboard as your means of traveling from islet to islet, exploring the beaches and rocky shorelines. The combination of sheltered waterways, rare and beautiful wildlife (including orcas), forested hiking trails and unhindered natural beauty is what makes this one of the most impressive parks in all of Canada.

Sable Island National Park Reserve

Roughly as far across the country as you can travel from the west coast's Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is another mind-blowing seaside park, known as the Sable Island National Park Reserve. This island of shifting sand dunes and freshwater ponds, sitting isolated in the North Atlantic, is home to a number of birds, insects and plants that can't be found anywhere else in the world. More than 350 ships have wrecked on the island due to submerged sand dunes and rough seas. The "Graveyard of the Atlantic," offers sprawling beaches, jaw-dropping ocean views and all of the makings of a one-of-a-kind summer escape.
Hateful bloggers collect every negative news item on the Muslim world to fit their narrative. They share the supremacism, sexism and homophobia of anti-Semitic and anti-Ahmadi Muslim speakers who unwittingly participate in their narrative.

Both feed off each other and contribute to a vicious cycle of hate. They make for strange bedfellows.

Such hateful rhetoric has grave consequences for everyday citizens, not just Muslims. Most recently, a man in Portland killed two men when they confronted him on yelling anti-Muslim slurs.

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Muslims learn to repel evil with good. They began fund raising for the families of the heroes of Portland.

However, preventing hateful rhetoric means challenging hateful bloggers and speakers. It means challenging the hypocrisy those who condemn terrorism on the one hand but justify extremism on the other.

It also means recognizing Muslims that often get sidelined. Here are 5 instances of Muslims who diminish hatemongers for espousing bigotry and a narrow worldview.

1)The Muslims who pay the ultimate price

While Islamophobes and hateful Muslim speakers are busy in venting their pet peeves, there are Muslims who go the distance for humanity.

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In 2014, a brave 15-year-old teenager, Aitzaz Hasan, saved hundreds of students, by tackling a suicide bomber before he could target the school in Pakistan.

The same year, Professor Mahmoud Al 'Asali, a law professor at the University of Mosul, also gave up his life in defiance of ISIS. He refused to be silent on the persecution of Mosul Christians.

Last year, Najih Shaker Al-Baldawi, paid the ultimate price by thwarting an ISIS suicide bomber in Iraq. His selfless act saved hundreds.

Cleric Samahan Abdel-Aziz, was kidnapped, tortured and murdered for his fiery sermon against ISIS and Al Qaeda.

Even the far right Breitbart News Network referenced a YouTube video that showed Grand Iraqi Sunni Mufti Khalid Al Mulla claim that ISIS killed more than 300 Imams and preachers for rejecting their extremist and violent views.

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This is only a snapshot of such brave Muslims.

2)The Muslims who stand by Jews and Christians

While Islamophobes and hateful Muslim speakers are busy perpetuating a medieval narrative, many Muslims reach out to their Jewish and Christian brothers and sisters.

In 2014, many Muslims joined the "I am Christian" campaign against the persecution of Iraqi Christians in Mosul.

According to the Red Crescent, mosques, Shia congregation halls and other religious buildings sheltered displaced Christians. A Muslim leader expressed:

"Christians are our homeland brothers, and our duty is to do all we can to protect them from extremists and terrorists. All of our cities and homes are open to receive them."

In 2011, thousands of Muslims turned out as human shield in Egypt to protect the threatened Coptic Christian community for their Christmas mass.

This solidarity continues to date, when Muslims rallied to support Coptic Christians when ISIS targeted Palm Sunday celebrations in April. They started a crowd funding campaign and donated blood.

In 2015, Lassana Bathily, helped save shoppers in a Jewish supermarket in Paris from an extremist. He simply said, "'No, I'm not a hero'. I did something that had to be done."

Earlier this year in the U.S., Muslims raised thousands for a vandalized Jewish cemetery. Muslim veterans offered to guard Jewish cemeteries, synagogues and community centres in the wake of bomb threats and anti-Semitism.

Most recently, Muslims helped escape many Christians from ISIS in Marawi, Philippines.

This is an extremely brief snapshot of such Muslims.

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3)The Muslims who stand by the LGBTQ community

While Islamophobes and hateful Muslim speakers perpetuate homophobia, there are Muslims who go the distance to support their LGBTQ family in humanity.

Last year, Imran Yousuf, a Muslim marine who served in Afghanistan, saved dozens of lives in the Orlando gay bar shooting. In an interview, he humbly expressed, "I wish I could have saved more."

Post Orlando, Toronto based Muslim school principal, Jeewan Chanicka along with other Muslims, worked relentlessly to get the Muslim and LGBTQ communities together for a joint Ramadan dinner.

Such efforts, often unrecognized, do not stop such courageous Muslims from doing what is right without expecting any return.

4)The Muslims who consistently aid law enforcement agencies

While Islamophobes and hateful Muslim speakers perpetuate the class of civilization narrative, everyday Muslims consistently aid law-enforcing agencies.

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In 2015, a U.S. Homeland Security report showed the role of Muslims in apprehending terrorists. The report stated:

"More than 75 percent of U.S. foreign-fighter arrest cases involved a confidential source, informant, family member, or concerned community member who cooperated with or tipped off authorities."

Last year, a Muslim woman prevented a second attack in Paris by tipping off the police about the mastermind of the Paris attacks.

Such Muslims do not always get the support as in the case of Hind Fraihi, who went undercover in Belgium and warned authorities of extremism over ten years ago.

Muslim attitudes against extremism are clear even from this prank video, where a father is willing to turn is son to authorities for an ISIS tattoo. Slapping his son over the tattoo, the father states:

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"Do you know who they are? ... I'm calling the police now! I'll kick you out of the house. Take it off right now! ... Or else I'll call police and FBI to take you away."

There are many such Muslims whose stories are often sidelined and ignored.

5)The Muslims who stepped up post Manchester

While Islamophobes and hateful Muslim speakers continue their hateful narrative post Manchester, everyday Muslims stepped up to aid their fellow human beings.

This includes Muslim taxi drivers who offered free lifts and helped terror victims. This also includes Muslims who rushed to help with medical care, food and comfort. Muslims for Manchester and several other Muslim led initiatives are raising funds for the victims and their families.

The above shows that the choice is with us on what kind of society we want to be. We can give into divisiveness and hate or stand firmly united in our common humanity.
Getty Images Wind Turbines on a Wind farm produce clean energy. Taken in Wyoming.

The transition to clean energy, it turns out, may not actually be that controversial.

Two-thirds of Canadians now say we ought to prioritize growing our economy in ways that don't involve fossil fuels, according to a poll that came out this month from Abacus Data. But when you look at worldwide trends, it's no surprise Canadians feel this way.

I recently sat down with Adnan Amin, the director-general of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) -- and a walking encyclopedia on the clean energy transition. Considered the world's ambassador for renewable energy, Amin had no shortage of intel on countries shifting away from fossil fuels. But one clear theme stood out among these stories: clean energy is ubiquitous, and any economy that fails to account for this new normal risks falling behind.

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In Amin's own words, here are seven takeaways from that conversation, which took place at a Global Learning Forum on Renewable Cities hosted by Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.

1. There's big, and then there's China.

"I just came from China, which has the world's biggest electricity system. The state grid has more generating capacity and power than they're carrying in the whole of Europe and most of North America combined. Twenty-seven per cent of that is slated to be renewables. The rate at which they're installing solar and wind is the highest in the world. The solar market in China employs 2.5 million people today. It's a huge driver for economic growth and employment."

2. Oil-rich Saudi Arabia is putting big money into clean electrons.

"Three weeks ago, Saudi Arabia launched a new initiative for a $50-billion investment in renewable energy... I don't doubt they'll do it, because the operating agency that they've asked to take care of this is a state oil company, which has probably the strongest managerial capacity in the country. They're doing this not because they've suddenly become climate advocates or they're against oil, but because they see the future in a very different way, and they know that energy in the future is not going to be what it is today."

3. The clean energy transition is happening in Russia too.

"I was in Moscow a few weeks ago. We launched our roadmap for Russia for an energy transition. A lot of people didn't believe we'd ever do this, but we did this together with the ministry of energy. We have projections that they can quadruple renewable energy in their system by 2030. The minister of energy agreed with that assessment publicly... He said we know the world of energy is going to change, [and] we have to decide if we want to be part of the vanguard of this movement, or if we want to be struggling a few years down the road to catch up with everybody else."

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4. Next-generation power lines are a game-changer. Look to China.

"They are the biggest installer of ultra-high-voltage transmission lines. They cross China, from the renewable-energy-producing areas in the west to the load centres in the east. This technology is going to be a game-changer because it allows you to transmit huge amounts of renewable energy with minimal loss over large distances. This is going to be very important in different regions around the world."

5. Cities can drive demand for electric cars.

"If you start to change city fleets to electric vehicles, the message that sends to the market is huge. The message that gives to electric vehicles manufacturers is huge. Cities are going to be huge drivers, sending signals about what their expectations are."

6. Canada's electricity system could be 100 per cent clean.

"You have huge clean energy assets in Canada. One of your huge assets is hydro. One of the problems we have with new electricity systems, in terms of the reliability that comes with wind and solar, is balancing that with some of kind of predictability, and hydro provides that. Hydro is probably the best electricity source we can have to balance reliability across the system. With the amount of hydro you have in your system, you have the capability to have a 100 per cent clean electricity system in Canada... We did an assessment of what you could do by 2030, and we think you can achieve 90 per cent very easily."

7. IRENA's growth has been explosive.

"We started at around 57 countries. There are 180 countries now involved. In six years, we brought it to that level. We're still waiting for Canada, who we'd welcome at any time."
RyersonClark via Getty Images Pond Inlet, Nunavut, Canada, Inuit community Baffin Island. Sunset in Winter, good copy space.

The consultation process for Canada's upcoming Poverty Reduction Strategy (CPRS) is ramping up, with a number of opportunities for people across Canada to participate in the process online.

People from coast-to-coast-to-coast have been invited to fill out an online survey or send their questions to the upcoming online Facebook town hall. Outside of the government, civil society organizations, like Canada Without Poverty, have used other online methods including a platform for video testimonials to support and inform the CPRS process.

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It appears that online surveys have become the modus operandi of this government. Beyond the poverty strategy, the government has been using this tool to gather perspectives on a number of other key policy areas for those living in the North from housing, to nutrition, to child and family services, to government relations with First Nations.

In a country as vast as Canada with high rates of connectivity, the Internet is an obvious tool for democratic participation. Or is it?

For most of us in the South, the World Wide Web is always at our fingertips. But on a recent trip to Nunavut, I experienced what it's like to live without it. My education on the vagaries of Internet access started immediately at hotel check-in: a typed note was in my room asking that guests be patient with the poor Internet connection. Where there was access - in hotels and at the offices of colleagues--the loading wheel on my browser circled endlessly until pages crashed, to the point of not being able to do tasks I'd consider pretty normal, like check my email or book a flight.

And this was in Iqaluit. I was told that for the 24 communities outside of Iqaluit, the Internet is even less reachable.

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According to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications (CRTC), while the average person in Canada downloads 66.5 GBs per month, the most popular Internet packages in Nunavut are capped at 10 GBs per month. The territory is only accessible by airplane or boat - there are no roads to or between communities - and so rather than fibre optic cables, Internet access is satellite-based. As reported by the Financial Post, while the average broadband speed in Canada is 44 megabit per second (Mbps) - with an average mobile speed of 25 Mbps, in Nunavut the average speed of mobile data is somewhere between 1 and 3 Mbps, a significant decrease.

The impact of poor Internet access goes far beyond one's ability to watch Netflix or check their Twitter feed to stay up-to-date. The lack of high speed and adequate bandwidth means limited access for Nunavummiut to pursuing everyday practical tasks: online banking, tax filing services, job hunting and applications, and email. For those in poverty in the territory, the cost of having even the most limited Internet plan is $25 a month for 2 GB, with additional pricing set at $10 to $15 per GB - compare this with southerners who can purchase one terabyte of data for $50.

But worse yet is the impact on participatory democracy - the ability of Canada's Northerners to engage in political and public life. For people in parts of the territories, their geographic location already results in a lack of visibility in policy development. Without adequate Internet access, their voices and experiences are excluded from the laws, policies, and programs that most affect them. Under the current conditions, online consultation initiatives are not sufficient to ensure the inclusion of people living in poverty in the North. And while some consultations host in-person meetings in Nunavut - particularly in Iqaluit - for many initiatives, such as the Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy, no in-person consultations or community meetings are listed for the territory.

Seven out of ten Inuit preschoolers live in food insecure households - while 39% of the population in 2014 received social assistance benefits. With statistics like these, it's critical that the voices of those in the North, particularly in Nunavut, are included in consultations on poverty policy.

While Canada can boast being one of the most connected countries on the planet, this status cannot be confused with our competency as a democratic society with inclusive and active participation.

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It's no easy task to connect with everyone across the vast geography of our country. But we can do it - starting with a commitment to spend enough resources to ensure that everyone can connect virtually. And in the meantime, it's up to our governments to work together have to make the necessary efforts to make sure all Northerners have an outlet for their voices.
Predatory marriages are unfortunately a growing phenomenon in Ontario. This is largely due to the fact that the elderly population is living longer and are more independent than they were in the past. A predatory marriage occurs when a man or a woman enters into a relationship with an elderly individual exclusively for the purpose of gaining access to their estate. This is sometimes seen within the context of a caregiving relationship.

Generally, a predatory partner will use their status as a spouse to withdraw money from joint bank accounts, obtain ownership (often exclusive ownership to the detriment of the aging spouse) of the matrimonial home, and make arrangements to inherit significant amounts of money from the estate of the victimized spouse. Not only do predatory marriages affect the elderly spouse who is being taken advantage of, they also have an impact upon the entitlements of the beneficiaries named within the individuals previously executed testamentary documents.

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While the standard in respect of mental capacity required to create a valid will is high, the capacity required in order to validly enter into a marriage is considerably lower. As such, in a predatory marriage, while an elderly individual may not be capable of executing a new testamentary document, he or she may nevertheless be considered capable of marrying, which will in most circumstances revoke any prior testamentary documents prepared by the individual.

The Succession Law Reform Act (the SLRA) provides that the marriage of a testator revokes his or her will, unless the will was made in contemplation of that marriage. The SLRA does not provide protection for the potential victims of predatory marriages.

Alberta and British Columbia have both changed their laws so that marriage no longer has the effect of revoking a will. Similarly, in Quebec, marriage does not revoke an otherwise valid will.

Furthermore, with respect to the capacity of an individual to marry, the Marriage Act, states that No person shall issue a licence to or solemnize the marriage of any person who, based on what he or she knows or has reasonable grounds to believe, lacks mental capacity to marry by reason of being under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or for any other reason. Like the SLRA, the Marriage Act does not offer substantial protection for the aging population who may be exposed to the risk of being targeted for a predatory marriage.

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If a new will is not executed following a marriage, the intestacy provisions of the SLRA will come into effect. Pursuant to the intestacy provisions, a married spouse will automatically receive the first $200,000.00 of the deceaseds estate, and the remainder will be divided between the spouse and any surviving children of the deceased. Although it may not require the same degree of mental capacity as executing a new will, marriage can nevertheless result in a complete transformation of an estate plan.

Predatory marriages are a type of elder abuse. With an increasing elderly population in Canada, elder abuse is becoming an increasingly common problem. An elderly person in Ontario could be unaware that their existing will can be revoked by marriage, with no knowledge of the need to execute a new one, and/or a lack of the requisite capacity to execute a new one.

Predatory Marriages: A Case Study

The leading case on the concept of predatory marriages in Ontario is Banton v Banton. This case demonstrates the differences in the degrees of mental capacity required to create a valid testamentary document, compared to that required to enter into a valid marriage.

Mr. Banton was born in 1906. He had been married twice and predeceased by both wives. In 1991, Mr. Banton executed a will, in which he named his children as equal beneficiaries. In 1993, Mr. Banton moved into a retirement home and Mr. Banton formed a close relationship with a younger woman who worked at the retirement home.

Shortly thereafter, Mr. Banton was declared incompetent of managing his own financial affairs. Mr. Bantons children became concerned upon realizing that he had withdrawn $10,000.00 from his bank account. Unbeknownst to his children, Mr. Banton married the worker at his retirement home and subsequently executed a new will, leaving his entire estate to his new wife.

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The court held that Mr. Bantons last will was invalid as his wife exercised duress upon him and Mr. Banton lacked testamentary capacity.

The court then turned to the issue of whether Mr. Bantons marriage was valid. The court held that Mr. Banton understood the nature of his responsibilities under the marriage and that there was no evidence of undue influence with respect to getting married. As such, the court held that the marriage was valid, and the estate of Mr. Banton had to be divided according to the intestacy provisions in the SLRA, discussed above.

This case highlights the potential for an estate plan to be disrupted by the marriage of a testator late in life and at a time when testamentary capacity may be absent.

Ian Hull and Suzana Popovic-Montag are partners at Hull & Hull LLP, an innovative law firm that practices exclusively in estate, trust and capacity litigation. To watch more Hull & Hull TV episodes, please visit our Hull & Hull TV page.

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It is over half a decade since Theresa May famously told a party conference that "we all know the stories about the Human Rights Act... The illegal immigrant who cannot be deported because - and I am not making this up - he had pet a cat". But the debate over human rights hasn't moved on since #Catgate. The national conversation has often sounded more like a joke without a punchline than a serious policy debate. Reading the 2017 Conservative Party manifesto, it seems like the extended political pyschodrama over human rights may finally be coming to an end. Or perhaps reaching the end of a beginning.

We begin our story in 1998. Shortly after winning a landslide election victory, New Labour made a revolutionary change to the UK's constitution. The Human Rights Act gave the UK its first (technically second) bill of rights. It contained a list of basic rights, guaranteeing free expression, freedom of religion, the right to liberty, the right to privacy and others. Since then, the Act has had a profound effect on key areas of our lives. What isn't to love?

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A lot, according to much of the press and some politicians. Since 1998, there has been a steady drumbeat of criticism over the Act's alleged failings. This has corroded public support for a law which one might have thought would be popular. The critique originated in the media, where the right to privacy and family life has been a particular bugbear, but it has enthusiastically picked up by politicians. Many have said they will "do something" about human rights. But what? And when?

By 2003, Tony Blair was already distancing himself from his great legal innovation. He said that to stem the flow of asylum seekers it may be necessary to "fundamentally [look] at the obligations we have under the convention of human rights". The 'heir to Blair', David Cameron, then announced in 2006 that the Conservatives would scrap the Human Rights Act and replace it with a "UK Bill of Rights".

Cameron's dream of changing a system which made him feel physically sick was never realised. Leaving the Human Rights Act in place was a condition of the Coalition agreement with the Liberal Democrats in 2010. Instead of a bill of rights, there was to be a 'Bill of Rights Commission', with four representatives from each of the Coalition partners. The result was like a reality TV programme without the cameras (or interest). There was drama, as one participant form the Tory side was evicted by his own team. but the end result was frustration on all sides.

That abortive Commission demonstrated many of the strange features of the human rights 'debate' in miniature. The constant but unfocussed calls for reform. The way in which criticism of human rights laws has become a cipher for criticism of the larger European project, although the Convention had nothing to do with the European Union. And, relatedly, the frustration on the Conservative side that the Human Rights Act is anchored by the European Convention on Human Rights - with an emphasis on the European. The reality is that reducing rights in the Human Rights Act would lead to a confrontation with European Court of Human Rights, and potential exit from the European Convention which underpins it. But "ECHRexit" is a red line for many centrist Tories.

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Theresa May's ascent to the Conservative Party leadership in 2015 could have resulted in major changes to human rights. The now-Prime Minister had been a longtime critic of the Human Rights Act and one of the only senior politicians who openly argued for the UK's withdrawal from the European Convention. But Brexit intervened. Despite the Conservatives winning a narrow majority in 2015, with a new bill of rights featuring in the manifesto, again it was not to be.

The Brexit vote put back Conservative ambitions in two important ways. First, on a practical level, Brexit would take up so much time and energy that it became impossible to manage a sensitive constitutional reform process, such as a new bill of rights, at the same time. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly in the long term, the rancour over human rights reform had often been engorged by a displaced frustration with the EU. Often the EU and ECHR would be conflated in debates and human rights reform dangled as a sop to frustrated Brexiteers. Now that the what might be called the true issue has addressed by the Brexit vote, there may be little appetite for human rights reform in the near or medium term.

As much is clear from the Conservative manifesto. For the first time since it was promised in 2006, there is no mention of a British Bill of Rights Instead, there is the statement that a Tory government "will not repeal or replace the Human Rights Act while the process of Brexit is underway" but will "consider our human rights legal framework when the process of leaving the EU concludes". Meanwhile, the manifesto says the UK will remin part of the European Convention on Human Rights "for the duration of the next parliament". The matter has therefore been put off for a while. Meanwhile, both Labour and the Liberal Democrats promise to retain the Human Rights Act.

Where we go next is not clear. Our Prime Minister and her Chief of Staff Nick Timothy have long been advocates of leaving the European Convention, and are no fans of the Human Rights Act. If the Conservatives win the Election, we can probably assume that changes to human rights laws will be delayed but not forever. Human rights reform may come in useful as distraction for hard Brexiteers who are disappointed by a moderate final deal.
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Attention is focusing on over $100bn worth of U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, understandably so. The Saudi dictatorship backed by the United States is given diplomatic and military cover as it razes Yemen to the ground.

If you're somehow glued in the myth that the U.S. foreign policy is a force for democracy, a glance at the list of U.S. arms exports should rid you of those illusions.

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Why? Future weapon contracts doubtless play a role.

Meanwhile, enabled by American ineptitude, the Saudi with the rest of the Gulf monarchies have backed militant Islamists in Syria -- and continue to spread an extremely intolerant variant of Islam. Other countries might swiftly be transformed into pariah states for such blatant violations of international law, but not the Gulf monarchies, which the U.S. will supply advanced F-15 fighter jets, Apache attack helicopters, and hundreds of armored vehicles.

Bahrain's repressive regime much like Saudi Arabia bans political parties; executes political dissidents; deprives women of their most basic rights, and treats activism as equivalent to terrorism. And yet Bahrain is rewarded by the removal of all human rights conditions as a prerequisite to access American advanced weapons as a gesture of solidarity to confront Iran.

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Then there's Egypt, where dissenters are banished, and political prisoners are languishing in jail. It tops the list for being one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. Yet, this is one of the biggest markets for U.S. arms for decades.

Such appalling expressions of the U.S.'s role in the world are hardly new: the killing fields of East Timor are all too familiar with the disingenuous Machiavellianism that defines the reckless American arms trade strategy. With up to 200,000 people slaughtered after the invasion by Suharto's brutal regime, the U.S. was budding the line to flog his war machine with arms.

And for those with short memories, the U.S. was happy to sell weapons to Saddam Hussein during his war against Iran -- one of the Middle East's bloodiest conflicts.

Pundit after pundit has built a career on the back of a fantasy that America is a champion of democracy. They spent years harping on how America should take the lead to remove serial human rights abusers. Yet most of those same pundits remain disturbingly silent on the hypocrisy of America's support for unelected despots.

This isn't just about the arms trade, of course: it's about the very nature of U.S. foreign policy. These repressive regimes aren't just buying weapons; they're also buying political immunity that undermines America's already bleeding legitimacy. Yes, the defense industries provide jobs, but according to the non-governmental Campaign Against the Arms Trade, there's substantial overlap in the skill sets between the arms and renewable energy sectors. Instead of supporting an industry that feeds weapon-hungry regimes, we could retool the economy to help save our planet. Is the prospect of runaway climate change a threat to our security? I would say so.

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Amy Lineham

At the end of 2016 I spent five weeks volunteering in the then newly opened Porte de la Chapelle refugee camp in Northern Paris. Whilst working there I observed journalists come and go to take photos, often visiting the camp without speaking to a single resident. I found this lack of engagement concerning - by homogenizing the camp residents as 'refugees' the reporters, whether sympathetic or condemnatory, were undermining their status as individuals, defining them only in terms of their circumstance.

In an attempt to diversify this narrative I gave out 15 disposable cameras to people living in the camp. With this was an information sheet inviting participants to take photos of anything they wanted and explaining the images would then be shared to an audience outside of the camp.

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From the moment the project began it was clear people were keen to share their stories, gleefully clicking the rickety frames of the cameras to begin recording their surroundings. People appreciated the platform as a sign of respect, one man dutifully returning his camera after signing up because he had been allocated to a new camp and wanted to offer someone else the opportunity. Of the 15 given out, eight were returned, with various reasons for the ones lost including police raids and violence. In many ways, those lost tell as much of a story as the ones developed, the instability of participants' lives reflected in their absence.

The developed films offer a moving insight into lives rarely considered beyond their immigration status. Each photographer has used the camera in their own unique way, some turning the lens inwards onto life in the camp whilst others recorded Paris's many iconic landmarks.

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One guy used the roll in just 20 minutes to do a photo shoot with his friends. It is this individuality that I hope is communicated to visitors of the exhibition, an essential reminder in a time of increasing xenophobia. One cannot help but empathise with what is essentially a group of boys making the best of a bad situation in Paris.

The Porte de la Chapelle camp is an adult men's camp, by far the largest group in the refugee population. I feel this holds a great significance, this demographic having been 'othered' (the focus of media scaremongering) more than any other. I myself aimed to work in the women and childrens' centre in Calais before it was dismantled because of fears learnt from the media as to how the adult men might behave towards me as a young woman. Writing now after my time in the camp I can honestly say I was harassed there less than a normal night out in London.

Alongside the cameras, each photographer was given a blank postcard to write an accompanying note for their photos. Those returned show a sharp awareness of the potential audience one reading 'police don't respect to the asylum seekers! Guys asylum seekers not animals, asylum seekers are people!' whilst another said: 'well maybe I'm not professional photographer but I know that what I done it means what I felt and I think photos is kind of art'. Overall, the notes emphasize the heartfelt tone of the photographs, one entitled 'good life in France' with another ending 'thank you for giving me hope'.

I am now working hard to ensure these images and the heartfelt messages accompanying them reach as wide an audience as possible. The more people who see them, the better chance we have of dispelling prejudiced preconceptions born out of fear. If you can make it, please do come along, the exhibition is at the HIVE, Dalston 2-9 June.

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WASHINGTON, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Rice, one of the world's most important staple foods sustaining more than half of the global population, was first domesticated in China about 10,000 years ago, a new study suggested Monday.

"Such an age for the beginnings of rice cultivation and domestication would agree with the parallel beginnings of agriculture in other regions of the world during a period of profound environmental change when the Pleistocene was transitioning into the Holocene," Lu Houyuan, professor of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who led the study, said.

The research, published in the U.S. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was done in collaboration with Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Relics and Archaeology and the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Questions surrounding the origin and domestication of rice have led to a lot of debate in the last decade.

Rice remains have previously been recovered from the Shangshan site in the Lower Yangtze of China and recognized as the earliest examples of rice cultivation.

However, the age of the rice fossils was derived through radiocarbon dating of organic matter in pottery shards, which can be contaminated with older carbon sources, Lu said.

To constrain the age of the phytoliths, the researchers developed new ways of isolating rice phytoliths from carbon sources, such as clays and carbonate, and dated the samples directly using radiocarbon dating.

It turned out that phytoliths retrieved from the early stage of the Shangshan site are about 9,400 years old.

Further studies showed that approximately 36 percent of rice phytoliths at Shangshan had more than nine fish-scale decorations, less than the approximately 67 percent counted from modern domesticated rice, but larger than the approximately 17 percent found in modern wild rice.

That means that rice domestication may have begun at Shangshan at about 10,000 years ago during the beginning of the Holocene, when taking into account the distance between phytolith samples and the lowest bottom of cultural strata of the site as well as a slow rate of rice domestication, Lu said.

The time coincided with the domestication of wheat in the Near East and maize in northern South America, both of which are also believed to have occurred at about 10,000 years ago, when the global climate experienced dramatic changes from cold glacial to warm interglacial.
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At the time of writing President Trump has yet to say whether or not he will sign the G7 confirmation of the Paris Climate Accord. If he does sign up then we have set in stone a deal which probably spells humanity's end. If he doesn't sign up then we have a situation where everyone who supports the Paris Climate Accord is on the side of good, against the evil of Trump and his allies. That will do a great deal to cement the value of the Paris Climate Accord in the hearts and minds of all right thinking and decent people, and hence spell humanity's end. But at least that second scenario unsettles the consensus behind the global targets regime, sets up a fracture line that can be worked on, prised apart and so offer the chance to pull down this failed edifice in favour of something better.

So why would someone who is deeply worried about climate change be siding with Trump and against the other members of the G7 on this issue? Let me list some of the reasons for questioning the current direction and framing of climate policy.

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1.The warming the deal commits us to offers a very bleak future; the lead authority on protecting the Great Barrier Reef recently claimed "The safe levels (of warming) for coral reefs, probably we've passed already." A billion people are dependent on coral reefs, so an approach to climate change that has already ensured the extinction of a global ecosystem is a difficult thing to celebrate.

2.We can do better - but only if we remove the conceptual yoke of the 2C/1.5C global climate target and stop framing the debate around climate science and probabilistic assessments of acceptable harm and cost-benefit analyses. The debate needs to be removed from the ideological shackles of economics and esoteric global satellite monitoring systems and brought back into participatory inclusive dialogues about how it is we want to live. The research evidence is clear that here in the UK, values associated with benevolence are widespread, but we fail to recognise that in our fellow humans because we are not given the chance to sit down together and talk about these sorts of things. Building a world on the basis of those values is more likely to save us than measuring our way to the apocalypse.

3.We have had over 20 years of searching for the magic number that will guide us all to the promised land, of a pollution free version of today's world. Two things to note, to demonstrate the failure of this effort. First, for a long time there was a consensus that two degrees of warming was sufficient to solve climate change; as long as the planet did not arm by more than this we would be safe. Politicians, NGOs and journalists reassured anyone who cared that we knew this because the scientists had told us so. But that wasn't true. And it has been proved not to be true because now we are told scientists are telling us 1.5C is the dangerous limit. Not only is this no way to protect humanity from harm, the dangerous limits frame doesn't work as a political device. How do I know? Because here we are, now waiting for the world's most powerful nation to kick it out of the window.

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4.No one (the public) don't care. That is why no one is mentioning climate change in the UK during the current general election campaign. Discussion of climate targets is a turn off, an irrelevance to ordinary people.
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The British grime scene has recently been thrown into politics, and it was by no means an accident. For the past year, scores of grime artists and MCs from across the UK have been pledging their support to Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn. Apart from being a fantastic PR stunt, the #Grime4Corbyn movement is crucial to revitalizing the youth vote in the upcoming general election. After 453,000 young people signed up to vote after a push from the Labour party, could #Grime4Corbyn be the party's secret weapon to electoral success?

Grime artists such as Novelist, Stormzy and more recently, JME have all come out in support of Jeremy Corbyn as the 2017 general election campaign got underway. In an interview with the Guardian, world famous grime MC stormzy referred to the Labour leader as "My man, Jeremy!". And as the Conservatives called a snap general election in the hope of crushing Labour, #Grime4Corbyn began gathering momentum. AJ Tracey tweeted support for Corbyn and JME got together with the Labour team to film a series of snapchats and interviews, solidifying the #grime4corbyn movement in the eyes of young people up and down the country. Musician and public speaker Akala admitted he would be voting for the first time in his life, and it was Corbyn who would be getting his vote. Grime artists have began to utilize their platform to inspire young people to vote across the country, and it is Corbyn who has inspired them to do so. Unlike the conservatives and their divisive campaign strategy, Corbyn has managed to tap into a market previously thought lost, the youth of Great Britain. The beauty of #Grime4Corbyn is that it is not a campaign built by design, but one that was built on hope. Even Corbyn himself has only recently began to publicly collaborate with the campaign. There is now a pro-voting registration website called Grime 4 Corbyn where the song 'Corbyn Riddim' has been premiered. Is this the anthem of the 2017 election? The tune is in fact the audio of one of Corbyn's speeches set to a typical grime track, and it's already racked up 77.5k plays on Soundcloud.

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In the 2015 general election, turnout among black and minority ethnic (BME) voters was 56%. But Operation Blackvote, who attempt to engage BME communities with the political process said "this isn't apathy, but a silent protest against a system that they think either ignores them or works against them". Although Corbyn is motivating these grime artists to speak out, the mobilization of young people to get involved in the political discussion is something that must be utilized to it's full potential. If Labour lose this general election and Corbyn steps down, there must be an effort to keep these new voters politically engaged. It is this that will be the real challenge for Labour come June the 8th.

Grime godfather Big Narstie said in regards to #Grime4Corbyn - "To be honest with you, I'm not a fan of any politician, I don't trust any of them. If the grime scene makes them vote for Corbyn and the country ends up in the shitter, then we've lost the power that we had, we've lost the confidence in the strength of our word. I wish the MCs who've supported him all the best, but it's a big risk to take." The point Big Narstie makes is one of great importance, due to MC's being viewed as such inspirational figures, will their support of Corbyn backfire if Labour loses? Or is it that the #Grime4Corbyn movement is much less about winning and much more about inspiring a generation to take an interest in politics after decades of dissatisfaction and indifference.

#Grime4Corbyn has revitalized a generation of non voters and we can only hope that the movement continues long after the result of the general election. Akala said on #Grime4Corbyn 's inclusion of young BME voters - "Hopefully, we'll show that we need to start being factored in in a way that we haven't been for a very long time... In the way that Ukip mobilised a group of people who pulled the Tory party to the right, hopefully people like myself, JME and Novelist will show that our demographic can be mobilised,"

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In just under two weeks time there will be a general election. With the right of women to vote only one hundred years old, our engagement is crucial. Women are still underrepresented in political life, but with a new crop of talented female leaders, what might each of the parties have to offer just over half the country's eligible voters?

The Conservative party's sterling record when it comes to blighting the lives of women is well documented. Austerity, after all, is a feminist issue. Cuts to benefits, to public services, all disproportionately affect women. The new rape clause limiting provision of tax credits to two children unless mothers can confirm any further children were conceived non consensually is not only an assault on women's dignity and privacy, but smacks of a wider, more sinister attempt at controlling the breeding masses. Women forced financially into unwanted terminations will certainly suffer.

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The Labour party in their turn are often characterised as a bunch of sexist old lefty relics with a terrible record for appointing women to top positions. Yet despite having never had a female leader, Labours introduction of tax credits and minimum wage laws improved life for women, and its recent announcement that one of its three Budget tests would be to ensure the burden of cuts didn't fall on women is welcome.

Yet what both the Labour party and Conservative MP and chair of the Women and Equalities Commission, Maria Miller, have in common is the desire to see a rewriting of the Equality Act 2010 that will replace gender reassignment with gender identity as a protected characteristic.

What this means is that individuals will be able to declare themselves male, female, or neither without having to obtain any medical diagnosis for gender dysphoria, ingest any hormones, or undergo any surgery. In other words, people will be whatever they say they are, and be legally protected as such, on the basis of that say so. Those in favour say this will remove both the medicalisation and pathologisation of trans identity.

It is a well intentioned and progressive sounding proposal. There is no question that transgender people should enjoy equality under the law and be able to live their lives with dignity and respect. However in the mad rush to signal their virtue, it seems no political player has paused to consider how this might conflict with the rights of other groups, namely women born female.

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Women born female experience oppression due to their biological sex that is, and always has been, specific to them. Issues such as the pay gap, attacks on reproductive freedoms, female genital mutilation, and the continuing expectation that we will carry out the bulk of unpaid labour in the home are specific to those of us carrying XX chromosomes. Likewise, transwomen also experience oppression exclusive to them: access to appropriate healthcare and transphobia being two examples. Male violence of course, rape, and harassment, all lie malignant in the overlap.

But despite our commonalities we are not the same, and if the equality act of 2010 is rewritten along proposed lines then anyone claiming to feel female, no matter how they present, will be able to use facilities such as changing rooms and toilets that are currently segregated according to sex in order to protect girls and women. In crude terms this means that any biologically male person can, in theory, enter a women's space and have every right to be there, for there is no way to disprove a stated internal belief. Under the new laws, any questioning of that persons right could then be recorded as a hate crime.

Interesting to note here is that gender based violence in itself is not considered a hate crime. Two women a week are killed by their former or current partners in the UK and domestic and sexual violence against women and girls is commonplace. What bizarre logic characterises the rape of someone born male but identifying as female as a hate crime, when exactly the same crime committed against a biological woman is not?

What we need is a political leader with the intellectual honesty and backbone to admit that yes, trans rights are human rights, but biological definitions still matter and sex based protections are absolutely vital to the gender equality everyone claims to want. As it is we are sailing backwards. In a bid to be inclusive, a representative of The Green party recently decided it was safer not to refer to women at all, preferring instead to demote everyone who does not identify as male to the position of "non-males." What we are seeing is the slow erasure of women as a definable class of people being advocated across the political board.
Once the province of the bored but gifted teenager or lone wolf technical aficionado, effective cyber attack became the bailiwick of various hacking and hacktivist groups, from the Cult of the Dead Cow, through loose affiliations such as Anonymous, to the very recent emergence of exploit leakers and auctioneers the Shadow Brokers. Some have political agendas while others profess a desire to counter the perceived lack of professionalism of large software producers. Alongside this we have seen the rise of well-funded criminal groups. In the 21st Century, however, nation states have emerged as major offensive players. This has reared its head again in the wake of the recent WannaCry ransomeware attack. The vulnerability underpinning the attack seems to have originated with the National Security Administration (NSA) in the USA and the attack itself may be the result of North Korean action. The direction of travel is clear: various states are 'tooling up' for the cyber challenges ahead, developing and maintaining active cyber capability. There are good reasons why states would wish to do so.

Firstly, state cyber attack capability is clearly deployable - witness the number of major cyber attacks with suspected state involvement. From early 21st Century attacks on a variety of US systems (with suspected Chinese involvement), through attacks on Estonia and Georgia (when at loggerheads with their superpower neighbour), to the suspected retaliatory targeting of Sony following an unflattering depiction of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the role of the state looms large. Carefully crafted cyber attacks 'work'.

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Secondly, attack attribution is fraught. Much public attribution is based on code analysis and is circumstantial and spoof-able. Furthermore, assertions of attribution, whether correct or not, are seen as political statements from far from disinterested stakeholders; there is generally an element of 'They would say that, wouldn't they?'. Even when conclusive evidence of attribution exists it may not be possible to release it. Plausible deniability is often achievable. Some states may wish to claim responsibility for cyber attacks, others may wish to deny all involvement, others will deny any involvement but privately welcome that they are deemed (probably correctly) to be advanced enough to launch sophisticated attacks, whilst others may wish to attack and implicate other states. An attack by a nation state and an attack by individuals or groups seemingly acting with goals that would meet with state approval might be difficult to distinguish, a convenience for some states. Also, attacks do not need to be launched from within the physical boundaries of the responsible nation state. Analysis for attribution may also need to go back several years. Determining the ultimate 'source' poses significant challenges.

Thirdly, advanced economies are hugely dependent on IT and the fabric of our society is set to become more computer-centric with the rise of, for example, the Internet of Things, smart homes, smart cities, smart vehicles and transport infrastructure, and manufacturing automation. There are juicy targets galore and the set is expanding. Disabling a health service's IT or an intelligent transport system by cyber means is ultimately a far easier and more attractive proposition than lobbing a nuke. Plausible deniability is much better, of course.

Finally, cyber attack is cost-effective beyond belief. The economics are monumentally non-linear: it may take a single researcher only a few hours to discover a flaw with the technical force of a digital nuke. The destruction per dollar may be enormous. Similarly, where intellectual property or other confidential information is concerned, whether the domain be diplomatic, military, or commercial, the advantages of cyber theft over toil are clear.

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The economics of cyber-weaponry raises uncomfortable issues for advanced nation states. They can and do maintain a general technological lead in cyber matters and are able to fund significant tooling up for the tasks ahead. But the economics of cyber attack means that the bar to entry is not prohibitive. A small but highly talented team can wreak enormous damage and be a major offensive asset. You simply don't need a Manhattan Project. Cyber warfare may be the ultimate expression of the power of ideas and intellectual talent and the most advanced economies of the world do not have a monopoly on that.
Ever since the 'boyfriend jean' and the 'boyfriend blazer' entered fashion's lexicon, menswear has been flexing its muscles. Right Said Fred should really re-release their 80's triumph. If it's not the soaring sales of traditional menswear retailers such as Moss Bros (like-for-like sales for Q2 up by 5.5%), the increased profile of London Collections Men (LCM) or the fact that GQ covers have rarely featured more tailoring and less torso (insert optional sad face emoji), then it's gender neutral collections. which are revolutionising the industry's traditional female bias.

To top it all, last year saw the coronation of menswear within the industry's royal court - a man at the helm of British Vogue. Edward Enninful, a 45-year-old Ghanaian-born "super stylist" will take the fashion bible's throne in August which, while unrelated to menswear's growth, is somewhat fitting with the growth of menswear.

London remains the home of menswear - from the bowler-hatted civil servant, spiky-haired punk in bondage trousers and dandy in his blazer, boater and spats, to the pinstriped stockbroker and today's Mods. It always has been and always will be. The tailored suit was born and bred in Savile Row, a street that remains the envy of designers, brand custodians and retailers the world over. As Dylan Jones, editor of GQ says: "London continues to confirm its place as the home of menswear, a hub of creativity showing the very best designers to a global audience. The menswear market showing in London incorporates not only internationally acclaimed brands but also luxury tailoring and emerging talent". Today, London is home to a whole host of young, energetic designers and also some of the biggest menswear brands in the world, including Paul Smith, Alexander McQueen and Burberry.

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Following the advent of LCM in 2012 and the 40 million the event brings to the capital, London now sits firmly at the top of the pecking order of fashion capitals and this is something which all buyers and brands should draw upon.

Retailers have gotten wise to a growing demand for menswear, having identified a gap in a market set to grow by 30% to 15bn by 2021.

One of the advantages for retailers is that men, while often buying less than women in terms of volume, are typically less price-resistant and will repeat buy the pair perfect of trousers (or a t-shirt in seven different colours, as I have seen myself), thus offering retailers a high degree of loyalty and a customer worth courting.

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According the Verdict Retail, the UK value clothing market will grow by 3.2 billion by 2021, equating to 23.6 percent growth on 2016, with menswear expected to "spearhead" the growth and outperform womenswear.

Michael Shalders, cofounder of distribution agency Love Brands Ltd, whose business strategy is very opportunity-driven, says: "All the market indicators show that menswear sector growth will outperform womenswear in the next 5 years. We've spoken to several industry figures who suggest this will be the case and then there's the market research which backs this up". For Love Brands Ltd, which has traditionally represented womenswear, menswear will be an entirely new project.

Verdict Retail's UK Value Clothing Market 2016-2021 report reveals that menswear will be the main driver, outpacing womenswear with its forecast growth of 29.2 percent by 2021. They state that male interest in fashion and personal appearance has increased and retailers have starting to respond to male consumers' growing demands. To the soundtrack of Carly Simon's 'You're so vain' , designers and retailers have had to up their game after years of neglecting 'Him' in favour of 'Her'. Indeed, our Bond-esque style icon Tom Hiddleston even says that Ilaria Urbinati (his stylist), is "one of the best things ever to happen to me". Imagine!

Studying the high street is fundamental for retailers. At last year's Drapers Fashion Forum, delegates learned from New Look menswear director Christopher Englinde that tapping into modern tribes and having a clear brand message are key factors in accessing the booming menswear market, which is set to reach almost 15bn by 2021 - a growth of 30%. Englinde described how the tastes of the evolving male consumer is based in "modern tribes" that fashion companies and retailers can tap into.

"In 1998, if you wanted to target men, you could start a suit company and that would be it," said Englinde. "Today you have to look into the market a little bit more. There is far more potential than just suits - millennials want to be unique, but they still want to belong to a group or 'tribe' that share their values."

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Kate Ormrod, senior analyst at Verdict Retail, said: "Over the past decade, menswear has taken a back seat as value retailers have been focusing on enhancing womenswear offers. However, as male interest in fashion and personal appearance builds, retailers are starting to respond to male consumers' growing demands for more choice, style, and newness.[....] The likes of H&M and New Look have an opportunity to make significant share gains, but they must drive destination appeal and loyalty among shoppers."

So, what do male customers want? What's driving these preening peacocks? We know that shopping in itself is not the attraction, so it's down the clothes. As buyers prepare to open their order books, they might reflect on the words of the talent that was Alexander McQueen:
I'm not sure what it is about podcasts that makes me so obsessed with them. Since listening to the critically acclaimed Serial back in 2014, I've been hooked. Whether it be true crime, a political chat show or a comedy sketch, I can't get enough; on the bus, tube or times I want to switch off I simply plug in. Scrolling through my phone I can see I'm currently subscribed to no fewer than 24.

My love for the podcast has never been more apparent; I recently spent hours upon hours traveling across an entire country and I would binge on podcast series like people binge on Netflix. I would get my book out to read or scroll though my video downloads but never did I read or watch for all that long before I caved and loaded up the podcast app. After all, there's only so much watching and reading a girl prone to travel sickness can do.

So what is it about them? If I really think about it, it goes way further back than 2014...

To the late 1990s to be exact. The modern podcast has perhaps unlocked a buried nostalgia that stems from childhood. Although bedtime stories were popular in my house, they would often dissolve into tantrum and tears before "Once upon a time..." was even spoken. My younger sister and I shared a bedroom which ultimately meant we shared story time too. Being three years apart, we would never agree - I would want Little Bear while she would want The Jungle Book. A supposedly calming activity to help us along with sweet dreaming turned into quite the opposite.

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The answer to this repetitive bedtime catastrophe? A story tape. Why a stranger's voice proved more exciting than having one of our parents read to us I do not know but lo, they stopped the tears and turned bedtime into something we looked forward to. The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley was a firm favourite as was Crompton's Just William. Michael Rosen's poems proved so exciting that instead of sleeping, we swore to learn the entire tape (both A and B side), to which we can still recite now 20 years on.

But the story tapes themselves clearly did something more than just stop the bickering. Maybe the stories sparked my imagination which in turn ignited my dreams. But I beg to differ. If that were indeed true, surely I would be writing fantastical novels by now?

Or perhaps the obsession lies not with where my mind could be lead but rather where it is immediately led to. Maybe it is the immediacy in which a podcast demands your attention from the get go that has me. Unlike reading a book where you, the reader, build the story from scratch one page at a time, a podcast comes with its foundations laid. You are introduced to a narrator and the protagonist/s (almost) immediately - no long descriptive paragraphs to trawl through here.

Now should a podcast be a series and delivered in instalments, each episode could be looked upon as a chapter in a book and thus, each episode builds the foundations. What I mean, however, is that only a podcast must lay out its key narrative and themes in chapter one. Failure to do this = failure to grasp the audience = failure to launch.

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Further, you are going into a podcast blind and can only rely on one sense - your hearing. Whereas a book can play on and manipulate your sight and touch, listening to a podcast demands you to do just that and only that - listen. When was the last time you just sat back and listened? You didn't flick through your phone or thumb through a magazine at the same time? A podcast has the unique ability in demanding little but asking a lot of you.

Podcasts haven't just become entwined in my daily life but for some they have become their lives, specifically in the context of the true crime podcasts. Just look at the impact Serial has had on the protagonist, Adan Syed, and those involved in his case in the USA or Untold: The Daniel Morgan Murder here in Britain. They have brought endless discussions to the dinner table and television talk shows worldwide. The podcasts themselves have kicked into motion an extraordinary movement that is only gaining momentum.
Photo by Bhaskar Dutta via Getty Images

With the hollowing out and decline of traditional news outlets, and weaponised misinformation and fake news causing havoc during the Brexit referendum and election of Donald Trump, every citizen will have to step up to fight the post truth authoritarian world in which will to power and propaganda trumps informed debate and evidence. We can't all become citizen journalists, but we're all going to have to become citizen editors and community fact checkers.

I came to journalism late in life, after quarter of a century as a dramatist and screenwriter because, around the phone hacking scandal and Rupert Murdoch's aborted BskyB bid in 2011, I realised I was being consistently lied to by most the media I relied on. One way or another, either by cowardice, collusion or conscription, the British press was becoming censored.

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I saw this during the Leveson Inquiry, which I covered for the Daily Beast. I witnessed more during phone hacking trial of Andy Coulson, Rebekah Brooks and others, which I live tweeted for 8 months through crowdfunding. I've dug deeper with Untold: The Daniel Morgan Murder, the hit podcast about police corruption and press dark arts, and now a book with Alastair Morgan. The British press, with the lowest trust rankings (minus 51%) of 33 countries in Europe, cannot be relied to tell the truth about itself.

And in the information age, when intelligence, data and knowledge occupy ever larger parts of our economy, democracy is in danger if we cannot access accurate information, and make reasonable choices based on known facts.

Those famous mastheads - The Telegraph, the Mail, the Sun - are now crumbling. Their print readership is elderly and circulations have halved in ten years. Meanwhile Google and Facebook have sucked away billions from their advertising (the element which actually paid for content for 150 years). But rather than adapt and become papers of record again, these papers have sacked journalists and relied on a narrow coterie of partisan highly-paid columnists and op-ed writers to get political leverage.

Distrusted by the public, hollowed out of staff, the 80% of the press owned by a handful of tax-shy billionaires have reverted to campaigning mode. They don't follow the story: they want to frame and hector politicians and change events.

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Their ferocious partisanship over Brexit and this current general election is akin to the roar of a Tyrannous Rex, just as the cloud from an asteroid impact comes over the horizon, promising to make him extinct.

Meanwhile, the news that replaces the dinosaurs of print seems even worse. Let's be clear, the Sun has little reputation for truth after its 'The Truth' lie about the Hillsborough dead. Polifact has estimated that 60% of Fox News output is either wholly or partially inaccurate, and another 19% misleading. Rupert Murdoch, through his TV channels in the US, and his tabloid papers in the UK, has always let his business interests and political bias overcome objective reporting. They created the context for fake news. And now they have been overwhelmed by it.

As criminal, electoral and journalistic investigations continue into the Brexit and Trump votes, it will become more apparent that the British and US citizenry were subject to a concerted campaign of weaponised misinformation that could well have swung the marginal 2% needed for electoral victory. Dark money and hidden use of personal data have undoubtedly been a factor. Whether spoken or unspoken, unwitting or planned, there was also a confluence of interests and off shore cash with Vladimir Putin's kleptocratic regime which, particularly following the sanctions after his annexation of Crimea and invasion of Eastern Ukraine, was intent on weakening the EU, NATO and any US President who would continue an aggressive policy of resistance.

With hired government trolls in Russia, well rewarded fake news writers in Macedonia, powered by automated bots, and with the willing collusion of far right wing groups on 4chan and Reddit, weaponised misinformation has caused the greatest political crises in Britain and the US since World War Two. To some, the willingness to elevate power over truth, political demonization over tolerance, is the beginning of a new form of fascism. Others go further, and say it represents the end of the Enlightenment.

The sleep of reason produces monsters.

But the crisis of authority in the media, and lack of trust in the British press, is also an opportunity and that's why I and my co-director Stephen Colegrave plunged into a massive undertaking - three day riot of free speech and festival of honest independent journalist at the Byline Festival, in the beautiful parkland of the Ashdown Forest in the first weekend in June.

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At the Byline Festival you can learn all you want to know about populism and hacking, Putin's infowars, the harnessing of big data and dark money, how the current models of journalism and political coverage are broken. We'll be having keynote speeches from Harry Leslie Smith, Jay Rosen, Tom Watson, Lauri Love, Ivan Krastev...

But we'll also be seeing the light side of things: humour and satire from John Cleese, Andy Hamilton, Hardeep Singh Kohli and Salena Godden. Bands like the Blow Monkeys. Workshops on podcasting, fact checking, legal issues, blogging, journalist training, or how to riot or write protest songs. And most importantly we'll be helping the public to become citizen editors.

The CEO of Wikimedia will be there, to explain the new WikiTribune model of crowd funded journalism and crowd sourced fact checking and editorial support. Bellingcat founder Eliot Higgins will be demonstrating how open source intelligence and social media verification can actually break new stories - as with his coverage of the Damascus nerve gas attacks and the shooting down over Ukraine of Malaysian Airways flight MH17.

The tools to determine truth, the ability to separate hate filled propaganda from real reports, are all in your hands. And now you will have to be the judges of reliable journalists. You with have to sift through the alternative facts. In the end, though it will be a rocky ride till we get there, journalism will be even more vital, and revitalise our broken democracies. And if you want to be part of that project, the Byline Festival is great place to begin.
Settling back at home after wintering in Goa, India, where I launched the House of Khadi beach boutique in Ashwem. Spring has sprung and Londoners have got a jolly little skip in their step! I'm stocked up to the eyeballs in House of Khadi lightweight UNISEX summer shirts and the future is looking good.

Photo Rima Sams

It has been nearly a year since I received the first swatches of the most divinely soft and lightweight cotton Khadi I had ever experienced. With my background in organic and sustainable businesses combined with my horror at disposable 'fast fashion' and its shockingly high levels of pollution (second only to the oil industry), prompted me to investigate the source of the Khadi further. Literally days later, my son - Mars - and I boarded a plane for Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal and my favourite Indian city with its intense full sensory overload. Often dubbed the intellectual capital, it's also the birthplace of Indian modern literary and artistic thought and aptly dubbed 'Mumbai on steroids!'

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Photo Mars Sams

After several days of acclimatising and mooching about Sudder Street in New Market, eating many large meals... many times a day... relishing each and every perfectly spiced Biriani, our Khadi connection arranged to meet us at the Howrah Junction Railway (only 23 platforms).

At every stop, along the three hour train journey, sellers would board our carriage selling from home made tin can containers everything from delicious muri (puffed rice), peanuts, chana (chickpea flower noodles), cucumber, onion, oil and sundry masalas to fluorescent plastic selfie sticks. Each seller singing a cute and often high-pitched little jingle in Hindi relating to their wares/product.

Following the rhythmic swaying at 60km/h and the jostling crowds coming on and off the train, we arrived deep into rural Murshidabad. We were then taken to a hotel where we slept like logs, in preparation for our 5am start.

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At dawn with our quirky Khadi supplier and his audacious driver Rajan we drove at break neck speed for what seemed like an eternity. We passed ox carts, paper factories (with thin layers of wood drying on the fields), fruit, vegetable and grain farmers selling from hand woven baskets on the side of the road... and numerous other signs of small scale, sustainable industry. In fact, a most relaxing and beautiful sight, a far cry from the supermarket/shopping centre culture, that makes me so anxious. Those supermarkets the size of airports are the worst: "there's a lady having a panic attack in aisle one! "

Photo Mars Sams

We had much ground to cover. We walked around the cotton fields, met the growers, spinners and weavers in the small villages. What a treat it was to see first hand a natural and harmonious community, the love and pride they all felt about their sacred cloth was truly heartwarming. Seeing families all living together, rather than separated because the parents have to leave their villages to go and work in big factories in and around the cities in order to support their children. What we witnessed really was Gandhi's dream in action.

Photo by Mars Sams

The fabric source given the full thumbs up, the next step was to find a Fairtrade factory with stringent quality control. A friend from Pants to Poverty put us in touch with a great Fairtrade factory that already produce shirts for some very big European names. With special Japanese 'state of the art' equipment - they are costlier than your average factory in India but we have peace of mind in knowing they only employ adults, the factory's building and machinery are safe and they pay a decent and fair wage. All important foundations for an ethical business.

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Back in London, my partner in developing the collection, Lily Gutierrez, was busy at home in Hackney designing our handwritten logo.

We modelled the shirt design on a classic western cut with a few essential tweaks and alterations. Essentially, we wanted to keep it classic, uncomplicated and most importantly,

unisex.

Photo by Voctor Guiterrez

My sister-outlaw Tania Smith designed us a simple and easy to use website www.houseofkhadi.co.uk and following our first production run, delivered September 2016, we launched a Kickstarter to raise money and awareness. We were successful and went over our target and Kickstarter gave us a 'Campaigns We Love' status, which was very gratifying. Our Kickstarter rewards included nightshirts, duvet sets, scarves and tote bags. The shirts and then duvet sets being the most popular. Check out the Kickstarter video:

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video by Chris Scott

Yesterday I went to London's 'March Against Monsanto' in honour of the biggest wave of suicides among cotton farmers in India, strongly linked to the introduction of costly genetically modified seeds, fertilisers and insecticides. I was saddened to see such a low turn out, possibly due to everyones attention focused on our imminent upcoming General Election.

I am very open to sharing information and knowledge with other ethical and sustainable fashion designers and bloggers to strengthen the message of high standards of environmental awareness and eco-consciousness in our industry. Together we are stronger!

Love Rima x
Over two decades since the IRA detonated a 1,500 kilogram truck bomb in Corporation Street, the towering walls of the heart of the North have been made to quake once again. An attack being labelled as terrorism was carried out in Manchester Arena as an Ariana Grande concert concluded, killing 22 people, children included, and injuring over one hundred others.

Fans were spotted fleeing the 21,000 capacity venue following an orange and red blast of light, a deafening boom as a chorus of young screams filled the arena to the ceilings. Some young fans were still wearing 23 year old Ariana's signature kitten ears as they fled the scene in terror. And not unlike the way a devastating earthquake is followed by a series of tremors, the aftermath of the tragedy is being felt around the world, several days on.

You might have noticed in the last few days, if you live in one of the country's larger cities, that armed police have been issued to patrol as part of Operation Temperer, an established security measure created in 2015 following a series of shootings and killings in the Ile-de-France region. You are also likely to see soldiers offering support to law enforcement in sensitive security locations, such as Parliament, train stations, and other built-up civilian areas. Theresa May announced that the country would be put on critical threat level under the rubric of ensuring Britain's safety, meaning that the threat of further terrorist activity is considered "imminent". Whilst the Manchester attacker detonated a single bomb in a lone attack, there is no room to allow ourselves to believe that he wasn't part of a network of similarly evil individuals, with similarly evil intentions, she claims.

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The frightening addition of weaponry that we can only assume would be better suited in a war zone begs one question after another in a boundless debate about extremism, and how to tackle it in order to protect national security. My first and last questions about the necessity of such heavy artillery being displayed and made available for potential use remain the same: If the way we command ourselves is in such a way that suggests we are at war, are we to be remotely surprised when war finds its way onto our streets?

Unsurprisingly, extremist group ISIS were quick to claim responsibility for the attack, despite there being no current evidence to suggest that these claims are reliable. Their claim over the attack was simple and chilling: "We killed your children."

Have we offered the reaction to their provocation that ISIS needs to drive their campaign forward? I wouldn't express any shock if this were the exact method of retaliation that they were expecting of us. Any example they can draw from us of division, fear and hatred, embellished with supporting evidence on social media, is nothing more than heartening to them. The moment we allow cursory examples of hate speech of our own to enter our vernacular, and for every poorly-spelt, angry emoji-embellished Facebook post we create without thinking about whether or not it's the right thing to do, we facilitate shoving another disenfranchised, shamed individual into their hands. For just enough time that it will take for them to compose a plan, and return to attempt to kill us for such.

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French journalist, and former Islamic State hostage Nicholas Henin described the center of their world view as "the belief that communities cannot live together with Muslims, and every day their antennae will be tuned towards finding supporting evidence for this". Henin has detailed more than once the details of what fuels power into the Islamic State. Fear, hatred, division, any morsel of racism or xenophobia that can be drawn from on social media is precisely what they use to convince the shamed and the confused that "Muslims cannot live in harmony with the West, or in other communities". We are handing otherwise good men and women into the arms of a network of lunatics, allowing them to kill themselves, our friends, our family and our children, and as a result we threaten their friends, their family, and their children, only giving them further reason to drag bodies from our community to repeat the process all over again.

I believe my safety is more compromised by armour clad men cradling assault rifles, and I do not welcome their presence in my city. We do not live in a totalitarian state, governed by a police force, that places us under their surveillance. Violence begets violence. Hatred begets hatred. My heart sinks for Muslim, and non-Muslim mothers alike who, this morning, had to explain to their daughters and sons about the man near the bus stop with the Big Scary Gun, and the Bad Man that stood him there.
On Monday HuffPost UK published my blog post entitled, 'Why I Have Cried Over The Kindness of Strangers' https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ruth-drake/why-i-have-cried-over-the_b_16751178.html It was a post about how wonderfully the majority of people treat my severely disabled daughter, Elin. People that don't know us at all, and how despite some negative reactions to Elin along the way, most folk never cease to amaze us with their empathy towards her and us as a family.

This was, of course, before the atrocities in Manchester on Monday night. In a venue we have ourselves watched concerts in countless times, in a city we know inside out we could hardly believe what we were seeing. As the full extent of the horror unfolded around me on Tuesday morning, I was struck mostly by the stories of those who helped. Those people who risked their lives to protect others and the stories of complete strangers showing an incredible amount of compassion towards those they had never met. I was finally broken, whilst watching the coverage, by a story of people forming human chains towards the exits in order to help those in wheelchairs escape. This before they would have been fully aware of what had happened or what danger they still may be in themselves. That could have been us, that could have been Elin stranded amongst the terror. How would you ever repay that sort of kindness, that pure human solidarity during such life-changing moments?

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On Monday I could never have guessed how relevant the message I was hoping to impart with that particular blog post would be, as events unfolded in Manchester that night. As unthinkable tales of horror reached the media, so too did stories of amazing love, selflessness, strength and support between strangers. A homeless man sleeping outside the Arena walked towards the blast, knowing that he needed to help without fear for his own life and ended up clearing debris and caring for the injured. NHS workers, fire officers and police from all over the North turned up to report for duty - so many that some had to be sent home. There were queues of people waiting to donate blood, people who had travelled from all over the UK. Others turned up with food for the emergency services workers, or walked the streets handing out bottled water. Manchester families took in the lost, taxi drivers offered free rides to anyone who needed them. Children in school's across the country signed cards and flags to send to the families of the victims. Crowdfunding pages were set up and amassed thousands of pounds in a matter of hours. It seems that in times when we see the very worst of humanity, we also see the best.

We read so much in the newspapers about how 'desensitised' we are all becoming to basic human values, particularly the younger generations. How we are a 'look down' population, staring blankly at our phones, no longer talking to one another, not fully engaging with each other's lives and problems. Yet in the wake of this tragedy, all I could see was love and unity. An act designed to cause fear and hatred inspired strength and love. The human spirit is a formidable force and we have to draw such hope from what we know about those strangers thrown together so unexpectedly on Monday night.

Something I saw quoted again and again on Tuesday was a story told by Fred Rogers, the popularity of which indicated to me our very human need to rise up from devastation. To find good where there is evil, to see positives where it seems there are none. It was a story he told about when he was a boy and used to be upset by things on the news:

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"My mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping'. To this day, in disaster, I remember my mother's words, and I am always comforted by realising that there are still so many helpers-so many caring people in this world."

This is the message we must carry forward with us in the wake of this awful attack. As we as a family have come to know, there really is so much love and kindness in the world, sometimes you just need to open your eyes a little wider to see it.

Always look for the helpers.
(File photo)

BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian held a phone conversion on Monday to discuss relations between their two countries, particularly maintenance of the momentum of rapid development of bilateral relations.

In the talk, Wang express the hope that that the two countries earnestly implement the consensus reached recently between the heads of state of the two countries, and keep the momentum of rapid development of China-France comprehensive strategic partnership.

Wang also congratulated Jean-Yves Le Drian for taking the top job of the French Foreign Ministry.

For his part, Le Drian said the France-China strategic cooperation has been fruitful and the two sides are having increasing common interests and common topics.

Le Drian said he looks forward to visiting China at an early date and establishing a good working relationship with Wang.

The two ministers also exchanged views on the implementation of Paris agreement on climate change and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Le Drian had served as French defense minister for five years, before he was nominated in mid-May by newly-elected President Emmanuel Macron to head the French Foreign Ministry.
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Hull reality TV star Cally Beech has shared the first photos of her new baby Vienna.

The model who starred on Love Island posted a picture of her sleeping baby daughter to her Instagram page on Tuesday morning and added photos and a video to her Instagram story.

Cally gave birth on May 7 but kept eager fans waiting weeks to see what her new arrival looked like - and she's adorable.

Speaking to OK! magazine this week, the 24-year-old and partner Luis Morrison described the traumatic birth and Cally admitted she "didn't enjoy pregnancy at all".

She said: "(Vienna's) heart rate dropped so I had to have an emergency C-section. I didnt really know what was going on, but I could tell by Luis face that something was seriously wrong."

And describing what it was like cutting the cord, Luis said: "It was like cutting bacon or something. I was thinking, what if I cut this wrong? I was crying so much. Then I heard her cry and I just wanted to hold her and take her away.

"I remember that first day in the hospital, we were looking at her and thinking, what the f**k are we going to do? Shes a perfect little girl though."

(Image: OK! magazine)

The happy couple, who are celebrating the first baby to come from the ITV2 dating show, admitted their relationship felt the strain during the pregnancy.

Luis told the celebrity magazine: "We were falling apart, but Vienna brought us back together. We overcame it."

And Cally said: "I didnt enjoy my pregnancy at all. We were arguing about daft stuff and she was in my tummy the whole time.

"Now its made what happened before seem like a blur because weve got this little blessing. If we could have seen her then, we would have been OK."
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Hull FC duo Josh Griffin and Liam Watts have been charged by the RFL after their defeaat to Catalans Dragons on Monday night.

The Black and Whites fell to a 23-18 loss in the South of France, which could come at a cost.

Centre Griffin has been hit with a Grade B Contact with a Match Official charge, but has an early guilty plea available should he wish to use it.

Griffin, signed from Salford Red Devils for the 2017 campaign, could face a 1-2 match suspension.

Watts, on the other hand, was red carded for his high tackle late on in Perpignan and has subsequently received his post-match punishment.

A Grade A high tackle charge comes with no early guilty plea as Watts faces a ban for the third time this season.

Dragons pair Sam Moa and Julian Bousquet have both been hit with Grade A punching and high tackle charges respectively.

All cases will be heard by an Independent Operational Rules Tribunal on Wednesday night.
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An off-duty nurse has told how she tried to save a dying festival-goer who fell ill on a shuttle bus to Radio 1 Big Weekend.

Lindsay Carter, 29, was on her way to the music festival at Burton Constable Hall on Saturday when somebody shouted that a man was having a seizure at the back of the bus.

After turning around, Miss Carter saw a man lying on the floor convulsing so she and another off-duty medic ran towards the back of the bus to try and help him.

She said: "He was shaking and clearly unresponsive so we put him on his side.

"By this point I had hold of him and it was red hot on the bus so people were getting really distressed.

"I asked for a man to come and help me get him off the bus because people were staring and there were young children on board.

"A police lady ran up the stairs and had his legs and another man got his shoulders. We then carried him down the stairs within two minutes.

"We got him straight down and managed to get him onto a grassy bank outside the bus.

"He was laid down in the recovery position and a policeman phoned his mum to let her know what was going on.

"By the time the paramedic came it was about 1.10pm and then they took over."

The 21-year-old man was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary but police later confirmed that he had died in hospital on Saturday afternoon.

A 20-year-old man has since been arrested in connection with the death and remains in police custody.

Humberside Police have since issued a statement confirming that they are investigating the man's death and are not treating it as suspicious.

The Mail understands police are investigating the possibility his death was drug-related.

Miss Carter, who works as a senior paediatric nurse at Sheffield Children's Hospital, went to the festival with her boyfriend Gary Foston, who lives in Hull.

Determined to let her enjoy the rest of her birthday weekend, Mr Foston didn't tell his partner that the man she tried to save had in fact died hours later.

However, she found out the tragic news after going online.

"I have been a nurse for seven years and I've never seen anything like that," she said.

"I said to my partner at the time if he comes out of that he is going to be either severely disabled or he is not going to pull through.

"It was just awful and I think me and the another nurse both knew that he probably wasn't going to make it.

"I've seen some vicious remarks on social media and nasty comments so I want to get the truth out there about what really happened.

"I send my condolences to the family affected by this and I want them to know that he was never on his own at any point. We were always there trying to reassure him."
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The officer in charge of policing Radio 1's Big Weekend has hailed the operation a huge success - with not a single person arrested on the site.

Even with some of the biggest names in music performing, such as Katy Perry and Kings of Leon, police officers were among the biggest stars of the event, dressing up, dancing and even crowd surfing.

A total of 50,000 people descended on Burton Constable Hall for the massive event which was aired on BBC television and Radio 1.

Armed police were drafted into to help cover the event in the wake of the Manchester terror attack.

Chief Superintendent Christine Wilson said she is both delighted and proud of the way the event was policed.

From a policing perspective it was an outstanding event, she said. There were 50,000 or more people over the weekend who had a fantastic time and stayed safe.

In terms of safety it was great. Along with the police officers and other police staff, the armed police also gave people reassurance.

From our point of view it could not have been more successful.

Officers' initial plans were put into disarray following the Manchester arena terror attack last Monday which killed 22 people.

This had been a month in the planning but then the terrible events in Manchester last Monday changed everything, Chief Supt Wilson said.

We had to put more security in place and step up the searches. We also brought in armed police.

When you add a huge amount of extra resources like that people start to think there is something wrong.

We wanted to reassure people by being both very visible but also a friendly presence.

We wanted the public to be reassured but also to have a good time.

My staff were brilliant but this is what they do every day but people do not always get to see it.

These officers and staff gave up their weekends and the chance to be with their families to police the event. I actually had a ticket for Sunday but ended up working.

Chief Supt Wilson was keen to send out a message that terror attacks will not stop people enjoying themselves safely.

We are public servants and we have to remember that but we can also have a good time and we have had such good, positive feedback, she said.

While the safety of others was always our priority we were able to have a good time. I had glitter on my face and we were dancing around.

The officers absolutely loved it and they felt like they were part of something really special.

Despite this, we were all still working and it was tough walking around in a stab vest in the heat all day.

You have to remember 22 people lost their lives last week so by going out there and everyone enjoying themselves was a way of us standing up to terrorism and saying This wont change our lives.

Not one person was arrested on site over the two days.

The only incident was the tragic death of a man who was taken ill on a shuttle bus heading to the festival on Saturday afternoon.

One man was arrested in connection with the death and has since been released while investigations continue.

We had a few people who were the worse for wear and they were notionally arrested, Chief Supt Wilson said. But they were just handed over to security and ejected rather than being taken to a police station.

But even these amounted to five people or less and we had no other arrests on site which is phenomenal. The public were brilliant.

Huge numbers of police officers and staff were at the event to ensure everything ran smoothly.

For operational reasons we cannot say exactly how many officers we deployed but there were hundreds, Chief Supt Wilson said.

As well as the officers, there were armed police brought in as well as staff in the control room running the logistical side.

People were saying the real heroes of the weekend were the police and this makes me incredibly proud.

We had children who went missing and we had to reunite with their parents. There were also a few suspicious items when bags were left unattended

We also had to help with crowd control during busy periods in and out of the site.

This showed we are more than capable of police large events and, with City of Culture, we hope to be involved in a lot more.
Kris Kobach's political comeback is complete. Here is what it means.

Kris Kobach's victory as Kansas attorney general will usher in an office that will be active in challenging the federal government in court.
BEIJING, May 30 -- Since the detection of gravitational waves, scientists have been eager to find electromagnetic signals corresponding to the gravitational waves. This will be an important task for China's space telescope, the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), to be launched soon.

Gravitational waves are "ripples" in the fabric of space-time caused by some of the most violent and energetic processes in the universe. Albert Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves in 1916 in his general theory of relativity.

Einstein's mathematics showed that massive accelerating objects, such as neutron stars or black holes orbiting each other, would disrupt space-time in such a way that "waves" of distorted space would radiate from the source, like ripples away from a stone thrown into a pond.

These ripples would travel at the speed of light through the universe, carrying with them information about their origins, as well as invaluable clues to the nature of gravity itself.

The strongest gravitational waves are produced by events such as colliding black holes, supernovae explosions, coalescing neutron stars or white dwarf stars, the slightly wobbly rotation of neutron stars that are not perfect spheres, and the remnants of gravitational radiation created by the birth of the universe itself.

On Feb. 11, 2016, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in the United States announced the first observation of gravitational waves. Because these waves were generated from a black hole merger, it was the first ever direct detection of a binary black hole merger. On June 15, 2016, the second detection of a gravitational wave event from colliding black holes was announced.

Xiong Shaolin, a scientist at the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), says the position accuracy of all the gravitational wave events detected so far is still very poor.

If scientists can find electromagnetic signals happening at similar positions and times of the gravitational wave events, it will increase the reliability of the detection. Combined analysis of the gravitational wave and electromagnetic signals will help reveal more about the celestial bodies emitting the gravitational waves, says Xiong.

Scientists have yet to detect electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves.

Many scientists would regard detecting gravitational waves and corresponding electromagnetic signals as a major scientific discovery. Some suspect that mysterious gamma-ray bursts could be electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves.

Gamma-ray bursts are extremely energetic explosions that have been observed in distant galaxies. They are the brightest electromagnetic events known to occur in the universe. Bursts can last from several milliseconds to more than an hour.

The intense radiation of most observed gamma-ray bursts is believed to be released by a supernova as a rapidly rotating, high-mass star collapses to form a neutron star or black hole. A subclass of bursts appears to originate from a different process: the merger of binary neutron stars, or the merger of a neutron star and a black hole.

About 0.4 seconds after the first gravitational event was detected on Sept. 14, 2015, NASA's Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope detected a relatively weak gamma-ray burst, which lasted about one second.

But scientists disagree on whether these two events are related, and no other gamma-ray burst probe detected a gamma-ray burst. Scientists need more evidence to clarify the relationship between gamma-ray bursts and gravitational waves.

"We are not clear about many details of gamma-ray bursts. For instance, how is the energy released during a gamma-ray burst?" says Zhang Shuangnan, leadscientist of HXMT and director of the Key Laboratory of Particle Astrophysics of CAS.

"Since gravitational waves were detected, the study of gamma-ray bursts has become more important. In astrophysics research, it's insufficient to study just the gravitational wave signals. We need to use the corresponding electromagnetic signals, which are more familiar to astronomers, to facilitate the research on gravitational waves," Zhang says.

HXMT's effective detection area for monitoring gamma-ray bursts is 10 times that of the Fermi space telescope. Scientists estimate that Insight could detect almost 200 gamma-ray burst events every year. "HXMT can play a vital role in searching for electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves," says Zhang.

"If HXMT can detect the electromagnetic signals corresponding to gravitational waves, it would be its most wonderful scientific finding."

However, Zhang adds, if it cannot detect any gamma-ray bursts related to gravitational waves, it means the model suggesting gravitational waves can generate gamma-ray bursts is wrong.

Xiong says all the gravitational waves detected by LIGO were caused by mergers of black holes, which many scientists believe cannot generate electromagnetic signals. After the sensitivity of LIGO is improved in 2020, it is expected to be able to detect the gravitational waves caused by mergers of two neutron stars, which could possibly generate gamma-ray bursts.

Unlike counterparts from other nations, HXMT has unique capabilities to detect gamma-ray bursts, Zhang says. It has the largest detection area and high sensitivity in the energy range from 200 keV to several MeV.
Pittsfield held its ceremony under rainy skies on Monday at Pittsfield Cemetery. Communities across the nation remembered those lost to war and duty on this day.

North County, Pittsfield Remember the Fallen on Memorial Day



Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer speaks at Memorial Day services. See more photos from the event here. This Memorial Day, Mayor Linda Tyer put on a commemorative bracelet featuring the name of Marine Capt. Francis E. Visconti with the date of Nov. 22, 1965.

The bracelet was her mother's and it was supposed to be worn until the serviceman whose name is inscribed returns home, or his remains do.

At age 2, her father was deployed to Vietnam but she was too young to understand exactly what that meant. But a few years later, when she was age 6 or 7, she felt the "sad tug" at her heart.

"My mom and I were watching TV. There was video footage of returning soldiers disembarking from a military cargo plane, one after the other, after the other, thin and carrying their heavy duffel bags swung over their shoulders. I was transfixed with what I saw and in my young mind, I imagined that one of those men was her soldier, the one named on her bracelet," Tyer said.

She asked her mother if Visconti was home. But, he wasn't. Visconti had been the pilot of a helicopter in Vietnam and weather forced him off course. It was assumed that he, and his three fellow Marines, were shot down.

"The casualty is listed as battle-related, meaning the aircraft was probably hit by enemy fire. The United States believes that the Vietnamese could account for the four men. However, there has been no word and the Vietnamese have denied any knowledge," Tyer said.

"Capt. Visconti may never, ever come bounding off a cargo plane and be hugged back into the loving arms of his family and friends."

Tyer reflected on all of those "fallen heroes" similar to Visconti. She said most will never understand how losing someone overseas can break a family's heart. Servicemen and -women all leave families and lives behind and many are never able to come home.

"They all share this in common: they love America and the promise of freedom and blessings. There is nothing they wouldn't do to honor their country and they rely on each other," the mayor said.

"We owe them something. We owe them at the very least one hour, once a year, our solemn, collective, and a heartfelt remembrance. And a promise too, that they will never be forgotten."

Pittsfield gave the fallen soldiers more than an hour on Monday. A parade stepped off from City Hall at 9 a.m. and went down North Street, ending at the Pittsfield Cemetery. There veterans groups, city officials, and residents gathered to honor all of those who died while serving.

Fran Tremblay of the Veterans of America Chapter 65 served as the master of ceremonies. First Church of Christ's the Rev. Carol Killian gave an opening prayer before Tyer's remarks.

Marine Corps League Detachment 137 Cmdr. Lou Robesch was the keynote speaker, recognizing the years of conflict the United States has been involved in.

"Still today we are in conflict in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. Our brothers and sisters in arms are still fighting and dying for our great country and way of life," Robesch said.

The veteran asked the crowd numbering around 75 at the rainy ceremony to remember all veterans this weekend.

"Memorial Day also means a wonderful time to get together and celebrate family and friends. In doing so, I'd like you to remember there are 8,500 flags that we place at Pittsfield, St. Joe cemeteries. Each flag represents a veteran that honorably served our country," Robesch said.

At the cemetery, veterans read proclamations, the Pittsfield High band played the national anthem, patriotic songs, and taps. Just before a rifle salute and taps, Veterans Service Officer James Clark presented two additional plaques: one for Ronald Lively and the other for Peter Gregory.

Lively is a longtime director of the PHS band, which marches in the parade and plays at the ceremony every year. Gregory is the pastor of St. Charles' Church and has said prayers at the ceremony for years. Both are retiring and Clark honored them for their efforts.

Rabbi Josh Breindel provided the benediction.



Clarksburg held its ceremony at Town Hall, where several military memorials are located. See more pictures of the event here. In Clarksburg, a few dozen gathered under umbrellas for a ceremony at Town Hall, where Town Administrator Carl McKinney noted the 100th anniversary of the nation's entrance into World War I and the death of Irwin S. King of West Road in World War II.

King was killed in action in the Solomons, one of the first, if not the first, from the Berkshires to make the ultimate sacrifice in that war.

"He joined the military in January of that year and was killed in March of the same year," McKinney said, holding a newspaper item from the time. "He was 18 years old. He did not even have time for a furlough ... one cannot help but wonder what he thought as he boarded the train in North Adams en route to his heroic destiny."

Did he look at the snow-covered mountains and the bustling North Adams and wonder if he'd ever see his home again? Did he already miss his parents and his home on West Road?

"As that train gathered steam and groaned and creaked along the those familiar tracks, his story became our story," McKinney said. "A story of a young nation marshaling its resources of men and treasure and industrial might to fight the good fight for an enduring peace, for liberty and the freedoms we have come to know and enjoy."

Joe Bushika of Peter A. Cook VFW Post 9144 was master of ceremonies. A color guard of veterans and members of the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Company gave the salute and Clarksburg School band members and music teacher Tom Crean played several patriotic selections selections. Keynote speaker Rachel Branch also sang "America the Beautiful" and bagpiper David Rennie performed.

Bushika also read the names of residents lost in war. Clarksburg School students Dakota Hayes and Justin Denette read the Gettysburg Address.

Branch reflected on the cost of war and the fear that comes with it, recounting her own fears when she was evacuated from Wheelus Air Base in Libya during the Six-Day War. She had been secretary to the chief of information and civil affairs at the U.S. base.

"On Jan. 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke of the Four Freedoms -- freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear," Branch said. "That's what those who serve and die for our cherished freedoms for all Americans ... we must remember and we can never break faith."

She said the town mourns especially the 18 Clarksburg residents who died in the wars of the last century

"The cost is immeasurable. ... spouses and partners who shoulder the unthinkable loss and courageous children in whom the legacy of their parents live on," Branch said. "Our nation will never forget the valor and distinction of the women and men who defend freedom justic and peace."



North Adams moved its observances to the American Legion hall. See more photos here. Because of rain, the North Adams held its Memorial Day ceremony at the American Legion.

Keynote speaker Vice Cmdr. Jodie Pajak of the Massachusetts American Legion said Memorial Day and commemorating veterans is an important part of the American experience.

"In our country, we do a terrific job building and creating physical memorials they are solid symbols of our nation's desire to physically commemorate our fallen heroes," she said. "At these hollowed places, we can see and even trace with our own finger tips on the names of those uniforms who have given their lives in defense of our country."

"On this day, we see the face of those who over the years sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom."

Pajak added that she sensed Memorial Day's meaning and importance was beginning to fade from the minds of Americans, however she said this sentiment is shifting and Americans have a new awareness of the sacrifices veterans make and have made.

"A clear component of our nations greatness lies in our ability to honor, appreciate and cherish through our actions and memories all of those who have died to ensure our freedom," she said. "We often hear that freedom has a price every generation must pay and today is our day to say thank you to those generations who paid that price with their lives."

Mayor Richard Alcombright also spoke and thanked the Drury High School band and band front for providing patriotic music at the ceremony.

He added that he recently visited the Veterans Circle at Southview Cemetery and was overwhelmed with how lucky Americans are to be so well protected.

"War is a horrible ugly thing but the hundreds of thousands who have died over hundreds of years are the most honorable people this country has ever known," he said. "While today we remember with great reverence and respect those who died we must remember they did so to protect and continue to provide the freedom we so cherish."

Drury High School eighth-grader Megan Gamache-Nehring read the Gettysburg Address and was the recipient of the George Angeli Award.

Dennis St. Pierre, past commander of American Legion Post 125, was the master of ceremonies.



The gathering stands for the national anthem at the Fire Station on Monday. See more photos here. Adams, too, held its ceremonies inside after a short parade in the rain from the Memorial School to the Fire Station. Marching was the Hoosac Valley High School band, police and firefighters, veterans, American Legion Post 160 Honor Guard, the Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts and children on patriotically decorated bicycles.

Tom Brown and Hannah Koczela performed several songs and Koczela stepped in to give the Gettysburg Address; the Berkshire Highlanders and the band also performed.

Master of ceremonies was Paul Hutchinson and the memorial address was given by retired Army Lt. Co. John Bianchi, a 35-year military veteran who retired in 2007 after serving seven years as an enlisted man and 28 years as an officer. He served with Army National Guard and Army Reserve.

Bianchi said it was important to remember those who gave their lives in war, such as those who now lie in Maple Street and Bellevue cemeteries.

"Those lost men and women should not be strangers to us they should be familiar to us," he said. "A part of the DNA of this community and other like it across the United States. We gather to remind ourselves of their sacrifice and the freedoms their efforts have purchased and to recognize the strength and connection to them."

Holidays, events both happy and sad connect people and families generation after generation, Bianchi said, "but when that loss is in sacrifice on duty for honor and country, surely it makes that loss extraordinary."

He urged those present, especially the crowd of children, to think about that sacrifice and remember something from Monday's ceremony.

"Maybe you'll remember that 100 years ago, the 26th Yankee Division of the Massachusetts Army National Guard was the first whole division to receive the Croix de Guerre in 1918 [for service in World War I]," Bianchi said. "It was the first American unit ever awarded a foreign decoration."

A stone's throw away was the Adams Armory that a generation ago was the base of Company M, a unit of the Yankee Division.

"This is part of the proud history of many men and women in Adams," he said, and recommended they go to the Historical Society's exhibit of Adams in World War I currently on display in the Adams Free Library.

The flag was at half staff to remember the dead but at noon, Bianchi said, "the flag is raised by the living who resolve not to let their sacrifice to be in vain but to rise up in their stead and continue to fight for liberty and justice."



F lags were presented to the families of deceased veterans. See more photos here. As scores of spectators huddled beneath umbrellas on Williamstown's Field Park on Monday morning, retired Army Reserve Col. James Brosnan reminded the gathering that a little rain was nothing compared to the sacrifices made by those they assembled to honor.

"These are the men who endured the misery of a World War I trench, the freezing winters at Valley Forge or the Arden, the battlefield of Gettysburg and the mud and misery of Italy, the teeming humidity of the jungles of Asia and Vietnam and the heat and dust of desert warfare," said Brosnan, a 36-year veteran who served tours in Iraq and Kuwait. "And through it all, they gave every measure of themselves, including their lives.

"They endured it all because of a belief in freedom and a devotion to their comrades. They never quit, never left a comrade and willingly gave their life so that others may live."

Brosnan set the tone for a 30-minute ceremony that began with the arrival of the annual parade up Main Street and ended with a 21-gun salute provided by members of American Legion Post 152.

The day included musical performances by Mount Greylock Regional School student Jaedin King and American Legion Kathleen Toohey Carbone, an invocation from Post 152 Chaplain Kevin Hamel and ceremonies honoring the service of town residents currently serving their nation and those who have fallen.

The families of Williamstown residents Rudy Goff and Erin Dooley, who are serving in the Navy, received Blue Star service banners to recognize their loved one's service and their family's sacrifice during the nation's current conflicts.

And families of six recently departed Williamstown veterans received their burial flag from Ron James, the vice commander of Post 152.

"Although there are undoubtedly many more, we honor today some veterans with local ties who either never received these honors or who have recently received these honors which we would like to highlight," Post 152's Adam Filson said.

Flags were presented to the families of: World War II veterans James R. Beall, Charles E. Kochenour and Ralph C. Mason; Korean War veterans Peter B. Schryver and Richard D. Cota; and Vietnam veteran Frank D. Kozik.

Kozik died in March after a 20-year battle with Agent Orange-related diseases.

"One of the all too common casualties of a war that ended with 58,220 U.S. troops killed in action," Filson reminded the crowd. "Petty Officer Kozik had hoped to live long enough to see his grandson graduate from high school, but sadly, that wasn't to be. Therefore, in his honor, we will be presenting his flag to his grandson, Brian Adelt."



Memorial Day ceremonies where held in Cheshire School. See more photos here. Selectmen's Chairman Robert Ciskowski lead Memorial Day observances in the Cheshire Elementary School auditorium after rainy weather canceled the parade and usual ceremony at the memorial in Cheshire Cemetery.

Ciskowski said with the anticipated closing of the school, it has been a tough year for Cheshire but he hoped the town's fallen soldiers will look favorably on how they move forward as a community.

"I hope you along with the Cheshire officials will try to maintain the high quality of life we have here and I hope that our efforts will be looked upon favorably by the Cheshire war dead," he said. "There judgment is important to us because they gave it all to maintain the way of life that we have today in Cheshire."

He added that even though outside forces have voted to close the school, events like the Memorial Day ceremony will continue to happen and Cheshire fifth-grade students will continue to read essays at the event.

"Listen to the words of our young speakers today," he said. "We will always have essay winners in Cheshire but these three may be the last pick from Cheshire Elementary School for a while."

Shaun Astorino gave a history of Memorial Day and said it is more than just a day off from school.

"We celebrate Memorial Day in several ways. Many towns have parades or families have picnics or barbecues but what really needs to be remembered are the fallen soldiers who gave their lives for us to be free," he said. "I really think Memorial Day is the most important holiday because we remember the fallen soldiers who defended our nation."

Sean Ginthwain also read an essay and suggested that attendees visit a soldier's grave after the ceremony to pay respects.

"Memorial Day is important and was made to honor fallen soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice it is a solemn holiday ... but a day to be celebrated," he said. "To me, it is important to honor those who sacrificed everything for us."

Hannah Walsh read the Gettysburg Address and the Hoosac Valley High School band played the national anthem inside of the auditorium.

Staff writers Tammy Daniels, Jack Guerino and Stephen Dravis all contributed to this report.
Huang Haitao and his daughter Xinyi at Southeast University in Nanjing, East China's Jiansu province, May 25, 2017. It's their first stop on an epic road trip to the US. (Photo/Chinanews.com)

It's not uncommon for parents of freshmen college students to drive their children to their new school as a way to say their last goodbyes as their children set off on their adult lives.

But one father in China is taking that 'goodbye' to a whole new level. Huang Haitao has managed to convince his daughter, Huang Xinyi, to allow him to drive her to her new school, in Seattle, Washington!

He says he decided to make his "crazy" decision after Xinyi was accepted at Seattle University.

While most young people might balk at the idea of spending so much time together with one of their parents in a vehicle, the experience will not be a new one for Huang Xinyi and her father.

The two have travelled over 120,000 kilometers together already in vehicles to promote the Youth Olympic Games, which took place in Nanjing in 2014.

Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu province, is also going to be the starting point for their latest journey.

Huang Haitao and his daughter say they plan to travel across 52 countries as part of a 9-month journey to finally get her into class in Seattle. They both say their main goal is to help promote Chinese culture among the countries they visit along the way.
Students from the School of International Education at Shenyang Normal University, try their hand at making a shadow puppet play in Northeast China's Liaoning province, May 28, 2017. More than 20 international students attended the Dragon Boat Festival celebrations to experience the charm of China's intangible cultural heritage. [Photo by Jiang Meng/chinadaily.com.cn]
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

By Elmira Tariverdiyeva  Trend:

The OSCE acts within a consensus and does not blame the one who broke the consensus, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier told a press conference in Yerevan, commenting on the closure of the OSCE office in Armenia, aysor.am news website reports.

The OSCE Permanent Council failed to reach a consensus on the issue of extending the mandate of the organizations office in Armenia, reads a message on the OSCE website.

The OSCE office in Yerevan will stop operating on August 31, according to the message.

Lamberto Zannier noted that the organization does not blame anyone who did not join the consensus.

He said the OSCE will try to find ways to continue cooperating with Armenia.

Previously, Baku repeatedly expressed concern over the activities of the OSCE Yerevan office, which contravene the mandate, and, as a result, the consensus on the continuation of its operation was not reached
Ultimate Storage Upgrade for HD Video, PC Enthusiasts, Gaming and More

Kingston, the independent world leader in memory products, today announced KC1000 NVMe PCIe SSD. Shipping in mid-June, the M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD is over 2x faster than SATA-based SSDs and over 40x faster than a 7200RPM hard-disk drive. KC1000 is built for the power user, providing the ultimate, low-latency performance boost for resource-demanding applications including high-resolution video editing, data visualization, gaming and other data intensive workload environments where traditional storage solutions are unable to keep pace with data demand.

The demands of todays performance power users are constantly being put to the test as new data-intensive applications push the boundaries of what can be achieved with even the markets high performance professional workstations and most powerful gaming rigs. KC1000 is the perfect solution to meet the needs of media and design professionals, gaming enthusiasts and anyone who needs ultra-low latency storage performance to end data bottlenecks. This native NVMe device offers one of the industrys most powerful storage solutions for high-resolution content delivery, virtual reality applications, accelerated game play or a competitive edge for the creative professional on tight deadlines.

KC1000 delivers up to 290,000 IOPS and will ship in mid-June in 240GB, 480GB and 960GB capacities. The high-performance SSD supports the PCIe Gen3 x4 interface and the latest NVMe protocol. KC1000 provides accelerated boot and load speeds and increases sequential read/write performance, as well as offering improved endurance and energy efficiency. It is perfect for users seeking instant, breakthrough performance improvements for:



High-resolution video editing

Virtual and augmented reality applications

CAD software applications

Streaming media

Graphically intensive video games

Data visualization

Real-time analytics

KC1000 is backed by a limited five-year warranty and legendary Kingston support. For more information, please visit www.kingston.com.
Lazada Group has chosen Qrator Labs as its technology partner in DDoS mitigation to ensure continuous Internet resource availability for its eCommerce operations across Southeast Asia. Lazada, the number one online shopping and selling destination in the region has seen traffic to its websites and mobile apps more than double every year.

The announcement comes on the heels of a successful 6-month collaboration in which Qrator Labs deployed a unique solution to boost Lazadas internet resources for steep traffic surges, and to fortify against external hacking attempts. The solution ensured 100% uptime and reduced latency, hence a seamless experience for Lazadas shoppers even during its 5th Birthday which pulled in about 70 million visits over the 3-day sale event in March.

The solution involves building a traffic filtering network connecting Lazadas three data centers  in Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia  to deter and mitigate risks of DDoS intrusions. This has been designed specifically for Lazada with data collected and analyzed by Qrator Labs gobal internet monitoring tool.

Qrator Labs has also opened a new node for traffic transmission in Singapore to provide additional connectivity in the Southeast Asia region.

The customized solution is fully integrated into Lazadas system to protect Lazadas web and mobile sites across six countries -- Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

As an eCommerce platform we are always on for our shoppers and sellers, thus having a world-class technology infrastructure is critical to ensure a superior user experience. We are pleased to work with the team of tech professionals and scientists at Qrator Labs to provide a secure, fast and high-quality online shopping and selling experience for our users, said Vladimir Ivanov, Senior Vice-President for Technology Infrastructure, Lazada Group.

With a strong scientific background and over 10 years of conducting research with our clients, Qrator Labs was able to build a reliable infrastructure for Lazada. The effective solution weve built, allowed the company to manage traffic loads and offer their customers an excellent shopping experience with no interruptions. Lazada is our largest customer in Southeast Asia and we couldnt have asked for a better start in our Southeast Asian expansion. The region is one of the most important for our company and we seek to continue our business development here, said Alexander Lyamin, CEO and founder Qrator Labs.
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Zaha Hadid will be remembered as one of the foremost architects of her generation. The first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize, and the first woman to be awarded the Royal Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects, she has now been bestowed w a special Google doodle in her honour.

Ms Hadid was born in Iraq in 1950, and studied math at the American University of Beirut. She later moved to the UK, where she studied art at the Architectural Association of London.

During her prolific career she designed more than 30 buildings across four different continents. She died in March 2016 after a heart attack. She was 65 years old.

Below are some of her most stunning creations.

Antwerp Port House

(Reuters/Eric Vidal (Reuters/Eric Vidal)

This port house in Antwerp sprung from the ashes of a former fire station in the Belgian city in 2016. It stretches across 12 km of docks, making it the second-biggest shipping port in all of Europe.

The port house is actually two separate buildings, conjoined by an external bridge. The most eye-catching of the two buildings is almost entirely covered in shimmering glass.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

(Reuters/Thomas Peter (Reuters/Thomas Peter)

Seouls design plaza is a cultural hub composed of an art hall, museum, design lab, design market, and the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park. It hosts conventions, trade shows, exhibitions, fashion shows, concerts and other performances.

The curvaceous structure's 38,000-square-metre complex is all soft lines and reflective surfaces. Its unique design has also made it a major landmark in Seoul: it was the most Instagram-tagged location in all of Korea in 2015.

The building initially generated strong debate over the merits of building an ultra-modern structure in such an historic area.

Hungerburgbahn

(DIETER NAGL/AFP/Getty Images (DIETER NAGL/AFP/Getty Images)

This hybrid funicular railway connects the city of Innsbruck to Hungerburg in the Nordkette Mountains in Austria. The railway travels through a tunnel, over a bridge, and up a 46 per cent incline to reach its mountainous destination.

The visual design of the railway echoes the natural themes of its surroundings, from its icy white curves to the fungus growing off the building. It opened in 2007.

Sheikh Zayed Bridge

The 842-metre Sheikh Zayed Bridge was the fourth bridge to connect Abu Dhabi to the United Arab Emirates mainland. It took almost eight years to complete.

The structures undulating arches reach a high of 60 metres above the water, while the road sits 20 metres above the Maqtah channel. At night, each of the arches is illuminated in different-coloured lights.

Bridge Pavilion

( PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images) (PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/Getty Images)

This part-bridge, part-pavilion was built as a gateway to the Zaragoza Expo in 2008. The bridge spans 280 metres of the Ebro River in Spain.

The Bridge Pavilion centres around four main pods, which double as structural elements and pedestrian congregation spaces. It was designed to echo the expos theme of Water and sustainable development.

Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre

(GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

This 619,000-square-foot cultural centre is located in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan  and is also featured on some of the countrys stamps. Built in 2012, the centre won the Design Museum of the Year award in 2014.

The centre contains a museum, auditorium and multipurpose hall, and serves of the site of much of the countrys cultural programming. According to Hadid Architects, the building is intended to welcome, embrace, and direct visitors through all of its undulating floors.

Human rights groups, however, have claimed that as many as 250 homes were cleared to make room for the building, and many residents were forcibly evicted.

Guangzhou opera house

The New York Times hails this opera house in Guangzhou, China as a Chinese gem that elevates its setting. Constructed in 2010, the building opened with a controversial performance of Puccinis Turandot  the first time the opera had ever been performed in the country.

The buildings sloping design was inspired by the slow erosion of river valleys. Fittingly, it sits alongside Guangzhous peaceful Pearl River.
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Studio Ghibli is in a strange and fluctuating state at the moment, pushed and pulled by the various retirements and unretirements of founding member (and most celebrated contributor) Hayao Miyazaki; only this year, he came out of his announced retirement from 2013 with the intention of working on a new feature film.

After Miyazaki's initial retirement, studio said it would taking a break to re-evaluate its approach, prompting fears it may even shut down.

Far from it: Ghibli has instead branched out and expanded its line of creative sight, launching into a co-production with distribution company Wild Bunch on Dutch-British animator Michael Dudok de Wit's The Red Turtle, the beautiful and simple tale of a man who wakes up on a deserted island to find strange companionship with the film's titular brightly coloured creature.

The film first debuted at last year's Cannes Film Festival, where it was critically acclaimed, before a run at the London Film Festival in October.

We spoke to Dudok de Wit about his incredible collaboration with the studio, from the inspiration he took from their animation to the trust and freedom he found Ghibli offers their directors.

A still from 'The Red Turtle' (Allstar/Sony Pictures Classics)

Studio Ghibli specifically asked you to take on The Red Turtle after seeing your short film? Is this true?

Its almost unbelievable, but yes, it is true: the producers at Studio Ghibli asked me, out of the blue, to write and direct an animated feature. They added that this feature would be co-produced by Studio Ghibli and Wild Bunch, their international distributor in Paris.

What was it like when you received the news? It must have been an amazing feeling!

It was, and it took me months to come down. Meanwhile, I didnt mention it to anyone. There were too many uncertainties and besides, both the Japanese producers and I tend to be very discreet with new projects.

Did you feel under pressure to adapt your style in any way to fit with Studio Ghibli?

I felt no pressure, on the contrary. The producers at Studio Ghibli asked me to propose a story and to propose a visual style. If we go ahead with this project, they said, it will be made entirely in Europe with European artists. Studio Ghibli has a tradition of making directors films, in other words, on the artistic level the director has the final say.

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A sea turtle destroys a shipwrecked man's raft every time he tries to sail away from a tropical island in 'The Red Turtle' (Allstar/Sony Pictures Classics)

Was I influenced by the style of Studio Ghibli? I didnt try to emulate the style, I would not be good at that anyway, but on a subconscious level I was inspired. I must have been, because I deeply admire their work, especially the films by Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki.

Were there any changes you had to make to your approach, either aesthetically, or tonally?

My visual approach varies from project to project. With this long film project I felt that I had to put more details into the landscapes than I have ever done before in my films, while at the same time I wanted to explore the beauty of simplicity. This may sound like a contradiction, but it wasnt really; it was a very interesting challenge. During the first months I created half a dozen colour images to establish the look of the film  to be specific, to indicate the charcoal-based technique, the quality of the line, the colours and the amount of detail  and the producers liked the images straight away.

During the development phase, which lasted almost five years, I would often meet them and they expressed their opinions with frankness, but they didnt impose changes.

What do you think the difference between Japanese and Western animation is?

There are a few obvious ones. In Japanese animation human faces tend to have huge eyes, the body language reflects the body language of Japanese people and Japanese animation tends to have less drawings per second, but the drawings are of a higher quality, generally speaking. In my opinion the use of the imagination in Japan differs from the use of the imagination in the West, but I find it hard to point out what the essential differences are. They can be subtle. The Japanese imagination adds an unusual and highly interesting quality to their animated films. The Ghibli films convey a strong sensitivity to nature, stronger than films made in the West.

The Ghibli films convey a strong sensitivity to nature, stronger than films made in the West (Allstar/Sony Pictures Classics)

The film seems quite surreal and open-ended. Have you heard different people's interpretations of the story and do you enjoy hearing those opinions?

I have indeed heard a few different interpretations and I enjoyed hearing them, because they confirmed to me that our intentions with this film were working for the spectators. To my relief, many people love the fact that the story of The Red Turtle is relatively open at times. Not all, but many.

Do you prefer films that involve a level of interpretation?

Not necessarily, some of my favourite films have stories that are told in a clear and solid manner, while others have a sensitive, fine-tuned openness. Of course, all films are open to interpretation to a degree, whether we realise it or not. Thats what I love about film language; its a language that can speak to us on an intuitive level.

Why did you choose to make the creature a turtle?

It felt right. When the idea came to have a large sea turtle interacting with the main character in the story, I was deeply happy, because I felt confident that it would work.

What is the significance of the animal to you  and why red?

The turtle has a combination of significance to me. For instance, she is clearly totally one with nature; by swimming alone for thousands of miles, she belongs to the infinite space of the ocean, to infinity, yet she can also move on land and breathe air like we do; she conveys the feeling that she is immortal; she is peaceful; she is magnificent yet not too sweet, with her carapace and her reptilian face.

The colour red makes her stand out from the ocean and it differentiates her from the other turtles. Its a colour that suits her, I find.

What was the reaction from Studio Ghibli when they saw the first cut?

Actually, there was no real first cut moment, like one can have in live action films. The Japanese producers saw the progress of the film step by step, and the French producers did too, so there was no sudden discovery. Even the music was heard in stages.

'The Red Turtle' is out now
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During World War II, as Superman and Batman arose as mainstream pop symbols of strength and morality, the publisher that became DC Comics needed an antidote to what a Harvard psychologist called superhero comic books worst crime: bloodcurdling masculinity.

Turns out that psychologist, William Moulton Marston, had a plan to combat such a crime  in the star-spangled form of a female warrior who could, time and again, escape the shackles of a man's world of inflated pride and prejudice.

That creation was Diana Prince, who, upon landing in America from her isolated Paradise Island, donned the identity of Wonder Woman.

On one hand, Marston was a man of progressive politics, enthusiastically stating that a great women's movement was afoot. On the other hand, he embodied some knuckle-dragging ideas, too.

Wonder Woman makes her solo debut in Sensation Comics in 1942, after being introduced in a special backup feature in All-Star Comics #8 (Handout courtesy of DC Entertainment)

He insisted that Wonder Woman be chained or otherwise bound in every issue, telling his DC editor that women enjoy submission  even as the torturous tethering sparked reader complaints. Marston was well aware, though, that broken chains were also a powerful feminist symbol of emancipation. And Marston  whose scientific work led to the development of the lie-detector test  also outfitted Wonder Woman with the empowering golden Lasso of Truth, whose coils command veracity from its captive.

(One thing Marston was less than truthful about was himself: He secretly lived in a polyamorous relationship with two feminists: his wife, lawyer Elizabeth Holloway Marston, and his former college student Olive Byrne, the niece of birth-control pioneer Margaret Sanger. Each of the two women bore him two children.)

Out of this complex origin story born of a complicated mind, Wonder Woman made her debut in All-Star Comics in 1941. Ahead of the June release of the new Wonder Woman film  which, as the character's first major solo feature film, itself pushes back against marketplace domination of male superheroes  here is a timeline of her feminist, and less-than-feminist, history.

1941: The creation: According to lore, Marston didn't initially have a female character in mind when mulling a superhero less masculine than Superman. But Marston later characterises it as a natural solution, saying: Women's strong qualities have become despised because of their weakness. The obvious remedy is to create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman.

Lynda Carter starred as Wonder Woman in the late 1970s (Rex)

Upon being hired as an editorial adviser at All-American/Detective Comics, Marston sells his Wonder Woman character to the publisher with the agreement that his tales will spotlight the growth in the power of women. He teams with not a woman but rather male artist Harry G. Peter to create her tiara-topped, flesh-flashing attire.

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Wonder Woman first appears in All-Star Comics No. 8, wearing bracelets similar to those worn by Byrne, Marston's former student turned lover. The bracelets, according to Wonder Woman's prose, were fashioned by our captors as physical symbols that we must always keep aloof from men. The New Yorker's Jill Lepore, author of The Secret History of Wonder Woman, writes that her look, with a nod to the era's sexy Varga Girls, is the suffragist as pinup.

Spring 1942: Just one of the guys  sort of: Within a half-dozen issues of All-Star Comics, Wonder Woman becomes an honorary member of the DC superhero team-up Justice Society of America, yet her official position long remains secretary  a striking distinction compared with her fellow heroes.

Summer 1942: Solo stardom: Wonder Woman proves so popular that she gets her own comic book with Sensation Comics. Her rise was assured, Martin Pasko writes in the book The DC Vault, by an epidemic of hero worship that would seize the home front as [men] went off to war. As Rosie the Riveter becomes iconic, and women fill men's shoes back home, readers of all ages more readily embrace the tough, well-muscled female hero. Within a few years, Wonder Woman has ten million readers and her own syndicated comic strip.

1950s: The rise of soapy romance: Congressional overreaction to Seduction of the Innocent psychiatrist Fredric Wertham's questionable findings about the effects of comic books on children leads to the Comics Code Authority  essentially the publishers consent to soften content. As a result of this crackdown, superhero and horror comics ebb and romance stories rise. Following the trend, Diana Prince  who left women-only Paradise Island with the crash-landing military hero Steve Trevor  becomes a more domestic-minded figure whose thoughts are often on marriage and modelling, when not working as a lonely hearts columnist.

Cathy Lee Crosby played the superhero in the 1974 Wonder Woman film directed by Vincent McEveety (Rex)

Late 1960s: Full surrender: The sacrifice is complete: Diana decides to surrender her superpowers for the sake of being near Steve. Two decades after Marstons death, that narrative registers as a far cry from the creators stated sentiment, when he wrote, Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for the new type of woman who should, I believe, rule the world.

1972: Cover woman: Wonder Woman boosts her perception as a feminist icon by appearing on the first cover of Gloria Steinems Ms magazine, thus tying her image to the womens rights movement.

1973-1975: TV stardom: Wonder Woman increases her presence and popularity on television, joining the animated series Super Friends; making her live-action small-screen debut in a 1974 made-for-TV movie starring Cathy Lee Crosby; and then getting her own Emmy-nominated network series starring the iconic Lynda Carter. Wonder Woman encompasses everything great and powerful about being a woman, and Lynda took it all seriously, Wonder Woman '77 writer Marc Andreyko told the DC Comics fan site.

1997-1999: Series scuttled: NBC works on developing a new live-action series in which Diana Prince will work as a UCLA professor of Greek history. Despite national casting efforts, the series is shut down before a frame is shot. Meanwhile, back in the comics, John Byrne is enjoying a memorable mid-'90s run on Wonder Woman by presenting her as a muscular goddess.

2009: Pointing to a return: Wonder Woman gets some solo screen glory again. Keri Russell voices the Amazon-tribe superhero in WB/DC's direct-to-DVD animated movie Wonder Woman, with Lauren Montgomery as the director.

September 2016: The rumours are true: DC writer Greg Rucka confirms the long-standing belief that Wonder Woman is canonically gay. Rucka tells Comicosity: By our standards where I am standing ... Themyscira [Paradise Island] is a queer culture. I'm not hedging that. And anyone who wants to prevaricate on that is being silly.

October-December 2016: Ambassador Prince: The United Nations names Wonder Woman as an honorary ambassador, intending to move her beyond supervillain-battling crime-fighter to help raise awareness of gender equality for the empowerment of women and girls as a critical component for a peaceful and prosperous world.

In December, however, the United Nations drops Wonder Woman after many of its employees object to a character they say in a petition is an overtly sexualised figure  the epitome of a pinup girl who now embodies a large-breasted, white woman of impossible proportions, scantily clad in a shimmery, thigh-baring body suit with an American flag motif and knee-high boots.

June 1, 2017: The star-spangled red carpet: Wonder Woman will mark the first solo film for a superheroine in the DC Extended Universe, and the first DCEU release to be directed by a woman, Patty Jenkins. And yet, Jenkins tells The Post's Comic Riffs: I don't think of myself as a female filmmaker and I don't think about Wonder Woman as a female film. She's a major superhero.

 The Washington Post

Wonder Woman opens nationwide on 1 June
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the opening of the newly-built roads, which make a continuation of the Mirzaagha Aliyev and Fuzuli streets in former Sovetski area in Yasamal District, Baku.

The head of state and first lady viewed progress of work in other streets.

President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the new roads.
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Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazars Revenge and Baywatch both launched into cinemas last week, both blockbusters attempting to capitalise on the extended bank holiday weekend.

Across the pond, Americans were off work due to Memorial Day, often a booming time for cinemas. This years outings failed to draw the usual huge crowds  their lowest levels for the weekend in 18 years  Pirates taking just $77 million in the US: the lowest start for a film in the franchise since Curse of the Black Pearl.

China lapped up Johnny Depps latest outing as Jack Sparrow, the film opening to $67.8 million in the country accounting to The Hollywood Reporter, making it the countrys 19th best opening weekend of all time. Worldwide, the picture has taken $285.4 million on a $230 million budget, before marketing costs.

With Pirates underperforming in the US, there was some surprise when Baywatch  starring the almighty box-office powerhouse Dwayne The Rock Johnson  bellyflopped.

Films to get excited about in 2017 Show all 13 1 /13 Films to get excited about in 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi Director: Rian Johnson Rian Johnson Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Lupita Nyong'o Plot: No details yet, but it will continue directly on from Rey coming face-to-face with Luke at the end of The Force Awakens. Release Date: 15 December 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Thor: Ragnarok Director: Taika Waititi Taika Waititi Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, Karl Urban, and Mark Ruffalo Plot: Story details are minimal as of now, but Thor's third return to screen has already been teased to feature a loose adaptation of the famous 'Planet Hulk' storyline. Release Date: 27 October 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 You Were Never Really Here Director: Lynne Ramsay Lynne Ramsay Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Alessandro Nivola Plot: A war veteran's attempt to save a young girl from a sex trafficking ring goes horribly wrong. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Annihilation Director: Alex Garland Alex Garland Cast: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac Plot: A biologist's husband disappears. She thus puts her name forward for an expedition into an environmental disaster zone, but does not quite find what she's expecting. The expedition team is made up of the biologist, an anthropologist, a psychologist, and a surveyor. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Wonderstruck (image from Far From Heaven) Director: Todd Haynes Cast: Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, and Amy Hargreaves Plot: The story of a young boy in the Midwest is told simultaneously with a tale about a young girl in New York from fifty years ago as they both seek the same mysterious connection. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Mother (image of Darren Aronofsky) Director: Darren Aronofsky Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Michelle Pfeiffer, Domhnall Gleeson, and Ed Harris Plot: A couple's relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Killing of a Sacred Deer (image from The Lobster) Director: Yorgos Lanthimos Cast: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, and Alicia Silverstone Plot: A surgeon forms a familial bond with a sinister teenage boy, with disastrous results. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Blade Runner 2049 Director: Denis Villeneuve Denis Villeneuve Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, and Jared Leto Plot: Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years. Release Date: 6 October 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Lady Bird (image of director Greta Gerwig) Director: Greta Gerwig Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, and Lucas Hedges Plot: The adventures of a young woman living in Northern California for a year. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara (image of director Steven Spielberg and star Mark Rylance) Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Mark Rylance, Oscar Isaac Plot: The Kidnapping Of Edgardo Mortara recounts the story of a young Jewish boy in Bologna, Italy in 1858 who, having been secretly baptized, is forcibly taken from his family to be raised as a Christian. His parents' struggle to free their son becomes part of a larger political battle that pits the Papacy against forces of democracy and Italian unification. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 How to Talk to Girls at Parties Director: John Cameron Mitchell John Cameron Mitchell Cast: Elle Fanning, Ruth Wilson, and Nicole Kidman Plot: An alien touring the galaxy breaks away from her group and meets two young inhabitants of the most dangerous place in the universe: the London suburb of Croydon. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Dark Tower Director: Nikolaj Arcel Nikolaj Arcel Cast: Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, and Tom Taylor Plot: Gunslinger Roland Deschain roams an Old West-like landscape in search of the dark tower, in the hopes that reaching it will preserve his dying world. Release Date: 28 July 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Suburbicon Director: George Clooney George Clooney Cast: Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Josh Brolin, and Oscar Isaac Plot: A crime mystery set in the quiet family town of Suburbicon during the 1950s, where the best and worst of humanity is hilariously reflected through the deeds of seemingly ordinary people. When a home invasion turns deadly, a picture-perfect family turns to blackmail, revenge and betrayal. Release Date: 24 November

The $69 million adult-orientated film managed only $27.6 million from Thursday to Monday, prerelease tracking having predicted a $42 million debut.

"The reviews really hurt it the film, which scored great in test screenings, Paramount distribution president Megan Colligan told THR. Maybe it is a brand that relied on a positive critical reaction more than we recognised.

Reviews for Baywatch were particularly miserable, many critics  including our own  finding the comedy crass, The Rock ever-growing charismatic presence unable to save the film.

In comparison, last years Johnson-starring Central Intelligence managed a $35.5 million debut weekend in the US from $50 million despite not having brand recognition. However, that flick  which co-starred Kevin Heart  was also met with positive reviews.

While promoting Baywatch, The Rock began lambasting critics for reviewing the film poorly, saying that fans were enjoying the comedy and saying theres a disconnect between fans and critics.
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Lebanon's ministry of economy is seeking to ban Warner Bros.' new Wonder Woman film as its lead actress, Gal Gadot, is Israeli.

The country is officially at war with Israel and has a law that boycotts Israeli products and bars Lebanese citizens from travelling or having contact with Israeli citizens.

Local newspaper The Daily Star (via Arab News) says the ministry is looking to "take the necessary measures" to prevent the film from being screened in the country.

However, the ban has not yet been enforced, and a representative of one Lebanese cinema chain stated that a premiere has been planned. Furthermore, the Associated Press has reported posters and digital billboards for the film have been spotted in Beirut.

A security official told AP that a recommendation from a six-ministry-member committee would be required for the ban to be enacted. It would be the first of Gadot's films to be banned, as Fast and the Furious and Batman vs Superman were shown in Lebanon, despite the latter seeing protest from campaigners.

The group Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel-Lebanon has praised the ministry's call, having launched a campaign to boycott the film to due to the fact Gadot served in the Israeli army and expressed support for Israeli forces as the country led a military offensive against Gaza.

"I am sending my love and prayers to [...] all the boys and girls who are risking their lives protecting my country against the horrific acts conducted by Hamas, who are hiding like cowards behind women and children...We shall overcome!!! Shabbat Shalom!" Gadot wrote in 2014.

Wonder Woman opens in UK cinemas 1 June.
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In a move that would both shock and delight my mother, for the last year Ive been going to church roughly once a month. However, Im no born again Christian. The only light Ive seen is the warm glow of a spotlight illuminating some of the most exciting talent the UKs vibrant jazz scene has to offer. This is no ordinary church Ive been attending; this is the Church of Sound.

Church of Sound is a live music project like no other. Taking over the beautiful St James the Great Church in Clapton, East London, the team hosts some of the finest contemporary jazz musicians to create unforgettable, unique musical experiences.

The format is innovative too. In most cases the acts play two sets; during the first they play from the songbooks of alternative jazz greats, from the great funk drummer Idris Muhammad right through to the psychedelic Minnie Riperton and the Rotary Connection. After a brief interval, the acts return to play a second set comprised of their own material. The beauty of this format is that the first set eases the audience in with the familiar, building a sense of trust that allows less well-known acts to stretch out and perform, confident in the knowledge that the crowd is willing to go with them. It also ensures the emphasis is placed on the acts own compositions, thus avoiding the risk of wallowing in nostalgia.

Moses Boyd Exodus playing jazz at a Church of Sound event (Rosie Reed Gold)

Although the music is the focal point of the nights both metaphorically and literally  the artists occupy the central space, giving the faithful a panoramic view of the action  it is the atmosphere that really creates the magic. The energy in the room, underpinned by a shared appreciation of live music that is refreshingly devoid of pretence, gives each gig an intimate and spontaneous feel, which in turn creates a powerful sense of community and solidarity. Indeed, Church of Sound has racked up something of a cult following, as diverse as is is loyal, whose fervent proselytising has caused the night to grow rapidly through word of mouth alone.

A community parish church may seem a strange venue for one of Londons most visionary live music experiences, but the merits are undeniable. At a time when rent in London is sky-high and venues across the city are struggling to make ends meet, this kind of dual usage of space provides a promising model for other enterprising music lovers. It also acts as a bridge between artists and their community, which feels important at a time of rapid, often faceless gentrification. Indeed, the community sees the benefits of the night through the various outreach programmes the extra funding helps the church to carry out.

There will always be an appetite for new and exciting ways to experience live music, as Lexus Blondin and Spencer Martin, the masterminds behind Church of Sound, have shown. Not only has the night recently celebrated its first anniversary, a show of theirs from September 2016 that saw the Orphy Robinson All Stars delve into vibraphone player Bobby Hutchersons songbook recently won Jazz FMs coveted Live Experience of the Year award.

Ruby Rushton playing jazz at St. James the Great Church in London's Clapton (Daniel James Hurst)

The curatorial prowess of the Churchs founders, which clearly stems from an unbridled passion for what they do and an unparalleled understanding of the context in which they do it, is such that they have instilled in their flock a sense of total faith. I have flown blind into a few of their nights now, with no prior knowledge of the headline act, only to emerge a convert.

If what has come before was great, however, the nights future is looking brighter still. Now Church of Sound are staging three events. On 1 June, London-based afro-jazz group Maisha will play from the Alice Coltrane songbook. The second, the nights belated birthday party to be held on 16 June, will see the pews swapped out for a dancefloor as Dego plays back-to-back with Kaidi Tatham. Then finally, the Florian Pellissier Quintet will cross the channel on 29 June for the Freedom Jazz France night to treat the congregation to an evening of pure, horn-laden jazz bliss. Thou shalt not miss out.

Church of Sound presents 'Maisha | Alice Coltrane Songbook' at St James the Great, Lower Clapton Road, E5 on 1 June (www.churchofsound.co.uk)
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Even the biggest artists in the world have to abide curfews. Back in 2012, when headlining Hyde Park, Bruce Springsteens microphone was turned off while jamming with Paul McCartney.

While not quite as iconic, Foo Fighters were muted midway through a performance of their set-closer Everlong while performing at BottleRock festival in the Napa Valley.

Thankfully, the guitars were turned to eleven, the band  seemingly unaware their microphones had been muted  continued to play, the crowd singing along.

Dave Grohl and the gang then bowed to the crowd, unable to thanks them as the microphone was turned off. Watch below.

According to The San Francisco Chronicle, the festival has a strict curfew time of 10 pm, The Cure having suffered a similar fate as the Foos back in 2014.

Meanwhile, the full line-up and timetable for Glastonbury Festival has been announced, The National and Katy Perry playing before Foo Fighters. Radiohead and Ed Sheeran will also headline the Worthy Farm festival later this year.
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The largest music festival in Northern Europe has returned to Roskilde, Denmark, and 179 acts are confirmed to play at the mammoth eight - day, eight - stage music event.

Ahead of the event we invite you to take a look at the obscenely good lineup and not feel an urge to grab your passport right this second.

Legendary rapper Nas will be blowing up the stage and is the latest to be added to the festivals lineup. He joins Yasiin Bey, better known by his nom de plume Mos Def, in what will be a throwback to iconic rappers.

Head of the program, Anders Wahren says: "It's a crazy, climactic feeling to finally present the full line-up...who collectively represent what we think is the most defining, challenging and relevant music in 2017".

With the global success of their third album I See You, the British trio that make up The xx are more than ready to headline at Roskilde, and will be playing to their biggest crowd yet on the Orange Stage.

Solange, The Weeknd and Gucci Mane will also be performing, along with TInashe, likely performing material from her new album Joyride, and Lorde.

Recommended 7 of the best music festivals in Europe

Urban artists Princess Nokia, Bryan Tiller and G-Eazy will be representing at the festival.

Rock superstars Blink-182, the Foo Fighters and Anthrax will be performing for the metalheads.

Other exciting acts include Halsey, Rag N Bone Man, Noah Carter and Krept & Konan.

The full 2017 line-up is as follows:

Foo Fighters

47soul

67

68

75 Dollar Bill

A Day To Remember

A Tribe Called Quest [*Replaced by Ice Cube due to injury*]

Aaron Lee Tasjan

Acid Arab

Afenginn

Against Me!

Alex Cameron

Alsarah & The Nubatones

Andras

Angel Olsen

Anthrax

Arcade Fire

Ary

Atomikyla

Audn

Author & Punisher

Av Av Av

The Avalanches

Ayia

Ayowa

Baby Woodrose

Baest

Baianasystem

Barselona

Basokin

Bcuc

Bicep

Bjarki

Black String

Blink-182

Blood Command

Bogfinkevej

Bonobo

Botany

Boujeloud

Bryson Tiller

Caius

Cancer

Carl Emil Petersen

Cashmere Cat

Circuit Des Yex

Clams Casino

Cult of Luna

Debashish Bhattachara

Den Sorte Skole

Discwoman

Dub De Gaita

Dor NR 13

Elza Soares

Emil Stabil

Farveblind

Father John Misty

Fatima Yamaha

First Hate

Franske Piger

Freddie Gibbs

Fugleflugten

Full of hell

Future Islands

G-Eazy

Gangly

Group Doueh & Cheveu

Gucci Mane

Halsey

Hamid El Kasri Gnaoua Ensemble & Guests feat Justin Adams

Hamilton Leithauser

Hater

Hieroglyphic Being

High On Fire

Hun Solo

Ibaaku

Icona Pop

Idles

Ifriqiyya Electrique

Irah

Jagwar Ma

Jah9

Janka Nabay & The Bubu Gang

Jenny Hval

The Jesus And The Mary Chain

Julia Jacklin

Justice

Kano

Karen Elson

Kara William

Kellermensch

Kevil Morby

Kink feat Rachel Row

Kornel Kovacs

Krept & Konan

Ksiezyc

The Kutimangoes

La Mambanegra

Lil Uzi Vert

Lorde

Lorenzo Woodrose

The Love Coffin

Madame Gandhi

Mammut

Marching Church

Margo Price

Mats Gustafssons Nu Ensemble Hidros Zap

Mattis

Mechatok

Mil Buch

Moderat/Modeselektor

Modest

Monti

Moon Duo

Mome

Nas

Natjager

Neurosis

Nicolas Jaar

Nils Bech

Noah Carter

Noga Erez

Noisia Outer edges

Noname

Norell

Oathbreaker

Odd Couple

Of Mice And Men

Oranssi Pazuzu

Pardans

Pert Near Sandstone

PH/MR Peter Hayden Band

Philake

Pig Destroyer

Pom Poko

Popcaan

Priests

Princess Nokia

Purpurrpurple

Rag N Bone Man

Red Fang

Residente

Romperayo

Royal Blood

Rufus

The Rumour Said Fire

The Savage Rose

School Of X

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 feat Yasiin Bey

Shame

Shitkid

Show Me The Body

Sibiir

Sigrid

Silvester

Skott

Slowdive

Snow Boyz

Solange

Solid Blake

Sort Sol

Stiu Nu Stiu

Svin

The Lumineers

Tinashe

Tivoli Copenhagen Phil

Trap Them

Trentemoller

Tvivler

Vanishing Twin

Viagra Boys

Vaerket

Warpaint

The Weeknd

Weyes Blood

Wiki

The xx

Young MA

Roskile runs from 24 June-1 July - tickets are available here.
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A song accusing Theresa May of being a "liar" has reached number three in the iTunes charts and the top 10 radio charts.

Liar Liar Ge2017, produced and performed by Captain Ska, skewers the Prime Minister on the NHS, education and poverty, and her party's several recent U-turns including calling the snap election.

The chorus and easy-to-sing-along melody  Shes a liar, liar, you cant trust her, no no no no  has helped the song to overtake Miley Cyrus, Niall Horan and Ed Sheeran.

Recommended The band behind the Theresa May protest song

"When theres nurses going hungry and schools in decline I dont recognise this broken country of mine," the lyrics read.

Profits generated from downloads between 26 May and 8 June will be split between food banks in the UK and the Peoples Assembly Against Austerity.

Radio stations have refused to play the song. The Big Top 40 Show on Capital FM and Heart announced the song had made the Top 10, and skipped to the song in ninth position.

Social media users said they hoped it would reach the top spot.

Really really top work, great lyrics and beats. Purchased it, and to see the proceeds go to a good cause makes me so happy, tweeted one user.

Hearing that an anti @theresa_may song called 'Liar Liar' is Number 10 in the UK charts and number 2 on iTunes has made my week, said another.

Captain Ska tweeted on the day of its release, Thanks so much everyone. Totally overwhelmed by the response.

The song was posted on YouTube on 25 May alongside the caption: Download now and force the BBC to play it on our airwaves.

Ofcom, the television and radio regulator, says broadcasters must show impartiality.

Captain Ska tweeted: Not convinced playing a short section of #LiarLiar or just describing the song/band is covered in this! [section six of Ofcoms election guidance notes]. More explanation needed @BigTop40.

A petition calling on radio stations to play the song and oppose censorship has reached more than 460 names.
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Dont over-interpret The Handmaids Tale, warned a recent piece in The Atlantic. Comparisons between the dystopian United States crafted by Margaret Atwood in her 1985 novel and Trumps America have abounded since the latest screen adaptation appeared on US screens this year. But Atlantic journalist Shadi Hami warns that it probably wont happen here  in part because it hasnt happened anywhere. Yet.

But Atwood herself wrote in The New York Times that the book wasnt so much a prediction as a gathering together of terrible things that have indeed happened in various societies over many centuries: group executions, sumptuary laws, book burnings, the Lebensborn program of the SS and the child-stealing of the Argentine generals, the history of slavery, the history of American polygamy.

And its hard to ignore the books many themes, which are oddly resonant with our post-Trump world view. Broadly feminist in scope and in argument, it offers the reader insights into how society may develop if particular ideologies and social structures are pursued to the extreme.

We might note how this fictional authoritarian regime presents nightmarish visions of governmental interference and the erasure of individuality as well as a pervasive sense of surveillance, control and manipulation of private life, anxiety about technology, terrorism and the environment. Atwood has confirmed that what seemed like a fiction at the time of writing is now a bitter reality.

Atwoods horrifically imagined future hinges on increased surveillance and censorship (Getty)

Indeed, in a short interview with Time magazine, Atwood and Elisabeth Moss (who plays the lead character, Offred, in Hulus new adaptation of the novel) discuss the implications of Donald Trumps presidency and how convincingly fiction can become fact. What is the easiest way ordinary women can resist such control over their bodies and their minds? Atwood says simply, to vote would be a start.

But how does this parallel work? First of all, we might note the complacency of Offred and society in general  in Atwoods vision, initial restrictions of human rights are slowly eroded. Women are prevented from taking roles in the workplace, then their assets and bank accounts are seized. But few speak out.

Atwood is fiercely critical of any form of essentialist discourse  basically, any that reduces people to a predetermined function such as childbearing. In the novel, Offred explains that: We are containers, its only the insides of our bodies that are important. Offreds role in this new society is to carry a child for The Commander, a senior officer in the new regime  a regime that is underpinned by religious fundamentalism centring on womens reproductive rights.

Alexis Bledel plays Ofglen, who is forced into sexual servitude (Hulu)

In a harrowing description of a public execution in the novel, Offred observes that the criminals are abortionists:

Each has a placard hung around his neck to show why he has been executed: a drawing of a human foetus. They were doctors, then, in the time before, when such things were legal  These men, weve been told, are like war criminals. Its no excuse that what they did was legal at the time: their crimes are retroactive. They have committed atrocities, and must be made into examples, for the rest. Though this is hardly needed. No woman in her right mind, these days, would seek to prevent a birth, should she be so lucky as to conceive.

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Trumps order on abortion  which banned federal money from going to international groups that perform or provide information on abortions  draws uneasy parallels with such scenes from the novel. This is compounded by the novels anxieties about the environment and specifically, nuclear waste: a woman who is unable to conceive  often due to exposure to toxic waste  is designated an Unwoman, and her lack of reproductive productivity can mean deportation to the colonies.

Atwoods horrifically imagined future hinges on increased surveillance and censorship. Women are forbidden to read and write  and everywhere The Eyes (The Eyes of God  or secret police force) are positioned to inform on traitors to the regime. The media presents partial truths and identifies easy targets for blame. The populace, struck with fear, are paralysed with inaction:

Commander Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) and his wife, Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) use Offred for sex in their quest to have a child (Hulu)

It was after the catastrophe, when they shot the President and machine-gunned the Congress and the army declared a state of emergency. They blamed it on the Islamic fanatics, at the time.

Keep calm, they said on television. Everything is under control. I was stunned. Everyone was, I know that. It was hard to believe. The entire government, just like that. How did they get in, how did it happen?

That was when they suspended the Constitution. They said it would be temporary. There wasnt even any rioting in the streets. People stayed home at night, watching television, looking for some direction. There wasnt even an enemy you could put your finger on.

Atwoods chilling portrayal is critical of all forms of extremism. The novel notes that Offreds mother supported book burning in the time before: The woman handed me one of the magazines. It had a pretty woman on it, with no clothes on, hanging from the ceiling by a chain wound around her hands. I looked at it with interest.

This is clearly a satire on the Feminist Sex Wars of the 1980s  but it is also a timely warning about the ways in which governments are now proposing to control the information we send and receive on the internet. Ostensibly motivated by morality, it nonetheless establishes a disturbing precedent of state control.

In the run-up to the UKs general election, women need to be mindful that perhaps more than ever their voices are important and need to be heard.

The Handmaid's Tale continues on Channel 4 on Sunday 4 June at 9pm.

Claire Nally is senior lecturer in Twentieth-Century English Literature at Northumbria University, Newcastle. This article was originally published on The Conversation (theconversation.com)
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Weve had holographic lips, feather brows and the glistening glitter booty, but this latest trend is really taking beauty to the future.

Enter, LED lashes.

The beauty product you never knew you needed, F.Lashes are the rave-ready answer to your average pair of falsies and are described as fun, fresh and fierce.

Recommended Graphic eyeliner is the bold new beauty trend for spring

Unveiled at the Maker Faire in California, designer Tien Pham from Sweden demonstrated the lashes and their many modes.

Aside from coming in an array of colour ways  think pink, red, blue, white, yellow and green  they also come in sparkle mode which makes the lashes twinkle and dance mode where they flash erratically.

But, how do they work?

Powered by a watch battery that attaches to the back of your head using hair clips, the lashes are completely reusable and can be applied to your natural set using eyelash glue.

As long as you don't cut or break the connections, you can reuse them as often as you want, Pham said.

I've worn the pink set three times in the last three days and they are perfectly fine to reuse.

Despite the brightness, he also insists that they are completely safe to wear, sweat-proof and do not emit any heat.

The light is not blinding. In fact, I often can't tell I have them turned on. I have to cup my hand over my eye to see the light, Pham added.

But, before you decide to ditch your glow sticks out in favour of a set of light-up lashes theres a catch.

Unfortunately, F.Lashes are still in prototype stages but according to their Facebook page, a Kickstarter campaign will arrive in July, if not sooner.

To make sure you dont miss out on their launch, you can sign up to F.Lashes mailing list now to be notified when the Kickstarter is officially opened.
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The long-awaited Essential Phone has finally been revealed.

The handset, which comes from Andy Rubin, the creator of Android, has been teased for months.

It can instantly be described as one of the best-looking mobiles on the market, and has been built to challenge the iPhone, Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S8 for smartphone supremacy.

Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty

Its design is striking. The Essential Phone features a 5.71-inch, 2,560 x 1,312 edge-to-edge display that reaches the very top edge of its front face, even surrounding the 8-megapixel front-facing camera.

Around the back is a 13-megapixel dual-camera system that combines a colour sensor with a mono sensor, for improved low-light photography.

The Android handset is built using a combination of titanium and ceramic, which its creators claim make it more durable than competing smartphones made of aluminium, and it doesn't feature any logos.

As expected, the Essential Phone is modular. This means users will be able to clip accessories to it, such as a 360-degree camera and a charging dock.

Inside is a Snapdragon 835 processor paired with 4GB of RAM, a high-end setup that should deliver plenty of power.

It comes with 128GB of internal storage too, as well as a 3,040mAh battery, a USB Type-C port and a fingerprint sensor.

Like Apple's latest iPhones, the Essential Phone doesn't feature a 3.5mm headphone jack, though the handset will ship with a headphone dongle in the box.

Andy Rubin co-founded Android in 2003, before selling the company to Google for over $50 million two years later.

He left Android in 2013, and then left Google the following year, in order to focus on startups.

Android is now the most popular operating system in the world, and a lot of its success was down to Mr Rubin's work.

Unfortunately, the Essential Phone is only available in the US right now, where it will retail for $699 and come in black, grey, white and green colour schemes.
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Brexit hasnt managed to kill Fergal Quinns Draw a Naked Guy classes.

The Irish entrepreneur, who organises stag and hen parties in northwest Ireland, feared the worst as the pound plunged after the UK voted to exit the European Union last year.

Now his biggest concern is finding enough seats at his Lola Montez nightclub, where hen and stag parties head after a day spent painting nudes or jumping off cliffs into the Atlantic via the package trips Quinn sells. About 60 per cent of his customers come from the UK, mostly from across the border in Northern Ireland, and sales are up about 40 per cent this year.

We were very worried after the Brexit vote but the momentum has continued, said Quinn, 40, who employs about 80 people across five venues in Sligo. The weekend was our best ever  they came by the busload.

In the wake of the UKs decision to leave the bloc, many countries in the EU, where tourism accounts for 5 percent of the gross domestic product, braced for fewer British visitors as the pound slumped. Yet, theres little sign of a drop so far. In the first quarter, the numbers travelling abroad from the UK rose 3 per cent from the same period in 2016.

Its surprising, said Eliderico Viegas, chairman of the Association of Hotels and Resorts in the Algarve, a region in southern Portugal popular with UK vacationers. The depreciation of the pound led us to believe that there would be a slowdown in the number of British tourists to Portugal but that hasnt happened.

Britons accounted for a fifth of all overnight stays by non-residents in Portugal in the first quarter, with the number of British overnight stays rising about 6 per cent. In Spain, the most popular destination for Brits, UK tourist numbers rose 11 per cent in the first three months of the year.

Overall, spending by British tourists rose 8 per cent in the first quarter, according to the UKs statistics office.

In part, British tourism has been underpinned by falling air fares, according to Michael OLeary, CEO of Ryanair Holdings Plc, Europes biggest discount carrier. Average fares in the year through March dropped by about 8 percent, and ticket costs will fall again next year, he said.

Carriers including Ryanair and Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA are expanding their fleets, amplifying a seat-capacity glut that was already crimping travel prices in Europe.

All that growth has been driven by low fares, he told reporters in Dublin. It is the airlines who are funding all of this. The U.K. is strong by volume, but very weak in terms of pricing.

Theres no single picture across Europe, with some countries like Turkey and Egypt losing out on security concerns, OLeary said. Coupled with the pounds decline, worries about terrorism may help explain why U.K. hotel bookings in France dropped about 9 percent in the first quarter, after attacks in Paris and Nice.

In February, the British were the only market to show a decline, said Charles-Henri Boisseau, who oversees economic statistics at the Paris tourism office. There may be a Brexit effect, as one of the main factors for tourist numbers is exchange rates. Its more expensive for the British to come to France and Paris, and the entire euro zone.

Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled  leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year.

Even in Ireland, brimming with tourists, theres some concern. Excluding Northern Ireland, the number of visitors from the UK dropped about 10 per cent from a year earlier in February through April, to 855,000, the Irish statistics office said.

And while the UK has notified the EU of its intent to leave the bloc, Brexit hasnt actually happened yet. With the euro climbing again over the last few weeks, Quinn has been monitoring exchange rates.

If its parity, that would have a major impact, Quinn said. We cant be complacent.

Bloomberg
On May 29, an Understanding of Dual Diploma Graduate Program between UNEC and one of the prestigious higher education institutions of the Europe Mykolas Romeris University has been signed in Vilnius of Lithuania.

The agreement provides UNECs graduate students with a chance to receive a dual degree from the Mykolas Romeris University. This is the 4th countries university UNEC signs the agreement on dual diploma that is the member of the European Union.

Starting from September of the current year, graduate students choose the Program will complete first term at UNEC and continue their studies at the Mykolas Romeris University second term. They will again continue their studies at UNEC the 3rd and 4th semesters.

The above mentioned Dual Diploma Program gives UNEC graduates an opportunity to conduct scientific research works with the professors of Mykolas Romeris University, along with UNEC professors. Thus, graduates defending Masters Thesis under the supervision of both universities professors successfully will receive both universities- UNECs and Mykolas Romeris Universitys diplomas.

Discussions about all specters of bilateral cooperation have been made between UNEC Rector, Professor Adalat Muradov and the Rector of the Mykolas Romeris University, Professor Algirdas Monkevicius within the trip. Both rectors expressed satisfaction with the development of relations on an upward trend within the recent years and with the exchange of students and teachers. Stressing UNEC students successful education, Professor Algirdas Monkevicius considered admirable that they take active part in the social life of the university.

In addition, agreement on rendering support in visa and migration issues, residential and bank transactions to the students of both universities chosen for the program has been achieved.

Note that, UNEC which has enough experience in this field provides its students to receive the diplomas of the University of London/ London School of Economics, Montpellier University of France, at the same time, UBIS University of Business and International Studies of Switzerland within the recent 3 years.

UNEC is the brand of Azerbaijan State University of Economics. The brand of UNEC has been registered and patented by the State Committee on Standardization, Metrology and Patent on January 21, 2016.
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Shares in British Airways parent company fell sharply on Tuesday morning, the first day of trading since the airline was hit by a massive IT outage, plunging tens of thousands of passengers into travel chaos and evolving into a full-blown public relations disaster.

Early in the day, shares in International Airlines Group were more than 4 per cent lower, sending the group to the bottom of the FTSE 100 stock index. Later they recovered somewhat to end the session around 1.5 per cent lower.

A major outage caused the airlines IT system to completely collapse over the weekend grounding flights at hubs Heathrow and Gatwick and scuppering travel plans for an estimated 75,000.

British Airways faces all kinds of questions in the wake of its IT failure and investors are rightly turning a bit cautious, said Neil Wilson, an analyst at ETX Capital.

He added that far worse than the financial cost will be the reputational damage to the brand.

On Monday, Alex Cruz, the chief executive of British Airways, apologised profusely to passengers but denied the disruption had anything to do with cost-cutting in the business or outsourcing jobs.

Operations largely returned to normal on Monday, but flight compensation website Flightright.com said that with around 800 flights cancelled on Saturday and Sunday, BA would likely have to pay approximately 61m (53m) in compensation under EU rules, according to Reuters. That figures does not include the cost of reimbursing customers for hotel stays.

Mr Cruz on Monday said that BA would honour all compensation obligations.

BA certainly will find it tough to hold on to passengers now, Mr Wilson said.

The GMB union said in a statement on Saturday that the carriers disastrous computer systems failure is another example of the shortcomings of BA IT systems since they made a number of staff redundant, and outsourced their work to India in 2016.

The weekends chaos deals a sharp blow to the airline at a time when it is already battling fierce competition from low-budget rivals, especially on its short-haul flights.

Travel companies have generally been struck by muted demand for holidays in Europe after a string of deadly terror attacks that have rattled the region.

Several airlines have been hit by computer glitches over the last year, but analysts said that the duration and scale of BAs outage was unusual.

In August last year, Delta Air Lines cancelled and delayed thousands of flights after an outage hit its computer systems. Last month, Germany's Lufthansa and Air France suffered a global system outage which briefly prevented them from boarding passengers.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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A group representing Royal Bank of Scotland investors has accepted an out-of-court deal to settle a lawsuit that aimed to call disgraced former chief executive Fred Goodwin to account over a 12bn cash call in 2008.

Organisers of the RBoS Shareholder Action Group, that had vowed to see the bank and its former bosses in court, have told their members they will accept last week's revised, out-of-court offer after days of intense talks delayed a long-awaited trial.

Having carefully considered the merits of the current offer ... we have decided to accept the offer of 82p per share on behalf of our membership, the action group said in a letter, dated 27 May, that was published on Monday.

This is a decision which is fully supported by our legal advisers, it added, acknowledging that some of its claimants, who had been keen to hold out longer, might be surprised.

The deal will cost state-owned RBS around 200m, but spare it the embarrassment of having the lowest point in its near 300-year history raked over in court.

Mr Goodwin, nicknamed Fred the Shred for his cost-cutting abilities and abrasive management style, was first feted and knighted before RBS's near-collapse at the height of the credit crisis prompted the world's biggest bank bailout. Shareholders lost around 80 per cent of their investments.

Sources familiar with the case said some shareholders within the group wanted to pursue the case against the bank, if they could find funding. But the letter indicated that investors representing the necessary threshold of 70 per cent of the value of the claim for acceptance had been reached, one source said.

A formal announcement on behalf of the group, which includes around 9,000 retail and 20 institutional investors and has been beset by internal wrangles, changing legal teams and questions over its funding and management structure, is expected later on Monday or Tuesday.

RBS declined to comment.

Investors representing 87 per cent of the claim had already settled their case after RBS put around 800m on the table last year.

In a bid to avoid a trial, Edinburgh-based RBS almost doubled its initial offer to 82p per share, from 43.1p per share, last weekend.

A deal had been expected. Jonathan Nash, a lawyer for the claimant group, told London's High Court last week that the majority of shareholders were willing to accept RBS's offer and there was a good prospect of a final settlement.

RBS's final offer remains a fraction of the 200p to 230p per share that shareholders bought RBS shares at in 2008 and denies investors the prospect of seeing Mr Goodwin cross-examined in court. Mr Goodwin, who left RBS a wealthy man, became a symbol of banker recklessness and greed during the credit crisis.

But lawyers have said the case could have dragged on for years before a court established both whether RBS was liable for investor losses and subsequently quantified any damages.

The RBoS Shareholder Action Group also confirmed that a claimant funding the case had accepted the offer and was no longer willing to pay for further litigation. All institutional investors are also backing the offer, which would raise the costs for remaining claimants if they were to proceed, it said.

Shareholders were told that around 40 to 45 per cent of the proceeds of the settlement would be deducted for legal and other costs. But the group added in the letter there were many variables which may impact the level of the costs.

RBS investors, including thousands of current and former RBS employees, had alleged the bank's former executives deliberately hid its overstretched finances and failed to disclose that the regulator had ordered it to raise cash when asking investors to stump up a then-record 12bn in 2008.

Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled  leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year.

Just months later, the government was forced to step in with a 45.8bn taxpayer-funded bailout.

RBS, which remains more than 70 per cent state-owned, denies any wrongdoing and said its former bosses did not act illegally.

The bank has racked up nine consecutive years of losses totaling 58bn since the credit crisis, largely blaming legacy issues during Mr Goodwin's tenure.

Reuters
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Plans to reduce the number of children diagnosed with autism in south west London will leave vulnerable families unable to access support they desperately need, a charity has warned.

The proposals to restrict diagnosis of the neurological disorder to the most severe cases are being discussed to ease pressure on services and long waiting times in five areas.

Notes from a board meeting of the mental health trust for patients in Kingston, Merton, Richmond Wandsworth and Sutton state current levels of demand for autism assessments are almost double the current capacity of 750 a year.

And in some cases, waiting times have exceeded 10 months.

Despite service remodelling and productivity improvements, demand for assessments has outstripped the capacity of the service, said the minutes from the South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust.

The Trust said the alliance of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in the five areas had asked it to review who is eligible for autism services and restrict diagnosis to children with an additional mental health condition, such as depression of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The effect of reviewing and revising the criteria must be to reduce the number of children and young people who are able to access a full diagnostic assessment from the trust, it said.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) has said it is deeply concerned about the plans, while the five CCGs have emphasised no decision has yet been made on whether they will be carried out.

 Meet the Labrador changing the life of a little boy with autism

Sarah Lambert, the charitys head of policy, said if the proposals do go ahead, this will leave many local children without access to a diagnosis and unable to access the specialist support they desperately need, which will threaten their long-term prospects and put a greater strain on many already vulnerable families.

We believe this goes against CCGs' legal duty to make sure children in their area can access a diagnosis service, she said.

An autism diagnosis can be life changing. It can explain years of feeling different and help unlock crucial advice and support. A failure to get that support at the right time can have significant consequences  to school, home life and later on in employment.

Recommended People with autism can hear more than most

And the longer someone lives without the right support, the higher  and more expensive  their needs can become.

Headteachers have said the proposals will increase pressures on schools as access to medical support for pupils with autism is already too limited.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, told TES head teachers will feel huge frustration if the professional diagnosis of childrens autism is further restricted.

The five CCGs told the BBC they want to be clear that nothing has been decided by the CCGs or changed at this time and no change will happen in the next 12 months."

Any potential changes to the service would require detailed engagement with stakeholders. The CCGs are fully committed to talking to local people before reaching any conclusions on the way forward.

Health news in pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Health news in pictures Health news in pictures Coronavirus outbreak The coronavirus Covid-19 has hit the UK leading to the deaths of two people so far and prompting warnings from the Department of Health AFP via Getty Health news in pictures Thousands of emergency patients told to take taxi to hospital Thousands of 999 patients in England are being told to get a taxi to hospital, figures have showed. The number of patients outside London who were refused an ambulance rose by 83 per cent in the past year as demand for services grows Getty Health news in pictures Vape related deaths spike A vaping-related lung disease has claimed the lives of 11 people in the US in recent weeks. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has more than 100 officials investigating the cause of the mystery illness, and has warned citizens against smoking e-cigarette products until more is known, particularly if modified or bought off the street Getty Health news in pictures Baldness cure looks to be a step closer Researchers in the US claim to have overcome one of the major hurdles to cultivating human follicles from stem cells. The new system allows cells to grow in a structured tuft and emerge from the skin Sanford Burnham Preybs Health news in pictures Two hours a week spent in nature can improve health A study in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that a dose of nature of just two hours a week is associated with better health and psychological wellbeing Shutterstock Health news in pictures Air pollution linked to fertility issues in women Exposure to air from traffic-clogged streets could leave women with fewer years to have children, a study has found. Italian researchers found women living in the most polluted areas were three times more likely to show signs they were running low on eggs than those who lived in cleaner surroundings, potentially triggering an earlier menopause Getty/iStock Health news in pictures Junk food ads could be banned before watershed Junk food adverts on TV and online could be banned before 9pm as part of Government plans to fight the "epidemic" of childhood obesity. Plans for the new watershed have been put out for public consultation in a bid to combat the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said PA Health news in pictures Breeding with neanderthals helped humans fight diseases On migrating from Africa around 70,000 years ago, humans bumped into the neanderthals of Eurasia. 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The average 10 year old consumes the equivalent to 13 sugar cubes a day, 8 more than is recommended PA Health news in pictures Child health experts advise switching off screens an hour before bed While there is not enough evidence of harm to recommend UK-wide limits on screen use, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have advised that children should avoid screens for an hour before bed time to avoid disrupting their sleep Getty Health news in pictures Daily aspirin is unnecessary for older people in good health, study finds A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that many elderly people are taking daily aspirin to little or no avail Getty Health news in pictures Vaping could lead to cancer, US study finds A study by the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Centre has found that the carcinogenic chemicals formaldehyde, acrolein, and methylglyoxal are present in the saliva of E-cigarette users Reuters Health news in pictures More children are obese and diabetic There has been a 41% increase in children with type 2 diabetes since 2014, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit has found. 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The drug used in the trial belongs to a group known as NKB antagonists (blockers), which were developed as a treatment for schizophrenia but have been sitting on a shelf unused, according to Professor Waljit Dhillo, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism REX Health news in pictures Doctors should prescribe more antidepressants for people with mental health problems, study finds Research from Oxford University found that more than one million extra people suffering from mental health problems would benefit from being prescribed drugs and criticised ideological reasons doctors use to avoid doing so. Getty Health news in pictures Student dies of flu after NHS advice to stay at home and avoid A&E The family of a teenager who died from flu has urged people not to delay going to A&E if they are worried about their symptoms. Melissa Whiteley, an 18-year-old engineering student from Hanford in Stoke-on-Trent, fell ill at Christmas and died in hospital a month later. 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At the board meeting, the groups warned that the services were receiving around 25 referrals a week, or 1300 a year.

In November 2016, around 634,000 was provided to the trusts to reduce a waiting list backlog of 527 cases, but they understand that no similar additional funding will be made available next year.

It is estimated that one in 100 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum, with around 120,000 young people with autism of school age in England, according to the NAS.
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One of Nasas partners has said that he is absolutely convinced aliens exist  and that they are living on Earth right now.

Robert Bigelow, an entrepreneur who is working closely with Nasa on future space missions, has suggested that he knows that our planet has an alien presence that is right under our noses.

Mr Bigelow made the announcement during an episode of the show 60 Minutes that focused on his work with the space agency.

His company, Bigelow Aerospace, is developing an expendable craft for humans that can inflate and might provide the space habitats of the future.

They have already been tested out in journeys to the International Space Station. And the two organisations are working on further co-operation.

Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Show all 30 1 /30 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An image from Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a 200,000 mile long solar filament ripping through the Sun's corona in September 2013 Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa Celebrates 50 Years of Spacewalking For 50 years, NASA has been "suiting up" for spacewalking. In this 1984 photograph of the first untethered spacewalk, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless is in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Hubble Cosmic Couple The spectacular cosmic pairing of the star Hen 2-427  more commonly known as WR 124  and the nebula M1-67 which surrounds it ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled in stunning detail a small section of the Veil Nebula - expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago Nasa's most stunning pictures of space The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launch The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, carrying three new astronauts to the International Space Station. It also took caviar, ready for the satellite's inhabitants to celebrate the holidays Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth from the ISS From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Black Hole Friday Nasa celebrated Black Friday by looking into space instead  sharing pictures of black holes Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space NuSTAR X-rays stream off the sun in this image showing observations from by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, overlaid on a picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Cassiopeia A c A false colour image of Cassiopeia A comprised with data from the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes and the Chandra X-Ray observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Orion Capsule splashes down The Orion capsule jetted off into space before heading back a few hours later  having proved that it can be used, one day, to carry humans to Mars Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth Observations From Gemini IV in 1965 This photograph of the Florida Straits and Grand Bahama Bank was taken during the Gemini IV mission during orbit no. 19 in 1965. The Gemini IV crew conducted scientific experiments, including photography of Earth's weather and terrain, for the remainder of their four-day mission following Ed White's historic spacewalk on June 3 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Frosty slopes of Mars This image of an area on the surface of Mars, approximately 1.5 by 3 kilometers in size, shows frosted gullies on a south-facing slope within a crater. The image was taken by Nasa's HiRISE camera, which is mounted on its Mars Reconaissance Orbiter Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Yellowstone from space NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shared this image of Yellowstone via his twitter account Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Saturn This near-infrared color image shows a specular reflection, or sunglint, off of a hydrocarbon lake named Kivu Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Worlds Apart Although Mimas and Pandora, shown here, both orbit Saturn, they are very different moons. Pandora, "small" by moon standards (50 miles or 81 kilometers across) is elongated and irregular in shape. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), a "medium-sized" moon, formed into a sphere due to self-gravity imposed by its higher mass Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An X1.6 class solar flare flashes in the middle of the sun in this image taken 10 September, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Mars Rover Spirit Nasa's Mars Rover Spirit took the first picture from Spirit since problems with communications began a week earlier. The image shows the robotic arm extended to the rock called Adirondack Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Morning Aurora From the Space Station Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station Nasa/Scott Kelly Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Launch of History - Making STS-41G Mission in 1984 The Space Shuttle Challenger launches from Florida at dawn. On this mission, Kathryn Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk and Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space. The crew of seven was the largest to fly on a spacecraft at that time, and STS-41G was the first flight to include two female astronauts Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies Galaxy clusters are often described by superlatives. After all, they are huge conglomerations of galaxies, hot gas, and dark matter and represent the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Sees a Galactic Sunflower The arrangement of the spiral arms in the galaxy Messier 63, seen here in an image from the Nasa Hubble Space Telescope, recall the pattern at the center of a sunflower ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Pluto image Four images from New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced colour global view of Pluto Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars The HiRISE camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter acquired this closeup image of a "fresh" (on a geological scale, though quite old on a human scale) impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars. This impact crater appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Peers into the Most Crowded Place in the Milky Way This Nasa Hubble Space Telescope image presents the Arches Cluster, the densest known star cluster in the Milky Way NASA & ESA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space An Astronaut's View from Space Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on 2 September 2014 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Giant Landform on Mars On Mars, we can observe four classes of sandy landforms formed by the wind, or aeolian bedforms: ripples, transverse aeolian ridges, dunes, and what are called draa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Expedition 39 Landing A sokol suit helmet can be seen against the window of the Soyuz TMA-11M capsule shortly after the spacecraft landed with Expedition 39 Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Jupiter's Great Red Spot Viewed by Voyager I Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Chandra Observatory Sees a Heart in the Darkness This Chandra X-Ray Observatory image of the young star cluster NGC 346 highlights a heart-shaped cloud of 8 million-degree Celsius gas in the central region

But during that episode Mr Bigelow began to talk about his belief in aliens  and his claim that UFOs have come to Earth and extraterrestrials have an existing presence here.

Im absolutely convinced [that aliens exist], he told reporter Lara Logan. Thats all there is to it.

Asked by Ms Logan whether he also thought that UFOs had come to Earth, he said he did.

There has been and is an existing presence, an ET presence, Mr Bigelow said. And I spent millions and millions and millions  I probably spent more as an individual than anybody else in the United States has ever spent on this subject.

Ms Logan then asked if Mr Bigelow thought it was risky to say that he believes such things. He said that he doesn't care what people think because it wouldn't change the reality of what I know.

Mr Bigelow didn't give any details about whether the research and private space travel that he is funding had revealed anything about aliens to him.

But he said that the hugely expensive work his company and Nasa are doing wont be required to meet them  he said that people dont have to go anywhere, because the aliens are right under peoples noses.
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A 37-year-old man has been charged with preparing acts of terrorism after being arrested at Stansted Airport.

Aweys Faqey of north London was charged under the Terrorism Act following his arrest last week.

Faqey was arrested by counter-terror police before boarding a flight to Turkey last Tuesday on suspicion he planned to travel to Syria.

He was taken to a south London police station as authorities searched two residential addresses in north London in connection with the arrest.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle 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fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK 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Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. 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Scotland Yard said his arrest had no connection to the Manchester attack.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday afternoon.
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Three men arrested in connection with the Manchester attack have been released without charge as evidence mounts that Salman Abedi may have built the bomb detonated at Manchester Arena himself.

Greater Manchester Police said 11 suspects remain in custody as part of the probe into the suicide bombing that killed 22 victims.

Two men aged 20 and 24 from the Fallowfield area and a 37-year-old man from the Blackley area have been released.

Recommended Ariana Grande to play Manchester attack benefit concert

Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson, head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said the release of further suspects "can be expected".

"We still have a number of people in custody and we will be seeking to extend the custody of some of them as we work to understand what has gone on and whether Abedi was helped," he added.

"There has been huge progress made over the week and the speed of the inquiry remains the same.

"It will be a long investigation and it will take considerable time before we fully understand what has happened."

 Bomber Salman Abedi pictured moments before Manchester Arena massacre

Ariana Grande is to return to Manchester on Sunday alongside artists including Coldplay, Justin Bieber and Take That.

They will perform a tribute concert at Old Trafford, with all proceeds going towards the We Love Manchester fund set up for victims and their families.

Investigators have been attempting to piece together Abedi's movements between when he arrived back in Manchester from Libya on 18 May, and the bombing four days later.

The origin of the bomb, believed to have used homemade TATP explosives employed by Isis in the Paris and Brussels attacks, is of particular concern.

The Independent revealed last week that bomb-making materials were found during police searches, prompting concern over the potential construction of other devices.

Abedi's former landlord said a flat in Blackley had smelled of chemicals, telling investigators the suspected Isis supporter told him he was "flying abroad" six weeks ago, when he flew to Libya.

Manchester explosion in pictures Show all 37 1 /37 Manchester explosion in pictures Manchester explosion in pictures People running down stairs as they attempt to exit the Manchester Arena after a blast, where U.S. singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester Twitter/@ZACH_BRUCE/ via REUTERS Manchester explosion in pictures Helpers attend to people inside the Manchester Arena after a suspected suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the end of an Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 people PA wire Manchester explosion in pictures Armed officers guard outside a hotel near the Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion, in Manchester, Britain EPA Manchester explosion in pictures Police officers are seen outside the Manchester Arena, where U.S. singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester, northern England Reuters Manchester explosion in pictures Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police and fans close to the Manchester Arena, after reports of an explosion Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures There have been reports of explosions at Manchester Arena where Ariana Grande had performed Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police deploy at scene of explosion in Manchester, England, at a concert in Manchester Arena AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police stand by a cordoned off street close to the Manchester Arena Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police deploy at scene of explosion in Manchester, England AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police deploy at scene of a reported explosion during a concert in Manchester, England, on May 23, 2017. British police said early May 23 there were "a number of confirmed fatalities" after reports of at least one explosion during a pop concert by US singer Ariana Grande. Ambulances were seen rushing to the Manchester Arena venue and police added in a statement that people should avoid the area AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures An ambulance drives away from the Manchester Arena, where U.S. singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester Reuters Manchester explosion in pictures Police escort members of the public from the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures A woman sits in the street in a blanket near the Manchester Arena as police guard the area following reports of an explosion, in Manchester, Britain EPA Manchester explosion in pictures Two women wrapped in thermal blankets stand near the Manchester Arena, where US singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester Reuters Manchester explosion in pictures A Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) bomb disposal robot is unloaded outside the Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion, in Manchester. At least 19 people have been confirmed dead and others 50 were injured, authorities said. It is being treated as a terrorist incident until police know otherwise EPA Manchester explosion in pictures A Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) bomb disposal robot is unloaded outside the Manchester Arena following reports of an explosion, in Manchester EPA Manchester explosion in pictures Members of the public receive treatment from emergency service staff at Victoria Railway Station close to the Manchester Arena on May 23, 2017 in Manchester, England. There have been reports of explosions at Manchester Arena where Ariana Grande had performed this evening. Greater Manchester Police have have confirmed there are fatalities and warned people to stay away from the area Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Armed police after a suspected terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by US star Ariana Grande left 19 dead PA wire Manchester explosion in pictures Emergency services arrive close to the Manchester Arena in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures An amoured police vehicle patrols near Manchester Arena in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures A man carries a young girl on his shoulders near Victoria station in Manchester AFP/Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police officers stand at the Miller Street and Corporation Street Crossroads, in front of the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police block a road near to the Manchester Arena in central Manchester, England AP Manchester explosion in pictures Armed police patrol near Victoria station in Manchester, northwest England. Twenty two people have been killed and dozens injured after a suspected suicide bomber targeted fans leaving a concert of US singer Ariana Grande in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Police forensic officers leave the Manchester Arena as they investigate the scene of an explosion in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures A forensic officer collects evidence on a walkway between Victoria station and Manchester Arena following a deadly terror attack in Manchester, Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures A woman and a young girl wearing a t-shirt of US singer Ariana Grande talks to police near Manchester Arena following a deadly terror attack in Manchester, Getty Manchester explosion in pictures EPA Manchester explosion in pictures Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese speak to the media outside Manchester Town Hall after a suicide bomber killed 22 people, including children, as an explosion tore through fans leaving a pop concert in Manchester Dave Higgens/PA Wire Manchester explosion in pictures The media gather behind a police cordon in Manchester Getty Images Manchester explosion in pictures Flowers left close to the Manchester Arena, the morning after a suicide bomber killed 22 people, including children, as an explosion tore through fans leaving a pop concert in Manchester Danny Lawson/PA Wire Manchester explosion in pictures Ariana Grande concert attendees Karen Moore and her daughter Molly Steed, aged 14, from Derby, leave the Park Inn where they were given refuge after last night's explosion at Manchester Arena Getty Manchester explosion in pictures Signs saying 'We love Manchester' are displayed in a window in Manchester, England Getty Images

A metal rod, traces of chemicals and squares of cut-up material were found at the flat, while unused chemicals were found at Abedi's former home in Fallowfield.

The bomber is believed to have made his final preparations in another flat in Granby Row, central Manchester, where he spent his final hours.

Det Ch Supt Jackson confirmed that Abedi himself had made "most of the purchases of the core components", following reports he had visited DIY shops in Manchester.

"What is becoming apparent is that many of his movements and actions have been carried out alone during the four days from him landing in the country and committing this awful attack," he added.

"It is vital that we make sure that he is not part of a wider network and we cannot rule this out yet.

"There remain a number of things that concern us about his behaviour prior to that attack and those of his associates."

The detective said investigators were especially keen to find out why Abedi repeatedly returned to the Wilmslow Road area of Manchester, and want to recover a blue suitcase used in those trips.

Police released an image of the bomber carrying a distinctive blue suitcase (AP)

More than 1,000 police officers have worked on the case, examining 7,000 lines of inquiry and 300 phones and other digital equipment, with 18 scenes still under guard.

Police have been tracking Abedi's last movements using CCTV, phone calls and other data exposing his interactions, amid questions over how he slipped through the net.

The 22-year-old had a relatively minor criminal record as a teenager, when he was linked to gangs, smoked cannabis and drank, but he was not known to police for holding extremist views.

He appeared on police logs in 2012 over offences of theft, receiving stolen goods and assault and was known to MI5, which has launched an internal review amid reports it was warned about Abedi's plans.

Abedi had been reported to the counter-terror hotline and banned from a local mosque, but was not known to Prevent, the Government's voluntary counter-radicalisation scheme.

Among the suspects still in custody are some of Abedi's friends and relatives, and a Libyan trainee pilot arrested in Shoreham-by-Sea.

It is understood the number of people considered previously by counter-terror teams runs to around 20,000, in addition to around 3,000 individuals flagged up as part of 500 live investigations currently being pursued.

Anyone with information is asked to call the anti-terror hotline anonymously on 0800 789321 or send images and footages to police by visiting the UK Police Image Appeal website.
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David Davis has said EU demands to protect its citizens rights in the UK are ridiculously high with just days to go until negotiations begin.

The Brexit Secretary accused Brussels of playing hardball after European negotiators confirmed rights should be extended to all family members of EU citizens currently living in the UK.

It comes after Theresa May reiterated her intention to walk away from the negotiating table with no deal if the EU does not give her what she wants.

Speaking to LBC Radio on Tuesday, Mr Davis said European officials were playing very hardball tactics and someone will have to know how to deal with them".

He added: The demands they are putting up are ridiculously high on EU citizens.

We are going to give the European citizens here generous rights. We dont intend to be unnecessarily fierce about this. We will deal with it at the very first negotiations."

Negotiating papers published by the EU ahead of the start of formal Brexit talks on 19 June state that current and future family members of European nationals in the UK should have an open-ended right to settle in this country after Britain leaves the bloc.

In the most detailed position on Brexit talks from the EU yet, a document titled Essential Principles on Citizens Rights states that the family members of EU citizens in Britain and UK nationals in the EU will join the holder of the right at any point after the date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement".

The paper then adds this will apply to current and future family members, implying that the commitment would remain for generations to come.

It comes after Ms May reiterated her message that no deal with the EU is better than a bad deal during the televised leaders' debate on Monday, telling Jeremy Paxman she was "not prepared to sign up for a bad deal".

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

The Prime Minister claimed during a speech in the West Midlands on Tuesday Brussels had adopted an aggressive negotiating position for talks, arguing that only she, and not Jeremy Corbyn, is capable of leading Britains negotiations.

EU chief negotiator Michael Barnier said last week that he would sit down for talks on 19 June before briefing EU leaders at a summit exactly a year after the June 23 Brexit vote, insisting Britains exit from the bloc would happen in an orderly fashion.

Despite Ms May's insistence that the UK was ready to walk out without a deal, Mr Barnier told reporters: That's not my option," adding: I don't want to imagine...a breakdown of negotiations. I would advise everyone to explain what the consequences would be of 'no deal'.
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The UK could have done more to stop the chaos and bloodshed in Libya that followed Western intervention, a Foreign Office minister has admitted.

Tobias Ellwood defended RAF air strikes against dictator Muammar Gaddafi, ordered by David Cameron, saying there was a duty to protect civilians during the North African countrys 2011 revolution.

The UKs role in Libya  where Manchester bomber Salman Abedi had strong links  has come under renewed scrutiny since the attack, which killed 22 people.

 Manchester attack: City pays tribute one week on

Since the revolution, the country has descended into a state of semi-anarchy with power divided between rival governments and arms factions including Isis.

The unstable situation has also allowed Libya to become a central hub of the refugee crisis as people smugglers take advantage of widespread lawlessness to launch thousands of boats towards Europe.

Jeremy Corbyn said soon after the Manchester bombing that British foreign policy has worsened terror threats to the UK.

But Mr Ellwood, speaking about the Libyan campaign at a Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) event, said: "I really do believe that not knowing the full outcome of events is not reason for inaction."

He referred to the duty to protect civilian areas before adding: "But we didn't do it to try and transform Libya and do something else.

"We did it to support the people of Libya against a criminal and indeed a terrorist himself with what he did with the Pan Am flight and so forth.

In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Isis fighters parade through in Sirte in 2015 In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Islamic State (IS) group jihadists on the outskirts of Libya's western city of Sirte AFP/Getty In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte A photo of a billboard in Sirte, Libya, listing seven rules for women's clothing, saying they must be loose-fitting and undecorated HRW/social media In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Isis militants process down a street in the coastal city of Sirte in Libya this week; the group has heralded Libya as its strategic gateway to attack Europe AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte An Isis lecture on Sharia at the Ouagadougou complex in Sirte, Libya, in 2016. HRW/social media In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte A sign reading "The city of Sirte, under the shadow of Sharia" as smoke rises in the background while forces aligned with Libya's new unity government advance on the eastern and southern outskirts of the Islamic State stronghold of Sirte on 9 June. Reuters In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Fighters loyal to Libya's GNA prepare to launch attacks against Isis as they continue their resistance on the outskirts of the western city of Sirte Getty In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed unity government are seen during clashes with jihadists of the Islamic State (IS) on the western outskirts of Sirte on June 2, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Sirte Forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed unity government fire during clashes with Isis around 14 miles west of Sirte on June 2, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Isis' Libyan stronghold of Sirte Isis in Libya

"There were elections, there was a Prime Minister, there was a transition council as well and then also, of course, a general national congress.

"It was 40 years of misrule in a very complex society with huge tribal constructs across there, after 40 years all these tribes found they had a bit of space, a bit of elbow room, and yes perhaps we could have done more but we were asked to leave, the international community was asked to take a step back from its involvement.

"But, yes, there have been consequences of that which we now need to work with the Libyans to make sure that Derna and Sirte and places like this, where Daesh has now moved itself because we've been succeeding in Iraq, is not able to train those people that causes the harm in places like Manchester."

Also speaking on the panel was the shadow Foreign Secretary, Emily Thornberry, who echoed Mr Corbyns comments.

She said the "failure of Libya" resulted in large ungoverned parts of the country which "directly leads to us being less safe" if these areas are used to train and arm people who "turn themselves on the West".

Barack Obama has been among the most prominent critics of the UK's role, last year accusing Mr Cameron of allowing the country to become a "shit show" after Gaddafi was killed.

Additional reporting by Press Association
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The owners of a zoo where a keeper was mauled to death by a tiger were warned about their ageing barriers four years ago.

Rosa King, 34, was killed when a tiger entered the enclosure where she was working at Hamerton Zoo in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

The zoo, which described the incident as a freak accident", was heavily criticised in an inspection by officials in 2013 that forced it to make improvements.

One visitor described hearing a scream then being ordered to run from the scene and locking themselves in a nearby room during Monday's attack.

He said that when members of the public emerged 10 minutes later they saw staff throwing meat over the wall of the enclosure to try to get the tiger to come away.

Documents seen by the Daily Telegraph, show that inspectors were concerned about the zoos ageing safety barriers and perimeter fencing as well as their escape procedures not being tailored to the risk poised by different animals.

The inspectors reported that the communications system the zoo had in place were not sufficient and needed to be upgraded.

It was only granted a new licence on the condition it introduced the changes. It is believed these improvements were made.

The report said: The inspectors consider that reliance on mobiles to communicate in an emergency is not sufficient and the system needs to be upgraded to ensure that all relevant staff can be contacted simultaneously.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 9 November 2022 Australia and Spain play during the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup group A match at the Copper Box Arena, London PA UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle 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It ordered the zoo to review and replace ageing safety barriers where the structural integrity of the barrier is compromised and review, repair and replace ageing/damaged perimeter fence where the structural integrity of the fence is compromised.

The incident has raised concerns about the way zoos are being run as the case echoes that of Sarah McClay, 24, who was killed when a tiger broke into the staff area at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria in 2013.

It later emerged nearly 500 animals had died in four years, some from starvation, and Barrow-in-Furness Council turned down an application to renew its licence made by founder David Gill.

Controversially earlier this month the council agreed to allow the zoo a new licence under the management of a newly formed company, Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd, run by Karen Brewer  who had also served as chief executive under Mr Gill.

Following the incident the Born Free Foundation issued a statement on Facebook saying Ms Kings death highlighted the danger of keeping wild animals in captivity.

It said: It has now been confirmed that zookeeper, Rosa King, has sadly been killed by a tiger in circumstances that are currently unclear.

Our thoughts are with the staff member's family and colleagues.

Hamerton Zoo Park is closed to the public while an investigation is underway (PA)

The tragic news is hauntingly reminiscent of the death of a keeper at South Lakes Safari Zoo four years ago,and further highlights the dangers involved when keeping wild animals in captivity.

The Independent has tried to contact Hamerton Zoo about the allegations but in a statement issued yesterday it said they did not wish to speak directly to the media.

Recommended Council renews licence for zoo where almost 500 animals have died

It said: We are sorry but our staff are too distressed to speak directly to the media, as one of our colleagues was killed at Hamerton Zoo Park, this morning.

This appears to have been a freak accident.

The Park will be closed from tomorrow (30 May), as a full investigation is currently underway, and we hope that more details can be announced as soon as we are able.

At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures, and at no point was public safety affected in any way.

All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time.
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Theresa May has been accused of scaring voters about Brexit after warning of economic ruin and damage to the NHS and schools if Jeremy Corbyn is allowed to lead the talks.

The Prime Minister faced tough questions after launching a ferocious assault on the Labour leaders fitness to conduct the negotiations which would define our country for generations to come.

In one extraordinary passage of her speech, Ms May claimed Mr Corbyn would be alone and naked in the negotiating chamber, without a plan for withdrawal.

She also used her most apocalyptic language yet about Britains fate if the talks go wrong, almost mirroring the Project Fear tactics of the Remain campaign during the Brexit referendum.

Our economic prosperity will suffer, jobs and livelihoods will be put at risk, and with them the security and peace of mind of working families, Ms May warned.

If we dont make a success of Brexit, we wont have the financial means to fund the public services on which we all rely.

Our National Health Service  the institution which is there for us at the most difficult times  needs us to make a success of Brexit to ensure we can afford to provide it with the resources it needs for the future.

Every school in every village, town and city needs us to make a success of Brexit.

Tory strategist Sir Lynton Crosby is believed to have told the Prime Minister to refocus her campaign on the choice of leader to negotiate Brexit.

It follows the disastrous U-turn on social care policy and the unravelling of the Conservative manifesto, which appeared to have sparked a Labour revival and a shrunken Tory poll lead.

Speaking in Wolverhampton, Ms May faced a suggestion that that she was so worried about the opinion polls that she was scaring voters about the Brexit negotiations in order to get their vote.

But the Prime Minister said the European Union had already made clear its tough stance, adding: We need to have the strength to go into those negotiations.

I have got the plan, I have got the will and the determination to do that.

It would only be 11 days after polling day. The Prime Minister has to be prepared  Im prepared, nobody else is.

But, in fact, Ms May again failed to set out her plan, beyond leaving the single market, in order to end the free movement of EU citizens to Britain, and the willingness to walk away with no deal, if necessary.

She defended her stance that no deal is better than a bad deal despite a journalists suggestion that it risked aeroplanes not being able to fly to the EU and a serious recession.

Ms May said she, unlike Mr Corbyn, was not willing to give anything away just to get a deal, adding: He wants to get the worst deal for Britain at the highest possible price.

She also claimed her mission, as well as a successful Brexit, was to shift the balance of Britain in favour of ordinary working people.

Strikingly, following the fierce criticism of the past week, banners reading Theresa Mays team had been replaced with Theresa May and the Conservatives: Strong, Stable Leadership.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, May 30

By Demir Azizov Trend:

Russian billionaire of Uzbek origin Alisher Usmanov will take part in the financing of the project for the development of the tourist potential of Bukhara city, reads the decree of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev On measures for accelerated development of tourist potential of Bukhara city and Bukhara region for 2017-2019.

Bukhara city is one of the main tourism centers of Uzbekistan.

In accordance with the decree published on the website of the Uzbek presidential press service, Usmanovs direct investments and funds for charity will be raised together with the funds from other sources for the financing of the Construction of Kadimiy Bukhoro (Ancient Bukhara) tourist zone project.

The National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of Uzbekistan has been defined as the authorized bank for organization of the projects implementation scheme.

In addition, it is planned to implement the Construction of artisans neighborhood in historical part of Bukhara project. The Uzbek State Joint Stock Commercial Bank Asaka has been defined as the authorized bank regarding this project.
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Thousands of protesters descended on Downing Street to demonstrate against Conservative plans to repeal the ban on fox hunting.

Theresa May made the controversial pledge to allow Parliament a free vote on the ban if the Tories win Junes general election.

However the promise was heavily criticised by animal welfare groups, who staged the largest public protest of the general election campaign on Monday.

The Make Hunting History march, organised by an alliance of anti-hunt campaign groups, saw thousands take to the streets surrounding Whitehall.

Wildlife campaigner and one of the event's organisers, Dominic Dyer, said the Prime Minister will learn the hard way that fox hunting is political poison, and called for the savagery to be consigned to history forever".

This is a national disgrace and a clear example of playing politics with wildlife, he told The Independent.

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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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. 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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. 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Theresa May has no passion or interest in hunting but she is willing to see the repeal of the Hunting Act to ensure hunting and landowning groups campaign for Tory candidates during the election campaign.

"She might well return to Downing Street as Prime Minister on 9 June but her support for fox hunting could cost her seats.

"The caring, compassionate British public will not allow her to regain power at the cost of a return to the cruel killing of foxes, hares and deer with hounds."

It comes after a poll conducted for The Independent found just one in 10 people support plans to bring back fox hunting.

The survey of voters, conducted by ORB, found that 64 per cent disagree with the statement that the ban on fox hunting should be reversed, and a very high proportion (46 per cent) say they disagree strongly. Just 11 per cent agree with the policy, and a quarter (25 per cent) neither agree nor disagree.

The Hunting Act was passed in 2004 by the Labour then-Prime Minister Tony Blair, and outlawed the hunting with dogs of foxes and other wild mammals.
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Labour continues to close the gap on the Conservatives as the parties head towards the General Election on 8 June, according to a new opinion poll.

The poll by Survation for ITV's Good Morning Britain (GMB) puts Labour on 37 per cent, up three points on a week ago and six points behind the Tories who are unchanged on 43 per cent.

The Liberal Democrats on 8 per cent and Ukip on 4 per cent are both unchanged while the SNP are down one on 2 per cent and the Greens are also down one on 1 per cent.

While more than half, 53 per cent, said they believed Theresa May would make the best prime minister, support for Mr Corbyn is rising at 30 per cent, an increase of nine points since a GMB/Survation poll on May 5 and 6.

 General Election polls and projections: May 30

The findings come after a clutch of polls at the weekend showed Labour gaining ground with the Conservative lead down to single figures.

Survation interviewed 1,009 UK residents aged 18 and over by telephone on May 26 and 27.

The poll follows a separate survey by YouGov which found that Labours lead among voters under 50 is growing, marking an increasing generational divide ahead of the election.

The party is 57 points ahead of the Conservatives among voters under 25 years old, according to the poll, compared to 28 points shortly after the snap vote was called in April.

Across all the age groups, the survey for The Sunday Times showed Theresa Mays lead over Labour had fallen to seven points as she re-launched her election campaign.

While only 12 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds said they would vote Conservative, 69 per cent of them would opt to elect Jeremy Corbyn to Downing Street, the poll showed.

Meanwhile, 44 per cent of 25-to 49-year-olds favoured Labour, compared to 34 per cent who would vote Tory. Mr Corbyn's 10-point lead among this age group was up from eight points in the first days after the election was announced.

Yet only 57 per cent of people in each young age group said they were absolutely certain to vote, compared to 66 per cent of 50 to 64-year-olds and 75 per cent of over 60s.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 8 November 2022 A migrant attempting to communicate with journalists is pinned against a fence by members of staff, before being taken out of view, at the Manston immigration short-term holding facility, located at the former Defence Fire Training and Development Centre in Thanet, Kent PA UK news in pictures 7 November 2022 Handout photo issued by Just Stop Oil of a protester who has climbed a gantry on the M25 between junctions six and seven in Surrey, leading to the closure of the motorway PA UK news in pictures 6 November 2022 A grey seal with its pup, at the Donna Nook National Nature Reserve in north Lincolnshire, where they come every year in late October, November and December to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes, the wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from across the UK PA UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty

The Tories have slid in the polls after Ms May U-turned on a controversial proposal for a "dementia tax".

Tory peer Lord Lord Francis Maude said the manifesto launch "hadn't been a brilliant success".

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The general advice would be that if you're starting an election campaign 20 points ahead in the polls then you should be incredibly bland and generic and not say anything that might possibly upset anyone."

He added: "It hasn't been a brilliant success, I think it's fair to say."
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Jeremy Corbyn mounted a strong defence of immigration, as he refused to promise that the number of people entering the country would fall under a Labour government.

Answering questions from voters in a TV debate, the Labour leader said free movement of EU citizens would end after Brexit, which he vowed would be completed.

But, asked whether immigration would fall, Mr Corbyn said: Im not going to stand here and put a figure.

Our Prime Minister has done that now in the third election running and has got nowhere near meeting that figure.

If people hadnt migrated to this country, we would have a much worse health service, education system and transport system than we have.

The contribution that is made to your living standards and mine by the people who come here is huge.

Mr Corbyn vowed that he would not allow companies to bring in very low paid workers  promising to end the disgraceful undercutting.

But, asked if net immigration would be lower or higher than the current annual figure of 248,000, he replied: It certainly wouldnt go up anymore.

It would probably  but I dont want to be held to this  come down. Thats a probability.

The refusal to promise lower immigration is certain to be seized on by Labours opponents  but Mr Corbyns defence of foreign workers may delight some left-leaning voters.

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

During the session, in front of a Channel 4 audience, Mr Corbyn faced tough questions about whether he would soften foreign policy towards Isis, which he denied.

He was also asked about his past links with militant Irish republicans, but insisted he had held a period of silence for everyone who died in Northern Ireland.

And Mr Corbyn courted controversy by refusing to say if he ever would press the Trident nuclear button.

He was on stronger ground urging an opponent from a Labour family to think again over his opposition to higher corporation tax and VAT on private school fees.

Pointing out that the mans children would want to own a home and go to university without paying fees, Mr Corbyn said: We are all better off when everyone is better of. What we are proposing in this manifesto is transformational.
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Theresa May suffered a bruising TV grilling while being quizzed over a series of embarrassing U-turns and years of failure to hit her immigration targets.

The Prime Minister was branded a blowhard who collapses at the first sign of gunfire by interviewer Jeremy Paxman as he took her to task over reversals on taxation, social care and election plans.

She was heckled by the audience over her manifesto and was uncomfortable facing questions over repeated failures to lower net migration to less than 100,000.

Ms May was far stronger when the interview, part of a wider televised programme involving Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, covered Brexit as she hit home her message that no deal with the EU is better than a bad deal.

Mr Corbyn out-performed low expectations of him during the programme, but reignited confusion over Labours position on benefits by saying his party would uprate payments, in contradiction to claims by other senior figures that it would be unaffordable.

Ms May was first questioned over her budget U-turn on plans to increase National Insurance contributions for self-employed people, and was forced to admit she had been pushed to backed down.

Paxman responded: If I was sitting in Brussels and I was looking at you as the person I had to negotiate with, I would think she is a blowhard who collapses at the first sign of gunfire.

Ms May hit back that she had successfully negotiated in Brussels on matters of justice and home affairs, but her interviewer moved on to her repeated broken pledges not to hold an election.

 Paxman: Brussels negotiators will think May's a blowhard who collapses at the first sign of gunfire

The studio audience applauded loudly as Paxman pointed out the Prime Minister and her spokesmen had promised on six occasions that there would be no general election before 2020, with Ms May saying it had been necessary to change her mind as other parties wanted to frustrate Brexit negotiations.

With the Prime Minister putting the discredited promise to lower immigration to the tens of thousands in a Tory manifesto for a third time, Paxman then told her it had been her job when Home Secretary to deal with immigration. Ms May replied: There is no single moment where you take one measure which changes the immigration figures.

The Prime Minister was laughed at and heckled by some audience members when she said of Labour plans to boost schools funding we know the figures dont add up, with people apparently amused that it was the Conservative plans on social care that had to be rewritten.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron called it a car crash, while the SNPs Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: It has become painfully clear in last half hour why the PM is dodging leaders debates in this election.

Even some Tory commentators suggested it had not been the strongest performance, such as LBC radio host Iain Dale who said on Twitter: Let no one pretend that this was comfortable for her. It patently was not.

It comes as Ms May prepares to give a major speech on Tuesday in which she will try to realign the election on Brexit, a subject she was much stronger on during her TV grilling.

Brexit Secretary David Davis defended his leader after the programme, claiming Ms May gave a strong, mature, considered performance.

 Jeremy Corbyn defends immigration: The contribution that is made by people who come here is huge

He added: It couldnt have been more different to Jeremy Corbyn  who flannelled under pressure and couldnt get past 30 years of words and deeds that put him on the wrong side of the British people.

During the show, the Labour leader was quizzed over his apparent support for members of the IRA and for calling members of the Hamas militant group friends.

One awkward moment came when he said that his party would uprate benefits  committing his party to a potential 3.6bn spending plan which had not appeared in his partys manifesto costings.

There was a day of confusion over the partys approach to the benefits freeze when Labour launched its manifesto earlier this month, with senior figures finally drawing a line under it by admitting it would cost too much to end the lock  due to run until 2020.

But asked by Paxman on Monday if he would freeze benefits, as currently planned by the Conservative Government, Mr Corbyn said: Benefits will be paid of course. Benefits will be uprated, they will be uprated of course and there will be a higher living wage as Ive outlined.

He added: No, they are not going to be frozen because they will be uprated every year as they should be.

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

During the Sky News/Channel 4 programme, the Labour leader refused to be drawn on whether he would order strikes against a terrorist plotting overseas to attack the UK.

I would want know the circumstances, Mr Corbyn said. You cant answer a hypothetical question without the evidence. It is a completely hypothetical question.

After the debate, Labours national elections coordinator Andrew Gwynne also dismissed questions on Mr Corbyns attitude to the Falklands War after the leader once suggested then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher exploited it for political gain.

Shadow cabinet member Barry Gardiner said of Mr Corbyn: Jeremy connected with the audience. He got the audience laughing with him. She had the audience laughing at her seven times during that interchange. It was extraordinary.
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Theresa Mays plan to cut net migration to under 100,000 a year would almost double unemployment in the UK to more than three million, according to a new study.

It claims that British workers would be the main losers from lower economic growth caused by the country having fewer people to drive business expansion and, in turn, consumer demand and spending.

The Migration Matters Trust, a cross-party group of politicians, business leaders and trade unionists which encourages an evidence-based debate on immigration, studied the relationship between the migration, unemployment and employment figures over the past 10 years.

The trust is backing the Drop the Target campaign run by The Independent and the Open Britain group, which urges the Government to abandon its goal of cutting annual net migration to the tens of thousands.

It concluded that unemployment would rise from 1.6 million today to 3.1 million if net migration fell below 100,000. It has not stood at that level since the mid-1980s during the Thatcher Government.

According to the study, the employment rate for British citizens  the percentage wanting to work who have jobs  would drop from 75 per cent to 70 per cent, the lowest level for 20 years. The number of jobless people chasing each vacancy would rise from two today to seven.

Barbara Roche, chair of Migration Matters and a former Labour Immigration Minister, said: Its not politically correct to say this, but some of the people hit hardest by cutting migration to below 100,000 would be British workers.

"According to the Governments own figures, in industries like hospitality, which have a higher proportion of migrant workers, seven out of 10 employees are Brits. These are the workers who will suffer if migration is cut.

She added: The case for immigration isnt about abstract altruism but British self-interest. By plugging skills gaps in businesses, immigration safeguards the jobs of British workers in those firms.

Keith Knowles, chief executive of Beds and Bars, which includes St Christophers Inns hostels and Belushis bars, said: Without migrants to help plug skills gaps, my business would really struggle.

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. 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Migrant workers in my trade are often mislabelled as doing low skill jobs. This is not the case.

They have a passion for hospitality, something that we really struggle to find here in the UK. For me, migrants are incredibly valuable. Their skills and capabilities keep the business running.

The UK becomes increasingly unattractive to invest in if we're unable to obtain the skills we need. For us to be able to grow our economy, we need to be able to access the full labour market.

Chuka Umunna, Labours former shadow Business Secretary and a leading supporter of Open Britain, said: This report sets out the real dangers the Governments misguided, illogical immigration target poses to our economy.

People who come to our country from abroad work hard, contribute, found businesses that employ British workers, and pay their taxes.

 Michael Fallon says Tories have not costed immigration proposals

An artificial cap on numbers will make British people worse off. As well as keeping Britain in the single market and customs union after Brexit, the Government needs to ensure that Britain remains open to talented people from Europe and around the world.

Net migration fell to 248,000 in 2016, down 84,000 on the previous year, according to official figures published on Thursday, due to more people leaving, especially EU citizens, and fewer arrivals.

The controversial target was reaffirmed in the Conservatives election manifesto, after Ms May rejected pleas from several ministers to drop it on the grounds that it was unlikely to be hit.

Ministers have refused to put a timescale on when it will be met, and argue that this makes it impossible to calculate the target's economic impact. They have promised a flexible approach to EU migration after Brexit to help business adjust.

Recommended Fears for economy as number of EU migrants leaving Britain surges

Ms May has denied that senior Cabinet ministers opposed her goal. In a BBC interview, she said: People do support the immigration target and what theyre supporting is the view of the British people. Thats what were supporting. Because the British people want to see us controlling migration.

Experts are divided over the economic impact of lower migration. The Office for Budget Responsibility, the independent fiscal watchdog, estimated last November that a 80,000 drop in net migration would create a 6bn-a-year hole in the public finances by 2020-21.

The Centre for Economic and Business Research found that cutting migration to below 100,000 would reduce the size of the British economy by between 1.5 per cent and 3 per cent by 2025. It highlighted the need to plug skills gaps to ease bottlenecks as a key driver of whether the economy grows or stagnates.

Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Kings College, London, has said there is strong evidence that arbitrary cuts in migration would make the UK less prosperous, and could reduce GDP per head by several percentage points by 2030.

But David Goodhart, Head of Demography, Immigration and Integration at the Policy Exchange think tank, has questioned the OBRs assumptions.

He said: If the Government continues with its current policy of encouraging higher skilled immigrants and discouraging lower skilled immigrants, especially from the EU after the end of free movement, then it should be possible to reduce numbers without reducing the high fiscal contribution from French and German bankers.

And the OBR seems to take no account of the possibility that lower immigration might mean higher wages and more automation increasing productivity, incomes and thus the fiscal contribution of the average worker.
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Theresa May faced heckles and laughter from a live TV audience over the collapse of her election manifesto, as she refused to stop school cuts.

Members of the audience giggled when the Prime Minister when she said Labours figures dont add up  apparently amused that it was the Conservative manifesto that had to be rewritten.

There was a shout of youve clearly failed when Ms May said, of school funding, nobody can guarantee the real terms per funding increase.

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The Prime Minister also refused to say at what level a cap on social care costs would be set, or how many millions of pensioners would lose winter fuel payments.

It was the initial refusal to impose a care cap which led to a humiliating U-turn four days later after fierce criticism, abandoning a key plank of the manifesto.

Ms May also faced tough questions over big cuts to police numbers while she was Home Secretary and the state of the NHS after years of efficiencies.

One midwife from Devon protested at the chronic underfunding and told her: I see a lot of efficiency savings that are actually cuts. I see hospitals closing.

I see staff that are at their wits end because they cannot give the care that they want to give.

Another questioner asked Ms May whether she feared her self-acclaimed reputation as bloody difficult woman was making people view the Conservatives as the nasty party again.

But it was the ridicule that greeted the Prime Ministers answer on education funding that will have most alarmed her aides, on a night she seemed nervous and uncertain.

Nicola, a teacher and mother-of-two from West Yorkshire, told Ms May she was incredibly concerned by cuts, amounting to seven per cent according to the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies.

These cuts are clearly unsustainable. Are you prepared to change your current plans to prevent further damage to our schools?

The Prime Minister insisted the Tories would put in further record funding, but got into trouble when she quickly tried to turn the discussion to her plans for grammar schools.

Asked again about funding, she claimed: Nobody can guarantee a real-terms per-pupil funding increase. I mean, the Labour partys manifesto, we know the figures dont add up,  prompting the laughter and heckles.

Ms May also refused to say how many police officers the country needed, after the total was slashed from around 133,00 to just 124,000 on her watch.

And an elderly critic of the so-called dementia tax  who feared his family would have to sell his home to pay his care bills  asked her: Why Prime Minister should my generation vote for you?

But Ms May  sticking to her widely-ridiculed claim not to have carried out a U-turn on a care cap  refused to state the level at which it would be set, before a post-election consultation.
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Theresa May has been criticised for "worshipping" with a clergyman who has a history of anti-LGBT campaigning.

The Prime Minister met with members of the Jesus House Church, which she described as one of the most lively growing churches in the UK over the weekend.

Her official Twitter account showed her meeting members of the congregation. Ms May also met with Pastor Agu Irukwu, who campaigned against the Equality Act and the legalisation of gay marriage.

She participated in a Q&A session with Mr Irukwu, who became a senior pastor in 1994, and Jesus House said she took part in worship.

LGBT activists expressed shock at the Prime Ministers visit, made just ten days before the general election.

"Theresa May's decision to visit pastor Agu Irukwu and Jesus House is an insult to the whole LGBT community but especially to black LBGT people," said veteran LGBT rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.

"The pastor has a long history opposing LGBT equality, including opposition to same-sex civil marriage and to laws protecting LGBT people against discrimination.

"His church has been involved in exorcisms of gay people in the belief that they are possessed by demons. It's parent church in Nigeria backed the draconian anti-laws passed in 2014, which are some of the harshest in the world. Jesus House preaches against the human rights of LGBT people in the UK and Africa.

"These teachings fuel prejudice. They contribute to self-hatred and mental ill-health in black African LGBT communities."

He added: The Prime Minister is wrong to fete and appease homophobic Christian extremists."

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Dr Christian Jessen, a television presenter, said: Oh dear. Jesus House is a bastion of ugly homophobia, run by Agu Irukeu who strongly opposes homosexual equality.

Bad move by the Tories.

Jesus House, which was founded in Nigeria and in the UK mainly caters to a black British congregation in Brent, west London, has defended itself from what it claimed were misinformed comments.

A statement on Twitter said: We are called to love all, irrespective of their ethnicity, religious background or sexual orientation.

Its not in our place to judge others.

But critics pointed to letters written by Mr Irukwu to a national newspaper, lobbying against LGBT rights.

In 2006, he signed a letter to the Telegraph from over 250 pastors, who branded the Equality Act as Christianophobia.

It said: The latest discrimination against Christians is the new law called the Sexual Orientation Regulations, said to combat the problem of homophobia in Britain. It alarms us that the Government's only evidence for a problem actually existing is accounts in national newspapers.

The regulations force Christians in churches, businesses, charities and informal associations to accept and even promote the idea that homosexuality is equal to heterosexuality.

The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe Show all 15 1 /15 The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 15. Italy Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 14. Macedonia The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 13. Poland Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 12. Liechtenstein The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 11. Lithuania The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 10. Latvia This content is subject to copyright. The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 9. San Marino The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 8. Moldova The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 7. Belarus Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 6. Ukraine Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 5. Monaco The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 4. Turkey Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 3. Armenia The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 2. Russia Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 1. Azerbaijan Getty/AFP

For the sake of clarity, this is not what the Bible teaches and it is not what we believe to be the truth. In our view, these regulations are an affront to our freedom to be Christians.

In 2013, Mr Irukwu was one of just ten preachers to sign a letter to the newspaper rallying against gay marriage.

Marriage is and always will be distinctively a union between a man and a woman, the letter said, and called for a referendum on the issue.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: "As Pastor Agu said himself in his sermon on Sunday, we are called to love all, irrespective of the person's ethnicity, the person's background, the person's sexual orientation.

"Theresa May has a strong record on LGBT+ equality, and has been clear that under her leadership, we remain committed to advancing equality for LGBT+ people at home and abroad.

"It's not for the Government to tell people what to believe. The law is clear - discrimination on the grounds of sexuality or gender identity is unacceptable."

The Independent has contacted Jesus House for comment.
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Britain could be on course for a hung parliament in nine days time, according to a new projection that suggests the Conservatives could fall 16 seats short of an overall majority.

The seat-by-seat prediction by YouGov for The Times suggests that the Conservatives are on course to win 310 seats at the election  short of an absolute majority of 326 seats needed to form a Government.

Such a result on 9 June would be calamitous for Theresa May, who called the snap election in April, claiming the country needed certainty, stability and strong leadership as it enters the negotiations to exit the European Union on 19 June.

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Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader, who suffered a disastrous result at the 2015 election despite predictions of a hung parliament, replied to the research on Twitter, adding: The pollsters have been off my Christmas card since 2015 #justsaying.

The Prime Minister would undoubtedly face questions over her leadership if the modelling by YouGov is proved to be accurate in just over a week, especially after she was forced into a humiliating U-turn over a proposed social care reformed dubbed the dementia tax by critics.

It also claims Jeremy Corbyns Labour party could be in line to gain 29 seats on the last election with 257, with the Liberal Democrats on 10 and the SNP down four seats on 50.

Such a result would mean the Labour leader would have to be willing to enter negotiations with other political parties if he wished to enter Downing Street.

But Mr Corbyn has unequivocally ruled out a coalition deal with Nicola Sturgeons SNP and Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat leader, said in April that he will do no deal, no deal with anybody under any circumstances  unlike his predecessor Nick Clegg.

The SNP, which is forecast to win 50 seats, would be the only party with enough seats to prop the party up in Government but is unlikely to as it opposes Brexit and much of the Tory platform.

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

Ms Sturgeon previously said that she would be willing to enter a progressive alliance with Labour but did not want a Tory Prime Minister or Tory government.

Despite the surprise prediction by YouGov, however, other polls have consistently provided Ms Mays party with a commanding lead.

An ICM poll for the Guardian on Tuesday showed Labour gaining ground  a trend consistent with other pollsters  but suggested the Tories are still enjoying a healthy advantage.

It placed Ms May on 45 per cent, Labour on 33 per cent, the Lib Dems on 8 per cent and Ukip on 5 per cent.

The latest model, which has been met with scepticism by both the Conservatives and Labour, was based on 50,000 interviews over the course of a week with voters brought in to form a panel.

The pollsters assessed the intentions of every type of voter, including where they live to how they voted in the EU referendum, their age and their social backgrounds.

They then used data from the Office of National Statistics, the British Election study and past election results and estimated estimated the number of each type of voter in each constituency.

YouGov has controversially predicted a hung parliament (Statista/The Independent)

Combining the model probabilities and estimated census counts, YouGov predicted who was likely to win each constituency to give the results pictured in the infographic above, created for The Independent by the statistics agency Statista.

But the firm also allowed itself a huge margin for error, following weeks of polls showing a strong Tory lead amid widespread predictions of a landslide.

Recommended Tory lead over Labour shrinks in latest poll

It suggests the Tories could get as many as 345 seats on a good night but as few as 274 on a bad night.

Andrew Hawkins, the chairman of ComRes, told The Times: If voters behave in the way they broadly did in 2015 then the Conservatives remain on track for a 100-plus majority. This seems, on present assumptions, the most likely outcome.

But the polls have been narrowing in recent weeks as Ms May was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over a proposed social care reform plan dubbed the dementia tax.

Under plans published in the manifesto, the Tories proposed allowing elderly people who need social care to hold off paying for it until after their deaths so they do not need to leave their home.

But after intense criticism Ms May announced their would be a cap on the amount people were expected to pay so they could still leave something to their children.

She was then laughed at during the Sky News/Channel 4 leaders debate when Jeremy Paxman suggested she would not be taken seriously in Brussels.
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A senior Isis official has been killed by security forces in Tunisia while allegedly planning attacks to take place during Ramadan.

The Tunisian interior ministry refused to identify the leader but confirmed he was an important and dangerous member of the terrorist group. Sofiene Sliti, a spokesman for the judiciary, suggested the suspect may have been 20-year-old Houssem Tlithi although this is unconfirmed.

Eleven warrants had been issued by the government for his arrest before he was killed in a night raid on a property in the Jebel Chaambi area near the Algerian border.

Recommended This Ramadan could be even bloodier than previous years

The interior ministry said the suspect had been on the run for the past three years and hid for many months in the Mount Salloum region, a known extremist stronghold.

Another member of Isis was wounded during the attack and a large quantity of weapons including explosives were seized, the ministry confirmed.

Security officials believe Isis intended to use bomb belts and Kalashnikov assault rifles to launch a series of attacks on nearby towns during the holy month of Ramadan.

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

The Jebel Chaambi area is a jihadi enclave where other violent Islamist groups such as the al-Qaeda-linked Uqba ibn Nafi Brigade and Ansar al-Sharia find safe haven.

Tunisia is traditionally a moderate Muslim country but it is under more regular threat from Isis fighters returning from conflict in Syria and Iraq.

The group has also gained a foothold in neighbouring Libya, where the Manchester bomber made frequent visits during the country's ongoing civil war.

Tunisia has lost dozens of security officials to terrorist attacks since the 2011 revolution, as well as seeing the deaths of 59 tourists.

A state of emergency has been in place since November 2015, when 12 presidential guards were killed by Isis in Tunis.

The followed another Isis terror attack on the Bardo Museum and shooting massacre in the beach resort of Sousse, which left 38 victims including 30 British tourists dead in June 2015.
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A Back To The Future fan said he was handed a speed ticket after he was caught travelling at 88mph in his new DeLorean.

Spencer White said he was driving on the freeway in Californias Santa Clarita area with his mother when he looked at his speedometer and saw he was travelling at around 85mph.

Realising he was only three miles off the speed that activates the flux capacitor in the iconic 1985 film that turns the DeLorean into a time machine, Mr White decided to test the cars capabilities.

My mom, shes just looking at me and says, take it up to 88mph, lets do it, Mr White told KTLA5 News.

Mr White said he was driving at 88mph for about two seconds before he saw a police officer pull in behind him.

When the officer approached the car, he told Mr White he pulled him over for speeding, and asked whether he knew how fast he was driving.

I just started busting up laughing, my mom started busting up laughing, [the police officer] even had this big grin on his face like hes won the lottery, he said.

The officer gave Mr White a speeding ticket, but before he drove away he retrieved the radar gun from his police car to show Mr White, who took a picture of it showing 88mph.

Mr White, who had always wanted to own a DeLorean, bought his dream car a month ago.

Maybe if I had the flux capacitor [the officer] would have let me off, Mr White told The Signal.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

Restructuring of external debt of the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA) will contribute to the banks rehabilitation, said Rufat Aslanli, chairman of the board of directors at Azerbaijans Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FIMSA).

He was addressing a conference titled Economic Reforms: Achieved Results and Recommendations in Baku on May 30.

In case of successful completion, restructuring of the IBAs external debt will lead to rehabilitation of the bank, sufficient liquidity and positive cash flow, Aslanli said.

This will allow starting the process of the banks privatization and increasing its market value, according to him.

Earlier, the IBA commenced a process of voluntary debt restructuring as part of its rehabilitation.

The banks total debt to foreign creditors is $3.3 billion.

The International Bank of Azerbaijan has been operating since 1992 and is one of the countrys two state-owned banks.
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Donald Trump has hit back at Angela Merkels recent comments about the unreliability of the US as a trading partner.

In a tweet, the US President said America had a massive trade deficit with Germany and warned: This will change.

It comes after Ms Merkel said Germany can no longer rely on the US under Mr Trumps presidency.

Speaking at a campaign event on Sunday, the German Chancellor emphasised the need for friendly relations with the US, Britain and Russia, but added: We Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands.

Ms Merkel said that as the traditional Western alliance is threatened by the new US presidency and Brexit, the times in which [Germany] can fully count on others are somewhat over.

Her comments came after Mr Trump said he needed more time to decide if the US would continue backing the Paris Agreement on climate change, which has frustrated European diplomats.

In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour Show all 39 1 /39 In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud arriving for a reception ahead of a banquet at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud being welcomed at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump with King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during a welcome ceremony with traditional sword dancers at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud with US President Donald J. Trump and wife Melania during a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump adjusts the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal, after it was bestowed upon him by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud presents U.S. President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 Palestinians print posters depicting US President Donald Trump in preparations for his planned visit, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, before delivering his remarks to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef exchange a memorandum of understanding Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump shares a laugh with a child during a visit to the American International School in the Saudi capital Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers rest during preparations ahead of President Trump's landing in Tel Aviv, Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump makes her way to board Air Force One in Riyadh as she heads with her husband the US President to Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One for Israel, the next stop in Trump's international tour, at King Khalid International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers wait for the arrival ceremony of US President Donald Trump at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive aboard Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One on arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump and his wife, US First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, in Lod outside Tel Aviv, Israel EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sit during welcome ceremony in Tel Aviv AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump chats wife Sara Netanyahu as US President Donald Trump chats to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a welcoming ceremony to welcome Trump at Ben Gurion International Airport Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump delivers a speech upon his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump gestures during a press conference with Israel's President at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump watches as First Lady Melania Trump signs the guest book at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalems Old City Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump stands next to Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz at the plaza in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner leave notes at the Western Wall in Jerusalem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Ivanka Trump, assistant and daughter of US President Donald J. Trump, touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump arrives in a vehicle to Saint Damaso's Court for a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis walks past Ivanka Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the occasion of the private audience with President Donald Trump, at the Vatican AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis exchanges gifts with US President Donald Trump during a private audience at the Vatican Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis meets US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania during a private audience at the Vatican Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis with US President Donald J. Trump EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis gets into is car after meeting with US President Donald Trump AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 President Donald Trump and his wife Melania look at the frescoed ceilings during their visit to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump security vehicles are seen in front of Air Force One before take off from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave to reporters before boarding the Air Force One to Brussels, at the end of a 2-day visit to Italy including a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, at Rome's Fiumicino international airport AP

On Monday, Ms Merkel again underlined her doubts about the reliability of the US as an ally but said she was a convinced trans-Atlanticist, fine-tuning her message after surprising Washington with her frankness a day earlier.

Mr Trump has also been denounced as a security risk for the West by Thomas Opperman, the leader of the Social Democratic Party in Germany.

He said the US President and his administration chatter too much and could give critical information to Russia.

He added: This is a dangerous situation. It cannot continue as it is. This endangers the information exchange and can be dangerous for both sides.
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White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was giddy at the thought of meeting Pope Francis during President Trump's first trip abroad, telling acquaintances that for him, a devout Catholic, the moment would fulfil a bucket-list dream.

But when the White House finalised the lucky list of staff members who would accompany Trump into his private audience with the pontiff at the Vatican last week, Spicer's name was nowhere to be found.

Enduring public humiliation has become a defining characteristic of Spicer's tenure in the White House - from the Saturday Night Live parody in which a woman plays a ranting, red-faced Spicer to the constant rumours of his imminent dismissal. Yet being excluded from the papal visit still stunned his colleagues, many of whom expressed pity for him and were visibly uncomfortable talking about the slight.

In Trump's White House, aides serve a president who demands absolute loyalty - but who does not always offer the same in return. Trump prefers a management style in which even compliments can come laced with a bite, and where enduring snubs and belittling jokes, even in public, is part of the job.

Allies say the President's quips are simply good-natured teasing, part of an inclusive strategy meant to make even mid-level staff members feel like family. But others consider Trump's comments pointed reminders to those who work for him that he is in charge - barbs from the boss that keep aides on guard and off kilter, and can corrode staff morale.

Trump sometimes refers to his 45-year-old chief of staff, Reince Priebus, as Reince-y, a diminutive nickname that some aides and outside rivals recount with gleeful relish. The president also frequently reminds Priebus that when Access Hollywood tapes emerged during the campaign on which Trump could be heard boasting about groping women without their consent, Priebus urged him to drop out of the race.

The president has described House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, Republican-Wisconsin, in theory one of his top allies on Capitol Hill, as a Boy Scout - a dig the that lawmaker joked he chose to take as a compliment even though I'm not sure he meant it that way.

And during the transition, Trump would make a point of noting that then-Vice President-elect Mike Pence's crowds paled compared to his, teasing that even his daughter Ivanka and son Eric attracted more attention, according to two people familiar with the comments, which they considered demeaning. (Pence offered a similar quip on the campaign trail.)

Even the president's family is not immune. In a news conference at Trump Tower shortly after he won the White House, Trump announced that he would be putting his companies into a trust that his two older sons would run during his presidency.

I hope at the end of eight years, I'll come back and say, 'Oh, you did a good job,' Trump said, as his sons looked on. But, then, he couldn't resist a final tweak - half joke, half warning: Otherwise, if they do a bad job, I'll say, 'You're fired.'

The White House says that Trump, who came of age professionally running a family business, is simply joking with his staff, part of a warm, familial leadership style that makes everyone feel included.

President Trump has a magnetic personality and exudes positive energy, which is infectious to those around him, Hope Hicks, Trump's communications director, said in a statement. He has an unparalleled ability to communicate with people, whether he is speaking to a room of three or an arena of 30,000. He has built great relationships throughout his life and treats everyone with respect. He is brilliant with a great sense of humour... and an amazing ability to make people feel special and aspire to be more than even they thought possible.

Many disagree with that assessment. Critics say the president often demeans those in his orbit, a tendency they say reflects a broader fragility beneath his bluster.

Trump is so deeply insecure that not even becoming president of the United States quenched his need to make others feel small to build himself up, said Tim Miller, a former spokesman for an anti-Trump super PAC. Choosing to work for him necessitates a willingness to be demeaned in order to assuage his desire to feel like a big, important person.

Trump's management style - whether good-natured ribbing or withering comments, depending on one's perspective - dates to his days as a Manhattan real estate developer, when Trump enjoyed operating in an environment of competing factions. Now, he has transplanted that executive philosophy into his White House.

When he decided to fire his FBI director, James B. Comey, the president did so in an especially humiliating way. Like a scene out of The Godfather, Trump first sent Keith Schiller, his former head of security, to deliver the message to Comey at FBI headquarters. His allies maintain that Trump simply wanted the job done well, so he dispatched Schiller, whom he trusts deeply, in a sign of respect for how seriously he took the moment.

But Comey, who was across the country visiting a Los Angeles field office, ultimately found out in embarrassing fashion - in public, from television, in full view of his staff. As Comey was delivering a speech to FBI field employees, he initially laughed as news flashed across the TV screens that he had been fired. How'd you guys do that? he asked, according to someone briefed on the moment.

The FBI director assumed he was being pranked by his underlings - and had to be told by his team that the headlines were no joke. He had been dismissed, effective immediately.

During a February prayer breakfast in Washington, Mark Burnett, the creator of The Apprentice, introduced Trump, who went on to make a few tone-deaf jokes about Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had replaced him as the show's host.

The ratings went down the tubes, the president said. It's been a total disaster and Mark will never, ever bet against Trump again. And I want to just pray for Arnold if we can, for those ratings, OK?

Trump's friends and allies reject the notion that he diminishes those around him, saying the businessman-turned-president is simply trying to bring out the best in his employees.

I think it's more New York swagger than he's trying to belittle them, said Christopher Ruddy, the chief executive of Newsmax, a conservative media company, and a longtime friend of Trump's. I always say he makes people feel like a million bucks.

The approach, however, frequently leaves Trump's top team open to some of his more cutting digs.

At a private dinner shortly before he was inaugurated, Trump took aim at his incoming vice president and his incoming secretary of state, Rex Tillerson.

Complimenting his vice presidential choice, Trump also reminded the crowd - and Pence - that he could have just as easily chosen someone else. Oh, I had a couple of beauties I could have picked, Trump said. They were good, too, but maybe they wouldn't have worked out like Mike.

Turning his attention to his secretary of state pick at the same gathering, he hinted that Tillerson - a former chief executive of ExxonMobil - might be in for a steep learning curve in the Trump administration. Where's our Rex? Trump asked. Wow. What a job. Thank you very much, thanks Rex. I think it's tougher than he thought. He's led this charmed life. He goes into a country, takes the oil, goes into another country. It's tough dealing with these politicians, right?

Trump also sometimes reminds even his senior advisers, in ways big and small, that he has the power to demote them at any time. During an Oval Office meeting about trouble spots abroad, a relatively junior foreign policy staff member prepared to take a seat on the periphery as the president's top aides, including chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, surrounded him in chairs around the Resolute Desk. But the president soon ordered up a change, said someone who witnessed the moment, telling Bannon to give up his seat for the junior staff member and relegating his top strategist to the couch.

More recently, during a lunch with ambassadors from countries on the UN Security Council, Trump jokingly polled those in the room on whether they thought UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, seated directly to his right, was doing a good job.

How do you all like Nikki? he asked, as Haley looked on. Otherwise, she can easily be replaced.

Close foreign allies are also targets of Trump's public and private dressing-downs.

During an early call with Australia, one of nation's staunchest allies, the president got into a testy exchange with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, blasting him over a refugee deal, bragging about the size of his electoral college win and abruptly ending the call.

When news from the conversation emerged, Trump's team readily confirmed details of the exchange. The president was livid about the leak - but had no problem being viewed as a bully, believing he was simply standing up for his nation's best interests.

The pattern continued in his trip overseas last week, when he gushed about the autocratic Saudi royal family even while insulting European allies. At a stop in Brussels, the president chastised Nato members for not meeting their financial responsibilities, shoved aside a Balkan prime minister to get in front for a group photo and needled his allies about the price tag on a new building for the alliance.

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

During his first in-person meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump's typically aggressive greeting became a duel of oneupmanship as the two men clenched their jaws and tightened their faces during an intense, white-knuckled handshake.

Macron, France's newly elected 39-year-old leader, later said he wanted to show Trump that he would not be pushed around or demeaned.

I don't believe in diplomacy by public abuse, he said.

Copyright The Washington Post
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Justin Trudeau has urged Pope Francis to apologise to indigenous people in Canada for the Catholic churchs decades-long abuse of aboriginal children in the schools it governed there.

The Canadian Prime Minister met with the pontiff at the Vatican on Monday as part of his visit to Italy for the G7 summit in Taormina over the weekend.

Mr Trudeau argued Pope Franciss apology was imperative for Canadians to make genuine progress on resolution and reconciliation with the Aboriginal population in Canada.

In the late 19th century residential schools were set up to assimilate the children of Canadas aboriginal people, who comprise of the First Nations, Inuit and Metis, into mainstream society.

Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Live and let live.' GETTY IMAGES Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Proceed calmly" in life' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Be giving of yourself to others' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Even though many parents work long hours, they must set aside time to play with their children' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Sunday is for family' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Respect and take care of nature' OSSERVATORE ROMANO/AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Stop being negative' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: Respect others' beliefs' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet, but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive' FP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness AFP/Getty Images

Around 30 per cent of the children of Canadas native peoples, approximately 150,000 children, were forcibly removed from their families and placed in what they termed residential schools. The institutions taught the children how to speak English and adopt Canadian customs and Christianity, with the intention being for native traditions and ancestral languages to be diluted and ultimately erased.

For over a century the institutions were government-funded but many were administered by Christian churches which predominantly consisted of the Roman Catholic tradition.

Many children were physically and sexually abused in the institutions.

I told him how important it is for Canadians to move forward on real reconciliation with the indigenous peoples and I highlighted how he could help by issuing an apology, Mr Trudeau told reporters after meeting Pope Francis.

Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission said in a 2015 report that the construction of the schools amounted to "cultural genocide" and has called for a papal apology in order to aid the reconciliation process with survivors.

Mr Trudeau said the pontiff informed him he was looking forward to working alongside himself and the Canadian bishops to figure out a path forward together.

Additional reporting from Reuters
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Disgraced former Panamanian General Manuel Noriega was a ruthless dictator, domestic spook, convicted murderer, money-launderer, big-time drug runner for Colombian cocaine druglords and a double agent between the CIA and Fidel Castro's Cuba. To some of his friends, however, including English ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn, he was a loveable rogue. In the 1980s, when he was nicknamed Pineapple Face because of severe acne, he stood up to the US but went one step too far when he swung a machete around his head and declared Panama was in a state of war with America.

Not great timing. For one thing, the major US networks filmed the machete incident, which was never going to go down well with a US President from Texas, George HW Bush. What's more, another anti-US dictator, Iraqs Saddam Hussein, was in dispute with neighbouring Kuwait and was building up his forces with a possible view to invasion (which he did the following year, 1990). President Bush did not fancy taking on two dictators at the same time. Just before Christmas 1989, he ordered US paratroopers into Panama and within two weeks Noriega surrendered.

The $300m Noriega was said by US investigators to have amassed as his personal fortune became useless. He was convicted in the US for drug-trafficking, racketeering and money-laundering and in 1992 was sentenced to 40 years in prison in Miami, later reduced to 30 years. In the end, he was released early by the US but only because both France and Panama had called for his extradition on other charges. But the US was happy to get rid of him and see him complete his penance elsewhere.

He was shipped to Paris in 2010 and sentenced in July to seven years' jail for money-laundering by buying luxury Paris apartments with drug proceeds worth $3m. Like the US, however, France, having administered their own justice, released him after just over a year, in September 2011, and put him, heavily guarded, on a plane to his native Panama, where he arrived on 11 December that year. If Noriega was expecting a triumphant welcome home from his former supporters, it was not to be. Panama jailed him for 20 years.

In early 2017, he was released from prison for a temporary period of house arrest to allow him to have an operation to remove a benign brain tumour. In early March, he was said to be critically ill and in a coma after suffering a haemorrhage.

Doctors decided to attempt further surgery to treat the cerebral bleeding, but he died late on Monday, local time, in Panama City's Santo Tomas hospital, the secretary of state for communication Manuel Dominguez announced. He was 83.

For a foreign correspondent covering Panama in the 1980s, Noriega was pure gold. Panama rarely got covered in Europe but Cara de Pina (Pineapple Face) guaranteed headlines. Charismatic he was not. Fascinating, yes. Kind of a Donald Trump of his time. Noriega did not like foreign reporters, even Panamanian reporters, except the ones he paid off with cash in US dollars. These were pre-Twitter days so his only resource was to invite us foreign correspondents to his bunker-style office at the Panamanian Defence Forces headquarters. Like Trump, he was convinced he was the best thing ever to have happened for his country. In that, of course, he was soon proved wrong.

One of his major mistakes in the 1980s was to order the execution of one of his most outspoken opponents, Hugo Spadafora, a handsome, charismatic man who had uncovered Noriegas collaboration with the Colombian drug lords Pablo Escobar and Carlos Lehder in getting massive amounts of cocaine into the US. Spadafora's body was found in a large US Postal Service mail bag. His head had been sawn off with a butcher's knife and was never found.

Noriega was in Paris at the time of Spadafora's murder but an intelligence wiretap between one of his Panamanian commanders, Luis Cordoba, and Noriega read:

Cordoba: We have the rabid dog.

Noriega: And what does one do with a dog that has rabies? Then Noriega hung up.

In May 1989, during a general election that was meant to put Noriega's man Carlos Duque in power, pro-Noriega hoodlums ironically known as the Dignity Battalions took to the streets of Panama to intimidate opponents. It was a normal occurrence. But this time, two American photographers -- Les Stone and Ron Haviv -- happened to be present. They photographed opposition candidate Guillermo Billy Ford being beaten with iron bars by Noriega's men. Haviv's photo of Ford being beaten, his white guayabera shirt drenched in blood, hit the cover of TIME magazine on 22 May 1989. President George HW Bush could not help but take note.

On 20 December, 1989, Bush launched Operation Just Cause without warning. Some 27,000 American troops landed: 23 of them died, and hundreds of Panamanians, mostly civilians, were killed in crossfire. The Panamanian Defence Forces headquarters, where I had met Noriega years before, was virtually levelled. The US forces surrounded and fired upon the Marriott Hotel, where the foreign correspondents were staying. Spanish photographer Juantxu Rodriguez, working for El Pais, was shot dead by an American soldier, and a famous image of Juantxu lying dead with his camera by his head still haunts foreign correspondents and photographers to this day. The American forces also shot and wounded an English photographer.

For two weeks, Noriega hid out in the residence of the papal nuncio, the Vatican ambassador Monsignor Juan Laboa, where he was untouchable for diplomatic reasons. That meant the US forces could not shoot him out. So the American troops used a different approach. They brought out massive loudspeakers of Hyde Park concert proportions and bombarded the Vatican embassy with sound -- non-stop rock music day and night. With some glee, the Americans, including US Navy Seals, relied mostly on a song by The Clash: I Fought the Law (...and the law won). Even from way behind the loudspeakers, the noise was horrendous. Noriega, after the mediation of Monsignor Laboa, finally emerged on 3 January 1990. In an operation known as Nifty Package, he was flown to the US and the rest is history.

Manuel Antonio Noriega Morena was born in 1934 (although some biographies, edited by him, claimed he was born four years later) in the working-class El Chorrillo district of Panama City, which he would later make his base. His father was an accountant who had emigrated from Colombia, his mother his father's housekeeper. Noriega was of mixed Spanish, Amerindian and African origin and his moreno (dark) skin ensured him of peasant and working-class support in a country dominated by the so-called rabiblancos, or white-tails, the economic elite of mainly Spanish ancestry.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. 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At the age of five, Noriega was given up by his father for adoption to a woman schoolteacher. The boy hoped to become a doctor but, lacking resources, ended up as a cadet at the Peruvian Military Academy in Lima. After joining Panamas National Guard in 1967, he was sent for training at the renowned School of the Americas (SOA) in Fort Benning, Georgia, notorious for turning out some of Latin Americas most ruthless military dictators including Chile's Augusto Pinochet.

By the late 1970s, Noriega had become something of a protege of Panama's military strongman leader Omar Torrijos. When Torrijos died in an unexplained plane crash in 1981, fingers were pointed at Noriega. Whatever the case, Noriega became the new strongman. And by the time he took formal power in 1983, Noriega was very much a key asset of the CIA.

In return for payments (whose amounts may never be known), he helped get US weapons, military equipment and cash to anti-communist forces in Central America, including the US-backed Contras fighting against the Sandinistas in Nicaragua. He allowed the US to set up listening posts in Panama aimed at monitoring the leftist Sandinistas in Nicaragua while also channelling US money and weapons to the anti-Sandinista Contras.

By then, the CIA knew he was helping Colombian drug lords ship cocaine to the US but they turned a blind eye in return for his help. At the time, the Americans saw halting communism as more important than stopping cocaine entering their country, now proven to be a major mistake. Noriega's influence in the Central American civil wars was seen as more important than the damage cocaine was increasingly causing in the streets of the US.

What the CIA did not initially know was that Noriega was also dealing with Fidel Castro in Cuba and with the left-wing insurgencies in Nicaragua and other Central American countries, providing them with weapons but neglecting to put the proceeds into Panama's coffers. He began to get quite rich.

As a result of his wealth and power, he quickly won new friends, He had already befriended the English ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn, who lived in Panama City with her husband Dr Roberto Arias during Noriega's rise through the ranks. Dr Arias was a Panamanian politician and diplomat (as well as suspected guns and whisky smuggler, and serial womaniser) who was shot by a (political or love) rival in 1964. Tito Arias, a graduate of St John's College, Cambridge, remained a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic until his death in 1989, tended all that time by Dame Margot and his family.

Dame Margot recalled once sitting in her Panama City home when a beaming Noriega jumped up from behind her sofa wielding a pistol. It was Pineapple Face's idea of a joke, but didn't go down well with Dame Margot, who kicked him out. Dame Margot died of cancer in Panama City in 1991, by which time Noriega was behind bars in Miami.

Manuel Noriega's wife Felicidad was rarely seen in recent years but she is believed to survive him along with their daughters Lorena, Sandra and Thays.

Manuel Antonio Noriega Morena, born 11 February 1934, died 29 May 2017
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Donald Trump's director of communications, Mike Dubke, has resigned without explanation after just three months in the role.

The PR chief reportedly offered to stay on until the end of the US President's first foreign visit to ensure a smooth transition.

The 47-year-old arrived in mid-February after Mr Trump had already taken office, and had not previously worked on his campaign or transition.

It was unclear why Mr Dubke decided to step down but insiders claimed he failed to "gel" with Mr Trump's staff, Axios reports.

Mr Dubke wrote in a statement that it had been an honour to serve Mr Trump and "my distinct pleasure to work side by side, day by day with the staff of the communications and press departments."

White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway said he handed in his resignation before Mr Trump left earlier this month.

Ms Conway told Fox News Mr Dubke "made very clear that he would see through the President's 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."

The former GOP strategist had been brought in to help shape the Republican leader's messaging. However, Mr Trump has reportedly become increasingly frustrated with his "leaky" communications team since taking office, and some senior insiders in the West Wing believe he has been poorly served by his staff, according to the Washington Post.

Mr Dubke's departure could offer an opportunity for a wider shake-up within the former real estate mogul's top team.

It follows reports Mr Trump was considering replacing staff with producers from television channel Fox News.

In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour Show all 39 1 /39 In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud arriving for a reception ahead of a banquet at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud being welcomed at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump with King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during a welcome ceremony with traditional sword dancers at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud with US President Donald J. Trump and wife Melania during a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump adjusts the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal, after it was bestowed upon him by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud presents U.S. President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 Palestinians print posters depicting US President Donald Trump in preparations for his planned visit, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, before delivering his remarks to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef exchange a memorandum of understanding Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump shares a laugh with a child during a visit to the American International School in the Saudi capital Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers rest during preparations ahead of President Trump's landing in Tel Aviv, Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump makes her way to board Air Force One in Riyadh as she heads with her husband the US President to Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One for Israel, the next stop in Trump's international tour, at King Khalid International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers wait for the arrival ceremony of US President Donald Trump at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive aboard Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One on arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump and his wife, US First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, in Lod outside Tel Aviv, Israel EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sit during welcome ceremony in Tel Aviv AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump chats wife Sara Netanyahu as US President Donald Trump chats to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a welcoming ceremony to welcome Trump at Ben Gurion International Airport Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump delivers a speech upon his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump gestures during a press conference with Israel's President at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump watches as First Lady Melania Trump signs the guest book at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalems Old City Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump stands next to Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz at the plaza in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner leave notes at the Western Wall in Jerusalem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Ivanka Trump, assistant and daughter of US President Donald J. Trump, touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump arrives in a vehicle to Saint Damaso's Court for a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis walks past Ivanka Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the occasion of the private audience with President Donald Trump, at the Vatican AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis exchanges gifts with US President Donald Trump during a private audience at the Vatican Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis meets US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania during a private audience at the Vatican Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis with US President Donald J. Trump EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis gets into is car after meeting with US President Donald Trump AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 President Donald Trump and his wife Melania look at the frescoed ceilings during their visit to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump security vehicles are seen in front of Air Force One before take off from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave to reporters before boarding the Air Force One to Brussels, at the end of a 2-day visit to Italy including a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, at Rome's Fiumicino international airport AP

He was also reportedly considering replacing White House press secretary Sean Spicer with Fox News' The Five co-host Kimberly Guilfoyle, according to The New York Times.

Rumours of discontent began circling after Mr Trump kept his communications team in the dark about the firing of FBI Director James Comey. The team were forced to explain the decision with just an hour's notice and no real discussion with Mr Trump himself.
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One of the men stabbed to death in the Oregon train attack asked a fellow passenger to tell everyone on this train I love them as he lay dying, it has been revealed.

Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, and Rick Best, 53, had their throats slit by a man after they intervened to stop him hurling racist abuse at two teenage girls on a Metro Area Express (MAX) service in Portland on 26 May.

Mr Namkai-Meche and Mr Best tried to form a barrier between the attacker and the girls, one of whom was wearing a hijab. A third victim, Micah David-Cole Fletcher, remains in hospital receiving treatment for stab wounds.

Jeremy Joseph Christian, a 35-year-old convicted felon with a history of posting anti-Muslim messages on social media, has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder and is due to appear in court today.

Rachel Macy, another passenger, said she attempted to stem the flow of blood from Mr Namkai-Meches wounds and stayed by his side until he was carried away to hospital.

The victims, who Ms Macy called angels walking among us, intervened to stop the attacker scaring other passengers with his anti-Muslim rhetoric.

She said Mr Namkai-Meche may have been trying to film the attackers slurs on his phone before he was stabbed, and described the attack as being like a nightmare.

He held his neck and said, Im going to die, she told The Oregonian. I looked at him and said We can handle this, lay down.

 Target of Portland killers hate speech thanks heroes who gave their lives

"I just kept telling him, 'You're not alone. We're here. What you did was total kindness. You're such a beautiful man. I'm sorry the world is so cruel.''

She recalled asking Mr Namkai-Meche to pray with her, after which he just closed his eyes and tried to keep breathing.

The train cleared quickly when it reached the platform but Macy remained in the carriage until police and emergency medics arrived, after which Mr Best was pronounced dead at the scene.

As he was being carried away on a stretcher, Ms Macy remembered Mr Namkai-Meche saying: "Tell everyone on this train I love them.''

Ms Macy met the victims mother and father at a vigil held by the train stop the following night, where they thanked her for being "a mamma to our boy in that moment.

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

"I just kept thinking this is someone's child, she added. This man was so reckless and filled with hate. None of it makes sense. That's what's so sad."

Three fundraising initiatives, one called Muslims Unite for Portland Heroes and two others to fund hospital and funeral bills, jointly raised over $1,300,000 (1,000,000) by Tuesday morning.

One of the teenage girls who was abused on the train, Destinee Mangum, later thanked the victims for coming to her aid. They lost their lives because of me and my friend and the way we look, she said.

President Donald Trump responded to the incident on Monday, tweeting that the attacks were unacceptable and praising the victims for standing up to hate and intolerance.
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The family of one the men stabbed to death while trying to protect a train passenger from racial abuse, has called on Donald Trump to speak out against hate crime and violence.

Mr Trump was criticised for waiting three days before he commented on the attack in Portland, Oregon. In a tweet posted on the presidential twitter handle, rather than his personal one, he said: The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them.

Three men were stabbed after they went to the aid of a teenage girl, Destinee Mangum, and her friend, who were allegedly being racially abused. Two of the men, army veteran Ricky John Best, 53, and college graduate Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, were killed, while the third, poet Micah David-Cole Fletcher, 21, suffered a knife wound to the neck. He is still in hospital.

Angel Sauls, left, helps her stepdaughter Coco Douglas arrange a sign and some painted rocks she made for a memorial in Portland, Oregon, in memory of the two bystanders who were stabbed to death on Friday while trying to stop a man who was yelling anti-Muslim slurs and acting aggressively toward two young women (Gillian Flaccus/AP)

Asha Deliverance, the mother of Mr Namkai-Meche, has written to Mr Trump, urging him to denounce the sort of violence that led to her sons death.

You have said that you will be President for all Americans. So, I ask you Mr. President to take action at this time. Your words and actions are meaningful, here in America and throughout the world, she said in an open letter.

Please encourage all Americans to protect and watch out for one another. Please condemn any acts of violence, which result directly from hate speech and hate groups. I am praying you will use your leadership to do so.

She said her son had died a hero, after fighting to defend freedom.

Our family grieves, but we are proud that through his selfless action he, along with the other two men, has changed the world, when in the face of hate he did not hesitate to act with love, she wrote.

 Target of Portland killers hate speech thanks heroes who gave their lives

Two precious lives were lost this Memorial Day weekend in Portland and one more, nearly so. All three were strangers to each other, and to those they were defending.

They fearlessly risked their lives for two young women who were threatened by an act of bigotry and terror. These brave men saw the immediate injustice and didnt hesitate to act. They recognised the truth: we are more alike than we are different.

The actions of the men who went to help the 16-year-old have sparked admiration and praise from around the world. Meanwhile, more than than $800,000 has been raised for their families to help with costs.

Muslim communities helped raise $330,543, while two other finds were established to cover the victims hospital bills, funeral costs and other expenses.That has raised raised more than $500,000.

Jeremy Christian, said to be a white supremacist, has been charged with with two counts of aggravated murder and one count of attempted murder over the stabbings. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

Mr Myrddin Namkai-Meches eldest brother told The Independent he was not surprised by the young mans actions. He said he was someone who was a source of strength and admiration to his friends, and his college teachers.

Im so proud of him, said the brother, who asked that he not be named.

He said the family have been moved by the messages of support from around the world, and the comments of Ms Mangum, who delivered an emotional message of thanks.

I just want to say thank you to the people who put their life on the line for me, the 16-year-old told KPTV. Because they didnt even know me, and they lost their lives because of me and my friend and the way we look.

After he was fatally stabbed, another passenger went to Mr Myrddin Namkai-Meches aid.

That passenger Rachel Macy, told OregonLive that as medics put him on a stretcher and took him away, his final words were: Tell everyone on this train I love them.

The young mans brother said his mother had also been able to speak with Ms Macy.

He said his mothers message was directed just at Mr Trump but all the worlds leaders.

He said: They need to take care, not just of their own, but everyone in the world.
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The US has successfully tested a long-range weapon designed to shoot down intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) for the first time, the military reports.

The interceptor missile  frequently described as a high-speed effort to hit a bullet with another bullet  was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. It met an ICBM fired by the US from the Marshall Islands somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.

"The intercept of a complex, threat-representative ICBM target is an incredible accomplishment...a critical milestone for this program," said Vice Admiral Jim Syring, the director of the Missile Defence Agency.

Navy Captain Jeff Davis told reporters this test would be used to evaluate the system's performance against ICBMs. The military has been testing the interceptor system since 1999, but this is the first time it was tested on an intercontinental missile.

The interceptors are tested every two years, but the Department of Defence says only half of the tests have been successful. The last successful test was carried out in June 2014  the first success since 2008.

A recent Department of Defence report actually criticised tests of the interceptor, saying they "demonstrate a limited capability to defend the US homeland.

The US currently possesses only a single long-range, ground-based interceptor.

Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Show all 11 1 /11 Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch The North Korean leader inspects a missile launch from a safe distance Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Kim Jong-un discusses plans with military leaders Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch A ballistic rocket of the type launched by the DPRK in defiance of UN sanctions Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch UN officials tracked two ballistic missile launches from North Korea on Friday 18 March Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch The Supreme Leader laughed with officials as the missiles were fired Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Kim Jong-un was also pictured observing military exercises Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Tanks fire missiles during military manoeuvres at an undisclosed location Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch The exercises are timed to coincide with military drills by the US and South Korea Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch As well as a tank-driving competition, amphibious craft carried out landing and anti-landing exercises Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch Including paramilitary reserves, the North Korean army is the largest in the world Kim Jong-un inspects military exercises and missile launch The Supreme Leader appeared pleased with the show of force

The recent test comes just days after North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile, which flew about 280 miles and landed in the Sea of Japan.

A US official told ABC that this test had been planned for years, and was not a response to North Koreas actions.

The Pentagon has previously denied that the interceptor programme is intended for North Korean threats exclusively. Defence Intelligence Agency Director Vincent Stewart, however, delivered a stern warning about the countrys capabilities to a Senate hearing last week.

"If left on its current trajectory the regime will ultimately succeed in fielding a nuclear-armed missile capable of threatening the United States homeland," Lieutenant General Stewart said.

The director said it is nearly impossible to predict when North Koreas ICBMs will be operational, but other experts have set that date at around 2025.

Kim Jong-un's government has conducted nine missiles tests this year, but despite showing weapons development, none have been intercontinental in reach.
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Donald Trump is likely to reverse the Obama administrations policy on better relations with Cuba - the latest overturning of his predecessor's work, according to The Daily Caller.

After a late 2014 breakthrough with President Raul Castro, Barack Obama was able to reestablish diplomatic relations with the communist Caribbean island nation the next year after nearly 60 years of hostility.

Travel restrictions were lifted and opportunities to do business also opened up - much of it done through executive orders signed by Mr Obama that avoided the need Congressional approval. However, Congress voted not to lift the US economic embargo.

However, on the campaign trail Mr Trump. touted as the pro-business candidate - said he would terminate any deals Mr Obama made with Cuba, a fact that may not sit well with the airline and hospitality industries.

In what has become a commonplace occurrence, Mr Trump took the opposite position as well. In 2015 he told the Daily Caller that the concept of opening with Cuba is fine.

Reuters reports that the Trump administration will probably bring back some restrictions on trade and travel, but will stop short of breaking diplomatic relations.

Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida and Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey were the members of Congress who pushed for the reversal.

This was despite 54 of their Congressional colleagues introducing legislation last week that supported easing remaining restrictions on Cuba travel.

Pope Francis actually precipitated better US-Cuba relations for Mr Obama and the report of reversing the policy comes on the heels of Mr Trump's Vatican visit.

The White House had put the Cuba policy under review as soon as it took office in January and is set to announce its position sometime in June 2017.
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Donald Trump may have ordered Jared Kushner to try and set up a secret communication link with Russia, a former CIA official has claimed.

Mr Kushner allegedly met with the Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak In December to discuss setting up a channel which would be immune from security monitoring, The Washington Post reported last week.

The revelations provoked outrage in Washington as the investigation into alleged ties between the US government and Moscow rumbles on.

The FBI is thought to be in the process of scrutinising Mr Kushners presence at meetings with Mr Kislyak.

Philip Mudd, a security analyst who worked at the CIA for 25 years, suggested Mr Trump may have proposed the channel idea to Mr Kushner or at least approved it, and said it was unlikely Mr Kushner had been working alone.

Theres a judgment by Jared Kushner and the Presidents team that says, I trust the Russians more than I trust the Americans. Im going to go talk to the Russian embassy because I dont trust American channels, Mr Mudd told CNN.

Im going to presume he did this at the behest of the President-elect of the United States. I find it hard to believe that he was lone wolfing it on this, that he developed a plan entirely independent of Donald Trump or Mike Flynn or anybody else.

He is a member of the family, he is a trusted adviser. But hes not someone who believes he should just go and run channels, particularly at that point, particularly in the transition period.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

At the weekend President Trump took to Twitter to dismiss the White House leaks involving Russia as fake news, and told The New York Times he had total confidence in his son-in-law.

Mr Kushner offered in March to be interviewed by the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is also investigating Russia's attempts to interfere in last year's election.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

Azerbaijans Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FIMSA) has taken under control five more banks due to capital deficiency, said Chairman of FIMSA Board of Directors Rufat Aslanli.

He made the remarks at a conference titled Economic reforms: Achieved Results and Recommendations in Baku on May 30.

Licenses of 11 banks were revoked after starting the process of the banking sectors recovery. Twelve out of 26 banks managed to achieve significant capitalization. Today, under our supervision, there are five banks, capitalization programs of which should be completed by mid-2017, said Aslanli.

He noted that one of those five banks is AtaBank OJSC.

This bank had a number of problems with capitalization, payments were made with delays, but the bank is now in the process of consolidation, and after completion of this process its authorized capital will be about 85 million manats, and the capital adequacy ratio  about 40 percent, which significantly exceeds our requirements, added Aslanli. The other four banks are small enough  their assets make about five percent of the total assets of the entire banking sector of Azerbaijan. I think that their capitalization will also be completed in the near future.

The merger of AtaBank and Caspian Development Bank was announced on April 18, 2017. As it was reported, Caspian Development Bank will be reorganized and liquidated, and its assets will be transferred to AtaBank.

PwC multinational accounting firm was attracted to evaluate the assets of the two banks due to their reorganization.

Synergy Group is the main shareholder of Caspian Development Bank. Since April 2017, the holding is also the owner of AtaBank, which was previously owned by AtaHolding (76 percent of shares) and individuals (26 percent).

According to Aslanli, as a result of capitalization, Azerbaijans banking sector, with the exception of the International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA), achieved positive results.

To date, banks generally comply with the requirements for the adequacy of capital. However, we must take into account that if banks resume active crediting and thus increase the volume of risky assets, then, according to our calculations, there will be need for additional capitalization, FIMSA head added.

Total capital of Azerbaijans banking sector amounted to almost 2.76 billion manats in the 1Q17. According to FIMSA, total volume of banks capital increased by 44.6 percent during the period.

Total assets of the banking sector amounted to 29.98 billion manats in late March 2017 as compared to 31.44 billion manats in late 2016.

Loan portfolio of Azerbaijani banks reached 15.053 billion manats in January-March 2017, while it was 15.94 billion manats in late 2016. The volume of reserves created to pay off possible losses on loans increased by 1.96 percent during the period and amounted to 1.73 billion manats.

Thirty-two banks operate in Azerbaijan, including the two state-owned ones.

(1.7020 manats = $1 on May 30)
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The United States has opted not to introduce a ban on bringing laptops into aircraft cabins for flights coming from Europe.

The US and its European partners have agreed to intensify talks on technical solutions to security concerns to find a common solution, a US official told Politico. The decision was made during a conference call between US Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, European Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, and European Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc.

Details of the talks were not immediately available.

The news comes just days after Mr Kelly said that the US wanted to "raise the bar" on airline security, including screening certain carry-on items. The US government has already restricted bringing large electronic devices like laptops into plane cabins on flights originating from 10 airports including those in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Turkey.

The US Transportation Security Administration has already begun testing new procedures to help security agents identify problematic carry-on items. Passengers in recent years have reportedly begun stuffing their bags with more and more items in order to avoid having to pay fees for checking bags in, leading to more clutter in carry-on bags that can be difficult for security to screen.

Before the decision not to suspend the ban on laptops to flights from Europe, many were concerned that a blanket ban would affect a cumbersome number of flights. There are roughly 4,300 international flights that take off and land in the US each day, carrying more than a half a million passengers. That amounts to roughly 200 million passengers a year that would potentially have been impacted by the laptop ban.

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 original ban on laptops in cabins from 10 Middle Eastern and African airports was put in place amid rising concerns that terrorists could hide explosives in larger electronics, and then detonate them in a passenger cabin. While would-be terrorists would still be able to bring laptops aboard as check-in luggage, a detonation in the storage cabin - surrounded by other bags that could suppress a blast, and separated from human targets - has less potential to be as devastating as an in-cabin explosion.

US travel and tourist associations warn that an outright ban could hurt US tourism, which brings in $246 billion a year in spending. Applying a ban without a clear reason as to why could also undermine consumer confidence in security protocol and the flight industry in general, the US Travel Association says.
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A Republican politician apparently refused to back legislation to prevent child marriage in part because "a minor doing a Girl Scout project" had proposed it.

Cassandra Levesque, 17, campaigned in her native New Hampshire to raise the minimum age for marriage to 18  from 13 for girls and 14 for boys, with parental consent and a judge's permission.

But a bill to set the higher age in law was rejected in the state's legislature.

According to The Times, Republican David Bates said: "We're asking the legislature to repeal a law that's been on the books for over a century, that's been working without difficulty, on the basis of a request from a minor doing a Girl Scout project."

Local outlets reported Mr Bates had agreed 13 was a young age, but said marriage might be appropriate in special circumstances including pregnancy.

In a separate report Mr Bates said: "Theres a serious disconnect in the 'Live Free or Die' state that the legislature would pass a law saying under no circumstances can a minor ever become married.

"There was a time in our society when people believed that...when theres an unplanned pregnancy, rather than that child be born out of wedlock, the best thing would be that they would be raised with the natural mother and father, and so marriages were encouraged. Obviously, 13 is the extreme, but thats the principle behind it."

The New Hampshire house of representatives' website showed the bill had been indefinitely postponed.

It comes as a woman in Florida claimed she was forced to marry her rapist aged just 11, and bore nine children before the union eventually collapsed.

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

Earlier this month, New Jersey governor Chris Christie vetoed a law that would have outlawed child marriage without exception.

"An exclusion without exceptions would violate the cultures and traditions of some communities in New Jersey based on religious traditions," Mr Christie said in a statement.

He sent it back to the state legislature and said there should be an exception so judges could approve marriages for 16- and 17-year-olds.

A 2011 study found that some 9.4 million US women were married before age 16. The study also found that the women were more likely to have psychiatric disorders, and to seek out health services.
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Another day, another leak.

A new report claims that Russia government officials discussed having potentially derogatory about presidential candidate Donald Trump and some of his top aides. The Russians apparently believed the information they possessed gave them the ability to influence the administration.

The conversations among the Russian officials were reportedly intercepted by the US intelligence services. Details of the the conversations were then passed to CNN.

 Donald Trump claims his first foreign trip has been a success. His body language tells otherwise

The network said one source described the information as financial in nature and said the discussion centred on whether the Russians had leverage over Mr Trump's inner circle. It said the source said the intercepted communications suggested to US intelligence that the Russians believed they had the ability to influence the administration through the derogatory information.

However, the sources also acknowledged that the Russian claims to one another could have been exaggerated or even made up as part of a disinformation campaign that the Russians did during the election.

The Russians could be overstating their belief to influence, said one source.

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 latest revelations comes as former FBI Director Robert Mueller is heading a federal investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscows alleged effort to influence the 2016 election.

Mr Trump has repeatedly denied there was any such collusion and has denounced such claims and leaks as fake news.

A White House spokesman told CNN: This is yet another round of false and unverified claims made by anonymous sources to smear the President. The reality is, a review of the Presidents income from the last ten years showed he had virtually no financial ties at all.

There appears to be no limit to which the President's political opponents will go to perpetuate this false narrative, including illegally leaking classified material. All this does is play into the hands of our adversaries and put our country at risk.

Earlier this year, it was reported that intelligence officials had briefed both Mr Trump and Barack Obama on details of dossier of information about the New York tycoon that was initially put together by Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence agent who had been paid to collect dirt on Mr Trump by his political rivals. Journalists who examined the dossier said they were unable to corroborate it.

Mr Trump repeatedly dismissed the claims.
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Texas state representatives have nearly come to blows on the House floor after a divided legislative session that had led to an increasingly tense atmosphere  and the threat of gun violence.

Protesters had reportedly stormed the capitol in opposition to the states ban on sanctuary cities. As chants of no justice, no peace echoed through the House chamber, state Republican Representative Matt Rinaldi told his colleagues that he had called Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials after he saw a sign from one defiant protester saying that they were an undocumented immigrant and didnt plan on leaving any time soon.

The guy made a comment, a very stupid comment, hes a racist, State Representative Alfonso Nevarez, a Democrat who was allegedly in the middle of the altercation, told local news outlets. Were not going to allow people like that to get away with saying comments like that.

Mr Rinaldi later wrote that several Democrats had encouraged protesters to disobey law enforcement, and that Democrat Representative Ramon Romero had physically assaulted him and repeatedly threatened to harm him on his way to his car.

I made it clear that if he attempted to, in his words, get me, Mr Rinaldi wrote, I would shoot him in self defence.

Mr Rinaldi said that he is currently receiving law enforcement protection after the threats.

Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban Show all 20 1 /20 Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-1 Protestors rally during a demonstration against the Muslim immigration ban at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump signed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-2 Protestors rally during a protest against the Muslim immigration ban at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump singed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-3 Protestors rally during a protest against the Muslim immigration ban at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump singed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-4 SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 28: Demonstrators hold signs during a rally against a ban on Muslim immigration at San Francisco International Airport on January 28, 2017 in San Francisco, California. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday that suspends entry of all refugees for 120 days, indefinitely suspends the entries of all Syrian refugees, as well as barring entries from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering for 90 days. Stephen Lam/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-5 A crowd of protesters gathers outside of the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse as a judge hears a challenge against President Donald Trump's executive ban on immigration from several Muslim countries, on January 28, 2017 in Brooklyn. The judge issued an emergency stay on part of Trump's executive order, ruling that sending refugees stopped at U.S. airports back to their countries would be harmful. Yana Paskova/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-6 Protestors rally during a demonstration against the new immigration ban issued by President Donald Trump at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump signed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-7 NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 28: Protestors rally during a demonstration against the new immigration ban issued by President Donald Trump at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump signed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-8 Protestors rally during a demonstration against the new immigration ban issued by President Donald Trump at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump signed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-9 Getty Images Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-10 Getty Images Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-11 NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 28: Protestors rally during a demonstration against the Muslim immigration ban at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump signed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-12 Protestors rally during a demonstration against the Muslim immigration ban at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump signed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-13 Protestors rally during a demonstration against the Muslim immigration ban at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump signed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-14 Protestors rally during a demonstration against the Muslim immigration ban at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump signed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-15 Protestors rally during a demonstration against the Muslim immigration ban at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump signed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-16 Protestors rally during a demonstration against the Muslim immigration ban at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump signed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-17 NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 28: Protestors rally during a protest against the Muslim immigration ban at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump singed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-18 Protestors rally during a protest against the Muslim immigration ban at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump singed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-19 Protestors rally during a protest against the Muslim immigration ban at John F. Kennedy International Airport on January 28, 2017 in New York City. President Trump singed the controversial executive order that halted refugees and residents from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Stephanie Keith/Getty Protestors rally at JFK Airport against Muslim immigration ban jfk-protest-muslim-ban-20 Passengers wait in line to check in at the American Airlines terminal at JFK International Airport August 10, 2006 in the Queens borough of New York City. British authorities arrested 21 people and halted a anallegedly terrorist plot to use liquid explosives concealed in carry-on luggage to blow up airliners traveling between Britain and the U.S. Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff said that the plot appeared to be directed at U.S. carriers flying out of Heathrow. such as United Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines. Stephen Chernin/Getty

The legislative session in Texas has been deeply divided, mirroring national tensions seen in Washington with President Donald Trump in the White House. Democrats have been dismayed that Republicans pushed through a bill  signed by Governor Greg Abbott  that banned sanctuary cities in the state.

Republicans may carve out a larger divide as well. Although the legislative session is technically wrapped up, Mr Abbott could call the legislature back for as many as 30 days of overtime to work through unfinished business. There are two issues that Mr Abbott may want to resolve, including property tax reforms and bathroom restrictions that could impact which restrooms transgender Texans can choose to use.
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The number of immigrant deaths in US detention facilities is on pace to double this year compared to last year, and most of those deaths are likely to die in private facilities.

In recent months, inmates have died for a range of reasons. A Panamanian national hanged himself in Georgia two weeks ago in a privately run facility after 19 straight days in solitary confinement. Days earlier, an Afghan mother seeking asylum from the Taliban attempted to hang herself in a private Texas facility but lived. Another inmate, an Indian national, died of congestive heart failure just a day after the Panamanian man.

There have been eight deaths so far in the 2017 fiscal year, according to a review of Immigration and Customs Enforcement records by the Daily Beast, compared to 10 deaths in all of 2016. Of the total 18 deaths between the two years so far, nine have occurred in jails run by GEO Group, Americas second-largest private prison company. The fiscal year starts in October.

Recommended Trump links mass immigration to Manchester terror attack

All of these effects coincide with a spike in immigration arrests under the administration of President Donald Trump, who has signed executive orders instructing federal law enforcement agencies to crack down on undocumented immigrants. More than 41,000 people were arrested by ICE in the first 100 days of Mr Trumps presidency, leading to heightened concerns among attorneys and advocates say that the private and public facilities were already understaffed, provided poor medical care, and were hotbeds for violence.

Mr Trumps approach to immigration and law enforcement in general contrasts with that of his predecessor Barack Obama. Mr Obama had directed the Justice Department to phase out the use of private prisons, but Mr Trump reversed that decision soon after taking office. That decision led to a rise in stocks for GEO Group and CoreCivic, another large private prison company in the US.
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The Massachusetts city of Brookline has became the tenth community in the US to call for the impeachment of Donald Trump.

A resolution, introduced by residents Lisa Kolarik and Alexandra Borns-Weil, recently passed the city's council.

It enables Brookline, with a population of approximately 60,000, to ask members of Congress in Washington to look into the impeachment process and support a legal investigation.

Recommended Hillary Clinton hints Donald Trump will be impeached

Cambridge, Amherst, Pelham and Leverett are the other cities in Massachusetts, a reliably Democratic state in presidential elections, to pass similar resolutions.

They join Los Angeles, Berkeley, Richmond, and Alameda in California.

At least 32 members of the Chicago City Council have also supported an impeachment investigation resolution, but it is still in the process of being brought to a vote.

For some, like Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar, the last straw was Mr Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey.

Donald Trump is a racist, a bigot, and a misogynist, and he is attempting to enact policies around his beliefs. But thats not why I introduced the resolution[he] continues to obstruct the investigation into Russian influence over his administration, in his business dealings, and the alleged collusion during the 2016 election, Mr Pawar told Politico.

However, local governments cannot initiate the legal process towards impeachment. That power lies solely with the House of Representatives in Washington.

Ron Fein is the Legal Director of Free Speech For People, the non-profit organisation behind impeachdonaldtrumpnow.org and an advocacy group for protecting the US Constitution.

Mr Fein told The Independent that the effect of these local governments taking action sends a powerful signal for what constituents demand in House members home districts.

With an election coming up in 2018, the effect could be profound in districts where there are tight races not just between opposing parties, but between Republican candidates as well as the presidents party exhibits some divisions in Congress.

Some politicians, mostly Republicans, have said the calls for impeachment are an example of putting party before the good of the country given that campaigning for 2018 has begun.

Mr Pawar is running for governor of Illinois and all the local governments who have passed impeachment resolutions are in solidly Democratic districts and states.

However, Mr Fein said the impeachment campaign is a non-partisan call to action for serious violations of the Constitution by the president. Members of Congress need to set aside partisan differences, put country before party, and hold the president to account for his actions.

These local resolutions are just the start of a national wave, Mr Fein said.
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The federal investigation into alleged collusion between Donald Trumps campaign team and Moscow, has now spread to include the Presidents personal lawyer.

Michael Cohen, who was previously employed by the Trump Organisation, told US media he had been asked by House and Senate investigators to provide information and testimony about any contacts he had with people connected to the Russian government. He said he had turned down the invitation.

I declined the invitation to participate, as the request was poorly phrased, overly broad and not capable of being answered, he told ABC News.

The Associated Press said that a member of staff of the House Intelligence Committee said Mr Cohen had confirmed that Mr Cohen had been issued a subpoena.

After Mr Cohen rejected the congressional requests for cooperation, the Senate Select Intelligence Committee voted unanimously to grant its chairman, Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina, and ranking Democrat Mark Warner of Virginia, blanket authority to issue subpoenas as they deemed necessary.

 Donald Trump claims his first foreign trip has been a success. His body language tells otherwise

While Mr Trumps son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, has been the subject of much media focus in recent days, after it was revealed he was a target of the ongoing FBI probe, Mr Cohen is also considered very close to the President.

The network said that insiders consider him be Mr Trumps pit bull or consigliere for his role in threatening legal action against critics of the New York tycoon.

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

In a 2016 appearance on CNN that went viral, the stone-faced attorney flashed anger when anchor Brianna Keiler said the Trump campaign was down.

Says who? he challenged. When she cited polls, he said: Which polls? She replied, All of them.

He then responded: Youre going to all be very surprised when he polls substantially higher than what you all are giving him credit for.
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The White House Press Secretary has described the relationship between Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel is "fairly unbelievable" in his daily news conference on the heels of exchanged barbs between the two leaders.

They "get along well," Sean Spicer said in response to a question regarding Ms Merkel's comment that Germany and the European Union can no longer rely on the US.

We Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands," Ms Merkel said at a campaign event in Bavaria after Mr Trump just returned to Washington from his first foreign trip.

The comment appeared to be prompted by Mr Trump's continued indecisiveness on whether the US should remain in the Paris Agreement on climate change. The entire discussion about climate was very difficult, if not to say very dissatisfying, she said about the group of seven (G7) discussions on climate in which Mr Trump participated while in Taormina, Italy.

Mr Trump shot back in his preferred venue of Twitter, saying that the "MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany...will change." He once again referred to what he feels is a lack of necessary defence spending on the part of most North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) allies in the 28-member military alliance.

Mr Spicer said however that the US president respects Ms Merkel and that the pair "continue to grow the bonds" forged during the in-person meetings. He also commented that the media was inaccurate in its reporting of Mr Trump's relationships with other world leaders he met with on the foreign trip.

He also said that Ms Merkel's comment was not necessarily negative. Mr Spicer said that the comment is just a reflection of Germany and others "heed[ing] the call" that Mr Trump put forth on burden sharing and more fair division of responsibility.

"That benefits Europe...that benefits everybody," he said.

Mr Spicer did not give a timeline for Mr Trump's decision on the Paris Agreement or any trade-related legislative changes that may be introduced with relation to the EU and Germany.
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An Indian judge charged a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and senior leaders from his ruling party with criminal conspiracy on Tuesday in connection with the 1992 destruction of a mosque by a Hindu mob.

The demolition of the mosque in northern Uttar Pradesh state unleashed some of the deadliest religious riots across the country since independence in 1947, killing about 2,000 people.

Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti and stalwarts of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party led by L K Advani and M M Joshi appeared in court in the city of Lucknow to hear the charges.

All three deny any role in the razing of the mosque.

The trial of senior BJP leaders will raise fresh questions about Hindu nationalism within Modi's party at a time when critics accuse his supporters of trying to marginalise minority groups and redefine India as a Hindu nation.

"The judge accepted our plea to charge the leaders with criminal conspiracy and the accused are already facing trial for making provocative speeches that incited Hindus to pull down the Babri mosque," said M R Shamshad, a lawyer representing Muslim leaders and victims of the violence.

Bharti, entering the courtroom on Tuesday amid a crowd of reporters, rejected the charges. "I don't consider myself a criminal," she said.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. 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

Lawyers representing Joshi and Advani did not respond to requests for comment.

Many Hindus believe that the mosque in the town of Ayodhya was built on top of the birthplace of their god-king Rama and the BJP is committed to the construction of a temple there.

The dispute is still at the core of tensions between Hindus and India's Muslim minority. BJP party leaders have faced prosecution for their alleged involvement in the mosque's destruction for more than a decade, but last month the Supreme Court ruled the party leaders must be tried and the case wrapped up within two years.

Advani, a former home minister and chief of the BJP, led Hindus on the pilgrimage that ended with the razing of the mosque. He says he tried to stop the clashes.

On Tuesday, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, a firebrand Hindu priest, met the three accused outside the court in a sign of support.

Reuters
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A teenager has reportedly been sentenced to death by a village council in Pakistans Punjab province for having a sexual relationship with her cousin.

The 19-year-old denied having consensual sex with him, saying her relative had raped her at gunpoint.

The woman said in a statement to police she and her family were asleep at their home in Rajanpur, a rural district in southwest Punjab, when her cousin came into the house and sexually assaulted her.

I could not raise an alarm as [he] was holding a gun, she told police, Press Trust of India reported. But the panchayat refused to accept my statement and declared that I willfully slept with him.

Panchayats  informal village justice systems that operate in remote areas of Pakistan  have been criticised for handing out cruel punishments for adultery. The sentences they give out have no legal standing.

The woman said the court took no action against her alleged rapist.

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

Four men, including the father of the alleged rapist, forced the council to sentence the woman to death, according to the Express Tribune.

Station house officer of Fazilpur Police Station Qaisar Hasnain told the Press Trust of India an official complaint about the incident had been filed and they would take the men into custody.

The woman has reportedly been taken to a government-run refuge in Rajanpur.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) suggests that Azerbaijan creates a centralized agency for work with foreign investors, said Ivana Duarte, head of the EBRD resident office in Baku.

She made the remarks at the conference titled Economic Reforms: Achieved Results and Recommendations in Baku May 30.

Such an agency could provide legal and consulting assistance to investors, help investors obtain various permits in the country, etc., according to Duarte.

She touched upon the measures implemented by the Azerbaijani government to support the SMEs, noting that the EBRD welcomes creation of an agency for work with SMEs in Azerbaijan. Creation of the agency will allow the government and the private sector to exchange views, as well as help in implementing reforms needed in this sector, according to Duarte.

She said Azerbaijans relevant strategic roadmap addresses the issue of improving literacy of SME representatives, and this is one of the areas the EBRD currently focuses on. Every year, the EBRD holds trainings for representatives of 50-60 companies and it has recently started working with women entrepreneurs, Duarte added.

She also pointed to the fact that the EBRD has extensive experience in financing projects within public-private partnership, adding the bank is ready to share this experience to help shape the necessary legal framework.

Azerbaijan has been cooperating with EBRD since 1992.
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The United Nations (UN) has appointed an Indian human rights lawyer and two other experts to a fact-finding mission investigating alleged killings, rape and torture by security forces against Rohingya Muslims in Burma's Rakhine state.

The mission will be led by Indira Jaising, an advocate of the Supreme Court of India, a UN statement said. The other two members are Harvard-trained Sri Lankan lawyer Radhika Coomaraswamy and Australian consultant Christopher Dominic.

Some 75,000 Rohingya fled northwestern Rakhine state to Bangladesh after the Burmese army carried out a security operation last October in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents on border posts in which nine police officers were killed.

A UN report from February, based on interviews with some of the Rohingya refugees, said Burma's security forces have committed mass killings and gang rapes of Rohingya in a campaign that very likely amounts to crimes against humanity and possibly ethnic cleansing.

Recommended Burma angered as EU backs UN probe into plight of Rohingya Muslims

The UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution to set up the mission in March. It was brought by the European Union and supported by countries including the United States that called for ensuring full accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims.

China and India distanced themselves from the resolution.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Myanmar's civilian government and also its foreign minister, has said she would only accept recommendations from a separate advisory commission led by former UN chief Kofi Annan. Any other input would divide communities, she has said.

Myanmar diplomats have rejected the move as not acceptable and not in harmony with the situation on the ground and our national circumstances. They asked for time for its national investigation to conclude its findings.

Rohingya mothers face persecution Show all 10 1 /10 Rohingya mothers face persecution Rohingya mothers face persecution Ramida Begum holds her 10-day-old daughter in their shelter in Kutupalang, an unregistered refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. 'The military caught my husband and burnt our house down a week before I left Myanmar. Since then I don't know whether my husband is dead or alive' Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Minara Begum sits inside the shelter, cradling her one-month-old son Ayub. Minara fled to Bangladesh from Nasha Phuru village in Myanmar with her husband and mother-in-law. 'My child doesn't get enough breast milk as I don't eat enough nutritious food. I have to buy milk powder from local market though it's not very good for my son' Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Amina, pictured with her 16-day-old daughter Sumaiyin, is in a refugee camp Balukhali that neighbours Ramida and Minara's. 'One and a half months ago the military came to our village and kept firing their guns. I ran away with my neighbours to save our lives. You see us alive here only because the God was so kind. They caught my uncle and my younger brother and we don't know whether they are dead or alive' Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Fatema sits beside her one-day-old daughter Aasma in Kutupalang. Fatema fled to Bangladesh from Jambuinna village in Myanmar two months ago after her house was burnt down by the military. She crossed Naf River by boat during the night. 'Our situation is better than many other refugees as my husband Mohammad Alom works here as a day labourer. Many of the new refugees have no work here, so they have to rely on relief' Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Jamalida cradles her two-month-old daughter Shahida. Jamalida came to Bangladesh with her husband from Nasha Phuru village in Myanmar Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Rehana Begum lays her one-day-old daughter in front of her inside their tarpaulin shelter. Rehana fled her village of Jambuinna in Myanmar three months ago. 'We were in our home and suddenly the military came to our village and started shooting. When we heard the sound of gun shots we immediately went to our relatives. We walked for four hours without any food and water to reach the border at 1 a.m. We paid 25,000 Myanmar kyat (14) to a broker to cross.' Intercepted by Bangladesh border guards, Rehana's family narrowly escaped being sent home. 'They wanted to send us back, but then we heard gunshots from the Myanmar side and the guards released us, saying, "Stay in Bangladesh and save your lives"' Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Noor Begum sits next to her one-day-old daughter Sumaiya as she stares into the camera. Noor came to the camp one-and-a-half months ago from Nagpura village with her husband Jahangir Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Rajuma Begum observes her one-month-old son Raihan. 'I fled to Bangladesh because of fear, because I needed to save my children. I was pregnant and suffering from fever while crossing the border. I also have an 11-month-old boy, so it was very difficult to reach the border from our village Wabek in Myanmar. I had to rest frequently. After six hours of horrible walking we finally reached the border at 2am and crossed after paying a broker' Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution Eighteen-year-old Asmot Ara rests her newly born daughter on her lap. Asmot said she came to the camp one month ago with neighbours from Nagpura village. In Myanmar her father-in-law was killed and their home burnt down by the Myanmar military Reuters Rohingya mothers face persecution As Marijaan holds her 25-day-old daughter Noor Habi, her son peers over her shoulder. Marijaan fled to Bangladesh from Khyeri Prang village in Myanmar one month ago after her house was burnt down by the Myanmar military. 'I reached the border at night and crossed by the boat. I paid the boatman to cross the Naf River' Reuters

Jaising drafted India's first domestic violence act, allowing women to bring civil and criminal suits against attackers for the first time.

The mission will present an oral update to the UN Human Rights Council in September and a full report in March 2018. The members will meet in Geneva in the coming weeks to plan their work.

Copyright Reuters
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A woman who killed three of her children by driving the family car into a lake in Australia has been jailed for at least 20 years.

Akon Guode drove her SUV carrying four of her seven children into the water in Melbourne in April 2015.

Five-year-old Alual survived after passers-by pulled her from the partially submerged car, but Guode's 16-month-old son Bol and four-year-old twins, Hanger and her brother Madit, died.

The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder at Victoria State Supreme Court.

Justice Lex Lasry said he would have sentenced her to life in prison if she had not entered the guilty pleas.

"People don't understand why you did what you did," the judge told her. "In my opinion, your actions were the product of extreme desperation."

Guode wept and wailed throughout her sentencing hearing as the judge outlined her crimes and her troubled life.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. 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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. 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Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. 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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

Born one of 16 children in 1979, she fled Sudan's civil war in which her husband died, arriving in Australia as a refugee in 2006.

The judge set a non-parole period of 20 years after sentencing her to 26 years and six months, and said she is likely to be deported on release.

Her hometown, the city of Wau, is now in South Sudan, which became an independent country in 2011. It was not clear to which country she will be deported.

Additional reporting by AP
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French President Emmanuel Macron did not mince his words during his first meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on gay rights, chemical weapons and alleged cyberattacks.

Mr Macron warned Mr Putin that chemical weapons in Syria were a red line for France and that he would monitor further civil rights violations of gay people in Chechnya.

The pair of leaders shook hands for the cameras in front of the Palace of Versailles, but their body language appeared tense.

Recommended Gay men tortured in Chechnya talk about their abuse

Mr Macron told journalists he had raised the concerns around the treatment and imprisonment of transgender and gay people in Chechnya, led by pro-Kremlin leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

I had the chance to bring up how important it is for France to respect all people, all minorities and all sensibilities in a civil society, he said, as Mr Putin stood beside him listening to the translation.

He confirmed that Mr Putin had agreed to a very regular monitoring of the curtailing of gay rights in Chechnya, where hundreds of gay men were rounded up, sent to prison and tortured. At least 26 gay men have reportedly been killed.

 Human Rights Watch report confirms 'gruesome' extent of gay persecution in Chechnya

Mr Macron said the Russian leader told him he had attempted to establish the complete truth on the activities of local authorities but did not provide details.

As for me, I will be constantly vigilant on these issues, which are in keeping with our values, Mr Macron said.

His words follow condemnation from other European leaders, such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said she urged Mr Putin after a meeting in May to use his influence to protect these minority rights.

Mr Putin did not mention gay people during the conference with Mr Macron.

Chechen leader Kadyrov denied earlier this month that gay people were being persecuted, saying homosexuals do not exist in the republic.

 President Trump and President Macron have awkwardly long handshake

Mr Macron has previously addressed the rights of LGBT people. He blamed the obsession with his sexuality and his older wife on rampant misogyny and homophobia. Of all the tweets about his meeting with Mr Putin, Mr Macron pinned the one where he addressed gay rights at the top of his twitter profile.

Regarding the conflict in Syria, the French President also had strong words for Russia and its allies, including Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Show all 30 1 /30 In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian family arrives at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian woman, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, reacts as she stands with her children in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past resident fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood , after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past residents fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-regime fighter speaks with a child, as residents flee violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood. Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops AFP/Getty Images In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Smoke rises as seen from a governement-held area of Aleppo, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers targeting rebels-held areas in the eastern neighborhoods in Aleppo, Syria. According to media reports, the army is now holding on 99 percent of Aleppois eastern neighborhoods EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-government forces patrol Aleppo's eastern al-Salihin neighbourhood after troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers rest following the battle at al-Sheik Saeed neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-government fighter walking past closed shops in the Bab al-Nasr district of Aleppo's Old City. Once renowned for its bustling souks, grand citadel and historic gates, Aleppo's Old City has been rendered virtually unrecognisable by some of the worst violence of Syria's war Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The crucial battle for Aleppo entered its 'final phase' after Syrian rebels retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The retreat leaves opposition fighters confined to just a handful of neighbourhoods in southeast Aleppo, the largest of them Sukkari and Mashhad Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilans arrive at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods. Syria's government has retaken at least 85 percent of east Aleppo, which fell to rebels in 2012, since beginning its operation Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilians flee the Sukkari neighbourhood towards safer rebel-held areas in southeastern Aleppo Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The fall of Aleppo would be the worst rebel defeat since Syria's conflict began in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee Aliya inside the tent where she lives with her husband and ten children in a camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee women and children outside the entrance to their tents in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee woman outside the entrance to the tent where her family live, in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A vehicle drives past a mosque at night in Idlib, Syria. Picture taken with a long exposure Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The night sky is seen through damaged windows in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled area of Maaret al-Numan in Idlib province, Syria Reuters

The use of chemical weapons by anyone will be the object of reprisals and immediate retaliation on the part of France, he said.

Mr Putins purpose of the meeting was to underscore his demands for Europe to lift sanctions against Russia and to re-establish a warm relationship Russia previously had with France.

Mr Macron, who was elected three weeks ago, had information that groups tied to Russia had tried to hack his campaign  which Mr Putin denied  and propel rumours about him in Russia-backed news outlets.

As he stood beside Mr Putin, Mr Macron also accused two media outlets, Russia Today and Sputnik, of acting like organs of influence rather than objective news channels.

The claim has been denied by Russia Today editor Margarita Simonyan, who said that Mr Macron's denouncing of news he did not agree with would set a dangerous precedent that threatens both freedom of speech and journalism at large.
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Russias foreign minister has sought to downplay allegations of abuse of gay men in Chechnya, saying there is not a single concrete fact in the case despite mounting evidence collected by human rights group and Russian journalists.

Newspaper Novaya Gazeta first raised the issue of LGBT persecution in April in a report that suggested dozens of men were being abducted, tortured and in some cases killed because of their sexuality.

Commenting on those reports, which were corroborated by a Human Rights Watch (HRW) investigation published on Friday, Russias top diplomat, Sergei Lavrov, said: We dont see one concrete fact on the issue of accusations of rights abuses of LGBT representatives in Chechnya or other parts of the Russian federation.

Recommended Gay men tortured in Chechnya talk about their abuse

There is not a single concrete fact, there are no surnames. If there are facts, if there are surnames, then our answers will be concrete.

But I repeat that we have no relation to the overwhelming majority of the allegations.

HRW said last week it had spoken to six former detainees who said Chechen officials, including two high-level figures, were complicit in the humiliation and torture of illegally-held inmates suspected of being gay.

Their captors were said to have exposed them to their families as gay and encouraged their relatives to carry out honour killings.

 Human Rights Watch report confirms 'gruesome' extent of gay persecution in Chechnya

A spokesman for Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader, called reports of abuse absolute lies and disinformation and said "you can't detain and repress people who simply don't exist in the republic.

Meanwhile, Mr Kadyrov rubbished the false claims and invited the French President and German Chancellor to visit the region.

"It is not right to accuse the Russian media of slander while your opinion is based on false information, he said in a post on his Telegram account.

[Emmanuel] Macron may take [Angela] Merkel with him and come to the Chechen Republic to find out the truth. Our door is open.

Novaya Gazeta, the Russian newspaper that first broke the story, reported that the total number of murdered gay men in Chechnya had risen to 26.

International outcry over the killings has forced Russian officials to investigate claims of a state-sponsored purge.

The results of that probe are yet to be released, but Mr Lavrov's comments leave little room for optimism among human rights groups that those behind the abuse will be brought to justice.
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Copenhagen's famed Little Mermaid statue has been hosed down after it was found doused with red paint.

On the ground in front of the statue was written in red, in English, "Denmark defend the whales of the Faroe Islands" - most likely a reference to the drive hunting of pilot whales in the North Atlantic islands during the summer months, Danish media say.

Authorities on the Faroe Islands allow islanders to drive herds of pilot whales into shallow waters, where they are stabbed to death. The meat and blubber are shared afterwards in the non-commercial slaughter, a practice that dates from the late 16th century. The whales are not an endangered species.

Island officials say that the pilot whale population in the eastern North Atlantic is abundant with about 778,000 whales, with approximately 100,000 around the Faroe Islands. Islanders hunt and kill on average 800 pilot whales each year.

The Little Mermaid was created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen in tribute to the Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen.

Sitting on a rock at the entrance of the Copenhagen harbour since 1913, she has also been a popular target for vandals, who have blown her off her perch, beheaded her, and painted her.

AP
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Donald Trump's "short-sighted" policies have "weakened the West" and hurt European interests, the German Foreign Minister has said.

Sigmar Gabriel said the President's administration was unlikely to do much to tackle the causes of the refugee crisis, climate change, wars and persecution.

It comes after Angela Merkel suggested Germany and Europe can no longer rely on the US under Mr Trump.

The German Chancellor went on to say: We Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands.

Mr Gabriel went on to refer to the "loss of the US as an important nation" and said while it was important to maintain dialogue with Washington, Europe needed to become stronger and Germany needed to be more prepared to work with its European Union peers.

He said if the Trump administration "finds pushing through national interests more important than an international order... then I say that the West has become smaller  it has at least become weaker."

 Angela Merkel: 'We Europeans must take our destiny into our own hands'

"Anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk".

Mr Trump hit back at Ms Merkel's recent comments about the unreliability of the US as a partner.

In a tweet, the US President said America had a "massive trade deficit with Germany" and warned: "This will change."

In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour Show all 39 1 /39 In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud arriving for a reception ahead of a banquet at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud being welcomed at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump with King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during a welcome ceremony with traditional sword dancers at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud with US President Donald J. Trump and wife Melania during a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump adjusts the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal, after it was bestowed upon him by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud presents U.S. President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 Palestinians print posters depicting US President Donald Trump in preparations for his planned visit, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, before delivering his remarks to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef exchange a memorandum of understanding Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump shares a laugh with a child during a visit to the American International School in the Saudi capital Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers rest during preparations ahead of President Trump's landing in Tel Aviv, Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump makes her way to board Air Force One in Riyadh as she heads with her husband the US President to Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One for Israel, the next stop in Trump's international tour, at King Khalid International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers wait for the arrival ceremony of US President Donald Trump at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive aboard Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One on arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump and his wife, US First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, in Lod outside Tel Aviv, Israel EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sit during welcome ceremony in Tel Aviv AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump chats wife Sara Netanyahu as US President Donald Trump chats to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a welcoming ceremony to welcome Trump at Ben Gurion International Airport Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump delivers a speech upon his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump gestures during a press conference with Israel's President at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump watches as First Lady Melania Trump signs the guest book at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalems Old City Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump stands next to Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz at the plaza in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner leave notes at the Western Wall in Jerusalem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Ivanka Trump, assistant and daughter of US President Donald J. Trump, touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump arrives in a vehicle to Saint Damaso's Court for a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis walks past Ivanka Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the occasion of the private audience with President Donald Trump, at the Vatican AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis exchanges gifts with US President Donald Trump during a private audience at the Vatican Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis meets US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania during a private audience at the Vatican Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis with US President Donald J. Trump EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis gets into is car after meeting with US President Donald Trump AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 President Donald Trump and his wife Melania look at the frescoed ceilings during their visit to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump security vehicles are seen in front of Air Force One before take off from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave to reporters before boarding the Air Force One to Brussels, at the end of a 2-day visit to Italy including a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, at Rome's Fiumicino international airport AP

Mr Trump has also been denounced as a "security risk for the West" by Thomas Opperman, the leader of the Social Democrats (SDP).

He said the US President and his administration "chatter too much" and could give critical information to Russia.

He added: This is a dangerous situation. It cannot continue as it is. This endangers the information exchange and can be dangerous for both sides."
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An emergency call handler asked a man if he was joking when he reported his girlfriend's ongoing rape by a machete-wielding attacker, it has been reported.

Police in Germany have launched a review after admitting they mishandled two emergency calls from a terrified camper who had been threatened with the knife before the rapist dragged his girlfriend away.

The officer who took his first call asked him: "You aren't messing with me, are you?" After enquiring about his name and location, and promising to send help, the Bonn Police operator hung up, according to the Rheinische Post.

Recommended Former Met police chief calls for extremists to be detained in camps

No one arrived, however.

When the attack was over the young man and his girlfriend left the scene in the Siegaue nature reserve and looked for help.

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. 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Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. 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He called police a second time on the emergency line, but was directed to the local station instead. Half an hour later, officers arrived to take the woman to hospital.

The rape took place in April and a Ghanaian asylum seeker has reportedly been arrested, though he denies rape.

A Bonn Police spokesman admitted the way the calls were treated, and the language of the operator during the first emergency plea, were not up to standard.
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Ireland is on the verge of a huge generational change in its political life with the likely election of Leo Varadkar as its next premier  a move that would give the once-staunchly Catholic country its first openly gay leader and its first of Asian immigrant descent.

Varadkar has built a near insurmountable lead ahead of a contest next week to succeed Enda Kenny as leader of the governing Fine Gael and prime minister. At 38, he would also become the youngest person to hold the office.

Supporters are comparing the trained doctor to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and new French President Emmanuel Macron, hoping a straight-talker from the generation hit hardest by an economic meltdown a decade ago can transform the political landscape.

I honestly dont think in 1981 when I first got elected that I could foresee a time when an openly gay man might become Taoiseach (prime minister), former Fine Gael deputy leader Nora Owen, who served as justice minister in the 1990s, told Reuters.

We have come a long way and the fact that someone like Leo Varadkar, who is an openly gay man, living with his partner, can actually put himself forward for Taoiseach and nobody is batting an eyelid is wonderful and I think its a great day for Ireland that we can do that.

Recommended Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny to step down

The fact that such a milestone is barely mentioned in local media or raised in the leadership race demonstrates just how far the country of 4.6 million people that was long seen as one of the most socially conservative in Western Europe has come.

Having only decriminalised homosexuality in 1993 and introduced divorce two years later, Ireland became the first country to adopt gay marriage via a popular vote in 2015, drawing overwhelming support from every corner of the country.

The vote marked a further ebbing of the churchs dominance in Irish society, which has been shattered over the past two decades by the uncovering of scandals of sex abuse by priests and cruelty at Catholic-run institutions.

His election would also show another face of modern-day Ireland.

Varadkars father Ashok, who is also a doctor, was born in Mumbai in India. He met Varadkars mother Miriam, a nurse and farmers daughter from the southern Irish county of Waterford, while working in England in the 1970s. They married there but decided to move to Ireland and raise their family in Dublin, where Varadkar was born.

Varadkar himself has played down the significance of his background and personal life.

Its not something that defines me. Im not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter. Its just part of who I am, it doesnt define me, it is part of my character I suppose, he told state broadcaster RTE in a 2015 interview when he said publicly for the first time that he was gay.

He has secured the publicly declared support of 46 of Fine Gaels 73 lawmakers in the 2 June race to succeed Kenny. With lawmakers accounting for 65 percent of the selection vote, his opponent Simon Coveney needs a significant number to change their minds, which analysts say is highly unlikely.

Whoever takes over from Kennys 15 years at the helm, they will be the only leader in the Irish parliament born in the 1970s. When Kenny was first elected to the lower house in 1975, Coveney was three years old and Varadkar was not even born.

Opinion polls show both are popular among Fine Gael members but that Varadkar has the potential to win a significant percentage of votes from other parties.

That appeal is down to the current social protection minister representing what political commentator Noel Whelan called the most interesting story around the kitchen tables, water coolers and bar stools of Ireland in a long time.

I think Leo Varadkar becoming Taoiseach is potentially transformative for the electoral fortunes of Fine Gael and perhaps for the political system generally, Whelan said.

He is blunt, brash, direct but for those reasons, also more authentic. In an era of anti-politics he is one of the closest things to an anti-politician we have serving in politics. He excites parts of the electorate Fine Gael doesnt usually reach.

Whelan said Varadkars style will be tested by the office, not least through Irelands vulnerability to Brexit and its still constrained public finances that will limit his plans to provide the growing economy with better infrastructure.

But Fine Gael lawmakers, desperate to restore their lead over rivals Fianna Fail in opinion polls before a possible election next year, look set to take a calculated risk on a leader who they say voters like, regardless of their background.

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 people I have met who might be from more conservative rural backgrounds and who I thought wouldnt really subscribe to Leo really like him, said Brendan Griffin, a backbencher from the southern county Kerry.

I was with a group of friends at the weekend and the first comment was imagine a Taoiseach in his 30s. The second was and a son of an immigrant and it was only then that someone said and gay as well People are amazed at how quickly the country has moved on.

Copyright Reuters
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France is allegedly providing crucial intelligence information to Iraqi ground forces fighting Isis in order to target and exterminate French nationals who have joined the jihadist organisation, it has emerged.

An investigation by the Wall Street Journal found that French special forces have allegedly enlisted the help of Iraqi units to ensure that French nationals fighting in the country do not escape to pose a terror threat on their return home.

Photographs, alibis and location coordinates gathered from surveillance drones and radio interception intel have been provided to assist in the hunt, the WSJ reported.

 Children of Mosul describe life under Islamic State

Neither French nor Iraqi sources disclosed how many French citizens have been killed in the operation, but said that up to 30 men had been identified as senior, high-value targets.

Hundreds of the 1,700 French nationals believed to have joined the so-called caliphate since the group rose to prominence in 2014 are thought to have been killed in fighting to date.

In pictures: Mosul offensive Show all 40 1 /40 In pictures: Mosul offensive In pictures: Mosul offensive A doctor carries an Iraqi newborn baby at a hospital in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi girls play at a yard of a school in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017alal Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A woman on crutches who is a relative of men accused of being Islamic State militants is seen at a camp in Bartella, east of Mosul, Iraq July 15, 2017. Picture taken July 15, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A displaced girl, who fled from home carries a doll at Hamam al-Alil camp south of Mosul, Iraq July 13, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi federal police members and civilians celebrate in the Old City of Mosul on 9 July 2017 after the government's announcement of the "liberation" of the embattled city. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said he was in "liberated" Mosul to congratulate "the heroic fighters and the Iraqi people on the achievement of the major victory" AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken on 9 July 2017, shows a general view of the destruction in Mosul's Old City. Iraq will announce imminently a final victory in the nearly nine-month offensive to retake Mosul from jihadists, a US general said Saturday, as celebrations broke out among police forces in the city. AFP In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of the Iraqi federal police raise the victory gesture as they ride on a humvee while advancing through the Old City of Mosul on 28 June 2017, as the offensive continues to retake the last district held by Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Smoke billows as Iraqi forces advance through the Old City of Mosul on 26 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district held by the Islamic State (IS) group. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi man wearing the green scarf of the Shi'ite faith kisses an Iraqi Army soldier on safely reaching the Iraqi forces position as Iraqi civilians flee the Old City of west Mosul where heavy fighting continues on 23 June 2017. Iraqi forces continue to encounter stiff resistance with improvised explosive devices, car bombs, heavy mortar fire and snipers hampering their advance. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken from the inside of an Iraqi forces armoured vehicle shows residents walking through a damaged street as troops advance towards Mosul's Old City on 18 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district still held by the Islamic State (IS) group. Military commanders told AFP the assault had begun at dawn after overnight air strikes by the US-led coalition backing Iraqi forces. They said the jihadists were putting up fierce resistance. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi Army soldiers advance in a destroyed street after an Iraqi forces airstrike targeted an Islamic State sniper position 17 June 2017 in al-Shifa, the last district of west Mosul under Islamic State control. IS snipers, as well as car and suicide bomb attacks continue to hinder the Iraqi forces efforts to retake the final district. A series of airstrikes by Iraqi helicopter gunships attempted to hit multiple Islamic State sniper positions in al-Shifa. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier frisks a displaced Iraqi man at a temporary camp in the compound of the closed Nineveh International Hotel in Mosul on 16 June 2017 which was recovered by Iraqi troops from Islamic State group fighters earlier in the year. A screening centre set up in the compound's fairgrounds sees a constant stream of Iraqis fleeing the battle for Mosul, awaiting their turn to be checked by the Iraqi forces who are searching for suspected Islamic State (IS) group members. The small fairground lies at the end of a pontoon bridge across the Tigris recently opened to civilians that is the only physical link between the two banks of the river. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis staying at the al-Khazir camp swim in a river near the camp for internally displaced people, located between Arbil and Mosul on 11 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi government forces drive on a road leading to Tal Afar on 9 June 2017, during ongoing battles to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi policeman carries a poster bearing an image of Mosul's iconic leaning minaret, known as the "Hadba" (Hunchback), on 22 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis stand in line to receive food aid in western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood on 7 June 2017, during ongoing battles as Iraqi forces try to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. Living conditions in Mosul have again deteriorated since the start of the Iraqi government's offensive on the city in October in which they retook a large part of the west of the city. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced Iraqis carry lightbulbs and sacks as they evacuate from western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood as government forces advance in the area during their ongoing battle against Islamic State (IS) group fighters on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) flashes the victory gesture as he patrols in western Mosul's al-Islah al-Zaraye neighbourhood on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi army soldiers from the 9th armoured division on a truck flash the sign of victory as they drive back from Mosul to the town of Qaraqosh (also known as Hamdaniya) Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of Iraqi forces flash the sign of victory on their vehicle as they advance towards Hammam al-Alil area south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi security forces gestures in Hammam al-Alil, south of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi children, one flashing the sign of victory, greet Iraqi army's soldiers from the 9th armoured division in the area of Ali Rash, adjacent to the eastern Al-Intissar neighbourhood of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Peshmerga forces look at a tunnel used by Islamic State militants near the town of Bashiqa, east of Mosul, during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier takes a photograph with his phone as his comrade stands next to a detained man, whom the Iraqi army soldiers accused of being an Islamic State fighter, who was fleeing with his family in the Intisar disrict of eastern Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iranian Kurdish female members of the Freedom Party of Kurdistan (PAK) hold a position in an area near the town of Bashiqa, some 25 kilometres north east of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families, who fled their homes in Hamam al-Alil, gather on the outskirts of their town Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced people walk past a checkpoint near Qayara, south of Mosul, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families who were displaced by the ongoing operation by Iraqi forces against jihadists of the Islamic State group to retake the city of Mosul, are seen gathering in an area near Qayyarah In pictures: Mosul offensive A boy who just fled Abu Jarbuah village is seen with his family at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi child eats a pomegranate upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive People who just fled Abu Jarbuah village sit as they eat at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A couple who just fled Abu Jarbuah village are escorted by Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Women carry a boy over a wall as civilians flee their houses in the village of Tob Zawa, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier and a civilian ride a motorbike as smoke rises behind them, on the road between Qayyarah and Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces, wearing a skull mask, waits at a checkpoint for people fleeing the main hub city of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier sits at a checkpoint in an area near Qayyarah Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi men prepare food portions for Iraqi forces deployed in areas south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi forces celebrate upon the arrival of vehicles bringing food to them Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi childen smoke cigarettes upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces distributes drinks to children in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty

France is believed to be the only Western country actively hunting its citizens in Iraq and Syria - a situation acknowledged by experts as unchartered legal territory.

The French Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to the The Independents request for comment.

Recommended At least 27 killed after Isis bombs Iraq during Ramadan

France has been one of the countries worst affected by Isis violence outside of the groups territory in Syria and Iraq. A total of 236 people have died in recent attacks on French soil, including the November 2015 attacks in Paris, and July 2016 truck-ramming in Nice.

Approximately 1,200 French troops are currently deployed to Iraq to assist the US-led coalition in the fight to reclaim the city of Mosul from the extremists. France is also part of the US-led aerial campaign against Isis in neighbouring Syria.

In a meeting with Syrian ally Russian President Vladimir Putin in Versailles on Monday, newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron urged a closer partnership with Russia in eradicating extremists active in both countries.
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

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Ice cream and blood mingle on the floor after a bomb exploded outside an ice cream shop in the Karada district of Baghdad as people broke their fast during the first day of Ramadan.

A bewildered young girl wanders through the wreckage, past the smashed yellow tables and benches where at least 26 people have just been been killed and dozens injured by an Isis bomber.

Bombings are usually worse in Baghdad in Ramadan, but they never stop during the rest of the year. Last year in Ramadan some 340 civilians were killed in the explosion of a single car in Baghdad.

Recommended Moment Isis blows up ice cream shop in Baghdad caught on CCTV

Loss of life is all the greater because crowds of people are walking the streets after eating in the comparative cool of the evening.

This year the slaughter of civilians may be even worse than in the past in Iraq and Syria because Isis is losing the two largest urban centres still partly held by its fighters.

After six months of savage street fighting, Isis are penned back into part of the Old City in Mosul where the close-packed buildings and alleys, so narrow that two people cannot walk abreast, are ideal for Isis guerrilla fighters.

 CCTV shows bomb exploding outside Baghdad ice-cream shop during Ramadan

The largest Isis stronghold in Syria, Raqqa on the Euphrates, is isolated by Kurdish-led forces backed by US airpower.

Isis is on the retreat as is al-Qaeda in its different guises, but neither group is going out of business and they still have several tens of thousands of fanatical and experienced fighters.

Keep in mind that the Iraqi and Syrian armies, the main military forces fighting Isis, along with the Syrian and Iraqi Kurds, are all short of combat troops so it is difficult for them to consolidate their victories on the ground. Isis has suffered heavy losses in fighters and territory, but it can return to guerrilla warfare combined with systematic terrorism at home and abroad.

From the Isis point of view the future is not entirely bleak. They are still able to sow fear by murdering civilians, mostly Shia and Christians, from Manchester to Baghdad and beyond.

Their name is on every lip, even if it is being execrated. Moreover, Isis and al-Qaeda have always relied on the internecine hatreds of their enemies to help them survive as much as their own strength.

Donald Trumps trip to Saudi Arabia and Israel has aided them by exacerbating the struggle between Sunni and Shia and Saudi Arabia and Iran.

In pictures: Mosul offensive Show all 40 1 /40 In pictures: Mosul offensive In pictures: Mosul offensive A doctor carries an Iraqi newborn baby at a hospital in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi girls play at a yard of a school in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017alal Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A woman on crutches who is a relative of men accused of being Islamic State militants is seen at a camp in Bartella, east of Mosul, Iraq July 15, 2017. Picture taken July 15, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A displaced girl, who fled from home carries a doll at Hamam al-Alil camp south of Mosul, Iraq July 13, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi federal police members and civilians celebrate in the Old City of Mosul on 9 July 2017 after the government's announcement of the "liberation" of the embattled city. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said he was in "liberated" Mosul to congratulate "the heroic fighters and the Iraqi people on the achievement of the major victory" AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken on 9 July 2017, shows a general view of the destruction in Mosul's Old City. Iraq will announce imminently a final victory in the nearly nine-month offensive to retake Mosul from jihadists, a US general said Saturday, as celebrations broke out among police forces in the city. AFP In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of the Iraqi federal police raise the victory gesture as they ride on a humvee while advancing through the Old City of Mosul on 28 June 2017, as the offensive continues to retake the last district held by Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Smoke billows as Iraqi forces advance through the Old City of Mosul on 26 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district held by the Islamic State (IS) group. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi man wearing the green scarf of the Shi'ite faith kisses an Iraqi Army soldier on safely reaching the Iraqi forces position as Iraqi civilians flee the Old City of west Mosul where heavy fighting continues on 23 June 2017. Iraqi forces continue to encounter stiff resistance with improvised explosive devices, car bombs, heavy mortar fire and snipers hampering their advance. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken from the inside of an Iraqi forces armoured vehicle shows residents walking through a damaged street as troops advance towards Mosul's Old City on 18 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district still held by the Islamic State (IS) group. Military commanders told AFP the assault had begun at dawn after overnight air strikes by the US-led coalition backing Iraqi forces. They said the jihadists were putting up fierce resistance. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi Army soldiers advance in a destroyed street after an Iraqi forces airstrike targeted an Islamic State sniper position 17 June 2017 in al-Shifa, the last district of west Mosul under Islamic State control. IS snipers, as well as car and suicide bomb attacks continue to hinder the Iraqi forces efforts to retake the final district. A series of airstrikes by Iraqi helicopter gunships attempted to hit multiple Islamic State sniper positions in al-Shifa. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier frisks a displaced Iraqi man at a temporary camp in the compound of the closed Nineveh International Hotel in Mosul on 16 June 2017 which was recovered by Iraqi troops from Islamic State group fighters earlier in the year. A screening centre set up in the compound's fairgrounds sees a constant stream of Iraqis fleeing the battle for Mosul, awaiting their turn to be checked by the Iraqi forces who are searching for suspected Islamic State (IS) group members. The small fairground lies at the end of a pontoon bridge across the Tigris recently opened to civilians that is the only physical link between the two banks of the river. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis staying at the al-Khazir camp swim in a river near the camp for internally displaced people, located between Arbil and Mosul on 11 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi government forces drive on a road leading to Tal Afar on 9 June 2017, during ongoing battles to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi policeman carries a poster bearing an image of Mosul's iconic leaning minaret, known as the "Hadba" (Hunchback), on 22 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis stand in line to receive food aid in western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood on 7 June 2017, during ongoing battles as Iraqi forces try to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. Living conditions in Mosul have again deteriorated since the start of the Iraqi government's offensive on the city in October in which they retook a large part of the west of the city. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced Iraqis carry lightbulbs and sacks as they evacuate from western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood as government forces advance in the area during their ongoing battle against Islamic State (IS) group fighters on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) flashes the victory gesture as he patrols in western Mosul's al-Islah al-Zaraye neighbourhood on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi army soldiers from the 9th armoured division on a truck flash the sign of victory as they drive back from Mosul to the town of Qaraqosh (also known as Hamdaniya) Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of Iraqi forces flash the sign of victory on their vehicle as they advance towards Hammam al-Alil area south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi security forces gestures in Hammam al-Alil, south of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi children, one flashing the sign of victory, greet Iraqi army's soldiers from the 9th armoured division in the area of Ali Rash, adjacent to the eastern Al-Intissar neighbourhood of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Peshmerga forces look at a tunnel used by Islamic State militants near the town of Bashiqa, east of Mosul, during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier takes a photograph with his phone as his comrade stands next to a detained man, whom the Iraqi army soldiers accused of being an Islamic State fighter, who was fleeing with his family in the Intisar disrict of eastern Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iranian Kurdish female members of the Freedom Party of Kurdistan (PAK) hold a position in an area near the town of Bashiqa, some 25 kilometres north east of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families, who fled their homes in Hamam al-Alil, gather on the outskirts of their town Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced people walk past a checkpoint near Qayara, south of Mosul, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families who were displaced by the ongoing operation by Iraqi forces against jihadists of the Islamic State group to retake the city of Mosul, are seen gathering in an area near Qayyarah In pictures: Mosul offensive A boy who just fled Abu Jarbuah village is seen with his family at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi child eats a pomegranate upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive People who just fled Abu Jarbuah village sit as they eat at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A couple who just fled Abu Jarbuah village are escorted by Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Women carry a boy over a wall as civilians flee their houses in the village of Tob Zawa, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier and a civilian ride a motorbike as smoke rises behind them, on the road between Qayyarah and Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces, wearing a skull mask, waits at a checkpoint for people fleeing the main hub city of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier sits at a checkpoint in an area near Qayyarah Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi men prepare food portions for Iraqi forces deployed in areas south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi forces celebrate upon the arrival of vehicles bringing food to them Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi childen smoke cigarettes upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces distributes drinks to children in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty

Paradoxically, Isis at the height of its strength in 2014/15, after it had captured Mosul, so frightened all whom it targeted that it imposed a degree of unity or at least non-belligerence on its diverse enemies.

As Isis is perceived to weaken, its opponents become less terrified and recall other grievances against other rivals.

The Iraqi government and the non-Kurds of Iraq recall that the Kurds took advantage of the initial Isis victories in 2014 to grab territories long disputed between Kurds and Arabs.

In Syria, there is likewise a race by all parties and their foreign sponsors to over-run territory in eastern Syria previously held by Isis.

As Ramadan begins there is little expectation of violence receding in much of the Muslim world.

Nation states remain weak and there is an escalation of sectarian differences in places where warfare has faded from the new agenda such as in the southern Philippines.

Some episodes, like the Saudi security forces siege the Shia town of Awamiya in eastern Saudi Arabia and escalating clashes in Bahrain are little reported. In Yemen lack of clean water has led to 52,000 cases of cholera and 471 dead from the disease.

These wars may ebb and flow, but there is little sign of peace returning.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

By Azad Hasanov  Trend:

The possibility of prolonging the moratorium on business activity inspection is under discussion, Azerbaijani Deputy Economy Minister Sahil Babayev said.

Babayev made the remarks during the Economic Reforms: Achieved Results and Recommendations conference in Baku May 30, while answering entrepreneurs questions.

The business activity inspections have been suspended in Azerbaijan since November 1, 2015. The moratorium is valid for two years. The moratorium does not apply to the inspections of the Prosecutor General's Office and the inspections related to the state security, healthcare, and protection of the country's economic interests.

Now we are considering various proposals and analyzing the situation, he added. As you know, any reform has positive and negative sides, so we should consider the potential risks. It is impossible to say exactly whether the moratorium will be prolonged or not.

Over the last 19 months, 89 inspections have been carried out in the country, whereas 99,000 inspections were carried out in the preceding 19-month period, he said.
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An online advertisement depicting people from all walks of life joining forces to dissuade a jihadist from carrying out a suicide bombing has been viewed millions of times since it was uploaded at the beginning of Ramadan.

In the musical video, a would-be suicide bomber is shown wiring up an explosive vest in a dingy workshop while children study at school, an elderly man plays with his grandchild and a bride and groom prepare for their wedding.

I will tell God everything, a childs voice says while he prepare the bomb. That you've filled the cemeteries with our children and emptied our school desks.

The bomber boards a bus where the passengers are already covered in debris and blood and confront him with sung messages to stop his attack.

The forgiving and forbearing who hurts not those who hurt him, a little boy mocked up to look like Omran Daqneesh, Aleppos boy in the orange ambulance seat, sings.

Emirati pop star Hussain al-Jassmi then picks up the main refrain, imploring viewers to bomb violence with mercy as victims of real-life Isis and al-Qaeda attacks across the Gulf region stream across the screen.

In pictures: Ramadan around the world Show all 27 1 /27 In pictures: Ramadan around the world In pictures: Ramadan around the world In pictures: Ramadan around the world In pictures: Ramadan around the world Russia Russian Muslims pray outside the central mosque in Moscow, during celebrations of Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Turkey Turkish Muslims offer Eid al Fitr prayers as they mark the first day of the Eid al-Fitr at Fatih Sultan Mosque in Istanbul Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Syria A Syrian Dervish dances as part of a traditional event organised by the Syrian Ministry of Tourism under the title 'Music and Dervishes' in the old city of Damascus EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Bosnia and Herzegovina A Bosnian Muslim man, wearing a traditional Bosnian outfit, fires a canon from a vantage point overlooking Sarajevo to mark the end of daily fasting on the final day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Pakistan A general view of an illuminated Mosque as Muslims pray during the 27th night of Ramadan, in Peshawar EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Pakistan Muslim women offer prayer of the Jumat-ul-wida, the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at a mosque in Lahore AP In pictures: Ramadan around the world India Muslims offer prayers on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan in Dargah Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Rex Features In pictures: Ramadan around the world Saudi Arabia The Prophet Mohammed Mosque in the holy city of Medina, during Ramadan EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Malaysia A Malaysian swings around fireworks to celebrate the last day of the Muslims' Holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Shah Alam, outside Kuala Lumpur In pictures: Ramadan around the world Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz Muslims pray during the Eid al-Fitr Muslim celebration marking the end of Ramadan in Bishkek EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Ivory Coast People pray during the Laylat Al Qadr prayers on the 27th day of the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan in the front of the Aghin mosque in Abidjan AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Syria Syrians shop for traditional sweets in Kafr Batna in the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area, on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, ahead of Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Israel A Palestinian woman prays on the third Friday of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City REUTERS In pictures: Ramadan around the world Iran Iranian Shiite Muslims pray at the graves of soldiers who were killed during 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War, at the Behesht-e-Zahra cemetery, during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, just outside Tehran, Iran AP In pictures: Ramadan around the world Israel A Palestinian man pours water on Muslim worshippers' heads to cool off in the heat, as others pray outside the Dome of the Rock at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during the last Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Afghanistan Afghan women wait to receive food ration during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Herat EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Pakistan A Pakistani Muslim reads the holy Koran as he observes Itikaf at a Mosque, in Peshawar EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world India Kashmiri Muslim women offer prayers as the head priest (not pictured) displays a holy relic believed to be hair from the beard of the Prophet Mohammed, during special prayers to observe the Martyr Day of Hazrat Ali, cousin of Prophet Mohammed, on the 21st day of Ramadan, at the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world India Indian Muslims sit with bowls of porridge(Nombu kanji)as they prepare to break the fast with the Iftar meal during the Islamic month of Ramadan at The Wallajah Big Mosque in Chennai AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Ramadan around the world Lebanon Spectators watch fireworks as a giant Fanous, or Ramadan lantern, is switched on four days before the start of Ramadan month in front of Mohamed al-Amine Mosque in downtown Beirut EPA In pictures: Ramadan around the world Lebanon Lebanese children perform during activities celebrating the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in downtown Beirut AP In pictures: Ramadan around the world Palestine Palestinian men drink tea on the promenade of Gaza beach Getty In pictures: Ramadan around the world Indonesia Members of Nahdlatul Ulama, the biggest Muslim organisation in Indonesia, hold a mass prayer session to welcome in Ramadan in Jakarta AFP/Getty In pictures: Ramadan around the world Iraq Iraqis shop for food in a preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Baghdad AP In pictures: Ramadan around the world Indonesia Foods is seen during 'Unggah-unggahan' ceremony to welcome in the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Pekuncen village Getty

The three-minute long video was posted on Friday by Zain, a Kuwaiti telecommunications company which operates across the Middle East.

We will encounter their hatred with songs of love," a message says before the video fades to black, From now until happiness.

At the time of writing the YouTube version has been viewed 2.7m times and the ad has been shared hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook.

 Ramadan 2017: All you need to know

The Ramadan message from Zain has been widely praised as celebrating the true nature of Islam during the holy month of Ramadan, in which Muslims fast during daylight hours. The four weeks of abstention from eating, drinking and smoking is supposed to bring those fasting closer to God.

In recent years the holy month has also become a time of increased attacks by jihadi extremists; Isis has claimed three suicide bombings since fasting officially began on Saturday.

The advert has encountered some criticism from viewers who accused it of exploiting the terror victims featured and footage of gruesome recent attacks for commercial purposes.
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A lone grave, its dirt mound shaded under the drooping branches of a mulberry tree and kept adorned with flowers, has become a daily stop for seminary students and staff members near Togh-Bairdi, in northern Afghanistan.

It is the burial site of Mawlawi Shah Agha Hanafi, a revered religious scholar who founded the seminary about two decades ago and helped it grow into a thriving school for 1,300 students, including 160 girls. This month, the Taliban planted a bomb that killed him as he conducted a discussion about the Prophet Muhammads traditions, and his grave, at a corner of the seminary grounds, has become a gathering place for prayer and grief.

When I come to work, the first thing I do is recite a verse of the Quran at his grave, said Jan Agha, headmaster of the seminary, in Parwan province. Then I weep, and then I go to my office.

Hanafi joined a rapidly growing list of Islamic religious scholars who have become casualties of the Afghan war.

The scholars have long been targets, of one kind or another, in Afghanistan. Their words carry weight across many parts of society, and they are assiduously courted for their support  and frequently killed for their criticism.

Hundreds are believed to have been killed during the past 16 years of war, and not always by the Taliban. But there has been a definite up-tick in the targeted killing of scholars  widely known as ulema  as the Taliban have intensified their offensives in the past two years, officials say.

It is being taken as a clear reminder of the weight the insurgents give not just to military victories but also to religious influence in their campaign to disrupt the government and seize territory.

The reason the Taliban resort to such acts is that they want to make sure their legitimacy is not questioned by the sermons of these ulema, said Mohammad Moheq, a noted Afghan scholar of religion who also serves as an adviser to President Ashraf Ghani.

The only thing that undermines their legitimacy is the ability and power of these ulema if they preach and argue against them, Moheq continued. Only they can challenge the Talibans ideology, not the liberal scholars or others, and the Taliban understand that.

The exact toll of the scholars who preach Islam, but not the kind the Taliban prefer, is hard to gauge. If rough numbers from multiple provinces are any indication, it is enormous, and it has sown fear among preachers who know that their words at the pulpit could cost them their lives.

In Kandahar province alone, the Taliban movements original power base, about 300 preachers have been killed since 2004, according to Mawlawi Obaidullah Faizani, head of the provincial Ulema Council there. In Badakhshan, 20 were killed in just the past year, out of a 16-year total of 110, said Abdul Wali Arshad, director of the provinces department of religious affairs. In Logar province last week, the deputy head of the provinces Ulema Council was gunned down on his way home from dawn prayer, one of the bullets striking his upper lip.

The reason these ulema are getting targeted is because they tell the truth  and the truth is that the ongoing fighting is just for power, said Mawlawi Khudai Nazar Mohammedi, head of the Ulema Council of Helmand.

One member of the Talibans leadership council suggested that part of the reason for the intensified targeting of religious scholars was the influence of the insurgencys new leader, Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada. He is an ulema and madrassa leader and is considered more of a religious ideologue than his predecessor, who was killed by a US drone in 2015.

The senior Taliban figure, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid angering other members of the leadership, said that under Haibatullahs orders, sermons were more closely watched than ever  and that straying from Taliban interpretations of Shariah law was punished as harshly as possible.

The Talibans statement this month after they gunned down Abdul Ghafoor Pairoz, 32, a prominent scholar in Kandahar who had written or translated more than 50 books, made the stakes clear.

They said he had been killed for considering the current holy war in Afghanistan as illegitimate. The Taliban said that removing such a vicious element was a signal to others that they were being watched, and that insolence toward religious orders would not be tolerated.

During the Talibans rule in the 1990s, Pairoz was a young student in Taliban madrassas in Kabul. When their government fell, he stuck to the path and moved to Quetta, Pakistan, where he completed seven years of higher education in religion to earn the title of mawlana. He remained active in Taliban circles in Quetta, where the Talibans leadership council operates from in exile.

But, as Pairoz read more and the war dragged on, he started questioning the religious foundation upon which the Taliban were fighting. He decided the only way to fight back was through an active religious discourse. His last book, a collection of essays titled The Calling, dealt with themes like religious pluralism and the need for tolerance.

He would translate orally from the text in front of him, and I would type, said his younger brother Waseel Pairoz, who also pursued religious education.

After the Taliban killed his brother and released their statement, the younger Pairoz left Kandahar and now lives in Kabul.

Pairoz always said that he loved this country, and that if he died for it, it would not be a regret, another of his brothers, Mohammed Rasoul Pairoz, said. The message he often delivered to the Taliban was that this world is meant for living  so live in it, and let others live.

Just like Pairoz, Hanafi, the seminary founder in Parwan, was critical of the Talibans path, and often spoke of politics passionately in his sermons. In one of his final speeches, he called on the Taliban to join hands with the people of Afghanistan, instead of joining hands with Pakistan and Russia, a country increasingly accused of establishing ties to the Afghan insurgency.

After multiple attempts on his life, with roadside bombs planted on his path, Hanafi had been forced out of Togh-Bairdi, his home village, and the seminary he had built here. He had taken up another job in the provincial capital, leading a bigger seminary.

On the morning of 9 May, as he sat down with about three dozen students, a bomb that had been planted under his cushion went off. His brother, Mawlawi Jawed Hanafi, succeeded him as head of the seminary at Togh-Bairdi. He said the young man who had planted the bomb  and who was arrested  was a student from the class, and that he had been seen peeking through the window to make sure his instructor had taken his seat. He then walked away and detonated the bomb.

The book in front of Hanafi was ripped and covered in blood. The scholar did not make it to a hospital.

I saw the Mawlawi lying on his back  when he saw me, he moved his lips to say something, but he couldnt, said Aziz Agha, his bodyguard, who rushed into the room after the explosion. His turban wasnt on his head. His clothes were torn. I held him to help him stand up, but I saw pieces of flesh dropping from his back.

The room where the bombing happened remains sealed.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. 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Hanafis fellow scholars say they find peace in the fact that this is nothing new  that their leader was among the latest killed in the long history of the fight over whose beliefs are true. That fight dates back to the early days of Islam.

These are not new enemies, said Mawlawi Abdul Hafiz Mowahed, one of Hanafis former students and an instructor now. Who killed Caliph Osman? Who killed Caliph Ali? Who killed Caliph Omar? The killers were people in the garb of Islam. He noted that Caliph Osman had also been assassinated after dawn prayer, hunched over as he was reading from the Quran.

The Prophet Muhammad predicted that once the sword bleeds innocent blood, this blood will run until the Day of Judgement, he said.

Copyright The New York Times
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The first pictures of North Korea's latest ballistic missile test have been released, a reminder of the third show of military aggression in three weeks.

The Scud-type missile reached an altitude of 75 miles and fell into the water, about 200 nautical miles off the western coast of Japan.

North Korean officials said they launched the weapon to counter what they describe as US military threats and are seeking to build a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile that can reach the US mainland.

North Koreans said their missile test was a success and had fallen within a few metres of their target.

The ballistic rocket flew toward the east sky where the day broke and correctly hit a planned target point with deviation of seven meters after flying over the middle shooting range, the state-run news agency KCNA said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was quoted as saying, "Whenever news of our valuable victory is broadcast... the Yankees would be very much worried about it and the gangsters of the South Korean puppet army would be dispirited more and more."

North Korea launches third missile in three weeks (Korean Central News Agency)

The UN Security Council vowed to encourage all countries to tighten sanctions on the country.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida urged his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, to call on China to do more in dealing with Pyongyang after the missile entered Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone.

In pictures: North Korea military drill Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: North Korea military drill In pictures: North Korea military drill North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un watches a military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video

The vast majority of North Koreas trade is with China. Chinese officials have pleaded for dialogue with North Korea, rather than sanctions, while the US said it would not enter talks before the missile tests stopped.

US President Donald Trump has condemned the latest test.

"North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbour, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile," the President tweeted.

"But China is trying hard!"

In recent weeks the US has sent a fleet of warships into North Korean waters, and brought several new launchers for a defense missile system to South Korea to cope with any nuclear threat north of the border.

South Koreas new liberal President, Moon Jae-in, said he was shocked to not have been informed of the new launchers, but later toned down his response to say the equipment would have become inevitable if provocation from their neighbour continued.

The US also has 28,500 troops in South Korea for deterrence purposes.

A conflict, according to US Defence Secretary James Mattis, would be catastrophic.

"A conflict in North Korea, John, would be probably the worst kind of fighting in most people's lifetimes," Mr Mattis told CBS News.

North Korea also carried out two nuclear tests in January and September 2016.
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Serial killer Peter Sutcliffe - known as the Yorkshire Ripper - is being investigated by British police for the murder of two women in Sweden almost 40-years ago.

Gertie Jensens body was found on a Gothenburg building site in August 1980. She was 31-years-old. Just a fortnight later, 26-year-old Teresa Thorling was found dead in the entrance to a building in Malmo. The 26-year-old sex worker had severe head wounds.

Bo Lundqvist, a police cold-case investigator in Malmo, told the Kvallsposten newspaper that her murder bore Sutcliffes signature in terms of its sexually charged brutality.

He added that Sutcliffes name appeared on the manifest of a ferry between Malmo and Dragor in Denmark a day before the murder.

West Yorkshire police want to know if there is forensic evidence and if anything can be discovered using modern technology, Mr Lundqvist said.

Technology, which was unavailable at the time, could compare DNA evidence found at the scene with Sutcliffes.

The 70-year-old, is serving 20 life sentences for the murder of 13 women and the attempted murder of seven more during a seven-year spree before he was caught in 1981. He will never be released.

Mr Lundqvist would not disclose what forensic evidence available but the Malmo police have previously provided information on the matter.

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A hair, that could be the killers was found on Teresa Thorlings body. This and other forensic traces found on have been preserved in a proper manner by Malmo police, he said.

Sutcliffe was moved to prison after three decades at Broadmoor psychiatric hospital last year, after a health tribunal has found he no longer needed treatment for any mental disorder.

He was transferred to Broadmoor in 1984 after he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
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Its Sunday, 7.30am. A crescent moon hangs low in the sky, kissing the top of the steep, snowy slope. The sun is hidden behind the towering peaks, but the mountain is beginning to take shape in the early morning light. Ahead, the deep cut walls of the valley flatten out and I can see where the path swings left, towards our goal. Mount Toubkal.

Ive been awake for three hours and walking for two. I pause to take a deep breath of the thin air, hands on hips, staring at my boots.

You have to suffer to remember it, says my guide Mohammed, grinning as he pats me on the back. He has the look of a man out for a casual stroll rather than one leading a group of hikers to the top of Moroccos highest peak. At 4,167m, Toubkal is the tallest mountain in North Africa, a challenge for even the most seasoned of hill walkers.

Take on Mount Toubkal in just one weekend (MuchBetterAdventures)

Im here with Much Better Adventures, a British tour company which has recently launched its Epic Weekends Series, aimed at helping adventurous travellers maximise their time off with the minimum of fuss.

Things like climbing Toubkal are the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experiences that sit on our bucket lists, but stay unticked because we either run out of annual leave or are put off by the usual prices and complexities, says Sam Bruce, Much Better Adventures co-founder, who I chat with before leaving the UK. Weve done all the hard work to strip all that away.

The tour Ive joined, Climb Mount Toubkal and Explore Marrakech, requires two days away from your desk. Theres the chance to snoop around the souks and mosques of Moroccos most famous city on the Friday, before staying at a traditional riad and striking out for the mountain on Saturday morning, overnighting to a mountain refuge in preparation for the final assault on the summit. Visitors can choose to arrive whenever they like on the Friday and can even fly back to the UK late on Sunday if they need to be back at work. Ive opted for a restful night at the riad and a return flight on Monday morning.

After a 90-minute drive from the chaotic streets of Marrakechs Medina through the foothills of the Atlas, our weekend adventure begins in the mountain village Imlil. Mohammed leads our group  seven nervous walkers checking rucksack straps, water pouches and supplies of blister plasters  past irrigation channels, through verdant woods and onto the path towards the refuge.

In terms of difficulty, the initial ascent is more akin to a long yomp in the Lake District than a walk in the High Atlas. That, however, is where the comparisons end. Huge, snow-capped mountains loom in the distance, the spring warmth forcing me to strip down to shorts and Tshirt within minutes of setting out. We cross a floodplain, locals hand-mining sand for cement in the sun, and follow the path uphill, towards the shrine at Sidi Chamharouch.

Guides take food and drink up the mountain for guests (MuchBetterAdventures)

Known across Morocco as a place of pilgrimage and named after the so-called Sultan of the Jinns, Sidi Chamharouch is also a convenient halfway point on the first days hike. As we peel off our backpacks, Abdullah and Jose, Mohammeds colleagues, who have trekked ahead with a mule laden with food, sleeping bags and spare clothing, serve up a feast of lamb tagine, mackerel and fresh salad, washed down with litres of sweet mint tea.

Fed and watered, we clamber out of the village and on towards the refuge. The final hours of the hike take on a distinctly British air, the clouds closing in and the temperature plummeting. I reach for my waterproofs and keep my head down. Aside from the thinning air, I feel as if I could be on a damp spring walk in Scotland. Its only when I hear the whinnying of the mules and look up to see the Alpine-style refuge, the mountains closing in, that I remember where I am. Mohammed walks alongside me and points up the steepest, snowiest slope. Thats our route to the summit tomorrow, he says. I gulp and nod in reply.

After a fitful night in a bunk room with my fellow walkers, I awake in the dark and search for my head torch. I dress quickly, eat the bowl of porridge proffered by Abdullah, and head outside. Its bitterly cold. Mohammed carefully straps crampons to my boots and I follow him out towards the slope. High above, the only light comes from the bobbing head torches of early risers. The path rises steeply, hacked out of the snow. I place my feet carefully, the altitude making my progress feel painfully slow. I look back along the line and see were all struggling. Mohammed peps us up with Twixs and a bag of dried dates.

Climbing Mount Toubkal isnt a walk in the park (MuchBetterAdventures)

As I switch off my head torch and the sun crests the ridge, I take another break and turn to look at the view. Wispy clouds streak the summits of far-off hills, the rugged, remote beauty of the High Atlas gleaming in the morning light.

The snow peters out and we reach the rocky ridge at last, after three and a half hours of strenuous climbing. From here, the path skirts alongside sheer cliff faces, the metal pyramid at the top of Toubkal visible in the distance. Mohammed helps point out the best footholds and soon Im racing across the final, shallow incline towards the summit. The clouds are beginning to set in, but the views are still spectacular. Row after row of ridges, peaks and snowbound valleys reveal themselves.

Mohammed pours out hot mint tea from a flask and we toast our success. Ive been up here over 150 times, he says, But its always magical. Hes not wrong. Hiking up Toubkal is certainly a cut above your average Sunday stroll. And despite being footsore and dog tired, I cant think of any other way Id rather spend a weekend.

Travel essentials

Getting there

The author flew to Marrakech courtesy of muchmorocco.com. British Airways (britishairways.com) and easyJet (easyjet.com) both fly direct to Marrakech from London Gatwick. Ryanair (ryanair.com) flies there from London Luton or London Stansted.

Staying there

The author was a guest of Much Better Adventures (muchbetteradventures.com), which offers three nights in Marrakech and Toubkal, including transfers, accommodation, local Berber guides and meals on the hike, from 269 per person.

More information

Go to visitmorocco.com.

Click here to book a hotel near Mount Toubkal
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British Airways will meet all claims for compensation stipulated by EU rules for cancelled or heavily delayed flights, after the systems failure at the weekend disrupted travel for thousands of passengers, the airline has told The Independent. The airline has also softened its stance on refusing to cover the cost of flights on alternative airlines for passengers who used their initiative to escape the chaos at Heathrow and Gatwick.

Under EU passengers rights rules, travellers whose flights are cancelled (or delayed by three hours or more) are entitled to cash compensation. The amount depends on the length of the trip. For short flights of up to 1,500km, such as Gatwick-Barcelona, the payment is 250; for flights between 1,500 and 3,500km, such as Heathrow-Athens, it is 400 (350); and for longer flights, above 3,500km, 600.

Claims-handling firms have been urging BA passengers to use their services, but now that the airline has said it will pay eligible claims everyone affected by the weekend disruption can now apply through the airlines website. The airline is likely to pay around 50m in compensation, in addition to tens of millions for customer care and baggage snarl-ups.

BA has also been been telling passengers who gave up on waiting in airport queues or on hold to the call centre that the airline will not cover the cost of additional tickets. The airline said: If we weren't able to offer a suitable alternative flight we would offer a full refund of any unused sectors on your booking with us, but any alternative flights booked via different carriers would be at your own expense and would have to be claimed back through travel insurance.

Now, though, The Independent understands that claims for additional tickets will not automatically be refused. Instead they will be looked at on a case-by-case basis.

In normal circumstances an airline that cancels a flight must be given the opportunity to rebook passengers on another departure. But such was the scale of the disruption on Saturday and Sunday that many travellers bought alternatives out of exasperation or desperation. They may now be successful with claims.

Passengers holding return tickets who made alternative travel arrangements outbound but still intend to fly home with BA must contact the airline or risk being turned away at the airport for the inbound flight.
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Ryanair has predicted that air fares in Europe will decline by 5 to 7 per cent due to weaker sterling, and continuing excess capacity in Europe.

The Irish airline, which is Europes biggest budget carrier, has reported a 6 per cent rise in profits to 1.316bn (1.14bn). It carried 120 million passengers in the year to 31 March 2017, equivalent to twice the population of the UK. Average profit per passenger was 11 (9.50).

Ryanairs chief executive Michael OLeary said the profit had been made despite difficult trading conditions caused by a series of security events at European cities, a switch of charter capacity from North Africa, Turkey and Egypt to mainland Europe, and a sharp decline in sterling following the June 2016 Brexit vote. We reacted to these challenges by improving our customer experience, and stimulating growth with lower fares.

The airline says: As legacy competitors in Italy, Germany, Romania, and Poland undergo deep restructuring, the scale of our airport growth negotiations is accelerating.

"We continue to juggle more opportunities for 2018 and 2019 than our existing fleet growth can accommodate.

As competitor airlines undergo deep restructuring, we are aware of the need to have additional short haul aircraft to respond quickly as these unique growth opportunities arise.

The airline says it is concerned at the significant uncertainty over the terms of the UKs departure from the EU in March 2019.

Ryanair plans to continue to pivot growth away from the UK in 2017 and 2018 to capitalise on the many growth opportunities elsewhere in Europe.
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Unemployment among black 16-24 year olds currently sits at 30 per cent, well over double the rate for their white counterparts. In-work poverty is significantly higher in black households and the harsh effects of Tory austerity, including stagnation of wages, cuts to vital services and attacks on workers rights, have been most keenly felt by those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds (BME), especially black women. The prospect of five more years of Tory rule is unspeakably bleak for black communities in Britain.

For decades, the BME vote has been in decline with large-scale disillusionment. As voters we felt that the political sphere had nothing to mitigate our daily realities and provided no hope of meaningful action or change. However, the egalitarian, socialist manifesto put forward by Jeremy Corbyns Labour Party, has reinvigorated many of the left behind.

The Labour Party has committed to ending austerity, scrapping tuition fees, zero hour contracts and the public sector pay cap. It will invest in the economy to end the stagnation that is overwhelmingly failing black workers. The party is promising to create new jobs and pledges a 10 minimum wage for all by 2020, as well as taking a tougher line against discrimination in employment, notably by pledging to end the pay gap between black and white workers.

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. 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Powered by the most diverse Shadow Cabinet in British history and with a record 58 candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds standing for Parliament, Labour has also declared that it will implement the Parker Review, which seeks to establish greater black representation on the boards of the UKs largest companies. It will also review the controversial Prevent programme that has perpetuated state-sponsored institutional racism. Jeremy Corbyn himself has a strong history of anti-war and anti-racism campaigning that presents an opportunity for the Labour Party to move forward from its problematic foreign policy legacies that alienated much of Labours BME supporters in particular.

Despite the Conservative Partys push to increase ethnic minority representation during the last General Election, Theresa May has done little to advance black representation in government. There is not a single Black MP in her cabinet. Andrew Lansley, former Conservative Health Secretary, has accused his party of endemic racism and theres a dossier of racist remarks and hate speech by Conservative politicians, many of which went entirely without censure.

In the wake of soaring post-Brexit racism and hate crimes, Theresa May has done nothing to stop the rising tide of bigotry and abuse. In fact, her oppressive state-sponsored surveillance laws under the guise of counter-terrorism, her aggressive foreign policy, and her dog-whistle immigration policies that saw 48,000 students illegally deported last year alone, exacerbate the increasing stigmatisation and isolation of ethnic minorities in Britain.

Faced with the stark contrast between the prospect of a further five years of devastating Tory rule and the tangible positive vision that Jeremy Corbyn is proposing for Britains future, over two million overwhelmingly young people signed up to vote in the few weeks between the general election being called and the deadline to register last week. This was spurred on by initiatives such as #Grime4Corbyn which saw artists such as JME reach out to potential black voters to encourage them to make their voices heard in this vital election.

 Jeremy Corbyn defends immigration: The contribution that is made by people who come here is huge

This was an incredibly important initiative as the BME vote could make all the difference come 8 June. A recent survey by Operation Black Vote showed that in 31 out of the top 50 marginal seats in the country, the number of black voters dwarfs the majority that the MP holds, highlighting the crucial and decisive role of ethnic minority voters.

For too long, politicians from across the spectrum have got away with targeting old, white people who will turn out to vote them back into power. For the first time in a generation, we are faced with a real choice at the ballot box and every vote counts. Statistics show that if only the under-40s voted, Labour would win and, with the most recent polls showing only a five point difference between the two major parties, this election offers a unique opportunity to make our voices heard.

Whatever the result we wake up to on 9 June, it is imperative that black people turn out to cast our votes  only then can we stake our claim in the political future of this country, combat Tory destruction of our services and society, and build the radical, progressive, anti-racist society Britain desperately needs.
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To believe Donald Trump, you must believe two largely contradictory things.

You must believe that there are a slew of leakers in the executive branch who are providing damning details to the press illegally, and who must be rooted out and punished.

You must also believe that the press makes up imaginary leakers simply to slowly and incrementally report false stories that are tangentially embarrassing to the President. The most recent examples of Trump making that case came on Sunday (Whenever you see the words 'sources say' in the fake news media, and they don't mention names, he said on Twitter, it is very possible that those sources don't exist but are made up by fake news writers. #FakeNews is the enemy!), but he's been railing against this idea that some media sources are not real since the campaign.

The result is that we end up with a president who at 8.33am says that it's his opinion that many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies made up by the #FakeNews media, and then at 10.43am says that the prime minister of the United Kingdom was mad about information that was leaked.

Trump, unlike most politicians and, frankly, most people, will nonchalantly argue two logically inconsistent points at the same time. On the campaign trail, he mastered the art of vague assurance that he stood for whatever his audience stood for, and, in office, that skill doesn't seem to have faded. If it is best that people think a leak was made up by the media - like The Washington Post's report that Jared Kushner asked Russia to help set up a secure communication system with the Trump team - then Trump will argue that the media made it up. (We didn't.) If the leak is incidental to him or if he'd like to put the heat on someone else - if, say, someone in law enforcement leaks photos of a terror attack in the UK - he'll argue that the leakers need to be caught.

As Trump knows, though, there are many reasons for someone to provide information without wanting to be identified. Trump himself used to call news outlets pretending to be his own publicist so that he could share details without revealing the source. And while Trump administration officials often speak on the record to the media, they nearly as often speak only on background as so-called senior administration officials, faceless voices praising Trump without being able to be held accountable for what they said. It happens so often that the abbreviation SAO is understood immediately by the press.

Here, for example, are a number of things that the White House has provided to the White House press corps using sources who refused to be named. (All quotes are from pool reports filed by members of the media.)

28 January: About the immigration ban

The official said that Trump advisers had been in contact for many weeks with key State Department and Department of Homeland Security officials about Friday's executive order. 'Everyone who needed to know was informed,' the official said.

When the administration was forced to craft a second attempt at the ban a month after this, press secretary Sean Spicer told press that the first attempt was flawed by not having enough people in place to vet it.

The official said green-card holders from one of the seven affected countries who are currently outside the United States will need a case by case waiver to return to the United States, according to the official. Those green-card holders in the United States will have to meet with a consular officer before leaving the country, the official said.

29 January: Immigration ban

The SAO said there was no 'advance notice' of the order going out for clear reasons that he did not explicitly outline. 'I think everybody here can use their imagination to imagine 25 reasons why that wouldn't make sense from a security standpoint,' SAO said.

The SAO said that 'the guidance from the beginning' has been that legal permanent residents (LPRs) were exempt from the immigration EO, although there was some discussion about that in the room.

Notice that the comment about LPRs contradicts the statement from the previous day about green-card holders.

SAO praised the implementation of the order as having been done 'seamlessly' and with 'extraordinary professionalism.'

A common thread: praise for whatever the administration is doing.

14 February: On peace in the Middle East

The official said a possible meeting between the Israelis and Palestinians would be part of the discussions tomorrow. 'He's hopeful to bring the two sides together to discuss peace,' the official said of the president. How quickly would he like to get a Middle East peace process going? 'I do think it's a very high priority for the administration,' the official said, who would not be pinned down on timeline.

24 February: A response to reports that the White House had tried to get intelligence officials to deny reports about FBI investigations

(FBI assistant director) Andrew McCabe said 'I want you to know story in NYT (in FBI investigating contacts between Trump campaign people and Russian intel) is BS.' (Some question whether he said bullsh-t or simply BS although officials best recollection is 'bullsh-t.') Preibus asked 'what can we do about this?' McCabe demurs and says he'll get back to Preibus. Preibus' can concern is he's 'getting crushed' on the story. 'What an I supposed to do?'

An unnamed official relaying a conversation held within the White House is the sort of thing that Trump in other contexts has harshly criticised.

10 March: Conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel

President Trump has been 'heartened' by what he has heard from Berlin about devoting more resources to the annual NATO military budget. POTUS intends to talk with Merkel about her government crafting a 'concrete plan,' the senior official said. POTUS is 'very interested' to get Merkel's insights about working with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the senior official said.

As is an unnamed person offering insight into Trump's conversations with foreign leaders.

12 April: Trump had a good week

The main theme was that this has been a successful week or so for Potus on the international stage, including the retaliation against Syria, the summit with President Xi and today's UN vote. 'It's difficult to portray this as anything but a really great week' for the United States.

23 May: From the early part of Trump's first foreign trip

So I think this trip was a big success because it was unexpected. It went in the heart of one of the, I always say that the president is always at his best when he's doing big things that are unexpected He was able to really go into Saudi Arabia, the custodian of the holy mosques, and then Donald Trump united the entire Muslim world in a way that it really hasn't been in many years. So it really was very historic in that regard.

The official then talked about peace in the Middle East again.

You can't just walk in on Day One and sign a deal that no one has gotten done in 35 years but we thought it was very essential to look at the work over the last 100-odd days and this trip is to do a lot of listening, build very strong relationships with all the different people, not just the parties involves, but all the people in the neighbourhood.

25 May: The trip, continued

This official continued, 'What Trump's doing really is increasing Nato's ability to deter any kind of aggression on its borders, including from Russia.'

27 May: The end of the trip

I feel more than comfortable to say that the president had built an extraordinary rapport with the other leaders. He developed great friendships. It was extremely productive This trip has left no one with any doubt about who America's friends are and who America's allies are, and our resolution in determining the course of our future based upon upholding those alliances and friendships. But ultimately, we also formed new partnerships and new friendships, and have created a growing consensus around the world about the need to combat the shared threat of terrorism.

The SAO offered a summary.

I'll just implore you all, whether you're talking about our successes on trade and migration in the G7 or summit in Saudi Arabia, to tell the story back home about what an unprecedentedly and historically successful trip this was by an incredible leader and an amazing man who has done extraordinary things in a very short time for the country he loves and the people of America that he serves so faithfully.

Again, these are the anonymous comments of senior officials reported by the press, precisely what happens in situations that lead to stories Trump doesn't like. But since Trump doesn't like those stories, those anonymous sources are decried as criminals or imaginary. The guys telling the press how well Trump's trip went? They're just regular old unnamed senior officials, and their word is unimpeachable.

In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour Show all 39 1 /39 In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud arriving for a reception ahead of a banquet at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud being welcomed at Murabba Palace in Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump with King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during a welcome ceremony with traditional sword dancers at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud with US President Donald J. Trump and wife Melania during a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 US President Donald Trump adjusts the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal, after it was bestowed upon him by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 20 May 2017 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud presents U.S. President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 Palestinians print posters depicting US President Donald Trump in preparations for his planned visit, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, before delivering his remarks to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef exchange a memorandum of understanding Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump shares a laugh with a child during a visit to the American International School in the Saudi capital Riyadh Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 21 May 2017 US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers rest during preparations ahead of President Trump's landing in Tel Aviv, Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 First Lady Melania Trump makes her way to board Air Force One in Riyadh as she heads with her husband the US President to Israel Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One for Israel, the next stop in Trump's international tour, at King Khalid International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Israeli soldiers wait for the arrival ceremony of US President Donald Trump at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive aboard Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One on arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump and his wife, US First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, in Lod outside Tel Aviv, Israel EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sit during welcome ceremony in Tel Aviv AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump chats wife Sara Netanyahu as US President Donald Trump chats to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a welcoming ceremony to welcome Trump at Ben Gurion International Airport Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump delivers a speech upon his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump gestures during a press conference with Israel's President at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump watches as First Lady Melania Trump signs the guest book at the President's Residence in Jerusalem Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalems Old City Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US President Donald Trump stands next to Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz at the plaza in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner leave notes at the Western Wall in Jerusalem Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 US First Lady Melania Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 Ivanka Trump, assistant and daughter of US President Donald J. Trump, touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 22 May 2017 President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald J. Trump arrives in a vehicle to Saint Damaso's Court for a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis walks past Ivanka Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the occasion of the private audience with President Donald Trump, at the Vatican AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis exchanges gifts with US President Donald Trump during a private audience at the Vatican Getty Images In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis meets US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania during a private audience at the Vatican Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis with US President Donald J. Trump EPA In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 Pope Francis gets into is car after meeting with US President Donald Trump AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 President Donald Trump and his wife Melania look at the frescoed ceilings during their visit to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump security vehicles are seen in front of Air Force One before take off from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy Reuters In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour 24 May 2017 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave to reporters before boarding the Air Force One to Brussels, at the end of a 2-day visit to Italy including a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, at Rome's Fiumicino international airport AP

Couple those SAOs with Trump's hundreds - literally - of untrue statements since he came into office and his tendency to have staff make claims that he later undercuts (something he himself admits), it seems pretty clear where the fake news originates, if Trump is to be believed.

Incidentally, for those curious about why Trump might think that someone would create a fictitious source to make a ridiculous claim, we return to the same well we've visited so many times before: his tweets.

An 'extremely credible source' has called my office and told me that @BarackObama's birth certificate is a fraud. - Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 6, 2012

Copyright The Washington Post
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So we must bid our final farewells to Manuel Noriega, arguably the most useful bad guy the United States ever had. Folks at the Pentagon and CIA headquarters might want to pause for a few moments to give him thanks. Noriega, who died several weeks after undergoing brain surgery in Panama City at the age of 83, made invading foreign countries respectable.

Actually he proved himself handy long before George Bush Sr sent an overwhelming force into Panama to remove him from power. For years, Washington tolerated his brutal bestriding of his tiny but strategically vital land because his earlier diligence as a secret informant, delivering nuggets on Cuba and other left-wing doings in Central America, had been so useful to them.

Recommended Taliban targeting Islamic scholars in Afghanistan

Then came Christmas 1989. Troops loyal to Noriega had killed an American GI and Bush  his poll numbers flagging  seized his chance. American helicopters clattered in  the biggest US military invasion at the time since Vietnam  and that was that. The US completed its mission with 23 casualties; Panamas death toll  soldiers and civilians  naturally was much higher.

Most fondly remembered is the siege US troops laid to the Vatican embassy after it emerged that Noriega had slipped inside to escape capture. US commanders settled on a heavy metal assault, blasting rock music from loud speakers mounted on humvees circling the compound. For three days, the entire structure trembled under a relentless bombardment of decibels.

It was a scene worthy of M*A*S*H, the long-running TV satire about the absurdities of warfare as experienced by servicemen in the Korean conflict. Dr Strangelove and Catch-22 were also of the genre. The wittily curated playlist included Van Halens Panama, U2s All I Want Is You, and Bruce Cockburns If I Had A Rocket Launcher. What fun they were all having.

Television, as it happens, is not done satirising war. New on Netflix this week is War Machine, an alternatively mischievous and disturbingly dark examination of the foolishness of a different conflict that, lest we forget, is still going on. At 16 years, the Afghan war has already become Americas longest in history that so far has cost it $800bn and more than 2,000 lives.

The year is 2010 and Brad Pitt plays a fictional commander of US forces in Afghanistan named Gen Glen McMahon, also known as Big Glen or the Glenimal. Except its really Gen Stan McChrystal. The film, indeed, is spun from a magazine article written by the late Rolling Stone journalist Michael Hastings  it was later to become his book, The Operators  that reported McChrystal bad-talking his civilian superiors, including then President Barack Obama, which, among other sins, led to his being relieved of his duties in Afghanistan.

With cameos by Sir Ben Kingsley  as ex-President Hamid Karzai  and Tilda Swinton, the film asks several important questions. Can the counter-insurgency against the Taliban ever be won? If it does come, what will victory look like? And, more broadly, should we ever march into other peoples sovereign nations, remove their leaders or seek otherwise to impose our notions of democracy, peace and prosperity and think that good will come of it?

If you conclude no, it wont, then you might want to ponder for a second the very particular legacy of Noriega. The day he was dragged yelling out of his country to Florida, jailed and tried for his crimes was the day things started to go better for his country. Panama, indeed, has never looked back. Thus, you begin to see how the neocons in Washington  and George Srs son, George W  got to thinking shock, awe and toppling all those years later when Saddam Hussein and the Taliban were the new enemies. But Iraq was not Panama and nor was Afghanistan.

The Iraq war, especially, has surfaced as a new flashpoint in Britains election, with Jeremy Corbyn attracting spitting indignation from the Tory right for connecting the dots between policies of invasion and intervention with an elevated risk of terror attacks on domestic soil. Many experts, including professionals in our intelligence and security services, the Labour leader dared to suggest, have pointed out the connections between wars that we have been involved in, or supported, or fought, in other countries and terrorism here at home.

And what to do about Afghanistan is set to burst back into the headlines in the US also. Pentagon planners and military commanders on the ground are right now pressing the White House to approve a mini-surge to help end what they openly acknowledge is a stalemate in the anti-insurgency struggle, with the Taliban holding its military ground and showing little interest in resuming talks for an eventual political settlement with the leadership in Kabul. Specifically, they want President Donald Trump to agree to deploy an additional 5,000 soldiers. Relative to the 100,000 who used to be in Afghanistan that may seem like small fry. But it would nonetheless represent a 60 per cent increase on the numbers of US troops remaining there now.

It would also mean a halt  even a reversal  of the policy of finally winding down the military engagement in Afghanistan set in motion by Barack Obama. If you have seen and enjoyed War Machine that will probably leave you in a state of some despair. What does the Pentagon see as the point of ratcheting up the Afghan effort all over again? Is it for the good of the Afghan people really? Or for the good of todays Big Glen who cant stand the idea of not winning.

Ms Swinton plays a German parliamentarian who confronts Gen Glen at a town hall meeting during a visit he pays to Berlin. I do not question the goodness of your intention, she attempts. I believe you are a good man. I question your belief in the power of your ideas. The big American, you wont be surprised to hear, has no clue how to answer.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

The surplus of the current account of Azerbaijans balance of payments amounted to $380 million as of January-March 2017, Elman Rustamov, head of the countrys central bank, told reporters in Baku May 30.

"After a two-year deficit as of January-March 2017, we see a surplus worth $380 million in the current account of the balance of payments," Rustamov said.

He said that the central bank expects that dynamic to continue during 2017.

"Taking into account the current oil prices and export-import flows of goods and services, we expect the surplus formation tendency to strengthen in the current account of the balance of payments," Rustamov added.

For comparison, the deficit of the current account of Azerbaijan's balance of payments amounted to $432.1 million as of January-March 2016.

The deficit of the current account of Azerbaijan's balance of payments totaled $1.36 billion in 2016.

According to the balance of payments, the current account surplus of the Azerbaijani oil and gas sector amounted to $4.4 billion in 2016, while it was $6.55 billion in 2015.

The surplus of the current account for the oil and gas sector covers the deficit of the account for the non-oil sector by 76.3 percent ($5.8 billion) in 2017, which decreased by 15 percent ($1.01 million) compared to 2016.

The financial account deficit declined by 69.4 percent to $2.8 billion for the year ($ 2.3 billion excluding dollarization).

According to the balance of payments analysis by sectors, foreign economic operations in the oil and gas sector had a positive balance, while those operations in the non-oil sector - negative balance during 2016 as in previous years.

The total volume of foreign trade turnover amounted to $22.2 billion in 2016, while the positive balance of the foreign trade balance - $4.2 billion.

Azerbaijan conducted trade operations with 186 countries as of January-March 2017. Thus, 14 percent of the trade turnover accounted for the CIS countries and 86 percent to other countries.

Azerbaijan's reserve assets decreased by $539 million in 2016 compared to $11.33 billion-decrease in 2015.
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In the age of Isis, we should remember Nasr Abu Zeid. He was a hero of his time, who would, had he lived  now that the Salafist cult has been let loose in the Europe of his exile as well as the Egypt that was his home  have long ago been murdered. Before I telephoned him for the first time in Cairo, I wondered if hed be still alive to talk to me by the time I reached his home.

Almost exactly 22 years ago, I rang the bell and it was his wife Ibtihal who opened the door in a tired way, weary beyond her 37 years, pointing to the sitting room where her husband was waiting to explain to me why they wouldnt divorce each other. The price was already high. Islamists had called for his death. Others had accused Ibtihal of fornication because she refused to leave the husband she had been told to divorce by the Egyptian Appeals Court and was thus living out of wedlock.

But it was worse than that. The court ordered the couple to separate  for if they merely divorced, they would be able to remarry and Professor Nasr Abu Zeid couldnt be allowed to do that because, officially, he had been branded an apostate. So ever since Judge Farouq Abdul-Ali  an Islamist appointee of the Justice Ministry  gave his verdict, cops from the Interior Ministry had been guarding the Abu Zeids from attack. Hence the cop at the front door, one branch of dictator Hosni Mubaraks Egyptian government defending an Egyptian couple from another branch of the Egyptian government, a circumstance that was as preposterous as it was obscene.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. 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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

Every Egyptian  every Arab, indeed every Muslim in the Middle East  knew the deeply shaming saga of the Abu Zeids, although these people do not speak of it today. He was a professor of Arabic literature at Cairo University, she a lecturer in the history of Spanish art and French civilization, a French diplomats daughter who graduated from the Sorbonne, both now ordered by the state court to separate on the grounds that Nasr  in a university paper that won him his professorship  denied the reliability of the Quran as a literal text. The man behind the charges was one of Abu Zeids own academic colleagues, a third-rate television Muslim evangelist who claimed that Nasr had set himself up as an opponent of all the tenets of religious discourse.

But lets have a look at Nasr Abu Zeids original sin  which has much to do with Isis and the doctrine of infallibility that every Islamist cultist now flourishes before throat-cutting his way across the landscape. Abu Zeid himself had been a university teacher for 20 years and had published highly respected works on 9th century Muslim theologians and the 13th century mystic Mohieddin Ibn Al-Arabi. But Abu Zeids crime was to state boldly in his work that from the minute of its descent from God to the minute the Prophet recited it, the Quran changed from a divine text to a human one The professor opposed the literalism with which so many conservative Muslims interpreted the Quran, insisting instead that its teachings should be seen in the context of the Arab world 1,400 years ago and read with enlightenment rather than unquestioning obedience to every phrase.

There were other problems  Abu Zeid almost certainly infuriated corrupt Egyptian bankers who had fleeced investors with Islamic front companies and then fled the country. But now it was Nasr Abu Zeid who had to contemplate exile. Islamists had just tried to assassinate Mubarak. A year earlier, the Nobel prize-winning Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz was attacked by men with knives. There is an attempt at political, creative and intellectual destruction, Abu Zeid said. If they destroy these three psychological pillars, they might be able to break the unity of Egyptian society.

And here, as he sat in the bleak sanctuary of his police-guarded home, is what Abu Zeid said about the Quran: The people who make literal interpretations of the Quran take literally what the Quran says about a man being allowed four wives. Now the Quran, in its time, was very just for women. They had been treated worse than slaves and the Quran said they must be treated with fairness and justice  it was the first Arabic text which distinguished between men and women [earlier texts used the male pronoun only] and this was the message. It says you must be fair  and that should mean one wife, not four as the text says. So the real meaning of the Quran is not necessarily the literal meaning.

Abu Zeid met his wife when she was only 21, impressed that a French foreign language student spoke such impeccable Arabic. Around their Cairo home were Arabic paintings and copies of works by Goya and Picasso. Like the Algerian warrior, the Emir Abdelkader, they made no divisions between eastern and western culture. So how, I asked Ibtihal Abu Zeid, did she  who grew up reading Racine and Balzac  respond to the hatred of Quranic literalists? Why on earth do you talk about Racine? she snapped at me. Why dont you mention Camus or Sartre or Kafka? Their texts are very pale in comparison to what we are going through. The writers of the absurd could never have written this. To think that they missed what we are living through  poor Kafka!

So the Abu Zeids were forced to flee for their lives from their homeland, just as tens of thousands of Isis victims have fled the cults literalist psychosis and violence in Iraq and Syria. Its worth noting the disgraceful judgment of Egypts penal court  that Abu Zeids denunciation of the ownership of slave girls was contrary to all the divine texts which permit such provided that the required conditions [sic] are met. This is truly Isis-like in its simplicity  did not Isis turn their female Christian and Yazidi prisoners into slaves?

Nasr and Ibtihal Abu Zeid flew first to Spain and then to Holland, where Leiden University gave this brave man a visiting professorship. More than a year after I had first met him, I travelled to the Netherlands to speak to him again about his struggle for humanist reinterpretation  which is what he preferred to call his work. We met in the cafe of Leiden railway station. If you consider the situation in the Muslim world, the absolute absence of political freedom and the failure of the all the projects which were started by socialism, communism, nationalism he began. Absolute failure! The poor Muslim citizen finally got nothing  and was deprived of his liberty to think  forty years with the absolute absence of democracy, of liberty! Only one voice was allowed. We had to echo the voice: the president, the king, whatever. Obedience to the ruler became some sort of religious conviction. So obedience here is the key word.

Listening again to Abu Zeids words today, they might have been used to condemn Abu Bakr al-Baghdadis Isis pronouncements  or indeed the army of Saudi Arabian imams who preach the Salafist-Wahhabi cause so beloved of Isis. After the disaster of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, Abu Zeid said, Muslims were taught that they were defeated because they were not sincere in their religion. And of course, here comes the discourse of political Islamists to make something thats called the Islamic renaissance  so there is a renaissance which is opposed to the Western renaissance. Here it comes, the Islamisation of knowledge  instead of the modernisation of Islamic thought!

Flying into exile, Abu Zeid was in a state of fury. In the plane, I was very angry, he said. And I told my wife: If I die in any place  in Holland, in Spain  just bury my body where I die. Dont think about taking my body back to Egypt. I would like very much to be buried in Egypt, of course. But dont do this, because you might face some idiots talking about is it legal to have the farewell prayer on his body as a Muslim, or not? Dont do this to yourself, or to me. And at the end, all the lands  its the earth of God! Im still angry and I think part of my anger is working on more writing and just go[ing] on fighting.

He did go on writing and fighting. He occasionally, in some fear, returned to see his family in Egypt. But in Indonesia seven years ago, he caught an unidentified virus and was brought home to Egypt, where he died and was buried in his birthplace of Quhafa, not far from Tanta  where an Isis suicide bomber exploded a bomb outside a Coptic church less than two months ago, killing 27 Christians. In the end, he was indeed laid in what he called the earth of God. He was lucky to escape martyrdom himself.
The Taoiseach vowed that government would implement all 17 recommendations in special rapporteur Geoffrey Shannon's report

Enda Kenny has said he was upset by the findings of a damning review into how state agencies work together when at-risk or troubled youngsters are removed from their families.

The Taoiseach vowed that government would implement all 17 recommendations in special rapporteur Geoffrey Shannon's report into serious failings into how vulnerable children are cared for outside normal working hours.

"These must and will be followed through," he told the Dail, when questioned about the planned response.

Work was already "well under way" on many issues raised in the audit while Children's Minister Katherine Zappone is to meet with Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald about communication between the Garda and State child agency Tusla, he said.

Mr Kenny added: "I'm upset about this."

But Gerry Adams said "expressions of regret just won't cut it any more" and demanded urgent action to fix what he called a broken child protection system.

Child protection training for gardai was almost non-existent while the lack of co-operation between gardai and Tusla is "simply breathtaking", the Sinn Fein leader said.

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said the report was a damning indictment of how Ireland goes about protecting vulnerable children.

The trawl of 5,400 cases from 2008 to 2015 was ordered by the Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan following the Children's Ombudsman's inquiry into the removal of two Roma children from their families in 2013 amid unfounded fears the youngsters had been abducted.

Mr Shannon's review found gardai are inadequately trained to deal with child protection issues.

It said there is poor and limited inter-agency co-ordination between Tusla and gardai.

It also found some children are repeatedly removed from the same families, social work cover outside of normal working hours is inadequate and there are gaps in protection for children with behavioural problems.
Gardai are searching for two young offenders following a breakout from a detention centre in north Dublin

Two young offenders remain at large after a breakout from a detention centre in north Dublin overnight.

The director of the Oberstown facility, Pat Bergin, was injured in the incident leading up to the escape.

A number of youngsters took over a staff office at the centre, near Lusk, during a disturbance in the early hours of the morning.

Staff tried negotiating with them while awaiting the gardai.

However, three of the young offenders made their way through a back door and broke through a panel in an outside gate before fleeing across neighbouring fields.

One has since been caught.

Gardai confirmed they were called to an incident at around 12:30am.

A spokesman said the investigation was "live and ongoing".

Children's Minister Katherine Zappone said she had spoken with Mr Bergin about the incident, who confirmed he had suffered a "small injury".

"It is upsetting and disappointing," she said. "Unfortunately, there is always a risk for these things to happen but I'm hopeful the young people will be returned."

A spokeswoman for Oberstown described the escape as a "serious incident".

"The local community has been alerted," she added. "As this is a live investigation, we are currently unable to share further detail."

Last year, five children escaped from the detention centre, which houses offenders between the ages of 10 and 17 years.

They absconded for several hours before being caught.

Four teenagers managed to break out the previous year.

There are three detention schools in the campus - Trinity House School, Oberstown Boys School and Oberstown Girls School.

Staff at the detention centre have previously taken industrial action over safety concerns and risks of assault.
Low-cost carrier Ryanair pledged to continue cutting fares as it posted a 6% rise in annual profits despite intense competition and the Brexit vote.

Chief executive Michael O'Leary said the Irish airline faced "difficult" trading as the group posted profits of 1.31 billion euro for the year to March 31.

It slashed fares by 13% on average over the year amid competition in the industry and expects to reduce fares by a further 5% to 7% due to the weak pound and as it passes on lower fuel costs.

The group said the year was marred by terrorist attacks across Europe, confirming flight bookings fell in the aftermath of the explosion at the Manchester Arena last week.

Bookings have started to recover as Ryanair has launched seat sales in response to the fall in demand.

The group said it also saw "strong bookings" over the weekend after an IT failure hit rival British Airways.

Ryanair is "cautiously" forecasting profits to rise by 8% to between 1.4 billion euro and 1.45 billion euro for the year to next March.

Mr O'Leary warned: "Investors should be wary of the risk of negative Brexit developments, or any repeat of last year's security events at European cities, which could damage consumer confidence, close-in bookings, and this full year 2018 guidance."

He added the group would " continue to pivot our growth away from the UK" amid uncertainty caused by Brexit.

Ryanair reported a 13% rise in passengers, to 120 million in the year to March 31, but admitted it was impacted by delays due to air traffic control strikes and weather disruption at the end of last year.

Its punctuality fell to 88% from 90% the previous year.

The Dublin-based carrier, which flies 1,800 daily flights across 33 countries, is targeting 130 million passengers over the year ahead, suggesting a slowdown in growth to around 8%.

While Ryanair's profits rose to another record high, the group took a hit from the weak pound since the Brexit vote as ticket sales in sterling are worth less in euros.

It warned over profits last October after fares fell more than expected, while airlines have also been knocked by a price war and a shift away from popular destinations Egypt and Turkey after terrorist attacks and political turmoil.
A LEGAL challenge initiated in the Irish courts with a view to halting Brexit is not proceeding, the High Court heard yesterday.

The president of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, was told by Maurice Collins SC, for the State, and Martin Hayden SC, for the plaintiffs, that the action could be struck out on consent of the sides with no order.

The judge struck out the case which was initiated by British barrister Jolyon Maugham QC, along with Northern Ireland Green Party leader and MLA Steven Agnew, Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, and Green Party MEP for the south-east of England Keith Taylor.

The proceedings were aimed at establishing if Britain could halt Brexit after triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

The plaintiffs wanted the High Court to refer issues in the case for determination by the Court of Justice of the EU.

They sought various declarations or interpretations of the Treaties of the EU, including a declaration that Article 50, once triggered, could be unilaterally revoked by the UK government.

Ireland and the Attorney General had entered a conditional and without prejudice appearance before the High Court to contest the action and they asked that the issue of jurisdiction to be decided first.

Mr Justice Kelly earlier this month had fixed May 31 to make directions for resolution of various issues related to jurisdiction.

He previously remarked that, if the State succeeded in what it described as its "knockout blow" to the challenge, that would be the end of the matter.

Among the issues raised by the State were whether the High Court here had any power to grant the relief sought against the State defendants, and why the case was brought here.
The IDA has so far managed to recruit just one of the 10 extra "Brexit" staff for which it received approval from the Government. A second post at the agency tasked with attracting foreign direct investment is "close to being finalised", according to Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor.

Requests to allow the agency to hold on to 35 employees that were on fixed-term contracts, as well as a proposal to restart the agency's graduate recruitment programme, have still yet to be approved - almost 11 months after that approval was sought.

Enterprise Ireland has managed to recruit 12 of the 39 Brexit staff for which it has received sanction.

The Government allocated 3m in Budget 2017 last October to boost resources in state agencies, including the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland, the IDA, Science Foundation Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority. Almost all of the money - more than 2.7m - was to be directly used to recruit more staff.

Enterprise Ireland received the bulk of the money, at 1.7m, followed by the IDA at 750,000. The Department was given 250,000.

The IDA has sought 21 additional staff resources to meet global challenges, such as Brexit, and the targets detailed in its strategy out to 2019, which includes 80,000 new jobs and 900 investments.

An IDA spokesman said: "The IDA is actively recruiting for all vacant positions within the organisation - we are at final-offer stage for a number of posts at the moment."

As reported in the Irish edition of The Times last month, the agency also submitted, in July of last year, a staff resourcing strategy to the Department, which sought sanction for retention of the 35 staff hired on three-year fixed-term contracts under the Winning Abroad programme.

It also sought to reinstate its graduate recruitment programme on a three-year contract basis.

"These latter two requests are still under consideration," Minister O'Connor said, in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fail's Brexit spokesman Stephen Donnelly.

Sanction for 39 staff has been given for Enterprise Ireland to deal with the Brexit impact on exporting businesses, many of which have been dealt a blow from the weakening in sterling. Ms Mitchell O'Connor said 12 of the 39 posts had been filled, with the remaining 27 being actively sourced through recruitment processes.

She also said that serving staff in the agencies were working on Brexit issues on a day-to-day basis, and that Brexit had been prioritised in the agencies' work.

But Mr Donnelly - who has been among a number of politicians from Fianna Fail and Labour to receive the data via parliamentary questions -described the progress on recruitment as "shocking".

"The Government has not yet woken up to the reality of the economic impact that Brexit will have on every region in Ireland," Mr Donnelly said.

"Moreover, their failure to properly resource and staff our state agencies means that we are also ill-prepared to capitalise on the potential gains that are to be had."

Meanwhile, the governor of the Bank of France has ramped up the rhetoric over moves to force euro clearing out of London post-Brexit, arguing the activity would not be effectively supervised if it remained in the UK.

Euro clearing must take place in countries where supervision "can be effective, and after Brexit I don't see how that can be in London", said Francois Villeroy de Galhau.
A Cork dairy farmer who has revolutionised his farm in just five short years has been crowned Ireland's top farmer.

Peter Hynes was named the Zurich Farm Insurance Farming Independent Farmer of the Year in a hotly contested competition that saw innovative farmers from across the country bid for the coveted title and a slice of the 19,000 prize fund.

"It gives you confidence. It shows if you knuckle down, work hard and build a good team around you, you can be successful," said Mr Hynes, who is from a non-traditional farming background, as is his wife Paula.

After graduating from Clonakilty College just five years ago, Mr Hynes - also named Rising Star - has been involved in setting up a discussion group to develop the ambitions of younger farmers, along with sponsoring an annual award. He is also a passionate believer in the power of grass measuring and new technology to boost profits.

"I think there is a huge place in farming for women," he said, with his wife Paula also dedicated to driving their farm on. He said that great friends, expertise from Teagasc and the hard work of his wife had helped to build-up the award-winning farm.

There was strong competition in the Excellence in Farm Safety category, with judges deciding to deliver a joint award to Jack Murphy from Clonmel, Co Tipperary and Michael Callinan, from Inagh, Co Clare.

The organics sector once again shone this year as Eamonn Holohan's family-run operation outside Rathdowney in Co Laois saw him named Beef Farmer of the Year.

He revealed that after building up their suckler herd from 90 to 140 cows in recent years, they now plan to calve 150 this year.

The winner of the sheep category, Joe Scahill, is bucking the trend in hill farming with his expanding 160ha enterprise at Westport, Co Mayo on the foothills of Croagh Patrick. "Hill farming is like everything else: if you have a passion for it, you'll stay at it," said Mr Scahill, who began farming when he was just 13.

The Dairy Farm of the Year award went to Tom and Alice O'Sullivan, who have a high EBI spring calving dairy herd and are milking 85 cows at Crookstown, Co Cork.

Tim, Jackie and Mark Ronaldson from Co Kildare shone in the tillage sector, with son Mark (25) saying that they felt there was a lot of negativity in that area. However, they concentrated on keeping an eye on what is out there in terms of technology and methods to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

A special lifetime achievement award was presented to journalist Martin Ryan.

Zurich director of sales Lorcan Harding said they were proud to continue to help celebrate excellence in farming and recognise farmers contribution.

Louise Hogan, editor of the Farming Independent, said there was great "positivity" shown by all the farmers.
Farmer training on antibiotics is key to ending drug misuse on farms, an animal health expert has warned.

Although the use of antibiotics in Irish livestock is among the lowest in Europe, Conor Geraghty, food animal chair of Veterinary Ireland, says upskilling farmers is necessary to drive further change.

Speaking at a major veterinary conference, organised by MSD Animal Health at the RDS in Dublin, Mr Geraghty called for formal training to be added to the Government's Knowledge Transfer programme.

"Farmers have to do training courses to spray nettles at the back of their farm but they can use antimicrobials without any training, so training is an important next step.

"We need to update the way we are doing it and make sure we are doing it correctly because you fall into habits over the years.

"It should be brought into the next half of the Knowledge Transfer, and everyone should attend workshop training on the responsible and safe use of medicines," he said.

This call was supported by Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness, vice-president of the European Parliament, who also addressed the conference, which focused on Sustainable Irish Food production in 2025.

"The issue of sustainability of the food supply chain, a key issue for consumers and producers, is very high on the political agenda of the European Parliament," she said.

"For Ireland as a major food producer, improving our sustainability is not just desirable, it is essential. This requires us to look at all aspects of the chain, what inputs are used, including the use of veterinary medicines.

"It requires us to not only make claims about our sustainability but to provide proof of those claims as today's consumer is increasingly demanding this."

Ms McGuinness said antibiotic resistance remains "a major global threat".

She highlighted the current review of veterinary medical legislation at EU level, which is still in the legislative process but is due to be introduced over the next three years.

The review examines the authorisation, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, drug safety and use of veterinary medicinal products over their lifetime.

A recent EU report shows Irish farmers use one-eighth the amount of antibiotics used by farmers in Spain on a per animal basis - the Spanish are the highest users of antibiotics in the EU.

Vet Fergal Morris from MSD Animal Health, who spoke on the potential impact of new EU legislation, said that the use of preventative vaccines on Irish farms, which has more than doubled in the past decade, has set a "solid platform" for healthier animals which require less antibiotic intervention.

the next half of the Knowledge Transfer and everyone should attend workshop training on the responsible and safe use of medicines," he said.

This call was supported by Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness, vice -president of the European Parliament, who also addressed the conference which focused on Sustainable Irish Food production in 2025.

"The issue of sustainability of the food supply chain, a key issue for consumers and producers, is very high on the political agenda of the European Parliament.

"For Ireland as a major food producer improving our sustainability is not just desirable, it is essential. This requires us to look at all aspects of the chain, what inputs are used, including the use of veterinary medicines.

"It requires us to not only make claims about our sustainability but to provide proof of those claims as today's consumer is increasingly demanding this," she said.

Ms McGuinness said antibiotic resistance remains "a major global threat". She highlighted the current review of veterinary medical legislation at EU level, which is still in the legislative process but is due to be introduced over the next three years.

The review examines the authorisation, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, drug safety and use of veterinary medicinal products over their lifetime.

A recent EU report shows Irish farmers use one-eighth the amount of antibiotics used by farmers in Spain on a per animal basis - the highest user of antibiotics in the EU.

Vet Fergal Morris from MSD Animal Health, who spoke on the potential impact of new EU legislation, said that the use of preventative vaccines on Irish farms, which has more than doubled in the past decade, has set a "solid platform" for healthier animals which require less antibiotic intervention.
Details added (first version posted on 15:01)

Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

By Azad Hasanli - Trend:

Coca-Cola company has invested more than $200 million in Azerbaijan's economy since 1994, Erdinc Guzel, director general of Azerbaijan Coca-Cola Bottlers (ACCB), said.

Guzel made the remarks during the Economic reforms: Achieved Results and Recommendations conference in Baku May 30.

He added that the tax deductions of the company, which is one of the first foreign investors in Azerbaijan, amounted to $200 million over the same period.

"The work has been recently carried out in Azerbaijan to improve business climate, in particular, to ensure transparency, he said. First of all, we expect that the reforms which are being implemented will help create a fair competitive atmosphere.

Guzel also stressed that ACCB is ready to support the government in the implementation of reforms.
Ryanair has reported a 6pc increase in full year net profit to 1.316bn.

The increase in profits was driven by a 13pc increase in passenger numbers, with 120 million people flying with the airline last year, according to the companys annual returns.

Unit costs at the airline fell by 11pc, largely driving by a reduction in fuel costs.

Ryanair ceo, Michael OLeary said that he was pleased with the profit, despite what he described as difficult trading conditions.

Revenue at the airline was up 2pc to 6.6bn, while the companys net margin increased 1pc to 20pc.

Average fares at the airline, which recently announced that it would sell long haul flights with Air Europa on its website, fell 13pc to 41.

Read more: Ryanair to sell long haul flights with Air Europa

The company also confirmed that the Board has approved a further 600m share buyback, which it said would start this week and be completed by the end of October, subject to market conditions.

Net debt at the company was just over 200m at year-end.

The airline recently announced the launch of Ryanair Sun in a move to significantly boost their presence in Poland. The company said that it expects Ryanair Sun to become Polands number one charter airline by the summer of 2019.

Brexit

The company said that it had actively campaigned for a remain vote in the UK referendum on Brexit last year, and warned that a hard Brexit could cause significant disruption to UK/EU flights for a period of months after March 2019  when the UK is officially due to leave the EU.

We have contingency plans and will adapt to changed circumstances in the best interests of our customers, the airline said.

Outlook

Ryanair said that it expects its load factor active policy will grow traffic 8pc to 130m in the year ahead. However the robustness of future bookings would depend on the security situation in European cities or airports.

Ryanair also said that it expects average fares to decline by 5pc to 7pc due to weaker sterling, and continuing excess capacity in Europe.

The airline confirmed that it expects its fuel bill to fall by 70m in the year ahead, savings it said it would pass on to consumers in lower air fares.

Net profit is expected to increase 8pc in the year ahead to a range of 1.40bn to 1.45bn. However the company cautioned on the risk of negative Brexit developments, or a repeat of last years security events at European cities, which it said could damage consumer confidence.
Ballymaloe director Darina Allen pictured with her daughter-in-law, the well-known TV chef Rachel Allen, at the cookery school, outside Midleton in Co Cork

CELEBRITY chef Rachel Allen has revealed the famous Cork culinary dynasty is set to enter its fourth generation with two of her children entranced by cooking thanks to her new restaurant.

Rachel's husband, Isaac, is the grandson of Ballymaloe founder, Myrtle Allen, and the son of Darina Allen.

While Rachel has now effectively become the face of Ballymaloe thanks to her hit TV food programmes and her best-selling cookery books, the Ballymaloe operation is very much a family enterprise.

The mother-of-three opened her first restaurant, Rachel's, in Cork city centre earlier this year and has now revealed that her children adore helping out.

"Josh my son has been working in the kitchen here," she told RedFM Business.

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"Now he has gone back to the farm in Ballymaloe. I think he was missing the farm a bit."

"I don't know whether it will be him or maybe our daughter Scarlet (entering the cookery business)."

"Scarlet is eight and her teacher said to me just after the launch: I heard what Scarlet said about not being able to make it to school very much anymore."

"I said: 'What do you mean?' She said, oh she is going to be busy working in the restaurant. It was very funny."

Despite her culinary credentials, Rachel had never operated her own restaurant before opening her new outlet on Washington Street.

She admitted she changed her mind about not opening her own restaurant when she fell in love with the available premises space when shown it by her husband last year.

"Everyone has been really supportive," she said.

Rachel stressed that she was also overwhelmed by messages of support from other restaurant owners in Cork.

"I really hope I am not stepping on anyone's toes."

"I wanted to create our own unique space here," she said.

Rachel admitted she took enormous pride in her new venture getting the thumbs up not only from Darina and Myrtle Allen but also from her own mother.

"It was really lovely - on the opening night my own mum got the train down from Dublin just to be here."
Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, launched the 3bn initial public offering of Allied Irish Bank this evening in a move that returns the lender to stock exchange almost seven years after it was nationalised.

The much anticipated move enables the government to sell 25pc of its stake in the bank.

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In a statement Mr Noonan said: The Governments long-held policy is that the State should exit its banking investments in a measured and prudent manner, returning ownership to the private sector over time.

He claimed the "strong progress made by AIB and current market conditions mean that now is the right time to commence this process and proceed with an initial sale of approximately 25% of the States shareholding in AIB, as provided for in the Programme for a Partnership Government.

"Todays decision is a significant step in the continued normalisation of the States involvement in Irelands banking system and reaffirms the Governments commitment to recovering its investment in AIB for the benefit of the Irish people.
Allied Irish Banks (AIB) will begin its journey back to privatisation this week as the Government prepares to officially launch a 3bn share sale in a watershed moment for the banking industry and the economy.

It is almost seven years since taxpayers sank 20.8bn into the then-stricken bank as part of a wider rescue of the Irish banking system - a moment characterised by then-minister for finance Brian Lenihan as a "nightmare" for the government and the Irish people.

This week marks the start of that reckoning.

In what will likely be his last major action as Finance Minister, Michael Noonan is expected to seek cabinet support for the sale of a 25pc slice in the bank as early as today.

That clears a path for the Government to then lodge a formal intention to float (ITF) document to the London and Dublin stock markets later in the week - an action that sets a near-irreversible course for the IPO.

After a long phoney war, the ITF will trigger a flurry of meetings between prospective investors and advisors acting on the sale.

Sources are pinpointing tomorrow or Thursday as D-Day, and under the Department of Finance's four-week deal time frame, shares will then go free to trade on the stock exchange on or around June 28 or 29.

While Mr Noonan can technically press ahead with the deal without securing parliamentary approval - given the AIB part-privatisation is set down in the programme for government - he has indicated that the Dail will be told before the starting gun is fired.

That might help quell the turmoil of the past week, when Labour's Brendan Howlin successfully moved a Dail motion seeking postponement of the share sale. Though not binding and certain to be ignored, the motion was politically embarrassing.

Mr Howlin yesterday repeated his demand to the Government to delay the IPO.

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However, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Stephen Hall said the Government "would be crazy to miss this opportunity", with markets buoyant following the French presidential elections.

Mr Noonan initially outlined two windows of opportunity to sell the shares - early summer or in the autumn.

The minister said yesterday that he had 10 days to act, or he would miss the summer window.

Once he does, the nine banks on the deal syndicate will send out their analysts' research on AIB to potential investors.

That will be swiftly followed by publication of AIB's prospectus, which outlines a price range for the lender's valuation.

AIB's book value is currently 11.3bn. Sources told the Irish Independent that the deal would likely equate to a market capitalisation of 12bn.

Despite a high level of non-performing loans, AIB's dominance of the mortgage market and potential to expand in personal loans are a key focus for prospective investors.
Aidan Turner attends the National Television Awards on January 25, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Poldark star Aidan Turner has vowed never to appear on Strictly Come Dancing, even though he can move like the best of them, because he "can't stand" the BBC show.

The Clondalkin-born actor (33) took up ballroom and Latin American dancing at the age of six and represented Ireland in international competitions for 10 years.

Turner was asked by the Radio Times if he watched Strictly.

"No, I hate it. God, I hate watching it now, I can't stand it, really," he replied.

"It's not about dancing, the dancing is rubbish."

Asked whether producers had ever asked him to join, he said: "I don't know if I'm elig- ible because I used to compete at an amateur level. I think you need to be, like, a raw beginner.

"They haven't asked me, no. And, just for the record, I wouldn't do it."
Irish teen Leah Barniville has lost out in her bid to make it to the finals of Britain's Got Talent.

Leah competed in Tuesday night's semi-final of Britain's Got Talent with a stunning rendition of Parla Piu Piano, from The Godfather.

The 14-year-old won a standing ovation from the judges and the audience with her performance.

Alesha Dixon said it was a "faultless performance", while Amanda Holden marvelled at her powerful voice.

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"You have an unbelievable voice and you're so confident for someone so young, I don't know how you do it," she said.

David Walliams was also impressed and praised her singing as "magical".

After Leah performed Caruso by Lucio Dalla in the auditions, which was broadcast on Saturday, judge Simon Cowell said she was the "next big thing" but tonight he felt she lacked a big production.

Unfortunately it wasn't to be for Leah who narrowly missed to rival acts Issy Simpson and Matt Ward.

@LeahBarniville incredible performance tonight well done  Brian Dunphy (@HKBrianDunphy) May 30, 2017

@BGT @LeahBarniville Insane that a 14yr old can have a voice like that. Amazing!  Roger Eastaugh (@rogereastaugh) May 30, 2017

@BGT @LeahBarniville When she starts singing, you forget she is 14,amazing talent!  Mark Crawford (@MarkCra42058443) May 30, 2017

Leah, who's a student at Ratoath College, had plenty of support online.

Ahead of her performance on Tuesday, Leah said: "I want to make my family, my village and all of Ireland proud."
A sneak peek at the opening episode of the fifth season of House of Cards and Robin Wright, who plays First Lady to Kevin Spacey's POTUS, stares into the camera. "I've been meaning to talk with you. It's terrifying, isn't it? The President and I have a simple request. Tell us what you see. My husband and I" Wright's character continues chillingly, "want to protect you".

Suddenly, we are back in the coercive, wheedling world of Frank and Claire Underwood, their menace cloaked in carefully orchestrated concern. Yet Robin Wright seems entirely, physically different from Underwood when I meet her in a casual Los Angeles restaurant. Her FLOTUS is elegant in trademark sculpted neutrals, but she is also bodily imposing - you wonder how Wright, fine-boned, petite, delicate, fills those power outfits.

I tell her that I once showed a picture of Underwood to my hairdresser to see if she could replicate the dramatic helmet of hair. She bursts out laughing. "Do you have any idea how much product we put in my hair?" she asks. "Three products while it's wet, volumising, texturising, root-lift, and a lot of curling brushes and a lot of blow-drying." Today, she says, it's growing out because she has temporarily set Claire Underwood, who has brought her one Golden Globe and a host of nominations, to one side.

We're here to talk about a very different interpretation of female power. In what is, essentially, her first action movie, Wright becomes the Amazon warrior General Antiope in the new Wonder Woman film; indeed she plays the aunt of Diana, Princess of Amazons, and chief martial trainer, complete with swords, swishing cape and breastplate. It is, as one critic noted, "like the cosplay of Claire Underwood's dreams".

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In preparation for the shoot, at Warner Bros' Hertfordshire studios, she trained for several weeks, attending sessions of horse riding, martial arts, weightlifting, battle-scene choreography and a hard-core rotation of dips and push-ups with all the other Amazons.

Every day they scarfed down potatoes and pasta, and protein shakes with peanut butter and banana to bulk up quickly.

It was, she tells me between bites of a very Californian beet and quinoa salad, a stretch; some days, "I couldn't even show up because I was so injured, because my body was not used to the intensity. And I'm a little person." After she had children in her 20s, she says, she became "unhealthily" skinny, even though she was eating plenty. Now, she found Wonder Woman's physical challenges and the ensuing camaraderie "incredibly stimulating". "You wanted to show up, otherwise you're bailing out, and all the other ladies were there? Not cool."

On the first weekend of shooting, Wright turned 50. "That was so rewarding. Fifty and getting in the best shape of my life? And doing it with all these gals, who were all cheerleading for each other, and want us each to do the best we can. It was so much fun."

In the past few years, Wright's life has undergone a sea change far beyond the arena of squat-thrusts and weights. In 2010, her 20-odd year relationship with Sean Penn ended: divorce followed after a yoyo period of separation and reconciliation, which she has previously attributed to their attempts to keep their family intact.

Each had been married before, Wright to actor Dane Witherspoon, whom she acted with in her first big break, the soap Santa Barbara. He killed himself last year.

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Penn, famously, was married to Madonna - she offered to remarry him last year if he paid $150,000 to her Malawi charity. Although Wright continued to act while she was with Penn, there were few standout parts, and a definite sense that his career was the dominant one, both artistically and financially. The couple moved from LA to the far more understated Marin County, near San Francisco.

She has called the divorce "devastating"; Penn has also claimed to have felt unloved in his first two marriages, and said that Wright is now like "a ghost" to him. Since her divorce, she has had another relationship, with actor Ben Foster, which featured two engagements before the couple parted definitively in 2015 ("I've never laughed or read more than with Ben," Wright said during their romance, and they each had the other's initial tattooed on their ring finger).

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Her children with Penn, daughter Dylan and son Hopper, 26 and 23 respectively, now appear to be embarked on their own acting and modelling careers. They've cleared the various hurdles of troubled youth (in an interview earlier this year, Hopper spoke of his abuse of crystal meth and subsequent spell in rehab, to which he was steered by his father; he also suffered a serious injury as a result of a skateboarding accident).

Wright confesses to complete surprise about her children's career choices. "You know, when they were kids, they'd been on set since they were born. I was breastfeeding both my kids in my trailer in between scenes during Forrest Gump [she played Jenny, the love of Forrest's life]. And they would say constantly as they grew up: 'Oh God, I would never be an actor, I hate it, I've been on sets my whole life'."

For Wright, the last few years have brought a variety of film roles - turns in Moneyball, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Everest - and one humdinger of a television part. Now, they are in their sixth year, during the course of which Wright has not only expanded her character but demanded - and won - equal remuneration to Spacey (a couple of years ago, reported to be $500,000 per episode), citing in her favour research that showed how popular her character was with viewers.

She seems, I remark, to have hit a clear patch of road; in fact, she replies, it's a whole new route: "I got on a different interstate with what this show has provided, for sure. Remember, when we started, everybody was like: 'It's not going to last for more than two or three seasons, shows don't do that'. Surprise, boys!"

She's also had the chance to fulfil a long-held ambition to direct, stepping behind the camera for a number of episodes in recent seasons of House of Cards. "I think you do just give yourself permission to go: 'You can do this'. And you know what? If I don't know the answer to something, or I don't know how to accomplish that, in that way, I'm going to say: 'Can I get your help? You, who've been behind the camera, a seasoned camera operator, for 40 years, tell me what lens to use with this scene'. And I've been basically gifted with cinema school, being on that show, with my crew. So grateful."

It has paid off. Wright evidently feels as though she has accessed a new part of her repertoire. "It is the most exhilarating thing, I love it. Frankly, it's an irritant that I have to go in front of the camera."

As House of Cards opens - now long beyond the bounds of the much- admired original 1990 British show, which Wright has never seen - we see Frank Underwood about to face the American electorate, cynically stoking the flames of popular fear. "We need to dial up the terror," Claire tells her husband at one point.

But there is an issue; whatever House of Cards does, reality goes one step further. On the evening that Donald Trump dismissed FBI director James Comey, the HoC account tweeted - who knows whether by accident or design - a message: "When you're fresh meat, kill and throw them something fresher." How strange is it, I ask Wright, to be starring in a political satire when politics - all over the world - has gone crazy?

"Trump - he took all of our good ideas!" she responds. "How do we beat that?" She points out that "the minutiae of the back story that we don't ever receive from CNN, that's where we can push the boundaries beyond anybody". She pauses.I suggest that The West Wing now seems like a romantic fantasy of political life, a quaint portrait of idealism and duty.

She nods: "We used to have more of an etiquette. And now: pissing in the wind. And every news station is just that - it's just gossip, finger-pointing, trying to annihilate whoever with bad press, with their negative opinion of somebody."

Of late, Wright's own political activities have become focused. Her particular interest is the Congo, in the depredations of electronics companies avid for minerals to power - she gestures to my phone, recording our conversation on the table between us - the devices on which we have become so reliant. A visit to the Congo, during which she met local women, spurred her on to set up Pour Les Femmes 18 months ago with old friend and designer Karen Fowler.

It's a sleepwear company selling high-end pajamas (in the UK, you can buy them in Selfridges; they are lovely, but not cheap). With its profits, they fund Congolese women's charities, providing the wherewithal for them to start small enterprises - baking, making clothes - and to provide their children with a home and an education. Wright and Fowler plan to build schools, to send girls to university, to right as many wrongs as they can.

Particularly since the American election, celebrities have been more and more visible; and they've also been open to charges of virtue-signalling, of attention seeking. How much does that irritate her?

She's at the age, she replies, where to be needled by it is "fruitless, it's wasteful, it's using up time and energy, and positive, aggressive ways to change". We keep returning to the Amazons during our conversation about how they fought alongside men, using the same weapons, running towards danger.

It's easy to see how that way of life appeals to Wright. She describes how Wonder Woman depicts "love and protection and equality and justice. And that's woman. That's mother. That's an instinct intrinsic in us, right?" Weapons aside, I'm not so sure Claire Underwood would agree.

Wonder Woman is in cinemas from June 1
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) is ready to further support the Azerbaijan Deposit Insurance Fund (ADIF) if necessary, Elman Rustamov, the head of the CBA, told reporters in Baku May 30.

He said that for this purpose, the CBA has formed a special reserve fund.

If necessary, the funds will be allocated from the specially formed reserve for the needs of the ADIF, Rustamov said. The reserve contains significant amount of funds formed at the request of the CBA.

The ADIF raised three loans totaling 567 million manats during the last year to pay compensation to the customers of the liquidated banks in Azerbaijan.

Since the ADIF is supported by Azerbaijani government, the fund received an additional loan worth 520 million manats for a period of ten years.

The loans previously raised by the fund were restructured at the expense of this additional loan. Thus, currently, the fund has to repay the loan worth 25 million manats at 0.15 percent interest per annum within ten years in addition to the loan worth 520 million manats, which needs to be repaid to the Azerbaijani government.
A garda witness has said he was called a "woman beater, a disgrace, a uniformed scumbag and a coward" after he helped a woman who fell over during the Jobstown water charges protest.

Garda Jonathan Ryan took the stand on day 22 of the trial of Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and six other men who are accused of falsely imprisoning former tanaiste Joan Burton and her aide Karen O'Connell by restricting their personal liberty without their consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014.

The men have denied the charges at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Yesterday, Gda Ryan told Tony McGillicuddy BL, prosecuting, that he arrived at the scene to see Ms Burton (inset bottom) and Ms O'Connell in the back of a car that was surrounded by protesters.

He said he recognised Mr Murphy among the protesters.

Gda Ryan said some of the protesters were banging on the car, which was shaking.

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"It wasn't a nice situation at all," he said.

Gda Ryan said he was at the scene about three-quarters of an hour when a decision was made to move the women to a Garda Jeep.

Cordon

He described gardai forming a cordon of two lines to protect the women, but it dissolved "in a matter of seconds".

"She was protected by the guards and then she was swarmed by protesters," Gda Ryan said of Ms Burton (pictured). He described the situation as "extremely hostile" and aggressive.

Once the women were in the Jeep, Gda Ryan described how a bottleneck formed among the crowd, causing him to fear for the safety of those present.

"People very deliberately stationed themselves in front of the Jeep to make sure it couldn't move even though people were being caught up in the squeeze," Gda Ryan said.

Protesters who sat in front of the Jeep were "creating a very dangerous situation", he added.

Read more: Garda 'hit in the head with can of Red Bull' while moving Joan Burton through anti-water charges protest crowd

Gda Ryan said at one point, a woman fell over and he helped her up.

He said one of the defendants, Michael Banks, then called him a "woman beater, a disgrace, a uniformed scumbag and a coward".

Gda Ryan said Mr Banks had seen what happened and was just trying to "goad" him.

Gda Ryan went on to describe how later when the Jeep had made its way on to Fortunestown Road he saw Mr Murphy hold a vote as to whether Ms Burton should be kept there or marched out of the area.

"He appeared to be enjoying himself," Gda Ryan said of Mr Murphy.

Under cross-examination, Sean Guerin SC, representing Mr Murphy, put it to Gda Ryan that his evidence was "wholly incomplete and misleading".

He said his recollection of events was "such to portray Paul Murphy (inset top left) in the worst possible light".

Gda Ryan denied this.

Paul Murphy (34) of Kingswood Heights, Tallaght; Kieran Mahon (39) of Bolbrook Grove, Tallaght; Michael Murphy (53) of Whitechurch Way, Ballyboden, Dublin; Frank Donaghy (71) of Alpine Rise, Tallaght; Ken Purcell (50) of Kiltalown Green; Michael Banks (46) of Brookview Green, Tallaght and Scott Masterson (34) of Carrigmore Drive, Tallaght, have pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Ms Burton and her adviser Ms O'Connell.
Where there is a will, the deceased parent is allowed to decide what to leave to his or her children, whether under 18 or over 18, subject to the ability to bring a claim under section 117. Stock Image

The report we are publishing today examines section 117 of the Succession Act 1965. Section 117 provides that a child, including an adult child, of a deceased parent who has made a will can apply to court and claim that the parent failed in his or her "moral duty to make proper provision for the child".

If the court agrees that the parent failed to comply with the duty to make proper provision for the child, it can make an order that adjusts the amount left to the child in the will and order that a different amount that the court thinks is proper should be made for the child out of the parent's estate.

Section 117 has to be seen against the general background of the Succession Act 1965, which specifies minimum "fixed shares" for spouses and children - but only where there is no will (called intestacy).

Where a will has been made, the Oireachtas decided in 1965 that only spouses should be entitled to a minimum fixed share (two-thirds of the estate if there are no children, one-third if there are children), which would override the will if it left the spouse less than these minimum shares.

Where there is a will, the deceased parent is allowed to decide what to leave to his or her children, whether under 18 or over 18, subject to the ability to bring a claim under section 117.

The commission's report recommends that, in general terms, section 117 continues to be a valid approach, because it presumes that parents are in the best position to decide how much, if anything, to leave their children, subject to the ability to question whether proper provision has been made.

The commission considers, however, that section 117 should be amended especially where it applies to adult children, so that its focus would be firmly on a needs-based approach. The commission therefore proposes that section 117 should specify that a parent is presumed to have made proper provision for an adult child, subject to three exceptions. The first is in the case of an adult child whose health needs or capacity had not been properly provided for in the parent's will. The second is an adult child who had given up other opportunities in order to care for the parent in the parent's last years. The third is where the adult child shows that the parent left some memento that is of sentimental value.

The commission's report also recommends that section 117 should be amended by the removal of references to "moral duty" to simply provide that a deceased parent has a duty to make "proper provision" for a child. The phrase "moral duty" may unduly emphasise an expectation or entitlement to inherit, rather than an appropriate focus on the needs of a child, including an adult child.

Under the current law, where a parent dies without making a will, the estate is distributed in accordance with specific fixed shares in the Succession Act 1965. The courts have no power at present to vary these shares, even in cases of particular hardship, and under the current law an application under section 117 is not possible.

In 1965 the Oireachtas decided not to extend section 117 to include intestacy because it might give rise to additional litigation. The commission notes, however, that in other countries where such applications are available, there has been no increase in such claims.

The commission also considers that, in any event, it is preferable to allow for an application under section 117 in cases where injustice might otherwise arise; and so the report recommends that section 117 should be extended to intestacy cases.

This proposed, refocused section 117 is also intended to take account of important demographic changes since the 1960s. These have affected what is called the "generational contract" that operated in the 20th century, under which the adult generation first cared for young people, then the young people grew up and they cared for their older parents. Since the 1960s, a number of related changes have occurred.

First, parents are having fewer children, and therefore there are fewer of them to care for the parents in later life. Secondly, the parents are living longer, so that they have a longer time period, potentially, to fund their own later life, notably their health and care requirements. This also means that they may be less likely to leave inheritances for their children in the way that children in the 20th century may have expected.

The leading English gerontologist Professor Sarah Harper has commented that we may currently be moving into an "adapted generational contract", which means that older people will have more responsibility for themselves than in the past.

Succession law therefore needs to take into account that parents will usually have provided for their children during the parents' lifetime and that, because the parents will need to fund their own care for longer, the expectation of inheritance may be less common than in the past.

Ms Justice Carmel Stewart, Commissioner, Law Reform Commission
Mr Justice Bernard Barton heard how Garda Caroline Flynn was injured during an Operation Anvil crackdown on drug barons in 2011. (Stock picture)

A judge highlighted the courage of a young garda in the execution of her duty as he awarded her more than 50,000 in compensation for injuries.

Mr Justice Bernard Barton heard how Garda Caroline Flynn was injured during an Operation Anvil crackdown on drug barons in 2011.

He said Lucan-based Gda Flynn, despite bleeding from injuries to her face from an assault by a man she had been searching, had pursued him with colleague Garda Suzanne McGrath and arrested him.

"Her actions are indicative of the way in which the vast majority of gardai carry out their duties," Judge Barton said. "This case speaks out about the dedication of gardai and the risks they face while doing their duty."

Barrister John Hayden, for Gda Flynn, told the court she had been searching a suspect when he "whacked" her in the face and ran off.

The judge said that during the search Gda Flynn had received a blow to her mouth, injuring her left upper incisor which ultimately resulted in damage to a nerve of the tooth, causing her continued severe pain. Despite having to take time off work, she had returned to duty.

Gda Flynn had told the court she had been part of an Operation Anvil exercise against suspected drug pushers in the Ronanstown-Clondalkin area of Co Dublin when the assault occurred.

Gda Flynn told the court she had benefited from an electrical stimulation procedure to the nerve in 2012 and had been told by her medical expert that she may require future electrical stimulation under sedation.

"No one would put themselves through this unless there is going to be some ongoing benefit. If she doesn't take precautions there is an ongoing risk that the pain could return at any time," Judge Barton said.

Awarding Gda Flynn 35,000 damages for pain and suffering to date and a further 15,000 for pain in the future, Judge Barton directed that if a future stimulation procedure was necessary the 2,000 cost should be borne by the State.

The judge awarded her 3,189 for expenses to date bringing the total award to 53,189 against the Public Expenditure Minister on the basis that the injuries had been caused maliciously in the course of duty.
With Malta the only other English-speaking country left in the EU after the UKs departure, Ireland could become more popular as a destination for European students on the Erasmus programme. Stock Image: PA

Ireland's education system is gearing up for the Brexit effect.

With Malta the only other English-speaking country left in the EU after the UK's departure, Ireland could become more popular as a destination for European students on the Erasmus programme.

While that would sit with the Government's strategy to boost foreign student numbers, the accommodation shortage presents challenges, it was warned yesterday.

The Government wants to boost international numbers by up to one third by 2020, and bring the annual value of the sector, which covers both third-level and English language students, up to 2.1bn.

The aim of the strategy is to increase foreign third-level student numbers from 33,118 in 2014/15 to 44,000 and, when English-language students are included, to bring the overall total to 176,000.

Higher Education Authority (HEA) chief executive Dr Graham Love told a meeting yesterday that post-Brexit Ireland may also face increasing demands to accommodate some of the 27,000 students on the EU Erasmus programme who currently go to the UK.

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He warned that Ireland's drive to attract more students from abroad was threatened by the lack of accommodation in Dublin and other large urban centres.

Dr Love, who was speaking at a meeting organised by Irish-based think-tank Asia Matters, said developments in the Brexit process would be closely monitored by the HEA, and any actions that needed to be taken in the context of the international education strategy would be brought forward.

The Brexit effect is also a factor in plans for an 800-pupil international school in south Dublin, details of which were formally launched yesterday.

Dublin-based entrepreneur Barry O'Callaghan and international education provider Nord Anglia are opening Nord Anglia International School, for three to 18-year-olds, in refitted former Microsoft offices at South County Business Park, Leopardstown, in September 2018.

Junior Minister Eoghan Murphy (pictured) said it was a welcome addition to the education landscape and would significantly add to Ireland's capacity at a time of increasing demand for primary and second-level international education.

He said this was "something which I've experienced first-hand in terms of the impact of Brexit on my International Financial Services portfolio".

Much of the demand for the school, which will offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum, will come from executives of multinational companies seeking an EU base, more of whom are expected to relocate to Ireland post-Brexit.

Nord Anglia already operates 44 international schools around the world.

It has not announced its fees for Ireland, but they are expected to be of the order of 20,000 a year, well ahead of fees in the existing private-school sector in Dublin.

Mr O'Callaghan said he believed the partnership "could be the beginning of systemic educational innovation for Irish education".
A young teacher has said that entrants into the profession are being driven abroad by a two-tier pay system, which sees some earning thousands less than their colleagues for doing the same work.

Joanne McAndrew, who protested for pay equality outside the Dail today, said that Irish primary schools are facing a shortage of substitute teachers, many of whom are choosing to work in Middle Eastern countries where pay and conditions are significantly better.

Primary school teachers will gather at 4:30pm today at a protest organised by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), where they will lobby for the restoration of pay cuts.

Teachers currently operate on two distinct pay scales, separated by people who entered the profession before and after 2011, when cuts were initially implemented.

A third class teacher at Adamstown Castle Educate Together, Lucan, Ms McAndrew graduated from St Patricks College in 2012, just after the cuts had come into effect.

She earns 5,000 less per annum than teachers who graduated just a year before her and has lost out on a total of 30,000 in the subsequent five years. According to Ms McAndrew, this amounts to more than her first years wages.

Speaking to Independent.ie, Ms McAndrew said she hopes todays protest will send a clear message to our Government that it cannot exist in any new pay agreement.

We just cannot stand for it any longer because 6 years is long enough to endure inequality.

Originally from Mayo, Ms McAndrew was left with little choice but to live in Dublin in order to find substitute work in her first two years after graduation. While she expected a modest salary leaving college, she said she could not have expected to be on a completely different pay scale to people with just one year more experience than her.

She explained: Teachers who graduated just the year before me and even people in my year are on the higher pay scale.

If (people in my year) had done any substituting prior to the cuts they would have (technically) entered teaching before me, even though weve done the same exact course, and would be on the higher pay scale.

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Ms McAndrew said the decreased pay made it difficult to afford rent in the Dublin area and will significantly impact her chance of obtaining a mortgage. Her boyfriend is also a teacher on the lower pay scale.

The two-tier system has also been accused of disincentivising people to enter the profession. Ms McAndrew said its effects were evident in the number of substitute teachers available to work.

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She said: Theres a crisis in primary schools at the moment where we cant get any subs. All our subs are gone to Dubai or places where theyre going to be paid a decent wage. Were not looking for the pay of Dubai but we are looking to be treated equally to our colleagues.

Alison Hayes, a primary school teacher in Blanchardstown Village, has found herself in the same situation as Ms McAndrew.

Having graduated in 2011, she was one of the first to feel the effects of the newly introduced cuts. Ms Hayes graduated in the same class as her boyfriend, who worked a handful of days as a substitute teacher in 2010. Because he was in the system before the cuts, he earns significantly more.

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Ms Hayes said: Unfortunately my pay is completely separate to his. We live together now and were saving for a mortgage and his payslip comes in, mine comes in and the difference is literally 5,000 per year, just because he started a couple of days before me.

I may never reach the pay scale hes on.

Ms Hayes said it was important to note that she and other INTO members protesting were not looking for pay rises, but restorations which will level out the playing field.

She said: I didnt go into teaching for the pay, nobody probably does because its not good enough but you would expect after 6 years and a good degree, you would be paid proportionally to the qualification you have and the experience youve built up.

Weve been given a little restoration here and there but its still not enough. Equality is pretty black and white but were still not equal.

Talks are ongoing to negotiate a new Landsdowne Road agreement and are expected to be finalised early next month. The INTO has said that the restoration of pay equality is a red-line issue and that further talks will be rejected without movement on this.
PHOTOGRAPHS have emerged of party-goers dancing with a dead mammal at a student accommodation complex in Cork.

Independent.ie is also aware of a video which shows the mammal being thrown out a window of the apartment.

It is understood the dead mammal was brought into the complex to a party on Wednesday night.

Animal welfare officials initially believed the animal was a small dolphin, however it is now believed it is a harbour porpoise, a small marine mammal similar to a dolphin.

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Photographs have emerged of the mammal lying on its side next to a wall, with others showing two young males dancing with the carcass in the kitchen area of an apartment.

One young man is holding the mammal over his shoulder, while the other young man can be seen photographing the incident on his phone.

The images appeared on the social media app Snapchat, where photos only appear for a maximum of 24 hours.

The incident occurred at the Parchment Square Student Accommodation complex on the Model Farm Road, Cork.

The accommodation is the closest complex to CIT and each apartment can house up to five people.

It is understood the two young men involved in the incident are not students at CIT.

A source told Independent.ie the two young men travelled from west Cork to the party near the CIT campus, and brought the mammal's carcass into the student accommodation complex. It is not known how they came to be in possession of the carcass.

An employee at the complex discovered the carcass on the grass outside one of the apartments the morning after the party. The mammal was removed and brought to UCC for a post-mortem.

CIT Students Union President Shane Falvey said he was unaware of the incident, but confirmed that the student accommodation was not officially part of the college and is completely independent.

A spokesperson for the Cork Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals condemned the actions of the young men and described them as "idiots".

"The mind boggles with people's stupidity," the spokesperson said.

"Anybody with any level of cop-on would know it's not right.

"They'll think twice before they do something like this again."

Gardai confirmed to Independent.ie that they were not aware of the situation.

Meanwhile, Parchment Square Student Accommodation refused to comment on the situation, despite being given multiple opportunities by phone and email from Independent.ie.
At least 50 people are known to have fallen ill from a salmonella outbreak which may also have caused the death of a woman in her 50s.

The HSE confirmed the investigation into the outbreak in north Dublin has found four children are among the victims.

Sandra Murphy O'Brien died after attending one of the functions, celebrating a First Communion, at the centre of the investigation.

The Food Safety Authority placed a closure order on the kitchen of O'Dwyers's pub, Strand Road, Portmarnock, in north Dublin. The probe is focusing on a catering company named Flanreil Food Services Ltd, based in north Dublin and which was operating out of the kitchen at the pub. A source said the cause of the outbreak had not yet been identified.

Dr Kevin Kelleher, the HSE's National Director for Public Health, said it is believed that the cause of the problem was poultry.

The HSE said yesterday it was aware of more than 50 people who became ill from a number of separate groups of family parties supplied by the north Dublin food business on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14.

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To date, five people have been admitted to hospital and 16 of the 50 have been confirmed as salmonella cases.

A spokeswoman said the first cases of food poisoning were notified to the HSE on Thursday, May 18. Flanreil Food Services was identified as the common link in this outbreak.

"The investigation is focused on this business. A closure order was served on the food business on Friday May 19," the spokeswoman said.

She said the investigation was ongoing and included further examination of the food business operation and food served and assessment of the information from those who fell ill and other guests who consumed food.

"Members of the public should contact their GP if they have any concerns regarding their health.

"People who think they may be ill as a result of this outbreak may also contact the HSE's Environmental Health Service or Department of Public Health in Dublin to assist in the investigation of this outbreak."

Mrs Murphy O'Brien was found dead at her home by her husband.

Read more: 'I was a Lotto winner every day to share my life with Sandra' - Husband's poignant tribute to mum who died after Communion meal

She is understood not to have been suffering any underlying health conditions at the time of her death.

Salmonella bacteria live in the gut of many farm animals and can affect meat, eggs, poultry and milk.

Other foods like green vegetables, fruit and shellfish can become contaminated through contact with manure in the soil or sewage in the water.

Contamination is also possible if raw and cooked foods are stored together.

It is impossible to tell from its appearance whether food is contaminated with salmonella. It will look, smell and taste normal.

The advice is to wash hands:

before preparing and eating food;

after handling raw food;

after going to the toilet or changing a baby's nappy;

after contact with pets and other animals, especially reptiles and amphibians;

after working in the garden.

Keep cooked food away from raw food.

Store raw foods below cooked or ready-to-eat foods in the fridge.

Warm weather increases risk of food illness

The warmer weather usually leads to a rise in cases of salmonella.

Salmonella bacteria can cause food poisoning.

Anyone can get salmonella, but young children, the elderly and people who have immune systems that are weakened are at greater risk of becoming severely ill.

Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and sometimes vomiting and fever.

On average, it takes from 12 to 72 hours for the symptoms to develop after swallowing an infectious dose of salmonella.

Symptoms usually last for four to seven days and most people recover without treatment.

Someone who becomes seriously ill may need hospital care because the dehydration caused by the illness can be life-threatening.
The Order of the Sisters of Charity is to receive a multi-million euro settlement as part of its exit from the St Vincents Hospital complex. Photo: PA

The Order of the Sisters of Charity is to receive a multi-million euro settlement as part of its exit from the St Vincent's Hospital complex in south Dublin, it was confirmed yesterday.

Members of the religious order are to sell the site of the former private hospital on the campus grounds to St Vincent's Healthcare Group for which they were receiving rent.

James Menton, chair of St Vincent's Healthcare Group, confirmed the site is being sold to the group at "commercial rates".

He said this small site would generate a sale price running into "single" rather than double digit millions.

"It is a very modest amount when you think of the number of religious sisters who worked without remuneration," he said.

It is currently used as the Herbert wing for the public hospital.

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They were paid 14.6m in rent from St Vincent's Private Hospital over 13 years.

The rent paid by St Vincent's Private Hospital to the order is listed as 1.2m in 2015, the most recent year for which accounts are available.

A total of 14.6m was paid to the order over the years 2003 to 2015 inclusive according to accounts.

The rent went up from 1m per year up to 2007 to 1.2m since 2008.

Confirmation came as the order, currently the only shareholder of St Vincent's Healthcare Group, announced it is relinquishing all ownership and management of the healthcare complex which includes St Vincent's public and private hospitals as well as St Michael's Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.

This paves the way for the new 300m National Maternity Hospital, which will be built on the campus, to be run without any potential Catholic religious ethos restriction.

The decision to give ownership of the maternity hospital to the order caused an outcry.

Dr Peter Boylan, former master of the National Maternity Hospital, who was one of the strongest critics of the nuns' ownership, said their stepping down was a "brave decision".

Health Minister Simon Harris said it was "historic" and it will be free of religious influence.

Kieran Mulvey, who brokered an agreement on the running of the new hospital said it effectively underpinned the deal.

Mr Menton confirmed the maternity hospital will be owned by St Vincent's Healthcare Group.

Responding to the claim that because the State is building the new hospital it should own it, he said this argument is "facile and inaccurate".

He said the State is not the "sole financier" of the facility.

He said the board of the current National Maternity Hospital in Holles St will donate the proceeds of the sale of its building which will be in tens of millions of euro.

"We are giving a site free - gratis - to the taxpayer, worth tens of millions," he said.

The department is a partner in the agreement, he added.

He said women who will attend the new hospital will benefit from having an acute hospital a "few hundred yards down the corridor", in keeping with the maternity strategy.
At least 15 people have been injured in a bizarre spate of crow 'attacks' on an Irish college campus.

Two people in CIT requried medical attention after being injured by a crow.

The college was made aware of the string of incidents yesterday after one staff member reported being attacked by a crow in a car park behind CITs main entrance.

It is understood the man needed medical attention for scratch wounds caused by the crow.

The injured people also received prescribed antibiotics and tetanus jabs.

The story was first reported by the Irish Examiner.

Speaking to Independent.ie, a spokeswoman for CIT confirmed that the injuries were minor in both cases and there have been no further cases that required medical attention.

However, since the report emerged yesterday more than a dozen people have reported similar incidents.

The Cork Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (CSPCA) will travel to the college campus today to assist in dealing with the situation.

However, they stressed that the full detail of the situation will not be clear until they survey the area.

It may not be as severe as originally feared.

The CSPCA believe the spike in crow-related incidents could be a result of a number of factors.

One of these is that the campus is emptying out at the end of term.

A lot of students have left campus, so they might not be getting the crumbs or the bread crusts theyre used to so they could be doing this to remind people, saying were still here"," the spokesman.

They could also be nesting in the area, and one of their young might have fallen down on the ground. There are a number of different things it could be.

Signs in the area warning students not to throw food on the ground in the area for the crows will be recommended by the charity.

Students and staff have been currently advised to avoid walking in the area affected.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

Fifteen percent of the total number of participants of the 24th international exhibition and conference Caspian Oil & Gas 2017 and the VII Caspian International Power and Alternative Energy Exhibition will participate for the first time in these exhibitions, said Regional Director of ITE Group Edward Strachan.

He made the remarks May 30 at a press conference dedicated to the opening of the exhibitions in Baku on May 31.

This year, the exhibition and conference welcomes over 400 delegates from 289 companies from 30 countries, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, the Netherlands, Poland, the US, Japan and other countries, said Strachan.

National pavilion will be presented by Italy.

Among debutants, which constitute 15 percent of the total number of participants, there are companies from the UK, Romania, the US and other countries. In total, foreign participants constitute 74 percent of the exhibitions exposition area, he added.

The events status is consolidated by its line-up of sponsors which include leading companies from Azerbaijan and leaders of the world oil and gas industry. The general sponsor of the exhibition is Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR. The golden sponsor is BP and the silver sponsor is TPAO. The bronze sponsors include Azeri M-I Drilling Fluids, AZFEN, Baku Steel Company, Russneft, SOCAR Polymer, CDC, CMS, Global Energy Azerbaijan, SIMONE Research Group, Tekfen Construction.

Companies will represent a wide range of equipment, services and innovative technologies in the spheres of oil production and transportation of energy resources, ensuring the storage of oil and gas systems, platforms and floating drilling rigs, laying of pipes and providing protection systems for pipelines, services.

The conference, timed to the exhibition, will be attended by over 400 delegates from 30 countries. More than 40 speakers (leading experts, representatives of government bodies, heads of major oil and gas companies from around the world) will deliver presentations on such key issues as production, management and diversification of transportation of energy resources.

Azerbaijans Energy Minister Natig Aliyev will take part in the plenary session: Role of Azerbaijan in global energy, status of major projects and a look to future strategic growth.

Moreover, Deputy Minister of Energy of Romania Iulian-Robert Tudorache, SOCARs President Rovnag Abdullayev, Gary Jones, Regional President, BP Azerbaijan  Georgia  Turkey and others will deliver reports during the event.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Tributes have been paid to an Irish mum who passed away after days after raising almost 100,000 for pioneering cancer treatment.

Claire Graham (38) raised over 99,000 for wonder drug Pembrolizumab, which she hoped would help her beat an aggressive strain of breast cancer.

Sadly just months after her diagnosis, Claire and her husband Declan's son Harley (2) lost an eye to a really rare strain of cancer called retinoblastoma.

Harley is now cancer free but tragically Claire died on Monday.

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Claire met Michele Trapiche online last year when they were both diagnosed with triple negative breast.

Michelle paid tribute to Claire, who lived in Drimnagh, Dublin, saying: "I don't think I've ever met someone so strong, she had such resilience and a will to live, she kept getting knocked back but she was determined she would beat it.

"Her husband Declan is amazing too, he's a quiet, unassuming man but he was such a strong support to herself and Harley.

"I can't say enough good things about their family."

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Michele, who lives in Manchester, said that when they found out that Pembrolizumab isn't yet licenced for use here she decided to set up a GoFundMe page to help her friend pay for it.

Michele - who has finished chemotherapy herself, had a mastectomy and is awaiting test results - said she knew she had to help Claire.

She told Independent.ie: "I had been given a chance to be here for my daughter and I just wanted Claire to have the same with Harley, though sadly that wasn't to be.

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"In a month the page raised over 86,000, once we reached the target we closed the page.

"She was still getting chemotherapy and was wiped out from it but we had the money and were waiting for her to bounce back and then we thought we would be able to get her the drugs in the UK.

"Unfortunately about a week and a half ago a doctor pulled her family aside and said that she was too far gone, it was too late and there wasn't anything more they could do."

Claire was moved to a hospice and Michele said she seemed at peace.

She said: "When I spoke to her she said she felt safe in the hospice, all the staff were amazing to her.

"She also made a memory box for Harley and did the things that people do when they know they haven't got long left."

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Michele also confirmed that the money raised will be used to help others.

She said: "We never expected to raise 86,000, we never thought it would be that successful but I think people were just really touched by Claire and Harley both being so sick with such rare cancers at the same time.

"I did broach the subject about what would happen if she didn't get to use it for whatever reason, she said she wanted to help others.

"I've been speaking to her family and we will make an announcement about it later this week but it will probably go to a number of organisations helping people in a similar situation to Claire."

Michele paid tribute to business manager Claire and her incredible legacy.

She said: "I only knew her for a year but I think she'd like to know the money is helping people and for something good to have come from all this.

"Most of all though I think she'd want to be remembered for her incredible sense of humour."
A man incorrectly identified as a convicted sex offender on Facebook and then confronted by a mob of up to 30 people says he is concerned he may be mistaken again in the future.

David Murray, who works for the Revenue Commissioners, said a photograph of him was linked to convicted sex offender Anthony Luckwill, who was reportedly spotted in the Kildare area.

Mr Murray appeared on RTE PrimeTime this evening, wearing his work ID, and he described how he was approached and abused on the streets after people mistook him for Luckwill.

"I was the victim of basically a mindless mob mentality," he told host Miriam O'Callaghan. "The fact that I was innocent, verified and proven by the gardai, didn't matter to these people. They simply thought that accusing me was sufficient proof to justify anything I did.

"The deepest concerns I have is that the photos that were taken of me in the pub that day or perhaps even video from smartphones will be directly linked to this criminal's name.

"My face will be associated with his name and shared widely on social media. At any point in the future anyone who sees those photos can, potentially further blacken my name or potentially directly physically confront me."

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Speaking today on KFMs Kildare Today and RTE Radio Ones Liveline on Monday, Mr Murray said he was confronted by a "vigilante mob" as he attempted to look at an apartment in Monasterevin.

"I was hoping I would find a peaceful place in Monasterevin until around 7.30pm last Friday when I was confronted by a vigilante mob accusing me of being a convicted, notorious paedophile named Anthony Luckwill," he said.

"No evidence was produced. When I requested to be shown the photo they were basing this accusation off, they refused.

"Without the name Anthony Luckwill being used, insinuations, accusations and abuse were hurled at me.

"I was told my image was all over social media and that my photograph was in every Garda station. I was threatened repeatedly and was told to leave the area."

Mr Murray then explained how he walked down to a nearby pub he visited regularly while in Monastervin in an attempt to call Gardai for assistance.

"I was pursued on the footpath by the people and a couple driving a car, hurling abuse at me and trying to involve other people on the street in the activity against me," he said.

"While I was in the pub, one of the ringleaders of the mob came in and repeatedly took photos of me on his mobile phone."

Two Gardai arrived at the pub an estimated 40 minutes later where they verified Mr Murray's identity after he presented photo ID.

Gardai then escorted the innocent man to the car where a mob of approximately 30 people were waiting.

"I cant commend the two Garda officers enough. They were highly competent, composed and efficient at what they did," Mr Murray said.

"The reports are I was arrested as Anthony Luckwill and taken away by the Gardai. The actual situation was I needed the Gardai to protect me from the residents of Monasterevin to ensure my safety after they recklessly endangered it."

Luckwill has a series of convictions for possession of child pornography both here and in Wales.

He sexually assaulted two young boys in 2011 and subsequently received a four-and-a-half-year jail term.

The sex offender, who is in his mid 40s and previously had an address in Navan, Co Meath, was jailed after posing on the internet as a casting agent for TV programmes.

Local media outlet KildareNow had published an article last Friday stating that Luckwill had been spotted in the area and did not issue a retraction until midday Saturday.

They published what they described as "a verified police 'mug shot' photograph of Luckwill" with the article.

However, in the clarification, the outlet said that a reader posted a photograph of another man in the comment section when the article was posted on Facebook. KildareNow has since issued a clarification and apology.

Mr Murray said he is currently consulting a solicitor as he examines his options.

"I didnt sleep for 40 hours," he said.

"I've been trying to contact anybody who could have influence to get the truth across.

"Somebody puts my photo on a Facebook page indicating that there was a known paedophile in Kildare when there was no basis for that to happen.

"People need to be damn sure that about what they post on social mediaThere are still people today saying on Facebook that 'this man is guilty'."
Jimmy Campion (inset) was attacked when two men broke into his home on Sunday night

Gardai have arrested three men over a horror burglary at the home of an elderly couple in North Tipperary earlier this month.

Raiders broke into the home of Jimmy Campion in Roscrea, Co Tipperary late on May 7 and beat him with his own walking stick.

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Mr Campion and his wife Maura (87) were left traumatised after the two men broke in through a side window of their home at 11.45pm on the Sunday night.

A quantity of cash was taken in the aggravated burglary.

Independent.ie has learned that gardai arrested a 28-year-old man in South Dublin on Monday and he is currently being held at a station in North Tipperary under Section 30 of the Offences against the state act.

Earlier today, gardai carried out two further arrests.

A 34-year-old man and a 17-year-old male were arrested in South Dublin and they are also detained at Garda stations in North Tipperary. They are being questioned under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Gardai say investigations are ongoing.

The attack on the Campions home caused outrage when news emerged earlier this month.

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Taoiseach Enda Kenny described the attack as unforgiveable in so many ways.

He described the robbery as an act of cowardice and wanton brutality carried out by thugs.

The Taoiseach was responding to comments from Kerry TD Michael Healy Rae who told the Dail those responsible should be tagged for life.

These people are scumbags. They are the worse type of cowardly blaggards that God ever put on this world, he said.

Two men attacked him. They broke his walking stick over his head. They ransacked his house, they stole his money. This type of behaviour from any human being should not be tolerated.
Sisters, Anna May, right and Adrian Muldowney from Mountmellick, Co Laois, holding with items which were part of the auction of the contents of the Central Bank which took place at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017

TELEPHONES, wellies, computers and even the kitchen sinks from the former Central Bank building went under the hammer in a massive auction.

More than 4,000 items from the iconic offices on Dame Street were sold off in a day long sell off in Co Laois yesterday.

The huge catalogue included standard office and catering equipment, a punching bag, weights and a pink bean bag.

But due to the sheer scale of the sell-off, auctioneer Sean Eacrett was still calling out bids at The Heritage Resort in Killenard by dinner time today; his voice slightly worse for wear at the halfway point after selling 1,650 lots by 3pm.

"That is a world record," a spokesman said.

The former bowling alley was filled with thousands of office telephones, computer monitors, desks - even live potted plants - as bargain-hunters bid in person or online for the vast array of goods on offer.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Hazel Byrne, from Killenard, Co Laois, holding a pair of welly boots which were inclded in the auction of the contents of the Central Bank which took place at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 Sisters, Anna May, right and Adrian Muldowney from Mountmellick, Co Laois, holding with items which were part of the auction of the contents of the Central Bank which took place at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 A pair of weely boots which were part of the auction of the contents of the Central Bank which took place at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 Weights which were part of the auction of the contents of the Central Bank which took place at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 Three seats from the stella cinema in Rathmines which were part of the contents of the Central Bank which were auctioned at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 A boardroom table which was part of the contents of the Central Bank which were auctioned at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 Computer screens which were part of the contents of the Central Bank which were auctioned at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 Kitchen equipment at the auction of the contents of the Central Bank at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 Auctioneer, Niall Mullen at the auction of the contents of the Central Bank at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 Sisters, Anna May, right and Adrian Muldowney from Mountmellick, Co Laois, holding with items which were part of the auction of the contents of the Central Bank which took place at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 Sisters, Anna May, left and Adrian Muldowney from Mountmellick, Co Laois, holding with a set of phones which were included in the auction of the contents of the Central Bank which took place at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 Sisters, Anna May, left and Adrian Muldowney from Mountmellick, Co Laois, holding with a set of phones which were included in the auction of the contents of the Central Bank which took place at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 Plants which were part of the contents of the Central Bank which were auctioned at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 Olive and William Flynn, from Donabate, Dublin take a break on a couch which was part of the auction of the contents of the Central Bank which took place at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Hazel Byrne, from Killenard, Co Laois, holding a pair of welly boots which were inclded in the auction of the contents of the Central Bank which took place at the Heritage Hotel in Laois. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 30/5/2017

Among the more quirky items was a purple and pink plush sofa, a framed SAS tourist poster of the Imperial Palace Temple, Bangkok from the 1970s and three cinema seats from the former Rathmines Cinema.

A circular board room table, where executives from the bank attempted to navigate the financial crisis, was also up for sale at the auction.

But everyday mundane items  including a bundle of metal coat hangers  sold for 30 while even a set of food expiry date labels from the banks former in-house kitchen went under the hammer.

Dublin antiques dealer Niall Mullen, who bought the entire lot of goods from the Central Bank, was still tallying the sales last night.

Mr Mullen negotiated a deal with the Central Bank whereby he had to take everything from the building.

"But everything must go," he said.

"If there is a profit, [it] will be from the catering furniture, the board room furniture, the chairs," he said.

But even a humble pair of green wellies were probably put to good use during the Central Banks tenure on Dame Street from 1980 until this year when moved to its 140m new offices in the Dublin Docklands.

"When the flood waters starting coming in in 2008 maybe one of the board members bought them for the (Central Bank) Governor at the time," he joked.

As for the punching bag, "Id say that came in around 2007/08 to relieve stress," he added.

Mr Mullen, who previously sold the entire contents of the Morrison Hotel and Berkeley Court Hotel, said he not only cleared out the entire contents of the Cental Bank HQ, but four other buildings it occupied.

"I have never been at a sale of this magnitude where every single item has sold," he said.

"Online buyers definitely won the day with over 300 people at any one time bidding over the internet," he said.

"Sam Stephenson-designed furniture, made to compliment the building, was a big hit with online bidders with printer desks selling for between 80-170, desks averaging 160 and a stick or umbrella stand fetching 160," he added.

But for William and Olive Flynn from Donabate, north county Dublin, it wasnt worth the trek after driving in last Sunday to survey the goods.

The couple, who own a plant nursery, drove to Co Laois hoping to snap up some adjoining lockers for their staff.

But they were all gone by the time they arrived yesterday.
Jeremy Joseph Christian, who allegedly stabbed to death two men on a train May 26, 2017 in Portland, Oregon when they tried to help two young women who were being harassed because they appeared to be Muslim. Picture: HO/AFP/Getty Images

US president Donald Trump has condemned the fatal stabbing of two Good Samaritans who tried to aid two young Muslim women as a self-declared white supremacist harassed them in Portland, Oregon.

Mr Trump tweeted: "The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them."

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The attacks happened on a light rail train on the first day of Ramadan, the holiest time of year for Muslims.

Police identified the dead as 53-year-old Ricky John Best of Happy Valley, Oregon, and 23-year-old Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche of Portland.

Mayor Ted Wheeler said Mr Best was an Army veteran and a city employee.

Police arrested Jeremy Joseph Christian in connection with the killings and said they are examining his extremist ideology.
Homeowners in Dublin and the commuter belt are set for lower property tax bills.

Fine Gael leadership front-runner Leo Varadkar wants to change how the property tax is collected and distributed, which would significantly benefit homeowners in Dublin and the commuter belt.

The Social Protection Minister said councils should be allowed vary the tax rate by more than the 15pc currently allowed. The move would either cut bills or protect homeowners from large tax hikes when homes are revalued in 2019.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Mr Varadkar said he also plans to allow councils to keep the property tax collected in their area.

The restructuring of the Local Property Tax (LPT) would represent a change from the current situation where all councils must set aside 20pc of their take for redistribution to those with a smaller tax base.

Instead, poorer councils would be topped up from central government funding, costing around 140m a year.

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Figures from the Department of Housing show 10 local authorities would benefit from the move - the four councils in Dublin, and those in Kildare, Wicklow, Meath, Clare, Galway city and Cork county.

The revaluation of properties will result in people living in areas with rising property prices being hit with higher bills. Allowing councils to vary the rate would protect homeowners, Mr Varadkar said.

Read more - The final scorecard: How Varadkar took on Coveney in his own backyard... and won

"People want to see their LPT spent in their locality, in their communities and their county," he told the Irish Independent. "There is going be a revaluation of property tax. House prices have gone up very considerably in the last number of years - up to 50pc in a lot of cases - so it allows us to take a proper look at it.

"There are two things I think you could do in that context. First of all, reinforce the principle that local property taxes should stay in the locality and give local authorities much more authority to vary the tax. Real local government means real decision making."

Mr Varadkar said if councils had more autonomy to vary the rate, they could protect homeowners whose properties had rapidly risen in value since the LPT was introduced in 2013. Councils could also decide to retain the additional money collected to fund local services.

The amount to be collected under the LPT is based on the so-called general purpose grant provided by central government in 2014, plus the proceeds of the pension levy. The tax is based on 0.18pc of the value of the home, 1m-plus properties pay more. Each council is allowed to retain 80pc of what it collects, and 20pc is earmarked for a so-called Equalisation Fund.

This is distributed to councils which do not have a property tax base sufficient to cover the cost of funding services. This year, it is worth 140.3m to 21 of the country's 31 local authorities. Cities including Cork, Waterford and Limerick rely on it.

Mr Varadkar's proposals will be welcomed by many living in the capital and commuter belt, which are hit with high LPT bills. This is because the tax is levied on the market value of the property, meaning that homeowners living in areas with expensive properties are hardest hit - even if their homes are smaller than those in rural areas which incur a lower bill.

The daft.ie report sets out the average asking price for properties across the State.

In Castleknock, Dublin 15 - Mr Varadkar's constituency - the LPT bill on a three-bed semi-detached home valued at 399,000 is 675 per year. A three-bed semi-D in Kildare would incur a bill of 315, falling to 90 in Longford, where property prices are low.

Mr Varadkar insists rural counties would not lose out.

"Any equalisation should be done from general taxation. There are different ways that local authorities are funded, they don't just get it from the property tax. There is commercial rates and money from all sorts of different government grants. There's no reason why you couldn't deal with the issue of equalisation in that way. The general principle that I believe in is that there should be more local autonomy for local government," he said.

Ten councils to win big under Leo's tax plan

Ten local authorities, most in the Greater Dublin Area, will have an additional 170m a year to spend under Fine Gael leadership frontrunner Leo Varadkar's plan to allow councils retain property tax receipts.

This is because they collect more under the property tax than they received prior to its introduction in 2013 from central government.

Dublin City has a surplus of 44.4m, and could keep this for local services under the plan. Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown would retain 33m, followed by Fingal (26.7m), Cork County (24m), South Dublin (21.2m), Kildare (5.4m), Wicklow (5m), Galway City (3.8m), Clare (3.5m) and Meath (3.4m).

The Government will have to make up the shortfall to the other 21 councils that have a shortfall.

Donegal and Tipperary county councils received some 16.5m each this year from the Equalisation Fund, while Mayo received 11m. Limerick, Waterford and Cork cities all rely on the Equalisation Fund to fund services.

In percentage terms, more than 80pc of Longford and Leitrim's property tax allocation is drawn from the Equalisation Fund, followed by Monaghan (73pc) and Roscommon (69pc).

Fine Gael parliamentary party endorsements for leader

The Fine Gael parliamentary party makes up 65pc of the total electorate.

That makes each of the 73 members' votes worth 0.9pc of the total ballot.

Of the remaining electorate, 230 party councillors account for 10pc, while the remaining 25pc is rank and file members.

Leo Varadkar Simon Coveney Total: 45 Total: 19 Ministers: 17 Ministers: 5 TDs: 16 TDs: 5 Senators: 11 Senators: 8 MEPs: 1 MEPs: 1 Richard Bruton -Minister Simon Harris - Minister Frances Fitzgerald - Minister Damien English - Minister Michael Ring - Minister Dara Murphy - Minister Eoghan Murphy - Minister David Stanton - Minister Sean Kyne - Minister Marcella Corcoran Kennedy - Minister Joe McHugh - Minister Kate O'Connell - TD Helen McEntee - Minister Maria Bailey - TD Charlie Flanagan - Minister Sean Barrett TD Paul Kehoe -Minister Hildegard Naughton - TD Patrick O'Donovan - Minister Peter Fitzpatrick - TD Regina Doherty - Minister Tim Lombard - Senator Mary Mitchell O'Connor - Minister Jerry Buttimer - Senator Paschal Donohoe - Minister Paudie Coffey - Senator Heather Humphreys - Minister James Reilly - Senator Pat Breen - Minister Colm Burke - Senator Catherine Byrne - Minister John O'Mahony - Senator Andrew Doyle - Minister Paul Coghlan - Senator John Paul Phelan - TD Gabrielle McFadden - Senator Noel Rock - TD Deirdre Clune - MEP Tony McLoughlin - TD Alan Farrell - TD Michael D'Arcy - TD Tom Neville - TD Josepha Madigan - TD Pat Deering - TD Jim Daly - TD Brendan Griffin - TD Ciaran Cannon - TD Colm Brophy - TD Peter Burke - TD Fergus O'Dowd - TD John Deasy - TD Joe Carey - TD Neale Richmond - Senator Catherine Noone - Senator Paddy Burke - Senator Martin Conway - Senator Michelle Mulherin - Senator Maura Hopkins - Senator Ray Butler - Senator Frank Feighan - Senator Maria Byrne - Senator Joe O'Reilly - Senator Kieran O'Donnell - Senator Brian Hayes - MEP

Undeclared Enda Kenny - Outgoing Party Leader * Martin Heydon - Party Chairman * Michael Noonan - Minister Michael Creed - Minister Bernard Durkan - TD Sean Kelly - MEP Mairead McGuinness MEP

* Outgoing leader Enda Kenny and party chairman Martin Heydon will not make an endorsement
Leo Varadkar turned down an offer from Taoiseach Enda Kenny to remain in the Department of Health, the Irish Independent has learned.

Mr Kenny has told colleagues privately that he asked the leadership frontrunner to continue on as health minister, but Mr Varadkar sought a move elsewhere. This forced the Taoiseach to offer the job to Simon Harris, who was initially set to take charge of the Department of Social Protection.

The news that Mr Varadkar wanted out of health has been confirmed by senior Government figures, including ministers close to Mr Kenny.

But it comes after Mr Varadkar last week told the first of the leadership hustings that he "had unfinished business in health".

One minister last night accused Mr Varadkar of turning down the offer so that he could focus on building his leadership campaign. "Leo said he has 'unfinished business in health'. Then why didn't he tell the Taoiseach he wanted to remain there?" said the minister.

Mr Varadkar was asked yesterday why he turned down the opportunity, but he said he did not wish to comment on a private meeting with the Taoiseach which took place amid the Cabinet reshuffle on May 6 last year.

"We had a discussion about that when the new Government was formed and, I suppose, the discussion was private and I wouldn't like to divulge too much of it," Mr Varadkar told the Irish Independent.

At the tense fourth and final leadership debate in Cork, Mr Varadkar accused Mr Coveney of a "dishonest" portrayal of his own commitment to compassionate policies. Meanwhile, Mr Coveney accused Mr Varadkar of trying to buy his way to power.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

It will be harder to achieve a drop of oil inventories back to the 5-year average, Spencer Welch, director of the oil markets and downstream team in the London-based IHS Markit, told Trend May 30.

It depends on global oil demand continuing to grow and on how fast US crude production increases, the expert said commenting on the latest decision of OPEC and non-OPEC countries to extend the oil output cut deal by nine months.

The latest meeting of OPEC seemed very smooth with a lot of unity including with non-OPEC members such as Russia, said Welch.

The day before the meeting the cut compliance monitoring committee (JMMC) reported that they recommended a 9 month extension of the existing cut and that is exactly what happened, he added.

He believes that in terms of long-term, this meeting shows that OPEC and Russia are united in doing whatever it takes to pull down high oil inventories and to provide oil price support.

OPEC is alive and back in the oil game again, said Welch.

It would have been very difficult to increase the cuts, as it is very hard to agree who cuts how much extra, by far the easier thing is to just keep the existing cuts, according to the expert.

Regarding the outlook for oil prices, Welch said crude prices are expected to stay at $50-55 per barrel right through to end 2018.

On May 25, OPEC member countries and non-OPEC parties, Azerbaijan, Kingdom of Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Sultanate of Oman, the Russian Federation, Republic of Sudan, and the Republic of South Sudan agreed to extend the production adjustments for a further period of nine months, with effect from July 1, 2017.

The reductions will be on the same terms as those agreed in November.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Clinical psychologist David Coleman offers parenting advice in his weekly column.

Q. Our 13-year-old daughter is really stressed recently and we fight much more. It got much worse when her phone was taken off her for three weeks for inappropriate behaviour. Since then we have put the wifi on a timer and from 6.30-9.30pm she is glued to her phone and gets so annoyed if she is disturbed. She holds her head and shouts, "I'm so stressed, my head is full, I have to get everything done in a few hours. It's freaking me out". She hates her life, she hates her look. We hate that we have to give out to her so much. Please help.

David replies: Your daughter does sound deeply distressed about her online life, while you sound so upset that you are having all of this conflict.

The comments that your daughter makes about hating her life, and hating her look, do seem very significant and they do seem to be related to her social media and online life.

The Internet, and especially social media apps, put pressure on children and teenagers. For example, photo sharing apps, like Instagram, promote highly unrealistic and heavily doctored content of beautiful people (so called 'influencers') in beautiful locations doing beautiful things.

I can understand how children might aspire to being similar. Even their peers will only share the right image, that shows the best angles, that highlights a specific aspect of themselves or their actions, since they know that each image will be seen and judged by everyone else.

I actually think it's exhausting and stressful for youngsters. They feel they must fit in with their friends (that's an age-old teenage dynamic), but increasingly that 'fitting in' is virtual rather than real. Teenagers don't just connect with their friends online, they must put their idealised self out there too and hope that it meets the ideals their friends aspire to.

I find myself increasingly concerned about the stresses that the Internet is placing on children and teenagers.

There are increasing amounts of evidence, from research, that show the negative aspects of social media. We hear more and more about how screens disrupt sleep and how teenager's online interactions have real impacts on their self-esteem and happiness.

For example, teens who browse and flick through other people's profiles, uploads and posts are less happy and satisfied than those who engage with other people's posts by 'liking', commenting or sharing.

Simply absorbing other people's lives seems to be the dissatisfying aspect. When we use social media to be sociable we are more satisfied.

I think you should stick by the limits that you have set. I know of other families who have successfully set hard limits on their children and teenagers not having technology or phones in their bedrooms.

The real benefit of this is that bedrooms can actually become a place of refuge, rest and recuperation, or can be a location for uninterrupted homework and studying. Having technology access only allowable in the shared areas of the house means that youngsters are less likely to shut themselves away from their family for hours at a time.

But, as with any limit that we set for our children, we need to balance the determination with which we uphold it with some warmth, understanding and acknowledgement that the limit might be frustrating, upsetting, annoying or just tough to accept.

Empathy about the difficulty that this might present to our teenagers can offset some of the conflict. They may not be happy with our decision, but if they can see that we have heard and taken on board their views it can be easier for them to accept it.

So, try to show some interest in your daughter's online communications and see if, at times when she is not online, you can understand more of the pressures she faces and what might make those pressures worse or better. Be open and curious to understand her world better.

Teenagers need an online presence, but I also believe that presence needs to be balanced by a presence in the real world with friends and family. So stick by your guns, but be kind and understanding about the fact that it might be hard for your daughter.
The highlights of Legoland really depend on your age - and while the children love the theme park rides and activities, parents tend to prefer the joys of an on-site hotel

Legoland is not just for kids. I applaud any excuse to canter around a children's park like a caffeinated Pokemon and be considered normal. I think you will too.

That's not to say I was looking forward to the long sweaty queues, explosive meltdowns and fast food that like to accompany theme park holidays. Steady on! It was closer to a stomach-churning mixture of fear and pleasant hysteria. There isn't even an emoji that understands me. Maybe you do?

While California likes to boast the best Legoland party, we have a number of kickass hosts to choose from across Europe without submitting to a 12-hour flight - Germany, Denmark and the UK.

Based on the assumption that my braincells would feel like an upside down creme caramel by lunchtime on day one, I chose the English-speaking country.

Legoland Windsor runs across 150 acres of parkland just 20 minutes outside Heathrow. Inside the hive you'll find over 80 million Lego bricks, a cartoon-style hotel, toddler-themed water park, around 60 rides and attractions, and a monumental Lego store.

Wahey! It's the new Croagh Patrick for guilt-ridden Irish parents, looking for absolution. (No emoji for that either).

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My sons Benjamin (seven) and Marty (five) saved up all their pocket money to buy the plane tickets. This was a big deal, which took over two years for completion. On the morning of our departure, I thought they would self-combust with excitement.

So naturally, our holiday began with my youngest taking 90 photographs of his nose in the airport, clogging up my photo library and disabling storage with unprecedented speed. I've read about these moments in child psychologist Steve Biddulph's books. But I never thought they'd actually happen.

Mary Poppins would be proud. I had 650g of dark chocolate and a Spotify playlist compiled for such an occasion, including Enya's Orinoco Flow and Guns N'Roses Don't Cry (see Top Tips). As I was zoning out with my solar plexus chakra, Aer Lingus staff were incredible with my little ones, cracking jokes and sneaking them high fives. It was probably the most enjoyable flight I've ever been on, enhanced by the self-induced chocolate coma.

We stayed just one night at the plastic-fantastic Legoland Windsor Hotel nestled in the corner of the park. It comes complete with low ceilings and patterned carpets to help absorb the sonic airwaves that a gaggle of toddlers can simultaneously create. Clever, I guess, as well as aesthetically bold. The best surprise was arriving at our balloon-filled room to celebrate Benjamin's birthday. Every room gets a treasure hunt too, complete with a map, puzzles, a code-breaking safe and a little Lego gift each. Nice touch.

The highlights of Legoland really depends on your age. I loved the ease and comfort of an on-site hotel (yo, I'm turning 40), and making silly Lego mini figures of my friends. I chose Wonder Woman's hair and undies, with Batgirl's onesie. I've never looked better. Marty went for an aspirational Eminem vibe, backwards Lego cap and tiny legs to demonstrate his age. Dad looked somewhere between Disco Cop and a Jurassic Park tour guide. Instagram went wild.

The seven-year-old thrived on the simple pleasures of choosing what to do, and holding the Legoland map in his hands as if it were the winning Wonka ticket. He was happy as long as our feet kept moving. Being the eldest, Benjamin loved having his own money to spend, squirrelled away over the past two years of emptying the dishwasher and giving mummy foot massages. (Kidding! Mostly). He even wanted to pay for the taxi from the airport with the air of a newly-minted oil baron.

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And as long as my five-year-old was lording it up in a hired buggy, he remained relatively sprightly. Rather surprisingly, he preferred to watch Benjamin enjoy the attractions and rides than to take part himself. The outdoor stunt show mesmerised both of my boys, which gave me breathing space for a fag. (Kidding! Mostly).

Look, it wasn't all tulips and fizz bombs. By 3pm on the first day, it felt like I had been in battle with a combine harvester.

The queues for the cafes are gobsmacking, and if you're lucky enough to nail a table you will undoubtedly be unlucky enough to sample their menu.

It was typical fast food. I managed to pack a few lame vegan nut bars from my emergency fanny bag, infuriating all the unprepared mothers within a 20-mile radius.

To recharge, we repaired to our hotel and love bombed its indoor water arena. Hotel guests are able to soothe their aching limbs in the toddler pools, while children water-pistol the staff. Bliss.

I'm not going to tell you which rides you'll enjoy more than others. That's just nonsense. I can, however, help equip your day with a swathe of golden tips I wish I had before nose-diving into 48 hours of Lego abyss. Ready?

Top 10 Tips

* Only consider visiting off-peak (Monday-Friday) unless you think sanity is overrated.

* Hire a double buggy for 15 (17). My eldest pushed me around in it, after my tantrums subsided.

* Don't get the Legoland App - your kids will resent you being absorbed by a smartphone. It's not appropriate, in my opinion. (Mainly because you'll lose the pesky rascals as soon as you take your eyes off them).

* Measure your child's height in advance, and check online which rides are suitable. It's also worth having a stash of surprises in your handbag if your child is too small for some of the rides and his expectations are suddenly mangled. Grab a few packets of mini Lego figures for 2.50 (3) at the park entrance.

* Don't bother packing stuff for every conceivable eventuality. You can buy spare socks, togs, towels and clothes on site at regular high street prices. The Legoland Hotel even sells Calpol, paracetamol, nappies and Sudocrem. Just bring food, and...

*... bring tissues. Lots of them. My scarf doubled up as a snot rag. I even sacrificed a sock at one stage (no further comment).

 Loki's Labrynth is like an adult comfort blanket in the middle of all the madness. Your children are guaranteed to get lost in this maze for at least 30 celestial minutes.

* Have an emergency Spotify list on your iPhone, when something tripwires your patience. It will help save your family photo album.

* Don't mention the cinema. Or the biggest Lego store in Europe. Code Red.

* You can bag a great deal online if you wait for the next one to pop up on www.legolandholidays.co.uk (assuming you're not under a ticking toddler time bomb).

All that being said, don't even think about missing Pirate Falls or Laser Raiders. Oh and getting your own Lego Driver's Licence at the L-School. Just saying.

TAKE TWO: Top attractions

Saddle up for fun

Mias Riding Adventure is a fast-spinning, hair-raising ride on a Lego Friends plastic pony. My seven-year-old looked like he could vaporise with happiness. Tiny queue too.

Skip the queues

Kids and queues go together like lemon and milk. For 20pp you can get your mitts on a queue-skipping gadget called a Q-Bot. I would have imploded without one. Definitely my top attraction.

Get there

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Legoland Windsor is a 20-minute taxi ride from Heathrow Airport. Direct flights from Cork and Dublin are available with Aer Lingus and Ryanair. Book six months in advance for amazing budget deals with both airlines.

Prices for a one-night stay in Legoland range from 390-800, for a family room for five. This includes park entry, indoor waterslide access and a treasure hunt for the younglings with Lego prizes. You will also be given access to the park 30 minutes before it opens to the public every morning. Yahtzee!

Legoland Windsor is opening a Castle Hotel this summer - this is where you want to be. Ask for a room on the top floor, where the acoustics are kinder to your melatonin. Lower levels are noisier, with families bouncing in rooms overhead.

Susan Jane White is a regular columnist for the Sunday Independent's LIFE Magazine, a cookbook author, and mother of two high-speed vandals
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Colette Browne Opinion Every effort must be made to retrieve oral histories of mother and baby home survivors

With three days to go until the Mother and Baby Homes Commission ceases to exist as a legal entity, we are being told that audio recordings of hundreds of witnesses which were deleted may not actually be gone forever. It is another usual twist in a most emotional saga. For decades, survivors of mother and baby homes have been denied a voice and denied autonomy. When they fell pregnant, many through rape and abuse, they were marched to the doors of religious institutions.
Robert De Niro has said that if the US was a movie it would now be a tragic, dumb-ass comedy.

The two-time Oscar-winning actor and vocal Donald Trump critic said his nation had descended to this point having been an inspiring, uplifting drama just four years ago.

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De Niro, 73, was welcomed with applause and laughter as he made the remarks in a speech to graduating students at Brown University in the New England state of Rhode Island.

The country has gone crazy. In movie terms, when you started school the country was an inspiring, uplifting drama, he said on Sunday.

You are graduating intro a tragic, dumb-ass comedy.

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He also urged the students to make a better world and to work to stop the insanity as he was handed an honorary fine arts degree.

De Niro has been a persistent critic of the US president and even said he wanted to punch the Republican in the face during his election campaign.



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The actor also said earlier this month that Mr Trump was hampering the arts and that his immigration policy might keep out the next Charlie Chaplin.

The British star was an immigrant who probably wouldnt pass todays extreme vetting, he said.
Ruth O'Neill has kept true to her word and wasted no time leaving Ireland after she wrapped up her time on Xpose.

The Castleknock woman (29) headed straight for London after departing the TV3 series and is now soaking up the sun in Los Angeles.

The TV host, who originally joined Xpose to fill in for Aisling O'Loughlin while she was on maternity leave, has returned to her old home of LA where she lived for five years.

Ruth attended a wedding with her sister at the luxurious Hummingbird Range just north of the city recently as she prepares to go on the hunt for her next career move.

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One person who looked to be absent from the festivities was Ruth's new boyfriend.

A source close to the presenter said the mystery man was one of the main reasons why she had decided to say goodbye to her TV gig and spend more time travelling through London, where he lives, and LA and New York.

"Ruth's new boyfriend lives in London and most of her friends are there and in America too so she didn't feel as settled in Dublin anymore," they said.

The Dubliner's exit from Xpose came as a shock to many viewers of the show as she had only joined the previous year with fellow newbie Cassie Stokes.

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Now one host short, Xpose will feature a number of guest presenters over the coming weeks until a new permanent host is selected.

US reality star Jonathan Cheban was scheduled to be the first last week but was forced to pull out at the last minute.

Video of the Day

It is thought the series will not have its fourth presenter in place until at least September while several budding hosts and models will go through screen tests for the coveted gig during the summer.
While they were in office, the Internet had a love affair with the glorious relationship between Barack Obama and his VP Joe Biden.

And it seems that the Pennsylvania-born politician can now impart everything he learned about how to make a great relationship work if he decides to become a full time wedding celebrant.

In the second wedding he officiated this weekend, Biden presided over the vows of Democratic National Committee staffer Henry Munoz and his new husband Kyle Ferrari on Saturday.

The former US VP wasn't the only star present however, actress Melanie Griffith was also front and centre at the nuptials of her pals, and made sure to get a few cute snaps for Instagram.

A post shared by MELANIE (@melanie_griffith57) on May 27, 2017 at 4:19pm PDT

"My dearest friends Henry Munoz and Kyle Ferrari were married today by VP Joe Biden," the Working Girl actress captioned the pic, "Wishing them everlasting love and a joyous life journey!!"

It's not the first weekend the politician has spent overseeing the nuptials of staffers, in August last year Biden officiated the wedding of longtime White House staffers Joe Mahshie and Brian Mosteller, having got a special temporary certification from the District of Columbia to make it legal.

The politician publicly backed gay marriage in 2012 in the run-up to President Barack Obama's re-election.
A massive bombing by the Islamic State group outside a popular ice cream parlour in central Baghdad and a rush-hour car bomb in another central area have killed at least 31 people, officials said.

Later in the day, more bombings in and around the Iraqi capital killed seven more people.

The attacks came as IS militants steadily lose territory to US-backed Iraqi forces in the battle for Mosul, the country's second-largest city.

The Sunni extremists are increasingly turning to insurgency-style terror attacks to distract attention from their losses.

The night-time attack outside the ice cream parlour in the bustling Karrada neighbourhood killed 17 people and wounded 32, police and health officials said.

A closed-circuit camera captured the moment of the explosion, showing a busy avenue with cars driving down the street when the blast strikes.

A huge fireball engulfs a building, causing cars to scramble to get away. Other videos of the attack posted on social media show wounded and bloodied people crying for help on the pavement outside the ice cream parlour.

In the second attack, an explosives-laden car went off during rush hour near the state-run Public Pension Office in the busy Shawaka area, killing 14, a police officer said. At least 37 people were wounded, he added.

In separate online statements, IS claimed the two attacks, saying its suicide bombers targeted gatherings of Shiites.

Seven more people died and 19 were wounded in four separate bombings in and around Baghdad, officials said.

The attacks targeted commercial areas and a patrol of Sunni anti-IS tribal fighters, they said.

The attacks came days into the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast during daylight hours.

During Ramadan last year, another section of Karrada was hit by a massive suicide bombing that killed almost 300 people, the deadliest single attack in the Iraqi capital in 13 years of war. The attack was also claimed by IS.

AP
Copenhagens iconic Little Mermaid statue had been hosed down after being covered in red paint by vandals.

An accompanying message, also in red, was scrawled in front of the statue, and read: Denmark defend the whales of the Faroe Islands.

Danish media say its a likely reference to the hunting of pilot whales which takes place during summer in the North Atlantic islands.

Faroe Islanders drive herds of whales into shallow waters before stabbing them to death. The meat and blubber of the animals are then shared among the hunters and their families  as part of the practice that dates back to the late 16th century that isnt commercialised.

Whaling has always been regulated with the law being updated as recently as 2013. It states the animals should be killed as quickly and humanely as possible.

Island officials put the pilot whale population in the eastern North Atlantic at approximately 778,000, with 100,000 in the Faroe Islands. They say 800 whales a year are killed on average during the whaling, and that this doesnt affect the abundant population.

The Little Mermaid statue has been sitting at the Copenhagen harbour since 1913, and was created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen in honour of fellow Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote the original fairy tale.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 30

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

The Energy Charter Forum titled Towards a Multilateral Framework Agreement on Transit of Energy Resources has kicked off in Ashgabat under the chairmanship of Turkmenistan, a source close to the matter told Trend.

Secretary General of the Energy Charter Secretariat Urban Rusnak and Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Maksat Babayev delivered a welcome speech at the event.

The forum participants will mull development of a multilateral framework agreement on transit of energy resources on the basis of universally recognized norms of international law and experience.

The program of the forum includes sessions on Transboundary Transportation and Transit of Natural Gas, The Growing Role of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Global Energy Security, Supply of Oil to World Markets, Transboundary Trade in Electricity and Sustainable Development.

Government officials, representatives of international organizations and the industrial sector will also discuss practical, legal and regulatory aspects of transit of energy resources, including natural gas, oil and electricity.
This is the latest image from Juno, Nasas scientific probe orbiting Jupiter.

Launched in 2011, Juno finally made its way into the atmosphere of the solar systems largest planet in July 2016, and has just started to deliver its first scientific results.

Among the unexpected discoveries was the stark difference between the planets north and south poles  the latter of which is shown in the image above, complete with several densely-clustered storms.

We knew, going in, that Jupiter would throw us some curves, said Scott Bolton, Juno principal investigator from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio.

But now that we are here we are finding that Jupiter can throw the heat, as well as knuckleballs and sliders. There is so much going on here that we didnt expect that we have had to take a step back and begin to rethink of this as a whole new Jupiter.

Bolton explained that scientists still need time to assess whether the storms at the planets south pole are of an ever-changing or permanent nature.

He said: Were puzzled as to how they could be formed, how stable the configuration is, and why Jupiters north pole doesnt look like the south pole.

Were questioning whether this is a dynamic system, and are we seeing just one stage, and over the next year, were going to watch it disappear, or is this a stable configuration and these storms are circulating around one another?

The Juno probe will now continue to deliver new discoveries from the strikingly complex planet before its eventual disintegration in Jupiters atmosphere on the 37th pass around its giant structure.
Police officers stand guard outside a court house in Sepang, Malaysia, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Indonesia's Siti Aisyah and Vietnam's Doan Thi Huong who are accused of poisoning Kim Jong Nam, half brother of North Korean's leader Kim Jong Un, are scheduled to appear for court hearing. Photo: AP Photo/Daniel Chan

Vietnamese suspect Doan Thi Huong, right, is escorted by police officers out from Sepang court in Sepang, Malaysia, on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. Photo: AP Photo/Daniel Chan

The murder trial of the only two suspects arrested in the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half-brother has been moved to a higher Malaysian court.

Armed escorts accompanied the women, Doan Thi Huong, from Vietnam, and Siti Aisyah, from Indonesia, as they arrived for their morning court appearance in Sepang, Kuala Lumpur.

Both smiled at their embassy representatives as they were brought to the dock and wore the same clothes as they did at earlier court appearances.

Their case was formally transferred to the High Court as the lower court has no jurisdiction to hear a murder case.

Prosecutor Iskandar Ahmad said the date for their first appearance in the High Court would usually be within a month. The suspects would then enter pleas and the trial would have to start within 90 days.

The women are accused of smearing VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nam's face at Kuala Lumpur's airport on February 13. Mr Kim died soon afterwards.

The women have said they were duped into thinking they were playing a harmless prank for a hidden-camera show.

Yusron Ambary, counsellor at the Indonesian embassy, said Siti wrote a letter to her parents recently, asking them not to worry about her.

"I am in good health. Just pray. Don't think about me too much. Keep healthy and pray at night. I have a lot of people helping me," he read from the letter to reporters outside the courtroom.

"The embassy officials always come to see me, my lawyers also. Don't worry. Pray for me so that the case will be over soon and I can go back home. Send my love to my son Rio."

Police have said four North Korean suspects fled Malaysia on the day of the attack.

Defence lawyers previously expressed fear the women would be scapegoats because other people believed to have knowledge of the case left the country.

Although Malaysia never directly accused North Korea of carrying out the attack, speculation is rampant that Pyongyang orchestrated a hit on a long-exiled member of its ruling elite.

Although Mr Kim was not an obvious political threat, he may have been seen as a potential rival in the country's dynastic dictatorship. North Korea has condemned such speculation.
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President Donald Trump hold a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., March 17, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Angela Merkel repeated her line that "we in Europe have to take our fate into our own hands" and went on to say it should step up as a diplomatic player on the international stage.

The German Chancellor said her country's relations with the United States are of "outstanding importance" but it must also engage with other key nations going forward.

Donald Trump hit back at Ms Merkel's recent comments about the unreliability of the US as a trading partner.

Angela Merkel repeated her line that "we in Europe have to take our fate into our own hands" and went on to say it should step up as a diplomatic player on the international stage.

In a tweet, the US President said America had a "massive trade deficit with Germany" and warned: "This will change."

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Europe's most powerful leader said it was up to the continent to become more "involved internationally," citing conflicts in Ukraine and Libya and the pressing issue of mass migration.

Germany wants to develop ties with India and this should not be at the cost of its trans-Atlantic relationship, the Ms Merkel said after meeting India's prime minister, who called Berlin "a very reliable partner".

She talked about developing cooperation with India and added: "That's of huge importance and in no way directed against any other relationships and certainly not against the trans-Atlantic ties, which have historically been very important for us and will remain so in future."

On Monday, Ms Merkel underlined her doubts about the reliability of the United States as an ally but said she was a "convinced trans-Atlanticist", fine-tuning her message after surprising Washington with her frankness a day earlier.

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A spokesman for Ms Merkel said she was right to confront Mr Trump over the need to tackle climate change.

Steffen Seibert said her suggestion after meetings with Mr Trump that Europe can no longer entirely rely on the US speaks for itself.

[US-German relations] are a strong pillar of our foreign and security policy, and Germany will continue working to strengthen these relations.

Precisely because they are so important, it's right to name differences honestly.

Mr Trump was also denounced as a "security risk for the West" by Thomas Opperman, the leader of the Social Democrats (SDP).

He said the US President and his administration "chatter too much" and could give critical information to Russia.

He added: This is a dangerous situation. It cannot continue as it is. This endangers the information exchange and can be dangerous for both sides."
The dress code email sent to ULB students ahead of their June graduation

A Belgian university has come under fire for requesting that female students wear a "dress or skirt" and a "nice revealing neckline" to their graduation ceremony.

In an email sent to medical students at Free University of Brussels (ULB) ahead of their June graduation, students were advised on a suitable dress code for their ceremony.

The email read: "From an aesthetic point of view, it is better young women to wear a dress or skirt, and a nice revealing neckline."

Male students were advised to wear a suit to the event.

The email said that the proposed dress code was not mandatory, adding: "Of course ladies, this advice is not obligatory".

The dean of the medical faculty, Marco Schetgen, confirmed that the email was sent out by the secretariat but said he was shocked when he discovered its contents.

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He said it was likely sent by a woman, as the secretariat does not include any men, according to Belgian news outlet RTL.

Outraged students have shared the email online where people have criticised it for its sexist tone.

An ULB students' Facebook page also shared a response it had received from a student, which read: "No one has the right to tell you how you should feel in your skin.

"Nobody has the right to tell you how to dress. No one has the right to tell you how to play your role as a woman.

"No one has the right to take away this freedom that has been (and is still being) obtained with such difficulty."
Disgraced television star Rolf Harris has spoken of his relief after being formally cleared of indecently assaulting three teenage girls.

Harris was found not guilty of four charges that he carried out sex attacks on girls as young as 13 between 1971 and 1983 after a jury could not reach verdicts.

Prosecutors later said they would not seek what would be a second retrial and Harris, jailed in 2014 for a separate string of sex attacks on young women and girls, walked free from court.

In a statement read outside Southwark Crown Court in London by his lawyer Daniel Berke, he said: "Whilst I'm pleased that this is finally all over, I feel no sense of victory, only relief.

"I'm 87 years old, my wife is in ill health and we simply want to spend our remaining time together in peace."

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Harris left court in a media scrum without making any comment to waiting reporters before getting into a waiting car.

The disgraced former star was twice tried over the alleged sex attacks on teenage girls.

Expand Close Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Rolf Harris appearing by video link at Southwark Crown Court in London. Photo: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Rolf Harris appearing by video link at Southwark Crown Court in London. Photo: Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire

But after the second trial jury was unable to reach verdicts on four historical indecent assault charges on Tuesday, Judge Deborah Taylor formally found him not guilty of all four charges of indecent assault, which he had denied.

Prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC told the court: "We have reviewed whether it would be appropriate to seek a further retrial on these allegations.

"We have come to the firm view that it would not.

"Accordingly we offer no evidence to the four counts on the indictment."

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There was a cry of "well done Rolf" from the public gallery as the ex-television star left the courtroom.

Harris was alleged to have touched one complainant after a recording of the BBC children's show Saturday Superstore in 1983.

He had also been accused of indecently touching a 14-year-old girl in 1971 after she asked him for an autograph at a music event for children in London.

The musician and artist had also been accused of twice groping a third teenage girl after being paid 100 to appear on ITV celebrity show Star Games in 1978, and telling her she was "a little bit irresistible".

Harris, who denied all the charges, did not give evidence with his lawyers saying he did not remember any of the events in question.

His lawyers claimed the women were motivated by greed, coming forward after he was convicted in June 2014 of 12 counts of indecent assault.

Harris left HMP Stafford on licence part-way through this retrial after serving less than three years of a five year and nine month sentence handed down in June 2014 for unconnected sex attacks on young girls and women.

He appeared in the dock in person after his release, having appeared via video link for the first part of the trial.
The other 27 EU member states had already ratified the deal

The Dutch parliament has completed the ratification of a pact between the European Union and Ukraine despite voters in the Netherlands rejecting the agreement in an advisory referendum last year.

Dutch approval was the last major step needed to clinch the much-delayed Association Agreement - aimed at keeping Russia at arm's length - between the 28-nation EU and the eastern European nation.

Ending months of often bitter debate, two-thirds of 75 senators in the upper house of parliament stood briefly to show their support for ratifying the pact to boost trade, fight corruption and improve human rights in Ukraine. Lawmakers in the lower house approved ratification three months ago.

The approval came after Prime Minister Mark Rutte obtained written assurances from EU leaders that the Association Agreement was neither a stepping stone to EU membership for Ukraine nor provides a collective security guarantee or extra money. The assurances were intended to allay concerns of "No" voters in the April 2016 referendum, Mr Rutte said.

The other 27 EU member states have already ratified the deal. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was quick to welcome the Netherlands' belated green light.

"Today's vote in the Dutch Senate sends an important signal from the Netherlands and the entire European Union to our Ukrainian friends," Mr Juncker said in a statement. "Ukraine's place is in Europe. Ukraine's future lies with Europe."

He said he hopes the ratification process can now be concluded in time for an EU-Ukraine summit in July.

Mr Rutte had pushed for ratification despite voter disapproval, saying the European Union needed to display a united front and to shore up its eastern border in the face of what he called Russia's "increasingly destabilising foreign policy."

AP
Family members celebrate with one of the released schoolgirls in Abuja, Nigeria (Olamikan Gbemiga/AP)

The 82 young women released by Boko Haram extremists earlier this month are joining those already freed in a special rehabilitation programme, Nigerian officials have said.

Aisha Alhassan, minister of women's affairs and social development, said the women will attend months of remedial studies.

They will have doctors and nurses available to help them heal from the trauma of three years in captivity.

Some have criticised how the freed women have remained in Nigeria's capital instead of rejoining their families. But Ms Alhassan said they are in Abuja "with their full consent".

The young women will not be returning to rural Chibok, where they were abducted from school in 2014. Officials say they will be placed in other schools in September.

Nearly 300 schoolgirls were seized in the mass abduction.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 30

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmen officials and Indian Deputy National Security Adviser Arvind Gupta exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues during a meeting in Turkmenistans Foreign Ministry.

The issues in such spheres as migration, regional stability and security, cooperation in cyber-security, combating illicit drug trafficking and smuggling, and extremism were discussed, the ministry said May 30.

The most important vector of economic ties between Turkmenistan and India is the partnership in the fuel and energy sector, in which a special role is assigned to the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) transnational gas pipeline.

The Indian side stressed that the implementation of this project is an example of a strategic vision of the participating countries, the ministrys message said. This project is also a chance for India to diversify its sources of energy supply.

Turkmenistan launched the construction of its TAPI section in December 2015. The first gas supplies to South Asia via TAPI are expected in 2020.
The 17-year-old is suspected of planning a suicide attack in Berlin (Georg-Stefan Russew/dpa via AP)

German state police are questioning a 17-year-old asylum seeker after a tactical unit took him into custody outside Berlin on suspicion he was planning a suicide attack.

Police in the state of Brandenburg said the teenager was detained in the village of Gerswalde, 60 miles north-east of Berlin, after they learned he had sent a farewell message to family members and told them that "he had joined the jihad", or holy war.

The WhatsApp message talking about jihad to the suspect's family was sent within the last week and Brandenburg authorities were told of it late on Monday night by two other German states, Brandenburg police spokesman Torsten Herbst told The Associated Press.

He said police were investigating but so far "evidence of the planning of a concrete act has not yet been identified".

The state Interior Ministry's office identified the suspect as Syrian, but Mr Herbst said investigators were checking to see whether he falsely registered as a Syrian but was actually from a North African country.

The teenager, whose name was not released, came to Germany in 2015 as an unaccompanied minor and registered as an asylum-seeker. He has been living since 2016 in a home for minor refugees in Gerswalde, and was detained there in the Tuesday morning raid.

Mr Herbst said the teenager was still being interrogated.

German security officials have repeatedly warned that the country is in the crosshairs of international terrorist groups.

Germany saw a number of violent attacks by Islamic extremists last year, including the deadly truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market that left 12 victims dead and dozens of others injured. The attack, carried out by a young Tunisian man who had been denied asylum in Germany, was later claimed by the Islamic State group.

AP
President and rector of the Central European University Michael Ignatieff (AP)

The Hungarian government is seeking to engage with New York state about the status of Budapest-based Central European University (CEU), founded by billionaire George Soros.

The foreign ministry said it was working with the office of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to schedule a meeting about CEU.

The university is accredited in New York state, but does not have a campus there.

Recent amendments to Hungary's higher education law could force CEU to move, although Rector Michael Ignatieff says the school is determined to stay in Budapest.

The legal amendments adopted in April call for bilateral agreements between Hungary and the home countries of foreign universities operating in the country.

CEU issues diplomas accepted in Hungary and the US. The new rules would also force it to set up a US campus.

AP
Vietnamese suspect Doan Thi Huong, right, is escorted by police from court (AP)

The murder trial of the only two suspects arrested in the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half-brother has been moved to a higher Malaysian court.

Armed escorts accompanied the women, Doan Thi Huong, from Vietnam, and Siti Aisyah, from Indonesia, as they arrived for their morning court appearance in Sepang, Kuala Lumpur.

Both smiled at their embassy representatives as they were brought to the dock and wore the same clothes as they did at earlier court appearances.

Their case was formally transferred to the High Court as the lower court has no jurisdiction to hear a murder case.

Prosecutor Iskandar Ahmad said the date for their first appearance in the High Court would usually be within a month. The suspects would then enter pleas and the trial would have to start within 90 days.

The women are accused of smearing VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nam's face at Kuala Lumpur's airport on February 13. Mr Kim died soon afterwards.

The women have said they were duped into thinking they were playing a harmless prank for a hidden-camera show.

Yusron Ambary, counsellor at the Indonesian embassy, said Siti wrote a letter to her parents recently, asking them not to worry about her.

"I am in good health. Just pray. Don't think about me too much. Keep healthy and pray at night. I have a lot of people helping me," he read from the letter to reporters outside the courtroom .

"The embassy officials always come to see me, my lawyers also. Don't worry. Pray for me so that the case will be over soon and I can go back home. Send my love to my son Rio."

Police have said four North Korean suspects fled Malaysia on the day of the attack.

Defence lawyers previously expressed fear the women would be scapegoats because other people believed to have knowledge of the case left the country.

Although Malaysia never directly accused North Korea of carrying out the attack, speculation is rampant that Pyongyang orchestrated a hit on a long-exiled member of its ruling elite.

Although Mr Kim was not an obvious political threat, he may have been seen as a potential rival in the country's dynastic dictatorship. North Korea has condemned such speculation.

AP
An Iraqi man walks past the site of a car bomb exploded near a cafe in Baghdad. May 30, 2017. Photo: REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily

Two car bombs killed at least 14 people and wounded 50 others in streets packed with crowds preparing for the Ramadan fast early on Tuesday, security sources said.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the first blast just after midnight on Monday that killed at least 13 people and wounded 40 in the commercial Karrada district.

A few hours later, a second bombing killed one person and wounded 12 more near a government office in Karkh district. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The attackers struck during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan when many people stay up past midnight and eat out to prepare for the next day's fast.

Karrada was hit by a massive truck bomb in July 2016 that killed at least 324 people, the deadliest attack in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion of the country in 2003.

Islamic State has been retreating in Iraq since the end of 2015 in the face of U.S.-backed government forces and Iranian-backed Shi'ite paramilitary groups.

It is now besieged in an enclave in the northern city of Mosul, which it has used as its de facto capital in Iraq. Islamic State declared a "caliphate" over parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014.
Men read the Koran at the Imam Hussein shrine during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in the city of Kerbala, Iraq. Photo: REUTERS

A Palestinian judge has banned divorces during the month of Ramadan as people may make hasty decisions "because they have not eaten and not smoked".

Mahmoud al-Habbash, head of the Palestinian Islamic sharia court system, said people who deprive themselves of food and cigarettes during daylight hours may "create problems" in their relationship and then make "quick and ill-considered decisions".

To avoid such decisions, judges will only consider and rule on divorce applications made after the month of fasting is over, Al Jazeera reports. He said his order was based on "the experience of previous years".

In the Occupied Palestinian Territories, but also in Israel and Lebanon, only religious courts have the power to allow marriages and divorces. More than 50,000 weddings were celebrated in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip in 2015, but over 8,000 divorces were also registered, according to the Palestinian Authority.

Festival

Millions of Muslims across the globe are fasting for Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam. During the month, many Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset, forgoing food and water, smoking and sex during daylight.

The end of Ramadan will be marked by the Eid al-Fitr festival, a celebration that can last up to three days each year. (Independent News Service)
President Donald Trump reaches to shakes hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the Oval Office of the White House (AP)

Donald Trumps handshakes have become something of an international curiosity  and now, psychologists have broken down the "tactical" move.

The US President's unique grip raised eyebrows during his visit to a Nato summit last week, where he appeared to painfully twist the arm of French President Emmanuel Macron.

Ahead of the opening of the new Nato headquarters in Brussels, Mr Trump grabbed the French presidents arm hard enough to jerk him to the side. Mr Macron had to place his other hand on Mr Trump in order to spring free.

Florin Dolcos, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois, called it a tactical move.

It goes down to asserting dominance, Mr Dolcos told The Huffington Post. Why he wants to do that? I dont know. It looks, to me, like he is trying too hard.

The President's fierce shake has made headlines in the past, starting with his grasp of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abes hand. The grip lasted 19 seconds.

Expand Close President Donald Trump meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington yesterday. Photo: AP/Evan Vuccifrom / Facebook

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Later, Mr Trump almost jerked Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Gorsuch off his feet with a handshake during a ceremony announcing his nomination.

Body language expert Darren Stanton previously told The Independent that the President's grip is "all about the assertion of power and control".

Trump is saying, This is my space, my time, you are the guest, my house rules apply,'" Mr Stanton said.

Some world leaders have started preparing for a handshake-showdown with the President. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attracted attention for his notably strong, extended grip with Mr Trump when the two met in February.

Mr Macron even admitted to purposefully prolonging his grip with the President, as a show of strength.

My handshake with him was not innocent, Mr Macron said. We need to show that we wont make small concessions, even symbolic ones, while not over-hyping things either.

Nothing, however, can prepare world leaders for another signature Trump move: ignoring the handshake altogether.

Mr Trump failed to heed calls to shake the hand of German Chancellor Angela Merkel when she visited the White House in March. (He says he didnt hear them.)

At a meeting with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu this month, Mr Trump appeared to miss the presidents outstretched hand.

It is another way of establishing rank, which is that he is the one initiating, Mr Dolcos said of the move. Im not going in when you initiate. Im probably ignoring it and then Ill come back. This is now when we are doing this. Not when you initiate it.
Donald Trump's personal lawyer has rejected a request for documents as part of Congress's investigation into Russia's election meddling and contacts with the Trump campaign.

Michael Cohen, a long-time legal representative for the Trump Organisation, remains a personal lawyer for the president. He served as a cable television surrogate for the Republican during the presidential campaign.

The House intelligence committee's request for information from Mr Cohen came as investigators continue to scrutinise members of Mr Trump's inner circle.

The president's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, has received subpoenas from the Senate intelligence committee regarding his Russian contacts and his business records.

Democratic Representative Adam Schiff said last week that a subpoena from the House panel was likely.

"I declined the invitation to participate as the request was poorly phrased, overly broad and not capable of being answered," Mr Cohen said. "I find it irresponsible and improper that the request sent to me was leaked by those working on the committee."

He told ABC News that he had been asked by both the House and Senate intelligence committees to provide information and evidence about contacts he had with Russian officials.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the allegations of Moscow meddling in the US presidential election are "fiction" invented by the Democrats to explain their loss.

In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, he reaffirmed his strong denial of Russian involvement in the hacking of Democratic emails.

Mr Trump made a similar claim in a tweet early on Tuesday: "Russian officials must be laughing at the U.S. & how a lame excuse for why the Dems lost the election has taken over the Fake News."

Mr Cohen's ties with Russian interests came up in February when the New York Times reported that he helped to broker a Ukraine peace plan that would call for Russian troops to withdraw from Ukraine and a referendum to let Ukrainians decide whether the part of the country seized by Russia in 2014 should be leased to Moscow.

The Russian government denied knowing anything about such a plan.

The NYT reported that the peace plan was the work of Felix Sater, a business associate who has helped Mr Trump try to find business in Russia, and Mr Cohen.

Mr Cohen was a fierce defender of Mr Trump during the campaign, often haranguing probing reporters and famously challenging a CNN reporter live on air to name the specific polls that showed Mr Trump behind his rival, Hillary Clinton.
A top White House communications staffer has resigned as US President Donald Trump considers a major staff overhaul.

The departure of Michael Dubke, Mr Trump's communications director, comes as aides say the president has grown increasingly frustrated by allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and revelations of possible ties between his campaign and Moscow.

Mr Trump tweeted on Tuesday: "Russian officials must be laughing at the US & how a lame excuse for why the Dems lost the election has taken over the Fake News."

Mr Dubke wrote in a statement that it had been an honour to serve Mr Trump and "my distinct pleasure to work side by side, day by day with the staff of the communications and press departments."

Mr Dubke's last day has not yet been determined.

A Republican consultant, Mr Dubke joined the White House team in February after campaign aide Jason Miller - Mr Trump's original choice for communications director - withdrew from the White House team. Mr Dubke founded Crossroads Media, a Republican firm that specialises in political advertising.

Mr Dubke is the latest White House staffer to leave this administration as scrutiny intensifies over contacts Trump staffers may have had with Russian government officials during the campaign and transition period.

White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Mr Dubke resigned before Mr Trump left for his international trip earlier this month, suggesting that his departure is not linked to any pending shake-ups.

But his departure raises questions about whether previous Trump loyalists are headed to the White House. Mr Trump has entertained formally bringing back his former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, and former deputy campaign manager, David Bossie.

Mr Bossie told Fox News' Fox & Friends that the Trump administration has reached out to him but has not offered him a job yet.

"They have talked to many people, including me," Mr Bossie said. He later added: "It's an ongoing conversation and that's a fair way to put it."

In an interview on Fox News on Tuesday, Ms Conway said Mr Dubke "made very clear that he would see through the president's 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."

Mr Dubke's hiring was intended to lighten the load on Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, who had also been handling the duties of communications director during Mr Trump's first month in office. Mr Trump has privately pinned some of the blame for his administration's rough start on the White House's communications strategy.

While overseas, Mr Trump's long-time lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, joined a still-forming legal team to help the president shoulder the intensifying investigations into Russian interference in the election and his associates' potential involvement. More lawyers with deep experience in Washington investigations are expected to be added, along with crisis communication experts, to help the White House in the weeks ahead.

The latest revelations to emerge last week involved Mr Trump's son-in-law and top aide, Jared Kushner. Shortly after the election, Mr Kushner allegedly discussed setting up a secret communications channel with the Russian government to facilitate sensitive discussions about the conflict in Syria.

The intent was to connect Mr Trump's chief national security adviser at the time, Michael Flynn, with Russian military leaders, a person familiar with the discussions told the AP.

Mr Flynn handed in his resignation in February after it was revealed he misled top White House officials about his contacts with Russian officials.

The disclosure of the back channel has put the White House on the defensive. Just back from his nine-day trip to the Middle East and Europe, Mr Trump dismissed recent reports as "fake news".

Mr Trump has also renewed his criticism of Germany following Chancellor Angela Merkel's suggestion that her country needs to adopt a more independent stance in world affairs.

Mr Trump posted a tweet on Tuesday saying: "We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for US. This will change."

AP
Lebanon's ministry of economy is seeking to ban the 2017 Wonder Woman movie because its lead actress - Gal Gadot - is an Israeli, though a formal request for a ban has not yet been received.

A ban would require a recommendation from a six-ministry-member committee, a process that also has not yet started, A Lebanese security official said.

An advance premier of the movie is scheduled for Wednesday in at least one cinema in Beirut, which offers its members attending the show free popcorn. Posters of the movie and digital billboards have sprouted up around the Lebanese capital.

Lebanon is officially at war with Israel and has a decades-old law that boycotts Israeli products and bars Lebanese citizens from travelling or having contacts with Israelis.

A boycott group, called Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel-Lebanon, has campaigned against showing the movie in Lebanon. The campaign on its Facebook page praised the ministry's call, saying it is advocating a ban because Gadot was a soldier in the Israeli army, and has expressed support for Israel's military policies against the Gaza Strip, a coastal Palestinian territory run by the militant Hamas group.

In a widely shared posting on her Facebook page, Gadot had praised Israel's military during the Gaza-Israel 2014 war, sending prayers to Israeli soldiers "who are risking their lives protecting my country against the horrific acts conducted by Hamas".

Officials at the Lebanese economy ministry were not immediately available for comment. The security official said banning a movie would be something that would ultimately come from the country's interior minister, following a recommendation from the six-member committee.

Even though Lebanon enjoys a greater margin of freedom of expression than other countries in the region, prior censorship remains in place, particularly with content relating to Israel, religion and homosexuality.

Reflecting tightening of censorship, an Egyptian movie about a celebrity Muslim cleric, Mawlana, and a Lebanese movie, Beach House, about friends discussing their identities were banned in Lebanon earlier this year.

Mawlana was later shown after cuts were made, said one cinema manager. The two movies were approved in Egypt.

There is no clear mechanism for appeal of a ban on art work and public campaigns often are the only means to protest a ban. Religious institutions also have a say in art work with religious references.

Despite the controversy in Lebanon, Wonder Woman is set to open as scheduled during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan across theatres in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait on Thursday. It is scheduled for release on June 22 in Oman and June 29 in Bahrain.

The movie is based on the DC Comics character, Wonder Woman. It has earned Gadot acclaim, as a rare leading female role.

AP
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, May 30

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has sent a letter of condolences to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in connection with a terrorist attack in Egypts Minya that resulted in deaths and injuries of a large number of innocent people, said the Uzbek Foreign Ministrys press service.

On May 26, Egyptian military sources said multiple attacks took place near Derna in eastern Libya at around sundown, hours after masked gunmen attacked a group of Coptic Christians traveling to a monastery in southern Egypt, killing 29 and wounding 24.

President Mirziyoyev has extended his deepest condolences to the president and friendly people of Egypt, families and friends of the victims and wished the injured people a speedy recovery.
An Introduction to Doing Business in India 2019 will provide readers with an overview of the fundamentals of i...
Mohit Marwah took inspiration from his uncle and actor-producer Anil Kapoor for a role in Tigmanshu Dhulia's 'Raag Desh - Birth of a Nation'.

To prepare for his role of an army officer, Prem Kumar Sahgal, Mohit watched Anil's 2000 film 'Pukar' several times.

Mohit said in a statement: "Like most people, I'm also a huge fan of Anil Kapoor and the films that he has been part of, especially 'Pukar'."

"When I signed 'Raag Desh - Birth of a Nation', I got very excited and thought of watching 'Pukar' again since he has pulled off the army officer role in the movie with great elan. In fact, I know most of the dialogues from 'Pukar'."

The upcoming film revolves around some of the officers in the British Indian Army taken as prisoners of war in Malaya, Singapore and Burma by the Japanese during World War II. These officers, who joined Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army, were later court-martialled in Delhi.
Latest buzz is out that Yash Raj Films will begin filming for the first schedule of 'Thugs of Hindostan', their mega project starring Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh in Malta.

Set off the coast of Southern Europe, and in close proximity to Tunisia and Libya, Malta is an island nation of Europe with relatively unexplored ocean side scenery.

This ambitious film that brings together Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan for the first time, will begin shoot aboard two specially constructed, massive ships, that are currently docked by the Maltese seaside. 'Thugs of Hindostan' will begin filming on these ships that have been built for over two months.

Writer-director Vijay Krishna Acharya explains, "The set of the film is in a high security water zone, with restricted access. Both these ships have been built in the early eighteenth century style, when vessels would carry cannons and other weapons. An international crew has been hard at work creating these elaborate ships in Malta. Most of the portions filmed on board these ships involve high octane action."

With every detail, including its stellar star cast, 'Thugs of Hindostan' has generated huge amounts of anticipation. Now with the promise of action on high seas and a dose of history, this mega project only builds more excitement. The film goes on floors on June 5th.
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Tashkent, Uzbekistan, May 30

By Demir Azizov Trend:

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev criticized the countrys officials who hinder the implementation of the agreements signed following his visits to foreign countries, Uzbekistan National News Agency (UzA) reported.

The meeting dedicated to the analysis and assessment of the implementation of the agreements, treaties and projects on the development of Uzbekistans partnership with foreign countries in various spheres was held in Tashkent city May 29.

The Uzbek president recalled in particular that during his visit to Turkmenistan, documents for the supply of agricultural machinery, mineral fertilizers, cars, construction materials, household appliances and other products for a total of $151 million were signed.

Over the past three months, the volume of Uzbekistans exports amounted to $12 million, which is only eight percent of the total volume of exports envisaged in the agreements reached, he said.

Mirziyoyev noted that major agreements were also achieved during his visits to Kazakhstan, Russia and China, as well as negotiations with the Turkish president.

However, these agreements are not fully implemented, either, he added.

The Uzbek president stressed that those in charge of these issues should be personally responsible for the projects and agreements, which are not duly implemented.
Vivek just roasted himself!

They say you should never mess with Salman Khan, the Bhaijaan of Bollywood, or else he will single-handedly destroy your career in the industry. We dont know if that was true in the case of Vivek Oberoi when allegedly he got involved in a verbal spat with Salman over dating Aishwarya Rai, but we do know is that his career which was running quite smooth until then had hit rock bottom. So much so, that even after apologising, his career couldnt be revived and the struggle still continues.

Now years after the incident had taken place, we all, at some point, still mock the incident to get a dose of laughter for ourselves, remembering how Vivek gained the courage to point a finger at Salman and had fallen on his face miserably.

In case you have forgotten what had happened, heres a glimpse.





And it is not only us even Vivek laughs at himself. Recently, during a press meet for his upcoming film Bank Chor, the actor remembered his last press meet that changed his life in the film industry forever.

Roasting himself, the actor said:

Last time jab maine press conference bulayi thi, tab meri tashreef lag gayi thi And then he added, Those who didnt get this, I would say you all are a Tubelight.

Meanwhile, Salman Khans Tubelight is all set to hit the screens on June 25. Looks like Vivek has already watched the trailer. Have you?
A 20-year-old postgraduate student of a Haridwar college sustained severe burn injuries after two motorcycle-borne men threw acid at her at Lal Pul near Jawalapur in Haridwar on Monday morning.

The girl, who belongs to the Muslim community, alleged that she was attacked because the men wanted her family to leave the locality they were staying. The area is said to be a predominantly Hindu area of about 200 houses in which the victim's family are the only Muslims.

Representational Image

The girl, who is currently admitted to a government hospital, said that one of her attackers, who has been identified as Sudhir Singh Tomar, a 45-year-old retired Army jawan, had also entered her house on May 25 at about 11 pm when her parents were not at home.

She alleged that he had threatened her with a pistol and sexually assaulted her, saying that her family should leave the colony as they were Muslims. She repeated the allegations in front of the local cops and the next day she, along with her mother, filed a police complaint.

A counter report was subsequently filed by Tomar alleging that the girl's family had attacked him and his friend. He added that the girl's family was building a house in the locality and had allegedly encroached upon the colony land, and he was trying to stop that.

Meanwhile, the girl's mother alleged that their family was living in the locality since 1996 and had started building another house in October last year.

"The construction of this house is being objected to by the people in the area on the ground that we are Muslims. The people in the colony instead want to build a temple at the plot, and want to drive us out."

BCCL/Representational Image

Police officials said that they had earlier received complaints by the residents of the area regarding unauthorised construction by the girls' family and the current matter also seemed to pertain to this dispute. Jwalapur police station in charge Amarjit Singh said that a case has been registered under Section 326 (A) of the IPC against Sudhir Tomar and his accomplice Vinit Saini for throwing acid at the girl.

Meanwhile, the doctor attending on the survivor said she had sustained burn injuries on her upper arm, left scapula and right hand besides having blisters on other parts of the body. He described her condition as "serious" and said she was currently under observation.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Irans Customs Administration intends to purchase one set of mobile X-Ray Inspection System to inspect trucks and containers through international tender.

All eligible companies are requested to refer to mentioned address to obtain the tender documents.

Address: Tenders and Contracts Bureau, Room No. 104, Development and Equipment Dept., 1st floor, Iran Custom Administration Bldg., Next to Nasser Alley, Upper than Valiasr Sq., Tehran, Iran.

The amount of participation guarantee should be 9 billion rials or 247,886 euros.

Deadline for obtaining tender documents: June 3, 2017.

Deadline for submitting bids: July 4, 2017.

Opening bid envelopes: July 5, 2017.

Phone Number: +98 21 82992290

Further information would be available at www.irica.gov.ir.
The Kerala High Court has sent a notice to the central government seeking an explanation over its move to ban the sale of cattle for the purpose of slaughter. The court hearing a petition which claimed that the order infringes on the rights of the states has given the central government time until Wednesday, to respond.

BCCL

Earlier, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that the state will challenge the order legally as livestock is a state subject. He had also written to chief minister of other states urging them to stand united against the center's effort to grab the constitutional powers of the states.

"Unless we stand together and oppose this anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular move, it may mark the beginning of a series of similar measures aimed at destroying the federal democratic fabric and secular culture of our country."

Stating that beef is a part of Kerala's culinary tradition, Mr. Vijayan said "What we eat cannot be decided by Delhi or Nagpur."

BCCL

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to have expressed similar views. Calling the ban "undemocratic and unconstitutional",Ms. Banerjee said her governmetn will challenge it legally.

She cited four specific entries (15, 16, 26, 28) of List II under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution to argue that the Centre's move infringes upon the state's rights.

BCCL

"Prevention, protection and improvement of stock and prevention of animal diseases come under the State List. So do markets and fairs and also trade and commerce. I don't know why the Centre is encroaching upon state matters time and again and taking decisions unilaterally," Banerjee said.

Other states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have also seen the protest from various political parties against the ban.

In Tamil Nadu, DMK leader MK Stalin is set to lead a protest in Chennai on Wednesday. He said the Centre has "snatched away" the fundamental right to choice of food given by the Constitution. Protests were held in several parts of Tamil Nadu, including Madurai, Coimbatore, Erode and Hosur.

Students in IIT Madras held a 'beef fest' against the centre's order.

BCCL

In Puducherry, chief minister V Narayanasamy said his government will not implement the ban.

In Congress ruled Karnataka, a "beef fest" organised by a students' unions was called off in Bengaluru after the police denied permission to organize the event.

The Left-affiliated Students' Federation of India (SFI) had sought police permission for a protest.

BCCL

The police, however, did not give permission, though there is no ban on cow slaughter in the Congress-ruled state.

BCCL

The order by the Union Environment Ministry last week banned the sale of cattle including cow, bull, buffalo and camel for the purpose of slaughter.

However, there are reports that after the massive protests, the government may revise the order to exempt buffalo from the list.
Even as the debate over the Environment Ministry's order restricting cattle sale only for agriculture purposes, the Madras High Court has issued a temporary stay on the order.

BCCL

Hearing a PIL, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday stayed the notification for four weeks.

The court has also issued notices to the central and state governments seeking their reply in four weeks.

BCCL

The petitioners had argued that the choice of food is individual's right, and no one has any right to dictate it to them.

The central government's counsel however told the court that the notification had been brought about only to regulate the animal markets.

BCCL

The interim order is the first setback to the Modi government in the controversial order. States like Kerala and West Bengal have already said that they will challenge the 'unconstitutional order' in the court.

BCCL

The Kerala High Court had on Monday hearing a PIL issued a notice to the central government. In other states too there have been widespread protests against the order issued on May 23.

The order aimed at regulating sale of bovines at cattle markets had prohibited the sale of animals including cows, bulls, buffaloes, calves and camels or slaughter at the cattle markets.

While it did not out-rightly ban cattle sale for slaughter, many including slaughterhouses and small scale meat traders had complained that the order will make purchase of cattle difficult and thus affect the livelihood of thousands.
Pakistan has claimed that Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been sentenced to death by a military court, was providing "crucial intelligence" about the recent terrorist attacks in the country.

BCCL

"Jadhav continues to provide crucial intelligence with regard to recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan," Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told a Pakistani newspaper. However, Zakaria did not elaborate on the details of the intelligence being provided by Jadhav.

The Hague-based International Court of Justice stayed Jadhav's execution on May 18, but it has to decide the issue of jurisdiction in the case, Pakistani officials said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf told Dawn News that Pakistan had enough evidence to prove that Jadhav was a "spy".

ALSO READ: India Fears That Pakistan Can Execute Kulbhushan Jadhav Even As Trial At The Hague Is On

BCCL

Ausaf said Pakistan has information on Jadhav that could not be disclosed due to security reasons. "The evidence would only be presented before the ICJ once it resumes the hearing," he said.

Ausaf said the ICJ's 'procedural order' of May 18 was neither Pakistan's defeat nor India's success and emphasised that when the case re-starts, "Pakistan would be on solid ground to win".

ALSO READ: Ahead Of ICJ Hearing Of Kulbhushan Jadhav Case, Pakistan Feels It's 'At A Disadvantage'

When asked why he did not represent Pakistan at the May 15 hearing at the ICJ, Ausaf claimed that he "knew prior to the judgement that the ICJ is going to announce the provisional order".

BCCL

Jadhav, 46, was last month sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of "involvement in espionage and sabotage activities" against the country. The ICJ on May 18 stayed the execution of Jadhav.
Photographs of Swati Singh, minister of state for women welfare, family welfare, maternity and child Welfare in the Uttar Pradesh government, landed in controversy after her photographs inaugurating a beer bar went viral on social media.

The photographs stirred a controversy with the opposition parties asking if this is the true face of the BJP government. The incident prompted UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath to seek a report.

"The CM has taken a cognisance of the minister inaugurating a beer bar in the presence of senior officers and sought a clarification from them," an official spokesman said here tonight.

ANI

In the pictures, Swati is seen cutting a ribbon with a group of people. Some bureaucrats are also seen standing beside her. Swati, wife of Dayashankar Singh who was suspended for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Bahujan Samajwadi Party chief Mayawati, is said to have 'inaugurated' the bar on May 20.

She was not immediately available for a comment.

Taking the opportunity to attack the Yogi Aditynath government, opposition parties questioned if this is the real face of the new dispensation.

ANI

"This aptly shows the contradictions in the ruling BJP... They say one thing, but practice something else," Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said.

This comes at a time when women in Uttar Pradesh are at the forefront of protests against liquor, he said. Congress leader Dwijendra Tripathi said this incident shows the real "Chaal (action), Charitra (character) and Chehra (face)" of the BJP government.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30



By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:



Turkeys Halkbank officials are expected to visit Tehran for talks on removing obstacles to banking ties, following recent reports suggesting that the state-owned Turkish bank has imposed fresh restrictions on Iranian entrepreneurs doing business there.



According to a senior official with the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), Halkbank has recently placed restrictions on Iranian entrepreneurs for opening bank accounts, Nasim news agency reported.



Director for International Affairs Department at the CBI Hossein Yaqoubi-Miab has said that Halkbank officials have taken up the CBIs invitation to visit Tehran in order to discuss the issue.



The official said the visit will take place soon but he did not provide further information on the visit date and details.



US authorities in late March arrested Mehmet Hakan Atilla, a top official with HalkBank, at New Yorks JFK airport accusing him of helping Iran evade sanctions during Former President Barak Obamas term.
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Days after the abductors of six students of Igbonla Model College, the Lagos State Government has decided not to negotiate with the kidnappers.

According to reports gathered on Monday, the government was relying on security agencies to ensure the release of the victims.

It was learnt that the government on Monday, during a meeting with the parents of the pupils, said it would not talk with any kidnapper.

This is just as the parents expressed anxiety over the abductors refusal to re-establish contacts since Saturday when they called and demanded N1bn.

It had been reported that the gunmen stormed the school premises at about 6am on Thursday, three days after writing the school authorities, informing them about the attack.

They broke the hostel doors, seized 10 Senior Secondary School pupils and led them to the shore where their boat was parked.

After profiling their family backgrounds, four pupils were released, while the assailants whisked away the remaining six pupils, identified as Peter Jonah, Isiaq Rahmon, Adebayo George, Judah Agbausi, Pelumi Philips and Farouq Yusuf.

The kidnappers had called some parents of the victims on Saturday, demanding N400m each from two parents, while two others were asked to pay N100m each. They told the parents to meet with the school authorities and the state government for the payment of the ransoms.

But a two-hour meeting between the parents and the school authorities was deadlocked on Sunday and rescheduled for Monday as the former accused the government of indifference.

Although the parents were not willing to disclose the outcome of the Monday meeting, an official confided in our correspondent that the government would not negotiate with the kidnappers.

The source said the parents were urged to exercise patience, while the security operatives worked to liberate the victims from the assailants den.

Government officials and the parents met today (Monday) and they were assured of the governments resolve to secure the release of the children without negotiating with the kidnappers. Security agencies are working tirelessly to rescue them safely.

The government shares the pains of the parents and is concerned about the safety of these children. We are not folding our arms and we hope they will regain their freedom soon. We appeal to the parents to be patient.

Meanwhile, anxiety had crept up on the parents as the kidnappers had remained incommunicado since Saturday. The parents said they were anxious to hear from their children and the abductors.

A parent said, Since Saturday, they have not called us again. We dont know the condition of our children and we are worried about their safety. We want to hear from our children again and plead with the kidnappers on the ransom.

Another parent said he and his wife had lost sleep because of the communication breakdown.

We are appealing to the government and the security agencies to act fast. We are losing patience, he added.

When contacted, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, affirmed that security agencies would ensure the release the pupils.

He said, This is a security matter and the security agencies are handling it as carefully and as effective as necessary. We should allow the security operatives to handle this issue with the care and expertise it deserves. They have used their expertise successfully in the past. The government trusts them enough to also effect a safe release of the students this time around.

The Lagos StatePolice Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole said rescue operation was ongoing.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
The sack of the Presiding Chaplain, Chapel of Christ the Light, Venerable Femi Taiwo by the state government has been backed by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Lagos State Chapter on Tuesday, saying the sack was in order.

According to the CAN Chairman, Lagos State, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, he said the issue has been over-flogged in the media and social media, saying that the government had the power to hire and fire.

Bamgbola also exonerated the wife of the governor, Bolanle Ambode from the sack of the chaplain, describing her as a woman God sent to bless this generation.

According to him, the church was built by the Lagos State Government for itself and for the public and consequently appointed two chaplains to run the affairs of the church, with the Presiding Chaplain as the senior.

He said it was the state government which created the anointing service and instituted a Governing Council to runs the affairs of the church and report to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Governing Council has the constitutional responsibility to recruit and terminate the appointments of officers who run the chapel. Two officers run the affairs of the chapel, the Presiding Chaplain and the Chaplain. They are officers of the government, they are strictly employees of the state government and subject to terms and conditions of the government, he explained.

Bamgbola stated emphatically that the Governing Council acted within its constitutional authority in terminating the appointment of the Presiding Chaplain.

In his words: Having investigated the matter carefully and objectively, we wish to state that the governing council that recruited Venerable Femi Taiwo, acted within its constitutional authority to terminate his appointment.

He added that it was wrong for the social media and the print media to point accusing finger at the state government for sacking one of its employees as it deemed fit.

The CAN Chairman said the accusation against Deaconess Bolanle Ambode was far from the truth.

Mrs Ambode is a true woman of God who fears God and lives a godly life. God raised her at this time, he said, adding that the dust generated by what occurred was unfair to her.

The social media should desist from circulating unfounded reports. The Bible said judge not that you should not be judged. This matter should be closed and be left for the church to handle. We are more than able to handle all matters, he said.

The Secretary of CAN, Israel Akinadewo added that CAN had taken over the matter as every Christians in Lagos State comes under the umbrella of the body, saying that the matter had been blown out of context.

Bishop of African Church, Diocese of Ifako, Rt. Rev. Michael Adeyemi said the matter was being managed by CAN and that the church trusted the judgment of CAN to do a good job and resolve the matter once and for all.

Source: ( PM News )
The authorities of the Lagos State University, Ojo, were thrown into mourning following the death of Prof. Abubakar Momoh, the Director-General of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Electoral Institute, in Abuja.

Momoh reportedly died on Monday, at about 9:00 a.m. in his official residence in Abuja, and was buried at Auchi, Edo State, his hometown, on the same day, according to Islamic rites.

Before his appointment as DG of the INEC electoral institute, Momoh was a lecturer in Political Science, and dean, faculty of the Social Sciences at LASU.

According to a press statement signed by Mr Ademola Adekoya, Head, Centre for Information, LASU, Prof. Momohs death is a huge loss and that the entire university community is deeply saddened by his demise.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, on behalf of the Council, Senate, University Management and the entire students commiserates with the entire family of Prof. Momoh.

The Vice Chancellor described the death as a huge loss and that the whole University Community is deeply saddened by the demise of the renowned Professor of Political Science.

He obtained his PhD in Political Theory and started his lecturing career in 1988. He has served on various Boards and scientific committees, including those of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA).

Momoh was Vice President of the African Association of Political Science (AAPS), and National Treasurer, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), 1991-1995.

He has been a researcher and lecturer at many universities across the world, including being Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies, University of Helsinki, Finland; Fellow, Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, Sweden; Visiting Scholar, Centre for African Studies, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Guest Researcher, Nordic Africa Institute, Sweden; Guest Lecturer, Summer Course on African Law, Catholic University, Brussels, Belgium.

Momoh was also a Senior Fulbright Scholar, James Coleman African Studies Centre, University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA; Guest Lecturer, African and African-American Studies Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA; Visiting Researcher and Tutor, Conflict, Security and Development Group, CSDG, Kings College, University of London.

He also served as Visiting Senior Research Fellow, International Development Centre, Open University, Milton Keynes, England; Postgraduate Research Supervisor, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany, among others.

Momoh has served as External Examiner to the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan and University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa and the Nigerian Defence College (NDC) since 2005.

He has also served on several government technical committees including being a member and coordinator of Foreign Policy Subcommittee of Federal Republic of Nigeria Vision 20:20 Technical Committee; member of the team that drafted the policy on Peace Support Operations (PSOS), for the Federal Government.

Momoh has also been on several technical teams of the African Union Commission (AUC), and most recently, was involved in designing the African Governance Architecture (AGA), and Elections Benchmarking for the African Union.

He has also served as Election Observer to several African countries on behalf of ECOWAS and the African Union, as well as to some European countries.

Momoh, who lost his father earlier in the year, is survived by a wife and a son.

Source: ( PM News )
Over 90 Nigerians were deported from South Africa for committing immigration-related offences.

DSP Joseph Alabi, the spokesman of the Lagos Airport Police Command confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

Alabi said the deportees, who are all men, landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 3.30pm.

He said they were brought back to Nigeria aboard a South African Airways aircraft with registration number BBB712 from Johannesburg.

This afternoon, about 3.30pm, 90 Nigerians were deported from South Africa for committing immigration-related offences.

Some of them were alleged to have been living in the country without valid documents.

They were received by the appropriate agencies including the police and profiled before being allowed to depart to their respective destinations,  Alabi said.

South Africa had also on Feb. 28 sent 97 Nigerians back home for committing various offences.

They deportees were made up of 95 males and two females.

Source: (NAN)
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project is unlikely to be realized in the near future, Behrooz Abdolvand, managing director of German Consulting company DESB GmbH focusing on Iranian energy market, expert on the Caspian region believes.

I dont think, that Iran-Pakistan pipeline will be finished soon, because Pakistan doesn have the financial resources for building the pipeline on its own territory and furthermore it wants purchase the gas on very low priced conditions, Abdolvand told Trend by email.

The analyst noted that the pipeline would only generate profits in case of its extension to India.

But India wants to avoid being dependent on Pakistan regarding its gas supplies, he said.

Abdolvand went on to add that there is also political pressure from US and Saudi Arabia on Pakistan, as the both countries want to prevent the pipeline to be built.

Only if China decides for building a gas pipeline along the Karakoram Highway to its Xinjiang province as part of its larger ambitions to realize Energy Silk Road, it is possible to implement this project, the expert said.

Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project (also called Peace pipeline) worth $7.5 billion has been discussed for years. Iran has already completed the construction of its section of the pipeline from the South Pars field to Pakistani border. Pakistani section of the pipeline is still not ready and Islamabad explains the delay by the lack of funds.
Heres another interesting piece from former Presidential Spokesman, Reuben Abati.

It is sad that many Nigerians today talk glibly about the possibility of a coup or of military intervention in politics. They make it seem as if this democracy is something we can exchange for something else. We need to be reminded, as we celebrate democracy day 2017, how we got to this very moment, and how precious democracy is to us as a sovereign people.

From 1966 to 1999 (with the short break of civilian rule from 1979  1983) the military dominated the political landscape in Nigeria. It was eighteen years ago yesterday when our country returned to civilian rule.

The military practically overstayed their welcome. The first military coup in Nigeria was in January 1966, followed by the counter-coup of July 1966, and then the civil war of 1967-70 which turned Nigeria into a military theatre more or less as the Federal forces engaged the Biafran secessionists in a fratricidal war that resulted in the loss of more than a million lives, starvation and the tearing apart of the Nigerian fabric. The military would remain in charge of Nigeria and its affairs for more than 30 years in total, and it is worth remembering that virtually every successful coup was welcome by the people.

It was thought particularly in the 70s that the military had a role to play in many developing countries in Africa to ensure stability and national discipline. The civilians who took over from the colonialists in Nigeria and Ghana, to cite two close examples, proved worse than their predecessors, and hence the usual argument for military intervention was corruption, and the need to keep the country together, and check the excesses of the civilian rulers. Military rule was perhaps closer to what the people had known traditionally and also under the colonialists.

Kings or feudalists who did not tolerate any form of opposition, or free expression governed the traditional communities and likewise, the colonial masters were dictators. The military continued in that tradition. In-fighting among the emergent military elite and the competition for power eroded discipline, and resulted over the years in more coups.

To be fair, military intervention in Nigerian politics yielded some positive dividends, and created a leadership cadre, and indeed till date, the influence of the military in Nigerian politics, as seen in the transmutation of many military officers into professional politicians, remains a strong factor in the making and unmaking of Nigeria. But by 1990, with the global wave of democratization, glasnost and perestroika, the collapse of the Berlin wall, and the greater emphasis on human rights, and the rise of civil society, the Nigerian public began to subject the military to greater scrutiny than was hitherto the case.

After a fashion, every military government presented itself as a corrective regime, with the promise to hand over power in a short while to civilians. By 1986, the Babangida administration after a year in office had launched a political transition programme, beginning with the establishment of a 17-man Political Bureau. In 1989, the ban on political activities was lifted. The military junta would later ban these existing political parties and create its own parties, the Social Democratic Party and the National Republican Convention.

This seemingly endless transition programme and increased civil society activism merely drew more attention to the military and its record in the public sphere. The people began to demand an inevitable return to civilian rule. They complained about the human rights abuses of the military, the apparent domination of power by the Northern elite, the marginalization of other groups in Nigeria, and the spread of injustice and inequities.

When a Presidential election was held on June 12, 1993, and the SDP candidate, Chief MKO Abiola won the election- an election that was adjudged to be free and fair, Nigerians felt that the hour of their liberation from military rule had come. But the Babangida administration refused to announce the final results and subsequently, it annulled the election. It was a disastrous moment for the Nigerian military and the administration. It also marked the beginning of a national crisis that dragged on for six years. The Nigerian people were inconsolable.

In the course of the crisis, General Ibrahim Babangida had to step aside, handing over power to an Interim national Government (ING), which was soon shoved aside by General Abacha. Between 1993 and 1999, Nigeria had three different leaders: Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Sani Abacha and General Abdusalami Abubakar.

The ensuing struggle for democracy was long and momentous. Progressive Nigerians and the civil society turned against the military. The South West declared that it had been robbed. MKO Abiola fought for his mandate. The international community ostracized the Abacha government. Nigeria became a pariah nation. The media was in the forefront of the struggle, and many journalists were jailed, hounded into exile, publishing houses were set ablaze. Anyone who criticized the soldiers was framed for one offence or the other and thrown behind bars.

The progressive forces insisted that the military must go. Never Again, the people chorused. There had been no other moment like that in contemporary Nigeria. The martyrs of that peoples revolution were the ones that died, including Chief MKO Abiola who died in Abachas detention camp, the many innocent persons who were shot by the military, and every one who suffered one major loss or the other. The heroes were the valiant men and women who stood up for democracy and justice and opposed military tyranny.
A former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, on Tuesday said he would still take a shot at the presidency, if the opportunity presented itself.

Mr. Duke spoke at a programme, The Nigerian Symposium for Emerging Leaders, held in Lagos.

He said though he once aspired to the position but did not emerge the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he would still contest for the highest office in the country at the appropriate time.

Mr. Duke explained that it was because of his preference for the presidential seat that he did not vie for any federal legislative seat after serving out his terms as governor.

I do not have the flair for the legislature; standing up and sitting down at the chambers to raise a point. That was why I did not contest for the Senate but the presidency, after serving out my term as governor.

I have contested the presidency before; I will still give it a shot when the opportunity presents itself . I believe I still have the energy in me, he said.

The former governor canvassed the reform of the countrys political system to accommodate wider participation and good governance.

He suggested the review of the electoral law to allow for independent candidacy.

Mr. Duke said the countrys democracy would fare better if young people, who form the larger proportion of the population, took more active part in its political process.

He said most developed countries had young people as their leaders at one point or the other in their democratic history.

The former governor, however, said power was never given easily, urging young people to participate in the political process and use their prime to add value to the country.

I want to urge young people in the country not to see leadership as if it belongs to some people, but do everything positive to be part of it.

You can only make a difference at the prime of your life. You can actually add value now, not when you are above 50.

So, you need to be part of the political process and play your part. It is your right to be there; nobody is doing you a favour.

You represent more than 60 per cent of the population; you dont have to beg for it.

Just make effort to make that change and contribute your quota to nation building, he said.

Mr. Duke urged governments at all levels to be accountable and challenged the governed to demand more from their leaders.

Also speaking, former Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra State decried lack of transparency and accountability in government.

He said the situation was responsible for the level of corruption in the country and poor delivery of dividends of democracy.

Mr. Obi said the way out of the quagmire was for leaders to carry the governed along in budgetary spending and plans for effective tracking.

The way forward is that governments should make their budgets more explicit and published. The plans and the money to be spent on them should be clearly stated.

That is when people can track and make comparative analysis with previous budgets and then we can achieve some transparency, he said.

The former governor also urged the masses to show more interest in the budget so as to keep leaders on their toes.

Seun Onigbinde, chief executive officer of Budgit, an organisation with interest in accountability in public finance, urged Nigerians to demand accountability from their governments.

He also urged governments at all levels to always carry the people along in their budgetary proposals and implementation to achieve accountability.

Source: (NAN)
The First lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari, on Thursday laid the foundation of a 50-bed capacity maternal and child hospital in Daura, Katsina State.

She said the project would be completed this year.

Hajiya Buhari said the project was being carried out by her NGO ,the Aisha Buhari Foundation, adding that similar hospitals will be built in other parts of Nigeria.

She explained that the project was borne out of the need to make healthcare delivery more accessible to pregnant women and nursing mothers and their babies with a view to reducing maternal and child death in Nigeria.

She clarified that the maternal and child hospital would be run by her foundation, adding that the hospitals will augment health care delivery in the country.

Hajiya Buhari assured the people that when the hospital become operational, it would provide free treatment and medication for less privileged families.

She maintained that President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government was working towards the improvement of health care delivery and make it more accessible and affordable to Nigerians.

The wife of Vice-President, Dolapo Osinbajo, who accompanied Hajiya Buhari to the occasion, said she identified with the project, adding that it would bring succour to many Nigerians.
The Ministry of Women Affairs will take custody of the 82 Chibok girls rescued by the Federal Government four weeks ago will on Tuesday (today), where they will begin proper rehabilitation.

This was made known by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who said this during an interview with pressmen.

The minister said the 82 girls, who have been in the custody of the Department of State Services since their rescue, were made to undergo several medical tests and treatment.

Some of the girls were said to have had bullet and bomb fragments in their bodies and were made to undergo surgeries.

Mohammed said the girls would be handed over to the Women affairs ministry at the Woman Development Centre, Abuja.

He said, The 82 girls went through medical and mental tests. Some had bullet wounds and their treatment took longer. Now, they have completed all medical procedures and will be handed over to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

The girls will be taken to a new facility. The old one was basically a medical facility because the purpose was just to examine them and treat them. So, any of them that needs further treatment can continue at the new facility.

At least, 219 Chibok girls were abducted from their school in April 2014. While the government rescued 103, three others were said to have escaped from Boko Haram captivity. At least 113 are still in the hands of the terrorists.

Although, the rescued girls have met their parents under strict government supervision, none of them has returned to live with their parents in Chibok.

It remains unclear when the girls will return home.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
In compliance with an Executive Order issued by Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA has commenced the implementation of new security protocols in all the sea ports in the country.

By implication, all touts and hawkers are now banned in the port, while clearing agents and motor-boys will be stopped from hanging around and constituting crowd in the Port.

This is contained in a statement made available to the press by the agency on Tuesday.

The Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman, has according to the statement, directed full and immediate compliance with the executive order by all officials of the agency.

As part of the implementation process, the surveillance of illegal vessels movement by Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence (C3I) Centre and regular patrols of waterfront and common user areas and terminals by joint security teams has already started.

It was also gathered that all security agencies are being sensitized on their specific roles procedures for enforcing security in the ports and environs in order to achieve a synergy between all security agencies in carrying out security at the ports in line with the International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code.

According to the statement, the management of NPA has commenced ongoing illumination of port common user areas and fencing of Tincan Island Port Complex to ward off unauthorized access by miscreants, while liaising with Lagos State Government for the illumination of port access roads.

Also in line with the Executive Order, all security personnel are to display their on-duty cards while on duty while all off-duty personnel are now completely banned from the ports. A new ID card for staff and retirees with improved features and better production quality is also being proposed while the procedures for issuing port passes and access cards are being reviewed.

As part of moves to ensure seamless operations at the port, a joint patrol team comprising NPA Security, Port Authority Police, Customs and DSS will be constituted to carry effective patrol in the Port on hourly basis. A security operations room will also be established to monitor all port activities.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo earlier this month in an Executive Order directed that the Apapa Port shall resume 24-hour operations within 30 days of the issuance of this Order and there shall be no touting whatsoever by official or unofficial persons at any port in Nigeria.
The South African police are hunting for three women who allegedly gang-raped a man for three days after they had drugged him.

According to his statement to police the 23-year-old man from Nellmapius east of Pretoria said his horror began on Friday when he took a taxi along Solomon Mahlangu Drive towards Pretoria CBD.

The police said the victim told how, other than the driver there were three young female passengers inside the taxi, TimesLive reported.

En route to town, the taxi driver changed direction and the young man was asked to sit in the front seat. One of the women then allegedly injected him with an unknown substance and he passed out.

South African Police Service Captain Colette Weilbach said: He stated that he woke up in an unfamiliar room on a single bed.

The female suspects then allegedly forced the man to drink an energy drink before taking turns raping him numerous times a day.

The victim was later dumped half-naked in a field, where he managed to flag down a passing car.

The police have promised that the offenders would be arrested and prosecuted.
After being caught having sex with 4-men in an uncompleted building at old Kwata of Suleja, a 10-year-old girl who

hawks sachet water, has revealed how much the men she has sex with daily pay her.

According to her, they pay her between N100 to N200.

In her chat with The AUTHORITY, she disclosed that she started sleeping with men since when she was 8 years old.

I started sleeping with men when I was eight years old. I use the money they give me and the one I get from my pure water business to sustain my parents and two siblings, she said.

When asked how often she meets the men, she said it was on daily basis and returns home at 10pm. I dont sleep outside my home, she added.

When asked, the men refused to give their identities. The police source said the matter is still under investigation and as a matter of fact, the little girl chose to engage herself into such act.

She was not forced as we thought when we arrested them. It was during interrogation that it became clear to us that they had her based on her agreement with the four men.
Nigerian ace comedian, Ali Baba took to Instagram to share his encounter with 2 married ladies to explain why appearances are deceiving, and why the face you see does not determine the person inside.

He wrote;

This is why the face you see does not determine the person inside. People may appear cool on the outside but combustible on the inside. This lady was woken up at 5:30am by the maigaurd, just to inform her of a flat tyre.

She got him to change the spare and with her fresh from sleep face, she drove to the Vulcanizer on the next street. She dropped the tyre off to be fixed and told him it will be picked up at 7:30am on her way to work. She went back home and got ready for work.

On her way, looking all made up and dressed up, she stopped by the Vulcanizer. morning baba, Is the tyre ready? she asked. Yes my daughter. Your mother brought it in the morning let us try not to judge a book by its cover. This was exactly why most parents refused their kids from reading #jameshardleychase novels back in the days.

Until, 1975 when I secretly read #onebrightsummermorning, and told the story to my Dad. And he was thrilled by the story. He actually bought me several but used to make me read chapters to him in the evenings when he was reclined in his easy chair. However, I was only allowed to read the series if the front cover was covered.

Now you know why most of my #jameshardleychase novels from way back had no covers. Back to people who are beautiful inside one day we came back from Abuja on a flight with this man that inundated us with my wife this my wife that my wife my wife my wife This was all in a space of a 3 hour cancelled flight. So we were sooooo looking forward to meeting the wife. Oh boy! She no fine. But guess what? She had the most beautiful soul. She brought him Smoothie to drink on arrival and carried his bag. One of our guys whose wife will give Juliet Ibrahim a run for her beauty, left him a text. I have been waiting for over 30 minutes. I have things to do.

Take a cab and left. We both read the text and swallowed the lessons. Some people will claim to be Christians, yet you will get help from a Muslim after the CHRISTIAN turns you down. Tall, broad shoulders, handsome, GQ look and spreee spreee will not stop some men from beating the crap out of you. Be guided.
Baku, Azerbaijan, May 30

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

The extension of the oil cut deal, at best, will establish the current situation as the new normal continuing well into 2018 and even 2019, but it will be harder for OPEC members to comply with its terms, Dr. Michael Tanchum, a fellow at the Energy Policy Research Center at Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey, believes.

It will be harder for OPEC members to maintain compliance as the risk of losing market share increases, Tanchum told Trend by email.

He noted that, if Nigeria and Libya achieve sufficient stability, each may be able to increase its rate of production.

However the most worrisome is increased production from a more cost-efficient US shale industry, Tanchum stressed.

According to the expert, the US shale production has the potential to post 800,000-1 million barrels per day (mbpd) increase by the end of 2017 compared to 2016 - roughly half of the 1.8 mbpd removed from the market within the oil output cut deal.

He noted that once experts did not believe that shale production could survive at $70 per barrel, but now the US shale industry can be profitable with prices in the $50 range and even in the $40 range.

Thus, Saudi Arabias cost production advantage over shale has shrunken to a remarkable extent. Other nations who do not enjoy Saudi Arabias cost advantage over US shale production are more likely reduce their level of compliance, Tanchum said.

Speaking on the results of the oil output cut deal so far, the analyst noted that according to the IEA data, global consumption did in fact outpace production in 1Q17, primarily due to the impressive compliance rates among OPEC members.

Nonetheless, there has been no significant reduction of excess supplies, with floating storage and lower compliance by some non-OPEC signatories as the probable culprits, he said.

Tanchum noted that the extension of the oil cut deal seems to have been anticipated by the market and so oil prices experienced no sharp rise on the announcement of the extension.

In late 2016, OPEC and non-OPEC producers reached a deal to curtail oil output jointly and ease a global glut after more than two years of low prices.

OPEC has agreed to slash the output by 1.2 million barrels per day from Jan. 1, with top exporter Saudi Arabia cutting as much as 486,000 barrels per day. Non-OPEC oil producers such as Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, Sudan, and South Sudan agreed to reduce the output by 558,000 barrels per day. The agreement was for six months period, extendable for another six months.

Last week, all the participants of last year's agreement agreed to extend it to another nine months.
A woman based in Kano reportedly set herself and her husband on fire early this morning, 30th May, following her suspicion of her husband of few weeks cheating on her, Punch reports.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at No 54 Middle Road residence in the Sabon Gari area of Kano, as she reportedly lit a petrol keg which exploded, engulfing herself and the husband.

Her husband who didnt die on the spot, however died after he was rushed to Fortress Hospital at Sarki Yaki within the metropolis for medical attention, after suffering severe burns from the fire. His wife who was burnt beyond recognition, died at the spot.

Eyewitnesses alleged that the lady accused her husband of infidelity, shortly after she heard a conversation of her husband with an unidentified lady over the telephone, and then reportedly got angry and lit a keg of petrol within reach, which eventually exploded and engulfed their home at about 12am on Tuesday.

Punch reports that an eyewitness, Mr. Emmanuel Okorie, identified the late husband as Emeka, disclosing that the couple hailed from Anambra State.

According to him, the late couple got married about five weeks ago, and the late woman whose pregnancy should be about seven months old, joined the husband in Kano three weeks later.

Okorie, who could not establish, whether it was the alleged telephone conversation that led to the unresolved dispute, however, told our correspondent that Emeka confided in him that his mother imposed the woman on him.

When contacted, spokesperson for the Kano State Police Command, DSP Musa Magaji Majiya, said crack detectives from the Command had commenced an investigation to unravel the cause of the dispute.

Meanwhile, policemen from Nomansland Division had since deposited the remains of the couple at an undisclosed mortuary.
Corn Thursday Forecast Kolhanov.com - 1 minute ago The downtrend may be expected to continue in case the market drops below support level 662.4, which will be followed by reaching support level 642.6 and 604

Wheat Thursday Forecast Kolhanov.com - 1 minute ago The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 822.4, which will be followed by reaching support level 791.2 and 743.6

Natural gas Thursday Forecast Kolhanov.com - 2 minutes ago The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 6.400, which will be followed by reaching support level 5.345

Crude oil Thursday Forecast Kolhanov.com - 3 minutes ago The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 87.60, which will be followed by reaching support level 81.30 and if it keeps on moving down below that level,...

Russel 2000 Thursday Forecast Kolhanov.com - 4 minutes ago The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 1837.7, which will be followed by reaching support level 1695.3 and 1640.7

S&P 500 Thursday Forecast Kolhanov.com - 5 minutes ago The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 3928, which will be followed by reaching support level 3502

GOLD Thursday Forecast Kolhanov.com - 6 minutes ago An downtrend will start as soon, as the market drops below support level 1705.1, which will be followed by moving down to support level 1673 and 1622.2

CAD/USD Thursday Forecast Kolhanov.com - 7 minutes ago The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 0.7428, which will be followed by reaching support level 0.7224

GBP/USD Thursday Forecast Kolhanov.com - 8 minutes ago The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 1.1661, which will be followed by reaching support level 1.1074
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The online used car dealer has hit a new low, making it the most profitable short of the year.
Change Management Cyber Risk Technology Interest Rates Investment Performance

Although Britains withdrawal from the EU is still two years away, insurance firms have already started planning for post-Brexit hubs. However, the withdrawal seems to be the least of the industrys concerns, according to a recent report published by the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation (CSFI) and PricewaterhouseCoopers ( PwC ).In the Insurance Banana Skins 2017 report, insurance practitioners and industry observers ranked Brexit last in a list of the 22 greatest risks faced by the industry over the next two to three years.The top five were:Results were based on 836 responses from practitioners, regulators and observers of the insurance industry in 52 countries.The report said that Change Managements top spot reflects concern, even doubt, about the industrys ability to address the formidable agenda of digitisation, new competition, consolidation, and cost reduction.Rapidly evolving markets, rising customer expectations, and new distribution channels threaten traditional insurance business models, while incumbents held back by legacy systems and traditional modes of thinking struggle to innovate in an unfamiliar environment, it said.Cyber risk narrowly missed the top ranking, as the report said anxiety has risen sharply this year from an already high level.A large number of respondents warned that major attacks on insurers were inevitable, and many added that their impact could be catastrophic, it noted. One respondent pointed out that a more interconnected world means there is more exposure.Respondents believed that the use of outdated technologies has also given insurers a stale and unfriendly image. Part of the awkward way in which we engage with our emerging customer base is because we continue to use legacy technologies that do not engage effectively with the changing trends, said the senior vice president of a life insurance company in the US.This leads to perception issues (and often more than just perceptions) and a lack of interest in the public to conduct business with insurance companies. The report did not name the executive.According to the study, any risks to the global insurance market from Britains decision to leave the EU are of small order. Even in the UK, the issue placed 12. The only country where it was seen as a major risk was Ireland which ranked it number seven because of the additional costs involved in maintaining access to the UK market.Brexit has been well signalled and should cause only minimal disruption to business, most of which is domestically oriented, the report outlined. It was clear from respondents comments that countries outside Europe and North America had given it little thought.Alan Punter, visiting professor at Londons Cass Business School, said that harm to the international market may be small, but harm to the UKs position in the international market is substantial  as we see UK-based carriers move operations and open subsidiaries in the EU to re-instate passporting rights.
The mercury is rising, and its going to cost the world some serious money.A new report, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, shows that urban centres will have to shell out more for the cost of climate change due to the urban heat island effect.The report, which analysed 1,692 cities worldwide, found that the total economic costs of climate change for urban centres could be 2.6 times higher when the urban heat island effect is taken into account. Cities at the worst end of the spectrum stand to lose as much as 11% of their gross domestic product (GDP) compared with the global loss average of 5.6%, according to a report on the study by phys.org.Also according to the report, the authors noted that the study is significant because it highlights the importance of adopting local interventions along international policies to keep global warming effects at bay.We show that city-level adaptation strategies to limit local warming have important economic net benefits for almost all cities around the world, Professor Richard SJ Tol, professor of economics at the University of Sussex, and study author, told the publication.Cities cover only around 1% of the Earths surface, but they produce 80% of the total gross world product, consume 78% of the global energy supply and are home to more than 50% of the world population, the report said.Thus, the authors from the University of Sussex in England, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and Vrije University Amsterdam, proposed that local policy makers prioritize measures that would limit the high economic and health costs of climbing urban temperatures.It is clear that we have until now underestimated the dramatic impact that local policies could make in reducing urban warming. However, this doesnt have to be an either/or scenario, Professor Tol emphasized.He concluded, In fact, the largest benefits for reducing the impacts of climate change are attained when both global and local measures are implemented together. And even when global efforts fail, we show that local policies can still have a positive impact, making them at least a useful insurance for bad climate outcomes on the international stage.
An influx of poor and inexperienced courier drivers in California has commercial auto insurers running, says one Bay Area agent.Ebrahim Jabaieh, owner of SaveGuard Insurance Agency in Hayward, CA, can barely place commercial auto policies for couriers anymore, he said. And when he can, what used to happen almost instantly now takes about two weeks.Its getting harder and harder, he said. Its getting very difficult.Policies have jumped more than 50% for commercial auto for renewals. And thats if you can actually find a carrier to take on the risk. A policy that used to be $28,000 was renewed last week for $45,000, Jabaieh said.Now it takes us like a week to 15 days to get a quote, he noted. Last year, it was like car insurance  before the customer leaves he has the policy in his pocket and its done.Some carriers have pulled out of the commercial auto market in California while others have introduced additional screening, higher premiums, and more hoops to jump through, Jabaieh said. The problems, according to the agency owner, have largely been caused by Amazons new courier delivery model.Amazon is hiring independent contractors to deliver its products. Earn money by delivering packages to Amazon customers, the web giant says online. Whether you have one van or a fleet, our volume and your business could be a great match.In California, at least, the companys delivery model has resulted in too many inexperienced drivers hitting the roads, which has led to the carriers fears, Jabaieh said.The main reason is that Amazon started doing its own deliveries, he explained. Where before they were counting on FedEx and UPS, but now they just opened hubs everywhere and theyre hiring subcontractors, owner-operators, to do their routes. And these people have no experience  theyre, like, oh theres new routes from Amazon, lets go ahead and buy five vans and start a business.So last year, we saw an increase in courier business. We were writing like four companies a day. And we were, like, oh my god, thats amazing. But this year, the companies [customers] started getting notices from [the carriers] saying they didnt want to take this risk no more. And then, boom, it just went downhill.Now weve got nobody. We just sneak in a courier company here, there. Its no way to do business. Ive talked to four other brokers and theyre having the same problem.Though his company hadnt yet begun to feel the bite of the reduced business  because premiums and commissions were so much higher  the development remained alarming, he said.Even though weve turned down a lot of people, because premiums went up extremely high its just making up right now for the loss of business.
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN Migration Agency (IOM) vowed in a statement on Tuesday to expand their humanitarian operations in Libya in support of civilians displaced by the conflict in the country, Sputnik reported.

"The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN Migration Agency (IOM) on Tuesday presented their plans for expanding operations in Libya and enhancing their support to migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and Libyans affected by the ongoing conflict," the statement said.

UNHCR also issued an appeal for an additional $75.5 million in donations to address the humanitarian crisis in Libya.

"UNHCR issued today a Supplementary Appeal for US$75.5 million to meet the increased humanitarian and protection needs of people in Libya  including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities, as well as refugees and asylum seekers," the statement added.

Libya has been in a state of turmoil after the ouster of the countrys long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi by the Unite States and its EU allies. Over the past year, Libya has particularly suffered as the terrorist group Daesh tries to make advances in the country.
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired Illinois-headquartered Williams-Manny Insurance Group.Retail insurance brokerage Williams-Manny Insurance Group provides coverage throughout northern Illinois. The brokerage, which was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in Rockford, IL, focuses its business on construction, manufacturing, higher education and nonprofit.The Williams-Manny management team of Dan Ross, Tim Knauf, Randy Cooper, and Dave Townsend will continue to operate the Illinois offices in Rockford, Wheaton, and Freeport, but the business will now be overseen by Patrick M. Gallagher, Gallaghers Midwest chief of retail property/casualty operations, and John Neumaier, who heads Gallaghers Great Lakes employee benefits consulting and brokerage operations.Williams-Manny has been a strong and respected competitor, and represents an outstanding geographic, strategic and cultural fit for Gallagher, said J. Patrick Gallagher Jr., chairman, president and CEO. I am thrilled to welcome Dan, Tim, Randy, Dave, and all of their partners and associates to our growing Gallagher team of professionals.Gallagher is well-known for its acquisitions strategy. Speaking to Insurance Business earlier this month, Bill Bohstedt, corporate vice president of mergers and acquisitions at Gallagher, said the company targeted competitors who were a good fit for the company.Were more focussed on doing really good, strategic acquisitions that are the right fit for us. Gallagher has consistently been the leading public acquirer in this space, Bohstedt said.The firms that were targeting, they are all competitors of ours. They do what we do, theyre just smaller, he said. Were looking for really well-run companies with great people and cultures. Thats really the key.Williams-Manny was founded by Henry Hank Williams who started the company aged 25, reportedly using his mothers sewing machine table as his work desk.International brokerage Arthur J. Gallagher & Co is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. It has operations in 33 countries and offers services in more than 150 countries.
A worker at a Schick razor factory in Connecticut has been hospitalized after her hand got caught in a machine.

A production manager at the Milford, Conn., factory told WTNH-TV the worker was doing a routine job Thursday morning when her right hand got caught. He did not specify the type of machine.

Authorities say the power was turned off and it took a fire department crew about 17 minutes to disentangle her arm from the machine. Paramedics applied a tourniquet and she was rushed to a New Haven, Conn., hospital.

Fire battalion Chief Anthony Fabrizi said the woman was bleeding but remained conscious throughout the ordeal.

Officials said they have notified the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as is routine. The womans name wasnt released.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Profit Loss Connecticut Manufacturing
A rail car carrying propane was leaking in an industrial park in New Jersey, sending a plume of gas into the air.

Gloucester County spokeswoman Debra Sellitto says a valve stem on top of the tanker car failed and started leaking Thursday in Pureland Industrial Park off Osprey Court in Logan Township. The car can carry up to 30,000 gallons, but she is not sure how much propane was in it or how much leaked.

Sellitto says one person was injured, but the injury is not considered life-threatening.

Authorities conducted evacuations within a half-mile of the complex as a precaution.

Police closed Exit 10 on Interstate 295 south to keep traffic from the area.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics New Jersey
The Mediterranean & Gulf Insurance & Reinsurance Co., a Saudi Arabian insurer known as MedGulf, denied its considering putting itself up for sale.

MedGulf isnt exploring strategic options that could include a potential sale of the company and hasnt appointed Saudi Fransi Capital to advise on the process, a company spokesman said in an emailed statement on Monday.

Bloomberg reported on Sunday that the company is weighing putting itself up for sale, citing three people familiar with the matter. The report also cited two of the people as saying that MedGulf is working with the investment banking arm of Banque Saudi Fransi to evaluate strategic options.

Some Saudi insurance companies are examining potential mergers to better compete in a crowded market. There are 35 insurance companies listed on the Saudi stock exchange, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

MedGulf shares rose 0.8 percent on Monday, giving the Riyadh-based insurer a market value of about $427 million.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions
Neos, a UK connected home insurer, announced last week it has secured a 5 million (roughly $6.4 million) series A investment led by Aviva Ventures together with strategic partner Munich Re.

The strategic investment accelerates Neos growth as the UKs first company to offer a home insurance product that uses smart home technology to proactively protect homes from fire, water damage and theft, the company said in the announcement.

The new investment will let us not only develop our connected home systems but also grow our underwriting capacity, through an MGA agreement with Munich Re, Neos CEO Matt Poll said in a blog item on the Neos website.

For our existing customers, nothing changes  except change for the better, he said in the blog item, noting that policies already in force will still be valid and underwritten by Hiscox, the original underwriting partner for Neos.

The executive describes Neos as the first home insurance product to step in before any kind of damage had been done to a house.

Insurance used to be a product with a best-case scenario of never seeing a return on your investment  that payout when something bad happened. Now, consumers can actually get positive use from the service theyre paying for: home security, early warning of problems and an easy way to check in on their home from anywhere in the world, the blog item says.

An introductory video on the Neos website drives home the point, featuring an animated talking home which compares his past protection  just home insurance and an alarm  with the smart features available from Neos.

I still didnt really feel safe, the house says in the video, referring to the state of protection before having access to smart tech from Neos to detect leaks, fires and intruders  and a Neos app that lets alerts the homeowner to a problem instantly.

In addition, 24-7 assistance is available from the Neos team, which can even arrange for a tradesperson to come out and fix a problem as soon as its detected via a network of repair professionals.

Neos believes that assurance is better than insurance, the video animation explains after noting that home insurance is just one part of the package while illustrating how the homeowner can check into the app from anywhere  even while sipping a cocktail on the beach.

The funding and strategic partnership announcement describes Neos as the brainchild of Poll, an insurance expert and former director of MoreThan (a division of RSA Group), and a home automation expert, Krystian Zajac.

Smart home sensor and HD camera technology are provided for within a comprehensive home insurance premium, the announcement states. According to the website, Neos provides nine wireless smart home security devices to policyholders: one wireless indoor Netatmo camera; two wireless leak detectors; two wireless window and door sensors; two wireless motion sensors and two wireless smoke detectors.

The investment and strategic partnership from two respected insurance brands, Aviva and Munich Re, cements our belief that what were doing is the future of insurance, given their leadership in innovation, Poll said in a media statement. When you combine this with our distribution partnership with Zoopla (ZPG plc), and underwriting support via Hiscox, were excited about the benefits we will be bringing to consumers at full market launch later this year, through positively disrupting the market.

(Editors note: Zoopla is a UK property website, which helps consumers to research the market and find their next home by combining hundreds of thousands of property listings with market data and local information.)

In November 2016, Neos announced a strategic investment and exclusive partnership with ZPG plc, which gives Neos exclusive access to a vast audience of property and insurance interested consumers.

Andrew Rear from Digital Partners, the Munich Re business dedicated to new digital propositions stated: Neos is defining the standards for the future home insurance industry in the UK. By putting smart sensors into the home and alerting the owner on their smartphone, Neos enables issues to be addressed before they become bigger problems. Detecting a leak early is a much smaller problem than coming home to a big flood. Its a clever proposition which will have an impact on the wider insurance industry.

Ben Luckett, managing director for Aviva Ventures, added: Investments are all about talent, future, and disrupting the status quo. Our involvement in Neos reflects allthree elements, surrounded by great technology delivering a great purpose.

Source: Neos

A version of this article first appeared in Insurance Journals sister publication, Carrier Management.

Topics Carriers InsurTech Tech Homeowners
Chubb announced the appointment of Kyle Bryant to the newly created role of regional cyber risk manager, Europe.

In his new role, Bryant will bring together Chubbs dedicated local cyber risk expertise across its European region into a single practice. This will ensure a consistent proposition for Chubbs local broker partners and clients while delivering enhanced insight and support to them from across the wider region.

Bryants role represents an expansion of his previous position as cyber risk manager for Continental Europe. It will additionally include management responsibility for the companys cyber risk proposition in the UK and Ireland as well as its London-based wholesale division, Chubb Global Markets.

Bryant will be based in London with a dual reporting line to Grant Cairns, head of Financial Lines, UK and Ireland, and Adrian Matthews, chief operating officer, Continental Europe. His appointment is effective immediately.

With 11 years of insurance industry experience, Bryant has held various posts within the field of technology and professional liability insurance. He joined the company eight years ago in New York. Prior to moving to Europe, he held the position of regional manager for technology and professional liability for the US Mid-Atlantic region at ACE, which acquired Chubb in January 2016. Since 2015, Bryant has been responsible for the strategy, development and performance of Chubbs growing cyber risk portfolio in Continental Europe.

Chubbs European cyber team currently includes full-time local cyber risk underwriters in nine key markets: the UK and Ireland, the London market, Benelux, France, Germany & Austria, Iberia, Italy, the Nordics and Switzerland. These are supported by specialist underwriters in Poland and the Czech Republic and three dedicated cyber risk engineers covering the UK and Continental Europe.

Cyber risk is rising high on many board agendas. This months WannaCry attack has acted as a further wake-up call while implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation across Europe will further raise the stakes for companies and their management teams, said Andrew Kendrick, regional president, Europe at Chubb.

Source: Chubb

Related:

Topics Cyber Europe London Chubb Risk Management
The Illinois Senate has passed two workers compensation measures  one that would require companies writing workers comp insurance to get state approval for the rates they charge, and another that creates a nonprofit company  with government oversight  to write competitive policies.

On May 20 Illinois the majority Senate Democrats made good on their pledge to pick apart the workers compensation system at the behest of Rep. Gov. Bruce Rauner, but the measures they approved brought only derision from the GOP.

A measure initiated by Democratic Rep. Jay Hoffman of Swansea and sponsored by Chicago Democratic Sen. Kwame Raoul requires state Insurance Department-approved rates based on market need. It won approval 32-20 but must return to the House for concurrence.

The other measure, sponsored by Glenview Democratic Rep. Laura Fine and Evanston Democratic Sen. Daniel Biss, creates a nonprofit insurance company  with oversight from a government board  to push down rates by competing for policies like ones in other states. That proposal now heads to Rauner.

Rauner has made cost-cutting workers comp changes a must before hell agree to an annual budget  something Illinois has been without for two years, longer than any state in modern history. Frustrated Democrats say theyre making major concessions because they overhauled the compensation system in 2011.

A Progressive Era reform, Illinois was on the ground floor when it adopted a workers comp law in 1912. Workers previously had little recourse if they were hurt on the clock. Workers compensation created limited liability for employers and set speedy payment for an injured worker who agreed to forgo an uncertain court remedy.

Rauners demand for workers comp reform goes back to when he was a gubernatorial candidate. After he became governor, Democrats told him their 2011 changes meant that medical and replacement-wage payments in Illinois dropped 20 percent, to $1.33 billion, from 2011 to 2015, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance, an industry observer.

Quoting state statistics, the Midwest Region of the Laborers International Union of North America reports that insurance premiums that Illinois employers pay for workers compensation coverage have gone up nearly 15 percent.

Hoffman notes that NCCI has recommended a 29 percent reduction in workers comp insurance rates during the past seven years. But theres no requirement that companies adopt lower rates.

Senate Republicans derided the workers compensation legislation as delay and distraction but not reform. Rauners office declined comment. The Illinois Manufacturers Association issued a statement in opposition.

Republicans want arbitrators who determine awards to solely consider American Medical Association guidelines addressing impairment. Currently, an arbitrator may consider a workers age, occupation, future earning capacity and other factors. Using only AMA, Democratic Senate President John Cullerton of Chicago says a bus driver and a concert pianist who both lose a finger would get the same award.

Mark Denzler, vice president of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, says his organizations compromise was that AMA guidelines be the sole guide unless a preponderance of evidence calls other factors into play. He says applying AMA guidelines provides for fair, clearly delineated compensation decisions.

Theres now a cost-saving, GOP-proposed list outlining eligible prescription drugs. A Republican suggestion speeds up the process for injured first responders. It includes a Rauner-recommended change that allows a company or worker to forgo the cost of an injury report.

The bills are HB2622 and HB2525.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Carriers Workers' Compensation Illinois Politics
Democrats and Republicans, who have agreed on little this year, have found common ground on plans to give private insurers greater access to the $5 billion flood insurance program and to offer more buyouts for homeowners in areas likely to be repeatedly submerged.

Flood insurance seems to be one of those few areas where Democrats and Republicans see the same problems and, in a lot of instances, see the same solutions, Rob Moore, a senior policy analyst with the National Resources Defense Council, said in an interview.

At issue is the National Flood Insurance Program, which is $25 billion in debt. Congress has until the end of September to reauthorize the federal program. If it doesnt act the real estate market along coasts and rivers will come to a halt, because homeowners need that insurance to qualify for federally-backed mortgages. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy the program paid out $8.4 billion to help cover the costs of rebuilding.

Last Thursday, Republican Congressman Sean Duffy of Wisconsin, chairman of the subcommittee that oversees the program, released draft legislation to overhaul it. Those changes overlap heavily with change House Democrats are seeking, according to a document from the Democrats on the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance obtained by Bloomberg.

The bipartisan agreement among the House lawmakers covers a range of topics, including expanding the role of private flood insurers, getting the federal program to buy more reinsurance on the private market, and making it easier for homeowners that keep getting flooded to move somewhere else.

This shows an incredible amount of work, Roy Wright, the deputy associate administrator at FEMA who oversees the National Flood Insurance Program, said in an interview. He said the odds are good of Democrats and Republicans eventually reaching a deal.

The process has a long way to go before these changes would become law. Even if the House agrees on these reforms, the Senate and President Donald Trump must agree as well. And, as happened in the last flood insurance overhaul, changes may end up being rescinded after they become law if they cause premiums to skyrocket.

And some areas of disagreement remain among the House lawmakers.

In the draft legislation released Thursday, Republicans propose ejecting from the program homeowners who keep getting flooded but dont want to sell their houses. Democrats wouldnt eject them. And Republicans would impose fewer conditions on private insurers who want to sell flood insurance.

Still the main areas of agreement between the parties is large. The draft incorporates ideas from both Republicans and Democrats, Mark Bednar, Duffys spokesman, said in an email.

Read More: Rising Seas May Wipe Out Jersey Towns and Millions in AAA Bonds

Under these plans, insurers and reinsurers would see an increase in their potential market. The federal flood insurance program takes in about $3.5 billion in revenue each year, and covers about $1 trillion in risk. While private insurers can partner with the program, signing people up in return for a share of their premiums, few private insurers sell their own policies. The program recently bought reinsurance for the first time.

Expanding the space for private insurers could benefit Marsh & McLennan Cos. and Aon Plc, the largest insurance brokers by revenue in the U.S., according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Swiss Re AG, Munich Re and Transatlantic Reinsurance Co. have signed reinsurance agreements with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which runs the program.

The changes could also reshape coastal neighborhoods. Both parties say they support more voluntary buyouts of homes that repeatedly flood. Under that approach, the federal government uses money that comes in through flood insurance policies to purchase high-risk homes, then demolishes them. Expanding those buyouts could shrink neighborhoods along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, in such places as New Jersey, Virginia, Florida and Louisiana.

Both parties also want the federal government to shield poorer households from rising flood insurance premiums, by offering vouchers or other subsidies based on peoples incomes. They would increase the amount of money available to protect homes from flooding, such as moving buildings onto stilts.

A fair amount of this will be part of the final legislation, Larry Larson, senior policy adviser for the Association of State Floodplain Managers, said by email after the Republican draft was released. Still, it has a long way to go yet.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers Legislation Flood Reinsurance Homeowners
AmTrust Financial Services Inc., the provider of workers compensation insurance, surged in New York trading after members of the chief executive officers family agreed to inject $300 million for new shares in a private placement.

The family of CEO Barry Zyskind and Director George Karfunkel said after markets closed that it would buy the stake for Thursdays closing price of $12.45 a share. AmTrust jumped 12 percent to $14 at 4 p.m. Friday.

The Karfunkels are seeking to stabilize a company whose market capitalization fell by half this year to about $2.1 billion Thursday. The insurer announced a reserve shortfall in February and said it had a material weakness in its accounting controls.

Although the private placement will reduce earnings per share, we view the capital infusion positively, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analysts led by Meyer Shields said in a note to investors. It should help AmTrust keep acceptable financial strength ratings despite what we see as a material reserve deficiency.

AmTrust said the funds will be used to strengthen subsidiaries and back new insurance policies. Neither the CEO nor George Karfunkel acquired shares in the private placement, according to a regulatory filing. The family agreed not to sell the new stock for at least a year and wont vote the shares until after the 2018 annual meeting.

In April, a person familiar with the matter said the Securities and Exchange Commission was investigating AmTrusts accounting. The company that month hired Robert Schwarz from Assurant Inc. for the newly created role of chief accounting officer to help prepare financial statements.

Management has implemented a number of actions to address the material weaknesses in its financial reporting, ratings firm A.M. Best said in a note Thursday. However, there is execution risk associated with these efforts.

Still, A.M. Best called the private placement a positive step for the New York-based company. The ratings firms financial-strength assessments of insurers are closely monitored by companies that buy commercial coverage. AmTrust has an A rating from Best, and the outlook was lowered to negative in February.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
Financial services firm USAA, facing a backlash to its decision to pull advertising from Sean Hannitys show on Fox News Channel, says it is withdrawing from other opinion-based television programs.

The company, which sells insurance and other products to members of the U.S. military, veterans and their families, had cited its aversion to opinionated programming in backing away from Hannity. The veteran talk show host has become a liberal target because of his focus on a discredited story about a murdered Democratic National Committee staffer.

Yet the conservative watchdog Media Research Center noted that USAA ads had run in recent weeks on left-leaning shows hosted by Rachel Maddow, Lawrence ODonnell and Chris Matthews on MSNBC.

The ads were placed in error and that mistake is being corrected, said Roger Wildermuth, USAA spokesman. It wasnt clear how the ads could be placed in at least four opinion-based shows in violation of the companys policy; he didnt immediately respond to a question about whether there were more.

Since the liberal advocacy group Media Matters for America posted a list of more than 150 of Hannitys advertisers earlier this week, nine companies have said they no longer wanted to be sponsors. Thats only a fraction of the companies that backed out of the since-fired Bill OReillys Fox show last month after news of settlements paid to women to quiet harassment claims.

USAAs decision was particularly disappointing since Hannity has supported veterans organizations, said Brent Bozell, president of the Media Research Center.

The decision provoked an angry response. A Memorial Day posting on the companys Facebook page had nearly 500 comments Friday afternoon, many from people protesting the Hannity decision and vowing to move accounts from USAA.

One woman wrote: with one boneheaded move, youve made me start looking for a new house and auto insurance, a new bank, a new investment manager.

It was even more intense than I expected it would be, Bozell said, and I expected it would be intense.

USAA noted that other companies had seen a backlash from their decisions, too. Wildermuth said USAAs decision on Hannity was not the result of outside pressure.

We will continually review our ad placements to ensure we are consistent with our policy, he said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Carriers
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Jean-Claude Biver, president of the LVMH watch division, and Chabi Nouri, newly-appointed chief executive of Piaget, presented keynotes addresses on the theme of this fourth edition, namely Digital Disruption and Emotional Engagement. Panel speakers featured Maximilian Busser, founder of MB&F, Alexander Schmiedt, Vacheron Constantins brand director for the Middle East, and Luc Rochereau, regional brand director for IWC Schaffhausen.



Organized by Mediaquest Group, a leading publishing house in the Middle East, the two-day conference explored topics which Julien Hawari, co-chief executive of MediaquestCorp., described as central to the profound changes brought on by the Fourth Industrial Revolution linked to the Internet and to digital innovation  impacting the luxury industry at large.



Regional economies are changing, government is retrenching from business, competition is increasing, and a new class of consumer is emerging with different expectations, said Mr. Hawari in his opening remarks, setting the stage for speakers that included global executives and regional experts from industries ranging from tourism, hospitality, retail to design.





Jean-Claude Biver  Mediaquest

Countdown to 2030



An energetic, svelte and casually dressed Mr. Biver, introduced as a father figure for the watch industry, opened the conference, quickly charming his audience with an address titled Digital disruption and the art of Swiss watchmaking. Mr. Biver began by reminding the audience that he was a hippy in what he called my heart, my head, and in my generosity, even if, he said, his current hairline did not support that contention. More on topic, he reiterated his long-held belief that only dead fish swim with the tide.



The 21st century will begin in 2030 when the kids born in this century will start to shape their own future, Mr. Biver added. Then, there will be revolutions, and whoever is not ready will be punished and will disappear. We have 13 years to prepare.



How can we foresee what is to come? You need to look closely at the behavior of 14-year-olds today to understand why they are buying second-hand Adidas from the 60s? Why they are buying Supreme?, he said. When you have the answer to those questions, you will begin to have a clue as to what is to come. Having executives at the top who believe in disruption, and the ability to sell experiences and emotions rather than watches are, according to Mr. Biver, key in a luxury brands strategy today.



As for connected watches, market research is showing that both 2015 and 2016 have been revolutionary years for smartwatches in the UAE, with these products like the Samsung Gear and the Apple watch being well received by local consumers, according to the research firm, Euromonitor International. Last year, UAE consumer electronics markets generated sales revenue  including of smartwatches - of $3.23 billion, a figure expected to rise steadily to $3.28 billion in 2017 and $3.48 billion in 2018, according to the same source.



Connected watches become obsolete to the point that you have to throw them away, Mr. Biver said. Technology is not a threat to the art of watchmaking, unless you are in that segment of the watch industry where you are not making art, then you have competition. Last April, Apple reinforced its presence in the region by opening its third store in the Dubai Mall, in addition to its existing locations in the Mall of the Emirates and the Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi.





Data and digital platforms



In her keynote address, Ms. Nouri, in turn, focused on the ways in which Piaget has used various digital platforms to reach potential clients. At Piaget, we use reverse mentoring, Ms. Nouri said. We have people in the company that are much younger, typical millennials, who give us information. We listen to them to get the feel of the underground.





Chabi Nouri  Mediaquest

Piaget, like others in the luxury industry, has been forced to adopt changes driven by technology which are also helping the company to reinvent itself.

Digitalization is the buzz word, but what is the best way to transform our Maison digitally? Ms. Nouri asked. There is no simple answer. If a brand is not resonating with them, millennials will not wait, they are not that loyal, she said.



A wealth of data collected from digital market research has enabled Piaget to select the most suitable platform among the likes of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, and other media, to reach out to a desired audience, depending on the appeal of a particular social medium in different markets. WeChat with 800 million users is the most performing ecosystem we have today, Ms. Nouri said. It enabled us once in a single day to record 10 million video views, add 4,000 followers, and have 5.5 million clicks by viewers who wanted to engage further.





Prices on the rise



The main issue with luxury today is price, said Mr. Busser, a Dubai-resident since 2014.

Prices for the luxury goods are higher in the UAE than in many other markets, including Europe, in part due to prohibitive rents in the high-end malls where luxury watch brands are present. Additionally, the introduction of VAT at a rate of 5 percent starting next January is likely to exacerbate the problem. Given the strength of the Swiss franc, costlier Swiss watches are likely to eat away at retailer profitability here, while well-informed customers with online access to global pricing information may shun local markets.





Importance of the UAE market



In 2016, Switzerland exported 923.6 million Swiss francs in watches to the UAE, one reason the watch market remains a significant component of the luxury landscape here.

Next November, the third edition of Dubai Watch Week will shine the spotlight on craftsmanship and innovation in the watch industry. The event, organized by Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, a family-owned watch and jewelry retailer, in partnership with the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, has been particularly successful in engaging with regional influencers who are widely seen as providing a fertile testing ground for the watch industry at large.



The trendsetters and early adopters are all here in the Gulf region, Ms. Nouri said in her final remarks. That is why we love to test novelties here and try out our limited editions, to see if they will work elsewhere. This region is very reactive.
Three fossil fuel industry groups dropped their attempt to intervene in a court case over climate change this week after failing to reach an agreement on a unified legal position on climate science, court filings show.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), prominent trade groups in the oil and gas industry, along with the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), intervened in a federal case in which a group of teenagers sued the U.S. government for violating their constitutional rights by causing climate change.

The three groups were arguing that a judgment requiring the government to tighten environmental regulations would harm their business interests. But discord arose among them after a judge ordered them to submit a joint filing stating their views on climate science.

A lawyer representing the three groups said in a court hearing on May 18 that they were unable to agree on the causes and effects of human activity and greenhouse gas emissions on the climate, transcripts of the proceedings show.

It seems pretty clear that the trade group intervenors have recognized that there may be costs as well as benefits to intervention and that they might be better off leaving the defense of the case to the government, said Seth Jaffe, an environmental lawyer who is a partner at Foley Hoag in Boston. He is not involved in the case.

NAM was the first to file its request to withdraw, submitting it to the court on Monday. API asked to withdraw on Thursday. AFPM filed its request early on Friday.

What is noticeably absent from these withdrawal motions is the reason why the fossil fuel industry wants to leave the case, said Philip Gregory, a lawyer for the teen plaintiffs.

One issue for the industry groups is that laying out in court the scientific findings they accept on climate change could bind them to specific positions in other legal proceedings.

Exxon Mobil, for instance, a member of both API and NAM, is battling with attorneys general in Massachusetts and New York who are investigating the company for fraud based on apparent discrepancies between its public stance on global warming and internal documents on climate science.

NAM spokeswoman Jennifer Drogus said the group had reevaluated its need to fight on behalf of the industry following the 2016 U.S. elections.

We no longer feel that our participation in this case is needed to safeguard industry and our workers, she said in an email on Friday.

API spokeswoman Sabrina Fang did not say why the industry group had asked to withdraw from the case.

We have full confidence that the courts will recognize that Congress and the Executive branch have the constitutional authority to write and execute the laws of the U.S., she said in an email to Reuters on Thursday.

Spokespeople for AFPM did not immediately respond to request for comment.

The API formed a Climate Change Task Force last year to form a new message on climate change. Fang, when asked by Reuters on May 19 if the force had made any changes to APIs public stance on climate change, said: Nothing has changed.

A spokeswoman for NAM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The case is Juliana v. U.S., U.S. District Court, District of Oregon (Eugene), No. 15-cv-01517.

(Reporting By Emily Flitter; Editing by Tom Hogue)

Topics Lawsuits USA Energy Oil Gas Climate Change
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday tightened rules on where injury lawsuits may be filed, handing a victory to corporations by undercutting the ability of plaintiffs to bring claims in friendly courts in a case involving Texas-based BNSF Railway Co.

The justices, in a 8-1 decision, threw out a lower court decision in Montana allowing out-of-state residents to sue there over injuries that occurred anywhere in BNSFs nationwide network. State courts cannot hear claims against companies when they are not based in the state or the alleged injuries did not occur there, the justices ruled.

BNSF is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Businesses and plaintiffs have been engaged in a fight over where lawsuits seeking financial compensation for injuries should be filed.

Companies typically can be sued in a state where they are headquartered or incorporated, as well as where they have significant ties. They want to curb plaintiffs ability to shop for courts in states with laws conducive to such injury lawsuits.

Plaintiffs contend that corporations are trying to limit their access to compensation for injuries by denying them their day in state courts.

The case involves two lawsuits against BNSF brought under the Federal Employers Liability Act, a U.S. law that allows injured railroad employees to sue for compensation from their companies.

BNSF fuel truck driver Robert Nelson sued in 2011 over a slip-and-fall accident in which he injured his knee. Kelli Tyrrell, the widow of railroad employee Brent Tyrrell, sued in 2014 alleging her husband was exposed to chemicals that caused him to die of kidney cancer.

Neither BNSF employee lived in Montana and their allegations did not occur in the state, according to court filings.

BNSF argued that the Montana courts did not have jurisdiction over the cases. The Montana Supreme Court in May, however, ruled that state courts there can hear cases against BNSF without violating due process rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution because the company does business in the state.

Writing for the majority on Tuesday, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said that even though BNSF has more than 2,000 miles (3,200 km) of track and 2,000 employees in Montana, it cannot be held liable for claims like Nelsons and Tyrrells that are unrelated to any activity occurring in Montana.

The Supreme Court is also expected to rule before the end of June in a similar challenge brought by drug maker Bristol-Myers Squibb, which says it should not have to face injury suits filed by hundreds of out-of-state residents in California over its blood-thinning medication Plavix. The company is incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in New York.

Justice Neil Gorsuch joined the majority on Tuesday, the first ruling he has participated in since joining the court in April.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham)

Topics Lawsuits USA
Louisiana State Police say 13 people have been arrested in connection with an insurance fraud scheme involving staged automobile crashes.

A news release says the May 25 arrests followed an investigation that began with complaints from insurance companies.

Investigators say the scheme involved a group of people who regularly participated in reporting fictitious automobile crashes, bogus injuries and property damage in southwestern Louisiana.

At least seven phony crashes were involved. State police estimate the group defrauded insurance companies out of more than $30,000.

Those arrested were jailed in the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center. State police said three more suspects were at large.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Louisiana
Insurance broker and consultant NFP has acquired Oklahoma City-based Bigbie, Hensley & Janway Insurance Agency Inc.(BHJ). The transaction closed on May 1, 2017.

BHJ provides benefits products and services with an emphasis on small group employers and the individual health care market. Andy Bigbie and Matt Hensley, principals of the firm, will join as directors of NFP and report to Kelly Hudelson, managing director of NFPs South Central region.

New York-based NFP Corp. provides employee benefits, property/casualty, retirement and individual private client solutions through licensed subsidiaries and affiliates.

Source: NFP

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Oklahoma
A statewide framework to regulate ridesharing firms such as Uber and Lyft stalled in the Alabama Legislature, and its unclear when such companies could begin to launch new service in Alabama communities.

Uber, through a spokeswoman, points to Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson as culprits for the stalled legislation, Al.com reported.

It is unfortunate that the mayors of Mobile and Huntsville blocked one set of rules that would have brought Uber throughout Alabama, preventing people from across the state from earning money and getting safe rides, Uber spokeswoman Evangeline George said.

The legislation didnt get a final vote before this years legislative session ended.

Representatives for the two cities are defending their positions, setting up a potential standoff on whether Uber and Lyft should be regulated by the Public Service Commission, or by local governments in the cities where they operate.

For cities without Uber service, its unclear if or when Uber or a similar transportation company will arrive, Al.com reported.

The Huntsville city legal department, in a lengthy statement, said the vehicle-for-hire industry is a largely local business which competes with taxi cab companies that must adhere to local ordinances and pay the citys business license fee.

Mobile City Councilman John Williams said the city worked with Uber to negotiate a local agreement and made concessions to the ridesharing company. I dont know what their beef is, he said.

Stimpson, Mobiles mayor, said any insinuation that Mobile should be blamed for the legislations failure this session, is not the truth.

Huntsville and Mobile officials requested that the two cities be carved out of the state legislation, but that request was rejected.

Cities were left to either accept the legislation or to continue to advocate for local concerns, according to the Huntsville legal departments statement forwarded to AL.com by city spokeswoman Kelly Schrimsher. Several cities elected to voice their concerns and we are grateful our state representatives listened.

Battle, the Huntsville mayor, said in a statement last week that the city wasnt attempting to thwart Uber from operating in other Alabama cities. Transportation systems like Uber and Lyft are important to every corner and every part of Alabama, Battle said in the statement.

Stimpson, during Wednesdays Mobile City Council meeting, said that his city has also backed Ubers interests in expanding statewide.

However, he said that the city has told Uber before that they wanted to be grandfathered into the state legislation because of their support in the local ordinance that was adopted about two years ago.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Alabama
Tennessee is praising captive insurance legislation signed by the governor on May 12, saying it is expected to maintain and further enhance Tennessees place amongst the most attractive states to locate a captive insurance company, according to a statement from the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI).

The 2017 legislation, enacted as Public Chapter 354, further modernizes the Revised Tennessee Captive Insurance Act of 2011, which ignited Tennessees competitive captive industry.

A captive insurance company represents an option for many corporations and groups that want to take financial control and manage risks by underwriting their own insurance rather than paying premiums to third-party insurers.

TDCI Captive Insurance Section Director Michael Corbett said the recently passed legislation gives Tennessee protected cell captives even greater flexibility in moving cells between captives and spinning off individual cells into standalone captives.

This is a significant efficiency for Tennessee companies, Corbett added.

The legislation also allows captives to develop a process for a captive to exist in a dormant status so captive managers may procure insurance from the traditional market when advantageous and later return to the captive structure when the market fluctuates. In addition, the bill allows the state insurance commission to grant an extension of time, not to exceed 60 days, to file the premium tax returns and pay the taxes imposed, without penalty, but interest will be charged.

Any captive insurance company that fails to pay any taxes due, plus penalties and interest, for 60 days beyond the due date may thereafter be debarred from transacting any business of insurance in the state until such taxes, penalties, and interest are fully paid.

This legislation reinforces the Volunteer States reputation as one of the nations premier captive domiciles, said Tennessee Captive Insurance Association President (TCIA) Kevin Doherty.

TDCI Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak praised the passage of the bill and touted the states captive industry.

Less than ten years ago, successful Tennessee businesses had to look elsewhere to form a captive insurance company because there wasnt a place for them here, said McPeak. Today, Tennessee is at the forefront of the industry due in no small part to the leadership of Gov. Bill Haslam, the strong captive insurance team we have in-house led by Director Michael Corbett, and the robust support that we receive from members of the General Assembly.

TDCI said Tennessees captive insurance enhancements have significantly contributed to Tennessees economy. In 2011, Tennessee only had two captive risk-bearing entities (RBEs) and has increased that number to160 captive insurance companies and a total of 545 RBEs. For the 2016 tax year, total premium dollars surpassed $1 billion for the first time in the states history and a 2016 economic development survey of captive managers was attributed more than $650 million in direct and indirect spending in the state to the captive insurance industry.

The 2017 captive legislation drew bipartisan support from leaders in both houses of the General Assembly and was sponsored by Senate First Vice Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) and House Majority Leader from District 63 Rep. Glen Casada (R-Williamson County). The legislation was recently signed into law by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.

Source: Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance

Topics Legislation Tennessee
The North Carolina Court of Appeals has revived a lawsuit stemming from a womans 2012 surgery during which she fell off the operating table while her body was cut open and had surgical implements inside.

The Fayetteville Observer reports that the state Court of Appeals voted 2-1 May 16 to reinstate Marjorie C. Locklears lawsuit.

The lawsuit says Locklear, then 75, was allowed to fall during cardiovascular surgery. Locklear sued surgeon Matthew S. Cummings, Southeastern Regional Medical Center of Lumberton and several Duke entities. The case was initially dismissed in 2016 for improper notice of Southeastern and failing to follow procedures required when suing for medical malpractice.

The appeals court maintained the dismissal of the case against Southeastern, but sided with Locklear that the case is an ordinary negligence claim.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits North Carolina
Ground crews getting help from water-dropping aircraft are battling two brush fires in Los Angeles, Calif.

A small blaze that started over the weekend near large homes in the Mandeville Canyon area above Brentwood is sending up a huge plume of smoke visible for miles.

The fire has scorched about 4 acres of dry brush and officials say residents should be prepared to evacuate.

To the northeast, a 15-acre fire is burning away from foothill homes in the Lake View Terrace neighborhood and into Angeles National Forest.

City fire spokeswoman Margaret Stewart says crews are contending with rugged terrain and hot conditions.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California
San Diego, CA, May 30, 2017- Highly respected and outspoken insurance agency and industry consultant Chris Burand shares his must-read annual state of the property/casualty insurance industry report with his forecast for the industry and independent agents.

Burand looks at insurers recent profitability, if it is sustainable, and what it means for agents, brokers and smaller carriers. If these results are sustained, the implications for the industry are momentous, he writes.

What happens to the agency business model as the industry focuses more on expenses and relies increasingly on loss modeling and automated underwriting? In this 50-page expert analysis, Burand delves into rate adequacy, balance sheet issues, policyholder surplus, capacity, an historical look at reserves, industry consolidation and premium growth. He includes sections on excess and surplus lines and alternative markets as well as the benefits and health insurance space.

In his widely-read P/C forecast, Burand asks several important questions for agency owners and closes with an in-depth analysis of what it all means for independent agencies.

Download and view the report here.

Media Contact

Kelly De La Mora

kdelamora@insurancejournal.com

800.897.9965 x125

Topics Trends Property Casualty Market
Un ottobre da sogno per Antonio Conte: lex ct della Nazionale italiana, attualmente alla guida del Chelsea, nelle ultime quattro gare di Premier League ha collezionato solo successi, conditi da 11 reti segnate e addirittura nessuna incassata. Numeri da record che non sono certo passati inosservati alla Federazione inglese, la quale ha conferito al tecnico leccese lambito premio di Manager del mese.

Unavventura oltremanica iniziata in sordina, quella di Conte, pur a fronte di tre vittorie nelle prime tre gare di campionato. A far vacillare, anche se solo per un momento, le certezze del patron del club londinese, Roman Abramovich, i risultati conseguiti tra la 4a e la 6a giornata, coincisi con un pareggio sul campo dello Swansea City e, soprattutto, con le due pesanti sconfitte subite dal Liverpool, sul terreno casalingo di Stamford Bridge, e dallArsenal. In particolare, la debacle interna coi Reds, aveva irritato non poco il numero uno russo, poiche occorsa proprio nel giorno della sua 250esima partita da presidente della societa.

Come detto, solo un momento. Dopo lincontro dellEmirates, il tecnico salentino cambia modulo, adottando un piu equilibrato 3-4-3 e inserendo elementi di corsa come lo spagnolo Pedro. Una svolta totale perche, di li in poi, il Chelsea inanellera solo e soltanto vittorie: 2 gol allHull City e al Southampton in trasferta, 3 ai campioni dInghilterra del Leicester e 4 allo United in casa, con un meraviglioso numero zero nella casella delle reti subite. Un fantastico poker, ottenuto tra l1 e il 29 ottobre. Un cambio di marcia sbalorditivo, confermato dal 5 a 0 rifilato ai toffees dellEverton nel primo match di novembre, e una scalata che, man mano, ha portato i blues al secondo posto in classifica, a soli 2 punti dal Liverpool capolista.

E allora, non poteva mancare il riconoscimento di migliore allenatore del mese, ottenuto surclassando tecnici del calibro di Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) e Mark Hughes (Southampton). Tanta, ovviamente, la soddisfazione: E un grande onore e voglio condividerlo con i giocatori e con la societa  ha dichiarato Conte sul sito ufficiale della Premier League -. E la prima volta che lavoro in un altro Paese, con una cultura diversa, e portare la propria filosofia non e facile, ma ora sono contento di questa scelta.

A completare la festa, la premiazione del fantasista belga, Eden Hazard, come miglior giocatore di ottobre. Due risultati importanti per il club, ottimo incentivo per la rincorsa al trono dei campioni, occupato dal Leicester di Ranieri. Il prossimo appuntamento per l11 di Conte sara al Riverside Stadium, tana del Middlesborough neopromosso. Il tempo di festeggiare e gia finito.
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In the watch industry, a brand is either young or old. There is no middle ground. Since the quartz crisis decimated the traditional Swiss mechanical watch industry in the 1960s and 1970s, there are few watch brands between 40 and 60 years old, with the notable exception of Raymond Weil, a brand that was launched in the midst of this very crisis. Watch brands are therefore either young (20-30 years old) or tend to be centenarians at the very least, predating the two world wars.



Eberhard & Co. is clearly in the elder category. Established by Georges-Lucien Eberhard in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1887, the brand celebrates its 130th anniversary this year. From its earliest years, Eberhard & Co. has been an innovator, with one of its first wristwatches featuring a patented display that showed the hours and minutes on discs visible behind apertures cut out of the main dial, leaving the rest free for the centre seconds with clearly readable multiple scales and off-set chronograph counters.

 Eberhard & Co.

This invention set the tone for the brands development, with further patents coming in the realm of chronographs, from the 1935 chronograph with independent start and stop pushers and the 1939 split-seconds monopusher chronograph (the pushbutton at 4 oclock locks the chronograph mechanism to prevent inadvertent operation) right up to the more recent Chrono4  the only chronograph with four counters in horizontal alignment.

 Eberhard & Co.

It is this more recent patent, that has been used to commemorate the 130th anniversary of Eberhard, with two new models added to the existing line-up. The Chrono4 130 has a new 42mm diameter case with a satin-finished bezel and a crown personalised with the 130 number. Available with dials in grey, silver or black, this new model retails for 4,880 Swiss francs.

Chrono4 130  Eberhard & Co.

The piece de resistance in the 2017 collection is a limited-edition model with an openworked dial, covered by a sapphire disc that is just 3/10ths of a millimetre thick, which shows off the DLC-coated movement mainplate and the unique gear-wheel arrangement of the Chrono4 movement. Sapphire crystal is also used for the case back, allowing a view of the distinctive circular oscillating mass with its customised 130 number. A grey-black carbon-wear strap completes the high-tech look of this model, which is limited to 130 pieces and retails for 9,240 Swiss francs.




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Basra Oil Company has signed a contract with Eni , which is the main operator in the Al Zubair oil field, On last Sunday . The contract amount is around 31.25% of the total amount of the service contract at Zubair oilfield.



General Director of the Basra Petroleum Company Hayyan Abdul Ghani Abdul Zahra stated that amendment of operational contract of Zubair oilfield has been done. The consortium will operate in this oilfield as a contractor.



Abdul Zahra further stated that after series of negotiations and dialogues, this step has been finally concluded. Ministry of Oil of Iraq has also participated in the discussion. The main hurdles in the process were creating legal sections and licensing contracts.



| Soruce: Translated by: IRAQ Directory Team | By S.Seal
The official comments follow media reports of a second wave of airstrikes in central Libya on Monday, an apparent continuation of Egypts response to the massacre of at least 30 Coptic Christians on Friday

The Egyptian militarys operations against terrorist camps in Libya are ongoing, said a military spokesman on Monday evening, following media reports of a second wave of strikes on terrorist targets in the eastern Libyan city of Derna.

Egypt orginally announced that it had conducted airstrikes in Libya on Friday night and Saturday morning in response to a terrorist attack in Egypt that left at least 30 Coptic Christians dead.

However, according to media reports, Libyan commanders said that Egyptian jets had conducted further operations on Monday, hitting more targets in Derna.

In comments to Al-Ahram Arabic news website, military spokespersom Tamer El-Refai said that Egypts operations in Libya were continuing, although he did not specifically confirm the strikes on Monday.

Any power sponsoring or supporting terrorism will be punished, wherever they are, El-Refai said. Whoever plots to carry out terrorist operations against Egypt is not beyond the militarys capacity.

He said the initial round of strikes against training camps in Libya over the weekend had been successful. Egyptian operations were not aimed at a particular militant group, he said, since terrorist organizations were all alike in following extremist ideologies.

The anti-terrorist operations on Friday and Saturday were necessary, he said, to defend Egypts national security.

The operations were announced following a deadly attack on Friday that killed 30 Egyptian Christians who had been traveling to a monastery in the governorate of Minya in Upper Egypt. On Saturday the Islamist militant group Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack, the latest in a series of attacks targeting Coptic Christians, including twin bombings in churches in April that killed dozens of worshippers.

In a Friday evening speech following the Minya attack, El-Sisi announced that airstrikes were being launched against a camp that had been a source of terrorists who had carried out attacks in Egypt, without specifying the location.

The army released a video of the operation, stating that it targeted terrorist gatherings in Libya "after confirming their involvement in planning and committing the terrorist attack in Minya governorate on Friday."

According to the Egyptian military, the airstrikes resulted in the complete destruction of the targets, which included areas where terrorist elements were gathering and training.

The Egyptian president also said that Egypt would not hesitate to attack any camps that harbour or train terrorist elements, whether inside the country or abroad.

In recent days, Egypt has stressed through both foreign minister Sameh Shoukry and its envoy at the UN Security Council that the airstrikes against terrorist strongholds in eastern Libya came in the framework of legitimate self-defence.

However, the response from Libyan authorities has been mixed, according to some sources, reflecting the division of the nation into competing governments in the east and west.

Reuters reported that air forces loyal to eastern Libyan army commander Khalifa Haftar said they participated in the first wave of strikes on targets in Derna.

Meanwhile, the Government of National Accord, which is backed by the UN, denounced the raids as a violation of national sovereignty, said Reuters.



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The fact that an alleged rape victim took a risk is of no relevance, a prosecutor has told a jury in the Central Criminal Court.

A Dublin man (aged 36) is accused of raping the university student he had met on the Tinder dating app. He has pleaded not guilty to rape at Kilmashogue Lane, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin on September 11, 2014.

On day four, evidence ended in the trial and Alex Owens SC gave the closing speech for the prosecution.

He told the jurors that they might question why the woman got into a car with a man she didn't know but told them: You're not here to judge human behaviour. You're here to study the facts.

He added: People take risks. We all take risks. The law is there to protect people who take risks from predators.

If you decide [the accused] is indeed a predator, the fact that she took a risk is of no relevance. The fact that she engaged with others on Tinder is of no relevance.

The jury has heard evidence that the woman went onto Tinder the morning after the alleged rape. She spoke to six men in the 36 hours following her meeting with the accused.

Mr Owens said that she was trying to pretend the rape didn't happen and was trying to put it behind her.

He said there was evidence that the accused has a nasty streak, telling the jury: He doesn't like to be crossed. He could behave badly if he was crossed.

Michael Bowman SC, defending, told the jury he was most concerned by what Mr Owens had said in his closing.

He suggests that we know there are people who exist out there who are controlling and said Mr Owens was urging the jury to take a prejudiced view that he was one of those people.

He said this was tantamount to suggesting that because you wear a short skirt you get what is coming to you.

Mr Bowman will continue his closing speech tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Butler. It is expected jury will begin it's deliberations tomorrow.

Earlier in the day Garda Ciaran Byrne gave evidence of two garda interviews with the accused after his arrest on September 19, 2014.

The man told gardai that he had consensual sex with the woman and said her version of events was wrong. He said that before they met they had been sending texts back and forth over the phone dating app Tinder and then over the Whatsapp messaging app.

He said she seemed pretty keen to meet up and he found that unusual. He said a few days later, they arranged to meet but she cancelled it and he got a bit thick because he didn't believe her reason for cancelling.

He said she got thick with him but later she said something like rowing had turned her on, the accused said. She told him she was all horny then and it was a pity they hadn't met up.

They then started sexting or exchanging images of a sexual nature. They met in the coming days and went for a coffee in McDonalds.

The man said he then asked her if she wanted to go to the Viewing Point in the Dublin mountains because we couldn't do anything there.

Gardai asked him if he said that or did she and he replied: Nobody said it. It was implicit. We were meeting for a hook up.

I hoped, from the message she had said. At the end of the day, it is Tinder and given she had said she was horny. Being a chancer I asked if she wanted to go up to viewpoint.

In my mindset we were meeting to have sex - that wasn't necessarily going to happen. Ultimately I met not knowing something would happen but hoping and expecting it would. I suggested we go somewhere private.

Asked why she would make an allegation of rape up, the accused told gardai that the woman was annoyed with him because he had ejaculated inside her during sex without a condom.

He replied: Coming in her. She wouldn't be happy and she thought I was an absolute prick.

That started off the mood going sour between us. She didnt tell me to pull out. I thought she was on the pill or something.

The accused said: I did no harm to that girl, I guarantee there is not a mark to that girl. He said she had taken her own jeans off. He said if she had done this she would be covered in bruises.

He said that after he had ejaculated inside her she wasn't impressed and they had a disagreement.

I would have been apologising. She said I thought you would have pulled out yourself, he said. He said he wanted to hold her but felt rejected by her.

I told her, 'you're a bit cold'. I was pissed off. I felt she was being rude. She was saying 'you tricked me into having sex, you little shit'. The mood was sour.

He said they continued talking as he drove her home, saying: I imagine if someone had been raped, they would be in an absolute state of panic and fear.

In his closing speech Mr Owens said the prosecution viewed the garda interviews by the accused as self serving. Both the accused and the complainant are entitled to anonymity throughout the trial.
Update May 30: John Ryan has been located safe and well

Gardai in Cork are appealing for help in finding a missing man.

52-year-old John Ryan was last seen four days ago in the Shanakiel area of the city.

John is described as being approximately 5 foot 7 in height, of slight build with blue eyes, grey hair and a grey moustache.

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact Gardai.
A new law ratified by Egypt's president that imposes harsh restrictions on non-governmental organisations could be a "death sentence" for human rights groups in the country, Amnesty International has warned.

The group called the law, signed by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi a day earlier, "a catastrophic blow for human rights groups working in Egypt".
A gang has been jailed for running a large scale slavery operation which saw Polish nationals trafficked into the UK to be used as modern day slaves.

The four men - Sebastian Mandzik, Robert Majewski, Pawel Majewski and Seweryn Szmyt - were all involved in transporting the vulnerable victims on the promise of well-paid work.

The victims were housed in cramped conditions and forced into menial labour, with their wages being paid into bank accounts controlled by the gang.

Newcastle Crown Court heard any resistance on the part of the victims was met with violence and intimidation by the group.

Mandzik was sentenced to a total of 12 years, Robert Majewski eight years, Pawel Majewski seven years and Szmyt five years.

Northumbria Police said they were concerned modern day slavery was becoming an increasing issue across the country.

Detective Superintendent Steve Barron said: "Protecting vulnerable people is my absolute priority and I'm pleased these men have been jailed for exploiting vulnerable people who were coerced into the country on the promise of well-paid work.

Pawel Majewski and Seweryn Szmyt.

"Unfortunately, once here they were forced to live in horrible conditions and carry out work for little or no pay. This investigation has been a genuine multi-agency effort which has helped make the victims of this offending safe and punish those responsible.

"The victims are now in safe locations and are being supported by specialists from partner agencies and our officers.

"This sort of exploitation is simply not acceptable and I hope this sends a warning to those who think they can exploit other people that we are out to catch them and they will ultimately end up in jail."
The settlement  the second highest on record in this category  follows AIB last month being hit with a near 2.3m fine for its anti-money laundering failures; something which chairman Richard Pym called a stain on the banks reputation.

Since 2006 the Central Bank has doled out fines totalling nearly 11m to nine institutions failing money laundering regulations as set out in the Criminal Justice Act. The largest, to date, remains Ulster Banks 3.32m fine last October.

Bank of Ireland was fined and reprimanded for 12 breaches of the Criminal Justice Act, with them occurring over three years from 2010. The Central Bank said it identified significant failures in BoIs anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing controls, policies and procedures.

Six suspicious transactions werent reported to An Garda Siochana and the Revenue Commissioners quick enough, according to the Central Bank, while the bank also failed to properly assess specific risks to its business and fell down on necessary compliance levels relating to customer due diligence measures.

The reporting of suspicious transactions to the authorities without delay is classed as a fundamental component of anti-money laundering legislation compliance, according to the Central Bank.

The Central Banks director of enforcement Derville Rowland said the high volume and range of breaches showed there to be significant weaknesses in the strength of Bank of Irelands implementation of anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing legislation.

Such behaviour is unacceptable and falls far short of the standard expected of one of Irelands largest retail banks, she said.

Financial services firms have a duty to protect not only themselves but also the wider financial system from money laundering and terrorist financing, Ms Rowland added. She called it concerning Bank of Ireland failed to identify deficiencies in its procedures relating to enhanced customer due diligence for its non-EU correspondent banking relationships.

Correspondent banks are specifically recognised under the anti-money laundering regime as presenting a high money laundering risk, she said.

In a brief statement, Bank of Ireland said it has co-operated fully with the Central Bank, takes its regulatory obligations seriously and regrets these issues arose.
Units 1A and 1B Swan Lake, Chapelizod Road, Islandbridge, were developed by David Wright, whose address is 1B. The properties have been valued by a receiver appointed over them at between 1.65m and 2.4m.

The Irish Bank Resolution Corporation said its predecessor, Anglo Irish Bank, loaned Mr Wright 2.25m in 2008 to renew existing facilities to acquire the land and build the two homes. Security was the 0.1acre site of the homes along with another property in Summercove, Rosslare, Co Wexford.
The boys mother said during victim impact evidence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that she and her husband found that their son had started to self-harm since the sexual abuse. He is not inclined to discuss what happened in the shopping centre toilet. However, she found hundreds of drawings under his bed. All of them depicted men labelled with the word paedo.

Judge Sean O Donnabhain imposed a five-year jail term with half of it suspended in the case against 56-year-old Dahesh Patel of Dillons Court, Dillons Cross, Cork.

Dahesh said that he was married to his partner, William, for 27 years and never had anyones penis in his mouth. Asked by his senior counsel, Mary Rose Gearty, if he had never done so because of concerns for his personal hygiene he agreed that this was so.

Ms Gearty said that when interviewed in prison by a psychiatrist Patel admitted that he had sexually assaulted the boy, something he had always denied up to that point.

The 16-year-old said of the day of the incident during video evidence: I was under the impression I needed a pee. The man just stared at me and nothing was happening. He said, we can make it happen. He grabbed my private. He claimed he was trying to help. He put it in his mouth. That really confused me. What is he doing? He said, Do you want some more? I said, No thanks, and he left.

The boys mother said yesterday that when Patel sexually molested her son on June 21, 2015, he would definitely have been able to tell that he was vulnerable.

We all found the trial process extremely difficult, stressful and emotionally exhausting listening to Dahesh Patel blaming everyone else  the detectives and the forensic scientist  instead of admitting what he had done. It made us feel enraged and sick. Having to give evidence was extremely nerve wracking and having to leave [sons name] downstairs to give his evidence via video link was very difficult. Since the trial his behaviour has regressed. He has started self-harming again which he has not done for over six years.

He says he hates himself and wishes he was dead. He repeatedly asks if Dahesh Patel is really in prison as he does not want that to happen to anyone else. He wont get up in the morning and when asked why, he says because he is so upset.

I have found hundreds of drawings under his bed featuring pen drawn images of men all labelled paedo. He refuses to talk to us about these.

We have always been very protective of (name) but also trying to allow him a small amount of safe independence. So we felt completely devastated by Dahesh Patels sexual assault on him in a public place during the day time.

He took advantage of him in the most demeaning way and the fact that he refused to admit to his guilt and did not take responsibility for his wrongdoing has caused us a lot of emotional trauma. We do not know what the future will hold so we cannot foresee what the full impact of this crime and its repercussions will have on all of our lives.

Patel paid 10,000 towards counselling and therapy here and abroad which the victim has undergone since the assault.
Section 12 is the principal legal mechanism through which An Garda Siochana performs its child protection function, authorising a Garda to remove a child from the care of their family where they believe there is an immediate and serious risk to their health or welfare.

It is based on the judgement of the individual Garda and the report suggests that exercising Section 12 removal of children is a rare occurrence and that an individual member may only invoke the Section 12 power a handful of times over his or her entire career.

The report said there was a significant degree of critical sophistication in how gardai utilised their Section 12 powers and there was no evidence that decisions to exercise Section 12 are taken lightly, or that alternatives to removing the child were not considered.

Data shows that Section 12 powers peaked in June 2009 (98 times), July 2010 (99) times and October 2013 (92 uses). After that last date its use fell away considerably. Nationally there were 762 section 12 incidents in 2013 but the following year the figure was 595. While the number of cases increased in the southern region from 2013 to 2014, in the Dublin region they more than halved in 2014 to 105. The report says this is noteworthy, pointing out that it occurred following the appointment of the Ombudsman for Children investigation into two separate incidents in October 2013 in Athlone and Tallaght when Roma children were wrongly removed from their families.

According to the report: The interview stage of the audit found some evidence that the fallout from the Tallaght and Athlone cases has resulted in a degree of anxiety among some members of An Garda Siochana in the exercise of the child protection powers under Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991. This general finding of Garda reluctance to use Section 12 may create a situation where children are not removed from situations where it would be best to do so.

The report also said there was little or no emphasis on formal training of new Garda recruits in relation to child protection, with on-the-job training taking precedence over formal core training. The audit found no evidence that racial profiling influences the exercise of Section 12 powers but the report also said certain ethno-cultural demographic information does not appear to be routinely documented by An Garda Siochana on the PULSE system.

The audit said it was unquestionably clear that gardai are very concerned with ensuring the childs experience in Garda care is not traumatising.
Egypt has condemned "in the strongest terms" a terrorist attack on Monday that killed at least 16 people in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

The blast was the result of a Daesh suicide bomber who detonated an explosive device at a popular central Baghdad ice-cream shop.

In an official statement on Tuesday, the Egyptian foreign ministry expressed its condolences to the Iraqi government and the families of the victims, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

The statement expressed Egypts full solidarity with Iraq in fighting terrorist forces that seek to undermine security and stability, while supporting all procedures taken to tackle terrorism.

Egypt is adamant in its stance on the necessity of unified international efforts to fight terrorism, and the importance of finding a comprehensive approach to stop the propagation of such phenomena as well as its ability to attract new recruitsand drying out sources of financing, the statement read.

On Monday evening, a Daesh-affiliated bomber detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle targeting Shia Muslims in the Karrada district of Baghdad, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens more.

Daesh issued a statement claiming the attack, identifying the bomber as an Iraqi who was targeting Shia Muslims.

Daesh considers members of Iraq's Shia Muslim majority  including the women and children who were victims of the Karrada blast  to be heretics, and frequently carries out attacks against them.

The bomber struck just days after the start of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, during which Iraqis often stay out late shopping or socialising after breaking their daily fast.

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Its not quite as gory as Hitchcocks 1963-film horror The Birds, but up to 20 people working or studying at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) have reported being attacked by a lone crow in recent days.

Two of the aerial attack victims required medical treatment from CITs on-campus medical centre, where nursing staff administered tetanus jabs and prescribed antibiotics.

A spokesperson for CIT confirmed last night college authorities have requested the assistance of the Cork Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in a bid to deal with the menace.

Experts are due to visit the campus today to assess the situation and advise CITs health and safety team.

Details of the bizarre attacks emerged yesterday when one staff member began discussing his brush with the campus crow near a car park to the rear of CITs main entrance.

It is understood the man was clawed about the head and suffered several scratch wounds. He was one of the two people to require medical attention.

His report triggered a cascade of reports from other staff members about similar crow attacks in and around the same area.

The spokesperson for CIT said college authorities have been made aware of at least 15 similar crow attacks, all in the same area of campus.

Various theories have been put forward to explain the sudden spate of attacks.

It has been suggested that a chick may have fallen from the nest and the crow is simply defending its offspring.

Live nesting sites are protected and cannot be disturbed. The spokesperson said while the vast majority of students have left campus for the summer, the best advice in the meantime for those left working on or visiting the campus is to avoid walking in the area until the chicks fledge.
Cork County Council, in cooperation with Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), has set up the unit to tap into comments from the public which can be made via YourCouncil.ie and through a new twitter tag #ServiceRePublic, which was launched at a special function in County Hall yesterday.

The six-strong council team will analyse comments and enter into discussions with various groups to refine and develop services.

Council chief executive Tim Lucey said he hoped the new system would one day be of benefit to other local authorities and government departments when engaging with the public.

He said it is hoped this dialogue could help provide proper services in the years ahead for an ageing community and also let younger people have a say in what they need.

Mr Lucey said it could be used to address rural decline and the better design of towns and villages.

We want to identify what matters to people and identify solutions for them, Mr Lucey said.

Julianne Coughlan, acting head of the councils IT department, said they wanted to build a citizen-centred council which would give people the opportunity to interact with the local authority.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Seamus McGrath, said #Service rePublic will engage with citizens, elected members, community groups, businesses etc to be part of the design and creation of better services.

It will fundamentally change how services are delivered by placing a more innovative focus on those who use these services and on how outcomes can be delivered as efficiently as possible, Cllr McGrath said.

Orla Flynn, CIT vice president for external affairs, said that by developing their collective expertise they would be cultivating skills, ideas and knowledge and building a community of service designers in Cork.

Mr Lucey said he hoped to showcase the benefits the new system has accrued at an international conference on IT which will be hosted in Cork in September.

Meanwhile, the county council also unveiled a new website yesterday which Mr Lucey said is more user-friendly having being refined from 15,000 pages to 1,300 pages.

He said it uses more plain English and is far easier to navigate.
But thats not her top reason for being passionate about making lasting memories right now with her nine-year-old son Adam.

Aoife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) six years ago. She has relapsing remitting MS  periods when the disease is active and symptoms flare up.

I dont know what the futures going to bring, so its important to take opportunities when they come, she says. I dont wait to do things  I do them when I can.

Last year, Aoife took Adam to visit her sister in New Zealand for five weeks. Adams a big Manchester United fan so they went to Old Trafford too in 2016.

But the memories are also ordinary, rooted in the everyday.

Like playing football in the garden or reading Harry Potter together, says Aoife. Adams a big reader. We religiously read together. Early on, I read to him. Now he reads aloud to me.

For Kildare-based Aoife, if something happens  and by this she means if her MS worsens  she and Adam will have lived these experiences together.

To mark World MS Day tomorrow, MS Ireland and Novartis have released research showing quality of life of people living with MS in Ireland is 32% lower than for the general population.

The study looked at mobility, self-care, doing usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety and depression. Almost 80% experienced pain and discomfort; 78% said they cant complete daily living activities (getting dressed, cooking, and washing); 72% cited mobility issues; and 60% experienced anxiety/depression because of MS.

Aoifes biggest issue is fatigue.

I wake up after a nights sleep and Im still tired, she says. I have a full day ahead and I feel like Im just going to bed. I have this extra burden of fatigue that makes life harder.

Diagnosed during her final year studying Visual Arts in WIT, Aoife had experienced increasing numbness on her right side.

I got stuck in London during the cold winter snap in 2010, she says. My feet went numb. I thought it was the cold but I couldnt warm them when I got home. The numbness spread to my face. I was biting my lip when I was talking. It was starting to hurt, so I got proactive about getting to the doctor.

The research reported Ireland as being below the rest of the EU in terms of numbers of people with MS working  six in 10 people living with MS work in the EU compared to just over four in 10 in Ireland.

I do have this sense of hurry up, get things done, says Aoife. I worry about not being able to achieve things fast enough. Statistically, between 60%-80% of people with MS have to give up work within 15 years of disease onset. So Id be 38 if that happened.

Aoife works for MS Ireland in information, advocacy, and research.

MS Ireland and Novartis have rolled out a series of MS Life Hacks, crowd-sourced from people living with MS. Based on real-life experience, they help overcome issues people with MS face, e.g. buying clothes, cooking, practical ways to manage medication.

Search for #LifeWithMS on social media.
He also revealed that when it took over from Fianna Fail, the Enda Kenny-led government wondered if it could pull off a recovery.

However, he kept his counsel on how he would vote in the leadership contest between Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar.

Its a very interesting race. Its generating an awful lot of favourable publicity, by and large, for the party. You can see young people are responding to it and they seem to be moving towards Fine Gael. Id be happy with either of them as Taoiseach. Ive worked with both as ministers; I think theyre both very good and it will be all over on Friday, so well see then. Of course, I have a preference, but Im not telling you.

On the economy, he noted that when the Government came in, it was in crisis.

For a while, we were wondering whether we could actually manage a recovery or not, he said. And as we worked our way through the days with the troika, about half way through, we realised we would carry it to a successful finish and we did that and the troika left after three years, but the most significant thing that happened  and it is never referred to  is that in parallel we designed an economic strategy that restored the different sectors of the Irish economy. If you take tourism, for example: Dropping the VAT from 13.5% to 9% was very significant. That brought confidence and the industry backed it and cut their prices. The other thing we did in the same space is that we abolished the travel tax and Michael OLeary, initially brought in a million-and-a-half passengers and that has gone to two million extra tourists. Aer Lingus followed.

Regarding Limerick, we would see it as the lead city of the Western seaboard for economic development and a driver for economic development down the West coast, with linkages to Cork and Galway.

Mr Noonan is to step down in the coming weeks, and he advised that his replacement should not to depart from successful policies.

But fresh eyes, fresh brains and fresh faces should come up with new initiatives as well, he said. So, my advice is build on what has been successful and then dont be afraid to make sound new initiatives that will increase jobs and continue the economic growth.

An economist would now say the recovery has spread from the east coast. Its spreading through all sectors and all regions, but it must also spread inside the doors of every household and its doing that in terms of jobless families going back to work.

Asked if he was looking forward to easing down, he said:  I am 74 years of age last week. I worked for 54 years, full-time teacher and full-time politician. It is a long time working, but I said it to one of my German colleagues last week that Id been working for 54 years and he said: You are just ahead of what the new European average is going to be; everybody will work for 50 years in the next generation. I got no sympathy.
The review was commissioned by Oberstowns board last September following several incidences at the campus including a fire and industrial action by staff over health and safety concerns.

Ursula Kilkelly, who is the chairwoman of the board of Oberstown, said the review was carried out in late October, early November, and received at the end of February.

The board sought legal advice on the question of the reports publication and counsels opinion has strongly advised against publication of the body of the report and the board has, very regrettably, had to accept that advice, said Prof Kilkelly.

It was always intended to publish this report and we were disappointed not to put the full body of the report in the public domain.

She was speaking at the launch of Building the Future, a new pathway in youth detention marking one year since Oberstown began operating as a single entity for the detention of children with a conviction or on remand.

This review was one of four independent reviews commissioned by the Oberstown board of management, including reviews of security, behaviour management and health and safety.

A spokesman for Oberstown told the Irish Examiner that recommendations for the operations review will be published.

Recommendations from the operational review will be published in full, together with an update on the progress made in their implementation, due to be considered by the board at its next meeting, he said.

The recommendations could be published as early as the end of June.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, was asked about the review in the Dail recently.

In considering the operational review report, it is important to guard against any potential legal risks and unintended consequences of publication, said Ms Zappone.

However, interim recommendations by Oberstowns review implementation group were published yesterday. The group was tasked with bringing together the recommendations of several reviews.

One recommendation was in relation to illicit drug use on campus.

Oberstowns director, Pat Bergin, said drugs included cannabis, barbiturates, [and] headshops.

They [detainees] are not all bringing it in, some are, he said. It raises a challenge for us. It raises a challenge for the night supervising officer or the care staff because when the young person is taking some of this stuff, its more difficult to reason with them, to rationalise with them, for them to actually comprehend what is going on.

Theres an approach around education, motivation and then control.

Recommendations of the review implementation group

Six recommendations were made in relation to fences at Oberstown childrens de-tention campus in relation to height, access, and security.
Captain Paul Watson, of the Virginia-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS), an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organisation, said his groups offer of a 2,000 reward has now been boosted by a private offer of a further 2,000.

The founder director of Greenpeace, who went on to establish the SSCS, said the details of the shocking incident which made headlines here over the weekend, was now a worldwide story.

All cetaceans are protected under Irish law. The law says that anyone who hurts or hunts, kills, injures or possesses a protected marine wildlife animal is in violation, he told The Opinion Line on Corks 96FM. It doesnt matter how these individuals came to be in possession of the dead mammal.

They shouldnt have touched it, they shouldnt have moved it and they certainly shouldnt have done what they did.

He said he has asked the Irish authorities, including the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), to investigate the incident and is awaiting a response.

The NPWS, which it is understood was involved in the collection and disposal of the animals remains, did not respond to requests for a comment.

ISPCA inspector Lisa ODonovan condemned those involved in the bizarre incident, which is believed to have occurred in an apartment at the Parchment Square Student accommodation complex on the Model Farm Road, close to CIT.

It was an absolute disgrace, she said. From an animal welfare point of view, there was little we could do but it doesnt take away from the seriousness of this incident.

She said the fact that it was captured and disseminated on social media was also of concern to her, and that she has come across similar incidents of animal cruelty which have been recorded in picture or video form and spread on various social media platforms.

CIT management distanced themselves from the student apartment complex and pointed out that it is run by an independent management company.

Management of the complex did not respond to media queries yesterday.

It is believed the two men involved in the incident are not students of CIT.
The 58-year-old father of four took ill while on a club cycle in the Aherla area with members of the Bandon Cycle Club.

A partner since 1986 in the Bandon offices of PJ ODriscolls Solicitors, he was also highly regarded for his superb horsemanship skills as a joint master of the Carbery Hunt.

Solicitor Ted Hallisey, a senior partner, said his colleague would be remembered as a diligent, very efficient solicitor who specialised in a number of services and contributed significantly towards a huge growth in clientele.

He said the town and the community, in general, was shocked by the sudden passing as Mr ODriscoll maintained a high level of fitness and good health.

Clonakilty-based solicitor Jim Brooks said Mr ODriscoll was a member of a hugely respected legal family with connections throughout West Cork, Cork City, and Kerry. PJ was greatly admired by all his colleagues for his tenacity and many other qualities and he will be greatly missed by his family, his office colleagues, and the bar association, he said.

President of the West Cork Bar Association, solicitor Veronica Neville, said Mr ODriscoll excelled in conveyancing and many other specialised matters, always priding himself on detail. He had an incredible legal mind with an enormous capacity to recall and retain detail and genuinely loved his job. He was a gentleman in his dealings, very patient with a unique style and an ability to secure the best outcome for his clients, in which he took great pleasure.

Married to Miriam (Curran), the couple have four children Valerie, Adrienne, Edward and Emer.

He had been one of five joint masters of the Carbery Hunt. Macroom businessman Michael McCarthy, recently appointed a joint master, said Mr ODriscolls great skills and vision on horseback was also demonstrated in his jumping bravery as a huntsman. He was unbelievably sharp and had a great eye to find a jumping spot to follow the hounds. His passing is very sad for his family, colleagues and friends and a huge loss also for the sport, Mr McCarthy said.

One of a family-of-six of retired solicitor Edward and Kathleen ODriscoll, his remains will lie in repose this afternoon from 4pm at his home, The Retreat, Bandon. Requiem mass and burial is tomorrow, locally.
Gerard Butler, who joined the prison service in 2010, has been told a file on his failure to complete an academic course has been forwarded to the Department of Justice with a recommendation that he be dismissed.

The prison service has confirmed no one in recent years has been dismissed for not completing the mandatory Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (HCCC).

Last year, Mr Butler made a protected disclosure to the Minister for Justice about a violent incident in Cloverhill prison, dating from April 2013, which he claimed had not been recorded.

However, an investigation by the departments internal audit team upheld Mr Butlers disclosure, ruling that an incident occurred on the date in question in which force was used (control and restraint) and which was not reported in line with a legal obligation.

For nearly three years after the incident, the Irish Prison Service had denied anything had occurred on the date in question. No records, or relevant CCTV footage, had been kept as per procedure following the incident on April 6, 2013.

Mr Butler claims he suffered a back injury in the incident which kept him out of work for over two years. He made repeated efforts to have his injury recognised as being work related, but both the prison and the prison service repeatedly replied to his claims by stating that no such incident had occurred.

While the department upheld his disclosure, it also found there is insufficient evidence to conclude that officer Butlers back injury is a result of the unreported incident that took place.

Mr Butler claims once he referenced the incident in relation to his injury, he became a persona non grata.

After he returned to work in October 2015, he claims he was subjected to bullying and harassment. According to a report seen by the Irish Examiner, the prison service investigated these claims and found there is no evidence to support them.

Last week, Mr Butler was informed his file has now gone to the Department of Justice with a recommendation that he dismissed.

Mr Butler says he has made efforts to comply but was unable to do so because of his back injury initially and subsequently due certified sick leave over work related stress

He has lodged a claim for loss of earnings with the Criminal Injuries Tribunal. An Irish Prison Service spokesman said it is constrained on what it can say due to confidentiality on protected disclosures. He confirmed that nobody has been dismissed from the prison service in the last five years for a failure to complete the HCCC course.
WEST meets West is an exhibition coming up at Uillinn in Skibbereen from 3 June to 8 July. It features the work of three contemporary Cornish artists: large paintings, huge pots and complex relief constructions that will complement each other and fill Uillinns large gallery spaces with colour and design.

I had the idea for the exhibition as I so disgusted by the antics of the UK during and following the Brexit vote, that I was determined to work to bring European communities back together. In this case its the meeting of two wests  Cornwall, the westernmost county in England  and Cork. Both these localities have strong histories of attracting and supporting communities of artists who have made major impacts on the national and international art scenes.

Why Cornwall and Cork? Historic links between the two geographical areas go back a very long way. Starting between three and four thousand years ago, copper was mined on Mount Gabriel and was mixed with tin from Cornwall to produce a supermetal, bronze. This material was hard enough to make tools and weapons  therefore a practical and high status commodity. Obviously intellectual relations between the west of England and the west of Ireland were well enough advanced to set up regular trading between the two outposts in those far-off days.

We must not overlook the incredible debt that Cornwall owes to West Cork, because we gave them their patron saint  Saint Piran. The fact that the gift wasnt intentional shouldnt delay us too long: according to legend, the heathen Irish tied Cape Clears saint, whose Irish name was Ciaran, to a millstone and threw him over a cliff. Instead of meeting his watery doom he miraculously surfed the millstone across to the Cornish coast, where his landing place  Perranzabuloe  is named after him, and where he is royally celebrated on March 5th every year.

Apart from metal mining and saints, another important connection is shared fishing grounds. From medieval times onwards (and perhaps before) the Cornish fishing fleets set out to follow the pilchard and herring shoals across to Roaringwater Bay. This is really where art comes into our story, as it was the way of life of some of the Cornish fishing communities that attracted artists to that western County of England in the late nineteenth century.

Matthew Lanyons Altarpiece Triptych is a new work in laminated glass, which will be shown for the first time at Uillinns West meets West exhibition.

Newlyn (now Britains largest fishing port) was an early focus, and a young man from Dublin, Stanhope Alexander Forbes, an up and coming young painter in the plein air tradition, made his home there in 1884 and stayed for life. Forbes found in Cornwall a true rural idyll: an unspoiled countryside where life was simply lived, and a rugged coastline with a magical quality of light.

Known as the Father of the Newlyn School, he gathered around him like-minded artists who recorded (and perhaps romantically idealised) the way of life of the communities there, and that special quality of the light, in canvasses which are highly admired and respected today.

On the other side of the peninsula, St Ives gathered a colony of artists from the early years of the twentieth century. The names include Bernard Leach, Peter Lanyon and Breon OCasey (son of playwright Sean). Lanyon was one of the most influential artists in the St Ives School during his working life.

He was a native of the town and became both a teacher and an artist. Tony OMalley (1913  2003) received his only formal art education from Peter Lanyon and, after Lanyons death in 1964, OMalley dedicated all his work to his friend and mentor.

Irish sculptor Conor Fallon (1939  2007) was also inspired by Lanyons work and spent some years in St Ives before moving back to Kinsale. Lanyon claimed that he sought in his work to get under the skin of his native county and explored it by going underground in the mines and flying over it in a glider. Lanyon died as a result of a gliding accident in 1964; the work of one of his sons  the late Matthew Lanyon  will feature in the West meets West exhibition in Skibbereen.

In a clear example of parallel universe we find that an artists colony was established in West Cork in the late 1950s and 60s. Here the artists came because of the perceived simple lifestyle, but also because of cheap property and acceptance (generally) by the local communities in and around Ballydehob, Skibbereen and Kinsale.

Artists continue to thrive in both wests  but the opening of the Tate Gallery in St Ives in 1993 has generated a burgeoning of very profitable art tourism in Cornwall  the town is bustling every week of the year with commercial galleries, guest houses and high quality eateries flourishing.

This is something that could  and should  also be happening in Co Cork. I lived in Newlyn for 30 years and Im confident that this exhibition will lead the way: planning is already in the pipeline for an exhibition of the work of West Cork-based artists which will be travelling to Cornwall next year.

An engraving of Off to Skibbereen by Newlyn artist STanhope Alexander Forbes has been acquired by Uillinn for its permanent collection.

West meets West opens on Friday June 2 at 6pm at Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre, in Skibbereen

Cornwalls finest: Exhibiting at Uillinn
European politicians have mastered the art of wagging their finger, most recently at Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian president Vladimir Putin, and US president Donald Trump. Sadly, the same cannot be said for our ability to formulate political solutions and implement common policies.

The refugee crisis has shaken Europe to its core, because, rather than taking collective responsibility for managing the flood of migrants and refugees into Europe, we have mostly shifted the burden to frontline countries. This has eroded European solidarity. Likewise, our inability to come together to stop Syrian president Bashar al-Assads war crimes against his own people has left a void that Mr Putin and Iran have filled.

European leaders too often shout from the sidelines when they should be on the field, acting to defend common European interests. And as if our failure to ensure stability in our own neighbourhood was not enough, we have also allowed right-wing populist and nationalist movements to take off within the European Union itself. These movements, actively fomented by Russia, have produced homegrown political leaders who frighteningly  but not surprisingly  resemble Mr Putin and Mr Erdogan.

Polands de facto leader, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, in particular, have been busily constructing illiberal states within the EU. Since coming to power in 2010, Mr Orban has been using his large parliamentary majority to rewrite Hungarys constitution for his own ends. Apparently, winning elections is not enough. He now wants to shred the liberal values he once championed as a young centrist politician, and cement his control over Hungarys political process.

In recent years, he has pursued this project by varied and ruthless means. The government regularly harasses or raids civil society and non-governmental organisations. Media outlets that disseminate Mr Orbans propaganda receive tax breaks. Those that criticise him are taxed so heavily that they eventually have to give up. This means that EU money is effectively being used to stoke euroscepticism.

In what is only the latest outrage, Mr Orbans government is attempting to shut down Central European University (CEU) in Budapest. Although CEU, founded by the Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist George Soros and led by the human rights scholar and former Canadian opposition leader Michael Ignatieff, is just 26 years old, many of its departments already rank among the top 50 in the world. Nonetheless, MR Orban has refused to talk with Mr Ignatieff; consequently, the university could be forced to close by the end of the year.

Mr Orban has tried to smear CEU with hysterical reporting about the universitys foreign financing. And, because he wants to portray CEU as un-Hungarian, he usually neglects to mention that he himself received a Soros-funded scholarship to study at Oxford soon after the collapse of Hungarys communist regime.

Now that he has weakened Hungarys constitutional court and free press, Mr Orban wants to undermine critical thinking itself. If he succeeds, he will have removed yet another check on his power. By shutting down such a prominent US-supported institution, he can send a message that no one who has stood up to him has won.

Despots throughout history have used the same tactics. But Mr Orban is doing so in the EU of 2017. In order to join the EU, Hungary had to meet stringent accession criteria, including credible democratic institutions and adherence to the rule of law. The fact that those high standards are now being systematically eroded has introduced a paradox for the EU. Once a country has gained entry into the bloc, there is little that can be done to ensure that it maintains democratic standards and upholds European values.

The European Commission can launch as many infringement procedures against Hungary as it wishes; Mr Orban will simply ignore them. After months of discourse with Hungarian government officials, the EUs only option now is to invoke Article 7 of the Treaty of Lisbon, which could ultimately remove Hungarys voting rights within the EU.

Invoking Article 7 is not a nuclear option. It is the logical response to a member state government that has routinely violated citizens fundamental rights and EU values. Earlier this month, deeply concerned members of the European Parliament, after two previous attempts, finally approved a resolution that will pave the way for EU sanctions against Hungary.

There is no reason why sanctions cannot be quickly implemented. The commission has already documented the facts of the case against Hungary, complete with arguments and counter-arguments. If two-thirds of MEPs now approve sanctions, the file will be forwarded to the European Council  at which point European heads of state will have no choice but to address the matter.

Europes credibility already suffers because some of its leaders hold ambiguous attitudes toward Mr Erdogan, Mr Trump, and Mr Putin. But continuing to waver over Mr Orbans transgressions will have even more serious long-term costs. We Europeans must aspire to be more than just participants in an internal market.

A values-based community has no place for governments such as those that now rule Hungary and Poland. The EU should invoke Article 7 as soon as possible, and with the broadest possible majority among member states. And, after Mr Orban, we will have to turn our attention to Mr Kaczynski.

Guy Verhofstadt, a former Belgian prime minister, is president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group (ALDE) in the European Parliament.
French President Emmanuel Macron extended on Tuesday over the phone his condolences to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi for the victims of a terrorist attack in Egypts Minya that left 30 Coptic Christians dead, including women and children, state news agency MENA reported.



On Friday, gunmen driving three 4x4 trucks "fired randomly" at a bus carrying Coptic Christians in Egypts Minya governorate. At least 21 others were injured in the attack.



Macron affirmed to El-Sisi his countrys condemnation of this terrorist attack and the French people and government's solidarity with Egypt.



El-Sisi thanked Macron for his condolences and said that this attack confirms the need to bolster and intensify international efforts to combat terrorism.



El-Sisi also stressed that his country will not hesitate to defend itself and its citizens from the threat of terrorism.



The two leaders agreed to intensify coordination and consultation in a number of regional and international issues of shared interest, including pushing for a political solution to the Libyan civil conflict.



In response to the Minya attack, the Egyptian air force has carried out intensive strikes on "terrorist bases" in Libya, which authorities say were involved in planning and executing the attack.

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THE incident was violent and required at least four prison officers to restrain the prisoner.

He began to kick up a racket in the servery area in Cloverhill Prison at around 12.30pm, as dinner was being served on April 6, 2013.

Four officers moved in to have him removed. They were accompanying him back to one of the wings when he broke free and began attacking officers and fellow prisoners.

There followed a struggle until the officers managed to get him under control again and lifted him up to remove him. Gerard Butler had control of the prisoners legs.

The prisoner was brought to a safety observation cell on D2 landing in the prison. These cells are reserved for particularly difficult prisoners. Once installed, their clothes are removed for safety reasons and the prisoner allowed to wear a poncho-style garment.

A Hoffman knife, which is kept on the wing, was fetched by one of the officers and the prisoners clothes removed. After that, the officers retreated and left the cell.

That was the extent of the violent incident at the prison on April 6, 2013. It was not exceptional for a prison, but noteworthy.

Legally, the prison authorities are obliged to record the incident on an official form. There is also an obligation to serve the prisoner with a form at a later stage, outlining what had occurred and detailing whether there will be a punishment.

No such procedure was followed in this case. It was as if nothing had happened. Why the procedures were not followed is unknown, but what is known is that, once the incident took on a significance, there was a concerted attempt to deny it had occurred at all.

Three days later, Gerard Butlers back was in bits. He could barely stand up. He was allowed go home from work early, and that was the last time he would be in work for over two years.

For the first six months he was laid up.

I was immobile, just couldnt move, he said.

There were attempts to address the back pain. Nearly a year on, it was decided to try spinal fusion surgery. This eventually brought results.

By then, however, Butlers life and career had been transformed. From the outset the prison denied that his injury was work related. He applied to have his injury declared an occupational injury or disease (OID).

Throughout April and May 2013, he wrote to the prison governor and got no response. Pretty soon it became obvious to him that, for whatever reason, there was a total denial that any incident had occurred.

He wrote to the Irish Prison Service HQ in Longford with his grievance. He found the reply astonishing.

I have contacted the prison and they have enquired extensively into the matter, the official wrote. They have no record of any incident of the nature described having taken place on the date in question.

In a later response to Butler in January 2015, the official noted that an exhaustive and extensive enquiry was undertaken by the HR governor in Cloverhill and that it cannot be ascertained that you were involved in an incident on that date, therefore an injury on duty OID application cannot be proceeded with in the circumstances.

A note recorded by a chief officer at the prison, dated October 23, 2015, reiterated the position that there is no record of any incident on this date nor has any CCTV been saved.

Apart from the obligation to record the incident, and the issuing of a form to the prisoner  known as a P19 form  there should have been other evidence that the incident occurred.

A record of the prisoners detention on the D2 wing should have been available in a movements log. When an incident occurs, there is an obligation to retain all CCTV footage that might be relevant. The footage is then sent to the IPS head office in Longford. None of this was done, ergo, according to the Prison Service, there was no incident.

For Butler, the denial that he had been involved in such an incident added hugely to the stress of his physical injury. Crucially, he also suffered a major loss of income.

For the first six months of his absence, he was paid his basic salary, minus allowances. This was followed by a second six months on half pay. Thereafter, he was in receipt of no money from his employer.

He attempted to return to work in April 2015, but was not ultimately allowed to return for another six months. By the time he finally got back to work in October 2015, he had had no earnings for 18 months, and had not been eligible for social welfare benefit.

On his return to work, he claims, he suffered continuing bullying and harassment. According to a report seen by the Irish Examiner, the Prison Service investigated these claims and found there is no evidence to support them.

In January 2016, he decided to make a protected disclosure about what had occurred. This he did through the constituency office of Frances Fitzgerald, the Minister for Justice. The disclosure was investigated by the internal audit section of the Department of Justice. The investigation included interviews with a number of prison officers and the examination of partial CCTV footage which was accessible.

The findings uphold the protested disclosure that an incident occurred on the date in question in which force was used [control and restraint] and which was not reported in line with a legal obligation, according to the internal audit report.

The report did not, however, agree that Butler was physically involved in the control and restraint of a prisoner on the date in question. The decision was reached on June 8, 2016. Butler urged one colleague whom he knew was aware of exactly what had gone on to come forward. This officer did so and told the audit unit.

I was present and involved in the incident which Officer Butler where he restrained a prisoner in the circle. Officer Butler took control of the prisoners legs on the ground while other staff placed C&R [control and restraint] locks on him, said the officer.

Another officer who was present at the incident named three others who were involved, but stated, he cant say he noticed Officer Butler but there were a lot of people present.

The revised report no longer stated that Butler was not present at the incident, but did say that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that Officer Butlers back injury is a result of the unreported incident that occurred.

Butler claims that, since he returned to work in 2015, he was subjected to bullying because he had blown the whistle on the unreported incident. He was out of work for nearly nine months since late in 2015 on certified medical grounds, associated with stress.

During this period there were attempts to have him complete an academic course which he had been engaged in prior to the incident in 2013.

The Higher Certificate in Custodial Care (HCCC) is mandatory for recruits to the Prison Service. Responding to demands in September 2016 that he complete the course, Butler replied: The reasons for me not being able to complete the HCCC are as follows:

A: I have been out sick with stress issues since December.

B: These issues have been caused by my shambolic treatment by management at Cloverhill Prison and certain staff at IPS Longford.

As a result of this treatment, I have not been in any kind of headspace to sit down and study, etc.

I would also like to clarify that these issues have been going on for a period of three years. I wish to state that I would be more than happy to complete this course at a later stage as you mentioned.

In a report into the issue, the IPS stated that the personnel officer HR IPS confirmed that these allegations have been investigated and that there are no evidence to support them.

This was despite the ruling by the audit committee that the violent incident in April 2013, the fall-out from which Butler says is at the root of all his troubles, was confirmed as having taken place.

Last week, Gerard Butler was informed that his file has been forwarded to the Department of Justice with a recommendation that he be dismissed.

The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 protects workers against dismissal for having made a disclosure. Nominally, this case involves a threat of dismissal unconnected to Butlers protected disclosure, but he is adamant that the issues are inextricably linked.

He wrote to the Minister for Justice about the threat to dismiss him and what he claims to be an ongoing campaign of bullying against him.

Last week, he received a response from the Justice Ministers private secretary saying that his complaints about the HCCC issue and alleged bullying are currently being given active consideration by the Irish Prison Service.

A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said it is constrained on what it can say because of confidentiality around protected disclosures. The spokesman also confirmed nobody has been dismissed from the Prison Service in the last five years for a failure to complete the HCCC course.

Gerard Butlers case is the second to come to light in recent weeks involving the treatment of a whistleblower within the Irish Prison Service.

Earlier this month, it was reported on RTE that a retired judge, William Early, found that the prison officer had been penalised and isolated within the Prison Service after he made a protected disclosure about the use of resources in one of the States prisons.

One of the more serious incidents of isolation concerned a serious assault within the prison in 2015 which the whistleblower witnessed, but was never interviewed about.

The review found that the incident of March 2015 suggests a serious criminal offence was committed It is quite extraordinary that a primary witness to a serious assault was not interviewed.

The review overturned a decision by the Department of Justices internal audit unit that the allegations had no basis. Judge Early found that the internal audit report was inadequate and not in conformity with the preponderance of the evidence.

The review also found the whistleblower had been denied career opportunities and subjected to considerable stress due to his disclosure.
Tuesday, May 30th, 2017 (11:17 am) - Score 1,050

Rural ISP Gigaclear has announced that some 5,000 properties in West Berkshire have gained access to their new 1Gbps capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network, which is being rolled out under the Superfast Berkshire project as part of a state aid supported contract.

The deployment, which is being supported by 16m of private investment from Gigaclear and 3.7m of public funding via the Broadband Delivery UK programme and local authority, first began at the end of 2015. Since then contractors for the ISP have dug 400km of the planned 850km trench and the aim is to cover a total of 11,700 premises (local homes and businesses) by the end of December 2017 (i.e. 99% coverage of 24Mbps+ superfast broadband).

Joe Frost, Gigaclears Business Development Director, said: This is a fantastic achievement for this project and its great to see this investment from Superfast Berkshire and Gigaclear delivering a tangible difference to rural businesses in the area. Broadband is an essential utility, vital for boosting the local economy and were very pleased to be able to work with our partner Superfast Berkshire to ensure that West Berkshires rural homes and businesses get the UKs fastest broadband. West Berkshire Brewery is one of many businesses that we have connected in the local area and we look forward to seeing the opportunities that our ultrafast upload and download speeds open up for them.

Nick Carter, West Berkshire Councils CEO, said: Superfast broadband benefits our residents, our businesses and the wider economy and I am delighted that good progress is being made. This new, faster network will give us a competitive edge as we seek to attract new businesses to the area and to keep those who already operate in the district. Living in a largely rural area our residents and businesses rely on the internet in many aspects of their lives. Those people who receive superfast broadband speak highly of it and I know there are many others watching our progress and counting down the days until they too can access these superfast speeds.

We should point out that the overall Superfast Berkshire project currently aims to take fixed line superfast broadband coverage to over 97% (all Berkshire districts) by the end of 2018 (Phase 3), while the above figure of 99% is just for West Berkshire. At present the coverage in West Berkshire already sits at just shy of 98%.

Locals can find a useful map and timescale of Gigaclears roll-out plan for the region here.
Tuesday, May 30th, 2017 (12:25 pm) - Score 864

The Scottish National Party (Partaidh Naiseanta na h-Alba) has today published details of their 2017 Manifesto for the UKs 8th June General Election, which reiterates last years pledge to ensure that 100% of Scotland can access a superfast broadband (30Mbps+) service by 2021.

The existing 410m Digital Scotland scheme with BT (Openreach) has already made fixed line superfast broadband available to approximately 90% of premises and the aim is to reach around 95% with high speed fibre broadband by the end of March 2018 (confusingly todays manifesto reiterates the old end of 2017 date for this  see below). We should point out that this coverage target drops to just 86% for the rural Highland and Islands region by the end of 2017 (here), although clawback and savings might yet provide another boost (here).

More recently the SNP ruled Scottish Government, which is headed by Nicola Sturgeon (First Minister), has published their 2017 Digital Strategy for Scotland. This document reiterated last years R100 proposal by committing them to extend superfast broadband access to all by 2021, while encouraging the growth of ultrafast services.

Unsurprisingly the SNPs new manifesto holds no surprises and echoes the same aspiration.

Building a better Scotland: our investment in infrastructure * We have invested 400 million to deliver superfast broadband to 95 per cent of properties across Scotland by the end of 2017, and we are on track to deliver this target. We will now go further, ensuring that 100 per cent of premises across Scotland have access to super-fast broadband by 2021.

However there is an interesting point on page 39 of the manifesto, where the party appears to suggest that their new target for 100% coverage might actually involve adopting it as a legally-binding Universal Service Obligation (USO); this would be a much more challenging proposition to deliver.

On the other hand the language they use suggests that the proposed USO is more about political lobbying at Westminster than something that they will unilaterally adopt in Scotland (theyve already tried this once). We also get a few fleeting mentions of improved mobile connectivity but sadly not in the form of a solid target.

Improving rural connectivity At Westminster the SNP successfully secured a UK government commitment to a Universal Service Obligation (USO) for broadband of 10Mbps. In the next parliamentary term SNP MPs will call for the USO to cover up to 30Mbps with an appropriate update mechanism to ensure that rural areas are not left behind. Some of our more rural areas remain so called mobile not spots  where there is little or limited mobile phone signal. SNP MPs will support the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity to host a summit on mobile not spots, inviting service providers and the UK government to put forward concrete actions for improving mobile connectivity across Scotland. SNP MPs will call on the UK government to ensure that future mobile spectrum licensing meets key tests on geographical and population coverage, with a rural areas first policy for new spectrum deployments.

Scotland is a country that has no shortage of rugged rural terrain and sparse communities, which are beautiful to look at but also an economic nightmare to upgrade. A huge amount of public investment would be required to deliver on such an ambitious plan via fixed lines and its unclear where this money would come from, although a public consultation is still due to begin before the end of June 2017 (its unclear if the snap election will delay that).

On the other hand the SNP could fall-back on more Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions or inferior Satellite broadband connectivity, which would be cheaper. Unsurprisingly their manifesto doesnt offer any solid details on the deliverability side but there will probably have to be some sacrifices in connection technology in order to achieve the stated goal. However at least the SNP have actually set a target for universal coverage, which is positive.
Weve all probably seen it: When the IT organization is directed to cut costs, one of the first things to go is the training budget, and learning and development fall by the wayside. The reason is simple: Training tends to be seen as a cost, rather than as an investment.

Its difficult to fault business executives for that. Any investment needs to be tied to business objectives, and deliver business results, and the return on investment of learning and training can be murky, at best. But according to Patti and Jack Phillips, CEO and chairman, respectively, of the ROI Institute, it doesnt have to be that way.

In their new book, The Business Case for Learning: Using Design Thinking to Deliver Business Results and Increase the Investment in Talent Development, the Phillipses discuss how to demonstrate learning and development ROI to even the most skeptical business executive. Heres an encapsulation of their eight-step process:

Start with why: Aligning programs with the business. Weve heard start with the end in mind many times, but the end is not having great programs that participants see as valuable. The end is important business measures in the organization. The business measure is the why for the program. Whether the payoff need is to bump up growth, improve safety records, boost inadequate customer service, or something else, it needs to be expressed as a specific measure. The task is to identify the specific business measure that must change so that the program delivers business value.

Make it feasible: Selecting the right solution. With the business need clearly defined, the next step is to decide on the solution to improve the business measure. What should target employees be doing or stop doing that will have the appropriate influence on the business measure? This sometimes requires only a few questions. In other situations, additional analysis is needed, using techniques such as problem-solving, brainstorming, fishbone diagrams, records review, focus groups, nominal group technique, and others in an attempt to understand whats causing the business problem or whats keeping the business measure from being what it should be, if this is an opportunity.

Expect success: Designing for results. A major outcome from the needs assessment is a clear definition of the objectives. The objectives define the success thats needed at each level. At the payoff level, the ROI objective is the minimum acceptable return on investment. At the business impact level, its the minimum amount of business improvement required to be successful. At the application level, its the minimum amount of action, the use of knowledge, skills, tools, and processes. At the learning level, its the minimum amount of knowledge and skill that must be learned. And at the reaction level, its the minimum level of perceived value. Specific objectives are important to the success of the program, and they define the expectations for everyone, from content designers and developers to facilitators, participants, and managers of the participants.

Make it matter: Designing for input, reaction, and learning. The key to make it matter is to develop a program with content that is relevant, meaningful, important to the individuals and the organization, action-oriented, and something that they will use. This requires prospective participants to decide if this is the right program for them, making sure that they are attending at the right time and the right place, with the proper support. This helps the developers provide examples, activities, and exercises that reflect not only what the participants are learning, but what they will do with what theyve learned and the impact it will have.

Make it stick: Designing for application and impact. The reality is that if people dont use what theyve learned, then it has failed for the organization. Just because participants learned something doesnt necessarily mean that they will actually use it. Unfortunately, much research continues to show that a lot of what is learned in formal talent development programs is not used on the job. Some studies put this percentage in the range of 60 percent to 90 percent. This is a huge indictment for the learning profession, to admit that so much of your budget is wasted, because participants dont use what they have learned. Transfer of learning is a process that occurs over time and involves all the stakeholders. Yet there really are some very simple things a company can do that have a big impact. For example, research shows that it takes only about 30 to 60 seconds for a manager of a participant to make the transfer by having a brief discussion to set expectations with the participant before attending the program. And then have another brief discussion when they return to reinforce the expectations and offer support. Making it stick is not as difficult as it seems.

Make it credible: Measuring results and calculating ROI. This step can be one of the most rewarding parts of the process. The first action is to sort out the effects of the learning program from other influences. Simple, easy-to-use techniques are available for this action. Its where you (and others) clearly see the connection of the program to business measures. If the evaluation is needed at the ROI level, three more actions are needed. The impact measures are converted to money, the costs are tabulated, and the ROI is calculated. This can be accomplished with fourth-grade mathematics. The challenge is to overcome the barriers to moving to this level of evaluation and evaluate at this level only when programs are expensive, important, strategic, and attract the interest of top executives. Net benefits are program benefits minus costs. This formula is essentially the same as the ROI for capital investments. For example, when a firm builds a new plant, the ROI is developed by dividing annual earnings by the investment. The annual earnings are comparable to net benefits (annual benefits minus the cost). The investment is comparable to fully loaded program costs, which represent the investment in the program. The principal barrier here is fear of results, and this should be tackled in a very proactive way. If a program is not successful, you need to understand why its not working and correct it. If you are proactive, your various stakeholders will accept this easily, even if the results are very negative. But if you wait to be asked for the impact or ROI, then it places you at a disadvantage. This should be tackled from the mindset of process improvement, making programs better, even if theyre not delivering the desired results.

Tell the story: Communicating results to key stakeholders. The presentation of results can range from executive briefings to blogs. The content can range from a detailed report to a one-page summary. The important point is to tell a story with results. Storytelling is very effective, and its the best way to get the audiences attention and have them remember the results. The outcome data represent a compelling story with very credible, executive-friendly evidence and anecdotes.

Optimize results: Using black box thinking to increase funding. It is helpful to think about the power of the evaluation completed in the previous steps. The results are there, and you know what caused success or failure. If the results are disappointing, you know how to correct it. Black box thinking is needed at this step. In the airline industry, black boxes point to the cause of a crash of an airplane. Investigators analyze the data with the goal to prevent the accident from occurring again. The analysis usually reveals the cause and identifies the actions to be taken to prevent this type of accident in the future. Learning and talent development professionals can take the same approach. In this final step, the programs are evaluated and the data are used to make them better. When this happens, results will improve, and ultimately the ROI is enhanced.

A contributing writer on IT management and career topics with IT Business Edge since 2009, Don Tennant began his technology journalism career in 1990 in Hong Kong, where he served as editor of the Hong Kong edition of Computerworld. After returning to the U.S. in 2000, he became Editor in Chief of the U.S. edition of Computerworld, and later assumed the editorial directorship of Computerworld and InfoWorld. Don was presented with the 2007 Timothy White Award for Editorial Integrity by American Business Media, and he is a recipient of the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award for editorial excellence in news coverage. Follow him on Twitter @dontennant.
Egypts prime minister and the ministers of defence and interior briefed President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Tuesday on the latest updates in the investigatios into the Friday attack in Minya that left 30 Coptic Christians dead, as well as the subsequent airstrikes on terrorist bases in Libya that authorities say were involved in the attack, state news agency MENA reported.



During the meeting, El-Sisi stressed the importance of combating any threat to the stability of the country, whether domestic or international.



Interior Minister Magdy Abdel-Ghaffar presented El-Sisi with a report on the investigations into the Minya attack, as well as the steps taken to apprehend the assailants.



The meeting was also attended by the Central Bank of Egypts governor as well as the ministers of foreign affairs, justice, finance, trade, and agriculture.



A number of other issues were also discussed during the meeting, including providing citizens with basic goods at affordable prices and the ongoing efforts to reclaim state land acquired illegally by private investors and others.

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Moto G5 Plus is coming in new "Midnight Blue" color. A new image has been leaked surfacing online by the famous leaker Roland Quandt, who posted many images of the Moto G5 Plus in a new color and even confirmed that it will come to the Latin America soon.

The new Midnight Blue hue will add to the already existing two color variants of Moto G5 Plus, the Lunar Grey, and Gold. however, it is still uncertain as to when or even if the company will ever produce the new color variant available to the public. According to several other leaked images, Moto plans to release a number of new devices this year and in 2018. The placement of the camera sensor on the rear, and the fingerprint scanner which is placed at the front of the device, and doubles as a home button never changed from the design of the smartphones which were released earlier in this year.

The Moto G5 Plus is one of the latest smartphones from Lenovo that was unveiled back at MWC in Barcelona. The prev-gen Moto G5 Plus model only had a back plate that was metal, at the side of the device, the volume rocker, and power button can be seen. The Moto G5 features a 5.2-inch Full HD display at the front. It has also been suggested a Snapdragon 660 SoC will replace the Snapdragon 625 chipset which found in the G5 Plus.

Moreover, this would be Motorola's first smartphone to come up with a dual camera setup at both the sides of the device. Under the hood, keeping the power on is a 3,000mAh battery life capacity which supports TurboPower fast charging. Also, the Moto G5 Plus works under control of Android 7.1.1. out of the box and has recently received the Google Assistant.
In a recent report, a new malware called "Judy" is found in over 41 apps on the Google Play Store, and it has infected between 8.5 million up to 36.5 million users. This is according to a report from security research firm, Check Point, which found the malware and alerted Google. The search giant has started removing these infected apps from the Play Store already.

"Judy Malware" infected apps have dealt with research over 4.5 million to 18.5 million downloads on the Google Play Store. According to Check Point, Judy Malware is an "auto-clicking adware," and they spotted the apps developed by a company located in South Korea.

According to a report by researchers of Check Point, Judy malware is an auto-clicking adware designed to bring about revenues for its perpetrators by generating a lot of fraudulent clicks on advertisements. More so, these suspicious apps have been downloaded between 4.5 million and 18.5 million times and some of these apps have been on Play Store for certain years. Check Point has reportedly notified the search giant about the malware.

Check Point in a report explained, "Judy relies on the communication with its Command and Control server for its operation" and makes it similar to Skinner and FalseGuide malware which previously penetrated Google play.

Here's How To Protect Yourself From This Malware

First, before downloading any apps, try to read all the user reviews, comments and as well check for any malicious behavior of the applications. Second, keep all your system updated with the latest software and security patch. Try some VPN services, when connected to a public network and install an antivirus program, this could be very helpful. Lastly, choose a strong password, which cannot be easily guessed and as much as possible, include as many vague symbols or characters for maximum safety.
As more companies undertake digital transformation projects, having the right IT professionals with the right skills has become more important than ever.

IT managers gearing up for such projects say they particularly need experts in big data, analytics and cybersecurity -- the very skill sets that are in acute short supply. Even if they are able to find candidates, there are usually not enough or not exactly the right match. And training existing staff for in-demand skills is challenging and takes time.

When were moving into the cloud, social, mobile computing and big data, its not business as usual, says Diane Berry, research vice president of CIO workforce management at Gartner. These are whole new areas that are transforming industries. Its significantly harder to reskill in these areas, which puts pressure on [IT managers] to really take a look at their people and planning.

To make matters worse, CIOs arent very good at workforce planning. According to a 2010 Gartner study, less than a third of IT organizations had a formal process to make informed decisions on when, where and what types of IT skills they will need.

[ Further reading: 8 project management skills in high demand ]

And a 2016 survey by staffing and training company TEKsystems revealed that 68% of respondents think it's more challenging to staff IT projects today than five years ago. Of the 53% who said they have a formal, strategic plan for their workforce, 74% reported that responsibility for that strategic plan was held by a manager or director rather than upper-level management. And 73% reported that they only start planning for the workforce for a project within 90 days of needing the staff.

Theres a desire to be more strategic, but theres a struggle in how to actually make that happen, says Kevin Holland, director, learning and IT transformations solutions at TEKsystems.

[ Further reading: 6 big ideas in digital transformation ]

Clearly, the potential is there for companies transitioning from the traditional IT model to a new digital, cloud-based model to be caught flat-footed when it comes to staffing. Computerworld talked to IT leaders at organizations large and small to see how theyre handling the issue. Read on for their insights on when to retrain current workers and when to hire fresh IT talent.

Coping with skills demands

According to Computerworlds Tech Forecast 2017 survey of 196 IT managers, directors and executives, the skills most difficult to hire for are security (25%), programming/application development (15%) and business intelligence/analytics (14%).

[ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ]

Asked how they planned to manage around these shortages,

49% of survey respondents said they would outsource or hire contingent workers,

42% said they would increase current employee training,

28% said theyd re-evaluate their recruiting process, and

28% said theyd create flexible organizational/team structures and operating models.

Its important to have Plans B, C and D in place, because the challenge -- both in hiring and in training -- is only going to grow, enough so that it could significantly impede major IT projects, according to tech managers and industry watchers.

The success of digital transformations depends on getting a critical mix of IT skills and experience just right, says David Foote, chief analyst and co-founder of Foote Partners. There isnt enough talent at the right level of experience in the marketplace to satisfy demand, he says, and whats more, technology is advancing so fast that companies will increasingly struggle to get that mix right.

In talking with tech leaders on how theyre tackling the problem, it becomes clear that an organizations strategy is closely tied to its size.

Larger companies typically ramp up training -- no surprise, say analysts, because they have the budget and likely a training infrastructure already in place. Midsize and small companies, which dont always have the luxury of those resources, have to get creative.

The big boys are able to develop their own boot camps and training centers, Gartner's Berry sums up. Midsize organizations struggle. They dont have the resources or the expertise to do that type of training.

Accenture shifts workers from server to cloud

Because Accentures business is based on helping clients adopt new technologies, training has always been important to the company, says CIO Andrew Wilson, who oversees a workforce of 400,000 people. The company has an annual training budget of $800 million. But this year, as the company completes its move to the cloud, retraining employees in new IT skills is an even higher priority.

Accenture Accenture CIO Andrew Wilson

With 64% of its business already in the cloud, Accenture has already retrained much of its staff. IT professionals who had been standing up servers on-premises now design cloud architecture, Wilson says.

Now he has a growing need for skills to oversee platform services from companies like SAP or Microsoft. In 12 months, Ill be pretty much entirely in the cloud and running a platform economy, Wilson says. My IT organization needs to be completely different in order to do that.

At AT&T, new hires help retrain existing staff

At AT&T, which is undergoing a massive workforce retraining program, managers identify needed skills and create a plan for sourcing them internally. While there are certain skill sets that AT&T can currently get only by hiring, its goal is to then use these new hires to train existing staff, says Scott Smith, senior vice president of human resources operations at AT&T.

For example, e-commerce projects need people with a combination of skills: web design, web analytics, marketing and advertising. Thats a fairly new type of position, and weve hired there, says Smith. But now that weve had it awhile, were also doing internal training.

AT&T Scott Smith, SVP of human resources operations at AT&T

The telecommunications giant has followed the same pattern with big data skills. Most recently, AT&T finds itself in need of people with skills in artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Were not going to have very many people that have expertise in that area, says Smith. So well do some hiring externally, and build our competencies, then as we scale were able to train more internally.

To encourage internal employees to increase their skills, AT&T has them maintain a talent profile, an internal resume that includes any recent or ongoing training. When the company posts new positions, it not only describes the job and skill requirements but includes details designed to encourage training, such as the rate of promotions and the market salaries for such jobs. We are transparent in how our jobs are changing, which shows employees where they should be spending their time if they want to plot their future, says Smith.

Most of the training is reimbursed by the company, he says. The company spends about $250 million in training annually.

FINRA asks employees to upskill themselves

Its one thing to encourage staff to retrain when the company pays for it, but quite another when it does not.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) recently completed a project that moved its market surveillance and regulation operations from an on-premises private data center to a cloud-based, open source-based platform, says Saman Michael Far, senior vice president of technology, whos in charge of an IT staff of about 1,100.

Those operations process some 75 billion events each day, alerting staff to certain events that require further analysis for possible fraud. When the project began, We realized that people with knowledge of cloud and big data were few and far between, he says. So we wanted to use existing staff as much as possible.

At the same time, FINRA did not have a big retraining budget. Instead, Far encouraged staff to upskill themselves. He explained the transformation project and described interesting opportunities it created for those with the right skills. From there, IT staff self-selected into retraining -- those who were curious and ambitious invested in learning new skills and competed for the new jobs (a total of about 500 to 600 positions, Far estimates).

And those who didnt? The IT department did have significant turnover in mid-level leadership, Far acknowledges. People that had been in place for many years, who were in those positions because they had domain knowledge [about legacy operations], became less valuable, and people who were two levels down rose up and distinguished themselves.

Even when FINRA tried to hire from outside, it usually couldnt find the exact skills it was looking for, such as deep big data framework expertise in Hadoop or Spark. So it hired people who had adjacent job experience and were willing to learn. For example, IT might hire someone who knew relational databases and wanted to learn Hadoop, says Far. We found that more effective than going out and looking for ready-made skills, he says. In a sense, it was the same process we were following internally.

O.C. Tanner: Using word-of-mouth to attract new hires

At smaller companies, the challenge can be not only hiring new staff or retraining existing staff, but keeping current staff. At O.C. Tanner, which develops employee recognition and engagement software and applications, Senior Vice President and CTO Niel Nickolaisen takes pains to make sure his staff of 180 IT professionals feels recognized and engaged.

Keeping people is probably our first goal, he says -- a challenge in Salt Lake City, a current hot spot for IT hiring, especially for software engineering. Nickolaisen says that in 2015, all higher educational institutions and code camps generated about 1,500 IT grads in the state, while the economy generated 15,000 new IT jobs. He has to compete with large companies in the area like Oracle, Adobe and eBay, as well as a raft of startups.

One way he recruits new hires is by sponsoring local user groups and encouraging his engineers to be involved. They tell the others in the group about some of the interesting things we are working on. People say, Wow, do you have any openings? Thats paid off like you wouldnt believe.

He also gets creative in encouraging his staff to learn new skills. When the company launched a replatforming project, Nickolaisen had four report writers when what he needed was data analysts. He used his budget to offer those employees some formal training in Tableau. These people already knew the data, they just needed to learn new tools.

Those employees that show curiosity and aptitude he trains in more advanced analytics, and those that become experts in areas and have an interest in sharing, he turns into teachers. For instance, a staffer whos become an expert at Node.js, a front-end development framework, is given time to develop and conduct training classes.

At CPFIUOE, consultants help train staff

Small companies often have the least resources to hire or train. Gregory Drauch is manager of information management systems at the Central Pension Fund of the International Union of Operating Engineers. The nonprofit employs 70 people, including nine IT staff. After he joined the organization early last year, one of Drauchs first priorities was to upgrade skills, particularly in security.

CPFIUOE Gregory Drauch, manager of information management systems at CPFIUOE

Hiring a security specialist (at an estimated salary of $125,000 to $150,000) was out of the question. So Drauch suggested hiring a managed security provider, which would run $40,000 to $45,000 a year. But even that is a big number for an organization thats trying to keep costs down, he says.

Management is still considering that option. Meanwhile, Drauch is thinking about investing in online training as well as hiring consultants in security and other specialties to help with certain projects -- with the expectation that his staff, working side-by-side with consultants, will learn new skills in the process. That will get us started moving down this path sooner than if we tried to learn it all ourselves.
Microsoft has apparently firmed up its plans for a DNA-based storage device that it expects to be commercially available within about three years.

The software giant originally unveiled its research into DNA as an archival storage medium last year; it described the technology being able to store the amount of data in "a big data center compressed into a few sugar cubes. Or all the publicly accessible data on the Internet slipped into a shoebox.

"That is the promise of DNA storage -- once scientists are able to scale the technology and overcome a series of technical hurdles," the company said in a 2016 blog post.

Tara Brown Photography/ University of Washington Once endoded, the synthetic DNA is able to store 200MB of data in a space smaller thatn the tip of a pencil. Extrapolated, DNA storage could potentially store a data center's worth of information in a space the size of a shoebox.

A Microsoft spokesperson declined to comment on the progress of its DNA storage research.

But in an article in MIT Technology Review, Doug Carmean, a partner architect at Microsoft Research, said the company hopes to create a "proto-commercial system in three years storing some amount of data on DNA in one of our data centers, for at least a boutique application."

The storage device was described by Carmean as about the size of a large, 1970s-era Xerox copier with a data write speed of only 400MBps -- something Carmean admitted needs to increase to 100MBps to compete with other archive storage mediums such as magnetic tape drives.

Natalya Yezhkova, a research director at IDC, said with the staggering rate at which digital data is growing, the necessity of a DNA-type storage medium will be critical in the next 10 to 15 years.

"Currently, the only way to address this growth is to increase footprint of data optimization techniques, whether that's compression or deduplication," Yezhkova said. "Those technologies are great, and mitigate some data growth, but in the longer term, we definitely need something else."

For example, some healthcare data must be stored for the life of a patient, and federal regulations for auditing and civil litigation purposes require some financial records to be stored for seven or more years.

And, as big data analytics evolve, more companies are finding ways to cull useful marketing information from their sales and customer data archives.

Then there's video, photograph and audio files, something every smart phone owner can create at their leisure and that's increasingly stored by cloud services.

Researchers with Microsoft and UW developed what they described as "a novel approach" to convert the long strings of ones and zeroes in digital data into the four basic building blocks of DNA sequences -- adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine -- represented as As, Gs, Cs and Ts.

The digital data is broken down into pieces and stored by synthesizing it as a massive number of tiny DNA molecules, which can be dehydrated and preserved for long-term storage.

To access the stored data, the researchers encode the equivalent of zip codes and street addresses into the DNA sequences. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques -- commonly used in molecular biology -- help them more easily identify the zip codes they are looking for.

Tara Brown Photography/University of Washington UW Associate Professor Luis Henrique Ceze, in blue, and research scientist Lee Organick prepare DNA containing digital data for sequencing, which allows them to read and retrieve the original files.

DNA has a theoretical limit of being able to store more than one exabyte per millimeter, which is eight orders of magnitude denser than magnetic tape. DNA-based storage also has the benefit of eternal relevance: As long as there is DNA-based life, there will be strong reasons to read and manipulate DNA, the researchers said in a research paper.

Cloud service and hyperscale computing providers are constantly seeking new ways to store increasingly cumbersome amounts of data; that's where DNA storage would likely see its initial home, according to Yezhkova. Cloud archive services such as Amazon Glacier or Googles Cloud Platform would be likely candidates for a storage medium with vastly better capacities and longevity than todays most prominent technologies.

"It's a trade-off of speed versus the economics of storing massive amounts of data for 50 years or more that could be untouched," Yezhkova said.

"It's quite possible Amazon or Google could be researching DNA storage as well," she continued. "They wouldn't necessarily be talking about this or making it public."

As promising as DNA storage appears to be, there are still issues that need to be solved before it can be a viable technology for the data center -- for example, compatibility with existing applications and hardware. But, if those issues could be solved, "it would have a tremendous impact," Yezhkova said.

Since 2005, the amount of electronic data has been doubling every two years, according the Digital Universe, an ongoing study by IDC.

The study estimates that from 2005 to 2020, the amount of electronic data generated throughout the world will grow by a factor of 300, from 130 exabytes to 40,000 exabytes, or 40 trillion gigabytes, which is more than 5,200GB for every person on earth.

Only a tiny fraction of the digital universe has been explored for analytic value. IDC estimates that by 2020, as much as 33% of the digital universe will contain information that might be valuable if analyzed.

By 2020, nearly 40% of the information in the digital universe will be "touched" by cloud computing providers  meaning that a byte will be stored or processed in a cloud somewhere on its journey from originator to disposal.

Last year, researchers at Microsoft and the University of Washington (UW) said they had broken a world record by storing 200MB of data on synthetic DNA strands.

The researchers said the impressive part about reaching the 200MB milestone is not just how much data they could encode onto synthetic DNA and then decode, it's also the space they were able to store it in.

Once encoded, the data occupied a spot in a test tube "much smaller than the tip of a pencil," Carmean said at the time.

The DNA storage also has a half-life of 500 years, even in harsh conditions. The half-life of DNA -- just as with radioactive material -- determines its rate of decay.

Today's most popular storage mediums, magnetic tape, hard disk drives, optical discs and NAND flash storage all have limited lifespans, which max out anywhere from five years to several decades.

Meanwhile, the proportion of data in the digital universe that requires protection is growing faster than the digital universe itself, from less than a third in 2010 to more than 40% in 2020, according to IDC.

"With projects like the Internet of Things and big data analytics, the amount of data will just continue to increase and need to be stored. The problem with how to store all this data is always discussed in the industry," Yezhkova said.
Egypts tourism minister greeted on Tuesday 520 tourists of 20 nationalities who are the first to take part in a tour recreating the trip taken by the Holy Family of Jesus Christ, state news agency MENA reported.



The group landed in the country on 24 May and visited the Church of Abu Serga (St. Sergius) in Cairo.



The tourists will also visit Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai to retrace the trail of Moses.



Earlier this month, Tourism Minister Yehia Rashed headed to Rome for talks with the Vatican's tourism officials to discuss promoting tourism to Egypt as the site of the journey of Jesus and the Holy Family.

The journey from Bethlehem through Egypt by the Holy Family  Joseph, the Virgin Mary and Jesus  took over three years.



Egyptian tourism, a main pillar of the country's economy and a key source of hard currency, has been hit hard by years of political turmoil since the 2011 revolution.



The Egyptian minister's trip to the Vatican came soon after Pope Francis' visit to Cairo last month, which has been described as "historic."

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A South Sudan military court on Tuesday opened the trial of 13 soldiers accused of raping foreign aid workers and murdering a local journalist during fighting in Juba last July.



The chilling attack cast a spotlight on atrocities by government troops but also led to a damning probe into the failure of United Nations peacekeepers to protect civilians, which led to the sacking of the force's commander.



The suspects appeared in court in a variety of uniforms indicating attachment to different units, including four in the colours of the "Tiger Division" which guards the president.



"There is a crime of murder, we have a crime of raping, we have a crime of looting and we have a crime of damaging property. There were a lot of investigations that have been taking place," military prosecutor Abubakr Mohamed Ramadan told AFP.



Civil war broke out in South Sudan in 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.



An August 2015 peace deal collapsed last July when fierce fighting erupted in Juba between forces loyal to Kiir and Machar.



A Human Rights Watch report documented targeted ethnic killings, rapes and gang rapes, beatings and looting during the clashes.



The report describes how on July 11, government forces attacked the Terrain compound housing some 50 employees of foreign organisations.



Witnesses told HRW how the soldiers "killed a prominent journalist, raped or gang raped several international and national staff of organisations, and destroyed, and extensively looted property."



They also allegedly killed a local journalist "presumably because of his Nuer ethnicity".



A report from a special UN investigation showed that despite pleas for help, UNMISS peacekeepers stationed just 1.2 kilometres (0.7 miles) away failed to come to their aid.



There were multiple requests made to the peacekeepers from China, Ethiopia, India and Nepal to dispatch forces "but each UNMISS contingent turned down the request, indicating their troops were fully committed."



During the attack, "civilians were subjected to and witnessed gross human rights violations, including murder, intimidation, sexual violence and acts amounting to torture perpetrated by armed government soldiers," it said.



The report found that a lack of leadership in the UN mission, which has some 13,000 uniformed personnel in South Sudan, culminated in a "chaotic and ineffective response" during the July fighting.

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The Sindifisco, the trade union for the audit inspectors at the Receita Federal (Federal Revenue, or customs department) has decided to continue with a weeklong strike at all major Brazilian ports, starting Monday.



The national branch of Sindifisco's decision to vote Friday night to continue with a plan to strike is set to stall even more containers at marine terminals. Labor actions have already caused delays at Santo marine terminals by putting thousands of containers in limbo because they can't be cleared.



The audit inspectors completed a 48-hour strike Friday morning, worked one day and then, got the all-clear to go ahead with a whole week of strike action next week. The union is attempting to persuade the government of Michel Temer to overturn a plan to cut pensions and phase out early retirements.



The Santos branch has not yet decided whether to implement an all-out and indefinite strike or to just carry out a five-day Work to Rule, or Operacao Padrao. Sometimes these have a similar effect as an all-out strike but striking auditors dont lose any money from their monthly pay checks.



Renato Tavares, the president of Sindifisco, boasted that each day of the stoppage will cause the delay of at least 1,000 containers in Santos, putting the potential backlog for the week at 7,000 containers.



This is political opportunism of the worst kind, said one shipping agent based in Rio de Janeiro, which has been hardest hit by the dispute. Temer is clearly in trouble politically with the fall out from the Carne Fraca [the Flesh is Weak] and the Lava Jata corruption scandals, and Sindifisco union leaders have seized on this to try and delay much needed pension reforms. This is pure selfish sectional opportunism and is disastrous for Brazil when our export-led recovery was starting to show significant successes.



The lack of checks and customs clearing is already starting to cause delays and congestion in each of the four main box terminals in Santos: Tecon Santos, BTP, Embraport and Libra Terminais. Another major choke point is Uruguiana, the main border crossing into Uruguay where it was reported Saturday that some 800 trucks, many transporting containers and automobiles are choking up border roads waiting for clearance.



Jose Roque, the director for SIndamar, (the ship agents association for Sao Paulo and Santos) said Sindifisco strike surprised him and his members, as they were expecting the existing backlog to be cleared by early next week.



We are still evaluating the damage done to container flows so far, so we dont have actual numbers yet, but it is significant and getting worse. So far the government has not signaled whether it will make any concessions or not. All these paralyses greatly impair the activities of our members.



Shippers with cargoes in Brazil should contact their local agents to get updates as to the status of their shipments, suggested Roque.
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Russia and Saudi Arabia praised their growing partnership in oil markets and dialogue on Syria on Tuesday, in a formidable departure from past hostilities between top global producers and major players in the Middle East.

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who looks after the kingdom's defence and energy, as he welcomed the possible future king in the Kremlin.

It was the second meeting between the two men over the past year following a breakthrough meeting in China, where Putin and Prince Mohammed showed the first signs the world's two biggest oil exporters could clinch a deal to prop up oil prices.

Non-OPEC Russia has long opposed any cooperation in reducing oil output in tandem with OPEC, where Saudi Arabia is a de-facto leader.

Russia's military campaign in Syria to support President Bashar al-Assad in the past two years has effectively pitted the Kremlin in a direct military confrontation with Saudi Arabia as the Sunni kingdom has long fought for Assad's removal.

But the oil prices plunge in the last two years has overstretched the budgets of both producers, making joint cuts more likely, especially with Russia facing a presidential election next year and Saudi Arabia requiring higher prices for economic reforms and the listing of its energy giant Aramco.

"The relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia are going through one of their best moments ever," Prince Mohammed told Putin.

"We have a lot of common grounds. As far as our disagreements are concerned, we have a clear mechanism of how to overcome them. We are moving forward quickly and in a positive way," he added.

"The most important thing is that we are succeeding in building a solid foundation to stabilise oil markets and energy prices," Prince Mohammed said.

Last December, Russia and 10 other non-OPEC nations agreed to join OPEC's output cuts for the first time in 15 years. Last week Moscow agreed to extend its cooperation by another nine months until March 2018.

Both Moscow and Riyadh said that cooperation would last beyond the current agreement as both countries are still trying to find ways how to co-exist with U.S. shale oil producers, which have been responsible for creating the current oil glut and which are not part of the global output reduction deals.

"We are grateful to you for your ideas and the joint work between OPEC and the countries, which are not part of the cartel," Putin told Prince Mohammed.

"We support political contacts, contacts between defence ministries, we work together on sorting difficult situation, including in Syria," Putin said.

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On July 4, SIBA (Southern Independent Booksellers Association) will announce the winners of its Southern Book Prizes.

North Carolina connected nominees include Lee Smith for Dime Store, John Hart for Redemption Road, Kristy Woodson Harvey for Lies and Other Acts of Love, Robert Morgan for Chasing the North Star, and Vivian Howard for Deep Run Roots.

North Carolina Bookwatch featured these books recently. During June, UNC-TV will re-air those programs.

Lee Smiths memoir, coming after her 13 novels and numerous short stories, gives her many fans a chance to know her as well as her good friends do. She shares her childhood years in a small Appalachian coalmining town and her times working, writing and raising a family here in North Carolina. It gives clues about how her life influenced her writing.

She explains, This is an enviable life, to live in the terrain of ones heart. Most writers dont  cant  do this. Most of us are always searching, through our work and in our lives: for meaning, for love, for home. Writing is about these things. And as writers, we cannot choose our truest material. But sometimes we are lucky enough to find it.

John Harts Redemption Road, followed four best-selling, prize-winning thrillers that gained praise for their clever story lines. Fellow author David Baldacci says the books prologue is heart-wrenching and the chapters thereafter pull you in like matter to a black hole. Reviewers praise his beautiful writing. Some compare his lyrical descriptions to poetry.

The book introduces more than 30 characters. None is more important or complicated than Detective Elizabeth Black, herself an accused murderer. She is determined to find justice for Adrian Wall, a wrongly, she thinks, convicted murderer. The connections among the characters help drive a plot scheme that will satisfy readers even as it horrifies them.

Hart grew up in Salisbury and so did Kristy Woodson Harvey. Less than a year after the publication of Dear Carolina, her successful debut, her second, Lies and Other Acts of Love, drew favorable attention. It is a heart-rending account of four generations of an Eastern North Carolina family in transition. The two leading characters who tell the story are Lynn Lovey White, a grandmother whose husband is fading away after 60 years of marriage, and her granddaughter, Annabelle, who has changing ideas about who and what she wants in a husband. Harveys book will entertain, challenge, and surprise its readers. With her third novel, Slightly South of Simple, already on bookstore shelves, Harvey proves she is a prolific force in southern literature.

Robert Morgans latest novel, recently out in paperback, is set in pre-Civil War times. It follows a crafty teenaged runaway slave on a northward journey towards freedom. From the Carolina mountains all the way to Ithaca, N.Y., he finds dangers, adventures and comedy. Early on he meets a young enslaved woman who decides to follow him. Sometimes together, sometimes separated, they make their sometimes different ways towards freedom.

Vivian Howard has become nationally known as host of public televisions popular program, A Chefs Life. She says that her book is the story of my life so far, told through the ingredients that fill the plates and pantries of my home: Deep Run, North Carolina.

She organized her book in a new way. Not by collections of similar dishes like salads, appetizers, main dishes and desserts, but by foods, the raw ingredients. She gives chapters to sweet potatoes, corn, eggs, watermelon, and many others that are seasonally available in Deep Run, near Kinston, site of Howards Chef & the Farmer restaurant.

Other North Carolina connected finalists include Ron Rash for The Risen, Ross Howell Jr. for Forsaken, Sharyn McCrumb for Prayers the Devil Answers and Ann B. Ross for Miss Julia Inherits a Mess.

A complete list of finalists for the Southern Book Award is at www.sibaweb.com/booksellers/book-award-booksellers/654-2017-prize-finalists
The veterans who fought and served for our freedom deserve all we can do for them. Some of them need our assistance in a tough fight they face today  the fight against suicide. An event Thursday at Old Salem could help.

An average of 20 veterans die by their own hand every day, according to data gathered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Thats almost one veteran an hour.

And its not just, as some might think, veterans of our most recent engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. About 65 percent of veterans who die from suicide are 50 or older.

The causes vary, but include depression and other mental-health challenges.

The VA has often left much to be desired in its service. The vets deserve extra effort. And sometimes those of us who are closer to the veterans are in a position to intervene more effectively. Thats one reason the Mental Health Association in Forsyth County, along with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Center and other community organizations, have organized a panel discussion focusing on suicide among veterans to be held Thursday at the Old Salem Visitors Center in Winston-Salem. It begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Panelists include several mental-health specialists, most of whom are also veterans.

The purpose for this panel discussion  is to raise awareness, heighten sensitivity as suicide has a devastating impact on families, friends and all of those who are left behind, Andy Hagler, the executive director of the Mental Health Association in Forsyth County, said in a press release. More importantly we want everyone  including our veterans  who have had or are having thoughts of suicide or those who are experiencing depression, anxiety or any mental health issue to know that there is help available in our community.

No one likes to think of our warriors suffering from debilitating circumstances that can lead to such a tragic ending. This panel discussion should shed light on what we can all do to help.

For more information, contact Andy Hagler at (336) 768-3880.
WALT WOODSON, Winston-Salem

Changing the script

The writer of the May 24 letter Spin this wants to know how liberals are going to spin President Trumps speech to Muslim leaders to make it look bad.

We dont have to; he already did.

After all his blather about President Obama and Hillary Clinton refusing to use the phrase radical Islamic terrorism, as if their avoidance of a phrase conservatives made up meant they were somehow cowardly or complicit with such terrorism, Trump skipped it himself when he addressed the Muslim leaders.

When asked why, a senior White House official told the press that he just forgot to because he was exhausted.

But a draft of his speech given to the press before he spoke skipped the phrase, as if he planned not to say it. This, according to your May 20 story, Trump to seek unity in fight against terrorism, printed before he spoke.

So what happened? Was he too tired to remember to use the politically-incorrect phrase or was it a deliberate omission? Was his criticism of Obama and Clinton nothing but campaign rhetoric? Just another lie to win votes?

Trump is fond of the story The Snake, with the conclusion, you knew damn well I was a snake before you took me in.

Its ironic. Many knew Trump was a liar before they voted for him.

******

PATRICIA WILLIAMS, Advance

Changes are needed

In reference to Don Flows May 22 guest column, North Carolina should invest in principals, there should definitely be more investment in school structure, but not necessarily in the way Don Flow presented it. Money is not the issue here, but commitment to changing and improving the current top-down structure is.

The CEO model doesnt work for schools, just like the industrial model of straight lines of desks didnt. The product is variable and the process should reflect that.

The collaboration model is stressed in classrooms and among teacher groups, but isnt practiced at the administrative level. Instead of the pyramids of old, schools need a circular wheel model that values input from all the spokes: classroom teacher, teaching assistant, teacher leader, curriculum specialists, administrators. In addition to the paradigm change that model would bring, attention needs to be paid to salaries for all of the above.

Because of past state funding priorities, some folks choose administration jobs just for the pay increases and the inherent power. This change must include retraining current administration staff and revamping present university administration degree structure. Another possibility is requiring principals to spend every fifth year as a classroom teacher.

As a career educator (34 years), I believe this is the level of change needed for success. Education professionals in the trenches are the experts. Ask them.

Please submit letters online to Letters@wsjournal.com or mail letters to: The Readers Forum, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102.
While much has been written about the trials and triumphs of the sleek, cylindrical  and historic  submarine, known as the H.L. Hunley, author Cheryl Oliver delves into the underwater vessel from a different angle in Ghosts of Hunley by spotlighting the individual crew members  many of  Read moreNew book release highlights crew members of ill-fated H.L. Hunley
An Australian official announced plans Tuesday to introduce new legislation [statement] that will prevent registered sex offenders from traveling overseas in an effort to prevent pedophiles from taking part in child sex trafficking. Registered sex offenders would not be able to obtain passports or leave the country, a step which will make the Australian government a world leader in protecting vulnerable children from child sex tourism. Pedophiles from Australia are known to take inexpensive trips [AP report] to Southeast Asian countries where they are out of reach of Australian law and are free to abuse vulnerable children. In the statement, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop [official website] said that there were more than 800 registered child sex offenders who traveled overseas in 2016 and because more than one-third did so without permission, it was clear the existing passport legislation was not working. Currently there are about 20,000 registered sex offenders in Australia whose passports will be canceled, and an estimated 2,500 new convicted pedophiles will be added to the list each year. Less serious offenders will be removed from the register after several years but those convicted of more heinous offenses will be banned for life.

Human trafficking [JURIST op-ed], including sex trafficking, is one of the most controversial issues affecting the international community. In October the Egyptian Parliament voted to enact new legislation [JURIST report] aimed at combating the growing number of human traffickers along its coast. In September UNICEF released a report [JURIST report] showing millions of children have been driven from their homes due to violence and conflict, facing dangers such as malnourishment and dehydration, trafficking, kidnapping, rape and murder. In February UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed [JURIST report] that increased funding and international cooperation are needed to successfully combat human trafficking. With a vote of 14 in favor, the UN Security Council last year introduced [press release] a resolution to allow the EU to inspect and seize vehicles suspected of smuggling migrants. Authorized under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the resolution permits certain nations to board ships in order to prevent human trafficking [JURIST report]. US Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced in 2015 that the Department of Justice will fund [JURIST report] a $44 million grant to fight human trafficking.
Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega [BBC profile] died late Monday night at the age of 83. President Juan Carlos Varela announced his death [Twitter post] saying, The death of Manuel A. Noriega closes a chapter in our history; his daughters and his relatives deserve to bury him in peace. Noriega spent the last 27 years of his life [TIMES report] serving prison sentences in France, the US and Panama for embezzlement, corruption and murder during his reign in the 1980s. In January he was allowed to go on house arrest [JURIST report] to prepare for brain surgery that was necessary to remove what his doctors described as a benign tumor. He was placed in intensive care on March 7 due to a brain hemorrhage that resulted from complications during surgery. After a second operation, he remained in a coma [Reuters report] until his death.

Noriega was the strong-man dictator of Panama from 1983-1989 until he was ousted by US troops sent in by former president George HW Bush. In 2011 Noriega was sent from France to Panama where he had been serving a prison sentence for the murder of opposition leaders during his dictatorship. In 2010 Noriega was extradited to France from the US to stand trial for money laundering, where he was sentenced to seven years imprisonment [JURIST reports]. Noriega was originally convicted in the US of eight counts [CNN report] of drug trafficking, racketeering, and money laundering in 1992 and spent the next 17 years in a Miami federal prison.
The US Supreme Court ruled [opinion, PDF] Tuesday that in cases of statutory rape where sexual intercourse is criminalized based solely on the ages of the participants, the federal definition requires the age of the victim to be less than 16. In Esquivel-Quintana v. Sessions [SCOTUSBlog materials] the courts definition of what age constitutes sexual abuse of a minor was the deciding factor on whether the petitioner, a citizen of Mexico and a permanent resident of the US, would face removal proceedings. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) [materials, text] makes removable [a]ny alien who is convicted of an aggravated felony, 8 U. S. C. 1227(a)(2)(A)(iii), including sexual abuse of a minor, 1101(a)(43)(A) [text]. The court reasoned that because a different statute, 18 USC 2243 [text], was amended to protect anyone under age 16 in the same omnibus law that added sexual abuse of a minor to the INA that Congress intended the age of consent to be 16. Additionally the INS listed sexual abuse of a minor as an aggravated felony alongside murder and rape, suggesting that it encompasses only especially egregious felonies.

Juan Esquivel-Quintana came to the US from Mexico with his parents at the age of 12 and became a legal permanent resident. He was convicted in 2009 under California state law, which prohibits sexual relations between an adult and a minor who is more than three years younger than the perpetrator or anyone under the age of 18. Esquivel-Quintana was 20 when his girlfriend at the time was 16. The Department of Homeland Security [official website] initiated removal proceedings subsequent to Esquivel-Quintanas conviction. After an immigration judge concluded that the conviction constituted sexual abuse of a minor the Board of Immigration Appeals dismissed his appeal. Esquivel-Quintana is the first Supreme Court case to name Attorney General Jeff Sessions [JURIST op-ed] as a party. The ruling constrains the qualifications necessary for removal of permanent residents for felony convictions.
The UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday appointed [press release] an Indian human rights lawyer and two fact-finding experts to investigate Myanmar security forces alleged crimes against Rohingya Muslims. Indira Jaising, an advocate of the Supreme Court of India [official website], will be the lead investigator [Reuters report]. The other two members are Sri Lankan lawyer Radhika Coomaraswamy and Australian consultant Christopher Dominic. In February [JURIST report], the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [official website] said that Myanmar security forces treatment of the Rohingya Muslims likely constitutes crimes against humanity and possibly ethnic cleansing. The investigations findings are to be presented at the UN Human Rights Council [official website] in September, with a full report to be reported in March 2018.

Human rights violations have been on the forefront of Myanmars new democratic government since ending a decades-old military rule. In June of last year a UN expert presented [JURIST report] a report on religious, free market, political, and nationalist or cultural fundamentalism, stating that fundamentalist intolerance is growing throughout the globe and is directly contributing to infringements of the rights to association and peaceful assembly. In November of 2016, a member of the UN High Commission for Refugees stated [JURIST report] that the violence is an attempt at ethnic cleansing from the government. In May Human Rights Watch urged [JURIST report] the Myanmar Parliament to reconsider a proposed law that the advocacy organization says has the potential to limit free expression and peaceful assembly.
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A civilian group of both progressive and conservative NGO officials will travel to North Korea next month.

A Cheong Wa Dae official said Wednesday that the Korean Sharing Movement applied for permission to visit North Korea, and national security adviser Chung Eui-yong is minded to approve the request.

Once the Unification Ministry authorizes the trip, they will be joined by a 17-member delegation led by Minjoo Party lawmaker Won Hye-young and People's Party lawmaker Chung Jung-bae on June 10.

The group will be staying in North Korea for four days to deliver medicine, nutritional supplements and clothes.

"The Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations said they would not prohibit humanitarian support for the North, but actual aid did shrink," Won told the Chosun Ilbo.


The Swedish satire "The Square" has taken the top honors at the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival.

The art world satire by Swedish writer-director Ruben Ostlund won the Palme d'Or in Cannes, France, Sunday. Dominic West, Elisabeth Moss and Claes Bang star in the movie. Bang plays the curator of an art museum, who sets up "The Square," an installation inviting passers-by to acts of altruism. But after he reacts foolishly to the theft of his phone, the father of two finds himself dragged into shameful situations.

Sofia Coppola became only the second woman to win the prize for best director for her film "The Beguiled," starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell. Soviet director Yuliya Ippolitovna Solntseva was the first woman to win the prize in 1961.
Two Trump administration officials, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, both said they saw nothing wrong with Kushner's overture to Moscow.

Kushner's lawyer has said that he is willing to cooperate with congressional probes of Trump campaign links to Russian officials. One key lawmaker, Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Sunday, "He seems to be a very open person. I'd let him speak for himself when the time is right."

Kushner, according to several news accounts, sought to create the secret communications link with Moscow as he met with the Kremlin's ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, early last December. Some foreign affairs experts said the move, while former president Barack Obama had weeks left in his term, worried them that it could undermine U.S. security and some opposition Democrats have suggested that Kushner's security clearance should be revoked.

The 36-year-old Kushner, a New York real estate executive before joining Trump's White House staff, is married to Trump's oldest daughter Ivanka, who also is a White House adviser.

"Jared is doing a great job for the country," Trump told The New York Times late Sunday. "I have total confidence in him. He is respected by virtually everyone and is working on programs that will save our country billions of dollars. In addition to that, and perhaps more importantly, he is a very good person."

U.S. President Donald Trump is defending Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and a senior White House adviser, who news reports say attempted to establish a back-channel communications link to Russian officials in the weeks before Trump assumed power in January.

Kushner's connection with the Russia probe was alleged in a Washington Post report while Trump was on a nine-day trip to the Middle East and Europe. Trump, when he returned to Washington, quickly assailed news media reports of White House turmoil linked to investigations of his aides and their ties to Russia.

"It is my opinion that many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies made up by the #FakeNews media," Trump said. "Whenever you see the words 'sources say' in the fake news media, and they don't mention names, it is very possible that those sources don't exist, but are made up by fake news writers. #FakeNews is the enemy!"

He later added a defense of his use of Twitter, saying the media "works hard at disparaging & demeaning my use of social media because they don't want America to hear the real story!"

Trump and White House aides face months of investigations into alleged ties to Russian officials during the presidential campaign and afterwards. There also are accusations from opposition Democrats that Trump has tried to obstruct justice and curtail the probes.

A special counsel is investigating whether Trump aides colluded with Russian officials to help him win the November election, while congressional committees have called on numerous current and former Trump aides to testify.

The White House is bracing for the upcoming congressional testimony of former FBI chief James Comey. Trump fired Comey after allegedly asking him to drop the probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and his close ties to the Kremlin.

Some U.S. news reports, citing Trump aides, say the president could soon establish a White House "war room" to deal with the burgeoning number of questions about his administration's links to Russia. The reports say Trump has hired a New York lawyer to advise him in handling the various investigations.

Trump has frequently dismissed his campaign's connection with Moscow as an excuse by Democrats to explain his win over Democrat Hillary Clinton. She has blamed Russian meddling in the election as one of the reasons she lost. She has also blamed Comey for public announcements during the campaign that she was under FBI scrutiny for her use of e-mail.

Democrats want to know whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians in hacking into unflattering Democratic Party e-mails and leaking them to the media through WikiLeaks to embarrass Clinton.
Moon in a meeting called on his senior secretaries to come up with standards that are "realistic" but live up to the expectations of the people.

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party still refuses to endorse Lee Nak-yon, whose wife is accused of using a false address in the past to get a better position as a teacher. The People's Party, which has a casting vote, decided to cooperate after the Moon's announcement, so Lee's confirmation is likely to come within this week.

Moon was elected on a promise to clean out the Augean Stables of Korean politics and avoid appointing officials who are tainted by trying to play the system, be it by tax evasion or registering false addresses.
Boy band Bangtan Boys, also known as BTS, stressed the importance of teamwork and strong material at a packed press conference in Seoul on Monday. They were returning home after winning the Top Social Artist award at the Billboard Music Awards in the U.S. last week.

Bangtan Boys became the second Korean act to be honored at the annual event after Psy, who won the Top Streaming Song (Video) award in 2013 for "Gangnam Style."

After the award ceremony in Las Vegas on May 21, BTS traveled to Australia for a concert before flying home. The press conference was attended by more than 300 reporters from Korea, Japan and elsewhere.

The boys said their experience showed that with good content, any act has a chance of finding worldwide recognition through the Internet. As long as they have strong material, a K-pop musician can win an award at the Billboards now and find success, they added.


OVERTON  Last year, Kaven Raastad had trouble controlling his temper and was often paying visits to the principals office.

But this year, he made a dramatic turn for the better.

The now-Overton eighth-grader, who has autism and attention deficit hyperactive disorder, learned to control his temper, took on more responsibilities at school and home, found ways to cope with stress and never paid a visit to the principals office, except to be signed off to move on to the eighth grade. The transformation all began when Kaven met a small golden retriever named Bailey.

During sixth grade, Kaven was placed in situations in which he had difficulty coping, including losing his grandmother and a large load of homework.

It was very stressful. I think the reason why this year has been different is because Bailey has been helping us, many kids including me, get through more stressful times, Kaven said.

When Overton Public Schools resource specialist Beth Sloan knew she was going to be getting a golden retriever puppy, she was immediately interested in bringing the puppy to the school as a comfort dog for the students. She began researching and gathering information on comfort dogs and brought the idea to Superintendent Mark Aten.

He really thought about it, and, of course, I wasnt going to give up. I kept printing out documentation on how beneficial it was, Sloan said.

Sloan saw more evidence of the effectiveness of comfort dogs after attending the State Autism Conference last year and speaking to counselors at Grand Island middle schools where comfort dogs are used. Soon after that, Aten approved Bailey as a comfort dog for the school.

He was very supportive and has been extremely supportive since the day it started. Its just gone super, super well, Sloan said.

When Kaven met Bailey, the pair connected right away.

It seemed the first few weeks I just got attached to her.  She is very well-behaved, really good. She sometimes jumps, but thats only when she gets really excited, Kaven said.

Bailey became a registered therapy dog in January after she turned 1 year old. She is also a Canine Good Citizen in an American Kennel Club advanced obedience program.

Bailey attends school every day with Sloan, and the students are responsible for helping take care of her.

We take her outside, usually to that yard back over there. It also helps us with our responsibilities because Miss Sloan usually fills up the food bowl, but we usually fill up the water bowl. I usually do that sometimes, Kaven said.

Along with giving the students a sense of responsibility, Bailey is there to provide comfort to students when they are stressed or anxious. When Kaven was recently taking a test and began to get frustrated, Bailey was there to provide him comfort.

Just her presence there just brings a lot of stress down, you know? She makes you feel better about what is going on in the situation, he said.

While Bailey may have the many tendencies of a puppy, such as chewing on sandals, she seems to know exactly when she is needed. As Kaven talked about his anxiety and his need to be alone, Bailey was immediately at his side, licking his face and snuggling in his lap.

I know that she is just trying to show her love. She just enjoys being a pet, and she wants to give back the favor of you petting her all the time, he explained about Baileys affection.

Kaven has also learned to control his temper when he is around Bailey. Hes learned that if he gets loud or angry with Bailey, she gets scared. Its helped him keep his voice calm when he is angry, Sloan said.

Bailey helps Kaven when he is frustrated or stressed, but he has also been there for her in stressful situations.

We brought her (to a pep rally). She certainly didnt like the loud music, but I helped her get through that a lot. I just sat there on the floor and just petted her and said it was OK. She has been a lot better with loud noises since then, Kaven said.

The change in Kaven is obvious to his teachers and his family.

Kaven has done a very, very good job this year compared to last year. Hes completely different. He likes school. He is more engaged in school, Aten said.

Hes a totally different kid than even what he was just last year, Kavens mom, Emmy Raastad, said.

Kavens social skills have also improved because of his involvement in Circle of Friends, a group that helps autistic students socialize with their peers through peer-mediated intervention. Kaven interacts more with his classmates, and he also participated in the groups November event helping Kearney Target shoppers get their groceries to their cars.

That is probably one of the first times I saw Kaven actually go up to somebody and say, Can I help you out with your groceries? Sloan said.

Now that school is out for the summer, Sloan plans to bring Bailey to Overton to see Kaven this summer. Kaven and his mother also plan to volunteer at the Central Nebraska Humane Society in Grand Island.

Kaven may not get to see Bailey and Sloan as often this summer, but he knows its not long before school is back in session and Baily will be by his side again.

Its only three months, he said.
KEARNEY  The Buffalo County Sheriffs Office is warning about a telephone arrest warrant scam reported in the area.

Sheriff Capt. Bob Anderson said the callers identify themselves as a law enforcement official and often use the name of a local law enforcement agency or officer. The caller tells the victim they have an open or active warrant and in order to clear the matter up the victim must make a monetary payment by money gram or pre-paid financial device.

Law enforcement officials do not serve arrest warrants in this manner, Anderson said of the scam that has been circulating for some time.

Anyone receiving a similar call is asked to hang up immediately and notify the local law enforcement agency. People may also report this or any other suspected scam to the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office at 402-471-2683.
Back in 2000, I interviewed the late Rev. Jerry Falwell on camera in connection with a documentary film of Joe Conasons and my book, The Hunting of the President. It took place at Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Va. We were surprised he agreed to speak with us, as an entire chapter of the book dealt with The Clinton Chronicles, a bizarre video Falwell promoted on his syndicated TV program, The Old-Time Gospel Hour.

A near-delusional concatenation of preposterous falsehoods and conspiracy theories, the video presented the then-president (and his wife) as an embezzler, drug smuggler and serial killer. Supposedly, Bill Clinton routinely had his political rivals murdered, which in a small state like Arkansas, youd think local reporters might have noticed.

Almost needless to say, the fool thing sold like gangbusters. It was reportedly shown in evangelical churches. As H.L. Mencken used to say, Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.

Alas, to many voters, the real world give-and-take of democratic politics isnt exciting enough. They require End Times melodrama: salvation vs. damnation, good vs. evil. Your candidates a savior; his opponents satanic.

Anyway, when Falwell brought his road show to Arkansas, the pastor of Little Rocks largest Baptist church denied him its pulpit. He explained that by promoting a scurrilous video filled with falsehoods about the Clintons and many other Arkansans, the portly televangelist had violated the Ninth Commandment against bearing false witness.

So I asked Falwell, on camera, if the Ninth Commandment was more or less important, theologically speaking, than the Sixth Commandment forbidding adultery. Somewhat to his credit, he acknowledged that they were the same. Falwell added that hed had no idea how many of the videos crackpot claims were true, but that the American people deserved to hear them.

At $40 a pop, including $3 for shipping and handling.

And with that, the interview ended. Rev. Falwell suddenly had somewhere else he needed to be.

Ancient history, I know. Pre-Fox News, pre-Breitbart, pre-Internet, even. I mean, VHS videotapes. Who even remembers what those were?

Falwell died in 2007, although his son, Jerry Falwell Jr., recently awarded an honorary doctorate from Liberty University to that exemplary Christian, President Donald J. Trump.

But one thing that hasnt changed over the ensuing decades is the seeming need of a substantial proportion of the American electorate to believe that Democrats named Clinton are satanic killers.

Hence the reappearance, after all these years, of yet another make-believe murder tale  this one championed by Fox News, Breitbart and online conspiracy sites, with a substantial boost from WikiLeaks and Russian state news media.

Oh, and Newt Gingrich. Because it wouldnt be a serious hoax without Newt. Also because, believe it or not, defending the honor of wrongly accused Kremlin intelligence agencies appears to be the whole point.

The Washington Posts Dave Weigel documented Newts recent appearance on Fox and Friends, where the former speaker breathlessly announced that it wasnt the Russians that leaked thousands of embarrassing Democratic National Committee emails to WikiLeaks.

No, it was supposedly a young DNC staffer named Seth Rich, who was shot to death on a Washington street at 4 a.m. in what D.C. police think was a botched robbery attempt last July.

Russian fake news operatives went right to work, charging that a top American Democratic Party staffer preparing to testify against Hillary Clinton was assassinated this past Sunday during a secret meeting in Washington D.C. he believed he was having with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents, but who turned out, instead, to be a hit team  and who, in turn, were captured yesterday after a running gun battle with U.S. federal police forces just blocks from the White House.

Got that? A team of professional assassins hired by Hillary Clinton got into a firefight with federal agents, and were taken down just outside the White House. And you never heard about it. Total media blackout.

Well, youre either a gullible hayseed who also believes that Hillary Clinton ran a child-molesting ring at a Washington pizza joint while simultaneously conducting a presidential campaign. Or else youre a Kremlin imagineer whose only knowledge of American life derives from Clint Eastwood movies.

For the record, apart from Seth Richs tragic death, theres zero evidence for a single alleged fact supporting this absurd fable. No leaked emails, no pending testimony, no hit team, no nothing. Its sheer make-believe. The victims bereaved parents have repeatedly begged these cruel hoaxers to stop besmirching their sons memory.

But thats not how they roll, Fox News apparatchiks.

Arkansas Times columnist Gene Lyons is a National Magazine Award winner and co-author of The Hunting of the President.
The Justice Ministry here on Monday said Chung will take off from Copenhagen on Tuesday afternoon and arrive at Incheon International Airport on Wednesday. The ministry sent five officials to Denmark on Monday to accompany her.

Chung has been in detention in Aalborg, Denmark since her arrest there in early January.

The daughter of ex-President Park Geun-hye's crony Choi Soon-sil, who is thought to have been a major beneficiary of her mother's slush funds, will be extradited to Korea on Wednesday. Prosecutors will take her into custody on arrival.

Chung has appealed decisions by Danish prosecutors and courts to extradite her but dropped her last attempts on May 24. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office will begin questioning her immediately.

On Dec. 21 last year, independent counsel Park Young-soo took out a warrant for her arrest on charges of wangling favors from Ewha Womans University based on her mother's ties to Park.

Prosecutors are also considering charging her with bribery since she was an immediate beneficiary of billions her mother and Park allegedly extracted from Samsung. They are investigating whether Chung personally violated foreign exchange controls and anti-money laundering regulations by buying homes in Germany, where she had been hiding.

In December last year, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se told the National Assembly that German authorities have indicted Chung for violating anti-money laundering regulations.

Noh Seung-il, one of the drinking buddies Choi installed in the dubious nonprofits she set up to amass her slush funds, has described Chung Yoo-ra as "a rugby ball that can bounce anywhere" and said she could turn into a key witness for the prosecution.

He said Chung at one point in 2014 threatened to spill the beans on her parents to the press because they were spending too much time with Park rather than her.


A North Korean defector who became a journalist in South Korea was reported missing Monday while on assignment along the Chinese border.

A source said the reporter, whose identity has not been revealed due to concerns for his safety, broke contact while working in China's Jilin Province and his whereabouts are unknown.

A Foreign Ministry official said that the reporter's family called the ministry's hotline on Monday afternoon.

"It looks like he was abducted on a mission to obtain video footage of life in North Korea," the source said. "Witnesses said they saw him being dragged off screaming and trying to fight off his abductors."

His employers here said they are trying to locate him amid suspicions that he may have been abducted by North Korean agents.


At W19.9 million for the base models, it is between W2 million and W6.5 million cheaper than a compact Korean SUV (US$1=W1,122).

The Kenbo 600 is a mid-sized SUV that competes with Hyundai's popular Santa Fe, though in terms of performance, it has a 1.5-liter, 147 horsepower engine more usually equated with compact SUVs. But the Kenbo 600 boasts a fuel efficiency of 9.7 km per liter, as well as cruise control and various sensors that warn the driver of possible accidents. Its sleek design has also drawn many Koreans to showrooms.

China-Korea Motor sold the entire initial batch of 120 in just two weeks after its release and brought in another 180, which also sold like hot cakes. An additional 200 are slated to be imported next month.

A China-Korea Motor staffer said, "We are offering to exchange problematic cars with a brand new one and plan to introduce a small Chinese SUV in the second half of this year."

Earlier this month, DFSK, a subsidiary of China's Dongfeng Motor, launched a two-seater van and 0.9-ton truck in Korea, while BYD, the worlds largest electric car manufacturer, set up a local subsidiary here last year and plans to begin sales this year.

Industry insiders say while sales have been minimal so far but are expected to grow rapidly as Chinese cars get more sophisticated. The Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade said the level of technology of Chinese automakers now stands at 80 percent of their Korean rivals' but is expected to rise to 95 percent five years from now.

Kim Pil-soo at Daelim University said, "If Chinese carmakers, armed with competitive price tags, catch up in technology and bolster global marketing, we will see major changes in the domestic market as well."
In another sign that China is softening its unofficial boycott of Korean businesses, Bejing aviation authorities have allowed budget carrier Jeju Air to boost flights to China.

A Jeju Air staffer on Monday said the airline has received the green light from Chinese authorities to increase flights from Incheon to Weihai in Shandong Province.

Jeju Air sought approval in early April to boost the number of flights to the popular destination from seven to 14 a week but heard nothing back amid a spat between the two countries over the stationing of a U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery here.

The additional flights will start on June 2.


As Torontos hot real estate market seems to be on a lot of peoples minds these days, one Canadian bank asked how much a Toronto home would be worth in gold and the results were surprising.

BMO Capital Markets found out that Toronto homes are actually not at record highs when measured in gold.

One curious factoid we unearthed this week is that Toronto home prices arent even at record highs when expressed in terms of gold, BMO Capital Markets chief economist Douglas Porter said in a note.

Porter specified that it now costs only around 540 ounces of gold to buy an average home in Canadas most populated city of Toronto.

Interestingly enough, after looking at historical data, Porter added that todays total is below the roughly 600 ounces required to buy a home during the late-1980s bubble and also below the record of 655 ounces needed in the spring of 2005.

The slightly more serious point is that gold is again close to a record high in Canadian dollar terms and no one is calling the gold market a bubble, Porter noted.

For Bitcoin fans, the deal is even sweeter, with only 284 needed to afford a home in the city, added Porter, while hinting at a possible bubble building in the cryptocurrency.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of a new ballistic missile controlled by a precision guidance system and ordered the development of more powerful strategic weapons, the North's official KCNA news agency reported on Tuesday.

The missile was equipped with an advanced automated pre-launch sequence compared to previous versions of the "Hwasong" rockets, KCNA said, indicating the North had launched a modified Scud-class missile, as South Korea's military said on Monday.

North Korea test launched a short-range ballistic missile on Monday that landed in the sea off its east coast, the latest in a fast-paced series of missile tests defying world pressure and threats of more sanctions.

Since early last year, the North has been on a quick succession of missile-related activities, claiming major advances that outside experts and officials believe may be at least partially true but are difficult to verify independently.

Hwasong, or Mars, in Korean, is the North's name for its Scud-class ballistic missiles.

The North's official media routinely report on missile launches on the following day.

The test was aimed at verifying a new type of precision guidance system and the reliability of a new mobile launch vehicle under different operational conditions, KCNA said.

"Whenever news of our valuable victory is broadcast recently, the Yankees would be very much worried about it and the gangsters of the south Korean puppet army would be dispirited more and more," KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

"He expressed the conviction that it would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send bigger 'gift package' to the Yankees" in retaliation for American military provocation, KCNA said.

U.S. President Donald Trump, in a post on Twitter, portrayed the missile test as an affront to China. "North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile...but China is trying hard!" he wrote.

(Reporting by Jack Kim and Ju-min Park; Editing by Sandra Maler and Dan Grebler)
Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Tuesday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 2 hours): Poland's top insurer, the state-run PZU, says in a statement it plans to pay out a dividend of 1.40 zlotys ($0.3740) per share, or 1.209 billion zlotys in total, from its 2016 profit. ]

START-UP

Polish billionaire Sebastian Kulczyk plans to invest $60 million in start-ups, Puls Biznesu daily quoted the businessman as saying.

RENEWABLE SOURCES

Poland's energy ministry could amend the law on renewable sources of energy in autumn to ensure support for the smallest electricity production units, including hydro power plants or units using biogass from waste, Rzeczpospolita daily said quoting unnamed sources.

CIECH Polish chemicals group Ciech plans to boost sales of its products in Africa and South America, Rzeczpospolita daily said quoting the company's management board.

EXATEL

The Polish government should strengthen its competence in the telecom sector, Rzeczpospolita daily said quoting the CEO of state-run telecom operator Exatel.

LNG TERMINAL

The capacities in Polish liquefied natural gas terminal (LNG) at the Baltic Sea will be ultimately used in 60 percent, which is a record high level in Europe, Gazeta Wyborcza daily said quoting minister Piotr Naimski.

****Reuters has not verified stories reported by Polish media and does not vouch for their accuracy.****

For other related news, double click on: Polish equities E.Europe equities Polish money Polish debt Eastern Europe All emerging markets Hot stocks Stock markets Market debt news Forex news For real-time index quotes, double click on: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX (Reporting by Warsaw Bureau)
HANOI, May 30 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official and unofficial markets, indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi and interbank offered rates at 0421 GMT.

May 30 USD/VND mid-point 22,391 USD/VND interbank 22,708/22,710 USD/VND unofficial 22,700/22,720 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.32/36.54

Interbank offered rates Overnight 2.1-2.6

1 week 2.4-2.8

1 month 3.4-3.7

3 months 4.3-4.5

NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016 the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank offered rates are the latest indicative bid/ask prices, quoted from market sources.

One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co.

For more interbank rate fixings released at 0400 GMT, click on .

For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom)
ZURICH, May 30 (Reuters) - The Swiss blue-chip SMI was seen opening 0.1 percent lower at 9,024 points on Tuesday, according to premarket indications by bank Julius Baer .

Here are some of the main factors that may affect Swiss stocks:

CREDIT SUISSE Singapore's central bank said it had fined Credit Suisse and United Overseas Bank (UOB) a total of S$1.6 million ($1.15 million) for breaches of anti-money laundering rules for transactions related to Malaysia's scandal-ridden state fund 1MDB. For more news, click ZUR ROSE GROUP

The Swiss mail-order pharmacy will hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on June 19 to increase its share capital, as it mulls whether to raise funds through a public listing, private funding or by issuing debt. For more news, click NOVARTIS The drugmaker holds two-day investor conference in Boston.

For more news, click ZURICH INSURANCE The insurer presents at a Deutsche Bank financial services conference.

For more news, click SCHINDLER , ALSO HOLDING Schindler's stake in Also Holding has fallen to nearly zero after Schindler issued a 218 million franc bond exchangeable into registered shares of Also. The conversion period ended on May 26.

For more news, click COMPANY STATEMENTS * Aryzta said third-quarter underlying revenue was flat year on year at 975.2 million euros. The company said, given the pace of management transition and the extent of operational reviews underway, the board is not in a position to provide guidance and accordingly, prior guidance should not be relied upon. * Dottikon posted full-year net income of 22.2 million Swiss francs, a 55 percent increase compared to the previous year. It anticipates a further increase in net sales and net income in the business year 2017/18 compared to the previous year. * Dufry AG subsidiary Hudson Group and its partner Shaw Foods said it was awarded seven new specialty retail, travel essentials and duty-free stores for a total space close to 6,400 sq. ft. at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. * Bell said it is buying a 49 percent stake in Hilcona Group to become the sole owner. * The Swiss Takeover Board has stated that the modification of the public takeover offer of Cardiac Monitoring Holding Company to the shareholders of LifeWatch AG and the report of the board of LifeWatch AG meet the legal requirements. * Helvetia Holding said Helvetia Venture Fund is investing in Baimos Technologies GmbH. * Molecular Partners provided additional details on clinical studies of proprietary lead oncology asset MP0250. The first patient was dosed in the phase 2 multiple myeloma study of its lead oncology asset MP0250 and in the first phase 2 study, the efficacy and safety of MP0250 will be examined in combination with bortezomib (Velcade(R)) and dexamethasone in patients with multiple myeloma who have failed standard therapies. * Orascom Development Holding said it has successfully completed the previously announced delisting of the company's Egyptian Depositary Receipts (EDRs) from the EGX. ECONOMY KOF leading indicator for May due at 0700 GMT (Reporting by Zurich newsroom)

Daily Swiss stock market report in German................ All SMI constituent stocks............................ News on major Swiss stock price moves.................. FTSE Eurotop 300 index................................ DJ STOXX index........................................ Top 10 STOXX sectors............................. Top 10 EUROSTOXX sectors........................ Top 10 Eurotop 300 sectors....................... Top 25 European pct gainers... , losers... Swiss mid-cap index SMI futures Swiss all-share index Market statistics Swiss market digest Sector overview All Swiss news Swiss research news All equity news INTERNET ADDRESSES: Swiss Exchange / Eurex STOXX Ltd SPEED GUIDES: ))

Keywords: MARKETS SWISS STOCKS/
BANGKOK, May 30 (Reuters) - Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday approved a 100 billion baht ($2.93 billion) infrastructure fund, as the military government seeks to finance more investment projects to boost the economy.

The Thailand Future Fund is expected to be launched by the third quarter of this year and initially raise at least 44 billion baht, Ekniti Nitithanprapas, director-general of the State Enterprise Policy Office, told reporters.

"Pricing will be decided through book building," he said. "The whole process should be completed by the third quarter."

Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong previously said the fund would sell units to Thai and foreign investors, with a likely return of 7-8 percent.

The fund's launch has been repeatedly delayed since it was first announced in 2015.

Growth in Southeast Asia's second-largest economy has lagged regional peers since the army seized power in May 2014 to end months of political unrest. ($1 = 34.15 baht)

(Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon; Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Kim Coghill)
ANKARA, May 30 (Reuters) - The number of foreign visitors arriving in Turkey increased for the first time in nearly two years in April, rising 18.1 percent year-on-year to 2.07 million, data from Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism showed on Tuesday.

It was the first year-on-year increase since July 2015, mainly on the back of a more than five-fold surge in the number of Russian tourists, the data showed. Amost half of the increase coming from Russia, it showed.

Tourism, which adds about $30 billion to gross domestic product each year, has been hammered by an attempted coup last July and spate of bombings blamed on Islamic State and Kurdish militants, scaring away tourists over the past year.

(Reporting by Ece Toksabay and Daren Butler; Editing by David Dolan)
(Adds analyst comments, details, background)

ANKARA, May 30 (Reuters) - The number of foreign visitors to Turkey rose for the first time in nearly two years in April, up by 18.1 percent year-on-year to 2.07 million, an upturn expected to help trim the country's current account deficit and stimulate growth.

It was the first year-on-year increase recorded since July 2015, driven mainly by a five-fold surge in the number of Russian tourists, data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism showed on Tuesday. Almost half of the increase came from Russia.

The number of tourists visiting Turkey fell 30 percent last year because of security concerns - which included an abortive military coup - but the pace of decline had already been decelerating, and the rate of change turned positive in April.

"Thanks to the favourable base-year effect and significant increase in Russian arrivals, total foreign arrivals increased for the first time since July 2015. On the other hand, a fall in European arrivals continued in April," said Muammer Komurcuoglu, an economist at Is Investment.

Relations between Turkey and Russia have recovered from a low point hit in late 2015 after Turkish forces shot down a Russian warplane over Syrian territory held by Turkish-backed rebels near the border with Turkey. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this month normalisation had been completed.

Tourism, which adds about $30 billion - or 3.5 percent - to Turkey's gross domestic product annually, has been hammered by the attempted coup last July and a spate of bombings blamed on Islamic State and Kurdish militants.

Some analysts remained cautious despite the resurgence in tourist numbers, attributing it to a low base effect.

"There is a clear improvement in tourist arrivals over the past year, yet this seems to be largely due to a favourable base effect," said Deniz Cicek, economist at QNB Finansbank.

"As the effect of the last year's events drop from yearly figures, we will see further improvements going forward," he said. "Nevertheless, our seasonal adjustment suggests that the sequential trends have been weaker in recent months. Hence, we remain cautious about the tourism statistics in the forthcoming period."

(Reporting by Ece Toksabay and Daren Butler; Editing by David Dolan/Mark Heinrich)
(Adds background)

ATHENS, May 30 (Reuters) - A Greek government spokesman denied a German newspaper report on Tuesday that it was considering opting out of a loan repayment in July if lenders could not agree on debt relief.

"It is not true," government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos told Reuters. "There will be a solution on June 15."

Greece is hoping a June 15 meeting of euro zone finance ministers will offer clarity and a solution to its long-standing call for debt relief after three international bailouts.

The country has 7.5 billion euros of debt maturing in July, a sum it will not be able to repay unless it gets a new tranche of creditors' money out of a bailout worth up to 86 billion euros.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, Greek Finance Minister Euclid ruled out a default.

(Reporting By Renee Maltezou; Writing by Michele Kambas; Editing by Catherine Evans)
(Recasts, adds detail on causes of decline, context)

SANTIAGO, May 30 (Reuters) - Chile reported an unexpectedly low wine harvest in April, contributing to the country's weakest industrial output reading in nearly three years, according to government data published Tuesday.

Chilean manufacturing production fell 7.5 percent in April from a year earlier, significantly underperforming market expectations, with a Reuters poll forecasting a 1.5 percent decline.

It was the biggest year-on-year decrease since August 2014.

Calendar effects - there were three fewer working days than a year ago - took their toll, but the statistics institute INE also cited lower wine production due to a shortened harvest and falling demand, with weather conditions also affecting some fruit and vegetable output.

A torrid southern hemisphere summer forced the wine harvest in Chile to begin earlier than usual, although wine-growers to date have said they did not expect that to affect volumes. A competitive market and falling demand in Britain due to a weaker pound have also hurt Chilean wine exports. Copper makes up over half of Chile's export earnings, but the South American country is also an important producer of wine, fruit, salmon and paper.

Copper production fell 1.8 percent year-on-year, INE also reported on Tuesday, as the giant Escondida mine slowly ramped back up output after a strike in February and March. (Reporting by Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Bill Rigby)
LJUBLJANA, May 30 (Reuters) - The yield on Slovenia's 10-year benchmark bond jumped on Tuesday to 1.292 percent from 0.958 percent on Monday after the finance minister offered to step down, Reuters data showed. Prime Minister Miro Cerar did not accept Mateja Vranicar Erman's resignation, offered on Monday because of a likely delay to the sale of Slovenia's largest bank, state-owned Nova Ljubljanska Banka (NLB), sources told Reuters. The yield rose to its highest since July 13, 2016, when thr previous finance minister, Dusan Mramor, resigned for personal reasons.

(Reporting by Marja Novak; Editing by Catherine Evans)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
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Stuff reports:

Media companies Fairfax New Zealand and NZME are appealing the Commerce Commissions decision this month to block their proposed merger. The companies announced the decision on Friday morning saying the commission had made errors with facts and law. Fairfax NZ acting managing director Andrew Boyle said the commissions ruling was a breach of natural justice and procedural fairness. He said the appeal process would take some time.

Procedural fairness? It was the media companies that kept coming back with more and more submissions delaying things. The Commerce Commission bent over backwards to be procedurally fair to them. I wonder if the media companies kept making all these extra demands, just so they could try and appeal when they lost?

At this rate the media companies will be spending more on lawyers than they do on sub-editing.

Their appeal includes a statement that the Commerce Commission did not give enough weight to the competition the two media companies face from blogs and sites such as Scoop. Good luck with that argument.

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Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Cloudy and windy this morning, becoming partly cloudy this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. Morning high of 68F with temps falling sharply to near 40. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low near 20F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.
Paik Nam-june's video installation "Stag" (1996) was sold for a record price for the artist at Seoul Auction's 22nd Hong Kong sale, Sunday. / Yonhap



By Kwon Mee-yoo

Korean-born media artist Paik Nam-june's video installation was sold for 660 million won ($590,000), breaking the artist's previous record price.

Paik's "Stag" is an animal-shaped video sculpture consisting of four television monitors screening nude videos, produced in 1996. Being auctioned at Korean auction house Seoul Auction's 22nd Hong Kong sale on Sunday, the piece had a low starting price of HK$1 million, but the winning bid soared to HK$4.6 million.

Paik's previous record price was held by video sculpture "Wright Brothers," which sold for $540,000 at Christie's Hong Kong in 2007.

Despite being known as the father of video art, the prices for Paik's works have been underrated in the art market.

Seoul Auction CEO Lee Ok-kyung said, "Paik's works are undervalued, considering his achievements in art history. This auction will provide momentum for shedding new light on Paik's trailblazing works that pioneered media art."

Six pieces of Kim Heung-sou (1919-2014), also known as Kim Sou, also found new owners at the Hong Kong sale. His painting "Le Ciel S'ecroule," a major harmonism piece combining figurative and abstract forms on a canvas, fetched HK$ 3.8 million. The auction house said the works were featured at the sale's preview and collectors showed much interest, revaluing the artist internationally.

Works of other famous Korean artists such as Kim Whan-ki and Lee U-fan were also sold through the auction. Kim Whan-ki's "4--74 #334" fetched HK$14.5 million.

A handful of Korean antiques, mostly ceramics from Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), were put for auction and eight out of nine were won by Koreans. The most expensive among them is a white porcelain bottle, which fetched HK$2.9 million won.
Ci Kim's installation "Untitled" (2017) features abandoned mannequins and is on display at the Play the Fool exhibit at Arario Gallery Cheonan. / Courtesy of Arario Gallery



By Kwon Mee-yoo

CHEONAN  A cluster of mannequins covered in cement greet visitors to the Arario Gallery Cheonan. Some mannequins wear bizarre makeup and wigs like clowns, while others wear hats and sunglasses. At the very front stands an anatomical skeleton model in a doctor's gown. The skeleton has an ID card that says Ci Kim, the artist who created the exhibit.

Ci Kim, also known as Kim Chang-il, is a self-made millionaire entrepreneur, avid art collector and self-taught artist. This is Kim's ninth solo exhibit, which provides a glimpse of his ever challenging spirit and passion to explore materials around him.

He is known for gathering wealth from running a stall inside a bus terminal in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and owns a department store, multiplex and art galleries and museums, which generate around 350 billion won in total annually.

Kim is a man of construction. He built the department store as well as three galleries in operation  in Seoul, Cheonan and Shanghai  and museums in Seoul and Jeju Island. His museums have unique atmospheres as he purchased the iconic office building of the Space Architectural Firm and turned it into an art museum and revamped an abandoned cinema house and motels into museums on Jeju.

For his ninth solo exhibit, Kim brought construction materials such as concrete and iron bars into the gallery. "I have built buildings, museums and restaurants and such architectural elements influence my work," Kim said.





Artist and collector Ci Kim stands next to his work "Untitled" at Arario Gallery Cheonan. / Courtesy of Arario Gallery



Kim said he was unsociable as a child. "I thought I wouldn't fit in society because I had this inferiority complex and fear of death. Such thoughts of life and death and being abandoned still affect my work," he said. "These mannequins were thrown out from the department store. I used cement to give them new life. The skeleton doctor represents me as the artist."

He previously used unusual art materials such as tomatoes and iron. He pursues natural phenomenon such as rust eating iron or tomatoes rotting in his work.

"Those materials are not perfectly controllable. I think such traits are natural and they go well with me."

His latest work on canvas reveals the inner structure of the canvas. "It began out of curiosity. I didn't like my enamel painting on corrugated cardboard and tore it off. When it revealed the ribbing inside the paper, it rather complemented my work," Kim explained.

So he expanded the art to traditional canvas. However, his thoughts on the identity of art continue. "Is a well made painting a good painting? The torn part reflects my worries, but I don't want to erase this process out. So I accept them as the end product."

He also puts much effort in designing the exhibition space. "Exhibition gives depth to the space and it is very different from seeing the artworks in my studio. Displaying my works allows me to experience a whole new space and time," Kim said.

"For me, art is like a rainbow. It's beautiful and everyone can see it. I collect art and exhibit it to share the impression of art," Kim said. "There is no hierarchy or conflict in art. I wish the visitors will enjoy and play with the artworks at my exhibition."

The exhibit runs through Oct. 15. For more information, visit www.arariogallery.com or call 041-551-5100.
Companies forced to reduce outsourcing



By Park Jae-hyuk



President Moon Jae-in's push for "zero irregular workers" in the public sector has put manufacturers in a quandary as many of them can ill-afford to follow suit, company officials said Tuesday.



The Moon government is not directly demanding private companies convert irregular workers to regular ones, but they cannot ignore the obvious pressure.



In particular, carmakers, shipbuilders, steelmakers and other manufacturers will see wages jump dramatically if they hire subcontracted or irregular workers as regular employees.



Hyundai Motor Vice Chairman Yoon Yeo-chul promised this week the company will complete its plan to hire 6,000 subcontracted workers as regular employees this year.



"We've converted 5,700 subcontract workers to regular ones over the past five years, and will hire 300 more (regular workers) this year," the vice chairman said at the 2017 Hyundai-Kia Partners Job Fair at COEX in Seoul, Monday.



Despite Hyundai's efforts, however, some workers filed lawsuits against the country's top carmaker, demanding it acknowledge their employment status and pay higher salaries.



"We cannot acknowledge their positions, due to various reasons including cost issues," a Hyundai Motor official said.



Shipbuilders and other manufacturers are facing more pressure than carmakers.



Industry officials point out the government's campaign to turn irregular workers into regular ones may deal a severe blow to both manufacturing and services companies, as wage costs would surge amid sluggish business.



The number of subcontracted workers working for Korean shipbuilders is usually double to triple the number of regular workers.



Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), for example, had 10,370 regular workers in the first quarter of this year, while the number of subcontracted workers stood at 25,000.



Things are similar for builders, who have almost as many irregular workers as regular ones, according to the Construction Economy Research Institute of Korea.



POSCO, Hyundai Steel and other steelmakers also face similar problems.



The companies are seemingly struggling to afford to make irregular workers regular ones, but they remain reluctant to complain to the government, which has put top priority on reducing the irregular workforce.



The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) has delayed a plan to publish a booklet that deals with irregular workers, after its criticism of Moon's labor policy came under fire from the public and the government.



"Outsourcing is necessary for some industries that need to secure competitiveness. It is natural in other countries," the KEF said in the booklet. "Society should rather encourage firms to cooperate with specialized affiliates for efficiency."



However, President Moon Jae-in said: "The KEF has to look at its faults first, as it has also polarized Korean society."




North Korea announced Tuesday it succeeded in the latest launch of a ballistic missile, which it said features a new high-precision guidance system and a quick launch process.



The North's leader Kim Jong-un observed the test-firing of a "precision-guided ballistic rocket capable of making ultra-precision strike," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in an English dispatch.



"The ballistic rocket flew toward the east sky where the day broke and correctly hit a planned target point with deviation of seven meters after flying over the middle shooting range," it said.



The North launched a Scud-type short-range missile early Monday morning from the vicinity of Wonsan along the east coast that flew around 450 kilometers at an apogee of some 120km, according to the South Korean and U.S. militaries.



The KCNA reported the test-launch "verified the flying stability of the missile loaded with the warhead with control wings in the active flying section."



It also verified "ultra-precision guidance correctness in the re-entry section," added the KCNA.



Inspecting the launch, Kim compared the missile to a "sniper's rifle" for its capability of striking targets both on the ground and at sea including enemies' warships.



He also expressed satisfaction with the "automated launching preparation process" for a speedier missile launch.



Kim was quoted as ordering the "continued development of more powerful strategic weapons" based on the success.



The new missile was unveiled at a massive military parade held in Pyongyang in April to commemorate the birth anniversary of the late founding leader Kim Il-sung. (Yonhap)




US President Donald Trump on Monday denounced North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch as "great disrespect" for China, praising Beijing for working hard to rein in the recalcitrant neighbor.



The North fired a short-range Scud-type missile off its east coast earlier in the day in its ninth missile test this year and the third in about a week. The missile flew about 450 kilometers before crashing into the East Sea.



"North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile ... but China is trying hard!" Trump said in a Twitter post.



Since his first summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping last month, Trump has repeatedly praised China for trying to increase pressure on North Korea while refraining from labeling Beijing a currency manipulator for fear it could hamper efforts to enlist Chinese help in reining in the North.



China is North Korea's last-remaining major ally and a key provider of food and fuel supplies. But it has been reluctant to use its influence over Pyongyang for fears that pushing the regime too hard could result in instability in the North and hurt Chinese national interests.



Analysts doubt how far China can go in pressuring Pyongyang, saying China has often increased pressure on the North in the past, especially when Pyongyang carried out nuclear and missile tests and other provocative acts, but it never went as far as to cause real pain. (Yonhap)




By Park Si-soo



A North Korean defector who worked in South Korea as a journalist has gone missing at a border town between China and the North, according to reports.

He is believed to have been kidnapped to the North, according to South Korean news outlets, citing unidentified sources. The man, 60, was visiting Yanji in China's Jilin Province for reasons unknown.

He defected to Seoul in 2011 and has worked at an online news outlet specializing in North Korea. He has reportedly been out of contact since Monday morning.

"There was no problem in contacting him until Sunday, but it's been impossible since 7 a.m. Monday," Yonhap News Agency quoted a family member as saying. "He has made overseas trips many times, but we have never experienced a situation like this."

South Korea's foreign ministry is trying to find him, with cooperation from Chinese police.
By Rachel Lee



The Latvian Embassy organized its first "Baltic States Tourism Seminar" at the Millennium Seoul Hilton on May 15.



The event brought together 20 representatives from central and local government institutions in the tourism sector and from privately owned travel agencies in the three Baltic states _ Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.



Inese Sirava, head of the tourism department at Latvia's Investment and Development Agency, led the Latvian delegation. It included representatives from the Riga Tourism Development Bureau (LIVE RIGA) and travel companies Baltic Travel Group, Con-ex Latvia Tours Group and Estravel Latvia.



Latvian Ambassador Peteris Vaivars presented the first publication produced by the Baltic states in the Korean language _ a travel guide translated at the Latvian Embassy.



"In its daily contacts with people from Korean tourism businesses, the Latvian Embassy is receiving a clear message about the interests of Korean tourists in the Baltic states," the ambassador said. "I am happy that the Baltic states have agreed to jointly offer the Baltic destination as a single tourism product to Korean visitors, whose number is increasing by the year."



With a special focus on the centenary of the Baltic states in 2018, representatives suggested that the coming year could be declared "Baltic Year" in Korea.



The seminar included presentations about tourist destinations in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Lufthansa and Finnair airlines introduced the shortest and most comfortable flight routes from Korea to the Baltics, the embassy said.



Baltic and Korean tourism organizations and agencies also held business-to-business meetings to build new contacts and answer questions about specific interests.



According to the embassy, the number of Korean travellers to Latvia and the Baltic states is steadily increasing, approaching 10,000 annually.



"Latvia aims to reach out to larger numbers of potential travellers through tourism media and Korean travel agencies so that the number of visitors can be raised to at least 20,000 over the five coming years," an embassy spokesperson said.




By Rachel Lee



A photography contest to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN and the ASEAN-ROK Cultural Exchange Year received over 2,000 entries, the ASEAN-Korea Centre said.



There were 1,034 entries from the 10 ASEAN member states and 1,055 from Korea for the contest from March 7 to April 23.



The judging committee comprised four photography experts and representatives from embassies and tourism organizations of seven ASEAN countries that offer Special Country Awards. There was one winner of the first prize, two runners-up and eight winners of the Special Country Awards. Prizes included 12 round-trip flight tickets, four iPad Minis and 44 gift cards, the organization said.



Naing Tun Latt from Myanmar won first prize.



"In his photo entitled Water Festival,' he captured a lively scene of Myanmar people playing with water during the annual Thingyan Festival," the organizer said.



One of the two second prize winners, Kyaw Kyaw Winn from Myanmar, captured a photo of Taw Kyal Waterfall in Myanmar's Shan State. The other second prize winner, Allan Jay A. Quesada from the Philippines, submitted an image of the "innocent children of Tibiao in the Philippines enjoying the Kawa warm bath that is becoming a tourist attraction in the country," the organization said.



The award ceremony is scheduled for June 2 at COEX in southern Seoul.



ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Young-sun and ambassadors of Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are expected to attend to present the awards, the organization said.



The ASEAN-Korea Centre has designated May and June "ASEAN Month" to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN and the ASEAN-ROK Cultural Exchange Year.



The ASEAN-Korea Centre is an intergovernmental organization established in 2009 to promote exchanges between Korea and the 10 ASEAN member states.




Argentine Ambassador to Korea Jorge Roballo, right, poses with Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs Lee Tae-ho a reception to mark his country's 207th anniversary of National Day at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on May 25. / Courtesy of Embassy of Argentina





By Rachel Lee

Argentine Ambassador to Korea Jorge Roballo hosted a reception to mark his country's 207th National Day anniversary at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on May 25.

Hundreds of local and foreign envoys, including Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs Lee Tae-ho, attended the event.

"Argentina's independence paved the way for the liberation of its Latin neighbors across the Andes," the ambassador said

He said that two centuries later his country continued to move forward with market-friendly economic policies and an open posture toward the global market under the leadership of President Mauricio Macri.

Roballo said he believed Argentina and Korea could boost cooperation further under President Moon Jae-in.

"Korea is preparing to implement various economic reform policies that focus primarily on job creation for young people and new growth engines for the future," he said.

With both countries aiming for future-oriented reforms, the diplomat said he felt confident there was plenty of room for a greater partnership, including economic cooperation, which had yet to reach its potential, considering the size of both economies.

"In this respect, the importance of the Korea-MERCOSUR TA (trade agreement) cannot be overestimated," he said. "It will establish a firm institutional basis for mutually beneficial trade promotion of the two parties."

The agreement between Korea and the Southern American Common Market, called MERCOSUR, involves Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil.

The two have been "reliable partners" and "good friends" since the establishment of diplomatic ties in "Since 1965, the warm-hearted people of Argentina have welcomed thousands of immigrants from Korea. Now, Argentina is home to more than 30,000 Koreans, many of whom, in 2015, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first Korean immigration to Argentina in the squares and streets of Buenos Aires," the ambassador said.

"I hope that Korea and Argentina continue to remain close partners, sharing those values and aiming for mutual growth and prosperity."
By John Redmond



The British Chamber of Commerce in Korea (BCCK) hosted a breakfast forum titled "Women in the Corporate World: Present State and Future Outlook" at the Grand Hyatt Seoul last Thursday.



The event was moderated by Stephanie Studer, The Economist's Seoul bureau chief, and featured panelists from two major British companies in Korea, Shell Korea and British American Tobacco (BAT) Korea, as well as global executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles.



The forum began with welcoming remarks from British Deputy Ambassador Sue Kinoshita, who stressed the importance of discussing gender diversity and equality and the United Kingdom's leadership role on these issues.



Studer then presented articles she had written on gender-related issues in Korea before moving to moderating the panel discussion.



The event's panelists included Oh Ji-won, who leads the liquefied natural gas (LNG) marketing team and government relations at Shell Korea; Mark Sungrae Kim, partner-in-charge at Heidrick & Struggles Korea; and Kim Eun-ji, national sales manager for British American Tobacco (BAT) Korea.



Oh and Kim discussed their own experiences ascending the ranks of their companies and the challenges and successes they faced. The two reflected on existing concepts of parenting in Korea and the difficulties women face in balancing work and life.



Kim stressed the important role women play in the workplace, why companies should hire more women and the need for men to play a greater role in raising children.



BCCK CEO Sean Blakeley expressed his pride in hosting the forum focused on gender equality.



"We are proud to have hosted an event  perhaps one of the first by a chamber of commerce in Korea  that focuses on such important issues as gender equality and diversity in the Korean corporate space," Blakeley said.



"Along with many of our member companies, Shell Korea and BAT Korea are at the forefront of working on and facing these issues. I think multinational companies are in a unique position to push existing barriers regarding gender diversity and equality in Korea."



The event ended with an active Q&A session.



As part of its efforts to positively contribute to these issues, the BCCK plans to launch a one-on-one mentorship program that will help provide guidance, share wisdom and offer encouragement to young women looking to enter Korea's corporate environment.



The BCCK's breakfast forums are held on a regular basis where specific topics of interest to members are discussed in detail. A limited number of guests attend these workshops to ensure a lively debate in which everyone can participate.



Formed in 1977 with over 330 members, the BCCK is a membership-based, nonprofit organization that represents the business interests of its members in Korea. The chamber represents a broad spectrum of British, international and Korean companies sharing significant commercial interests in Korea.



Visit www.bcck.or.kr for more.




A U.S. Army brigade with some 3,500 troops will deploy to South Korea this summer as part of a regular rotation of forces, the Department of the Army has announced.



The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, will replace the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, and support the United States Forces-Korea's commitment to Republic of Korea partners, the department said in a statement.



"The Black Jack Brigade looks forward to returning to the Republic of Korea," said Col Steve Adams, commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, in the statement. "Our troopers are trained and ready for this vital mission, and we are honored to sustain and strengthen this longstanding strategic alliance."



The two brigades have alternately been deployed to South Korea since a permanent unit was decommissioned under a 2014 decision.



US officials have said the decision to have rotational forces, instead of a permanent unit, increases efficiency and cohesion among members of the unit because the entire brigade will be trained, deployed and leave at the same time.



About 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea to deter North Korean aggression, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, leaving the divided peninsula still technically at war. (Yonhap)




A man from Kazakhstan jumped to his death off a new flyover-turned-park in central Seoul on Monday evening. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul



By Lee Han-soo, Park Si-soo

A man from Kazakhstan jumped to his death off a new flyover-turned-park in central Seoul on Monday evening, police said Tuesday.

The incident came only 10 days after the elevated urban walkway, named Seoullo 7017, opened on May 20. The death leap has raised calls for Seoul City, which is responsible for the park, to introduce measures to prevent such incidents.

The elevated walkway stretches over a 10-lane thoroughfare and railroads, which means anything falling could cause a deadly traffic accident.

The Kazakhstani, whose identity remains unknown, climbed the 1.4-meter safety fence and jumped at 11:50 p.m. Monday, according to Namdaemun Police Station. People had tried to stop him. The man, who suffered head injuries, was rushed to hospital, but pronounced dead at 7:50 a.m.












Chung Yoo-ra, left, arrives at Copenhagen International Airport in Denmark, Tuesday. She is expected to land in Korea this afternoon, and be summoned for questioning by prosecutors on suspicions of receiving admission and grading favors from Ewha Womans University. / Yonhap



Chung Yoo-ra to be taken into custody upon arrival

By Jung Min-ho

The daughter of the central figure in the scandal that cost former President Park Geun-hye her job will return home today, after hiding out in Denmark for eight months.

Chung Yoo-ra, the 21-year-old daughter of Choi Soon-sil, Park's longtime friend, is expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport at 3:05 p.m.

Chung Yoo-ra

Prosecutors will take her into custody upon arrival, and decide whether to request an arrest warrant for further questioning.

According to the Ministry of Justice, Tuesday, five officials have already contacted her in Denmark. They will depart from Copenhagen Airport at 4:25 p.m. (local time) and spend five-and-a-half hours at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam before flying to Incheon.

When the major influence-peddling scandal involving her mother started to make headlines in Korea, Chung moved to Aalborg in Denmark from Germany, Sept. 28. But local police apprehended her in January for illegally staying there, after a Korean journalist tipped them off.

Park Young-soo, the special prosecutor appointed for the scandal, tried to bring her to Korea through extradition proceedings, but she slowed the process with legal action. Eventually, however, she decided to return and withdrew an appeal against her deportation.

Chung is suspected of having received special favors from Ewha Womans University in admissions and grading, owing to her mother's connections with the former president. Also, she allegedly conspired with Choi in receiving bribes from major companies, including Samsung.

Many of those who allegedly provided her with favors, including former Ewha President Choi Kyung-hee and Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, have already been arrested.

Now all eyes are on Chung, who is thought to be aware of Choi's secrets and her friendship with the former president. Her testimony is expected to affect the trials of key suspects in the scandal and the direction for future investigations.

Much of the scandal remains a mystery, and the public is especially curious about how much money Choi actually has. There have been reports her assets exceed 800 billion won ($711 million), but many suspect that is far less than what she is hiding overseas.

Her elder sister Choi Soon-deuk reportedly has even more. Given that the sisters did not have regular jobs, many wonder how they accumulated such a massive amount of money.

Prosecutors will take Chung to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office for questioning.

Noh Seung-il, a former official at the K-Sports Foundation which was controlled by Choi, said prosecutors may be able to find out a lot from Chung from a recent media interview. Noh described her as a "rugby ball that can bounce in any direction."




Uijeongbu Boodaejjigae Street will be one of the busy spots in Uijeongbu where the city's newly launched "Tourists Police" will take a periodical patrol to protect foreign tourists. / Korea Times file



By Ko Dong-hwan

Uijeongbu has set up a police unit to safeguard foreign tourists visiting the city adjacent to northern Seoul.

Gyeonggi Uijeongbu Police Station launched "Tourists Police" on Monday to help foreigners with public transport and provide other safety services, especially at night.

Tourists Police will operate every second and fourth Sunday from June to October, monitoring hotspots including Haengbok-ro Street, Boodaejjigae Street and around Uijeongbu Arts Center.

Six foreign residents will accompany the unit as interpreters.

The pilot unit's operation period may be prolonged depending on feedback.

"We will fully cooperate with other agencies to help foreign tourists enjoy their time in Uijeongbu more safely and comfortably," a Uijeongbu police official said.

The city has a population of more than 420,000.
Dil Kusha during winter.



By Lee Han-soo

Dil Kusha, the home of Albert Taylor, the reporter who broke the news of Korea's independence movement during the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945) and bloody crackdown by Japanese troops, is to become a Korean cultural heritage site.

Taylor, a UPA journalist, reported on The March 1 Independence Movement protest in 1919.

Seoul is renovating Dil Kusha in Jongno-gu to open as a museum in 2019 to celebrate the movement's 100th anniversary, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration Monday.

Taylor built Dil Kusha, which means "utopia" and "a palace of hope" in Hindi, in 1923. The three-storied structure has mixed architectural styles from the U.K. and the U.S.

Taylor lived in the house with his wife for 20 years before the Japanese deported him in 1942.

"The museum will display items donated by Jennifer Linley Taylor, Mr. Taylor's granddaughter, and restore the status Dil Kusha deserves as the heritage of Mr. Taylor, who contributed to the birth of our country," said Lyu Gyeong-gi, Seoul Metropolitan Government Vice-Mayor 1 for Administrative Affairs.

Taylor died in the U.S. in June 1948. As requested in his will, he was buried in Yanghwajin Foreign Cemetery in Seoul.
President orders thorough probe

By Kim Rahn

The U.S. military has brought in four additional launchers for its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery deployed here, in addition to the two already in operation, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday.

The Ministry of National Defense, however, failed to share the information with the new administration until very recently, the office said.

President Moon Jae-in ordered a full inspection into how the additional launchers were brought in and why this was concealed, describing the incident as "very shocking," according to Yoon Young-chan, the senior secretary for public relations.

The revelation could lead to an investigation into former National Security Office head Kim Kwan-jin and Defense Minister Han Min-koo, analysts said. They were appointed to the posts by ousted former President Park Geun-hye.

A THAAD battery is usually comprised of six mobile launchers, radar and ancillary equipment. The former Park Geun-hye government pushed ahead with the deployment of the anti-missile system here as a deterrent to North Korea's missile provocations despite protests from opposition parties, civic groups and residents of the planned deployment site in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province.

When some of the equipment was brought here in late April, the ministry said two launchers were part of the delivery. About 10 days after the surprise entry of these parts, Moon, who has said the agreement to install the THAAD battery had procedural flaws, became the new President.

"Newly appointed National Security Office head Chung Eui-yong reported to Moon that four launchers had been additionally transported to Korea and have been kept at a military base," Yoon said. "The defense ministry did not mention this when it gave a policy briefing to the presidential advisory committee on May 25."












By Kim Rahn

Suh Hoon

Suh Hoon, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) director designate, is likely to get the nod from the National Assembly for the nomination.

His appointment will be welcome news for the Moon Jae-in administration, which has seen other nominees, including Prime Minister nominee Lee Nak-yon, being rejected by opposition parties for their alleged past wrongdoing.

The spy agency chief's appointment does not require parliamentary approval, but is subject to the Assembly's hearing. As Moon pledged cooperation with opposition parties, he would face huge political backlash if he pushed ahead with his appointment despite those parties' opposition.

In the confirmation hearing for Suh from Monday to Tuesday, opposition parties asked questions on some ethical issues but it was done in a moderate tone as he was not involved in the five corrupt activities which the President promised to consider when appointing ranking officials  tax evasion, military service evasion, real estate speculation, false residence registration and academic plagiarism.

The opposition parties, however, did not consent to Suh's nomination immediately after the hearing, asking him to submit additional documents about his wealth.

According to documents he submitted earlier, he and his wife's wealth grew by 666 million won in the year 2007 alone. Suh said about 450 million won of it came from the increase of the value of the funds they were holding, and the rest came from the rise in value of their real estate.

"We need to have a detailed look into how the wealth increased," Rep. Lee Cheol-woo of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party said. "We'll discuss whether to consent to the nomination as soon as we receive the necessary documents."

The parties also took issue with Suh receiving an excessive consultancy fee from KT Skylife, 10 million won per month for nine months in 2012. Suh said it was not against the law and was a fair fee considering he played a role in getting the satellite TV company prepared to enter the North Korean market. But he added that he now thinks about what a public official's role and ethics should be, after learning about the financial struggles of the company's non-regular workers.

During the hearing, Suh said he would make sure the NIS will be politically neutral and will stay out of domestic politics. The spy agency has long been suspected of meddling in local politics in favor of the ruling bloc.

In the 2012 presidential election, a group of NIS agents posted online comments favorable to then ruling Saenuri Party candidate Park Geun-hye and ones negative to then opposition candidate Moon. Suh said if he becomes the NIS head, he would re-investigate the smear campaign allegation.
By Kim Se-jeong



In doing English journalism in Korea, finding a proper English word that matches the Korean word is essential.

A challenge to that was felt very strongly earlier this week when I was trying to find the right English word for "bo," a Korean word used to refer to 16 cement structures built across Korea's four major rivers. They were built to change the water level and create small reservoirs as part of the Four Major Rivers Project (2007-2012). The government said they would effectively prevent flooding and droughts.

"Bo" were invented for irrigation purposes and have been in use for centuries in the Korean Peninsula, until the word "dam" arrived from abroad.

As research continued, I encountered an almost decade-old fray over the English word for "bo."

A group represented by environmentalists and some scholars claimed they should be called dams, yet another group represented mainly by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport argued they are "weirs."

In conclusion, The Korea Times has decided to use dams and here is why.

Dams and weirs are similar in that they refer to structures to raise water levels and retain water, but there is a difference _ dams release surplus water only through gates, while weirs let the water above a certain level flow over them. All 16 "bo" have gates to release water.

Secondly, Shin Jae-eun, an activist from the Korea Federation for Environmental Movements, said a majority of the new "bo" are large dams by international standards.

The International Commission on Large Dams defines a large dam this way: One "with a height of 15 meters or greater from its lowest foundation to crest, or a dam between 5 meters and 15 meters impounding more than 3 million cubic meters" of water.

According to the government's Water Resources Management Information System website wamis.go.kr, all but three  Jooksanbo, Baekjebo and Sejongbo  meet the large dam requirements. The remaining three are under five meters in height but all contain more than 3 million cubic meters of water.

The government's argument for weirs is pathetic, with no facts to back it up.

"They should be weirs because the OECD also says so in its recent environmental report," an official from the land ministry said. It is no secret that the OECD didn't form an independent panel of experts when they wrote the report. It relied on data provided by the Korean government.

Also, an allegation raised by Kim Jung-wk, professor emeritus from Seoul National University, made a more convincing case that they are dams.

"I was suppressed by the government for calling them dams," Kim said, referring to a radio commercial he helped make. He was critical of the government's refusal to call them dams and "the government pushed the Korean Broadcasters Association to reject the commercial from being broadcast."

Shin is not surprised by the allegation.

"From the government's point of view, had they been dams, the project would have looked much bigger and could have made more people oppose it," Shin said. "The government needed to make the project not a big deal."

Unfortunately, 10 years later, the project is still a big deal. It is becoming more evident the 22.2 trillion won project was a failure in delivering its stated goals and damaging the environment. The project is likely to be audited again soon, for the fourth time, and could be reversed completely over the next five years.

What I won't forget is how the government failed its people hard.

"The government completely lied to its citizens," Kim said.
By Lee Seong-hyon





The seating arrangement "mishap" during the meeting between Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping and South Korean President Moon Jae-in's special envoy, Lee Hae-chan, was seen as seemingly innocuous, but in fact, was a carefully planned diplomatic discourtesy. It was meant to send a signal to the newly minted Moon government that it should not entertain the idea that the change of government does not automatically mean that Seoul can now recover its relations with China, without having to halt the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here. As a presidential candidate, Moon argued that the THAAD issue should be left to the next government to decide. With Moon sworn in as the new leader, China has high expectations for him to move in that direction  to the extent of withdrawing THAAD.



Before the presidential election, Korean interlocutors who visited China attempted to lower Chinese expectations by conveying that "with THAAD already being deployed, it is difficult to undo." Yet, China still believes that there is a fifty-fifty chance depending on how hard they try, utilizing a mix of both pressure and appeasement.



During the Korean envoy's visit to China, Beijing underscored the importance of bilateral relations in front of the camera, but pressured the Korean envoy when the door was shut. On THAAD, China wants Korea to take "concrete measures" (juti de cuoshi) so as to reset their relations. The lifting of economic retaliation may just be "wishful thinking" on the side of South Korea, including the case of Lotte. On the day of the envoy's visit, three Lotte outlets were allowed to resume their business; but three day afterwards they were shut down again, according to the Dong-a Ilbo.



In fact, the widespread news stories of the "lift" of China's economic retaliation is not seen as part of a Chinese central government policy shift. The reactivation of Lotte Mart's website, the price increases of China-related stocks, signs of resuming academic exchanges and calls to explore new business deals, all of them, are likely to be "opportunistic" maneuvers by some Chinese institutions and businessmen, preparing for the easing of the "anti-Korea" ban. The news that Xi made a congratulatory call to Moon prompted these people to react, for China is a country where the emperor's cough implies a thousand words to his minions.



On THAAD, China appears to have decided not to consider a suggested list of "solutions," proposed by the South Korean side. They are: 1) Moon's proclamation that THAAD will only be used toward North Korea; 2) Seoul will not join the U.S.-led missile defense system; 3) the THAAD radar's detection range will be adjusted; 4) once North Korean threat is removed THAAD will be removed.



The view that China too is in search of a "THAAD exit strategy" has been heard in South Korea in an amplified fashion, due to discord rendered by diverging positions between the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the hawkish People's Liberation Army (PLA).



China wants Korea to take "concrete" measures rather than making "declarative" statements. Currently, China's position seems: 1) withdraw THAAD; 2) if that is not feasible because THAAD is already deployed, then "unplug" it. While holding onto its "de jure" position, China is also willing to consider an "alternative" if it is substantive enough.



Xi didn't mention the word "THAAD" during his meeting with Moon's envoy, while everyone knew it was the most prominent bilateral issue. This was an important signal in China's diplomatic ritual game. The official People's Daily also placed the picture of Xi and the Korean envoy shaking hands on its front page, granting official significance to the event, despite the "seat arrangement fiasco." This means China will continue consultations with the Moon government on the issue. This is considered a progress from the previous Park administration when China even refused meet with Park's officials after she announced the deployment of THAAD.



China will likely be in a "wait and see" mode, without exacerbating its current level of economic retaliation. It will carefully watch how the Moon government handles the THAAD issue, including discussions at the National Assembly. In this way, it will try to bypass the international criticism over its economic retaliatory behavior against South Korea. China will also occasionally allow some "hallyu" star to perform there. This is likely to create unnecessary confusion and debate in some pockets of the opinion field, regarding whether China has lifted its economic retaliation or not.





Lee Seong-hyon, Ph.D., is a research fellow at the Sejong Institute. Reach him at sunnybbsfs@gmail.com.
Boxed in by big powers, Korea needs to look beyond its immediate region and find new partners. Africa is one candidate with its economy on a rapid development path, finally starting to put its potential  resources and human talent  to their proper use. During The Korea Times Roundtable discussion last week, African ambassadors offered glimpses into how this potential can be nurtured and what hurdles stand in the way. One participant captured the spirit when he said, "Korea is frozen in its view of Africa 30 or 40 years ago."





African envoys gather for discussions on their continent's new dynamism and stereotypes during The Korea Times Roundtable at the Times building, last Monday. From left are Mohamed Gello ambassador of Kenya; Mohammed Eldei Ali, minister of Sudan, who participated for Ambassador Mohamed Abdelaal; Nozuko Gloria Bam, ambassador of South Africa; Chafik Rachadi, ambassador of Morocco; Emma-Francoise Isumbingabo, ambassador of Rwanda; Albino Malungo, ambassador of Angola; Mohamed Ali Nafti, ambassador of Tunisia; Kim Il-soo, executive director of the Korea-Africa Center; Kim He-young, the center's research fellow; and the Times' chief editorial writer Oh Young-jin.

/ Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



By Kim Il-soo



Last week was the undeclared week of Africa. The African culture festival, social functions organized for and by 19 African envoys in Seoul and other events took place to celebrate the Africa Day that commemorates the inauguration of the Organization of African Unity in 1963.



Over the past half century Africa has made a tremendous transformation. Above all, OAU evolved into the African Union in 2002. The main agenda of the pan African organization were switched from anti-colonialism and anti-apartheid to human rights, democracy and the well-being of ordinary citizens. The new mandates of AU are the result of serious reflections on mistakes and failures of the past era and reflects new consensus on good governance aimed at delivering peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa.



Exceptionally high economic growth registered by Africa since the 2000s indicates that a new direction taken by African states is not empty rhetoric but well justified by actions of substance. It is no mere compliment to coin Africa the rising continent' and the future engine of the world economy.'



One of the events organized to celebrate Africa Day was a round-table meeting with African Ambassadors in Seoul jointly hosted by The Korea Times and the Korea-Africa Center. At the meeting African envoys were in one voice in anticipating more serious economic partnership between Africa and Korea. One of the reasons why African countries are interested in cooperation with Korea is our experience of economic development which all of our African partners are eager to emulate.




By Alkbino Malungo



1) What does Africa want from President Moon Jae-in to improve Korea-Africa ties?



I believe that in order to make significant progress and take full advantage of the promising partnership between Korea and African countries, it is vital for President Moon Jae-in to capitalize on existing cooperation mechanisms such as the KOAFEC Ministerial Conference, launched in 2006 by the late President Roh Moo-hyun, who announced the Korea Initiative for Africa's Development during his first visit to the continent earlier that year.



When I first met President Roh Moo-hyun, I was particularly impressed by his vision towards a win-win partnership and a more active role of Korea in the economic development of Africa, which led to the establishment of more embassies from African countries in Seoul, including the Embassy of Angola. I am confident that Korea and African countries have much to gain if we all continue to work together to reinforce this vision.



Sharing a bond of historical and emotional sympathy, most African countries are eager to learn from Korea's development experience and expertise. This is Korea's unique strength upon which we can continue to build mutual trust and form a promising win-win partnership. Considering that more than 50 percent of Korea's GDP comes from exports and it imports most of its industrial raw materials, we agree to the view that Korea needs to see Africa from the viewpoint of enlightened national interest, facing global issues, from international financial stability and prosperity to peace and conflict prevention, as a reliable and respectable partner in a long-term perspective. Korea is a country with the economic clout to make a real difference on global issues.













Korea is in an exceptional position to help African countries to improve their education systems and provide the foundation for appropriate technologies, knowledge transfer and capacity building in Africa. This support could play a key role strengthening agricultural productivity, stimulate innovative investments and foster the development of new industries.



It is fundamental to especially focus on the area of human resources development so that ultimately, African countries could be able to nurture and strengthen their capacity to sustain economic development on their own. Through dedicated training programs as well as provision of scholarships, Korea could increase the number of future African leaders graduating at world-class Korean educational institutions.



On the other hand, it is strongly recommended that the Moo Jae-in administration establishes new bilateral official development assistance (ODA) soft loan programs to help African countries spur economic growth and encompass a number of areas, including: industrial diversification, agricultural and rural development, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) promotion, information and communications technology (ICT), science technology advancement and export promotion policy. Korea could also help to enhance the capacity of Africa's public and private sectors by strengthening and promoting public-private partnership (PPPs).



In conclusion, it is my belief that the vision of his predecessors like late presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun will inspire President Moon Jae-in towards fruitful cooperation and friendship with Africa.



2) What would be Angola's best practical experience in business, society and politics that can be shared?



Through diplomatic channels we have been able to share the experience of Angola, especially in terms of pacification and national reconciliation. Recently we delivered a message from the President of Angola, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, to his Korean counterpart, where he highlights the position of the Angolan government on denuclearization, peace and unification of the Korean Peninsula.



Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Angola and Korea in 1992 and subsequent signing of the General Agreement on Economic and Technical-Scientific Cooperation, our strategic partnership has produced positive results with the continuous expansion of economic exchanges between the two countries.



When President Jose Eduardo dos Santos visited Seoul in 2001, late President Kim Dae-jung reaffirmed the importance of closer cooperation ties and paved the way for the establishment of Embassies from both sides. Thus, through the increased exchange of delegations at the ministerial level, we have been able to work closely with our Korean counterparts in order to implement mechanisms to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.





Alkbino Malungo is the Angolan ambassador to Korea.
By Mohamed Ali Nafti



Currently, there is a valuable commitment of Korea and many African countries to further enhance the bonds of friendship and relations of cooperation between the two sides. To ensure the achievement of these objectives and to improve the existing dialogue within the appropriate cooperation mechanisms, we propose the following thoughts and reflections which might lead to better results, in particular: the consolidation of spirit of a win-win partnership between the two sides, based on mutual benfit and common interests.

Korean institutions dealing with public assistance, such as KOICA as well as KOAFEC, KOAFIC and Korea Africa Center, need to be a driving force which leads to the achievement of that public and private partnership.



Indeed, an outstanding vision should combine the growth demographics, abundant natural resources, renewable energy potential and high skill qualified human competences Africa is enjoying, along with the Korean economic growth based on high-level industrial innovation, R&D and specialization in ICT field.



Based on this, huge opportunities can be offered to both sides to enhance win-win cooperation. Korea's expertise and knowhow in many fields can facilitate the development of effective strategies for Africa, through investment, official development aid programs, KOICA assistance and capacity building.













The assessment of the outcome of the first forum between Korea and Africa, held in Addis Abeba last December 2016, was an excellent opportunity to explore the expectations of both sides regarding the perspectives of their cooperation and partnership.



The involvement of the Korean cultural institutions such as Korea-Africa Center, Korea Arab Society, and Korea Foundation helped to consolidate the cultural dimensions of that partnership in a spirit of a genuine interculturality.



Moreover, we should praise the efforts being made by Korea along with the international community to achieve the goals of the "2030 agenda for sustainable development" and the African Union "Agenda 2063" which is a strategic framework of socioeconomic transformation of the Continent for the next coming 50 years.



Meanwhile, we should work hand in hand to ensure the engagement of the two sides to promote the values and best practices of democracy, good governance, state of law and respect of human rights, in its different political, economic and social components.



In conclusion, we feel confident that the series of events aiming at celebrating Africa Day and particularly the celebration of this meaningful event in the premises of the National Assembly, will strengthen the commitment of this democratic institution to better advocate for the promotion of the Korean-African relationships and cooperation and diffuse an objective and a very promising image of Africa in Korea.





Mohamed Ali Nafti is the ambassador of Tunisia to Korea.
NIS should stay completely out of politics





During the election, President Moon Jae-in was resolute on reforming the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Moon pledged to close the spy agency's domestic division, while expanding its capacity for international affairs, North Korea as well as terrorism and international crimes. He has also hinted at curtailing its counterespionage function.



Moon's pledges to overhaul the nation's chief intelligence agency are in response to the widespread criticism of its past abuses. The NIS has faced incessant criticism for its excessive involvement in politics. NIS director nominee Suh Hoon said this will change under the Moon administration, during a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly Monday. "It is a shame the public confidence and support in the NIS have been greatly reduced because of controversies regarding its intervention in domestic politics," Suh said.



The former deputy director of the NIS vowed to separate the spy agency completely from politics going forward. The public will be closely watching to see if the agency can keep its promise this time.



The need for the NIS to rebuild itself and break away from its infamous political intervention became apparent during the Park Geun-hye administration. The NIS was linked to several political controversies, such as a public opinion manipulation scandal around the 2012 presidential election. A group of NIS agents posted massive amounts of comments online favorable to Park, the Saenuri Party presidential nominee, in an attempt to influence voter sentiment ahead of the election.



Suh hinted that the incident will be given further scrutiny, as the case was not properly investigated during the Park administration. Then NIS-chief Won Sei-hoon, who led the NIS from 2009 to 2013, is still waiting on appeal for his alleged involvement in the case. Those responsible for the election interference should be strictly punished. It is shocking the NIS was still engaging in such illegalities long after the end of authoritarian rule. The NIS should ensure it no longer plays any part in election meddling or other schemes that violate political neutrality.



North Korea staged its third missile test in three weeks Monday. It is Pyongyang's ninth missile launch this year. With a grave national security situation, the primary goal of the NIS should be to protect the people by focusing on collecting intelligence on North Korea.



The next NIS chief should implement measures for fundamental change in its organization and function so it can focus on its inherent role. Above all, the NIS should aim to rebuild itself as an intelligence agency committed to the nation and the people, not a specific administration.
















Samsung SDI President Jun Young-hyun, left, explains the production process of batteries for electric vehicles to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, center, at a Samsung SDI plant in Goed, Hungary, on April 29. / Courtesy of Samsung SDI





By Lee Min-hyung

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban praised Korean products, saying the country's brand guarantees quality, Samsung SDI announced Wednesday.

He made the remarks during a recent event celebrating the completion of a state-of-the-art electric vehicle (EV) battery plant of Samsung SDI in the European country.

"In the early 1990s, we first met capitalism together with many new companies and brands. We learned that made-in-Korea products guarantee quality," the prime minister was quoted as saying.

"Korea set a model for us. It showed us how a diligent small country can become a strong economy and hold a strong position in the world. Samsung benchmarked others but it moved ahead on its own. I thank Samsung for opting for Hungary."

The plant, which is located in Goed, some 30 kilometers north of Budapest, will start to churn out products in the second quarter of 2018.

Sitting on a 330,000 square-meter site, the plant is capable of producing batteries for 50,000 electric cars every year.

The Hungarian factory is expected to enable Samsung SDI to save logistics costs and improve customer service in Europe.

Europe is leading the global EV market based on its environment-friendly policy. As a result, the market for batteries, one of the core parts of EV, is expanding fast.

Samsung SDI's panel plant has been transformed into one for high-power and high-efficiency batteries. On top of the Hungarian facility, Samsung SDI has plants in Korea's Ulsan and China's Xian.

"For the first time, state-of-the-art technology of Samsung SDI will be applied to batteries to be made in this plant in Hungary," Samsung SDI President Jun Young-hyun said.

"Batteries are one of the most important parts supplied to global carmakers. I expect the plant to contribute much to the growth of the European EV market."
By Lee Min-hyung



President Moon Jae-in and his top lieutenants appear to have started using Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S7 smartphones, specially designed for enhanced security and encrypted communication, sources said Tuesday.



Moon and other ranking Cheong Wa Dae officials recently received the Samsung devices tailor-made for their internal communications, they said.



This comes about two weeks after Moon took office as president in the wake of the political scandal surrounding former President Park Geun-hye who was ousted earlier this year over alleged corruption.



The presidential office is known to have chosen the S7, instead of the latest S8 flagship model that debuted this April, because it takes some time to make the customized phones. The S7 hit shelves early last year.



Aside from the flagship Galaxy S series, LG Electronics is also known to have special devices for use by the presidential office, which the company also declined to confirm.



In the United States, National Security Agency (NSA) officials use the privacy-focused Blackphone developed by Boeing and BlackBerry.



The device is widely used by the U.S. government and military officials who require a special communication device to keep internal information confidential.



"It is true the presidential office uses such specially designed smartphones over possible hacking or wiretapping concerns," an industry source said. "Even if the new President uses the Galaxy S7 tailor-made to ensure the highest level of security, no one may be able to confirm this."



In Korea, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics hold enough technological expertise to manufacture devices ensuring privacy and security.



But they have remained silent on the details. That might be because demand for such a device is extremely low, as it is mainly used for a few high-ranking officials in the military and state-run organizations.



In February 2003, the Seoul-based handset maker Pantech launched its own security-first handset by developing dedicated software to guarantee security. But the company scrapped its sales soon after, citing low demand and weak profit.



Most countries also disallow commercialization of such phones, citing national security, fearing they could end up in the hands of criminals or terrorists.



On top of that, manufacturers are unlikely to make public the development of such devices amid concerns over their involvement in political wiretapping or interception, the source said.




After BTS' win in the Billboard Music Awards for the Top Social Artist category, it seems that Billboard has developed a growing love for K-pop. SEVENTEEN recently reaped heaping praise from the chart's review of its comeback album "AI1" which Billboard dubbed as the most "innovative" K-pop group.

According to the Billboard review, SEVENTEEN's decision to shift from dance and pop to an edgier EDM sound is a sign that the boys are maturing as a music group. Billboard also saw it as a positive trajectory in SEVENTEEN's career as it heads forward to the US on its world tour this summer.

"AI1's" title track "Don't Wanna Cry" was also lauded by Billboard for its musical depth and adding diversity to the group's sound. "Two years into their career, it's a surprising, but very welcome, move, and hopefully Seventeen will continue to impress with future releases," the review stated.

Billboard has also dubbed SEVENTEEN for being one of the most innovative K-pop groups in the industry. This has resulted in the group's multiple entries to the Billboards World Albums Chart.

SEVENTEEN's "AI1" has become a smashing success since its recent release topping iTunes and radio charts in the world. Upon its release, SEVENTEEN's comeback album has topped the iTunes charts in Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, and Singapore. It also performed well on the iTunes charts of Japan, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, US and Canada.

SEVENTEEN also outdid themselves in terms of sales performance as they managed to sell 80,000 units of "AI1" in its first three days in the market. This was a huge step up from the 50,000 sales it charted for its previous album.

According to SEVENTEEN members, their current success is due to one word which is "effort." Their fans were able to attest to this after they saw the behind the scenes footage of the filming of "Don't Wanna Cry."
Gong Yoo's interview with CNN has just aired. During which, the "Goblin" star revealed how he did not have any plans on becoming an actor at all.

Gong Yoo's interview with CNN's "Talk Asia" was aired on Monday, May 29 with host Anna Coren. The interview was actually recorded back in April but airing was postponed for unknown reasons.

Gong Yoo was asked many things in the 30-minute interview with CNN, including what he misses in his personal, private life. In his interview with CNN, Gong Yoo revealed that misses going out for walks the most.

Apparently, back when he was still living a normal life, Gong Yoo enjoyed long walks outside. The actor also enjoyed eating street foods back in the day.

Nowadays, unfortunately, Gong Yoo can't do any of the two without being mobbed by his fans. In the interview, the actor revealed how much he misses being just "free".

Anna Coren asked the "Goblin" star if he wishes sometimes that fans would just simply respect his privacy. "Yes, sometimes I do, if that's possible. But it's not. I think it's impossible," replied Gong Yoo.

Anna Coren also asked Gong Yoo if he always wanted to be an actor. Gong Yoo laughed and said "No". "Then how did you become one?" asked Coren.

Gong Yoo then revealed that when he chose "Theater" to be his major in the university he attended, it was not for him to become an actor one day. It was only when Gong Yoo started to hang out with friends who dreamed of becoming actors that also made him dream of becoming one.

Furthermore, Gong Yoo added that he became more interested in the art of expression as he studied and hung out with his university friends. "I started to think 'Maybe I could become an actor,' but I didn't have the confidence," answered Gong Yoo.

In other news, The Jakarta Post reports that Gong Yoo will be featured on the cover of Esquire magazine in 7 Asian countries! These include Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Indonesia.

This is the first time in Esquire that one actor is on the cover of different Asian magazine edition at once. Esquire Magazine's June issue featuring Gong Yoo will also be sold in Vietnam and in the Philippines.
Severson as a young man. Surfline.com



John Severson, the Los Angeles-born founder of Surfer magazine, died on his sleep on Friday, the magazine announced. Severson was a maker of surfing films before he established Surfer magazine in 1960. He died at his home near Lahaina on Maui, in Hawaii, where he moved from Southern California in the 1970s. He had leukemia. Severson grew up in Pasadena, moved to San Clemente as a teenager and was first sent to Hawaii by the Army after he was drafted in 1956.

From Surfer magazine:

It is with a heavy heart that we announce John Severson, Founder of SURFER Magazine and patriarch of modern surf media, passed away Friday evening in his sleep. He was 83 years old.

Born in December of 1933 in Los Angeles, Severson began surfing at age 13 after his family moved to San Clemente. He released his first film, Surf, while serving in the U.S. Army in Honolulu. Severson would join Bruce Brown, Bud Browne, and Greg Noll as surfings original filmmakers in the late 50s and early 60s, touring productions like Surf Fever, Big Wednesday, and Going My Wave up and down the California coastline. It was Seversons promotional artwork for his films (a highly-talented visual artist, Severson received an M.A. in art education from Long Beach State College in 1956) that led to his foray in surf publishing. He designed a 36-page magazine composed of surf photos, cartoons, sketches, and more to advertise the release of Surf Fever in 1960. He would call it The Surfer, later becoming the Surfer Quarterly in 1961. The success of the magazine eventually allowed Severson to bring on staff members that included cartoonist Rick Griffin, photographer Ron Stoner, and editors Drew Kampion and Steve Pezmanthe veritable Mount Rushmore of surf media, with Severson himself as the architect. Before John Severson, there was no surf media, no surf industry and no surf cultureat least not in the way we understand it today, SURFER editor Sam George wrote in 1999. In this crowded world, Severson wrote in the very first issue of SURFER, the surfer can still seek and find the perfect day, the perfect wave, and be alone with the surf and his thoughts. The legacy he inspired with that pursuitto seek and find the perfect wavewill forever live on.



The Surfline website pays tribute to Severson:

Before John Severson, there was really no surf art, no surf magazines, no real surf films, no surfwear industry, no pro surfing, no Surfrider Foundation, no surf culture as we know it. In a very large sense, he made it all happen by synthesizing the sport of surfing into various expressions of his art.

Surfline posted that when President Richard Nixon moved in next door in San Clemente, "Severson became overwhelmed and opted for change. He sold Surfer in 1972 and moved with his wife and two daughters to Maui, where he resumed his passionate pursuit of photography and painting. He surfed and then started windsurfing. He designed and launched Wind Surf magazine and, for several years, contributed art and photos, making it the leader in its field."

The longboard renaissance of the '90s and the accompanying era of nostalgia brought renewed interest and appreciation to Severson's surf art. His oil and watercolor paintings (as well as his block prints) grew in demand, and he designed hundreds of prints for Kahala's Artist Series Hawaiian shirts. (To see samples of his work, visit: surferart.com).

The New York Times obituary:

John Severson, a pioneer of modern surf culture who founded Surfer magazine in 1962 and created paintings, films and photographs depicting the surfing lifestyle, died on Friday at his home outside Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui. He was 83....

Surfing was a niche sport in America when Mr. Severson, having surfed on a redwood board in his native Southern California as a teenager, set out to portray its essence as a counter to the 1959 Hollywood film Gidget (a forerunner of the 1960s beach party films with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello) and the early music of the Beach Boys, which he regarded as a cheap, honky look at surfing. He believed that the popular portrayal of surfing spawned an image that led to municipal restrictions on serious wave riders. The Gidget-inspired kids wanted to go surfing, or at least be a part of this underground culture, Mr. Severson recalled in his 2014 book, John Seversons SURF. Their role models were Hollywood stereotypes, and the sport quickly picked up a bad name. Wannabes came into the sport as rebels, pranksters, vandals, and thieves, wearing Nazi imagery  helmets and iron crosses. Surfers hated those Hollywood surf films, and I could see that Surfer could create a truer image of the sport.



The NYT says that Severson's films included Surf, Surf Safari, Surf Fever and Pacific Vibrations. The posters he designed for them became collectors items, the paper says.
Paul Beatty, celebrated as the first American to win the prestigious Man Booker Prize, appeared in an onstage interview at the Sydney Writers Festival in Australia on Friday. But when the conversation turned to race, things got heated.

ABC Radio National host Michael Cathcart, who is white, was blasted on social media after the awkward exchange that followed his quotation of a phrase from Beattys award-winning novel  The Sellout is a racial satire set in South Los Angeles  that contained the N-word, the Guardian reports.

Cathcart used the word in a question to Beatty about one of the novels characters who is described as an "[N-word] whisperer, which the host added was a term which most decent white folks in the U.S. would never dare say.

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What the dickens is a [N-word] whisperer? Cathcart asked Beatty.

Somebody else asked me this, Beatty replied. Only in Australia has this question come up twice, actually.

Well, we dont know, Cathcart said, to which Beatty responded, Ah, yes, you do.

The interview got more awkward from there, with Cathcart asking: Do you think that people become black? Do they have to learn what it means to be black?

Beatty, becoming impatient and punctuating his answer with profanity, replied: Ask yourself the ... question, man.  Just think about it for a ... second. Did you learn to be white?

I believe that in my life I have learned to be white in different ways, and that Ive become less interested in the notion of being white, Cathcart responded. So I think of myself just as a person. I think I have learned not to be white.

Those who watched the Cathcart interview took to Twitter to blast the Australian journalist for what many considered tone-deaf questions.

@SydWritersFest Michael Cathcart should not be invited back as an interviewer. Terrible. Paul Beatty had some amazing responses though.  Valerie Morales (@crazygalpalval) May 27, 2017

The Sellout, which won the Man Booker Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction, is about an African American farmer in a fictitious South Los Angeles suburb who lobbies to bring back slavery and racial segregation.

Paul Beatty handled The Sellout interview really well; the interviewer was clearly unhinged / not equipped for it. #SydneyWritersFestival  Maria Metro (@MariaMoroder) May 27, 2017

Writing for the Los Angeles Times, critic Kiese Laymon wrote that Beattys book is among the most important and difficult American novels written in the 21st century.

Cathcart told the Guardian that his question about learning to be black was a miscalculation.

You might say I didnt ask it in an appropriate way, he said. The tension was inevitably going to be in the room because this is a book that creates a tense and unsettling conversation. ... It is not a comfortable book.
Uber has fired Anthony Levandowski, the star engineer at the center of the companys fight with self-driving rival Waymo.

Levandowski  a former Waymo employee who until recently was leading Ubers effort to replace human drivers with robot cars  has refused to hand over documents requested by Waymo and a federal court judge in a high-profile legal battle between two Silicon Valley giants. Waymo is part of Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google.

Uber is being accused of stealing Waymos self-driving technology. The San Francisco company has denied the allegations.

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An Uber spokeswoman said Tuesday that the companys driverless car program will continue to be run by Eric Meyhofer, who took over from Levandowski in April. Levandowskis direct reports have been moved to Meyhofer.

We have been pressing Anthony to comply and assist with our internal investigation for months, the spokeswoman said. We set a deadline that he did not meet, and we will not wait for this issue to make its way through the courts.

The firing represents a milestone of sorts for Uber, which has a reputation for protecting executives who reflect badly on the company.

This is a clear indication that [Uber Chief Executive] Travis Kalanick has grown up, driverless industry consultant Grayson Brulte said. He is evolving into a leader who is owning his mistakes.

Waymo sued Uber in February, alleging Uber made illegal use of 14,000 documents it says Levandowski stole from Waymo while he was a Waymo employee.

The stakes in the emerging market for semi-autonomous and completely driverless cars are huge. Market forecasters say itll become an annual market worth tens to hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade.

Technology companies, traditional automakers and others are fighting for a foothold. Companies that gain proprietary technological advantage will benefit the most.

Waymo, under the Google name, was first out of the gate with a major driverless car project in 2009. Other companies are hoping to catch up with Waymo and then bypass it.

After Levandowski left Waymo, he started his own company: driverless-truck start-up Otto. Uber soon bought Otto, reportedly for $680 million, and put Levandowski in charge of Ubers driverless project.

Uber has insisted that it developed its driverless technology independently and that it does not possess and has not made use of any stolen material.

Levandowski has refused to turn over the documents or his computer to anyone, citing a 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination. That led the federal judge in the case, William Alsup, to pressure Uber to take action against Levandowski.

Uber has no excuse under the 5th Amendment to pull any punches as to Levandowski, the judge said in a written order this month.

Uber then threatened to fire Levandowski if he didnt comply. Tuesday, Uber announced his termination.

Meanwhile, Uber continues to resist Waymos court request to release the term sheets Uber and Levandowski signed when Uber bought Otto last summer.

The Waymo-Uber battle is over a technology called lidar. Considered by most experts as an essential element for driverless cars, lidar uses light beams to identify objects including traffic signs, motor vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Lidar is not a new technology, but engineers are racing to adapt it for automotive use, trying to shrink its size and lower its cost while improving its performance.

Levandowski is widely considered a top figure in driverless vehicle research. Whatever his personal attributes, his knowledge and experience will be hard to replace. Perhaps to compensate, Uber announced this month that it will expand its driverless car research program to Toronto, under Raquel Urtasun, also a highly regarded researcher. Some of the most important breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and machine learning in recent years have emerged from the University of Toronto.

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UPDATES:

2 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Judge William Alsup and from consultant Grayson Brulte, as well as additional background information.

This article was originally published at 12:30 p.m.
Three Mile Island, the nuclear power plant located about 10 miles from Harrisburg, Pa., has stood as a symbol of nuclear incompetence for 38 years, or since the reactor in its Unit 2 partially melted down on March 28, 1979.

Today its about to become a symbol of another feature of Americas nuclear power industry: the impossibility of turning a profit. The owner of the plants undamaged Unit 1, the nuke-heavy energy company Exelon, announced Tuesday that it will permanently shut down the unit in September 2019. Exelon said a week ago that the plant hasnt been profitable in five years. The company will take a charge of as much as $110 million this year related to the operation and planned shutdown.

Its unclear whether Exelon actually intends to close Three Mile Island, or if its announcement is designed as something of a threat to force the state of Pennsylvania to deliver an operating subsidy. In announcing the shutdown, Exelon groused that nuclear power hasnt received favorable treatment as a renewable energy source in the states energy policy as have solar, wind and hydro power.

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As alarms rang and warning lights flashed, the operators ... took a series of actions that made conditions worse.  Nuclear Regulatory Commission, recounting the 1979 Three Mile Island accident

Exelon warned that absent policy reforms, the loss of Pennsylvania nuclear plants would increase air pollution, compromise the resiliency of the electric grid, raise energy prices for consumers, eliminate thousands of good-paying local jobs and weaken the states economy. The announcement leaned heavily on the economic impact of the shutdown, which Exelon says will mean layoffs for as many as 675 workers directly employed at the site as well as the loss of more than $1 million in state property taxes and more than $300,000 in local community giving each year. Three Mile Island is licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to operate through 2034, so the shutdown would come 15 years early.

Still, the company had to acknowledge that nuclear power just isnt competitive with other renewables or with natural gas generating plants. Three Mile Island was unable to sell its output into the regional electric grid in recent power auctions. TMI remains economically challenged as a result of continued low wholesale power prices and the lack of federal or Pennsylvania energy policies that value zero-emissions nuclear energy, Exelon says.

That underscores a chronic malady of American nukes  theyre too hard to operate and simply not competitive. Its that mismatch of cost that helps account for recent shutdown decisions such as the pending closure in California of Pacific Gas & Electrics Diablo Canyon nuclear plant and the 2013 abandonment of San Onofre by Southern California Edison after a botched upgrade.

Nor does the economic tide seem about to turn. Just last week, an executive at Sempra Energy, the parent of Southern California Gas and San Diego Gas & Electric Co., and a minority owner of San Onofre, told a utility conference that the technology exists today for California to get all of its power from solar and wind, rather than keeping fossil-fueled generation around to provide constant base-load electricity. Installing a base-load power plant is no longer your only option, said Patrick Lee, a Sempra vice president. You can now look at solar, wind and storage as alternatives, and still be able to manage the reliability of the grid.

Three Mile Island will always be famous not as an example of nuclear energys economic obsolescence, but of the nuclear industrys slipshod management practices. Starting at 4 a.m. that day in March 1979, multiple failures occurred to produce what still stands as the nations worst commercial nuclear accident. A thorough chronology by the NRC can be found here.

The mishap began with a pump failure that blocked cooling water from reaching the reactor core. The reactor immediately shut down. A valve opened to relieve pressure building up conditions in the nuclear unit, but then stuck open instead of closing, allowing cooling water to cascade out of the reactor unit. Plant staff got an erroneous reading indicating the valve had closed, and other information systems provided them with more incorrect or inadequate data.

As alarms rang and warning lights flashed, the NRC recounted, the operators did not realize that the plant was experiencing a loss-of-coolant accident. They took a series of actions that made conditions worse.

In the end, the nuclear fuel overheated; about half the core melted down. The NRC correctly describes a loss-of-coolant incident as the most dangerous kind of nuclear power accident, but asserts that effects outside the plant itself, including radiation releases and health effects in the surrounding area, were minimal.

That said, the affected Three Mile Island Unit 2 was permanently disabled. Its fuel and radioactive waste have been shipped away, and whats left of the unit is monitored by Exelon.

Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.

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With its tidy racks of dress shirts, trousers and sweaters, the Ministry of Supply shop on Bostons Newbury Street looks, in many ways, similar to other clothing stores.

That is, except for the 10-foot-long 3-D knitting machine positioned next to the checkout counter  the one that weighs as much as a car, is outfitted with 4,000 needles and can manufacture a customized blazer in about 90 minutes.

The process requires little in the way of human labor. After a customer selects the colors, cuffs and buttons of the garment, an employee programs the device to crank out a jacket to those specifications.

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It may sound like a novelty, but make no mistake: It is a symbol of a potentially industry-shaking wave of innovation taking hold in the apparel world.

This is an experiment in the idea of mass customization, in which clothes are made for an individuals preferences or sizes. Its a departure from the model of selling standardized, mass-produced goods that has dominated retailing for more than a century.

Ministry of Supplys foray into this new territory is in its early days, and 3-D knitting is just one tool that could eventually be used to bring personalized garments to the masses.

But if this and other nascent efforts are successful, it could set off a scramble in the fashion business to radically transform the long-standing supply chains and design methods that are used to make clothes today.

If even a small portion of a retailers goods are made on demand, it could slash some of their costs, since there would be no risk of getting stuck with inventory that customers dont like. It could also enable brands to react on the fly to trends, an increasingly powerful weapon at a time when social media is acting as rocket fuel for fashion fads. And it could help retailers meet the expectations of customers who are increasingly seeking out one-of-a-kind, boutique-like goods.

Its going to be a big change, said Lisa Chapman, a professor at North Carolina State Universitys College of Textiles who studies design and mass customization.

The embrace of personalized goods in apparel is taking a variety of forms. Adidas is soon to open its second Speedfactory, a facility that eventually aims to manufacture sneakers that are customized to the exact shape and size of shoppers feet. Mens apparel start-up Indochino has entered into a strategic partnership with a Chinese manufacturer that enables it to expand production of its made-to-measure suits. Amazon.com, which is emerging as a force in the apparel industry, has reportedly received a patent for a machine that makes custom garments. (Amazon founder Jeffrey Bezos owns the Washington Post.)

Ministry of Supply, a start-up that began as an e-commerce operation and now has nine stores  including locations in Santa Monica, San Francisco and Walnut Creek, Calif.  currently has a 3-D knitting machine only in its Boston store, but says it is possible it will be making one-quarter or even one-third of its merchandise via 3-D knitting within a couple of years.

The machine in Boston, made by a Japanese company called Shima Seiki, knits yarn directly into the shape of a complete garment. In other words, there is no cutting and sewing and, therefore, no seams. Known as the Wholegarment Mach2XS, the machine costs about $190,000. Shima Seiki covered the cost of the machine for this experiment; Ministry of Supply footed the bill for its installation and handles maintenance.

The company charges $345 for a blazer made on the 3-D knitting machine if you customize the garment, or $285 if you buy it off the rack.

Gihan Amarasiriwardena, Ministry of Supplys chief design officer, said the process has key advantages. For one, the lack of seams makes clothing more durable, because seams are typically the place where wear and tear first appear.

Also, by knitting in the shape of the blazer, there is very little fabric waste, especially compared with traditional knit manufacturing, in which its not uncommon for 30% of the textile to be wasted.

Theres also a potential benefit to the merchandiser. Shoppers are increasingly spending money on what they believe are unique experiences, and they are increasingly curious about the origin of the goods they buy. By putting the technology right in front of them, Ministry of Supply hopes to cater to those preferences.

Were really excited about exposing our creative process and letting the customers see that, Amarasiriwardena said.

The process that shoppers are watching is largely automated, with the machine doing work that in a traditional supply chain would be done by several people.

It seems like its a manufacturing innovation, but it really affects the entire business, from start to finish, said Aman Advani, chief executive of Ministry of Supply.

For one, the retailer has had to adopt a new design process for garments made via 3-D knitting. Instead of sketching new pieces on paper, they build them using software on a digital mannequin.

And since it is now a maker, not just a seller, the shop must keep enough yarn in the back of the store to crank out 50 or 60 blazers. (Each jacket calls for about 1 pounds of fabric.)

Store employees must also master new skills, such as envisioning a garment at the yarn level. They spent a week with Shima Seiki learning how to operate the complex machine and to do maintenance work, such as changing the needles.

When we look at competencies, theres design, make and sell, Amarasiriwardena said. Traditionally our retail staff is just focused on the sales side. For this to work in the future, our team needs to be able to spread across all three of those.

Still, the technology has its limits. Even though the machine can produce a blazer in about an hour and a half, more steps are involved before Ministry of Supply hands it over to the shopper. The garment must be run through a washer and dryer so the material shrinks to the right fit. And the buttons and label have to be sewn on by hand by a store worker.

The retailer hopes to one day be able to turn around a garment during a single visit to the store. But for now, clerks tell customers that their garment will be ready in three to five days.

It is hitches such as these that make Felipe Caro, a professor at UCLA who studies operations and technology management, skeptical that mass customization can become ubiquitous in the retail business.

Sure, theres almost no labor involved. But how many of those can you produce in afternoon? said Caro, who previously worked on supply chain strategy for fast-fashion powerhouse Zara.

In other words, in mass customization, the retailer is always working in batch sizes of one. So even with the reduced costs associated with less labor and no obsolescence, Caro finds it hard to see how this can be a cost-effective model at a large scale.

And yet, Chapman of North Carolina State said there is plenty of incentive for companies to keep trying to crack this puzzle.

Theres going to be a demand for more personalized and customized products, Chapman said. And thats where these new technologies have the potential to make an impact.

Indeed, Ministry of Supply sees more avenues for experimentation. In the future, it is looking at customizing the sizing of products made via on-demand manufacturing  particularly if it branches into something like dress shirts, where shoppers tend to be looking for an especially precise fit. The retailer also hopes to offer more style and aesthetic attributes for customers to choose from.

We jokingly but not so jokingly like to mention that we only budgeted for one-way transportation of that machine, Advani said. So were betting on it being the future.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

Halzack writes for the Washington Post.
The Travancore House, categorised as a heritage building by the New Delhi Municipal Council, is the former residence of the Maharaja of Travancore in the national capital.
A Star Is Born: Morgan Freeman turns 80 today By Los Angeles Times Staff (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) I like to play characters who are the absolute opposite of me. I think the farther you get from yourself, the more fun you have because the real you is hidden away. Those are the kind of parts where you can become totally empty and let the character fill you up. Thats what I look for -- a role that gives me a chance to be someone completely different.  Morgan Freeman, 1993 FROM THE ARCHIVES: No Sweat: Morgan Freeman Slides Into the Directors Chair Facebook

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Chloe Grace Moretz addresses body-shaming controversy over Snow White movie By Josh Rottenberg (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) Actress Chloe Grace Moretz has long been known as a strong voice when it comes to issues of feminism, whether its over-sexualization of female characters or equal pay for women. Now shes speaking out against the marketing campaign behind one of her own projects. Moretz went on social media Wednesday to address criticism that marketing for the animated film Red Shoes and the 7 Dwarfs  an updated tweak on the Snow White story, with Moretz as the voice of the classic fairy-tale character  engages in body-shaming. I have now fully reviewed the [marketing] for Red Shoes, I am just as appalled and angry as everyone else, this wasnt approved by me or my team, the actress wrote. According to the website of the South Korean animation studio behind the film, its story centers on a Princess who doesnt fit into the celebrity world of Princesses  or their dress size. When she puts on a pair of magical red shoes, she instantly becomes skinnier. The films synopsis promises an empowering message in which Snow White learns not only to accept herself, but to celebrate who she is, inside and out. But the films trailer and other marketing materials have been blasted as fat-shaming. Plus-size model Tess Holliday took to Twitter to criticize a billboard for the film that appeared at the Cannes Film Festival, where Red Shoes was seeking distribution, that suggested that the less svelte Snow White was no longer beautiful. How did this get approved by an entire marketing team? Why is it okay to tell young kids being fat = ugly? @ChloeGMoretz pic.twitter.com/PVhgwluGTM  Tess Holliday  (@Tess_Holliday) May 30, 2017 Hearing the complaints about the films tone-deaf marketing, Moretz agreed  and told her more than 3 million followers so in a pair of tweets. I have now fully reviewed the mkting for Red Shoes, I am just as appalled and angry as everyone else, this wasn't approved by me or my team  Chloe Grace Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz) May 31, 2017 Pls know I have let the producers of the film know. I lent my voice to a beautiful script that I hope you will all see in its entirety https://t.co/IOIXYZTc3g  Chloe Grace Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz) May 31, 2017 Even as she apologized, she promised that the marketing doesnt represent the complete picture and the films ultimate message is a far more positive one than initial impressions may suggest. The actual story is powerful for young women and resonated with me. I am sorry for the offense that was beyond my creative control https://t.co/HZP2ydPCAX  Chloe Grace Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz) May 31, 2017 Facebook

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Singing tween ventriloquist from Americas Got Talent is the cure for what ails you By Christie DZurilla Had enough outrage? Heres the cure for what ails you, courtesy of Americas Got Talent. Take a deep breath, exhale slowly and witness one Darci Lynne Farmer, a 12-year-old singing ventriloquist from Oklahoma City, who on Tuesday night got the Golden Buzzer from AGT judge Mel B for a performance that exuded unadulterated joy. Armed with bunny-puppet pal Petunia on lead vocals, Darci Lynne delivered a surprising version of Summertime for her audition. She ended up earning a ticket straight to the competitions live shows. You made my heart melt, said Mel B, who Darci Lynne later dubbed the best Spice Girl. I believe that that rabbit is a real separate person, judge Howie Mandel said. I love you. I believe youre gonna go far. You just changed your life tonight, young lady. https://t.co/VZmgRXv4PZ  Darci Lynne (@ItsDarciLynne) May 31, 2017 Facebook

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John Legend makes case to take canceled drama Underground elsewhere By Nardine Saad (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) John Legend is making a case for the recently canceled TV drama Underground to be picked up by other content providers. The Oscar-winning musician, who is an executive producer and played abolitionist Frederick Douglass on the Underground Railroad-centered show, rallied fans to give it a second life when cable broadcaster WGN America announced Tuesday it would be canceling the series after two seasons. The network has been scaling down its investment in original programming as part of a deal that its parent company, Tribune Media, made with conservative-leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. Sinclairs purchase of Tribune gives it control of more than 200 local TV stations and WGN America. The shift was not lost on Legend, who fired off a series of tweets to promote the content brought forth by Underground and its creators, Misha Green and Joe Pokaski. WGN America has been bought and is going a different direction strategically. We will find a new home for Underground! he tweeted, adding, Content wins. Were not reliant on a particular network to make great content. Were so proud of our show and the audience that supported! Legend, who has made no secret about his liberal politics, cautioned fans to be wary of Sinclair and claimed that theyre trying to make local stations mini Fox Newses that lean even further to the right. He completed his plea by asking followers to feel free to drop some hints to the network/streaming services you want to pick up #Underground. Show them who will be watching! View Instagram post Despite Underground being a terrific and important series, it no longer fits with our new direction and we have reached the difficult decision not to renew it for a third season, Peter Kern, president and CEO of Tribune Media, said in a statement. It is our hope that this remarkable show finds another home and continues its stories of courage, determination and freedom. Sony Pictures Television, the studio that produces Underground, is said to be trying to find it a new home. See The Times roster of new, returning and canceled series here. Facebook

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Liam Gallagher plays new music at Manchester benefit show By August Brown In the wake of the terrorist attack outside an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, scores of artists joined forces to raise money for the victims. Among them was Liam Gallagher, the former singer and frontman for the citys most beloved rock band, Oasis. Gallagher played a benefit show for the bombing victims on Tuesday at the O2 Ritz Manchester. At the show, his first as a solo artist, he played several new songs, including the single Wall of Glass, which you can watch above. It was a preview of his forthcoming solo LP, As You Were. (Previously, Gallagher fronted the post-Oasis rock band Beady Eye.) For Oasis fans, he played several classic tracks, including Be Here Now with Oasis guitarist Paul Bonehead Arthurs and an a cappella take on Live Forever. Facebook

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CNN fires Kathy Griffin from New Years Eve show over controversial Trump picture By Christie DZurilla (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times) Kathy Griffin is out of a job at CNN. The cable network on Wednesday terminated its agreement with the comic, who for years has co-hosted its New Years Eve program with Anderson Cooper, after a photo of Griffin holding a bloody, severed head in the likeness of President Trump went viral on social media. The image, taken by photographer Tyler Shields, elicited strong criticism from liberals and conservatives alike. Griffin apologized for the gory image in a 30-second video posted online Tuesday night. I beg for your forgiveness, Griffin said in the video. I went too far. Trump denounced the image Wednesday, calling it Sick! and saying Griffin should be ashamed. CNN has terminated our agreement with Kathy Griffin to appear on our New Year's Eve program.  CNN Communications (@CNNPR) May 31, 2017 Facebook

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Lebanon officially bans Wonder Woman from theaters By Josh Rottenberg If you live in Lebanon, Wonder Woman wont be coming to a theater near you anytime soon. On Wednesday, the country officially banned the superhero film just hours before it was set to arrive in theaters. The ban followed an effort by a group called Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel, which urged the Lebanese governments Ministry of Economy and Trade to block the film because its star, Gal Gadot, is Israeli. News of the ban, which had been the subject of speculation since Monday, was announced on social media by Lebanons Grand Cinemas and Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel. Lebanon has had a contentious relationship with the state of Israel for decades and has an official law on the books that encourages boycotts of products from its neighbor to the south. Israeli citizens and anyone whose passport shows theyve traveled to Israel are prohibited from entering Lebanon. Earlier films featuring Gadot, including Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Furious 7, have successfully screened in theaters in Lebanon, however. Batman v Superman, which introduced Gadots Wonder Woman, was the third biggest hit at the box office in Lebanon last year. And, as has been pointed out, Wonder Woman was, in fact, made by three companies based in America and two based in China, so calling it an Israeli product is debatable. But, on its Facebook page, the Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel complained that Gadot had served two years in the Israeli Defense Forces (national military service is mandatory for Israeli citizens over 18) and boasted about the army training her for Hollywood. Wonder Woman lands in American theaters on Friday and, fueled by overwhelmingly positive reviews, is expected to perform strongly. Read our recent profile of director Patty Jenkins, in which she explains why the world needs Wonder Woman, right here. Facebook

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If President Trumps got the whole world in his hands, Trevor Noah says were in trouble By Robert Lloyd Having caught fire too late Tuesday for late-night TV, and with several hosts extending their Memorial Day weekend, the #covfefe hashtag would have to wait at least until Wednesday for its monologue moment. There were, however, some late-night-related tweets reacting to Twitter addict @realdonaldtrumps since-deleted mistyping of what is assumed to be the word covering or coverage. What makes me saddest, wrote Jimmy Kimmel, is that I know Ill never write anything funnier than #covfefe. The account for CBS Late Late Show poked some fun at Trumps gaffe, too. who do you want to see on the next covfefe karaoke  The Late Late Show with James Corden (@latelateshow) May 31, 2017 Meanwhile, Trevor Noah and Comedy Centrals The Daily Show were back after a week off, above, catching up with President Trumps whole first trip abroad. International Hand Stuff was the name of the segment, which framed the excursion in terms of the presidents mitts. There were references to Trump touching the glowing white orb and Jerusalems Western Wall (they build one wall 2,000 years ago, Noah said in his Trump voice, zero Mexicans in their whole country); the question of whether First Lady Melania Trump swatted away her husbands hand on the tarmac in Tel Aviv (leave it to Fox News not to recognize what rejection from a woman looks like); and Trumps power handshake from new French President Emmanuel Macron (the first time that President Trump was on the receiving end of an unwelcome hand grab). The last manual metaphor was given to the German chancellor, who, after her visit with the American president, said, We Europeans must take our fate into our own hands. Yeah, said Noah, clearly Angela Merkel got one look at Trump and was like, All right, our fate is in our own hands, because his clearly ruin everything they touch. Jimmy Kimmel also looked at Trumps trip abroad, which he described, with probable irony, as spreading joy and optimism all over the world. Titled Drunk Donald Trump: Sicily, the segment replayed a portion of Trumps speech at half-speed. The effect is uncanny. Later, sitting outside on some steps -- urine-stained steps, apparently -- Kimmel asked a series of kids, who really do say the darnedest things, about the state of the union. If we measure a late-night host solely by an ability to engage with children in a way thats friendly, direct, deadpan and mostly honest, Kimmel is in a league with David Letterman, nearly. How did he think Donald Trump was doing, Kimmel asked one boy. Not really well, the child replied. My sister told me that Donald Trump is against another state. Which state? Is it  Nebraska? Yeah, Nebraska. A lot of people are happy that he is bombing Nebraska, said Kimmel. (I did say mostly honest.) Do you think it was a good idea? No, replied the boy, cause they have, like, better bombs. I think theyre going to be OK, though, I really do, the host said. Once football season starts, theyre usually pretty solid. Facebook

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Kathy Griffin apologized for that bloody severed-head stunt. But few are forgiving her By Nardine Saad (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times) First Lady Melania Trump is the latest detractor of Kathy Griffins bloody depiction of the presidents decapitation. As a mother, a wife, and a human being, that photo is very disturbing, FLOTUS said in a statement to NBC News. When you consider some of the atrocities happening in the world today, a photo opportunity like this is simply wrong and makes you wonder about the mental health of the person who did it. Griffins photographs and video by photographer Tyler Shields showed the comic straight-faced, holding up a blood-splattered severed head that appeared to be Trumps. The president denounced Griffins stunt, saying that she should be ashamed of herself and that the piece greatly disturbed his 11-year-old son, Barron. Griffins apology wasnt accepted by some on Twitter either, which spewed a variety of reactions, including several right-wing jabs that Griffin had been radicalized by Islamic State, the terror group that frequently beheads its victims. Several also sympathized with the presidents family, citing TMZs story about Barron believing that something horrible had happened to his father when he saw the images on the news. CNN subsequently fired Griffin from her co-hosting duties for its New Years Eve broadcast, and she has also been dropped as a spokesperson for Squatty Potty. Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., was delighted by the bathroom footstool makers response but criticized CNN for not immediately doing the same. So Squatty Potty pulls the plug on Kathy Griffin, but CNN still evaluating and weighing their options, the presidents eldest son tweeted. Insane whats going on there!!! He then added, Apologies for my last tweet. I didnt mean to group Squatty Potty with CNN. Obviously one of them has moral/ethical standards. Griffins CNN compatriot, Anderson Cooper, who co-hosts the giggle-filled New Years Eve show for the cable news channel, did not come to his pals defense. For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin took part in. It is clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate, Cooper tweeted. CNN host Jake Tapper also said on the air that he thought the beheading imagery by Griffin about the president was disgusting and inappropriate. For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin took part in. It is clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate.  Anderson Cooper (@andersoncooper) May 31, 2017 For those asking, I said on air that I thought the beheading imagery by Griffin about the president was disgusting and inappropriate.  Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 30, 2017 Meanwhile, others believed that Griffins apology was a step in the right direction. Kathy Griffin did the right thing by apologizing. That sort of behavior, that sort of message, isn't acceptable in any setting.  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 31, 2017 I think she did the right thing asking for forgiveness and acknowledging that this was a horrible mistake, so I think she can, Minnesota Democrat and former Saturday Night Live writer Sen. Al Franken told CNN on Wednesday. Kathys a friend and shes a terrific comedian, but this had no business being in our public discourse..., Franken said. And I talked to her. She has apologized  a real, fulsome apology. Shes actually begged for forgiveness, and I believe in forgiveness. Still, there was more snark to be had. Kathy Griffin's stupid photo was gross & offensive. She should lose her leadership role in the DNC and no longer be a candidate for office.  Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) May 31, 2017 Update, 10:55 a.m.: Story added news that CNN has fired Griffin from its New Years Eve broadcast. Facebook

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Melania Trump questions Kathy Griffins mental health after inflammatory photo shoot By James Reed President Trump and Melania Trump (Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images) As a mother, a wife, and a human being, that photo is very disturbing. When you consider some of the atrocities happening in the world today, a photo opportunity like this is simply wrong and makes you wonder about the mental health of the person who did it.  Melania Trump, responding to Kathy Griffins controversial stunt involving a severed head in the likeness of President Trump Read More Facebook

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A Star Is Born: Clint Eastwood turns 87 today By Los Angeles Times Staff (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) If you want to be in for the long haul, you just have to trust your judgment about the material. ... If you go whoring for the money, the audiences will figure you out. They know when youre being a jerk, when youre just trying to get them in a room and show them a movie you dont even care about.  Clint Eastwood, 1993 FROM THE ARCHIVES: Clint, closing in on El Dorado Facebook

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This Is Us not moving to Thursdays, after all By Yvonne Villarreal Consider it a flash-forward flashback: Poised to help NBC reclaim its Must See TV glory on Thursday nights, This Is Us is now staying put in its Tuesday time slot before the switch even happened. The breakout drama from last season will keep hold of the 9 p.m. hour on Tuesdays where it performed mightily in its debut season, the network announced Tuesday. Itll retain its lead-in, The Voice. The move means some rejiggering for Thursdays. The revival of Will & Grace, which was slated to open the night, will now kick off the 9 p.m. hour. It will be surrounded by comedies Superstore, The Good Place and Great News to create a two-hour comedy block. Chicago Fire will take up the 10 p.m. hour instead of Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders. That drama will keep its This Is Us lead-in by moving to Tuesdays. Heres NBCs revised schedule: Tuesdays 8 p.m.  The Voice 9 p.m.  This Is Us 10 p.m.  Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders Thursdays 8 p.m.  Superstore 8:30 p.m.  The Good Place 9 p.m.  Will & Grace 9:30 p.m.  Great News 10 p.m.  Chicago Fire Facebook

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Erin Moran died of cancer, autopsy report confirms By Christie DZurilla Erin Moran is shown in 1992. (Wally Fong / Associated Press ) The coroner reportedly says Happy Days actress Erin Moran died of complications from cancer and cancer alone. Thats in line with what her husband said in an open letter written shortly after her death on April 22 at age 56. Tests showed no illegal narcotics were involved in her death, according to an autopsy report obtained by TMZ on Tuesday from the coroners office in Harrison County, Ind. Moran struggled with substance abuse earlier in her life, and media assumptions about her cause of death were amplified by a comment from Scott Baio during an early morning radio interview April 24. When Baio learned his former costar had been battling cancer, he fell all over himself trying to set the record straight. I was asked ONLY about Erins troubled past due to drug & alcohol abuse. I was still upset and said I felt that living that kind of a lifestyle will catch up with you and nothing good would come of it, he said on Facebook. THIS WAS BEFORE THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS ANNOUNCED STATING STAGE 4 CANCER. One of the former child stars brothers, Tony Moran, told the Sun on May 30: My first thoughts were she must have had a heart attack caused by years of substance abuse. She has always battled demons and in recent years things have gone from bad to worse. In reality, as described by her husband, Moran had discovered last December that she had squamous cell carcinoma of the throat. After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, by April she could no longer speak, eat or drink. She had a feeding tube. Baio posted the open letter from Steve Fleischmann, Morans husband of nearly 24 years, on his own Facebook page April 25. It got so bad so fast, Fleischmann said. The coroner told me it was really really bad. It had spread to her spleen, she had alot of fluid in her lungs and part of her brain was infected, Fleischmann wrote. The coroner said even if she was in the hospital being pumped full of antibiotics she still would not of made it. He said it was the best that she was with me and went in her sleep. Facebook

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WGN America cancels Underground, but will it really be the end? By Yvonne Villarreal  A chat with Aisha Hinds and Jurnee Smollett-Bell, the badass women from Underground. WGN America has canceled slavery-era-set drama Underground. The fate of the series, which centered around the Underground Railroad, seemed doomed given how the network has been scaling back its investment in original programming. Until now, the drama, from creators Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, had stood as the lone original scripted series on the network following the recent cancellation of Outsiders. The shift away from original programming comes after Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., the conservative-leaning Baltimore-based company, announced it had agreed to buy Tribune Media in a deal that would give it control of more than 200 local TV stations and WGN America. As WGN America evolves and broadens the scope and scale of its portfolio of series, we recently announced that resources will be reallocated to a new strategy to increase our relevance within the rapidly changing television landscape, Peter Kern, president and CEO of Tribune Media, said in a statement. Despite Underground being a terrific and important series, it no longer fits with our new direction and we have reached the difficult decision not to renew it for a third season. Kern added: It is our hope that this remarkable show finds another home and continues its stories of courage, determination and freedom. Sony Pictures Television, the studio that produces Underground, is said to be trying to find it a new home. When Underground stars Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Aisha Hinds stopped by the Los Angeles Times video studio last week, both seemed hopeful that Undergrounds story wasnt over. We havent heard anything yet on the status of Season 3, said Hinds, who joined Season 2 portraying Underground Railroad icon Harriet Tubman. But I do know there is quite a bit more of this story to tell. And I know that we have engaged viewers waiting to see the story. If WGN is not our home, well find a home. Facebook

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Lebanon might ban new Wonder Woman because of stars Israeli heritage By Libby Hill A new foe has arisen to oppose Wonder Woman at the box office: Lebanon. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Lebanon is seeking to ban Warner Bros.'s new Wonder Woman movie because lead actress Gal Gadot is an Israeli. On Monday, Lebanons National News Agency reported that the Ministry of Economy and Trade was adopting measures necessary to ban the film from screening. Relations between Israel and Lebanon have been strained since Israels independence in 1948, with Lebanon still abiding by the Arab League boycott of Israel adopted in 1945. Lebanon does not recognize the State of Israel and does not accept Israeli passports or passports indicating a person has entered Israel. But is Wonder Woman an Israeli product? The film is produced by five production companies DC Films, Atlas Entertainment, Cruel and Unusual Films, Tencent Pictures and Wanda Pictures  three companies based in the United States and two in China. Gadot, however, is proud of her heritage. She served two years in the Israel Defense Force as required by the countrys conscription requirements and has posted in the past in support of IDF during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict. The ban of the film would have to move quickly, as screenings are scheduled to begin in Beirut on Wednesday. But such action would require approval from a six-member committee from the Ministry of Economy, a process that had yet to begin, according to the Associated Press. Wonder Woman debuts in U.S. theaters Friday. 4:10 p.m.: This article was updated with information from Lebanons National News Agency. Facebook

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Olivia Newton-John has a new cancer diagnosis; her June shows are postponed By Christie DZurilla (Esteban Felix / Associated Press) Olivia-Newton John has reluctantly postponed her June concert dates after learning that the back pain shes been waylaid by recently is caused by breast cancer that has metastasized to her sacrum. I decided on my direction of therapies after consultation with my doctors and natural therapists and the medical team at my Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia, the 68-year-old singer said Tuesday in a statement on social media. Those therapies include a short course of photon radiation therapy in addition to natural wellness therapies, the statement said. Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, at which time she underwent chemotherapy after a modified radical mastectomy with reconstruction. Her treatment also included acupuncture, which she said helped her with nausea, as well as yoga, meditation and massage. Three weeks ago, Newton-John postponed her May shows, with her team citing a bad issue with Olivias sciatica. Now, her June shows in the U.S. and Canada have been put off. Ticket-holders are being directed to venues for refunds, and any rescheduled dates will be posted on Newton-Johns official website. Olivia ... is confident she will be back later in the year, better than ever, to celebrate her shows, the Tuesday statement said. Facebook

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After Cannes delay, Victoria & Abdul trailer debuts By Amy Kaufman One week after Focus Features scrapped plans to unveil the trailer for Victoria & Abdul during the Cannes Film Festival, a preview of the upcoming British drama has debuted online. Set in 1887, the film stars Judi Dench as Queen Victoria and follows the monarch as she strikes up an unlikely friendship with a Muslim Indian (Ali Fazal) who has traveled to the U.K. to deliver a ceremonial coin to her majesty. Focus, which is owned by Universal Pictures, was set to debut the trailer last Wednesday but postponed the release after the bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, on May 22. A source told The Times the decision was made in part because a big piece of marketing right after the attack could seem insensitive. Directed by Stephen Frears, Victoria & Abdul is set for release at the start of awards season in September. The trailer centers on the real-life relationship that blossomed between the two, with Abdul going from servant to teacher while informing the queen about everything from the Koran to the joys of Indian mangoes. Facebook

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Ready for Alanis Morissettes Jagged Little Pill as a musical? Its happening By August Brown (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Alanis Morissettes angsty, groundbreaking 1995 album, Jagged Little Pill, always seemed like it had enough melodrama to make it into a theatrical production. Now its coming to a stage in Massachusetts. The new production of Jagged Little Pill, helmed by Juno writer Diablo Cody and director Diane Paulus, will debut at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge next May. The musical will feature songs from the LP  famed for its unsparing look at relationships  along with other music from Morissettes catalog and Pill producer Glen Ballard. This team that has come together for this Jagged Little Pill musical is my musical theater dream come true, Morissette said in a statement. The chemistry between all of us is crackling and I feel honored to be diving into these songs again, surrounded by all of this searing talent. Facebook

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Reunited Brady Bunch kids fondly remember Florence Henderson on Today By Nardine Saad It was a very Brady reunion on Tuesday. The Brady Bunch kids Barry Williams (Greg), Christopher Knight (Peter), Mike Lookinland (Bobby) and Susan Olsen (Cindy) came together on NBCs Today show to reflect on the iconic family sitcom and pay tribute to its late matriarch, Florence Henderson, nearly 50 years after the show debuted in 1969. The syndicated series about a blended family of six children and their housekeeper has permeated the pop culture zeitgeist with its unmistakable style and earworm theme song. With numerous parodies and attempted reboots in its wake, the comedy has endured because of its wholesome values, the cast members said. What you have on The Brady Bunch is something youre not going to see these days, which is a family where the parents and the kids respect each other today the formula is get the parents out of the show for the kids shows, said Olsen, a.ka. the youngest one in curls. You know how you dont grow old for yourself until you see yourself in a photo? Somehow you just dont see it, Knight explained. Its as though the show keeps us young in everyones mind, but were really this old. Added Williams: Everyone always refers to us as kids. No matter how we mature, were still the kids. After acknowledging that they would always be best known for The Brady Bunch, the actors said, they realized early on that they would never be able to walk away from the series at different stages of their careers. For Williams it was when a teenage girl asked him to sign an autograph for her mother and for Lookinland it was when he realized that his fans now had grandchildren. Knight said the show was always going to be in the room before me and it was always going to be in the room after me. Olsen, who claimed that she had written some off-color lyrics attached to the theme song, added that you spend a little while trying to run away from it, but you cant. Its like having a hunchback. You cant disguise it, so you might as well dress it up. As for their TV mom, Henderson, who died in 2016, the kids remembered her fondly. Everyone she met felt better about themselves and about the world around them after having spent a moment with Florence, Knight said. She was a mentor, a friend. We learned from her, added Williams. We learned how to interact with the public. She was so gracious with her fans, and we all learned how to do that graciously. Mostly she loved to make people laugh. You probably know that if youve been in her space. Facebook

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Prince William talks about taboo of mental illness and death of Diana in new interview By Libby Hill As the 20th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales approaches, her son Prince William has opened up to British GQ about the loss. I would like to have had her advice, William told the magazine. I would love her to have met Catherine and to have seen the children grow up. It makes me sad that she wont, that they will never know her. The prince was just 15 when his mother was killed in a high-speed car crash on Aug. 31, 1997, and he and younger brother Harry were left to deal with their grief under great public scrutiny. While Prince William has of late found the words to speak publicly about his mother, the journey to that place has not always been easy. It has taken me almost 20 years to get to that stage, William said. I still find it difficult now because at the time it was so raw. And also it is not like most peoples grief, because everyone else knows about it, everyone knows the story, everyone knows her. View Instagram post It may have taken years, but William and Harry have found a way to honor their mother in a fashion that she would likely greatly appreciate: charitable work. Known as the Peoples Princess, Diana was a tireless advocate for those in need and worked to destigmatize AIDS in the 1980s, to fight the use of landmines and to better the lives of the underprivileged. In the last year, William and his brother, alongside Williams wife, Kate, have expanded their involvement in Heads Together, a mental health campaign led by the Royal Foundation, which aims to start a productive conversation about the reality of mental illness. Smashing the taboo is our biggest aim. We cannot go anywhere much until that is done. People cant access services till they feel less ashamed, so we must tackle the taboo, the stigma, William said. The Heads Together campaign has sparked several headlines for the royal family in recent months. In April, Prince Harry admitted that the death of his mother left him very close to a complete breakdown for which he finally sought professional help three years ago. The experience that Ive had is once you start talking about [mental health], you suddenly realized, actually, youre part of a big club ... and everybodys gagging to talk about it, Harry said during the Mad World podcast with Bryony Gordon. The GQ interview is not the only conversation that Prince William has had recently about mental health, either. He participated in a highly publicized FaceTime chat with Lady Gaga on the matter. In the interview, Prince William acknowledged that his public persona might suggest otherwise, but privately, he is impassioned about the issue. I cannot understand how families, even behind closed doors, still find it so hard to talk about it. I am shocked we are so worried about saying anything about the true feelings we have, the prince said. Prince Williams full interview with British GQ is available in its July issue, on newsstands June 1. Facebook

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Ariana Grandes mom has a message for Manchester bombing victims By Christie DZurilla Joan Grande, left, and Ariana Grande in September 2015. (Kevin Mazur / Getty Images) Days after daughter Ariana Grande issued a statement about last weeks post-concert bombing in Manchester, England, mom Joan Grande posted her own thoughts about the incident that left 22 dead and scores more injured. I join my daughter in extending my help & services to all those affected by the diabolical act of terror which occurred in Manchester! she wrote on Twitter as a Memorial Day message that also thanked U.S. servicemen and women. My heart goes out to all the victims: those who lost their lives, those injured, those recovering & all survivors of that night, along with the families and friends whose grief knows no bounds. The elder Grande was still in her front-row seat at the show, about to go see her daughter backstage, when the suicide bomb went off, TMZ reported. Mama Grande took about 10 kids who were seated around her to safety backstage, the website said. Ariana Grande similarly offered her assistance to those in need on Friday in a statement declaring her intention to return to the incredibly brave city of Manchester for a benefit concert. We will never be able to understand why events like this take place because it is not in our nature, which is why we shouldnt recoil, the Bang Bang singer said. We will not quit or operate in fear. We wont let this divide us. We wont let hate win. #MemorialDay pic.twitter.com/oUDmB7VD6x  Joan Grande (@joangrande) May 29, 2017 Facebook

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A Star Is Born: Annette Bening turns 59 today By Los Angeles Times Staff (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) "[W]hen they teach you to act, they teach you about objectives. You have a need -- a kind of emotional imbalance -- its not neurotic, but you want something. I try to consciously beef up that motivation in order to intensify what Im doing. You get an image in your head of what you want and then you find a way of expressing that.  Annette Bening, 1991 FROM THE ARCHIVES: Regarding Annette Facebook

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Swedens The Square wins Palme dOr and Sofia Coppola wins best director at Cannes By Los Angeles Times Swedish director Ruben Ostlund reacts on stage after he was awarded with the Palme dOr for the film The Square during the closing ceremony of the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP / Getty Images) Ruben Ostlunds The Square, a ferocious drama of conscience, according to Times critic Justin Chang, about how a single lapse in judgment can cause a mans entire life to unravel, won the Cannes top prize, the Palme dOr on Sunday. The Grand Prix award went to Robin Campillos 120 Beats per Minute. Sofia Coppola won best director for her film The Beguiled, which stars Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell. Kidman also won the festivals 70th anniversary prize. Joaquin Phoenix won best actor for Lynne Ramsays You Were Never Really Here and Diane Kruger won best actress award for Faith Akins In the Fade. More coverage to come. Meanwhile... Here is what Justin Chang wrote about Ostlunds The Square, and Steven Zeitchiks interview with the director, who talked about the element of surprise in his movies: I really like scenes that when they end where you dont know 100% where to put them. It starts funny or it starts sad and then it becomes something else. When you get that shift, you know youve succeeded. Read More Facebook

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A Star Is Born: Kylie Minogue turns 49 today By Los Angeles Times Staff (Axel Koester / For The Times) I have this following  mainly young girls. This album had to appeal to those fans. If the singing was too R&B, they wouldnt like it, I guess. These producers think pop music is candy music. Theyre saying: Here, kids, have a piece of candy.  Kylie Minogue, 1988 FROM THE ARCHIVES: Fame, fortune, but no respect Facebook

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Gregg Allman, pioneer of Southern rock, dies at 69 By Nardine Saad Gregg Allman performs with the Allman Brothers Band in 1979. (George Rose / Los Angeles Times) Gregg Allman, the gravel-voiced singer who helped lift the Allman Brothers Band to prominence with a hard-churning brand of soulful rock that became part of the soundtrack of the 1960s and 70s and set the coordinates for a musical genre known as Southern rock, died Saturday at the age of 69. According to a statement posted on his official website, Allman, who had canceled concerts and entire tours in recent years as he battled a variety of health issues, passed away peacefully at his home in Savannah, Ga. Read More Facebook

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70 years of Cannes in 17 seconds: The art of the yacht deal, from Steven Spielberg to Steve Bannon By Steven Zeitchik  Steven Zeitchik, Justin Chang and Kenneth Turan are bringing us Cannes moments from the 70 years of the international film festival -- in 17-second increments (or thereabouts). Here, Zeitchik, with Chang behind the camera, recalls the time he wound Steven Zeitchik, Justin Chang and Kenneth Turan are bringing us Cannes moments from the 70 years of the international film festival -- in 17-second increments (or thereabouts). Here, Zeitchik, with Chang behind the camera, recalls the time he wound up on a yacht with a future member of the Trump administration. Facebook

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70 years of Cannes in 17 seconds: The time Sofia Coppolas Marie Antoinette was booed By Justin Chang Steven Zeitchik, Justin Chang and Kenneth Turan are bringing us Cannes moments from the 70 years of the international film festival -- in 17-second increments (or thereabouts). Here, Chang, with Zeitchik behind the camera, recalls the year Sofia Coppolas Marie Antoinette played in competition and was booed by certain members of the media audience.  Steven Zeitchik, Justin Chang and Kenneth Turan are bringing us Cannes moments from the 70 years of the international film festival -- in 17-second increments (or thereabouts). Here, Chang, with Zeitchik behind the camera, recalls the year Sofia Cop That same year, when the film debuted in theaters, Times critic Kenneth Turan looked back on the boos at Cannes and concluded the reaction wasnt just about the filmmaking. Here is the essay he wrote on Oct. 13, 2006: -------------------- WHO OWNS HISTORY? And, more to the point, who owns Marie Antoinette? Though theyre not usually phrased that way, those questions have swirled around Sofia Coppolas quietly exuberant new film about the doomed young French queen (only 18 when she ascended the throne, 37 when she was executed) since it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year to some scattered  and widely misunderstood  boos. For the displeasure came not, as might be expected, from the French critics -- whod already seen the film and whose generally positive notices were already on record in Le Film Francais, the French trade paper -- but from political types who had an ax to grind about the films portrait of the woman in question. Read More Facebook

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Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor split after 17 years of marriage By Christie DZurilla (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor have split up after 18 years together, 17 of them as husband and wife. With tremendous love and respect for each other, and the 18 years we spent together as a couple, we have made the decision to separate, they said Friday in a joint statement. Our priority will continue to be raising our children as devoted parents and the closest of friends. We kindly ask that the media respect our privacy at this time. The Zoolander director and the Brady Bunch Movie actress met in L.A. in 1999, while he was developing a pilot in which she was going to star. They started dating that April and by November were engaged. They got married in May 2000. Stiller, 51, who proposed to Taylor while he was doing Meet the Parents, told Parade in 2013 that art imitated life when he was about to pop the question. I asked her father for permission before I did it, he said. It was like Meet the Parents in real life, because Christines father is an intimidating guy who owns a security company; were good friends now, but at the time I was in the basement rec room saying, I really would like to marry your daughter... Why the basement? " He was trying to find a place to sort of secretly ask my dad if it was OK to ask my hand in marriage, Taylor told New York magazine in 2008. The Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story costars have two kids together, daughter Emma, 15, and son Quinlan, 11. Facebook

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70 years of Cannes in 17 seconds: The home away from home for luminaries By Kenneth Turan  Kenneth Turan, Justin Chang and Steven Zeitchik are bringing us Cannes moments from the 70 years of the international film festival -- in 17-second increments (or thereabouts). Here, Turan, with Chang behind the camera, brings us to the historic Hot Kenneth Turan, Justin Chang and Steven Zeitchik are bringing us Cannes moments from the 70 years of the international film festival -- in 17-second increments (or thereabouts). Here, Turan, with Chang behind the camera, brings us to the historic Hotel Splendid, which over the last 146 years has been a home away from home for luminaries ranging from the French composer Jacques Offenbach to the late critic Roger Ebert. Facebook

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L.A. music fixture Rodney Bingenheimer will leave KROQ next month By Mikael Wood Rodney Bingenheimer, the veteran radio DJ and rock-scene insider familiar to several generations of Los Angeles music fans, is ending his long-running show on L.A.'s KROQ-FM (106.7) after more than 40 years. Rodney on the ROQ will air for the final time on June 4 at midnight, Bingenheimer, 69, wrote on Facebook Thursday. It has been an amazing run, and I will be thanking all of you when I say goodbye to KROQ next week, he said in the post. I am planning on some special callers and special music as I say a proper goodbye. In a statement to The Times, KROQ program director Kevin Weatherly called Bingenheimer one of the most influential voices on the radio and said he and his staff will forever be grateful for the indelible mark that Rodney on the ROQ has left on this station, our listeners and the alt-rock music scene. Bingenheimer launched his show on the influential modern-rock station in 1976, four years after he opened Rodneys English Disco, a nightclub on Sunset Boulevard popular among the decades glam acts. On the radio, Bingenheimer quickly became known for championing new artists including the Sex Pistols and Blondie; he continued playing music by up-and-coming talent over the years, throwing his considerable enthusiasm behind the likes of Oasis and Coldplay. In his Facebook post, Bingenheimer  the subject of a 2003 documentary called Mayor of the Sunset Strip  didnt say why he was leaving KROQ. But he noted that hes not retiring from music. As this chapter closes, he wrote, I will be opening another chapter of my rock life soon. Heres his full statement on Facebook: Facebook

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Ariana Grande to hold benefit concert in incredibly brave city of Manchester By Christie DZurilla (Valerie Macon / AFP/Getty Images) Ariana Grande on Friday announced her intention to return to the incredibly brave city of Manchester to spend time with fans and play a benefit concert to assist victims of the suicide bomb attack launched after her show in the British city earlier this week. I have been thinking of my fans, and of you all, non stop over the past week. The way you have handled all of this has been more inspiring and made me more proud than youll ever know, the 23-year-old singer said in a statement on social media. The compassion, kindness, love, strength and oneness that youve shown one another this past week is the exact opposite of the heinous intentions it must take to pull off something as evil as what happened Monday. YOU are the opposite. Grande gave no details about when she would return other than to say theyd be coming as soon as things were confirmed. The statement was her first since a brief tweet after the bombing saying she was broken and so so sorry. That day, Grande and her mother left Britain for Florida. She acknowledged her own reaction to the incident in saying she was sorry for the pain and fear you must be feeling and the trauma that you, too, must be feeling. She also talked about not wanting to go the rest of the year without being out there for her fans; at this point, her tour has been suspended only until June 5. There is nothing I or anyone can do to take away the pain you are feeling or to make this better, she said to the victims of the attack and their loved ones. However, I extend my hand and heart and everything I can possibly give to you and yours, should you want or need my help in any way. Those who were most tragically affected, Grande said, will be on my mind and in my heart everyday and I will think of them with everything I do for the rest of my life. View Instagram post Facebook

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Equality, not feminism, is the watchword at Wonder Woman premiere By Sonaiya Kelley Victoria Ikerd from San Diego, left, and Sylvia Vale from Culver City strike their best Wonder Woman pose. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) The stars of Warner Bros. Wonder Woman took to the red carpet outside Hollywoods Pantages Theatre Thursday night to celebrate the films premiere with a unified message. It just wasnt the message some people might expect. I think the world needs all types of superheroes, director Patty Jenkins said when asked why we need Wonder Woman. What a beautiful message right now because were in a dark place, and thats the only way were going to get to the other side, if everyone becomes a hero. (Warner Bros. canceled the films London premiere after Mondays attack in Manchester.) Despite the obvious girl power on display, many of the films stars and creators shied away from identifying it as a feminist film, hoping not to isolate the male fans in attendance. SEE PHOTOS FROM THE WONDER WOMAN PREMIERE  I think that the film just takes a great character and tells a great story about how that character came to be, Charles Roven, the films producer, told the Los Angeles Times. Obviously the character wouldnt be who she is if she wasnt a woman, but shes a very specific woman, Roven added. Theres no other superhero character in the DC Universe who embraced their legacy and knew what they wanted to be and became [it]. And thats completely inspirational to everyone, not just women. Read More Facebook

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Bella Thorne and Scott Disick together in Cannes? Legit nothing By Christie DZurilla (Joshua Blanchard / Getty Images, left; Lars Niki / Getty Images) In whats been called a battle of strategic hookups between exes Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick, Bella Thorne has put up a white flag and flown away. Disick, 34, and Thorne, 19, were seen Monday at LAX on their way to the Cannes Film Festival, where  surprise!  Kardashian, 38, was already hanging out and getting handsy with Younes Bendjima, a 24-year-old boxer-turned-model. According to E! News, the latter twosome is for real but keeping it light. The Kardashian ex and the actress from The DUFF? Perhaps not so much. Thorne and Disick raised eyebrows Wednesday with a high-profile cuddle-fest by a pool in Cannes. Alas, by Thursday, word has it via TMZ, Thorne wasnt comfortable with her party-boy travel partner when he got his drink on: After tweeting Thursday that Yo this #cannes fancy life isnt for me, she told one person that she had been doing Legit nothing trolololo with Scott and another, Hahahah Im not talking to scott or anyone else. Scott is partially using Bella and a few other girls as a crutch to make Kourtney upset and feel jealous, a Keeping Up With the Kardashians"-related source told People on Thursday, sounding like a description of an upcoming episode of the show. They are both playing this game with each other and at the moment neither one of them are backing down. Around 3 a.m. Friday, Cannes time, Disick was paying attention to another lady, putting this pic of his and Kardashians 4-year-old daughter, Penelope, up on Facebook: Um, hashtag #supersad? Bye Cannes you were boring Thorne said Friday on Snapchat, posting video from the seat of what appeared to be a private plane. Kardashian, Bendjima and half-sis Kendall Jenner left Cannes on Friday as well. Yo this #cannes fancy life isn't for me  BITCHIMBELLATHORNE (@bellathorne) May 25, 2017 @bellathorne bells, what were you doing with Scott?  chrystal (@justintheslayer) May 25, 2017 Legit nothing trolololo https://t.co/t9eW4B17oI  BITCHIMBELLATHORNE (@bellathorne) May 26, 2017 Facebook

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Netflix cancels London premieres of Orange Is the New Black and GLOW By Libby Hill The fatal terrorist incident at an Ariana Grande concert Monday in Manchester, England, continues to resonate throughout the entertainment industry. Netflix canceled its plans for a London premiere for Season 5 of Orange Is the New Black and the pilot for GLOW, the latest series from Orange creator Jenji Kohan. Following the terrible events in Manchester on Monday night, we have decided to cancel our special screening of Orange Is the New Black and GLOW on Tuesday [May 30], a Netflix spokesperson told The Times on Friday. Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this tragedy. According to those knowledgeable about the decision, the streaming services choice to forgo its screenings comes from internal discussions only, not from any pressure from local authorities. This is just the latest cancellation in the wake of Mondays tragedy, which took the lives of 22 individuals, including victims as young as 8 years old. On Wednesday, Warner Bros. scuttled plans for a London Wonder Woman premiere, originally scheduled for May 31. Similarly, Universal Pictures announced Thursday that it had canceled its London premiere for The Mummy originally slated for June 1. Facebook

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Oasis Liam Gallagher schedules Manchester benefit show By Mikael Wood (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times) Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher will play a hometown concert next week in Manchester, England, to benefit the families of Mondays bombing at the Manchester Arena. Its outrageous, the singer told the Manchester Evening News regarding the terrorist attack that killed 22 people following a concert by Ariana Grande. There are kids and people dying all over the world. And for what? He went on to say, I want to try and help pick people up. People like me, doing what we do, its our duty to give people a good time. The show, scheduled for Tuesday night at the O2 Ritz, will serve as Gallaghers first solo gig and comes ahead of the release of his debut solo single, Wall of Glass, from an album expected in October. Facebook

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Body-slamming? Late-night hosts remind us that Donald Trump once did that on TV By Yvonne Villarreal Lest America forget the nations history of political candidates with body-slamming tendencies, the late-night circuit offered a refresher course Thursday night. Playing catchup to Wednesdays news that Greg Gianforte, the billionaire Republican candidate in Montanas special congressional election, had allegedly body-slammed a Guardian reporter after the journalist asked him about the Republican healthcare bill, TV hosts weighed in on the matter. Think about that, Late Night host Seth Meyers said. The GOP healthcare plan is so bad, Republicans would rather body-slam reporters than answer a question about it. His response to the question, Meyers continued, was to give the reporter a preexisting condition. Late Show host Stephen Colbert expressed faux skepticism about Gianfortes ability to move past the incident and win the election. That happened the night before the election, Colbert said. I just dont know how anyone could vote for a candidate who body-slams people. Cue a clip of Donald Trump performing such a move in 2007 when he appeared on WrestleMania 23" and tackled WWE Chairman Vince McMahon to the ground before shaving his head. I forgot, Colbert said after playing the clip. Nothing matters. During his A Closer Look segment, Meyers also played the Trump clip. That was a thing, a real thing that happened. and we still said Yeah, he should be president. For the record: Gianforte won Montanas special election Thursday. Facebook

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A Star Is Born: Stevie Nicks turns 69 today By Los Angeles Times Staff (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times) I think if people like to dress like a gypsy and they get a little inspiration from me to do it, then its great. Its definitely something everyone should try at least once in their lives. Dress like a gypsy!  Stevie Nicks, 1997 FROM THE ARCHIVES: Airy Godmother Facebook

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For the 40th anniversary of Star Wars, see how fans packed L.A. theaters in 1977 By Los Angeles Times Staff When the original Star Wars opened on May 25, 1977, only about 40 theaters across the country initially screened the movie. In Los Angeles, fans packed showings in ways theater managers and moviegoers had never seen. For the 40th anniversary of Star Wars, we revisit this story examining the earliest stages of the Star Wars phenomenon. The Times originally published this story on June 4, 1977. Read More Facebook

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George Lucas predicted Star Wars Disney future in 1977 interview with The Times By L.A. Times staff Happy 40th anniversary, Star Wars! Before the first-ever Star Wars premiered on screens across America on May 25, 1977, Los Angeles Times writer Paul Rosenfield sat down with the creator of a galaxy far, far away. Then 33, George Lucas was just a few days shy from the release of his space opera, prophetically claiming that Star Wars was the movie he thinks Disney would have made when Walt Disney was alive. Who knew decades later that the droids and the mouse would reside in the same castle? This story was originally published on June 5, 1977, and titled, Lucas: Film-Maker With the Force. (Also from our archives, read The Times original Star Wars review here.) I think of this as a movie Disney would have made when Walt Disney was alive ... I call it space opera. Thats a genre thats been around a long time, in the books of Burroughs and Heinlein, but never really done on film.  George Lucas in 1977 Read More Facebook

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Guns N Roses is playing Los Angeles again By Mikael Wood Guns N Roses will play two hometown concerts this fall, the reunited Los Angeles hard-rock band announced Thursday, one Nov. 24 at Staples Center and another Nov. 25 at the Forum. The dates are part of a new extension of GNRs Not in This Lifetime Tour, which launched in April 2016 with a show at the Troubadour that marked the first time in decades that frontman Axl Rose had performed in public with guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan. The tour went on to hit Coachella and Dodger Stadium. Opening acts for the L.A. shows werent announced, but GNR revealed that country singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson will warm up crowds at stadium shows in August in Denver; Little Rock, Ark.; and Miami. Other acts with opening slots on the tour include ZZ Top, Deftones and Royal Blood. Tickets for the newly scheduled concerts go on sale June 3. Facebook

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Claire Foy shoots down Lisbeth Salander rumors: I dont know about any of this By Glenn Whipp Claire Foy (Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times) Claire Foys sister called her last week, none too pleased that her sibling hadnt told her that shed be playing Lisbeth Salander in The Girl in the Spiders Web, the long-delayed follow-up to the 2011 David Fincher film The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. My sisters like, Oh, what are you doing? and I was like, Im not doing anything! I dont t know about any of this! Foy told The Times Wednesday in an interview before an Emmy season promotional event for the actress Netflix series, The Crown. Its really weird, Foy added. Ive never experienced that before where theres a rumor about a possible job like this. Its very surreal. News broke last week that Foy was either in talks, eyeing or had been all but cast to play Lisbeth in the reboot of the Stieg Larsson book series. So is Foy, who plays Queen Elizabeth on The Crown, even in the running? No. Im not even in the same arena, Foy said. I cant even contemplate doing anything at all, to be honest, at this present time. The 33-year-old British actress just finished shooting Season 2 of The Crown last week. The ambitious series requires a nine-month commitment, meaning that Foy hasnt had much down time the last two years. She also has a 2-year-old daughter with her husband, actor Stephen Campbell Moore. So you can understand why, when asked about her immediate future, she emphatically states: Good God, no. I have got no plans to do anything. Those sentiments would seem to preclude her from The Girl in the Spiders Web, which is scheduled to begin filming in September to make an Oct. 15, 2018, release date. Then again, when asked what kind of role shed like to do after playing the reserved Elizabeth, a woman nicknamed Shirley Temple, Foy replied: I think I need to play somebody who expresses themselves and is able to communicate on a more open level, something really different. Like the avenging anti-heroine Lisbeth? Well ... Foy answered, with a hint of a smile. Well just have to wait and see. Facebook

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Sony taps Gina Prince-Bythewood to direct Spider-Man spinoff Silver & Black By Libby Hill (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times) Sony continues to get its superhero ducks in a row, with Deadline reporting Thursday that the studio had tapped Gina Prince-Bythewood to direct Silver & Black, a film centered around comic book characters Silver Sable and Black Cat. Prince-Bythewood also will rewrite the script for the film, originally written by Christopher Yost, screenwriter of Thor: The Dark World. Silver Sable and Black Cat are characters that originated in correlation to Spider-Man and have served as both allies and antagonists to the web-slinging superhero over the years. Silver & Black is the latest Spidey-related endeavor for Sony, with Spider-Man: Homecoming, starring Tom Holland, premiering July 7, and Venom, starring Tom Hardy as the sometimes villain, sometimes anti-hero, hitting theaters Oct. 5, 2018. The film will not be Prince-Bythewoods first dalliance with superheroes. She directed the pilot for Freeforms upcoming series Marvels Cloak & Dagger, about two teenagers learning to deal with both superpowers and love. Prince-Bythewood is an experienced director of critically acclaimed films including Love & Basketball and Beyond the Lights, and she is well-versed in the world of television, where Foxs Shots Fired, the show she created and produced with husband Reggie Rock Bythewood, just concluded its first season. The director becomes the latest woman tapped to helm a superhero film, with Patty Jenkins Wonder Woman debuting in theaters June 2. Facebook

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Happy puking: Baywatch is the summer blockbuster critics love to hate By Christie DZurilla  Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron and Priyanka Chopra star in Baywatch. Whats more fun than seeing the new Baywatch movie? Having movie reviewers see it for you! Los Angeles Times critic Jen Yamato was in the Enjoy It for What It Is camp, describing the film thusly: "[I]t not only owns its dumbness but hurtles itself all the way back around through a flurry of genitalia jokes and F-bombs to splash unapologetically in an R-rated surf of winking postmodernism, led by the charismatic Dwayne Johnson, Hollywoods most unsinkable movie star. But although not everyone hates it  64% of audiences dug it, according to Rotten Tomatoes  a lot of reviewers put the bouncing-beach-bodies flick firmly in its place, damning it, and then damning it with faint praise. That said, here are a few snacks, both bad and (relatively) good, from the Baywatch snark buffet. Over at the Chicago Tribune, they took the Yeah, and ...? approach to the review. The Bad: The movies comic instincts... are consistently coarse and frequently scrotal. The Good: The bodies on screen are pretty, which I seem to remember was a selling point of the 1989-2001 TV series. As we said, yeah, and ...? The Roger Ebert website perhaps cut closest to the bone, pulling few punches. The Bad: "[T]his is another one of those raunchy comedies thats barely a movie, that looks like it was edited by dumping a bunch of footage into whatever movie-cutting software theyre using and hitting randomize. The Good: "[T]he movie has a pervading air of crass amiability about it  its almost like a two-hour end-credits gag reel. (Nevertheless, it contains an end credits gag reel.) Now could you tell us what you really think?: Rolling Stone painted a vivid picture of the Baywatch experience. The Bad: Think of yourself sitting down for a big two-hour wallow in instant stupid with a vat of popcorn, slathered in fake butter and possibly a mound of melted M&Ms on top. It feels great chugging it down, then your stomach hurts, your head aches and you puke the whole thing up so you can forget about it in the morning. Thats Baywatch in a nutshell. Happy puking. The Good: Of the recent spate of moldy TV material morphing into movies, with 21 Jump Street on top and CHIPs bringing up the rear, Baywatch barely escapes the basement. One reason it does: The Rock. Helpful! Turns out if you liked 21 Jump Street and CHiPs, this flick is for you! The New York Times loosened up its necktie for this one. The Bad: The digital effects  fire and water, mostly  are lackluster, and the whole thing has a crummy, overcast, second-rate-theme-park look to it. The Good: Like its source material, Baywatch is sleazy and wholesome, silly and earnest, dumb as a box of sand and slyly self-aware. Its soft-serve ice cream. Crinkle-cut fries. A hot car and a skin rash. Tacky and phony and nasty and also kind of fun. Tacky? Phony? Nasty? We didnt know it was a date movie. The Washington Post, of course, just couldnt leave politics out of it. The Bad: Its no shock that the women in Baywatch dont have much to do beyond look good. ... Maybe dodging bad lines was a relief for the actresses. Its not like the screenplay, by Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, gives performers a lot to work with. The Good: If, indeed, Dwayne the Rock Johnson ditches Hollywood to become our next commander in chief, Baywatch may be singled out as the low point of his pre-political career. Well, at least Johnson has that out of the way. The Tampa Bay Times went deadpan. The Bad: Imagining Johnson and genetically gifted co-stars in swimsuits is all it took to pitch Baywatch. Director Seth Gordon and six writers didnt come up with much beyond that. The Good: What Baywatch has in its favor is Dwayne Johnson fireman-carrying a dead weight comedy to safety. We think thats a compliment. Maybe. Variety noted the films nods to current market and societal trends. The Bad: Baywatch ... is a stupidly entertaining trash folly, the kind that could only be made today: an obscenity-and-insult-laced, aggressively competent adaptation of a 25-year-old TV show that manages to repackage every aspect of the series except, perhaps, the reason it was popular in the first place. The Good: They wear their butt-hugging red bathing suits with dignity and pride, which makes this a highly sexually responsible Baywatch. The reviewer at the New York Post appeared to be familiar with the TV series global success. The Bad: Even the action scenes need CPR, often undermined by effects so chintzy, you wonder if the money intended for them was instead eaten up by the productions seven-figure waxing budget. The Good: On the bright side, itll probably do killer business in Germany. Wait, were they just dissing the Hoff? Finally, one need go no further than the AV Club to understand Rotten Tomatoes 19% positive critics rating. The Bad: "[N]obody not even the filmmakers cares about Baywatch all that much. Yet the jokes on them: In spoofing something so forgettable, theyve made something even less memorable. The Good: Nobody cares about Baywatch. Nuff said. Facebook

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Seth Meyers says Trumps cruel budget cuts would harm the presidents supporters most By Chris Barton After a number of weeks filled with late-breaking developments on the Trump administrations apparent ties to Russia, Wednesday night was a chance for late-night hosts to sort of catch their breath and essentially choose their own adventure. Jimmy Kimmel focused on the seemingly less-than-happy photos of the pope with President Trump that circulated on Wednesday, while Stephen Colbert took a brief swipe at the $2-trillion double-counting error in Trumps budget. Seth Meyers, however, took advantage of his shows A Closer Look segment to make time for all of the above. After addressing the photo of the stone-faced pope with Trump, Meyers recapped the latest developments in the investigations into whether, among other things, the president engaged in obstruction of justice by firing FBI Director James Comey. But then Meyers took on the administrations proposed federal budget, which could cause harm to many. While noting the budget amounts to a wish list that Congress will battle over, Meyers said the proposals harshness was not to be discounted. What someone wishes for tells you a lot about that person, Meyers said before recounting the many cuts the budget proposes to Social Security and Medicaid. The show then rolled a number of clips in which Trump the candidate promised not to do just that. This budget lays bare just how much of a fraud Trumps campaign was, Meyers added, noting how hard many of these cuts to the social safety net would hit Trump supporters. He then squared off the pointed words of Trump the candidate versus his actions as president to underscore his point. Maybe its better those two never meet, Meyers said. I think they would hate each other. Watch the clip above. Facebook

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Universal Pictures cancels London premiere of The Mummy in wake of Manchester bombing By Libby Hill  Tom Cruise, Russell Crowe, Annabelle Wallis and Sofia Boutella star in The Mummy. The specter of Mondays terrorist attack in Manchester, England, continues to loom large. Universal Pictures announced Thursday morning the cancellation of next weeks London premiere of The Mummy, the second such development this week. All of us at Universal have been devastated by the terror attack in Manchester and continue to stand with the community and country as it recovers, the statement from the studio read. Out of respect to those affected by this tragedy we have decided not to move forward with the London premiere for The Mummy scheduled to take place next week. The film, starring Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe, serves as the launch of Universal Pictures Dark Universe, an extended universe that will see the reboot of several classic monsters from the Universal vault, including the Invisible Man and Frankensteins Monster. Cancellation of the June 1 London premiere for The Mummy comes just a day after Warner Bros. nixed its May 31 Wonder Woman London premiere. Ariana Grande, whose concert was targeted in the Manchester attack that killed 22 people, similarly suspended her tour through June 5 on Wednesday. A statement from the artists representatives said the suspension comes until we can further assess the situation and pay our proper respects to those lost. Facebook

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Al Gore on the French Riviera: Why he was reluctant to make An Inconvenient Sequel By Kenneth Turan Former Vice President Al Gore arrives on the red carpet for the screening of The Killing of a Sacred Deer at the Cannes Film Festival. (Alberto Pizzoli / AFP / Getty Images) It has not been a very good year for those concerned with climate change. The U.S. is considering leaving the landmark Paris climate pact, a hostile appointee leads the Environmental Protection Agency, and right-wing websites chortle, Trumps Latest Move Will Make Al Gore Fry. But is Al Gore himself despondent or depressed about it all? Not in the slightest. Ive been inoculated in the year 2000, he says, combining a burst of genial good humor with a reference to his presidential election loss to George W. Bush. I now have a resistance to being disheartened, the antibodies are still thriving in my bloodstream. As we all learn, one of the hidden secrets of the human condition is we learn the most from our most painful experiences. Former Vice President Al Gore at the Carlton hotel for the Cannes Film Festival, which is screening his documentary An Inconvenient Sequel. (Stephanie Cornfield / For The Times) To spend time with Al Gore is to meet a man enough at ease with himself to dress as if for a Senate hearing in white shirt, suit and tie even though hes in the south of France; a warm, engaged, surprisingly funny individual whose innate courtesy has him personally hang a reporters sports coat on a nearby hotel room hanger. Yes, he does tend to stay on message when he talks (how could he not) and he likes to draw graphs in the air with his hands (Im going to get a little geeky for a moment, he apologizes with a smile, Im sorry, its a failing). But he combines this with good-humored self-awareness and a fiercely committed intelligence. If you think Im earnest now, you should have seen me earlier, he says. You cant change who you are. At times Ive tried, but Im old enough to stop worrying. Gore is in Cannes to promote the worldwide release of an impassioned and involving new documentary, An Inconvenient Sequel. Due in U.S. theaters on July 28, it brings us up to speed on where the battle against climate change stands more than a decade after the Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Im here for a lot of to-ing and fro-ing is how Gore puts it. I think Ive done 75 seven-minute interviews  Japan, Russia, Brazil, everywhere. The day before yesterday I was live on [the French cable channel] Canal Plus when the interpreter talking in my earpiece was evacuated from his building because of a bomb scare. The questioner was going a mile a minute in French, but because of those 75 seven-minute interviews, I picked up enough key words to fight my way through it. Gore has been concerned with climate change since he took a class with pioneering global warming theorist Roger Revelle as a college student in the 1960s. Not only did Gore never imagine when I was a young man that this would become an all-consuming body of work for me, he also never anticipated that the work would involve the movies. More than that, he was frankly dubious about both of his films. Read More Facebook

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Ellen DeGeneres says shes in for a Netflix stand-up comedy special By Christie DZurilla Ellen DeGeneres is working on a new comedy special  for the first time in a very long time  and this time shes working with Netflix. Looks like its been 15 years since you did a stand-up special. ... How about one for Netflix? the streaming service asked her Wednesday on Twitter. Minutes later, DeGeneres replied, Let me think about it. Ok Im in. Heres how in she is: Im writing it now, I cant wait, DeGeneres said in a statement confirming the upcoming gig. Ill keep you posted when and where Im gonna shoot my Netflix special. Im excited to do it; Im excited for you to see it. Previously, HBO was home for DeGeneres comedy specials: her One Night Stand in 1992, Ellen DeGeneres: The Beginning in 2000 and Ellen DeGeneres: Here and Now. The second and third shows notched two Emmy nominations each. In March, the former sitcom star announced shed be returning to prime time with Ellens Game of Games, which shes hosting for six episodes on NBC. No air dates have been set. Its going to be like a combination of American Ninja Warrior, RuPauls Drag Race and a water park, DeGeneres said in a statement. OK, its nothing like that, but you should still watch. Looks like it's been 15 years since you did a stand-up special, @TheEllenShow. How about one for Netflix?  Netflix US (@netflix) May 24, 2017 Let me think about it. Ok I'm in. https://t.co/kUAdHyXAjS  Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 24, 2017 UPDATES 2:30 p.m.: This article was updated with confirmation from Netflix and a statement from DeGeneres. Facebook

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Chris Cornells body has been cremated, report says; funeral set for Friday By Christie DZurilla Chris Cornell in 1991. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) The body of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, who died last week in Detroit, was reportedly cremated Tuesday in Hollywood, and a funeral is planned for later this week. Widow Vicky Cornell, brother Peter Boyle and friends Linda Ramone and singer J.D. King were at Hollywood Forever Cemetery for the cremation, sources familiar with the service told TMZ. Cornells body was flown to Los Angeles from Detroit on Sunday, family attorney Kirk Pasich told Rolling Stone on Monday, and a private funeral will be held Friday. Pasich told Variety on Sunday that public memorials will be held when its decided. The short time between the end of Soundgardens May 17 show and 52-year-old Cornells death was chronicled in a police report obtained by the Detroit News. He and the band walked offstage around 11:15 p.m. May 17. Fifteen minutes later Cornell was in his hotel room, the report said, where bodyguard Martin Kirsten (who used to work for and date Heidi Klum) helped him fix his computer and gave him two Ativan. At 11:35 p.m. Cornell was talking to his wife, Vicky, who said Friday through her attorney that she had been concerned because her husband was slurring his words and told her he might have taken a few too many anxiety pills. She called Kirsten at 12:15 a.m. Thursday and asked him to check on the singer, the report said; the bodyguard kicked in the hotel room door, then the locked bathroom door, and found Cornell. At his final show, Cornell seemed high and was out of character from note 1, lead sound engineer Ted Keedick told TMZ in an interview published Wednesday. He said the Soundgarden frontman did not appear depressed. However, Keedick said: Id never heard his voice that way before. He was having serious control problems. One concert-goer told the Detroit News last week that as far as she could tell, Cornells final show was honestly great. Nothing seemed off. Tuesday at Detroits Fox Theatre, the site of that last performance, Norah Jones played a tribute to Cornell: an acoustic version of Black Hole Sun. Facebook

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Ariana Grande suspends tour through June 5 By Christie DZurilla Ariana Grandes tour has been suspended through June 5, her management team said Wednesday. That includes the cancellation of concerts planned for Thursday and Friday at Londons O2 Arena. Twenty-two people died and at least 59 were injured in a suicide attack Monday night outside Manchester Arena, where Grande had just concluded a stop on her Dangerous Woman Tour. We ask at this time that we all continue to support the city of Manchester and all those families affected by this cowardice and senseless act of violence, the singers reps said in a statement. Our way of life has once again been threatened but we will overcome this together. The dates that have been put on hold until we can further assess the situation and pay our proper respects to those lost, the statement said, are: London, May 25-26

Antwerp, Belgium, May 28

Lodz, Poland, May 31-June 1

Frankfurt, Germany, June 3

Zurich, Switzerland, June 5 The next tour stop after that is a June 7 concert in Paris. Speculation that the tour would be put on hold has been rife since the day after the bomb went off  actually, immediately afterward and before the number of casualties was known, many on social media were already worried that shows would be axed  but the situation had been in limbo until now. An exhausted"-looking Grande returned home Tuesday to Florida, where she and her mother were met at the airport by Mac Miller, who hugged and kissed his girlfriend in an emotional reunion. Facebook

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Warner Bros. cancels London Wonder Woman premiere following Manchester attack By Josh Rottenberg In the wake of Mondays deadly terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, Warner Bros. has announced it is canceling a planned premiere in London next week for its superhero film Wonder Woman. Our thoughts are with those affected by the recent tragedy in the UK, the studio said in a statement. In light of the current situation, we will not be proceeding with our plans for the premiere and junket activities in London. Starring Gal Gadot and directed by Patty Jenkins, the highly anticipated film  which is set in Europe during World War I  will hold its U.S. premiere on Thursday in Los Angeles. It arrives in theaters June 2. The studio faced a similar situation last year when its European premiere of Batman v. Superman was scheduled to be held in London just hours after terrorist attacks struck Brussels, killing 32 people and injuring many others. In that case, the studio said in a statement that it had decided to go ahead with the event rather than yield to terror. But as Britain mourns the 22 people killed in the Manchester bombing, with scores more wounded, and with the countrys security threat level raised to its highest, signaling the possibility of another imminent attack, Warner Bros. clearly determined that the circumstances called for a different course of action. Facebook

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New Spider-Man: Homecoming trailer shows off Spideys tricked-out, Iron Man-style super-suit By Josh Rottenberg Spider-Man has a few new tricks up his spandex sleeve, with the latest trailer for Sonys upcoming franchise reboot Spider-Man: Homecoming offering a deeper look at Spideys newfangled, tech-enhanced super-suit. Courtesy of billionaire inventor/playboy Tony Stark, the suit is embedded with Iron Man-style technology. A Jarvis-like computer assistant informs Peter Parker (Tom Holland) of the 576 possible web shooter combinations he has at his command. A parachute can also be deployed out of the back of the suit when needed, and the chest piece can detach and turn into a drone. For those who prefer their Spidey old-school, though, the trailer also promises a return to Parkers teenage roots  though with a decidedly cockier spin than the shy, alienated high school nerd weve often seen depicted in the comics and onscreen. Hollands Parker is clearly feeling his superhero oats, boasting to Stark of taking down a petty bike thief and raring for bigger challenges, Spanish quiz or no Spanish quiz. (Cue Michael Keatons villainous Vulture.) Informed by his best friend Ned that Stark has installed a training-wheels protocol on his super-suit to disable some of its abilities, Parker gripes, Im sick of Mr. Stark treating me like a kid. But you are a kid, Ned reminds him. Yeah, Parker says, a kid who can stop a bus with his bare hands! Spider-Man: Homecoming hits theaters July 7. Watch the trailer below. Facebook

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Performers move U.K. concerts after Manchester bombing, but for some, the show goes on By Christie DZurilla Floral tributes in Manchesters St. Anns Square on May 24, 2017. (Jeff J. Mitchell / Getty Images) Manchester Arena has postponed concerts by Take That, an English pop group from the city that was to play there Thursday, Friday and Saturday. But its working to see that a KISS show proceeds next week. Unfortunately, due to the tragic events that unfolded on Monday night, it is not possible for the concerts to take place, the arena said in a statement. These have now been postponed and more information will follow. In another statement, the arena cited the ongoing police investigation. Take That had previously postponed a show at another location, saying Tuesday on its website, Out of respect to all of the people and their families that were affected by the horrific incident last night at the Manchester Arena, we have decided to postpone our show tonight in Liverpool. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. KISS is scheduled to play Manchester Arena on Tuesday, and the venue said it is working on that show with promoters and police. pic.twitter.com/HkR9ilSTSt  Manchester Arena (@ManchesterArena) May 23, 2017 As far as the Ariana Grande concerts set for Londons O2 arena on Thursday and Friday, as of Wednesday morning no decision had been made. Were still in contact with the tour promoters regarding a final decision, the O2 team said on Twitter Wednesday morning. As yet the tour is not officially postponed or canceled, despite media reports. Katy Perry, Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Imagine Dragons, Shawn Mendes and the Chainsmokers will all go ahead with performances this Saturday and Sunday in Hull, England, at BBC Radio 1s Big Weekend, according to TMZ. Hull is about two hours from Manchester. Blondie postponed a Tuesday-night show at the Round Chapel in London, saying in a series of tweets the day of the show that the move was out of respect for the victims of the terrible attack at the Manchester Arena, and noting that plans to reschedule the show were in the works. The Afghan Whigs have moved their Friday show to the O2 Ritz Manchester from Manchester Cathedral, which, as of Wednesday morning, was still cordoned off by police. The Ritz said Tuesday that it would stay silent on social media for two days in sympathy with those who lost their lives or were injured, physically or mentally, but that it would have news Thursday about any rescheduled shows. Other acts that had been scheduled to perform in the Manchester area but not in the arena in coming days, including Colour of Noise, Damien Dempsey, Shriekback and the Cranberries, canceled their shows for reasons unrelated to the suicide attack. Most announced those plans well before Monday. Facebook

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A Star Is Born: Bob Dylan turns 76 today By Los Angeles Times Staff (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times) When people think of me, they are not necessarily going to buy the latest record anyway. They may buy a record from years ago. Besides, I dont think interviews sell records.  Bob Dylan, 1985 FROM THE ARCHIVES: Bob Dylan -- Still A-Changin Facebook

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Late-night TV hosts, U2 plead for love after Manchester bombing By Robert Lloyd After the news, late-night talk shows are televisions most topical forum. We turn there for the satirical distance and perspective that might allow us to process the day and get to sleep  for laughs when laughter is appropriate, but also for a thoughtful response when events go beyond ordinary human folly to the terrible and unthinkable. Mondays suicide bombing after an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, was on the minds of some late-night hosts Tuesday night. Theres really nothing you can say that can approach the shock and the grief of the victims and their families, said Stephen Colbert on Late Show, asking his audience to go online to hear what his CBS colleague James Corden, who follows him on The Late Late Show, had to say the night before. All we can add here, said Colbert, is that following acts of senseless violence like this, its all the more important not to be controlled by fear, but instead to be reminded by the action of people of Manchester who rushed to the aid of their friends and strangers alike. It is just more proof that evil cannot succeed as long as good people are willing to love each other. On NBCs Late Night, host Seth Meyers had similar thoughts. At its best, being at a concert is an incredible collective experience, he said. Its a chance through a shared love of music to connect with, to sing with and to dance with people you dont know.... And so this comes down to the way we treat strangers, and while some cowards chose to treat strangers with hate, from everything I read, Manchester was filled with people last night who provided aid and comfort to help victims who were total strangers to them. He ended with a plea for all of us to not need a tragedy to remind us of the importance of treating those we do not know with love instead of hate. The Irish band U2, in Los Angeles to perform concerts of their own, were among Jimmy Kimmels guests on ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live. Kimmel brought up Manchester. I imagine that is something you guys have been thinking about, he said. They hate music, they hate women, they even hate little girls  they hate everything that we love, lead singer Bono replied. The worst of humanity was on view in Manchester last night  but so was the best, as people took perfect strangers into their houses and queued up for blood banks. Manchester has an undefeatable spirit, I can assure you. Kimmel wondered how growing up in Northern Ireland in an era of political and sectarian violence had affected their music. It was so commonplace for a number of years, answered the Edge, the bands guitarist, that it just became a constant background to life. And occasionally something particularly awful would happen and it would really affect you  but that was almost the worst of it. You got to the place where [it was] just ongoing every week, every month. Punk rock helped, added Bono. It made us suspicious of partisanship, it made us up suspicious of sectarian ideas. Facebook

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Elisabeth Moss and BBC America join forces for Typhoid Mary limited series By Libby Hill (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) The Handmaids Tale star Elisabeth Moss is wasting no time in lining up new projects. BBC America announced Tuesday its partnership with Moss and Annapurna Television in developing Fever, a limited series focused on the tale of Typhoid Mary. The series will adapt the novel of the same name, written by Mary Beth Keane and set in early 20th century New York, where Mary Mallon is unknowingly transmitting typhus to those around her. She was an immigrant in turn-of-the-century New York, a time of huge change and progress in America, Moss said of the character in a statement released by the network. She was incredibly unique, stubborn, ambitious and in fierce denial of any wrongdoing until her death where she lived out her days imprisoned on an island just off of the Bronx in N.Y. She is incredibly complicated, something I seem to enjoy playing, said Moss. Moss will star in the series and serve as executive producer alongside director Phil Morrison (Enlightened, Junebug) and writer Robin Veith (The Expanse, True Blood). Annapurnas Sue Naegle and Megan Ellison will also serve as executive producers. Facebook

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Universal Music Group CEO on Manchester attack: A level of evil beyond comprehension By Christie DZurilla Lucian Grainge, CEO of Universal Music Group, in November 2016. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) Lucian Grainge of Universal Music Group sent a company-wide memo Tuesday, calling it a day of remembrance of victims of the suicide attack in Manchester, England, and acknowledging that emotions were raw. "[W]e grieve for all of those lost there, offering our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones, said the chief executive of UMG, parent company of Ariana Grandes recording label Republic, in a note obtained by Variety. Twenty-two people, one only 8 years old, were killed Monday night and at least 59 were hurt when a bomb exploded as Grandes concert at the Manchester Arena was ending. This hits home for us as a music company, Grainge said, because so many of us, myself included, spend so much time out seeing our artists perform, let alone attending concerts as fans. Thats why weve chosen music as our career  or rather music has chosen us. No UMG employees, including Grande and her crew, were injured in the blast, he confirmed, and help from human resources and security was offered to those with questions or concerns. That said, Grainge continued, the fact that such an unspeakable act can be committed at a place where innocent people  including so many young people  come together peacefully to enjoy music reflects a level of evil beyond comprehension. READ MORE: Suspected Manchester suicide bomber identified as U.K. son of Libyan immigrants>> Facebook

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Ariana Grande returns home to Florida after Manchester attack By Christie DZurilla People attending a vigil for Mondays suicide-attack victims brought flowers to St. Ann Square in Manchester, England, on Tuesday. (Jeff J. Mitchell / Getty Images) Ariana Grande reportedly returned home to Florida on Tuesday after the bombing outside her Manchester, England, concert that left 22 dead and at least 59 injured. As they exited a private plane, Grande, her mom and her dog were met on the tarmac in Boca Raton, E! News said, by family members and rapper Mac Miller, whom the 23-year-old has been dating since last summer. Miller gave Grande a long hug and a kiss, a source told E! It was a very emotional reunion and they stood talking for a minute before getting into the car, t
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May 30, 2017, 9:14 a.m. Prince William talks about taboo of mental illness and death of Diana in new interview

Prince William, left, and Prince Harry attend the wedding of Pippa Middleton on May 20, 2017. (EPA)

As the 20th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales approaches, her son Prince William has opened up to British GQ about the loss.

I would like to have had her advice, William told the magazine. I would love her to have met Catherine and to have seen the children grow up. It makes me sad that she wont, that they will never know her.

The prince was just 15 when his mother was killed in a high-speed car crash on Aug. 31, 1997, and he and younger brother Harry were left to deal with their grief under great public scrutiny.

While Prince William has of late found the words to speak publicly about his mother, the journey to that place has not always been easy.

It has taken me almost 20 years to get to that stage, William said. I still find it difficult now because at the time it was so raw. And also it is not like most peoples grief, because everyone else knows about it, everyone knows the story, everyone knows her.

It may have taken years, but William and Harry have found a way to honor their mother in a fashion that she would likely greatly appreciate: charitable work.

Known as the Peoples Princess, Diana was a tireless advocate for those in need and worked to destigmatize AIDS in the 1980s, to fight the use of landmines and to better the lives of the underprivileged.

In the last year, William and his brother, alongside Williams wife, Kate, have expanded their involvement in Heads Together, a mental health campaign led by the Royal Foundation, which aims to start a productive conversation about the reality of mental illness.

Smashing the taboo is our biggest aim. We cannot go anywhere much until that is done. People cant access services till they feel less ashamed, so we must tackle the taboo, the stigma, William said.

The Heads Together campaign has sparked several headlines for the royal family in recent months.

In April, Prince Harry admitted that the death of his mother left him very close to a complete breakdown for which he finally sought professional help three years ago.

The experience that Ive had is once you start talking about [mental health], you suddenly realized, actually, youre part of a big club ... and everybodys gagging to talk about it, Harry said during the Mad World podcast with Bryony Gordon.

The GQ interview is not the only conversation that Prince William has had recently about mental health, either. He participated in a highly publicized FaceTime chat with Lady Gaga on the matter.

In the interview, Prince William acknowledged that his public persona might suggest otherwise, but privately, he is impassioned about the issue.

I cannot understand how families, even behind closed doors, still find it so hard to talk about it. I am shocked we are so worried about saying anything about the true feelings we have, the prince said.

Prince Williams full interview with British GQ is available in its July issue, on newsstands June 1.
Priyanka Chopra and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are the faces of Nirav Modis latest global ad campaign. The luxury jewelry brand and diamantaire turned to Chopra, an Indian actress and former winner of the Miss World title, and the British actress-slash-model Huntington-Whiteley for the cultures they represent as well as, of course, looks that are only enhanced by the sparkle of diamonds.

Internationally acclaimed Indian actress, Priyanka Chopra and English actress and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, represent a confluence of East and West, and reflect our ethos of marrying Indias intimate, deep-rooted relationship and know-how of jewelry with a Western sensibility, Nirav Modi said.

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Both Chopra, the Bollywood actress and lead of the ABC show Quantico who was recently appointed brand ambassador for the company, and Huntington-Whiteley, the model and star of the Transformer franchise, have appeared in campaigns for the brand in the past.

The campaign was photographed by Patrick Demarchelier and echoes the essence of a woman and brings out her strength and beauty, Modi said. It features Chopra and Huntington-Whitely in black-and-white, adorned with jewelry shown in color meant to show the coming together of classic and contemporary, according to Modi.

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From new pizza in Echo Park to wellness bowls in Hollywood, heres whats happening in the L.A. dining world:

Full circle: If you visited Michaels, Michael McCartys landmark Santa Monica restaurant, in the early 80s, chances are youre familiar with chef Jonathan Waxman. This is the restaurant that helped create the concept of star chefs, including Waxman, who was a chef there for five years and helped champion the idea of California cuisine. Waxman also cooked alongside Alice Waters at Chez Panisse and went on to open the much lauded Barbuto in New York City. Now Waxman is returning to L.A. and is teaming with the NYCA Restaurant Group to open a new restaurant at the Westfield Century City mall. All in all this makes for a stellar location where Im greatly looking forward to feeding folks in L.A. again, said Waxman in a statement. Details are slim, but the restaurant is scheduled to open in spring 2018. It will join a host of other new openings at the mall, including Shake Shack and the long-planned Eataly. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 277-3898, www.westfield.com.

Pizza, pizza: Zach Pollack, chef and owner of Alimento in Silver Lake, has opened a pizza restaurant called Cosa Buona in Echo Park, in the former Pizza Buona space. The menu is divided into snacks, antipasti, salads and pizza, along with Italian sandwiches for lunch. Highlights include a white clam pizza; Hawaiian pizza; peel and eat shrimp scampi; and smoky mozzarella sticks. The wine list showcases natural wines from Italy and France. 2100 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 908-5211, www.cosabuona.com.

Going to market: City Market South, a full city block at San Pedro and San Julian streets, is billing itself as an outdoor creative complex in the downtown L.A. Fashion District. The market has just rolled out the first phase of its 20-year redevelopment with Rossoblu. Chef Steve Samsons new Italian restaurant (he is also behind Sotto in Pico-Robertson) makes its own charcuterie in a basement butcher box. Also open at the center, in the main plaza area, is Yeekai Lims Cognoscenti Coffee. Steve Livigni and Pablo Moix, the duo behind the cocktails at Black Market Liquor Bar, Scopa Italian Roots and the Chestnut Club, also plan to open a new cocktail-driven concept with chef Antonia Lofaso, located on the north side of the central square. The new cocktail bar/restaurant is scheduled to open later this summer. And a reminder that James Beard Award-winning chef Charles Phan plans to open an outlet of the Slanted Door, his San Francisco modern Vietnamese restaurant, at the market in early 2018. 1057 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, www.citymarketsouth.com.

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Get healthy: Milk & Honey is a new cafe in Hollywood serving wellness bowls and something the restaurant calls waffle cakes. The bowls are full of pitaya or acai with toppings such as berries, almond milk, shredded coconut and hemp granola. The waffle cakes are inspired by taiyaki from Japan and stroopwafel from the Netherlands, and theyre made with a batter free of refined sugars. The cakes are filled with savory or sweet fillings such as honey smoked salmon and Sriracha bacon. 1716 Highland Ave., Hollywood, (323) 848- 4602, www.MyMilkandHoney.com.

Good carbs: Friends & Family, Roxana Jullapat and Daniel Matterns new bakery in Thai Town, has just launched the Sourdough Club. Its a way to get heritage grain breads every month. The monthly membership includes bread on the first Friday of the month, with stuff baked exclusively for club members, along with Jullapats seasonal jam and cheese. For more info, contact hello@friendsandfamilyla.com.

Still hungry? Spoke Bicycle Cafe, a new cafe, bicycle repair shop and bike rental shop, is now open in Frogtown, just off the L.A. River bike path. Mr. Holmes Bakehouse will open its fourth California location in Larchmont Village on Saturday. The Abbey is hosting an event to benefit the onePulse Foundation, the charity that was created by the owners of the Pulse nightclub, on Monday. Mark Peel has closed Bombo Foods at Grand Central Market and has opened Prawn, a new fast-casual seafood concept in the same space. MV Grab & Go, a new counter-service cafe in Mar Vista, by the team behind the Mar Vista, is now open. The Montage Laguna Beach has a new vegetarian tasting menu at its restaurant Studio, as well as new cocktails at the Lobby Lounge, the Loft and Studio (one of the cocktails is $1,000, and will benefit a local charity).

Jenn.Harris@latimes.com

@Jenn_Harris_

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A man suspected of raping and killing two women in Lincoln Heights and dumping their bodies by area freeways six years ago has been arrested, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Geovanni Borjas, 32, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday by the LAPDs elite Robbery Homicide Division and tactical Metropolitan Division officers. Borjas has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of rape and one count of kidnapping. At his arraignment Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail.

Borjas, of Torrance, stands accused of killing 17-year-old Michelle Lozano and 22-year-old BreeAnna Guzman.

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At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Police Chief Charlie Beck said investigators used familial DNA to track down Borjas.

A crime scene DNA search in a statewide database showed that Borjas father  who had been arrested previously on suspicion of domestic violence assault  was a close relative of the suspect in the 2011 killings. Eventually, investigators placed Borjas under surveillance and collected his DNA sample when he spit on the sidewalk. That DNA sample turned out to be an exact match to what was collected during an investigation of the killings, according to police.

 Richard Duran, father of BreeAnna Guzman, 22, discusses his daughters murder in 2011 at a news conference attended by L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and Police Chief Charlie Beck. Geovanni Borjas, 32, was arrested on suspicion of raping and killing Guzm

Lozanos body was found April 26, 2011, near the southbound 5 Freeway at State Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue in Boyle Heights. A homeless person called police after finding the girls nude body in a broken container in the brush.

Investigators determined that Lozanos body had been wrapped in plastic bags and stuffed in the plastic container. Afterward, the container was dumped over a concrete barrier along the freeway. When it hit the ground, the container broke open and spilled Lozanos body into the shrubs.

Guzman vanished the day after Christmas 2011. Her body was found a month later on the 2 Freeway onramp near Riverside Drive in Echo Park, according to the LAPD.

On Tuesday, the Guzman family expressed gratitude to the LAPD for its efforts. They said Borjas name and face were not familiar to them.

All I wanted was to find somebody who hurt her, said the victims mother, Darlene Guzman. And were there. Were there. Im so happy. Im overwhelmed with happiness. I mean, well never get her back, but hes arrested. Hes arrested, and he wont hurt anybody. I wont know why  Ill never know why  but were that much closer to closure.

In 2014, LAPD investigators said they determined the killings were related and announced two $50,000 rewards for information leading to an arrest.

On Tuesday, a law enforcement source told The Times that investigators think Borjas knew the victims. Booking records listed Borjas occupation as a medical biller and said he lived in Torrance. However, public records show that Borjas previously lived in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood.

In 2014, a judge granted Borjas ex-girlfriend a three-year domestic violence restraining order against him. The woman alleged in court documents that the 6-foot-1, 265-pound Borjas was physically abusive to her throughout their two-and-a-half year relationship and that he had broken her nose, choked her and pushed her down the stairs, among other acts.

The restraining order prohibits Borjas from coming within 100 yards of the woman, her home or workplace.

During Borjas arraignment Tuesday, defense attorney Aaron Spolin requested that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark Hanasono set bail, saying his client has a fiancee and is a father. Hanasono refused to set bail, however, saying it was for the protection of the public.

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UPDATES:

2:50 p.m.: This article was updated with details on Borjas arraignment and an LAPD news conference.

1:20 p.m.: This article was updated with details on the charges against Borjas and a restraining order.

10:15 a.m.: This article was updated with details on Borjas occupation and residence.

9:55 a.m.: This article was updated with additional information on the suspect and the history of the case.

This article was originally published at 9:20 a.m.
The way a small-town politician used her relationship with city contractors to draw income could pose an important test of the states conflict of interest laws, good-government experts said.

Huntington Park Councilwoman Karina Macias raised money for a 2015 state Assembly candidate who never actually filed to run, and she was paid a commission based on a percentage of the total. The district attorneys office launched a review of Macias commission and her votes as a councilwoman after a Times article that revealed the arrangement.

Experts said last week that if the practice is found to be legal, or is otherwise permitted, it would provide public officials a loophole they could potentially use for self-enrichment.

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Macias raised money from people linked to companies that were awarded contracts by Macias and Huntington Parks council majority. Those included the citys bus service and dial-a-ride operator, its street sweeping and bus stop maintenance vendor and a towing company.

According to Macias, she informed these people that, if they contributed, she would receive a commission. In prior interviews with The Times, she could not give an example of someone who contributed and was not connected to a city contractor. She was paid $6,800 total for her fundraising work.

Macias has denied that the commission in any way influenced her votes on contracts.

There are two main conflict of interest laws on the states books that might apply to Macias situation. A violation of the law known as the Political Reform Act, which makes it illegal to cast votes that financially benefit sources of income, could mean a possible misdemeanor or an administrative fine.

One question that could arise is whether, under the Political Reform Act, the money paid to Macias qualifies as income derived from the contributors or from the state Assembly campaign. If its found to be the latter, Macias could be legally in the clear.

But under the other law, elected officials are broadly prohibited from being financially interested in contracts made by their agencies, and violations can be prosecuted as felonies.

Steve Cooley, the former L.A. County district attorney who created the offices public integrity division, said Macias commission and votes could have violated the more serious felony conflict of interest law.

The essential question for prosecutors, Cooley said, is whether Macias structured a quid pro quo deal.

If the district attorneys office files criminal charges, it would send a message that this is a no-fly zone. Dont go there, Cooley said.

But if Macias is prosecuted for the violation and ends up being exonerated, Cooley said, that could give a license to politicians who are inclined to make decisions for their own financial gain.

That would be a green light to some who are so motivated by their own individual circumstances, he said.

Hector De La Torre, a former state assemblyman who also served on the South Gate City Council, said theres always been a subset of politicians looking to profit from their elected positions. And he said if Macias business practice is deemed legal, the state Legislature needs to step in.

I think it should be clarified that theres an expectation of recusal, De La Torre said.

Jessica Levinson, a government ethics professor at Loyola Law School, said such a precedent might encourage ill-disposed politicians in places where fewer people are paying attention. That would include relatively small cities and scores of often obscure agencies that make up the patchwork of governments in places like L.A.

Bob Stern, who coauthored the Political Reform Act, said that if there is a determination that what Macias did is aboveboard, then it would be clear that the Huntington Park councilwoman had found a loophole in the law he helped write.

In that scenario, Stern said, it would be up to Sacramento politicians to fix it.

If they decide there is no violation of the Political Reform Act, Stern said, then the act should be changed.

Adam.Elmahrek@latimes.com

Twitter: @adamelmahrek

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An Oklahoma man accused of using a shotgun to kill a Long Beach mother and her 4-year-old daughter last year was found mentally incompetent Tuesday to stand trial in the twin slayings.

Brandon Colbert, 23, will undergo treatment at a state hospital until a judge deems him fit to face murder charges in the August 2016 shooting deaths of Carina Mancera, 26, and her daughter, Jennabel Anaya. Colbert was arrested in the killings in November, but questions about his mental health and his insistence on acting as his own attorney have hung over a series of pretrial hearings in recent months.

Citing a nine-page medical report, Judge Jesse Rodriguez deemed Colbert unfit for trial and ordered him to be admitted a state hospital for treatment. If he is restored to competency, he could still be tried in the slayings.

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Jason Sias, an attorney appointed by the court to represent Colbert at the competency hearing, said it is unlikely Colberts mental health will be reevaluated until he spends at least 90 days in a hospital.

Unfortunately, this is a tragic situation where two people have lost their lives. I dont want to downplay that whatsoever. But theres another issue with this case and its dealing with mental health, Sias said.

Colbert, who was handcuffed and wearing a padded blue prison jumpsuit, did not have any visible reaction to the decision. Several of the victims relatives were seated in court, including Jennabels grandmother, but they declined to comment on the ruling.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Cynthia Barnes could be heard telling the victims relatives inside the courthouse that the ruling was a good thing in the long run. Outside of court, she said she believed treatment and medication would likely result in Colbert being able to stand trial at a later date.

The brazen nature of the shootings shocked Long Beach last year and left police scratching their heads. Mancera and her daughter were returning home from grocery shopping when, prosecutors say, Colbert emerged from a shadowy hiding spot and opened fire.

Mancera died almost instantly. Jennabel was severely wounded and died at an area hospital a short time later. Colbert is also accused of firing a round at Manceras longtime boyfriend, Luis Anaya, but the shot missed and Anaya escaped uninjured.

Colbert  a native of Tulsa, Okla., who arrived in California for the first time just two days before the killings  was arrested in the shootings three months later when he was linked to the crime by DNA found on a spent shotgun shell. Prosecutors have not commented on a motive in the case or said if Colbert knew the victims. Barnes declined to comment on a motive Tuesday.

The defendants mental health had become a central issue in the case. In 2014, Colbert was diagnosed with schizophreniform disorder, meaning he was exhibiting symptoms associated with schizophrenia, according to medical records provided to The Times by his mother.

His mother said he stopped taking medicine meant to keep the symptoms at bay in early 2016, and doctors in Oklahoma also feared he had been abusing K2, a synthetic form of marijuana that doctors say can cause psychotic episodes and violent outbursts.

Colberts mother and younger sister have said they dont know why he chose to travel to California last year. He did not have any acquaintances in Los Angeles or Long Beach, according to his relatives, who said they believe Colbert is innocent.

In January, Colbert announced plans to represent himself at trial over the objections of an attorney retained by his relatives. Since then, his defense strategy has largely involved trafficking in conspiracy theory.

He has repeatedly accused prosecutors of framing him and made several references to a 1997 crime film, Gang Related. The plot of the movie centers on two corrupt police officers who frame a homeless man for a murder.

During a March hearing, Colbert claimed that the people he is accused of killing are not actually dead.

Earlier this month, prosecutors said they would not seek the death penalty. Prosecutors also previously asked a judge to determine whether or not Colbert was competent to act as his own attorney, though they did not suggest he was incompetent to be tried for the murders, court records show.

Barnes said that if Colbert is found competent to stand trial at a later hearing, she will still request a finding about his competency to represent himself, should he seek to act as his own attorney again. Sias said he is hopeful that, once properly medicated, Colbert will decide to accept the aid of an attorney.

Colberts trial was scheduled to begin this month, but in April, Rodriguez ordered him to undergo a competency hearing. Near the end of that May 15 competency hearing, Colbert collapsed in the courtroom. A spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said Colbert was treated at an area hospital before he was returned to a local jail.

The spokesman would not say what prompted the medical incident.

james.queally@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.

UPDATES:

2:50 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from an attorney appointed to represent Colbert at the competency hearing.

This article first published at 11 a.m.
Coast Guard officials have suspended their search for a man who jumped off a boat near the Antioch Bridge to retrieve his lost hat.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports officials suspended the search Sunday for the man, who authorities are identifying only as in his mid-50s.

The man jumped off a 20-foot recreational boat Saturday after his hat flew off.

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Coast Guard spokeswoman Loumania Stewart says the boats operator circled back to pick up the man but could not find him.

Crews looked for the man into the night, then resumed a search by air and water Sunday morning.
Amid the Memorial Day parades and services held throughout the Southland on Monday, the families of a group of fallen soldiers and Marines gathered in a Pasadena park for a long-awaited tribute to their sons and daughter.

Several hundred people joined elected and military officials in the citys Defenders Park for the unveiling of an eight-foot bronze sculpture of a soldier holding aloft an American flag. The statue honors the 11 members of the military killed since 9/11 who lived in Pasadena and surrounding towns.

They were born in Huntington Hospital, they sat in our classrooms  they came from diverse backgrounds with families of all different walks of life, Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek said in his opening remarks. The Pasadena community now has a brilliant sculpture that pays everlasting tribute to our hometown heroes  certainly on Memorial Day, but importantly on each and every day.

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Sculptor Christopher Slatoff included features from each of the 10 men and one woman in the face of the soldier he created, Shelly Lowe told the crowd, many of whom fanned themselves in the warm afternoon sun. The name patch on the soldiers uniform reads, Pasadena.

Lowe headed the group that raised the $600,000 needed for the project from donors, and navigated the citys bureaucratic and political waters to see it through.

The idea for the sculpture came in 2014 after Army Staff Sgt. Scott Studenmund, a Green Beret whose family lives in Pasadena, was killed in southern Afghanistan. Lowes son was a friend and classmate of Studenmund. She approached city officials, saying something needed to be done to remember the soldier and others from Pasadena and its neighboring towns  Altadena, La Canada Flintridge and San Marino.

Gold Star family members Irene Ramirez of Pasadena, left, and Deborah Whitley of Altadena hug during the ceremony. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Lowe and city officials knew of six Gold Star families  the designation given to families who have lost a member in battle, Tornek said. A search turned up five others.

In addition to Studenmund, the statue pays tribute to: Army 1st Lt. Todd Bryant, 23, who was killed in Iraq in 2003; Marine 2nd Lt. J.P. Blecksmith, 24, who was killed in Iraq in 2004; Marine Lance Cpl. Dion Whitley, 21, who was killed in Iraq in 2005; Marine Lance Cpl. Sergio Escobar, 18, who was killed in Iraq in 2005; Army Reserve Spc. Carla Jane Stewart, 37, who was killed in Iraq in 2007; Army Spc. Adam Rosema, 27, who was killed in Iraq in 2007; Army Pfc. Cory Hiltz, 20, who was killed in Iraq in 2007; Marine Lance Cpl. Rogelio Ramirez, 21, who was killed in Iraq in 2007; Army Spc. William J. Gilbert, 24, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2013; and Army Sgt. Joseph Stifter, 30, who was killed in Iraq in 2016.

This was a title  Gold Star family  none of us sought, said Ed Blecksmith, whose son followed his father into the Marines. J.P. Blecksmith, who graduated from Flintridge Preparatory School, died while leading his platoon in a battle in Fallujah, Iraq.

The elder Blecksmith drew a connection between the 11 people being honored Monday and the 16 Marines under his command who were killed Sept. 4, 1967, when his platoon was ambushed by Viet Cong soldiers.

Losing those 16 magnificent young Marines was the worst day of my life, but I had no idea at the time who would suffer a much greater loss for an immeasurable period of time: the families of the fallen back home. That fact came sharply into focus for me when J.P. was killed, he told the crowd.

Blecksmith said the deaths of their children presented a choice to his and the other families: Do we give up on living or do we choose to celebrate our childs legacy and continue to honor their life and sacrifice? I think the answer to that question is evident.

That is why we hold events on Memorial Day and dedicate monuments to the fallen  not to glorify war but to pay an appropriate level of respect to the young men and women who stepped up when they heard the call to serve.

1 / 30 Luis Ruelas, 28, of Simi Valley, cleans the grave marker of Roy Kenneth de Bruin who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. At left is de Bruins granddaughter Olivia Ruelas, 16-months old. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 30 Anthony Ferry, 68, of Mission Viejo, visits the grave of his father Clarence, an Army veteran, and his mother Vincenza, on Memorial Day. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 30 Joshua Kidder, 30, holds his daughter Ellie, 4, while his wife Mary, holds Avery, 1 as they greet those entering the grounds of Riverside National Cemetery. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 30 Yvonne Sanchez, 56, sits nearby as her husband Benajmin Sanchez Jr., 47, weaps with his head on the grave of his father Benjamin Sanchez. Sanchez served during the Korean War as a PFC in the Army and died in 1976. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 30 Valerie Coronel, 25, and her daughter Kendyll Wiener, 7, of Riverside, walk through the Riverside National Cemetery on Memorial Day. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 30 Wayne Bixler, 88, of Hemet, Ca., hunts for the grave of his wife Patricia, who died in 2014. Bixler served during the Korean War with the U.S. Navy. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 30 Melissa Meiner, 33, holds her son Jake Rodriguez, 2, while visiting her grandmothers grave at Riverside National Cemetery. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 30 Thousands of people descended on Riverside National Cemetery for Memorial Day. A ceremony with several speakers, a band and a rifle salute was attended by several hundred people. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 30 Enduring Heroes dedicate an 8-foot bronze sculpture of a combat soldier with an American flag in Defenders Park in Pasadena, CA. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 30 Gold Star families Irene Ramirez, left, of Pasadena and Deborah Whitley of Altadena, hug during the ceremony for the Enduring Heroes dedication of an 8-foot bronze sculpture of a combat soldier with an American flag. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 30 Rogelio Lopez, 9, holds a gold star during the ceremony Memorial Day in Pasadena. Rogelio lost his father Marine Lance Cpl, Rogelio Ramirez, 21 in Iraq. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 30 Congressman Adam Schiff, left, and keynote speaker Army Special Forces LTC David P. Diamond, right, participate in ceremony for the Enduring Heroes dedication. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 30 Gold Star family Melissa holds her daughter, Olivia Stifter, 3, during the ceremony for the Enduring Heroes dedication. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 30 Marine Color Guard Sgt. Charles Bagley takes part in the Enduring Heroes dedication. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 30 An 8-foot bronze sculpture of a combat soldier with an American flag was dedicated in Defenders Park in Pasadena. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 30 Tatiana Pineda, 27, of Irvine holds her children Mason Pineda, 4, left and Aiden Pineda, 6, right, as they sit next to a memorial in Northwood Community Park in Irvine, CA. Her husband lost friends who were serving in Afghanistan. Their names are etched on the wall. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 30 Plastic flowers are placed next to the memorial in Northwood Community Park. Each flower had the name of a fallen solder connected to it. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 30 Vietnam veteran Bill Sandlin, 77, of Irvine, stand next to the newly dedicated memorial in Northwood Community Park. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 30 Boy Scouts watch Marine color guards during a ceremony honoring the Fallen Heroes at Northwood Community Park in Irvine, CA. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 30 Bob Tate, 83, of Irvine stand during the ceremony in Northwood Community Park in Irvine, CA. He served in the Air Force for 37 years. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 30 Tatiana Pineda, 27, and her husband Jose Pineda, 28, of Irvine stand together at a memorial in Northwood Community Park in Irvine. He said they came today to honor the brothers and sisters of the 1st Brigade. Their names are etched on the wall. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 30 Olivia Akhidenor, 9, posts flags on Memorial Day at Los Angeles National Cemetery. More than 5,000 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts placed flags by more than 88,000 graves. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 30 Alex Tsai, 11, salutes after posting a small flag on a grave site of a veteran. Over 5,000 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts placed flags by more than 88,000 graves. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 30 A Dodgers fan waves a lone American fag during Memorial Day weekend game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 30 Los Angeles Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun stands for the national anthem before a game against the Miami Marlins. The players wore camouflage colors to commemorate Memorial Day. (Lynne Sladky / AP) 26 / 30 A tourist looks at flowers placed at the front of the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall at the start of the Memorial Day weekend in Washington, D.C. (MATT CAMPBELL / EPA) 27 / 30 Tourists take photos at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. (Matt / EPA) 28 / 30 Motorcyclists salute at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Navy Memorial plaza in Washington, D.C. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP) 29 / 30 Members of the U.S. Marine Corps watch as a man does pull-ups in Brooklyns Prospect Park as part of New York Citys Fleet Week, which includes a Memorial Day ceremony. (Spencer Platt / Getty Images) 30 / 30 Belgian honor guards march during a Memorial day ceremony at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Plombieres, Belgium. The 57-acre cemetery includes 7,992 U.S. military dead, most of whom died during the advance of the U.S. armed forces into Germany. (Geert Vanden Wijngaert / AP)

Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) also spoke, his voice seeming to catch with emotion. We owe you a debt of gratitude that we can never repay. Indeed, its a debt we cannot even comprehend, he told the families.

Schiff read aloud the names of the 11 fallen service members as their photos were displayed on a large screen.

He was followed by Marine Lt. Col. David Diamond, the special assistant to the assistant secretary of Defense for special operations. Diamond spoke of how he has grown close to the Studenmund family since the death of their son, whom he commanded at the time.

Slatoff has created several other large-scale pieces in the region and is known for his religious imagery. The Enduring Heroes Memorial, he said, was made in the same vein.

Basically, I gave them Sunday morning. I gave them resurrection, Slatoff said of the sculpture last week in an interview with KPCC. This is a sense of dealing with the loss and dealing with everything that should be tragic about this.

joel.rubin@latimes.com

Twitter: @joelrubin
Two Colorado teenagers wanted on suspicion of murder and burglary were arrested Monday night in Torrance after allegedly breaking into a house and injuring an elderly woman, authorities said.

Torrance police were called at about 10:35 p.m. Monday to a house in the 3600 block of Sara Court by an alert neighbor reporting suspicious activity, said Torrance Police Sgt. Ronald Harris. When officers arrived, they heard a woman screaming and saw two males fleeing the home, Harris said.

The officers immediately detained one of the suspects. He was an 18-year-old Colorado resident wanted on a warrant for robbery there, Harris said.

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LIVE: #DPD Commander Archer updates on arrest of homicide suspect, 17YO Dmarco Blake. #Denver https://t.co/v9HxAaXJro  Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) May 30, 2017

The second suspect fled, and police searched for him for more than an hour, using a scent dog, Harris said. He was found hiding in the garage of the home that was invaded, authorities said.

He was a 17-year-old Colorado resident wanted on an outstanding murder warrant there, Harris said.

Denver police on Tuesday identified the murder suspect as Dmarco Jaquise Blake and said he is believed to have been involved with a violent burglary ring suspected in a mans death.

Denver Police Commander Barb Archer said in a news conference that Blake is one of four people whom authorities have linked to seven burglaries or home invasions in the Denver area the night of May 15.

Just after midnight on May 16, Denver police were called to a burglary at a home on Spruce Street. When they arrived, they found 27-year-old Timothy Anderson dead inside the house, Archer said.

Anderson was shot to death, Denver-based 9News reported.

Its a very tragic case, a very sad situation  someone whose home is being burglarized and he ends up dead, Archer said. Our detectives have done extensive leg work on this. ... We worked hard on this one.

Three other people have been arrested in Colorado in connection with the fatal burglary, Archer said. They are Demond Hamilton, 21; Keione Clark, 18; and a juvenile female, according to 9News.

Blake, Clark and Hamilton will be charged with first-degree murder and burglary, with a crime of violence used as a sentence enhancer, Archer said. Blake will be charged as an adult, she said.

The juvenile suspect, who turned herself in to police earlier this month, is being investigated as an accessory after the fact, according to 9News.

It is unclear whether the man arrested in California with Blake  whose name has not yet been released  is connected to the burglary ring.

In Torrance, the two suspects were driving a stolen vehicle from Colorado, according to the Torrance Police Department.

It was not immediately clear, Harris said, if they would be extradited to Colorado.

A 73-year-old woman who was in the home that was broken into suffered minor injuries, Harris said.

hailey.branson@latimes.com

Twitter: @haileybranson

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11:55 a.m. This article was updated throughout with more information from the Denver Police Department.

9:05 a.m. This article was updated with Dmarco Blakes identity.

This article was originally published at 6:10 a.m.
Manuel Noriega, the Panamanian military dictator who often played opposing sides of Cold War-era political battles, until he was ousted by his on-again, off-again sponsors and toppled in a U.S. invasion, has died. He was 83.

A source close to Noriegas family told the Associated Press that he died late Monday. There was no immediate information on the cause of death.

Noriega operated as a spy for the CIA, laundered money for Colombian drug traffickers, and worked in support of leftist movements in Latin America like Nicaraguas Sandinistas  only to also help in U.S. efforts to fight them.

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As head of the Panamanian armed forces, he also trampled on his nations attempts at a democratic process, positioning loyal candidates for the presidency and assuring their victories, regardless of the actual vote. And all the while, he amassed a fortune in mostly illicit funds.

Once overthrown by U.S. forces in 1989, Noriega spent an inordinate amount of time in jail, as dictators go. An American court in Miami convicted him on drug-running charges and put him in prison for nearly 20 years; then he was sent to trial in France and finally extradited home to Panama in December 2011 to face more jail time.

Noriega never had ideological compunctions and enjoyed goading the U.S., until his bravado led to his undoing. Ironically, he might have been relegated to historys footnotes, as a minor Latin American caudillo, or strongman, had it not been for the U.S. invasion of Panama.

Except for the fact that the U.S. invaded his country, put him on trial and put him in prison all those years, Noriega would not have been considered an important figure, said John Dinges, a former journalist and author of Our Man in Panama, the 1990 account of Noriega, his misdeeds and U.S. ties.

He was high on the corruption scale, mid-range on the human rights [abuse] scale, and on the left-right scale, in the middle, Dinges, now a professor at Columbia University, said in a telephone interview. That does not make him the worst in Latin America.

Then-President George H.W. Bush was not quite a year into his administration when he grew weary of Noriegas increasingly belligerent taunts, his failure to cooperate with former patrons like the Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency, and mounting evidence of his ties to the notorious Medellin Cartel of Colombia.

As many observers of the era have since concluded, U.S. officials made the decision to get rid of Noriega, and then sought a cause. That came with a couple of isolated attacks on U.S. military personnel stationed in Panama, including the killing of one serviceman and the assault on a Navy officer and his wife.

On Dec. 20, 1989, Operation Just Cause was launched, with more than 26,000 U.S. troops deployed to the tiny isthmus nation. Bush also asserted the need to protect the strategic Panama Canal. It was, at the time, the largest American military operation since the Vietnam War. And it was, as Dinges put it, like using a mallet to swat a fly. Former Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda called it the bloodiest, costliest and most disproportionate drug bust ever.

The outgunned Panamanian Defense Force was quickly subdued. Noriega took refuge in the Vatican Embassy in Panama City, which U.S. troops bombarded  with loud rock music. Noriega, in his later memoirs, would refer to the din as scorching diabolical noise.

Within days, Noriega surrendered to the American military, which bundled him off to Miami. In all, 23 U.S. troops were killed in the invasion along with several hundred Panamanians, including many civilians who perished when their neighborhoods were destroyed and burned in the fighting.

Noriega would not set foot on Panamanian soil again, until his extradition from France on Dec. 11, 2011, when he was immediately placed in a prison called El Renacer (Rebirth).

In 2015, still a prisoner, Noriega apologized on Panamanian national television for the abuses and human rights violations committed during his regime. He asked for forgiveness for those he had hurt, affected or humiliated, saying he now wanted to close the cycle of the military era.

Manuel Antonio Noriega was born on Feb. 11, 1934, in a seedy bayside Panama City neighborhood. His mother worked as a maid; his father was a low-level civil servant. It is unlikely his parents were married to each other, and at 5 he was farmed out to proxies who raised him. That uncertain parentage, combined with his homely appearance (a lifelong battle with acne earned him a cratered complexion and the pejorative nickname of Pineapple Face), proved permanently traumatic for Noriega.

Though he showed promise in school, his poverty prevented him from pursuing the medical career he craved. Instead, he was educated in a military academy, and he joined the Panamanian National Guard upon graduation in 1962.

The young military officer became a protege of the legendary Panamanian nationalist Gen. Omar Torrijos and provided key ground support in the 1968 coup that overthrew a civilian government and established Torrijos as the countrys reigning strongman. Noriega rose to become head of military intelligence by the mid-1970s, making him the second most powerful person in the country and especially useful to U.S. spy agencies.

From his earliest days, Noriega showed a penchant for manipulation and clandestine relationships that would later become the hallmarks of his personal life and his political career, Frederick Kempe wrote in Divorcing the Dictator (1990).

Too shy to take on the world directly, he cleverly used intelligence to outmaneuver friends and foes during his determined rise to power. Too ugly to charm, he still philandered and wooed, sometimes scoring through guile and other times through simple intimidation.

Though it appeared not to stop his womanizing ways, Noriega married a shy schoolteacher, Felicidad Sieiro, in the 1960s. They would have three daughters.

In 1981, Torrijos was killed in a suspicious plane crash, and two years later, Noriega emerged from a series of power struggles as Panamas de facto leader. He formed the Panamanian Defense Forces, consolidating the military and police into a single armed organization under his command.

Over the years, Noriega performed numerous tasks for the Americans, including serving as a secret back channel to Cuban leader Fidel Castro and allowing Panama to be used for training U.S.-backed Contras fighting Nicaraguas Sandinista government, and U.S.-backed Salvadoran soldiers fighting that countrys leftist guerrillas. At the same time, he was supplying weapons from Cuba to the Sandinistas and the Salvadoran rebels. No task was performed without handsome fees.

The American administrations that benefited seemed willing to turn a blind eye to Noriegas abuses at home. He is widely believed to have ordered the 1985 killing of Hugo Spadafora, an activist who denounced Noriega as a drug trafficker. Spadaforas headless, tortured body was found stuffed into a U.S. mail bag near the Panama-Costa Rica border. Noriega also fixed elections and ordered presidents to resign when they dared to disobey him, including Nicolas Ardito Barletta in 1984 and Eric del Valle in 1988.

Crass and paranoid, with a voracious appetite for whiskey and women, Noriega seemed to relish many of the outlandish rumors that circulated around him, from a penchant for the occult to a hobby in bisexual exploits.

For all his brutality, Noriega was not without some domestic support. Like most Panamanians, he was dark-skinned, of mixed heritage, and he had come from humble roots. He used those characteristics in an attempt to exploit class warfare and rally many of Panamas vast underclass against the wealthy white elite that disliked Noriega.

For some of Panamas poor, even the flawed Noriega stood as a nationalist symbol, Saul Landau, a California-based scholar and filmmaker, wrote in The Times in 2001. But bereft of the charisma or character to become a true national leader like Torrijos,  Noriega remained an almost caricatured intelligence officer, a shadowy dealer of information and services, even as he became head of state.

Led by the white elite, and joined by many other ordinary Panamanians, an anti-Noriega protest movement gained traction in 1987. They would dress in white and stand on balconies and street corners, banging pots and pans. Noriega responded by suspending civil rights and unleashing shock troops called Dignity Battalions, a paramilitary force recruited from Panamas poor and criminal gangs.

Washington stepped up its pressure to drive Noriega from power, suspending economic and military aid, indicting him on drug charges and backing a coup attempt that failed.

When presidential elections rolled around again in May 1989, Noriegas candidate, by all accounts, was destined to lose to the oppositions Guillermo Endara. Noriega annulled the elections as votes were being counted and then fought protesters in the streets. The blood-soaked white guayabera of the oppositions vice presidential candidate, Guillermo Ford, made the front of U.S. newspapers and magazines, and quickly galvanized international opposition to Noriega.

There was little domestic U.S. opposition to the invasion that would come seven months after that election. But years later, in hindsight, many experts saw the Panama invasion as a low point in U.S. foreign policy. Although the stated goal of removing a dictator was accomplished, it came with a high cost in human lives, the use of substantial force, and with little follow-up.

Noriega, in his memoirs, 1997s Americas Prisoner, denied he was working for the Colombian cartels and contended that he was ousted by Bush trying to compensate for his wimp factor.

In a 1994 jailhouse interview with filmmaker Oliver Stone, who was writing for the Nation, Noriega contended the Americans ousted him because he was no longer compliant.

After 24 years of friendship suddenly I become a devil, Noriega said. They needed to create a devil in order to get rid of the devil. Thats what happened.

As his health worsened in recent years, Noriega was shuttled from prison to local hospitals, where he was treated for a range of afflictions  bronchitis, hypertension, a possible stroke and finally a brain tumor. In January, the courts granted his request that he be allowed to return home  though remain under house arrest  while he was prepped for surgery.

tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com

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Amid heightened concerns over the threat posed by North Korea, a much-anticipated test of the homeland missile defense system succeeded Tuesday, when a rocket launched from the Santa Barbara County coast hit and destroyed a target warhead fired into space from across the Pacific Ocean, U.S. officials said.

The rocket launch, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, 60 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, unfolded in the early afternoon under cloudy conditions. The target missile was launched from thousands of miles away, at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

The director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, Vice Adm. James D. Syring, called the intercept an incredible accomplishment.

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This system is vitally important to the defense of our homeland, and this test demonstrates that we have a capable, credible deterrent, Syring said in a statement.

The test was conducted as North Koreas actions have continued to raise concern with United States officials and among regional allies. Under leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea has detonated underground nuclear devices three times in the last five years and has greatly accelerated its testing of ballistic missiles.

On Monday, a North Korea test missile flew about 280 miles before landing in the Sea of Japan  the 12th missile reportedly launched this year by the government in Pyongyang. A Japanese government official told reporters the launch was extremely problematic in terms of safety of aircraft and ships.

North Koreas actions have helped to focus attention on Tuesdays test of the U.S. Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, known as GMD, which has cost taxpayers more than $40 billion to date.

The test was the systems first attempted intercept of a target missile in nearly three years. Syring had told Congress that the test would be the systems first pursuit of an ICBM-range target, flying at speeds close to what the U.S. would confront in an actual attack. In its statement Tuesday, the missile agency called the missile fired from Kwajalein an ICBM-class target.

The statement said that initial indications are that the test met its primary objective of destroying the target, but that officials would continue to study data from the exercise to evaluate how the system performed.

Can the U.S. defend against a North Korean missile strike? 

After the announced intercept, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement, Its good that the Missile Defense Agency is finally doing a test against an ICBM target after an investment of more than $40 billion since 2002.

This is an important milestone in the program, but much work remains to be done to ensure we have a reliable and effective system, he said.

The GMD system is intended to protect the United States from a limited nuclear strike by a non-superpower, such as North Korea. The system has 36 operational rocket interceptors  four at Vandenberg and 32 at Ft. Greely, Alaska, according to the Missile Defense Agency spokesman. The agency plans to increase the fleet to 44 by years end by adding interceptors at Ft. Greely.

The system has been plagued by engineering-related problems.

Since GMD was made operational in 2004, the interceptors have failed to hit and destroy target warheads in 6 of 10 flight tests. The missile agency lists one of those six, conducted in September 2006, as a success. But the Pentagons director of operational testing and evaluation, J. Michael Gilmore, informed Congress that his offices analysis found that, although the interceptor made glancing contact with the target, it failed to destroy it.

The test failures have occurred even though the exercises were scripted for success in ways that could not be expected in battle, according to current and former military officials and other specialists.

For example, operating personnel have known when the targets would be launched, as well as their size, speed and approximate trajectory. All but one of the flight tests dating to 1999 have been conducted during daylight hours, instead of under more difficult nighttime conditions. That single nighttime test ended in failure.

Philip E. Coyle III, a former director of the Pentagon test office, cautioned against concluding that Tuesdays outcome demonstrated GMDs reliability. He noted that the system has succeeded in only two of its five attempted intercepts since 2010.

In school, 40% isnt a passing grade, Coyle said in remarks released by the Washington-based Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, where he is a senior fellow. The GMD program has a long way to go.

GMD has yet to be tested against realistic decoys, which would challenge the systems ability to discern between decoys and nuclear warheads.

Theres a flaw in the homeland missile defense system. The Pentagon sees no need to fix it 

Defense officials have attributed the test failures to a variety of technical causes. In its most recent annual report, in January, the Pentagon test office rated both the reliability and day-to-day readiness of the GMD interceptors as low and said that testing had revealed unspecified new failure modes.

A year ago, the Government Accountability Office, the nonpartisan investigative arm of Congress, said that GMDs test record had been insufficient to demonstrate that an operationally useful defense capability exists.

In interviews, missile specialists have pointed to the George W. Bush administrations rushed deployment of GMD 13 years ago and the exemption of the missile agency from standard Pentagon procurement and testing requirements as fundamental errors that shortchanged engineering rigor and continue to undermine the systems reliability.

GMDs mission presents a profound engineering challenge, often likened to hitting one speeding bullet with another.

The systems interceptors are 60-foot-tall, three-stage rockets, each tipped with a 5-foot, 150-pound kill vehicle. Once in space, the kill vehicles are designed to separate from their boost rockets and fly independently toward their targets, at speeds up to 4 miles per second. With the help of onboard navigation systems, the kill vehicles, which carry no explosives, are supposed to crash into and destroy enemy warheads using only kinetic energy.

The kill vehicles are tremendously complex machines, each composed of more than 1,000 components. Because of the rush with which they were produced and deployed, no two are identical, making it tougher to install timely updates and make necessary repairs.

The missile agency has also sought to overcome problems involving divert thrusters. These small rocket motors  four of which are attached to each kill vehicle  are supposed to fire rapidly once the kill vehicle is flying on its own in space to make crucial course corrections.

The thrusters rough combustion of fuel has been blamed for throwing off the kill vehicles sensitive guidance system. A costly redesign produced a new version, called the alternate divert thruster.

In January 2016, the missile agency launched an interceptor from Vandenberg to fully flush out and fully test the new thrusters, in Syrings words. In that exercise, the kill vehicle was supposed to make a close flyby of a target in space.

The missile agency and its lead contractors all pronounced the test a success. But as the Los Angeles Times disclosed last July, one of the new thrusters stopped working during the test, and the kill vehicle veered far off its course. A review overseen by the missile agency found that the thruster most likely malfunctioned because of a glitch in the electronic circuit board that powered it.

The test conducted Tuesday  which the missile agencys spokesman, Christopher Johnson, said would cost $244 million  marked the first time the alternative divert thrusters were used in an attempted intercept. The new thrusters were attached to a slightly revised model of kill vehicle, called a CE-2 Block 1, which also made its first flight.

Last week, the director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, Marine Lt. Gen. Vincent R. Stewart, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that North Korea is committed to developing a long-range, nuclear-armed missile that is capable of posing a direct threat to the United States.

North Korea has not yet tested a missile that has traveled more than a few hundred miles  well short of the distance to Hawaii, Alaska or the continental U.S. To reach Los Angeles, a missile launched from North Korea would have to fly about 5,800 miles.

david.willman@latimes.com

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When the Church of Scientology secretly purchased the dilapidated 11-story Fort Harrison Hotel in this western Florida city in 1975, locals didnt know what to make of their new neighbors.

It would be the following year before the church was publicly identified as the owner of the hotel, which would be renovated to become Scientologys international headquarters. The church, meanwhile, began scooping up other prime properties  dozens of them, including entire blocks  throughout downtown Clearwater.

It is a tactic that the church has used elsewhere, most notably in its birthplace of Hollywood, where it has assembled a vast array of properties. Although the church tends to improve the condition of its real estate holdings, its purchases  like Scientology itself  are often controversial, surrounded by rumor and suspicion.

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So it was in Clearwater, a city of 110,000 that is now Scientologys international headquarters. County records show that the church owns 66 properties in the city, where an estimated 12,000 Scientologists live. City officials have long grappled with fears that the churchs influence was growing too deep.

All that came to a head last month, when the city of Clearwater went head to head with the church in a struggle over a strategically located parcel of vacant land. The city won, despite offering vastly less than the church was willing to pay. But the repercussions shook City Hall and the highest levels of the church, which has a reputation for sharp elbows and for winning at any cost.

Was the battle for this parcel of land an indication of the churchs unspoken intent to consolidate political power in Clearwater? Residents wondered. Conspiracy theories are nothing new when it comes to the Church of Scientology.

The Fort Harrison Hotel is located steps from Clearwater City Hall, close to the downtown waterfront area, where the city is planning a 10-year, $55-million development called Imagine Clearwater. The project is aimed at revitalizing a forlorn area that is pocked with vacant storefronts and half-finished buildings.

Just offshore, connected to downtown by a causeway, is a glimmer of what Clearwater could be. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a nonprofit marine rescue and rehabilitation facility that draws some 800,000 visitors annually and is Clearwaters top attraction after the citys famed beaches. It also was at the center of the dispute between the city and the church.

The aquarium owned a 1.4-acre vacant lot that is bordered on three sides by City Hall and two church properties  the Fort Harrison Hotel and a 13-story condominium tower. Two years ago, the Church of Scientology became interested in buying it and building a swimming pool and playground for its members.

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But the aquarium, which is in the middle of a $54-million fund-raising campaign to significantly expand the marine rescue center, had previously agreed to sell the lot to the city. The small plot suddenly vaulted in value.

The church is one of the largest taxpayers in Pinellas County and is widely regarded as a good steward of its properties. A 2014 Florida State University study found that it brought $917 million into Clearwater that year. Still, many people in the city are suspicious of Scientology, which has long battled a reputation as a cult, and hasnt been seen as the friendliest of neighbors.

The Fort Harrison Hotel. (Les Neuhaus / For The Times)

The Fort Harrison Hotel is ringed with security cameras and is closed to the public, despite its three restaurants and ballroom. Several questionable deaths and hundreds of 911 calls from the building through the years havent helped the churchs image.

Some non-Scientology locals also fret that tourists are put off by the airline-style uniforms that some Scientologists wear.

I think most of the locals might be used to seeing them in their uniforms, but I also think tourists are like, What is this? said April Robinson, a Clearwater resident.

The city of Clearwater had various ideas in mind for the aquariums vacant lot, including a hotel, Mayor George Cretekos said in an interview. It was willing to pay $4.25 million, roughly the assessed valuation of the land. So were the Scientologists.

In early March, the church upped the ante: Scientology leader David Miscavige personally raised the churchs offer to $12.5 million. The aquarium said no, citing an agreement with the city.

On March 14, Miscavige met individually with Clearwater City Council members at the Fort Harrison Hotel, offering a sweetener: The church would fund an $8-million renovation of storefronts and facades along Cleveland Street, a portion of which has many retail spaces sitting empty.

Many downtown business owners were said to favor the plan or at least were willing to hear Miscavige out. But city leaders were resistant. If they really wanted to help improve Cleveland Street, then why not just go do it? Cretekos said in an interview in his office.

Members of the Church of Scientology stand outside what is known as the Flag Building in downtown Clearwater, Fla. (Les Neuhaus / For The Times)

In early April, the church again raised its offer  this time to $15 million, along with the $8-million Cleveland Street revitalization offer. Put together, it amounted to more than five times what the city was offering to spend.

Again, the aquarium declined, prompting the church to question the aquarium boards fiduciary responsibility.

On April 11, Miscavige held an invitation-only event on the Fort Harrison Hotels rooftop patio for community business leaders and other prominent Clearwater figures. Also there were Scientology celebrities, including John Travolta, Kirstie Alley and pianist Chick Corea, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Miscavige gave a roughly two-hour presentation, replete with graphics, citations of noteworthy architects and building consultants.

Bledar Tony Starova, who owns a pizzeria on Cleveland Street, was at the event and was impressed by the churchs plan.

It looked very good, and I was hoping it happens, he said by telephone. But, really, this is the first time [the city and the church] are talking to each other. I liked the churchs plan, but I think the city should be the leader of these things.

On April 20, the City Council unanimously voted in favor of buying the plot for the original $4.25 million.

We are satisfied with the outcome, aquarium Chief Executive David Yates said in a telephone interview. We committed the lot to the city very early on and we stuck by that commitment.

The church was not satisfied. Ben Shaw, a Scientology spokesman, wrote a letter to the Tampa Bay Times calling the City Council arrogant and the vote a case of manifest obstruction.

Whose votes do not count? Whose money does not count? The bigotry against Scientologists is barefaced, he said.

The churchs chief counsel, Monique Yingling, also sent a letter to the Pinellas County Commission urging it to block $26 million in tourism tax funds earmarked for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Astoundingly, [the Clearwater Marine Aquarium] rejected $15 million in private funding, and is now essentially asking to recoup that amount from taxpayer funds! she wrote.

On April 25, the County Commission approved the $26-million grant.

Shaw has since said that the church, while disappointed, has moved on.

The church was interested in buying a piece of land from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium; the aquarium sold the property to the city, he said in an email. That is the end of that story.

Some downtown business owners, however, say the matter is far from dead: Church members, they believe, launched a boycott of downtown businesses after the vote.

The business people have been telling me theyre not coming into their stores, Clearwater City Council member Bob Cundiff said in a phone interview. I even suggested maybe they put up a sign at the entrance of their stores or businesses, saying uniformed shoppers get a discount.

Shaw said the business owners were wrong.

There is absolutely no boycott of downtown businesses by church members, he said. There has never been a boycott.

In 2014, the city commissioned a report by an independent advisory panel working for the Urban Land Institute. Among its goals was to determine how the city could best revitalize the downtown core. It concluded that dysfunction between the city and the Church of Scientology was threatening Balkanization and the citys decline.

They are the two largest landowners in the study area; they command the largest budgets; and they have the most influence over public opinion, author Brad Rogers wrote. These two organizations must become partners in the future of the city. If they cannot, no one else will.

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Neuhaus is a special correspondent. Times staff writers Kim Christensen and Jon Schleuss in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
It was Aubrey Reinhardts last year at Texas Tech University. So when things started getting serious with her boyfriend, she decided it was time to look into birth control.

Reinhardt knew that abortion foes had been trying to strip Planned Parenthood of every penny it receives from government sources. But until that moment two years ago, Reinhardt recalled, she didnt appreciate what that could mean for a person like her who just needed somewhere to go for affordable contraception  without feeling she was being judged.

Planned Parenthood had to close its two health centers in Lubbock, where Reinhardt was studying, so she turned to the campus clinic. But the doctor there told her she might have a blood clotting problem, and said Reinhardt would need to get approvals from three other doctors and a hormone specialist before she would prescribe contraception.

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Reinhardt, now a 22-year-old law student in Dallas, was stunned. None of her previous physicians had suggested she might have such a problem. Could the doctor be using it as an excuse? She could feel herself tearing up.

Why are you crying? she recalled the doctor asking. Are you really in that big of a hurry to become sexually active?

Humiliated, Reinhardt hurried out of the office.

Vivian Bigelow, a nurse practitioner at a Planned Parenthood health center in Plano, Texas, consults with a patient. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

In the annals of the abortion wars, the call to defund Planned Parenthood has become one of the most potent  and contentious  rallying cries. The organization is the largest single provider of abortions in the country and has used its political clout to protect access to the procedure.

Now with President Trump in the White House and Republicans in control of Congress and statehouses across the nation, those seeking to curtail public funding for Planned Parenthood see opportunities to achieve their long-sought goal  and they see Texas as a model to follow. But as Reinhardts experience shows, the effects of a successful defunding campaign can be far more extensive  and potentially damaging  than intended.

In 2011, Texas lawmakers slashed funding for family planning clinics rather than allow any of the money to go to Planned Parenthood. Because of the cuts, a quarter of the states clinics closed, making it harder for women of limited means to get a range of other basic health services, including contraception, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and testing for sexually transmitted infections.

Lawmakers have since attempted to repair the damage by directing more money to facilities not tied to abortion providers. But there isnt always a facility that can readily fill the void when women are denied access to Planned Parenthood, which serves about 2.4 million patients nationally each year.

Federally funded community health centers, which provide a range of low-cost primary care to poor families, are stretched thin. And family planning is not routinely offered at 40% of these facilities, according to a study by the Guttmacher Institute, which advocates for reproductive rights, including abortion.

Charlie Kain and Mary Borchard, with the 40 Days for Life group, protest in front of a Planned Parenthood health center in Plano, Texas. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

After Reinhardts upsetting visit to the campus clinic, she called one such center in Lubbock. The soonest she could get an appointment was in April. It was January. She then tried facilities operated by Christian nonprofits. They didnt offer contraception.

So she called what was left of Planned Parenthood. They could see her right away, but their nearest locations were in El Paso and Fort Worth, both four-hour drives away.

Over spring vacation, Reinhardt drove to Fort Worth and received an implant that prevents pregnancies for up to four years. But she wondered, What about the mother that has two children, that works two jobs, that cant take off two days to drive four hours away to a clinic and come back?

It is already illegal to use federal dollars for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or when the mothers life is in danger. And Planned Parenthood says about half of its health centers dont offer the procedure.

But the groups opponents argue that giving Planned Parenthood public funds for non-abortion-related care allows it to spend more of its private funds on abortions. In 2016, the group received $554.6 million from government sources, about 40% of its budget.

The Republican bill to replace Obamacare, which narrowly cleared the House on May 4, would prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving reimbursements from Medicaid for a year.

That would be a big hit. Medicaid, the federal-state program that insures more than 70 million poor Americans, accounts for the majority of Planned Parenthoods public funding, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates. Federal Title X family planning grants make up most of the rest.

The House bill, the American Health Care Act, faces an uncertain future in the Senate. And states have faced pushback from federal officials and the courts when they try to withhold federal money from Planned Parenthood themselves.

Texas, however, has found roundabout ways to chip away at the groups funding.

Texas Republicans scored their first big win in 2011 when the Legislature reduced the two-year budget for the states Family Planning Program to $38 million from $111 million. It also approved a new way to allocate the funds that prioritized community health centers and county health departments over specialized family planning clinics like those affiliated with Planned Parenthood.

The argument was that women would be better served if they had their reproductive health needs addressed at facilities that could provide more comprehensive care; critics contend it was a way to squeeze out Planned Parenthood.

Texas also wanted to exclude Planned Parenthood from a separate Medicaid-funded program that offered family planning coverage for certain women who didnt qualify for full healthcare benefits. But the Obama administration wouldnt allow that because of a federal law guaranteeing Medicaid clients their choice of providers.

The Legislatures solution: Forgo federal funding that had paid for 90% of the program and set up an entirely state-financed version called the Texas Womens Health Program. That effort, launched in 2013, does not contract with clinics affiliated with abortion providers.

Law student Aubrey Reinhardt says she was humiliated when she tried to get a birth control prescription. Now she heads a chapter of the reproductive rights group If/When/How at a Dallas campus. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Texas actions have provided a road map for other states to follow. In May, Planned Parenthood announced it was closing four of its 12 clinics in Iowa after lawmakers there decided to set up a state-run family planning program that can legally exclude the group.

Planned Parenthood wasnt the only organization hurt by such decisions. By 2013, 82 Texas clinics  a third of them Planned Parenthood affiliates  had closed or stopped offering family planning services, said Kari White of the Texas Policy Evaluation Project, which studied the defunding effort. None of the clinics performed abortions.

Of those that remained open, researchers found, many had to reduce hours or begin charging for services previously offered for free.

Even when there were other clinics nearby where women could use their state benefits, White said, women would often find that they did not stock the more expensive, long-acting birth control methods available at Planned Parenthood. So women switched to less effective methods, and a few years later, some had become pregnant.

Lilibeth Juarez, a Planned Parenthood health center senior assistant, speaks with a patient about birth control in Fort Worth. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

State officials take issue with some of the conclusions because they are based on a study that sampled only patients enrolled in the Texas Womens Health Program  expanded and rebranded last year as Healthy Texas Women  and not those who received family planning care through other programs.

Now that Trump is in the White House, the state is applying to get its Medicaid funding back for Healthy Texas Women. Since 2013, the Legislature has also committed more than $150 million in additional state funds to rebuilding the network of family planning providers and improving care for poor women  more than making up for the clinic closures, according to officials.

Although participation in the states womens health programs plunged from around 359,000 in 2011 to 201,000 two years later, state figures show, the number of clients enrolled has increased since then and in 2015 was approaching 364,000.

Texas is committed to womens health, Republican state Sen. Jane Nelson, who heads the Senate Finance Committee, said in an email. The number of providers has tripled, and we are making sure that women throughout the state can access these vital services.

Kelly Hart, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, acknowledged the states efforts to improve family planning. But she said a question lingers: Can [those efforts] be as good as the citizens of this state deserve if you deny a major player in womens healthcare a seat in your program?

Planned Parenthood has 34 health centers left in Texas, four of which perform abortions.

Dayna Farris-Fisher found a lump in her breast and sought help at Planned Parenthood. With Texas defunding efforts, she fears she might not be able to get the same care today. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Community health centers will try to fill the gap, but many will need to hire and train staff, reconfigure space and purchase equipment, said Jose Camacho, who heads an association of such facilities in Texas.

In the meantime, women who rely on publicly funded healthcare are still having trouble finding providers who will accept new patients and can see them in a timely manner, Planned Parenthood clinicians say. That can be critical for some patients.

Four years ago, Dayna Farris-Fisher, a mother of three from Plano, discovered a lump in her breast. She didnt have insurance, because her husband had been laid off. None of the low-cost clinics she tried could see her for at least four months.

In a panic, she called Planned Parenthood. Vivian Bigelow, a nurse practitioner at the groups local health center, saw her the next day.

But if a patient like Farris-Fisher, now 50, walked into her exam room today, Bigelow said, she would have to refer her somewhere else. The breast and cervical cancer screening program that paid for the diagnostic testing no longer accepts claims from Planned Parenthood, another casualty of the states defunding efforts.

That terrifies Farris-Fisher. In the five weeks that it took to confirm a diagnosis and begin treatment, her tumor doubled in size.

If I had had to wait for one of those other clinics, she said, I literally am convinced that I would be dead.

alexandra.zavis@latimes.com

Twitter: @alexzavis

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Xavier Becerra has been quite outspoken about much of the work hes done as Californias attorney general since replacing Kamala Harris, newly elected to the U.S. Senate, in late January. His office has issued more than 70 press releases  about 20 more than Harris issued over the same time frame in 2016  touting his resolve to combat President Trumps policies on a range of issues important to California, supporting the appointment of a special prosecutor to look into possible connections between Russia and Trumps presidential campaign, defending Obamacare subsidies and warning consumers about scams, among other updates.

One thing Becerra hasnt uttered a peep about, though, is the status of Californias investigation into whether Exxon Mobil defrauded investors by publicly questioning the link between fossil fuels and global warming while internally accepting the science and trying to find ways to mitigate the risks to its own enterprise. Though her office never publicly acknowledged it, Harris opened an investigation after The Times and Inside Climate News, using internal Exxon Mobil documents, revealed in 2015 that the companys public declarations conflicted with its internal practices. But that investigation, environmentalists believe, stalled when Harris decided to run for the Senate.

Becerra has not responded to entreaties by 18 Democrats in Californias congressional delegation and more than 30 environmental groups, some of which read his silence as a lack of action. Becerras office said last week that he is aware of the public interest in this matter but declined comment on whether it has an investigation underway. If it doesnt, it should. Attorneys general in New York and Massachusetts already have gone public with their inquiries, based on state securities and fraud laws similar to those on Californias books. Among the issues: Whether Exxon Mobil, by allegedly hiding the truth, led investors to make investment decisions they otherwise might not have.

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Actions by Exxon Mobil and other fossil-fuel firms to marginalize the reality of global warming and climate change have endangered the health of the planet.

This isnt to prejudge Exxon Mobils guilt or innocence, although the articles are damning. At best, the corporations actions appear to be devious and cynical, and may have delayed efforts to try to limit the scale of global warming. Becerra should fully and publicly join efforts to hold Exxon Mobil accountable if it did, indeed, break the law. The more pressure that can be brought to bear, the more incentive the company  with a market capitalization of $350 billion, one of the largest corporations in the country  will have to negotiate a settlement rather than dig in its heels and fight.

The investigations into Exxon Mobils apparently two-faced approach to climate change borrow from the years-long fight to force the tobacco industry to acknowledge that it intentionally minimized the links between smoking and cancer to protect and expand sales of cigarettes and other tobacco products. In fact, the tobacco and oil industries relied on some of the same researchers to forge their public positions denying that smoking and burning fossil fuels involved significant health or environmental risks. In the tobacco campaign, state attorneys general pursued separate investigations and lawsuits to recover from the tobacco industry tax dollars spent on caring for patients with lung cancer, emphysema and other smoking-related diseases. They ultimately won a 25-year, $246 billion settlement.

After the public revelations of Exxon Mobils seeming duplicity, attorneys general from more than a dozen states met in March 2016 with environmentalists charting a challenge of the oil industry following the anti-tobacco campaign playbook. By then, New York had already opened an investigation; following the meeting, Massachusetts issued its own subpoenas. After fighting off Exxon Mobil efforts to quash the subpoenas, lawyers in both states are poring over about 1 million pages of Exxon Mobil records. The U.S. Virgin Islands also issued subpoenas, but the tiny territory backed down in the face of expensive court challenges by Exxon Mobil. Thats partly why its imperative that California and other states with sizable legal staffs work together to counter Exxon Mobils deep pockets.

If the investigations find that Exxon Mobil violated no laws, then the nation will have to be satisfied with that evidence-based conclusion. But the nation also needs to understand that actions by Exxon Mobil and other fossil-fuel firms to marginalize the reality of global warming and climate change have endangered the health of the planet. Fortunately, current leaders of major oil companies have accepted the role of burning fossil fuels in global warming, and are planning a cleaner fuel future. But clearly more needs to be done, and holding Exxon Mobil  and any other energy company  accountable for past misdirections would help incentivize corporations to be more transparent, and to take a clear-eyed view of the effect of their business on the environment.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook
While Washington freaked out over the Congressional Budget Offices verdict on the American Healthcare Act (a.k.a. Trumpcare) and how cutting back health insurance would cost countless lives, the more interesting accounting came out of California. The dream of implementing single-payer healthcare across the Golden State came with a gobsmacking annual price tag: $400 billion, almost twice Californias annual budget.

So maybe this is a good opportunity to look for another homegrown solution to the problem of healthcare. And it just so happens that one answer is close to home.

Loma Linda has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. Residents there are 10 times more likely to live to 100 than typical Americans. The average male in Loma Linda lives to 89, the average woman to 91  both are ten years longer than the national average.

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Before you make like Ponce De Leon and head there to find the Fountain of Youth, let me tell you theres nothing in the water. Loma Linda is home to a thriving population of Seventh-day Adventists who place great stock in treating their bodies like temples. They dont smoke, drink alcohol or eat meat, and they get lots of exercise.

The average male in Loma Linda lives to 89, the average woman to 91  both are ten years longer than the national average.

So maybe we should make former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg czar, proscribe meat, tobacco and booze and require North Korea-style calisthenics every morning before eating a mandatory breakfast of wholesome grains and raw vegetables.

No, we shouldnt. But we can learn something from the Loma Linda residents.

Whenever the subject of healthcare comes up, advocates for more government involvement insist that Americas comparatively low life expectancy is a searing indictment of our dysfunctional insurance system. Sen. Bernie Sanders recently seized on Donald Trumps statement that the Australians have a better insurance system, by noting that Australians live longer, which is true. They live, on average, about three years longer than Americans.

But the gold standard of social organization for Sanders isnt Australia. Its Denmark. He often waxes lyrical about how Denmark has a different  and better  definition of freedom that, naturally, involves a cradle-to-grave socialist welfare state. Obviously, theres a lot to debate there, but how does Denmarks supposedly more enlightened approach translate in terms of life expectancy? The Danes live about a year and a half longer, on average, than Americans  or not quite as long as Australians.

And that on average conceals more than it reveals. A recent study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation measured life expectancy by county across the United States. In 2014, a child born in Summit County, Colo., could be expected to live 86.83 years. The life expectancy of a child born in Ogala Lakota County in South Dakota, seat of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, will likely be about 20 years shorter. Something tells me these discrepancies have much more to do with lifestyle than insurance.

Indeed, the chief reason American life expectancy lags  slightly  behind other developed countries has nothing to do with healthcare whatsoever. When the World Health Organization ranked America 19th out of 29 in life expectancy in 2009, Scott W. Atlas of the Hoover Institution pointed out that if you removed fatal car crashes and murders, the U.S. suddenly had the worlds best life expectancy numbers.

I cant see how adopting Danish healthcare would affect driving habits or homicide rates. Its also far from clear that government-provided healthcare does much to improve health generally. The Pine Ridge Lakota Indians already have it  in the form of the Indian Health Service. Of course, the IHS, like the Veterans Health Administration, has real problems. But a huge study of Medicaid expansion in Oregon found that  with the exception of depression diagnoses  increased health insurance yielded no significant improvement in health.

In 2016, when millions received coverage under Obamacare, American life expectancy went down for the first time in over 20 years. Im not suggesting a causal relationship: Obamacare didnt kill anyone. If it saved individuals lives here and there, thats great. Still, those numbers vanish in the national data as anecdotes, not significant trends.

There are still good reasons to reform healthcare. But a little humility about what government can do, and the stakes involved, might be in order.

jgoldberg@latimescolumnists.com

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El Salvador has one of the worst records on reproductive rights in the world. Since 1998, Article 133 of the Penal Code has made abortion illegal in all circumstances, without exception, punishable by up to eight years in prison. Sentences of up to 30 years have been handed down when a judge determined that homicide rather than abortion had occurred. The Alliance for Womens Health and Life has reported that 147 El Salvadorian women were charged with crimes relating to abortion between 2000 and 2014.

Because our laws are so draconian, so tilted in favor of the rights of fetuses over those of living women, pregnant women experiencing difficulties may not feel safe in El Salvadors hospitals. Weve all heard about Maria Teresa Rivera, who was sentenced to 40 years in prison after she miscarried. (She was released after serving four.) We are terrified of having medical problems during pregnancy as there is an underlying presumption of guilt. So women often suffer in silence, which causes further complications.

International attention to the problem is growing and recently the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women urged El Salvador to review Article 133 and related aspects of the Penal Code, at least in cases of rape, incest, threats to the life and/or health of the pregnant woman or severe fetal impairment.

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The U.N. committee stated that the country violates the basic human rights of women and girls, including their right to life, health, nondiscrimination, human dignity and the right over their own bodies.

El Salvador is one of the most dangerous countries to be a woman. We have the highest rate of femicide in the entire world.

Those who call for continued restrictions on safe and legal abortion in El Salvador fail to realize that making the procedure illegal does not reduce its prevalence. (The countrys Ministry of Health has estimated that 19,290 abortions took place between 2005 and 2008.) Lack of choice means that women tend to seek out dangerous covert methods, which put their lives at risk. These women are also reluctant to seek post-operative medical care after their abortions have taken place.

The World Health Organization estimates that 68,000 women die around the world every year as a result of unsafe and illegal abortions, and millions more are living with health complications. The vast majority of these are in the economically developing world in countries such as El Salvador.

El Salvador is not supportive of womens rights. The power of the Catholic Church and right-wing conservatives here and throughout Latin America has meant that our laws are not secular, but are heavily influenced by subjective interpretations of religion. The Trump administration has further exacerbated the problem by making it illegal for U.S. organizations providing international aid to so much as help women access information about reproductive rights, let alone provide abortions.

El Salvador is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for women. We have the highest rate of femicide in the entire world: A woman is murdered every 15 hours. A 2010 law made femicide a specific criminal category, but most perpetrators still evade arrest. The levels of gang violence and other forms of civil unrest are extremely high, and women bear the brunt of it both inside and outside our homes.

Against this horrific backdrop, theres reason for optimism. Momentum is building for a parliamentary bill on reproductive rights that was introduced in October. It would legalize abortion in specific instances: if a womans life or health is in danger, if she became pregnant after being raped or trafficked, or in the case of a fetal abnormality. The Ministry of Health and even conservative groups such as the Anglican church have indicated that they may support such a law. But success is still uncertain.

Jeannette Urquilla is executive director of Organizacion de Mujeres Salvadorenas por la Paz (ORMUSA), the Salvadoran partner of Donor Direct Action, an international womens group.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook

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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 
The Supreme Court on Tuesday 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.

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.

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The basic problem with the provocation rule, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., wrote in the 8-0 decision, is that it provides a novel and unsupported path to liability in cases in which the use of force was reasonable.

A federal judge decided the two deputies responded reasonably when they saw Angel Mendez, the sleeping man, reach for a weapon, which turned out to be a BB gun.

The deputies were liable for the injuries they caused, the judge ruled, because they had provoked the incident by going on to private property and barging into the shack without a search warrant and without announcing their presence.

In Tuesdays opinion in County of Los Angeles vs. Mendez, the justices said the judge and the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals were wrong to rely on the provocation rule. But they sent the case back to the 9th Circuit to reconsider whether the verdict can be upheld on the grounds the deputies violated the 4th Amendment when they searched without a warrant.

The Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs welcomed the courts rejection of the provocation rule.

This invented rule put the lives of deputies into danger by causing them to hesitate in using reasonable force to defend themselves for fear of later civil liability, the group said in a statement.

The American Civil Liberties Union had urged the court to uphold the verdict. But David Cole, the ACLUs national legal director, said the courts opinion makes clear officers can be held liable in such cases.

In my view, the decision does not give police a blank check to provoke violence. It holds that where the police act unconstitutionally, they are responsible for the reasonable consequences of their conduct, Cole said.

The case began in 2010 when deputies were searching for a parole violator who was believed to be armed and dangerous. Based on a tip, a dozen deputies went to a house in Lancaster. They did not have a search warrant. Several deputies banged on the front door and pressed to enter, and two others went around to the back where they saw three metal storage sheds and a wooden shack.

When one of them opened the door of the shack and pulled back a blue blanket, he startled a man and a woman who were napping. When the man reached for a BB gun, one deputy yelled Gun! and the two officers fired 15 shots.

Mendez was hit several times and lost his leg. His wife, Jennifer Garcia Mendez, who was pregnant, was hit in the back. The deputies did not find the fugitive they were looking for.

Both shooting victims survived and sued Los Angeles County for their injuries.

After a trial, U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald handed down the $4-million verdict.

The 9th Circuit Court upheld the decision and agreed the officers had recklessly and intentionally provoked the confrontation.

Last year, lawyers for Los Angeles County appealed and argued that the 9th Circuit was the only appeals court to use the provocation rule as a separate basis for upholding excessive force claims against the police.

The eight justices heard arguments in the case in late March while Justice Neil M. Gorsuchs confirmation was pending in the Senate, and they sounded evenly split. Tuesdays opinion looks to be a compromise of sorts that rejects one approach but leaves open the prospect that victims of police shootings may recover damages if the officers undertook an unreasonable search.

david.savage@latimes.com

Twitter: DavidGSavage

ALSO:

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to reject 2nd Amendment claim by men who lost gun rights over nonviolent crimes

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Trump returns to an increasingly troubled White House and criticism from allies

UPDATES:

1:25 p.m.: This article was updated with additional facts about the case and reaction.

This article was originally published at 10:35 a.m.
As a former federal prosecutor and the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam B. Schiff of Burbank is one of Congress chief inquisitors into Russias alleged involvement in the 2016 presidential election and President Trumps campaign.

Schiff has met Trump twice. The first time was about 10 years ago, when the congressman and other House members visited Trump in New York when Trump was known mainly as a wealthy businessman and reality TV star.

The second time was in late March, months after Trump became president, and it was likely a little more confrontational. Schiff was invited to the White House to view classified documents that Trump said would help prove his claim that President Obama had ordered wiretaps at Trump Tower.

Schiff described that visit in detail during a talk with reporters just after he delivered the keynote speech at the California Democratic Partys convention in Sacramento on May 20. And while a lot has happened since late March, Schiffs story of his visit offers a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the Trump administration has dealt with the scrutiny that has been unrelenting since he took office.

Reps. Adam B. Schiff, left, and Devin Nunes during a House Intelligence Committee hearing. (Mandel Ngan / AFP-Getty Images) (MANDEL NGAN / AFP/Getty Images)

Schiff leaves the White House. To his right is his staff director, Michael Bahar, who was initially barred from entering. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP)

The documents Schiff went to see were the same ones the White House showed the committees Republican chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes of Tulare, two weeks earlier, unleashing a political storm that prompted Nunes him to step aside from the Russia probe.

Schiff said he ran into trouble just after he arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. on March 31. Lawyers at the National Security Council tried to bar Schiffs staff director, Michael Bahar.

Schiff said Bahar accompanies him to all the meetings of the so-called Gang of Eight, the bipartisan group of House and Senate leaders who are privy to the countrys most sensitive intelligence. He has top-level security clearance, the congressman said.

But they wouldnt let him on the White House grounds and we had to fight that, and then they let him on the White House grounds and they wouldnt let him in the room with me, Schiff said. We have a policy, the soundness of which was demonstrated by the whole problem our chairman had, of not reviewing classified information outside the presence of staff.

While Schiff was arguing with National Security Council lawyers, one of the presidents aides said that Trump wanted to talk with him. In the Oval Office, Trump and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus were waiting.

The president got up from behind his desk and shook hands and said hello. He was very personable and said I did a good job, Schiff said. He said, Are you getting everything you need? and I said, Well, no, actually Im not.

The congressman told the president about his staff director being barred. The president said he had no problem with the congressmans staff member reviewing the documents, Schiff recalled. In fact, Trump didnt have any problem with the entire committee seeing the records, Schiff said.

I could hear groaning behind me. Reince Priebus and a few other White House aides were behind me, Schiff said. The president picked up on this at first and he said, Well I dont have a problem with that. If theyre OK with it, Im OK with it.

A White House source familiar with the meeting, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the details on the record, said the material was available only to the chairman and ranking members because of the sensitivity of the documents, and the White House did not know Schiffs staff director would be accompanying the congressman. The president asked the White House counsel to review the matter, and ultimately allowed all of the intelligence committee staff directors to view the material.

Schiff said he didnt want to discuss the inquiry about Russia with the president so they chatted for about five or 10 minutes about infrastructure and prescription drug prices. Then Schiff headed back to the National Security Council, where he said attorneys still insisted his staff director could not review the documents.

I said, Well, you really want to turn me away? Youre the ones who invited me. Youre the ones who advertised that I was coming here, Schiff said. He characterized it as an objection from the intelligence agencies, which I knew was not the case. I said, Call the agencies.

A short time later, Schiff and his staff director were invited in to review the records. Schiff has declined to describe the contents of those documents.

So that was my one meeting with the president, as the president, Schiff said.

phil.willon@latimes.com

Twitter: @philwillon

Updates on California politics

ALSO

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Trump promotes sons Justice with Judge Jeanine interview President Trump promoted via Twitter an interview with his son Eric Trump just before it aired Saturday night on Fox News Justice with Judge Jeanine. Eric Trump on @JudgeJeanine on @FoxNews now!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 Eric Trump called into the show to defend his father from criticism prompted by the first government shutdown in more than four years, as well as a series of Womens March events that saw protesters in dozens of cities take to the streets to oppose the presidents policies. .@EricTrump joined me over the phone from Mar-a-Lago ! pic.twitter.com/Hro3TzUW52  Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) January 21, 2018 Speaking to host Jeannine Piro  who is reportedly an old friend of the presidents  Eric Trump offered effusive praise for his father, ticking off glowing statistics to illustrate the strength of the U.S. economy and gains against Islamic State fighters overseas. My fathers working like no ones ever worked before to bring back this country and to fulfill his promise to make America great again, said the executive vice president of the Trump Organization. He also repeated a sentiment recently expressed on Twitter by his father: That Democratic lawmakers forced a government shutdown on the anniversary of the presidents inauguration in a bid to distract from his achievements. You look at this whole government shutdown, and the only reason they want to shut down government is to distract and to stop his momentum, Eric Trump said. I mean, my father has had incredible momentum. Hes gotten more done in one year than arguably any president in history. Facebook

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Trump tweets: a perfect day for all Women to March President Trump hailed the nationwide Womens March gatherings Saturday. On Twitter, the president called it a perfect day for all Women to March, seeming to imply that those taking part were celebrating his administrations accomplishments: Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Participants in the marches across the United States were actually seeking to deliver a powerful rebuke to Trumps policies and mount a crucial mobilization for this years midterm elections. But Trump continued to tout his administrations unprecedented success in tweets sent later in the day: Unprecedented success for our Country, in so many ways, since the Election. Record Stock Market, Strong on Military, Crime, Borders, & ISIS, Judicial Strength & Numbers, Lowest Unemployment for Women & ALL, Massive Tax Cuts, end of Individual Mandate - and so much more. Big 2018!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The Trump Administration has terminated more UNNECESSARY Regulation, in just twelve months, than any other Administration has terminated during their full term in office, no matter what the length. The good news is, THERE IS MUCH MORE TO COME!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 In addition to the roll call of major American cities where womens marches took place  including New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta  protesters also raised their voices in suburbs and small towns, reflecting the aim of coalescing a broad-based movement on the anniversary of Trumps inauguration to oppose the presidents stance on immigration, healthcare, racial divides and an array of other issues. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

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Trump calls shutdown a present from Democrats By Associated Press President Trump is blaming Democrats for the government shutdown  tweeting that they wanted to give him a nice present to mark the one-year anniversary of his inauguration: This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present. #DemocratShutdown  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 That comes after Senate Democrats late Friday killed a GOP-written House-passed measure that would have kept agencies functioning for four weeks. Democrats were seeking a stopgap bill of just a few days in hopes that would build pressure on Republicans, and they were opposing a three-week alternative offered by GOP leaders. Democrats have insisted they would back legislation reopening the government once theres a bipartisan agreement to preserve protections against deporting about 700,000 immigrants  known as Dreamers  who arrived in the United States illegally as children. Trump on Saturday accused Democrats of holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration: Democrats are holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration. Cant let that happen!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Democrats are laying fault for the shutdown on Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress and the White House and have struggled with building internal consensus. In a series of tweets hours after the shutdown began, the president tried to make the case for Americans to elect more Republicans to Congress in November in order to power through this mess: Democrats are far more concerned with Illegal Immigrants than they are with our great Military or Safety at our dangerous Southern Border. They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead. #WeNeedMoreRepublicansIn18 in order to power through mess!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 He noted that there are 51 Republicans in the 100-member Senate, and it often takes 60 votes to advance legislation: For those asking, the Republicans only have 51 votes in the Senate, and they need 60. That is why we need to win more Republicans in 2018 Election! We can then be even tougher on Crime (and Border), and even better to our Military & Veterans!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 #AMERICA FIRST!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The stopgap spending measure won 50 votes in the Senate, including five from Democrats. Although the House and Senate were in session Saturday, it was unclear whether lawmakers would take any votes of consequence. Trump had been set to leave Friday afternoon for a fundraiser at his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., where he intended to mark the inauguration anniversary. But he remained in Washington and ended up scrapping his plans to attend the Saturday fundraiser. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweet casts doubt on likelihood of averting shutdown President Trump appeared to cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching a deal to avert a government shutdown Friday night in a tweet. Trump also sought to blame Democrats for what would be the first shutdown since 2013. His message came just hours before the midnight deadline by which lawmakers must pass a measure to fund government agencies, or some operations will cease. Not looking good for our great Military or Safety & Security on the very dangerous Southern Border. Dems want a Shutdown in order to help diminish the great success of the Tax Cuts, and what they are doing for our booming economy.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Despite last-minute negotiations Friday between Trump and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Congress remained deadlocked over a spending bill and the federal government was headed toward a shutdown at midnight. Senate Democrats  joined by some GOP deficit hawks and immigration allies  were set to filibuster a stopgap funding bill approved by the House on Thursday. A Senate vote was planned for 10 p.m. Eastern, and even White House officials predicted it would fail. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Lisa Mascaro. Facebook

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Trump signs surveillance law after confusing tweets By Associated Press President Trump on Friday signed a bill into law to renew a foreign intelligence surveillance program, announcing his action in the latest in a series of confusing tweets about the spy program: Just signed 702 Bill to reauthorize foreign intelligence collection. This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2018 Trumps tweet on Jan. 11 created chaos in the House just before it voted to reauthorize what is known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He linked the intelligence program to a dossier that alleges his presidential campaign had ties to Russia. That caused people to wonder if he didnt support the program that allows U.S. spy agencies to collect intelligence on foreign targets abroad. Trump and other Republicans have alleged that Obama administration officials improperly shared the identities of Trump presidential transition team members mentioned in intelligence reports. Democrats say there is no evidence that happened. Shortly before the House vote, and after conferring with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Trump did an apparent about-face. This vote is about foreign surveillance of foreign bad guys on foreign land, he tweeted. We need it! Get smart! In his tweet announcing that he had just signed the bill, Trump wrote: This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first! There are no obvious links between the dossier Trump spoke of, which includes salacious but unsubstantiated allegations against him, and the reauthorization of the spying program, or between the program and Trumps oft-repeated claims that the Obama administration conducted surveillance on Trump Tower during the presidential campaign. Facebook

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In tweet, Trump suggests that Pennsylvania trip is a political one The White House press office was once again forced to walk back a tweet from President Trump on Thursday morning after he described a trip to Pennsylvania later in the day as a political one  a statement that would force the Republican Party, not taxpayers, to pay for the journey. The White House had said Trump was going to an industrial equipment company outside of Pittsburgh to highlight the good economy and new tax cuts, making it an official, policy-oriented event. It was widely assumed that the trip had a political cast  the area is holding a special election to fill a congressional seat vacated by a Republican who resigned. Trump, by his tweet, seemed to confirm that politics was the whole purpose: Will be going to Pennsylvania today in order to give my total support to RICK SACCONE, running for Congress in a Special Election (March 13). Rick is a great guy. We need more Republicans to continue our already successful agenda!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 Trump later shared via Twitter a pair of video clips of his speech at H&K Equipment, in which he touted the tax cuts he signed into law just before Christmas and tried to turn the conversation back to his accomplishments after weeks dominated by distractions, including questions about his mental health and comments about immigration that some considered racist: Departing Pittsburgh now, where it was my great honor to stand with our incredible workers, and to show the world that AMERICA is back - and we are coming back bigger and better and stronger than ever before! pic.twitter.com/kWPgylqFzj  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 AMERICA will once again be a NATION that thinks big, dreams bigger, and always reaches for the stars. YOU are the ones who will shape Americas destiny. YOU are the ones who will restore our prosperity. And YOU are the ones who are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! #MAGA pic.twitter.com/f2abNK47II  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 The Republican National Committee, rather than the White House, is supposed to pay for political travel so that taxpayers are not financing party activities; for trips that combine policy and politics, parties have split the cost under past presidents. Neither the RNC nor the White House responded to emails sent Thursday asking who would pay. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement later Thursday suggesting that taxpayers would foot the bill. She insisted that Trump would be conducting government business while in Pennsylvania. Read More This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump tweets praise of Bob Dole after awarding him Congressional Gold Medal By Associated Press Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole knew the art of the deal before President Trump published the 1987 book of the same name. The two shared a stage under the Capitol dome Wednesday as Dole, 94, accepted Congress highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, for his World War II service and decades of work in the House and Senate. Trump later praised Dole in a tweet, attaching to his message a video composed of clips from the ceremony: Today, we witnessed an incredible moment in history  the presentation of Congress highest civilian honor to our friend, and true AMERICAN HERO, Bob Dole. #CongressionalGoldMedal pic.twitter.com/qNQqDLRmCk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2018 At the ceremony, the president saluted Dole as a patriot and gave tribute to Doles struggle as a veteran who worked his way back from a grievous shoulder wound he suffered in Italy. He knows about grit, said Trump. But it was Doles penchant for working across the aisle that earned him his latest award, according to the legislation. Bob Dole was known for his ability to work across the aisle and embrace practical bipartisanship, reads the legislation Trump signed in September. Some of the awards 300 recipients include George Washington and Mother Teresa, according to the Congressional Research Service. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts report that seeks to link terrorism cases with immigration By Joseph Tanfani The Trump administration on Tuesday released a report attempting to link terrorism with migration, arguing that it was evidence of the need to dramatically reshape the nations immigration system. New report from DOJ & DHS shows that nearly 3 in 4 individuals convicted of terrorism-related charges are foreign-born. We have submitted to Congress a list of resources and reforms....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 ....we need to keep America safe, including moving away from a random chain migration and lottery system, to one that is merit-based. https://t.co/7PtoSFK1n2  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The report, ordered by President Trump in an executive order last year, said that 75% of the 549 people convicted of terrorism charges since 9/11 were born outside the U.S. Administration officials called that a sign that the U.S. needs to scrap its policy of family preferences for visas, which they call chain migration, and a diversity visa lottery program. But the report did not specify how many  if any  of the convicted terrorists entered the country through those means. It also did not detail how many of the convictions were related to attacks or plans in the U.S. versus overseas and how many involved people who went to fight overseas for the Islamic State or another terrorist group. Those details were not available, officials said. The report, due last year, is being released in a highly charged moment in the immigration debate, as Trump and some Republicans in Congress seek tough new border and immigration measures in return for a deal protecting the 690,000 people in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Trump also fired off a pair of tweets on the topic earlier Tuesday: We must have Security at our VERY DANGEROUS SOUTHERN BORDER, and we must have a great WALL to help protect us, and to help stop the massive inflow of drugs pouring into our country!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The Democrats want to shut down the Government over Amnesty for all and Border Security. The biggest loser will be our rapidly rebuilding Military, at a time we need it more than ever. We need a merit based system of immigration, and we need it now! No more dangerous Lottery.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The focus of our immigration system should be assimilation, a senior administration official said on Tuesday, speaking on condition that his name not be used. He said the nation should give priority to potential immigrants who speak English, who have an education and those who are committed to supporting our values  not family members of people already here. The official said the timing of the report was coincidental. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets welcome to president of Kazakhstan By Associated Press President Trump said Tuesday that he and the president of Kazakhstan are united in a shared determination to prevent North Korea from threatening the world with nuclear devastation. Trump and President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed North Korea along with other issues during meetings at the White House. Today, it was my honor to welcome President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan to the @WhiteHouse! pic.twitter.com/TerYFZViax  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 Trump said Kazakhstan, once part of the Soviet Union, is a valued partner in our efforts to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons. Together we are determined to prevent the North Korean regime from threatening the world with nuclear devastation, he said, as both presidents addressed journalists between meetings. Nazarbayev noted that his country once had one of the worlds largest nuclear arsenals but voluntarily gave it up after the Soviet Union collapsed. He said his country is in talks with Iran, which was the focus of a global deal that lifted some economic sanctions in exchange for Irans curbing its nuclear program. Trump has sharply criticized the Iran nuclear deal and threatened last week to pull out soon unless other countries fix what he says are terrible flaws. Read More Facebook

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Trump falsely claims his approval rating among black Americans has doubled By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump lashed out at the news media Tuesday morning in a tweet denouncing the special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion among members of his campaign team. Do you notice the Fake News Mainstream Media never likes covering the great and record setting economic news, but rather talks about anything negative or that can be turned into the negative. The Russian Collusion Hoax is dead, except as it pertains to the Dems. Public gets it!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the presidents tweet, but it appeared as though he was watching Fox & Friends. A short time later, Trump tweeted a headline from a report that aired during that mornings episode: 90% of Trump 2017 news coverage was negative -and much of it contrived!@foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The segment focused on the latest survey results from conservative watchdog Media Research Center, which purportedly analyzed the evening news broadcasts on ABC, CBS and NBC from Jan. 20 to Dec. 31 and found that 90% of the statements made about Trump were negative. Study: 90% of Trump media coverage in 2017 was negative pic.twitter.com/vbrwup4Drg  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 16, 2018 But believe it or not, through all this negative coverage, they did a survey of 600,000 people about how black America views this president, co-host Brian Kilmeade said. His numbers have actually doubled in approval. Trump highlighted the statement in another tweet: Unemployment for Black Americans is the lowest ever recorded. Trump approval ratings with Black Americans has doubled. Thank you, and it will get even (much) better! @FoxNews  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 But its not true. The claim appears to have originated from a misreading of data from the online polling firm SurveyMonkey, according to factcheck.org. The firm polled 600,000 Americans in 2017 and found that Trumps approval rating among blacks actually dropped from 23% early in his presidency to about 17%, as of the week ending Jan. 3. Some conservative outlets, including Breitbart, produced an average from those and other SurveyMonkey figures and compared them to the scores Trump received from black voters in the 2016 exit polls. That methodology is not sound. And since the statistics measure different things, the comparison is misleading. Facebook

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Trump goes after senator who surfaced his immigration remark By Associated Press President Trump turned his Twitter torment Monday on the Democrat in the room where immigration talks with lawmakers took a famously coarse turn, saying Sen. Richard J. Durbin misrepresented what he had said about African nations and Haiti and, in the process, undermined the trust needed to make a deal. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting, Trump tweeted, using a nickname to needle the Illinois senator. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 Trump was referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects young people who came to the United States illegally as children. Members of Congress from both parties are trying to strike a deal that Trump would support to extend that protection. Trump also cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching an agreement in tweets sent earlier Monday: Statement by me last night in Florida: Honestly, I dont think the Democrats want to make a deal. They talk about DACA, but they dont want to help..We are ready, willing and able to make a deal but they dont want to. They dont want security at the border, they dont want.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 ...to stop drugs, they want to take money away from our military which we cannot do. My standard is very simple, AMERICA FIRST & MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 On a day of remembrance for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Trump spent time at his golf course with no public events, bypassing the acts of service that his predecessors staged in honor of the civil rights leader. Instead, Trump dedicated his weekly address to Kings memory, saying Kings dream and Americas are the same: A world where people are judged by who they are, not how they look or where they come from. That message was a distinct counterpoint to words attributed to Trump by Durbin and others at a meeting last week, when the question of where immigrants come from seemed at the forefront of Trumps concerns. Some participants and others familiar with the conversation said Trump challenged immigration from shithole countries of Africa and disparaged Haiti as well. Without explicitly denying using that word, Trump lashed out at the Democratic senator, who said Trump uttered it on several occasions. Read More Facebook

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Trump thanks pundit for laudatory Fox & Friends spot By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump thanked Fox News personality Stuart Varney after Varney praised Trump during an appearance on Fox & Friends. In a pair of tweets early Sunday, Trump quoted from Varneys commentary, in which he argued that Trump deserves more credit for the booming economy. The pundit, who also hosts a show on Fox Business Network, cited moves by some corporations to raise workers minimum wage or pay out one-time bonuses in response to the GOP tax cuts. President Trump is not getting the credit he deserves for the economy. Tax Cut bonuses to more than 2,000,000 workers. Most explosive Stock Market rally that weve seen in modern times. 18,000 to 26,000 from Election, and grounded in profitability and growth. All Trump, not 0...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 ...big unnecessary regulation cuts made it all possible (among many other things). President Trump reversed the policies of President Obama, and reversed our economic decline. Thank you Stuart Varney. @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 Varney was reacting to a quote from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), who on Thursday called the bonuses handed down to workers pathetic in comparison to the gains corporations are expected to see from the tax cuts. In terms of the bonus that corporate America received versus the crumbs that they are giving to workers to kind of put the schmooze on is so pathetic, Pelosi told reporters. Its pathetic. Varney shot back Sunday that the bonuses, along with explosive stock market growth, are enriching all Americans. This is a huge shot in the arm, its the result of this tax cut deal and I think President Trump should get the credit for it, he said. .@Varneyco Sets the economic record straight after Nancy Pelosi calls U.S. mass bonuses crumbs pic.twitter.com/BvjIHGm3HE  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 14, 2018 The sweeping tax plan passed last month lowers the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and cuts personal income taxes. Analysts say the benefits will largely flow to corporations and the wealthy, as theyre more likely to be in positions to share in corporate profits. For instance, Wells Fargo & Co., which responded to news of the tax overhaul by announcing it will raise workers pay to at least $15 an hour, also reported that it expects to pay an effective tax rate of 19% this year, down from about 31% in previous years. That should amount to tax savings of more than $3 billion annually. On average, middle-class Americans are expected to see a very small tax cut in the near term and a tax increase after 2025, when all of the tax cuts for individuals expire. The tax cuts for corporations, however, are permanent.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer James Rufus Koren. Facebook

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Trump touts MLK proclamation in tweet, but ceremony is overshadowed by reports of racist remarks By Associated Press President Trump signed a proclamation Friday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, noting the contributions of a great American hero. Today, it was my great honor to proclaim January 15, 2018, as Martin Luther King Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service activities in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy. pic.twitter.com/samlJsz1Nt  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 Overshadowing the event was mounting backlash from Trumps comments during a private meeting with lawmakers the day before. A short time after the meeting, which was called to discuss a possible immigration deal, reports emerged that Trump had asked participants why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin, the Senates second-ranking Democrat, appeared to confirm those reports on Friday. Trump did not respond Friday to several questions about the incident, including whether he actually used vulgar language to describe African nations, or if he is racist. The president said at the White House that love was central to the slain civil rights leader. Trump said the nation celebrates King for standing up for the self-evident truth Americans hold so dear, that no matter what the color of our skin or place of our birth, we are all created equal by God.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump criticizes Democrats in tweet calling for stricter immigration rules President Trump hit out at Democrats on Thursday night in a tweet calling for stricter immigration rules. Trump wrote that members of the party seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the border with Mexico: The Democrats seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the Southern Border, risking thousands of lives in the process. It is my duty to protect the lives and safety of all Americans. We must build a Great Wall, think Merit and end Lottery & Chain. USA!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the tweet. Earlier Thursday, Trump rejected a bipartisan compromise to resolve the standoff over so-called Dreamers, young immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children but have temporary permits to work, attend school or serve in the military. The president drew widespread condemnation after reports emerged that he had asked participants in an Oval Office meeting about the proposal why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts bill aimed at improving border screening for fentanyl By Associated Press President Trump signed legislation Wednesday aimed at giving Customs and Border Protection agents additional screening devices and other tools to stop the flow of illicit drugs. Speaking at a surprise bill-signing ceremony while flanked by members of Congress from both parties in the Oval Office, Trump described the bill as a significant step forward in the fight against powerful opioids such as fentanyl, which he called our new big scourge. He echoed that language Thursday in a tweet: Yesterday, I signed the #INTERDICTAct (H.R. 2142) with bipartisan members of Congress to help end the flow of drugs into our country. Together, we are committed to doing everything we can to combat the deadly scourge of drug addiction and overdose in the United States! pic.twitter.com/ELZvFol5Lo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 The legislation will pay for new portable and fixed chemical screening devices to detect and intercept fentanyl at ports of entry and in the mail, along with other laboratory equipment and personnel, including scientists. Trump has made fighting the opioid epidemic a centerpiece of his administration, though critics say he hasnt dedicated nearly enough money or resources to make a difference. Trump suggested during his remarks on Wednesday that hed like to take a more aggressive approach to the drug crisis  but the countrys not ready for what he has in mind. So were going to sign this. And its a step. And it feels like a very giant step, but unfortunately, its not going to be a giant step, because no matter what you do, this is something that keeps pouring in, he said. And were going to find the answer. There is an answer. I think I actually know the answer, but Im not sure the countrys ready for it yet, he added. Does anybody know what I mean? I think so. Facebook

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Trump applauds news that Toyota-Mazda plant is slated for Alabama By Associated Press Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda on Wednesday announced plans to build a mammoth, $1.6-billion joint-venture plant in Alabama that will eventually employ about 4,000 people. President Trump lauded the news in a tweet: Cutting taxes and simplifying regulations makes America the place to invest! Great news as Toyota and Mazda announce they are bringing 4,000 JOBS and investing $1.6 BILLION in Alabama, helping to further grow our economy! pic.twitter.com/Kcg8IVH6iA  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Good news: Toyota and Mazda announce giant new Huntsville, Alabama, plant which will produce over 300,000 cars and SUVs a year and employ 4000 people. Companies are coming back to the U.S. in a very big way. Congratulations Alabama!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 Several states had competed for the project, which will be able to turn out 300,000 vehicles per year and produce the Toyota Corolla compact car for North America and a new small SUV from Mazda. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and company executives held a news conference to announce that the facility is coming to the Huntsville area not far from the Tennessee line. Production is expected to begin by 2021. The decision to pick Alabama is another example of foreign-based automakers building U.S. factories in the South. To entice manufacturers, Southern states have used a combination of lucrative incentive packages, low-cost labor and a pro-business labor environment, because the United Auto Workers union is stronger in Northern states. Read More Facebook

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Trump highlights call for border wall in tweets on visit with Norways prime minister By Associated Press President Trump praised Norways prime minister in a tweet on Wednesday after Erna Solberg became the first foreign leader to visit with the president in 2018. Today, it was my great honor to welcome Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway to the @WhiteHouse - a great friend and ally of the United States! Joint press conference: https://t.co/qWR1BhfQZI pic.twitter.com/PJvwznjRCO  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Trump also shared via Twitter a video clip of a joint news conference he held with Solberg on Wednesday afternoon. In the clip, Trump responds to a question from a reporter by saying there can be no bipartisan immigration deal absent funding for his long-promised wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been seeking a solution for hundreds of thousands of so-called Dreamers, young people who were brought to the United States as children and are living here illegally. The United States needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval. The safety and security of our country is #1! pic.twitter.com/4CFzQXb5aS  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 We need the wall for security, we need the wall for safety, we need the wall for stopping the drugs from pouring in, Trump said Wednesday.  Any solution has to include the wall because without the wall, it all doesnt work. On Tuesday, Trump drew widespread attention when he said during a meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers that he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. That contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill in subsequent tweets and public comments. Read More This post contains reporting from Los Angeles Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump praises Cabinet in tweet touting meeting By Associated Press President Trump promoted a meeting of his Cabinet on Wednesday, sharing via Twitter a link to a video of the session posted on the White House YouTube account. In his tweet, Trump thanked his Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country and wrote that the last year has been one of monumental achievement. I want to thank my @Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country. 2017 was a year of monumental achievement and we look forward to the year ahead. Together, we are delivering results and MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! https://t.co/ptXa1hAPwW pic.twitter.com/yv6RALkQf3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The former reality television star continued to dispense accolades at the meeting Wednesday, greeting reporters in the Cabinet Room by saying: Welcome back to the studio. Then he proceeded to relive a Cabinet Room session from the prior day, when he had allowed reporters and TV cameras to stick around for much of his meeting with a bipartisan group of legislators on the thorny issue of immigration. It was a tremendous meeting. Actually, it was reported as incredibly good. And my performance  you know, some of them called it a performance  I consider it work, Trump said. Trump went on to say he had received letters from news anchors calling it one of the greatest meetings theyve ever witnessed. He added that the media will ultimately support Trump in the end, because theyre going to say, if Trump doesnt win in three years, theyre all out of business. Asked for examples of letters received from news anchors, the White House said it had received private communications. It also offered a series of positive on-air comments and tweets from journalists about the unusual access to the meeting. During his remarks, Trump swung from praising his own meeting coverage to telling journalists that they were dependent on his presidency for ratings to threatening a strong look at libel laws. Still, Trump thanked the journalists in front of him, joking: Youve gotten very familiar with this room. I appreciate your nice comments yesterday. Facebook

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Trump blasts DACA ruling in tweet calling courts broken and unfair By Lisa Mascaro President Trump denounced the federal courts Wednesday as broken and unfair after a district judge in San Francisco issued a nationwide injunction keeping protections in place for so-called Dreamers. Trump tweeted: It just shows everyone how broken and unfair our Court System is when the opposing side in a case (such as DACA) always runs to the 9th Circuit and almost always wins before being reversed by higher courts.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 On Tuesday night, U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco temporarily blocked the Trump administrations decision to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, which has protected from deportation some 700,000 people who came to the country illegally as children. Alsup granted a request by the state of California, the University of California and other plaintiffs to stop Trump from ending DACA on March 5. The administrations decision to end DACA, which was announced in September, was based on a flawed legal analysis, Alsup wrote in his decision. Dreamers would be irreparably harmed if their DACA protections, which allow them to live and work legally in the U.S., were stripped away before the courts had a chance to fully consider their claims, he ruled. The action is the mirror image of a ruling in 2015 by a federal judge in Texas who ruled in favor of that state when it sought to block President Obama from expanding DACA to include the parents of Dreamers. Trump administration officials praised that judicial ruling. By contrast, they sharply criticized Alsups decision. Read More Facebook

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Trump thanks lawmakers for productive immigration meeting, says deal must include border wall President Trump thanked a bipartisan group of lawmakers for participating in a meeting on immigration legislation on Tuesday. Much of the discussion involved so-called Dreamers, an estimated 700,000 young people who were brought to the country illegally as children and are now facing deportation. In a tweet, Trump wrote that there was strong agreement to negotiate a bill to protect Dreamers, as well as put into place some of the reforms favored by Republicans. Thanks to all of the Republican and Democratic lawmakers for todays very productive meeting on immigration reform. There was strong agreement to negotiate a bill that deals with border security, chain migration, lottery and DACA. https://t.co/SdqAQ3aL3z pic.twitter.com/8DYHZHspAy  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 The most notable exchange of the meeting came when Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the San Francisco Democrat, asked Trump whether he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. Yeah, I would like to do it, Trump responded. The statement drew widespread attention because it contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump later backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill, tweeting that a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico must be part of any deal: As I made very clear today, our country needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Pressure has been mounting for Congress to broker an immigration deal by Jan. 19 as part of a must-pass budget package to fund the government. This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump thanks officers and veterans in tweets President Trump doled out a slew of accolades Tuesday via Twitter. He thanked the nations law enforcement officers, including in his message a hashtag denoting a day of appreciation organized by a national support group for law enforcement families. On behalf of the American people, THANK YOU to our incredible law enforcement officers. As President of the United States - I will fight for you, and I will never, ever let you down. Now, more than ever, we must support the men and women in blue! #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/Qb4uxB4JRm  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trump later expressed gratitude for federal immigration agents, in particular: .@ICEgov HSI agents and ERO officers, on behalf of an entire Nation, THANK YOU for what you are doing 24/7/365 to keep fellow Americans SAFE. Everyone is so grateful!#LawEnforcementAppreciationDay

President @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/HXCpTlruVo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The president thanked veterans as he cited his administrations efforts to curb the number of veteran suicides by improving mental health treatment for the high-risk group: Today, it was my great honor to sign a new Executive Order to ensure Veterans have the resources they need as they transition back to civilian life. We must ensure that our HEROES are given the care and support they so richly deserve! https://t.co/0MdP9DDIAS pic.twitter.com/LP2a8KCBAp  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trumps tweet included photos of the president signing an executive order Tuesday directing the secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs to develop a plan to provide seamless access to mental health and suicide prevention resources for 12 months for members leaving the armed forces. Also on Tuesday, Trump touted a law he signed the day before designating the birthplace of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. a national historic park: It was my great honor to sign H.R. 267, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Act, which redesignates the Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site in the State of Georgia as the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. https://t.co/Qe0b6HBFTY pic.twitter.com/QTgaqTawPT  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 And he thanked House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) for sharing a video compilation comprised of clips of politicians and commentators praising the GOPs tax cut bill: Thank you @GOPLeader Kevin McCarthy! Couldnt agree w/you more. TOGETHER, we are #MAGA https://t.co/QaxtqpyXTR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018  This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump hails tax bill in tweets recapping speech to farmers By Associated Press Connecting with rural Americans, President Trump on Monday hailed his tax overhaul as a victory for family farmers. Farm country is Gods country, Trump told the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Trump became the first president in a quarter-century to address the federations convention. His Southern swing also included a stop in Atlanta for the national college football championship game. Cant wait to be back in the amazing state of Tennessee to address the 99th American @FarmBureau Federations Annual Convention in Nashville! #AFBF18



On my way now - join me LIVE at 4:00pmE: https://t.co/QaljAqekdD. pic.twitter.com/Wm7Io0hYT8  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Joined by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and a group of Tennessee lawmakers, Trump said most of the benefits of the tax legislation are going to working families, small businesses, and who  the family farmer. The package Trump signed into law last month provides generous tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans, and more modest reductions for middle- and low-income individuals and families. In every decision we make, we are honoring Americas PROUD FARMING LEGACY. Years of crushing taxes, crippling regs, & corrupt politics left our communities hurting, our economy stagnant, & millions of hardworking Americans COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN. But they are not forgotten ANYMORE! pic.twitter.com/MdYS7xnukQ  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The president vastly inflated the value of the package in his speech, citing a total of $5.5 trillion in tax cuts, with most of those benefits going to working families, small businesses and who? The family farmer. The estimated value of the tax cuts is actually $1.5 trillion for families and businesses because of cuts in deductions and the use of other steps to generate offsetting tax revenue. We have been working every day to DELIVER for Americas Farmers just as they work every day to deliver FOR US. #AFBF18 pic.twitter.com/QDH7fvFkZ7  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 From Nashville, Trump traveled to Atlanta to watch Alabamas Crimson Tide and Georgias Bulldogs face off Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship. We are fighting for our farmers, for our country, and for our GREAT AMERICAN FLAG. We want our flag respected - and we want our NATIONAL ANTHEM respected also! pic.twitter.com/16eOLXg6Fi  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Before departing for the game, Trump referenced his ongoing defense of the American flag and the national anthem, saying there was enough space for people to express their views. We love our flag and we love our anthem, and we want to keep it that way, he said. Facebook

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Trump tweet hails drop in unemployment rate for African Americans By Associated Press President Trump touted a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans on Monday in a tweet. African American unemployment is the lowest ever recorded in our country. The Hispanic unemployment rate dropped a full point in the last year and is close to the lowest in recorded history. Dems did nothing for you but get your vote! #NeverForget @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The rate fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Trump also hailed the development via Twitter on Saturday. His latest tweet on the topic came about an hour after it was discussed during an episode of Fox & Friends, according to Mediaite. Facebook

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Trump talks up the economy and dresses down the media in Sunday tweets With President Trump cheering from the sidelines, the White House on Sunday pressed its defense of the presidents fitness to govern, as fired former aide Stephen K. Bannon reversed course and apologized for his role in a new books explosive portrait of Trump. The presidents critics, meanwhile, said Trumps stream of taunts and insults in response to the book  Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, released last week  served only to underscore the authors unsettling portrayal of Trumps year-old presidency, depicting a leader whose own aides consider him childish, ignorant and dangerously erratic. Trump provided more ammunition Sunday morning, as he continued to attack the book via Twitter while preparing to depart Camp David for the White House: Leaving Camp David for the White House. Great meetings with the Cabinet and Military on many very important subjects including Border Security & the desperately needed Wall, the ever increasing Drug and Opioid Problem, Infrastructure, Military, Budget, Trade and DACA.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Ive had to put up with the Fake News from the first day I announced that I would be running for President. Now I have to put up with a Fake Book, written by a totally discredited author. Ronald Reagan had the same problem and handled it well. So will I!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 The most vehement defense of Trump on Sunday came from senior advisor Stephen Miller, a onetime Bannon acolyte who distanced himself from his former mentor. In a combative appearance Sunday on CNNs State of the Union, Miller called the book grotesque and writer Michael Wolff the garbage author of a garbage book. Trump is known to closely monitor aides televised performances in putting forth his case, and he gleefully weighed in within moments of Millers televised clash with host Jake Tapper. CNN has long been a particular target of Trumps ire. Jake Tapper of Fake News CNN just got destroyed in his interview with Stephen Miller of the Trump Administration. Watch the hatred and unfairness of this CNN flunky!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trumps reaction, however, seemed to bolster Tappers on-air depiction of Miller as using his appearance on the show to play to the president rather than addressing questions put to him. I get it  theres one viewer that you care about, the host said exasperatedly after Miller turned the discussion repeatedly to negative news coverage of the president while deflecting specific queries. Later on Twitter, Trump took up two themes that have been prevalent on his social media feeds recently. The president again went after the news media, tweeting that the recipients of his self-proclaimed most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year, which he promised earlier in the week to announce on Monday, would actually be revealed the following Wednesday: The Fake News Awards, those going to the most corrupt & biased of the Mainstream Media, will be presented to the losers on Wednesday, January 17th, rather than this coming Monday. The interest in, and importance of, these awards is far greater than anyone could have anticipated!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trump later lauded a New York Post opinion piece that compared him favorably with his predecessor, President Obama, as well as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In quoting the op-ed, Trump initally misspelled consequential as consensual, but he deleted those tweets and re-sent the messages. His is turning out to be an enormously consequential presidency. So much so that, despite my own frustration over his missteps, there has never been a day when I wished Hillary Clinton were president. Not one. Indeed, as Trumps accomplishments accumulate, the mere thought of...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 ...Clinton in the WH, doubling down on Barack Obamas failed policies, washes away any doubts that America made the right choice. This was truly a change election  and the changes Trump is bringing are far-reaching & necessary. Thank you Michael Goodwin! https://t.co/4fHNcx2Ydg  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Trump also continued talking up the economy, which has been enjoying a period of strong gains. The Stock Market has been creating tremendous benefits for our country in the form of not only Record Setting Stock Prices, but present and future Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Seven TRILLION dollars of value created since our big election win!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 In addition to Miller, other senior administration officials made the rounds of Sunday news talk shows to decry the claims made in Wolffs book. CIA Director Mike Pompeo said Wolffs characterization of Trump as averse to digesting classified briefing material was ludicrous, and the ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, insisted that that those around Trump love their country and respect their president. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

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Responding to book that mocks his intelligence, Trump tweets hes like, really smart By Tracy Wilkinson President Trump declared himself a very stable genius on Twitter on Saturday and later in a televised news conference called the author of a book that questioned his mental fitness a fraud. His comments came on a bone-cold day at Camp David during a weekend retreat with top administration officials and Republican congressional leaders strategizing on the years legislative agenda, including matters such as infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and national security. Now that Russian collusion, after one year of intense study, has proven to be a total hoax on the American public, the Democrats and their lapdogs, the Fake News Mainstream Media, are taking out the old Ronald Reagan playbook and screaming mental stability and intelligence.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart. Crooked Hillary Clinton also played these cards very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius....and a very stable genius at that!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Still, Trumps explosive rebuttal to author Michael Wolffs claims not only opened the day, but it also ensured the presidents capability to fill the highest office in the land was a topic that would not go away. In his early-morning tweets, Trump said two of his greatest assets have been mental stability, and being, like, really smart. He noted that his former Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, played these cards [about competence] very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star to President of the United States (on my first try). Read More Facebook

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In morning tweets, Trump touts job numbers and takes digs at news media By Associated Press President Trump used Twitter on Saturday morning to tout a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans. He also used the tweets as an opportunity to take digs at media outlets whose past coverage he has found to be critical. The African American unemployment rate fell to 6.8%, the lowest rate in 45 years. I am so happy about this News! And, in the Washington Post (of all places), headline states, Trumps first year jobs numbers were very, very good.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The unemployment rate for African Americans fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Still, the rate for black workers remains well above those for whites and some other groups, something experts attribute in large part to decades of discrimination and disadvantages. Robust job creation has lowered unemployment for all Americans. U.S. employers added nearly 2.1 million jobs in 2017  the seventh straight year that hiring has topped 2 million. In his tweet, Trump praised a report that noted the numbers, touting the fact that it appeared in the Washington Post (of all places). Minutes later, Trump renewed his attack on an ABC News reporter who was suspended last month after filing an erroneous report on Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security advisor. Brian Ross, the reporter who made a fraudulent live newscast about me that drove the Stock Market down 350 points (billions of dollars), was suspended for a month but is now back at ABC NEWS in a lower capacity. He is no longer allowed to report on Trump. Should have been fired!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The reporter, Brian Ross, was reportedly reassigned within ABC News upon returning from his unpaid suspension. But on Saturday, Trump wrote that he should have been fired. Trumps tweets came hours before he was set to host congressional Republicans and administration officials at Camp David. The meeting scheduled to begin at midmorning Saturday was expected to touch on the budget, infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and the shape of the midterm election this fall. Facebook

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Trump commends Sen. Rand Paul after he proposes eliminating all U.S. aid to Pakistan President Trump commended Sen. Rand Paul after the Kentucky Republican announced plans to introduce legislation that would eliminate all U.S. aid to Pakistan. Trump tweeted Friday night: Good idea Rand! https://t.co/55sqUDiC0s  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 On Thursday, the Trump administration announced it was suspending security assistance to Islamabad until the country moves aggressively against local militants who have attacked U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan. Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration at the apparent inability of Pakistani authorities to rein in militants who cross out of the countrys rugged tribal areas to attack U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson. Facebook

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Trump continues to lash out at Sloppy Steve Bannon in tweets on tell-all book By Associated Press President Trump is praising a major Republican donor family for distancing themselves from his former advisor Steve Bannon. Trump tweeted Friday: The Mercer Family recently dumped the leaker known as Sloppy Steve Bannon. Smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trump has continued to lash out at Bannon over an explosive new book that quoted his former aide as questioning Trumps competence and describing a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower among Donald Trump Jr., Trump campaign aides and a Russian lawyer as treasonous and unpatriotic. On Thursday, billionaire GOP donor Rebekah Mercer issued a statement distancing her family from Bannon. Mercer is a co-owner of Breitbart, the populist website Bannon helps run. I support President Trump and the platform upon which he was elected, Mercer said. My family and I have not communicated with Steve Bannon in many months and have provided no financial support to his political agenda, nor do we support his recent actions and statements. The book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, quickly shot atop Amazons best-seller list, and the publisher moved up its release date by four days, to Friday. Trump took up the topic again on Twitter on Friday night, denouncing both Bannon and the books author, Michael Wolff, in starkly personal terms: Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book. He used Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad! https://t.co/mEeUhk5ZV9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Trumps message linked to a meme depicting a parody book cover titled, Liar and Phony, that featured a photo of Wolff and disparaging quotes about the author. In a tweet sent earlier Friday morning, Trump suggested the book was intended to serve as a distraction from the FBIs investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, which Trump wrote is proving to be a total hoax. Well, now that collusion with Russia is proving to be a total hoax and the only collusion is with Hillary Clinton and the FBI/Russia, the Fake News Media (Mainstream) and this phony new book are hitting out at every new front imaginable. They should try winning an election. Sad!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 That came amid reports that Trump directed his White House counsel to tell Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions to not recuse himself from the Justice Departments Russia investigation. Trumps effort to keep Sessions, a vocal and loyal supporter of his election bid, in charge of an investigation into his campaign offers special counsel Robert Mueller yet another avenue to explore as his prosecutors work to untangle potential evidence of obstruction. Read More Facebook

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Trump praises the economy ahead of meetings at Camp David By Associated Press President Trump is praising the strength of the U.S. economy ahead of meetings at Camp David with congressional Republicans. Trump tweeted early Friday: Dow goes from 18,589 on November 9, 2016, to 25,075 today, for a new all-time Record. Jumped 1000 points in last 5 weeks, Record fastest 1000 point move in history. This is all about the Make America Great Again agenda! Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Six trillion dollars in value created!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The president also told reporters on the South Lawn that the tax cuts are really kicking in after Congress passed a package of tax cuts at the end of 2017. And the president praised the December jobs report, which found U.S. employers added 148,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate stayed at 4.1%, the lowest level since 2000. The modest but steady pace of hiring is a reassuring sign for investors who have been buoyed by the just-passed Republican tax plan and have been sending stock market indexes roaring to uncharted heights. The president is meeting with Republican congressional leaders and members of his Cabinet on Friday and Saturday to discuss the 2018 agenda. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets as Dow crashes through 25,000 By Associated Press President Trump dispatched a congratulatory tweet as the Dow Jones industrial average rose above the 25,000-point mark Thursday, just five weeks after its first close above 24,000. Dow just crashes through 25,000. Congrats! Big cuts in unnecessary regulations continuing.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 After the Dow closed above 25,000, Trump shared a graphic depicting the stock indexs record-setting rise. MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/iONbr1DkVk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Later in the day, the president was back on Twitter, complaining that news outlets had barely covered the stock market milestone. He suggested that the strength of the economy would be the biggest story on earth, had it unfolded during the presidency of his predecessor. The Fake News Media barely mentions the fact that the Stock Market just hit another New Record and that business in the U.S. is booming...but the people know! Can you imagine if O was president and had these numbers - would be biggest story on earth! Dow now over 25,000.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The Dow broke past 1,000-point barriers in 2017 on its way to a 25% gain for the year, as an eight-year rally since the Great Recession continued to confound skeptics. Strong global economic growth and good prospects for higher company earnings have analysts predicting more gains, although the market may not stay as calm as it has been recently. The Dow has made a rapid trip since it reached 24,000 points Nov. 30, partly on enthusiasm over passage of the Republican-backed tax package, which could boost company profits this year with across-the-board cuts to corporate taxes. Read More Facebook

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Trump reacts to Fire and Fury book in tweet lashing out at author and Sloppy Steve President Trump lashed out at the author of a soon-to-be-released book about the chaotic first year of his presidency Thursday night. In a tweet, Trump called Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, a phony book and claimed that hed never spoken to its author, Michael Wolff. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve! Trump wrote. He appeared to be referring to former White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, whose stunning criticisms of Trump and his circle figure prominently in the title. I authorized Zero access to White House (actually turned him down many times) for author of phony book! I never spoke to him for book. Full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that dont exist. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trumps tweet came hours after he had his lawyer demand that Henry Holt & Co. and Wolff stop publication the book. Instead, the publisher expedited the books release to Friday, four days before it was slated to hit bookstore shelves, in response to unprecedented demand. Published excerpts on Wednesday and Thursday whetted that appetite and roiled Washington. Bannons comments, including that it was treasonous and unpatriotic for Trumps son Donald Trump Jr., son-in-law Jared Kushner and campaign manager Paul Manafort to have met in 2016 with Russians said to have dirt on Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, prompted Trump on Wednesday to rebuke his former advisor, saying Bannon had lost his mind. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Brian Bennett and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump thanks senators who attended meeting on immigration President Trump tweeted thanks to Republican senators who attended a meeting about possible immigration legislation on Thursday. In his message, Trump also listed his top priorities when it comes to any type of overhaul of the nations immigration system. Thank you to the great Republican Senators who showed up to our mtg on immigration reform. We must BUILD THE WALL, stop illegal immigration, end chain migration & cancel the visa lottery. The current system is unsafe & unfair to the great people of our country - time for change!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Trumps tweet echoed his remarks at the beginning of Thursdays meeting, when he insisted again that constructing a border wall and overhauling two legal immigration programs must be part of any deal with Democrats to protect the so-called Dreamers from deportation. Two-year deportation protections and work permits given under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program begin to expire March 6 under an executive order. Trump announced in September that he was ending the Obama-era program, but told Congress to draft a law to continue protections for people brought to the country illegally as children  a group that has widespread public support. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Brian Bennett. Facebook

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Trump resumes Twitter war against kneeling NFL players President Trump has resumed his Twitter war against NFL players who kneel during the national anthem to protest social injustice and racial inequality. In a tweet early Thursday, Trump replied to a supporter who shared a meme that appears to depict family members lying on the grave of a fallen soldier with the caption: This is why we stand. Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! Trump wrote. So beautiful....Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! https://t.co/tJLM1tvbvb  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The president has denounced players who kneel during the anthem in previous tweets. Hes also called for the firing of players who do so. His latest message came amid news that the NFL finished the regular season with TV ratings that fell nearly 10% below the previous season. Analysts attribute the drop to controversies facing the league, as well as changing viewing habits and a possible saturation point in the number of games available. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Stephen Battaglio and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump credits himself with facilitating talks between North and South Korea By Associated Press President Trump says his tough stance on nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula is helping push North Korea and South Korea to talk. Trump tweeted early Thursday: With all of the failed experts weighing in, does anybody really believe that talks and dialogue would be going on between North and South Korea right now if I wasnt firm, strong and willing to commit our total might against the North. Fools, but talks are a good thing!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 That assertion is in conflict with some of the presidents own statements. Last year, he ridiculed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for talking about negotiations with the North. This week, Trump seemed open to the possibility of an inter-Korean dialogue after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare overture toward South Korea in a New Years Day address. But Trumps ambassador to the United Nations insisted that talks wont be meaningful unless the North is getting rid of its nuclear weapons. The overture about talks came after Trump and Kim traded more bellicose claims about their nuclear weapons. In his New Years Day address, Kim repeated fiery nuclear threats against the United States. Kim said he has a nuclear button on his office desk and warned that the whole territory of the U.S. is within the range of our nuclear strike. Trump mocked that assertion Tuesday evening in a tweet. Facebook

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After disbanding his vote fraud panel, Trump still says voting system is rigged By Brian Bennett One day after disbanding his troubled voter fraud commission without any findings of fraud, President Trump continued to call the U.S. voting system rigged and said states should require that Americans have voter-identification cards. In two tweets on Thursday morning, Trump blamed the commissions failure on the lack of cooperation from mostly Democrat States that refused to hand over voter rolls because they know that many people are voting illegally. However, voting supervisors in Republican-led states refused as well, objecting on privacy and other grounds. Many mostly Democrat States refused to hand over data from the 2016 Election to the Commission On Voter Fraud. They fought hard that the Commission not see their records or methods because they know that many people are voting illegally. System is rigged, must go to Voter I.D.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 As Americans, you need identification, sometimes in a very strong and accurate form, for almost everything you do.....except when it comes to the most important thing, VOTING for the people that run your country. Push hard for Voter Identification!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Despite Trumps assertions, analysts have not found evidence of widespread voter fraud. Trump created the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity in May after alleging, without proof, that millions of illegal votes were cast for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Trump was elected after winning a majority in the electoral college, but the nationwide count showed Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes. The commission sought personal data on voters across the country and faced mounting lawsuits in recent months over privacy concerns. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts another good day for stocks, credits tax cut By Associated Press President Trump touted another good day for the stock market Wednesday in a tweet. Stock Market had another good day but, now that the Tax Cut Bill has passed, we have tremendous upward potential. Dow just short of 25,000, a number that few thought would be possible this soon into my administration. Also, unemployment went down to 4.1%. Only getting better!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Big gains for technology and healthcare stocks helped U.S. indexes set records again Wednesday. Some analysts attributed the surge to investor enthusiasm for Trumps $1.5-trillion tax cut. All told, Wall Street analysts estimate the tax package should boost earnings for companies in the Standard & Poors 500 index by roughly 8% this year. Thats much more generous than the average tax cut of 1.6% that middle-class families will receive, according to the Tax Policy Center. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The public has been less enthusiastic about the tax law. A Monmouth University poll last month found that nearly half of Americans disapproved of it, with only 26% in support. Still, as Trump also noted on Twitter, some workers have seen a benefit: So far, dozens of companies have announced bonuses and higher minimum wages as a result of the tax cut. AT&T, Comcast, Bank of America, and American Airlines have all pledged to pay $1,000 bonuses to their employees. Some 40 U.S. companies have responded to President Trumps tax cut and reform victory in Congress last year by handing out bonuses up to $2,000, increases in 401k matches and spending on charity, a much higher number than previously known. https://t.co/bmWrwWzxMR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Investors also appear less concerned than many politicians about how the additional profits will be used. The Trump administration says it expects companies will plow much of the extra profit back into their businesses, purchasing more software, machinery, and other equipment. Those investments will make workers more productive and provide a key boost to the economys long-run growth. They should also boost wages and salaries for employees. Opponents of the tax law respond that companies are more likely to pass the windfall on to shareholders in the form of higher dividend payments and share buybacks, which raise the price of those shares still in investors hands. Previous cuts in corporate tax rates, in the United States and overseas, havent always led to higher wages. For Wall Street, its all good, at least in the short run. Most analysts take the view that either way, companies and the economy will benefit. Facebook

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Trump reacts to death of Mormon Church president By Associated Press President Trump mourned the death of Mormon Church leader Thomas S. Monson on Wednesday evening. Trump tweeted a link to a statement in which he said that Monson demonstrated wisdom, inspired leadership, and great compassion and delivered a message of optimism, forgiveness, and faith. Melania and I are deeply saddened by the death of Thomas S. Monson, a beloved President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...https://t.co/ETD3fWtfU3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 A church bishop at the age of 22, Monson became the youngest church apostle ever in 1963 at the age of 36. He served as a counselor for three church presidents before assuming the role of the top leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2008. After a life of church service, Monson died Tuesday at his home in Salt Lake City, according to church spokesman Eric Hawkins. He was 90. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets that Iranian protesters will see great U.S. support at the appropriate time By Associated Press President Trump continued to express support for Irans anti-government protesters on Wednesday. In a tweet, Trump commended the protesters and pledged that the United States will support them at the appropriate time. Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Trumps tweet Wednesday morning came as Iranian Ambassador Gholamali Khoshroo sent a letter to United Nations officials complaining that Washington was intervening in a grotesque way in Irans internal affairs. The President and Vice-President of the United States, in their numerous absurd tweets, incited Iranians to engage in disruptive acts, the ambassador wrote to the U.N. Security Council president and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The U.S. didnt immediately respond to the letter, which maintains that Washington has crossed every limit in flouting rules and principles of international law governing the civilized conduct of international relations. At least 21 people have been killed and hundreds arrested in Iran during a week of anti-government protests and unrest over economic woes and official corruption. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people took part in counter-demonstrations Wednesday backing the clerically overseen government, which has said enemies of Iran are fomenting the protests. Trump has unleashed a series of tweets in recent days backing the protesters, saying Iran is failing at every level and declaring that it is time for change in the Islamic Republic. Facebook

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Trump congratulates Sen. Orrin Hatch upon news of his retirement By Associated Press President Trump congratulated Sen. Orrin Hatch for an absolutely incredible career upon news of Hatchs impending retirement. In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, Trump called Hatch a tremendous supporter and wrote that he will be greatly missed in the Senate. Congratulations to Senator Orrin Hatch on an absolutely incredible career. He has been a tremendous supporter, and I will never forget the (beyond kind) statements he has made about me as President. He is my friend and he will be greatly missed in the U.S. Senate! pic.twitter.com/0VjzLEeHTl  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Hatchs decision to retire from the Senate after four decades lets the Utah Republican walk away at the height of his power after helping to push through an overhaul of the tax code and persuading Trump to downsize two national monuments. Retirement also preserves the 83-year-olds legacy by allowing him to avoid a bruising reelection battle that would have broken his promise not to seek an eighth term. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweet exaggerates progress in improving veterans care By Associated Press President Trump played up tremendous progress in improving care for veterans in his first year on Tuesday in a tweet. His message linked to an Instagram video describing eight accomplishments that show Trump is fighting for our veterans. But it overstates the impact of these steps. We will not rest until all of Americas GREAT VETERANS can receive the care they so richly deserve. Tremendous progress has been made in a short period of time. Keep up the great work @SecShulkin @DeptVetAffairs! https://t.co/ir25vW15hx pic.twitter.com/OtuzIgxMn6  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Of the eight achievements cited, two are ceremonial proclamations recognizing National Veterans and Military Families Month and National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Two are pieces of legislation that extended the troubled Veterans Choice program on a temporary basis. This became necessary because the Trump administration repeatedly miscalculated the amount of taxpayer dollars available to pay for care from private doctors outside the Veterans Affairs system when veterans had to endure long waits for treatment at VA medical centers. The departments poor budget planning caught lawmakers off guard. A fifth claim involves telehealth, a step letting doctors practice medicine across state lines using digital technology. Announced in August, it has yet to take full effect because a proposed VA regulation hasnt been completed. The VA wants authority to practice across state lines to come from legislation, not a regulation. On Wednesday, the Senate approved a telehealth measure that now goes to the House. A sixth claim refers to legislation that streamlines the appeals process for disability compensation claims within the VA. This step has had limited effect so far because it applies to new disability claims, not the 470,000 pending claims. The last two initiatives make it easier for the VA to discipline employees. The department has pointed to more than 1,300 employees who have been fired under Trumps watch. Because their infractions are not detailed in public documents, the effect on veterans care is not fully known. Facebook

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Trump unleashes his first tweetstorm of 2018 By Noah Bierman President Trump clearly didnt resolve to change his Twitter habits this year. With nine disparate tweets over three hours on Tuesday morning, the first working day of 2018, Trump continued to exploit social media to be the most aggressive commentator in chief in American history. For any other president, his posts would have made for a monumental day of (mis-)statements. Yet for Trump, the series  attacks on political foes and media, provocations of foreign leaders and self-praise for events he had nothing to do with  was all but unremarkable. His Twitter barrage  sent between 7:09 a.m. and 10:16 a.m.  reflected a familiar gamut after nearly a year in office: Attacks on political foes: Nearly 14 months after his election, Trump called for the jailing of Huma Abedin, Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid (his misspelling, another occasional feature of Trump tweets). Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 In the same tweet, he disparaged the Deep State Justice Dept, headed of course by his appointees, calling on it to act against James B. Comey, the FBI director he fired for investigating the Russia thing. Diplomatic provocations: Trump again called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Rocket man, ridiculed the volatile nuclear-armed foe for recent military defections and openly speculated about potential talks between North and South Korea. Sanctions and other pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see! Trump wrote. Later Tuesday, Trump tweeted: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Also later Tuesday, Trump tweeted an attack on Pakistan, his second in as many days, and added a new one against Palestinians: It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ...peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Undermining media: Trump offered Congratulations! to A.G. Sulzberger, who took over as publisher of the New York Times this week. The Failing New York Times has a new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. Congratulations! Here is a last chance for the Times to fulfill the vision of its Founder, Adolph Ochs, to give the news impartially, without fear or FAVOR, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved. Get...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ....impartial journalists of a much higher standard, lose all of your phony and non-existent sources, and treat the President of the United States FAIRLY, so that the next time I (and the people) win, you wont have to write an apology to your readers for a job poorly done! GL  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the two-part post was really yet another slam against a perceived media foe: Trump said the paper had a last chance to fulfill its journalistic mission, and accused it of relying on phony sources and substandard reporters  just days after he granted another exclusive interview to the paper. As a bonus, the tweet contained a recycled falsehood, that the paper apologized after the election for reporting on him unfairly. It didnt. Trump later said on Twitter that he would soon announce the most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year. Stay tuned! I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 oclock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 The president also tweeted a quote from Fox Business Networks Lou Dobbs Tonight, which aired a segment praising Trumps first-year accomplishments. Dobbs reportedly joined Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday for a gala to celebrate New Years Eve. President Trump has something now he didnt have a year ago, that is a set of accomplishments that nobody can deny. The accomplishments are there, look at his record, he has had a very significant first year. @LouDobbs Show,David Asman & Ed Rollins  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Taking credit: Trump congratulated himself for policing the border with Mexico, an area where his policies and anti-immigration rhetoric are believed to have had some effect on reducing illegal crossings. Thank you to Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council for your kind words on how well we are doing at the Border. We will be bringing in more & more of your great folks and will build the desperately needed WALL! @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 He took credit for employee bonuses by companies after he signed Republican tax cuts into law last month. Companies are giving big bonuses to their workers because of the Tax Cut Bill. Really great!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the jaw-dropper was Trump congratulating himself for planes not crashing. Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news - it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 It was the safest year on record worldwide, but the American streak without commercial jet passenger deaths goes back to 2009. Trump, who has promoted deregulation as one of his top accomplishments, has not signed off on any new airline safety regulations. The White House pointed to new security screening of passengers, to electronic devices to prevent terrorist attacks and to Trumps support for privatizing air traffic control  a proposal that has gotten nowhere in Congress. Falsehoods: Trump said President Obama, in brokering the 2015 nuclear arms limitation deal with Iran, foolishly gave money to the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. He didnt. The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their pockets. The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 The nuclear deal, which included major U.S. allies as signators, released Irans own funds that had long been frozen. Trumps art of the deal: When Trump sees a big deal looming, he often blasts the other side  to gain leverage, as hes written. This week he resumes a showdown with Democratic lawmakers over funding the government and immigration protections for so-called Dreamers, who were brought to the country illegally as children. Democrats are doing nothing for DACA - just interested in politics. DACA activists and Hispanics will go hard against Dems, will start falling in love with Republicans and their President! We are about RESULTS.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Trump, who in September ordered a gradual end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, sought to shift blame for the resulting controversy, saying Democrats are doing nothing for DACA and are just interested in politics. Trump has insisted that any help for Dreamers be paired with funding for a border wall and a crackdown on legal immigration. Democrats, and some Republicans, are opposed. Read More Facebook

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In tweet, Trump suggests U.S. will withdraw financial assistance to Pakistan By Shashank Bengali Pakistan lashed out Monday after President Trump accused its leaders of lies & deceit and suggested the United States would withdraw financial assistance to the nuclear-armed nation it once saw as a key ally against terrorism. It was the presidents latest broadside against Pakistan after a speech in August in which he demanded its leaders crack down on the safe havens enjoyed by Taliban militants fighting U.S.-backed forces in neighboring Afghanistan. The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018 U.S. Ambassador David Hale was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to discuss the presidents statement, U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said. Pakistan lodged a strongly worded protest and asked for clarification about Trumps comments, according to two foreign office officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Pakistans prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, called a Cabinet meeting for Tuesday and a meeting of the National Security Committee on Wednesday to discuss Trumps New Years Day tweet. Read More Facebook

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Trump continues to tweet in support of Iranian protesters By Laura King President Trump expressed renewed support Sunday for protesters in Iran, declaring that people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. In a tweet from his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, the president said the nationwide economic protests that began on Thursday  and have taken on wider political overtones as they have grown in size  were a signal that Iranians will not take it any longer. Big protests in Iran. The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. Looks like they will not take it any longer. The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Trump has tweeted about the protests for three days straight as Iranians took to the streets despite a heavy police presence, tear gas and scores of arrests. The defiance gained urgency after two people were reported shot to death in the city of Dorud, about 200 miles southwest of Tehran. As the conflict escalated, Iranian authorities on Sunday slapped a temporary ban on Instagram and the messaging app Telegram, which were widely used to fan protest fervor. Iran, the Number One State of Sponsored Terror with numerous violations of Human Rights occurring on an hourly basis, has now closed down the Internet so that peaceful demonstrators cannot communicate. Not good!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Irans leaders already are casting Trumps increasingly effusive expressions of support for the demonstrators as opportunistic meddling and are painting the demonstrators as foreign pawns, adopting a strategy that some analysts say could jeopardize the legitimacy of the nascent antigovernment protests. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets condolences after Colorado deputies are shot in ambush, one fatally By Associated Press A man fired more than 100 rounds at sheriffs deputies in Colorado early Sunday, killing one and injuring four others, before being fatally shot himself in what authorities called an ambush. Two civilians were also injured. President Trump expressed sorrow, writing on Twitter: My deepest condolences to the victims of the terrible shooting in Douglas County @DCSheriff, and their families. We love our police and law enforcement - God Bless them all! #LESM  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said deputies came under fire almost
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
Chefs, restaurateurs and food journalists descended on the Fairmont Newport Beach hotel Sunday to celebrate the achievement of local culinary experts.

The Golden Foodie Awards, now in their fourth year, recognize the best culinary stars at independent Orange County restaurants and are the peoples choice of food awards.

Culinary writer and Food Network television personality Simon Majumdar led the ceremony and bestowed the 14-karat gold Golden Foodie statues on winners.

The winners were announced at Sundays gala, which the Los Angeles Times, parent company of the Daily Pilot sponsored.

Here are the winners of the 2015 Golden Foodie Awards:

Best Cocktails: The Blind Rabbit (Anaheim)

Bartender of the Year 2015: Alex Filkins (Wild Goose Tavern, Costa Mesa)

Best Food Talk Radio: The Fork Report with Neil Saavedra

Best Food Writer: Cathy Thomas

Best Sushi: Hamamori Restaurant & Sushi Bar (Costa Mesa)

Best Dessert: Maro Wood Grill (Laguna Beach)

Best Service Award: Anaheim White House

Best Indian Cuisine: Adya (Anaheim)

Best Mexican Cuisine: Taco Maria (Costa Mesa)

Best Italian Cuisine: Brunos Italian Kitchen (Brea)

Best French Cuisine: Pascal (San Juan Capistrano)

Best Asian Cuisine: AnQi (Costa Mesa)

Best Mediterranean Cuisine: Lucca Cafe (Irvine)

Best Vegetarian Cuisine: Provenance (Newport Beach)

Best Beer: Haven Gastropub (Orange)

Best Wine: Selanne Steak Tavern (Laguna Beach)

Best Pizza: Brick Pizzeria (San Clemente)

Best Steak: The Ranch Restaurant (Anaheim)

Best Burger: Micks Karma Bar (Irvine)

Best Californian Cuisine: Social Costa Mesa

Best Seafood: Scotts Restaurant and Bar (Costa Mesa)

Best New Restaurant: Social Costa Mesa

Pastry Chef of the Year: Ashley Guzman (The North Left, Santa Ana)

Chef of the Year: Andrew Sutton (Napa Rose, Anaheim)
The Orange County Board of Supervisors has voted to expand immigration detention at the Theo Lacy Facility by 120 people (O.C. supervisors agree to expand immigrant detention in county jails, May 11). This comes just two months after the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Homeland Security released a report on alarming conditions at Theo Lacy, which include 24-hour solitary, serious safety concerns, horrific conditions and spoiled food and moldy showers (Spoiled food and moldy showers: Poor conditions for immigrant detainees in O.C. jail, report says, March 8).

The Board of Supervisors recently heard two hours of public comments from community members opposing the expansion and detailing horrific conditions at Theo Lacy. The boards vote was swift and unanimous.

Members wore green ribbons for foster families and mental health awareness  two areas of need worsened by immigration enforcement in Orange County. Board members did not see the irony. Or perhaps they simply chose to look away from the suffering caused by immigration detention.

Supervisors did not cite the real motivation behind their decision: the $5 million a year the county will receive from the federal government for the contract expansion. Instead, they attempted to moralize their decision. Supervisor Shawn Nelson argued that we have no choice in the federal governments decision to detain immigrants, and it is at least more humane to detain Orange County residents closer to their families.

Clearly, Nelson does not understand how the immigration detention system works. A system designed to remove people from society can never be humane.

Most people detained at Theo Lacy are not from Orange County. Out of the hundreds of immigrants our organization, Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement (CIVIC), visited last year in Orange County immigration detention, only a handful of people were local.

Many detained immigrants are recent asylum seekers from Bangladesh, Haiti, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ghana, India, Ethiopia, Cameroon and many other countries. They are detained at Theo Lacy simply because they are asking the U.S. government for protection from persecution in their home countries. Other immigrants are picked up by ICE across the United States and transferred to Theo Lacy, away from their families.

People in immigration detention do not have a right to a court-appointed attorney. Less than 9% percent of the people we work with at Theo Lacy are represented by counsel, which is below the national average. This reality is partially due to the fact that humane conditions in immigration detention facilities are not written into law, and therefore, are unenforceable.

The national standards for maintaining ICE facilities require access to lawyers, visitors, medical care and proper nutrition, but these standards are merely guidelines and are often violated. It is unclear whether Orange Countys modified contract with ICE is even going to incorporate these basic standards, as the Trump Administration is curtailing them to entice counties to open up more immigration detention bed space.

It is time to pass Californias Senate Bill 29, the Dignity Not Detention Act, which would make the standards enforceable statewide, including four immigration detention centers run by private prison corporations.

People in immigration detention at Theo Lacy continue to be held in restrictive housing modules, which the Inspector General had noted as a violation of national standards.

The Board of Supervisors has failed the people of Orange County. Immigration detention should not be used as a way to pad the countys budget. It is time to end the ICE contract and invest in community-based alternatives to detention that are proven to be more cost effective and that make our communities safer and healthier.

Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants, or CIVIC, has republished a copy of the Inspector Generals report on our website, endisolation.org. We will not let the county silence the truth.

JAN MESLIN is director of social change development at Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement, or CIVIC.

TINA SHULL is a research fellow at CIVIC and a history lecturer at UC Irvine.

CHANSA KAPIJIMPANGA is a small business owner in Orange County and has been detained at Theo Lacy since Sept. 20.
Cruise lines pride themselves in coming up with tempting dining options. But what if you just feel like a plain ol burger and a beer when youre at sea?

Theyve got that covered too, but in a very gourmet way. Heres where youll find great options for upscale burgers (vegetarian ones too) and remarkable beers.

Princess Cruises features the Ernesto Burger, a gourmet patty that CruiseCritic recently declared the best burger at sea.

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Its named for creator Ernesto Uchimura, executive chef at the original Umami Burger and founding chef of the Electric Owl in L.A.

The outsized gourmet burger is a ground ribeye and short rib patty, topped with grilled pork belly, gruyere cheese, caramelized kimchi, beer-battered jalapenos and onion aioli.

Its available at the Salty Dog Gastropub aboard the Crown Princess, Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess. It costs $19 to eat at the Salty Dog, which also features small plates and other Uchimura-created menu items.

Viking Ocean Cruises ranked second for best burgers at sea for three Angus beef burgers and one vegetarian option served as part of the regular menu (no extra charge). An example: the Viking Burger, which features cheddar cheese, red onion marmalade, bacon and barbecue sauce.

Holland Americas gourmet take on the American burger comes with bacon jam, garlic chipotle aioli, cheddar cheese, Cabernet red onions and avocado. Its served at the Pinnacle Grill aboard all ships and costs $10 to eat at the specialty restaurant.

The line also has a Dive-In menu with four specialty burgers to order (one is vegetarian, featuring a portobello mushroom) at the ships Lido Pool.

(Check out the rest of CruiseCritics The 6 Best Burgers at Sea.)

When it comes to beer, the Carnival Vista makes its own draft beers at the onboard RedFrog Pub & Brewery.

The brewery recently unveiled Miami Guava Wheat, which Carnival describes in a release as having a light body and palate-pleasing notes of tangy pink guava. It joins three other craft beers made on the ship under the purview of brewmaster Colin Presby.

CruiseCritic also ranked best ships for craft beers and picked the Norwegian Escape as No. 1. The ship takes the top spot for its rotating offerings of 24 beers on tap and 50 different bottled beers.

The wide selection is the result of a partnership with Miami-based Wynwood Brewing Co., which helped create the onboard bar District Brew House.

Celebrity Equinox and Eclipse came in second for the 40 brews and bottles it serves in Gastrobar, and Royal Caribbeans Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas third for its beer menu at Michaels Genuine Pub.

Heres the list of the best ships for craft beer.

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South Koreas new President Moon Jae-in ordered a probe into the U.S.-backed THAAD missile defense system on Tuesday, potentially jeopardizing a major military project designed to intercept North Korean missiles.

In March, Washington and Seoul deployed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, antiballistic missile system in the county of Seongju, about 180 miles from Seoul. A fully equipped THAAD battery includes six to nine launchers  massive, boxy trucks that carry and fire missiles, in this case designed to intercept North Korean projectiles midflight. The U.S. publicly deployed two.

Yet Moon was shocked Tuesday to learn that four additional launchers had been deployed, presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan told a media briefing, according to South Koreas Yonhap news agency. The countrys defense ministry had not informed Moon of the deployment, according to Yonhap.

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Moon called Defense Minister Han Min-koo to confirm, Yonhap reported. Han apparently confirmed.

The reasons for the mixup remain unclear. Neither the U.S. nor South Korean military has publicly commented.

President Moon ordered to find out how the four additional rocket launchers were brought into the country, who made such a decision, why this has not been disclosed to the people and why this has not been reported to the new administration even to date, Yoon said, according to the agency.

THAADs deployment was overseen by the countrys conservative former President Park Geun-hye, who was ousted in March after months of peaceful protests. South Koreans elected Moon, a liberal, on May 9; he was inaugurated one day later. He did not get a customary two-month transition period, and is still working with Cabinet members that his predecessor appointed.

I dont know how theyre going to play this out  you know, people are opposed to [the system], so theres gonna be a lot of finger pointing and blame.  Daniel Pinkston, an international relations expert at Troy University in Seoul

The system has stirred controversy, both at home and abroad. Moon has criticized Park for failing to get a parliamentary approval for THAAD  she approved it in 2016, after a North Korean nuclear test  and has not sought parliamentary approval himself.

I dont know how theyre going to play this out  you know, people are opposed to [the system], so theres gonna be a lot of finger pointing and blame, said Daniel Pinkston, an international relations expert at Troy University in Seoul. Its hard to imagine that the [U.S.] military, just as far as inventory or paperwork go, would let four launchers with eight missiles each  so thats 32 missiles  just slip through.

Moon, on his agenda, THAAD wasnt a top agenda item, he continued. He didnt have a transition period. He has people to put in place. People want him to address issues of corruption, the cost of education, structural reform in the economy. Then North Korea comes down after that. Hes got all these issues on his plate, and THAAD stuff? That was a done deal.

South Koreans have protested the system, claiming that it constitutes a violation of the countrys sovereignty. North Korea has also complained, calling it a sign of the U.S.s black-hearted intention that clearly proves once again that the U.S. is harasser and destroyer of peace, indifferent to regional stability.

Yet its greatest detractor is arguably Beijing, which has argued that the system is part of a U.S. strategy to contain China. It retaliated with a months-long campaign of diplomatic protests and unofficial sanctions against South Korean businesses.

Since Moons election, South Korea-China relations have improved. On Tuesday, South Koreas Jeju Air announced plans to double its flights to Weihai, an eastern Chinese city, starting next week. China has also reportedly eased up on screening Korean television dramas; a Korean-Chinese joint drama My Goddess, My Mom, was recently told that it would soon be aired after indefinite delays, Reuters reported.

Although Moon is slated to meet President Trump at the White House in June, analysts say the Trump administration is poorly equipped to deal with a South Korea in flux. It has not yet nominated an ambassador to South Korea, or an assistant secretary of state for Asian and Pacific security affairs.

The U.S. has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, and a defense treaty with Seoul dating back to the end of the Korean War in 1953.

Moon promised a relatively soft line on North Korea during his campaign; during his May 10 inauguration, he vowed to provide a turning point to lower tensions on the peninsula by firmly establishing a Northeast Asia peace regime.

Yet North Korea has tested three missiles since then, including one on Monday, hardening his stance. He said on May 17 that there was a high possibility of conflict with North Korea, and that the South was ready and capable of striking back in the case of an attack.

jonathan.kaiman@latimes.com

For more news from Asia, follow @JRKaiman on Twitter

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South Koreas military scrambles after unidentified object detected in airspace, renewing North Korean concerns
A man investigating working conditions at a Chinese company that produces Ivanka Trump-brand shoes has been arrested and two others are missing, the arrested mans wife and an advocacy group said Tuesday.

Hua Haifeng was accused of illegal surveillance, according to his wife, Deng Guilian, who said the police called her Tuesday afternoon. Deng said the caller told her she didnt need to know the details, only that she would not be able to see, speak with or receive money from her husband, the familys breadwinner.

China Labor Watch Executive Director Li Qiang said he lost contact with Hua and the two other men, Li Zhao and Su Heng, over the weekend. By Tuesday, after dozens of unanswered calls, he had concluded: They must be held either by the factory or the police to be unreachable.

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China Labor Watch, a New York-based nonprofit, was planning to publish a report next month alleging low pay, excessive overtime and the possible misuse of student interns. It is unclear whether the undercover investigative methods used by the advocacy group are legal in China.

For 17 years, China Labor Watch has investigated working conditions at suppliers to some of the worlds best-known companies, but Li Qiang said his work has never before attracted this level of scrutiny from Chinas state security apparatus.

Our plan was to investigate the factory to improve the labor situation, Li said. But now it has become more political.

Walt Disney Co. stopped working with a toy maker in Shenzhen last year after the group exposed labor violations. China Labor Watch has also published reports on child labor at Samsung suppliers and spent years investigating Apple Inc.'s China factories. In the past, the worst thing Li feared was having investigators kicked out of a factory or face a short police detention.

That has changed.

The arrest and disappearances come amid a crackdown on perceived threats to the stability of Chinas ruling Communist Party, particularly from sources with foreign ties such as China Labor Watch. Faced with rising labor unrest and a slowing economy, Beijing has also taken a stern approach to activism in southern Chinas manufacturing belt and to human rights advocates generally, sparking a wave of critical reports about disappearances, public confessions, forced repatriation and torture in custody.

Another difference is the target of China Labor Watchs investigation: a brand owned by the daughter of the president of the United States.

White House spokeswoman Hope Hicks referred questions to Ivanka Trumps brand. The Ivanka Trump brand declined to comment for this story.

Abigail Klem, who took over day-to-day management when the first daughter took on a White House role as presidential advisor, has said the brand requires licensees and their manufacturers to comply with all applicable laws and to maintain acceptable working conditions.

Li said China Labor Watch asked police about the three missing investigators on Monday but received no reply. Li added that a friend had tried to file a missing person report on Li Zhao in Jiangxi province, where the factory is located, but was told he had to do so in the mans hometown.

The Associated Press was unable to reach the other investigators families. Chinas Ministry of Public Security and police in Ganzhou city and Jiangxi could not be reached for comment Tuesday, which was a national holiday in China.

All three men were investigating Ganzhou Huajian International Shoe City Co.'s factory in Jiangxi, just north of Guangdong province. Su had been working undercover at the factory since April, Li said. The parent company is known as Huajian Group.

In January, Liu Shiyuan, then spokesman for the Huajian Group, told the Associated Press that the company makes 10,000 to 20,000 pairs of shoes a year for Ivanka Trumps brand  a fraction of the 20 million pairs the company produces a year. A current spokeswoman for the company, Long Shan, did not reply to questions Tuesday. I told you I could not check until tomorrow, she said. If your official letter contains a stamp and signature, we can confirm whether the media is real or not.

Li said investigators had seen Ivanka Trump-brand shoes in the factory, as well as production orders for Ivanka Trump, Marc Fisher, Nine West and Easy Spirit merchandise.

We were unaware of the allegations and will look into them immediately, a spokeswoman for Marc Fisher, which manufactures Ivanka Trump, Easy Spirit and its own branded shoes, said in an email. Nine West did not respond to requests for comment.

Li Zhao and Hua were blocked from leaving mainland China for Hong Kong in April and May  something that had never happened to his colleagues before, Li Qiang said. Hua was stopped at the border May 25 and later questioned by police, Li said. During their final phone conversation on Saturday, Hua told Li that police had asked him to stop investigating the Huajian factory  another turn of events that Li said was unprecedented.

Li said the men had documented excessive overtime, with working days sometimes stretching longer than 18 hours, and a base salary below minimum wage. They were working to confirm evidence suggesting that student interns  some of whom allegedly quit in protest  were putting in excessive hours on work unrelated to their field of study, in violation of Chinese law, Li said. The use of student workers in China is legal, but meant to be strictly regulated. Rights groups and journalists have documented widespread abuse of the system over the years.

It is the role of the police to prevent that kind of independent investigation, said Nicholas Bequelin, East Asia director for Amnesty International. The threshold is much lower today than it was one year ago, two years ago, and if this is something that has a foreign diplomacy dimension, that would make national security personnel even more willing to stop it.

Huas wife, Deng, meanwhile, has yet to tell the couples children, ages 3 and 7, about their fathers plight. But they seem to know anyway, she said.

My son suddenly burst into tears. He said he missed Papa, Deng said by phone from her home in central Chinas Hubei province. I said Papa would come home soon and buy you toys.

She said the child looked at her and answered, Papa was taken away by a monster.

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South African President Jacob Zuma , a political survivor, beat a weekend bid to topple him by members of the governing African National Congress party.

It was the second failed attempt to oust him since November.

But thats not all. He has survived multiple no-confidence votes in Parliament, a rape trial, corruption charges, a court finding that he breached the countrys constitution, attacks from elders of his party, his countrys downgrade to junk status, condemnation by church leaders and even an alleged plot to poison him.

At the heart of most of the bids to get rid of him are allegations that Zuma allowed a family of Indian businessmen in South Africa, the Guptas, to get a huge slice of government business without proper tenders. The familys influence is so pervasive that critics claim they have captured the state of South Africa. The Gupta family has denied any wrongdoing.

The ANCs national executive committee discussed calls for Zuma to resign over the weekend. On Monday, the party announced that most party members either supported him or felt the party should strive for unity.

Zuma, the son of a domestic worker, did not go to school as a boy but tried to teach himself using other childrens schoolbooks. He learned to read and write when he was incarcerated for 10 years on Robben Island prison for his political activities as a member of the ANC, which was banned under apartheid. A former intelligence chief for the ANC in exile, he maintains control over the majority of the national executive committee, defeating efforts to overthrow him.

In a tumultuous career, the 75-year-old Zuma has survived many challenges. Here are some of them:

Zumas legal problems: A rape trial, 783 corruption charges and a constitutional breach

Supporters cheer Jacob Zuma after his acquittal on rape charges in 2006, clearing the way for him to become party president. (Dennis Farrell / Associated Press) (DENNIS FARRELL / AP)

Before he was elected South African president, Zuma had to overcome some formidable legal obstacles. In 2005, a 31-year-old woman, the daughter of a man who had served in Robben Island prison with Zuma, accused Zuma of rape. Zuma admitted to unprotected sex with her, although he knew she was HIV-positive, but said it was consensual. He was acquitted of rape in 2006.

Zuma was charged with corruption in connection with a 1998 multibillion-dollar arms deal, but prosecutors dropped the case in 2009, just weeks before national elections. The charges may come back to haunt him. A South African court ruled last year that Zuma should still face the 783 corruption charges, a decision he was unsuccessful in trying to appeal.

Last year, South Africas Constitutional Court ruled that Zuma breached the constitution by refusing to repay state funds used to upgrade his private residence at Nkandla, in rural KwaZulu-Natal. He apologized, repaid the money  about $600,000  and survived a subsequent parliamentary vote of no confidence, one of many against him.

South Africa gets junk status ratings after Zuma sacks the finance minister

Members of the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters party at a protest calling for the resignation of President Jacob Zuma last month. (Gianluigi Guercia / AFP/Getty Images) (GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP/Getty Images)

Several international ratings agencies downgraded South Africas credit rating to junk after Zuma sacked the finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, seen by many as someone who could protect the state coffers from Zuma and his allies.

Gordhan warned that South Africa was in danger of becoming a kleptocratic state. His deputy Mcebisi Jonas, also sacked, claimed that state funds were being stolen to benefit a small elite.

The accusations center on the Gupta family, who are in business with Zumas son, Duduzane. An ombudsmans report last year alleged the family had offered bribes to government officials, influenced Cabinet appointments and gained massive government contracts. The family denies any wrongdoing.

Opposition parties and civil society groups staged mass protest rallies in Johannesburg after the Gordhan and Jonas dismissals and the ratings downgrades.

The opposition plans a parliamentary vote of no confidence in Zuma, but lawmakers of the majority ANC have always voted in support of their leader in other similar votes.

Opposition parties have taken court action to try to force a secret ballot in the vote in the hope that ANC lawmakers would break party discipline and vote against Zuma, which would topple the president.

The mysterious plot to poison President Zuma

President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, with South African President Jacob Zuma and Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, one of his wives, at the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh in 2009. After he fell ill in 2014, Zuma accused his wife of taking part in a plot to poison him. (Win McNamee / Getty Images) (Win McNamee / Getty Images)

In June 2014, Zuma was hospitalized after he fell severely ill, later accusing one of his wives, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, of taking part in a plot to poison him.

In August the same year, Zuma traveled to the U.S. for the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit accompanied by Ntuli-Zuma. Still feeling ill, he consulted a doctor and was told he had probably been poisoned, local media reported. He later got a second opinion from Russian doctors, according to the report.

Zuma ordered Ntuli-Zuma to leave his rural homestead at Nkandla and his official residence and banned her from traveling with him. Police opened an investigation against her in 2015, according to her lawyer. In November, prosecutors told her she remained a suspect in a conspiracy to murder the president.

Ntuli-Zumas lawyer, Ulrich Roux, last year told journalists that the accusations were without substance and were deeply traumatic for her.

Most observers assumed the matter was personal. But when members of the ANCs national executive committee tried to oust him as president in November, Zuma told the meeting that his enemies had three times tried to kill him using poison, according to local media.

Still facing corruption charges, what are Zumas options?

South African presidential contender and former chairwoman of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma at a meeting of the African National Congress Youth League last month. Zumas critics fear that if elected she would try to shield him from prosecution. (Rajesh Jantilal / AFP/Getty Images) (RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP/Getty Images)

Zumas supporters in the ANC are pushing for his ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to succeed him. The former African Union chairwoman is close to her ex-husband and it is believed she would protect the familys sprawling business interests, as well as attempt to shield him from prosecution.

Although South Africa has a strong, independent judiciary, ANC leaders have used law enforcement agencies such as police, prosecutors and intelligence agencies to smear or prosecute political rivals.

Reports surfaced in South African media over the weekend that Zuma might be planning a strategic exit to Dubai if necessary  allegations strongly denied by the president.

South African media reported an email from an executive of a Gupta-owned business to Duduzane, Zumas son, containing a draft letter from the president to Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, with a request to make Dubai his second home.

Zuma's spokesman, Bongani Ngqulunga, quoted him as saying the letter was pure fabrication.

I have my home in Nkandla and I have no intention of living anywhere else. When I retire I will go home to Nkandla, Zuma said.

robyn.dixon@latimes.com

@RobynDixon_LAT
It began as a road rage incident between the president and opposition leader of Zambia, a southern African country once seen as a beacon of democracy.

Two political convoys were speeding along a perilously narrow rural road on April 8 when the opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema, refused to pull off to let President Edgar Lungus caravan roar past  a move that landed him in jail facing treason charges and a possible death sentence.

Observers of African politics see Hichilemas arrest as part of a troubling trend in several nations in sub-Saharan Africa.

Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema was charged with treason after his convoy refused to move off the road for the president's convoy last month.

Video of the roadway incident shows the two convoys headed in the same direction, the presidential train of vehicles in the rear. As Lungus convoy tries to pass, police vehicles  with lights flashing and sirens blaring  occasionally dart toward Hichilemas convoy, apparently trying to intimidate his convoy to move over.

Hichilemas convoy refuses to budge, but Lungus convoy squeezes past anyway  as Hichilema supporters shout invective.

On Friday, Hichilemas case was adjourned for 15 days and he remains jailed, with no bail allowed in treason cases.

Zambia is a member of the small club of African countries that have seen two democratic transfers of power, a sign of strengthening democracy. But under Lungu, his vocal critics say, progress has been whittled away. Media and political freedoms are under attack and the independence of the Constitutional Court has been compromised, they charge.

Another opposition leader, Chilufya Tayali, was arrested last month for a Facebook post attacking police over Hichilemas arrest. Others were detained for trying to visit Hichilema in prison, after authorities banned anyone from seeing him.

Even Zambias revered elder statesman  founding President Kenneth Kaunda  was turned away when he tried to visit. South African opposition leader Mmusi Maimane was denied entry to Zambia on Thursday.

Jailed Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, facing treason charges and possibly the death penalty, waves to supporters from a police van as he leaves a court hearing April 18. (Dawood Salim / AFP/Getty Images) (DAWOOD SALIM / AFP/Getty Images)

Zambias backslide is worrying because it demonstrates how swiftly fragile democratic gains that took decades to cement can be destroyed. The African Union, the continental leadership body, has proved strong on protecting leaders from coups, but weak on presidents who undermine democratic institutions, like the media and courts, or overturn constitutional term limits, according to critics.

Even some African Union figures have expressed concern about presidents who cling to power for decades. In December, outgoing African Union commissioner for political affairs, Aisha Abdullahi, said the group needed to dig beyond the surface of regular elections and remain engaged on what happens before, during and after elections.

She added, There is also a worrying trend on the continent where incumbents harass opponents in the lead-up to and during elections, and use other practices such as manipulation of electoral timetables to disadvantage the opposition.

Sub-Saharan Africa, with 50 countries and just under a billion people, is one of the worst regions for democracy globally. In 2016, just 12% of countries in the region were ranked as free by Freedom House, a pro-democracy watchdog, compared with 20% in 2014.

After democratic advances in the 1990s and early 2000s, many countries in Africa have regressed in recent years, according to Freedom Houses report on sub-Saharan Africa. Heres a look at other nations and how they are attempting to quash dissent.

Ethiopia: Criticizing the government on Facebook can be a crime

For posting an opinion on Facebook, you can be charged with terrorism and jailed.

Ethiopias Federal High Court on Thursday sentenced an activist and former opposition party spokesman, Yonatan Tesfaye, to six years and three months in jail after Facebook posts about protests in the Oromia region in 2015.

After a violent crackdown on the protests, Tesfaye posted that the government was using force against the people instead of using peaceful discussion with the public.

Another opposition leader, Merera Gudina, and more than 20 other opposition figures and activists have been jailed and face terrorism charges over the protests in Oromia.

Ethiopias longtime muzzling of dissent has had a devastating effect on opposition members and human rights defenders who are completely prevented from exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, Amnesty Internationals Michelle Kagari said last year, after opposition figures were beaten and forced to appear in court wearing only their underpants.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Opposition leaders who protest are jailed or killed

Opposition figure Moise Katumbi arrives at a courthouse in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, in May last year, accused of hiring foreign mercenaries to topple the government. (Fiston Mahamba / AFP/Getty Images) (FISTON MAHAMBA / AFP/Getty Images)

The Congolese government arrested dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists and musicians in March 2015, including Fred Bauma and Yves Makwambala, who had launched a youth activist movement called Filimbi.

They have since been released from prison, but Bauma and Makwambala still face charges of terrorism and insurrection.

Protests erupted last fall when it became clear that President Joseph Kabila, whose term was to end in December, had no intention of leaving the presidency. Kabilas government banned opposition protests, and 66 people were killed in a violent crackdown on protests in September.

Kabila still holds on to power by repeatedly failing to organize elections  a policy opponents call glissement, or sliding.

Uganda: A prominent academic is jailed and ordered to undergo psychiatric tests for insulting the president

Ugandan academic and activist Stella Nyanzi appears in court in April, charged with insulting the president and his wife in a Facebook post. (Associated Press) (Stringer / AP)

Ugandan academic and activist Stella Nyanzi was arrested and jailed last month for describing President Yoweri Museveni on her Facebook page as a pair of buttocks and his wife as empty-brained. She was released on bail after an international outcry by human rights defenders, but faces two charges of cyberharassment.

Prosecutors are demanding that Nyanzi, a feminist academic and writer, undergo psychiatric tests to evaluate her sanity.

Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, insists his people want him to stay in power. He claims the opposition is made up of wolves ready to tear Uganda apart should he leave.

Opposition figures were repeatedly arrested in the lead-up to elections last year in which Museveni won another five-year term, his fifth.

Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who came in second in the election, was arrested and charged with treason after rejecting the result, claiming fraud and calling on supporters to protest.

Rwanda: An opposition leader was jailed for 15 years; dissidents flee into exile

Rwandan President Paul Kagame will face little competition at elections when he seeks a third seven-year term in August, but he rejects criticisms of authoritarianism, saying they come from Westerners drunk on their own values. (Marco Longari / Agence France-Presse) (MARCO LONGARI / AFP)

In Rwanda, President Paul Kagame has quietly steamrolled all opposition figures over the last decade.

A two-term presidential limit has been ditched and Kagame will face little opposition when he runs for a third seven-year term in August.

As soon as Rwandan businesswoman Diane Rwigara announced in May her intention to run against him, photographs of her sprawled on a couch in the nude appeared on the Internet. Her campaign was quickly in ruins.

Another Kagame opponent has ended up in prison. Opposition leader Victoire Ingabire was barred from running in elections in 2010. She was arrested that year and sentenced to 15 years in jail for terrorism, genocidal revisionism and provoking divisionism.

Some government opponents have vanished without explanation.

In March last year, opposition activist Illuminee Iragena disappeared as she was on her way to work as a hospital nurse. Amnesty International believes that Iragena was tortured and died in custody, based on information from sources close to the case.

If she is in detention, her whereabouts should be immediately revealed and she should be charged or released. If she has died, the circumstances of her death must be promptly and thoroughly investigated and the authorities should make public the outcome of any such investigation, said Sarah Jackson of Amnesty International in March.

There have been a number of recent cases of disappearances and this sets a worrying stage for the upcoming presidential elections in August. The failure of the authorities to provide answers contributes to the chilling environment for the political opposition in Rwanda, she said.

Another opposition figure, Jean Damascene Munyeshyaka, disappeared on June 27, 2014, and has not been heard from since.

On New Years Day that year, one of Kagames harshest critics, Patrick Karegeya, was found strangled in a South African hotel room. His killers were never tracked down.

Other dissidents have been attacked, and Rwandan authorities have been accused of hunting down dissidents and trying to assassinate them. Rwandan authorities reject the claims.

In a recent interview with Francophone Africa news site Jeune Afrique, Kagame rejected criticism of his government. Too many givers of lessons, too many arrogant Westerners drunk on their own values claim to define on our behalf what freedom means to us. They consistently label us as not free, he said.

Burundi: One of the worst places to be an opposition member

Burundis President Pierre Nkurunziza, center, with his new first and second vice presidents Gaston Sindimwo and Joseph Mutore, after being sworn in for a controversial third term. In a speech afterward he swore his opponents would be crushed by God. (Landry Nshimiye / AFP/Getty Images) (LANDRY NSHIMIYE / AFP/Getty Images)

Burundi has been mired in violent conflict since President Pierre Nkurunziza defied the constitutional limit on a third term in office, despite widespread opposition in 2015. He took office swearing his opponents would be crushed by God after an election criticized by the United Nations and the U.S. State Department.

More than 210 people, many of them young men from opposition neighborhoods, disappeared between October and January, according to the United Nations. Amnesty International reported that dozens were shot to death by security forces in a crackdown in December. In January, 22 bodies were found.

Most opposition figures have fled the country, while many others who opposed Nkurunzizas third term have been arrested or killed. A U.N. report last September verified 564 executions  mainly of journalists, activists and opposition supporters  and detailed torture and rape of government opponents.

The presidents spokesman, Willy Nyamitwe, said the U.N. investigators were lazy and the report was biased and based on flying rumors and gossip.

robyn.dixon@latimes.com

@RobynDixon_LAT
All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced.  19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc.
Amid growing tensions in the region and unrelenting missile tests by North Korea, the Pentagon is rolling out a new anti-missile detection system in a series of upcoming tests.

The Department of Defense's Missile Defense Agency will unveil and test it's upgraded missile defense system at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Tuesday. The tests aim is to see whether ground-based systems can detect and destroy intermediate and long-range ballistic rockets fired over the Pacific at the Continental United States. It's no easy feat and is frequently described by experts as "trying to shoot a bullet with another bullet."

The American test comes just two days after North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile that traveled an estimated 280 miles, splashing down somewhere within Japanese territorial waters. The test predictably sent waves through the international community, as North Korea continues to rattle its sabres by going forward with it's nuclear and rocketry programs.

North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile...but China is trying hard!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2017

The Pentagon insists the test of its surface-based interceptor system is not solely about a nuclear armed North Korea, the test's primary goal is at being able to challenge any threatening intercontinental ballistic missile attempting to enter North American airspace. The advanced Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system or THAAD has also been installed in South Korea to intercept any attacks launched over the Korean Demilitiarized Zone.
Allentown police are looking for a man who robbed an Allentown restaurant at knife point Monday night.

Police said the robbery occurred at 4:58 p.m. at the Gordon Grill, 429 W. Gordon St.

The robber is described as a man, 6 feet tall with a heavy build and wearing a blue sweatshirt, who was last seen running west on Gordon Street.

Anyone with information should call Allentown police at 610-437-7721, or submit a tip through the department's free app.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Cedar Crest College's president is stepping down in August after nine years leading the Allentown school.

Carmen Twillie Ambar is leaving to become president of Oberlin College and Conservatory, a private liberal arts school in Oberlin, Ohio. She becomes Oberlin's 15th president and the first African-American leader in its 184-year history.

Ambar said her time at Cedar Crest has been "truly glorious" as she was surrounded by wonderful people from the students to the board of trustees.

The school announced the move in a news release issued Tuesday.

"While my time at Cedar Crest has come to an end, it is not without a sense of pride in the work we have done together and an expectation that this good work will continue for years and years to come," Ambar said in a prepared statement.

Carmen Twillie Ambar

College Provost Elizabeth Meade, who has been with the Allentown school for 24 years, will serve as interim president for the next two years while plans for a presidential search are drawn up, officials said.

"President Ambar has provided exceptional leadership and service to Cedar Crest College, guiding the institution through challenges to become stronger, more vibrant and poised to thrive for another 150 years," said Rear Adm. David P. Keller, chairman of the board of trustees.

Cedar Crest is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

The college boasts seven straight years of enrollment growth and has ended the last two years with a multimillion-dollar surplus. Its endowment has grown by almost 92 percent since Ambar became president, the college said.

The school has added 18 new academic programs and new initiatives during Ambar's tenure. Cedar Crest is making a push to offer master's and doctorate-level degrees.

Cedar Crest is adding a doctorate of nursing practice program in the fall to help meet the nation's demand for nurses with advanced degrees. Ambar said earlier this year that she hopes it leads to a school of nursing and health science.

This fall, the traditionally all-women school will welcome its largest freshman class in a decade. The graduate school is co-ed.

In an interview earlier this year, Ambar said she is proud that Cedar Crest is today a much more diverse institution, with a student body that is 34 percent women of color. All of the students come from varied economic backgrounds and 44 percent of them are first-generation college students.

Starting in 2018, all students will get to go on a free, study-abroad service trip to widen their college experience. And the college also offers a four-year guarantee that if a student follows the major path they can graduate in four years.

Ambar came to Cedar Crest in 2008 from the Douglass College at Rutgers University, where she was vice president and dean. She was the youngest dean in the university's history.

Ambar is married to Saladin Malik Ambar, an associate professor in the department of political science and a senior scholar at the Center on the American Governor at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers. They have 10-year-old triplets.

Lillie Edwards, chairwoman of Oberlin's presidential search committee, said college officials are excited to work with Ambar.

"She is passionate about the ways music and the liberal arts are powerfully transformative," Edwards said in a prepared statement. "She is visionary in thinking about how we can carry our mission into the 21st century. She is compassionate about who has access to this transformation. These principles are not only professional; for her they are also movingly personal. They reveal how much learning and labor are already in her DNA."

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Diversity is an important part of Jennifer Berry's family.

The Palmer Township woman has 10 children, six of whom she adopted from Guatemala. Her passion to spread inclusion and diversity in her school spawned an event that drew hundreds of children and dozens of participants.

The first-ever cultural night at Tracy Elementary School turned the school into a mini-United Nations on Friday, May 19.

Thirty-seven countries were represented with 74 children in native dress. The school has 576 children and 240 attended the event.

"We had no idea how big it was going to be," said Michelle Robertson, the president of the Easton Area School District Parent Teacher Association Council.

Many of the countries represent the ethnic backgrounds of Tracy Elementary children, Robertson said.

There were more than 30 displays in the hallways. The cafeteria was converted into an international food court with dishes from more than 20 countries.

"It was just a phenomenal, phenomenal night," she said.

Robertson said families from the countries represented donated costumes, paid for them or helped make them. Parents and grandparents of the children wore clothes from their native lands to the event, Robertson said. They also donated and prepared ethnic food.

Robertson brought a handful of the student models to the school board meeting last week. Superintendent John Reinhart said the school district formed a diversity committee to further its goal of welcoming all cultures in the Easton area. The district's Parent Teacher Association obviously shares the same goal by hosting such and event, he said.

"I think it's just fantastic and I hope you can do it again next year bigger and better," he said.

Robertson said many of the costumes will be available next year and she hopes to spread the event to more schools, or make it a districtwide event at the middle school or high school.

She thanked Berry and her husband for conceiving and executing a great plan.

"I can't tell you how many hours (Jennifer Berry) put into this," Robertson said. "We're so fortunate to have them in the Easton community."

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
A C&S Wholesale warehouse employee and another man both are jailed in a scheme to steal $11,000 worth of baby formula from the supply company.

Alberto Portes, left, and Elvis Polcano, right. (Courtesy photos)

Charged are Alberto Portes, 25, of the 600 block of North Law Street, and Elvis Polcano, 20, of the 200 block of South 14th Street, both in Allentown.

Colonial Regional police earlier this month began investigating the theft of baby formula cases from C&S Wholesale warehouse, 4820 Hanoverville Road, Lower Nazareth Township. Employees told investigators the capers were using the identification card of Portes, an employee, to gain access into the building and fleeing in a white Kia SUV.

Police were called to the warehouse at 5:06 a.m. Saturday by the company's security team for a report of someone scanning Portes' card to gain access into the building. A security officer told police he observed on surveillance camera footage two people -- later identified as Portes himself and Polcano -- enter the building.

Two others then were seen driving a white Kia SUV and grey Acura SUV, respectively, around to the side of the warehouse. Portes and Polcano used a forklift and pallet jack to remove the cases of formula from the shelves and brought the cases to a loading dock, where the vehicles were waiting, a security officer told police.

Police said the baby formula was being loaded into vehicles as Colonial Regional officers arrived on scene. As officers tried to stop the Acura, driven by Polcano, he steered straight toward one of the cruisers, causing an officer to swerve to miss a head-on collision, according to police.

Polcano allegedly went speeding through the warehouse parking lot with police in pursuit. At one point, the Acura was on two wheels, police said.

Eventually, Polcano crashed the Acura into a gate on the property and both he and Portes were arrested. Officers seized baby formula cases from both the Acura and later, from the Kia. Both vehicles were impounded.

Portes allegedly admitted to investigators in being involved in the baby formula thefts and said Polcano also was involved, as well as a third male he only knew by the name of "Papo." Court records do not indicate anyone else charged yet in the scheme.

C&S investigators listed the total value stolen in the thefts was 120 cases of formula, totaling $11,008, court records state.

Portes is charged with two counts theft while Polcano is charged with two counts theft and reckless endangerment. Both were arraigned before District Judge Richard Yetter III, who set bail at $65,000 each.

In lieu of bail, both Portes and Polcano were taken to Northampton County Prison.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A 70-year-old Palmerton woman died Sunday in a car crash in Carbon County, Pennsylvania State police report.

Sylvia E. Lucas was driving a Subaru Impreza eastbound at 5:45 p.m., well below the speed limit on Hahn's Dairy Road near Steckle Road in Lower Towamensing Township, police from the Lehighton barracks said. The vehicle went off the right side of the road into a ditch before hitting a tree, state police said.

She was taken to Palmerton Hospital and pronounced dead at 6:54 p.m. by county Coroner Robert W. Miller Jr. A cause and manner of her death weren't immediately available from the coroner's office, but police sad she suffered a "fatal injury."

There were no passengers in the vehicle, state police said, and she was not wearing a seat belt.

Palmerton EMS, Lehighton EMS and Aquashicola firefighters assisted, police said.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A white pickup truck crashed into the back of a school bus on Thursday morning in Milford Township and then drove off, Pennsylvania State Police report.

There were students on the bus in the northern Bucks County community, but no one was hurt, police said.

The truck was following the bus north on Allentown Road, north of Milford Square Pike, when the crash happened at 7:45 a.m., police said.

The truck, which continued north, had "moderate front-end damage," police said.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call state police at the Dublin barracks at 215-249-9191.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Put down the gaming remotes. Step away from your computers. Look up from your smartphones.

It's that time of year where we plan our summer vacations, weekend getaways and daily adventures.

The Lehigh Valley has much to see, including a chance to step back in time. For a quick road trip, explore the region's covered bridges.

Pennsylvania has a little more than 200 covered bridges, with seven in the Lehigh Valley.

You can take the Lehigh Valley Covered Bridge Tour, which is about 50 miles long. If you are feeling especially energetic, you could leave your car keys behind and pedal your way on the tour. Just don't forget your bike helmet.

These five bridges are open to traffic: Manasses Guth Bridge and Wehr's Covered Bridge, both in South Whitehall Township; and Rex's Covered Bridge, Geiger's Covered Bridge and Schlicher's Covered Bridge, all in North Whitehall Township.

Bonus: The bridge tour takes you through the Trexler-Lehigh County Game Preserve.

Get a better look at these historical gems in the video posted above.

Saed Hindash may be reached at shindash@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SaedHindash. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
The Three Mile Island Generating Station will close in September 2019 unless policy changes are made on the state level, its owner announced Tuesday.

The closing of the central Pennsylvania nuclear plant would affect 675 workers directly employed there and another 1,500 local union workers under contracts, owner Exelon Corp. says in a statement.

"Today is a difficult day, not just for the 675 talented men and women who have dedicated themselves to operating Three Mile Island safely and reliably every day, but also for their families, the communities and customers who depend on this plant to produce clean energy and support local jobs," said Chris Crane, Exelon president and CEO, in the statement.

Company officials have met with employees and informed them of the plans. The next steps, according to the statement, include notifying the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, terminating capital investment projects and canceling 2019 fuel purchases.

Exelon says Pennsylvania would need to change its policy on nuclear power in order to avert the shutdown. The statement notes that nuclear power, despite producing emissions-free electricity, is not among the 16 clean power sources the state recognizes.

Among the options the state can take to improve its policies would be establishing a zero-emissions credit program, similar to programs implemented in New York and Illinois, according to Exelon.

"Like New York and Illinois before it, the commonwealth has an opportunity to take a leadership role by implementing a policy solution to preserve its nuclear energy facilities and the clean, reliable energy and good-paying jobs they provide," Crane says.

Pennlive.com, our sister website, reports "Pennsylvania lawmakers from both chambers and both parties formed a 'nuclear caucus' with the goal of crafting a proposal to rescue the industry this fall. For their part, caucus leaders say they're not interested in bailouts or subsidies."

A partial meltdown occurred at the plant nearly 40 years ago.

The March 29, 1979, incident "was the most serious accident in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant operating history, although its small radioactive releases had no detectable health effects on plant workers or the public," according to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The plant is located on the Susquehanna River in Dauphin County.

Nick Falsone may be reached at nfalsone@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickfalsone. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A drunken Allentown woman was jailed after troopers found a stolen, loaded revolver in her vehicle during a traffic stop on Route 22, Pennsylvania State Police said.

Charged is Laquania Rain Riddick, 26, of the 600 block of Park Street.

Riddick was driving a 2003 Infiniti G35 at 3:10 a.m. Sunday westbound on Route 22, near Route 191, when she was stopped for speeding, state police at Bethlehem said. She was going 20 mph over the posted speed limit, according to police.

Riddick stopped on the shoulder of the highway just east of Schoenersville Road in Hanover Township, Northampton County. She allegedly told the trooper she lost her driver's license and handed over a passport.

Riddick exhibited signs of intoxication with bloodshot eyes and had the odor of alcohol on her breath, state police said. She later told the trooper she drank alcoholic beverages in Easton, according to police.

Roadside sobriety tests indicated Riddick was an impaired driver; a breath test indicated the presence of alcohol, police said.

A trooper then searched her vehicle, seizing a loaded .38-caliber Rock Island Armory model revolver in the center console. Police said Riddick did not have a license to carry the gun, which was fully loaded with six bullets.

Police later determined the gun was stolen out of Goose Creek, South Carolina.

Riddick is charged with receiving stolen property, firearms not to be carried without a license, driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance (two counts), driving with a suspended license and traffic violations.

She was arraigned before District Judge Richard Yetter III, who set bail at 10 percent $30,000.

In lieu of bail, Riddick was taken to Northampton County Prison.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
By Michael Faccinetto and Joseph Roy

Congress is making momentous decisions that could fundamentally reshape U.S. health care with a serious negative impact on our most vulnerable children. The House of Representatives already voted in favor of $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid, the program that covers one in three American children.

Michael E. Faccinetto.

Local critics have focused on the immense harm that would come from taking $2 billion away from Pennsylvania by 2020 and threaten healthcare that reaches 2.8 million residents.

Make no mistake, Medicaid cuts are a backdoor cut to K-12 education funding.

Pennsylvania schools stand to lose more than $40 billion in Medicaid reimbursements that pay for healthcare for disadvantaged children and special-education services delivered on site. That will mean employing fewer nurses, physical therapists, speech pathologists, and other professionals. Vision, hearing, asthma and mental health screening programs may go away. It will also become more difficult to integrate the necessary support and technologies that empower disabled students to learn alongside their peers.

We know that our most vulnerable families need access to high quality medical care, safe and affordable housing, and jobs with family-sustaining wages so that students are well positioned to take full advantage of learning opportunities available in our public schools. We use the term "collective impact" to describe the team effort needed to support our neighbors in need.

Abandoning a 50-year, bipartisan commitment to children's health undermines society's "collective impact" and will have long-term repercussions. Studies demonstrate that children enrolled in Medicaid experience a lifetime of reduced disease and disability compared with their uninsured peers. They also do better academically and go on to secure higher paying jobs and contribute more in taxes.

Joseph Roy.

Slashing Medicaid will have the opposite effects: higher healthcare costs, increasingly strained government budgets, students less able to benefit from educational opportunities and a workforce less prepared to take on the challenges of a technology-driven global economy.

The sad reality is that the most vulnerable students -- those in need of medical treatment or physical assistance -- would lose the most. But they won't be alone. Many of the services funded by Medicaid are legally mandated. As federal funding dries up, schools will have to reallocate money from elsewhere.

When federal and state mandates on schools are not funded at the state and federal level, the burden for paying for these mandates is shifted to the local taxpayer. The potential cut in Medicaid reimbursement to schools combined with state-mandated pension payments and unfunded state-mandated charter school tuition payments adds to the financial burdens of school districts, leading to a combination of unpopular cuts in educational programs combined with unpopular property tax increases.

Our great country can do better than this.

Michael Faccinetto is president of the Bethlehem Area School District School Board and president of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. Joseph Roy is the superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District.
Children with special needs living in council houses are being caged in their own homes by the lack of proper fencing around their property.

So said Cllr John Joe Fennelly, revealing that there are currently 38 council houses awaiting repairs to boundary fencing.

At the recent meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District in Laois County Hall, Cllr Fennelly proposed a notice of motion calling on Laois County Council to replace the boundary fences on all council housing stock.

He received a written response form Ian McCormack, senior executive officer, saying that the housing department is currently assessing the condition of boundary fencing.

This assessment will be completed in the next number of weeks and following completion of this assessment, it is intended to go to contract with these refurbishment works, said Mr McCormack.

Cllr Fennelly said he was very disappointed with that response.

He said he knew of three or four people with children with disabilities and their fences had been down for a number of months.

Children are being caged in their own houses, he said, adding that every time a new report comes into the council about a house with fencing issues it merely gets added onto the list, with 38 cases currently on the list.

This is no way to run a section, it should be coming out of our housing repairs budget, said Cllr Fennelly.

He said that the cost of repairing the 38 properties would assessed and then word would come back that there was no budget to do the work.

He stated that each house should be done once it is reported.

Supporting the motion, Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said she knew of two elderly people with fencing problems, with one person waiting two years since a storm blew the fence down.

Another elderly lady has been living with two sections of her fence lying on the ground since she moved into the house, said Cllr Dwane Stanley.

Its a joke, it really needs to be sorted out, she said.
A Laois man charged with having over 13,000 of drugs for sale was last week refused legal aid following State objections.

A book of evidence was served at last weeks Portlaoise District Court on Patrick McDonnell, with an address in Mountrath.

Garda Sgt Brian Farrell objected to legal aid, telling the court that the accused, who is on social welfare, drives an 11-reg Mercedes Benz worth 16,500.

He said the car was registered in the name of the accuseds sister, but she had never driven it. Sgt Farrell told the court that he had spoken to the person who sold the car and it had been bought by the accused.

Sgt Farrell said that the accused had allegedly made three lodgements of 1,000 into another persons account, and he had gambled over 277,000 at four bookmakers in Mountrath and Abbeyleix.

The sergeant alleged that the accused had made comments to the gardai, claiming he would need a wheelbarrow to carry all his money around, and that he made more money in a day from drug dealing than the gardai did in a month.

Sgt Farrell also alleged that the accused had said 10,000 is ice cream money.

Defence, Ms Louise Troy said the car was registered to the accuseds sister, who lives in the UK. When she comes to Ireland she drives it.

Sgt Farrell said that the accused had been stopped driving the car lots of time and the gardai had never seen anyone else driving it.

He said the accuseds sister had said she never drove it.

After hearing the evidence, Judge Catherine Staines said that defence had raised no issue over the gardas claims that hundreds of thousands of Euro had been gambled, nor had defence contested the comments allegedly made by the accused to the gardai.

Judge Staines refused legal aid in the district court, but said he could apply for legal aid in the circuit court.

The accused was released on bail, with conditions that he reside at 7 New Line Close, Mountrath; he observe a curfew of 11pm to 7am; he sign on daily at the garda station; and he be available to the gardai by phone.

The matter was sent forward to the circuit court on June 13.
Man was given early release in 1995 under the Good Friday Agreement peace process after being jailed for bank robbery

A Dublin man who used Christmas cards as a cover to smuggle an IRA communique out of Portlaoise prison has been jailed for 16 months by the Special Criminal Court.

Brian Kenna (56) of Crumlin Park, Crumlin, Dublin had denied membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA on November 21st, 2015.

Earlier this month, Kenna was found guilty of IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court.

At Monday's brief sentence hearing, Detective Inspector William Hanrahan, of the Special Detective Unit, told the court that Kenna had one previous conviction for which he was jailed for ten years in 1990 after a bank raid at Enniscorthy in Co Wexford. The court heard he was given early release in 1995 as part of the peace process.

Ms Siobhan Stack SC, for Kenna, told the court that her client is an entirely different person from when he was first in prison. The court heard that Kenna had been working with the HSE since 2007 and had an exemplary work record. His work involved assisting people on drugs and and those coming out of prison to turn their lives around. He has been very successful doing that, said Ms Stack.

References from various people of difference backgrounds were submitted to the court. The court heard that Kenna was brilliant at his job and a huge amount of peoples lives had been improved by him. Ms Stack said her client also had an impressive CV of social work outside of his employment.

Counsel said that while Kenna obviously forfeits his employment, his brother is in a position to offer him work.

Ms Stack told the court that the transportation of the note by Kenna was a one-off event and there was nothing to suggest that her clients role ever went beyond this.

In view of everything you have said it makes it inexplicable that he chose to engage in this nonsense, interjected Mr Justice Tony Hunt.

Sentencing Kenna today (Monday), Mr Justice Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge John OHagan and Judge Flann Brennan, said that the evidence heard by the court indicated that the accused was a member of an unlawful organisation on the day in question but it did not go any further than that.

The judge said that while there is no doubt that Kenna intentionally took this item out of Portlaoise Prison, he did not or could not have known what was in it.

Although he was careless as to not knowing the contents of the note, the contents seemed to relate to some internal aspect of the organisation in regards to the behaviour of people recently on remand, he said.

Mr Justice Hunt said the contents of the notes were towards the lower end of the scale of gravity.

He stressed to the court that if Kenna had been caught with a note which went beyond the internal affairs of this operation, a relatively different view in terms of gravity would have had to be taken by the court.

The judge called Kenna a lucky man that the note did not contain anything more serious but added that the accused behaved in a reckless fashion as to the contents of the note.

He said that Kennas previous conviction was an aggravating factor but it was a very long time ago and he had served his sentence which was remitted by the Executive. He said Kenna had put his time to good use in the community since then.

The court heard that among the mitigating factors were Kennas age, his family circumstances, the loss of his job considering the positive way he had applied himself to his work and the fact that the trial was run in an economical way with concessions having been made.

Mr Justice Hunt said that there must be a custodial sentence in this case and instead of imposing a two-year sentence, the court would sentence Kenna to 16 months in prison.

The sentence was backdated to May 4 of this year.

Mr Kenna can rest assured that if he commits another membership offence the result will be very different next time around so let there not be a next time, he added.

During his trial, the court heard evidence from Garda Assistant Commissioner Michael O'Sullivan who said that he believed Kenna was an IRA member on the date in question.

Supporting evidence for the assistant commissioner's belief was that in November 2014 Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire briefed members of the Special Detective Unit (SDU) of the information that Kenna would be in Portlaoise prison engaging in IRA activities.

Three SDU members, including Detective Sergeant Padraig Boyce, travelled to Portlaoise on November 21st.

The court saw CCTV footage of Kenna arriving at Portlaoise prison at 10:20am. Later that afternoon, when he left, he was seen holding white objects in his left hand, which gardai later discovered were Christmas cards.

Kenna was stopped by the detectives in the prison's carpark, and was searched by Det Sgt Boyce. When the detective turned out Kenna's jeans' right pocket a small item wrapped in Clingfilm fell to the ground.

Kenna denied any knowledge of the item and laughed.

The detectives recognized the item as an IRA communique.

Inside the Clingfilm were three cigarette papers, adhered together, and covered in handwriting.

The message described a debriefing that had been carried out of three men recently arrested after an intercepted IRA operation in Rathkeale, Co Limerick. The men had been in custody in Portlaoise prison but had been released on bail.

Two of the men, Conor Hughes and Darren Fox, later pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a sawn-off shotgun and two shotgun cartridges at Kyletaun, Rathkeale, County Limerick on October 31st, 2015.

A third man, James Smithers, was found guilty of membership of the IRA on the same date.

The message said that the men had "behaved as expected in custody" and was signed by the commanding officer of the IRA in Portlaoise prison.

Delivering judgement on May 11, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, said that the court was satisfied it was a communique in relation to IRA activities, suggesting that the three men had been observed and debriefed in prison.

Mr Justice Hunt said it was not a reasonable proposition that the document came to be in Kenna's pocket without his "knowledge, input or consent".

It was "an active and deliberate act in the furtherance of the aims of the IRA", the judge said, adding that carrying the message was a task that was "not to be entrusted to the ignorant or the untrustworthy".
Festival organisers will open a shop on two Saturdays in June to refund

People who bought tickets in Portarlington as Christmas gifts for the BARE in the Woods music festival will be able get a refunds at a refund popup shop.

The festival organisers say tickets can be refunded at the dedicated shop on Upper Main St, Portarlington Saturdays June 3 and 17. It will be open from 11am - 6pm on both days. Refunds will only be given out on physical tickets.

The organisers say refunds are available from from the point of purchase as follows:

Ticketleap customers by emailing refunds@barefestival.com with the email address you originally purchased the tickets with.

Ticketmaster customers  Point of purchase.

Queries to: refunds@barefestival.com

The festival was called off last week after the organisers said they were not in a position to meet the terms of the licence granted by Offaly County Council.

The three day festival was due to take place at Garryhinch on the Laois Offaly border from June 9-11.
Kildare County Council has deferred a motion on putting up a plaque honouring British army and Irish army UN soldiers killed in action.

At Kildare County Council monthly meeting on May 29, Cllr Seamie Moore proposed the members and Kildare County Council, honour the military men from the Dublin Fusiliers Regiment who were killed whilst on service abroad in World War 1 and those from the Irish Defence Forces who were killed on active duty overseas with the United Nation Peace Corps.

Both of those groups answered the call to serve that military duty from their base in The Army Barracks in Naas, or Devoy Barracks, now Aras Chill Dara.

Cllr Moore proposed erecting a memorial plaque, before the end of 2018, jointly commemorating their memories and their ultimate sacrifices, perhaps including their names, on the Archway and Clock Tower Building, through which they marched to their eternal response.

In a response from the Council executive, Maura McIvor, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Services said: This is a matter for the members. The erection of a plaque or other memorial would have to be considered under the Civic Memorial Policy, yet to be adopted.

Cllr Moore (Ind) was disappointed with the answer.

He said there was a strong tradition linking Naas with the Dublin Fusiliers. The barracks was there since 1823.

He said the numbers killed in the war from Naas were big and it would be seen as a catastrophe if it happened today.

Cllr Michael Coleman (FF), a former Irish Defence Forces members, fully supported the motion. No one should have to wait a hundred years to be honoured, he said.

Cllr Padraig McEvoy (Ind) said the Councils Decade of Commemoration committee should look at this.

Cllr Ide Cussen (SF) said they should have two plaques because one army was an imperial army and one was a United Nations one. As a republican I am opposed to imperial wars. We cannot rewrite history, she said.

Cllr Cussen said many people became canon fodder. They should be completely separate but inclusive, she said of the proposal.

Cllr Brendan Young said Cllr Cussens proposal was probably the best.

He said British army soldiers were essentially recruited by poverty and were not paid well or looked after well. They were badly used and badly served, he concluded.

Cllr Fintan Brett supported Cllr Moores one plaque proposal.

Cllr Joanne Pender (Ind), whose relative fought in World War 1, said: People had no choice to feed their families. They joined (the British Army) not for the cause but to feed their families.

Cllr Joe Neville (FG) supported the motion. It was quite difficult to unravel the two because there were different values within families. I think we have to recognize them altogether. He pointed to a memorial plaque in Dungarvan, county Waterford.

Cllr Reada Cronin (SF) said she supported the sentiments but felt there should be two plaques. She noted that executed 1916 Leader, James Connolly, was a member of the British Army and a lot of (Irish) freedom fighters were members of the British Army.

Cllr Cronin predicted there will be difficulties when it comes to considering the role of the so called Black and Tans British army division.

Mayor Ivan Keatley said there was broad support for the motion and it was agreed that it would be discussed by the Decade of Commemoration committee.
Leitrim's county councillors have unanimously backed a motion calling for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to include provision for a hard shoulder in future national road re-alignments and new road layouts.

Cllr Sean McDermott put forward the proposal at the recent Council meeting noting that the lack of a hard shoulder on recent realignment and dual carriageway projects was "potentially dangerous".

He asked the Council to write to the TII and request that a hard shoulder provision be included in all future national route projects.

Leitrim County Council's Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation, Joseph Gilhooly said this issue was discussed at the Environmental, Transportation and Infrastructural Policy Strategic Policy Committee in 2016.

"This committee adopted a policy that all new road schemes in this county should have a hard shoulder. This policy was advised to the TII," he added.

However he noted that in March last year the TII had responded to this stating "that as a roads authority Leitrim County Council are obliged to comply with the NRA Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. Any alteration to these standards will require approval of a Departure from the Standards".

Cllr McDermott said he felt that the exclusion of a hard shoulder, especially on a realignment project such as the works on the N16, was a "huge mistake".

"This has made the road very mean looking.I think failing to make space to provide a hard shoulder is only a short term gain. We should write to the Minister and the TII and stress again that, in future, Co Leitrim has a certain section of realignment with a hard shoulder included.

Cllr Des Guckian backed this call adding that the situation on the Rooskey/Dromod bypass was also dangerous because of the failure to provide a hard shoulder.
Brian Paddick has written a piece for the Huffington Post about the Liberal Democrat ideas to tackle terrorism in the wake of the appalling atrocity in Manchester.

At times like this received wisdom is that Liberals should stay quiet and allow others to offer tough solutions and new laws to eradicate violent extremism and terrorism. Us bleeding-heart liberals have nothing to say and should stick to hand-wringing. That is wrong. If we want to continue to live in an open, democratic society that values freedom and civil liberties we must accept that we can never be 100% safe, but that doesnt mean we do nothing either.

The first is about stopping people becoming radicalised in the first place  and that means getting rid of Prevent:

The Conservatives and Labour have wedded themselves to varying degrees to the Prevent strategy. At its core it is meant to prevent terrorism by engaging with the communities to stop radicalisation or direct individuals into de-radicalisation programmes where there are concerns. In and of itself these are ambitions that we fully support  the issue is, it isnt working. Prevent is viewed with suspicion  even the former independent reviewer of terrorism stated that there was a lack of confidence in aspects of the programme. The problem of perception cannot be ignored and simply doubling down on it when the evidence shows it may not be working in the most effective way possible shows a level of stubbornness that is counter-productive. Prevent is now toxic to many people and a rebrand simply wont work. That is why the Liberal Democrats propose scrapping it and replacing it with a new strategy called Engage that puts the communities affected in the driving seat. We would support those communities in developing their own approach to tackling the dangers of violent extremism rather than dictating from Whitehall. We cannot alienate communities who are the best source of intelligence and who are best placed to spot those who present a real and present danger.

Lib Dem investment in community policing would also help to make sure people didnt slip through the net.

Our intelligence and security services are the best in the world but they are being stretched. We know they are being asked to monitor over one thousand suspects, in addition they are being given mass surveillance powers, which means soon theyll have far more data to contend with  this just makes their job harder. What we need is more targeted, community-led intelligence that can differentiate those that might hold extreme views but present no immediate threat and those whose extremism has tipped them over the edge into advocating or planning violence. Here, community policing is key and that has been eroded. This was the assessment made by Her Majestys Chief Inspector of Constabulary only a few months ago. In his annual report he argued the very concept of community policing was under threat. We all know that communities are the best source of intelligence  If we can reverse the erosion of community policing, we stand a chance of mending the net and stopping people slipping through it.

You can read the whole article here.

* Newshound: bringing you the best Lib Dem commentary in print, on air or online.
Liberal Democrats are rightly proud of the fact that the NHS exists and the role of Liberals, especially Beveridge, in its creation.

But I find there is a lot to be concerned about in the way it is run. From the point of view of a patient I often feel more like a player in an elaborate board game.

When I call my local surgery for an appointment I am invariably told nothing is available for 2 or more weeks. Its always longer if I want something early or late to minimise the disruption to work.

But I am always told if it is urgent we have appointments today. I typical conversation goes like this:

Me: I dont think its really urgent. What counts as urgent?

Surgery: It is up to you to decide if you are urgent.

Me: If I come will I be pushing out someone else who might be more urgent?

Surgery: We cant say. But if *you* want to say you are *urgent* you can come today.

Me: You really cant fit me in for 2 weeks otherwise?

Surgery: But you can come today if you say you are urgent.

I feel that I am pressured to say I am urgent and am effectively blackmailed. I dont believe medicine can really categorise people into must be seen today and can wait two weeks. It feels like a game and I would not be surprised to learn if there is more payment to the surgery for self-certified urgent patients to be seen.

Today I was angered to right about this experience by a call from my local hospital, where the financial motive was admitted to.

I saw my GP two months who said I needed to be referred to hospital. I heard nothing in that time and the problem has largely cleared up so I was going to leave it. But today the hospital rang to make an appointment:

Me: I am a bit surprised it has taken you two months to contact me.

Hospital: Were very busy.

Me: Okay but the problem has largely cleared up. Could we leave it a week or so to see whether I still need the appointment.

Hospital: No, we get fined if we dont see you in a certain time. The only way we could avoid a fine is if I discharge you and you go back to your GP to refer you to use again.

Me: But that would use up more resources, wouldnt it?

Hospital: We have an extra clinic this Saturday and wondered if you want to come in then.

Me: When might it be otherwise?

Hospital: About 8 weeks.

Me: Right. Ill open my diary.

Hospital: Oh, you dont want this Saturday. In that case well ring you back.

Me: When?

Hospital: In about a week, for about 8 weeks time.

This is bordering on a Monty Python sketch. There are people who want to talk down the NHS to do away with it. If we dont improve peoples experience of it those people will have more mileage.

Something has gone wrong. It has gone particularly wrong when a public service says we get fined if we meet your wishes.

* Antony Hook was #2 on the South East European list in 2014, is the English Party's representative on the Federal Executive and produces this sites EU Referendum Roundup.
MINISTER for Finance Michael Noonan has said that there is no announcement ready to be made, following a report that Limerick is on course to benefit from Brexit with Northern Trust.

The Sunday Times reported that the US financial services giant is considering moving part of its European headquarters away from its Canary Wharf base to Limerick, in response to the British decision to leave the EU.

A Northern Trust source told the newspaper that there were 1,000 jobs on the line at Canary Wharf if the UK does not secure a favourable deal for passporting of financial services throughout Europe.

In response to this story, Minister Noonan told the Limerick Leader: There is no announcement ready to be made at present. But a lot of London-based companies are looking at Ireland.

They are looking at Dublin in the first instance. But some of them that are already in Dublin are thinking of putting strategic units into Dublin, and moving what they have in Dublin to locations like Limerick, Cork and Galway, Kilkenny and so on.

But there is nothing ready for announcement yet, he added.

Minister Noonan made the comments at the launch of Castletroy Park Hotels expansion plans this Monday morning.

Recently Clive Bellows, who heads up Northern Trusts Irish operations, said the company could add an additional 1,000 jobs to its hub in Limerick city.

Mr Bellows believes Northern Trust  which has bases at the Ballysimon Road and in the National Technology Park  will continue to be able to grow in the city due to the number of talented graduates coming from the University of Limerick and the Limerick Institute of Technology.

A spokesperson for the company in London said that, while Limerick was well positioned for further growth, there were no plans to significantly transfer jobs from London to Limerick, which was at odds with the story in the Sunday Times.
Legendary Irish poet Brendan Kennelly might need help to get up onto the stage, walking stick in tow, but once he is in situ, with a microphone in his hand, verses roll from his tongue as though they are the lyrics of a piece of music.

I dont think I wrote poetry at all, poetry wrote me! he exclaims, in an attempt to explain just how he does it.

Often touted as the countrys greatest living poet, he is now in his early 80s, yet was still flashing his famously broad smile during a visit to Colaiste na Trocaire in Rathkeale recently.

It was a rare and golden opportunity for students, who got to meet a poet whose work they are studying on the school curriculum. The visit was made possible by principal Mary Kennelly, who is a niece of Brendans and a poet herself.

Its wonderful to actually have a chance to meet a poet, who is well known and has been practising his craft for a very, very long time, said Ms Kennelly by way of introduction.

I know him all my life, and I knew him first as my uncle, who was great sport and great craic. He brought chaos and joy and laughter, he was the best uncle, she remembers with a smile.

If you were short, anytime, you could write him a letter, and youd get a letter back, and inside would be a one pound bill, and hed say go and buy Nashs lemonade and biscuits for yourself.

The charming recollections of Ballylongford native Brendan on the way he was at home, while his niece shared the stage with him, made for touching nostalgia. Mary recalled her first time reading Brendans poetry.

When I was about 10 or 11, I was staying with my grandparents and I came across a book that they had a copy of, called A Small Light, and it was the first time that I read some of Brendans poetry, she said.

I knew he was a poet before then, but I read this book and it was just like falling into a story, falling into this world that he was able to create. And he has been one of Irelands most celebrated poets with a huge body of work behind him.

Brendan spoke in a strong, clear voice, beginning by telling the story behind a poem about his father, who was a fairly typical Kerry rogue.

He used to come down from the bed every morning, and hed start dancing in the middle of the kitchen floor, and hed put his hands around my mothers head, and shed let him do it because she was tickled by it!

Brendan broke out in song  When You Were Sweet Sixteen  recalling his father singing it to his mother.

And shed look up at him, and say what are you going on about?, he laughed.

When I think of him now, so many years later, I see him dancing in the middle of the kitchen floor, and I say an aul' prayer for him, and so I wrote I See You Dancing, Father, said Brendan, before reading a few lines.

...And whenever I think of you,

I go back beyond the old man,

Mind and body broken,

To find the unbroken man.

It is the moment before the dance begins.

Cradling the curved staff he uses to walk, Brendan spoke in a smooth rhythm, reading his own written words as though they were coming to him again for the first time.

I wrote Begin when I was in hospital after a heart operation. And when I woke up after the operation, I just felt grateful to God, for the opportunity to be alive, to begin again. And I wanted to thank the surgeon, Dr Nelligan, for operating on me as well, he said.

Every morning that you wake up is a gift from God. To have it all before you, a whole day. It is thrilling to be able to begin again; it is a new opportunity, a new day, he stressed, before reading Begin.

...Though we live in a world that dreams of ending,

That always seems about to give in,

Something that will not acknowledge conclusion,

Insists that we forever begin.

The impressive musical performances by the schools traditional choir delighted those both on and off the stage. Two students performed an Irish dance, to which Brendan Kennelly clapped vigorously.

Looking so moved as to shed a tear, he bobbed along to the sweet flute and stunning voices singing On Raglan Road, written by his friend Patrick Kavanagh.

In response to a question about the themes in his poetry, he said: Poetry is about living and loving.

When we live, we get the chance to love, and when we love, we get the hope to live more. So live and love, love and live, those are the chief themes of my poetry.

A lot of modern poetry is too difficult, according to the veteran poet, even inaccessible. He read his poems aloud to himself during the writing process. A poem read aloud as if by another person, it goes straight to your soul and it gets stuck there! he exclaimed.

Mary Kennelly said that Brendan has been a teacher all his life, and always loved teaching.

To be back in front of a class is a joy for him. And I do know that it means a tremendous amount to him that his poems went on to the Leaving Cert course a few years ago, she said.

Hes gotten lots and lots and lots of awards, but to know that his work would continue with young people, who he has worked with all his life, is very important to him.

Brendan concluded his talk with some sage advice.

When you enjoy something, when you really enjoy it  whether it's marriage or reading or whatever

When you enjoy something you get to know it. So the inference is, enjoyment is knowledge.

And education is all about knowledge, and it should be enjoyed.
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Lincoln revellers have been drinking in the samba atmosphere after a city venue beefed up its appeal with a newly revamped Brazilian bar.

The House of Tiago has refurbished its Silver Street premises to include the Brazilian inspired Boca Caipirinha Bar- and it's upmarket, downtown Rio bar feel is going down well with punters, the business says.

Alex Cameron, who works at Tiago, said the makeover was difficult but it is now much more welcoming.

She said: "It was hard to bring Brazil into a traditional English club, but we love it.

"The bar and restaurant has improved a lot. We have had to completely change the place, but we think that it is a lot more inviting and colourful.

"The area where we now have the bar ended up as a place where people would wait before going into the restaurant, but we wanted it to be a place where people could sit and stay after their meal."

The all-you-can-eat Brazilian restaurant officially opened last October, but it re-launched last week with a new bar called Boca Caipirinha.

The bar is named after the Caipirinha, which is a Brazilian trademark drink and inspiration for the bar's name.

She added: "We had a special two-for-one offer over the Bank Holiday weekend which brought in a lot of customers.

"We have had some really good feedback about the cocktails and caipirinhas. Everyone is really enjoying the new bar and they are staying here for longer."
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Armed officers sent to Lincolnshire as part of Operation Temperer have returned home after four days patrolling the streets of the county.

Dozens of officers from across the UK were drafted to the county when the terror threat level in the UK was raised to critical in the wake of the Manchester bombing.

The officers were deployed in the county to support Lincolnshire Police's existing armed response units, part of the East Midlands Operational Support Service (EMOpSS).

They were Ministry of Defence Police, whose prime role is to protect MoD bases, many from Scotland. The officers stayed at RAF Scampton during their stay.

Before returning home many were met by Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones, who thanked them for their resolute service.

"These dedicated officers have travelled a long way, leaving their families behind, to serve the people of Lincolnshire during this challenging time," said Mr Jones.

"They deserve the gratitude of everyone and I wanted to offer thanks on behalf of all our communities, personally, before they made the long journey home.

"I'd also like to pay tribute to our own officers, staff and volunteers, many of whom have given up rest days and holidays to make sure that residents and visitors to the county could enjoy theirs in safety."

Chief Superintendent Shaun West, who headed Operation Temperer across the county, said the support armed officers had received from members of the public and local businesses had been "brilliant" across the whole week.

"Everywhere the armed officers have been on patrol the public's support has been very warm and very much appreciated," he said.

"On many, many occasions people have approached the officers to express their gratitude, asked for photos and made it clear they were reassured by our presence."

He paid special thanks to Butlins at Skegness for offering a refreshment and relaxation facility to the armed officers who had been drafted in to patrol local communities there.

"All of the armed officers have been made to feel very welcome wherever they have been and that is extremely humbling."
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A Lincolnshire holidaymaker who was caught up in the British Airways computer crisis described the situation as "horrendous".

Instead of jetting off to warmer climes, customers were forced to sleep in airports and were left without luggage over the weekend after the airline had to shelve all its flights from Gatwick and Heathrow due to a catastrophic IT outage.

The airline is expecting to run a full schedule on Tuesday from Heathrow and Gatwick airports but said it still had "work to do" reuniting bags with passengers.

Anne Ward from North Hykeham was one of the thousands of people affected.

"It's horrendous really, isn't it?" she told the BBC.

"I'm just a little cog really but there will be a lot of people in transit standing in the queues with little children and little babies - how horrible for them."

(Image: PA)

Experts predict the knock-on effect of the IT outage could continue for several days and BA is facing huge compensation costs, with reports suggesting the bill could top 100 million.

BA's chief executive Alex Cruz said a full investigation would take place into the failure which affected 75,000 passengers.

He told Sky News: "On Saturday morning at around 9.30 there was indeed a power surge that had a catastrophic effect over some communications hardware which eventually affected all the messaging across our systems.

"We will have completed an exhaustive investigation on exactly the reasons of why this happened. We will, of course, share those conclusions once we have actually finished them.

"We have no evidence whatsoever that there was any cyber attack of any sort."

On Saturday night, travellers spent the night sleeping on yoga mats spread on terminal floors after BA cancelled all flights leaving the London hubs, while disruption continued into Sunday with dozens more services from Heathrow axed.

The IT outage had a knock-on effect on BA services around the world, while passengers who did get moving on the limited number of flights to take off from the UK reported arriving at their destinations without their luggage.

The disruption also hit transport systems on the ground, with hundreds of travellers flooding London's King's Cross station in hope of boarding a train north instead.

Mr Cruz said the outsourcing of jobs was not to blame for the "catastrophic" IT failure.

BA was accused of greed after the GMB union suggested the disruption could have been prevented if the beleaguered airline had not cut "hundreds of dedicated and loyal" IT staff and contracted the work to India in 2016.
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You don't have to live in Lincolnshire to become a county police officer - that's the message from top cops as a major recruitment drive begins.

Lincolnshire Police wants to bolster its ranks with new recruits and launch its drive today (Tuesday, May 30) at 9.30am.

They pointed out that applicants don't have to live in the county to join up and said the eastern areas of Lincolnshire are in need of more potential recruits.

"We've taken a record number of transfer officers from other forces in the last 12 months," police and crime commissioner Marc Jones told the BBC.

"It's around 35 or 36 officers who have joined us from other forces which shows this is a great place to come and work.

"People do recognise that Lincolnshire Police is a good force to come and work for."

Applicants are being urged to read the police officer recruitment guidance on the force's website to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements.

The force changed its policy of applicants having to live or work in Lincolnshire and now they must have lived in the UK for three years.
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Fake Festivals arrives at Witham Fields on Saturday, August 19 from midday, with three tribute acts and five local support bands.

Leading tributes to Foo Fighters, Stereophonics and Stone Roses will take to the stage in the Fake Festivals marquee.

Gary Hunt, organiser of the North Hykeham Fake Festival, said: The atmosphere is always fantastic and we have such a community feel with friends and families of all ages enjoying the music together. I cant wait to get started again.

Jez Lee, owner of Fake Festivals, added: We are very proud to be the UKs only touring tribute festival, supporting some of the UKs best tribute acts and local homegrown talent. 2017 also sees some new additions to the tribute line-up. We remain committed to bringing live music into the heart of communities where local people can enjoy a day out in their local park with friends and family for a great day of fun at an affordable cost.

Discounted early bird tickets are already on sale until midnight on July 19 from the Fake Festivals website, www.fakefestivals.co.uk

Adult 18

Young Person (10-17 years) 10

Family (2 Adults, 2 Young Persons) 46

Under 10s are FREE
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A four-year-old boy was left with serious injuries after he was in collision with a pick-up truck in Tesco car park.

The toddler was on a scooter when the collision happened.

Tesco staff and shoppers rushed to the boy's aid in the car park of Tesco Superstore, in Boston Road South, Holbeach, at about 12.50pm on Saturday, May 27.

An ambulance arrived followed by an air ambulance. After receiving treatment at the scene, the boy was airlifted by helicopter to Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.

(Image: Google Streetview)

Police also dealt with the emergency.

A police spokesman said: "The child is in a serious but stable condition."

Tesco Holbeach publicly thanked everyone for their help after the collision happened.

The store's Facebook post read: "A big thank you to our customers and colleagues who helped out during an incident in our car park on Saturday.... and to those who have enquired since... the little boy was quite seriously hurt but is recovering in hospital and although it will take some time is expected to make a full recovery. His mummy sends her heart-felt thanks too."
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The World Science Festival is meant to both inform and instill a sense of wonder about science to the general public.

The World Science Festival, which takes place from Tuesday, May 30 through Sunday, June 4, in New York City, celebrates all things science and exploration. The festival is produced by the nonprofit Science Festival Foundation, whose mission is "to cultivate a general public informed by science, inspired by its wonder, convinced of its value, and prepared to engage with its implications for the future."

Below is a schedule of World Science Festival events with live-stream video, so you can watch the talks live.

From the World Science Festival:

Computational Creativity: AI and the Art of Ingenuity

Moderated by: John Schaefer Featuring: Sougwen Chung, Jesse Engel, Peter Ulric Tse, Lav Varshney Time: Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Venue: NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts

Program Description: Today, there are robots that make art, move like dancers, tell stories, and even help human chefs devise unique recipes. But is there ingenuity in silico? Can computers be creative? A rare treat for the senses, this thought-provoking event brings together artists and computer scientists who are creating original works with the help of artificially intelligent machines. Joined by leading experts in psychology and neuroscience, theyll explore the roots of creativity in humans and computers, what artificial creativity reveals about human imagination, and the future of hybrid systems that build on the capabilities of both.

The Evolution of Evolution: Are We the Masters of Our Fate?

Moderated by: John Hockenberry Featuring: Hank Greely, Sam Sternberg, Ian Tattersall, Sarah Tishkoff Time: Thursday, June 1, 2017, 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Venue: NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts

Program Description: It's a profound question facing modern humans: Are we still subject to natural selection? After hundreds of years of scientific progress, many of the pressures that control evolution  predators and disease  are decreasing. At the same time, technology capable of engineering the genome is in our hands. Are we undergoing a new form of evolution in which artificial changes are faster and more radical than those produced by the natural world? Should we control our own genetic material? Where will these changes lead us? Renowned geneticists, paleoanthropologists and biologists consider our genetic future as evolution evolves.

Pioneers in Science: Jane Lubchenco

Moderated by: Danielle Dana Featuring: Jane Lubchenco Time: Friday, June 2, 2017, 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Venue: Join online with Zoom

Program Description: The World Science Festival's Pioneers in Science program gives high school students from around the globe rare and intimate access to some of the worlds most renowned scientists in a town hall style discussion. Join us to meet marine ecologist, Professor Jane Lubchenco, U.S. Science Envoy for the Oceans and former Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and former Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Pioneers in Science: Aprille J. Ericsson

Moderated by: Danielle Dana Featuring: Aprille J. Ericsson Time: Friday, June 2, 2017, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Venue: Join online with Zoom

Program Description: The World Science Festival's Pioneers in Science program gives high school students from around the globe rare and intimate access to some of the world's most renowned scientists in a town hall style discussion. Join us to meet NASA aerospace engineer, Aprille J. Ericsson, a pioneer in the development of crucial instruments for the James Webb Space Telescope, ICESat, and other missions that monitor the earth and help discover new planets and search for our origins.

Forever Young: The Promise of Human Regeneration

Moderated by: Emily Senay Participants: Dany Spencer Adams, Stephen Badylak, Jonathan Butcher, Doris Taylor

Time: Thursday, June 1, 2017, 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Venue: Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College

Program Description: Synthetic blood mass-produced to meet supply shortages. Livers and kidneys "bioprinted" on demand. Missing fingers and toes re-grown with a jolt of bioelectricity. Regenerative medicine promises to do more than just treat disease, injuries, or congenital conditions. It holds the potential to rejuvenate, heal, or completely replace damaged tissue and organs. If successful, regenerative medicine will have immense impact on how we care for the injured, sick, and aging  and how we think about death. This program will explore mind-boggling medical advances as well as the societal and economic implications of a future in which everybody may truly be forever young.

Quantum Reality: Space, Time, and Entanglement

Moderated by: Brian Greene Featuring: Mark Van Raamsdonk, Gerard t Hooft, David Wallace, K. Birgitta Whaley Time: Friday, June 2, 2017, 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Venue: NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts

Program Description: Ninety years after the historic double-slit experiment, the quantum revolution shows no sign of slowing. Join a vibrant conversation with renowned leaders in theoretical physics, quantum computation and philosophical foundations, focused on how quantum physics continues to impact understanding on issues profound and practical, from the edge of black holes and the fibers of spacetime to teleportation and the future of computers.

The Social Synapse: Neuroscience and the Roots of Human Connections

Moderated by: John Donvan Featuring: Louise Barrett, Agustin Fuentes, Kevin Laland, Kevin Ochsner, Dietrich Stout Time: Friday, June 2, 2017, 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Venue: Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College

Program Description: We humans work together on enormous scales, build complex tools as large as cities, and create social networks that span the globe. What is the key to this innately social profile? How did it evolve? This program will examine the development of the human brain  and the brains of other animals  asking how neurons and synapses orchestrate communal behavior and guide group interactions, demonstrating how our social nature is key to our humanity.

Pondering the Imponderables: The Biggest Questions of Cosmology

Moderated by: Jim Holt Participants: David Z. Albert, George F. R. Ellis, Alan Guth, Veronika Hubeny, Andrei Linde, Barry Loewer Time: Saturday, June 3, 2017, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Venue: Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College

Program Description: Physicists and cosmologists are closing in on how the universe operates at its very core. But even with powerful telescopes and particle accelerators pushed to their limits, experimenters struggle to keep up as theoreticians march forward, leaving grand theories untested. Is our universe unique or one of many? Was there a before the Big Bang? Why is there something rather than nothing? Some argue that if these deep questions can't be answered empirically, they're not relevant to science. Are they right? Join world-leading cosmologists, philosophers and physicists as they tackle the profound questions of existence.

Flame Challenge: What is Energy?

Moderated by: Alan Alda Participants: Eddie Goldstein, Herman Pontzer, Lynn Trahey Time: Saturday, June 3, 2017, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Venue: NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts

Program Description: Alan Alda has issued this year's challenge to the world's top scientists: What is energy? In an action-packed hour of interactive demonstrations, Alan and a team of experts invite the audience to explore how our bodies use energy, the impact of natural resources, and how we're going to power the world in the future. The program also highlights the winners of the 2017 Flame Challenge, in which video and written explanations of energy were judged for clarity's sakeby 20,000 eleven year-olds.

Much Ado About Nearly Nothing: Nanotech and the Future of Energy

Moderated by: Walter Isaacson Participants: Sanjoy Banerjee, Yury Gogotsi, Paul Weiss Time: Saturday, June 3, 2017, 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Venue: Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College

Program Description: The biggest challenge of our time, meeting the energy demands of an exploding population on a warming planet, may well be met by manipulating matter on the tiniest of scales  revolutionizing how we power the planet. Join world-class nanoscientists and environmental leaders to explore how the newfound capacity to harness molecules and atoms is accelerating spectacular inventions  including light-weight "wonder materials," vital energy-storage technologies, and new sources of renewable energy  which promise to redefine the very future of energy.

Science in a Polarized World: A Global Town Hall Event

Moderated by: John Donvan Participants: France Cordova, Brian Greene, Dan Kahan, Paul Nurse Time: Saturday, June 3, 2017, 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Venue: NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts

Program Description: Our age is marked by the proliferation of information, and yet we can't agree. Science is supposed to be neutral, and yet it has generated some of the deepest societal divides. Why? Our response to scientific information depends on psychology, emotion, peer pressure, politics, and cultural influences. How can we navigate these differences and implement smart policy in a contentious society? Join a vibrant and important discussion examining the interface between the scientific process and the sometimes unscientific public, as we hurtle headlong into an uncertain future.

Cool Jobs

Moderated by: "Science Bob" Pflugfelder Participants: Valerie Camille Jones, Tom McFadden, Anoopa Singh, Joshua Winter, Yenmin Young Time: Sunday, June 4, 2017, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Venue: NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts

Program Description: The World Science Festivals highly celebrated program, Cool Jobs, is back with an astounding line-up of the coolest science teachers around. Can you break a cinder block on your chest? Dance your way into learning about fossils? Play catch with a robot? These are all things that these people do every dayat work. And all because they know how to make science the most exciting thing around. Come experience their passion during an interactive performance you will not want to miss.

Cartographers of the Brain: Mapping the Connectome

Moderated by: John Hockenberry Participants: Deanna Barch, Jeff Lichtman, Nim Tottenham, David Van Essen Time: Sunday, June 4, 2017, 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Venue: NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts

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Program Description: Imagine navigating the globe with a map that only sketched out the continents. That's pretty much how neuroscientists have been operating for decades. But one of the most ambitious programs in all of neuroscience, the Human Connectome Project, has just yielded a "network map" that is shedding light on the intricate connectivity in the brain. Join leading neuroscientists and psychologists as they explore how the Connectome promises to revolutionize treatments for psychiatric and neurological disorders while also answering profound questions regarding the electrochemical roots of memory and behavior, the link between experience and perception, and perhaps the very nature of consciousness itself.
The remains of at least four female heads, made out of ceramic, have been discovered at the ancient town of Porphyreon in Lebanon.

The remains of at least four female heads, made out of ceramic, have been discovered at the ancient town of Porphyreon, located in modern-day Jiyeh, Lebanon.

In 2013, a team of archaeologists with the Polish Center of Mediterranean Archaeology discovered a dozen fragments of the ceramic heads, which they say date back about 2,400 years,in what might have been an ancient waste dump that also held bits of pottery, burnt animal bones, and the remains of grapes, olives and chickpeas.

Now, they have restored the pieces into at least four separate heads. [7 Bizarre Ancient Cultures That History Forgot]

The best-preserved ceramic head is about 9 inches (24 centimeters) tall and 6 inches (15 centimeters) wide. It's decorated with red paint and includes a depiction of an ancient headdress known as a stephane, which is a "very specific headdress worn by Greek women," Mariusz Gwiazda, an archaeologist with the Polish Center of Mediterranean Archaeology, wrote in Zeitschrift fur Orient-Archaologie (Journal of Oriental Archaeology). One of the other ceramic heads has similar dimensions. Only small portions of the other two ceramic heads have survived.

Three small holes near the top of the well-preserved head were likely used to hang it on a wall, Gwiazda wrote. Fingerprints, which may be those of the artist who made the head, are visible on its surface, he noted. The fingerprints would have been on the clay head before the head was fired.

The head at left has an image of a wadjet amulet on its breast. Wadjet amulets show an eye and are of Egyptian origin. (Image credit: Adam Olesiak/The Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology Archive)

The four heads were likely "discarded when the walls on which they were hanging were redecorated or reconstructed," Gwiazda said, noting that the ceramic heads may have been in use for a long period of time.

The heads are likely not representations of real people, according to Gwiazda."I believe that these are depictions of deities," he told Live Science in an email. "But it is impossible to prove that without inscriptions or depictions of attributes of specific deities."

Mix of ancient cultures

The four female ceramic heads have a mix of Greek and Phoenician traits, as well as elements of Egyptian origin, Gwiazda said. For instance, one of the heads has a depiction of a Wadjet amulet (a type of amulet that shows an eye) on its breast, Gwiazda said. These amulets were originally used by the ancient Egyptians, who believed that these charms could help protect the wearer from harm. Other cultures later borrowed the Wadjet amulet and its eye symbol, incorporating them into their art and religious beliefs, he said.

While archaeologists cannot be certain exactly where the four heads were made, Gwiazda told Live Science that the team's pottery specialist, Urszula Wicenciak, determined that the clay that was used to make them appears to be from the area around Tyre, an ancient city that is also located in Lebanon.

The four heads were likely created at a time when the Persian Empire controlled a vast amount of territory in the Middle East, a territory that included the ancient town of Porphyreon as well as the area around Tyre, Gwiazdasaid.

Original article on Live Science.
Egyptian Coptic Christians gather for a Christmas Eve mass in a chapel at the St. Saman Monastery in Cairo, Egypt, on Jan. 6, 2014.

This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Live Science's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

Coptic Christians in Egypt have been attacked while traveling on pilgrimages and bombed while praying on Palm Sunday, amid an accelerating series of attacks over the last decade. The interrelated challenges of violence, economics and discrimination have led to the increasing departure of Christians from the Middle East. For centuries they have been part of the rich religious diversity of the region.

So who are these people that National Geographic has called "The Forgotten Faithful"? (opens in new tab)

Coptic history

Among the Christians of the Middle East, the largest number  some eight million or so  is made up of Egypt's Copts. Since I first visited Egypt in the 1990s, I have been interested in this community and its contribution to pluralism.

Copts are the indigenous Christian population of Egypt, who date back to the first decades following the life of Jesus Christ. The biblical Book of Acts tells how Jews from Egypt came to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost, a Jewish harvest festival that marked the birth of the Christian church merely weeks after Christ's crucifixion. Many of these Egyptians took the message of Christianity back to their own country. Christian tradition holds that St. Mark, one of the early disciples of Jesus, became the first bishop of Egypt.

By the fourth century, the majority of Egyptians had embraced the Christian faith. Even after the Muslim conquest in the seventh century, the majority of Egyptians were still Christians. It was only during the Middle Ages that greater and greater numbers embraced Islam, and the Christian population dwindled.

Today, Egyptian Christians make up approximately 5 to 10 percent of the Egyptian population. The word "Copt" is used for all Egyptian Christians. It is derived from an ancient Greek word that simply means "Egyptian."

Copts are fiercely proud of their Egyptian heritage that dates back to the age of the pyramids as early as 3000 B.C. The vast majority of Copts are members of the Coptic Orthodox Church, an independent church that arose in A.D. 451, long before the divide that created the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches in 1054.

The language of the Coptic Orthodox church service (or liturgy) used in daily worship is also known as Coptic. It is the original Egyptian language written in Greek script.

Copts live throughout every corner of Egypt and at every socioeconomic level. One of Egypt's richest men, Naguib Sawiris, is a Copt, and so are most of Cairo's garbage collectors, the zabellin. Though Copts are largely indistinguishable from the Muslim majority, many are given tattoos of a cross on their wrists as children, signifying their permanent commitment to the community. In addition, Coptic women are unlikely to veil, making them stand out from Muslim women.

The head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the most significant Christian leader in Egypt, is the bishop of the See of St. Mark, known among Egyptians as the Coptic pope or patriarch. Today the Church is led by Pope Tawadros II, who studied pharmacy before deciding to pursue a religious career in the 1980s.

Religious practice

Copts practice a form of Christianity that hearkens back to the earliest traditions of the church.

Pope Tawadros and all of the bishops of the Coptic Orthodox Church begin their vocation as monks  celibate men living in seclusion in monasteries. The Coptic Orthodox Church is unique in its preference for placing monks in the highest positions of authority.

In fact, the world's first Christian monks, St. Anthony and St. Paul, established their monasteries in the eastern desert of Egypt in the early fourth century. Both of these monasteries, and numerous others, continue to operate.

In his book "Desert Father (opens in new tab)," Australian author James Cowan describes how the monastic tradition became an important support for Egyptian Christians under persecution and helped to preserve culture throughout the Christian world.

Modern-day Copts often visit the monasteries for spiritual guidance, community retreats and to rediscover their heritage.

But while Copts may go to the deserts of Egypt for their religious practice, most live in the cities among their Muslim compatriots. Their churches and community service organizations  and even Coptic news sites and media  contribute to the vibrancy of Egyptian social and intellectual life.

Peter Makari, a church leader with extensive experience working with Coptic organizations, writes about the ways in which Copts have organized community initiatives, development projects and solidarity movements with fellow Egyptians to promote national unity and peace. Copts regularly celebrate feasts with Muslim leaders and host public dialogues with Muslim intellectuals and leaders.

In particular, Copts participated alongside their Muslim compatriots in the protests that brought down the authoritarian rule of former President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

The condition of Copts today

Nonetheless, Copts have faced systemic discrimination in employment and limitations on their ability to access public services and education ever since the establishment of the modern republic of Egypt in 1952.

Governing authorities made it very difficult for them to build or refurbish their churches. After the 2011 revolution, Copts initially enjoyed newfound freedoms to organize and voice their concerns about these practices.

However, their aspirations were dashed when the Egyptian Armed Forces clashed with Coptic protesters in a deadly confrontation in October 2011. When subsequently the Muslim Brotherhood came to power in 2012, there was an attempt to push through a constitution that gave special powers to Islamic authorities. These developments seemed to undermine Copts' ability to participate as equal citizens.

Most Copts were therefore content to see the restoration of authoritarian rule under Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, who in 2014 introduced a new constitution that limits the role of Islam in Egyptian government.

Unfortunately, the Coptic community has now become an easy target in the fight between al-Sisi and his Islamist enemies. Violent attacks on Copts have led them to flee certain areas of Egypt, such as Sinai, and there is a steady stream of Coptic emigration from Egypt.

This must concern all Egyptians, since the presence of Copts is essential to the health of intellectual, cultural and political life in the Middle East.

Paul Rowe, Professor and Coordinator of Political and International Studies, Trinity Western University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Albert Einstein was a global celebrity for much of his life, but it was a total solar eclipse that helped launch the scientist to international fame.

On Aug. 21, the continental U.S. will be treated to a total solar eclipse that will dazzle the nation as it progresses from coast to coast, starting in Oregon and ending in South Carolina.

The event will be a great opportunity to revisit a groundbreaking experiment that occurred during a total solar eclipse, and helped confirm Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity. The European Space Agency has referred to this celestial event as "probably the most important eclipse in the history of science."

That historic experiment was carried out on May 29, 1919, exactly 98 years ago today. [Einstein's Theory of Relativity Explained (Infographic)]

Newton versus Einstein

In 1915, Einstein published four groundbreaking papers that introduced his theory of general relativity. But at the time, the German-born theoretical physicist was hardly known to the public, and members of the science community were fighting his new theory head-on, according to reports in the New York Times. Around this time, Sir Isaac Newton's model of classical mechanics  formulated in his 1687 book "Philosophi Naturalis Principia Mathematica"  ruled, and Einstein's work was met with utmost skepticism.

One of the key tenets of general relativity is that space is not static. The motions of objects can change the structure of space. By contrast, in Newton's view of the universe, space is "inert."

In Einstein's view, space is combined with another dimension  time  which creates a universewide "fabric" called space-time. Object travel through this fabric, which can be warped, bent and twisted by the masses and motions of objects within space-time.

An example of where these two theories diverged was regarding the influence of gravity on light. Although classical dynamics predicts that the gravity of a star can deflect the path of a photon, Einstein viewed this as a crude approximation of what was really going on. It wasn't the gravity of the star that was pulling on the photon (as Newton saw it), but rather that the star created a curve in space, sort of like how a person standing on a trampoline creates a curve in the surface. The photon is like a ball rolling across the trampoline, and will simply follow the curve. From the photon's perspective, it was always traveling in a straight line; it's the warping of space-time that causes its deflection. Therefore, gravity is a manifestation of the curvature of space. [In Photos: The Most Amazing Solar Eclipses from Around the World]

All masses cause a curvature of space-time, but the effect is subtle, and testing Einstein's theory would require very massive objects, like stars. Today, astronomers looking deep into the cosmos observe massive objects like galaxies as they warp space-time and alter the path of passing photons, in an effect called gravitational lensing. The light from objects that lie beyond the massive object literally appears in a different location in the sky.

But in the early 20th century those observations weren't yet possible. Europe was in the middle of World War I, which kept Einsteins work isolated mainly to the German-speaking science community. Without being able to experimentally test his new theory, Einstein's idea might have languished indefinitely in a journal on a dusty library bookshelf.

However, British astronomer Sir Arthur Eddington was paying attention to Einstein's outlandish yet powerful new ideas after getting word from Dutch physicist Willem De Sitter (Holland was a neutral nation during WWI) and realized he could lead an experiment to test the theory.

The May 29 total solar eclipse in 1919. (Image credit: Public Domain)

The eclipse test

As the sun is the most massive object in our solar system, its curvature of space-time would be the most noticeable example in the local universe. But to test Einstein's theory, astronomers would have to study the positions of background stars close to the sun's edge (it's limb). As the sun is so bright, this would normally be a fool's errand  the sun's glare would make such an observation impossible.

And then the 1919 eclipse happened.

During a total solar eclipse, the moon orbits directly in front of the sun, completely blocking the light from the sun's disk. These beautiful events allowed Earth dwellers to get their first glimpse of the sun's magnetized atmosphere  the corona  before the invention of the telescope. The moon acts as a natural occulter that blocks the sun's glare, revealing structures in the relatively weak glow of coronal gases.

In 1917, Sir Frank Watson Dyson, Astronomer Royal of Britain, had conceived an experiment that would plot the positions of background stars close to the sun's limb during an eclipse  an experiment that Eddington would lead two years later. If the positions of the stars could be precisely measured during the 1919 eclipse and then compared with their normal positions in the sky, the effects of warped space-time could be observed  beyond what Newtons classical mechanics would predict. If the position of the stars were altered in exactly the way that Einstein's theory predicted they should be, then this might be just the test general relativity needed. Eddington most likely knew that if this test confirmed general relativity theory, it would turn the view of the Newtonian universe on its head.

This photograph from the May 29, 1919 total solar eclipse shows one of the stars used to confirm Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity. The red dot shows where the star would have been without the sun's interference. (Image credit: Royal Observatory, Greenwich)

Following Eddington's lead, the Royal Society and the Royal Astronomical Society organized expeditions to the tropics of Brazil and to the island of Principe, off the west coast of Africa, where the total eclipse would be visible. It just so happened that the period of totality (the length of time that the moon blocks out all of the sun's surface) for the 1919 eclipse was one of the longest of the 20th century, spanning around 6 minutes. This proved to be ample time for astronomers to measure the relative locations of stars in the Hyades cluster that was usefully located near the solar limb at the time.

Although the warped space-time deflected the starlight by a minuscule amount (invisible to the naked eye), the observations from Brazil and Principe were analyzed by Eddington and the general relativity predictions agreed with the observation. The warping of space-time by the sun's mass was real and Newton's inert space had been superseded by a new theory. When the New York Times published the news on Nov. 7, 1919, Einstein became known not only to scientists, but to non-scientists as well.

Since "the most important" eclipse 98 years ago, general relativity has been tested in many other ways, each time proving that Einsteins warped view of space-time is very much the universe we live in.

Follow Ian O'Neill @astroengine. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
Was "Twin Peaks" a soap opera, a procedural whodunit, an episodic art-house movie? It was all those things, but it was also something that nobody expected  an instant cult hit. Audiences were as captivated by the oddball residents of the tiny mill town  and by the mystery of who killed Laura Palmer  as FBI agent Dale Cooper was enthralled by the local diner's bottomless mugs of coffee, "black as midnight on a moonless night."

Now, nearly three decades since first airing on ABC, director David Lynch's unsettling dramatic series has returned to Showtime, picking up where it left off  mesmerizing (and perplexing) rapt audiences. There are plenty of familiar faces from the 1990s-era drama, including central character Agent Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan), as well as new cast members, and the story centers around Cooper's "odyssey back to Twin Peaks," Showtime CEO David Nevins told the film website Indiewire. [15 Weird Things Humans Do Every Day, and Why]

"Twin Peaks" is an unlikely television success story: Its pacing is slow, its narrative is by turns banal, surreal and disturbingly violent. What explains the enduring appeal of Lynch's unique and profoundly weird brand of storytelling?

The pull between opposites  good and evil, normal and weird  may be part of the draw of the TV series, experts told Live Science. As such, perhaps "Twin Peaks" character Donna Hayward, played by Lara Flynn Boyle from 1990 to 1991, best described the show itself when she mused, "It's like I'm having the most beautiful dream and the most terrible nightmare all at once."

Dark undercurrents

The ongoing world of "Twin Peaks" recalls many small towns in America, where people simply go about their lives, even when something extraordinary happens. But darkness and violence lurk below that shiny surface, and revealing those hidden pockets of ugliness was already a trademark of veteran filmmaker Lynch ("Eraserhead," "The Elephant Man," "Blue Velvet") before he ventured into television, Violet Lucca, a digital producer for Film Comment magazine, told Live Science.

Lynch's art-school training informed how he staged and filmed the show. The leisurely pace of camera movements and transitions, the static scenes in which the actors are barely moving, the forays into visually bizarre dream sequences  these all reflect his background as a fine-art painter, and lend a unique perspective to his exploration of the nasty secrets concealed by near-perfect veneers of suburban life in America, Lucca said.

"He brought an avant-garde approach to filmmaking, but he was also interested in the American vernacular," she said. Simple, everyday things considered to be uniquely American  such as coffee, pie and diners  emerged as important touchstones for "Twin Peaks" characters, Lucca explained. [The Strangest Places on Earth (Photos)]

Agent Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) and Sheriff Harry S. Truman (Michael Ontkean) investigate the death of local teen Laura Palmer, in the 1990 ABC series "Twin Peaks." (Image credit: Everett Collection)

But Lynch also incorporated tried-and-true dramatic techniques employed by traditional television programs  such as soap operas  to draw audiences in and keep them coming back for more, Dustin Kidd, a pop-culture expert and associate professor in the sociology department at Temple University in Philadelphia, told Live Science in an email.

"The emphasis is on tension, rather than resolution, so each episode ends in a cliffhanger that builds anticipation for the next episode," Kidd said. "Soap operas build their audiences by rewarding the committed viewer who never misses an episode. On 'Twin Peaks,' there was the promise that the viewer might solve the case if she watched closely and faithfully enough," he explained.

"It is happening again"

Surging cultural nostalgia  which is driving revivals on streaming services of shows that were popular decades ago, such as "Gilmore Girls," "X-Files" and "One Day at a Time"  might explain why the return of "Twin Peaks" was so greatly anticipated, Kidd said.

Though perhaps audiences still respond so strongly to "Twin Peaks" because the uneasy interplay between good and evil in that world is more like our own that we would care to admit, Lucca said. Bad things happen every day  sometimes very bad things  which can't be explained. And just like the beleaguered characters of "Twin Peaks," people must still find a way to survive alongside the darkness, she added.

FBI agent Dale Cooper revisits the "Red Room"  an eerie destination glimpsed in dreams  in the 2017 Showtime series "Twin Peaks." (Image credit: Suzanne Tenner/Showtime)

"There are a lot of awful things in the world that are beyond our control," Lucca told Live Science. "Seeing how horrific those things are and trying to come to terms with our powerlessness in the face of them  that's a lot of what 'Twin Peaks' is about."

The new 18-episode season on Showtime, which debuted May 21, was closely guarded to ensure there are no leaks before airing. Other than a preview of the first two episodes shown to a limited audience at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, no advance screenings were provided to the press, leaving critics as much in the dark about what to expect as the show's eager audience, Variety reported in May. But perhaps that's for the best, as it leaves viewers to enjoy each new episode free of expectations and the possibility of spoilers.

And it wouldn't be at all inappropriate to enjoy the show with a side order of pie in "massive, massive quantities," as "Twin Peaks" character Gordon Cole  played by Lynch himself  once said, adding, "And a glass of water. My socks are on fire!"

Original article on Live Science.
A new meta-analysis suggests that chewing gum three times a day for 30 minutes each time can help bring back women's normal gut function after a C-section delivery.

Up to one in five women develop a condition called "postoperative ileus" after a C-section, according to the meta-analysis, published online May 14 in The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine.

"Postoperative ileus" means that the normal movements of a person's bowels  which squeeze and relax to move food along  slow down or sometimes even stop entirely, said senior study author Dr. Vincenzo Berghella, an OB-GYN at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. [Blossoming Body: 8 Odd Changes That Happen During Pregnancy]

This slowing down of gut movements can lead to symptoms including nausea, abdominal pain and bloating, Berghella told Live Science. Any type of abdominal surgery, not just a C-section, can cause the condition, he added. It's thought to be caused by the inflammation that results from cutting open the abdomen.

Normally, postoperative ileus goes away on its own in about three or four days after an operation, but people can be uncomfortable while the condition lasts, the meta-analysis said.

Doctors can take several different approaches to help a woman get her gut moving again, including suggesting that the woman get up and walk around, or eat soon after the operation, Berghella said. But because women with postoperative ileus can feel nauseous, they may not want to eat, he noted.

Enter chewing gum.

Chewing gum can trick the body into thinking that the person is eating, Berghella said. It gets saliva flowing in the mouth and can help send signals to the gut to start moving again, he said.

In the meta-analysis, the researchers looked at 17 studies that included a total of more than 3,000 women. All of the studies focused on one simple question: How long did it take after the C-section for the woman to fart?

Passing gas is one of the earliest signs that a person's bowels are back to functioning normally, Berghella said. It's a signal that there are no blockages in the gut and things are moving along, he added.

In most of the studies, the women were given gum within 2 hours of their delivery, and asked to chew it three times a day for 15 to 30 minutes at a time. The researchers found that, on average, women who chewed gum farted about 6.5 hours sooner than those who were not given gum: Gum chewers experienced their first fart about 23 hours after the operation, compared with non-chewers, who didn't fart until about 29.5 hours after the operation. There were no side effects from chewing gum, Berghella said.

Dr. Gabriele Saccone, an OB-GYN at the University of Naples Federico II in Italy and an author of the study, added that chewing gum after a C-section is a simple and inexpensive way for women to help get the gut moving again.

The new meta-analysis adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that giving women gum after a C-section is a safe and effective way to help bring back gut function after the operation. A 2016 Cochrane review, for example, concluded that "gum chewing in the first 24 hours after a [C-section] is a well-tolerated, simple, low-cost, safe and easy intervention that enhances early recovery of bowel function, improves maternal comfort and potentially reduces hospital costs."

The researchers noted that more high-quality studies are needed to increase the evidence that supports giving women gum after a C-section.

But Berghella said he hopes that one day he can add "chew gum until you pass your first gas" to his postoperative orders to patients.

Originally published on Live Science.
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Rackspace Hosting has been hit with a securities class action lawsuit from a pension fund that claims the company intentionally concealed the impending loss of a contract and the impact it would have on the companys growth.

The City of Warwick Municipal Employees Pension Fund filed earlier this month a securities class action lawsuit against Rackspace and two former executives for failing to disclose the loss of a major contract.

Rackspace is accused of making false and misleading statements regarding its contract with British telecom company Vodafone Group, according to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The fund believes there are hundreds of thousands of members in the proposed Class, which runs from Nov. 11, 2014, to Aug. 10, 2015, according to the complaint.

Vodafone contracted with Rackspace to host and support its M-PESA money transfer and payment system platform. Rackspace knew the contract was coming to an end in 2015, the complaint says, but executives were still upbeat in comments with investors about the companys growth prospects.

By the start of the Class Period, unbeknownst to investors, Rackspace and Vodafone were in discussions concerning the non-renewal of the Vodafone Contract, the complaint alleges. In fact, Vodafone had engaged in extensive data-migration away from Rackspace servers well in advance of the April 1, 2015 expiration date, signaling Vodafones intent to replace the Rackspace contract with alternative providers.

The complaint alleges that stock prices fell once people found out about the lost business.

In response to the loss of the Vodfone Contract, the price of Rackspace shares stock declined over the next two trading days  falling from $53.13 per share on May 11, 2015 to close at $43.75 per share on May 13, 2015, or 17.65 percent, on extremely heavy trading volume. This two-day drop wiped out more than $1.3 billion of the Companys market capitalization, according to the complaint.

Attorneys for the pension fund at Labaton Sucharow declined to comment. A Rackspace spokesperson said via email that the companys policy is to not comment on pending litigation.

In addition to Rackspace, the fund also names in the suit then-CEO Taylor Rhodes, and then-Chief Financial Officer Karl Pichler. Pichlers last day as CFO for Rackspace was May 23, according to a spokesperson.

Rackspace announced in August that it was being acquired by New York private equity firm Apollo Global Management in a deal valued at $4.3 billion. About six months after that sale, Rhodes said he was leaving the company.

If the complaints allegations are true, a judge or jury could find a securities law violation in this case, Neal Newman, a law professor at Texas A&M University School of Law, said via email. Newman specializes in securities and transactional law.

Whats not outlined in the complaint and might be helpful in the analysis would be comparing the revenue that Rackspace was receiving for the Vodafone contract versus TOTAL revenue that Rackspace was receiving for all of business lines for that segment, he added.

That would help determine how crucial Rackspaces work with Vodafone was to its business, Newman said.

The legal question, too, is whether the information Rackspace supposedly withheld is considered material, meaning that its information that might affect a reasonable investors decision to purchase or sell the stock, Newman said.

But on balance, based on what is alleged in the complaint, the omission appears to be a material one and something Rackspace should have disclosed back in 2014 where it appears they first became aware of Vodafones intent not to renew the contract, Newman said.

While Ramona Lampley, a professor of law at St. Marys University School of Law, wouldnt comment on the case, she agreed that the revenue on the Vodafone contract would be a helpful factor in analyzing whether it has any merit.

Reading the complaint, I cant even begin to imagine whether this is material or not, she said. It would be very difficult to assess at this point and time, at the beginning of the case.

Lampley emphasized too that Rackspace still has to respond  and that there are two sides to every story.

Rackspace executives said Vodafone was one of the companys largest customers.

Its one of our largest customers in the Company and the largest one in our UK business, Pichler had said in 2015 during the Cowen and Company 43rd Annual Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, according to a transcript of the conversation on Rackspaces website. The event was after Rackspace had disclosed to investors that Vodafone was migrating some of its data.

Rackspace had some churn events with Vodafone in the past, Pichler said during the conversation, but that overall the relationship has been a net positive grower.

So in this specific case we have been  known about this, he said, according to the transcript. We have been talking about this.

In its 2015 first quarter earnings call, Rhodes said the company had a one-time revenue headwind in the second quarter, resulting from a unique circumstance, according to an edited transcript on Rackspaces website.

For data sovereignty reasons, one of our largest and longest-tenured customers was forced to move their production element of a large environment from our data center in the UK, to a location in Africa, where Rackspace does not have a data center. This results in a one-time revenue reduction at the beginning of the second quarter. We retain all other environments, and a healthy relationship with this customer, and expect to grow this revenue back with them over time, Rhodes said at the time.

Later on the call, Rhodes said, the reason we decided to mention it  and weve never done it before  is it is material, and it is significant.

But Rackspace declined to disclose the size of the impact of Vodafones lost business, according to the transcript. To be sure, Rhodes does not name Vodafone specifically during the call, but the complaint attributes this conversation to one about the contract with the company.

We have customer agreements in place, things like that, Rhodes said at the time. So were not going to disclose the amount.

Other law firms have also put out news releases notifying people that a class action against Rackspace has been filed. None of them immediately responded to requests for comment.

The law firms, Lampley said, are trying to find the best entity, or person, but more likely an investment entity, to be the lead plaintiff so they have a good chance of being named as the lead law firm.

They want to be the lead law firm because they want to be able to negotiate the settlement and accrue the lions share of attorneys fees, she said.

The case will likely end in a settlement, because statistically, most of these types of cases end in some kind of settlement, she said.

If I were a betting person, Id put my money on settlement. These cases almost always settle, she said. Now this doesnt mean Rackspace did something wrong or didnt, or that theres a viable case or not, its just that class actions, whether theyre securities class actions or not, they tend to settle.

sehlinger@express-news.net
Brunswick

The mix of stores, apartments and nearby houses along Route 7 is the manifestation of the town's 2.2 percent growth rate in 2016, making it the third-fastest expanding community in the Capital Region.

"Our comprehensive plan, which we've been following, calls for growth along the water and sewer lines," Supervisor Phil Herrington said Monday.

The latest U.S. Census Bureau population estimates for 2016 show Brunswick is growing at three times the national average of 0.7 percent.

More Information Top 10 Capital Region communities for growth based on percentage of population gain from 2015 to 2016, along with their population. PLACE change Num. change 2016 poP. Malta 5.5% 727 15,892 Cohoes 2.3% 379 16,883 Brunswick 2.2% 274 12,778 Bethlehem 1.5% 506 35,324 Niskayuna 1.4% 305 22,436 Milton 1.2% 229 19,187 Stillwater 1.1% 96 8,547 Moreau 0.9% 134 15,275 Halfmoon 0.9% 204 23,898 Waterford 0.7% 60 8,496 Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2016 Population Estimates See More Collapse

Only Malta at 5.5 percent and Cohoes at 2.3 percent saw their population grow faster on a percentage basis in the Capital Region between 2015 and 2016. Malta's population rate was comparable to the fastest-growing cities in the country, which are concentrated in the South and West.

"Our residential growth has been outstripping our commercial growth. We're working to strike a good balance," Malta Supervisor Vincent DeLucia said.

Cohoes Mayor Shawn said his city's growth reflect people discovering the community and the emphasis his administration has placed on expanding residential and commercial opportunities downtown.

"People are recognizing the amenities we have," Morse said. "The economic development is tremendous. We have $50 million in projects in the pipeline."

But the Capital Region's population as a whole resembles much of the Northeast. It remained fairly static, with slight gains in 17 communities and declines in 39 other municipalities.

Except for Cohoes, the region's population growth has been concentrated in the suburban towns. The Capital Region's top 10 municipalities met or exceeded the national average.

While urban living has been an increasing draw in the region with old mills, warehouse and schools being transformed into apartments, the latest census numbers show the continued appeal of suburban and rural life.

Brunswick's comprehensive plan takes advantage of the town's geographic location of having the reviving Troy urban core on its western border combined with the suburban development along the Brunswick-Troy line and in the eastern half of the town the rural area.

"It's a 10-minute drive out to farms where you can still see cows, corn, horses and soybeans," said Herrington, a dairy farmer.

Brunswick's population is estimated by the Census Bureau in 2016 to be 12,778. That's 7 percent greater than the count of 11,941 in 2010.

Malta's 15,892 residents also want to maintain the rural character, DeLucia said. "We want to protect and maintain the rural agriculture areas we have in Malta."

The Capital Region's growth center continues to be Saratoga County, where Malta, Milton, Moreau, Saratoga Springs, Stillwater, Halfmoon, Wilton and Waterford grew in 2016.

In Albany County, Bethlehem and Cohoes were the only municipalities whose population was up in 2016 over 2015. The Schenectady County towns of Niskayuna and Rotterdam had larger populations in 2016.

Besides Brunswick, the estimated population in the towns of Berlin, Grafton, North Greenbush and Poestenkill each grew by five or fewer people.

Herrington said Brunswick's population growth has been accompanied by the shopping plazas along Route 7 that have expanded the tax base needed to pay for services.

Herrington said there are still some housing projects planned, but that the town may have reached the right size.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm happy with what we have," Herrington said, however, adding, "They still want to keep coming."

kcrowe@timesunion.com  518-454-5084  @KennethCrowe
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Attorneys for family members of two women and a 2-year-old child killed during a crash on Texas 359 in mid-February are scheduled to make court appearances Tuesday to address a wrongful death lawsuit filed against an 18-wheeler driver and his employer.

Juan C. Garcia Lino, whose wife and daughter died as a result of the incident, filed a lawsuit and temporary restraining order in the 341st District Court against V.A.L Transport and its employee, Alfredo Gonzalez, just days after the incident, court records state.

Lino is seeking to recover monetary damages in excess of $1 million.

In his pleadings, Lino alleges Gonzalez caused the injury and death of Sulieka Reyna Fonseca Saldivar and Alessandra Juliette Garcia on Feb. 13.

READ MORE: Laredo police not revealing potential motive for serial hit-and-run suspect

The incident made the basis of this lawsuit, the deaths of (Saldivar) and (Garcia) and the injuries and damages sustained by (Lino) were proximately caused from the events in question and from the negligent acts and/or omissions of the defendants that owned and/or operated the 18-wheeler rig in question and its driver and any other agents, employees or representatives all acting within the course and scope of their employment and in the furtherance of their business affairs, the petition states.

Gonzalez and the transport company deny the allegations, court records state.

Marc Young, attorney for the defendants, told LMT that the temporary restraining order was fulfilled and has since expired. He said he expects to work with the plaintiffs attorney, Gene Hagood, to try and work out what we need to do.

The petition states that further and different allegations may and probably will become necessary as the case progresses, as it is still early on in discovery, the process of collecting evidence.

Hagood could not be reached for comment.

RELATED: Laredo man arrested 23 times pleads not guilty in fatal stabbing case

Family members of Saldivar and Bertha Ortega de Negrete, the other woman killed as a result of the incident, have joined the lawsuit, filing pleadings against V.A.L. Transport and Gonzalez as well, according to court records.

An initial court hearing regarding the suit is scheduled Tuesday before 341st District Court Judge Beckie Palomo.

A Texas peace officers crash report states Laredo police cited Gonzalez, the driver of the tractor-trailer involved in the crash, for failure to control speed.

The crash

The crash was reported at 3:52 p.m. Feb. 13 in the 7500 block of Texas 359.

A Sheriffs Office unit was traveling east on Texas 359. Then, it slowed down on the main lane of travel and started moving to the turning lane to conduct a traffic stop on the Tundra.

A van traveling behind the Sheriffs Office unit moved right to avoid rear-ending the unit, a Texas peace officers crash report states. Then, the 18-wheeler behind the van applied the brakes, turned the steering wheel to his left to avoid colliding into the Sheriffs Office unit and the van, according to the report.

MORE CRIME: Laredo woman allegedly bites store employee in robbery attempt

The tractor-trailer jackknifed and went into oncoming traffic. The Tundra struck the trailer. The crash report states Garcia was thrown from the vehicle. Garcia and Fonseca died at Laredo Medical Center. Ortega was airlifted to a San Antonio hospital. She died Feb. 17.

Ortega and Fonseca were not wearing a seatbelt. It was not known if the child was secured, states the crash report. Gonzalez was released from a hospital the same day.

Click through the gallery above to see the Laredo-area roads where the most fatal accidents occurred.
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A man accused of fatally stabbing a person in March 2016 recently pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

Tommy Luna, 29, is facing one felony count of murder. He is accused of fatally stabbing Cesar Moises Salazar.

On March 25, 2016, Laredo police found Salazar with stab wounds to his chest and abdominal area.

READ MORE: Laredo police not revealing potential motive for serial hit-and-run suspect

An investigation determined Luna and Salazar had been involved in an altercation, LPD said.

Luna claimed self-defense and said Salazar attacked him with a chair.

Luna has been arrested 23 times for various offenses including aggravated assault, theft, family violence, criminal trespass, resisting arrest, robbery, burglary of a vehicle and narcotics possession.

Jury selection is scheduled for Aug. 7 in the murder case.

Click through the gallery above to see Texas homes still haunted by murder.
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The man who is now in custody for allegedly intentionally running over three female pedestrians with his vehicle on Sunday repeatedly threw his car in reverse in order to hit the women several times, according to Laredo police.

The suspect, Lorenzo Alonzo Romero, 24, is being held in custody with no bond, charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a vehicle.

Romero declared to police why he ran over these women, but so as not to risk compromising any future jury pools, police are not divulging his potential motive to the public, said Investigator Joe E. Baeza, LPD spokesman.

Romeros declaration will be handed to the District Attorneys Office for prosecution, Baeza said.

READ MORE: LPD: Suspect who hit three women with vehicle in custody

In this preliminary phase, there is nothing to indicate the suspect was intoxicated, according to LPD. But due to the duration of time between the incidents and Romeros arrest, this is not conclusive, Baeza said.

The three victims have sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries, Baeza said.

Each incident

The first victim was targeted around 8 a.m. on Washington Street and San Francisco Avenue.

A 24-year-old woman told police she was walking to work when she noticed a black car would slow down to look at her and then drive off.

The car eventually pulled up at an intersection she was getting ready to cross, she said, so she stopped to let him go. When he didnt move, she assumed he was giving her the right of way, so she started to walk across the street, she told LPD.

Then the guy just guns it, Baeza said.

The car struck the woman, and she rolled onto the hood of the vehicle. The driver then reversed the car, and the woman fell onto the street. The woman saw the driver put the car into gear again, and she mustered the strength to get to the sidewalk before he took off northbound on San Francisco, according to LPD.

The second call came into LPD at about 9:50 a.m. from the 1800 block of North Milmo Avenue.

RELATED: Laredo police, Walgreens fight hunger on Red Nose Day

A 34-year-old woman was jogging around Lamar Middle School with her headphones in, according to police.

She never saw the vehicle; it ran into her from behind, she told LPD. The driver then put the car in reverse and ran over her again, causing injuries to her legs and feet, Baeza said. He threw the car into reverse a third time, but the victim was able to crawl to the sidewalk and up the chain-link fence onto Lamar Middle School grounds, the woman told LPD.

An hour later, LPD received the third hit-and-run call, coming from the 300 block of South Buena Vista.

A woman, 45, was walking to church and noticed a car going around the block repeatedly. The driver came to hit her from behind, and then reversed, she told LPD. She was able to get out of the way before he could hit her again, Baeza said.

The vehicle descriptions provided by all three women matched, and once detectives confirmed that the cases were connected, LPD alerted the public through news media and social media. Baeza said their original Facebook post reached over 202,000 people.

The arrest

After these three events, LPD put out notices to everyone at the department, along with all other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to keep an eye out for a black sedan, Baeza said.

Detectives canvassed the areas of the assaults and found surveillance footage of the suspect vehicle, which was disseminated on social media, according to LPD. But the car had paper plates, so there wasnt much else to identify the suspect other than his vehicle, which car experts found was an Oldsmobile Aurora made in the early-2000s.

MORE CRIME: Man found guilty of murdering 3-year-old in Laredo motel room

Police received a lot of input from the community, including many false leads, Baeza said. When Romero confessed to the assaults, LPD got that information to the public as soon as they could because they were still getting tons of calls, according to Baeza. He said the community has a hungry appetite for information.

On Sunday afternoon, an off-duty officer saw the suspect vehicle on Zapata Highway and put a call in to LPD. The officer followed Romero until a marked patrol car pulled him over, police said.

Everyone wanted to find this guy, Baeza said. And everything matched to a T.

Police read Romero his rights, and then took him to LPD headquarters, where he admitted that he was guilty, according to LPD.
U.S. President Donald Trump may find it hard to walk back his predecessor's historic rapprochement with Cuba, now that various businesses are invested in revived relations with Havana.

Cruise ship operators, commercial airlines, hotel chains, telecommunications companies and farmers have moved to take advantage of President Barack Obama's easing of trade and travel restrictions with the island nation.

Trump isn't likely to go too far in reversing those restrictions because it would undercut his campaign pledges to create jobs, Jason Marczak, director of the Latin America Economic Growth Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, argued.

"There's a cost to that reversal, and that cost is U.S. jobs," he said.

The White House may soon move to tighten some of the trade and travel restrictions that Obama eased as part of a broad review of U.S. Cuba policy, Reuters reported Tuesday, though it isn't likely to sever the diplomatic ties that Obama restored. The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a Twitter post last November, President-elect Trump vowed to "terminate" President Barack Obama's "deal" with Cuba if the government in Havana is "unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole."

But even tinkering with the relaxation of rules on travel and trade could prove unpopular.

Obama's restoration of diplomatic ties with Cuba in December 2014 enjoyed broad support. A Pew Research poll in January 2015 found that 63 percent of Americans supported the decision, while 66 percent thought the United States should go even further and lift the trade embargo.

Many older Cuban-Americans remain viscerally opposed to any engagement with the Castro government or liberalized trade with Cuba, which they argue will help the regime, not ordinary Cubans. Obama's decision invited sharp criticism from some Republicans, including two key lawmakers, Sen. Marc Rubio, R-Fla., and Bob Menendez, D-N.J.

But Cuban-Americans have taken advantage of the eased restrictions to visit relatives and send them money - and they aren't likely to look kindly on any moves to revoke them, Cynthia Arnson, the director of the Latin American program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, argued.

"A rollback of those provisions is likely to spark opposition from within the Cuban-American community," she said.

The American agriculture sector, too, is resisting changes that would walk back the opening to Cuba, and they have a strong advocate in Trump's agriculture secretary, Sonny Perdue.

As governor of Georgia in 2010, Perdue led an agriculture delegation to Cuba. At his March confirmation hearing, he expressed support for moves to increase access for U.S. farmers to the Cuban market, including a House measure to allow private lenders to finance farm exports to Cuba.

"If our folks grow it, I want to sell it. They eat in Cuba as well," Perdue said.

For Trump, who boasts of his deal-making prowess, the challenge may be putting his own thumbprint on the Cuba relationship without harming business opportunities. "Part of this for him is putting his stake in the ground and saying he's going to get a better deal," Marczak argued.

Any more than that would run counter to his campaign message, he said. "This is not a president who came to office to promote human rights."
Last Friday, two men were stabbed to death and one seriously injured on a light-rail train in Portland, Oregon, after they tried to intervene when another passenger began "ranting and raving" and shouting anti-Muslim hate speech at two young women, police said.

On Monday, the grieving mother of 23-year-old Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, one of the two slain victims from the attack, penned a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to formally condemn the incident as an act of violence resulting from hate speech and hate groups.

Though Trump did acknowledge the attacks in Portland in a tweet Monday, a family representative told The Washington Post that they were dismayed it took the president so long to speak out - and that the message came from Trump's lesser-followed @POTUS account rather than @realDonaldTrump.

The account tweeted, "The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them. - President Trump (@POTUS)"

Below is the letter Asha Deliverance, Namkai Meche's mother, wrote to the president.

Gillian Flaccus/STF

---

May 29, 2017

Memorial Day

Dear President Trump,

I'm writing to you today, Memorial Day, to share my heart after losing my son.

Taliesin died a hero, like many other Americans who have died defending freedom. He was just 23, a year out of college with a degree in economics, working, had just bought his first home and was thinking about starting a family. Our family grieves, but we are proud that through his selfless action he, along with the other two men, has changed the world, when in the face of hate he did not hesitate to act with love.

Two precious lives were lost this Memorial Day weekend in Portland and one more, nearly so. All three were strangers to each other, and to those they were defending. They fearlessly risked their lives for two young women who were threatened by an act of bigotry & terror. These brave men saw the immediate injustice and didn't hesitate to act. They recognized the truth: we are more alike than we are different. To ride the train home without being assaulted because of the color of your skin or your religious beliefs, is an inalienable right.

You have said that you will be President for all Americans. So, I ask you Mr. President to take action at this time. Your words and actions are meaningful, here in America and throughout the world.

Please encourage all Americans to protect and watch out for one another. Please condemn any acts of violence, which result directly from hate speech & hate groups. I am praying you will use your leadership to do so.

It would deeply honor Taliesin's sacrifice, which has been amplified by the millions of voices who have supported our family in response to this tragedy.

With Peace In My Heart,

Asha Deliverance
A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed most of a lawsuit seeking to block construction of a light-rail Purple Line in Maryland, saying the project's environmental review did not violate federal protections on endangered species and migratory birds.

The ruling allowed the Maryland Attorney General's office to almost immediately appeal the one issue remaining from the lawsuit - a court-ordered redo of the Purple Line's ridership projections to account for Metro's decline - that blocks the state's access to $900 million in federal construction grants.

The state filed an appeal later Tuesday to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The court filing did not include any details, but the appeal is expected to focus on the court-ordered ridership analysis. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit have argued that the state's previous study presumed a "robust" Metro system that has since declined. State and federal officials have said a subsequent analysis found that Metro's declining ridership, even if it continued, wouldn't have a significant impact on the Purple Line.

The Purple Line would be operated separately from Metro, but about one-quarter of the light-rail line's passengers are expected to transfer to and from the subway system.

A spokesman for the Justice Department declined to comment on the latest ruling.

It's unclear what impact Tuesday's decision or the appeal will have on the Maryland Department of Transportation's previous statements that it would run out of money to continue the project's pre-construction work as of June 1. Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn said in a court filing that due to limited state funds, the state would have to suspend design and engineering work on or shortly after June 1 unless the state had a "foreseeable path" toward resolving the lawsuit and clinching federal aid.

Rahn declined to address the June 1 deadline Tuesday, saying in a written statement, "This project will provide tremendous value and benefits to the surrounding communities and the state, and we are hoping the appellate court will move forward expeditiously."

Maryland officials have said the state could begin building the $2 billion light-rail line between Montgomery and Prince George's counties within a few weeks of securing federal funding, and the Trump administration recently said it will continue to consider the project for federal aid while the lawsuit is pending. Congress has appropriated $325 million toward the Purple Line, but Maryland officials can't access that money until a court reinstates the project's federal environmental approval, which U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon revoked last August when he ordered the ridership update.

In his final decision Tuesday, Leon let his previous ruling on the ridership issue stand. However, he said he agreed with the government that the Purple Line's federally approved environmental review had sufficiently considered potential impacts on any endangered species and migratory birds. Leon did not explain his decision, saying he would do so "in the near future."

John Fitzgerald, an environmental lawyer and a plaintiff in the 2014 lawsuit, said the plaintiffs want to hear the judge's reasoning. Asked whether they plan to appeal, Fitzgerald said, "We're certainly reviewing all of our options."

Fitzgerald and other Purple Line opponents had argued that the state's environmental study didn't sufficiently consider harm that the line's construction could cause to two rare, tiny crustaceans found near and downstream from the line's planned alignment. One of the shrimplike creatures, the Hay's Spring amphipod, has been listed as a federally protected species since 1982, and the Kenk's amphipod is being considered for federal endangered-species listing.

The Purple Line's environmental impact study also didn't consider ways to avoid or minimize impacts on federally protected migratory birds, the plaintiffs said. The Purple Line's construction, they said in a court filing, "will likely lead to many [migratory bird] deaths" and cause other harm.

Maryland transit officials have said state and federal studies did not turn up any endangered species along the planned rail alignment. State officials have said a study did find Kenk's amphipods in a spring, but it was too far from the Purple Line alignment to be harmed.

Protections on migratory bird nests prohibit any Purple Line crews from cutting trees in "forested" areas during the nesting season, from April to September.

Leon had been under pressure to issue a final ruling in the case since mid-May, when the Maryland Attorney General's office asked a federal appellate court to require him to decide the entire lawsuit so the state could appeal the ridership issue. The state has said legal delays have cost more than $13 million a month and could jeopardize a $5.6-billion, 36-year public-private partnership on the project.

Greg Sanders, of the Purple Line Now advocacy group, said Leon's final ruling offers a "path forward" on the project - either an appeal or an update of the ridership forecasts - that he believes should stave off any slowdown in pre-construction work.

"We're now on dramatically firmer ground than we were even a few hours ago," Sanders said after the ruling.
Gen. Manuel Noriega, the Panamanian strongman and onetime American ally who was toppled from power in a 1989 U.S. invasion and who spent more than two decades imprisoned on drug dealing and conspiracy convictions, died late Monday. He was most likely 83.

The cause of death was not announced but Noriega had been in intensive care at a hospital for months after complications from surgery to remove a benign brain tumor.

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela announced the death Tuesday morning on Twitter, saying that the passing closes a chapter in the country's history.

A career military man, Noriega led the Panamanian Defense Forces from 1983 until President George H.W. Bush ordered the invasion on Dec. 20, 1989, which followed months of deteriorating relations between Panama and the United States.

Noriega was a polarizing figure for decades after he was led in chains from Panama by U.S. marshals on Jan. 4, 1990, to a federal prison in Miami.

His opponents said Noriega was a brute who killed his opponents and hid millions of dollars in gains from drug and other corruption payments. Retired Army general and former secretary of state Colin L. Powell once described Gen. Noriega as "pure evil."

Noriega consistently rejected such charges, which he said were trumped up by opponents. He claimed the Bush administration moved against him after he refused to help American policy in Central America intended to overthrow Nicaragua's Sandinista government and halt a civil war in El Salvador.

"Why, after being the man the United States could count on, did I become the enemy?" Noriega asked bitterly in the jailhouse interviews this reporter conducted with him that led to his 1994 memoir, "America's Prisoner." "Because I said no. No to allowing the United States to run a school for dictators [the U.S. military's School of the Americas] any longer in Panamanian territory. No to the request that Panama be used as a staging base for the Salvadoran death squads and the Nicaraguan contras. Lots of no's."

Before his fall from favor, U.S. officials considered Noriega a reliable protector of stability in Panama. As early as his student days in the 1950s, he was an eager informant for the U.S. intelligence services.

Bush justified the invasion by saying, among other things, that the Panamanian leader had declared war on the United States first, that he had made Panama a haven for drug dealers and that he had endangered open shipping channels through the Panama Canal. Noriega's opponents also charged he had ordered the killing of a prominent political opponent; international monitors, including former president Jimmy Carter, denounced Panamanian elections in the spring of 1989 as fraudulent.

More than 25,000 U.S. troops launched the Dec. 20 invasion, bombarding key Panamanian military installations, destroying the headquarters, and killing and injuring people in a poor Panama City neighborhood. Noriega eluded capture before seeking refuge days later at the Vatican Embassy in the Panamanian capital. Soldiers surrounded the diplomatic building and blasted rock music at a deafening volume.

Noriega claimed that the music had not bothered him but that it drove priests inside the compound to distraction. With no chance of escape, he surrendered to U.S. forces on Jan. 3, 1990.

That signaled the end of the invasion. The death toll among Panamanians was never clear but ranged from several hundred, according to the United States, to several thousand, according to human rights groups that criticized the invasion. Twenty-five American soldiers died.

Noriega was classified as a U.S. prisoner of war under the Geneva Conventions, thereby entitled to visits from the International Red Cross, continued use of his military uniform and recognition of his status as commander - and only member - of the long-defunct Panamanian military, which was disbanded after the U.S. invasion.

In 1992, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison on a drug trafficking and conspiracy conviction after a 10-month trial in U.S. District Court in Miami. Although the Bush administration used the drug charges as justification for the invasion, the proof was surprisingly weak.

The case against Noriega rested on two dozen convicted cocaine felons, all of whom received reduced sentences for testifying. One was Colombian cocaine kingpin Carlos Lehder, who provided hearsay as evidence, and like most of the other witnesses, he had never met nor had dealings with the general.

The general's life in prison was austere. His housing at the medium-security Federal Detention Center south of downtown Miami, was a spare, two-room cinder-block cell under surveillance. He received occasional visits from friends, members of the clergy and his family, including his wife, Felicidad Sieiro de Noriega, and his three daughters, Thays, Sandra and Lorena, all of whom survive him.

Noriega's U.S. sentence was reduced to 30 years after three former U.S. officials spoke on his behalf at a sentence-reduction hearing. Just as he was granted parole for good behavior and scheduled for release in 2007, U.S. officials agreed to a French extradition request based on a money-laundering charge.

The U.S. Supreme Court authorized Noriega's transfer to France in April 2010. The following year, France granted his extradition to Panama, where he had been convicted in absentia for human rights crimes.

Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno was born in Panama City, most likely on Feb. 11, 1934, although the year of his birth was a matter of controversy. Noriega had once listed the year as 1938 and never cleared up the discrepancy.

His father was an accountant in Panama City. Noriega said his mother, a single woman, died when he was 4 after taking him to her home village in Darien Province near Panama's border with Colombia. He was left in the care of his godmother, whom he knew as Mama Luisa.

He attended a military school in Peru, encouraged by a half brother, Luis Carlos, who served in the Panamanian Embassy there. After graduating in 1962, Noriega returned to Panama and had a chance meeting with Omar Torrijos, the future commander of Panama's armed forces, who brought him into the military.

Then-Lt. Noriega came to prominence during a coup plot in December 1969 against Torrijos, who was on an official trip to Mexico. He maneuvered to sneak Torrijos back into the country on a private plane. The coup fizzled, and the young officer was rewarded for his loyalty, soon becoming chief of military intelligence.

The CIA station chief in Panama in the mid-1980s, Donald Winters, said in an interview that the U.S. government regularly paid Noriega as an intelligence asset. Noriega signed his own name for receiving the payments, something Winters had never witnessed before. Winters, one of the former officials appearing on behalf of Noriega at his 1994 sentence-reduction hearing, died in 2001.

Noriega became de facto leader of the country in 1983, two years after Torrijos died when his plane plowed into mountain on a routine domestic flight. The general's opponents charged he was responsible for the crash, but U.S. investigators saw no evidence of sabotage.

Noriega said during interviews for his memoir that knew he was mocked and ridiculed by opponents, not the least for his acne-scarred complexion, and for charges of being a murderous dictator. He said that he could do nothing about personal attacks, but denied he was a dictator, and that any killings took place during legitimate military activities. He said he never knowingly killed or ordered anyone killed.

The Reagan administration sought Noriega's help in 1983 after the United States invaded Grenada, where a Marxist-led coup had toppled the government. Noriega, as a U.S. intermediary, negotiated with Cuban leader Fidel Castro to calm tensions and avoid a battle between U.S. forces and Cuban troops who were building an airport runway.

Noriega faced his first major criticism in the United States in 1987, when the New York Times published a report that he had orchestrated the killing of his onetime ally, Hugo Spadafora.

But the central evidence, provided by Gen. Noriega's opponents in Panama, was a purported intercept by the U.S. National Security Agency in 1985 of Gen. Noriega ordering Spadafora's death in a telephone call to the Panamanian jungle during a vacation in France. The claim has since been categorically denied by U.S. officials, who said such an intercept was technically impossible at the time.

Noriega's legacy as a dictator and a convicted drug dealer continue to be debated, in part because of the major role the United States played in creating and shaping the destiny of Panama.

"He rose from illegitimacy and poverty to become a corrupt and illegitimate dictator," said Robert Pastor, who had extensive contacts with Noriega as national security adviser for Latin America during the Carter administration. Pastor, who died in 2014, said Gen. Noriega's "provocative behavior also brought out the worst in the United States."

---

Eisner is a former Post editor.
President Donald Trump arrived back in Washington after his first overseas trip to find that the Russia tangle has made its way into the White House - in the form of one of the president's closest aides: son-in-law Jared Kushner. Post reporters Ellen Nakashima, Adam Entous and Greg Miller dropped a Friday afternoon bombshell when they reported that Kushner and the seemingly omnipresent Sergey Kislyak - Moscow's ambassador to the United States - had talked about setting up a secret back-channel communication system with the Kremlin. According to U.S. officials briefed on intelligence reports, Kushner and Kislyak discussed using Russian diplomatic facilities to shield their conversations from our own country's intelligence apparatus. The move was unusual to say the least - and it happened several weeks before Trump was inaugurated, so Kushner was acting as a private citizen.

The meeting was picked up by U.S. intelligence and is said to have occurred between Dec. 1 and 2 at Trump Tower. Another controversial figure was also there -- ousted Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn, who is refusing to comply with a Senate subpoena demanding a list of his contacts with Russian officials between June 16, 2015, and Jan. 20, 2017. The Senate Intelligence Committee is deciding whether to hold him in contempt.

Until last week, it was Flynn and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort who seemed to be in the crosshairs of congressional investigators and the FBI, which is probing Russia's suspected meddling in the 2016 campaign and possible ties between Trump aides and Vladimir Putin. Manafort had already been sidelined before the campaign concluded, and Flynn was ousted in February after he was less than candid with Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations with Kislyak. Manafort is taking a different approach to the congressional probes thus far, just last week he submitted 302 pages of documents related to Russia to the House and Senate intelligence panels.

- - -

But the Kushner situation is different for a number of key reasons.

First, the top White House official is Trump's son-in-law, married to the president's influential daughter Ivanka. Ivanka and Jared, and their children, moved down to Washington to help Trump run the government and the couple, who were by Trump's side during the campaign, are trusted advisers among the president's warring and competitive inner circle. Second, the report that Kushner is now a focus of the FBI probe into Russian interference in the election, brings the Justice Department investigation and recently appointed special counsel Robert Mueller into the inner sanctum of the White House.

That is dangerous territory for the president, who could more easily attribute any problems related to Russia to rogue aides like Flynn and Manafort who are no longer advising him. But severing the tie between himself and Jared -- whose broad portfolio includes Middle East peace and "innovation" -- will not be so easy.

There was a wealth of reporting on the first son-in-law over the weekend. Most of it suggested that Kushner was readying to fight the idea that he has done anything improper when it comes to Russia. The Post's John Wagner, Robert Costa and Ashley Parker reported the president was considering setting up a war room to more quickly combat the endless drip of Russia-related stories: "Kushner has played an active role in the effort to rethink and rearrange the communications team, improve the White House's surrogate operation, and develop an internal group to respond to the influx of negative stories and revelations over the FBI's Russia inquiry, said a person with knowledge of the coming changes."

The Pot reported that Kushner's role "has emerged as a particularly sensitive topic of discussion ... Some White House aides have discreetly discussed among themselves whether Kushner should play a lesser role - or even take a leave - at least until the Russia-related issues calm." But here's the key line: "Those close to Kushner said he has no plans to take a reduced role, although people who have spoken to him say that he is increasingly weary of the nonstop frenzy."

The New York Times's Glenn Thrush, Maggie Haberman and Sharon LaFreniere reported that Kushner spent the last three days "in fretful seclusion" at his father-in-law's estate in Bedminister, New Jersey: " But he emerged defiant and eager to defend his reputation in congressional hearings, according to two of his associates ... But in recent weeks, the Trump-Kushner relationship, the most stable partnership in an often unstable West Wing, is showing unmistakable signs of strain ... It has been duly noted in the White House that Mr. Trump, who feels that he has been ill served by his staff, has increasingly included Mr. Kushner when he dresses down aides and officials, a rarity earlier in his administration and during the campaign."

The New York Times reports that the "most serious point of contention" was the pitch by Kushner's sister, Nicole Meyer, to Beijing investors regarding a Kushner Companies condo project in New Jersey. Meyer "dangled the availability of EB-5 visas to the United States as an enticement for Chinese financiers willing to spend $500,000 or more." In another key nugget, the reporters note that Stephen Bannon, Kushner's rival for Trump's attention, refers to Jared as "'the air,'" because he blows in and out of meetings leaving little trace, according to one senior Trump aide."

There has been lots of buzz about Trump bringing back some of his more controversial old hands. Sunday night, for instance:

"Spotted leaving White House tonight: Corey Lewandowski and David Bosse. Both in suits on this Memorial Day, after West Wing meetings," CNN's Jeff Zeleny tweeted.

For some insight into how Kushner works, don't miss Michael Kranish's and Jonathan O'Connell's revealing piece on how Trump's son-in-law was playing hardball way before he moved to Washington. Michael and Jonathan explain how Jared bought the New York Observer in 2006 after his father went to prison for federal tax evasion. Some former colleagues allege he aimed to use the paper to settle scores with business rivals. Kushner also took charge -- at the age of 25 -- of his father's real-estate business, paying $1.8 billion in 2007 for the country's most expensive office building. The timing was off -- the Great Recession was underway -- and the property's value plummeted to about half of what it was worth by 2010. Kushner played hardball with the investors -- one of whom was Trump friend Thomas Barrack Jr. Kushner ultimately made a deal to lower his debt and maintain majority ownership in building. Some lenders had hard feelings "but Kushner viewed it as a hardball business deal and showed that he was a tough negotiator, according to an individual familiar with his perspective. Sources familiar with the arrangement said the Kushner family got back most of its $500 million investment."

Roll Call columnist Walter Shapiro had a blistering column in The Guardian: "Even under the benign theory that Kushner thought that a secret back channel was like a small boy's tin-can telephone, his life in the coming months and maybe years will be a study in misery. He will probably spend more time with his personal lawyer, Clinton Justice Department veteran Jamie Gorelick, than with Ivanka or his children. Whether it is an appearance under oath on Capitol Hill or the inevitable FBI interview, every sentence Kushner utters will bring with it possible legal jeopardy."

To take his White House job, Kushner resigned from the family business but "kept stakes in about 90 percent of his real estate holdings, valued between $132 million and $407 million," which troubles some ethics experts.

- - -

The New York Times on Tuesday examined why Kushner met in mid-December with Russian banker Sergey Gorkov, a close Putin associate whose financial institution is under sanction by the U.S. government. U.S. officials now say the meeting "may have been part of an effort by Mr. Kushner to establish a direct line to Mr. Putin outside of established diplomatic channels," report Matthew Rosenberg, Mark Mazzetti and Maggie Haberman. More from their piece: "It is not clear whether Mr. Kushner saw the Russian banker as someone who could be repeatedly used as a go-between or whether the meeting with Mr. Gorkov was designed to establish a direct, secure communications line to Mr. Putin ... Yet one current and one former American official with knowledge of the continuing congressional and FBI investigations said they were examining whether the channel was meant to remain open, and if there were other items on the meeting's agenda, including lifting sanctions that the Obama administration had imposed on Russia in response to Moscow's annexation of Crimea and its aggression in Ukraine."

So far, Trump is sticking by his son-in-law. John Kelly, the Homeland Security Department secretary, said on the Sunday shows that opening a back-channel with Russia was a "good thing:" "It's both normal, in my opinion, and acceptable," Kelly said on ABC News's "This Week." "Any way that you can communicate with people, particularly organizations that are maybe not particularly friendly to us is a good thing." But others disagreed - including ranking House Intelligence Democrat Adam Schiff of California, who called forf Kushner's security clearance to be reviewed.

Trump released this statement to the Times: "Jared is doing a great job for the country. I have total confidence in him. He is respected by virtually everyone and is working on programs that will save our country billions of dollars. In addition to that, and perhaps more importantly, he is a very good person."

And Trump called out the "fake news" media in a series of tweets on Sunday, though they didn't mention Kushner by name.

- "It is my opinion that many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies made up by the #FakeNews media."

- "Whenever you see the words 'sources say' in the fake news media, and they don't mention names...."

- "...it is very possible that those sources don't exist but are made up by fake news writers. #FakeNews is the enemy!"

- "The Fake News Media works hard at disparaging & demeaning my use of social media because they don't want America to hear the real story!"

- - -

The Washington Post's Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report.
There is no education news as interesting, at least to me, as the appearance of a group of astonishingly demanding charter schools in the poorest parts of Texas. The IDEA Public Schools began as one afterschool program in a small Rio Grande Valley town in 1998. They now have nearly 30,000 mostly impoverished students in 51 schools.

Their lessons are tough. Thats what makes them intriguing. Even the most ambitious schools in low-income areas usually try to get no higher than grade level. IDEA aims far above that. Every student must take 11 Advanced Placement courses and tests in order to graduate.

The only major charters with similar goals are the 24 BASIS schools in Arizona, Texas and the District. They and IDEA fill eight of the top 10 slots in the Posts Americas Most Challenging High Schools list. But the BASIS schools in Arizona average only 5 percent impoverished students per school. The portion of children from low-income families in IDEA schools is usually 80 percent or more.

BASIS schools are drawing extremely ambitious middle-class families and producing test results reflecting that. At the moment four BASIS schools are the only charters on The Washington Posts separate Public Elites list of schools with the highest SAT and ACT averages in the country. Usually schools on that list are magnets that can choose the best students in their regions. BASIS must take every student that applies and use random lotteries when oversubscribed, but it still gets magnet-caliber students because their parents are most drawn to AP-all-the-time schedules.

The heavy AP loads have led to criticism of BASIS. I suspect IDEA will get similar complaints when its schools become better known. But I think both IDEA and BASIS high standards, as daunting as they may be, are worth it for their families.

AP tests, which are written and graded by outside experts and cannot by dumbed down by schools, reveal a gap between IDEA and BASIS, explained by their different percentages of impoverished students. The average AP test passing rate of the three BASIS schools in the top 10 is 84 percent. The average for the five IDEA schools in the top 10 is 21.4 percent. (Research points to significant academic benefits for AP students even if they fail the exams.)

That gap shows why we need much more challenging schools, said Joseph Hawkins, an education researcher who was denied a chance to start such a charter school in Montgomery County, Maryland. He said the country has a learning gap because the majority of poor and minority kids are simply cruising the academic highways at 35 miles per hour while their counterparts never drift below 65 mph.

You cannot narrow or close gaps by equaling the speed of those that are ahead of you, he said.

Many dont want to go that fast, educationally speaking, but six IDEA high schools graduated 507 seniors last year who had each taken at least 11 AP courses. That is many more than expected from little towns like Donna, Texas, where IDEA founders Tom Torkelson and JoAnn Gama, then in their mid-20s, started the network.

How does IDEA work? The kindergarten through second grade program blends traditional instruction with online learning pitched at the level of each child. In third to fifth grade, students are exposed to colleges, museums, historical sites and other experiences disadvantaged children often miss.

Middle school students take pre-AP courses. The first AP course, Human Geography, comes in ninth grade. The load is increased gradually so they can get used to it. Like their peers in many public schools, IDEA students and teachers receive bonuses for good scores on some AP tests from the National Math and Science Initiative. IDEA holds back students who fail to pass required state tests, but last year that was only 44 students in the whole network. Thirty-one of them are still with IDEA.

Torkelson and Gama say they want to have 100,000 students in 173 schools by 2022. Hardly anyone has heard of IDEA yet, but that will change.
The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) is holding its GEOINT 2017 Symposium June 4-7 at San Antonios Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The theme of this years symposium is Advancing Capabilities to Meet Emerging Threats.

As a special thank you to local JBSA Mission Partners, USGIF is offering free exhibit hall access June 5-7 to active and reserve duty in uniform, as well as JBSA government employees. Register online here using promo code JBSA17 or register onsite with your military ID. Valid CAC card ID required for badge pickup.

The GEOINT 2017 exhibit hall will be home to a host of exciting activities not to be missed.

Engage with 230-plus exhibitors from the defense, intelligence and homeland security communities.

Hear presentations from NRO, NGA, DIA, AGC, and more on the government pavilion stage.

Find technologies, services and solutions you and your partners can use today and for future missions.

See live UAS demos throughout the week.

Interested in attending the full GEOINT 2017 Symposium? Speakers include:

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, 20th District of Texas, Member of the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Robert Cardillo, Director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)

Dr. Stacey Dixon, Deputy Director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA)

Col. Steven D. Fleming, Ph.D., U.S. Army (Ret.), professor of practice of spatial sciences, Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California

Dr. Joseph F. Fontanella, Director, U.S. Army Geospatial Center

Dr. Peter Highnam, Director of NGA Research

Shel Israel, author of The Fourth Transformation: How Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence Will Change Everything

Dr. Suzette Kimball, Director, Civil Applications Committee (CAC)

Gen. Darren W. McDew, U.S. Air Force, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)

Maj. Gen. William N. Reddel III, Adjutant General, New Hampshire National Guard

Robert Scoble, futurist and author of The Fourth Transformation: How Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence Will Change Everything

Lt. Gen. John N.T. "Jack" Shanahan, Director for Defense Intelligence, Warfighter Support, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence

Lt. Gen. Vincent R. Stewart, Director, DIA

Lt. Col. Damon Taylor, Director, GEOINT, New Zealand Defence Force

Adm. Kurt W. Tidd, U.S. Navy, Commander, U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)

Alison West, Assistant Secretary GEOINT Foundation and Support (ASGFS), Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO)

Visit www.geoint2017.com to register for the symposium. For registration questions, contact SPARGO at geointregistration@spargoinc.com or call (866) 849-9827.

About USGIF

USGIF is a nonprofit educational foundation dedicated to promoting the geospatial intelligence tradecraft and developing a stronger GEOINT community with government, industry, academia, professional organizations and individuals who develop and apply geospatial intelligence to address national security challenges. USGIF achieves its mission via its strategic pillars: Build the Community | Advance the Tradecraft | Accelerate Innovation.

For more information, please visit www.USGIF.org and follow USGIF on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Editors Note: This content is made possible by USGIF. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of The San Antonio Express-News' or mySanAntonio.com's editorial staff. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com.
These sleek white-fronted tern are a fairly common sight along our coasts. Fishers call them kahawai birds because flocks will be very active over kahawai schools, feeding on the small fish that the kahawai also pursue. They feed by diving, not deep-plunge diving like gannets, more a dipping dive to snatch prey just below the surface. They can carry these small fish, draped in their bills, back to their nesting grounds, to either entice a mate during courtship or feed a chick. They make their nests on rocky headlands, cliffs and stacks, on shell and sand islands in estuaries, and on sand dunes and river beds. Some determined birds will also nest on breakwaters and even on abandoned coastal structures, like old wharves and bridges. They raise one, sometimes two chicks, and although these little fluff balls are beautifully camouflaged, they can fall prey to dogs, cats, rats and hedgehogs.

When people, or predators, approach nesting areas, the adult birds will bravely dive at the intruder to try to scare them away. Black-backed gulls will also prey on eggs and chicks, as do harriers. Some tern colonies are sited strategically close to red-billed gull colonies, another bird that will aggressively chase away intruders.

The Maori name for the white-fronted tern is tara, and the number of small rocky islands called Motutara indicate their liking for breeding there, or using them for roosts close to favourite fishing grounds.

Something to look out for as you head out for a days fishing is to spot a group of terns, white dots hovering, sometimes diving. Then look at the sea surface and you might pick out little penguins, also feeding on the same fish as the terns. But keep your eye on those terns, and you could see another type of action  dramatic aerial pursuits made by skua trying to get the terns to drop their hard-won fish. Youll see the terns ducking and weaving, using their long tails to help them manoeuvre. But skua are persistent and also remarkably manoeuvrable. If it succeeds in getting the tern to drop its catch, it will swoop down and grab the fish, often before it hits the water. Klepto-parasitism (one animal robbing another of its prey) is seen among a number of seabirds in northern New Zealand, including the various skua species, gulls and also amongst shearwaters.

While white-fronted terns are most commonly seen close to the coast, you can also see them out in open water. Their high pitched siet call will alert you to their presence; look up and you will see two or three of these birds flying through. If want to get close views of these birds, now is a good time when they are not breeding. Estuaries such as Orewa, Wenderholm, Pakiri, Mahurangi and Waipu are good places. They can be seen in groups roosting on the sand, or bathing in the water nearby. At Motuihe Island, in the inner Hauraki Gulf, the line along the railings of the wharf often feature a tern guard of honour for visitors. That is until they all fly off until the disturbance has passed.

In northern New Zealand, there appears to have been a decline in the numbers of white-fronted terns, with concern expressed in conservation circles that this once very common species may one day disappear from the north. As with several seabirds that feed in association with schooling fish, such as kahawai and trevally, this is an area where research into their foraging ecology and population biology, complemented by studies into the dynamics of schooling fish, is urgently required. Something we at the Seabird Trust are working on with government agencies and universities.
James Addis has taken over the editorship of Mahurangi Matters following the departure of George Driver, last December.

James has spent more than 20 years with the international aid organisation World Vision in a variety of communications roles.

Prior to that he worked as a reporter for several Auckland community newspapers and had a brief stint at the Northern Advocate newspaper in Whangarei.

He first joined World Visions New Zealand office, but later moved to the United States to become senior editor of World Vision magazine, which circulates to more than 500,000 World Vision donors and supporters.

His work for World Vision has seen him sent on assignment to cover most of the worlds major trouble spots including Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, East Timor, Haiti and numerous African countries.

He has documented the impact of earthquakes, famine, disease and war and his work won several awards from the US-based Society of Professional Journalists and the Evangelical Press Association.

But aside from covering major world events, James is equally at home covering the passions, struggles and fascinating stories of individuals closer to home.

Sometimes the best stories are found when digging a little more deeply into something that might otherwise seem mundane, he says.

Early this year James returned to New Zealand to be nearer to his family.

He and his wife, Sharon, fell in love with the Mahurangi area and decided it would be a great place to settle.

He looks forward to getting to know the area intimately and overseeing reporting on the good and the bad.
Contractors working on the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway have sought to allay concerns over their felling and future use of two substantial kauri trees on the bank of the Mahurangi River.

The kauri, together with a large totara, were cut down last month on land at the end of Carran Road, close to where it joins Woodcocks Road.

Farmer Lawrie Nunn, who has managed the land for 45 years, estimates the trees to have been between 200 and 300 years old, and says they were originally left standing when a 200-metre corridor of trees along the riverbank was first cleared.

I was told they were inside the designated area, but away from the line for construction of the motorway. They said you dont have to worry about those, he says. And they left those three for a day, but then I had to go away and when I came back a day or two later, they were down.

He also voiced concerns that the resulting kauri logs, which measure about a metre in diameter and at least six metres long, had not been separated from other timber and were just mixed in with all sorts of other logs.

My understanding was that youre not allowed to just sell kauri as you would any old timber. I thought it should be offered to local Maori.

The logging and milling of any indigenous timber requires Ministry for Primary Industries approval under the 1993 Forests Act.

Contractor NX2 said the necessary approvals to remove the trees were granted to the NZ Transport Agency as part of the Board of Inquiry consent.

Chief executive Ray Wilson said NX2 understood the cultural and ecological value of kauri and native forests, and was working hard to minimise the impacts on native trees between Puhoi and Warkworth.

We are working closely with tree specialists and ecologists to retain as many native trees as possible, he said. There is a significant planting programme of natural vegetation to replace indigenous vegetation removed for the project.

He added that the preferred alignment for the motorway had reduced the impact on kauri forest by about one-third, compared with the earlier indicative alignment.

Mr Wilson said the two kauri at Carran Road were on the motorway alignment and a bridge would be built where they had stood.

With regard to the disposal of the felled kauri, Mr Wilson said that although NX2 had been working with the Hokai Nuku mana whenua alliance to identify specific native trees that could be used for cultural harvest, the two kauri in question were not part of that process.

However, he insisted they would be kept separate.

After further investigations, we have determined that the kauri logs will be stored separately until further consideration of any opportunities for their re-use are made, in recognition of their importance, he said.
Months of road closures on Wainui Road are causing frustration for business owners as customers turn away.

The section between 29129 Wainui Road has been closed since February and La Boulangerie owner Alain Deslandres is angry that it could remain so for the rest of the year.

Mr Deslandres opened his French bakery at 23 Wainui Road three years ago. Customers drive to his shop and the Road Closed signs have lost him that trade. Since the road upgrade began, he says takings have dropped by 50 percent, threatening the viability of his business. Alain has been forced to reduce his opening hours and scale back production.

Further up the road, Heath Moy of Cranefield Automotive and Tyres says it has been a frustrating process and could be a hard winter. We were given no notice apart from a meeting a few weeks ahead of the work starting, Mr Moy says. We gave options to improve things, including offering to shut down over Easter so the contractors could bash out a lot of the work, but they didnt want to know. Its a massive project and they should have more people working on it and be working nights as well to speed things up. He says contractors Fulton Hogan are full of apologies, but nothing changes.

The work is being done by Millwater developers WFH Properties and includes road widening for cycle lanes and footpaths, installation of underground power, a large watermain, and services and utilities for residential lots.

WFH Properties spokesperson Warren Frogley says the company has undergone lengthy consultation with Auckland Council and Auckland Transport, is meeting all resource consent requirements and will spend more than $10 million on the upgrade. He says the consent specifies no work at night, Sundays or public holidays, in accordance with residential guidelines. However, a lot of thought has been put into requests for work on some long weekends, to facilitate the soonest possible completion and minimise disruption to businesses, Mr Frogley says.

Every endeavour has been made to minimise disruptions while delivering a substantially improved roadway, he says. Infrastructure and the associated amenities will benefit the wider area  it includes a joint venture with Watercare Services to future proof the water supply network for Orewa. WFH apologises for any inconvenience but is glad to acknowledge it is on schedule for reopening the road in late December.

Ward councillor John Watson attended a meeting between the business owners and contractors earlier this year and says he is concerned about the impact the works are having. It would have been good to consult the businesses at the resource consent stage to look at a sensible work programme to mitigate the disruption, he says.

However, as the work is now consented there is nothing to be done. Because its a small group, the business owners are being ignored. Ive asked about grounds for compensation, but it seems that would have to be via a civil action, he says.
Running up the Auckland Skytowers 51 floors wearing full breathing apparatus weighing around 16kg is a significant challenge for firefighters raising money for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ.

However, paid firefighter Mike Williamson of Manly wanted more.

Last month when Mike competed in his seventh Skytower Challenge, he chose the hardest category of all. Known as the Firefighter of Steel, the category was introduced in 2015 and entails carrying a steel oxygen cylinder that weighs 9kg more than the carbon fibre ones worn by most competitors. The full kit  suit, boots, helmet and a steel tank weighs 25kg. Only 61 firefighters took on this challenge  more than 600 competed carrying the regular breathing apparatus.

Mike says that the steel cylinders are outdated and used only for training.

He got to the 49th floor before the oxygen in it ran out and had to remove the mask before heading up the final two floors.

He placed fourth in the category (1st in Masters). His time of 12:56 was far from his best of 10:45, reflecting the extra load. Mike won the event overall in 2008 and has been at the top of the Masters category several times.

The Hibiscus & Bays Local Board member says he feels privileged to be able to do this event to raise money for people with blood cancers.

My 13 minutes of pain and suffering is nothing compared with what they go through, he says.

Thousands donated by volunteer firefighters

A team of four volunteers with Manly Fire Brigade took part in this years Skytower Challenge, on May 13, raising $4500 for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ. The First Aid courses run by the brigade in March (HM March 1) contributed $2000 to this amount and were so successful that they are likely to become an annual part of the crews fundraising. A highlight for the team was that its oldest member, Craig Macdonald (aged 53) completed the donned and started category a full three minutes faster than his son James, who is in the same brigade. Donations can still be made  info: firefightersclimb.org.nz
A whistle blast marked the start of the 11am ANZAC Parade held at the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA in Whangaparaoa.

The sound was chosen because it was the signal given to soldiers in the trenches of WW1 to go over the top and into battle.

The parade, on April 25, is one of the largest in the area with hundreds of people watching the march past of veterans and current members of the armed forces.

Young people swelled the ranks, with readings given by Whangaparaoa College students and many local schools also laying wreaths.

In his first official duty as Minister of Defence, Rodney MP Mark Mitchell had laid a wreath at the cenotaph during the dawn service.

The service included prayers, the singing of the Australian and NZ national anthems, and the lowering of the flag as The Last Post was played by bugler Kerry Robertson.
If you want to get a feel for whats going on in Snells Beach at the moment, all you have to do is venture down Arabella Lane at the communitys northern entrance, then stop, look and listen. The incredible view across the bay to Kawau Island is still there, but the normally tranquil atmosphere is alive with the constant noise of countless earthmovers, rollers, saws and nail guns. More and more sites are being levelled and houses swiftly built on any remaining parcel of land.

The activity here is symptomatic of a general upping of the pace in Snells lately as more people move for the lifestyle and what have traditionally been slightly lower property prices. The communitys established retirees and holidaymakers are still there, but more young families are moving in  Snells Beach Schools roll has nearly doubled in the seven years its been open.

Bayleys real estate agent Steffan Meyer, who lives in Snells, says the days when people simply built baches here to retire to are long gone.

Quite a few people from Auckland are wanting to invest and maybe move up here in a few years, Mr Meyer says. Also younger families are buying older houses and doing them up because theyre affordable, and some of the areas are tidying up. Theres lots of redevelopment, too, and new sub-divisions.

He adds that while the rise in property prices might not have been as dramatic as in Warkworth, the pace has still been significant.

I think a lot of people are unaware of what their properties are worth now. Where they still think something might be $450,000 to $550,000, its probably more like $650,000 to $750,000.

As well as the developments at the northern edge of Snells, there are plans in the pipeline for new homes on the old motel site in Ferndale Drive, up to 70 sections in Dawson Road and a significant subdivision just south of the township at Goldsworthy Bay.

Snells Beach Ratepayers & Residents Association chair Bryan Jackson says the communitys re-designation from village to town centre in the Unitary Plan could see the population increase from around 4000 people up to 12,000 in the future.

New initiatives like the family gala, held for the first time in February, and new cafes and businesses, are helping to increase community spirit, according to Steffan Meyer.

Theres vision  people are looking for opportunities, he says.
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Culture

May 30, 2017 | By AFP Relaxnews

Millions of tourists visited Egypt every year to see its Giza Pyramids  the only surviving monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World  and its ancient pharaonic temples and relics. Egyptian archaeologists have discovered 17 mummies in desert catacombs in Minya province, an unprecedented find for the area south of Cairo, the antiquities ministry announced on May 13.

Archaeologists found the non-royal mummies in a series of corridors after following the trail of burial shafts in the Touna-Gabal district of the central Egyptian province, the ministry said in a statement. Along with the mummies, they found a golden sheet and two papyri in Demotic  an ancient Egyptian script  as well as a number of sarcophogi made of limestone and clay. There were also animal and bird coffins, the ministry said. But the mummies have not yet been dated.

The ministry said they belonged to the Late Period, which spanned almost 300 years up to Alexander the Greats conquest of Egypt in 332 BC. But a spokeswoman told AFP they could also date from the Ptolemaic Dynasty, founded by Alexander the Greats general Ptolemy. The discovery of the non-royal mummies is considered unprecedented because it is the first such find in the area, officials said at the site.

Egyptologist Salah al-Kholi told a news conference held near the desert site that the discovery was the first human necropolis found in central Egypt with so many mummies. It could herald even more discoveries in the area, he said.

The discovery was important, unprecedented, Mohamed Hamza, director of excavations for Cairo University said. The site is close to an ancient animal cemetery. The discovery is still at its beginning, Antiquities Minister Khaled al-Enany told reporters. It was the second discovery of mummies announced with much fanfare by the government in less than a month.

In April, the ministry invited reporters to the southern city of Luxor to unveil eight mummies discovered in a 3,500-year-old tomb belonging to a nobleman. For the cash-strapped Egyptian government, the discoveries are a boon from the countrys glorious past as it struggles to attract tourists scared off by a series of Islamist militant attacks.

Antiquities are the soft power that distinguishes Egypt, Enany said. News of antiquities are the things that attract the world to Egypt.

Millions of tourists visited Egypt every year to see its Giza Pyramids  the only surviving monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World  and its ancient pharaonic temples and relics. But a popular uprising in 2011 that overthrew veteran strongman Hosni Mubarak ushered in years of unrest that battered the economy and drove away tourists.
From left, Vice President of Student Life Dan Miller with John Shaffer. Download Image: Web

John Shaffer, grounds and general labor supervisor at Lycoming College, received the Makisu Award during the Colleges annual Honors Convocation ceremony in April for his exemplary work ethic.

The award is given by the student body to a faculty or staff member for extraordinary service and dedication. Shaffer has provided support for a variety of student activities and events on and off campus.

Johns infectious enthusiasm and responsive attention to the needs of faculty, staff and students alike has long been admired by all, said Dan Miller, vice president of student life. The dedication of John and other support staff members contribute daily to the vibrancy of our campus community.
The great Gold Rush Music Festival returns to the township of Waihi, with the first nuggets of gold dropping for the highly anticipated return of the 2023 festival.
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''The most useful and indispensable job for the people at this moment of impending catastrophe is that of organisation.''

Published in Pravda No. 58 and 59, May 29 and 30 (16 and 17), 1917.

Part 1

The inevitable debacle, the catastrophe of unprecedented dimensions that is facing us is of such importance that we must dwell on this question again and again if we are to fully grasp its implications. In the last issue of Pravda we said that the programme of the Executive Committee of the Soviet of Workers and Soldiers Deputies no longer differs in any way from that of terrible Bolshevism.

Today we must point out that the programme of the Menshevik Minister Skobelev goes even further than Bolshevism. Here is the programme, as reported in the ministerial paper, Rech:

The Minister [Skobelev] declared that ... the countrys economy is on the brink of disaster. We must intervene in all fields of economic life, as there is no money in the Treasury. We must improve the condition of the working masses, and to do that we must take the profits from the tills of the businessmen and bankers. --> (Voice in the audience: How?) --> By ruthless taxation of property, replied the Minister of Labour, Skobelev. It is a method known to the science of finance. The rate of taxation on the propertied classes must be increased to one hundred per cent of their profits. --> (Voice in the audience: That means everything.) --> Unfortunately, declared Skobelev, many corporations have already distributed their dividends among the share holders, and we must therefore levy a progressive personal tax on the propertied classes. We will go even further, and, if the capitalists wish to preserve the bourgeois method of business, let them work without interest, so as not to lose their clients.... We must introduce compulsory labour service for the shareholders, bankers and factory owners, who are in a rather slack mood because the incentive that formerly stimulated them to work is now lacking.... We must force the shareholders to submit to the state; they, too, must be subject to labour service.

We advise the workers to read and reread this programme, to discuss it and go into the matter of its practicability.

The important thing is the conditions necessary for its fulfilment, and the taking of immediate steps towards its fulfilment.

This programme in itself is an excellent one and coincides with the Bolshevik programme, except that in one particular it goes even further than our programme, namely, it promises to take the profits from the tills of the bankers to the extent of one hundred per cent.

Our Party is much more moderate. Its resolution demands much less than this, namely, the mere establishment of control over the banks and the gradual [just listen, the Bolsheviks are for gradualness!] introduction of a more just progressive tax on incomes and properties.

Our Party is more moderate than Skobelev.

Skobelev dispenses immoderate, nay, extravagant promises, without understanding the conditions required for their practical realisation.

That is the crux of the matter.

It is impossible not only to realise Skobelevs programme, but even to make any serious efforts towards its realisation, either arm in arm with ten ministers from the party of the landowners and capitalists, or with the bureaucratic, official-ridden machine to which the government of the capitalists (plus a few Mensheviks and Narodniks) is perforce limited.

Less promises, Citizen Skobelev, and more practicalness. Less rhetoric and more understanding as to how to get down to business.

And get down to business we can and should immediately, without a days delay, if we are to save the country from an inevitable and terrible catastrophe. But the whole thing is that the new Provisional Government does not want to get down to business; and even if it wanted to, it could not, for it is fettered by a thousand chains which safeguard the interests of capital.

We can and should in a single day call upon the people to get down to business; we can and should in a single day issue a decree immediately convening:

1) Councils and congresses of bank employees, both of individual banks and on a national scale, to work out immediate practical measures for amalgamating all banks and banking houses into a single State Bank, and exercising precise control over all banking operations, the results of such control to be published forthwith;

2) Councils and congresses of employees of all syndicates and trusts to work out measures for control and accountancy; the results of such control to be published forthwith;

3) This decree should grant the right of control not only to the Soviets of Workers, Soldiers, and Peasants Deputies, but also to councils of the workers at every large factory, as well as to the representatives of every large political party (those parties should be regarded as large parties which, for example, on May 12 put forward independent lists of candidates in not less than two Petrograd districts); all ledgers and documents to he open to control;

4) The decree should call upon all shareholders, directors and members of the boards of all companies to publish the names of all shareholders owning stock to an amount of not less than 10,000 (or 5,000) rubles, together with a list of stocks and companies in which these persons are interested; false statements (made to the controlling bodies of the bank and other employees) shall be punished by confiscation of all property and by imprisonment for a term of not less than five years;

5) The decree should call upon the people to establish immediately, through the local organs of self-government, universal labour service, for the control and enforcement of which a universal peoples militia should be established (in the rural districts directly, in the cities through the workers militia).

Without universal labour service, the country cannot be saved from ruin; and without a peoples militia, universal labour service cannot be effected. This will be obvious to everyone who has not reached a state of ministerial insanity or has not had his brain turned by putting too much trust in ministerial eloquence.

Every person is bound to stand for such measures if he really wishes to save tens of millions from ruin and disaster.

In the next article we shall deal with the question of the gradual introduction of a more equitable system of taxation, and also what should be done to advance from among the people and gradually place in ministerial positions really gifted organisers (both from among the workers and the capitalists) who have given a good account of themselves in this kind of work.

Part 2

When Skobelev, with ministerial elan, [style and vigour] talked himself into taking one hundred per cent of the capitalists profits, he furnished us with a specimen of claptrap. This kind of phrase-mongering is always used in bourgeois parliamentary republics to hoodwink the people.

But here we have something worse than mere phrase-mongering. If the capitalists wish to preserve the bourgeois method of business, let them work without interest, so as not to lose their clients, Skobelev said. This sounds like a terrible threat to the capitalists; but in fact, it is an attempt (unconscious probably on the part of Skobelev, but certainly conscious on the part of the capitalists) to make safe the rule of almighty capital by a temporary sacrifice of profits.

The workers are taking too much, say the capitalists; let us make them responsible without giving them either power or the opportunity to effectively control production. Let us sacrifice our profits for a time; by preserving the bourgeois method of business and not losing our clients, we shall hasten the collapse of this transitory stage in industry, we shall disorganise it in every possible way and lay the blame on the workers.

That such is the plan of the capitalists is proved by the facts. The coal mine owners in the South are actually disorganising production, are deliberately, neglecting and disorganising it (see Novaya Zhizn for May 16 reporting statements made by a workers delegation 1). The picture is clear: Rech is lying brazenly when it puts the blame on the workers, The coal mine owners are deliberately disorganising production; and Skobelev sings his song: If the capitalists wish to preserve the bourgeois method of business, let them work without interest. The position is clear.

It is to the advantage of the capitalists and the bureaucrats to make extravagant promises, diverting peoples attention away from the main thing, namely, the transfer of real control to the workers.

The workers must sweep aside all high-sounding phrases, promises, declarations, project-mongering by bureaucrats in the centre, who are ever ready to draw up spectacular plans, rules, regulations, and standards. Down with all this lying! Down with all this hullabaloo of bureaucratic and bourgeois project-mongering which has everywhere ended in smoke. Down with this habit of shelving things! The workers must demand the immediate establishment of genuine control, to be exercised by the workers themselves.

That is the most important condition of success, success in averting catastrophe. If that is lacking, all else is sheer deception. If we have it, we need not be in a hurry to take one hundred per cent of the profits. We can and should be more moderate; we should gradually introduce a more equitable system of taxation; we shall differentiate between the small and large shareholders; we shall take very little from the former, and a great deal (but not necessarily all) from the latter only. The number of large shareholders is insignificant; but the role they play, like the wealth they possess, is tremendous. It may safely be said that if one were to draw up a list of the five or even three thousand (or perhaps even one thousand) of Russias wealthiest men, or if one were to trace (by means of control exercised from below, by bank. syndicate, and other employees) all the threads and ties of their finance capital, their banking connections, there would be revealed the whole complexus of capitalist domination, the vast body of wealth amassed at the expense of the labour of others, all the essential roots of control over the social production and distribution of goods.

It is this control that must be handed over to the workers. It is this complexity, these roots, that the interests of capital require to be concealed from the people. Better forego for a time all our profits, or ninety-nine per cent of our income, than disclose to the people these roots of our powerthus reason the capitalist class and its unconscious servant, the government official.

Under no circumstances shall we relinquish our right, our demand that this citadel of finance capital be disclosed to the people, that it be placed under workers controlthus reasons the class-conscious worker. And every passing day will prove the correctness of this reasoning to growing masses of the poor, to a growing majority of the people, to a growing number of sincere people who are honestly seeking a way to avert disaster.

This citadel of finance capital has to be taken if all those phrases and projects for averting disaster are not to remain sheer deception. As far as individual capitalists, or even most of the capitalists, are concerned, the proletariat has no intention of taking their last shirt from them (as Shulgin has been scaring himself and his friends), has no intention of taking everything from them. On the contrary, it intends to put them on useful and honourable jobsunder the control of the workers.

The most useful and indispensable job for the people at this moment of impending catastrophe is that of organisation. Marvels of proletarian organisationthat is our slogan now, and will become our slogan and our demand doubly so when the proletariat is in power. Without the organisation of the masses it will be absolutely impossible either to introduce universal labour service, which is absolutely essential, or establish any at all serious control over the banks and syndicates and over the production and distribution of goods.

That is why it is necessary to begin, and begin immediately, with a workers militia, in order that we may proceed gradually, but firmly and intelligently, to the creation of a peoples militia and the replacement of the police and the standing army by the universally armed people. That is why it is necessary to advance talented organisers from among all sections of society, from among all classes, not excepting the capitalists, who at present have more of the required experience. There are many such talents among the people. Such forces lie dormant among the peasantry and the proletariat for lack of application. They must be advanced from below in the course of practical work, such as the efficient elimination of queues in a given district, skilful organisation of house committees, domestic servants, and model farms, proper management of factories that have been taken over by the workers, and so on and so forth. When these have been advanced from below in the course of practical work, and their abilities tested in practice, they should all be promoted to ministersnot in the old sense of the term, not in the sense of giving them portfolios, but by appointing them national instructors, travelling organisers, assistants in the business of establishing everywhere the strictest order, the greatest economy in human labour, the strictest comradely discipline.

That is what the party of the proletariat must preach to the people as the means of averting disaster. That is what it must start carrying out now in part in those localities where it is gaining power. That is what it must carry out in full when it assumes state power.

Notes

1. This refers to statements made by a delegation of Donet workers to the Economic Department of the Petrograd Soviet. This delegation was sent to Petrograd by the April-May conference (1917) of workers of the coal and iron and steel industries in the south of Russia to ask the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Labour to intercede in obtaining a rise for the lower-paid brackets from the association of Donets capitalists. The delegation submitted statements describing the intolerable conditions of the workers and gave numerous instances of sabotage on the part of the owners and mangers of the collieries and metallurgical works, who were out to crush the revolutionary-minded workers and starve them into submission.

Source: Marxist Internet Archive.
When in need of a quick spell check, many people across the world turn to their favorite search engine.

For residents of Massachusetts, the most commonly searched word is license.

Google released a graphic Tuesday showing the most commonly searched words so far this year.

Massachusetts fell into the category of searching a word between 6 to 10 letters. In other states, the most commonly searched word was under five letters.

For Rhode Island, the top search was liar. For Georgia, the four-letter word was gray.

The spelling of pneumonia and maintenance were common searches across America.

One state seemed to question itself in Google searches. The most common word looked up this year by Wisconsinites was Wisconsin.
Photo credit: Gov. Charlie Baker, in 2016 when he addressed UMass Medical graduates

By Kristin LaFratta

A new pilot program in Boston will provide free tuition and fees to low-income high school students who wish to complete a four-year college degree. Governor Charlie Baker and Mayor Marty Walsh announced the new service, called The Boston Bridge on Tuesday.

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What is it?

Boston Bridge will offer high schoolers graduating from any of Bostons public schools, charter schools or parochial schools the chance to wave tuition and fees when paying for college.

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How do you qualify?

Those who are eligible for the Boston Bridge must meet the requirements necessary to receive a federal Pell grant. These financial aid grants are provided to students based on their families Expected Family Contribution and calculated expenses. Typically, most Pell Grants are offered to students whose families make less than $30,000 a year. From the 2016-2017 academic year, Pell Grants awarded up to $5,815 annually, though that number varies based on the EFC figure.

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Can students go anywhere?

No. If students meet the Pell grant standard to qualify, they must enroll full-time at either Bunker Hill Community College, Roxbury Community College, or Mass Bay Community College. Students can transfer to a public college or university after completing their associates degree within two-and-a-half years.

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Photo credit: Don Treeger / The Republican

How much are tuition and fees?

The cost of tuition and fees vary widely depending on the school, and do not include the high costs of meals, living on or off campus, and books or supplies. At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the states flagship school, in-state tuition and fees add up to $7,485.50. Particular majors and colleges, like the Isenberg School of Management ($500) or the Commonwealth Honors College ($300), add additional fees.

At Bunker Hill Community College, tuition and fees add up to $3,576; at Roxbury Community College, they add up to $3,984. At these smaller colleges, fees are instituted for many science and technology courses.

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Why are they doing this?

State and city leaders say that by clearing financial burdens to college, low-income students will have opportunities they may not have seen otherwise. "Our core mission at the Boston Public Schools is closing opportunity and achievements gaps, Superintendent Tommy Chang said in a statement.

The Pell Institute reports that less than 20 percent of students who receive Pell Grants earn a bachelors degree within six years, and for first-generation college students that number dives to 11 percent.

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Doesn't Boston already do this?

Not exactly. In spring of 2016, the city launched a Tuition Free Community College and Commonwealth Commitment programs. The Tuition Free program paid tuition for low-income Boston high school graduates who went on to study at Bunker Hill, Mass Bay or Roxbury Community Colleges. Those students were then able to qualify for discounted tuition at four-year institutions through the Commonwealth Commitment program. However, the newly-announced Boston Bridge will allow qualifying Boston students to pay zero tuition or fees throughout their four years.

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Did the old program work?

According to Mayor Marty Walsh, 50 high school graduates attended community college thanks to the spring 2016 city initiatives. Of those who enrolled, 94 percent are on track to finish their first year.

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Photo credit: Don Treeger / The Republican

When can students participate?

A statement from Governor Baker's office says the Boston Bridge will be available to all 2017 high school graduates who live in the City of Boston.

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Are there opponents?

Yes. Long-time advocates for free tuition say that providing free tuition and fees to some does not solve the problem of a bloated higher education system that has sent many young people and families into debt.

Executive Director Zac Bears of the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM) pointed out in a statement that of the 190,000 students attending public schools each year, only 50 students are enrolled in Boston's Tuition Free program, and 80 have been enrolled in the Commonwealth Commitment program.

Democrat Setti Warren, who plans to run against Baker for governor, referred to Baker's new tuition plan as part of his "conservative agenda," and "not a solution in Massachusetts." If he were elected governor, Warren said he would fight for free public higher college and single payer healthcare.

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SPRINGFIELD -- Akwon Salaam, reputed gang member and professed sovereign citizen, is being held on $5,000 bail after being ruled competent to stand trial in a motor vehicle theft case.

Salaam, 31, of Springfield, proclaimed his freedom from the nation's laws during his arraignment last week on five charges, including receiving a stolen motor vehicle, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and failing to stop for police.

Speaking from the defendant's dock, Salaam identified himself as a member of the sovereign citizens' movement, which considers the nation's government to be illegitimate and refuses to be bound by its laws.

Salaam failed to mention his alleged membership in second group: The Sycamore Street Posse, a Springfield street gang whose members have been convicted in shootings, drug dealing and other crimes. In court documents, Salaam is described as an "active member" of the gang with a history of drug and motor vehicle arrests.

The events leading to Salaam's latest arrest began on Dec. 30 when police allegedly spotted him driving a Nissan Altima with an extinguished headlight. A chase ensued and Salaam eventually jumped from the still-running vehicle and disappeared into an apartment building at 109 School St., according to the arrest report.

The car had been reported stolen earlier that evening, and police identified Salaam from a prescription pill bottle left in the center cupholder. A summons was issued for him to report to Springfield District Court for arraignment in January, but he failed to appear, records show.

Four months later, on May 19, he turned himself in and was held for arraignment on May 22.

After hearing bail arguments, Judge Michele Ouimet-Rooke ordered Salaam held on $5,000 bail. After hearing Salaam expound on his prerogatives as a sovereign citizen, she ordered him held for a psychiatric evaluation.

On Tuesday, a court psychologist found him competent to stand trial. Salaam, who also goes by the name James Moore Akwon Salaam, is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on June 22.
EASTHAMPTON -- A plan to transform the city's former town hall into a full-fledged community arts and performance center has moved forward with a $135,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The award will help pay for the development of detailed design, engineering, and construction documents to turn the historic building's second floor into a flexible downtown performance space and function hall.

"We are jumping for joy with this news," said Ed Check, president of CitySpace, the non-profit manager of the city-owned Old Town Hall at 43 Main St.

The state grant will supplement $206,479 from the city's Community Preservation Act fund to prepare bid documents for the project, currently estimated at about $4.9 million. Check said when Kuhn Riddle Architects prepares the documents, the project cost will come into sharper focus.

He said the space ought to accommodate around 250-300 audience members, but seating won't be bolted to the floor to maintain openness and flexibility. A major cost driver is the need to install an elevator to provide full accessibility. The elevator must stop at all five stories -- the basement, street level, lobby and first floor, second floor, and second floor balcony.

Also planned are accessible restrooms and a fire suppression system. The project will incorporate energy efficiency and modern mechanical systems.

It's part of the city's revitalization through building the creative economy, Check said. CitySpace plans to launch a major capital drive this fall.

The Italianate stone edifice, built in 1869, long served as the center of town government. Its upstairs ballroom was the locus of Town Meeting and other community events, but has not been open to the public for nearly two decades because of code issues.

The project is the second major undertaking by CitySpace. In 2015, the building's lobby and hallway were restored. Old linoleum was removed to reveal a gleaming wood floor, unsightly metal doors replaced, decorative ceiling tin restored, and modern restroom facilities added.

That project, spearheaded by local arts leaders on the CitySpace board of directors, was aided by CPA funds and a state tourism grant. The building is listed on the Massachusetts Register of Historic Places.

"We are celebrating our ten-year anniversary in Old Town Hall, and plans to open a community performance space upstairs are moving from daydream to reality," said Check in an email. "We could have never reached this milestone without the help of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and local Community Preservation Act funding. Thank you everyone for believing in our mission."



CitySpace signed a lease for the building in 2006. It now rents space on the first floor to cultural entities including Flywheel Arts Collective, Big Red Frame, and Easthampton City Arts. Easthampton moved its municipal offices to 50 Payson Ave., but still owns its former town hall.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com
SPRINGFIELD -- Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is asking for a citywide "moment of reflection" on Thursday at 4:38 p.m., marking the sixth anniversary of the 2011 tornado.

Sarno is asking that residents and businesses take a moment at that time to reflect on the disaster, coinciding with when it touched down in Springfield and caused millions of dollars in damage.

In addition, Sarno has sent a letter to spiritual institutions asking them to chime their bells at 4:38 p.m. Thursday, to mark the anniversary. The tornado left a 6.2 mile long path of destruction through Springfield, among numerous communities struck in the region. In the end, three people lost their lives in Western Massachusetts.

"I believe it would be a fitting tribute to pause and reflect on our ability to join together and work so diligently on making our city whole again," Sarno said. "It has been a long and arduous recovery process, but the resiliency of the entire City of Springfield has shone through time and time again."

Sarno praised the city's comeback, saying that more than $3.3 billion in economic development projects are under way, "a testament to the patience and fortitude the City of Springfield has exhibited over the past three years to come back stronger and more determined to forge a brighter future."
SPRINGFIELD - Two roommates are in custody and facing charges related to a purse-snatch robbery Monday night of an elderly woman who was leaving a Sixteen Acres pharmacy, police said.

Arrested were John Loranger, 35, and Michael Hannah, 39, both of 61 Cornflower Street. Each was charged with unarmed robbery of a victim over 60 years of age.

Loranger was also charged with resisting arrest and possession of heroin. Hannah also had outstanding warrants for assault and battery on a household member, and threatening to commit a crime.

Police spokesman Sgt. John Delaney said victim, a 70-year-old woman, told police she was leaving the Rite Aid pharmacy at 381 Cooley St. when an unknown man grabbed her purse and wrenched it from her, causing injuries to an arm and hand.

The man ran across Cooley Street and jumped into a black car that was waiting for him, Delaney said.

Witnesses to the theft followed the car to the Pride Station where the two men got out and began going through the contents of the purse by a dumpster. The witnesses called 911 to report their position, and police arrived to see Loranger and Hannah still holding the purse in their hands.

Loranger threw the purse at officers and tried to run, but he was quickly tackled and handcuffed after a brief chase, Delaney said.

The 70-year-old woman was treated at the scene for minor injuries but did not require hospitalization, Delaney said. She pointed out Loranger as the man who robbed her, he said.

Delaney said officers interviewing the woman at the scene found a cellphone on the ground. It turned out to be Loranger's, and police believe he dropped it while struggling to grab the purse.

Loranger and Hannah are due to be arraigned Tuesday in Springfield District Court.
WEST BRIDGEWATER - State police have identified the motorcycle rider killed Sunday night in a crash on Route 24 as a 46-year-old man from Brockton.

Williams Ponds was killed when the 2016 Harley Davidson Road Glide motorcycle he was operating crashed into a 2005 Chrysler 300 in the southbound lanes at around 8:40 p.m.

A 53-year-old woman from Norton was transported by medical helicopter to a Boston hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the Chrysler was a 62-year-old man from New Bedford. State police did not say if he was injured.

Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash, which is still under investigation.
Running a business is not rocket science. As a long-time business advisor, and occasional investor, I have seen many successful businesses lead by college dropouts and people with average intelligence. Investors dont look at CEOs for advanced degrees, but they do look for experience and emotional intelligence, often before they even evaluate the business plan.

Marty Zwilling

Full Story: http://blog.startupprofessionals.com/2017/05/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-be.html
The 35th president of the United States would have been 100 on May 29.

John F. Kennedy, known for his charm and public speaking, is the youngest man  at 43 years old  and the first Roman Catholic ever elected to the office of the president. His life was cut short only three years later when he was assassinated in Dallas in 1963. Today, Americans remember him fondly as an inspirational figure whos among the most beloved presidents in history.

Full Story: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/294906
Republican Greg Gianforte is headed to Washington D.C as Montanas next congressman after being charged with misdemeanor assault for reportedly body-slamming a reporter for a British newspaper.

CBS News reporter Barry Petersen has the story of how Montana voters, and top political leaders and pundits, are responding to the victory.

By Barry Pederson  CBS News

Full Story: http://www.kpax.com/story/35539780/after-montana-incident-fears-of-violence-against-reporters-grow
Denver entrepreneur Bryan Leach gave up a high-powered career as an international arbitration attorney to launch Ibotta https://ibotta.com/ , which has grown to be one of the most popular shopping apps. The company recently launched a reboot of the app from the ground up.

By Tamara Chuang | [email protected] | The Denver Post

Full Story: http://www.denverpost.com/2017/05/28/ibotta-relaunch-popular-mobile-app-denver/
Will states use their new authority to improve academic achievement, particularly in high-poverty urban and rural areas? The answer will affect public education much more than anything DeVos will do. State policymakers who are ready to rise to the challenge should do three things.

by Andrew Feldman, Thomas Kane

Full Story: http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/voices/col-how-school-districts-could-be-laboratories-improvement.html
#first lady First lady meets with family of additional victim of Itaewon tragedy First lady Kim Keon-hee on Thursday visited a hospital in Seoul to meet with the family of a soldier who was pronounced brain dead the previous day after being injured in the Itaew...

#football S. Korea coach not yet planning alternatives for Son Heung-min's potential World Cup absence As South Korea's captain Son Heung-min tries to work his way back from a facial surgery in time for the FIFA World Cup, his national team head coach Paulo Bento does not yet have a...
A Forest City man charged in 2013 with firing shots at a Marion night club was given at least seven years in prison in McDowell County Superior Court.

Earl Spencer Boyce Jr., 39, of Trailwood, Forest City, was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and one count of intimidating a witness. He was sentenced to 85 to 114 months in prison consecutive to any active sentences. He was given credit for 561 days time served. He must pay $15,063.97 restitution to the victim. He must not have contact with the victims. He was fined $2,500. He must pay court costs.

Boyce was additionally charged with three counts of criminal contempt of court. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail consecutive to each sentence.

In the early morning hours of Sept. 15, 2013, units from the Marion Police Department, McDowell County Sheriffs Office and McDowell EMS responded to the Vortex nightclub on Finley Road to report of a shooting in progress.

An event, a birthday celebration and tribute to late rapper Tupac Shakur, was just winding down when gunshots rang out at approximately 2 a.m.

According to then-Lt. Scott Spratt of Marion P.D., an argument broke out inside the club and spilled to the outside of the building. From there, the suspect, Boyce, had reportedly pulled a 40-caliber semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and fired three to four shots.

Vic Douglas, a cook at Vortex, called 911 after the bartender ran in and said shots were being fired. Douglas said there were about 30 people at the club prior to the incident.

At the time of the initial report, four victims were transported to the hospital, one to Mission Trauma Center with what was thought to be serious injuries and three to McDowell with non-life threatening injuries, according to a press release by McDowell County EMS. All patients were released that day.

After the shooting, Boyce had been on the lam from authorities for the next three days. He was finally arrested and charged that Monday, where he was held in custody.

As the case moved forward through District Court in Jan. 2014, Spratt was summoned as a witness for the State vs. Earl Spencer Boyce Jr., where Boyce had stated to the officer, Youre dead, (exploitative). As a result, Boyce was indicted on one count of intimidating a witness.

Boyce has a longstanding criminal history in Rutherford County dating back to 1995, with charges and convictions that include common law robbery, breaking and entering, larceny, assault and eluding arrest.

Ginny Rhodes contributed to this article.
Until now, researchers thought that the development of the human brains visual-processing center stopped in the first few years of life. But a new study challenges this belief, instead suggesting that vision develops until midlife. This may have a significant impact on people with amblyopia, which is an eye disorder that causes what is commonly known as a lazy eye. Share on Pinterest New research suggests that human vision develops until well into midlife. This may help those with amblyopia to receive corrective treatment, even in adulthood. A new study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, suggests that human vision might take longer to develop than previously thought. A team of researchers led by Kathryn Murphy, a professor in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, set out to examine the evolution of the primary visual cortex in the human brain by analyzing the postmortem brain tissue of 30 people, ranging in age from 20 days to 80 years. Until now, the accepted view has been that in humans, the maturation of the primary visual cortex is completed in the first few years of life. This traditional belief was based on anatomical studies of how the synapses are formed, as well as how connections within the cortex and between the cortex and other brain regions occur. However, Murphy and colleagues have previously discovered that there are some proteins in the primary visual cortex that continue to develop well beyond the first years of life. Their new study confirms these preliminary findings.

Studying the link between brain plasticity and eyesight In their previous research , Murphy and colleagues looked at the so-called GABAergic activity in the brain. GABA stands for gamma-aminobutyric acid, and GABAergic refers to the brains ability to produce it. GABA is a neurotransmitter whose main function is to inhibit the action of another neurotransmitter called glutamate. Their former study looked at the balance between excitation and inhibition in the brain, and how it is linked to the plasticity and aging of the visual cortex. The researchers followed the maturation of this brain region and showed how these GABAergic mechanisms change across the human lifespan. This previous research showed that the GABA-producing mechanisms continue to mature until quite late in life. However, it still was not clear whether all of the mechanisms that regulate the plasticity of the synapses behaved in the same way. GABA is inhibitory, but what about the excitatory neurotransmitters and synapses? As Murphy and colleagues explain in their new paper, over 80 percent of synapses in the primary visual cortex are excitatory. So, to answer this question, the scientists looked at the postmortem tissue of 30 people, of whom 12 were females and 18 were males. They examined their brain tissue using Western blotting  a technique commonly used in molecular biology to separate and identify specific proteins from the mixture of proteins that has been extracted from cells.
Some people may worry about heart palpitations during menopause as the two can be linked. Most menopausal heart palpitations are harmless, but people should consult a doctor to be sure. Some may view menopause as a significant milestone: a transition into middle age. Others may worry about well-known symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Although menopause is a natural and healthy transition, it can come with some uncomfortable side effects. Common symptoms include vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex, difficulty sleeping, low mood, anxiety, reduced sex drive, and problems with memory and concentration. Heart palpitations are not widely talked about with regards to menopause and are thus more likely to take menopausal people by surprise. They can occur because of hormone changes during not just menopause but also periods and pregnancy, and they are often temporary.

What are heart palpitations? Heart palpitations are also called irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias. These are heartbeats that are suddenly more noticeable than regular heartbeats. During a palpitation, the heart may pound, flutter, race, or beat irregularly. Palpitations are often short-lived, lasting just a few seconds or, at worse, a few minutes. Palpitations may seem alarming, but they are often harmless and do not necessarily signal a serious problem. However, people should still contact a doctor if they occur. Causes of menopause heart palpitations A person who sometimes feels their heart racing or missing a beat could be undergoing menopause heart palpitations. This is a common symptom of perimenopause. Perimenopause is the time before menopause. Menopause occurs when a female has not had a period for 12 months. Afterward, these people are said to be in the postmenopause phase. Heart palpitations are a direct result of lower levels of the hormone estrogen, which leads to an overstimulation of the heart. Such a drop in hormone production can be linked to an increase in both heart rate and frequency in palpitations, and nonthreatening arrhythmias.

When to see a doctor While palpitations are usually harmless, a person experiencing them should not ignore them. A person should consult a doctor for a diagnosis and to rule out any abnormalities. Doctors will particularly want to investigate whether the palpitations are linked to a shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest discomfort. Menopause heart palpitations can increase heart rates by 816 beats per minute. Some people, however, have reported much bigger increases, with their heart rates reaching up to 200 beats per minute. Menopausal females who experience irregular heartbeats are often treated using natural methods. When the problems are caused by reduced levels of estrogen, the treatment can involve lifestyle changes and natural remedies combined. A few lifestyle changes may help cut down the occurrence of menopausal palpitations. These include: reducing caffeine intake by drinking less coffee and other caffeine-heavy drinks

cutting back on or avoiding stimulants, such as cigarettes and alcohol

practicing relaxation techniques, such as yoga, mindfulness, and breathing exercises

Heart disease risk and menopause According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), females, in general, have a lower risk of being affected by coronary heart disease (CHD) before menopause. Afterward, the risk of CHD increases and continues to rise. A doctor may prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help relieve unpleasant symptoms in people who experience them. In the past, it was thought that HRT had the added benefit of helping to protect females against CHD. However, more recent research suggests that this is not so. Also, the BHF maintains that some forms of HRT may slightly increase the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke. Likewise, the same therapies can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). This is particularly the case in the first year of taking HRT. It is important to remember, however, that HRT can be highly effective for relieving menopausal symptoms. Indeed, for most menopausal people, especially those below the age of 60, the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, of course. Every person is different, which is why it is important to speak with a doctor about whether HRT is appropriate. Heart disease risk goes up for everyone as they get older. However, for females, there is a marked increase after menopause. Hence, it is vital to do everything possible to keep the heart healthy. Good nutrition has an important part to play. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, fish, and poultry can help. People should also avoid putting on excess weight, as it can add strain to the heart and increase blood pressure. However, there is more to keeping healthy than just nutrition and maintaining a moderate weight.
A new genetic test could be an accurate and inexpensive way to find and treat those at highest risk of anal cancer - a disease with growing incidence in women, men who have sex with men (MSM) and people with HIV.

The early research by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), which was funded by Cancer Research UK, finds that the test could lead to a reduction in painful procedures and minimise the over-treatment of people at low risk.

Anal cancer is mostly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) - the same virus that causes cervical cancer. In 2014, the UK had around 1,300 new cases of anal cancer and 360 deaths. In addition to rising levels in women and MSM, anal cancer is more common in HIV-positive MSM with around 100 cases per 100,000, compared to 25 in HIV-negative MSM, and only 1.5 in men in general.

Diagnosis presents many challenges. Full biopsies are painful, and taking a small sample of cells ('cytology') is problematic because lesions can be hidden and clinicians give varying interpretations of results. High-resolution anoscopy, where the anal canal is examined with a high resolution magnifying instrument, is often used as the primary screening tool for high-risk populations but is uncomfortable for the patient, expensive, complex and generates subjective results.

Lead researcher Professor Attila Lorincz from QMUL said: "The widespread over-treatment of anal precancerous lesions is necessary today because we don't know which ones will progress to cancer. But this creates a large burden on anoscopy clinics in the UK and the procedures can be detrimental to people's quality of life. Many people are undergoing these procedures unnecessarily, so what we really need is precision medicine to identify those who do need treatment."

The research, published in the journal Oncotarget, involved studying anal biopsy specimens from 148 patients in London, including 116 men (mostly MSM). The specimens were analysed to look for genetic markers that may be associated with the presence of anal cancer.

The team specifically looked at the patients' 'epigenetics'1 and found that all of the anal cancers showed the presence of specific epigenetic markers on the patients' EPB41L3 gene (a tumour suppressor gene) and also on certain regions of their viral HPV genome.

The results suggest that epigenetic testing may be an accurate and thorough method to indicate whether a patient's lesions are destined to progress to anal cancer. This could reduce the costs, pain and anxiety from other methods of diagnosis, and minimise over-treatment of low risk people.

Professor Lorincz added: "We believe this new set of biomarkers goes a long way to indicating which men and women are at risk of developing anal cancer. Now that we can identify those at risk, and conversely, those not at risk, we hope to see a big improvement, by making sure that anoscopies and laser or chemical surgery are only given to those who need it."

Once developed, the test would involve taking a small sample of cells from the anal canal via a swab and then sending the sample off to a laboratory for epigenetic analysis.

While a test could be developed within five years, the researchers caution that the results first need to be confirmed in a much larger study across the UK, and repeated using swab samples rather than the biopsies which were used in the current study.

Dr Rachel Orritt, Cancer Research UK's health information officer, said: "This study builds on what we already know about the link between changes to cell DNA and cervical cancer, and shows that similar changes to the DNA in anal cells could suggest anal cancer.

"If other studies confirm and build upon these findings, this promising research could be used to develop a less invasive method to help doctors identify people who are at a higher risk of anal cancer and avoid unnecessary procedures for those who are at a lower risk."

Article: Methylation of HPV and a tumor suppressor gene reveals anal cancer and precursor lesions, Attila T Lorincz, Mayura Nathan, Caroline Reuter, Rhian Warman, Mohamed A Thaha, Michael Sheaff, Natasa Vasiljevic, Amar Ahmad, Jack Cuzick, Peter Sasieni, Oncotarget, doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.17984, published 18 May 2017.
Higher than normal body mass index (BMI) is known to lead to cardiovascular ill-health in mid-to-late life, but there has been limited investigation of its effect in young, apparently healthy, adults. Researchers have now shown that having a higher BMI can cause worse cardiovascular health in those aged as young as 17, according to a study presented to the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics.

Dr Kaitlin Wade, a Research Associate at the Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC-IEU) at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK, and colleagues used data from The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) to investigate the potential link between increased BMI and cardiovascular health. "ALSPAC is a world-leading birth cohort study, started in the early 1990s with the inclusion of more than 14,000 pregnant mothers and their partners and children, and provides an excellent opportunity to study environmental and genetic contributions to a person's health and development. It was therefore ideal for this purpose," Dr Wade will say.

The researchers hypothesised that cardiovascular risk due to increased BMI was likely to emerge in earlier life. The design of existing observational studies (those just looking for associations in the population) have meant that they are unable to make a distinction between correlation and causation. The MRC-IEU specialises in the use of genetics to help these difficult analytical situations and in this case researchers were able to use genomic data from ALSPAC to detect the likely causal relationship between higher BMI and higher blood pressure and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in those aged 17 and 21. A thickening of the left ventricle in the heart (hypertrophy) means that it has to work harder to pump blood and is a common marker for heart disease.

Higher BMI did not appear to have an effect on heart rate in these young adults, although previous studies have shown an association - most likely due to bias caused by the mixing of effects of an additional factor resulting in a distortion of the true relationship (confounding). "Our results showed that the causal impact of higher BMI on cardiac output was solely driven by the volume of blood pumped by the left ventricle (stroke volume). This, at least in part, can explain the causal effect of higher BMI on cardiac hypertrophy and higher blood pressure that we observed in all our analyses," says Dr Wade.

The results support efforts to tackle the obesity epidemic from an early age in order to prevent the development of cardiovascular changes known to be precursors of cardiovascular ill-health and disease. "It is the first time that the nature of this relationship has been shown in group of young adults where it has been possible to draw improved conclusions about its causation," says Dr Wade.

The researchers are now trying to untangle the relationship between higher BMI and disease mechanisms including metabolomics (the study of the chemical processes involved in the functioning of cells and the abundance and diversity of microbes living in the gut - the gut microbiome). "We have also begun an analysis of the causal role of higher BMI on detailed measures of cardiac structure and function within the ALSPAC data. We hope to further explore these associations within an older population - the UK 1946 birth cohort.

"Whilst randomised controlled trials are important for disentangling cause and effect in disease, they are expensive, time-consuming and labour-intensive. Modern genomics allows us to detect causality more quickly and cheaply, and the availability of large quantities of genetic data means that we can overcome the limitations of observational epidemiological studies. We believe that there are clear messages for cardiovascular health in our findings and we hope that they may lead to increased efforts to tackle obesity from early life," Dr Wade will conclude.

Chair of the ESHG conference, Professor Joris Veltman, Director of the Institute of Genetic Medicine at Newcastle University Newcastle, United Kingdom, said: "Distinguishing between correlation and causation is tremendously difficult in medical sciences, especially for complex interactions like those between obesity and cardiovascular disease. In this study, statistical genetics approaches were applied to longitudinal cohorts from the UK to improve this. The scientists could demonstrate that obesity also causes poorer cardiovascular health in young adults. In contrast, higher BMI did not seem affect heart rate in this group.''
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The genomic data allowed the research team to reconstruct for the first time the spread of the virus across South and Central America, the Caribbean, and into the southern United States.In many of these regions, the virus circulated for months before local cases of infection were detected. Sabeti and colleagues' analysis suggested that Zika was circulating in Brazil around February 2014, a year before that nation's first confirmed infections were reported. Similarly, the virus appears to have arrived in Colombia, Honduras, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere in the Caribbean from 4.5 to 9 months before the first confirmed local infections, highlighting the importance of having sensitive and specific diagnostic tools early in an outbreak.These results appear only now, months after the peak of the outbreak, because sequencing Zika virus has proved to be challenging, particularly directly from patient samples. The difficulty arises because Zika virus is typically present at very low levels in patients and disappears quickly. As a result, very few Zika genomes had been generated prior to this study, leaving researchers with little basis for understanding how the virus is spreading and evolving.To address this lack of data, the team developed new laboratory and analytical methods for capturing robust Zika genomic data, and applied them to samples collected in partnership with collaborators in Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, and Florida to generate 110 new genomes for this study. The team combined those genomes with an additional 64 available in GenBank and in one of the study's two companion papers to carry out their analysis."We knew it was important to understand the viral populations driving the epidemic, which motivated us to tackle the challenges of sequencing Zika," said study co-first author Hayden Metsky, a graduate student in the Sabeti lab. "Because the data we generated capture the geographic diversity of the virus across the Americas, they provide an opportunity to trace how and when the virus spread. Our data and findings will also support development of more effective molecular diagnostic tests, as well as improved public health surveillance tools."The work also highlights the importance of quickly creating trusted partnerships between researchers and across institutions and regions, and of sharing data openly during outbreaks."This collaboration has been about each partner sharing their unique resources and expertise -- samples, protocols, analyses, insights -- to help understand and fight Zika," said Thiago Moreno L. Souza, a study co-senior author and senior research scientist at Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. "Sharing the data widely for the same end goal was an obvious extension of that ethos."The study was published together with two companion papers, one by Kristian Andersen from the Scripps Research Institute and colleagues examining Zika's introduction into Florida, and the other by Oliver Pybus at the University of Oxford and colleagues examining the virus's establishment and early spread within and beyond northeastern Brazil. All three teams committed to sharing data and ideas freely amongst themselves and to release their findings cooperatively and quickly."Collectively our goal was to capture as complete a picture of the genetic underpinnings of the epidemic in the Americas as we could. Working together was critical to reaching that goal," said study co-senior author Bronwyn MacInnis, associate director of malaria and viral genomics in the Broad's Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program. "Instead of competing for publication, we wanted our papers to leverage each other and reflect our commitment to the greater good."Zika remains a significant public health threat in affected countries and regions, highlighting the need for continued surveillance and research on the virus. According to MacInnis, the epidemic holds lessons about the role genomics can play in identifying and tracking emerging outbreaks early, before widespread infection occurs."Genomics allowed us to reconstruct how the virus traveled and changed across the epidemic -- which also means that genomics could have helped detect it much earlier," she said. "We were way behind the curve on Zika. We need to be well ahead of the next emerging viral threat, and genomics can have a role in achieving this."Source: Eurekalert
Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias will meet at the Foreign Ministry at 12:00 tomorrow, Wednesday, 31 May, with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Croatia, Davor Ivo Stier.



Following their meeting, at about 13:00, the two Ministers will make joint statements to the news media.



Mr. Kotzias will then host a working dinner for Mr. Stier.
It is really amazing that President Trump came under the same circumstances that Jesus did. When Jesus was handed over to Pontius Pilate, he told the liberal crowd, I dont see where he committed any crime, but the crowds just kept shouting,Crucify him. The mainstream liberal news media was also told by the FBI, CIA and other intelligence agencies that there isnt any evidence that President Trump committed any crime. But the liberals keep shouting impeach him. These people that live in this bubble just cant make themselves believe that he won the election on his own merit.

The only way the Russians can be involved in our election is on account of stupid decisions that these judges made, preventing the states from having voter ID. The money were going to spend on this stupid witch hunt would be more than enough money to build a fence from Texas to California.
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...
How Military Experience Provides a Solid Foundation for Franchise Ownership

You have served your country for years, perhaps even decades, and you are ready to explore a new career. You have always dreamed of owning your own business, but the thought of building a business from scratch is just too overwhelming. What about owning a business where you are given all the tools, advice, and established brand recognition? That is what owning a franchise provides, essentially an own your own business kit.

Veterans are ideal candidates for owning a franchise; they have deep experience following procedures, working in a team and being disciplined. You may be asking: How do I know what type of franchise is right for me? How do I learn about franchising? How do I fund a franchise? Good news! These questions and more can easily be answered.

First, like in the military, you need to be prepared. Your franchise will not be successful if you dont arm yourself. The right approach and knowledge are key. Reduce risk and prep for success with these simple steps:

Find Your Match  Start by looking at what industry best fits you: What was your role in the military? Did it include leadership? Was it physical? Did you prepare food? Match your skillset to an industry. For instance, the moving industry is physical and an active changing environment. Daily responsibilities include working with clients, dealing with truck issues, managing dispatch and enjoying an exciting and ever changing day. All of these daily procedures and physical aspects of moving make it a very military friendly environment. Seek out a franchise business that compliments your role in the military. Educate  Join the IFA: Join and use the resources of the International Franchise Association (IFA) to educate yourself on becoming a franchisee. Participate! Attend their meetings and get involved in their networking community. They also have great databases to search and find franchise opportunities. Everyone at the association wants to help and they want you to succeed. Fund  Apply for a Loan: There are many resources available to help you fund your franchise, particularly for veterans. The IFA has an unique program for veterans called VetFran. VetFran offer financial incentives to veterans seeking to become franchise small-business owners. Another great resource is the Small Business Administration.

Owning a franchise is an exciting adventure. If you simply take the time to find the right industry match for you, educate yourself and leverage the resources available to veterans for small business loans, then the stage is set for a great and successful adventure!

About Ram Katalan

As co-founder and CEO of NorthStar Moving Company, Ram Katalan has built a company that is built upon a sincere dedication to meeting the highest standards for service and integrity in his relationships with clients, team members and the community at large.

Ram started as a mover at a New York based moving company and worked his way up from mover to team leader, and then operations manager. A mover since 1986, Ram ventured to the west coast where he then co-founded NorthStar Moving in 1994.

Ram has turned the industry on its headbreaking the long-held notion of moving and storage as simply moving boxes from point A to point B. He has demonstrated that running a moving business can be a lot more than lifting things; its about lifting-up team members, going above and beyond for clients, and staying ahead, such as being one of the first in the industry to leverage the wave of social networking.

For information about NorthStar Moving Company franchise opportunities visit www.northstarfranchising.com.
A free lunch-and-learn seminar for people dealing with the legal, medical and physical needs of an aging parent or a medically challenged family member will be held 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, at First and Main for Metro Health Village, 5812 Village Drive SE in Wyoming. The seminar is also for people looking ahead to when they may need to care for a family member and want to be prepared.

The seminar, presented by the law firm Plachta Murphy and Associates, will include two segments:

Understanding the legal issues, presented by attorney Brian J. Plachta, which covers estate planning and the legal documents to have in place. Learn about long-term care insurance as well as the government benefits that may be available, including Medicare and Medicaid, veterans' benefits, and Social Security disability and retirement benefits.

Being an advocate for your loved one, presented by Vicki Poleni and Sharon Depcinski, which will examine how to be a better advocate and get the right care in an increasingly complex healthcare system. Learn how to get organized with a Caregiver Checklist, deal with insurance companies and healthcare providers, explore the range of care options and where to go for help when a professional medical advocate is needed.

RSVP to Lisa Peterson by email at lpeterson@pmalawpc.com or by phone at 616-458-3994 by June 5.
UPDATE: Victim of crash with fire truck on I-94 was 15-year-old girl

YPSILANTI, MI - One person is dead and two others were injured after a vehicle crash with a fire truck in Ypsilanti overnight.

Firefighters were initially called about 10:45 p.m. Monday, May 29 to a rollover crash in the area of westbound I-94 and Grove Street, said Ypsilanti Fire Chief Max Anthouard.

However, about 11 p.m., as firefighters tended to the person in the rollover vehicle, a different vehicle carrying three people rear-ended their firetruck that was blocking the right side of the road.

One person, who has not yet been identified, was killed, another was transported to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in critical condition and another was transported in stable condition, he said.

No firefighters were injured and the patient in the initial rollover only suffered minor injuries from their crash. The rear of the firetruck was destroyed, Anthouard said.

"It was tough for the crew," he said, of witnessing the crash with their own truck. "Not in the 23 years that I've been here (has that happened).
A recent series of reports by MLive and The Ann Arbor News focused on hate crimes occurring in Washtenaw County and in Michigan.

The series pointed out that few cases are prosecuted and data collected by the FBI may not capture a true picture of how many hate crimes are occurring in the United States.

New York-based ProPublica, a Pulitzer Prize-winning nonprofit devoted to investigative journalism, is attempting to fill the possible void in record keeping with a project called "Documenting Hate."

MLive Media Group is joining news organizations like The Times-Picayune (Nola.com) in New Orleans, The Boston Globe, The Miami Herald and many others to document hate crimes as part of the project.

In Michigan, about 26 percent of all police agencies reported handling a hate crime in 2015. The purpose of the ProPublica project is to see if those numbers add up.

Here's what ProPublica says about the work:

"'Documenting Hate' aims to use the techniques perfected last year by the Electionland coalition to gather data from law enforcement, nonprofit groups, news reports, social media - as well as directly from victims and witnesses - and to disseminate that data to local news partners across the country. While any such database could never claim to be a complete reckoning, our goals are to create an authoritative, useful national database of hate incidents, and to enable local journalists to cover hate and bias in an efficient, data-driven, and sensitive way.

"We also aim to gather information on incidents of harassment and intimidation -

both in the digital realm and the material world - that may not rise to the level of a criminal offense. These episodes are currently not documented and analyzed by any government agency."

As part of the ProPublica project, citizens are asked to report any incidents in which they have been the victims of, or witness to, hate crimes or harassment.

Reporters will check these claims, and the information will be shared with partnering newsrooms. It won't be shared with law enforcement and names and contact information won't be shared with any group outside of the ProPublica coalition.

To report hate crimes or instances of harassment and intimidation based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, please fill out the form below.
ANN ARBOR, MI - Jan Dionne had been visiting Ann Arbor for years before she decided to make it her home.

Her nephew Nathan and his wife Melissa both attended the University of Michigan, earning graduate degrees and then staying in town.

"And I had come up seven years in a row for your fabulous Art Fair and fell in love with Ann Arbor," said Dionne, 67, who lived in Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., and worked as an IT project manager for the government.

When her nephew and his wife decided they were staying, Dionne's sister and brother-in-law made the move to Ann Arbor two years ago.

Dionne did the same.

After renting for a year, she now lives in a new condo in the 121 Kingsley West development on the edge of downtown.

Along with the Main on the Park development next to North Main Park on North Main Street, it's one of two new condo developments completed this past year by Ann Arbor developer Tom Fitzsimmons of Huron Contracting. The new buildings offer the latest in luxury living in downtown Ann Arbor, with units customized to each buyer's liking, some selling for more than $1 million.

Dionne said her sister and brother-in-law actually moved into another condo building built by Fitzsimmons a couple years ago at 414 N. Main St.

She can now see their building in the Kerrytown area from her new condo at the corner of Ashley and Kingsley streets.

"Which is wonderful," she said. "My brother-in-law's a cook and I get invited over there all the time. I don't cook at all, so it works out great.

"And they absolutely love the area," she added. "My brother-in-law had only been up to Ann Arbor one time before deciding to move up here. He just fell in love with the place. Because it's only another block to the Farmers Market, and of course over to Zingerman's and all."

Dionne, who is now retired, said one of the many things she likes about Ann Arbor is the ease of getting around.

"I love the fact that no matter where you want to go in Ann Arbor, you can get there in 15 minutes, and it's so much less traffic," she said. "So it's fabulous."



Dionne moved into her building at 121 Kingsley West last August while the adjacent building was still under construction. Construction wrapped up before the end of the year, and some of the sales were still in process in early 2017.

As Huron Contracting allows all of its clients to do, Dionne completely customized her new home.

She combined two units to create one large, 2,258-square-foot condo with two bathrooms and three bedrooms, including a guest room and office.

It features a spacious living room with a modern gas fireplace, a balcony offering a view of Main Street, a big kitchen with quartz countertops and backsplash, hardwood floors throughout, a laundry room and pantry.

"I'm really pleased with the marble bathroom. Everything came out, I thought, beautifully," Dionne said.

"It's so nice and bright all the time. I've got the morning and the afternoon sun coming in from both sides."

Altogether, there are 18 newly constructed condo units at 121 Kingsley West and four at Main on the Park.

According to city records, units at 121 Kingsley West, ranging from just under 1,000 square feet to more than 2,600 square feet, have sold from $434,000 to $1.15 million, with seven topping $800,000, and two topping $1 million.

The initial sale of 17 of the units amounted to more than $12 million in total sales, or just over $700,000 per unit on average. One unit that sold for $439,000 last August resold for $549,900 in September.

Per square foot, the prices have ranged from $367 to $535, with the average for the initial 17 sales being $414 per square foot.

Two of the units closed in January and there still is no sale record available for one of the 18 units at 121 Kingsley West.

The four units at Main on the Park, which are described as luxury, three-bedroom townhomes, sold for about $1 million each last fall.

They're each more than 2,000 square feet and include two-car private garages, two and a half bathrooms and balconies overlooking North Main Park.

Fitzsimmons is already building more condos in the area, with another 24-unit building taking shape at 410 N. First St., next to the fish sculpture park at the corner of First and Kingsley. He also has taken over as partner for the smaller Kingsley Parkside condo project just around the corner.

Other downtown condo developments are in the works as well. Altogether, 100-plus new condos could be coming near downtown in the next two years.
UPDATE: Though this crash was cleared, the ramp at this location was blocked as of 9:12 a.m., according to MDOT.

SALEM TOWNSHIP, MI - A crash blocked traffic on westbound M-14 on the morning of Tuesday, May 30.

Authorities were responding about 8:20 a.m. Tuesday to a vehicle crash in the area of westbound M-14 at Gotfredson Road, Washtenaw County dispatchers confirmed.

The left lane of M-14 at exit 15 was blocked as of 9 a.m., according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

MDOT traffic cameras showed what appeared to be a traffic backup several miles behind the crash.

Further information on the crash was not immediately available.
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The Kelsey Museum of Archaeology at the University of Michigan is returning an ancient artifact that recently was rediscovered by a Dutch Egyptologist, Nico Staring, who had been searching its archives in hopes of finding the artifact that was purchased by the National Museums of Berlin in 1910. Photo provided l Kelsey Museum of Archaeology

ANN ARBOR, MI - The answer to a mystery dating back to World War II has been discovered at the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology at the University of Michigan.

The museum, according to the Associated Press, is returning an ancient artifact that was recently rediscovered by a Dutch Egyptologist, Nico Staring, who had been searching its archives in hopes of finding the artifact that was purchased by the National Museums of Berlin in 1910.

More than 3,000 years ago, Ptahmose, mayor of the Egyptian city of Memphis, had his portrait chiseled onto a stone tablet called a stele, according to the A.P.

The National Museums of Berlin purchased the fragment of the slab and displayed it in Germany's capital. The museums were shut and large parts of the collection moved to safety due to aerial bombardment during World War II. The stele was left behind and recorded missing, assumed destroyed, after the war.

According to the A.P., research showed a Dutch-American scientist, Samuel Abraham Goudsmit, had purchased the stele in 1945 from a private collector in Germany and bequeathed it to the Kelsey Museum.

Goudsmit was the scientific head of a secret U.S. Army mission investigating Nazi Germany's efforts to build a nuclear bomb, as well as an enthusiastic amateur archaeologist.

The Kelsey Museum, which features a collection of more than 100,000 artifacts, agreed to return the stele, which is expected to be displayed again in Berlin.
DETROIT, MI -- About 108 Flint Northwestern High School students boarded two charter buses sunny Friday afternoon to head for a destination in Detroit to celebrate their prom.

Parents snapped photos outside the high school as students arrived along a catwalk-style entrance, before students dressed in suits and dresses waved goodbye and traveled to the Detroit Princess Riverboat for some food and dancing.

"It means everything to be at prom," said Courtney Sawyers, an 18-year-old senior dressed in a pink dress with a bejeweled tiara. "I wanted to feel like a princess. And to be here, I am so excited to see everybody dressed up so nice and clean."

The prom had an "Under the Sea" theme, appropriately enough, as the four-deck, 222-foot long riverboat charged along the banks of the Detroit River near the U.S.-Canada border.

"You only get this chance once in a lifetime, so you better make it count," said senior TaWanna Manuel.
Cummings Great Expectations opening 008

Bilal Tawwab, Flint Community Schools superintendent, applauds as children attend class and funding partners, as well as local and state officials cut the ribbon to signify the opening of Cummings Great Expectations, An Early Childhood Center on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016 in Flint. Cummings will identify and address the educational, behavioral and health needs of Flint children ages 2 months old to 5 years old, with a particular focus on those who were exposed to lead as a result of the city's water crisis. The center will also serve as a resource hub for parents, families and other home- and center-based childcare providers. Jake May | MLive.com

(Jake May | MLive.com)

This guest opinion was written by Flint Community Schools Superintendent Bilal Tawwab.

When Flint residents voted in 2013 to return our school district to a community school model, they identified the essential role of the community in breathing new life into our classrooms. Since that time, the rebuilding of Flint Community Schools has been nothing short of a community effort.

As superintendent of Flint Community Schools, I rely every day on the partnership and guidance of area leaders and organizations. They bring essential support and wisdom to the strategic direction of our district, and to the daily lives of our students.

In the fall of 2016, I joined the board of Cranbrook Institute of Science. Well outside the city limits, many may wonder why I would invest my time in an institution of learning that's so far from home. The impetus was this: I firmly believe collaborations, both at home and throughout the region, will be essential to the resurgence of Flint Community Schools.

As Michigan's leading natural history museum, Cranbrook Institute of Science has a tremendous wealth of resources and educational opportunities to offer our students. With a collection of more than 400,000 objects and artifacts, its programming is also aligned with the New Michigan K-12 Science Standards and Grade Level Content Expectations.

Cranbrook Institute of Science has partnered with Flint Community Schools for more than five years, reaching students from kindergarten to high school and serving faculty and family members. This innovative partnership offers enhanced learning for our teachers and students, thanks to major support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and contributions from the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Consumers Energy Foundation, and others.

Partnerships like this one are critical in ensuring that we continue to not just meet, but exceed, the educational standards that will be essential to student success throughout the district.

Each summer, Flint teachers have the opportunity to live at Cranbrook for three days, participating in immersive professional development. While onsite, teachers learn about the planetarium and astronomy, and how they can use the Institute's collections in their own lesson plans. Much like books at a library, Flint teachers even check out objects from the museum to engage their students.

Many Flint Community Schools families are familiar with Science Nights, which have become commonplace throughout the district and are a product of this innovative partnership. Combined with Family Days at schools and at Cranbrook Institute of Science, the program brings classroom lessons full circle by engaging parents, guardians and siblings.

This summer, district high school students will again have the opportunity to participate in the summer intern program at Cranbrook Institute of Science, which is generously funded through the C.S. Mott Foundation. Students will participate in impactful individual projects and enjoy free bus rides to and from the program. Last year, 62 students were able to add this tremendous experience to their resume, and we look forward to this program's continued growth.

All told, these efforts have impacted more than 10,000 students across the district with many more to come. It is essential that we continue to grow this partnership to be even more intensive - increasing frequency in classrooms and enhancing access for younger students, ultimately helping to set the foundation for mastery of science even earlier.

Together with partners like Cranbrook Institute of Science, we will ensure every Flint Community Schools student develops a mastery of critical skill sets, empowering students with the tools they'll need for the many career options that await.

Superintendent Bilal Kareem Tawwab is the superintendent of the Flint Community Schools located in Flint, Michigan. He became superintendent in September 2015.
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Grand Rapids police surround an apartment building while investigating a shooting in 2013.

(MLive file photo)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Grand Rapids police officers responded to seven shootings over Memorial Day weekend, including four in which a victim was wounded by the gunfire.

The number is higher than seen in other recent Memorial Day weekends, further signaling a rise in Grand Rapids shootings this year.

During the last three years, the same holiday weekend resulted in a combined two attempted murders, how police typically classify a shooting in which a person is wounded.

"We're seeing a number of shots fired and shooting incidents right now," Grand Rapids Police Sgt. Terry Dixon said. "I can't tell you what spurred them, but in some cases we see a rise in violent offenses in the early months of the summer."

All four shooting victims over the weekend were male, and all four were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The remaining three shootings were cases of homes being struck by gunfire, police said.

As of Tuesday morning, police said no arrests had been made in any of the seven investigations.

Dixon said detectives have not determined whether there are any links to be found within the spree of gun violence, though he said it is still early in the department's investigations.

The shootings were a topic of discussion during Tuesday's Grand Rapids City Commission meeting, as city leaders voiced their concerns.

"The word I'm hearing on the street is that there's a lot of worry about what this summer is about to bring," Third Ward Commissioner Dave Allen said.

Three of the shootings occurred during a four-hour window Saturday, May 27, beginning with a shooting at about 7:30 p.m. in the 900 block of Madison Avenue SE. A 23-year-old man was located on scene with gunshot wounds to his pelvis and legs.

About 9:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to a fight between 13-15 teenagers in the area of Merrill Avenue and Eton Street SW. About 40 shell casings were found there, but officers found no victims at the scene.

More than an hour later, police said, a 21-year-old man arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound in his pelvis. Police later determined the man's injuries were sustained during the shooting in Southwest Grand Rapids.

The evening's third shooting occurred about 10:55 p.m. Saturday, when a 17-year-old man was shot in the leg in the 700 block of 6th Street near Stocking Avenue NW. Police said a male suspect fled in a vehicle.

On Monday, May 29, officers responded to a shooting about 11:15 a.m. in the 1100 block of Hamilton Avenue NW. There they found a 40-year-old man who was shot in the leg.

Police said the victim told them a man in his 20s or 30s knocked at his door and yelled at him before firing a handgun at him and fleeing the scene.

"There were three or four shootings in the last week within a block of my business," First Ward Commissioner Jon O'Connor said. "We don't want gun violence in any neighborhood, but it's in a concentrated area."

Three of the weekend's four incidents have been deemed murder attempts, and police said the fourth is likely to be classified the same upon investigation.

The Grand Rapids Police Department classifies most shootings in which a victim is struck by gunfire as a murder attempt, with exceptions for incidents like officer-involved shootings and suicide attempts.

As of Tuesday, May 30, Grand Rapids has had 20 shootings in which a victim was wounded so this year. That is compared to 32 in the entirety of 2016, and 39 in 2015.

One of the holiday weekend shootings occurred on a block where Allen said he and his wife take daily walks.

"I'm not a police expert, but I know how to read data," Allen said. "When you have a concentrated geographic area with high crime, it's going to take enforcement - with engagement. It's how you do the enforcement and the engagement so it embraces both?

"I live in a sector that has the second or first highest incidents of violent crime, and I've lived there for 20 years. ...I would love to hear from the chief: what is our response in these sectors that have high gun crimes?"

Additionally, police recently responded to a handful of incidents in which gunshots were fired into homes.

After responding last week to a pair of shootings into residences in the 1100 block of Quarry Avenue NW and 800 block of Franklin Street SE, officers were called to three similar shooting scenes during the holiday weekend.

"We're definitely looking into why this is happening," Dixon said. "It's too early to know if they're connected, but we're looking into it."

The first occurred about 5:30 a.m. Saturday in the 1000 block of Sheridan Avenue SW. On Sunday, there was a shooting into a home in the 300 block of Brown Street SW about 1:15 a.m., and another at a house in the 500 block of Crosby Street NW about 2:15 p.m.

No suspects were arrested in connection with any of the weekend shootings.

Anyone with information about any of the shootings are asked to contact the police department at 616-456-3400, or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.

MLive reporter Amy Biolchini contributed to this report.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A slow and somber procession weaved its way through the city's southeast side today, signaling the return of a hometown hero who died defending American freedom.

The body of U.S. Army Sgt. Terrence Hinton landed in West Michigan on Tuesday, May 30 - 16 days after the Grand Rapids-native was killed in a car accident while stationed in Hawaii.

On May 14, Hinton was riding in a tractor-trailer hauling heavy machinery during a training exercise when the 20-year-old driver of the vehicle lost control, causing the truck to overturn in a culvert.

Hinton's casket flew into Grand Rapids on a commercial Delta airliner from Atlanta, where it landed after a direct flight from Honolulu the night before.

Members of Hinton's family and representatives from Gillespie Funeral Home were met at Gerald R. Ford International Airport by members of local media and the Area 5 Patriot Guard Riders.

Carrying American flags on their motorcycles as they joined the procession, the men rode stone-faced behind Michigan State Police and Military police units.

Employees of businesses along 44th Street and Eastern Avenue lined the streets and watched as the motorcade rolled by. Some removed their caps. Others waved and held flags. Kent County Sherriff's deputies saluted as the hearse rolled through blocked-off intersections.

Among the Patriot Guard Riders was Grand Rapids resident Jack Cooper.

"We do this to give honor and respect," Cooper said. "They'll be a flag line (Wednesday) at the funeral home and then an escort on Thursday down to Fort Custer."

Cooper has never served in the military and said even though he has no personal connection to Hinton, his respect for a fellow Grand Rapidian who died in the line of duty inspires him to ride.

"He served for us," Cooper said. "Anybody who does that, whether it's police or military or fire ... they all deserve that."

Hinton, a 36-year-old graduate of Ottawa Hills High School, had been in the Army since 2009. He had been deployed twice - once to Afghanistan in 2010 and a second time to Kuwait in 2014.

The Sargent and motor transport operator leaves behind four siblings and a 5-year-old daughter. Ameka Hinton, Terrence's sister, described her younger brother as a "go-getter" and a "family man."

"He was very self-sufficient, a go-getter, a self-starter," Ameka Hinton told the Grand Rapids Press and MLive. "We were proud of him."

A visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31 at Gillespie Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 1, following a family-only visitation at 10 a.m.

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders plan to escort Hinton's body to Fort Custer, where he will be laid to rest.

"This isn't about us, it's about him," said Area 5 Senior Ride Captain Tony Van Gessel. "He's the one who made the ultimate sacrifice."
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Residents and their loved ones paid tribute to those who gave their lives serving in the U.S. military at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

Wendee Bailey was among the couple hundred who attended the 44th annual Memorial Day ceremony on Tuesday, May 30. She showed up to pay respect to her uncle, Robert Bailey, who died in March and lived in the veterans home for the last 13 years.

"Right now there's so much turmoil going on in the world," Bailey said. "When you can see the other side of things and the people who defend us, it's really heartwarming."

It was great to hear the keynote speaker - Major General Gregory Vadnais - take the stage and offer a patriotic speech during the ceremony, Bailey said, calling it "uplifting."

Vadnais gave a speech of optimism, providing hope for the crowd, despite the loss of their loved ones to war.

In addition to Vadnais' speech, the ceremony included remarks from James Redford, director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, a representative from the U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, a ceremony with blue and gold star mothers paying tribute to military lives lost at sea, a rifle salute, and closing prayer.

Bailey's uncle was one of 84 deceased veterans who had lived in the home and passed away since last year's Memorial Day. Their names were read during the ceremony to pay respect to their memory and family members.

Bailey has been coming to the facility for the last 13 years to visit her uncle, who served in the Army Air Forces during World War II, she said.

"It's a wonderful facility," Bailey said. "Thank god they have this because some of them, like my uncle, don't have families."

Her uncle had no wife or children of his own, Bailey said, but was well known for his "quirky" personality at the veterans home.

"Our heroes leave us a legacy of freedom that have taught their children and their children's children the value of sacrifice, work and virtue -- necessary virtues of freedom," Vadnais said.

The Major General, who has served in the military for 47 years, gave special recognition to Vietnam War veterans, who "didn't get that gratitude and thanks when they came home."

"It is truly and honor and a privilege to serve with so many fine young men and women so dedicated to a cause so much greater than themselves," he said.

Redford echoed the sentiment, adding "eternal vigilance is the price of freedom."

"The importance of (Memorial Day) is so that as a nation we take a hard stop to recognize one day a year the ultimate sacrifice that was given so those who came before us and those who come after us are able to be free," Redford said.

The Veterans Affairs Agency serves 640,000 veterans in the state of Michigan, and 600 of them live in homes like the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, Redford said.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said the shooting of Malik Carey by Grand Rapids police was justified.

Carey, 18, was fatally wounded after police say he fired upon them in the 1300 block of Dickinson Street SE about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3.

Becker said that Carey fired four shots at police before officers had a chance to reach their weapons and return fire.

This story will be updated.
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The outer harbor in Holland will be dredged this summer. (File photo | MLive.com)

WEST MICHIGAN - Harbors in Holland and St. Joseph will be dredged starting next week.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be spending $374,000 to dredge the navigational channels of the outer harbors in Holland and St. Joseph.

About 30,000 cubic yards of material will be removed from the channel in St. Joseph and 34,000 cubic yards will be removed from the harbor in Holland.

The Army Corps maintains the harbors to keep them open for ships hauling cargo.

Barges of coal are no longer traveling across Lake Macatawa to Holland's James De Young power plant after it stopped burning coal in 2016. The city has almost completed construction of a new natural gas-fired power plant.

But Holland's harbor is still used commercially, though it's lower on the list for funding than it used to be. Building aggregate materials, petroleum products and other commodities are shipped through the channel, according to the Army Corps.

In St. Joseph, limestone, sand, gravel, armor stone, cement, slag, salt and petroleum products are shipped through the channel.

The Army Corps has hired King Company Inc. from Holland to perform the dredging work, which will start the week of June 5 and last for about a month.

The same company was also hired to dredge the Grand Haven harbor this year.

"We are pleased to award this dredging contract so that navigational channels in St. Joseph Harbor and Holland Harbor can be kept open for important cargo," said Lt. Col. Dennis Sugrue, district engineer with the Army Corps in Detroit, in a statement. "Marine transport of commodities is safe, economical and environmentally friendly."

Funding to dredge harbors in St. Joseph and Holland is included in the Army Corps' budget for next year as well, said spokeswoman Lynn Rose.
BYRON TOWNSHIP, MI -- SpartanNash is expanding Kathy Mahoney's role at the company.

Mahoney, the grocer's chief legal officer and executive vice president, will now also serve as president of the MDV military division.

The Norfolk, Va.-based MDV is biggest distributor of grocery products to U.S. commissaries.

"Kathy is ideally suited for this expanded role," said Dave Staples, SpartanNash CEO, in a statement announcing the promotion. "Her knowledge and experience will be a tremendous asset to the MDV team, and we are excited to be able to promote from within for this key leadership position."

Mahoney joined the company in 2004 and was a member of the executive steering committee that oversaw the integration of Spartan Stores, Inc. and Nash Finch Company in 2013.

At the end of December, she was promoted to SpartanNash's chief legal officer.

She is credited for working closely with the MDV leadership team over the years to expand the military platform, resulting in the worldwide network the company operates today with its strategic partner Coastal Pacific Food Distributors.

Mahoney also played a key role with MDV on numerous projects involving direct contact with leaders within the military resale system, the company said.

SpartanNash is a Fortune 400 company whose core businesses include distributing grocery products to independent grocery retailers, national accounts, its corporate-owned retail stores and U.S. military commissaries.

SpartanNash serves customer locations in 47 states and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Bahrain and Egypt. The Michigan-based grocery operates 153 supermarkets, primarily under the banners of Family Fare Supermarkets, Family Fresh Market, D&W Fresh Market and SunMart.
GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, MI -- A woman who plotted with her husband to kill her parents and take their children back in October has admitted to her role in the incident.

On Friday, Ashley Peretiatko, 23, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to murder, which carries up to a life sentence in prison. She also pleaded guilty to first-degree home invasion.

As part of her deal, four other charges were dropped, including conspiracy to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, felonious use of a firearm, and attempted custodial interference.

Peretiatko is due back in court June 28 for sentencing.

As part of her plea, the woman admitted to aiming a gun at her father, James Barron's face after witnessing Barron shoot and kill her husband, David Peretiatko.

She also admitted to letting her husband, who was armed with a gun, into her parents' home, which she had been staying for about 10 days, according to Traverse County Prosecutor Bob Cooney.

"Our theory is that James Barron acted in self-defense after David Peretiatko illegally entered his home and pointed a gun at him," Cooney said.

Barron, a former police officer and licensed gun owner, was not charged. Before the incident, he received a warning call from Las Vegas police, who were seeking David Peretiatko on a murder charge.

Cooney said the male Peretiatko allegedly created an online ad to solicit sex from a man while in Las Vegas. Once the man arrived, police said Peretiatko killed him and stole his vehicle.

Back in Michigan, the suspect entered the home as part of a plot with Ashley Peretiatko to take their children back from the care of her parents, who had full custody of the kids. Barron encountered the armed suspect and shot him, before shooting his armed daughter in the face.

Ashley Peretiatko has since been in custody at the Traverse County Jail. She has undergone surgery at the University of Michigan Medical Center for treatment of her gunshot wound.
Hundreds gather for annual Memorial Day service honoring fallen veterans on Sunday, May 28 at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta. (Carly Geraci | Mlive.com)

Carly Geraci

Ranking Michigan cities by their veteran population

About 7.5% of Michigan adults are military veterans, and 54% of those veterans are age 65 and older, according to U.S. Census estimates for 2015. Below is a list of Michigan cities with the highest percentage of veterans, based on U.S. Census averages for 2011-15.

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Scott Levin / MLive

Interactive map on percentage of adults who are veterans

This map shows the percentage of county residents age 18 and older who are military veterans. The map is interactive: You can click on a county to see the underlying data. Hint: You can drag the map away from the legend if needed.

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1. Caspian, Iron County (U.P.): 19%

About 19% of Caspian's 626 residents age 18 and older and 32% of Caspian's 163 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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2. Rose City, Ogemaw County: 16%

About 16% of Rose City's 463 residents age 18 and older and 24% of its 145 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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3. Wakefield, Gogebic County (U.P.): 16%

About 16% of Wakefield's 1,445 residents age 18 and older and 30% of its 448 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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4. Harrisville, Alcona County: 16%

About 16% of Harrisville's 352 residents age 18 and older and 29% of its 122 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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5. Au Gres, Arenac County: 16%

About 16% of Au Gres's 663 residents age 18 and older and 33% of its 193 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates

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6. Omer, Arenac County: 16%

About 15% of Omer's 246 residents age 18 and older and 53% of its 54 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates

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7. Kingsford, Dickinson County (U.P.): 15%

About 15% of Kingsford's 4,147 residents age 18 and older and 34% of its 933 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates

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Six decades after the end of World War II, the number of surviving veterans is plummeting. Between 2005 and 2015, the number of surviving WWII vets in Michigan dropped by 76%.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

8. Harbor Spring, Emmet County: 15%

About 15% of Harbor Springs's 902 residents age 18 and older and 31% of its 364 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates

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9. Roosevelt Park, Muskegon County: 15%

About 15% of Roosevelt Park's 2,968 residents age 18 and older and 44% of its 531 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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10. Bessemer, Gogebic County (U.P.): 15%

About 15% of Bessemer's 1,605 residents age 18 and older and 44% of its 286 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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11. Caseville, Huron County: 15%

About 15% of Caseville's 657 residents age 18 and older and 31% of its 198 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates

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12. Crystal Fall, Iron County (U.P.): 14%

About 14% of Crystal Falls's 1,291 residents age 18 and older and 40% of its 258 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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13. Iron River, Iron County (U.P.): 14%

About 14% of Iron River's 2,429 residents age 18 and older and 31% of its 731 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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14. Tecumseh, Lenawee County: 14%

About 14% of Tecumseh's 6,657 residents age 18 and older and 25% of its 1271 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates

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The number of Michigan vets shrinks each year: The rate of military enlistment is much lower today, and the number of new vets isn't close to offsetting the deaths of older veterans.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

15. Milan, Monroe County: 14%

About 14% of Milan's 1,532 residents age 18 and older and 42% of its 296 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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16. Lake Angelus, Oakland County: 14%

About 14% of Lake Angelus's 242 residents age 18 and older and 33% of its 88 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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17. Gladstone, Delta County (U.P.): 14%

About 14% of Gladstone's 3,653 residents age 18 and older and 40% of its 796 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates

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18. Iron Mountain, Dickinson County (U.P.): 14%

About 14% of Iron Mountain's 5,624 residents age 18 and older and 33% of its 1,114 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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19. Rogers City, Presque Isle County: 14%

About 14% of Rogers City's 2,306 residents age 18 and older and 35% of its 671 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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20. St. Ignace, Mackinac County: 14%

About 14% of St. Ignace's 1,988 residents age 18 and older and 19% of its 517 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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With the ranks of surviving WWII and Korean War veterans dramatically thinned, almost 40% of Michigan's current veteran population served during the Vietnam War. The first Gulf War is defined as 1990 through 2002, while the second Gulf War are those who have served since.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

21. Watervliet, Berrien County: 13%

About 13% of Watervliet's 1,286 residents age 18 and older and 22% of its 231 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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22. Norway, Dickinson County (U.P.): 13%

About 13% of Norway's 2,454 residents age 18 and older and 33% of its senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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23. Ironwood, Gogebic County (U.P.): 13%

About 13% of Ironwood's 4,242 residents age 18 and older and 35% of its 899 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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24. Frankfort, Benzie County: 13%

About 13% of Frankfort's 1,132 residents age 18 and older and 23% of its 401 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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25. Menominee, Menominee County (U.P.): 13%

About 13% of Menominee's 6,510 residents age 18 and older and 38% of its 1,230 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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26. Hancock, Houghton County (U.P.): 12%

About 12% of Hancock's 3,933 residents age 18 and older and 24% of its 838 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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27. Reed City, Osceola County, 12%

About 12% of Reed City's 2,012 residents age 18 and older and 28% of its 402 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimate.

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Of the estimated 579,000 veterans in Michigan in 2015, 93% were men, according to U.S. Census figure. However, the share of women vets is up from 5.6% in 2005 as more women serve in the military.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

28. Jonesville, Hillsdale County, 12%

About 12% of Jonesville's 1,596 residents age 18 and older and 25% of its 386 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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29. Ishpeming, Marquette County (U.P.): 12%

About 12% of Ishpeming's 5,078 residents age 18 and older and 35% of its 848 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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30. Greenville, Montcalm County: 12%

About 12% of Greenville's 6,123 residents age 18 and older and 24% of its 1,292 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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31. Clio, Genesee County, 12%

About 12% of Clio's 1,972 residents age 18 and older and 41% of its 349 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates

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32. Manistee, Manistee County: 12%

About 12% of Manistee's 4,781 residents age 18 and older and 35% of its 994 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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33. Marshall, Calhoun County: 12%

About 12% of Marshall's 5,685 residents age 18 and older and 29% of its 1,256 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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34. Negaunee, Marquette County (U.P.): 12%

About 12% of Negaunee's 3,606 residents age 18 and older and 30% of its 743 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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The majority of Michigan's veterans are senior citizens. In fact, among Michigan men age 65 and older, 44% are military veterans. That rises to 51% among men age 75 and older. By comparison, only 1.6% of Michigan residents age 18 to 34 are vets.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

35. Sylvan Lake, Oakland County: 12%

About 12% of Sylvan Lake's 1,392 residents age 18 and older and 28% of its 237 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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36. Belleville, Wayne County: 12%

About 12% of Belleville's 2,871 residents age 18 and older and 33% of its 462 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates

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37. Gibralter, Wayne County: 12%

About 12% of Gibraltar's 3,616 residents age 18 and older and 37% of its 571 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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38. Whittemore, Iosco County: 12%

About 12% of Whittemore's 340 residents age 18 and older and 11% of its 84 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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39. Richmond, Macomb County: 11%

About 11% of Richmond's 4,294 residents age 18 and older and 43% of its 618 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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40. Essexville, Bay County: 11%

About 11% of Essexville's 2,594 residents age 18 and older and 38% of its 464 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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41. Vassar, Tuscola County: 11%

About 11% of Vassar's 1,800 residents age 18 and older and 31% of its 286 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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Veterans are less likely to be high school dropouts compared to Michigan's non-veterans, but they're also less likely to have a college degree. However, the data is likely skewed by the large number of older veterans who came of age when going to college was less common. (In fact, for a time, college students were exempted from the draft during the Vietnam War.)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

42. Laingsburg, Shiawassee County: 11%

About 11% of Laingsburg's 907 residents age 18 and older and 32% of its 105 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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43. Woodhaven, Wayne County: 11%

About 11% of Woodhaven's 9,851 residents age 18 and older and 39% of its 1,458 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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44. Gaastra, Iron County (U.P.): 11%

About 11% of Gaastra's 285 residents age 18 and older and 36% of its 53 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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45. East Jordan, Charlevoix County: 11%

About 11% of East Jordan's 1,819 residents age 18 and older and 34% of its 273 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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46. DeWitt, Clinton County: 11%

About 11% of DeWitt's 3,254 residents age 18 and older and 54% of its 423 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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47. Fremont, Newaygo County: 11%

About 11% of Fremont's 2,988 residents age 18 and older and 17% of its 783 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates

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This chart looks at Michigan adults age 18 and older who reported income in 2015. Of those residents, individual median income was 36% higher for veterans vs. non-veterans. Much of that can be explained by the fact most vets are men. But broken down by gender, male vets still had a median income that was 5% higher than men who haven't served in the military.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

48. Brighton, Livingston County: 11%

About 11% of Brighton's 6,250 residents age 18 and older and 25% of its 1,444 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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49. New Baltimore, Macomb County: 11%

About 11% of New Baltimore's 8,865 residents age 18 and older and 30% of its 1,206 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates.

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50. Montague, Muskegon County: 11%

About 11% of Montague's 1,750 residents age 18 and older and 25% of its 324 senior citizens are veterans, based on 2011-15 estimates
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley speaks at Pure Michigan Business Connect's

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley speaks to the media at Pure Michigan Business Connect's Flint Business Summit Thursday, September 22, 2016 in Flint. Mark Felix | MLive.com

After a month of build-up on social media about a "big" announcement, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley said Tuesday that he is spearheading a drive to create a part-time Legislature that would cut lawmakers' pay in half.

Many thought Calley would be announcing his candidacy for governor. Instead, the Portland Republican joined the bandwagon within the GOP seeking to limit the legislative session to 90 consecutive days a year.

"We would still have plenty of time to do the state's business," Calley said, adding his proposal would include additional restrictions on conflicts of interest and lobbying.

"If our legislators spend less time in Lansing, they'd be spending more time living under the laws they make," while saving state government millions of dollars, he said.

Calley made Tuesday's announcement at the start of the Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island. His website, calleyformichigan.com, said another announcement will come on June 1.

Calley said that Michigan is one of nine states with a full-time, year-round Legislature.

Michigan lawmakers make $71,685 per year -- the nation's fourth-highest compensated state legislature behind California, Pennsylvania and New York, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures.

Calley said that, under his proposal, lawmakers' pay would be cut "in half" and "would be about the same as we pay our teachers."

While half of lawmakers' current pay would be $35,842, the average salary for a Michigan public school teacher was $61,875 in 2015-16, the latest data available. Calley did not explain the discrepancy, although he may have referring to the average pay for first-year teachers.

Calley also said that his proposal would cut lawmakers' pensions and health-care benefits.

In his announcement, Calley aligned himself with a petition drive already in the works. A group called Clean Michigan Committee is seeking a constitutional amendment that would limit legislative sessions to 90 days each year, cut legislators' pay and eliminate legislators' retiree and health care benefits.

The group needs to gather 315,654 signatures from registered voters to put the issue on the ballot. The state Board of Canvassers was scheduled to consider the proposed petition language at their May 18 meeting, but it was pulled from the agenda due to technical issues with the proposal's language.

In 2014, a group of citizens pushed a similar ballot initiative, but failed to gather enough signatures.

This time, Calley said, "We will knock on hundreds of thousands of doors, maybe millions of doors" to get the required signatures.

In addition to the Clean Michigan Committee, other recent advocates for a part-time Legislature include Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who also is considering a run for governor. Schuette backed a part-time Legislature in a May op-ed column published by the Detroit News.

In addition, Rep. Michael Webber, R-Rochester, introduced a resolution in January to shift Michigan's Legislature to part-time status starting in 2019.

Webber's House Joint Resolution A would amend the state constitution to ban the legislature from meeting for more than 90 consecutive days. An exception could be made for "extraordinary occasions."

It would need to go on the ballot and be approved by a majority of Michigan voters to become law. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Government Operations.

The idea of a part-time Legislature has its detractors. Progress Michigan detailed its opposition in a statement issued Tuesday after Calley's announcement.

"Corporate lobbyists already have too much power in Lansing and this proposal would only exacerbate that problem," said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan.

"Term limits have created a revolving door of elected officials, while lobbyists continue to have the power, influence, and institutional knowledge of state government and this scheme would make that even worse," Scott said. "It's not surprising that right-wing elected officials like Brian Calley and Bill Schuette support this idea because the move would place more power in the hands of the governor. We need real political reform that returns the power back to the people, not concentrating it more in the hands of corporate interests."

MLive reporter Emily Lawler contributed to this report.
LONDON: Major banks are still not ready for a no-deal Brexit as they grapple with delays in licences for new European Union businesses, staffing problems and snags in redrafting contracts.



Despite thousands of staff working on preparations for more than two years, sources at five high street and global investment banks told Reuters they still face a number of mission critical hurdles if Britain leaves without a deal.



Sources at three investment banks said their efforts would not be completed by Brexit Day on March 29, potentially throwing the legal status of thousands of contracts into doubt.



There will be people who arent ready. There will be bumps in the road, if not more, one of the sources said.



Prime Minister Theresa May has pushed back a vote on her proposed EU exit deal to March 12, prompting lawmakers to step up efforts to stop a no-deal Brexit, but banks say only a vote in favour of Mays deal or a delay to Brexit will reassure them that there will not be an abrupt no-deal exit.



For most major banks based in Britain, the timely legal transfer of their EU client business, including loans and deposit accounts, derivatives contracts, stocks and bonds, to EU subsidiaries to mitigate the loss of unfettered access and data flows to the single market is the biggest concern.



Customers whose contracts are not transferred could be left unable to respond to market events, or without access to funding or protection against swings in interest rates or currencies, risking wider market turbulence.



A source familiar with one investment banks position said between 10-15 percent of contracts they had intended to transfer were still work in progress, with some clients actively resisting the transfer, while others have held off paying for legal advice on the expectation a deal will still be struck.



Banks struggling with repapering contracts may be aided by temporary workarounds proposed by most major EU governments, but none have yet been put on the statute book, and there is a wide variation in how much flexibility different countries offer, Rachel Kent, partner at law firm Hogan Lovells, said.



This is a patchwork, some we havent even seen yet and the ones weve seen are different and open to interpretation.



However, if Britain secures a Brexit deal with Brussels, it would mean business as usual for financial firms, giving them until the end of 2020 to complete their preparations.



Others are still waiting for licences for new EU units so they can still fully serve customers, with Royal Bank of Scotland seeking licences in Frankfurt for two entities so it can maintain access to Bundesbank payment systems.



RBS warned this month that more than 50 billion euros of cross-border payments are at risk without the licences, but chairman Howard Davies said he had every expectation they would be approved by 29 March.



A source close to the process said one of the two units had obtained draft approval, with the other still pending.



Lloyds Banking Group is also waiting on the final nod to set up the third of its planned EU hubs in Luxembourg, which is for its insurance clients.



Banks are also struggling to fill jobs in their new EU hubs, with the number UK-based financial institutions expect to move overseas by March 29 at 2,000 from 5,766 forecast in a September 2018 Reuters survey and 10,000 estimated a year earlier.



The EU has granted banks some leeway on how quickly they need to build up staff in new subsidiaries, and in some cases banks have found workarounds to reduce the number needed.



However industry experts say banks are having a tough time persuading UK-based staff to move to Frankfurt, Paris or Dublin.



There are plenty of personal risk reasons why staff are not jumping at these opportunities, John Liver, partner at consultant EY, said, adding that one was that if a transition deal is struck then it will be another two years before these businesses are built up.



In an indication of how seriously authorities are taking the risk of a no-deal Brexit, any turmoil would trigger the Bank of England and the European Central Bank to inject cash into markets to calm nerves, an ECB official said.



The ECB also has plans to deal with any new banking crisis brought on by a hard Brexit, the official said.



But unlike British regulators, EU watchdogs will not go all out to avoid smaller bumps from a hard Brexit in every part of the market as they want to keep up pressure on banks to move business from London to the bloc, said David Lawton, a consultant at Alvarez & Marsal.



Meanwhile, customers and investors are watching to see just how diligently the financial firms they use have prepared.



Each one of them tells us categorically that they are going into intricate details about their planning and each one of them believes that they have an individual solution to their circumstances, Euan Stirling, global head of stewardship at Aberdeen Standard Investments told Reuters.



You just have to trust them. That is easier with some companies than others. Brexit adds another layer of governance risk onto some already risky situations.Reuters




JACKSON, MI - A 9-year-old girl badly burned in an early-morning house fire Friday remains in the hospital in serious condition.

The girl was taken to Henry Ford Allegiance Health and transferred to the Michigan Medicine Burn Ward in Ann Arbor in critical condition after being rescued from her home in the 600 block of Fourth Street at about 1 a.m., May 26, Jackson Director of Police and Fire Service Elmer Hitt said.

Two other residents in the home and three firefighters also were injured in the blaze.

A 27-year-old woman and four children ages 6, 8, 10 and 16 were outside the home by the time fire crews arrived, while the 9-year-old girl was trapped on the second floor of the home, Hitt said.

As the girl was being rescued from the home, two of firefighters suffered heat-related injuries, and one firefighter fell through a burning staircase and needed to be taken to the hospital, Hitt said.

The firefighter who fell through the stairs, as well as the other two occupants who were injured, were treated for their injuries and released, police said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The house has been deemed a total loss.
JACKSON, MI -- The first Jackson Blues Festival consisted of three bands and lasted just four hours in 2001. Sixteen years later, the now three-day event is a summertime staple in Jackson.

This year's festival, June 1-3, features 11 national acts. It's the most in the festival's history and a record its founder, Cindy Hayden, is proud of.

For Hayden, seeing how the festival has grown through the years fills her with emotion, mostly fulfillment.

From bad weather, to changes in location, to key sponsors dropping out at the last minute, the Jackson Blues Festival has not always gone according to plan. But Hayden said it always works out in the end and the festival continues to grow.

"Everything looks good on paper until something looks stupid when you put it all together," she said. "There are times that I've been like 'what was I thinking?' But the community has really embraced our festival. A lot of other festivals have come and gone, but I'm happy we're still here."

Hayden and her husband Tom Fuller created the event after their band, Mojo Phoenix, competed in a blues competition in Memphis, Tenn. 16 years ago.

"We came back here and I said I wanted to see that (type of music festival) in our town. It happened six weeks later," she said. "(Jackson residents) may not come out to the clubs to see live bands every night, but they really support this festival."

The 2017 Jackson Blues Festival begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Admission is $5. It is free for veterans.

Admission is $10 on Friday and Saturday.

The first day of the festival, will be broadcast live on K-105.3 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. Coolers and animals are not permitted.

"The only time you'll need an umbrella is for shade. No rain this year," Hayden said with a laugh.

Security is provided by the American Vet Motorcycle Club and America Disciple Motorcycle Club.

Here is the schedule and full list of performers:

Thursday, June 1

6-7:45 p.m.: Mike Epsy Group

8-9:30 p.m.: Monsieur Guillaume & His Zydeco Hepcats

9:45-11 p.m.: Brandon Santini

Friday, June 2

6-7:15 p.m.: The Corridors

7:15-7:25 p.m.: Harmonica Hounds

7:30-8:45 p.m.: Anthony Gomes

9-10:30 p.m. Joanna Connor

10:45 p.m.-midnight: Kev Nichols and Blue Tuesday

Saturday, June 3rd

3-4:15 p.m.: Jeff Hoagland Band

4:30-5:45 p.m.: Altered Five Blues Band

6-7:15 p.m.: Michissippi Mick

7:30-8:45 p.m.: John Nemeth

9:15-10:30 p.m.: Albert Castiglia

10:45 p.m-midnight: Taz Cru & his Band of Tortured Souls

Click here for more information.
The Michigan State Police Jackson post provided the following log of activities for the holiday weekend of May 26 to May 29 with troopers investigating 68 incidents and calls for service.

Fleeing and Eluding: Jackson County, Blackman Township: Troopers were dispatched to assist the Michigan State Police Brighton Post with the fleeing and eluding of a motorcycle on I-94. The motorcycle was speeding in excess of 149 MPH. The suspect eventually pulled over and surrendered. Upon contact, the 30-year-old male from Ypsilanti was arrested and lodged at the Jackson County Jail.

Obstructing Justice: Jackson County, Grass Lake Township: Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a cracked windshield and unlawful use of a license plate. Upon contact, the driver, a 23-year-old male from Kalamazoo, was found to have a valid warrant out of Kalamazoo County. The suspect posted bond and was cited for unlawful use of a license plate.

Fugitive / Unlawful Use of License Plate: Jackson County, Blackman Township: Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for loud exhaust. Upon further investigation the driver, a 42-year-old female from Hillsdale, was found to be in unlawful use of a license plate. The driver was cited and released. The passenger, a 58-year-old male from Jackson, was found to have two valid warrants out of Jackson County. The suspect was arrested and lodged at the Jackson County Jail.

Violation of Controlled Substance: Jackson County, Blackman Township: Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a cracked windshield. Upon contact, the driver, a 30-year-old male from Jackson, was found to be in possession of suspected marijuana and marijuana wax. The property was seized and the suspect was cited and released.

Fugitive:

Jackson County, Blackman Township: Troopers were dispatched to a warrant pickup. Upon contact, a 25-year-old male from Jackson, was found to have warrants out of both Jackson and Ingham counties. The suspect was arrested and lodged at the Jackson County Jail.

Hillsdale County, City of Hillsdale: Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for defective license plate lights. Upon contact, the driver, a 26-year-old male from Osseo, was found to have a valid warrant out of Hudson County. The suspect was arrested and turned over to Hudson Police Department.

Fugitive / Driving While License Suspended: Hillsdale County, Moscow Township: Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for illegal window tint. Upon contact, the driver, a 49-year-old female from Rives Junction, was found to have valid warrants out of both Jackson and Hillsdale counties. The suspect was arrested and lodged at the Hillsdale County Jail.

Additional activities:

Troopers assisted Calhoun County Sheriff's Department with the transportation of a fugitive.

Troopers responded to several traffic accidents in both Jackson and Hillsdale counties.

Troopers responded to several civil matter disputes in both Jackson and Hillsdale counties.
People gather to watch the sunset during the annual Unity Christian Music Festival at Heritage Landing in Muskegon during 2015. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)

Justine McGuire

West Michigan does it up right with 20 major summer events in 2017

WEST MICHIGAN  West Michigan communities roll out the welcome mat all summer long, with events and activities that entice visitors and locals alike.

Events range from Muskegon's Parties in the Park to Electric Forest Festival to Rebel Road and Muskegon Bike Time to Love Ludington Weekend. There's hardly a weekend that doesn't have a large-scale event taking place.

Scroll down to see the largest and most iconic West Michigan summer festivities.

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A couple watches the Grand Haven Musical Fountain in 2006. (MLive.com file photo)

Justine McGuire

Grand Haven Musical Fountain

What: The largest of its kind in the world, the Grand Haven Musical Fountain is a 25-minute synchronized music, water and lights show. The show has been operating for more than 50 years.

Where: It that can be viewed from the Grand Haven board walk.

When: Every night at dusk from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday in May and September.

More information: View nightly playlists, and create custom musical fountain shows here.

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The After Effect performs at Hackley Park as a part of the Parties in the Park series on August 19, 2016 in Muskegon, Mich. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Parties in the Park

What: A Muskegon summer mainstay since 1984, Parties in the Park will kickoff its 2017 season on Friday, June 2. The nearly weekly event brings the community together for food, drink and music all summer long.

Where: Hackley Park, 350 W. Webster Ave. in Muskegon

When: Fridays, June 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, and July 21 and 28, and Aug. 4 and 18.

More information: View the band line up here.

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About 100 watch the Double Indemnity during Movies on Deck on the USS LST 393 in 2008. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

USS LST 393 Movies on Deck

What: films are shown on USS LST 393's huge screen on the top deck throughout the summer. This year's Movies on Deck will include Shrek, Back to the Future III and Remember the Titans.

Where: USS LST 393, 560 Mart St., Muskegon

When: Films begin right after sunset, around 10 p.m. In August, films start about 9:30 p.m. Movies will be shown on Saturday, June 3; Fridays, June 9, 16, 23 and 30, and July 14, 21 and 28, and Aug. 4 and 18.

More information: Visit the LST 393 website for the full schedule.

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A young boy slurps the remnants of sundae with a straw after world record attempt for the longest ice cream desserton Saturday, June 11, 2016 in Ludington, Mich. Ludington-based House of Flavors, one of Michigan's original, continuously-operating ice cream makers and parlors put on the event. The event organizers expect over 6,000 people to eat the dessert. The Ludington length is measured at 2,970 feet, the current world record is held by Manurewa suburb of Auckland New Zealand with a length of 1,957 feet. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)

Justine McGuire

Love Ludington weekend

What: Love Ludington weekend kicks off the summer in this up north beach town. The full roster of events includes a try for Guinness World Record for the most simultaneous sand angels, which will take place at Stearns Park beach.

Where: downtown Ludington

When: Saturday and Sunday, June 10-11

More information: For the full schedule visit Love Ludington weekend on Facebook.

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The top five Miss Michigan contestants pose for a group photo backstage during the final night of the Miss Michigan Scholarship Pageant at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, June 17, 2016 in Muskegon, Mich. Miss Wayne County Arianna Quan, 23, was crowned the new Miss Michigan 2016. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Miss Michigan Scholarship Pageant

What: More than 30 contestants in the Miss Michigan Scholarship Pageant will arrive in Muskegon in mid-June to compete for a $50,000 scholarship and the title of Miss Michigan, which comes with a ticket to compete at the Miss America pageant. Contestants model swimsuits and evening gowns, answer questions on stage and perform a wide variety of talents.

Where: Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave., in downtown Muskegon

When: June 13-17

More information: Visit the Miss Michigan website.

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Scenes from the Muskegon Heights Festival In the Park parade along Broadway Avenue on Saturday June, 18, 2016 in Muskegon Heights, Mich. (Erin Lefevre | MLive.com)

Justine McGuire

Muskegon Heights Festival in the Park

What: Since 1982, the Muskegon Heights Festival in the Park has promoted community pride and involvement, and the downtown business district. The festival includes a parade, music, food and more. This year's finale concert will be Alaina Renae who will perform at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, at Rowan City Park.

Where: Rowan City Park, Muskegon Heights

When: Thursday-Saturday, June 15-17

More information: Keep up on the details by following the Facebook page.

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Attendees sample Muskegon's food offerings during Tast of Muskegon 2016 in Muskegon, Mich. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Taste of Muskegon

What: This downtown Muskegon event features a ton of local food, and much more. The West Michigan Offshore Club Powerboat Street Party on Friday as part of Powerboat weekend. Saturday will begin with the United Way's Ride United, breakfast with the Shoreline Lions, the Skee-Town Showdown Car Show and Sweetwater Local Foods Market. Awards for Taste of Muskegon's best plates will take place Saturday afternoon and includes judging and public votes.

Where: downtown Muskegon

When: Friday and Saturday, June 16-17

More information: Here's MLive's latest coverage.

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Members of the group Fou Fou Ha from San Francisco pose for a portrait during the final day of Electric Forest on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at the Double JJ Ranch in Rothbury, Mich. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)

Justine McGuire

Electric Forest Festival

What: Electric Forest Festival 2017 will be the first year the seven-year music and camping festival has expanded to two weekends. The festival features an eclectic mix of music and a one-of-a-kind experience.

Where: Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, a small rural community located north of Muskegon in Oceana County.

When: June 22-25 and June 29-July 2

More information: Check out these MLive stories for more on Electric Forest:

Electric Forest 2017 unveils performers for first-ever 'Her Forest' event

Electric Forest 2017 headliners: Listen to their biggest hits

13 things to know about Electric Forest 2017 special events

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Runners participate in the annual Seaway Run, which includes a half marathon, 15k race, and a community walk in Muskegon, Mich. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Seaway Run

What: This long-running Muskegon is moving to downtown, and adding an after party with music and beer. The event features a community walk, 5K, 15K and half marathon.

Where: downtown Muskegon

When: Saturday, June 24

More information: Get the low-down here.

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Celeste Stover, 5, of Muskegon, puts her hand in the air during a performance by The After Effect at the Muskegon Rockstock music festival in Hackley Park on Aug. 3, 2013. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Muskegon Rockstock

What: Rock music, fireworks, raffles, face painting, food and drinks are just a few things that will be featured during Muskegon Rockstock.

Where: Heritage Landing, downtown Muskegon

When: Monday and Tuesday, July 3-4

More information: Find more on the event website.

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Scenes from the Lakeshore Art Festival in Muskegon, Mich. on July 2, 2016. (Mlive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Lakeshore Art Festival

What: Art vendors will take over downtown Muskegon for a weekend. West Western Avenue shuts for fine arts, crafts, music and food vendors.

Where: downtown Muskegon

When: Friday and Saturday, July 7-8

More information: Check out the website for more.

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Scenes from Bike Time 2016 in Fruitport Twp., Mich. on Friday, July 15, 2016. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Muskegon Bike Time

What: The 11th annual Muskegon Bike Time will come back to downtown Muskegon after a two year relocation to Fruitport Township. Bike Time 2017 activities will include a large traveling display from Harley Davidson headquarters, including new models available for test rides. Several other motorcycle manufactures and dealers will participate with bikes, parts and accessories available.

Where: Hot Rod Harley Davidson parking lot, 149 Shoreline Drive, downtown Muskegon

When: Thursday-Sunday, July 13-16

More information: Read more about the event in these MLive posts:

Muskegon Bike Time 2017 to move back downtown

Muskegon Bike Time, Rebel Road 2017 to coexist downtown area

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Kathy Six, 52, of Fruitport, greets the crowd during the Miss Rebel Road 2016 competition on Saturday, June 16, 2016, in downtown Muskegon, Mich. Six and Jenni Griswold of Muskegon (not pictured) tied in the 2015 competition, she finished third in 2016. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com)

Justine McGuire

Rebel Road

What: The third annual Rebel Road will have concert, merchandise vendors, food and beer tents downtown Muskegon, plus stunt shows, bike shows and fire performers.

Where: downtown Muskegon

When: Thursday-Sunday, July 13-16

More information: Find more in this MLive post: Muskegon Bike Time, Rebel Road 2017 to coexist in downtown area

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An exterior view of the Mobile Bay, a docked U.S. Coast Guard ship that visited Grand Haven, Mich. for the 2016 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival

What: From music to cardboard boat races to crazy water skiing, and of course, honoring the U.S. Coast Guard, the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival has something for everyone.

Where: downtown Grand Haven

When: July 26-Aug. 6

More information: Find more on the festival website.

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Hundreds gathered at Heritage Landing for the 2016 Unity Christian Music Festival in Muskegon, Mich. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Unity Christian Music Festival

What: An array of Christian musicians will entertain for a weekend in Muskegon. The festival also features "extreme games," a 5K, a blood drive and more.

Where: Heritage Landing, downtown Muskegon

When: Wednesday-Saturday, Aug. 9-12

More information: Find more on the festival website.

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Moose Fest attendees sing along to a song by Edens Edge at Muskegon's Heritage Landing on Aug. 20, 2011. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Moose Fest

What: Local country radio station 107.9 WMUS The Moose puts on the annual Moose Fest -- a day of live country music.

Where: Heritage Landing, downtown Muskegon

When: Aug. 19

More information: Find more here.

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People stand and clap as Bettye LaVette performs during the 2015 Shoreline Jazz Festival at Heritage Landing in Muskegon, Mich. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Shoreline Jazz Festival

What: Jazz artists will perform at multiple venues throughout downtown Muskegon during the festival.

Where: downtown Muskegon

When: Aug. 24-27

More information: Find out more here.

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Crowds enter the 2015 Burning Foot Beer Festival at Pere Marquette beach in Muskegon, Mich. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Burning Foot Beer Festival

What: A "celebration of beer, music and the lakeshore lifestyle," Burning Foot Beer Festival will return to Muskegon this summer.

Where: Pere Marquette Park beach

When: Saturday, Aug. 26

More information: Find more here.

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A woman recieves a handmade flower crown during the 2016 Muskegon Polish Festival at Hackley Park in Muskegon, Mich. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Muskegon Polish Festival

What: The second annual Muskegon Polish Festival will offer Polish food, polka music, dancing, cultural activities, a children's area, a Catholic mass and more.

Where: Hackley Park, 350 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon

When: Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-2

More information: Find more here.

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Gabriel Davis, 21 months old, of Grand Rapids, runs around during the 2016 Michigan Irish Music Festival at Heritage Landing in Muskegon, Mich. (MLive.com file)

Justine McGuire

Michigan Irish Music Festival

What: Offering Irish traditions from kilts to Highland games to dancing and food, the Michigan Irish Music Festival is a good time for adults and wee ones.

Where: Heritage Landing, downtown Muskegon

When: Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 14-17

More information: Find more here.
MUSKEGON, MI - Stalking has been added to felony assault and domestic violence charges against a man who allegedly violated his ex-wife's personal protection order.

Stephen Nicholas Sauers, 44, has been charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm, third offense domestic violence and aggravated stalking. The charges stem from incidents that occurred in November 2016 and April 2017, said Muskegon County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Maat.

Sauers listed a Grand Haven address in court files, but Maat said he had to be extradited from Ohio to face charges here.

The alleged victim contacted police in late November about an incident on Nov. 29 in which she said Sauers had struck her in the head several times, Maat said. At that time, she told police of a previous incident a couple weeks earlier during which Sauers allegedly held her by the throat until she couldn't breathe, Maat said.

"It's alleged that he pushed and choked her," Maat said.

The victim then obtained a personal protection order against Sauers, Maat said.

However, it's alleged that on April 24 Sauers called the victim multiple times between midnight and 4 a.m., threatening to harm her and other people in violation of the PPO, Maat said. That complaint resulted in the aggravated stalking charge.

The felony assault charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and the aggravated stalking is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Domestic violence is a 93-day misdemeanor, but because it's a third offense in this case, the charge is a felony punishable by up to five years.

Actual sentences are determined by judges based on state sentencing guidelines.

Sauers is being held in the Muskegon County Jail on $265,000 in bonds following his May 17 arraignment. His preliminary examination is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. May 31 before Muskegon County District Judge Maria Ladas Hoopes.
MUSKEGON, MI - Laketon Township's Jason Kidner on May 26, 2017, pleaded no contest to a charge he molested a child about a decade ago.

A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is often treated the same as one for sentencing purposes.

Kidner was accused of repeatedly sexually molesting a child repeatedly during 2006 and 2008, when the child was aged 6 and 7.

Kidner was charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct in November 2016. The prosecutor's office has said the charges were brought after the victim, now a teenager, told a school counselor.

In what's known as a Cobbs agreement, Judge William C. Marietti of Muskegon County's 14th Circuit Court committed to a sentence with a minimum range not to exceed 18 months in state prison. Kidner could withdraw his no contest plea if his sentence is higher than that.

Second-degree CSC is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, though the actual sentence is set by a judge in accordance with sentencing guidelines. State statute allows for lifetime electronic monitoring to be ordered upon conviction as well.

Kidner's sentencing has been set for 1:15 p.m. July 11, 2017, before Marietti.
manistee forest

A woman and two young children were rescued Sunday, May 28, 2017, after becoming lost in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area.

(MLive file photo)

MASON COUNTY, MI - A woman and two young children were rescued after getting lost while hiking in the woods near Nordhouse Dunes in the pouring rain Sunday.

The woman was camping at the federal Lake Michigan Campground and wandered nearly 2 miles south of the campsite with the two 6-year-olds, said Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. She apparently wasn't following a marked trail when she decided to take the children for a hike, Cole said.

They were in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area located between Ludington and Manistee.

"Once she knew she was in trouble, she was able to get to a point where she was able to make a cell call," he said.

It was "pretty remarkable" that she was able to get cell service in the area and at 11:30 a.m. she called 911 Central Dispatch, which was able to pinpoint GPS coordinates from her cell phone, Cole said.

Law enforcement officers first tried to guide her out of the woods by sounding their patrol car sirens, but it was raining so hard that she couldn't hear them, he said. Three Mason County deputies and a Michigan State Trooper then entered the woods and found her near Nordhouse Lake, Cole said. The search took about an hour, he said.

Cole commended Mason/Oceana Central Dispatch operators for being able to guide searchers to the woman's location.

"That could've been an all-day and all-evening event because there are a lot of areas out there to get lost," Cole said.
silver lake

A teen was seriously injured at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes ORV area Sunday after the four-wheeler he was on fell off the back of a pickup truck.

(MLive file photo)

SILVER LAKE, MI - A teenager suffered a serious head injury after the four-wheeler he was sitting on fell out of the bed of a pickup truck at Silver Lake State Park.

Zane Charles Wilcox, 19, of Davison was airlifted to Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids following the incident that occurred Sunday in the state park's off road vehicle area, according to a report from the Oceana County Sheriff's Office.

The pickup was transporting Wilcox and the off-road vehicle on West Fox Road at the ORV area entrance when the driver, Riley Jon Koning, 29, of Holland took a sharp turn around 11:45 a.m., according to the report.

"As Koning was going around a 90-degree corner, a quad on the back of his truck rolled off and fell onto the pavement," the crash report states. "Zane Wilcox was sitting on the quad when it rolled off the back of the truck. Wilcox fell off the truck with the quad and struck the pavement with his head."
Officials in Copenhagen, Denmark woke up Tuesday morning, May 25 and had to hose down the beloved Little Mermaid statue that was doused in red paint by whaling protestors.

Accompanying the vandalized statue was a message in English, "Danmark Defend The Whales of The Faroe Islands." The Associated Press reports this message and vandalism are likely referencing the summer hunting of pilot whales in the North Atlantic.

A.P. notes that whalers on the Faeroe Islands are allowed to drive herds of the whales into shallow waters where they are stabbed to death. Blubber from the pilot whales, not an endangered species, are shared in a non-commercial slaughter which is a tradition the dates back into the 16th century.

As for the Little Mermaid, the statue was done by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen which is a tribute to beloved Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. The statue has greeted people from Copenhagen's harbor since 1913, according to A.P.

The Little Mermaid was first published in 1837 and tells the story of a young mermaid willing to give her life up to gain a human soul.
Although intelligence officials have concluded Moscow tried to meddle in the election, President Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday morning that "Russian officials must be laughing at the U.S."

Russian officials must be laughing at the U.S. & how a lame excuse for why the Dems lost the election has taken over the Fake News.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2017

After Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey, who was leading the Russia investigation, a special counsel was tabbed to lead the investigation. Former FBI Director Robert Mueller was named the special prosecutor, which Trump called the "single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!"

Mueller was appointed to the position by the Department of Justice, which will allow the former FBI director broad powers and authority to prosecute any crimes he uncovers.

Comey was leading the investigation into whether Trump's campaign and his associates worked with Russia to swing the 2016 election. The ousted FBI head had said during hearings there is no evidence Russian hackers changed any vote tallies in the election while maintaining they are highly confident the country interfered with the goal of getting Trump elected.

As of now, the counsel is investigating whether Trump's associated colluded with Russia after the hacking of Democratic emails.

This tweet comes after the Washington Post reported Friday that close associate and son-in-law Jared Kushner discussed a secret communication channel between Trump's team and Moscow. The president retweeted a Fox & Friends article titled "Jared Kushner didn't suggest Russian communications channel in meeting, source says" Tuesday morning.

In March, the White House confirmed that Kushner and former national security adviser Michael Flynn met with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak at Trump Tower in December. The Post reported that the top ambassador claimed he and the Trump associated discussed the secret channel between Washington and Moscow.
In an interview with an Australian television news network, Sen. John McCain said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is the grandest national security threat to the U.S.

McCain, R-Arizona, said he believes Putin is more of a threat than ISIS, in the interview with Australia's ABC News. The 80-year-old senator and former Republican presidential nominee makes his Putin remarks at the 10:40 mark of the more than 26-minute interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

--

"I think he is the premier and most important threat, more so than ISIS," McCain said. "I think ISIS can do terrible things, and I worry a lot about what is happening with the Muslim faith and I worry about a whole lot of things about it, but it's the Russians who are trying -- who tried -- to destroy the very fundamental of democracy.

" .. and that is to change the outcome of an American election. I have seen no evidence they succeeded, but they tried and they are still trying, they are still trying to change elections.

"I view the Russians as the far greatest challenge we have."

On the issue of the Russian election investigation, McCain said he doesn't like the report that Kushner discussed a secret communication channel between Trump's team and Moscow.

In March, the White House confirmed that Kushner and former national security adviser Michael Flynn met with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak at Trump Tower in December. The Washington Post reported that the top ambassador claimed he and the Trump associated discussed the secret channel between Washington and Moscow.

President Donald Trump retweeted a Fox & Friends article titled "Jared Kushner didn't suggest Russian communications channel in meeting, source says" Tuesday morning.

Before this, the president tweeted that "Russian officials must be laughing at the U.S."

After Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey, who was leading the Russia investigation, a special counsel was tabbed to lead the investigation. Former FBI Director Robert Mueller was named the special prosecutor, which Trump called the "single greatest witch hunt of a politician in American history!"
Flint water protest in Lansing 033

Under the Capitol dome in Lansing, lawmakers are considering a bill to close the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System -- state pensions for teachers -- to new employees, who would have a 401(k)-style plan. The move is needed because the state has failed to reform a system that perpetuates indebtedness and to offer the competitive plan new college graduates expect, the author argues.

(MLive.com files)

Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, represents the 30th Michigan Senate District, which includes all of Ottawa County. He is the Senate majority leader. If you have a guest column to share, email Opinion Curator Dan Hawkins. And be sure to check out our guidelines for submission.

Arlan Meekhof

By State Sen. Arlan Meekhof

It is time for Michigan to get out of the pension business.

State government has a track record of failing when it comes to managing the costs of providing public employee pensions. Twenty years ago, the Legislature recognized the downside of being in the retirement business and opted to eliminate pensions for state employees and legislators. Since 1997, they have been in a defined contribution system, but that only solved a portion of the problem.

In 1997, the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System was 100 percent funded. Today, the system has an unfunded liability of about $30 billion and is funded at only 60 percent. Retirement costs eat up 36 percent of school payroll.

In 2010, the Legislature made an attempt to curtail the problem by offering a different option for newly hired school employees in the form of a "hybrid plan," a combination defined benefits and defined contributions. The plan has operated for a short time and there are no employees drawing on it. If we allow the hybrid plan to continue, it will likely accrue liability and saddle taxpayers with the same kind of debt we face in the traditional pension system.

We have all heard the saying, "When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging." Well, it is time for us to stop digging.

Legislation introduced in the Senate (Senate Bill 401) and House (House Bill 4647) will move all future school employees to a flexible, portable defined contribution plan. Employers will contribute 4 percent of an employee's pay into a 401(k) and match up to an additional 3 percent of employee contributions for a total of 10 percent. New employees will have the ability to plan for their future and will not be at the mercy of the state when it comes to retirement.

Retirees and public school employees participating in the pension system will see no change in their retirement plans. The state constitution guarantees the pensions of retirees and employees already in the system.

New college graduates entering the workforce expect to participate in a competitive 401(k) plan. Today in Michigan, these new teachers and school employees are enrolled in an upside-down system where they work each day to pay the pensions of colleagues who have long since retired.

We can no longer perpetuate indebtedness simply because the problem we face seems too big to tackle or too politically sensitive to address. Closing the pension system to new entrants will eliminate the risk of accumulating future taxpayer liability.

The state has proven to be a failure at managing pension liabilities, and it is time for Michigan to get out of the pension business. The decision is long overdue.
J.D. Martinez

Detroit Tigers' J.D. Martinez, left, celebrates with Victor Martinez after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, May 29, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Former Detroit Tigers closers traded meltdowns Monday night at Kauffman Stadium.

First, Francisco Rodriguez coughed up the Tigers' lead, then Kansas City Royals reliever Joakim Soria gave it right back.

The Tigers came from behind twice to beat the Royals 10-7 to win the opener of a three-game series.

The Tigers bullpen was due for a letdown after a brilliant May, but this was one was ill-timed. Shane Greene and Blaine Hardy combined to give up two runs in the sixth. Then Francisco Rodriguez, now in a still-being-defined role after losing his job as closer, gave up two more.

The Tigers answered back in a four-run eighth against Soria, who pitched for the Tigers in 2014 and 2015. (Detroit dealt him to the Pittsburgh Pirates for JaCoby Jones in 2015. He then returned to the Kansas City Royals in free agency.)

Alex Wilson pitched a 1-2-3 eighth and Justin Wilson, who allowed three runs in his last outing, pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.

NOTABLE

* Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield extended his 14-game hitting streak, but finished just a single shy of the cycle.

He homered in the third, tripled in the fourth and doubled in the sixth.

The last player to hit for a cycle against the Tigers was Gary Matthews of the Texas Rangers on Sept. 13, 2006.

* Both managers had early hooks on Monday (decisions that looked less wise after the performances of both bullpens).

Royals manager Ned Yost removed Jason Hammel in the fifth with only one run in. (Relievers would surrender five more).

Ausmus didn't bring Daniel Norris back for the sixth, turning to the usually reliable Greene, who struggled Monday.

* Jose Iglesias and Andrew Romine fumbled the transition on a potential 6-4-3 in the third inning. Two batters later, with the bases loaded, Iglesias got an identical grounder and the double play was turned smoothly to get Norris out of the inning.

* J.D. Martinez ended an 0-for-14 skid with a three-run home run in the fifth. It was his eighth of the year.

* Ausmus made two defensive substitutions in the ninth. Dixon Machado entered at second base, moving Andrew Romine to third in place of Nicholas Castellanos.

JaCoby Jones came in to play center field, shifting Alex Presley to right in place of J.D. Martinez.

UP NEXT

The Tigers and Royals will meet again on Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. Ace Justin Verlander will face rookie left-hander Eric Skoglund, who will be making his first career start.

TWITTER TALK

Gorgeous evening in the City of Fountains. pic.twitter.com/3qMYOIHPyJ  Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) May 29, 2017

HIGHLIGHT REEL
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Adani Enterprises said it had reached an agreement with Australia's Queensland state on royalty payments for its Carmichael coal project, putting the $10 billion project back on track.

The company will now consider making a final investment decision at its next board meeting.
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Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd has informed BSE that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on May 29, 2017, inter alia, have recommended a final dividend of Re. 1 per equity share (i.e. @ 10% on the paid up share capital) for the financial year ended March 31, 2017 subject to the approval of the shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting(AGM). The final dividend would be paid within 30 days from the date of its declaration at the AGM.Source : BSE
Ashwani Gujral of ashwanigujral.com told CNBC-TV18, "Jubilant Life Sciences is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 710, target of Rs 735. Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) is a sell with a stop loss of Rs 188, target of Rs 174."

Bharat Forge is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 1,130, target of Rs 1,200," he said..
business RBI to meet top bankers on NPA ordinance: Sources CNBC-TV18 learns from sources that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has called top bank chiefs for a meeting on non-performing asset (NPA) ordinance.
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Utility vehicle and tractor major Mahindra & Mahindra will invest an average of Rs 4,000 crore every year for the next three years towards capital expenditure and investments.

About Rs 2500 crore of the Rs 4000 crore will be capital expenditure while the rest of Rs 1500 crore will be spent on investments in group companies and for mergers and acquisition.

The company has lined up a number of launches this year in an attempt to arrest further fall in market share. While at least two products would be new and three others will be upgrades of existing models.

M&Ms UV share has dipped to below 30 percent -- the lowest in several years, as more number of car-making companies have entered the space. Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Ford, Honda are some of these companies who have been traditionally strong in the car space.

M&M will launch a premium people carrier (codenamed U321) to compete against the runaway hit Toyota Innova Crysta. Face-lifted versions of Scorpio, XUV500 and the KUV100 will also be launched this year. Another new product codenamed P602 is also lined up for the year.

All new products of Mahindra such as the TUV 300, KUV 100 and Nuvosport have failed to make an impact in the market. The focus this year will be to improve the UV portfolio as the new launches have been slow in pace and have not delivered the kind of results expected from them, said Rajan Wadhera, president (Automotive sector), Mahindra & Mahindra.

Last year M&Ms UV sales grew by a paltry 0.1 percent to 222,541 units much below the industrys growth of nearly 30 percent to 761,997 units sold during the same year. At 25 percent Indias UV share in the passenger vehicle market is one of the highest in the world.

We are not happy with the 30 percent market share we have in UV; we would have rather liked it to be at least a couple of percentage points more. Having said that being the market leader we are in the UV segment it's not possible to hold on the high market shares we held previously. The new products have not done as well as we had expected, said Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra.

The company has lined up Rs 600-800 crore investments for the electric vehicle business unit. This includes setting up of a 50,000 units a year for a brown-field manufacturing plant near Pune, development of new vehicles and investing in new technologies. The investment is in addition to the Rs 400 crore it infused in the EV business since 2010.

Further, the company also said that in the next four months it will decide whether or not it will set up a full-fledged manufacturing base outside India. The company is looking at Asean and African markets for the base which will be chosen on the basis of a variety of factors including tax structure and export incentive.

This facility will be a manufacturing base and not a completely knocked-down assembly facility, five of which are operational across the world. However, based on cost viability the company may decide to not go ahead with the plans, too.

M&M, today, also said that it had made a provision of Rs 170 crore in the last quarter of last year towards the now-redundant Bharat Stage III vehicles. The company is stuck with an inventory of 13,000 BS 3 vehicles only some of which can be exported without the need to make any changes to them.
The Tamil Nadu Labor Commission has asked two labour unions to not involve themselves into the alleged forceful termination of 100 employees by IT giant Cognizant, calling for an internal settlement of the matter.

CNBC-TV18's Jude Sannith reports that 100 employees from Cognizant approached the Forum for IT Employees (FITE) and the New Democratic Labor Front (NDLF) for IT employees after they were forced to tender their resignation, alleging wrongful termination.

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Customers may soon get to seamlessly switch to another bank with the same account number without losing any transaction details such as credit/debit history  all thanks to Reserve Bank of India's push.

With increase in Aadhaar enrollment and technology advancements, banks and stakeholders must start thinking and prepare for bank account number portability to be made into reality, said the Reserve Bank of India on Tuesday.

Bank account number portability allows a banking customer to retain an account number even if she or he switches to another bank. A similar facility in the telecom sector  Mobile Number Portability  lets subscribers change telecom operators without losing the mobile number in use.

The two key enablers for this in the Indian banking context are Aadhaar as the unique identification for customers and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) as a central payment system.

In the last two years, the way we have moved, the Aadhaar enrolment has happened, platforms creation by NPCI, many apps have been introduced to do the IMPS (immediate payment service). With all these I think, the time has come that account number portability is a very much in the realm of possibility," said RBI Deputy Governor SS Mundra at a banking event organised by Banking Codes and Standard Board of India (BCSBI).

"This is better if it comes with combined efforts of the stakeholders than a regulatory prescription. I think IBA (Indian Banks Association) should take a note of it and start working with it," he added.

The Indian telecom sector has already adapted the idea making it easier for customers to switch operators retaining the same mobile number driving higher competition and pricing for people.

According to Mundra, once that happens then you will have a silent customer who would simply move away without even talking to you. Both way banks should prepare for that eventuality and all the stakeholders should start thinking that how the account number portability can be made a reality in the Indian banking sector, he added.

Today there are multiple numbers such as the IFSC code, bank account number, mobile money identifier (MMID) number for IMPS, customer relationship number, etc to identify one specific bank account.

This can be made possible with the Aadhaar payments bridge system (APBS) developed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and NPCI. The APBS can route transactions to an individual based on his Aadhaar number if the bank details are linked to Aadhaar.

Mundra had in the past floated bank account portability. If the plan succeeds, India will be the first country to adopt such a system.

In April 2012, the banking regulator had asked banks to allow intra-bank account portability in cases where full KYC (know your customer) details of the concerned account had been ascertained and a customer could operate and use the same account number across any branch of one bank.
General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) posted an 82.2 percent growth in its gross premium to Rs 33,585 crore in FY17 compared to FY16, on back of a big jump in the Pradhan Mantri FASAL Bima Yojana - the crop insurance scheme launched by the government.

The state-owned reinsurer's net profit jumped 10 percent rise for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. The reinsurer posted profit after tax of Rs 3,127 crore in FY17 as compared to Rs 2,848 crore posted in FY16.

Alice G Vaidyan, chairman and managing director of GIC Re said the gross premium saw a jump of 82.2 percent to Rs 33,585 crore of FY17. This was on due to the huge premium growth on the crop insurance front, she said. Without the crop insurance business, growth in premiums was 48 percent.

GIC Re's initial public offer (IPO) is expected to hit the market by end of this financial year. The company has appointed five merchant bankers for the issue.

The government plans to dilute its 25 percent stake in the insurer over the next three years.

The combined ratio of the reinsurer also went down below 100 percent to 99.7 percent in FY17 compared to 107.4 percent in FY16. Vaidyan said that they took up almost 48 percent of the risks undertaken under agriculture insurance by Indian insurers.

On the underwriting front, the reinsurer had an underwriting loss of Rs 606 crore in FY17 as compared to Rs 1187 crore in FY16. Vaidyan said that losses have significantly come down and in segments like crop insurance (Fasal Bima Yojana) the losses have been limited due to actuarial pricing.

With this, GIC Re has become the largest agriculture reinsurer in the world. It is ranked 12th in the world based on gross written premium. Further, it is the fourth largest aviation underwriter.

The solvency ratio for the insurer went down to 240 percent from 348 percent. However, Vaidyan said that this was on account of their substantial growth and that capital was required to fund growth aspirations of the company. The regulatory requirement is 150 percent.

The reinsurer also has a chunk of their business coming in from overseas operations. Vaidyan said that 31 percent of their business came from international markets where they have a presence.

While global reinsurance companies like Swiss Re, Munich Re, RGA, SCOR Re and Hannover Re among others have set up their India branch, Vaidyan said that this is not a source of worry for them.

GIC Re has a market share of 48 percent in India and said that it is a huge market with opportunity for everyone to grow. She also added that their despite the right of first refusal given to GIC Re for all reinsurance treaties, foreign reinsurers have also participated in the April 1 renewals of reinsurance contracts.
Have a long-term outlook | Timing investment is logically impossible because the best entry and exit opportunities are known only in hindsight. No one can predict market movements with certainty. Therefore, it is important to allow your investments to compound over a long term.

India is seeking to double the German investment in the country over the next five years from the current 9.5 billion euros and also wants a two-fold increase in the number of German companies, a former Indian Ambassador to Germany said here today.

In recent times, India has attracted about 74 German companies which have business plans worth investment of USD 1 billion, Gurjit Singh told PTI as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and signed eight agreements.

There are opportunities for German companies in India's infrastructure, defence sectors, railways, smart cities, renewable energy, ports and shipping, coastal shipping and inland waterways, he added.

"German investments in India is about 9.5 billion euros, made during 2000-2016, which can be doubled to 18 billion euros may be over the next five years. We (also) want to double the number of German companies in India to 3,600 from 1,800," according to Singh who retired in March this year after serving 37 years in foreign service with Germany being his last posting.

Singh said German companies were also being urged to form consortiums with European and non-European companies to undertake mega projects in India, especially their participation in smart cities which would require different disciplines, expertise and technologies.

Germany's small and medium size companies, known for having good technologies, should take the lead in forming these consortiums, he pointed out.

Joint ventures between German and Indian companies could also lead to building up consortiums for undertaking mega projects in the country, he said after addressing the Institute of South Asian Studies, a think tank at the National University of Singapore.

Overall, the European investments in India should also be doubled to at least 1.5 per cent from the current nominal level of 0.7 per cent of their global investments, according to Singh who has also served as ambassador to Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and African Union.

He said Modi's ongoing to visit to Germany is well timed and would boost bilateral relations between the two countries.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called on "more and more German companies" to invest in India even as the speedy conclusion of an India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) was the focus on the German side.

Highlighting the huge potential that remains untapped in the economic partnership during his inaugural address at the Indo-German Business Summit here, Modi said India will welcome German companies with open arms.

"There are 600 Indo-German joint ventures operating in India, employing 200,000 people. But there is huge potential as Indo-German economic cooperation is below its full potential and to enhance this, we in India are waiting with open arms because we value German partnership a lot," Modi said.

The deadlock over FTA between India and the European Union (EU) was also highlighted at the summit, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and senior business leaders urging the Prime Minister for a speedy conclusion to the FTA.

"There are growing protectionist trends around the world but Germany believes the value chains are so deeply interconnected that we will continue to create fair trading conditions. Within this context, it is important that the FTA makes progress," Merkel said.

"Germany will continue to push Brussels to resolve negotiations more speedily and we are committed to implementing and put into practice such an agreement. The negotiations have been tough because every country must safeguard its own interests and Germany will ensure that Indias concerns are also put on the table," she said.

Dr. Hubert Lienhard, President and CEO of German industry body the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA), also urged Modi on resolving the agreement to enable investments.

"Tension is not good for investment. It is important we join forces in pushing to reopen negotiations, to ensure stable trade relations for the future," he said.

The representations came as the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that India and EU negotiators are to take forward discussions on the agreement at a meeting in July.

The details of this meeting have not been finalised but MEA said the aim was to work towards a speedy resolution of an agreement in light of the Indo-German bilateral trade treaty having expired in March this year.

"We are committed and have been engaging on this issue and hope an agreement can be reached as fast as possible," MEA spokesperson told reporters at a briefing following the Fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between Modi and Merkel earlier today.

Stressing that India refers to the deal as a Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), he said both countries were committed to creating a healthy ecosystem for investments from Germany.

"They also reaffirmed their strong commitment to the EU-India Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement and their commitment to bring about a resumption of the negotiations at the earliest possible date.

"This would, inter alia, allow establishing provisions for the mutual protection of new foreign investments," said the Joint Statement issued by Modi and Merkel after the IGC.

At the business summit, the PMs focus was on highlighting Indias liberalised FDI regime and growing ease of doing business.

Describing GST as the "most historic reform India ever was done", he said the trend of reforms is spreading fast to all states.

He highlighted the abolition of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to "expand the engagement of overseas investors in Indian economy".

After his address, Modi left for a courtesy call on German President Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue, his official residence.

Modi will leave for Spain after his meeting with the President later on Tuesday.
Hoteliers across the five southern states of India are on a day-long strike today to protest the "high" tax slab imposed on the hospitality sector by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council.

About 50,000 hotels including self-service breakfast and lunch counters, went on strike led by the South Indian Hotel Owners' Association across the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

The hoteliers are protesting the 5 percent, 8 percent, 18 percent and 28 percent tax slabs currently proposed by the GST Council that will be levied on almost 90 percent of the restaurants in the country.

The hospitality sector currently pays 5 percent Value-added Tax (VAT) and 5.6 percent Service Tax.

The hoteliers 'association said that high tax rates will drive customers to road side eateries, which will dent their margins significantly. The association has also written to the Finance Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office.

Sources in the GST Council told CNBC TV18 that they were looking at a long-term uniform tax code and the proposed tax slabs is what could be prescribed for the sector.
Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia today did not rule out the scope for rationalisation of tax rates fixed on various goods and services under the GST regime to be implemented from July one.

"One thing we would agree is that there is a scope for rationalisation of tax rates on various goods and services," he said here in an interaction with the industry on GST.

Even the Central Board of Excise and Customs Chairperson Vanaja Sarna had yesterday said the GST Council could revise rates if there is any justification for reconsideration.

Various industries and businesses, including traders, FMCG and automobiles had been petitioning the Central government for revising rates.

On concerns by representatives of food processing sector, Adhia said a decision on the rates of foodgrains, especially wheat and rice, would be taken at the June 3 meeting.

"It was already mentioned by (Finance Minister Arun) Mr Jaitley that this is one issue which is still pending before the GST Council, and it will take a decision. We understand the food processing industry needs to be encouraged," he said.

He also argued that if these items were kept in the exempted category, the food processing industry will be losing.

He said the Council will take a view on the definition of branding.

On concerns raised by representatives of financial services sector, Adhia said dismissed the fear of loans getting costlier due to implementation of GST.

"There have been some concerns raised in the financial service sector that loans and all of these will become costlier, no way (it is going to be so)," he said.

"All people in financial services will know, we are not charging service taxes in deposits as well as loans, but taxes on other services. Loans are not going to become costlier. That is a misplaced fear, because of lack of understanding," he added.

Adhia also said the GST may push India's GDP up by more than 4 per cent because of the simplicity and predictability of the new indirect tax regime, which will encourage people to be tax compliant.

"Economists have argued that India's GDP may go up by more than 4 per cent because of GST - that is the kind of potential it has," he said.

"Why will the GDP go up? It is because businesses require simplicity, predictability of tax regime. These are the things which are going to be fulfilled by GST," he added.

Adhia said the new indirect tax regime will create problems but one should find solutions, instead of not allowing it to happen.
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Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia raised concerns over real estate and liquor industry being left out of the the GST ambit and suggested it was done because they were being run by "influential people".

"Liquor and real estate lobbies have succeeded to intervene in the GST. Without any hesitation, I can say that these two sectors have been kept out of the GST because political leadership and influential people are conventionally indulged in real estate," Sisodia said.

He said many politicians "invest their black money" in real estate business.

"We are the only one country in the world which has kept the land and liquor out of the GST ambit. Even a child knows black money is invested in real estate sector.

"I also wrote to all finance ministers on this issue, but my opinion was actually rejected by Council meeting of GST," Sisodia said.

Meanwhile, addressing MLAs on the premises of the Delhi Assembly on the GST, Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian said he completely agreed on the principle of bringing liquor and land under the GST and all states should come together to make it happen.

He also said Delhi's revenue will increase as it is servicing and producing state.

Sisodia also said the national capital will benefit after the GST is implemented.

A senior government official said that as per rough estimate, there will be an increase of Rs 5,000 crore in tax collection by the city administration once the new tax regime is in place.

The Deputy Chief Minister said there was still a lot of problems in the GST implementation, but not in its concept.

On his part, the Chief Economic Advisor also supported the views of Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel who expressed apprehension of "conspiracy" by keeping liquor and real estate sectors out of GST and said it will only lead to huge corruption in the country.

"There has been some improvement in real estate sector...you (states) have the power to change it. All state should come together. The power is with you, but I completely agree on this issue in-principle," Subramanian said.

Subramanian said that due to implementation, the tax collection of states will be increased significantly as compliance rate will rise.

He also ruled out any burden on manufacturers due to the GST and said that there will be no increase in the existing tax rates.
The affordable home that you are hoping to buy soon could come up in one of the many parcels of surplus land owned by public sector undertakings (PSUs) or government bodies.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office recently asking all government departments to identify unutilised land, especially in developed government colonies, to plan affordable housing projects, developers are hoping that such land will soon be made available to them to enable them to lend their hand in the governments move to push building of affordable homes.

Most developers across the country agree that getting land to develop affordable housing is the biggest challenge and are currently exploring other opportunities.

Some builders have already initiated talks with governments for acquiring their unused land of state-owned entities. Our company is in talks with the Haryana government for a land parcel spread across 150 acres on which 20,000 such houses can be constructed. It is viable to construct affordable housing units on such lands but all depends on the terms and conditions and the revenue sharing model, says Pravin Jain, CMD, Tulip Infratech, adding the company is planning to come up with 750 affordable housing units in Gurgaon.

Urban and Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu has also said that land remains the biggest issue that states face today to build affordable homes.

Niranjan Hiranandani, CMD, Hiranandani Communities, feels availability of cheaper land will help build more affordable homes, especially in places like Mumbai. In Mumbai, land is very expensive. The chances of getting land from private owners at a price-point which would support an affordable housing project looks tough. So, the alternative is to convince the government to allocate some of its vast land holdings for such projects. Within the city, government land, and select locations in peripheral areas of the MMR are options where land for affordable housing could be procured by developers, says Hiranandani.

He said his company was planning projects which will fall under the ambit of affordable housing at their ongoing projects in Thane and Panvel.

The government of Maharashtra (GoM) has decided to use the salt pan lands across Mumbai and its metropolitan region for housing projects, slum rehabilitation and infrastructure development. GoM has appointed Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as the implementing agency for development of salt pan lands in Mumbai.

Mumbai has an estimated 5,379 acres of salt pan land and the CM has declared his intent to utilise around 600 acres of the said salt pans for building affordable homes.

Urban experts suggest that large tracts of land located within city limits such as unused parcels held by public sector undertakings, central authorities such as railways and defence, salt pan lands and tea estates have the potential to be repurposed for affordable housing.

Salt pan lands can be used for the purpose, subject to a change in zoning of the land by the state government. This is, of course, subject to norms and regulations (the Development Control (DC) rules and Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) guidelines.

Among those considering hiving off surplus land for affordable housing is railways. Railways is open to the affordable housing opportunity subject to feasibility and revenue potential, says a senior railway official. It is currently planning to redevelop a railway colony in Sarai Rohilla for which bids will be invited in the next few months.

The price of land for both conventional and affordable projects is the same. It would help a lot if unused land by PSUs could be utilised for developing affordable housing, says Pradeep Aggarwal, Co-founder and Chairman of Signature Global, that is currently developing 7,400 affordable units in Gurgaon, Haryana and recently received financing of Rs 200 crore from global investment firm KKR for its affordable housing projects.

The company plans to launch 25,000 units in this segment this year across Haryana, UP and Maharashtra and develop over a lakh affordable homes until 2022.

Tea estates, defence land

A large amount of land within city limits can be repurposed for various urban uses, particularly affordable housing. These include, salt pan lands, lands vested with tea estates that have since stopped production and which are already encroached upon (e.g. cities of Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik in North Bengal), land that can be reclaimed from Central or state PSU townships, which usually comprise vacant land that is either already encroached upon or unlikely to be used by the PSU for any foreseeable purpose (e.g. SAIL steel plants at Durgapur, Bhilai, BHEL plant at Bhopal).

Land vested with Central authorities such as railways or defence, or even the state forest departments, but which are not actually being used or are likely to be used for any particular purpose, says Digbijoy Bhowmik, Head Policy Affairs, South Asia, RICS.

Many of these can be used to settle encroachers on an in-situ basis, using a more compacted form of development as governed by present day planning and architectural practices, releasing the balance land for more normative development  including, amongst other things  affordable housing, and more remunerative forms of real estate which can offset the cost of the resettlement, as well as increase the availability of serviced land for development.

Usually, exercises such as these become commercially viable with a fair mix of commercial and premium housing in addition to affordable housing, he says.

The government has set a target of 2 crore housing units by 2022 under the Housing for All mission but the biggest challenge is procuring land. Members of builders body the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India, or CREDAI, have announced launching a total of 375 affordable housing projects across the country with investment commitment of Rs 70,000 crore.
Q17. Hawley and Hazel marketed this product as a parody of an American performer, Al Jolson, who became popular for his blackface performances. The whiteness of his teeth also inspired the marking and logo. In 1985 after Colgate-Palmolive acquired Hawley & Hazel. Identify the brand of toothpaste.

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The FMCG space has been seized by turbulence due to the disruptive Patanjali entering the fray. But one cant deny the secular growth prospects of the sector. In trying to make the most of these two conflicting realities, we came across a company that benefits from both the growth of the new challenger and the secular rise in consumption.

The relatively unheard of player is JHS Svendgaard, a contract manufacturer for oral care products catering to companies like Patanjali and Dabur that is on an expansion spree. Its a turnaround story that grabs attention because it is a surrogate play on the disruptors aggression, offers an opportunity to participate in the growing oral care market, and now boasts of a clean and strong balance sheet.

Biggest oral care contract manufacturer

JHS is one of the biggest oral care contract manufacturers and currently produces oral care products like toothbrushes and tooth paste (50 percent of revenue each). The company currently caters to major FMCG manufacturers which are expected to constitute 70-75 percent of FY 2017-18 revenue. In addition, JHS is also focusing on its own brand (10-12 percent of revenue). The companys major clients include Dabur, Patanjali, Amway, Vanessa, Marya Day, Walmart and Emami.

Oral care: Secular growth

Indias per capita toothpaste consumption of 147 g (vs China 277 g) is amongst the lowest in the world. Growing awareness about oral healthcare underlines the secular growth potential for this sector. Colgate, the dominant player in the toothpaste category has lost market share (57.4 percent to 55.1 percent) in last two years to Dabur and Patanjali, both JHS clients, suggesting a healthy orderbook growth will continue.

Source: Moneycontrol Research

Turnaround story  zero debt company

JHS had posted a loss during 2013-2016 on account of the failed arrangement with its then key client, a major FMCG player, that led to litigation. Recently, the company reached an out-of-court settlement, helping it to clear a contingent liability of Rs 206 crore. Over the years, the company has worked on reducing debt and at present has near-zero debt on its balance sheet.

Learning its lesson from the above episode, JHS is working on the diversification of its client base and limiting exposure to any single entity. For 2020, JHS is targeting 50 percent revenue share from its own brand and limiting single client exposure to about 15 percent. However, depending on the robust contract manufacturing opportunity, the ambition to establish its own brand might undergo changes.

In the FY 2016-17, the company posted a profit of Rs 21.98 crore (vs loss of Rs 21.63 crore in FY 2015-16), partially aided by topline growth of 5.4 percent.

Earnings Snapshot (Rs crore)

Source: Moneycontrol Research

Capacity ramp-up and the client consolidation

Our conversation with the vice-president (finance) of JHS Svendgaard, Ashish Goel, gave us interesting insights into the companys capacity expansion plans and success in client consolidation.

In the FY17, capacity utilisation improved to 80 percent from the level of 60 percent a year before. The new capacity expansion, to be commissioned in early 2017-18 at Kala Amb, Himachal Pradesh, would increase capacity by about 80 percent (100 percent in toothpaste and 70 percent in toothbrush category). The company is targeting volume growth to the tune of 45-50 percent in 2017-18 as about 50 percent of the capacity expansion is already backed up by client commitments.

Client consolidation is another area where the outlook appears to be promising. In Q4 2017, company started tooth paste manufacturing for Patanjali along with the existing tooth brush manufacturing. Thus, making Patanjali its biggest client. Dabur is the second biggest-client, for which JHS had already been manufacturing both product categories. Thus, after Colgate, the two biggest FMCG players in the oral care products, are sourcing from JHS. Interestingly, their market share is increasing in this niche segment. Thus, in a way, JHS is a proxy for the entire segment of dental care growth in India.

Reduced margins may be new normal for FMCG sector

EBITDA margins were at 11 percent for FY 2016-17 and expected to be in the range of 13-15 percent in the medium-term through improvement in product mix and scale. Given the nature of business and the current competitive pressure, we dont expect margins to go back to 2008-10 levels when it reported 23-25 percent.

Valuation not a hindrance given earnings growth

Based on reported numbers, JHS is trading at FY 2017 P/E of 10x. However, if we take the tax benefit accrued in Q4 2017 into account, adjusted P/E multiple is about 43x vs FMCG average of ~ 52x.

We expect the margin trajectory to improve as the company ramps up production. The company is expected to report 111 percent earnings CAGR in FY17-19E. So on PEG basis, stock is trading at 0.4, which is attractive in our view.

In sum, we think that JHS Svendgaard is an indirect play on Patanjalis volume growth in select high-growing segments and also a proxy for Indian dental care consumption growth. We advise clients to accumulate this stock for the medium term.
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Critics of Titan have often asked if the company should rename itself as Tanishq as sales of jewellery today account for a large part of its sales. But as you set foot into Titan's headquarters and the focused approach that it has on different categories, you realise the criticism is not rooted in fact. In an interview with Moneycontrol's Malini Bhupta, Titan's Managing Director Bhaskar Bhat talks about the company's plans in FY18, the categories they will focus on and how they are all about lifestyle. Edited excerpts:

How do you expect FY18 to shape up after a rather challenging FY17?

This year is going to be better. We had begun the year confronted by a 43-day strike in the jewellery business, which forced us to close stores. The effect of demonetisation was devastating on unorganised players. Consumers have realised that Tanishq's way of doing business is the right way of doing business and many are migrating to organised sector players. In a small way it also affects watches as there are unorganised players in watches, too. But over the last 10 years, a lot of foreign companies are operating in India.

Since jewellery now accounts for more than 80 percent of sales, should you rename the company as Tanishq?

We are a lifestyle company and not a jewellery or watch company. We have chosen three categories and our job is to excel in each of them. We are using our competence for new areas of opportunity like fragrances and eye wear. We have chosen categories where unorganized play is big. Our watch business is bigger than Trent in value and profit terms. We are a Rs 13,000 crore company and jewelry itself is Rs 10,000 crore. But the other business is Rs 3000 crore and how many companies do you have in any category of that size?

The name of the company is Titan Company, so why should we change the name. Watches touch 14 million customers a year and jewellery touches 2 million. The number of consumers who buy watches is seven times more. There is a certain size for an industry. Unless you separate all of them and make them separate companies. Market share is 4.5 percent for jewellery and 65 percent in the watches.

What made Titan enter the sari business?

If you look at the sari business it is much like the jewelery business and is unorganised. There are many categories where there are no organised players and no scientific way to assess what you are getting. Our research told us that while sari is not the in-thing, women have a longing to wear saris. It is a complex affair to buy a sari. Our research told us that here is a category to be explored and exploded. We have a huge customer base of women and they like our products. We have no competitor to Raga. We are clear about our categories. So long as you excel, you create excitement in the company. If you go to a start-up you wont ask this question. I am saying that we are simply customer-oriented and our loyalty programme has 10 million members.

How do you choose the sectors you want to enter?

We keep looking at unorganized sectors where lifestyle products are manufactured and sold. If we find the opportunity is big enough, then we look at the category. Research tells us people are investing in themselves  like wellness, fitness, leisure travel etc. Investing in the self is a higher order drive. We choose categories where you can serve millions. Also, women have become a segment by themselves.

Typically, one would hear women are making decisions for family but now they are a force to reckon with, independent of the family. They are making their own choices, influencing and advocating. Our understanding is better than others of this segment.

We believe the fragrance market will explode provided the marketer brings value. Eye wear is still at Rs 400 crore as a category and saris is again early days. We have two years and we are still experimenting. We are not a retailer. We are a category player and we dive deep into it. Just special occasion wear saris is Rs 24,000 crore.

About 12 women from our factory in Hosur went to pick up saris after completing 25 years. They chose Bhagalpuri Tussar. We opened up the process of exploration to the whole company. We told people within the company to dream of categories that we could enter and we will evaluate and fund good ideas. The project is called Ignite. I had it as an idea for a long time but 700 ideas came. It got filtered to 14 and then three. At every level the ideas got filtered down by a hard-nosed jury. The jury had people like CEO of Tata Tea, a non-business head at Titan, and a professor from IIM Bangalore. Sari emerged as one of the ideas through Ignite.

Why do you have so many brands in jewelry?

You should go back to our watches experience. India is no longer a single market. Watch business started as a single brand, now we have multiple brands. That is how we have a 65 percent marketshare. The point about brands is that you cannot stretch brands across geographies. For instance, Mia is targeted at working women. The idea is lighter and simpler with lower price points. Tanishq is the jeweller. Zoya is an exclusive design with diamonds.

Can you sustain the phenomenal growth in jewellery business?

We think it can only get better. Our focus was productivity for people and by people. At the start of the year, they took lower hikes than industry standard, but we made it up with a bonus towards the end. We expect jewellery sales to grow 2.5x sales in five years.

How do you see GST impacting the jewellery business?

We expect GST to be 5 percent on jewellery. The biggest change that the GST will bring about is that the formal sector will benefit. And the jewellery industry is dominated by the informal sector. Government will like to formalise the entire jewellery industry so that the generation of unaccounted income is eliminated. Bringing them under the tax regime and follow practices of any other industry will benefit those who are formal players. A higher GST rate would make jewellery more expensive to the investment-oriented customer. If taxation is high and it is not subsumed in the price of gold then the investment angle will disappear.

How will GST give you an edge over unorganized players?

I think the field will become more level. The beauty of this system is that every member of the value chain has to cheat, for the system to go back to the earlier system. Everybody will have to fall in line.

Do you expect sales to be impacted in the first few months of GST?

We are already getting queries from trade asking us what will happen to the stock. I think companies have to make choices on whether they will pick up the difference in tax or not. Which means reimburse the GST component in the stock. If I am giving 25 percent margin to the dealer and if I have sold him a product to him at Rs 750, it has the tax component in it. But at the consumers end the tax is on Rs 1000. The dealer will be forced to pay 28 percent but the question is who will bear the difference. If we are not willing to pay then dealers will not buy new stock. We have to make an assessment and see if we are willing to pay the difference as it will be a large sum of money. They will seek compensation for the stock leftover on June 30.

Any new product categories will Titan enter?

A slew of new products. Jewellery will become a bigger wedding jewellery player. Watches will be a bigger and smart watch player. Company will become more active online, whether it is influencing people digitally or making people buy online.
The tax returns filing for income earned during the financial year 2016-17 will be on in full swing soon. The company would have handed over the Form 16 of their employees. Companies and self-employed too will be filing their tax returns as per their deadlines.

As you prepare to file your income tax, one of the basic things you should know is which tax form should you use to file your returns. The Income Tax Department has specified different tax returns form for a different class of taxpayers.

Here are the relevant forms you need to use for filing your income tax returns (ITR) The forms for different categories of persons are as follow:

Income Tax Return (ITR) is a statement of income earned by a person in a financial year. The person (other than Company & Firm) whose total income exceeds the specified threshold limit in a financial year is to file income tax return for that financial year, says Gaurav Talwar, Partner, Felix Advisory

Talwar points out as per section 139 of Income Tax Act, 1961 (IT Act), every person whose total income exceeds the following specified limits is required to file income tax return. The limits for an individual person are as follows:

Sudhir Kaushik, co-founder and CFO, Taxspanner.com, advises being extra-careful while filing tax returns and wrong entries could be taken as concealment of income by the tax department. The income tax return form is a legal declaration and a binding document in which ignorance or casual mistakes are equivalent to income concealment. Hence, the minimum return clearance criteria for seamless processing of ITR would be matching data, Kaushik said.

He also pointed out that tax return filed by the assessee has to have minimum prescribed income/loss details. It must reconcile with the information already available with the department.
A South Korean telecom company has decided to set up its mobile phone manufacturing unit in Chhattisgarh after consultation with Chief Minister Raman Singh, an official said today.

"With a view to woo investors in the mineral-rich Chhattisgarh, a delegation led by Singh is on the official tour of South Korea," a senior public relation officer said today.

The high-level delegation comprising state government officials and industrialists reached South Korea's capital Seoul yesterday where it was received by the Indian Ambassador to South Korea Vikram Doraiswami at the Incheon airport, he said.

"On the first day of the visit, the delegation met with investors in Seoul. The representatives from Sung Ha Telecom company met Singh and gave in-principle consent to set up its mobile phone manufacturing plant in Naya Raipur - the upcoming new capital of Chhattisgarh," he said.

Sung Ha Telecom is one of the biggest companies in the used Cellular Phone market in Korea and has a high-skilled experience in this field for 15 years, he added.

During the meeting, Singh informed that Chhattisgarh is fast becoming hub for electronics manufacturing due to excellent business environment and friendly policies.

Earlier the representatives from the Indian embassy met the delegation and briefed about the region, including the world-class industrial and urban infrastructure development in Seoul, he said.

It also visited Sungam Smart city and met with officials there and found many similarities between Naya Raipur city and Sungnam city, he said.

The delegation had left on the international tour on May 28 from Raipur for Seoul and Japan to attract investments to the state and create ample employment opportunities for youth, the official added.
Representative Image

What is the idea?

This 1001 startup idea is to transform the construction industry with the introduction of 3D printing technology. This technology has proven to significantly reduce construction time and wastage while giving more freedom to create customized and affordable housing.

While most other industries have undergone tremendous changes over the past few decades, and have reaped the benefits of the process, product and service innovations, the construction sector has been hesitant to fully embrace the latest innovation opportunities and its labor productivity has stagnated or even decreased over the past 50 years. New technologies  such as building information modeling (BIM), 3D printing, wireless sensing and autonomous equipment  offer the potential to transform the construction industry.

Market Definition

According to PwC's report, Global Construction 2030, the volume of construction output will grow to $15.5 trillion worldwide by 2030, with three countries, China, US and India, leading the way and accounting for 57% of all global growth. It further adds that construction is likely to be one of the most dynamic industrial sectors in the next fifteen years and is utterly crucial to the evolution of prosperous societies around the world.

Competitor Analysis

Even though the 3D printing technology will take head on the traditional construction companies, we dont see them as the direction competition because they both follow entirely different methodologies, one being labor driven and the other being tech-driven.

Companies that have made some headstart with the 3D printing technology in construction are Constructions-3D which has come up with 3D concrete printer and opened it for pre-ordering. Winsun, a Chinese company claims to have constructed complete 3D printed houses in a day and costs as less as $5000 per house. While Constructions-3D printers build the complete house onsite, Winsun makes the individual blocks in their factory and then assembles them on site.

MX3D another technology start-up that is developing an easy-to-use Plug & Print robotic additive manufacturing software platform to transform standard industrial robots (six-axis robotic arms) into a large-scale, mobile, 3D printer for construction

Pain Point & Target Audience

The target customers for the startup is Real Estate builders and individuals who are looking at leveraging technology to reduce cost and time without impacting quality. It will also attract builders who are looking to take architecture and designing to the next level with the freedom that 3D printing offers.

The current methodology of construction is costly and time taking, making owning a house dream for most of the middle and lower income class households. We have seen a year on year increase in labor costs, and this trend would continue in future too, thereby exacerbating the problem.

Value Proposition

3D printing that can create a revolution in the construction industry and can give rise to a new segment of innovative and affordable housing. As this construction methodology uses very limited labor and lesser construction material it will lead to faster, better and cheaper construction.

The 3D printing technology builds a house layer by layer which provides extra freedom to architects and designers, as they can experiment with the curved designs and surfaces without worrying too much about cost implications and accuracy of construction.

The main advantage of 3D printing technology is that it allows freedom of design to be a practical option at last. E&C companies can now utilize algorithm-based or generative software to optimize the design of buildings and to design unique lightweight beams and other components  in short, to build what could not be built before.

3D printing technology offers environmental benefits, too. Being fully integrated into digital construction models and tools, it provides a very accurate method of producing structures, with zero waste and minimal, and costly rework

Business Model

The startup can work both on B2B and B2C model; for B2B the startup should target small and medium scale construction companies to rent them the 3D printers and supply their proprietary construction composite. The startup can charge rental for the printer and sell the construction composite as per usage.

For B2C customers, the startup can tie up some architecture and design firm and provide complete end to end solution for the house construction. These individual houses will give the startup the freedom to show the innovations and further attract customers and businesses.

Way to market

The first step for the startup would be to come up with their proprietary composite construction material and the 3D printer. The startup needs to test the usability and durability of the solution thoroughly and must get a patent filed in the process.

Then the startup should collaborate with one of the leading architecture and design firm to further test the practicality of the product and work with them to complete at least 4-5 house construction. These houses will serve as the testimonial of success, and then the startup should start approaching small and medium scale construction companies to provide design and construction support.

Milestones

The significant milestone for the startup would be to research and develop the proprietary composite construction material and the 3D printer prototype. Once this is done the startup should target to complete 4-5 houses in collaboration with some leading design and architecture firm over next six months. The success stories from these constructions will further boost the business of the startup, and they should start approaching construction companies.

In first 12 months, the startup should target to acquire at least two construction projects from the construction companies.

Investment Needed For Prototype

To build a prototype you would need access to a fully equipped fabrication lab, most of the prominent universities have this facility in house. In addition to this, you would need to raise an angle round of USD 500k for building a working prototype to test your assumptions. Look towards technology and equipment companies for seed funding.

Team Capability

This business requires knowledge of building materials, architecture, metallurgy and mechanical engineering. You would build your co-founding team to have these skill sets at the minimum. Having co-founders with relevant experience will be good.

Investors / Expert Take

The AEC (architecture, engineering, construction) industry has seen good interest from big investors like Sequoia, Greylock, Bain, and Borealis. The ACE industry has attracted over 350 million in investments since 2015 as per CB insights, though most of it is concentrated on the tech or software side. While other industries have been eagerly embracing automation and the autonomation of equipment, the engineering and construction (E&C) sector has been hesitant, thereby building pent-up demand in the segment.

A word of caution is that Seed capital in the construction industry is rare: technology venture capital firms tend to avoid the E&C sector because it is vast and slow-moving. General venture capital firms tend to avoid it because they lack industry know-how. And construction companies themselves are hesitant to invest in any emerging technology. Traditionally conservative and risk-averse, they prefer to wait for technology to prove itself before adopting it. Some of the investors that are active in 3D Printing space are WHEB Partners and Balderton Capital from London, Kima Ventures from Paris and Horizons Ventures from Hong Kong. Investors, entrepreneurs, and consumers all have very high expectations for this new space; it is up to you to make the best use of this opportunity.

In case you are looking at scaling or launching this venture, you can apply for our virtual acceleration program Excelrate on the Yostartups website; it will help you in streamlining and structuring your startup idea. We have limited scholarships and discount packs for deserving startups, depending on the strength of your application, you may qualify for a discount.
Snapdeal-owned mobile wallet firm FreeCharge is in talks with Bank of Baroda (BOB) and Times Internet besides larger rival Paytm for an all-cash acquisition, according to people privy to the development told Moneycontrol.

The deal size is expected to be in the range of USD 60-75 million.

While it is learnt that a non-binding and non-exclusive term sheet has been signed with Paytm, there wasn't any immediate clarity on the position of the other two firms.

"All the three are the frontrunners for the deal," said one of the persons quoted above.

FreeCharge was acquired by e-commerce Snapdeal for USD 400 million. A valuation of USD 60-75 million will be a major setback for the beleaguered e-commerce firm.

The development comes at a time when Snapdeal is itself in talks for a stake sale with rival Flipkart.

The deal, if successful will allow Bank of Baroda to expand its mobile wallet service, it launched last year and also to get access to millions of young customers FreeCharge has on its platform. Bank of Baroda launched its own mobile wallet M-Clip last year.

On the other hand, for Times Internet, a mobile wallet addition to its portfolio could bring addition opportunities to monetise in the bill payments and online shopping space with regards to its existing ventures such as Indiatimes Shopping, Gaana and Cricbuzz etc.

"The company can try and make small-ticket purchases on its platforms such as a song pack easily available through a wallet. The customers are not usually comfortable and willing to use debit or credit card that involve two-factor authentication for making low ticket online purchases," said a person quoted above.

An email to Times Internet and Bank of Baroda did not elicit any response.

Negotiations are on to ensure that the 200-250 employees of FreeCharge are also absorbed by the firm that acquires the company.

It had raised close to USD 116 million before it got acquired by Snapdeal.

Moneycontrol reported earlier this month that Snapdeal had signed a non-binding letter of intent with Flipkart for the deal. Currently, the due diligence of Snapdeal is underway.

Besides these three firms, at least two more parties  a Singapore-based group of investors and another public lender have also expressed interest in FreeCharge, according to at least two people privy to the matter. There wasn't any further clarity into the identification of these two other parties.

Founded in 2010, FreeCharge has had multiple suitors in past too including Naspers-backed PayU. The deal couldn't be finalised due to lack of consent within the board of Jaspers Infotech, the parent firm of Snapdeal, according to one of the persons quoted above.

FreeCharge competes with its larger rivals Paytm and Mobikwik in the mobile wallet space. Some of the key merchants on its platform are IRCTC, Foodpanda, Swiggy, Zomato, Mcdonalds, Shoppers Stop and Pantaloons among others.

priyanka.sahay@nw18.com
A worker uses a gas cutter at a metal workshop in an industrial area in Mumbai, India, February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui - RTX30FXQ

Runaya, a metals startup founded by the sons of Vedanta Ltd Chairman Navin Agarwal, has signed two JV pacts worth USD 75 million with Russia's UC Rusal and Bahrain's Taha International Corporation (TIC).

The pacts relate to the production of high technology aluminium paste and powder in India and sustainable waste management solutions to aluminium industry.

The start-up has been founded by brothers and budding entrepreneurs, Naivedya & Annanya Agarwal.

"Runaya, one of the fastest growing manufacturing startup in the metals space, has signed two joint venture agreements with leading global companies for providing sustainable and high-end solutions to the Indian aluminium industry," Runaya Metsource LLP (RML) said in a statement.

"Aligned with the Government of Indias 'Make in India' mission, both the JVs will be set up entailing investments worth USD 75 million," it said.

RML has signed a 50:50 JV with Russias UC Rusal to set up state-of-the-art aluminium pastes and powders production unit in India, while its affiliate RRL has tied up with Bahrains TIC for its patented technology on aluminium dross processing.

"Along with ramping up dross processing capacity in phases, we plan to provide other innovative sustainability solutions for Aluminium industry. It is an important strategic initiative for Runaya in becoming a speciality innovative-solution company, which will provide value-add products for regional and global markets using sustainable technology," said Annanya Agarwal, CEO RRL.

Naivedya Agarwal, CEO Runaya Metsource, said, "Runayas strategy is to identify businesses focusing broadly on material sciences and deliver products with high technology applications, through alliances and partnerships with global leaders."

Naivedya is also Managing Director-designate of the JV for the aluminium pastes and powders.

Runaya claimed that the facility is first of its kind in India with a production capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes per annum and is aiming to commence commercial production in 2018.

The products of the proposed unit will find usage in several high-end applications, including additive technologies and solar energy. Currently, the demand for these products in India is being met through global sources.

The project launched by RRL will set up a dross processing facility in Jharsuguda, with an initial capacity of 30,000 MT. RRL expects to commission Phase 1 by end of 2017 and commence commercial production in 2018.

As per the agreement, Runaya will obtain TIC technology for exclusive operations in India and receive value-added product distribution rights on a worldwide basis.

"Our technology is the most advanced both in its ability to recover metal from dross and process the residues into products that have tremendous market potential in India," said Frank Pollmann, CEO, Taha International Corporation.

Alexey Arnautov, UC RUSALs Director for new projects said, "RUSALs long lasting experience in the production of aluminium powders and pastes as well as Runaya Metsources strong position as a local player create solid competitive advantages for the JV."
Even as iSPIRT's cofounder and former Yahoo! India R&D CEO Sharad Sharma admitted this month to trolling anti-Aadhaar activists on Twitter, the product software think tank saw key exits this week.

InMobi CEO Naveen Tewari and Fusioncharts founder Pallav Nadhani, who were key members of iSPIRT submitted their resignations this week, as a fallout of the episode on disagreement on 'direction of the organisation'.

Sharma however explains in his latest blog post (below) on how social media has change policy making in last few years in India.

In a realization, he reveals that trolling on social media is the 'lowest form of engagement' that leaves both parties poorer. Sharma has been one of the foremost voices in designing the startup policy of India and is a key angel investor and mentor for many startups.

Here is the latest statement from Sharad Sharma on why social media trolling can impact both parties adversely:

"Over the last week, iSPIRT has asked itself fundamental questions on who we are and how we conduct ourselves. As a pro-bono partner in the development of the India Stack, this team has had the privilege of designing systems that have eventually seen adoption by the state in a quest to solve said hard problems. Our work results in technology platforms that have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of millions of Indians. However, technology is merely a tool whose potential for misuse must be checked. This demands accountability both of the tool and its makers.

No system is perfect. And when one embarks on an endeavor to build a public platform that impacts an entire nation of over a billion people, some imperfections are bound to emerge.

These imperfections should rightly attract criticism and concern from civil society. It is at this point that a natural conflict develops.

Between the individuals that built the system with a great degree of dedication, application, and indeed love, and the individuals that are wary of how the said system can be used against the very people it was meant to benefit.

This conflict when left to fester without a set of rules of engagement is bound to devolve into an uncivil discourse that attacks and hurts people on each side, without actually achieving the objective that both parties hold very dearly.

We are blessed and privileged that we can build for and speak for millions of our countrymen. Our privilege stems from our education, our abilities, our stature, our connections, and our lifes work.

And for the most part, it must be acknowledged that individuals on both sides of this divide tirelessly endeavor to leverage this privilege to better the lives of those less fortunate among us.

We build and speak, for our people. And so it is our responsibility that we conduct ourselves with dignity, grace, and generosity of spirit, while fiercely battling on the right path to that better future.

And on that count, I as one of the builders have stumbled.

An end cannot justify the means

I condoned uncivil behavior by some anonymous handles over a period of ten days.

I have owned up to this transgression. It was investigated internally by the iSPIRT Governing Council: Sudham as a team stands dissolved, and I will no longer be communicating on behalf of iSPIRT externally for 4 months.

I am clear the end cannot, and should not justify the means. But the larger lesson here is that we must develop systems and processes internally, and a framework and principles within which we will operate.

In the process of building, there is a set of factors that influence policy making.

Facts on the ground: Half of policy making is the policy itself and the data points in reality that led to it.

It comprises of everything from the problems the policy endeavours to address, the people who are victims of these problems, previous attempts to solve them, and the data that can back up this approach.

It was traditionally a major chunk of all that was needed to make a policy, particularly in a highly centralized society where a chosen few had the privilege and the power to craft and enforce said policies.

Mainstream media was the other major pillar of policy making. By serving as the primary medium of crafting public perception of millions, a chosen few reporters and their editors had the privilege of being the exclusive custodians of the court of public opinion.

If you wanted to get the word out and have the people be on your side, these were the people youd turn to.

Rise of social media influenced policy making

The most significant shift in policy making in decades is the rise of social media.

The emergence of platforms where individuals could transform into influencers by consistently generating unfiltered content is shifting the balance of power in the perception game.

An ever increasing audience of online content consumers now turn to these platforms for their news and information.

So much so that it has become a primary source of news for these early adopters.

A simplistic but useful rubric to describe the nature of discourse on social media is to classify into two categories, namely civil and uncivil.

Civil discourse is exactly what is sounds like, a respectful engagement, where all parties concerned conduct themselves with a degree of basic human decency.

And while the conversation may be informed, or not, backed by facts or utterly fabricated, the debate never descends below a certain level of decorum.

In such discourse, there is always room for one to see the reasoning of the other side. It leaves space for empathy. And empathy is the foundation of collaboration.

Both parties in such conversations can at times work together once its made clear that their objectives are aligned.

Trolling saps perpetrators too

On the other hand, there is another side to the conversation on social media.

Specifically, the kind that tends to unravel on Twitter. Uncivil discourse is marked by abuse and trolling  where one willfully sows discord and makes inflammatory, extraneous, often untruthful remarks about a topic or an individual with the express purpose of upsetting the target to evoke an emotional response.

Such conversations often find themselves unfolding through anonymous handles that can employ such tactics without fear of retribution.

Such behavior is malicious and dishonorable, and in the long run saps the soul of the perpetrators themselves, while simultaneously hurting the targets.

It is the lowest form of engagement that leaves both parties poorer for it.

Having danced with such tactics myself for ten days in May, I can say with certainty that it is conduct unbecoming of our prior actions and accomplishments.

Put it simply, I have learnt my lesson. One that should have been painfully clear to begin with.

Such behavior  uncivil comments made while hiding behind anonymity  is loathsome and abhorrent. And I will never engage in or condone such methods ever again.

That brings me to the question, how does one stand up for what one has built, and the cause of inclusion that it aims to serve, while accommodating the concerns of its detractors?

To answer this, here is a set of potential principles.

True North: If one truly believes their work to be the right thing, it must be showcased in both the intent of how one chooses to engage with critics, and in the stories of impact that showcase how whats built has actually improved the lives of the people it aims to serve. By making the citizen our north star, and having their best interest guide our actions, we can at the very least be assured of having done the right thing. Regardless of what slings and arrows one takes in the process.

Empathy: To truly believe deeply in our hearts that even our harshest critics come from a place of wanting to protect the citizen and to make an effort to understand why they have framed their criticism in that manner

Openness: Our policies must be made visible to the community at large through various stages of evolution through discussion papers and roundtables

Fervor to educate: A gospel that isnt sung is never heard. We will work hard to showcase the positive impact of our work and spread the message far and wide.

Commitment to civility: No trolling, no anonymity, no abuse. Ever.

Given the course of events that have unfurled recently, I accept the IGCC (ISpirt Governing Council) decisions, and reaffirm my commitment to the iSPIRT mission and values, and to help it emerge as a better organization. This will be my last public post for some time," said Sharma.

(Sharad Sharma is cofounder of iSPIRT. The post was first published here
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Adani Enterprises zoomed over 12 percent intraday on Tuesday as investors reacted positively to the development around its Australian coal project.

Adani Enterprises said it had reached an agreement with Australia's Queensland state on royalty payments for its Carmichael coal project, putting the $10 billion project back on track.

The company will now consider making a final investment decision at its next board meeting.

Earlier, there were reports that the Group may walk away from its $16.5 billion Carmichael coal project if the confusion regarding royalties payments is not resolved by the Queensland state government, Bloomberg News reported, citing Australian Federal Resources Minister Matthew Canavan.

Adanis approval for the project is contingent on the Queensland government coming to a decision on their royalties policy, Canavan told Bloomberg. You cant expect Adani to make a multi-billion dollar decision if they dont know what tax they will pay. The ball is now in the Queensland governments court, Canavan added.

The development had sent the stock crashing on the bourses, erasing a huge chunk of investors wealth.

However, the agreement by Adani Group will put things back in perspective and help it carry on with the plans.

The stock rose over 21 percent in the past one month, while its three-day gain stood at 3 percent. At 13:45 hrs, Adani Enterprises was quoting at Rs 119.95, up Rs 8.65, or 7.77 percent on the BSE. It touched an intraday high of Rs 124.75 and an intraday low of Rs 110.05.

(With inputs from Reuters)
copper_hindustan_44537989

Achiievers Equities' commodity report on Copper

Copper trading range for the day is 362-373.6.

Copper settled flat as pressure seen due to expectations of weaker demand in top consumer China over the coming months.

Strikes at Peruvian mines resolved in two weeks, with limited supply disruptions as company used temporary workers to maintain production.

Freeport resumed exports in late April from its Grasberg mine in Indonesia, after being suspended by the government since mid-January.

SELL COPPER JUN 2017 @ 368.50 SL 371.00 TGT 365.50-363.50.MCX.

For all commodities report, click here

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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Senior Technical Lead: With a median annual salary Rs 12,00,000 going up to Rs 25,00,000 per annum, an expertise in designing and building software products, in collaboration with the sales and design verticals, is the main job description. A key skill is to analyze user requirements to ensure customer satisfaction. (Image: Pixabay)

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Employees' unions are not needed in information technology industry where work ethic is good and the staff are well-paid with techies even finding opportunities outside the company they work for, says a senior industry figure.

Whenever there is a downturn, there is always noise about unions coming into play in the IT industry but it never sustained, ex-Chief Financial Officer of Infosys Ltd, V Balakrishnan told PTI.

"Work ethic is very good and salaries are high. Even today the attrition rate in the IT industry is double digit. It (talk of employees' unions) always fizzles out after some point of time. It never sustained," he told PTI.

"But I think even if there is a union, I don't think it will impact the industry much because IT industry is one of the best paymasters in the country and second, the people find opportunities outside", he said.

The employees' unions work in industries where work ethic is bad and where employees are treated shabbily.

Following reports of layoffs and fears about further retrenchment in the slow-down hit IT industry, there had been some talk in recent times about forming a union. "IT industry is not bad, IT industry people are well taken care of, well-paid, and they find opportunities. Even one of the bad years, this year, where growth rate has come down, the attrition is still double digit.

"So, I don't find a need for union in this industry. Even if there is a union, I don't think it will impact the industry much because people are well taken care of in this industry," said the former Board member of Infosys.

Balakrishnan said the reports about widespread job losses in IT industry are exaggerated.

"If you look at all the leading companies, none of them are talking about huge job losses; they are all talking about the regular performance-based attrition, that is normal in the industry. So, to some extent the scare of job losses is exaggerated," he said.

He said IT is not a traditional industry. "It's a global industry where you get global opportunities to work. This industry is different, it's not like traditional industry. I don't know whether formal union kind of structure will succeed."

On if boom times are over for the Indian IT industry, Balakrishnan said: "That's what we had been told when 2000 dotcom happened...Y2K came up...2008 financial crisis. Same concerns were expressed then."

"This industry goes through ups and downs, but it always found its feat and went into new areas, I think even this (current) crisis will be an opportunity for them to invest more into new digital, SMAC (social, mobile, analytics and cloud), mobility and new technologies. They will reinvent themselves," he said.

While it looks like the USD 150 billion Indian IT services industry would log single digit growth in the current fiscal, it's possible that it could accelerate to double digit next year.

He said it could be so as opportunities are large, IT spending is still very large and the US economy, which is the largest market for India, is growing at one-and-half to two per cent, which is not bad, Balakrishnan said.
Berlin : German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, talks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, as they pose for a group photo with members of their governments prior to German - Indian government consultations at the chancellery Berlin, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. AP/PTI Photo(AP5_30_2017_000043B)

Seeking a quantum jump in economic ties between India and Germany, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday discussed wide-ranging topics with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.



At the iconic Brandenburg Gate, with Chancellor Merkel. pic.twitter.com/Zdsdezw95R

 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 30, 2017

At the fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between the two countries in Berlin on Tuesday, Modi spoke on a range of issues including foreign policy, security, sustainable development, trade and investment ties.

United Nations and G4 countries

Germany welcomed India's inclusion in the Missile Technology Control Regime. Both countries reaffirmed the need to reform the United Nations Security Council, including its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, and efficient response to current global challenges.

India and Germany underlined their determination to ease challenges to bilateral trade and investment. Modi and Merkel pointed to the open markets potential and the importance of investment protection for foreign investors.

Make in India

Both leaders welcomed Make in India and the full implementation of the Fast Track System for German companies investing in India. Modi welcomed the efforts to enhance cooperation in priority areas of defence manufacturing, maritime technology, machine tools and development of blue economy.

Skill India and Startups

Modi said: "Germany's extensive work in skill development, which has set the standards globally, can benefit the youth of India," while speaking about Germany's contribution to the Skill India campaign. He also emphasised the importance of Vocational Education and Trade (VET) for the development of sustainable livelihood.

He along with Chancellor Merkel recognised the need to promote entrepreneurial ecosystem and promoting cooperation in the field of startups.

"Science and technology, the startup world are important areas which have been given attention to during this visit," he added.

Clean Environment and Energy

The two leaders also agreed to continued cooperation towards developing clean, efficient and sustainable solutions for India's growing energy needs and other areas of sustainable development.

Urban Development and Smart Cities

Modi acknowledged Germany's intention to provide financial and technical assistance of about 1 billion until 2022, for sustainable urban development in India. He also underlined opportunities for German companies to invest in India's initiative on creation of 100 Smart Cities.

"India is giving an impetus to next-generation infrastructure and this is an area in which we want to work extensively with Germany," he said.



Highlighted steps GoI is taking, including strategic market entry support programme, to ensure ease of doing business for German companies.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 30, 2017

Exchange and Bilateral Relations

PM Modi expressed happiness towards Germany's effort of introducing Indian languages in German educational institutions and implementation of the German language in Kendriya Vidyalayas in India.

He also urged people to explore greater contacts between the two cultures, educational and academic institutions and emphasized on young people to foster closer friendship and understanding.
Modi_Angela_Merkel_germany

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have held "very good" discussions on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues like the Brexit consequences, trade and radicalisation in the context of recent terror attacks in Europe.

In their informal talks yesterday at Schloss Meseberg, the Chancellor's official country retreat near Berlin, both leaders also exchanged views on China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative and climate change.

"Had a very good interaction with Chancellor Merkel," Modi said in a tweet after his meeting.

"The interaction lasted nearly three hours, and covered various areas of mutual interest including smart cities, skill development, clean energy etc. There was appreciation for India's economic reform agenda, including GST (Goods and Services Tax)," a Prime Minister's Office statement on the meeting said.

"The leaders had discussions that covered the bilateral agenda and how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programmes. There was appreciation of India's reform agenda, particularly GST," India's Ambassador to Germany Mukta Dutta Tomar told reporters at a briefing here last night.

Highlighting that this is Modi's second bilateral visit to Germany since 2015, she said that the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism set up in 2015 to assist German businesses work in India received appreciation from the German side.

"In fact, there has been foreign direct investment of 2 billion dollars (from Germany) in the past two years. The figures speak for themselves," she said.

Regional and inter-global issues were also discussed during the three-hour-long interactions -- some at the delegation level and some one-to-one between Modi and Merkel.

"The consequences of Brexit (the UK's exit from the European Union) and how it would affect India and Germany were covered by the two leaders," Tomar said, adding that the prime minister reiterated the utmost value that India attaches to the EU's cohesiveness, which is a major factor of stability in global politics.

The issue of radicalisation and terrorism and each country's experience in dealing with it was discussed, with recent terrorist events in Europe also mentioned in this context, she said.

Peace in Afghanistan and the importance of an the "Afghan-led and owned reconciliation and development process" was touched upon, with the prime minister expressing appreciation over the German presence in Afghanistan and calling for a consolidation of efforts in the country, Tomar said.

The Belt and Road Forum in Beijing earlier this month, where Germany was represented by its economy and energy minister, also featured in the exchange, during which the Chancellor explained German participation and India reiterated its stand against the initiative, she said.

"Our position is well known on this issue," the ambassador said, in reference to India's opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the flagship project of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative, which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Modi will today hold formal talks with Merkel as part of the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) where he will be joined by his delegation of senior ministers, including Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.

The prime minister will receive a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, following which he will begin discussions with Merkel across a range of economic and political issues.

At the IGC, the two leaders are expected to clinch a host of agreements and sign MoUs to open a "new chapter" in Indo- German relations.

"Several MoUs are expected to be signed. This would obviously broaden the scope and expand the canvas of bilateral cooperation that we have with Germany," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

India and Germany have over 25 working groups, including in areas such as climate change, energy, infrastructure, and tourism.

Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the European Union (EU) and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.

There are more than 1,600 German companies and 600 German joint ventures in India and the German economic profile supports excellence and expertise that match with India's development priorities of Make in India, Clean India, Skill India, Digital India, Smart Cities, the MEA said.

"We will chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with (the) focus on trade and investment, security and counter- terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine," the prime minister had said in a Facebook post before he left for Berlin yesterday.

Modi and Chancellor Merkel will also hold a meeting with senior business leaders before inaugurating the Indo- German Business Summit 2017 later today.

"Economic relations with Germany is the most important pillar of our partnership. It has preponderance over other areas," the MEA said.

Modi will end his Germany visit with a courtesy call on German President, Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at his official residence of Castle Bellevue before leaving for Spain.

Modi arrived in Germany yesterday at the start of his four-nation tour, which will cover Spain, Russia and France besides Germany.

From Berlin he heads to Madrid, where the premier will hold a bilateral summit with Spanish Premier Mariano Rajoy and call on Spanish King Felipe VI as well as interact with a select group of Spanish CEOs keen to invest in India.

"There is significant potential for deepening bilateral trade and investment ties. We seek active participation of Spanish industry in various Indian projects including infrastructure, smart cities, digital economy, renewable energy, defence and tourism," Modi had said ahead of his visit.

The first meeting of the India-Spain CEOs Forum will be held on the sidelines of the Spanish leg of the visit.
May 30, 2017 / 11:42 AM IST

WBCHSE HS Result 2017 will be declared by West Bengal Board today at 10.30 am

The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) has declared the Higher Secondary HS Class 12th Result 2017 on official websites wbchse.nic.in and wbresults.nic.in.

The overall pass percentage stood at 84.20% as per examresults.net. Below is the list of toppers from the state:

1. Archisman Panigrahi - 99.2% from Hoogly2. Mayank Mahesh - 98.4% - from Hoogly2. Upmanyu Chakraborty - 98.4% - from West 24 Pargana3. Subham Siunha - 97.8% - from Bankura

3. Surjit Lohar - - 97.8% - from Bankura

Along with the official websites, West Bengal Board has also tied up with a host of private websites to declare Class 12th Results.

West Bengal WBCHSE Board Result 2017 will be declared today at 10.30 am.

Heres how you can check your result:

> Log on to the official websites: wbchse.nic.in or wbresults.nic.in > Click on WBCHSE HS 12th Result 2017 tab.> Enter details like roll number and date of birth.

> Once you click on submit, your result will be displayed on the screen.

It is advisable to take a printout of the result for future.

Students can check their result via SMS service also. Heres how:> SMS WB12 space SMS WB12 space 4SMS WB12 space

> SMS WB12 space<Rollnumber to 56263

The candidates can collect their WB Class 12th mark sheets from their respective schools.

This year nearly 8 lakh students appeared for the WB HS 12th exam, which was held from March 15 to 19.

In 2016, a total of total 7,79,453 participated in the examination of which 6,79,453 were declared qualified. The total pass percentage was 83.56 percent, according to Jagranjosh.com.

Result for West Bengal Class 10 Madhyamik 2017 was declared on May 27 at 10 am.
Source: www.kremlin.ru

India played to local sentiments by naming the new bridge connecting Dhola in Assam with Sadiya in Arunachal Pradesh after Assamese musician Bhupen Hazarika, but news of the inauguration did not come as music to Chinese ears.

China has warned India to be "cautious" about building infrastructure in the disputed territory of Arunachal Pradesh.

All about the bridge

Beijing's reaction came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the bridge on May 26, the third anniversary of the BJP-led government.

The 9.15 km-long bridge over the Brahmaputra, which aims to reduce travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh from six hours to one hour, is part of the plan to turn North-East India into a South Asian trade hub. It is a product of the Prime Minister's 'Act East' policy which prioritises India's relationship with its neighbours in the Asia-Pacific.

Built for a tank: All you need to know about the Dhola-Sadiya bridge

The Prime Minister said it would serve as the foundation for a new "economic revolution" that would help India in becoming a superpower. The bridge can take the weight of a a 60-tonne military tank.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has said that as the bridge is situated near the Indo-China border, it would quickly mobilise the army and weaponry should the need arise.

India-China border conflict

The territorial dispute between the neighbours stretches over the decades. China dubs Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, and India claims ownership of Aksai Chin, a territory seized by China during Sino-Indian war of 1962.

The India-China border dispute stretches over a 3,000 kilometre-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) and both countries have held 19 rounds of talks till now with Special Representatives to settle the boundary dispute.

Territorial insecurities

After the inauguration of the Dhola-Sadiya bridge, the Chinese Foreign Ministry told IANS that they hope India adopts a "cautious and restrained" attitude until the border issue is settled with China.

In April, China for the first time announced official "standardised" names for six places in Arunachal Pradesh.

Chinese experts said that the move was to "reaffirm the country's territorial sovereignty to the disputed region", according to the Chinese state-run newspaper Global Times.

The tactic came after the Chinese Foreign Ministry declared that the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh under Indian protection had a "negative impact" on Sino-India ties.

China had already warned India not to allow the Tibetan spiritual leader's nine-day visit between April 4-11 to the frontier state.

The 'Taiwan card'

Editorials in China's state-owned Global Times had warned India against an association with Taiwan when a Taiwanese Parliamentary delegation visited India last year in November. It was the first visit after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who supports the country's independence from China, took office.

"As the One Belt and One Road corridor passes through the disputed Kashmir, some Indian strategists have advised the Modi government to play the Taiwan card," the newspaper said.

With inputs from PTI.
Delhi High Court

Erickshaws seized by the police or transport department officials should not be released till they are registered, the Delhi High Court ordered on Tuesday

Justice Sunil Gaur issued the direction on a plea by the Delhi government's Transport Department claiming that the High court's earlier order not to release seized unregistered erickshaws was being interpreted differently by each Metropolitan Magistrate (MM).

To ensure registration of the vehicles, the high court ordered that the Motor Licensing officers (MLOs) would accompany the owners to the pit, where the seized erickshaws are kept, and inspect them.

After inspection, the MLO would tell the owner what else is required to be done for registration of the vehicle.

The Transport Department, in its application filed by advocate Anuj Aggarwal, said the January order of the High Court needed to be clarified as different Metropolitan magistrates were interpreting it differently.

One Metropolitan magistrate in March 2017 had said that an owner cannot be denied his movable property and ordered the release of a seized unregistered erickshaw.

The Metropolitan magistrate had said that the high court's January one order only pertained to those erickshaws which were seized for theft of electricity.

Through the order, the high court had directed that the seized erickshaws should be released only after being registered.

The order had come on a plea by some discoms against the theft of electricity by erickshaw owners to charge their vehicles.

The discoms' petition had been tagged with a contempt petition filed against the police and transport department for not implementing the high court's September 9, 2014 ruling to ensure that erickshaws ply as per the rules and regulations.

The ruling had come on a PIL alleging that erickshaws are illegally plying on Delhi roads.
A whopping 64 percent of students in Bihar have failed in Class 12 examination, the results of which were declared on Tuesday, thanks to the successful conduct of a cheating-free examination.

Only 30.11 percent of students passed the test in the Science stream as the results, declared by the Bihar School Examination Board Chairman Anand Kishore, showed.

The results were dismal in the Arts stream too where a meager 37 percent of the examinees could pass the test.

In the Commerce stream, however, the pass percentage was 73.76.

Nearly 13 lakh students had appeared for the Plus-Two examination which was held between February 14 and February 25, 2017. The shocking results came against the backdrop of stringent measures taken by the Bihar government this year to ensure a cheating-fee examination in view of the toppers scam last year.

While state education minister Ashok Choudhary hailed the successful conduct of a cheating-free examination, the BJP blamed the poor pass percentage on the education system run by the Nitish Kumar government.

In 2015, the Science stream pass percentage was 89.32 and 67.06 per cent in 2016 but plunged to 30.11 per cent this year. In the Commerce stream, 90.55 percent students passed in 2015 and 80.87 percent in 2016, but slid to 73.76 percent this year.

Similarly, in the Arts stream, 56 per cent students passed in 2016, but dropped to 37.13 per cent this year.

Last year, Arts topper Ruby Roy in a TV interview after the publication of results had pronounced political science as "Prodikal science" which, according to her, was related to cooking. Later, a probe had revealed a racket in the state's Class 12 examination.
A police van and an ambulance are seen outside the Manchester Arena, where U.S. singer Ariana Grande had been performing, in Manchester, northern England, Britain May 22, 2017.

The UK's MI5 intelligence agency launched two urgent inquiries into how it missed the danger posed by the 22 -year old Manchester bomber, Salman Abedi, amid claims his interest in being a potential terrorist was repeatedly reported to the authorities.

Abedi was listed on the property along with his older brother, Ismail. Ismail was arrested shortly after the terror attack and remains in police custody.

The Gorton area of Manchester residents described their houses shaking and hearing a loud blast as officers forced their way into the semi-detached property.

Explosions were reported at several of the search sites. Police did not comment on whether a controlled explosion was used to gain entrance to the property.

As the large-scale operation continued, the UK's National Health Service (NHS) said 54 people injured in the attack were still being treated in eight hospitals with 19 receiving critical care.

The British police had carried out fresh raids and arrested a 23-year old man, in Shoreham-by-Sea, more than 400 kms from Manchester.

The Greater Manchester Police said they also executed search warrants at addresses in the Whalley Range area of Manchester and in Chester overnight. Two men - one aged 19 and the other 25 -were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of terror activities.

The 19-year-old man was arrested yesterday in a raid on the former home of Abedi. The 25-year-old man was arrested in the police raids conducted in Moss side area on Manchester.

The total number of people in custody was 14 while two others were released earlier without charge.

The reviews come with security officials warning that the threat from Islamist terrorism keeps rising and is at an "unprecedented scale", with other attack plots feared.

A total of 116 people required hospital care in the wake of the massacre, police previously said.

In the Libyan capital Tripoli, Abedi's younger brother Hashem (20) and their father, Ramadan, are being held by special forces linked to the country's interior ministry.

The "severe" terror threat level now indicates that an attack remains highly likely rather than imminent. The Army troops deployed as a result of Operation Temperer has been reduced.
"With 60 percent of the voters selecting Yes on the ballot question, we believe our neighbors have sent a clear message that they are unhappy with the vote on the sewer sale and want a study performed," Towamencin NOPE statement
What is lucid dreaming? How have famous dreamers used it in their waking lives? And what do scientific studies reveal? Learn how to get started with lucid dreaming

I was running on a mountain trail with a giant rubber band the size of a hula hoop in my hand. Suddenly, I was aware I was dreaming. As I approached the edge of a drop-off, I had the thought I can fly right now if I want to. Using both hands to grasp the rubber band, I fashioned a sling I could sit on, and jumped off the edge of the cliff. Soaring high over pine trees and lakes, I was euphoric. Now this is sleeping, I thought.

What is lucid dreaming?

A lucid dream is simply a dream in which the dreamer is aware of the dream and is therefore able to exert some control over the dream. The term lucid dream was coined by Dutch author and psychiatrist Frederik van Eeden in his 1913 article A Study of Dreams, though people have been lucid dreaming long before he came up with the phrase. Even the philosopher Aristotle wrote about them, saying often when one is asleep, there is something in consciousness which declares that what then presents itself is but a dream.

Who are some famous lucid dreamers?

James Cameron, the director of Avatar, cites lucid dreaming as one of his biggest inspirations. He told Hollywood Today:

Ive kind of realized that what I was trying to do was create dream imagery, create a lucid dream state while youre watching the film.

Salvador Dali, the eccentric surrealist painter, used to pre-program his dreams. Many of his works are inspired by lucid dreams, including the bizarre Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening.

There is a lot of suggestion that Stephen King has dabbled in lucid dreaming  in his 1995 novel, Insomnia, for instance. In an interview with Naomi Epel, King said:

Ive always used dreams the way youd use mirrors to look at something you couldnt see head-on, the way that you use a mirror to look at your hair in the back. To me thats what dreams are supposed to do. I think that dreams are a way that peoples minds illustrate the nature of their problems. Or maybe even illustrate the answers to their problems in symbolic language.

Nikola Tesla and Albert Einstein were also thought to be frequent lucid dreamers.

Is there science behind lucid dreaming?

A study in the Journal of Neuroscience published in January of 2015 makes a connection between metacognitive ability (the ability to reflect on, and report, ones mental states) and frequent lucid dreamers. Research showed that the brains of frequent lucid dreamers were different  particularly skilled at monitoring their own thoughts. It is possible that future studies will show a link between controlling lucid dreams and monitoring our own thoughts while awake.

What are the benefits of lucid dreaming?

Psychologists at the University of Lincoln in England found in a June study that people with frequent lucid dreams are better at cognitive tasks that involve insight, like problem-solving.

Three groups were studied (non-lucid dreaming, occasional lucid dreaming, and frequent lucid dreamers). The frequent lucid dreamers scored much higher on problem solving tests.

Researchers hypothesized that the insight that frequent lucid dreamers have in their waking state might be helping them in their dream state, and vice-versa. An aware state of mind during a dream will open up a vast potential of possibility for the dreamer.

Parinaz Samimi, MPH with SleepTrain, says that lucid dreamers can solve complex problems, address emotional issues in personal relationships, and enhance general self-awareness and mindfulness even when awake  simply by actively participating in their dreams. Its an opportunity to make the eight or so hours in which you sleep a very productive time.

Im in. How do I get started with lucid dreaming?

Lucid dreaming takes commitment. By setting up proactive habits and practising them daily, regular lucid dreaming is attainable. Here are the steps I suggest to begin lucid dreaming:

1. Be well-rested.

Go to bed! An over-tired mind will sleep too deeply to lucid dream, while a rested body will spend more time in REM sleep  exactly where you need to be to successfully lucid dream. Experts suggest that adults need seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Try to go to bed early  youll need extra time in the morning to journal (see step four).

2. Wake slowly.

Loud alarms do not help with this, so consider an alarm clock that wakes you slowly. Keeping your eyes closed, review your dreams, trying to recall them with as much detail as possible.

3. Journal right away.

Keep a dream journal beside your bed with a pen so you can record your dreams right away. Write quickly, capturing images, words, and ideas. Details can come later. You should be spending at least fifteen to twenty minutes completely recording your dreams. A key component in lucid dreaming is awareness of the dream.

4. Throughout the day.

Think about your dreams from the previous night several times throughout the day. Sincerely asking yourself is this a dream? several times a day will teach your body awareness that will carry on into your sleep. The ability to recognize the dream state is key in successful lucid dreaming. Positive affirmations such as tonight I will fly or tonight I will solve my problem will help lay the groundwork for a productive and enjoyable lucid dream.

5. While dreaming.

After practicing the previous four steps regularly for a while, you should experience a lucid dream. The first mistake dreamers make when they realize they are in a dream is startling themselves awake. Make an effort to stay in the dream. If it helps, focus on moving your hands or touching your knees. Relax and observe the dream. Once you gain composure and confidence, start exploring.

Why not thoroughly enjoy the eight hours you sleep at night? Face fears, conquer demons, soar over mountains, ride a unicorn  the possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
May 30, 2017

France Prepares Pro-AlQaeda Intervention In Syria

It seems like France is looking for excuses to extend the war on Syria.

On May 25 the French news agency AFP published a propaganda piece about Arab horse racing in Idleb:

The spectators broke out into a lively line-dance and shot celebratory gunfire into the air as each muscled creature blasted past the finish line, kicking up clouds of golden sand.

"Muscled creatures", "clouds of golden sands" - is that modern French poetry?

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The AFP pictures only show two horses - not much of a race. Adding to that fail they also show an al-Qaeda child soldier (on the right) with a gun way too big for him:

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Idleb governate is of course completely occupied, controlled and ruled (vid report) by Al-Qaeda apes.

Why is AFP publishing such recruiting and public relation pieces for al-Qaeda? Why can a fully named AFP photographer work openly in Idleb without any fear of abduction or being killed? Most important: Why is AFP coming out with this right now?

The next remarkable news via French media came yesterday:

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The slick globalist puppet Macron issued that "red line" threat at a press conference with the Russian President Putin.

[Macron] said that any use of such weapons in Syria would lead to "reprisals" from France  without specifying exactly what form they would take.

That "red line" is of course an invitation to al-Qaeda and its allied Saudi financed "Syrian opposition" to stage another fake "chemical weapon attack". It will then get "reprisal"(?) for that by French bombing of the Syrian army and its allies.

The Macron remark was prepared, not spontaneous, and it is obvious what it means. This was not a threat against al-Qaeda should it again use the chemical weapons it has. This was a threat to attack the Syrian government independent of who uses whatever seems "chemical" in al-Qaeda produced pictures. Any unproven claim of chemical weapon use will will be sufficient.

Today another piece of the puzzle fell into place:

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AFP pushes a nice story about al-Qaeda ruled Idleb, Macron sets the stage for a fake "red line" chemical attack plot and then meets the Saudi financed opposition to implement it:

The unannounced meeting with Riad Hijab and a broader delegation from the Riyadh-based High Negotiations Committee (HNC), which includes political and armed groups, came as Macron seeks to review French policy on the six-year civil war. "The president spoke of his personal commitment to the Syria dossier and of his support for the Syrian opposition in view of a political transition," his office said in a statement.

The HNC "armed groups" are allied with al-Qaeda.

The U.S. military currently fails with its attempt to occupy south-east Syria. Iraq and Syrian forces will prevent the move (recom). The U.S. proxy "New Syrian Army" is retreating as the Syrian army comes near. More U.S. weapons for it will not be enough to change the picture. Trump seems not willing right now to dive deeper into the Syrian cauldron. The British government has been burned by the Manchester blowback attack which was committed by a British "Libyan rebel" it had pushed to fight with Jihadis when Theresa May was the responsible Home Secretary, There is little appetite right now for another such blunder.

That leaves France's Macron as the "western" regime changer in chief. Little Emmanuel needs to make his foreign policy mark to impress mama. A "heroic" little bombing campaign as "reprisal" for a fake chemical weapon attack may well be on his mind. I doubt though that the capable Russian air defense and air forces in Syria will let him get away with it.

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People from across Burke County came to the Foothills Higher Education Center on Monday to remember military personnel who have been killed in action.

The Memorial Day program, organized by the Burke County Veterans Service Office and local volunteers, included participation from area veterans groups and Boy and Girl Scout troops.

Molly Eller, the veterans service officer from Burke County, welcomed attendees and invited members of the Marine Corps. League Table Rock Det. No. 1197 to present the colors to begin the program. She noted that more than one million Americans have been killed while serving the country since its founding.

Each person who died during a conflict or war was loved and cherished by family and friends, Eller said. Each was a loss to the community and to the nation. Its important that we not only recognize their service, but respect their devotion to duty and ensure the purpose for which they fought will never be forgotten.

Lt. Col. Jack McCaskill of the U.S. Army (Ret.) was the guest speaker for the program. Kelly Tate, representing Catawba Regional Hospice, told those in attendance about his stellar 25-year career with the Army, in which he served in the U.S., Korea, Vietnam and Germany and won numerous medals and awards. She said she met McCaskill when he signed up to volunteer in Hospices Veterans Honoring Veterans program in 2013.

McCaskill noted there are three holidays that define America as a nation: Independence Day, Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

For those of us who have worn our nations uniform, experienced the tragedy of war, and especially for the families of our nations fallen, Memorial Day is a time of profound remembrance, McCaskill said. On this special day, we pause to embrace our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters, our mothers and fathers, who have answered their nations call to serve in popular and unpopular wars, and have made the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefields around the world.

He said the American military has a great history of defending the nation due to their commitment to duty, honor and country. He quoted former President Abraham Lincolns Gettysburg address memorializing those who fought and died at that famous Civil War battle, giving their last full measure of devotion, so others could be free.

McCaskill said Memorial Day has a more personal impact on those who have lost loved ones or fellow military members while they were serving. He described what it felt like to look for a fellow service members name on the Vietnam War Memorial and to see the sheer number of names on the World War II memorial.

We fight because we believe not that war is good, but sometimes it is necessary, McCaskill said. Our soldiers fight and die not for the glory of war, but for the prize of freedom. (Soldiers who died) understood that the very survival of the nation often rested upon their shoulders. They understood they were making a difference.

He urged attendees to never forget the sacrifice made by service members killed in action.

When we cease to remember, we dishonor all who came before us and all who come after us, McCaskill said. Never let your children, or their children, forget.

Deb Mangold, president of the Burke Quilters Guild, presented a Quilt of Valor made by guild members to veteran Elijah Resnick, a Purple Heart recipient. Volunteers make the quilts through a national program as a way to thank veterans for their service and provide them with a source of comfort.

The Burke County Choraleers sang a medley of the official songs of all branches of the military and invited veterans and active-duty members of those branches to stand and be recognized as their particular branchs song was sung.

After the medley, Robert Swink and Kathy Johnson, representing the Table Rock VFW Post No. 5362 and its auxiliary, performed the POW/MIA ceremony of remembrance. The ceremony includes the display of items such as a salt shaker to represent family members tears at losing their loved ones and a folded up chair to symbolize the fact that the fallen will never come home to share another meal with their families. They invited those in the audience who had either been a POW or had a family member go MIA to stand and be recognized.

Eller then played a video showcasing the different cemeteries in Europe where American military personnel are buried. Each cemeterys name and the number of soldiers buried there were shown.

Patricia-Baldi Davis, the regent of the Quaker Meadows chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes, and Wayne Rogers, vice president of the Vietnam Veterans of America chapter No. 1116, laid a wreath by a list of names of service members from Burke County who were killed in action.

Its for all of our fallen brothers, said attendee John Burns after the program. May they rest in peace.

The Valdese American Legion Post No. 234 held a Memorial Day program on Monday. The program featured a presentation of colors by the Draughn High School JROTC, a peformance of the POW/MIA ceremony, the reading of the names of post members who have passed away since last Memorial Day, a 21-gun salute, the playing of Taps and a lowering of the posts flag to half-mast.

Tammie Gercken can be reached at tgercken@morganton.com.
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Amid the intensifying troubles surrounding Home Capital, a duo of industry executives argued that decisive intervention by Finance Minister Bill Morneau will pave the path towards an effective solution to the beleaguered lenders woes.In an open letter published by the Financial Post, Jordan Hymowitz (managing partner of U.S. hedge fund Philadelphia Financial Management) and David Taylor (president, chief investment officer, and portfolio manager at Toronto-based firm Taylor Asset Management) argued that Home Capital should be considered the casualtyrather than the instigatorof current market realities.Funds that we manage own shares in Home Capital Group Inc., the majority of which were purchased after the major sell-off last month, Hymowitz and Taylor wrote. We are writing to ask Finance Minister Bill Morneau to act to save the company, which we believe is the victim of aggressive U.S. investment bears who are drawing unwarranted comparisons with the 2008 U.S. housing crisis.The duo explained the systemic factors that led to the current crisis, and why the situation differed markedly from the conditions that preceded the 2008-09 crisis.Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CHMCs) delinquent loans in 2016 were only 32 basis points of the total loan book. Fannie Mae, the U.S. counterpart, had serious delinquent loans of 112 basis points  or 3.5x-times greater  in 2016. Home Capitals alternative mortgages  a category the bears often falsely associate with subprime  had only 24 basis points of delinquent mortgages in the first quarter of 2017 and one basis point of annualized net charges. This means Canadas alternative mortgages are today performing nearly 75 per cent better than fully underwritten conventional mortgages in the United States.Hymowitz and Taylor stated that while the housing bears were correct in assuming that Home Capital represented a risky stock, they were right for the wrong reasons.Home Capital, we believe, was a victim. It was third-party brokers who are alleged to have fraudulently altered mortgage applications. That operational issue became a disclosure issue when the provincial securities commission alleged that the mortgage concerns were not disclosed in a timely manner, the duo said.To be clear, we believe there is no excuse for the failure to report the fraudulent broker activity in a timely manner. We support the recommendations to punish management by the OSC. However, the key bear narrative, that current management is covering up massive asset quality issues at Home Capital, does not fit the data set.The executives closed their letter with a plea for a more circumspect approach to what has proven to be a multi-layered problem.Home has an impressive track record in the Canadian housing market serving a niche of hard-working first-generation Canadians. Shareholders, borrowers and depositors dont deserve to be taken down by a combination of a disclosure dispute with a provincial regulator and U.S. short-sellers, the duo concluded.Asset quality is not an issue in Canada, nor is the strength of the larger banking sector, but a failure by the Canadian government to act on the Home Capital funding issue could lead to The Big Short 2  Canadian edition.
Texas Tech University's on-again, off-again plans to open a veterinary school in Amarillo might just be on again.

Buried in the 900-plus page budget approved Saturday by state lawmakers is $4.1 million allocated to Tech for "veterinary medicine." That money appears to be start-up funding for a new vet school  even though Tech started the legislative session saying that plans for the school were "on pause."

Tech originally announced in late 2015 that it wanted to open a school in Amarillo 2019. But the idea was met with fierce resistance by Texas A&M University, which has the only veterinary school in the state. Despite the "on pause" declaration, lawmakers from the Lubbock area never gave up. A line providing the funding was included in the House's version of the budget  but not the Senate's. The budget conference committee tasked with crafting a compromise decided to leave it in.

The Tech system has said the school would help West Texas address a shortage of large-animal veterinarians. In a short emailed statement late Saturday, Tech System Vice Chancellor Brett Ashworth said that the system appreciated the Legislature's support but didn't provide any further details.

Meanwhile, a group of four West Texas legislators  Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, Rep. John Frullo, R-Lubbock, and Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo  celebrated the decision in a joint statement.

"Rural Texas depends on agriculture as an economic driver, and the lack of large-animal veterinarians in Texas can have a devastating effect on our communities," the statement said. "The inclusion of $4.1 million in the state budget to establish a veterinary school at Texas Tech University will go a long way in addressing this need."

They added, "The overwhelming support for the funding of a veterinary school at Texas Tech University goes to show that both chambers and both political parties understand how important this is to rural Texas. This school will ensure students receive high quality veterinary skills and education for large animal practice in high need areas."

It's unclear whether a 2019 goal is still realistic. And Tech will still likely need approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board before any plans are finalized. The staff of the coordinating board said last year that the state doesn't need another traditional veterinary school, arguing the cost would outweigh the benefits. Tech, however, has said that its school would be unique and focus largely on bringing veterinarians to rural areas. The coordinating board was receptive to that possibility.

Meanwhile, Texas A&M University System officials have said that expanding their school's reach would be a more efficient way of meeting the state's needs.

A&M System Chancellor John Sharp reiterated those concerns late Saturday night.

"My congratulations to Sen. Charles Perry for getting it in the appropriations bill," Sharp said. "The Coordinating Board study was against it. Even the Tech board opposed it. But he came in 'guns up' and got it for Tech."
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The strength of the Midland County judiciary lies in the judges love of the law and their community, said local attorney Harper Estes.

The reason we have always had a strong judiciary is because very good lawyers were willing to give up financial rewards to serve their community,MacDonald received he said. You wont get rich. You couldnt do the job without love of community.

Evidence of that resolve is to be explored in the first Judicial Heritage Ceremony, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Midland County Courthouse.

You have to love both the law and the community you live in, said Estes, 60, who is to serve as the events emcee.

The jurists to be honored and their respective courts are: Perry Pickett (142nd), Vann Culp (238th), Joseph Mims (318th), Barbara Culver Clack (318th), Pat Baskin (142nd), Dean Rucker (318th), John Hyde (238th), Willie DuBose (385th) and County Court at Law Judges James Fitz-Gerald III and Al Walvoord.

The 10 judges have been the communitys guardians of the rule of law ensuring that all citizens are treated equally, Estes said.

We have been blessed with quality judges, said attorney Lloyd MacDonald, 85, a judicial historian.

When Midland County was established in 1885, the Texas Legislature placed it in the 32nd Judicial District, along with 16 area counties, including Ector, Andrews and Glasscock.

By the mid-1950s, Midland County had its own judicial district court, the 142nd, presided over by Pickett.

The Judicial Heritage Ceremony is a fantastic idea, said attorney Mark Henry Dettman. Sometimes we have a tendency to forget the past, and we shouldnt.

Midland has always been blessed to have the finest judiciary in the state, he said.

Retired federal Judge Royal Furgeson, 75, founding dean of the University of North Texas Dallas College of Law, saluted Midland Countys district court judges.

John Hyde was the epitome of a judge, Furgeson said. He said he really admired Hyde, who died at age 69 in 2012.

He was really smart, had very good common sense and perfect temperament, Ferguson said.

In expressing its esteem for Hyde, the Midland County Bar Association established the John Hyde Memorial Award in 2013 to celebrate and honor the late jurists integrity, work ethic, love of the law, courtroom etiquette, courtesy to other attorneys, fairness, public service and commitment to cMacDonald receivedthe inaugural Judge John Hyde Memorial Award in 2013.

Judge Pat Baskin was such a gentleman, even-handed and had the ability to listen, Furgeson said. And Baskins wife, Joan, was just wonderful.

Always discreet, Culver Clack was such a great source of wisdom, Furgeson said. She knew everything about everybody. She was never mean-spirited (and) always found something good to say about everybody. I admired her so.

Furgeson said he found in Midland judges a welcoming spirit and encouragement and grace, and judges such as Hyde, Rucker and DuBose were decent and honorable.

It is important to remember our judicial roots, Rucker said. These are judges we can look up to and learn from.

Judges such as Baskin, Culp and Hyde were especially good listeners and great teachers.

Baskin, Culp, Pickett and Culver Clack were not only great teachers but they also lived their professional and personal lives with honor, Rucker said. Culver Clack was a model judge, he said.

How lucky was I to have such great judges to learn from, Rucker said.

Judge Culver was unfailingly optimistic, Rucker said, and had bountiful energy into her 90s. She was full of life, boundless energy.

The Judicial Heritage Ceremony was developed through efforts of Judges David Lindemood and Elizabeth Byer Leonard and was inspired by the upcoming birthday of Hyde, who would have turned 75 on Tuesday.

What a great judiciary that we have always had, said Lindemood, who cited the importance of sharing history of the Midland judiciary with the community, especially newcomers to West Texas.

Sheriff Gary Painter, who is charged with ensuring courthouse security, said Midland has been served by stellar judges, outstanding people. We have some great ones. I havent seen a bad one yet. Some are a step above others. They are all focused on ensuring everyone has a fair trial.
Lets be fair.

Orlando Riddick alone will not be the answer to our education prayers.

Hes not the second-coming.

Until he proves otherwise, hes not even Rod Schroder.

Hes the person who the Midland ISD school board has selected to be the top education official in our community. Hes the person who sometime today will become arguably one of the three to five most influential people in Midland. And he hasnt even spent one minute in his job.

I offer this because while hiring Riddick is among the three most important decisions a Midland ISD school board has made in the past 11 years, it is worth remembering the two other permanent superintendents didnt work out so well. Sylvester Perez wasnt a good fit for Midland, and Ryder Warren didnt offer an antidote for what was really ailing this community. The third time really does have to be charm. This community cant afford another unfortunate choice for superintendent.

(Note: This community should feel more comfortable that the previous board -- which included four of the current seven board members -- selected Schroder as interim superintendent.)

But anyone who believes Riddick -- and only Riddick -- will lead our district to respectability is naive. It will take more. It will take a visionary superintendent, an inspired teaching staff, parents who want to be active in their childrens education and a community that cares enough to become engaged.

Having said that, we need Riddick to live up to the hype of nearly everyone the Reporter-Telegram has talked to over the past 20 days. This newspaper prominently played the announcement of Riddick being named the lone finalist because of the importance of the position.

The school district is the largest developer of talent in our community. People view a school district and quality of its schools as key when deciding to move to a community. Students deserve a school district that will give them the best opportunity to be prepared for the workforce or college. For far too long that wasnt happening at the level that is needed.

Will Riddick be the man to lead the school district to achieve those measurements? The honest answer is: I dont know. For every bit of data that MISD leaders have about Riddick and his performance at Cedar Hill ISD, theres comparable data that indicates a number of CHISD schools werent progressing in the Riddick era. School accountability websites, using Texas Education Agency data in their formulas, dont exactly show Cedar Hill ISD as the model for turnaround districts.

If the Texas Education Agencys A-F Accountability measurement is the indicator, Cedar Hill ISD didnt fare much better than Midland ISD. Cedar Hills record is a D in student achievement, a B in student progress, a D in closing the performance gap and an F in postsecondary readiness, according to the TEA. Midland ISDs grades for the four measures were D, C, F and F, respectively. January was the first time the TEA used such a grading system.

Again, our conversations with Midland ISD leaders indicate they believe Riddick made strides with a more challenging student population than exists at Midland ISD.

They also point to Riddick starting Collegiate Prep Elementary and Collegiate Academy Middle School, which takes students from across the district and places them on newly created campuses, and therefore impacts academic performance of other schools, especially as changes are instituted. In Midland, popular and highly effective campuses such as Carver Center and Early College High School created similar results. Many in the community believe that a plan appropriate for Midland ISD requires more action when it comes to charters and magnets, not less.

The school board sees an upside with Riddick that Midlands campuses are expected to move from their status as managed instruction campuses to earned autonomy and later to a system of great schools as part of the districts theory of action strategy.

Board members also said they know Cedar Hill ISD has a history financial issues. They said they are aware of audit reports that call into question findings relating to the financial statements which are required to be reported in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. In consecutive years, the states School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas reports for Cedar Hill showed material weaknesses in internal controls as determined by an external auditor.

The Reporter-Telegram has been told that Midland ISD is not hiring anyone in Cedar Hill ISDs finance offices.

It is also our expectation that a year under the leadership of Schroder has prepared Chief Academic Officer Patrick Jones and members of the teaching and learning staff to be more capable of executing current and future plans.

Education leaders and others in the community spent weeks creating a governance plan that has set a foundation for Riddick, his future MISD staff, teachers and those supporting education to achieve excellence. The three-pronged strategy involves teachers and district staff having a growth mindset for their students, a no-excuses philosophy and fidelity in its instructional process (specifically the professional learning communities that leaders believe will make the weak campuses better and the better campuses even stronger). As we have heard Schroder say repeatedly, it is up to a community to abide by it.

Again, going back to presentations in the Reporter-Telegram on May 8 and May 9, we made such a big deal of Orlando Riddick because we want to see our community be excited for a new era. We dream of a person who will come in and help put together a school district that is right for our community.

Mr. Riddick, the stage is set. You have been called a rising star in education. Well, heres a guarantee -- if you commit to Midland longer than it appears you have committed to any district going back 20 years and you back up the hype that others have offered, then your rock-star status will be celebrated by more people across the state and certainly will be appreciated to no end here in Midland.

In short, we are offering you the keys to our community. We look forward to working with you and one day saying Orlando Riddick was indeed an integral part of the answer to this communitys prayers.
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The so-called laptop ban could be extended to all international flights in and out of the United States, impacting hundreds of thousands of passengers each day.

Feds considering laptop ban for all international flights



Move would dramatically expand current ban

Current ban applies to nonstop US-bound flights from 10 airports

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said Sunday he's considering banning laptops from the passenger cabins of all international flights to and from the United States, dramatically expanding a ban announced in March that affects about 50 flights per day from 10 cities, mostly in the Middle East.

The current ban was put in place because of concerns about terrorist attacks.

The ban prevents travelers from bringing laptops, tablets and certain other devices on board with them in their carry-on bags. All electronics bigger than a smartphone must be checked in.

The current U.S. ban applies to nonstop U.S.-bound flights from 10 international airports in Amman, Jordan; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Cairo; Istanbul; Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Casablanca, Morocco; Doha, Qatar; and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. About 50 flights a day, all on foreign airlines, are affected.

&amp;amp;nbsp;

Earlier this month, there were reports that the Trump administration would broaden the ban to include planes from the European Union, affecting trans-Atlantic routes that carry as many as 65 million people a year.

U.S. officials have said that initial ban was not based on any specific threat but on longstanding concerns about extremists targeting jetliners.

"There's a real threat," Kelly said, adding that terrorists are "obsessed" with the idea of downing a plane in flight, "particularly if it's a U.S. carrier, particularly if it's full of mostly U.S. folks. It's real."

Kelly said that the U.S. is going "to raise the bar for, generally speaking, aviation security much higher than it is now, and there's new technologies down the road, not too far down the road, that we'll rely on. But it is a real sophisticated threat, and I'll reserve making that decision until we see where it's going."
Firefighters urged residents near the 2,000-acre "water plant fire" in east Orange County not to let their guard down Tuesday.

'Water plant fire' near Orange-Brevard border is 2,000 acres

Residents along James Creek Road are prepared to evacuate



RELATED: Wildfire maps, fire prevention tips

The "water plant fire," as it's being called, is burning just south of the Beachline Expressway and was ignited by a lightning strike from last week's storms.

The Florida Forest Service said it's starting to get the upper hand on the fast-moving fire, which has not grown Tuesday and is 50 percent contained.

Florida Fire Service helicopters continue making water drops on the fire working to contain the fire.

Haze and smoke can be seen for miles, and visibility is still an issue, especially into the nighttime hours.

"It was heavy this morning coming to work, and I smelled it all the way in East Orlando," said Voddie Adamcewicz, whose daily commute to his Cocoa office takes him down State Road 520.

"As long as they keep 520 open I can make it to work," he added.

However, we do have 11 homes in the area that weve talked to (the residents) about being ready in the event that we may need them to evacuate if theres some type of wind shift, agency spokeswoman Julia Allen said.

About a dozen residents in homes along James Creek Road have been keeping an eye on the fire and were prepared to evacuate if necessary. Forestry helicopters dropped red retardant on the brush fire to try to stop it from spreading.

On Monday, the flames came within a mile of Kay Moores backyard. At the time, she said she was ready to evacuate then if the fire came closer. "I just unpacked the car, because I figured OK, everythings fine," Moore said.

But Tuesday morning, she was repacking everything she put away and will wait.

Ill just be here, waiting for somebody to come and knock on the door, Moore said.

Moore said she's ready to leave her home behind if necessary.

Its insured. You can replace that. You cant replace pictures and animals and whatever, she said.

She left her dog at kennel. Her two cats will wait for the evacuation order and travel with her if that order is given.

Meanwhile, fire crews remain vigilant.

"They are busy. They've already dug out the trenches," Allen said. "We are still in a serious drought situation, so don't become complacent."

The Florida Forest Service says 2,300 wildfires have burned 233,000 acres in Florida this year so far.

As of May 30, there are 84 active wildfires in the state.
May 31, 1957: Effective May 20, county judges in Texas have lost their authority to issue motor vehicle operators licenses to minors between the ages of 14 and 16.

--Staney Seagler, 15, is getting farming experience since his father has been ill. The lad has planted the cotton crop and is keeping up with the farm work and chores.

--Sam Locke, grand exalted kiwi of the local Kiwanis Club, presided while 38 were honored in a memorial service.

May 31, 1967: Wilburn England and Harold Kidd, Kiwanis Club members, were shown installing siding on the clubs building south of Plainview.

--Mary Kathleen Clough will receive a bachelors degree in journalism in spring commencement at Texas Christian University tonight.

--The Plainview Board of Education voted to limit instruction in drivers education during the summer school in 1967 to students who will have attained their 15th birthday on or before July 15.

May 31, 1977: Yolanda Arevelo Perez of Plainview received her high school diploma during commencement ceremonies at the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lazaro Perez.

--Carol Jane Hewett is in St. Louis serving under the Home Missions Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. A senior at Wayland, she will return in the fall to begin her practice teaching.

--Mrs. B.A. Cunyus, 83, of Lockney was named Pioneer Woman of the Year during the Floyd County Pioneer Reunion on Saturday.

May 31, 1997: The Unger Library blood drive Friday brought in 100 people and met its 10-gallon goal.

--Bill and Juanita Hamman will celebrate their 50th anniversary Sunday at the First Baptist Church parlor.

--Texas Online advertises unlimited access to the Internet for $19.95 per month for Herald subscribers.
EAST HARTFORD (AP)  Teachers are planning a protest outside a Connecticut high school after Education Secretary Betsy DeVos referred to the school as a dangerous daycare.



WFSB-TV reports the Connecticut Education and the East Hartford Education Associations will rally at East Hartford High School Tuesday morning.



DeVos used East Hartford as an example for schools that fail to unlock students potential during a House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing last week.



East Hartford teachers criticized the secretary for her statements, saying she should visit the school to make her own judgment.



Third grade teacher Annie Irvine says DeVos should be their biggest supporter. Irvine says right now shes our biggest adversary.



Connecticut officials will address DeVos comments later Tuesday at the high school.







Information from: WFSB-TV, http://www.wfsb.com






Manuel Antonio Noriega, the brash former dictator of Panama and sometime ally of the United States whose ties to drug trafficking led to his ouster in 1989 in the largest U.S. military action since the Vietnam War, has died. He was 83.

President Juan Carlos Varela of Panama announced Noriega's death on Twitter early Tuesday morning.

Varela's post read, "The death of Manuel A. Noriega closes a chapter in our history; his daughters and his relatives deserve to bury him in peace."

Noriega died around 11 p.m. Monday at Santo Tomas Hospital in Panama City, a hospital employee confirmed. An official cause of death was not immediately available. Noriega had been in intensive care since March 7 after complications developed from surgery to remove what his lawyer described as a benign brain tumor. His daughters told reporters at the hospital in March that he had sustained a brain hemorrhage after the procedure.

He had been granted house arrest in January to prepare for the procedure. His medical problems came on the heels of a legal odyssey that had begun with the invasion and led to prison terms in the United States, France and finally Panama. While imprisoned abroad he suffered strokes, hypertension and other ailments, his lawyers said.

After returning to Panama on Dec. 11, 2011, he began serving long sentences for murder, embezzlement and corruption in connection with his rule during the 1980s.

It was an inglorious homecoming for a man who had been known for brandishing a machete while making defiant nationalist speeches and living a lavish, libertine life off drug-trade riches, complete with luxurious mansions, cocaine-fueled parties and voluminous collections of antique guns.

It was a quirky life as well: He liked to display his teddy bears dressed as paratroopers.

Noriega, who became the de facto leader of the country by promoting himself to full general of the armed forces in 1983, had a decades-long, head-spinning relationship with the United States, shifting from cooperative ally and informant for American drug and intelligence agencies to shady adversary, selling secrets to political enemies of the United States in the Western Hemisphere and tipping off drug cartels. Whose side he was on was often hard to tell.

It was an awkward embrace that befitted the history of American and Panamanian relations since the United States built the Panama Canal early in the 20th century. The United States continued to operate the canal  and govern a strip of territory alongside it  for eight decades before turning it over to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999.

In the 1990 book "In the Time of the Tyrants," a chronicle of the Noriega years, the journalists Richard M. Koster and Guillermo Sanchez Borbon gave a startling example of Noriega's double-dealing. While providing secrets about Cuba to the United States, they wrote, Noriega sold Fidel Castro thousands of Panamanian passports, at $5,000 each, for use by Cuban secret agents and possibly agents of other Soviet bloc nations.

Noriega's two-facedness was known to the U.S. authorities. But they saw him as useful in their efforts to maintain influence in Panama at a time of political instability and leftist uprisings in Central America. He provided, for one thing, an important listening post in the region.

He grew more belligerent, however, and by 1989 U.S. patience had run out. Lawmakers in Washington, some of them worried about the coming turnover of the canal to Panama, began asking more questions about his ties to drug traffickers. Opposition in Panama had also grown, ignited in large measure by the torture and murder in 1985 of Dr. Hugo Spadafora, a longtime critic who had publicly accused Noriega of being in league with Colombian drug cartels.

Noriega turned more violent toward political opponents, setting his feared anti-riot units  his "Dobermans"  on demonstrators.

The U.S. Senate in 1986 overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling on Panama to remove Noriega from the Panamanian Defense Forces pending an investigation of charges of corruption, election fraud, murder and drug trafficking. The next year, after Congress cut off military and economic aid, Panama defaulted on its foreign debt payments, and its economy contracted by a startling 20 percent.

In 1988, Noriega was indicted in Miami and Tampa, Florida, on federal narcotics-trafficking and money-laundering charges. He was accused of turning Panama into a shipping platform for South American cocaine destined for the United States, and allowing drug proceeds to be hidden in Panamanian banks.

Noriega responded by organizing large demonstrations in Panama against the United States. Gripping a machete as he spoke to a crowd, he declared, "Not one step back!" The slogan began appearing on billboards throughout Panama City. There was a failed coup in 1988. The next year, Noriega annulled the results of Panama's presidential election, ratcheting up pressure on the United States to take action.

After another failed coup, in 1989, he anointed himself "maximum leader," and the national assembly declared war on the United States. Then, on Dec. 16, 1989, Panamanian troops shot and killed an unarmed American soldier in Panama City, wounded another and arrested and beat a third soldier whose wife they threatened with sexual assault. "That was enough," President George H.W. Bush said in announcing the invasion, which included more than 27,000 troops.

A White House statement as the invasion got underway said the United States had acted "to protect American lives, restore the democratic process, preserve the integrity of the Panama Canal treaties and apprehend Manuel Noriega."

Political commentators at the time assigned other motives, including a way for Bush to shake off perceptions of weakness; his poll numbers rose significantly after the invasion. Panamanian forces were quickly overwhelmed as Noriega escaped into hiding, surfacing days later on Dec. 24 at the Vatican Embassy in Panama City. Twenty-three American service members were killed and more than 300 wounded in the invasion; casualties among Panamanians have been disputed, with the Panamanian government at the time estimating several hundred soldiers and civilians died while some human rights groups insist the toll was much higher.

U.S. troops descended on the embassy, and a standoff followed. For a time, U.S. forces blasted heavy metal music (including Van Halen's "Panama") to torment Noriega and prevent reporters with directional microphones from hearing conversations between military and Vatican officials. He surrendered on Jan. 3, 1990, and was flown to jail in Florida, leaving behind a new president sworn in on a U.S. military base and a new era for Panama.

After he was stripped of his rank by Panama's new civilian government in 1990 and taken to Florida to face charges, Noriega's booking photo, disseminated around the world, became emblematic of his fall. It showed him glum in a brown T-shirt holding a placard with the words "U.S. Marshal, Miami, FL," reduced to federal prisoner 41586. Noriega was convicted in April 1992 and sentenced to 40 years in prison. He insisted all along that the trial and charges were a farce.

In July 1999, France tried him in absentia on money-laundering charges, accusing him and his wife, Felicidad Sieiro de Noriega, of channeling $3 million in drug profits to banks. Manuel Noriega's lawyers argued that the money was payment by the Central Intelligence Agency, but the couple were convicted and received a 10-year sentence.

The United States had intended to release Noriega on parole in September 2007 after reducing his sentence by half for good behavior. But after a protracted extradition fight, he was sent to France in April 2010 for another trial on the money-laundering charges. Again he was convicted. He was sentenced this time to seven years in prison in France, but he was eligible for parole much sooner than that. Panama requested his extradition, and after more legal tussling, he was flown home in December 2011 to serve 20 years for the disappearances of political opponents in the 1980s.

Noriega is survived by his wife and three daughters, Lorena, Sandra and Thays Noriega.
New York Times file photo

SAN FRANCISCO  Uber has fired Anthony Levandowski, a vice president of technology and the star engineer leading the companys self-driving automobile efforts, according to an internal email sent to employees Tuesday.

Levandowskis termination, effective immediately, comes as a result of his involvement in a legal battle between Uber and Waymo, the self-driving technology unit spun out of Google last year. Waymo claims that Uber is using trade secrets stolen from Google to develop Ubers self-driving vehicles, a plan aided by Levandowski, a former longtime Google employee.
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San Antonio-based USAA, seeking to quell furor over its decision last week to pull commercials from conservative talk show host Sean Hannitys program, is reinstating ads on the show.

Bowing to public pressure from its largely military customer base, USAA said Tuesday it will buy air time on the Fox News program and other opinion news shows after initially suspending advertising. The company said it will also reinstate ads on The Rachel Maddow Show, Hardball with Chris Matthews on MSNBC and CNNs The Lead with Jake Tapper.

We heard concerns from many members who watch and listen to these programs, the company said in a statement.

Today, the lines between news and editorial are increasingly blurred, the company added. As such, we are reinstating all previously removed ads on programs representing a variety of perspectives while we review our policy to determine how best to apply it in todays environment and in line with our mission.

Beau Phillips, a crisis communications specialists with Reset Public Affairs in Washington, said USAA bungled its handling of the controversy from the start. A Twitter user wrote USAA on Wednesday afternoon requesting that it stop supporting Hannitys show after liberal watchdog group Media Matters for America released a list of his advertisers.

Im really surprised USAA has chosen to pander to some mild social media protests or tweets, because their brand and their reputation is strong enough to give them the ability to do whatever they want here as far as making the right choice, as opposed to the expedient choice, Phillips said.

USAA touched off a firestorm after responding to a tweet from @kathydettmer at 5:14 p.m. Central time Wednesday, saying Advertising on opinion shows is not in accordance with our policy and weve since corrected it.

The flap intensified after conservative groups pointed out that USAA still advertised on MSNBC programs hosted by liberal commentators Matthews and Maddow.

Hannity supporters called on customers to drop USAA, using the hashtag #BoycottUSA and #IStandWithHannity, to express their outrage.

Hannity, who retweeted an article Friday from @SScalpings about veterans groups boycotting USAA, is now asking his 2.4 million followers to support the company.

Please support them, they are returning to my show @USAA -, Hannity tweeted Tuesday.

USAA spokesman Roger Wildermuth said last week that the company has had a policy in place since 2011 not to advertise on opinion-based news programs, but wasnt aware that its commercials were airing on such programs until last week. USAA said it responded by removing those ads.

Phillips, who is a USAA member, said companies should to be consistent and make moves that have integrity.

There is no way to win in a situation like this because youre always going to anger somebody, whether its on the left or on the right, Phillips said in an interview. So you shouldnt try to make anyone or everyone happy. You cant. Thats their mistake here.

USAA provides banking, insurance and other financial services to about 12 million customers, who are service members, veterans and their families.

Media Matters President Angelo Carusone accused Hannity of organizing his fans to harass his own network, his advertisers and his potential advertisers.

We warned that Hannity was volatile and bad business, Carusone said in an emailed statement. Now, many are currently experiencing first hand that doing business with Hannity is needlessly risky.

USAA and some other companies yanked their ads from Hannitys program after he was criticized for promoting a widely debunked theory over the murder of a former Democratic National Committee staff.

Brent Bozell, president of the conservative Media Research Center, said he wasnt surprised by USAAs decision given the avalanche of protests. He said his group mobilized the campaign against USAA, claiming its members generated more than 1,600 calls to the company within 48 hours.

The long holiday weekend did little to snuff out the firestorm. Twitter users were still up in arms Tuesday morning.

@USAA HOW COULD YOU acquiesce to left-wing agitators and pull ads from @seanhannity? Sad!! #boycottUSAA #HannityMattersTo America, @TinaBogani tweeted Tuesday morning.

Another Twitter user with the handle @saravern said Tuesday that USAA was just another cowardly USA corporation letting the liberal thought police shut down our freedom of speech. #BoycottUSAA.

Bozell praised the company after USAA reversed course.

@SeanHannity has been a longtime friend of the troops. This is the right move from @USAA, Bozell tweeted.

pdanner@express-news.net

Twitter: @AlamoPD

The Associated Press contributed to this article.
The Permian Basin is an engine of Americas energy resurgence that has been providing reliable, affordable resources for decades. Given Chevrons legacy in the Permian -- which dates to the early 1920s -- it is fitting that we are holding our 2017 annual stockholder meeting today at our new campus in Midland.

Chevron is proud to be one of the largest oil and gas producers in the basin, employing thousands of employees and contractors and contributing millions of dollars to support the economic vitality of the region. In turn, the communities within the Permian Basin have provided us immense support, provided us with some of the most talented employees in the world and helped find new ways to produce energy safely and efficiently. It has been a true partnership.

At this years meeting, we look forward to communicating directly with our stockholders about the companys performance and our plans to create shareholder value. We will highlight the significant role the Permian will play in Chevrons global portfolio.

The importance of the Permian Basin to the United States cannot be understated. The Permian is the most prolific oil-producing basin in the country, currently producing more than 3.8 million barrels of oil and gas equivalent a day and growing. And we know energy is important to Texas, where the oil and natural gas industry paid $9.4 billion in state and local taxes and state royalties for the 2016 fiscal year. Thats an average of $26 million a day that goes to state and local revenues used to directly fund our schools, universities, roads and first responders.

While the fall in commodity prices has presented the energy industry with challenges, the industry -- including Chevron -- has responded by significantly increasing our efficiency and effectiveness. For example, here in the Permian Basin, we more than doubled our drilling productivity since 2014.

Our industrys success in the Permian underscores that the United States has the natural resources, technology and ingenuity to affirm Americas legacy as a global energy superpower. To meet the energy challenge, we are going to need to foster innovation. Thats why Chevron is partnering with schools and colleges in the region to advance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs that prepare students for future careers in one of these fields.

Earlier this year, we opened the Fab Lab Permian Basin (a fabrication lab) with Odessa College, which will serve Midland, Odessa and the surrounding communities. The fabrication lab and an accompanying mobile lab is centered around a suite of digital fabrication tools and prototyping machines such as laser cutters, 3D printers, vinyl cutters and milling machines to promote hands-on learning. We were also proud to have been recognized earlier this month as Partner of the Year by Ector County Independent School District for our partnership to advance STEM curriculum and learning opportunities. The award was especially meaningful because it was designed by a Buice Elementary School fifth-grader who printed it on a 3D printer.

Chevron has called Midland home for almost a century, and we will continue to do so for decades to come. We look forward to continuing to partner with the region to deliver the affordable, reliable energy the world needs.

John Watson is Chevrons chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors.
An 82-year-old man tackled and restrained a woman who had allegedly beat up his wife and tried to break into their San Jose home Sunday evening, pinning her down in the street until authorities arrived.

The next day, his wife said she was still shaking from the fear and stress.

Im not doing OK, said Christine Youkhaneh, 76, speaking by phone from their home. Too much stress. Too much worry. Somebody just came to kill me, I dont know why.

The attack occurred around 5:30 p.m., as Youkhaneh was heading into her backyard to do some tidying up. She stopped just outside the screen door and bent over to put on her shoes when she felt two hard cracks on her head, in quick succession. She looked up to see a woman hitting her with a large piece of wood.

I put my hand to my head, and she hit at my hand, very bad, Youkhaneh said. I tried to see who they are, and I see the lady just hitting me, like shes going to kill me. No reason. I never saw her before. 

Youkhaneh said she was able to run inside the house and call for her husband, Yousef Youkhaneh. With blood pouring down her face and staining her shirt, Christine ordered her husband to make sure the woman who had attacked her wasnt able to get away. Yousef Youkhaneh did as he was told.

I heard a scream from my wife, Yousef Youkhaneh recalled. I run to the scream and I see that my wife is bloody and the blood is coming out from her head, all over. Somebody hurt her. Of course he gave chase, he said.

Yousef Youkhaneh pursued the intruder into the street in front of their home on McKee Road. While he was fighting her, his wife called 911. By the time deputies with the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office arrived, Yousef Youkhaneh had a firm hold on the suspect, a woman more than 30 years younger than he is.

He stayed with authorities while his wife was taken to the hospital to explain what had happened. A few hours later, the Sheriffs Office tweeted a photo of deputies posing with Yousef Youkhaneh.

The tweet said, Many times we meet citizens we see as heroes. Yousef, 82, defended his wife from an attacking burglar & held the suspect till we arrived!

The suspect, Rehnu Singh, 50, of San Jose was booked into Santa Clara County Jail.

Christine Youkhaneh got eight or nine stitches in her head, and she said her hand is very bruised, but shes otherwise uninjured. Still, she said shes glad to be heading out of town to spend a week with her family in Orange County, though her husband will be staying home.

I was just talking to my husband, and my whole body was shaking, Christine Youkhaneh said, just before leaving for the airport. Thirty-five, 36 years we live in the same house, we never had that kind of problem. I dont know why this happened.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
Weary weather on the morning of Memorial Day didn't deter tubers from heading out to Central Texas rivers Monday.

Officials in New Braunfels had originally closed the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers to recreational activities in anticipation of the severe weather, but lifted the closure around 10:30 a.m.
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With milkshakes that deliver a Dr. Seuss level of edible spectacle, Honeysuckle Teatime has made a name for itself in San Antonios pop-up dining scene. Starting Thursday, the same team will divert some of its creativity to feed crowds at The Brooklynite cocktail bar five days a week.

The Brooklynite menu from Sage, a sister operation to Honeysuckle Teatime, includes pepperoni biscuits, charcuterie, meatballs and a doughnut ice cream sandwich.

Service kicks off at The Brooklynite from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday. Afterward, hours will be 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

A lot of our heart is in creating good bar food, said Sara Lauren Hinojosa, who along with her sister, Olivia Hinojosa, started Honeysuckle Teatime as a catering company in February 2016. Its occasional milkshake pop-ups have created a buzz on par with the pink-and-blue Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino that flooded social media during its limited run this year.

RELATED: S.A. culinary sisters resort to secret lists and exclusive releases for fairy-tale desserts

Sages menu at The Brooklynite revolves around three varieties of meatballs and sauces, plus fresh biscuits studded with pepperoni and parmesan and an ice cream sandwich made with a Honeysuckle doughnut.

Sara Hinojosa said the team hopes to open a freestanding Sage restaurant location by the end of the year, possibly with a tea cafe and pastries in the front and a bar with savory food in the back.

This is the second foray into bar food for the Hinojosas. They also did food service for Paramour from August 2016 until March of this year. Theyre being assisted at The Brooklynite by sous chef Christine Craig and consultant Juan Mesa.

RELATED: Craft doughnuts to roll out on North St. Mary's Street

Prices will range from $4 for side dishes to $6 for pepperoni biscuits and pea hummus with crisps to $8 for mushroom, sage sausage or beef meatballs with pesto, marinara or brown butter gravy. Doughnut ice cream sandwiches cost $7.

Honeysuckle Teatimes next milkshake event is Sunday at the San Antonio Museum of Art for the museums First Sundays for Families. Admission is free from 10 a.m. to noon, and Honeysuckle Teatime will sell a limited number of Rose Strawberry Shortcake shakes from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for $10, paid in advance through Eventbrite at this link .

msutter@express-news.net

Twitter: @fedmanwalking
Even when the Giants score a run, they cannot win.

Eduardo Nunez, the teams hottest hitter, sat Monday and was being evaluated for a concussion after he was hit in the helmet by a ball and inadvertently smacked in the head by Atlanta pitcher R.A. Dickey while scoring the first run in Sundays 7-1 Giants victory.

Nunez has blurred vision that he said had improved since Sunday but was not resolved.

Well see how Im feeling tomorrow, Nunez said. Hopefully, its not a concussion.

Nunez dived headfirst to score on a Kurt Suzuki passed ball. Suzuki retrieved the ball and threw to Dickey covering the plate. Nunez said the ball to the helmet did not jar him, but a shot to the jaw from Dickeys glove did.

The Giants summoned utilityman Orlando Calixte from Triple-A Sacramento to replace Nunez if he went on the disabled list Monday, but the club made no move after a concussion test was inconclusive.

Nunez might have been spared more serious injury because clubhouse manager Brad Grems added padding to his helmet, which usually flies off. This time, it stayed on.

First time, Nunez said, smiling.

Christian Arroyo replaced Nunez in the lineup and hit a third-inning double to end an 0-for-21 skid.

Calixte staying? Manager Bruce Bochy suggested Calixte might be added to the roster soon even if Nunez stays off the DL. Calixte can play every position other than pitcher and catcher and was hitting .287 with eight homers for Sacramento. Calixte overcame a May 16 concussion caused by slamming his head into the wall trying to catch a homer in Oklahoma City.

Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.

On deck

Tuesday

vs. Nationals

7:15 p.m. NBCSBA ESPN

Gonzalez (3-1) vs.

Samardzija (1-6)

Wednesday

vs. Nationals

7:15 p.m. Channel: 11

Scherzer (5-3) vs. Cain (3-3)

Thursday

Off

Leading off

Honoring 24: ESPNs telecast of Tuesday nights game, available in the San Francisco market, will include tributes to and an interview with Willie Mays.

 Henry Schulman
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Emily Ratajkowski must have turned several head over the Memorial Day weekend.

The model, actress headed out to Austin's Barton Springs on Sunday, May 28, with her family and friends to cool off and enjoy the long weekend among many other locals and tourists.

SIMPLY STUNNING: Maxim Hot 100 crowns sexiest women alive for 2017

Ratajkowski posted a short video to Instagram of herself to hanging out pool-side in a frilly black and white bikini with the caption, "Austin, I <3 you."

Austin I  you A post shared by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata) on May 29, 2017 at 6:30am PDT

She also shared a photo of herself enjoying what appear to be ribs at a local barbecue joint with the caption, "When in Texas..."

Most well-known for her roll in the infamous music video for "Blurred Lines," Ratajkowski is now known as one of the most beautiful women and hottest sex symbol of the times.

Despite all the fame, it's good to see she hasn't outgrown spending some quality time with the people who matter most.

Take a look through the gallery above photos from her weekend and keep going to see some of Emily Ratajkowski's best looks.
MGM has confirmed its interest in a Bridgeport casino  but said it has to overcome a 2015 special act that gives Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun dibs on a development.

While we have not been allowed to have any negotiations, there is no doubt that Bridgeport would be an ideal location, said Uri Clinton, senior vice president and legal counsel for MGM Resorts International.

Burned by a failed casino project two decades ago, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim has been taking a circumspect approach to hosting the gambling facility in the states largest city. The Democrat has kept competing casino developers at bay  for now  despite intense lobbying by the industry, according to Ganims office.

Ganim is being courted by MGM to support an open competition for the right to build a third casino in the state, with the gaming giant eyeing Bridgeport for its proximity to New York City and its transportation infrastructure.

At the same time, the states two tribal-owned casinos, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, are seeking Ganims blessing for a joint venture north of Hartford. The tribes are looking to offset anticipated losses to an MGM project just over the border in Springfield, Mass.

Listen, I think the mayors experience 25 years ago, its a cautionary tale and its a cautionary experience for him, said Av Harris, Ganims legislative liaison and spokesman. He doesnt want to get so far out on this thing only to see it blocked in the legislative process.

In a recent interview regarding a Bridgeport casino, Ganim said the citys been through that and it spent more than months, years  on something that wasnt, that never developed.

Harris said until now Ganim has left it up to him  and also Tom Gill, the head of economic development  to meet with casino interests, but that may be about to change. He said the mayor may meet with casino interests soon, but did not specify which ones.

Hes avoided a meeting up until this point just because it hasnt been real, Harris said. But as we get down to the wire in the (state Legislative) session and certain bills start to emerge, hes more willing to meet with people. It doesnt mean hes committing in any way to a particular casino.

MGM isn't going to build anything in Bridgeport, said Andrew Doba, a spokesman for the tribes. They're trying to protect their investment in Springfield from $20 million a month in losses, which is what's going to happen if the state authorizes the East Windsor facility. Just listen to what they said in Massachusetts.

In the early 1990s, Trump partnered with Ganim during Ganims first stint as Bridgeports mayor to push a waterfront casino development in the city. But the project met competition from rival casino mogul Steve Wynn and Foxwoods developer, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, as well as opposition from politicians such as then-Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr.

At the time, the state entered into a compact with the Mashantuckets and Mohegans giving them exclusive casino rights in return for them forking over about $260 million in annual slot machine revenues to the state.

Last week, the state Senate approved the joint venture between the tribes for a third casino.

The bill now faces a showdown in the House, with members of Bridgeports legislative delegation split over the future of gambling in Connecticut.

In the House, Reps. Christopher Rosario and Ezequiel Santiago are co-sponsors of a bill to create an open competition for a third casino, while Sens. Marilyn Moore and Ed Gomes voted for the joint tribal casino venture.

Lets see who emerges, Harris said. The state has to figure out what its gaming policy is.

Harris said Ganim is open to a casino development in Bridgeport, where access to Interstate 95, the railroad and the Cross Sound Ferry have put the city on the radar of the gaming industry.

Look, if something looks like a real possibility and casino is going to be built in Bridgeport, the mayor does not have a philosophical opposition to that, Harris said. In some way, maybe this fits.

Theres another obvious reason why Ganim is so noncommittal  so he can get a better deal for the city. How much of the tab for police, road repairs and other costs of hosting a casino would a developer be willing to pick up?

If this fits with that, were all for it, but were not about to jump in, Harris said. Its not ripe for the city of Bridgeport to jump in.

Staff Writer Brian Lockhart contributed to this report.

nvigdor@hearstmediact.com; 203-625-4436; twitter.com/gettinviggy
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The City Cemetery on Monday morning was crowded with color  vibrant bouquets rested on the graves of Laredos fallen veterans in honor of Memorial Day.

The wife and young children of the deceased Guadalupe Saldana crouched by his grave and lightly touched these flowers. For Flora, his wife, this day was sentido de corazon  heartfelt. She said she is saddened to have lost someone so special to them, but they are proud to remember him.

Guadalupe Saldana was a Vietnam veteran who died on May 3, 2014 from natural causes. He left behind three children, Isa, 14; Anali, 12; and Domingo, 10.

Buried a couple of headstones down is Guadalupe Saldanas uncle, Jose M. Saldana, a World War II veteran who died days before his nephew: April 20, 2014.

READ MORE: The best burgers in Laredo, according to Yelp

This family was among the many to visit the cemetery for the American Legion Post 59 Memorial Day observance ceremony, along with many military veterans, elected officials and civilians who wished to honor Americas fallen heroes on this day.

The sentiment was much the same at Jarvis Plaza earlier that morning, where the Korean War Veterans Memorial Day observance took place.

The ceremonys speaker, Enrique Marks, said he could not help but feel awed on this day, and knew that those who have fallen are looking down on them.

Marks is from Corpus Christi but now lives in Laredo. He joined the Marines in 1978 and became a staff sergeant when he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

The members of the armed forces who died in service are often remembered by name, with buildings named after them or with their surname on a memorial. But Marks said nothing can ever replace the hole that this man or woman leaves behind.

Marks quoted former President Ronald Reagan: Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden.

RELATED: 36 vintage Laredo-area postcards from the early, mid-1900s

And the service members present at Mondays memorial possessed courage, pride and dedication to duty, Marks said. They were called to something bigger than themselves.

Veterans Sgt. Salvador Sciaraffa and Staff Sgt. David Garza were both honored by the Korean War Veterans Association for their bravery and accomplishments.

Sciaraffa was a tank driver in Korea, and was honored in particular for the bravery he displayed at the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. He has been a member of the Korean War Veterans Association for 15 years.

Garza was called to duty after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He served in Baghdad and other areas of Iraq. Mary Freeman, regent of the Lucy Meriwether chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, said Garza has made helping veterans his mission since he has returned. He is one of only two veteran service officers to be accredited in South Texas, she said.

Garzas work has united many veterans groups in the city, and he is a friend to each and every veteran in Laredo, Freeman said.

To conclude the ceremony, Korean War veteran Ernesto Sanchez spoke about the meaning of Taps, the bugle call played at military funerals and at dusk.

MORE MEMORIAL DAY: 10 things to do in Laredo for Memorial Day weekend

When Sanchez was in Korea, anytime a soldier was killed, he and his fellow service men would pick up all the pieces, even the little pieces of clothing, and gather to play Taps for the fallen.

You all must remember that every day is Memorial Day because these soldiers gave their lives so we can have a great, free nation, Sanchez said.

When you hear Taps, say a prayer for the soldiers in heaven, Sanchez said.

The song weighed heavy among the crowd; DAR member Teresa Keck wiped tears from her eyes. She said it was overwhelming to hear this song knowing it has been played for so many people, at so many funerals and for so many generations.

Keck has the names of 13 ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War or assisted in the revolutionary efforts pinned to her broach. She also has two grandfathers who are veterans, her grandfather Keck who fought in World War II and her grandfather Cigarroa who fought in the Korean War.

She said to be around these other veterans brings her closer to the fallen service members in her family.

Because in a way theyre closer to them than I am, Keck said.
Contributed / Ronald McDonald House Charities

STAMFORD  Westhill High School senior Dong Zhi Guo is one of only seven recipients of the 2017 Ronald McDonald House Charities ASIA Scholarship Program.

She will receive a $16,000 scholarship to attend Boston University, where she plans to major in computer science and minor in journalism.
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Citizens of San Jacinto County gathered at the Harold G. Davis American Legion Post 629 to honor a fallen United States Marine Corps soldier for Memorial Day, May 29.

Post 629 Commander Larry Lowe began the Memorial Day presentation by giving a brief bit of the holiday's history, which begins as a memorial to Union soldiers who fell in the Civil War before being extended to all United States soldiers who have fallen in combat.

"Today is not for us," said Lowe referring to the veterans in the room. "Today is for the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Sgt. Wade Wilson was a resident of Centerville, Texas, who served as a platoon sergeant in Regimental Combat Team 6 during Operation Enduring Freedom. On May 11, 2012, he lost his life protecting his fellow Marines in the Musa Qal'eh District of Afghanistan's Helmand Province.

Wilson was providing security for an armored vehicle, which had been damaged by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

"An insurgent posing as a civilian retrieved an AK-47 from a poppy field 20 meters away and opened fire on four Marines in the vicinity of the downed vehicle critically wounding the Marine in the rear of the vehicle," said Dale Everitt of Post 629. "Sgt. Wilson immediately drew his M9 pistol and leaving the safety of the armored vehicle fearlessly closed with the insurgent placing himself between the critically wounded Marine and the insurgent's barrage of fire."

The insurgent wounded Wilson multiple times but Wilson continued to move against the enemy until his wounds prevented him from going any further. His actions forced the insurgent to flee toward an element of Marines who engaged and killed him before he could cause more harm.

"His selfless decision to place himself directly in the line of fire demonstrated tremendous courage and protected his fellow Marines from further harm," said Everitt. "By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative and total dedication to duty Sgt. Wilson reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

Wilson's parents, Mitchell "Rusty" Wilson and Tamara Wilson, were present at the service with Rusty receiving various certificates of appreciation from Post 629 as well as Texas House District 18 Representative Ernest Bailes.

"I appreciate everything," said Rusty.

Rusty said he now feels agitated at how Memorial Day is treated so lightly with many businesses giving sales that he feels distract from the holiday's meaning.

"That's not what it's about," he said.

Rusty expressed quotes from various individuals over the years including President Abraham Lincoln who said, "In the end it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years."

"Heroes may not be braver than anyone else," said Rusty, quoting President Ronald Reagan. "They're just braver five minutes longer."

Rusty also quoted Prime Minister Winston Churchill and actor John Wayne before Everitt returned to the podium to give another quote by Churchill.

"Never have so few done so much for so many," said Everitt.
Jerry Baker/Freelance

Humble ISD received a grant for more than $1 million from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that was presented to the district at the May 9 school board meeting.

TCEQ offers grants to schools eligible for the Texas Clean Fleet Program, where schools must commit to replacing or repowering at least 20 of a fleet of 75 or more on-road diesel vehicles.
Reflecting on the fraught new era of U.S. relations with Germany, and Europe at large, German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke on Sunday at a beer hall, and contended that her continent-mates "really must take our fate into our own hands."

Those jitters about already weakening trans-Atlantic alliances were surely heightened as President Trump took to Twitter on Tuesday morning and accused Germany of maintaining a trade imbalance and under-contributing to NATO. Trump has also suggested that he might withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on combating climate change, which Merkel has championed.

Merkel on Tuesday reiterated her sense that Europe must seek new alliances, telling reporters in Berlin, "The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days."

"Others," in this case, seems to be a euphemism; Merkel was clearly talking about the United States.

On Tuesday, Merkel met with Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi, and on Wednesday she will meet with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang. Although Merkel has sought to dampen the notion that she wants to pivot Germany and Europe away from the United States and toward Eastern powers, Tuesday's meeting with Modi could not have been more positive and cordial.

"We are meant for each other," Modi told Merkel, smiling widely.

"India wants the world not just to be interconnected but also that it should be sensibly run," Merkel said by way of endorsing a trade agreement in the works between India and the European Union.

"Whether it be bilateral relations, humanitarian issues, regional or global issues, every discussion with the chancellor has been very beneficial for me," Modi said. "The pace of development of our relations is fast, the direction is positive, and the destination is clear. Germany will always find India as a powerful, prepared and capable partner."

India and Germany are two of the largest economies in the process of trying to implement the Paris Agreement, and Merkel made special note of Modi's demonstrated commitment to solar power. While India is massively expanding its coal production, Modi has pledged to simultaneously grow solar such that it will make up more than half of the world's production by 2022.

The two leaders signed eight agreements pertaining mostly to cooperation on job skills development and environmental issues.
Visit the Bay Area Book Festival event website for more information.

AK Press: Worker-run collective that publishes and distributes radical books and other mind-altering material.

Arroyo Literary Review: Bay Area literary magazine reflecting local and international creative diversity.

Authors Alliance: Educational resources to help authors with copyright and contract issues.

Berkeley Historical Society and the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association: Berkeley historical books, info, postcards and local author book signings.

Berkeley Public Library Foundation: Nonprofit supporting the Berkeley Public Library featuring information and books from their popular Authors Dinner.

Berrett-Koehler Publishers: Mission-based nonfiction publisher.

Black Lawrence Press: Independent publisher of contemporary poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.

Black Rose Writing: Texas-based independent publishing houses with authors signing books.

Blackwing: Iconic pencils, notebooks and lifestyle goods used by creative greats.

Bookforum Magazine: Bookforum covers the best in fiction, current affairs, and art.

Booklandia: Spanish and Bilingual Children and Young Adult Books.

BookLoot: Young Adult subscription service. Come see us and enter the giveaway!

Booksmith & Papa Llama: Local, independent book store.

California Connections Academy: Tuition-free online public school serving students in grades K-12.

California Writers Club: Nonprofit dedicated to education in the craft of writing and publishing.

Catamaran Literary Reader: Literary magazine featuring creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry and fine art.

Cleverhands: Journal bandoliers and bookbinding. Travel light, draw often, make something!

Cody Vrosh: Artist/Illustrator creating original art books and book-themed apparel.

Counterpoint Press/Soft Skull Press/Catapult: Independent book publishers based in Berkeley.

Creston Books: Quality childrens books from a small local press featuring local talent. Printed in the United States.

Downtown Berkeley Association: An independent nonprofit organization creating a welcoming, vibrant and prosperous City Center.

Eastwind Books: Local, independent book store.

Esmazz Decorative Arts: Literary-themed decoupage plates, magnets and boxes.

Faceted Press Publishers: Childrens books series.

Friends of the Berkeley Public Library: Nonprofit supporting the Berkeley Public Library. Information and books for sale.

Friends of the Oakland Public Library: The Friends of the OPL supports Oakland Public Libraries!

Green Apple Books: Local, independent book store.

Half Price Books: In-store booth, 2036 Shattuck Ave.

Heather Jacks Book Art/Crafts: Handcrafted record bags and writing journals. 100 percent rescued, recycled, one-of-a-kind.

hit & run press: Letterpress printed, limited edition poetry broadsides with Littoral Press and Colored Horse Studios.

Horror Writers Association: Worldwide nonprofit organization of writers and publishing professionals promoting dark literature.

Images Press: Childrens books and songs.

Imagination Heals presents Pachas Pajamas: The Pachas Pajamas Animated book comes to life with animation.

ISKCON Berkeley: Spiritual books on yoga, meditation, science of the soul.

KALW 91.7FM: On-air personalities and staff will be present.

Kid Beowulf Comics: All-ages graphic novel series.

Kind Is Beautiful: Resources that inspire girls to be beautiful by being kind.

KitaabWorld: Childrens bookstore; advocates for South Asian childrens literature.

Jeffrey L. Kohanek: Author of the young adult fantasy series The Runes of Issalia.

KPFA 94.1FM: The First Community Supported Radio Station in the nation.

LaVada James: Promoting the self-published sci-fi book Negative Gravity: The Mannheim Effect.

Left Margin LIT: Offering creative writing workshops and consultations to East Bay writers.

Lekha Ink Corp.: Independent publishing company proudly presents books written BY and FOR children.

Lets Read! Ahora: Culturally diverse childrens books specializing in Bilingual/Spanish books.

Little Lemon Production House: Anti-bullying book and brand that disarms bullies by teaching children that what makes them weird makes them wonderful.

LOAKL.com: Online platform that sources books across all of the local independent bookstores.

Made From Books: One-of-a-kind jewelry made from unwanted, outdated and falling apart books.

Magnetic Past, LLC: Bookmarks to color, featuring literary characters and historical characters.

Manic D Press/Aunt Lute Books: Great books for free-thinkers since 1984.

MFA in Creative Writing at Saint Marys College of California: A two-year program in creative nonfiction, fiction, or poetry.

MFA in Writing at the University of San Francisco: This MFA in Writing program offers graduate students an intimate, personalized learning experience.

Mills College Book Art: Graduate Book Art Program displaying student work.

Moes Books: World famous destination for book lovers since 1959.

Mr. Dogs Christmas at the Hollow Tree Inn: by Albert Bigelow Paine, newly illustrated by San Francisco artist, Adam McCauley

Mystery Writers of America NorCal: Handouts and information about Mystery Writers of America NorCal chapter.

The New Republic: An award-winning publication that produces a provocative mix of in-depth reporting, political analysis and cultural commentary on todays most challenging topics.

New World Library: Personal growth, yoga, meditation, aromatherapy writing, animals/nature, prosperity and psychology.

North Atlantic Books: Nonprofit publisher exploring the relationships between mind, body, spirit and nature.

Noveltea Tins: Decorative tin novels that contain custom tea blends.

Oakland Literacy Coalition: Working together so all kids learn and love to read.

Oakland Public Library Bike Library: Take a moment for a story at the bike library.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute: Lifelong learning for adults over 50.

Parallax Press: Nonprofit publisher creating books on mindfulness in daily life.

Pegasus Books: Local, independent book store.

Photobooks: Photo books by three Bay Area photographer authors.

PM Press and Friends of PM: Radical books and media to educate, entertain, and inspire.

Poetry Flash/Northern California Book Awards: Literary Review and Calendar, Poetry Presenter, Northern California Book Awards.

Point Reyes Books: Local, independent book store.

Prisoners Literature Project: Sends good free books to prisoners throughout the United States.

Products for Cambodia Club: Sustainable, awareness-raising products sold to support a school for the blind and deaf in Cambodia.

Rae Trujillo: Handmade artists books, bookmarks, zines and purses incorporating vintage book covers.

Rare Bird: Rare Bird is a Los Angeles-based independent publisher of fiction, nonfiction, biography, photography, music, humor and art.

RE/Search: Screen prints, hand-made zines, posters  all things counterculture.

Recover Your Thoughts: Journals made from discarded library books.

Regent Press Publishers & Printers: Check out our new titles and backlist.

Revolution Books: Local, independent book store.

Ruth Stroup Insurance Agency: Bay Area insurance agency specializing in small business services.

San Francisco Area of Romance Writers of America: Professional network of romance authors including New York Times and USA Today bestsellers.

San Francisco Chronicle: Interactive showcase by BABF premier sponsor.

San Francisco Writers Conference, San Francisco Writing for Change, and San Francisco Writers Foundation: A celebration of craft, commerce and community for writers.

Sand Hill Review Press, LLC: Small publisher of novels, select non-fiction books and community anthologies.

School of Literary Arts (Oakland School for the Arts): Books by our seniors and student-edited journal Enizagam.

SF Creative Writing Institute: Offering premier classes in creative writing in San Francisco.

Shefcoz: Up-cycled notebooks, metal and thread bookmarks, souvenir products.

Shut Up & Write!: A community of writers supporting writers with free events in 15 cities internationally.

Sisters in Crime: Meet some of your favorite Northern California mystery writers.

Small Press Distribution: Author will be signing and selling his childrens book The Want Monsters.

Stanford University Press: Publishers of creative, sophisticated, multi-disciplinary scholarship.

Stone Bridge Press: Publisher of books on Asia, especially Japan and China.

Stories To Tell: Books and information on self-publishing for independent authors.

Sunstep Publishing: Modern Greek literature. Translated.

Tanita K Ross-Cady: Deranged short stories and poetry about working in bars and nightclubs.

The Economist: Sustainability-themed smoothie cart.

The Gurdjieff Legacy Foundation: Esoteric spiritual books, videos, tapes.

The Independent Eye: Producer/distributor of drama and other literary storytelling forms.

This Into That: Thematic and humorous furniture from vintage books.

Toka Box: Monthly subscription box that includes childrens book related craft activities.

Tough Old Lady imprint of Shameless Hussy Press: Books by Alta and other feminist writers.

Transit Books Publishers: Oakland-based nonprofit publisher of international literature.

Trumped Up Cards: Trumped Up Cards is a party game thats so, so easy to play.

Two Lines Press: Publishes the best world literature in English translation.

Ulysses Press: Local, independent publisher offering $5 books  cooking, crafting and more.

Under the Gum Tree: Quarterly literary magazine publishing creative nonfiction and visual art.

University Press Books: Local, independent book store.

Verizon Wireless: Dedicated to community engagement and service.

Arthur Weil: age 91, will be giving away his poetry books.

WhyIslam: Get a free Quran and learn about Islam and Muslims.

Wolfman Books: Local, independent bookstore.

Word Prostitute: A small publisher automating to become a big publisher.

WTAW Press: Nonprofit independent publisher of exceptional literary books.
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When Dakota Martin crossed the commencement stage in his maroon gown Friday night at Tiger Stadium, he achieved an even greater feat than graduating high school.

Martin, diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in January 2015, took exams from hospital rooms, worked on extra assignments at home and went to summer school - all so he could graduate on time and with his Silsbee High School classmates.

Martin, 18, spent the first six months of 2015 inside an MD Anderson treatment room for chemotherapy.

"I just got through it," said Martin, who is now cancer free. "I didn't like to think about what could happen, I was focused on what did happen."

Knowing that he couldn't change the fact that he was sick, Martin said his main goal was to leave the halls of his high school with the friends he grew up with.

"He was out for treatments a lot. We put things in place, adjusted courses and worked with teachers to make up credits," said Deborah Webb, Martin's school guidance counselor. "He worked 110 percent to earn his diploma on Friday."

Martin's mom, Gena Urbanak, said he would undergo treatment for two weeks, doctors would monitor him for three weeks and if he was doing well, he was allowed to return to Silsbee for a week

before starting the cycle again.

Martin had a few visits from teachers during his six months at MD Anderson, but the visits he enjoyed most were from his best friend Cody Josey.

"It meant a lot that he visited me. Even if it was twice. It's a long drive from Silsbee to Houston," Martin said.

As a breast cancer survivor, Webb said she really empathized and tried to work with Martin and Urbanak, but she credits Martin's classroom teachers for creating a comfortable atmosphere and smooth transition.

"He's just a gentle giant," said Regina McGallion, Martin's Business Information Management and Digital Interactive Media teacher. Martin is 6 feet, three inches tall.

McGallion, who had Martin as a freshman and senior, said Martin hasn't changed a lot, "but when he lost his hair and weight he was hard to recognize."

Urbanak said Martin had lost 80 pounds by the time he finished his chemotherapy in July 2015.

"This achievement shows you a lot about the student and his character," McGallion said of Martin graduating on time. "I get teary-eyed thinking of his journey."

Martin still has an orange shirt that his teachers and classmates would wear to support him. It read: "We don't know how strong we really are until being strong is the only choice."

"I don't think I'm strong or brave. I just got through it," Martin said. "I would actually joke about it a lot as a way of coping."

Despite the outpouring of support and fundraisers the school provided throughout his cancer battle, Martin said all he ever wanted was to be treated like every other student at his school.

"Dakota didn't want to use a lot of accommodations," Webb said. "He wanted to persevere on his own."

Traveling from El Paso, Martin's sister, Devan Smith, said there was no way she was going to miss her brother's high school graduation after everything they've been through.

Martin's mother and sister said he was definitely the strong one in the family who always "kept it together."

When he wasn't playing catch-up, Martin would spend his days drawing comic book characters, playing video games and messing around on Photoshop. Even though he felt like he wasn't missing much at school, except for his art and video game design class and auto mechanics, he was naturally anxious to leave the hospital.

"It was hard," Urbanak said.

After working two years to keep up with his class, Martin said he's planning on taking a break year and then enrolling at Blinn College, where Josey plans to enroll this fall.

"He's really talented with computers," McGallion said of Martin.

An aspiring business owner, Martin hopes to one day design and sell a clothing line with Josey. He credits rapper Tyler, The Creator as his inspiration.

"I'm not really concerned about getting sick again," he said. "I'm living for right now."

SFlores@BeaumontEnterprise.com

Twitter.com/_saraeflores
It started with a tweet.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump set much of the world on edge when said on Twitter that he will make his long-awaited decision on whether the United States will exit the Paris climate accord in the next several days.

"I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week!"

It was the tweet that launched a thousands pleas. Trump has before indicated that a decision on Paris was imminent without following through, but the world is taking this latest announcement (of an upcoming announcement) seriously. With new urgency, a chorus of voices making closing arguments rose over Memorial Day weekend on social media, on television and, notably, in private meetings and letters with the president urging him to stay or leave the accord.

Many of the stakeholders voiced their opinions in the president's favorite medium:

From Hawaii's Democratic senator: "If Trump bails out of Paris, the GOP will lose generations of voters permanently," Brian Schatz posted.

From Americans for Tax Reform's head: "Top 5 reasons USA should withdraw from Paris 'climate' debacle ," offer Grover Norquist.

From an Oregon Democrat: "Trump's wavering on #ParisAgreement is an int'l embarrassment. It should not be in question. We must #actonclimate," tweeted Sen. Jeff Merkley.

And from this Illinois Republican: "The U.S. should officially exit the Paris Agreement. Here's why,'' noted Rep. John Shimkus.

There was no shortage of arguments on both sides of the issue. We break them down for you here:

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., for STAYING: On Sunday, Graham rebuked 22 of his GOP colleagues, who wrote a letter last week urging Trump to withdraw from Paris, and told CNN that withdrawal from the agreement "would be taken as a statement that climate change is not a problem, is not real."

He added: "That would be bad for the party, bad for the country."

Sen. Ted Cruz for LEAVING: Trump's one-time rival for the GOP presidential nomination argued in an op-ed in CNN for withdrawal by appealing to Trump's economic sensibilities. On Monday, Cruz wrote: "Efforts to unwind some of the deal's more onerous regulations are welcomed, but that is not enough. Unless the US completely withdraws, the Paris Agreement will continue to cause sustained harm to our security and economy..."

ExxonMobil for STAYING: On Sunday, it was leaked to the Financial Times that the oil major once run by Trump's secretary of state sent a letter to the Trump administration reiterating its desire for Trump to stay in the agreement. Exxon's manager for environmental policy and planning wrote: "It is prudent that the United States remain a party to the Paris agreement to ensure a level playing field, so that global energy markets remain as free and competitive as possible."

The emergence of Exxon, a company currently under investigation in New York and Massachusetts for potentially misleading shareholders on climate change, as one force for staying in the Paris agreement may seem surprising. But the agreement could boost demand for natural gas, a fuel that emits less carbon than coal and constitutes a significant portion of Exxon's portfolio.

Ex-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee for LEAVING: On Sunday, the former Republican governor told Fox News that existing legislation, like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, are sufficient for protecting the environment: "We're not putting out the kind of pollution we once were. Everybody wants a good environment. This idea that the number one threat we face - I think Donald Trump is on the right track. He's trying to change the climate of terrorism because he knows a beheading is still worse than a sunburn."

And most notably, G-7 world leaders for STAYING: Perhaps the most dramatic lobbying effort came on Friday, when the leaders of the other G-7 nations used their audience with President Trump to press the case for Paris. The Financial Times characterized a meeting between G-7 leaders on climate change as one punctured by "protracted exchanges." The New York Times called it an "extended discussion" that involved Trump citing the environmental awards he has gotten.

(Trump in the past has bragged about the "many, many environmental awards" he has received, even though, as my Post colleague Michelle Ye Hee Lee reported this year, "[m]edia outlets and environmental groups have tried to find evidence of this claim since 2011 but have come up short.")

The G-7 leaders strategy, according to The Times, was a cautious one: "They spoke to the American president, concerned that they could anger him easily, which could result in his deciding to pull the United States out of the Paris agreement after he returns home."

But European leaders left the meetings with little of the clarity they sought. Paolo Gentiloni, the Italian prime minister, said: "There is one open question, which is the US position on the Paris climate accords." Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany, was more pointed: "The entire discussion about climate was very difficult, if not to say very dissatisfying."

The U.S. line on the climate talks was decidedly more upbeat. The Post's Karen DeYoung and Philip Rucker report:

"Earlier, in an off-camera briefing for reporters, National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn said of the climate discussions, "We're all trying to get to the right place, respectful of each other." He described a "very robust conversation . . . a lot of give and take" in discussions that included leaders from Japan, Britain, France, Germany, Canada and Italy.

"Asked whether Trump had given a sign of which way he was leaning on the accord, which he called a job killer and vowed to rip up during his campaign, Cohn said, "I don't know."

--Cohn added that Trump's position was "evolving," a word heard often from the Obama administration as that president deliberately prepared to announce his support of gay marriage. In this case, the invocation of that term by Cohn, a Trump economic adviser who favors staying in Paris in a White House split on the issue, may be more wishful than anything else.

"He came here to learn," Cohn said. "He came here to get smarter."

--The talks culminated in the G-7 communique that again kicked the can down the road: "The United States of America 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."

The G-7 summit is an opportunity for the heads of state of seven of the most influential nations to stand in front of the rest of the world as equals to declare their common interests. If Trump did not assuage the fears of his European counterparts, he did at the very least accomplish one thing with his indecision. By sitting high on the fence, Trump made sure all eyes were on him and that he was the center of attention.

Or put another another way: The former reality-television host knows how to keep people watching.

The former mayor of San Francisco put it this way:

"Will @realDonaldTrump give the Paris Accord his final rose? Or will he take an irreparable dump on our planet? Find out after the break! " Gavin Newsom posted on Twitter.

THREE MORE NOTES ON PARIS:

1) Last week, 22 GOP senators sent a letter to Trump asking him to make good on his campaign promise to pull out of Paris. Sen. Jim Inhofe, who helped organized that letter, is confident he'll heed their call.

"I have no reason to believe that he will change his mind on that," he told me last week. "Because that's one of his campaign promises."

Why did only 22 of the 52 Republicans in the Senate sign? Inhofe said he distributed the letter at a GOP caucus meeting early last week, and that probably "two-thirds of the ones that we're there" signed. Others brought the letter back to their staffs to review, but Inhofe said he decided pulled the trigger on the letter ahead of the G-7 summit before some of them could reply.

"We could have gotten a lot more signatures," he said. "There's no question about that."

Democrats in the Senate showed a more unified front, penning their own letter in support of Paris with 40 names.

2) The relationship between Trump and perhaps the most powerful pro-Paris voice in the administration -- the president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner -- could be getting strained after the Washington Post revealed that Kushner tried to crate a back-channel for communication with the Kremlin before Trump's inauguration. Now a New York Times report on that strain contains this detail on Kushner's views on the climate accord.

"Mr. Kushner appears to be modifying his centrist stances. Instead of urging the president to keep the United States in the Paris climate accord, as he sought to months ago, he has come to believe the standards in the agreement need to be changed, a person close to him said."

It's unclear to me what "standards" mean in the context of the climate agreement.

David Waskow, director of the International Climate Initiative at the World Resources Institute and an expert on the Paris agreement, is stumped too.

"It's not clear what standards in terms of the Agreement itself this would refer to," he told me. Under the agreement, each nation can set its own emissions targets or, in the terminology of the accord, their own "nationally determined contribution." "Perhaps it's a reference to the U.S. target," Waskow said.

3) One voice that was quiet over the weekend was that of Trump's top environmental law enforcer, Scott Pruitt, who has appeared on cable television with some frequency since becoming administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The reason, potentially: "Trump has privately told multiple people, including EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, that he plans to leave the Paris agreement on climate change, according to three sources with direct knowledge," Axios reported over the weekend.

Pruitt, Axios reports, is laying low because he does not want withdrawal from the accord to seem like his victory. The grain of salt to take here: Trump at times has privately told people want they want to hear, only to end up saying or doing something different later.
Francois Duhamel / Netflix / Associated Press

Over the last few years, Netflix has established itself as a premiere steaming service. Now, Netflix is breaking new boundaries by debuting Brad Pitts provocative War Machine for home viewing on Friday, May 26, the same day it opens for Oscar-qualifying runs in New York and Los Angeles.

Written and directed by David Michod (Animal Kingdom, The Rover), its a black comedy, loosely based on Michael Hastings non-fiction best-seller The Operators: The Wild & Terrifying Inside Story of Americas War in Afghanistan, expanded from a 2010 Rolling Stone expose that led to President Obamas dismissal of General Stanley McChrystal.
WESTPORT  A town resident allegedly assaulted a victim during an argument, causing multiple injuries.

Police received a call Monday morning from Florida about an ongoing assault at a Cross Highway address. The caller said he had been sent text messages and photos of injuries allegedly caused by Neil Bhatia, according to police.

Officers reported Bhatia smelled of alcohol and was disturbed by polices presence when they arrived at the address around 8 a.m. May 29. The address was also listed as his residence. Police said an argument at the home became physical and Bhatia caused injuries to the victims face and arm.

Officers arrested the 40-year-old, then learned of a protective order out of California that Bhatia had violated in his conduct with the victim, police said. According to police, Bhatia also used profanities against, insulted and was uncooperative with officers. He was charged with third-degree assault, disorderly conduct and violation of a protective order.
Showers and thunderstorms were expected to develop near the Texas-New Mexico state line Tuesday evening, and gradually expand eastward Wednesday ahead of a slow moving upper level disturbance.

The National Weather Service in Lubbock reports that surface winds were expected to be out of the southeast for most of the day Tuesday, helping to bring more Gulf moisture back into the region.
A former Mexican official was charged in a money laundering scheme following his wife's arrest in the Houston area last week, according to federal prosecutors.

Jose Manuel Saiz-Pineda - the ex-Secretary of Finance for Tabasco, Mexico - was indicted by a Corpus Christi federal grand jury back in April. But it wasn't till authorities collared his wife, 49-year-old Silvia Beatriz Perez-Ceballos, that the charges were unsealed.

Perez-Ceballos, who was arrested at her Sugar Land home on Wednesday, is now accused of conspiring to launder monetary instruments and conspiracy to commit bank fraud along with Saiz-Pineda and one of his Mexican business associates, Martin Alberto Medina-Sonda, 44.

Perez-Ceballos made her first court appearance Thursday in Houston, where a judge ordered her into custody pending a hearing Tuesday.

Saiz-Pineda and Medina-Sonda are already behind bars in Tabasco, where the ex-official is also facing a related illegal enrichment charge.

The indictment includes notice of forfeiture plans for seven properties - in New York City, Miami, Houston and Los Angeles - with a combined value of more than $50 million.

On top of that, authorities plan to seize funds in six separate bank accounts, including an offshore account in Bermuda.

Prosecutors are planning to seek a $50 million personal money judgment, according to the indictment.

The trio of accused would-be fraudsters could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for the bank-related charge and another 20 years for the alleged money laundering.
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Councilman Ron Nirenberg has won the endorsement of former Mayor Phil Hardberger in his pursuit to oust incumbent Ivy Taylor from City Hall.

The endorsement from Hardberger, who served as mayor from 2005 to 2009, comes days after the City Council voted in favor of a team that included Taylor ally Hope Andrade, rejecting a Chicago company recommended by city staff and represented by Hardberger. The firms were seeking a major city contract to operate San Antonios new river-barge fleet.

Nirenberg was the only council member to vote against Andrades bid in support of the team backed by Hardberger.

RELATED: Early voting for June 10 runoff begins Tuesday

Nirenberg and Taylor are facing each other in a June 10 runoff, after ascending from a crowded field of 14 in the May 6 general election. Early voting begins Tuesday and ends June 6.

In a video that runs nearly four minutes, Hardberger makes the case for why hes supporting Nirenberg and notes that the upcoming election is a real important one. He asks voters to be with me in my support for Nirenberg.

Ron is terrifically prepared, assuming he becomes mayor, he will be the best-prepared mayor that I think San Antonios ever had, Hardberger said on the video.

RELATED: An improbable campaign to oust incumbent San Antonio mayor results in June 10 runoff

Nirenberg said he was pleased to win the former mayors support.

Im proud and excited to have Mayor Hardbergers endorsement. He sits in the pantheon of great San Antonio mayors and his support is meaningful to our city, Nirenberg said. And as an esteemed former mayor and lifelong servant to our country, he agrees with the majority of San Antonio that we need new leadership in the mayors office to restore the momentum weve lost under Taylor.

Earlier this month, Nirenberg also received an endorsement from former Mayor Julian Castro, who block-walked the West Side on the candidates behalf.

Read more about the endorsement and reaction to the latest news in the mayoral runoff on ExpressNews.com.

jbaugh@express-news.net

Twitter: @jbaugh
RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas (AP)  The remains of more than 10 unidentified people have been removed from a Rio Grande Valley cemetery along the Texas-Mexico border as part of a continuing project to identify migrants who died and were buried for years without any markers.

More than 20 students from Texas State University and the University of Indianapolis have been at the Starr County Cemetery in Rio Grande City where the director of the South Texas Human Rights Center, Eddie Canales, says the county has failed to comply with Texas law and provide DNA samples of unidentified remains.
Planning for college? Dont be intimidated by the costs. Instead consider your post-secondary education a partnership between you and an investor with resources to help pay for tuition and education-related expenses.

Savvy students should investigate funding through a number of educational partnerships, including grants provided by federal and state governments, and individual scholarships offered by universities. Student loans should not be the only option.

Eligible students can receive federal government funding in the form of grants to help pay for educational programs and tuition. Grants do not accrue interest, and students do not pay them back. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for these federal dollars, which are distributed based on regulated criteria.

The Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and the Academic Competitiveness Grant are a few of the most commonly awarded federal grants. Last semester, 47 percent of A&M-San Antonio students received a Pell Grant.

In addition to federal funding, there are additional financial resources available for targeted segments of the population. Such groups include veterans, foster care youth, under-represented groups and students with disabilities.

In Texas, grant opportunities include the Texas Public Educational Grant Program (TPEG) and the Texas Grant. Eligibility requirements are based on Texas residency, financial need and other criteria. Students can contact university financial aid offices to verify eligibility. Many local school districts offer grants or scholarships for their graduating seniors as they transition to higher education.

Another important partner is your preferred university where a variety of scholarships may be available. College or university scholarships are typically funded by donor partners who invest in high-potential students to help them pay for their education to make sure they graduate.

Great universities aggressively raise money for scholarships to help students earn their degrees. Donors and philanthropic foundations view students as important investments in the future of our states economic vitality. In 2016, scholarships accounted for 43 percent of all financial aid that students received from universities and colleges nationwide. Last year, more than 81 percent of A&M-San Antonio students qualified for financial aid.

Partnerships between you, funders and universities such as Texas A&M-San Antonio are joint investments in your success. Earning a bachelors degree is a wise investment that requires laser-focus in the classroom and stretching yourself with supplemental experiences to apply what you learn. Be resourceful and relentless. Dedicate time to thoroughly research funding options that match your educational and career goals. Be prepared to take advantage of every opportunity to achieve your college degree by preparing yourself for success without unnecessary debt. Start your search early and check in often with your schools financial aid office to learn about new opportunities.

If you want to learn more about A&M-San Antonios academic programs and the financial aid available to students, please call 210-784-1103 or visit tamusa.edu.

Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson is president of Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Authorities arrested five people on meth possession charges this month in North Texas, seizing 52 grams of the drug, according to the Eastland Police Department.

Officials made the arrests in a month-long investigation. Each person faces a charge of manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance and engaging in organized criminal activity, according to a news release.
Hail up to the size of a nickel, minor flooding and wind gusts passed over San Antonio Tuesday, as thunderstorms swept into the Southern Hill Country and San Antonio.

There were multiple reports of "pea-sized" hail in various parts of the city, including downtown and the Medical Center at about 4 p.m. though there were no official storm reports available on the National Weather Service's site.
When Charles Allan Sagray decided to establish Mr. Plumber Plumbing Co. in his early 20s, friends and family advised him against it.

Starting the business on a shoestring, Sagray handled the service calls while his wife kept the books and answered the phone.

Wed take our first son in the van and Id take the invoices, said his wife, Denise Sagray. We worked our tails off day and night.

Eventually, he was able to get a helper, then another plumber, his wife said. Now we have eight trucks and 20 employees; weve been working for families in the third generation now.

Sagray, 62, died May 28 after a long illness.

Raised in San Antonio, Sagray went to Robert E. Lee High School, attending classes in the mornings and working as a plumbers apprentice in the afternoon in the vocational program.

Meeting his future wife while at Lee  she was a student at the now defunct Ursuline Academy who was introduced to him by his sister  Sagray married in January 1974 during his senior year of high school.

They ran off to Corpus Christi to get married and when they got back, they went to Jefferson Bank to open a joint account, his son Bryan Sagray said.

When the teller asked Sagray if he wanted the balance of his old account in cash or a check, Sagray asked the amount.

More Information Charles Allan Sagray Born: Dec. 20, 1954, San Antonio Died: May 28, 2017, San Antonio Preceded by: Father John Charles Sagray Jr. and stepmother Karen. Survived by: Wife Denise Sagray; sons Jeremy Sagray and daughter-in-law Michelle, and Bryan Sagray and daughter-in-law Lauren; two grandchildren; a brother; and a sister. Services: Celebration of Life at 7 p.m. Friday at the Dominion Country Club, 1 Dominion Drive. See More Collapse

It was 11 cents, Bryan Sagray said. He loved to tell that story; he came from so little  he had to fight so hard to get what he had.

Building his business with an emphasis on service, Sagray treated his clients homes as he would his own.

His guys would wear booties, Bryan Sagray said. He always said When we leave, you wont even be able to tell we were there.

Sagray also was willing to change with the times, Bryan Sagray said. When he got my brother on board, they keyed into social media  have commercials on TV featuring the good guys in blue.

As the business became more profitable, Sagray was able to buy his family a small ranch in Charlotte, property in Breckenridge, Colorado, and later, in Marble Falls on Lake LBJ.

Putting both of his sons through college, Sagray also financed their advanced degrees, one a masters degree in business administration and the other medical school.

He tried to see in us what our passion was, then he really pushed us very hard in that direction, Bryan Sagray said.

As his success grew, Sagray became more generous, picking up the dinner check for firefighters and police officers, and helping out those less fortunate.

He loved doing that kind of stuff, Bryan Sagray said. Nobody ever did it for him.

mheidbrink@express-news.net
To the editor:

I and many other would like to thank Forest Park The Woodlands, Funeral Home and Cemetery for their Ninth Annual Tribute to Heroes and Freedom.

On the 27th of May the VFW Post 12024 supervised, and with the assistances of the scouts and their leaders, placed the American Flag on the numerous veterans headstones interred at Forest Park.

With the tribute scheduled for Memorail Day the 29th of May, a miracle occurred. With the weather forecast for the day, rain, wind, etc., was threatening the memorial service. Many prayers were answered, and the threat bypass Forest Park, and the morning was beautiful.

During the memorial, All branches on the military were recognized, as well as other members of the community, such as police officers, firefighters, medical and others who serve our community.

Guest speakers included a retired Captain Juan C. Cristales Marine Corps, who spoke of the many sacrifices that our veterans had made, and those continuing to do so.

Congressman Kevin Brady also addressed those present. He saluted the many veterans from the pass, and those present. His support of our Military and our veterans was music to by ears.

To the beautiful lady with a voice like angel, who sang the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America the way it was intended to be sung.

I was also privileged to be able to bring forward the World War II wreath of remembrance, during the presentation of wreaths for the many others who had served their country.

I commend the staff of Forest Park and their manager for the time, expenses and dedication in recognizing our military and many other who serve our country and community.

To all of the Forest Park staff, who helped in the setup, transporting people, cooking hot dogs and serving other snacks, chips, drinks and snow cones, I thank you. For the many others, 400 plus (my guess), that were present, I'm sure that they thank you also.

Again, with my sincere appreciation, for the love and understanding that the staff of Forest Park gives me, I thank you.

Charles Siragusa

Colonel, US Army Retired

Court decisions against travel ban should worry us all

To the editor:

Court decisions against President Trump's executive order pausing travel from six failed nations should worry us all. Most recently, the 4th Circuit Appeals Court upheld a lower court's stay of that order--not by law, but by using the president's campaign rhetoric to read "racism" into his written order. This furthers the recent trend of more than a dozen leftist judges to rule on politics rather than law.

For each of these judges, I have two questions: 1. What qualifies you to make decisions about national security? 2. Assuming that you are qualified, how can you make reasonable decisions on national security without the intelligence information the president receives in his daily briefings?

Two dissenting judges also raise these questions. According to the NY Times, "Judge Paul V. Niemeyer wrote that the law did not permit judges to second-guess a president's national security judgments." It also reported that Judge Dennis W. Shedd wrote, "Regrettably, at the end of the day, the real losers in this case are the millions of individual Americans whose security is threatened on a daily basis by those who seek to do us harm."

Let us hope that the Supreme Court not only reverses these lower court decisions but admonishes the judges who made them henceforth to rule on the law and leave politics to the politicians. But in the meantime, who knows how many terrorists have entered our country by claiming to be refugees?

Sincerely,

Donn Taylor

The Woodlands
If we can educate Shamu, we can educate the people! If we can educate Shamu, we can educate the people! chanted several hundred San Antonio residents massed in front of City Hall.

SeaWorld had recently opened, bringing Shamu the killer whale along with hundreds of low-wage jobs. These residents, however, were pressing then newly elected Mayor Nelson Wolff to make good on a campaign promise and join Gov. Ann Richards to invest in a new skills training program that would enable job seekers to qualify for good jobs with benefits at local hospitals and manufacturers.

Twenty-five years later, Project QUEST has trained more than 6,600 residents. And, with the recently-released findings of the Economic Mobility Corporations 10-year study (which I co-authored), there is now scientific evidence that QUEST is effective.

Using the gold standard randomized, controlled trial method of evaluation, we learned that QUEST participants earn an annual average of more than $28,000 six years after enrollment  $5,000 more than control group members. These findings are arguably the most impressive ever achieved by a job training organization in a rigorous evaluation.

The study enrolled 410 people, 207 of whom were randomly assigned to the QUEST group and 203 to the control group. Nine out of 10 participants were women, and many were single parents. Prior to random assignment, QUEST staff interviewed, assessed and prepared all participants for training in nursing and other technical positions through the Alamo Community College system. QUEST paid for tuition, books and supplies, and provided ongoing support to students while they were in school.

QUEST was founded after a years-long organizing effort by COPS and Metro Alliance. Because of these organizations continued involvement, QUEST has been sustained for a quarter century almost entirely by state and local funding. Without the many restrictions imposed by federal workforce funds, this state and local support has given QUEST the flexibility to meet students and employers needs.

Mayor Ivy Taylor has voiced concern about Project QUESTs costs of about $10,000 per participant. But our evaluation demonstrates that QUESTs investment in San Antonio residents pays a handsome return. Because QUEST students earn more than control group members beginning in the third year after enrollment (as they complete training and begin their new careers), their aggregate earnings over the six-year study period were more than $11,600 higher than the control groups.

We found that, as a result of steady employment and high wages, QUEST students had much less difficulty paying their rent, utilities and credit card bills. And 96 percent of students still live in Texas, including 85 percent in the San Antonio area. The added benefits to employers: lower recruitment and turnover costs.

The rewards of enrolling in QUEST were most evident for the students who graduated and earned their state certification. During the last year of the study, these students made an average of $38,000, putting them firmly in the middle class.

The impact of these gains is clear to Monica Rodriguez, a recent Project QUEST graduate. For years, she worked 12-hour weekend shifts as a certified nursing assistant, making $10.50 an hour. Rodriguez and her two young children made ends meet by living in public housing and receiving food stamps and Medicaid.

With QUESTs support, in 2014 she became a licensed vocational nurse through St. Philips College. Today, she works full time at Baptist Medical Center making $22.50 an hour.

Last year, Rodriguez earned $44,000, enabling her and her family to get off Medicaid and food stamps and move out of public housing. Now she is enrolled at the Galen College of Nursing, where she expects to earn a registered nursing degree next year.

Im the proud father of a 2014 Harvard graduate and have never regretted the more than $200,000 my wife and I paid in tuition. After my daughter graduated, she was thrilled to land a job as a journalist at the Houston Chronicle. Her starting salary was $42,000.

So, its hard for me to understand how anyone could argue that Project QUEST is too expensive. Our study proves the contrary; its one of the best uses of public resources San Antonio could ever hope to find.

Mark Elliott is president of the Economic Mobility Corporation, which conducted the evaluation of Project Quest.
Marie D. De Jesus /Houston Chronicle

We applaud the signing of legislation prohibiting the state from imposing a cap or benchmark on the number of students a school district can enroll in special education.

The new law is welcome news for the thousands of families of special education students who have had to fight education officials to gain access to programs federal law mandates. Student success cannot be achieved when education is hampered by arbitrary rules established to limit access.
Here is hoping and praying Robert Mueller is not another Ken Starr.

Steve Ochoa

Proud of Trump

In my humble opinion, President Donald Trump has displayed more leadership acumen in his first 100 or so days in office than President Barack Obama displayed in almost 3,000 days! His presentations in Saudi Arabia and Israel were outstanding, long overdue, and right on target! To all the naysayers out there (e.g., Democrats, independents, skeptical Republicans, and apolitical types), I recommend you relax, sit back, and watch the show.

Heck, hes earned the chance via our democratic process. I am proud we have an astute leader in the White House versus an astute appeaser.

John Gretz, Windcrest

Dry those tears

Re: Ad for anti-crying pill a boon for drugs sales, Business, May 14:

Should we not parcel these pills out to Democrats who cannot accept the fact that Hillary Clinton somehow lost the election?

Riley G. ONeal

Revenge at the polls?

Its interesting that the two hate bills coming out of Austin are trying to fix problems that dont exist.

Gov. Gregg Abbott had to seek out an illegal immigrant in California that murdered a woman as justification for his sanctuary cities bill.

And Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has yet to find an incident in 50 states that would justify his bathroom bill.

What needs to be fixed in Texas is health, education and welfare for children, where we currently rank last in all 50 states.

It seems like Abbott and Patrick are smarter than all the police chiefs and social service agencies in Texas.

Lets see what the people of Texas think in 2018!

Lloyd R. Mathews, Rockport

Betting on Mueller

It is more apparent each day that President Trump is clueless about the role of a president. He is a loose cannon trying to act as president, but hasnt realized this reality show is real. He is endangering our nation and citizens. Rewriting a health care plan that throws the needy and aged under the financial bus does not make anyone better. Rewriting a tax structure that puts billions, possibly trillions, of dollars in his own business pocket is not helping the middle class.

Firing his FBI director who is hot on the trail of election tampering by the Russians and then justifying the reason because of Hillarys computer is not only a serious breach of our justice system, but a corruption of our laws. Dispensing critical intelligence about our fight with ISIS to a known enemy, Russia, is stupid and dangerous. I am amazed when reports state that Trumps backers continue to support him, regardless of the blunders and poor judgment he has demonstrated in only five months. My hope is the appointment of Robert Mueller will soon save our nation from additional risk and embarrassment in the very near future.

Mike Horridge

Idiocy on two levels

Re: Trump seeking $1.6 billion for wall and Bathroom law still worries leaders, front page, May 23:

I dont know which article upset me the most. First, regarding the wall, does this dense man not realize what $1.6 billion could do to have a real impact? Cancer and Alzheimers research, feeding and sheltering the homeless, training under-educated citizens to give them a fighting chance at a better life  all of these could be impacted in a meaningful way. Wake up, POTUS!

And then I hit the news about our stunningly insightful state Legislature  a bathroom bill that is idiotic and unnecessary, while a school funding measure dies. Where are their brains?

Doris Alderman
The Texas Legislature was embarrassed by the onslaught of teacher-student sex cases recently - as it should be - so it cracked down of the offenders - as it should have. But it still left out an important sanction.

The new law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott last week should do more to reduce this disturbing type of crime that has increased in each of the last seven years in public schools in Texas.

Senate Bill 7 ensures that teachers who engage in inappropriate relationships with students will lose their teaching certification and pension. It punishes any administrators who know about such misconduct but ignore it. The bill also requires school districts to adopt a written policy aimed at preventing improper electronic communications between employees and students.

Again, all of that is good and overdue. But the law does not require mandatory minimum sentences for educators convicted of this crime. A recent case illustrates the need for this.

Former Houston ISD police officer Jacob Delgadillo pleaded guilty to have an improper contact with a 14-year-old student. He admitted fondling the girl but was also accused of having the girl perform oral sex on him in the bathroom of a middle school and showing nude photos of himself to the girl. Investigators found several cell phone photos of him in various states of undress, including one in which he is exposing himself in his campus office while dressed in his campus uniform. A teacher saw him looking at the girl through a classroom window and blowing kisses to her.

Pretty bad, right? Deserving serious punishment, right?

Well, Delgadillo reached a plea deal for five years of probation but no time behind bars. Worse, it's deferred adjudication, a form of probation that means he will not have a conviction on his record if he completes the probation. Worse yet, he will not have to register as a sex offender.

If educators or support personnel like school police get a slap on the wrist like that for this type of crime, more will be tempted to exploit students. SB 7 will help, but it won't help enough.

-----------------------------------

This is our opinion; what is yours? Email us a letter to the editor at opinions@beaumontenterprise.com Make sure to include your name, mailing address and phone number so we can contact you to verify the letter, but only your name and city of residence will be published. You can also mail letters to The Enterprise, P.O. Box 3071, Beaumont, TX, 77704. The limit on letters is 200 words.
UC Berkeley is teaming up with Google to document a rare solar eclipse set to happen this August  with help from over 1,000 volunteer photographers and amateur astronomers.

The total solar eclipse will cross the United States from west to east on Aug. 21 and scientists are looking for volunteers to record and upload time-coded images of the eclipse via a special app. The resulting photos will then be stitched together into a 90-minute movie.

The aim is to learn more about the sun, specifically the corona. The eclipse is being dubbed the Great American Eclipse, and is expected to be the most-viewed eclipse due to its path running from Oregon to South Carolina. Anyone along the path of totality will see the full, nearly three-minute eclipse, while others will see only a partial solar eclipse.

The last time an eclipse like this moved across the United States was in 1918.

Along with the eclipse, the teams are looking to capture the Diamond Ring effect seen just before and after totality, where a ring of sunlight can be seen around the moon, with one spot being significantly brighter than the rest  hence, a diamond ring. Scientists also want to document multiple bright spots along the edge of the moon, which are known as Baily's beads.

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is also lending help by training volunteers on how to capture and share useful data on the eclipse via an hourlong webinar.

The eclipse is also expected to temporarily affect California's solar power plants, and state officials asked that residents unplug appliances and shut down unnecessary lights.

To learn more about the eclipse and the project, head here.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa faces his toughest test yet after taking over from Zimbabwes former leader when he presides over Zanu PFs first congress in the post Robert Mugabe era, with war veterans demanding a share of the spoils.

Mugabe alienated war veterans in his last days in power as he increasingly relied on the younger generation and the new Zanu PF leader is facing loud demands to reverse the trend in what could be a tough balancing act.

Mnangagwa took over from Mugabe after the army forced the 93-year-old ruler to resign in dramatic fashion and the congress to be held in Harare will his first major ruling party assignment.

War veterans made it clear yesterday that they want him to give them the majority of the posts in the new Zanu PF in a move that might not go well with Mnangagwas other backers who did not fight in the liberation war.

The former fighters were instrumental in fighting for a Mnangagwa presidency and analysts say it is now pay back time for the new Zanu PF leader.

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans leader Douglass Mahiya yesterday said former fighters should be appointed to key positions in Zanu PF as they were custodians of the partys values.

if you appoint someone, the deputy should be a war veteran, he said.

We are reaching the end of our careers; we want to fix the party and leave it to the young ones.

Any position that has to do with mobilisation should be given to a war veteran, as has been the case with my appointment.

Mugabe had created a gap between the war veterans and the people, treating the war veterans as useless. This has to stop.

Zanu PF commissar Victor Matemadanda said the special congress would endorse the elevation of Mnangagwa to party leader and elect him the presidential candidate for next years elections.

The special congress will endorse the decision of the previous central committee to elevate President Mnangagwa as the party leader, he told The Standard.

It will also endorse him as the presidential candidate in next years elections.

However, Matematanda referred questions about the other agenda items to Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo.

Khaya Moyo said he would only know of the agenda after a politburo meeting on Tuesday and the central committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

The politburo will meet on Tuesday and the central committee on Wednesday, after that I will be aware of the agenda for the congress, he said.

But sources said some of the issues to be discussed included proposals to scrap the one centre of power principle, which allowed Mugabe to hand-pick the politburo.

War veterans accused former first lady Grace Mugabe of abusing the principle to usurp her husbands powers.

True, there will be amendments to the partys constitution, a Zanu PF senior official said.

The one centre of power will be removed and the central committee and provinces executives will have their power back.

The central committee and provinces will have a say in the appointment of vice presidents and the issue of a female vice-president will also be discarded.

Zanu PF structures that include the womens league, youth league and main wing had already endorsed the move while provinces had started stampeding to endorse the candidature of Grace for the post of VP.

In the past, provinces used to vote for the VPs before Mugabe secured imperial powers through the one centre of power clause to hand-pick his deputies.

Mnangagwa himself participated in the crafting of the clause that gave Mugabe the powers he used to fire him before he was returned by the military.

The party will also change the constitution to make sure that congresses will not be held a year before the elections so that the party does away with the issue of special congresses, the source said.

The party should go for elections with a new team of elected members.

This years special congress was called by G40, which had an upper hand then in a bid to use it to deal with Mnangagwa and his backers in the succession race

The official also said the party was likely to come up with clauses that will detail the requirements needed for officials to be appointed in certain positions.

War veterans have been demanding that a Zanu PF commissar should have liberation war history so that the partys founding values can be protected, accusing the former commissar Saviour Kasukuwere of destroying the party.

Breaking News via Email
MCLEAN, Va.  Amid flat soda sales, the craft segment is starting to make a positive impact in the $52.5 billion U.S. soft drink market, reports USA Today.

The news source writes that craft soft drinks are capturing share by hyping premium and natural ingredients, creative flavors, limited runs, unusual packaging or their local roots. The craft soda market is also starting to look like beer, where larger companies like AB InBev and MillerCoors participate in the market with regional and small-batch craft brewers.

Citing Beverage Marketing data, USA Today writes that craft-soda volume grew 5% in 2016 to 88.8 million gallons, compared to 2015 when the rest of the carbonated beverage industry was down 0.85%. Craft soda reached $541 million wholesale in 2016, up from $427.7 million in 2011. Craft sodas also resonate among millennials, which could turn out to be a boon for the overall soft drink marketin 2016, bottled water surpassed carbonated soft drinks to become the largest beverage category by volume in the United States.

"When you pick up a craft soda, you're saying something about yourself. You identify with the qualities of that beverage. If you pick up a craft soda or beer, you're saying, 'Im looking for something better, more natural, more conscious of the environment, Michael Bellas, chairman of Beverage Marketing, told the news source. "This has some legs. It has some good growth ahead of it. This is where the consumer is."

While many craft brewers made their mark in specialty stores, retailers who are increasingly offering more healthy choices are helping bring the specialty sodas more mainstream. While their sales numbers may not rival the volume produced by the larger, more dominate beverage companies, they are helping to redefine the soda market.

"Theres a large trend for natural wellness and there's a trend of gourmet food. This is the place the rubber hits the road," Chris Reed, founder of California-based Reeds, told USA Today. "Every industry I know has a premium category from hotels to ice cream to cars. Soda didnt have it. It made sense."

PepsiCo entered the craft soda market in 2014 with its Calebs Kola brand, named after the companys creator Caleb Bradham. "We start with a consumers focus, looking at the trends and primarily the millennial generation is looking for new taste experiences," Chad Stubbs, PepsiCo vice president of marketing, told the news source. "We thought it was more limited than it was, because it's working all the way from smaller places to Walmart, Dollar General and our other retail partners."

Soon after, Coca-Cola entered the segment in 2015 with its purchase of Monster Beverage's portfolio, which included the craft soda brands Hansens and Blue Sky.

Read more about craft soda opportunities in the NACS Magazine feature, Generating Some Fizz.
New Saginaw store will feature a Little Caesars concept and a new burger called The King Burger.

DALLAS  The Star-Telegram reports that a camel named Hercules was added to Fuel Citys Haltom City store. Hercules joins the retailers menagerie of two buffaloes, two longhorns, a zebra, a donkey and a zonkey (a half-zebra, half-donkey).

At Fuel City, which broke ground on its fourth store, located in Saginaw, Texas, customers are curious what owner John Benda has in store. The answer: Pizza!Pizza! The news source writes that Little Caesars has decided to open up a store-within-a-store franchise in Fuel Citys new store, after officials from the pizza chain visited Bendas stores in Dallas, Mesquite and Haltom City.

Little Caesars pizza will be served in addition to Fuel Citys foodservice offers: fried pies, street tacos and a new hamburger Benda is calling The King Burger.

Were real excited about Little Caesars being there along with the fried pies, Benda told the news source. I think it is going to be our most exciting store.

Benda said the new store will be the last in the Fort Worth area, but hes eyeing a fifth store possibly in Arlington, Texas.

Fuel City is one of the featured retailers in the 2016 Ideas 2 Go video NACS produces annually to showcase innovative ideas from convenience stores around the country.
DENVER  Chipotle Mexican Grill followed up last week on a data breach it previously reported in late April. The investigation identified the operation of malware designed to access payment card data from cards used with POS devices at certain Chipotle and Pizzeria Locale restaurants between March 24 and April 18, 2017.

The malware searched for track data (which sometimes has cardholder name in addition to card number, expiration date and internal verification code) read from the magnetic stripe of a payment card as it was being routed through the POS device. Chipotle said that there is no indication that other customer information was affected, that not all locations were involved, and the specific time frames vary by location.

During the investigation, Chipotle removed the malware and continues to work with cyber security firms to evaluate ways to enhance its security measures. In addition, Chipotle continues to support law enforcements investigation and is working with the payment card networks so that the banks that issue payment cards can be made aware and initiate heightened monitoring.

In related data breach news, Target has agreed to pay $18.5 million to settle claims by 47 states and the District of Columbia and resolve a multi-state investigation into the retailer's massive data breach in late 2013, reports CNBC. Hackers stole data from up to 40 million credit and debit cards of shoppers who had visited its stores during the 2013 holiday season.
Cuso International is a development organization that works to reduce poverty and inequality through the efforts of highly skilled volunteers, collaborative partnerships and compassionate donors.Nigeria6 Months | Start Date between Jul Sep 2017Location NigeriaStart Date Jul Sep 2017 (flexible)Length of Placement 6 MonthsLanguage Requirements EnglishEnglish Reading: Level 5, Writing: Level 5, Speaking: Level 5Language Scale: http://www.cusointernational.org/languageratingscale Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada onlyThe Youth Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Access and Development (YouLead) project is based in Cross River State, Nigeria. The initiative promotes youth entrepreneurship and employment in natural resource sectors of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and eco-tourism. The projects objectives are to reduce youth unemployment by improving entrepreneurial capacities of young women and men, as well as the policies, regulations and enabling environment required to create jobs and economic opportunities in natural resources.As a volunteer, you will continue working on the project that was started by a volunteer currently in placement and facilitate the development and implementation of a communication strategy that will support Cuso International's YouLead project. You will also bring your experience to be the support person for all internal and external communication and support the YouLead project's website and social media platforms. Come support the inclusive development of the Cross River State and work with a diverse team of partners and profesionnals in the area!As a volunteer, you will:Identify and analyze the communication needs of stakeholders (including staff, donor agencies and community, members) and develop materials to address and respond to the communication needs of stakeholdersWork with the Communications Officer to manage the development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic materials that include newsletters, brochures, annual reports, e-newsletters, the YouLead website and social media accountsWork closely with members of the YouLead team to organize media events, including press conferences, talk show interviews, documentaries, etc.Work with the Team Leader to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the YouLead projects communication strategyTrack and respond to general inquiries from the publicBachelors Degree, college diploma in Communications, Marketing, Computer Science, Public Relations or related fieldEssential Professional Background:At least 2 years of professional experience working in development communications in an NGO or other reputable organizationExperience developing diverse communication and promotional materialsExperience in media relations and media campaignsExcellent reporting skillsProficient spoken and written English is essentialCuso International Nigeria Program OfficeCuso International has supported Nigerias development priorities since 1961 through their work in the education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihood, youth employment and entrepreneurship sectors. Cuso International is now executing the YouLead project in Nigeria that is supported by the Government of Canada.The YouLead project is designed to promote youth employment through job creation and entrepreneurship in the natural resources sectors  agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and ecotourism  as well as to support state government institutions in developing natural resource policies and programs. YouLead will support skills transferal and growth in the small business sector by matching experienced Nigerian and Canadian professionals with Nigerian youth.Cuso International is currently exploring opportunities to widen their scope of work in Nigeria with the potential of implementing a health program in Cross River State that could expand to the Lagos State over the next 5 years. The main goal of the health program would be to increase the quality and gender responsiveness of health services for women, children and youth by ministries, departments, agencies and civil society organizations.TERMS AND CONDITIONSCuso International terms and conditions allow you to lead a modest and healthy lifestyle while being effective in your placement. This support package will cover basic living expenses for one volunteer and is not intended to cover home-based expenses (ex. loans, support payments, etc.) or luxury items such as imported items in placement or international personal travel.SUPPORT PACKAGEModest monthly living allowance (varies depending country)Accommodation while in placementReturn airfare and visa/work permit costsCost of required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and health insurancePre-departure training and in-country orientationTravel and accommodation for reintegration debriefing weekendModest support for accompanying partners and dependents going on placement with you for 12 months or longerAccess to Employee Assistance Program while in placement and upon returnCuso International assessment day (Candidates must cover the first $200 of the most cost-effective travel expenses and all accommodation costs).Travel and accommodation for the five-day pre-departure training course and for in-country orientationFundraisingWe ask each volunteer, regardless of placement length, to raise $2,000. All volunteers receive support from Cuso International to help achieve the goal through fundraising. If the volunteer chooses not to fundraise or is unable to achieve the fundraising goal, he/she can make a one-time donation or become a monthly donor to support our work.E-VOLUNTEERINGDepending on the nature of the placement, volunteers are encouraged to provide e-volunteering support to the local partner or Cuso International before or after the field placement. Volunteers also have the option of requesting support from an e-volunteer to help them with their work while they are in placement.RESIDENCY AND CITIZENSHIPRESIDENCYThe majority of Cuso International volunteer applicants are residing in Canada at the time of application and during the pre-departure process. Occasionally we received applications from volunteer applicants who are residing outside of Canada at the time of application. In both instances, between your application date and placement start date, we must be able to contact you and you must be able to contact us easily and promptly throughout the process.We may require your passport and would need to be aware of your current place of residence and any travel plans you may have during this time. You will also require unrestricted access to Canada during this time for assessment and training, as applicable.CITIZENSHIPLeaving your country of residence can have significant effects on your citizenship status in that country. It is your responsibility to research the consequences of travelling to Canada during the pre-departure process if you are living outside of Canada and of leaving your country of residence for a placement with the immigration authority where you live.By applying to this placement, you accept full responsibility for any consequences related to your citizenship, residency and immigration status or penalties as a result of travel to an assessment day, training course, international placement or other Cuso International related travel.You must check the implications that apply to you, but examples include:Canadian permanent residents may need to make arrangements with immigration authorities before travelling. These arrangements allow them to travel without risk to their status in Canada. Without them, residency status may be withdrawn.Citizens of other countries, including those visiting Canada on a visa, may have travel restrictions.
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The Belgium Section of Medecins Sans Frontieres is recruiting for its project in Abuja:Medecins Sans Frontieres is a private, non-profit international humanitarian organization dedicated to providing medical assistance to populations in crisis, without discrimination and regardless of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.Execute administrative tasks and do follow up of project accountancy, according to administration managers indications and MSF procedures, in order to ensure legal compliance and keep a strict control over monetary resources.Execute administrative and legal related tasks, under supervision of the Administrator Manager, checking payroll calculations and updating personal files in order to ensure accuracy, compliance and on time payments.Implement cash management procedures in order to ensure the highest control and security, and ensure cash availability.Prepare employment contracts in conformity with legal requirements including specific amendments when necessary in order to ensure local labour and fiscal law compliance.Enter data into the HR database and personal files and keep them up-to-date in order to facilitate HR processes management.Update Social security Tax office employee files in order to meet legal requirements and duties.Draw up monthly pay slips for all staff, editing and updating the necessary data, in order to ensure the punctuality and accuracy of staff payroll.Draw up the final pay slip and employment certificate at the end of a contract in order to meet legal requirements while defending MSF s interests.Follow up all expiring rental contract dates and inform the Administration Manager in order to leave enough time to arrange a renewal or look for some other alternative.Assist the administration manager in the prevision of monthly treasury and planning in order to ensure the coverage of daily needs, advances on salaries, payroll, etc.Process the payment to suppliers and keep strict on all documentation involved, informing the administration manager of any sort of disparity.Carry out all accounting tasks and activities in order to ensure strict control of all expenditures and the reliability of statements and documentation.Make all administrative information available to the staff (posting, meetings, etc.)Classify and prepare all accounting pieces as requested by the Administration Manager.File the accounting documents and enter the accounting pieces in the accounting software, with the support from the Administration Manager and/or the Accounting Manager (ACMA).Support the Administration Manager in translating documents into local language. Assists the Administration Manager in meetings upon request.EducationDesirable finance, business or administration related diploma.ExperienceEssential previous working experience of at least two years in relevant jobs.Desirable experience in MSF or other NGOs in developing countries.LanguagesEnglish Language language and local language essentialKnowledgeEssential computer literacy (word, excel, internet)CompetenciesResultsTeamworkFlexibilityCommitmentStress ManagementWork LocationContractUnlimited contract.Monthly Gross salary of N251,200. (Two hundred and fifty one thousand two hundred naira only)Implement general administrative procedures in order to ensure documentary traceability as well as compliance with local labour and fiscal regulations, under the HR Coordinators supervision.Following the HR Cos instructions, supervise that the internal regulations are followed in the mission in order to ensure both tax and labour regulation complianceExecute recruitment activities ensuring transparency and equity and issuing job offers conveniently in order to meet HR needs.Inform all the new staff on Staff Regulations, HR policies and regulations and/or living conditions in order to facilitate staff integration and their security.Execute, under the HR Coordinator supervision, employee contract related activities (file opening and formal documentation archiving, personal data updating, amendments, termination dates supervision, etc.) in order to ensure legal compliance.Present and explain contract terms and the content of Internal regulation (rights and obligations) to newly recruited personnel in order to ensure legal compliance and local integration.Collect the variable pay slip elements on Homere (paid holidays, sick leave, unpaid leave, etc.) in order to ensure accurate and on time payroll paymentSupervise the payroll process, checking the list of employees and amounts payable (variable pay, taxes, social securities contributions, etc.) in order to ensure accuracy and on time payroll payment.Follow-up cost of living on a regular basis in order to update salary references conveniently to keep acquisition power.Register applicants to training activities and help the HR Coordinator to evaluate the results in order to improve return on training expenditures.Support the HR Coordinator to draw up annual holiday planning in order to schedule staff shifts and cover operational needs.Supervise project budget execution in order to detect deviations and recommend corrections.Organizes travel and files of all Staff arriving/departing the Mission, including International Staff documentation (visas, MSF card, Mission Orders, etc.), booking and purchasing plane tickets, keeping / renewing passports and organizing briefings / induction.Ensure that all staff have valid work, stay, travel permitsEnsures staff travelling through the capital is picked up, has appropriate papers and a place to stayEducationDesirable, degree in finance, business or administration related studies.ExperienceEssential, working experience of at least two years in relevant jobs.Desirable experience with MSF or other NGOs in developing countriesLanguagesEnglish Language EssentialKnowledgeEssential computer literacy (word, excel, internet, Homere)CompetenciesResultsTeamworkFlexibilityCommitmentStress ManagementWork LocationCONTRACTUnlimited contract.RemunerationMonthly Gross salary of N 288,900. (Two hundred and eighty eight thousand Nine hundred naira only)Assisting the Finance Coordinator in the implementation and follow-up of the finance activities of the mission, while executing the accountancy and payment related tasks for the capital, according to MSF policies, standards and procedures in order to ensure documentary traceability as well as compliance with local labour and fiscal regulations |Supporting the Finance Coordinator with delegated tasks to ensure proper management in the mission (budget, accounting, treasury, reporting, donors, auditing procedures, legal financial obligations, etc.) including the translation of documents and assisting in meetings upon requestKeeping updated on local laws and regulations and informing the FinCo of any changes or misalignment with the practices in place. Ensuring respect and strict compliance to MSF standards (chart of accounts, quality of documents, guidelines, expense validation procedures, cash security rules, etc.)Carrying out delegated accounting tasks and activities for the capital, ensuring confidentiality on all finance issues related to MSF as well as the strict control of all expenditures and the reliability of statements and documentation.Processing payments, ensuring that receipts and supporting documents meet the necessary quality standards.Filing and/or scanning hard copies of documents, entering information in the accounting software and performing monthly closing procedures for the journals under his/her responsibilityFollowing up on rental/service contracts and insurances dates and informing the FinCo on time to organize payments and renewals.When requested, replacing other members of the Finance/Accounting Manager or Project Administration Assistants during their absenceEducationDesirable finance, business or administration related diplomaExperienceEssential previous working experience of at least two years in relevant jobsDesirable experience in MSF or other NGOs in developing countriesLanguagesEnglish LanguageLocal language desirableKnowledgeEssential computer literacy (word, excel, internet)Good working knowledge on MS OfficeCompetenciesResults and Quality Orientation L2Teamwork and Cooperation L2Behavioural Flexibility L2Commitment to MSF Principles L2Stress Management L3Work LocationCONTRACTUnlimited contract.RemunerationMonthly Gross salary of N288,900. (Two hundred and eighty eight thousand nine hundred naira only)TO APPLYSubmit your CV, copies of qualifications and a cover letter with contact details to the MSF Admin Office in Abuja (No 26 Olu Agabi Close Life Camp) (Application Box at the Watchmen Desk). (WITH REF. FIN/HR ASSISTANT 2017)Applications can be submitted in person or by email to: msfocb-nigeria-recruitment@brussels.msf.org Please make sure to submit your application on or before this date.NB: only successful applicants will be called for interview.Notice: No monetary transactions, neither demands of favours in kind, nor other types of favouritism will be tolerated in the recruitment process. MSF reserves the right to refuse hiring of a candidate having benefitted from such acts. All illicit demands of these types may be pursued through the judicial system.5 June, 2017
Jerri-Lynn here: This post reminds us that the Trump administration holds no monopoly on potentially disastrous environmental policies such as the continued lack of limits on the volatility of crude oil transported by rail discussed below. In fact, when this particular policy last came up for serious review in 2015  brought to the fore by several serious rail accidents that made the dangers inherent in the status quo apparent the White House punted (as this Reuters report the author cites makes crystal clear). Remember that, please both parties share credit for continued inaction on this issue.

Now, Im no big fan of New York state attorney general Eric Schneiderman. Hes been a big disappointment, especially with respect to making the financial industry sit up and take notice: Benjamin Lawsky nor Eliot Spitzer he aint. But on this issue, he and his counterparts in other states, have spotlighted the dangers of existing policy (and I should add, their consistent in this regard predate Trumps election, so are not obviously motivated by partisan concerns).

By Justin Mukulka,a freelance writer, audio and video producer living in Trumansburg, NY. Originally published at DeSmogBlog

New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has joined with attorneys general from California, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, and Washington in calling for limits on the volatility of crude oil transported by rail. The failure of federal regulators and Congress to address this known safety issue has led Schneiderman to continue to pressure regulators on it.

Because of a regulatory loophole, these trains can carry crude oil through some of our most densely populated areas without any limit on explosiveness or flammability  creating ticking time bombs that jeopardize the safety of countless New Yorkers and Americans, said Attorney General Schneiderman. Its time for the federal government to put New Yorkers safety first and take immediate action to close this dangerous and nonsensical loophole.

A coalition of environmental groups led by the Natural Resources Defense Council has also submitted comments to regulators urging the creation of volatility limits for crude oil.

This current effort to appeal to the Trump administration comes after years of the Obama administration failing to take action. As reported by Reuters, the directive to not regulate the volatility of Bakken oil came from the White House.

Volatile crude oil from the Bakken shale region in Montana and North Dakota has been involved in multiple train derailments resulting in large oil spills and fires. The worst such accident happened in the small Canadian town of Lac-Megantic, Quebec. It resulted in the deaths of 47 people and the entire downtown area being destroyed. That accident occurred almost four years ago, but downtown Lac-Megantic remains a large vacant lot.

Despite the dire warning about the dangers of moving the same volatile oil in unsafe tank cars, this practice continues in communities across North America today.

Oil Industry Using Denial Strategy Once Again

This really is a simple story. Reducing the volatility of the oil prior to transport by rail would increase safety but cut into oil industry profits, which is why the industry has fought any such regulations.

So far, these efforts have succeeded. Just as the oil industry has spent decades challenging the well-known evidence supporting human-caused climate change, industry has adopted the same approach for oil by rail, claiming that science doesnt support using vapor pressure as a measure of volatility and risk.

In October 2016, at the annual Energy by Rail Conference in Arlington, Virginia, Suzanne Lemieux of the American Petroleum Institute (API) gave a presentation on crude oil volatility and stabilization with the title of Crude Oil Volatility: Myth vs. Fact  and she was pretty clear about what she thought was a myth.

I will reiterate that volatility in itself is a myth as far as a one-size-fits-all solution to this problem, Lemieux said. Its not the way to go as far as improving safety.

Again mirroring the strategies used to undermine climate science, the preferred approach by the oil industry and its partners in Congress is to endlessly study already well-established science in order to delay action.

The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), an oil industry lobbying group, made the argument to regulators that any regulations should be delayed until ongoing studies of the characteristics of oil are completed. As noted by The Hill, the AFPM went so far as to argue, Further proceedings based on crude oil characteristics conflict with Congress considered judgment to delay further regulation until the completion of ongoing studies on the transport of flammable materials 

There is one glaring problem with that statement. When the Congressional science committee held a hearing on the volatility of Bakken oil in 2014, they didnt invite any oil scientists to weigh in on this scientific matter. Which means their considered judgment was not informed by true experts familiar with the chemistry of oil.

Ask a Scientist: Bunch of BS

So what happens when you ask an actual oil scientist?

In an April 2015 article in Al Jazeera about the volatility of crude oil, an actual petroleum engineer clearly stated what is widely known in the oil and rail industries.

The notion that this requires significant research and development is a bunch of BS, said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, a professor of petroleum engineering at the University of Houston. The science behind this has been revealed over 80 years ago, and developing a simple spreadsheet to calculate risk based on composition and vapor pressure is trivial. This can be done today.

Meanwhile, the real reason why the oil industry is fighting these regulations was explained in March 2014 when the The Oregonian interviewed Harry Giles, a former U.S. Department of Energy official who led the Strategic Petroleum Reserves crude oil quality program. Giles explained why oil producers would not want to stabilize the oil by removing the explosive components like propane and butane to make it safer to transport.

It maximizes their profit and creates more volume, Giles said. Its bulking up the crude. Its a Catch-22. You either flare it [butane and propane] and lose a valuable component, or put it in crude oil and increase volatility.

It maximizes their profit  theres the answer. There is no consideration of the risk to the millions of people who live along the tracks where this potentially explosive oil is transported in inadequate rail cars.

Meanwhile, Congress, funded by the rail and oil companies its charged with regulating, has agreed with the industrys talking point, and directed the Department of Energy (DOE) to continue studying the issue.

In April of 2015, industry publication Railway Age asked the DOE why it needed further research on what is known and established science. In reporting on the lack of response from DOE, Railway Age was quite blunt in assessing the situation:

There was no response from the Department of Energy to our request for more information about the study, specifically why it needs two more years to figure out what by now should be obvious to the dullest high school chemistry student.

However, just as with its relentless attacks on climate science, the oil industry has once again successfully delayed any meaningful action on regulating the oil-by-rail industry. Now, more than two years after Railway Age asked the DOE that question, those ongoing studies have yet to show any results. Safety delayed is safety denied  but great for industry profits.

A Dangerous Conversation

At the Energy by Rail Conference, Suzanne Lemieux stated that just having a conversation about limiting the volatility of crude oil was a dangerous conversation.

And so we in the oil and gas industry see this as a very dangerous conversation, Lemieux said. Because the main point is that youre not really reducing risk. Later Lemieux stressed that the idea of regulating crude oil vapor pressure and volatility was a huge concern for the API.

However, the most important point Lemieux made was in her opening statement.

Just to preface my presentation, I am not a petroleum engineer and nor am I a chemical engineer, Lemieux stated.

But keep in mind what an actual petroleum engineering professor said about the issue: The science has been known for 80 years and calculating risk based on an oils composition and vapor pressure was trivial and could be done today. That was over two years ago.

Why werent any oil scientists presenting on this issue at the Energy by Rail conference instead of the APIs Lemieux? As the oil industry said itself, that would be a very dangerous conversation.

For more on the science of oil volatility, plus highlights from the Congressional hearing on Bakken oil, watch this DeSmog video:
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.

If recent reports in the New York Times, 2 Expected to Be Named to S.E.C. Enforcement Role, and the Wall Street Journal, SEC Chairman Plans to Hire Steven Peikin to Run Enforcement Division, are correct, partners at one white shoe law firm Sullivan & Cromwell (S &C), will soon be in place as the new top guns at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), replacing partners from another white shoe firm, Debevoise & Plimpton, who held the same roles during the previous administration.

To be a bit more specific, former SEC chair Mary Joe White stepped down from that role at the close of the Obama administration, followed by her enforcement team, and has now returned to her Debevoise partnership, as I discussed in Mary Jo White Leaves Behind a Weakened SEC for Trump to Weaken Further, and now the new chair, Jay Clayton, formerly an S & C partner, seeks to install his own enforcement team.

Depending on how you look at it, this swap of one set of white shoe lawyers for others might be either a good or a bad thing. Franklin Delano Roosevelt appointed reputed stock manipulator Joe Kennedy as the SECs first chairman, apparently subscribing to the theory that the fox is best suited to guard the henhouse but the early success of that agency also rested on the involvement of two talented lawyers, William O. Douglas and Abe Fortas. And no ones yet suggested that either pulled their punches in their work for the SEC.

Reportedly, Clayton also intends to appoint Steven Peikin, whos currently an S &C partner, alongside Stephanie Avakian, the agencys acting enforcement director and a former white-collar defense lawyer, as co-directors of enforcement, in a move intended to dilute the S & C concentration at the highest SEC echelons, since potential client conflicts might otherwise hamstring SEC action. (SEC ethics rules bar Peikin for one year from supervising any cases that affect other S & C clients, and Clayton also is subject to similar conflicts constraints).

Avakian is currently the SECs acting enforcement director and a former partner at Wilmer Hale, who has served a sufficient tenure the SEC not to be barred by conflicts involving former clients from involvement in any agency matters. According to the NYT account cited above:

[She] joined the securities regulator three years ago as the deputy director of enforcement under Andrew J. Ceresney. After the presidential election, when Mr. Ceresney left the agency for the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton, Ms. Avakian assumed his role on an acting basis. Earlier in her career, she was a lawyer in the S.E.Cs enforcement division, working in the New York office.

The decision to appoint co-directors of enforcement is not unprecedented, as reported by the WSJ article cited above:

Former SEC Chairman Mary Jo White, who stepped down in January, also recruited co-directors of enforcement when she took over leadership of the regulator. The move made it easier for her choice as enforcement director, Andrew Ceresney, to join the agency because he, too, faced the need to recuse himself from working on cases that involved clients of his former law firm, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Ms. White also worked at Debevoise & Plimpton before taking over the SEC, which she ran from 2013 to early 2017.

Potential Vampire Squid Conflicts

Now, as a former Sullivan & Cromwell associate, Im well aware of the close relationship between that firm and the vampire squid, as I discussed at length in this post, Trump Selects Jay Clayton, S & C Partner, to Head SEC. In that post, I concluded:

Jay Clayton would probably not be my first choice to fill one of the three vacant spots as SEC commissioner especially the crucial chairs position. Nor would he, I suspect be Senator Elizabeth Warrens top pick, either. But hes a well-qualified, perfectly respectable pick for a Republican SEC commissioner. And although I have by no means conducted thorough and systematic research in the short time since his nomination was announced, at least based on his public record, he seems to hold the sort of considered, cautious, middle-of-the-road positions that cause one to be relied on as a trusted legal adviser to the countrys largest companies and financial firms. In other words, William O. Douglas he aint. Trump considered and rejected, at least so far candidates I would have found to be far worse.

Equally, I see no reason per se for opposing the Peikin appointment, a well-respected litigator, with ample securities law experience. I should mention that I share with him another connection beyond the tenuous S & C one, as we were both members of the Harvard Law School class of 1991. Although I cant claim to know him well and in fact, I cant remember ever exchanging any words with him we were in the same first-year section, meaning we took all our basic first year law classes together. But so did about 150 other people. And I certainly havent kept up with Peikins career. I do know, from my previous experience as an associate at Sullivan & Cromwell, that an attorney must be highly competent to be hired laterally especially as a partner as the firm prefers to hire, train, and promote its own.

Peikins campaign contributions suggest hes not a Republican stalwart, and may not even be a Republican, as reported in the NYT piece cited above:

Mr. Peikin has been a sporadic contributor to political candidates, but in 2008 he gave money to Barack Obamas first presidential campaign and in 2013 donated money to Senator Cory Booker, the New Jersey Democrat.

Prior to being an S & C partner, as an assistant US attorney, he successfully prosecuted investment banker Frank Quattrone (although an appeals court later overturned that conviction), and was involved in the also successful prosecution of WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers, according to the WSJ article cited above.

Two Questions for the Next Appointees as co-SEC Directors of Enforcement

Neither the appointment of Peikin nor Avakian is subject to Senate confirmation. Given some of the other crazy appointments made during the Trump administration, I cannot see any real reason for opposing either appointment, as clearly each has the background and expertise to serve as a co-director of enforcement.

Nonetheless, one big issue facing the SEC is whether it will continue to be regarded as a paper tiger in enforcement matters as the agencys reputation has clearly slumped in the nearly three decades during which Ive been monitoring it. And within this context, there are two key questions Id like to pose to each of the reported appointees- although I realize these are purely within the realm of a thought experiment, and theres no real venue where I nor anyone else for that matter could actually pose these questions. Nonetheless, I would like to know what positions each holds on the following two key issues.

(Just a reminder to readers, that on the eve of Claytons confirmation hearings, I posted the following comprehensive post, Taking on Trumps Agenda: Nine Tough Questions for SEC Chair Nominee Jay Clayton on the Eve of His Confirmation Hearings.)

1. No Admit/No Deny Settlements.

First, Mr. Peikin/Ms. Avakian, what is your position on so-called no admit/no deny settlements? As youre well aware, these are settlements in which a defendant agrees to a significant cash payment to settle a legal action but neither affirms nor denies culpability. This is a complex issue thats ripe for further discussion, with several key issues and concerns outlined in a paper due soon to be published in the Minnesota Law Review by Verity Winship & Jennifer K. Robbennolt, entitled Admissions of Guilt in Civil Enforcement.

Many critics have challenged this policy, including most prominently, Senator Elizabeth Warren and federal district court Judge Jed Rakoff, arguing that such settlements fail to promote accountability, and instead foster an environment where fines and penalties are merely regarded as a cost of doing business, rather than having any significant deterrent effect. What will be your policy with respect to such settlements?

2. Targeting Individuals Rather Than Corporations.

In his confirmation hearings, new SEC chair Jay Clayton suggested that a more effective approach to future securities law enforcement would be to target individuals rather than corporations. Could you spell out further what such an enforcement policy would look like? Do you agree with this approach? How would this approach accord with (or differ from) from the policy articulated in the memo authored by then-Deputy Attorney General Sally Quillian Yates in September 2015 that was intended to increase accountability for corporate wrongdoing? While understanding that the SEC lacks authority to pursue criminal charges as the Department of Justice can, it seems that the Yates policy has not had an appreciable impact on white collar crime (as discussed here, Law Enforcement Losing War on White Collar Crime). So, how and why would you expect results to differ if the SEC were to step up enforcement against individuals for civil matters within its purview? Do you believe targeting individuals would have a significant deterrent effect compared to pursuing corporations?
Find the newest releases to watch from National Geographic on Disney+, including favourite documentary series and films Free Solo, The Rescue, Shark Beach with Chris Hemsworth and The World According to Jeff Goldblum.
In 2016 silage fields across Ireland were dotted with purple bales which resulted in 14,000 being raised to support CMRF Crumlins work with some of Irelands sickest children.

Again In 2017, for every purple balewrap roll sold during the campaign a sum will be donated to CMRF Crumlin with a plan to exceed the 14,000 raised in 2016.

CMRF Crumlin, the fundraising body for Our Ladys Childrens Hospital Crumlin and The National Childrens Research Centre, is delighted to partner with Zeus Packaging and the ATC Group/Co-op Source for the second time in 2017 for their Go Purple for Crumlin campaign.

CMRF Crumlin are asking farmers and contractors to support the campaign by choosing to buy purple bale wrap which are supplied by Zeus Packaging and distributed through ATC Group which has 17 member co-ops serving local communities across the country - including three in Tipperary: Mullinahone Co-op, Centenary Thurles Co-op and Tipperary Co-op.

Ciara Smith, Head of Corporate Partners with CMRF said CMRF Crumlin are delighted to be chosen once again as the Irish partner for this campaign which Zeus has rolled out internationally to support the needs of sick children. Every year, over 145,000 children and their families visit Crumlin Childrens Hospital from across the length and breadth of Ireland and CMRF feel partnering with ATC Group reflects the geographical spread of the hospitals patient base.

More news...

Home2Home Run will remember Tipperary's Kevin Fogarty this weekend
Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller outlined the decisions taken by Allied leaders last week in a keynote speech to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Tbilisi on Monday (29 May 2017). She highlighted that the Alliance is stepping up in the fight against terrorism and making progress on fairer burden-sharing across NATO.

The Deputy Secretary General welcomed that NATO is now a full member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS  a strong symbol of the Alliances commitment to the fight against terrorism. NATO AWACS surveillance aircraft will also support the Coalition with airspace management, and a new terrorism intelligence cell at NATO headquarters will improve the sharing of information among Allies. Ms. Gottemoeller stressed that NATO leaders also agreed to do more to ensure fairer burden sharing across the Alliance, with national plans setting out how Allies intend to meet their defence commitments. She highlighted that Montenegro will soon become the 29th member of the Alliance  a clear sign that the door to NATO membership remains open.

The Deputy Secretary General also thanked Georgia for its contributions to NATO, including in Afghanistan. She noted that NATO continues to support Georgia, helping to boost its defence capabilities and to prepare the country for NATO membership. Ms. Gottemoeller added that NPA members play an important role in representing constituents and holding political leaders to account for the decisions they take.

During her visit to Georgia, Ms. Gottemoeller will meet with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidzem, Defence Minister Levan Izoria and the Chairman of the Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze.
(Natural News) A report by investment advisory firm Cornerstone Capital Group revealed that nearly half of all retail workers in the U.S. face job insecurity as use of automation technology continues to rise across the country. According to the report, around 16 million people in the U.S. work in the retail industry. This equates to about one in 10 American employees, the 56-page report showed.

However, the advent of automation technology could lead to roughly six to 7.5 million retail workers losing their jobs in the coming years. This puts them at risk of becoming stranded workers, the researchers said. According to the report, retail cashiers were projected to suffer the most number of job losses. Nearly a quarter of retail cashiers are women, the researchers noted. The report also stressed that the job losses will significantly impact the working poor, as most retail workers paid on an hourly basis live below the poverty line.

This in-depth examination of retail automation gives investors insights as they consider investment risks and opportunities. While the findings are important to investors, they should sound the alarm for economists and political leaders. The shrinking of retail jobs in many ways threatens to mirror the decline in manufacturing in the US. Moreover, in this case, workers at risk are already disproportionately working poor, so any disruption may cause strains in the social safety net and stresses on local tax revenues, Jon Lukomnik said in BusinessInsider.com. Lukomnik currently serves as the Executive Director of the Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute, which commissioned the research.

Retail workers already face uncertain future

The report also revealed that the retail industry is currently experiencing massive store closures not seen since the recession, which further placed retail workers at risk of losing their jobs. According to the report, retailers have suffered more than 3,400 store closures so far this year. Credit Suisse analysts estimated that store closures may increase to more than 8,600 before the end of the year. In comparison, more than 6,000 store closures were recorded in 2008, marking the worst year for the retail industry to date.

According to the report, the retail industry generally pays low wages, but hires people in every age bracket. The industry was also found to hire low-skilled workers and those who need flexible working schedules. The report cautioned that job loss will make it difficult for these workers to find another employment. The researchers noted that technologies such as robots and smart device apps were among the technologies that disrupted retail employment.

Automation, AI set to replace many jobs in the future

Automation and artificial intelligence will likely replace 50 percent of all jobs in the next 10 years, renowned technologist Kai-Fu Lee predicted. According to Lee, the pervasiveness of artificial intelligence may drive it to surpass human capabilities. AI is really changing every profession and every industry. Theres almost nothing that wont be touched by AI. You could easily imagine education applications for instance  AI could replace a lot of the basic teaching functions. Medicine and health are also key areas. AI works very hard and is very cheap. Humanity as a whole will have a lot more resources and we will probably be able to take care of everyone thanks to AI. As for human mankind, were probably not here on Earth to perform repetitive and non-productive tasks, Lee said in TechCrunch.com.

Latest figures showed that the current global population is around 7.2 billion, 70 percent of which belong in the working population. If Lees predictions occur, five billion jobs worldwide will be lost to technology within the next decade. However, the expert maintained that technology could never replace human interaction. Lee also stressed that the service jobs should be considered a first-class employment.

Sources include:

BusinessInsider.com

TechCrunch.com

CNBC.com

CornerstoneCapInc.com
(Natural News) The World Health Organization (WHO) describes rabies as a fatal zoonotic disease, transmitted to humans through contact (mainly bites and scratches) with infected animals. This condition kills 55,000 people worldwide every year, with nearly 100 percent of fatal cases occurring in Asia and Africa. Worldwide, another ten million people are exposed yearly, but, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), those who are exposed can survive by receiving a combination of injections. The current treatment includes a dose of human rabies immune globulin, along with a series of rabies vaccines.

In order to prevent rabies from spreading in wildlife areas, and to lessen the exposure to domesticated animals and humans, it has become a routine practice to dump rabies-laced baits onto rural areas. Dogs Naturally Magazine explains that these baits contain a genetically modified vaccine that has two viruses spliced together  the rabies virus, plus vaccina, which is the immunizing agent used in smallpox vaccine. Fox8.com reports that shortly after two rabid raccoons were discovered in Stark County, Ohio earlier this year, local officials contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It is the USDA that will supply the planes, helicopters and the supply of recombinant rabies vaccine that will be dropped in not one, but three Northern Ohio counties.

Residents living in these areas have been advised to stay away from wildlife, to have their pets vaccinated and bring them indoors, and to put lids on any trash receptacles. While rabies is most often associated with wild raccoons, bats, skunks, coyotes and foxes, unvaccinated domesticated cats and dogs may be at risk. Ohio officials are depending on these air dropped baits to take care of the problem and, while they claim these will not harm pets, if an Ohio resident suspects their pet has accidentally eaten a rabies vaccine bait, they are advised to call a veterinarian.

Patricia Jordan, DMV and author of Dogs Naturally Magazine, is not convinced of this strategy. She explains that already weakened wild animals may not be automatically immunized by taking the dropped bait. Additionally, splicing viruses can carry many risks that are only now being understood. There are instances in the United States where rabies has jumped from bats to foxes to skunks with no bite required. This is a serious concern for Dr. Terje Traavik from the Center for Biosafety, who suggests that rabies in humans could return due to a virulence of the genetically engineered rabies virus with the pox viruses.

Another way these recombinant viruses can be spread, says Dr. Jordan, is through aerosaolization, where no contact with saliva is necessary. A domestic pet would just need to be in close proximity to an infected animal. No bite is required.

NdHealth.gov explains that when animals first contract rabies, symptoms include being aggressive, not eating, being afraid of water and having an unsteady gait. As the rabies virus progresses, it travels to the brain. Paralysis and death occur soon after. In humans, the virus takes longer to manifest. Early symptoms are much like a cold or flu. In time, without proper treatment, a person can experience agitation and fear of water. In the final stages, paralysis sets in with the potential for cardiac arrest or respiratory failure within a few months, depending on the individuals constitution.

Even though new transmission pathways concerning recombinant vaccines are not fully understood, they are being used. While the USDA and other authorities decide to strategically drop genetically engineered rabies vaccine bait from the skies, what happens to our wildlife? What happens to our pets? What happens to us?



Sources include:

Who.int

Cdc.gov

ScienceNaturalNews.com

DogsNaturallyMagazine.com

Fox8.com

NdHealth.gov

(Photo credit: DogsNaturallyMagazine.com)
(Natural News) Lawmakers in Texas have been attempting to restructure many of the laws governing Child Protective Services in the state, since children have been falling through holes in the system and being permanently damaged in the process. One of the proposed bills under consideration is House Bill 39, introduced by Representative Gene Wu (D-Houston). This bill would push for children taken into the foster care system to receive medical examinations more quickly  within three days for those in urban areas, and within no more than seven days for those in rural areas.

While the bill would seem fairly straightforward on the surface, it ran into a snag when lawmakers started debating whether these routine medical exams would include vaccinations. Rep. Bill Zedler (R-Arlington) of the Texas Freedom Caucus proposed an amendment to the bill which would exclude vaccines from the required treatments. He raised the issue that children could potentially receive vaccines or other medical interventions, including surgery, and then in some instances be returned to their parents a few days later if the Department of Family Protective Services had made a mistake.

Rep. Wus firm response has caused great concern among many, because it reflects his true feelings both about vaccinations and the rights of parents.

Let me make it very clear, he said. The moment a child is removed from their home  the moment the child is removed  by law, the child is now a child of the state of Texas. We have the responsibility to make sure that child is safe and is given proper medical care. That is the law. [Emphasis added]

When we put into the law that we are limiting the ability of our agency that is tasked with taking care of a child that is in their custody and they are legally responsible for, we are setting a dangerous precedent, he added.

When Rep. Jonathan Strickland (R-Bedford) gave Wu the opportunity to amend his statement that such a child belongs to the state of Texas, Wu showed no inclination to back down. At that, Strickland asked him directly, True or false: CPS has taken children and found that they were wrong in doing so and returned the child? Has that happened, Representative Wu?

Wu grudgingly admitted that such mistakes have happened on rare occasions.

Other legislators also weighed in on the issue, with Rep. Sarah Davis (R-West University Place) pushing to amend the bill to mandate the administration of the HPV vaccine, which she claimed, will eliminate cervical cancer.

This statement is simply not true. Not only does the HPV vaccine not eliminate cancer, but hundreds, if not thousands, of children around the world have suffered irreversible harm from it. [Related: Read more about how the global media has revealed the devastating effects of this vaccine.]

Furthermore, the latest peer-reviewed study into the long-term damage of vaccines in general found that not only do they not protect the vaccinated from most of the targeted diseases, but vaccinated children are 420 percent more likely to be diagnosed with autism; 420 percent more likely to develop ADHD; 5.2 times more likely to have learning disabilities; almost three times more likely to have eczema, and a whopping 30 times more likely to suffer from allergic rhinitis. [Related: Discover the truth at Vaccines.news.]

If the emergency medical examinations proposed in House Bill 39 were to come to fruition, and they mandated the vaccination of the children involved, they would almost certainly do more harm than good. They would infringe on the rights of both the parents and the children, leaving families to deal with the devastating long-term effects of vaccines.

And if the bill passes, whats to stop the Department of Family Protective Services from innocently grabbing children, vaccinating them, realizing their mistake and returning them to their parents? What a perfect way to enforce the vaccination of every child in the state!

Sources include:

YouTube.com

TheDailySheeple.com

NaturalNews.com
A large sinkhole snagged a car Tuesday in Lakeside, California. As the vehicle began to flood, the driver called his wife, telling her the water was starting to cover his feet.

"When the car was going down, he was like, 'The water is covering our feet, so we gotta climb out of the window,'" the driver's wife, Tasha Mills, recounted. "I knew it was pretty bad."

California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers said the crash happened at around 5 a.m. on Pecan Park Lane at Olde Highway 80 in the community east of downtown San Diego.

"There was some water on the road," said Kevin Pearlstein, public information officer for the California Highway Patrol, El Cajon. "The gentleman was slowly driving through the water, as he drove through the water it actually turned into a sinkhole and his front tires went into it.



The driver, who works for Uber, had just picked up a client when his car landed in a sinkhole that appeared to be twice as big as his vehicle. The driver's side of the car wound up wedged inside the sinkhole.

Mills said her husband called her to tell her what happened moments after the crash. She told NBC 7 the call jolted her awake.

"I got a call from my husband that his car was going down in a sinkhole," she explained. "It scared us pretty bad, so we rushed out here."

Officer Pearlstein added the two in the car were unharmed because the driver was going slow at the time. He also added there are no streetlights on the road and it was hard to see at the time.



Fortunately, the driver and passenger escaped without injury. Mills said her husband complained of back pain, but she's grateful he wasn't seriously hurt in the crash.

"I'm just glad that he's alive -- that he's okay," she added.

Mills said her husband's second job is working as an Uber driver and, when she saw their car in that sinkhole, her heart also sank.

"[I was thinking] our second income is gone -- for now. But I was just thinking thank God he's okay," she said. "My first thought was, 'Thank God that they're okay,' because that could've been much worse."

San Diego County officials were called out to the scene to investigate if the sinkhole was the result of a broken water main pipe on Pecan Park Lane.

The water main break is under Padre Dam's service, Melissa McChesney, communications officer with the Padre Dam Municipal Water District confirmed.

As of 8:45 a.m., McChesney said about five customers in the area were without water service due to the main break. Crews were at the scene making repairs and Padre Dam expected to have service restored by midday.

The road remained closed throughout the day.

McChesney said repairs were expected to be completed and the road reopened by midnight.
The search for a woman who went missing while canoeing in the Saco River in Fryeburg, Maine, is now a recovery mission, and one of the first responders who tried to save her is hospitalized in critical condition.

Jennifer Bousquet, 38, of South Berwick, went missing Saturday when she fell out of a canoe that capsized in the river. Wayne Demers, 62, of Somerworth, New Hampshire, and Brian Day, 54, of South Berwick, also fell out of the canoe, but made it to safety.

Officials said alcohol was a factor and Bousquet was not wearing a life jacket.

Two Fryeburg police officers attempted to perform a water rescue, but their police boat crashed near the shore, injuring Officer Dale Stout, 51, and Officer Nathan Desjardins, 20.

Stout was released from the hospital Monday, according to Fryeburg Police Chief Joshua Potvin. We wish him a full and speedy recovery, said Potvin.

Desjardins is still in extremely critical condition at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. Nate and his family continue to be in our thoughts and prayers, said Chief Potvin.

Desjardins had just joined the police department three months ago, and this weekend was his first day in the field.

The Warden Service said water conditions this weekend, including cold temperatures, and a fast current, made the river dangerous.

The search and recovery mission is being conducted cautiously, according to Lt. Timothy Place.

Theres a lot of current, and a lot of debris in the river, said Place. There are some places we cannot search right now.

The events of the weekend have left some witnesses shaken. Paul Wall was paddling nearby, and heard the impact of the police boat crash and officers screams.

He said he paddled in the direction of the sound, and found Stout and Desjardins severely injured.

When you look at the two officers, you look at one and know hes got a chance, said Wall. When you look at the other, and you dont know, you have to make a decision to help the one [first]. That was the hardest part for me  was to decide who to save. Its terrible.
A man was fatally stabbed while driving for Uber in north suburban Lincolnwood early Tuesday, according to police.

Grant Nelson, 34, was driving near the intersection of Touhy and Lincoln Avenues around 3:22 a.m. when the attack occurred, Lincolnwood police said in a release.

Authorities said Nelson, of Wilmette, was dropping off a fare in the area when he was stabbed. He was taken to St. Francis Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries around 7:55 a.m., police said.

We are heartbroken by the loss of one of our partners, Grant Nelson, a spokeswoman for Uber said in a statement. Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, she continued, adding that the company is working with police and providing information that could be relevant to the investigation.

Nelsons car, a 2015 gray Hyundai Sonata, was found with streaks of blood in the center of Lincoln Avenue, where it sat for several hours in the busy intersection before being towed away.

A suspect was discovered hiding behind a nearby building and taken into custody, officials said. It was not immediately clear if the offender was a passenger in the car or related to the ride in any way, and further details on the suspect were not immediately available.

Police said the attack appeared to be an isolated incident and there was no indication of any danger to the public.

Grainy surveillance video from a nearby business appeared to show Nelson's car turning into the driveway leading to Hampton Place Condominiums. Moments later, someone seemed to exit the vehicle and walk away.

The only thing I can see on the video is the building police are investigating in, this car pulls in, almost seems like he dropped off someone there and then just speeds right out pretty quick, said Mike Mata, of Nunos Complete Car Care. You can see someone walks out of that car and walking really, really slow.

Nelsons family said he liked driving for Uber and Lyft because he could make good money while helping people.

I want people to know Grant was a good person, said his sister, Alex Nelson. He was not a vindictive person. He was not a cruel person. He didn't deserve this fate.

Alex said Grant loved animals, especially his familys dog Lilly, and that he lived for music.

He had probably the most extensive collection of classical music of anyone I've ever met in my life, Alex said.

If he had been given the chance to live, he would have continued to fill the world with good thoughts, good music, and intelligent conversation, she continued. We will all miss that without him here.

Lincolnwood police and the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force continue to investigate.
Several students, teachers and parents rallied outside East Hartford High School Tuesday to protest after the U.S. Education Secretary criticized the school and quoted a former student who used the phrase "dangerous daycare" to describe it.

"Betsy DeVos has never even seen our school," an East Hartford High School junior Tasnim Islam said in an interview Monday.

That's why Islam and several other students found it shocking that she spoke so negatively about their high school.

DeVos told a congressional committee last week that East Hartford High School neglected and failed to help a former student she called "Michael".

"He described the school he was assigned to, and I quote, 'Nothing more than adult daycare. A dangerous daycare,'" said DeVos.

DeVos continued and said that the former student received a diploma but not an education.

"Even though he was failing his classes, the school simply passed him along from year to year giving him Ds and sending the not-so-subtle message that they didn't think Michael would amount to much," DeVos said.

The education secretary said that later in the former student's life, with a push from his wife, Michael eventually attended college in another state and has thrived there.

Current East Hartford High School student Michael Lachnicht said hearing those words from the head of the U.S. Department of Education felt like an attack, not just on the school, but on its students.

"To be good students at a daycare, what does that say about us?" Lachnicht asked.

"I personally thought to myself, 'Wow. I really want to respond to her'," East Hartford High School student Jadah Daley said.

Daley, Lachnicht, Islam and two other students crafted a letter to DeVos. Each wrote about their own experiences. They titled it, The Truth About East Hartford High School.

"The idea was to show that there were numerous students who did not agree with Betsy DeVos," said Lachnicht.

"The most upsetting thing about it is I don't believe Betsy DeVos has seen our school. I would really like for her to come and see exactly what East Hartford High School is like," said Daley.

She went on to add, "I really hope she does because I would love to meet her."

Later in the day after the rally on Tuesday,Governor Dan Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman will hold a news conference inside the high school at 10:15 a.m. to discuss DeVos' comments.

NBC Connecticut reached out to DeVos' office and received a response on Tuesday.

"The Secretarys focus is on individual students and ensuring they each have access to a high quality education that meets their needs. In her remarks, she relayed one student's experience and used his own words to describe the challenging circumstances he faced in high school," DeVos' press secretary, Elizabeth Hill, said in a statement.

"He, like so many other students across the country, needed another option but didnt have access to one. For anyone to assert that Michaels individual story should be generalized to the broader student population is a symptom of the one-size-fits all status quo that too many continue to seek to defend. Michael is an individual student with an individual story to tell. He was able to rise above what he considered challenging circumstances and go on to excel academically. We should be applauding students like him," Hill's statement says.



To read the letter the students wrote, go to this website.
A silver SUV crashed into a tree in a Hamden cemetery on Memorial Day.

The smaller silver Nissan SUV crashed through bushes into the Hamden side of the Beaverdale Memorial Park cemetery.

NBC Connecticut crews on the scene said it appeared the vehicle toppled a couple headstones before hitting a tree just off of Arch Street in Hamden.

The driver was treated at the scene in an ambulance.

No other information was immediately available.
Gov. Dannel Malloy is coming to the defense of East Hartford schools after U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos criticized East Hartford High School and quoted a former student who used the phrase "dangerous daycare" to describe it.

Malloy has also invited DeVos to come to Connecticut before the end of the school year to see the states education system for herself.

Last week, DeVos told a congressional committee that East Hartford High School neglected and failed to help a former student she called "Michael."

"He described the school he was assigned to, and I quote, 'Nothing more than adult daycare. A dangerous daycare,'" DeVos said, adding that the former student received a diploma but not an education.

The remarks came during testimony about what DeVos called the failure of public schools and the need for more school choice.

I was disheartened to learn of your disparaging remarks toward East Hartford Public Schools. Let me be clear  the experience you described of a former student is not acceptable. It pains me to hear of any child who does not feel safe and supported in the classroom, Malloy wrote in a letter to DeVos Tuesday.

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However, it strikes me as equally unacceptable that you attempt to malign East Hartford Public Schools as an illustration of all that is broken in public education. In reality, this school community sets itself apart as an example of what we can accomplish working together to deliver on the promise public education holds for all our students, Malloy wrote.

A U.S. Education Department spokeswoman said DeVos testified about how many students need educational options and did not generalize about the high school's student body.

I invite you to come to Connecticut and join me on a school tour before the end of the school year. This way, you can see first-hand the impact Connecticuts ground-breaking reforms and historic investments are having for students across our state. To that end, I also offer personally to pay for your travel, Malloy wrote. I hope that you will accept this invitation so that we may have the opportunity to discuss the future of public education together.
11:45 PM UPDATE

Thunderstorms are weakening across the state and though thunder, lightning, and downpours will continue until 1:30 a.m. in some areas the threat for damaging thunderstorms has passed.

The National Weather Service reports significant damage about 15 miles west of Connecticut in the town of Wappingers Falls, New York from the storm that prompted the tornado warning. An emergency manager reports a house partially collapsed and a number of trees were snapped in town.

9:07 PM UPDATE

The thunderstorms have weakened drastically since the last update. Scattered thunderstorms and heavy rain showers continue to move east. Here's the latest timing of the showers and storms. They're moving into Windham and New London counties.

All severe thunderstorm warnings have expired. Here's a look at the latest timing of the thunderstorms. #nbcct pic.twitter.com/dpOgxHZNH2  Josh Cingranelli (@WeatherJosh) June 1, 2017

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8:29 PM UPDATE

We're continuing to track a line of strong to severe thunderstorms move east across Connecticut. We have had reports of quarter sized hail in New Milford. These storms have a history of heavy rain, strong winds, and small hail.

Here's a look at the latest track:

We continue to track a line of strong to severe thunderstorms. Live streaming coverage --> https://t.co/4TDuaLW3FT pic.twitter.com/F8uSzaKzUN  Josh Cingranelli (@WeatherJosh) June 1, 2017

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7:56 PM UPDATE

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings continue for parts of Connecticut. Here's the latest track. These storms have a history of damaging winds, hail, heavy rain, and frequent lightning.

Tornado Warnings are cancelled. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings continue. Live coverage -> https://t.co/4TDuaLW3FT pic.twitter.com/JslD7vvGti  Josh Cingranelli (@WeatherJosh) May 31, 2017

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7:45 PM UPDATE

The tornado warning for northern Fairfield and southern Litchfield county has expired. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Continue for Northern Tolland, Hartford, Litchfield, and Fairfield counties.

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7:41 PM UPDATE

Tornado Warnings and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are still in effect.

LIVE COVERAGE HERE ---> https://t.co/4TDuaLW3FT TORNADO WARNING & SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS IN EFFECT. #nbcct pic.twitter.com/BYnnrSrX9T  Josh Cingranelli (@WeatherJosh) May 31, 2017

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7:36 PM UPDATE

A Tornado Warning has been issued for Litchfield and Fairfield counties.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings have been issued for Tolland, Hartford and Litchfield counties.

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Tornado Warning for Southwestern Litchfield County in northern Connecticut and Southeastern Dutchess County in east central New York.

At 7:14 PM, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Hopewell Junction, or 7 miles northwest of Pawling, moving southeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD: Tornado and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE: Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT: Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.

This dangerous storm will be near Wingdale around 7:30 PM, Pawling around 7:35 PM and Gaylordsville around 7:40 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Stormville, Baker Corner, Beekman, South Dover, Hoxie Corner, Candlewood Trails, Clove Valley, Lower Merryall, Poughquag and Billings.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:

Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest

floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a

mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter

and protect yourself from flying debris.

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7:17 PM UPDATE

A Tornado Warning has been issued for Litchfield and Fairfield counties.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings have been issued for Tolland, Hartford and Litchfield counties.

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6:13 PM UPDATE

Storms are beginning to intensify just to our west through the Hudson River Valley. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Columbia, Dutchess, and Ulster county in New York.

These storms are tracking east and we're expecting them to arrive on the CT/NY border around 6:50 p.m.

Monitoring storms developing to our west. Storms are beginning to intensify. #nbcct pic.twitter.com/oJB3KIifFa  Josh Cingranelli (@WeatherJosh) May 31, 2017

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5:10 PM UPDATE

The strongest storms continue to track to the north and west of Connecticut. We're still expecting storms to arrive in western Connecticut around 6 or 7 this evening.

The sun is shining over a good portion of Connecticut. This is allowing for the atmosphere to become even more unstable over the state.

Storms so far remain to the north of CT. Severe weather still possible this evening. https://t.co/nIdW9OmcGP #nbcct pic.twitter.com/CDxN1qO8ug  Ryan Hanrahan (@ryanhanrahan) May 31, 2017

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4:42 PM UPDATE

Storms are still on track to move into Connecticut at or after 6 p.m. A storm currently moving through the Capital region of New York is a great indication of how strong the storms can become and how unstable the atmosphere is.

This storm moving across I-87 and through Albany is producing 60 mph wind gusts and golf ball sized hail.

A real nasty storm is moving across I-87 through Albany NY. This storm is producing 60 mph winds and golfball hail. pic.twitter.com/GURHbdHSwN  Josh Cingranelli (@WeatherJosh) May 31, 2017

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3:14 PM UPDATE

We're monitoring a cluster of storms moving towards Interstate 81 in eastern Pennsylvania. These storms will likely intensify over the next few hours prior to arriving in Connecticut.

We're still looking at thunderstorms to arrive in western Connecticut around 6 p.m.

We're keeping our eyes on this cluster of storms moving into eastern PA. #nbcct pic.twitter.com/L6reL7YGqP  Josh Cingranelli (@WeatherJosh) May 31, 2017

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2:16 PM UPDATE

We're continuing to monitor the severe thunderstorm threat. Storms are beginning to develop across portions of Central Pennsylvania and Upstate New York. We're forecasting the storms to move into Connecticut between 5 and 6 p.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Litchfield and Hartford counties. This is where the severe weather threat is the highest. This doesn't mean that other parts of Connecticut can't or won't experience severe weather it just means the threat isn't as high.

Severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. for Hartford and Litchfield Counties. #nbcct pic.twitter.com/BcY0oC62Su  Ryan Hanrahan (@ryanhanrahan) May 31, 2017

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A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued until 9 p.m. for Hartford and Litchfield counties and NBC Connecticut meteorologists have issued a First Alert for potentially strong to severe thunderstorms Wednesday evening.

Storms will begin to move into western Connecticut around 6 p.m.

Some of the storm have the potential to become strong to even severe. Strong and severe storms have the capability of producing damaging winds and hail. The storms will also produce a fair amount of lightning.

Make sure to stay with the NBC Connecticut First Alert Weather Team for continuing updates on this thunderstorm threat.
The male lion brushes through the tall grass and strides into a clearing in a South African wildlife sanctuary. A man beckons the big cat with purring sounds. The lion, Bayetsi, responds with a gentle growl and caresses Kevin Richardson, popularly known as the "lion whisperer," with its mane.

Richardson hopes his hands-on stunts with lions will highlight the plight of the African predator, whose numbers have dwindled. It also thrusts him into a sensitive debate about human interaction with lions; some conservationists say Richardson's message is sound and sincere, but note the limits of what he can do to address big-picture problems facing the vulnerable species.

The number of lions in the wild in Africa has dropped by more than 40 percent to about 20,000 in the past two decades, according to some estimates.

Made for viral viewing on social media, the spectacle of Richardson lounging and cavorting with lions as though they were house pets might resemble a circus act in the African bush. But he uses the attention to condemn the South African industry in which customers kill captive-bred lions in relatively confined areas.

He and other critics describe that practice as "canned hunting" and also condemn the tourist draw of lion cub petting in special enclosures, saying those same animals would not be able to survive in the wild and often get cycled into the "trophy" industry to be shot for a price.

"Today's lion cub becomes tomorrow's trophy and the unsuspecting tourists have blood on their hands," said Richardson, who once worked at a tourist park that offered lion cub-petting. The tourists, he said, "have been hoodwinked into believing that their contribution of funds is going into lion conservation."

One South African operation, the Lion and Safari Park, said it stopped lion cub petting but had to resume it because of a "dramatic and unexpected" drop in visitors and tour operators who sought out cub petting elsewhere. It said it keeps its lions until they die of natural causes or donates them to "reputable" zoos and parks, and does not sell its lions to hunters.

Today, 42-year-old Richardson, who is married and has two children, manages a wildlife area with 31 lions within the Dinokeng reserve north of South Africa's capital, Pretoria. Many of the lions, which were captive-bred and cannot be released into the wild, were rescued from being transferred to operations that would let customers shoot them, he said.

Richardson said he does not breed lions and that those on his 1,300-hectare (3,200-acre) property feed on donated carcasses of cattle and antelope.

"I have been accepted as part of the pride," said Richardson, scratching the lion Bayetsi's chin. "But I have to be very careful. They are large animals and are very good at telling you how they feel."

The lions have scratched and bitten Richardson over the years, but perhaps more hurtful to him has been the criticism he has faced after being filmed wrestling with his lions or roaring with them.

Richardson's website, which offers merchandise including T-shirts, key chains and calendars, says he seeks to promote wildlife preservation through "education, awareness and funding."

Luke Hunter, president of Panthera, a conservation group, commended Richardson for his passion and "authentic" concern for lions, saying: "His messaging, for what he has and what he can do, is good."

But Hunter emphasized the broader conservation needs of the lion, including efforts to protect habitats and address poaching, in which antelopes and other potential prey for lions end up in the bushmeat trade, and lions get trapped in snares laid down indiscriminately.

A relatively recent concern is demand in some Asian countries for lion bones used in traditional medicine, and the possibility that poachers are increasingly targeting lions to meet that demand. Currently, South Africa allows the legal, annual export of bones from hundreds of captive-bred lions to China and Southeast Asia.

Richardson spoke of his intimacy with the animals.

"The relationships I have with them are purely to give them a better quality of life in a captive situation," he said. "I will look after them as long as I can."

Associated Press writer Christopher Torchia contributed to this report.
Germany's Angela Merkel said Europe could no longer "fully count on others" in a speech over the weekend, a sign of the widening cracks in the Germany-U.S. relationship, NBC News reported.

"All I can say is that we Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands," the German leader said at a campaign event in Bavaria. "The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days."

Although Merkel didn't mention President Donald Trump by name, her blunt remarks followed a bruising series of meetings with Trump at the NATO summit in Belgium and then at the G-7 gathering in Italy.

Trump on Thursday had alleged 23 out of the 28-member nations owed "massive amounts of money" to U.S. taxpayers, and he also did not explicitly promise to protect America's NATO allies if they came under attack.
A former competitive surfer who designed surfboards in Southern California for decades, died after being struck by an alleged drunken driver as he rode a bicycle near his home.

The California Highway Patrol says Paul Burke, 59, was struck and killed May 23 in Fallbrook. The CHP says a 19-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.

A Long Beach native, Burke, grew up surfing with his five brothers and went on to compete in Hawaii and Australia. In 1979 he founded Burke Surfboards.

The Orange County Register reported Sunday that pro surfer, Brad Gerlach, a regular customer, is among those who favored Burke's innovative four-fin design.

Burke is survived by his wife Laura and three children.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Burke's family.
Firefighters were expected to work into Tuesday to put out a brush fire in Brentwood's Mandeville Canyon that has charred about 55 acres.

The flames were 95 percent contained by a line of cleared vegetation this morning and new crews of firefighters replaced the firefighters who worked all night, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

"LAFD operations will continue throughout the night and well into tomorrow with ground crews on patrol and LAFD helicopters available," Humphrey said.

The fire was accidentally caused by a worker doing weed abatement for brush clearance, said the LAFD's Margaret Stewart. By the time it was reported at 12:45 p.m. Sunday it had burned three to four acres of brush near a house in the 2960 block of Mandeville Canyon Road, she said.

An hour later, it had spread to eight acres, burning up hillsides toward the Mountaingate Country Club, Stewart said.

At 10:40 p.m. the acreage had risen to about 55 acres but a containment line of cleared brush was about 70 percent around the flames and resources sent by mutual aid agencies had been released, Stewart said.

A volcano-like smoke plume was visible Sunday across the Westside and San Fernando Valley, as the fire consumed moderate to thick brush in an area just off Mandeville Canyon Road, a dead end thoroughfare that snakes up a deep canyon, lined by expensive view houses.

Firefighters asked Los Angeles police to be ready in case houses needed to be evacuated. Eventually five homes were cleared, Stewart said. By late Sunday evening residents with IDs were allowed to return to their homes.

No houses were burned and no injuries were reported.
A unanimous Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with sheriff's deputies in a legal dispute stemming from 2010, when an innocent couple was shot while California deputies searched for a wanted man in northern Los Angeles County.

The justices overturned an award of $4 million in damages to the couple and ordered a lower court to take another look at whether the deputies should be held liable for the shooting.

Deputies were searching for a parolee when they entered the backyard shack in Lancaster, north of Los Angeles. Seeing an armed man, they fired shots that seriously wounded him and his pregnant girlfriend.

But the man wasn't the suspect they were searching for, and it turned out he was carrying a BB gun. A federal appeals court ruled that the deputies were liable because they provoked a violent confrontation by entering the shack without a warrant.

Justice Samuel Alito said such a "provocation rule" is not compatible with excessive force claims under the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures. If the officers were reasonable in using force to defend themselves, Alito said, a court should not go back in time to see whether the incident was provoked.

"We hold that the Fourth Amendment provides no basis for such a rule," Alito said. "A different Fourth Amendment violation cannot transform a later, reasonable use of force into an unreasonable seizure."

Deputies had been told before they entered the cluttered backyard that a man and woman were living in a shack there, according to court records. When they opened the door, one of the officers saw a man holding a gun, shouted "gun" and two officers fired 15 shots.

The man, Angel Mendez, said he had picked up his BB gun at the time officers entered in order to move it. As a result of the shooting, Mendez's leg had to be amputated below the knee. His girlfriend was shot in the back.

Justice Neil Gorsuch did not take part in the case, which was argued before he joined the high court.

In other action on Tuesday, the justices:
Chris Schuhmacher was in his second decade without access to the internet. Such are the rules when you're in prison, serving a life sentence at San Quentin for second degree murder.

But on his road to redemption, Schuhmacher had been able to learn computer coding, and then he found himself with a software assignment from the fast growing online home-booking company Airbnb.

"Even I've heard of Airbnb," Schuhmacher said with self-conscious irony.

So how did a lifer get the skills needed for such an assignment, much less the opportunity?

"The most pivotal moment came when I was accepted to The Last Mile," Schuhmacher said.

The Last Mile is a program to develop business and entrepreneurship skills in prison inmates such as Schuhmacher. It was founded five years ago by two Silicon Valley venture capitalists, the husband and wife team of Chris Redlitz and Beverly Parenti.

"We truly believe a job is the key to successful re-integration," Parenti said.

In April, another 18 inmates enrolled in The Last Mile received certificates of completion at a San Quentin ceremony to which media and potential employers from the tech world were invited. The graduates also showed off the software they developed.

Getting accepted to The Last Mile is not easy. Schuhmacher had pitched an idea for a new web app he called Fitness Monkey to leverage exercise as a tool for overcoming substance dependence, as he had done early on in his sentence.

Then, he had to learn how to code it. And, he did.

The Airbnb assignment for his inmate team was more complex.

"We created our dashboard to be a full stack web app," he declared proudly for the benefit of that portion of the audience that understood what he was saying.

"This facility is the future of incarcerated based educationing," Redlitz said of the former prison printshop now being used for high tech.

A decade ago, at the behest of then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, "and Rehabilitation" was added to the title of what had been known simply as the California Department of Corrections. For short, it's now CDCR.

Pressure to reduce the number of released inmates falling back into crime -- recidivism -- has increased with the steps taken in response to federal court order to reduce prison overcrowding. Under Gov. Jerry Brown, those steps have included measures such as Assembly Bill 109 that "re-aligns" to county jurisdiction some offenders who previously would have been overseen by the state system. Proposition 47 amended the penal code so that certain drug offenses could no longer be charged as felonies, and therefore preclude prison terms. Passed just last November, Proposition 57 has opened new parole opportunities for certain offenders.

There is also money to be saved when released offenders do not return to prison. CDCR figures every inmate costs California $71,000 a year.

"Our No. 1 product is the offender who never comes back," said Chuck Pattillo, general manager of the California Prison Industry Association, which employs thousands of inmates for such jobs as stamping license plates. It is a booster of The Last Mile.

"Amongst our return citizen graduates, we have zero recidivism," Redlitz said.

Another measure of success is employment of parolees. By CDCR's count, over the past decade that increased from 31 percent to 38 percent.

"Together we are breaking stereotypes," said Tulio Cardozo, himself a former San Quentin inmate who returns each day -- by choice -- to serve as a TLM instructor.

"I encourage you to consider these men serious web developers," Cardozo told the audience.

Schuhmacher has been a star pupil. In an emotional moment at the April demo, he revealed it will be his last -- the parole board had found him suitable for release.

"I know the world has changed," Schumacher said, "But I feel well prepared for the days ahead."

Only a few weeks after that graduation/demo ceremony in San Quentin, Schumacher walked out of the prison once again a free man. He now has his eyes focused on Silicon Valley and stays in touch with Redlitz, who said Schuhmacher has been speaking with several companies about career options.
Just in time for the Memorial Day holiday, swimmers are allowed back in the water at a Southern California beach closed after four sharks were spotted close to shore.

Officials in San Clemente said the waves were off limits Sunday from one mile (1.6 km) north to one mile (1.6 km) south of the city beach's pier. The water was reopened again Sunday afternoon.

On Monday around 11 a.m., someone flying a drone spotted another shark and showed the footage to a lifeguard, who believed the shark was larger than 8 feet long. That prompted a closure.

A little after 3 p.m., lifeguards did a final check of the water and lifted the closure, downgrading it to an advisory and thus letting beachgoers know that the beach was open, but to enter at their own risk.

Closures were ordered in the same area a week ago after two dozen great whites were seen, including one about 10 feet (3 meters) long.

Juvenile great whites, typically under 8 feet (2.4 meters), are common along Southern California, where they feed on small fish.

Last month a woman was bitten by a 10-foot (3 meter) white shark at San Onofre State Beach, south of San Clemente.
A restored Vietnam War memorial in Venice was unveiled Monday, almost a year to the day after it was first vandalized and months after it was vandalized a second time.

The idea was not only to restore the memorial - a wall with more than 2,000 names of POWs and troops missing in action during the Vietnam War - but also to make sure the vandalism never happens again.

"For us to take this back, for us to restore it to its original luster and for us to present it to our neighborhood is a big, important thing," said George Francisco, president of the Venice Chamber of Commerce.

The wall was first vandalized with graffiti in 2016. Volunteers worked to clean up the memorial, but in the process erased dozens of names on the wall. Angel Castro pleaded no contest to vandalism and robbery and was sentenced to four years in state prison for the incident.

In March 2017, the wall was again vandalized in what authorities believe was an unrelated incident. While no suspects have been identified for that case, the incident prompted the work to begin restoring the wall.

The full list of names on the wall was tracked to the estate of the artist who originally created the work in the early 1990s. This time, workers put a protective coating on top so that any graffiti sprayed on can be easily washed off.

"These men and women are my brothers and sisters" said Charlie Saulenas, a Vietnam War veteran who attended the unveiling. "There they are," he said, gesturing toward the names on the wall, "just proud as can be on Memorial Day."
Drug enforcement officials say traffickers are bringing more cocaine into South Florida than at any time in the past decade.

Officials with the Drug Enforcement Administration say Colombia has been producing more cocaine than at the height of the notorious 1980s. Back then, South Florida was the main conduit for cocaine shipments headed to the United States in an era famous for "cocaine cowboys."

The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Sunday that 90 percent of the cocaine seized in the United States can be traced back to Colombia, and Colombia has tripled its production in the past few years.

"There is a mountain of cocaine, much of it is likely headed our way," said Justin Miller, intelligence chief for the DEA's Miami field division. "But we are already seeing these drug combinations, and cocaine deaths are already going up significantly."

Customs and Border Protection officials in Florida said they confiscated 61 percent more cocaine last year over the prior year, amounting to 9,500 pounds of cocaine.

Because there is a lag time between production and distribution, the full impact of the increase has yet to hit South Florida, authorities said.

Experts trace the boom in production to when the Colombia government stopped aerial spraying of herbicides over cocoa fields used to make cocaine in the fall of 2015 because of health concerns.

"The aerial spraying worked quite well," said Richard Mangan, a former DEA agent and Florida Atlantic University criminal justice professor. "But there was a lot of pushback after a while to the damage it was doing to legitimate crops, the damage it was doing to people."

Meanwhile, the state Medical Examiner Commission reports that overdose deaths from cocaine are at their highest level in Florida since 2007. From 2012 to 2015, cocaine deaths in Florida went from 1,318 fatalities to 1,834 fatalities.

Only the synthetic painkiller fentanyl surpassed cocaine for contributing to Florida overdose deaths in Florida for the first half of last year, according to medical examiner records.

The increase in production in Colombia already is driving down prices in South Florida.

One kilo, or about 2.2 pounds, of pure cocaine was worth between $28,000 and $35,000 two to three years ago. Today, the same amount is worth $26,000 to $28,000, Miller said.
Defense attorneys for a Minnesota police officer charged in the fatal shooting of a black motorist are asking that statements about the driver's permit to carry a gun be omitted from trial.

St. Anthony officer Jeronimo Yanez, who is Latino, is charged with manslaughter in the death of Philando Castile. The shooting happened last July after Castile told Yanez he had a gun. The aftermath was streamed live on Facebook by Castile's girlfriend, who says in the video that Castile had a permit to carry.

The defense says Yanez didn't know about the permit at the time, so the statements are irrelevant.

Judge William H. Leary III says he's leaning toward narrowing the evidence that will be allowed about Castile's gun permit. He'll rule after prosecutors share their position on the issue Wednesday morning.

Jury selection has wrapped up for the day in St. Paul in the trial of a Minnesota police officer charged with manslaughter for fatally shooting a black motorist.

A pool of 50 potential jurors was called Tuesday for the trial of St. Anthony Officer Jeronimo Yanez, who is Latino.

The aftermath of the shooting of Philando Castile was streamed live on Facebook last July, thrusting his death into the national spotlight.

The potential jurors were given instructions, sworn in, given questionnaires to fill out, then released for the day.

They will return to court Wednesday to be questioned individually. Twelve jurors and three alternates will be selected to hear the case.

The pool is mostly white with a handful of people of color including at least five blacks.

The process of selecting a jury is underway in Minnesota in the trial of a police officer charged with manslaughter for fatally shooting a black motorist.

The aftermath of the shooting of Philando Castile was streamed live on Facebook last July, thrusting his death into the national spotlight. St. Anthony Officer Jeronimo Yanez is charged with second-degree manslaughter.

Protests over Castile's death shut down highways in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and surrounded the governor's mansion. Castile's family claimed he was profiled because of his race. The shooting renewed concerns about how police officers interact with minorities.

Jury selection is set to begin in the trial of a police officer accused of fatally shooting a black motorist, a death that generated national attention when the aftermath was streamed live on Facebook.

The selection process begins Tuesday and is expected to last at least a couple of days. St. Anthony Officer Jeronimo Yanez is on trial for second-degree manslaughter in the death of Philando Castile during a traffic stop in the St. Paul suburb of Falcon Heights last July.

Prosecutors say Yanez shot Castile, a 32-year-old elementary school cafeteria worker, after Castile told him he was armed. Authorities later found Castile had a permit to carry.

Yanez, who is Latino, is also charged with two counts of endangering safety because girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, and her young daughter were in the car.

The graphic video showing Philando Castile's final moments after he was shot by a Minnesota police officer made headlines nearly a year ago and led to calls for changes in policing.

But squad car video could emerge as key evidence in the case against St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez, who goes on trial for manslaughter this week. Jury selection begins Tuesday.

Castile, who was black, was killed July 6 during a traffic stop in the St. Paul suburb of Falcon Heights. His death got instant attention as the shooting's gruesome aftermath was streamed live on Facebook by Castile's girlfriend, who was in the car along with her young daughter.

Prosecutors say Yanez, who is Latino, shot the 32-year-old Castile after Castile told him he was armed. Authorities later found Castile had a permit to carry.
What to Know At least two Long Island Rail Road trains got stuck in the East River Tunnels Tuesday morning during rush hour

The agency blamed problems with the third rail and sent relief engines to rescue the stranded trains

Multiple commuters reported LIRR conductors were handing out emergency water supplies

Thousands of LIRR riders experienced crippling delays and cancellations on their way to New York's Penn Station Tuesday after a power problem in one of the East River tunnels stranded multiple trains and forced diversions, the MTA said.



The MTA first warned riders about the issue around 7:45 a.m., and the problem escalated rapidly as the height of the morning rush got underway. By 9 a.m. trains were running up to an hour late, and LIRR was explicitly blaming problems with Amtrak's already beleaguered infrastructure.



[NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More

Amtrak, which also maintains and controls the third rail in the East River tunnels, said Tuesday afternoon a third rail component failed just outside one of the tubes, causing the hours of nightmarish delays. A root cause is under investigation. Amtrak also tweeted an apology for the delays at Penn, citing "track and equipment issues resulting in rail traffic congestion."



Amtrak said the problem had been fixed by 3:30 p.m., and LIRR was on track for a regular evening rush hour.

At least two trains got stuck in the tunnels during the morning rush, requiring relief engines to come rescue them, and multiple commuters reported that their conductors were handing out emergency water supplies.

One train, the 6:13 a.m. from Massapequa Park due into Penn at 7:08 a.m., was stalled in one of the tunnels until a relief engine got the train in 76 minutes late. The 6:12 a.m. from Babylon -- due into Penn at 7:14 a.m. -- was stuck in the tunnel for more than an hour, at least. It had to be re-routed to Queens, and arrived at Hunterspoint Avenue three hours behind schedule.

A woman on an LIRR train stalled because of the power issue told NBC 4 New York the lights went out at one point. She said a conductor passing out water to passengers told them the train ahead had hit the third rail.

Riders said multiple trains were lined up in the Woodside section of Queens on one track waiting for tunnel access. Video showed them sitting on the tracks, not moving. Some were stuck outside the tunnels for more than an hour.



Riders said multiple trains were lined up one track waiting for tunnel access after a power problem in one of the East River tunnels wrought havoc on LIRR commutes Tuesday.

By 11 a.m., westbound delays were up to 90 minutes -- on average. Trains were terminating at Jamaica station. Other trains were diverted to Hunterspoint or Atlantic Terminal. NYC Transit was cross-honoring LIRR tickets on the E, 7 and 2/3 subway lines, including at Forest Hills-71st Avenue. But an M train suspension between Forest Hills and Essex Street because of a train with mechanical problems didn't help matters. By noon, the LIRR was just reporting scattered system-wide delays; NYC Transit was no longer cross-honoring.



Tuesday's problems are the latest in a series of issues plaguing the aging Manhattan transit hub. Amtrak, which owns the station and leases the tracks to the MTA and NJ Transit, has said it plans to close several tracks for up to eight weeks this summer for infrastructure upgrades and other work.



The area of the power problem is not part of the infrastructure slated for summer work.

NJ Transit service, already subject to daily delays of up to 30 minutes because of ongoing Amtrak track work, initially wasn't affected by the power problem, but said at 9 a.m. disabled LIRR trains were compounding delays.

Top Tri-State News Photos
Officials have identified the Navy SEAL who was killed when his parachute failed to open during a Fleet Week demonstration over the Hudson River.

Remington Peters, 27, of Colorado, was a member of an elite Navy parachute team called The Leap Frogs. Authorities are investigating why his parachute failed to open during the demonstration Sunday, causing him to fall from the sky to his death. His parachute landed in a parking lot.

In a statement on Monday, Peters' family called him a "selfless, humble and quiet professional" who was known for "his fierce loyalty to his friends, family and country."

"Although our time with him was cut short, we are so grateful that we were blessed with such a positive and principled loving man," the family said. "No words could do justice, but we are so grateful for all that he taught us, and all the love he gave us in his 27 wonderful years."

Peters was among four Leap Frogs who drifted down from two helicopters high in the sky on Sunday.



The accident occurred a few minutes after noon near Liberty State Park, the large New Jersey park across from Manhattan.

"I'm terribly saddened," said Nancy Malinowski, a Cranford, New Jersey, resident. She witnessed the event and said she knew something had gone wrong when she saw a parachute with nobody attached to it descend behind a building.

"I don't think 90 percent of the people there were aware," Malinowski said, describing a gathering in the park that included food trucks, a Navy band and lots of small children. "Everybody was out there to support the military."

The Navy said Peters was rescued immediately from the water by U.S. Coast Guard personnel who were standing by in vessels to support the aerial demonstration that featured the coordinated parachute jump. Local fire department personnel who were also on standby responded as well. Peters was pronounced dead at Jersey City Medical Center Sunday afternoon.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, and I ask for all of your prayers for the Navy SEAL community who lost a true patriot today," said Rear Adm. Jack Scorby, commander of the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic.

The Leap Frogs were scheduled to do a jump before the Mets game at Citi Field Monday, but it was canceled. In June, they are scheduled to perform at Sail Boston 2017 and at Navy Week in Pittsburgh. Stops later this summer include Minneapolis, Chicago and Salt Lake City.

But on Memorial Day, The Leap Frogs were mourning one of their own.

"He was an angel on earth and role model to all," his family said. "We couldnt have been more proud of him. He lived life to the fullest and taught us to do the same."
The New York mom who was slashed in the face as she rode a subway train with her toddler in midtown on Sunday morning has been released from the hospital, and the woman who allegedly slashed her has been arrested dozens of times before.

Anna Martinez, 31, needed about 30 stitches to close up the wound on her face following the slashing. She has nerve damage, but is expected to be okay.

Martinez was about to get off a 5 train at Grand Central on Sunday morning when she was slashed by a woman with a knife, police said.

Police said they believe an argument sparked the attack, but Martinez said she believes she was followed from 125th Street in Harlem. She says she didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, except that the woman wasn't wearing any pants.

No words were exchanged, Martinez said. She never said anything to me, I never said anything to her. Never seen her before.

Martinez says all she could think about during the attack was her son: What if she woulda did that to my son and not me.

Police arrested 53-year-old Jacqueline Sanjurjo on Sunday. On her way to face a judge on assault, weapons and child endangerment charges, Sanjurjo told reporters she knew nothing about the crime.

Police say Sanjurjo has been arrested more than 60 times before, including for assault, criminal possession of a controlled substance, prostitution, larceny and criminal trespassing.

She needs to be in jail  I don't need nobody else going through this, Martinez said.



Robert Meijas, Sanjurjos ex-boyfriend of 17 years, spoke exclusively with News 4. He says the two of them lost a son to suicide  a death from which Sanjurjo never recovered.

You lost everything else, so you really dont give a hoot what else you lose, Meijas said. You lost all your kids, you lost one kid to suicide.

Meijas says Sanjurjo had been living in a homeless shelter recently and has a history of mental health issues. He says he feels sorry for both Martinez and Sanjurjo.

Its unfortunate because theyre both victims, he said.
What to Know Matthew Tarentino was on his way to work in Summit Tuesday when he was involved in the accident

Police say a sedan on the westbound side of Route 78 crossed over and hit two eastbound vehicles

Tarentino is survived by his wife and two children

A 29-year-old New Jersey police officer and father of two young boys was killed in a three-car accident on his way to work Tuesday, authorities say.

Matthew Tarentino, a Summit cop who taught the DARE program to local elementary students and was beloved in the community, died in the 6:20 a.m. crash on Route 78 in Bernards. Authorities say Tarentino was driving to work when a Toyota Camry going westbound crossed over the median and hit him. Tarentino's car, also a Toyota Camry, then overturned and was hit by a Honda Accord that was behind him, also going eastbound.

Tarentino was pronounced dead on the scene; the other drivers were taken to Morristown Hospital, where the other Camry driver also died. The Accord driver has non-life threatening injuries.

The wreck shut down all eastbound lanes on the highway for hours Tuesday, causing at least an 8-mile backup as the morning rush got underway.

Tarentino is survived by his wife and 2- and 4-year-old sons. His wife is pregnant with their third child; the baby is expected in late summer or early fall. The City of Summit Police Department announced the young officer's death "with great sadness" in a Facebook post.

"Matt was a unique officer, he was a gentleman," said Summit Mayor Nora Radest. "He always had a smile and he spent a lot of time focusing on his community."

Just last week, Tarentino received a community policing award from the New Jersey attorney general. Tarentino was a fixture in Summit, chaperoning middle school class trips to Washington, D.C., for years in addition to his work with DARE.

He spent time at the Summit YMCA teaching pre-K and kindergarten students about bike and pool safety, as well as stranger danger. He read to other kids on a day celebrating Dr. Seuss, and even dressed the part. Tarentino recently spoke to students as part of Community Helper Day, June Chang, the superintendent of Summit schools said.

"He was always so bright and happy and he wanted to answer each question," said fifth grader Pavel Yurkov, who went to the Summit police station after school Tuesday. "He was always really nice and really helpful. And he taught us a lot about making the right choice and resisting drugs."



Tarentino was supposed to speak at a DARE graduation ceremony for fifth-grade students at Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School Tuesday, the day he died. The ceremony was canceled.



"Officer Tarentino was an important part of the Summit community and a well-known face amongst the students and staff in Summit Public Schools," Chang said in a statement.

She added that parents should speak to their kids about Tarentino's death, and the school would help provide grieving resources.

Jodi Sargeant, who lives in Summit, called the officer's death "a loss for the whole community, especially the children who will really miss him in schools."

"I'm devastated, everyone in town is," said Summit resident Donna Puzella. "And my heart is broken for his life being cut so short, especially for his wife and young children."

The investigation is ongoing.
A truck smashed into the corner of a Subway restaurant in Connecticut Tuesday, demolishing a blue sedan but miraculously injuring no one, authorities say.



Photos from the dramatic scene on Farmington Avenue show the truck slightly tilted, its back right wheel up over the hood of the smaller vehicle.



Authorities say the driver was going west on Route 4, near Knollwood Road, when he suddenly veered off the road and hit a utility pole. He then crashed into the parked car before hitting the corner of the building shortly before 11:30 a.m.



The driver may have had a medical emergency at the time of the accident, officials say.



Police say no one was in the car that was hit. The truck didn't go into the building, but caused extensive damage to an outside corner.






Congressional Democrats on Sunday demanded to hear directly from top White House adviser Jared Kushner over allegations of proposed secret back-channel communications with Russia, saying the security clearance of President Donald Trump's son-in-law may need to be revoked.

Trump, having returned from a nine-day overseas trip, immediately railed against administration leaks, calling them "fabricated lies," in a flurry of tweets.

And his Homeland Security head defended the idea of establishing that kind of communication as a "smart thing" and said he didn't see "any big issue here" for Kushner.

But to the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, it's "obviously very concerning" that a key Trump campaign figure was possibly seeking secret communications with a country that intelligence experts say intervened in the 2016 election.

Rep. Adam Schiff of California said the government needed to "get to the bottom" of the matter and urged a review of Kushner's security clearance "to find out whether he was truthful."

"If not, then there's no way he can maintain that kind of a clearance," Schiff said.

The Associated Press and other news organizations reported that Kushner in December proposed a back channel between the Kremlin and the Trump transition team. Kushner spoke with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak about facilitating sensitive discussions to explore the incoming administration's options with Russia as it developed its Syria policy. The intent was to connect Trump's chief national security adviser at the time, Michael Flynn, with Russian military leaders, a person familiar with the discussions told the AP. The person wasn't authorized to publicly discuss private policy deliberations and insisted on anonymity.

Russia, a pivotal player in Syria, has backed Syrian President Bashar Assad, often at the expense of civilians and at odds with U.S. policy during Syria's long civil war.

The White House did not acknowledge the meeting or Kushner's attendance until March. At the time, a White House official dismissed it as a brief courtesy meeting.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, described the latest allegations involving Kushner as "serious" and called for a thorough investigation.

"He needs to answer for what was happening at the time," Booker said. "What's worrying me are the patterns we're seeing. So one is this administration not talking about our values, cozying up to authoritarian leaders. And the other pattern we have is just a continuous drumbeat of inappropriate contacts with the Russians."

Lawyers for Kushner said he was willing to talk with federal and congressional investigators about his foreign contacts and his work on the Trump campaign.

The disclosure of the back channel put the White House on the defensive. Just back from visiting the Middle East and Europe, Trump on Sunday dismissed recent reports as "fake news."

"It is my opinion that many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies," Trump tweeted. He added: "Whenever you see the words 'sources say' in the fake news media, and they don't mention names ... it is very possible that those sources don't exist."

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said he didn't know if the news reports were true but described back-channel communications as a "good thing." He was echoing the sentiment of National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, who declined to address the contents of Kushner's December meeting with the Russian diplomat to reporters in Sicily over the weekend and suggested that back-channel communications were commonplace and not concerning.

"It's both normal, in my opinion, and acceptable," Kelly said. "Any way that you can communicate with people, particularly organizations that are maybe not particularly friendly to us is a good thing."

"I don't see the big deal," he added.

Kushner's involvement in the proposed back channel was first reported by The Washington Post, which said he suggested using Russian diplomatic facilities for the discussions, apparently to make them more difficult to monitor. The newspaper cited anonymous U.S. officials who were briefed on intelligence reports on intercepted Russian communications.

The Post reported that Kislyak was taken aback by the suggestion of allowing an American to use Russian communications gear at its embassy or consulate  a proposal that would have carried security risks for Moscow as well for as the Trump team.

According to the person familiar with the Kushner meeting, the Trump team eventually felt there was no need for a back channel once Rex Tillerson was confirmed as secretary of state on Feb. 1.

Flynn served briefly as Trump's national security adviser before being fired in February. Officials said he misled Vice President Mike Pence about whether he and the ambassador had discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia in a phone call.

Sally Yates, the former acting attorney general, told Congress this month that that deception left Flynn vulnerable to being blackmailed by the Russians. Flynn remains under federal investigation in Virginia over his foreign business ties. He was interviewed by the FBI in January about his contacts with Kislyak.

Kushner was a trusted Trump adviser last year, overseeing the campaign's digital strategy. He remains an influential confidant within the White House as does his wife, Ivanka Trump.

Federal investigators and several congressional committees are looking into any connections between Russia and the Trump campaign, including allegations that there may have been collaboration to help Trump and harm his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton.

The Senate intelligence committee, which is investigating Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, has requested information and documents from Trump's campaign dating back to July 2015, the AP and other news outlets confirmed.

Kelly appeared on "Fox News Sunday," NBC's "Meet the Press" and ABC's "This Week," Schiff also spoke on ABC, and Booker was on CNN's "State of the Union."

Associated Press writers Catherine Lucey, Eileen Sullivan, Julie Bykowicz, Chad Day and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
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Taipei, May 30 (CNA) Rockslides that caused the Suhua Highway in the east to close down since Sunday have created massive traffic jams on other highways connecting the east coast of Taiwan, as travelers sought out other routes to return home before the end of the four-day Dragon Boat holiday.
Two explosive devices made from drain cleanser were found two weeks ago in Little Seneca Greenway Stream Valley Park in Maryland, police said Tuesday morning.

The devices were found along the Clarksburg Heights Trail in the park shortly before 10:20 a.m. on May 16.



The mixture in the devices -- made from water, drain cleanser and aluminum foil in plastic bottles -- creates hydrogen gas to generate a caustic explosion, Maryland-National Capital Park Police said in a release Tuesday.

Park police from the Montgomery County division responded to the scene and confirmed the devices were undetonated explosives.

Authorities searched the area for any other devices or evidence but did not find anything, they said.

The Montgomery County Fire Marshal's Office is continuing the investigation with park police. Authorities are warning anyone who might find any suspicious devices to not approach or touch them and to notify park police immediately at 301-949-3010.
Police have identified an injured toddler who was dropped off at a Marlyand hospital Sunday but are still working to confirm guardianship of the little girl, they said Tuesday.

A woman took the little girl to Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring on Sunday, believing she needed medical care, Montgomery County Police said. The woman told hospital personnel that she didn't know who the girl was.

"She was asked to babysit the child on Saturday by her sister and when she couldn't get in touch with her sister to ask about this child, she then brought the child to the hospital," Montgomery County police Sgt. Rebecca Innocenti said.

Hospital staff then alerted police.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) posted a photograph of the little girl with big brown eyes on their website, asking the public's help identifying her. The girl had visible injuries to the lower half of her body when she arrived at the hospital, according to the NCMEC.

Montgomery County Police have not released her name but said she was identified Tuesday morning. They have also identified one parent, but detectives still trying to determine who has legal guardianship of the child, police said.

"The detectives will confirm guardianship and also investigate the circumstances how this child came to be at this woman's home and certainly ensure that this child is being taken care of and has proper care," Innocenti said.

The 2-year-old girl is receiving medical treatment.
A man accused of breaking into a home in Clinton, Maryland, and setting it on fire has been arrested, police announced on Twitter.

Police said Wayne Gardiner, 33, of Clinton, broke into a home on the 7500 block of Surratts Road just after 8 a.m. Tuesday. Witnesses told police they saw the suspect removing items from the home, including a shotgun.

Gardiner set the home of fire before running into a nearby wood line, police said at a news conference. The fire was small

Police said the man who lives in the home was safe. Police said there's no known relationship between Gardiner and the homeowner.

Residents in the area of Surratts Road and Moores Lane were asked to shelter in place while police searched for the suspect.

Gardiner was arrested about 10:20 a.m., police said on Twitter.
A federal judge has removed another issue that could have blocked construction of the Purple Line in Maryland.

The judge dismissed part of a lawsuit that alleged the environmental review of the light rail line violated protections on endangered species and migratory birds, the Washington Post reported Tuesday.

The proposed rail line would run between Bethesda in Montgomery County and New Carrollton in Prince George's County, connecting with existing Metro stations in Silver Spring, College Park and New Carrollton.

Maryland officials can appeal the remaining issues from the lawsuit, which requires more studies on the possible effect of declining Metro ridership.

Work on the 16-mile line has been delayed 7 months because of a federal suit filed by opponents of the line to connect Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
Montgomery County, Maryland, police arrested two people in connection with the beating and stabbing death of a man in a motel parking lot early Sunday morning.

Detectives said Ruben Ortiz, 20, from Adelphia, Maryland, and Collette Cox, 19, of Wheaton, Maryland, were arrested late Sunday and charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery in the death of Sulaiman Jalloh, 24, of Bowie, Maryland.

Investigators said Jalloh and some of his friends were approached by Ortiz and Cox at the Silver Spring Metro station on Saturday, where they offered to sell Jalloh marijuana. The two groups agreed to meet outside of the Days Inn in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Police said when they met around 11 p.m. Saturday, Jallohs friends robbed Ortiz of cash and his shoes. Later, Ortiz and a small group of people went to Jallohs motel room and demanded the return of the cash and shoes, which was done.

Just before 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Jalloh went outside to the parking lot, where police said Ortiz, Cox, and a group of people beat, stabbed and robbed him. After the attack, Jalloh was able to make it back to his room and called police.

Jalloh was transported to the hospital, where he died.

Ortiz and Cox are being held without bail at the Montgomery County Detention Center.
To the Kurdish peshmerga forces patrolling northern Iraq in March 2016, Mohamad Khweis looked for all the world like an Islamic State suicide bomber. They certainly didn't peg him as a bus driver from the wealthy suburbs of Washington, D.C.

As they saw him approach from the stretch of no-man's land separating the Islamic State from Kurdish-controlled sections of Iraq, they fired warning shots in the air. They ordered him to strip to his underwear. They confiscated his cash and his canned fish, thinking it might be a bomb.

They were surprised to find out he was an American, carrying a Virginia driver's license. U.S. officials were surprised as well - they had no idea Khweis had left Virginia to travel to the Islamic State.

Now Khweis, 27, is scheduled to go on trial Tuesday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, for providing material support to a terrorist organization.

While more than 100 Americans have been charged with terror-related offenses connected to the Islamic State, most have been charged in sting operations, where the defendant only thought he had made a connection to the Islamic State.

Khweis is among a small number of Americans who actually made it to the Islamic State, and then fled after realizing they had made a mistake.

Khweis told Kurdish television that life in Mosul was difficult and "I found it very, very hard to live there.'' He noted that there was no smoking and compulsory religion classes.

Khweis grew up in northern Virginia and graduated from Edison High School in Fairfax County in 2007. According to court records, he served as a bus driver for the region's Metro system.

In 2015, he left the U.S. for Europe. After stops in London and the Netherlands, he arrived in Turkey, and Islamic State facilitators smuggled him across the Syrian border to Raqqa, prosecutors say.

In Raqqa, the Islamic State's capital, prosecutors say Khweis went through a formal intake process, in which he indicated his willingness to serve as a suicide bomber, prosecutors say. He was then sent to live in Mosul, where he spent several weeks taking lengthy classes in Islamic law.

He spent three months in the Islamic State, and Khweis' lawyers say he tried several times to escape. Finally, he was able to escape after an all-night hike from the Iraqi town of Tal Afar. He walked all night before reaching a Kurdish military checkpoint near Sinjar mountain.

The Kurdish captain who arrested Khweis testified at a pretrial hearing about the arrest.

"We thought he might be a suicide bomber,'' the peshmerga official testified through an interpreter. "Anyone before who approached us would blow themselves up.''

Many details of Khweis' case emerged in a pretrial hearing in which his defense lawyers sought unsuccessfully to have his confession tossed out of court. The defense lawyers argued that U.S. authorities abused a common practice in interrogating terrorism suspects. Authorities will often conduct separate interrogations, beginning with intelligence interviews. The subject's right to remain silent is not explained to him. After those interviews are concluded, a second "clean team'' of interrogators will re-question the suspect, reading him his rights and intending to use the information in a criminal prosecution.

The defense contended that the intelligence interrogators deliberately molded Khweis' answers into something that could be exploited by the clean team. At one point, the intelligence interrogator wrote in an email that Khweis was "lined up perfectly for the clean team.''

Defense lawyer John Zwerling said Khweis was desperate to return to the U.S. after spending weeks in a Kurdish prison, even if it meant facing criminal charges in the U.S. He said the FBI interrogators exploited that, suggesting that Khweis needed to incriminate himself sufficiently so that prosecutors would bring charges and seek his extradition.

Prosecutors acknowledged that the emails discussing Khweis being lined up for a criminal interrogation are unfortunate, but said Khweis was eager to talk.

In the pressure of a terror investigation "sometimes you don't say things with a queen's English precision,'' prosecutor Dennis Fitzpatrick said.

Ultimately, prosecutors say, Khweis was more than willing to talk about joining the Islamic State and agreed to be interviewed even after being informed that his family had hired a lawyer for him.

"This is a defendant who simply wanted to talk,'' said prosecutor Raj Parekh. "He wants his story to get out there. He wants his time with ISIS to be known.''
A spike in the number of Maryland State Police troopers being struck while on state roads is being blamed by state officials on distracted driving and people who get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.

At least 38 troopers have been struck by drivers along state highways in 2016, according to state records. There were an additional 20 accidents where unoccupied cruisers were smashed.

Elena Russo, with Maryland State Police, said troopers are being told to prepare for increasingly distracted drivers.

Troopers are trained in the academy from the start how to stay as safe as possible on any scene, whether it is a traffic stop, a crash or a homicide, Russo said. This just adds another layer that they have to pay attention to."

"It could be anything from distracted driving, aggressive driving, impaired driving, just not paying attention. There are so many contributing circumstances to any crash."

Maryland has a move over law, requiring drivers to shift a lane when they see police working on the side of a highway. State records showed more than 3,400 violations since 2014 in Montgomery County alone.
A woman who lured a man to a Maryland park where he was killed was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

On Tuesday, a Montgomery County judge sentenced Vanesa Alvarado, 20, to life in prison, but suspended all but 40 years, in the slaying of Cristian Villagran-Morales, 18, in a Gaithersburg park in June 2016. Alvarado pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

During sentencing, Judge Anne Albright said Montgomery County cannot be a community that tolerates violence of this kind.

Prosecutors said Alvarado promised Villagran-Morales sex, but she instead led him to MS-13 gang members, who were waiting in the park. Alvarado reportedly laughed as Villagran-Morales was attacked. Police said the victim was stabbed more than 150 times, and his body was left in the woods.

Villagran-Morales was not believed to be in a gang and was a hardworking man who did nothing wrong, police said. He was from New Jersey and had been staying with cousins in the D.C. area for two months while working a landscaping job, they said.



Prosecutors have three of the four gang members charged in Villagran-Morales's death. The fourth is in jail in Bedford, Virginia.
One of the Texas lawmakers involved in an argument on the House floor Monday says he has been receiving threats.

"I have been in contact with DPS, and I have let them know that I want to have my house monitored, that I want to have our district office monitored. They have been very quick to respond," said State Rep. Ramon Romero, D-Fort Worth.

Hundreds of protesters opposing Texas' tough new anti-"sanctuary cities" law launched a raucous demonstration from the public gallery in the Texas House on Monday, briefly halting work and prompting lawmakers on the floor below to scuffle.

The argument began after hundreds of protesters opposing Texas' tough new anti-"sanctuary cities" law launched a raucous demonstration from the public gallery in the Texas House on Monday, briefly halting work and prompting lawmakers on the floor below to scuffle -- and even threaten gun violence -- as tense divides over hardline immigration policies boiled over.

Activists wearing red T-shirts reading "Lucha," or "Fight," quietly filled hundreds of gallery seats as proceedings began. After about 40 minutes, they began to cheer, drowning out the lawmakers below. Protesters also blew whistles and chanted: "Here to stay!" and "Hey, hey, ho, ho, SB4 has got to go," referring to the bill that Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law this month.

Hundreds of protesters opposing Texas' tough new anti-"sanctuary cities" law drowned out lawmakers in the Texas Capitol on the final day of the legislative session, Monday, May 29, 2017.

Some unfurled banners reading: "See you in court!" and "See you at the polls!"

State House leadership stopped the session and asked state troopers to clear the gallery. The demonstration continued for about 20 minutes as officers led people out of the chamber peacefully in small groups. There were no reports of arrests.

Texas' new law is reminiscent of a 2010 Arizona "show your papers" measure that allowed police to inquire about a person's immigration status during routine interactions such as traffic stops. It was eventually struck down in court.

A legislative session that began in January concluded Monday, and the day was supposed to be reserved for goofy group photos and sappy goodbyes. Lawmakers are constitutionally barred from approving most legislation on the last day.

But even after the protest ended, tensions remained high. Romero said he was standing with fellow Democratic Rep. Cesar Blanco of El Paso when Republican colleague Matt Rinaldi came over and said: "This is BS. That's why I called ICE."

A statement regarding today. pic.twitter.com/M0BcBXa43P  Matt Rinaldi (@MattRinaldiTX) May 29, 2017

Rinaldi, of Irving in suburban Dallas, and Blanco then began shouting at each other. A scuffle nearly ensued before other lawmakers separated the two.

Later, a group of Democratic lawmakers held a press conference to accuse Rinaldi of threatening to "put a bullet in the head" of someone on the House floor during a second near scuffle. They said the comment was made in the direction of Democratic Rep. Poncho Nevarez, from the border town of Eagle Pass.

In a subsequent Facebook statement, Rinaldi admitted saying he'd called federal authorities and threatened to shoot Nevarez -- but said his life was in danger, not the other way around.

"Nevarez threatened my life on the House floor after I called ICE on several illegal immigrants who held signs in the gallery which said 'I am illegal and here to stay,'" Rinaldi wrote. He said Democrats were encouraging protesters to ignore police instructions and, "When I told the Democrats I called ICE, Representative Ramon Romero physically assaulted me, and other Democrats were held back by colleagues."

Hundreds of protesters opposing Texas' tough new anti-"sanctuary cities" law launched a raucous demonstration from the public gallery in the Texas House on Monday, briefly halting work and prompting lawmakers on the floor below to scuffle.

Rinaldi said Nevarez later "told me that he would 'get me on the way to my car.'" Rinaldi said he responded by making it clear "I would shoot him in self-defense," adding that he is currently under Texas Department of Public Safety protection.

NBC 5 has reached out to Rinaldi several times, and we have not heard back.

Republican State Rep. Rodney Anderson, who also represents part of Irving, was on the floor when the argument happened. He knows all of the lawmakers involved.

"You had some passionate people on both sides. Nerves are frayed, and it is one of those situations that is unfortunate, because it reflects poorly on the body, and it does not do anything to advance legislation to help the people of Texas," Anderson said.

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At their news conference Monday, Democratic lawmakers vowed to target Rinaldi's seat. His district is a competitive one. Rinaldi won by fewer than 1,200 votes.

"Dallas County is a very competitive county, and I would be more surprised if there was not a challenger for any of the Dallas County Republicans," Anderson said.

The Associated Press' Meredith Hoffman and Will Weissert contributed to this report.


A Massachusetts lawmaker is working to prevent teenagers from texting while behind the wheel.

With three teenagers at home, State Rep. Carolyn Dykema often worries about distracted driving. So, the Holliston Democrat has decided to do something about it.

Dykema authored a bill that would require cell phone companies to create an app that would disable a teen's phone when they are driving.

"This is something that I think we can put place that's reasonable," Dykema said.

According to Dykema, parents would have the option to install the app on phones of minors on their plan. Teen drivers could still call a pre-approved list of phone numbers, and 911, but would be restricted from texting, and apps such as SnapChat and Instagram.

"Another tool that parents can use to keep their kids safe," she said.

During a hearing, a Verizon representative said he didn't believe the technology existed to differentiate between the driver and passengers in the car, thus everyone would be blocked. The representative also said the same technology barrier would prevent teens from using their phones on buses, subways, and other moving modes of transportation.

Dykema still believes the app has merit.

"At least people are talking about it," Dykema said.
Dr. Andrea Carda had a clear vision about the type of town she wanted to practice optometry in.

It would be about the same size as her hometown of Brandon, S.D., a tight-knit community where people worked together in civic organizations, church and neighborhoods to improve their lives.

After checking out several communities, Carda chose Plattsmouth and contacted Dr. John Bateman about expanding the optometry businesses he has in Plattsmouth and Ashland.

I had lunch with Dr. Bateman and we talked and it turned out to be everything I wanted, she said.

Carda admitted the longtime Plattsmouth optometrist hadnt really been looking for an associate. But I talked to him about it and it opened up his mind to the idea of expanding, she said.

Although she grew up in a small town, Cardas pursuit of an optometry degree placed her in metropolitan communities. After graduating from Brandon Valley High School in 2001, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2005 at the University of South Dakota (USD) in Vermillion, S.D. It was very close to Sioux City, Iowa, she explained.

While in her second year at the university, Carda was sure she wanted to become an optometrist. I always knew I wanted to go into a medical field. Throughout my senior year in high school to my first year in college, I shadowed about every medical professional I could. Thats when I really decided optometry was the route I wanted to go. It was a good career for having a time for a family life and still be an important medical professional, she explained.

After graduating from USD, she moved to Chicago to attend the Illinois College of Optometry, the largest optometry college in the United States. Carda said it took a while for her to get used to such a big city, especially since her first residence was in a dorm situated in the south side of Chicago.

The second year I moved to the suburbs and my husband now, Landon, moved out there. We moved into a loft in downtown Chicago and we loved it. In the summertime, it was great. We lived near Lake Shore and by Michigan Avenue, Carda said. We loved it until we decided to have kids.

Carda earned her Optometry Degree in 2009 and practiced optometry for two years in Chicago. In 2011, we moved to Papillion. We could have moved back to South Dakota to a small town. We did realize we liked the city and wanted to have more opportunities. So we moved here to Nebraska and we love it, she said. Since I moved, I knew I wanted to get back to that small-town feel that I grew up with.

Now, she and her husband have two daughters, Ayla and Addison. Before joining Batemans office, Carda worked in Bellevue and Council Bluffs honing her skills even further.

She will be in Batemans office in Plattsmouth on Thursdays and in Ashland on Tuesdays. In rural areas, youre really a patient care specialist. You not only fit contacts and prescribe glasses, you give full, comprehensive eye exams to people of all ages. We see red-eye patients, take care of eye emergencies, do pre- and post-op surgical evaluations, treat glaucoma and macular degeneration, diagnose cataracts and do diabetic exams, she said. Optometrists are some of the first medical professionals to detect diabetes.

One of Cardas special interests is in pediatric optometry. Childrens visual systems are fixed by age 11, so its really important to get the right prescription and fix any visual disorders by that age. When their visual system matures, you cant always fix them and they become all one problem, she said. A lot of learning disabilities can stem from an uncorrected prescription.

Carda cautions people to be skeptical of glasses and contacts ordered off the Internet. The American Optometric Association has found that one in two glasses are made wrong. Problems range from minor things like the wrong fit to everything including the prescription being wrong, she said. When it comes to eyes, youre not buying a shirt. Youre buying a medical device.

Carda said she is anxious to meet people in the community. Im really excited to get back into a small, tight-knit community and get back to that feel I had in Brandon, she said.

To make an appointment with Carda, call 402.296.2200 for Batemans Plattsmouth office or 402.944.3339 for his Ashland office.
A massive search for a Maine woman who went missing while canoeing in the Saco River ended Tuesday when crews recovered her body.

According to affiliate WCSH, wardens have found the body of 38-year-old Jennifer Bousquet of South Berwick.

Bousquet went missing Saturday when she fell out of a canoe into the Saco River in Fryeburg. Wayne Demers, 62 of Somerworth, New Hampshire, and Brian Day, 54 of South Berwick also fell out of the canoe, but made it to safety.

Officials said alcohol was a factor in the incident and added the river is extremely, high, fast, and cold due to recent rains.

Two officers were seriously injured when attempting to locate Bousquet after their boat hit an object, throwing both of them from the boat.

The police officers were seriously injured and taken by LifeFlight to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.

Officer Nathan Desjardins is currently suffering possibly life-threatening injuries and Officer Dale Stout has serious injuries but is now in stable condition, according to Central Maine Medical Center.
A bodyguard for rapper Wale has been accused of carrying a loaded firearm near a Boston nightclub without a license and has been arrested.

The Boston Globe reports Eric Miller pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges including unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a large-capacity feeding device. Bail was set at $50,000 cash.

The newspaper says the prosecutor and Miller's defense attorney have identified him as a bodyguard for hip-hop artist Wale, a Washington native behind songs including "Bad" and "The Matrimony."

Police say Miller was arrested at the Bijou nightclub on Stuart Street on Sunday after he was identified as one of the participants in a fight. Prosecutors said he was on parole for a Washington, D.C., murder case.

Police say Miller told the officers he had placed a gun in a nearby vehicle and they recovered it. Authorities say Miller didn't have a valid firearms license.

Wale, who is from Washington, D.C., performed a concert at the House of Blues in Boston on Saturday night.
The Maine Attorney Generals office is investigating a deadly officer-involved shooting in Arundel on Memorial Day.

According to the York County Sheriffs Department, two deputies shot 37-year-old Chad Dionne at his home on Old Alfred Road around 2:15 a.m. following reports of a "domestic disturbance." Sheriff William King said the deputies had an "armed encounter" with Dionne.

Deputies Steven Thistlewood and Heath Mains are on leave from the department, as the AGs office investigates the use of deadly force.

"It totally shocks me," said Joe Troegner, Dionnes friend and former employer.

Troegner owns an auto body shop in Biddeford, and said Dionne was his mechanic for nine years. He recently left that business to open his own auto service down the road, which is now closed. It is not clear if Dionnes Auto Service will open again.

"This situation I feel could have been avoided," said Troegner. "I just dont know what was going through his head."

Dionne had a wife and 5-year-old son. Friends have started a Go Fund Me page to support them, because they do not have insurance.

"Unfortunately for the family, Memorial Day is going to be something to remember all the time," said Troegner. "Its sad. So sad."
The Massachusetts man charged with the alleged kidnapping and assault of a 6-year-old girl Friday night in Brockton, is due to be arraigned.

Avery Howard, 32, of Brockton, was charged with kidnapping and assault and battery after a missing 6-year-old girl was found with him hours earlier.

The girl, who's name has not been released, disappeared from Norton and was found safe in nearby Easton after a search that lasted several hours.

According to Norton police, the girl went missing in the area of East Main Street near the Easton line around 12:15 p.m. on Friday.

She was first seen on her own with a small pink suitcase. After, she was spotted in the area of Shaws Supermarket on Depot Street in Easton.

Norton police later received two tips that a child had gotten into a car with a man in the area of 792 Foundry St. around 11:45 a.m.

The child's description matched that of the missing girl.

"We rallied up detectives and officers and began to canvass that area. At approximately 2:45 p.m. as we were canvassing that area, a suspect vehicle came to the area we were [in]," Norton Police Chief Brian Clark said.

A detective stopped the vehicle, being driven by Howard, and found the missing child in the front seat.

Police detained Howard and later charged him.

He is due to be arraigned in Taunton District Court.
A man is in custody after leading police on a multi-town chase on the Massachusetts Turnpike and Interstate 495 on Tuesday afternoon.

Police say the chase began in Auburn at about 4:30 p.m., where the driver was seen acting suspiciously behind the La Quinta Inn on Southbridge Street. Officers tried to arrest him there, but they say he resisted. A stun gun was used, but was unsuccessful, and police say he was able to get back into his vehicle to flee.

"Unfortunately the taser wasn't successful and they actually had to remove - they still had the leeds in him when he arrested," Auburn Detective Sgt. Scott Mills recalled.

Authorities pursued him, and the chase ended in a crash on I-495 in Marlborough, on the Exit 24 off-ramp to Route 20, where he lost control of his vehicle at about 4:50 p.m.

The suspect was identified by Auburn Police as Marqus Mitchell, 33, of Peabody.

"The suspect emerged from the vehicle with a firearm in hands and threw the firearm at the troopers," said Mills."(He) wouldnt take his hands out of his pockets. Was acting somewhat suspiciously. The officers were concerned... they began a pat down."

During the pat down, police said drugs were found on Mitchell and a magazine for the gun was found inside the car.

Police said they had to use pepper spray to subdue Mitchell and were then able to take him into custody.

According to police, no one was injured.

"When I heard the officers say over the radio that he had a gun, my heart sank and it brought me right back to one year ago when Officer Tarentino was shot. I am thankful no one was hurt," said Auburn Police Chief Andy Sluckis.

Mitchell is being held on $25,000 cash bail. Police said he will be arraigned Wednesday in Worcester District Court on a multitude of charges including failure to stop for police and brandishing a gun.
Charles Krupa/AP

It was an honor to host Kyle and his team for an exercise at Gillette Stadium in 2011. It gave new meaning to the stadium being known as home of the Patriots. We were deeply saddened to hear of Kyles death earlier this month, Patriots owner Robert Kraft told the Herald in a statement this week.



As Memorial Day weekend approaches, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by patriots like Kyle and so many others who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend and protect our rights as Americans. Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt appreciation are extended to the Milliken family and the many families who will be remembering lives lost this Memorial Day weekend, Kraft said.

In 2011, Maine native Kyle Milliken, along with other Navy SEAL members, took part in a training exercise at Gillette Stadium, where he got to meet Tom Brady.Earlier the month, Milliken, 38, tragically passed away in a firefight in Somalia.Brady never forgot Milliken, and offered condolences to his family by sending a video message that was played at his funeral.Milliken was a big Patriots fan, and talked about the team with other Navy SEALs he served with. Patriots owner Robert Kraft also released a statement on Milliken, offering his condolences to the family.May he rest in peace.Follow me on Twitter - @JesseGaunce For more of my articles, click here


Little-known church in middle of Norwich clubland Little-known church in middle of Norwich clubland

A little-known Christian church active in the middle of Norwich's clubland for the last 100 years is inviting people to join its new Christianity Explored course. Matthew Pickhaver from Norwich Evangelical Free Church (Railway Mission) reports.
It was a busy holiday weekend, and Great Britains national flag carrier was forced to ground all flights out of Londons two main airports, Heathrow and Gatwickwhich affected the airlines operations around the world. Oh, and the incident also affected British Airways call centers and online booking sites, making the situation even more frustrating for stranded passengers.

Most operations have now been restored, the airline says, but more than 1,000 flights were canceled and 75,000 passengers stranded.

But heres the thing: The problems werent due to some evil cyber attack or ransomware assault. Nope, it was just another global IT system failure, reportedly British Airways sixth such incident in the last year alone!

Power supply issue blamed

As the chaos continued, British Airways CEO Alex Cruz laid the cause on a relatively short power surge that was so strong it affected the ability of a backup system to start up properly for several hours, possibly affecting data sychronization. Cruz declined to say where problem was located, and the BBC reported that Cruz is resisting calls to resign over the incident.

According to The Independent, the airline is still working to figure out the precise causes, but some are blaming a common combination of modern and legacy technologies. According to the Register, British Airways maintains two large data centers near its Heathrow headquarters.

Outsourcing blamed

Meanwhile, the GMB union representing much of British Airways IT staff blamed the problem on the companys recent outsourcing of many IT functions to Tata Consultancy Services in India. According to British newspaper The Sun, sources claim the airlines backup system "failed to take over when the primary [IT system] failed due to a power cut, and the problem spiraled out of control because inexperienced staff in India didnt know how to kick-start the airlines back-up system.

The airline responded, saying, We would never compromise the integrity and security of our IT systems. That sounds great except thatone way or anotherthose systems integrity has obviously been compromised. And Cruz, meanwhile, claimed the incident had nothing to do with cost cutting: "They've all been local issues around a local data centre, which has been managed and fixed by local resources," he told Sky News.

+ Also on Network World: Were learning the wrong lessons from airline IT outages +

Maybe not, but the incident points to the often-overlooked human factor in disaster recovery systems. Its not enough to the have the equipment in place to deal with outages and other incidents. Its not even enough to develop plans to deal with problems. Its critical to make sure key personnel are knowledgeable and practiced in actually implementing those plans.

That usually means regular failure and back-up testing, with game-day simulations of all the things that can possibly go wrong. To be fair, I have no idea to what degree British Airways has such measures in place, but it seems clear that whatever the airline was doing, it wasnt enough. And it isnt hard to imagine that the complex international nature of the airlines IT systems and staffing didnt help.

Time to check your companys disaster recovery capabilities

Again according to The Sun, sources close to British Airways are calling the situation "appalling. With one saying, No major company should be in a position where 300,000 of its customers were stranded, with little to no information.  It's a shambles. Heads should roll for this."

Given the magnitude of the problems, and an estimated 100 million compensation bill, its quite likely IT leaders could lose their jobs over the weekends events. And if thats not enough to spur an immediate and careful review of your companys disaster recovery plans and procedures, Im not sure what you could possibly be waiting for.
CIOs looking to hire good talent risk being caught in a pincer as fast rising demand runs up against falling supply. Ever more companies and functions need staff with strong tech skills, while the number of STEM graduates in developed countries is in decline. Yet perhaps the most difficult part of the challenge is competition with startups. Startups offer much of what IT employees prioritize when considering an employer  compensation, future career opportunities and ongoing development, according to data from CEB, now part of Gartner (Disclosure: I am employed by CEB, now Gartner).

In addition to a competitive salary, many startups attract top talent by offering the opportunity to own a stake in the company. They give employees the opportunity to move ideas quickly from conception to commercialization and to move careers forward at a similar pace, instead of waiting several years. While most big companies talk a good game about innovation and creativity, in reality caution usually comes first. In contrast, creative and independent work is the lifeblood of many startups.

Recognizing that they are falling behind, leading CIOs are reworking their employment offers to match the attractions of startups without giving up the benefits of scale, experience and brand recognition that come with being a large enterprise. Taking a page from the startup playbook, these CIOs are adopting three strategies to attract and retain top talent:

1. Embrace risk and failure: Startups have everything to win and little to lose, so risk-taking comes naturally. At large enterprises the situation is reversed. Even if an innovative idea is wildly successful its unlikely to outstrip existing business, while a failure can seriously damage the companys reputation. This creates a risk-averse culture where IT employees hesitate to take on challenging projects. As the demand for tech talent increases at all companies, employees who feel trapped in this type of culture may seek out companies that provide more creative freedom.

The best companies understand that the most effective way to change attitudes toward risk and failure is to encourage an environment where staff discuss and learn from their failures. A leading media company uses a gamification approach for doing this. They encourage IT employees to create videos on failure and use quizzes to reinforce the lessons learned. This approach teaches employees to learn from the failures that happen with innovation.

2. Cultivate an environment of creativity and innovation: At many startups, employees can suggest smart ideas and see them come to life quickly. At large organizations, however, employees are often many layers removed from someone who can make their ideas real. As employees in all parts of large businesses are increasingly tech-savvy and their experiences with technology permeate into their day-to-day roles, they become a key source of ideas for how to use technology to achieve business goals. But inability to turn ideas in to reality is a growing source of frustration for employees.

The IT team at a leading auto maker helps employees develop their ideas for technological innovation into prototypes and obtain investments for them. They assist in creating infrastructure, providing expertise and showcasing prototypes to gain funding. The practice ensures prototypes with high potential business value are maintained until business partners can provide the additional funding and support needed to move the prototype into full development.

3. Create growth-based careers: Employees at startups can grow their careers as fast as the company grows or evolves, which is sometimes very fast indeed. Employees at large companies also rate future career and development opportunities among the top motives for joining or leaving a company, but they usually move forward much more slowly.

The IT leadership team at a global high-tech company carves out time in leadership meetings to discuss the career aspirations of high-performing staff. This helps IT leaders understand the individual career goals of their teams and helps match them with available opportunities. As a result, the company fills operational needs faster and employees get opportunities to move their careers forward as soon as they arise.

When top tech talent look to make a career move, its safe to assume they are comparing large corporations and startups side-by-side. Corporate IT leaders should take this opportunity to modernize and deliver things that matter to IT professionals. Coupling innovation and development with the natural advantages of incumbent companies  things like stability and large customer bases  can make even the biggest company a fitting rival to a startup when it comes to attracting the best IT talent.
Hungry for Swedish pancakes?

Or has it been awhile since youve seen some ethnic dancing?

If so, you might want to head to Oakland for a family friendly celebration that includes music, food, history, art and other activities.

The public is invited to the 2017 Oakland Swedish Festival. The three-day celebration is set for Friday-Sunday in Oakland, a community about 30 miles north of Fremont on U.S. Highway 77.

Festival highlights include Humanities Nebraska speaker David Marsh of Denton, who will provide a historical program on Music of the Plains, and dedication of a Center for Rural Affairs Byway of Art project.

Area residents can see Swedish dancers and view an art show. A traditional crowning of a Swedish king and queen is planned as well.

Activities begin with the beef burger meal from 4:30-7 p.m. Friday at Oakland First United Methodist Church, 113 N. Oakland Ave.

The Logan Valley Artists Art Show and Wine Tasting is set from 5-8 p.m. in the Jacobs building, Second Street and Oakland Avenue, and Swedish Smoothies will be served 7-9 p.m. at Memories Cafe on Oakland Avenue (the towns Main Street).

The Swedish tractor pull starts at 8 p.m. on the main street and a Swedish film will be shown, beginning at 9 p.m. at the Swedish Heritage Center on U.S. Highway 77 in Oakland. The event is free and open to the public.

A host of activities are planned for Saturday.

The 2017 Swede Stampede starts at 8 a.m. at Oakland City Park, 101 W. Fulton Ave., just off of Nebraska Highway 32. To register, visit www.active.com.

Swedish pancakes will be served from 7-10 a.m. at the Golden Oaks Senior Center in downtown Oakland. The thin, crepe-like pancakes are served with lingonberries, said Jeff Troupe, a member of the Swedish Heritage Center.

The Logan Valley Artists Art Show runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Jacobs building. Wine tasting is set from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, the annual coronation of a Swedish king and queen will take place in the Swedish Heritage Center.

Its been part of what the Swedish festival is all about, Troupe said.

Both the king and queen have a Swedish heritage.

The neat part about that is they tell where the family came from and how they ended up in Oakland and what their history is, and to me thats always very interesting, Troupe said.

Many festival-goers also enjoy the Humanities Nebraska speakers.

This year, David Marsh will give his program at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the Swedish Heritage Center.

In his program, Marsh will talk about pioneers who settled the Plains, experiencing similar hardships and joys. His goals are to demonstrate the various cultures represented by these people and share stories and songs that arose out of their common experience.

Through his music, audiences can learn about homesteading, cowboys, childrens games and life on the prairie.

From 2:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday the Omaha Swedish Dancers will perform next to Oaklands city auditorium on the towns main street.

The Star Belle Ukulele Band will perform from 4-8 p.m. downtown. Besides ukuleles, the trio of performers play guitar, banjo and accordion in a combination of country, folk and Americana styles with improvisational comedy. The groups website states that it has performed at the Denver Ukefest and Flatwater Music Festival in Hastings.

Hungry festival attendees have another chance to indulge in some Swedish cuisine 5-7 p.m. Saturday in the Nelson Food Pride parking lot. A Swedish plate dinner will be sold. The plate included Swedish potato sausage, meatballs in cream sauce, scalloped potatoes, brown beans, rye bread and ostakaka (like custard) with lingonberries. Cost is $12 per plate.

Area residents also are invited to see the debut of the newest addition to the Center for Rural Affairs Byway of Art project  Lycka Till  at 7 p.m. Saturday. The event is free.

Lycka Till, a usable art piece is a mobile stage with a backdrop of Swedish row homes.

It will be dedicated before a performance of Oles Last Bow, a musical based on a true story of Ole Ivverson, one of the last Swedish vaudeville performers.

Folks who are hungry can stop by for rolls and coffee from 9-10 a.m. Sunday in the city auditorium. A freewill donation will be accepted.

The community worship service begins at 10 a.m. on the Lycka Till stage downtown. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.

Art-lovers have one more opportunity to see the Logan Valley art show from 9 a.m. to noon in the Jacobs building.

Troupe encourages area residents to attend these and other festival activities.

Its a unique ethnic festival and it has some different things to do than what most festivals have, he said.
Newbury Business Park blocks being converted into flats

FEARS that Newbury is fast becoming a dormitory town have resurfaced after plans to convert more than 50,000 sq ft of office space into flats on Newbury Business Park were given the green light last week.

The development will see three office blocks in the business park, located in London Road, converted into 129 one-bed flats under permitted development rights (PDR).

PDR allows a developer to convert office space into residential without a planning application being required and some are now calling on West Berkshire Council to take action.

Within the last six months, developers have been given the go-ahead to convert almost 130,000 sq ft of Newbury office space into residential units.

Serious concerns have now been raised over the ongoing PDR conversions and what this means for the towns ability to attract businesses and create jobs for residents.

Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats on West Berkshire Council, Alan Macro, said: Theres a valid concern that we are losing a lot of potential jobs for people in Newbury and the idea of people having to then travel further afield will put stress on them and the transport system.

Introduced in 2013, PDR allows a developer to change the use of a building from business to residential without having to submit a planning application, however, the local planning authority must first determine if prior approval is needed.

In November 2016, proposals to convert 60,000 sq ft of offices in Overbridge Square Business Park were also allowed to proceed under PDR.

Mr Macro has now called on West Berkshire Council to introduce regulations to limit the scope of PDR in the form of an article 4 direction.

He said: One of the big concerns I have about this is that the grounds for objection or refusing prior approval notices are very limited in most cases.

I think we are at the stage where the council really ought to look at taking the powers to refuse these developments.

Each one will be looked at on its own merits but West Berkshire Council really ought to get these powers and in cases such as this refuse them.

n Continued on page 5

n Continued from front page

We are in great danger of losing a lot of office space and a lot of jobs and we really need to have this in our armoury to protect them.

This year has also seen one of the towns biggest employers, Bayer, relocate its UK headquarters  and 470 employees  from Newbury to Green Park in Reading, further adding to fears over Newburys future dormitory town status.

Earlier this month, West Berkshire Councils chief executive, Nick Carter, admitted that Newbury couldnt compete with Green Park.

He added that attempts had been made to relocate Bayer within the town, but claimed the pharmaceutical and life sciences giant always had an eye on a site closer to London.

Discussing about the possibility of other employers also relocating, Mr Carter said: At the end of the day companies will form their own view about where they want to be.

I still think Newbury, West Berkshire, is a very attractive place for companies and perhaps a slightly more attractive place to live than perhaps to locate.

Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News yesterday (Wednesday) Richard Deal, director of Newbury-based chartered surveyor Deal Varney, raised further fears over the towns ability to attract new business.

Mr Deal said that with developments such as Crossrail in Reading due to be completed by 2020, businesses would look to relocate closer to London before considering Newbury as a destination.

He added: There have been a couple of new lettings on Newbury Business Park for businesses that are expanding  moving within Newbury  but expanding.

The trouble is we have almost run out of office space, so quite what can be done Im not too sure.

At the end of the day if a business wants to move away it will move.

If its worth double for residential than business then what are developers going to do?

Asked if he believes the loss of existing businesses coupled with the loss of office space through PDR would see Newbury become a dormitory town, he said: Theres good industrial business here, theres a good retail market so its not the whole commercial world going down the plughole but there are serious concerns about the office market.

So its not the end of the world, but it is going that way.

Speaking earlier this month, West Berkshire Council spokesman Martin Dunscombe said: West Berkshire already has a number of article 4 directions in place and officers are considering the issues surrounding its use on office conversions, the implications for West Berkshire and what evidence the council can produce to justify their introduction.
The Newbury Weekly News puts your questions to the candidates in the run up to the General Election on June 8

David Yates - Apolitical

The Newbury Weekly News puts your questions to the candidates in the run up to the General Election on June 8.

David Yates is a Newbury-based builder and is campaigning for monetary reform.

The following questions were chosen and asked in this order, so you can jump to the questions that most interest you.

 What do you think is the biggest issue affecting West Berkshire and what would you do to tackle it?

 What will the best Brexit deal look like?

 What would your party do to protect frontline services in West Berkshire?

 What needs to be done to solve the NHS funding crisis?

 What can be done to decrease the number of homeless people in West Berkshire?

 Should free school meals be abolished for all infant school pupils?

 What are your views on the necessity of Britains nuclear deterrent Trident?

 Should the ban on fox hunting be lifted and why?

 Would you support the introduction of more grammar schools?

 Would you abolish inheritance tax and why?
Bob Weatherly remembers the day he reached DaNang Air Base in Vietnam.

It was 1969 and the base had been hit with enemy rockets and mortar fire.

I had a rude awakening when I got off the airplane, the Fremont man said. It was hot and there were fires and smoke.

He and other military personnel hurried up a dark alley to the terminal. Weatherly saw what he thought was a small dog run in front of them.

It wasnt a dog, the man leading the group explained, it was a large rat.

This is not a good place, Weatherly thought. Its going to be a long year.

As Memorial Day approaches, Weatherly paused to remember his service in Vietnam almost five decades ago. As someone who had to make sure deceased military personnel made it back to their families in the United States, Weatherly knows the importance of this observance.

You do it to pay respect to the people who gave their lives for their country, he said.

Weatherlys own military experiences occurred years ago. A 1965 Tekamah High School graduate, Weatherly went to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for a year.

That didnt work out so I came back home and worked on the family farm, he said.

Weatherly enlisted in the United States Air Force in December 1966 and had basic training in Amarillo, Texas, in 1967. He then spent 1  years in McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., as an air traffic specialist in the base terminal.

Military personnel and their dependents went from that base to England, Germany, Spain and Newfoundland.

It was a job he liked.

Weatherly left for Vietnam in 1969.

I was older than most people going to Vietnam, he said. I was a little more mature than a lot of the kids.

Many were only 18 or 19 years old.

Weatherly first lived in a four-man tent along the perimeter close to a dike around some rice paddies. Every night, he and the other men saw Viet Cong running across the dike.

If they felt like it, theyd take a shot at our tent, he said, noting, You were always nervous.

DaNang was called The Rocket City, because VC and the North Vietnamese Army fired on it a lot.

Weatherly and other men were moved from the tent to a gym with bunk beds and no privacy.

The U.S. Navy built new barracks which moved Weatherly and other men closer to a newly built terminal, where he worked.

He chose to work nights since he often was awake anyway because of the rockets and mortar fire.

Weatherly recalls how the enemy would shoot a series of six or more rockets  with each one getting closer to the terminal.

They tried to play mind games, he said.

One night during enemy fire, Weatherly had taken cover under a desk in the office where he worked when a rocket exploded outside. A red hot chunk of metal landed about three feet from him in the open air lobby.

In his job, Weatherly worked with lost shipments or missing units.

He provided a daily report of the previous days activities to the squadron commander at 8 a.m. The report included data on every plane that landed and took off, what was loaded and unloaded and the number of passengers.

Each day, 30 caskets with deceased military personnel were sent home to the United States. Weatherlys job included matching a mortuary list of deceased personnel with a flight manifest to ensure the paperwork was correct.

Some caskets included people from Nebraska. Weatherly saw names of young men with whom hed gone to college.

One of Weatherlys friends, who unloaded freight from airplanes, died while driving a forklift around a building. Someone transporting a barrel for a 105 mm Howitzer collided with the forklift and his friend was killed.

Weatherly got out of the service in 1971 and remembers protesters yelling at the airport in California. He and other servicemen were told not to comment and just get through the airport lobby.

He came home, was married and worked at the family farm. He and his wife, Jane, would have two children, Mike and Jill.

Weatherly went to the University of Nebraska at Omaha on the G.I. bill from 1971-74. He graduated with a bachelors degree in business with majors in real estate and accounting.

I changed my attitude toward studies. Over the four years I was in the service, I decided youve got to be a little more serious and study more. Education is important, he said.

In 1991, his wife Jane died of a heart condition. Six months after her death, their son, Mike, died of cancer. He remarried in 1993. His wife, Beth, works in Fremont. His daughter, Jill, is employed in Lincoln. Daughter Amber lives in Louisiana with the Weatherlys grandchildren, Charlie and Will.

After he returned from Vietnam, Weatherly and his dad sold center pivots until 1990. Weatherly got an electricians license and worked in Omaha.

He then became an irrigation technician for the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development farm at Mead. He worked there more than 10 years before retiring in 2014.

Weatherly was walking at the Fremont Family YMCA when he saw a notice stating that a part-time bus driver was needed.

During the school year, he takes children from the YMCA to four elementary schools, Johnson Crossing Academic Center and Fremont Middle School. He picks them up after school and takes them to the YMCA. In the summer, he takes children enrolled in the Ys Summer Fun Club to field trips.

Earlier this month, Weatherly was among 650 Vietnam veterans from Nebraska who made the Patriotic Productions Flight to Washington, D.C. The flight was made possible in part by a Fremont Area Community Foundation grant.

Weatherly said the reception when the group got off the plane in Washington, D.C., was tear-jerking. He liked seeing the wall and found the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery to be emotional.

Coming into the Lincoln Airport, where veterans were greeted by an estimated crowd of 7,000 people left him speechless.

That was beyond what you could try to imagine, he said. You didnt realize that many people cared.

Weatherly and a fellow veteran were walking into the lobby then the other man summed up the experience.

The last time I did this coming from Vietnam, walking up the off ramp, they (protesters) were yelling at us, but they were throwing stuff at us, too, he said. This is completely different.

And it was a much different scene for Weatherly than ones he saw when he stepped off a plane in DaNang and later in a California airport so many years ago.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: A beef fest planned at Town Hall in the city on Monday ended in a tussle between left and right leaning outfits, without beef being served. The event, called Mooment Bengaluru, was planned by left-leaning organisations to protest against the ban on trade of cattle for slaughter at animal markets.

However, the protesters had to leave the venue after the police told them that permission was not granted for the event.



Around 6pm, activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of CPI(M), raised slogans against the Prime Minister and what they called beef ban. A tussle broke out when right wing activists including VHP workers tried to assault the Left-backed protesters when the later were being taken into police custody.



We came here for a peaceful protest but right wing groups assaulted us for no reason. The police were also turning a blind eye, said a DYFI member while being dragged by the police.However, rigt wing groups said they will not allow beef fests anywhere in the state. They were planning to cook and serve beef here. We have also asked top officials to stop such plans. We came here to thwart any such plans, said a VHP member.



Police said they detained around 25 people from both the sides. Five women students who protested against the Centres rules were also rounded up. We cannot allow any events or protests without permission, said a senior police officer.



Vinay Srinivasa, a lawyer and activist said, Members of right wing groups were assaulting the protesters and pushing the police. But police detained members of only left wing groups. When I questioned, they took me to the vehicle and throw my helmet away. This in contrast to the view of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who opposed the curbs on the sale of beef.



While the organisers claimed that they had permission to hold the beef fest, Dr Chandragupta, DCP, Bengaluru central division, tweeted that no permission had been given for any protest or beef fest at Town hall.



On Sunday, Students Federation of India (SFI) state vice president S Chikkaraju had sought permission to conduct a demonstration themed My Food My Choice. However, the police refused permission citing an intelligence report that organisers may cook and eat beef as done in Kerala, which may cause law and order problems in the city.

BENGALURU: A beef fest planned at Town Hall in the city on Monday ended in a tussle between left and right leaning outfits, without beef being served. The event, called Mooment Bengaluru, was planned by left-leaning organisations to protest against the ban on trade of cattle for slaughter at animal markets. However, the protesters had to leave the venue after the police told them that permission was not granted for the event. Around 6pm, activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of CPI(M), raised slogans against the Prime Minister and what they called beef ban. A tussle broke out when right wing activists including VHP workers tried to assault the Left-backed protesters when the later were being taken into police custody. We came here for a peaceful protest but right wing groups assaulted us for no reason. The police were also turning a blind eye, said a DYFI member while being dragged by the police.However, rigt wing groups said they will not allow beef fests anywhere in the state. They were planning to cook and serve beef here. We have also asked top officials to stop such plans. We came here to thwart any such plans, said a VHP member. Police said they detained around 25 people from both the sides. Five women students who protested against the Centres rules were also rounded up. We cannot allow any events or protests without permission, said a senior police officer. Vinay Srinivasa, a lawyer and activist said, Members of right wing groups were assaulting the protesters and pushing the police. But police detained members of only left wing groups. When I questioned, they took me to the vehicle and throw my helmet away. This in contrast to the view of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who opposed the curbs on the sale of beef. While the organisers claimed that they had permission to hold the beef fest, Dr Chandragupta, DCP, Bengaluru central division, tweeted that no permission had been given for any protest or beef fest at Town hall. On Sunday, Students Federation of India (SFI) state vice president S Chikkaraju had sought permission to conduct a demonstration themed My Food My Choice. However, the police refused permission citing an intelligence report that organisers may cook and eat beef as done in Kerala, which may cause law and order problems in the city.
Ramzauva Chhak By

Express News Service

Boards moderation policy raises its students scores and reduces scope of PU Board arts and commerce students. Bengalurean students from state PU Board worry they won't get a chance in premier colleges outside the state.

BENGALURU:Damini just passed her PU II year (arts) and wants to apply to St Xavier's College, Mumbai to pursue her undergraduate studies. "I got 82 per cent and want to pursue Psychology. I know there are good colleges here but I just want to study outside," says Damini. However, there is just one big problem. Although St Xavier's College has not released its cut-off yet this year, it was around 98 per cent last year and set to be around the same even this year.

By this standard, only the Karnataka topper from the arts stream with a per centage of 98.16 and the cream of toppers will be eligible to apply for the college. Under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), however, as many as 10,000 students have scored above 95 per cent and around 63,000 students have scored above 90 per cent this year. Students like Damini from state boards are at a clear disadvantage.

This disparity happened because CBSE went back on a plan it had made with 32 other state and national boards. The CBSE had agreed with the other boards to do away with the moderation policy this year in April, but decided to go ahead with it in the last moment.

The high scores under the CBSE have time and again been attributed to the system of moderation, a process followed by the CBSE since 1992. Moderation is a process of bringing parity in the difficulty level of different sets of questions by giving extra marks. However, in later years, it led to a spike in the marks resulting in very high scores and per centages.

After the CBSE had made its pact with the other boards in April, the Delhi High Court stepped in and directed the CBSE to implement the 'no moderation policy' from next year. However, Karnataka and a number of other state boards had already declared their results before the court ruling.

'Moderation is so unfair!'

Charithra Ajay Nayak, one of the state toppers in Arts with a per centage of 97.16 per cent, says the practice of moderation is totally unfair. Arts is theory based and one cannot possibly get a centum in any subect. It is not like science or commerce that have objective questions. Although I am not applying for a seat outside, I think those who apply to places like Delhi University will suffer a lot. I may be the topper in my board but if I go outside, the possibility of me being just another student and my score being just another per centage is scary and just not right, says this former student of Christ PU College.

With regards to commerce too it is the same. Cut-offs of top commerce colleges in Delhi such as the Sri Ram College and St Stephen's go through the roof. There was a time when the latter jacked up its cut-off to 100 per cent. With the CBSE scores at a high like last year, the cut-offs are going to be nothing less. Charithra's father, Ajay Yeshwanth Nayak, concurs with his daughter and says that there should either be uniformity in the markings or the uniqueness of each boards and their marking systems should be considered.

Staying back may work better

"Those going outside Karnataka would definitely get affected but not so much those who stay in the state," says Edward Christopher, principal, New Horizon PU College. There is not much competition for arts seats in Bengaluru colleges. Even the cut-off for commerce is reasonable in many of the top colleges. So far as science subjects are concerned most go for engineering that has a separate entrance tests. Those who take up pure sciences also do not have to face much competition.

At St Joseph's College the commerce cut off is 85 per cent and for certain combinations in arts such as English Journalism and Psychology, it is above 90 per cent. Students who go out will definitely lose out on top colleges. I think the government should think before makes decisions, says Fr Victor Lobo, principal of the college.

Ajay Seth, additional chief secretary, State Department of Primary and Secondary Education, says that for people who wish to pursue humanities, social sciences and commerce, there are a number of good institutions in the city that offer these courses. There are not a large number of children from here who would aspire to go to, say, Delhi. So the concern is not so relevant, he says. So far as engineering is concerned, even the requirement of PU marks will no longer be there from next year. There will only be the entrance marks that will be considered.

Low Pass Percentages

Karnataka had the worst over class 12 all pass percentages in seven years this year. It dipped from around 57 per cent to 52 per cent. Many experts have attributed this trend to the state not following the moderation policy. However, Seth says that it is not so. He highlighted two aspects to the policy - one was the practice of rewarding grace marks in case of erroneous and ambiguous questions and giving a few marks to help people achieve only their pass marks. It is the spiking of marks that the CBSE wants to do away with, he says. With the Human Resource Minister Prakash Javadekar saying that his ministry will not intervene in the CBSEs moderation policy, there is no clear sign of what to do. Seth says that while Karnataka will continue with the the practice of giving grace marks, spiking of marks has not been prescribed.

Boards moderation policy raises its students scores and reduces scope of PU Board arts and commerce students. Bengalurean students from state PU Board worry they won't get a chance in premier colleges outside the state. BENGALURU:Damini just passed her PU II year (arts) and wants to apply to St Xavier's College, Mumbai to pursue her undergraduate studies. "I got 82 per cent and want to pursue Psychology. I know there are good colleges here but I just want to study outside," says Damini. However, there is just one big problem. Although St Xavier's College has not released its cut-off yet this year, it was around 98 per cent last year and set to be around the same even this year. By this standard, only the Karnataka topper from the arts stream with a per centage of 98.16 and the cream of toppers will be eligible to apply for the college. Under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), however, as many as 10,000 students have scored above 95 per cent and around 63,000 students have scored above 90 per cent this year. Students like Damini from state boards are at a clear disadvantage. This disparity happened because CBSE went back on a plan it had made with 32 other state and national boards. The CBSE had agreed with the other boards to do away with the moderation policy this year in April, but decided to go ahead with it in the last moment. The high scores under the CBSE have time and again been attributed to the system of moderation, a process followed by the CBSE since 1992. Moderation is a process of bringing parity in the difficulty level of different sets of questions by giving extra marks. However, in later years, it led to a spike in the marks resulting in very high scores and per centages. After the CBSE had made its pact with the other boards in April, the Delhi High Court stepped in and directed the CBSE to implement the 'no moderation policy' from next year. However, Karnataka and a number of other state boards had already declared their results before the court ruling. 'Moderation is so unfair!' Charithra Ajay Nayak, one of the state toppers in Arts with a per centage of 97.16 per cent, says the practice of moderation is totally unfair. Arts is theory based and one cannot possibly get a centum in any subect. It is not like science or commerce that have objective questions. Although I am not applying for a seat outside, I think those who apply to places like Delhi University will suffer a lot. I may be the topper in my board but if I go outside, the possibility of me being just another student and my score being just another per centage is scary and just not right, says this former student of Christ PU College. With regards to commerce too it is the same. Cut-offs of top commerce colleges in Delhi such as the Sri Ram College and St Stephen's go through the roof. There was a time when the latter jacked up its cut-off to 100 per cent. With the CBSE scores at a high like last year, the cut-offs are going to be nothing less. Charithra's father, Ajay Yeshwanth Nayak, concurs with his daughter and says that there should either be uniformity in the markings or the uniqueness of each boards and their marking systems should be considered. Staying back may work better "Those going outside Karnataka would definitely get affected but not so much those who stay in the state," says Edward Christopher, principal, New Horizon PU College. There is not much competition for arts seats in Bengaluru colleges. Even the cut-off for commerce is reasonable in many of the top colleges. So far as science subjects are concerned most go for engineering that has a separate entrance tests. Those who take up pure sciences also do not have to face much competition. At St Joseph's College the commerce cut off is 85 per cent and for certain combinations in arts such as English Journalism and Psychology, it is above 90 per cent. Students who go out will definitely lose out on top colleges. I think the government should think before makes decisions, says Fr Victor Lobo, principal of the college. Ajay Seth, additional chief secretary, State Department of Primary and Secondary Education, says that for people who wish to pursue humanities, social sciences and commerce, there are a number of good institutions in the city that offer these courses. There are not a large number of children from here who would aspire to go to, say, Delhi. So the concern is not so relevant, he says. So far as engineering is concerned, even the requirement of PU marks will no longer be there from next year. There will only be the entrance marks that will be considered. Low Pass Percentages Karnataka had the worst over class 12 all pass percentages in seven years this year. It dipped from around 57 per cent to 52 per cent. Many experts have attributed this trend to the state not following the moderation policy. However, Seth says that it is not so. He highlighted two aspects to the policy - one was the practice of rewarding grace marks in case of erroneous and ambiguous questions and giving a few marks to help people achieve only their pass marks. It is the spiking of marks that the CBSE wants to do away with, he says. With the Human Resource Minister Prakash Javadekar saying that his ministry will not intervene in the CBSEs moderation policy, there is no clear sign of what to do. Seth says that while Karnataka will continue with the the practice of giving grace marks, spiking of marks has not been prescribed.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: What do you do if theres not been a drop of rain for months and not a blade of grass on the river beds and you have to live through yet more weeks of a drought unseen in 140 years? You sell your cattle to save on the fodder and wait for the rains so you can pick up the pieces.

The Rules on Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Market) have cut farmers off from their last resort, farm leaders in Tamil Nadu opine.

According to a senior researcher at the Tamil Nadu University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (TANUVAS) keeping cattle during a drought can be an expensive proposition. On average, it costs a farmer up to Rs 400 a day to raise an animal. An acres haul of hay would cost him Rs 7,000. Its not the kind of money a farmer would have when all agricultural operations have ceased.

There has been a loss of grazing land due to development and there is a severe shortage of fodder which has resulted in a rise in fodder prices. This makes it inevitable for a farmer to sell off his cattle, he said.

As N Ganesan, the joint secretary of the Tamil Nadu Milk Producers Association said, selling cattle is a source of emergency funds for a farmer. It might take care of an unforeseen contingency and would save him the expense on fodder.

Farmers apart, the new rules threaten to tear asunder the entire economy of slaughter. According to S Selvaraj, president of the Tamil Nadu Cow traders and Labourers Welfare Association, it is likely to affect nearly 20 lakh people such as traders, brokers, drivers and tanners who are involved in the business directly and indirectly.

P Sukumaran, a farmer from Tirupoonthurthi in Thanjavur district, said that widowed women farmers depend on milch animals for livelihood.When the milk yield goes down they sell the animals and buy again. The new regulations will make it difficult for such marginal farmers, he said.

Tamil Nadu has more than 50 markets in which cows are sold throughout the week (a particular day is allotted to each market). More than 2,000 cows are sent to Kerala for meat.

The TANUVAS senior researcher said farmers tend to sell off native breeds as they have lesser yield than milch cows. The meat of naatu maadu (native varieties) is preferred in Kerala as it is tastier, he said.

This would mean that if a black market of cattle trade arose in the state, native breeds will be sold for slaughter more easily.

Gaushalas that host only native breeds say they are not equipped to take in large number of animals. S Dhanapathy of the Ko Sakthi gaushala in Pudukottai said, Many farmers give away their cattle because they dont have money and do not want them suffering from thirst and hunger.

What can go wrong if farmers are barred from selling for slaughter?

Low prices for their cattle

Costly upkeep during drought

Abandon unproductive cattle

Increase in stray cattle

Setback to cattle breeding

Loss of breed vigour in native breeds and higher cost of acquisition of cattle for slaughter

CHENNAI: What do you do if theres not been a drop of rain for months and not a blade of grass on the river beds and you have to live through yet more weeks of a drought unseen in 140 years? You sell your cattle to save on the fodder and wait for the rains so you can pick up the pieces. The Rules on Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Market) have cut farmers off from their last resort, farm leaders in Tamil Nadu opine. According to a senior researcher at the Tamil Nadu University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (TANUVAS) keeping cattle during a drought can be an expensive proposition. On average, it costs a farmer up to Rs 400 a day to raise an animal. An acres haul of hay would cost him Rs 7,000. Its not the kind of money a farmer would have when all agricultural operations have ceased. There has been a loss of grazing land due to development and there is a severe shortage of fodder which has resulted in a rise in fodder prices. This makes it inevitable for a farmer to sell off his cattle, he said. As N Ganesan, the joint secretary of the Tamil Nadu Milk Producers Association said, selling cattle is a source of emergency funds for a farmer. It might take care of an unforeseen contingency and would save him the expense on fodder. Farmers apart, the new rules threaten to tear asunder the entire economy of slaughter. According to S Selvaraj, president of the Tamil Nadu Cow traders and Labourers Welfare Association, it is likely to affect nearly 20 lakh people such as traders, brokers, drivers and tanners who are involved in the business directly and indirectly. P Sukumaran, a farmer from Tirupoonthurthi in Thanjavur district, said that widowed women farmers depend on milch animals for livelihood.When the milk yield goes down they sell the animals and buy again. The new regulations will make it difficult for such marginal farmers, he said. Tamil Nadu has more than 50 markets in which cows are sold throughout the week (a particular day is allotted to each market). More than 2,000 cows are sent to Kerala for meat. The TANUVAS senior researcher said farmers tend to sell off native breeds as they have lesser yield than milch cows. The meat of naatu maadu (native varieties) is preferred in Kerala as it is tastier, he said. This would mean that if a black market of cattle trade arose in the state, native breeds will be sold for slaughter more easily. Gaushalas that host only native breeds say they are not equipped to take in large number of animals. S Dhanapathy of the Ko Sakthi gaushala in Pudukottai said, Many farmers give away their cattle because they dont have money and do not want them suffering from thirst and hunger. What can go wrong if farmers are barred from selling for slaughter? Low prices for their cattle Costly upkeep during drought Abandon unproductive cattle Increase in stray cattle Setback to cattle breeding Loss of breed vigour in native breeds and higher cost of acquisition of cattle for slaughter
Ankur Sharma By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A trainee IAS found dead in a swimming pool of Indian Foreign institute, Vasant Vihar on Tuesday early morning.

According to the police, deceased identified as Ashish Dahiya, a trainee IAS of 2016 batch was posted in Jammu and Kashmir, died due to drowning.

But, on the other side, Ashishs family has told to the police that deceased was a good swimmer and it is not possible that he died due to drowning. Sleuths have ruled out foul play as doctors who have conducted postmortem have concluded that Ashish died due to drowning, police said.

Ashish was a swimmer and theory of his drowning is very weak. He was trying to save another officer but he drowned, how it can be possible? questioned Surender Dahiya, relative of Ashish told the New Indian Express.

According to the sources, a batch of civil servants were partying at Foreign Services Institute as they had completed their training on 12th May. Almost 25 young civil servants of different batches were inside the institute. "

A PCR call was received around 12:45 am mentioning that 'person who had drowned in the swimming pool of Foreign Services Institute, was being taken to hospital," Delhi police said in a statement. Ashish was declared brought dead by the doctors after which cops informed the family.

Civil servants partying in the institute decided to go at pool site located at the institute. Spot evidence suggest that the revelers had been consuming alcohol. Statements of eye witnesses reveal that while swimming, a lady officer probably had an accidental slip into the pool and many young officers, including the deceased, attempted rescuing her," Additional DCP( South), Chinmoy Biswal said.

According to the sources, cops have recovered cans of beer and other alcohol and also claiming that IRS officer who was rescused raised the alarm.

Female officer who incidentally slipped into the pool raised the alarm after she gained conscious. She was first to enquire about Ashish after which everyone started looking for the deceased, sources said. Officials investigating the incident has also said that some electrical and civil work was scheduled on pool site.

Dahiya had to join J&K IMPA Srinagar from Wednesday for institutional training. He was from Sonipat, Haryana and had earlier worked with Bharat Petroleum, Himachal Pardesh Police and Indian Revenue Service before cracking IAS. Dahiya was also a recepinent of directors gold medal in LABSANA and had a B.Tech degree.

NEW DELHI: A trainee IAS found dead in a swimming pool of Indian Foreign institute, Vasant Vihar on Tuesday early morning. According to the police, deceased identified as Ashish Dahiya, a trainee IAS of 2016 batch was posted in Jammu and Kashmir, died due to drowning. But, on the other side, Ashishs family has told to the police that deceased was a good swimmer and it is not possible that he died due to drowning. Sleuths have ruled out foul play as doctors who have conducted postmortem have concluded that Ashish died due to drowning, police said. Ashish was a swimmer and theory of his drowning is very weak. He was trying to save another officer but he drowned, how it can be possible? questioned Surender Dahiya, relative of Ashish told the New Indian Express. According to the sources, a batch of civil servants were partying at Foreign Services Institute as they had completed their training on 12th May. Almost 25 young civil servants of different batches were inside the institute. " A PCR call was received around 12:45 am mentioning that 'person who had drowned in the swimming pool of Foreign Services Institute, was being taken to hospital," Delhi police said in a statement. Ashish was declared brought dead by the doctors after which cops informed the family. Civil servants partying in the institute decided to go at pool site located at the institute. Spot evidence suggest that the revelers had been consuming alcohol. Statements of eye witnesses reveal that while swimming, a lady officer probably had an accidental slip into the pool and many young officers, including the deceased, attempted rescuing her," Additional DCP( South), Chinmoy Biswal said. According to the sources, cops have recovered cans of beer and other alcohol and also claiming that IRS officer who was rescused raised the alarm. Female officer who incidentally slipped into the pool raised the alarm after she gained conscious. She was first to enquire about Ashish after which everyone started looking for the deceased, sources said. Officials investigating the incident has also said that some electrical and civil work was scheduled on pool site. Dahiya had to join J&K IMPA Srinagar from Wednesday for institutional training. He was from Sonipat, Haryana and had earlier worked with Bharat Petroleum, Himachal Pardesh Police and Indian Revenue Service before cracking IAS. Dahiya was also a recepinent of directors gold medal in LABSANA and had a B.Tech degree.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi will provide specialty medical care to the members of Bangladesh Armed Forces (BAF), their retired personnel and their family members. An agreement in this regard covering patient care, medical education, research, training and exchange of healthcare professionals was signed by BAF director general of medical services Major General S M Motahar Hossain and Dr Prem Nair, medical director, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi.



Dr Prem Nair said the collaboration will not only help heal bodies, but also strengthen bonds between the two great nations which share a common heritage and culture. As per the agreement patients referred by BAF will be admitted to Amrita hospital for treatment.

The collaboration also involves long and short term training of doctors, nurses and paramedics belonging to BAF at Amrita hospital. We will also collaborate in medical research initiatives and joint projects of mutual interest to both the countries, Dr Nair said.



The collaboration brings two nations closer. We are also going to set up telemedicine and tele-radiology facilities at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka which will connect doctors at Amrita hospital with our patients in Bangladesh for consultation. This collaboration will help save many lives, Major General Motahar Hossain said.



The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr Prem Nair of Amrita hospital and Brigadier General Abdul Hamid, defence adviser with Bangladesh High Commission.

In October 2016, Amrita hospital had been named as a referral hospital by the Government of Madagascar for advanced treatment and surgeries.

KOCHI: Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi will provide specialty medical care to the members of Bangladesh Armed Forces (BAF), their retired personnel and their family members. An agreement in this regard covering patient care, medical education, research, training and exchange of healthcare professionals was signed by BAF director general of medical services Major General S M Motahar Hossain and Dr Prem Nair, medical director, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi. Dr Prem Nair said the collaboration will not only help heal bodies, but also strengthen bonds between the two great nations which share a common heritage and culture. As per the agreement patients referred by BAF will be admitted to Amrita hospital for treatment. The collaboration also involves long and short term training of doctors, nurses and paramedics belonging to BAF at Amrita hospital. We will also collaborate in medical research initiatives and joint projects of mutual interest to both the countries, Dr Nair said. The collaboration brings two nations closer. We are also going to set up telemedicine and tele-radiology facilities at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka which will connect doctors at Amrita hospital with our patients in Bangladesh for consultation. This collaboration will help save many lives, Major General Motahar Hossain said. The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr Prem Nair of Amrita hospital and Brigadier General Abdul Hamid, defence adviser with Bangladesh High Commission. In October 2016, Amrita hospital had been named as a referral hospital by the Government of Madagascar for advanced treatment and surgeries.
By Express News Service

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are currently shooting together for Tiger Zinda Hai, which is a sequel to their previous film Ek Tha Tiger. Now according to latest buzz, they will once again feature in another film.

A source says, Karan has been wanting to work with Katrina for a long time now. He has a few scripts with him. He recently discussed a project with her and wishes to cast her along with Salman. But since things are yet to get finalised, he is still working out on details.



Reportedly Karan had approached Katrina to be part of the project which he was going to make with Fawad Khan. However after political parties imposed ban on Pakistani artists working in India, he had drop that plan.

It could be the same project, with the role of the male tweaked to suit Salman. Karan had also said in the past that he is keen to work with Salman and had earlier offered him Shuddhi.

Salman had opted out of the film and then the film never took off. Recently Karan and Salman joined hands to produce a film, starring Akshay Kumar. The film is said to be based on the battle of Saragarahi.

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are currently shooting together for Tiger Zinda Hai, which is a sequel to their previous film Ek Tha Tiger. Now according to latest buzz, they will once again feature in another film. A source says, Karan has been wanting to work with Katrina for a long time now. He has a few scripts with him. He recently discussed a project with her and wishes to cast her along with Salman. But since things are yet to get finalised, he is still working out on details. Reportedly Karan had approached Katrina to be part of the project which he was going to make with Fawad Khan. However after political parties imposed ban on Pakistani artists working in India, he had drop that plan. It could be the same project, with the role of the male tweaked to suit Salman. Karan had also said in the past that he is keen to work with Salman and had earlier offered him Shuddhi. Salman had opted out of the film and then the film never took off. Recently Karan and Salman joined hands to produce a film, starring Akshay Kumar. The film is said to be based on the battle of Saragarahi.
A Sharadhaa By

Express News Service

Nanda Kishores next film, Hayagreeva, starring Dhruva Sarja, will be one of the first Sandalwood films to have most portions shot in China. The film is being produced by

BK Gangadhar, and the team will soon be heading for a recce trip. The director not only plans to lock a few locations for the film, but also wants to get some Chinese artistes to be part of the film.

While filmmakers like Shankar have already captured the natural beauty of China, Kishore wants to capture the urban areas of the country. Talking about why he chose to shoot in China, Kishore tells City Express, Places like USA and Australia have been explored a lot in Kannada films, and when I was thinking of a new place to shoot, China came to mind. Another reason is that the first part of my film is futuristic, and the backdrop of Chinese cities make the film look modern - from the cars, the buildings and the people, everything will look fresh.

He adds, China believes in karmic and is also a spiritual country, and their culture is quite interesting. Thats one of the reasons I felt that China will be the best place to shoot my film.

Kishore is attempting to take Sandalwood across borders. We are trying to rope in a few artistes who are little known in China. This will help us release our film there too. We hope this works out, he says.

Hayagreeva is expected to be a big budget film, and is likely to go on floors in June.

Nanda Kishore

Currently, they are in the process of bringing in the best cast, and have finalised Ramya Krishnan, Prakash Rai and Ravi Shankar on board, who we hear have major roles to play in the film. Joining them will be Chikkanna, Sadhu Kokila, Tabla Nani. The film that will feature Dhruva in different shades to his character have roped in Arjun Janya for its music.

Meanwhile, Dhruva is in the last leg of song shooting for Chethan Kumars film Bharjari, for which he will be travelling to Slovenia along with the team soon. Meanwhile, Kishore is gearing up for the release of Tiger, which has gone to the censor board now.

Nanda Kishores next film, Hayagreeva, starring Dhruva Sarja, will be one of the first Sandalwood films to have most portions shot in China. The film is being produced by BK Gangadhar, and the team will soon be heading for a recce trip. The director not only plans to lock a few locations for the film, but also wants to get some Chinese artistes to be part of the film. While filmmakers like Shankar have already captured the natural beauty of China, Kishore wants to capture the urban areas of the country. Talking about why he chose to shoot in China, Kishore tells City Express, Places like USA and Australia have been explored a lot in Kannada films, and when I was thinking of a new place to shoot, China came to mind. Another reason is that the first part of my film is futuristic, and the backdrop of Chinese cities make the film look modern - from the cars, the buildings and the people, everything will look fresh. He adds, China believes in karmic and is also a spiritual country, and their culture is quite interesting. Thats one of the reasons I felt that China will be the best place to shoot my film. Kishore is attempting to take Sandalwood across borders. We are trying to rope in a few artistes who are little known in China. This will help us release our film there too. We hope this works out, he says. Hayagreeva is expected to be a big budget film, and is likely to go on floors in June. Nanda KishoreCurrently, they are in the process of bringing in the best cast, and have finalised Ramya Krishnan, Prakash Rai and Ravi Shankar on board, who we hear have major roles to play in the film. Joining them will be Chikkanna, Sadhu Kokila, Tabla Nani. The film that will feature Dhruva in different shades to his character have roped in Arjun Janya for its music. Meanwhile, Dhruva is in the last leg of song shooting for Chethan Kumars film Bharjari, for which he will be travelling to Slovenia along with the team soon. Meanwhile, Kishore is gearing up for the release of Tiger, which has gone to the censor board now.
Meera Suresh By

Express News Service

The first look of Manju Warrier in her next, Udhaharanam Sujatha promises to be a treat for cinephiles. The actor has gone for a deglam look for a tale of a womans struggle to survive.

According to director Phantom Praveen, the movie will bring back to reel the Manju we saw in Kanmadam.



Udhaharanam Sujatha is all about Manju. She plays a woman from the lower rungs of society, who does odd jobs in households for survival. And, Manju has sunk her teeth into the character quite well, Praveen adds.



The director, however, maintains that Sujatha isnt a bold character but the struggle to survive gives her a bolder aura.A family drama, Udhaharanam Sujatha is high on emotions, hence very relatable too.

Another highlight is that Manju plays the mother of a 15-year-old. She plays her age, a mother. Though there are other characters, like Mamta Mohandas and Joju George in prominent roles, Manju owns the movie, says Praveen.

Going de-glam

According to the director, Manju ditched make-up up for her role. She wanted to look the part of a slum-dweller. In fact, Manju went one tone darker to play Sujatha, because she wanted to look the part, says Praveen.



The movie was shot in Chenkalchoola colony in Thiruvananthapuram. Though there were rumours that the crew faced many hindrances, they termed it as baseless.



We never had a more cooperative shooting location. In fact, women were so supportive. Manju spent time with them at their homes. All the rumours about hostile situations are untrue, adds Praveen.

The shoot, taking place at Thiruvananthapuram will wind up by June 12.

The first look of Manju Warrier in her next, Udhaharanam Sujatha promises to be a treat for cinephiles. The actor has gone for a deglam look for a tale of a womans struggle to survive. According to director Phantom Praveen, the movie will bring back to reel the Manju we saw in Kanmadam. Udhaharanam Sujatha is all about Manju. She plays a woman from the lower rungs of society, who does odd jobs in households for survival. And, Manju has sunk her teeth into the character quite well, Praveen adds. The director, however, maintains that Sujatha isnt a bold character but the struggle to survive gives her a bolder aura.A family drama, Udhaharanam Sujatha is high on emotions, hence very relatable too. Another highlight is that Manju plays the mother of a 15-year-old. She plays her age, a mother. Though there are other characters, like Mamta Mohandas and Joju George in prominent roles, Manju owns the movie, says Praveen. Going de-glam According to the director, Manju ditched make-up up for her role. She wanted to look the part of a slum-dweller. In fact, Manju went one tone darker to play Sujatha, because she wanted to look the part, says Praveen. The movie was shot in Chenkalchoola colony in Thiruvananthapuram. Though there were rumours that the crew faced many hindrances, they termed it as baseless. We never had a more cooperative shooting location. In fact, women were so supportive. Manju spent time with them at their homes. All the rumours about hostile situations are untrue, adds Praveen. The shoot, taking place at Thiruvananthapuram will wind up by June 12.
As he spoke, Chris Madsen painted a verbal picture of what Memorial Day means.

Madsen was among more than 200 people who gathered Monday for a Memorial Day service at the Eternal Flame on Military Avenue.

The hourlong service included comments by Fremont Mayor Scott Getzschman and author Joyce Winfield along with a three-volley gun salute and the laying of wreaths.

Madsen is a commander of the Avenue of Flags in Fremont, a display that lines Military Avenue on patriotic holidays.

During his talk, Madsen described seeing people enjoying themselves with friends and family in a major city.

He wondered if they understood that the freedoms they enjoy have come at a price  and if they remembered to give honor to those who paid that cost.

Madsen believes those attending the Monday morning service did remember.

You remember those soldiers in World War I in the trench, a sergeant who let all his men go free and took the brunt of the attack. In World War II, the tank commander who battled and succumbed to his wounds afterward, Madsen said.

When a M*A*S*H unit in Korea was deployed, a doctor and nurse stayed back to help the wounded who couldnt be moved.

They paid the price with their lives.

Madsen shared an example from the Vietnam War of a pilot, who was shot down and captured, and who, for years, sacrificed himself so his comrades could live.

In Afghanistan, a gunner would not let a helicopter leave a certain area.

Keep going back. We have to save them, he said.

That last turnaround cost him his life.

There was a young Army medic in Iraq, who jumped out of her Humvee when she saw wounded soldiers up ahead, Madsen said. As she ran to them, she stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device) and lost her life, a sacrifice for those around her.

These stories along with countless others that are written and those that are not written are what this flag represents.

In his comments, Fremont Mayor Scott Getzschman talked about visiting the Normandy American Cemetery in France.

Its a humbling experience to walk through that cemetery and see all those men and women, who served this country, who died for the freedoms we all have today, Getzschman said.

Getzschman talked about the Battle of Normandy, in which Allied forces stormed the beach, invading German-occupied territory.

In that battle, so many things went wrong that most people would say theres no reason why the Allies should have won.

There was choppy water that morning. Men, carrying full packs and guns, had to jump from landing crafts into the waves. Many didnt know how to swim.

But we prevailed and thats one thing as Americans we can all be proud of, Getzschman said. I dont believe we ever give up in this country.  We will win and we will never surrender the freedoms that we all have today.

Getzschman also talked about a recent visit to Cuba.

We dont realize how lucky we are to be in the United States, Getzschman said. Less than 10 years ago, they really didnt have the opportunity to worship. Whatever faith they had, they couldnt worship, at least publicly.

During the last decade, a few allowances have been made, letting the people gather and worship.

However, 97 percent of the people work for the government there.

If they were up for a government job and anybody knew they actually practiced religion and shared it with others, more than likely they werent going to get that job, Getzschman said. And that, to me, was eye-opening, because it really does show all the freedom we have that we sometimes take for granted.

Getzschman also talked about plans to create a memorial in the park on Military Avenue. Representatives from military and veterans groups will be involved in this endeavor.

Were in the design process now, Getzschman said. Weve had our first meeting and were truly excited about the plans that are taking place. We look forward to next year having a memorial and opening up the park a little more to really commemorate our Memorial Day service.

Winfield, the keynote speaker, told how Memorial Day began as Decoration Day, a day to honor the nearly 500,000 Union and Confederate soldiers, who died during the Civil War. The early tradition involved decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags.

The first tribute took place on May 30, 1868.

After World War I, the holiday changed to honoring American military personnel who died in all wars.

Officially known as Decoration Day, for more than a century, the term Memorial Day was used beginning in the 1880s, Winfield said.

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress.

Winfield talked about the purchase of red poppies as a gesture of gratitude to deceased military personnel.

In the early 1920s, the red poppy was adopted as the American Legion families memorial flower. Millions of poppies are distributed annually across the country in exchange for donations that go directly to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in our communities, Winfield said.

Another act of remembrance on Memorial Day came about from a Congressional resolution passed in December 2000, called The National Moment of Remembrance. It requests that at 3 p.m., (local time) all Americans pause for one minute in an act of national unity.

That time was chosen, because its the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday, she said.

Last year, Winfield interviewed 21 area World War II veterans. Their stories are in her book, Forever Heroes: A Collection of World War II Stories from Nebraska Veterans.

The two words, Forever Heroes, aptly describe the 19 men and two women in the book, she said

Also those two words undeniably describe the 1.1 million men and women who have died in all U.S. wars, Winfield said. In everybodys book, they truly are Forever Heroes.

Wreaths, representing different branches of the military and veterans organizations, were laid.

These and wind-whipped American flags served as reminders of sacrifices made by military personnel.

Before he finished his comments, Madsen had given attendees a couple more visual descriptions to consider.

As you drive down this Avenue of Flags, I want you to picture a soldier standing by each and every one of those flags, he said. I want you to smile at them, wave and salute them, because I promise you this, if you do that they will be smiling back at you and saying Thanks for remembering me.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Toughening the states stand against the Narendra Modi Government on the cattle trade issue, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday wrote to his counterparts across the country urging them to stand together and oppose the anti-federal, anti-democratic, anti-secular move.

Pinarayi appealed to all CMs to convey their objection to the Prime Minister and request him to withdraw the rule introduced without consulting the states. In the letter, the Kerala CM termed the notification as an impermissible encroachment into the domain of the state legislatures.



Such a drastic measure producing serious consequences was introduced in exercise of the rule making power, surpassing the elected representatives of the people and avoiding any public debate. This is nothing but a negation of the democratic principles, which is indisputably accepted as forming part of the basic structure of the Constitution, he said.



Referring to the notification containing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Pinarayi said: Since the matters dealt within the rules squarely fall within the purview of state legislatures, the state governments may be allowed to formulate necessary policies and laws to suit the respective socio-cultural and economic milieu.



Pinarayi termed the notification a covert attempt to usurp the powers of state legislatures in the guise of rules under a Central Act. The subjects covered by the Rules belong to entries 15 and 18 of the State List in the Constitution," Chief Minister said in his letter.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Toughening the states stand against the Narendra Modi Government on the cattle trade issue, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday wrote to his counterparts across the country urging them to stand together and oppose the anti-federal, anti-democratic, anti-secular move. Pinarayi appealed to all CMs to convey their objection to the Prime Minister and request him to withdraw the rule introduced without consulting the states. In the letter, the Kerala CM termed the notification as an impermissible encroachment into the domain of the state legislatures. Such a drastic measure producing serious consequences was introduced in exercise of the rule making power, surpassing the elected representatives of the people and avoiding any public debate. This is nothing but a negation of the democratic principles, which is indisputably accepted as forming part of the basic structure of the Constitution, he said. Referring to the notification containing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Pinarayi said: Since the matters dealt within the rules squarely fall within the purview of state legislatures, the state governments may be allowed to formulate necessary policies and laws to suit the respective socio-cultural and economic milieu. Pinarayi termed the notification a covert attempt to usurp the powers of state legislatures in the guise of rules under a Central Act. The subjects covered by the Rules belong to entries 15 and 18 of the State List in the Constitution," Chief Minister said in his letter.
By IANS

SRINAGAR: The Indian Army on Monday evening killed two Pakistani troopers in a counter offensive strike on the LoC in Kashmir's Uri sector to foil a Border Action Team (BAT) attack from the Pakistani side.

Defence sources said in Srinagar on Tuesday: "Special forces of the army targetted the Pakistani troopers along the Uri LoC (Line of Control) yesterday."

"Inflicting casualties on the Pakistani troopers, a convoy of three vehicles was attacked by our troopers in which two Pakistani troopers were killed and four injured," the source said.

"The weekly run of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service was cancelled on Monday as our troopers were carrying out a major counter offensive strike to pre-empt any BAT attack from the Pakistani side," it added.

The defence sources said commandos of Indian Army took position at a vantage point on the LoC overlooking the Chakothi-Muzaffarabad road in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

The sources said the counter offensive operation strike was carried out by the Indian Army as it had actionable information that the militants allegedly assisted by Pakistani Army were planning a BAT attack on the Indian troopers in Uri sector.

SRINAGAR: The Indian Army on Monday evening killed two Pakistani troopers in a counter offensive strike on the LoC in Kashmir's Uri sector to foil a Border Action Team (BAT) attack from the Pakistani side. Defence sources said in Srinagar on Tuesday: "Special forces of the army targetted the Pakistani troopers along the Uri LoC (Line of Control) yesterday." "Inflicting casualties on the Pakistani troopers, a convoy of three vehicles was attacked by our troopers in which two Pakistani troopers were killed and four injured," the source said. "The weekly run of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service was cancelled on Monday as our troopers were carrying out a major counter offensive strike to pre-empt any BAT attack from the Pakistani side," it added. The defence sources said commandos of Indian Army took position at a vantage point on the LoC overlooking the Chakothi-Muzaffarabad road in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. The sources said the counter offensive operation strike was carried out by the Indian Army as it had actionable information that the militants allegedly assisted by Pakistani Army were planning a BAT attack on the Indian troopers in Uri sector.
By IANS

KOLKATA: Actor Vikram Chatterjee, who was previously accused of rash and negligent driving, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder for the death of city model Sonika Chauhan in a car accident, police on Tuesday.

"Chatterjee has been charged under Section 304 of the IPC on Tuesday after police received a forensic report that shows the speed of the car was between 95 to 115 km per hour a few seconds before the accident," said Kolkata police's Joint Commissioner, Crime, Vishal Garg.

The actor was previously charged with rash driving (Section 279 of the Indian Penal Code) and causing death by negligence (Section 304A) after the accident, police said.

During the previous interrogation, he confessed to having consumed alcohol on the night of the accident, but claimed that he was not drunk and the car was not speeding.

Chatterjee was on the wheels of his car while his partner Sonika was on the front seat when the accident happened on a south Kolkata street on their way back from a party on April 29.

Sonika was rushed to a city hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The actor himself sustained head injury in the accident and was hospitalised.

KOLKATA: Actor Vikram Chatterjee, who was previously accused of rash and negligent driving, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder for the death of city model Sonika Chauhan in a car accident, police on Tuesday. "Chatterjee has been charged under Section 304 of the IPC on Tuesday after police received a forensic report that shows the speed of the car was between 95 to 115 km per hour a few seconds before the accident," said Kolkata police's Joint Commissioner, Crime, Vishal Garg. The actor was previously charged with rash driving (Section 279 of the Indian Penal Code) and causing death by negligence (Section 304A) after the accident, police said. During the previous interrogation, he confessed to having consumed alcohol on the night of the accident, but claimed that he was not drunk and the car was not speeding. Chatterjee was on the wheels of his car while his partner Sonika was on the front seat when the accident happened on a south Kolkata street on their way back from a party on April 29. Sonika was rushed to a city hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The actor himself sustained head injury in the accident and was hospitalised.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the conviction of an IPS officer in the 2002 Bilkis Bano case stating there is no urgency in hearing the case.

A vacation bench of Justices AK Sikri and Deepak Gupta said that the convicted officer has already undergone the sentence and posted the case for hearing in the second week of July.

RS Bhagora was one of the five cops whose acquittal by the trial court was set aside by the

Bombay High Court which convicted them, along with two doctors, on charges of destroying evidence and attempting to shield the accused. Bhagora is currently serving in Gujarat.

Stressing for urgent hearing, Bhagoras counsel said if the conviction is not stayed, then he will be terminated from the service as per rules.

The Bombay High Court had on May 4 reversed the trial court verdict acquitting Bhagora and others and had upheld the conviction of 11 people (one convict is dead) in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case.

Along with five policemen, two doctors were also convicted by the High court.

The High Court had held that policemen and doctors had fudged medical examination records and post-mortem reports when a probe began into the incident.

According to the prosecution, on March 3, 2002, Bilkis Banos family was attacked by a mob at Randhikpur village near Ahmedabad during the post-Godhra riots and seven members of her family were killed.

Bilkis, who was five months pregnant at the time, was gang raped while six other members of her family managed to escape from the mob.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the conviction of an IPS officer in the 2002 Bilkis Bano case stating there is no urgency in hearing the case. A vacation bench of Justices AK Sikri and Deepak Gupta said that the convicted officer has already undergone the sentence and posted the case for hearing in the second week of July. RS Bhagora was one of the five cops whose acquittal by the trial court was set aside by the Bombay High Court which convicted them, along with two doctors, on charges of destroying evidence and attempting to shield the accused. Bhagora is currently serving in Gujarat. Stressing for urgent hearing, Bhagoras counsel said if the conviction is not stayed, then he will be terminated from the service as per rules. The Bombay High Court had on May 4 reversed the trial court verdict acquitting Bhagora and others and had upheld the conviction of 11 people (one convict is dead) in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case. Along with five policemen, two doctors were also convicted by the High court. The High Court had held that policemen and doctors had fudged medical examination records and post-mortem reports when a probe began into the incident. According to the prosecution, on March 3, 2002, Bilkis Banos family was attacked by a mob at Randhikpur village near Ahmedabad during the post-Godhra riots and seven members of her family were killed. Bilkis, who was five months pregnant at the time, was gang raped while six other members of her family managed to escape from the mob.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: A woman allegedly radicalised by Islamic State (IS) member Amzad Khan alias Ayan Khan Salafi, who was deported from Saudi Arabia in April this year for recruiting Indians for IS terror branch Junood-ul-Khilafa-Fil-Hind (JKH), is being traced by the Azamgarh police in UP. The link of the woman, purportedly a medical student from Sarai Mir area of the district, surfaced during Amzads interrogation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The 24-year-old woman was allegedly influenced by Amzad, with both entering a nuptial relationship over phone in May last year.Amzad is a resident of Churu in Rajasthan and had been closely associated with the IS. He is said to have asked the woman to come with him to Syria and live an Islamic way of life. She agreed to join him despite being aware of his previous marriage.

According to sources, the leads which emerged after Amzads interrogation by the NIA indicated that he started interacting with the woman in November-December 2012.

Then she was a medical student in Sarai Mir in Azamgarh. They used to discuss Ahl-e-Hadith, an early pure form of Islam, and she was impressed with Amzads knowledge. He acquired most of his knowledge about Islam from the Internet and has become so popular on Facebook that he has 4,000 people in his friends list. The woman also met him on Facebook, Amzad is believed to have told the NIA.

LUCKNOW: A woman allegedly radicalised by Islamic State (IS) member Amzad Khan alias Ayan Khan Salafi, who was deported from Saudi Arabia in April this year for recruiting Indians for IS terror branch Junood-ul-Khilafa-Fil-Hind (JKH), is being traced by the Azamgarh police in UP. The link of the woman, purportedly a medical student from Sarai Mir area of the district, surfaced during Amzads interrogation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The 24-year-old woman was allegedly influenced by Amzad, with both entering a nuptial relationship over phone in May last year.Amzad is a resident of Churu in Rajasthan and had been closely associated with the IS. He is said to have asked the woman to come with him to Syria and live an Islamic way of life. She agreed to join him despite being aware of his previous marriage. According to sources, the leads which emerged after Amzads interrogation by the NIA indicated that he started interacting with the woman in November-December 2012. Then she was a medical student in Sarai Mir in Azamgarh. They used to discuss Ahl-e-Hadith, an early pure form of Islam, and she was impressed with Amzads knowledge. He acquired most of his knowledge about Islam from the Internet and has become so popular on Facebook that he has 4,000 people in his friends list. The woman also met him on Facebook, Amzad is believed to have told the NIA.
Isaac Manayath By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: In 2013, Philip Morris International, the American tobacco giant, announced that it would start manufacturing e-cigarettes. The announcement stunned many observers. Why would the company invest $100 million in a new venture that could disrupt its own business?

Phillip Morris calculations proved right, however. The number of e-cigarette users has tripled in the UK since 2010, reaching 2.8 million. In the US, the figure is nearly 10 million.

What are e-cigarettes and why are they such an unlikely draw?

An e-cigarette is an electronic device that heats liquid nicotine until it becomes vapour, which is then inhaled by the user. It does not contain tobacco. The user inhales vapour instead of smoke. Thats why e-cigarette smoking is called vaping.

The product was invented by a Chinese pharmacist named Hon Lik in 2003. Since then, many health experts, including the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) in London suggested that e-cigarettes could be a gateway out of smoking. N RCP report said, Among smokers, e-cigarette use is likely to lead to quit attempts that would not otherwise have happened.

A 2015 study by the University College London and Cancer Research UK found that e-cigarettes may have helped 18,000 people in the UK quit smoking.

E-cigarettes deliver nicotine like a conventional cigarette but without the harmful effects of smoking tobacco.

A large number of e-cigarette users in the US and UK are ex-smokers who are trying to kick the habit. In fact, 53 per cent of the 2.1 million smokers who use e-cigarettes in the UK are ex-smokers. In the US, 22 per cent of ex-smokers use e-cigarettes.

However, there is no conclusive evidence to prove that e-cigarettes have a substantial impact as an anti-smoking aid.

Although e-cigarettes are promoted as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes, their health effects are unclear. In fact, many agencies in the West have expressed concerns about their growing use.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expressed concerns about their use by teens. We know that the vapor from e-cigarettes is harmful because it contains harmful ingredients, including nicotine. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can cause addiction and can harm the developing brain, a CDC report noted.

A Harvard University study noted that e-cigarette usage may induce nicotine addiction and increase the risk of addiction to other drugs.

Many researchers have expressed concerns about e-cigarettes acting as a potential gateway to conventional smoking.

A team of researchers at the University of Michigan found that teens who smoke e-cigarettes were more likely to develop smoking as a habit. The university conducted two surveys  one in 2014 and the other in 2015  among 13,000 teens who vape but had never smoked. The latter survey revealed that 31per cent of the participants started smoking during the period between the two surveys.

Efforts to regulate e-cigarettes have made headway in some countries while in others lawmakers remain confused about the product and its impact. In April, the US House of Representatives killed a proposal by the Food and Drug Safety Administration to regulate e-cigarettes.

In contrast, UKs Parliament voted to enforce some regulations on the manufacture and sale of e-cigarettes including restricting the dosage of nicotine to less than 20gm per ml and the size of its container. In the EU, the Tobacco Directive 2016 banned advertisement promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes.

In India, e-cigarettes are banned in Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab and Maharashtra.

In 2014, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated, The use of smokeless tobacco has become a major public health menace, which, if not checked in time with strong measures, could become a national threat.

One of the major concerns expressed was that use of e-cigarettes would lead to nicotine addiction. In India, the sale of nicotine is allowed only as an aid to de-addiction from tobacco, as per the Indian Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940. In 2014 a man was arrested in Mohali under the Act for selling e-cigarettes.

The judge who sentenced him to three years in prison said, E-cigarettes contain nicotine in the chemical form, which is highly addictive and potentially lethal. The youth take to such kind of addictive and potentially lethal products, and the offenders involved in promoting and selling such products should be dealt with sternly by law for the welfare of the society.

However, unlike the EU or Britain, India has made no move towards regulating the product. E-cigarettes continue to be available online and at medical stores. The number of e-cigarette users in India is not known.

CHENNAI: In 2013, Philip Morris International, the American tobacco giant, announced that it would start manufacturing e-cigarettes. The announcement stunned many observers. Why would the company invest $100 million in a new venture that could disrupt its own business? Phillip Morris calculations proved right, however. The number of e-cigarette users has tripled in the UK since 2010, reaching 2.8 million. In the US, the figure is nearly 10 million. What are e-cigarettes and why are they such an unlikely draw? An e-cigarette is an electronic device that heats liquid nicotine until it becomes vapour, which is then inhaled by the user. It does not contain tobacco. The user inhales vapour instead of smoke. Thats why e-cigarette smoking is called vaping. The product was invented by a Chinese pharmacist named Hon Lik in 2003. Since then, many health experts, including the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) in London suggested that e-cigarettes could be a gateway out of smoking. N RCP report said, Among smokers, e-cigarette use is likely to lead to quit attempts that would not otherwise have happened. A 2015 study by the University College London and Cancer Research UK found that e-cigarettes may have helped 18,000 people in the UK quit smoking. E-cigarettes deliver nicotine like a conventional cigarette but without the harmful effects of smoking tobacco. A large number of e-cigarette users in the US and UK are ex-smokers who are trying to kick the habit. In fact, 53 per cent of the 2.1 million smokers who use e-cigarettes in the UK are ex-smokers. In the US, 22 per cent of ex-smokers use e-cigarettes. However, there is no conclusive evidence to prove that e-cigarettes have a substantial impact as an anti-smoking aid. Although e-cigarettes are promoted as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes, their health effects are unclear. In fact, many agencies in the West have expressed concerns about their growing use. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expressed concerns about their use by teens. We know that the vapor from e-cigarettes is harmful because it contains harmful ingredients, including nicotine. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can cause addiction and can harm the developing brain, a CDC report noted. A Harvard University study noted that e-cigarette usage may induce nicotine addiction and increase the risk of addiction to other drugs. Many researchers have expressed concerns about e-cigarettes acting as a potential gateway to conventional smoking. A team of researchers at the University of Michigan found that teens who smoke e-cigarettes were more likely to develop smoking as a habit. The university conducted two surveys  one in 2014 and the other in 2015  among 13,000 teens who vape but had never smoked. The latter survey revealed that 31per cent of the participants started smoking during the period between the two surveys. Efforts to regulate e-cigarettes have made headway in some countries while in others lawmakers remain confused about the product and its impact. In April, the US House of Representatives killed a proposal by the Food and Drug Safety Administration to regulate e-cigarettes. In contrast, UKs Parliament voted to enforce some regulations on the manufacture and sale of e-cigarettes including restricting the dosage of nicotine to less than 20gm per ml and the size of its container. In the EU, the Tobacco Directive 2016 banned advertisement promotion and sponsorship of e-cigarettes. In India, e-cigarettes are banned in Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab and Maharashtra. In 2014, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated, The use of smokeless tobacco has become a major public health menace, which, if not checked in time with strong measures, could become a national threat. One of the major concerns expressed was that use of e-cigarettes would lead to nicotine addiction. In India, the sale of nicotine is allowed only as an aid to de-addiction from tobacco, as per the Indian Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940. In 2014 a man was arrested in Mohali under the Act for selling e-cigarettes. The judge who sentenced him to three years in prison said, E-cigarettes contain nicotine in the chemical form, which is highly addictive and potentially lethal. The youth take to such kind of addictive and potentially lethal products, and the offenders involved in promoting and selling such products should be dealt with sternly by law for the welfare of the society. However, unlike the EU or Britain, India has made no move towards regulating the product. E-cigarettes continue to be available online and at medical stores. The number of e-cigarette users in India is not known.
Aishik Chanda By

Express News Service

KOLKATA: A day after terming the Centres cow slaughter ban as unconstitutional, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday promised stringent action against anyone who tries to enforce beef-ban in any form in the State.

Speaking at an administrative review meeting with officials and ministers at Barrackpore here on Tuesday, the Trinamool Congress supremo reiterated that regulation of livestock markets was a State subject under concurrent list and the Centre has no say in it.

Be very clear. No law on livestock markets is in effect until our Legislature passes it, which we have not. So, this new central law is not applicable in West Bengal. Hence, if anyone tries to enforce anything and create problems on the streets, take very stringent action against them. Show them no mercy, she told police officials present at the meeting.

All Hindus and Muslims present here have to make effort to ensure that Ramzan passes peacefully. I will not tolerate any mischief-mongering, she added.

On the other hand, she also called for a total stop on cow-smuggling to Bangladesh through the fenced yet porous international border.

No cow will be smuggled from West Bengal to Bangladesh. I want an absolute halt in cow smuggling through the international border to Bangladesh. Take all necessary measures to stop it, she told the officials of the border districts, especially North 24 Parganas, Coochbehar, Malda and Uttar Dinajpur.

Besides, she also called out to several TMC leaders who are known for their factional fights and asked them to resolve their problems amicably so that their differences do not come in the way of administration.

Banerjee also pulled up police officials for not reigning-in realty mafia who were causing harm to the States industries for their petty interests.

KOLKATA: A day after terming the Centres cow slaughter ban as unconstitutional, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday promised stringent action against anyone who tries to enforce beef-ban in any form in the State. Speaking at an administrative review meeting with officials and ministers at Barrackpore here on Tuesday, the Trinamool Congress supremo reiterated that regulation of livestock markets was a State subject under concurrent list and the Centre has no say in it. Be very clear. No law on livestock markets is in effect until our Legislature passes it, which we have not. So, this new central law is not applicable in West Bengal. Hence, if anyone tries to enforce anything and create problems on the streets, take very stringent action against them. Show them no mercy, she told police officials present at the meeting. All Hindus and Muslims present here have to make effort to ensure that Ramzan passes peacefully. I will not tolerate any mischief-mongering, she added. On the other hand, she also called for a total stop on cow-smuggling to Bangladesh through the fenced yet porous international border. No cow will be smuggled from West Bengal to Bangladesh. I want an absolute halt in cow smuggling through the international border to Bangladesh. Take all necessary measures to stop it, she told the officials of the border districts, especially North 24 Parganas, Coochbehar, Malda and Uttar Dinajpur. Besides, she also called out to several TMC leaders who are known for their factional fights and asked them to resolve their problems amicably so that their differences do not come in the way of administration. Banerjee also pulled up police officials for not reigning-in realty mafia who were causing harm to the States industries for their petty interests.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR:THE National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday questioned three Kashmiri separatists in connection with a case relating to funding of separatist groups for allegedly fuelling terror and subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate, Nayeem Khan and Javed Ahmed Baba alias Gazi of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat were grilled by agency sleuths after their arrival at its headquarters here around noon, agency sources said. The agency had asked the trio to bring documents relating to their bank accounts and property transactions besides papers pertaining to Income Tax returns ahead of their appearance at the NIA headquarters.

New Delhi Kashmiri separatist leader Farookh Ahmad

Dar alias Bitta Karate (L) and Nayeem Khan | express

The NIA had taken cognisance of a sting operation by a prominent English television news channel whose report claimed that Hurriyat leaders were being funded by Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). Following this, the agency had registered a Preliminary Enquiry against LeT chief Hafiz Saeed, hardline Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Jammu and National Fronts Nayeem Khan.

The television channel had aired the report based on the sting operation wherein Khan was purportedly shown confessing to receive money from Pakistan-based jihadi groups through hawala channels.

In Kashmir, for the second consecutive day, restrictions imposed by authorities to foil protests and shutdown called by separatists opposing the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat and his associate affected normal life in the Valley, even as a 70-year-old mentally unsound person was arrested and released after he attempted to grab the rifle of a paramilitary jawan.

In the areas where restrictions were not enforced, life was crippled by the two-day shutdown called by the separatists.

After Sabzars killing, authorities had ordered closure of educational institutions across the Valley on Monday. The exams scheduled for the day were also postponed.

Pro-independence JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was arrested on Sunday from his residence in Srinagar. He has been shifted to the central jail, Srinagar.

Train services in the Valley remained suspended for the second day on Monday while mobile Internet services remained snapped for the third day.

The mentally unsound person was arrested after he allegedly attempted to grab the rifle of a CRPF jawan, who raised an alarm. A police officer said the man grabbed the rifle of the CRPF man at Lal Chowk area in south Kashmirs Anantnag town.

Other CRPF men rushed to the spot and took the elderly man into custody, he said.

NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR:THE National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday questioned three Kashmiri separatists in connection with a case relating to funding of separatist groups for allegedly fuelling terror and subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate, Nayeem Khan and Javed Ahmed Baba alias Gazi of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat were grilled by agency sleuths after their arrival at its headquarters here around noon, agency sources said. The agency had asked the trio to bring documents relating to their bank accounts and property transactions besides papers pertaining to Income Tax returns ahead of their appearance at the NIA headquarters. New Delhi Kashmiri separatist leader Farookh Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate (L) and Nayeem Khan | expressThe NIA had taken cognisance of a sting operation by a prominent English television news channel whose report claimed that Hurriyat leaders were being funded by Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). Following this, the agency had registered a Preliminary Enquiry against LeT chief Hafiz Saeed, hardline Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Jammu and National Fronts Nayeem Khan. The television channel had aired the report based on the sting operation wherein Khan was purportedly shown confessing to receive money from Pakistan-based jihadi groups through hawala channels. In Kashmir, for the second consecutive day, restrictions imposed by authorities to foil protests and shutdown called by separatists opposing the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat and his associate affected normal life in the Valley, even as a 70-year-old mentally unsound person was arrested and released after he attempted to grab the rifle of a paramilitary jawan. In the areas where restrictions were not enforced, life was crippled by the two-day shutdown called by the separatists. After Sabzars killing, authorities had ordered closure of educational institutions across the Valley on Monday. The exams scheduled for the day were also postponed. Pro-independence JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was arrested on Sunday from his residence in Srinagar. He has been shifted to the central jail, Srinagar. Train services in the Valley remained suspended for the second day on Monday while mobile Internet services remained snapped for the third day. The mentally unsound person was arrested after he allegedly attempted to grab the rifle of a CRPF jawan, who raised an alarm. A police officer said the man grabbed the rifle of the CRPF man at Lal Chowk area in south Kashmirs Anantnag town. Other CRPF men rushed to the spot and took the elderly man into custody, he said.
Manish Anand By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Indicating that the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not take pro-active measures on the core Hindutva agenda, the BJP is pinning hope on the judiciary to help the party deliver on its promises regarding the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, repealing Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

Though the Supreme Court had recently observed that the vexed Ramjanmabhoomi issue should be settled through out-of-court negotiations, a top BJP leader told the New Indian Express that any attempt to find a solution through talks among the stakeholders is futile as there will be no larger acceptance in their respective communities. The BJP leader dropped hints that the Modi government would not attempt to find a solution through back-channel negotiations among the stakeholders.

The Allahabad HC has already settled the core question concerning the Ramjanmabhoomi issue, and the fact that a Ram temple existed there has been most authoritatively established, he said.

He maintained that the party will stick to the common minimum programme (CMP) agreed upon with NDA ally Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir. After the PDP-BJP alliance came to power in the State, the PM in an address in Srinagar had said there should be a larger debate about the efficacy of Article 370.

Indeed, its the core issue for the BJP. But we will not go beyond the CMP. However, that doesnt mean that the BJP prefers status quo. The judiciary is already seized of the question of the validity of Article 35A (it gives special power to permanent residents in J&K and legislature to frame laws),  he said.

NEW DELHI: Indicating that the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not take pro-active measures on the core Hindutva agenda, the BJP is pinning hope on the judiciary to help the party deliver on its promises regarding the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, repealing Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Though the Supreme Court had recently observed that the vexed Ramjanmabhoomi issue should be settled through out-of-court negotiations, a top BJP leader told the New Indian Express that any attempt to find a solution through talks among the stakeholders is futile as there will be no larger acceptance in their respective communities. The BJP leader dropped hints that the Modi government would not attempt to find a solution through back-channel negotiations among the stakeholders. The Allahabad HC has already settled the core question concerning the Ramjanmabhoomi issue, and the fact that a Ram temple existed there has been most authoritatively established, he said. He maintained that the party will stick to the common minimum programme (CMP) agreed upon with NDA ally Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir. After the PDP-BJP alliance came to power in the State, the PM in an address in Srinagar had said there should be a larger debate about the efficacy of Article 370. Indeed, its the core issue for the BJP. But we will not go beyond the CMP. However, that doesnt mean that the BJP prefers status quo. The judiciary is already seized of the question of the validity of Article 35A (it gives special power to permanent residents in J&K and legislature to frame laws),  he said.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: The last time the father of Achudev (25), one of the two missing pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi-30 which crashed in Arunachal Pradesh last Tuesday, spoke to his son was on the latters birthday.

I spoke to him last on the morning of May 22. It was his birthday and I wished him. I couldnt speak much as he was preparing for his flying duty. I asked him to call back in the evening but he did not. So, I called up but he was in the flying range I thought of calling him the next morning but did not do so thinking that he would be busy preparing for duty. Later that day, we learnt about the fighter jet going missing, Achudevs father, PV Sahadevan, told the New Indian Express.

Sahadevan, who is a retired scientist of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and his wife currently reside in the IAS station in Assams Tezpur. The family hails from Kozhikode in Kerala.

The last time we met him was in March when he had come to Trivandrum on a short official visit. Earlier in January, he had come home and spent a few days with us, Sahadevan said.

He said he and his wife would not leave Assam as long as the search operations for their son and the other pilot continued.

Searches are being conducted. We will be here as long as they continue, he said.

According to media reports, the other pilot was identified as Devesh Pankaj, but defence authorities have not yet announced any of the pilots names.

Meanwhile, according to media reports, a blood-stained shoe, a half-burnt PAN card and one of their wallets were located at the crash site on Monday. Defence sources neither confirmed nor denied the reports, but said search operations were still on.

The aircraft was on a routine training mission when it lost radio and radar contact with ground staff at 11:10 am, 40 minutes after take-off from Tezpur, last Tuesday.

GUWAHATI: The last time the father of Achudev (25), one of the two missing pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi-30 which crashed in Arunachal Pradesh last Tuesday, spoke to his son was on the latters birthday. I spoke to him last on the morning of May 22. It was his birthday and I wished him. I couldnt speak much as he was preparing for his flying duty. I asked him to call back in the evening but he did not. So, I called up but he was in the flying range I thought of calling him the next morning but did not do so thinking that he would be busy preparing for duty. Later that day, we learnt about the fighter jet going missing, Achudevs father, PV Sahadevan, told the New Indian Express. Sahadevan, who is a retired scientist of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and his wife currently reside in the IAS station in Assams Tezpur. The family hails from Kozhikode in Kerala. The last time we met him was in March when he had come to Trivandrum on a short official visit. Earlier in January, he had come home and spent a few days with us, Sahadevan said. He said he and his wife would not leave Assam as long as the search operations for their son and the other pilot continued. Searches are being conducted. We will be here as long as they continue, he said. According to media reports, the other pilot was identified as Devesh Pankaj, but defence authorities have not yet announced any of the pilots names. Meanwhile, according to media reports, a blood-stained shoe, a half-burnt PAN card and one of their wallets were located at the crash site on Monday. Defence sources neither confirmed nor denied the reports, but said search operations were still on. The aircraft was on a routine training mission when it lost radio and radar contact with ground staff at 11:10 am, 40 minutes after take-off from Tezpur, last Tuesday.
First Lutheran Church, 3200 E. Military Ave. in Fremont, will host a Red Cross Bloodmobile from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

Blood is a perishable product that can only come from generous volunteer blood donors. Individuals 17 years of age (16 with parental permission) and older may be eligible to donate blood.

To make an appointment to give blood, call Lucy at 402-278-5406 or Judi at 402-727-1405 or register online at www.redcrossblood.org.
Manoj Das By

The Pope has recently resented the use of the word Mother to describe the latest American explosive as the Mother of Bombs, for the Mother gives us life, but the bomb destroys life. I wondered if somebody who mattered could not plead for stopping the use of the word godman for miracle man. However, I reconciled to it when I remembered the Vedantic truth that there is nothing sans Godmiracle man, fraud, charlatan, et al!

Of course we do not run to a miracle man under Vedantic inspiration, but motivated by curiosity or the temptation to harness his power, or looking upon miracles as acts divine and their performer as a minor god. And the rationalist brands these gods as frauds.

But mysticism informs us that there are innumerable possibilities between the god and the fraud; so far as a genuine miracle man (not a magician) is concerned, his act is no fraud unless his claims exceed his limited capacity. We meet a classic example of this category in Swami Vivekanandas experience with one, as described by him in a letter written on 15 February 1893 to his well-wisher, Maharaja Ajit Singh of Khetri. He was then camping at Chennai, preparing for his historic journey to America. The letter is on his meeting with Govinda Chetty of Kumbakonam.

The man had the uncanny power to write down the answer to whatever question that was in a visitors mind, for a small fee. Vivekananda was ready with three questions: How his aged mother fared, what was his gurus name and lasta most difficult onewhat was the second part of a Buddhist hymn composed in Tibetan language!

The paper in which the answers were to be written was kept in the pocket of a man who accompanied Vivekananda. Each answer was correcteven the Tibetan hymn. A stunned Vivekananda could not help remembering Shakespeare: There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

What awaited was revealing. The miracle man not only refused to accept his fee, but ushered into the Swamis presence all the members of his family who bowed down to him. He even believed that the Swamis blessings would cure him of his fever. Why should a man of such powers need an unknown Sannyasis help? The man candidly told the Swami that all he possessed was a Mantra Siddhi.

Obviously the man had no ambition to project himself as a godman. He could not have dreamed of moving about in high circles and making politicos gape in awe. Contrast him with Chandraswami, who passed away last week. This is from the noted diplomat Natwar Singh, then Deputy High Commissioner for India in the UK, who organised, at Chandraswamis request, his meeting with Margaret Thatcher, then Leader of the Opposition (1975), and acted as his interpreter:

The clock was ticking away. Chandraswami was in no hurry ... He gave Thatcher five strips of paper and requested her to write a question on each. She obliged, but with scarcely camouflaged irritation. Chandraswami then asked her to open the first paper ball. She did. He gave the text of the question in Hindi. I translated. Correct. I watched Mrs. Thatcher. The irritation gave way to subdued curiosity. Next question. Again bulls eye. Curiosity replaced by interest. By the fourth question the future iron ladys demeanour had changed. She began to look at Chandraswami not as a fraud, but as a holy man indeed. My body language too had altered. Last question. Correct again. Mrs. Thatcher was now perched on the edge of the sofa. Chandraswami was like a triumphant guru.

I had once met a godman who people believed, could materialise anything he liked. Once in Mumbai in 1960s, and received warmly by an eminent institution, he was requested to contribute an article to its journal. He waved his hand; dropped from nowhere a roll of typewritten sheets. Lord Ganesha typewrites for himhe informed his charmed audience. We do not know how the Lord felt about the bluff, for though he was the worlds first stenographer who took dictation from Vyasa; the said godmans script contained several ungodly errors.

The fact is, with certain Siddhis, one can employ certain little beings of the vast occult world that remains interspersed with the physical world. They are of multiple kinds. They can transfer objects from one place to another, can whisper answers to questions and are capable of prophecies. Once such a being, employed by a mischief-maker, threw stones not only the outside, but also the inside of a house repeatedly. A great mystic obliged the tiny being to appear before her and asked it why it should not engage in something better than stone-throwing. The beings reply was stone-throwing was all that it could do. Terribly irrational, no doubt. But let us not forget that the evolution had a long past before the emergence of rationality.

There are supernatural phenomena galore, but they have nothing to do with mysticism or spirituality which have their basis in our inner aspiration for God, Light, Freedom, Bliss and Immortality whereas many who pass on as Godmen cater to our ordinary ambitions while satisfying their own hunger for fame. Let us hope, Chandraswami is the last miracle man to try hook a few big fish in the muddy political pool in his prime days, before his dubious resources had been exhausted. He was by no means evil, but was just an average ambitious man; it is the over-ambitious politicians and businessmen always looking for shortcuts to power and affluence who made him a flitting phenomenon.

This said, we must not conclude that all miracles are either magic or exercises in inferior occultism. Not so. Great saints have performed miracles; greater saints have railed at them; the greatest have both railed at them and performed them, says Sri Aurobindo. Intriguing indeed. But the liberated ones are not bound by any rule.

Manoj Das

Eminent author and recipient of several awards including the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship

Email: prof.manojdas@gmail.com

The Pope has recently resented the use of the word Mother to describe the latest American explosive as the Mother of Bombs, for the Mother gives us life, but the bomb destroys life. I wondered if somebody who mattered could not plead for stopping the use of the word godman for miracle man. However, I reconciled to it when I remembered the Vedantic truth that there is nothing sans Godmiracle man, fraud, charlatan, et al! Of course we do not run to a miracle man under Vedantic inspiration, but motivated by curiosity or the temptation to harness his power, or looking upon miracles as acts divine and their performer as a minor god. And the rationalist brands these gods as frauds. But mysticism informs us that there are innumerable possibilities between the god and the fraud; so far as a genuine miracle man (not a magician) is concerned, his act is no fraud unless his claims exceed his limited capacity. We meet a classic example of this category in Swami Vivekanandas experience with one, as described by him in a letter written on 15 February 1893 to his well-wisher, Maharaja Ajit Singh of Khetri. He was then camping at Chennai, preparing for his historic journey to America. The letter is on his meeting with Govinda Chetty of Kumbakonam. The man had the uncanny power to write down the answer to whatever question that was in a visitors mind, for a small fee. Vivekananda was ready with three questions: How his aged mother fared, what was his gurus name and lasta most difficult onewhat was the second part of a Buddhist hymn composed in Tibetan language! The paper in which the answers were to be written was kept in the pocket of a man who accompanied Vivekananda. Each answer was correcteven the Tibetan hymn. A stunned Vivekananda could not help remembering Shakespeare: There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. What awaited was revealing. The miracle man not only refused to accept his fee, but ushered into the Swamis presence all the members of his family who bowed down to him. He even believed that the Swamis blessings would cure him of his fever. Why should a man of such powers need an unknown Sannyasis help? The man candidly told the Swami that all he possessed was a Mantra Siddhi. Obviously the man had no ambition to project himself as a godman. He could not have dreamed of moving about in high circles and making politicos gape in awe. Contrast him with Chandraswami, who passed away last week. This is from the noted diplomat Natwar Singh, then Deputy High Commissioner for India in the UK, who organised, at Chandraswamis request, his meeting with Margaret Thatcher, then Leader of the Opposition (1975), and acted as his interpreter: The clock was ticking away. Chandraswami was in no hurry ... He gave Thatcher five strips of paper and requested her to write a question on each. She obliged, but with scarcely camouflaged irritation. Chandraswami then asked her to open the first paper ball. She did. He gave the text of the question in Hindi. I translated. Correct. I watched Mrs. Thatcher. The irritation gave way to subdued curiosity. Next question. Again bulls eye. Curiosity replaced by interest. By the fourth question the future iron ladys demeanour had changed. She began to look at Chandraswami not as a fraud, but as a holy man indeed. My body language too had altered. Last question. Correct again. Mrs. Thatcher was now perched on the edge of the sofa. Chandraswami was like a triumphant guru. I had once met a godman who people believed, could materialise anything he liked. Once in Mumbai in 1960s, and received warmly by an eminent institution, he was requested to contribute an article to its journal. He waved his hand; dropped from nowhere a roll of typewritten sheets. Lord Ganesha typewrites for himhe informed his charmed audience. We do not know how the Lord felt about the bluff, for though he was the worlds first stenographer who took dictation from Vyasa; the said godmans script contained several ungodly errors. The fact is, with certain Siddhis, one can employ certain little beings of the vast occult world that remains interspersed with the physical world. They are of multiple kinds. They can transfer objects from one place to another, can whisper answers to questions and are capable of prophecies. Once such a being, employed by a mischief-maker, threw stones not only the outside, but also the inside of a house repeatedly. A great mystic obliged the tiny being to appear before her and asked it why it should not engage in something better than stone-throwing. The beings reply was stone-throwing was all that it could do. Terribly irrational, no doubt. But let us not forget that the evolution had a long past before the emergence of rationality. There are supernatural phenomena galore, but they have nothing to do with mysticism or spirituality which have their basis in our inner aspiration for God, Light, Freedom, Bliss and Immortality whereas many who pass on as Godmen cater to our ordinary ambitions while satisfying their own hunger for fame. Let us hope, Chandraswami is the last miracle man to try hook a few big fish in the muddy political pool in his prime days, before his dubious resources had been exhausted. He was by no means evil, but was just an average ambitious man; it is the over-ambitious politicians and businessmen always looking for shortcuts to power and affluence who made him a flitting phenomenon. This said, we must not conclude that all miracles are either magic or exercises in inferior occultism. Not so. Great saints have performed miracles; greater saints have railed at them; the greatest have both railed at them and performed them, says Sri Aurobindo. Intriguing indeed. But the liberated ones are not bound by any rule. Manoj Das Eminent author and recipient of several awards including the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship Email: prof.manojdas@gmail.com
On this day in 1982,Spain became a member of NATO. Although most western European countries joined the coalition during its formation in 1949, why did Spain join the bloc more than 30 years later?

No support

The reasons for Spains late entry was due to its domestic problems, wrote Seth S King, who served as a New York Times foreign correspondent. Spain was already suffering from Basque separatism. A powerful military group also opposed joining NATO

Dictator at the helm

Even some NATO members had opposed Spains entry into the alliance. They said that the country was neither economically or politically in tune with the major Western powers, King added. That was when Francisco Franco ruled the country. Francisco Franco was a general who ruled over Spain as a military dictator for 36 years

Democracy born

With Francos death in 1975, the country made a transition to democracy. Then, the democratic regime and the West wanted Spain to join NATO

US supports Spain

Before joining NATO, US had offered its support to Spain joining the NATO. President Reagan had assured full support to King Juan Carlos

As the dictatorship was rapidly dismantled (in Spain), some of its senior military defenders did not share the massive political consensus in favour of democratisation and so endeavoured to turn back the clock at several moments in the late 1970s 

On this day in 1982,Spain became a member of NATO. Although most western European countries joined the coalition during its formation in 1949, why did Spain join the bloc more than 30 years later? No support The reasons for Spains late entry was due to its domestic problems, wrote Seth S King, who served as a New York Times foreign correspondent. Spain was already suffering from Basque separatism. A powerful military group also opposed joining NATO Dictator at the helm Even some NATO members had opposed Spains entry into the alliance. They said that the country was neither economically or politically in tune with the major Western powers, King added. That was when Francisco Franco ruled the country. Francisco Franco was a general who ruled over Spain as a military dictator for 36 years Democracy born With Francos death in 1975, the country made a transition to democracy. Then, the democratic regime and the West wanted Spain to join NATO US supports Spain Before joining NATO, US had offered its support to Spain joining the NATO. President Reagan had assured full support to King Juan Carlos As the dictatorship was rapidly dismantled (in Spain), some of its senior military defenders did not share the massive political consensus in favour of democratisation and so endeavoured to turn back the clock at several moments in the late 1970s 
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Government on Monday put four districts on alert as cyclonic storm Mora moved north-eastwards towards the Bangladesh coast. Anticipating rains in wake of the passing storm, Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty asked the Collectors to remain prepared with exigency measures.

Mora, which is lying over east-central Bay of Bengal, moved in a north-northeastward direction in the last six hours at 19 km per hour. It was located at a distance of 550 km from Paradip in east-south-east direction.

The weather office said the system is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and cross Bangladesh coast near Chittagong on Tuesday.

Under its impact, coastal and northern districts will experience showers although likelihood of heavy downpour is slim since the system was lying at quite a distance from the coast.

The State Government, however, asked Collectors of Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Balasore and Jajpur to remain alert as rain and thundershower are likely to occur at some places in North Odisha and a few places over South Odisha during next 24 hours. Heavy rainfall is predicted at a few places.

Mohanty also urged fishermen not to venture into the sea on Tuesday and Wednesday since the conditions are expected to be rough. The India Meteorological Department also hoisted distant warning signal number 2 at Paradip and Gopalpur ports.

The weather office has predicted that the system will trigger heavy showers in north-eastern States while formation of a fresh system over Arabian Sea may help expedite onset of monsoon in Kerala in next two days. In the first week of June, more showers are expected in the State too.

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Government on Monday put four districts on alert as cyclonic storm Mora moved north-eastwards towards the Bangladesh coast. Anticipating rains in wake of the passing storm, Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty asked the Collectors to remain prepared with exigency measures. Mora, which is lying over east-central Bay of Bengal, moved in a north-northeastward direction in the last six hours at 19 km per hour. It was located at a distance of 550 km from Paradip in east-south-east direction. The weather office said the system is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and cross Bangladesh coast near Chittagong on Tuesday. Under its impact, coastal and northern districts will experience showers although likelihood of heavy downpour is slim since the system was lying at quite a distance from the coast. The State Government, however, asked Collectors of Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Balasore and Jajpur to remain alert as rain and thundershower are likely to occur at some places in North Odisha and a few places over South Odisha during next 24 hours. Heavy rainfall is predicted at a few places. Mohanty also urged fishermen not to venture into the sea on Tuesday and Wednesday since the conditions are expected to be rough. The India Meteorological Department also hoisted distant warning signal number 2 at Paradip and Gopalpur ports. The weather office has predicted that the system will trigger heavy showers in north-eastern States while formation of a fresh system over Arabian Sea may help expedite onset of monsoon in Kerala in next two days. In the first week of June, more showers are expected in the State too.
By Express News Service

CUTTACK:Tension ran high at SCB Medical College and Hospital on Monday after a group of junior doctors allegedly assaulted three attendants including wife of a patient undergoing treatment in Orthopaedic ward following an altercation over the patients bed.

The three attendants, Krushna Chandra Das, Pradyumna Kishore Rout and Kumudini Ray who sustained injuries, underwent medical examination before being subjected to interrogation by Mangalabag police.

According to reports, the patient, Kubera Bhusan Ray of Gop in Puri district, was undergoing treatment in bed number 326 for the last 20 days after both of his legs were fractured in an accident. Kuberas legs would have been operated on Monday. At about 1 pm on Monday, when some junior doctors asked his wife Kumudini to take her husband to operation theatre, she denied to do so and requested to postpone the operation.

Burdened with lack of bed for other patients in the ward, the junior doctors then asked Kumudini to shift the patient to a bed in lower floor. But Kumudini could not shift Kubera as there was no male person to assist her. Meanwhile, Kuberas friends Krushna Chandra Das and Pradyumna Kishore Rout arrived and started arguing with the medicos. Following the argument, 15 to 17 junior doctors allegedly dragged them to a room and assaulted them.

After Kumudini filed an FIR in this regard at Mangalabag police station, police sent the injured persons to City Hospital for medical examination. In the FIT, Kumudini alleged that she was manhandled and assaulted by the junior doctors.

Refuting the charges, the junior doctors clarified that due to overcrowding in the ward, they had offered another bed in a separate unit. But the patients friends misunderstood it and manhandled the them, they added. Police have two cases. While patients relatives have named eight junior doctors in a case, the medicos have filed a counter case.

SCBMCH Superintendent Syama Kanoongo said she had not received any complaint from the patient though the junior doctors had brought their allegation in this regard before her. An emergency meeting will be held on Tuesday to sort out the matter, she said.

CUTTACK:Tension ran high at SCB Medical College and Hospital on Monday after a group of junior doctors allegedly assaulted three attendants including wife of a patient undergoing treatment in Orthopaedic ward following an altercation over the patients bed. The three attendants, Krushna Chandra Das, Pradyumna Kishore Rout and Kumudini Ray who sustained injuries, underwent medical examination before being subjected to interrogation by Mangalabag police. According to reports, the patient, Kubera Bhusan Ray of Gop in Puri district, was undergoing treatment in bed number 326 for the last 20 days after both of his legs were fractured in an accident. Kuberas legs would have been operated on Monday. At about 1 pm on Monday, when some junior doctors asked his wife Kumudini to take her husband to operation theatre, she denied to do so and requested to postpone the operation. Burdened with lack of bed for other patients in the ward, the junior doctors then asked Kumudini to shift the patient to a bed in lower floor. But Kumudini could not shift Kubera as there was no male person to assist her. Meanwhile, Kuberas friends Krushna Chandra Das and Pradyumna Kishore Rout arrived and started arguing with the medicos. Following the argument, 15 to 17 junior doctors allegedly dragged them to a room and assaulted them. After Kumudini filed an FIR in this regard at Mangalabag police station, police sent the injured persons to City Hospital for medical examination. In the FIT, Kumudini alleged that she was manhandled and assaulted by the junior doctors. Refuting the charges, the junior doctors clarified that due to overcrowding in the ward, they had offered another bed in a separate unit. But the patients friends misunderstood it and manhandled the them, they added. Police have two cases. While patients relatives have named eight junior doctors in a case, the medicos have filed a counter case. SCBMCH Superintendent Syama Kanoongo said she had not received any complaint from the patient though the junior doctors had brought their allegation in this regard before her. An emergency meeting will be held on Tuesday to sort out the matter, she said.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Chennai police has invoked the draconian Goondas Act on a group of activists who recently took out a rally at Marina Beach to commemorate the civilian victims of the Eelam war. While such protests violating prohibitory orders are treated as a civil issue, city police commissioner A K Viswanathan on Monday issued orders to detain the four activists under the law that is meant to prevent habitual criminals from securing bail.

G Thirumurugan Gandhi, who is the founder of the pro-Eelam May 17 organisation, and three other members were arrested on May 21 evening when around 300 people took out a flash rally defying prohibitory orders of the city police. The organisation had called for a candle light vigil at Marina beach to mark the anniversary of the Mullivaikal genocide in northern Sri Lanka during the final phase of the Eelam war between Sri Lankan army and LTTE.

Goondas Act is generally invoked against persons with a history of criminal cases. In its statement on Monday, the Chennai police just listed the names of the police stations in which the four detainees have cases booked against them. But the nature of the cases were not mentioned. The statement said all the four detainees were continuously involved in offenses and disturbing public peace.



A senior police officer reasoned that all four were involved in violating public order and they were detained under the Goondas Act based on the history of cases against them.

The three other persons detained are D Arun Kumar (27), M Taison (27), and U Jagan alias Elamaran (32).

The move has evoked strong criticisms from Opposition leaders. DMK leader M K Stalin termed it as shutting down of freedom of expression. The commemoration for the killings of Eelam Tamils are conducted every year and the same police had given protection for it, Stalin said in a hard-hitting statement. He said the police had been treating Marina beach as a riot-torn area and had been terrorising people by refusing even peaceful assembly of people on the beach.

MDMK chief Vaiko in his statement pointed out that marriage of Arun Kumar, one of the detainees, was scheduled for July 3. Staging protests, fasts and rallies are democratic rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Usually police deny permission for any such protest, but they arrest and release them later. Invoking Goondas Act without any enquiry and preventing them form coming out on bail is against democratic principles, said G Ramakrishnan, State secretary of CPM.

CHENNAI: The Chennai police has invoked the draconian Goondas Act on a group of activists who recently took out a rally at Marina Beach to commemorate the civilian victims of the Eelam war. While such protests violating prohibitory orders are treated as a civil issue, city police commissioner A K Viswanathan on Monday issued orders to detain the four activists under the law that is meant to prevent habitual criminals from securing bail. G Thirumurugan Gandhi, who is the founder of the pro-Eelam May 17 organisation, and three other members were arrested on May 21 evening when around 300 people took out a flash rally defying prohibitory orders of the city police. The organisation had called for a candle light vigil at Marina beach to mark the anniversary of the Mullivaikal genocide in northern Sri Lanka during the final phase of the Eelam war between Sri Lankan army and LTTE. Goondas Act is generally invoked against persons with a history of criminal cases. In its statement on Monday, the Chennai police just listed the names of the police stations in which the four detainees have cases booked against them. But the nature of the cases were not mentioned. The statement said all the four detainees were continuously involved in offenses and disturbing public peace. A senior police officer reasoned that all four were involved in violating public order and they were detained under the Goondas Act based on the history of cases against them. The three other persons detained are D Arun Kumar (27), M Taison (27), and U Jagan alias Elamaran (32). The move has evoked strong criticisms from Opposition leaders. DMK leader M K Stalin termed it as shutting down of freedom of expression. The commemoration for the killings of Eelam Tamils are conducted every year and the same police had given protection for it, Stalin said in a hard-hitting statement. He said the police had been treating Marina beach as a riot-torn area and had been terrorising people by refusing even peaceful assembly of people on the beach. MDMK chief Vaiko in his statement pointed out that marriage of Arun Kumar, one of the detainees, was scheduled for July 3. Staging protests, fasts and rallies are democratic rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Usually police deny permission for any such protest, but they arrest and release them later. Invoking Goondas Act without any enquiry and preventing them form coming out on bail is against democratic principles, said G Ramakrishnan, State secretary of CPM.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Thousands of pharmacies in Tamil Nadu will remained closed on Tuesday as part of the nationwide strike announced by the all-India association protesting against online pharmacies. However, much to the relief of the public who are sure to face difficulties, all 111 Amma Pharmacies and 197 cooperative society medical shops will remain open during the day, said Health Minister C Vijaya Basker. Also, the association has decided to wind up the protests by 4 pm instead of 6 pm as earlier announced, he added.

Over 35,000 shops will remain closed as part of the protest, said KK Selvan, general secretary of Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association, which is affiliated to All India Chemists and Druggists Association.

Pharmacies inside clinics and hospitals will remain open, while a small number of members will open shops at places like Chennai, Madurai and Karur, among other places, to ensure that the public dont suffer.

Why the protest?

The protest is against online pharmacies, which, the association alleges, makes it easy to access drugs without following safety procedures

Want a bite? Sorry, hotels to be closed till 6 pm today



CHENNAI: Eating out may be a near impossibility today. With the Tamil Nadu Hotels and Restaurant Association calling for a dawn-to-dusk (6 am to 6 pm) strike against the Union governments new GST tax regime, around 25 lakh eateries are expected remain closed today. The citys huge bachelor community, which is mostly dependent on the eateries, would be the most affected and the roadside and other smaller eateries may turn into their only places of refuge.

According to the new regulations, government has proposed a levy between 5 and 18 per cent tax on different categories of restaurants under the State Value Added Tax Acts. The levy is as high as 28 per cent in restaurants that are part of hotels with room tariff above ` 5,000. States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry have recognised the significance of this section and have extended concessions of as little as 2 per cent, said the spokesperson of the association.

Rs 500 Crore is expected to be the loss because of the dawn to dusk protest

Show of solidarity

Even though the tax regime mostly affects the AC restaurants, most of the smaller non-AC eateries will join protest as show of solidarity



Packaged water units give a breather, call off strike



CHENNAI: Saving the city from a drinking water crisis, the indefinite strike called by packaged water units has been withdrawn. The decision was taken after office bearers of the Greater Tamil Nadu Packaged Drinking Water Manufacturer Association (GTPDWMA) met Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who gave an assurance that their demands would be considered.

The strike, which began on Sunday, was called by the association for two reasons: closure of several water units by local revenue officials and imposition of 18 per cent tax on water cans under the proposed GST regime. We met the Chief Minister and Finance Minister today (Monday). They promised to consider our demands favourably. Following this assurance, we are withdrawing the strike, said V Murali of the Association. He added that the Finance Minister D Jayakumar has called them for a detailed discussion on Tuesday.

7 Units in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur produce 7 lakh cans per year.

Prices doubled

Around 200 units took part in the strike, leading to prices of water cans being hiked to almost twice the usual rates in some parts of the city



When tales spike sales: Aavin milking concerns

COIMBATORE:Recent allegations of sale of milk with chemical adulterants by some private milk firms has helped Aavin; with its milk sales going up across the State. In Coimbatore alone, the sale has gone up by 4,000 litres a day.

Aavin milk sales across the State increased to around 20.50 lakh litres from 20 lakh litre in recent days. Officials with the Coimbatore District Milk Producers Cooperative Union say that the sale of Aavin milk has gone up by nearly 50,000 litres across TN. Before the controversy, Aavin milk sales were around 1.42 lakh litres a day. Now, the sales have gone up to 1.47 lakh litres, an Aavin official said.

Though officials say there might be many reasons for the hike in sales, the allegations about chemical usage in milk against some private firms may be one among them. There is no chance of chemical usage for preservation of Aavin milk. Since there is a demand, we have decided to strengthen the distribution system, he said.

Rain to the rescue

The summer showers have helped increase milk production. As per statistics, the production has reached 28.50 lakh litre a day in the state





CHENNAI: Thousands of pharmacies in Tamil Nadu will remained closed on Tuesday as part of the nationwide strike announced by the all-India association protesting against online pharmacies. However, much to the relief of the public who are sure to face difficulties, all 111 Amma Pharmacies and 197 cooperative society medical shops will remain open during the day, said Health Minister C Vijaya Basker. Also, the association has decided to wind up the protests by 4 pm instead of 6 pm as earlier announced, he added. Over 35,000 shops will remain closed as part of the protest, said KK Selvan, general secretary of Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association, which is affiliated to All India Chemists and Druggists Association. Pharmacies inside clinics and hospitals will remain open, while a small number of members will open shops at places like Chennai, Madurai and Karur, among other places, to ensure that the public dont suffer. Why the protest? The protest is against online pharmacies, which, the association alleges, makes it easy to access drugs without following safety procedures Want a bite? Sorry, hotels to be closed till 6 pm today CHENNAI: Eating out may be a near impossibility today. With the Tamil Nadu Hotels and Restaurant Association calling for a dawn-to-dusk (6 am to 6 pm) strike against the Union governments new GST tax regime, around 25 lakh eateries are expected remain closed today. The citys huge bachelor community, which is mostly dependent on the eateries, would be the most affected and the roadside and other smaller eateries may turn into their only places of refuge. According to the new regulations, government has proposed a levy between 5 and 18 per cent tax on different categories of restaurants under the State Value Added Tax Acts. The levy is as high as 28 per cent in restaurants that are part of hotels with room tariff above ` 5,000. States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry have recognised the significance of this section and have extended concessions of as little as 2 per cent, said the spokesperson of the association. Rs 500 Crore is expected to be the loss because of the dawn to dusk protest Show of solidarity Even though the tax regime mostly affects the AC restaurants, most of the smaller non-AC eateries will join protest as show of solidarityPackaged water units give a breather, call off strike CHENNAI: Saving the city from a drinking water crisis, the indefinite strike called by packaged water units has been withdrawn. The decision was taken after office bearers of the Greater Tamil Nadu Packaged Drinking Water Manufacturer Association (GTPDWMA) met Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who gave an assurance that their demands would be considered. The strike, which began on Sunday, was called by the association for two reasons: closure of several water units by local revenue officials and imposition of 18 per cent tax on water cans under the proposed GST regime. We met the Chief Minister and Finance Minister today (Monday). They promised to consider our demands favourably. Following this assurance, we are withdrawing the strike, said V Murali of the Association. He added that the Finance Minister D Jayakumar has called them for a detailed discussion on Tuesday. 7 Units in Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur produce 7 lakh cans per year. Prices doubled Around 200 units took part in the strike, leading to prices of water cans being hiked to almost twice the usual rates in some parts of the cityWhen tales spike sales: Aavin milking concerns COIMBATORE:Recent allegations of sale of milk with chemical adulterants by some private milk firms has helped Aavin; with its milk sales going up across the State. In Coimbatore alone, the sale has gone up by 4,000 litres a day. Aavin milk sales across the State increased to around 20.50 lakh litres from 20 lakh litre in recent days. Officials with the Coimbatore District Milk Producers Cooperative Union say that the sale of Aavin milk has gone up by nearly 50,000 litres across TN. Before the controversy, Aavin milk sales were around 1.42 lakh litres a day. Now, the sales have gone up to 1.47 lakh litres, an Aavin official said. Though officials say there might be many reasons for the hike in sales, the allegations about chemical usage in milk against some private firms may be one among them. There is no chance of chemical usage for preservation of Aavin milk. Since there is a demand, we have decided to strengthen the distribution system, he said. Rain to the rescue The summer showers have helped increase milk production. As per statistics, the production has reached 28.50 lakh litre a day in the state
By PTI

KATHMANDU: The body of an Indian climber, who died last week after falling into a crevice after conquering Mt Everest, has been handed over to the Indian embassy here.

Ravi Kumar, 27, was lying stranded at a 200-metre-deep crevasse near the summit of the worlds tallest mountain since May 22. He went missing from the balcony located at 8,400 metres on Everest last Saturday.

"The body was handed over to the Indian embassy on Sunday," Mingma Sherpa, Managing Director of Seven Summit Treks, the company overseeing the operation, was quoted as saying by the Himalayan Times.

A team of high-altitude climbing experts has pulled out Kumar's body from the perilous zone in the mountain on Saturday evening.

"High-altitude climbing experts flew to Camp II (6,400m) by helicopter and then climbed to the balcony," he said, adding, it took more than three hours to pull out Ravis body from the crevasse at the "death zone" where there is short- supply of oxygen. The bodies have been flown to Kathmandu.

Ten people were deployed for the mission, he said. The cost of the operation that also included recovery of the dead bodies of other two Indians is expected to touch USD 200,000.

"The Indian government will bear the cost of the operation," said Sherpa.

Kumar had reached the summit with his guide at 1:28pm last Saturday. The Indian climber collapsed during the descent due to low energy and oxygen levels.

KATHMANDU: The body of an Indian climber, who died last week after falling into a crevice after conquering Mt Everest, has been handed over to the Indian embassy here. Ravi Kumar, 27, was lying stranded at a 200-metre-deep crevasse near the summit of the worlds tallest mountain since May 22. He went missing from the balcony located at 8,400 metres on Everest last Saturday. "The body was handed over to the Indian embassy on Sunday," Mingma Sherpa, Managing Director of Seven Summit Treks, the company overseeing the operation, was quoted as saying by the Himalayan Times. A team of high-altitude climbing experts has pulled out Kumar's body from the perilous zone in the mountain on Saturday evening. "High-altitude climbing experts flew to Camp II (6,400m) by helicopter and then climbed to the balcony," he said, adding, it took more than three hours to pull out Ravis body from the crevasse at the "death zone" where there is short- supply of oxygen. The bodies have been flown to Kathmandu. Ten people were deployed for the mission, he said. The cost of the operation that also included recovery of the dead bodies of other two Indians is expected to touch USD 200,000. "The Indian government will bear the cost of the operation," said Sherpa. Kumar had reached the summit with his guide at 1:28pm last Saturday. The Indian climber collapsed during the descent due to low energy and oxygen levels.
By AFP

BAGHDAD: At least 27 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in two bombings in Baghdad, security and medical officials said today.

In the first attack, a suicide bomber struck near a popular ice cream shop overnight, killing 16 people.

In the second, a car bomb exploded near one of the capital's main bridges this morning, killing 11, the officials said.

The suicide bombing at a popular Baghdad ice cream shop had killed at least 16 people, officials said Tuesday, an attack claimed by the Islamic State group.

IS issued a statement claiming the attack, identifying the bomber as an Iraqi who detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle targeting Shiite Muslims.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the second attack, but IS carries out frequent car bombings targeting civilians in the Iraqi capital.

IS considers members of Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority -- including the women and children who were victims of the Karrada blast -- to be heretics and frequently carries out attacks against them.

The bomber struck just days after the start of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, during which Iraqis often stay out late shopping or socialising after breaking their daily fast.

Images and footage posted on social media showed the devastating impact of the blast, which ripped through the crowded area around Al-Faqma ice cream shop, scattering rubble across the street.

One photo showed cups of ice cream scattered on the blood-stained ground.

Brett McGurk, the US diplomat coordinating the international coalition fighting IS, condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Iraq.

"ISIS terrorists tonight in Baghdad target children & families enjoying time together at an ice cream shop. We stand w/Iraq against this evil," McGurk said on Twitter, using an alternate acronym for IS.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed by coalition air strikes have since regained much of the territory they lost and are now fighting to retake the last jihadist-held areas in second city Mosul.

But defeats on the battlefield have not prevented IS from carrying out deadly attacks targeting civilians, including a bombing in Karrada district last year that killed more than 320 people.

BAGHDAD: At least 27 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in two bombings in Baghdad, security and medical officials said today. In the first attack, a suicide bomber struck near a popular ice cream shop overnight, killing 16 people. In the second, a car bomb exploded near one of the capital's main bridges this morning, killing 11, the officials said. The suicide bombing at a popular Baghdad ice cream shop had killed at least 16 people, officials said Tuesday, an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. IS issued a statement claiming the attack, identifying the bomber as an Iraqi who detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle targeting Shiite Muslims. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the second attack, but IS carries out frequent car bombings targeting civilians in the Iraqi capital. IS considers members of Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority -- including the women and children who were victims of the Karrada blast -- to be heretics and frequently carries out attacks against them. The bomber struck just days after the start of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, during which Iraqis often stay out late shopping or socialising after breaking their daily fast. Images and footage posted on social media showed the devastating impact of the blast, which ripped through the crowded area around Al-Faqma ice cream shop, scattering rubble across the street. One photo showed cups of ice cream scattered on the blood-stained ground. Brett McGurk, the US diplomat coordinating the international coalition fighting IS, condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Iraq. "ISIS terrorists tonight in Baghdad target children & families enjoying time together at an ice cream shop. We stand w/Iraq against this evil," McGurk said on Twitter, using an alternate acronym for IS. IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed by coalition air strikes have since regained much of the territory they lost and are now fighting to retake the last jihadist-held areas in second city Mosul. But defeats on the battlefield have not prevented IS from carrying out deadly attacks targeting civilians, including a bombing in Karrada district last year that killed more than 320 people.
By AFP

BANGKOK: A British journalist faces up to five years in a Thai jail after he was arrested for carrying a gas mask and plates for a bullet-proof vest through Bangkok's main airport on his way to cover fighting in the Iraqi city of Mosul, police confirmed Tuesday.

Tony Cheng, who works for Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, was detained at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport late Monday night under a law that has been heavily criticised by media groups.

Gas masks and ballistic vests are frequently used by reporters around the world but are classified as "war weapons" in Thailand and require a licence, something journalists have been unable to obtain.

Violating the 1987 law is punishable by up to five years in jail.

"A British national was arrested and charged with illegal possession of war weapons last night at the airport," Suvarnabhumi airport policeman Somchart Maneerat told AFP Tuesday.

Cheng, who is married to a Thai national, and German colleague Florian Witulski were on their way to report from war-torn Mosul where troops are battling the Islamic State group.

The pair previously reported from Mosul in March.

Witulski was briefly detained alongside Cheng but was later released and has not been charged.

Suvarnabhumi police said Cheng was released Tuesday afternoon after his wife paid a 100,000 baht ($3,000) bail and he agreed to forfeit his passport.

In a Facebook post from an airport detention cell Cheng said the plates and gas mask were "for use in Mosul where ISIS are well documented to be using gas."

Media groups have repeatedly criticised the Thai law and say journalists should not be punished for carrying body armour and protective gear in and out of dangerous zones.

- 'Invidious choice' -

In a statement on Cheng's arrest, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand said reporters based in the country who travel to dangerous assignments are "presented with an invidious choice: break Thai law or increase the risk to life and limb".

Attempts over the years to amend the legislation have fallen on deaf ears, despite Thailand's own history of deadly street protests and a festering Muslim insurgency in the far south.

The protection equipment law was rarely enforced until the military seized power three years ago.

"The issue has occurred quite a few times already, I am certain there will be review on this matter," junta spokesman Major General Werachon Sukhonhapatipak told AFP.

He added that journalists should inform authorities if they plan to travel with such equipment.

Yet media groups have previously said that would not protect reporters from the risk of prosecution.

Bangkok has long been a regional hub for international reporters but since the coup the military have clamped down on dissent and made media visas harder to obtain.

In August 2015 a Hong Kong photographer was charged with violating the law for carrying a bullet-proof vest and helmet while covering a deadly bombing in Bangkok.

A Thai court later quietly dropped the case.

During Thailand's regular bouts of deadly street protests, both demonstrators and journalists have donned ballistic vests and helmets, largely without falling foul of police.

Two foreign reporters were killed by gunfire while covering the worst round of political unrest in 2010.

"Both might have survived had they been wearing body armour," the FCCT statement said.

BANGKOK: A British journalist faces up to five years in a Thai jail after he was arrested for carrying a gas mask and plates for a bullet-proof vest through Bangkok's main airport on his way to cover fighting in the Iraqi city of Mosul, police confirmed Tuesday. Tony Cheng, who works for Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, was detained at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport late Monday night under a law that has been heavily criticised by media groups. Gas masks and ballistic vests are frequently used by reporters around the world but are classified as "war weapons" in Thailand and require a licence, something journalists have been unable to obtain. Violating the 1987 law is punishable by up to five years in jail. "A British national was arrested and charged with illegal possession of war weapons last night at the airport," Suvarnabhumi airport policeman Somchart Maneerat told AFP Tuesday. Cheng, who is married to a Thai national, and German colleague Florian Witulski were on their way to report from war-torn Mosul where troops are battling the Islamic State group. The pair previously reported from Mosul in March. Witulski was briefly detained alongside Cheng but was later released and has not been charged. Suvarnabhumi police said Cheng was released Tuesday afternoon after his wife paid a 100,000 baht ($3,000) bail and he agreed to forfeit his passport. In a Facebook post from an airport detention cell Cheng said the plates and gas mask were "for use in Mosul where ISIS are well documented to be using gas." Media groups have repeatedly criticised the Thai law and say journalists should not be punished for carrying body armour and protective gear in and out of dangerous zones. - 'Invidious choice' - In a statement on Cheng's arrest, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand said reporters based in the country who travel to dangerous assignments are "presented with an invidious choice: break Thai law or increase the risk to life and limb". Attempts over the years to amend the legislation have fallen on deaf ears, despite Thailand's own history of deadly street protests and a festering Muslim insurgency in the far south. The protection equipment law was rarely enforced until the military seized power three years ago. "The issue has occurred quite a few times already, I am certain there will be review on this matter," junta spokesman Major General Werachon Sukhonhapatipak told AFP. He added that journalists should inform authorities if they plan to travel with such equipment. Yet media groups have previously said that would not protect reporters from the risk of prosecution. Bangkok has long been a regional hub for international reporters but since the coup the military have clamped down on dissent and made media visas harder to obtain. In August 2015 a Hong Kong photographer was charged with violating the law for carrying a bullet-proof vest and helmet while covering a deadly bombing in Bangkok. A Thai court later quietly dropped the case. During Thailand's regular bouts of deadly street protests, both demonstrators and journalists have donned ballistic vests and helmets, largely without falling foul of police. Two foreign reporters were killed by gunfire while covering the worst round of political unrest in 2010. "Both might have survived had they been wearing body armour," the FCCT statement said.
By AFP

STOCKHOLM: The "Little Mermaid" statue in Copenhagen, the city's most famous monument, was doused in red paint today by animal rights activists outraged over whaling, police said.

The culprits who vandalised the bronze sculpture, which sits on a rock by the waterside in the Danish capital, also left a message for authorities.

"Danmark (sic), defend the whales of the Faroe Islands" was spray painted on the pavement in front of the monument. Copenhagen police confirmed the incident on Twitter, writing "The Little Mermaid was targeted by vandalism. We are on the case".

The Faroe Islands, a Danish autonomous archipelago in the North Atlantic, has a tradition of trapping mainly pilot whales in a bay or a fjord and killing them with long knives, an act called the "grindadrap".

The Little Mermaid, inspired by a character in Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairytale of the same name, is a 175-kilogram statue by Edvard Eriksen.

She was commissioned in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen, the son of the founder of the famous Carlsberg brewery, and has been one of Denmark's main tourist attractions since 1913.

The statue has been vandalised several times over a century including when the mermaid's head was stolen in 1964 and 1998, as well as when an arm was cut off in 1984.

She has been sprayed with paint before and thrown into the sea several times. In 2004, her head was covered with a burqa in protest against Turkey's application to become a member of the European Union.

Denmark loaned the statue, which attracts around one million visitors per year, to China for the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai.

STOCKHOLM: The "Little Mermaid" statue in Copenhagen, the city's most famous monument, was doused in red paint today by animal rights activists outraged over whaling, police said. The culprits who vandalised the bronze sculpture, which sits on a rock by the waterside in the Danish capital, also left a message for authorities. "Danmark (sic), defend the whales of the Faroe Islands" was spray painted on the pavement in front of the monument. Copenhagen police confirmed the incident on Twitter, writing "The Little Mermaid was targeted by vandalism. We are on the case". The Faroe Islands, a Danish autonomous archipelago in the North Atlantic, has a tradition of trapping mainly pilot whales in a bay or a fjord and killing them with long knives, an act called the "grindadrap". The Little Mermaid, inspired by a character in Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairytale of the same name, is a 175-kilogram statue by Edvard Eriksen. She was commissioned in 1909 by Carl Jacobsen, the son of the founder of the famous Carlsberg brewery, and has been one of Denmark's main tourist attractions since 1913. The statue has been vandalised several times over a century including when the mermaid's head was stolen in 1964 and 1998, as well as when an arm was cut off in 1984. She has been sprayed with paint before and thrown into the sea several times. In 2004, her head was covered with a burqa in protest against Turkey's application to become a member of the European Union. Denmark loaned the statue, which attracts around one million visitors per year, to China for the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai.
By PTI

COLOMBO: COLOMBO: Indian naval divers and medical teams today joined rescue efforts in Sri Lanka's flood-hit regions as the death toll in the country's worst torrential rains since 2003 climbed today to 194.

The government has initiated efforts to purify wells and other potable water sources which have been contaminated by the floods as tens of thousands of affected people are left without safe drinking water.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the adverse weather condition had left 112 people injured.

Nearly 600,000 people have been forced to abandon their houses, with thousands suffering structural damage from flood inundation and landslides, it said.

The weather has begun to clear, and many of the more than 100,000 people, evacuated over the weekend, had returned home to clear debris and mud from their waterlogged homes. More than 80,000 others remained in relief camps as their homes were either destroyed or wiped out.

The Indian contingent of more than 300 navy personnel was assisting in the relief, with divers searching the brackish waters and medical teams seeing patients in makeshift tents set up at shelters.

INS 'Shardul' has nearly 200 personnel on board, including specialised rescue, diving and medical teams, as well as a large amount of relief material and Gemini inflatable boats.

INS 'Kirch' was carrying 125 personnel. It had diving teams, relief supplies, inflatable gemini boats and a mobile medical teams.

A third Indian naval ship arrived today, bringing relief supplies including rice, lentils, sugar, milk and blankets for the displaced.

This Sunday, May 28, 2017 handout photo released by Sri Lanka Air Force shows houses submerged in floodwaters in Sri Lanka. (AP)

"Secy to President of SL and SL Navy chief receiving symbolically the relief material on board the 3rd relief and rescue ship INS Jalashwa," the High Commission of India in Colombo tweeted.



India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Bagley tweeted "SL Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake and High Commissioner encouraging India n SL Navy jt medical and rescue teams from the 3rd Indian Ship".



Lankan army trucks transported drinking water and food to affected areas. Helicopters ferried medicine, relief supplies and inflatable boats to remote areas, while small vessels plied the floodwaters in search of people.



Lankan Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said foreign assistance is continuing to flow in with India, China and Pakistan among the countries sending ship loads of humanitarian aid.



The rebuilding effort was well underway with the government approving Rs 2.5 million for every damaged house.

Over 900 hosues in 15 districts have been completely destroyed, the spokesman said.



The disaster is described as one of the worst-ever calamities since the 2003 floods.



The official death toll was at 194, with 94 others listed as missing, the Colombo Gazette reported.

Indian soldiers unload supplies to be used in relief operations from NS Jalashwa Indian Navy ship, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. (P)

The MeT department in its weather forecast said the cyclonic storm MORA is expected to get weakened when it enters Bangladesh and the possibility for heavy rain and strong winds will be reduced by tomorrow.



However, under its influence cloudy skies, windy and showery conditions are expected over the country.



The MeT department warned that the sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai and sea area off the coast extending from Galle to Batticaloa via Hambantota can be very rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 70-80 kmph.



There were scattered showers in many parts of Sri Lanka in the past 24 hours but flood waters were rapidly receding, officials said.



State television broadcast called for public assistance to clean drinking wells contaminated by the monsoon floods.



Lanka's water supply minister Rauf Hakeem said 40 per cent of those affected did not have access to piped drinking water, and there was an urgent need to clean contaminated wells in flood-affected areas.



"Our workers have volunteered to join a major clean up," the minister said, adding that water distribution stations were flooded, disrupting the piped supply.



In total, 545,243 people of 142,811 families were affected by the weather calamity. The South-West monsoon unleashed torrential rains, which ravaged fourteen districts in the western and southern parts on Friday and Thursday.



The DMC had issued an urgent evacuation warning last evening instructing residents living along the Kelani river and within the Divisional Secretariats of Kollonnawa, Kaduwela, Wellampitiya, Kelaniya, Biyagama, Sedawatte, Dompe, Hanwella, Padukka and Avissawella to move to safer areas.



It said water levels in the Kelani river were rising rapidly as indicted by the water gauges at Nagalagam Street, Hanwella and Glencourse and warned residents to move away from the vulnerable area as it was under an imminent flood threat.



Those living along the banks of Nilwala Ganga, The Gin Ganga and Kalu Ganga were also asked to move to safer areas because of the rising water levels.



Meanwhile, the DMC requested the people to be vigilant on rising water levels.

"Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces. Heavy falls (about 150 mm) can be expected at some places," it said.



Charities have warned on Monday that thousands of people affected by the floods and landslides are at the risk of potential fatal diseases such as dengue fever, as the death toll from the disaster continued to rise.



On Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's orders, Rs two billion have been set aside to help the small and medium scale businesses destroyed by the floods, Senaratne said.



Senaratne has rejected criticism that the goverment was not prepared to face the disaster.



The government came under immense criticism over the absence of Minister of Disaster Management Anura Yapa who has not returned from a disaster management conference in Mexico.



Wickremesinghe left the country yesterday for medical treatment after postponing the visit over the last 18 months, Senaratne said.



Sri Lanka had sought international assistance, with India sending three naval ships laden with supplies in the last a couple of days.



Following India's lead in sending out emergency relief to Sri Lanka, more countries started pledging assistance to provide relief to the flood victims.



Australia has said it would provide 500,000 dollars.



A Pakistani relief ship was also expected to arrive later today. At least three Chinese ships will come a day after tomorrow.

COLOMBO: COLOMBO: Indian naval divers and medical teams today joined rescue efforts in Sri Lanka's flood-hit regions as the death toll in the country's worst torrential rains since 2003 climbed today to 194. The government has initiated efforts to purify wells and other potable water sources which have been contaminated by the floods as tens of thousands of affected people are left without safe drinking water. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the adverse weather condition had left 112 people injured. Nearly 600,000 people have been forced to abandon their houses, with thousands suffering structural damage from flood inundation and landslides, it said. The weather has begun to clear, and many of the more than 100,000 people, evacuated over the weekend, had returned home to clear debris and mud from their waterlogged homes. More than 80,000 others remained in relief camps as their homes were either destroyed or wiped out. The Indian contingent of more than 300 navy personnel was assisting in the relief, with divers searching the brackish waters and medical teams seeing patients in makeshift tents set up at shelters. INS 'Shardul' has nearly 200 personnel on board, including specialised rescue, diving and medical teams, as well as a large amount of relief material and Gemini inflatable boats. INS 'Kirch' was carrying 125 personnel. It had diving teams, relief supplies, inflatable gemini boats and a mobile medical teams. A third Indian naval ship arrived today, bringing relief supplies including rice, lentils, sugar, milk and blankets for the displaced. This Sunday, May 28, 2017 handout photo released by Sri Lanka Air Force shows houses submerged in floodwaters in Sri Lanka. (AP) "Secy to President of SL and SL Navy chief receiving symbolically the relief material on board the 3rd relief and rescue ship INS Jalashwa," the High Commission of India in Colombo tweeted. India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Bagley tweeted "SL Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake and High Commissioner encouraging India n SL Navy jt medical and rescue teams from the 3rd Indian Ship". Lankan army trucks transported drinking water and food to affected areas. Helicopters ferried medicine, relief supplies and inflatable boats to remote areas, while small vessels plied the floodwaters in search of people. Lankan Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said foreign assistance is continuing to flow in with India, China and Pakistan among the countries sending ship loads of humanitarian aid. The rebuilding effort was well underway with the government approving Rs 2.5 million for every damaged house. Over 900 hosues in 15 districts have been completely destroyed, the spokesman said. The disaster is described as one of the worst-ever calamities since the 2003 floods. The official death toll was at 194, with 94 others listed as missing, the Colombo Gazette reported. Indian soldiers unload supplies to be used in relief operations from NS Jalashwa Indian Navy ship, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, May 30, 2017. (P) The MeT department in its weather forecast said the cyclonic storm MORA is expected to get weakened when it enters Bangladesh and the possibility for heavy rain and strong winds will be reduced by tomorrow. However, under its influence cloudy skies, windy and showery conditions are expected over the country. The MeT department warned that the sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai and sea area off the coast extending from Galle to Batticaloa via Hambantota can be very rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 70-80 kmph. There were scattered showers in many parts of Sri Lanka in the past 24 hours but flood waters were rapidly receding, officials said. State television broadcast called for public assistance to clean drinking wells contaminated by the monsoon floods. Lanka's water supply minister Rauf Hakeem said 40 per cent of those affected did not have access to piped drinking water, and there was an urgent need to clean contaminated wells in flood-affected areas. "Our workers have volunteered to join a major clean up," the minister said, adding that water distribution stations were flooded, disrupting the piped supply. In total, 545,243 people of 142,811 families were affected by the weather calamity. The South-West monsoon unleashed torrential rains, which ravaged fourteen districts in the western and southern parts on Friday and Thursday. The DMC had issued an urgent evacuation warning last evening instructing residents living along the Kelani river and within the Divisional Secretariats of Kollonnawa, Kaduwela, Wellampitiya, Kelaniya, Biyagama, Sedawatte, Dompe, Hanwella, Padukka and Avissawella to move to safer areas. It said water levels in the Kelani river were rising rapidly as indicted by the water gauges at Nagalagam Street, Hanwella and Glencourse and warned residents to move away from the vulnerable area as it was under an imminent flood threat. Those living along the banks of Nilwala Ganga, The Gin Ganga and Kalu Ganga were also asked to move to safer areas because of the rising water levels. Meanwhile, the DMC requested the people to be vigilant on rising water levels. "Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces. Heavy falls (about 150 mm) can be expected at some places," it said. Charities have warned on Monday that thousands of people affected by the floods and landslides are at the risk of potential fatal diseases such as dengue fever, as the death toll from the disaster continued to rise. On Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's orders, Rs two billion have been set aside to help the small and medium scale businesses destroyed by the floods, Senaratne said. Senaratne has rejected criticism that the goverment was not prepared to face the disaster. The government came under immense criticism over the absence of Minister of Disaster Management Anura Yapa who has not returned from a disaster management conference in Mexico. Wickremesinghe left the country yesterday for medical treatment after postponing the visit over the last 18 months, Senaratne said. Sri Lanka had sought international assistance, with India sending three naval ships laden with supplies in the last a couple of days. Following India's lead in sending out emergency relief to Sri Lanka, more countries started pledging assistance to provide relief to the flood victims. Australia has said it would provide 500,000 dollars. A Pakistani relief ship was also expected to arrive later today. At least three Chinese ships will come a day after tomorrow.
By AFP

OSLO: Norway says it "regrets" Qatar's expulsion of a Saudi Arabian human rights activist on his way to claim refugee status in the Nordic nation.

Mohammed al-Otaibi, 49, fled to neighbouring Qatar in March facing trial in a Saudi anti-terrorism court over his human rights work, the Gulf Center for Human Rights said Monday.

"It's regrettable that Qatar chose to deport that person to Saudi Arabia," Norwegian foreign ministry spokeswoman Ane Haavardsdatter Lunde told AFP in an email statement late Monday.

"We are concerned by the situation and we will continue to monitor the developments for this person through a dialogue with relevant organisations and countries," she added.

The official Qatar News Agency (QNA) said a foreign ministry source had confirmed the deportation.

"The extradition was... based on legal procedures and regional and international agreements relating to the extradition of accused persons and criminals," the agency said.

Qatari authorities said the deportation had taken place last Wednesday.

The Norwegian Ministry of Justice on Monday confirmed that Otaibi had received a travel permit to Norway as a UN quota refugee.

First arrested in 2009, Otaibi in 2013 co-founded the Union for Human Rights in Riyadh.

Authorities closed it down after about one month, but he continued his work, issuing reports and giving television interviews, the Gulf Center said.

New York-based Human Rights Watch warned in April that Otaibi would be at risk of a long prison sentence and possible ill-treatment if forcibly returned to Saudi Arabia.

OSLO: Norway says it "regrets" Qatar's expulsion of a Saudi Arabian human rights activist on his way to claim refugee status in the Nordic nation. Mohammed al-Otaibi, 49, fled to neighbouring Qatar in March facing trial in a Saudi anti-terrorism court over his human rights work, the Gulf Center for Human Rights said Monday. "It's regrettable that Qatar chose to deport that person to Saudi Arabia," Norwegian foreign ministry spokeswoman Ane Haavardsdatter Lunde told AFP in an email statement late Monday. "We are concerned by the situation and we will continue to monitor the developments for this person through a dialogue with relevant organisations and countries," she added. The official Qatar News Agency (QNA) said a foreign ministry source had confirmed the deportation. "The extradition was... based on legal procedures and regional and international agreements relating to the extradition of accused persons and criminals," the agency said. Qatari authorities said the deportation had taken place last Wednesday. The Norwegian Ministry of Justice on Monday confirmed that Otaibi had received a travel permit to Norway as a UN quota refugee. First arrested in 2009, Otaibi in 2013 co-founded the Union for Human Rights in Riyadh. Authorities closed it down after about one month, but he continued his work, issuing reports and giving television interviews, the Gulf Center said. New York-based Human Rights Watch warned in April that Otaibi would be at risk of a long prison sentence and possible ill-treatment if forcibly returned to Saudi Arabia.
By PTI

DHAKA: At least six persons were killed as Cyclone Mora made landfall in Bangladesh today, packing winds of up to 150 kilometres per hour and damaging several houses, with authorities scrambling to evacuate over half a million people from the coastal areas.

In a special bulletin, Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the severe cyclonic storm 'Mora' moved northward over North Bay and started crossing Cox's BazarChittagong coast at 6:00 AM (local time). It is likely to move in a northerly direction further, it said.

A man and woman were killed after getting hit by a falling tree as the cyclone cut its path through the tourist district of Cox's Bazar, police said.

A child was killed in Bhola, one of the most vulnerable districts in the south. In Rangamati town, trees uprooted by the cyclone fell on a woman and a child, leaving them both dead, Police Inspector Mohammad Rashid said.

Separately, in the district town of Cox's Bazar, an elderly woman died from cardiac arrest at a cyclone shelter, local media reported.

Under the cyclone's influence, gusty or squally wind with rain or thunder showers were continuing over North Bay and the coastal districts and maritime ports of Bangladesh, the Daily Star reported.

"Wind speed is estimated at 130 kmph in Saint Martins Island and 150 kmph Cox's Bazar port after it hit the area in between 6 AM and 7 AM," Cox's Bazar Met official A K M Nazmul Haque said.

All flights were suspended to and from Chittagong international airport and the Cox's Bazar airports.

As many as 300,000 people had been taken to shelters in more than ten districts most vulnerable to the cyclone, Additional Secretary Golam Mostafa, a spokesman for the disaster management ministry's control room, was quoted as saying by BD News.

"The people were moved out to at least 400 cyclone shelters or safer places like schools and government offices in the coastal areas," a disaster management ministry spokesman said.

There are also fears for the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees living in makeshift homes after fleeing violence or persecution in neighbouring Myanmar.

At least 2.5 million people in 10 districts risk falling in the way of the severe cyclonic storm.

The districts at risk were Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barisal and Pirojpur.

However, the Met office has said that the cyclone has already started to lose strength, but strong winds and heavy rains in Cox's Bazar and Chittagong may continue.

Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader said that the government has disbursed cash assistance of 18.7 million taka for the affected areas. "A navy ship is on its way to the St.

Martin's Island with relief supplies. The prime minister has instructed the army and air force to join the relief efforts."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is monitoring the situation from Vienna, where she has gone to attend a conference on atomic energy.

"The prime minister is maintaining round-the-clock communication with Dhaka on the storm situation. She has ordered all-out preparation to tackle the storm," said Ihsanul Karim, Prime Minister's press secretary.

Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, 'the lowlying' areas of the coastal districts and their offshore islands were likely to be inundated by storm surge of 4-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide, the Met office said.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.

The MeT office had issued the highest level of warning signal in a scale of 10 for two maritime ports after Mora developed into a severe cyclonic storm.

Habibur Rahman, a member of Saint Martin's Island Union Parishad, told Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo that several houses were damaged in Saint Martin's Island in the morning.

Bangladesh is often hit by bad storms between April and December that cause deaths and widespread destruction.

Cyclone Roanu hit the southern coast of Bangladesh last year, leaving 20 people dead and forcing half a million to flee their homes.

The Mora cyclone formed after heavy rains in Sri Lanka caused floods and landslides killing over 180 people.

DHAKA: At least six persons were killed as Cyclone Mora made landfall in Bangladesh today, packing winds of up to 150 kilometres per hour and damaging several houses, with authorities scrambling to evacuate over half a million people from the coastal areas. In a special bulletin, Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the severe cyclonic storm 'Mora' moved northward over North Bay and started crossing Cox's BazarChittagong coast at 6:00 AM (local time). It is likely to move in a northerly direction further, it said. A man and woman were killed after getting hit by a falling tree as the cyclone cut its path through the tourist district of Cox's Bazar, police said. A child was killed in Bhola, one of the most vulnerable districts in the south. In Rangamati town, trees uprooted by the cyclone fell on a woman and a child, leaving them both dead, Police Inspector Mohammad Rashid said. Separately, in the district town of Cox's Bazar, an elderly woman died from cardiac arrest at a cyclone shelter, local media reported. Under the cyclone's influence, gusty or squally wind with rain or thunder showers were continuing over North Bay and the coastal districts and maritime ports of Bangladesh, the Daily Star reported. "Wind speed is estimated at 130 kmph in Saint Martins Island and 150 kmph Cox's Bazar port after it hit the area in between 6 AM and 7 AM," Cox's Bazar Met official A K M Nazmul Haque said. All flights were suspended to and from Chittagong international airport and the Cox's Bazar airports. As many as 300,000 people had been taken to shelters in more than ten districts most vulnerable to the cyclone, Additional Secretary Golam Mostafa, a spokesman for the disaster management ministry's control room, was quoted as saying by BD News. "The people were moved out to at least 400 cyclone shelters or safer places like schools and government offices in the coastal areas," a disaster management ministry spokesman said. There are also fears for the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees living in makeshift homes after fleeing violence or persecution in neighbouring Myanmar. At least 2.5 million people in 10 districts risk falling in the way of the severe cyclonic storm. The districts at risk were Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barisal and Pirojpur. However, the Met office has said that the cyclone has already started to lose strength, but strong winds and heavy rains in Cox's Bazar and Chittagong may continue. Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader said that the government has disbursed cash assistance of 18.7 million taka for the affected areas. "A navy ship is on its way to the St. Martin's Island with relief supplies. The prime minister has instructed the army and air force to join the relief efforts." Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is monitoring the situation from Vienna, where she has gone to attend a conference on atomic energy. "The prime minister is maintaining round-the-clock communication with Dhaka on the storm situation. She has ordered all-out preparation to tackle the storm," said Ihsanul Karim, Prime Minister's press secretary. Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, 'the lowlying' areas of the coastal districts and their offshore islands were likely to be inundated by storm surge of 4-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide, the Met office said. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice. The MeT office had issued the highest level of warning signal in a scale of 10 for two maritime ports after Mora developed into a severe cyclonic storm. Habibur Rahman, a member of Saint Martin's Island Union Parishad, told Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo that several houses were damaged in Saint Martin's Island in the morning. Bangladesh is often hit by bad storms between April and December that cause deaths and widespread destruction. Cyclone Roanu hit the southern coast of Bangladesh last year, leaving 20 people dead and forcing half a million to flee their homes. The Mora cyclone formed after heavy rains in Sri Lanka caused floods and landslides killing over 180 people.
By Associated Press

SEOUL: South Korea's new liberal president is demanding an investigation because he says he wasn't told about the arrival of several additional launchers for a contentious US missile defense system meant to cope with North Korea's nuclear threats.

Before taking office on May 10, Moon Jae-in vowed to review the THAAD system's deployment, which has infuriated both Pyongyang and Beijing, which considers the system's powerful radar a security threat.

Moon's office said Tuesday that it found that four additional THAAD launchers have arrived in South Korea since the original two launchers were installed in April.

It says the former government's Defense Ministry didn't report the arrival of the additional launchers when it gave Moon a policy briefing after his inauguration. Seoul said in early May that THAAD was operating.

SEOUL: South Korea's new liberal president is demanding an investigation because he says he wasn't told about the arrival of several additional launchers for a contentious US missile defense system meant to cope with North Korea's nuclear threats. Before taking office on May 10, Moon Jae-in vowed to review the THAAD system's deployment, which has infuriated both Pyongyang and Beijing, which considers the system's powerful radar a security threat. Moon's office said Tuesday that it found that four additional THAAD launchers have arrived in South Korea since the original two launchers were installed in April. It says the former government's Defense Ministry didn't report the arrival of the additional launchers when it gave Moon a policy briefing after his inauguration. Seoul said in early May that THAAD was operating.
By PTI

MOSCOW: A top Russian diplomat has complained about "the threat of leaks" from the White House to the media, saying it hampers cooperation between Russia and the United States.

Speaking to Russian news agencies today, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said: "You don't know what's going to happen tomorrow: maybe you'll see what you discussed with your counterpart on the pages of Washington Post or on CNN."

Ryabkov did not elaborate, but added that the communication with the Trump administration is currently "on the basic level" because he "wouldn't tell my counterparts in Washington what I wouldn't be able to tell you."

Ryabkov's comments came several days after top White House adviser Jared Kushner faced allegations that he tried to create back-channel communications with Russia.

MOSCOW: A top Russian diplomat has complained about "the threat of leaks" from the White House to the media, saying it hampers cooperation between Russia and the United States. Speaking to Russian news agencies today, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said: "You don't know what's going to happen tomorrow: maybe you'll see what you discussed with your counterpart on the pages of Washington Post or on CNN." Ryabkov did not elaborate, but added that the communication with the Trump administration is currently "on the basic level" because he "wouldn't tell my counterparts in Washington what I wouldn't be able to tell you." Ryabkov's comments came several days after top White House adviser Jared Kushner faced allegations that he tried to create back-channel communications with Russia.
By Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS: U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley will travel to Geneva next week to address the U.N. Human Rights Council, whose funding is under threat by the Trump administration. She'll then fly to Israel to meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

The U.S. Mission to the United Nations said Tuesday that Haley's address to the Human Rights Council on June 6 will be the first by a U.S. ambassador and will be followed by a speech at the Graduate Institute Geneva laying out the U.S. position on future involvement with the council that will address its benefits and failings.

Haley will also participate in an event highlighting Venezuela's human rights crisis, the mission said.

The mission said Haley's visit to Israel from June 7-9 will also include visits to U.N. operations in the region.

UNITED NATIONS: U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley will travel to Geneva next week to address the U.N. Human Rights Council, whose funding is under threat by the Trump administration. She'll then fly to Israel to meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders. The U.S. Mission to the United Nations said Tuesday that Haley's address to the Human Rights Council on June 6 will be the first by a U.S. ambassador and will be followed by a speech at the Graduate Institute Geneva laying out the U.S. position on future involvement with the council that will address its benefits and failings. Haley will also participate in an event highlighting Venezuela's human rights crisis, the mission said. The mission said Haley's visit to Israel from June 7-9 will also include visits to U.N. operations in the region.
What's next for Middletown after school regionalization fails

With the most recent version of regionalization off the table Middletown is now looking at Plan B.
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have made another important advance in HIV vaccine design. The development was possible thanks to previous studies at TSRI showing the structures of a protein on HIVs surface, called the envelope glycoprotein. The scientists used these structures to design a mimic of the viral protein from a different HIV subtype, subtype C, which is responsible for the majority of infections worldwide.

The new immunogen is now part of a growing library of TSRI-designed immunogens that could one day be combined in a vaccine to combat many strains of HIV.

All of this research is going toward finding combinations of immunogens to aid in protecting people against HIV infection, said TSRI Professor Ian Wilson, Hanson Professor of Structural Biology and chair of the Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology at TSRI.

The research, published recently in the journal Immunity, was led by Wilson and TSRI Professor of Immunology Richard Wyatt, who also serves as Director of Viral Immunology for the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Neutralizing Antibody Center at TSRI.

The new study was published alongside a second study in Immunity, led by scientists at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, which showed that the vaccine candidate developed in the TSRI-led study can elicit neutralizing antibodies in non-human primates.

Together, the two studies reiterate how structure-based immunogen design can advance vaccine development, said Wyatt.

Caption: The new study shows the structure of an important HIV protein, called the envelope glycoprotein, on a common strain of the virus. (Image courtesy Javier Guenaga.)

Solving the Clade C Structure

HIV mutates rapidly, so there are countless strains of HIV circulating around the world. Of these strains, scientists tend to focus on the most common threats, called clades A, B and C.

Like a flu vaccine, an effective HIV vaccine needs to protect against multiple strains, so researchers are designing a set of immunogens that can be given sequentially or as a cocktail to people so their immune systems can prepare for whatever strain they come up against.

In 2013, TSRI scientists, led by Wilson and TSRI Associate Professor Andrew Ward, determined the structure of a clade A envelope glycoprotein, which recognizes host cells and contains the machinery that HIV uses to fuse with cells. Because this is the only antibody target on the surface of HIV, an effective HIV vaccine will have to trigger the body to produce antibodies to neutralize the virus by blocking these activities.

Building on the previous original research, the scientists in the new study set out to solve the structure of the clade C glycoprotein and enable the immune system to fight clade C viruses.

Clade C is the most common subtype of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa and India, explained study co-first author Javier Guenaga, an IAVI collaborator working at TSRI. Clade C HIV strains are responsible for the majority of infections worldwide.

The scientists faced a big challenge: the clade C envelope glycoprotein is notoriously unstable, and the molecules are prone to falling apart.

Guenaga needed the molecules to stay together as a trimer so his co-author Fernando Garces could get a clear image of the clade C glycoproteins trimeric structure. To solve this problem, Guenaga re-engineered the glycoprotein and strengthened the interactions between the molecules. We reinforced the structure to get the soluble molecule to assemble as it is on the viral surface, Guenaga said.

The project took patience, but it paid off. Despite all the engineering employed to produce a stable clade C protein, these crystals (of clade C protein) were grown in very challenging conditions at 4 degrees Celsius and it took the diffraction of multiple crystals to generate a complete dataset, as they showed high sensitivity to radiation damage, said Garces. Altogether, this highlights the tremendous effort made by the team in order to make available the molecular architecture of this very important immunogen.

With these efforts, the glycoprotein could then stay together in solution the same way it remains together on the virus itself. The researchers then captured a high-resolution image of the glycoprotein using a technique called x-ray crystallography.

The researchers finally had a map of the clade C glycoprotein.

Vaccine Candidate Shows Promise

In a companion study, the scientists worked with a team at the Karolinska Institute to test an immunogen based on Guenagas findings. The immunogen was engineered to appear on the surface of a large molecule called a liposomecreating a sort of viral mimic, like a mugshot of the virus.

This vaccine candidate indeed prompted the immune system to produce antibodies that neutralized the corresponding clade C HIV strain when tested in non-human primates.

That was great to see, said Guenaga. This study showed that the immunogens we made are not artificial moleculesthese are actually relevant for protecting against HIV in the real world.

In addition to Wyatt, Wilson and Guenaga, the study, Glycine substitution at helix-to-coil transitions facilitates the structural determination of a stabilized subtype C HIV envelope glycoprotein, included co-first author Fernando Garces, Natalia de Val, Viktoriya Dubrovskaya and Brett Higgins of TSRI; Robyn L. Stanfield of TSRI and IAVI; Barbara Carrette of IAVI; and Andrew Ward of TSRI, IAVI and the Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology & Immunogen Discovery (CHAVI-ID) at TSRI.

This work was supported by the IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center and Collaboration for AIDS Vaccine Discovery (CAVD; grants OPP1084519 and OPP1115782), CHAVI-ID (grant UM1 AI00663) and the National Institutes of Health (grants P01 HIVRAD AI104722, R56 AI084817 and U54 GM094586).

About The Scripps Research Institute

The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) is one of the world's largest independent, not-for-profit organizations focusing on research in the biomedical sciences. TSRI is internationally recognized for its contributions to science and health, including its role in laying the foundation for new treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, and other diseases. An institution that evolved from the Scripps Metabolic Clinic founded by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps in 1924, the institute now employs more than 2,500 people on its campuses in La Jolla, CA, and Jupiter, FL, where its renowned scientistsincluding two Nobel laureates and 20 members of the National Academies of Science, Engineering or Medicinework toward their next discoveries. The institute's graduate program, which awards PhD degrees in biology and chemistry, ranks among the top ten of its kind in the nation. In October 2016, TSRI announced a strategic affiliation with the California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr), representing a renewed commitment to the discovery and development of new medicines to address unmet medical needs.
Zika, the mosquito-borne virus that triggered public health alarm bells last summer, has receded from the spotlight. But, experts say, expect the virus to pose a renewed threat this year.

How great of a threat? That's where it gets tricky.

No locally acquired cases of the virus have been reported in the United States this year. But as public health agencies gear up for mosquito season, uncertainty remains around what resources states may need and whether they will receive adequate federal support. In addition, researchers still have questions about how the virus works and its long-term effects. These forces could complicate efforts to track outbreaks and provide accurate information about prevention and disease management.

"We still have much to learn. And much remains to be done," Lyle Petersen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, said last week at a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing.

This KHN story also ran in USA Today. It can be republished for free (details).

Zika, which can cause birth defects if contracted by pregnant women, is primarily transmitted by a mosquito more commonly found in southern areas of the country such as the Gulf Coast. Texas, Florida, Southern California and Louisiana were all deemed high-risk areas last year. It hit the Americas in 2015 and reached the United States via infected travelers.

Last year, 5,102 people in the United States were reported with the disease  most contracted the virus while traveling in South and Central America. Sixty-four babies in the U.S. have been affected since the government began reporting outcomes last June. In rare cases, people who had not traveled abroad contracted Zika through a local mosquito or through sexual contact. Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, had 34,963 cases in 2016.

Again this year, determining if areas are experiencing active Zika transmission will require active surveillance and testing  both of mosquitoes and of people potentially exposed. Most people who contract the virus don't show visible symptoms.

Implementing that testing is challenging, experts said.

"Should you begin universal screenings in communities that are at risk?" asked Jeff Engel, executive director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, which represents the specialists working in public health departments. "That is a tough resource question and probably is not feasible."

Last year, Congress appropriated $1.1 billion toward fighting Zika. That was split among research, overseas response and state public health efforts. In April, the CDC warned state officials those federal dollars were running out. They are projected to last through the end of this fiscal year, in September.

Meanwhile, the White House budget released Tuesday proposes establishing an emergency fund to finance responses to outbreaks like Zika. But it also calls for a $1.3 billion cut to the CDC and slashes $838 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the agency behind vaccine development. So far, there has been little talk from Congress of approving extra funding.

"Funding from Congress has been critical for our response to Zika. However, additional support will be needed," said Rick Bright, director of the federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, a subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, at the hearing.

Some advocates also warn an ongoing hiring freeze at HHS could limit the agency's capacity to support a Zika response.

"Obviously we live in tough times when it comes to budget constraints," said Tom Skinner, a CDC spokesman. "And we have to find creative ways to do the best we can with what we're given."

If those constraints thwart surveillance efforts this year, experts warned, it will make it harder to know precisely when Zika hits. That blind spot puts women of childbearing age  for whom the virus' consequences are most dramatic  at greater risk. Reports highlight microcephaly as a significant consequence, but a burgeoning field of research suggests its impact on children may be broader, and may manifest years after a child is born.

"Without active surveillance  I'm worried we missed [many cases of] Zika last year and we'll miss Zika this year," said Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston. "If you're a woman of reproductive age, living on the Gulf Coast of the United States, or Arizona or Southern California, and you're pregnant or might be pregnant  you don't really know if Zika's in your area or not."

Texas, which experienced six cases of local Zika transmission last year, has identified counties it deems most vulnerable. All pregnant women in those areas are advised to get Zika screenings as part of their routine prenatal care. The state works with the CDC to monitor how many pregnant women test positive and intends to monitor babies born to mothers who experienced infection.

But long-term follow-up will probably require more funding, noted Chris Van Deusen, a spokesman for Texas' Department of State Health Services. And leveraging prenatal care to push Zika testing has its own shortcomings. Many women most at risk are low-income, Van Deusen noted, and therefore less likely to interact with the health care system, or get prenatal care. Those people won't be tested or accounted for in the state's Zika tracking efforts.

That, Hotez said, compromises authorities' ability to discover Zika when it hits and then get the word out. "The only way we identify Zika outbreaks like [last year's] in South Florida is through serendipity," he said.

Testing is another concern. Current tests are unreliable in identifying Zika among patients previously infected with related viruses, such as dengue.

(Courtesy of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health)

Limited resources could also strain the states' ability to process tests efficiently. Last year, the volume of patient samples sent for Zika testing overwhelmed laboratories in some affected areas, noted Kelly Wroblewski, director of infectious disease at the Association of Public Health Laboratories.

The surge translated to delays in determining if women had Zika. That could continue this year, since universal testing in affected areas is a burden that many of these labs don't have the resources to meet.

If the virus spreads, Wroblewski said, "we may find a capacity gap."

Many states also lack the infrastructure to adequately address an outbreak. Surveillance of mosquito-borne diseases is virtually nonexistent in many states, according to a 2014 report from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. Mosquito surveillance among states dropped from 96 percent in 2004 to 80 percent in 2012. In many areas, mosquito eradication has shrunk along with dwindling public health budgets.

"We need better mosquito control methods, we need better surveillance," Petersen said at last week's hearing. "We need to develop more of a nationally standard approach to vector control and laboratory testing.  This will require a sustained effort to rebuild infrastructure."

The scarcity of resources is compounded by scientists' limited knowledge of the virus.

Experts are "discovering new things every day," particularly regarding how the virus plays out after birth, Engel said. Beyond an obvious condition like microcephaly  which results in an abnormally small head and brain impairment  it's tough to say just how consequential the disease can be. Preliminary work suggests children without microcephaly whose mothers carried the virus may have developmental issues later in life. But the extent of those issues  and the odds they do in fact manifest  is unclear. And limited knowledge about how Zika interacts with similar viruses means available tests aren't always accurate.

"Unfortunately, it's the problem with these rapidly emerging diseases; you can't get the research up quickly enough to get the best answers," said Scott Weaver, director of the Institute for Human Infections and Immunity at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

Because Zika's long-term consequences remain murky, states are trying to keep tabs on children whose mothers tested positive. Beyond Texas, Louisiana is also tracking children for at least three years after birth, even if they don't show obvious symptoms. But that assumes a surveillance system is robust enough to track all mothers who carried the virus. It also assumes sufficient resources to keep monitoring children. Those, experts said, are hardly guaranteed. And they still might not be enough.

"It's going to take a generation of pediatric neurologists to study and sort this out," Hotez said. "This is just the beginning."
EU ministers agreed on Monday on draft new rules for approving cars for sale in order to prevent a repeat of the Volkswagen emissions scandal and giving the European Commission the power to fine cheating manufacturers directly.The rules, which still have to be discussed with the European Parliament before becoming law, are a response to the 2015 dieselgate scandal when German carmaker Volkswagen was found to have used software to cheat U.S. diesel emission tests.Under the present system, national bodies such as Germany's KBA authority, have the power to clear new vehicles for the whole European Union and can also revoke those licences.The new rules will allow other national authorities to review such decisions and also give the European Commission the power to carry out spot checks and fine manufacturers up to 30,000 euros per vehicle if they are found to be cheating.In the run-up to Monday's ministerial meeting in Brussels, European diplomats had said Germany was reluctant to hand more market surveillance powers to Brussels despite the fallout from the VW scandal.German junior economy minister Matthias Machnig told fellow ministers at the meeting his country was in favour of strengthening oversight, but added he wanted assurances on how to avoid a conflict between different agencies.Since the Volkswagen scandal, investigations of various other carmakers revealed on-road nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions as high as 15 times the regulatory limits, as well as the use of devices to mask real vehicle emissions."No week goes by without new revelations, new investigations," EU Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska told ministers. "It will never finish if we do not have a more robust system in Europe."
It is not all gloom. Our companies can and will grow, albeit at slower rate.

The bright side is that market is very big and largely untapped.

There was a dot com bubble in 2001. Then there was a whole recession period in 2008, post Lehman Brothers bankruptcy. But what is happening in 2017 has never happened before in the Indian IT industry.The IT industry growth rates, which were in double digits, have come down to 5-6%. Further, there is squeeze on margins as overseas clients want to save through efficiency, automation, robotics, etc. They want 50% of these savings to be passed on to them.As a result, there are a lot of internal reviews going on in the industry. A lot of benchmarking has been done in global giants like Accenture and Capgemini.I am noticing that for the first time Indian IT industry is laying off managerial level people, which has never happened before. Many of the managers being let go are given generous compensation, depending on their years of service.If one studies carefully, the managers/others being laid off are no longer conversant with the latest technologies or with the market. These are typically people in the age group 38+ with salaries of Rs 20 lakh and above.Interestingly, the same companies are hiring people in the same age group with higher salaries, provided they have domain expertise or technology skills, or proven record in client handling.They are laying off people on one hand, and hiring select few on the other. A McKinsey report has said that nearly half of the workforce in the IT services will be irrelevant over the next 3-4 years.Most companies are cutting down on managerial positions. Its like taking off the fat in your body. These are people who have been in the same organization for long, are taking home big salaries, but have lost touch with the client base. Automation will eliminate at least 30% of tech jobs in the next few years.Additionally, companies are now looking at developing platforms based on artificial intelligence (AI). Infosyss Vishal Sikka is talking about it. IBM has Watson, Wipro has Sherlock and so on and so forth.These platforms basically help in faster completion of projects with lesser manpower. The IT companies are going to their clients, offering solutions which will reduce their costs and help in improving the bottomlines. The fear is that if one IT company doesnt do so, somebody else will and take away the full cake.IT sector will continue to thrive, but the growth rate will not be high. It will be like any other industry. The growth of the industry will be somewhere around 5-7% over the next 4-5 years.The silver lining is that our companies are having fatter operating margins. To give an example, Accenture, which is the world leader, had an operating margin of 14.6% for the last financial year. For the same period, TCS, Indias premier IT player, had an operating margin of 25.7%.So, it is not all gloom. Our companies can and will grow, albeit at slower rate. They have plenty of operating margins to play with.Further, most of the IT companies have focused on exports to US and Europe because it was highly profitable. How many industries offer operating margins of 25%+ consistently over the years?Now is the time for them to look at the domestic market. The potential is big, thanks to the Digital India wave of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The increased penetration of broadband into the interior parts of India and improved speed of broadband has led to fast growth of data business. Along with data, a lot of services can be offered. The Indian market is ripe for growth. Most of the top companies are fully aware of this and have geared up with top notch teams to tackle the domestic market.One caveat for the domestic market is that it is price sensitive. The implication is that your costs have to be significantly lower than that of the global market. For all you know, you may have to pay 20 to 30 % lower salaries for those who work in the local market.Secondly, a large chunk will come from the government, and as all of us know, the government delays payments, sometimes inordinately.The bright side is that market is very big and largely untapped. Look at Accenture or IBM or Facebook, for example. They have a strong domestic base. Only then did they grow outwards. Indian IT firms, on the other hand, have looked to earn in dollars. Only now they are trying to build domestic market share.This is a digital tsunami. Quite a number of earthquakes will lead to something big. But, that comes at a price. Those willing to work at lower salaries with average skill set will find a way out. There is a structural change in the industry and the firms need people who are okay with the change and are willing to save the firm a lot of money.The glass is half full, or half empty  you can look at it either way. The best possible way for firms would be to increase their domestic share. Make mistakes, learn from them and then move on. As told to Aishwarya Kumar
Mumbai: The estimated potential for business to consumer (B2C) e-commerce exports from the country is USD 26 billion, of which USD 2 billion can be achieved by 2020 from 16 product categories, according to a report.



The report, jointly released by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), allows Indian



MSMEs to explore prospects in B2C e-commerce retail export.



"Online international trade is flourishing and given the increasing accessibility to Internet and the focus of the government on digital drive, MSMEs can benefit directly from this opportunity," Sanjay Bhatia, President FICCI-CMSME, said. Online retail has seen exponential growth globally over the past two decades, and has picked up in the country in recent years.



The e-commerce spend in the country still accounts for less than 2 percent of the total retail spending, compared to 10-13 percent in developed countries, the report said.



The segment has become a key driver to create new markets in previously unreachable geographies.



According to the report, bandwidth and network restrictions, lack of availability of skilled workforce, privacy and security concerns and inaccessibility to finance are some of the reasons that are dissuading Indian MSMEs from adopting modern retail practices.



It highlighted the need for the government to recognise e-commerce retail exports as an industry and work towards removing regulatory barriers, including reviewing the foreign trade policy and simplifying customs duty procedures.
A special CBI court on Tuesday framed charges against senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti in the Babri Masjid demolition case.The court has charged them under IPC Section 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) to be read with Section 153 (inciting a mob with an intent to cause riots), Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and disrupting communal harmony), Section 295 (defiling a place of worship with an intent to insult the religion), Section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any community) and Section 505 (provocative statements causing public mischief). Whoever is a party to a criminal conspiracy to commit an offence punishable with death, 2[imprisonment for life] or rigorous imprisonment for a term of two years or upwards, shall, where no express provision is made in this Code for the punishment of such a conspiracy, be punished in the same manner as if he had abetted such offence. Whoever is a party to a criminal conspiracy other than a criminal conspiracy to commit an offence punishable as aforesaid shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding six months, or with fine or with both.The court had rejected the discharge application filed by the accused.Earlier in the day, the court granted bail to Advani, Joshi and Bharti. Bail was also granted to BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmia and one-time Hindutva firebrand Sadhvi Ritambara, who too presented themselves before the court.All six were given bail on a personal bond of Rs 20,000 each by CBI special judge SK Yadav.After Advani, Joshi and Bharti did not turn up in court on May 25 and 26, the special court had said that no further application for an adjournment or exemption from personal appearance would be entertained.The Supreme Court had on April 19 ordered the prosecution of Advani (89), Joshi (83), Bharti (58) and the others, directing that the trial be concluded in two years. Advani this morning met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after he arrived at the VVIP guest house here before leaving for the special court.The Supreme Court had called the destruction of the mosque a "crime" which shook the "secular fabric of the Constitution" while allowing the CBI's plea seeking restoration of the criminal conspiracy charge against the four BJP leaders, including Katiyar (62), and against Ritambara (53) and Dalmia, who is in his late eighties.However, the top court had said BJP leader and Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, who was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh when the structure was razed, was entitled to immunity under the Constitution as long as he held the gubernatorial office.It had transferred the case against Advani, Joshi, Bharti and three other accused from a Rae Bareli court to Lucknow for a joint trial in the demolition case. Hindutva leader Vedanti claimed that he was among those who had pulled down the disputed structure in Ayodhya."I was one of those who had pulled the dome down," Vedanti, who appeared before the special court in the Ayodhya case, told reporters earlier.
Senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi and Union minister Uma Bharti have been charged with criminal conspiracy in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

As it happened.

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court has refused to stay the conviction of an IPS officer in the sensational 2002 Bilkis Bano case.



A vacation bench of Justices AK Sikri and Deepak Gupta said that there is no urgency for hearing the matter as the convicted officer has already undergone the sentence. The bench, however, listed the matter for hearing in the second week of July, observing the fine is of Rs 15,000 only.



IPS officer R S Bhagora, currently serving in Gujarat, has been convicted along with four other policemen by the Bombay High Court recently after the trial court had acquitted them.



The counsel appearing for Bhagora said if the conviction is not stayed, then he will be terminated from the service as per service rules.



He said the court should grant stay on the conviction.



The Bombay High Court had on May 4 reversed the trial court verdict acquitting Bhagora and others and had upheld the conviction of 11 people (one convict is dead) in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case.



Along with five policemen, two doctors were also convicted by the HC.



The High Court bench had said that the seven persons  doctors and the policemen  are convicted under sections 218 (not performing their duties) and section 201 (tampering of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).



A special court had on 21 January, 2008 convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment 11 men for raping Bilkis and murdering seven of her family members in the aftermath of the Godhra riots while acquitting seven persons including the policemen and doctors.



The convicts later approached the Bombay high court challenging their conviction and sought for the trial court's order to be quashed and set aside.



The CBI had also filed an appeal in the high court seeking harsher punishment of death for three of the convicted persons on the ground that they were the main perpetrators of the crime.



According to the prosecution, on March 3, 2002, Bilkis Bano's family was attacked by a mob at Randhikpur village near Ahmedabad during the post-Godhra riots and seven members of her family were killed.



Bilkis, who was five months pregnant at the time, was gang raped while six other members of her family managed to escape from the mob. The trial in the case began in Ahmedabad. However, after Bilkis expressed apprehensions that witnesses could be harmed and the CBI evidence tampered, the Supreme Court transferred the case to Mumbai in August 2004.



The convicts had challenged the order on three main grounds that all evidence in the case was fabricated by CBI, that Bilkis gave birth to a child after the incident, thus, the same proved that she could not have been gang raped, and the failure to find the bodies of some of her family members proves that they were not killed.
Lucknow: Senior BJP leaders L K Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharti and nine others were on Tuesday charged with criminal conspiracy in the 1992 Babri mosque demolition case by a special CBI court.



The charges were framed against Advani (89), Joshi (83), Bharti (58), BJP MP Vinay Katiyar (62), VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmiya (89) and one-time Hindutva firebrand Sadhvi Rithambara (53) -- all of whom appeared before the court.



All six were granted bail by CBI special judge S K Yadav on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each. The CBI had opposed their bail plea.



The court adjourned the hearing of the case until Wednesday.



The accused, who spent nearly three hours in the court, had sought discharge for the offence of criminal conspiracy, which the judge rejected.



The charge of conspiracy is in addition to the existing charges against them for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion.



The serious charge of criminal conspiracy was restored against them by the Supreme Court which on April 19 had directed clubbing two cases relating to the demolition. The court had also directed that the trial be concluded in two years.



Besides the six, conspiracy charges have been framed against Ramvilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Nritya Gopaldas, Dharam Das and Satish Pradhan -- all of whom were allegedly present when the 16th-century structure in Ayodhya was demolished on December 6, 1992.



Judge Yadav passed two orders -- one for grant of bail and the other for framing of charges.



The accused are also facing charges of having made assertions prejudicial to national integration and injuring or defiling a place of worship.



The other charges against them include indulging in deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, uttering statements leading to public mischief, rioting and unlawful assembly.



The maximum punishment in such a case would be five years in jail or a fine or both, according to a lawyer who attended the proceedings in the court.



The accused had argued against the framing of charges against them, asserting that they had no role in the razing of the mosque.



Advocate Saurav Shamsheri, appearing for Advani and the others, said they would hold consultations with their team of lawyers and decide whether there was a need to challenge the rejection of the discharge applications.



The accused were asked to appear before the court for framing of charges in the light of the Supreme Court order last month.



After Advani, Joshi and Bharti failed to turn up in court on May 25 and 26, the special court had said that no further application for an adjournment or exemption from personal appearance would be entertained. The court had on May 26 fixed the hearing for Tuesday.



Before reaching the court, Advani met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the VVIP guest house here. The Supreme Court had called the destruction of the mosque a "crime" which shook the "secular fabric of the Constitution" while allowing the CBI's plea seeking restoration of the criminal conspiracy charge against Advani and the others.



However, the top court had said BJP leader and Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, who was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh when the structure was razed, was entitled to immunity under the Constitution as long as he held the gubernatorial office.



The CBI had chargesheeted 21 people in the case. Many of them -- including Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and the VHP's Acharya Giriraj Kishore, Ashok Singhal, Paramhans Ram Chandra Das and Mahant Avaidhynath -- have since died.



They were all named in an FIR for allegedly instigating a mob which led to the demolition of the structure. The conspiracy charge against the accused was dropped in 2001 against Advani and the others by a CBI court and its verdict was upheld by the Allahabad High Court in 2010.



Hindutva leader Vedanti claimed earlier today that he was among those who had pulled down the disputed structure in Ayodhya.



"I was one of those who had pulled the dome down," Vedanti told reporters ahead of his appearance in the special court.
New Delhi: In an exclusive interview to Handelsblatt, one of Germanys leading business dailies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited German firms to increase investments in India and said that he is optimistic about the partnership between the two countries. He also promised to support Germanys G20 agenda.



We see Germany as an important partner in our leading national flagship programs  Make in India, Skill India, Start-up India, Clean India and Smart Cities. We invite German companies to engage in projects and partnerships, Prime Minister Modi was quoted as saying in Handelsblatt. I am very optimistic about this partnership.



Modi said that India is among the fastest growing major economies of the world and provides business opportunities in a number of sectors to international partners. We are keen to further integrate ourselves with global economic networks. Our large talent pool is a resource from which the global community can benefit, Modi said.



Modi is in Germany to attend the fourth India-Germany intergovernmental consultation. Chancellor Angela Merkel is seeking out new partnerships for the European Unions largest economy after warning in a speech on Sunday that the times in which we could completely rely on others are over to a certain extent and that Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands.



Those comments have caused reverberations around the world and have been interpreted as a reference to the United States and its mercurial President Donald Trump and his position on NATO, Russia, economic partnership, trade and climate change.



Germany may be looking to Asia to boost trade and commerce even as the Trans-Atlantic partnership looks rocky and with the European Union set to begin complex negotiations with the United Kingdom, which has opted to leave the grouping.



After her meeting with Modi, Merkel will meet Chinese premier Li Keqiang this week, signaling a new friendship with India and China, according to Handelsblatt. Chinas One Belt One Road project may boost ties between Europe and Asia and unveil a new era of global trade and commerce, even though Germany has said its firms would not participate if the bidding for projects was not fair and transparent.



A German government source told Handelsblatt that India has always been an extremely difficult partner on trade and climate policy. However, PM Modi told the daily that he and Chancellor Merkel were on the same page.



Modi also said the G20 must focus on fighting corruption and black money. He added that the forum must take a strong stand on global food and crude oil price volatility and terrorism.



Modi said India is seeking reform of the UN Security Council and Bretton Woods institutions. There is an urgent need to expand the Security Council, he said.



The PM said India was keen to attract German Mittelstand, the countrys famed family-owned small and medium enterprises that manufacture everything from precision engineering to car parts, to partner in the Make in India program. We have established dedicated platforms to support German companies and investments in India. There is strong commitment from the leadership on both sides to strengthen economic relations.
The year was 1971. Rahul Gandhis grandmother, Indira Gandhi, rode to power as Prime Minister on a cow and calf symbol.Cut to 2017, Rahul Gandhi, heir apparent and vice-president of the Congress with its right hand symbol, seems to have gone back to his grandmothers time and embraced the cow, in all its holiness.Hours after the partys youth workers, on Sunday, slaughtered an ox in Kannur, Kerala, against the Centres ban on cattle slaughter, Rahul took to Twitter to condemn the act, calling it thoughtless, barbaric and completely unacceptable. Other party leaders, including Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, echoed his opinion. The Youth Congress members were soon suspended.Is this a subtle hint at the nationalist reinvention of the grand old party of Indian polity? Yes, say senior Congress leaders.Whether we like it or not, the time right now is all about ones love for cow. Either you are with the nation or against it on that. Theres no in between, said a Congress leader close to the Gandhis.Soon after the ban became public, the party top brass huddled at 10 Janpath, to decide further course of action. The decision was unanimous. The party had to be guarded in its response to the cattle slaughter ban. They would bring forth the fact that cow slaughter was first banned in by Indira Gandhi and that almost all Congress ruled states had banned cow slaughter.Cow slaughter was not to be made into a political issue. The point to be highlighted was the freedom to eat. We didnt want to come across as a party that was against the core Hindutva ideology, said the leader, on condition of anonymity.But what does the party do when it comes to rebellion on its stance, from one of their own? Take Kerala for instance. Even after the suspension, youth Congress leader Rijil Makkutty, on Facebook, said he would continue to fight the saffron party and the Sangh Parivar. Karnataka, too, is treading on similar lines. Despite the state units being at loggerheads with the central party leadership over the issue, the latter says its hands are tied.We have to look at the larger picture. We are not going to voice our support for what the state units feel or do. It puts us on the back foot when it comes to national agenda. We wont take major actions against state leaders, but we will also make sure that we dont openly support their actions, said the leader.The paradigm shift in partys reactions over a central policy is rare, but it is well thought out.The change, another Congress leader says, has not been sudden and was well in the making. Soon after the humiliating debacle in the Uttar Pradesh elections, the party had decided that the appeasement tag did the party no good. Another Congress leader told CNN-News18 that the alliance with Samajwadi Party, which is considered pro-Muslim, also didnt work for the party. Instead, it lost out on the little Brahmin vote bank that the party had just begun to gain. The time for change had come, the party had concluded.Now, apart from guarded reactions to central policies, plans are also being chalked out for the Gandhi scion to attend events and programs that push or at least cater to Hindutva agenda. A repeat of his 2016 Kedarnath trip is in the pipeline.As the race for 2019 intensifies, the Congress has definitely started to feel the heat. And the party seems to have, in hindsight at least, embraced the love for cow and support for Hindutva with one aim  to intensify it in its own way to win over the nation.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has sought an explanation from minister Swati Singh after pictures of her inaugurating a beer bar in the state capital went viral on social media.



Pictures show Singh, Minister of State for Women Welfare, accompanied by two senior IPS officers  Gaurav Pandey (SSP, Rae Bareli) and his wife Neha Pandey (SP, Unnao)  inaugurating the beer bar by the name of 'Be the Beer' in Gomtinagar on Saturday.



"The CM has taken a cognisance of the minister inaugurating a beer bar in the presence of senior officers and sought a clarification from them," an official spokesman said on Monday night.



Swati, wife of Dayashankar Singh who was suspended for allegedly making derogatory remarks against BSP supremo Mayawati, is said to have 'inaugurated' the bar on May 20. She was not immediately available for a comment.



The viral photographs have stirred a controversy with the opposition parties questioning if it was true. "This aptly shows the contradictions in the ruling BJP... They say one thing, but practice something else," Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said. The controversy comes at a time when women in Uttar Pradesh are at the forefront of protests against liquor, he said.



Congress leader Dwijendra Tripathi said this incident shows the real "chaal (action), charitra (character) and chehra (face)" of the BJP government. "They speak about things only to woo the public... Their leaders talk about prohibition while a minister goes to inaugurate a beer bar," he said, adding that it was also not clear if the bar was licensed.



Defending Swati Singh, BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said that since liquor is not banned in the state, her action is not illegal. "It has to be known under what circumstances she had taken part in the inauguration... It is said that a woman is the owner of the outlet and the minister was there to promote entrepreneurship among women," Tripathi said.



(With PTI inputs)


Patna: A special CBI court in Ranchi has ordered Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and others to be present during the next hearing of fodder scam case on June 9.



Former chief minister Jagannath Mishra and former chief secretary Sajal Chakraborty have also been summoned.



The CBI court was hearing case no RC-64A/96 which is related to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 95 lakh from Deogarh Treasury between 1991 and 1993.



During the investigation, it emerged that forged vouchers were used to withdraw money on the behalf of animal husbandry department for purchasing fodder and other items for livestock.



Special CBI court resumed hearing after the Supreme Court accepted the CBI plea to continue criminal conspiracy charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav in fodder scam cases.



Earlier, the Jharkhand High Court had dropped the charges of criminal conspiracy against Lalu. The HC had ruled citing the law on double jeopardy that once a person has been convicted or acquitted, he cannot be tried for the same offence again. But the SC quashed this decision and allowed the CBI to pursue cases of criminal conspiracy against the accused in all four fodder scam cases separately.



The SC also ruled to conclude trials in all the cases within nine months.






New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stayed a trial court order allowing former IAF chief S P Tyagi, a key accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, to travel to Indonesia.



Decrying the special treatment given to Tyagi, Justice I S Mehta said, I do not understand, why the accused persons always want to travel abroad...why should he (Tyagi) be given the special treatment.



Staying the trial court order till July 12, it agreed to the contention of the CBI that the former 71-year-old IAF chief, who is on bail, may tamper with the ongoing probe in the case.



The court, which is hearing the CBI's appeal against the grant of bail to Tyagi and two other accused in the case, said, You (Tyagi) are facing trial in a case and also getting special treatment. What is this? Till July 12, you will not travel. The trial court order is stayed till that time.



The high court's interim order came on a plea of CBI challenging the trial courts May 24 decision permitting Tyagi to travel abroad.



CBIs standing counsel Sanjeev Bhandari said the trial courts order was illegal and should be set aside as the accused may flee from justice.



However, Tyagis counsel opposed the contention, saying his client is going to Indonesia with his family and will return.



He submitted that the CBI's appeal should be heard on Wednesday as the senior counsel for the accused was not available on Tuesday.



The CBI opposed Tyagis contention and said the accused is scheduled to travel from Wednesday onwards.



Tyagi, who along with his cousin Sanjeev Tyagi and lawyer Gautam Khaitan are accused in the case relating to alleged irregularities in the procurement of 12 VVIP choppers from UK-based AgustaWestland during the UPA-2 regime, have been granted bail by the trial court.



The high court had issued notices to the three accused on the pleas in which CBI has alleged that they were influential persons who could hamper the ongoing probe if they remained out of custody.



Tyagi, who had retired as IAF chief in 2007, was granted bail by trial court on December 26 last year.



Thereafter on January 4 this year, the lower court here had also granted bail to Sanjeev Tyagi and Khaitan in the scam, saying no purpose would be served by keeping them in custody.




India and Germany are made for each other, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Berlin on Tuesday, making a joint statement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.India and Germany are made for each other. We are looking at an outcome-oriented momentum in bilateral ties, a quantum jump in economic ties, Modi said.India is giving an impetus to next-generation infrastructure and this is an area in which we want to work extensively with Germany, the Prime Minister, who arrived in Germany on Monday at the start of his four-nation tour, said.Praising Merkel, Modi said the world needs a strong leader like Angela Merkel. Our relations have regional and global perspective. We discussed new and upcoming opportunities and challenges in Asia, Europe and the world.The joint statement came after Modi and Merkel held the fourth round of the inter-governmental dialogue to set a roadmap for the bilateral strategic ties.Earlier in the day, Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, where he was greeted by Merkel and senior German officials. He then introduced the Chancellor to his accompanying Indian ministerial delegation.Modi received a guard of honour and was welcomed as the music choir of the German Army played the Indian National Anthem.Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the European Union (EU) and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.There are more than 1,600 German companies and 600 German joint ventures in India and the German economic profile supports excellence and expertise that match with India's development priorities of Make in India, Clean India, Skill India, Digital India, Smart Cities, the Ministry of External Affairs said.Modi and Chancellor Merkel will also hold a meeting with senior business leaders before inaugurating the Indo-German Business Summit 2017 later on Tuesday.Modi arrived in Germany on Monday at the start of his four-nation tour, which will also cover Spain, Russia and France.
Kulbhushan Jadhav is providing crucial intelligence on recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, the countrys Foreign Office spokesperson has claimed.Nafees Zakarias brief statement to Dawn News came hours after the countrys Attorney General, Ashtar Ausaf, told the newspaper that Pakistan held enough evidence to prove Jadhav was an Indian spy and that the evidence could not be disclosed now due to security reasons.The evidence would only be presented before the ICJ once it resumes the hearing, Ausaf said.Jadhav, 46, was sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court that convicted him of alleged spying and subversive activities. India maintains that he is a retired Indian Navy officer who was kidnapped in Iran and taken to Pakistan, where he has been in custody for more than a year.On May 18, the International Court of Justice after hearing Indias request to grant consular access to Jadhav and Pakistans submission through QC Khawar Qureshi decided that Pakistan should not execute Jadhav till a verdict is delivered by the world court.The ruling triggered criticism of the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) for its "poor handling" and also for its choice of Qureshi, who represented Pakistans case before the ICJ.Several political analysts and politicians had claimed that the country's legal counsel was not adequately prepared.Following the verdict, media reports claimed that the Attorney General will represent Pakistan in the Jadhav case at the ICJ after widespread calls for a change in the countrys legal team.Attorney General Ausaf, however, said that Pakistan would not change but expand its legal team at the ICJ.India is being represented by senior advocate Harish Salve who is fighting the case pro bono.
New Delhi: The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday stayed - for a period of four weeks - the Centre's Gazette notification banning the sale and purchase of cattle for the purpose of slaughter.



The court has also sought a response from the Centre and State governments within four weeks' time. The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by S Selvagomathy.



A Madurai-based activist and lawyer, Selvagomathy, stated in the PIL that the notification was repugnant to the parent Act itself since Section 28 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act of 1960 specifically states that it shall not be an offence to kill any animal in a manner required by the religion of any community.



The Central governments new notification has imposed a blanket prohibition on the slaughtering of cattle (cows, bulls, buffaloes, camels, heifers) brought from animal markets. Issued on May 23, the notification bans the sale of cattle for culling and also restrains sacrificing the animals for religious purposes.



The notification has engrafted new norms in accordance with the rule-making power of the Central government under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act. The new rules called the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, therefore tend to put a full stop on the slaughtering of not just the cows but also other animals defined as cattle under the Act.



Opposing the restrictions on the sale of cattle for the purpose of slaughter, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, communicating his disapproval of the notification.



Two days later, the chief minister addressed a similar letter to all the state chief ministers, including those of the BJP, emphasising that the notification was an "encroachment on the state legislature" and compromised the "federal structure of governance".
New Delhi: On May 23, during Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati's visit to Shabbirpur village in Saharanpur district, clashes broke out between Thakurs and Dalits. This was the third major incidence of violence since SC Dubey took over as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of the district. The clashes were a major embarrassment for UP Police since they took place in full view of cops and Rapid Action Force (RAF). Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath transferred Dubey and the District Magistrate out of Saharanpur. In this time of crisis, the government turned to a 2009-batch IPS officer who has now become an expert of sorts in handling crises.



Meet Babloo Kumar, Saharanpur's 35-year-old SSP, who has now become a troubleshooter cop in UP. In March 2016, Jalaun district in UP's Bundelkhand district was tense. "There was a gang war between two groups in the local sand mafia. Local residents were getting hurt and some even lost their lives," Kumar told News 18. Then CM Akhilesh Yadav chose to hedge his bets on Kumar and it paid off. "The first step was to contain the violence and give confidence to the people. Once the gang war came under control and all the troublemakers were behind bars, things became normal.



While things came under control in Jalaun, another conflict was brewing in western UPs Mathura. During an anti-encroachment drive in Mathura City's Jawaharbagh, a cult-group known as Swadheen Bharat Subhash Sena, who considered themselves followers of Subhash Chandra Bose, opened fire on the police. The armed squatters killed SP (city) Mukul Dwivedi and Inspector Santosh Kumar Yadav. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav wasted no time in summoning Babloo Kumar, who had been tested in Jalaun not long ago. Such was the CM's urgency that Kumar was flown in from Muzaffarnagar on a helicopter, so that he could take charge without any delay.



In the last two months, Saharanpur has seen three different SSPs. However, it is only under Kumar that the cycle of violence seems to have ended. The challenge ahead for the 35-year-old IPS officer, however, is immense. So what are his priorities in Saharanpur, which continues to be tense?



"There are two priorities and they have to be addressed simultaneously. The first is to stop the rumors and the second is to investigate the cases and bring the guilty to justice. We have formed a Special Investigative Team (SIT) that will look at the 46 cases filed in connection with the clashes so far. Once things ease further, we will also lift the ban on internet services. The third priority is to generate confidence among the people by reaching out to victims on all sides. Everyone should know that the law stands with them," he said.
Thiruvananthapuram: The southwest monsoon has hit Kerala and Northeast India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced at 10:41am on Tuesday.



For the national capital and regions around it, the Met Department predicted scattered rains till Friday.



"For Delhi, there would be on and off pre-monsoon showers. By the end of June, the monsoon would formally reach Delhi and Haryana according to the current weather pattern," it said.



The onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala signals the arrival of monsoon over the Indian subcontinent and represents beginning of rainy season in the region.



According to the IMD's Delhi office, monsoon generally strikes Kerala in the first week of June.



The normal monsoon onset over Kerala is June 1 and since 2005, the IMD started to issue operational forecasts for the date.



The forecasts of the monsoon onset issued during the past 12 years (2005-2016) proved to be correct every year, except 2015.



As per IMD, in past 24 hours, rainfall had occurred at most places over Uttarakhand, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, east Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands; at many places over Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh; at a few places over Jammu and Kashmir, Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Gangetic West Bengal and Sikkim, Assam and Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, coastal Karnataka and at isolated places over north Rajasthan, north Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, south interior Karnataka and coastal Andhra Pradesh.



However, no significant change in maximum temperatures over the country is likely during next 2-3 days, IMD said.



"Between June 3 to June 5, rain and thundershowers are very likely at many places over Kerala, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and northeastern states; at a few places over east India and east Madhya Pradesh; at isolated places over rest of the country outside west India," it said.



(With agency inputs)


Even as non-BJP-ruled states unite against the Centres new rules against cattle slaughter, Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda spoke to News18s Deepa Balakrishnan on how the new notification will hit farmers the most. The cost of rearing unproductive cattle could mean cattle doubling, making it difficult for farmers to take care of them, Byregowda said. Edited Excerpts:



Q: What exactly is the state's stand on the new notification that has come out from the ministry of environment?



A. Our chief minister is already on record saying that our government will examine the notification. Once that is done, we will decide on the further course of action. Were not sure if the government has thought this decision through. There are many challenges in enforcing the rule.



Q: How will this new notification affect farmers?



A. We are thinking about the farmers, which is why we have to see the notification through and through. Now, who will take care of the cows that were supposed to go to the market? Will the government set up camps where farmers can leave their cows? We cant put this burden on the farmers. They are, anyway, living on razors edge. Also, the government must not think that farmers sell cows just for monetary benefits. Karnataka is largely a dairy milk-producing state. Now the revenue that farmers get from dairy activity itself is not enough. So with whatever little money they get by rearing cows, they take care of their families. On top of that, if you force them to take care of more cows or cattle which are not producing any milk, they would be in major trouble.



Q. And they were supplementing their income by selling some of these, like buffaloes, for slaughter as well?



A. I think farmers are not looking for revenue from selling cattle. They're more concerned about how many cows or cattle they can manage with their limited resources. They are only trying to reduce their risk by managing cows that are productive, either for ploughing purposes or for milking. Now, if the government wants to save cows, they should go for it. But they should make sure the farmers dont pay. Cows require space, water. The government must make sure that suitable provisions are made for the cows that are saved.



Q. Will the Karnataka government also look to challenging this in a court of law?



A. We are still at the reviewing stage. We will decide on the course of action once we see the notification properly.



Q. One of your Cabinet colleagues said this is akin to forced conversion since youre forcing people to eat a certain thing and not eat a certain thing. Do you agree with that?



A. It may not be forced conversion as such. But in the court of law, this is going to be argued as a violation of basic fundamental rights. That is an argument that we will see happening in due course of time, in public as well as in the judicial space. I think we should have that argument, enforcing habits isnt a way of respecting human rights.



Q. It has been brought under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Now, slaughter of chicken and goat may fall in that category. Is there something contradictory in the way this notification has been introduced?



A. It is possible that other animals may be added under this ban soon. If you ask me, every life is sacred. The way theyve implemented the notification only shows BJP thinks something is to be kept on a higher pedestal and what not. This reflects BJP's mind set of stratified society of superiority and inferiority.
Jaipur: The incident took place at about 8:30 am when a 51mm mortar fell short of its target at the forces' firing range in Kishangarh.



The nine personnel suffered injuries due to the blast of the ammunition, out of which two are critical, a senior BSF officer said.



The troops were participating in a firing exercise. Officials said one of the critically injured personnel will be air evacuated to a hospital in Jodhpur while others are being treated.



This is the second such incident here this year after four personnel were injured in similar circumstances in March. Few days after this, six men of the paramilitary were injured in similar circumstances during mortar firing exercise at its centre in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh.



The BSF is deployed in Rajasthan as part of its task to guard the India-Pakistan International Border.




Dream of being a crorepati someday? Cooking for Punjab minister Rana Gurjit Singh may get you there and may even win you a sand mine.Sample this: The biggest sand mine in Punjabs latest e-auction went for Rs 26 crore to Amit Bahadur, Rana Gurjit Singhs former cook who barely makes Rs 11,000 a month, prompting the opposition to question whether the Power and Irrigation Minister was using his staff as proxy to win government contracts. The sand mine won by Bahadur is in Saidpur Khurd of Punjabs Nawanshahr district.The bidding was held on May 19 and 20 where the government auctioned 89 sand mines and claimed to have raised over Rs 1000 crore.Bahadur, from Nepal, has reportedly already deposited Rs 13 crore with the government. He is now untraceable and, according to Singh, left his employment a month ago.I cannot keep a track of all my employees. Bahadur quit and left my house a long time ago, Singh told CNN-News18. Denying the allegations against him, Singh said: I cannot comment on a former cook buying a contract worth Rs 26 crore. I have no connection with mining.Singh is Punjabs richest MLA worth Rs 169 crore. The sugar baron is the owner of Rana Sugars Limited.This is not the first time his staff or former staff have won sand mines in auctions.His former employee Kulwinder Paul Singh won a sand mine in Mehdipur district in Rajasthan. Another employee, Balraj, won Rs 9-crore bid in Bairsal, Haryana. Staff member Gurinder won Rs 4-crore sand mining contract in Mohalis Rampur Kalan.This is the first big corruption allegation to hit the Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in the state which took power in March. Seizing the opportunity, the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is planning to hold a demonstration outside the Chief Ministers residence to demand a probe against Singh.
Madras: A PhD scholar was brutally thrashed on Tuesday by some right-wing students after he organised a beef fest on the campus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras. Sooraj R, a PhD Scholar, Department of Aerospace, was allegedly beaten up by some right-wing students.



The attacked student, whose eye looks severely bruised in the photograph, has been taken to Sankara Nethralaya, Nungambakkam. "Sooraj was beaten up badly just for organising this fest," said, Sooraj's friend Nidheesh, adding that the accused were also the students of the IIT.



Calling the entire scenario "scary", Nidheesh said: "A police complaint has been filed."



Another friend told CNN-News18 that Sooraj was hit repeatedly in the eye, and the back of his head, by a group of 7-8 people. "They surrounded him and a person named Manish Singh attacked Sooraj," he said.



A group of students in IIT Madras organised a beef festival on Sunday night to protest against the Centres ban on the sale of cattle for the purpose of slaughter. Sources said around 50 students took part in the protest.


Chandigarh: Right at the centre of the controversy enveloping Punjab Power and Irrigation Minister Rana Gurjit Singh, his 'cook' has spoken to CNN-News18 and said he has had no dealings in the sand mining bids on behalf of the cabinet minister.



Amit Bahadur, the cook who filed Income Tax returns touching barely a lakh rupees in annual income and earning around Rs 11,000 as salary in February, says he has not invested in the sand mine auctions recently held by the Punjab Government Directorate of Mining under the Department of Industries and Commerce. Amit Bahadur made the largest bid amounting to almost Rs 26 crore for a sand mining block in SBS Nagar district in Punjab.



Amit Bahadur denied ever being the cook of Rana Gurjit Singh and also denied having any dealings with the Power Minister considered to be close to Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Bahadur acknowledged that some years ago he was an employee of Rana Gurjit Singh, but was never his cook.



Explaining his source of funding that facilitated his making a Rs 26-crore bid and also depositing Rs 13 crore after winning the bid, Amit Bahadur said he is working with a businessman named Capt Randhawa and on his direction, he had bid for the sand mines. He says it was an open bid and all the money to make the bids was paid by Randhawa  a businessman who is his partner. Bahadur said he bid on his name but with Randhawas money and that he is open to any investigation by income tax or enforcement directorate authorities.



Rana Gurjit had earlier said that Amit Bahadur is no longer working with him and is now working with a friend of his and that he does not know who had bid for the mines.



Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday ordered setting up a one-man judicial commission to probe allegations of impropriety against Gurjit Singh in the multi-crore sand mining auctions conducted recently by the state government.



The inquiry would be conducted by Justice (Retd) JS Narang and he would submit his report within one month. The terms of reference for the inquiry commission, formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act, would be notified soon stated the Punjab Government.



Rana Gurjit offered to resign in order to ensure a free and fair investigation into the matter. The Chief Minister, it was stated by the Punjab Government, however, asked Rana Gurjit to continue till the outcome of the judicial probe.



Punjab had e-auctioned 102 minor mineral mines of sand and gravel in 14 Punjab districts on May 19 and 20.






There is no denying the fact that Bollywood and controversies go hand-in-hand. After writer Apurva Asrani accused Kangana Ranaut of taking the screenplay and dialogues credit for Hansal Mehtas Simran, filmmaker Ketan Mehta has held her responsible for hijacking his project on Queen of Jhansi. The director has even taken legal course to stop the makers of Kangana's film from continuing the project.Ironically, another filmmaker has accused Ketan of hijacking his project by making a film on Dashrat Manjhi.As it turns out, Mehta - who is crying foul over Kangana hijacking his project  might also be guilty of the same crime with his film Manjhi: The Mountain Man. Filmmaker Ajitpal Singh claims his debut film was based on Dashrat Manjhi  The Mountain Man. Going by what Ajitpal told CNN-News18, Ketan not only went ahead and directed the project, but also roped in Nawazuddin Siddiqui - the same actor who had agreed to work on Ajitpal's film."When everything was falling in place, we were trying to get in touch with him. He didnt respond. Maybe he was not there. But few days later, I read in the newspaper about Ketan Mehta doing a film called Manjhi: The Mountain Man. And that Nawaz was playing Manjhi. So now that reminds me of that time. Its ironical that its happening to Ketan today, Ajitpal said.According to Ajitpal, Ketan learnt about the subject when he was pitching his script to producers at NFDC Film Bazar in 2010. Although he admits that his film titled Chota Aadmi then, was totally different from Ketans depiction of Manjhi- The Mountain Man, Ajitapal holds him responsible for his film being stuck even when Guillermo Arriaga  the screen writer of Amores Perros and 21 Grams and Michael Goldenberg  the writer of acclaimed film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - decided to come on board as producers."Gullermo gave an interview to Variety magazine at Rain Dance Film Festival that his second film as producer is going to be Ajitpal's Manjhi."He added that actress producer Deepa Sahi sent an email to Guillermo the next day, threatening him that if he to touches this project, they'll file a court case against him.While Ajitpal has already moved on to his next project, Ketan continues to fight the same battle to reclaim his film on the Queen of Jhansi.
Congratulations @priyankachopra, you truly deserve the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award for being an international icon. We hope you continue to make us proud!

A post shared by Femina (@feminaindia) on May 30, 2017 at 1:33am PDT
I am ready to go to jail for Ram temple. Not once I have disowned my role and participation in Ram temple agitation," said Uma Bharti.Bharti's outburst and attempt to be seen as a soldier for the cause of Ram temple in Ayodhya, was clearly visible as she addressed the media just hours after Supreme Court on April 19 ordered to restore the criminal conspiracy charges against top BJP leaders Lal Krishna Advani, Murali Manohar Joshi, and her in the Babri Masjid demolition case.Almost similar reaction came in from Vinay Katiyar. BJP's Rajya Sabha MP and one who was the president of the Bajrang Dal in 1992 when the Babri Mosque was razed down. The question that begs the answer is what does this sense of confidence and willingness to be a 'martyr' indicate?No doubt the sudden development in the case has seized any possibility, if any existed at all, for Advani and Joshi of being the presidential or the vice presidential candidate from the BJP.However, the day-to-day trial of the demolition case as ordered by the Supreme Court and slapping of conspiracy charge that is section 120 B of IPC against them has brought the political spotlight back on the duo.Will a controversial issue, like this, which had once propelled BJP's fortunes in national politics by any means again be a game changer for the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha polls? Sharat Pradhan, Lucknow-based senior journalist, says, The sort of reaction coming in from the likes of Uma Bharti and Vinay Katiyar clearly indicate that the BJP might try to make Ram temple a political issue before Lok Sabha polls."Pradhan, however, added that the temple politics will not resonate to that extent with the people at large, however hard a section of the BJP and the RSS may try to build a larger Hindutva narrative around it.BJP, however, was guarded in its approach on the issue.Party's state spokesperson Dr Chandra Mohan said: "Ram temple issue had always been a matter of faith for the BJP. Party's top leadership will study and analyse the Supreme Court order in detail."Those fighting this case for decades now are, however, hopeful of justice being delivered.Jafaryab Jilani, convener of the Babri Masjid action committee, says: "Better late than Never. We hope that now after apex court's order for day-to-day trial against the accused, including top leaders of the BJP, justice will finally prevail."He, however, added that we will have to see if UP government fully cooperates with the CBI as far as production of witnesses in the case is concerned.Will BJP somehow try to build a larger political narrative around the Ayodhya issue? The answer is still awaited. But the subtle Hindutva campaign, which many feel helped BJP in achieving the landslide majority in UP Assembly polls, can further get a boost with build up around the Ram temple debate.And with a Chief Minister known for his hardline Hindutva approach and who has already gone public with his idea of facilitating the efforts for an out-of-court settlement of the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute, there should be no surprise if the matter gains a significant prominence by the time the country approaches the 2019 general elections.
: Even as the debate over the government's ban on cattle slaughter continues to rage, certain sections of the opposition are now talking about the cultural ramifications of the ban.Speaking to News18, Karnataka's animal husbandry minister A Manju said the new ban, other than contradicting existing laws, also restricts many cultural practices in India."It's not just about jallikattu in Tamil Nadu or kambala in Karnataka. We paint the horns of cattle during festivals like Makar Sankranti and Diwali. Now, that is also banned under the new rule. Also, if we don't tie the horns of the cow, how will we train them and milk them? These rules have been brought into place by a government which does not know how to handle or take care of cows," said Manju."They government only knows how to enjoy the produce of cows. We are from the farmer community. We know how to take care of cows," he added.The rules, he said, contradicted many laws, including the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act of 1964 and some of the Centre's own laws."Karnataka will look to challenging this in court. The Act (legislation) is superior to the rules notified. In any case, they should have consulted all state governments in a federal structure," Manju said.
New Delhi: Upping the ante against the Captain Amarinder Singh led Punjab government in the sand mining scam; the Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday claimed that it was not possible for a scam of such scale to take place unless the Congress high-command were complicit in the case.



Addressing reporters, AAP senior leader and spokesperson Ashutosh said, It has not even been three months since the Congress formed the government in Punjab and they have already started indulging in corruption. This is the same Congress party that used to talk about sending the Akali Dal mafia to jail. But today, instead of making good on their promise of an anti-corruption drive, they have joined hands with the mafia.



He added that AAP was of the firm belief that the chief minister was in the know of this scam. If that was not the case, how and why did it take so long for him to respond to this case? he said.



Just three months after his emphatic win in the Punjab Assembly polls, Captain Amarinder Singhs government is battling allegations of corruption. Rana Gurjit, the power minister in the Punjab cabinet, has been accused by the AAP and Akali Dal of awarding sand mining contracts to people close to him under questionable circumstances. A day after party chief Arvind Kejriwal interacted with the state unit in Amritsar, the AAP is planning a massive demonstration outside CM Amarinder Singhs residence in Chandigarh.



One of the 89 contracts awarded by the Amarinder government has gone to 36-year-old Amit Bahadur, who used to work as a cook for power minister Rana Gurjit. AAP legislator from Bholath, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who is leading the charge against the Congress government, told News 18, The man in question is Amit Bahadur, who was a cook. He has a monthly salary of just Rs 11,000. How is it that a man who makes such little money was able to procure a contract worth Rs. 26 crore? In fact, he paid Rs 13.5 crore up front. Where did he get so much money? Neither Gurjit nor Captain have answered the questions.



Bahadurs Income Tax returns, a copy of which is with News 18, show that his annual income was Rs. 75,390 in financial year 2013-14 and Rs. 92, 860 in 2015-16. His total salary for the month of February 2017, when Congress won a landslide majority in the Punjab assembly, is shown as Rs. 11, 706. According to Khaira and the AAP, these facts point to a larger scam than just a simple conflict of interest.



Khaira added, That it is a conflict of interest is apparent. The facts mentioned point towards a benami and hawala racket being operated out of Punjab. At the Center of it all, is a minister in the Amarinder government. I am certain that this money is from Rana Gurjits shady dealings. In terms of corruption, the Congress is looking to outdo even the Akalis.
Bengaluru: With less than a year to go for Assembly polls in Karnataka, the Congress is likely to stick to its Dalit face G Parameshwara to lead the party. Parameshwara, whose current term was slated to end this month, has been reappointed as president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.



The high-commands decision to continue with Parameshwara comes in the backdrop of caste surveys which indicate a bigger population of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward castes in Karnataka, compared with the Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities that were thought to be more dominant.



Parameshwara completed his five-year term in October 2015, but got an extension till May 2017. He has now been given a second term, after convincing the high command he would be the best-placed to improve the partys image in the run-up to elections.



He has been home minister since 2015, but is likely to give up the post by next month so that he can focus on strengthening the party. He is an MLC, and had lost the Assembly elections last year from the Koratagere constituency in Tumkur.



Interestingly, the Bharatiya Janata Party is also focusing its energies on wooing weaker castes in the state. The past two weeks itinerary has seen BJP president B S Yeddyurappa visiting Dalit homes and neighborhoods almost every day during his state-wide tours. Yeddyurappa had faced a controversy for having ordered food from a hotel during his visit to a Dalit home about 10 days ago.



Both parties have been holding public rallies for specific castes since the beginning of the year.



According to political analysts, the Congress thought its best to retain Parameshwara to counter BJPs strategy of wooing Dalits. Others senior Congress leaders who were in the race for the top post in the partys Karnataka unit  seven-time MP K H Muniyappa, ministers M B Patil and D K Shivakumar, and former minister S R Patil  have been promised other key posts in the party.
A day after West Bengal PWD minister Arup Biswas was found using a red beacon on his official vehicle despite the Centres ban, chief minister Mamata Banerjee defended him saying that Biswas had done nothing wrong.He has not committed any crime. The Centre passed the order without consultation from the states, said Mamata, adding that the ban on red beacon was a forceful imposition.I have never heard or experienced such a thing in my life. They just passed the order without any consultation. This is not acceptable to us. There should be some coordination between the state and the Centre, she added.I dont understand the logic of keeping police escort vehicles and not red beacons. Keeping a police vehicle is more expensive. Even media people use press stickers, then why cant we use beacons? My ministers dont even use it in the city. They only use on highways, she said.West Bengal PWD Minister Arup Biswas is still using a red beacon, despite a nationwide ban on it and claims that the Mamata Banerjee government has not banned lal battis yet.Earlier, the Shahi Imam of Kolkatas Tipu Sultan mosque, Maulana Noor-ur Rehman Barkati, had also drawn criticism for refusing to take down his red beacon.I don't think this even matters. It is pointless. There are red beacons everywhere, on top of planes, then why not cars? Barkati had said.The cleric had claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has given him the permission to use red beacon and that Shahi Imam has been given the nod by the erstwhile British government.Barkati finally removed the red beacon, but only after persuasion by the Bengal CM. He was also involved in a war of words with Mass Education Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury who had protested outside the Tipu Sultan mosque against Barkati.The Union Cabinet on April 19 decided that the red beacon light will be removed from all vehicles, including that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The move got implemented from May 1 is seen as a crackdown on the VIP culture.
: Eleven Haryana Congress MLAs on Tuesday came out in the defence of former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda who was quizzed by the CBI in connection with the Manesar land deal case, saying he had not done anything wrong.They accused the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state of "misusing" such agencies and unleashing a "witch-hunt and indulging in political vendetta"."Hooda has not committed any crime. He is clean. He has said that he is not scared to face any inquiry provided the government does not act out of vindictiveness," senior Congress leader and party MLA, Raghubir Singh Kadian told reporters in Chandigarh.While Hooda was not present, most of his loyalist MLAs, including former speaker Kuldeep Sharma, Geeta Bhukkal and Anand Singh Dangi, came out in his strong support.These Congress legislators even skipped a party meet in Chandigarh on Tuesday called by Haryana Congress president Ashok Tanwar.At the press conference, both Kadian and Sharma alleged that the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state had unleashed political vendetta against Hooda and other opponents and were using various agencies as their "political extension" and "misusing" them.Kadian claimed that the BJP government was perturbed by Hooda's growing popularity and rising political graph and was therefore targeting him.On the Manesar case, Kadian alleged that private persons were registering complaints "and at whose behest they are doing so, everyone knows this"."It is not prosecution, but naked persecution, which will boomerang on them. They are doing this to divert public attention from their own failures. The BJP government is drunk with power and they think they are here to rule forever," he claimed."If any finger is pointed towards Hooda, then we want to remind the BJP regime that he is not alone in this fight, but entire the Congress and 2.5 crore people of Haryana are solidly behind him. They (BJP) better keep off from entering the lion's den," Kadian said.The CBI had questioned Hooda at its office here for nearly nine hours on May 15 in connection with the Manesar land deal case in which the land-owning farmers allegedly suffered a loss of about Rs 1,500 crore.The agency had registered the case in September 2015 on allegations that private builders in conspiracy with unknown public servants of the Haryana government had purchased around 400 acres of land from farmers and land owners of village Manesar, Naurangpur and Gurgaon at throwaway prices.Sharma alleged that the BJP wants to fix its political opponents, which was why a conspiracy was hatched to targetHooda."Om Prakash Yadav, a resident of Manesar village had filed a civil writ petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2011 for getting an inquiry done through CBI into the case."On December 15, 2014, the high court dismissed the writ petition by observing conduct of Prakash as malafide and influenced by sheer greed...," Kadian said.He said the then Gurgaon police commissioner, Navdeep Singh Virk, registered a criminal case after a complaint was given by Prakash on August 12, 2015."Virk concealed/ignored that the high court had rejected Prakash's claim and even a SLP in the matter was pending in the Supreme Court."After registration of FIR on August 12, 2015, on the same night, Virk referred a letter to the then DGP, Haryana, wherein he made recommendation for a CBI probe into the matter. The advocate general gave legal opinion in the same matter a day prior when the FIR was registered, raising eyebrows," he alleged.He claimed that the then DGP also did not get any preliminary inquiry done before referring the matter to the state's home department, even bypassing the chief secretary's office in the entire process.Sharma claimed that even the chief minister did not obtain any report/comments from any of the departments concerned like HUDA, industries department, HSIIDC, beforeordering a CBI probe in the matter.Sharma said former secretary of the home department, Subhash Chandra Goel, had written a letter this month to the CBI director, stating that Virk had recommended the CBI probe without mentioning the vital fact that the complainant of the matter had lost his case on merit before the high court. Replying to a question, Sharma said that the then Haryana government had given an affidavit in the court that CBI inquiry in the case was not needed."This affidavit has not been withdrawn and cannot be withdrawn because different parties may come to power but the government remains in continuity. This fact has also been hidden by the present government in this case," he claimed.: C BI Questions Bhupinder Singh Hooda in Manesar Land Deal Case
State-run BSNL is planning to extend satellite phone services for all citizens in two years that can work at any corner of the country and remain immune to the breakdown of mobile services during natural calamities."We have applied to International Maritime Organisation. It will take some time to complete the process. In 18-24 months, we will be in a position to open satellite phones service for citizens in a phased manner," BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Shrivastava told PTI.Satellite phones will able to work in any part of the country, even inside flights and ships, as they depend on signals directly from satellites located about 35,700 kms above the earth.Traditional mobile networks cover around 25-30 kms around towers and can transmit signals to phones placed equal to or below the height of the tower.Watch video review of Sony Xperia XZsBSNL has started satellite phone service using INMARSAT service which will be initially offered to government agencies and later extended to citizens in a phased manner.The service will cover areas where no networks are present and be provided by INMARSAT which has 14 satellites.Agencies handling disasters, state police, railways, Border Security Force and other government agencies will be given the phones in the first phase."The number of satellite phone connections in India is very little but once we open it for citizens, the whole dynamics in the market will change. The volumes will bring down the cost of service. We are charging only Re 1 over the cost that satellite firm will bill to us," Shrivastava said.Call rates on satellite phones are expected to be in the range of Rs 30-35 in the first phase when there are only about 4,600 connections in the country."Satellite phones also cost Rs 40,000 and more. All the satellite phones are imported at present. Once we open it for citizens, the volumes will drive down the cost of calls as well as handset. Even, huge volume can attract satellite phone manufacturers to set-up their unit in India. We expect it to create a new ecosystem of satellite services in the country," Shrivastava said.Satellite phones in India are presently provided by Tata Communications, which inherited the licence from Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (now Tata Communications Ltd).The services of TCL will be phased out by June 30, 2017 and all the connections will be transferred to BSNL.There are 1,532 authorised satellite phone connections that can operate within the country and a majority of them are used by security forces. TCL has also issued 4,143 permits to maritime community for use of such phones at ships.There have been security concerns on use of satellite phones in India.Telecom regulator Trai has said there is a possibility that communication through such phones can be monitored by foreign agencies as their gateways are located outside India, it added.Defence forces did not opt for satellite phones from the foreign operators because of security and espionage concerns. Other security agencies have been demanding for a long time for establishment of a new gateway in the country which can support new generation handsets for land mobile connections.Shrivastava said that now satellite phone gateway has been set-up in India with legal interception and monitoring system (LIMS)."BSNL has set-up gateway with INMARSAT to address security concerns among government agencies. Now, there are no more issued related to security. We will start providing satellite services once our registration process is complete and necessary approvals are in place," Shrivastava said.
European Union institutions agreed to set aside 120 million euros to provide free wireless internet connections by 2020 to up to 8,000 municipalities in the EU in areas with no internet coverage.The initiative will be funded from the current 1 trillion-euro EU budget, which runs from 2014 to 2020. Towns will have to apply to get the funds.The three EU institutions - the council of EU governments, the parliament and the European Commission - decided that funds for the free WiFi initiative will come from a limited review of the seven-year EU budget.Watch video review of Sony Xperia XZsMonday's political compromise will need to be followed by a technical agreement over how the EU budget's resources should be used to fund the new project. The EU budget cannot be increased, but funds can be partly shifted. New resources could also come from fines to companies or other one-off revenues.
Russia is in advanced stages of building the world's first "floating" nuclear power plant (FNPP) for installation in remote areas and hopes FNPP technology will also interest South Asian countries like India.Pavel Ipatov, Deputy CEO (Special Projects) in Russia's state atomic energy corporation Rosatom, told IANS in an e-mail interview from Moscow that an FNPP is basically a mobile, low-capacity reactor unit operable in remote areas isolated from the main power distribution system, or in places hard to access by land."FNPPs are designed to maintain both uninterruptible power and plentiful desalinated water supply in remote areas," he said.The Russian explained that floating units are components constructed for transport by sea or river to areas that are otherwise inaccessible or difficult to reach by land."The plant is constructed as a non-self-propelled vessel to be towed by sea or river to the operation site. Its mobility will make it possible to relocate it from one site to another, if necessary," he said."The first floating NPP is to operate in Russia's extreme northeastern region of Chukotka, where there is plenty of oil and gas exploration, gold mining and other mineral resource enterprises," he added.According to Ipatov, the vessel's "construction is at its closing stage. The plant has already been floated out, fitting-out is under way". It has been undergoing "mooring trials" since last July to test the FNPP's performance efficiency, which are scheduled to be completed by October.After the tests, the FNPP, called 'Academician Lomonosov', will be transported by Russia's Northern Sea route to the operation site, where it will be integrated into the coastal network being constructed in the port of the city of Pevek."The construction of onshore facilities is under way on the FNPP's future operation site. In 2019, the power unit installation in its proper location is expected to start, and then the FNPP will undergo final trials and be put into operation," he said.The FNPP has an electric capacity of 70 MW and is equipped with two reactors of 150 MW thermal capacity each."A vessel like that can provide electric supply to a city of 200,000 and heat supply to a million-plus city," Ipatov said. An FNPP's operational lifespan ranges from 35 to 40 years.In line with conventional onshore nuclear plants that are often equipped with desalination units for freshwater, the FNPP will have a desalination unit producing up to 240 cubic metres of water per hour.Besides, as regards safety, the Russian said that FNPPs would be governed by the same advanced safety parameters put in place after the Fukushima disaster in Japan in 2011.He cited the example from Soviet times of the first commercial desalination complex attached to a nuclear power plant that went into operation in 1967, providing freshwater supply to the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan."Now this nuclear plant is inoperative, but the desalination plant is still working with alternate heat generation," Ipatov said of the project that was implemented by Rosatom.According to him, with Russia's expertise, its FNPPs will be in great demand in the global small nuclear power market."We see significant potential in Southeast Asia and other regions of the world. Memorandums of Cooperation on floating nuclear power plants projects have been signed with China and Indonesia," he said."We hope that FNPP technology will also gain interest in South Asia, including India, not only in terms of new opportunities to provide power supply to remote areas but in terms of building extra seawater desalination facilities, too," he added.Rosatom are the builders, in collaboration with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu, that envisages the construction of six reactors of 1,000 MW capacity each.While KNPP reactor units 1 and 2 are already connected to the southern power grid, the ground-breaking ceremony for construction of units 3 and 4 was done in February last year.Earlier this month, the Indian cabinet approved the setting up of 10 indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) for nuclear power generation of around 7,000 MW power.India currently generates 6,780 MW from nuclear power. Nuclear reactors, which will produce another 6,700 MW, are under implementation and these are expected to be completed by 2021-22.
A South Korean telecom company has decided to set up its mobile phone manufacturing unit in Chhattisgarh after consultation with Chief Minister Raman Singh, an official said today.



"With a view to woo investors in the mineral-rich Chhattisgarh, a delegation led by Singh is on the official tour of South Korea," a senior public relation officer said today.



The high-level delegation comprising state government officials and industrialistsreached South Korea's capital Seoul yesterday where it was received by the Indian Ambassador to South Korea Vikram Doraiswami at the Incheon airport, he said.



"On the first day of the visit, the delegation met with investors in Seoul. The representatives from Sung Ha Telecom company met Singh and gave in-principle consent to set up its mobile phone manufacturing plant in Naya Raipur - the upcoming new capital of Chhattisgarh," he said.



Sung Ha Telecom is one of the biggest companies in the used Cellular Phone market in Korea and has a high-skilled experience in this field for 15 years, he added.



During the meeting, Singh informed thatChhattisgarh is fast becoming hub for electronics manufacturing due to excellent business environment and friendly policies.



Earlier the representatives from the Indian embassy met the delegation and briefed about the region, including the world-class industrial and urban infrastructure development in Seoul, he said.



It also visited Sungam Smart city and met with officials there and found many similarities between Naya Raipur city and Sungnam city, he said.



The delegation had left on the international tour on May 28 from Raipur for Seoul and Japan to attract investments to the stateand create ample employment opportunities for youth, the official added.
The Supreme Court on Monday put on hold a Rajasthan governments order directing mobile phone operators to remove their cell towers from within 500 metres of jail premises across the state.A vacation bench of Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Deepak Gupta stayed the order as senior counsel Kapil Sibal told the bench that removal of cell towers would affect 80 lakh people and would have a cascading effect.The Rajasthan government on May 9 ordered telecom operators to decommission their cell towers located within 500 metres of jails.Watch video review of Xiaomi Redmi 4This followed a Rajasthan High Court order of April 6.The state government had given service providers 30 days time to remove their towers, a period which was ending in early June.Sibal told the court that even the Department of Telecommunications and the government had earlier supported the telecom service providers.The apex court bench said no coercive steps would be taken by the authorities.The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) told the top court that the high court, when it passed its order, was not told that the August 31, 2012 policy which barred installation of cell towers within 500 metres of jail premises was superseded by a February 6, 2017 policy.The February 6 policy of the State government permitted setting up cell towers not only within 500 metres of jails but also on public and private locations including parks, playgrounds, hospitals, schools and government-owned or -controlled buildings and lands under cultivation.However, this policy was amended saying that the permission for setting up cell towers should not be given in these areas/premises if barred by a competent court.This condition was included through an amendment made on February 9.The mobile service providers had sought direction that they should not be asked to remove the towers nor would the government take steps to seal them or take any coercive steps against the cellular service providers.It had said that the order would impact 80 lakh subscribers as the entire exercise would involve removal of 400 Base Transceiver Towers (BTSs) including Base Station Controllers sites which are further catering to 2,500 BTSs.
The mother of Travis Kalanick, founder of the on-demand ride service Uber, was killed in a boating accident and his father was seriously hurt, authorities and a company official said Saturday.



An initial investigation showed that Bonnie Kalanick, 71, died Friday after the boat she was in struck a rock in Pine Flat Lake near the central California city of Fresno, the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner's Office said in a statement.



"Last night Travis and his family suffered an unspeakable tragedy. His mother passed away in a devastating boating accident near Fresno and his father is in serious condition," an Uber representative said in a statement.



"Our thoughts and prayers are with Travis and his family in this heartbreaking time."



Authorities responding to a call of a boating accident found Kalanick's parents on the shore of the lake.



Kalanick's father had moderate injuries, and his mother was dead, authorities said.



The boat sank in the lake and was to be retrieved to determine the circumstances of the accident.



"An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday. This remains an ongoing investigation," the Fresno Sheriff-Coroner's Office said.



Travis Kalanick runs privately-held Uber, which is valued at about $68 billion.



In the past several months, the company has been rocked by disclosures about a culture of sexism, cut-throat workplace tactics and the covert use of law enforcement-evading software.



Kalanick, known for taking a hard line in battles with regulators and taxi operators, has been humbled by recent events which included the release of a dashcam video showing him berating one of Uber's drivers.
Chicago: Cleveland police on Tuesday fired the officer who fatally shot a 12-year-old boy two years ago after mistaking the boy's toy gun for a real one.



Tamir Rice was playing in a park with a pellet gun in November 2014, when officers Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback drove up in a patrol car, responding to an emergency call.



In surveillance video, Loehmann is seen shooting Rice twice within seconds of his arrival, after the boy appears to reach for the replica firearm in his waistband. The officers were not told that the gun the child was wielding was suspected to be a replica.



Cleveland city officials on Tuesday moved to discipline the officers. Loehmann was fired and Garmback, who drove the police car, was suspended for 10 days.



City officials said they had found no evidence that either officer violated police procedures. Instead, the two were disciplined for other violations that surfaced during the two-year investigation.



In Loehmann's case, he was fired for rule violations during his job application process, "specifically, answers he had provided on his personal history statement," Cleveland police chief Calvin Williams said.



Loehmann was a new hire in his six-month probationary period when he fatally shot the boy.



Records made public by another police department where Loehmann worked prior to joining the Cleveland force, showed that supervisors there had wanted to fire him for emotional instability.



A subsequent criminal investigation by local prosecutors closed a year and a half ago, without bringing charges against the two officers.



At the time, Cuyahoga county prosecutor Timothy McGinty described the tragedy as a "perfect storm of human error, mistakes and miscommunications."



"We have learned a lot," since the Rice shooting, Chief Williams said Tuesday, pointing to new policies and training in de-escalation tactics.



"Our use of deadly force has gone dramatically down," he said.


Washington: A group that published hacking tools that security experts believe were stolen from the US National Security Agency said on Tuesday it plans to sell a new batch of stolen code in July to customers willing to pay more than $22,000 for it.



The Shadow Brokers group said in an announcement on the internet that it has not yet determined what files will be in the collection. It has previously said it has access to tools for hacking into web mobile handsets and Microsoft Corp's Windows 10 operating system, web browsers and network routers.



It is not clear whether the group actually possesses those tools, or would make good on its promise to release them.



Security researchers have urged taking the threat seriously after the Shadow Brokers released a group of NSA hacking tools in April, including one that was used to launch this month's massive "WannaCry" cyber attack.



WannaCry crippled some 300,000 computers worldwide, causing disruptions at hospitals, post offices, auto plants and government offices.



"This is potentially disastrous," said Matt Suiche, founder of cyber security firm Comae Technologies, who closely follows the Shadow Brokers.



It is not clear who is behind the Shadow Brokers, though some security experts have said they believe the group is tied to the Russian government and working to embarrass the United States.



NSA officials could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. The agency has declined to say if it built the hacking tools released by Shadow Brokers, or discuss the group's activities.



A Microsoft representative said she had no immediate comment.



The company said on May 16 that it was aware of Shadow Broker's claims that it had tools for hacking Windows 10, adding that its staff were actively monitoring emerging cyber threats.
Yangon: The United Nations on Tuesday appointed an Indian human rights lawyer and two other experts to a fact-finding mission investigating alleged killings, rape and torture by security forces against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmars Rakhine state.



The mission will be led by Indira Jaising, an advocate of the Supreme Court of India, a UN statement said. The other two members are Harvard-trained Sri Lankan lawyer Radhika Coomaraswamy and Australian consultant Christopher Dominic.



Some 75,000 Rohingya fled northwestern Rakhine state to Bangladesh after the Myanmar army carried out a security operation last October in response to attacks by Rohingya insurgents on border posts in which nine police officers were killed.



A UN report from February, based on interviews with some of the Rohingya refugees, said Myanmars security forces have committed mass killings and gang rapes of Rohingya in a campaign that very likely amounts to crimes against humanity and possibly ethnic cleansing.



The UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution to set up the mission in March. It was brought by the European Union and supported by countries, including the United States, which called for ensuring full accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims. China and India distanced themselves from the resolution.



Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Myanmars civilian government and also its foreign minister, has said she would only accept recommendations from a separate advisory commission led by former UN chief Kofi Annan. Any other input would divide communities, she has said.



Myanmar diplomats have rejected the move as not acceptable and not in harmony with the situation on the ground and our national circumstances. They asked for time for its national investigation to conclude its findings.



Jaising drafted Indias first domestic violence act, allowing women to bring civil and criminal suits against attackers for the first time.



The mission will present an oral update to the UN Human Rights Council in September and a full report in March 2018. The members will meet in Geneva in the coming weeks to plan their work.
Melania Trump walks prior to a group photo during the spouse and partner program at the Royal Palace of Laeken, near Brussels. Trump wore a steady wardrobe of mostly black during President Donald Trump's overseas tour, including a prim black lace dress with a matching mantilla headcover that she wore to meet Pope Francis and a dark jacket with golden detailing on the cuff and collar that she wore for her arrival in Italy, both by Milan designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. (Image: AP)
Chennai: Hotels pull their shutters down as a mark of protest after the increase of tax in the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST), in Chennai on Tuesday. (Image: PTI)
Cbean Angel Investor forum in Jca

The event which attracted some of the regions most influential business people, came together to lay the foundation for a more buoyant and active Angel Investor ecosystem within the Caribbean.

The investor forum is just one of the activities of the LINK-Ca- ribbean programme that is being funded by the World Bank Group and government of Canada as part of the Entrepreneurship Program for Innovation in the Caribbean (EPIC) and implemented by Caribbean Export.

EPIC aims to support the development of an enabling ecosystem to foster innovative and growth-oriented enterprises in the Caribbean region; and the development of well-functioning Angel groups is a key component to achieve this end.

The World Bank Groups Country Manager for Jamaica, Galina Sotirova, highlighted the importance of innovative entrepreneurs to generate jobs, acting as key drivers for economic growth and competitiveness.

Five entrepreneurs delivered pitches to the international Angel audience, combating the perception that there is a lack of Caribbean innovation to generate the deal flow within the region to sustain an Angel investment ecosystem.

Over the past 2.5 years the World Bank has supported angel group development, and companies are getting valuable exposure to experienced, connected businesspersons.

Over 70 entrepreneurs have pitched or held private meetings.

Entrepreneurs in the region can become viable future economic contributors, and it is the desire to invest in Caribbean entrepreneurs that makes angels really unique and valuable to the ecosystem, said Sotirova.

There are currently seven Angel groups within the Caribbean (First Angels Jamaica and Alpha Angels in Jamaica; Trident Angels in Barbados; Renaissance Angels and IP Angels in Trinidad and Tobago; and Enclaces and Nexxus in the Dominican Republic) actively looking for investment opportunities.

Their coming together via the Regional Angel Investor Network (RAIN) enables greater regional collaboration or syndication to pool resources to present more attractive investment options for early-stage investment.

Thus far there have been eight Angel investor deals across the region and with the LINK-Caribbean programme which provides supplemental funding to entrepreneurs, the region should see more deals being made.
Daughters reach out

It is a simple book of quite interesting stories, compiled and edited by Chuckaree and Claudia Yuille, early members of the Indian Womens Group of TT (IWGTT). It was published without any fanfare in 1995  150 years after the first ship the SS Fatel Razack arrived on May 30, 1845, bringing 213 emigrants comprising men, women and children.

The oldest indentured was a 44-year-old male.

Ironically, as the country celebrates Indian Arrival today it is significant that this is the centennial anniversary of the end of the emigration of indentured labourers when the last ship, the Ganges, arrived on April 22, 1917.

During the indentureship period approximately 143,000 emigrants were brought into Trinidad the majority came from North India through the port of Calcutta and the remainder from South India through the port of Madras.

The stories in this small book are written by the daughters and granddaughters of these emigrants, the majority of whom were Hindus and approximately ten percent were Muslims, who lived like families side by side maintaining the common bond with their fellow travellers which was formed during the long, difficult voyage to Trinidad. As Ayesha Mohammed says in her story, The Muslim Perspective, they respected each others religion and shared with each others religious and social activities. Mohammed tells what we all most probably already know: The Indians had been brought to work on the sugar plantations to save the industry from ruin following a shortage of labour on the island due to the abolition of slavery. But she proudly relates: Our forefathers brought with them their skills, food, dress, music, and religion. By nature they were very gentle people, yet they were strong-willed and adapted themselves to the lifestyle and jobs while keeping their identities and religion. In 1995, the highest office of the land, that of president was held by a Muslim  the late Noor M Hassanali  a former High Court judge. His wife, Zalayhar who is still very active, in an opening message in the book spoke glowingly of the contribution made by the Daughters of indentured immigrants who continued to make their respective contribution to the welfare and progress of our beloved country. The Indian Womens Group was founded in 1989 by Thelma Kumar, wife of then Indian High Commissioner, Shiv Kumar, together with Rose Mohammed. The two women who became good friends shared mutual interests in assisting the underprivileged, and the seed was sown. The inaugural meeting of the IWGTT was held on May 5, 1989, at the then office of the Indian High Commissioner, Cipriani Boulevard, Port-of-Spain, at which Mohammed was sworn in as president. Chuckaree (nee Boodram), author of the book and former principal of Tranquillity Primary School was president of the IWGTT from 1991-1993. While Yuille (nee Roodal/Soodeen), a charter member of the group and graduate of Leeds University, writes about her paternal grandfather, indentured Charles Clarence Soodeen, a teacher and successful businessman and of her maternal grandfather Timothy Roodal, born in Trinidad but whose grandfather and father came from India.

Roodal devoted most of his life to politics and was also a very successful businessman who built many cinemas including the Roxy in Port-of-Spain, now a historical landmark on Tragarete Road.

The IWGTT, which is now headed by Angela Allaham, continues to be a friendship group, linking the women of Trinidad and Tobago and India. Its membership includes businesswomen, professionals, public servants, teachers and housewives and is open to all women regardless of colour, creed or race who subscribe to the group and are over the age of 18 years. The groups motto: Look In, Reach Out which was suggested by Kumar, aptly reflects the mode of the Indian Womens Group of Trinidad and Tobago.
The social media cry

WHEN Mark Zuckerburg and his team launched Face- Book on February 4, 2004, the intention was to create a social networking platform that allows for healthy exchange through dialoguing, debates, conversations and overall communication.

However, within the last two months the International Womens Resource Network has been inundated with calls and messages from women expressing concern about not only the unhealthy levels of exchange, but also their own personal experiences. Whilst the impact of social media triggers both positive and/or negative outcomes, and has also changed lives on how we connect and engage, it also creates an opportunity for users to negatively pinch the backs of others, some of whom become deeply offended.

Issues surrounding social media are inescapable and therefore, as individuals, we need to identify our own unique mechanisms to navigate throughout the social media ocean; that navigation also requires us to exercise some level of personal responsibility for our actions and behavioural patterns as well. Its great to have healthy debates keeping in mind that every individual is diverse and unique, and so, opinions and views on issues would differ, but its another thing to become personal in your posts and/or responses and to even use offensive language.

One of the psychological issues that remains at the forefront, is the need by many, in particular women, to amalgamate as many likes as possible from their posts, and when this does not happen, some have indicated to us that they are immediately driven into a state of depression.

Scientifically, this is a call for a rain check on your self-esteem and self-confidence, as these important components of your being, existed before the introduction of social media platforms.

Another concern raised was that of becoming so immersed in social networking, that self-neglect steps in, as well as family, friends and even children.

Again a quick rain check here as your family and relationships and most importantly you must always come first.

Avoid allowing social media to distract from your daily chores and responsibilities.

Spending lots of time engaging in online befriending was also raised to the extent that some of the complainants are fearful that this may be a weakness that has taken over their psyche.

Before making online friends, it is highly advisable to check their profiles/background, as we have had a couple instances where women were hoodwinked into different beliefs. Lacking focus and reduction in productivity levels were also brought to the table. Once there is continuous navigation on social media platforms, your brain will eventually wear, and ultimately your attention span diminishes; before this happens, it is best to strike a balance between your normal routine and your social media time.

Another common concern is the compulsion felt by some to share various types of photos which sometimes result in strange comments. Remember all that is shared on social networks automatically becomes public, and therefore, it is best to exercise greater caution is sharing.

As I stated earlier, social networking is fabulous, but the key is personal responsibility.

Sandrine Rattan is a communications/ branding consultant, author and president of the International Womens Resource Network (IWRN) Contact: thecorporatesuitett@ gmail.com, intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gmail.com or contact 283-0318
Rowley meets Chilean President

The two parties signed an MOU to collaborate for the creation, protection and administration of intellectual property rights.

While TT supplies 92 percent of Chiles liquified natural gas (LNG) imports at a value of US$650 million and accounts for 38 percent of Chiles exports to Caricom, the two leaders vowed to deepen relations in trade, energy and culture, plus technical links. They discussed TT benefitting from Chiles extensive network of free trade agreements.

While the TT delegation promoted its fertilisers and its tourism, it sought to learn from Chiles embrace of solar power and other energy renewables.

Both leaders expressed concern about climate change, especially as the nations of both have coastal waters.

The duo recalled their past meeting at a Caricom conference and Rowley thanked Bachelet for having helped the region and TT over the FATCA issue and the threat of loss of correspondent banks.

Earlier, Rowley attended a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument to Bernardo OHiggins, considered to be the liberator of Chile.
Requests for Diego health centre before Cabinet

At a Public Board Meeting of the NWRHA held yesterday at the Government Campus Auditorium, Port of Spain, a member of the public asked if Government was still planning to build, during this fiscal year, a new health facility to house the Diego Martin Health Centre as the community was in dire need of proper services.

Agard said the NWRHA was aware that it was very important to build a new facility and a request for funding was before Cabinet, awaiting approval.

She said that as soon as approval was given work should begin on the construction.

The Central Block took centre stage, as a nurse attached to the new surgical ward located in the block said that there was no fire escape in the building.

The nurse said, the block houses a number of critical services including the intensive care unit and the critical surgical ward which has patients who will not be able to walk and will have to be assisted.
Siblings shot at California home

According to reports, at around 11.05 am Robin Sookdeo, 56, was in the ground floor of his home when he was accosted by a gunman who shot him in the face.

Indira Ali, 53, Sookdeos sister, who was upstairs, heard the gunshot and on checking was accosted by the same gunman, who told her to run.

As she ran away she was shot in the leg. The gunman then ran away and relatives of the two victims were contacted.

They were taken to the Couva Health facility, then transferred to hospital.

Robbery was ruled out as a motive for the shootings.

Couva police are still investigating.
30,000sq ft Pennywise opens in La Romaine

The 30,000 square foot store is the eighth Pennywise in Trinidad; there are none in Tobago .

It features prominently in Pennywise Plaza, located at the corner of La Bel Air Road and South Trunk Road, La Romaine .

At the stores grand opening yesterday (Monday) morning, Pennywise Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dalvi Paladee, told reporters the company chose to relocate to their own plaza because at no location, in any mall, can we get this amount of space. To have 30,000 square feet and the luxury of a shopping cart in a Pennywise store, its something that we want to (replicate in our other stores) as we go along. This store has about 160 staff. We employ about 850 total .

We dont have any stores in Tobago yet because were still trying to get our footprint correct here (Trinidad). The plaza was originally scheduled to open one year ago but, as Paladee explained, it ended up taking three years because we had to get the infrastructure ready and the planning, of course, for such a magnificent building, it takes time to get it right. The layout includes shopping carts, wide aisles, a pharmacy and fewer items kept behind a counter. Paladee said management decided to have more self-service displays because with so many people buying, continuing to have sales staff provide one-onone service had become a challenge. But now, with the ability of the customer to pick up products off the shelf, its going to enhance their experience. The rest of the space in Pennywise Plaza is scheduled to be fully occupied within the next two months .

One of the lease holders plans to open a vegetarian restaurant .

Pennywise Plaza is open Mondays - Thursdays from 9 am to 7 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 8 pm .
There Was No Red Wave,

'That's for Darn Sure'
Scientists just got one step closer to unlocking the mysteries of the cosmos. With much fanfare, construction of the world's most powerful telescope kicked off on Friday in northern Chile, Reuters reports. When the $1.1 billion instrument goes online in 2024, proponents say it will revolutionize knowledge of the universe, enabling astronomers to study planets and stars in our own solar system and nearby galaxies in "unprecedented" detail, reports Phys.org. Five times larger than any contender in use today, with a mirror measuring 43 yards across, the appropriately named Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) "will produce discoveries that we simply cannot imagine," says Tim de Zeeuw, director general of the European Southern Observatory. He spoke at a ceremony at ESO headquarters in the Atacama Desert near the 10,000-feet peak of Cerro Armazones, where the ELT will rise.

The desert's dry climate, said to be the best on Earth for skygazing, has been luring astronomers for years. Among its selling points, the ELT will be the first telescope that can adjust for atmospheric turbulence, per Phys.org. It will also be able to snap 4,000 highly sharp images simultaneously in varying colors. From those pictures, scientists hope to gain clues into how space objects formed and evolved. They hope to pinpoint smaller planets and study the workings of larger ones, such as their atmospheres. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet called the project, per Reuters, "one of the greatest examples of the possibilities of science." (Hubble data suggests there are 2 trillion galaxies out there.)
Scientists from the Marine Mammal Center in northern California believe theyve discovered the cause of death of a female blue whale that washed up on a Marin County beach Thursday, and it's a human one. Injuries found on the 79-foot whale during a necropsy conducted Saturdayincluding 10 broken ribs, a fractured spine, and a damaged skullindicate that the mammal was struck by a ship, reports SFGate. A local scientist posted a graphic photo of the researchers examining what he called "blue whale road kill," writing, "only through teamwork can researchers @calacademy find the cause of death, but looks like it was a ship." Barbie Halaska tells the Mercury News some cargo ships wouldnt even notice a collision with a 300,000-pound blue whale because "these are huge boats."

"People who have come into port with whales on the bow of their ships have told us they had no idea," she says. SFGate calls whale-ship collisions a "leading cause" of death for the creatures; the Mercury News notes another blue whale that was struck washed ashore in the area just this October, though scientists say they more often sink to the ocean floor following a ship strike. This latest blue whale was well-known to researchers, having been first identified in 1999 and seen on 11 more occasions by the scientific community. Halaska says the research being conducted around its death can help change conditions for the future when it comes to things like shipping routes and speeds. (It turns out there's a simple reason why blue whales got so huge.)
It's only been a couple of weeks since a police officer in Ohio overdosed on fentanyl when he instinctively wiped a bit of the powder away with his bare hand while arresting two men suspected of a drug deal. Now, an officer in Pennsylvania was saved by two doses of Narcan when he opened a car's center console after a one-car crash to get the driver's wallet and a powdery substance spilled out into the air, reports Fox News. The officer, whose name has not been released, exited the vehicle, only to stumble to one knee, dizzy. Paramedics already en route to the crash around 12:30am Sunday administered Narcan; he was released from a nearby hospital within a few hours.

The officer is "doing well at this time," says Washington Township Sgt. Vincent Surace, and the mystery powderthought to be heroin, fentanyl, or a combois being tested, reports TribLive. The accidental overdose comes at a time when East Coast authorities are warning drug users and police officers alike of the dangers of a new street drug, "Gray Death," which has claimed several lives this month alone and appears to be a toxic cocktail made from some combination of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and synthetic opioids, reports PennLive. Also this month, the AP profiles a police officer in Pennsylvania with four sons; two have battled heroin addiction. (Also in Pennsylvania, two counselors fatally overdosed at a recovery facility.)
President Trump has condemned the fatal stabbings of two men on a Portland train after they tried to help two women who were the targets of an anti-Muslim tirade, the AP reports. His tweet Monday came after many had called on him to address the Friday stabbing, and some were calling it a "belated" response. "The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable," he wrote. "The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them." As Talking Points Memo notes, the tweet came from the official @POTUS account, not the @realDonaldTrump account Trump typically tweets from. (Read more President Trump stories.)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Pope Francis on Monday, urging the pontiff to apologize to indigenous Canadians for more than a century of abuse at church-run schools. The pontiff seemed open to the idea, the Canadian Press reports. During a meeting at the Vatican, Trudeau went beyond the typical exchange of gifts. "I told him how important it is for Canadians to move forward on real reconciliation with the indigenous peoples and I highlighted how he could help by issuing an apology," the PM said, per Reuters. Beginning in the 1880s, some 150,000 native children were torn from their families and sent to Catholic-run boarding schools, where their language and culture were banned, per the BBC. Many suffered physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, per Reuters. The last school closed in 1996.

Other churches, including the Anglican and Presbyterian, have apologized for their role in the forced-integration effort that Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission denounced as "cultural genocide." The Vatican did not comment on the apology but noted that the 36-minute visit was "cordial" and "focused on the themes of integration and reconciliation," and "religious freedom and current ethical issues." Pope Benedict in 2009 voiced his "sorrow at the anguish" caused at the schools, per the BBC. Trudeau, a Catholic, said the pope "reminded me that his entire life has been dedicated to supporting marginalized people in the world ... and that he looks forward to working with me and with the Canadian bishops to figure out a path forward together." (Pope Francis apologized to Protestants.)
Instead of honoring America's fallen war veterans, Ivanka Trump's lifestyle brand suggested that Memorial Day is a perfect time to make popsiclesand is taking no small amount of flak for it. CNN reports the backlash was "icy" after IvankaTrumpHQ tweeted a tip to "Make champagne popsicles this #MemorialDay," with a link to other summery ideas like grilling and wearing "all-white." The ill-timed tweet landed hours before Trump took to her own account on Monday to "honor the men & women in our armed forces who have lost their lives to protect our freedom," notes HuffPo. The appeal did little to still the Twitter storm at a time when Trump is under scrutiny for perceived conflicts between her roles as entrepreneur and top White House adviser.

Husband Jared Kushner is facing his own firestorm over alleged ties to Russian officials. Although Trump gave up running her businesses when she moved to DC, critics seized on the tweet as "definition of tone deaf." Another wrote, "You'd think that no one could be that utterly callous, right? But we're dealing with a Trump brat here." Another tweeted a photo of flag-draped coffins and the message: "Remember our sacrifice by making champagne popsicles." Children of veterans expressed outrage, including one woman who posted a photo of a soldier in a military helicopter. "My dad was a gunner in Vietnam and had to clean the blood of his dead friends out of the chopper. #NoChampagnePopsicles," she wrote. (Nordstrom dropped Ivanka Trump products.)
Police in Manchester, England, have issued a picture of the arena suicide bomber holding a blue suitcase and asked anyone who might have seen him with it before the attack to call a confidential hotline. Counterterrorism squads are trying to re-create Salman Abedi's movements in the days before he detonated a bomb at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, killing 22 people. The Guardian reports police believe Abedi had the "distinctive" wheeled suitcase with him at two locations in Manchester, though the suitcase was not used in the attack, Greater Manchester Police Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson said. The AP reports police are scouring 12,960 hours of closed-circuit TV recordings in their search for clues, have collected more than 630 pieces of evidence, and have searched 21 addresses.

Authorities say Abedi returned to Britain from Libya on May 18 and likely completed assembling his bomb at a rented apartment in central Manchester. "Did you see Abedi with this suitcase between the 18 and 22 May 2017? Where did you see him with it during that time?" Jackson asked the public. He said the bag doesn't pose a risk to public safety, but if anyone finds it, they should not approach it; instead, they should call the police immediately. The bombing investigation expanded early Monday when police arrested a 23-year-old man in Shoreham-by-Sea on suspicion of terrorism offenses. The arrest means that 14 men are now in custody in Britain for suspected roles in Britain's worst attack in a decade. (Read more Manchester stories.)
The big Jared Kushner headlines last week focused on his meeting with the Russian ambassador and his reported desire to open back-channel communications with the Kremlin. But the New York Times on Tuesday focuses on a different part of the story: Kushner's meeting with Russian banker Sergey Gorkov in December. Investigators are now trying to figure out what each man sought to gain from the meeting. Gorkov runs Vnesheconombank, or VEB, and is known to be close to Vladimir Putin. His bank, meanwhile, remains under sanctions by the US and is "deeply intertwined with Russian intelligence," per the Times. (NBC News reports that US intelligence agencies see Gorkov as a "Putin crony" and note that he attended Russia's FSB Academy, known as a "finishing school" for spies.)

"It is not clear whether Mr. Kushner saw the Russian banker as someone who could be repeatedly used as a go-between or whether the meeting with Mr. Gorkov was designed to establish a direct, secure communications line to Mr. Putin," per the Times article. The story also notes that the Trump White House has since floated the idea of lifting the US sanctions on Russia, which would be a financial boon for VEB. The White House has said that Kushner met with Gorkov for a half-hour at the request of ambassador Sergey Kislyak, and Kushnerwho did not disclose his Russian meetings in his application for security clearance in Januaryhas promised to fully cooperate with investigators about them. The Times has another piece of context: Kushner's reported attempt to set up a back-channel line with Putin "would not be illegal," though it would be "highly unusual." (Read more Jared Kushner stories.)
Manuel Noriega, the former dictator of Panama and US ally who went on to serve nearly two decades as a US prisoner, has died. The 83-year-old died around 11pm Monday at a hospital in Panama City after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor in March, reports the BBC. He is believed to have been placed in an induced coma after a brain hemorrhage, reports CNN. In a tweet Tuesday, Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said Noriega's death "closes a chapter in our history." After the death of his mentor, Gen. Omar Torrijos Herrera, Noriega became general of the National Guard in 1983 and ruled as the de facto leader of Panama until his capture by US authorities in 1990, reports the New York Times.

During the 1980s, he was a US ally who shared intelligence on Cuba, terrorism, and drug activity. But he was also accused of oppressing political opponents, rigging elections, working with drug traffickers, and assisting Cuban secret agents, reports the Times. He was eventually charged with drug trafficking and money laundering in the US and captured during the US invasion of Panama. He was convicted and served 18 years before he was extradited to France and convicted of money laundering in 2010. A year later, he was returned to Panama to serve a 20-year sentence for embezzlement, corruption, and the murder of his opponents, per the Guardian. In 2015, he apologized to those "offended, affected, harmed or humiliated by my actions or those of my superiors whilst carrying out orders." (Read more Manuel Noriega stories.)
The mayor of Portland, Ore., is pleading with organizers of two upcoming alt-right rallies to cancel them in the wake of Friday's train stabbings that left two dead and one injured, the Oregonian reports. Ted Wheeler also says the city won't be issuing any city permits for such events, and he's requesting the federal government, which controls the plaza where both rallies are set to be held, to revoke the permit for the "Trump Free Speech Rally" already issued for June 4 and not issue one for the "March Against Sharia" event on June 10, notes the Portland Mercury. "Our City is in mourning, our community's anger is real, and the timing and subject of these events can only exacerbate an already difficult situation," Wheeler wrote Monday on Facebook.

Among those taking issue with Wheeler's request: The ACLU of Oregon, which tweeted Monday that "the government cannot revoke or deny a permit based on the viewpoint of the demonstrators. Period." The legal director for the organization added in his own tweet: "Our hearts are broken, but government censorship is not the answer. We must defend the constitution even when it is uncomfortable." In a separate article, the Oregonian also talks with those who witnessed the Friday murders, including Rachel Macy, who says she helped 23-year-old Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche after he was slashed in the neck. "I'm going to die," he told her as she tried to comfort and calm him. "I just kept telling him, 'You're not alone," she says. "What you did was total kindness." His last words as he was carried away on a stretcher: "Tell everyone on this train I love them." (Read more Portland, Oregon stories.)
Just how nasty did things get on the floor of the Texas House on Monday? One lawmaker threatened to shoot another amid a near fistfight. The volatile turn of events came as mostly Latino protesters flooded the state Capitol in Austin on the legislature's final day, explains the Texas Observer. They were protesting the state's new law against sanctuary cities, one that requires local governments to enforce federal immigration laws. (See a video of the protest here.) The Dallas Morning News reports that at one point amid the protest, GOP Rep. Matt Rinaldi approached Reps. Ramon Romero and Cesar Blanco on the House floor and told them he had called Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the protesters. That led to a shoving match, with both sides accusing the other of making threats of violence.

One Democratic lawmaker, Justin Rodriguez, says he heard Rinaldi say, "I'll put a bullet in your head" to Rep. Poncho Nevarez. And later on Facebook, Rinaldi acknowledged making such a threat, but in self defense. He says Nevarez threatened to "get me on the way to my car," adding that "I made it clear that if he attempted to, in his words, 'get me,' I would shoot him in self defense." Rinaldi, who says he called ICE because some of the protesters were holding signs declaring themselves to be "illegal," also accused Romero of physically assaulting him. On Twitter, Nevarez called Rinaldi "a liar and hateful man." Another lawmaker, Republican Pat Fallon, witnessed the initial shoving match and tried to break it up. "I just walked right into the middle, and I was begging them, 'People, please, not on the House floor.'" (Read more Texas stories.)
Calling it a "very shocking" incident, South Korea's new president on Tuesday demanded a probe into why his office wasn't told by defense officials about the arrival of several additional launchers for a contentious US missile defense system meant to cope with North Korea's nuclear threat. Before taking office on May 10, Moon Jae-in vowed to review the deployment of a system that has infuriated both North Korea and China, which consider its powerful radar a security threat. Many of Moon's supporters don't want the system, which President Trump suggested Seoul should pay for, the AP reports. Senior presidential adviser Yoon Young-chan said Moon has discovered that four additional launchers for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system have arrived in South Korea since the original two launchers were installed in April in the southeastern town of Seongju.

Yoon added that senior Defense Ministry officials didn't report the new launchers' arrival when they gave Moon's policy advisory committee a briefing last week. Yonhap News Agency cites a Defense Ministry official as saying the ministry told Moon's national security director about the four launchers the day after the briefing, which the presidential Blue House denies. Moon, a liberal, is working with Cabinet members named by conservative predecessor Park Geun-hye; Moon has picked his own Cabinet members, but they haven't formally taken office. It's unclear if he'll stick with his campaign vow to re-examine the THAAD deployment, as a request for withdrawal of the system's components could severely undermine ties with the US, Seoul's most important ally, analysts say. Moon has said he'll employ both dialogue and pressure to resolve the North Korean nuclear standoff. (Read more South Korea stories.)
"No country has ever taken such decisive and strong action to stop its citizens from going overseas ... to abuse kids." So declares an Australian official in discussing a bold "world-first" plan that would see passports denied to convicted pedophiles who had served their time but remained a registered sex offender in Australia. The BBC offers some math: About 20,000 such people currently reside in Australia, and roughly 800 of them went abroad in 2016. A government press release explains that more than a third of those who left did so without securing the necessary permission, making "it clear the existing passport legislation was not working."

Officials say the measure will put "a stop to child sex offenders travelling to vulnerable countries where they are out of sight and reach of Australian law." As for those vulnerable countries, CNN reports child-sex tourism is rampant in about two dozen nations, and children in some Southeast Asian nations are particularly at risk. That was the case with Robert Andrew Fiddes Ellis, notes the BBC. The Australian was in 2016 sentenced to 15 years after being found guilty of sexually abusing 11 Indonesian girls. The Australian Associated Press reports the measures will be introduced this week in parliament, but Sky News notes government MPs have "signed-off" on them. (No one stopped this extreme pedophilefor 42 years.)
Rumors of major restructuring of White House staff have been circulating in recent days, and on Tuesday the first shoe may have dropped in the form of Mike Dubke, President Trump's communications director. Axios reports that Dubke offered Trump his resignation on May 18, though he offered to stay on at least until the president's overseas trip had wrapped up. A senior administration official notes Dubke is leaving on friendly footing, and he's still reporting for workin fact, Politico nabbed him for an interview as he was driving into the White House on Tuesday. It's not clear yet when his last day will be, though he plans to return to the Black Rock Group communications firm once he exits the White House. "The reasons for my departure are personal, but it has been my great honor to serve President Trump and this administration," Dubke said in a Tuesday morning email.

Dubke told Politico he was shocked it took nearly two weeks for news of his resignation to get out. Axios notes Dubke's sayonara is just the "start of a wave of changes." Sean Spicer is expected to take on a downplayed role, though it's unclear where the fates of Steve Bannon, Reince Priebus, and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner lie. Axios reports Trump is rumored to be considering bringing on "killers," including GOP lobbyist David Urban and former campaign aides David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski, the latter being one who "experience suggests  will not only indulge Trump's most combative instincts, but goad them." In other anticipated changes, an official says Trump plans on serving more often as the White House's spokesperson. "He says things exactly the way he wants them to be said," the official notes. (Read more Trump administration stories.)
Danish officials on Tuesday hosed down Copenhagen's famed Little Mermaid after the statue was found doused with red paint, the AP reports. On the ground in front of the statue was written in red, in English, "Denmark defend the whales of the [Faeroe] Islands"likely a reference to the hunting of pilot whales in the North Atlantic islands during the summer months, Danish media say. Authorities on the Faeroe Islands allow islanders to drive herds of pilot whales into shallow waters, where they're stabbed to death. The meat and blubber are shared afterward in the non-commercial slaughter, a practice that dates from the late 16th century.

The whales are not an endangered species. Island officials say that the pilot whale population in the eastern North Atlantic is abundant with about 778,000 whales, with approximately 100,000 around the Faeroe Islands. Islanders hunt and kill, on average, 800 pilot whales each year. The Little Mermaid was created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen in tribute to the Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. Sitting on a rock at the entrance of the Copenhagen harbor since 1913, she has been a popular target for vandals, who have blown her off her perch, beheaded her, and painted her. (Read more The Little Mermaid stories.)
The death of Manuel Noriega has prompted all kinds of stories about his reign and overthrow, and the New York Times notes that it was the fatal shooting of a US military officer that proved to be the tipping point in his downfall. In December 1989, Panamanian troops killed an unarmed Marine lieutenant, wounded another US serviceman, and beat a third one while threatening to sexually assault his wife. "That was enough," said the elder George Bush in deciding to send in his US troops. An article from the time in the Washington Post explains that the servicemen were off duty and came under fire when their driver, unfamiliar with Panama City, drove close to Noriega's headquarters. The serviceman killed was 25-year-old Marine 1st. Lt. Robert Paz. Other Noriega coverage:

Turn it up: With Noriega holed up in the Vatican Embassy, US forces began blasting rock music at the building. Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" was one favorite in rotation, but the Telegraph has more on the playlist. The Vatican complained to Bush, and the music stopped after three days. Noriega stayed just over a week more before he gave in.

With Noriega holed up in the Vatican Embassy, US forces began blasting rock music at the building. Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" was one favorite in rotation, but the Telegraph has more on the playlist. The Vatican complained to Bush, and the music stopped after three days. Noriega stayed just over a week more before he gave in. Also of note: The mission to capture him was called "Operation Nifty Package."

The mission to capture him was called "Operation Nifty Package." A damning article: US lawmakers began to seriously sour on Noriega after a 1986 article by Seymour Hersh in the New York Times linked him to drugs, money laundering, the killing of a political opponent, and much more.

US lawmakers began to seriously sour on Noriega after a 1986 article by Seymour Hersh in the New York Times linked him to drugs, money laundering, the killing of a political opponent, and much more. Tangled US ties: The Atlantic digs into Noriega's long history with the US and the CIA. He had been on the agency's payroll because of the intelligence he provided.

The Atlantic digs into Noriega's long history with the US and the CIA. He had been on the agency's payroll because of the intelligence he provided. Staff witch: The account of Noriega's life in the Miami Herald notes that he was reputed to have dabbled in black magic. Indeed, he "was the only chief of state in the Western Hemisphere who had a staff witch, imported from Brazil."

The account of Noriega's life in the Miami Herald notes that he was reputed to have dabbled in black magic. Indeed, he "was the only chief of state in the Western Hemisphere who had a staff witch, imported from Brazil." Prison conversion: Witches or not, Noriega reportedly converted to evangelical Christianity in the first years of his custody, complete with a courthouse baptism, per the Washington Post.

Witches or not, Noriega reportedly converted to evangelical Christianity in the first years of his custody, complete with a courthouse baptism, per the Washington Post. Timeline, in photos: The BBC has a photo timeline of Noriega's rise and fall, beginning with his takeover of the Panama National Guard in 1983, a move that made him his nation's de facto leader.

(Read more Manuel Noriega stories.)
US officials are calling Tuesday's successful test of the country's missile-defense system "an incredible accomplishment," the Los Angeles Times reports. A rocket fired from California intercepted and destroyed a target warhead fired toward Alaska from the other side of the Pacific Ocean. It was the first-ever test of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system on a fast-moving "ICBM-range target." This system is vitally important to the defense of our homeland, and this test demonstrates that we have a capable, credible deterrent, the director of the Missile Defense Agency says. The $244 million test was the first since 2014, according to NBC News. It was conducted amid increased worry of a potential nuclear attack from North Korea.

Despite Tuesday's success, there are many questions surrounding the viability of the GMD system during an actual attack. Only nine of the previous 17 tests since 1999 had been successful, Reuters reports. And that's with tests being scripted for success: daytime launches with personnel informed of the target's launch time, size, speed, and trajectory. It's also possible North Korea could use decoys to trick the system; the GMD's interceptor rockets haven't been tested against decoys. A Pentagon spokesperson says the GMD system is just one way the Pentagon has of shooting down a potential North Korean missile. The GMD system has cost US taxpayers more than $40 billion so far. (Read more missile defense system stories.)
PM Narendra Modi and Angela Merkel in conversation

Berlin : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Germany, attended a private dinner hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday, soon after he arrived in Berlin.

The bonds of a fruitful partnership. Chancellor Merkel receives PM @narendramodi at Schloss Messeberg before a private dinner pic.twitter.com/s8xyjszEE2  Anurag Srivastava (@MEAIndia) May 29, 2017

"The bonds of a fruitful partnership. Chancellor Merkel receives PM Narendra Modi at Schloss Meseberg before a private dinner," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted along with pictures of the two leaders.

Schloss Meseberg, around 65 km from Berlin, is the country retreat of the German Chancellor and the official state guest house of the German government.

Earlier on Monday, Modi arrived in Berlin on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe.

Modi is accompanied by Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Seetharaman and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.

On Tuesday, Modi and Merkel will head the fourth round of the biannual Inter-Governmental Consultations. Germany is the only country with which India has such an arrangement. Both the leaders will then address the India-Germany Business Summit.

Later, Modi will call on German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

From Germany, Modi will travel to Spain, Russia and France.
China's new space telescope to mysteries of universe, 'big eaters'

Beijing : China's new space telescope will probe many mysteries of the universe, including the belching "big eaters" - active galactic nuclei at the most remote edges of the universe.

Scientists have discovered that almost every galaxy has a supermassive black hole with a mass several million to several billion times that of the Sun at its centre. With their mighty gravitational attraction, the supermassive black holes engulf the surrounding gas and dust, Xinhua news agency reported.

When a black hole swallows too much, the excess matter is converted into two jet-flows perpendicular to the accretion disk of the black hole, which is like a glutton with a bloated belly belching.

The jet-flows and accretion disk of the supermassive black hole generate X-ray radiation strong enough to travel billions of light years. These galaxies have very bright nuclei - so bright that the central region can be more luminous than the remaining galaxy.

Scientists call them active galactic nuclei.

The Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), developed by Chinese scientists, will observe some active galactic nuclei.

"Since the active galactic nuclei are very far from the Earth, our telescope can only detect the brightest ones," Zhang Shuangnan, lead scientist of HXMT and director of the Key Laboratory of Particle Astrophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), said on Monday.

The big eaters are full of mysteries. Scientists have found the double jet phenomenon is very common in galaxies with active galactic nuclei, but they don't understand why supermassive black holes cannot engulf all the matter falling into them.

Supermassive black holes are very different from black holes of stellar mass, which are formed when very massive stars collapse at the end of their life cycles.

Scientists are still not clear how supermassive black holes are formed and grow, which is a key to understanding the evolution of galaxies.

HXMT's observation is expected to help scientists see the core region close to the event horizon of supermassive black holes at the centre of active galaxies and gather information about the extremely strong gravitational fields, Zhang added.
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InterContinental Hotels Group announced the opening of Hotel Indigo Warsaw  Nowy Swiat, centrally located on Nowy Swiat  or New World  street, one of the main historic thoroughfares of the city. Nowy Swiat street is one of the most recognizable, fashionable and entertaining areas in Poland. It connects the two elements of the capital  the historical and the contemporary, leading straight to the Old Town area.

Hotel Indigo Warsaw - Nowy Swiat provides an ideal base to explore the sprawling city. Guests can easily access the boutique shops, cultural venues and amazing dining options the district has to offer. For business travelers, the financial and business centers are also nearby, with the diplomatic district a walking distance from the hotel.

The rebuilding process of Warsaw after the Second World War left this district with an enviable blend of architectural styles; immaculately restored gothic creations and neoclassical palaces sit alongside Communist-era concrete towers and sleek modern skyscrapers. These contrasting styles are reflected in Hotel Indigo Warsaw  Nowy Swiat, where guests will find slick contemporary rooms dressed in dark grey shades alongside crisp white rooms decorated with ornate mouldings and elegant columns.

Just as no places are alike, no two Hotel Indigo properties are the same. Every Hotel Indigo draws inspiration from the local culture and popular trends in food, drink and design to create a warm and vibrant atmosphere for guests to enjoy together. The 60 guest rooms have been individually designed with unique decor, contemporary furnishings, and high ceilings. The inimitable atmosphere of each room is complimented by high comfort; each room includes luxurious plush bedding and beautiful spa-inspired bathrooms.

Guests and locals alike can enjoy the hotels contemporary restaurant offering, Florentine, where Middle Eastern flavors and cooking techniques are paired with local Polish produce to create exciting and eccentric dishes. For visitors wanting to enjoy a selection of whiskey, the hotels old fashioned inspired Bourbon Lounge Bar offers a wide assortment of unique whiskey concoctions.

Grazyna Kania, General Manager of Hotel Indigo Warsaw  Nowy Swiat commented: We are looking forward to opening our doors and welcoming guests and locals. Hotel Indigo is the perfect fit for thus location. Our hotel showcases the best of the local neighborhood as well as acting as the perfect base to explore it.

Tom Rowntree, IHGs Vice President of Brand Management for Hotel Indigo, Europe, commented: Boutique is the fastest growing segment in our industry, and with tourism to Eastern Europe continuing to rise, its an exciting time to be opening our second Hotel Indigo in Poland following Hotel Indigo Krakow - Old Town. This year is an exciting one for the brand. Were expanding into new neighborhoods including The Hague, London Aldgate and Cardiff and have just signed a new hotel to open in London, Leicester Square.

There are currently 21 Hotel Indigo properties in Europe and a further 18 in the pipeline*. Hotel Indigo Warsaw  Nowy Swiat will operate under a franchise agreement with Budizol.















Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Occasional snow showers. High 19F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low near 10F. Winds light and variable.
New Delhi:

A PhD student of IIT-Delhi was found dead under mysterious circumstances at her room in Nalanda Apartment on Tuesday, news agency ANI said on Tuesday. The woman research scholar was found hanging from the ceiling fan.

However, no suicide note was found from the woman's room who hailed from Bhopal. The police have launched a probe into the incident.

Earlier in March, a student of IIT-Delhi allegedly attempted suicide by jumping from the 4th floor of Vindyachal hostel.



Nitish Kumar Purthi, a student Engineering Physics from Ranchi, was admitted at AIIMS trauma centre with serious injuries.

(More details awaited)
New Delhi:

Bihar Topper scam came into limelight on May 31, 2016 when the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Arts and Humanities topper (a top scholarly position in Indian education) Ruby Rai, Science topper Saurabh Shrestha and third topper in Science stream Rahul Kumar were interviewed by television channels and they were unable to answer to basic questions.



It all began with headlines when Class 12 arts topper from Bihar Ruby Rai, student of Vishun Roy College, Kiratpur Raja Ram village in Vaishali district pronounced Political Science as Prodigal Science and thought political science was about cooking while Science topper Saurabh Shrestha was simply unable to explain the connection between H2O and water.

Also Read: BSEB Class 12th Intermediate Results 2017 announced by Bihar Board at biharboard.ac.in ; check your score card here



It was only after the interview video went viral, a three-member SIT was formed by the Bihar state government to look into the fraud.

Ruby Rai and other 13 rank holders were asked to appear for the test on June 3 but failed. Later, Ruby Rai was sent to judicial custody in remedial home for 14 days.

The alleged kingpin of the toppers scandal in Bihar Intermediate examination, Bachcha Rai was arrested after he surrendered at Bhagwanpur police station in Vaishali district on June 11th.

An FIR was registered against four toppers of the Bihar school board and three others on a complaint filed by the state education department for alleged irregularities in the exams.

Their arrest by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was made following a tip off about their presence in the temple city of neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.

Also Read: BSEB Class 12th Results 2017 announced: Pass percentage dips to dismal 35, whopping 64.07 per cent students fail

Lalkeshwar Singh and his wife Usha Sinha, a co-accused in the toppers scandal, had gone underground after police had acquired an arrest warrant from a Patna court in the irregularities in the Bihar +2 examination.

The report of Forensic Science Laboratory has revealed that Bihar state board Class XII Arts topper Ruby Rai had not written her answer sheets. Her answer sheet was written by experts.

On 9 August 2016, Vikas Kumar, who was a clerk-cum-storekeeper of the Bihar Vidyalaya Pariksha Samiti and kingpin of the racket in connection with the Bihar intermediate exam scam was arrested by a joint team of the West Bengal CID and Bihar police.

In September 2016, Bihar government decided to link exams to Aadhaar numbers to avoid duplication and facilitate easy access to documents.

In October 2016, investigations revealed that Ruby Rai wrote names of movies in one answer sheet and the name of Tulsidas more than a hundred times in another and poetry in some others, which were then replaced. She wrote only 1 (home science) of 6 papers.



Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manu Maharaj said that according to reports of forensic science laboratory, the copy was not written by the alleged topper, but by the experts.

He also revealed that the marks imprinted on the answer sheet were changed innumerable times. Ruby had reportedly topped this years Class 12 examination conducted by the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) in the humanities stream.

Diwakar Prasad, an accused in the Rs 8 crore Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) tender scam, was found dead under mysterious circumstances. The deceaseds relative alleged that he was murdered by police.



The Supreme Court refused to grant any relief to Bachcha Rai, the accused in the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) toppers scam. In June 2016 Rai surrendered before police, following which he was arrested.

The high court, in its February 14 order, had asked the lower court where the case was being adjudicated to frame charges within a month and grant bail to Rai.

On March 6, the apex court had issued notice to the accused on Bihar government's plea and said that Rai shall not be released on bail.




Mumbai:

Shooting for Amitabh Bachchan-Aamir Khan starrer "Thugs of Hindostan" is set to begin in Malta from June 5. The star cast, also including Katrina Kaif and FatimaSana Sheikh, will shoot the first schedule in the relatively unexplored ocean side scenery.

The team of the Yash Raj Films project will be filmingin the two specially constructed, massive ships, currently docked by the Maltese seaside.

"The set of the film is in a high security water zone,with restricted access. Both these ships have been built inthe early eighteenth century style, when vessels would carrycannons and other weapons.

"An international crew has been hard at work creatingthese elaborate ships in Malta. Most of the portions filmed onboard these ships involve high octane action," director Vijay Krishna Acharya said in a statement.

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New Delhi:

Mohammad Kasim a resident of Hamirpur village in Balakot block, Mendhar tehsil of J&K's Poonch district was apprehended by the Indian Army with two packets of heroin, valued at approximately above Rs. two crores from the Line of Control, in Bhimber Gali of Poonch District on the night of 29 May 2017.

Md Kasim, 23 years, s/o Md Mushtaq Chowdhary under the garb of cattle grazer, had gone to the LoC and received the consignment of heroin from a Pakistani Occupied Kashmir National. The alert troops of the Army challenged and apprehended the individual.

The apprehension is a significant blow to the nefarious designs of Pakistan Army in facilitating narco smuggling to fund terrorism in the state of J&K. FIR has been lodged with Poonch police. Search of the area and further investigations are under progress.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The Union governments ban on the sale of cattle across the country for slaughter purpose hasnt gone well with many states as they are up in arms against the decision.

The environment ministry had last week notified ban on sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter while prohibiting cruel practices on them.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Monday termed the Centres notification on cattle slaughter as a deliberate attempt to encroach upon the states powers and affirmed her government would not accept it. Banerjee said that she would approach the court and challenge it.

She has also expressed concern that the order has been passed just as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has begun.Further, she said that just as the central govt is an elected one, the state government too has its own jurisdiction. The WB CM also termed the centers decision as an undemocratic and unconstitutional one.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan too has upped the ante against the decision and on Monday shot off letters to his counterparts in other states asking them to "stand together" and "oppose" the ban on sale of cattle for slaughter apart from urging the Prime Minister to withdraw the new regulations.

"Unless we stand together and oppose this anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular move, it may mark the beginning of a series of similar measures aimed at destroying the federal democratic fabric and secular culture of our country," Vijayan said in his letter. He also said that since the matters dealt within the rules squarely fall within the purview of state legislatures, the state governments should be allowed to formulate necessary policies and laws to suit the socio-cultural and economic milieu of the state.

Vijayan said it was nothing but a "covert attempt to usurp the powers of state legislatures" in the guise of rules under a Central Act.Beef Fests were held in various parts of Kerala on Saturday to protest the Centres decision of banning sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.

Activists of the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF, opposition Congress-headed UDF and their youth wings took out marches and organised these fests across the state, where beef is widely consumed. However, some Congress activists allegedly butchered a calf in public before distributing its meat for free to onlookers.

The Karnataka government too is contemplating challenging the Centre's new rule in court. "We are studying the Centre's notification, and it appears very confusing. We have to see if the new regulation conforms to the 1960 law," said T B Jayachandra, Karnataka's law minister.

ALSO READ: WB CM Mamata Banerjee slams Centre for ban on sale of cattle for slaughter, says will challenge it in court of law

The move had drawn huge criticism and even Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had termed it as barbaric.The move has also earned opposition in Tamil Nadu as the rebel AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) faction asked the Centre on Monday to withdraw its ban on sale of cattle for slaughter, saying it should not treat views expressed against the move as opposition and respect people's sentiments in this matter. Maharashtra had become the first state in India to ban sale and consumption of beef in the early part of 2017 after President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 1995, nearly 19 years after the Maharashtra Assembly passed the Bill during the BJP-Shiv Sena rule in 1995.

The slaughter of cows was previously prohibited in the state under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act of 1976. However, the passage of the new Act banned the slaughter of bulls as well as bullocks. Now, anyone found to be selling beef or in possession of it can be jailed for five years and fined Rs 10,000.

READ: Leather industry opens up on cattle ban, says Centre's decision should be revoked or amended

Let's have a look at rules regarding cattle slaughter and consumption of beef in several states:

Karnataka

Cows can be slaughtered if old or diseased. Possession, however, is not a crime. According to a bill proposed by the BJP in 2010, cow slaughter made slaughter punishable by 7 years jail and Rs 1 lakh fine. The bill is still pending for approval in Karnataka assembly.

RAJASTHAN

Slaughter of cow, calf, heifer, bull or bullock prohibited; possession, transport of their flesh prohibited. 10 years imprisonment and/or Rs 10,000 fine.



ANDHRA PRADESH & TELANGANA

Offenders face jail term for six months and/or Rs 1,000 fine.

Assam

Cow slaughter banned except on issue of fit-for-slaughter certificate at designated places

BIHAR

Slaughter of cows, calves banned; of bulls, bullocks older than 15 years allowed. Violators face 6 months jail and/or Rs 1,000 fine

GUJARAT

Slaughter of cow, calf, bull and bullock; transport, sale of their meat banned. Punishment: Rs 50,000 fine, up to 7 years jail. Buffalo meat, or carabeef, is allowed.

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New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to grant a stay on the conviction of Indian Police Service Officer (IPS) R S Bhagora in the 2002 Bilkis Bano case. A vacation bench of Justices A K Sikri and Deepak Gupta said that there is no urgency for hearing the matter as the convicted officer has already undergone the sentence.

The bench, however, listed the matter for hearing in the second week of July, observing the fine is of Rs 15,000 only. IPS officer R S Bhagora, currently serving in Gujarat, has been convicted along with four other policemen by the Bombay High Court recently after the trial court had acquitted them.

The counsel appearing for Bhagora said if the conviction does not stay, then he will be terminated from the service as per service rules. He said the court should grant stay on the conviction.

The Bombay High Court had on May 4 reversed the trial court verdict acquitting Bhagora and others and had upheld the conviction of 11 people (one convict is dead) in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case.

Along with five policemen, two doctors were also convicted by the HC. The High Court bench had said that the seven persons doctors and the policemenare convicted under sections 218 (not performing their duties) and section 201 (tampering of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

ALSO READ: Bilkis Bano gangrape case: Opposition Congress, activists welcome Bombay High Court judgement

A special court had on 21 January, 2008 convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment 11 men for raping Bilkis and murdering seven of her family members in the aftermath of the Godhra riots while acquitting seven persons including the policemen and doctors.

The convicts later approached the Bombay high court challenging their conviction and sought for the trial courts order to be quashed and set aside. The CBI had also filed an appeal in the high court seeking harsher punishment of death for three of the convicted persons on the ground that they were the main perpetrators of the crime.

According to the prosecution, on 3 March, 2002, Bilkis Banos family was attacked by a mob at Randhikpur village near Ahmedabad during the post-Godhra riots and seven members of her family were killed.

READ: Bilkis Bano rape case: Bombay HC upholds life imprisonment to 12 convicts

Bilkis, who was five months pregnant at the time, was gang raped while six other members of her family managed to escape from the mob.

The trial in the case began in Ahmedabad. However, after Bilkis expressed apprehensions that witnesses could be harmed and the CBI evidence tampered, the Supreme Court transferred the case to Mumbai in August 2004.

The convicts had challenged the order on three main grounds that all evidence in the case was fabricated by CBI, that Bilkis gave birth to a child after the incident, which proved that she could not have been gang raped, and the failure to find the bodies of some of her family members proves that they were not killed.

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Bhubaneswar:

As severe cyclonic storm Mora crossed the Bangladesh coast on Tuesday, fishermen were asked not to venture into the sea in Odisha. It has raised possibility of rains at many places in the state.



The storm over Northeast Bay of Bengal moved further North-Northeastward and latest observations indicate that it crossed Bangladesh coast about 30 km south of Chittagong this morning, the MeT office said.



The system is very likely to continue to move north-northeastwards towards northeastern states and weaken into a cyclonic storm and then into a deep depression.



Under its impact, rain and thundershowers are likely to occur at many places in districts of north Odisha and a few places over south Odisha during next 24 hours, it said.

ALSO READ: Cyclone Mora: Monsoon arrives in India two days ahead of schedule; Rains drench Kerala, North East



Advice for hoisting Distant Warning Signal Number Two (DW-II) at Paradip and Gopalpur ports has been issued, the MeT office said adding fishermen are advised not to venture into sea.



The Odisha Government has already alerted the Collectors of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts to remain in a state of preparedness to deal with any situation in view of Mora.



States Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Maheswar Mohanty had held a meeting with senior officials to review preparedness to meet the situation. Collectors of other districts have also been instructed to remain watchful in view of the storm. According to the IMD, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts may receive rainfall due to the impact of Mora.

ALSO READ: Cyclone Mora in Northeast India, Odisha, West Bengal: Dos and don'ts

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New Delhi:

A PhD scholar of IIT-Madras campus was thrashed allegedly by right-wing students on Tuesday for participating in the beef fest organised to protest the new cattle trade rules on Sunday.

The student was taken to a hospital and treated for eye injuries.

Reportedly, at the fest, around 80 students discussed the Centres decision of banning cattle trade for purpose of slaughter.

Chennai: Protest outside IIT Madras over attack on a PhD scholar of institute allegedly for organizing 'Beef Fest', protesters consume beef. pic.twitter.com/MpqwOKcULK  ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

Slaughter of cow and calf is banned in Tamil Nadu, however, there is no bar on the slaughter of buffaloes, ox or bull.

Interestingly, news of the attack on the student, Sooraj R, came around the same time when Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday stayed for four weeks, the Centre's decision on cattle trade ban for slaughter.

ALSO READ: Kerala calf slaughter row: UP CM Yogi Adityanath questions silence of 'secular parties' on beef festivals against Centres decision

ALSO READ: Madurai bench of Madras High Court grants 4-week stay on Centres ban on cattle for slaughter



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New Delhi:

A 55-year-old woman from Jalandhar, Punjab who was allegedly sold and tortured in Saudi Arabia after going to the West Asian country on a three-month tourist Visa in January shall be returning back to India on Wednesday after the matter came to the notice of the Indian government courtesy her husband Kulwant making an appeal to external affairs ministry, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said on Monday.

Reacting to a Hindustan Times story in a tweet, Swaraj said Sukhwant Kaur, who had gone to the west Asian country on a three-month tourist visa in January would be returning on a Sharjah-Mumbai Air Arabia flight. She is expected to reach at 4.15am on Wednesday.

Thanks for bringing this to my notice. Sukhwant Kaur is returning home on 31 May 2017 at 0415 hrs by Flt G9406. https://t.co/jOSFcmFJA8 a Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 30, 2017

In January, Sukhwant, 55, a resident of Ajtani village of Nurmahal, was taken to Saudi Arabia on a three-month visa by a Delhi-based agent. aOn May 7, my wife called me up from a hospital in Hail City of Saudi Arabia. She said the travel agent had sold her to a local resident and she was forced to work as a slave in his house and was being badly treated and even tortured,a he said.

aOn May 7, my wife called me up from a hospital in Hail City of Saudi Arabia. She said the travel agent had sold her to a local resident and she was forced to work as a slave in his house and was being badly treated and even tortured,a he said.

She was admitted to hospital and the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia assured all help to the family after Kulwant made an appeal to Sushma Swaraj on Twitter.

aMy wife Sukhwant Kaur is in trouble. She wants to come back home but her passport is with a travel agent who has disappeared now,a Kulwant Singh told Hindustan Times.

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New Delhi :

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday granted a four week stay on Central government notification on ban on sale of cattle for slaughter.

The high court directed state government and Centre to reply with in four weeks.

A Madurai bench comprising Justices M V Muralidharan andC V Karthikeyan issued the interim order on the two pleaswhich said that the rules should be quashed as they wereagainst the Constitution, breached the principle of federalismand were contrary to the parent legislation -- Prevention ofCruelty to Animals Act 1960.

Referring to the contention of the petitioners that thenotification was related to food and hence ought to have beenapproved by Parliament, the judges asked the Centre torespond to the point also in its counter to be filed in fourweeks.

Madurai Bench of Madras HC grants a 4 week stay on central govt notification on cattle slaughter, directs state and GoI to reply in 4 weeks.  ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

The order has come amid a raging row on the ban, withnon-BJP parties and state governments of Kerala, West Bengaland Puducherry stridently opposing the Centre's recentnotification. Several places in Kerala and Tamil Nadu have beenwitnessing protests during the past few days against the banon sale of cattle for slaughter. Protesters have alleged thatit infringed upon the food habits of people.

The PILs sought quashing of the provisions of Rule 22(b)(III) and Rule 22(e) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(Regulations of Live stock Markets) Rules 2017 on the groundsthat they were contrary to the parent act of Prevention ofCruelty to Animals Act 1960 and the country's Constitution.

Petitioners Selvagomathy and Asik Ilahi Bhava contendedthat the "provisions breached the cardinal principle offederalism" as it amounted to legislation in the fieldsearmarked for state legislature. The new rules notified by the Union environment ministrybanned the sale or purchase of bulls, cows, camels forslaughter houses or for sacrifice for religious purpose.

The petitioners said the provisions were notified on May23 last when courts were on vacation. Such rules should bediscussed in parliament and approved by it. Rules prohibitingsale and purchase of animals offended the right to freedom ofreligion guaranteed under Constitution, they submitted. "The slaughtering of animals for food, the foods andculinary made out of such animal flesh and offering sacrificeof animals are part of cultural identity of most communitiesin India, protected under constitution," the PILs said.

Also Read: Leather industry opens up on cattle ban, says Centre's decision should be revoked or amended

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Barrackpore:

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday told the officials in her administration that there was no need to follow the Centres notification banning the sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets till the state government issued a direction to that effect.

She, however, asked the police to take steps to stop cow smuggling in the border district of North 24-Parganas at any cost.

Speaking at an administrative review meeting, Mamata said, Cow smuggling has to be stopped at any cost. The police should take stern action to put an end to it.

Cattle smuggling in North 24-Parganas district bordering Bangladesh is a sensitive issue with the BJP accusing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in the state of not doing enough to put an end to the illegal trade.

Banerjee asked the police to deal sternly with communal flare-ups, while accusing the BJP of making efforts to incite communal violence in the state.

The police should keep its eyes and ears open. If someone tries to incite communal violence, beat up both the parties. Do not spare anybody, irrespective of the persons political affiliations. The BJP is trying to incite communal violence in the state, she said.

Speaking on the ban on sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for the purpose of slaughter, she asked the district administration to ensure that no one followed the Centres notification in that regard.

ALSO READ: Madurai bench of Madras High Court grants 4-week stay on Centres ban on cattle for slaughter



The holy month of Ramzan is on. Everybody has the right to observe religious festivals. Just like Durga Puja, Kali Puja and Christmas, Eid is also observed in our state.

What one will eat, is his or her choice. No one has the right to dictate it. Do not follow that (Centres) order, the state has not issued any such order, she said.

The administration should ensure that there was no confusion regarding the issue, the TMC supremo told the officials at the meeting, adding that till the state government issued an order to that effect, there was no need to follow the Centres notification.

Earlier on Monday, she had denounced the Centres notification banning the sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter, saying it was a deliberate attempt to encroach on the states rights and destroy the federal structure.

Mamata had also said her government would challenge the notification.

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New Delhi:

Nine Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were injured on Tuesday morning as a 51 mm mortar blast occurred at Kishangarh field firing range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

The injured personnel have been taken to Ramgarh for medical aid. 2 of the personnel who have been critically injured are being lifted to Jodhpur.

This is the second such incident at Jaisalmer in 2017 after four personnel were injured in similar circumstances in March.Few days after this, six men of the paramilitary were injured in similar circumstances during mortar firing exercise at its center in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh.

ALSO READ: Punjab: BSF shoots down Pakistani intruder in Gurdaspur

The BSF is deployed in Rajasthan as part of its task to guard the India-Pakistan International Border (IB).

READ: BSF jawan passes away during final field physical efficiency test in Jammu and Kashmir

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New Delhi:

A trainee Indian Foreign Services (IFS) officer was found dead under mysterious circumstances in IFS Academy in South Delhi on the early hours of Tuesday morning. His body was found floating in the swimming pool of the Foreign Club Institute, Ber Serai.

A PCR call was received at PS Vasant Vihar during early hours of the morning which claimed that the officer was being taken to hospital.

Upon enquiry, it was learnt that the victims name was Ashish Dahiya. Police claimed that he was aged 30 years and a resident of Sonipat, Haryana.

Spot enquiries revealed that the deceased was attending a get together with his friends from Indian Foreign and Revenue Services. During the poolside party late in the evening, the party goers, who were consuming alcohol, decided to go for a swim in the clubs pool.

Eyewitnesses claimed that a lady officer probably had an accidental slip into the pool while swimming and many young officers, including the deceased, attempted to rescue her.

ALSO READ: IAS officer Anurag Tiwari's death: Probe to be handed-over to CBI; Uttar Pradesh Police registers murder case

As the lady officer was safely pulled out, it was noticed that Ashish was missing. Further, his body was soon discovered to be floating in the water.

Later on, he was pulled out and the station medical officer, Dr. Pramyesh Basall, was called. Attempts were made to administer CPR to the deceased and he was rushed to Fortis Hospital, where he was declared brought dead at 0050 hrs.

The family of the deceased have been informed of the unfortunate death and they have reached Delhi.

A team of senior officers is on the spot to collect evidence and to record statements of relevant persons regarding investigation of this tragic episode.

AIIMS has constituted a three-member medical board for the Postmortem of the IAS officer on the request of Delhi Police. The post-mortem will be over by 1 PM.

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New Delhi:

The Delhi high court has stayed a trial court order allowing former IAF chief SP Tyagi, a key accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, to travel to Indonesia.



Decrying the "special treatment" given to Tyagi, Justice I S Mehta said, "I do not understand, why the accused persons always want to travel abroad...why should he (Tyagi) be given the special treatment."

Staying the trial court order till July 12, it agreed to the contention of the CBI that the former 71-year-old IAF chief, who is on bail, may tamper with the ongoing probe in the case.

The court, which is hearing the CBI's appeal against the grant of bail to Tyagi and two other accused in the case, said, "You (Tyagi) are facing trial in a case and also getting special treatment. What is this? Till July 12, you will not travel.

Read | VVIP chopper scam: Delhi High Court issues notice to SP Tyagis cousin on plea challenging his bail

The trial court order is stayed till that time." The high court's interim order came on a plea of CBI challenging the trial court's May 24 decision permitting Tyagi to travel abroad.

CBI's standing counsel Sanjeev Bhandari said the trial court's order was illegal and should be set aside as the accused may flee from justice.

However, Tyagi's counsel opposed the contention, saying his client is going to Indonesia with his family and will return. He submitted that the CBI's appeal should be heard Wednesday as the senior counsel for the accused was not available on Tuesday.

The CBI opposed Tyagi's contention and said the accused is scheduled to travel from tomorrow onwards.

Tyagi, who along with his cousin Sanjeev Tyagi and lawyer Gautam Khaitan are accused in the case relating to alleged irregularities in the procurement of 12 VVIP choppers from UK-based AgustaWestland during the UPA-2 regime, have been granted bail by the trial court.

The high court had issued notices to the three accused on the pleas in which CBI has alleged that they were influential persons who could hamper the ongoing probe if they remained out of custody.

Tyagi, who had retired as IAF chief in 2007, was granted bail by trial court on December 26 last year. Thereafter on January 4 this year, the lower court here had also granted bail to Sanjeev Tyagi and Khaitan in the scam, saying no purpose would be served by keeping them in custody.

During the earlier hearing, the agency had claimed in the high court that if S P Tyagi remained out on bail, he could "alert other potential accused". The agency had also said its probe was "multi-layered" as it spread across several countries since various companies were allegedly used to "camouflage the bribe money".

All the accused have denied the allegations levelled against them by CBI.

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New Delhi:

Odisha, West Bengal, Northeast states of India are bracing for heavy rainfall as Cyclone Mora made landfall at Bangladesh coast on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, Indian Navyas Eastern Fleet ships have been put on the highest state of readiness so that help can be extended promptly in case cyclone Mora hits parts of Bangladesh.



aIt is likely to turn into deep depression and make a landfall in Bangladesh by Tuesday afternoon/evening. Indian Navy Eastern Fleet ships are at the highest state of readiness to render assistance if required,a a senior Navy official said in New Delhi on Monday.

Live updates:A



#CycloneMora in # Bangladesh. Video taken from the front door of our hotel.



We are extending to deliver emergency relief to the affected pic.twitter.com/pRiI67qKnh a Neezo (@Neezo87) May 30, 2017

30th May 2017: Isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely over #Assam & #Meghalaya. #cyclonemora a NDMA India (@ndmaindia) May 30, 2017

#CycloneMora:Wind speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph would prevail over #Mizoram and #Tripura during next 24 hours. a NDMA India (@ndmaindia) May 30, 2017

Fishermen along & off #WestBengal Coast are advised not to venture into sea during next 12 hours. #CycloneMora a NDMA India (@ndmaindia)

Praying for everyone who comes in affected route areas of #CycloneMora. Be alert and Stay Safe everyone!Y pic.twitter.com/OE7sDiIBh5 a Masrafe Bin Mortoza (@iammasrafe02) May 30, 2017

Update at 8:30 AM:

#The severe cyclonic storm MORA over northeast and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal moved further north northeastward during past 06 hrs with a speed of 28 kmph, and A lay centred at 0230 hrs IST of today, May 30, 2017 over northeast Bay of Bengal near Latitude 20.3 Degree N and Longitude 91.6 A Degree E



#About 420 km southeast of Kolkata and 220 km south-southwest of Chittagong. It is very likely to move north-northeastwards and cross Bangladesh coast near Chittagong by 30.05.2017

Eye of Tropical Cyclone #Mora avoided landfall near Cox's Bazar, heading north ... disastrous storm surge building w/intensifying hurricane pic.twitter.com/ySAlO9Ox8F a Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) May 30, 2017

Odisha



The Odisha government has sounded alert in four districts and has asked fishermen not to venture into the sea as cyclonic storm aMoraa is likely to trigger heavy rainfall in some parts of the state.



State Revenue and Disaster Management minister Maheswar Mohanty, who held a meeting with senior officials to review the preparedness, said the collectors of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur have been alerted.



Collectors of other districts have also been instructed to remain watchful in view of the cyclonic storm.



Mohanty said according to the IMD, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts may receive rainfall due to the impact of Mora.



West BengalA



aFishermen along and off the coast of West Bengal are advised not to venture into the sea today and tomorrow as wind reaching a speed of 45 to 55 km per hour may blow, with gusts touching speed of 65 km per hour due to the cyclonic storm,a regional MeT director G K Das said on Monday.

Fishermen are advised not to venture into sea along & off #Andaman Islands during next 48 hrs. #CycloneMora a NDMA India (@ndmaindia) May 29, 2017

Coastal districts of West Bengal are likely to receive heavy rain on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the cyclonic storm. A The districts likely to receive heavy rain are South 24-Parganas, North 24-Parganas, East Midnapore and Nadia, Das said.Kolkata is likely to have an overcast sky and witness one or two spells of rain during the next two days, he said.



Northeast IndiaA



Meghalaya and Mizoram government have also issued warning of strong winds and heavy rainfall in view of aMoraa, saying that the cyclonic storm is likely to make a landfall in the northeast region in the next 48 hours.



The Indian Meteorological Department has issued warning to the state Disaster Management Authority that the cyclone aMoraa will hit several states in the northeast. A Heavy rainfall is expected in the next 48 hours, an official told PTI.



The government has advised people of the state to take precaution and other preventive measures as heavy rainfall is expected. Government response team has been activated in case of any emergency, the official said.



The MeT department said that Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal are likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall.



Bangladesh



Severe cyclonic storm aMoraa hit the Bangladeshi shoreline on Tuesday morning. On Monday, the local government had launched a massive evacuation campaign along its southern coastline.



The met office has issued the highest level of warning signal in a scale of 10 for two maritime ports after Mora developed into a severe cyclonic storm.



Cyclone Mora is expected to cause thundershowers accompanied by gusts in maritime ports and coastal areas.



aLocal administrations and voluntary agencies in 19 southeastern districts have asked people to move to cyclone shelters. We expect most of them to have moved to safety by later this evening,a an official at the disaster management ministry said on Monday.

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New Delhi :

Making his intentions clear to Indian investigation agencies, controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has applied for Malaysian citizenship, according to agency sources. National Investigation Agency (NIA) is looking for Zakir as the latter is facing terror charges.

Naik has been changing his base quite frequently after the NIA moved the Interpol for issuance of a Red Corner Notice (RCN), international arrest warrant, against him, they said.

The preacher, who is believed to be having Permanent Residence status in Malaysia, has now sought its citizenship but no decision has been taken so far on his application, the sources said.

The Indian government is planning to use its diplomatic channels to frustrate all attempts by the controversial preacher to get citizenship in any country, they said.

The Malaysian authorities were aware about terror cases pending against the controversial Islamic preacher, they said.

Naik is being probed for terror and money laundering charges. He had fled from India immediately after an investigation against him was initiated.

His present place of stay is unknown and it is believed that he has been shuttling between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, African and Southeast Asian countries, the sources said.

The controversial preacher is accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering several crores of rupees over the years.

Also Read | Controversial Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik gets citizenship of Saudi Arabia: Reports

The Interpol was approached against Naik after a year-long probe during which the NIA gathered evidence of his NGO -- Islamic Research Foundation - and Peace TV, being used to allegedly promote hatred between different religious groups.

The central government has already banned his NGO and taken his TV channel off air. During the probe, the NIA claimed to have found 37 properties owned by Naik and companies run by him, which are estimated to be worth more than Rs 100 crore.

A Special NIA court in Mumbai, while issuing a non-bailable warrant against Naik, had said that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Naik is evading arrest and that he will not voluntarily appear before the court or before the agency.

The NIA alleged that Naik has been promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his speeches and lectures on various platforms and inciting Muslim youths and terrorists in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts.

Also Read: NIA issues another notice to Zakir Naik, asks him to appear at it's headquarter

Naik had fled from India on July 1, 2016 after terrorists in neighbouring Bangladesh claimed that they were inspired by his speeches on waging jehad.

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Melbourne:

The global bleaching events over the last two years have posed potential threat for Australias iconic Great Barrier Reef, scientists have said. The 2,300 kilometre World Heritage Site faced widespread coral decline and loss of habitat than previously thought, they said.



Last year, the Great Barrier Reef experienced the most severe bleaching on record, warming ocean temperatures during March and April are to blame.



We are very concerned about what this means for the Great Barrier Reef itself and what it means for the communities and industries that depend on it, said Russell Reichelt, Chairman Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in Australia.

The amount of coral that died from bleaching in 2016 is up from our original estimates and, at this stage, although reports are still being finalised, it is expected we will also see an overall further coral cover decline by the end of 2017, he said.



Massive aerial and in-water surveys were carried out and confirmed that there was a pronounced gradation in impacts from north to south.



It has now been confirmed that in 2016 an estimated 29 per cent of shallow water corals died from bleaching.



The coral bleaching spread to deeper corals, beyond the depths divers typically able to reach for survey, however, mortality cannot be systematically assessed. According to researchers, this is up from the original estimated 22 per cent in mid-2016. That time most mortality occurred in the north of the Reef.



The most severe mortality was recorded in the area north of Port Douglas. An estimated 70 per cent of shallow water corals died there. Also, there was significant variability between and within reefs.



Researchers said further coral loss is likely this year from the second consecutive year of bleaching and the impacts of tropical cyclone Debbie.



This is in addition to ongoing impacts from crown-of-thorns starfish, coral disease and poor water quality from coastal run-off.



The bleaching pattern in 2017 was similar to that of 2016 but most severe in the centre of the Reef between Cairns and Townsville. Elevated coral disease is caused by ongoing thermal stress. In early 2017, around a quarter of the Reef were impacted by tropical cyclone Debbie.



Combined with coral bleaching - which is predicted to become more frequent and more severe as a result of steadily rising ocean temperature - the long-term trend of coral decline is expected to continue and accelerate.



Researchers said that the recovery from bleaching is also likely to be slower than from other impacts.

What is coral bleaching?

Coral bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, like heightened sea temperatures, cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, called zooxanthellae.

ALSO READ | Breakthrough: Power of attraction may help save Australias iconic Great Barrier Reef from starfish



The loss of these colourful algae causes the corals to turn white, and bleach. Bleached corals can recover if the temperature drops and zooxanthellae are able to recolonise them, otherwise the coral may die.

ALSO READ | Back to back coral bleaching is killing The Great Barrier Reef, recorded for second time in 12 months

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New Delhi:

NASA Mission to SUN: US space agency NASA is going to do the impossible in 2018 as it has plans to launch its first mission that will reach the atmosphere of the Sun. If NASA succeeds in the mission, it will become the first space agency in the world to send a daring mission to the heat spewing celestial body.



NASA will be making a major announcement about the mission Sun on May 31 at an event to be held at the University of Chicagos William Eckhardt Research Center Auditorium at 11 am EDT (8.30 pm IST). NASAs television and website will live stream the ebent.



About Solar Probe Plus spacecraft:

The mission is named Solar Probe Plus and is scheduled to be launched in the summer of 2018. NASA will send a spacecraft that will study the outer atmosphere of the Sun. It will make critical observations providing answers to questions such as how stars work. Physicists, scientists have been trying to decode such questions for years.



The Solar Probe Plus spacecraft, which will be the first to face extreme heat and radiation, will reach the orbit within four million miles of the surface of the Sun.



The data sent will improve forecasts of major space weather events that not only impact life on Earth, but also man-made satellites and astronauts in Space.

What NASA says about the Solar Probe Plus spacecraft:



The surface temperature of the Sun is only about 5,500 degrees Celsius, however, the atmosphere above it is nearly two million degrees Celsius according to NASA. The Solar Probe Plus probe will also try to find out what makes the atmosphere of Sun so hot.

Placed in orbit within four million miles of the suns surface, and facing heat and radiation unlike any spacecraft in history, the spacecraft will explore the suns outer atmosphere and make critical observations that will answer decades-old questions about the physics of how stars work, said NASA.

The resulting data will improve forecasts of major space weather events that impact life on Earth, as well as satellites and astronauts in space.

NASAs mission 2022:

ALSO READ | 'Psyche': NASA to launch its robotic space craft to a unique metal asteroid in 2022



NASAs robotic spacecraft to a unique metal asteroid Psyche will now be launched in 2022, a year ahead of the original schedule. Psyche is an asteroid orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter, made almost entirely of nickel-iron metal.



This spacecraft is part of NASAs discovery programme which is a series of lower-cost, highly focused robotic space missions that are exploring the solar system.

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New Delhi:

Nokias comeback into the smartphone market this year has brought about a great deal of joy to its brand loyalists, and the popularity of the gadgets can be seen in the fact about the supply in stores getting finished in a jiffy. With four devices already launched, Nokia is yet to unveil a flagship level smartphone to the world. Supposedly to be called the Nokia 9, the device has been seen on GeekBench again disclosing key specifications.

The latest GeekBench listing contains a Nokia device codenamed Unknown Heart and it has flagship level specs, insinuating that it is the much-rumoured Nokia 9. The listing claims that the Nokia 9 operates on the latest Android 7.1.1 Nougat, runs on the latest Snapdragon 835 SoC, and is paired with an enormous 8GB of RAM.

This disproves previous tales of 4GB of RAM spotted on GeekBench earlier on a supposed HMD Global TA-1004 device that was also said to be the Nokia 9. Other alleged specifications include a 5.3-inch QHD display, 64GB of inbuilt storage, and a dual 13-megapixel camera setup. It is thought to support Quick Charge 4.0 also. The Nokia 9 is also predicted to be tagged at EUR 750 (roughly Rs. 54,100), which is high and contests directly with the most high-end flagships in the market.

Along with this, a Nokia device codenamed RX-100 has been disclosed on Chinese site Teiba revealing a device with a QWERTY keypad, probably with business users as targets. The images corroborate with a device divulged back in 2012, where Nokia was stated to be developing a QWERTY keypad phone operating on Windows Phone 8 at that time.

Looks like that project hasnt been cancelled yet, and Nokia still proposes to launch a QWERTY keypad smartphone soon. The pictures reveal a block device with the display on top, and the keypad at the bottom. The device appears to be rather thick to be handheld, but this may be just a dummy unit, and a more perfected option will be launched in the market.
Paris:

French customs personnel have intercepted about 135kg of Captagon, dubbed as the jihadists' drug, at Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport this year, a first for the European country. Captagon, a type of amphetamine, is one of the most commonly used drugs among fighters in the Syrian war.



"It is the first time that this drug has been seized in France," the customs agency said in a statement.

Customs officials at Charles de Gaulle discovered 350,000 Captagon pills weighing 70 kilogrammes on January 4 hidden among industrial moulds exported from Lebanon and apparently heading for the Czech Republic.

An investigation was launched by German and Czech authorities "and it revealed that the real intended destination was Saudi Arabia, by passing through Turkey", the agency said.

Read | Painkillers worth $75 million sent from India to be sold to Islamic State terrorists seized by Italian Police

Another 67 kilogrammes of the drug were found at the airport in February, hidden in steel moulds. Captagon is classified by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime as an "amphetamine-type stimulant" and usually blends amphetamines, caffeine and other substances.

Fighters who have taken the drug say it helps them to stay up for days and numbs the senses, allowing them to kill with abandon.

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Berlin:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday put weight behind German Chancellor Angela Merkels strong leadership in uniting the European Union at a time the economic grouping showed signs of strain over the UKs decision to exit it and the protectionist stance adopted by US President Donald Trump.

Modi, whose visit to Germany comes less than a week after Merkel provided the strongest indication yet that the EU and the US under President Trump were drifting apart, said India would play a positive role in boosting unity in the grouping.

Modis public support comes at a crucial time for Merkel, who has been fighting secessionist tendencies within the bloc since Britain decided to leave the 28-member grouping through a referendum in June last year.

The prime minister praised Merkels strong leadership and said a EU-focused vision is what the world needed. He also said a global order based on democracy is the need of the hour, in an interconnected and interdependent world.

EU unity, proactiveness and strong relations with other countries is extremely important for global development. We want the EU to become stronger and India will play a positive role towards that through the medium of Germany, he told reporters at a joint briefing with Merkel, who hosts Chinese Premier Li Keqiang tomorrow.

The visit by Asian leaders in quick succession have led to the western media calling it an Asian pivot to Europe and Germany, the most important pillar of the EU now that Britain was preparing to exit the largest single market.

Responding to a question, Modi said India and Germany were made for each other. He said the two countries share the values of innovation and democracy and these values were a blessing for mankind.

Also Read | PM Modi meets Merkel; Germany extended 1.4 billion euros for development cooperation assurance, 12 MoUs signed

He explained the huge synergy that exists between German capabilities and Indian requirements.

Merkel last week said that reliable ties forged since the end of World War II are to some extent over. Germanys Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel followed her and blasted the US, saying the Trump administrations short-sighted policies... stand against the interest of the European Union.

The remarks came soon after G7 and NATO summits, where news reports suggested that not all was well between her and Trump, who is leading the US towards a more protectionist stance on economic issues and has called for NATO to pay for their share of expenditure of the Atlantic military alliance.

Also, during the presidential election in France, the other key member of the EU, Trump tacitly backed the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and her vocal support to leave the EU. But she lost the election earlier this month.

The US and Germany are also not on the same page on climate change issue. Trump has vowed to walk away from the historic Paris deal while Merkel supports the agreement.

Europe and the world are facing lots of challenges and to fight those, India believes, the world needs the strong leadership of Chancellor Merkel, Modi added.

Merkel said that Europe must take our fate into our own hands and added that it should step up as a diplomatic player on the international stage.

Also Read: PM Modi meets German Chancellor Merkel, discusses Brexit, terrorism and radicalisation

The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days, she repeated today.

Others, in this case, seems to be a euphemism; Merkel was clearly talking about the US, according to The Washington Post.

Soon after her comments, Trump swiftly blasted Germany over trade imbalance. We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for US. This will change(sic), he tweeted.

Merkel, however, had also said Germanys relationship with the US was of outstanding importance but it must also engage with other important nations.

We live in a globalised world and India...is a partner, she said.

India wants the world not just to be interconnected but also that it should be sensibly run, Merkel said, endorsing a trade deal in the works between India and the European Union.

Germany is the largest trading partner for India in the EU and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment into the country.

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New Delhi :

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Merkel on undertaken comprehensive review of coop'n at the Plenary Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Consultations. PM Modi and Chancellor Merkel also witnessed the exchange of a number of MoUs/JDIs between India and Germany during their meeting on .



Here's the highlights of PM Modi's speech at joint statement:

#Germany has extended 1.4 billion euros for development cooperation assurance, and 12 MoUs were signed between India and Germany



# PM closes his statement: Pace of development of our is fast, direction is positive & destination is clear. Germany will always find India as powerful, prepared and capable partner.



# Renewable Energy an important area of co-operation. India wants to generate 175 GW in RE by 2022. Till March, we have built capacity for 57 GW.



# German investments in Make in India has seen a significant increase, particularly by Mittelstand companies. German participation also important in Skill India Programme.





Germany's extensive work in skill development, that has set standards globally, can benefit the youth of India: PM Modi in Berlin pic.twitter.com/kPBPGlAzyl  ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

# Welcome role played by friendly countries in our dev. German business and industry is important partner in achievments of India's economic priorities.



# Our relations have a regional & global perspective. We discussed new and upcoming opportunities and challenges in Asia, Europe and the world.



# In 's IGC, we conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations with Chancellor Merkel & her team



# Whether it be bilateral relations, humanitarian issues, regional or global issues, every discussion with Chancellor has been very beneficial for me.



# Guten Tag Deutschland! This is my 2nd official visit to Germany for IGC



Earlier on the day, Chancellor Merkel received PM Modi at Schloss Messeberg before a private dinner and he was accorded ceremonial welcome at German Chancellery.



India is seeking to double the German investment in the country over the next five years from the current 9.5 billion euros and also wants a two-fold increase in the number of German companies, a former Indian Ambassador to Germany said on .



In recent times, India has attracted about 74 German companies which have business plans worth investment of USD 1 billion, Gurjit Singh told PTI as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and signed eight agreements.





#WATCH PM Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel issue joint statement in Berlin https://t.co/d0kNzSLDF0  ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

There are opportunities for German companies in India's infrastructure, defence sectors, railways, smart cities, renewable energy, ports and shipping, coastal shipping and inland waterways, he added.



"German investments in India is about 9.5 billion euros, made during 2000-2016, which can be doubled to 18 billion euros may be over the next five years. We (also) want to double the number of German companies in India to 3,600 from 1,800," according to Singh who retired in March this year after serving 37 years in foreign service with Germany being his last posting.



Singh said German companies were also being urged to form consortium with European and non-European companies to undertake mega projects in India, especially their participation in smart cities which would require different disciplines, expertise and technologies.



Germany's small and medium size companies, known for having good technologies, should take the lead in forming these consortium, he pointed out.



Joint ventures between German and Indian companies could also lead to building up consortium for undertaking mega projects in the country, he said after addressing the Institute of South Asian Studies, a think tank at the National University of Singapore.

Also Read: PM Modi meets German Chancellor Merkel, discusses Brexit, terrorism and radicalisation



Overall, the European investments in India should also be doubled to at least 1.5 per cent from the current nominal level of 0.7 per cent of their global investments, according to Singh who has also served as ambassador to Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and African Union.



He said Modi's ongoing to visit to Germany is well timed and would boost bilateral relations between the two countries.



With inputs from PTI

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Colombo:

A protest in Sri Lankas war-ravaged north by families of mostly Tamils disappeared during and after the countrys over three-decade long civil war entered its 100th day on Tuesday.



The families have been seeking information on their missing family members from the government, claiming that there was no response from authorities. The protesters, sitting in Kilinochchi for the last 100 days, said the government must act with urgency to provide them answers.



We want justice where are our children? they said. The governor of the northern province informed the protesters that President Maithripala Sirisena would appoint a committee next week to look into the problem of the relatives of the missing people.



They should appear in person before the committee whose report would be submitted to Sirisena. Due to the ongoing devastating flood in the countrys southern region, Sirisena would meet the protesters within two weeks, the governor said.

ALSO READ: Sri Lanka floods: Indian Navy teams join rescue ops, toll reaches 193



Protesters said that they were unwilling to appear before yet another committee but would meet Sirisena. Tamil rights groups want the government to probe the cases of all those disappeared and hold the culprits accountable.



A government-appointed probe committee in 2013 said that over 19,000 had disappeared in the country with over 5000 of them belonging to the government troops.



In August last year, Sri Lankas Parliament unanimously approved a bill to set up an office to help find some 65,000 people reported missing during the countrys civil war with the LTTE (1983-2009), and clarify the circumstances under which they disappeared.



Relatives of the missing people allege that the Lankan stateparticularly its army, navy and policewere behind most of the disappearances. Many Lankan soldiers and LTTE cadres who had surrendered before the government troops were also among the missing.

ALSO READ: Sri Lanka supports Indias concern over Kashmir with respect to Chinas OBOR project

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Colombo:

Teams from the Indian Navy have joined rescue efforts of Sri Lankan authorities in flood-hit regions as the death toll in the country's worst torrential rains since 2003 climbed on Tuesday to 193.



The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the adverse weather condition had left 112 people injured.



Nearly 600,000 people have been forced to abandon their houses, with thousands suffering structural damage from flood inundation and landslides, it said.

The weather has begun to clear, and many of the more than 100,000 people, evacuated over the weekend, had returned home to clear debris and mud from their waterlogged homes.

Read | Sri Lanka floods: Death toll rises to 146, 112 still missing; rescue operations on

More than 80,000 others remained in relief camps as their homes were either destroyed or wiped out.

The Indian contingent of more than 300 navy personnel was assisting in the relief, with divers searching the brackish waters and medical teams seeing patients in makeshift tents set up at shelters.

INS 'Shardul' has nearly 200 personnel on board, including specialised rescue, diving and medical teams, as well as a large amount of relief material and Gemini inflatable boats.

INS 'Kirch' was carrying 125 personnel. It had diving teams, relief supplies, inflatable gemini boats and a mobile medical teams.

A third Indian naval ship arrived on Tuesday, bringing relief supplies including rice, lentils, sugar, milk and blankets for the displaced.

"Secy to President of SL and SL Navy chief receiving symbolically the relief material on board the 3rd relief and rescue ship INS Jalashwa," the High Commission of India in Colombo tweeted.

Lankan army trucks transported drinking water and food to affected areas. Helicopters ferried medicine, relief supplies and inflatable boats to remote areas, while small vessels plied the floodwaters in search of people.

Lankan cabinet spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said foreign assistance is continuing to flow in with India, China and Pakistan among the countries sending ship loads of humanitarian aid.

Read | Sri Lanka witnesses worst rainfall since 1970, heavy floods and landslides kill around 90 people in country

The rebuilding effort was well underway with the government approving Rs 2.5 million for every damaged house. Over 900 hosues in 15 districts have been completely destroyed, the spokesman said.

The disaster is described as one of the worst-ever calamities since the 2003 floods. The official death toll was at 193, with 94 others listed as missing, the Colombo Gazette reported.

The MeT department in its weather forecast said the cyclonic storm MORA is expected to get weakened when it enters Bangladesh and the possibility for heavy rain and strong winds will be reduced by Wednesday.

However, under its influence cloudy skies, windy and showery conditions are expected over the country. The MeT department warned that the sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai and sea area off the coast extending from Galle to Batticaloa via Hambantota can be very rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 70-80 kmph.

There were scattered showers in many parts of Sri Lanka in the past 24 hours but flood waters were rapidly receding, officials said. State television broadcast called for public assistance to clean drinking wells contaminated by the monsoon floods.

Lanka's water supply minister Rauf Hakeem said 40 per cent of those affected did not have access to piped drinking water, and there was an urgent need to clean contaminated wells in flood-affected areas.

"Our workers have volunteered to join a major clean up," the minister said, adding that water distribution stations were flooded, disrupting the piped supply.

In total, 545,243 people of 142,811 families were affected by the weather calamity. The South-West monsoon unleashed torrential rains, which ravaged fourteen districts in the western and southern parts on Friday and Thursday.

The DMC had issued an urgent evacuation warning last evening instructing residents living along the Kelani river and within the Divisional Secretariats of Kollonnawa, Kaduwela, Wellampitiya, Kelaniya, Biyagama, Sedawatte, Dompe, Hanwella, Padukka and Avissawella to move to safer areas.

It said water levels in the Kelani river were rising rapidly as indicted by the water gauges at Nagalagam Street, Hanwella and Glencourse and warned residents to move away from the vulnerable area as it was under an imminent flood threat. Those living along the banks of Nilwala Ganga, The Gin Ganga and Kalu Ganga were also asked to move to safer areas because of the rising water levels.

Meanwhile, the DMC requested the people to be vigilant on rising water levels. "Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces. Heavy falls (about 150 mm) can be expected at some places," it said.

Charities have warned on Monday that thousands of people affected by the floods and landslides are at the risk of potential fatal diseases such as dengue fever, as the death toll from the disaster continued to rise.

On Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's orders, Rs two billion have been set aside to help the small and medium scale businesses destroyed by the floods, Senaratne said. Senaratne has rejected criticism that the goverment was not prepared to face the disaster.

The government came under immense criticism over the absence of Minister of Disaster Management Anura Yapa who has not returned from a disaster management conference in Mexico.

Wickremesinghe left the country yesterday for medical treatment after postponing the visit over the last 18 months, Senaratne said. Sri Lanka had sought international assistance, with India sending three naval ships laden with supplies in the last a couple of days.

Following India's lead in sending out emergency relief to Sri Lanka, more countries started pledging assistance to provide relief to the flood victims. Australia has said it would provide 500,000 dollars. A Pakistani relief ship was also expected to arrive later today. At least three Chinese ships will come on Thursday.

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WESTPORT  If people can create Twitter profiles for their pets, why not create an online profile for your house?

That is essentially what Hinged.com gives homeowners the opportunity to do.

Starting with a 90-minute assessment by a licensed home inspector, the free service, started by Westport residents Tye Schlegelmilch and Bill Green, provides a platform for homeowners to track, schedule and pay for their home repairs, maintenance and service needs.

Instead of a profile for yourself, its a profile for your home, Green said.

Through the inspection, more than 1,000 data points are entered into the Hinged platform, from the number of windows to the state of the roof. The system then sends the homeowner notifications when a service may be needed.

The homeowner can then choose from the service providers that partner with the platform to get a quote, schedule the service and pay the contractor directly through the site.

Weve really tried to curate the service providers, Schlegelmilch said. These are service providers that across six different rating sites have incredible ratings.

In the Westport area, the company has more than 100 service providers.

The number of partner companies available to a homeowner varies depending on the area. Hinged launched in February in Fairfield and Westchester counties.

Schlegelmilch, former co-chief investment officer at New York City-based hedge fund Fortress Investment Group, and Green, former president of WR Green Homes in Westport, said they have plans to expand the sites footprint and add new providers.

For now, they are focused on adding new homeowners to the hundreds already signed up with Hinged. Free to homeowners and service providers, the sites revenue comes from a 5 percent fee charged to providers for completed jobs.

Schlegelmilch said he got the idea for the site after he moved to Westport in 2010.

Between a long commute to the city and a busy home life with three young kids, he realized he didnt have the time or knowledge to keep track of all the propertys needs.

Green, who built the home Schlegelmilch bought, was often called upon for advice. Youre almost flying by the seat of your pants, Schlegelmilch said.

In 2015, Schlegelmilch decided to move forward with his plans for a home management website and asked Green to join the venture.

Schlegelmilch said service providers have eagerly jumped on-board after realizing the site would handle the back-end work, like the online billing. To say theyve been excited for this is kind of an understatement, he said.

Realtors also have reached out to see how the site works. With many older homes on the market, having a site that can help take the guesswork out of repairs and maintenance work may be the necessary push a homeowner needs to make an offer, Green said.

The duo is now working on expanding services offered through the site. From finding someone to clean the pool to locating a dog walker, Schlegelmilch said hed like to see the site address any job a homeowner could have or want.

Were trying to be totally comprehensive, he said.

ktorres@hearstmediact.com; 203-330-6227
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DANBURY  Police arrested two Bridgeport women Friday afternoon for being suspected of stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from the Danbury Fair Mall.

Police said Shanan Jordan, 31, and Dorothy Freelove, 29, stole more than 70 items, totaling over $2,000, from six stores. The stores included Pac Sun, Victoria's Secret and Forever 21.
NEWTOWN - A high school club will host a free performance arts workshop on Friday to encourage children to explore theatrical expression and self-discovery.

The Newtown High School Community Performance Troupe will host the workshop for students in first through sixth grade from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Newtown High School cafetorium, according to an event poster.

The hope is to build confidence and help students meet new friends, the poster said.

Students will learn songs, dances and scenes from The Little Mermaid, according to the poster.

The night will conclude with a family performance at 7:30 p.m.

Email nhsperformancetroupe@gmail.com to register.
OTTAWA, May 30, 2017 /CNW/ - On Thursday, 1 June 2017, the Bank of Canada will hold an event to mark the entry into circulation of the Canada 150 commemorative bank note.

Time: 10:00 (Pacific Time)



Place: Royal BC Museum 675 Belleville Street Victoria, British Columbia



Distribution: A press release with more information will be available: 9:00 (ET) on the Bank's aton the Bank's website

between 9:00 and 10:00 (ET) on CNW Group



Interview opportunities: After the event, members of the media will have an opportunity to interview Bank of Canada representatives to find out more about the theme, graphic elements and security features of the commemorative note.



Bank note exchange: Commemorative bank notes will be available on-site for purchase by members of the media in attendance (limit: one note per person). Only cash purchases will be accepted. There will be no provisions for debit or credit transactions.



Note: All media must register with the Bank in advance to attend. Broadcast camera operators and still photographers will be allotted space on a first-come, first-served basis, through advance registration. To register, please contact Media Relations by noon (ET) on Wednesday, 31 May at 613-782-8782 or [email protected].

SOURCE Bank of Canada

For further information: All media must register with the Bank in advance to attend. Broadcast camera operators and still photographers will be allotted space on a first-come, first-served basis, through advance registration. To register, please contact Media Relations by noon (ET) on Wednesday, 31 May at 613-782-8782 or [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.bank-banque-canada.ca


OTTAWA, May 30, 2017 /CNW/ - On Friday, 2 June 2017, the Bank of Canada will hold an event to mark the entry into circulation of the Canada 150 commemorative bank note.

Time: 10:30 (Newfoundland Time)



Place: Signal Hill National Historic Site Signal Hill Road St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador Visitor Centre Annex



Interview opportunities: Monique LeBlanc, Regional Director of the Bank of Canada will be available to answer questions about the theme and the various security features of the commemorative note.



Bank note exchange: Commemorative bank notes will be available on-site for purchase by members of the media in attendance (limit: one note per person). Only cash purchases will be accepted. There will be no provisions for debit or credit transactions.



Note: All media must register with the Bank in advance to attend. Broadcast camera operators and still photographers will be allotted space on a first-come, first-served basis, through advance registration. To register, please contact Media Relations by noon (ET) on Thursday, 1 June at 613-782-8782 or [email protected].

SOURCE Bank of Canada

For further information: All media must register with the Bank in advance to attend. Broadcast camera operators and still photographers will be allotted space on a first-come, first-served basis, through advance registration. To register, please contact Media Relations by noon (ET) on Thursday, 1 June at 613-782-8782 or [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.bank-banque-canada.ca


MONTREAL, May 30, 2017 /CNW/ - Tomorrow, on World No Tobacco Day, the federal Health Minister has an opportunity to explain the disturbing degree of incoherence in her recent approach to regulating tobacco and marijuana. While the Minister proposes plain and standardized packaging for tobacco products, despite cigarette packages already having a 75 per cent health warning and being hidden from public view at point of sale, she says all that is required for marijuana is a restriction on packaging or labelling to ensure product packaging is not appealing to young persons.

"Public explanation is needed as both marijuana and tobacco are substances with known health risks," said Eric Gagnon, Head of Corporate and External Affairs, Imperial Tobacco Canada. "This suggests that marijuana and tobacco should face a similar regulatory framework, but the Minister appears to be headed in the opposite direction, giving far more leniency to the marijuana industry."

Moreover, the youth usage rate for marijuana is higher than that for tobacco, and the Health Minister acknowledges that Canadian youth have the highest rate of marijuana use in the world at a time when tobacco use and youth smoking are at an all-time low in the country.

"There is clear policy incoherence, which is even more apparent considering the Minister claims the goal with both marijuana and tobacco legislation is to protect youth," notes Gagnon. "How can two legislative frameworks, for products that both carry known health risks, have the same stated goal yet vastly different approaches?"

The federal government has gone to great lengths to claim its goal is to eliminate the black market for marijuana and suggests that taxes on marijuana will be kept low to allow competition with the illegal market. Yet, governments across Canada have and continue to tax cigarettes to an extent that it has contributed to the creation of an illegal market, which now accounts for more than 20 per cent of the tobacco market in the country.

"If the Minister truly believes her policy approach to marijuana is effective, then surely it can be applied to tobacco," said Gagnon. "Instead, Parliament is about to have the spectacle of the Minister arguing on one day that branding on tobacco packaging lures youth to smoking and should be banned, while on the next day suggesting that branding should be allowed for marijuana to help compete against black market."

Tomorrow is an opportunity for the federal Health Minister to demonstrate that she is serious about the health of Canadians, but focusing on excessive and ineffective measures that make it easier for illegal traffickers to counterfeit legal tobacco products is not the way to demonstrate that commitment. The Health Minister and her department officials should acknowledge the importance of alternative products  such as heated tobacco or vaping products  and prioritize the introduction of clear regulations, making them known and available to adult consumers, as soon as possible.

SOURCE Imperial Tobacco Canada

For further information: Media Information: Marie-Emmanuelle Khoury, Torchia Communications, 514-288-8290 ext. 214, [email protected]; Kathleen Stelmach, Torchia Communications, 416-341-9929 ext. 227, [email protected]
Budget 2017 addresses financial security, education and family support

ESQUIMALT, BC, May 30, 2017 /CNW/ - When a man or woman serves in Canada's armed forces, their whole family serves with them. That is why the Government of Canada has made it a priority to not only improve benefits and services for our nation's Veterans, but for their families as well.

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, met with Canadian Armed Forces members and their families at the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) in Esquimalt today to provide details on what's in Budget 2017 to assist Canada's Veterans and their families.

Budget 2017 builds on the foundation that was established in Budget 2016. It is a comprehensive package that recognizes the important role of caregivers, helps more families, supports mental health and pays for the education and training Veterans need to find the work they want in their post-military lives.

Budget 2017 highlights include the expansion of the Veteran Family Program across all 32 MFRCs in Canada, a new Caregiver Benefit that will put $1000 directly in the pockets of those who care for Veterans in their homes, and an Education and Training benefit that will provide for up to $80 000 in financial support for Veterans in achieving their education and future post-military employment goals through college, university or technical education.

As part of today's announcement, Minister Hehr reaffirmed the Government of Canada's mandate commitments to do more for Veterans, provide additional financial benefits tailored to their needs and deliver a higher standard of service and care that ensues a "one Veteran, one standard" approach is upheld.

Quotes

"Families and caregivers are the backbone of the support Veterans need, not only during their service, but also during their transition to post-military life. Not enough was being done to support families and caregivers who have supported our Veterans. I believe our new supports and initiatives will do more to ensure that Veterans and their families receive more of the help they need."

The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.

Budget 2017 highlights:

Expanding the Veteran Family Program across all 32 Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs)  The expansion of the program would result in medically-released Veterans and their families having continued and uninterrupted access to all 32 MFRCs across the country, in addition to the other resources that were part of the initial pilot.

$133.9 million over six years to create a new Veterans' Education and Training Benefit  This new benefit will provide Veterans with the funding for college, university or a technical education of their choice. Veterans with six years of service may be eligible for up to $40,000 and Veterans with at least 12 years of service may be eligible for up to $80,000 to cover tuition, course materials, and some incidentals and living expenses.

Redesigning the Career Transition Services (CTS) program, which would include: an expansion of current eligibilities; the removal of time limits for Veterans, reservists and survivors to access benefits; and simplification or elimination of the application process for participants.

Enhancing and simplifying support to Veterans' families and caregivers by replacing the Family Caregiver Relief Benefit with a $1,000 monthly, tax-free benefit paid directly to a Veteran's caregiver.

$4 million over four years to establish a Veteran Emergency Fund to enable Veterans Affairs Canada to address unique and urgent Veteran-specific situations.

$13.9 million over four years to establish a Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund  This fund would be used for the development of new and innovative ways to support Veterans and their families by providing financial support to organizations to conduct research and implement initiatives and projects. These organizations can be non-profit, voluntary, and, in some cases, for-profit as well.

Plans to create a new Centre of Excellence in Veterans' care, specializing in mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder and related issues for Veterans.

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada

For further information: Sarah McMaster, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs, 613-996-4649; Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468, [email protected]

Related Links

www.veterans.gc.ca


VANCOUVER, May 30, 2017 /CNW/ - Mirasol Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: MRZ, Frankfurt: M8R) (the "Company" or "Mirasol") is pleased to announce that it has received a US$400,000 option payment from Yamana Gold Corporation ("Yamana") confirming that it will continue exploration at the Gorbea Belt Joint Venture (the "Gorbea JV") for a third year, targeting large, bulk-mineable oxide gold deposits.

The Gorbea JV covers nine 100% Mirasol-owned precious metal properties totalling approximately 23,084 ha, including the Atlas and Titan projects. Yamana has the option to acquire, in multiple stages, up to a 75% interest in these projects by completing a series of exploration expenditures, making US$2 million in staged option payments to Mirasol and funding Mirasol's 25% retained project capital position to production.

Since inception of the Gorbea JV in March 2015, through to early February 2017, Yamana has reported to Mirasol that it has incurred exploration expenditures totalling approximately US$4.1 million, against the US$10 million required to satisfy the first stage of the option earn-in for a 51% interest in the Gorbea JV. Yamana has also to-date made cumulative option payments totalling US$580,000 to Mirasol.

The Gorbea JV exploration program is targeting large-tonnage high-sulphidation epithermal (HSE) oxide gold deposits. Recent significant discoveries of this deposit type have been made elsewhere in this same mineral belt by Gold Fields, at Salares Norte (resource of 3.8 Moz Au grading 4.6 g/t, and 43.8 Moz Ag grading 53.1 g/t1), and by Barrick Gold Corporation, at Alturas (inferred resource of 6.8 Moz Au grading 1.00g/t Au2).

During the southern hemisphere 2015-16 summer exploration season, Yamana drilled a combined total of 6,146 m of DDH and RC in 14 holes across Atlas and Titan. At Atlas, the best intercepts include 40 m @ 1.38 g/t Au and 17.9 g/t Ag. Mineralization is developed in brecciated host rocks and is associated with advanced argillic alteration accompanied by vuggy silica and silica-alunite. These characteristics suggest the presence of a deeply oxidized, HSE precious metal system at Atlas.

The 2017 drilling program at Atlas began with an eight hole program designed to test for oxide gold mineralization to a depth of 300 m. Targets include extensions of mineralization intersected in last year's drilling, as well as first-pass testing of new breccia targets that were prioritized from integrated analysis of the Atlas project geological, geochemical and geophysical database. Up until mid-April 2017, Yamana had completed 2,000 m of drilling in six holes, with the program expected to be completed in early June. Results of the 2017 drill program will be reported upon receipt and analysis of the information.

Mirasol is a mineral exploration and project generation company focused on the discovery of gold, silver and copper prospects in Chile and Argentina. The formation of strategic joint ventures with mining companies have enabled Mirasol to advance its priority projects, focused in high-potential regions in Chile and Argentina. Mirasol employs an integrated generative and on-ground exploration approach combining leading-edge technologies with experienced exploration geoscientists to maximize the potential for discovery. Mirasol is in a strong financial position and has a significant portfolio of exploration projects in South America.

Stephen Nano, President and CEO of Mirasol, has approved the technical content of this news release and is a Qualified Person under NI 43 -101.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control of the Gorbea exploration program:

Under the terms of the Gorbea Agreement, all exploration is managed by Yamana. All previous exploration on the projects was supervised by Mirasol CEO Stephen C. Nano, who is the Qualified Person under NI 43-101. All information generated from the Gorbea Joint Venture program is reviewed by Mirasol prior to release. The technical interpretations presented here are those of Mirasol Resources Ltd.

Yamana applies industry standard exploration methodologies and techniques. All geochemical rock and drill samples are collected under the supervision of Yamana's geologists in accordance with industry practice. Geochemical assays are obtained and reported under a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program. Samples are dispatched to an ISO 9001:2000-accredited laboratory in Chile for analysis. Assay results from drill core samples may be higher, lower or similar to results obtained from surface samples due to surficial oxidation and enrichment processes or due to natural geological grade variations in the primary mineralization.

Forward Looking Statements: The information in this news release contains forward looking statements that are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include: changes in world commodity markets, equity markets, costs and supply of materials relevant to the mining industry, change in government and changes to regulations affecting the mining industry. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding future exploration programs, operation plans, geological interpretations, mineral tenure issues and mineral recovery processes. Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward looking statements are reasonable, results may vary, and we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Mirasol disclaims any obligations to update or revise any forward looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

1 Barrick Gold Corporation. (2016). Annual Report 2016.

2 Gold Fields. (2016). The Gold Fields Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Supplement to the Integrated Annual Report 2016.

SOURCE Mirasol Resources Ltd.

For further information: Stephen Nano, President and CEO or John Toporowski, Manager of Investor Relations, Tel: +1 (604) 602-9989, Email: [email protected], Website: www.mirasolresources.com

Related Links

http://www.mirasolresources.com


ROME, Italy, May 30, 2017 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded his first official visit to Italy. The visit deepened the close relationship already shared by Canada and Italy  two countries that have enjoyed vibrant people-to-people connections for generations.

While in Rome, the Prime Minister met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation on global issues and to create good middle class jobs for Canadians and Italians alike.

The Prime Minister also addressed the Italian Parliament. During his address, he recognized the compassion that the people of Italy have shown in welcoming thousands of migrants escaping poverty and conflict. He also thanked Italy for its strong support of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a progressive trade agreement that will create good middle class jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

Prime Minister Trudeau also met with His Holiness Pope Francis for the first time. They talked about the pressing need for leadership in a world facing unprecedented global issues such as climate change and mass migration. The Prime Minister also discussed at length Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and encouraged Pope Francis to apologize for the Catholic Church's role in the residential school system. Finally, the Prime Minister invited Pope Francis to visit Canada.

Quotes

"Italy is a strong ally and friend. Our relationship is built on tremendous people-to-people connections and close economic collaboration. With CETA, we can deliver promising new opportunities for middle class Canadians and Italians alike."

"His Holiness Pope Francis' message of hope and inclusion resonates deeply with Canadians. Together, we discussed the central role that human dignity must play in global issues like migration, and the responsibility that we have for each other and the planet we share."

 Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

Prime Minister Trudeau also visited the town of Amatrice, an area devastated by an earthquake in August 2016 , and reiterated Canada's commitment to its friendship with Italy . The Government of Canada will match up to 2 million dollars in donations to the Italy Earthquake Relief Fund.

, and reiterated commitment to its friendship with . The Government of will match up to in donations to the Italy Earthquake Relief Fund. Canada and Italy enjoy strong and historic people-to-people connections. Canada's large and dynamic Italian-Canadian community, almost 1.5 million strong, is particularly interested and engaged in all aspects  cultural, social, economic and political  of our bilateral relations.

and enjoy strong and historic people-to-people connections. large and dynamic Italian-Canadian community, almost 1.5 million strong, is particularly interested and engaged in all aspects  cultural, social, economic and political  of our bilateral relations. Canada and Italy enjoy strong commercial relations. In 2016, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Italy was valued at $9.8 billion , making Italy Canada's eighth-largest trading partner.

and enjoy strong commercial relations. In 2016, two-way merchandise trade between and was valued at , making Italy Canada's eighth-largest trading partner. During part of his visit to Rome , the Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of International Trade, the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne , and a Canadian business delegation, which included about fifty companies in the aerospace and defence, agri-food, and information and communications technology sectors.

, the Prime Minister was accompanied by the Minister of International Trade, the Honourable , and a Canadian business delegation, which included about fifty companies in the aerospace and defence, agri-food, and information and communications technology sectors. During meetings with key Italian business leaders and investors, Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Champagne underscored the significant economic benefits that CETA will generate for Canada and Italy , and sought support for CETA's ratification.

and , and sought support for CETA's ratification. While in Rome , the Prime Minister also joined Italian soccer club A.S. Roma to launch the Open Goal initiative to enhance integration between Italians, migrants and refugees.

, the Prime Minister also joined Italian soccer club to launch the Open Goal initiative to enhance integration between Italians, migrants and refugees. During his visit to the Vatican City , Prime Minister Trudeau also met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin , Secretary of State, and His Grace Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States. They discussed cooperation on issues of mutual interest including migration, countering climate change, promoting human rights and religious freedoms, and advancing peaceful pluralism.

, Prime Minister Trudeau also met with His Eminence Cardinal , Secretary of State, and His Grace Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States. They discussed cooperation on issues of mutual interest including migration, countering climate change, promoting human rights and religious freedoms, and advancing peaceful pluralism. Canada established diplomatic relations with the Holy See in 1969. Through its diplomatic presence at the Vatican, Canada benefits from the perspective of an important international player, both at the regional level and on global issues.

Associated Link

Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office

For further information: PMO Media Relations: 613-957-5555

Related Links

http://pm.gc.ca/


VANCOUVER, May 30, 2017 /CNW/ - Renaissance Oil Corp. ("Renaissance" or the "Company") (TSX-V:ROE) reports its first quarter 2017 ("Q1 2017") results. All dollar figures are Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted.

HIGHLIGHTS

Renaissance partnered with Lukoil on the Integrated Exploration and Production Contract for the 230 km 2 (56,800 acres) Amatitlan block, near Poza Rica Veracruz, Mexico (the "Amatitlan Contract");





(56,800 acres) Amatitlan block, near Poza Rica Veracruz, Mexico (the "Amatitlan Contract"); Revenue increased by 20%, to $5,531,569 in Q1 2017, compared with the previous quarter, resulting from renegotiated commercialization contracts and general increases in crude oil and natural gas prices in Mexico ;





in Q1 2017, compared with the previous quarter, resulting from renegotiated commercialization contracts and general increases in crude oil and natural gas prices in ; Operating costs declined by 35% in Q1 2017 to $2.85 per Boe, from $4.33 per Boe, in the fourth quarter of 2016;





per Boe, from per Boe, in the fourth quarter of 2016; Renaissance raised gross proceeds of approximately $12.8 million , pursuant to a brokered private placement of equity.





Three Months Ended % change



Mar 31,

2017 Mar 31,

2016 Dec 31,

2016 Q1/17 v.

Q4/16 Production









Crude oil (Bbl/d) 616 - 639 (4%)

Natural gas (Mcf/d) 6,098 - 5,869 4% Total Boe/d) 1,632 - 1,618 1%











Prices









Crude oil ($/Bbl) 57.08 - 50.04 14%

Natural gas ($/Mcf) 4.31 - 2.95 46%











Revenue $ 5,531,569 - $ 4,599,044 20%

Royalties (4,378,055) - (3,638,647) 20%

Operating Costs (419,394) - (643,895) (35%) Operating netback1 734,120 - 316,502 132%











Net income (loss) 87,039 (1,848,212) 71,627 22%

Per share, basic & diluted $ 0.00 $ (0.01) $ 0.00 0% 1Non - GAAP Measure

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

In Q1 2017, Renaissance made major progress towards realizing its strategic objectives. In February 2017, the Company partnered with Lukoil by acquiring a 25% interest in the Amatitlan Contract. The Company is focused on developing the Upper Jurassic shale and shallower Tertiary formations present in the Amatitlan block which the Company believes holds significant resource potential. Renaissance has a strategic focus to be a leading player in the development of the significant but uncommercialized shale resources in Mexico. The Amatitlan block is the first property operated, by Renaissance, with significant prospectively for shale development and represents an important milestone in the Company's growth plans in Mexico. The Company has finalized initial development plans for the Amatitlan block with Petroleos Mexicanos ("PEMEX") and will initiate the drilling program in Q3 2017 for six wells targeting the Chicontepec formations in the Tertiary and one well targeting the deeper Upper Jurassic shale formations. Renaissance has taken the lead role in operations at Amatitlan and holds options to increase its interest in the Amatitlan Contract to 62.5%, upon successful development of the property.

On April 26, 2017, Renaissance received approval from the Comision Nacional de Hidrocarburos for the Appraisal and Development Plans of the Mundo Nuevo, Topen and Malva blocks, located in Chiapas, Mexico (the "Chiapas Blocks"). In view of enhancing production, Renaissance expects to drill 3 - 4 new wells and to workover and repair existing wells on the Chiapas Blocks, in the next 12 months.

Renaissance has made significant strides in reducing operating costs for the producing Chiapas Blocks. Cost reductions were matched by higher commodity prices in Q1 2017, resulting in an increase of 132% in operating netback.

In April 2017, Renaissance completed an equity financing for gross proceeds of $12.8 million to fund its 2017 drilling and capital expenditure plans.

Renaissance continues to make progress on its journey to become a major Mexican energy producer.

For further information, please visit our website at www.renaissanceoil.com.

RENAISSANCE OIL CORP.

Per:

Craig Steinke

Chief Executive Officer

This news release should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 and related management's discussion and analysis. These filings are available for review on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Abbreviations:

bbl or bbls barrel or barrels Mcf thousand cubic feet bbls/d barrels per day Mcf/d thousand cubic feet per day boe barrels of oil equivalent MMcf million cubic feet boe/d barrels of oil equivalent per day MMcf/d million cubic feet per day

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including, without limitation, statements with respect to increase production, reduce field operating costs and increase operating netbacks, future prices received for crude oil and natural gas, the initiation of and success of the drilling program at Amatitlan and at the Chiapas Blocks and the Company becoming a major Mexican energy producer. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "potential", "goal", "objective", "prospective", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements are discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at www.sedar.com. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Renaissance Oil Corp.

For further information: Craig Steinke, Chief Executive Officer | Tel: +1-604-536-3637; Kevin J. Smith, Vice President, Business Development | Tel: +1-403-200-9047
TSX-V: ERG

LAVAL, QC, May 29, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Ergoresearch Ltd ("Ergoresearch" or "the Company") based in Laval and known under the Equilibre, ortheses et biomecanique banner  announces its results for the third quarter ended March 31, 2017. All dollar amounts in the present release are in Canadian currency.

Revenues reached $2,999,912 for the third quarter of Fiscal 2017 compared to $3,001,573 for the same quarter of Fiscal 2016. The recovery in recent quarters is continuing and the Company is positioning itself favorably with the evolution of the market.

The net profit for the quarter ending March 31, 2017 amounted to $(362,654) compared to a net profit of $(150,112) for the same quarter last year. This decrease in the results is related to start-up costs incurred in the last quarter:

Sleep apnea services at selected Equilibre laboratories in the province of Quebec

Dynamic knee analysis service (Knee KG technology)

Recruitment and training of distributors outside Quebec for our flagship Ergoresearch products

These initiatives will increase revenues, optimize the available rental space and advantageously position Equilibre in the context of the reorganization of health care in Quebec.

Cash flow from operating activities amounted to $(651,175) for the third quarter of Fiscal 2017 compared to $(396,774) for the same period last year.

In regards to its balance sheet, the Company paid its long-term debt and still has a cash equivalent of more than $7 million.

Development and perspectives

Our current priorities and development plan include the following objectives:

Strengthened by our cash position, pursue the exploration of potential acquisitions or partnerships in Quebec and across Canada .

and across . Deploy the "Equilibre" brand in a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary concept through the opening or designation of the super-clinics in Quebec .

. Continue to develop the marketing of our technology platform and derivative orthotic related specialty products.

Continue our investments in Research and Development (R&D)

About Ergoresearch

Ergoresearch is a Canadian company that designs and manufactures cutting edge technologies for the orthopedic industry. The Company is a trend-setter in creating custom orthotics and speciality orthotics for the orthopedics market and holds a portfolio of patents in the orthopedics field and in human bionics. The mission of our banner "Equilibre ortheses et biomecanique" is to keep people active and moving. "EQUILIBRE", driven by its proprietary technologies and the expertise of its professionals, offers a range of products, treatments and services in order to relieve pain, restore motor function and optimize performance.

This document is not intended to encourage the purchase of securities listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. TMX Group and its affiliates do not endorse or recommend any of the securities referenced here. Please seek professional advice to evaluate specific securities.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this Press Release contain forward-looking statements and information that may entail certain risks related to uncertainties. Such statements are not historical facts and are based on current management's expectations. We ask the reader to note that these statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could affect the potential future results, circumstances or events and may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, but are not limited to, those related to the Company's ability to finance its activities, competition, ability to negotiate and maintain partnerships, the market acceptance of the Company's product, the strength of intellectual property, the success of research and development programs, the trust invested in sub-contractors or their core personnel as well as other risks and uncertainties that are put forth every now and then by the Company in the documents filed with various Canadian securities and exchange commissions and made available at www.sedar.com.

The reader should not give great importance to forward-looking statements as (i) the results may differ from conclusions, predictions or projections contained in such forward-looking statements; and (ii) certain important factors or hypotheses taken into account in reaching conclusions or the preparation of a projection or prediction may prove to be incorrect in fact.

These statements are correct only on the date on which they were written, and Management disclaims any obligation to revise these statements after any event, circumstance or other situation, except as required by law. All figures are in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Ergoresearch Ltd

For further information: Source: Sylvain Boucher, President and CEO - Ergoresearch Ltd., Tel.: 450-973-6700, ext. 213, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.ergoresearch.com/


Newly designed office space to foster innovation, collaboration and teamwork

OAKVILLE, ON, May 30, 2017 /CNW/ - Takeda Canada Inc., the Canadian sales and marketing organization of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited which has a global presence in over 70 countries, officially inaugurates its new headquarters in Oakville, Ontario today. The move to the new office space takes place as the company is transforming to become an agile specialty care pharmaceutical company, specializing in oncology and gastroenterology.

The new headquarters occupy the top floor of 2201 Bristol Circle in the north-eastern corner of Oakville, based in the community where many Takeda Canada employees live. The official opening will be celebrated in the presence of employees, local business leaders and Oakville Mayor, Rob Burton.

"The decision to move was made with our employees in mind. We chose to stay in Oakville because of our history here and because for many on our team, Oakville is considered home. The new Takeda Canada office fosters collaboration and team work - essential attributes to achieving our goal of becoming the leading company in our areas of focus among patients, physicians and other stakeholders," said Chatrick Paul, General Manager of Takeda Canada. "We wanted an inspirational office which is why it was designed around our therapeutic areas in a way that encourages cross-functional team work. Our objective is to create the best organization and the best work environment for the Takeda Canada team."

"We are pleased that Takeda Canada will continue creating jobs and fostering innovation in Oakville's local economy," said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton who was on hand to help cut the ceremonial ribbon at the new offices. "Attracting and supporting industry-leading innovators like Takeda is a key part of Oakville's economic strategy, and we are pleased to see it working."

The move to the new offices meant several pieces of artwork and other items from the previous location could not be part of the move. To manage this and simultaneously support the community, a silent auction was held among employees for these items, with the funds raised going to charities. Enthusiastic bidding on many items raised more than $14,000 by Takeda employees and was donated to Women's Habitat, Habitat for Humanity and Links2Care. Representatives of the charities will attend the office inauguration ceremonies.

The office design and selection of the location takes into consideration the organizational health and wellbeing of Takeda Canada employees. Employees have access to an abundance of natural light throughout and the design incorporates a mix of types of workspaces that reflect the company's culture including work stations, collaborative spaces, closed offices and hoteling spaces. It was specifically designed to encourage collaboration and sharing of ideas between employees from different departments working in the same therapeutic areas.

The interior design of the offices was entrusted to Bennett Design Associates of Uxbridge, Ontario. The team at Bennett captured insights from employees through their Workplace Strategy Consulting process called d.i.g. and translated that knowledge into credible and relevant design that supports the business and our people now and into the future.

The new offices occupy 27,600 square feet for approximately 65 full-time employees and includes hoteling, meeting and training facilities for the company's field employees who are based across Canada. The latest technology facilitates communication and collaboration among all Takeda employees across the country, as well as Takeda colleagues anywhere around the world.

About Takeda

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is a global, research and development-driven pharmaceutical company committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on oncology, gastroenterology and central nervous system therapeutic areas plus vaccines. Takeda conducts R&D both internally and with partners to stay at the leading edge of innovation. New innovative products, especially in oncology and gastroenterology, as well as our presence in Emerging Markets, fuel the growth of Takeda. More than 30,000 Takeda employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients, working with our partners in health care in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit http://www.takeda.com/news. Additional information about Takeda is available through its corporate website, www.takeda.com.

Takeda Canada, located in Oakville, Ontario, is the Canadian sales and marketing organization of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Takeda Canada is transforming to become an agile specialty pharmaceutical company, focusing on gastroenterology and oncology, while continuing to meet a number of important primary care needs. Additional information about Takeda Canada is available at takedacanada.com.

SOURCE Takeda Canada Inc.

For further information: Media contact: Natacha Raphael, Corporate Communications, Takeda Canada Inc., Tel: 905-465-4149, [email protected]
TORONTO, May 30, 2017 /CNW/ - Wave (waveapps.com), the leading provider of financial management software for entrepreneurs and small business owners, announced a US$24 million strategic financing today, with participation from leading financial services companies including National Australia Bank (NAB), Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Portag3 (the investment arm of PowerCorp focusing on financial services innovations), and Exhibition Capital. The investment also includes funding from existing investors CRV, Social Capital, BDC IT Venture Fund and BDC Capital, OMERS Ventures, Harbourvest and OurCrowd.

Wave has attracted more than 2.5 million users globally to its financial management software. Designed for the small business owner, Wave allows entrepreneurs to easily manage their business including such critical functions as invoicing, receiving payments, lending, payroll and receipt management, all seamlessly integrated into an award-winning double-entry accounting system. Wave allows the business owner to focus on the things that make their business successful while letting the software automate much of the corresponding bookkeeping.

With a 360 view of a business's finances, Wave can identify the need for specific financial services at the exact time of need, and help the business owner acquire and use those services, all from within the software.

Kirk Simpson, CEO and co-founder of Wave, says, "Since 2010, Wave has been an innovator in small business financial solutions. Our customers tell us that by deeply integrating financial services into our cloud-based software, we are helping them thrive while changing how they think about and use small business financial products."

With this funding, Wave will accelerate the development of seamlessly integrated financial solutions within its core platform, providing business owners with solutions that can help their businesses be successful. In addition, through advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, Wave will continue to develop its ability to automate basic accounting functions and provide meaningful and actionable insights to help businesses grow.

Mike Dobbins, Head, Strategy and Corporate Development, RBC, says, "We're proud to support Wave as they continue to bring solutions to market for entrepreneurs in Canada and around the world. This investment is part of our commitment to support the scale up of emerging fintech companies in our economy, recognizing the critical role they play in Canada's Innovation agenda."

About Wave



Wave is changing the way small businesses make money, spend money and track money. Wave delivers cloud-based financial management software with seamlessly integrated financial services to business owners around the world. Over 2.5 million business owners around the world have used Wave to help manage their finances, and over 60,000 new businesses join the Wave ecosystem every month. For more information, visit www.waveapps.com.

Find us on social media:

Twitter.com/WaveHQ

Facebook.com/WaveHQ

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is Canada's largest bank, and one of the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, investor services and capital markets products and services on a global basis. We have approximately 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 35 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.

RBC helps communities prosper, supporting a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. For more information please see: http://www.rbc.com/community-sustainability/.

SOURCE Wave

For further information: Media contacts: Rob Maurin, VP Communications, Wave, 416-521-9141 x104, [email protected]; Andrew Swartz, RBC, Corporate Communications, 416-955-7395
MONTREAL, May 30, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - YUL Condominiums and 11 Chinese community organizations in Quebec have presented a $100,000 cheque to the Canadian Red Cross following a fundraising campaign launched to help thousands of flood victims in Quebec.

Public donations raised online from May 15 to 25, during a benefit event held at the YUL presentation centre, and by the 11 associations, totalled $42,420. The major shareholders of YUL Condominiums, Brivia Group, Kim Phat and Tianco jointly topped up the amount to $50,000. As previously announced, YUL Condominiums doubled the amount raised, adding $50,000 for a total donation of $100,000 to the Red Cross.

The 11 organizations that joined forces with YUL for the campaign are: the Chao Chow Association of Quebec, the Cambodian Chinese Association of Canada, the Chinese Seniors Association of Montreal, the Gansu Association of Canada, the Chinese Family Service of Greater Montreal, the Centre Sino-Quebec de la Rive-Sud, the Overseas Chinese Service Center in Montreal, the Canada China Entrepreneurs Council, the Montreal Jiuding Club, the Cambodia-Canada Chamber of Commerce and the Montreal's Lions Club.

"The YUL Condominiums team and the 11 organizations in the Quebec Chinese community would like to thank all the donors for their generosity. These donations will help support those affected by the spring floods who have enormous needs. We are very pleased to help the Red Cross bring a little comfort to our fellow citizens," said Kheng Ly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brivia Group and YUL Condominiums.

About YUL Condominiums

YUL Condominiums Inc. is a new condominium and townhouse project located in downtown Montreal being co-developed by Brivia Group and Tianco Group. It comprises two 38-storey towers with more than 800 units and 17 townhouses. YUL Condominiums believes in the importance of supporting communities and helping the underprivileged.

To download pictures, click here.

SOURCE Groupe Brivia

For further information: Alix Chartrand, [email protected], O: 514 849-4554, C: 514 318-5609
GREECE, N.Y. (AP) -- New York state is making $7 million available to help homeowners recover from flooding along the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River shorelines.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the funding Monday. Homeowners will be able to get up to $40,000 in aid. They'll apply through municipal governments or housing organizations.

The Democratic governor previously announced the state would provide $10 million to municipalities and $5 million in small business grants for flood recovery.

State senators have approved a measure that would provide $20 million in grants to property owners and the same amount for municipalities. The proposal has been sent to the Assembly.

Meanwhile, Cuomo signed legislation Monday that lets municipalities apply immediately for emergency loans under a separate, $2.5 billion clean-water infrastructure program approved in the state budget last month.
The United States will test an existing missile defense system to try to intercept an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) next week, U.S. officials said on Friday, at a time when North Korea is trying to develop one.

The test, scheduled for Tuesday, is the first time the United States will try to intercept an ICBM.

The United States has used the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, managed by Boeing Co. and in place to counter attacks from rogue states such as North Korea, to intercept other types of missiles but never an ICBM.

SOURCES- Reuters, Boeing

While U.S. officials believe Pyongyang is some years away from mastering re-entry expertise for perfecting an ICBM, it is making advances.

The Missile Defense Agency said an interceptor based out of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, one of 36 in California and Alaska, will be used in the test to shoot down a target similar to an ICBM over the Pacific Ocean.

The system has carried out successful intercepts in nine out of 17 attempts dating back to 1999.
Biafra supporter cries during a rally in support of Nnamdi Kanu in Abuja, December 1, 2015. Dutch lawyers have filed a case against Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari for alleged crimes against humanity against pro-Biafran activists. | Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters

You may read the first part of this essay HERE. Femi Fani-Kayode, a prominent thought leader in Nigeria, writes this two-part essay to commemorate 50 years of Biafra, the Land of the Rising Sun  and remind Nigerians of the countrys dark history with regards to relations with the Igbos.

What is even more revealing and brings home the true horror of what transpired during the war itself was provided by Mr. Anayo Johnpaul, a historian and public commentator. He wrote as follows:

Shocking revelations of the hatred for Igbos and how the north used the Nigerian Federal troops and locals in the South-West and North to commit genocide with the help of Great Britain and America during the civil war.

Permit me to share some excerpts from the confessions of the perpetrators.

I want to see no Red Cross, no Caritas, no World Council of Churches, no Pope, no missionary, no UN delegation. I want to prevent even one Ibo from having even one piece of food to eat before their capitulation. We shoot at everything that moves and when our troops march into the centre of Igbo territory, we shoot at everything: even things that do not move- (Benjamin Adekunle, Commander, 3rd Marine Commander Division, Nigerian Army to French Radio Reporter).

All is fair in war and starvation is one of the weapons of war. I dont see why we should feed our enemies fat in order for them to fight harder- (Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nigerian Minister of Finance, July 28, 1969).

Until now efforts to relieve the Biafran people have been thwarted by the desire of the central government to pursue total and unconditional victory and by the fear of the Igbo people that surrender means wholesale atrocities and genocide. But genocide is what is taking place right now and starvation is the grim reaper. This is not the time to stand on ceremony, or go through channels or to observe diplomatic niceties. The destruction of an entire people is immoral objective, even in the most moral of wars. It can never be condoned- (Richard Nixon, during the presidential campaign, September 9, 1968).

Federal troops killed, or stood while mobs killed, more than 5000 Ibos in Warri, Sapele, Agbor- (New York Times, 10th January, 1968).

It (mass starvation) is a legitimate aspect of war- (Anthony Enahoro, Nigerian Commissioner for Information at a press conference in New York, July 1968).

Starvation is a weapon of war and we have every intention of using it against the rebels- (Mr Alison Ayida, Head of Nigerian delegation, Niamey Peace talks, July 1968).

The Igbos must be considerably reduced in number- Lagos Policeman quoted in New York Review 21 December, 1967).

One word now describes the policy of the Nigerian military government towards secessionist Biafra: genocide. It is ugly and extreme but it is the only word which fits Nigerias decision to stop international Red Cross and other relief agencies from flying food to Biafra- ( Washington Post editorial, July 2, 1969).

In some areas in the east, Igbos were killed by local people with at least the acquiescence of the Federal forces, 1000 Igbo civilians perished in Benin in this way- (Max Edward Reporter, reporter on the ground  New York Review, 21 December 1967).

After Federal forces took over Benin, troops killed about 500 Igbo civilians after a house to house search with the aid of willing locals- (Washington Morning Post, 27 September, 1967).

The greatest single massacre occurred in the Igbo town of Asaba where 700 Igbo males were lined up and shot as terrified women/children were forced to watch- (London Observer, 21 January,1968).

Federal troops killed or stood by while mobs killed more than 5000 Ibos in Warri, Sapele, Agbor- (New York Times, 10th January, 1968).

There has been genocide on the occasion of the 1966 massacres, the region between the towns of Benin and Asaba where only widows and orphans remain, Federal troops having, for unknown reasons, massacred all the men- (Paris Le Monde, 5th April, 1968).

In Calabar, Federal forces shot at least 1000 and perhaps 2000 Igbos, most of them civilians.- (New York Times, 18th January,1968).

Bestialities and indignities of all kinds were visited on the Biafrans in 1966. In Ikeja Barracks (Western Nigeria) Biafrans were forcibly fed on a mixture of human urine and faeces. In Northern Nigeria numerous housewives and nursing mothers were violated before their husbands and children. Young girls were abducted from their homes, walking places and schools and forced into intercourse with sick, demented and leprous men.  (Mr Eric Spiff, German War Correspondent, eyewitness, 1967).

650 refugee camps, contained about 700,000 haggard bundles of human flotsam waiting hopelessly for a meal, outside the camps, was the reminder of an estimated four and half to five million displaced Kwashiokor scourge, a million and half children, suffer(ed) from it during January; that put the forecast death toll at another 300,000 children. More than the pogroms of 1966, more than the war casualties, than the terror bombings, it was the experience of watching helplessly their children waste away and die that gave birth to, a deep and unrelenting loathing. It is a feeling that will one day reap bitter harvest unless.- (Frederick Forsyth, British Writer, January 21st 1969).

The Nazis had resurrected just here as Nigerian forces.  (Washington Post, editorial, July 2, 1969).

The loss of life from starvation continues at more than 10,000 persons per day over 1,000,000 lives in recent months. Without emergency measures now, the number will climb to 25,000 per day, within a month and 2,000,000 deaths by the end of the year. The new year will only bring greater disaster to people caught in the passion of fratricidal war, we cant allow this to continue or those responsible to go free.  (Senator Ted Kennedy appeals to Americans Sunday November 17, 1968).

Myself and the same UNICEF representatives went on to convey something of what lay behind this intransigence: Among the large majority hailing from that tribe who are the most vocal in inciting the complete extermination of the Igbos. I often heard remarks that all Nigerias ills will be cured once the Igbos have been exterminated from the human map.  (Dr Conor Cruise OBien, 21 December, 1967, New York Review. (CONCLUDED).

As harrowing as these words are they accurately and graphically capture the mood and horrific essence of the civil war.

They also reveal an inconvenient truth which is as follows: that the Nigerian people and General Yakubu Gowon owe the people of the east a sincere and unwavering apology for the barbaric and criminal manner in which they conducted the civil war.

We also have an obligation to make restitution to them, offer them compensation for all they have lost and to bring to justice all those that were directly or indirectly involved in the commission of the barbaric and hideous atrocities and crimes against humanity that were visited upon the Igbo civilian population and defenceless Igbo women and children.

I refuse to describe the killer of children and the murderer of women and defenceless civilians as war heroes. My conscience does not permit it.

If the German people could find it in their hearts to ask the Jews to forgive them for what they did to them in the Second World War, the Nigerian people should be big-hearted enough and strong enough to ask the same of the Igbo.

Such a course of action does not diminish or weaken us: it makes us more humane.

And neither do I believe that offering them more cake as President Olusegun Obasanjo has suggested can make up for all that we have subjected them to over the last 51 years.

The last person that suggested the offering of cake to the irate masses and victims of injustice as a way of calming them down and getting them to stop their agitation for emancipation was Queen Marie Antoinnete of France. That was in 1789.

Unfortunately it did not go down too well and a few weeks later the French revolution took place and both the Marie Antoinette and her husband King Louis XV1, together with much of the French royal family, courtiers, nobles and landed gentry were arrested by the Jacobins, publicly humiliated, tried in the peoples courts of law and had their heads chopped off with a guillotine.

That signified the end of the monarchy in France, the demise of the long rulership of the proud and distinguished royal Bourbon lineage and family and the beginning of the great French Republic which changed the face of Europe, the history of world and which endures till today.

So much for the offering of cake as a panacea or solution to the unjust and barbarous treatment of the oppressed and the deprived.

I do not believe that the dream of Biafra can be shattered and obliterated by promises of cake and a few crumbs from the masters table.

And neither do I believe that they can be wished away or destroyed by reckless and dangerous attempts to break their will and dampen their spirits by killing them in the streets or incarcerating them indefinitely or with threats of wiping them off the face of the earth and total and complete annihilation.

I am a man of peace and I believe that war is evil. It is the darkness that seeks the darkness. It is utterly repugnant and manifestly destructive.

It is a complete and total descent into madness, barbarism, hell, chaos and inhumanity.

Those that glorify it or encourage and endorse it any shape or form are either shallow, naive or simply insane.

It is the will and law of God to fight for freedom, equity and justice. Our cause is just. What we must NOT do is use violence or shed blood.

Yet despite this fundamental principle which I hold dear, one thing that I know is this: If, God forbid, there were ever to be any major conflict or war in our country again the Igbo would not be left to fight it on their own.

If, God forbid, there were to ever be a round two of our civil war I have little doubt that this time around the entire south and the Middle Belt would stand together as one against our common oppressors and those that kill and slaughter our people at will in the name of ethnic supremacy and faith.

I pray that it never happens and I hope that we either restructure the country or peacefully go our separate ways before it is too late.

Those that resist that course are playing with fire and are sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

When it ignites no-one will be left standing, no-one will come out whole and no-one will escape being amongst the victims of the cataclysmic and horrendous events that will follow.

As a matter of urgency we must pray fervently for peace in Nigeria. We must counsel and encourage restraint, understanding and patience from all sides.

Most important of all we must find it in our hearts to display and express a high degree of regret and contrition for what we did to the Igbo, pay them compensation and make restitution for what we subjected them to before, during and after the civil war. God demands it and justice requires it.

Until this is done every Nigerian, including yours truly, should hold himself partially responsible for the atrocities that have been committed against the Igbo in our country over the last 51 years.

May the souls of all those that lost their lives on both sides of the divide during the course of our civil war rest in peace and may May 30 1967, the day that the war started 50 years ago today, be acknowledged and set aside as a day of honor for the unsung heroes of the Biafran struggle.

Femi Fani-Kayode is a lawyer, a Nigerian politician, an evangelical christian, an essayist, a poet and he was the Special Assistant (Public Affairs) to President Olusegun Obasanjo from July 2003 until June 2006. He was the minister of culture and tourism of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from June 22nd to Nov 7th 2006 and as the minister of Aviation from Nov 7th 2006 to May 29th 2007. He tweets from @realFFK
Happy New Month Nigeria! Welcome to the month of June. As the world searches for a respite from all its troubles since 2020 began, one can ...
Seventy-three-year-old Ron Gruenhagen is the descendant of German immigrants who came to Iowa in the mid-19th century. Muscatine and surrounding counties in Iowa and Illinois constituted much of the world they knew back then and much of what they produced was consumed nearby. Today, however, some operations are controlled by rules made in Washington, and the crops major consumers are half a world away, in China.We are very dependent on our foreign markets, he said. If we didnt have them we would be flooded with grain and soybeans and maybe we wouldnt know what to do with it.President Donald Trump has promised to renegotiate existing trade agreements that he describes as bad deals for the United States and has pulled out of the Trans Pacific Partnership talks that were aimed at increasing trade between the United States and 10 other nations.Many area farmers and business leaders worry about a trade war disrupting commerce with China, Mexico and other nations that have become close trading partners. But Gruenhagen sees Trumps tough talk as part of his bargaining strategy.It concerns me, but it is all part of the negotiations, he said. Everything we do is negotiated, whether you are buying a loaf of bread in the store or buying a new tractor, it is all negotiated.Muscatine County, Iowa, has special ties with China because Chinese President Xi Jinping stayed with a local family here in 1985 when he was a provincial official interested in learning more about American agriculture. When he came back for a visit as vice president in 2012, many of the people whom he had met came out to greet him.The welcoming committee, formed of local business leaders, later transformed into the still active Muscatine China Initiative, which promotes business ties and investment between the county and Chinese companies.Recently the city of Muscatine threw a celebration for Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, whom President Trump has chosen to be U.S. Ambassador to China. The event included a traditional Chinese orchestra provided by the Chinese consulate in Chicago.Gruenhagen thinks it is beneficial to have a Chinese leader who knows Iowa and rural America from firsthand experience.He certainly understands agriculture here and thats half the battle in negotiations  understanding the people on the other side of the table, he said.He doubts there will be any trade disruption, despite Trumps tough stand.Since we have become dependent on each other, they on our food and we on the products they provide us, we are interdependent and that is pretty important, perhaps, for a peaceful world, he said.Gruenhagen believes Trump will reverse what he views as a decline in the countrys global standing.We lost the status we had as a great superpower, he said. Maybe we could still be called a superpower, but we were no longer called great. I think we will be elevated to a higher position and gain more respect than we have had in the past.He also hopes the Trump administration, backed by a Republican Congress will relieve the regulation burden on business, industry and farming, with the Environmental Protection Agency, he argues, being the worst offender. The administration appears set on gutting the agency.We are regulated to death, he said. It consumes a lot of our time just to comply with their rules.Although he favors farming methods that protect the environment and conserve soil, Gruenhagen does not believe the federal government should be telling farmers in Iowa what to do.I think it is better for the individual farmer to decide what is best on his farm, how to control that soil and how to make it better rather than have a bureaucrat from Washington, D.C., indicate to us what is better, he said.Yet environmentalists are less optimistic, arguing major international agribusiness, whose decision-makers live elsewhere, are often more concerned with profit than the land.Gruenhagens son and grandson help him run the farm, and he is happy to be able to carry on the family name when they inherit the land, buildings and around $1 million in equipment.It is a lot of work, he said, but it is a pleasure because we are able to feed a lot of people and, yes, we feed the world.
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has stated that the party will wait for President Muham...

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has stated that the party will wait for President Muhammadu Buhari to return to Nigeria and be part of the planned convention.

His position contradicts the initial resolution of governors and the National Working Committee, NWC, to send a delegation to the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to present suggested convention dates for him to pick from.

Recall that Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, told newsmen after the meeting that The issue of the National Convention was raised actually, as it was part of the decisions we took at the last meeting. Unfortunately like you realised, Mr. President is not here.





But today, we all agreed that we have an acting President the same process should start again through the acting President.

Lalong noted that though the President as leader of the party normally should attend but that in the present circumstances, the presence of the acting President will suffice.





Governors in attendance were Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Solomon Lalong (Plateau), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) , Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi). Others include: Sani Bello (Niger), Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Sen. Atiku Bagudu and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara).

Others were Deputy Governors of Kwara, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Nasarawa and Imo.

But speaking on Monday in Abuja on the midterm scorecard of the APC-led administration, Oyegun declared that the partys midterm convention would have to wait until the president returns from his medical leave in London.

The convention is an important activity of the party that the president should not miss. We will hold on so that he can be part of the convention, he stated.

Oyegun further downplayed the impact of the ill-health of Buhari on governance in the country and the party.

The thinking that will he be president in 2019 is really not doing any good, his need today is good health. When we get to 2019, it is for him to decide if he wants to run or if he doesnt want to run and to consult the party on his decision.

If he wants to run good and if he doesnt want to run the country isnt bereft, the party isnt bereft of capable hands, he said.

On Nigerias economy, Oyegun said government was working hard to end recession in order to reduce hardship the masses were facing, pointing out renewed efforts to revamp the power sector.





On criticism by the People Democratic Party (PDP), he stated that while some problems that came in the way of rebuilding the economy were not foreseen, others could be traceable to the mismanagement of the past administration.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday took stock of the two years of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and declared that ...

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday took stock of the two years of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and declared that positive results were clear for all to see.Osinbajo said this in a national broadcast to commemorate the nations Democracy Day and the second anniversary of the Buhari administration.He recalled that the administration outlined three areas, comprising security, anti-corruption crusade and the economy for immediate intervention on assumption of office.Although he admitted that the economy had remained the biggest challenge of all, he said the Federal Government had introduced several measures to revamp it.While admitting that the fight against corruption appeared slow because of the slow nature of the nations justice system, Osinbajo stated that efforts were in top gear to recover all stolen funds and bring the culprits to justice.On security, he said the governments achievements in the North-East, where the Boko Haram sect openly challenged the nations sovereignty, were clear enough for all to see.Osinbajo stated that under the present administration, the nations military put Boko Haram on the back foot, adding that the nation restored broken-down relations with its neighbours  Chad, Cameroon and Niger  without whom the war against terror would have been extremely difficult to win.He said, In the last two years, close to one million displaced persons have returned home. One hundred and six of our daughters from Chibok have regained their freedom after more than two years in captivity, in addition to the thousands of other captives who have since tasted freedom.Schools, hospitals and businesses are springing back to life across the North-East, especially in Borno State, the epicentre of the crisis. Farmers are returning to the farms from which they fled in the wake of Boko Haram. Finally, our people are getting a chance to begin the urgent task of rebuilding their lives.Across the country, in the Niger Delta, and in parts of the North-Central region, we are engaging with local communities, to understand their grievances, and to create solutions that respond to these grievances adequately and enduringly.President Buharis New Vision for the Niger Delta is a comprehensive peace, security and development plan that will ensure that the people benefit fully from the wealth of the region, and we have seen to it that it is the product of deep and extensive consultations, and that it has now moved from idea to execution.Included in that New Vision is the long-overdue environmental clean-up of the Niger Delta beginning with Ogoni-land, which we inaugurated last year.More recent threats to security such as the herdsmen clashes with farmers in many parts of the country, sometimes leading to fatalities and loss of livelihoods and property, have also preoccupied our security structures.We are working with state governments and taxing our security agencies with designing effective strategies and interventions that will bring this menace to an end.We are determined to ensure that anyone who uses violence, or carries arms without legal authority is apprehended and sanctioned.On the fight against corruption, Osinbajo said the government had focused on bringing persons, accused of corruption, to justice.He stated that it was the administrations belief that public resources that were looted in the past few years were accounted for.Funds appropriated to build roads, railway lines, and power plants, and to equip the military, that had been stolen or diverted into private pockets, must be retrieved and the culprits brought to justice, said the acting President.Many have said that the process is slow, and that is true. Corruption has fought back with tremendous resources and our system of administration of justice has been quite slow.But the good news for justice is that our law does not recognise a time bar for the prosecution of corruption and other crimes, and we will not relent in our efforts to apprehend and bring corruption suspects to justice.We are also re-equipping our prosecution teams, and part of the expected judicial reforms is to dedicate some specific courts to the trial of corruption cases.Osinbajo noted that the Efficiency Unit of the Ministry of Finance had succeeded in plugging leakages amounting to billions of naira over the last two years while government had ended expensive and much-abused fertiliser and petrol subsidy regimes.He said the present administration in the last two years added $500m to the Sovereign Wealth Fund and $87m to the Excess Crude Account.This, according to him, is the opposite of the situation before now, when rising oil prices failed to translate to rising levels of savings and investment.On the economy, Osinbajo regretted that some companies shut down their operations through no fault of theirs while civil servants worked for months without salaries in some states.The acting President added, Admittedly, the economy has proved to be the biggest challenge of all.Through no fault of theirs, some companies shut down their operations, others downsized; people lost jobs, had to endure rising food prices.In some states, civil servants worked for months on end without the guarantee of a salary, even as rents and school fees and other expenses continued to show up like clockwork.We have been extremely mindful of the many sacrifices that you have had to make over the last few years. And for this reason, this administrations work on the economic front has been targeted at a combination of short-term interventions to cushion the pain as well as medium to long term efforts aimed at rebuilding an economy that is no longer helplessly dependent on the price of crude oil.The short-term interventions, according to him, include putting together a series of bailout packages for state governments to enable them to bridge their salary shortfalls.On the whole, Osinbajo said just as the President promised in the Budget Speech, the early months of 2017 had seen the flowering of the early fruit of all the hard work of the administrations first 18 months.
Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai of Kaduna State has advised former President, Goodluck Jonathan to wait for the presentation of the final re...

Governor Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai of Kaduna State has advised former President, Goodluck Jonathan to wait for the presentation of the final report of the NEC Ad-hoc Committee on the Ecological Fund before he responds.









While this is unfortunate and calculated to draw the headlines, Dr. Jonathan strained to explain away this strange pattern of fund allocation. But the facts are not deniable. They are in official records, and cannot be erased by slinging mud at people.

Dr. Jonathan cannot argue with the facts. The payments are in the records of the Ecological Fund. He knowingly engaged in discriminatory disbursement of federal funds. The legality of that is open to question, despite the existence of presidential discretion.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan is not a man that can take responsibility for anything. In March 2015, not long after making a concession call to President Buhari, he summoned his party and asked its leadership to reject the results of an election whose winner he had congratulated in private. That effort at duplicity failed spectacularly and the will of the people prevailed.

So, no one should be surprised that he is denying presiding over the skewed distribution of ecological funds. His denial begs the question. What special circumstances ensured that only states that were controlled by the PDP and its allied parties qualified for N2bn each? Is it not curious that not only were his allies the only ones who got the funds, but that the various ecological problems in all 17 statesrequired the same N2bn across the states?

Almighty God made it possible for the Sun to shine on all. But Dr. Jonathan exercised his powers as president as if he governed for only his party or his family. The Jonathan government was so conscious that there was something untoward with sharing public funds in that manner that they did not publicize the payments to their preferred states.

Thankfully, Dr. Jonathan did not deny that the N2bn payments were skewed to certain states. His mindset in trying to create an equivalence between those payments and federal support for the green wall projects in some of the northern states can be easily seen as a disingenuous argument.

Dr. Jonathan claimed El-Rufai is a liar, quoting sources that did not once mention any lie that can be attributed to him. One of El-Rufais identified weakness in the Nigerian political space is his bluntness and fidelity to principles. Even his enemies admit that grudgingly about him.

Malam Nasir El-Rufai will not allow Dr. Jonathan to make him the issue when the criteria the former president used in allocating N2bn each to allied state governments remain so murky. There is no need to cry wolf before the Final Report of the Committee is presented.

In the aftermath of the success attained with Zaria Water, some cowards have been using the anonymity of social media to spread lies. The comments attributed to Dr. Jonathan on social media posts falsely alleging that Malam Nasir El-Rufai sought an appointment with the Jonathan government and got N200m contribution for his campaign is one of the latest smears. Dr. Jonathan cannot make such claims because he knows they are not true.

For the avoidance of doubt, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has not only never sought to work with Dr. Jonathan, but he actively persuaded others not to accept any offers to avoid destroying their credibility!

But the Governor draws the line at those making religiously-charged posts with fabricated quotes about his position on fasting. This is a governor that has insisted that religion is a private matter. He pulled the state government out of sponsoring religious pilgrimage and Ramadan feeding within weeks of taking office in 2015.

When a citizen was attacked in June 2016 in the Kakuri area of Kaduna for reasons attributed to religious differences during Ramadan, Malam Nasir El-Rufai and Deputy-Governor Barnabas Bala visited the victim at the Saint Gerards Hospital on 8th June 2016, and he made an emphatic statement for religious freedom, declaring that there is no compulsion in religion. It is a free country, and that means no imposition of faith or religious practices on anyone.

The governor added that nobody can impose the tenet of his faith on another person. The decision to observe any religious activity is the prerogative of the individual. He explained that even a Muslim cannot be compelled to fast.

What Malam Nasir El-Rufai would not do is to allow anybody to get away with bad behaviour by citing their religious, regional or ethnic identity. Equality before the law requires that every citizen must be held responsible for their conduct.

The legion of cowards and fraudsters ever ready to spread and amplify falsehood on social media, without any effort at verification, must know that they can be held responsible for what they share.

The laws of our land rightly protect the freedom of speech, but the same laws provide remedies against defamation and incitement, even in cyberspace.


A group of investors and indigenes of the Niger Delta, yesterday, condemned the Federal Governments cancellation of Oil Prospecting Licences, OPL 2001, 2002 and 2003 in the Utapate field, stating that it was capable of re-igniting chaos in the Niger Delta region.The investors affected by the cancellation are Jahcon International Limited, Hi Rev Exploration, Production Limited and Oil and Industrial Services Limited.Addressing newsmen in Abuja, representatives of some of the investors, said that after they won the bids for the blocs in 2007, the bid round was stalled for eight years by litigation until it was resolved amicably in 2015.After the resolution, the representatives who chose not to be named for fear of victimisation, said the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, handed offers of OPLs 2001, 2002 and 2003 to Jahcon International Limited, Hi Rev Exploration and Production Limited and Oil and Industrial Services Limited, respectively.The representative of one of the major investors in OPL 2001, stated that many Niger Delta indigenes were pained by the action of the president in revoking the licences of citizens from the oil-rich region without carrying out thorough consultations.The investor stated that angry youths were already threatening to stop any attempt by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, to commence work on the oil field.For investors in OPL 2002, they noted that although the court had directed all parties to stay action with respect to working on the field, officials of the NPDC recently made moves to commence activities on the field.However, in his reaction, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, confirmed the development, saying that the case was in court and that the NNPC and its subsidiary, NPDC, would abide by the rulings of the court.Ughamadu said, I dont want to comment on what they are dishing out because we are already in court. We have made two appearances in court on this matter. It is only the court that resolves issues like this and if it rules tomorrow that the decision taken on Party A is wrong, then we will abide by the ruling of the court.Meanwhile, copies of the letters which were issued to the investors on June 16, 2015 by the DPR, were made available to journalists, in which the DPR confirmed the three investors as successful bidders for the blocs and directed them to make the required payments as signature bonuses for the licences.The representatives said two of the firms, Jahcon International Limited and Oil and Industrial Services Limited made complete payments, while Hi Rev Exploration and Production Limited made part payment and is still in the process of completing its transaction with the DPR.The representatives stated that regardless of all these, President Muhammadu Buhari approved a request by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation demanding the withdrawal of the licences from the investors and handing over the oil blocs to the NPDC, a subsidiary of NNPC.In the NNPCs letter of request to Buhari, dated December 20, 2016, shown to newsmen, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Maikanti Baru acknowledged that OPLs 2001, 2002 and 2003 in OML 13, which were recovered from Shell by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, were inadvertently revoked by Obasanjos administration and back-converted to greenfield OPL before being resized into OPLs 2001, 2002 and 2003 and offered under the 2007 Licensing Round.However, the investors argued that Maikantis letter, which insisted that the OPLs belong to NPDC, did not disclose that NPDC also submitted a bid for one of the blocks in the 2007 open licensing round but lost as a result of low bid.
Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, former Executive Director, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, said Muslims must focus on promoting good deeds in line with the provisions of the Ramadan fast.Shuaib said in an interview with newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday that if all Muslims live their lives as prescribed by the conditions for acceptable fasting, Nigeria would be a better place to live. Muslims should always be focused because Ramadan has its own focus - that is obligation to God, yourself, your family, your neighbour and your country which is called taqua.If we really focus on the real essence of Ramadan, the larger community will be better off at the end of the day.Being dutiful to all and sundry without being a sycophant will ensure that we put the right thing at the right place and at the right time.The Imam added,You look at the people that you are dealing with and you ask how you can I impart value in their lives as well as in your own life.We should be focused on the real essence of the fast; we should also focus on love and generosity which is important.Also, the Amir of The Muslim Congress (TMC), Imam Luqman AbdurRaheem urged Muslims to be godly and pray for Nigeria during the one month fast.Muslims should fast with sincerity because that is the essence of the fast; they should be godly.They should remember our nation in their prayers and fasting; they should also to pray for continued sustainability of the nation.They should use the opportunity to pray so that the menace of insurgents will come to an end, such that at the end of the 30 days spiritual retreat, our nation will be better, AbdurRaheem said.
Panamas former dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega died in Panama City late Monday, physically diminished after decades of imprisonment for crimes committed during his 1983-1989 rule.Noriega, 83, passed away in Panama Citys public Santo Tomas hospital where he had been recovering from early March surgery to remove a brain tumour, and a subsequent operation to clean up cerebral bleeding.The announcement of his death was made by government communications secretary Manuel Dominguez.Mr. Noriega died tonight (late Monday), Dominguez told AFP.Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela wrote on Twitter that Noriegas death closed a chapter in our history. He said the ex- strongmans family deserved to bury him in peace.Noriega had been serving lengthy prison sentences in Panama for murder and forced disappearances during his dictatorship.The former dictator had been granted temporary release on February 28 from his prison overlooking the Panama Canal to undergo surgery.Following years of ill-health that included respiratory problems, prostate cancer and depression, Noriegas family pleaded with authorities to him to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest.But the government rejected their appeals, and said Noriega would return to prison once he recovered from the brain tumor surgery. From CIA agent to US pariah Born in 1934 to a poor family, Noriega entered Panamas military at a young age and rose through the ranks to become de facto ruler of a country that hosts the strategic Panama Canal.I knew Noriega when I was a lieutenant and he was a second lieutenant, said a former National Guard general Ruben Dario Paredes, a Noriega critic.He was very attentive and normal, correct, disciplined, and decent  but when that man reached the rank of general he was definitely someone else. Power disfigured him, corrupted him, Paredes told AFP.Noriega was reportedly recruited onto the CIA payroll in 1967, the year before he took part in a 1968 coup against then-president Arnulfo Arias.Noriega supported one of the coup leaders, General Omar Torrijos, who promoted him to head the feared G-2 military intelligence unit.In 1983, two years after Torrijos death in a mysterious plane crash, Noriega  nicknamed pineapple face for his pock-marked visage  took charge of the now-defunct National Guard and became Panamas de facto ruler.During his ascent and time in power Noriega juggled work for the CIA along with relationships with Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, Cubas Fidel Castro and other foreign intelligence services.But his increasingly brutal rule and drug dealings led the United States to seek his ouster.Noriega was toppled in a December 1989 US military invasion, and surrendered to US troops in January 1990.The former strongman was flown to the United States where a US court convicted him on drug trafficking and money laundering charges, and sentenced him to prison.In 2010 Noriega was sent to France, where he was convicted on money laundering charges, then extradited to Panama the following year, where he had been sentenced in absentia to prison for political murders and his role in killing soldiers attempting a coup against him.Noriega returned home as a wheelchair-bound broken man suffering from a series of ailments.In 2015 Noriega issued a blanket apology to anybody who felt offended, affected, prejudiced or humiliated by my actions.He likely went to the grave without divulging many secrets built up over a lifetime of shady dealings.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to resign if he truly loves the country.

Fayose said this is because ill heath is not allowing the President to effectively discharge his constitutional duties.Taking to his Facebook wall, the Special Assistant to Ekiti State Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, said Fayose gave this advice when he addressed newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday.He noted that the governor said being an avowed corruption fighter, Buhari is now under moral burden to save Nigeria from needless stagnation arising from his heath challenges that have impacted negatively on his performance.Fayose reportedly said that fighting corruption was not limited to discovering large sums of money here and there, but doing the right thing at the right time.The governor said that taking a bow when necessary was also an indication of being morally upright.Olayinka wrote: The governor, who appraised the two years of the Buhari administration, said the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government had failed to deliver on its promises.So far, the APC-led Federal Government has been a government of misadventure and Nigerians are worse for it. They say they are fighting corruption but are shielding corrupt elements within their fold.Members of the opposition defect to the APC for protection. Fighting corruption is more than discovering huge sums of money all over the place, with nobody being traced to be the owners, moral corruption too is bad. He can do us the great help by resigning. Not resigning borders on his integrity. His absence allows others to suppress and oppress others and that means he is allowing others  to suppress their fellow human beings.There are many governments in one and they are clueless. We need an active president, going by our numerous challenges. How long will Nigerians wait for an incapacitated president?We cannot wait again for somebody to hold us to ransom. I dont have any bad blood against Buhari; Osinbajo has no powers without the president. He owes us the duty to tell us the state of his health.On the performance of the economy, Fayose said it had gone from bad to worse.He also lamented that the middle class had been wiped off.There is no middle class anymore. Economic indicators are not cheery at last. They borrow money on a daily basis and committing funds that ought to accrue to all tiers of government to servicing the loans, Fayose added.
The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki said on Tuesday that his relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari remained cordial, des...

The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki said on Tuesday that his relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari remained cordial, despite false claims in some social media.He made this known when the National Executive of the Islamic group, Jamaatu Izalatul Bidiah Wa Ikamatus Sunnali (JIBWS) led by its President, Mohammed Jingiri visited him at the National Assembly.The President of the Senate debunked allegations that he and the Senate are working against President Buhari.I want to assure you of the good cooperation between the legislative arm and executive led by President Muhammudu Buhari.Since the commencement of this Senate, I think we had about 196 requests from President Buhari for confirmation of his nominees and we have confirmed 185.I think, we have only rejected 11. By Mathematics, that is over 90 per cent.I want to assure you there is a lot of noise, you will see in the newspapers, radio and social media, please, be assured that the two arms of government are working closely together, more than in past sessions of the Senate.In January, I went to see him and assured him of our cooperation and we have continued to work closely.I want to assure you as we always say, let us be judged by our actions and not by talkI want you to convey the same message to your followers, who because of social media and the fake news they hear over radio, they get wrong impression that we in the Senate are working against the President.I assure you that we have a very cordial relationship with the Executive, he said.Saraki also reaffirmed the commitment of the Senate in ensuring good governance, economic stability and creation of jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.He promised to ensure that all Bills to be passed by the Senate would ensure that religious sentiments of Nigerians were taken into consideration.The Senate President told the group that the Gender Bill currently before the National Assembly would be fair to all religious groups.I want to reassure you on our greatest concern, particularly in the issue of Gender Bill. Here in the National Assembly, we pass laws and whatever law we pass, we take into consideration the religious aspects.There is no law that can disregard the religious sentiments of the citizens.So, we have discussed that whatever final version of the law that will come for discussion, because it is still for discussion, it is just a proposal, it should not be one that would have conflict with religion. I want to assure you of that, he said.According to him, the final version of the gender bill will be such that all religious sentiments are taken care of and Nigerians would be proud of.Saraki pledged that the senate will continue to play its roles by bringing political balancing and stability into consideration.We will do what we know is best for this country. We will strive to work to keep this country together, he said.Earlier, the leader of the group, Mohammed Jingirr commended the Senate President on his role in the arrangement that led to the rejection of the Muslim-Muslim Presidential ticket for the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in the 2015 presidential elections.He added that Nigeria was not ripe for such an arrangement, which did not take into consideration the need for religious balance in the country, as all religious interest must be represented at all times, including elections.According to him, religious balancing must at all times be respected in Nigeria as only this will ensure harmony.The Islamic cleric also commended the National Assembly for rejecting same sex marriages and capital punishment, describing them as unIslamic.He also urged the Senate President to ensure that the current Gender Bill reflects the tenets of all religions.Sheik Jingiri called on the Senate to ensure equality of representations in political appointments in line with the population of states.He also called for cordial relationship between all arms of government for the benefit of the people.The leader of JIBWS prayed for the quick recovery of President Buhari, who is currently on medical vacation in London.
Some of the beneficiaries of the N.Power programme, who shared their experiences, appreciated the support of the government in empowerin...

Some of the beneficiaries of the N.Power programme, who shared their experiences, appreciated the support of the government in empowering them.N-Power is one of the components of the N-SIP aimed at empowering Nigerians both graduates and non-graduates  between the ages of 18 and 35  who get paid N30, 000 monthly over a period of two years.About 174,160 beneficiaries have been deployed so far out of the 200,000 selected N-Power beneficiaries.Dapil Ali, a beneficiary of N-Power graduate scheme in Plateau State said he was employed under the scheme and posted to a school of the handicap in the state as a teacher.I have been able to instruct the blind students and my vision is to make every blind person a scientist and a mathematician.I have been saving part of my stipend; I desire to establish a computer centre that will be training vision impaired persons through a special programme, he said.A beneficiary from Kano State Mr. Ebere Charles, said he graduated with 1st Class Honours in 2013 without a job.Charles said that being the only graduate in the family of eight, it was frustrating not having a job until N-Power transformed his life.I was skeptical about this N-Power programme before, thinking it will be like any other failed social programmes in the past.I applied and I was posted to School of Hygiene in Kano where I lecture and counsel the students, he said.Mr Magaji Nicolas, another beneficiary of the programme from Kaduna, who graduated seven years ago, was full of appreciation to the government for employing them.My life before now was close to despair, I will wake up without a job, he said,Magaji, however, appealed to the Federal Government to extend the scheme to accommodate more youths.Youths want to be engaged like us but no one to engage them; the stipend is helping but engaging youths is more important even that the money.Ms Geneve Okecheckwu, another beneficiary from Enugu said she had worked with some professionals under the N-Power to learn how to create website.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has admitted that President Muhammadu Buhari has not met the the expectation of most Ni...

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has admitted that President Muhammadu Buhari has not met the the expectation of most Nigerians.





Addressing journalists in Awka, Anambra State, on Monday, the Minister said despite Buharis inability to meet the expectations of Nigerians, he feels fulfilled.

Ngige noted that he will give Buhari a pass mark for his efforts in turning the tide around since assuming office two years ago.

Assuring that the Federal Government was committed to the development and welfare of the people, Ngige urged Nigerians to be patient and have hope in the current government.

He said the federal government had within the two years annihilated Boko Haram, reduced corruption, managed the economy and ensured the welfare of citizens as guaranteed in section 14 of the constitution.

The Minister observed that people are complaining because there is no free flow of money anymore, no leakages for corrupt people to take money and spend.

According to Ngige,I feel fulfilled even though the expectations of Nigerians have not been met.

I feel that President Buhari has scored a pass mark within the resources available; special circumstances of terrorism; militancy in Niger Delta; global oil price slash; and low oil output.

People are complaining that the price of food has gone up. Yes, these things you should expect when you do what is called a shock therapy on any economy or system of government.

Nigeria was producing 2.2 million barrel a day as per OPEC quota but for most part of 2016, at least for three quarters of 2016, we were producing 1.2 million barrels and the prices fell from 100 Dollars per barrel to 35 Dollars per barrel.

Unfortunately, recession had to creep in because it is one of the fallouts of a very badly managed economy that is dependent and based on only oil.

He insisted that the efforts of the Federal Government in combating recession was yielding results in the area of agriculture and mining among others.

I am happy to tell you that with the statistics we have got now, Nigerias economy is no longer contracting.

It is growing and by the predictions of economists, members of the economic team and CBN as well as that of the World Bank, Nigeria will come out of recession by the third quarter, he added.


Peoples Democratic Party members in the House of Representatives did not spare the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari the rod on Monday, saying the two-year-old administration had impoverished Nigerians.The opposition party members slammed the governments economic policies and its N500bn social welfare programme for vulnerable groups, saying that in the last two years, poverty and hunger had really worsened in the country.In a recent interview in Abuja, the members argued that Nigerians must have realised that they made a mistake by voting the All Progressives Congress into power.However, amid criticisms by the PDP members, the Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, reacted that the governments fight against corruption, the weakening of insurgency in the North-East and the gradual recovery of the value of the naira against the US dollar were enough testimonies of performance by government.But the Minority Leader of the House, Mr. Leo Ogor, giving a caucus position, told The PUNCH that every reason given in 2015 for sacking the PDP from office had not changed.He noted that infrastructure, particularly power supply, had become worse.Describing the government as a failed administration, Ogor said the caucus scored Buhari zero on economic reforms.He said, This is a failed government that has not been able to put any markedly different programme on the ground for the people. I score them five per cent.That five percent is on security because outside that, there is nothing else to show. This economy went into recession under them and they have been unable to take us out of it.Ogor added that though the government budgeted N500bn for its social welfare programme for vulnerable members of the society, most Nigerians had yet to benefit from the programme.He said, What is the methodology they are using to distribute the money? Where is the list of the beneficiaries? How was it drawn?Another member, Mr. Johnson Agbonayinma, noted that in two years, Nigerians were not eating better food nor had improved access to basic amenities.Agbonayinma stated that the implication was that the problem was not really about the PDP since under the APC, there had been no change.Are Nigerians better now? No. So, whether it is the PDP or the APC, there is a problem and that means that we must be really serious about the future of this country, he added.He said Nigerians wanted a country where they could have easy access to reliable health care and other social welfare services.Agbonayinma observed that the President travelling abroad to seek medical care was an indication that the situation of the country was really bad.On his part, Mr. Oghene Emma-Ego, told newsmen that although the government appeared to be serious about the war against corruption, the war was one-sided.He claimed that the government had been hesitant in going after the APC members accused of corruption, a development Emma-Ego said made a caricature of the anti-graft war.The lawmaker stated, If you are an APC man, they dont bother to investigate you. If you are a PDP member, any allegation against you is quickly investigated.However, we thank Mr. President for suspending the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Babachir Lawal) over the corruption allegations by the Senate. But, it took such a long time for them to act.However, in his reaction, the APC leader, Gbajabiamila, held the view that the APC government had done well in its midterm scorecard.He explained, The campaign of the Buhari-led administration stood on a tripod, fighting insecurity, corruption and repositioning the economy.If we are to do a midterm review, there is the technical taming of the Boko Haram insurgency and the release of Boko Haram victims from captivity.The strategic review of the amnesty programme has considerably arrested the outburst of aggrieved Niger Delta militants and translated into a steady production of crude oil and reduction in systemic destruction of oil pipelines.We have also witnessed a downward slope in the exchange rate, from about N500/$1 to now N306/$1. Our local production of what we consume is on the increase.On the anti-corruption war, Gbajabiamila noted, It is on record that this government is stripping many public office- holders of their psyche of corruption through the BVN, TSA, whistle-blower policy and prosecution of different forms of corruption.We all knew how our anti-corruption agencies were stripped of powers and corruption became the order of the day.
The Buhari Campaign Organisation (BOG) has stated that if President Muhammadu Buhari did not seek for a second term in 2019, Nigeria will c...

The Buhari Campaign Organisation (BOG) has stated that if President Muhammadu Buhari did not seek for a second term in 2019, Nigeria will collapse.





The organisation said two years of the APC-led government had impacted more positively on Nigerians than the 16 years of the PDP.

The organisation, which brought about 14 Imams and six pastors together, offered prayers for Buharis quick recovery and expressed optimism that the remaining two years in the first phase of the administration would be better.

Addressing newsmen at the Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) headquarters, yesterday in Abuja, the Acting National Coordinator of the organisation, Alhaji Danladi Pasali, said Buhari had within the last two years laid the foundation for good governance in Nigeria.

He explained that if Buhari did not contest in 2019, disgruntled forces would take over and destroy the country.

His second coming in 2019 is important for the survival of Nigeria. Except he returns in 2019, this country will be destroyed; and we can assure you that Mr President will contest again. BCO appreciates the progress made so far towards ensuring security, revitalising the economy and tackling corruption, he said.

He called on Nigerians to support the government in order to sustain its effort at building a peaceful and enduring democratic legacy in the country.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, has said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration ...

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, has said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has succeeded in securing the country and fighting corruption.He felicitated with Nigerians on this years Democracy Day and urged them to protect democracy.Boroffice said the alarm by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai that politicians approached soldiers for political reasons, was a matter of serious concern.His words: Indeed, if there is any clandestine plot to interrupt civilian administration, it will fail because the world will unite to defeat such plot.The exponents of such plot should know that military rule is no longer fashionable. It is unacceptable to the world. Democracy has come to stay.Nigerians should not allow anyone or group to reverse the gains of 18 years of uninterrupted civilian rule. No person or group should be indulged to arrest the freedom of expression of Nigerians. People must defend the regime of accountability against invasion, intrusion and attack.
The police in Rivers State yesterday dispersed a meeting of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Rumuolumeni community, Obio/Akpor ...

The police in Rivers State yesterday dispersed a meeting of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Rumuolumeni community, Obio/Akpor Local Government of Rivers State.A source alleged that some of them were arrested in the process.It was gathered that the group mounted its flags all over the venue before it was invaded by security agents. When quizzed over the reason for the gathering, an argument ensued and the policemen dispersed the gathering with teargas. They also shot into the air.An IPOB member, King Okocha-Okparali, accused the police of molestation, harassment and illegal arrest of their members.He accused the paramount ruler of Rumuolumeni, Eze Ndubueze Olumini, of inviting the police to arrest and destroy their property.Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni said there was an order directing Commissioners of Police not to allow such gatherings to hold, and based on that order, officers would not wait for further directives to disperse such meetings.
JESUP  An 8-year-old Jesup girl was in the intensive care unit at University Hospitals & Clinics on Monday after suffering injuries in a fall Sunday.

Marta Wehrspann, the youngest child of Ben and Becky Wehrspann, suffered a head injury in the fall. She just finished second grade at Community Lutheran School in Readyn.

Alex Murphy, spokesman for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said the incident was reported about 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Backbone State Park near Dundee.

He said the girl was hiking with her family on Backbone Trail and she slipped and fell backwards near the start of the trail. Murphy said she fell about 60 feet.

She was initially taken to Regional Medical Center in Manchester and then flown to Iowa City.

Becky Wehrspann said the family doesnt really know what happened. They have been to the park and trails many times and the children were taught to be respectful and careful on the trails, but Marta somehow slipped while standing on a rock.
Zimbabwean Home Affairs deputy minister, Obedingwa Mguni, sees nothing wrong with reports of police officers urinating and or defecating ...

Zimbabwean Home Affairs deputy minister, Obedingwa Mguni, sees nothing wrong with reports of police officers urinating and or defecating in public places, particularly at roadblocks, arguing there is no enabling Act to criminalise the practice.There are reports that police officers are forced to use the bush due to lack of ablution facilities at the countless roadblocks they mount on the countrys roads and Mguni told the countrys Senators it was not a criminal offence.Mguni told the Senators, According to the Constitution, police are bringing peace, investigating crime, preventing crimes and they are also doing it on behalf of every ministry that is in Zimbabwe. So, if there is an Act that is being provided by the ministry who is heading the environment saying no one should urinate behind a tree, police will enforce that one.That is their duty and we do not enforce anything which is not lawful and where we do not have an Act to act upon it. We will act only when there is an Act that has been passed and is given to us to make the people act lawfully.Therefore, if urinating behind the tree is now illegal, then the police will be informed by the Minister of Environment.The Deputy Home Affairs Minister was responding to a question by MDC-T Matabeleland South Senator Sithembile Mlotshwa, who wanted to know how police were enforcing anti-pollution laws when we see officers at roadblocks urinating and defecating in the open and affecting people by natures smell. How do they apprehend the public?Ironically, police are known to arrest people who urinate in public, demanding a $5 fine for the offence, and imbibers  particularly those who frequent bottle stores  have tales to tell of their encounters after being caught urinating.Mgunis answer that the practice was not illegal because of a lack of enabling legislation did not amuse the Senator.
It is sad that many Nigerians today talk glibly about the possibility of a coup or of military intervention in politics. They make it seem ...

It is sad that many Nigerians today talk glibly about the possibility of a coup or of military intervention in politics. They make it seem as if this democracy is something we can exchange for something else. We need to be reminded, as we celebrate democracy day 2017, how we got to this very moment, and how precious democracy is to us as a sovereign people. From 1966 to 1999 (with the short break of civilian rule from 1979  1983) the military dominated the political landscape in Nigeria. It was eighteen years ago yesterday when our country returned to civilian rule.





The military practically overstayed their welcome. The first military coup in Nigeria was in January 1966, followed by the counter-coup of July 1966, and then the civil war of 1967-70 which turned Nigeria into a military theatre more or less as the Federal forces engaged the Biafran secessionists in a fratricidal war that resulted in the loss of more than a million lives, starvation and the tearing apart of the Nigerian fabric. The military would remain in charge of Nigeria and its affairs for more than 30 years in total, and it is worth remembering that virtually every successful coup was welcome by the people.

It was thought particularly in the 70s that the military had a role to play in many developing countries in Africa to ensure stability and national discipline. The civilians who took over from the colonialists in Nigeria and Ghana, to cite two close examples, proved worse than their predecessors, and hence the usual argument for military intervention was corruption, and the need to keep the country together, and check the excesses of the civilian rulers. Military rule was perhaps closer to what the people had known traditionally and also under the colonialists. Kings or feudalists who did not tolerate any form of opposition, or free expression governed the traditional communities and likewise, the colonial masters were dictators. The military continued in that tradition. In-fighting among the emergent military elite and the competition for power eroded discipline, and resulted over the years in more coups.





To be fair, military intervention in Nigerian politics yielded some positive dividends, and created a leadership cadre, and indeed till date, the influence of the military in Nigerian politics, as seen in the transmutation of many military officers into professional politicians, remains a strong factor in the making and unmaking of Nigeria. But by 1990, with the global wave of democratization, glasnost and perestroika, the collapse of the Berlin wall, and the greater emphasis on human rights, and the rise of civil society, the Nigerian public began to subject the military to greater scrutiny than was hitherto the case.

After a fashion, every military government presented itself as a corrective regime, with the promise to hand over power in a short while to civilians. By 1986, the Babangida administration after a year in office had launched a political transition programme, beginning with the establishment of a 17-man Political Bureau. In 1989, the ban on political activities was lifted. The military junta would later ban these existing political parties and create its own parties, the Social Democratic Party and the National Republican Convention.

This seemingly endless transition programme and increased civil society activism merely drew more attention to the military and its record in the public sphere. The people began to demand an inevitable return to civilian rule. They complained about the human rights abuses of the military, the apparent domination of power by the Northern elite, the marginalization of other groups in Nigeria, and the spread of injustice and inequities.

When a Presidential election was held on June 12, 1993, and the SDP candidate, Chief MKO Abiola won the election- an election that was adjudged to be free and fair, Nigerians felt that the hour of their liberation from military rule had come. But the Babangida administration refused to announce the final results and subsequently, it annulled the election. It was a disastrous moment for the Nigerian military and the administration. It also marked the beginning of a national crisis that dragged on for six years. The Nigerian people were inconsolable. In the course of the crisis, General Ibrahim Babangida had to step aside, handing over power to an Interim national Government (ING), which was soon shoved aside by General Abacha. Between 1993 and 1999, Nigeria had three different leaders: Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Sani Abacha and General Abdusalami Abubakar.





The ensuing struggle for democracy was long and momentous. Progressive Nigerians and the civil society turned against the military. The South West declared that it had been robbed. MKO Abiola fought for his mandate. The international community ostracized the Abacha government. Nigeria became a pariah nation. The media was in the forefront of the struggle, and many journalists were jailed, hounded into exile, publishing houses were set ablaze. Anyone who criticized the soldiers was framed for one offence or the other and thrown behind bars.





The progressive forces insisted that the military must go. Never Again, the people chorused. There had been no other moment like that in contemporary Nigeria. The martyrs of that peoples revolution were the ones that died, including Chief MKO Abiola who died in Abachas detention camp, the many innocent persons who were shot by the military, and everyone who suffered one major loss or the other. The heroes were the valiant men and women who stood up for democracy and justice and opposed military tyranny. The villains were the soldiers who trampled upon the peoples rights, and their opportunistic agents in civil society. On May 29, 1999, Nigeria returned to civilian rule. It was the day of our countrys second liberation, liberation from the years that the locusts ate.





In the month of June, there would be another historic date for Nigerians, that is June 12, a definite milestone in Nigerian democracy even if the Federal Government has been largely in denial since 1999. MKO Abiola deserves to be honoured post-humously not just selectively by states in the South-West but by the Nigerian Government as a kind of restitution, and by this, I mean a formal declaration, for record purposes, that he was indeed the winner of that June 12, 1993 election.

This brief excursion to the recent past is important because it is so easy to forget. I have met young Nigerians who have never heard of Chief MKO Abiola. In a country where history is no longer taught in schools, that should not be surprising. The Nigerians who were born in 1993 are today out of university, and many of them may never have experienced military rule. They were still children when their parents fought for this democracy. Whoever makes the mistake of even remotely suggesting any form of return to military rule is an enemy of the Nigerian people. Such persons would be taking this country back to 18 years ago and beyond.





Whatever may be the shortcomings of our democracy, this system of government has served the Nigerian people well. We may worry about the form or the shape, or the character of our democracy, the opportunism and imperfections of the professional political class, or the weakness of certain institutions but all told, this is a much better country. The best place for the military is to function under a constitutional order and to discharge its duties as the protector of national sovereignty. Any soldier who is interested in politics should resign his commission, and join a political party, politics being an open field for all categories of persons, including ex-convicts, prostitutes and armed robbers. I find the auto-suggestion of military intervention gross and odious. It is regrettable that those whose duty should never in any shape include scare-mongering were the ones who started that nonsensical discussion in the first place.

For the benefit of those who do not know or who may have forgotten, we once lived in a certain country called Nigeria, ruled by the military, where the rights of citizens meant nothing. The soldiers were our rulers. They were above the laws of the land. The people were their subordinates. They called us bloody civilians. The media was not free. Your insistence on free speech could land you in jail. Under the guise of enforcing discipline, the military treated the people as if they were slaves. Everything was done with immediate effect!, including the suspension of human rights.





Today, democracy has given the Nigerian people, voice. There is a greater consciousness of the power of the people, as well as the need to hold persons in power accountable. The electoral process is still imperfect, but the people are now supremely confident of their right to choose. But not all our problems have been solved. For example, exactly 50 years ago today, the late Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, hero of the Biafran Revolution, led the people of the Bight of Biafra on a secession move out of Nigeria.

He said: you, the people of Eastern Nigeria, Conscious of the Supreme Authority of Almighty God over all mankind, of your duty to yourselves and prosperity; Aware that you can no longer be protected in your lives and in your property by any Government based outside Eastern Nigeria/Believing that you are born free and have certain inalienable rights which can best be protected by yourselves. Unwilling to be unfree partners in any association of a political or economic nature Now, therefore, I, Lieutenant-Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, by virtue of the authority and pursuant to the principles recited above, do hereby solemnly proclaim that the territory and region known as and called Eastern Nigeria together with her Continental Shelf and territorial waters shall henceforth be an independent sovereign state of the name and title of The Republic of Biafra





In other words, the people of Eastern Nigeria no longer felt free or protected or respected inside Nigeria. They opted out. In the Ahiara Declaration of 1969, Ojukwu summed it all up as follows: When the Nigerians violated our basic human rights and liberties, we decided reluctantly but bravely to found our own state, to exercise our inalienable right to self-determination as our only remaining hope for survival as a people.

The civil war ended on January 12, 1970 but 50 years since the declaration of secession by the people of Eastern Nigeria, Igbos are still protesting about their relationship with the rest of Nigeria. But significantly, they are not the only ones complaining. Farmers are complaining about pastoralists, indigenes about settlers, Christians about Muslims and vice versa, women about men, men about women, youths about the older generation, the people of Southern Kaduna are unhappy, other Northern minorities too, the people of the Niger Delta have been unhappy since the Willink Commission of 1957/58, the other over 400 ethnic nationalities that are not recognized in Section 55 of the 1999 Constitution are also wondering whether they are truly part of this unionBasic human rights and liberties are still being violated.





Nigeria remains a yet unanswered question. Democratic rule may have opened up the space, but our country still suffers from a kind of hang-over. The people are free, but they are today everywhere in chains: politically, economically and ethnically. This is the sad part of our democracy, but the best part are the many lessons that the people are learning about the meaning, the nature and the cost of the choices that they make or that they have made.




Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, yesterday, ordered the arrest of hoodlums that allegedly diverted Ramadan food items meant for internally-displaced persons, IDPs, in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere council of the state.Shettima gave the orders to the police, while flagging off the distribution of 2,250 bags and tins of rice, sugar and tomato pastes at the Lamusila Primary School premises.He said the arrest order had become inevitable, as 50 percent of distributed relief food items to displaced persons were either snatched or diverted at the distribution centres and affected wards of councils.The governor took time to supervise the distribution for over three hours, before departing for the Government House by 3.30p.m.Speaking on import of the distribution of Ramadan food items, Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Ahmed Satomi, disclosed that 134,000 metric tons of relief food items were distributed to 1.9 million people in the two council areas, who are hosting displaced persons from the 22 councils affected by Boko Haram insurgency.
US President Donald Trump called Germanys trade and spending policies very bad on Tuesday, intensifying a row between the allies and immediately earning himself the moniker destroyer of Western values from a leading German politician.Trump took to Twitter early in the day in the US to attack Germany, a day after Chancellor Angela Merkel ramped up her doubts about the reliability of Washington as an ally.The tit-for-tat row has escalated rapidly after Trump criticised major NATO allies over their military spending and refused to endorse a global climate change accord at back-to-back summits on May 26.We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for US This will change, Trump tweeted on Tuesday.On Monday, Merkel showed how seriously she is concerned about Washingtons dependability under Trump by repeating the message she delivered a day earlier that the times when Europe could fully rely on others were over to a certain extent.Those comments, which sent shock waves through Washington, vented Europes frustration with Trump on climate policy in particular.Senior German politicians responded swiftly to his tweet.Martin Schulz, leader of the center-left Social Democrats, told reporters Trump was the destroyer of all Western values, adding that the US president was undermining the peaceful cooperation of nations based on mutual respect and tolerance.One must stand in the way of such a man with his ideology of rearmament, Schulz added.Thomas Oppermann, head of the Social Democrats parliamentary group, told reporters: Donald Trump makes clear with his tweet that he views Germany as a political opponent.Merkel on Monday repeated almost word for word her message from Sunday, when she told her Bavarian conservative allies in a packed Munich beer tent that we Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands.She also finessed her message slightly on Monday, stressing that she was a convinced trans-Atlanticist.On Tuesday, Merkel repeatedly stressed the importance of trans-Atlantic ties. She talked to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin about developing cooperation with India.Thats of huge importance and in no way directed against any other relationships and certainly not against the trans-Atlantic ties, which have historically been very important for us and will remain so in future, she said.In Rome, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said he agreed with Merkel that Europe needed to forge its own path.This takes nothing away from the importance of our trans-Atlantic ties and our alliance with the US, but the importance we put on these ties cannot mean that we abandon fundamental principles such as our commitment to fight climate change and in favor of open societies and free trade, he said.
MARGATE -- Three people were arrested after 300 teenagers gathered on the beach in Margate on Saturday afternoon and began fighting, according to a report.

The three charged with assault and disorderly conduct were among 12 people under the age of 21 arrested in the Atlantic County beach town on Memorial Day weekend, Philly.com said.

All were charged with either underage drinking, marijuana possession or fighting.

Pa., Cherry Hill kids come to Margate, fight on beach, hang at Wawa, get arrested https://t.co/C3DhDF4fqM  Philly.com (@phillydotcom) May 30, 2017

All of those arrested under 21 are from either Pennsylvania or the Cherry Hill area, police told Philly.com. Three adults were also arrested on drunken driving charges.

The fight at the Washington Avenue beach broke out around 2 p.m. Saturday near Lucy the Elephant, a six-story wood and tin local landmark.

In addition about 150 youngsters congregated in front of the Wawa on Washington Avenue at night. Police told Philly.com that as long as the scores of teens don't block the sidewalk, officers leave them alone.

Margate police didn't immediately respond to a request from NJ Advance Media for additional information.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.comFollow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
CAMDEN -- A woman who was convicted of taunting a 12-year-old black youth in Haddon Heights nearly four years ago has lost her court challenge for not being admitted into a first-time offender program after the incident.

A two-judge Superior Court appeals panel ruled last week that Bridgette N. Archut was properly denied access to the pretrial diversion program. The court did rule to modify Archut's probation sentence to two years instead of three to serve the sentence concurrently.

The court decision said Archut, 22, who was 18 at the time of the incident, was properly excluded from the program citing offenders who "deliberately committed with violence or threat of violence against another person."

Archut, of Paulsboro, was with four other white people in a car when they started yelling racial epithets at the youth, who was riding his bike with his 17-year-old brother in a Haddon Heights park in 2013. Archut was convicted of bias intimidation for throwing a capped cup of water at the youth that "exploded," causing some of the ice to hit his foot.

A 13-year-old sitting near Archut "yelled out a racial slur, referring to a little n-," the court record said. The driver of the car then turned around just before Archut threw the water out of the window. The youth's brother called police and Archut and her crew were arrested. It was not immediately reported if anyone else in the car was charged or convicted.

The youth, only identified at "C.B." in the court record testified: "I feel like they're trying to degrade me and I felt bad about myself and I thought they tried to take my right away as like being a person."

The panel also agreed with the original trial judge's decision to "to send a strong message that this type of conduct will not be tolerated in the future."

Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bduhart. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
This story is part of "N.J.'s hardest-to-get-into high schools," an NJ Advance Media special report on the rise of specialized public high schools for top students around the state.

ROCKAWAY -- What is the top public high school in New Jersey?

Millburn High School? Princeton? West Windsor-Plainsboro?

If you guessed any of those schools or another traditional high school, you're wrong.

New Jersey's best - and most exclusive -- public high school may just be tucked inside a small, brick school annex on a hilltop in Rockaway. Inside, about 100 of Morris County's smartest students are working in engineering labs and taking college-level math and science classes.

Students here compete to get a chance to walk these hallways. More than 200 took the admissions test and sat through interviews to land one of 26 coveted spots in the freshman class - making the specialized high school as hard to get into as an Ivy League college.

The students averaged a staggering 2,213 (out of 2,400) on the SAT last year, among the highest in the state. Last year's graduates averaged more than $38,500 each in accepted college scholarships to schools like Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pennsylvania.

"The opportunities I have here are really unique," said Shalaka Madge, 18, a senior headed to Princeton University. "It's an experience very, very few high schoolers can get."

Newsweek named the school not only the best high school in New Jersey last year, but the second best public school in the nation.

The school is Morris County's Academy for Mathematics, Science and Engineering.

You're not the only who may have never heard of it.

Students prepare to work on a lab during a biotechnology class at Morris County Academy for Math, Science and Engineering in Rockaway on March 24, 2017. The admission-only public school is ranked among the best high schools in the country. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

A look inside New Jersey's other school system.

Morris County's Academy for Mathematics, Science and Engineering is one of New Jersey's growing number of specialized public high schools run by the county vocational technical districts. The high schools - which specialize in everything from engineering to performing arts - have boomed over the last few decades.

Though many students and parents may not know they exist, these rigorous schools have become among the best public schools in New Jersey.

Many students hear about the county-run high schools in middle school and take tests in the 8th grade to apply. If they are lucky enough to get in, they bypass their local high schools and are bused to the specialized high school with other top students from around their county.

Officials and students at the schools -- which have names like High Tech High School, Academy for Information Technology and Performing Arts Academy -- spend a lot of their time trying to explain the purpose of the schools.

"We constantly battle misconceptions about vocational schools," said Gwendolyn Ryan, assistant superintendent of Union County's vo-tech district and former principal of Union County Magnet High School.

The vo-tech districts still have classes for future welders, hairdressers and auto mechanics. But a growing part of their mission is now to run schools designed for super-smart students headed to top colleges.

The county-run magnet schools were started out of a need to attract more students.

In the 1990s, interest in traditional vo-tech subjects, started to wane in some counties.

So, the vo-tech districts posed a question: What if we offered programs that catered to top students headed to high-tech careers?

"County vocational schools, unlike a typical school district, they don't have any resident students. They have to generate their enrollment every year. So, they need to change with the times," said Judy Savage, executive director of the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools, a group representing the state's 21 districts.

The idea wasn't new. New York City has been running elite high schools, including Stuyvesant High School and Bronx High School of Science, for a century. Other cities and states, including Boston, Chicago and Virginia, also run specialized high schools with rigorous admissions tests for the region's most gifted students.

In the 1990s, Monmouth, Union and Bergen were among the counties in New Jersey that began to experiment with the idea in schools like High Tech High School, Union County Magnet School and Bergen County Academies.

The idea gradually began to spread to New Jersey's other counties. Some started stand-alone specialized high schools focused on science, math, engineering, computer science or other subjects. Other vo-tech districts started special programs or "schools within schools" for top students.

At Union County's Academy for Allied Health Sciences, Danielle Dror, left, checks the blood pressure of fellow junior Alyssa Carbonell in their exercise physiology class on March 3, 2017. The school in Scotch Plains is one of a growing number of admission-only specialized high schools run by the county vo-tech districts. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Everything is a learning experience, even gym.

Walk into Union County Magnet High School in Scotch Plains and one of the first rooms you see off the lobby is the new "maker space." The school gutted its old multi-media room and filled it with 3-D printers, robotics equipment and tens of thousands of dollars in high-tech machinery for its engineering students to play with.

Across the courtyard, students in the neighboring Academy for Information Technology are hunkered down over their computers in a student-run "Hack Shack," where they take turns teaching each other everything from the latest Java coding tricks to the best way to crimp an ethernet cord.

"My neighbor was in this school. He showed me his homework one day. I said, 'Wow, they are doing cool stuff over there. I have to get there,'" said Stephen Cropper, 17, a senior from New Providence who helps oversee the "Hack Shack".

Union County's sprawling campus in Scotch Plains now has 1,600 students in five specialized high schools, all surrounding a single courtyard. In the Academy for Allied Health Sciences building, students spend the equivalent of their gym class walking on a bank of treadmills in a high-tech lab while their classmates practice monitoring their heart rates on EKG machines.

How many of these specialized schools are there?

There are now 20 stand-alone specialized high schools and more than 60 programs and "schools within schools" run by New Jersey's vo-tech districts, according to the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools.

They are in every county in the state, except Essex, Warren, Sussex and Cumberland counties.

(Some individual schools districts have also started versions of academies tailored for top students, including McNair Academic High School in Jersey City and Elizabeth High School in Elizabeth.)

Some are called magnets schools. Others are dubbed career academies or high tech high schools. Some critics have called them "publicly-funded private schools."

All are built around the same idea: Create a school with small classes, rigorous courses and top teachers. Require students to get real-world career experience through internships and other projects. Admit only the top students in the county.

Students have lunch and socialize in the main lobby of Middlesex County Academy of Science, Math and Engineering Technologies in Edison in March 31, 2017. The school, which is located on the campus of Middlesex County College, is ranked among the top public high schools in the nation. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

The rest of the world is beginning to notice New Jersey's hard-to-get-into high schools.

The success of the county-run high schools is reflected in national rankings.

Newsweeks' latest list of the Top 10 high schools in the country includes three of New Jersey's county-run specialized high schools: Morris County's Academy for Mathematics, Science and Engineering (#2 in the country), Union County Magnet High School (#4) and Middlesex County's Academy for Science, Math and Engineering Technology (#10).

U.S. News and World Report selected Monmouth County's High Tech High School as the No. 1 science, technology, math and engineering-focused high school in the nation in its latest rankings.

The county-run high schools also dominate lists of New Jersey's top schools. The top 12 New Jersey schools with the highest average SAT scores last year were all specialized vo-tech high schools.

Though supporters of traditional public schools say the comparisons are unfair. The county-run magnet schools have few, if any, students classified with disabilities and minimal low-income students. So, their test scores will always skew higher than even the best of New Jersey's traditional public high schools, the critics say.

Even former governors try to get kids in.

The calls come into the office of the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools all the time. The callers all have the same goal: to get a kid into Union County Magnet High School or one of the county's other highly-competitive career academies.

Sometimes the calls come from zealous parents, other times from well-meaning principals or teachers touting the merits of a student they feel deserves a seatin the specialized schools.

"Actually, we got a phone call from a former governor," said Peter Capodice, the superintendent of Union County's vo-tech district. "We hear from state senators, from congressmen, from local politicians, assemblymen, a county sheriff. You name it, they all call us. They say, 'I have a real good person.'"

School officials hear out the callers, but politely say no one can get into the popular schools through a back door. Everyone has to attend an information session in the 8th grade to learn about the schools. Then, they take an admissions test to prove they deserve a spot.

"We just use the points. It's strictly by the numbers," Capodice said.

How do students find out about these schools?

The demand to get into the specialized high schools continues to rise as the districts recruit students by sending fliers and counselors to local middle schools.

Most students who get in say they heard about the schools through word of mouth.

Andrea Diaz, 16, a junior from Linden, said she wanted to get into Union County Magnet High School from the moment her mother first told her about it.

"I wanted to get in so bad," Diaz said.

Once she arrived, she was surprised by the amount of work expected of her and the intensity of her high-achieving classmates.

"I went from a town that didn't have a great education to here," Diaz said, standing in a lab surrounded by 3-D printers and other high-tech robotics equipment. "There have been days I've been stressed out . . . But I wouldn't go back."

The teachers bring an extraordinary amount of experience to the table.

After more than 30 years as an engineer, Marc Weinstein was ready to retire from his job doing business modeling at Alcatel-Lucent.

A colleague told him about a job opening for an engineering teacher at her old high school - Middlesex County's Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies.

"I was trying to figure out what to do with the second chapter with my life," said Weinstein, who is now in his third year teaching civil and mechanical engineering. "It was the perfect match."

Because of their highly-specialized classes, many of the vo-tech academies attract former industry professionals willing to teach. Many are retired or take a pay cut to take the unionized jobs, which require a teaching certificate.

A rack of electronic equipment available to students working on projects in engineering class at the Middlesex County Academy of Science, Math and Engineering Technologies, which is located on the campus of Middlesex County College in Edison. It is ranked among the top public high schools in the country. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Who pays for all of this?

Specialized high schools are not charter schools, which have drawn intense criticism from some in New Jersey for drawing money away from traditional public schools.

Instead, the specialized high schools are funded by the county vo-tech school districts.They are funded by the state, county taxpayers and a small amount of federal funding.

If those three pieces don't contain enough money to fund the districts' schools, the vo-tech schools have the option of funding the last piece by charging tuition, usually about $6,000, to the local school district for each student they sent to the county-run schools.

Local districts also fund the buses to transport students to the vo-tech schools.

"This is actually a very cost-efficient model," said Scott Moffitt, superintendent of Morris County's vo-tech district.

Morris County's vo-tech district spent about $20,444 per pupil in total spending, including about $9,234 per student on classroom instruction, according to the 2015-2016 state education spending data.

By comparison, Mendham Township, one of the wealthier school districts in the county, spent about $27,205 per pupil. Dover, the poorest municipality in the county, spent about $15,766 per pupil.

Expect to see a lot more of these schools.

County vo-tech districts say the boom in specialized high schools will continue. Superintendents say they have ideas for new career academies and plans to expand existing schools.

Morris County is expanding the Academy for Math, Science and Engineering, admitting 48 new students a year, instead of 26.

Union County's vo-tech district, which has maxed out space on its Scotch Plains campus with five separate specialized high schools, is also exploring options for new schools.

"Do we want to? Yes we do," said Capodice, superintendent of Union County's vo-tech district. "We have some ideas about a new academy . . . We have so much to offer. I don't think we'll ever saturate the market here."

Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at " on Facebook.
NEWARK -- A Superior Court judge will need to explain why a man convicted of stabbing a drug dealer to death in 2012 was sentenced to 25 years in prison, an appeals court has ruled.

The decision comes in Daniel Bedford's appeal of his 2015 sentencing in the stabbing death of Kareem Montague, 33, of Elizabeth, who was selling him PCP-laced cigarettes inside a car driving through Newark on June 6, 2012.

Among other appeals, Bedford argued the 25-year sentence he received in the killing was excessive.

"Apart from the fact that the jurors rejected (Bedofrd's) claim of self-defense, we are unable to determine why the judge...(imposed) a sentence so near the top of the ten to thirty (year) range," the appeals court ruling states.

The appeals court sent the case to the trial court judge for further explanation of the sentencing.

The appeals court upheld the court's ruling and other procedures during the trial that Bedford's appeal called into question.

An attorney for Bedford, now 25, of East Orange, had requested a 12-year sentence on his convictions of aggravated manslaughter, carjacking, and weapons offenses. He was acquitted of the more serious murder charge.

Prosecutors said Montague's girlfriend was driving the two of them at about 1 a.m. in June 2012 when they stopped near Orange Street to pick up Bedford, who was buying laced cigarettes.

Prosecutors argued that Bedford pulled out an 11-inch knife and stabbed Montague in the heart. Bedford admitted stabbing Montague during an altercation over the deal, but said that Montague had produced the knife, and he acted in self-defense - an argument the jury rejected.

During the fight, the girlfriend said Montague told her to drive to the hospital, which she started to do. But, she got out of the car when Bedford ordered her to, she testified.

While she ran to a gas station and called 911, Bedford drove the car further, later abandoning it and fleeing to California, where he was caught a short time later, prosecutors said.

Montague's body was found in the blood-soaked backseat of his abandoned car, authorities said.

During Bedford's 2015 sentencing, Montague's relatives called for a lengthy prison term. Prosecutors noted Bedford's criminal history, which included 18 adult arrests - several of which occurred between the stabbing and sentencing.

At his sentencing, Bedford told Montague's family members he was "beyond sorry."

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY -- A number of issues loomed over the 31st Legislative District Assembly forum Friday night, when the four Democratic primary candidates vying addressed voters at the Maya Angelou public school.

The forum was hosted by political advocacy organization Black Interest Team Enterprise New Jersey and a Facebook group called Political Insider.

The two Republican candidates, Michael Alonso and Lauren DiGiaro of the "Drain the Swamp in Trenton" ticket -- who will go unchallenged in the primary election -- were invited but did not attend.

"If you make the confirm list, we invite all," B.I.T.E. President Tinia Bland said. "We try to host (all of the candidates)."

Christopher Munoz and Kristen Zadroga-Hart of the Hudson County Democratic Educator ticket will face off against incumbents Nicholas Chiaravalloti and Angela McKnight, both on the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) ticket.

The top two vote-getters in the June 6 primary will take on the Republican candidates in November's general election.

Issues discussed on Friday include bail reform, the pension funding system, the school funding formula, tax abatements, property taxes and energy efficiency in the state.

Bail Reform

Candidates were largely in agreement on the recent bail reform in the state, which was enacted in January and instituted a system where -- in place of traditional cash bail -- defendants are evaluated based on their risk of failing to appear before a judge.

If the judge decides to hold the defendant without bail, than the defendant must be indicted within 90 days and a trial must be scheduled within 180 days.

Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti said that the reform has thus far been successful, but admitted that it's "not perfect."

Zadroga-Hart and Munoz both said that they see the system as less of a judicial issue, and more of a socioeconomic issue.

"This is a social justice issue ... poor people who cannot afford representation or the ability to get out of jail sit there much longer than someone who may have repetitive violent offenses," Zadroga-Hart said.

But all of the candidates agreed that the reform was positive, based upon the fact that the previous system weighed heavily on socioeconomic disparities, they said.

"Bail was (previously) determined by the size of your wallet," Chiaravalloti said. "Overall, this is a piece of legislation that I think is having a positive impact... we just need to improve it."

Pension Funding System

One of the bigger issues facing New Jersey is its pension funding system, which has been largely underfunded for some time.

Moderators cited a recent study by the Pew Charitable Trust that lists the state's pension system as being in the worst shape in the county. The state's credit rating has also recently been downgraded as a result of the pension system.

HCDO candidates touted their "yes" vote on a bill approved by Gov. Christie that requires the state to make quarterly payments to the pension system, but said the issue still falls on the governor to fully fund the system.

"We cannot trust that a governor at the end of the year will put the money where it needs to go. That's the reality," Chiaravalloti said, opining that this is the state's second biggest issue behind school funding.

Zadroga-Hart, a Jersey City teacher and Munoz, a member of the Bayonne Board of Education, both suggested that mandating full payment into the system should be step one.

"I have never missed a pension payment and neither have any other union (members), or any state public worker -- we have never missed a payment so why should the state," Munoz said.

Zadroga-Hart went a step further saying that a millionaires tax should be instituted to offset costs borne by working class people.

"People have suggested gas tax, toll tax etc... those burden working class people," she said. "I think millionaires should have to pay their share into the system because there are too many loopholes that they get out of and the remaining money is paid by working class people."

School funding formula

While all of the candidates agreed that districts should receive the maximum amount of funding under the state's school funding formula, some had disagreements over what to do in the meantime.

Munoz pointed to Chiaravalloti's recent legislation that would require 5 percent of a tax-abated property's PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) to go to school districts, and said all tax-abated properties should be paying more in school taxes. He said these properties should be subject to traditional tax structures with 43.76 percent of PILOT revenues going to the city, 40.25 percent to the school district, and 15.99 percent to the county.

Zadroga-Hart echoed this statement, adding that she believes a 5 or 10 percent minimum is an "insult to these cities."

"Most cities are not going to go above and beyond what they're required to do," she said. "There needs to be legislation that forces the abatement number."

Munoz suggested instituting a millionaires tax and closing all "corporate loopholes to ensure (that) all New Jerseyans are paying their fair share" in school taxes, while also scaling back on the amount of funding former Abbott Districts still receive.

Chiaravalloti, after stating that the formula would not be fully funded "until we have a new governor that will actually negotiate with the Democratic legislature," suggested creating a one-year revenue stream to ensure no district falls under 60 percent of state funding.

"Districts like Bayonne would benefit immediately, and then we can start talking about how we fully fund the formula and continue the process," he told the audience.

Tax Abatements

Tax abatements, originally meant to stir economic development in blighted areas, have become a controversial issue in New Jersey municipalities.

PILOT tax abatements are given to developers that circumvent the typical tax structure by directing payments to the city during the PILOT's lifespan based on the development's annual revenue. Both Jersey City and Bayonne have recently opted to direct a percentage of that toward their school districts.

Moderators asked the candidates how the state should properly define "blighted areas" so that abatements are given in the way the law intended.

McKnight said that cities shouldn't be punished for using the tools available to them, but also told the audience that the state needs to look at the income of the communities to determine PILOT abatements.

Zadroga-Hart agreed with McKnight, but added that "we can get upset with them abusing the guidelines that are in place."

Munoz pushed back on tax abatements, stating that "what these have turned into locally is tax breaks for developer millionaires."

He suggested they should be based on location, how many abatements have previously been given in the area, and the socioeconimic status of the neighborhood.

Chiaravalloti told the audience that it should be about what sort of projects are being given abatements, rather than the definition of "blighted."

"There are certain things in Hudson County that we want to encourage, such as manufacturing and industry," he said. "That's very different than using PILOTs to build luxury housing."

He also suggested incorporating affordable housing, job generation, and other locally beneficial provisions into the PILOT agreements, which Zadroga-Hart agreed with.

Affordable housing

New Jersey is one of the highest taxed states in the country, as well as one of the most expensive states to rent in.

When asked what the candidates would do to make housing more affordable, many of them pointed to raising the minimum wage to $15.

Zadroga-Hart and McKnight both suggested holding educational seminars to give residents the opportunity to become homeowners.

McKnight also pointed to legislation she introduced that would give tax credits to parents who home-school children, as well as legislation that would institute a freeze on seniors' taxes.

Munoz opined that there should be legislation to change the universal tax rate and allow commercial properties and businesses to be taxed at higher rates than homeowners. He also reiterated his position on tax abatements, telling the audience that municipalities should explore shared service agreements.

Chiaravalloti pointed to his experience on the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development committee and said federal budget cuts could potentially affect the state's tax rates.

Renewable and sustainable energy options

When asked if candidates had a plan to increase alternative and sustainable energy options, Munoz and Zadroga-Hart suggested that state and towns should give tax breaks to citizens and businesses who make their homes more energy efficient.

"We should incentivize this on a tax basis, (and) allow homeowners to innovate and make it lucrative to do so," Munoz said.

McKnight told the audience she agreed with Munoz: "The upper class can afford solar panels on their homes, but the lower class can't afford it."

Both Chiaravalloti and Zadroga-Hart said that Gov. Christie has devastated New Jersey's once prominent stance on energy.

"New Jersey at one point was a leader (in alternative energy), producing more solar energy than California," Chiaravalloti said. "All that got thrown out under Gov. Christie."

"Christie has devastated any progess that we made as a state and it is scary to (think of) what Donald Trump is going to do over the next four years to continue that," Zadroga-Hart said.
JERSEY CITY - A 23-year-old man faces up to 10 years in prison for robbing and threatening to shoot a college student as he walked to class in 2013.

Raheem Porter, of Jersey City, was convicted by a jury of second-degree robbery on Thursday, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced.

On Sept. 11, a 17-year-old NJCU student was walking to school on Martin Luther King Drive near Bidwell Avenue when he was approached by two men on bicycles who forced into a corner near Sacred Heart Church, Suarez said.

Porter, one of the men on a bike, told the victim to give him his gold chain and cellphone and threatened to make his "bullets count" if he didn't hand over the items. The victim later identified Porter as the man who robbed him, she said.

The jury deliberated for about two hours before reaching a guilty verdict. Porter is expected to be sentenced before Superior Court Judge John Young on July 14. He faces five to 10 years in prison. Porter must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

In a release, Suarez credited Jersey City detectives for conducting a "detailed investigation." The state was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Macurdy.

Porter also had pending drug and gun charges stemming from an October arrest by the Jersey City Violent Crimes Task Force.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
DUNKERTON -- Friends and relatives of Rhonda Apfel worked the banks of the Wapsi River Tuesday morning as the search for the missing woman entered its second day.

Black Hawk County sheriff's deputies and conservation officers and Dunkerton firefighters took to motor boats and kayaks to scour the water.

Apfel, 47, of Waterloo, was reported missing on Monday, and authorities found her motorcycle parked near the river at the Bruggeman Wildlife Area and personal items nearby. Authorities searched all day Monday. They resumed Tuesday morning with help from about 50 volunteers, most of them Apfel's friends and family.

Friend Laura Christensen of Cedar Falls said Rhonda Apfel normally becomes withdrawn around Memorial Day since losing her father to a motorcycle crash in Florida about two years ago and her brother to a heart problem within a year of her father's death.

Husband Monte Apfel said Rhonda often travels to the Dunkerton area around the holiday to reflect. Her father's ashes were scattered near a farm that had been a popular camping spot for the family, he said.

Monte Apfel said he was told Rhonda Apfel had gone to the camping area over the weekend but found people she didn't know there and apparently continued on.

Monte Apfel said he believes Rhonda had stopped and waded into the water to cool down but was taken by the current.
The Navy Seal who was killed in Jersey City yesterday after his parachute failed to open during a Fleet Week demonstration has been identified as 27-year-old Colorado man Remington J. Peters.



Peters was a fiercely loyal role model whose accomplishments "far outweigh his years," his family said in a statement issued by the Navy. Peters is "painfully missed," the family said.

"He was an angel on earth and role model to all," the statement reads. "We couldn't have been more proud of him. He lived life to the fullest and taught us to do the same."

Peters' rank was special warfare operator first class. He first enlisted in September 2008.

A veteran of two combat deployments, Peters was killed yesterday after he plunged into the Hudson River shortly after noon during a parachute demonstration by the Leap Frogs, the Navy's parachute team.

After his parachute failed to open, Peters landed in the river, where he was rescued and brought to Jersey City Medical Center. He was pronounced dead at 1:10 p.m.

The family has asked for privacy, the Navy said tonight.

"No words could do justice, but we are so grateful for all that he taught us, and all the love he gave us in his 27 wonderful years," the family said. "Today, we honor our selfless, humble and quiet professional."

Peters helps a young fan try on a parachute at Eisenhower Park during Fleet Week New York on May 27, one day before he was killed during a demonstration in Jersey City.

The Leap Frogs are based in San Diego and make appearances nationwide, performing tricks sometimes as high as 12,000 feet in the air.

The Navy said Peters made over 900 jumps after joining the team in March 2016. During an April 2016 show at a Tennessee high school, Peters told WBIR he first became interested in being a Navy SEAL after seeing a Leap Frogs demonstration at his own high school.



"It's great fun," Peters told the news station. "I like to throw up or say 'hi' to the crowd as I'm coming in and get them all riled up. It's a good time for us."

A U.S. Navy Instagram post from February 2016 shows Peters performing the kind of feat that wowed audiences who flocked to see the Leap Frogs.

The cause of yesterday's mishap remains under investigation.

"Our primary concern now is to provide support and care for his family in their time of need as they being to grieve Remi's death," the Navy said in a statement tonight.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
BAYONNE -- The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York will allocate $4 million to study the potential for a light rail that would connect to the Hudson-Bergen light rail in Bayonne, according to the Staten Island Advance.

The MTA, in its amended capital plan for 2015-2019, will look at the 13-mile route along Staten Island's West Shore for a potential light rail. The system would carry commuters over the Bayonne Bridge and connect them with New Jersey Transit's Hudson-Bergen Light Rail.

Mayor Jimmy Davis in a statement said that the city is "always interested in improvements to transportation in the region."

But Davis also raised questions as to whether the new Bayonne Bridge -- with its newly increased navigational clearance -- would be able to handle the weight of a light rail.

The new Bayonne Bridge opened to drivers in February. The Port Authority is still adding the finishing touches to the bridge as part of the "Raise the Roadway" project.

Bayonne has not been contacted by the MTA, according to city officials. A spokesman for the Port Authority could not be reached in time of publication.

"We're interested in ideas such as this, but many details will have to be worked out," a spokesperson for NJ Transit told The Jersey Journal.

The MTA has previously committed to studying the potential light rail, but this the first time the agency has included any funding toward a feasibility study.

The MTA has also performed previous studies, one in 2004 and one in 2009, looking at whether the area would have the potential ridership numbers to support it.

This is not the first time Staten Island has proposed an idea to get the borough's Manhattan commuters to Bayonne's light rail.

In September 2016, skeptical Bayonne officials scoffed at a proposed aerial gondola that would carry commuters over the Kill van Kull and drop them off at a light rail station in Bayonne.

"There really is no open space for it to come down," Council President Sharon Nadrowksi said at the time. "People don't want to be in their yard, and have a gondola coming over them."

"The way I look at it, I think it would have to travel too far to go to the Eighth Street Light Rail," Davis said.

But he was open to the idea if the gondolas only ran to First Street.

"I wouldn't mind if they helped us with building the light dail down to First Street and then have the gondola come down to First Street," he said.
Bill Testa (Rick Epstein)

"Vietnam was a snap compared to being a teenager," former Marine Corps sergeant Bill Testa told the assembled student body of Delaware Valley High School.

He was the keynote speaker at Delaware Valley High School's Memorial Day assembly on Thursday, May 25, honoring veterans and remembering the military men and women who had made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

To bring home the meaning of Memorial Day, Dr. Testa told the students of the bravery and determination of the troops who fought and died on the beaches of Normandy during World War II.

But his primary message was that no matter how difficult adolescence can be, students should not give up. He shared pivotal moments from his own life - the first time he saw a Marine in uniform, the day he joined the Corps, the day at Da Nang Air Base when one of the Vietnamese workers died of a toothache, the day he decided to become a dentist, and the day he met his wife. Bill and Carol Testa went on to have two sons while he practiced dentistry in Pittstown. Now retired, Dr. Testa expressed satisfaction with how his life had played out.

In closing he advised students to "choose wisely and be careful" so they, too, can enjoy the wonderful lives that await them.

The program in the Hutchins gym was also attended by about 30 guests of honor - veterans, plus one soldier in uniform. Patriotic and military songs were rendered by the chorus and the band, and the Renegade Drumline gave a rousing sample of this year's show.

This item was submitted by Rick Epstein.
PEQUANNOCK -- A roofing company was recently fined $38,025 after a 21-year-old Belleville man's fatal fall at The Castle banquet hall on Route 23 in November, authorities said.

Michael A. Montero was standing on a wooden pallet on the fork end of a forklift about 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 18 when an apparent mechanical failure occurred and the forked end detached, police said.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in an inspection report a laborer with GK Brothers Construction LLC was raised by a rough terrain forklift to an upper floor elevation to retrieve a ladder. The front end fork attachment detached while lowering the man, causing him to fall about 20 to 30 feet, OSHA has said.

OSHA said in the inspection report the worker was killed by trauma from the fall.

Montero's co-workers took him to Chilton Medical Center after the fall, but he was pronounced dead at 1:46 p.m., police have said.

GK Brothers Construction, a non-union roofing contractor with a mailing address in Belleville, was fined $12,675 on May 17 for each of three serious safety violations in connection with this worker's death.

The construction company has a history of safety violations.

OSHA records show GK Brothers Construction was cited on two other occasions in the past five years for safety violations for work-related falls. The company was also initially cited for a work-related fall violation in March 2014, but that violation was later expunged.

GK Brothers was initially fined $2,800 for a serious violation in connection with a work-related fall that occurred in July 2012, but it paid $1,400 in fines after an informal settlement with OSHA.

The company was also initially fined $10,560 for one serious violation and two repeat violations for a work-related fall in April 2015. The company, however, contested the violations and settled with the agency for $2,500.

The Castle is an 85,000-square-foot banquet hall currently under construction by Badanco Holding Company.

Messages placed to GK Brothers Construction and Badanco Holding Company Tuesday morning haven't yet been returned.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
TRENTON -- Five New Jersey residents have been charged with filing fraudulent applications for federal Hurricane Sandy relief funding, bringing the total number of people accused by state authorities with exploiting disaster relief programs since March 2014 to 91.

The latest group of people charged -- which includes two Hoboken residents and an Upper Saddle River woman -- filed claims for homes they said were primary residences when they were not, the state Attorney General's Office said Tuesday.

Frank Russo, 83, of Brick, received $190,813 in relief funds for a home in Toms River that wasn't occupied at the time Sandy struck in October 2012, authorities said.

Most state and federal relief programs are only available to those whose primary residences were damaged by the storm.

An attorney representing Russo, Peter DeMarco, said his client's home in Toms River fit the definition of a primary residence given by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

"Clearly it was my client's primary residence," DeMarco said. "We dispute their allegations and we'll have our day in court.

Jennifer Altman, 43, and Patrick Yannotta, 28, both of Hoboken, each allegedly received roughly $183,000 in federal funds for homes located in Toms River and Seaside Heights, respectively.

At the time of the storm, authorities say Altman was living in Hoboken and Yannotta was leasing his Seaside Heights home to renters.

Yannotta's attorney, Michael Critchley, disputes that claim, saying: "documentary and other evidence will establish without a doubt that it was Patrick's primary residence."

Authorities say Jennifer Casey, 33, of Upper Saddle River, received $174,912 in relief funds for a second home in Toms River.

Carlos Paul Terzian, 54, of Manahawkin, received $30,021 for a second property in Manahawkin that was vacant when Sandy hit.

Each defendant was charged with theft by deception and unsworn falsification.

"Stealing any type of public aid is reprehensible, but it's especially egregious to steal relief funds in the context of a historic disaster, when every dollar is needed for recovery," Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice said in a statement. "We'll continue to pursue these prosecutions with our state and federal partners, so we can guard these funds and deter this type of criminal conduct in future emergencies."

Attorneys for Altman, Casey and Terzian did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
On a sweeping bend of Route 94 in Sparta, there is a cleared hilltop marked by plain white grave tablets and uniform rows of small American flags embedded in the ground.

"It's always a little breezy up here, but calm," said John Harrigan. "It's peaceful. Some people come up just to sit."

This was Harrigan's dream. To build a place of honor and serenity, where those who served their country could rest in peace. And in that sacred space, family, friends and strangers could come and quietly reflect on their service rendered and sacrifices made.

The Northern New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery is in the infant stage of becoming hallowed ground. Not many people know about it. It's tucked away up in Sussex County along a country highway. The closest and best landmark to find it is Sussex County Vo-Tech. Traveling south on Route 94 (North Church Road), it's just past the school. Traveling north, it's just before.

A wide, newly paved driveway under a metal arched sign "All Gave Some ... Some Gave All" leads to New Jersey's newest military cemetery.

Eighty veterans are buried there, including two women. Another 150 have pre-purchased plots. The cleared hilltop is only the first section. The rest of the slope and the ground below will be cleared as needed.

MORE: Recent Mark Di Ionno columns

The cemetery is the most significant step in Harrigan's long, interrupted journey to embrace his own war experiences and veteran status.

He was an Army combat engineer in the Mekong Delta region in 1967-8, during the heaviest fighting of the war.

"I was there for the Tet Offensive," he said, referring to the Viet Cong's counter-attack to a massive U.S. troop build-up.

"When I came home from Vietnam, I went to the VA at the Brooklyn Navy Yard," he said. "The doctor says to me, 'You weren't in a real war and you didn't get hurt, so there's nothing we can do for you.' So that was that."

Like many Vietnam veterans, he didn't join the American Legion or VFW. He just went about his life and the lonely pursuit of trying to feel normal.

He got a job with the New York City Transit Authority as collection agent. His Type 2 Diabetes and neuropathy from Agent Orange exposure began to announce themselves as he aged but his first experience with the VA kept him away.

"They're (the VA) much better now," he said.

During the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he was assigned to help secure the Brooklyn Bridge.

"We had seen the planes hit," he said. "That was it for me."

A new war was on, and he'd already served in one, so he retired. And started to think.

"All of us Vietnam vets, we never got a welcome home," he said. "I wanted to give us a place where we could go."

In 2008, he started a Vietnam Veterans Chapter in Sussex County. The first meeting at St. Francis DeSales Church in Vernon drew three men. Now they have 200 members and between "75 and 100 guys" show up there every Thursday. (All veterans are welcome).

His activism grew along with the meetings.

"Its veterans helping veterans," he said. "With support, with the VA, whatever they need."

Even a place of eternal rest.

Last week, Harrigan, cemetery administrator Lisa Permunian and a small army of volunteers were trying to get the property ready for (yesterday's) Memorial Day ceremony.

A "battle field cross" sculpture of empty boots, rifle and helmet was being placed at the foot of the main flag pole as part of an Eagle Scout Project by Devin Reilly, a junior at High Point Regional High School.

He sold engraved pavers to purchase the sculpture and a few hundred more un-engraved pavers to create a wide walkway at the base of the flagpole.

About 60 volunteers from the Bayer pharmaceutical company were planting donated shrubbery and trees.

"We've had a lot of people do things for free," said Harrigan, 69, who lives in Vernon.

Local landscape designer, Mark DeVenezia, cleared and graded the hilltop land, which required the removal of dozens of mature trees and the under-forest growth of unmanaged land.

Attorney Kevin Kelly of Newton, did the extensive legal work pro bono. The survey work was done by Gardell Land Surveying of Franklin.

The streets of the cemetery complex are named after them.

Harrigan didn't name one for himself.

No reason, he said. "I just didn't do one."

But we know the reasons. Humility. Service. The quiet satisfaction of doing something extraordinary without trumpets, plaques or press releases. Pitching in and making a job well-done.

Street name or not, this is Harrigan's baby. He got the idea after visiting a veterans' cemetery in the town of Goshen in New York's Orange County in 2008.

"It was a county cemetery, so I thought, 'Why not here?'" he said. "We don't have a military cemetery in North Jersey."

True. The three open military or veterans' cemeteries in the state are at Finn's Point on the Delaware Bay, Wrightstown, near the Joint Base of McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and, Beverly, which like Wrightstown, is in Burlington County.

Harrigan went to the Sussex County freeholders and asked if they wanted to start a veterans' cemetery. They did not. But they offered to help.

With $300 of his own money, Harrigan created a 501 (c13), the non-profit designation for cemeteries. Owen Martin of Vernon, another Vietnam veteran, found the perfect spot: the 66 acres the county was holding for the purpose of a shooting range or park.

The county sold the land to Harrigan for $1, and donated $50,000 of the $75,000 he needed to post a bond with the state cemetery board.

"We had to raise the rest," Harrigan said.

By early 2015, everything was in place to allow DeVenezia to fire up the bulldozers and start clearing the land.

"We've come pretty far in just two years," Harrigan said.

And it's just the beginning. Harrigan plans five sections of the cemetery. The first two will have enough room for the coffins or cremated remains of 7,500 veterans.

When Harrigan looks out over the cleared hilltop and still-wooded area of the land the cemetery owns, he sees thousands upon thousands of the plain white tablets, lined in orderly rows. He sees thousands upon thousands of plaques marking the sites of cremated remains.

He also sees something else. The new camaraderie of old service members, joining together to build this place of their own.

Mark Di Ionno may be reached at mdiionno@starledger.com. Follow The Star-Ledger on Twitter @StarLedger and find us on Facebook.

For more information on the cemetery or to donate, call 973896-2460 or go to NNJVeteransMemorialCemetery.org
MASON CITY | The South Shore Drive improvement project is "pretty much done," County Engineer Mary Kelly told the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors Tuesday and has received many compliments.

She said she has heard good feedback from the public, and so have construction crews who worked on the project.

The work involved resurfacing South Shore Drive from 235th to 240th streets, as well as a small section of Dogwood Avenue, a total of 3.3 miles. The cost was about $1.5 million.

Supervisor Tim Latham said, "There is plenty of room for bikes  and that's nice."

In other business, supervisors approved an amendment to the county's disaster recovery ordinance that will allow for more efficient and proactive responses in times of emergency, according to Emergency Management Coordinator Steve O'Neil.

"The change allows us to immediately determine if something goes beyond the scope of what we can do as a county," he said. "It used to be that everything was about response. Now there is more emphasis on recovery."

 John Skipper
ROCKWELL | Men from Klemme and Mason City were arrested Tuesday morning near Rockwell after leading law enforcement on in a high-speed chase exceeding 110 mph.

A Cerro Gordo County deputy observed a suspicious vehicle in Rockwell around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, according to a news release from the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office says the vehicle was driven by Clay Douglas Kalvig, 29, of Klemme, who then led deputies on a high-speed chase from Rockwell.

Deputies followed the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado truck on Pheasant Avenue, where they say the chase reached speeds over 110 mph. The chase led east on 170th Street from Pheasant Avenue, continuing at speeds around 100 mph.

Kalvig lost control of the vehicle, and drove into a ditch at the intersection of 170th Street and Yarrow Avenue, according to law enforcement.

Kalvig and the passenger, David Michael Hurst, 47, Mason City, fled on foot from the truck. Deputies searched the area along with a Butler County Deputy and his K-9.

Law enforcement said the two were found and arrested after a short search.

The truck was stolen earlier in the evening from Oelwein, according to deputies. During the theft of the truck, law enforcement said a trailer and lawn mower were also stolen. As of Tuesday morning, the items had not been recovered.

Kalvig faces a number of charges from the incident:

 Felony eluding.

 Misdemeanor operating under the influence, second offense.

 Misdemeanor interference with official acts.

 Misdemeanor driving while barred.

 Misdemeanor driving under suspension.

 Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

 Misdemeanor failure to obey a traffic control device.

Hurst, who law enforcement says is Kalvig's father-in-law, was charged with misdemeanor interference with official acts.

Further charges are pending from the Oelwein Police Department regarding the vehicle, trailer and lawn mower theft.

The case is still under investigation, and additional charges are also possible from the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office.
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MASON CITY | Carl and Stacie Beery and their three children finally have their own home, thanks to Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa.

The family has always rented homes in the past, but they own their new residence, built to their specifications, at 107 15th St. N.E.

Many volunteers helped them with the construction.

"There's still a lot of good people in our community," Carl said.

Habitat for Humanity held an open house and dedication for the four-bedroom, two-bathroom home last week. The Beerys moved in over Memorial Day weekend.

Habitat for Humanity serves those who are in need of safe and affordable housing, but who are unable to qualify for a traditional bank loan.

Habitat raises the money needed to build the homes, and then provides no-interest loans to qualified applicants with low monthly payments spread out over 20 to 30 year terms.

The homes are primarily built by volunteers, along with the future homeowners, in order to keep the purchase cost affordable for the families.

The Beerys put in more than their 500 required hours of "sweat equity" to build the home, but Carl said he loved it.

"What guy doesn't want to build their own home?" he said.

Carl has experience in construction as an industrial roofer for Midwest Roofing Co.

He didn't do the roofing work on his house because Mason City Roofing donated their labor for the task. However, he was involved in every other aspect of the project, except for plumbing and electrical work.

He said one thing that's great about being involved in building your own home is you can put things exactly where you want them.

Carl, who is 6 feet, 3 inches, said this is the first house he's lived in as an adult where "I don't have to bend over to take a shower."

He and Stacie have their own bathroom adjoining the master bedroom.

Each of their three children  Macey, 10, Dennis, 7, and Jude, 4  has his or her own bedroom.

Stacie picked out most of the paint colors, but Macey chose mint green for her bedroom.

The Beerys used to rent a house nearby, so they already know their neighbors.

The Habitat house is a one-story house instead of the two-story they were in before, which makes laundry and cleaning so much easier, according to the Beerys.

Stacie was happy to get hardwood floors, which are easier to keep clean than carpet, because the family has two dogs.

Stacie also likes the laminate counters and the dishwasher in the kitchen.

"I'm happy," she said.

The kids also like the new place, she added.

Carl said they love the new air system because Dennis has asthma.

The house is so efficient that it will save them a lot of money on utility bills, he said.

This is the first Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa home primarily sponsored by the sales generated in the ReStore, which sells new and used home improvement items donated by local individuals and businesses at 517 First St. N.W.
Nancy Bleuer of Clear Lake will drive to Iowa City and donate a kidney to a students father this week.

Bleuer, 54, is a teacher Washington Charlie Brown Preschool. She found out about Darreld Petersons condition in the fall. His son, Camden, was in her class.

Im not nervous; I have so much faith in God, Bleuer said. I do believe what you do comes back to you.

This sacrifice is something Bleuer feels she is called to do and wants to be part of her legacy.

My dad died at 56, Bleuer said. There are people who think this is crazy, but this is important.

On the day she found out about Peterson, Bleuer was at the doctors office for a sinus infection and a double ear infection.

I felt like a lava lamp of mucus, Bleuer said, laughing. I must have looked and sounded terrible.

She ran into a family member of Petersons who said the family had spent a lot of time in the emergency room.

My mind immediately went to, Camden is sick, Bleuer said. Camdens dad was going through kidney failure, and on his good day, he has 17 percent kidney usage.

Bleuer then asked about the next step for Peterson.

Right away, I thought about the student too and how it would affect him, she said.

Peterson was on dialysis and in need of a kidney donor. Bleuer thought, what does a person have to do to be tested?

Im sure I looked just like the person they wanted to donate, Bleuer said sarcastically. Not the picture of health at the moment.

Peterson dropped off some donation forms in the classroom and thanked her for considering testing and donating.

Bleuer heard that the ideal age for organ donation was between 18 to 45 which made her nervous.

After some blood tests, Bleuer found out she was a match in January. That approval kicked off a series of examinations and tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, cancers and more, which is intimidating, Bleuer said. That process takes about six months.

They check for everything, Bleuer said.

It includes psychological testing as well. Peterson was excited but also told Bleuer not to get her hopes up too much.

Despite her illness in the fall, overall Bleuer is a very healthy person which she already knew.

I dont take many sick days, Bleuer said.Ive always been very healthy.

She was told that she was in fantastic health by the doctors including great nutrition.

School lunches, every day...are you kidding me? Bleuer said, laughing. Thank you, Michelle Obama.

Throughout the process, Bleuer said there are several groups that help with the process as an advocate and as support systems. She was put in touch with another North Iowa woman who previously donated a kidney to discuss what the experience would be like.

Youre not alone, Bleuer said. Its very doable.

One of the most important parts is recovery after the surgery.

I knew that there would be a loss of vacation pay and sick pay, but I dont use it for anything else, Bleuer said. Might as well use it for somebody else.

Camden understands whats going on, Bleuer said.

He said, 'Youre going to make my dad better and live a long time, Bleuer said. That just melts your heart.

Bleuer is cleared for the same-day transplant surgery, which is scheduled for Thursday at the University of Iowa hospital in Iowa City.

I have ultimate trust in the team at University of Iowa, Bleuer said. Theyve been amazing.
SILVER CITY  Horses trotted in costume as cannons blasted at the Silver City Cemetery late Monday morning as part of a Civil War re-enactment in commemoration of Memorial Day.

The Silver City American Legion hosted a Remembering Our Heroes event that featured Terrys Texas Rangers riders as well as an invocation by the Rev. Kenneth Demlow and a Legion salute.

Legion members placed Memorial Day wreaths on veterans tombstones, and they finished the event with a rifle salute and the playing of taps by Gary Miller-Bugler.

In recognition of Memorial Day, many cemeteries in southwest Iowa, as well as across the country, hosted events to remember those who have served in the countrys armed forces, and in particular those who gave their lives in service to their country.

Laura Miller said shes been attending the Silver City Memorial Day event for several years. Her husband, Dennis, is a member of the Legion.

Its a beautiful setting, Miller said. Theres no better way to honor your veterans and Memorial Day.

In Malvern, American Legion Post 520s honor guard and color guard presented a Memorial Day program at the Malvern Cemetery with the Rev. Mike Stevens as the main speaker. The East Mills High School band also played during the event.

After Stevens opened the event with a prayer, sixth-grade student Megan Wells read a war poem by John McCrae. Student Dylan Schroeder also read the Gettysburg Address, the famous speech by President Abraham Lincoln.

It makes for a nice program when we have students from the community participating in the program, said Ardeth Henderson, event organizer.

After the band played patriotic music, Sgt. at Arms Don Jones laid the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The event commenced with Post 520 and community volunteers completing a ceremonial firing squad, color guard and the playing of taps.

Legion members in Glenwood and Missouri also held memorial services Monday morning, which also featured the first Memorial Day ceremony at the new Omaha National Cemetery outside Papillion, Nebraska, as well as the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Memorial Park in Omaha.
A national tour discussing the upcoming total solar eclipse will stop in Council Bluffs and several other southwest Iowa communities in the coming several days.

Kevin Manning, an astronomer and former NASA consultant, will speak at the Council Bluffs Public Library on Thursday at 7 p.m. as part of a tour called Look Up to the Stars.

Elsewhere in The Nonpareils area, Manning will visit public libraries in Clarinda at 7 p.m. today, Sidney at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Glenwood at 2 p.m. Thursday, Shenandoah at 6 p.m. Saturday and Atlantic at 7 p.m. Monday, according to the tours website, lookuptothestars.com, as well as library websites.

After that, the tour departs for Illinois and Indiana.

A release from the Council Bluffs library states that Manning worked as a consultant on the Chandra X-Ray Observatory with NASA and is a passionate science educator.

Come experience an educational and entertaining exploration of the universe, the stars and other celestial wonders, as well as a refreshingly large perspective gained by looking up at the sky, the library said in the release.

Following Mannings presentation, weather permitting, an outdoor star viewing with a custom-designed telescope will be offered.

The event is free and open to the public.

The program, The Universe & An All American Total Solar Eclipse, explores eclipses and other celestial events using positional astronomy to determine the location of objects in the sky at a particular date, time and location, according to the tours website.

A total eclipse of the sun will take place Aug. 21, with Iowa  except for a tiny sliver of Fremont County that will be in totality  experiencing a partial eclipse.

Another eclipse-related opportunity is coming up next week when the University of Nebraska at Omahas David Kriegler will present a public lecture June 10 at 6 p.m. and June 11 at 2 p.m. at the Durham Science Building.
DES MOINES  As a onetime county office worker in rural Iowa, Republican Kim Reynolds insists she never saw herself running for office, much less serving as governor.

But after a mid-career political surge and the appointment of mentor Terry Branstad as U.S. ambassador to China, the former legislator and lieutenant governor acknowledges growing more comfortable with her ascent Wednesday to the states top job.

In fact, she was even somewhat envious watching Branstad sign landmark legislation in the just-ended session, the first in nearly 20 years in which Republicans controlled the House, Senate and governors office.

I was kind of hoping, as we watched the bills go back and forth, that  gosh  Id really like to sign that one, Reynolds told a Republican county dinner in western Iowa.

The 57-year-old former Clarke County treasurer has come full circle, having stood by Branstad for six years, and now in the role of his chosen successor, with the groundwork in place to run for the office herself next year.

Reynolds was sworn in Wednesday, two days after Branstad was confirmed by the Senate for the ambassadorship.

With guidance from the nations longest-serving governor, she has established a political base and feverishly studied policy in preparation for the role she would have never seen coming, but now embraces.

Im proud of what weve been able to do over these last six years, Reynolds told about 100 Pottawattamie County GOP activists during a recent event. I didnt set out to run for office; I actually never thought I would.

That was after Reynolds left college without a degree; marrying, raising three daughters and, only then, looking to a career of her own.

Reynolds, however, says she quickly saw herself as up to the task of governor, after rising over the past 10 years from Clarke County treasurer, to state senator to one office away from the governorship in the Iowa Capitol.

I was six months on the job when the governor turned to me, she recalled in an Associated Press interview last week. It was 2011 and western Iowa had been hit with disastrous flooding as the divided Legislature was deadlocked in budget talks. Branstad was scheduled to lead a trade mission to China and South Korea.

I need you to do it, she recalled Branstad telling her.

If that newfound goal was to be governor, she also squeezed in time to finish her undergraduate degree. In December, Reynolds  in black gown and mortar board  stood with hundreds of graduates younger than her own children in Iowa State Universitys Hilton Coliseum to receive her diploma for a bachelors degree in liberal arts.

Fueled by what advisers call an anxiousness to prove her intellectual chops, Reynolds brings the same intensity to policy research.

As lieutenant governor, she has demanded extensive briefing material, complaining at times of being ill-prepped for public events.

Kims a studier and a worrier, said Doug Gross, a former adviser to Branstad and past GOP nominee for governor.

She took office with a robust $1 million in her campaign account, a big head start on lesser-known Republican primary prospect Ron Corbett, the mayor of Cedar Rapids, as well as the half-dozen Democrats weighing the race. Reynolds also is working with Something Else Strategies, the firm that created Iowa Sen. Joni Ernsts memorable 2014 campaign ads.

Reynolds has also had a taste of the political limelight.

In 2012, as secretary of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, she presided over Mitt Romneys presidential nomination. She also stood with countless GOP presidential hopefuls as a host of her states presidential caucuses. National GOP leaders also sought her for the 2014 Senate race.

Former Iowa Republican Chairman Matt Strawn said Reynolds made it clear to him and others she had her eyes on becoming governor.

I was left with the unmistakable impression that she would run, Strawn said of a lunch with Reynolds a year ago in Des Moines. It was done very artfully. But, make no mistake. She was interested, if the situation arose.

Still, she has kept in touch with key GOP leaders around the state.

Reynolds, for instance, has visited bellwether Cedar County in eastern Iowa to promote business openings, tour storm damage or headline county GOP dinners, as she did two years ago, county GOP chairwoman Dawn Smith said.

Kim has been here quite a few times. She really connects with the counties, Smith said.

Reynolds rushed to finish her remarks at the Pottawattamie County picnic, as a steady rain pelted the roof of the cold, metal building where they gathered.

Even curtailed, such appearances demonstrate what adviser Jeff Boeyink calls Reynolds political work ethic.

Lots of guest shots on FOX News? Theyre fine, said Boeyink, a former Branstad chief of staff. But Id rather have her doing the Muscatine County Republican dinner or the Davenport Rotary.
Almost two years into the planning and approval stages, preliminary construction work on a plaza honoring law enforcement officers and firefighters is scheduled to begin on July 17.

A few months after the death of Omaha Police officer and Council Bluffs resident Kerrie Orozco in May 2015, two longtime Council Bluffs residents, Lloyd Marsh and Ron Mahoney, had a casual breakfast conversation about the need for Council Bluffs residents  and the residents of all communities  to show their appreciation for the men and women who provide the police and fire protection too many of us take for granted.

That casual conversation grew into a plan to build a plaza in Council Bluffs honoring the men and women of law enforcement and the fire service.

To be located just south of West Broadway between Pearl and Main streets, the plaza will include four bronze statues that Mahoney and his wife, Suzanne, commissioned Omaha sculptor John Lajba to create.

Lajba is no stranger to Council Bluffs residents, having created the statues for the Veterans Plaza on the east side of Bayliss Park.

The statues will include a male firefighter assisting a small child who has been injured, a female deputy sheriff, a male police officer with a K9 police dog and a male state trooper.

Though Marsh and the Mahoneys agreed on the public safety employees who would be depicted in the plaza, it was Lajba who suggested there was a commonality that the originators of the plan had not included.

Lajba, who had met with representatives of all four public safety agencies in preparing his concepts for the statues, said he realized that at each meeting there were ongoing radio transmissions in the background.

I came to realize the 911 Communications Center was the web that ties all of the agencies together, he said. Without the 911 Center, first responders would not respond, at least not as quickly or as efficiently. The 911 Center is the hub  the connection between the public and our first responders  and I thought the plaza should also show the critical role 911 Center plays.

To show that connection, walkways will radiate from a central point near West Broadway leading to each of the four sculptures. The site plan that was ultimately adopted calls for using a series of stones leading to the statues.

A series of nine stones will be followed by a space, then a single stone, another space and a final stone to represent 9-1-1.

Council Bluffs Parks Director Larry Foster said the work that will begin in mid-July will include grading, necessary drainage work and the installation of some additional sidewalks in the space. It will also include setting in the granite bases upon which the four statues will be mounted.

The Mahoneys felt strongly enough about the need for the plaza to donate $350,000 for the project, which includes funding for landscaping, Lajbas sculptures and for preparation of the site where the plaza will be located.

The risks faced by those who choose careers in public safety is underscored all too often by the death or injury of the men and women who willingly run toward danger when most would retreat.

The death of Orozco, who was shot and killed two years ago while helping fellow officers serve a warrant, resulted in a tremendous outpouring of public support throughout the metro area.

Area residents showed that same outpouring of support earlier this month when Pottawattamie County Sheriffs Deputy Mark Burbridge was shot and killed, and a second deputy, Pat Morgan, was shot and wounded by a prisoner attempting to escape from the Pottawattamie County Jail.

Our appreciation of the sacrifices these men and women make should go beyond times of tragedy, Mahoney said. We hope the plaza conveys that appreciation.
Atlantic police are warning residents of the Cass County community that a man saying hes from Illinois has been calling claiming to sell advertisements for a community magazine.

Those calls, however, should only be made by the chamber of commerce, and police say that no personal or bank information should be shared over the phone.

Similarly, we warned readers in December that newspapers across the Midwest were victims of a scam where people call to impersonate representatives of local papers seeking credit card information for subscription starts and renewals.

Readers should be aware of these potential scams.

Subscription calls for The Nonpareil should be coming from 712 or 402 area codes. If youre ever in doubt, feel free to call The Nonpareil at 712-328-1811. Our business hours are weekdays between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Congratulations to the new, and soon-to-be, high school and college graduates in Council Bluffs and across southwest Iowa and the metro area.

For many, getting to walk across the stage at the Mid-America Center, your schools gym, the Kanesville Arena, the Baxter Arena or other venues for commencement ceremonies is a goal thats required hard work, dedication, long days, sleepless nights and support from loved ones, whether they are family, friends, teachers or co-workers.

For others, the experience is more of a culmination of years of expectations  yours, your loved ones, your classmates  or the result of sound investments, a near certainty although life has a way of throwing curveballs to even the most successful.

Regardless, however, this isnt the end  its just the next step in a long, winding path of life.

Whats important is what you do next, that you not squander the opportunity to build a better life, that you use the advantage of your diploma or degree to seek what you want out of life.

If your dream job, or way of life, requires more education, enroll in your next program and get ready to buckle down even harder in your studies.

If your dream career demands a longer resume, use your new academic credentials to start down the path of paying your dues and seeking that job.

If you want a life where your pursuits in your personal life are the priority, put those critical reasoning skills and ask how you can set yourself up to have that lifestyle  ideally with security that youll be able to maintain it through lifes highs and lows.

The weeks and months that follow graduation nearly always involve some change. So whether its a stress off your shoulders or a new sleep cycle or a different routine for the day, embrace the chance to foster good habits, abandon less healthy ones and keep your eye on the ball.
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MASON CITY | This year's Ride of Silence, a worldwide event to honor the memory of bicyclists killed or injured on streets and highways, will have special significance this year.

The family of Grace Harken of Riceville will participate in the Mason City event, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7.

North Iowa fatality raises questions about driving penalties OSAGE  For Darrel Harken, the death of his 20-year-old daughter, Grace, who was struck by a

Harken, 20, was killed when a car struck the bike she was riding on Highway 9 near Osage on July 29, 2015. The driver of the car admitted she was texting when the accident occurred.

The Mason City ride is rescheduled from May 17 when it was rained out, according to coordinator Steve Schurtz.

It will begin with a program at 7 p.m. in Central Park followed by a 6-mile ride that will end back in the park, Schurtz said.

Mason City police officers will be in the park prior to the ride to license bikes.

This will be Mason City's 11th year in the program. It was started 14 years ago in Dallas when 1,000 cyclists gathered to honor a rider who had been killed in an accident.

 John Skipper
Memorial Day honors the memories of those who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces.

The holiday differs from Veterans Day in November, which celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.

The federal Memorial Day, set each year on the last Monday in May, was established as a time to decorate the graves of soldiers, and the tradition continued this year with ceremonies throughout Lincoln County.

A surprise visit from the Meadow Light Squadron flying P51 experimental aircraft brought out expressions of awe as the four airplanes passed over the 20th Century Veterans Memorial ceremony in North Platte.

The squadron is from Colorado and Kevin Kennedy, memorial board member, invited them to fly over on their way home from performing at the Fort McPherson Ceremony earlier in the afternoon.

John Gale, Nebraska Secretary of State, was the keynote speaker at the 20th Century Memorial service. Gale practiced law in North Platte for 29 years and has fond memories of the early workings to get the memorial going.

I thoroughly enjoyed my years here, Gale said. Its a terrific town, terrific people and a lot of great things were going on including the development of this 20th Century Veterans Memorial.

Gale said Bob Hinde and Don Craig, who spearheaded the movement to build the memorial were good friends of his.

We bought our share of bricks to help things along, Gale said. We did what we could and (the memorial) is an inspiration to everybody.

At Fort McPherson National Cemetery south of Maxwell, flowers brought bright colors set against the backdrop of the white stone markers with hundreds of American flags flying in the breeze.

Retired Air Force training instructor Marvin L. Donnelly of Hershey was the keynote speaker at the Fort McPherson ceremony.

There are four Medal of Honor recipients buried here, Donnelly said. I think its very important for us to think about it and remember just what it took (to receive that honor).

Donnelly shared a short history of each of the medal recipients.

At the ceremony the large crowd included people from the area as well as Omaha and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

My father and my uncle were in the Army before me, said Jim House of Cheyenne. My sons in the Air Force and this is just a way to honor what they did.

Jim said he has family buried at Fort McPherson, while his wife Sandys family is farther east.

We come here and to the Wood River area where my family is buried, Sandy said.

Closer to home, Ben Moser of North Platte said he attended the ceremony because he appreciates those who died for us.

Im here to honor the fallen who died and protected us and our freedom all these years, Moser said. I dont have family buried here, but I do have family who are veterans that are buried elsewhere.

John Bollish, of Omaha, is a junior in high school and he came with his dad.

Were here for the (Memorial Day) service, Bollish said. Its a pretty special thing to see everyone here. Ive never been to one before.
NU could call for increase this week; 2-year colleges already plan to charge more

OMAHA  Tuition is almost certain to rise at public colleges and universities in the region and already has at some.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents is expected to approve some level of tuition increase Thursday in Lincoln. The three colleges in the Nebraska State College System will consider increases at their June 15-16 meeting in Chadron.

And Nebraskas two-year colleges already have approved increases for the coming school year.

Although tuition typically rises, additional pressure has been placed on public institutions in Nebraska for the 2017-18 school year because state money to higher education has declined. That generally means balancing losses with tuition revenue.

They dont want to raise tuition, but its something that has to figure into their mix, said Greg Adams, who heads the Nebraska Community College Association. Its something that they have to look at.

All six community colleges have done it.

At North Platte-based Mid-Plains Community College, President Ryan Purdy said a $5 tuition increase to $89 per semester hour was affected by the drop in state money. The six community colleges overall saw a decrease in state funds of about $500,000 for the coming fiscal year.

Mid-Plains share of the decrease is about $75,000. Metro has a bigger share of the cut because its a larger college with more students.

Purdy said it wasnt hard to convince his students of the need for a 6 percent tuition increase.

Rural areas are struggling, Purdy said, and the states financial problems are obvious to students in the North Platte area.

It doesnt take much to convince them that this affects the college as well. They know, Purdy said.

Metropolitan Community College in Omaha last week approved a $2 increase  3.4 percent  to $61 per quarterly credit hour for Nebraska residents. Metro operates under a quarter system instead of the more typical semester system.

Metro President Randy Schmailzl said it was a modest rise that probably would have been called for even if Metros state money for 2017-18 hadnt declined by about $150,000. He said Metros tuition is still among the lowest in the state.

Metros board also approved an increase of $3  4.9 percent  for the 2018-19 school year, to $64 per quarterly credit hour.

NU President Hank Bounds warned that the university system could call for a total tuition increase of double digits over two years if state funding was slashed. Bounds will reveal his proposal at a press conference Tuesday, and the NU Board of Regents will consider it Thursday. The NU system will take about a $13 million slash from the $583 million in state funding with which it started 2016-17.

President Bounds has been clear all along that we will increase tuition as part of an approach to managing the budget challenge, NU spokeswoman Melissa Lee said.

Student fees  for classes, programs, facilities and other elements  typically are considered separately from tuition.

Metros mandatory facility fee of $5, for instance, remained unchanged for 2017-18.

Southeast Community Colleges tuition will go up 6.5 percent to $65.50 per quarterly credit hour for residents; Central Community Colleges will rise 4.8 percent to $88 per semester hour; Northeast Community Colleges will go up 4.4 percent to $94 per semester hour; and Western Nebraska Community Colleges will go up 2.6 percent to $97.50 per semester hour.
LINCOLN  Gov. Pete Ricketts took his time this month before vetoing a bill that would have allowed felons to regain their voting rights without delay.

If the Republican governor was calculating whether his veto would survive an override attempt by state lawmakers, no one could blame him. During his first two years in office, Ricketts had lost veto showdowns with the Nebraska Legislature, including over bills repealing the death penalty and extending privileges to immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children.

But by the 2017 session, Ricketts had more experience  and also had provided endorsements and thousands of dollars in campaign cash to help elect several more conservative senators.

The override of the felon voting bill failed by seven votes. The Legislature also sustained three more of the governors vetoes, which cut $56.5 million from a budget crafted by senators.

So, after going 0-4 in high-profile veto fights in years one and two, the governor pulled off a 4-0 turnaround in year three.

Former Gov. Dave Heineman wrote the political playbook when it comes to backing or opposing Nebraska legislative candidates. But a review of campaign filings with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission shows Ricketts has spent more on legislative races in two years than Heineman did in 10.

No Nebraska governor has commanded the personal fortune of Ricketts, tied to his familys ownership of the Chicago Cubs and online broker TD Ameritrade. And Ricketts has shown he will spend money on legislative races, even going after Republican incumbents he deemed unfaithful to their conservative campaign promises.

What hes doing is not that unusual, but he does it better than most with his big checkbook, said State Sen. John McCollister of Omaha, a moderate Republican who expects to be one of the governors targets during next years re-election bid.

In a recent interview, Ricketts said his political involvement in the Legislature is similar to his predecessor Heineman, who actively raised and distributed funds for Republican candidates. And most governors predating Heineman extended other support to candidates they saw as likely allies in the Statehouse.

Ricketts contributions helped elect eight of the 17 members of the Legislatures freshman class. Three of those new lawmakers unseated Republican incumbents who had voted against the governor in the past.

When asked what message Ricketts wanted his election activities to send to sitting senators, he said, There was none.

The governor also said that dollars alone dont decide elections.

Ultimately its the voters in these districts that make the decisions about whos going to represent them, Ricketts said. I do believe that the voters put people in place that more accurately reflect the conservative nature of our state.

Senators, lobbyists and others at the Capitol say Ricketts showed that in his third year in office he better understands how to generate support for his policy objectives.

Many of the same observers, however, said the campaign money also is significant.

Public records show that Ricketts has spent a total of $116,500 since Jan. 1, 2015, on legislative races. Of that money, $85,000 went to candidates who won and are now serving in the Legislature.

Ricketts had been giving to candidates before he was elected governor in late 2014. As a result he has donated nearly $126,000 total to 24 current members of the Legislature.

Since his election, the governor gave an additional $137,000 to the Nebraska Republican Party, which in turn has distributed funds to some of the same candidates backed by Ricketts.

In comparison, public records show Heineman directed nearly $85,000 to candidates from 2005 through 2014, the 10 years he served as governor. The total includes donations from Heinemans campaign fund in addition to political action committees he started or endorsed.

During Heinemans decade as governor he also directed $240,000 to the state GOP.

Some caution against reading too much into the influence of the governors money. Sen. John Kuehn of Heartwell, for example, has frequently argued that special interest groups spend far more on campaigns and lobbying efforts than party activists.

Its also possible that most of the candidates Ricketts backed in 2016 would have won anyway, said John Hibbing, a veteran political science professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Blowback against some lawmakers in a conservative state like Nebraska seemed likely after they voted to raise the gas tax, repeal capital punishment and authorize drivers licenses for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

But considering Nebraska has just one legislative house and only 49 senators, influencing even a small number of elections can have a significant impact. As a result, political contributors can get more bang for their buck in Nebraska, Hibbing said.

You cant blame Ricketts for taking advantage of the current situation, he said. He has a certain political philosophy, and hes doing what he can to see that philosophy is implemented.

The independence of the officially nonpartisan, one-house Legislature is already a casualty, said the governors harshest critic, Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha. He also delivered a scathing condemnation of his colleagues who supported the governors budget agenda in a floor speech shortly before last weeks adjournment.

He owns you, Chambers said. Is that a necktie you wear, or is it a leash?

The governors support for a candidate did not automatically produce a win at the polls. Eight candidates the governor backed, including two of his appointees, lost in the primary or general elections.

As a result, the Legislature currently is made up of 32 Republicans, 15 Democrats, one Libertarian and one independent. Under the filibuster rules, a coalition of 17 senators can block a bill.

And despite the fact that hes given money to nearly half of the senators, the governors legislative priorities dont all find an easy path. One of his top priorities for this session, a bill that would have reduced income tax rates and changed how ag land is valued, failed to gain the 33 votes needed to defeat a filibuster.

The governor also strongly endorsed a package of legislation to reduce occupational licensing standards with the goal of making it easier and cheaper for people to find work in certain professions. The Legislature adopted some of those bills, but others ran into opposition and were either killed or didnt make it out of committee.

Nor did the Legislature act on a governor-supported bill to permit the state to hide the sourcing of lethal-injection drugs.

The governor, however, hailed the adoption of two budget packages that addressed a projected revenue shortfall approaching $1 billion. He also won support for the creation of a Department of Transportation and a measure that gave the State Department of Veterans Affairs full control of veterans homes.

Longtime lobbyist Walt Radcliffe said while Ricketts wealth distinguishes him, all governors have tried to influence legislative races. But Ricketts also has improved his game dramatically over the past two years by better defining his objectives and getting more engaged with issues early on, he added.

The existence of campaign resources alone never carries the day, Radcliffe said. Ive been involved with campaigns where you had everything but a skywriting budget and still lost.

The governors efforts to advance his policy agenda were not limited to electioneering. As lawmakers were about to debate the big tax proposal, his staff sent out a four-page mailer touting the benefits of the bill. Taylor Gage, the governors spokesman, said the mailing was paid for using the governors campaign funds.

In addition, the governor also has held occasional telephone town halls with constituents  also funded by the campaign  that allow him to connect with people who cant attend his regular town hall meetings. The cost for both will be listed in a future disclosure report, Gage added.

John Hansen, who has spent years at the Capitol as president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, said he could not remember another governor using his campaign apparatus to lobby for pending legislation. Hansen questioned whether such activity blurs the line between the governors role as an elected official versus his role as a candidate.

Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings, one of the freshman senators who was financially backed by the governor, said Ricketts told him before the election that there would probably be some issues the two would differ on. But so far, they have found themselves on the same page when it comes to the controversial issues.

Nobody called me into their office and said Youve got to vote this way or that way. There was no sense of a directive, Halloran said. But I know thats just my word against Ernie Chambers.

Sen. Steve Erdman, a staunch conservative from Bayard, beat another Republican in the race whom Ricketts backed. But Erdman voted with the governor on all four override votes this session.

Rather than one puppeteer pulling the strings, Erdman argued that theres a more straightforward explanation for the way those votes turned out.

Youve got a group of people who think alike, and when you think alike, you vote alike, he said.
Growing Nebraska is our vision for our state. Whether its new jobs, educational opportunities or regulatory reform, every initiative from my administration is focused on growth. The work we do at the state supports the work of the job creators in the private sector. We work to create a business-friendly climate that supports the job creators who are the economic engine of Nebraska.

The numbers show that Nebraska is growing. The latest U.S. Census report in December showed that Nebraskas population exceeded 1.9 million residents for the first time. Nebraska is growing at a faster pace than 32 other states nationally, including our neighboring states Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Wyoming. Those people are also attracting new investments. Recently, Nebraska won the Governors Cup for national economic development success for 101 new capital investment projects. This was the most per capita of any state in 2016.

This year, Nebraska continues to see signs of growth. In March, Nebraska notched our thirteenth consecutive month of one million non-farm jobs. Nebraska ranks sixth best in the nation for our low unemployment rate, and sixth highest in the nation for our workforce participation rate. Over the past few months, Nebraska has seen significant new investments from several companies. Here are a few examples:

 In April, we welcomed Facebook to Silicon Prairie with the announcement of their Papillion campus. Last fall, I traveled to Menlo Park, California, to their headquarters to pitch them on building their next data center in Nebraska.

 Kawasaki announced its first aerostructures production line in the United States with a $12.5 million investment at its Lincoln plant. This investment follows a 2015 trade mission I led to Japan, where I visited Kawasaki to thank them for their investment in Nebraska.

 Novozymes unveiled a new $36 million investment in their Blair plant following a trade mission I led to Denmark in 2015, where I encouraged them to consider making additional investment in Nebraska and our growing biofuels industry.

 Becton Dickinson announced a $100 million investment in their Holdrege facility to expand manufacturing capacity and a $60 million investment in Columbus.

 Cargill invested $111 million to convert its Columbus plant to a cooked meats operation, which is doubling the employment and size of their plant.

Another great development occurred recently for Nebraska beef, our states number one industry. Over the past two years, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and I have been supporting efforts to reopen the Chinese beef market to Nebraska beef, which has been closed for years. In 2016, we led a trade mission to China to share the story of beef from Nebraska with potential customers in anticipation of the market re-opening. In 2015, we visited Beijing to urge the Chinese government to reopen the Chinese market to American beef. Last year, I visited with then-candidate Donald J. Trump about the importance of the Chinese beef market to our state, and he pledged to make it a priority as president. This month, American and Chinese officials struck a deal that will allow American beef into China for the first time since 2003. Reopening the China market was a team effort not only involving state officials, but numerous commodity organizations, U.S. embassy staff, federal trade representatives and a host of other partners.

Trade has been such an essential part of growing Nebraska, and thats why I continue to lead trade missions around the world. This fall, I will be returning to Japan for my second trade mission. Japan is Nebraskas third largest trading partner and largest direct foreign investor. The trade mission delegation will be attending the 49th annual U.S. Midwest-Japan Association Conference in Tokyo as well as traveling to Shizuoka, Osaka and Kobe to meet with potential investors and to promote Nebraskas ag commodities. If youre interested in joining the trade mission, please visit nediplomats.com/2017-trade-mission/ for more information.

These are just a few of the many announcements and investments that are helping to grow our state. Im excited about our opportunities and will continue to do everything I can to promote and grow Nebraska. If you have any feedback or suggestions on how we can help better grow our communities, I hope youll contact my office by emailing pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov or calling 402-471-2244. We look forward to hearing from you!
ELKHART  A long-closed musical instrument factory in northern Indiana is getting new life as apartments for senior citizens.

The former Conn-Selmer plant in Elkhart has been vacant for 12 years, but crews started work this spring on a $10 million renovation of the two-story brick building that dates back to 1910.

The project by Commonwealth Development Corp. of America calls for 55 apartments with rents from $300 to $650 a month.

Commonwealth vice president Kevin McDonell told The Elkhart Truth that the first units should be ready next spring.

State records show the building housed Crow Elkhart Motor Co. from 1910 until 1930, then was used by Conn-Selmer for 75 years.

The project is being supported by nearly $840,000 in rental housing tax credits from the state.
GARY  A 32-year-old man was killed in a shooting Monday in the city's Brunswick neighborhood.

Mario Moody, of Gary, was found about 8:30 p.m. after police responded to the area of West Sixth Avenue and Hanley Street for a report of a gunshot victim, officials said.

Moody suffered multiple gunshot wounds in a homicide, according to the Lake County coroner's office. He was pronounced dead about 9:30 p.m. at the scene.

Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to call Detective Kristopher Adams, of the Lake County/Gary Metro Homicide Unit, at 219-755-3855. To remain anonymous, call 866-CRIME-GP.
There's a tendency among "serious" people to dismiss the importance of the pomp, circumstance and symbolism in politics. "Focus on the policy, not the perceptions!" they shout. Who cares about the fluff!?!?!

Emmanuel Macron, for one.

The newly elected French president told a French journal Sunday that his handshake with US President Donald Trump during a meeting during the NATO gathering in Brussels last week was about much more than just an exchange of pleasantries.

"My handshake with him, it's not innocent," Macron said. "It's not the alpha and the omega of politics, but a moment of truth."

He added: "One must show that we won't make little concessions, even symbolic ones."

In case you forgot the handshake, here it is:

And here's how The Washington Post's Philip Rucker, who was in the room for the shake, described it:

"They shook hands for an extended period of time. Each president gripped the other's hand with considerable intensity, their knuckles turning white and their jaws clenching and faces tightening."

For those who pooh-pooh the coverage of Trump's White House as overly dramatic, too superficial, too focused on perceptions, I say this: Drama, superficiality and perception are three of the fundamental pillars of this President's worldview. To ignore them is to miss the point, to see the world in a fundamentally different way than Trump does.

Remember that Trump's two major experiences in the working world are as the face of his own eponymous brand/business and as a reality TV star. In other words, Donald Trump has been playing "Donald Trump" for virtually his entire life. And Donald Trump has been shaping what it means to be "Donald Trump" for just as long.

"What the audience saw on TV altered their perception of the mogul they had known as an immodest dealmaker who built glitzy towers, married beautiful women and slapped his name on jets and yachts."

"'The Apprentice' turned Trump from an easily caricatured Richie Rich who had just weathered some difficult years into a pop-culture truth-teller, an evangelist for the American gospel of success, a decider who insisted on standards in a country that had somehow slipped into handing out trophies just for showing up."

For Trump, perception IS reality. (In that way, he is a sort of Platonic ideal of our modern politics.) Every interaction in public is a chance to assert dominance, to show that he's in charge, that's he's the boss. Trump believes that perception creates reality. If he looks like the alpha male and the powerful leader, he becomes the alpha male and the powerful leader.

Time and again -- during both his campaign and the early days of his presidency -- Trump has seized any opportunity to show, in usually small ways, that dominance.

His trademark hold-and-tug handshake is, without question, his favorite power move.

There's this one with Vice President Mike Pence:

And this now-legendary grip and tug with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch:

Trump expanded his repertoire during his trip abroad -- most notably with this shove-and-preen at the expense of the Prime Minister of Montenegro.

Instead of being a "distraction" -- as many media critics dismiss these episodes -- these handshakes, shoves and other attempts to assert control of situations are the point of the Trump presidency.

The shaping of perceptions about him is what Trump spends most of his time on. From his tweets to his cable TV habit, it all speaks to a man absolutely obsessed with how people view him.

To cover Trump accurately then, you need to understand that how things look matters much more to him than how things are. Handshakes, seen through that lens, are a critical piece of grasping how this President not only views himself but how he chooses to interact with the rest of the world.

Agreed? Let's shake on it.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correctly identify the Prime Minister of Montenegro.

CNN's Steve Brusk contributed to this report.
INDIANAPOLIS  As the Indiana Senate's presiding officer, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch had one of the best views of the 2017 General Assembly from her high rostrum position at the front of the marble-walled chamber.

The Republican said what she saw from there during the 16-week annual meeting of Hoosier lawmakers was remarkable.

"This has been the most collaborative, the most civil session that I have ever participated in or been a part of," Crouch said.

The Evansville native came to the Statehouse in 2005 as a state representative. She served eight years in the House before being appointed, and then elected, state auditor in 2014.

Her office moved up a floor in January when she began her term as Indiana's 52nd lieutenant governor, succeeding the state's new chief executive, Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Crouch credited Holcomb's leadership for the civil tone of the legislative session and the unexpected ease with which a $31 billion state budget, tax hikes to fund road improvements and other policies important to Hoosiers became law.

"His strength in building consensus and getting people to work together demonstrated itself this session, and I think we're going to see the results not just now but in the future," Crouch said.

Of particular importance to her was House Enrolled Act 1004 expanding the state's pre-kindergarten pilot program beyond Lake and four other test counties to now include up to 20 of Indiana's 92 counties and to provide an online option for 4-year-olds living in rural areas.

Crouch was House sponsor of the 2013 law that ultimately led to the establishment of On My Way Pre-K.

She said this year's legislation broadening eligibility for the program, and the new state budget doubling pre-K funding to $20 million annually, will take early learning in Indiana "to the next level."

"As secretary of agriculture and rural development, I was particularly pleased that the expansion will give preference to rural counties," Crouch said.

In addition, she said rural and urban producers of agricultural goods stand to benefit from the $250,000 a year in new state funding for the Indiana Grown program that promotes natural products made in the state.

"Currently, it has 750 members without funding," Crouch said."So with this funding we're going to be able to increase membership, educate the public and grow economic opportunity."

Besides agriculture, Indiana's lieutenant governor manages the state agencies overseeing community and rural affairs, defense development, housing and tourism  the largest policy portfolio of any lieutenant governor in the country.

Crouch said she's grateful the General Assembly boosted spending to promote Indiana tourism, which already is the state's sixth-largest industry, and created a task force to examine how other states lure visitors.

"The increased funding in tourism will provide greater opportunities to grow that industry and to have a greater economic impact," Crouch said.

She declared that such results could not have happened without bipartisan collaboration by Republicans and Democrats in the Indiana House and Senate; something she hopes will continue to drive policies that benefit Hoosiers and improve Indiana.

"I look forward to what lies ahead," Crouch said.
Add U.S. 6 to the long list of roadway projects underway across the Region this summer.

U.S. 6 will be closed Monday through the middle of September between county roads 500 East and Mander Road in Jackson Township to restore the bridge that carries the highway over the CSX Railroad tracks, according to Doug Moats, media relations director for the Northwest District of the Indiana Department of Transportation.

The $1.5 million project is among several underway this summer around the Region that are choking traffic on many of the major highways.

Interstate 94 is undergoing several projects, through Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.

Construction barriers went up just recently for a paving and bridge repair project along I-94 through Nov. 6 from an area just east of Ind. 249 in Portage to two miles east of Chesterton. The busy stretch includes the exit ramps to northbound Ind. 49 and the popular Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

The state is also replacing the bridge carrying I-94 over the Indiana Toll Road a little further west in Portage, and the highway is undergoing restoration and paving work through September even further west in Lake County.

The state is also resurfacing Ind. 49 from the Indiana Toll Road south to U.S. 30, and repair work is underway on U.S. 30 from Industrial Drive in Valparaiso east to U.S. 421 in Wanatah.

U.S. 421 is closed in Wanatah south of U.S. 30 for a bridge replacement and north of U.S. 30 for repair work.

This is the last year of such an intense road construction season, Moats has said. The state had to squeeze in many projects as part of the Restore 94 project to take advantage of funding received a couple of years ago from the Indiana General Assembly.

Local road projects are further complicating matters by thwarting motorists' attempts to detour their way around the inevitable traffic delays.

Drivers can monitor road closures and traffic alerts at any time via the INDOT Northwest District social media channels: Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest or Twitter @INDOTNorthwest. Or visit trafficwise.in.gov for INDOTs TrafficWise Traveler Information Service.

Subscribe to receive text and email alerts about INDOT projects at public.govdelivery.com/accounts/INDOT/subscriber/new.
LEROY  1967 was one of the deadliest years for Americans during the Vietnam War, with more than 11,000 U.S. service members perishing in battle.

But when Vietnam veterans returned stateside, they were often treated like the enemy by fellow Americans angry over an unpopular war.

"We did our time, we served our nation in hostile territory, in harm's way, only to return home to a hostile environment and an ungrateful nation," said Peter Van Woerden, northern vice commander for the American Legion and a Vietnam veteran from Crown Point.

A half-century later, he noted, attitudes have changed. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed a law declaring March 29 National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

"Today it's truly an honor to say, on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your service ... Vietnam vets," he said.

Several dozen people memorialized American service members who died in that war and others during Lake County's Memorial Day service Monday at Stoney Run County Park.

"It is right to remember those who have given their lives on our behalf," U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, said. "It's also important to remember the sacrifices of each of those individual's family and friends and their communities for the sacrifices and losses they have suffered."

He noted that since last Memorial Day, Northwest Indiana lost another resident in the line of duty: Mitchell Winey, a 2014 Chesterton High School graduate and U.S. military cadet who died during a June training accident in Fort Hood, Texas. He was 21 years old.

"Many people celebrate Memorial Day with family cookouts, parades and even car races. No matter how you spend this day, it is important to remember why," said Peggy Bishop, president of the American Legion auxiliary for Indiana. "Memorial Day is when we honor and remember those who were asked to give their lives so we could come together today in freedom."

Van Woerden said that from the Vietnam War on, Americans seemed to take Memorial Day for granted. That is, until Sept. 11, when enemies of the United States attacked us on our own turf. Since then, nearly 7,000 American soldiers have died fighting in the War on Terror.

"All their hopes and dreams, and all their tomorrows, they gave up so we might have ours," Van Woerden said. "To know the cost of liberty is to begin to understand the value of it. Gratitude and remembrance are not quaint or eccentric sentiments. They are timeless marks of a grateful nation."
East Chicago residents and their attorneys pushed state officials last week to do more to address concerns about lead in the city's drinking water, and to help residents dealing with a cleanup of lead- and arsenic-contaminated soil in the city's Calumet section.

Residents and attorneys with Northwestern University Pritzker Law Schools Environmental Law Clinic and the Natural Resources Defense Council met May 23 in Indianapolis with representatives of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the Indiana Finance Authority and Gov. Eric Holcomb's office. Residents' attorneys said they appreciated the dialogue but left the meeting with a number of questions.

IDEM officials told residents that the department recently tested drinking water at 71 homes, mostly outside the USS Lead Superfund site in the Calumet section, and turned over data to East Chicago, said Anjali Waikar, attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. IDEM also agreed to share the data with residents, she said.

"Our concern is that while the city may be in compliance with the applicable law, the drinking water may still contain unsafe levels of lead," Waikar said.

East Chicago has been in compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Lead and Copper Rule since the early 1990s. However, EPA last year found drinking water lead levels above 15 parts per billion at 18 homes within the Superfund site as part of a pilot study.

The Lead and Copper Rule, which sets the unsafe standard for lead levels at 15 ppb, is more than 20 years old.

The testing method EPA used is more robust than the method the city has used under the Lead and Copper Rule. Flint, Michigan, and Washington, D.C., also were in compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule before concerns about their drinking water garnered national attention.

Testing under a higher standard?

IDEM officials told residents at least one sample from the department's latest round of testing contained a lead concentration above 15 ppb. EPA says no level of lead in drinking water is safe.

"IDEM did seem to agree that the Lead and Copper Rule is not strong enough," Waikar said.

"At the same time, IDEM seems to be using its compliance as a basis for claiming that the water is safe. The testing has to be consistent and robust. We hope that IDEM will make transparent both the testing and the adequacy of the manner in which it's tested."

Residents also asked IDEM to provide more than three months of cartridges with filters it recently distributed to residents in zones 2 and 3 of the USS Lead Superfund site. They also want IDEM to distribute filters throughout the city.

Systemwide issues

EPA has said its pilot study findings likely indicate a systemwide problem. Waikar said IDEM officials appeared to disagree with that conclusion.

An IDEM spokesman said Friday the department conducted "compliance verification sampling," which means it sampled water at homes previously tested under the Lead and Copper Rule.

IDEM planned this week to release the data, along with an updated report on the water filter installation, spokesman Ryan Clem said. Holcomb recently signed House Bill 1344, which requires IDEM to test East Chicago water to determine if the city is in compliance with federal standards.

The city plans to replace up to 400 lead and galvanized steel service lines as part of a $3.1 million project approved last month. Lead in water and soil are not related, though residents exposed to both face cumulative health risks.

Debbie Chizewer, an attorney at Northwestern's Environmental Law Clinic, said residents also addressed several concerns related to the Superfund site.

Lead paint testing not part of actions

EPA plans to conduct indoor lead and arsenic testing in zones 2 and 3 of the Superfund site this year under a consent decree filed in March. Some of that testing likely will identify lead paint in homes, but EPA will not be funding remediation of lead paint, Chizewer said.

The state already has lead-paint remediation programs in place, and residents asked state officials to activate those programs.

"We're just basically asking them to make sure that residents know about this money and that it's available," Chizewer said.

Residents also asked the state to provide more Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds to further assist residents who relocated from the West Calumet Housing Complex into housing later also found to be contaminated with lead.

Chizewer said one mother, who cannot afford to move a second time, learned after relocating that her family's new unit in Chicago is contaminated with lead. Children in the family, including a 2-year-old, have elevated blood lead levels, she said.

Residents and state officials also again discussed the possibility of some type of assistance for property owners who have not been ordered to relocate, some of whom now owe more than the value of their homes.

"To the state's credit, they absolutely said they were going to check on all things mentioned and seemed receptive," Chizewer said.
As a Purdue University Northwest student, Zachary Malcer has given careful consideration to the career he plans to pursue following his graduation.

The Michigan City resident did a lot of research and asked a lot of questions. Malcer also did what many students do  he pursued an internship to gain valuable, hands-on work experience. His talent, enthusiasm and academic background earned him a coveted Disney College Program internship during the 201516 academic year.

Malcer then returned to PNW to earn his bachelors degree in communication. After graduating, he will return to Disney World in Orlando for a second internship. He hopes this will evolve into placement within a Disney professional internship or a manager-in-training position.

Malcer said that he pursued a major in communication with a concentration in public relations and a minor in psychology because, I love talking to people and working with others. I want to make a difference in people's lives. I want to help them be successful and achieve their goals.

His initial Disney internship was intended to be for the 2015 fall semester, but halfway through the program he was asked if he wanted the internship to continue through the 2016 spring semester. He jumped at the opportunity, but had to find a way to remain on track to graduate on time.

For read more, go to nwi.com/blogs.
VALPARAISO  The Valparaiso High School UNICEF chapter is busy making plans for a fundraiser to help those in need.

A Battle of the Bands concert will be held 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Urschel Pavilion in Central Park Plaza. Suggested entrance fee is $5. All proceeds will be donated to the Shelter for Abused Children in Accra, Ghana. Bands will be performing and competing during the evening. There will be a variety of performances from Valparaiso students and some other activities. Food will be available.

For 70 years, UNICEF has defended the rights of children across 190 countries and territories.

"This event is open to anybody in the community," said Marybeth Scheibel, treasurer of the VHS UNICEF chapter. "We are hoping to get the community involved, and we are in contact with all the schools to get a big crowd."

Scheibel said those at the fundraiser will have the opportunity to hear about the club as well as learn about the work being done at the shelter and the stories of some of the children who live there.

Earlier this year, the VHS UNICEF Club attended the UNICEF annual student summit in Washington, D.C.

Club members Scheibel, Malika Saxena, Olivia Gebhardt, Chris Bower, Emma Campolattara, Alaina Kurt, Claire Brogan, Sammy Constantine, Shelby Risner, Connor Gregg, Belle Naggatz and Alexa Liangos, along with club sponsor Allison Walker, joined other UNICEF clubs from across the nation for the conference.

There, the students listened to speakers, shared ideas and attended workshops about issues UNICEF supports, such as nutrition and education. Club members also learned strategies for becoming a more effective club, such as fundraising and membership retention.

The club was also named High School Club of the Year. Last year, it was awarded Most Inspiring Club Story and Most Inspiring Student for Saxena, the club president. Club members met with the staff of U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., and participated in Advocacy Day in which those who attended the conference met with members of Congress to discuss appropriations for UNICEF in the 2017 budget.
VALPARAISO  The dead of a war long ago but by no means forgotten were remembered at the Memorial Day Commemoration at the Memorial Opera House Monday morning.

Soldiers killed during the Civil War were honored by the David D. Porter Camp No. 116 of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War.

The Civil War veterans group has commemorated Memorial Day in Valparaiso since 1977, previously holding ceremonies at the courthouse and at the Porter County Museum.

It was fitting that this years event was held at the Memorial Opera House, which was built as a monument to soldiers and sailors in 1893 by the Grand Army of the Republic, the fraternal organization of Civil War veterans, said Scot MacDonald, the Memorial Opera House business director.

It was built as a place for the residents of Porter County to enrich their lives, said MacDonald, noting that famous visitors and speakers at the building included William Jennings Bryan, Theodore Roosevelt and actress Beulah Bondi. May our voices never fall silent thanking all those who fought for our freedom.

Of the more than 1 million American veterans who have died in the nation's wars, 620,000 deaths occurred during the Civil War, said Pat Doyle, of the Porter Camp.

More than any war before or after, Doyle said.

The ceremony was marked by readings of the Gettysburg Address and the Ballou Letter, a letter from Civil War soldier Sullivan Ballou to his wife, Sarah, just before his death in July 1861 at the First Battle of Bull Run.

My very dear Sarah, the indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days  perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more, read Bill Adams of the Porter Camp.

Porter Camp member Bernard Doyle read from the General Orders No. 11, which designated the 30th day of May ... for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion.

Presentations were punctuated by period music from the string quartet of the South Shore Orchestra and were concluded by the firing of three volleys and the playing of taps.

Bill Adams, secretary of the Porter Camp, said the SUVCW has 43 local members, with 300 in the state and 6,000 in the nation.

The group creates a presence at local historical festivals, parades, dedications and patriotic ceremonies. Members include those whose ancestors fought in the Civil War as well as anyone interested in what were doing, Adams said.

For the past two years, the group has also cleaned, repaired and replaced more than 200 headstones and grave markers of Civil War veterans in Porter County cemeteries.

Porter County lost 149 in the conflict, many of whom rest peacefully beneath Porter County soil today, said Kevin Pazour, Porter County Museum director.

Pazour noted that Porter County was the first in Indiana to raise a company for the preservation of the union.

They put the needs of the nation before their own and paid the ultimate sacrifice, Pazour said.
WINFIELD  Indiana conservation officers today were called to the 6400 block of East 129th Avenue to investigate an all-terrain vehicle crash that left a 14-year-old female seriously injured.

Officers report that at approximately 4:40 p.m. the teen was operating an ATV with a 9-year-old passenger on a blacktop road when she attempted to make a turn into a driveway. The ATV was traveling too fast to properly make the turn and struck a nearby brick wall, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

As a result of the crash, the 14-year-old was left with serious facial injuries and head trauma. She was transported by ambulance to St. Anthonys Health hospital in Crown Point and then transported by helicopter to University of Chicago Medical Center.

According to the DNR, it does not appear a helmet or any other safety equipment was worn at the time of the incident.

Indiana conservation officers highly recommend the use of proper safety equipment when operating ATVs.

Indiana conservation officers were assisted by the Lake County Sheriffs Department and Lakes of Four Seasons Fire and EMS.
It was a homecoming of sorts for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders on Tuesday.

The Brooklyn native delivered the keynote address during Brooklyn College's commencement ceremony at Barclays Center.

During his speech, Sanders touched on several issues that made him a crowd favorite on the campaign trail including income inequality and free college tuition.

He also took a few swipes at the current administration.

"They are throwing people off of health care making it harder for kids to go to college. They have the hutzpah to provide $300 billion in tax breaks to the top one percent," Sanders said.



Sanders attended the school for one year before transffering to the University of Chicago.



He's been popular on college campuses after his 2016 run for president on a progressive platform, which included a pledge to make public colleges and universities tuition-free.
PANAMA CITY  Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, a onetime U.S. ally who was ousted as Panamas dictator by an American invasion in 1989, died late Monday at age 83.

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela wrote in his Twitter account that the death of Manuel A. Noriega closes a chapter in our history.

Varela added, His daughters and his relatives deserve to mourn in peace.

Noriega ruled with an iron fist, ordering the deaths of those who opposed him and maintaining a murky, close and conflictive relationship with the United States.

In this May 2, 1989 file photo, Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega walks with supporters in the Chorrilo neighborhood, where he dedicated a new housing project, in Panama City. (AP Photo/John Hopper, File)

At the apex of his power he wielded great influence outside the country as well thanks to longstanding relationships with spy agencies around the world, said R.M. Koster, an American novelist and biographer of Noriega who has lived in Panama for decades.

After his downfall, Noriega served a 17-year drug sentence in the United States, then was sent to face charges in France. He spent all but the last few months of his final years in a Panamanian prison for murder of political opponents during his 1983-89 regime.

He accused Washington of a conspiracy to keep him behind bars and tied his legal troubles to his refusal to cooperate with a U.S. plan aimed at toppling Nicaraguas leftist Sandinista government in the 1980s.

In recent years Noriega suffered various ailments including high blood pressure and bronchitis.

In 2016, doctors detected the rapid growth of a benign brain tumor that had first been spotted four years earlier, and in the following January a court granted him house arrest to prepare for surgery on the tumor.

He is survived by his wife Felicidad and daughters Lorena, Thays and Sandra.

Following Noriegas ouster Panama underwent huge changes, taking over the Panama Canal from U.S. control in 1999, vastly expanding the waterway and enjoying a boom in tourism and real estate.

Today the Central American nation has little in common with the bombed-out neighborhoods where Noriega hid during the 1989 invasion, before being famously smoked out of his refuge at the Vatican Embassy by incessant, loud rock music blared by U.S. troops.

Known mockingly as Pineapple Face for his pockmarked complexion, Manuel Antonio Noriega was born poor in Panama City on Feb. 11, 1934, and was raised by foster parents.

He joined Panamas Defense Forces in 1962 and steadily rose through the ranks, mainly through loyalty to his mentor, Gen. Omar Torrijos, who became Panamas de facto leader after a 1968 coup.

In this Jan. 4, 1990 file photo, Manuel Noriega watches as U.S. Drug Enforcement Agents place chains around his waist aboard a C-130 transport plane. (AP Photo, File)

As Torrijos intelligence chief, Noriega monitored political opponents and developed close ties with U.S. intelligence agencies guarding against possible threats to the canal. Two years after Torrijos died in a mysterious plane crash in 1981, Noriega became the head of the armed forces and Panamas de facto ruler.

Noriega was considered a valued CIA asset and was paid millions of dollars for assistance to the U.S. throughout Latin America, including acting as a liaison to Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Noriega also helped the U.S. seize drugs at sea and track money laundering in Panamas banks, and reported on guerrilla and terrorist activities.

Washington ultimately soured on him, especially after a top political opponent was killed in 1985 and Noriega appeared to join forces with Latin American drug traffickers. Foes in the Panamanian military attempted several coups but failed, and their leaders were summarily executed by firing squad.

The beginning of his downfall came in 1988 when federal grand juries in the Florida cities of Miami and Tampa indicted Noriega on drug-trafficking charges.

Initially he reacted with defiance, thumbing his nose at U.S. economic sanctions designed to drive him from power. He famously waved a machete at a rally while vowing not to leave, and in 1989 he nullified elections that observers say were handily won by the opposition.

U.S. President George H.W. Bush ordered the invasion in December 1989, and Noriega was captured and taken to Miami. During the operation, 23 U.S. military personnel died and 320 were wounded, and the Pentagon estimated 200 Panamanian civilians and 314 soldiers were killed.

Prosecutors accused Noriega of helping Colombias Medellin cocaine cartel ship tons and tons of a deadly white powder to the United States.

The defense cited court documents describing him as the CIAs man in Panama and argued that the indictment smells all the way from here to Washington.

Jurors convicted Noriega in April 1992 of eight of 10 charges. Under the judges instructions, they were told not to consider the political side of the case  including whether the U.S. had the right to invade Panama and bring Noriega to trial in the first place.

During his years at a minimum-security federal prison outside Miami, Noriega got special POW treatment, allowed to wear his Panamanian military uniform and insignia when in court.

He lived in a bungalow apart from other inmates and had his own television and exercise equipment. He was said to be a TV news junkie and a voracious reader about politics and current events.

In this Jan. 4, 1990 file photo, Manuel Noriega watches as U.S. Drug Enforcement Agents place chains around his waist aboard a C-130 transport plane. (AP Photo, File)

After completing his 17-year sentence in 2007, Noriega was extradited to France and received a seven-year sentence for money laundering.

But Panama wanted Noriega to return to face in-absentia convictions and two prison terms of 20 years for embezzlement, corruption and murder of opponents, including military commander Moises Giroldi, who led a failed rebellion on Oct. 3, 1989, and Hugo Spadafora, whose decapitated body was found in a mailbag on the border with Costa Rica in 1985.

In mid-2011, France approved his extradition to Panama.

Despite amassing great wealth, Noriega had worked hard to cultivate an image of a man of the people. He lived in a modest, two-story home in an upper-middle-class neighborhood in Panama City that stood in stark contrast with the opulent mansions customary among Latin American dictators.

He would only say hello very respectfully, said German Sanchez, who lived next door for 16 years. You may think what you like of Noriega, but we cant say he was anything but respectful toward his neighbors.

The humble, the poor, the blacks, they are the utmost authority, Noriega said in one speech.

While some resentment lingers over the U.S. invasion, Noriega has so few supporters in modern-day Panama that attempts to auction off his old home attracted no bidders and the government decided to demolish decaying building down. Late in life, the ex-dictator essentially had zero influence over his country from behind bars.

He is not a figure with political possibilities, University of Panama sociologist Raul Leis said in 2008. Even though theres a small sector that yearns for the Noriega era, it is not a representative figure in the country.

Noriega broke a long silence in June 2015 when he made a statement from prison on Panamanian television in which he asked forgiveness of those harmed by his regime.

I feel like as Christians we all have to forgive, he said, reading from a handwritten statement. The Panamanian people have already overcome this period of dictatorship.

But for the most part Noriega stayed mum about elite military and civilian associates who thrived on the corruption that he helped instill  and which still plagues the Central American nation of some 3.9 million people, a favored transshipment point for drugs and a haven for money laundering.

He kept his mouth shut and died for the sins of others, Koster, the biographer, said in a 2014 interview. Nobody else ever went to prison.

Meanwhile, families of more than 100 who were killed or disappeared during his rule are still seeking justice.
NEW YORK - Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is sounding the alarm over President Donald Trump's proposed cuts to the city's anti-terror funding.

Schumer says the White House wants to slash funding for the Urban Area Security Initiative by more than $150 million.

The program gives money to cities like New York to prevent, respond to, and recover from terror attacks.

Schumer says last week's suicide bombing at a concert in Manchester, England only highlights the program's importance.

"These funds are vital to New York. They provide extra police that patrol places where there are large crowds, that patrol places like the Brooklyn Bridge that have vulnerability to terrorism. They provide for the terrorism - the anti-terrorism fighting tools that we need and to cut them back makes no sense whatsoever," Schumer said.

The Trump administration's budget proposal says nearly 2 billion dollars that's been awarded since 2013 has not been spent.

That's nearly half the total awarded over that time.

But Schumer says it takes take time for cities and states to spend the funding because of government procurement rules.

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama proposed similar cuts, but Congress restored the funding in both cases.


Why Aren't More PR Firms Focused On Results? Thu., Oct. 27, 2022 Research shows that only 11% of B2B organizations are satisfied with their existing PR and marketing communications agencies, while 40% of marketing managers admit they find it difficult to measure agency contribution to the overall business.
Gardai at Roscrea Co Tipperary investigating an aggravated burglary which occurred on the May 7 have arrested three males.

A 28 year old man was arrested in Dublin yesterday and is detained in a north Tipperary Garda Station under the provisions of Section 30  Offences Against the State Act 1939.

Two further males aged 17 and 34 were arrested today, also in the Dublin area, and are both detained in north Tipperary Garda Stations under the provisions of Section 4  Criminal Justice Act 1984.

The arrests came as part of an ongoing investigating into an aggravated burglary at a house on Old Dublin Road, Roscrea. The incident was reported to Gardai at 11.40pm on May 7.

A husband and wife were assaulted by two men who broke into their house through a side window and a quantity of cash was stolen.

The man, who is in his 90s, was taken to the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise by ambulance suffering from head injuries. The woman, who is in her 80s, was not injured.
Report: Schools In The South Are Becoming More Segregated Elijah C. Watson Elijah Watson serves as Okayplayer's News & Culture Editor. When

A recent report has discovered that public schools in the South are becoming more racially segregated.

Conducted by UCLAs Civil Rights Project and Penn State Universitys Center for Education and Civil Rights in 2014, the report found that more than one in three black students in the South attended a school that was intensely segregated. Schools in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia were examined for the study.

Following desegregation, the percentage of black students attending intensely segregated schools had dropped from 80 percent to 23 percent. However, that progress has diminished in recent years, with contact between black and white students in the South declining steadily.

It is clear that the region is now moving backward in terms of the progress it made in desegregating schools, the studys authors concluded. In fact, some states have recently created overtly racist policy proposals and rhetoric that simply ignores the reality: the regions future depends on developing the talents of the people who live there and are the fastest-growing segment of the population.

The report also offers some suggestions on how to combat the problem including educators and communities making a commitment to lasting diversity, state officials opposing breaking up school districts in ways that only worsens segregation, and a better understanding of house and school segregation on district, state, and regional levels.

Source via Atlanta Black Star
Agricultural News

Keep Sugarcane Aphids In Mind When Budgeting For Sorghum Planting Costs This June

Oklahoma farmers planting sorghum in June need to be aware that sugarcane aphid infestations before the boot stage can decimate their crop, underscoring the need to budget corrective insecticide application before planting.







Trent Milacek, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension area agricultural economist, reminds sorghum growers that operating costs - including seed, fertilizer, harvesting, pesticide, custom application, equipment, fuel and cash rent - could total $200 per acre.







"Operations are different in their use of equipment and resources, so the figures will vary with the producer," he said. "A single sugarcane aphid insecticide application is included in the $200 per acre cost estimate."







Assuming these figures are representative of the average producer, a yield of 67 bushels per acre will be required to break even on operating costs at $3 sorghum. Milacek said each producer must consider his or her fixed costs and determine the extra yield required to operate the business and maintain equipment.







Sorghum prices have moved lower with other commodities over the past few years. This, coupled with a weaker basis due to reduced exports, has driven prices down to a critical point.







"Producers looking to market sorghum in 2017 can currently lock in a cash price of $3 to $3.25 depending on delivery location," Milacek said. "Managing for large yields on highly productive land will help a producer remain profitable."







Milacek added grain sorghum in 2017 may be a good choice for Oklahoma producers. Acres have been reduced in favor of soybeans and other oilseeds, which may cause local buyers to increase basis bids in order to secure bushels.







"The current harvest-time basis ranges from minus 91 cents to minus 65 cents at area terminals," he said. "Two years ago, when sorghum demand was high, basis bids were as high as plus 50 cents at times. To market this crop, a producer can use the corn futures price."







Any weather events that jeopardize the Midwestern corn crop likely will provide support for grain sorghum prices.







"Consider purchasing puts on rallies to limit downside while leaving basis open," Milacek said. "This will allow producers to realize potential increases in local demand."







Producers are encouraged to utilize Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Enterprise Budgeting software to help them make decisions on their farms.







Many Oklahoma sorghum producers were forced to delay planting this year due to wet field conditions in April. A general rule is that producers forgo May plantings in order to avoid summer heat at flowering. This will result in a large number of first-crop and double-crop sorghum to be planted in early June.







Oklahoma produces more than 21 million bushels of forage and grain sorghum annually, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service data.







Anyone seeking additional information about planting sorghum should contact the nearest OSU Cooperative Extension county office, typically listed under "County Government" in local directories.







The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is one of two state agencies administered by OSU's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and a key part of the university's state and federally mandated teaching, research and Extension land-grant mission.







Source - Oklahoma State University















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Adverse Conditions Continue to Plague Producers in Some Areas as Wheat Harvest Picks Up Pace

In the latest crop progress report released Tuesday May 30, 2017, the United States Department of Agriculture rates the US winter wheat crop condition at 50 percent good to excellent, with 35 fair, 11 poor and 4 very poor. Winter wheat headed was 80 percent compared to 83 percent this time last year and is 3 points above the five-year average. Corn planted is at 91 percent, below last year and the five-year average by 2. Soybeans planted rate 67 percent, lagging last year by 4 points and just below the average by 1. Soybeans emerged rate 37 percent, trailing last year by 5 and the average by 3. Cotton planted rates at 63 percent, 6 above last year and just 1 above the average. Finally, Sorghum planted rates 44 percent, 1 point ahead of last year and 5 points behind the average. For the complete USDA Crop Progress report, click here.







According to the weekly crop progress report from USDA, Oklahoma winter wheat harvested reached 3 percent, down 7 points from normal. Canola coloring reached 91 percent, up 4 points from normal. Canola harvested reached 5 percent. Winter wheat and oats condition was rated mostly good to fair for the state. Corn emerged reached 79 percent, up 1 point from normal. Sorghum planted reached 42 percent, down 2 points from normal. Soybeans planted reached 30 percent, down 9 points from normal. Soybeans emerged reached 16 percent, down 4 points from normal. Cotton planted reached 40 percent, up 1 point from the previous year and up 1 point from normal. Conditions of pasture and range were rated at 82 percent good to fair. To view the complete Oklahoma Crop Progress and Condition Report, click here.







In Kansas, winter wheat condition rated 9 percent very poor, 16 poor, 30 fair, 38 good, and 7 excellent. Winter wheat headed was 97 percent, near 98 last year and the five-year average of 93. Coloring was 39 percent, near 37 last year, but ahead of 34 average. Corn condition rated 2 percent very poor, 8 poor, 35 fair, 52 good, and 3 excellent. Corn planted was 82 percent, behind 94 last year and 93 average. Emerged was 64 percent, behind 73 last year and 74 average. Soybeans planted was 41 percent, ahead of 25 last year, but behind 46 average. Emerged was 24 percent, ahead of 14 last year, but near 25 average. Sorghum planted was 11 percent, near 13 last year, and behind 23 average. Cotton planted was 32 percent, ahead of 9 last year, but near 36 average. Pasture and range conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 15 fair, 67 good, and 16 excellent. To view the complete Kansas Crop Progress and Condition Report, click here.







In Texas, hail during the previous week damaged wheat fields in the Cross Timbers and the Northern Low Plains, while storms and high winds damaged fields in the Blacklands. Harvest kicked off in a few areas of the High Plains but was slowed by wet conditions in other areas of the state. Producers commented that cotton in the High Plains has been slow to emerge due to cooler temperatures. Corn condition was mostly fair to good statewide. Pastures responded well to recent rainfall and conditions were mostly fair to good statewide. To view the complete Texas Crop Progress and Condition Report, click here.







To sum up the current winter wheat crop condition here in the southern plains- here's the Good to Excellent Ratings for this week and the change from last week:







Oklahoma 45% -4%

Kansas 45% -2%

Texas 31% -5%







The slight increases in the poor to very poor categories show a bit of sideways improvement compared to the crop's condition during the previous week:







Oklahoma 14% +1%

Kansas 25% +1%

Texas 17% -1%





















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WASHINGTON (AP)  The Pentagon scored an important success Tuesday in a test of its oft-criticized missile defense program, destroying a mock warhead over the Pacific Ocean with an interceptor that is key to protecting U.S. territory from a North Korean attack.

Vice Adm. Jim Syring, director of the Pentagon agency in charge of developing the missile defense system, called the test result "an incredible accomplishment" and a critical milestone for a program hampered by setbacks over the years.

"This system is vitally important to the defense of our homeland, and this test demonstrates that we have a capable, credible deterrent against a very real threat," Syring said in a written statement announcing the test result.

Despite the success, the $244 million test didn't confirm that under wartime conditions the U.S. could intercept an intercontinental-range missile fired by North Korea. Pyongyang is understood to be moving closer to the capability of putting a nuclear warhead on such an ICBM and could develop decoys sophisticated enough to trick an interceptor into missing the real warhead.

Syring's agency sounded a note of caution.

"Initial indications are that the test met its primary objective, but program officials will continue to evaluate system performance based upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test," his statement said.

Philip E. Coyle, a former head of the Pentagon's test and evaluation office and a senior fellow at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, said Tuesday's outcome was a significant success for a test that was three years in preparation, but he noted that it was only the second success in the last five intercept attempts since 2010.

"In several ways, this test was a $244 million-dollar baby step, a baby step that took three years," Coyle said.

The most recent intercept test, in June 2014, was successful, but the longer track record is spotty. Since the system was declared ready for potential combat use in 2004, only four of nine intercept attempts have been successful.

"This is part of a continuous learning curve," said Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, ahead of Tuesday's test. The Pentagon is still incorporating engineering upgrades to its missile interceptor, which has yet to be fully tested in realistic conditions.

North Korea says its nuclear and missile programs are a defense against perceived U.S. military threats. Its accelerating missile development has complicated Pentagon calculations, most recently by incorporating solid-fuel technology into its rockets. The step would mean even less launch warning time for the United States. Liquid fuel is less stable and rockets using it have to be fueled in the field, a process that takes longer and can be detected by satellites.

Underscoring its uninterrupted efforts, North Korea on Monday fired a short-range ballistic missile that landed in Japan's maritime economic zone.

In Tuesday's U.S. test, the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency launched an interceptor rocket from an underground silo at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The target was an intercontinental-range missile fired from a test range on Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific.

According to the plan, a 5-foot-long "kill vehicle" released from atop the interceptor zeroed in on the ICBM-like target's mock warhead outside Earth's atmosphere and obliterated it by sheer force of impact, the Pentagon said. The "kill vehicle" carries no explosives, either in testing or in actual combat.

The target was a custom-made missile meant to simulate an ICBM, meaning it flew faster than missiles used in previous intercept tests, according to Christopher Johnson, the Missile Defense Agency's spokesman. It was not a mock-up of an actual North Korean ICBM, and details of its exact capabilities weren't made public.

Officially known as the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system, the Pentagon likens the defensive tactic to hitting a bullet with a bullet. With congressional support, the Pentagon is increasing by the end of this year the number of deployed interceptors, based in California and Alaska, to 44 from the current total of 36.

While Tuesday's test wasn't designed with the expectation of an imminent North Korean missile threat, the military wants progress toward the stated goal of being able to shoot down a small number of ICBMs targeting the United States.

Laura Grego, senior scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, which has criticized the missile defense program, called the interceptor an "advanced prototype," meaning it is not fully matured technologically even if it has been deployed and theoretically available for combat since 2004. A successful test Tuesday, she said, could demonstrate the Pentagon is on the right track with its latest technical fixes.

"Overall," she wrote in an analysis prior to the test, the military "is not even close to demonstrating that the system works in a real-world setting."

The interceptors are, in essence, the last line of U.S. defense against an attack by an intercontinental-range missile.

The Pentagon has other elements of missile defense that have shown to be more reliable, although they are designed to work against medium-range or shorter-range ballistic missiles. These include the Patriot missile, which numerous countries have purchased from the U.S., and the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, which the U.S. deployed this year to South Korea to defend against medium-range missiles from North Korea.
Warren Buffett studied readin, ritin and rithmetic at Omahas Rose Hill School. Now his connection to Chinese Cherry Coca-Cola is about to benefit todays 300 Rose Hill students.

Attendees at Berkshire Hathaway Inc.s recent shareholders meeting bought about 3,200 cans of limited-edition Cherry Coke, at $3 each, at Coca-Colas display at the CenturyLink Center. Coke displays its products at the meeting because Berkshire is its largest shareholder.

The cans bear Buffetts image and Chinese labeling. He also autographed some of the cans, which were raffled off.

Coca-Cola officials asked Buffett where the proceeds should go, and he suggested his grade school alma mater at 5605 Corby St.

So a $10,000 check is headed to Rose Hill, to the delight of Principal Tylee Hanson.

Wow! she said. Its always good to have someone say youll get some money.

Rose Hills Buffett-era building was replaced in 2002, except for the cafeteria and gymnasium, but theres no sign outside. The Coke cash might go toward buying a marquee, Hanson said, or maybe finance field trips or enhance the schools technology.

Cherry Coke is Buffetts favorite, and hes popular as a business success in China, where the drink is being sold for the first time.

I cant think of a better way to launch Cherry Coke than with its best-known fan on the package, Coke CEO Muhtar Kent, who recently retired, said in an earlier press release.

A unifying theme for a local film

Ten local film directors were Waiting for Warren last week at the Wilson & Washburn tavern and cafe in downtown Omaha, but it turned out just like Godot.

The occasion was Omaha Film Festivals project to generate enthusiasm for Omaha Gives, the one-day charitable donation fest for nonprofits.

Riffing on the theme of Samuel Becketts classic play Waiting for Godot, each director scripted a segment lasting one minute, more or less, of characters played by local actors waiting for Buffett in the bar.

In one segment a man excitedly anticipates Buffetts arrival, only to have his girlfriend come in, sit down and break up with him.

In another, two men tell a woman about Buffett, with each comment more grandiose (and inaccurate) than the last. A third shows a woman waiting to meet Buffett but choking on something. Nobody helps her.

The crews posted updates during the day on the festivals Facebook page, attracting more contributors than last year. The moviemaking took place on W&Ws upper level while patrons on the main floor carried on as usual.

Jason Levering, executive director of the festival, said filming was finished during the 24-hour Omaha Gives event, but editing was still underway as the weekend approached. The combined movie will be posted when its finished.

Levering said the directors quickly chose Buffett as a unifying theme.

He was the person youre waiting for, and in the end he never shows up, Levering said. Hes such a great icon for Omaha, he was the natural choice for us.

Acquisition rumors include 3G

Rumors of possible acquisitions are mentioning Colgate Palmolive as an $88 billion target by Berkshire and its sometimes-partner 3G Capital of Brazil.

The New York Post reported that Colgate CEO Ian Cook mentioned that price, well above its recent stock market value of about $62 billion, despite the companys struggles selling household goods.

Other potential buyers may include Unilever, which itself was mentioned as a possible Berkshire/3G acquisition before its leaders said they werent interested.

Berkshire and 3G have teamed up to acquire H.J. Heinz, Kraft Foods and other businesses.

The companies havent commented on the reports, but Buffett has said he might team up with 3G or other investment firms for more acquisitions, and he wants to put more of Berkshires $100 billion in cash to work.

Bezos returns compliment

Buffett recently praised Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon Inc., for building two major businesses from scratch (online retailing and cloud computing), calling him the most remarkable business person of our age.

At Amazons shareholders meeting last week in Seattle, Bezos returned the compliment, CNBC and GeekWire reported.

Warrens remarks are very meaningful to me because hes a hero to me, Bezos said. Hes somebody that I think very highly of, not just in a business context but kind of as somebody who has a lot of wisdom that he brings to life.

Indian reporter recalls interview

Tanvir Gill of Indias Economic Times stayed up all night preparing for a 15-minute interview with Buffett at Borsheims Fine Jewelry store after the shareholders meeting.

I was not aiming for brilliant, but just to get the right views that would be relevant for our audience back home, Gill wrote in My Rendezvous with Warren Buffett.

She rehearsed 15 questions and arrived with a video crew three hours early.

When Buffett arrived, she said, her jet lag, lack of sleep and tiredness just disappeared. Each cell in my brain woke up and became alert.

And then, suddenly my mind went blank!

She recovered when the cameras rolled and asked Buffett why he hasnt returned to India since his 2011 visit with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

If youll tell me (about) a wonderful company in India that might be available for sale, Ill be there tomorrow, Buffett said. Of countries where Berkshire would like to invest, he said, India should be at the top of the list.

India insurance branch approved

Speaking of India, Berkshires General Reinsurance division has worked through that countrys legendary red tape to begin a life, health and property-casualty insurance business, according to Insurance Business.

Berkshire tried an online insurance venture in 2013, but it later shut down. This time, Allie Sanchez reported, Gen Re will work locally rather than across international borders, a plan that helped win approval from Indias Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority.

Establishing a reinsurance branch in India is an important milestone for us, said Gen Re executive Winfried Heinen, because of the potential for Indias 1.3 billion-person market.

The Omaha World-Herald is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
LINCOLN  The University of Nebraska plans to endure a state budget crisis through tuition hikes, cuts in operations and enrollment increases, NUs president said Tuesday.

Tuition will increase 5.4 percent the coming school year and 3.2 percent the next year for resident undergraduates, though the hikes werent as high as some feared. More than 100 positions will be cut over the long haul throughout the NU system, some through attrition, and none involving faculty members. And NU aims to increase enrollment by at least 1 percent despite the tuition increase.

I think this is a prudent budget that really reflects a period of financial stress, NU President Hank Bounds said. Were going to manage this carefully. Were going to make good decisions. Im optimistic about our future.

Bounds had said in the past that tuition increases over the coming two years put together might be in double digits. The proposal isnt that severe, however.

The NU Board of Regents is expected to act Thursday on Bounds budget proposal.

This is the reality that were challenged with at the moment, said NU Regent Bob Phares of North Platte. Actually, Phares said, the picture is better than we initially thought it might be.

Regents Chairman Bob Whitehouse of Papillion praised Bounds tenacity in attacking the budget crisis.

I think the president has dutifully been working on this for months and months, he said.

Bounds has been mindful of the word affordable to our citizens and our families today, Whitehouse said.

Between reductions approved by the Nebraska Legislature and additional cuts from Gov. Pete Ricketts, NU will receive nearly $13 million less than the $583 million it started 2016-17 with, the university says.

Benjamin Allgire, a junior at UNO, called it disheartening to hear about a tuition increase.

Im sure they have their reasons, and theyve crunched the numbers, he said. Education is extremely important, and I feel the more we increase what we need to pay for it, the less education we might get in the long run. It might deter some people from getting a full four-year education.

Regent Tim Clare of Lincoln said Bounds has kept tuition affordable.

Im pleased with what hes done, pleased with his leadership, pleased with the campuses and how theyve worked together, Clare said.

The NU system is made up of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.

Tuition will vary to some degree depending on the program in which a student is majoring. For instance, UNLs Colleges of Architecture, Business Administration and Engineering have higher tuition than other programs. Graduate programs also have higher tuition.

Bounds said the cut in state funding plus increases in health insurance costs, salaries and other expenses put NU close to $50 million in the hole over the next two years. The president said his budget includes money for a 1.75 percent increase in the salary pool. Increases will be awarded on merit, he said.

He said this wont help move NU closer to the average salaries of peer institutions, but it is a commitment to recruiting and retaining top talent. UNO and UNK faculty members already have bargained for 1.75 percent raises through their unions. Faculty at UNMC and UNL are not unionized.

Bounds said more than 100 positions will be cut over time. Those will not be faculty positions, he said, but which positions will be affected is still being determined.

About 10 committees have worked for months to find efficiencies and areas where reductions can be made. Bounds said about $5 million in savings will be achieved the first year and perhaps $22 million the second.

Meanwhile, Bounds hopes to increase enrollment on NUs campuses by 1 percent in 2017-18, to more than 53,000.

Bounds called the calculations involved in plugging the gap an inexact science. The first years tuition increase would yield about $15 million, the second years $9 million more, he said.

If more state money is cut, the calculations must be redone, and tuition might go up more.

State Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte, head of the Legislatures Education Committee, said he doesnt like to see tuition go up but noted that UNL is at or near the bottom of the Big Ten in tuition and fees.

Groene said its not a bad thing for a company or government organization to seek efficiencies.

They shouldnt put all the burden on students, Groene said.

Sen. John Kuehn of Heartwell said that while tuition is still affordable, Bounds and NU should have looked harder for waste, efficiencies and places to cut.

I just think they really need to take a much tougher look, Kuehn said.

He said hell ask for more scrutiny in the future on where state money is being spent at NU.

Sen. John Stinner of Gering, who heads the Legislatures Appropriations Committee, said NU has its priorities in order.

Were tightening our belts across the board, Stinner said.

He said he hopes the state is at the bottom of its economic slump and will move upward now.

World-Herald staff writer Natalia Alamdari contributed to this report.
Democrat loyalists have not liked Donald Trump since he announced on June 17, 2015 he was running for president. Since Trumps inauguration, Dems have called for Trumps impeachment to the point I became deaf to their declaration. But when I learned three prominent Republicans recently said we are witnessing a massive corruption of Donald Trumps presidency that is far worse than Watergate, that got my attention.

President Nixon White House Counsel John Dean -- a Republican, the master manipulator of the Watergate cover-up and key witness against his boss -- said, I dont think Richard Nixon even comes close to the level of corruption we already know about Trump.

Richard Painter, another Republican and a University of Minnesota law professor who served as an ethics adviser for President George W. Bush said of Trump, If administration officials cant deliver some satisfying answers soon (to Trump-Russia scandals), this is definitely grounds for impeachment.

Eliot Cohen, the third Republican and U.S. Department of State counselor to George W. Bush, noted if Trumps highly classified and sensitive ISIS intelligence information sharing with untrustworthy Russia was deliberate, it would be treason, an impeachable offense.

Three separate and distinct allegations about Trump by three White House experienced Republicans peaked my curiosity. On further investigation, I found seven prominent and revered constitutional law professors and a former judge are leading a campaign to impeach president Trump; Free Speech for People is a non-partisan non-profit organization. As of May 18, 1,093,651 Americans have signed their names to the impeachment campaign.

The eight-member Free Speech for People legal advisory board contends from the moment he assumed the office, President Donald Trump has been in direct violation of the U.S. Constitution. The president is not above the law. We will not allow president Trump to profit from the presidency at the expense of our democracy. Congresss impeachment investigation should include the presidents violation of the Foreign and Domestic Emoluments Clauses and whether the president has, in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, prevented, obstructed or impeded the administration of justice.

As proof, Trumps 144 business holdings in 25 countries is said to present unprecedented conflicts of interest, internationally and domestically. With Trump having his relatives as senior White House advisers where insider trading information could occur, this would be a violation of the STOCK (Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge) Act of 2012.

Another possible legal issue facing Trump was his May 9 firing of FBI Director James Comey. Many constitutional lawyers insist Trumps actions in firing Comey, who was gathering pre-election Trump-Russia interactions, is an explicit obstruction of justice by interfering with the investigation.

Should it be found Trump asked Comey on Feb. 14 to make the Michael Flynn-Russia collusion investigation go away, thats another corrupt obstruction of justice incident. Flynn and Trump campaign advisers were in contact with Russian officials 18 times prior to the 2016 presidential election.

Two questions remain. First, how many alleged violations of the Constitution do we need to make an impeachment process decision? Secondly, whats your thinking on these six alleged impeachable offenses about our 45th president (i.e., Foreign Emoluments Clause, Domestic Emoluments Clause, STOCK Act of 2012, obstruction of justice case no. 1, obstruction of justice case no. 2 and treason)?

Its time to make your opinion on this matter known. Contact the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, request your call be transferred to your Representative and Senators and give them your verdict on initiating impeachment proceedings.

Remember, Trump is your president who is to abide by our U.S. Constitution. It is high time we put our countrys best interests before party politics.
A 25-year-old Omaha woman who was injured Tuesday morning in a four-vehicle crash at 85th and Blondo Streets was ticketed in connection with the collision.

The crash occurred about 7:15 a.m., police said.

Michelle Stolinski had to be cut free from her 2004 Mazda Tribute, according to a report from rescue squad personnel at the scene.

She was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center with a broken nose and facial lacerations, police said. Her injuries were not considered life-threatening, authorities said.

Stolinski was cited on suspicion of violating a traffic signal, improper display of license plates and not wearing a seat belt, police said.

Police said an investigation found that a 2008 Dodge Ram pickup truck was northbound on 85th Street passing Blondo Street under a green traffic signal when the pickup crashed with the Mazda, which was eastbound on Blondo and had passed through a red light at 85th Street.

The force of the collision caused the Tribute to crash into two other vehicles, a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country minivan and a 2011 Nissan Rogue, that were westbound on Blondo Street, authorities said.

Police identified the other motorists, all of Omaha, as Ryan Vacanti, 25, driver of the pickup; Bonnie Davis, 31, driver of the minivan; and Phyllis Kuthan, driver of the Nissan.

Vacanti, Davis and Kuthan did not report any injuries, authorities said.

The crash remains under investigation, police said.
Two Lincoln firefighters were injured Monday afternoon when a grills propane tank exploded at an apartment building.

They were treated at a hospital for their injuries and released, said Battalion Chief Leo Benes of the Lincoln Fire & Rescue Department.

Firefighters had been called to an apartment building at 115 Wedgewood Drive about 4:30 p.m. Monday on a relatively low-priority call: to help someone having a problem with a grill, Benes said.

The problem escalated when the fire in the grill spread to the garage, he said. The fire crew was upgrading the calls priority level when the propane tank violently exploded, breaking into pieces and injuring the two firefighters, the battalion chief said.

They were taken by ambulance to Bryan Medical Centers west campus, according to Benes.
MACY, Neb.  Dwight Howe motioned to a group of photographs on the wall  black-and-white portraits of Native Americans in traditional clothing. The kind of image you might see in a history book.

When he was young, he said, this was how he saw Umonhon  something from the distant past. Something apart from him.

Today, Howe, nearing 60, sees a similar attitude in many of his K-8 students at St. Augustine Indian Mission in Winnebago, where he teaches classes in Umonhon, the native language of the Omaha Tribe. Its his job, he said, to show his students that their language  their culture  is part of who they are.

But these kids, he said, face a steeper challenge in learning to speak the language: Time, including decades of forced assimilation, has reduced the number of fluent speakers to just a couple dozen. Many are elderly. Howes students and their peers, he said, have fewer and fewer adults around to teach them.

For years, tribal leaders and language instructors have worried about the uncertain future of the language. But now, they may have reason for optimism.

Last week more than 70 people turned out for a five-day Umonhon boot camp of sorts, held at the Nebraska Indian Community College in Macy. Attendance at the inaugural Omaha-Ponca Language Institute, made possible by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, was double what organizers expected.

I think that our people have been wanting to gather together to discuss, learn and practice speaking Umonhon, said Vida Stabler, program director of the Umonhon Language and Culture Center, one of the organizers of the institute.

I think we have seen our elders pass on, and with their passing, we see our language fluency dropping, Stabler said.

Of the 7,000 members of the Omaha Tribe, about 150 can understand or speak parts of the native language, said Wil Meya, executive director of the Language Conservancy, a nonprofit focused on revitalizing endangered Native American languages. The conservancy, which partnered with the culture center on the Umonhon institute, lists the number of fluent speakers at 27.

That group includes elders such as Eugene Pappan, 85, who grew up speaking Umonhon and learned English as a second language. At the institute, Pappan joined a group of more than a dozen other elders, who served as a source of reference for the newer learners.

Some, like Howe, were active listeners, able to understand words and phrases but unable to speak fluently. Many of a certain generation had heard the language growing up. Howes grandmother spoke it, he remembers.

But for generations, many members of the tribe were discouraged from fully embracing their native tongue, often by boarding schools that forced them to speak English. In many cases, harsh punishments awaited students who didnt comply.

Like all of you, Im on a journey of rediscovery, said Dwight Robinson, 68, who spoke to the other learners last week during a break in the day. I havent lost my way, I just need to rediscover it.

Lessons at the institute covered phonology  the sounds of a given language  conversation exercises and techniques for teaching the language to others. The new learners were paired with elders who could converse with them and correct any mispronunciations.

The institute also debuted a new textbook, developed by the conservancy and the Omaha Nation Public School Indian Education Program, meant to teach grade school children the basics. Early education is key to strengthening a language, Meya said.

But the most effective language lessons are often outside the classroom. The long-term goal, Stabler said, is to integrate Umonhon into the everyday lives of all of the Omaha people, adults included. The more people who hear and speak it, she said, the more likely it is to endure.

And many at the institute had high hopes that interest and instruction in Umonhon would continue. The conservancy is planning another institute next summer.

Even so, Howe thinks that the days of a 100 percent fluent Omaha people are over. Later generations will never live the way his grandmother did.

Still, he said, you have to aim high.

Im hoping well find a functional median, he said, where we can at least greet one another, at least pray with one another, at least encourage one another, at least honor one another in Umonhon.
PANAMA CITY (AP)  Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, a onetime U.S. ally who was ousted as Panamas dictator by an American invasion in 1989, died late Monday at age 83.

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela wrote in his Twitter account that the death of Manuel A. Noriega closes a chapter in our history.

Varela added, His daughters and his relatives deserve to mourn in peace.

Noriega ruled with an iron fist, ordering the deaths of those who opposed him and maintaining a murky, close and conflictive relationship with the United States.

At the apex of his power he wielded great influence outside the country as well thanks to longstanding relationships with spy agencies around the world, said R.M. Koster, an American novelist and biographer of Noriega who has lived in Panama for decades.

After his downfall, Noriega served a 17-year drug sentence in the United States, then was sent to face charges in France. He spent all but the last few months of his final years in a Panamanian prison for murder of political opponents during his 1983-89 regime.

He accused Washington of a conspiracy to keep him behind bars and tied his legal troubles to his refusal to cooperate with a U.S. plan aimed at toppling Nicaraguas leftist Sandinista government in the 1980s.

In recent years Noriega suffered various ailments including high blood pressure and bronchitis.

In 2016, doctors detected the rapid growth of a benign brain tumor that had first been spotted four years earlier, and in the following January a court granted him house arrest to prepare for surgery on the tumor.

He is survived by his wife Felicidad and daughters Lorena, Thays and Sandra.

Following Noriegas ouster Panama underwent huge changes, taking over the Panama Canal from U.S. control in 1999, vastly expanding the waterway and enjoying a boom in tourism and real estate.

Today the Central American nation has little in common with the bombed-out neighborhoods where Noriega hid during the 1989 invasion, before being famously smoked out of his refuge at the Vatican Embassy by incessant, loud rock music blared by U.S. troops.

Known mockingly as Pineapple Face for his pockmarked complexion, Manuel Antonio Noriega was born poor in Panama City on Feb. 11, 1934, and was raised by foster parents.

He joined Panamas Defense Forces in 1962 and steadily rose through the ranks, mainly through loyalty to his mentor, Gen. Omar Torrijos, who became Panamas de facto leader after a 1968 coup.

As Torrijos intelligence chief, Noriega monitored political opponents and developed close ties with U.S. intelligence agencies guarding against possible threats to the canal. Two years after Torrijos died in a mysterious plane crash in 1981, Noriega became the head of the armed forces and Panamas de facto ruler.

Noriega was considered a valued CIA asset and was paid millions of dollars for assistance to the U.S. throughout Latin America, including acting as a liaison to Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

Noriega also helped the U.S. seize drugs at sea and track money laundering in Panamas banks, and reported on guerrilla and terrorist activities.

Washington ultimately soured on him, especially after a top political opponent was killed in 1985 and Noriega appeared to join forces with Latin American drug traffickers. Foes in the Panamanian military attempted several coups but failed, and their leaders were summarily executed by firing squad.

The beginning of his downfall came in 1988 when federal grand juries in the Florida cities of Miami and Tampa indicted Noriega on drug-trafficking charges.

Initially he reacted with defiance, thumbing his nose at U.S. economic sanctions designed to drive him from power. He famously waved a machete at a rally while vowing not to leave, and in 1989 he nullified elections that observers say were handily won by the opposition.

U.S. President George H.W. Bush ordered the invasion in December 1989, and Noriega was captured and taken to Miami. During the operation, 23 U.S. military personnel died and 320 were wounded, and the Pentagon estimated 200 Panamanian civilians and 314 soldiers were killed.

Prosecutors accused Noriega of helping Colombias Medellin cocaine cartel ship tons and tons of a deadly white powder to the United States.

The defense cited court documents describing him as the CIAs man in Panama and argued that the indictment smells all the way from here to Washington.

Jurors convicted Noriega in April 1992 of eight of 10 charges. Under the judges instructions, they were told not to consider the political side of the case  including whether the U.S. had the right to invade Panama and bring Noriega to trial in the first place.

During his years at a minimum-security federal prison outside Miami, Noriega got special POW treatment, allowed to wear his Panamanian military uniform and insignia when in court.

He lived in a bungalow apart from other inmates and had his own television and exercise equipment. He was said to be a TV news junkie and a voracious reader about politics and current events.

After completing his 17-year sentence in 2007, Noriega was extradited to France and received a seven-year sentence for money laundering.

But Panama wanted Noriega to return to face in-absentia convictions and two prison terms of 20 years for embezzlement, corruption and murder of opponents, including military commander Moises Giroldi, who led a failed rebellion on Oct. 3, 1989, and Hugo Spadafora, whose decapitated body was found in a mailbag on the border with Costa Rica in 1985.

In mid-2011, France approved his extradition to Panama.

Despite amassing great wealth, Noriega had worked hard to cultivate an image of a man of the people. He lived in a modest, two-story home in an upper-middle-class neighborhood in Panama City that stood in stark contrast with the opulent mansions customary among Latin American dictators.

He would only say hello very respectfully, said German Sanchez, who lived next door for 16 years. You may think what you like of Noriega, but we cant say he was anything but respectful toward his neighbors.

The humble, the poor, the blacks, they are the utmost authority, Noriega said in one speech.

While some resentment lingers over the U.S. invasion, Noriega has so few supporters in modern-day Panama that attempts to auction off his old home attracted no bidders and the government decided to demolish decaying building down. Late in life, the ex-dictator essentially had zero influence over his country from behind bars.

He is not a figure with political possibilities, University of Panama sociologist Raul Leis said in 2008. Even though theres a small sector that yearns for the Noriega era, it is not a representative figure in the country.

Noriega broke a long silence in June 2015 when he made a statement from prison on Panamanian television in which he asked forgiveness of those harmed by his regime.

I feel like as Christians we all have to forgive, he said, reading from a handwritten statement. The Panamanian people have already overcome this period of dictatorship.

But for the most part Noriega stayed mum about elite military and civilian associates who thrived on the corruption that he helped instill  and which still plagues the Central American nation of some 3.9 million people, a favored transshipment point for drugs and a haven for money laundering.

He kept his mouth shut and died for the sins of others, Koster, the biographer, said in a 2014 interview. Nobody else ever went to prison.

Meanwhile, families of more than 100 who were killed or disappeared during his rule are still seeking justice.

Copyright 2017, the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Max Boots May 24 commentary, Republicans must tell Trump to go, made many false statements and half truths.

President Donald Trump was within his rights to fire anybody he feels is incompetent or not serving the public good. The firing of FBI Director James Comey was expected, and it was not a massacre or shocking.

It is not a crime for the president to share classified information with allies or countries we share a common foe with, despite describing it as most highly classified information.

The president saying to Comey, I hope you can let this go in regard to the FBIs investigation of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn does not rise to the level of obstruction of justice in the opinion of many.

Finally, the Russian collusion investigation could be resolved in relatively short order. Many phone calls with Russia and other countries are recorded by our government. They simply need to find conversations between members of the Trump campaign and the Russians.

Ex-CIA Director John Brennan recently said he had seen intelligence that raised concerns about possible collusion. That sounds like we are very close to uncovering the truth, which I think will be that there was no collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Brian Crease, Omaha
Human rights of people of Xinjiang should be respected and guaranteed: India

All options open for Air India revival: Aviation Ministry

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, May 30: All possible alternatives are being considered to make Air India viable, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Tuesday, even as it asserted that the clock cannot be put back on the Indian Airlines merger.

"NITI Aayog has made recommendations for making Air India strong and viable. All courses of action are being examined. We have not closed any option," Raju told reporters in Delhi.

Asserting that the government is proud of Air India, Raju said that "the ministry would cooperate with the CBI in respect of cases related to alleged irregularities at the airline in the past."

Air India, which is surviving on a Rs 30,000 crore bail- out package spread over 10 years announced by the Manmohan Singh government in 2012, is working on ways to improve its financial position.

In 2015-16, the airline posted operational profit of Rs 105 crore on account of low fuel prices and increased passenger numbers.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said that "whatever that would be done for Air India will be in national interest."

"We are considering all possible alternatives and what can be the winning strategy for the airline," Sinha said.

Asked about Air India and Indian Airlines merger that happened in 2007, which is seen as a reason for the problems of the national carrier, Raju said that the clock cannot be put back on the deal.

The CBI has decided to probe the controversial merger besides alleged irregularities in purchase and lease of aircraft by the two state-run carriers under the UPA government which caused "huge" losses to the exchequer.

The probe agency has registered three FIRs and a preliminary enquiry to go into the controversial decisions made by the erstwhile UPA government with regard to the carriers, including surrender of profitable routes to favour private airlines.

The cases have been registered against unidentified officials of Air India, Ministry of Civil Aviation and others under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption, CBI spokesperson R K Gaur said on Monday.

The CAG had in 2011 questioned the rationale behind the government's decision to order 111 airplanes for AI and Indian Airlines 48 from Airbus and 68 from Boeing for about Rs 70,000 crore in 2006.

PTI

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 17:05 [IST]
Almost confirmed: Rajinikanth to start new political party with help from BJP, Bluru agency

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Chennai, May 30: Rumours can rest now. The possibility of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth joining politics looks quite plausible. The veteran actor is not only joining politics, but is starting his own party, according to a report by The Indian Express.

In fact, a Bengaluru-based agency is planning the various facets of the new political outfit before the 66-year-old actor could make his much-awaited political plunge in Tamil Nadu.

Rajinikanth is said to be looking for a couple of seasoned political leaders from the already existing parties of Tamil Nadu--including the Congress, the DMK and the AIADMK--to join him in his political journey.

As speculated earlier, The Indian Express report confirmed that Rajinikanth is not joining the Bharatiya Janata Party. However, the star is said to be in constant touch with the top leadership of the saffron party in the national capital.

A few of the BJP leaders are helping Rajinikanth in giving final shape to his party. Rajinikanth is likely to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. During the elections, the actor's party might join hands with the BJP to fight two top regional parties--the ruling AIADMK and the opposition DMK.

In a recent meeting with his fans in Chennai, Rajinikanth said that if god was willing he might join politics. He clarified that if he ever joins politics, he would keep "bad" elements away from him.

Since the statements were made by the superstar, speculations were rife that the actor was finally making his entry into politics. There were also reports that the actor might join the BJP. In fact, several BJP leaders, including president Amit Shah invited Rajinikanth to join the saffron party.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 9:32 [IST]
Roma Varadkar Speaks About The Most Traditional Yet Stylish Outfit Of All Times: Saree

In 5 years, Telangana govt has given over 4.5 cr sarees for Bathukamma festival

Along Indo-Bangla border, BSF jawans fight saree smugglers who are wooing Bangladeshi women

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Shillong, May 30: We all know how much Indian women love and treasure their collection of sarees. No matter even if they wear them or not (as in today's world, Indian women have a variety of sartorial choices), but check a wardrobe of any woman, you are most likely to be impressed by her saree stock.

Why just blame Indian women for their madness for sarees? In neighbouring Bangladesh, women are also simply crazy about sarees--that too made in India ones.

The passion for possessing Indian sarees by Bangladeshi women has led to the thriving illegal saree trade along the Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya.

Yes, we are not joking, it's not just the illegal trade in cattle, but saree smuggling is also causing a lot of headache for the Indian security personnel in the border area.

According to reports, the Border Security Force men recently seized 1,500 sarees valued at Rs 27 lakh from a vehicle at Umsyiem in East Khasi Hills near Dawki along the India-Bangladesh border.

"The sarees were meant to be smuggled to Bangladesh. The occupants of the vehicle escaped after seeing the troops," an official of the BSF told The Telegraph.

"Indian sarees are popular in Bangladesh markets. The smugglers were trying to take the sarees to Bangladesh to get handsome returns," the official added.

The official revealed that local criminals and Bangladeshi saree smugglers share close ties. Thus it has become a matter of great concern for the BSF personnel guarding the unfriendly border terrain.

"Smugglers on both the sides of the border remain in constant touch with each other and keep tracking the movements of BSF patrols to find a chance to smuggle consignments to Bangladesh. But we have made considerable seizures to foil such attempts by them," the official added.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 11:22 [IST]
Amidst Babri hearing, Yogi set to visit make-shift Ram temple in Ayodhya

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Lucknow, May 30: Yogi Adityanath is expected to visit the makeshift Ram temple in Ayodhya on Wednesday. This is Yogi's maiden visit to the disputed site after he assumed charge as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

The CM's visit to the temple comes in the backdrop of BJP leaders LK Advani, Uma Bharti, Murli Manohar Joshi being summoned to a special CBI court in connection with the Babri Masjid demolition case.

Adityanath will be in Ayodhya on May 31, to celebrate the 79th birthday of Nritya Gopal Das, the president of Ramjnamabhomi Trust. He is also likely to visit Ramjanmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi and other prominent temples of the town and hold a meeting with the seers.

According to the reports, Adityanath is the second chief minister to offer prayers at the Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya after the demolition of the Babri mosque on December 6, 1992. Rajnath Singh, was the first CM to offer prayers at the temple in 2002. No CM has visited the disputed site to offer prayers in past 15 years.

Yogi's visit, however, would be closely watched by all sections of the society as he has himself been involved in the movement for decades. From the day of taking the oath as UP Chief Minister, Yogi has come up with many initiatives to fulfill his electoral promises, but this visit may set motion for Ram Temple movement.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 15:41 [IST]
Hindu player from Pak cricket team wishes everyone on Diwali, wants to visit Ayodhya

Ayodhya's Ram temple to be open for darshan in Jan 2024

Babri case: Dont consider myself to be a criminal, says Uma Bharti

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

Union Minister Uma Bharti on Tuesday said she doesnt consider herself criminal in Babri Masjid demolition case ahead of appearing before special Central Bureau of Investigation court at Lucknow.

'I was present in Ayodhya on December 6, it was an open movement like a movement against Emergency. I participated along with lakhs of workers and thousands of leaders and security personnel, ' Bharti told media.

'Don't consider myself to be a criminal,' Bharti said.

Also, BJP MP Sakshi Maharj echoed similar views before media. 'I have not done anything wrong. No power can stop construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, said BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj. 'I am not afraid reiterating same view in the court of law,' he added.

On May 25, the court summoned LK Advani, MM Joshi and Uma Bharti to appear before it in person on May 30 for the framing of charges against them.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 13:30 [IST]
Bengaluru's 10-minute beef festival minus beef, only fight between 2 groups

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Bengaluru, May 30: India's IT hub Bengaluru on Monday decided to host a beef festival protesting against the Centre's recent decision to introduce restrictions on cattle sale and slaughter.

Unlike in Kerala and Chennai--where similar beef festivals were held--in Bengaluru's beef festival there was no edible beef to eat and relish. Even though the festival did not offer anyone to eat the red meat, the "beef" between the two opposing groups (one which supported the festival and second that opposed eating the "controversial" meat) was enough for the police to detain more than 20 people belonging to both the factions.

The food festival-- Mooment Bengaluru--was hosted at Townhall, Bengaluru, on Monday evening. The organisers of the food festival--a group of students belonging to the Students' Federation of India and the Democratic Youth Federation of India--on social media announced that the city too was miffed with the Centre's ban on beef and thus they took the decision to eat beef in a public event.

After the announcement of the beef festival, leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and a couple of Hindutva groups opposed such an event that insults the sentiments of Hindus.

BJP leader CT Ravi asked the police to stop the event as it was the brainchild of "deranged and twisted" minds.

As the festival started on scheduled time, only 25 people were in attendance. The participants were not all beef eaters, but half of them belonged to various Hindu groups, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad--who gathered at the venue to protest against the beef festival.

Before the actual festival could have started, fight erupted between the two groups. The police posse guarding the venue immediately intervened to stop further flare-up and ended up detaining almost 20 people belonging to both the groups.

A small number of media professionals also witnessed the festival. The entire "drama" lasted just for 10 minutes and that too minus beef.

OneIndia News
Bhopal: Bomb threat sounded in DB Mall, Hotel Marriott

India

oi-Madhuri

The Bhopal police, along with Bomb squad and Dog squad, rushed to DB City Mall and Hotel Marriott after getting bomb threat information.

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Bomb threat sounded in DB Mall & Hotel Marriott, bomb squad & police on the spot, search operation underway pic.twitter.com/wyr6QN7Irh  ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

This is the second such incident within 24 hours, earlier on Monday night, a City Superintendent of Police Kulwant Singh got a call regarding bomb threat in Bhopal district court. Acting on a tip-off, the Bhopal poilce along with Bomb squad immediately rushed to the spot.

Throwing light on the incident, City Superintendent of Police Kulwant Singh said they got a call around 9 p.m. on Monday night and immediately took the necessary steps.

The bomb squad and sniffer dogs searched the whole court premises but no explosives were found in the court premises. Later, senior intelligence officers said that though it turned out to be a hoax, it was not possible for them to have taken the threat lightly.

OneIndia News
Despite a bipartisan effort to reduce the U.S. prison population, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions wants to increase the nation's leadership in incarceration instead.

In an address to the New York City police union Friday during National Police Week, Sessions ordered federal prosecutors to pursue the toughest penalties possible against criminal defendants, although with discretion to avoid sentences "that would result in an injustice."

Sessions called it "a key part of President Trump's promise to keep America safe." While violent crime has declined over the past 30 years, it started spiking in some major cities in 2015.

"The murder rate has surged 10 percent nationwide, the largest increase in murder since 1968, and we know that drugs and crime go hand in hand. They just do. The facts prove that's so," Sessions said.

As a senator from Alabama, Sessions backed legislation to make a second conviction for marijuana trafficking a capital offense, possibly including the death penalty.

Sessions reversed a policy Obama administration U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder initiated in 2013 that prosecutors avoid charging certain defendants with offenses triggering long mandatory minimum sentences. Among other criteria, those defendants could not belong to a large-scale drug trafficking organization.

Holder called Session's policy "dumb on crime. It is an ideologically motivated, cookie-cutter approach that has only been proven to generate unfairly long sentences that are often applied indiscriminately and do little to achieve long-term public safety."

The U.S. has 4.4 percent of the global population, but nearly a fifth of its inmates  nearly 2.3 million of the 11 million behind bars in 2016.

Sessions' policy won't put a huge dent in the overall prison population because federal incarcerations are only 197,000 of the total, topped by drug offenses (97,000), according to Prison Policy Initiative.

Another 1.33 million people are in state prisons, while 630,000 languish in local jails, including 443,000 awaiting trial. The inability of low-income people to make bail  even at $500  accounts for the disproportionate of the latter number, according to the PPI.

The U.S. prison population began to soar in the 1980s following a drug epidemic that prompted passage of legislation for mandatory minimums and "three-strikes-and-you're-out" sentences that often resulted in either prolonged or life terms for nonviolent crimes. States followed suit.

The bill for federal, state and local incarcerations is $80 million annually. Housing a federal inmate cost $31,977.65 in 2015, according to the Federal Register. States have attempted to reduce their prison populations by diverting lower-risk offenders to community-based programs and reclassifying high- and low-risk offenders to reduce their time behind bars.

Lawrence Leiser, president of the National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys, praised Sessions for restoring "the tools that Congress intended assistant U.S. attorneys to have at their disposal to prosecute drug traffickers and dismantle drug trafficking enterprises."

But groups from the American Civil Liberties Union on the left to organizations funded by the Koch brothers on the right saw it differently.

"Jeff Sessions is pushing federal prosecutors to reverse progress and repeat a failed experiment  the War on Drugs  that has devastated the lives and rights of millions of Americans, ripping apart families and communities and setting millions, particularly black people and other people of color, on a vicious cycle of incarceration," stated Udi Ofer, director of the ACLU's Campaign for Smart Justice.

"We favor a different approach, which requires changing some of the existing federal laws," said Mark Holden, chairman of the Koch's Freedom Partners. "There are less costly and more effective ways to help low-level offenders who aren't a threat to public safety other than incarceration."

A year ago, it seemed a bipartisan group of senators had majority support to reduce mandatory minimum sentences for first-time and nonviolent offenders and establish new programs to enable offenders to adjust to life after prison.

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, a co-author of the SAFE (Safe, Accountable, Fair, Effective) Justice Act, said, "There's no doubt that drug and human trafficking and gang-related crimes continue to persist and poison the well of civic life, endangering public safety daily. And yet, there's room for sensible reforms that improve the criminal justice system so that it's fair and just to victims, the accused and taxpayers. The right policy mix of reforms can give low-level offenders who have paid their debts to society a second chance to rejoin their families and find employment in their communities."

Sessions helped keep the bill from coming to the floor. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., called him "the number one opponent of the bipartisan effort."

Grassley is correct reforms are needed, particularly with low-level offenders who pose little threat to society and whose incarceration unnecessarily boosts taxpayers' bills. Unfortunately, Sessions seems intent on sticking a stake into the heart of that bipartisan approach.

This editorial appeared in the May 17 edition of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, another Lee Enterprises publication.
UP: One dead, 12 injured as families of bride & groom spar over music at wedding venue

Viral video: Groom rests hand on shoulder of bride, Check what happens next

Viral video: 23-year-old Bride goes to marriage venue on SUV's bonnet, booked by Pune police

MP: 28-year-old runaway bride who took eight grooms for a ride arrested

Chhattisgarh: Bride gets dowry-greedy groom arrested

India

oi-Madhuri

In spite of the laws in place, it is very common for the bridegroom to take dowry from the bride's family for marrying her.

Chhattisgarh: Groom demands dowry after wedding, bride gets him arrested!



Read @ANI_news story -> https://t.co/0cGsGjEgDC pic.twitter.com/rHiHfPmkvS  ANI Digital (@ani_digital) May 30, 2017

The Chattisgarh police on Tuesday arrested a groom after the bride filed a complaint for his lust for dowry in Koriya district of Chhattisgarh.

The incident happened when the groom demanded refrigerator and a gold chain after the wedding from her family. However, the family of the bride flatly refused his demand, which led to him abusing them profusely.

What triggered the ugly turn of events was when the groom and his family returned back to their home without taking the bride along.

However, a case has been registered against the groom under various section of Indian Penal Code and assured that action would be taken against him.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 10:48 [IST]
Congress has always been double faced on cow slaughter ban

India

oi-Smita Mishra

The Indian National Congress, commonly called the Congress in political language, has always maintained two faces when it comes to the question of cow slaughter ban. From the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to the current leadership, the Congress has never been consistent in its views; always tweaking its stand to suit its immediate political interests. To take the current incidents first, top Congress leaders hailing from God's Own Country Kerala initially reacted with statements like 'centre's notification should torn into pieces and dumbed on a dust-bin' (AK Antony).

Provocative words:

Taking a cue from their seniors local Congress politicians came out with even more provocative words. Sample this...Rijil Makkutty of the Youth Congress said 'the government's decision is an act of cruelty against a large population. To oppose this we will slaughter cattle in public and we will distribute the meat to the

public.'

District Congress chief of Kollam, Bindu Krishna said, 'Beef delicacy will be packed and sent to head post office for delivery to Modi ji.'

Unaware of beef festivals?

In this age of internet and information technology, it is difficult to believe that Congress leadership was not aware of the beef festivals being organized or of the public slaughter as announced by local units. However, as people (not just Hindus) watched in shock the barbarity unfolding on the internet, the Congress beat a retreat and Rahul Gandhi came out to condemn the act. It is another matter that gory pictures of slaughtered animals kept surfacing on the internet even twenty four hours after the tweet.

The party's central spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said 'such people have no place in the Congress' and announced their suspension. Just a day earlier, his colleague Abhishek Singhvi had denied these people were Congress members.

To go back some decades, Jawaharlal Nehru was opposed to any ban on cow slaughter. The Constitution makers had just included cow slaughter ban in the Directive Principles of State Policy when in 1954 senior Congress MP Seth Govind Das moved a resolution in the Lok Sabha for a total ban on cow slaughter. When Nehru rejected it out of hand, Das said that a "large majority of the party" was in favour of the resolution. Where upon Nehru retorted, "I would rather resign than accept this nonsensical demand". According to Nehru, the issue of cow slaughter was 'unimportant and reactionary.'

Interesting turn of events:

But here is an interesting turn of events. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Sampoornanand, a noted Sanskrit scholar, introduced a bill on cow slaughter in open defiance of Nehru's explicit wishes. The law was passed and Nehru described it as a 'wrong step'.

Then came 1966. Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan wrote to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for a ban on cow slaughter. He wrote 'I cannot understand why, in a Hindu majority country like India, where rightly or wrongly, there is such a strong feeling about cow-slaughter, there cannot be a legal ban'. Indira Gandhi flatly refused. This led to an explosive situation as Hindu organizations called for a country wide agitation. Many cow protection groups gathered for a massive protest outside Parliament. It is a historic fact that eight people died after riots broke out in the protests in November 1966. The incidents led Indira Gandhi to sack home minister Gulzarilal Nanda.

But in 1982, the same Indira Gandhi who was then pursuing a Hindu appeasement policy wrote to 14 Chief Ministers urging that the cow-slaughter ban be enforced in letter and spirit, and not allowed to be circumvented at any cost.

(Smita Mishra, advisor, Prasar Bharati)
Delhi AQI remains 'very poor' but parts of NCR breathe better

Delhi: Wheelchair-bound passenger arrested for smuggling gold

India

oi-Gulam Rabbani

By Gulam Rabbani

New Delhi, May 30: In a shocking incident, the customs officials on Tuesday arrested a 63-year-old, who was trying to use his wheelchair as a cover to smuggle gold bars worth Rs 93 lakh at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. The officials also arrested two men along with the physically challenged man.

According to reports, the passenger arrived from Dubai by a Jet Airways flight and was stopped by customs officials after the green channel. During interrogation, he confessed to carrying gold.

Four bars were kept in his shorts which he was wearing under his trousers. The passengers in believed to be from Pondicherry and was supposed to travel to Chennai.

One of the officials said that a total of 3.5 kgs of gold was recovered from the three passengers and were arrested under Customs Act.

The officials added that this was the first case of a passenger misusing a wheelchair. Further investigation is underway.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 14:03 [IST]
Ghazwa-e-Hind in Assam: NIA roped in as Islamists plan destruction of India

Endangered Red Panda rescued in Assam

India

oi-Gulam Rabbani

By Gulam Rabbani

Tezpur, May 30: Sashastra Seema Bal on Tuesday rescued a Red Panda, which comes under the category of endangered animals which was spotted on Tezpur-Tawang Highway.

SSB led by Anjani Kumar Tiwari AC and local villagers rescued the Red Panda after it was chased and attacked by the stray dogs.

Red Panda (endangered species) which was being chased & attacked by stray dogs rescued by Sashastra Seema Bal along Tezpur-Tawang highway pic.twitter.com/qg8mv6m6Dw  ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

The Red Panda was later taken to a safe location and was released in the forest after it was confirmed of species by the forest authorities. The majority of Red Pandas lives in Eastern Himalayas.

However, the population of Red Pandas reduced in numbers due to loss of nesting trees and bamboo, leading to their forest home is cleared. Apart from habitat loss, poaching and inbreeding depression are the other reasons for its population loss.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature had declared the Red Pandas as endangered due to its wild population being estimated to be less than 10,000 mature individuals.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 12:38 [IST]
Rajasthan: 6 BSF jawans injured in accidental mortar blast in Jaisalmer

India

oi-Madhuri

In an unfortunate incident, around six Border Security Force personnel were injured when a mortar accidently exploded during a training exercise on Friday at Kishangarh firing range in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan along the Indo-Pak border on Tuesday.

According to the initial reports, six jawans were injured after a mortar blast at Kishangarh field firing range in Jaisalmer.

According to officials, two critically injured jawans were airlifted to Jodhpur while the injured were taken to Ramgarh for medical aid.The six personnel suffered injuries due to the blast of the ammunition, out of which two are critical, a senior BSF officer said.

The troops were participating in a firing exercise. This is the second such incident here this year after four personnel were injured in similar circumstances in March.

Few days after this, six men of the paramilitary were injured in similar circumstances during mortar firing exercise at its centre in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh. The BSF is deployed in Rajasthan as part of its task to guard the India-Pakistan International Border.

OneIndia News
Has Babri shattered Advani's dream of being the next President of India?

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

27 years have gone by since BJP leader L K Advani rode the Ram Rath to Ayodhya. Today he stands before a court in Lucknow which is framing charges against him. In April the Supreme Court had told the CBI to frame charges against Advani and others. The big question now is will this case stand in his way of becoming the next President of India?

There were unverified reports that had suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had wanted Advani to be the choice for the President's post, the elections to which will be held in July. He is said to have told party workers that this would be his guru dakshina.

However with the case coming up, the chances of Advani as the next President of India are fading. When Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley was asked if the case would stand in the way of Advani's nomination, he brushed it off by saying, " the question is hypothetical."

The many BJP sources that we spoke with say nothing has been decided as yet. Advani is no doubt the first poster boy of Hindu politics in India. Will the party keep this in mind and grant him the post brushing aside the court case?

What is also important is that the first open suggestion to making him the President of India did not come from the BJP. It was West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banjerjee who had expressed her willingness to support his candidature if the BJP proposed his name. She had said he could be the consensus candidate.

For Advani to be nominated he will need the backing of both the BJP and the RSS. He has in the recent past tried to reach out when he spoke fondly about his association with the RSS. The big question is will Modi and the RSS propose his name. Only time will tell.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 12:43 [IST]
Have they read it right? Where does the notification speak of a beef ban?

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

There has been a lot of outraging not just on the social media, but also among politicians following the Centre's notification on the restriction of sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets. Comments have been pouring in and states have already decided to bring out a legislation to counter the state's notification.

The question is, does the centre's notification really speak about a beef ban? Let us examine the notification issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. To cut a long story short, the notification only sets out a restriction on sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets.

The notification also sets out guidelines and rules for the upkeep of the animal markets and seeks to ensure that the welfare of the animal is protected when being traded.

The notification states:

No person shall bring cattle to an animal-market without submitting a written declaration signed by the owner of the cattle or his duly authorised agent to the member secretary of the new committee.

The name and address of the owner of the cattle, with a copy of the photo identification proof, has to be given.

Cattle trade at animal markets only takes place for agricultural purposes.

There is a restriction on the purchaser of the cattle from sacrificing the animal for any religious purpose.

Animal Market defined:

According to the notification, an "Animal Market," is defined as the following: "Animal market" means a "market place or sale-yard or any other premises or place to which animals are brought from other places and exposed for sale or auction and includes any lairage adjoining a market or slaughterhouse and used in connection with it and any place adjoining a market used as a parking area by visitors to the market for parking vehicles and includes animal fair and cattle pound where animals are offered or displayed for sale or auction".

The confusion lies here:

The notification does not make it clear whether slaughterhouses are permitted to procure cattle for slaughter directly from farmers. A bare reading would indicate that there is no rule that prohibits this.

These rules would make it tough for slaughterhouses to function. There are tough restrictions. In short the notification does not speak of a beef ban. It only regulates the process to ensure the upkeep of the animal. The owner of a slaughterhouse will now have to buy the cattle directly from the farmer who is selling it. He won't have the choice to choose the cattle until a farmer sells it.

Licensed slaughterhouse owners will have to look for farmers to purchase cattle.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 10:04 [IST]
Ramadan 2021: When does it begin? Know Shehri and iftar timings, check moon sighting in India

Ramadan 2022: Start and End Date in India, Fasting Rules - All You Need To Know

Hindu and Muslim prisoners observe 'Roza' in Muzaffarnagar jail

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

In a gesture of communal harmony, Hindu jail inmates are reported to observing 'roza', the dawn-to- dusk fast during Ramzan along with Muslim prisoners in a jail in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.

About 32 Hindu inmates are observing 'roza' along with 1,174 Muslim prisoners.

Milk and dry fruits are being provided to them for 'iftar'. Out of 2,600 inmates, 1,174 Muslims and 32 Hindus are observing the fast. According to jail superintendent Rakesh Singh, prison authorities have made special arrangements for the inmates who are performing roza.

In fact, the precedent of communal harmony comes from a place which was in news for communal riots. In August-September 2013, communal clashes resulted in at least 62 deaths including 42 Muslims and 20 Hindus and injured 93 and more than 50,000 were displaced.

Ramzan, the month of fasting in Islam, began on Sunday as the moon was not sighted on Friday. Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar when Muslims abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset and join mass prayers at mosques. This annual observance is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam.

The month lasts around 29 to 30 days and the Muslims will fast between dawn and dusk. Ramzan isn't just about fasting from food, it is primarily about being more pious and seeking spiritual closeness to God. The conclusion of Ramzan is marked with Eid al-Fitr which is celebrated to mark the end of the month.

(With agency inputs)
Woman sold, tortured in Saudi set to return to India: Sushma Swaraj

India

oi-Madhuri

Union minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said that Sukhwant Kaur, 55, a resident of Ajtani village of Nurmahal in Jalandhar, who was allegedly sold and tortured in Saudi Arabia is returning back to India on Wednesday.

Thanks for bringing this to my notice. Sukhwant Kaur is returning home on 31 May 2017 at 0415 hrs by Flt G9406. https://t.co/jOSFcmFJA8  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 30, 2017

Kulwant Singh, 60, was relieved after he received a phone call from the external affairs ministry on Tuesday morning, informing him about the return of his wife.

Sukhwant Kaur's husband Kulwant had said that in January, Sukhwant left for Saudi Arabia on a three-month visa procured by a Delhi-based agent. "On May 7, my wife called me up from a hospital in Hail City of Saudi Arabia. She said the travel agent had sold her to a local resident and she was forced to work as a slave in his house and was being badly treated and even tortured," he said.

The matter came to the notice of the Indian government only after her husband Kulwant made an appeal to external affairs external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Twitter.

Reacting to a HT in a tweet, Swaraj said Kaur would be returning on a Sharjah-Mumbai Air Arabia flight and is expected to reach at 4.15 am on Wednesday.

Also, the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia has assured all possible help to the family after Kulwant made an appeal to external affairs minister.

OneIndia News
J&K resident who wanted to join ISIS deported from Turkey

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

A resident of Jammu and Kashmir who attempted joining the Islamic State has been deported to India from Turkey. Srinagar resident Afshan Parvaiz was deported from the Turkish capital of Ankara on May 25 and whisked away to an undisclosed destination by security agencies in Delhi.

The Intelligence Bureau is conducting an assessment. Parvaiz had left home after an argument with his father, who wanted him to join a college while the son was interested in religious studies, IB sources said.

He booked himself on a flight to Teheran on March 23. He was to return to India after exploring various avenues. The Kashmiri man, who is the second person to be deported from Turkey in the last two months, apparently sent a message to his family to tell them that he was facing some "problems", the sources said.

The security agencies then got in touch with their Iranian counterparts, who found out that Parvaiz was travelling to Ankara. The authorities in Ankara were contacted and he was picked up while he was travelling in a bus in the Turkish capital.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 6:49 [IST]
Meghalaya MP urges PM to lift new cattle sale ban in beef consuming states

India

pti-PTI

Shillong, May 30: Former Union minister and Congress MP Vincent H Pala has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lift ban on sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets in tribal and beef consuming states like Meghalaya.

Prime Minister should exempt applications of the new livestock rules banning cow slaughter and livestock trade in tribal and beef-consuming states like Meghalaya, Pala said today. In a formal petition to the Prime Minister, Pala urged that formal views from all state governments should also be taken into consideration to review the rules and allow implementation of the same with state-wise necessary notifications.

Meghalaya was ranked the top beef-consuming state in the country where 80.74 per cent of the population eat beef, ahead of Lakshadweep and Nagaland, according to the latest National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).

"Tribal states like Meghalaya, etc. should be exempted from the application of these rules (the newly promulgated Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulations of livestock Markets) rules, 2017)," Pala, the Shillong MP said in the petition submitted to the PMO last evening.

The former Union minister of state for Minority Affairs said the new rules should be rolled back as only Parliament can amend the relevant act and states must be consulted before any decision in that regards as it also affects the federal functions on the subject matter.

PTI
Naxals sets bus on fire, opposes road construction in Chhatisgarh's Jharigaon

India

oi-Gulam Rabbani

Jhorigaon, May 30: Opposing the construction of roads in Jhorigaon district, a group of Naxals on Monday night torched an empty private bus travelling from Chhattisgarh's Dhanora area to Orchha area which is four kilometres away from a police station.

According to reports, the Naxals burnt the bus after the passengers were forced to evacuate the bus on Monday night.

It is believed that a road construction is underway on a brisk pace under the security cover provided by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the district police. 45 kilometres of a total 66 kilometres have been completed so far, said reports.

The incident took place two days after a firing that took place between the police and Naxals after which seven militants were arrested after having agreed to several other arson related issues.

It is to recall that earlier in May, the Naxals had torched a tractor and other machines involved in a road construction in the district.

However, the police said that nearly 50 Maoists barged in the area and torched the vehicles at a construction site after threatening the contractors to stop the work.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 10:49 [IST]
Not in race for Next President of India says Deve Gowda

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

I am not in the race for the post of next President of India, former Prime Minister of India, H D Deve Gowda has said. I have been contacted by a couple of political parties on the Presidential elections, but I have refused to take part in the race, Gowda who is also the supremo of the Janata Dal (S) said.

There are other leaders who are capable of holding the post. I have no interest in Delhi politics and will instead build my party in Karnataka he told reporters at his home town in Hassan.

He further said that with a weak opposition at the centre there are efforts on to unite all regional parties. The parties will be uniting under the leadership of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, he said.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 11:25 [IST]
All is not well in NCP? Ajit Pawar leaves party meet mid-way

Not in presidential race, want to remain in politics: Sharad Pawar

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday categorically denied being in the race for next President of India, saying that he would continue to remain to active politics.

"Mai iss contest mein nahin hoon, mujhe rajneeti se itni jaldi retire hona nahin hai... Rashtrapati hone ke baad achhi haveli milti hai, baaki sab theek hai lekin aap (I am not in this contest, i do not want to retire from politics this soon.... After becoming President one gets good bungalow, but i won't get a chance to talk to media)," he told media.

Pranab Mukherjee's tenure as President will end on July 14, and the election has to take place before that.

Several names were making rounds for the post of next president like Sharad Pawar, senior JD-U leader Sharad Yadav, former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar and even actor Rajnikanth.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Thursday hoped for a consensus candidate for the presidential election.

Congress along with other opposition aprties even held a meeting to decide on predential candidate but the meeting did not yield any result.

While Nitish Kumar was not present a the meet his alliance partner in Bihar Lalu Prasad Yadav was present along with Sharad Yadav. As expected Mamata Banerjee, Sitaram Yechury, Sharad Pawar, Mayawati, Omar Abdullah, Kanimozhi took part in the meeting held at the Parliament.

Even the ruling BJP-led NDA alliance is yet to reveal the name of its candidates for the posts of President and Vice-President. In recent times, media reports suggested that the ruling alliance wants Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat as the next President of the country. However, Bhagwat clarified that he was not in the race. Several other names are also doing the rounds as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is yet to choose his candidates for the two important posts.

Sections of the media are speculating that Governor of Jharkhand Draupadi Murmu could emerge as BJP's choice for president. Her career in politics spans over 2 decades. She will be the first tribal to be the President of India. She is the daughter of late Biranchi Narayan Tudu. Hailing from Odisha, she was also a former minister in the government there.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 21:00 [IST]
'This may give sleepless nights to some': Eknath Shinde on sharing dais with Sharad Pawar

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar slams Modi, says PM should focus more on weakening economy

Pawar should join NDA to contest Prez election: Ramdas Athawale

India

pti-PTI

Thane, May 30: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has stuck to his position that if NCP chief Sharad Pawar was keen on contesting the presidential election, he should join the National Democratic Alliance.

Athawale's comments, made at Dombivili in Thane on Monday after similar remarks last week in Nagpur, come against the backdrop of Pawar's name being earlier discussed by the Opposition camp for the presidential post.

Athawale, a veteran politician from Maharashtra, had also said that he would not be contesting the polls.

When reporters asked the Union Social Justice Minister on who should be the next president, Athawale said, "This decision lies with the NDA. If Pawar wants to become the president, he should join the NDA." Pawar shares a good relation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.

"If a 'Marathi manoos' becomes the president, I will be happy," said the chief of Republican Party of India , an ally of BJP.

"We will support him if he fights as an NDA nominated candidate, but he should not contest as a UPA candidate," he said.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 15:06 [IST]
Why is the DMK continuing to oppose the imposition of Hindi? - 50 years of struggle and the truth!

Rahul to attend Karunanidhi's 94th B'day bash on June 3

India

oi-Gulam Rabbani

New Delhi, May 30: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will attend 94th birthday celebrations of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi in Chennai on June 3, said reports.

It is to recall that many plans have been made by the Opposition to unite against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for the upcoming Presidential polls and in this regard, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad are also likely to attend the DMK chief's 94th birthday celebrations in Chennai next month.

Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad, who have been trying for a united opposition to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party following its massive victory in Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, have promised senior DMK leader and Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi they would join her father's birthday bash on June 3 in Chennai.

Nitish and Lalu have accepted the invitation on behalf of the DMK's working president M K Stalin.

"Nitish Kumar has confirmed Kanimozhi, who personally visited him at his official residence to attend Karunanidhi's birthday," a senior JD-U leader said. Lalu Prasad also confirmed his presence to Kanimozhi. "Laluji told Kanimozhi after she handed invitation card to him personally that he will be visiting Chennai for Karunanidhi's birthday," RJD leader said.

BJP not invited for the birthday bash

The working president of the DMK, M K Stalin said that he would not invite the BJP for Dr M Karunanidhi's 94th birthday celebrations. The June 3 event is all set to be a political affair with the DMK deciding to hold diamond jubilee celebrations for its leader where Presidential polls are likely to be discussed.

Making his intentions about inviting the BJP for the bash clear, M K Stalin said that a party that intended to wipe out Dravidian parties can definitely not be invited to celebrate a Dravidian leader.

"BJP leaders want to destroy Dravidian parties like DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. How can we invite them to and make them sit on a stage at Kalaignar's birthday? We will be squirming in our seats after inviting them and it will be an embarrassment," M K Stalin said.

Stalin's statement came after BJP chief in Tamil Nadu Tamilisai Soundararajan claimed that the party would participate in the event if an invitation was extended and prove that there was no hidden agenda as claimed by the DMK M K Stalin has outrightly rejected the idea of inviting the BJP.

Stalin and Kanimozhi have personally extended invitations to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and many non-BJP leaders to take part in the event.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 11:05 [IST]
'If I have nominated even one person using authority, I'll resign': Kerala governor on VC row

Kerala govt intends to replace Governor as Chancellor of universities through ordinance

DGP Kerala orders FIR against The Kerala Story after TN journalist forwards complaint to CM

Monsoon rains arrive at southern Kerala

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The rains are here. The southwest monsoon has arrived in southern Kerala. The usual date for the monsoon to arrive in Kerala is June 1. However it is currently in the normal range.

Many parts of Kerala received heavy rain a day ahead of the scheduled onset of the monsoon. The central and southern districts received heavy rain over the past couple of days.

The meteorological centre in Thiruvananthapuram has predicted heavy rain in several districts till June 2.

Between March 1 and May 24, Kerala received 277.2 mm rainfall, a 10% deficiency compared to the long-term average rainfall for the corresponding period.

OneIndia News
Riyaz Naikoo, a secular appointed Hizbul's chief in J&K

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Hizbul Mujahideen has appointed a tech-savvy terrorist as its commander in Jammu and Kashmir. Riyaz Naikoo, 29 replaced Sabzar Bhat who was killed in an encounter on Saturday.

Naikoo is ideologically different when compared to Bhat. He prefers a secular society in Kashmir. He had recently urged the Kashmiri Pandits to return to the Valley.

Naikoo who also goes by the name Zubair had said recently in a 11 minute video that Kashmiri Pandits have a warm place in his heart. We welcome them to Kashmir. They are part of our nation. We will protect them as they are not our enemies he had also said.

The choice of Naikoo is interesting. While the likes of Bhat and Musa who was recently shunted out of the Hizbul called for the establishment of a Caliphate in Kashmir, Naikoo does not share a similar view.

Intelligence Bureau officials say that there appears to be a change in narrative by the Hizbul with the appointment of Naikoo. The video posted by Musa recently where he threatened to behead the Kashmiri separatists has not gone down well at all in Pakistan.

The Hizbul too distanced itself from the comments made by Musa.

Moreover the Hizbul is not in favour of imposing the ISIS ideology in Kashmir. They want to change the narrative set by the likes of Musa and Bhat. Hence the appointment of Naikoo was made in a bid to change the hardline narrative.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 6:42 [IST]
Supreme Court refuses to stay conviction of IPS officer in Bilkis case

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, May 30: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the conviction of an IPS officer in the sensational 2002 Bilkis Bano case.

A vacation bench of Justices A K Sikri and Deepak Gupta said that "there is no urgency for hearing the matter as the convicted officer has already undergone the sentence."

The bench, however, listed the matter for hearing in the second week of July, observing the fine is of Rs 15,000 only.

IPS officer R S Bhagora, currently serving in Gujarat, has been convicted along with four other policemen by the Bombay High Court recently after the trial court had acquitted them.

The counsel appearing for Bhagora said that if the conviction is not stayed, then he will be terminated from the service as per service rules. He said the court should grant stay on the conviction.

The Bombay High Court had on May 4 reversed the trial court verdict acquitting Bhagora and others and had convicted 11 people one convict is dead in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case.

Along with five policemen, two doctors were also convicted by the HC.

According to the prosecution, a mob had attacked Bilkis' family at Randhikpur village near Ahmedabad during the post-Godhra riots on March 3, and killed seven members.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 12:21 [IST]
This teen is so addicted to video games that his mother hand-feeds him as he goes on playing

Teen kidnapper under cop lens commits suicide

India

oi-Madhuri

Akshay, who is 18-year-old ended his life minutes before the cops were to arrest him for audacious plan to kidnap his cousin Saraswat for a Rs 25-lakh ransom.

Akshay honey-trapped his cousin by posing as girl on social media and kidnapped him. He also got the ransom of Rs 25 lakh. But when the cops got his trail, Akshay committed suicide at his friend's place.

According to police, Akshya had creafted a fake facebook account in the name of Shreya Tyagi and made it looked like a genuine profile by getting few likes on the pictures. He then sent friend request to Saraswat. They later exchanged phone numbers and then they shifted to Whatsapp. Soon, the 'girl' asked him to meet her in Bhajanpura, northeast Delhi at 11 pm.

Saraswat got ready for meeting and even bought flowers for the girl. And Akshay along with three of his friends came in a borrowed car and pulled Saraswat inside and even made a ransom call to his parents for Rs 25 lakh.

Afraid of the kidnappers, Saraswat's parents reached the designated spot with the cash. Akshay then took the cash and pushed Saraswat off the car.

However, the plan ended tragically for the mastermind when the police got hot on the gang's trail after the boy was released. Scared of being exposed, Akshay allegedly hung himself from the ceiling at his friend's house.

Police said three of the other accused, Ravi, Raja and Deen Dayal, were arrested a day after Akshay committed suicide.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 9:20 [IST]
Truth has come out, says Sasikala in reaction to OPS's remark before panel

TN govt begins confiscation of Jayalalithaa's properties in DA case

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The process to confiscate the properties belonging to former Tamil Nadu chief minister, Jayalalithaa have begun. The process has been initiated in connection with the disproportionate assets case.

The collectors of six districts have been told to take possession of 68 properties. The process has been initiated by the collectors of Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur.

They will take possession of 68 properties that are registered in the names of six firms owned by Jayalalithaa, Sasikala, Ilavarasi and Sudhakaran. Acting on the instructions of the State government, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), which is the prosecuting agency in the case, wrote to the Collectors marking a copy to the State Vigilance Commissioner to confiscate the properties.

As per the action initiated the lands worth several hundred crores are being identified. Once this process is completed the revenue officials would put out board stating that the property belongs to the Tamil Nadu government.

In all there were 128 properties attached to the case. However the trial court ordered the confiscation of only 68. Most of the these properties are located at Chennai, Kancheepuram and other districts. These properties could either be retained by the TN government or auctioned.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 6:31 [IST]
K'taka govt will not ask IT companies to open offices, WFH may continue: Minister

UP Minister Swati Singh inaugurates beer bar: CM Yogi Adityanath seeks report

India

oi-PTI

Photographs of Uttar Pradesh minister Swati Singh purportedly inaugurating a beer bar have gone viral on social media stirring a controversy with the opposition parties questioning if this is the true face of the BJP government.

UP Minister Swati Singh had inaugurated the bar called 'Be the Beer' in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar area on May 20 pic.twitter.com/psP3z5Am9K  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 30, 2017

In the pictures, she is seen cutting a ribbon with a group of people, including some bureaucrats, standing alongside her. Swati, wife of Dayashankar Singh who was suspended for allegedly making derogatory remarks against BSP supremo Mayawati, is said to have 'inaugurated' the bar on May 20.

She was not immediately available for a comment. Taking the opportunity to attack the Yogi Aditynath government, opposition parties questioned if this is the real face of the new dispensation.

"This aptly shows the contradictions in the ruling BJP... They say one thing, but practice something else," Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said.

This comes at a time when women in Uttar Pradesh are at the forefront of protests against liquor, he said.

Congress leader Dwijendra Tripathi said this incident shows the real "chaal (action), charitra (character) and chehra (face)" of the BJP government.

"They speak about things only to woo the public... Their leaders talk about prohibition while a minister of their's goes to inaugurate a beer bar," he said, adding it is also not clear if the bar is licenced or not.

BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi came out in her defence, saying since liquor is not banned in the state, her action is not illegal. "It has to be known under what circumstances she had taken part in the inauguration... It is said that a woman is the owner of the outlet and the minister was there to promote entrepreneurship among women," Tripathi said.

Swati is minister of state of women welfare, family welfare, maternity and child welfare in the UP government. Women groups in the state have been demanding a ban on sale and consumption of liquor.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 7:53 [IST]
Vadodara enters Guinness book of world records for maximum number of people sweeping single venue

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Vadodara has entered the Guinness book of world records for the feat that it achieved on May 29. Declared the 10th cleanest city in the country, the city entered the record books for the maximum number of people sweeping a single venue.

According to Vinod Rao, Vadodara municipal corporation commissioner, about 5,058 residents of the city came together to achieve the feat at the venue which was a bridge that connected Akota, an urban area, with Dandia bazaar in the city, spread over 1km.

The participants swept the place after organising themselves in groups of 50 people each. "This unique programme was organised for celebrating the city's inclusion in ten cleanest cities and as part of the commitment to become the cleanest city next year," Rao told PTI.

The large-scale event saw about 50,000 people in attendance as they cheered and rendered their support to the participants. The adjudicator of the Guinness World Records awarded the certificate declaring the achievement soon after the event got over. "Most people sweeping the floor (single venue) was achieved by Vadodara municipal corporation in Vadodara, Gujarat, and the attempt was witnessed by 50,000 people on May 28, 2017," the certificate stated.

The feat was appreciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said, "Vadodara celebrated its inclusion in 10 cleanest cities in a very inspiring manner."

OneIndia News
Within six hours of birth, baby undergoes heart valve repair

India

oi-Madhuri

Within six hours of birth, a baby girl with blockage in one of the heart valves underwent valve repair at a city private hospital in Delhi.

Though it is very common in grown-up children, it was challenging for the doctors at Sri Ganga Ram Hospital for operating on infants since their organs and tissues are very fragile.

According to Dr Neeraj Aggarwal, paediatric cardiology, valve repair is done through inserting a thin tube with a balloon at the tip of neck vessels and allowed through a blood vessel to the faulty valve in the heart. The balloon is then inflated to help clear the blockage. The doctor further said that these kind of cases need early intervention as delay may often result in death of many children.

The family were given much time to decide and approach right centre for valve repair, since the baby's condition was diagnosed through fetal echocardiography in the fifth month of pregnancy.

OneIndia News
UP ATS picks up two more accused in Al-Qaeda radicalisation case

Yogi govt orders probe into Mayawati's Rs 455 cr road project

India

oi-Gulam Rabbani

Lucknow, May 30: In a major setback for Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Uttar Pradesh on Monday recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into Rs 445 crore scam in the State Highway Authority during her tenure.

According to reports, the initial inquiries made by the government suggested that Rs 455 crore was withdrawn from the bank for construction of 206 km of road on National Highway 57 linking Delhi-Saharanpur to Yamnotri. M/S SEW-SSY Highways Pvt Ltd was awarded contract for the construction of a four-lane road in 2011 by the then Mayawati government. The total cost of the project was about Rs 1, 700 crore and was supposed to be completed in three years.

PWD Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said that nothing was done on the ground and route of 206 km road. He also said that the company withdrew Rs 455.58 crore from 14 banks, adding that the review of the work revealed that only 13 per cent of work was completed.

He added that the company had withdrawn Rs 455.48 crore but has only spent only 150 crore faking construction works on papers.

On instructions of the Maurya, a FIR was lodged at the Gomtinagar police station against four officials of the company and 18 others including bank officers.

According to the FIR, the bank officers and staff were allegedly involved in the withdrawal of the amount. It also said that the country's top banks were also involved in the scam. The Fir listed the banks as State Bank of India, Punjab and Sindh Bank, ICICI, Corporation, Union Bank of India and State Bank of Hyderabad.

On references of the Maurya, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recommended a CBI probe into the matter. The yogi-led government is likely to order another CBI probe into Rs 1,513 crore Gomti Riverfront Beautification project.

According to reports, a commission holding preliminary probe has revealed that former chief secretary Alok Ranjan, the then principal secretary Deepak Singhal and 12 senior engineers found guilty in inflating project cost and syphoning government funds.

It is recalled that the Yogi government had recommended a CBI probe into the mysterious death of IAS officer Anurag Tiwari on May 22.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 9:49 [IST]
You won't survive the next winter: Army's stern message to all terrorists in Kashmir

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

You won't survive the winter, the Indian Army has given an ultimatum to all the terrorists roaming the Kashmir Valley. The Army has come up with a plan of wiping out each and every militant in the Valley. The estimated figure is at 200 according to Intelligence Bureau officials.

The Army carried out a successful operation in the Valley last week and killed 9 militants including Sabzar Bhat the commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen. The offensive was launched at Tral in South Kashmir on Saturday.

The Army has decided to go on over-drive mode and wipe out the militants before the winter sets in. Carrying out operations during the winter is extremely tough due to heavy snowfall.

In a bid to wipe out the militants a huge contingent of 4,000 personnel have already been moved into the Valley. The Army has also stepped up its vigil along the border to ensure that no fresh infiltrations take place. The problem currently is on the ground, the Army says. Unless the militants wandering the streets of Kashmir are not eliminated then the problem will not be solved.

The Army says that it wants to finish this operation before the winter sets in. During the winters, militants from Pakistan too avoid infiltrating due to heavy snowfall. If the problem on the ground is sorted out before winter, then the law and order in the state could also be brought under control, the Army also feels

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 15:50 [IST]
Imran Khan discharged from hospital, to resume long march from same point where he was shot

41 banned outfits in Pak, including terror organisations, active on Facebook, says report

International

oi-Prabhpreet

By Prabhpreet

The following, and the role social media plays in helping terrorist and radical organisations get them has been a matter of discussion among security experts for some period now. And in India, the use of social networks by groups associated or directly involved with terror groups is well known, especially those such as Hizbul Mujahideen's leaders of the past such as Burhan Wani and Sabzar Bhat.

But this is not merely a case with terror outfits in India. Major terror organisations such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, among others have also been known to use social networks to not only spread their messages but also recruit those attracted to their philosophy.

And now it has been revealed that banned outfits in Pakistan have been operating on the social networking site Facebook. The country, which is seen by many as a hub of terrorist activities around the world and especially in India, though had banned many outfits, their presence online seems to indicate that they continue to flourish.

According to reports an investigation carried out by Dawn news, 41 out of 64 banned outfits continue to have an online presence as they are operating on Facebook through group or individual user profiles. The network of these outfits are inter-connected and public and are a mixture of both Sunni and Shia sectarian groups, global terrorist organisations operating in the country as well as separatists in Balochistan and Sindh provinces.

The investigation carried out by the Dawn group searched Facebook for pages, groups and user profiles that had publicly "liked" any of the banned outfits. The group searched not only for the full name of the banned outfits but also acronyms and names with small spelling variations.

According to Dawn news, the largest outfits on social network going by the size are Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat with 200 pages and groups, Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz with 160, Sipah-i-Sahaba with 148, Balochistan Students Organisation Azad with 54 and Sipah-e-Muhammad with 45.

The reports also said that other banned outfits that exist on Facebook include Lashkar-e-Jhangvi , Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat, Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi, Jamat-ul-Ahrar, 313 Brigade, along with many other Shia outfits as well as multiple Baloch separatist organisations.

"An examination of some user profiles linked to these banned outfits indicates open support of sectarian and extremist ideology," Dawn news is reported to have quoted in its report. The probe has also reported that some of these profiles have also been publicly "liked" including those related to weapons use and training.

And on who are running these groups and pages on Facebook, the report claims that some of these claim to be "official" representatives of the outfits while others seem to be managed by members and supporters.

The investigation report added, "In general, the Facebook updates were in Urdu or Roman Urdu rather than English, suggesting the content was primarily for local consumption. A very small number were in Sindhi or Balochi, also indicating a niche target audience."

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 12:28 [IST]
After 'WannaCry,' here comes 'Judy': Millions of Android phones infected

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

After 'WannaCry,' here comes 'Judy.' A malware called 'Judy' has been infecting millions of Android smartphones across the world. According to security solutions firm Check Point, the malware, 'Judy,' uses infected devices to generate large amounts of fraudulent clicks on advertisements, generating revenues for the perpetrators behind it.

The total spread of the malware campaign on Google Play may have reached between 8.5 and 36.5 million users, Check Point said on its blog.

The auto-clicking adware (Judy) was found on 41 apps developed by a Korean company. However, it wasn't clear which countries have been impacted by the Judy malware, the report also said.

"Some of the apps we discovered resided on Google Play for several years, but all were recently updated. It is unclear how long the malicious code existed inside the apps, hence the actual spread of the malware remains unknown," the post also added. After Check Point notified Google about this threat, the apps were swiftly removed from the Play store, the blog said.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 7:54 [IST]
Baghdad bombings: 27 killed after second deadly blast in 24 hours

International

oi-Madhuri

In less than 24 hours, a second deadly explosion has struck Baghdad, killing at least 27 people and injuring more than 100 in two bombings in Baghdad, security and medical officials said on Tuesday.

The second blast on Tuesday was also a car bomb attack, security officials.

Earlier on Monday, at least 13 persons have died after a car bomb exploded outside an ice cream parlour in Baghdad, Iraq. A large explosion in the central Karrada district rocked the Iraqi capital late Monday night. According to Iraqi officials, the bomb was placed inside a parked car and remotely detonated.

Last year, Baghdad was rocked by a huge truck bomb that targeted a popular retail district in the city center. The Islamic State had claimed responsibilty for the first attack, which came as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan got under way.

OneIndia News
Cyclone Mora hits Bangladesh coast, threatens to flood India, Myanmar

International

oi-Madhuri

Cyclone Mora hits the eastern coast of Bangladesh early on Tuesday, the meteorological department said. After this landfall, the storm is expected to hit the northeastern part of India and Myanmar which will cause damage to the lives and property. This topography along with a high population density has resulted in eight of the top 10 deadliest cyclones in recorded history which originated in the Bay of Bengal.

As expected #Mora #CycloneMora intensified into Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (Cat-1 Hurricane) at BoB, Expected to make a landfall in few hrs pic.twitter.com/VhgLidGPti  @i'md Weather (@imd_weather) May 30, 2017

Around millions of people were on Monday evacuated before a powerful cyclone made landfall in the main port city of Chittagong on Tuesday early morning. Schools and government offices are being used to shelter people, and residents of hilly areas are also being urged to evacuate.

Earlier on Monday, Bangladesh had issued the great danger alert over Cyclone "Mora" that is heading towards its coastlines. Also, all fishing boats and trawlers have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea.

India warned of heavy rain in the northeastern states of Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday. The National Disaster Management Authority has advised fishermen along & off West Bengal coast not to venture into sea during next 12 hours.

OneIndia News
Xi Jinping tells Chinese army to prepare for war, fight and win it

Exercise restraint, miffed China warns India over building bridge in Arunachal

International

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Beijing, May 30: China is definitely unhappy over India's longest river bridge--Bhupen Hazarika Setu (also known as Dhola-Sadiya bridge)--inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently.

The bridge over river Brahmaputra connects Assam to Arunachal Pradesh, the border state claimed by Beijing. On Monday, China asked India to be "cautious" and exercise "restraint" over building infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh.

"We hope India adopts a cautious and restrained attitude on the issue before the final settlement of the border issue with China to jointly control disputes, safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas," the Chinese Foreign Ministry told IANS.

"China's position on the eastern section of the Sino-Indian border areas is consistent and clear," a statement in Chinese said.

Last week, amid much-fanfare PM Modi gifted the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh India's longest bridge over the river Brahmaputra. The 9.2 km Dhola-Sadiya bridge will cut the distance and travel time between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh by 165 km and five hours.

"China and India should resolve territorial disputes through negotiations and consultations between the two countries," the Foreign Ministry said.

Arunachal Pradesh is claimed and called by China as South Tibet. For decades, China and India are fighting over Arunachal Pradesh border dispute. Moreover, China and India fought a brief war in 1962 when the Chinese entered Arunachal Pradesh and unilaterally declared a ceasefire after withdrawing to the McMahon Line.

According to experts, the bridge will ensure swift movement of Indian troops in Arunachal Pradesh, which, therefore, will bolster India's defence along the China border.

After the 1962 war, Indian and Chinese soldiers have had several skirmishes. Although, China has opposed India's latest initiative, Chinese government has long been building infrastructure along the border.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 7:26 [IST]
'Kantara' leads to debate on if 'Bhootha Kola' ritual part of Hindu culture

'Will resign as MLA if proven wrong': Defiant Jarkiholi defends 'Hindu' remark even as Cong slams him

Hindu soldier died in defense of Pakistan

International

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

A Hindu soldier of Pakistan Army died in the line of duty while in hile serving on Mangla front.

The young Hindu soldier of Pakistan Army, Lal Chand Rabari, 27, dreamt of protecting his country from the enemies since his early days and had joined the army, reported a Pakistani daily The Express Tribune.

Lal Chand Rabari sacrifices his life defending nation against extremists.Soldiers & their families deserve our support, love & respect. #RIP pic.twitter.com/hQsKsb79kB  Munaza Hassan (@MunazaHassan) May 20, 2017

Lal Chand, a son of shepherd father and farmer mother, was the fifth of eleven children. He is a native of Ismail Khan Nautkani village in the Badin district.

Bhemon Rabari, his elder brother, told The Express Tribune, that earlier Lal Chand's posting was in the Waziristan tribal area where he desired to crush militants who had caused damage and inflicted losses on the country.

Lal Chand wanted to take revenge of every drop of blood from those who have inflicted loss to the children and people of our country, added Bhemon Rabari.

He also remembered that Lal Chand used to say being a member of the Rajput clan, we are always ready to fight enemy whosoever they may be until the last drop of blood for the country.

OneIndia News
UK PM Liz Truss resigns after 45 days in office, successor to be elected next week

Iraq gets a new government after a year of deadlock

PM Modi in Spain to strengthen bilateral relations

International

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said discussions between Spain and India will focus on boosting bilateral relations ahead of bilateral talks with President of Spain Mariano Rajoy in Madrid on Tuesday.

'Terrorism is a challenge for all of our societies, we get to hear a lot about terror attacks these days,'said Modi.

India and Spain can cooperate in so many areas, including infrastructure and we must have even closer economic ties, PM Modi further added.

PM Modi has arrived in Spain on the second leg of his four nation tour on Tuesday. He was recieved in Madrid by Spanish Finance Minister.

This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Spain since 1988.

Modi will meet his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy and hold discussions to deepen bilateral engagement, including in the high-tech sector.

Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday for the first leg of his trip, where he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel and held discussions on a variety of issues.

From Spain, he will travel to St Petersburg in Russia on June 1 where he will hold the 18th India-Russia annual Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum the next day.

The prime minister will be in Paris on June 2 and 3 where he will hold official talks with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron with a view to further strengthening India-France strategic ties.

Earlier in Germany, Modi and Merkel took part in the Fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) during which the two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral issues and clinched 12 agreements.

Modi also thanked Germany for its support to India's membership in the NSG.

Merkel later hosted Modi over a luncheon meeting with senior leaders followed by the inauguration of the Indo-German Business Summit, where Modi set out India's stall as an investment-friendly destination and the world's fastest growing major economy and a "bright spot in the economic landscape of the world".

OneIndia News
Modi accorded Guard of Honour

Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome on Tuesday as he began his two-day official visit to Germany. Received by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Modi was accorded the ceremonial reception, where the national anthems of India and Germany were played.

Modi and Merkel at Schloss Meseberg

Modi on Monday met German Chancellor Angela Merkel at her country retreat near Berlin for informal talks over a private dinner. The two leaders enjoyed the sunshine with a walk in the grounds of Schloss Meseberg, an 18th century Baroque castle in the Brandenburg district of Germany which is the official state guest house of the German Chancellor.

Intergovernmental Consultations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday opened the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel here to set a roadmap for the for the bilateral strategic ties.

Modi was held formal talks with Merkel as part of the IGC held every two years, where he was joined by his delegation of senior ministers, including Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar. The last IGC was held in New Delhi in October, 2015, when bilateral ties were significantly scaled up. At the IGC in Berlin, the two leaders were expected to clinch a host of agreements and sign MoUs to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

PM Modi and Chancellor Merkel in front of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Congress can never give stable govt to Himachal; it is guarantee of instability, corruption, scam: PM Modi

Modi wraps up first leg of 4-nation tour, leaves for Spain

International

pti-PTI

Berlin, May 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid a courtesy call to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at his official residence here before leaving for Spain on the second leg of his four-nation trip.

Modi met Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue, the scenic official residence of the German President located in Berlin's Tiergarten district on the banks of the river Spree, and signed the visitor's book before being given a tour of the castle.

"Thank you Germany! My visit has led to very positive outcomes in terms of furthering the close ties India and Germany enjoy," Modi said in his goodbye message as he left for Spain on the second leg of his four-nation tour which will then cover Russia and end in France.

Earlier, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted some photographs of the meeting.

"Reaffirming resolve for strong and dynamic relationship. PM @narendramodi calls on President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue," Baglay tweeted.

"After fruitful bilateral engagements, PM @narendramodi concludes first leg of his visit, departs from Germany," he tweeted.

Modi's next stop is Spain where he will discuss with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy ways to deepen bilateral engagement, including in the high-tech sector. This will be first visit by an Indian prime minister since 1988. From Spain, he will travel to St Petersburg in Russia on June 1 where he will hold the 18th India-Russia annual Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum the next day.

The prime minister will be in Paris on June 2 and 3 where he will hold official talks with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron with a view to further strengthening India-France strategic ties.

Earlier, Modi was received by German Chanceller Angela Merkel at the Chancellery for the Fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) during which the two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral issues and clinched 12 agreements. Eight of the declarations of intent were signed by senior ministers and envoys in the prime ministerial delegation in the presence of the two leaders while the others were confirmed on the sidelines.

They covered areas of digitalisation, skill development, sustainability, cyber policy, development cooperation, advanced training, vocational education, health sector, alternative medicine, foreign service institutes, railway safety and sustainable urban development.

"The world can't move forward without innovation and we believe innovation and democratic values are a guarantee for development. India and Germany have both in our blood and we will move together in that direction," Modi said at the conclusion of the IGC, a format he likened to the Pragati meeting he holds in Delhi.

The two leaders issued a Joint Statement at the end of their deliberations, in which they agreed to further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between India and Germany by deepening cooperation on foreign policy and security issues as well as on sustainable development and enhanced trade and investment ties.

Merkel later hosted Modi over a luncheon meeting with senior leaders followed by the inauguration of the Indo-German Business Summit, where Modi set out India's stall as an investment-friendly destination and the world's fastest growing major economy and a "bright spot in the economic landscape of the world".

PTI
Congress can never give stable govt to Himachal; it is guarantee of instability, corruption, scam: PM Modi

PM Modi in Germany: Humanitarian forces must unite to combat terrorism

International

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a second official visit to Germany, on Tuesday said humanitarian forces must unite to combat terrorism.

PM Modi covered issues ranging from skill development to terrorism in a joint statement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after the Inter-Governmental Consultations in Berlin.

'Climate protection and living in harmony with nature is a part of India's ethos. Our cooperation in areas like renewable energy is gaining momentum,' Modi said.

On the issue growing menace of terrorism, Modi said, 'Terrorism poses a grave threat to future generations. Humanitarian forces must unite to combat the menace.'

'Germany's extensive work in skill development, that has set standards globally, can benefit the youth of India, said PM Modi. India is giving an impetus to next-generation infrastructure, this is an area in which we want to work with Germany, he added.

Germany being an important economic partner, he said, 'Germany is investing in under 'Make in India' mission. He sought 'quantum jump' in economic relations between two countries.

Several Memorandum of Understandings exchanged between India and Germany in presence of both leaders. This is the fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations.

PM Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel issue joint statement in Berlin pic.twitter.com/hMFr9OONVu  ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Germany, Spain, Russia and France aimed at boosting bilateral economic engagement with them and inviting more investment for India's transformation.

His visit to Germany, which he described as a "new chapter" in bilateral relations, will commenced with a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel at her country retreat of Schloss Meseberg.

Earlier, PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome in Berlin. He offered heartfelt thanks for the warm welcome given to him in Germany.

OneIndia News
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan: When and where to watch Asia Cup 2022 Final Match live online?

India to stop providing further financial aid to crisis-hit Sri Lanka? Indian embassy reacts

Sri Lanka floods: Indian Navy sends ships for rescue; toll rises to 193

International

pti-PTI

Colombo, May 30: Indian Navy diving and medical teams joined rescue efforts of Sri Lankan authorities in flood-hit regions as the death toll in the countrys worst torrential rains since 2003 climbed to 193 on Tuesday.

The Disaster Management Centre said that "the adverse weather condition had left 112 people injured and nearly 600,000 people have been forced from their homes, with thousands suffering structural damage from flood inundation and landslides."

The weather has begun to clear, and many of the more than 100,000 people who evacuated over the weekend had returned home to begin clearing debris and mud from their waterlogged homes. More than 80,000 others remained in relief camps as their homes were either destroyed or remain unreachable.

The Indian contingent of more than 300 navy personnel was assisting in the relief, with divers searching the brackish waters and medical teams seeing patients in makeshift tents set up at shelters.

INS Shardul has nearly 200 personnel on board, including specialised rescue, diving and medical teams, as well as a large amount of relief material and Gemini inflatable boats.

INS Kirch was carrying 125 personnel. It had diving teams, relief supplies, inflatable gemini boats and a mobile medical teams.

A third Indian naval ship arrived on Tuesday, bringing relief supplies including rice, lentils, sugar, milk and blankets for the displaced.

"Secy to President of SL and SL Navy chief receiving symbolically the relief material on board the 3rd relief and rescue ship INS Jalashwa," the High Commission of India in Colombo tweeted.

Lankan army trucks carried drinking water and food those affected. Helicopters ferried medicine, relief supplies and inflatable boats to remote areas, while small vessels plied the floodwaters in search of people needing rescue.

Lankan Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said that "foreign assistance is continuing to flow in with India, China and Pakistan among the countries sending ship loads of humanitarian aid."

The disaster is described as one of the worst-ever calamities since the 2003 floods. The official death toll was at 193, with another 94 people were listed as missing, the Colombo Gazette reported.

The MeT Department in its weather forecast said that "the cyclonic storm MORA is expected to get weakened when it enters the Bangladesh land and the possibility for heavy rain and strong winds will be reduced by Wednesday."

However, under its influence cloudy skies, windy and showery conditions are expected over the country.

The MeT Department warned that the sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai and sea area off the coast extending from Galle to Batticaloa via Hambantota can be very rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 70-80 kmph.

"There were scattered showers in many parts of Sri Lanka in the past 24 hours but flood waters were rapidly receding," officials said.

State television broadcast called for public assistance to clean drinking wells contaminated by the monsoon floods.

Lankas water supply minister Rauf Hakeem said that "40 per cent of those affected did not have access to piped drinking water, and there was an urgent need to clean contaminated wells in flood-affected areas."

"Our workers have volunteered to join a major clean up," the minister told reporters in Colombo, adding water distribution stations had also been flooded, disrupting the piped supply.

In total, 545,243 people of 142,811 families had been affected by the weather calamity. The South-West monsoon unleashed torrential rains, which ravaged fourteen districts in the western and southern parts of the country on Friday and Thursday.

The DMC had issued an urgent evacuation warning last evening instructing residents living along the Kelani River and within the Divisional Secretariats of Kollonnawa, Kaduwela, Wellampitiya, Kelaniya, Biyagama, Sedawatte, Dompe, Hanwella, Padukka and Avissawella to move to safer areas.

The DMC said the residents of Meethotamulla were already evacuated.

It said water levels in the Kelani River were rising rapidly as indicted by the water gauges at Nagalagam Street, Hanwella and Glencourse and warned residents to move away from the vulnerable area as it was under an imminent flood threat.

Those living along the banks of Nilwala Ganga, The Gin Ganga and Kalu Ganga were also asked to move to safer areas because of the rising water levels.

Meanwhile, the DMC requested the people to be vigilant on rising water levels.

"Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces. Heavy falls about 150 mm can be expected at some places," it said.

Charities have warned on Monday that thousands of people affected by the floods and landslides are at risk of potentially fatal diseases such as dengue fever, as the death toll from the disaster continued to rise.

Sri Lanka had sought international assistance, with India sending three naval ships laden with supplies over the weekend.

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 16:24 [IST]
Top US lawmaker calls China's criticism over Tibet 'negative' and 'silly'

International

oi-Prabhpreet

By Prabhpreet

The fact that Tibet has been a matter of contention between China and other countries especially India is well documented. The apprehension that the Chinese government has at the very mention of Tibet or its exiled spiritual leader Dalai Lama, who escaped to India after the Chinese army took control of the area, has created much diplomatic friction between the countries.

The Asian giant also gives very strong reactions when leaders from the western countries meet with the Tibetan leader either in India or when he is invited to them. And as expected, China again reacted strongly when a congressional delegation from the US visited Dalai Lama in Dharamshala earlier this month.

But the reply to such a reaction by one of the senior US lawmakers is sure to irk the Chinese even more. He lashed out at the Chinese criticism as he called it "negative and narrow-minded ... silly".

A delegation of eight members of the Congress's House of Representatives had held public engagements with Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community in India.

"That's the negative and narrow-minded attitude that the Chinese government has taken," Eliot Engel, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, told Hindustan Times, a leading national daily.

"If they have nothing to hide, then they shouldn't mind us going. We can't let the Chinese through political pressure or economic pressure make us forget about the plight of the Tibetan people, or make us forget about human rights and religious freedom issues," he is reported to have said.

Engels sarcastically said that Dalai Lama who is in his 80's hardly represents any sign of threat to China which has a strong government and military.

Earlier, commenting on the meeting, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson was reported to have said "to meet the Dalai Lama sent a very wrong signal to the world about Tibet independence and goes against the United States' promises on Tibet. China firmly opposes this and has lodged solemn representations with the US."

"We urge relevant congress people in the US to carefully handle the Tibet issue, stop all communications with the Dalai Lama and take immediate measures to deal with the negative impact of the visit," the spokesperson is reported to have added.

Engels went on to call the statement "silly and narrow-minded", and reportedly added, "We support a One-China policy. But again, the Dalai Lama is not asking to be a separate country, he's just asking for autonomy within China, within Tibet. And I don't think that's too much to ask."

He also showed support to the Dalai Lama's demand that Tibetans should be able to choose his successor rather than China. A demand that the Chinese government has opposed.

Engels also commented on the type of relationship that he would like India and China to have in relation to China, as he reportedly said, "I don't think we want to be enemies with the Chinese. But I think we both look at some of their more aggressive moves with consternation. And that's why I'd like the manoeuvres being done between India and the United States, Japan and Australia. And I've been pushing for that. I mentioned that to Prime Minister Modi as well."

He also wished to see progress, among other things, on quadrilateral engagement between India, the United States, Japan and Australia, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the US later this year. He reportedly added that the two countries should focus on economics and trade and also stressed on the important role of the Indian diaspora in the US which "comes into play in a helpful way deepen people-to-people ties."

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Story first published: Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 13:49 [IST]
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LOS ANGELES, May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lundin Law PC, a shareholder rights firm, announces a class action lawsuit against Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (Anadarko or the Company) (NYSE:APC) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws between February 17, 2016 through May 2, 2017 inclusive (the Class Period). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares during the Class Period, should contact the firm prior to the July 3, 2017 lead plaintiff motion deadline.



To participate in this class action lawsuit, click here.

You can also call Brian Lundin, Esq., of Lundin Law PC, at 888-713-1033, or you can e-mail him at brian@lundinlawpc.com.

No class has been certified in the above action yet. Until a class is certified, you are not considered represented by an attorney. You may also do nothing and be an absent class member.

According to the Complaint, during the Class Period, Anadarko made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: that the Companys maintenance and safety protocols concerning certain of its vertical wells were inadequate; that due to those shortcomings, these wells were at an increased risk of explosion; and that as a result of the above, Anadarkos public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On April 17, 2017, a deadly explosion killed two people and critically injured another in a home located within 170 feet of an Anadarko well. On April 26, 2017, The Denver Post reported that the Company plans to shut down 3,000 vertical wells in northeastern Colorado after the April 17 explosion. On May 2, 2017, the Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District concluded that the fatal home explosion on April 17 was linked to a faulty gas line connected to an Anadarko well. After release of this news, Anadarkos stock price dropped materially, which caused investors harm.

Lundin Law PC was founded by Brian Lundin, a securities litigator based in Los Angeles dedicated to upholding shareholders rights.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethics rules.
CALGARY, Alberta, May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zargon Oil & Gas Ltd. (TSX:ZAR) (TSX:ZAR.DB.A) ("Zargon") announces that the following matters were voted upon at the annual and special meeting of the shareholders of Zargon held on May 30, 2017 in Calgary, Alberta.

1. Election of Directors

By resolution passed via ballot, the following six nominees were appointed as directors of Zargon to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders of Zargon, or until their successors are elected or appointed. The results of the ballot were as follows:

Name of Nominee Votes For Percent Votes Withheld Percent Craig H. Hansen 7,557,131 98.96 % 79,587 1.04 % Kyle D. Kitagawa 7,519,803 98.47 % 116,915 1.53 % Geoffrey C. Merritt 7,434,986 97.36 % 201,732 2.64 % Jim Peplinski 7,434,678 97.35 % 202,040 2.65 % Ron Wigham 7,556,431 98.95 % 80,287 1.05 % Grant A. Zawalsky 7,193,841 94.20 % 442,877 5.80 %

2. Appointment of Auditors

By resolution passed via ballot, Ernst & Young LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, were appointed as auditors of Zargon to hold office until the next annual meeting or until their successors are duly appointed, and the directors were authorized to fix their compensation. The results of the ballot were as follows:

Votes For Percent Votes Withheld Percent 9,993,531 99.58 % 42,239 0.42 %

3. Approval of 2017 Stock Option Plan

By resolution passed via ballot, the 2017 stock option plan and ratification of grants made thereunder, were approved. The results of the ballot were as follows:

Votes For Percent Votes Against Percent 7,174,083 93.94 % 462,635 6.06 %



FURTHER INFORMATION

Zargon Oil & Gas Ltd. is a Calgary based oil and natural gas company working in the Western Canadian and Williston sedimentary basins and is focused on oil exploitation projects (waterfloods and tertiary ASP) that profitably increase oil production and recovery factors from existing oil reservoirs.

In order to learn more about Zargon, we encourage you to visit Zargon's website at www.zargon.ca where you will find a current shareholder presentation, financial reports and historical news releases.
Newsy 18 Aug 2022

Watch VideoAfter decades of shutting down nuclear plants across the country, there is now a sudden growing political movement to..
Thousands of survivors of devastating floods and landslides in Sri Lanka are at risk of potentially fatal diseases such as dengue fever, charities warned on Monday as the death toll from the disaster continued to rise.

Torrential rains over the last four days have sparked widespread flooding and triggered landslides in southwestern parts of the Indian Ocean island. At least 177 people have died and almost half a million others have had their lives disrupted.

As search and rescue teams look for more than 100 people who remain missing, and Sri Lankas military in boats and helicopters struggle to reach marooned villagers with food and clean water, charities are warning of a looming health threat.

The threat of water-borne diseases is a big concern with over 100,000 people displaced from their homes, many of whom are staying in damp, crowded conditions, Chris McIvor, head of Save the Children Sri Lanka, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Im particularly worried we could start seeing even more dengue cases because of the floods, as stagnant water provides the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Its the last thing needed by communities that have already lost so much.

Outbreaks of diseases such as dengue fever and cholera, and illnesses like diarrhea and dysentery, are often a threat in the aftermath of floods due to water-logging, say experts.

Dengue is common in South Asia, especially during the monsoon season which runs from June to September, and if untreated, it can kill.

Sri Lankas ministry of disaster management says almost 558,000 people from 15 of the countrys 25 districts have been hit by the disaster. Villages and towns have been inundated, thousands of homes damaged and agriculture land swamped.

Around 75,000 people in the worst-affected districts have been relocated to temporary shelters.

The Sri Lanka authorities have called for international assistance to help with search and rescue efforts, and have also appealed for aid ranging from boats, generators and mobile toilets to mosquito nets, clothes and clean drinking water.

But aid workers say reaching survivors remains a challenge. Entire communities remain marooned, living out in the open as their homes have been destroyed, with roads submerged under water or blocked by landslides.

Getting in to these communities is of the highest priority right now so we can find out exactly what the needs are and respond, said McIvor.

At the same time more rains are predicted since we are only at the start of the south west monsoon season, so the situation could worsen even more over the coming days and weeks.

(Reuters  By Nita Bhalla)
Global Concrete Bonding Agents Market to Surpass US$ 5.23 Billion by 2025, with Asia Pacific Poised to be Growth Engine

https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/333

https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/concrete-bonding-agents-market-333

Concrete Bonding Agents  Insights.Concrete bonding agents are bonding materials used to bond a new concrete structure with the existing or hardened concrete structure. The basic factors on the use of concrete bonding agents to the existing concrete structure is to maintain the strength, and integrity of the old surface. Cementitious-based latex agents market segment dominated the market in 2016, according to the stats provided by Coherent Market Insights. Cementitious-based latex agents is gaining traction over epoxy-based agents due to relatively low cost. Furthermore, cementitious latex-based agents comprise many polymeric resins such as styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), acrylics, and polyvinyl acetate (PVA), which helps in enhancing the durability and flexibility of the concrete overlay and thus, provides substantial adhesion properties to the existing concrete structure. This in turn, is fueling growth of the global concrete bonding agents market, a trend that is expected to sustain over the forecast period.Repairing was the largest application segment in the global concrete bonding agents market in 2016 and is expected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. Currently, there is a significant need for repair and restoration activities for enhancing the quality of roads, bridges, parking areas, and old infrastructure to maintain the strength and integrity of the old constructed surface. This is a key and highly lucrative growth area for manufacturers of concrete bonding agents to capitalize upon and increase revenue gains. Thus, various players in the market are focusing on R&D activities to deploy various concrete bonding agents for repairing applications. Also, other emerging applications such as flooring and decorative are also gaining traction and spurring growth of the global concrete bonding agents market. Concrete bonding agents are highly preferred for flooring application due to their high bond strength and flexibility. They are also very helpful in increasing compressive, flexural and tensile strength of cementitious systems.The global concrete bonding agents market was valued at US$ 2,773.5 million and 4,287.7 kilo tons in 2016 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.3% in terms of revenue and 5.6% in terms of volume during 2017  2025.Request a sample copy of this report:Decorative has emerged as the fastest growing application area for concrete bonding agentsDecorative segment is expected to be the fastest-growing application in the global concrete bonding agents market over the forecast period and is expected to witness fastest growth over the following decade. The growing need for well-furnished homes, highly luxurious residential apartments due to the growing urbanization and rising disposable income of the people in Asia-Pacific and Latin America is a key factor fueling growth of the decorative application segment in the global concrete bonding agents market.Regional InsightsAsia Pacific, followed by North America and Europe, respectively accounted for major share in the global concrete bonding agents market both in terms of revenue and volume in 2016 and the trend is estimated to remain the same over the forecast period. In 2016, Asia Pacific held a market share of 50.3% in terms of value in the global concrete bonding agents market. Demand for repairing, flooring, and decorative activities in Asia Pacific is gaining unparalleled traction due to flourishing building & construction sector and the region emerging as a major economic hub has led to increasing development of commercial and industrial buildings. This in turn has positioned Asia Pacific as the growth engine for the global concrete bonding agents market over the forecast period. According to a study conducted by Coherent Market Insights, the Asia Pacific region is expanding at a CAGR of 8.1% in the global concrete bonding agents market during the forecast period. Growing urbanization and increasing construction activities especially in emerging economies of India, and China is a major factor fueling demand for effective repairing works, flooring and decorative activities, subsequently fueling growth of the concrete bonding agents market in the region. For instance, as per statistics released by India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF)a Trust established by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of Indiathe Indian government plans to invest US$ 376.53 billion in infrastructure development over the following three years.Click here to know more about this publish report:Multinational playersMajor players in the global concrete bonding agents market include Sika AG, Fosroc International Ltd., BASF SE, Saint-Gobain Weber S.A., Mapei S.p.A., Dow Construction Chemicals, Lafarge Holcim, The Euclid Chemical Company, GCP Applied Technologies Inc, Dow Corning Corporation, and The Quikrete Companies, Inc..About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave, #320000A0Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com
Copper Sulfate Market Global Industry Insights Forecasts up to 2024, Research Report - Coherent Market Insights

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Copper sulfate, denoted by the chemical composition CuSO4, is derived as a result of the chemical reaction when copper is treated with concentrated sulfuric acid. Copper sulfate is also known as cupric sulfate and is available in two forms namely hydrous copper sulfate and anhydrous copper sulfate. Copper sulfate market is witnessing an ever increasing growth in demand owing to its significant application in agricultural industry as an efficient fungicide. Apart from agricultural industry, copper sulfate is also used in the chemicals industry as a component for preparation of catalysts used in various chemical processes, of purification of gases such as removal of hydrogen chloride and hydrogen sulfide. It is also used as a source of copper. Copper sulfate is a versatile chemical compound that has an extensive range of applications in various industries such as chemicals, leather, and electrical. Copper sulfate finds major application in industrial processes such as electroplating, dyeing mordant, tanning processes, and preparation of anti-fouling paints. Copper sulfate is set to witness escalating demand in niche applications such as analytical reagent, medical uses and organic synthesis. Owing to increasing demand for copper sulfate as an additive in animal feedstock and the application of copper sulfate as an analytical reagent for the preparation of several other types of reagents such as Biuret reagent and Benedict solution, the copper sulfate market is positioned on a high growth trajectory over the near future.Request a sample copy of this report:Copper Sulfate Market TaxonomyBy TypesOn the basis of types, the global market is segmented into:HydrousAnhydrousBy End-Use IndustryOn the basis of end-use industries, the global market is segmented into:AgriculturalFungicidesHerbicidesPesticidesChemicalElectricalsElectroplatingBatteriesOthersMedicalLeather & TextilesOthers (paints, hair dye, glues, etc.)The agricultural industry is a major end user of copper sulfate market. Demand for copper sulfate is expected to increase significantly in this industry, owing to its increasing use in production of herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, and fertilizers in animal feedstock sulfate. Other applications of copper sulfate contribute fairly to the increasing demand for copper sulfate industry such as, copper sulfate adhesives that are used in production of paints and glues. Copper sulfate witnesses an increasing demand sulfates an additive in binding pastes and glues for books in order to protect them from book bugs. This highly versatile compound also finds wide application in the construction industry, sulfate where it is used as an additive in concrete to offer disinfectant and water resistance qualities. Increasing usage of copper sulfate in fireworks, artworks as a coloring agent, printing ink, and hair dye, among other applications is expected to lead to a significant surge in growth of the copper sulfate market.Click here to know more about this report:Market Outlook  Rapidly growing agricultural activities is expected to fuel the demand for Copper Sulfate marketAsia-Pacific region is a region characterized by a burgeoning agricultural industry that is witnessing significant growth to keep pace with the population explosion in the region. This creates a highly conducive growth environment for copper sulfate, which is used in agricultural chemicals including fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides. Growth of the agricultural sector in developed regions of North America and Europe are also expected to position these as lucrative market for producers of copper sulfate, especially in sulfate in U.S. and Canada. The production of copper sulfate is increasing in Europe due to the increasing usage of copper sulfate additive in animal feedstock.Leading producers of copper sulfate include ATOTECH, Allan Chemical Corporation, WEGO Chemical & Mineral Corp., and NOAH Technologies Corporation.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave, #320000A0Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com
Global Aluminum Plate Market Market Size, Share, Analysis - Global Industry Growth and Forecast 2022

Aluminum Plate Market

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Aluminum plate, aluminum from 0.008 inches to less than 0.25 inches thick is considered sheet. Thinner aluminum is foil and aluminum 0.250 inches and thicker is plate. In this report, the statistics data is aluminum plate with over 0.250 inches thickness.Get Free Sample Copy of this Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Aluminum Plate in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers :Constellium, Kaiser Aluminum, Alcoa, Aleris, Furukawa-Sky , Kobelco, AMAG, RUSAL, Nippon Light Metal, Alimex, GLEICH GmbH, Hulamin, Chalco, Alnan Aluminium, Jingmei Aluminium, Mingtai Group, Southern Aluminum, Nanshan Aluminum, Zhongfu.Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers :North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)Latin America, Middle East and AfricaMarket Segment by Type, covers:2XXX5XXX6XXX7XXXOthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:Aerospace IndustryRailway IndustryShip Building and Ocean EngineeringOthersBrowse full report with Table of Content @here are 13 Chapters to deeply display the global Aluminum Plate market.Chapter 1, to describe Aluminum Plate Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Aluminum Plate, with sales, revenue, and price of Aluminum Plate, in 2016 and 2016;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2016;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Aluminum Plate, for each region, from 2011 to 2016;Chapter 5, 6, 7 and 8, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 9 and 10, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2011 to 2016;Chapter 11, Aluminum Plate market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2016 to 2021;Chapter 12 and 13, to describe Aluminum Plate sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, appendix and data source.Check for discount @ http://www.globalinforeports.com/check-discount/244419Some points from TOC:-Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Aluminum Plate Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 2XXX1.2.2 5XXX1.2.3 6XXX1.2.4 7XXX1.2.5 Others1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Aerospace Industry1.3.2 Railway Industry1.3.3 Ship Building and Ocean Engineering1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.4 Latin America, Middle East and Africa (Brazil, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Nigeria)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities and Risk1.5.2 Market Driving Force2 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Aluminum Plate2.1 Constellium2.1.1 Company Profile2.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.1.3 Sales, Price, Gross and Revenue2.1.4 Contact Information2.2 Kaiser Aluminum2.2.1 Company Profile2.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.2.3 Sales, Price, Gross and Revenue2.2.4 Contact Information2.3 Alcoa2.3.1 Company Profile2.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.3.3 Sales, Price, Gross and Revenue2.3.4 Contact Information2.4 Aleris2.4.1 Company Profile2.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.4.3 Sales, Price, Gross and Revenue2.4.4 Contact Information2.5 Furukawa-Sky2.5.1 Company Profile2.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.5.3 Sales, Price, Gross and Revenue2.5.4 Contact Information2.6 Kobelco2.6.1 Company Profile2.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.6.3 Sales, Price, Gross and Revenue2.6.4 Contact Information2.7 AMAG2.7.1 Company Profile2.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.7.3 Sales, Price, Gross and Revenue2.7.4 Contact Information2.8 RUSAL2.8.1 Company Profile2.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.8.3 Sales, Price, Gross and Revenue2.8.4 Contact Information2.9 Nippon Light Metal2.9.1 Company Profile2.9.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.9.3 Sales, Price, Gross and Revenue2.9.4 Contact Information2.10 Alimex2.10.1 Company Profile2.10.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.10.3 Sales, Price, Gross and Revenue2.10.4 Contact Information2.11 GLEICH GmbH2.11.1 Company Profile2.11.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.11.3 Sales, Price, Gross and Revenue2.11.4 Contact Information2.12 Hulamin2.12.1 Company Profile2.12.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.12.3 Sales, Price, Gross and Revenue2.12.4 Contact Information2.13 Chalco2.13.1 Company Profile2.13.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.13.3 Sales, Price, Gross and Revenue2.13.4 Contact Information2.14 Alnan Aluminium2.14.1 Company Profile2.14.2 Product Picture and Specifications2.14.3 Sales, Price, Gross and RevenueEnquiry Before Buying@About Us:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.com
Global E-paper Display Market Analysis, Market Size, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies And Forecasts, 2022

E-paper Display Market

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E-paper display also known as electronic paper or electronic ink display. They are display devices that mimic the appearance of ordinary ink on paper. Unlike conventional backlit flat panel displays that emit light, electronic paper displays reflect light like paper. This may make them more comfortable to read, and provide a wider viewing angle than most light-emitting displays. An ideal e-paper display can be read in direct sunlight without the image appearing to fade.Get Free Sample Copy of this Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the E-paper Display in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers :E Ink, OED Technologies, Qualcomm, Liquavista, Plastic Logic, Pervasive Displays, LG Display, Gamma Dynamics, ITRIMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers :North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Spain and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)Latin America, Middle East and Africa (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Technology, covers:Electrophoretic Display (EPD)Electrowetting Display (EWD)Interferometric Modulator Display (IMOD)Electrofluidic Display (EFD)Market Segment by inch, covers:Standard (1-3 inch)Mid-Large (3.1-6 inch)Large (6.1-10 inch)Above 10 inchMarket Segment by Substrate, covers:Glass-based electronic paperFlexible electronic paperMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:E-ReaderElectronic Shelf LabelOther ApplicationBrowse full report with Table of Content @There are 13 Chapters to deeply display the global E-Paper Display market.Chapter 1, to describe E-Paper Display Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of E-Paper Display, with sales, revenue, and price of E-Paper Display, in 2015 and 2016;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2015 and 2016;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of E-Paper Display, for each region, from 2011 to 2016;Chapter 5, 6, 7 and 8, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 9 and 10, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2011 to 2016;Chapter 11, E-Paper Display market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 12 and 13, to describe E-Paper Display sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, appendix and data source.Check for discount @Some points from TOC:-1 Market Overview1.1 E-paper Display Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Classification of E-paper Display1.2.1 Classification of E-paper Display by Technology1.2.1.1 Electrophoretic Display (EPD)1.2.1.2 Electrowetting Display (EWD)41.2.1.3 Interferometric Modulator Display (IMOD)1.2.1.4 Electrofluidic Display (EFD)1.2.2 Classification of E-paper Display by Different Size1.2.3 Classification of E-paper Display by Different Substrate1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 E-Reader1.3.2 Electronic Shelf Label1.3.3 Other Application1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA 161.4.1.2 Canada1.4.1.3 Mexico1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Spain and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany1.4.2.2 France1.4.2.3 UK1.4.2.4 Spain1.4.2.5 Italy1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China1.4.3.2 JapanEnquiry Before Buying@About Us:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.com
Global Electric Heating Cable Market Analysis, Market Size, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies And Forecasts, 2022

Electric Heating Cable Market

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An electric heating cable is a wire cable that produces heat, also referred to as heat trace cable amongst the industry. It is used for a wide range of applications including heat loss replacement, pipe tracing, freeze protection, viscosity control, temperature process maintenance, roof and gutter, and much more. In this report, it mainly focuses on the industrial applications.Feel the form to grain deeper insight of market @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Electric Heating Cable in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Major Players Included in Garage Door Replacement Parts Market:RaychemSSTAnhui HuanruiThermonBartecWuhu JiahongEmersonAnbangElthermHeat Trace ProductsAnhui HuayangChromaloxIsopadKing ManufacturingFlexelecGarnischFINE UnichemWanlan GroupSunTouchAoqi ElectricThanglong ElectricUreconBriskHeatDamingMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers :North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, covers:Self-regulating Heating CableConstant Wattage Heating CableMineral Insulated Heating CableSkin-Effect Heat-Tracing CableMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:IndustrialResidentialCommercialOthersBrowse full report with Table of Content and data tables for Garage Door Replacement Parts Market @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Electric Heating Cable market.Chapter 1, to describe Electric Heating Cable Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Electric Heating Cable, with sales, revenue, and price of Electric Heating Cable, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Electric Heating Cable, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Electric Heating Cable market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Electric Heating Cable sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Check for discount @Some points from TOC:-1 Market Overview1.1 Electric Heating Cable Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Self-regulating Heating Cable1.2.2 Constant Wattage Heating Cable1.2.3 Mineral Insulated Heating Cable1.2.4 Skin-Effect Heat-Tracing Cable1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Industrial1.3.2 Residential1.3.3 Commercial1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.5 Technology Progress/Risk1.5.1 Substitutes Threat1.5.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry1.5.3 Consumer Needs/Customer Preference Change1.5.4 Economic/Political Environmental Change2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Raychem2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Electric Heating Cable Product Information2.1.3 Raychem Electric Heating Cable Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share2.2 SST2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 Electric Heating Cable Product Information2.2.3 SST Electric Heating Cable Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share2.3 Anhui HuanruiFor more help speak to our Expert @About Us:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.com
New Report - Global ESR Analyzers Consumption Market- Industry Analysis And Growth 2022

ESR Analyzers Consumption

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Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) can be defined as the rate at which red blood cells or erythrocytes sediment in a period of one hour.Feel the form to grain deeper insight of market @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the ESR Analyzers in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Major Players Included in Garage Door Replacement Parts Market:Transasia Bio-Medicals, Alifax, Streck, HemaTechnologies, Grifols, DIESSE Diagnostica Senese S.p.A, RR Mechatronics, Krish Biomedicals, BIOLINE TECHNOLOGIES, Dr Meditech Surgical & Diagnostics India Pvt Ltd, ELITech Group, Perlong.Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers :North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, covers:Big Sample NumbersSmall Sample NumbersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:Scientific Research PurposesMedical UseTeaching UseOthersBrowse full report with Table of Content and data tables for Garage Door Replacement Parts Market @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global ESR Analyzers market.Chapter 1, to describe ESR Analyzers Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of ESR Analyzers, with sales, revenue, and price of ESR Analyzers, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of ESR Analyzers, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, ESR Analyzers market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe ESR Analyzers sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceCheck for discount @Some points from TOC:-1 Market Overview1.1 ESR Analyzers Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Big Sample Numbers1.2.2 Small Sample Numbers1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Scientific Research Purposes1.3.2 Medical Use1.3.3 Teaching Use1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)For more help speak to our Expert @About Us:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.com
Eight of nine evaluable patients tested had no signs of CLL in their bone marrow at three months.

CTL119 is a humanized CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapy being developed in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania

Novartis is committed to advancing a portfolio of next-generation CAR-T cell therapies

Basel, May 30, 2017 - Novartis announced findings from a pilot study (NCT02640209) of CTL119 in combination with ibrutinib* in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who had been taking ibrutinib for at least six months and who were not in complete remission. All study patients had to have failed at least one prior regimen before ibrutinib or carried high-risk cytogenetics or mutations. The results, which will be presented at the upcoming 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO; abstract #7509; Monday, June 5, 1:15 PM CDT), that eight of nine evaluable patients had no signs of CLL in their bone marrow at three months. One of those patients had a partial response [1].

"The data from this pilot study support the potential for CTL119, when combined with the kinase inhibitor ibrutinib, to induce clinically-significant responses in high-risk CLL patients who were unlikely to achieve a complete remission on ibrutinib alone," said James Bradner, president of the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research. "CTL119 represents one of our latest advances in CAR-T cell therapy research and our broader commitment to pioneering breakthrough immuno-oncology treatments."

The findings will be presented by Saar Gill, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of Hematology-Oncology in the Perelman School of Medicine and the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

CTL119 is a humanized CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) cell therapy, which is different from typical small molecule or biologic therapies because it is manufactured for each individual patient using their own cells. During the treatment process, T cells are drawn from a patient's blood and reprogrammed in the laboratory to create T cells that are genetically coded to hunt the patient's cancer cells and other B-cells expressing a particular antigen.

Results from the pilot study also showed that eight of nine patients had no signs of CLL in their bone marrow at three months as tested by flow cytometry and/or analysis for minimal residual disease (MRD)[1]. MRD, which measures the presence of residual abnormalities in the blood and bone marrow at the molecular level following treatment, is important because it can be an indicator of potential relapse[2].

CT scans were performed to measure the inclusion of CLL in the spleens and lymph nodes of study patients. A number of patients showed improvements in the burden of disease in their spleens and lymph nodes at three months, though radiologic responses are less clear cut and they require longer follow-up[1].

In the study, 10 patients experienced cytokine release syndrome (CRS), two of which were grade 3. However, no patients required treatment with tocilizumab** and all patients recovered from CRS. One patient developed tumor lysis syndrome and two patients had febrile neutropenia [1].

CLL is one of the most common types of adult leukemia, which typically progresses slowly over time[3]. The majority of patients will relapse after initial therapy[4], and newer targeted therapies must be taken continuously for an indefinite period of time[5]. These are clear indications of the high unmet medical need for new therapies for CLL.

About the Novartis CAR-T Program

In 2012, Novartis and the University of Pennsylvania entered into a global collaboration to further research, develop and then commercialize CAR-T cell therapies for the investigational treatment of cancers. In March 2017, Novartis announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the company's Biologics License Application filing and granted priority review for CTL019 in the treatment of relapsed/refractory (r/r) pediatric and young adult patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In April 2017, FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to CTL019 for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

During the collaboration between Novartis and the University of Pennsylvania, researchers generated the humanized anti-CD19 CAR, CTL119. CTL119 is in initial clinical development for multiple B-cell malignancies. Because CTL119 and CTL019 are investigational therapies, the safety and efficacy profile has not yet been established. Access to investigational therapies is available only through carefully controlled and monitored clinical trials. These trials are designed to better understand the potential benefits and risks of the therapy. Because of the uncertainty of clinical trials, there is no guarantee that CTL119 or CTL019 will become commercially available.

Disclaimer

The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by words such as "next generation," "being developed," "committed," "will," "upcoming," "potential," "commitment," "investigational," "priority review," "Breakthrough Therapy designation," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals for CTL119 and CTL019, or regarding potential future revenues from CTL119 and CTL019. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that CTL119 or CTL019 will be submitted or approved for sale in any market, or at any particular time. Neither can there be any guarantee that the collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania will achieve any or all of its intended goals and objectives or be successful, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that CTL119 or CTL019 will receive regulatory approval or be commercially successful in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding CTL119, CTL019 and the collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania could be affected by, among other things, the achievement of, or failure to achieve, any or all of the intended goals and objectives of the collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania; the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the company's ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; general economic and industry conditions; global trends toward health care cost containment, including ongoing pricing and reimbursement pressures; safety, quality or manufacturing issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Notes

* Ibrutinib is marketed as IMBRUVICA, a registered trademark owned by Pharmacyclics LLC.

** Tocilizumab is marketed as ACTEMRA, which is a registered trademark of Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha Corp., a member of the Roche Group.

About Novartis

Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2016, the Group achieved net sales of USD 48.5 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

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References [1] Gill S, Frey N, et al. Anti-CD19 CART cells combined with ibrutinib induce a high rate of remission in CLL. June 5, 1:15 PM CDT. 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. [2] Campana, Dario. Minimal Residual Disease in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Seminars in hematology 46.1 (2009): 100-106. PMC. Web. 22 May 2017. [3] National Cancer Institute. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treatment (PDQ)-Patient Version. Available at https://www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia/patient/cll-treatment-pdq. Accessed May 2017. [4] Veliz M, Pinilla-Ibarz J. Treatment of relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cancer Control. 2012; 1:37-53 [5] National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Leukemia. Version 2.2017. 21 February 2017.



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Global Glass Curtain Wall Market by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022

Glass Curtain Wall

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The curtain wall method of glazing allows glass to be used in large uninterrupted areas creating consistent attractive facades.A curtain wall system is an outer covering of a building in which the outer walls are non-structural, but merely keep the weather out and the occupants in.Feel the form to grain deeper insight of market @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Glass Curtain Wall in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and applicationMajor Players Included in Garage Door Replacement Parts Market:Yuanda China,JiangHong Group, Permasteelisa, Sch`co, Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, China Aviation Sanxin Co.,Ltd., Vitra Scrl, Kawneer, Aluk Group, China Fangda Group, Zhongshan Shengxing, G.James Glass & Aluminium, Shenzhen King Fa`ade Decoration Engineering, Toro Glasswall, Alumil NYC Glass, Hwarrior Curtain Wall Engineering, Bertrand, Guangzhou Leadsea Industry Co.,Ltd.Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers :North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)Latin America, Middle East and AfricaMarket Segment by Type, covers:Double Glazed TypeThree Glazed TypeSingle Glazed TypeMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:Commercial BuildingPublic BuildingResidential BuildingBrowse full report with Table of Content and data tables for Garage Door Replacement Parts Market @There are 13 Chapters to deeply display the global Glass Curtain Wall market.Chapter 1, to describe Glass Curtain Wall Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Glass Curtain Wall, with sales, revenue, and price of Glass Curtain Wall, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Glass Curtain Wall, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7 and 8, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 9 and 10, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 11, Glass Curtain Wall market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 12 and 13, to describe Glass Curtain Wall sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, appendix and data source.Check for discount @Some points from TOC:-1 Market Overview1.1 Glass Curtain Wall Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Double Glazed Type1.2.2 Three Glazed Type1.2.3 Single Glazed Type1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Commercial Building1.3.2 Public Building1.3.3 Residential Building1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.4 Latin America, Middle East and Africa1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Substitutes Threat1.5.3 Technology Progress in Related Industry2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Yuanda China2.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Contact Information2.1.2 Glass Curtain Wall Product Picture and Features2.1.3 Yuanda China Glass Curtain Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2016 and 2017)2.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview2.2 JiangHong Group2.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Contact Information2.2.2 Glass Curtain Wall Product Picture and Features2.2.3 JiangHong Group Glass Curtain Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2016 and 2017)2.2.4 Main Business/Business OverviewFor more help speak to our Expert @About Us:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.com
Global Centerless Grinding Market Research Report- Grwoth and Forecast 2022

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Centerless grinding is a machining process that uses abrasive cutting to remove material from a work piece. Centerless grinding differs from centered grinding operations in that no spindle or fixture is used to locate and secure the work piece; the work piece is secured between two rotary grinding wheels, and the speed of their rotation relative to each other determines the rate at which material is removed from the work piece.Get Free Sample Copy of this ReportScope of the Report:This report focuses on the Centerless Grinding in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers :Schaudt MikrosaJUNKERDanobat GroupFives GroupKMT Precision GrindingTGSCincinnati MachineryGlebarRoyal MasterAcme ManufacturingKoyo MachineryMicron MachineryHanwha MachineryPalmary MachineryPARAGON MACHINERYJainnher MachineOhmiya MachineryGuiyang XianfengWuxi Machine ToolsHenfuxWuxi YijiWuxi HuakangMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers:North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, covers:Universal typeSpecial typePrecise typeOthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into:Automobile IndustryAerospace IndustryEngineering Machinery IndustryOthersBrowse full report with Table of Content @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Centerless Grinding market.Chapter 1, to describe Centerless Grinding Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Centerless Grinding, with sales, revenue, and price of Centerless Grinding, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Centerless Grinding, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Centerless Grinding market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Centerless Grinding sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceCheck for discount @Some points from TOC:-1 Market Overview1.1 Centerless Grinding Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Universal type1.2.2 Special type1.2.3 Precise type1.2.4 Others1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Automobile Industry1.3.2 Aerospace Industry1.3.3 Engineering Machinery Industry1.3.4 Others1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Schaudt Mikrosa2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Centerless Grinding Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 2Enquiry Before Buying @About Us:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.com
Italy Feed Additives Market - Forecasts From 2017 To 2022

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Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence announces publication of a new report: Italy Feed Additives Market - Forecasts From 2017 To 2022.This research report segments the Italy Feed Additives market by Product (Antibiotic, Enzyme, Vitamin, Amino Acid, Antioxidant, Acidifiers, Minerals, and Others), and Livestock (Aquatic Animals, Poultry, Swine, Cattle, and Others). The report provides in depth and most accurately anticipated forecasts in a quantitative manner.Some of the major Feed Additives companies covered in the report are Cargill Incorporated, BASF SE, Novozymes, Nutreco, Chr. Hansen, Evonik Industries, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Alltech Inc., Elanco Animal Health, and Charoen Pokphand Foods.Sample request or complete report can be purchased through the link below:The report can be purchased through the link:This 75 pages report contains a wide range of figures and data tables for the forecasted period based on the segmentations listed above.Brief TOC is as below: Market Dynamics Segmentationo By Product Antibiotic Enzyme Vitamin Amino Acid Antioxidant Acidifiers Minerals Otherso By Livestock Aquatic Animals Poultry Swine Cattle Others Profiles of key companiesAbout Knowledge Sourcing IntelligenceKnowledge Sourcing Intelligence is a market research and consulting firm based out of Italy. Driven by industry experts, the company provides syndicated reports, custom research, and consulting services. Our proprietary data analytics model blended with quality primary and secondary research data assists in generating quality reports providing crucial insights to managers and decision makers. The services offered by us help companies to gain required competitive edge. Our expertise across 10 industries such as ICT, Chemicals, Semiconductors, Healthcare among others caters to diverse client needsKnowledge Sourcing IntelligenceAscent Business CenterH-38, Sector 63NOIDA, IndiaContact: +1-866-714-4587
United States Feed Additives Market - Forecasts From 2017 To 2022

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Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence announces publication of a new report: United States Feed Additives Market - Forecasts From 2017 To 2022.This research report segments the United States Feed Additives market by Product (Antibiotic, Enzyme, Vitamin, Amino Acid, Antioxidant, Acidifiers, Minerals, and Others), and Livestock (Aquatic Animals, Poultry, Swine, Cattle, and Others). The report provides in depth and most accurately anticipated forecasts in a quantitative manner.Some of the major Feed Additives companies covered in the report are Cargill Incorporated, BASF SE, Novozymes, Nutreco, Chr. Hansen, Evonik Industries, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Alltech Inc., Elanco Animal Health, and Charoen Pokphand Foods.Sample request or complete report can be purchased through the link below:The report can be purchased through the link:This 75 pages report contains a wide range of figures and data tables for the forecasted period based on the segmentations listed above.Brief TOC is as below: Market Dynamics Segmentationo By Product Antibiotic Enzyme Vitamin Amino Acid Antioxidant Acidifiers Minerals Otherso By Livestock Aquatic Animals Poultry Swine Cattle Others Profiles of key companiesAbout Knowledge Sourcing IntelligenceKnowledge Sourcing Intelligence is a market research and consulting firm based out of United States. Driven by industry experts, the company provides syndicated reports, custom research, and consulting services. Our proprietary data analytics model blended with quality primary and secondary research data assists in generating quality reports providing crucial insights to managers and decision makers. The services offered by us help companies to gain required competitive edge. Our expertise across 10 industries such as ICT, Chemicals, Semiconductors, Healthcare among others caters to diverse client needsKnowledge Sourcing IntelligenceAscent Business CenterH-38, Sector 63NOIDA, IndiaContact: +1-866-714-4587
Biomarkers Market Research Report: Trends, outlook and Opportunity Analysis 2024

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Global Biomarkers MarketA biomarker refers to a biological molecule or gene that is used to effectively and accurately evaluate pharmacologic responses, pathogenic procedures, and biological procedures. Also known as a molecular marker or signature molecule, biomarkers are found in blood, other body fluids, and tissue. Extensively used to see the bodys response to a particular treatment for a disease or condition, biomarkers assist medical professionals to take effective clinical decisions and help in diagnosing the health of patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the usage of biomarkers as surrogate end-points in the treatment development process.Biomarkers play a pivotal role in disease risk assessment, drug discovery and development, diagnostics development, personalized medicine, and others. Research activities are particularly focused on the development of diagnostics biomarkers for cancer. For example, a new protein array technology developed by researchers from the Arizona State University is expected to detect antibodies targeting proteins in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes that are highly associated with cancer. Research and development activities hold the potential to define the future outlook of the global biomarkers market.View ReportGlobal Biomarkers Market: OverviewThe global biomarkers market has witnessed increased demand in recent years due to the rapidly growing population worldwide, robust growth of the IT industry, and increasing efforts toward drug discovery. The entry of new players is expected to further boost the growth of the market. The growing usage of biomarkers in medical areas such as cancer treatment and research will propel the future growth of the global biomarkers market. Biomarkers are extensively used to detect diseases such as neurological disorders, immunological disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and others. In the field of oncology, recently three biological markers have been added to conventional breast cancer risk models to identify women at a higher risk of breast cancer. The oncology segment is projected to expand robustly in the near future.The low cost of clinical trials across developing countries and new initiatives undertaken for research on biomarkers will augment the growth of the global biomarkers market. However, the need for high capital investment, unfavorable regulatory and reimbursement policies, high costs of tests, sample collection, and storage, and low benefit-cost ratio will restrain the growth of the overall market. Biomarkers are of various types such as efficacy biomarkers, safety biomarkers, and validation biomarkers. Efficacy biomarkers are further categorized into predictive biomarkers, pharmacodynamics biomarkers, surrogate biomarkers, and prognostic biomarkers. The demand for surrogate biomarkers across research activities is particularly high.Global Biomarkers Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global biomarkers market has been segmented into four key regions: Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World. In the coming years, North America is expected to register the fastest growth in the market due to the growing acceptance of advanced technologies, entry of new players, new product launches, and wider usage of biomarkers.Some of the prominent players in the global biomarkers market are Agilent Technologies Inc., Bruker Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, Epigenomics AG, DiagnoCure Inc., Celera Corporation, GE Healthcare, and Becton, Dickinson and Company. The leading companies in the market are expected to face stiff competition with the entry of new players in the market and are hence focusing on the changing trends in the market.This research report analyzes this market on the basis of its market segments, major geographies, and current market trends. Geographies analyzed under this research report includeNorth AmericaAsia PacificEuropeMiddle East and AfricaLatin AmericaThis report provides comprehensive analysis ofMarket growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for upcoming yearsRequest a brochure of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving Biomarkers Market during 2016- 2023About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Nebulizers Market Research Report: Trends, outlook and Opportunity Analysis 2019

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Nebulizer is a medical device which can convert the liquid medication into mist or aerosol. Nebulizer is primarily utilized for the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis. Increasing prevalence of asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis drives the global nebulizers market. Moreover, increasing geriatric population also accentuates the global market for nebulizers. In addition, rising government initiatives in developed nations such as U.S, U.K and Japan also supports the growth of this market. The global nebulizers market was valued at USD 610.0 million in 2012 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2013 to 2019, to reach an estimated value of USD 937.7 million by 2019.The global nebulizers market is segmented based on product types into pneumatic nebulizer, ultrasonic nebulizer and mesh nebulizer. In 2012, pneumatic nebulizer accounted for the largest market share of the global nebulizers market owing to its cost effective nature and easy to handle. Pneumatic nebulizers are further classified as vented and breath-actuated pneumatic nebulizers. In 2012, breath actuated pneumatic nebulizers segment accounted for the largest share of the global pneumatic nebulizers market due to factors such as cost effectiveness and efficient drug delivery. Moreover, the breath-actuated pneumatic nebulizers segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2013 to 2019 in the global pneumatic nebulizers market. Ultrasonic nebulizers are further segmented into standalone and portable ultrasonic nebulizers. Portable ultrasonic nebulizers accounted for the largest share as they are easy to handle and operate.This exhaustive report includes 10 data tables and 23 figures to give readers a 360 view of the Nebulizers Market. Browse through this 79-page report to know what factors will shape the market during the period 2013-2019North America accounted for the largest share in the global nebulizers market in 2012 owing to rising prevalence of respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis. In addition, increasing government initiatives in this region also supported the growth of nebulizers market in the North American region. Asia-Pacific was observed to be an emerging market for nebulizers and is expected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2013 to 2019. This growth was mainly attributed due to presence of large patient pool diagnosed with chronic diseases such as asthma and chronic pulmonary obstructive diseases (COPD) in this region. Also, manufacturers are expanding their operations in Asian countries such as India, China, Japan and South Korea. For example, Omron Healthcare, Inc., established its subsidiary in South Korea to sell its nebulizers in this region. Thus, all the above mentioned factors collectively supports the growth of nebulizers market in Asia-Pacific region. Some of the key players having presence in the global nebulizers market are Philips Healthcare, Omron Healthcare, GF Health Products, Inc. and PARI Respiratory, Inc.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on The Nebulizers Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Urgent Care Centers Market Research Report: Trends, outlook and Opportunity Analysis 2020

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The rise in the healthcare spending expenditure along with increasing geriatric population in particular has boosted the demand for cost-effective and convenient medical care worldwide. The urgent care model is designed to provide convenient access to quality, cost-effective healthcare services to general public around the world. The Urgent Care Association of America defines urgent care centers (UCCs) as medical care centers that provide health care services on a noaappointment or walk-in basis for illnesses or injuries that are not life threatening and are beyond the scope of traditional primary care or retail clinics. Majority of urgent care centers provide services for moderate illnesses, injuries and trauma, occupational medicine, routine vaccinations, physicals, lab tests, screening and monitoring. However, UCCs do not provide any ambulatory and critical care services. The UCCs market is highly fragmented, and small players such as physicians or physician groups own approximately 35% of the centers. The UCCs market was valued at USD 23.5 billion in 2013 and is expected to reach USD 30.5 billion in 2020, growing at a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period from 2014 to 2020.The global urgent care centers market is segmented on the basis of major services offered by the centers. These include services for moderate illness, injury and trauma, Physical, routine vaccination, diagnostic and screening and monitoring. The major share of the revenue was generated through illness services that accounted for majority of the share in the global urgent care centers market followed by the injury segment. Most of the visits in the urgent care centers market were for illness conditions of which the top five conditions (upper respiratory tract infections, pharyngitis, urinary tract infections, fever & cold and otitis media accounted for more than 50% of illness related visits.This exhaustive report includes 6 data tables and 15 figures to give readers a 360 view of the Urgent Care Centers Market. Browse through this 72-page report to know what factors will shape the market during the period 2014-2020Geographically, the global UCCs market has been segmented into four regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). North America held the majority share of the overall UCCs market, followed by Europe that accounted for the second largest share. North America is expected to retain its dominant position throughout the forecasted period. This is attributed to high adoption of UCCs for non-emergency conditions. The increase in demand for walk-in health services and the rise in demand for cost-effective medical care are also contributing to the growth of UCCs market in North America. In Asia Pacific region, Japan, India, China, Australia and New Zealand are the major countries that offer immense opportunities to companies operating in this market. In Rest of the World (RoW), Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Israel, Turkey and UAE are the major countries where UCCs market is expected to record significant growth.AFC/Doctors Express, CareSpot Express Healthcare LLC, Concentra Inc., FastMed Urgent Care, MD Now, MinuteClinic LLC, MedExpress, NextCare Urgent Care, Patient First and U.S. HealthWorks Inc. are some major companies operating in this market.Request a sample of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving Urgent Care Centers Market during 2014- 2020About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Parenteral Nutrition Market Research Report 2024

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Braun Melsungen AG, Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, and Baxter International, Inc., who collectively held 71% of the global parenteral nutrition market, are focusing on improving their line of products, reports Transparency Market Research. The trend of winning approvals for their new formulations from concerned authorities is also helping them gain a significant footprint in the market, observes TMR.Strategic joint ventures are also being considered by companies to expand their businesses and enhance their product portfolio in the near future. Plans to expand manufacturing facilities are also underway. This move will help companies ensure utmost safety, unquestionable quality, and remarkable efficiency of the product, asserts the head analyst of this report.Parenteral Nutrition Becomes Critical to Saving Lives  A Key Growth EnablerThe focal point of parenteral nutrition is to provide chronically ill patients adequate nutritional support. The high incidence of chronic conditions such as cancer, gastro-intestinal disorders, ischemic bowel disease, diabetic complications, and Crohns disease amongst others is propelling the demand for parenteral nutrition. As this form of oral nutritional supplement becomes the only way of treating the immobilized patient, the demand for these nutrients is witnessing a phenomenal rise.View the report @According to the World Health Organization about 11% of the global burden of disease is due to malnutrition and is considered to be a huge risk to human life. As this number will increase in the coming years citing issues of political unrest, food security, and changing environmental conditions, the demand for parenteral nutrition will remain persistent.Side Effects of Parenteral Nutrition Hamper Market GrowthThe global parenteral nutrition market faces the huge risk of health complications due to poor monitoring. The American Society for Nutrition also stated that prolonged usage of parenteral nutrition therapy can lead to metabolic complications and liver diseases. Furthermore, shortness of breath, allergic reactions, muscle pain, and unexplained weight gain are also hampering the growth of this market.However, a large patient pool in emerging economies of China, Brazil, India, and Brazil offer a tremendous scope for growth to the parenteral nutrition market. Furthermore increasing investment by leading players in the developing regions of Asia Pacific and Latin America to increase production of parenteral nutrition is also expected to create large opportunities to register a high growth.Large Patient Pool in Asia Pacific Makes it Leading SegmentThe research suggests that the opportunity of the global parenteral nutrition market will be worth US$6,874.1 mn by the end of 2023 from US$4,097.4 mn in 2014. The market is expected to expand at a steady CAGR of 5.7% from 2015 and 2023. On the other hand, Asia Pacific will the key geographical segment as it will expand at a CAGR of 7.3% in the forecast period due to growing cases of chronic diseases such as cancer and AIDS. The parenteral lipid emulsion nutrient segment will grow at the highest CAGR of 6.2% during the same forecast period, leading the overall nutrient segment.The analysis of the market is based on the data published by research report, titled Parenteral Nutrition Market  Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015  2023.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Parenteral Nutrition Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Key Takeaways:High prevalence of chronic diseases and related malnutrition speeds up consumption of parenteral nutrition in healthcare facilities.Seeking approvals for new formulations becomes an important strategy for companies to gain market presence.Large patient pool and high incidence of cancer and AIDS makes Asia Pacific an attractive market.The global parenteral nutrition market is segmented as follows:Global Parenteral Nutrition Market, By Type of NutrientCarbohydratesParenteral Lipid EmulsionSingle Dose Amino Acid SolutionsTrace ElementsVitamins and MineralsGlobal Parenteral Nutrition Market, by GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeGermanyFranceU.K.ItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanTaiwanSouth KoreaRest of APACLatin America (LATAM)ArgentinaMexicoRest of LATAMMiddle East and Africa (MEA)TurkeyRest of MEABrowse : Our new press releasesAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research materialfor business reports.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Smart Healthcare Products Market 2023

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The scope of product differentiation in the global market for smart healthcare products is quite high and therefore allows multiple players to be in the lead across various product segments. For instance, in 2014, Epic Systems Corporation and Allscripts Healthcare Solutions were at the top of the e-health records charts, Medtronic and Olympus Corporation led the smart pills sales, while Becton Dickinson & Company and Medtronic again were at the forefront in smart syringes.As per a recent release by Transparency Market Research on smart healthcare products, the key players of this global market  regardless of their priority products segment  have all shown great interest in consolidation efforts. They have focused on creating fruitful partnerships and acting on several mergers and acquisitions over the past few years.The global market for smart healthcare products is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.84% from 2015 to 2023 with respect to the revenue. It is expected to be valued at US$31.71 bn before the end of 2016 and US$57.85 bn by 2023.View the report @Smart pills are showing a humongous increase in demand and are likely to continue doing so till 2023. Smart pills are projected at a very promising CAGR 18.84% from 2015 to 2023. Meanwhile, electronic health records are expected to remain the dominant smart healthcare product segment till 2023 when it is expected to accrue a revenue of US$39.61 bn. In terms of smart healthcare product applications, health data storage and exchange as a segment is expected to generate US$39.73 bn by 2023, thus remaining the dominant application segment till then.North America Stays on Top of Smart Healthcare Products DemandThe sheer demand for smart healthcare products in North America is expected to keep this region at the top of the charts till 2023. By the end of 2023, North America is expected to gather US$21.09 bn in smart healthcare product revenue. This is attributed to the large number of incoming small and medium-sized enterprises, along with constant market consolidation efforts by the more prominent players.Meanwhile, Asia Pacific is expected to show a robust CAGR of 9.77% from 2015 to 2023 owing to a quickly evolving healthcare industry on a digital scale. The digitization of the Asia Pacific healthcare industry is supported by both private and government organizations, allowing for a high scope of entry for local as well as globally prominent smart healthcare product manufacturers.Smart Healthcare Products Incorporation into IoT Apps to Consolidate Demand Over TimeThe IoT revolution has already caught up with the global smart healthcare products market and is creating a vast scope of applications in the market through the use of advanced sensors and machine communication technologies. The implementation of the latest IoT technologies is allowing manufacturers of healthcare hardware and medical equipment to produce and store medical records at rates much faster than before, states a TMR analyst.The scope of application of IoT in smart healthcare products is extremely high and can only be revealed through constant development efforts. A lot of top healthcare organizations are already using measuring and monitoring devices that are remotely controlled to provide astute critical care to patients. Medical personnel can access the recorded information at any time from relevant connected devices and across multiple device platforms, thus increasing the patients chances of recovery vastly.Security Issues Continue to Deter Smart Healthcare Product UsersAmong the few restraints on the growth of smart healthcare products on a global scale, two key factors that lie in its path are cost and safety. A large number of smart healthcare products are very high in cost, making them inaccessible for patients from several developing economies. The cost of implementing smart healthcare products is also quite high for healthcare organizations as well, as the growing use of cutting-edge smart tools requires a greater number of skilled labor, which is currently short in supply on a global level. Several studies have also posited that the use of smart healthcare products by small healthcare organizations or individual medical practitioners can actually be detrimental to their financial situation rather than make things smoother and cost-effective. At the moment, most large-scale implementations are therefore restricted to large healthcare organizations.The healthcare sector is not completely immune to market volatility, but can still show a constant rate of improvement especially in developing economies. Manufacturers of smart healthcare products can look to these regions for better chances while the spending in their healthcare industries increases steadily, adds the analyst.The information presented in this review is based on a Transparency Market Research report, titled, Smart Healthcare Products Market  Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015  2023.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Smart Healthcare Products Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Key Takeaways:E-health records to remain leading smart healthcare product type till 2023, expected to generate US$39.61 bn by 2023.Health data storage and exchange is expected to produce a revenue total of US$39.73 bn by 2023 for the global smart healthcare products market.North America demand for smart healthcare products expected to generate a revenue of US$21.09 bn by 2023.Key segments of the Global Smart Healthcare Products MarketSmart Healthcare Products MarketBy Product TypeSmart SyringesSmart PillsSmart RFID CabinetsElectronic Health RecordBy Industry VerticalHealth Data Storage and ExchangeMonitoring and TreatmentInventory ManagementBy GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeLatin AmericaAPACMiddle East and AfricaAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Teleradiology Market 2015 Trend Analysis

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The highly fragmented market for teleradiology features the presence of a large number of regional players, with the exception of some large companies with international presence, such as vRad, Inc., Radiology Reporting Online, and USA Rad. North America and Europe, the regions with some of the largest vendors in the global teleradiology market, will be the key enablers of teleradiology practices across the world and play a central role in the overall development of the global market, notes a recent report by Transparency Market Research (TMR).Acquisitions of small, regional players, and long-term contracts with remotely located community hospitals and other healthcare service providers, especially across emerging markets such as Asia Pacific and Latin America, will allow teleradiology companies to expand their global footprint. Although less in number than in the European market, teleradiology companies in North America will contribute the largest share in the overall revenues of the global teleradiology market from 2015 through 2023, thanks to their global presence.Rise in Healthcare Expenditure and Improved Healthcare Infrastructure to Enable Widespread Adoption of TeleradiologyThe vast improvement in telecommunication networks, enhanced data transfer speeds, and improved digital infrastructure of remote parts of the world has revolutionized the global teleradiology market in the past few years. In the next few years as well, developments across the data transmission field will be prove to be a major driver of the global teleradiology market, allowing its evolution from an ancillary radiology discipline to a mainstream practice.View the report @Radiology is a cost-intensive diagnostic modality owing to the high prices of the technologically advanced medical imaging machines central to the field. This factor, in combination with the factor of unavailability of broadband networks in urban dwellings has remained one of the toughest challenges for the teleradiology market in the past years. However, substantial rise in healthcare expenditures and widened broadband networks in the past few years have enabled the widespread expansion of teleradiology practices on a global front. These factors have especially allowed the teleradiology market in extending its reach to emerging economies such as Latin America and Asia Pacific, considered to be the regional markets with the most lucrative growth opportunities.Asia Pacific to Provide Most Attractive Growth OpportunitiesNorth America is currently the leading regional market for teleradiology and is expected to provide considerable growth opportunities over the next few years as well. The market in the region will be driven by the digitally advanced healthcare infrastructures, integration of teleradiology services in the workflow of a vast number of medical imaging service providers, and high healthcare awareness among the population. The rising prevalence of a number of cancers in the region has also led to an increased need for effective teleradiology services in the region.Nevertheless, Asia Pacific will provide the most lucrative growth opportunities for the global teleradiology market in the coming years. Factors fueling demand for teleradiology services in the region will be the rising expenditure on health and wellbeing, improving healthcare infrastructure, and widening network of high-speed broadband services.The global teleradiology market is expected to expand at a favorable 11.3% CAGR over the period between 2015 and 2023, and rise from a valuation of US$1,354.6 mn in 2014 to US$3,632.6 mn in 2023.The review is based on a recent market research report published by Transparency Market Research, titled Teleradiology Market  Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015  2023.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Teleradiology Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.The market has been segmented as follows:Teleradiology Market, by ModalityX-RayUltrasoundComputed TomographyMagnetic Resonance ImagingNuclear ImagingTeleradiology Market, by GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeU.K.GermanyRest of EuropeAsia-PacificAustraliaMalaysiaPhilippinesRest of Asia PacificMiddle EastSaudi ArabiaQatarRest of Middle EastAfricaNigeriaGhanaRest of AfricaRest of the WorldAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
LONDON and DENVER, May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Janus Capital Group Inc. and Henderson Group plc today announce the completion of an all-stock merger of equals to form Janus Henderson Group plc (Janus Henderson). Concurrent with Henderson Group plc's delisting from the London Stock Exchange, today Janus Henderson lists its shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol JHG (NYSE:JHG). Janus Henderson securities will also continue trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on a deferred settlement basis up to the close of trading on 2 June 2017 under the code HGGDA, and on a normal settlement basis on and from 5 June 2017, with normal settlement trading in Janus Henderson securities on the ASX taking place under the ticker symbol "HGG" up to the close of trading on 9 June 2017. On and from 13 June 2017, Janus Henderson securities will trade on the ASX under the ticker symbol JHG (ASX:JHG). The group will market its products and services as Janus Henderson Investors with immediate effect.



Janus Henderson is a leading global active asset manager that:

Manages assets under management (AUM) of approximately U.S.$331 billion (as at 31 March, 2017) 1 with a market capitalization of approximately U.S.$6 billion

with a market capitalization of approximately U.S.$6 billion Features significant scale, diverse products and investment strategies, and depth and breadth in global distribution

Leverages Januss strength in the U.S. markets and Hendersons strength in the U.K. and European markets, creating a truly global active asset manager with a diverse geographic footprint

Expected attractive growth potential and annual run rate pre-tax net cost synergies of at least U.S.$110 million, should deliver compelling value for shareholders

1 Pro forma combined pre-merger figures of Janus Capital Group and Henderson Group, as at 31 March 2017. Combined AUM excludes U.S.$3 billion of Exchange-traded Notes as Janus Henderson is not the named advisor or subadvisor. Exchange rate used for translation from GBP to USD: 1.25

Andrew Formica, Janus Hendersons Co-Chief Executive Officer, said: At our core, Janus Henderson is focused on delivering for our clients. Our work together since announcement has reinforced our shared culture and aligned business goals. The breadth and depth of investment professionals and the broad array of talented colleagues gives us an enviable position to meet our clients needs.



Dick Weil, Janus Hendersons Co-Chief Executive Officer, said: The combined firm, Janus Henderson, creates a truly global active asset manager that is well-positioned to succeed in the investment marketplace, with expanded product suites, greater financial strength and better talent, benefiting our clients, shareholders and employees.

Confirmation of Board Changes

As previously announced on 20 March 2017, Janus Henderson confirms the resignation of Timothy How, Robert Jeens, Roger Thompson and Phil Wagstaff from the Board with immediate effect. Roger Thompson and Phil Wagstaff will continue as Chief Financial Officer and Global Head of Distribution, respectively, and will continue to be members of the Janus Henderson Executive Committee. Billie Williamson, Deborah Gatzek, J. Richard Fredericks and Arnold Pinkston will also resign from the Board of Janus Capital Group. Richard Gillingwater, Janus Henderson Groups Chairman thanks them for their invaluable contributions to both companies.

In addition, Janus Henderson is pleased to confirm the appointment of Glenn Schafer, Richard Weil, Jeffrey Diermeier, Eugene Flood, Jr., Lawrence Kochard and Tatsusaburo Yamamoto to the Board with immediate effect.

As a result of these changes, the Janus Henderson Group Board of Directors is comprised of the following 12 directors:

Richard Gillingwater  Chairman

Glenn Schafer  Deputy Chairman

Andrew Formica  Co-Chief Executive Officer

Richard Weil  Co-Chief Executive Officer

Sarah Arkle  Non-Executive Director

Kalpana Desai  Non-Executive Director

Jeffrey Diermeier  Non-Executive Director

Kevin Dolan  Non-Executive Director

Eugene Flood Jr.  Non-Executive Director

Lawrence Kochard  Non-Executive Director

Angela Seymour-Jackson  Non-Executive Director

Tatsusaburo Yamamoto  Non-Executive Director

Change of Name

Pursuant to shareholder approval at the Extraordinary General Meeting on 26 April 2017, it is confirmed that the name of the company has today changed to Janus Henderson Group plc.

Amended Memorandum and Articles of Association

Pursuant to shareholder approval at the Extraordinary General Meeting on 26 April 2017, it is confirmed that the amended memorandum and articles of the Company came into effect today. The amended memorandum and articles of association are set out below at Schedule A.

Confirmation of de-Listing from the London Stock Exchange

It is confirmed that today, following the relevant notice period, the listing of Janus Hendersons shares on the Official List has been cancelled and Janus Henderson shares have ceased trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange.

Confirmation of Share Consolidation on a 10 to 1 basis

Pursuant to shareholder approval at the Extraordinary General Meeting on 26 April 2017, it is confirmed that all shares in issue at 6.00pm on 26 May 2017 were consolidated. Under the share consolidation, every 10 ordinary shares with a nominal value of U.S.$0.15 were converted into one ordinary share of U.S.$1.50 and the same ratio was also applied to Chess Depositary Interests (CDIs) in Australia

Confirmation of Issue of Shares

Pursuant to shareholder approval at the Extraordinary General Meeting on 26 April 2017, it is confirmed that 87,220,743 ordinary shares (and additionally 1,184 aggregated fractions to be sold) with a nominal value of U.S.$1.50 each were issued to Janus stockholders in connection with the Merger.

As at 30 May 2017, Janus Henderson Group plcs capital consists of 200,406,138 ordinary shares with a nominal value of U.S.$1.50 each with voting rights. Janus Henderson Group plc holds nil shares in treasury.

The above figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, Janus Henderson Group plc.

Shares issued to Dai-ichi

Of the 87,220,743 ordinary shares (and additionally 1,184 aggregated fractions to be sold) with a nominal value of U.S.$1.50 each, which were issued to Janus stockholders in connection with the Merger, 17,168,922 shares were issued to Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc.

Under the Amended and Restated Investment and Strategic Cooperation Agreement between Dai-ichi and Janus Henderson, subject to certain limited exceptions, Dai-ichi may not transfer these shares without Janus Hendersons written consent during the period up to and including 3 October 2019.

Dai-ichi also purchased 20 tranches of conditional options granted by Janus Henderson on 3 October 2016. Each tranche allows Dai-ichi to subscribe for or purchase 500,000 Janus Henderson ordinary shares at a strike price of 2,997.2 pence per share. The options are exercisable from closing of the Merger until 3 October 2018. In aggregate, if exercised at closing, the options sold to Dai-ichi would entitle them to purchase approximately 5% additional of the ordinary shares of Janus Henderson. The total amount Dai-ichi paid for the options was 19.8 million, which was payable on closing.

Co-Chief Executives Remuneration Arrangements

Both Andrew Formica and Richard Weils surviving terms of employment remain unchanged at Janus Henderson. Andrew Formicas key terms of employment have been previously disclosed. A summary of Richard Weils key terms of employment are set out in Schedule B. The new Board of Janus Henderson will review the Co-Chief Executives remuneration in due course.

About Janus Henderson

Janus Henderson is a leading global active asset manager dedicated to helping investors achieve long-term financial goals through a broad range of investment solutions, including equities, quantitative equities, fixed income, multi-asset and alternative asset class strategies.

Janus Henderson has approximately U.S.$331 billion in assets under management (as of 31 March 2017), more than 2,000 employees and offices in 27 cities worldwide. Headquartered in London, the company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), and has a market capitalization of approximately U.S$6 billion.

Investor enquiries

John Groneman

+1 (303) 336-7466

john.groneman@janushenderson.com



Media enquiries

North America

Erin Passan

+1 (303) 394-7681

erin.passan@janushenderson.com

EMEA

Angela Warburton

+44 (0) 20 7818 3010

angela.warburton@janushenderson.com



Andrew Walton

FTI Consulting

+44 (0) 20 3727 1514

Andrew.Walton@FTIConsulting.com

Asia Pacific

Rebecca Piercy

Honner

+612 (8248) 3740

rebecca@honner.com.au

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to the financial condition, results and business of Janus, Henderson and the combined business. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as believe, expect, anticipate, intend, plan, seek, target, outlook, estimate, forecast, project and other similar words and expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, subject to numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which change over time and are beyond our control. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and investors and security holders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Because forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual future results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. Janus Henderson does not assume any duty and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, nor does Janus Henderson intend to do so, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws. For any forward-looking statements made in this communication or in any documents, Janus Henderson claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast.

To view Schedule A and Schedule B, please visit http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/97699b36-ff6d-4029-95c7-91d34d3556b0
Respiratory Monitoring Devices Market 2015

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While a handful players have taken up a majority share in the global distribution of respiratory monitoring devices, the remainder of the market is marked by a very large number of small players.Of the key multinationals dominating the distribution of respiratory monitoring devices in 2014, CareFusion Corporation, Smiths Medical, and ResMed, Inc., had garnered a total share of 54.2% in terms of value.As described in a research report released by Transparency Market Research, the fragmented nature of the global respiratory monitoring devices market allows for a very high intensity of rivalry. This market is exceptionally dynamic as it is primarily controlled the rapid rate of technological development in the devices.The market for respiratory monitoring devices in major economic regions is more or less saturated due to the strong presence of multiple prominent players. As a result, the threat of new entrants is expected to remain moderate to low.The global market for respiratory monitoring devices is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.2% in terms of revenue from 2015 to 2023. By the end of 2016, this revenue is expected to reach US$1.60 bn and US$2.79 bn by 2023.View the report @Hospitals not only form the leading end-user segment of respiratory monitoring devices, but are also projected to be the leading segment in terms of growth rate. Hospitals are expected to generate a revenue of US$1.89 bn for respiratory monitoring devices by 2023. This segment is projected at a CAGR of 8.3% from 2015 to 2023.APAC Demand for Respiratory Monitoring Devices SoarsThe healthcare and medical devices industries of Asia Pacific are currently experiencing a very high rate of development. The booming economy of countries such as China and India, the growing government support towards healthcare development, the high density of population in these countries, and the growing trend of medical tourism are all responsible for bringing out the greater demand for respiratory monitoring devices.By the end of 2023, North America, the currently leading region in respiratory monitoring devices consumption, is expected to reach US$266.0 mn. Within 2015 to 2023, Asia Pacific will be showing a CAGR of 8.5% in respiratory monitoring devices.Asthma, COPD Cases on the Rise GloballyThe primary cause for a heavier demand of respiratory monitoring devices is the growing requirement for keeping a large volume of these devices in the market. Most medical devices are produced on a basis of need and there is certainly a much greater need for respiratory monitoring devices than before. Public health related bodies such as the CDC, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, and the American Lung Association are all shedding light on the growing prevalence of patients with respiratory problems. This is true especially for COPD and asthma, states a TMR analyst.Two factors responsible for this are the growing number of geriatrics in the world along with the growing incorporation of negative lifestyle habits such as smoking.The rate of technological advancement in respiratory monitoring devices is very high, thereby allowing players to keep a dynamic output. A large proportion of respiratory monitoring devices manufacturers is also supported by relevant governments, thereby allowing them to approach research and developed more efficiently.High Costs Deter Large Patient Base from Using Respiratory Monitoring DevicesThe cost of advanced spirometry devices is very high in comparison to peak flow meters and pulse oximeters. This disparity in costs is enough to deter a majority of patients to stick to the latter devices rather than go for advanced ones. Additionally, the installation of advanced respiratory monitoring devices requires skilled professionals, the lack of whom is further adding to the strain of providing them.There is currently a large untapped market for respiratory monitoring devices in the developing economies. Globally prominent players can take more notice of regions such as Asia Pacific and Latin America to make the most of their increasing demand, adds the analyst.The information presented in this review is based on a Transparency Market Research report, titled, Respiratory Monitoring Devices Market  Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2015  2023.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Respiratory Monitoring Devices Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Key Takeaways:Hospitals expected to generate US$1.80 bn for respiratory monitoring devices by 2023.Pulse oximeter expected to remain most popular respiratory monitoring device, generating US$937 mn by 2023.North America expected to retain leading consumption of respiratory monitoring devices till 2023, to generate US$266 mn in this market by 2023.Key segments of the Global Respiratory Monitoring Devices MarketGlobal Respiratory Monitoring Devices Market, by TechnologySpirometryPlethysmographyIOS/FOTGlobal Respiratory Monitoring Devices Market, by End-userHospitalsLaboratoriesHome UseGlobal Respiratory Monitoring Devices Market, by GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificLatin AmericaMiddle East and AfricaAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Middle East and Africa Epoxy Powder Coatings Market-Growth, Trends and Forecasts to 2022

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Orbis Research released a new research report of 138 pages on title Middle East and Africa Epoxy Powder Coatings Market-Growth, Trends and Forecasts (2017-2022), Report Focuses on Market Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications with detailed analysis, forecast and strategies.The Middle East and Africa Epoxy Powder Coating Market has been estimated at USD xxx.xx million in 2015 and is projected to reach USD xxx.xx million by 2020, at a CAGR of x.x% during the forecast period from 2015 to 2020. The Middle East and Africa Epoxy Powder Coatings market is growing at an average rate. Epoxy Powder Coatings are applied to the surface of varied materials to protect them from corrosion and heat due to the external or internal environmental conditions.Download PDF Sample of Epoxy Powder Coatings in Middle East & Africa Market Report@Epoxy Powder coatings have a wide variety of applications in many industries. They are manufactured by various major companies in the Middle East and Africa. The major end user industry is building and construction which accounts for majority of the worlds consumption of Epoxy Powder Coatings. However, in Middle East and African region, the use of pipes and fittings for various oil and gas operations results in rise in the demand for epoxy powder coatings. The use of epoxy powder coatings is also found in medium-density fiberboard and other natural wood products, pipeline coatings and others.The market is expected to be driven by growing pipeline usage for various purposes. The increasing usage of corrosion resistant coatings is also a healthy sign for the Epoxy Powder Coatings market. Moreover, the increasing demand for eco-friendly coatings also acts as a significant driver. The inability of these coatings to be mixed with others is a major drawback to epoxy powder coatings and active research is happening to overcome these shortcomings.Browse Full Report with TOC:The market has also been geographically segmented within Middle East and Africa into Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Qatar and rest of Middle East and Africa. This high production is driven by a rapid growth in oil and gas sector that occurred chiefly due to the increasing investment in this sector to become self-reliant in the coming future.Company profiles of the major Epoxy Powder Coating manufacturers been discussed in this study. These include Axalta, 3M, Arkema, BASF SE, Solvay and Valspar among others.Key Deliverables in the StudyMarket analysis for the Middle East and Africa Epoxy Powder Coating Market, with region specific assessments and competition analysis on Middle East and Africa and regional scalesPlace Purchase Order for this Report@Market definition along with the identification of key drivers and restraints Identification of factors instrumental in changing the market scenarios, rising prospective opportunities, and identification of key companies that can influence this market on a Middle East and Africa and regional scale Extensively researched competitive landscape section with profiles of major companies along with their market shares Identification and analysis of the macro and micro factors that affect the Middle East and Africa Epoxy Powder Coating market on both Middle East and Africa and regional scales A comprehensive list of key market players along with the analysis of their current strategic interests and key financial information A wide-ranging knowledge and insights about the major players in this industry and the key strategies adopted by them to sustain and grow in the studied market Insights on the major countries/regions in which this industry is blooming and to also identify the regions that are still untappedTable of Content:1. Introduction1.1 Description1.2 Research Methodology1.3 Market Definition2. Executive Summary3. Market Insights3.1 Overview3.2 Industry Value Chain Analysis3.3 Regulatory Policies Analysis3.4 Industry Attractiveness Porters 5 Force Analysis3.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers3.4.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers3.4.3 Threat of New Entrants3.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products and Services3.4.5 Degree of Competition3.5 Raw Material Analysis4. Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.1.1 Soaring Demand for Eco-friendly Coatings4.1.2 Rising uses in the pipeline industry4.1.3 Increasing Usage of Corrosion Resistant Materials4.2 Restraints4.2.1 Technical Limitations on Size4.2.2 Immiscibility With Other coatings4.3 Opportunities4.3.1 Increasing Applications of Epoxy Powder Coatings4.3.2 Emerging Research and development in the industry5. Market Segmentation and Analysis5.1 By Usage5.1.1 Aerospace5.1.2 Automotive5.1.3 Building & Construction5.1.4 Energy5.1.5 Marine5.1.6 Oil & Gas5.1.7 Pipelines5.1.8 Protective coatings5.1.9 Others6. Regional Analysis (Market size, growth and forecast)6.1 MEA6.1.1 Saudi Arabia6.1.2 South Africa6.1.3 Qatar6.1.4 Rest of MEA7. Technological Snapshot7.1 Current Technologies7.2 Upcoming Technologies7.3 Mergers & Acquisitions8. Competitive Landscape8.1 Joint Ventures, Collaborations and Agreements8.2 Vendor Market Share Analysis8.3 Strategies Adopted by Leading Players8.4 New Product Launches9. Company Profiles9.1 3M9.2 Axalta9.3 Akzo Nobel9.4 Arkema9.5 BASF SE9.6 Chugoku Marine Paints9.7 Evonik9.8 Jotun9.9 The DOW Chemical Company9.10 PPG9.11 Sherwin Williams9.12 Solvay9.13 Wacker Chemie9.14 Hempel10. Future Insights11. DisclaimerOrbis Research is a single point aid for all your Market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customised reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialisation. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required Market research study for our clients.Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas - 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019Email ID: sales@orbisresearch.com
Catalytic Converter Market is Expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% by 2023

Catalytic Converter Market

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Market Research Future published a half cooked research report on global catalytic converter market. The Catalytic Converter Market is expected to grow over the CAGR of around 7.5 % during the period 2017 to 2023.Market Highlights:Catalytic converter market is majorly driven by the boom in the automotive industry, especially in countries such as U.S., China, India and Japan. The growth of the catalytic converter market can be further attributed to the introduction of stringent emission norms by various governments and regulatory authorities, worldwide. However, the growth is expected to be restrained by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles.Request a Sample Copy @Market Research Analysis:The Europe region is dominating the catalytic converter market due to the presence of the major automobile manufacturers in the region. Various European standards such as Euro V and Euro VI have made the installation of catalytic converters necessary, thereby driving the growth of the market. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow rapidly in the catalytic converter market, owing to the establishment of manufacturing facilities by various global automobile manufacturers here. Manufacturers are setting up their production units here owing to the low cost of production, availability of cheap labor and the government initiatives for promoting foreign direct investment in the region.Key Players of Catalytic Converter Market: Faurecia SA (France) Benteler International AG (Germany) Eberspacher Group (Germany) Calsonic Kansei Corporation (Japan) Yutaka Giken Company Limited (Japan) Tenneco, Inc. (U.S.) Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd. (Japan) Sango Co., Ltd (Japan) Magneti Marelli S.p.A (Italy) Bosal International N.V. (Belgium)Scope of the Report:This study provides an overview of the global catalytic converter market, tracking three market segments across four geographic regions. The report studies key players, providing a five-year annual trend analysis that highlights market size, volume and share for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and Rest of the World (ROW). The report also provides a forecast, focusing on the market opportunities for the next five years for each region. The scope of the study segments the global Catalytic converter Market by its product, material, application and region.By Product Two-way catalytic converter Three-way catalytic converter Diesel oxidation catalyst OthersBy Material Platinum Palladium Rhodium OthersBy Application Entry-level segment Mid-size segment Full-size segmentBy Region North America Asia Pacific Europe Rest of the WorldBrief TOC:1 Executive Summary2 Research Methodology2.1 Scope of the Study2.1.1 Definition2.1.2 Research Objective2.1.3 Assumptions2.1.4 Limitations2.2 Research Process2.2.1 Primary Research2.2.2 Secondary Research2.3 Market size Estimation2.4 Forecast Model3 Market Dynamics3.1 Market Drivers3.2 Market Inhibitors3.3 Supply/Value Chain Analysis3.4 Porters Five Forces Analysis4 Global Catalytic Converter Market, By Product4.1 Introduction4.2 Two-Way Catalytic Converter4.3 Three-Way Catalytic Converter4.4 Diesel Oxidation Catalyst4.5 Others5 Global Catalytic Converter market, By Material5.1 Introduction5.2 Platinum5.3 Palladium5.4 Rhodium5.4 OthersContinueAccess Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Akash AnandMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Pain Management Devices Market grows with rising prevalence of chronic medical conditions

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Global Pain Management Devices Market: SnapshotPatients suffering from chronic medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity are highly susceptible to chronic pains and therefore, their increasing prevalence is providing tremendous momentum to the global pain management devices market. According to various scientific articles published in BioMed Central, over 20% of the adult global population suffers from chronic pain and 10% population are newly diagnosed with chronic pain each year. Changing demographics and widening pool of global geriatric population are bringing a large chunk of population under the chronic illness category. This is, thereby, augmenting the global market.Obtain Report Details:Moreover, the commercialization of advanced and innovative therapeutic products and the availability of favorable reimbursement policies are creating a staggering volume of global demand for pain management devices. However, the side effects such as surgical infection and skin erosion associated with neurostimulation implants are keeping the market from realizing its utmost potential. With all these factors put together, the global pain management devices market is estimated to reach a valuation of US$6.28 bn by 2023 from US$3.75 bn in 2016, progressing at a 7.6% CAGR between 2015 and 2023.Neurostimulation Devices to Remain Most Valuable Product Segment through 2023On the basis of product, the neurostimulation devices segment will continue to represent the lions share in the market. The rising incidence of chronic pain such as musculoskeletal and cancer pain and the commercialization of breakthrough technologies in the field of neurostimulation are driving the growth of the segment. A growing number of people with chronic pain in lower back, limbs, and legs are undergoing implantation of deep brain and spinal cord stimulation devices, which is leading to the greater uptake of effective neurostimulation devices worldwide. The high cost of these devices makes them the leading revenue contributor to the market.The analgesic infusion pumps segment, on the other hand, is poised to post a remarkable CAGR of 10.3% during the forecast period. The high effectiveness, less pain, and superior safety features of the product are making them a preferred choice for pain management.Growing Incidence of Lifestyle-related Diseases and Sports-related Injuries Fuels North Americas DominanceNorth America will continue to be the leading revenue contributor to the global market, accounting for 48.7% of the overall market. The rising prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases and the growing incidence of sports-related injuries are boosting the demand for pain management devices in the region. Moreover, the growth of the region can be attributed to the birthing of innovative technologies and the presence of advanced healthcare facilities along with the improving access to it. The rapidly growing geriatric population can also be held responsible for the dominance of the region.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report:In 2016, Europe was the second leading region. The burgeoning demand for technologically advanced products and increasing adoption of non-invasive and self-administered products are fuelling the growth of the region. However, by the end of the review period, the region is expected to lose its position to Asia Pacific.Asia Pacific will rise at a CAGR higher than any other region during the same period. The growing incidence of neck and back pain among the populace and increasing cases of diabetes and chronic wounds are propelling the growth of the region. The widening base of geriatric population, particularly in Japan and China, is also playing a vital role in the increased sales of pain management devices in the region.Some of the key players operating in the global pain management devices market are Boston Scientific Corp., St. Jude Medical, Bio-Medical Research (BMR) Ltd., Medtronic Plc, Smiths Medical, Baxter International Inc., Hospira Inc., Halyard Health, and Stryker Corp.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Automated Passenger Counting and Information System Market Global Research and Analysis 2024

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Automated Passenger Counting and Information System Market size is anticipated to grow at a fast pace, owing to growth in adoption of advanced solutions in transport industry and increasing demand for real-time transit information.Automatic passenger counting systems are the electronic machines, that count the number of passengers boarding and leaving at every stop. These have replaced schedule checkers, that were earlier used to collect passenger information manually. These systems are more cost effective than manual system and collects ridership information including departure & arrival of transportation means. Growing need for fleet optimization and increase in the demand for telematic solutions are expected to drive automated passenger counting and information system market growth over the forecast timeline.Growing urbanization and increasing technological advancements such as real-time bus location & updates are anticipated to boost the overall industry growth. Increasing government regulations to support the adoption of these systems may fuel automated passenger counting and information system market growth. Moreover, the government in countries such as U.K. and Germany are demanding ridership data from transit operators to increase safety and counter terrorism, thereby, driving automated passenger counting and information system market growth. Moreover, this technology enables fast resolution of passenger complaints and enhances transit time efficiency.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @Lack of awareness regarding the benefits of these systems is expected to hinder automated passenger counting and information system market growth. Furthermore, Absence of appropriate infrastructure availability to implement these systems may restrain the growth in the coming years. Additionally, high initial costs are anticipated to decelerate growth, particularly in price sensitive economies.The automated passenger counting and information system market is segmented on the basis of devices & components, types, technology, and mode of transport. Based on components, the industry is segmented as networking & communication devices, multimedia displays, and sensors.On the basis of type, the automated passenger counting and information system market is segmented as information announcement systems, infotainment systems, information display systems, emergency communication system, and mobile application. Advancements in technology and increasing use of smartphones is expected to drive growth of passenger information mobile applications. Mobile applications enable the passengers to view maps, access information, and easy access to station & stop layouts.Based on mode of transportations, the automated passenger counting and information system market is segmented as railways, roadways, airways, and waterways. The use of these systems in railway applications is on rise and is anticipated to drive industry growth over the future. In railways, these are installed on platforms, ticket halls, and train stations, due to their ability to provide real time information about trains, location status, delays & cancellations, emergency announcements, infotainment services, and advertisements. The real-time delivery of information to the passengers is challenging and automated passenger counting and information system market help transit operators offer better travel experience, by providing timely & accurate information.The systems are increasingly being used in bus transit systems, thus driving the automated passenger counting and information system market growth. The bus operators are keen to determine passenger travelling patterns to schedule bus and decide routes. These patterns also help them for business development and optimize operational costs.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @On the basis of technology, the automated passenger counting and information system market is segmented as stereoscopic vision, infrared, time-of-flight, treadle mats, monocular cameras, and IP cameras. The systems based on stereoscopic vision are expected to grow at high growth rate, owing to their high accuracy. This technology enables separate counting & monitoring of exit & entrance traffic, differentiate between children, adults, & luggage, and count multiple passengers entering at the same time. It can cover wide entrance areas to count commuters, with its accuracy unaffected by environmental conditions such as harsh temperatures and varying lighting. The infrared technology-based systems are simple to install, low cost, have minimal maintenance requirement, and preferred by customers contributing to automated passenger counting and information system market growth.Growing urbanization and rising economy is expected to boost automated passenger counting and information system market in Asia Pacific region. Countries in Asia Pacific are undergoing rapid infrastructure transformation in transportation sector. Increasing adoption of these systems in public transport to fulfill the demand of huge population is projected to augment the industry growth in the region.Governments of India, Australia, and China are increasingly spending significant amounts to implement these systems in public transport. Growing number of transport projects in China is expected to fuel automated passenger counting and information system market growth. To ensure timely, safe, and reliable service, the systems are gaining consumer attention, thus propelling market growth across region.Some of the major automated passenger counting and information system market players include Iris GmbH, Trapeze Group, HELLA Aglaia Mobile Vision GmbH, Syncromatics Corp., Eurotech S.p.A., DILAX Intelcom GmbH, Retail Sensing Ltd., Infodev Electronic Designers International Inc., Huawei Technology Co. Ltd., Cisco Systems, Inc., Clever Devices Ltd., Siemens AG, INIT innovation in traffic systems AG, and Hitachi, Ltd.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:Connect with us: Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter
Artificial Retina Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2016-2024

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Artificial retina market is a major breakthrough in medical devices industry, wherein many universities and leading medical devices companies are conducting research to offer vision to over 285 million visually impaired population worldwArtificial Retina Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2016-2024ide. These devices are mainly nanorod carbon nanotube biomimetic films along with accessory devices such as transmitter and video processing unit (VPU). As such progressive development towards artificial retina is expected to create high ROI for engaged in early development of the product. A lot of players in the artificial retina market are making major investments in R&D activities related to the same. These devices are expected to cater to various visual impaired conditions ranging from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to retinispigmentosa (RP). As per independent estimates, in 2016, there were over 100,000 people suffering from RP in the U.S. Advent of this novel technology could unlock the market opportunities for players. A major breakthrough in this regard was in 2013, when the U.S. FDA approved Argus II Retinal Prosthesis Systemthe first implanted device to treat population with RP. The market for such revolutionary products is expected to be shaped by various regulatory norms worldwide.Request Sample of Artificial Retina Market:Artificial Retina Market DynamicsProduct innovation is a key artificial retina market trend. The ophthalmic industry has become more competitive over the last few years. Established ophthalmic product categories have become more mature, in turn offering low level of market opportunity for players. Most companies are emphasizing on price level strategy in order to enhance their business presence worldwide. However, the pricing trend could potentially benefit the company on a shorter scale during the forecast period. Most major players stand to gain from investing in R&D activities to capitalize on long-term lucrative opportunities due to patent products and innovative technologies. In recent times, the artificial retina market has also witnessed the emergence of various startups especially in the high growth markets for U.S. and Israel. Artificial retina would create value-oriented customers in near future for these manufacturers.Increasing prevalence of visually impaired population coupled with growing healthcare expenditure across developed and developing countries alike is expected to drive growth of the eye care market in the near future. As per the statistics released by the U.S. government, the healthcare sector is expected to contribute around 20% towards the overall GDP. Moreover, there has been increase in healthcare spending owing to implementation of Medicare and Obamacare in the country. A similar trend is observed in Europe, albeit at a relatively slower pace.The artificial retina market is expected to be further driven by joint collaboration of medical device companies with government initiated project. For instance, DOE Artificial Retina Project is one such initiative by the U.S. government to develop artificial retinas for visually impaired population. Though the industry is expected to witness exponential growth, cumbersome regulatory process coupled with patent related issues, and high R&D expenditure could slow down overall growth over the following few years. Companies need to evaluate their business models and economic concerns before planning to enter/expand in the market.Check The Trending Report of Artificial Retina MarketArtificial Retina Market Regional AnalysisNorth America and Europe are expected to dominate the overall artificial retina market throughout the forecast period (20162024). This is primarily attributed to robust healthcare infrastructure and high spending on healthcare R&D in these regions. The healthcare industry in North America is undergoing major transformation following the implementation of various healthcare reforms. Moreover, the region is home to over 10 million visually impaired population seeking effective treatment. Every year, 50 thousand people go blind in North America. Advancements in development of artificial retina is projected to create lucrative growth opportunities for market players in the region. Most of the countries in Europe and North America have healthcare spending of over 10% of overall GDP.Asia Pacific is projected to emerge as the next big market for industry players. The region is home to over 55% of the global visually impaired population. The rate of RP is highest in Asia Pacific compared to other regions. However, the artificial retina market in the region is projected to grow at relatively slower pace through the forecast period. The region is expected to be primarily driven by high demand in Japan, followed by China and India, respectively.Some of the key players in the global artificial retina market are Nano-Retina, Second Sights, and Optobionics.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact UsMr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comWebsite:Visit Blog :
Internet of Things Market Share & Forecast, 2017  2024

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Internet of Things Market size will witness a significant growth, owing to increasing applications of cloud computing and big data in IT structure by organizations in the forecast period. Rising demand for software solutions, platforms, services and application domains will add to internet of things market in forecast time frame. Predictive analytical tools to manage the data generated from machines and evaluation of the results to improve the decision making are the major driving factors for internet of things market growth.Rising demand of the apps and solutions will propel the growth for internet of things market in forecast time frame. Industry focus on innovative technologies providing real time data to improve performance and optimize operations are anticipated to increase substantially which will add to internet of things market size. Increasing demand for sensor based information and analytically rich data sets are most key factor responsible for driving product growth in forecast period.Request for an in-depth table of contents for this report @Asia Pacific lead by China and Japan is anticipated to witness significant growth for internet of things market in forecast period owing to increasing spending in network infrastructure by organizations to enhance their productivity. Rising manufacturing sector in the region will further support the IOT growth. Manufacturing sector is one of the largest end user of IOT technologies. Increasing demand to track and manage inventories will supplement the rising internet of things market size. Fleet management in transportation sector will propel the demand for IOT technologies. In emerging countries mainly India, government initiative to develop strong IOT infrastructure will propel the internet of things market size.U.S. is projected to provide various growth opportunities for the product owing to surge in advanced robotics and cloud technology over forecast period. The region will lead to surge in IOT technologies due to advancement in machine to machine communication. At the same time, surge in demand for security and surveillance applications in government inventory will propel the product demand in forecast period. Strong presence of large number of service providers in the region will boost the IOT market size.Make an inquiry for buying this report @Europe will continue to witness substantial growth owing to several government initiatives to promote IOT technologies in the region. European commission launched Alliance for Internet of Things Innovation to support the creation of an innovative industry and implementing new business models. Government intends to work closely with all technology providers towards the establishment of a competitive IOT structure. The recently proposed "European data economy" initiative will also add to internet of things market size in forecast period.Some of the key companies are Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, AT&T, Qualcomm. Other prominent players are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Apple, ARM Holdings, Digi International, Atmel, Atos, Bosch Software Innovations, Broadcom, CTS, Dell, Echelon, Ericsson, Accenture, Freescale Google, Semiconductor, GE, Hitachi, HP, IBM, Huawei Technologies and Infosys. Established IOT players are competing to gain a major share and increase their customer base. Organizations worldwide are investing heavily to develop innovative IOT technologies to gain competitive advantage.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:Connect with us: Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter
Computer Forensic Technologies and Services Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2016-2024

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After a period of sustained slowdown in forensic market, digital disruption has reshaped the computer forensic technology. The industry witnessed impressive growth over the last five years. Latent print analysis, chemical analysis, trace evidence analysis, explosive analysis, questioned document examinations (QDE) and tool market identification are some of the examples of forensic analysis. Furthermore, government contracts along with transparency in process execution have boosted the computer forensic technologies market.Rise in crime is expected to spur the demand for computer forensic technologies and services market worldwideRise in crime activities globally will stimulate the need of computer forensic technologies and services hence augment the market growth. According to World Health Organization (WHO) each year, 250 thousands homicides occur and are projected to increase mainly in MEA and Asia Pacific region. In addition, innovative services and technological advanced forensic equipment offered by key players has increased the usage of these equipment and services by forensic laboratories which is expected to drive the market growth. For instance, cartridge and bone fragments are gaining prominence over other traditional means of forensics. Moreover, companies such as Computer Forensic Services (CFS) and eDirect Impact offer line of integrated services ranging from data recovery, to forensic imaging which would further stimulate the use of these services hence drives the market growth. However, regulatory compliances along with complexity in initial setup are key concern to industry.Request Sample of Computer Forensic Technologies and Services Market:Market Taxonomy:Coherent Market Insights has segmented the industry by (Products, Services)The market of computer forensic technologies and services is segmented on the basis of By Products(DNA Testing ,Biometric Testing ,Ballistic Forensic ,Digital and Computer Forensic ,Others)By Service(Laboratory Forensic,Forensic Consulting,Others)North America leads the forensic technologies and services market with over 800 thousand reported crime rateGeographically, North America represents the largest market of computer forensic technologies and services. U.S. is expected to account for over 90% of the regional market followed by Canada. The growth of this market is mainly attributed to advancement in technologies coupled with rising need for forensic technologies and services in North America. Efforts of domiciled key companies to offer novel products further stimulate the use of forensic technologies and services. For example, in January 2015, Illumina, Inc. announced the expansion of its comprehensive next generation sequencing portfolio with the introduction of HiSeq 3000/4000 Systems and HiSeq X Five System. These systems offer cost effective option for high throughput laboratories to establish production scale sequencing. Thus, introduction of cost effective and innovative forensic systems in this region will fuel the utilization of forensic technologies and services market. Europe is the next largest market for computer forensic technologies and services. The region is characterized by industry mergers and acquisition For instance, in June 2011, IntegenX, Inc. partnered with Key Forensics Sciences Ltd. (KFS). The move allows KFS to access IntegenXs RapidHIT 200 Early Access Program. This in turn has enabled KFS to expand companys forensic services across United Kingdom. In addition, Asia-Pacific is the emerging markets and holds immense growth opportunities for computer forensic technologies and services. Key initiatives by government towards healthcare infrastructure and control over crime related activities is expected to boost overall computer forensic technologies and services market in Asia-Pacific regions.Some of the key companies that provide computer forensic technologies and services include Agilent Technologies, Inc., Creative Forensic Services, eDirect Impact, LLC, Capsicum Group LLC, Computer Forensic, Inc., Illumina, Inc., BAE Systems plc, and others.Check The Trending Report of Computer Forensic Technologies and Services Market:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact UsMr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comWebsite:Visit Blog :
MEA Parenteral Nutrition Market Is Anticipated To Reach $377.2 Million By 2025: Grand View Research, Inc.

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The MEA parenteral nutrition market is expected to reach USD 377.1 million by 2025 according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The MEA parenteral nutrition market is expected to witness lucrative growth over the forecast period owing to various parameters such as presence of large pool of malnourished children, rising premature births, increasing adoption by healthcare settings for nutrient administration in chronically ill geriatric patients, and rising prevalence rate of cancer within the region.Increasing prevalence of chronic conditions such as cancer unswervingly influences the use of parenteral nutrition across the globe. Parenteral nutrition helps in the administration of key vital nutrients that are useful in maintaining strength, energy, and hydration level in cancer patients, thus, acting a vital impact rendering driver expected to surge market growth over the forecast period.Similarly, predominant existence of malnourished children and premature neonates that require these nutrients, is expected to further propel the growth. According to statistics published by the Knoema, a public data platform, the prevalence of the malnutrition in Middle East and North Africa in 2013 was around 6.04%, however, it has witnessed a decline over the period of time.Browse full research report on MEA Parenteral Nutrition Market: (Further Key Findings From the Study Suggest: Single dose amino acid solutions held a dominant share in 2016. This dominance is governed by the influx of innovative products. In addition, these innovative formulations are more efficient and cause lesser adverse effects. Intravenous lipid emulsions are anticipated to witness lucrative growth over the forecast period. Drug delivery through lipid emulsion is expected to showcase promising results as it results in minimal adverse effects such as irritation, pain, and thrombophlebitis. Bags dominated the Middle East parenteral nutrition market with more than 67.00% share in 2016. These packaging materials are easy to handle, transport, and are cost-efficient. Vials are used for smaller concentration dose, often in hospital compounding. Increasing focus on customized treatment is likely to boost the usage of vials. Saudi Arabia held largest share in MEA parenteral nutrition market in 2016. However, countries such as Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon, and Jordan are anticipated to gain remunerative share over the forecast period. Key market players of the MEA parenteral nutrition industry are B. Braun Melsungen AG; Baxter; Fresenius Kabi AG; Hospira Inc.; Qatar Pharma Factory; Pharmaceutical Solutions Industry; Kuwait Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries Co.; Alfa Laboratories; and Well Pharma.Grand View Research has segmented the MEA parenteral nutrition market by nutrient type, dosage form, and region:MEA Parenteral Nutrition Nutrient Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Carbohydrate Parenteral Lipid Emulsions Single Dose Amino Acid Solutions Trace Elements Vitamins and MineralsMEA Parenteral Nutrition Dosage Form Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Vials Ampoules Bottles Bags Multi chambered bags Other bagsMEA Parenteral Nutrition Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Saudi Arabia Qatar Kuwait UAE Oman Egypt Lebanon JordanFor more information:About Grand View ResearchGrand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.Press ContactSherry James - Corporate Relations Specialist28 2nd Street, Suite 3036San Francisco, CA 94105United StatesPhone: 1-415-349-0058Email: sales@grandviewresearch.com
Global 2-Dodecanol Market Research Report Forecast 2017-2021

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The report, titled Global 2-Dodecanol Market 2017 is a methodical research study based on the 2-Dodecanol market, analyzing the competitive framework of the industry in the world. Using efficient analytical tools such as SWOT analysis and Porters five forces analysis, the report provides a comprehensive assessment of the 2-Dodecanol market.The report estimates the market size in terms of volume (kilo tons) and revenue (US$) produced, whereas, the key segments and the geographical subdivision of the 2-Dodecanol market are also analyzed in detail. The market drivers, limitations, and growth prospects of each segment are discussed in this report and, based on that, analysts have determined the future of the market for 2-Dodecanol in the global arena.Get full report with TOC @The report covers each aspect of the market for 2-Dodecanol in globally, starting from the basic information about the market and advancing to the various criteria on the basis of which the market is classified. The major applications of the 2-Dodecanol market are also discussed in the report.The report studies the 2-Dodecanol market by evaluating the market chain, prevalent policies, and regulations as well as the manufacturers, their manufacturing chain, cost structures, and contribution in the industry. The regional markets for the global 2-Dodecanol market are examined by analyzing the pricing of products in the region compared to the profit generated. The production capacity, demand and supply, logistics, and the historical performance of the market in the given region is also evaluated in this market report.Get Free sample report @The report is arranged to provide an overview of the 2-Dodecanol market by product, company and geography. Forecasts are broken down by geographic region or by country. The worldwide market is analyzed and data provided for each disease sub-segment.The report determines the leading players in the global market. The company profiles of the major participants operating in the global 2-Dodecanol market have been reviewed in this study.Market Research Store is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations.Contact UsJoel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651Email: sales@marketresearchstore.com
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MGX Minerals Inc. (MGX or the Company) (CSE:XMG) (FKT:1MG) (OTC:MGXMF) is pleased to report the Company has received an independent engineering report from SigmaCubed Engineering detailing projected production rates for barrels of water per day (BWPD) for its Lisbon Valley, Utah Petrolithium() project. The proprietary engineering report examines various wellbore configurations designed to optimize oil, gas and brine production from traditional well drilling scenarios including vertical and 1500, 3000 and 5000 leg horizontal wells. The report also analyzes numerous simulations outlining a range of permeabilities, porosities and reservoir heights (net pay). Other variables, such as water/oil ratio were also assessed to determine potential effects on deliverability of petrolithium() oil, gas and brines.



Reservoir Study Underway

The Company has engaged the Ryder Scott Company (Ryder Scott) to prepare an independent resource evaluation for oil, gas and water at the Companys Lisbon Valley, Utah Petrolithium() project. Ryder Scott is an internationally recognized oil and gas consulting firm based in Houston, Texas that specializes in providing independent evaluation of petroleum reserves. MGX expects to receive a final report in approximately 30 days.

Paradox Basin and Lisbon Valley Oilfield

MGX controls 110,000 acres of oil and gas leases that are currently being unitized and approximately 118,000 acres of largely overlying mineral claims within the Paradox Basin and located proximate to the Lisbon Valley oilfield 40 miles southeast of Moab, Utah. Brine content within the Lisbon oilfield have been historically reported as high as 730 ppm lithium (Superior Oil 88-21P). The Paradox Basin has been noted by the USGS as having one of the largest undeveloped oil and gas fields in the United States (Assessment of Oil and Gas Resources in the Paradox Basin Province; USGS; 2011; https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2012/3031/FS12-3031.pdf).

According to production statistics, as reported by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Oil, Gas and Mining Division, cumulative lifetime production within Lisbon Valley oilfield has totaled 51.4 million barrels of oil as of February 2017 (Oil Production by Field, Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil, Gas and Mining; February 2017; http://oilgas.ogm.utah.gov/Statistics/PROD_Oil_field.cfm).

Lithium Extraction

MGX is currently manufacturing small commercial plants of 750 BWPD for the rapid extraction of lithium and other valuable minerals from brine. This cleantech process separates minerals, heavy metals and hydrocarbons from wastewater brine pumped to the surface during traditional oil and gas operations. In April, the Company received third party verification of its rapid lithium extraction process from the Saskatchewan Resources Council (see press release dated April 20, 2017).

Qualified Person

The technical portions of this press release were prepared and reviewed by Andris Kikauka (P. Geo.), Vice President of Exploration for MGX Minerals. Mr. Kikauka is a non-independent Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument (N.I.) 43-101 Standards.

About MGX Minerals

MGX Minerals is a diversified Canadian resource company with interests in petrolithium, magnesium and silicon assets throughout North America. Learn more at www.mgxminerals.com.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements including the completion of the rights offering (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "potentially" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors. The reader is referred to the Company's public filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects which may be accessed through the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Interposer Market Outlook 2022 Top Companies - Murata, Tezzaron, Xilinx, AGC Electronics, TSMC, UMC, Plan Optik AG, Amko

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Interposer Industry Market Research Report was a professional and depth research report on Interposer industry that you would know the world's major regional market conditions of Interposer industry, the main region including North American, Europe and Asia etc, and the main country including USA, EU, China, South East Asia, India, Japan and etc.Interposer Market :An interposer is an electrical interface routing between one socket or connection to another. The purpose of an interposer is to spread a connection to a wider pitch or to reroute a connection to a different connection.Request a sample copy of Interposer Market Research Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Interposer in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers Murata, Tezzaron, Xilinx, AGC Electronics, TSMC, UMC, Plan Optik AG, Amkor, IMT, ALLVIA Inc.Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers North America (USA, Canada and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.), Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, covers 2D Interposer, 2.5D Interposer, 3D InterposerMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into CIS, CPU/GPU, MEMS 3D Capping Interposer, RF Devices (IPD, Filtering), Logic SoC (APE, BB/APE), ASIC/FPGA, High Power LED (3D Silicon Substrate)Enquire about Interposer Market Research Report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Interposer market.Chapter 1, to describe Interposer Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force; Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Interposer, with sales, revenue, and price of Interposer, in 2016 and 2017; Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Interposer, for each region, from 2012 to 2017; Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions; Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Interposer market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022; Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Interposer sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceFor more information About Interposer Market Research Report Please Visit @Related Reports: -Global Carbon Monoxide Alarms Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022Carbon monoxide Alarms is a device that detects the presence of the carbon monoxide (CO) gas in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. CO alarms monitor airborne concentration levels of CO over t...About Us:Centralize market research purchases across your entire organization in one place. MarketSizeForecasters.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:News:
Global Rearview Mirror Industry 2017-2022 Market Research Report | Now Available at Fior Markets

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The Rearview Mirror Market 2017 Report offers detailed analysis of the Rearview Mirror market over the last five years, and provides extensive market forecasts by region/country and sub sector. It covers the key technological and market trends in the Rearview Mirror market. It further lays out an analysis of the factors influencing the supply/demand for Rearview Mirror, and the opportunities/challenges faced by industry participants. It also acts as an essential tool to companies active across the value chain and to the new entrants by enabling them to capitalize the opportunities and develop business strategies.In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following:Market overview: detailed analysis of the whole value chain (upstream & downstream), insights into technological developments, and an extensive analysis of costs analysis from the aspects of raw materials, labor costs and etc.Market size and driving factors: comprehensive analysis of the global Rearview Mirror market during the 2012-2022 period, including market volume & value, growth and development trends, demand drivers and stimulators for Rearview Mirror. It also provides an insight on the spending pattern and application pattern in different regions around the world.Competitive landscape analysis: exhaustive analysis of top players on the market performances (sales and market position), strengths & weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It also provides the current consolidation trends in the industry and the challenges faced by industry participants.Request For Sample Report @Worldwide supply/demand pattern: analysis of the key markets in each region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa), providing an analysis of the top segments of Rearview Mirror expected to be in demand.Tends forecast: analysis of regional demand and growth trends, all the numbers, both - sales & volume, at each level of the detail are estimated till 2022, to give a glimpse of the potential market size in terms of value in this market.About Fior MarketsFior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Contact UsMark StoneSales Manager2566, Lincoln StreetPrinceton,New Jersey 08540USAPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Global Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence Market to grow at a CAGR of 10.11% durinng 2017-2021 - A software analyzes real-time manufacturing-related data

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ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " Global Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence Market 2017-2021 " features Key Market Players, Market Challenges, Market Drivers and Market Trends.Enterprise manufacturing intelligence (EMI) is defined as a software that brings an organization's real-time manufacturing-related data together and performs functions such as aggregating, contextualizing, analyzing, visualizing, and propagating the data to form a visual summary.The global enterprise manufacturing intelligence market to grow at a CAGR of 10.11% during the period 2017-2021. The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global enterprise manufacturing intelligence market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the new installations/sales/value and retrofit.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:- Americas- APAC- EMEAGet a Sample Research PDF with TOC:Technavio's report, Global Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors- ABB- Aegis Limited- Oracle- Parsec Automation- SAPOther prominent vendors- Rockwell Automation- Invensys (Schneider Electric)- Epicor Software Corporation- GE- QiSOFTMarket driver- Need for enhanced decision-making systems- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge- Lack of skilled workforce- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend- Growing demand for integrated solutions on a unified platform- For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report- What will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?- What are the key market trends?- What is driving this market?- What are the challenges to market growth?- Who are the key vendors in this market space?- What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?About UsResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:
Global Biostimulants Market expand at a CAGR of 11% through 2025

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Demand for biostimulants is expected to surpass US$ 4 billion in revenues, according to a new research report by Future Market Insights (FMI). The report titled, Biostimulants Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015-2025 forecasts the demand for biostimulants to expand at a CAGR of nearly 11% through 2025.Biostimulants are finding increasing application in the agriculture sector owing to their environmentally-friendly and organic nature. Rising food demand is putting pressure on land and focus has shifted to enhancing the yield per hectare.Governments around the world are speeding up efforts to boost agricultural production. Use of biostimulants is being encouraged to improve the overall output, and this is expected to fuel demand in the near future, said the FMI analyst who compiled the report.Ask For Report Sample @Although FMI expects the demand for biostimulants to expand at a robust pace during the forecast period 2015-2025, certain factors can impede growth. Lack of standardisation and slow pace of innovation are the key restraining factors for the global biostimulants market.Foliar Dominant Application Segment for BiostimulantsBiostimulants are used in foliar, seed, and soil; among these, use of biostimulants is highest in the foliar segment, accounting for nearly one-third market share in 2014. On the basis of crop type, use of biostimulants is predominant in row crops, and fruits and vegetables. Application of biostimulants in turf and ornamental is at a nascent stage currently. FMI forecasts the turf and ornamental segment to expand at a CAGR of over 6% during 2015-2025.Strong Demand for Acid-Based BiostimulantsDemand for acid-based biostimulants is higher than acid-based- and extract-based biostimulants, owing to easy availability of raw materials and higher efficiency. Biostimulants containing Vitamin B, chitin and chitosan are expected to gain traction during the forecast period.Ask For More Information @Western Europe Most Lucrative MarketWestern Europe is the largest market for biostimulants, accounting for over 30% market value share in 2014. Focus on enhancing yield per hectare coupled with government support are the key factors propelling the growth of the market in the region.Asia Pacific Excluding Japan is emerging as a lucrative market for biostimulants. The agriculture sector in the region is witnessing a shift from traditional farming practices to use of technology and additives, owing to which biostimulants are expected to gain traction in the next decade.Acadian Seaplants Limited, Biostadt India Limited, Omex Agrifluids Ltd., Italpollina Spa, Koppert B.V., BioAtlantis Ltd., Micromix Plant Health Limited, Trade Corporation International, Valagro S.p.A, Isagro S.p.A, Platform Specialty Products Corporation, BASF SE, Novozymes A/S, Agrinos A/S and The Dow Chemical Company.Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.compress@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Bio Polymers Market share, Trend, Competitor Strategy, Segmentation and Forecast to 2023

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Bio polymers is expected to witness a significant growth of USD ~ 6.37 billion by 2023 with CAGR of ~12.05 % between 2016 and 2023Market HighlightThe global bio polymers market has been segmented into types, application and end use industries. On the basis of types, the global bio polymers market is segmented into bio- polyethylene (PE), bio- polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly lactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), biodegradable polyesters, and others (regenerated cellulose, starch blends). Among all poly lactic acid bio polymer segment is one of the fastest growing segments in the global biopolymers market and will continue to lead the market over the forecasted period. Furthermore, poly lactic acid bio polymers are water-resistant and decompose within three weeks when subjected to the industrial composting process. Therefore, poly lactic acid bio polymers finds widespread applications in domestic and various end user industry such as, packaging sector, injection molding, film and sheet casting. The increased demand from the bottling and packaging industries is expected to boost the market for poly lactic acid bio polymers in the global biopolymers market.Request for Sample Report@Key Player BASF SE (Europe) Braskem S.A (UK) Biome Technologies plc (UK) Plantic Technologies Limited (Austrelia) Bio-on S.p.A. (Europe) Novamont S.P.A (Europe) Toray Industries Inc (Japan) Tianjin GreenBio Materials Co., Ltd (Japan) Danimer Scientific (US) Rodenburg Biopolymers (US)Regional AnalysisAsia Pacific is the largest market of bio polymers in terms of production especially in China region. The Second largest market in terms of production is Europe followed by North America. In terms of consumption global bio polymers market is led by Europe region due to demand in various applications such as packaging and pharmaceutical industry. Second position is held by APAC region and the third largest market of bio polymers is North America. Latin America and Middle East also witnessed in growth of bio polymers market due to various application such as films, bottles, bottles, fibers, seed coating, vehicle components, medical implants, and others.SegmentationThe global bio polymers market is majorly segmented on the basis of types, application, end users and region. Based on types bio polymers the market is segmented into bio- polyethylene (PE), bio- polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly lactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), biodegradable polyesters, and others (regenerated cellulose, starch blends). Based on application of bio polymers the market is segmented into films, bottles, bottles, fibers, seed coating, vehicle components, medical implants, and others (printed circuit boards, audio devices, fuel and exhaust system). Based on end user the market segmented into packaging, agriculture, automotive, pharmaceutical, construction, and others (electronics, personal care, sports), and based on region market is segmented into North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, Middle East & Africa.Browse Full B-P Market Report @Geographic AnalysisThe report covers brief analysis of geographical region such as:North America US CanadaEurope Germany France Italy Netherlands U.K. Rest of EuropeAPAC China India Japan Rest of Asia-PacificRoW South America Middle East AfricaAbout Market Research FutureAt Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Market Research Future Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune - 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312
Global Flame Retardant Fabric Market 2017: Regional Analysis and Projections to 2022

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eMarketOrg adds Global Flame Retardant Fabric Market Research Report 2017 in its Research Report Library.For this report, the Flame Retardant Fabric market value is provided for 2016 in USD millions, an expected CAGR % as well as USD million worth of industry in 2022. Regionally, the globe is segmented into United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia and India to study their market size and local analysis. End user applications of Flame Retardant Fabric market covering Clothing, Home Textiles, Public Utility and Others are studied in this research. Share of Flame Retardant Fabric market is covered by applications as well supported with potential applications in the future.Buy the complete Flame Retardant Fabric report with Comprehensive table of contents @An extensive analysis methodology is involved for this Flame Retardant Fabric research report. The research methodology used to estimate and forecast the Flame Retardant Fabric market involves a primary and a secondary research. A systematic procedure has been used to arrive at the global size of the Flame Retardant Fabric market and present revenue of key players in the market. Accurate data has been collected by conducting extensive interviews with people holding key decision making positions in the industry such as CEOs, VPs, directors, and executives.Inquire for discount for this report @Industry chain analysis covering upstream raw materials and equipments of Flame Retardant Fabric market, their suppliers' information as well as analysis of downstream major consumers for Flame Retardant Fabric is provided to understand the complete industry chain structure. Overall market analyzed in this report is divided by regions, types and manufacturers/companies. The research estimates 2017-2022 Flame Retardant Fabric market development trends covering capacity, production and revenue forecasts as well as regional supply consumption forecasts. Towards the end, this report includes a feasibility analysis of New Project Investment covering SWOT analysis of Flame Retardant Fabric OR marketing strategy analysis and market effect factor analysis. Overall, the report provides factual insights collected and analyzed with detailed primary and secondary research on Flame Retardant Fabric market.The research compiles profiles of small and big Flame Retardant Fabric market companies covering their product details as well as important statistics on production, capacity, price and more. These active companies' numbers are supported with information on marketing traders and/or distributors of the Flame Retardant Fabric industry along with their contact information. This data gives valuable industry insights and direction to individuals and/or companies that are new entrants, eyeing to enter or grow in the Flame Retardant Fabric market. Some of the Key vendors profiled in this research include: Milliken, Tencate, Dupont, Mount Vernon, SSM Industries, Carrington, Klopman, Trevira, Gore, Safety Components, Delcotex, ITI, Marina Textil, Arvind and Waubridge Specialty FabricsPartial list of Tables and Figures for this report include:Figure North America Flame Retardant Fabric Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Europe Flame Retardant Fabric Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure China Flame Retardant Fabric Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Japan Flame Retardant Fabric Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Southeast Asia Flame Retardant Fabric Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure India Flame Retardant Fabric Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Global Flame Retardant Fabric Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Global Flame Retardant Fabric Capacity, Production (K Units) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Global Flame Retardant Fabric Major Players Product Capacity (K Units) (2012-2017)Table Global Flame Retardant Fabric Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table Global Flame Retardant Fabric Capacity Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Figure Global Flame Retardant Fabric Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers in 2016Figure Global Flame Retardant Fabric Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers in 2017Figure Global Flame Retardant Fabric Major Players Product Production (K Units) (2012-2017)Table Global Flame Retardant Fabric Production (K Units) of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)Table Global Flame Retardant Fabric Production Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Contact Details:Ronald Aldensales@emarketorg.cominfo@emarketorg.comAbout Us:eMarketOrg.com aims to provide businesses and organizations market intelligence products and services that help in making smart, instant and crucial decisions. Our database offers access to insights from industry leaders, experts and influencers on global and regional sectors, market trends, user behaviour, for companies as well as products. With data and information from reputable and trusted private and public sources, our clients are never short of statistics and analysis that are up to date.F/3, 4A Bharat Pushpa Apt.,Subhash Nagar, Shukrawar Peth,Pune  411002
Global CCD Image Sensors Market 2017 - SONY, Philips, Kodak, Matsushita, Fuji, Sharp

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The CCD Image Sensors Market 2017 examines the performance of the CCD Image Sensors market, enclosing an in-depth judgment of the CCD Image Sensors market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of CCD Image Sensors market in the present as well as the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global CCD Image Sensors Market 2017 report includes CCD Image Sensors industry volume, market Share, market Trends, CCD Image Sensors Growth aspects, a wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis, manufacturing capacity, CCD Image Sensors Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global CCD Image Sensors Market 2017:1 SONY2 Philips3 Kodak4 Matsushita5 Fuji6 Sharp7 Nikon8 Spectral Instruments9 Micron10 Dalsa11 OmniVisionCCD Image Sensors Market Analysis: By ProductLine CCDInterline CCDFull-Frame CCDFrame-Transfer CCDCCD Image Sensors Market Analysis: By ApplicationCamerasMedical Imaging SystemsScannersOtherAt the beginning, the report covers the top CCD Image Sensors manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on topographical regions.Further, the CCD Image Sensors report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of CCD Image Sensors industry, CCD Image Sensors industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. CCD Image Sensors Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.To Buy Complete Report Click Here:The CCD Image Sensors research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the CCD Image Sensors market revenue worldwide.Finally, CCD Image Sensors market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.James JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4, Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns, Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041Maharashtra, IndiaTel: +1(857)2390696Web:Email: inquiry@market.bizBrowse Market Research Reports-Latest Reports-
Global Cefprozil Market 2017 - Apotex, Alkem, Aurobindo Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb

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The Cefprozil Market 2017 examines the performance of the Cefprozil market, enclosing an in-depth judgment of the Cefprozil market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Cefprozil market in the present as well as the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Cefprozil Market 2017 report includes Cefprozil industry volume, market Share, market Trends, Cefprozil Growth aspects, a wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis, manufacturing capacity, Cefprozil Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Cefprozil Market 2017:1 Apotex2 Alkem3 Aurobindo Pharma4 Bristol-Myers Squibb5 Dispensing Solutions6 GSK7 Corden Pharma8 Covalent9 Greenstone10 Howard Beach11 Orchid12 Taj Pharma13 Dhanuka14 Lupin15 Covalent16 TEVA GROUP17 Hetero Drugs18 Qilu Antibiotics19 Dongying Pharma20 Union Chempharma21 Huafangpharm22 TopfondCefprozil Market Analysis: By ProductOral SolutionCapsuleTabletSuspension FormulationsCefprozil Market Analysis: By ApplicationMedical industryotherAt the beginning, the report covers the top Cefprozil manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on topographical regions.Further, the Cefprozil report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Cefprozil industry, Cefprozil industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Cefprozil Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.To Buy Complete Report Click Here:The Cefprozil research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Cefprozil market revenue worldwide.Finally, Cefprozil market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.James JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4, Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns, Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041Maharashtra, IndiaTel: +1(857)2390696Web:Email: inquiry@market.bizBrowse Market Research Reports-Latest Reports-
Global Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022

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This report studies the global Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology market, analyzes and researches the Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeTakeda Pharmaceuticals InternationalUnither PharmaceuticalsBrevetti AngelaUnipharmaRommelag Kunststoff-Maschinen VertriebsgesellschaftHorizon PharmaceuticalsWeiler EngineeringNephron Pharmaceuticals CorporationMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaRequest more information atMarket segment by Type, Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology can be split intoPE (Polyethylene)LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)PP (Polypropylene)Others (EVOH (Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol, etc.)Market segment by Application, Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology can be split intoPharmaceuticalFood & BeverageCosmetic & Personal CareOthersIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.View full report atTable of ContentsGlobal Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology1.1 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Overview1.1.1 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market by Type1.3.1 PE (Polyethylene)1.3.2 LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)1.3.3 HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)1.3.4 PP (Polypropylene)1.3.5 Others (EVOH (Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol, etc.)1.4 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Pharmaceutical1.4.2 Food & Beverage1.4.3 Cosmetic & Personal Care1.4.4 Others2 Global Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Takeda Pharmaceuticals International3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Unither Pharmaceuticals3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Brevetti Angela3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Unipharma3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Rommelag Kunststoff-Maschinen Vertriebsgesellschaft3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Horizon Pharmaceuticals3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Weiler Engineering3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments4 Global Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology5 United States Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)6 EU Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)7 Japan Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size (2012-2017)7.2 Japan Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)8 China Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Development Status and Outlook8.1 China Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size (2012-2017)8.2 China Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)9 India Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Development Status and Outlook9.1 India Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size (2012-2017)9.2 India Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)10 Southeast Asia Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Development Status and Outlook10.1 Southeast Asia Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size (2012-2017)10.2 Southeast Asia Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2017-2022)11.1 Global Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size (Value) by Regions (2017-2022)11.1.1 United States Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.2 EU Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.3 Japan Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.4 China Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.5 India Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.6 Southeast Asia Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.2 Global Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size (Value) by Type (2017-2022)11.3 Global Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Size by Application (2017-2022)12 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Dynamics12.1 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Opportunities12.2 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Challenge and Risk12.2.1 Competition from Opponents12.2.2 Downside Risks of Economy12.3 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Constraints and Threat12.3.1 Threat from Substitute12.3.2 Government Policy12.3.3 Technology Risks12.4 Blow Fill Seal (BFS) Technology Market Driving Force12.4.1 Growing Demand from Emerging Markets12.4.2 Potential Application13 Market Effect Factors Analysis13.1 Technology Progress/Risk13.1.1 Substitutes13.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry13.2 Consumer Needs Trend/Customer Preference13.3 External Environmental Change13.3.1 Economic Fluctuations13.3.2 Other Risk Factors14 Research Finding/Conclusion15 AppendixTo Purchase this premium Report With Complete TOC atAbout Us:Global QYResearch () is the one spot destination for all your research needs. Global QYResearch holds the repository of quality research reports from numerous publishers across the globe. Our inventory of research reports caters to various industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. With the complete information about the publishers and the industries they cater to for developing market research reports, we help our clients in making purchase decision by understanding their requirements and suggesting best possible collection matching their needs.Contact Us:Unit1, 26 Cleveland Road, South Woodford, London, E182AN, United KingdomContact: +44 20 32392407Email: sales@globalqyresearch.comFollow us:Twitter:
GSM Module Industry Worldwide Growth and Development 2017

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ReportsWeb.com added Global GSM Module Market Research Report 2017 to its vast collection of research Database. The report is spread across 103 pages and supported by 8 company leaders.The Global GSM Module Market Research Report 2017 is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the GSM Module Market. This report studies GSM Module in Global market, especially United States, EU, China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer covering top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering Huawei Technologies, Siemens, Sagem, Telit Communications, Wavecom, Quectel, Simcom and BenQ.Request a Sample copy of this research @Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share and growth rate of GSM Module in these regions, from 2017 to 2022 (forecast), like United States, EU, China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Firstly, GSM Module Market On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into GPRS Module, EDGE Module, 3G Module and Pure SMS Module. On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales) , market share and growth rate of GSM Module for each application, including Consumer Electronics, Automative, Power Systems, Surveillance System and Other.View more details about this report @Few points from Table of Contents1 GSM Module Market Overview2 Global GSM Module Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global GSM Module Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)4 Global GSM Module Supply (Production) , Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global GSM Module Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 United States GSM Module Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 EU GSM Module Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China GSM Module Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan GSM Module Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 South Korea GSM Module Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 Taiwan GSM Module Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)5 Global GSM Module Production, Revenue (Value) , Price Trend by Type5.1 Global GSM Module Production and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2 Global GSM Module Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.3 Global GSM Module Price by Type (2012-2017)5.4 Global GSM Module Production Growth by Type (2012-2017)6 Global GSM Module Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global GSM Module Consumption and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)6.2 Global GSM Module Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)6.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6.3.1 Potential Applications6.3.2 Emerging Markets/Countries7 Global GSM Module Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Huawei Technologies7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 GSM Module Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Huawei Technologies GSM Module Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Siemens7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 GSM Module Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Siemens GSM Module Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Sagem7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 GSM Module Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Sagem GSM Module Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview8 GSM Module Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global GSM Module Market Forecast (2017-2022)13 Research Findings and ConclusionBuy a copy of complete 103 pages report @ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Global Sodium Reduction Ingredient Market projected to register a CAGR of 11.7% by 2025

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Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the global sodium reduction ingredient market in its latest report titled, Sodium Reduction Ingredient Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2015  2025. In terms of value, the global sodium reduction ingredient market is projected to register a robust CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period due to various factors, regarding which FMI offers vital insights in detail.On the basis of application, the market has been segmented into sauce/dips/dressings, snacks, bakery products, cheese/butter, frozen food and others (beverages, baby food, and breakfast cereal). The snacks segment is estimated to account for 26.9% share of the global sodium reduction ingredient market by 2015 end, and is expected to register a healthy CAGR of 11.0% in terms of value over the forecast period. Snacks and frozen food segments are expected to contribute maximum revenue shares over the forecast period. Furthermore, continuous product launches by various key players is expected to fuel market growth during the forecast period. The bakery product segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 12.8% in the sodium reduction ingredient market over the forecast period.Ask For Report Sample @On the basis of ingredient type, the sodium reduction ingredient market is segmented into amino acid, mineral blends, yeast extract and others (hydrolyzed vegetable protein, trehalose, and nucleotides). Mineral blends is further sub-segmented into magnesium sulphate, calcium chloride, potassium sulphate, potassium chloride and potassium lactate. Among ingredient types, the mineral blends segment estimated to account for highest market share of 53.9% by the end of 2015 and is expected to be remain dominant during the forecast period.Growth of the global sodium reduction ingredient market is mainly driven by increasing consumer awareness and rising government promotion of intake of low sodium products across the globe. Moreover, increasing regulatory norms for food product manufacturers for reducing sodium level in their product is another factor boosting market growth. Furthermore, rising disposable income coupled with increasing number of health conscious people across the globe is also expected to fuel growth of the global sodium reduction ingredient market over the forecast period. The report provides global trends and offers detailed analysis and insights about the potential of the sodium reduction ingredient market across various key regions. North America is estimated to dominate the sodium reduction ingredient market with 32.0% value share by the end of 2015, and is projected to remain dominant through 2025. North America and Western Europe are collectively estimated to account for over 59.9% share of the total sodium reduction ingredient market in terms of value by end of 2015. The market in Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) is projected to register the highest CAGR of 13.2% in terms of value between 2015 and 2025. Key players in the sodium reduction ingredient market are constantly developing and launching sodium reduction solutions for various applications. Moreover, companies are undertaking technological upgradation, while integrating all processes in order to meet the changing manufacturing needs.Ask For More Information @Key players in the global sodium reduction ingredient market are Cambrian Solutions Inc., Kerry Group PLC, Associated British Foods plc., Givaudan SA, E. I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company, Innophos Holdings, Inc, Jungbunzlauer Suisse A.G., Sensient Technologies Corporation and Tate & Lyle PLC.Major players operating in the sodium reduction ingredient market focus on making significant investments in research and development to broaden their product portfolio and gain competitive advantage in the market.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.compress@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics- Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.Various factors are supporting the global Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics markets growth. The report includes decisive data, which presents insights into the key growth drivers and restraints impacting the Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics markets trajectory between 2017 and 2022. Besides this, the report also includes profiles of some of the leading market players. The strategies these companies adopted over the last few years are studied in detail. Besides this, the report also conducts SWOT analysis to gauge their strengths and weaknesses and opportunities and threats that these enterprises may face during the forecast period.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @To provide a comprehensive market overview, the global Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics market is segmented on the basis of diverse parameters. The factors influencing the markets trajectory across these segments are analyzed to help stakeholders gain better view of the most lucrative sectors and identify those that may cost them financial losses. The exhaustive information compiled in the report is sourced via proven methodologies, which is then presented in a coherent chapter-wise format. This is done to provide readers a better perspective of the prevailing market dynamics. The effect of Porters five forces on the overall operations is studied as well.Following a systematic methodology, analysts have procured near-accurate statistics included in the report. Besides this, it presents estimates based on both value and volume. Also percentage of share held by various segments in the global Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics market are calculated using trusted methodologies. Refined outlook for the Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics market is presented based on in-depth analysis of the various growth drivers and restraints and depending on competitive rivalry among key market players.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of ContentsGlobal Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics1.1 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market Overview1.1.1 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market by End Users/Application1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 22 Global Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Array BioPharma3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 AstraZeneca3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Celladon Corporation3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 GlaxoSmithKline3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Janssen Pharmaceuticals3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Merck & Co3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Novartis International3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Pfizer3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Sanofi3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Teva Pharmaceutical Industries3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Vericel Corporation3.12 PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals3.13 Johnson and Johnson4 Global Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.2 Potential Application of Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics in Future4.3 Top Consumer/End Users of Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics5 United States Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Dilated Cardiomyopathy Therapeutics Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Maufacturing Cost Analysis

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.The global Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs market is exhibiting steady growth amidst a dynamic business environment. The report is compiled to identify key growth avenues of the global Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs market and challenges that pose threat to its expansion goals. It also presents a detailed assessment of the growth drivers, which will exert a positive influence on the market between 2017 and 2022. Compiled with the intent of providing stakeholders with a better perspective of the global Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs market, the report thus includes exhaustive information sourced via proven technologies. It comprises decisive data to present insights into the factors influencing the prevailing demand and supply trends.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Given the dynamic consumer preferences, it is imperative for enterprise to strategize better. In light of the same, the report provides valuable recommendations aimed at enabling companies determine winning strategies. These recommendations are based on information gathered from trusted industrial sources and current market outlook. Expert opinions are referred to in this regard. Besides this, the report discusses in detail the vulnerabilities of the Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs market to the most recent domestic and international policies. To conduct a meticulous study, the global Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs market has been segmented in terms of various parameters. Factors impacting the markets trajectory across these segments are studied individually for a comprehensive overview.In the last few chapters, the report presents a thorough analysis of the global Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs markets vendor landscape. Besides calculating share held by the leading companies, the report also includes detailed profiles of some of the most prominent companies operating in the Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs market. It also conducts SWOT analysis, to gauge their strength and weaknesses. The analysis also presents insights into opportunities and threats that these companies may face over the forecast period.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of ContentsGlobal Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs1.1 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Market Overview1.1.1 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Market by Type1.3.1 Bactrim1.3.2 Vancomycin1.3.3 Clindamycin1.3.4 Minocycline1.4 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Healthcare-Associated MRSA1.4.2 Community-Associated MRSA1.4.3 Livestock-Associated MRSA2 Global Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Takeda Pharmaceutical3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Merck3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 AstraZeneca3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 GlaxoSmithKline3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Pfizer3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Cubist Pharmaceuticals3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 ViroPharma3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Forest Laboratories3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Theravance3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments4 Global Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs5 United States Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Drugs Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor Market 2017 - AVX Corporation, Morgan Advanced Materials, Murata Manufacturing, Presidio Components

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The Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor Market 2017 examines the performance of the Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor market, enclosing an in-depth judgment of the Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor market in the present as well as the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor Market 2017 report includes Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor industry volume, market Share, market Trends, Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor Growth aspects, a wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis, manufacturing capacity, Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor Market 2017:1 AVX Corporation2 Morgan Advanced Materials3 Murata Manufacturing4 Presidio Components5 KEMET Electronics Corp6 Welson7 TDK-EPCOS8 Sumida9 Exxelia10 CTS CorpCeramic Feedthrough Capacitor Market Analysis: By ProductC TypeL TypePi TypeCeramic Feedthrough Capacitor Market Analysis: By ApplicationElectronicsAerospaceAutomobileAt the beginning, the report covers the top Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on topographical regions.Further, the Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor industry, Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.To Buy Complete Report Click Here:The Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor market revenue worldwide.Finally, Ceramic Feedthrough Capacitor market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.James JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4, Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns, Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041Maharashtra, IndiaTel: +1(857)2390696Web:Email: inquiry@market.bizBrowse Market Research Reports-Latest Reports-
Global Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market Analysis & Sourcing Strategy 2022

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.QYResearchReports.com has recently announced the release of a new report based on the global Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments market. In the report, the expert team of researchers have investigated the trends in the Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments industry and verifies the data with trade resources, ensuring their accuracy. The market researchers also hold a discussion about the future opportunities in the global Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments market with the local industry experts, thus presenting an unbiased report on the industrys future. The report identifies growth opportunities and aligns strategies to take advantage of the market potential. The analysts make use of historic market data to forecast the key economic indicators and create strategies to enter the market and acquire a strong hold over the market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report helps in understanding where the income growth is highest and this helps players, both new and established, to make correct and smart decisions regarding investments in the market. It also helps in aligning new product development strategies with demographics, analyze threats, opportunities, and also the macroeconomic conditions that impact strategic planning. The research study examines trends and behaviors from across regions and taking into account consumers lifestyle, income distribution, and demographic trends. This gives a better idea about consumer preference and helps redirect assumptions and uncover new opportunities by leveraging on the unique range of demographic and socioeconomic preferences.The report predicts the market size and analyzes the distribution channels, comparing company shares and brands. It discusses key factors boosting the growth of the global Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments market and those restraining factors that pose a challenge to the industrys progress and development. The study also assesses key companies operating in the global Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments market, wherein the companys recent developments are studied. Key information regarding expansion strategies and information on their collaborations, partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions are given.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Table of ContentsGlobal Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments1.1 Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market Overview1.1.1 Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market by Type1.3.1 Muscle Relaxants1.3.2 Hyaluronic Acid Wrinkle Filler1.3.3 Synthetic Wrinkle Fillers1.3.4 Collagen Wrinkle Fillers1.3.5 Autologous Wrinkle Fillers1.4 Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Forehead Lines1.4.2 Frown Lines (Between the Eyes)1.4.3 Crow'S Feet (Around the Eyes)1.4.4 Bunny Lines (Sides of Nose)1.4.5 Upper Lip Lines (Smoker's Lines)1.4.6 Sagging Eyebrows1.4.7 Dimpled Chin1.4.8 Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)2 Global Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Laser & Skin3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Maryland Dermatology Laser3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Skin3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Vein Institute3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Allergan3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Galderma Laboratories3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Merz North America3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments4 Global Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments5 United States Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)6 EU Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Injectable Anti-Wrinkle Treatments Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global Ceramic Foam Filtration Market 2017 - SELEE Corporation, LANIK, Foseco, Vertix, Drache, Protech Industries

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The Ceramic Foam Filtration Market 2017 examines the performance of the Ceramic Foam Filtration market, enclosing an in-depth judgment of the Ceramic Foam Filtration market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Ceramic Foam Filtration market in the present as well as the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Ceramic Foam Filtration Market 2017 report includes Ceramic Foam Filtration industry volume, market Share, market Trends, Ceramic Foam Filtration Growth aspects, a wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis, manufacturing capacity, Ceramic Foam Filtration Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Ceramic Foam Filtration Market 2017:1 SELEE Corporation2 LANIK3 Foseco4 Vertix5 Drache6 Protech Industries7 Dynocast8 Filtec9 JiangXi JinTai10 Galaxy Enterprise11 Ferro-Term Ltd12 Pyrotek13 Laxmi Allied Products14 Induceramic15 Jincheng Fuji New Material Co., Ltd.16 Baoding Ningxin New Material17 FCRI GroupCeramic Foam Filtration Market Analysis: By ProductAluminum Oxide TypeZirconium Oxide TypeSilicon Carbide TypeOtherCeramic Foam Filtration Market Analysis: By ApplicationMetallurgical Industry FilterThermal & Sound Insulating MaterialAutomobile Exhaust-gas PurificationOtherAt the beginning, the report covers the top Ceramic Foam Filtration manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on topographical regions.Further, the Ceramic Foam Filtration report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Ceramic Foam Filtration industry, Ceramic Foam Filtration industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Ceramic Foam Filtration Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.To Buy Complete Report Click Here:The Ceramic Foam Filtration research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Ceramic Foam Filtration market revenue worldwide.Finally, Ceramic Foam Filtration market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.James JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4, Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns, Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041Maharashtra, IndiaTel: +1(857)2390696Web:Email: inquiry@market.bizBrowse Market Research Reports-Latest Reports-
Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Market Research Report 2017

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This report studies Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringSyngentaBayer Crop ScienceBASFDow Agro SciencesMonsantoDuPontAdamaNufarmFMCSumitomo ChemicalUPLArysta LifescienceWynca ChemicalZhejiang Jinfanda BiochemicalHuapontSichuan Leshan Fuhua Tongda Agro-Chemical TechnologyKumiai ChemicalIshihara Sangyo KaishaSanonda GroupRallis IndiaTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaSplit by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoInsecticideHerbicideFungicidePlant Growth RegulatorSplit by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) in each application, can be divided intoCereals & GrainsFruits & VegetablesOilseeds & PulsesTurfs & OrnamentalsBrowse Complete Report with TOC @Table of ContentsGlobal Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Market Research Report 20171 Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Crop Protection (Agrochemicals)1.2 Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) by Type in 20151.2.2 Insecticide1.2.3 Herbicide1.2.4 Fungicide1.2.5 Plant Growth Regulator1.3 Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Segment by Application1.3.1 Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Cereals & Grains1.3.3 Fruits & Vegetables1.3.4 Oilseeds & Pulses1.3.5 Turfs & Ornamentals1.4 Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Market by Region1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.3 China Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2011-2021)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) (2011-2021)2 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)3.1 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Capacity and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.2 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Production and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.3 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2011-2016)3.4 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.5 North America Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.6 Europe Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.7 China Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.8 Japan Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.9 Southeast Asia Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)3.10 India Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2011-2016)4 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)4.1 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Consumption by Regions (2011-2016)4.2 North America Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2011-2016)4.3 Europe Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2011-2016)4.4 China Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2011-2016)4.5 Japan Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2011-2016)4.6 Southeast Asia Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2011-2016)4.7 India Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2011-2016)5 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Production and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)5.2 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Revenue and Market Share by Type (2011-2016)5.3 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Price by Type (2011-2016)5.4 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Production Growth by Type (2011-2016)6 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Consumption and Market Share by Application (2011-2016)6.2 Global Crop Protection (Agrochemicals) Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2011-2016)6.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6.3.1 Potential Applications6.3.2 Emerging Markets/CountriesQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.QYResearchreportsContact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global UV Lamps Market projected to expand at a CAGR of 11.3%, 2015 - 2025

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Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the global UV lamps market in its latest report titled UV Lamps Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20152025. Global UV lamps market revenue is projected to expand at a CAGR of 11.3% during the forecast period due to various factors, regarding which FMI offers vital insights in detail in its report.On the basis of lamp type, the market has been segmented into UV LED and UV mercury lamp, with the latter representing nearly 90% revenue share of the global UV lamp market in 2014; FMI expects this segment to witness a decline of 27 BPS by the end of 2025.UV mercury lamp segment is categorised into low-pressure, medium- pressure and amalgam mercury lamp. Among these, amalgam mercury lamp dominated the UV mercury lamp segment market, accounting for over 40% of the UV mercury lamp market in 2014.Ask For Report Sample @On the basis of end-use application, the UV lamps market is segmented into wastewater treatment, water treatment, air treatment, surface treatment and food and beverages disinfection. Revenue contribution by the food and beverages disinfection segment was over 25.1% in 2014, which is projected to increase to 28.2% by the end of 2025, gaining 309 BPS and expanding at a CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period.Water treatment segment is categorised into industrial process water treatment, water treatment, commercial water treatment, residential water treatment, municipal pool and spa, and others. Municipal water treatment sub-segment accounted for the highest revenues in 2014, and this trend is expected to continue through 2025.Air treatment is further sub-segmented into residential and commercial, healthcare facilities, and others. Among these, residential and commercial sub-segments accounted for bulk of the revenues in 2014; FMI estimates this segment to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period.Increasing Municipal Infrastructure Investment Driving Adoption of UV LampsGrowth of the global UV lamps market is mainly driven by increasing municipal infrastructure investment, safety measures through regulations, increasing industrial development and price performance of UV lamps compared to other conventional treatment methods. Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ)was dominant in the global UV lamps market with over 30% market share in 2014, followed by North America with 24.2% market share. APEJ is projected to remain the largest market for UV lamps over the forecast period, driven by increasing municipal infrastructure investment, industrial development and cost-effective solutions offered by UV lamps when compared to the other conventional treatment methods used in the region.Ask For More Information @Some key players identified in the global UV lamps market are Trojan Technologies Inc., Xenex Disinfection Services LLC, Xylem Inc., OSRAM GmbH, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Heraeus Holding Gmbh, Calgon Carbon Corporation, Halma PLC, Severn Trent PLC, and Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation.Major UV lamp manufacturers in the market are currently focusing on strengthening their partnerships with major UV disinfection equipment manufacturers. In addition, UV disinfection equipment manufacturers are focusing on providing a broad and customised range of UV solutions to cater to the varying and increasing customer demands.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.compress@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Reinsurance in Bahrain Market Research Report provides detailed analysis of natural hazards

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Latest industry research report on: Reinsurance in Bahrain Market | Industry Size, Share, Research, Reviews, Analysis, Strategies, Demand, Growth, Segmentation, Parameters, ForecastsRequest For Sample Report @Timetrics 'Reinsurance in Bahrain, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019' report provides detailed analysis of the market trends, drivers and challenges in the Bahraini reinsurance segment. It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, reinsurance ceded and reinsurance accepted during the review period (20102014) and forecast period (20142019).The report also analyses information pertaining to the competitive landscape in the country, gives a comprehensive overview of Bahrain's economy and demographics, and provides detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Bahraini insurance industry.Complete Report Details @The report brings together Timetrics research, modeling and analysis expertise to enable reinsurers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages, and access profiles of reinsurers operating in the country.SummaryTimetrics 'Reinsurance in Bahrain, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2019' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Bahraini reinsurance segment, including:The Bahraini reinsurance segments growth prospects by reinsurance ceded from direct insuranceA comprehensive overview of the Bahraini economy and demographicsDetailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Bahraini insurance industryThe competitive landscape in the Bahraini reinsurance segmentScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the reinsurance segment in Bahrain:It provides historical values for the Bahraini reinsurance segment for the reports 20102014 review period, and projected figures for the 20142019 forecast period.It offers a detailed analysis of the key categories in the Bahraini reinsurance segment, and market forecasts to 2019.It provides a detailed analysis of the reinsurance ceded from various direct insurance segments in Bahrain, and the reinsurance segment's growth prospects.Reasons To BuyMake strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Bahraini reinsurance segment, and each category within it.Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Bahraini reinsurance segment.Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories.Gain insights into key regulations governing the Bahraini insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key HighlightsBahrain is a hub for reinsurers, has favorable regulatory conditions, and is seen as one of the best countries in the GCC region in which to do business.The segments growth was primarily as a result of consistent growth in insurance business, growth in infrastructure projects and rising medical costs.Reinsurers are extending their operations by providing reinsurance services for various business classes.As of 2014, five conventional reinsurers and two retakaful firms operated in Bahrain.About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Oxidized Starch Market : Key Growth Factors and Industry Analysis 2017-2027

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Oxidized starch has a shorter chain length in its structure than native starches. It is ideally used for coating purpose in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, textile, paper, construction, etc. The oxidized starch is used as structure creators in confectionaries and stabilizers in milk pudding and ice-cream. It is also used for the production of wafer cups, production of acoustic tiles and isolation cardboard in the construction industry, yarn smoothing in the textile industry, and production of batter coating. The North America oxidized starch market accounts for relatively high revenue share, followed by Western Europe oxidized starch market. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a relatively high growth rate over the forecast period, owing to the increasing consumption of bakery and confectionaries in the region.Global Oxidized Starch Market: DynamicsThe important factor driving the global oxidized starch market include growing industry such as food, pharmaceutical, textile, construction, and paper across the globe. The properties of oxidized starch including reduces microbiological content and improves whiteness also expected to fuel demand for oxidized starch across food products, thereby fuelling the overall oxidized market growth. Additionally, macroeconomic factors making a positive impact on the global oxidized starch market include changing consumer lifestyle, increasing population, and growing domestic income. The significant trending factor for global oxidized starch market includes merger and acquisition with end-use industry. The company manufacturing oxidized starch products has a significant opportunity in regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, attributed to rapidly growing food and textile industry over the forecast period.Request Report Sample@Global Oxidized Starch Market: SegmentationThe global oxidized starch market is segmented by end-use industry, application, and by region. By end-use, the global oxidized starch market is classified as the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry, textile industry, paper industry, and construction industry. Among the aforementioned segments, the food industry segment accounts for relatively high revenue share in the global oxidized starch market over the forecast period, owing to high demand for confectionaries and bakery products. Textile industry segment is followed by food industry segment in global oxidized starch market.Based on the end-use Industry, the global oxidized starch market is segmented into:FoodPharmaceuticalTextilePaperConstructionBased on the application, the global oxidized starch market is segmented into:Pigment BinderCoating BinderSmoothing AgentStabilizerOthersGlobal Oxidized Starch Market: Regional OverviewBy geographies, the global oxidized starch market is segmented into seven regions -- North America, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific except Japan (APEJ), Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East & Africa, and Japan. Among the regions, North America dominates the global oxidized starch market in terms of value, owing to a significant revenue share of the region in the textile industry. Western Europe is followed by North America in the global oxidized starch market, attributed to high demand for confectionaries in the region. The APEJ is expected to account for relatively high volume share in the global oxidized starch market, owing to rapidly growing food industry across the region. Eastern Europe and Japan also accounts for a relatively low-value share in the global oxidized starch market. Latin America and Middle East Africa is expected to have a moderate opportunity for the oxidized starch market, owing to the moderately growing economy and industries across the region. Overall, the outlook for the global oxidized starch market will have a positive growth over the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Global Oxidized Starch Market: Key PlayersSome of the prominent oxidized starch market players include Cargill Inc., Ingredion Inc., Archer Daniels-Midland Co., KMC, Global Bio-Chem Technology Group Co. Ltd., Penford Corp., Banpong Tapioca Flour Industrial Co Ltd., China Essence Group Ltd., Tate and Lyle Plc., Avebe U.A., Ulrick and Short Ltd., and Universal Starch Chem Allied.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Propane-1,2-diol Esters Of Fatty Acid Market Analysis, Trends, Forecast, 2017-2027

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Propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid are also known as propylene glycol esters of fatty acids. It is a combination of natural fats and propane diol derived from plant, animal, and petroleum source. Plant and animal derived propylene glycol esters of fatty acids are used mostly in the food industry as chemically both propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid have the same structure. Whereas, propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid derived from petroleum is used in personal care industry. It is used as stabilizer and emulsifier in food as well as personal care industry. The Asia-Pacific propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market accounts for relatively high revenue share, followed by North America propane-1,2-diol esters of the fatty acid market, owing to the increasing consumption of food products in the region.Global Propane-1,2-diol Esters of Fatty Acid Market: DynamicsGrowing food and beverages industry across the globe is a porminent factor driving the global propane-1,2-diol esters of the fatty acid market. Major factor restraining the global propane-1,2-diol esters of the fatty acid market includes chances of causing eczema in sensitive persons, if consumed in high concentration. Religious organizations restrictions along with vegetarians avoid consuming product made from propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid as the only the manufacturer owes detail of the source from which it is derived. The significant trending factor for global propane-1,2-diol esters of the fatty acid market includes merger and acquisition of propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid suppliers with the food industry. The company manufacturing propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid products has a substantial opportunity in Asia-Pacific, attributed to rapidly growing food industry over the forecast period.Request Report Sample@Global Propane-1,2-diol Esters of Fatty Acid Market: SegmentationThe global propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market are segmented by source, end-use, source, and by region. By source, the global propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market are classified as plant source, animal source, and others including petroleum, etc. Among the aforementioned segments, the plant source segment accounts for relatively high revenue share in the global propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market over the forecast period compared to animal source segment, owing to the preference for plant source by vegetarians, religious issues, and initiatives towards animal protection. Petroleum source has the relatively low share in the global propane-1,2-diol esters of the fatty acid market over the forecast period.Based on the source, the global the propane-1,2-diol esters of the fatty acid market is segmented into:Plant SourceAnimal SourcePetroleumBased on the end-use, the global propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market is segmented into:Processed MeatIce-creamToppingsSoft and Fizzy DrinksConfectionaryBased on the source, the global propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market is segmented into:EmulsifierStabilizerOthersGlobal Propane-1,2-diol Esters of Fatty Acid Market: Regional OverviewBy geographies, the global propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market are segmented into seven regions -- North America, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific except Japan (APEJ), Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East & Africa, and Japan. Among the regions, Asia-Pacific dominates the global propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market regarding both value and volume, owing to rapidly growing food industry over the forecast period. North America is followed by Asia-Pacific in the global propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market, attributed to high demand for confectioneries in the region. The Western Europe is expected to account for significant revenue share in the global propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market, owing to relatively low restriction over animal derived products. Eastern Europe and Latin America accounts for a moderate value share in the global propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market. Middle East Africa is expected to have a relatively low opportunity for the propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market, owing to restrictions by religious organizations in the region. Overall, the outlook for the global propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market will have a positive growth over the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Global Propane-1,2-diol Esters of Fatty Acid Market: Key PlayersProminent propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acid market players include Ervesa, Henan Honest Chemical Co., Ltd., Mohini Organics Pvt. Ltd., Hangzhou GengYang chemical materials co., ltd., and Estelle Chemicals Pvt. Ltd.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
U.S. Commercial Refrigeration System Market projected to expand at a healthy CAGR of 3.2% in terms of value over 2015 - 2025

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Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers key insights on the commercial refrigeration systems market in its latest report titled, Commercial Refrigeration System Market: U.S. Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2015-2025. According to the report, the U.S. commercial refrigeration systems market is projected to expand at a healthy CAGR of 3.2% in terms of value over the forecast period. Commercial refrigeration systems are refrigerators with remote or self-contained condensing units. These refrigerators are designed especially for commercial use with a wide range of temperature control (typically from -18C to +10C) options. Commercial refrigeration systems are mainly used in hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, warehouses and distribution centres, foodservice industry and food & beverage production units. Commercial refrigeration systems include products such as ice machines, vending machines, beverage refrigeration equipment, refrigerated display cases, trailers, trucks, containers and walk-in and reach-in refrigerators. Commercial refrigeration systems also include various components such as compressors and refrigerants. Refrigerants mainly used in commercial refrigeration systems include R507A, R417A and R422A. The selection of a refrigerant depends on various properties such as non-corrosiveness, global warming and ozone depletion potential, inflammability, toxicity, cost, erosional properties, leak-detection capability and thermodynamic properties.Growing demand for frozen and chilled products, expansion of cold chain capacity, technological advancements in commercial refrigeration systems and rebates for energy-efficient products and practices are some of the major underlying factors anticipated to fuel growth of the U.S. commercial refrigeration systems market between 2016 and 2025. This is forecast to create unprecedented opportunities for commercial refrigeration systems manufacturers, distributors and HVAC contractors. The U.S. commercial refrigeration systems market is segmented on the basis of application and product type. By application, the market is segmented into foodservice, food & beverage distribution, food & beverage retail and food & beverage production. On the basis of product type, the market is classified into transportation & refrigeration systems, refrigerator & freezers, beverage refrigeration equipment, refrigerated display cases, ice machines and refrigerated vending machines. By application, foodservice segment accounted for the highest share of 30% in terms of value in the U.S. commercial refrigeration systems market in 2014. This segment is expected to remain dominant in the market over the forecast period. Ice machines segment and beer dispensing equipment sub-segment are projected to play an important role in the foodservice industry due to various factors such as increasing per capita food consumption and rising number of foodservice restaurants in the country. By product type, transportation refrigeration systems segment is projected to expand at the highest CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period due to expansion of cold chain capacity in the U.S. By region, Southeast region represents the largest market potential, followed by the Middle-east and Far West regions. California, Texas and Florida represent a huge potential for refrigerated systems due to high density of restaurants and convenience stores in these states. Other high-growth markets include Arizona, Georgia and Utah due to rapid growth in the restaurant industry in these states.Ask For Report Sample @Key trends identified in the U.S. commercial refrigeration systems market include rapid adoption of Internet of Things (IoT), compatible commercial refrigeration systems for enhancing system output, government initiatives to support utilisation of eco-friendly refrigerants and continued advancements in energy-efficient products. However, declining replacement rate of commercial refrigeration equipment and stringent government regulations could pose major challenge for tier II & III players.The report analyses the U.S. commercial refrigeration systems market in terms of value (US$ Mn) and volume (000 units) by product type and end-use application, and provides insightful information regarding market dynamics, value chain, competitive landscape, current trends, market estimations and forecast.Ask For More Information @It is observed that customisation holds the key for tier 2 and tier 3 players in order to further penetrate into the market, thus creating a competitive threat for tier 1 suppliers in the market. Meanwhile, key players are strengthening their market positions through both organic and inorganic growth. Also, acquisition of HVAC contractors is leading to the addition of a new customer base for commercial refrigeration systems manufacturers. Key market participants covered in the report include Daikin Industries, Ltd., Standex International Corporation, Whirlpool Corporation, United Technologies, Dover Corporation, Ingersoll-Rand Plc, Hussmann Corporation, Lennox International Inc., Manitowoc Company, Inc., Emerson Electric Co. and Illinois Tool Works Inc.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.compress@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Synthetic Rubber Market  Share, Size, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017-2025

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IndexBox has just published a new report World: Synthetic Rubber - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025". (This report has been designed to provide a detailed analysis of the global synthetic rubber market. It covers the most recent data sets of quantitative medium-term projections, as well as developments in production, trade, consumption and prices. The report also includes a comparative analysis of the leading consuming countries, revealing opportunities opened for producers and exporters across the globe. The forecast outlines market prospects to 2025.Countries coverage: Worldwide - the report contains statistical data for 200 countries and includes detailed profiles of the largest consuming and producing countries (United States, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Italy, Russian Federation, India, Canada, Australia, Republic of Korea, Spain, Mexico, Indonesia, Netherlands, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Sweden, Nigeria, Poland, Belgium, Argentina, Norway, Austria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Denmark, South Africa, Malaysia, Israel, Singapore, Egypt, Philippines, Finland, Chile, Ireland, Pakistan, Greece, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Czech Republic, Qatar, Peru, Romania, Vietnam).Product coverage: Synthetic rubber and factice derived from oils, and mixtures thereof with natural rubber and similar natural gums, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip.Data coverage:- Synthetic rubber market size and volume;- Synthetic rubber market trends and prospects;- Global synthetic rubber production and its dynamics;- Per capita consumption;- Breakdown of production by region and country;- Medium term outlook;- Synthetic rubber trade (exports/imports);- Prices for synthetic rubber;- Profiles of the main manufacturers.The report will help you:- Get a bigger picture of the market;- Rewire your business around market trends;- Devise your marketing strategy;- Operate with increased effectivenessTABLE OF CONTENTS1. INTRODUCTION1.1 REPORT DESCRIPTION1.2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2.1 KEY FINDINGS2.2 MARKET TRENDS3. MARKET OVERVIEW3.1 MARKET VOLUME AND VALUE3.2 CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY3.3 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES BY COUNTRY3.4 MARKET FORECAST TO 20254. PRODUCTION4.1 PRODUCTION IN 2007-20154.2 PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY5. IMPORTS5.1 IMPORTS IN 2007-20155.2 IMPORTS BY COUNTRY5.3 IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY6. EXPORTS6.1 EXPORTS IN 2007-20156.2 EXPORTS BY COUNTRY6.3 EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY7. COUNTRY PROFILES8. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERSDownload a free sample of the report now!Browse Related Reports:World: Silicones (In Primary Forms) - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025U.S. Synthetic Rubber Market. Analysis And Forecast to 2025EU: Synthetic Rubber - Market Report. Analysis And Forecast To 2025IndexBox is a leading market research publisher in the world.You can find more than 25,000 research reports in our web store, which cover global industries and regional markets. All the worldwide marketing data you need is at your fingertips.We collect this data from hundreds of highly reliable sources, verify it and carry out market analysis, uncovering new business opportunities and empowering you with actionable insights.The structure of our reports is intuitive and clear. We do our best to allow you to make strategic decisions and take immediate action. If you want to go further and be a step ahead of the market, just tell us your goals and we will tailor a report to your needs.With IndexBox, simply take the data from our Box and think outside it.Company Name: IndexBoxContact Person: Kirill BezverhiEmail: kirill.bezverhi@indexbox.co.ukPhone: +44 20 3239 3063Adress: United Kingdom, 44 Main Street, Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML11 0QWWebsite:
Cities in the Developing World to Continue Witnessing Rising and Rapid Urbanization: Market Forecast 2015-2025

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ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " The Future of Urbanization: Identifying and understanding the future urban landscape " features Key Market Players, Market Challenges, Market Drivers and Market Trends.The publication offers a detailed assessment on the present and projected trends impacting urbanized areas around the world and the lucrative opportunities that are likely to arise in leading consumer-associated sectors.This comprehensive report is centered on details that help decode the trajectory major cities are likely to follow on in the coming years. The focus of the study is identifying challenges and opportunities that tend to crop up as a result of large-scale and rapid urbanization. This report offers readers sharp and actionable recommendations based on information pertaining to consumer surveys and assessment, income and demographic income, and the economics of a given city.Get a Sample Research PDF with TOC:Findings of the report show that between 2005 and 2025, the number of people living in some of the major cities will increase by more than 500 million. This will result in significant urban growth and the top 500 cities with the highest growth in GDP will account for 76% of the overall GDP growth during the decade of 2015 to 2025. The study also predicts that several countries in Asia Pacific will continue to witness rapid urbanization in the coming years. Urbanization gives rise to a larger customer base and numerous opportunities, giving the FMCG sector a major boost.Browse more details at:As global urbanization continues at a rapid pace, more and more cities are likely to drive growth and the total population living in urban localities will amount to 60% by 2025. However, urbanization is much more than just population growth. Productivity is also a significant feature of urbanization and cities that lure in more qualified workers tend to present greater productivity, eventually increasing prices as well as wages. As income levels rise, the demand for financial services and consumer goods also increases.On a cynical note, however, the efficiency and sustainability of cities come into question with rising urbanization. With expanding ecological footprints, city dwellers end up consuming a lot more than those living in rural areas, eating up a greater portion of the worlds natural resources. And while the growing demand for various products and services may provide a number of businesses immense opportunities, the challenges often outweigh the positives. Nonetheless, the use of smart technologies and the building of smart cities are helping local authorities tackle the issues that arise from large-scale urbanization.A key observation that research analysts have made is that the most populous cities in the world are likely to change by 2025 and some of the largest cities across the globe will be from the developing world. Recognizing the plethora of opportunities in these cities, foreign brands will end up targeting consumers here.About UsResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:
Edible Packaging Market : The Changing Face of Packaging

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Global Edible Packaging Market: SnapshotThe global market for edible packaging derive much of its growth from the increasing consumption of processed products, rising household income, and the increasing preference of consumers for hygienic and durable products. Apart from this, the fast-paced urbanization in emerging economies, together with the high growth of the population base is also strengthening the potentials of this market.Browse Market Research Report @Over the forthcoming years, the increasing usage of edible packaging materials for the packaging of food products will boost this market substantially. The growing awareness about the attributes of edible packaging, such as the ease of handling while maintaining the quality and the shelf life of products, are also projected to drive the growth of this market in the near future. However, the high cost of the packaging machines and quality films used in edible packaging may limit its uptake to some extent in the years to come. The burgeoning adoption of modified atmosphere packaging may also prove to be a challenge for this market over the next few years.The global edible packaging market was worth US$0.77 bn in 2016. Analysts expect this market to expand at a CAGR of 6.90% between 2016 and 2024, reaching a sum of US$1.3 bn by the end of 2024.Demand for Edible Packaging to Remain High from Food and Beverage ManufacturingFood and beverage manufacturing and pharmaceuticals are the two main end users of edible packaging across the world. Among these, the food and beverage manufacturing segment has occupied the leading position in this market.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @It dominated the market with a share of more than 77% in 2016 and is anticipated to continue its leading streak over the next few years. The demand edible packaging is stronger in fresh food packaging and the scenario is likely to remain in the near future.North America to Retain Dominance in Global Edible Packaging MarketNorth America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa are the key regional markets for edible packaging across the world. North America, among these, has been leading the global market and acquired a share of more than 36% in 2016. The U.S., being both, a prominent producer and consumer of edible packaging, has been driving the North America market for edible packaging. Analysts project a dominance of this regional market over the next few years; however at a reduced share in the overall market, as a result of the maturing state of the market for edible packaging in North America.Among others, the Asia Pacific edible packaging market is likely to exhibit significant potential for future growth, thanks to the increasing awareness among consumers pertaining to the benefits of edible packaging. The rise in disposable income of consumers, influencing their standard of living, is also expected to reflect positively on the demand for edible packaging in this region over the forthcoming years.MonoSol, LLC, WikiCell Designs Inc., JRF Technology LLC, and Tate and Lyle Plc. are the key players operating in the global market for edible packaging.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Smart Labels Market likely to reach US$ 22.6 billion market value by the end of 2026

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According to the research findings from Future Market Insights report, titled Smart Labels Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026, nearly 400,000 thousand units of smart labels sold globally in 2016 were accounted by Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, which amounted to an estimated US$ 2,493.9 million. Surging demand for RFID tags in the global retail industry have instrumented the boost in sales of smart labels, globally. Furthermore, the advantages of RFID smart labels in maintaining, tracking and updating stock & inventory databases is predicted to continue driving their demand around the globe in the coming years.According to Future Market Insights,The global market for smart labels amassed revenues worth US$ 4.7 billion in 2016, and is likely to reach US$ 22.6 billion market value by the end of 2026. During the forecast period, the global smart labels market size is anticipated to expand robustly at a CAGR of 17%.Ask For Report Sample @Organized retail sector will continue to instrument rampant growth in global smart labels sales, while warehousing businesses in the world are expected to actively adopt smart labelling for their benefits in tracking products.Growing sales of biologics and specialty drugs that require thermal-sensitive packaging are promoting the use of smart labels that are equipped with temperature-control functions. Smart labels will be integrated in drug monitoring systems across pharmaceutical manufacturers in the world, facilitating efficiency in transportation, anti-counterfeit measures, and damage control.Key highlights of the research report exhibit RFID as the dominant labelling technology, however, Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) and sensing labels are also expected to gain traction while independently registering a rise at more than 16% CAGR over the forecast period. By the end of 2026, global retail industry will be the largest end-user of smart labels by procuring global revenue share of more than 30%. On the other hand, healthcare, automotive and logistics will be considered as lucrative end-user industries for smart labels, collectively accounting for sales of more than 1,561,000 thousand units by 2026-end.Flexographic and gravure printing technologies are predicted to dominate the global smart labels market in terms of revenues. Over the forecast period, more than US$ 8 billion revenues are will be accounted by flexographic smart labels, while smart labels manufactured through gravure printing technology will amass an estimated US$ 6.4 billion market value.Ask For More Information @North Americas smart labels market is anticipated to procure over 40% of the global revenues, throughout the forecast period. Avery Dennison Corporation, CCL Industries Inc., Checkpoints Systems, Inc., Zebra Technologies Corporation, and Intermec, Inc., are some of the leading players in the global smart labels market that are based in the US and Canada. Smart label revenues in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region are projected to rise at the fastest CAGR  18.2%, while Western Europe smart labels market is likely to reach an estimated US$ 3.6 billion market value by the end of 2026. Other companies participating in the growth of global smart labels market include, Sato Holdings Corporation, Smartrac N.V., Invengo Information Technology Co Ltd., Thin Film Electronics ASA, and Muehlbauer Holding AG.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.compress@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Grants of up to 21,450 euros for an electric car 

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Munich, 17. May 2017   not only in South Korea, where particulate matter and smog pollute the air they breathe. Norway stands out as being particularly well-disposed to electric cars. Ever since dieselgate, electric cars have been hailed as the new saviour of our environment. Ecovis, a consultancy firm focussing particularly on the interests of SMEs, turned to its international partner offices for answers to the question of what financial incentives to purchase e-cars or plug-in hybrids exist in their respective countries.On roads the world over there are some 1.3 million vehicles powered by electric traction motors. Despite this, these particulate preventers are still not really catching on. To give the business a boost, over half of the 34 Ecovis countries participating in the survey offer financial incentives at the states expense. With few exceptions, subsidies are offered not only for purely electric cars but for hybrids, too, irrespective of whether they are to be used privately or as company cars, says Alexander Weigert, one of Ecovis directors. Only Bulgaria and China restrict their subsidies to vehicles purchased by private individuals. In China, the incentive is paid directly to the manufacturer, which makes the selling price more attractive, says Richard Hoffmann, a partner with Ecovis in Beijing. With impressive results: new registrations of e-cars in China increased from 1% p.a. in 2015 to 1.7% p.a. in 2016.Europes Mecca for electromobility is currently in Norway. Roughly 15 percent of all newly registered cars are electric. Upto 2017 or possibly longer. buyers will not be required to pay purchase or value-added tax. The owners benefit from reduced car and road tax. They park for free, and they need neither to pay road tolls nor for ferries. In public parking spaces they can refuel for free. Normally a Tesla S would cost 130,000 euros, says Jrgen Svendgard from the Ecovis tax office in Oslo, but here in Norway this Tesla would cost only 72,000 euros  so you can save 58.000 euros!Financial incentivesAs a general trend, subsidies for e-cars are significantly greater than for hybrids: South Korea heads the list, with buyers receiving a subsidy of the equivalent of 21,450 euros, which is made up of a national subsidy of 11,450 euros and a local bonus of up to 9,800 euros. In France the grant is 10,000 euros for e-cars but only 3,500 euros for plug-in hybrids. In Slovakia, the subsidy for e-cars is limited to the end of 2017, at 5,000 euros, and for hybrids at 3,000 euros. In Germany, Austria and Spain, the cash injection for first-time buyers of e-cars or hybrids is granted on condition that the list price or the actual cost of acquisition does not exceed a defined maximum limit. In Spain the subsidy depends on the cars range: the greater it is, the more money can be expected from the state. In Germany the state and the car manufacturer each contribute 50% to the subsidy of 4,000 euros for e-cars and 3,000 euros for plug-in hybrids. In the Netherlands, business people purchasing an e-car are able to deduct up to 18,000 euros as additional depreciation, which is equivalent to a tax benefit of up to 9,360 euros. Lithuania offers cheaper parking (just a few euros per year) in the centre and old town of its capital, Vilnius. What is more, it still costs nothing at all to charge e-cars at power stations in Lithuania.Taxation designed to curb pricesIn some countries tax breaks are offered in addition to or instead of financial purchasing incentives: Turkey imposes a special consumption tax (SCT) on the net price of new vehicles in addition to 18% general sales tax on top of this. The SCT rate is between 45% and 160% for cars with combustion engines, depending on engine displacement and power, whilst for comparable e-cars it is only 10%. In Israel purchase tax, which can make up as much as 90% of the net price, depending on environmental impact, is reduced to 10% - 30% for e-cars. China imposes no taxes at all on e-cars and hybrid vehicles. Colombia and Russia offer exemption from import duties for purely e-cars, this being the only incentive, as does Hungary. In the Netherlands, e-cars are exempt from luxury and vehicle tax, and subsidies and accelerated depreciation options are offered for the provision of charging stations. In Hong Kong businesses can write off 100% of the acquisition price of e-cars in the first year. In Belgium a total of 120% can be written off over the span of the usual useful life.In eight of the countries surveyed, there are no financial incentives whatsoever. These are Australia, Lithuania, Peru, Poland, Serbia, Czech Republic, Tunisia and Vietnam.About EcovisEcovis is a consulting firm which offers advisory services to SMEs. In Germany it ranks among the top ten in the industry. Some 5,000 members of staff are employed in over 100 offices throughout Germany as well as in partner firms in over 60 countries. Ecovis serves and advises family enterprises and owner-managed companies as well as the self-employed and private individuals. In order to provide a solid foundation for the economic activities of its clients and facilitate their development, Ecovis has created a pool of the national and international professional and industrial expertise of all its tax advisers, auditors, lawyers and management consultants. Every one of the Ecovis offices can draw on the resources of this knowledge pool. Besides this, the Ecovis Academy embodies the importance the firm attaches to sound training and regular professional development courses on the latest advances. All these measures ensure that Ecovis advisers in each individual office can provide their clients with the best of personal service.ECOVIS Europe AGAgnes-Bernauer-Str. 9080687 MunchenContact at Ecovis for journalists:Gudrun Bergdolttel. +49 (0)89 5898-266email: gudrun.bergdolt@ecovis.com
Polycarbonate Diols Market - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast By 2024 | Research Report

Polycarbonate Diols Market

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Polycarbonate diols are chemically studied to be thermoplastic building blocks for polyurethane dispersions and polyurethane compounds such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). They offer better compatibility with several polyols and solvents and easy handling with their viscous nature at room temperature. Oxidative degradation resistance, intrinsic flexibility, and hydrolytic stability are key properties possessed by polycarbonate diols. Other properties such as optical, temperature resistance, and impact resistance could help polycarbonate diols to play the role of engineering or commodity plastics.The global polycarbonate diols market could be classified according to type and application. With a broad study of each segment of the market, the authors of the report have unveiled some crucial opportunities for industry players. Besides this, the segmentation study will allow readers to gain a good insight into key segments likely to attract demand in the coming years.The report offered herewith is an ideal evaluation of the global polycarbonate diols market that facilitates easy but informed decision making while assessing key trends, opportunities, competitive landscape, and important market figures. Players could be able to evaluate the profiles of their competitors in order to achieve a competitive edge in the global polycarbonate diols market.Browse Market Research Report @Global Polycarbonate Diols Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe growth of the world polycarbonate diols market is prognosticated to be propelled by the increasing demand for data storage devices, including Blu-ray Discs, DVDs, and CDs, and other types of consumer electronics. Participants operating in the world polycarbonate diols market could be advantaged with a high demand resting on the back of flame-retardant and heat-resistance properties of the product. These properties are expected to increase the usage of polycarbonate diols as a choice material in the manufacture of electronic gadgets.Apart from covering greenhouses, the world polycarbonate diols market could invite other vital applications in the construction and building sector, such as the construction of dome lights and curved or flat glazing systems. Cockpit canopies and automotive headlights also require polycarbonate diols, owing to their high-impact resistance and lightweight properties. As a result, vendors in the world polycarbonate diols market are expected to cash in on the growing demand from the aerospace and automotive sector.One of the factors that could hamper the growth of the world polycarbonate diols market is the presence of ecologically harmful compound bisphenol A in the product. However, the rising GDPs of developing economies are predicted to offer new avenues of growth in the world polycarbonate diols market.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @Global Polycarbonate Diols Market: Geographical StudyAsia Pacific is prophesied by the analysts to cling onto a significant share in the international polycarbonate diols market on account of the favorable growth of its automobile and electronics sectors. China could be a larger exporter of polycarbonate diols apart from being a giant consumer and producer in the international polycarbonate diols market. Consequently, the Asia Pacific country is foretold to showcase a telling dominance in the international polycarbonate diols market. Other regions such as Europe and countries such as the U.S. could also considerably contribute toward the growth of the international polycarbonate diols market while riding on their flourishing aerospace industry.Global Polycarbonate Diols Market: Companies MentionedOf all the leading players in the worldwide polycarbonate diols market, Haiyan Huashuaite Plastics Electric Appliances Co., Ishii Chemicals Co., Ltd., Jinan Haohua Industry Co., Ltd., ICC Industries, Inc., and Hangzhou Dayangchem Co., Ltd. could make their presence known.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insights for decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, TMR employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact Us:-Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:Visit Blog:
Boost Your Brand's Message with Logo Design Studio Pro

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Your brand's logo serves the essential purpose of giving your target audience something to remember you by. It serves to amplify your message and create something that's instantly recognizable and that persists through the ages. Unfortunately, it's not always cheap to design a professional and memorable logo that truly captures the character of your brand. At least not until now.Summitsoft has just launched the latest edition of their industry-leading logo designer, Logo Design Studio Pro. Understanding that no one knows your business better than you do yourself, this software is meant to help those who might not necessarily know a thing about graphic design unleash their true potential. It provides a simple and user-friendly set of tools to help you realize your ideas quickly and professionally.Logo Design Studio Pro was designed with the intention to make logo design accessible to any business, particularly startups that don't normally have the funds required to pay for a professional graphic designer. Its simple yet professional editing tools include a powerful Bezier curve editor that allows you to change every node until you get the exact result you want.If you're not feeling like the creative type, then Logo Design Studio Pro still has the tools you need to get inspired and to find a base to start from. There are around 2,000 templates to choose from and 6,000 scalable vector clipart images to add to your projects. Best of all, they're all fully customizable and conveniently organized by industry category to help you find what you need quickly.To start designing your perfect business logo, visittoday.Summitsoft Corporation is a retail and online leader in business and home office software. Headquartered in Omaha, NE, the company is committed to the interests of creative home and business users with products available through major retailers in North America, Australia, Europe, the United Kingdom and Japan, as well as on the Internet.Summitsoft CorporationUnited States of America Omaha 9615 Ida StreetAlex Duran submissions@summitsoftcorp.com
Smart Phone Enabled Healthcare Diagnostic Services Market Forecast Till 2020

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SA-BRC announces the release of market assessment report on Global Smart Phone Enabled Healthcare Diagnostics Market Assessment & Forecast: 2016-2020.Asia-Pacific was pegged as the fastest growing market with a growth of 21.6% from 2016 to 2020. Translated into revenues, the region contributed to sales of US$ xx million in 2015 and is forecast to grow to US$ xx million by 2020 according to the new report Global Smart Phone Enabled Healthcare Diagnostics Market Assessment & Forecast: 2016-2020 by SA-Business Research & Consulting group.Request Free Report Sample@The smart phone enabled cardiovascular diagnostics accounted for the largest share of 31.5% in 2015. Miniaturization of sensors has greatly influenced the availability of these devices today. Existing and forthcoming smart phone enabled healthcare diagnostics devices include multiple technologies such as ECG, pulse oximetry, vascular and cardiac ultrasound among others. ECG has developed leaps and bounds in this area. Leading companies such as AliveCor offer smart phone enabled ECG monitors that communicate directly with the phone for providing insights. The device is FDA approved and has also provided platform for competitors. Other devices include smart patches that communicate with companion apps in phones as well as tablets and provide a method of continuous monitoring of a patient.Patients have grown extremely cautious in terms of permitting data collection, privacy and medical advice. Having smart phone enabled diagnostics provides empowerment to the patients on a greater scale. Patients are able to monitor themselves and thus become more and more aware of their conditions. Analysts believe that this trend will lead to a surge in revenue generated from online consultations and medical advice. True potential will be showcased when these devices, software and services start being regulated by governments and when developing regions begin providing high speed internet and wireless communication infrastructure. It is also anticipated that consolidation of market will begin with increasing regulatory approvals as this will increase authenticity and confidence of patients in the system.More Report Description And TOC@About UsSpearhead Acuity Business Research & Consulting Private Limited (SA-BRC) is a premium Life Science business intelligence and data analytics firm. SA-BRC team offers a wide range of business intelligence services to multiple stakeholders such as Medical Device Manufacturers, Service Providers (Hospitals, Payers, etc.), Suppliers, Group Purchase Organizations, Distributors and all other individuals in the entire value chain of healthcare industry. Our research and consulting capabilities extend across several sub-domains within the sphere of Life Sciences such as Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Medical Devices, Veterinary Sciences, Wellness Products and Pharmaceuticals.Contact UsJohn WhitmoreOffice No. 14,Hermes Kunj, Mangaldas Road,Pune, 411001IndiaPhone: +91-02041210872Email: support@sa-brc.comWebsite:
Commercial Microwave Ovens Market Share Worldwide Industry Growth, Trends, Statistics, Opportunities & Forecast up to 2022

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Global Commercial Microwave Ovens Industry Report offers market overview, segmentation by types, application, countries, key manufactures, cost analysis, industrial chain, sourcing strategy, downstream buyers, marketing strategy analysis, distributors/traders, factors affecting market, forecast and other important information for key insight.This report studies the Commercial Microwave Ovens market; Commercial microwaves are constructed with higher quality materials and designed for superior durability compared to a typical residential microwave. They are also designed for much more frequent and heavy use than a home model. A commercial microwave will typically have a much higher power output than a residential microwave.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Commercial Microwave Ovens in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Request a Sample Copy of Global Commercial Microwave Ovens Market Research Report @Market Segment by Manufacturers, Global Commercial Microwave Ovens Market report covers such as Galanz, Midea, Panasonic, SHARP, Whirlpool, Electrolux, Siemens, GE(Haier), LG, Samsung, Toshiba, Bosch, Breville.Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, covers such as Under 1 Cu. Ft Type, 1 to 1.9 Cu. Ft Type, Over 2 Cu.ft TypeMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into: Food Service Industry & Food IndustryEnquire about this report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Commercial Microwave Ovens market.Chapter 1, to describe Commercial Microwave Ovens Market Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Commercial Microwave Ovens, with sales, revenue, and price of Commercial Microwave Ovens, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global Commercial Microwave Ovens Market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Commercial Microwave Ovens, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the Commercial Microwave Ovens Market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Commercial Microwave Ovens market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Commercial Microwave Ovens sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceFor more information about Global Commercial Microwave Ovens Market Report @Related Reports: -North America Commercial Microwave Ovens Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022This report studies the Commercial Microwave Ovens market; Commercial microwaves are constructed with higher quality materials and designed for superior durability compared to a typical residential microwave. They are also designed for much more frequent and heavy use than a home model. A commercial microwave will typically have a much higher power output than a residential microwave.MarketSizeForecasters.com, a Skyline Market Research LLP brand, is an online aggregator of market research reports. MarketSizeForecasters.com offers a comprehensive collection of full length reports on global and regional markets in 100+ industry verticals. We have partnered with some of the leading business and market research publishing houses and regularly update our online library to offer wide range of reports to our customers.Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:News:Connect with us: LinkedIn | Twitter
Global Metal Material based 3D Printing Market to grow at a CAGR of 10.16% during Forecast 2017-2021

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ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " Global Metal Material based 3D Printing Market 2017-2021 " features Key Market Players, Market Challenges, Market Drivers and Market Trends.3D printing is a technique in which a scanned or digitally designed object is formed into a three-dimensional solid using an additive process. In this process, metal is applied in successive layers with very less wastage. 3D printing products are built from materials that are alternatives to conventional plastic and metals. The global metal material-based 3D printing market will grow at a rapid rate during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to the emerging demand from the aerospace and healthcare industry. 3D printing metals help in achieving complex geometries, extreme requirements, and weight reduction for the aerospace industry.The global metal material based 3D printing market to grow at a CAGR of 10.16% during the period 2017-2021. The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global metal material based 3D printing market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:- Americas- APAC- EMEAGet a Sample Research PDF with TOC:Technavio's report, Global Metal Material Based 3D Printing Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors- Arcam- EOS- Hoganas- Sandvik- SLM SolutionsOther prominent vendors- Concept Laser- ExOne- RenishawMarket driver- Support from government and other organizations.- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge- High cost of printers and materials leading to high production cost.- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend- Increase in demand for aircraft engines from OEMs.- For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report- What will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?- What are the key market trends?- What is driving this market?- What are the challenges to market growth?- Who are the key vendors in this market space?- What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?About UsResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market Revenue and Value Chain 2016-2026

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Continuous Renal Replacement therapy (CRRT) is a process of extracorporeal blood purification which is intended to substitute for impaired renal function for extended period of time. Continuous Renal Replacement therapy intends at application over 24 hours a day. It is a mode of renal replacement therapy for hemodynamically unstable, fluid over loaded and catabolic septic patients. The major application of CRRT is management of acute renal failure especially in critical care and intensive care units. The acceptance of CRRT with the renal failure patients at the critical stage is increasing due to the high survival rate.Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe global continuous renal replacement therapy market is driven by the factors such as rising prevalence of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), awareness about the blood purification technique increasing the adoption rate of continuous renal replacement therapy. In addition, the increased prevalence of sepsis, rapid rise in aging population are the major factor driving the CRRT market. Clinical advantages over CRRT is resulting in the growth of CRRT market. However the need of trained ICU nurses, complexity of the therapy, elevated cost of therapy are the major restraining factors of continuous renal replacement therapy market.Request For Report Sample@Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market: SegmentationContinuous renal replacement therapy market is classified on the basis of product, modalities and geography.Based on product, the global continuous renal replacement therapy market is segmented into the following:CRRT systemsCRRT disposablesDialysateReplacement fluidsBased on modalities, the global continuous renal replacement therapy market is segmented into the following:Slow continuous ultrafiltration (SCUF)Continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD)Continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH)Continuous venovenous hemodiafilteration (CVVHDF)Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market: OverviewContinuous renal replacement therapy market is estimated to be growing faster due to the ongoing researches to satisfy safety and efficacy profiles of CRRT. The broadening applications of CRRT and development of CRRT system for pediatric patients are creating opportunities for the continuous renal replacement therapy market. The continuous renal replacement therapy is broadly used for hemodynamically unstable AKI patients. However, it is widely adopted due to high survival rate of patients. The CRRT market provides flexibility to the users owing to the range of alternatives in modalities. The continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) is expected to grow faster due to the high filtrate flow which will enhance the performance in terms of removing the solute. The continuous venovenous hemodialysis is estimated to grow owing to its ability of clearance of medium sized solutes.Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, the global Continuous Renal Replacement therapy market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Europe is estimated to be the largest market due to increased prevalence of AKI in the region followed by rise in aging population. Additionally, approval of CRRT machine and anti-coagulants for multiple application in Europe indicates the growth of CRRT market in the region. The emerging markets such as India and China are creating demand for CRRT due to the factors such as developing healthcare infrastructure, increasing aging population and rising indications of acute kidney injury (AKI).Visit For TOC@Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified in the continuous renal replacement therapy market are B. Braun Medical Inc., Baxter, Medical Components, Inc., Nikkiso Co., Ltd, Fresenius Medical Care, INFOMED SA, Medica S.p.A., Toray medical Co., Ltd , asahi kasei medical Co.,Ltd , NxStage Medical, Inc. The companies are focusing on launches, acquisition, and geographic expansion.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Synthetic Biology Market Segments and Key Trends 2016-2026

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Synthetic Biology is one of the breakthrough technologies developed by mankind from chemistry, biology, computer science and engineering which ultimately changed the approach towards therapeutics. It has a varied areas of applications in biofuels, industrial enzymes, vaccine and antibody production, bio-based chemicals and synthetic biology life science research. Synthetic biologists develop such biological systems using by molding the core components (genetic circuits, part of enzymes and metabolic pathways) and understanding their performance while using these smaller parts or devices into the specific integrated systems. The production of new medicines is now done by using synthetic biology on a cellular, molecular and genetic level to address the emerging health issues.Synthetic Biology Market: Drivers & RestraintsInternationally, companies have started investing in Synthetic biology as many governmental bodies are turning towards biomass and climate change. In past few years synthetic biology has gained industrial interest which has a large scale applications and potential of new gene editing techniques are some of the drivers for this market. Traditional medicines are being replaced by genetically engineered products, DNA sequencing and DNA synthesis technologies. This market though has a potential there with any advances there are risks and hindrance like government regulations and policies, biosafety and biosecurity issues, bio-war but these issues are being addressed by the regulatory bodies and research institutions. The synthetic biology market has changed the complete approach towards traditional ways of combating with newer diseases and genetic challenges with the advanced computing and design systems.Request For Report Sample@Synthetic Biology Market: SegmentationSynthetic Biology market is basically can be classified into products, technology and applications.The Synthetic Biology market based on product can be subdivided into following:Core Products.Synthetic DNASynthetic GenesSynthetic cellsDNA & RNA Purification KitsRecombinant ProteinsThe Synthetic Biology market based on technology can be subdivided into following:MutagenesisDNA sequencingGenome engineeringThe Synthetic Biology market based on applications can be subdivided into following:Pharmaceutical CompaniesResearch OrganizationsChemical IndustriesUniversitiesSynthetic Biology Market: Market OverviewSynthetic biology market is a technology which has now a massive demand in the biotechnology sector, chemical and biofuel industries and their products will outstrip the products of the other industries in the near future. There is progress towards making this technology useful in the therapeutic areas from which the society can be directly benefited. The success of synthetic biology in DNA sequencing and synthetic microbes in vaccines, faster and efficient modular DNA assembly methods has proved to be a potential market and thus there is a significant investment done by the pharmaceutical and healthcare companies.Synthetic Biology Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global radiofrequency ablation system market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.Europe is a leading market followed by North America, Europe has invested in developing synthesis of biologically based or biologically inspired systems. In North America Defense is a major contributor in the investment done in the past years. In Asia, India and China are said to progress in developments over future to be a part of the Synthetic biology market. The success of this market will depend upon the conversion from basic research to applications which will rise the future opportunities to understand the natural biological systems. Thus the market for synthetic biology is showing no sign for slowing down but managing the future social, ethical and legal responsibilities will lead to innovation.Visit For TOC@Synthetic Biology Market: Key PlayersThe major key players in the synthetic biology market are Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Agilent Technologies, GEN9, Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC., Amyris Biotechnologies, Epoch Life Science Inc., Gevo Inc., Intrexon Corporation, Sangamo Biosciences and Gingko Bioworks.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Biologics Market Growth, Trends and Value Chain 2016-2026 by FMI

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Biologics are drugs in the form of genetically engineered proteins, derived from human genes. As per the US FDA, biologics can be composed of sugars, proteins, or nucleic acids or complex combinations of these substances, or may be living entities such as cells and tissues. The biologic drugs are derived from a variety of natural sources such as humans, animals, or microorganisms and consist of products, such as vaccines, blood and blood components, allergenics, somatic cells, gene therapy, tissues, and recombinant therapeutic proteins. Advanced biotechnology techniques and complex processes are used to manufacture biologics. They are at the forefront of biomedical research.Biologics Market: Drivers and RestraintsDrivers for the biologics market include big brand name drugs losing patent extensions, growing incidence of chronic diseases and their diagnoses across the globe, increased availability of advanced diagnostics, rising government initiatives in healthcare and growing technological advancements in research and development across the globe by big drug makers to sustain competition and invest in incremental innovation. Other factors increasing the demand for biologic drugs include rising regulatory convergence and better access to healthcare for all nations.Request For Report Sample@Restraints for the market include difficulty in manufacturing, as the drugs are highly complex in nature. They must be processed under tightly controlled conditions/controls, maintained throughout the production process. This type of atmosphere and quality control procedures are not easily available in less developed nations. Environmental contamination needs to be eliminated from the manufacturing process. Further, biologics are extremely susceptible to light, heat conditions, and need extremely good refrigeration processes, which is not available uniformly throughout the world.Biologics Market: SegmentationBiologics Market can be segmented into these following ways:Segmentation by product typeVaccinesBlood and Blood ProductsAllergenic extractsHuman Cells and TissuesProteinsGene TherapiesCellular TherapiesXenotransplantation ProductsSegmentation by applicationRheumatoid arthritisAnemiaCancerDiabetesOthersSegmentation by source materialHumansAvian Cell CultureYeastBacteriaInsects Cell CultureTransgenicsBiologics Market: OverviewBiologics market is at risk over the forthcoming years due to leading biologic drugs expected to lose exclusivity over the next seven years. The patented biologic drugs are expected to be replaced by biosimilar drugs. Competition is expected to be limited in the market as the drugs are expected to be formed using various types of innovative technologies. Increasing geriatric population, early onset of ageing, increasing awareness for technologically advanced medical procedures and drugs, higher spending power, and rising incidence of chronic diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. are expected to drive the market growth of biologic drugs.Biologics Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, biologic drug market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.In terms of geography, North America and Europe dominate the market, followed by Asia-Pacific. However, rising technological advancement in healthcare and systematic drug review process will drive the markets over North America, Japan and other regions. Europe currently dominates the biosimilars market driven by technically advanced healthcare infrastructure and high patient awareness & regulatory harmonization. Increasing funding for development of biologics available through public-private partnerships, availability of high-quality research infrastructure and innovative strategies developed by drug makers to restrict entry of new players are factors expected to contribute to market growth of biologics over the forecast period. Emerging markets include Eastern European countries followed by countries in Eastern Africa. Rising disease incidences in these countries is expected to prove favorable for the growth of the biologics market.Visit For TOC@Biologics Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in biologics market are Unilife Corporation, Retractable Technologies, Inc., Smiths Medicals, Becton, Dickinson & Company, Smiths Medical, Terumo Corporation, Pfizer Inc. (AC. Hospira), Roche Diagnostics, AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Genzyme, GSK Biologicals, Lundbeck, Novartis AG, and Merck KGaA.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Black Pepper Market Forecast By End-use Industry 2016-2026

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Black Pepper is a pungent hot-tasting powder spice prepared from dried and ground peppercorns, used to flavor food. It is also known as king of spices because it contains rich anti-oxidants and other nutrients. The high demand for pepper presents an attractive market opportunity for new vendors to enter the market. In the present market scenario, it is estimated that the new crop of black pepper accounts for nearly 30% to 35% of the market. The high demand is expected to increase the price of black pepper, thereby increasing the profit margin of the vendors in this market.Apart from this, black pepper powder is also used to make medicines. It often used to cure stomach upset, bronchitis, and cancer. It is sometimes applied directly to the skin for treating nerve pain(neuralgia) and a skin disease called scabies. Black peppers are also used typically as a counterirritant for pain.Request For Report Sample@Black Pepper Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe black pepper market is directly influenced by the growing processed food industry. The rise in consumption of bakery products, confectionery products, and ready-to-eat and ried food in the developed economies is driving the market for the spice. The recent trend of using natural flavor enhancer has also catalyzed the growth of the global market. In the year 2013-15, the global pepper consumption is estimated at around 400,000 tons and has been increasing steadily. Increasing demand from Far East countries, which have started using more pepper in cooking, has been quite significant in driving the global black pepper market. Growth in the cosmetics industry is also directly influencing the pepper market. Due to the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of black pepper, it is often included in skin care products.As stated earlier, that the market is experiencing a major year on year increase in demand for black pepper. But unfortunately, this demand is not backed by adequate supply, which has proved to be a major restraint in this market. This is majorly due to the intensive crop losses in various parts of the world, especially in India & Brazil. Sudden climatic changes and untimely rainfall has significantly led to the fall in the yield of black pepper.Black PepperMarket: SegmentationThe global black pepper market can be broadly segmented on the basis of; type, end use and application. On the basis of type, the market can be further segmented into  organic and inorganic. Based on end use, the market can be segmented into bakery and confectionery products, frozen products, soups, sauces & dressing, beverages, meat & poultry products, snacks and convenience food, and others. Based of application, the black pepper market can be segmented into food & beverages, health care and personal care & cosmetics.Black PepperMarket: Region Wise OutlookGeographically, the global black peppermarket is segmented into seven regions which are ; North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), and Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Japan.Vietnam, followed by Brazil, India & Indonesia are the leading producer of black pepper in the year 2014 globally.India saw a fall in its average production in the same year. The leverage of large scale production and productivity helps Vietnam growers to offer world's lowest price tags.In terms of export, Vietnam leads the market globally. U.S. market continues to be the largest importer of black pepper from Vietnam. While most markets like India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Netherlands, Spain have seen an increase in their imports, except Germany. German market recorded a drop in imports from Vietnam. Thus, with a market share of approximately 50% per cent in the global market, Vietnam has been able dominate the market.Visit For TOC@Black PepperMarket: Key PlayersSome of the major companies operating in global black peppermarket are Baria Pepper, British Pepper and Spice, Catch, Everest Spices, McCormick, MDH, Agri food Pacific, Akar Indo, Brazil Trade Business, DM AGRO, Gupta Trading, Pacific Production, PT AF, Silk Road Spices, The Spice House, Vietnam Spice Company, Visimex, and Webb James, Olam International Limited.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Food Packaging Market - Regional Industry Segment by Production, Consumption, Revenue and Growth Rate by 2024

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Food packaging market is by far the largest application segment of the packaging industry, accounting for more than one-third of the global packaging market. From a global perspective, the food packaging market is at a very interesting situation, where the market has almost reached a plateau in terms of technology in the more developed nations in North America and Europe, while the emerging countries of Asia Pacific region are playing catch up to the packaging technologies and food supply chain management. Different types of food products require varied packaging types according to their individual usage and perishability.Browse Market Research Report @The sea change in food habits and preference for processed food has propelled the food packaging market in the past. The market for packaged food has already reached a holistic level in North America and Western Europe, while rapid lifestyle changes and economic growth, coupled with rising population in Asia Pacific countries such as China and India, has spiked the growth rate of food packaging in the region. The growth rate in South America and the Middle East is also on the higher side compared to the developed economies. The main reason for increasing preference for processed food is the shifting population dynamics towards urban centers from rural areas. This has resulted in the advent of dual income urban families, who prefer processed food due to time constraints. Packaged food has evolved from super markets to neighborhood stores in countries such as China, India, Brazil and Thailand among others. The market dynamics in North America and Europe however, is governed by branding activities undertaken by food processing companies.Tremendous opportunity exist in the food packaging market in emerging economies as the food packaging technology is in its growth phase in this region. Antimicrobial packaging technique is of particular interest as it helps to improve the shelf life of perishable food products. The market is however, slightly restrained by the declining growth in North America and Europe.The food packaging market can be segmented into application segments such as convenience foods, confectionary items, dairy items, fruits and vegetables, meat and sauces and dressings. The popularity of the different food applications is different across the globe. For instance packaged meat is making foray into Asia Pacific region while it is mainstream in North America and Europe. Materials used to package food can also be segmented into plastic, paper & board, metal and glass. They may also be classified as rigid, semi-regid and flexible by type of packaging material. The preferences for different packaging materials also vary with regions due to the food habits specific to the regions. Flexible packaging accounts for the largest share of food packaging.For more information on this report, fill the form @North America is the largest food packaging market followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. However the growth rate exhibited by these regions has subsided considerably as the market is close to its peak. The growth parity is however, restored by the high growth regions of Asia Pacific and South America. China and India have exhibited exceptional growth potential and is expected to overtake the market leading position from North America in the near future.Some of the major players in the food packaging market are American Packaging Corporation, Anchor Packaging, Crown Holdings, Inc. and Bemis Company, Inc., among many others.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Semiconductor Packaging Material Market - Detailed Analysis and Forecast by 2020

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Semiconductor packaging material consists of material used for protecting electronic components such as ICs and semiconductors from external impact, corrosion and other similar factors. These materials are used in conjunction with various other advanced packaging technologies for packaging of integrated circuits and semiconductors.Browse Market Research Report @Semiconductor packaging material can be classified in eight sub-types which include bonding wires, organic substrates, encapsulation resins, leadframes, die attach materials, ceramic packages, solder balls and thermal interface materials amongst others. The organic substrates accounts for the largest market share in semiconductor packaging material. Organic substrates are extensively used as base materials for semiconductor packaging. Bonding wires have been used widely as packaging material for semiconductors, but recently there has been a shift towards copper bonding wires for semiconductor packaging. The market for encapsulation resins is expected to witness strong growth in the next few years since encapsulation resins are relatively novel packaging materials. The semiconductor packaging materials are application specific and available across the globe. The various packaging technologies include GA, SOP, QFN, DFN, QFA and similar others which generally depends on the end-use.The market for semiconductor packaging material is expected to witness strong growth in the next few years on account of explosive growth in communication and mobile computing devices such as tablets and smartphones across the globe. Growth in mobile devices is also anticipated to drive the demand for wafer level packages. With the continued growth in the mobile devices market the market for semiconductor packaging materials is expected to witness strong growth in the next few years. The increase in demand for semiconductor packaging material is expected to be in line with the growth in the electronics industry across the globe. The semiconductor packaging material market is currently concentrated in Asia Pacific due to vast electronic industry present in the region. With growing demand for electronics and mobile communication devices the demand for semiconductor packaging materials is also expected to witness robust growth in the next few years.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @Owing to the growing electronics industry in Asia-Pacific region and increased demand for mobile computing devices particularly in countries such as China, India Indonesia etc. the demand for semiconductor packaging material is anticipated to witness strong growth in these regions. Asia Pacific was the dominant market for semiconductor packaging material followed by Europe and North America. In North America, U.S was one of the largest markets for semiconductor packaging material. U.S economy has been recently recovered and has been close to pre-recession levels. Looking forward, the packaging industry in North America is expected to show stable growth in the next few years, which in turn is anticipated to drive the semiconductor packaging material market in this region. In Europe, Germany accounted for the largest market share followed by Italy, France and the U.K. The semiconductor packaging material market in North America and Europe is characterized by similar market conditions. In the Rest of the World (RoW), especially in countries such as Brazil, the market is expected to witness strong growth on account of increased demand for semiconductors from the electronics industry in this region.Some of the major companies operating in the global semiconductor packaging material market are Hitachi Chemical Co. Ltd., BASF SE, Henkel AG & Company, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., Alent plc, and Kyocera Chemical Co. Ltd., among others.About TMRTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Deep Brain Stimulator Market Trends, Regulations And Competitive Landscape Outlook to 2026

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Deep Brain Stimulation (DMS) is a neosurgical procedure which helps to treat a variety of disabling neurological symptoms. It involves the implantation of a battery-operated medical device called neurostimulator which sends electrical signals to specific parts of brain that control movement and affective disorders like pain, mood, weight and awakening. This procedure also helps in treating essential tremor, a common neurological movement disorder. DMS system consists of three components: a thin, insulated wire, called a lead or electrode that is placed into the brain, the neurostimulator which puts out the electric current and is generally placed under the skin near the collarbone and another thin, insulated wire, called an extension which connects the lead to the neurostimulator. The neurostimulator device is also referred to as brain pacemaker. FDA approved DMS as a treatment for essential tremor in 1997, for Parkinsons disease in 2002. Before this procedure, a neurosurgeon uses either MRI or CT scanning to detect the exact target area within the brain where the electric signals will generate the Parkinsons disease symptoms.Deep Brain Stimulator Market: Drivers and RestraintsIncreasing incidence of Parkinsons disease is the main driving force for the fast growth of deep brain stimulation device market. Deep brain stimulation does not involve destruction of any part of the brain and thus, has fewer complications than thalamotomy and pallidotomy.Moreover this electrical injection is adjustable and can be changed as the persons disease change or his or her response to medication change. No further surgery is needed to make the adjustments. All these has led to the growth of deep brain stimulation device market. However, with any surgical procedure there involves risk. The implantation of any foreign object in the body leads to increased risk of infection. If the battery fails then the device would stop working properly (the battery normally lasts 3 to 5 years).DMS placement may even lead to allergic reaction to the DMS parts. These may obstruct the deep brain stimulation device market to grow.Request For Report Sample@Deep Brain Stimulator Market: SegmentationDeep Brain Stimulator Marketis segmented based on product type, application, end user and geography.Based on product type, deep brain stimulatormarket is segmented into the following:Single Channel Deep Brain StimulatorDual Channel Deep Brain StimulatorBased on application, deep brain stimulatormarket is segmented into the following:Parkinsons diseaseEssential TremorChronic PainDystoniaTourette syndromeBased on end user, deep brain stimulatormarket is segmented into the following:HospitalsAmbulatory Surgical centersNeurological clinicsDeep Brain Stimulator Market: OverviewGlobally deep brain stimulation devices market are the main causes of mortality. Parkinsons disease is the most common neurological movement disorder after Alzheimers. Deep brain stimulation devices market is expected to grow at a healthy rate during the forecasted period 2013-2019. Rise in the number of neurological movement diseases like Parkinsons disease, essential tremor, Alzheimers disease has led to the huge growth of deep brain stimulation devices market. Parkinsons disease includes symptoms like tremors, stiffness, rigidity and walking problems.Deep Brain Stimulator Market: Region-wise OutlookRegion wise, the global deep brain stimulator marketis classified into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America region has a sizeable market share in the global deep brain stimulation market. Countries like US, Canada, Europe, Germany, UK, France and Spain has led North American and European market of deep brain stimulation device to grow at a faster rate. Increasing awareness regarding the application of deep brain stimulation device contributes its larger share in this region. However, emerging economies like India and China with their growing disposable income and advanced technological awareness enabling them to enter into this market and contribute towards its growth.Visit For TOC@Deep Brain Stimulator Market: Key PlayersKey players pertaining to Deep Brain Stimulator market includes Medtronic Inc., St. Jude Medical, Boston scientific. These companies hold huge amount of share in global deep brain stimulation devices market. Functional Neuromodulation, a startup backed by Medtronic and the National Institutes of Health, will advance its deep brain stimulation implant into a Phase III trial to treat Alzheimers disease patients. St. Jude Medical has received a CE mark for its latest neuromodulation technology-the Infinity Deep Brain Stimulation System to treat movement disorders. Key players across all locations use deep brain stimulation device market to treat Parkinsons disease, essential tremor thus, leading to the growth of this particular market.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Benzoic Acid Market Industry Key Players, Share, Trend, Applications, Segmentation and Forecast to 2021

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Market HighlightGrowing population, rising health and food awareness and growing application industries are the major factors which are driving the global benzoic acid market. The global benzoic acid market has seen a positive growth in the past few years and it has been expected that the growth will keep on continuing due to its crucial in the application segment. Benzoic acid acts as an anti-fungal component which helps the product for last longer and prevents in harmful bacterial and yeasts. However, this makes benzoic acid a crucial component in food and beverages and cosmetic industry.Request for Sample Report@Segmentation:As per MRFR analysis, the global benzoic acid market has been segmented into production methods and applications. On the basis of production methods, it mainly includes industrial preparations and laboratory synthesis whereas on the basis of applications, the market is segmented into preservative, food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and others.Key Player Hebei Smart Chemicals Co.,Ltd Emerald Performance Materials Novaphene, Shri Hari Chemicals Huangshi Taihua Industry Chemcrux Enterprises Apollo Scientific Shanghai Macklin BiochemicalStudy Objectives of Benzoic Acid Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Benzoic Acid Market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To Analyse the Global Benzoic Acid Market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW). To provide country-level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective. To provide country-level analysis of the market for segment by production method and applications. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analysing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market. To track and analyse competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Benzoic Acid Market.Browse Full B- A Market Report @The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:North America US Canada MexicoEurope Germany France Italy U.K Rest of EuropeAsia Pacific China India Japan Rest of Asia-PacificRow Brazil Argentina Egypt South Africa OthersAbout Market Research FutureAt Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Market Research Future Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune - 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312
Publishing Market Global Industry Analysis and Trends Forecasted for the period 2016 to 2021

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Market Research Hub (MRH) has recently updated its catalog, by adding a new study, titled as Publishing Global Industry Guide 2017. This study focuses on the worldwide market of the publishing industry, and a complete study of current trends prospects, growth and significance of this powerful sector in the market. Moreover, the report analyzes the market size, during the period 2012 to 2016 and provides market projections for the forecast period of 2016 to 2021 by analyzing some of the major regions, where the market has a huge scope. Regions included in the report are Asia-Pacific, Europe, United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Australia, Japan, China, Canada, The Netherlands and Spain.Request Free Sample Report:Publishing is a process of producing and distributing forms of literature or books. It includes the stages of the acquisition, development, graphic design, copy & editing and printing. Publishing mainly consists of Newspaper publishing, Book publishing and magazine publishing. As per this market study, book publishing is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the publishing market during the forecast period. The main reason for this segments growth is because of the increasing number of educational institutions going green and the high adoption of consumer and professional books by individuals across the globe.Firstly, the report presents the basic information of global publishing Industry together with its classification, application and industry chain overview. This preliminary section of the report also encapsulates the details of industry policies and plans which are helpful for the readers or to the new industry participants. Additionally, the research uses the Five Forces analysis to determine the competitive intensity and therefore attractiveness of the global publishing market.Secondly, the report contains descriptive information on the market segmentation, which is based on type and platform. By platform, it includes traditional publishing and digital publishing. Between these two, traditional publishers have been challenged by the electronic world. Electronic publishing has become the norm due to many devices available today. Also, with the surging popularity and affordability of digital platforms, the reading preference is shifting towards the digital medium and readers want to read digital books more than printed books. The research also mentions factors which are affecting the strength of competition in the market.Browse Full Report With TOC:This industry profile also contains descriptions of the leading players including key financial metrics and analysis of competitive pressures within the market. With all the above information, this extensive report adds weight to presentations and pitches by understanding the future growth prospects of the global publishing market.About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News At:
New Research into Sun Care in Spain Market

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SummaryThis report helps to analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Sun Care in Spain MarketDescriptionThe summer season in 2016 lasted longer than average, while temperatures were also hotter than normal. This hot and long summer supported the better performance of sun care, with current value sales rising by 4%.Sun Care in Spain report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data 2012-2016, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. Forecasts to 2021 illustrate how the market is set to change.Get a PDF Sample of Report at:Product coverage: Adult Sun Care, Baby and Child-specific Sun Care.Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.Why buy this report?Get a detailed picture of the Sun Care market;Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;Understand the competitive environment, the markets major players and leading brands;Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.Got any Query? Feel free to ask us at :The Key Points Mentioned in Sun Care in Spain Market Report are:HeadlinesTrendsCategory DataTable 1 Sales of Sun Care by Category: Value 2011-2016Table 2 Sales of Sun Care by Category: % Value Growth 2011-2016Table 3 NBO Company Shares of Sun Care: % Value 2012-2016Table 4 LBN Brand Shares of Sun Care: % Value 2013-2016Table 5 LBN Brand Shares of Premium Adult Sun Care: % Value 2013-2016Table 6 Forecast Sales of Sun Care by Category: Value 2016-2021Table 7 Forecast Sales of Sun Care by Category: % Value Growth 2016-2021L'Oreal Espana SA in Beauty and Personal Care (spain)Strategic DirectionKey FactsSummary 1 L'Oreal Espana SA: Key FactsSummary 2 L'Oreal Espana SA: Operational IndicatorsCompetitive PositioningSummary 3 L'Oreal Espana SA: Competitive Position 2016Mercadona SA in Beauty and Personal Care (spain)Strategic DirectionKey FactsSummary 4 Mercadona SA: Key FactsSummary 5 Mercadona SA: Operational IndicatorsCompetitive PositioningSummary 6 Mercadona SA: Competitive Position 2016Place a Purchase Order for this Report at:About Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Contact Information:Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas  75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019Follow Us on LinkedIn:
Pompe Disease - Pipeline Review and Industry Forecast Report 2017

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Market Research Hub's Pharmaceutical and Healthcare latest pipeline guide Pompe Disease - Pipeline Review, H1 2017, provides comprehensive information on the therapeutics under development for Pompe Disease (Metabolic Disorders), complete with analysis by stage of development, drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type. The guide covers the descriptive pharmacological action of the therapeutics, its complete research and development history and latest news and press releases.Request Free Sample Report:Report HighlightsPompe disease is an inherited disorder caused by defect in a gene called GAA. The GAA gene is responsible for the production of the GAA enzyme (acid alpha-glucosidase). This enzyme is needed to break down glycogen, a form of sugar stored in muscle cells. When too much glycogen builds up in the muscle cells, the cells become damaged and the muscles cannot function properly. Symptoms include respiratory failure, muscle pain, proximal muscle weakness, respiratory tract infections, headache and difficulty chewing or jaw muscle fatigue.The Pompe Disease (Metabolic Disorders) pipeline guide also reviews of key players involved in therapeutic development for Pompe Disease and features dormant and discontinued projects. The guide covers therapeutics under Development by Companies /Universities /Institutes, the molecules developed by Companies in Phase III, Phase II, IND/CTA Filed, Preclinical and Discovery stages are 1, 1, 1, 8 and 2 respectively. Similarly, the Universities portfolio in Phase II and Preclinical stages comprises 1 and 2 molecules, respectively.Pompe Disease (Metabolic Disorders) pipeline guide helps in identifying and tracking emerging players in the market and their portfolios, enhances decision making capabilities and helps to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage. The guide is built using data and information sourced from Market Research Hubs proprietary databases, company/university websites, clinical trial registries, conferences, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources. Additionally, various dynamic tracking processes ensure that the most recent developments are captured on a real time basis.Browse Full Report With TOC:Scope- The pipeline guide provides a snapshot of the global therapeutic landscape of Pompe Disease (Metabolic Disorders).- The pipeline guide reviews pipeline therapeutics for Pompe Disease (Metabolic Disorders) by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources.- The pipeline guide covers pipeline products based on several stages of development ranging from pre-registration till discovery and undisclosed stages.- The pipeline guide features descriptive drug profiles for the pipeline products which comprise, product description, descriptive licensing and collaboration details, R&D brief, MoA & other developmental activities.- The pipeline guide reviews key companies involved in Pompe Disease (Metabolic Disorders) therapeutics and enlists all their major and minor projects.- The pipeline guide evaluates Pompe Disease (Metabolic Disorders) therapeutics based on mechanism of action (MoA), drug target, route of administration (RoA) and molecule type.- The pipeline guide encapsulates all the dormant and discontinued pipeline projects.- The pipeline guide reviews latest news related to pipeline therapeutics for Pompe Disease (Metabolic Disorders).Reasons to buy- Procure strategically important competitor information, analysis, and insights to formulate effective R&D strategies.- Recognize emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and create effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage.- Find and recognize significant and varied types of therapeutics under development for Pompe Disease (Metabolic Disorders).- Classify potential new clients or partners in the target demographic.- Develop tactical initiatives by understanding the focus areas of leading companies.- Plan mergers and acquisitions meritoriously by identifying key players and its most promising pipeline therapeutics.- Formulate corrective measures for pipeline projects by understanding Pompe Disease (Metabolic Disorders) pipeline depth and focus of Indication therapeutics.- Develop and design in-licensing and out-licensing strategies by identifying prospective partners with the most attractive projects to enhance and expand business potential and scope.- Adjust the therapeutic portfolio by recognizing discontinued projects and understand from the know-how what drove them from pipeline.Make An Enquiry:About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News At:
IXYS UK Westcode Launches New 2.2Kv, 5370A Fast Thyristor

IXYS UK Westcode have this week announced the launch of their new 5370A Distributed Gate Thyristor. The new symmetrical blocking device has a peak blocking voltage of 2.2kV and a continuous DC rating of 1.3kV. IXYS UKs new device is its highest yet current rated fast thyristor and it also believed to be the highest on the market today.The new fast thyristor has an RMS current rating of over 10kA at 25C and surge rating of more than 75kA, it is suitable for application with power ratings up to 10MW and more. The high current handling capability offers the opportunity to replace two smaller converters operated in parallel to achieve power ratings not previously attainable with lower power ratings of available devices which significantly reduce component count and system size, as well as cost. With a turn-off time of as little as 50s, the device is suitable for applications with frequencies up to 1kHz.The new 2.2kV device is encapsulated in a fully hermetic 26mm thick package with an 85mm electrode diameter and overall diameter of 124mm, smaller than the older design with 100mm electrode and total diameter of 144mm. The silicon die is directly bonded to a metallic disc, the new 96mm die device is constructed using a new improved process when compared to IXYS earlier high current fast thyristor designs. This structure offers both improved transient thermal conditions and overall greater robustness, when compared to designs with free floating silicon.The thermal capacity of the metal disc and its direct fusion to the silicon enhances performance and presents excellent transient thermal and surge current ratings. The new package design, while retaining an industry standard footprint, allows for the maximum silicon to package ratio and represents up to a 35% increase in current rating over older designs in the larger package outline.The full symmetrical blocking device is available in two different switching classes at two standard voltage grades, part number designations are as follows: 1800 volt parts are R5370EA18J with tq 50s and R5370EA18K with tq 60s; 2200 volt parts are R5370EA22J with tq 50s and R5370EA22K with tq 60s.Typical applications for this device includes: induction power supplies for melting and billet heating up to multiple megawatts; as well as resonant power supplies and pulse switches for applications including high power magnets and lasers.GD Rectifiers are one of IXYS UK Westcodes largest UK Distributors, they stock their complete product range from Diodes, IGBTs and Thyristors to Heatsinks, Capacitors and Power Assemblies.For further information on IXYS UK Westcode products call our sales team on: 01444 243 452 or email: enquiries@gdrectifiers.co.ukIXYS UK Westcode, formerly Westcode Semiconductors has been at the forefront of power semiconductor design. Supporting a truly worldwide and diverse market place, IXYS UK Westcode has evolved in to one of the world's leading manufacturers of high power semiconductors.GD RectifiersBentley House2 William WayBurgess HillWest SussexRH15 9AG
Comprehensive view of the Automotive Lubricants Market by dividing it into product, base oil, vehicle type, distribution channel, and geography segments.

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Latest industry research report on: Automotive Lubricants Market : Industry Size, Share, Research, Reviews, Analysis, Strategies, Demand, Growth, Segmentation, Parameters, ForecastsDownload Sample copy of this Report at :Automotive lubricants are predominantly used to reduce friction and gain smooth functioning of a vehicle. Examples of automotive lubricant products are engine oil, gear oil, transmission fluid, greases, coolants, bearing oil, brake fluid, etc. Engine oil is estimated to expand at a significant rate during the forecast period due to increasing number of vehicles. Stringent environmental regulations on emissions across the globe is estimated to influence use of synthetic or bio-based lubricants over mineral oil based lubricants. Asia Pacific is likely to have a major share in consumption of automotive lubricants during the forecast period.Complete Report Details @Global Automotive Lubricants Market: Scope of the StudyThe report estimates and forecasts the automotive lubricants market on the global and regional levels. The study provides forecast between 2016 and 2024 based on volume (million tons / kilo tons) and revenue (US$ Bn / US$ Mn) with 2015 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the segments. It provides a comprehensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition at each stage.The study includes drivers and restraints for the automotive lubricants market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. It also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market.Further, the report analyzes opportunities in the automotive lubricants market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources. Furthermore, the report analyzes substitute analysis of automotive lubricants and global average price trend analysis.Global Automotive Lubricants Market: Research MethodologyThe report includes Porters Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the automotive lubricants market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users and regions have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for automotive lubricants between 2016 and 2024.Secondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to, company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis teams expertise and market understanding.Global Automotive Lubricants Market: SegmentationThe study provides a comprehensive view of the automotive lubricants market by dividing it into product, base oil, vehicle type, distribution channel, and geography segments. The products have been segmented into engine oil, gear oil and transmission fluid. The base oils are segmented into mineral oil, synthetic oil and bio-based oil.Based on the vehicle type, the market is segmented into passenger car (PC), light-weight commercial vehicle (LCV) and heavy-weight commercial vehicle (HCV). The distribution channels are segmented into OEM and aftermarket. These segments have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends.Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast consumption of automotive lubricants in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Market segmentation includes demand for consumption in all the regions individually.Companies Mentioned in the ReportThe report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include Royal Dutch Shell plc, ExxonMobil Corporation, BP p.l.c., Chevron Corporation and Others. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable).The global refinery catalysts market has been segmented as follows:Automotive Lubricants Market  Product AnalysisEngine oilGear oilTransmission fluidAutomotive Lubricants Market  Base oil AnalysisMineral oilSynthetic oilBio-based fluidAutomotive Lubricants Market  Vehicle type AnalysisPassenger car (PC)Light-weight Commercial Vehicle (LCV)Heavy-weight Commercial Vehicle (HCV)Automotive Lubricants Market  Distribution channel AnalysisOriginal Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)AftermarketAutomotive Lubricants Market  Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeU.K.FranceGermanyItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaRest of Asia PacificMiddle East & AfricaGCCSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Safes and Vaults Market in Europe grow at a CAGR of 6.12% during the period 2017-2021

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Market Research Hub's report, Safes and Vaults Market in Europe 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Request Free Sample Report:Safes and vaults are secure storage items used for the protection of valuables from threats, such as fire breakouts and burglar attacks. In many cases, they are used to prevent unauthorized access to potentially valuable items placed in them. With the advance of technology, safes and vaults are being electronically integrated to create smart systems. In Europe, the manufacturers of safes and vaults have a wide variety in their product portfolio to meet the needs of different customers. The key end customers for this segment are the banking sector, retail sector, industrial and high-risk sector, and individual customers.Market Research Hubs analysts forecast the safes and vaults market in Europe to grow at a CAGR of 6.12% during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the safes and vaults market in Europe for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report covers the detailed analysis of major vendors and a brief about other prominent vendors of safes and vaults market in Europe.Browse Full Report With TOC:Key vendorsBJARSTAL s.a.r.l.GunneboL'ITALIANA CASSEFORTIParitet-KOther prominent vendorsBravarija PiljekDoor SystemFeroconHexaMorichini SicurezzaStarkMarket driverRise in adoption of gun safes and vaults.For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeHigh total cost of ownership and low repeat purchase.For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendEmergence of smart safes for retail sector.For a full, detailed list, view our reportMake An Enquiry:Key questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News At:
Global Concentrated Solar Power Market: Parabolic Trough, Tower, Fresnel and Dish Sterling

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Latest industry research report on: Concentrated Solar Power Market : Industry Size, Share, Research, Reviews, Analysis, Strategies, Demand, Growth, Segmentation, Parameters, ForecastsDownload Sample copy of this Report at :This research study analyzes the market size of Concentrated Solar Power, in terms of volume (MW installed) and revenue (USD million). CSP market has been segmented on the basis of technology and geography, in order to provide a holistic view of the market. Market data for all segments has been provided on a regional level for the period 2014 to 2020. A comprehensive competitive landscape including company market share analysis has also been provided in this report. In market share analysis, major players of the CSP market are included from the different geographical locations.Complete Report Details @Key product market segments estimated in this study include Parabolic Trough, Tower, Fresnel and Dish Sterling. Regional data has been provided for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World (RoW). Parabolic Troughs is the dominating technology among all for power generation at commercial level. This report provides a detailed study of the installed capacity of all the CSP technologies in the North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. Europe is the leading region in terms of installed capacity followed by North America. The governments in the European region are providing incentives and rebates for attracting investors to invest in the market. The European crisis is expected to negatively affect the growth of CSP market. In the North American region, the U.S is expected to become the leading player in the CSP market. The U.S government is focused on reducing their greenhouse gases emission and is investing in the research and development of alternate sources of energy. All the major drivers, restraints and opportunities affecting the CSP market growth has also been provided in the report.This research is designed to estimate, analyze and forecast the market volume (MW installed) and revenue (USD Million) for the concentrated solar power market. This report provides in-depth analysis of the overall market size of the concentrated solar power market. The base line for the report has been taken as 2013, while all the forecasts are carried out for period of 2014-2020. The report focuses on the dominating technological segments of the concentrated solar power market. The market for the concentrated solar power is further segmented on the basis of geographical locations as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World. The report primarily focuses on the CSP project developer and the end utility as they act as an integral part of the value chain. The company market share provided in the report focuses on the market share of concentrated solar power equipment manufacturer as well as the project developer.This report also includes Porters five forces model, value chain analysis, and market attractiveness analysis by end-users. Porters five forces model has been used to analyze the buyers power, suppliers power, overall attractiveness in market and level of competition within the industry. Value chain analysis includes the entire process of installing a CSP plant from raw material to furnished product. These have been included with respect to the raw material provider, manufacturer, developer and suppliers. Drivers, restraints and opportunities of the CSP market have been mostly identified and are subjected to region wise variation. On the worldwide scale only the major drivers and restraints have been included. The market attractiveness study has been conducted on regional level. The study has been justified using different factor that play a major role in understanding the overall attractiveness of the market.Some of the key market participants that deal in Concentrated Solar Power market include Abengoa Solar S.A., Ibereolica Group, GDF SUEZ, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. and BrightSource Energy, Inc. The report provides an overview of these companies followed by their business overview, business strategies, SWOT analysis and recent developments.The research provides detailed analysis of companies dealing in concentrated solar power trend analysis and demand forecast by geography. The value chain for concentrated solar power study encompasses all the stages of setting up the systems and its applications.The study presents a comprehensive assessment of the stakeholder strategies, winning imperatives for them by segmenting the concentrated solar power market as below:Global Concentrated Solar Power Market: Product SegmentParabolic TroughSolar TowerLinear FresnelDish StirlingGlobal Concentrated Solar Power Market: Regional SegmentNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificRest of the World (RoW)About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Ground Mount PV Utility Market: Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2022

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Latest industry research report on: Ground Mount PV Utility Market : Industry Size, Share, Research, Reviews, Analysis, Strategies, Demand, Growth, Segmentation, Parameters, ForecastsDownload Sample copy of this Report at :Industry drivers such as reducing prices of PV modules, decreasing project costs, government schemes such as RPS, and increasing economies of scale of utility-scale projects are creating demand for ground mount PV utility. The ground mount PV utility annual installation in North America stood at 3,381.4 MW in 2013 and is expected to reach 17,589.7 MW by 2022, expanding at an AAGR of 20.1% between 2014 and 2022. Revenue generated through installations of ground mount PV utility projects in North America was valued at USD 7,311.8 million in 2013 and is projected to reach USD 19,464.1 million by 2022 at an AAGR of 11.5% between 2014 and 2022.Complete Report Details @The research study is designed to analyze the ground mount PV utility market in North America. The market is calculated in terms of annual capacity installations (MW) and revenue (USD Million). The market for ground mount PV utility in North America has been segmented based on the installation type and countries. On the basis of installation type, the market for ground mount PV utility in North America has been segmented into pile mount, pole mount, and others. The market for ground mount PV utility in North America, based on country-wise segment, has been divided into the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The report provides a detailed growth forecast for the period 2014?2022 based on the baseline year 2013. Projections have been provided for annual installations (MW) and revenue (USD Million).The report includes the key market dynamics affecting the demand for ground mount PV utility in North America. As a part of our market dynamics analysis, we have analyzed the market drivers, market restraints, and market opportunities. Furthermore, we have also provided a cost analysis of the ground mount PV utility projects in North America. In this cost analysis segment, we have analyzed the price of both fixed-axis and one-axis projects along with the cost of electricity for utility-scale PV projects in the U.S. and other North American countries. A comprehensive competitive landscape, which includes company market share analysis and market attractiveness analysis, has also been provided in this report. The report also provides a detailed industry analysis of the ground mount PV utility market in North America with the help of Porters Five Forces model. The Porters Five Forces analysis aids in understanding the five major forces that affect the industry structure and profitability of the ground mount PV utility market in North America. The forces analyzed are the bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat from new entrants, threat from substitutes, and degree of competition.The study also includes the value chain of the ground mount PV utility market which provides a glimpse of interaction and roles of major stakeholders in the industry. The attractiveness involves benchmarking and ranking each country included in the ground mount PV utility market. The parameters selected are likely to have a pronounced effect on the demand for ground mount PV utility in North America in the current as well as future scenario. In order to collate the North America ground mount utility market report, we have conducted in-depth primary interviews and discussion with numerous key opinion leaders and participants. Primary research represents the bulk of our research efforts, coupled with an extensive secondary research. We also reviewed key players product portfolio, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents for competitive analyses and better understanding of the ground mount utility market in North America. Secondary research includes in-depth research on current trends, Internet sources, trade journals, technical writing, and statistical data from associated approach for obtaining concise data, capturing industry participants insights, and recognizing growth opportunities.Key participants in the ground mount PV utility market in North America include Andalay Solar, Inc., First Solar, Haticon Solar, LLC, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, SolarCity Corporation, SunEdison, Inc., SunLink Corporation, SunPower Corporation, and Unirac Incorporated. This report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial revenues, business strategies, and recent developments.North America Ground Mount PV Utility Market: Installation Type AnalysisPile MountPole MountOthersNorth America Ground Mount PV Utility Market: Country-wise AnalysisU.S.CanadaMexicoAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Send Flowers to Delhi in 5 Hours with Giftalove.com

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Giftalove.com cuts down the online flowers delivery time to 5 hours for the metropolitan cities like Delhi. The store is already famous for its custom gifts delivery services and aims bigger with this latest development.New Delhi, India  The popular gifts and flower store Giftalove.com announces quick flower booking and delivery services for Delhi. It is now offering online flowers delivery within 5 hours to any part of the city. Apart from fast delivery, it continues with the claim of providing fresh flowers in huge varieties and arrangements. For those who are new to online gifts buying, the store is among the top flower booking destinations for numerous occasions in India.Giftalove.com began online flower delivery () services almost a decade ago. The service was a part of the stores online gifts delivery to different parts of India and also to a number of international destinations. It has managed to maintain a steady position in the industry not only with the top quality of flowers, but with continuous improvement of its delivery network in a cost-effective manner. Express flower delivery, same day flower delivery and mid-night flower delivery are among the most preferred options available with the store.Elated with the latest success in online delivery services, the store owner says, In addition to making flowers booking effortless and convenient for buyers, we have always attempted to make the process less time and money consuming. To make it possible, we continue to build up strong network with the most reputed florists in different parts of India. When it comes to a big city like Delhi, theres no dearth of flower sellers offering delivery to all parts of the National Capital Region. However, we ensure to handpick flower bouquets, baskets and other arrangements from the best ones only. It is because of their participation that we are able to set the target of 5 hours for our dear customers.Apart from Delhi, the store offers 5 hours delivery services for flowers to other Indian metros like Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and more. It books flowers for all important occasions like New Year, Mothers Day, birthdays and anniversaries and also for the festivals like Raksha Bandhan and Diwali. Its recent success in online flowers booking during the Valentines Week drew a lot of attention. We offer flowers in great varieties from roses to carnations. Our special flowers combos with items like chocolates, soft toys, cakes and delicious Indian sweets are quite a hit among buyers, adds the store owner.The stores 5 hour flower delivery service is available for buyers not only in India, but also for those living abroad. Anyone from any part of the world can send flowers to Delhi () using this fast delivery service. The store claims to offer the most competitive rates to ensure that the service is available to buyers with different budgets in hand. For more details, visitand explore the category of online flowers.Giftalove.com is a premium online gifts and flowers shopping destination based in India. It deals in fresh flowers as well as gifts in the categories like decors, clothes, jewellery, handicrafts, chocolates, cakes, sweets as well as personalized gifts. The store offers delivery services across India and also to the countries like UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and more.Mayur Vihar phase-1, New Delhi 110091
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installation Market: By Grid Type - Grid-Connected, Off-Grid

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Latest industry research report on: Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installation Market | Industry Size, Share, Research, Reviews, Analysis, Strategies, Demand, Growth, Segmentation, Parameters, ForecastsDownload Sample copy of this Report at :Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems are used to generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Solar radiation is trapped and converted to electricity via solar PV panels. The solar PV systems generate electricity with negligible carbon emissions thereby cutting the carbon level in the environment. Solar energy is freely and abundantly available, eliminating the cost involved in fuel input. Solar energy is one of the best alternative renewable sources of energy with least maintenance and operation costs. The global solar PV installation is expected to reach 60.05 GW in 2018, growing at a CAGR of 10.7% from 2012 to 2018.This market research analyzes the global market for solar PV, estimating and forecasting the market from the demand perspective. The overall market has been segmented on the basis of products based on grid type (grid-connected and off-grid), end users, technology, as well as on a geographical basis to provide a holistic picture of the market.Complete Report Details @Key solar PV products analyzed in this study include grid-connected and off-grid PV systems. Solar PV technologies estimated and forecasted in this study include thin film PV, crystalline silicon PV, and Other types that comprise CPV and organic solar PV etc. End users estimated and forecasted include residential, commercial, and utility-scale sectors. Regional data has been provided for North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW).This report also includes Porters five forces model, value chain analysis of the market and market attractiveness analysis by technology. Some of the key players that deal in solar PV include Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd, Yingli Green Holdings Co. Ltd., Canadian Solar Inc., First Solar Inc, and JA Solar. The report provides an overview of these companies followed by their financial revenue, business strategies and recent developments.The research provides detailed analysis of companies dealing in solar PV installation, trend analysis and demand forecast by geography. Various levels of market segmentation for which estimate and forecast has been provided are as follows:Global solar PV market, by grid type:Grid-connectedOff-gridGlobal solar PV market, by technology:Thin film PVCrystalline silicon PVOthersGlobal solar PV market, by end use:Residential sectorCommercial sectorUtility-scaleGlobal solar PV market, by geography:North AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificRest of the World (RoW)About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.Contact UsState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz
Electric Steering Market is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 15% CAGR by 2022

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Market Research Future published a half-cooked research report on global electric steering market. The global market electric steering is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 15% during the forecast period, 2016 to 2022.Market Highlights:Electric steering is increasing replacing hydraulic steerings in the automotive industry. Usage of electric steering will improve the fuel economy because electric steering uses around 8-10 horsepower under load. Electric powered steering uses electric motor instead and provides increased steering capabilities with less effort, as it removes hose, fluid, drive belt, pulley, and pump. Growth in the improved steering & reliability, and high fuel efficiency of electric steering over hydraulic steering systems is expected to drive the market of electric steering. The global electric steering market is expected to show a growth at CAGR of about 15% from 2016 to 2022.Asia-Pacific has emerged to be fastest growing market for electric steering market. This region has largest vehicle production due to increasing population and increasing disposable income. Increasing population, improving per capita income, and improving living standards are driving the market for automotive industries and hence expected to drive the market for electric steering.Request a Sample Copy @Key Players of Electric Steering Market: JTEKT Corporation Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH ZF TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. NSK Ltd. Nexteer Automotive Group Limited Mando Corporation ThyssenKrupp Ag Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd. Showa Corporation China Automotive Systems Inc.Brief TOC:1. Report Prologue2. Introduction2.1. Definition2.2. Scope Of The Study2.2.1. Research Objective2.2.2. Assumptions2.2.3. Limitations2.3. Market Structure2.4. Market Segmentation3. Research Methodology3.1. Research Process3.2. Primary Research3.3. Secondary Research3.4. Market Size Estimation3.5. Forecast Model4. Market Dynamics4.1. Drivers & Opportunities4.2. Challenges & Restraints4.3. Value Chain Analysis4.4. Porters Five Forces Analysis5. Electric Steering Market, By Type5.1. Introduction5.2. Column Assist Electric Power Steering (C-Eps)5.3. Pinion Assist Electric Power Steering (P-Eps)5.4. Rack Assist Electric Power Steering (R-Eps)5.5. OthersContinueScope of the Report:This study provides an overview of the global electric steering industry, tracking market segments across the categorized four geographic regions. The report provides a five-year forecast for the market size in terms of value for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the world. The scope of the study segments the global electric steering market based on type and vehicle type.Access Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.ContactAkash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
HOTEL INDIGO BANGKOK WIRELESS ROAD RECEIVED THE CITATION AWARD FROM ASA

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Ms. Yoauvaluk Piyasombatkul (2nd Left), owner of Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road together with Ms. Pattama Yoshimura (1st Left), General Manager, recently received the Citation Award from the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage.Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road introduces a unique inside-out architectural concept to divert itself from standard city hotel configurations. It embraces the historical background of Wireless Road using a Morse code signal facade design. It is a project with a hip atmosphere and an exceptional architectural space.In addition to the latest award, Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road has also been the recipient of a whole range of international accolades since opening in January 2015, including the Certificate of Excellence 2016 from TripAdvisor, 2016 Asia's Top 10 Boutique Hotels from Smart Travel Asia and 2015 Asia's Top Emerging Hotel from Now Travel Asia Award.About Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless RoadHotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road is the brand new 5-star branded boutique hotel on the crossroad of heritage and modernity. Here, a unique locally refreshing experience awaits your discovery and inspiring stories are just at your doorsteps. Located right in the heart of the cosmopolitan yet very local area of Wireless Road, the hotel is the perfect base for your visit to explore more of the exciting metropolis of Bangkok. With our 192 modern and vibrant guestrooms featuring locally-inspired artwork, plush bedding, hard-wood floors, spa-inspired bathrooms, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, 24-hour access gym and open-air, infinity-edge pool, Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road will be your home away from home. For more information or to make a reservation, visitor call +66 (0) 22074999. Find us on Facebook.TwitterHotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road | 81 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, ThailandT +66 2 207 4999 F +66 2 207 4998
2017 Rapid Test Kit Market Global Trend Analysis & 2021 Industry Growth Forecast Report

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Global Rapid Test Kit Market Research Report provides information on Products, Services, Trends, Top Companies, Verticals, Countries, Material, Application, and Geography globally. This report will help the viewer in Better Decision Making ,offers by OrbisResearch.comRapid Test Kit Report by Material, Application, and Geography  Global Forecast to 2021 is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific) and the main countries (United States, Germany, united Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and China).The report firstly introduced the Rapid Test Kit basics: definitions, classifications, applications and market overview; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures, raw materials and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.Request a sample of Global Rapid Test Kit Market Research Report @The report includes six parts, dealing with: Basic information The Asia Rapid Test Kit Market The North American Rapid Test Kit Market The European Rapid Test Kit Market Market entry and investment feasibility The report conclusionBrowse the full Global Rapid Test Kit Industry Research Report @Some of the points from table of content:Part I Rapid Test Kit Industry OverviewChapter One Rapid Test Kit Industry Overview1.1 Rapid Test Kit Definition1.2 Rapid Test Kit Classification Analysis1.2.1 Rapid Test Kit Main Classification Analysis1.2.2 Rapid Test Kit Main Classification Share Analysis1.3 Rapid Test Kit Application Analysis1.3.1 Rapid Test Kit Main Application Analysis1.3.2 Rapid Test Kit Main Application Share Analysis1.4 Rapid Test Kit Industry Chain Structure Analysis1.5 Rapid Test Kit Industry Development Overview1.5.1 Rapid Test Kit Product History Development Overview1.5.1 Rapid Test Kit Product Market Development Overview1.6 Rapid Test Kit Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.1 Rapid Test Kit Global Import Market Analysis1.6.2 Rapid Test Kit Global Export Market Analysis1.6.3 Rapid Test Kit Global Main Region Market Analysis1.6.4 Rapid Test Kit Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.5 Rapid Test Kit Global Market Development Trend AnalysisChapter Two Rapid Test Kit Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis2.1 Upstream Raw Materials Analysis2.1.1 Upstream Raw Materials Price Analysis2.1.2 Upstream Raw Materials Market Analysis2.1.3 Upstream Raw Materials Market Trend2.2 Down Stream Market Analysis2.1.1 Down Stream Market Analysis2.2.2 Down Stream Demand Analysis2.2.3 Down Stream Market Trend AnalysisPart II Asia Rapid Test Kit Industry (The Report Company Including the Below Listed But Not All)Chapter Three Asia Rapid Test Kit Market Analysis3.1 Asia Rapid Test Kit Product Development History3.2 Asia Rapid Test Kit Competitive Landscape Analysis3.3 Asia Rapid Test Kit Market Development TrendChapter Four 2012-2017 Asia Rapid Test Kit Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and Forecast4.1 2012-2017 Rapid Test Kit Capacity Production Overview4.2 2012-2017 Rapid Test Kit Production Market Share Analysis4.3 2012-2017 Rapid Test Kit Demand Overview4.4 2012-2017 Rapid Test Kit Supply Demand and Shortage4.5 2012-2017 Rapid Test Kit Import Export Consumption4.6 2012-2017 Rapid Test Kit Cost Price Production Value Gross MarginThe Report Contains: 163 Pages.Make an enquire of this report @For more press releases visit @About Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Contact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas - 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019Follow Us on LinkedIn:Follow us on Twitter:Follow us on G+ :
Advanced Energy Storage Technologies Industry Analysis, Research, share, Growth, Sales, Trends, Supply and Insights

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Global Advanced Energy Storage Technologies Market: SnapshotBy recognizing the role of energy storage systems, several government bodies across the globe have been aiming at building an affordable, reliable, and sustainable power supply structure for catering to the snowballing energy needs of their citizens. The competitive scenario of the global advanced energy storage technologies features acquisitions, mergers, partnerships, and product launches as the most leveraged growth strategies.For example, in May 2017, Wartsila Corporation announced that it is planning to acquire Greensmith Energy Management Systems Inc., a prominent provider of advanced energy storage technology solutions based in the U.S. The strategic acquisition will enable Wartsila to ramp up its international footprint in the advanced energy storage technologies market. As the competition between the leading companies operating in the market intensifies, the growth of the market for advanced energy storage technologies is likely to shoot up.The growth of the global market for advanced energy storage technologies is also being fuelled by the initiatives of different organizations and agencies. For instance, in May 2017, the Advanced Energy Storage Caucus was launched in the U.S. Congress by representatives. Executives from the leading manufacturers, suppliers, and developers of advanced energy storage technologies attended the conference, whose central objective is educating the members about the advantages of these systems.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Such initiatives inform government officials and people at large about how the use of advanced energy storage technologies can transform the way power is generated, distributed, and utilized. Also, the implementation of advanced energy storage removes the hurdles that are associated with higher use of battery storage.Global Advanced Energy Storage Technologies Market: OverviewAdvanced energy storage systems play a crucial role in the power industry. Maintenance of power quality, effective distribution, and proper energy management are some of their unique perceived benefits. They carry out the aforementioned tasks through frequency regulation, mitigating power congestion on grids, and supplying power uniformly in distributed generation. Advanced energy storage technologies first convert electricity into energy, store it, and then convert it back into usable electricity when the need arises. This is because while only a fixed amount of electricity can be generated at a time, the demand for electricity changes all the time.A report by Transparency Market Research furnishes valuable insights into the global advanced energy storage technologies market by analyzing the key trends and current competitive dynamics. It segments the market based on applications, technologies, and geography. In terms of technologies, for example, it classifies the market into super capacitors, pump hydro storage, batteries, flywheels, compressed air energy storage, and fuel cells. There are also more recent, upcoming technologies such as synthetic gas, super magnet, and hydrogen gas. Among all of these, pump hydro storage has been around for a very long time and dominates the market too. Application-wise, the report segments the market into transportation and grid storage.Request TOC of the Report @Global Advanced Energy Storage Technologies Market: Trends and OpportunitiesSpiking daily electricity consumption along with the yawning gap between energy supply and demand has necessitated substantial storage capacity additions. This has been the single-most important factor contributing to the global advanced energy storage technologies market. Other factors driving the market are the burgeoning renewable energy installations and the spurt in demand for hybrid and electric vehicles. Additionally, increasing concerns about greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions is also filliping the global advanced energy storage technologies market. This is because advanced energy storage technologies assist in effectively managing the flow of energy resources thus reducing the need for power generation, thereby bringing about energy conservation.Advanced energy storage systems have also allowed consumers to manage their electricity needs by using the load shifting technique which helps to bring down costs. Furthermore, other factors including the growing need of smart grid installation and new transmission and distribution grid construction and upgrades has also bolstered the global market for advanced energy storage technologies market.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Advanced Energy Storage Technologies Market: Regional OutlookDepending upon geography, the global market for advanced energy storage technologies can be segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World. North America, among them, is the leading market on account of the soaring popularity of electric vehicles and rising use of grid storage. North America is trailed by Asia Pacific and Europe. Going forward, Asia Pacific is predicted to outshine all other regions in terms of growth rate.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Casing Market : Recent Industry Trends and Projected Industry Growth, 2017 - 2025

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Global Casing Market: SnapshotCasing is a key structural element lining the wellbore and forms an essential role in maintain the overall integrity and performance of any oil well construction system. The use of casing is driven by a variety of factors apart from their primary applications in preventing contamination of water sands or groundwater due to drilling mud or fracturing fluids. The many advancements in the performance of casing strings are stirred by the growing number of drilling activities in deepwater and horizontal wells. They are instrumental in controlling extreme well pressures in over-pressured zones during a number of offshore well construction and operational activities. Growing extended-reach drilling activities have pressures on pushing the length of the laterals to counter substantial torque and drag friction force attributed to the high string weight.Recent advancements in under-reaming technology have considerably expanded the diameter of wellbore hole helpful for deeper reservoirs. This ensures that the casing reaches the required target depth to meet the requirements of deep offshore oil well activities. The use of digital reamer has been a favorable advancement in this regard. Advances in the design of expandable casing have been further complemented by significant progress made in metallurgy and cementing technology. The wells can be made to maintain a larger diameter and for extended duration during offshore oil drilling. Furthermore, advanced materials used for casing extend durability of bore wells so that they can be used for a wide range of geologic situations. Recent innovations in the oil and gas industry have been focused on improving the make-and-break performance of different sizes of connectors. This will further enhance the performance of casing strings.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Casing Market: Brief OverviewIn the oil and gas industry, casing is referred to a string of pipes which is accumulated and implanted into the borehole of a well. Casings are a very vital part of the well and are cemented in place with accordance to a desired set of requirements. Casings serve various purposes which includes preventing contamination of fresh water zones, avoiding unstable formations from caving-in, and checking sticking of the drilling string. Casings also deliver a strong foundation for the well to use high-density drilling fluid for drilling deeper. The quality of the cement plays a critical role in the hindrance of fluid movement from deep zones into groundwater resources. Casing and cementing programs is an important tool to protect the underwater quality and provide well control. Oil and gas operators are investing heavily to secure the future production potential of the existing wells.Request TOC of the Report @This industry research report is a brief review of the growth trail in terms of existing, past, and future scenarios of the global casing market. It deals with the evaluation of the aspects that are expected to influence the development of the market and the primary trends have also been specified in the research study. The research study also offers a broad lookout on the vendor landscape of the market through Porters five forces analysis. The research report offers references of the research and development activities, mergers and acquisitions, and specifics on licensing and collaborations. The report probes into the strategies related to publicity, shares, and product range of the key participants in the global casing market.Global Casing Market: Key HighlightsCasing strings are considered as indispensable elements for well completion services as they provide protection to the groundwater resources. Casings are constructed for the separation of fresh water zones and groundwater from leaks occurring in the well. Countless states and environmental agencies have listed requirements of casing and cementing. Such environmental regulations and conditions imposed by countries is the chief driver of the growth of the global casing market. Increasing exploration and production activities in unconventional fields and deep water areas are expected to further lift the requirement of casing strings. A casing once mounted in a well cannot be removed later. These strings cannot be reused again and thus every new well drilled requires new casing strings.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Stern environmental regulations and swelling production from alternative fields in oil producing nations provides an attractive market for casing strings. New unconventional fields discovered in South America and Caspian Sea region can act as large markets for casing strings. The growing demand for energy in the Asia pacific region has led to exploration of numerous hydrocarbons potential areas in deep-water locations. These deep water fields will provide an attractive opportunity for the substantial growth of the casing market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Security Robots Market Technology, Solutions, Payment Type and Forecast to 2025

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The Insight Partners added new research report Security Robots Market to 2025  Global Analysis and Forecasts by Product Type, End-use, and Vertical to its database.Autonomous surveillance devices possessing cameras on wheels and roll around patrolling any specific area assigned are known as security robots. These robots assist the guards in security by alerting them of intrusion. They possess LED display as their face indicating emotions for programmed responses reflecting their current status. These robots possess robotic voice to alert the security personnel and also hold capability to make communication with other security robots in the area.Get Complete Report @Concerns for security and increasing penetration of automation techniques is primarily driving the demand for security. Further, companies in the value chain are constantly developing advanced security solutions capable of replacing human intervention. This factor combined with decline in the average cost of security robots is expected to drive the global security robots market.Inquire before Buying @The objectives of this report are as follows: To provide overview of the global Security Robots market To analyze and forecast the global Security Robots market on the basis of technology, solutions and payment type To provide market size and forecast till 2025 for overall Security Robots market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA), and South America (SAM), which are later sub-segmented across respective major countries To evaluate market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend To provide exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions To profiles key Security Robots players influencing the market along with their SWOT analysis and market strategiesSome of the important players in Security Robots market are Aerovironment, Inc., Cobham PLC, Elbit Systems, ENDEAVOR ROBOTICS, Knightscope, Inc., Kongsberg Maritime, Lockheed Martin Corp., Qinetiq Group PLC , Recon Robotics, and Thales SA .Inquire about discount on this report @About Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Axial Piston Hydraulic Motors and Pumps Market Expected to Reach $1,418 Million by 2022

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According to the new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, Axial Piston Hydraulic Motors and Pumps Market by Product and Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014-2022, the axial piston hydraulic motors and pumps market was valued at $1,418 million in 2015, and is expected to reach at $ 1,882 million by 2022 during the forecast period. The axial piston hydraulic pumps segment is expected to dominate the global market. Asia-Pacific accounted for 34% of market share in 2014, and is expected to witness significant growth rate during the forecast period.Request For Sample Report @An axial piston hydraulic motor is used to convert pressure and fluid energy into torque and angular displacement. An axial piston hydraulic pump, a type of positive displacement pump, which is used to convert mechanical power into hydraulic energy, that is, flow or pressure. The demand for hydraulic pumps and motors has increased, owing to increase in construction activities globally, rise in sales of automobiles, and growth in application areas in the mining industry. In addition, government regulations and legislations for reducing CO2 (carbon dioxide) and NOX (nitrogen oxide) emissions and increased awareness about energy savings are expected to propel the market growth. However, high cost of maintenance and continuous monitoring of these motors to detect and rectify any failure in the equipment pose a threat to market growth.The axial piston hydraulic pumps segment dominated the global axial piston hydraulic motors and pumps industry in 2014, with around 53% share, and is expected to grow at the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The axial piston hydraulic pumps market is driven by high demand from oil & gas, chemical, water & waste water management, and manufacturing industries; and increase in adoption of high efficiency and high-power piston pumps in renewable energy, automotive, mining, agriculture; and other applications.In the global axial piston hydraulic motors market, the variable displacement segment generated highest share of revenue in 2014, and is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 4.9% during forecast period. Similarly, in global axial piston hydraulic pumps market, the variable displacement segment generated highest revenue in 2014, and is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.The manufacturing and construction applications segments collectively accounted for around 33% share of the global market revenue in 2014, while the water management application segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of 4.7%. The market for manufacturing applications is expected to grow at the second highest CAGR of 4.6%, owing to increase in process automation, upgradation of existing machineries and equipment in factories, and rise in adoption of highly efficient and high-power hydraulic motors and pumps.Key Findings of the Axial Piston Hydraulic Motors and Pumps Market: The axial piston hydraulic motors segment dominated the market, in terms of revenue, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period. The variable displacement axial piston hydraulic motors segment led the global axial piston hydraulic motors in 2014, and is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR. The variable displacement axial piston hydraulic pumps segment dominated the global axial piston hydraulic pumps in 2014, and is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR. Manufacturing application generated the highest revenue in 2014, while the water management application is estimated to grow at the highest growth rate of 4.7%. In 2014, Asia-Pacific was the dominant region and is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR, while China is the major contributor in the market.Key players operating in the axial piston hydraulic motors and pumps market include Bondioli & Pavesi SPA, Bosch Rexroth AG, Danfoss Group, DTA (Damen Technical Agencies), Eaton Corporation, HAWE Hydraulik SE, HYDAC, Hytec Group, Parker-Hannifin Corporation, and Poclain Hydraulics, Inc.About Us:Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of Market Research Reports and Business Intelligence Solutions. AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.Contact:Rahul Thakur5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free : +1-800-792-5285UK : + 44-845-528-1300Hong Kong : + 852-301-84916India (Pune) : +91 20 66346060Fax : +1855550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.com
Remote Terminal Units Market Studies Research 2017 Detailed Analysis of Restrain and Growth Factors

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Global Remote Terminal Units Market: SnapshotAs increasing number of power grids are being installed and upgraded across several developing nations of the world, the demand for remote terminal units is slated to fire up rapidly on a global basis. Furthermore, the growing cross-border connections alongside rising grid monitoring activities and data analysis are other factors accelerating the growth of the global market for remote terminals.New products are being launched by several major companies. For example, in May 2017, ABB introduced its CMS-700 energy monitor and control unit in order to provide easy access while collecting data and analyzing it. Featuring an advanced open-core sensor, the new system helps in the management and optimization of energy efficiency. Similarly, an upgraded version of its dynamic lift optimization (DLO) software by Emerson incorporates an advanced remote terminal unit. The solution has been designed to reduce footprint as well as weight, when compared with a conventional system.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The emerging markets such as Indonesia, Malaysia, China, India, Nigeria, Brazil, Singapore, and Argentina are hubs of opportunities for the progress of the global market for remote terminal units. The growing popularity of automation across a number of industries has enabled greater deployment of this multipurpose device. Because the most important components of remote terminal units are storage, processor and memory, it is quite similar to a computer. As a result, remote terminal units are being increasing used as an intelligent or master controller of other devices, enhancing the process of automation. Over the oncoming years, the international demand for remote terminal units is therefore expected to multiply.Remote Terminal Units Market: General OutlineA remote terminal unit is a microprocessor-based device, connected to process equipments, transmitters or sensors, for the purpose of remote telemetry and control. RTUs with the aid of appropriate sensors, monitor the status of the process via digital and analogue inputs. They provide control outputs to switch plant such as circuit breakers and tap changers. In the oil and gas industry, during the drilling process, RTUs are used to transmit drilling mechanics, and rock formation information up-hole, in real time. These services are known as logging while drilling and measurement while drilling, Schlumberger's Pulse Technology is a perfect example of this. During the process of drilling, tools use this methodology to send information acquired thousands of feet below the ground. The pressure wave is then translated into a useful information after DSP (Digital Signal Processing) and noise filters, and is later used for drilling optimization, formation evaluation, and geosteering.Request TOC of the Report @Remote Terminal Units Market: Comprehensive OverviewThe advent of improved technology for process monitoring and data transmission has dominated the market drivers for remote terminal units. With improved SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) regulations by various governments across the globe, and increased threat of data security, organizations are now looking at the latest technologies for remote terminal units.Developing markets and new drilling areas also contribute to the growth of the RTU market for oil and gas sectors. Despite the growth factors, the industry does face a few challenges. In the European and North American region, RTU system has been established since the 1970s, and there remains no scope for new installations, in other words, markets of these regions have reached a saturation point. Also, significant financial investment is required to lay down a network across regions and to establish RTUs at inaccessible locations. However, with new fields being discovered in the Asia Pacific region, there is a scope for growth.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Remote Terminal Units Market: Segment OverviewBased on the mode of application, the RTU industry is classified into: RTUs for Oil and Gas Wells and RTUs for Compressor, Pump or Valve Stations. A further classification can be made on the basis of the industry such as power, oil exploration or pipeline management. Also, based on the connectivity, RTUs may use telephone hard lines or wireless transmission systems.Geographically, the remote terminal units market is currently concentrated in the Asia Pacific region due to initiation of major oil exploration projects as well as power grid expansion in India, China, Malaysia, and Indonesia. In the Rest of the World, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America is also witnessing a similar trend. Whereas, the European and North American regions are expected to see a significant decline in the demand of RTUs, as the market already has a well-established SCADA network.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Internet of Robotic Things Market - Forecasts From 2017 To 2022

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Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence announces publication of a new report: Internet of Robotic Things Market - Forecasts From 2017 To 2022.This research report segments the Internet of Robotic Things market by Software (Data Security, Bandwidth, Monitoring, and Analytics), Platform (Device, Application, and Network), Component (Power Source, Actuators, Control System, Sensor, and Others), End-User(Healthcare, Automotive, Household, Defense, Industrial, and Others), and Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific). The report provides in-depth and most accurately anticipated forecasts in a quantitative manner.Some of the major Internet of Robotic Things companies covered in the report are robot Corporation, ABB, Google Inc., Intel Corporation, Cisco System, Omron Adept Technologies, Inc., Robot Bosch, Kuka AG, and Amazon.com.Sample request or complete report can be purchased through the link below:The report can be purchased through the link:This 90 pages report contains a wide range of figures and data tables for the forecasted period based on the segmentations listed above.Brief TOC is as below: Market Dynamics Segmentationo By Software Data Security Bandwidth Monitoring Analyticso By Platform Device Application Networko By component Power Source Actuators Control System Sensor Otherso By End User Healthcare Automotive Household Defense Industrial Otherso By Geography Americas North America South America Europe Middle East and Africa Europe Middle East and Africa Asia Pacific Competitive Intelligence Profiles of key companiesAbout Knowledge Sourcing IntelligenceKnowledge Sourcing Intelligence is a market research and consulting firm based out of India. Driven by industry experts, the company provides syndicated reports, custom research, and consulting services. Our proprietary data analytics model blended with quality primary and secondary research data assists in generating quality reports providing crucial insights to managers and decision makers. The services offered by us help companies to gain required competitive edge. Our expertise across 10 industries such as ICT, Chemicals, Semiconductors, Healthcare among others caters to diverse client needsKnowledge Sourcing IntelligenceAscent Business CenterH-38, Sector 63NOIDA, IndiaContact: +1-866-714-4587
Premature Ejaculation (Male Health) Pipeline Forecast Report, H1, 2017  Healthcare Pipeline Guide

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Market Research Hub's Pharmaceutical and Healthcare latest pipeline guide Premature Ejaculation - Pipeline Review, H1 2017, provides comprehensive information on the therapeutics under development for Premature Ejaculation (Male Health), complete with analysis by stage of development, drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type. The guide covers the descriptive pharmacological action of the therapeutics, its complete research and development history and latest news and press releases.Request Free Sample Report @Premature ejaculation (PE) is also known as rapid ejaculation, is the most common type of sexual dysfunction in men. Ejaculation is controlled by the central nervous system. This happens when sexual stimulation and friction provide impulses that are delivered to the spinal cord and into the brain. The predisposing factors include erectile dysfunction, stress and certain medications that influence the action of chemical messengers in the brain (psychotropics) may contribute to premature ejaculation. Treatment includes topical anesthetic creams and antidepressants.The Premature Ejaculation (Male Health) pipeline guide also reviews of key players involved in therapeutic development for Premature Ejaculation and features dormant and discontinued projects. The guide covers therapeutics under Development by Companies /Universities /Institutes, the molecules developed by Companies in Phase III, Phase II and Preclinical stages are 1, 2 and 2 respectively.Premature Ejaculation (Male Health) pipeline guide helps in identifying and tracking emerging players in the market and their portfolios, enhances decision making capabilities and helps to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage. The guide is built using data and information sourced from Market Research Hubs proprietary databases, company/university websites, clinical trial registries, conferences, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources. Additionally, various dynamic tracking processes ensure that the most recent developments are captured on a real time basis.Scope:- The pipeline guide provides a snapshot of the global therapeutic landscape of Premature Ejaculation (Male Health).- The pipeline guide reviews pipeline therapeutics for Premature Ejaculation (Male Health) by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources.- The pipeline guide covers pipeline products based on several stages of development ranging from pre-registration till discovery and undisclosed stages.- The pipeline guide features descriptive drug profiles for the pipeline products which comprise, product description, descriptive licensing and collaboration details, R&D brief, MoA & other developmental activities.- The pipeline guide reviews key companies involved in Premature Ejaculation (Male Health) therapeutics and enlists all their major and minor projects.- The pipeline guide evaluates Premature Ejaculation (Male Health) therapeutics based on mechanism of action (MoA), drug target, route of administration (RoA) and molecule type.- The pipeline guide encapsulates all the dormant and discontinued pipeline projects.- The pipeline guide reviews latest news related to pipeline therapeutics for Premature Ejaculation (Male Health)Reasons to Buy:- Procure strategically important competitor information, analysis, and insights to formulate effective R&D strategies.- Recognize emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and create effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage.- Find and recognize significant and varied types of therapeutics under development for Premature Ejaculation (Male Health).- Classify potential new clients or partners in the target demographic.- Develop tactical initiatives by understanding the focus areas of leading companies.- Plan mergers and acquisitions meritoriously by identifying key players and its most promising pipeline therapeutics.- Formulate corrective measures for pipeline projects by understanding Premature Ejaculation (Male Health) pipeline depth and focus of Indication therapeutics.- Develop and design in-licensing and out-licensing strategies by identifying prospective partners with the most attractive projects to enhance and expand business potential and scope.- Adjust the therapeutic portfolio by recognizing discontinued projects and understand from the know-how what drove them from pipeline.Browse Full Report with TOC @Table of Contents:List of TablesList of FiguresIntroductionMarket Research Hub Report CoveragePremature Ejaculation - OverviewPremature Ejaculation - Therapeutics DevelopmentPipeline OverviewPipeline by CompaniesProducts under Development by CompaniesPremature Ejaculation - Therapeutics AssessmentAssessment by TargetAssessment by Mechanism of ActionAssessment by Route of AdministrationAssessment by Molecule TypePremature Ejaculation - Companies Involved in Therapeutics DevelopmentAllergan PlcIxchelsis LtdNeuroHealing Pharmaceuticals IncPlethora Solutions Holdings PlcSK Chemicals Co LtdPremature Ejaculation - Drug Profiles(lidocaine hydrochloride + prilocaine) - Drug ProfileProduct DescriptionMechanism Of ActionR&D ProgressIX-01 - Drug ProfileProduct DescriptionAbout Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Details:90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Follow Us on:Twitter:LinkedIn:Facebook:
Concrete Admixtures Market : Volume Analysis, Segments, Value Share and Key Trends 2017

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Global Concrete Admixture Market: SnapshotOver the last two decades, there has been a remarkable expansion in urban areas around the world. This has escalated the pace of infrastructural development and constructional activities. With the booming construction industry in most of the parts of the world, the global concrete admixtures market is expected to rake in a healthy share of the revenue pie. Concrete admixtures are believed to make concrete structures more economical for contractors and other stakeholders. They find their application in residential and non-residential sectors.Emerging countries such as China, India, the U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Egypt will be sights of high growth rate, owing to rising requirements for housing and infrastructure The growth of the market is also augmented by increasing consumer spending, spiraling demand for durable and aesthetic civil structure. Infrastructural development is majorly fuelled by the contribution of governments and therefore, government funding plays a vital role in the growth of the market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @While emerging countries will offer fertile grounds for the development of the market, gaining high profits in industrialized regions will be challenging for manufacturers due to matured nature of these markets. These regions have established and rather advanced infrastructure and the majority of demand for concrete admixture will be for maintenance and repair activities. Moreover, turbulence in the economic conditions at the global scale is negatively impacting the construction and real estate industry, which in turn is inhibiting the growth of the global concrete admixtures market.Global Concrete Admixtures Market: OverviewAdmixtures constitute those form of ingredients in a concrete mixture which are added during or immediately before the mixing procedure. They are, however, not to be confused with other ingredients such as water, Portland cement, or the aggregate. Plain concrete mixes fall short of providing the characteristics that can be easily obtained from concrete admixtures. While concrete admixtures are added to concrete at the time of batching or mixing, the dosages are normally less than 5.0% by the mass of the cement used.Request TOC of the Report @On the basis of function, concrete admixtures can see a classification by air entraining admixtures, water reducing admixtures, plasticizers, accelerating admixtures, retarding admixtures, retarding admixtures, hydration-control admixtures, corrosion inhibitors, shrinkage reducers, alkali-silica reactivity inhibitors, and coloring admixtures.Global Concrete Admixtures Market: Driving FactorsConcrete admixtures have gained prominence in concrete construction activities as they allow cost reduction. Apart from enhancing the quality of concrete, they help in its maintenance during important stages such as mixing, transporting, placing, and curing and also in adverse weather conditions. Besides this, they find important usage in building and construction activities as well, which is one of the colossal markets on the globe with regard to revenue generation.Various application segments such as highways, houses, bridges, sidewalks, and skyscrapers are expected to significantly add to the rise in the consumption of concrete and consequently, concrete admixtures. Likewise, there is a growing demand from a variety of end users which is equally contributing to the growth. Plasticizers, especially super-plasticizers, are envisaged to lead the international concrete admixtures market among the other segments in the category.While the mature markets in developed regions could affect the growth of the global concrete admixtures market, new avenues are expected to open in developing markets with the inflating demand for ready-mix concrete (RMC).Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Concrete Admixtures Market: Geographical AnalysisOwing to the growth in residential complexes, corporate offices, and architectural designs, Asia Pacific had majorly contributed to the global concrete admixtures market in the recent past. The rising urbanization in Asia Pacific countries and elevating strength of the world population are currently driving the global building and construction market and will continue to drive as projected. Emerging economies such as India and China are contributing to the growth of the market in the Asia Pacific region on the back of changing lifestyles and swelling urbanization.South Africa followed by Europe also held an impressive consumption rate. However, North America has witnessed a stable advancement in the global concrete admixtures market. This trend is envisioned to continue until the end of the forecast period.Global Concrete Admixtures Market: Key VendorsAmong others, Ashland Inc., BASF, CICO Technologies Ltd., The Dow Chemical Company, Fosroc, Sika AG, LanYa Concrete Admixtures Co. Ltd., CHRYSO, and W.R. Grace & Co. are the crucial global players in the concrete admixtures market. The report presented here studies each company to provide a comprehensive analysis of their critical marketing strategies and future plans. The competitive landscape illustrated by the analysts will help the report buyers to gain a competitive edge in the global market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Global Smart Medical Devices Market Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Smart Medical Devices Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Smart medical devices are the electronic devices with independent processing system. Smart medical devices are useful in day to day life to monitor and diagnose various parameter of health and fitness.A detailed overview of market dynamics, including the drivers, restraints, and opportunities of the smart medical devices market, has been provided in this report. Market revenue for all the above mentioned segments, and their sub segments has been provided for the forecast period of 2016-2024, considering 2015 as the base year, and 2014 as the historical year, along with compound annual growth rate (CAGR %), for the forecast period of 2016-2024. Market share estimations were based on in-depth analysis and study of products, and their features, prices etc.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Smart Medical Devices Market: ScopeThis report provides in-depth analysis of the smart medical devices market. The stakeholders for this report include companies involved in the manufacturing of smart medical devices and its spares parts. For providing a snapshot of this market to the stakeholders, executive summary section is included in this report, which summarizes the market size, trends and competition in different regions. Market share analysis among the market players is analyzed to signify percentage share of the major players operating in the smart medical devices market. Furthermore, the report incorporates market attractiveness analysis by geography that depicts the most attractive and significant region in the global market in 2015.The research methodology is a combination of primary and secondary research. Primary research includes information collected via e-mails, and telephonic interviews of Key Opinion Leaders (KOL), and forms the bulk of our research. Secondary research includes information collected from various sources, by study of company websites, annual reports, stock analysis presentations, press releases, and various national and international databases.Global Smart Medical Devices Market: SegmentationBased on product type, global smart medical market is segmented on the basis of product are diagnostic and monitoring devices, therapeutic device, injury prevention & rehabilitation devices and others. Diagnostic and monitoring devices segment is further sub-segmented into blood glucose monitors, heart rate monitors, EEG/ECG monitors, cardiac event, pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors, fetal monitor, Breathalyzer, medical tricorder, blood analyte analyzers and others. Therapeutic device are further sub-segmented into portable oxygen concentrators and ventilators, insulin pumps, neuro-stimulators, hearing aids and others. Injury prevention and rehabilitation devices are further sub-segmented into body motion devices, fall detection devices and othersBased on modality, the smart medical devices market are segmented into portable, wearable and others. End users in the smart medical devices market are, hospitals, clinics, home care settings and others (industrial, institutions, academics, nursing facility, etc.)Global Smart Medical Devices Market: Regional OutlookBased on geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. The regions are further segmented into major countries which include, U.S., Canada, Germany, U.K., France, rest of Europe, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Rest of Asia Pacific, Brazil, Mexico, Rest of Latin America, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Rest of Middle East and Africa.Key Players Mentioned in this Report are:The report also comprises list major players in the market, their SWOT analysis, market share of these players in the smart medical devices market, key business strategies, product portfolios, and recent developments. Key market players profiled in this report include, Abbott Laboratories, Apple Inc., Dexcom, Inc., Fitbit, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic plc, NeuroMetrix, Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, and Sonova.The global smart medical devices market has been segmented as follows:Global Smart Medical Devices Market, by Product TypeDiagnostic and Monitoring Devices- Blood Glucose Monitors- Heart Rate Monitors- EEG/ECG Monitors- Cardiac Event- Pulse Oximeters- Blood Pressure Monitors- Fetal Monitor- Breathalyzer- Medical Tricorder- Blood Analyte Analyzers- OthersTherapeutic Device- Portable Oxygen Concentrators and Ventilators- Insulin Pumps- Neuro-stimulators- Hearing Aids- OthersInjury Prevention and Rehabilitation Devices- Body Motion Devices- Fall Detection Devices- Others- OthersGlobal Smart Medical Devices Market, by Test Type- Portable- Wearable- OthersGlobal Smart Medical Devices Market, by End Users- Hospitals- Clinics- Home care settings- OthersGlobal Smart Medical Devices Market, by Geography- North America- U.S.- Canada- Europe- Germany- France- U.K.- Rest of Europe- Asia Pacific- China- Japan- Australia & New Zealand- Rest of Asia Pacific- Latin America- Brazil- Mexico- Rest of Latin America- Middle East and Africa- Saudi Arabia- South Africa- Rest of MEAMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Global Image Detection Sensor Market Professional Survey Report 2017

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This report studies Image Detection Sensor in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringHamamatsu PhotonicsON SemiconductorCanonPanasonicSonyTeledyne Technologies IncToshibaSamsung ElectronicsOmronOmnivision TechnologiesFLIR SystemsHikvisionBy types, the market can be split intoCCDCMOSThermalBy Application, the market can be split intoHealth CareAutomotiveConsumer ElectronicsIndustrialAerospace & DefenseOthersBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaBook a Free Sample Copy of this Research Report @Table of Contents1 Industry Overview of Image Detection Sensor1.1 Definition and Specifications of Image Detection Sensor1.1.1 Definition of Image Detection Sensor1.1.2 Specifications of Image Detection Sensor1.2 Classification of Image Detection Sensor1.2.1 CCD1.2.2 CMOS1.2.3 Thermal1.3 Applications of Image Detection Sensor1.3.1 Health Care1.3.2 Automotive1.3.3 Consumer Electronics1.3.4 Industrial1.3.5 Aerospace & Defense1.3.6 Others1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 IndiaQYresearchreports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations.QYResearchReports1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections (Infectious Disease) Pipeline Forecast Report, H1, 2017 [MRH]

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Market Research Hub's latest Pharmaceutical and Healthcare disease pipeline guide Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections Market - Pipeline Review, H1 2017, provides an overview of the Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections (Infectious Disease) pipeline landscape. Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) is a bacterium that causes a life-threatening infection that can lead to serious illness, especially in children. Symptoms include severe headache, stiff neck, convulsions or seizures, severe drowsiness, difficulty waking up, loss of consciousness or difficulty with breathing. Predisposing factors include age and weakened immune system. Treatment includes antibiotics.Request Free Sample Report @Report HighlightsMarket Research Hub's Pharmaceutical and Healthcare latest pipeline guide Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections - Pipeline Review, H1 2017, provides comprehensive information on the therapeutics under development for Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections (Infectious Disease), complete with analysis by stage of development, drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type. The guide covers the descriptive pharmacological action of the therapeutics, its complete research and development history and latest news and press releases.The Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections (Infectious Disease) pipeline guide also reviews of key players involved in therapeutic development for Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections and features dormant and discontinued projects. The guide covers therapeutics under Development by Companies /Universities /Institutes, the molecules developed by Companies in Pre-Registration, Filing rejected/Withdrawn, Phase III, Phase II, Phase I, IND/CTA Filed and Preclinical stages are 2, 1, 6, 2, 5, 1 and 4 respectively. Similarly, the Universities portfolio in Discovery stages comprises 2 molecules, respectively.Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections (Infectious Disease) pipeline guide helps in identifying and tracking emerging players in the market and their portfolios, enhances decision making capabilities and helps to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage. The guide is built using data and information sourced from Market Research Hubs proprietary databases, company/university websites, clinical trial registries, conferences, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources. Additionally, various dynamic tracking processes ensure that the most recent developments are captured on a real time basis.Scope- The pipeline guide provides a snapshot of the global therapeutic landscape of Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections (Infectious Disease).- The pipeline guide reviews pipeline therapeutics for Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections (Infectious Disease) by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources.- The pipeline guide covers pipeline products based on several stages of development ranging from pre-registration till discovery and undisclosed stages.- The pipeline guide features descriptive drug profiles for the pipeline products which comprise, product description, descriptive licensing and collaboration details, R&D brief, MoA & other developmental activities.- The pipeline guide reviews key companies involved in Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections (Infectious Disease) therapeutics and enlists all their major and minor projects.- The pipeline guide evaluates Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections (Infectious Disease) therapeutics based on mechanism of action (MoA), drug target, route of administration (RoA) and molecule type.- The pipeline guide encapsulates all the dormant and discontinued pipeline projects.- The pipeline guide reviews latest news related to pipeline therapeutics for Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections (Infectious Disease)Reasons to buy- Procure strategically important competitor information, analysis, and insights to formulate effective R&D strategies.- Recognize emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and create effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage.- Find and recognize significant and varied types of therapeutics under development for Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections (Infectious Disease).- Classify potential new clients or partners in the target demographic.- Develop tactical initiatives by understanding the focus areas of leading companies.- Plan mergers and acquisitions meritoriously by identifying key players and its most promising pipeline therapeutics.- Formulate corrective measures for pipeline projects by understanding Haemophilus influenzae Type B Infections (Infectious Disease) pipeline depth and focus of Indication therapeutics.- Develop and design in-licensing and out-licensing strategies by identifying prospective partners with the most attractive projects to enhance and expand business potential and scope.- Adjust the therapeutic portfolio by recognizing discontinued projects and understand from the know-how what drove them from pipeline.Browse Full Report with TOC @Table of Contents:List of TablesList of FiguresIntroductionMarket Research Hub Report CoverageHaemophilus influenzae Type B Infections - OverviewHaemophilus influenzae Type B Infections - Therapeutics DevelopmentPipeline OverviewPipeline by CompaniesPipeline by Universities/InstitutesProducts under Development by CompaniesProducts under Development by Universities/InstitutesHaemophilus influenzae Type B Infections - Therapeutics AssessmentAssessment by TargetAssessment by Route of AdministrationAssessment by Molecule TypeHaemophilus influenzae Type B Infections - Companies Involved in Therapeutics DevelopmentBeijing Minhai Biotechnology Co LtdBiological E LtdDaiichi Sankyo Company LtdGlaxoSmithKline PlcIndian Immunologicals LtdKaketsuken KKLG Chem, Ltd.Panacea Biotec LtdSanofiAbout Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Details:90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Follow Us on:Twitter:LinkedIn:Facebook:
Global Bulk Container Packaging Market Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Bulk Container Packaging (Flexitanks, Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers and Bulk Container Liners) Market for Food & Beverages, Chemicals and Other Applications - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020" to its huge collection of research reports.Bulk container packaging includes products used for bulk or high volume packaging. These are transported in containers via road, sea or railways. This report studies the bulk container packaging market for three products: flexitanks, flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC) and bulk container liners. Other bulk container packaging products available in the market such as drums, barrels and boxes have not been considered in the report. Flexitanks is a flexible bladder or a container manufactured using polyethylene and polypropylene to transport non-hazardous liquids in a standard 20ft container. FIBCs are also termed big bags or jumbo bags. These are made up of woven fabric for storage and transport of dry and free flowing products. These bags are available in large variations in the market with different product types that suit various materials that are to be transported. They are most widely used in sizes of 1 ton or 2 tons. Bulk container liners are made up of woven polyethylene or polypropylene and are available in different sizes depending upon customer requirement. However, the most widely used liners are 20ft and 40ft containers globally.This study includes market estimate and forecast of the bulk container packaging market from demand side in terms of revenue from 2013 to 2020. Major products analyzed include flexitanks, FIBC and bulk container liners. Application segments include food & beverages, chemicals and others (including pharmaceuticals, etc.). Each of these product types and applications have been estimated and forecast on the global as well as regional level. We have segmented the global market in four regions: North America, Europe (including Western Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, Russia, and CIS), Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (Including the Middle East, Latin America and Africa). The global as well as regional market for each product type and application has been estimated from 2013 (as a base year) and forecast from 2014 to 2020 in terms of revenue (US$ Mn).To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Higher operational and cost efficiency of flexitanks is one of the major factors driving the global bulk container packaging market. Rise in exports of vegetable oil from Southeast Asia coupled with increase in bulk wine trade is anticipated to boost the market. However, volatility in prices of polypropylene and polyethylene is expected to hamper market growth. Increase in commodity trade in BRICS nations is likely to create new opportunities for bulk container packaging manufacturers in the market. The report comprises a detailed value chain analysis in order to study value addition at each stage of the value chain. The study includes Porters five forces model to analyze competition in the market and its impact on buyers, suppliers, substitutes, new entrants and degree of competition. It also includes market attractiveness analysis to gauge highly attractive markets for investment in future. Factors taken into consideration for evaluating attractive markets include regional demand, growth rate, commodity trade, demography, and economic conditions. The study also provides market share analysis of major manufacturers of flexitanks operating in the market.The report includes profiles of major companies operating in the market. It covers parameters such as overview, business strategy, financial overview, product portfolio and recent developments. Companies covered in the report include Shandong Anthente New Materials Technology Co., Ltd., BLT Flexitank Industrial Co. Ltd., Braid Logistics, Buscherhoff Spezialverpackung GmbH & Co. KG, Environmental Packaging Technologies Inc., KriCon, K Tank Supply Limited, Qingdao LAF Packaging Co. LTD., MY FlexiTank, SIA Flexitanks Ltd., Bulk Liquid Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Shanghai Yunjet Plastic Packaging Co. Ltd., Trust Flexitanks and Trans Ocean Bulk Logistics Ltd.The report segments the global bulk container packaging market as follows:Bulk Container Packaging Market - Product Segment Analysis- Flexitanks- Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)- Bulk container linersBulk Container Packaging Market - Application Analysis- Food & beverages- Chemicals- Others (Including pharmaceuticals, etc.)Bulk Container Packaging Market - Regional Analysis- North America- Europe- Asia Pacific- Rest of the World (RoW)Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface1.1 Report description1.2 Market segmentation1.3 Research scope and assumption1.4 Research methodologyChapter 2 Executive Summary2.1 Global bulk container packaging market, 2013 - 2020 (US$ Mn)2.1.1 Global bulk container packaging, 2013  2020,(US$ Mn)2.1.2 Global bulk container packaging market snapshotChapter 3 Bulk Container Packaging Market Industry Analysis3.1 Introduction3.2 Value chain analysis3.3 Market drivers3.3.1 High operation and cost efficiency of flexitanks over other substitutes drives bulk container packaging market3.3.2 Rising vegetable oil exports from Southeast Asia coupled with global bulk wine trade boosts bulk container packaging market3.3.2.1 Vegetable oil export comparison, 2007  2013, (Mn Tons)3.3.2.2 Global volume of bottle, sparkling and bulk wine trade, 2009  20133.4 Restraints3.4.1 Volatile raw material prices3.4.1.1 Global resins price trend, July 2010  January 2014 (US$/KG)3.5 Opportunities3.5.1 Growing commodity exports in BRICS are likely to create opportunities for bulk packaging market3.5.1.1 Commodity exports in BRICS, 2007  2012 (US$ Bn)3.6 Porters five forces analysis3.6.1 Bargaining power of suppliers3.6.2 Bargaining power of buyers3.6.3 Threat of new entrants3.6.4 Threat from substitutes3.6.5 Degree of competition3.7 Market attractiveness3.7.1 Bulk container packaging market: Market attractiveness analysis, by region3.8 Global flexitanks company market share analysis, 20133.8.1 Flexitanks market: Company market share analysis, 20133.9 Pricing analysis for flexitanks3.10 Operational challenges of flexitanks3.10.1 Risk factors3.10.2 Remedies3.11 Regulations and legislations3.11.1 Rail Impact Test3.11.2 PAS 1008:20143.11.3 FSSC 220003.12 List of international conferences3.13 List of insurance providersChapter 4 Bulk Container Packaging Market  Product Segment Analysis4.1 Global bulk container packaging market: Product segment overview4.2 Flexitanks4.2.1 Global flexitanks market, 2013  2020 (US$ Mn)4.3 Flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC)4.3.1 Global flexible intermediate bulk container market, 2013  2020 (US$ Mn)4.4 Bulk container liners4.4.1 Global bulk container liners market, 2013  2020 (US$ Mn)Chapter 5 Bulk Container Packaging Market - Application Analysis5.1 Global bulk container packaging market: Application overview5.2 Food & beverages5.3 Chemicals5.4 Others (Pharmaceuticals, etc.)Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Japanese Encephalitis (Infectious Disease) Pipeline Forecast Report, H1, 2017 [MRH]

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Market Research Hub's Pharmaceutical and Healthcare latest pipeline guide Japanese Encephalitis - Pipeline Review, H1 2017, provides comprehensive information on the therapeutics under development for Japanese Encephalitis Market (Infectious Disease), complete with analysis by stage of development, drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type. The guide covers the descriptive pharmacological action of the therapeutics, its complete research and development history and latest news and press releases.Request Free Sample Report @Japanese encephalitis is a viral disease that infects animals and humans. It is caused by a flavivirus that affects the membranes around the brain. It is transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, diarrhea, seizures, muscle weakness and paralysis. Treatment targets relief of symptoms like pain relievers and anticonvulsants.The Japanese Encephalitis (Infectious Disease) pipeline guide also reviews of key players involved in therapeutic development for Japanese Encephalitis and features dormant and discontinued projects. The guide covers therapeutics under Development by Companies /Universities /Institutes, the molecules developed by Companies in Phase III, Phase II, Phase I, Preclinical and Discovery stages are 2, 1, 1, 5 and 3 respectively. Similarly, the Universities portfolio in Preclinical and Discovery stages comprises 2 and 1 molecules, respectively.Japanese Encephalitis (Infectious Disease) pipeline guide helps in identifying and tracking emerging players in the market and their portfolios, enhances decision making capabilities and helps to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage. The guide is built using data and information sourced from Global Markets Directs proprietary databases, company/university websites, clinical trial registries, conferences, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources. Additionally, various dynamic tracking processes ensure that the most recent developments are captured on a real time basis.Scope- The pipeline guide provides a snapshot of the global therapeutic landscape of Japanese Encephalitis (Infectious Disease).- The pipeline guide reviews pipeline therapeutics for Japanese Encephalitis (Infectious Disease) by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources.- The pipeline guide covers pipeline products based on several stages of development ranging from pre-registration till discovery and undisclosed stages.- The pipeline guide features descriptive drug profiles for the pipeline products which comprise, product description, descriptive licensing and collaboration details, R&D brief, MoA & other developmental activities.- The pipeline guide reviews key companies involved in Japanese Encephalitis (Infectious Disease) therapeutics and enlists all their major and minor projects.- The pipeline guide evaluates Japanese Encephalitis (Infectious Disease) therapeutics based on mechanism of action (MoA), drug target, route of administration (RoA) and molecule type.- The pipeline guide encapsulates all the dormant and discontinued pipeline projects.- The pipeline guide reviews latest news related to pipeline therapeutics for Japanese Encephalitis (Infectious Disease)Reasons to buy- Procure strategically important competitor information, analysis, and insights to formulate effective R&D strategies.- Recognize emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and create effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage.- Find and recognize significant and varied types of therapeutics under development for Japanese Encephalitis (Infectious Disease).- Classify potential new clients or partners in the target demographic.- Develop tactical initiatives by understanding the focus areas of leading companies.- Plan mergers and acquisitions meritoriously by identifying key players and its most promising pipeline therapeutics.- Formulate corrective measures for pipeline projects by understanding Japanese Encephalitis (Infectious Disease) pipeline depth and focus of Indication therapeutics.- Develop and design in-licensing and out-licensing strategies by identifying prospective partners with the most attractive projects to enhance and expand business potential and scope.- Adjust the therapeutic portfolio by recognizing discontinued projects and understand from the know-how what drove them from pipeline.Browse Full Report with TOC @Table of Contents:List of TablesList of FiguresIntroductionGlobal Markets Direct Report CoverageJapanese Encephalitis - OverviewJapanese Encephalitis - Therapeutics DevelopmentPipeline OverviewPipeline by CompaniesPipeline by Universities/InstitutesProducts under Development by CompaniesProducts under Development by Universities/InstitutesJapanese Encephalitis - Therapeutics AssessmentAssessment by TargetAssessment by Mechanism of ActionAssessment by Route of AdministrationAssessment by Molecule TypeJapanese Encephalitis - Companies Involved in Therapeutics DevelopmentEnnaid Therapeutics LLCFab'entech SAIndian Immunologicals LtdKineta IncLivzon Pharmaceutical Group IncPanacea Biotec LtdTheravectys SAVaxine Pty LtdZydus Cadila Healthcare LtdAbout Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Details:90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Follow Us on:Twitter:LinkedIn:Facebook:
Global Liquid Macrofiltration Market To Grow At A CAGR Of 4.83% During The Period 2017-2021

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Liquid Macrofiltration Market 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.The heavy-duty end of the filtration business is liquid macrofiltration, which covers the efficiency range between screens and membranes. Liquid macrofiltration deals with large quantities of solids. Therefore, the specific equipment in this segment (belt presses, sand filters, leaf filters, filter presses, gravity belt filters, and bag filters) are rugged and large. They are used in the mining, chemical, municipal water and wastewater plants, and other industries, where solid/liquid separation is required.Technavios analysts forecast the global liquid macrofiltration market to grow at a CAGR of 4.83% during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global liquid macrofiltration market for 2017-2021. The market size has been determined based on the demand for liquid macrofiltration in various industries.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEATechnavio's report, Global Liquid Macrofiltration Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsAmiad Water SystemsANDRITZEatonParker HannifinOther prominent vendorsFiltration GroupGE Water & Process TechnologiesLenntechLydallMANN+HUMMELNexomSiemensMarket driverGrowth of nuclear power sector in ChinaFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeSlowdown and declining CAPEX in mining industryFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendAdvances in filtration techniquesFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Swine Health Market 2017 by Trends, Growth and Forecast to 2021

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The global swine health market is expected to benefit from the increasing incidence of disease through swine. The disease is associated with an increased cost burden in many developed and developing economies. As the demand for livestock is increasing, end-users are increasingly opting for antibiotics and vaccines. Also, vendors are extensively conducting R&D activities to develop novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs.Publisher's analysts forecast the global swine health market to grow at a CAGR of 7.82% during the period 2017-2021.For more information about this report:Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global swine health market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales of swine health.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:- Americas- APAC- EMEAPublisher's report, Global Swine Health Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors- Boehringer Ingelheim- Ceva Sante Animale- Elanco- Merck Animal Health- ZoetisRequest Sample Copy atOther prominent vendors- Animal Medics- Biogenesis Bago- Biovet- Dechra- ECO Animal Health- Huvepharma- Indian Immunologicals- Lillidale Animal Health- Mobedco-Vet (The Arab Pesticides & Veterinary Drugs)- Neogen- Norbrook- Orion- Phibro Animal Health- Vetoquinol- Virbac- VitaforMarket driver- Increase in pork farming in China- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge- Increase in antibiotic resistance in bacteria- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend- Increase in antibiotic resistance in bacteria- For a full, detailed list, view our reportInquire for Report atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Alternative and Complementary Medicine Market: Evolving Technology, Trends and industry Analysis 2025

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Global Alternative and Complementary Medicine Market: OverviewThe global market for alternative and complementary medicines is projected to experience substantial growth in the next few years. The rising expenditure of the healthcare facilities is considered as the major factor that is likely to encourage the growth of the overall market in the coming years. In addition, the increasing number of initiatives being taken by Governments across the globe to promote alternative and complementary medicines is projected to accelerate the markets growth. Thanks to these factors, the global alternative and complementary medicine market is likely to exhibit a promising growth rate in the near future.Global Alternative and Complementary Medicine Market: Key TrendsA significant rise in the number of initiatives by NGOs and government organizations to encourage the use of alternative and complementary medicines is estimated to bolster global market in the near future. In addition to this, technological advancements in this field and the rising inclination of consumers towards these medicines and practices are likely to offer lucrative growth opportunities for the leading players operating in the alternative and complementary medicine market across the globe. However, the lack of scientific results is expected to hamper the overall growth of the market in the next few years.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Alternative and Complementary Medicine Market: Market PotentialAlternative and complementary medicines make use of several tradition methods to help the patients, most of which are not completely supported scientifically. As a result, the use of these medicines in several developed economies is comparatively less. Nonetheless, with a rising focus on research and development activities in order to find clinical support and the emergence of new methods and medicines are anticipated to encourage the growth of the global alternative and complementary medicine market throughout the forecast period.Global Alternative and Complementary Medicine Market: Regional OutlookFrom a regional perspective, Europe is considered as one of the leading segment, thanks to the significant revenue contribution in the last few years. This region is expected to account for a large share of the global alternative and complementary medicine market with the rising use of botanicals. In addition to this, the increasing awareness among consumers regarding the availability of effective alternative and complementary medicines and the benefits they offers are expected to encourage the growth of the Europe market in the coming years.Request TOC of the Report @Furthermore, with the rising popularity of medical tourism, the alternative and complementary medicine market in Asia Pacific is projected to witness a steady growth in the next few years. Moreover, the presence of a large number of new players operating in this region is likely to offer promising growth opportunities over the forecast period. The Middle East and Africa segment is anticipated to experience a healthy growth in the alternative and complementary medicine market in the near future.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Alternative and Complementary Medicine Market: Competitive AnalysisThe global market for alternative and complementary medicines is presently at a highly competitive stage and is predicted to experience an intense level of competition among the leading players in the coming years. The prominent players in the market are focusing on the expansion of the product portfolio so as to attract a large number of consumers across the globe. This is likely to help them in creating a brand name and acquiring a leading position in the global market. Some of the leading players operating in the alternative and complementary medicine market across the globe are Herb Pharm, Yoga Tree, Quantum Touch Inc., Helio USA Inc., Pure encapsulations, Inc., Pacific Nutritional Inc., Deepure Plus, Herbal Hills, Iyengar Yoga Institute, The Healing Company, and Nordic Naturals.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Chemical Peel Market 2017 Trend, Analysis and Forecast to 2021

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Superficial or light peels are the mildest type of peels available. They only remove the top layer of the skin, known as the epidermis, and give skin an instant brighter look as well as a smoother, and more even texture. They are being demanded by the people who need to minimize the fine lines and wrinkles, mild acne scarring, sun damage, age spots, and dry or flaking skin. They are usually made from alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxy acids, including lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid. Nowadays, natural ingredients are being used such as fruit enzymes and acids from natural sources such as pumpkins, pineapples, and cranberries with the increasing demand for natural and organic products.Publisher's analysts forecast the global chemical peel market to grow at a CAGR of 6.85% during the period 2017-2021.For more information about this report:Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global chemical peel market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales of chemical peels.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:- Americas- APAC- EMEAPublisher's report, Global Chemical Peels Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors- Allergan- Merz Pharma- ValeantRequest Sample Copy atOther prominent vendors- Galderma- Glytone- Hangzhou Techderm Biological Products- IMAGE SKINCARE- Laboratory ObvieLine- La Roche-Posay- Lasermed- Medytox- Polymekon- Proderma Light- Qufu GuangLong Biochem- Revitacare- SciVision Biotech- Skin-Peel- Sinclair Pharma- Syneron Medical- Teoxane- VisionMedMarket driver- Growth in global connected cars market- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge- High average selling price (ASP) of application-specific oscilloscopes supporting higher bandwidth applications- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend- Introduction of advanced software solutions for oscilloscopes- For a full, detailed list, view our reportInquire for Report atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Estimados amigos,

Les doy cordialmente la bienvenida a este Blog informativo con articulos, analisis y comentarios de publicaciones especializadas y especialmente seleccionadas, principalmente sobre temas economicos, financieros y politicos de actualidad, que esperamos y deseamos, sean de su maximo interes, utilidad y conveniencia.

Pensamos que solo comprendiendo cabalmente el presente, es que podemos proyectarnos acertadamente hacia el futuro.

Las convicciones son mas peligrosos enemigos de la verdad que las mentiras.

There are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen.

You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.

No soy alguien que sabe, sino alguien que busca.

Only Gold is money. Everything else is debt.

Las grandes almas tienen voluntades; las debiles tan solo deseos.

Quien no lo ha dado todo no ha dado nada.

History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.

If you know the other and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.
Blood Culture Test Market Studies Research 2017 Detailed Analysis of Restrain and Growth Factors

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Global Blood Culture Test Market: OverviewBlood culture tests are conducted when a healthcare provider suspects that a patient might suffer from blood infection. Blood infection poses a high risk for serious complications including a condition called sepsis, whereby the pathogens which cause infection in our bloodstream interfere with our bodys defenses and arrest the proper functioning of our immune systems. These pathogens create toxins that harm our organs as well. As a result, blood culture tests are leveraged to determine which bacteria or other organism has been leading to blood infection and how to combat it efficiently.Global Blood Culture Test Market: Key TrendsBecause the risk of developing a blood infection rises considerably when a person is suffering from conditions such as cancer, diabetes, HIV or AIDS, or an autoimmune disease, the rising incidence of these chronic conditions has been one of the most significant catalysts of the global blood culture tests market. The increasing number of surgeries, prosthetic heart valve replacements, and growing acceptance of immunosuppressive therapy have also been influencing the growth of the global blood culture test market in a positive way. Blood cultures are also being drawn from infants and newborns with fever who might have an infection.Request Sample Copy of the Report @However, the potential side effects associated with blood culture such as excessive bleeding, hematoma (bleeding under the skin), infection, and fainting can act as a stumbling block to the expansion of the global blood culture test market.Global Blood Culture Test Market: Market PotentialSeveral research and development projects are being undertaken by scientists, universities, and researchers. For example, in May 2017, a novel device for drawing blood was found to be capable of reducing contamination of cultures by a study conducted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). The study included 904 participant patients from the emergency department, along with 1,808 blood cultures. SteriPath, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved device is designed by Magnolia Medical Technologies. It potentially cuts down the use of antibiotics, simultaneously reducing health care costs, finds the study.Another testing instrument, the PhenoTest BC Kit received FDA approval in February 2017. The device is presently being used at the University Hospital of Augusta. The new test method enables patients who are diagnosed with bloodstream infection to receive treatment nearly two days sooner. The test can provide crucial information not only pertaining to the organisms responsible for the bloodstream infection but also regarding to which antibiotics the organism might respond to. The development of such innovative products can enhance the adoption of blood culture tests on a global scale, leveling up the overall market revenue.Request TOC of the Report @Global Blood Culture Test Market: Regional OutlookBased on geography, the global blood culture test market can be segmented into Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America. The blood culture test market in North America is currently at the headmost place owing to the existence of several large market players including Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Becton, and bioMerieux SA. Europe is anticipated to witness substantial demand for blood culture tests due to high development of healthcare infrastructure in countries such as France, the U.K., and Germany.Asia Pacific is likely to surpass all other regions in terms of growth rate during the forthcoming period, triggered by an alarming rise in infectious diseases. Government initiatives at ramping up the healthcare infrastructure are also boosting the blood culture test market in the region.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Blood Culture Test Market: Competitive LandscapeAbbott, Danaher Corporation, bioMerieux SA, Dickinson and Company, Alere, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Luminex Corporation, Becton, Bruker Corporation, and Roche Diagnostics are some leading players operating in the global blood culture test market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Breast Implants Market Analysis Survey Research Growth and Forecast Report 2017 - 2025

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Global Breast Implants Market: OverviewWomen in particular possess a heightened conscience about their appearance and looks. A growing number of women are employing various methods to enhance their physical appearance. Breast implantation is one of the trends that has been increasingly popular among women. Breast implantation surgery has seen tremendous change on account of the technological advancements in the cosmetic surgery field. Most women have a high preference for enhancing their esthetic appeal. This in turn is fueling the demand for breast implants worldwide. As per the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast enhancement is one of the top five cosmetic procedures which is conducted in the U.S. The number of women undergoing breast implants is staggering in the U.S.The growing incidence of breast cancer is one of the key factors boosting the global breast implants market. In many severe cases of breast cancer, there is a need for removal of the entire organ. Reconstruction is thus required, which involves the re-building of the removed organ. This is anticipated to boost the global breast implants market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Breast Implants Market: Key TrendsOn the basis of shape, round-shaped implants contributed toward the largest revenue share in 2016. Due to the round shape, they are ideal for breast augmentation. These devices tend to look like a compressed sphere. Hence, these products generated huge demand, thereby supporting the growth of the market. On the basis of shape, the round shaped implants segment is leading in the market as they eliminate any problem arising at the time of implant rotation. However, anatomical shaped breast implants segment are expected to grow significantly during the forecast period on account of their natural shape. Most women want naturally shaped breasts and thus, the segment will witness potential growth during the years to come.Request TOC of the Report @Global Breast Implants Market: Market PotentialThe implant procedural cost is reducing and this is fueling the growth prospects of the breast implants market across the U.K and Spain. The growing competition among plastic surgeon coupled with the increase in the number of cosmetic surgery clinics are expected to create growth opportunities for the breast implants market. The growing number of qualified plastic surgeons is expected to increase in the years to come and this is further expected to boost the global breast implants market. A large number of plastic surgeons in the U.S. and Europe, are reducing their labor fees so as to get more patients and survive in the competitive breast implants market. This will increase the affordability for patients and encourage them towards implanting breasts.Global Breast Implants Market: Regional OutlookOn the basis of geography, North America is leading in the market on account of the rising prevalence of breast cancer in the region and a higher spending towards healthcare. Europe is also contributing significantly in the market on account of the growing awareness among the people in the region and a large number of cosmetology clinics in the region. Additionally, Asia Pacific is also likely to witness a growth in the market on account of the rising disposable income of the people in the developing nations. Medical tourism will drive the market in the region. Asia Pacific is expected to offer opportunities by offering low cost treatments.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Breast Implants Market: Competitive LandscapeKey players operating in the global breast implants market are: Arion Laboratories, Allergan, Silimed, Mentor Worldwide, Establishment Labs, GC Aesthetics, Groupe Sebbin, Guangzhou Wanhe Plastic Materials, Sientra, Hans Biomed, Ideal Implant, Cereplas, and Polytech Health & Aesthetics.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Soybean Oil Market Report 2017 - Market Analysis, Share, Size, Trends and Outlook

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Rich in various fatty acids and vitamins, soybean oil represents a versatile product with numerous applications in both the food and non-food industries. Some of the industrial applications of soybean oil is in the production of animal feed, candles, soaps, biodiesels, industrial lubricants, etc.Request sample of the report:A latest report by IMARC Group, titled Soybean Oil Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2017-2022, finds that the global soybean oil market has grown at a CAGR of around 3% during 2009-2016 with the consumption volumes reaching 47 Million Tons in 2016. Soybean oil is extracted from the seeds soybean and represents the second most consumed oil after palm oil. It is rich in a number of fatty acids along with a variety of plant sterols, vitamins and minerals which are good for human health. Some of the several health benefits offered by soybean oil include regulating cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart diseases, boosting immunity, improving bone health, preventing and controlling Alzheimers disease and protecting the skin cell membranes from infections. Apart from being used for human consumption, soybean oil also finds applications in the production of animal feed. Some other industrial applications of soybean oil include the production of candles, soaps, insecticides, caulks and mastics, bio-composites, biodiesels, cleaners, industrial lubricants, paints, solvents, crayons, inks, hydraulic fluids and foams.According to the report, the global soybean oil market is currently being driven by a number of growth inducing factors. The low cost and easy availability of soybean oil along with its numerous health benefits and diverse industrial applications have led to an increase in the demand for soybean oil worldwide. Other market drivers include growing environmental and health concerns, increasing disposable incomes and population growth. As a result, the market is expected to grow steadily during the forecast period.Browse full report with TOC:The report provides a thorough analysis of the global soybean oil market. The report has analysed the market on the basis of end-use covering the food, industrial and animal feed sectors. Currently, the food sector accounts for the majority of the total global consumption, followed by industrial and animal feed applications. The industrial sector, on the other hand, represents the fastest growing segment. The report has segmented the market on a geographical basis and finds that China represents both the largest producer and consumer of soybean oil. In 2016, China accounted for more than a fourth of the total global production and around nearly a third of the total global consumption of soybean oil. Other major producers include Iran, Morocco, Mexico, European Union, India, Argentina, Brazil and the US. The report has further analysed the competitive landscape of the market. Some of the key players covered in the report are CHS, AG Processing Inc., Cargill, ADM and Bunge.The report provides a detailed roadmap for setting up a soybean oil processing plant. The study, which has been done by one of the worlds leading research and advisory firms, covers all the essential aspects of the soybean oil market. This ranges from a comprehensive view of the market to minute details of the industry performance, processing and manufacturing requirements, project cost, project funding, project economics, expected returns on investment, profit margins, etc. This report is a must-read for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, consultants, business strategists, and all those who are planning to foray into the soybean oil industry in any manner.Browse more reports related to food & beverages industry:IMARC Group is a leading market research company that offers management strategy and market research worldwide. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses.IMARCs information products include major market, scientific, economic and technological developments for business leaders in pharmaceutical, industrial, and high technology organizations. Market forecasts and industry analysis for biotechnology, advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, travel and tourism, nanotechnology and novel processing methods are at the top of the companys expertise.IMARC Group610 North Randolph StreetArlingtonVA 22203Tel no: +1-631-791-1145Email: sales@imarcgroup.comWebsite:Blog:
Global Mosquito Control Market Research Report- Size, Grwoth and Forecast 2022

Mosquito Control

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Global Mosquito Control Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022A new and latest research report proposed by Global Info Reports renders a market summary of the Mosquito Control Market industry. This widespread analysis comprises of market potentials and challenges, scope of product, sales volume, market revenue, estimates and rate of growth. The report also digs into all the major market players across the globe.Get Free Sample Copy of this Report @Chemical industry segment has a crucial role in accomplishing daily requirements of the common man. It is one of the most former industries which attributes substantially to not just economic but industrial growth as well. Nearly, each and every industry segment such as oil and gas, retail, manufacturing, agriculture and many others, depends heavily on the chemical industry. In the recent years, the global Mosquito Control Market industry has experienced an astonishing change structure-wise such as enhancements in technology, increasing raw material costs, manufacturing base been channeled to Asian countries,novel promising growth markets, etc.The report highlights crucial dynamics and in-depth analysis of the market segment with concentrating on factual data, present industry activities, growth opportunities, new product inventions, and market forecast for the anticipated frame of time along with leading market players, market study based on several regions, and extensive product. The Mosquito Control Market report assists in determining the projection in this meticulous industry by rendering precise potential demand prognoses. These prognoses will aid the market players to take vital decisions and take hold of the untapped regions and new entrants.This research report incorporates the current market size of this industry. It also distinguishes and assesses complex value chains across the globe such as primary factors, market growth restrains, and propelling strategies. This latest market report examines the Mosquito Control Market by several segments such as regions, applications, companies, and for the proposed time frame. The report gives a complete insight of this industry consisting the qualitative and quantitative analysis provided for this market industry along with prime development trends, competitive analysis, and vital factors that are predominant in the Concrete Seale Market.Market Scope:Various aspects are considered in this all-inclusive market research report and it inspects the global Mosquito Control Market industry from an all axis perspective. It gives in-depth information on the future viewpoint, key developments, market dynamics and growth, latest trends in the market, and potential investment segment.Browse complete summary of this report @The report furnishes: An in-depth widespread market analysis of the global Mosquito Control Market Analysis of global market trends, forecasts for 2017, and predictions of CAGRs through proposed time frame. Thorough analysis of applications Mentioning of market players with their complete profile description Researches the vital market trends and novel developments technologically in the Mosquito Control MarketThe research report comprises of markets comprehensive analysis geographically on several important regions such as:1. North America (Mexico, USA, and Canada)2. Asia-Pacific (India, China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia)3. Europe (UK, Germany, Italy, France and Russia)4. Africa, South America, and the Middle EastThe leading industry players across the globe are explored in detail in this report. It demonstrates product overview, company summary, and manufacturing cost, capacity, and market shares for most of the participants. The report portrays the complete overview of Mosquito Control Market across the world including its cost/profit, demand/supply, import/export, capacity, production value, etc. The research report also prognosticates trends in the development of this industrys market. It cloaks current market analysis dynamically, downstream requirements as well as the upstream raw materials. Lastly, the report also segregates vital market figures which represent the market condition of Mosquito Control Market manufacturers. The report can function as an assistive reference point for helping individuals as well as businesses from this segment.Get Discount on This Report @Some Point From TOC:1 Market Overview1.1 Mosquito Control Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Larvicides1.2.2 Adulticides1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Government1.3.2 Residential1.3.3 Commercial1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Bayer Environmental Science2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Mosquito Control Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 2Enquiry Before Buying @About Us:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.com
Sick Sinus Syndrome Treatment Market: Industry Survey and Outlook 2025

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Global Sick Sinus Syndrome Treatment Market: SnapshotSick sinus syndrome is a common type of arrhythmia and is generally an indicator towards a set of signs and symptoms that can tell a doctor whether or not a patients sinoatrial node is functioning. The sinoatrial node, or the SA node, is more commonly known as the hearts original, natural pacemakers, and it releases electrical impulses to the hearts upper chambers to make them contract at regular intervals. The actual cause of sick sinus syndrome is not known, but common demographics of patients include those above 50. As for treatment, doctors take a symptomatic treatment approach that includes discontinuing medications, foods, and lifestyle choices that can worsen the symptoms. In the event a patients sick sinus syndrome causes bradycardia, they are fitted with a pacemaker and are generally prescribed anti-arrhythmic medication. In case a patient suffers from tachycardia through sick sinus syndrome, they may be treated using medications. In some instances, radiofrequency ablation has also shown positive results.Sick sinus syndrome also falls into the extremely complex issue of having to deliver customized healthcare solutions to patients based on their personal physical characteristics. Due to the fact that sick sinus syndrome can be the cause of several symptoms that can lead to misdiagnosis, medical personnel need to consider the differences between the physiologies of patients in order to fully understand the ailments of each. The treatment of sick sinus syndrome can therefore be a part of a greater move by the healthcare industry towards advanced medical fields.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Sick Sinus Syndrome Treatment Market: Disease OverviewSick sinus syndrome (SSS), also referred to as sinus dysfunction, represents a group of heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) caused by the malfunction of the sinus node (SA), the impulse generating tissue of the heart. Some of the primary conditions that characterize sick sinus syndrome are sinus bradycardia, which is slow heart rate; sinus arrest, which is when sinus stops functioning abruptly; atrial tachycardia, which is a type of atrial arrhythmia wherein electric impulse is generated from somewhere else other than SA node; and Bradycardia-tachycardia, which is alternating slow and too fast heart rate.Sick sinus syndrome typically afflicts people over 50 years of age on account of scar like damage to the hearts conduction system. In children, sick sinus syndrome can result from surgery in the upper chambers of the heart. Both females and males are equally susceptible to sick sinus syndrome. Factors triggering sick sinus syndrome are both intrinsic and extrinsic. Some of the intrinsic factors are amyloidosis, surgical injury, idiopathic degeneration of SA node, and cardiomyopathies. Extrinsic factors include calcium channel blockers, drugs like digoxin, beta blockers, and anti-arrhythmic drugs.Request TOC of the Report @Global Sick Sinus Syndrome Treatment Market: Diagnosis and TreatmentDiagnosis of sick sinus syndrome is difficult as it is usually asymptomatic or has subtle or nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, and shortness of breath. Intracardiac electrophysiology study (EPS) is a specific test for diagnosing sick sinus syndrome. ECG and Holter monitoring devices are also used for the same. Atrial or dual-chamber pacemaker implantation is primarily used for treating sick sinus syndrome as it helps tackle the symptoms effectively and lowers the risk of diseases like atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Drugs commonly prescribed for controlling sick sinus syndrome are beta blocker, blood thinner warfarin, and calcium channel blockers. Warfain, for example, helps thwart blood clot formation in people affected with atrial fibrillation and beta blocker and calcium channel blockers are prescribed to slow down heart rate.Global Sick Sinus Syndrome Treatment Market: Trends and OpportunitiesDepending upon geography, the global market for sick sinus syndrome treatment can be segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Rest of the World. North America, among them, presents maximum opportunities on account of almost half the people affected with sick sinus syndrome opting for atrial or dual-chamber pacemaker implantation in the U.S. A proper reimbursement system is another factor significantly boosting the market in the region. Europe follows North America in terms of the potential it holds in the sick sinus syndrome treatment market. Germany, the U.K., France, Spain, and Italy together account for over 65% of the overall Europe market. A burgeoning geriatric population is slated to majorly contribute to the market in the region in the years ahead. Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World too are predicted to record substantial growth on account of the emerging economies swiftly developing their healthcare infrastructure in the regions.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Companies Mentioned in ReportTo present an in-depth assessment of the competition prevailing in the global sick sinus syndrome treatment market, the report profiles companies such as Boston Scientific Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline, Medtronic, Inc., St. Jude Medical Inc., Biotronik GmbH & Co. KG, Sorin Group, Pfizer Ltd., and Novartis AG.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Vials Market Revenue, Opportunity, Segment and Key Trends 2017-2025

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Global Vials Market: SnapshotThe chromatography market along with the packaging market serves as the top driver of the global vials market. Owing to the dynamic nature of the global chromatography market, where end user and existing technologies experience incessant change, the demand for vials in this sector is likely to be high, thus benefitting the global vials market in return. Vials are basically small glass or plastic bottles that employed for storing medications such as capsules, liquids, and powders. With respect to the growing healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, the demand for vials is also expected to be comparatively high from these industries along with the ones mentioned above.To maintain a leading position in the global market and stay competitive, the leading companies are focusing spontaneously on investments and enhancing their research and development activities for manufacturing new products by deploying advanced technologies for the purpose. The demand for vials is basically anticipated to be driven by the constant need for chromatography processes in industries such as insecticides, pesticides, food and beverages, chemicals, life sciences, and biotechnology.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Based on region, the prevalence of leading players in Europe and North America are likely to make these regions potential prospects for the entry of new players to make the most of the available opportunities. As for the existing players in these, they are focusing on expanding their services and products to countries in the Asia Pacific region with the prevalence of a large population base and well equipped laboratories for carrying out further research.Vials Market: Comprehensive OverviewVial also known as phial or flacon, is a small plastic or a glass bottle or vessel. Vials are primarily used to store medication such as powders, liquids or capsules. In the past, vials were made of glass, but now, various plastic materials, including polypropylene are being used in manufacturing vials. Varieties of closed systems are used during the manufacturing of vials, including screw vials and crimp vials. In addition, plastic vials can have various other types of closure systems including flip-tops or snap caps. A vial can either be bottle shaped or can have a bottle-like shape with a neck. The volume that is defined by the neck of the vial is called the headspace.Request TOC of the Report @However, the bottom of the vial is usually flat, unlike that of test tubes, which is circular or rounded. The small vials, which are bottle shaped, are typically used in chemical laboratories and are known as McCartneys bottles or bijou. The bijou bottles are usually smaller, and have holding capacity of around 10mm. Various laboratories use different types of vials depending on their need such as low adsorption vials, certified vials, screw top vials, 9mm screw top vials, snap ring vials, crimp top vials, polypropylene vials, interlocked vials, inserts, versa vials, shell vials, center drain vials and headspace vials.Vials are primarily used as scientific sample vessels specifically in auto sampler devices employed in the analytical chromatography process. In addition, vials are used as primary or secondary packaging material in order to store various medicines in their powder, granular or liquid form. Medications of highly sensitive nature can only be stored in vials in order to protect them from external environment.Vials Market: Trends and ProspectsThe chromatography accessory market as well as the packaging market boosts demand for vials in the global market. The chromatography market is technology driven, where new technologies and end users witness continuous and rapid change. All major companies continue to invest, in order to expand its research and development team, with principal aim of introducing new products and technologies in the market. The vial market is the fastest growing segment in the chromatography accessory market, and is expected to grow even further over the next few years, owing to innovations, in terms of various types of materials used in the manufacturing and designing of vials. The demand for vials is essentially driven by the increasing demand for chromatography procedures in various industries including biotechnology, life sciences, chemicals, food and beverage, pesticides, and insecticides. In addition, increasing investments made by the government in the Asia Pacific region, primarily in the biochemical industry, is expected to boost the vial market in the projected period.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Vials Market: Regional OutlookThe key regions of the vial market are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). Major players in the North American region as well as the European region are focused on increasing their presence in various high growth markets of the Asia pacific region. Various companies plan to expand their base in emerging countries like India, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. These markets offer a wide range of opportunities for growth and are expected to become high investment regions as well as new revenue pockets for the global market. High population, new technologies, increasing number of chemical laboratories, high investment in various research and development activities, and favorable demographics are expected to drive the global vial market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth researh of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact :Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
14 World Pediatrics Conference

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Pulsus is the publisher of peer reviewed scientific, technical, and medical journals and magazines. Since establishment 1984, has been instrumental in healthcare and medical dissemination. Pulsus expanded with the support from scientific societies and open its arm to conduct global medical and healthcare meetings. With immense please and support, Pulsus is proud to announce 14th World Pediatrics Conference, to be held during September 11-13, 2017 in Los Angeles, USA.The global market of Pediatrics and Pediatric medical conferences was valued at USD 7,281.6 Million in 2014. This market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period (20152020) to reach USD 10,209.4 Million by 2020. The growth in this market is mainly driven by the increasing prevalence of pediatric diseases owing to the rising population; increasing use of products in healthcare; and technological improvements in modern techniques. However, the presence of stringent regulations for process approval and medication errors associated with diagnosis may restrain the growth of the market during the forecast period.The organizing committee is gearing up for an exciting and informative cme medical conferences program including plenary lectures, symposia, workshops on a variety of topics, poster presentations and various programs for participants from all over the world. We invite you to join us at the Annual Pediatrics 2017 and Critical care conference where you will surly have a meaningful experience with scholars from around the world.Everyone interested in the future of emerging - pulsus healthcare techniques majorly in metabolomics and proteomics are encouraged to attend the Pediatric medical conferences and Pediatric nurse practitioner conferences. Connect with our social network pages to get regular industry updates.Topic: General Pediatrics, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Oncology and Haematology, Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Nutrition, Pediatric Case Reports, Pediatric Trauma & Depression, Pediatric Critical Care & Nursing, Pediatric Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Neonatology, Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Pediatric Hepatology,Pediatric Dentistry, Pediatric Endocrinology, Pediatric Nephrology & Urology, Pediatric Rheumatology, Pediatric Pulmonology, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Pediatric Dermatology, Pediatric Medications and Vaccines, Pediatric AnesthesiaAbout Pulsus: Pulsus is a publisher of scientific, technical, and medical journals. Pulsus established in 1984, headquartered in London, UK and with its offices in Ontario, Canada and Hyderabad, India. Pulsus acquired Andrew John Publishing and openaccessjournals.com to expand publishing and conducting global medical meetings under cmesociety.com banner. Endorsed by medical societies, Pulsus Group is an ardent supporter of international medical research, and publishes 50+ journals in association with 20+ International medical and scientific societies.Annual Pediatrics 2017Pulsus Group40 Bloomsbury WayLower Ground FloorLondon, United KingdomWC1A 2SE
Rice Bran Oil Industry Report 2017 - Market Analysis, Share, Size, Growth and Forecast

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Rice bran oil is extracted from the germ and the husk of rice kernels. Currently, it is one of the most widely used oil due to its health benefits and superior cooking properties. Considering this, the global rice bran oil market is expected to witness a significant growth during the forecast years.Request sample of the report:The latest report by IMARC Group titled, Rice Bran Oil Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2017-2022, finds that the global rice bran oil market has grown at a CAGR of 3% during 2009-2016, reaching a production volume of around 1.5 Million Tons in 2016. Rice bran oil is extracted from the germ and the husk of rice kernels, and contains a unique anti-oxidant known as gamma-oryzanol. It is also a great source of natural bioactive phytoceuticals such as -oryzanol, tocotrienols (tocols), tocopherols, etc. Although rice bran oil is similar in composition to peanut butter, it has some advantages over it and is the most preferred oil type in many regions, especially in the Asian cultures. The market for rice bran oil is gaining momentum in other parts of the globe owing to its relatively low price and various health benefits.The major factors which have contributed in driving the growth of the market are the expanding applications of rice bran oil in various industries. In the cosmetics industry, rice bran oil is used as an active agent in the manufacturing of nail polishes, hair conditioners, sunscreen lotions and lipsticks. The organic and therapeutic ingredients help improving the nutritional value of foods, along with providing enhanced taste and aroma. In the food industry, this oil is also used for the health benefits that its regular consumption offers such as cholesterol control, cancer prevention, smooth skin, protection from sunburn, facilitating weight loss, etc. Some of the foods where rice bran oil is used include in salad dressing, stir frying, baking applications, etc. The other factors which have influenced the market for rice bran oil in recent years are increasing awareness about the health benefits and superior cooking properties of rice bran oil, aggressive promotions by manufacturers and increasing penetration levels in both developed and emerging markets. According to the report, the market is further expected to reach a production volume of around 1.9 Million Tons by 2022, reaching a CAGR of 4% during 2017-2022.Browse full report with TOC:The report has analysed the market for rice bran oil on the basis of end-use and finds that the majority of the total rice bran oil is used for edible purposes while the rest is utilised for industrial applications. Apart from this, a thorough evaluation of the market on the basis of regional segmentation has also been provided. Currently, India represents the largest producer of rice bran oil, accounting for the majority of market shares. India is followed by China and Japan.The report provides a comprehensive analysis for setting up a rice bran oil processing plant. The study covers all the requisite aspects of the rice bran oil industry and provides an in-depth analysis of the market, industry performance, processing and manufacturing requirements, project cost, project funding, project economics, expected returns on investment, profit margins, etc. It also offers SWOT, Value Chain and Porters Five Forces analysis and regional segmentation followed by an analysis of the competitive landscape. This report is a must-read for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, consultants, business strategists, and all those who are planning to foray into the rice bran oil market in any manner.Browse more reports related to food & beverages industry:IMARC Group is a leading market research company that offers management strategy and market research worldwide. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses.IMARCs information products include major market, scientific, economic and technological developments for business leaders in pharmaceutical, industrial, and high technology organizations. Market forecasts and industry analysis for biotechnology, advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, travel and tourism, nanotechnology and novel processing methods are at the top of the companys expertise.IMARC Group610 North Randolph StreetArlingtonVA 22203Tel no: +1-631-791-1145Email: sales@imarcgroup.comWebsite:Blog:
Urban Populations: Exploring the challenges and opportunities of aging, declining, and rapidly-growing populations | New Release

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Urban Populations: Exploring the challenges and opportunities of aging, declining, and rapidly-growing populations" to its huge collection of research reports."Urban Populations" is a detailed and forecast-driven analytical report that provides insight into the current trends affecting urban populations and their future implications. Notably, the report examines three core topics; aging populations, declining populations, and rapidly-growing populations. For each of these trends, the report analyses the challenges and opportunities which have arisen as a result.As the contemporary economy continues to become ever more focused on services, and incomes in the developing world rise, a rising majority of the global population are becoming urban dwellers.Growing urban populations creates congestion and consequently increases pollution levels. This results in an increased dependency on urban infrastructure, public services, and the worlds depleting natural resources. Creating a model which promotes sustainable urban growth will prove essential if the rate of urbanization is to continue.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The world is also faced with an aging urban population: achieving economic growth while tackling this issue will prove a significant challenge for governments and local bodies. The strain on public finances will be exacerbated by an increased dependence on health care services and the need to adapt infrastructure to ensure urban areas are more age-friendly.At the same time, due to various social and economic factors, some cities are experiencing a decline in their populations. This creates a challenge for the local economy as the workforce shrinks and economic output lessens. In certain cities, economic recession has led to a flight of young and well-educated workers seeking better opportunities elsewhere.Scope- Technological integration into everyday life could prove hugely beneficial for aging demographics and society as a whole. Advancements which improve the health and mobility of an aging society will decrease dependence on public health services. Meanwhile, incentivizing companies to hire older workers can also keep this age cohort more active and maintain consumption expenditure levels within the local economy.- A declining workforce implies an economic contraction as output falls. However, innovations mean that such cities could experience a fast recovery: in one particular city, low property rents and labor costs have created a thriving technology-focused start-up scene.- Big data and the smart city movement will prove crucial if the worlds metropolises are to achieve maximum efficiency and sustainability. Demand for green buildings that promote sustainability and well-being is set to rise significantly as the awareness of pollution levels grows.Reasons to buy- Cities are large and varied markets with a plethora of opportunities for businesses. However, a number of trends are changing the face of the urban demographic; a prime example is the worlds aging society, an issue which needs to be addressed by governments and businesses around the world.- Through the use of data and analytics 'Urban Populations' provides insight into the current trends effecting cities and their citizens. By analyzing the changes in the urban landscape and clearly indicating the challenges and opportunities that have arisen as a result, this report provides a high level of clarity in order to aid business decisions.Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Global Woolen Blanket Market 2017 - Urbanara, Pendleton Woolen Mills, Barker Textiles, UAB Silkeborg, New Zealand Wool Blankets Ltd

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Global Woolen Blanket Market 2017, presents a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Woolen Blanket market globally, providing basic overview of Woolen Blanket market including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. Woolen Blanket Industry including (both global and regions) Market Size (both volume - Unit and value - million USD), Market Share, Production data, Consumption data, Trade data, Price - USD/Unit, Cost, Gross margin, Analysis, Forecast etc.Additionally, the region-wise segmentation and the trends driving the leading geographical region and the emerging region has been presented in this report.Download Sample Report @The Current global Woolen Blanket Analysis and opportunities are also taken into consideration in Woolen Blanket industry study. Woolen Blanket market report provides the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.In this report, the global Woolen Blanket market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Woolen Blanket in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Woolen Blanket market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingPendleton Woolen MillsUrbanaraFaribault Woolen Mill Co.?New Zealand Wool Blankets LtdBarker TextilesSIA Klippan SauleUAB SilkeborgAccess Full Report With TOC @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoPure WoolCashmereWool BlendsOtherOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Woolen Blanket for each application, includingHousehold UseCommercial UseIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Fior Markets is a leading market intelligence company that sells reports of top publishers in the technology industry.Our extensive research reports cover detailed market assessments that include major technological improvements in the industry. Fior Markets also specializes in analyzing hi-tech systems and current processing systems in its expertise.We have a team of experts that compile precise research reports and actively advise top companies to improve their existing processes. Our experts have extensive experience in the topics that they cover.Fior Markets provides you the full spectrum of services related to market research, and corroborate with the clients to increase the revenue stream, and address process gaps.Contact UsMark StoneSales Manager2566, Lincoln StreetPrinceton,New Jersey 08540USAPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Global PEKK Market Size, Share, Analysis, Industry Demand and Forecasts Report to 2022

PEEK

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Global PEKK Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022A new and latest research report proposed by Global Info Reports renders a market summary of the PEKK Market industry. This widespread analysis comprises of market potentials and challenges, scope of product, sales volume, market revenue, estimates and rate of growth. The report also digs into all the major market players across the globe.Get Free Sample Copy of this Report @Chemical industry segment has a crucial role in accomplishing daily requirements of the common man. It is one of the most former industries which attributes substantially to not just economic but industrial growth as well. Nearly, each and every industry segment such as oil and gas, retail, manufacturing, agriculture and many others, depends heavily on the chemical industry. In the recent years, the global PEKK Market industry has experienced an astonishing change structure-wise such as enhancements in technology, increasing raw material costs, manufacturing base been channeled to Asian countries,novel promising growth markets, etc.The report highlights crucial dynamics and in-depth analysis of the market segment with concentrating on factual data, present industry activities, growth opportunities, new product inventions, and market forecast for the anticipated frame of time along with leading market players, market study based on several regions, and extensive product. The PEKK Market report assists in determining the projection in this meticulous industry by rendering precise potential demand prognoses. These prognoses will aid the market players to take vital decisions and take hold of the untapped regions and new entrants.This research report incorporates the current market size of this industry. It also distinguishes and assesses complex value chains across the globe such as primary factors, market growth restrains, and propelling strategies. This latest market report examines the PEKK Market by several segments such as regions, applications, companies, and for the proposed time frame. The report gives a complete insight of this industry consisting the qualitative and quantitative analysis provided for this market industry along with prime development trends, competitive analysis, and vital factors that are predominant in the Concrete Seale Market.Market Scope:Various aspects are considered in this all-inclusive market research report and it inspects the global PEKK Market industry from an all axis perspective. It gives in-depth information on the future viewpoint, key developments, market dynamics and growth, latest trends in the market, and potential investment segment.Browse complete summary of this report @The report furnishes: An in-depth widespread market analysis of the global PEKK Market Analysis of global market trends, forecasts for 2017, and predictions of CAGRs through proposed time frame. Thorough analysis of applications Mentioning of market players with their complete profile description Researches the vital market trends and novel developments technologically in the PEKK MarketThe research report comprises of markets comprehensive analysis geographically on several important regions such as:1. North America (Mexico, USA, and Canada)2. Asia-Pacific (India, China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia)3. Europe (UK, Germany, Italy, France and Russia)4. Africa, South America, and the Middle EastThe leading industry players across the globe areexplored in detail in this report. It demonstrates product overview, company summary, and manufacturing cost, capacity, and market shares for most of the participants. The report portrays the complete overview of PEKK Market across the world including its cost/profit, demand/supply, import/export, capacity, production value, etc. The research report also prognosticates trends in the development of this industrys market. It cloaks current market analysis dynamically, downstream requirements as well as the upstream raw materials. Lastly, the report also segregates vital market figures which represent the market condition of PEKK Market manufacturers. The report can function as an assistive reference point for helping individuals as well as businesses from this segment.Get Discount on This Report @Some Point From TOC:1 Market Overview1.1 PEKK Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Electrophilic Substitution1.2.2 Nucleophilic Substitution1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Aerospace1.3.2 Automotive Industry1.3.3 Medical Industry1.3.4 Other1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Arkema2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 PEKK Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 Arkema PEKK Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2 Rallis2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 PEKK Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 Rallis PEKK Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3 Kaisheng2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.2 PEKK Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 Kaisheng PEKK Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4 OPM2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.2 PEKK Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 1Enquiry Before Buying @About Us:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.com
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Compressor Market Report 2017, Trends, Analysis, Share, Estimates and Forecasts to 2022.

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Change in energy consumption patterns and increasing natural gas demand as a main fossil fuel is expected to drive the market over the forecast period. The increasing demand for natural gas coupled with rising energy consumption in U.S., China and Canada is expected to favour the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) market growth. The LNG compressors market is likely to grow at a rapid rate in future due to increased natural gas production from unconventional sources and offshore locations. However, high raw material cost coupled with complex fabrication process is expected to hamper the market growth.Horizontally split compressors segment is likely to acquire the highest market share during the forecast period due to its efficient designs and ease in maintenance. Horizontally split compressors are used mainly in medium and low pressure applications. In 2014, North America dominates the global market for LNG compressor and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. The future growth of the market lies in Asia Pacific region due to rising investments in LNG plants. Major energy consuming countries of this region such as China, Japan and India have started developing LNG infrastructure which would encourage companies to invest in this region. Majority of future demand is expected to come from countries such as U.S., China, Japan, India, Pakistan, UAE, Albania, Indonesia and Malaysia.Some of the key players in LNG compressor market include Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, General Electric Company, Seimens, EagleBurgmann, Kobelco Compressors America Inc., Elliott Company, and IMW Industries Ltd.For More, Please Visit:Designs of LNG Compressor Covered: Axial compressors Horizontally-split barrel Vertically-split barrelRegions Covered: North Americao USo Canada Europeo Germanyo Franceo Italyo UKo Spain Asia Pacifico Japano Chinao Indiao Australiao New Zealando Rest of Asia Rest of the Worldo Latin Americao Middle Easto Africao OthersWhat our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsFor More, Please Visit:We offer wide spectrum of research and consulting services with in-depth knowledge of different industries. We are known for customized research services, consulting services and Full Time Equivalent (FTE) services in the research world. We explore the market trends and draw our insights with valid assessments and analytical views. We use advanced techniques and tools among the quantitative and qualitative methodologies to identify the market trends. Our research reports and publications are routed to help our clients to design their business models and enhance their business growth in the competitive market scenario. We have a strong team with hand-picked consultants including project managers, implementers, industry experts, researchers, research evaluators and analysts with years of experience in delivering the complex projects.STRATISTICS MRC17049 King James Way, Gaithersburg,MD, 20877, USA
Propolis Market is Expected to Witness the Same Growth during the Forecast Period

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Globally the market size for propolis is about to grow at rate of 3.50% CAGR with producing Propolis from 2,300 tonnes in 2017 to 2,900 tonnes in 2021.Market OverviewPropolis is a mixture of resinous collected by honey bees from the tree buds, sap flowers and other botanical sources. It is also known as bee glue. It acts as a sealant for the space that is unwanted open spaces in the hive. Propolis is mainly used to pack small gaps. Propolis contain of about 55% of Resinous Compound, about 30% of Beeswax, 10% of ethereal and aromatic oils and 5% bee pollen. Propolis has wide range of properties such as antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory.Request a Sample Report @SegmentationBy Application Food Medicine Skin Cream Musical instruments Car wax OthersBy Industry Pharmaceutical industries Health & food industry Cosmetic industry OthersBy Treatment Dental Treatment Skin Disease OthersRegional AnalysisNorth AmericaNorth America is one of the leading Propolis Markets globally. North America is one of the largest producing propolis this is mainly due to the growth in the bee Farming. The Bee farming industries are growing rapidly in North America and they produce huge amount of propolis.EuropeEurope is the emerging market for propolis market. Countries like Romania, the old Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Poland in Europe are into Propolis market.Test the market data and market information presented through more than 50 market data tables and figures spread over 157 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Global & US Propolis Market Research Report  Forecast 2016-2027.Key Players Zhonghong Biological Baihua Ponlee Apis Flora Wax Green Comvita MN Propolis Polenectar King's Gel Evergreen Ponlee Uniflora Manuka Health New Zealand Zhifengtang Wang's Bricaas BeewordsAccess Full P Market Report @Global & US Propolis Market: ApplicationsPropolis has wide range of applications that can be used in industries such as Pharmaceutical industries, Health & food industry, Cosmetic industry, Musical instrument industry and many others. Global Propolis Market are used to apply on wounds as it has antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, which can reduce redness and swelling on the body.Geographical Region includes: Americas Europe Asia  Pacific Middle East & AfricaTable of Content1. Executive Summary2. Research Methodology3. Market Dynamics4. by Application4.1 Food4.2 Skin Cream4.3 Musical instruments5. by Industry5.1 Pharmaceutical industries5.2 Health & Food industry6. by Treatment6.1 Dental Treatment6.2 Skin Disease7. by Region7.1 North America7.2 Asia-Pacific7.3 Europe7.4 RowAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Market Research Future Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune - 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312
EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Automobile Gearbox Market Report 2017

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Geographically, this report split EMEA into Europe, the Middle East and Africa, With sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Automobile Gearbox for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast)Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Benelux;Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE and Iran;Africa: South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria.EMEA Automobile Gearbox market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Automobile Gearbox sales volume (K Units), price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingMagnaGKNBorgWarnerLinamarZFAAMMeritorDanaMarmonHyundai DymosFabcoUnivanceFor more info, get a Sample PDF with TOC:Table of ContentsEMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Automobile Gearbox Market Report 20171 Automobile Gearbox Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Automobile Gearbox1.2 Classification of Automobile Gearbox1.2.1 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Manual1.2.4 Automatic1.2.5 Semi-automatic1.3 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-20221.3.2 Commercial Vehicles1.3.3 Passenger Vehicles1.4 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Market by Region1.4.1 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Middle East Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Africa Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 EMEA Market Size (Value and Volume) of Automobile Gearbox (2012-2022)1.5.1 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Browse Press Release of this Research Report:2 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Competition by Manufacturers/Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Market Competition by Players/Manufacturers2.1.1 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Sales Volume and Market Share of Major Players (2012-2017)2.1.2 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Revenue and Share by Players (2012-2017)2.1.3 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Sale Price by Players (2012-2017)2.2 EMEA Automobile Gearbox (Volume and Value) by Type/Product Category2.2.1 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.3 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Sale Price by Type (2012-2017)2.3 EMEA Automobile Gearbox (Volume) by Application2.4 EMEA Automobile Gearbox (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.3 EMEA Automobile Gearbox Sales Price by Region (2012-2017)3 Europe Automobile Gearbox (Volume, Value and Sales Price), by Players, Countries, Type and Application3.1 Europe Automobile Gearbox Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 Europe Automobile Gearbox Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 Europe Automobile Gearbox Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.2 Europe Automobile Gearbox Sales and Market Share by Type3.3 Europe Automobile Gearbox Sales and Market Share by Application3.4 Europe Automobile Gearbox Sales Volume and Value (Revenue) by Countries3.4.1 Europe Automobile Gearbox Sales Volume by Countries (2012-2017)3.4.2 Europe Automobile Gearbox Revenue by Countries (2012-2017)3.4.3 Germany Automobile Gearbox Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.4 France Automobile Gearbox Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.5 UK Automobile Gearbox Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.6 Russia Automobile Gearbox Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.7 Italy Automobile Gearbox Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.4.8 Benelux Automobile Gearbox Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4 Middle East Automobile Gearbox (Volume, Value and Sales Price), by Region, Type and Application4.1 Middle East Automobile Gearbox Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 Middle East Automobile Gearbox Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 Middle East Automobile Gearbox Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.2 Middle East Automobile Gearbox Sales and Market Share by Type4.3 Middle East Automobile Gearbox Sales and Market Share by Application4.4 Middle East Automobile Gearbox Sales Volume and Value (Revenue) by Countries4.4.1 Middle East Automobile Gearbox Sales Volume by Countries (2012-2017)4.4.2 Middle East Automobile Gearbox Revenue by Countries (2012-2017)4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Automobile Gearbox Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.4.4 Israel Automobile Gearbox Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.4.5 UAE Automobile Gearbox Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.4.6 Iran Automobile Gearbox Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5 Africa Automobile Gearbox (Volume, Value and Sales Price) by Players, Countries, Type and Application5.1 Africa Automobile Gearbox Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 Africa Automobile Gearbox Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 Africa Automobile Gearbox Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.2 Africa Automobile Gearbox Sales and Market Share by Type5.3 Africa Automobile Gearbox Sales and Market Share by Application5.4 Africa Automobile Gearbox Sales Volume and Value (Revenue) by Countries5.4.1 Africa Automobile Gearbox Sales Volume by Countries (2012-2017)QYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States
China: 4G and Fiber Network Expansion Coupled with 5G Investments to Support Telecom Growth

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "China: 4G and Fiber Network Expansion Coupled with 5G Investments to Support Telecom Growth"Description"China: 4G and Fiber Network Expansion Coupled with 5G Investments to Support Telecom Growth", is a new Country Intelligence Report by GlobalData, provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in China today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2021. Published annually, the report provides detailed analysis of the near-term opportunities, competitive dynamics and evolution of demand by service type and technology/platform across the fixed telephony, broadband, and mobile, as well as a review of key regulatory trends.Telecom services revenue in China is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% during 2016-2021, primarily driven by growth in mobile data and fixed Internet revenue. Mobile data will be the largest revenue-contributing segment until 2021. Fixed VoIP will be the fastest-growing segment in the telecom market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 31.7% during 2016-2021. Going forward, operators look to expand 4G and invest in 5G network trials and fiber-optic network deployments to improve and extend Internet connectivity in the country, which will provide significant opportunities for vendors and investors.The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following -- Regional context: telecom market size and trends in China compared with other countries in the region.- Economic, demographic and political context in China.- The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, national broadband plans, number portability and more.- A demand profile: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, and mobile data markets.- Service evolution: a look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed and mobile sectors and between voice, data and video from 2016 to 2021.- The competitive landscape: an examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months.- In-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, and mobile data services: a quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period.- Main opportunities: this section details the near-term opportunities for operators, vendors and investors in China's telecommunications markets.Request Sample Copy of This Report at:Scope- The overall telecom service revenue in China will grow at a CAGR of 5.8% during 2016-2021, mainly driven by growth in the mobile data and fixed Internet segment.- Mobile revenue will account for 60.5% of the total telecom revenue in 2021, with mobile data accounting for 65.8% of mobile revenue in 2021.- 4G will be the most adopted mobile technology through 2021. Moreover, its share of the overall mobile subscriber base will continue to increase over the 2016-2021 forecast period, owing to rising adoption of 4G services over the coming years.- The top three operators, China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, accounted for 89.2% share of overall service revenue in 2016. We expect competition to intensify further as operators focus on 4G expansion, fiber deployment and commercializing 5G to further increase their market share.- Operators will continue to focus on investments in 4G network expansion and launch of 5G services, fiber deployments to increase connectivity and on catering to the rising data demand.Reasons to buy- This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of Chinas telecommunications markets, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies.- Accompanying GlobalDatas Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in Chinas mobile communications, fixed telephony, broadband markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares.- With more than 20 charts and tables, the report is designed for an executive-level audience, boasting presentation quality.- The report provides an easily digestible market assessment for decision-makers built around in-depth information gathered from local market players, which enables executives to quickly get up to speed with the current and emerging trends in Chinas telecommunications markets.- The broad perspective of the report coupled with comprehensive, actionable detail will help operators, equipment vendors and other telecom industry players succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in China.Browse Latest Industry Press Release at:About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports.MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients.We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated researchreports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and typesof companies spanning across various industries.ContactState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn:
HD Map Industry 2017 Overview, Share, Research, Analysis and Market Development : Here,TomTom,Google

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http://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-hd-map-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022.htm

Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global HD Map Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 to its huge collection of research reports.This market intelligence report is a highly descriptive analysis of the global market for HD Map. The report, for a better understanding of its readers, segments the market based on various criteria, including geography, end users, type, and application. It performs a methodical examination of the current and historic scenario to predict how the demand and supply charts would look in the forthcoming years.To Download Sample Report With TOC:The industry chain structure of the global HD Map market is also explained in detail. It takes into account the data pertaining to the existing production capacities along with industry and government policies that impact them and the extent to which they are utilized. The cost and revenue structure analysis of prominent participants serves as an important tool to derive the overall revenue generation of the global HD Map market.There are various tools meticulously analyzed in the research report. One of them is SWOT analysis, which is vital in comprehending the competitive landscape of the global HD Map market. The report performs a detailed profiling of key players in the market and provides insights into the products and/or services offered by them. It also sheds light on the latest developments and business strategies of these players. It offers some invaluable recommendations by industrial experts, which can be helpful to both existing and emerging players in forming growth strategies. Analysts have made sure to do an in-depth analysis of the global HD Map market to reinforce the primary intention of the report, which is to provide its readers with means to have a better understanding of the market.Table of Contents1 Industry Overview11.1 HD Map Market Overview11.1.1 HD Map Product Scope11.1.2 Market Status and Outlook21.2 Plotting HD Map to Autonomous Cars Analysis31.3 HD Map Market by End Users/Application42 Global HD Map Competition Analysis by Players72.1 HD Map Market Size (Value) by Players (2020-2021)72.2 Competitive Status and Trend102.3 New Entrants11Browse Press Release of this Research Report:3 Company (Top Players) Profiles143.1 Here143.1.1 Company Profile143.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview153.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions163.1.4 HD Map Revenue (Value) 2017-2022173.1.5 Recent Developments183.2 TomTom183.2.1 Company Profile183.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview193.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions193.2.4 HD Map Revenue (Value) 2017-2021203.2.5 Recent Developments213.3 Google223.3.1 Company Profile223.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview233.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions233.3.4 HD Map Revenue (Value) 2017-2022243.3.5 Recent Developments243.4 Alibaba (AutoNavi)253.4.1 Company Profile253.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview253.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions263.4.4 HD Map Revenue (Value) 2017-2022273.4.5 Recent Developments273.5 Navinfo283.4.1 Company Profile283.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview283.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions313.5.4 HD Map Revenue (Value) 2017-2022323.5.5 Recent Developments323.6 Mobieye343.6.1 Company Profile343.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview343.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions353.6.4 HD Map Revenue (Value) 2017-2022373.6.5 Recent Developments373.7 Sanborn383.7.1 Company Profile383.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview393.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions403.7.4 HD Map Revenue (Value) 2017-2022413.7.5 Recent Developments414 Global HD Map Market Size by Application (2017-2022)424.1 Global HD Map Market Size by Application (2017-2022)424.2 Top Consumer / End Users of HD Map435 USA HD Map Development Status and Outlook455.1 USA HD Map Market Size (2017-2022)455.2 USA HD Map Market Size and Market Share by Players 2020466 EU HD Map Development Status and Outlook476.1 EU HD Map Market Size (2017-2022)476.2 EU HD Map Market Size and Market Share by Players 2020487 Japan HD Map Development Status and Outlook497.1 Japan HD Map Market Size (M USD) and Growth rate (2017-2022)497.2 Japan HD Map Market Size and Market Share by Players 202050QYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States
Global Spirulina Market Professional Survey Report 2017 to its huge collection : DIC,Cyanotech,Parry Nutraceuticals

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Spirulina Market Professional Survey Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The report presents a thorough assessment of the global Spirulina market by taking a detailed look at the various components of the market. The historical growth trajectory of the Spirulina market is subjected to close analysis, the results of which are used to derive reliable predictions about the markets likely growth pattern in the coming years.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report segments the global Spirulina market by product type, application, and geography in order to understand the markets dynamics in detail. The historical performance of the leading segments by each criterion is examined in the report. The key trends in the global Spirulina market are thus derived and employed in the generation of reliable projections regarding the markets future trajectory. The report thus provides a granular analysis of the global Spirulina markets present condition. The factors affecting the demand for Spirulina in each leading regional market are assessed in the report, along with projections on how influential they are likely to remain for the global Spirulina market in the coming years.The leading players in the global Spirulina market are examined in the report. The competitive dynamics of the market are examined in great detail in the report, and the various factors affecting the competitive environment are described in order to provide readers with a picture of their likely influence on the Spirulina market in the coming years. The extent of the presence of leading players in each regional market for Spirulina is estimated in the report.Table of ContentsGlobal Spirulina Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Spirulina1.1 Definition and Specifications of Spirulina1.1.1 Definition of Spirulina1.1.2 Specifications of Spirulina1.2 Classification of Spirulina1.2.1 Spirulina Powder1.2.2 Spirulina Tablet1.2.3 Spirulina Extracts (Phycocyanin, Polysaccharides etc)1.3 Applications of Spirulina1.3.1 Health Products1.3.2 Feed1.3.3 Others1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 IndiaBrowse Complete Report with TOC @2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Spirulina2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Spirulina2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Spirulina2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Spirulina3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Spirulina3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Spirulina Major Manufacturers in 20153.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Spirulina Major Manufacturers in 20153.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Spirulina Major Manufacturers in 20153.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Spirulina Major Manufacturers in 20154 Global Spirulina Overall Market Overview4.1 2011-2016 Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2011-2016 Global Spirulina Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2015 Spirulina Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2011-2016 Global Spirulina Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2015 Spirulina Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price Analysis4.4.1 2011-2016 Global Spirulina Sales Price4.4.2 2015 Spirulina Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)5 Spirulina Regional Market Analysis5.1 North America Spirulina Market Analysis5.1.1 North America Spirulina Market Overview5.1.2 North America 2011-2016 Spirulina Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.1.3 North America 2011-2016 Spirulina Sales Price Analysis5.1.4 North America 2015 Spirulina Market Share Analysis5.2 China Spirulina Market Analysis5.2.1 China Spirulina Market Overview5.2.2 China 2011-2016 Spirulina Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.2.3 China 2011-2016 Spirulina Sales Price Analysis5.2.4 China 2015 Spirulina Market Share Analysis5.3 Europe Spirulina Market Analysis5.3.1 Europe Spirulina Market Overview5.3.2 Europe 2011-2016 Spirulina Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.3.3 Europe 2011-2016 Spirulina Sales Price Analysis5.3.4 Europe 2015 Spirulina Market Share Analysis5.4 Southeast Asia Spirulina Market Analysis5.4.1 Southeast Asia Spirulina Market Overview5.4.2 Southeast Asia 2011-2016 Spirulina Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.4.3 Southeast Asia 2011-2016 Spirulina Sales Price Analysis5.4.4 Southeast Asia 2015 Spirulina Market Share Analysis5.5 Japan Spirulina Market Analysis5.5.1 Japan Spirulina Market Overview5.5.2 Japan 2011-2016 Spirulina Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.5.3 Japan 2011-2016 Spirulina Sales Price Analysis5.5.4 Japan 2015 Spirulina Market Share Analysis5.6 India Spirulina Market Analysis5.6.1 India Spirulina Market Overview5.6.2 India 2011-2016 Spirulina Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.6.3 India 2011-2016 Spirulina Sales Price Analysis5.6.4 India 2015 Spirulina Market Share AnalysisQYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United States
Indian Tea Exports Expected to Grow 260 million kg Amounting to USD 756 million by 2019-2020

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Market Research Hub includes new market research report "Assessment of the Indian Tea Industry 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.Tea is the most widespread beverage across the world, adored by all age groups. Tea contains antioxidants which prevents diseases and promotes good health. The global tea market is divided into four major geographies- Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and Rest of the World. As of 2016, globally, per capita consumption of tea is highest in Turkey, followed by Ireland, the United Kingdom, Russia and Morocco.Request Free Sample Report -Asia Pacific region is the highest tea producer and is forecasted to reach a market value of approximately USD 29 billion by 2020. India is one of the key producers and consumers of tea globally. In 2016, approximately 216.79 million kg tea was exported from India. It is projected that Indian tea exports will grow to 260 million kg amounting to USD 756 million by 2019-2020.In the year 2015-2016, India witnessed increase in tea production by 3% year-on-year. While Assam generated 652.95 million kgs of tea, an increase of 7.61% from 2014-2015, West Bengal witnessed 1.68% rise in production year-on-year. On the other hand Tamil Nadu experienced a drop in production by 3.54% year-on-year due to severe drought. Keralas drop in production by 15.73% was due to erratic weather conditions and labour unrest.Why should the report be purchased?The report Assessment of the Indian Tea Industry 2017 highlights key dynamics of Indias footwear market market. The growing opportunity in the sector has been investigated along with the market drivers.The initiatives and performance of key players including Tata Global Beverages, Gujarat Tea Processors & Packers, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Associated British Foods and Duncans Industries Ltd has been examined. The current market scenario has also been studied. The report contains latest industry leaders opinion.Browse Full Report with TOC -Table of Contents1. Global TeaMarket1.1 Overview1.2 Market Performance& Statistics1.3 Market Outlook1.4 Industry Speak2. India Footwear Market2.1 Overview2.2 Market Performance &Statistics2.3 Market Drivers2.4 Challenges2.5 Market Outlook2.6 Industry Speak3. Competitive Landscape3.1 Tata Global Beverages3.2 Gujarat Tea Processors & Packers3.3 Hindustan Unilever Limited3.4 Associated British Foods3.5 Duncans Industries Ltd4. List of Charts and Graphs4.1 World Export of Tea by Country (%, 2015)4.2 Global Tea Market Size (USD Billion, 2013-2016)4.3 Global Tea Market Size (USD Billion, 2013-2019)4.4 Global Annual Per Capita Tea Consumption by Leading Countries (2016, pounds)4.5 Tea Production in India (2011-2016, Million Kgs)4.6 India State Wise Tea Production (%, 2015-2016)4.7 North India Total Production of Tea (2012-13 to 2014-15, in million kilograms)4.8 South India Total Production of Tea (2012-13 to 2014-15, in million kilograms4.9 India Tea Exports Earning (USD Million, 2007-2016)4.10 Revenue Tata Global Beverage (USD Million, 2015-2016)4.11 Revenue Gujarat Tea Processors & Packers (USD Million, 2015-2016)5. Research Methodology6. About Smart Research InsightsMake an Enquiry -About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free : 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel : +1-518-621-2074Email : press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite :
Global Castor Oil Market Headed For Growth & Expansion By 2021

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Castor oil is a vegetable oil obtained by pressing the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis). The common name "castor oil", from which the plant gets its name, probably comes from its use as a replacement for castoreum, a perfume base made from the dried perineal glands of the beaver (castor in Latin). Castor oil is a colorless to very pale yellow liquid with a distinct taste and odor once first ingested. Its boiling point is 313? C (595? F) And its density is 961 kg/m3. It is a triglyceride in which approximately 90 percent of fatty acid chains are ricinoleate. Oleate and linoleates are the other significant components. Castor oil and its derivatives are used in the manufacturing of soaps, lubricants, hydraulic and brake fluids, paints, dyes, coatings, inks, cold resistant plastics, waxes and polishes, nylon, pharmaceuticals and perfumes.This report provides detailed analysis of worldwide markets for Castor Oil from 2011-2015 and provides extensive market forecasts 2016-2021 by region/country and subsectors. It covers the key technological and market trends in the Castor Oil market and further lays out an analysis of the factors influencing the supply/demand for Castor Oil, and the opportunities/challenges faced by industry participantsTo Receive a Sample Copy of Global Castor Oil Market Outlook @Global Castor Oil Market Outlook 2016-2021, has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global Castor Oil market collected from specialized sources. The report covers key technological developments in the recent times and profiles leading players in the market and analyzes their key strategies. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. The major players in the global Castor Oil market are Jayant Agro Organic, NK Proteins, Biotor Industries, Gokul Group, Ambuja Global, Royal Castor, Tonghua Castor, among others.Buy a Copy of Global Castor Oil Market Outlook for single user price of $ 2800 @Key ChaptersPart 1. Exclusive SummaryPart 2. Methodology2.1 Research Methodology2.2 Geographic Scope2.3 Years ConsideredPart 3. Introduction3.1 Definition3.2 Supply Chain Structure3.2.1 Raw Material Supply3.2.2 Traders & Distributors3.2.3 Key CustomersPart 4. Market Landscape4.1 Global Castor Oil Market Size (Volume) 2011-20164.1.1 Overview4.1.2 Global Castor Oil Production4.1.3 Top 10 Castor Oil Companies (Volume Share)To View Full Report @Who we areResearch Trades has team of experts who works on providing exhaustive analysis pertaining to market research on a global basis. This comprehensive analysis is obtained by a thorough research and study of the ongoing trends and provides predictive data regarding the future estimations, which can be utilized by various organizations for growth purposes.We distribute customized reports that focus on meeting the clients specific requirement.Our database consists of a large collection of high-quality reports obtained using a customer-centric approach, thus providing valuable research insights. The research encompasses information gathered and examined by subject-matter experts, laying down growth opportunities and developmental strategies for enterprises.Reach at us:Flat No.10, Wing C,S. No. 245/4/2+245/5/1,Baner, Pune-411045Email: sales@researchtrades.comCall us: +91 7507349866Skype ID: researchtradesconWeb:
Trailer Axle Market by Global Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022

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HTF Market Intelligence released a new research report of 121 pages on title 'Global Trailer Axle Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022' with detailed analysis, forecast and strategies. The study covers key regions that includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and important players such as DexKo, Meritor, BPW Group ..................SummaryThis report studies the Trailer Axle market. An axle is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear. On wheeled vehicles, the axle may be fixed to the wheels, rotating with them, or fixed to the vehicle, with the wheels rotating around the axle. In the former case, bearings or bushings are provided at the mounting points where the axle is supported.Request a sample report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Trailer Axle in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversDexKoMeritorBPW GroupFuwa-K-HitchJOST Axle SystemsSAF-HOLLANDHendricksonShandong HuayueTND Trailer AxleMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis coversNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversCapacity: Lower than 8,000 lbsCapacity: 8,000-15,000 lbsCapacity: 15,000-25,000 lbsCapacity: More Than 25,000 lbsMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoFor Light Weight Trailers (Smaller than semi-truck trailers)For Medium Weight TrailersFor Heavy Trailers (Larger than 10,000 lbs)There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Trailer Axle market.Chapter 1, to describe Trailer Axle Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Trailer Axle, with sales, revenue, and price of Trailer Axle, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Trailer Axle, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Trailer Axle market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Trailer Axle sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceGet Customization in the Report, Enquire Now @Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Trailer Axle Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Capacity: Lower than 8,000 lbs1.2.2 Capacity: 8,000-15,000 lbs1.2.3 Capacity: 15,000-25,000 lbs1.2.4 Capacity: More Than 25,000 lbs1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 For Light Weight Trailers (Smaller than semi-truck trailers)1.3.2 For Medium Weight Trailers1.3.3 For Heavy Trailers (Larger than 10,000 lbs)1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving ForceBuy this report @2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 DexKo2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Trailer Axle Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 DexKo Trailer Axle Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2 Meritor2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 Trailer Axle Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 Meritor Trailer Axle Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3 BPW Group2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.2 Trailer Axle Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 BPW Group Trailer Axle Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4 Fuwa-K-Hitch2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.2 Trailer Axle Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 12.4.2.2 Type 22.4.3 Fuwa-K-Hitch Trailer Axle Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5 JOST Axle Systems2.5.1 Business Overview2.5.2 Trailer Axle Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Type 12.5.2.2 Type 22.5.3 JOST Axle Systems Trailer Axle Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.6 SAF-HOLLAND2.6.1 Business Overview2.6.2 Trailer Axle Type and Applications2.6.2.1 Type 12.6.2.2 Type 22.6.3 SAF-HOLLAND Trailer Axle Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.7 Hendrickson2.7.1 Business Overview2.7.2 Trailer Axle Type and Applications2.7.2.1 Type 12.7.2.2 Type 22.7.3 Hendrickson Trailer Axle Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.8 Shandong Huayue2.8.1 Business Overview2.8.2 Trailer Axle Type and Applications2.8.2.1 Type 12.8.2.2 Type 22.8.3 Shandong Huayue Trailer Axle Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.9 TND Trailer Axle2.9.1 Business Overview2.9.2 Trailer Axle Type and Applications2.9.2.1 Type 12.9.2.2 Type 22.9.3 TND Trailer Axle Trailer Axle Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)....ContinuedView Detailed Table of Content @Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited.HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact Us:CRAIG FRANCIS (PR & Marketing Manager)info@htfmarketreport.comPh: +1 (206) 317 1218
Growing Popularity Of Global Small Cell Power Amplifier Market - Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Growing Popularity Of Global Small Cell Power Amplifier Market - Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Small cell power amplifier is useful for enhancing signal strength in a given region. This device has been used in different spectrums so that 3G, 4G and 5G network connection can be improved. This enhances data transmission rate in those regions. Previously, macro cell base stations were useful option for network service providers. However, due to growing consequences of data congestion network coverage, speed and quality have been hampered. This initiates the popularity of small cell technology among network providers.Global Small Cell Power Amplifier Market: Drivers and RestraintsOne of the major driving force for small cell power amplifier market is the growing percentage of network penetration in global economy. Large proportion of internet users are indoor users and this increases the prospect for data congestion. This is coupled with the increasing effects of urbanization. This rises larger number of urban canyons. Due to these urban canyons, data traffic is increased and this hampers smooth data transmission. This increases acceptability of small cell technology among network providers. As cell radius decreases, network coverage and speed improves. This leads to larger installation of small cell base stations. Moreover, small cell base stations can be reused and public infrastructure such as poles can be used for it. This reduces acquisition complexity for setting up small cell base stations. However, there are certain restraint for this market also. Increasing installation of macro cell base stations reduces productivity of small cell power amplifier as macro cells interferes in the coverage area of small cell base stations.Due to the impact of data congestion, sole dominance of macro cells technology have been significantly reduced and this initiates the concept of heterogeneous network (HetNet). HetNet is meant for improved quality, coverage and speed. Huge investment has been deployed for the transition of macro cells network to self-organizing network (SON). With it, demand for small cell technology have been growing at an accelerated speed as well. This also eases the dual performance of macro cells and small cells. This is predicted to improve productivity of small cell power amplifier.Global Small Cell Power Amplifier Market: Scope of the StudySmall cell power amplifier market is segmented on the basis of end users and the segments are small cell base stations, datacard with terminals, customer premise equipment, power amplifier driver and wideband instrumentation. By gain in amplifier, small cell power amplifier market is segmented on the basis of five divisions and these are 27.5 dB gain, 32 dB gain, 36 dB gain, 39 dB gain and others. On the basis of regional segmentation, small cell power amplifier market is segmented into five regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Latin America.Make an Enquiry of this report @In this report, small cell power amplifier have been analysed in a detailed manner. Major players of this market have been incorporated into this report. Their financial details and strategic overview have been studied here. This strategic overview showcase agenda and development of these key players in this market segment. With it, competitive outlook of these key players have been studied as well. SWOT analysis of key players have also been incorporated in this report. Further, major attractiveness of this market on the basis of end users have been analysed. This attractiveness analysis shows the most attractive segment of this market according to present market size and CAGR (compound annual growth rate). In this report, global small cell power amplifier market have been analysed on the basis of revenue and the projection period runs from 2016 to 2024.Some of the major players operating in Small cell power amplifier market are NXP Semiconductor (Netherlands), Broadcom Corporation (U.S.), Qorvo Inc. (U.S.), Anadigics Inc. (U.S.), RFHIC Corporation (U.S.), TekTelic Communications Inc. (U.S.), Texas Instrument (U.S.) among others.Global Small Cell Power Amplifier Market, 2016  2024: By End UsersSmall Cell Base StationsDatacards with TerminalsCustomer Premises EquipmentPower Amplifier DriverWideband InstrumentationGlobal Small Cell Power Amplifier Market, 2016  2024: By Gain in Amplifier27.5 dB32 dB36 dB39 dBOthersGlobal Small Cell Power Amplifier Market, 2015  2023: By GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaMexicoEuropeGermanyFranceU.KTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Rigid Packaging Market: Demand for Sustainable Packaging Opens up Several Opportunities for Players

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Rigid packaging is an important as of the overall packaging market. It is extensively used for protecting various types of products from physical shocks and damage. The excellent durability of rigid packaging is the primary reason why is it used for packing volatile and highly reactive products along with other types of products. The global rigid packaging market is estimated to be worth US$166.8 bn by the end of 2024 as compared to US$589 bn in 2016. Over the forecast years of 2016 and 2024, the global market is likely to register a CAGR of 3.2%. Rigid packaging is known for being robust form of packaging which can adhere significant amount of load and insulate a reactive product from the external environment without contaminating the product.Browse Report:Applications where flexible packaging fails to compete with the rigid packaging such as liquid packaging, chemical packaging, bulk packaging, heavy duty packaging, secondary packaging is the key driver for the rigid packaging market. Expansion of the geographic customer base of the companies is increasing the global trade and the need for protecting the goods during shipping is generating the demand for rigid packaging market. Materials such as metal, glass, paper & paperboard used in rigid packaging are reusable and recyclable and together they contribute for over 60% of the rigid packaging market.Paper and Paperboard Segment Paces Ahead as Demand for Paper for Packaging SpikesOn the basis of material, the global rigid packaging market is segmented into plastic, metal, wood, glass, and paper and paperboard. Of these, plastic and paper and paperboard segment are expected to account for the 70% of the rigid packaging market by material type. Increased consumption of tobacco products and the use of glass for alcoholic beverage packaging is expected to boost the rigid packaging market. Furthermore, paper and paperboard are manufactured in varying grades to match the required standards, which is also expected to favor market growth.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @Rigid packaging is predominantly used in industries such as food and beverage, consumer goods, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, chemical and petrochemical industries and other industries. Out of these, the food and beverage is expected to account for over 1/3rd of the rigid packaging market while exhibiting a CAGR of 3.6% over the forecast period. China is the largest consumer for soft drinks hence is expected to contribute largest value share for bottles and jars segment.Asia Pacific to Lead Global Rigid Packaging MarketFrom a geographic point of view, Asia Pacific region is anticipated to lead the rigid packaging market and is estimated to rise at a CAGR of 3.8% over the forecast period. Europe is expected to follow the APAC region in terms of value. On the other hand, MEA is expected to be the smallest but second most attractive market over the forecast period. North America is the third largest consumer for rigid packaging market. However, the region is seeing significant shift from the rigid packaging to flexible packaging. Latin America is expected to contribute only more than the MEA region over the forecast period.Key Players for the rigid packaging market include Amcor Limited, Sealed Air Corp., Resilux NV, Bemis Company, Inc., Berry Plastic Group, Inc., Reynolds Group Holdings Ltd., Georgia-Pacific LLC, DS Smith Packaging Limited, Holmen AB ADR and Mondi Group.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Current And Future Prospects Of Hemophilia Treatment Drugs Market Based On Type Of Product, Disease Indication, Distribution Channel And Geography, 2016 - 2024

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Current And Future Prospects Of Hemophilia Treatment Drugs Market Based On Type Of Product, Disease Indication, Distribution Channel And Geography, 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Hemophilia is a rare blood disorder. Hemophilia is a combination of two Greek words that is haima (blood) and philia (affection). Hemophilia is a hereditary disorder, passed from parents to the child. Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder which causes excess bleeding and poor blood clotting. The people with hemophilia are generally known as hemophiliacs. There are two main type of hemophilia, hemophilia A and hemophilia B. Hemophilia A or classical hemophilia is the most common type of hemophilia, caused by lack of factor VIII in blood. Hemophilia B also known as Christmas disease, as it was firstly diagnosed in person named Steven Christmas. Hemophilia B is caused by lack of factor IX in blood. Other hemophilia are hemophilia C, Acquired Hemophilia etc. Hemophilia A & B is passed from mother to child, but hemophilia C is passed from both mother and father to child. This report analyzes the current and future prospects of the hemophilia treatment drugs market based on type of product, disease indication, distribution channel and geography.Global Hemophilia Treatment Drugs Market: Research MethodologyThe research is a combination of primary and secondary research, conducted for understanding and arriving at trends, used to forecast the expected revenue of the major radiography techniques in the near future. Primary research formed the bulk of our research efforts with information collected from in-depth interviews and discussions with a number of key industry experts and opinion leaders. Secondary research involved study of company websites, annual reports, press releases, investor presentations, analyst presentation and various international and national databases. The report provides estimated market size in terms of US$ Mn for each Product type, disease indication, distribution channel, and geography for the period 2015 to 2024, considering the macro and micro environmental factors. The revenue generated from each product was calculated by considering number of products used in the procedures and their market demand as per their use, number of product launched, average cost of products of each sub segment, trends in industry, end user trend, and adoption rate across all the geographies. The revenue generated for disease indication was calculated on the basis of prevalence of diseases in humans.Global Hemophilia Treatment Drugs Market: ScopeThe market report comprises an elaborated executive summary, which includes market snapshot that provides information about various segments of the market. It also provides information and data analysis of the market with respect to market segments based on type of product, disease indication, distribution channel and geography. The market overview section of the report analyzes market dynamics such as drivers, restraints and opportunities that influence the hemophilia treatment drugs market in the current and future scenario. The report also provides value chain analysis of the market that describes the sequence of activities involved from manufacturing to their final reach to the end users.Global Hemophilia Treatment Drugs Market: Regional OutlookMarket share analysis among the market players is analyzed to signify percentage share of the major players operating in the market. All these factors will help the market players to decide about the business strategies and plans to strengthen their positions in the global market. Based on geography, the market has been analyzed for countries of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Key Players Mentioned in the Report are:The report also profiles the major players in the market and provides various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, business strategies, and recent developments. Major companies profiled in the hemophilia treatment drugs market report are Novo Nordisk A/S, CSL Behring, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Bayer AG, Pfizer Inc., Biotest AG, Kedrion Pharma, Inc., Octapharma AG, Shire Plc, Biogen and some other players who are involved in the hemophilia treatment drugs market.The global hemophilia treatment drugs market is segmented as follows:Global Hemophilia Treatment Drugs Market Revenue, by Product typeRecombinant coagulation factor concentratesFactor VIIIFactor IXCombinationPlasma derived coagulation factor concentratesFactor VIIIFactor IXCombinationDesmopressinAntifibrinolytic agentsGlobal Hemophilia Treatment Drugs Market Revenue, by Disease IndicationHemophilia AHemophilia BOthersGlobal Hemophilia Treatment Drugs Market Revenue, by Distribution ChannelHospital PharmaciesRetail PharmaciesE-commerceGlobal Hemophilia Treatment Drugs Market Revenue, by GeographyNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeGermanyFranceItalySpainU.K.Make an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Hospital Administration Software Market Expected to Show Steady Growth by 2025

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Hospital Administration Software Market: SnapshotThe rapid development in information technology has revolutionized the healthcare industrys delivery model today. With the power of internet, the healthcare service delivery model has become advanced. The hospital administration software market is expected to witness a high demand in the forecast period from 2017 to 2025 on account of rising government support and increased patient awareness. Better healthcare infrastructure can be seen across the globe on account of increased medical spending. Hospital administration software has eliminated the need to manually calculate patient bills or managing employee payroll, among others. Advanced healthcare IT services such as computerized physician order entry are also helping the market to grow. Hospital administration software offers benefits such as improved operations management, better control and administration, enhanced patient care, effective cost control, and increased profitability.As patients in most hospital or clinics especially in developing economies suffer due to poor hospital management, the introduction of hospital administration software will serve as a boon in the long run and improve patient care and management to a large extent. Over the coming years, a large number of hospitals and clinics are expected to make use of hospital administration software, thus driving the market worldwide. The report analyzes all the fey factors impacting the growth of the market and also takes into account the challenges faced by the global hospital administration software market. One of the key challenges faced by developing nations is the lack of skills to operate this software and take the fullest advantage of the various facilities offered by the software.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Hospital Administration Software Market: OverviewThe introduction of advanced healthcare IT services such as computerized physician order entry (CPOE) has revolutionized the global hospital administration software market. Before the advent of administration software, patient billing and employee payroll were managed manually. The software helps in reducing medication errors to a remarkable extent and therefore, it is being increasingly deployed across healthcare infrastructures worldwide. The market is likely to gain tremendous momentum in the near future owing to the rising inclination towards patient-centric care approach and advancements in cloud-hosted models.This research report on the global hospital administration software market is a professional study collated by extensively covering all the critical aspects of the market. These aspects include market dynamics, geographical segmentation, technological developments, and competitive landscape. The report profiles key players in the market along with their market shares, business strategies, and contact information.Request TOC of the Report @Global Hospital Administration Software Market: Drivers and RestraintsGlobally, the healthcare industry is facing substantial pressure regarding cost cutting from end users. The growing pressure is prompting healthcare providers to adopt cost effective solutions, thereby driving the demand for hospital administration software. The increasing incentives by governments for implementing IT in healthcare facilities, in order to improve the facilities, are fuelling the market.On the other hand, the high cost and time required for the integration of hospital administration software coupled with interoperability issues are hindering their widespread adoption. The dearth of skilled on-site IT professionals is another factor adversely affecting the growth of the market. Furthermore, the threat to data privacy and security with the existing software solutions is hampering the growth of the market.Global Hospital Administration Software Market: Geographical SegmentationOn the basis of geography, the global hospital administration software market can be fragmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World. North America will be a lucrative market throughout the forecast period. The emergence of cloud computing and web-based support systems is promoting the adoption of software solutions across hospitals for administration purposes. The growth of the Europe region can be attributed to the high acceptance of technologically advanced systems along with favorable government policies that are encouraging the deployment of innovative software solutions across healthcare setups.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Asia Pacific is poised to progress at a brisk pace during the same period, with India, China, Australia, and Singapore being some of the major contributors to the growth of the region. Factors such as the improving healthcare IT infrastructure, increasing consumer spending, and rising medical tourism are augmenting the growth of the region.Global Hospital Administration Software Market: Competitive LandscapeThe global hospital administration software market is a highly fragmented arena, wherein the majority of players are focusing on service innovation and technological advancements. Some of the prominent players in the market are Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc., Accumedic Computer Systems, Accurate Info Soft Pvt. Ltd., Athenahealth Inc., Agfa Healthcare, eClinicalWorks, Cerner Corporation, GE Healthcare, e-MDs Inc., Koninklijke Philips N.V., Carestream Health, Medical Information Systems Inc., McKesson Corporation, and Siemens Healthcare.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Paper Dry Strength Agents Market is a Transparent to Light Yellow Liquid at Normal Temperature and Pressure

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Market HighlightsPaper dry strength agents are multifunctional chemicals which are extensively used to improve paper, tissue, and paperboard strength such as tensile, compressing, bursting, and internal bond and also to improve retention and drainage. They provide strength quality to paper products and also improve machine productivity and process efficiency. Paper dry strength agents are available in various types such as polyvinylamine, polyacrylamide, glyoxylated polyacrylamide, starch based polymers, amphoteric polymer, and others. Furthermore, increasing in demand of paper industry is likely to drive the paper dry strength agent market growth.Request for Sample Report@Key PlayersKey players of the global paper dry strength agents market are BASF SE (Germany), Akzo Nobel N.V. (Europe), Kemira (Europe), Harima Chemicals Group, Inc. (Japan), Applied Chemicals International Group (Switzerland), Solenis (US), Seiko Pmc Corporation (Japan), GreatlandChemicals (China), Huixian Tiankai Paper Making Agent Co., Ltd. (China), Taegwang Chemicals Co., Ltd.(Korea), and Others.SegmentationThe global paper dry strength agents market is majorly segmented on the basis of types, application and region. Based on types of paper dry strength agents the market is segmented into polyvinylamine, polyacrylamide, glyoxylated polyacrylamide, starch based polymers, amphoteric polymer, and others. Based on region market is segmented into North America, Europe, APAC, Latin America, Middle East & Africa.Regional Analysis The global paper dry strength agents market is classified on the basis of mixed geographic segmentation which involves regions such as America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Out of all, Asia Pacific paper dry strength agents market is largest market owing to robust industry growth of application industry in China, Japan and India. Asia Pacific paper dry strength agent market size is likely to witness highest gains over the forecast period. Europe is projected to grow at the fastest rate in the coming years owing to rising demand for modified starch based polymers paper dry strength agents from the paper industry and textiles industry. North America holds the second position in global paper dry strength agents market due to growing consumption in the countries Canada, Mexico, and US, additionally, In the US it is far more common in North America for papermakers to use cationic starch based paper dry strength agents.Browse Full V-DMarket Report @Table of Content1 Executive Summary2 Scope of the Report3 Market Research Methodology4 Market Landscape5 Industry Overview of Global Paper Dry Strength Agents Market6 Market Trends7. Global Paper Dry Strength Agents Market by Region8. Global Paper Dry Strength Agents Market by Types (Polyvinylamine, Polyacrylamide, Glyoxylated Polyacrylamide, Starch Based Polymers, Amphoteric Polymer, and Others)9. Company Landscape10. Company ProfilesAbout Market Research FutureAt Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Market Research Future Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune - 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312
Puerto Rico: Gigabit Island Plan and LTE/LTE-A Expansion to Support Fixed Internet and Mobile Data Growth

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MarketResearchReports.Biz presents this most up-to-date research on "Puerto Rico: Gigabit Island Plan and LTE/LTE-A Expansion to Support Fixed Internet and Mobile Data Growth"Description"Puerto Rico: Gigabit Island Plan and LTE/LTE-A Expansion to Support Fixed Internet and Mobile Data Growth" a new Country Intelligence Report by GlobalData, provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in Puerto Rico today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2021. Published annually, the report provides detailed analysis of the near-term opportunities, competitive dynamics and evolution of demand by service type and technology/platform across the fixed telephony, broadband, mobile and pay-TV sectors, as well as a review of key regulatory trends.In 2016, Puerto Rico generated total telecom and pay-TV services revenue of $2.0bn (equivalent to 3.0% of nominal GDP), an increase of 0.2% since 2015, primarily due to growth in mobile data and fixed Internet. Puerto Rico is the ninth-largest market in the Latin American region, and the second largest within Central America and Caribbean, just behind Guatemala.The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following -- Regional context: telecom market size and trends in Puerto Rico compared with other countries in the region.- Economic, demographic and political context in Puerto Rico.- The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, national broadband plans, number portability and more.- A demand profile: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony (including VoIP), broadband, mobile voice, mobile data and pay-TV markets.- Service evolution: a look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed/pay-TV and mobile sectors and between voice, data and video from 2016 to 2021.- The competitive landscape: an examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months.- In-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, mobile data and pay-TV services: a quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period.- Main opportunities: this section details the near-term opportunities for operators, vendors and investors in Puerto Rico's telecommunications and pay-TV markets.Request Sample Copy of This Report at:Scope- GlobalData expects overall service revenue to grow at a CAGR of 0.9% during 2016-2021. Growth will be driven by the data segment, in particular mobile data revenue, as a result of increasing adoption of LTE/LTE-A services and availability of data-centric packages. The fixed/mobile revenue split will be dominated by the mobile segment through 2016-2021, driven by rising mobile broadband adoption.- Competition in the Puerto Rican telecom market has intensified in recent years in the wake of several mergers and acquisitions. Going forward, competition is set to intensify further with the recently announced merger of Sprints operations in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands with Open Mobile in February 2017. The merged entity is expected to be a strong contender in the mobile market with enhanced network capacity and spectrum assets.- The broadband penetration in Puerto Rico is one of the highest in the region, just behind Uruguay and Argentina, owing to the islands high degree of urbanization as well as strong concentration of its population. The rise in investment by operators and the government to develop fixed infrastructure under the Gigabit Island Plan will support broadband growth in Puerto Rico.Reasons to buy- This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of Puerto Rico's telecommunications and pay-TV markets, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies.- Accompanying GlobalDatas Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in Puerto Rico's mobile communications, fixed telephony/VoIP, broadband and pay-TV markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares.- With more than 20 charts and tables, the report is designed for an executive-level audience, boasting presentation quality.- The report provides an easily digestible market assessment for decision-makers built around in-depth information gathered from local market players, which enables executives to quickly get up to speed with the current and emerging trends in Puerto Rico's telecommunications and pay-TV markets.- The broad perspective of the report coupled with comprehensive, actionable detail will help operators, equipment vendors and other telecom industry players succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in Puerto Rico.Browse Latest Industry Press Release at:About usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports.MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients.We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated researchreports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and typesof companies spanning across various industries.ContactState Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.bizFollow us on LinkedIn:
The US Fast Casual Restaurant Market: Size, Trends, Opportunities & Forecasts (2017-2021)

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New report entitled The US Fast Casual Restaurant Market: Size, Trends & Forecasts (2017-2021), provides analysis of the US fast casual restaurant market, with detailed analysis of market size and growth, and segmentation of the industry. The analysis of the US fast casual restaurant market includes the market by value and by segments.Moreover, the report also assesses the key opportunities in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the growth of the industry. Growth of the overall the US fast casual restaurant market has also been forecasted for the years 2017-2021, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends.Request Free Sample Report -Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., Firehouse Restaurant, Five Guys and Panda Express are some of the key players operating in the US fast casual restaurant market, whose company profiling has been done in the report. In this segment of the report, business overview, financial overview and business strategies of the companies are provided.Company CoverageChipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.Firehouse RestaurantFive GuysPanda ExpressBrowse Full Report with TOC -Executive SummaryA restaurant is a place or a business which prepares and serves food and drinks to customers in return for money. On the basis of the services provided by the restaurants, they can be broadly classified into two groups as: Full-service restaurants and Limited-service restaurants.A full service restaurant refers as a sit down eatery where food is served directly to the customers table. Full-service restaurants can be further categorized into Fine Dining Restaurant, Casual Dining Restaurants and Family Dining Restaurants.Limited service restaurants usually serve lunch and dinner menus, and some offer breakfast, afternoon, and late-night meals. Limited service restaurants can be further classified into fast food or quick service, fast casual restaurants, pizza restaurants, and cafes.The US fast casual restaurant market is expected to increase at high growth rates during the forecasted period (2017-2021). The US fast casual restaurant market is supported by various growth drivers, increasing urban population, increasing employment, more customization in food menu, increasing disposable income, etc.Make an Enquiry -About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free : 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel : +1-518-621-2074Email : press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite :
Wearable Medical Equipment Market Size (Value) Worldwide Industry Growth, Share, Trends, Statistics, Opportunities & Forecast up to 2022

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Global Wearable Medical Equipment Industry Report offers market overview, segmentation by types, application, countries, key manufactures, cost analysis, industrial chain, sourcing strategy, downstream buyers, marketing strategy analysis, distributors/traders, factors affecting market, forecast and other important information for key insight.In this report, the global Wearable Medical Equipment market is projected to grow consistently between 2016-2022 and values are provided for market size in USD million terms for 2016 and forecasts to 2022.Geographically, Wearable Medical Equipment market report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Wearable Medical Equipment in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering such as North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India.Request a Sample Copy of Global Wearable Medical Equipment Market Research Report @Global Wearable Medical Equipment market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players including such as Abbott Diabetes Care, Flextronics International, Insulet Corporation, Beurer, BaseBand Technologies, Apple, Google, BEMIS, Bluegiga, Bluetooth SIG, BodyMonitor, Bosch Sensortec.On the basis of product, global Wearable Medical Equipment market report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into: Smart Glasses, Smart Watches, Smart Wristband, Smart Shoes, Smart Helmet, Smart And Intelligent Armband, OthersOn the basis on the end users/applications, global Wearable Medical Equipment market report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Wearable Medical Equipment for each application, including such as Detect, Monitor, Deliver medical, OthersEnquire about this report @Major Points in Table of Contents:Global Wearable Medical Equipment Market Research Report 2017Wearable Medical Equipment Market OverviewGlobal Wearable Medical Equipment Market Competition by ManufacturersGlobal Wearable Medical Equipment Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)Global Wearable Medical Equipment Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)Global Wearable Medical Equipment Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeGlobal Wearable Medical Equipment Market Analysis by ApplicationGlobal Wearable Medical Equipment Manufacturers Profiles/AnalysisWearable Medical Equipment Manufacturing Cost AnalysisIndustrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersMarketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersMarket Effect Factors AnalysisGlobal Wearable Medical Equipment Market Forecast (2017-2022)Research Findings and ConclusionFor more information about Global Wearable Medical Equipment Market Report @Related Reports: -2017 Top 5 Bone Sonometers Market Manufacturers in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and AfricaThis report studies Bone Sonometers Market in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa, focuses on the top 5 Bone Sonometers Market Players in each region, with sales, price, revenue and market share for top 5 manufacturer, coveringMarketSizeForecasters.com, a Skyline Market Research LLP brand, is an online aggregator of market research reports. MarketSizeForecasters.com offers a comprehensive collection of full length reports on global and regional markets in 100+ industry verticals. We have partnered with some of the leading business and market research publishing houses and regularly update our online library to offer wide range of reports to our customers.Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:News:Connect with us: LinkedIn | Twitter
Tempeh Market Size, Analysis, and Forecast Report 2017-2027

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Tempeh is a type of fermented soy cake product which can be consumed with rice or as a snack.Tempeh is obtained from fermentation of soybean with Rhizopus oligosporus as a starter culture. Tempeh was originated in Indonesia and has been increasing its demand in global market as a competitor of tofu. Tempeh has many health benefits such as reducing cholesterol, increasing bone density, reducing menopausal symptoms, promoting muscle recovery, etc. Tempeh is a rich source of manganese, copper, fiber, protein, phosphorus, vitamins, magnesium, etc. which makes it popular in health conscious consumers globally. Tempeh is a better meat alternative of all fermented soy products. Tempeh contains high nutritional value and hence is used in various vegetarian cuisine worldwide, where it is used as meat analogue. Tempeh contains high levels of vitamins B6, B5, B3, and B2. Tempeh has the ability to have many textures and flavors which makes it a better substitute for meat and meat-based products.Market Segmentation:The global tempeh market is segmented on the basis of type, distribution channels, form, and region. The global tempeh market is segmented on the basis of type such as tempeh bacem, tempe bongkrek, tempe mendoan, and tempe semangit. The global tempeh market is segmented on the basis of distribution channel as supermarket/ hypermarket, retail shops, online shops etc. The global tempeh market can also be segmented on the basis of form such as organic tempeh and conventional tempeh. On the basis of form the demand for organic tempeh is growing worldwide as a result of increasing health awareness among consumers. Hence, the global tempeh market is expected to significantly increase the revenue contribution over the forecast period.Request Report Sample@Market Regional Outlook:On the basis of regions, the tempeh market has been segmented into North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan, Middle East and Africa. Globally, among all regions, Asia Pacific has developed as the dominant region in global tempeh market followed by North America. Tempeh is originated in Indonesia which produces and consumes maximum amount of tempeh domestically. China is growing in producing tempeh to cater to consumer needs in global market. Japan, Korea and India are some countries which are gaining interest in producing fermented food products from soybean in turn growing tempeh market globally.Market Drivers and Trends:Tempeh is a healthy food containing probiotic which helps increasing antibodies, build stronger immune system, regulate appetite and reduces sugar. Tempeh is popular in health conscious consumers as it helps in reducing cholesterol levels naturally. Availability of tempeh in supermarket/ hypermarkets is also driving market for tempeh in urban countries. Increasing awareness of consumption of healthy food is driving market for tempeh globally. As a result of growing population of working professionals demand for ready-to-eat tempeh is increasing in urban areas driving market for tempeh globally. Manufacturers are focusing on providing healthier product offerings. Tempeh also has many health benefits such as its helps in muscle building, reduces risk of diabetes and treats inflammatory diseases which helps in growing global market for tempeh. Hence, the global tempeh market is expected to observe robust growth over the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Tempeh Market Key Players:Some of the key players in the tempeh market include Lalibela Farm, The Cultered Bean Company, Nutrisoy Pty Ltd., Impulse Foods, ALIVE & HEALING INC., and American Soy Asia are among these. The companies are expected to expand their business by enhancing their product portfolio in global tempeh market. The companies are projected to frame certain strategies in future in order to gain the competitive advantage in global tempeh market till 2027.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Trifluralin Market To Make Great Impact In Near Future by 2025

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Global Trifluralin Market: SnapshotTrifluralin is extensively used as a herbicide across the globe. It is extracted with dichloromethane and detected using capillary gas chromatography with a nitrogenphosphorus detector. It is commercially available as a liquid, emulsifiable concentrate, or granular formula. It is registered for the control of annual grasses and broad-leaved weeds in cotton, ornamental plants, and food crops such as cabbage, broccoli, sugar beet, beans, onions, sugar cane, sunflowers, tomatoes, soybeans, vineyards, and a number of leafy green vegetables. Various studies show that cotton, soybean, and ornamental plants account for a substantial share in the global consumption of trifluralin.Trifluralin has a low solubility in water and has the ability to form strong bonds with soil. There are a wide range of pests that can be targeted using trifluralin, including bottle grass, bristlegrass, carpetweed, chickweed, crabgrass, cupgrass, field morningglory, German millet, goathead, hairy crabgrass, henbit, junglerice, knotweed, lovegrass, Mexican fireweed, pigeongrass, pigweed, red rice, Russian thistle, silver crabgrass, watergrass, wild oat, wild barley, and woolly cupgrass.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Trifluralin inhibits the development of meristem. It penetrates the developing plant roots where it hampers cell growth and division of the plant. It should be used with caution and in selective plants only else it may negatively impact the growth. Various lab tests suggest that it can inhibit onion and cabbage germination. Trifluralin is practically nontoxic to humans and birds in acute exposures. However, it has a very high toxicity to fish and other aquatic organisms. These disadvantages are adversely affecting the development of the global market for trifluralin.Global Trifluralin Market: OverviewThe global trifluralin market is projected to rise on the back of its main function as an inhibitor of weed growth. With key applications in the agriculture industry, the global market will ride on a robust demand for trifluralin products.Trifluralin helps to control the germination of a variety of broadleaf weeds by restraining their cell division and interrupting mitosis during the development of roots. The herbicide interferes with the synthesis of protein ropes that separate chromosomes during the process of cell division. In most cases, trifluralin is employed as a pre-emergent herbicide. It is studied that the ability of trifluralin to cling with organic matter and substandard water solubility could affect its efficacy and use. However, the crucial advantages provided by trifluralin in different applications compensate for its faint negations.Request TOC of the Report @Global Trifluralin Market: TrendsThe European Union (EU) has already banned the usage of trifluralin, owing to the risk to fish and other aquatic species with the herbicides high toxicity level. Moreover, the threat of substitutes could be lingering around the growth of the global trifluralin market.Howbeit, the international market for trifluralin is anticipated to witness a strong advancement with its significant applications in the growing agriculture industry. The herbicide cancels the need to wait for a longer time until the unwanted plantings, especially weeds, are eliminated completely. While tiling is the most commonly used method of decomposing weeds naturally, modern-day techniques which use trifluralin are taking precedence quickly. Trifluralin helps to accelerate the turnaround time for crops while minimizing the dependence on the tiling activity. The herbicide is also a great mode of weed removal which encourages cost-effectiveness and reduction in labor and time.In this regard, the worldwide trifluralin market is envisaged to take advantage of the necessity for faster crop production and the rising agricultural sector.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Trifluralin Market: GeographyThe demand in the developed regions, such as the U.S. and Australia, of the global trifluralin market is favorable. However, China as part of a developing region has been struggling due to the regulatory issues that are inhibiting the growth of its manufacturing plants. The short supply of intermediate chemicals required for production are also adding to the gradual downslide. This has resulted in an augment in the price of trifluralin over the past few years. The Chinese manufacturers have been cancelling supply contracts because of the steady price increase. New contracts have seen a rise, however with increased prices and generally, reduced supply.Global Trifluralin Market: CompetitionWith a gamut of manufacturers operating across different geographical locations, the global trifluralin market is expected to stay fragmented during the course of the forecast period 20172025. Some of the important players in the global market are Shenzhen Sunrising Industry Co., Ltd., Shandong Qiaochang Chemical Co., Ltd., Chongqing Shurong Chemical Co., Ltd., BASF, Jiangsu Fengshan Group Co., Ltd., and Dow Chemical Company. Among others, ADVANCE 10G, HERITAGE, TREFLAN HFP, TREFLAN TR-10, and TREFLAN NF are the prominent trade banners under which the Dow Chemical Company has been manufacturing trifluralin on a large scale.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Nocturia Market is Expected to Witness Highest Growth During 2017 - 2024

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Global Nocturia Market: SnapshotNocturia, also known as nocturnal polyuria, is a medical condition in which patients get a frequent urge to urinate while sleeping at night. It is particularly prevalent among the elderly who often find it difficult to sleep properly. The three broad categories of nocturia are mixed nocturia, bladder storage problems, and nocturnal polyuria.Although, women between 18 to 49 years of age are more susceptible to nocturia than men, after the age of 60, it is men who are more prone to it. In order to treat nocturia, uncovering of neurological disorders, hypertension, cardiac symptoms, and intake of medicines such as cardiac glycosides is a must. Patients also need to be diagnosed for lower limb edema, sleep apnea, obesity, and pelvic analysis. This diagnostics segment of the nocturia market will likely keep driving demand upwards on account of a burgeoning elderly population worldwide.Request Sample Copy of the Report @From a geographical standpoint, North America, powered by the highly developed healthcare infrastructure in the advanced nations of Canada and the U.S. is a key region in the global nocturia market. It is trailed by Europe which is also witnessing a growth in the market owing to a surging geriatric population, sponsorship from government agencies and other companies, and other crucial support. Apart from Europe and North America, Asia Pacific and the Rest of the World are also significantly contributing to the market, particularly in the area of research for development of new and more effective therapeutics. Both for aspiring and existing are exploring the opportunities for growth in the regionGlobal Nocturia Market: Brief DescriptionNocturia, or nocturnal polyuria, is a medical condition wherein patients experience frequent urge to urinate at night after sleeping. Especially among the elder patients, the lack of sleep often leads to nocturia, and is not to be mistaken by enuresis or bedwetting where patients do no wake up to avoid it. Rated among the most distressing symptoms in older men and women, nocturia is classified into three prominent categories namely bladder storage problems, nocturnal polyuria, and mixed nocturia. Although the women aged between 18 to 49 years are more prone to nocturia than men, the ratio reverses after 60 years of age. Nocturia in some cases are also caused by conditions such as urological infection, liver infection, tumor of bladder, diabetes, diuretic medications, pregnancy, and regular alcohol or coffee intake at night among others. Depression, low level of physical activities, mental stress, and congestive heart failure may also lead to nocturia. This report observes that the prevalence of two or more nocturia among men aged between 70 to 79 years is approximately 50%.Request TOC of the Report @As per an article by Medscape in 2010, 58% women and 66% men in the country of the U.S. suffer from nocturia and the percentage is expected to rise to 72% to 91% respectively for age group of over 80 years. With the rising geriatric population across the world, the market for nocturia is estimated for a healthy growth rate during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025.Global Nocturia Market: Trends and ProspectsFor proper treatment of nocturia, diagnosis to identify neurological disorders, cardiac symptoms, intake of medicines such as cardiac glycosides, and hypertension is imperative. The patients should also be thoroughly diagnosed for sleep apnea, obesity, lower limb edema, and pelvic analysis. These diagnostics segment of nocturia market is estimated to maintain consistent demand as the geriatric population surges across the global. According to the National Institute of Aging, 1.6 billion people will be aged over 65 by 2050. Pelvic organ prolapse repair and surgical intervention with respect to transurethral prostatectomy are the last approaches for physicians and surgeons. Nocturia in past couple of years has gained a lot of attention and prompted researches and manufacturers to invest and thereby improve quality sleep and overall life rating. Some of the pipeline drugs include desmopressin acetate, afacifenacin, fedovapagon, ASP-7035, lidocaine, Paxerol among others.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Nocturia Market: Geographical OutlookOwing to robust healthcare infrastructure, the U.S. and Canada make North America as the most lucrative region in the global market for nocturia, although Europe too is experiencing escalation in demand due to rising aging population, feasible support, and sponsorship from government agencies and other companies. Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World market in terms of research activities are not contributing too significantly in the global nocturia market but for existing and new entrants these regions render pool of opportunities to explore and grow owing to developments in healthcare infrastructure, rise in disposable income, and increasing incidences of diabetes and bladder cancer conditions.Astellas Pharma Inc., Allergan, Inc., Urigen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Vantia Therapeutics, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. are some of the key companies currently operational in global nocturia market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:Rohit BhiseyHead - Internet MarketingTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Neurorehabilitation Devices Market: Competition Intensifies among Vendors of Neurorehabilitation Devices as Intensive Research Becomes a Priority

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Neurorehabilitation Devices Market: SnapshotThe market for neurorehabilitation devices holds a lot of potential, analysts have found. Already well-established markets in North America and Europe, coupled with immense growth opportunities in the emerging economies of Asia Pacific and Latin America indicate the favorable pace at which the global neurorehabilitation devices market is likely to grow over the coming years. The introduction of wearable technology and robotics has been having a tremendous impact on the development of neurorehabilitation devices and this push by researchers and device manufacturers alike is exactly what the global market needs.This 92 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Neurorehabilitation Devices Market. Browse through 9 data tables and 29 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market:The emergence of several new therapies over the past few years and the potential presented by additional investigational treatments are anticipated to drive the value of the neurorehabilitation devices market from US$894.9 mn in 2015 to US$3.2 bn by 2024 at a 15.5% CAGR therein.Alarming Rise in Road Traffic Incidents in Asia a Leading Growth DriverThe global market for neurorehabilitation devices comprises five main regional segments: North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.The alarming rise in the incidence of stroke has driven the North America neurorehabilitation devices market to account for a 42% share in 2015. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that almost 130,000 Americans die from stroke each year, with an average of one America dying from stroke every 4 minutes. This wide-spread prevalence of stroke, resulting in various neurological disorders, is forecast to boost the demand for neurorehabilitation devices in North America from 2016 to 2024. Neurological disorders are also brought on with age and as a result, countries with a large geriatric population base are likely to be the potential markets for neurorehabilitation devices. This is one of the key factors driving the market in Europe, especially in countries such as Spain, Germany, France, the U.K., and Italy.Asia accounts for an estimated two-third of the worlds disabled population and the number is projected to rise in the next decade. This can be attributed to not just the growing incidence of stroke in the region but to the alarmingly high road traffic fatality rates. Asia is home to highest percentage of traumatic brain injury resulting from road traffic accidents, unintentional injuries, and falls. These patients demand the availability of neurorehabilitation devices, thereby rendering the Asia Pacific region a massively lucrative market for global as well as regional players, registering a 17.0% CAGR from 2016 to 2024.Growing Prevalence of Parkinsons Disease in Developed Countries Presents Major OpportunityNeurorehabilitation devices include brain computer interfaces, neurorobotic systems, wearable devices, and non-invasive brain stimulators. Neurorobotic systems held the largest share in the neurorehabilitation devices market in 2015 and is likely to continue its dominance in the market over the course of the forecast period. Non-invasive brain stimulators, on the other hand, are projected to witness the highest growth rate from 2016 to 2024.Request a sample of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving Neurorehabilitation Devices Market by 2024:The major applications of neurorehabilitation devices include traumatic brain injury, Parkinsons disease, stroke, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy. The demand for neurorehabilitation devices for Parkinsons disease is estimated to register the fastest growth rate during forecast period owing to the rising incidence of Parkinsons in developed countries such as the U.K., the U.S., Iceland, Finland, and Ireland.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Technological Advancements : The Cards and Payments Industry in Bahrain to 2021

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ALBANY, NY, May 30, 2017 : GlobalDatas "The Cards and Payments Industry in Bahrain: Emerging Trends and Opportunities to 2021", report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Bahraini cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including credit transfers, payment cards and checks during the review period (2012-2016).The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry, and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review period and over the forecast period (2017-2021). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including the market shares of issuers and schemes.The report brings together GlobalDatas research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers details of regulatory policy and recent changes in the regulatory structure.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @The report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Bahraini cards and payments industry, including -- Current and forecast values for each market in the Bahraini cards and payments industry, including debit and credit cards.- Detailed insights into payment instruments including credit transfers, checks and payment cards. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.- E-commerce market analysis .- Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Bahraini cards and payments industry.- Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit and credit cards.Scope- To encourage consumers to use credit cards, the Industry, Commerce and Tourism minister of Bahrain issued a directive in January 2016, preventing banks and merchants from imposing surcharges to credit card users. According to the countrys Consumer Protection Law, a fine of up to US$26,595.7 (BHD10,000) can be charged to companies violating this directive.- Direct carrier billing is gaining traction in Bahrain. Telecoms Company Viva Bahrain, for instance, partnered with Google to launch its direct carrier billing service in the country in October 2016. It can be used by both prepaid and postpaid customers of Viva Bahrain to buy apps, games and eBooks on the Google Play store. The transaction amount is charged to the customers mobile phone bill. Similarly, the telecom operator Zain Bahrain partnered with the mobile solutions provider SLA Mobile and Microsoft to launch a direct carrier billing service, Zain Pay, in Bahrain in March 2015. Furthermore, mobile payment provider Fortumo launched direct carrier billing services in Bahrain in June 2014.- Government and payment participants are making concentrated efforts to develop e-commerce in the country. For instance, the government organized the third edition of the e-commerce Forum/Exhibition in March 2016. The event featured an exhibition for both public and private sector companies to help them become e-businesses. Similarly, Credimax-BBK (Credimax) organized an e-commerce workshop in April 2015, which focused on the governments role in supporting various e-commerce initiatives, and the importance of new technology, innovations and business opportunities to develop e-commerce in Bahrain.Make an Enquiry of this report @Reasons to buy- Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Bahraini cards and payments industry and each market within it.- Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Bahraini cards and payments industry.- Assess the competitive dynamics in the Bahraini cards and payments industry.- Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Bahrain.- Gain insights into key regulations governing the Bahraini cards and payments industry.ResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.ResearchMoz90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States
Assessment of Canadas Beer Market is Growing at a CAGR of 2.4% by 2017: Highlights key Dynamics of the Global and China's beer Market

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ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " Assessment of Canadas Beer Market 2017 " to it's Large Report database.Beer is globally the third most popular drink after water and tea. Growing at a CAGR of 2.4%, it is projected that the global beer market will reach approximately USD 636 billion by 2020. In 2015, the global beer market was valued at USD 566.6 billion. While in 2014 the global beer market grew by 1%, it grew approximately by 2% in 2015. The low growth percentage is due to a slowdown in beer consumption by worlds five largest beer markets, China, US, Russia, Germany and Brazil.Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage among Canadians, despite witnessing a decline in sales over the last few years. Given that the consumer in Canada is moving towards wine consumption, owing to sophistication and health benefits, the total volume sales of beer grew by 1% in 2015 to reach 2.4 billion litres. Bigger players such as Anheuser-Busch InBev and Molson Coors are facing stagnation in sales owing to the popularity of craft beer and growing preference for wine.Request for Sample PDF of Premium Research Report with TOC:Big and small players alike are introducing new flavours and variants of beer, and this trend is expected to continue. The well travelled consumer who has rich media exposure is demanding more from their beer. The non-alcoholic beer segment too is experiencing growth, boosted by the growing health consciousness of people and a will to drink responsibly.Why should the report be purchased?The report "Assessment of Canada's Beer Market 2017 highlights key dynamics ofthe global and China's beer market. The growing opportunity in the sector has been investigated. The initiatives and performance of key players including Anheuser-Busch InBev, Andrew Peller Ltd, Molson Coors Brewing Company, Heineken NV, Sapporo Holdings Ltd.has been examined. The report contains latest industry stakeholdersopinions.Read All Beer Market Research Reports @Table of Content1. Analyst Opinion2. Global Beer Market Overview2.1 Overview2.2 Performance& Market Statistics2.3 Market Drivers & Emerging Trends2.4 Sector Outlook2.5 Industry Speak3. Canada Beer Market3.1 Overview3.2 Performance & Market Statistics3.3 Market Drivers &Emerging Trends3.4 Competitive Landscape3.4.1 Anheuser-Busch InBev3.4.2 Andrew Peller Ltd3.4.3 Molson Coors Brewing Company3.4.4 Heineken NV3.4.5 Sapporo Holdings Ltd.3.5 Sector Outlook3.6 Industry Speak4. List of Charts & Graphs4.1 Global Beer Market Player Wise Market Share (2014, %)4.2 Global Beer Production (2004-2014, billion hectoliters)4.3 Global Beer Production by Region (2014, %)4.4 Global per capita Beer Consumption by leading countries (2014, liters)4.5 Global Brand Value of top 10 beer brands in 2014 (million US dollars)About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the world's fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMoz's service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Contact Us:Mr. Nachiket Ghumare90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074 / Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:Follow me on Blogger at:
MediPoint: Bone Growth Stimulators Market will grow at a CAGR of 2.9% by 2023 - Global Analysis, Trends and Market Forecasts

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ResearchMoz added Latest Research Report titled " MediPoint: Bone Growth Stimulators - Global Analysis and Market Forecasts " to it's Large Report database.MediPoint: Bone Growth Stimulators - Global Analysis and Market ForecastsSummaryThe global bone growth stimulator market was estimated at $654.1M in 2016 across the 39 markets covered in this report. By the end of the forecast period in 2023, GlobalData estimates the market will grow to approximately $801.4M at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.9%.When a bone is fractured, the body naturally generate a low-level electric field to stimulate healing. For some patients, however, the bodys natural healing processes are ineffective, and fractures experience delayed or non-union. Additionally, patients treated with spinal fusion procedures may have difficultly healing. Bone growth stimulators have been developed in order to promote healing in patients at risk for failed unions of long bone fractures or spinal fusion.The growing aging populations, as well as patient preference for non-surgical treatment regimens, are primarily driving the expansion of the bone growth stimulator market in the forecast period. However, competition from innovations in bone grafts and substitutes and reimbursement limitations are demanding obstacles to be overcome.Request for Sample PDF of Premium Research Report with TOC:Scope- Outlook of sales volume, pricing trends, revenue trends with 2016 as base year and forecasts until 2023, for bone growth stimulators.- Company share analysis in 2016, for bone growth stimulators.- Market insights and competitive assessment of the key players within bone growth stimulators market.Reasons to buy- Identify the unmet needs and understand physicians perceptions of the current bone growth stimulators- Drive revenues by understanding the key trends, innovative products and technologies, market segments, and companies likely to impact the global bone growth stimulators market in the future- Formulate effective sales and marketing strategies by understanding the competitive landscape and by analyzing the performance of various competitorsRead All Medical Equipments Market Research Reports @Table of Content1 Table of Contents1.1 List of Tables1.2 List of Figures2 Executive Summary2.1 Key Metrics2.2 Market Dynamics2.3 Key Players in the Bone Growth Stimulators Market2.4 Bone Growth Stimulators Market Future Outlook3 Introduction3.1 Overview3.2 Related Reports3.3 Upcoming Related Reports4 Market Outlook4.1 Procedure Trends4.2 Pricing Trends4.3 Revenue Trends4.4 Company Share Analysis5 Market Insights5.1 North America5.1.1 Canada5.1.2 Mexico5.1.3 US5.2 Europe5.2.1 Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden5.2.2 Belgium, France, and Netherlands5.2.3 Germany and SwitzerlandAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the world's fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMoz's service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Contact Us:Mr. Nachiket Ghumare90 State Street, Albany NY, United States - 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074 / Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:Follow me on Blogger at:
Research Offers 10-Year Forecast on Food Safety Testing Services Market

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Governments around the world have massively increased their focus on ensuring food safety. The threat of foodborne illnesses has led to stringent regulations from food testing authorities worldwide. The global food trade has increased manifold in the last decade or so, and manufacturers have become increasingly reliant on food testing mechanisms to ensure that they are following all the regulations and guidelines.The growth of the global food industry is dependent on fool-proof food testing mechanisms. Lack of proper food testing can increase the risk of food poisoning and other foodborne diseases. In the recent past, several incidents have happened wherein improper safety mechanisms have led to the outbreak of foodborne illnesses. The authorities in the developed world have enforced stringent quality checks on their food imports and many food products have been outrightly banned for failing to meet the safety guidelines. Increase in the focus on food safety has also led to product recalls from some of the leading names in the food industry.Positive Outlook on the Global Food Safety Testing Services MarketThe global food safety testing services market is anticipated to expand at a steady rate through 2020. Growth in developed regions, such as North America and Western Europe, and stringent regulations on the quality of food exports in developing countries are projected to be the key drivers for the growth of this market. However, lack of proper testing mechanisms in developing economies can pose a challenge to the growth of the global food safety testing services market.Request For Report Sample@Global Food Safety Testing Services Market: SegmentationThe global food safety testing services market is segmented into GMOs, pathogens, toxins, pesticides, and others. Food type segmentation includes fruit and vegetable, meat and poultry, convenience food, and others. Among these segments, the food safety testing services market for pathogens is anticipated to witness the fastest growth on account of rising number of foodborne outbreaks due to Salmonella. Other segments of the global food safety testing services market are also expected to witness steady growth during the forecast period.Key Regions for Food Safety Testing MarketNorth America is currently the dominant region of the global food safety testing services market, and it is expected to remain the key region through 2020. Stringent regulations on enforcing food safety guidelines in the U.S. And Canada have fueled the demand for the food safety testing services market in the region. The enaction of Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in the U.S. has augured well for the growth of the global food safety testing services market.Other key regions for the global food safety testing services market include Asia Pacific and Western Europe. It is anticipated that development of new food safety regulations will fuel the food safety testing services market in Asia Pacific in the next five years. It is anticipated that Asia Pacific's food safety testing services market will witness a very high growth rate in the next five years.Request For TOC@Key Players for Food Safety Testing Services MarketSome of the leading names in the global food safety testing services market include SGS S.A. (Switzerland), Bureau Veritas S.A. (France), Lloyds Register Quality Assurance Ltd. (U.K.), and Intertek Group Plc. (U.K.)ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Human Vaccines Market: Rise in Awareness Programs Sponsored by For-profit and Non-Profit Organizations a Significant Growth Booster

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The global human vaccines market is dominated by GlaxoSmithKline plc., Sanofi, Pfizer, Inc., and Merck & Co, Inc. These players collectively accounted for over 70% of the market in terms of revenue in 2015. Analysts at Transparency Market Research have identified some of the key strategies adopted by players in the human vaccines market in order to gain a competitive edge over the rest. These include mergers and acquisitions, collaborations and acquisitions for market penetration, the establishment of local production sites, the expansion of product portfolios, and expansion activities in regions with high growth potential.This 183 page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Human Vaccines Market. Browse through 30 data tables and 81 figures to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market:A focus on research and development is also a successful growth strategy, TMR finds. For instance, Pfizer, Inc. has always focused on R&D in order to improve innovation and productivity. It is presently working on various pipeline products for different therapies and innovating new capabilities that can position it for long-term leadership across the globe.The global human vaccines market was valued at US$28.3 bn in 2015 and is estimated to reach US$72.5 bn by 2024, registering an 11.2% CAGR during the forecast period.Hospital Pharmacies and Drugstores Prominent Distribution Channels for Human VaccinesBy age group, pediatric vaccines accounted for a 57.5% share in the global human vaccines market in 2015. Adult vaccines, on the other hand, are expected to expand at a 13.2% CAGR from 2016 to 2024. Based on product, the pneumococcal segment accounted for the majority share in in 2015, with the hepatitis segment exhibiting strong growth during the forecast period.On basis of vaccine type, the conjugate vaccines segment accounted for the majority share in the global human vaccines market in 2015. On the other hand, the combination vaccines segment is expected to expand at an outstanding CAGR from 2016 to 2024. By distribution channel, the hospital pharmacies segment led the global human vaccines market. However, the drugstores segment is projected to expand at a considerable pace through 2024.Geographically, North America dominates the global human vaccines market and is estimated to reach a value of US$28.0 bn by 2024. Asia Pacific is the most promising market for human vaccines and is expected to expand at a high CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period.Minimal Side Effects of Vaccines Bolstering Large-scale AdoptionAn extremely low risk of serious and fatal side effects associated with vaccines is one of the primary factors driving the market for human vaccines around the world. Similar to other drugs, vaccines are associated with a few side effects; however, most of the times, these are rather mild. Soreness, swelling, redness at the site of injection, fever, rash, or itchiness are the most common side effects of vaccines. Several healthcare organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US FDA, the American Medical Association (AMA), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend the use of vaccines owing to their safety.Complementing this factor is the growing awareness among patients and the general population regarding the benefits of vaccination. This can be attributed to a rise in awareness programs by government, private, and not-for-profit organizations. The celebration of the National Immunization Awareness Month in the month of August in the U.S., for instance, is a great way of spreading awareness and getting more people to opt for vaccination, the author of the report states.Request a sample of this report to know what opportunities will emerge in the rapidly evolving Human Vaccines Market by 2024:High Costs Deterring Market GrowthStrict regulatory requirements is a major hurdle for most players in the global human vaccines market. In addition to this, high costs pose a significant challenge. The discovery and development of new vaccines require immense capital. Moreover, the transportation, storage, and handling of vaccines can also be extremely heavy on the pocket, the TMR analyst reports. Apart from this, the containment of technical expertise in the hands of a few major players also acts as a deterrent on the growth of the human vaccines market.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Forecast By End-use Industry 2017-2027 Global Study

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Diabetes has evolved as one of the primary healthcare epidemic characterized by high sugar levels and principle cause of mortality worldwide. In 2014, World Health Organization (WHO) estimated 8.5% of adults living with diabetes. A diabetic person cannot either synthesize enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or either does not make enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin produced by the body (type 2 diabetes). Another type of diabetes that occur in women during her pregnancy is gestational diabetes. However, gestational diabetes is usually resolved after delivery but can precede towards type 2 diabetes later in a womens life. Most of the continuous glucose monitoring devices are invasive and involves use of needles leading to increased chance of infection. Furthermore, the invasive glucose monitoring device is considered to be discrete glucose measurement system which cannot be practically used for continuous monitoring of blood glucose. Certain evidences of hyperglycemia between measurements are however not recorded thus resulting in false or no representation of the blood glucose pattern. Noninvasive monitoring of glucose levels eliminates the need of painful pricking with increased risk of infection, and amount of damage caused to the finger tissue.Therefore, non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring devices are being widely investigated and studied over the past few years for their ability to monitor glucose continuously under highly controlled (e.g. in-clinic) conditions. Various techniques that involves measurement of blood glucose levels non-invasively includes, Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), Mid -Infrared Spectroscopy (Mid-IRS), Raman Spectroscopy, Photo-acoustic Spectroscopy (PA), Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and many more.Request Report Sample@Non- Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring DevicesMarket: Drivers & RestraintsRising prevalence of diabetes globally is expected to result in greater use of noninvasive blood glucose monitoring devices among the prevalent population. Owing to the several disadvantages imposed by the use of invasive blood glucose monitors and growing need to develop noninvasive glucose monitoring diagnostic techniques, the market for non- invasive blood glucose monitoring devices is expected to rise at a greater pace during the forecast period. For instance, in June 2015, researchers in U.K. developed blood glucose device that utilizes low-powered lasers in order to measure the blood glucose levels on the skin surface. Also a bench-top version of the system is currently in clinical trials studies which might land in the market over the next few years. This includes, a finger-touch device similar to a computer mouse and a wearable version for continuous blood glucose monitoring. In addition, increasing efforts by several startup manufacturers, for example, Prediktor Medical- a Norway based manufacturer is developing a wearable device for estimation of blood glucose levels based on the combination of several principles determining the noninvasive glucose monitoring including, advanced multivariate analysis and dynamic models for insulin or glucose interaction. The device is expected to be in the form of a watch or bracelet communicating with the mobile phone or a tablet for data presentation. This would enable patients monitor their glucose levels continuously without the need for an implant. Currently available blood glucose measuring devices lacks specificity and sensitivity due to the substantial physical and chemical interference. Non-invasive glucose monitoring devices use multivariate regression analyses converting optical signal to glucose concentration. Hence the device should be designed in such a way that it leads to accurate detection of blood glucose levels imperative for optimum therapy and disease management.Non- Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: SegmentationNon- invasive blood glucose monitoring devices marketis segmented by technology, modality end user and geography:By TechnologyMIR/NIR (Mid/Near Infrared Spectroscopy)Raman SpectroscopyOcclusion SpectroscopyOptical Coherence TomographyThermal Emission SpectroscopyPhotoacoustic SpectroscopyImpedance/Dielectric SpectroscopyElectromagneticPolarimetryFluorescenceBy ModalityWearable Blood Glucose Monitoring SystemsNon-wearable /Table top Blood Glucose Monitoring SystemsBy End UserHospitalsHome Care SettingsClinicsNon- Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: OverviewRising prevalence of diabetes worldwide imposes significant economic consequences on the individuals life. Currently, there are 350 million people worldwide estimated to live with diabetes. Thus continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels is essential in order to manage the ever increasing prevalent population living with diabetes currently. For this reason manufacturers are focusing on developing diagnostic techniques that are highly reliable and monitors individuals blood glucose levels with greater accuracy with the capability to improve glycemic control and patient wellbeing. By integration of sensing elements, electronics along with a reliable power source in a single unit, noninvasive blood glucose monitors are offering immense opportunity for all the device manufacturers along with patients and various healthcare providers across the world. Accelerated regulatory approvals of blood glucose monitors is one of the another important factor leading to increased revenues of noninvasive blood glucose devices over the forecast period.Request For TOC@Non- Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: Region-wise OutlookOn the basis of region presence, Non- Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and Asia pacific excluding japan, Japan, Middle East and Africa. Growing number of diabetic population in U.S. is the leading factor contributing towards higher adoption of noninvasive blood glucose monitoring systems. Center of Diseases Control and Prevention estimated 29.1 million of U.S. population with diabetes in the U.S. The data also estimated adult population with diabetes are at 50% higher risk of death. Furthermore, growing need of continuous non-invasive method of blood glucose diagnosis among patients is expected to create higher demand for noninvasive blood glucose monitoring systems worldwide. The incidence of diabetes is higher in regions such as Asia Pacific, North America and Western Europe. Presence of several pipeline blood glucose monitoring systems and their expected launch is expected to drive the market for noninvasive blood glucose devices over the forecast period.Non- Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market players in the non- invasive blood glucose monitoring devices market are, Abbott, Animas Technologies, Bayer Healthcare, Cercacor, Pendragon Medical, OrSense, and Bayer Healthcare.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Natural Gas Refueling Infrastructure Market Evolving Industry Trends 2022.

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With an increase in the number of natural gas vehicles, significant growth in natural gas refueling infrastructure has been witnessed across the globe. Natural gas is primarily used in two forms, namely compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Natural gas when compressed over 200 bars gets converted into CNG and is stored in high-pressure storage tanks. Natural gas when cooled to -161C gets converted in liquid form and is stored in highly-insulated tanks. Generally, CNG occupies more volume of gas at standard conditions while LNG occupies small volume of gas.Obtain Report Details @:Methane is the major component of natural gas and has chemical and physical properties which makes it suitable for vehicles. Natural gas is an excellent transportation fuel for internal combustion engines. A large number of benefits such as low cost, non-toxic nature, and abundant domestic supply boost the demand for natural gas as a vehicular fuel. High mileage and better efficiency can be achieved using natural gas as a transportation fuel. Natural gas vehicles are a rapidly expanding technology and has the potential to transform the transportation sector as well as have significant impact on the global natural gas market.High demand for natural gas vehicles has been witnessed in Asia Pacific. Countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, and India have significant number of natural gas vehicles. Asia Pacific Natural Gas Vehicle Association (ANGVA) promotes the growth and development of the natural gas vehicle market in Asia Pacific. Of the top five natural gas vehicle countries in the world, four countries, namely Pakistan, India, China and Bangladesh are in Asia Pacific. Energy, economics, and environment are some of the key drivers that boost the demand for natural gas vehicles in Asia Pacific. Application of natural gas as a transportation fuel in Asia Pacific offers many advantages such as supply security, reduced crude oil imports and fuel subsidies, low cost of energy, and employment opportunities. In Asia Pacific, CNG is recognized as a preferred transportation fuel mainly by operators of heavy-duty vehicles such as buses and trucks. China has the highest number of LNG stations in the world. With the strong support from the Government of China and active participation from industry players, high demand for natural gas refueling infrastructure can be anticipated in future.Climate change is a major problem for the natural gas refueling infrastructure market and high emissions of CO2 and greenhouse gases could lead to extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels. Governments of various countries are promoting the use of clean fuel (in vehicles) by reducing the fuel duty on cleaner fuels such as LNG and CNG. Many countries have also started providing incentive schemes for converting vehicles from conventional fuels to natural gas. Conversion of heavy-duty vehicles from conventional fuels to natural gas has boosted the demand for CNG stations and LNG stations across the globe. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), LNG has high density than CNG and fuels many trucks and buses in the world.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @:North America is considered to be the potential market for natural gas refueling infrastructure owing to the vast natural gas reserves in the region. With the successful evolution of shale gas reserves in North America, it is anticipated that these reserves would fulfill the energy needs of the region for the next 100 years. Thus, with the easy domestic availability of natural gas, significant amount is saved in terms of foreign crude oil imports. Application of natural gas as a vehicular fuel helps maintain energy security, thereby boosting economic growth of a country. North America and Europe exhibit steady growth in the natural gas refueling market due to the debatable issue of whether to develop expensive infrastructure as the number of natural gas vehicles remains relatively small in the regions or to wait for additional development of vehicles before infrastructure development. These factors restrain the growth of market in North America, Europe and several parts in Asia Pacific region.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207
Nerve Repair Market Analysis Will Expand at a CAGR of 11.3% from 2017 to 2027

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The global nerve repair market is estimated to be valued in excess of US$ 145 Mn in the year 2017 and is projected to be valued at nearly US$ 430 Mn by 2027, registering a CAGR of 11.3% over the forecast period.Increasing ageing population leading to neurological problems is fuelling the global nerve repair marketDue to the decreased activity of the motor reflexes of geriatric patients, they are prone to trauma and minor accidents owing to age. Increasing geriatric population is eventually increasing the number of patients with nerve injury. According to an article presented by Ademola Adewale, approximately 40% of people older than 65 years report at least one fall per year, which increases to 50% in those older than 80 years. In long-term care facilities, the risk of falls increases to more than 50%-60% per year. Ageing is one of the major factors leading to an increased incidence of nerve damage due to trauma, and this factor is fuelling revenue growth of the global nerve repair market during the assessment period.Increasing number of neurosurgeons creating awareness about nerve repair proceduresEven though the global opportunity of the nerve repair market is more than US$ 3 Bn, the market penetration of nerve repair procedures is less than 2% worldwide. Nowadays, it has been observed that a growing number of neurosurgeons is creating scope for nerve repair procedures in developing countries like India and South Africa. The market penetration is also expected to increase during the forecast period due to an increase in the number of neurosurgeons, which is creating awareness in developing countries  which in turn is leading to a growth in the sales of nerve repair procedures.Request Report Sample@Use of alternate techniques hampering the growth of the nerve repair marketEven though nerve auto graft technique is a gold standard treatment in the realm of nerve repair, there are several other treatments available in the market. One of the techniques is the regeneration of the damaged nerve using stem cell therapy. In this procedure, the adult stem cells are processed and are directly administered to the damaged part of the nerve, eventually regenerating the damaged nerve. These alternative techniques are likely to hinder sales revenue growth of the nerve repair market during the assessment period.Tapping emerging markets can lead to an immense growth opportunity in the worldwide nerve repair marketAs per the current market scenario, it is clear that the nerve repair market is predominately lucrative in the developed regions of the world like North America, Europe, etc. Many of the developing countries like India, Mexico, Indonesia and few of the Middle Eastern countries have a less market penetration of the nerve repair biomaterial products. Hence, there is an immense scope in promoting nerve repair procedures in these emerging markets and this would immensely benefit companies.Global Nerve Repair Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Nerve Repair TypeThe Epineural Nerve Repair segment dominated the global nerve repair market in revenue terms in 2016 and the trend is projected to continue throughout the forecast period with the segment estimated to record an attractiveness index of 1.5. Revenue from the Epineural Nerve Repair segment is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 12.1% over 20172027, to reach a market valuation in excess of US$ 285 Mn by 2027. The Fascicular Nerve Repair segment is expected to remain the least attractive segment in the global nerve repair market in revenue terms with an attractiveness index of 0.4 over the forecast period.Send An Enquiry@nerve repair marketNorth America and Japan are the most lucrative regions in the global nerve repair marketThe North America nerve repair market is estimated to account for the largest revenue share of 41.0% in 2017 and grow at a CAGR of 12.9% during the forecast period. Increasing geriatric population and growing demand for advanced medical technology in the United States represents key growth opportunities for manufacturers of nerve repair products. The Japan nerve repair market is expected to register the second highest CAGR of 10.8% over the forecast period due to rising healthcare awareness and demand for advanced medical technology.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Tannic Acid Market 2017 Ajinomoto, EMD Millipore, Carbosynth, MP Biomedicals

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Tannic Acid Market Research ReportA market study based on the " Tannic Acid Market " across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global Tannic Acid Market 2017. The research report analyses the historical as well as present performance of the worldwide Tannic Acid industry, and makes predictions on the future status of Tannic Acid market on the basis of this analysis.Ask For Sample Copy of Report :Top Manufacturers Companies Covered In This Research Report -AjinomotoEMD MilliporeCarbosynthMP BiomedicalsAvantor Performancelexible Flat Cable (FFC) Connectors Machine Market : Type AnalysisType IType IIlexible Flat Cable (FFC) Connectors Machine Market : Application AnalysisApplication 1Application 2The report studies the industry for Tannic Acid across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in Tannic Acid market & dynamics of demand and supply of Tannic Acid into consideration. The ' Tannic Acid ' research study covers each and every aspect of the Tannic Acid market globally, which starts from the definition of the Tannic Acid industry and develops towards Tannic Acid market segmentations. Further, every segment of the Tannic Acid market is classified and analysed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the Tannic Acid market. The geographical segmentation of the Tannic Acid industry has also been covered at length in this report.The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for Tannic Acid is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, Tannic Acid market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Tannic Acid market worldwide.Enquiry Here :The global Tannic Acid market 2017 is also analysed on the basis of product pricing, Tannic Acid production volume, data regarding demand and Tannic Acid supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. Various methodical tool of Tannic Acid such as investment returns, feasibility, and market attractiveness analysis has been used in Tannic Acid market research to present a comprehensive study of the industry for Tannic Acid across the globe.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USA
Microcontrollers Market Competition by Top Players - STC, Microchip, Phlipis, Sonix, Samsung, SST, Motorola, Intel, NS, TI, Hitachi

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Market size forecasters delivers significant information and realistic data of the Microcontrollers Market. The report presents a deep study of the market growth factors and drivers. In-depth research of the Microcontrollers Market limitations and the opportunities enable the user to make the future projection.Microcontrollers Market :This report studies Microcontrollers in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering STC, Microchip, Phlipis, Sonix, Samsung, SST, Motorola, Intel, NS, TI, Hitachi, Panasonic, NEC, AT, ARMRequest a sample copy of Microcontrollers Market Research Report @By types, the market can be split into General Type, Bus-type, Control TypeBy Application, the market can be split into Intelligent Instruments, Industrial Control, Network and Communication, Equipment Field, Automotive Electronics, OthersBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want) North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, IndiaEnquire about this report @Table of Contents in Microcontrollers Market Research ReportIndustry Overview of MicrocontrollersManufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Medical ImplantTechnical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of MicrocontrollersGlobal Microcontrollers Overall Market OverviewMicrocontrollers Regional Market AnalysisGlobal 2012-2017E Microcontrollers Segment Market Analysis (by Type)Global 2012-2017E Microcontrollers Segment Market Analysis (by Application)Major Manufacturers Analysis of MicrocontrollersDevelopment Trend of Analysis of Microcontrollers MarketMicrocontrollers Marketing Type AnalysisConsumers Analysis of MicrocontrollersConclusion of the Global Microcontrollers Market Professional Survey Report 2017List of Tables and FiguresFor More Information Of Microcontrollers Market Report Visit @Related Reports: -2017 Top 5 Appliance Power Cord Manufacturers in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and AfricaThe Global Appliance Power Cord market size will be XX million (USD) in 2022, from the XX million (USD) in 2016, with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) XX% from 2016 to 2022. This report studies...About Us:MarketSizeForecasters.com, a Skyline Market Research LLP brand, is an online aggregator of market research reports. MarketSizeForecasters.com offers a comprehensive collection of full length reports on global and regional markets in 100+ industry verticals. We have partnered with some of the leading business and market research publishing houses and regularly update our online library to offer wide range of reports to our customers.Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:NEWS:
Mud Pumps Market by Manufacturers - Metso, Weir Group, ITT Goulds Pumps, Grundfos, Flowserve, KSB, Tsurumi Pump, EBARA Pumps

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Mud Pumps Market report contains all study material about overview, growth, demand and forecast research report in all over the world. This report offers some penetrating overview and solution in the complex world Mud Pumps Market in global market.Mud Pumps Market :This report studies Mud Pumps in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering Metso, Weir Group, ITT Goulds Pumps, Grundfos, Flowserve, KSB, Tsurumi Pump, EBARA Pumps, Xylem, Shijiazhuang Industrial Pump, Shijiazhuang Kingda Pump, LEO Group, Excellence Pump Industry, Schurco SlurryRequest a sample copy of Mud Pumps Market Research Report @By types, the market can be split into Duplex Mud Pumps, Triplex Mud Pumps, Hex Pumps, OtherBy Application, the market can be split into Oil Drilling Industry, Building Industry, OthersBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want) North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, IndiaEnquire about this report @Table of Contents in Mud Pumps Market Research ReportIndustry Overview of Mud PumpsManufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Medical ImplantTechnical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Mud PumpsGlobal Mud Pumps Overall Market OverviewMud Pumps Regional Market AnalysisGlobal 2012-2017E Mud Pumps Segment Market Analysis (by Type)Global 2012-2017E Mud Pumps Segment Market Analysis (by Application)Major Manufacturers Analysis of Mud PumpsDevelopment Trend of Analysis of Mud Pumps MarketMud Pumps Marketing Type AnalysisConsumers Analysis of Mud PumpsConclusion of the Global Mud Pumps Market Professional Survey Report 2017List of Tables and FiguresFor More Information Of Mud Pumps Market Report Visit @Related Reports: -Finland and Sweden Road Sweeper Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022Road Sweeper is designed to sweep roads and control pollution. It is widely used in urban roads, construction plants, airports and seaports. It can be used indoor or outdoor, wet or dry. At first, it ...About Us:MarketSizeForecasters.com, a Skyline Market Research LLP brand, is an online aggregator of market research reports. MarketSizeForecasters.com offers a comprehensive collection of full length reports on global and regional markets in 100+ industry verticals. We have partnered with some of the leading business and market research publishing houses and regularly update our online library to offer wide range of reports to our customers.Contact Us:Market size forecastersThe Green Suite #4594,Dover, DE 19901United StatesPhone: 1-201-355-0868US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketsizeforecasters.comWebsite:NEWS:Connect with us: LinkedIn | Twitter
Self-service Technology Market Value chain and stakeholder analysis by 2023

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Self-service technologies (SSTs) help customers in producing services without requiring any assistance from direct service employees. Various service interactions are being replaced by self-service technologies in order to improve the efficiency and accuracy.It helps employees to work remotely and provide services from any location worldwide. Also, companies are able to incorporate technology into a single product to provide an integrated remote and personal solutions with the help of self-service technologies.Customers have the best understanding related to the requirements and functions, using self-service technologies customer can perform all the required tasks in a short period of time. Organizations are reducing costs, increasing the customer satisfaction and deliver a standardized service with the help of self-service technology.Obtain Report Details:Innovative technologies such as wireless communications and remote service management are expected to drive the self-service technologies. Wireless communication has enabled remote service delivery, improving the service network of companies.Also, identification technologies such as biometric security services have facilitated financial transactions by validating identity of any person. Further, fingerprint recognition technologies are used in self-service technologies to identify the customer and provide services according to the stored information.The need to provide satisfactory and convenient services with reduced costs in industries such as banking and retail is anticipated to generate demand for self-service technology.Manual tasks are reduced significantly, resulting in reduced human errors and faster performance. Customization of services according to customer requirements is possible due to the technologies such as remote monitoring and cashless transactions. Demand for self-service kiosks is expected to increase significantly during the forecast period providing growth opportunities to self-service technology market.Different types of kiosks are used in the market such as the photo kiosk, ticketing kiosk and banking and financial kiosk. Customers are preferring self-service options, as it helps in reducing the check in time and increasing the customer satisfaction. Proper implementation of self-service technology is important in order to achieve customer satisfaction. Employee interaction with customers is vital in the initial stage of implementation. Customers are hesitant when a new technology is implemented, as they are not sure about the success of this new self-service technology. However, government regulations related to the tracking of customers and health and safety are restraining growth of the market. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has restricted the usage of unhealthy snack choices to comply with the school nutrition standards.The self-service technology market is divided into three segments, automated teller machines (ATM), kiosks and vending machines. ATM segment is further divided into cash dispenser, smart, brown label, white label and conventional ATM.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market:Different types of kiosks available in the market include banking and financial, informational, ticketing, digital video disc (DVD), photo, human resource and employment, patient self-service and others (telecom and restaurants). Vending machines segment is divided into beverage, candy, snack, specialized, cigarette and gumball vending machine.Major players in the self-service technology market include NCR Corporation, Crane Merchandising Systems, Azkoyen S.A, Glory Ltd., Fuji Electric Retail Systems Co. Ltd, Kiosk Information Systems, Inc., International Business Machine (IBM) Corporation, Vend-Rite, Maas International Europe B.V. and HESS Cash Systems GmbH & Co.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions.About TMRTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email:sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Good Growth Opportunities in Global Dairy Alternatives Market Till 2027

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Market ScenarioGlobally, the market for dairy alternatives has been increasing due to rising awareness of lactose intolerance, casein intolerance worldwide, trends in healthy alternative, people are turning vegan so as to oppose animal abuse and hence opting for dairy alternatives. Key drivers for the market are increase in awareness of dairy alternatives products and replacing dairy products with dairy alternatives as healthier option.Market SegmentsThe market for dairy alternatives is segmented on the basis of by type, source, and application. By type, the dairy alternatives market is segmented as (grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and others. By source, the dairy alternatives market is segmented as barley, oat, pea, soy, cashew, hazelnut, walnut, almond, coconut, chia seed, flaxseed, hemp milks and others. The dairy alternatives find its applications in ice cream, butter, plant cream, vegan cheese, confectionery, non-dairy flavored milk, yogurt and others.Request a Sample Report @Study Objective of Dairy Alternatives MarketDeep-dive analysis for individual segments and sub-segments for dairy alternatives To estimate market size by types, source, application and region To understand the market dynamics including supply and demand To provide region level market analysis and future outlook for North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW) and their countries Competitive landscaping for the dairy alternatives food market evaluating key strategies taken by top players in the market Company profiling of major players in the market Value chain analysis of dairy alternatives food and supply chain analysis of dairy alternatives product Analysis of historical market trends, and technologies, and current government regulatory requirements related to dairy alternatives food market.Browse Report Details @Key Players:The key players profiled in global dairy alternatives market report include- Daiya Foods Inc. and Lactaid, Silk Hail Marry Lucys Go Max Go Simply Protien Enjoy Life Katefarms Dr. Praeger Alpro Amy's Kitchen Barry Callebaut Cargill Chr. Hansen Crowley Foods Doves Farm Food Edlong Dairy Technologies Emmi Fonterra Galaxy Nutritional Foods General Mills Green Valley Organics HP Hood Kerry Group Murray Goulburn Sweet William TINE Laktosefri WhiteWave Foods Tofutti brandStakeholders Confectionery product manufacturers Bakery product manufacturers Dairy product manufacturers Traders, Importers and exporters Edible Nut producersReasons to buyThis report includes in-depth study and analysis of dairy alternatives segments and sub-segments. It encompasses market segmentation of dairy alternatives by type, source and applications. It helps in identifying key dairy alternatives suppliers and consumers globally. The report will help in investments for the dairy alternative and allied companies providing details on the fast growing segments and regions. In addition, it will provide the dairy alternatives companies to improve profitability by using supply chain strategies, cost effectiveness of various products mentioned in the report.Request Table of Contents for this Report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Medical Device Packaging Market to Observe Strong Development USD 30 Billion and 6% of CAGR Worldwide by 2022

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The key drivers for the growth of the medical device packaging market are the growing healthcare industry. There is an increased demand for such packaging by the medical device manufacturers on a large scale. The packaging industry on the other hand are seen investing heavily on various technological advancements. On the basis of product type, Pouches contributes the largest to the market, majorly due to its cost-effectiveness and infection resistant specification. Cost sensitiveness and declining healthcare costs are hampering the growth of the global medical device packaging market. North-America contributes largely to overall market share. The global medical device packaging market size is expected to cross USD 30 Billion at CAGR of approximately 6% by 2022.Make an Enquiry @Key Players Amcor Limited, Bemis Company Inc, Chesapeake Limited, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Klockner Pentaplast Group, 3M Company, WestRock Company, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation, and Oliver-Tolas.Study Objectives of Global Medical Device Packaging Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of various segments and sub-segments of the Global Medical Device Packaging Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To Analyze the Global Medical Device Packaging Market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the World (ROW) To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by Material, Type and by Region. To provide strategic profiling of the key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Medical Device Packaging MarketRegional Analysis of Global Medical Device Packaging MarketAsian countries, especially India, China are expected to grow fastest over the forecasted period due to expansion of the healthcare industry and stricter government and non-governmentRegulations to support healthcare sector. However, North America dominates the market due to advancements of medical technology and infrastructure.Access Report Details @Product Analysis Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesThe report for Global Medical Device Packaging Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Global Medical Device Packaging Market Research Report - Forecast to 2022 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Peroxyacetic Acid Market for Sanitizer: Development, Trend, Segmentation, overview and Forecast to 2027

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Peroxyacetic acid is also known as peracetic acid or PAA, is an organic compound having a formula of CH3CO3H which is a colorless and highly acidic liquid. In the manufacturing process of peroxyacetic acid acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide are used as principal constituent. Compared to parent acetic acid peroxyacetic acid is weaker acid.Make an Enquiry @Global peroxyacetic acid market for Sanitizer has seen a remarkable growth over the last decade and it is expected to witness the same growth during the forecast period. Sanitizer plays a crucial role in preventing and destroying microorganisms, bacterial and fungal infection from food and other non-living object. Peroxyacetic acid is predominantly used in wide range of applications ranging from food, healthcare, waste water treatment, paper & pulp and many other industrial applications. Food is one of the major application where the demand for sanitizer has increased to keep food hygienic, healthy and durable. The increased demand is majorly driven by huge populations preference is shifting towards packaged, frozen and preservative food. However, has created an ample demand of sanitizer. Moreover, from the water treatment industry, sanitizer is used to remove contaminants from water and helps in purifying process.Europe and North America holds the major market share in global sanitizer market share for peroxyacetic acid. The demand for sanitizer has been increasing in these region due the driving factors such as increasing usage of peroxyacetic acid over other biocides, growing population and increasing demand for packaged food. Additionally, Asia-Pacific region has witnessed fastest growing region, where the contribution of China, Japan, Korea and other have fuelled the demand for peroxyacetic acid.Access Report Details @Market Research future through this report aims to provide understanding of the Global Peroxyacetic Acid Market for sanitizer and also assists identification of ongoing trends along with anticipated growth during the forecasted period. For this report, extensive primary research was conducted to gain a deeper insight of the market performance. Various industry experts and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) were contacted and interviewed to get an idea of global market.List of TablesTable 1 global sanitizer market: by regions, 2014-2027 (usd million)Table 2 global sanitizer market: by regions, 2014-2027 (kt)Table 3 North America sanitizer market: by country, 2014-2027 (usd million)Table 4 North America sanitizer market: by country, 2014-2027 (kt)Table 5 Europe sanitizer market: by country, 2014-2027 (usd million)Table 6 Europe sanitizer market: by country, 2014-2027 (kt)Table 7 Asia-pacific sanitizer market, 2015 (usd million)Table 8 Asia-pacific sanitizer market: by country, 2014-2027 (usd million)Table 9 Asia-pacific sanitizer market: by country, 2014-2027 (kt)List of figuresFigure 1 global sanitizer market share for peroxyacetic acid: by regions, 2015 (% share)Figure 2 global sanitizer market: by region, 2015 (usd million)Figure 3 north America sanitizer market share for peroxyacetic acid: by regions, 2015 (% share)Figure 4 North America sanitizer market, 2015 (usd million)Figure 5 Europe: sanitizer market share for peroxyacetic acid: by region, 2015 (% share)Figure 6 europe sanitizer market, 2015 (usd million)Figure 7 Asia-pacific sanitizer market share for peroxyacetic acid: by region, 2015 (% share)ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Global Peroxyacetic Acid Market for Sanitizer Forecast to 2027 chain related technical experts and marketing experts during Research Team survey and interviews.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Various Targets for the Disease Treatment Drives the Growth of Uveitis Therapeutics Pipeline

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The study analyzed that the uveitis therapeutics pipeline comprises 33 drug candidates, of which five drug candidates are in Phase III stage of development, seven drug candidates are in Phase II stage, three drug candidates are in Phase I, 15 drug candidates are in Pre-Clinical stage and three drug candidates are in Discovery stage. Uveitis is a type of inflammatory disease that causes swelling and destroys eye tissues. Occurrence of this disease can result in slight reduction of vision or lead to complete vision loss. Uveitis occurs when the middle layer of the eyeball gets inflamed (red and swollen). This layer, known as the uvea, has many blood vessels that nourish the eye. Uveitis can damage vital eye tissue, even resulting in permanent vision loss.Browse Detailed Report Description at:Insights on pipeline segmentsAs per the findings of the research, around 37.0% of active drug candidates of uveitis pipeline are being developed to be administered by topical route, 12.0% are being developed by intravitreal route and 18.0% are to be administered by other routes such as oral, subcutaneous and intravenous. Route of administration of around 33.0% active drug candidates of uveitis pipeline is not disclosed.Explore Report Sample at:Durasert technology platform for Uveitis drug developmentpSivida Corp. is using durasert technology platform for the development of Medidur for the treatment of uveitis. This technology platform is used to provide sustained, localized delivery of drugs to the back of the eye. Durasert products are developed with a drug core surrounded with one or more polymer layers, the permeability of those layers and other aspects of the design of the product, controls the rate and duration of the drug release. However, changing the elements of the design, can help in altering both the rate and duration of release to meet different therapeutic needs. The later generation durasert products and product candidates are injected at the target site, while early generations were surgically implanted.Browse Other Related Report at:The research also found that various companies received grants for the development of uveitis therapeutics pipeline. In March 2017, Elasmogen Ltd. received a Biomedical Catalyst Grant from the U.K. innovation agency, Innovate UK and matching investment from Deepbridge Capital and Scottish Investment Bank (the investment arm of Scottish Enterprise) for developing ELN-21 and ELN-22 to be used in topical treatment of ocular disease. In August 2015, TxCell SA received a grant from French governments Unique Interministerial Fund (FUI) to the TRUST project (TRegs in Uveitis STudy). The grant would be used to process and support clinical development of Col-Treg.Some of the key players developing drugs for the treatment of uveitis include Alcon Research, Ltd., Enzo Biochem Inc., Mitotech, SA, EyeGate Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc., pSivida Corp. and Santen Inc.About P&S Market ResearchP&S Market Research is a market research company, which offers market research and consulting services for various geographies around the globe. We provide market research reports, industry forecasting reports, business intelligence, and research based consulting services across different industry/business verticals.As one of the top growing market research agency, were keen upon providing market landscape and accurate forecasting. Our analysts and consultants are proficient with business intelligence and market analysis, through their interaction with leading companies of the concerned domain. We help our clients with B2B market research and assist them in identifying various windows of opportunity, and framing informed and customized business expansion strategies in different regions.Contact:KundanManager  Client Partner347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb:
Know About Market Size, Market Trends And Key Players In Global Renewable Energy, Which Is Projected To Reach USD XXX.XX Billion By 2025, At A CAGR of XX.XX%

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Global Renewable Energy Market Research Report Purchase This Report by calling ResearchnReports.com at +1-888-631-6977.This report gives an ordered and thorough appreciation of Renewable Energy showcase. With correct data covering each key some portion of the present market, this report offers existing data of driving makers. Appreciation of the monetary circumstance by consistence of correct chronicled data concerning each and every segment for the gage time allotment is said. Driving factors impacting the improvement of the market in a positive and negative perspective is reviewed and surveyed and expected in the report in detail. Brisk points of view and logical investigations from various industry masters help make the report all the more genuine.Download sample pages of this report:Renewable Energy Showcase has been considered similar to all parameters, for instance, applications, sorts, things and various other. Each and every data provoking improvement or fall of the individual parts have been cleared up. Entire stock system with respect to market is mulled over all around and is passed on in the most extensive way possible. The reasons there will be a growing example to this market are considered and are elucidated. Central purposes, confinements and openings are given to help give a predominant photograph of this market theory for the guess time of 2017 to 2025.Request Discount:Considering areas, huge parts of the globe are secured with significance of research including North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa and Latin America. The use, salary, exhibit regard, era, offer and improvement rate of Renewable Energy showcase from 2017 to 2025 is been secured. It moreover gives distinct comprehension into the forceful scene and the traders of market with point by point business profiles of the key players. Data about the associations, particulars of their different things, distinctive portfolios, fanatical layout, and period of pay, late changes and exceptional challenges about are all around illuminated. An aggregate SWOT examination including improvement odds of this market is done to help settle on particularly instructed advertise decision.For more inquiry before buy:The survey demonstrates an evaluation of the segments that are depended upon to stifle or bolster the progress of the overall market. The overall Renewable Energy grandstand has been investigated inside and out on the start of key criteria, for instance, end customer, application, thing, development, and territory. An examination has been given in the report of the key land parts and their offer and position in the market. The surveyed wage and volume improvement of the overall feature has in like manner been offered in the report.Ruling patterns in Renewable Energy advertise have been underlined in this report. Valuation of different angles that are required to affect the development of this market in a helpful or ruinous way is examined. Deliberate examination of market portions and guess period is expounded to help give an itemized thought. Every year inside the specified conjecture time frame I compactly considered as far as create and local and in addition worldwide market nearness.Complete Report Available at:About Research n Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat Global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact:Research N Reports10916, Gold Point, Dr,Houston, TX,Pin - 77064(Sales Manager),+1-888-631-6977sales@researchnreports.com
Global Microgrid Market Outlook, Overview, Trends, Analysis and Forecast to 2022

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MarketResearchFuture.com add new report of Microgrid Market Research Report  Forecast 2022 it contains Company information, geographical data and Table of ContentGlobal Microgrid Market Information, by End-User (Industrial, Education, Healthcare, Military & Defense, Electric Utility), by Type (Off Grid, Hybrid Grid, Smart Grid) - Forecast 2022A microgrid system is a form of discrete energy system comprises of distributed energy sources, and power loads and provides power to commercial, industrial, and federal government consumers. The purpose of microgrid is to ensure local, reliable and affordable energy security for urban & rural civilizations. It can be charged by distributed generators, batteries, and renewable sources. Microgrid can be considered as a compact version of traditional power grid, however it differs from traditional power grids as it provides efficient power and is able to integrate with renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and combined heat & power systems. Furthermore, microgrid can operate independently and isolate its power generation nodes & tools from large grid at the time of the primary power grid failure.Get a sample copy of this report atThe benefits of microgrid system over traditional power grid system include power quality, reliability and security for end users, enhances the integration of distributed & renewable energy sources, enables smart grid implementation, and minimize carbon footprint & greenhouse gas emissions by maximizing clean local energy generation among others.The major growth driver of microgrid market is the increasing need for secured & reliable power supply, growing awareness about renewable energy or green energy. Also, environmental benefits namely less heat generation, less smog, and slowing down of consumption of non-renewable resources after implementing renewable energy sources to produce power with the help of microgrid system, is also expected to fuel the microgrid market in upcoming future. However, high installation cost and economic constraints is projected to hinder the growth of Microgrid market.Study Objective of Microgrid Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next five years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global microgrid market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To analyze the microgrid market based on various factors- porters five force analysis, mega trend analysis, macroeconomic indicators etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW). To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective. To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by types, end-users and sub-segments. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the global microgrid Market.Complete Report Available atKey Players for Microgrid Market: Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.) ABB, Ltd. (U.S.) Anbaric (U.S.) S&C Electric Company (U.S.) Homer Energy LLC (U.S.) Microgrid Energy LLC (U.S.) Power Analytics Corporation (U.S.) Siemens AG (Germany) Eaton Corporation PLC (Ireland) General Electric Company (U.S.)Segments for Microgrid Market:Global Microgrid Market can be segmented as follows:Segmentation by Types: off-grid, smart grid, hybrid grid, and others.Segmentation by End-Users: Healthcare, education, industrial, military & defense, electric utility and others.Regional Analysis of Microgrid Market:North America is expected to dominate the Microgrid market during the forecast period 2016-2022. U.S. among all other countries in North America holds the largest market share for microgrid products due to its increasing microgrid capacity among other regional economies. Also, the growing industrialization & requirement of effective electrification in the region is fuelling North America dominance in the microgrid market. In Europe, with growing investment by government & key players to improve energy security and reliability is increasing the growth for microgrid market in the region. Furthermore, Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing Microgrid market during the forecast period 2016-2022 due to rising government initiatives for creating awareness about renewable energy sources and high demand of microgrid machines in military & defense sector.Target Audience: Raw material providers Microgrid system manufacturers Energy storage providers Hardware providers Research & consultancy Government & utilities End-user sectors Technology investorsRequest for Discount at1. Executive Summary2. Research Methodology2.1. Scope of the study2.1.1. Definition2.1.2. Research Objective2.1.3. Assumptions2.1.4. Limitations2.2. Research Process2.2.1. Primary Research2.2.2. Secondary Research2.3. Market size Estimation2.4. Forecast Model3. Market Dynamics3.1. Market Drivers3.2. Market Inhibitors3.3. Supply/Value Chain Analysis or Market Ecosystem3.4. Porters Five Forces Analysis4. Microgrid Market, by Type4.1. Introduction4.2. Off Grid4.3 Smart Grid4.4 Hybrid Grid4.5 Others5. Microgrid Market, By End-User5.1. Introduction5.2. Healthcare5.3. Education5.4. Industrial5.5. Military & Defense5.6. Electric Utility5.7. Others6. Regional Market Analysis6.1. Introduction6.2. North America6.2.1. U.S.6.2.2. Canada6.2.3. Mexico6.3. Europe6.3.1. U.K.6.3.2. France6.3.3. Germany6.3.4. Rest of Europe6.4. Asia-Pacific6.4.1. China6.4.2. Japan6.4.3. India6.4.4. South Korea6.4.5. Rest of Asia-Pacific6.5. Middle East & Africa7. Competition Analysis7.1. Introduction7.2. Competitive Scenario7.2.1. Market Share Analysis7.2.2. Market Development Analysis7.2.3. Product/Service Benchmarking7.3. Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.)7.3.1. Overview7.3.2. Product/Service Offering7.3.3. Strategy7.4. ABB, Ltd. (U.S.)7.4.1. Overview7.4.2. Product/Service Offering7.4.3. Strategy7.5. Anbaric (U.S.)7.5.1. Overview7.5.2. Product/Service Offering7.5.3. Strategy7.6. S&C Electric Company (U.S.)7.6.1. Overview7.6.2. Product/Service Offering7.6.3. Strategy7.7. Homer Energy LLC (U.S.)7.7.1. Overview7.7.2. Product/Service Offering7.7.3. Strategy7.8. Microgrid Energy LLC (U.S.)7.8.1. Overview7.8.2. Product/Service Offering7.8.3. Strategy7.9. Power Analytics Corporation (U.S.)7.9.1. Overview7.9.2. Product/Service Offering7.9.3. Strategy7.10. Siemens AG (Germany)7.10.1. Overview7.10.2. Product/Service Offering7.10.3. Strategy7.11. Eaton Corporation PLC (Ireland)7.11.1. Overview7.11.2. Product/Service Offering7.11.3. Strategy7.12. General Electric Company (U.S.)7.12.1. Overview7.12.2. Product/Service OfferingAt Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Akash AnandP: +1 646 845 9312W:
Liquid Baby Powder 2017 Global Market Key Players  Fissan, Burt's Bees, JOHNSON, Frezyderm, MD Moms Analysis and Forecast to 2022

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Liquid Baby Powder Market 2017Report Details:Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Liquid Baby Powder Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.This report studies Liquid Baby Powder in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringFissanBurt's BeesSCS Direct IncJOHNSONFrezydermHKTDCMD MomsBabuline Pharma Pvt..Request for Sample Report @By types, the market can be split intoNon-talc Liquid Baby PowderTalc Liquid Baby PowderBy Application, the market can be split intoBaby BoysBaby GirlsBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaComplete Report Details @Some Key Points from Table of Content:1 Industry Overview of Liquid Baby Powder1.1 Definition and Specifications of Liquid Baby Powder1.1.1 Definition of Liquid Baby Powder1.1.2 Specifications of Liquid Baby Powder1.2 Classification of Liquid Baby Powder1.2.1 Non-talc Liquid Baby Powder1.2.2 Talc Liquid Baby Powder1.3 Applications of Liquid Baby Powder1.3.1 Baby Boys1.3.2 Baby Girls1.3.3 Application 31.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Liquid Baby Powder2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Liquid Baby Powder2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Liquid Baby Powder2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Liquid Baby Powder4 Global Liquid Baby Powder Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Liquid Baby Powder Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global Liquid Baby Powder Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price Analysis4.4.1 2012-2017E Global Liquid Baby Powder Sales Price4.4.2 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment).8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Liquid Baby Powder8.1 Fissan8.1.1 Company Profile8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.1.2.1 Product A8.1.2.2 Product B8.1.3 Fissan 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.1.4 Fissan 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.2 Burt's Bees8.2.1 Company Profile8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.2.2.1 Product A8.2.2.2 Product B8.2.3 Burt's Bees 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.2.4 Burt's Bees 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.3 SCS Direct Inc8.3.1 Company Profile8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.3.2.1 Product A8.3.2.2 Product B8.3.3 SCS Direct Inc 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.3.4 SCS Direct Inc 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.4 JOHNSON8.4.1 Company Profile8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.4.2.1 Product A8.4.2.2 Product B8.4.3 JOHNSON 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.4.4 JOHNSON 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.5 Frezyderm8.5.1 Company Profile8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.5.2.1 Product A8.5.2.2 Product B8.5.3 Frezyderm 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.5.4 Frezyderm 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.6 HKTDC8.6.1 Company Profile8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.6.2.1 Product A8.6.2.2 Product B8.6.3 HKTDC 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.6.4 HKTDC 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.7 MD Moms8.7.1 Company Profile8.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.7.2.1 Product A8.7.2.2 Product B8.7.3 MD Moms 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.7.4 MD Moms 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis8.8 Babuline Pharma Pvt.8.8.1 Company Profile8.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.8.2.1 Product A8.8.2.2 Product B8.8.3 Babuline Pharma Pvt. 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.8.4 Babuline Pharma Pvt. 2016 Liquid Baby Powder Business Region Distribution Analysis Continue .Buy this report @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTSales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Follow on LinkedIn @ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Immunoassay Market by Product & Service & Data Validation, Analysis and Forecast 2022

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According to Publisher, the global immunoassay market is estimated at $16.35 billion in 2015 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.9% to reach $33.72 billion by 2022. Technological advancements and increasing geriatric population worldwide are some of the key factors fuelling the market growth. Increasing incidences of infectious & chronic diseases, demand for non-invasive diagnostic techniques, broad usage of immunoassays in oncology, growing need of reagents and speed, cost effectiveness & accuracy of immunoassay are additional drivers playing a key role in the growth of immunoassay market. However, execution of excise duty by the U.S. government and low detection limit are the factors limiting the market growth. Expansion of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in emerging regions such as Asia Pacific acts as opportunity for immunoassay market.For more informationIn 2015, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Enzyme-linked ImmunoSpot (ELISPOT) assay dominated the global immunoassay technology market due to their high sensitivity and long term presence in the market. Oncology segment is witnessing a significant growth driven by the high incidence of cancer diseases. North America is anticipated to be the largest market for immunoassay, whereas Asia Pacific and MEA are projected to grow at a faster pace. The aging US population is supporting the market demand, since the requirement of these medical devices is higher in the elderly population.The technological advancements, rising investments in pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector by government and corporate sector and rapidly growing healthcare market in emerging countries such as China and India are the factors favouring the market growth in this region.Some of the key players in the global immunoassay market include Roche Diagnostics Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc, Danaher Corporation, Siemens Healthcare, Becton, Dickinson And Company, Abbott Laboratories, Inc, Luminex Corporation, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Sysmex Corporation, BiomArieux SA, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., Alere, Inc., Qiagen NV, Meridian Life Science, Inc and Syntron Bioresearch, Inc.Products & Services Covered:-Software and Services-Analyzers-Purchase Modes Analysers-Analyser Type-Reagents & KITS-Radioimmunoassay (RIA)-Western Blot-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-Enzyme-Linked Immunospot (ELISPOT)-Rapid Tests-Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) ReagentsTechnologies Covered:-Radio Immunoassays (RIA)-Nephelometric Immunoassay-Western Blot-Fluorescence Immunoassay-Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)-Rapid Tests-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-Chemiluminescence Immunoassay-Enzyme-linked ImmunoSpot (ELISPOT) AssayEnd Users Covered:-Pharma & Biotech Firms-Blood Banks-Hospitals-Clinical Laboratories-Academic Research Centers-Contract Research Organizations-Other End UsersApplications Covered:-Cardiology-Autoimmune Disorders-Oncology-Toxicology-Infectious Diseases-Neonatal Screening-Hematology and Blood Screening-Endocrinology-Bone and Mineral Disorders-Other ApplicationsRequest Sample CopyRegions Covered:-North America-US-Canada-Mexico-Europe-Germany-France-Italy-UK-Spain-Rest of Europe-Asia Pacific-Japan-China-India-Australia-New Zealand-Rest of Asia Pacific-Rest of the World-Middle East-Brazil-Argentina-South Africa-Egypt11 Company Profiling11.1 Roche Diagnostics Limited11.2 Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc11.3 Danaher Corporation11.4 Siemens Healthcare11.5 Becton, Dickinson And Company11.6 Abbott Laboratories, Inc11.7 Luminex Corporation11.8 Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.11.9 Sysmex Corporation11.10 BiomArieux SA11.11 Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.11.12 Alere, Inc.11.13 Qiagen NV11.14 Meridian Life Science, Inc11.15 Syntron Bioresearch, Inc.Make an enquiry:Contact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@reportsweb.comReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Data Center Networking Market: Benefiting from Rising Uptake of Cloud Computing, Market to Exhibit Strong Growth

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Global Data Center Networking Market: SnapshotThe adoption of data center virtualization and cloud computing has been identified as one of the key driving factors for the global data center networking market. In 2016, the global data center networking market was valued at US$ 63.05 Bn and is expected to reach US$ 228.40 Bn by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 15.5% during the forecast period.Organizations are becoming more dependent on services provided by data centers with each passing day. As an advanced delivery system of advertising, communications, products, news and services via internet, data centers are gaining in popularity. With the help of hyperscale data centers, which give data center infrastructure on lease, businesses are able to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) if not eliminate them completely for organizations. This helps in reducing expenditure on building and maintaining data center infrastructures. The task is instead achieved by data centers, equipped with various data center networking products. These centers are engaged in improving service delivery and risk management for organizations.According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global data center networking market is likely to exhibit a CAGR of 15.5% between 2017 and 2025. At this pace, the markets valuation is forecast to reach US$228.40 bn by the end of 2025, from US$63.05 bn in 2016.Obtain Report Details @Benefiting from Rising Uptake of Cloud Computing, Market to Exhibit Strong GrowthThe positive run witnessed by the data center networking market is largely ascribable to the increasing uptake cloud computing and data center virtualization. With organizations worldwide starting to realize the benefits of real-time interaction, the demand for cloud computing and data center virtualization is forecast to surge. Considering this, TMR forecasts strong growth for the overall data center networking market. Besides this, the market is expected to gain from the increasing awareness regarding the efficient use of storage devices and the rising demand for controlling data center networks.Improvements in service delivery and risk management will yield gains for the market in the coming years, said a lead TMR analyst. To pace up with the present dynamic business landscape, companies are not shying from altering their service delivery models. Their primary focus is on aligning services to meet needs of both internal and external business environment. As data centers help businesses achieve a more dynamic and flexible infrastructure, their demand is forecast to surge in the coming years.Besides this, the cost reduction in cloud data storage will aid in the markets expansion as well. Spurred by the aforementioned factors, the global data center networking market will exhibit positive trajectory during the forecast period.This 175-page report gives readers a comprehensive overview of the Data Center Networking Market. Browse to unlock the hidden opportunities in this market@Asia Pacific to Exhibit Most Lucrative Opportunities in Forthcoming YearsRegionally, North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa constitute the key market segments. Among these regions North America emerged dominant in the global data center networking market in 2016. However, during the course of the forecast period Asia Pacific is expected to showcase the highest CAGR of 17.3% between 2017 and 2025. The Asia Pacific data center networking market is chiefly gaining from easy availability to connecting devices such as tablets and smartphones. Besides this economic growth witnessed across emerging nations such as India and China is expected to aid the markets expansion in the region. Furthermore, the region exhibits a developing IT infrastructure, which help supporting outsourced activities of foreign companies efficiently. Spurred by these factors the demand for data center networking is expected to increase considerably in Asia Pacific in the forthcoming years.The global data center networking is very competitive owing to the high demand of networking components. The key market players profiled in this report are Cisco Systems, Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Arista Networks, Juniper Networks, Microsoft Corporation, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Dell Inc., Avaya Inc., Extreme Networks Inc. and Brocade networking solutions.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Enterprise Report Management Market: Market Competition, Value chain Analysis and Forecast 2025

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Enterprise report management (ERM) is a system or methodology used for handling, storage, and precise and timely distribution of reports & documents and critical information across an enterprise. ERP technology automatically processes reports and documents from all types of systems. ERM combines all end user documents and output content centrally, enabling cost-effective access and distribution for all its customers, partners, and employees. The main motto of the enterprise report management solution is to provide important information to managers in an effective manner, to help managers take effective decisions. Enterprise report management generally take the form of tables, graphs, and text. It facilitates end users to view and access reports online, print what they want (for instance, invoice copy, warranty card, etc.) and package the information for easy and efficient delivery.The ERM helps to reduce the cost of document creation, handling & duplication, and storage. ERM is useful in decreasing traffic across the enterprise network and web portals and reduces cost associated with network traffic. Moreover, ERM supports enriched document preservation by enhancing the document lifecycle to increase data availability, improved user productivity, improved operations efficiency, and increased management control. Many industries, private and government educational institutions, banking, etc. are anticipated to create ample growth opportunity for the enterprise report management system.Exponential growth in the Internet platform and proliferation of online businesses is forcing enterprises to digitize the transactional process. Enterprises need to digitize the transactional process is expected to drive the global enterprise report management market in the near future.Obtain Report Details @Widespread use of mobiles i.e. mobile endpoints, rapid software as a service (SaaS) deployment, and growing digital expectations, which includes customer service and satisfaction is anticipated to boost the global ERM market during the forecast period. Furthermore, tremendous growth among online customers has created the need for highly efficient tools for report management. This is one of the significant factors driving the growth of the global enterprise report management market. However, high operating costs are linked with report organizing, printing, distributing, and storing. Cloud based deployment is expected to create growth opportunity for the enterprise report management market globally. Moreover, increasing end-to-end solutions is anticipated to create growth opportunity for the market.The enterprise report management market is broadly segmented based on component, deployment, and industry. The component segment includes software and services, where software is further classified as consulting, integration, and operation & maintenance. Based on deployment type, the enterprise report management system is categorised based on premise and cloud based deployment. Segmentation based on industry includes banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), healthcare, government, and others. Based on geography, the global enterprise report management market has been segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. North America is expected to contribute the significant share of the global market. The market in the region is anticipated to witness steady growth during the forecast period. The ERM market in Asia Pacific is expected to show significant growth in the near future owing to increase in government initiatives to digitize transactions.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Enterprise Report Management Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@Some of the major players operating in the global enterprise report management market with significant development include HP Autonomy, Lexmark International, Inc., SpringCM, Alfresco Software, Inc. IBM Global Business Services, Oracle Corporation, Softwin Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Hyland Software, Inc., Xerox Corporation, OpenText Corporation, EMC, Systemware Inc., and Hewlett-Packard (HP).The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Gas Detection Equipment Market: Trends & Opportunities with Forecast 2024

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South East Asia Gas Detection Equipment Market: OverviewThis report provides an analysis of the South East Asia gas detection equipment market for the period from 2014 to 2024, wherein the period from 2016 to 2024 comprises the forecast period and 2015 is the base year. Data for 2014 is provided as historical information. The report details the prominent trends and adoption analysis of gas detection equipment across South East Asia region over the forecast period. It also highlights various drivers, restraints, and opportunities expected to influence the markets growth during this period. The study provides a holistic perspective of the growth of the gas detection equipment market throughout the forecast period in terms of revenue estimates (in US$ Mn), across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Brunei, Philippines, and rest of South East Asia countries. The report provides analysis of the South East Asia gas detection equipment market in terms of market estimates and forecasts for all the segments across different countries.Obtain Report Details @South East Asia Gas Detection Equipment Market: Trends and OpportunitiesSouth East Asia gas detection equipment market is primarily driven by increasing policies, acts, and regulations associated with workplace health and safety. The increasing emphasis on national occupational safety and health frameworks by South East Asian countries and international organizations such as international maritime organization (IMO) are supplementing the growth of gas detection equipment market. Similarly, increasing adoption of gas detection equipment by petro chemical, marine, and other companies across mining and electronics segment is contributing in the growth of gas detection equipment in South East Asia region.The report includes the impact analysis of such factors under the market dynamics, categorized as the drivers and the restraints. Apart from this, the report also details on presence of supplier, manufacturer, and distribution network of key players under the value chain analysis. Apart from this, report also covers the porters five forces affecting the gas detection equipment market across South East Asia region. In this report, detailed information on comparison matrix, and market attractiveness analysis for all the segments is provided at regional as well as country level.The report provides extensive information on policies and regulations implemented across the applications of gas detection equipment market, opportunities for the market across the countries. This is in consideration to the policies and regulations imposed by South East Asia countries for health and safety of work force and work environment expected to provide lucrative opportunities across the region.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Gas Detection Equipment Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@South East Asia Gas Detection Equipment Market: Key SegmentsBased on product type, South East Asia gas detection equipment market is categorized into fixed gas detection equipment, and portable gas detection equipment. On the basis of application, South East Asia gas detection equipment is segmented into mining, steel mill, petro chemical, construction, automobile, material, food & beverage processing & making, electronics, marine, utility services, government, security, medical, and environment detection. The study includes regional and country level key market trends of the gas detection equipment market.The report also includes detailed information and estimates for the product type and application segment across each country for South East Asia gas detection equipment market. Moreover, the report also focuses on competitive profiling of the regional and global key players associated within the gas detection equipment market catering into South East Asia. The important business strategies adopted by them, their market positioning, and country specific revenue, and SWOT analysis have also been included in the research report. Apart from this, the report covers the market share analysis for each company across the South East Asian countries.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Residential Air Purifier Market: New Market Research Report Announced; Global Industry Analysis by 2024

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Air purifiers help in removing contagion from the air in a room. Increasing demand for energy saving air purifiers by consumers is one of the key factors likely to drive the residential air purifiers market over the forecast period. Global manufacturers are improving energy saving air purifiers which consumes lower power than conventional air purifiers as they help to reduce carbon footprint and save energy costs. The global market for residential air purifiers is undergoing several improvements in technology which is likely to propel the demand for residential air purifiers over the forecast period. There is a growing demand for residential air purifiers equipped with HPEA filtration technology that helps to remove smoke and pollutants from the home. The common forms of residential air purifiers with HEPA air filtration technology are Sharp Plasmacluster Ion Air Purifier with True HEPA Filtration, Honeywell True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover, Blueair HEPASilent Air Purifier, and Blueair Classic 505 HEPASilent Air Purifier. Global vendors are introducing advanced materials for residential air purifiers in order to increase their efficiency.The residential air purifier market has been segmented by technology and product category. On the basis of technology, the market has been segregated by HEPA, ionizers and ozone generators, and electrostatic precipitators. HEPA technology dominated the residential air purifiers market in 2015 and it is expected to remain so over the forecast period. The usage of HEPA filters in residential air purifiers helps to trap the air pollutants and helps in allergen relief. HEPA based air purifiers are designed in such a way that it can target small pollutants and particles. This kind of filter is widely available in departmental stores and specialty stores owing to the portable and small unit. On the basis of product category, the residential air purifiers market has been segregated by fume and smoke collectors and dust collectors. Dust collector segment was the most dominant segment on the basis of product category. Owing to the amount of indoor pollution, there has been an increase in the adoption of residential air purifiers in countries such as Brazil, China, and India, which has enhanced the demand for residential air purifiers globally. The increasing occurrence of airborne dust-related ailments, such as cancer, asthma and irritation, and allergic alveoli are also contributing to the sales of dust collector residential air purifiers.Obtain Report Details @Geographically, the residential air purifier market is segmented by Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America accounted for majority of the market share for residential air purifiers in 2015 and it is expected to remain so over the forecast period. Increase in consumption of residential air purifiers well equipped with HPEA technology based system is helping to eliminate smoke and remove dust from the air inside homes. Asia Pacific is slated to be one of the fast growing regions over the estimated time period. China and India dominate the residential air purifier market due to adoption of residential air purifiers and the increasing urban population share in the Asia Pacific region. Europe accounts for a steady demand for residential air purifiers due to the increasing awareness about health benefits from using residential air purifiers. Latin America is an emerging market for residential air purifiers owing to the increase in adoption of residential air purifier products in this region.The major players in the residential air purifier market are Daikin Industries, 3M, Phillips, Honeywell, and Sharp. Some of the key vendors in the residential air purifiers markets are Alen, Airgle, Guardian Technologies, Austin Air, Blueair, EcoQuest International, Hamilton Beach Brands, Homeimage, Fellowes, omeimage, Hoover, IQAir, Sunbeam Products, Whirlpool, Winix, Oreck, and Rabbit Air among others.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Residential Air Purifier Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market@The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR Syndicated Research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemical, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, our syndicated reports thrive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
MAX riders saw a heavy police presence on the light-rail system Tuesday, the first commuting day since three men were stabbed Friday, two fatally.

The heightened patrols were intended to help reassure commuters in the wake of the deadly assault aboard an eastbound Green Line train - the system's third violent incident in as many weeks.

The agency's 61 Transit Police officers are working overtime, as are its 15 contracted security guards and 75 supervisors, said TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane. He also plans to bring in 10 to 15 more security guards on temporary contracts and expedite the hiring of 15 new fare inspectors to help in the effort.

The extra patrols will extend through at least the Rose Festival, which ends June 11, McFarlane said. After that, the agency will reassess its security needs.

"We'll continue to assess our level of patrol and ability to respond," he said. "It's clear we can't put a police officer on every street corner or every train or every bus. But we know we need to be responsive and indicate our presence and monitor behavior."

Police officers from Gresham and Portland ride MAX toward downtown Portland on Tuesday, May 30, 2017.

Friday's attack occurred on a train approaching the Hollywood Transit Center. Witnesses said a man started yelling racial and religious slurs at two teenage girls, one black and one wearing a hijab. When the three men intervened, witnesses said, the man turned on them and stabbed each in the neck with a 33/4-inch blade.

Killed were Rick John Best, 53, of Happy Valley and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, of Southeast Portland. The survivor, Micah David-Cole Fletcher, 21, of Southeast Portland, was released from the hospital late Monday.

Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, was arraigned Tuesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court on two counts of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, two counts of intimidation and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

McFarlane said the agency is continuing to review that incident, but that TriMet staff appeared to have responded appropriately to reports Christian was causing a disturbance. The train operator contacted the agency's central dispatch, which called police.

The agency is still looking into reports that Christian behaved aggressively aboard a MAX train the day prior, even threatening to stab other riders. TriMet spokeswoman Roberta Altstadt said a supervisor and police had been alerted in that case.

It's not clear what happened afterward. Altstadt said the agency couldn't disclose information that might be part of the police investigation.

It also wasn't clear the extent to which Christian had contact with TriMet employees or Transit Police before Friday. Court records show several citations for fare violations, the most recent occurring February. Christian was convicted after failing to appear at the court date, records show.

TriMet said its records showed no citations or exclusions from the transit system for Christian over the past two years. The reason for the discrepancy wasn't immediately clear.

The assault occurred a week after a woman was stabbed following a verbal altercation at the Lloyd Center MAX platform. Police said she did not know her assailant. Christopher Eugene Woods, 42, was arrested in that case and charged with second-degree assault and menacing.

On May 9, a Transit Police officer shot a man with a knife after a reported disturbance at the SE Flavel St MAX Station. The man had run onto the MAX tracks.

TriMet, meanwhile, said it will make counseling and other resources available to its employees.

"This has a deeply resonant effect on the 3,000 people that work at TriMet," McFarlane said. "That this happens anywhere in our community is a sad thing for us at TriMet. That it happens on our system is truly horrific."

Reported crimes against riders has been fallen on TriMet from 2012 to 2015, though crimes against TriMet employees rose in 2015. The agency said figures for 2016 weren't available.

McFarlane said it wasn't yet clear whether the recent violent incidents might leave riders feeling unsafe in the long term.

But he pointed to the makeshift memorial that's sprung up at the Hollywood Transit Center.

People are reaching out almost in defiance, (saying) 'We can't let these kinds of things happen and affect our lives,'" he said. "Initially we see that people really are standing up to hate and violence."

He said the agency would seek to create a permanent memorial at Hollywood Transit Center for the stabbing victims.

"My hope at the same time is that it's some kind of memorial that really reaches to that message of inclusivity, and that message of welcoming people to the system and the city," he said.

-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus
On Monday morning, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler called on the federal government to revoke the permit of a group he described as "alt-right" that was planning a rally on Sunday at Terry Schrunk Plaza.

Wheeler also asked federal officials to withhold a permit from organizers of a second event on June 10 billed as a "March against Sharia - March for Human Rights" at the plaza, which is federal property located across the street from Portland City Hall.

"Our city is in mourning, our community's anger is real, and the timing and subject of these events can only exacerbate an already difficult situation," Wheeler wrote on his public Facebook page, adding he was appealing to organizers to cancel their events. "I urge them to ask their supporters to stay away from Portland. There is never a place for bigotry or hatred in our community, and especially not now."

The ACLU of Oregon responded quickly with a lengthy tweet, "The government cannot revoke or deny a permit based on the viewpont of the demonstrators. Period. It may be tempting to shut down free speech we disagree with, but once we allow the government to decide what we can say, see, or hear, or who we can gather with history shows us that the most marginalized will be disproportionately censored and punished for unpopular speech."

What do you think?
Update at 2:50 p.m.: Suspect Jeremy Christian yelled out during his arraignment in court Tuesday afternoon, shouting shortly after he entered the courtroom:

"Free speech or die Portland. You got no safe place. This is America. Get out if you don't like free speech."



After he briefly conferred with his attorney and signed documents, he shouted:



"Death to the enemies of America. Leave this country if you hate our freedom. Death to Antifa. "



His parting words: "You call it terrorism. I call it patriotism. You hear me? Die."



That's when sounds of yelling filtered in from outside in the hallway.

About 20 people had gathered there when the courtroom filled up. Some said they were friends of attack survivor Micah Fletcher, who was stabbed in the neck. Some yelled "bigot," "murderer" when they heard what Christian said.

The hallway commotion halted court action.

Fletcher was in the courtroom at the time. He was led out of the courtroom through a separate locked door where defendants usually enter.

Earlier, a man who said he was a friend of Christian's got booed by Fletcher's supporters in the hallway.

***

Micah Fletcher, the surviving victim of Friday's MAX train attack, told investigators that the man with the knife threatened to decapitate people, according to a probable cause affidavit filed Tuesday.

TriMet surveillance video and personal cellphone videos reviewed by police caught Jeremy Christian yelling racial and religious epithets and stabbing three men, a Portland homicide detective wrote in the affidavit. Each of the men suffered stab wounds to the neck.

Christian is accused of pulling a knife that "looked to swing into position by centrifugal force/forceful action,'' Portland police Detective Michele Michaels wrote.

Michaels said she talked with two teenage girls, an Arab American and and African American, who felt threatened by Christian while riding the train's Green Line eastbound Friday, the affidavit said.

The court document indicates Christian was armed with "lethal cutting instruments.''

Document: Probable Cause Affidavit

Witnesses described him with a knife that had a 4- to 5-inch blade.

Christian, 35, was scheduled to be arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court at 2:30 p.m. on two counts of aggravated murder, attempted murder, two counts of intimidation and felon in possession of a restricted weapon. The intimidation and weapons charges are misdemeanors.

He's accused of killing Rick Best, 53, and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, and wounding Fletcher. Fletcher, 21, was released from the hospital Monday.

The three men, witnesses said, tried to intervene and calm Christian down and had urged him to leave the train when they were stabbed on the train at the Hollywood transit station.

Best was pronounced dead on the train. Namkai-Meche died at a local hospital.

Christian ran from the train. Several passengers pursued him and flagged down a Portland officer. He was arrested on an access road just north of Providence Portland Medical Center at 4:48 p.m. Friday, police said.

Federal authorities are continuing to consult with Portland police and the District Attorney's Office on whether to pursue federal hate crime or civil rights charges against Christian.

According to court documents filed after his arrest, Christian told a release assistance officer that he's transient and couldn't recall when he last had a permanent address. His parents live in North Portland.

When asked about mental health concerns, Christian said he was concerned about free speech rights in Portland.

"If you don't like free speech get the (expletive) out of my country,'' he said, according to court papers.

During the interview, he "became loud and animated when talking about interference with free speech."

He also said he hasn't had mental health treatment in the past.

Oregonian reporter Noelle Crombie contributed to this story.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Marcus Knipe never needed the basic medical training he received while serving in Iraq.

But he needed it Friday when he helped save a young man who suffered a slashed neck in the deadly attack on a MAX train in Northeast Portland.

Marcus Knipe

Knipe, 34, was at the Hollywood MAX transit center that afternoon with his wife and 9-year-old son. They were waiting for a westbound train to go to Waterfront Park to enjoy the Rose Festival's CityFair carnival.

An eastbound train pulled up and Knipe could hear a commotion. He heard a man, who turned out to be the 35-year-old suspect Jeremy Joseph Christian, challenging others on the train.

"You want some, too? Come on. I'll give it to you," Knipe remembered him yelling.

"It was like he was trying to get into a fight," Knipe said. "I just thought it was a moron being stupid."

Then? Knipe heard screaming. Commuters fled the train. A young man staggered out, holding the left side his neck.

"I saw blood seeping between his fingers," Knipe said. "He had a pure look of terror."

That young man, Micah David-Cole Fletcher, 21 of Southeast Portland, had been stabbed in the neck. Two other men, Rick John Best, 53, of Happy Valley, and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, of Southeast Portland, were also stabbed.

Best, an Army veteran and Portland city employee, and Namkai-Meche, who earned an economics degree from Reed College last year, didn't make it.

Knipe locked eyes with Fletcher and when the two were within arm's reach, Knipe grabbed him.

Fletcher was saying, "Help me, help me, help me," Knipe said.

"Sit down," Knipe told him. "You have to calm down."

Fletcher was slashed on the left side of his neck just millimeters from his jugular. Knipe put his hand over Fletcher's hand, to stem the bleeding. A woman tossed over her toddler's jacket and Knipe applied that.

Christian came out of the train. He had a look of rage, Knipe said, as if he would kill anyone who came close. He is accused of slinging racial slurs at a teenage girl wearing a hijab and her friend, then slashing the necks of Best, Namkai-Meche and Fletcher, who intervened.

Christian clutched a black knife with a blade about 4 to 5 inches long, Knipe said.

Knipe said Christian challenged a large black man wearing a Marine beret. He then ran up the stairs and charged south. Two other men ran after him.

By then, even though only a few minutes had passed, Fletcher was doing better.

"I was able to get him to calm down and start breathing normally instead of almost hyperventilating," Knipe said.

The police arrived within about five to 10 minutes, Knipe said. They applied a dressing as Knipe held Fletcher's hand. Fletcher wouldn't let go, Knipe said. He stayed with him until the emergency responders arrived and whisked Fletcher to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.

He was discharged Monday.

Fletcher's girlfriend, Miranda Helm, 22, said he is in as good condition as possible.

"I feel he's doing as well as you could expect someone to do in this situation," Helm said.

She said he was told by doctors not to return to classes at Portland State University, where he's studying music, or to go to his job at a pizza place. He lives with his mother, father and brother, Helm said.

He's not made any statements but plans to address the media perhaps in a few days, she said.

Knipe said he met Fletcher's mother Sunday and she told him: "You're our family's hero."

Knipe served three-and-a-half years in the Army, including spending 2004 in Iraq in the cavalry. He saw fighting.

But he does not consider himself a hero.

"I am a guy who was in the right place at the right time," Knipe said.

He looks forward to meeting Fletcher soon.

"We should all stand up for each other," Knipe said.

-- Lynne Terry
Warning: Story contains graphic language

Jeremy Joseph Christian, the 35-year-old arrested in the killing of two men and wounding of another aboard a TriMet MAX train, continued his rants as he was arraigned Tuesday, yelling "Free speech or die, Portland!'' as he entered the courtroom.

Christian stood flanked by two Multnomah County sheriff's deputies as he looked out at the standing-room-only crowd where attack survivor Micah Fletcher sat in the first row between police investigators and more deputies.

"Get out if you don't like free speech!'' Christian shouted, adding a short time later: "Death to the enemies of America!" and "You call it terrorism. I call it patriotism.''

Christian made the brief appearance on nine charges -- two counts of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, first-degree assault, two counts of intimidation and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

He's accused of pulling a knife and striking three men in the neck who came to the aid of two girls who were the target of his racist vitriol aboard a MAX train as it pulled into the Hollywood transit station, according to police and witnesses. Police said the knife's blade was 3-3/4 inches long.

As Christian continued his outbursts in court, a crowd that had gathered outside in the hallway erupted with their own shouts: "Bigot!" and "murderer!" The courtroom was locked down and people weren't allowed to leave right away. Fletcher remained seated beside his father, looking down at the floor. His father rested his hand on Fletcher's knee during the brief hearing.

A two-page probable cause affidavit filed by prosecutors after the hearing laid out the most complete account so far of what happened last Friday afternoon on the train.

Christian began harassing two teenage girls on the Green Line train when he boarded. One was wearing a hijab, a traditional Muslim headdress.

Christian yelled, according to the affidavit: "Get the fuck out,'' "Pay taxes," "Go home, we need American here!'' "I don't care if you are ISIS,'' "Fuck Saudi Arabia!'' and "Free speech or die!'' He was taking swigs of sangria from a container in between his rants, the affidavit said.

A man described only as "Mr. Forde'' tried to verbally calm Christian down but he kept up his shouting, the court papers said. The two girls, ages 16 and 17, were alarmed and moved away from Christian.

TriMet video and cellphone video taken by passengers showed Christian then make a sudden move in the direction of Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, who stood up in response, according to police. Christian then pressed his face close to Namkai-Meche and shouted, "Oh, do something bitch!''

Fletcher, 21, then stood. Christian shoved him in the chest and also pulled a knife that he had concealed in his right hand, the affidavit said. Fletcher shoved Christian back, according to video reviewed by police.

"Hit me again,'' Christian responded, as Fletcher told him to get off the train.

Christian suddenly swung the knife in one motion and stabbed Fletcher in the left side of his neck.

Christian immediately turned to Namkai-Meche and stabbed him. When a third passenger, Rick Best, 53, tried to intervene, Christian stabbed him in the right side of his neck, according to the affidavit. Christian shoved Best into Namkai-Meche, who was seated, and stabbed them both again, the affidavit said.

Christian is captured on video leaving the train, and threatening others on the Hollywood transit station platform with his knife visible. He picked up a bag dropped by one of the teenage girls he'd been harassing and flung it onto the nearby freeway, according to the affidavit. When confronted nearby by police, Christian threw his knife at a police car, which struck the top and fell to the ground, the affidavit said.

"I just stabbed a bunch of motherfuckers in the neck,'' Christian told police from the back of a patrol car after he was taken into custody. "Just a punk ass bunch of motherfuckers. Get stabbed in the neck if you hate free speech ... I can die in prison a happy man ... I stabbed the two motherfuckers in the neck and I'm happy now. I'm happy now. I can rest easy.''

While still in the back seat, Christian said he hoped his victims died.

"I hope they all die. I'm gonna say that on the stand. I'm a patriot, and I hope everyone I stabbed died,'' he said, according to the affidavit.

Autopsies showed that Namkai-Meche and Best suffered multiple stab wounds.

Namkai-Meche suffered a wound to his left rear scalp, a cut to his left forehead and a large stab wound to the left side of his neck that was fatal. Best was stabbed in the right side of his neck near the back of his skull, in his left cheek and on the left side of his neck. Both his neck wounds were fatal. Best also suffered a vertebrae fracture.

Best was pronounced dead on the train. Namkai-Meche died at a local hospital.

In the courtroom, deputies led Fletcher out through a locked door that defendants usually use.

The college student, slashed from the left side under his chin to just under his ear, was released from the hospital Monday.

The folding-type knife seized from Christian looked "to swing into position by centrifugal force/forceful action,'' Detective Michele Michaels wrote in court documents.

A witness also told investigators that Christian threatened to decapitate people, the documents said.

Michaels said she talked to the two girls, an Arab American and and African American, who felt threatened by Christian.

Christian ran from the train after the stabbing, police said. Several passengers pursued him and flagged down a Portland officer. He was arrested on an access road just north of Providence Portland Medical Center at 4:48 p.m. Friday, police said.

Federal authorities are continuing to consult with Portland police and the District Attorney's Office on whether to pursue federal hate crime or civil rights charges against Christian.

In a jail interview after his arrest, Christian told a release assistance officer that he was transient and couldn't recall when he last had a permanent address. His parents live in North Portland.

When asked about his mental health, Christian said he was concerned about free speech rights in Portland.

"If you don't like free speech get the fuck out of my country,'' he said, according to court papers.

Christian is being held in an isolation cell at the downtown Portland jail. His next court date is June 7. Court-appointed attorney Gregory B. Scholl represented him during the arraignment.

Three prosecutors Jeffrey Howes, Christopher Ramras and Ryan Lufkin have been assigned the case.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Updated at 2:50 p.m.: Suspect Jeremy Christian yelled out during his arraignment in court Tuesday afternoon, shouting, "Free speech or die. Get out if you don't like free speech ... you call it terrorism, I call it patriotism ..."

This story will continue to be updated.

***

A known extremist accused of killing two men and seriously injuring another during a slur-filled rant at two teen girls aboard a MAX train told jailers that he has no mental illness and complained about free speech rights being quashed in Portland.

Jeremy Christian, 35, was interviewed the day after his arrest by a Multnomah County Circuit Court staff member Saturday while being held in an isolation cell at the downtown jail. He is described in court papers as becoming "loud and animated," when he spoke about interference with free speech.

"If you don't like free speech get the (expletive) out of my country," Christian told the interviewer while being asked about his mental health.

Christian claimed he had no diagnosed mental illnesses and received no prior treatment. When asked if he had any mental health concerns, he told the interviewer he "was concerned about no free speech in Portland," the court documents said.

Christian described himself as a transient who stays in Portland, but couldn't remember the last time he had a permanent address. He reported receiving treatment in 2012 for marijuana use as part of his federal supervision program. He said he drank alcohol weekly, but wasn't intoxicated during the jail interview.

Christian said he received his GED and took some classes at Portland Community College, the documents said.

His criminal history in Oregon includes convictions for robbery, kidnapping and unlawful use of a dangerous weapon in 2002 and felon in possession of a firearm in 2011.

Christian, known for extremist views on social media, is accused hurling racial and religious epithets at an Arab-American teen wearing a hijab and her African-American friend on the MAX train. Three good Samaritans intervened, trying to calm him down. Christian is accused of slashing all three men in the neck. The girls were able to escape the train without injuries.

Rick Best, 53, an Army veteran of Happy Valley, died on the train. Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, a recent Reed College graduate, died in the hospital. The third man, Micah David-Cole Fletcher, 21, was hospitalized with neck wounds, but has since been released.

Christian was taken into custody on the side of Providence Portland Medical Center after fleeing from the MAX train. He was booked into jail early the next morning.

The jail interview is standard practice to determine if someone should be released from custody or have bail reduced.

The court staff member later recommended to defer the decision to release Christian to a judge presiding over his first court appearance. He remains held in an isolation cell without bail Tuesday and is scheduled to be arraigned on accusations of aggravated murder, attempted murder, second-degree intimidation and felon in possession of a restricted weapon.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey
The mother of one of the men who died in a fatal MAX stabbing has written an open letter to President Donald Trump and asked him to condemn violence caused by hate speech and hate groups.

"I ask you Mr. President to take action at this time," wrote Asha Deliverance, mother of Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche. "Your words and actions are meaningful, here in America and throughout the world. Please encourage all Americans to protect and watch out for one another. Please condemn any acts of violence, which result directly from hate speech & hate groups. I am praying you will use your leadership to do so."

Namkai-Meche, a 23-year-old Reed College graduate from Ashland, died Friday after trying to intervene in a racist verbal attack on a MAX train, witnesses and police have said.

He and Army veteran Rick Best were fatally stabbed and Micah David-Cole Fletcher, 21, a music student at Portland State University, was seriously wounded protecting two teenage girls, police said. The girls, one who was wearing a hijab, had been targeted by known extremist Jeremy Joseph Christian, police said.

Trump on Monday tweeted a 23-word message calling the homicides unacceptable and sending prayers to the victims' families. Hillary Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran against Trump, also recently tweeted saying the attacks were "heartbreaking. No one should have to give their life to stop it."

Chris Lejeune, another son of Deliverance, said his mother wrote the letter after the family saw Trump's tweet. He said the family wouldn't comment beyond the letter.

Friday's victims were all strangers to each other and the teenagers, Deliverance wrote. Police arrested Christian shortly after the attack.

"They fearlessly risked their lives for two young women who were threatened by an act of bigotry and terror," she wrote. "These brave men saw the immediate injustice and didn't hesitate to act."

Here's the full letter:

May 29, 2017

Memorial Day

Dear President Trump,

I'm writing to you today, Memorial Day, to share my heart after losing my son.

Taliesin died a hero, like many other Americans who have died defending freedom. He was just 23, a year out of college with a degree in economics, working, had just bought his first home and was thinking about starting a family. Our family grieves, but we are proud that through his selfless action he, along with the other two men, has changed the world, when in the face of hate he did not hesitate to act with love.

Two precious lives were lost this Memorial Day weekend in Portland and one more, nearly so. All three were strangers to each other, and to those they were defending. They fearlessly risked their lives for two young women who were threatened by an act of bigotry & terror. These brave men saw the immediate injustice and didn't hesitate to act. They recognized the truth: we are more alike than we are different

. To ride the train home without being assaulted because of the color of your skin or your religious beliefs, is an inalienable right.

You have said that you will be President for all Americans. So, I ask you Mr. President to take action at this time. Your words and actions are meaningful, here in America and throughout the world.

Please encourage all Americans to protect and watch out for one another. Please condemn any acts of violence, which result directly from hate speech & hate groups. I am praying you will use your leadership to do so.

It would deeply honor Taliesin's sacrifice, which has been amplified by the millions of voices who have supported our family in response to this tragedy.

With Peace In My Heart,

Asha Deliverance

 Tony Hernandez

thernandez@oregonian.com

503-294-5928

@tonyhreports
The suspect in Friday's deadly attack on a MAX train will be arraigned in Portland on Tuesday afternoon.

Portland police said Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, is scheduled to be arraigned at the Justice Center in Southwest Portland at 2:30 p.m. on charges of two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of intimidation in the second degree and being a felon in possession of a restricted weapon.

A grand jury is expected to consider other charges in the next few days, police said in a release.

Jeremy Joseph Christian

Christian, who has known extremist views, is accused of verbally assaulting a teenage girl wearing a hijab and her friend on the MAX train. Three Good Samaritans intervened, trying to calm the situation down. Christian is accused of slashing all three in the neck.

Rick Best, 53, an Army veteran of Happy Valley, died on the train. Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, a recent Reed College graduate, died in the hospital. The third man, Micah David-Cole Fletcher, 21, is recovering in the hospital after another man rushed to help.

Christian was taken into custody on the side of Providence Portland Medical Center on Friday after fleeing from the MAX train.

Detectives are investigating Christian's background, his extremist views and the circumstances leading up to the attack. Police asked that anyone with information about the suspect or Friday's slayings to send an email to CrimeTips@portlandoregon.gov.

The killings have shaken Portlanders, who gathered at vigils in Portland and Tigard. State and city leaders, from Gov. Kate Brown to Mayor Ted Wheeler -- condemned the attack as did Oregon's leaders in Congress and other officials. President Donald Trump weighed in on Monday as well in a message on his Twitter account. He called the attack unacceptable and said the victims were standing up to hate.

-- Lynne Terry
The man is hunched over a work bench in a murkily lit secret room. He is preparing a bomb. The man straps the device to his chest and steps out onto the street, headed for a school.

A child's voice cuts through his deluded visions of glorious murder.

"I will tell God everything," the child says. "That you filled the cemeteries with our children and emptied our school desks."

The three-minute TV ad, produced by Kuwaiti telecommunications company Zain and featuring real victims of terrorist attacks, became a sensation in the Middle East over the weekend. It went viral as Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and introspection, began.

The video, which attempts to move beyond good-vs.-evil stereotypes to get at the complexity of the terrorism problem, has launched "a heated debate in the region," Britain's The Guardian reports.

United Arab Emirates-based columnist Sultan Al Qassemi called it "a beautiful ad on counter-violence and extremism." But Syrian human-rights activist Tamara al-Rifai suggests it's really only meant to make the average, already-peaceful person feel better. "What's the ad saying?" al-Rifai says. "We are trying to criminalize these acts of violence as a society, correct? Who are we talking to? The criminals? They will laugh at us."

In the ad, music begins to play as the suicide bomber moves toward his goal -- and meets the bloodied victims of terrorism.

"God is greater," the militant says, but one of his prospective victims cuts him off and finishes the thought, singing, "Than those who obey without contemplation."

Along with brief appearances by actual terrorism victims, the ad features a child actor portraying Aleppo airstrike survivor Omran Daqneesh, whose stunned, dirt-encrusted visage became a symbol of the horrors of the Syrian civil war.

Popular Middle Eastern performer Hussain al-Jassmi leads the ad's message. He sings: "Worship your God with love -- with love, not terror."

Watch the ad below.

-- Douglas Perry
If you look long enough, you can almost see it: An unimaginably vast wall of water, cascading nearly 400 feet over the rim of a chasm more than three miles wide.

It would be the world's greatest waterfall - if there was any water. Instead Dry Falls in central Washington requires some imagination, and a few artists' renderings, to see the majesty it once contained.

According to Washington State Parks, the cliffs are the "skeletal remains" of the once-great waterfall, fed by the cataclysmic Missoula Floods that swept through the region at the end of the last ice age. The waterfall was originally located 20 miles farther south, the flood waters slowly eroding it back. As the water retreated, the Lower Grand Coulee canyon emerged.

Those same flood waters helped shape the Columbia River Gorge and deposited nutrient-rich sediment into the Willamette Valley, but for all the natural artifacts the floods left behind, Dry Falls is perhaps the most spectacular.

The easiest way to see it is at the Dry Falls viewpoint off Washington State Route 17 near Coulee City. The pull-out features a large parking lot, visitor center, food vendors and a bathroom, and offers a fenced walkway out to a viewpoint looking out at the cliffs.

The water below, Dry Falls Lake, is accessible via hiking trail and road in Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park. The entrance to the park is two miles south of the viewpoint.

No matter how you visit, Dry Falls is well worth a pit stop. It's not every day that you see an ancient, dried up waterfall - let alone one that was once the greatest in the world.

--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB
Wednesday 31 May 2017 9:28am

Figures released today by the AIDS Epidemiology Group at the University of Otago show that in 2016, 244 people were diagnosed with HIV in New Zealand  the highest number ever diagnosed in any one year since monitoring of the epidemic began in 1985.

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) were the group most affected. Of the 244 people diagnosed, 159 (65 per cent) were MSM, and 42 (17 per cent) were heterosexually infected (similar number of men and women). For most of the remainder, the means of infection was not reported, with only one person infected through injecting drug use, five people infected through either sex with another man or injecting drug use, and there were no children infected around the time they were born.

Dr Sue McAllister, who leads the AIDS Epidemiology Group, says it is concerning that the increase in MSM diagnosed who were infected in New Zealand has increased since 2013, and the number in 2016 (98) was the highest ever.

The increase in the number diagnosed will be affected by the levels of HIV testing of those at risk. However, we also found almost half of MSM infected in New Zealand had a relatively high CD4 cell count, which suggests that they have been infected relatively recently. The persisting increase of recent infections over the last three years, along with the increase in total diagnoses, suggests a true rise in incidence in recent years.

While now treatable, HIV infection remains a lifelong condition with significant implications for individuals and financial cost to the health service. It is clear we must tackle this increase in incidence now in order to reverse the trend.

All of the prevention tools available need to be utilised, such as increasing promotion of condom use, timely testing for HIV after potential exposure, early access to HIV treatment, and screening and treatment for other sexually transmitted infections. Internationally, there is increasing interest in, and use of, new prevention options including giving HIV medication to uninfected people at highest risk of HIV infection, which has also been shown to be effective at preventing infections.

Dr McAllister adds that it is also important that efforts are made to combat the stigma about HIV and the groups most affected, as when this exists testing could be discouraged, and people are less receptive to health promotion messages.

While there were only a small number of HIV diagnoses among heterosexually infected men and women in 2016, it is important for anyone who considers they have been at risk to have an HIV test, she says.

The AIDS Epidemiology Group is based in the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago. It is funded by the Ministry of Health to undertake epidemiological surveillance of HIV infection and AIDS in New Zealand.

For further information contact:

Dr Sue McAllister

Department of Preventive and Social Medicine

University of Otago

Tel: 03 479 7108

Email: sue.mcallister@otago.ac.nz
BILLINGS  As the summer tourism season gets underway, Yellowstone National Park officials are figuring out how to deal with the ever-increasing visitation that stresses personnel and facilities, clogs roadways and sometimes results in tourists taking unnecessary and even illegal risks like getting too close to a 2,000-pound bison or a steaming hot thermal feature.

Were trying to look at this very comprehensively, said park superintendent Dan Wenk.

To do that, the park hired Ryan Atwell, a social scientist, in late 2015. Atwell is still putting together data from tourist surveys and comments from park staff to provide Yellowstone officials with enough information to back up a decision, whatever that may be.

One proposal that has long been suggested is busing tourists to ease traffic on park roadways, but thats complicated by the large size of the park and its numerous entrances. People may come in from the North Entrance at Gardiner and leave via the South Entrance near Jackson, Wyoming.

Ive not been quiet about saying limits on visitation are possible, Wenk said, but I cant say anything until we have the data.

Popular place

Last year Yellowstone played host to more than 4.25 million visitors, another record year for visitation. That number was up almost 4 percent from 2015 and was more than 21 percent higher than in 2014.

Part of the reason for the increase may have been attributed to the National Park Services 100th anniversary and national and international media attention focused on Yellowstone, including the entire May 2015 issue of National Geographic Magazine. Even without that limelight this year, park officials are preparing for tourist numbers to climb again, noting that for many visitors Yellowstone is a bucket list trip.

Despite so many people in the park, there are still plenty of places where travelers can avoid the hubbub, often by walking down a trail.

Some places are hit really hard, while many other areas in the park are pristine and unused, said Jennifer Carpenter, chief of the Yellowstone Center for Resources.

So crowding problems are not spread equally across the parks 2.2 million acres.

Its such a complex issue in Yellowstone because its such a big park, Carpenter added.

She noted that 84 percent of visitors surveyed said that even with more than 4.2 million people visiting the park they still enjoyed their experience. But Jody Lyle, chief of the Office of Strategic Communications, pointed out that more than half of visitors said crowding and traffic affected their trip in some way.

For every complex problem theres a simple solution thats wrong, Wenk said. A lot of people say, put in a transportation system, but how do we pay for it?"

Education

Park officials used to believe that many of the problems rangers and interpreters had with tourists were because those people hadnt read the brochures they were handed at the entrances. That newspaper contains warnings like the proper distances to stay away from certain wildlife. Or maybe the travelers simply ignored signs warning them to stay on boardwalks in thermal areas. So it was long believed more education was key, but that viewpoint may be changing slightly.

Wenk said in portions of the visitor survey hes looked at, some people said they knew they werent supposed to pose for a selfie next to an elk, but decided to risk it anyway.

I dont know how to deal with that, he said. I thought we had an information problem.

Last summer the park experimented with making violations more public, hoping that word of the violations and fines would spread and discourage other visitors from taking unnecessary risks, Lyle said. There was no way to judge if the publicity worked, but anecdotally she said it seemed to get some groups to respond.

Park newbies

Part of the problem is that about 84 percent of the visitors to the park every year are coming for the first time, according to park data. International visitors hail from as close as Canada to as far away as Asia and Europe, with 12 languages spoken.

The language barrier is there but perhaps not as big a problem as we thought, Wenk said.

Park officials have been proactive and contacted tour bus companies, whose traffic has steadily increased as the number of tourists from China has risen, to try and advise folks about rules and regulations before they even get to the park.

The park also hired rangers who spoke Mandarin, added seasonal employees to help with traffic jams and installed porta-potties to ease lines at bathrooms. The entry hours were expanded and Wenk empowered staff working in the different districts of the park to take action they thought would help.

But even if it could throw more personnel at the problem, which the park said it doesn't have money for, then Yellowstone runs into another obstacle. Residents living in nearby towns are now taking advantage of companies like Airbnb to rent out their apartments or homes to tourists. That has meant less housing available for seasonal workers. Yellowstone employs about 800 to 850 people in the summer.

Its the resource

All of the talk about traffic gridlock and human jams ignores one of the fundamental facts about Yellowstone management: that preservation of the unique resource and its wild inhabitants is the primary concern. Without either, the visitors who spend more than $524 million in communities near the park and support about 8,100 area jobs would evaporate. The cumulative impact of Yellowstone on the local economy has been estimated at $680 million.

That economic impact is only there if we continue to protect that place, Wenk said.

So when tourism bumps up against the resource, the park will rule in favor of the resource, Wenk indicated.

As we look to the future, preservation has to be the key value we consider as we address increasing visitation, Wenk noted in a press release about the parks economic impact. Protecting the park also protects the regional tourism economy.

Critics have questioned the parks dedication to that ideal, as infrastructure like new lodges, cell towers and increased infrastructure such as sewer plants are built. Theres also concern from groups like Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility questioning the increasing commercialization of parks to raise money. Wenk said such funding is a necessity.

We need to be increasingly reliant on earned revenue, he said.

Last budget year, the park received about $35 million in appropriations from the Department of the Interior, he said, but it costs about $90 million a year to run the park. So the rest of Yellowstones budget is paid for by things like utility reimbursements, franchise fees, visitor fees for everything from camping to entry, as well as donations from corporations like the camera company Canon.

Difficult issues

As maintenance backlogs swell in parks like Yellowstone, concern about more tourists, fewer employees and less money to maintain and operate the park may seem like much bigger problems than the few tourists who get burned, gored, injured or even killed while visiting Yellowstone.

After all, there has always been unacceptable behavior inside the park. The main difference now is that almost everyone is carrying a small camera or video recorder in their cellphones. Nowadays its more likely that the bad deeds will be posted on the internet where millions of people can see it.

So theres no research smoking gun that says: This is the reason we need to do X, Carpenter said. Where do we take action and what do we do?

The complicated issues are never far from Wenks mind.

My first thought when I wake up in the morning is: How do I not screw this up? he said.
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City officials recently awarded a $6.3 million contract to Fisher Contracting Co. to build the downtown streetscape and a $230,750 contract to OHM Advisors for project management. They are both Midland firms.

And on Friday, the city announced the launch of www.DigInMidland, a website created by Ann Arbor-based advertising agency Q+M.

The new website will serve as the main location for all streetscape-related information, including construction updates, progress photos, downtown events, and more, a city news release states. In addition, users can visit the site to sign up for weekly email updates containing the latest news related to the project.

Contractors are set to break ground in early June for the first phase of the nearly $9 million streetscape project. Work is expected to take about 25 weeks.

Local philanthropic foundations, including the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation, Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, and The Herbert & Grace Dow Foundation, kicked in most of the project funding. Funding also comes from Downtown Development Authority reserves. City officials say project management and construction inspection is funded by the citys major street fund; the water fund will cover a new water main; and that the wastewater fund will cover underground sanitary sewer work.

The initial stage involves building a curbless, festival-style street at Rodd and McDonald streets. Work would move westerly from there, with the plan to finish the intersections of Main and Rodd, Main and McDonald, and Main and Ashman by early September. Contractors would then move to the east end of Main and finish the first year of work from Rodd to the Poseyville bridge tentatively by November.

Contractors also will build new sidewalks, benches, and an irrigation system, and install new lighting and trees.

Read more about potential amenities  including gateway features up to 24 feet tall and fire pits at intersections  project costs, and how construction affects downtown events at http://bit.ly/2r3Whoj, and follow Downtown Midland, Michigan on Facebook and @DtMidlandMI on Twitter for updates.
Doctors at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center recently told state Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Larkin Township, that they consider his prostate cancer, in remission since February of last year, stable enough that he does not need to return to Ann Arbor again for a year.

Thanks to all whove prayed for my family and me over the past eighteen months, Glenn posted on Facebook after the news. Since chemo ended last July, Ive been going to the University of Michigan Cancer Center every four months to get a check up and a shot. Today, testing indicated the cancer remains undetectable, and the docs now consider me stable enough that they dont need to see me again ... for a year! Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition!
May was recognized as Community Action Agency Month under a resolution sponsored by Sens. Jim Stamas and Wayne Schmidt and recently approved by the Michigan Senate.

Michigans community action agencies promote economic stability and build stronger communities by helping struggling families improve their lives, become self-sufficient and achieve the American dream, said Stamas, R-Midland. Community Action Agency Month is a time to raise awareness of these great organizations and to express our appreciation for all the tremendous work that they do every day to help those in need.
BUTTE  Known for firing the shot that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011, Butte native Rob ONeill has written a book detailing that mission in his New York Times' best-selling memoir, The Operator.

Decorated Navy SEAL veteran, ONeill recounts moments such as the rescue of Americans from both Somali terrorists and Afghan Taliban, as well as the lead up to his most important mission  eliminating the most wanted terrorist, bin Laden. In mid-May, the book debuted at No. 4 on The New York Times hard cover nonfiction best-seller list, and No. 3 on the NYTs best-seller list for the print and eBook non-fiction list. Though the book recently dropped to No. 12, it has remained on the list for four weeks.

The Operator, Paul Davis writes for The Washington Times, is an interesting and insightful book about some of the most historic moments in modern American military history.

ONeill attributes his writing skills to his Butte Central English teachers. He recalls in his new book reading Ernest Hemingways classic novel, "The Old Man and The Sea," for a Butte Central English class. The book about a man who would rather die before he quits in an epic battle reeling in a fish was a story that stayed with the heavily decorated former Navy SEAL for life.

ONeill, in a recently phone interview with The Montana Standard, says he wanted to tell his own story because he realized he was just a white guy from Montana, who eventually found himself in bin Ladens bedroom shooting a bullet that would be heard around the world.

You can do anything you want, as long as you work hard, avoid negativity, stay positive and never quit. Go out there and do it. Its a good American story; a good, patriotic story, said ONeill.

But despite being Butte tough, ONeill reveals softer sides to himself in the book. Once bin Laden is dead, ONeill takes a moment to consider bin Ladens 2-year-old son, who was in the room. The book leaves a lump in the readers throat when ONeill describes, while still stateside, what might have been his final phone call to his dad before he left for the now famous mission.

The subtitle of the book is Firing the Shots That Killed Osama bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior.

But ONeill says he never considered himself "a tough guy.

The Operator is really a book about life.

For ONeill, that has been a life of harrowing adventures under fire. In one story, ONeill said he is forced to run through intense gun fire in Afghanistan to get an extra set of batteries out of a backpack the team of SEALS left behind a rock. Without the batteries, the team cannot communicate with a nearby plane. Despite bullets flying all around him, ONeill gets the batteries and, within a few excruciating minutes, the communication device is working again and the nearby planes provide the necessary ground support. The bombs come and, suddenly, the enemy, and the enemy fire, is silenced.

Despite sometimes grim battles with the enemy, the book also contains humor. ONeill starts the book with a story almost everyone can relate to  the humiliation of romantic rejection. Trying to kiss his high school crush for the first time, he puckers up and closes his eyes, only to hear her ask him what he was doing rather than kiss him back.

He couldnt get over her and feared what he might become if he didnt find a way out of Butte. Even though he didnt know how to swim, he signed up for the Navy.

Four years turned into 16  years of service. During that time, ONeill completed 400 combat missions and was decorated with two Silver Stars, four Bronze Stars with Valor, a Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, three Presidential Unit Citations and a Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor.

But ONeill says the true heroes are the first responders to the former World Trade Center and the people on the planes that terrorists hijacked on September 11, 2001. Two planes flew into New York Citys Twin Towers. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. A fourth plane went down in a field in Pennsylvania. Close to 3,000 people lost their lives.

The New York Police Department, the New York Fire Department, the people on those flights, thats heroism, ONeill said.

ONeill attributes his humility to growing up in such a tough home town.

I think the humility comes from having so many tough guys around you, ONeill said. In Butte, you dont go saying youre tough, because somebody else is tougher there and you might get knocked on your back at Maloneys.
Answer: He was, according to a recent Parade magazine that says Abe was a wrestler who lost only one of 300 matches and has been posthumously been honored in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. One other thing: Parade says he hated the nickname of Abe and indeed all records in Central Illinois show he signed all of his documents, A Lincoln, not Abe. That includes document he signed in Bloomington as a private attorney in 1857 to launch what became the District 87 school district.
CHENOA  The Chenoa community is one step closer to a bigger and better public library after a successful fundraising event.

More than $4,500 was raised at the fundraiser, where a half hog and prizes from local businesses were gifted through a raffle draw.

There was a lot of enthusiasm from the community, said Dan Groce, vice president on the library board of trustees. It makes us all excited to see so much community interest in the project.

As of last week, around $500,000 had been raised for the $800,000 building that will be designed by Francois Associates Architects.

The city of Chenoa donated an empty plot downtown on Green Street where the new 7,200-square-foot library will be built. Depending on donations, construction is expected to begin next spring.

Instead of using loans or local referendums, library officials have relied solely on fundraisers and donations. Furniture and shelving have been donated by other Illinois libraries, colleges and businesses.

The current library, 211 S. Division St., has 13,000 books crammed in 1,800 square feet.

Most importantly, Groce said the new, single-story library will meet a need for accessibility.

There are a lot of stairs at the current facility. We need accessibility, not only for the elderly, but also young people that have special needs in the community, said Groce.

The library will host a pledge drive this summer to raise additional funding.
NORMAL  A fund-raising effort got the Illinois State University solar car team two-thirds of the way to its $5,000 goal for purchasing more-efficient, lighter-weight batteries for the next generation of its solar car, Mercury 6.

The team raised $3,375 from 25 donors, with three donating at the $500 level using a crowdfunding platform on the university's website.

Although the fund-raising project didn't reach its goal, team president Brian Warner said they were pleased with the support.

It's definitely going to help us designing the new car, Warner said.

Changes in the rules and vehicle specifications for the American Solar Challenge and Formula Sun Grand Prix in which the team competes make the current Mercury 5 vehicle ineligible for next year's race.

The new rules place stricter limits on the area that can be covered with solar panels, which increases the importance of having highly efficient batteries, explained Keith Kennedy, the team's lead person on aerodynamics and its chief financial officer. Kennedy is a junior majoring in math education with a minor in engineering education.

The plan is to replace the lithium-ion batteries used in Mercury 5S with lithium-sulfur batteries. Each battery costs about $5.

Meanwhile, the team continues to prepare Mercury 5S for its last hurrah  the Formula Sun Grand Prix that will be run on a track in Austin, Texas, July 3-8. Warner said the team will head for Texas around June 30.

The team, which started in 2005, has had some success in the track-only only grand prix, finishing second in 2013 and 2011 and third in 2015.

Warner, a senior accounting major from McHenry, has said the team is looking for another podium finish this year.

He said Mercury 5S is running well and we've made some upgrades since we got out of school.

The team also hopes to be competitive with Mercury 6 in next year's competition that will include the American Solar Challenge road race. The road race is run in alternating years.

The batteries are a key element, but not the only factor in improving performance. Kennedy said aerodynamics and the efficiency of the solar cells also are important to improving how long the car can run and what its cruising speed will be.

As it has in previous years, the team will look to sponsors and the university for funding and other support.

On its fundraising page, the team said, This project provides students with a unique experience to apply classroom education to a real project and pave the way for sustainable transportation.
EUREKA  A World War II airman found himself once again soaring high in a warbird thanks to Eureka pilot Brad Deckert.

Deckert recently flew 92-year-old Verg Bloomquist of Washington state for 20 minutes in Deckert's World War II TBM Avenger. The flight was a highlight of the TBM Avenger Reunion at Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru. Deckert helped organize the reunion along with the city.

"Oh, this means so much to Verg," said Mert Bloomquist, his wife of 72 years. "He never thought he'd be doing this again after all these years," she said with a chuckle.

In fact, Verg Bloomquist was "all smiles," said Jane Deckert, who often accompanies her husband on their Avenger adventures. "Verg said it was one of the best days of his life," she said, adding, "I think he felt it was a good way to commemorate his fellow servicemen who didn't return from the war or who have since passed away."

The flight was a thank-you to Bloomquist from the makers of a recent documentary he appears in. Titled "Eleven," it recounts the wartime stories of 11 airmen from Carrier Air Group II. The filmmakers arranged for the Bloomquists to attend the fly-in, and Deckert volunteered to take the one-time radio operator/tail gunner up in his torpedo bomber.

After the flight, as the plane taxied to the hangar, airport firefighters paid tribute to the veteran by standing in salute and creating an arch of water over Deckert's returning plane.

Upon descending from the plane, Bloomquist pumped his arms in the air then embraced and kissed his wife, whose eyes were filled with pride and tears.

Later, at the close of the air show, Deckert's warbird again ascended, this time accompanied by three T-6 trainers. As "Taps" played over the sound system, Deckert's plane broke formation, veering toward the low-hanging sun.

"This is to honor all our fallen veterans," the emcee announced, "especially those who perished in Avengers."

Deckert has taken up more than 20 World War II veterans since he and Jane purchased the Avenger about a decade ago. "It's always an awesome and humbling experience," Jane Deckert said. "They always thank us for keeping the plane going, but it comes back to them because we wouldn't be able to do this if it wasn't for the tremendous sacrifices they made for us in keeping us free."

About half the veterans the couple encounters at air shows don't want to climb back into a warbird, Jane Deckert noted. "They come up and touch it and want to look at it, but they don't ever want to sit in one again."

She speculates that's because their planes may have gone down, they may have been a sole survivor of the crew or they may have killed someone in battle.

"It's very emotional for them," she said.

TBM Avengers were manufactured for the U.S. Navy by Eastern Aircraft, a division of General Motors. More than 7,500 were built, but a mere 20 or so are airworthy, Jane Deckert said. There also were about 2,300 TBF Avengers, built by Grumman. Avengers that held a crew of three, were used primarily to carry torpedoes, mostly in the Pacific, beginning in 1942.
STREATOR  A fire in a garbage receptacle near a Streator home is believed to have started a fire Monday evening.

Streator Fire Department spokesman Bryan Park said around 5:35 p.m., neighbors of a home at 212 Frech St. saw smoke coming from the house and called 911. Fire crews arrived and found the single-story structure with heavy fire coming from the rear, Park said. Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control in about 10 minutes.

Heat and smoke had also extended into the attic of the home, said Park. Firefighters were able to reach the attic quickly to find and extinguish any hot spots. Fire department personnel were on the scene for just over two hours.

The fire was determined to be not suspicious and accidental in origin, he said.

Twelve Streator firefighters assisted with the blaze and there were no reported injuries to residents or fire personnel.

The home sustained severe fire damage to a small portion of the exterior siding and eaves. Minor water damage was limited to a corner of the home and the attic has minor smoke damage, said Park.

The Streator Police Department, Advanced Medical Transport and the Illinois State Fire Marshal also were on the scene.
EUREKA  The Woodford County Board has approved a two-year contract with members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) that will result in 2 percent raises each year.

Voting in favor were board members Barry Logan, Russ Cotton, John Delaney, Stan Glazier, Richard Hill, Mike Hinrichsen, Doug Huser and Tom Karr. Voting against the contract were Bryant Kempf, John Krug, Andy Rokey, Duane Kingdon, Randy Roethler and Jason Jording. Board member Don Tolan was absent.

The contract covers union employees in the offices of county clerk, county treasurer, sheriffs department, and highway department and is retroactive to Dec. 1, 2016.

Glazier said he was glad the contract was settled and the two-year time frame will synchronize it with other union contracts so they can be negotiated around the same time for budget planning purposes.

A wage scale based on the number of years of service starts at $13.72 for under one year of service and rises in increments to $17.62 for employees with 25 years of employment. Those numbers increase Dec. 1, 2017, to a range of $13.99 and $17.97. Step increases occur on the employees anniversary date.

Non-clerical employees in the highway department also will receive 2 percent increases, set according to the positions they hold. Other special employee designations are office technician/bookkeeper with an hourly wage of $17.34 and map technician with an hourly wage of $15.81.

A new clause pays accumulated but unused sick leave for union employees who retire with at least 20 years of continuous payment.

Ongoing benefits include participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, the county health insurance and life insurance plans. Full-time employees also receive 12 paid holidays per year and paid time off for vacation from five working days to 23 working days, depending on their years of service.

According to minutes from an April 18 executive session of the board released last week, the union also asked the county to provide partial holiday pay for part-time employees, but the board was not in favor of the idea.
By now you're exhausted by all the head-swiveling news  the terrorist slaughter in Manchester; the president's trip to Everywhere; and investigation upon investigation of the possible collusion with Russia, obstruction of justice, and liars by the dozen.

Which is why I'm sitting in Palm Beach practicing Lilly Pulitzer's dictum: "Being happy never goes out of style."

Also, President Trump is not here, which seems to please everyone since his frequent forays to his "southern White House" have meant nothing but roadblocks, impenetrable traffic and lousy retail sales.

The otherworldliness of the nation's most glamorous beach town makes current events seem at times remote. This sense was magnified recently by visions of Trump's sword-dancing, orb-fondling, and demonstration of ugly Americanism in its latest iteration of massive wealth, arms deals and blind-eye talking  the president's uncanny ability to see only what he chooses and to speak in terms compatible with that vision. Witness: His condemnation of Iran, which recently re-elected a moderate president, while schmoozing in autocratic Saudi Arabia, whence came 15 of the 19 Sept. 11 terrorists.

Other-awareness has never been Trump's strong suit, especially as concerns his wife, Melania, who forever-famously appeared to flick away the president's hand when he reached toward her, seemingly trying to mimic Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was holding his own wife's hand.

Captured on film, it was the flick (or slap?) seen 'round the world  and in many cases, cheered. In that instant, the first lady became every American woman who donned a pink-kitten hat to protest the then-new president  and cemented her status as star of the show: "Melania of Arabia, High Priestess of the Testosterone-Intoxicated, Tiny-Hands Revue." Or something like that.

All politics aside  Melania and Ivanka Trump stood as beacons of light in a part of the world that remains cloaked in the darkness of religious fundamentalism and oppression. Preternaturally beautiful, they seemed to glide as apparitions above the sea of dark suits and white robes and must have struck fear in the hearts of men whose culture demands that women be publicly invisible.

Yes, they were relegated to traditional role-playing in Saudi Arabia. Some might have wished they'd had more significant roles, though surely Melania and Ivanka were grateful to be excluded from the all-guy Toby Keith concert. Otherwise, the importance of adhering to protocol can't be exaggerated in diplomatic relations.

Many also noted that Melania declined to cover her head, which isn't required of visiting dignitaries. Nor is going bare-headed considered insulting despite citizen Trump's tweet criticizing Michelle Obama when she chose to leave her head uncovered. For the record, Laura Bush didn't cover her head either while in Saudi Arabia 10 years ago, despite breathless headlines to the contrary. Both Greta Van Susteren and I were present and can attest that Bush only briefly donned a black scarf festooned with pink ribbons as a gesture of gratitude for the gift. It came from Saudi women showing their appreciation for the first lady's efforts to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention and treatment in the Middle East, where, at the time, 80 percent of women with breast cancer died of the disease.

It is true that Western women are encouraged to dress modestly, as Melania and Ivanka did. It helps that both are beautiful and have fathomless wardrobe budgets. Despite their apparent ornamentalism, there's little doubt both women made a lasting impression on Saudi women, who would have recognized and identified with their feminine power. Wordlessly, they projected strength, intelligence, grace  and a timeless wisdom that all women share.

This was also the impression of a Palm Beach image consultant I interviewed here, Susan Bigsby, who for 30 years has dressed an elite, diverse clientele from a transgender executive to first ladies to a Syrian Muslim seeking to Westernize her wardrobe with attention to her cultural modesty. Following the petite Bigsby up and down Worth Avenue as she shopped for a client was like tracking a hummingbird on a sugar spree.

"Perfect and stunning," she said of Ivanka and Melania. "Muslim women, while respecting their religion, also love glamour. You can be sure they were studying  and appreciating  Melania and Ivanka. ... They represented the American woman with appropriateness, elegance and style."

Thus, as your long-suffering Palm Beach correspondent, I propose a toast to America's first ladies for showing the world that despite our coarse, ham-fisted president, we have not completely forsaken class.
The (Champaign) News-Gazette

The state of Illinois recently signed a $2.4 million, five-year contract to store old records from the Department of Human Resources. That's a lot of money to pay for temporary storage when, as critics have pointed out, the state could simply have bought the former furniture store building for $750,000.

Further complicating the plot is the entity that won the contract, an apparent sole bidder identified as Chicago-based Climate Controlled Holdings. It has links to Illinois' onetime King of Clout, Bill Cellini of Springfield. Over the years, Cellini turned himself from humble public servant to multimillionaire through the business deals he arranged on the strength of his political connections and capacity to raise money for both Democrats and Republicans.

Cellini's luck eventually ran out. He was convicted on a corruption charge in one of the Blagojevich-era scandals and sent to prison. The Cellini tie comes through a son-in-law, one of the building's owners.

State officials insist there are no improprieties in the leasing arrangements, that it's a straight-up deal that went through the traditional process and was completed without any undue influence from anyone.

Democratic state Controller Susana Mendoza has stopped payments for the building's lease, at best a temporary move if this deal passes legal muster.

Clearly, there are more questions than answers. That's why a hard look at what happened and why is required.

The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan

The terms 50-year and 100-year flood have become obsolete.

We, southern Illinoisans, are now dealing with annual flooding.

That's really not hyperbole. After torrential rains doused southern Illinois earlier this month, both the Big Muddy and the Mississippi rivers posted near-record crests. The Big Muddy crested at 40.5 feet, just below the record set in 2011. The Mississippi crested at 45.99 feet, the sixth highest level on record; the record was set last year.

During 2011, a levee in Missouri was purposely breached in order to save Cairo from devastating floods.

So, for those keeping score at home, that would be four 100-year floods in the past six years.

And, that's just the west side of our region.

Let's not forget the 2011 Ohio River flood that submerged most of Gallatin County.

The National Climate Assessment compiled in 2014 indicates precipitation has increased by about 20 percent in the past century. The rainfall that drenched the region this spring certainly verifies that data.

The federal government has to decide whether to rebuild the levees, or to purchase the land adjacent to the rivers and re-establish the historic flood plain. The latter is something area residents don't want to hear  neither do we.

On the other hand, given the severe nature of the annual flooding, the status quo is no longer acceptable.
FORT YATES, N.D.  Nine people are campaigning to unseat Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault.

Archambault became a national public figure during protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline. He tells The Bismarck Tribune that he didn't plan to seek re-election, but a number of people urged him to reconsider.

Several candidates say the pipeline protest movement raised awareness of tribal issues, and they hope to build on that momentum.

It's not unusual for tribal chairman races to have a large number of candidates. The top three vote-getters in a July 19 primary will move on to the general election in September.
SPRINGFIELD  Illinois House Democrats tried to digest some unpalatable budget choices Monday, chewing on a Senate proposal with $5 billion in new taxes and some questionable savings that some members think the taxes won't cover.

Leading Democrats wouldn't commit to a 32 percent personal income-tax rate increase, but they voiced doubts about some of the savings from spending reductions that are part of the $37.3 billion measure the Senate endorsed last week.

"We're looking at whether there are alternative revenues but also whether there are additional cuts," said Assistant Democratic Leader Jay Hoffman of Swansea. "Those are very difficult decisions."

The House Revenue Committee ended the day by advancing legislation that would increase the personal income tax rate from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent and broaden the sales tax base to include a smattering of services, from dry cleaning to tattoos, with two days remaining in the spring session. Republican Rep. David McSweeney of Barrington Hills complained the tax hike would hurt small businesses and families.

"What do you think inaction is going to do?" asked the bill's sponsor, Rep. Will Davis, a Homewood Democrat.

Illinois, which hasn't had an annual budget since summer 2015, is running a deficit of as much as $6 billion and sitting on $14.5 billion in overdue bills. Senate Democrats approved a plan without Republican support that not only raises income and sales taxes, but reduces spending by $3 billion.

But those spending reductions include $1.25 billion in savings from a less-generous pension program for new employees and $450 million saved on state employee health insurance that relies on GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner reaching agreement on those changes. Hoffman also questions the amount of money expected to be collected from expanded casino gambling.

While little was said about the budget in public debate, the floor was rife with action as the House approved automatic voter registration, state purchasing improvements, a measure to protect immigrants who are in the country illegally from detention and deportation, and a tougher sentencing structure for repeat gun offenders.

Democrats continued their yearslong criticism of legislative Republicans and the governor. Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat, suggested the General Assembly could approve a balanced budget if Rauner would "finally decide to enter the room like an adult and do the job he was elected to do."

Eleni Demertzis, spokeswoman for Rauner, said the governor's chief of staff has offered to meet individually with Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie of Chicago but that Currie has refused. Currie said she has told the governor's staff she wants to bring along other representatives assigned to the task of negotiating with the governor.

Demertzis did offer some credit to the House for one change Rauner seeks. The House endorsed streamlined state purchasing to guard against abuses but make it easier for vendors to sell their wares and services. The legislation by Democratic Rep. Al Riley of Olympia Fields is returning to the Senate for concurrence.

The "TRUST Act," which advocates say protects immigrants who are in the country illegally from federal harassment, was approved in the House 62-49. It prohibits federal officials from pursuing immigrants without a criminal warrant.

"These are people who live here, pay taxes here, and help us lift up the Illinois economy," Welch said of the measure, which goes back to the Senate.

Another automatic voter registration measure got a House OK after a similar measure last year was vetoed by Rauner over voter fraud concerns. The plan would automatically register eligible people when they visit the offices of one of several state agencies. Rep. Robyn Gable, an Evanston Democrat, said it would modernize the registration system and increase voter participation.

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs led passage on a 70-41 vote of legislation to stiffen penalties for repeat drug offenders to address Chicago violence. It includes a diversion program for young first-time offenders and reduces sentences for certain drug offenses.

The bills are SB8 , SB9 , SB31 , SB1722 and SB1933 .
In an effort to deflect accusations that his patriarchal teachings give shield to abuse, Wilson has been writing a series of letters to Gabrielle, a fictional survivor of sexual abuse perpetrated by her father. In one of the most recent installments, Wilson gives Gabrielle advice on handling relationships during college. His advice included this cringeworthy passage:

Whether or not you feel that way on any given day, you are a beautiful girl. And others will notice this, whether or not you are noticing it. Boys will start coming around. Andhere is the Dutch uncle partyou have to recognize that when young men are singling you out, paying you focused attention, one of two things is happening. I am not talking about if a guy says hi to you in passing, or if another guy holds a door for you going into the Student Union. I am talking about if he is paying you guy/girl attention. Either he is trying to figure out a way of getting you into bed dishonorably, or he is trying to figure out how to do it honorably.

Ive seen this same basic idea suggested over and over and over again. Indeed, I heard it growing upI was told that boys are only interested in one thing before I even knew what that one thing was. Believe me, it was confusing! It also does not reflect my experience in college, or with my husband.

Sure, there are one-night stands where the physical attractiveness of the other party is ostensibly the only factor of importance. But relationships typically involve far more than sex. Theyre based on shared interests, compatibility, life goals, and so forth. I initially got to know my now-husband through long discussions of politics and religion during college. We were both intellectual, and never seemed to run out of subject matter. Would Wilson seriously suggest that all of this was simply an elaborate pretext to bed me?

Evangelicals often decry the sex obsessed world, but frankly, theyre the most sex obsessed group Ive ever come in contact with. The sex drive is, yes, strong and important and not to be discounted. But men and women are capable of approaching each other as people, and not simply as objects of sexual desire. Not all men are as shallow as those Wilson has had the misfortune of knowing.

Growing up, I was told not only that boys only think about one thing, but also that once they got what they were after, theyd leave. If I wanted a guy to marry me, and not just hang around for the benefits and then take off, I had to withhold sex until marriage. It wasnt until years later that I realized how horrifying this line of thought iswho would want to be married to a man who only married her so that he could get under her skirt? And what kind of message does that send about relationships?

Promoters of abstinence frequently speak about pheromones. The idea is that unmarried couples who are having sex with each other are in some sense bonded. When I was engaged to my now-husband, my disapproving parents told me I was incapable of making a good decision because I was blinded by love, but what they really meant was lust. It wasnt that they thought I was having sex, it was that they believed I was blinded by my feelings. What is the solution, then? Arranged marriage?

My sister approached me, years ago, asking me if I didnt think that early marriage (say, age 18, 19) was perhaps a good idea, because waiting to have sex until marriage was otherwise so difficult and impractical. At the time, I rather agreed with herit made sense. Today, all I can think about are the negative consequences of this obsession with sex and love affair with abstinence.

If young people are likely to make unwise decisions about love and marriage due to their hormonesand if bedding girls is really is the only thing guys are thinking about when they approach them romanticallydoesnt it make more sense to allow premarital sex and encourage young people to put off their decisions about marriage until they find someone they want to marry for reasons of companionship, support, and shared interests and purpose, rather than sex?

What a toxic soup.

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Patna: Heads were exploding on both sides of the aisle in Bihar when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar chose to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was hosting the Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth in Delhi, over a luncheon invitation from the Congress Party, a partner in the Grand Alliance in Bihar, sending all sorts of signals to people who now feel uncertain about the future of the Mahagathbandhan in the state.

Kumar on Sunday sought to clarify the confusion that he himself created by saying he had already met with Congress President Sonia Gandhi earlier on the issue of Presidential candidate and hence felt no need to attend the meeting again whereas as a Bihari and the Chief Minister of Bihar, it was his duty to meet with the Mauritius Prime Minister whose ancestors, like most Mauritians, hailed from Bihar.

Leaders from seventeen parties, including Sharad Yadav of Janata Dal  U, attended the meeting hosted by Sonia Gandhi on Friday. Though the agenda was to arrive at a consensus on the name of the Presidential candidate following the retirement of incumbent President Pranab Mukherjee, the future of the Grand Alliance in Bihar was very much on everyone's mind after Kumar decided to give the meeting a ditch.

Speculations were rife on Saturday when pundits clamored to read the tea leaves trying to make something out of Kumar-Modi meeting.

With Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family mired in one financial scandal after another, the word is that Kumar is seeking a way out of the RJD-JDU-Congress dalliance that is under fire from all sides. His recent praise of the Prime Minister over demonetization has only helped fuel the fire within the Mahagathbandhan creating a sense of uneasiness in the government.

"People are reading too much into my meeting with Modi. It was my duty to meet with the Mauritius Prime Minister whose ancestors came from Bihar. This is for a better social and cultural relationship between Bihar and Mauritius that have many things in common," the Chief Minister said.

Kumar said that Congress leader Ahmed Patel had called him a week ago to invite him for a luncheon meeting in Delhi but he told him he would not be able to make it since he had already accepted to meet with the Prime Minister who was hosting the Prime Minister of Mauritius.

"That is the reason I asked senior party leader Sharad Yadav to attend the Congress-sponsored meeting," he said.
BELT  Search teams have located two girls who were reported missing when they failed to return from a hike in Sluice Boxes State Park about 30 miles southeast of Great Falls.

Cascade County Sheriff Bob Edwards said the girls, ages 14 and 16, were dropped off in the upper area of the park by family on Monday. They were reported missing just before 9 p.m. Monday when they did not meet family in the park's lower parking area.

Edwards said a Malmstrom Air Force Base helicopter crew located the girls on a ledge on Tuesday morning. Edwards said deputies were being airlifted into the area to help with the rescue.

He did not yet know if they were injured or how they ended up on the ledge.

Edwards has not released their names.
Iran, Russia seal oil-for-goods barter deal: Report

05/27/17

Source: Press TV

Iran has reportedly signed an agreement with Russia under which it will sell crude oil to Russia in exchange for products. The announcement was made by Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh, as reported by Russia's RIA and TASS news agencies.



Source: Iran News daily



"The deal has been concluded. We are just waiting for the implementation from the Russian side. We have no difficulties; we signed the contract, everything is coordinated between the parties. We are waiting for Russian oil companies to send tankers," he said.



Iran's Ministry of Petroleum is yet to officially confirm the report by the Russian media.



The agreement was initially reached in 2014 when Iran was under Western sanctions over its nuclear program.



Russian traders were to participate in the selling of Iranian oil. In exchange, Iran wanted essential goods and technology from Russia.



When the sanctions against Tehran were lifted in 2016, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said the deal was no longer necessary.



However, Novak said in March 2017that the plan was back on the table with Russia buying 100,000 barrels per day from Iran and selling the country $45 billion worth of goods, Russia Today said in a report on its website.



Novak had announced in February that Russia's state trading enterprise Promsirieimport has been authorized by the government to carry out the purchase of Iran's oil through the oil-for-goods program under study by both countries.



To the same effect, Zanganeh had been quoted by the media as saying that Iran would be paid in cash for half of the oil that would be sold to Russia. The due payments for the remaining half would be made in goods and services, the Iranian minister had said.
Iran Continues Deporting Undocumented Afghan Refugees

05/30/17

By Noor Zahid and Mehdi Jedinia, VOA

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 Iran's target of sending 600,000 back to Afghanistan by the end of the year.





A stranger called Afghan!

Afghan immigrants in Tehran



"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 Nirmorz's 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 Year's Day was 127,935 through May 13.

Rights violations charged

While many Afghans have been allowed to go to Iran for jobs that Iranians don't 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 Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard forces in support of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Iran's 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.
"Cold Breath" by Iranian director Abbas Raziji crowned best at Connecticut film festival

05/30/17

Source: Tehran Times

Iranian director Abbas Raziji's "Cold Breath" won the best film award at the Second Ridgefield Independent Film Festival (RIFF), which was held in the state of Connecticut in the U.S. from May 19 to 21.



Cold Breath



"What Children Do" by Dean Peterson from the U.S. received the Grand Jury Prize, while "The Ides of Childhood" co-directed by Sudeshna Sharma and Samar Salam from India was named the best documentary.



In addition, Iranian films "The Descendants" by Yaser Talebi and "Cradle" by Zaniar Lotfi went on screen during the festival.



Cold Breath (2017), 1h 24min | Drama, Family



Storyline: Maryam have been past thirty. The woman who borne as a girl but...she passed her puberty like a boy and in the way of love and subsistence she tried hard her every day just like a male... Maryam have been past thirty. The woman who borne as a girl but...she passed her puberty like a boy and in the way of love and subsistence she tried hard her every day just like a male...

Director: Abbas Raziji

Writer: Abbas Raziji

Stars: Bita Baadraan, Kimia Mollaee, Majid Mozaffari
Snapfish is the last remaining member of the 9-cent-per-photo club, making it the cheapest way to turn your digital pictures into touchable keepsakes. Along with Shutterfly, its one of the better-known online photo printers around. Both are owned by the same company, though they remain separate businesses. Snapfish is not only less expensive than most other photo printing services, but it also produces excellent image quality and uses a modern web interface. It's a PCMag Editors' Choice winner for value among photo printing services.

How Much Do Snapfish Prints Cost?

As noted, Snapfish's per-print price starts at a mere 9 cents for a 4-by-6-inch print. Snapfish offers pickup at CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart, in which case the price is higher (33 cents at the drugstores and 25 cents at the big-box locations). With the in-store option, you're getting the printing capabilities of those stores, which may vary.

(Credit: Snapfish)

By comparison, Shutterfly charges 15 cents per 4-by-6 print. More premium services charge around 30 cents, with Nations' 32 cents at the top among mail-order printers. Snapfish 5-by-7s are only 69 cents. That's a good deal, but the service's 8-by-10 price of $2.99 is in the middle of the range for that size.

Gifts and Cards

Beyond standard photo printing, Snapfish lets you print your pictures on a panoply of other objects, including books, cards, calendars, home decor (pillows, blankets), puzzles, playing cards, and iPhone cases. Shutterfly's selection is a bit wider, though, adding plates and shower curtains, for example.

For holiday cards, Snapfish offers a huge selection of designs1,846 in allwith prices starting at just $1 for a flat 5-by-7 card and $2.45 for folding cards. You can also choose premium options like foil printing and scalloped edges.

You can start using Snapfish before you even create an online account (simply by entering your name, email address, and a password), but I recommend setting up your account before you get too far, so that you can keep track of your orders. Fortunately, you don't have to enter credit card details to create an account. Snapfish lets you check out with PayPal, which spares you from having to pull out your credit card and input all those digits.

Working With Your Photos

Snapfish's interface is more modern and, well, snappy, than Shutterfly's and Nations Photo Lab's. It's pretty much the same interface used by CVS Photo. Starting your order is clear and simple. You upload image files or choose the printed product type and then upload. You can not only upload photos directly from your computer, but also import them from Facebook, Google, and Instagram accounts.

The upload process is fast and painless. An Upload Preferences checkbox in the lower-right corner lets you choose whether to apply automatic red-eye correction and color correction. It also has Standard Resolution selected by defaultId suggest changing it to Full Resolution if you want the best quality prints.

(Credit: PCMag)

Note that Snapfish only lets you upload JPG/JPEG, PNG, and HEIC file formatsno TIFFs. That's standard for consumer photo printing services, though some of the services I tested, including York Photo Labs and Nations Photo Lab, do support the TIFF format. York's 40MB file size limit is a problem with TIFF files, however, which can easily be larger. Snapfish is more generous here, allowing file sizes up to 150MB, and up to 100 megapixels. That means it can't handle a 108-megapixel shot from my Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. For support for that large size, look to Mpix or Target Photo. Snapfish supports drag-and-drop from Windows File Explorer or macOS Finder to the upload window.

Mpix and Nations charge extra for human-powered color correction, but the only option in Snapfish is the automated color correction on the Edit page (see below). The ordering page tells you which photos fit best on a 4-by-5.3-inch print because of the camera's aspect ratio of 4:3 (used by smartphones) instead of 3:2 (used by most digital cameras), marking them with an orange Best Fit label. You can change the preselected best fits sizes to any of the other options.

(Credit: PCMag)

Once you have your photos uploaded to Snapfish, you're in for a treat. You get basic editingsuch as brightness, contrast, and croppingwhich not all services offer. There's no slider for adjusting shadows, but one of the three autocorrect switches, Fill Flash, addresses that. The other two are Auto Contrast and Color Correction, the latter of which didn't cool down an overly warm image but only pumped up color saturation and brightness in my testing. You also get a few monochromatic filters, though nowhere near as many choices as Instagram and dedicated photo applications offer. You can crop in, but not extend a crop to create a border, say, if part of your image is cut off because of the aspect ratio.

(Credit: PCMag)

As mentioned, for some orders, Snapfish lets you get your photos by picking them up at a nearby CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart. Mail was the only option for my test order, however, because of the print sizes I chose. If you can wait a few days, I recommend going the mail route in any case, since the equipment and staff at local stores may not be as good as what's at the lab location.

At checkout, the site proposes that you add a collage print of the ordered photos for $3.49. Pre-checkout upsells are getting annoyingly more common lately, but some may like the suggested products. The lowest shipping option was $4.89 for my test order of 20 4-by-6s, two 8-by-10s, one 5-by7, and one 4-by-4 print, with a delivery estimate of two weeks. An $8.39 option chopped a week off that wait time. Those delivery rates are better than you find in most services. You can check out with PayPal to save a bunch of credit card number entry keystrokes.

(Credit: PCMag)

In addition to the web interface, Snapfish offers an excellent mobile app that lets you select multiple sizes for an image. It also features editing and sharing, just like the web interface. You do need to sign into an account to edit and order, though. Walgreens' app surprised me in letting me order prints without any form of accountall I had to do was enter an email address. Shutterfly's app doesn't let you do anything without signing into an account, doesn't have any image editing, and makes ordering multiple print sizes harder. But that service does offer free online, shareable photo sites for its users.

The Photo Printing Results

Packaging comparison clockwise from top left: Nations Photo Labs, Printique, Mpix, Target Photo, Snapfish, Walmart Photo, Amazon Photos. (Credit: PCMag)

Snapfish's packaging isnt anything to write home about, especially compared with the high-end services hard cardboard boxes. My Snapfish test order arrived in a standard express mail cardboard envelope. Still, the photos are impressive in terms of color and sharpness. In fact, my Snapfish test photos are significantly better than the Amazon Print pictures, some of which are oversaturated and washed out.

(Credit: PCMag)

In the city scene above (Albany, NY State Capitol), you may notice that Snapfish's result is sharper than the Amazon picture, and there's no artificially blue-looking oversaturated sky like that of the CVS print. Its nearly identical to the Target Photo print, though that service charges a bit more and doesnt package the photos as well.

(Credit: PCMag)

In the portrait example above, Snapfish beats out some far more expensive services: Details are clearer than those in the Mpix and Printique prints, and Snapfishs color rendering is way ahead of Amazon or CVS. Its also sharper than both Amazon and Walmart.

My Snapfish test photos came printed on paper with an in-house SnapFish watermark on the back; the service used to use Fujicolor Crystal Archive. Whether or not thats still the paper used by the service, the results dont suffer a bit with the change. Printique, Mpix and Nations Photo Lab use Kodak Professional Endura paper, long-lasting professional-grade media.

Snapfish Is a Good Catch

You might think there's no difference among cheap online photo print ordering services, but the differences are striking. Snapfish not only uses a more modern and powerful web interface, but it also delivers better-looking images at the lowest price point of any service we tested. For value and website design, Snapfish earns our top recommendation. It's a PCMag Editors' Choice winner for value photo printing services. The more expensive Nations Photo Lab is our Editors' Choice pick for premium photo printing services, offering the highest-quality prints and among the sturdiest packaging. Among services that offer quick local pickup of your photos, CVS Photo is our Editors Choice selection.

Snapfish 4.0 Editors' Choice (Opens in a new window) Check Price (Opens in a new window) Pros Low prices

Excellent image quality

Well-designed, fast, modern web interface

Solid editing tools

Tons of print surface options, including mugs, blankets, and much more

Online gallery sharing View More Cons Average shipment packaging

Lacks TIFF and high-megapixel file support The Bottom Line Snapfish offers surprisingly good image quality in the most affordable prints youll find anywhere. It sports a slick, modern website and a broad selection of photo gift options.
Dells Inspiron 27 7000 may be just the thing to convince some PC enthusiasts to give up their traditional desktop systems. Announced Tuesday at Computex in Taipei, this All-in-One PC sheds the form factors watered-down, locked-down reputation with powerful all-AMD hardwareincluding Ryzen CPUs, a first for AiOs. Surprisingly, its ready to be upgraded in the future, too.

Its been years since weve seen an-all AMD system from OEM vendors. Ryzens buzz in the DIY space and Polariss rock-steady performance have made it a reality once again.

Inspiron 27 7000 prices start at $1,000 for a 4-core Ryzen 5 1400 processor and a 4GB Radeon RX 560 GPU. The graphics are basic, but you could expect to play most AAA games at 30 fps on High or at 60 fps on Medium with this set of hardware.

If you want more oomph, a $1,300 combo with an 8-core Ryzen 7 1700 processor and 8GB Radeon RX 580 GPU will give you flawless 1080p gaming, a pretty damn good 1440p experience, and even full support for VR. Finally, opting for a $1,500 configuration upgrades the IPS display from 1080p to 4K HDRthough dont expect the RX 580 to bring its A-game at that resolution. Youll still want to stick to 1080p when you load Doom.

Dell

Aside from Ryzen, the Inspiron 27 7000s other standout feature is its upgradabilitya nearly unheard-of characteristic for AiOs. Dell keeps it simple, too: Its just two screws to access the storage, and three more to get at the motherboard.

Thats right: You can upgrade your CPU. If you start with a Ryzen 5 configuration and want to upgrade to a chip with more cores or one thats just newer (or both), the options on the table. AMDs pledged to support the AM4 motherboard platform through at least 2020, so in theory, you could wait a few years and transform this AIO into a more modern rig just by dropping in a new CPU.

Storage upgrades are similarly flexible. This Inspiron supports dual drives, so with both a 2.5-inch bay and a M.2 PCIe-NVMe slot available, you could start with Dells most basic option (a 1TB, 5400rpm drive) and upgrade later. That strategy would bypass the current high prices on SSDs and allow you to snag one when supply goes back up and good sales are plentiful once more.

Dell

You wont, however, be able to upgrade your way to Thunderbolt 3 support. Strangely, Dell doesnt include it in this AiO, despite all the other exciting hardware. Instead, its port selection is rather tame: one USB 3.1 Type C port, four USB 3.1 Type A, two USB 2.0, HDMI-in, HDMI-out, an SD card reader, an ethernet jack, and a headset jack.

Eye-catching details

The Inspirons 27-inch screen may not be as attention-grabbing as its hardware or upgradability, but theres plenty to likeespecially if you have cash to burn. Its an InfinityEdge display, so like Dells XPS laptops, the bezel framing the screen is extremely narrow, making this AIO look more compact. The matte coating means you can place the Inspiron just about anywhere without having to bother about glare. And of course, you have the option to upgrade to a high-dynamic-range 4K panel that supports stunningly gorgeous HDR10 content.

Blame the bezel design, however, for the integrated IR webcams awkward placement along the bottom edge of the screen. Were already experienced the unflattering angle this creates when using the similarly placed camera on the slim-bezel Dell XPS 13. Dell defends the decision by noting that the camera sits about two inches higher than on the XPS 13, as well as farther back compared to where youd position the XPS 13 laptop. Whether that means youll look better during video calls remains to be seen, howeverI wasnt shown the webcam in action during our demo.

Dell

Dell also justifies the cameras positioning as part of its Windows Hello support. The Inspiron 27 7000 lets you sign in using Hello at all times. With AiOs such as the HP Envy Curved All-in-One 34, which use a pop-up camera, facial recognition sign-in works only when the camera is popped out. If the webcam turns out to be a bust, however, itll be a minor disappointment easily fixed by buying an external IR camera.

We rarely see a system that successfully combines the best of AIOs and traditional desktops like the Inspiron 27 7000. Typically, attempting to service these sleek machines voids the warranty, or requires investing in a serious enthusiast system like Origins PC Omni. The Inspiron 27 7000 should offer a lot of performance at an affordable price, while still allowing for some upgrades down the roadand keeping your desk free of clutter and cables.
The Executive Secretary of the Ghana Real Estates Developers Association (GREDA), Mr. Samuel Amegayibor, has projected that the total housing shortage in the country will hit 5.7 million by the year 2020.



Figures from the Ghana Statistical Service indicate a deficit of 1.7 million housing units, which is projected to hit about two million even before 2020, he told Business Day Ghana at a Real Estate forum organized by the Canada-Ghana Chamber of Commerce in Accra.



According to Mr. Amegayibor, the country needs to provide in excess of 100,000 housing units annually to meet the current demand.



If we could do anything better to the current demand, we should be doing about 70,000. Were supplying now between 35,000 to 40,000, which is projected to rise to about 90,000 units per year. We will need to provide in excess of 100,000 units annually to meet this demand, he explained.



The Executive Secretary of GREDA revealed that currently, about 50% of Ghanas population live in sub-standard houses.



All the houses that you see by the standards for relieve for human beings to live in are not up to the task. We havent reached there as a country. If you go to places like Abeka Lapaz, Chantan and McCarthy Hill, all the houses you see there are just houses but they dont fit the standard for living. It hasnt gotten there yet. So you can imagine how life will be for those living there, he noted.



Mr. Amegayibor added that the required investment to meet annual demand of the housing deficit is about 1.8 billion to 2.5 billion dollars each year for the next ten years.



The current annual output is estimated at 40,000 dollars and up to 90% of these housing units are built by private individuals on incremental bases. It is not supplied by any estate developers.



Private real estate developers provide just about 3 to 5 percent of the number of houses churned out every year. This is woefully inadequate, he asserted.



The executive secretary observed that real estate developers own about 2500 to 3000 houses a year, with direct labour of about 10 to 15 percent per house.



The Industry creates about 30,000 to 40,000 jobs every year. That is one thing I dont understand why politicians cannot solve their unemployment problem with this sector, he opined.



Mr. Amegayibor said between the year 2000 and 2010, Ghanas population increased from 18.9 million to 24 million and it is projected to reach 28 million by the end of 2017.



With an average national population growth rate of 2.5%, the most populous rate is in Accra and Kumasi. The two cities together add up to about 60% of the national population, growing at a rate of 3.1 and 2.7 respectively, he mentioned.



The Marketing Director of Lakeside Estate, Mr. Lawrence De-Souza, indicated that land litigation ranks first in the number of cases pending at the courts.



The problem may be due to greed, ethnic conflict, misunderstanding, mismanagement and lack of education among others.







Source: Business Day









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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Government has made known its resolve to put Ghana ahead of Mauritius on the World Banks Ease of Doing Business ranking within the next three years.



Speaking to The Finder on the side of the launch of the Business Regulatory Strategy to steer Ghana to that feat, Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, said Ghana could even overtake the Indian Ocean Island State well before the three years if it [Ghana] is able to implement reforms in four key areas of its economy.



The reform areas are: starting a business, access to electricity, dealing with construction permits, and trading across borders. The reforms are meant to omit all bottlenecks within these areas.



For us to be able to be number 1 in Africa, that will take the three-year strategy that we are looking at. It may happen in the first, second or third year but the important thing to note is that, once the strategy has been launched if we are able to put the reforms in place to make sure they actually work then gradually we will be moving closer, Mr Kyerematen assured.



It doesnt happen overnight, he added.



In the latest Ease of Doing Business Report for 2016, Mauritius came first as the best place for doing business in Africa and 46 among 190 countries globally while Ghana placed ninth in Africa after Lesotho and Zambia and 108 in the world.



In that report, Ghana recorded its biggest jump in the area of trading across borders, going up by 13 places to 167 out of the 190 countries ranked.



It also went up by three places to 76 on the resolving insolvency indicator and two places to 122 when it comes to getting access to electricity for businesses.



The country, however, did not do so well, in the time taken to start a business, as it went down by seven places to 103 and dealing with contracts permit also went down by five places to 112.



In the category of facilitating easy mode for firms to pay taxes, Ghana was ranked 119 after going down by three places and for easy access to a credit, Ghana went down by two places to 44.



The Trade Minister said improving Ghanas business environment forms part of governments industrial transformation programme, thus government will not rest on its oars on making Ghana a business-friendly country on the African continent.



Government has a very ambitious and comprehensive programme on industrial transformation. This is all targeted at making Ghana the most business-friendly country in the whole of Africa, he noted.



He added that: We are doing this because the number one development priority of government is to create jobs, and we believe that it is through industrial transformation that we can create jobs.







Source: The Finder









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 ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government will tomorrow 17th May open to public use the newly renovated Greater Accra Regional Hospital formerly Ridge Hospital which was constructed by the previous government led by former president John Dramani Mahama.



A statement from the health ministry signed by its head of public relations Robert Cudjoe inviting journalists to cover the ceremony for the opening of the facility to public use noted that new clinical services will also be introduced.



The 620-bed capacity hospital was financed by Government of Ghana with support from the Exim and HSBC Bank at an estimated of 250 million US dollars.



The cost of the hospital construction dominated headlines in the run up to the 2016 presidential and parliamentary election when the then opposition leader Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo now president of Ghana attacked the then NDC government of inflating the cost of the project.



The then NPP presidential candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his real state of the nation address delivered in February 2015 accused former president Mahama and his NDC government of inflating the cost of the project by $142 million dollars.



His accusation was challenged by the then NDC government as well as Crown Agents Ghana Limited, the company contracted to conduct the Value for Money Assessment, on the project that made a recommendation that the total contract price for the project was rather reduced by $142 million.



The construction of the hospital is in two phases, Ex- president John Mahama commissioned the first phase in November 2016 and the second phase is expected to be completed by next year, 2018.



Apart from it world-class medical facilities, the ridge hospital now known as the Greater Accra regional hospital also has delivery suites, maternity wards, intensive care units and other modern facilities.

Source: radiogold905.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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President Akufo-Addo, appears unmoved by accusations that he is not looking beyond family and friends in appointing people into his government.



Last week as the President was introducing his cousin, Sophia Akuffo to Ghanaians as the incoming Justice Chief, Daniel Akuffo, junior brother of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Gloria Akuffo, was also being endorsed to join the government as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Shai-Osudoku District in the Greater Accra Region.



Both Daniel and Gloria, are first cousins of President Akufo-Addo, from Akropong-Akuapim in the Eastern Region. Their mother is from Shai-Osudoku.



Daniels appointment, has angered many people in the Shai-Osudoku area. They preferred Stephen Nene Oyortey as their DCE.



Ahead of the nomination of Daniel Akuffo, the youth in the Shai-Osudoku District, had appealed to President Akufo-Addo to consider appointing Stephen Nene Oyortey as the DCE.



Mr Oyortey, who is an Assembly Member for the Adaam Electoral area, is also the New Patriotic Partys (NPP) Youth Organiser for the Shai-Osoduko Constituency and the 2016 NPP parliamentary candidate for the area.



The Youth led by Abraham Akunor Kornor and Mr Franklin Ocloo, NPP deputy youth organizer and chairman for NPP polling station executive respectively in the constituency, had told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that Oyortey stood tall among the four candidates, including Daniel Akuffo, Fred Ofei and Noah Awartey, who were vying for the position.



According to the youth, Mr. Oyortey, was the best person for the job, as he had plans to work with stakeholders, especially the traditional authorities to develop the District.



Health wise, they indicated that, Mr Oyortey, had promised to develop an all-inclusive health education team for the District to ensure the total well-being of the residents.



They noted that as a measure to improve the district performance in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), series of vacation clinics and mock examinations for Junior High School students, would be initiated to deepen their understanding of their courses, as well as learn how to properly understand and answer questions under his leadership.



They stated that, when nominated and confirmed, Mr Oyortey, would be in a better position to provide the needed vocational and technical training for unemployed youth in the district to enable them earn some income.



According to them, Mr Oyortey, who is an investment banker, would showcase the districts assets on the internet through the use of new digital tools to attract tourists and investments into the area which would lead to the generation of more jobs and revenue for residents.



Despite these brilliant advocacy for the 2016 NPP parliamentary candidate, President Akufo-Addo, opted for his cousin as the DCE for Shai-Osudoku, leaving the youth shellshock and angry.



The list of family members of President Akufo-Addo in his government, keeps bloating by the day.



The incoming Chief Justice, President Akufo-Addo and Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Gloria Akuffo, are cousins.



Others are Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, Works and Housing Minister, Atta Akyea, the Minister for Roads and Highways  Kwesi Amoako Atta, Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo.



The Creative Arts Council also has Gyankroma Akufo-Addo; daughter of President Akufo-Addo as Director. Wife of Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, Ingrid Nana Adjoa Hackaman, was also made a board member of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).

Source: The Herald









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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KALISPELL  A 3-year-old male grizzly bear that had been feeding in yards and pastures in northwestern Montana was captured and released in the Spotted Bear River drainage, just southeast of the southern tip of Hungry Horse Reservoir.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials say the bear was captured on May 23 near Fortine and was released the next day.

Landowners were concerned with the amount of time the bear was spending around homes.

The same bear was captured in Whitefish last August where it was feeding on fruit trees. It was relocated near Frozen Lake on the Canadian border. The bear denned in the northern part of Glacier National Park. However, its GPS collar indicated the bear quickly traveled to the Fortine area, southeast of Eureka, this spring.
Yoofi Grant, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC), says trade relations between Ghana and South Africa have always been in the deficit, with Ghana on the losing side.



The situation, he said, does not auger well for the country and has therefore put measures in place to address the numerous challenges.



Mr. Grant said this at the Ghana Trade and Investment Business seminar organized by the Ghana South Africa Business Chamber (GSABC) and hosted by the Trade and Investment Center of KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN).



Trade relations with our counterparts from South Africa have always been in the deficits, with Ghana loosing, but as the Center repositions itself, we will work hard in addressing all these challenges such as the turnaround time of business registration, among others.



Mr. Grant said areas of key interest to the Ghanas development include energy generation, agric and agro-processing and tourism, among others.



He disclosed that his vision is to promote GIPC as a strategic partner in Ghanas development drive. Towards this effort, the agency will be made a one-stop-shop for investors.



Mr. Grant said his outfit would promote the country as a world-class business investment destination and assist foreign companies to identify new markets for the establishment of their businesses.



He said the development of tools would be in line with the strategy of GIPC to showcase the country to potential investors, adding that it would be in line with the governments policy of one district, one factory.



The organization is dedicated to this objective and to creating an environment in the Province that is conducive to business development and attractive to investors, Mr. Grant said.



Zamo Gwala, CEO, Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TKZN), said his outfit is a South African trade and inward investment promotion agency established to specifically promote the Province of KwaZulu-Natal as a premier investment destination and to facilitate trade by assisting locally-based business enterprises to access international markets.



Lulama Xingwana, South African High Commissioner to Ghana, during the programme, also lauded the efforts of South African businesses in identifying opportunities in Ghana.



She called for further collaboration with Ghanaian businesses to promote intra-Africa trade as envisaged by the founders of both countries.

Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Some Fishermen in Accra are blaming incessant illegal fishing on dishonest practices by some personnel of the Navy whose duty it is to ensure that illegal fishing is stopped.



According to them, the security officials, instead of effecting the arrest of those engaged in illegal fishing, that has become a bane in the fishing industry, rather allegedly collect bribe from the illegal fishermen.



Mr Ayitey Bernard, a leader at the Prampram Landing Beach and a fisherman himself, made this known to the DAILY HERITAGE after spearheading the arrest of some illegal fishermen at sea.



 I am saying this in plain language that the Navy Police are not helping us, they go and take money from those engaging in illegal fishing and return home without effecting any arrest.



These fishermen who are into illegal fishing have money, so when you go, they bribe you and so if the mandate is given to the educated elite, they will continue to destroy our job unless it is given to us the fishermen, because we understand our job.



Let me tell you something. Some of our colleague fishermen give tip-offs to those at sea who engage in light fishing, so any time we set sail to go and arrest them, they hear it and run away. So our task is becoming more and more difficult, he said.



According to him, because of the tip-offs these illegal fishermen get, it makes our work difficult because they prepare to fight us, and if we are not many, it becomes risky, but the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, has been instrumental in this fight.



Flying boats



While acknowledging the governments support, he said we need help. Now if we want the best, unless we get a flying boat that will tour the waters every day.



More arrested



Six more fishermen were on Saturday arrested for engaging in illegal fishing by the fishermen who have been empowered by government through the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, led by Mrs Quaye. The suspects have been detained at the Prampram Police Station, pending further investigations.



Over 200 illegal fishermen who engaged in light fishing and also used carbide and monofilament to harvest fish were recently arrested along some of the landing beaches, notable among them being the Prampram and Nyanyano beaches.



Watchdog Committee



The sector minister had earlier given the assurance that her ministry would do everything possible to stop the practice and her effort resulted in the inauguration of a Watchdog Committee meant to combat illegal fishing by both local and foreign fishermen.



The Fisheries Watchdog Committees, according to the Minister, will be working directly with the Fisheries Enforcement Unit under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, as well as the Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Unit of the Ghana Navy and the Marine Police to ensure that the activities of illegal fishers were brought to a halt.







Source: Daily Heritage









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 16 member team has been set up by the Auditor General (AG), to retrieve monies misappropriated by public officials.



The team will take legal action against persons cited in the AGs reports with a pilot of 2013, 2014 and 2015 cases.



Mr Daniel Domelevo, the AG, disclosed this yesterday at a press organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG) as part of activities to mark this years accountant week celebration.



The AG, who is a council member of ICAG, was answering a question on efforts by the service to retrieve misappropriated funds aside from publishing reports annually.



There have been many calls on government, the law enforcement agencies and the AG, to punish public officials caught in financial malfeasances as well as retrieve monies stolen.



Last Friday, hundreds of Ghanaians, clad in red staged an anti-corruption demonstration in Accra and presented a petition to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to retrieve state funds lost to corruption.



Mr. Domelevo said the team of which he is part had received training from he Judicial Training Institute on various stages of evidence gathering to ensure that cases sent to court were not dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence.



He indicated that it had become evident from public outcry that Ghanaians were no longer interested in the AG's reports but wanted stolen monies retrieved and offenders punished.



This, he said, was in consonance with Article 187(7) of the constitution which mandated the AG to retrieve misappropriated funds.



Mr. Domelevo disclosed that feedback from the team on status of cases revealed that some persons cited in some reports, which he declined to name, had started refunding the monies.



But, he said, the team would confirm the payment of those monies to determine the next line of action.



In an interview with The Ghanaian Times, Mr. Domeevo said the work of the team would not be a duplication of the Attorney General's work indicating that the service would take civil action and leave the criminal part to the Attorney General.



Addressing the press conference earlier, the president of ICAG, Mr. Christian Sottie said the institute would not be spectators to wrongdoings in the country and would continue to do its part in ensuring that state funds were protected.



He said Isaac Assan, the accountant named in the recent financial malfeasance at the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC) was not a member of the institute as speculated.



He said the institute took issues of integrity seriously and would take disciplinary action against members who flouted its ethics including withdrawal of membership.



Mr. Sottie therefore charged members to hold in high esteem the banner of integrity and lead the fight to reduce corruption in the country.



He announced that starting July, ICAG would run its school separate from the secretariat under the name College of Accountancy with a long term intention of making it a fully independent institution.



Activities to mark this year's week celebration dubbed, 'Transformation of Ghana's economy at 60' include a conference and annual general meeting at Ho in the Volta Region.







Source: The Ghanaian Times









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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Investigations into the case involving the two suspects arrested in connection with the murder of the former Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, J.B Danquah, will be re-opened.



This was revealed by the Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, in an interview with Citi News.



The two, Daniel Asiedu and Vincent Bosso, were discharged today [Tuesday], after the State Attorney, Sefakor Batse, announced at an Accra High Court that the trial will not continue.



Speaking to Citi News, the AG explained that, the case was dropped to allow for further investigations into some aspects of it.



The AG clarified that, the suspects will be re-arrested after investigations into the case re-opens.



You will recall that, the case had been tendered before I took office. I had made an undertaking to the people of Ghana that I will look at everything on our desk and this matter is one of those. I have together with my officials here taken a hard look at the docket and we have come to the decision that there are aspects of the matter that require further investigations, and to be able to do that, then we need to discontinue because we cannot reopen investigations when the case is on trial, so what has necessitated the withdrawal by the entering of a nolle prosequoi is to enable us conduct further investigations into aspects of the matter.



How J. B Danquah was killed



The Abuakwa North legislator was on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, stabbed to death at his Shiashie residence in Accra.



Two days after his murder, the then Accra Regional Police Command, led by COP George A. Dampare, arrested a prime suspect, Daniel Asiedu, who allegedly confessed to committing the crime.



Vincent Bosso, was later arrested as having conspired with Aseidu to commit the crime.

Court proceedings.



In the course of the trial, the prosecution tendered in a post-mortem report of the MP, Forensic DNA Report, Blood stained T-shirt of Asiedu, a knife used by Asiedu, the three iPhones of the deceased, Asiedus pair of slippers which he left at the crime scene, his prison records, and radiology report determining his age, his medical report, all as evidence to prosecute him.

Source: citifmonline.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 deputy communications officer of the National Democratic Congress at Tema West, Mr. Eric Arthur, has advised Ghanaians especially media practitioners to move away from the one-sided posture of always tagging politicians as corrupt on air.



His comment were meant to react to Captain Smarts three-month ultimatum to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to prosecute persons found guilty of corruption.



On Friday May 26, 2017, Captain Smart, a presenter with Adom Fm led thousands of residents in Accra to stage a demonstration christened Ye Gye Ye Sika and extended version of his on air show dubbed FAB3WOSO to compel persons alleged to have been cited in various fraudulent deals to be pursued and the monies retrieved.



We are giving EOCO three months within which they must work and investigate persons engaged in acts of corruption who are in the documents we have presented to them, Captain Smart announced while presenting the documents to a representative of EOCO.



But speaking on Okay FMs news segment at ten on Monday, the NDC scribe noted that before stepping out to lead the charge, Captain Smart should have first availed himself to the EOCO to be thoroughly investigated before painting some politicians as corrupt.



There are certainly corrupt people in the NDC and NPP, but some journalists are more corrupt than politicians. Proper investigation must be conducted before some journalists like Captain Smart conclude that politicians are corrupt.



He bemoaned the practice of constantly placing politicians at the receiving end and tagging them as corrupt.



Some journalists like Captain Smart are building houses and buying cars through corrupt practices but are now misleading people to demonstrate against politicians. These set of journalists work within a short time but end up buying properties and insulting others. They must stop tagging others as corrupt and must be seriously purged from calling others corrupt, he said





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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Joan Grande, mother of Ariana Grande, has used a heartfelt statement to offer her assistance to victims of last weeks Manchester Arena blast.

Grande, who reportedly sheltered a group of scared fans backstage immediately after the bombing, writes I join my daughter in extending my help & services to all those affected by the diabolical act of terrorism which occurred in Manchester!

Earlier, Ariana had promised to return to the city to perform a benefit concert, with proceeds going to victims and their families.

The elder Grande writes that her heart goes out to all the victims: those who lost their lives, those injured, those recovering & all survivors of that night, along with the families & friends whose grief knows no bounds.

She also used the occasion of Memorial Day in the U.S. to springboard into heartfelt thanks to those who are & were in service protecting our freedoms every single day.

Greater Manchester Police and national authorities are continuing their investigations into the incident.

Theres also been a recent callout to locate a distinctive suitcase seen in the possession of bomber Salman Abedi, with police interested to assess its contents.

Attack at Manchester Arena update: image released of Abedi carrying a suitcase. Did you see him? pic.twitter.com/KVkuYoYRMv  G M Police (@gmpolice) May 29, 2017



Source: Joan Grande / Twitter.

Photo: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty.
The jury in the current Rolf Harris indecent assault retrial has been discharged this morning, after failing to reach a verdict.

The disgraced writer of such racist classics as Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport faced up to court in London again last week, charged with the indecent assault of three teenage girls at public events in the UK in 1971, 1978 and 1983. He was released from prison earlier this month, having served time for sexually assaulting a number of young girls over nearly two decades from 1968.

Two of the charges were first presented to the court in January this year, with Harris appearing via video-link from Stafford Prison, but the jury were then unable to reach a verdict. At the same time Harris was found not guilty of two counts of indecent assault, and one of sexual assault.

It is alleged that Harris touched a 14-year-old girl between her legs in 1971, squeezed the breast of and ran his hand between the legs of a 16-year-old girl in 1978, and groped the breast of a 13-year-old girl in 1983.

Harris defence rested on the claim that two of the women were making it all up for $$, and that the other was doing it to advance her career as an advocate for sexual abuse victims.

At 2pm on Friday the jury were sent out to deliberate, but after just two hours were sent home for the bank holiday long weekend. They returned today, but remained unable to reach a unanimous decision.

Prosecutors will not seek a second retrial.

Harris has maintained his innocence on all charges against him, including the ones he was convicted of, has never apologised, and has spent his time in prison doing arts and crafts (making toilet roll didgeridoos), and writing songs about his victims that describe them as wenches. Classy.

Source: News.com.au

Photo: Carl Court / Getty
Forget the Big Three, from next year the Deni Ute Muster, the Golden Guitars, and the Bathurst 1000 might have a brand new rural centre mate in the form of the TV Week Logie Awards.

A push being spearheaded by the NSW Government tourism department could wrest the local television industrys night-of-nights away from its long-held home in Melbourne, putting it instead in the heart of the country, Tamworth.

Destination NSW is behind the bold plan that would see the awards head north in 2018 should the proposal be successful, with the option of floating it around to Dubbo and Albury in ensuing years also very much on the cards.

The event, traditionally held at Melbournes Crown Casino, has drawn the ire of critics for not delivering any significant economic boost to Melbourne and Victoria, amid calls that the awards show needs a serious revamping if its to remain viable in the future.

Enter: New South Wales.

Tourism Minister Adam Marshall spoke to The Daily Telegraph, outlining the enormous benefit hosting an event of that magnitude would have for a regional centre like Tamworth.

Were proposing to take the glitz and glamour of the Logies beyond the fringes of the city and out to Tamworth in 2018 and then potentially Dubbo and Albury in 2019 and 2020. The impact of hosting an event of this stature in regional NSW cannot be overlooked and this is no ambit claim  weve done our homework and taking the Logies to the bush represents more than double the value of hosting them in Sydney. These areas have some of the best food, wine, unique tourist attractions and country hospitality that you couldnt find anywhere else in the world. The positive flow-on effects would be felt right across our regions with more heads

on beds, and more tourist dollars ending up in the pockets of local businesspeople.

The bid would put the awards in Tamworth at least for next year. Dubbo and Albury would be assessed as venues after the awards ceremony next year.

Theoretically, holding the event in Tamworth would also have the knock-on effect of having to shift live productions like The Today Show and Sunrise across to the city as well as they load up for their annual post-Logies broadcasts.

Might be time to load up the ute and head on up the road, folks. Theres some awards to give out.

Source: Daily Telegraph.

Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty.
Rebel Wilsons court case against Bauer Media continues to drag on in the Melbourne Supreme Court as her team attempts to prove libel allegations against the publisher.

And with every day the case drags on for, the weirder and weirder the details get.

Earlier the court heard how Wilson is utterly, totally, 100% convinced that she is a relative of Walt Disneys via marriage. Though she has absolutely no physical evidence to prove the link, the claim is nonetheless taken seriously enough by the Disney Corporation to allow her membership to the ultra-exclusive, top-secret Disneyland-based organisation Club 33.

Todays proceedings? Its gotten bloody weirder.

Firstly, it was revealed that Wilson contacted the head of Fairfax Media on a personal favour in an attempt to get a 2002 article about her  one that revealed her age  taken down.

Wilson and Fairfax boss Greg Hywood met while Wilson was performing promotional work for joint Fairfax/Nine-venture Stan. Hywood reportedly mentioned to her to get in touch if she ever needed a favour; a favour that was called in by Wilson when she emailed him requesting the old article be scrubbed.

But it gets strangerer.

The whole case is centred on Bauer Media articles that labelled Wilson a compulsive liar who deliberately covered up her age. Wilson asserts that the articles caused her to be fired from a string of movies.

Throughout the course of this hearing, Wilson has been grilled by lawyers for Bauer accusing her of repeatedly lying about her age to journalists.

Remarkably, today Wilson was confronted about a Buzzfeed article that she retweeted. Not something she tweeted herself. Something someone else had tweeted, and that she had rapped that MFing RT button on instead.

The article in question was entitled 29 Times Rebel Wilson Was The Coolest Person On The Planet; an article that was written in celebration of Rebels 29th birthday. In reality, the star of Pitch Perfect was reportedly turning 35 instead.

Wilson steadfastly denied the retweet (this is in the Supreme Court, mind you) was done to further any supposedly fabricated story about her age, and rather she merely hit the RT button because of the headline and the fact the article had a cute picture as its lead image.

Holy moly. There is a lot to unpack there, and we do not envy the judge having to deal with it.

The case, which is now in its sixth day, continues.

Source: Herald Sun.

Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty.
No one has ever been able to sufficiently explain to me why it was decided that the best person to give advice on the health of the human body was a giraffe but, nonetheless, Healthy Harold played an integral role and nostalgia-tinged role in our childhoods.

I fondly remember seeing Harolds trailer (or one of Harolds many trailers, Im still not sure how that works entirely) parked in the school parking lot at the start of the day and knowing that, for at least a portion of the day, we would get to miss normal classes and sit in an enclosed space and let an ungulate puppet tell us about the food pyramid.

Healthy Harold is the mascot of Life Education, who have been teaching kids in Australia about health and safety for roughly 35 years. Their future might be a bit shaky though, with the revelation that their funding has been discontinued as of the most recent budget.

In a statement released this afternoon, Life Education said that their proposal for a renewed contract had been rejected:

The recent news that our 2017/18 Budget Submission was unsuccessful now finds Life Education defunded by the Australian Government for the first time in literally decades.

With their current contract with the government to finish on July 1, they were (as they always had in the past) relying on the government to fund a new one:

Our 2017/18 Budget Submission was seeking $500,000 pa for 3 years, representing an important contribution to the cost of a range of functions critical to the effective and sustained delivery of the Life Education program to an increasing number of children each year. The Australian Governments defunding decision will require us to materially revise our expectations of what is achievable in the short to medium term. While it will be challenging for us, this cut will be most felt by the many children and their teachers and parents in school communities right across Australia that will now be denied access to our program.

Life Education says they were taken aback by the rejection:

The Australian Government has been a long term provider of funding to Life Education, primarily in support of the work of its National Office. This saw over $500,000 invested in Life Education by the Australian Government in 2016/17. By all accounts the Government was very happy with this investment, particularly the program development work undertaken which better enables us to respond to needs in primary school communities in relation to illicit drugs such as Ice.

Fingers crossed Healthy Harold will be able to continue on in some form despite this setback.

Photo: Canterbury.
DECATUR  The veterans lucky enough to live and grow older gathered Sunday with hundreds of well-wishers to salute the memory of those who died in defense of freedom.

The Korean War Veterans Association 22nd annual Memorial Day Service Monday morning in front of the Korean War Memorial in Decatur's Graceland Cemetery also came at time when nobody is in danger of forgetting the so-called forgotten war.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks today in a series of threats backed up with nuclear bomb and missile tests. It's a stark reminder that the war that ended 64 years ago only paused with a ceasefire and no firm peace treaty. The prosperous democracy that is South Korea was paid for in blood, and those who risked their lives to save it would do so again if they could turn back time.

War is hell any way you want to look at it, but I know if you asked any of us Korean veterans, we would never hesitate a moment to go back and do what we did again if called upon, and if we were young enough to do it, said Orval Mechling, 85, a Navy veteran of the war.

Mechling is first vice president of the Charles Parlier Chapter 24 of the Korean War Veterans Association, and it's the chapter that sponsored Monday's service. Once upon a time they had more than 150 members, faded now to a total of 81 with three members dying in the last few months. Time heals all wounds, but leaves no survivors.

For those that still linger, there are their war memories and a sense of having done something magnificent in the cause of freedom and democracy. Veteran Wayne Semple, 88, says he only has to pull up at a stoplight with his Korean Veteran license plates to soon discover if anyone of Korean ancestry is stopped nearby.

They will just holler at you and wave and yell 'Thank you, thank you,' he recalls with a smile. The South Korean people never forgot us, and they would do anything for us.

The Charles Parlier Chapter is named for the first Macon County man to be killed in the Korean War. Monday's memorial service audience included his son, Richard Dwight Parlier, along with his son's wife Jeanette and their great nephews aged 8, 6 and 1. The family made the trip from their home in Newark, Ohio, to honor the memory of a brave man who died before his only son had the chance to know him.

He was a sergeant in the Army and I know he was leading his men at the time he was killed, said Richard Parlier, 65. It's just very humbling and heart-warming to be here and we're thankful the chapter is named for him. We're also here to remember all the families who lost their loved ones in the war.

Guest speaker Monday was Tim Dudley, vice-chairman of the Macon County Board, pinch-hitting for State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, who was called away to attend legislative budget battles in Springfield. Dudley said he thanked God he lived in the land of the free, but said that land could do better by those who had fought to defend it.

Dudley cited statistics that included 50,000 veterans who are homeless and thousands forced to rely on food stamps. And this one is really disturbing to me: 22 veterans and one currently stationed military personnel commits suicide every day; to me, that is totally unacceptable.

Dudley also talked of an army of veterans suffering from the effects of post traumatic stress disorder and not always able to access the care they need. ...I think as a country we can do better than that and I think we need to do better than that, he added.
Three teenagers understood to be siblings have been killed in a horrific crash on the Newell Highway in northern New South Wales, according to reports from police and paramedics.

The victims, all in their mid to late teens, were reportedly killed when oldest sibling Jack Pink, 19, who was driving a truck full of furniture, slammed into a southbound fuel tanker. His two siblings Marina, 17, and Destiny, 15, were in a vehicle behind him, and also collided with the truck. Both vehicles burst into flames.

The teenagers were travelling in a convoy with their father. Glenn Pink reportedly looped back when he heard the crash on a two way radio, where he was confronted with the horrifying scene.

We saw a man laying in the middle of the road when we arrived but we came straight to the burning vehicles, one emergency services responder told The Daily Telegraph.

The family were apparently making their way back from Dubbo  where they had participated in a show  to their home near Beenleigh, south of Brisbane. The car the girls were driving was reportedly towing a coffee cart.

The driver of the petrol tanker was flown to Toowoomba Hospital with face and back injuries. He was apparently thrown from the vehicle in the collision.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family. The page reads:

As you can imagine this is an incredibly difficult time for their parents Jaze & Glenn and siblings Coral, Jeanna, George & Patrick. Marina, one of seven children to parents Jaze and Glenn Pink, was just a day short of her 18th birthday. All gone at the same time  to lose 1 would be crazy. They lost 3 in 1 split second is just out of this world.

As of this afternoon, the GoFundMe has raised $77,906 of a $100,000 goal.

Source: Daily Telegraph.

Photo: Facebook.
Kim Kardashian West is the queen of spilling tea and I will come for anyone who says otherwise.

Its not her first rodeo, but the social media icon appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, a quite incredible show where major celebrities are plonked on stage and then asked the sort of questions usually never make it past the celebritys management team  which they are then forced to answer. Prestige television, eat your heart out.

Well, Kimmy is not one to hold back, and spilled on any number of touchy subjects, including Kendalls infamous Pepsi commercial, her 72-day marriage to Kris Humphries, Kylie and Tygas split, and one Taylor Swift.



Andy Cohen: What is your least favourite Kardashian spin-off?



Kim Kardashian West: Um okay I will not talk about anyone else, Ill talk about myself: New York. When Kourtney and I did New York, because I was in that awful cry face, that last marriage I had, that whole situation was just really hard for me.







AC: When you went into that marriage [with Humphries]? Did you think that it was forever?

KKW: At the time i didnt even  I just thought, holy shit Im 30 years old, I better get this together, I better get married. I think lot of girls do go through that where they freak out and think theyre getting old and they have to figure it out, so it was more of that situation. But I knew, honeymoon, it wasnt going to work out.





AC: What are the chances of your mom Kris and Caitlyn ever speaking again?



KKW: One. No I would say two. Two percent, and those are Kendall and Kylie. So thats their percentage. All fair, I think.

AC: What did you think of Kendalls whole Pepsi commercial?



KKW: She totally understood at the end of the day, and she felt really awful for it, and she just wants to move on from it.

AC: When you saw the ad did you think, uh oh?



KKW: I didnt see until it had already gotten the attention, so you obviously have a different perspective, everyone is saying something. I think I was travelling and I landed and I just saw all this stuff come up and so  you know, I think anytime anyone does anything they dont have bad intentions of doing it, especially [as] Kendalls so sensitive, she would never mean anyone to perceive anything in a negative way.





AC: On a scale of 110, how relieved were you when Kylie and Tyga finally called it quits?



KKW: I feel like a lot of drama  and it doesnt mean that hes a bad person, at all  I just feel like sometimes people and what was great is that it was so easy, that split. There has not been any drama, like with her, so

AC: The entire Kardashian-Jenner clan used a stylist named Monica Rose, and you all recently unfollowed her on social media. What happened?



KKW: I havent worked with her in maybe four years, so my reason is not connected to this. But I will say that I read that it was said that she was the reason for my makeover, the makeover when I met Kanye, and I will say that Kanye got me a new team and we documented it, so I think people think thats the reason, and for me maybe that is the reason, I needed a new vibe.

Why everyone else [ended things with Rose], youre going to have to ask them.

AL: [On the subject of rumours about Kim in general] Is anything that bothers you? Does anything get under your skin?



KKW: Oh yeah, no it does. I get kind of sensitive, especially taking time off, then youll jump back into it, and then people will be rude, and Ill be like I just had the best  well not the best, but  such a freeing time, taking time off. Dont make me do it again. Its just so hard on your soul. I dont think people really get it. I am so afraid for my kids to grow up in the world of social media. And I didnt have to grow up like that, and I love it.

AL: Thats so ironic



KKW: I think it could be great if you have a positive surrounding, and I guess life isnt that way. So you have to experience the good and the bad. I love sharing my life, so I share it, obviously I live on a reality show, but I think sometimes youre just like, is it worth it? Thats my struggle. Just now, after what Ive been through [the Paris robbery], is it worth it? I share what I want.

AL: [On Kim sharing the Taylor Swift / Kanye West phone call on Snapchat] Was it awkward between you and Kylie, or you and Kendall, because Kendall was part of Taylor Swifts squad at the time?



KKW: I dont know if Kendall was a part of her squad, I dont think she was. I dont think it was awkward.





AL: Have you heard from her since then? Any contact since then?



KKW: *silently shakes her head*

Watch bits and bobs of the interview below.

Photo: Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
After watching the first Rough Night trailer we were left with lots of questions. For instance, Where can I get my hair cut like ScarJo?, and Im glad Jillian Bell finally gets to be a part of one of those all-lady ensemble casts like Bridesmaids and Bachelorette, which isnt so much a question as a statement, but a statement which gives rise to the far more interesting, Why are almost all lady-ensemble films centred around one of the womens imminent marriages?

I dont know the answer to that. But what I do now know is the answer to the most important question, Why does Kate McKinnon have an Australian accent?

The answer is revealed in todays trailer for the slapstick buddy comedy from Broad Citys Lucia Aniello and Paul W Downs: shes ScarJos mate from when she did a semester abroad in Australia. Obvs.

The risque film, also starring Zoe Kravitz and Ilana Glazer, follows four college friends running amok for ScarJos bachelorette weekend in Miami, until Bell accidentally kills a stripper.

But boring, we knew that part already.

This time around we get to see more of the girls at college age as juxtaposed to now, ten years later, celebrating this milestone by popping bottles in the airport and driving a corpse around in a convertible. Just regular girl stuff.

We still dont get a glimpse of supporting cast members: Ty Burrell, Hasan Minhaj, Demi Moore, Enrique Murciano and Karan Soni, but Colton Haynes looks a little bit of alright as the stripper who dies.





Rough Night is out June 15, and we are keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen.

Photo: Sony Pictures
Well, this is a troubling precedent.

A Swiss Facebook user who liked a post accusing another user of anti-Semitism and racism  just another day in the world of Facebook group drama  has been found guilty and convicted of defamation in a landmark ruling.

Though its clear that things you post on Facebook can absolutely construe defamation, this is the first time that chucking a like onto a post has been seen as endorsing and therefore repeating a defamatory statement.

The unnamed 45-year-old man liked a few posts attacking Erwin Kessler, the president of an animal rights group. Said posts described Kessler and his group as racist, anti-Semitic and fascist. Kessler brought a case against the defendant, claiming that by liking them it extended the posts reach  meaning it was seen by a greater number of people.

Judge Catherine Gerwig agreed, saying that by liking the posts the defendant was spreading a value judgement.

Media lawyer Martin Steiger told newspaper Tages Anzeiger that we shouldnt be too worried about this judgement giving other judges and plaintiffs ideas about Facebook likes.

It always depends on what a like means and what someone was aiming to achieve with it. A like doesnt always mean that someone likes the content of a post. If, for instance, theres an accident, then it also means expressing sympathy. Or that you find it good that someone shares something on Facebook.

Hmm, thats not overly reassuring.

BRB, going to jail for abusing the wow react on posts packed full of defamatory statements.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald.

Photo: Gladiator.
DECATUR  Leo Cohan looks like a healthy 19-month-old, with a full head of blonde hair, quick-moving legs and light blue eyes. He cracks a big smile when he runs from his mom and makes her chase him.

But inside, Leo is suffering from the effects of a rare disease called Congenital Lobar Emphysema (CLE). Much of Leos left lung had to be removed and his right lung has over-expanded, pushing his heart to the left of where its supposed to be.

Leo's mom, Samantha Cohan, said doctors are currently in wait-and-see mode, hoping his left lung can recover to both help him breathe better and push his heart back into place.

CLE, which causes enlarged air spaces in the lungs, is extremely rare, and even more rare in both lungs. Because of the disease, Leo has to be careful not to expend too much energy, and he has several side effects, including a food aversion that has kept him from gaining weight.

Because CLE is so rare, the Cohans have struggled to find treatment. And while Medicaid covers most of Leos medical bills, there are out-of-pocket expenses. Bills have piled up, and a benefit held last month didnt produce as much as the Cohans had hoped.

Because of Leos condition, he needs constant care, and nearly all of it falls on Samanthas shoulders. She had to quit her job as a Certified Nurses Assistant and put nursing school on hold. And with no income coming from Samantha, her husband Jim Cohan was the only source of money, and his job in Shelbyville wasnt cutting it. He left for Freeport, Texas, to find work and just landed a job. But at this point, future plans to reunite the family are in limbo.

People feel bad for you when you have a child with a disease like this, but I dont think people know what its like, Samantha said. I dont think they really think about what the kid is going through and the struggle the parents are going through. Its hard on a relationship. Its hard on a family. Its really hard.

'Really rough'

Leo, short for Leonard, was the Cohans second child  Leo has a 5-year-old brother named Sawyer. Samanthas pregnancy with Leo was normal, and though the delivery was complicated  both of Samantas children had shoulder dystocia  Leo was nine pounds, one ounce and appeared to be healthy on delivery.

The Cohans held their newborn baby for awhile and Sawyer was allowed to come up to the room and meet Leo as well. A little less than two hours after Leo was born, at about 6:15 p.m., Samantha said a nurse came in the Cohans room at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon to take vitals and noted that his respiration rate was too high. They placed him in the nursery area, then came back two hours later and said they were going to keep him in the nursery and on oxygen for the night.

At midnight, Leos pediatrician came in the Cohans hospital room and said Leo was being taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign, where Samantha said Leo was diagnosed with transient tachypnea  short-lived rapid breathing sometimes seen in premature or bigger newborns.

But the breathing problem didnt diminish. On Oct. 31, at four days old, Leo was diagnosed with CLE. His over-inflated left lung was pushing his heart out of position and collapsing his right lung. A day later surgery was performed to remove three-quarters of his left, upper lung  the area in which CLE had caused the lobes in his lung to over-expand.

He was in surgery for four-and-a-half hours, and when Jim and I finally got to see him, he was on a ventilator  that was really rough, Samantha said. Jim had been holding it together pretty well through all of it, but when he saw Leo on the ventilator, he broke down. I just threw myself on the ground.

Leo was in the hospital for more than a month, and while his breathing hadnt slowed to a normal rate, it improved and he was allowed to go home.

'He just wouldn't eat'

Leos respiration levels were out of the danger zone, but other complications began to emerge  mainly, he wouldnt eat, and he threw up what he did eat. At two months old, he weighed less than he did when he was born.

It was frustrating  he would go back and forth between eating, then not wanting to eat, Samantha said. It was like he just didnt have enough stamina to do it. Hed get worn out.

By December, at two months old, Leo would go as many as 12 to 14 hours without eating. Samantha said her pediatrician told her not to force him to eat because that would only make it worse, but by January he was barely eating at all. He went through a couple of trips to different hospitals, where he would eat at first, then revert back to refusing food.

He just wouldnt eat, and we couldnt figure out why. Nobody could, Samantha said. They couldnt find anything.

For awhile, Leo had a nasogastric intubation (NG tube) placed  a plastic tube is inserted through the nose, past the throat, and down into the stomach. Eventually, though, he quit tolerating it.

Finally, Leo had surgery to get a gastronomy tube (commonly called a G button)  a tube inserted through the abdomen that delivers nutrition directly to the stomach. While Samantha is still trying to get Leo to take food orally, she said 90 percent of his food intake is still through the G button.

Samantha said neither she nor Leos doctors can say whether or not the food aversion is related to CLE.

Ive tried to figure that out. They have no idea, Samantha said. There are so many unknowns. They just dont know everything that comes along with it.

Recently Samantha said theyve found some flavors he likes  sour cream, ranch and even habanero.

We take him to food therapy and they said hes a flavor seeker, Samantha said. Here lately hes been taking a little more interest in food. Were hoping thats a good sign.

'In tune'

Because so little is known about CLE, finding doctors within driving distance who have experience treating it is difficult. There is a hospital in Houston, near where Jim is working, that has doctors who specialize in treating it, but for now Samantha is hesitant to pull him out of the care hes receiving at OSF St. Francis in Peoria.

I love his team there  he has a cardiologist, pulmonologist, GI doctor and a nutritionist, and he also goes twice a month for feeding therapies trying to get him to eat, Samantha said. The main thing is we got some answers in Peoria. Their doctors have been willing to reach out to doctors who have more experience dealing with it. I feel like theyre really in tune with everything going on with him.

It was at St. Francis that Samantha said CLE was found in the upper lobe of Leo's right lung, which had expanded across his chest and pushed his heart over and outward. Its the same thing that had happened when he was born to his left lung, but this time his doctors are putting off surgery.

For right now its pumping blood normally and all the levels look good, so theyre leaving it alone, Samantha said. They want to keep him away from a surgeon as long as possible. He just doesn't have enough lung to keep chopping bits of him out.

Samantha said the plan is to do a sleep study this summer to determine whether or not the lung is working or not, and then go from there on what to do next. Surgery may be the only option, and at some point a transplant could be a possibility.

The doctor wants to give it a chance to grow, Samantha said. It may decide at age 5 its going to work, or it may never work. But as long as its living, theyre going to leave it alone."

For now, Leo is on medication and breathing treatments, and is put on oxygen anytime he sleeps or becomes over-exerted.

We have it ready for him whenever he needs it, Samantha said.

'It's a mess'

Leo has appointments in Peoria at least twice a month, and often more. If he falls asleep on the trips  and he usually does  he needs to be on oxygen, but the Cohans insurance doesnt pay for travel oxygen tanks.

Its $1,000 for six tanks, Samantha said. That adds up fast.

It became too much for the Cohans to afford, especially with Samantha unable to work.

Trust me, Id love to work. I want to go back to work, Samantha said. But I was told from the beginning, no daycares, no malls, no Walmarts, nothing. He can't risk getting an infection. I was homebound. I never left. I never went anywhere.

And then you add in his G button. Ive love to have someone come watch him, but you have to have someone who has the training on how to feed him using the G button, and thats not easy to find.

With Samantha at home, it was up to Jim to support the family financially, forcing him out of the area to find work. He left on Mothers Day to find work, and recently landed a job.

It makes it really hard because he wants to be here, but he cant, and there are days I need a break and cant get one, Samantha said. Right now its just up in the air. Were just trying to figure out what to do and the best way to do it. Hes getting good treatment at Peoria, but theres one of the best hospitals in the nation in Houston. Its hard to know what we should do.

Sawyer has had his own issues with his brothers illness. From the day Leo was brought home, Sawyer had to take a shower and change his clothes as soon as he walked in the door from the outside world. And as his parents had to spend more time away at the hospital with Leo, Sawyer began to develop separation anxiety.

Hed never really been away from us. Hed never even really stayed at anyones house, Samantha said. But once we started to have to spend more nights in the hospital, Sawyer had a terrible time adjusting to it. He was supposed to go to kindergarten this year but he just couldnt get it together to be away from us.

And now, with Jim gone, he refuses to talk to Jim on the phone. It seems like hes angrier. Its a mess.

Mary Thompson, Samanthas mom, does what she can for her daughter and grandchildren, but often feels helpless.

Its pretty tough  it takes away from Sawyers time because Leo needs constant care, Thompson said. And for them to be separated right now  I hate it. But theres only so much I can do. Its hard to watch your child struggle while she takes care of her child. You can see shes trying her hardest, but shes by herself. Its hard. Hes such a beautiful baby. Hes an amazing child. I just wish they could find all the answers for him.
DECATUR  The Decatur community has need for not-for-profit organizations and plenty of generous residents willing to donate to them.

But connecting the two entities can be the tricky part. Plenty of methods have been tried through the years, but few have the potential to connect donors to those in need like the internet. Forefront, a Chicago company formerly known as Donors Forum, is helping unite donors and nonprofits in Illinois through #ILGive.

For 24 hours beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30, donors are encouraged to go to ilgive.com and search for nonprofits to support as part of #ILGive Community. The site has links to nonprofits all over the state, including 25 in Decatur, one in Maroa, one in Taylorville and one in Effingham.

Statewide giving days are part of the strategy Forefront brings to help nonprofits increase funding. This is the fourth #ILGive event, but the previous three had all been attached to Giving Tuesday, a national day of giving.

The first year on Giving Tuesday we raised $3 million, then $6 million and last year $11 million, said Sarah Tapscott, who runs Forefronts Springfield office, opened in 2014. Thats in the Fall, and it had been so successful we thought wed try it in the Spring.

Tapscott got in touch with the Community Foundation of Decatur Director Wegi Stewart, who helped bring in many of Decaturs other nonprofit organizations.

We were glad to do it, Stewart said. Thats our purpose  to encourage philanthropy in Macon County and help other organizations do what they do best, which is provide services for people in need.

Decaturs #ILGive day got a boost when residents Doug and Peg Schmalz agreed to match the first $10,000 donated, at $1,000 per organization.

Thats exciting and theres been a lot of interest and activity since that was announced, Stewart said.

Donors Forum was a statewide organization for 40 years, but mainly operated in the Chicago area. Since rebranding at Forefront, serving nonprofits and grant-makers around the whole state has been a focus. What Forefront found was that many nonprofits werent taking advantage of the internet as a fundraising tool.

We find that there are still nonprofits without Facebook pages or a give button on their website, Tapscott said. Were trying to help them come up to the digital age in 2017. Theres a new way of thinking besides mailing campaigns and special events. Online is where its at. You can reach more people.

Cost has been a reason some organizations dont have websites, or effective websites, but Forefront has teamed with GiveGab, a nonprofit giving platform.

GiveGab is completely free and really takes out all of the roadblocks that have kept people from taking advantage of raising money online, Tapscott said.

Forefront also helps organizations with campaign strategies and how best to get an organizations name in the public eye  We just want to be a resource, Tapscott said.

Stewart said Forefront makes it easier for donors, too.

It really helps not only the organization, but also donors who havent been online givers in the past dip their toe in the water and get comfortable in this platform, Stewart said.

Stewart said individual donations remain the backbone of nonprofits.

Individuals are still who make up the bulk of what nonprofits rely on, Stewart said. We have to have individuals out there stepping up and supporting to keep our nonprofits vibrant, and reaching out online is a great way to do it. This is what were going to be relying on for individual philanthropy going forward.
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GOP remains on top in Northern Michigan but Democrats made some inroads Tuesday

The election showed that while the Republican Party still dominates Northern Michigan, there were some results that should give Democrats some hope.
Oil slips early Tuesday on oversupply worries despite OPEC deal





LONDON

Petroleumworld 05 30 2017

Oil prices fell on Tuesday, pressured by concerns that production cuts by the world's big exporters may not be enough to drain a global glut that has depressed the market for almost three years.

Benchmark Brent crude LCOc1 was down 40 cents a barrel at $51.89 by 0840 GMT, having gained 14 cents on Monday. U.S. light crude CLc1 fell by 20 cents to $49.60.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil producers, including Russia, agreed last week to keep a tight rein on supply until the end of the first quarter of 2018, nine months longer than originally planned.

Collective output by OPEC and other producers will be held around 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) below its level at the end of last year.

But the cutbacks have yet to make drain inventories by a significant degree and prices fell after the OPEC deal was announced.

"Investors haven't made up their minds if OPEC has done enough to balance supply and demand," said Carsten Fritsch, senior commodities analyst at Commerzbank in Frankfurt.

"Today's losses follow gains yesterday, so overall oil prices have been rather flat this week."

Part of the problem for OPEC is oil supply in the United States, where shale production is booming.

U.S. drillers have added rigs for 19 straight weeks to reach 722, the highest since April 2015, according to services firm Baker Hughes ( BHI.N ).

Goldman Sachs analysts have reduced their forecasts for oil prices, saying that falling U.S. production costs will keep supply rising for years to come.

The bank said that once OPEC's production growth resumes after its self-imposed cuts, U.S. and OPEC output would rise by 1 million to 1.3 million bpd between 2018 and 2020.

"While we are bullish on near-term prices as inventories normalize ... 2018-19 futures need to be in the $45-$50 range," Goldman said.

The American summer driving season, which by tradition started on the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, may offer some support for prices, analysts said.

Demand in the United States for transport fuels tends to rise as families visit friends and relatives or go on vacation during the Northern Hemisphere summer.

The American Automobile Association said ahead of Memorial Day that it expects 39.3 million Americans to travel 50 miles (80 km) or more over the Memorial Day weekend, the highest Memorial Day mileage since 2005.








U.S. shale oil is for OPEC a hard competitor, but they are talking





VIENNA

Petroleumworld 05 29 2017

First, they ignored each other. Then, they went into a bruising fight. Finally, they are talking, albeit with opposing agendas.

The history of the relationship between OPEC and the U.S. shale oil industry has evolved a great deal since the cartel discovered it had a surprise rival emerging in a core market for its oil around five years ago.

U.S. shale bankers came to Vienna this week and OPEC is readying a trip for its top officials to Texas in a bid to understand whether the two industries can co-exist or are poised to embark on another major fight in the near future.

"We have to coexist," said Khalid al-Falih, Saudi Arabia's energy minister, who pushed through OPEC production cuts in December, reversing Riyadh's previous strategy to pump as much as possible and try to kill off U.S. shale with low oil prices.

OPEC and non-OPEC countries led by Russia agreed on Thursday to extend oil output curbs by nine months to March 2018, keeping roughly 2 percent of global production off the market in an attempt to boost prices.

But OPEC now realises supply cuts and higher prices only make it easier for the shale industry to deliver higher profit after it found ways of slashing costs when Saudi Arabia turned up the taps three years ago.

In the Permian Basin - the largest U.S. oilfield - Parsley Energy Inc, Diamondback Energy Inc and others are pumping at the fastest rate in years, taking advantage of new technology, low costs and steady oil prices to reap profits at OPEC's expense.

OPEC's latest calculus acknowledges the global clout of shale but seeks to hinder its growth by keeping just enough supply on the market to hold prices below $60 per barrel.

"All shale companies in the U.S. are small companies," said Noureddine Boutarfa, who represented Algeria at the meeting. "The reality is that at $50 to $60 a barrel, (the U.S. oil industry) can't break beyond 10 million barrels per day."

That is the level many analysts estimate U.S. oil production will reach next year, in what would be a 1 million bpd rise, a staggering jump for an industry marked during 2015 and 2016 by scores of bankruptcies and thousands of layoffs after a two-year price war with OPEC.

Still, that extra volume may not be enough to meet rising global demand or offset natural declines in traditional oilfields, which OPEC is banking on.

"For all OPEC members, $55 (per barrel) and a maximum of $60 is the goal at this stage," said Bijan Zanganeh, Iran's oil minister. "So is that price level not high enough to encourage too much shale? It seems it is good for both."

Some OPEC members seem keen to show they have shed any prior naivete about shale, making it a key topic during Thursday's meeting after barely mentioning it before. Shale's limitations, including rising service costs, also were discussed.

"We had a discussion on (shale) and how much that has an impact," said Ecuador Oil Minister Carlos Perez. "But we have no control over what the U.S. does and it's up to them to decide to continue or not."

Mark Papa, chief executive of Permian oil producer Centennial Resource Development Inc, was asked by OPEC delegates to give a presentation on shale's potential last week. He appeared to have played his cards close to his chest.

"In terms of the threat, we still don't know how much (U.S. shale) will be producing in the near future," Nelson Martinez, Venezuela's oil minister said after the talk.

WARNING FOR SHALE

By the same token, some U.S. shale leaders may also want a better insight into OPEC thinking and help OPEC understand that shale is not a flash in the pan.

"OPEC looks at shale and it scoffs," said Dave Purcell of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co, a U.S. shale investment bank that attended the OPEC meeting for the first time. "There's a rational skepticism globally, but it misses the mark."

For example, the UAE Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui said he did not believe U.S. oil production would rise by 1 million bpd next year.

Some of OPEC's customers are happy to see an alternative. India, the world's third-largest oil consumer, said this week it is looking to the United States for greater supply.

"The new normal has to be accepted," Dharmendra Pradhan, India's energy minister said this week ahead of the OPEC meeting.

OPEC meets again in November to reconsider output policy. While most in the group now appear to believe that shale has to be accommodated, there are still those in OPEC who think another fight is around the corner.

"If we get to a point where we feel frustrated by a deliberate action of shale producers to just sabotage the market, OPEC will sit down again and look at what process it is we need to do," said Nigerian Oil Minister Emmanuel Kachikwu.






Exxon CEO to attend St. Petersburg Economic forum -sources





MOSCOW

Petroleumworld 05 29 2017

Exxon Mobil Chief Executive Officer Darren Woods is expected to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum this week, two industry sources told Reuters.

Woods is due to attend the June 1-3 forum where Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver the keynote speech, the sources said. A meeting between Woods and Putin is possible, one of the sources said.

Exxon did not respond to a request seeking a comment.

Woods visited Moscow in March to meet Putin. Russian energy minister Alexander Novak and the head of top Russian oil producer Rosneft, Igor Sechin, also attended.

This year's forum is the first since Donald Trump became U.S. president. During his election campaign, Trump said he wanted to restore frayed relations with the Kremlin.

Wood's predecessor, Rex Tillerson, now U.S. Secretary of State, appeared at last year's forum having stayed away for two years over Russia's intervention in Ukraine.

In 2014, sanctions drove Exxon away from a joint project with Rosneft in the offshore Arctic Kara sea oil field, where both companies started - and then postponed - exploratory drilling.

Rosneft and Exxon are also partners in the Pacific oil and gas project, Sakhalin-1, an Exxon-led venture that has been at odds with Russia's government over taxes. Sakhalin-1 is not subject to sanctions.

Other energy chief executives and officials due to attend the forum include Patrick Pouyanne of Total, Rainer Seele of OMV, Isabelle Kocher from Engie, Mario Mehren of Wintershall, BP CEO Robert Dudley, Saudi Arabia's oil minister Khalid al-Falih and OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo.






Cap-X drilling technolog y dispute interrupts Statoil's Arctic drilling campaign





OSLO

Petroleumworld 05 29 2017

Statoil has interrupted drilling in the Barents Sea in the Arctic region after a court issued a temporary injunction in a technology dispute with a small Norwegian firm, a Statoil spokesman said on Monday.

The Stavanger court has prohibited Statoil from using its Cap-X drilling technology after Norwegian firm NeoDrill said it was based on its patented Conductor Anchor Node (CAN) technology, which NeoDrill has been developing since 2000.

Statoil said it had to stop drilling its first exploration well in the Barents Sea this year, Blaamann, which was spudded about a week ago, while it tried to secure a lifting the injunction and prepared alternative plans if that effort failed.

Statoil stepped up exploration efforts this year, focusing on the Barents Sea. According to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate the area could hold two-thirds of all undiscovered resources off the Norwegian coast.

"We are taking steps to comply with the decision. We are currently securing the (Blaamann) well and that will take a few days to complete," Statoil's spokesman Eskil Eriksen said.

Eriksen told Reuters it was unclear when Statoil could restart drilling at Blaamann, but the firm expected to complete all five wells in the Barents Sea it had planned for this year.

"We will mobilize the alternative technology in time to continue the drilling, and we will complete the Barents Sea campaign as planned," Eriksen said.

Statoil said it planned to use Cap-X technology to drill all five wells in the Barents Sea, including the Korpfjell well in formerly disputed border area with Russia.

When presenting the Cap-X technology to the public in April 2016, Statoil said it started its development in 2013 to help to develop resources in the Barents Sea.

NeoDrill said it contacted Statoil after the presentation showed the Cap-X having "essential parts" of CAN technology, which Statoil had access to as NeoDrill's partner since 2001 and as a 30 percent stakeholder since 2010.

"Statoil has thereby had full access to sensitive technical information related to the CAN-technology in NeoDrill," the company said in an email to Reuters.

NeoDrill said Statoil had denied in 2016 using Neodrill's technology but had asked earlier this year for a licence. NeoDrill said the two were not able to agree on terms.

Statoil declined to comment on the talks, citing the ongoing court process. But the spokesman said the court's decision to issue an injunction was based on "wrong information".

The Stavanger court will hear Statoil's arguments on Wednesday.






President Temer pushes reform on Brazil's agenda in spite of political crisis

Bloomberg/Christopher Goodney



Temer calls for electoral court to make a swift decision. President is accused of obstruction of justice, corruption

SAO PAULO

Petroleumworld 05 30 2017

Brazil's President Michel Temer said he has the full conditions to govern and pass reforms as a political crisis threatens to derail his government's agenda, jeopardizing a fragile economy.

"No party has told me they are not going to support reforms," Temer said in an interview with a group of foreign journalists, including Bloomberg, in Sao Paulo. "Resolving the pension deficit is fundamental." Policy makers were close to securing the votes needed to pass a crucial but unpopular pension overhaul in the lower house before the latest scandal broke.

Less than two weeks ago, allegations that President Michel Temer sought to obstruct justice and turned a blind eye to corruption roiled Brazil, prompting a market sell-off. Since then, the government has sought to project an image of business as usual. Amid significant threatst to his mandate, and widespread media speculation about a possible successor , the president gave numerous interviews on Monday insisting he is not on his way out. Cabinet ministers and government allies have given strong support for the continuation of Temer's reform agenda while taking a more cautious view of the president's destiny.

Earlier in the day Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles said that now was the right time to push through an overhaul of Brazil's pension system and that he expected a vote in the lower house of Congress by mid-June. Asked about the president's position, Meirelles said that he was working with the hypothesis that Temer would stay in power.

In speeches broadcast on national television and social media, Temer has repeatedly denied all accusations of wrongdoing and said he will not resign. The president has tried to maintain a normal agenda, announcing ministerial changes and visiting regions of the country affected by heavy rains over the weekend.

Electoral Court Ruling

The most direct threat to his mandate could come as early as next week. On June 6 Brazil's top electoral court, the TSE, is due to resume its judgment on the 2014 election campaign, when Temer ran as Dilma Rousseff's vice-presidential candidate. The court is currently assessing whether to invalidate the results on the basis it was financed with illegal campaign donations. An adverse ruling could see Temer stripped of the presidency.

"The TSE judgement tends to create a certain amount of instability," the president said. "The best solution would be if the TSE judged the case in three or four days."

Temer's team is working on a scenario whereby one of the judges would request more time to analyze the case, or else hold Rousseff solely responsible for any wrongdoing while exonerating Temer, according to one presidential aide .

The real gained slightly on Monday, adding to the currency's modest recovery in the wake of a dramatic sell-off when the allegations against the president were made public. The Sao Paulo stock index fell 324 points in trading on Monday.






First Data Corp., a New York-based bank-transactions processor that has struggled to increase sales in recent years, has agreed to pay $15 a share  about $468 million  for all shares of CardConnect, a payments company that employs about 200, mostly at its King of Prussia headquarters.

The sale price is a record high for CardConnect and its predecessor, which went public in 2015 at $10 a share, after a controlling stake was purchased by investors including Philadelphia banker Betsy Z. Cohen and her son Daniel G. Cohen at an equity valuation of $280 milllion, implying a fat 67% return in just two years. Shares of CardConnect rose $1.40, or 10 percent, to close Tuesday at $15.05. Shares of First Data rose 18 cents, or 1 percent, to close at $16.82.

The buyer says that it will keep CardConnect's top management, headed by CEO Jeff Shanahan, whose older brother Brian founded the company (he sold his stake in 2014). Jeff remains a CardConnect executive alongside their younger brother, Patrick. The brothers grew up in Upper St. Clair, near Pittsburgh.

First Data officials said they will hire more engineers and other staff at CardConnect as the business expands. The buyer, which also has processing centers in the Wilmington area and several other states, says the total sale price works out to $750 million, including common and preferred stock, plus CardConnect debt that First Data will take over.

Frank Bisignano, the former New Jersey banker who heads First Data, told investors in a conference call Tuesday that his company sees CardConnect as "one of the most innovative and fastest-growing players" in payments. CardConnect has "a great set of tools," he added. Bisignano and chief financial officer Himanshu Amrutlal Patel said they hope to cut $10 million a year in overlapping costs. Patel added that CardConnect hadn't sought rival, higher offers: "The two companies have known each other for a long time."

"It looks like a great deal for First Data, [but] the purchase price seems a bit conservative" for CardConnect, given the company's rapid growth, Bob Napoli, stock analyst for investment bank William Blair, said during the conference call.

CardConnect's products include CardPointe, an electronic payments system used by 67,000 merchants, and the CardSecure gateway payment system for corporate enterprises, which runs on SAP and Oracle software and serves companies including Amerigas, Dow Chemical and General Electric. CardConnect revenues totaled $157 million last year, up from $121 million in 2015 and $106 million in 2014. Earnings before taxes and financing costs totaled $5.3 million last year.

"First Data needs growth, now that they are public," said Jim Shanahan, CEO of Wilmington-based Prepaidian Inc., a veteran payments-industry executive (and no relation to CardConnect's Jeff Shanahan). "Revenue grew only 1 percent last year, and the stock is still below what it was when went public. With a growth rate of over 20 percent a year, CardConnect fits the bill. Plus, First Data is buying a customer, which gives them them a higher-margin revenue stream."

CardConnect's largest owner, with 10.6 million shares, or 34 percent, is New York-based FT Ventures funds, whose owners include Richard Garman, a former CEO of Electronic Payment Services Inc., which operated the Delaware-based MAC card network in the 1990s, and investor Christopher Winship. Other major investors include Andrew Immerman's and Jeremy Schiffman's Palestra Capital Management; chief sales officer Jeffrey Mertz and other CardConnect officers; Wellington Management Co., which manages funds for Vanguard Group and other clients; and the Cohens.

Last summer, a holding company headed by the Cohens bought a controlling interest in CardConnect at a valuation it reported at the time was $350 million, effectively taking CardConnect public by merging it with a shell company the investors had brought public at $10 a share in 2015.

First Data grew rapidly as a processor for U.S. credit-card banks in the 1990s. In 1998, it acquired the former FPS Services of King of Prussia, and for the next several years continued to run a data center there. First Data was later taken private by the buyout firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. First Data reported annual losses in 2008-15 before it was sold again to public shareholders. First Data returned to profitability for 2016, though revenue growth remained slow.
Exelon Corp. announced Tuesday that it will "prematurely" shut down Three Mile Island Unit 1, the surviving reactor at the site of the 1979 nuclear accident, unless it gets some form of price supports from the Pennsylvania legislature.

The company said it plans to retire the reactor in 2019, 15 years ahead of its license expiration. The announcement came a week after the reactor failed to clear the regional power grid's annual capacity auction for the third consecutive year, signaling that the facility is unable to compete in a low-price electricity market driven by an abundance of natural gas. Exelon said TMI has lost money for five years.

Early Tuesday, Exelon officials met with the plant's 675 employees and informed community leaders of the decision, which has been well-telegraphed in the last year. The company has been ramping up lobbying efforts in Pennsylvania to enact some kind of support for nuclear power plants, similar to Exelon-led efforts in Illinois and New York.

"Today is a difficult day, not just for the 675 talented men and women who have dedicated themselves to operating Three Mile Island safely and reliably every day, but also for their families, the communities and customers who depend on this plant to produce clean energy and support local jobs," Chris Crane, Exelon's president and chief executive, said in statement.

"Like New York and Illinois before it, the commonwealth has an opportunity to take a leadership role by implementing a policy solution to preserve its nuclear energy facilities and the clean, reliable energy and good-paying jobs they provide," Crane said. "We are committed to working with all stakeholders to secure Pennsylvania's energy future, and will do all we can to support the community, the employees and their families during this difficult period."

The 837-megawatt Unit 1 reactor was unaffected by the 1979 partial meltdown and permanent closure of Unit 2 after the nation's worst commercial nuclear-power accident. The accident transformed Three Mile Island from an obscure spot three miles down the Susquehanna River from Middletown, Pa., into a universal symbol of failure from which the industry struggled to recover.

Exelon acquired Unit 1 in 2003.

Tuesday's announcement will ratchet up a vigorous policy debate in Harrisburg between two mighty energy lobbies: the state's nuclear-plant operators and Pennsylvania's shale-gas industry.

Exelon, which is based in Chicago, has suggested that Pennsylvania should give nuclear power preferential treatment and premium payments similar to those given to renewable energies, such as wind and solar. Nuclear power is by far the state's largest source of energy that does not produce harmful air emissions.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly's bipartisan Nuclear Energy Caucus, formed earlier this year with the nuclear industry's guidance, said the announcement underscores the need to discuss "serious and consequential underlying issues" in the state's energy sector.

"The premature closure of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station will mean a significant loss of family-sustaining jobs, high-capacity baseload clean energy, and the many direct and indirect economic benefits that surround the production of electricity from a nuclear power plant," the caucus said.

But a group called Citizens Against Nuclear Bailouts, which includes energy consumers and gas-industry supporters, dismissed the need for supporting the nuclear industry when the state is awash in fracked natural gas. "It's ridiculous that there should be a taxpayer- or ratepayer-funded bailout for one sector of our energy market, just because they aren't prepared for the challenges of competition," David Taylor, president of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association, said in a statement.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday, Exelon said the primary factors contributing to Unit 1's "deteriorating economic value" include significant declines in plant revenues due to prolonged periods of low wholesale power prices, the absence of federal or state policies that place a value on nuclear energy for its clean-energy attributes, and the plant's relatively high operating costs as a single-unit site. "All of these factors exacerbate the expectation for continued losses for the foreseeable future," the company said.

Exelon, which also owns Peco, operates three of Pennsylvania's five nuclear plants  Three Mile Island, Limerick, and Peach Bottom  and led efforts to promote price supports in Illinois and New York state that prevented Exelon reactors there from closing. Opponents in those states have challenged the actions in court, saying the "bailouts" will boost electric rates.

TMI joins a list of about 20 reactors that have shut down or announced plans to retire early.

The nuclear industry says the closure of the reactors will lead to greater reliance on natural gas as a fuel source. More gas generation would cause an increase in air emissions, the nuclear industry says, and a bigger risk of price swings when gas power plants are curtailed by pipeline disruptions or extremely cold weather, when the needs of residential consumers trump power producers for gas supply.

But the gas industry portrays nuclear reactors as dinosaurs unable to compete in a competitive energy market, and says giving them a lifeline will only hurt consumers. "Corporate welfare and taxpayer handouts to select industries will increase energy costs for consumers as well as [for] job creators across the commonwealth, especially manufacturers," David Spigelmyer, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, said in April in response to the nuclear industry's escalation of lobbying efforts.

Unlike states in which regulators allow utilities to recover their power-generation investments in customer rates, Pennsylvania and most Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states deregulated the markets to force power plants to compete, mostly on the basis of price. In those markets, the price set by the lowest-cost producers prevails.

The regional power market in 13 states and the District of Columbia is governed by PJM Interconnection, the Valley Forge grid operator that conducts annual capacity auctions to determine which power producers will get a premium for promising to generate power on peak days. In the most recent capacity auction, TMI's price was too high for the third consecutive year, and it will once again miss out on the capacity payments.

FirstEnergy Corp. of Akron, Ohio, owns the twin-unit Beaver Valley nuclear station northwest of Pittsburgh, and Talen Energy owns the twin-reactor Susquehanna Steam Electric Station in Luzerne County. FirstEnergy has signaled an interest in selling its Pennsylvania power-generation portfolio, including Beaver Valley.

Ralph Izzo, chief executive of Public Service Enterprise Group in New Jersey, said in an interview last week that the current forward price curve for electrical power in the region does not give a positive outlook for that company's two Salem reactors and the Hope Creek plant in Salem County, New Jersey.

"We're no different than when Sears says, `I've got 500 stores and 20 of them aren't making money, I shut down the 20.' But this would have a huge impact," he said. PSEG is also laying the political groundwork in New Jersey for the state to consider some kind of nuclear support.

With the announcement of TMI's closure, Exelon and its generation subsidiary will recognize onetime charges of $65 million to $110 million in the second quarter related to materials and supplies inventory reserve adjustment, employee-related costs, and construction work-in-progress impairment. The company also could recognize additional onetime charges in 2018 and 2019 of up to an estimated $25 million each year. Estimated cash expenditures related to the onetime charges primarily for employee-related costs are expected to range from $40 million to $70 million.

The early retirement of TMI also raises questions about whether the plant's nuclear decommissioning trust fund contains enough money to pay for dismantling and restoring the site. Exelon would be obligated to post guarantees if there is a shortfall, which won't be known until the company submits a decommissioning plan.

In its SEC filing, Exelon said: "The most costly estimates currently anticipated could require parental guarantees of up to $35 million for TMI radiological decommissioning."
George LaFalce (right), the operations manager of PSEGs Mercer Generating Station, and Mark Schwartzkopf, environmental manager, survey the plant, which will be retired on Thursday. The two men, who together have 76 years of service, will also retire when the plant shuts down. Read more

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, N.J.  Like many 57-year-olds, the Mercer Generation Station can still do its job, which is producing electricity from Appalachian coal for a public hungry for power. But this former workhorse of the grid has been eclipsed by a new generation of power plants, and on Thursday it will shut down for good.

Public Service Enterprise Group of Newark, N.J., announced in October that it would shut down Mercer and the Hudson Generation Station on June 1, retiring its two remaining coal-fired power plants in New Jersey, casualties of a sustained low-price environment brought on by inexpensive natural gas.

The closures take place just six years after the company's power-generation subsidiary, PSEG Power, completed more than $1 billion in upgrades to environmental controls at the two sites to comply with new federal emissions standards. Though the company correctly anticipated stricter environmental regulations, it did not foresee the tumble in energy prices brought on by shale gas.

"We made a bet on high gas prices," Ralph Izzo, PSEG's chief executive, said in an interview last week. "We got that wrong." The company took a loss of $555 million last year on the plant closures and anticipates an additional non-cash write-off of up to $960 million in 2017.

Environmentalists claimed credit for forcing the two coal plants to close, but PSEG says it was really fracking that undermined them. "The way the market works, the economics don't work," Bill Thompson, PSEG Power's senior director of operations, said during a Mercer plant tour last week. "They're not getting shut down for equipment conditions. It's just economics."

The Mercer station, just downriver from Trenton, was built when Dwight D. Eisenhower was in the White House and can produce 632 megawatts, slightly more than the Hudson plant. Mercer performed like a star professional athlete for much of its career, before moving down in the regional power-generation lineup. In recent years, it was strictly a bench player.

Ten years ago, the plant ran nearly every day, producing more than three million megawatt hours of electricity, according to PSEG Power. In 2016, Mercer produced a mere 1,867 megawatt hours. Last year, it operated only two days in January, when the regional power-grid operator, PJM Interconnection, called on it to meet high winter demand. The generation station has been inactive for 17 months.

Today, Mercer is a silent industrial castle along the Delaware, its giant blue turbines idle and its 325-foot stacks, ghostly sentries. All the dials on its control-room wall, except for the clock, are pointed at zero.

Three oversized front-end loaders were busy last week reducing a mountain of coal that piled up last year when the plant was on standby  barges kept delivering fuel from a Baltimore terminal under contract. Now, the coal is being loaded back onto barges and resold into the market. Since March, the plant has shipped out 180,000 tons of it.

PSEG said most of the 200 remaining employees at the two plants  more than twice that number worked there during their peaks  have accepted other jobs in the company, which includes the state's largest utility, Public Service Electric and Gas Co. Some employees elected to take buyout packages and retire. Fewer than 10 employees are still awaiting placement within the company, said Jim Pfennigwerth, 62, the plant manager, who is among those who plan to retire.

Power-generation people are typically not overtly sentimental. Many of those who have worked at Mercer for decades are stoic about the end of an era.

"I actually started here at the lowest levels," said George LaFalce, 61, a 29-year veteran. "Back in the days, I was a plant operator. I ran around and made sure the coal kept moving." He will retire, along with the plant, as its last operations chief.

Mark Schwartzkopf, 66, Mercer's environmental manager, is retiring with 47 years of service at the plant. He takes pride at providing power to the company's customers, especially in the dead of winter. "When it's cold out, you're doing some good," said Schwartzkopf, who commutes to the plant from his home in Haddonfield.

The Mercer and Hudson stations' retirements leave New Jersey with two remaining coal-fired plants, both in South Jersey. The Logan Generating Plant, a 225-megawatt plant on the Delaware near Swedesboro, was built in 1994 and is equipped with modern emission controls. Chambers Cogeneration LP operates a 261-MW plant in Carneys Point, Salem County.

PSEG Power still operates the Bridgeport Harbor plant in Connecticut, which is scheduled to be retired in 2021 and replaced by a gas plant. It also has ownership stakes in the Keystone and Connemaugh coal plants in Western Pennsylvania, which are built near mines and operate with high efficiency. But it sees no growth in coal.

"We won't be investing in new coal," Izzo said.

At Mercer, PSEG's environmental investments are the main features of the tour. It added precipitators in 1995 to reduce soot emissions, and the first of three units to reduce nitrogen oxides, which contribute to ground-level ozone, or smog. In 2004, it added a $100 million selective catalytic reduction unit to cut nitrogen oxides, and in 2007 a $10 million carbon-injection unit to reduce mercury. In 2010, it spent $500 million to build a baghouse and scrubber to control sulfur, mercury and particulates.

"They're very clean plants and not because they don't run," Izzo said. The emissions-control features now occupy two times more land on Mercer's 114-acre site than the original power plant.

Izzo and some plant employees expressed concern that the closures of the coal plants will reduce the diversity of fuel sources that power the region, making the electric grid less resilient as natural gas becomes more dominant. It's a theme that is being pounded in Congress and state capitals in the region, particularly by the nuclear industry, which is lobbying for some type of price support for nuclear power plants to reward their clean emissions.

Along with Mercer and Hudson, PSEG has retired other power plants recently without raising alarms, Izzo said, but the potential shutdown of its nuclear plants could have much deeper economic and environmental consequences. "We retired 3,000 MW and didn't say anything," he said. "If we make a fuss, it's because we mean it and it matters."

As for the Mercer and Hudson sites, it is likely they will remain in industrial use. Hudson will be used to store equipment to support other plant operations in the area, Izzo said. Until a long-term plan for Mercer emerges, he said, the company has begun explorations with New Jersey environmental officials about installing solar panels, since the site already has transmission lines connected to the grid.

"We really want to preserve those sites for future power generation," Izzo said. "It's not easy to site power plants."
SPRINGFIELD  Illinois House Democrats tried to digest some unpalatable budget choices Monday, chewing on a Senate proposal with $5 billion in new taxes and some questionable savings that some members think the taxes won't cover.

Leading Democrats wouldn't commit to a 32 percent personal income-tax rate increase, but they voiced doubts about some of the savings from spending reductions that are part of the $37.3 billion measure the Senate endorsed last week.

"We're looking at whether there are alternative revenues but also whether there are additional cuts," said Assistant Democratic Leader Jay Hoffman of Swansea. "Those are very difficult decisions."

The House Revenue Committee ended the day by advancing legislation that would increase the personal income tax rate from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent and broaden the sales tax base to include a smattering of services, from dry cleaning to tattoos, with two days remaining in the spring session. Republican Rep. David McSweeney of Barrington Hills complained the tax hike would hurt small businesses and families.

"What do you think inaction is going to do?" asked the bill's sponsor, Rep. Will Davis, a Homewood Democrat.

Illinois, which hasn't had an annual budget since summer 2015, is running a deficit of as much as $6 billion and sitting on $14.5 billion in overdue bills. Senate Democrats approved a plan without Republican support that not only raises income and sales taxes, but reduces spending by $3 billion.

But those spending reductions include $1.25 billion in savings from a less-generous pension program for new employees and $450 million saved on state employee health insurance that relies on GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner reaching agreement on those changes. Hoffman also questions the amount of money expected to be collected from expanded casino gambling.

While little was said about the budget in public debate, the floor was rife with action as the House approved automatic voter registration, state purchasing improvements, a measure to protect immigrants who are in the country illegally from detention and deportation, and a tougher sentencing structure for repeat gun offenders.

Democrats continued their yearslong criticism of legislative Republicans and the governor. Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat, suggested the General Assembly could approve a balanced budget if Rauner would "finally decide to enter the room like an adult and do the job he was elected to do."
Charles "Kip" Davis, 63, who was Swarthmore's 1975 class president and commencement speaker but failed to complete his studies, graduates on Sunday, May 21, 2017, aftyer completin g his senior thesis. Read more

When Charles "Kip" Davis was supposed to graduate Swarthmore College in 1975, the Vietnam War had just ended and Bill Gates had just founded Microsoft.

Now, 42 years later, the former Swarthmore class president has received his diploma and graduated as a member of the Class of 2017.

"It was amazing  I was stunned at the reaction of the audience and the standing ovation I received from the faculty," said Davis, 63, of Harlem, N.Y. "It was liberating to have those doubts and that sense of lacking something go away."

Swarthmore College is happy to claim him.

"Kip Davis exemplifies Swarthmore's tradition of cultivating life-long learners," said college president Valerie Smith in an emailed statement. "We are so proud to count him among our graduates."

Davis, a senior account manager for an international market research firm, began his undergraduate education at Swarthmore in 1971. But when graduation arrived four years later, he had not completed his senior thesis and could not receive his degree.

"I think I just burned out emotionally and academically," said Davis, of Harlem, N.Y. "I thought of college as an end point, and not a beginning point."

Despite not receiving a degree, as class president Davis got to deliver a commencement speech. It focused on following one's passion rather than competing for a career  advice he followed as he pursued a theater career post-Swarthmore, working as an actor in New Haven, Conn., and New York and attending the American Conservatory Theater in 1978.

Through theater, Davis began a gradual re-engagement with the college. Ten years after giving the commencement speech, the opera he co-wrote, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, was performed at the university before moving to the New York City Opera in 1986.

Davis said returning to Swarthmore helped him realize how much he missed being in that intellectual environment. So, in 2007 when the opportunity arose to enroll in an alumni course with his former professor Philip Weinstein, Davis jumped on it. Taking the course encouraged him to be a more active alumnus and mentor for students, and Davis went on to found the Swarthmore Black Alumni Network in 2013 and become a member of the Swarthmore Alumni Council in 2015.

However, in his work advising students, Davis found himself emphasizing the importance of the senior thesis, advice he felt was "intellectually dishonest" since he hadn't completed the the project himself.

Last July, Davis began to inquire how he could get his diploma and discovered his thesis paper was all that stood in his way.

Professor Sarah Willie-LeBreton, chair of the college's Sociology and Anthropology Department, became Davis' mentor and started him off "like all the other seniors."

"The yearning for him to finish this last piece of business was really strong," said Willie-LeBreton, who has advised hundreds of students in her 20 years at Swarthmore. "His emotion, and his persistence, and his desire to get the research right and get the writing right was so clear and unequivocal."

Davis wrote his thesis on a topic especially close to his heart: Oak Bluffs, Mass., a middle-class African American enclave on Martha's Vineyard where his family has owned a house since 1955.

In his 140-page paper, Davis argued that the community "provides a refuge from stereotypes and racism in mainstream America" and remains incredibly important today.

With his thesis complete and the support of family and friends, Davis graduated with a degree in Sociology and Anthropology on May 21.

As he proudly stood among the younger members of his graduating class, Willie-LeBreton said Davis demonstrated to other students the importance of following their dreams.

"I think it sends the message that their success in life is not because of their degree, their success in life is that they have the tools and an incredible network," she added. "Once a Swattie, always a Swattie."

Davis certainly agrees and plans to continue his involvement with the College.

"I'm just eager to get on with the rest of my life," he said. "But unlike most undergraduates I'll be back, so see you in the fall!"
Don Kane, of Mariano Brothers Inc. places the last piece of the gold leaf shackle in place as installation is almost complete on sculptor Martin Puryear's 40-foot-tall "Big Bling" along Kelly Drive in Philadelphia, PA on May 24, 2017. Read more

It took a week, but sculptor Martin Puryear's steel-mesh-encased Big Bling, a 40-foot-tall tower of evocative power, has been completely installed on the Kelly Drive side of the Schuylkill River, north of the Girard Avenue Bridge. The sod will be restored at the site this week.

Penny Balkin Bach, executive director and chief curator of the Association for Public Art, said installation went smoothly  largely because the crew that installed the piece, which arrived in sections on flatbed trucks the morning of May 22, was the same crew that dismantled the piece in New York City. "They understood the puzzle," she said.

Big Bling rises over the river, dwarfing most trees, and its gilded "shackle"  high up on its headlike top  glitters in the late afternoon sun. BB was commissioned by the Madison Square Park Conservancy, and it graced the park, between E. 23rd and 26th Streets in Manhattan, for a year. The association partnered with Madison Square to bring the piece to Philadelphia for six months; it will most likely return to Puryear's studio when its stay here is completed.

Bach said that the piece will be formally welcomed at a 4:30 p.m. ceremony June 8. At that time, Puryear, whose Pavilion in the Trees was installed almost directly across the river in 1993, will receive the association's Medal of Honor. The medal is "given to people whose work is significant in Philadelphia and elsewhere in art and civic life," said Bach.
Lines formed outside Little Petes Restaurant at 17th and Chancellor for the last day of business on Memorial Day. Read more

Maybe it's because all the best and worst moments of our lives tend to happen at 3 a.m.  and because at 3 a.m., there's no place to go but Little Pete's  but the compact diner at 17th and Chancellor Streets holds an outsize place in Philadelphia's collective consciousness.

It closed Monday, after 38 years, an epoch that really is not very long in the grand scope of Philadelphia history. And yet, for many city dwellers, it feels like the loss of a civic institution.

It left behind lots of memories, as well as some vinyl booths, stools, and signs that will, as of Thursday, be in the possession of the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent, which is scrambling to preserve the diner's physical remains, if not its soul.

"We get called when something is closing," said Kristen Froelich, director of the collection and exhibitions. The museum, she said, has salvaged seats from Veterans Stadium, lights from the Society Hill Playhouse, and looms from the Quaker Lace Factory. "We get to celebrate the end of something, instead of celebrating it while it's still with us. It's heartbreaking."

So, we invited Philadelphians to remember Little Pete's as it was, gathering recollections by email, on social media, and from those stopping by during its final days to talk with staff. Here's what you told us (edited for length and clarity).

"There are a lot of regulars who come in here because this is their time to talk to somebody. They don't have anybody at home. Some don't even have kitchens," said Debbie Pegolese, 63, of South Philadelphia, who has worked as a waitress at Little Pete's for a dozen years, on and off. She knows them by their orders. "Once I was out with my kids, and I said, 'There goes iced-tea-chicken-cheesesteak.' "

After that, she made a point of asking names. Still, it's a strange kind of intimacy.

"You know somebody so well, you know what they eat, what they drink. But if they don't come in, you don't know where to find them. A gentleman used to come in three or four times a day. One day, he passed out and fell off the stool. He was taken away in an ambulance, and we never saw him since. People are in your life every day, and one day, they're gone."

"Before I moved from Center City, I used to eat breakfast at Little Pete's every Sunday. I enjoyed its stage-set intimacy and Philly-gritty vibe. It was worth coming early to gain the prime spot at the counter where you could spread out the Sunday newspaper. My usual was the chipped-beef special for $3.75, which magically showed up on the counter since I was a regular (wasn't everyone?). Best overheard conversation Customer, upon inspecting a glass: 'That's the cleanest glass I've ever had at Little Pete's.' Waitress: 'Well, don't be getting spoiled now.' We were all spoiled."  Anonymous

"My friend Sam Durso bought me a strawberry shortcake there for my birthday because it was my favorite. The only one they had had one slice already sold, but it was the best birthday cake."  Jennifer Urevick Ackelsberg Kates

"I have many memories at Little Pete's. The weirdest one is when the retired photojournalist started raving about chem trails and Obama. The nicest ones always involved milk shakes."  John Paul Titlow

Working as the cashier on one of Little Pete's final afternoons was Sam Przybylski Jr., 27, who had worked there for 10 years. His mother, Barbara, has worked there 37.

"I practically grew up here," he said. "If I wasn't in school, or if I got in trouble in school, I would be here." He's hoping to work in the shipyard in Chester next  he has had his fill of customer service. But some of the regulars he'll miss.

"There's a few customers that call almost every day," he said, "solely for the purpose of having someone to talk to."

When he gets bored or a kid calls, he'll answer the diner phone in an accent or the voice of a cartoon character.

"I can do anything from Shaggy to Scooby Doo," he said. "Chewbacca gets me yelled at."

"In the last 10 years of my grandparents' lives, they ate dinner at the Little Pete's at 19th and Chestnut at least five times a week. Never a great cook to begin with, my grandmother had a stroke in 1991 that left her with few words and no confidence in the kitchen. My grandfather, overwhelmed with taking care of her, decided eating out was the best option. Dinner came with soup, salad, two vegetables, a drink, and dessert. Often, they split an entree, my grandfather taking the soup and my grandmother carefully dressing each forkful of salad with just a dab of ranch. They almost always went home with white Styrofoam containers of leftovers.

"As a junior in college, I spent a semester in Philadelphia. Several times a week, I'd join my grandparents at Little Pete's. My grandfather would read me the menu, calling out his favorites for particular consideration.

"Years later, after both my grandparents passed away and the Chestnut Street location of Little Pete's was gone, I met a friend for breakfast at the 17th Street store. Several of the same waitresses who had always doted on my grandparents were there, and the menu was untouched. Walking in was like going home."  Marisa McClellan

"I arrived at my apartment building one night around 1:30 a.m. to find I couldn't enter. The key issued by my landlord had been poorly cut, requiring a series of jiggles and jerks so that I always felt like I was breaking into my own place. But tonight, the damn key just wouldn't turn. Where does one go at this time of night with nowhere else to turn? Little Pete's.

"I sat at the counter and ordered an omelet and bottomless cup of coffee. An hour later, I was dozing, only to be awoken with a polite but stern, 'You can't sleep here.' But it only took another 20 minutes and an empty diner to find one waitress and line cook sleeping in the corner booth, and the cashier slouched, eyes closed, behind the register. I took this as permission to nap.

'Another hour brought in a few late-night stragglers, stirring the four of us awake. I told the sympathetic waitress my predicament. She refilled my coffee, offering a phone charger and her entire Philadelphia life story. I left at 6 a.m. As I paid the check, the waitress thanked me for the conversation. I silently thanked Little Pete's for letting me stay the night."  Patrick Denehy

"I possess a little-known fact about my beloved Little Pete's. Back in the kitchen are two burners, gas-fired. The rear burner is on constantly, and since Little Pete's is open 24/7, this is an eternal flame. Philadelphia has another eternal flame: at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolutionary War, in Washington Square. Not too many years ago, the area around the tomb was being repaired, and the flame was out for quite a few weeks. I have been a regular at Pete's for more than 30 years (mostly takeout where, while Barbara took care of me, I stood within sight of Pete's rear burner). I can thus attest that Pete's flame has been continuously lit longer than our city's shrine to the Revolutionary soldier. This week, Pete's flame will go out forever. I will miss it."  Doug Coopersmith

One person taking the closing philosophically: Ioannis "John" Koutroubas, 57, co-owner of Little Pete's for 38 years.

He has seen the diner, and the city, through ups and downs.

"The middle of the '90s were a bad time. People were afraid to go to Center City. It's progress. The whole city is getting developed," he said. But some things have changed for the worse. People used to wait in line peaceably for a table at night. In the last couple of years, he has had to hire a security guard.

With the original Little Pete's closed, he said, "I'll go give my brother Pete a break at the other location, at 24th and Fairmount. He hasn't had a vacation in 11 years.

"It wasn't easy," he said, "running a business 24 hours a day."
Demonstrators seeking a ban on gifts to lawmakers are taken away from the office of House State Government Committee Chairman Daryl Metcalfe, a Republican, after being arrested at the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Tuesday, May 23, 2017. The March on Harrisburg demonstrators say they want a gift-ban bill that's been sitting in Metcalfe's committee since January to move forward. Group members say Metcalfe refuses to meet. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Read more

HARRISBURG  Overseas trips, tickets to sporting events, and free entry into black-tie galas. Airfare to conferences around the country and corporate donations to community events they sponsor.

These are but some of the gifts, lodging, and hospitality that Pennsylvania lawmakers reported on their annual disclosure forms this month, even as protesters converged on the Capitol to demonstrate the legislature's steadfast refusal to ban elected officials from accepting such largesse.

The forms, which list gifts received in 2016, show a handful of lawmakers traveled to places such as New Zealand and Hawaii, at times for conferences. Others accepted sporting tickets, which they then shared with people in their districts.

In Pennsylvania, which critics often flog as having the weakest gift regulations in the nation, it's all legal. As long as elected officials do not promise official action in return and report the gifts on annual statements of financial interest, they can, in theory, accept anything from a dinner to a trip.

"This issue, the gift-ban issue, this is the root of all issues," said Emmie DiCicco, spokeswoman for March on Harrisburg, a group that advocates for good government reforms, including a gift ban. "If we don't tackle corruption and our crumbling democracy, we will never see progress on other critical issues."

Last week, her group walked more than 100 miles from Philadelphia to the Capitol to protest the legislature's inaction on gift-ban legislation. They chanted. They formed human chains. They staged sit-ins.

Before it was over, 26 members of the group were arrested, most charged with disorderly conduct. And they received little assurance that the legislature would vote on a bill, now stuck in a House committee, that would prohibit lawmakers from accepting gifts from people seeking contracts, grants, loans or legislation.

Gift-ban proposals have languished in the legislature for years, despite public calls for reforms. Former legislators say lawmakers resist changes because they enjoy the perks of the job, including being wined and dined by lobbyists and others with an interest in state government.

Rep. Rick Saccone (R., Allegheny), who authored the gift-ban bill, said he finds that mind-boggling.

"I have at least 20 lobbyist groups that have never taken me out for anything," he said. "They come to my office, they make their pitch, and they go away. And that is how it should be."

Still, the gift-ban issue gained traction and urgency after a 2014 scandal that revealed some House members had accepted envelopes stuffed with cash from an undercover informant posing as a lobbyist for law enforcement.

Both chambers clamored to change their rules to prohibit cash gifts  but then the fervor to pass stronger bans dulled, and the issue got pushed to the legislative back burner.

As it stands, Pennsylvania's law places no limit on the size or number of gifts. Elected officials need only disclose gifts worth $250 or more, and transportation and hospitality worth $650 or more. Often, they provide few details about a gift other than its worth and who paid for it  and sometimes, it's hard to even discern that much from their reports.

In 2016, members of the House and Senate took in tens of thousands of dollars in gifts and hospitality, their financial interest statements show.

Rep. Eli Evankovich (R., Westmoreland) reported accepting what appears to be a $5,987 trip from New Zealand's Parliament, as well as $2,363 in lodging, transportation, and hospitality from the American Council of Young Political Leaders, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that seeks to introduce "rising political and policy professionals to international affairs and to each other," according to its website.

Evankovich said he was interested in the American Council of Young Political Leaders trip to New Zealand because that country is a leading destination for immigrants seeking jobs. "The entire reason I went was to find out is there something New Zealand is doing that Pennsylvania could emulate," he said.

Trip members traveled around, staying in a different hotel each night, and meeting with local officials and members of parliament to learn how New Zealand approaches governing.

"There was no room to breathe," he said. "This wasn't a leisurely trip."

Rep. Jordan Harris (D., Philadelphia) claimed a $750 gift from the host of a festival in Nigeria.

In an interview Tuesday, Harris said he traveled to Nigeria to receive a humanitarian award for his legislative work on criminal justice issues from a Nigerian king who last year had visited the Pennsylvania legislature.

He said the trip held both professional and personal value. He believes the trip will help create new business and educational opportunities between Pennsylvanians and Nigerians, including the possibility of launching college-based student exchange programs between Nigeria and state-based schools.

But he also said it sparked a quest to discover whether his ancestors hail from the country.

"Do you know where your family is from? I don't," said Harris. "Our history was stolen from us. I have to identify with the whole continent. I am African American."

He said when the Nigerian king looked at him upon giving him the award, he said: "You, my brother, look Nigerian." Others he met there told him the same thing.

Rep. Angel Cruz (D., Philadelphia) reported receiving $10,193.02 in transportation and hospitality from the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, including for a December summit in Waikiki, Hawaii.

In an interview last week, Cruz, who is the organization's president, said he has to attend its conferences. He said the events are no game: He required members to check in at hearings and speaking engagements to make sure they were there.

If it were up to him, Cruz said, he would not have chosen to hold the event in Hawaii, saying it took too long to get there. But the organization's previous president had made a commitment to members from Hawaii to hold the meeting there, in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, he said.

"The conferences we go and attend help us understand how we can be helpful to the people we represent," he said.

Several Republican legislators, including Reps. Chris Dush of Jefferson County and Brian Ellis of Butler County, accepted lodging and hospitality for meetings, summits, and conferences from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a membership organization of state legislators who believe in limited government, free markets, and federalism.

House Speaker Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny) reported no gifts  just a plane ride, worth $2,681.99, from Penn Waste Inc. The company is owned by Sen. Scott Wagner (R., York)  someone Turzai, who is seriously considering a run for governor next year, would have to edge out in the primary to win the Republican nomination.

House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin said Turzai accepted the plane ride because he was crunched for time trying to make the wedding of a staffer in another part of the state. Turzai appreciated that Wagner stepped up to help him out, according to Miskin.

Saccone, the sponsor of the House bill that would ban most gifts, said the goal is to prevent lobbyists from trying to influence lawmakers with gifts, meals, and other enticements.

But he said changing the culture in Harrisburg will only come if voters press their legislators to do so; it is not something that will happen organically.

"If it gets to the floor, it will pass," said Saccone. "Who can stand there on the floor of the House and say, `No, I think we should keep these gifts'? They could, but I guarantee those people will be in jeopardy with their own taxpayers."

Note: This story was updated May 30 to include comments from Rep. Jordan Harris.
The following photo is of Jeremiah Jakson from 8XX North 40th Street. Jakson was arrested today July 16, 2014, for the murder of 23 year old Laura Araujo. On Monday, July 14, 2014, at 5:30 AM, in the 2200 block of North 3rd Street officers were approached by a male who located the body of 23 year old Laura Araujo, from the 800 block of North 40th Street. Araujo was discovered wrapped in a blanket with her hands and feet bound. Araujo was pronounced at 5:54 AM on the scene. Jeremiah Jakson is charged with: Murder, Robbery, Theft and related offenses. Read more

Lorenzo Araujo would have been forgiven had he railed at Jeremiah Jakson, cursed the day he was born, wished him a life of pain.

Jakson, after all, killed Araujo's 23-year-old daughter, Laura, in July 2014. He strangled the recent Art Institute of Philadelphia graduate, stole some of her things, stuffed her body into a duffel bag, and dumped her in a North Philadelphia lot.

Instead, what happened as Araujo stood in a Philadelphia courtroom Friday to make a victim-impact statement before the 25-year-old Jakson was sentenced left veteran prosecution and defense lawyers stunned and still talking four days later.

Araujo, 69, told Jakson that he forgave him and "hoped he found some peace in his life."

And then the Oklahoma City psychiatrist took out a pen and a book of poetry he wrote reflecting on his daughter's death  dedicated to "my daughter and her murderer"  and inscribed the book to Jakson before handing it to a sheriff's deputy to give to him.

"I have never seen anything like it," said Jakson's attorney, Andres Jalon. "He's a magnificent man, an amazing man."

Jalon said Jakson accepted the book and had trouble maintaining his composure.

Assistant District Attorney Gail Fairman, a veteran homicide prosecutor, described it as one of those rare moments when individual character and spirituality rose above the horror of a homicide trial.

Fairman said Araujo described a "deep spirituality" he shared with his daughter and said she would have wanted him to do this.

"He thanked everybody, and he said he wanted to show [Jakson] that there was still love for him in the world," Fairman said.

Araujo's book of poetry, A Journey of Life, Death and Rebirth with My Daughter, was published last year and is available online. Araujo said that proceeds from sales of the book would go to create a foundation in his daughter's name to people to travel to help others abroad and to fund prisoner education.

Araujo could not be reached Tuesday for comment. A native of the Dominican Republic, he has published several books of short stories, poetry, and literary critiques. He and his wife, Anania, 55, attended the trial.

Jakson was found guilty and sentenced Friday by Common Pleas Court Judge Glenn B. Bronson, who heard the case without a jury. Jakson waived his right to a jury trial in exchange for the prosecutor's agreeing not to seek the death penalty.

The verdict carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole, but Bronson tacked on 62 1/2 years for robbery, burglary, and abuse of corpse, calling Jakson's conduct "despicable."

Jakson testified in his defense, blaming the murder on another woman, but his defense was undercut by an ATM surveillance video that showed him trying to use Araujo's bank card at a local gas station.

In July 2014, Araujo and Jakson, a sometime security guard and aspiring musician, were living in different rooms on the same floor of

a boarding house on 40th Street near Brown, in Mantua.

Araujo, who volunteered with a Christian outreach group and taught English as a second language, had all her possessions packed in her 2011 Toyota RAV4. With a new degree in fashion marketing, she was looking for a new job and a new place to live.

Around 3 a.m. July 14, 2014, police found Araujo's Toyota reeking of gasoline and ablaze on Bambrey Street near Tasker, in South Philadelphia.

Later that day, police found Araujo's bound body in a lot near an abandoned house on Third Street near Susquehanna Avenue in North Philadelphia. Her belongings were scattered around her.

Police suspected Jakson because he went to the emergency room of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania shortly after the burning SUV was discovered, seeking treatment for burns to both forearms.

A
NORMAL  Students at Heartland Community College walked into a room with an "immigration" sign on the desk, but the sign was about the only thing that was understandable.

The forms they were asked to fill out were in a language they didn't understand. The person in charge was speaking in a language they didn't understand.

When they finally reached someone speaking their language, they were asked whether they were willing to pledge allegiance to a new country, its flag and its religion while renouncing their home country and religion.

Each who said, "No," was sent to a separate walled-in area and had a sign hung around their neck reading, "Enemy of the people."

It was all a simulation, but the discomfort was real.

Part of an educational event called "Boxes and Walls," the exercise was "about raising awareness about what some of their classmates may have gone through to get here," explained Shamelle Grabill, a tutoring services facilitator at Heartland who helped design the immigration part of the program.

An information sheet given to the students after the first exercise provided background on U.S. policies and history as well as how Nazi propaganda and Chinese and Soviet dictators used the "enemies of the people" phrase.

Students also went through two other exercises in other rooms.

In one, they sat in a circle around a fake campfire with each person reading aloud a brief story about a gay student's experience in coming out about their homosexuality or bisexuality.

"These are real stories. They're not just made-up stories," said Jessica Wheeler of Heartland's Pride Club.

Some of the stories were positive with a parent saying, "I love you and that will never change." Others were not, including stories of being kicked out of the house or told, "You are going to hell."

Wheeler said: "Good or bad, coming out is hard. People have to realize that."

Entering the third room, participants were greeted by a sign saying, "Tests determine future success," and were handed supposedly easy tests to do in a limited time.

But some tests were in tiny print, blurred print, backward lettering or were difficult to read in other ways, simulating the problems faced by students with physical or learning disabilities.

Compounding the problem, two people distracted the students by moving shades up and down, turning lights up and down, rustling papers and making noise.

Rob Willett, a graduate student in college and student personnel administration from Illinois State University who is working in Heartland's Student Engagement Office, said, "The goal of 'Boxes and Walls' includes planting seeds of openness, understanding and respect for oppressed and marginalized groups."

A "debriefing" session followed the exercises, giving students an opportunity to discuss and reflect on the experience.

Freshman Victoria Rexroat, an art major from Bloomington, said she hadn't thought about different oppressed groups and it was helpful "to put ourselves in their shoes."

Derrick Coney, a computer science sophomore from Chicago, said the exercise was "a good way to experience the different challenges that different types of people face."

He said, "It really makes a difference whether you choose to interpret the knowledge as positive or negative."

Willett said the name of the program fits its purpose, "which is to think outside of the box by throwing away stereotypes and tearing down walls of division."

He said no one expects a single, hour-long event to bring down all those walls, but "our hope is that they would keep thinking about it."
Mark Segal, founder and Publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News, is listed as being with the Philadelphia Cat News on a Cuban press credential. Read more

Mark Segal, founder and publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News, had a bit of a surprise when he got his press credential while in Cuba earlier this month.

Segal was covering the country's 10th Annual Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. He decided to make the trip to chart the changes since the Obama administration opened relations with the island nation. The trip was a "major thing" for Segal who 20 years earlier was denied credentials as a gay reporter and had to sneak into the country.

"I could have been arrested," he said of the past trip.

Segal waited patiently  for over an hour  while the credential was handmade using paper, glue sticks, and an iron.

"In that regard, the country hasn't changed," he said. "Even the press credentials were in a time warp."

When he looked down at the credential, his paper was listed as the Philadelphia Cat News.

"Somehow she got from Gay News to Cat News," Segal said. He quickly brought the error to the secretary's attention and they offered to redo the credential. Not wanting to repeat the teeth-pulling experience, Segal opted to keep the card as it was.

"OK, I'll be Philadelphia Cat News," he said. He put the press pass around his neck and went about his business, including interviewing Mariela Castro, the daughter of President Raul Castro and head of Cuban National Center for Sex Education, the group that sponsored the event.

"Her security people didn't blink an eye," he said.

"We are lucky to be in a profession where we get experiences like this all the time," said Segal. "And, sometimes it is just amusing."

As for the Cat News credential?

"It is a great souvenir," he said.
Icelandair CEO Birkir Holm Guonason, left, cuts a cake to celebrate Icelandairs inaugural flight to Philadelphia as Mayor Philadelphia James Kenney, right, look on. Read more

The inaugural Icelandair flight from Philadelphia with Mayor Kenney aboard was diverted to Boston late Tuesday after experiencing a technical problem over Canada.

Kenney, a critic of international travel by his predecessors, was on board an Icelandair flight for Reykjavik, Iceland, as part of a cultural exchange to mark the first direct flights between the city and Philadelphia.

The flight was diverted to Boston, however, due to a technical problem, according to Icelandair. A rubber smell was detected on the aircraft, the airline told people asking questions on social media about the diversion. Further information about the technical issue was not described.

Icelandair said a new flight would depart Boston at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and land in Iceland at 1:30 a.m.

The website FlightAware.com showed the plane making an unexpected turn at 10:47 p.m. By 10:54 p.m., the website reported that the flight had been diverted to Logan International Airport, where it landed about 12:30 a.m.

"We and Icelandair are committed to doing all we can to ensure future travelers have a smooth travel experience on this new route," Kenney spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said. "This is obviously very out of the ordinary."

Hitt said it is tradition when new international routes are established to the Philadelphia International Airport for the mayors to visit one another's cities.

Perhaps because Kenney often blasted Mayor Michael Nutter for traveling out of the country, Hitt did some research on the topic. The city's law department dredged up a memo referencing a 1991 trip that then-Mayor Wilson Goode took to Switzerland to mark the first Swiss Air flight to Philadelphia.

"It would have been difficult to entice them to establish support here if we had said we're  not sending the mayor as part of this cultural exchange," Hitt said. "It would have been seen as a snub for us to not partake in it when all previous mayors have done so."

Kenney is to return Saturday.

He is scheduled to speak at Iceland University about Philadelphia's status as a so-called sanctuary city. He will also attend a dinner at the U.S. embassy; visit the Althing, Iceland's parliament; and tour the Hellisheii Geothermal Power Plant.

The mayor of Reykjavik, Dagur B. Eggertsson, has spent two days on a similar tour in Philadelphia.

Hitt said the costs to host the delegation from Iceland were split between the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and the airport. The airport, which Hitt said is self-sustaining and receives no taxpayer revenue, is paying for Kenney's travel to Iceland.
A worker removes a catfish from the ice at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh during the second period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators on Monday, May 29, 2017, in Pittsburgh. Read more

A Tennessee man who smuggled a dead catfish in his compression shorts into Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals will face his day in court after he tossed the decaying carcass onto the ice during the second period.

Predators fan Jacob Wadell, 36, of Nolensville, Tenn., was booted from the Penguins PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Monday and charged with possessing instruments of crime, disrupting a meeting, and disorderly conduct, PennLive reported.

Tossing catfish on the ice is a tradition in Tennessee.

The Tennessean newspaper has reports dating back to Oct. 30, 2003, of fans tossing catfish on the ice.

Wadell has been hailed as a hero in his home state, with attorneys offering him pro bono help and social media lighting up in his defense.

A Pittsburgh fish store is now asking for identification before selling catfish. If you are from Tennessee you have no chance, TribLive reported.

Once inside the arena, Wadell hid his catch in a free T-shirt and towel that were handed out as promotions at the gate.

He tossed the catfish out onto the ice when the Predators were three goals down. The team rallied but eventually lost to Pittsburgh, 5-3.
Hi, pals. Summer is (unofficially) here, the Phillies (inexplicably) won a game, and our president has returned from abroad, having touched an orb, a wall, and the steely grip of Emmanuel Macron.

A reminder: you're getting this email because you signed up for a newsletter about President Trump and his administration's effect on Philadelphia. This is the second edition, and you can email me here with suggestions/questions/fawning compliments/angry rants/etc. If someone forwarded this to you and you're liking what you're reading, you can sign up to get it every week here. Onward!

-Aubrey Whelan

Today, lets talk about the budget.

Whats at stake

The president returned from his trip to the Middle East, the Vatican and the G7 summit with a lot on his plate back home. He set himself a deadline on whether the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris climate accords. His son-in-law and closest adviser, Jared Kushner, is reportedly now under scrutiny in the Russia investigation. And now he's got a budget to sell.

The local angle

Trump's most detailed federal budget proposal yet came out last week, and outlines cuts for nearly every domestic agency outside of the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, some of which we've already written about. The president's latest proposal, though, includes a slew of previously-unannounced cuts to social services programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps). Those cuts could hit Philly, the poorest big city in the country, particularly hard.

Some 480,000 people in Philadelphia  including 182,000 children  get SNAP benefits. Under Trump's budget, the feds would cut SNAP by 25 percent over the next 10 years. The budget would expand work requirements for SNAP beneficiaries  which proponents say are aimed at getting more people back to work. It would also save federal money by making states pick up some of the tab for SNAP costs.

The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning Washington think tank, estimated that under the president's plan, Pennsylvania would be paying an extra $680 million a year for SNAP by 2023. (The more conservative Cato Institute, which advocates for entirely state-run food stamp programs, applauded the cuts for "paring back the bloated welfare state"). Local anti-hunger advocates, in a state that already has a $1.2 billion budget deficit, worry that would only mean more cuts.

"Not only are the feds walking away from their financial responsibility, but they're passing the buck on tough decisions  the states will decide how to trim benefits and limit eligibility," Kathy Fisher, the policy director at Philly's Coalition Against Hunger, told me. "It makes advocates crazy  you're not only fighting at the federal level for adequate funding, but there's a battle at the state level, too."

Whats ahead

Presidential budgets never make it through Congress unchanged. Democrats reacted to this one with outrage, and Republicans were lukewarm at best. (PA's own Republican Sen. Pat Toomey said he agreed with the plan's broad goals but not some of its particulars.) But while this budget, as a whole, is basically dead in the water, it does act as a handy breakdown of what the Trump administration thinks the country should be spending money on  and Republicans share a lot of those priorities. So don't write it off just yet.

What theyre saying

"The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them."  President Trump, on his @POTUS Twitter account, commenting on a white supremacist who murdered two men in Portland. The tweet, sent Monday, was not retweeted to his personal account, which has 12.8 million more followers.

"We Europeans truly have to take our fate into our own hands."  German chancellor Angela Merkel, on her country's alliance with the U.S. and Britain, after meeting with President Trump and other world leaders at the G7 summit.

"My handshake with [President Trump] was not innocent."  French president Emmanuel Macron, on the Death Grip Felt Round the Internet.

In other news

What Im reading

A non-political palate cleanser

Iconic Center City diner Little Pete's, where I ate many solo dinners but never once felt alone, closed on Monday, and I am bereft. The Inquirer's Kristen Graham was there for its jam-packed, bittersweet, characteristically no-nonsense final day in business.
WAYNESVILLE  While Memorial Day is a time to remember veterans who gave their lives for our country, two Central Illinois sisters remind us that many others also made sacrifices to secure our freedom.

A lot of people risked their lives for the (World War II) effort, said Phyllis Granacher of Waynesville.

She and her sister, Mabel Houchens of Ellsworth, remember good times and bad growing up during the early 1940s. At the time, they were children about 5 and 6 years old.

Being a kid during the war wasnt good, Houchens said.

Their father, Phillip Park, was one of more than 10,000 Illinois residents employed at two ammunition plants built in the state in 1940. One was based near Kankakee, and the second, known as the Joliet Arsenal, was located near Elwood, south of Joliet.

While he went to work at Elwood, we waited with our mother in Colfax, Granacher said. When the government completed the trailer court for the workers and their families, we moved to Wilmington to join him.

According to the website devoted to the history of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, the Elwood facility loaded more than 926 million bombs, shells, mines, detonators, fuses and boosters during World War II.

The men and women who worked at these plants put their lives on the line every day, Granacher said. Each plants primary concern was safety.

But early on the morning on June 5, 1942, something went terribly wrong in Elwood.

The United Press reported on the incident a day later.

"An explosion shattered buildings of one of the units of the $30 million Elwood Ordnance plant and gave up the bodies of 21 workers Friday," the wire service reported. "Army officials said 36 more were missing from the blast that could be felt for a radius of 100 miles. Another 41 were injured, five of them critically, from the explosion that leveled a building... Not one of the 68 men inside the shipping unit when the blast occurred escaped death or injury."

According to a story published a week later in The (Bloomington) Pantagraph, 49 people died from the blast and 67 were injured. Families of the dead received compensation of between $4,000 and $5,500, depending on the number of children in the family. Amounts of up to $4,000 were sent to those who were injured, depending on the severity of their injuries.

Following the war, the Army described the incident as one of the deadliest explosions at an ammunition plant during World War II.

The blast occurred at 2:45 a.m. but fortunately, for Park, he was assigned to the day shift and was not at the plant when the explosion happened. The blast put one of the 12 production units out of action temporarily, but operations continued in the others.

The memory of the explosion remains with both women, as they reflected on their childhood.

We have good and bad memories of that time, Granacher said.

During the war, everyone suffered because some products were rationed, Houchens added. It was a much different time. I remember walking on Old Route 66 when it was New Route 66.

But it was the hard work of Americans and the dedication of the American labor force behind the scenes that also should be recognized, in addition to those who fought in combat overseas, Granacher said.

All of the workers, men and women who were unable to join the Armed Forces were able to do their part and help win the war by supplying the materials our troops needed, she said.

Freedom is never free and I want to thank all of the workers in the ammunition plants during World War II and all of the workers employed in our plants today.
Former Wall Street executive Phil Murphy is favored to win New Jersey's Democratic gubernatorial primary next week in part because he's invested $15 million in his candidacy. But that's not the reason he should win.

The former ambassador to Germany is fluent in government policy and has offered creative solutions to problems in a state that sorely needs a course correction after two terms of Gov. Christie's poor stewardship of the budget and environment.

Murphy, 59, of Middletown, understands the need to raise taxes on the wealthy and slash corporate loopholes to collect the revenue needed to heal the nation's sickest pension fund, properly fund public schools, and provide more access to health care.

Murphy promises to do a better job getting federal funding for disaster and foreclosure relief, a smart idea considering New Jersey sends much more revenue to Washington than it gets back.

To address the pension mess Christie tried to fix, Murphy, who chaired a pension task force during the Codey administration, would wisely pull pension money out of high-risk investments like hedge funds. But if Murphy is elected he will need to lose his apparent hesitancy to get unions to reduce benefits for new employees.

That may be a hard sell after the state reneged on its agreement to pay its legally required share into the pension fund if the unions agreed to increased costs. But it's going to take more concessions to protect the retirement savings of government workers, and the next governor can't be shy about asking for them.

Murphy says he would be open to upgrading building standards in flood-prone areas, a necessary step toward making them resilient. He would attack New Jersey's lingering foreclosure crisis by purchasing vacant homes and converting them to rentals with an eye toward helping tenants become homeowners.

The former chief of investment firm Goldman Sachs' European and Asian operations says he wants to build up the state's new energy and technology sectors. He says New Jersey, with its exceptional universities and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, should be a natural leader in green energy.

Murphy has pledged to depoliticize the Pinelands and Highlands commissions. If elected, he will need to be less reticent about the over-sized influence that New Jersey's political bosses have on policy. You have to wonder sometimes just who runs the government in Trenton.

Also running for the Democratic nomination are Assemblyman John Wisniewski, Sayerville; State Sen. Ray Lesniak, Elizabeth; former firefighter Bill Brennan, Wayne; Tenafly City Councilman Mark Zinna; and Jim Johnson, a Montclair attorney who was undersecretary of the Treasury in the Clinton administration. Among that group, Johnson stands out for his ability to verbalize the need for progressive ideas to address the state's problems.

But the Inquirer endorses PHIL MURPHY as the better choice for Democrats. He understands the issues, has a wealth of executive experience, and offers practical solutions to problems that should never have been allowed to fester this long.
During the period of May 21-27, there were no major changes in the situation on the Line of Contact, this according to the Artsakh Ministry of Defense.

Throughout the week, Azerbaijan violated the Karabakh ceasefire more than 550 times, firing 60 mm and 82 mm mortars, anti-tank and automatic grenade launchers. Contract soldier Armen Harutyunyan, born in 1996, was killed on May 26 by Azerbaijani fire while serving at a northern outpost.



The ministry adds that Artsakh forces responded in kind to suppress the firing and continue to monitor the situation.
An officer from the Bluefield (WV) Police Department is dead after an accident on Princeton Avenue in Bluefield early Tuesday morning. The crash involved two cruisers from the Bluefield Police Department and one cruiser from the West Virginia State Police.

Last night shortly after midnight four Bluefield police officers and one state police officer was involved in a vehicle pursuit. That pursuit took place on Bluefield and Princeton Avenue, Bluefield Police Chief Dennis Dillow said during a Tuesday press conference. It ended up at the intersection of Princeton Avenue and Lee Street. Unfortunately, that scene ended up in an accident at which time we lost a member of our Bluefield Police Department.

Dillow and other Bluefield City officials took no questions at the briefing. The name of the officer killed was not released. The other officers involved were treated and released.

The pursuit and accident apparently involved a DUI suspect and one person is in custody. Authorities have not revealed the identity of the suspect at this time.

The investigation is being handled by the West Virginia State Police, WVMetroNews reports.
Aghasi Tadevosyan, Cultural Anthropologist

One can frequently hear the expression akhpar in Armenia. Its usage has lately increased due to the influx of Armenians from Syria. Akhpars are those Armenians who immigrated to Soviet Armenia from around the world in the 1920s-1930s, and particularly in 1946-1949.

TORGOM PAHLEVANYAN

Interview conducted in Glendale (California, USA), 2011

My family arrived in Armenia before the war. They always asked me, are you a Bolsetsi or an akhpar? I always replied, Bolsetsi. Theyd say, yes, you are one of those old ones.

While the label often had a pejorative meaning, those relocating played an essential role in modernizing the socio-cultural and daily life of the country.

The repatriates were the cultural mediators, surviving the cruel atmosphere of fear of Stalinism and shaped under the Soviet stamp, adapting to the disgraceful conditions of life, reconciling themselves to the difficulties of hunger, sacrifice and betrayal, who imparted a breath of fresh air to society with the western Armenian they spoke, with their clothes that set them apart from Soviet homogeneity, with the well-mannered nature of their family and personal relations, with their cuisine infused with strange spices, and, finally, with their habit of drinking coffee.

Generalizing, we can say that coming to Armenia, the repatriates faced two major integration issues. The first was systematic. All of them had moved to Soviet Armenia from capitalist countries and had no conception whatever of Soviet socialism. The second was cultural. Despite being Armenian, they differed greatly from local Armenians with their daily habits and customs, the clothes they wore, their food, the way they welcomed guests, their moral values, their conception and norms of aesthetics, and the nature of their family and personal relations.

In the early 1970s, in a Yerevan neighborhood, there lived a middle-aged woman who stood out from the rest due to the clothes she wore. The locals nicknamed her Zontik (umbrella). It turns out the moniker was linked to the womans repatriate father, and not to her. The father repatriated to Armenia in 1946 with his family. The neighborhood where they settled down was half inhabited by other repatriates and the other half by locals who migrated to Yerevan from the villages. On rainy days, as was his custom, the father walked the streets carrying an umbrella. For the locals, the sight was quite bizarre. Local Armenians thought it unmanly to carry an open umbrella. Thats why they made fun of him, nicknaming him Zontik and his daughter, Zontiks girl. After the man died, locals gradually started to call the daughter, Zontik.

The repatriates, either coming from Europe or from the European influenced cultures of Syria, Lebanon and Egypt, appeared other worldly. The locals, either little or entirely uninformed of the outside world, mostly displayed intolerance and xenophobia towards the unfamiliar. On a practical level, this was manifested in vulgarity and ridicule.

There was another trait of social life that was one of the reasons for the differences and conflicts between locals and repatriates. Soviet man could not perceive the difference between public and private; there was no reference point. Repatriates, however, did possess specific norms separating the two in daily life. There was a sensitivity regarding the personal space of another.

SONIA MGRBLIAN

Repatriated from USA in 1949 / Lives in Paris

The cultures of the newcomers and the locals were quite different. Let me recount a small example. I was nineteen when we went to Armenia. From the beginning, I received many marriage offers. There, a go-between comes and says that the boy of such and such family wants to marry you. But how could I answer yes or no? Even if I saw that person just once? In other words, naturally, Id always say no. I couldnt. Thats not the way it was in America. There, boys and girls go out together. Only later is marriage a possibility. If everything goes smoothly, perhaps theyll marry. I didnt get married.

In interviews of locals that lived next to repatriates, they frequently say that the akhpars were more cultured (refined). They wouldnt poke their nose in the affairs of others, nor would they ask very personal questions of another. When they did, the questions were quite delicately posed and circumspect. In this regard, locals were quite spontaneous and could ask inconvenient questions, delve into the private life of another, which, for the repatriates, was strange at best.

Most of the repatriates were the bearers of contemporary attitudes and behavior. Locals tended more towards the rural, the rustic. Repatriates wouldnt pay a visit to the home of another without first informing the host and making an appointment. Local would often open the door of a neighbor without knocking.

Then too, daily practices shaped under the influence of the ideology of Soviet collectivism, setting the private against the collective, in which great stock was given to the group lifestyle, was of great significance.

An old resident of a Yerevan neighborhood recounts that in the 1960s-1970s, people not only didnt lock their outer gate, but also their front door. Neighbors could go and come as they pleased. Akhpars, as a rule, locked their front door, and sometimes the outer gate as well.

In other words, from the perspective of organizing social space, one of the main differences between repatriates and locals was that the former had a greater sensitivity about the borders of public and private space and linked behavioral practices. This manifestation was one of the pointers that a person came from the capitalist world, given that the separation between the public and private in daily life first appears in the era of capitalism.

In the theory of daily life, this issue is one of those that has been examined in detail. In the era of capitalism, directed by modernism, the phenomenon of the separation of the public and private gradually comes to the fore. It is also accompanied by the partition and separation of the individual from the group. In Soviet society, those seeking seclusion were regarded as suspicious and became the target of official propaganda.

The Soviet Union not only had daily practices that were officially encouraged and promulgated by the state, but also a shadow world that has equally, and sometimes more, Soviet. In the Soviet Union, those who sincerely believed in the values preached by the states propaganda machine, and who didnt master or employ the shadow practices to circumvent the official line, were regarded as naive bumpkins who didnt understand the rules of life. Sometimes, they were labelled communist.

ALBERT MOSCOFYAN

Repatriated from France in 1947 / Lives in Paris

I was successful. I didnt steal or take bribes. Everyone knew that I provided blood tests and other exams in the evenings at my house. I was able to live without being in debt to anyone.

One time, department head Aleksandr Grigoryan said that everybody was stealing. I said, I also am stealing. Yes, yes. What do you steal? I steal my vacation time, I replied. I didnt hide the truth. I openly said that I work and eat.

Daily life had numerous shades located between the official and the shadow. Those who could best make their way between the two extremes was considered a person who understood life. In Soviet reality, it was these people who really wielded power. Others knew how to relate to them. Only a few didnt know about the forms of these relations. Fewer still were those who, on principle, didnt tolerate any of this. No one in the Soviet system liked these latter people. Those who tried to have nothing to do with the real rules dominating life in the space between the official and the shadow, were called good for nothing and less than human, not a man.

The repatriates entered the Soviet Union from places where the operating reality on the ground was equal to or quite close to the declared reality. They found it difficult to understand the multi-layered realities, contradictory while at the same time supplementary, of the Soviet Armenian. Repatriates often collided with these realities of Soviet Armenia and found it difficult to adapt to daily practices that undermined their individual dignity.

One of these was the practice of bribery. It was near impossible to resolve any issue in Soviet Armenia without bribery. In many interviews with repatriates this is the reality most mentioned. Bribery was the miracle means that did away with all the official obstacles and complications that an average Soviet citizen faced to resolve any common problem. Descriptions of bribery in these interviews relate to all sectors  from bribing hospital guards and doctors, from neighborhood inspectors to top-ranking police officials, judges and prosecutors, from school principals to high-ranking education officials.

Repatriates were also not familiar with the local sub-cultures. Their unfamiliarity with the neighborhood sub-culture really complicated their lives. As a result, in the patriarchal neighborhood milieu, they were often regarded as harifs (simpleton/sucker), because they didnt master the local concepts and language of discourse of right and wrong.

It took decades until people slowly began to grasp the local routines of daily life. Despite many difficulties, the repatriates gradually acquired the skills and knowledge to live in their given environment. Furthermore, with the passage of time, that which was regarded as akhpar-like and ridiculed permeated the lives of the locals and became an integral part of their daily lives.

Living in Soviet Armenia for a few decades, many repatriates never reconciled to the idea that their progeny should stay in an environment, divorced from logic, as was the Soviet Union. In the 1960s and 1970s, seeing their first real chance, many left Soviet Armenia. But the permanent stamp of akhpar culture on Soviet Armenian reality remained.

.

This article is prepared as part of the Two Lives: The Cold War and the Emigration of Armenians project financed by National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
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By Alexandra Harney

SHANGHAI (Reuters)  The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee has called for an investigation into potentially fraudulent statements and misrepresentations made by companies promoting investment in a property development involving the family company of White House advisor Jared Kushner.

Citing a May 12 report by Reuters, Chuck Grassley, a Republican senator from Iowa, requested a review of claims made by Chinese migration agency Qiaowai and the U.S. Immigration Fund (USIF) in the marketing of the One Journal Square project in Jersey City, New Jersey to potential investors in China.

Grassley flagged his concerns to the Department of Homeland Security and the Securities and Exchange Commission in a May 24 letter that was later posted on his website.

Jupiter, Florida-based USIF contracted with Beijing-based Qiaowai to market projects including One Journal Square to potential investors through the controversial EB-5 scheme. The program offers qualified foreign investors the chance at a green card in exchange for a $500,000 investment in a U.S. business.

Kushner Companies is also working with KABR Group, a private equity fund, on the One Journal Square project, according to marketing materials on Qiaowais website. The developers are seeking to raise $150 million, or 15.4 percent of the funding, from EB-5 investors.

Because the SEC considers some EB-5 investments securities, companies and individuals that market these investments must comply with U.S. securities laws.

EB-5 schemes must also comply with immigration rules. Under United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidelines, EB-5 investors must put their capital at risk and the green card is not guaranteed. USCIS is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

In an emailed response to a request for comment on Grassleys letter, Stu Loeser, a spokesman for USIF, said: Qiaowai and U.S. Immigration Fund are fully in compliance with all laws relating to the sale of securities to immigrant investors. These allegations are gross distortions and unsupported by the facts.

Reuters previously revealed that Qiaowais promotional materials online and on social media, including for the One Journal Square project, sometimes referred to a green card guarantee or safeguard and the safety of capital invested in EB-5 projects.

After Reuters contacted Qiaowai for comment, these phrases were deleted. Qiaowai has also dropped the phrase government-supported from its online promotion of the One Journal Square project.

It is a fundamental rule of the EB-5 program that an applicants investment must remain at risk up to the end of the aliens conditional permanent resident status, and a guaranteed investment fails this basic EB-5 test; if Qiaowai is in fact guaranteeing the safety of the investment principal, all related EB-5 petitions should be rejected by USCIS, wrote Grassley, who has long advocated for reform of the EB-5 program.

Qiaowais assurances to investors that their green cards were guaranteed and their funds were safe appeared to violate U.S. securities laws, Grassleys letter said. It also cited a report on the projects promotion by the New York Times.

Kushner Companies and the SEC declined to comment. Qiaowai, KABR Group and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment over the weekend.

Chinese investors account for around 80 percent of the nearly 10,000 EB-5 visas issued annually.

Criticism of the program has centered on instances of fraud and the fact that most of the funds in a program originally intended to help impoverished areas have instead gone to wealthy urban districts. Despite these concerns, earlier this month, Congress extended the EB-5 program until September 30.

The Chinese road show for One Journal Square earlier this month also attracted criticism. Kushner Companies apologized for Nicole Kushner Meyers reference to her brother, President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, during the road show.

The company stressed that he was only mentioned in order to make clear that he was not involved with the project. Kushner Companies representatives skipped some later road show events.

Jared Kushner, whose White House portfolio includes relations with China, sold his stake in Kushner Companies to a family trust early this year.

(Additional reporting by Shanghai newsroom and Caren Bohan in Washington; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
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The Russia scandal is getting very personal for Trump as Congressional investigators are demanding that his lawyer Michael Cohen turn over documents related to the Russia investigation.

NBC News got confirmation from Cohen that he is a part of the Russia investigation, President Donald Trumps personal attorney, Michael Cohen, confirmed to NBC News that he has received requests for information from the Senate and House intelligence committees as part of their probes into Russian interference in the U.S. election. A congressional aide said the request letters, first reported by ABC News, were the same ones sent to former Trump aides Carter Page, Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Mike Flynn and others. Those letters sought information about Russian contacts, and asked the recipients to turn over any communications with the Trump campaign about Russia.

The significance is that Cohen is a personal lawyer for both Trump and his businesses, which would suggest that the investigators are interested in potential financial dealings and connections between Trump, or the Trump Organization, and Russia. The money is being followed. Cohen didnt have a formal high-level role in the campaign, so he probably is not a party of the collusion element of the probe, but as Trumps lawyer, he would have information about business dealings.

There is a reason why Trump has refused to release his tax returns or detailed financial documents related to his businesses. The Russia investigation is complex, and it involves several different players along different tracks.

Besides communications, the other area of information that Trump and his associated have worked hard to obstruct is financial.

Having Congress ask your personal lawyer for documents is not a good development for Donald Trump. The President may wish that was back overseas because, on his first day back after a holiday weekend, he is drowning in the Russia scandal.
A lot of Hungarians could be using mobile wallets a year from now

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Instant bank transfers will be launched in Hungary on 1 July 2019. The service will be available seven days a week, 24 hours a day and it will take five seconds for the transferred money to arrive to its destination, the central banks (MNB) Financial Infrastructures Director told a Portfolio conference on Tuesday.
Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan today, in Yerevan, welcomed a delegation of the Ramgavar Azatagan Party (ADL) led by Sergio Nahabetian, who serves as chairman of the partys central committee.

Karapetyan stressed the important work carried out bey the ADL in strengthen bonds between Armenia and the diaspora and in maintaining Armenian identity.

The two are said to have discussed issues related to the economic development of Armenia and Artsakh.

Karapetyan said that his government seeks the participation of all Armenians in the process of reforming the countrys business climate and to attract new investment.
WABASHA  Ten years ago, good news came down from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The bald eagle, a symbol of our nation, was off the endangered species list.

The National Eagle Center in Wabasha will celebrate that anniversary as part of its Bald Eagle Days, June 17-18.

Eileen Hanson, associate director of the Eagle Center, said the Fish and Wildlife Service will help celebrate our national bird, offering pontoon rides on the river as part of the celebration. The Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance will also present talks on the health of Lake Pepin, an important habitat for the birds along the Upper Mississippi River.

Scott Mehus, education director for the Eagle Center, said right now the eagles are thriving in Minnesota, and that's a great reason to celebrate. But it wasn't long ago that eagles were nearly wiped out along the Upper Mississippi River.

"It was dangerously low," he said, referring to the eagle population back in the 1950s and '60s. "Locally, from Wabasha here down the 261 miles of the Upper Mississippi River, from 1968 to 1972, there was only one nesting pair."

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In the lower 48 states, he said, the Audubon Society estimated 1,000 nesting pairs in the 1950s. That number dropped to 417 pairs in 1963. There were plenty of causes for the drop, but the main one was DDT, the insecticide that worked its way into the food chain.

"There's a process called biomagnification, where every rung up it becomes stronger," he said. That means from the insects to the minnows and frogs to the small fish to the bigger fish and eventually the eagles, the DDT in each animal's system became a bigger problem.

In eagles, it meant they had trouble processing calcium. That meant no eggs from females, or eggs that could not stand up under the weight of a brooding adult.

All that changed in 1972, when DDT was banned and, slowly, the eagles began to make a comeback. Today, he said, there are more than 10,000 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states and 2,000 in Minnesota alone. As for that 261-mile stretch of river, there are well over 300 nesting pairs today, and many of them can be found around Lake Pepin and Wabasha. "We have good winter habitat," he said. "That's one of the reasons why the Eagle Center is here in Wabasha."

Of course, there are still issues facing the eagles today. One of the main problems is lead ingestion. Hunters put their gut piles out for scavengers, and the eagles end up ingesting lead from the shot. "If you look at Lincoln's nose on a penny, that small fragment is enough to kill an eagle," Mehus said.

Instead, he said, if hunters bought copper ammo instead of lead, the eagles would not get poisoned by the metal left over from hunted animals.

Mehus said he hopes people can come out and learn about bald eagles and the plight they have overcome. "Ranger Ed, who is the Refuge Ranger, is giving people rides to show the back waters a little bit," he said. "In summertime, there are so many channels to explore on the river. It's all great eagle habitat."
KELLOGG  "If this land is destroyed, it's forever."

Willard Drysdale does not want to see his farmland destroyed. But if the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers follows through with its plan, that, Drysdale said, is exactly what will happen.

The Corps has developed a new 40-year dredge material management plan for Lower Pool 4, which runs from Lock and Dam No. 4 north past Wabasha to where the Chippewa River empties into the Mississippi River from Wisconsin.

A major portion of that plan  more than 60 percent of the land to be acquired  includes Drysdale's 415-acre family farm. The Corps wants 298 of those acres, something Drysdale calls prime, flat row-cropping land, to become the site where material dredged from lower Pool No. 4 is stored for the next 40 years.

The Corps also is looking to acquire another parcel north of Kellogg, several parcels in Wabasha where the dredge material would be loaded for transport and two large parcels in Wisconsin. All that to keep clear the 9-foot navigation channel that runs from Lock and Dam No. 4 to the Chippewa River inlet on the Wisconsin side.

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"Most of the dredge material in the (St. Paul) district comes from the lower area in Pool No. 4," said Elliott Stefanik, a biologist and chief of the environmental planning section for the district. Most of that silt can be found between lock and dam No. 4 and the Chippewa River, the source of the vast majority of that silt.

The Corps cuts about 270,000 cubic yards of dredge material from that stretch annually. During the 40-year life of the management plan, that would be 10.7 million cubic yards.

Permanent dredged material placement sites previously used in Lower Pool 4 have reached capacity, the Corps stated in its plan outline. Furthermore, existing island transfer sites have temporary capacity for less than 10 years of dredging, and material placed on those islands needs to be offloaded to permanent sites.

Drysdale said he understands the Corps needs to keep the channel open, and it needs a place to store dredge material. He just asks them to look elsewhere. "I told the fella it's not for sale," Drysdale said, referring to representatives from the Corps.

Comment period

Currently, the dredge material management plan draft is in a 30-day comment period that began May 11 and ends June 9. The Corps will collect comments via email, phone calls and letters during this time from landowners, residents, groups such as each state's department of natural resources and county officials.

Once all that feedback is collected, the Corps will review it to see if it either needs to make minor changes to the plan, major changes or move forward with the draft plan as is. George Stringham, a public affairs specialist with the Corps, said taking the plan back before the public seems unlikely unless there are major changes. "If the modification is large enough, it's certainly reasonable there would be another public meeting," he said. "But it'd have to be a major change to the proposed plan."

As it stands, Stefanik said, sites such as the Drysdale farm were selected because the Corps did not have a lot of other options. Finding other sites with enough land to store 40 years of silt would mean talking to other farm owners.

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Drysdale suggested some of the wetlands along the river, but Stefanik said there are problems with using established wetlands. First, the Corps would need to prove it is imperative to use the wetlands and no other practical alternative is available. Then, the Corps would need to pay for wetland remediation to replace the wetland areas being used. That, Stefanik said, is not cost effective. "The environmental requirements we work with constrain us," he said. "That's one of the primary reasons why we've ended up where we're at."

In fact, Stefanik said if the plan is not adopted, the Corps would need to take emergency actions for its dredge material, which likely means dumping it in the river. That comes with its own set of environmental consequences.

The family farm

"It's all I've ever known," said Chelsey Drysdale, Willard's daughter who hopes one day to be the fourth-generation Drysdale to own the farm. "It's what my whole future was going to be."

The family has been farming the flat land about two miles north of Kellogg since 1939, when Willard's grandfather started farming and raising cattle. Today, the land still is used for row crops and cattle. The Corps plans to cover it during the course of 40 years with about 15 feet of sand, she said.

That would be 15 feet of dredge material covering her family's history. "I've watched as my dad calved cows, planted corn and hay, harvested the hay and worked hard every day," Chelsey said. "We had the very first milk parlor in Wabasha County."

The Corps' intentions for their land came as a shock, she said. While the public comment period for the draft plan began May 11, the Drysdales did not hear about it until May 15, when a letter and a packet showed up on their doorstep explaining the plan and how their farmland was a vital part of that plan.

Since May 15, the family has been fighting to save their farm. Willard said he hopes to get 500 people to comment on the plan. He suspects those comments will be negative. "We've visited with a lot of people," he said. "We haven't had anyone who's in support of this."

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Battle Lines

Chelsey has been busy writing lawmakers, from locals such as state legislators Barb Haley and Mike Goggins to federal lawmakers including U.S. Reps. Tim Walz and Jason Lewis and Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar. House Speaker Paul Ryan and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue have received missives as well. All talk about the history of the family on the land and their unwillingness to move.

Stefanik said he understands the Drysdales are hesitant, but the Corps needs a deposit site. "We don't want to take anyone's land against their wishes," he said. However, he added, "Eminent domain is our absolute last resort. It's a tool in our toolbox, and we don't want to do that if we don't have to."

The Drysdales aren't without their backers. Wabasha County Administrator Michael Plante sent a letter to the Corps outlining the county's concerns, including the loss of valuable farmland and the effect that would have on the county's tax base. "It appears that very little thought was given to the impact that the project would have on Wabasha County, the cities located within the county or the citizens of the area," Plante wrote.

Plante suggested the Corps had ignored many undeveloped areas and rejected "prior mining" sites as possible destinations for the dredge material. He also suggested the Corps had overlooked less developed areas available in Wisconsin.

Another problem Plante sited was the truck traffic coming through Wabasha to transport the dredge material from the river to the Drysdale farm. The plan, he said, would include a 75-day trucking period each year, and the trucks' hauling material would represent as much as 19.5 percent of the traffic along that route during that time. "Such a significant increase will have an adverse impact on road quality and could lead to a greater risk of additional accidents and congestion," he wrote.

For Drysdale, trucking and taxes all are part of the problem, but it all pales in comparison to what would be lost for his daughter and for the land. "It's her that'll be hurt the most by this," he said. "They're ruining a productive piece of agricultural land for eternity."
While some Rochester City Council members have expressed reluctance to increase the city's contribution to the Rochester Art Center, interim director Lee Koch hasn't ruled out asking.

A potential $50,000 construction-mitigation payment was included in a 2017 draft budget presented during the center's annual meeting Wednesday. Koch said the request could be made if rental income from events doesn't bounce back this year.

"The fact that people started booking their events and weddings for 2017 last May"  when a major construction project at the neighboring Mayo Civic Center was in progress  "has made that challenging," she said.

The council approved a $67,000 payment in 2015 and $95,000 in 2016 when the art center board noted rental income failed to meet budgeted expectations. Center representatives said civic center construction made the art center a less-attractive venue for weddings and other events.

Both past funding requests were made in August, and Koch said if a request is made this year, it likely would come in the fall.

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"Hopefully, we will end up balancing the budget without it," she said.

Koch has noted the rental shortfall doesn't fully account for years of deficit spending, and the proposed budget revealed Wednesday would balance without added city funds. If followed, it would produce a $400 surplus, rather than the $50,400 presented.

The projected $131,807 surplus in the draft 2018 budget would not be affected because it calls for $325,000 in city facility support, the same amount the council approved for 2017.

City Council President Randy Staver said it's hard to predict whether the council would support another request related to a rental shortfall.

"We'd have to look at where they are and how realistic their plans are," he said.

Council member Nick Campion echoed the sentiment after seeing the proposals presented Wednesday.

"They need to show a sustainable plan, but I also want to see steps taken toward sustainability," he said, noting some short-term adjustments to balance the books could dampen long-term efforts.

Last year, council members said they wanted to see the center make an effort to overcome its reliance on rentals, which traditionally have been about one-fifth of its $1 million budget.

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"I'd like to see an effort to really close the gap with a harder sales push (next year)," council member Mark Hickey said in August, when the art center board sought added city funds.

On Wednesday, Koch said the center's goal is to have the facility booked 60 percent of the time but noted work needs to be done to reach that goal.

"We're not near there at this time," she said.

Campion said he expects the lack of rental income to carry less weight if more funding is sought from the city.

"That argument has a shelf life, and we're nearing the end of that," he said.

Koch agreed, noting the construction-related pinch has left the center in an improved position.

"We all knew this was going to happen," she said, noting she expects construction will benefit the center. "Now, we've ended up with a much-better product."

Rochester Art Center maps out plan forward
The Senate on Thursday passed the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, delivering its own part on the long-awaited legislation that promises broad reforms to the nations oil and gas industry.

The report on the bill was produced by the Senate joint committee on gas, petroleum (downstream) and petroleum (upstream).

After a clause-by-clause consideration, with few amendments, the Senate approved the bill, moving a step closer to making its ambitious contents law.

Amongst other objectives, the petroleum bill seeks to introduce reforms that would engender transparency, while at the same time making the oil and gas sector more business-oriented and profit-drive.

The bill, first introduced in 2008, must be passed by the House of Representatives and signed by the president to be law. Follow its journey below:

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President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi on Tuesday discharged 23 army officers for not returning back from abroad, the Burundian army spokesman said.

On May 26, the Burundian president signed a decree whereby he revoked 23 officers of the army who had gone to do their masters or doctorate studies in France, Belgium or Canada.

They went there and did not come back, spokesperson Gaspard Baratuza said.

According to him, those army officers had went to pursue their graduate studies between 2005 and 2008 and had to come back by 2013.

Some of those officers requested an extension of two years and their request was accepted.

But in 2015, all of them should have come back to Burundi. Unfortunately some of them preferred to breach military rules, Baratuza said.

Those army officers include two lieutenant-colonels, 16 majors and five captains.

This is a loss for the Burundian army and also a loss for the country because those officers had gone to be trained in various specializations that we do not have here, he said.

Baratuza added that their training cost money of Burundi.

In April, the Burundian defense and war veterans ministry denied mass desertions of its soldiers, saying only about 30 soldiers had deserted since 2015 due to political manipulations.

Some media reported between 600 and 2,000 soldiers had deserted the Burundian army since 2015.

Burundi has been in crisis since April 2015 when Nkurunziza decided to run his third term.

No fewer than 500 people in Burundi have been killed and over 400,000 people fled to neighbouring countries since the outbreak of the crisis. (Xinhua/NAN)

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U.S. President Donald Trump called Germanys trade and spending policies very bad on Tuesday, intensifying a row between the allies and immediately earning himself the moniker destroyer of Western values from a leading German politician.

Mr. Trump took to Twitter early in the day in the U.S. to attack Germany, a day after Chancellor Angela Merkel ramped up her doubts about the reliability of Washington as an ally.

The tit-for-tat row has escalated rapidly after Mr. Trump criticised major NATO allies over their military spending and refused to endorse a global climate change accord at back-to-back summits on May 26.

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, Mr. Trump tweeted on Tuesday.

On Monday, Merkel showed how seriously she is concerned about Washingtons dependability under Mr. Trump by repeating the message she delivered a day earlier that the times when Europe could fully rely on others were over to a certain extent.

Those comments, which sent shock waves through Washington, vented Europes frustration with Mr. Trump on climate policy in particular.

Senior German politicians responded swiftly to his tweet.

Martin Schulz, leader of the center-left Social Democrats, told reporters Mr. Trump was the destroyer of all Western values, adding that the U.S. president was undermining the peaceful cooperation of nations based on mutual respect and tolerance.

One must stand in the way of such a man with his ideology of rearmament, Schulz added.

Thomas Oppermann, head of the Social Democrats parliamentary group, told reporters: Donald Trump makes clear with his tweet that he views Germany as a political opponent.

Merkel on Monday repeated almost word for word her message from Sunday, when she told her Bavarian conservative allies in a packed Munich beer tent that we Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands.

She also finessed her message slightly on Monday, stressing that she was a convinced trans-Atlanticist.

On Tuesday, Merkel repeatedly stressed the importance of trans-Atlantic ties. She talked to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin about developing cooperation with India.

Thats of huge importance and in no way directed against any other relationships and certainly not against the trans-Atlantic ties, which have historically been very important for us and will remain so in future, she said.

In Rome, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said he agreed with Merkel that Europe needed to forge its own path.

This takes nothing away from the importance of our trans-Atlantic ties and our alliance with the U.S., but the importance we put on these ties cannot mean that we abandon fundamental principles such as our commitment to fight climate change and in favor of open societies and free trade, he said.(Reuters/NAN)

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Controversial Nigerian Senator, Dino Melaye, who was recently at the centre of alleged academic fraud, is enmeshed in yet another scandal.

This time, Mr. Melaye, who represents Kogi West, is accused of offering to bribe a federal judge.

An audio published by news website, Sahara Reporters, on Tuesday, appears to contain exchanges between Mr. Melaye and the judge, Akon Ikpeme, as they duo discussed the bribe money.

Mrs. Ikpeme was the head of the Kogi State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, which handled a case brought by Smart Adeyemi, a former senator, against Mr. Melayes election in 2015.

In the clip, a male voice believed to be Mr. Melayes, could be heard assuring a female speaker, supposedly the judge, of his readiness to pay some money, which the female speaker emphasised should be in in USD (United States dollars).

The exchange went thus:

Judge: I wanted to tell you that whatever you want to do, make it in USD

Dino: Of course, of course, of course, of course, of course, no problem madam, no problem.

It was unclear whether the money was finally paid.

Earlier in the recording, the judge had informed the Senator that she had returned to her state, Cross Rivers, apparently after her work at the tribunal.

Mr. Melaye assured he would reach Mrs. Ikpeme after returning from a London trip with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Apart from money, the conversation also revealed that the judge relied on the Senator to peddle his influence to get her daughter a job placement in Cross Rivers States civil service.

Mr. Melaye boasted that he had already spoken with the governor, Ben Ayade, and a permanent secretary in the state ministry of health for the job.

Mrs. Ikpeme had in June 2015 dismissed Mr. Adeyemis petition against Mr. Melayes senatorial election as being incurably defective.

But the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in July 2015, set aside that ruling and ordered a re-trial.

The appeal court held that the tribunal was wrong in striking out Mr. Adeyemis petition on technicalities, instead of substantial justice, and therefore, ruled that the case be resent to the tribunal for trial on merit.

Again, the Ikpeme-led tribunal upheld Mr. Melayes election in October 2015 for lack of merit.

In December 2015, the appeal court upheld the tribunals second verdict, thereby ending Mr. Adeyemis hope of returning to the Senate.

Mr. Melaye told PREMIUM TIMES he could not talk right now via a text, after rejecting repeated calls.

Our follow-up text seeking reaction to the development, was not replied.

Mr. Ikpeme could not be reached.

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The Senate has asked the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to halt its effort to concession the Port Harcourt refinery to Agip and Oando.

The handover was to allow for the repairs and the operation of the facility.

The Senate said on Tuesday that the process should be suspended pending its investigation amid concerns over the transparency of the process.

The Minister of Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, had on May 9 announced that the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, a subsidiary of the Italian oil giant, Eni, had committed to repairing the Port Harcourt refinery, as part of a $15 billion investment that includes building a 150 thousand barrel per day refinery and a power plant.

The plan was aimed at strengthening Nigerias drive to end fuel importation by 2019, Mr. Kachikwu said.

But following a motion by Mohammed Sabo, APC-Jigawa, on Tuesday, the Senate expressed worry with the process, allegedly characterized by lack of clarity, due process and transparency.

In a statement on May 16, Oandos Chief Strategy and Corporate Services officer, Ainoije Irune, confirmed the company was a party to the agreement reached between Agip and the federal government to repair, operate and maintain (ROM) the Port Harcourt refinery, an arrangement planned to see the facilitys capacity grow from its current 30 per cent to 100 per cent of its 210,000 barrels per day capacity.

In line with the concerted efforts of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to aggressively drive private sector led refineries rehabilitation and expansion programs, Oando as local partners to NAOC/ENI will support the rehabilitation of PHRCs on activities of terminalling, logistics, structuring and funding, Mr. Irune explained.

Although he said final agreement would be reached by end of July 2017, Oandos confirmation and May 9 announcement by Mr. Kachikwu suggested the government had already concluded to concession the refinery to Agip and its partners, Oando.

In his presentation on Tuesday, Mr. Sabo said the planned concession would have been wonderful, as it meant ending importation of refined petroleum products by 2019.

He, however, queried the process of the transactions, which he said was without recourse to due process and, thus, is illegal and a clear attempt at ridiculing Nigerians and would definitely create a big hole that would be hard to fill in the anti-corruption crusade of the present administration.

He queried: Was there observance of the privatization law as regards due diligence, selection from preferred bidders before ceding the Port Harcourt refinery to Agip/Oando?

For such transaction, he said, the best practice is to select partners through open and competitive bidding, i.e. prepare the business for sale, market the business, buyers selection and close transaction.

He alleged that the process had been without the participation of relevant authorities, such as the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the National Council on Privatisation which are statutorily empowered to conduct such exercise, adding that labour unions were not aware of the deal that is supposed to be officially signed in July this year.

The senator added that the deal hatched in the dark without the knowledge and participation of the relevant stakeholders would lead to sub-optimal outcomes for the federal government.

He said he would rather the authorities asked Agip to consider rehabilitating the Warri refinery which they built, not the Port Harcourt refinery  built by Japan  where the company has no technical history.

Following Mr. Sabos motion, the Senate resolved to ask the federal government to halt the process of the concession pending a holistic investigation to determine how and why such a deal was sealed and the criteria to select Agip/Eni and Oando Plc to operate and maintain Port Harcourt refinery at what cost and timeframe.

The Nigeria petroleum ministry could not be reached immediately for comment. Also, the spokesperson for the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, did not answer calls initiated to get reaction from the presidency.

Mr. Kachikwu announced the refinery deal on May 9, after he met with Mr. Osinbajo and Agip officials at the State House.

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A former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has said one of the reasons he was impeached during his administration was his refusal to inflate the governments yearly budget.

Mr. Obi spoke Tuesday at The Nigeria Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders which took place in Lagos with the theme Open Governance: Improving Transparency and Accountability in Government.

Government budget should be published, each item they want to spend money on should be published so people can compare the prices government are buying their items with what it is in the market, said Mr. Obi, who was governor between 2006 and 2014.

I have been a victim of that because budgets are not properly articulated, its inflated not even padded.

I was impeached in Anambra State, removed from office twice, the first one is because of this budget issue.

They want to repair Office of the Governor, which is my office, the approved budget for 2006 was N298 million, I repaired everything with N43.2 million. They said I didnt do it through due process, because they have awarded the contract.

The second item was repair of the Governors Lodge, which is where I live, everything was N486 million, I did everything with N81 million, they said it didnt go through due process. That is to show you how government works, they input so many roadblocks.

Mr. Obi said politicians as well as civil servants are responsible for inflated government budgets.

I keep saying it, if the leader is not stealing, you reduce it by 75 percent. Because anybody on the line will know

My first experience as a governor, was about headed paper. When I arrived, they said they were going to do headed paper. Because I came from a business and a private sector, Im a trader, so when they said to do a ream of paper that I used to buy in my office N750, they told me its N15,000. I said Ehn! What do you mean? They said they even reduced it from N18,000 to N15,000.

I said can you give me the sample? Maybe its different. They gave me the sample, I called my printer and told him to do me two reams of this. He came back and said its N1,500 each, so for two of them its N3,000, instead of N30,000. From there, I issued order: All government expenditure in this state as long as I stay here would be approved by me.

Also in attendance at the forum were a former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; co-founder of BudgIT, Seun Onigbinde; Channels TV journalist, Seun Okinbaloye; and All Progressives Congress chairmanship aspirant in Lagos Mainland council, Dayo Israel.

Mr. Obi said part of the problem with governance in Nigeria is that government is transactional, instead of transformational.

It depends on what Im hiding because Im hiding something, he said.

When I came into office in Anambra State, there was a panel for unpaid contracts, a big panel. When I came in, I said we dont need this panel, you said youve done the road, lets go and see it. They said no no no, the panel has approved it. I said you said you have done this road, this road is in Anambra State, lets drive there.

You dont need the panel because everybody can see it. And when we checked and said for you to execute any contract, let the community say its been executed before we pay you, they started agitating.

Mr. Obi noted that strong institutions are critical to managing the countrys resources.

If today we are talking about airports not working, Im one of those who say its not working, Im one of those who said we shouldnt have borrowed money to build new terminals, that is not our problem.

Our problem is to make the existing ones more efficient and more functional. Murtala Muhammed (airport) has the second biggest terminal in Africa, go to Ghana go to everywhere youd see tiny building and everything, but it is not functioning.

If you arrive there today, even to just make use of the toilet is difficult because somebody stands there with a toilet tissue and asking you do you want toilet roll? I dont know what the person thought you were going inside to do. These are the issues.

If you want to make our democracy like that of the advanced societies, transparency and openness is a fundamental, critical part of it. And we have not been, from federal to local government.

I dont know what happens in my local government, we are talking about federal, Im sure people here dont even know what happens in their local government. Every local government in Nigeria receives about N100 million every month.

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The Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Tuesday threw its weight behind the decision of the Governing Council of the Chapel of Christ the Light to remove Femi Taiwo as presiding chaplain of the church.

Alex Bamgbola, the CAN state chariman, told journalists during a press conference in Lagos that the allegation that Mr. Taiwo was sacked because of an incident involving Bolanle Ambode, the state governors wife, was not only untrue but unjust and erroneous.

Media reports had claimed Mr. Taiwo was sacked for allegedly disrespecting Mrs. Ambode by failing to accord her due recognition during an anointing service on May 14.

Mr. Taiwo received his sack letter on May 15, with a directive to vacate the premises within 24 hours.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the chaplains problems leading to his removal predated the annointing service incident.

But addressing a press conference at the church premises on Tuesday the CAN leadership in the state said the Governing Council of the church acted within the law to relieve the chaplain of his duties.

Mr. Bamgbola said it was unfortunate that the public had been fed with a totally untrue story about an altercation with Mrs. Ambode, adding that the chapel was established by the State Government for its officials and members of the public with a Governing Council running its affairs through a standing Constitution.

He said under the constitution of the chapel, the Governing Council, which reports to the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs, has the legal authority to appoint two officers to run the church who are the Presiding Chaplain and the Chaplain.

The Governing Council has the constitutional responsibility and authority to recruit and to terminate two officers who run the Chapel who are the presiding Chaplain, who is the senior officer and the Chaplain, who is the deputy. So, the presiding chaplain and the chaplain are officers of the chapel and officers of the government of Lagos State, said Mr. Bamgbola.

With this clarification, it should be known by the general public that these two officers who run the chapel are strictly officers of the State Government and they are subject to terms and conditions of employment of the State Government.

When this matter began, many well-meaning Christians and elders tried to look at things and see how to work on the issue so that it does not get to the point we have seen. Well, the fact is, having investigated the matter carefully and objectively, that is CAN Lagos State, we wish to state here today that the Governing Council that recruited Venerable Taiwo acted within its constitutional authority to terminate the appointment of Venerable Taiwo.

Mr. Bamgbola addressed the briefing alongside top leaders of CAN in the State.

In particular and most unfortunate is the accusation of our revered and most responsible First Lady of Lagos State, Deaconess Mrs Bolanle Ambode as being instrumental to the termination of the appointment of the presiding chaplain because of one anointing service, the CAN leader continued.

We wish to state clearly here today that this is far from the truth. We want the press to know this and we want to thank all of you because the press has been quite on this matter except a particular paper that has been selling its paper through this matter which is unjust, unfair and does not portray professionalism.

Deaconess Mrs Bolanle Ambode as far as we know is a true woman of God who fears God and lives a godly live and whom it has pleased God to raise to be first Lady of Lagos State at this time. The error of judgment by the said newspaper is most unfortunate and unfair to her, unfair to the entire Lagos State Government and unfair to the church at large in Lagos.

We are therefore appealing to the press and the social media to please desist henceforth from publishing and circulating erroneous publication concerning this matter, he said.

Mr. Bamgbola said the former chaplain was given notice before his from his official residence, but added that it would be inappropriate to start discussing the offence of the chaplain on the pages of newspaper.

He said for now, the CAN leadership has taken over the matter and would resolve it, but urged media practitioners to desist from circulating untrue story to the public.

Also speaking, Michael Adeyemi, Bishop of African Church, Ifako Diocese, the church where the former chaplain was seconded to the Chapel, said the church was satisfied with the position taken so far by CAN.

Mr. Adeyemi had granted an interview to the Punch newspaper saying Mrs. Ambode committed sacrilege and should apologize to the church.

The matter is already under the control of CAN. We are very much satisfied with what CAN is doing. We appreciate Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and our mother, his wife, Mrs Bolanle Ambode. The Governor has achieved a lot in the State and we are satisfied with him, Mr. Adeyemi said on Tuesday.

On behalf of African Church, I will appeal that we are happy with CAN. The most important thing is to do what will glorify God. We have the mandate of African Church to say that we are in agreement with what CAN is doing on the matter, Mr. Adeyemi said.

Other clergymen who attended the briefing are Lagos State CAN Secretary, Isreal Adewo; Lagos State CAN Treasurer, Stephen Adegbite of Methodist Church; CAN Vice Chairman, Lagos State, Emmanuel Oguntoshin; and Adebanjo Gabriel Taiwo of African Church.

ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Real Reasons sacked Lagos Chaplain, Femi Taiwo, was fired

EDITORS NOTE: THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH MORE BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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The House of Representatives on Tuesday cautioned security agencies against the use of force in the handling of the sit-at-home directive to the people of South East by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The House adopted the position tabled in a motion by Obinna Chidoka (Anambra  PDP).

The lawmakers urged security agencies to exercise restraint to avoid bloodshed.

Pro-Biafra groups had directed people across the South East states and its supporters in other parts of the country to sit at home in honour of fallen Biafra heroes.

Mr. Chidoka said IPOB members had clashed with security operatives last year while commemorating the day, leading to several deaths.

Such wanton loss of lives was not necessary, in view of the governments resolve to protect all citizens, irrespective of beliefs, language and cultures, he said.

He said the people of the south east were law-abiding citizens, who have rights like other citizens of the country.

He urged the government to explore dialogue in resolving the Biafra issue and other crises in other parts of the country.

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A former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has called on young Nigerians to participate actively in governance and seek leadership positions, noting that there is usually a disconnect when elderly persons are leading a mostly young society, such as in Nigeria.

Mr. Duke was speaking at The Nigeria Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders organized by The Future Project in Lagos with the theme Open Governance: Improving Transparency and Accountability in Government.

Theres actually a disequilibrium when you have a young society such as ours and you have folks who are way past the average age in the country; there is disconnect, he said.

And that was typical of (Olusegun) Obasanjos first term as elected president, he was totally disconnected from the reality of Nigeria. He went back to 1979, the folks whom he knew, brought them into government. Folks like Adamu Ciroma those were his colleagues, at that point, they were all grandfathers.

The disconnect was so apparent that anything that didnt sound like the normlike building a road from Point a to B I remember trying to explain to a minister how to use a cell phone, it was that basic. Now how does that gentleman relate to the rest of the country?

If you look at nations that have taken great leaps, not necessarily that the head of the institution must be a young person but he must relate to the average age of the society.

By the time you are 50, theres not so much you can do.

Mr. Duke, who served as governor between 1999 and 2007, narrated some of his experiences as a young politician.

Id just been elected governor, I accompanied President Olusegun Obasanjo to Cuba, and met with Fidel Castro, he recalled.

I was 36 going to 37. And he (Castro) took a hard look at me and asked Obasanjo if it was the policy of the Nigerian government to move college students to Government houses. That took me unawares. When I got a grip of myself, I asked him at what age did he turn the world upside down, what age was your Cuban revolution, he said he was 29, and he apologized to me.

The reason I cited this is simple, you will only make a difference in the prime of your life. And leadership is not going to be handed over to you as an award, youve got to demand it. You see, far too often, we behave as if we are tenants in this country, we are all co-owners. For as long as you are up to the legal age, as long as youre that age where you can vote for others, correspondingly, you are entitled to be voted for.

Kennedy was 42 or so when he became president and he could dream of going to the moon. Eisenhower was president before him but that dream was too elusive. Kennedy said by the turn of the decade, by 1970, America will land a man on the moon and bring him back. Not because it was easy, but because it was hard and he knew he had time on his side, you see the difference.

The internet was started by the Clinton administration, between Clinton and Al-Gore, they came into office at the age of 46 and by 54 they had served two terms. There is virtue in youth, once the youth is schooled right, and you know you have longevity on your side.

You wont really ask a 74-year-old man to start aspiring to put a man on the moon, hes gonna be looking at the basics, the basics are right we should underline that. But society is aspirational, so we want to do what we ought to do today but know that there is a brighter future tomorrow.

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A lone suicide bomber was on Tuesday afternoon shot dead as he attempted to attack a military barracks in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, a witness said.

The incident happened at about the time some internally displaced persons (IDPs) were busy burying five of their colleagues that were slaughtered by suspected Boko Haram insurgents around Nguro in Konduga Local Government Area.

Witnesses said the remains of the five locals, identified as IDPs, were on Monday found a day after suspected Boko Haram members attacked and beheaded them in Nguro village.

The victims were identified as residents of Balle Shuwari.

Balle Shuwari, located about 5km from Giwa barracks, was part of the communities sacked by Boko Haram.

The sack of the community led the victims to become displaced, thus living in the IDP camp in Konduga before the Sunday attack.

Speaking on the shot suicide bomber, a leader of the Civilian-JTF, Danbatta Bello, informed PREMIUM TIMES that the suspect had intended to make his way into the barracks before some soldiers spotted him and gunned him down.

It happened at about 2.40 p.m. today (Tuesday) when the suicide bomber was spotted towards the perimeter fencing of Giwa barracks and he was immediately gunned down by soldiers, said Mr. Bello.

I had gone to the scene with my boys to evacuate the body of dead bomber and went to deposit same at the hospital.

Mr. Bello said he could not immediately confirm the attack and killing of five persons on Monday evening in Konduga.

But a coordinator of civil society groups in Maiduguri, Ahmed Shehu, who also confirmed the incidents to PREMIUM TIMES said the five victims were from Balle Shuwari village of Konduga Local Government.

He said the three days post burial Islamic prayers is expected to hold on Wednesday at Polo area of Maiduguri.

Boko Haram has sustained attacks around Maiduguri particularly coming from the area that links the Borno capital with Konduga town.

Only last week, Boko Haram insurgents attacked about a dozen IDPs who were out in the bush hunting, slaughtering four of them. Two of them are yet to be accounted for.

The Boko Haram insurgency has caused the death of about 100,000 people since 2009.

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Several police officers are feared to have been killed Tuesday night after suspected officials of the Nigerian Navy stormed a police division in Calabar, southern Nigeria.

Witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES the attack, which began shortly after 8:30 p.m., was still underway as at 10:19 p.m. at Akim Divisional Headquarters.

The police station is still burning as we speak, a horrified witness told PREMIUM TIMES.

Naval spokesperson, Suleiman Dahun, told PREMIUM TIMES he wasnt aware of the development as at 10:26 p.m., promising to revert after his findings.

Police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, could not be reached for comments Tuesday night.

Sources said the unrest was a continuation of an initial skirmish between a police traffic officer and a naval officer at a traffic light near the Calabar Stadium along the Airport Road on Tuesday afternoon.

Some naval officers ran the red light and police traffic officers intervened, but rather than listen, they descended on the policemen and beat them up, a witness said. This was around 5 p.m.

Police officers now called for back up and and the Navy also called for reinforcement and they took over the road leading to the airport.

But the Navy Commander and police commissioner in the state intervened and the two sides backed down, the witness said.

However, around 8:00 p.m., when everyone thought the matter had been resolved, naval officers descended on Akim Police Station and started shooting and burnt down the facility.

We confirmed three bodies but we feared there are more, the witness said.

The witness also accused the naval officers of blocking fire fighters from extinguishing the inferno set at the police station.

Details soon

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The Nigerian security forces must exercise restraint when policing demonstrations marking the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Biafra War on May 30, and avoid a repetition of the bloodbath caused by their heavy-handed response last year when more than 60 people were gunned down, said Amnesty International today.

Last years heavy-handed response against pro-Biafra activists further stirred up tensions in the south east of Nigeria. The reckless approach to crowd control favoured by the security forces when policing peaceful pro-Biafra protests has left more than 150 dead since August 2015, not to mention cases of enforced disappearance and unlawful detention, said Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

We urge the Nigerian security agencies to conduct themselves in a manner that will ensure public order without resorting to force.

During peaceful Biafra Day celebrations last year in Onitsha, Anambra State, soldiers shot people in several locations. Amnesty International research concluded that at least 60 extra-judicial executions were committed in the space of two days, with a further 70 people injured. The real number is likely to be higher.

Despite overwhelming evidence that members of the Nigerian security forces fired live ammunition with little or no warning to disperse pro-Biafra gatherings, resulting in the death of at least 150 people, no person suspected of criminal responsibility has been brought to justice, said Mr. Ojigho.

A similar pattern of lack of accountability for gross violations by security forces has been documented in other parts of Nigeria including the north east in the context of operations against Boko Haram.

Amnesty International has repeatedly called on the government of Nigeria to initiate independent investigations into allegations of crimes under international law. President Buhari has repeatedly promised that these would be looked into. However, no progress has been made, said Mr. Ojigho.

In November 2016, Amnesty International warned that the Nigerian governments massive deployment of the military to respond to pro-Biafra events seems to be in large part to blame for the violence as they have no specific training in crowd control. Instead, public order during peaceful protests should be dealt with by the police, whose officers should be adequately trained and equipped to respond to crowd-control situations without resorting to the use of lethal force.

Recent arrests of peaceful pro-Biafra protesters

The security forces have already started clamping down on pro-Biafra groups ahead of the formal anniversary. On May 22, more than 100 members of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) were arrested in Enugu, Ebonyi, and Cross River states during similar celebrations.

We are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been detained solely for peacefully expressing their political views or other exercise of their right to freedom of expression or peaceful assembly, said Mr. Ojigho.

In a report released in November 2016 Amnesty International revealed that at least 150 peaceful pro-Biafra protesters were killed by the security forces between August 2015 and August 2016.

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The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has urged Nigerians to be patient and have hope in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr. Ngige, who made the call in an interview with journalists in Awka on Monday, assured that the federal government was committed to the development and welfare of the people.

I feel fulfilled even though the expectations of Nigerians have not been met.

I feel that President Buhari has scored a pass mark within the resources available; special circumstances of terrorism; militancy in Niger Delta; global oil price slash; and low oil output, Mr. Ngige said.

He said the federal government had within the two years annihilated Boko Haram, reduced corruption, managed the economy and ensured the welfare of citizens as guaranteed in Section 14 of the Constitution.

According to him, people are complaining because there is no free flow of money anymore, no leakages for corrupt people to take money and go and spend.

People are complaining that the price of food has gone up. Yes, these things you should expect when you do what is called a shock therapy on any economy or system of government, he said.

Nigeria was producing 2.2 million barrel a day as per OPEC quota but for most part of 2016, at least for three quarters of 2016, we were producing 1.2 million barrels and the prices fell from $100 per barrel to $35 per barrel.

Unfortunately, recession had to creep in because it is one of the fallouts of a very badly managed economy that is dependent and based on only oil, the minister added.

The minister said the Federal Governments effort to combat recession was yielding results in the area of agriculture and mining among others.

I am happy to tell you that with the statistics we have got now, Nigerias economy is no longer contracting.

It is growing and by the predictions of economists, members of the economic team and CBN as well as that of the World Bank, Nigeria will come out of recession by the third quarter, Mr. Ngige said.

(NAN)

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Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday seized the occasion of his second year anniversary in office and Democracy Day commemoration to thank the Muslim Community for standing by and supporting his administration.

Speaking while joining some Islamic leaders and groups to observe Iftar (breaking of fast) at the Lagos House in Ikeja, Governor Ambode said he chose to use the occasion of Democracy Day to felicitate with Muslim faithfuls on the Ramadan period.

He commended religious leaders and groups for the harmonious relationship in the state, saying that the peaceful atmosphere had brought about significant development.

Today is a very historic day for us in this state because just two days ago, we celebrated 50 years anniversary of Lagos State; yesterday, we were doing thanksgiving in the church and today is the third day of Ramadan and we are doing the Iftar here. Today is also the second-year anniversary of our administration, Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, quoted the governor as saying.

I am very happy to join you on this significant democracy day. In actual fact, this is my only official function today. I deliberately determined not to do any other thing to mark the second anniversary than to join my Muslim brothers and sisters.

So, this is another way of doing thanksgiving by this way of sacrifice. It is not coming as a coincidence, if God did not ordain it, I would not be part of this particular Iftar. This is my own way of saying a big thank you to the Muslim community in Lagos for standing by me, for standing with me and for always supporting me. I recall when we went for the campaign at the National Stadium two years ago and I am happy seeing all my spiritual fathers here again two years after, I want to thank you again for everything.

Governor Ambode also urged Muslims to utilize the opportunity provided by the ongoing Ramadan to continue to pray for the development of the state just as he urged them to continue to exhibit the good character of Prophet Muhammed, as well as embrace selflessness, which according to him, are the true essence of the fasting.

While alluding to the lecture delivered at the event by Tajudeen Yussuf of the University of Lagos who showered accolades on the governor for his sterling performance in all sectors and sections of the state, Governor Ambode said only God deserved the praises for giving him the grace to achieve what had been achieved so far.

There is nothing more for me to say than to be grateful to God. He is the only one that should get the credit. No matter how much you praise me, it is not possible for me to do what I have been able to do if not for God. So, for every step we take, we will continue to give God all the glory. He is the only one that makes things happen, Governor Ambode said.

Speaking on the essence of Ramadan, Governor Ambode said: This season is to urge Muslims to remain selfless. Ramadan has come to teach us how to ensure self-restraint. Lagos has benefitted immensely from the peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship among people of different religions and this is what we stand for.

Our message to all Muslims is that they should use the opportunity of this Ramadan to continue to pray for the development of the state and to continue to exhibit the good character of Prophet Muhammed, he said.

Earlier in his lecture, Dr Yussuf said just in two years, the governor had performed excellently and taken Lagos to the next pedestal of development.

He alluded to various projects such as the Abule Egba and Ajah Bridges, Ojodu Berger regeneration, Lake Rice, Light Up Lagos project, among others, saying it was evident that the governor was offering good governance in the state.

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The University of Ibadan has suspended its student union leaders after a student protest led to the shutdown of the school.

The Union Executive Council and Students Representatives council have been suspended, all activities of the Union have been suspended too, the schools public relations officer, Olatunji Oladejo, told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday

He said the decision did not affect postgraduate students.

The management of the school had on Monday shut the institution and directed the students to vacate the campus on or before 6 p.m.

The students had earlier taken to the streets in protest, alleging insensitivity on the part of the university management.

The students at a congress on Saturday passed a resolution to disrupt the forthcoming examinations if students were not provided with identity cards.

They also asked the authorities to constitute the Students Welfare Board as well as allow use of cooking appliances that had been banned in the halls of residence.

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Shamsudeen Bala, son of a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed, was on Tuesday re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

He was re-arraigned along with four companies  Bird Trust Agro Allied Limited, Intertrans Global Logistic Limited, Diakin Telecommunications Limited and Bal-Vac Mining Nigeria Limited, on an amended 15-count charge, bordering on money laundering.

The amendment, which was effected in counts 10 to 15, according to prosecution counsel, Ben Ikani, was to accommodate new information in the alleged charge brought against them.

In one of the amended counts, the prosecution alleged that Mr. Bala knowingly failed to declare the sum of 472.26 standing to your credit domiciled at Standard Chartered Bank Plc, an offence contrary to section 27 (1) of the EFCC Act 2004.

He was also alleged to have deliberately concealed the sum of $32,512.44 and 17.45 in the same bank but with different account numbers, while declaring his assets, an offence contrary to the EFCC Act, and punishable by same.

He also allegedly without going through a financial institution made cash payment of N200 million only to Faruk Saleh at Abuja as payment for purchase of House 2A, No 7 Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, which exceeded the statutory limit, an offence contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

His counsel, Chris Uche, thereafter urged the court to allow him continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted to him on February 3, two days after he was first arraigned.

Mr. Uche, further requested for time to study the amended charge dated May 25 which he said he was only being served by the prosecution.

Mr. Ikani did not oppose his application for bail.

Justice Dimgba has adjourned to June 26, 2017 for continuation of hearing.

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The family of the late Minister of Education, Babalola Borishade, on Tuesday announced programme for his funeral rites.

According to a statement by Lamide Borishade on behalf of the family, there will be a Day of Tributes in memory of the former minister on July 4 at the Shehu Musa YarAdua Center, Central Business District (CBD), Abuja from 2.00p.m.

Also, there will be a commendation service on July 4 at his residence, 108 Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja from 7p.m. to 9p.m.

On Thursday, July 6, the funeral train will move to Usi Ekiti, Ekiti State, where the Age Grade (Elegbejegbe) Parade will hold from 10a.m. Later same day there will be a Night of Tribute by Egbe Omo Usi, at St. Andrews Primary School grounds from 7p.m to 11p.m.

On Friday, July 7, Christian Wake Keep will take place at the Federal Science and Technical College, Usi Ekiti, at 7p.m.

The funeral and outing service will hold on July 8 at 10a.m at St. Andrews Cathedral (Anglican Communion) Ekiti-Oke Diocese, Usi Ekiti, Ekiti state, while interment will follow immediately.

The late Borishade who is survived by wife, Ireti Olubunmi, and children, was born in Usi- Ekiti on March 7, 1946 into the Ebi Ilotin family.

He served as minister four times, between 1999 and 2011. He trained as an electrical engineer and was also a teacher.

Between February 2001 and May 2003, he served as the Minister of Education.

In 2004, Mr. Borishade was appointed Minister of State, Power and Steel.

He was also drafted to the aviation ministry. (NAN)

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The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has called on ailing President Muhammadu Buhari, to resign if he truly loves Nigeria.

The governor said on Tuesday that ill-heath was not allowing the president to effectively discharge his constitutional duties.

A statement by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, said Mr. Fayose made the call while addressing journalists in Lagos.

He said being an avowed corruption fighter, Mr. Buhari was now under moral burden to save Nigeria from needless stagnation arising from his heath challenges, which had also affected his performance.

The governor said fighting corruption was not limited to discovering large sums of money here and there, but doing the right thing at the right time.

Mr. Fayose argued that quitting office when necessary was also an indication of being morally upright.

While also appraising the presidents two years in office, Mr. Fayose said the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government had failed to deliver on its promises.

So far, the APC-led Federal Government has been a government of misadventure and Nigerians are worse for it. They say they are fighting corruption but are shielding corrupt elements within their fold, he said.

Members of the opposition defect to the APC for protection. Fighting corruption is more than discovering huge sums of money all over the place, with nobody being traced to be the owners, moral corruption too is bad.

He can do us the great help by resigning. Not resigning bothers on his integrity. His absence allows others to suppress and oppress others and that means he is allowing others  to suppress their fellow human beings.

There are many governments in one and they are clueless. We need an active president going by our numerous challenges. How long will Nigerians wait for an incapacitated president?

We cannot wait again for somebody to hold us to ransom. I dont have any bad blood against Buhari Osinbajo has no powers without the president. He owes us the duty to tell us the state of his health.

On the state of the economy, Mr. Fayose said it had gone from bad to worse, stating that the middle class had been wiped off.

There is no middle class any more .Economic indicators are not cherry at last. They borrow money on daily basis and committing funds that ought to accrue to all tiers of government to servicing the loans, he said.

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A university teacher, Nkereuwem Udoakah, says Nigerian politicians and government were deliberately working hard to render journalism practice ineffective.

There seems to be a game plan to rubbish the profession, he said.

The journalists themselves, according to Mr. Udoakah, have become willing collaborators with those who are bent on destroying journalism practice in the country.

Mr. Udoakah, a professor of political communication and media studies at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said that Nigerian journalism has long lost the potency which it was known for during the colonial era and the struggle for independence.

There seems to be a conspiracy between mass media proprietors and the political class in Nigeria to eclipse the power of journalism and make economic and political power hold sway in our democratic dispensation, Mr. Udoakah said on Thursday while delivering the 54th inaugural lecture of the university.

Mr. Udoakahs lecture, titled the Political Economy of Nigerian Journalism, examined the relationship between the nations political economy and journalism practice in the country.

The lecturer said media proprietors in the country can hardly be said to be apolitical businessmen.

They (media proprietors) belong to a group of business buccaneers with incorrigible editorial meddling instinct, he said, adding that the reporters working for them werent paid a good salary and were most times owed for several months.

He noted that the situation has degenerated to the extent where reporters have become mere seekers of the brown envelope, the euphemism for a bribe. This has also discouraged investigative journalism from thriving, he said.

Looking at the private sector media, some of those media owners are politicians themselves or have one link or another with politicians and government. Moreover, if they cannot or are unwilling to pay salaries for months, how would investigative journalism be financed and who are those to be investigated?

The result is that much of what is going to be reported has to do with government and its officials.

This makes looking for news inexpensive as reporters are just sent to where government officials congregate and they report what they say. So, government stories occupy more than fifty percent of the news hole of the print or electronic media. The next is about politicians and their parties. These, too, are not expensive to get.

The lecturer said since reporters welfare wasnt a priority to their employers, many journalists are forced to live on politicians and were therefore not committed to the profession.

The result is that they do what they can to protect their benefactors and raise issues about those they cannot benefit from.

Put differently, journalists are now after what they can get from covering an event. If no money is likely to get into their pocket, then no coverage. But in order to not to go without something, they may twist the story to embarrass, scandalize or blackmail, thus making the source to look for them for settlement.

The consequence is that today, persons without a job but who knows how to write become journalists. They write without money for any medium that wants their contribution and use that relationship with the media to make their money anyhow.

Mr. Udoakah said the neglect of the state-owned media establishments by the government was part of a grand conspiracy to deal a blow on journalism.

Mr. Udoakah, in addition, described as worrying phenomenon, a situation where journalists abandon their traditional job of story-writing and go around canvassing for advertisement because of the commission they could get from it.

Although they may be making some money, this is professionally unethical and humiliating, he said.

It brings them to their knees before those they are supposed to watch and report their activities in the public interest. The result is that newsworthy events which should be routinely brought to public attention are often suppressed.

The event, which had the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Enefiok Essien, and other dignitaries in attendance, witnessed the unveiling of the Communications Arts departments website donated by PREMIUM TIMES.

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The former Panamanian dictator, Manuel Noriega, has died aged 83.

The current president of the country, Jose Varela, announced the death early on Tuesday.

The death of Manuel A. Noriega closes a chapter in our history; his daughters and their families deserves to bury him in peace, Mr Varela tweeted.

Mr. Noriega, a former United States ally, who had links with drug trackers such as late Colombian narco kingpin, Pablo Escobar, had been in induced coma since March after a brain surgery.

Mr. Noriega was the leader of Panama between 1983 and 1989. He was a spy for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, until his country was invaded by the U.S.  in what was described as the largest military action after Vietnam  and his brutal regime ousted.

After his removal, he spent time in prison in France, U.S. and finally in his home country, where he was convicted for murder in 2011,for crime committed during his time in power.

His lawyer said he suffered ailments like hypertension and strokes.

During his regime, scores of people who opposed his debauched leadership style disappeared and their bodies were exhumed years later at a military base. Many of the bodies had signs of torture.

Mr. Noriega lived a luxurious lifestyle with parties in mansions and a huge collection of antique guns. He also carries with him teddy bears dressed as paratroopers.

Citing the 1990 book, In the Time of the Tyrants by journalists Richard Koster and Guillermo Borbon, The New York Times reports that while passing secrets about Cuba to the U.S., Mr. Noriega sold the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro thousands of Panamanian passports, at $5,000 each. The passports were believed to be used by Cuban secret agents.

The late dictator was said to be worth at least $772 million.

He craved power and became a tyrant, Mr. Koster and Mr. Sanchez wrote in laying out Mr. Noriegas ultimate undoing. He craved wealth and became a criminal. And the careers came in conflict.

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The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, on Tuesday departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom to join her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is in London for medical treatment.

Mrs. Buhari travelled through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday morning.

Before her departure, she thanked Nigerians for their support and prayers for Mr. Buharis quick recovery.

The president left Nigeria for London on May 7, for another round of treatment following his last trip in February.

(NAN)

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The former Theatre Commander of the counterinsurgency operation in Northeast Nigeria, Lucky Irabor, a major general, on Tuesday handed over the command of Lafiya Dole Counterinsurgency Operation Theater to his successor, Ibrahim Attahiru, also a major general.

Mr. Irabor, who is now to head of the Multinational Joint Task force in Chad, said at least 1,400 arrested members of the Boko Haram would soon be arraigned.

He said though more Boko Haram suspects were still being investigated, those proven to be real members of the outlawed group would soon be brought before the court.

He said arrangement was being fashioned out between the military and the federal ministry of justice on how the suspects would be arraigned.

The investigation is on; in fact we have well over 1,400 of them that we have concluded investigations of which a large number of them had on their own, owned up that truly they are part and parcel of Boko Haram terrorists, said Mr. Irabor.

So now we have also commenced the process with the ministry of justice in doing the needful to ensure that adjudication process is commenced. That is the much I can tell you now, he said.

On Boko Haram fighters that had surrendered and submitted themselves for de-radicalization, the former theater commander said the military and the government of Nigeria had achieved a greater success in that regard, even as he said there is still more to be done.

The process of de-radicalization as it implies is a process that has to exhaustive; so it will be wrong to put a time frame to such process. And unless such process is concluded, reintegration cannot take place. But the assurance that I can give is that everything is on course.

Depending on their level of indoctrination into the Boko Haram ideology, some are currently undergoing de-radicalization, some have gone beyond that level. So that where we are as it is now; but what I can assure is that let Nigerians hope be alive to the fact that But what I can assure Nigerians is that a lot is being achieved in that end, he said.

On soldiers welfare, the outgone commander said though his officers and men are not complaining but he hopes the emoluments of soldiers in the frontline are improved.

My self, the officers and soldiers are not complaining; even though we will appreciate if the allowances are increased. But if the journalists that are asking questions in that regard use their instrument of work to make that happen given the consideration that the revenue generation is optimized, that will be fine.

Speaking after taking over the command, Mr. Attahiru, a former Director of Army Public Relations, said he would do his best to carry out from where his predecessor had stopped.

He said his main focus in trying to consolidate the gains made by the outgone commander would be to rejig the formation of command and troops in the theatre and sustain the working relationship with the collaborative civil populace.

We are going to rejig the troops in the theatre and build upon the successes of my predecessor, he said.

We are also going to review the concept of Operation Lafiya Dole and motivate the soldiers in the frontline. All stakeholders will be engaged along with the humanitarian partners in this endeavor.

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The FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, has approved the establishment of five new secondary schools in Abuja.

The acting director, Administration and Finance, FCTA Education Secretariat, Justina Mai-Magani, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to her, the current FCT Administration is giving the development of education a priority and had developed strategies and policies to achieve its target.

The FCT Minister has given approval for the establishment of an additional five new senior secondary schools this year; they include Government Secondary school Gwarimpa Estate and Government Secondary School Gosa.

Others are Government Secondary School Giri, Government Secondary School Paikon Kore and Government Secondary School Bukpe.

These schools were approved for establishment to meet the increasing demand for schools in their communities. she said.

The acting director said it was hoped that the schools would cater for the educational needs of about 3,000 students, who were out-of-school or had to travel long distances to go to school.

According to Mai-Maigani, the schools are in addition to the three schools established in 2016.

The three schools are Government Science and Technical College Kwali, Government Science Secondary School, Pykassa and Government Secondary, Mpape, all of which have moved to their permanent sites.

On accreditation of private schools, she said that the minister approved the accreditation of 115 private schools that had met all the requirements for the establishment and management of private schools in the FCT.

These schools, as we know, will complement the efforts of the government in providing quality education for students in the FCT, she said.

Commenting on the closure of substandard private schools, the acting director said there was a major exercise in 2016 to sanitise the private school system with the closure of 556 illegal and substandard private schools in the territory.

During the visits, we found schools located on flood plains, in the middle of markets, next to drinking parlours and brothels and even right on top of dump sites.

Apart from inappropriate physical structures, we also discovered the highest qualification of many teachers in some of the schools was failed Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) certificate.

Surely, there is no way we can allow this to continue; the Department of Quality Assurance is still monitoring the schools to ensure that the highest possible standards are maintained, she said.

She said the secretariat has over the years maintained an open door policy to encourage local and international partners willing to work to improve education standard in the territory.

Collaboration with international agencies such as UNICF, UNESCO, JIKA and KOICA has not only been consistent but has improved over the years.

A very significant achievement is the robust collaboration with the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for the establishment of a Nigeria/Korea model school worth 15million dollars.

Teachers for this school have been selected through a rigorous process and some have even commenced further training, she said.

Mai-Maigani said the Nigeria/Korea model school, on completion, had the potential to become one of the best schools in the country. (NAN)

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One of the leading fertilizer and agro-allied companies in Africa, Notore Chemical Industries Plc, is exploring partnership opportunities with the Kaduna State government towards investing in the states agricultural sector.

Speaking during a visit to the Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, the management of the company, led by its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Onajite Okoloko, said the good agricultural policies in place in the state caught the attention of the company.

Mr. Okoloko said apart from producing and selling fertilizers, Notore was also focusing on the entire agricultural value chain and how it can create a significant value by ensuring that farmers yields improve significantly.

We have a genuine desire and interest in ensuring that we achieve food security in Nigeria. We believe that Kaduna State is the focal point for agriculture in terms of crops such as maize and soya bean production, he said.

Mr. Okoloko disclosed that the company was teaching farmers and bringing best practice to farming activities across the country with over 3000 demonstration farms across the country.

We have over 3000 demonstration farms where one-eighth of the hectares of land are split into two, right in the heart of the farming communities. The farmers farm on one half, while Notore best practices are used on the other half. We have the largest private sector extension services network in the country.

If you look at some of Notores interventions, we are responsible for the onions explosion in Kebbi about five years ago where, after Notores intervention to fight the onion crisis, there was onions everywhere. We did the same thing in Jos with cabbage.

Mr. Okoloko expressed his companys genuine desire and interest in ensuring that food security is achieved in Nigeria, stressing Notores belief that Kaduna State is the focal point for agriculture in terms of maize and soya bean production.

He said Notore also has a subsidiary called Notore seeds, stressing that fertilizer, improved seeds and education must work together.

The Notore CEO explained that the company started growing high-breed seeds and commercialised it and currently has an out-grower scheme growing the seeds in Kaduna.

He said the seed initiative went on for two years from 2011 to 2013, growing maize out of Kaduna and rice in Kano. He however noted that this initiative was slowed down because of gas supply hitches which posed a challenged to the companys fertilizer plant, a problem which has now been solved.

We are going to fast-track and work with the government to see if we can grow our improved rice and maize seeds in Kaduna.

We will invest aggressively under the food subsidiary by creating an outlet to guarantee the offtake from farmers when the output comes, and we will focus on rice and maize.

Our focus is making sure that farmers get good quality fertilizer, ensuring that we can continue to build our seed business to ensure best practice among farmers and then creating an outlet for those crops, particularly rice and maize, so that we can put that into the country, he said.

He noted that the company believes Kaduna is a viable center for all of these activities, stressing that the assurance that the agricultural policies of the State are solid, and the federal governments agricultural policies are encouraging in such a way that they will support a business like this has given his company extra confidence to venture.

With cooperation and the right partners, we will be able to do well here. We want you to think of Notore as a company that every time you hear the name, you think of all the good things we are doing and to also see us as a company that can be a viable partner in terms of pushing your mission and agenda for the agricultural sector in Kaduna, he noted.

In his remarks, Mr. El- Rufai assured the company of all that is required to boost the agricultural sector in the state.

I want you to know that whatever you want to do in Kaduna, if you let us know specifically, we will support you. If you want land to do your seed multiplication scheme, we will be happy to provide that. If you want us to organise farmers so that you do partnership with them, we will be happy to do that as well. If you need land to have distribution or outlet for the rice and maize, we will be happy to do it, the governor promised.

He said Kaduna State is the leading producer of maize and soya beans in the country, adding that even though the state is not a big rice producer, two or three places have been selected to grow a lot of rice.

We will be happy to work with you in all these areas  from the fertilizer, to blending to seeds and the food outlets you want to go into.

All you need to do is to tell me what you want from the state in very specific terms and then we will have our investment promotion agency engaged with you and follow up on your behalf and deliver whatever you want.

Every investment you make here means one or two jobs. That is what we care about. We have a very young population; 89 percent of the population of Kaduna state is below the age of 35. So, our biggest problem is youth restiveness. So, if we dont get jobs for them or hope of a job in the near future, we will just be dealing with crisis every day.

Whatever you want to do here, we will give you all the support and cooperation and make it as easy as possible for you to invest here and be comfortable here.

The governor also presented the state development plans and sector development plans, saying they will find them very helpful in articulating whatever they want from the state government.

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The Clerk of Sokoto State House of Assembly, Suleiman Muhammad, died in the early hours of Tuesday at the age of 53, a statement from the assembly said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Muhammad died at the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, after a brief illness.

His remains were buried in Sokoto after a funeral prayer at the Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Jumaat Mosque, Sokoto, attended by Gov. Aminu Tambuwal.

Also at the funeral were the state Deputy Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, Speaker of the Assembly, Salihu Maidaji, and his deputy, Abubakar Magaji, among others.

The deceased, who was seconded from the state civil service, assumed the position after the retirement of the erstwhile clerk in 2016.

Mr. Muhammad is survived by his aged parents, three wives and 13 children.

(NAN)

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The Bayelsa State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the killing of a police sergeant at a police station in Yenagoa.

The spokesman of the command, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the killing in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa.

He, however, did not disclose the identity of the killed policeman but said that manhunt for the killers had commenced.

Mr. Butswat said the sergeant was shot dead while on guard duty at the Sagbama Police Station in the Yenagoa metropolis.

The policeman was killed on Sunday at about 8:30 p.m. in front of the Sagbama Police Station by two unknown gunmen on an unregistered motorcycle.

We are working to establish the motive behind the dastardly act because they didnt stop. We recovered the rifle of the dead policeman.

They shot at the policeman and zoomed off but we have swung into action and some people have volunteered useful information, Mr. Butswat said.

NAN learnt that the incident threw policemen at the station into confusion.

Witnesses told NAN that the two gunmen escaped before policemen at the station could recover from the confusion triggered by the unexpected attack.

They claimed that the fleeing gunmen shot at a group of policemen in front of the station with a pump action gun, killing the unidentified policeman on the spot.

The witnesses expressed surprise that the policemen who survived the attack did not go after the fleeing gunmen.

(NAN)

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Residents stayed indoors across major cities in south-east Nigeria as residents complied with a sit-at-home exercise called by pro-Biafran groups, with most businesses including banks, markets and motor parks under lock.

The Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, and the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, had called for a sit-at-home today in the south-east to commemorate the declaration of Biafra by late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu some 50 years ago.

In Owerri, Enugu and Aba, markets including the popular Ariara main market in Aba were on total lockdown.

Other businesses including banks, fuel stations, and parks were also shut.

A resident of Owerri and Biafra supporter, Okemiri Samson, commended the people of the city for the compliance to the exercise.

This is the highest compliance recorded in the city in recent times, he noted.

In Enugu, there was also a massive compliance.

I am at the Ogbete Main market in Enugu right now, it is under lock and key.

My sisters went to school and their school was closed so they came back, a resident, Raphael Onyekachi, told PREMIUM TIMES on phone.

In Port Harcourt, south-south Nigeria, there was also a high level of compliance according to a resident. Okezie Omeire.

Mr. Omeire advised commuters not to bother going to Aba or Umuahia as the road was closed.

If you are going to Aba from Port Harcourt, please dont even dare! You will not get to your destination. Everywhere is as dry and as silent as a graveyard. I just wasted my time and money this morning thinking I will make it to Umuahia this morning but guess what? I cant even make it to Osisioma junction. I have to drive back to PH (Port Harcourt), he said.

Starting from Port Harcourt city, Rumuola, Rumuokwuta, Rumuokoro, Choba, Mile 1, Mile 2 and Mile 3 markets, Oil Mill and any busy place you can think of in PH, everywhere is scanty and deserted!

The exercise, according to preliminary reports gathered by PREMIUM TIMES has so far been a huge success in Anambra State especially in Onitsha as shops, markets, banks and schools in the city remained closed.

According to a resident, John Okorie, MASSOB called and we answered. All businesses in the city are closed including shops in the streets.

Security officials were seen driving around the city to keep the peace. A similar situation was recorded in the states capital, Awka, and the second commercial city of Nnewi.

In Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, there was partial compliance, as the Abakpa Market, the citys main market, was opened but most shops still remained closed at press time.

Many of the traders were seen gathered in front of their shops discussing the situation.

As they noticed that those who flouted the order and opened their shops were not being molested, many of them summoned courage and started opening their shops.

But the major private transporters in the city shut down their parks in compliance with the MASSOB and IPOB directives.

However, two banks, UBA and First Bank, opened their doors to customers while other banks remained shut leaving customers, who thronged to the banks, stranded.

Hours later, some other banks opened for business after observing the tight security mounted by police and other security agencies in the city to secure lives and prosperity.

But Ecobank and Diamond bank branches remained closed as at press time.

Also, police helicopters were seen hovering over most of the cities to provide aerial surveillance especially in Umuahia, the hometown of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Mr. Kanu, who is facing charges of treasonable felony, was recently released on bail. While on bail, he has, however, restated his demand for a Biafran state, and urged support for Tuesdays sit-at-home.

The Ohaneze Ndigbo, a foremost socio-cultural Igbo group, also said it saw nothing wrong in the sit-at-home directive, saying it was a peaceful means of protest.

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The councillorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the upcoming local council polls in Lagos emerged in many areas on Monday, but disagreements led to postponement in some areas.

The party had on Sunday announced that the councillorship primaries in the 377 wards of its 57 local government areas would hold on Monday.

Tokunbo Afikuyomi, chairman of the APC Local Government Electoral Committee, who announced this on Sunday, had called on party members at the ward levels to make themselves available at the designated centres where the councillorship elections will hold.

In some areas visited by the News Agency of Nigeria correspondents, the elections went on smoothly, though delegates had to wait for arrival of electoral officers.

There were, however, some disagreements in some other areas.

At Ward G in Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos, Segun Lawson emerged winner of the primary election, polling 18 votes to defeat Ramon Aladega and Saidi Ayinde who got a vote each.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 20 party members had voted at the election held at Satellite Town Primary School.

Mr. Lawson expressed joy at his election and thanked members of the party for the confidence reposed him.

This is victory for the party and all the people of the ward.

I thank party members for the confidence in me and I promise not disappoint them he said.

It was however an easy victory for Jamiu Abiodun in the election as he emerged unopposed as councillorship candidate of Ward F in the area.

Mr. Abiodun and his supporters went in wild jubilation as soon as his candidacy was endorsed by party members at the primary.

NAN reports though the primary started several hours behind schedule, it was conducted peacefully.

Security officials manned the gate and thoroughly screened party members before voting.

The sole administrator of the LCDA, Habeeb Aileru, together with some officials were around to ensure peaceful conduct.

At Ward C, Isheri-Osun in Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area, LDCA, the election, which was scheduled to hold at 9 a.m., did start until 3.45 p.m.

Gbenga Bankole, a consensus candidate, was eventually declared winner at the ward, where police officers and Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps were present to maintain order.

At Ward E, in Orile-Agege LCDA, after initial skirmishes, an Electoral Officer, who came to the venue at 2 p.m. relayed the guidelines and conducted the primary election.

However, Sunday Ajayi, Chairman, All Progressives Congress in Orile-Agege LCDA told NAN that as far as he was concerned, there was no councillorship primaries in the council.

The APC primary election did not hold at Ward C, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, following conflict in the register sent by the state and the one from the ward.

A chieftain of the party in the ward and former secretary of the local government, Abayomi Omisore, said that APC members in the ward were not ready to entertain imposition of a candidate through whatever means.

He said also that the postponement was necessary to ensure that only the wish of the people prevailed.

According to him, all stakeholders, including the Amuwo Odofin Divisional Police Officer, Obong Okon, endorsed the postponement.

Mr. Omisore told NAN that the primary election would hold on Wednesday or Thursday.

Security personnel had been on ground at the wards secretariat located on F Close, 41 Road, Festac Town.

Seven persons are contesting for the councillorship seat in the ward.

While some members hailed the postponement, others frowned at it.

A member who pleaded anonymity said that the postponement prevented violence as some of the members of the party were ready to fight if their candidates would not win.

However, another member of the party said that he was disappointed by the postponement, adding that he had been waiting for the election.

At Ward K in Amuwo Odofin, the election took place peacefully after a long delay at the secretariat located on House 1, 11 Road, Festac Town.

At Ojo LGA, many party members were seen waiting for officials to conduct the primary when NAN visited.

Efforts to get reactions from Mr. Afikuyomi were unsuccessful as he could not be reached on phone.

The former senator had, however, appealed to any aggrieved member to take advantage of the conflict resolution mechanisms provided by the party in the Sunday statement.

(NAN)

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The Coroner appointed by the Osun Government to investigate the cause of death of Sen. Isiaka Adeleke, on Monday declared that his death was caused by drug overdose.

The Coroner, Chief Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara while giving his verdict in Osogbo, said all the evidence before him in no way pointed to poisoning as the cause of death of the late senator as alleged by some.

I have critically gone through all the evidence before me. From the totality of evidence the possibility of poisoning of the deceased is not sustainable.

I have not been able to trace any link to poisoning by anybody. The autopsy report and also the toxicologists report are very specific to say there was no trace of poison or heavy metal in the blood of the deceased.

Therefore it is my firm opinion that he was not poisoned, I so hold, he said.

He said the evidence of the pathologist, the toxicologist, police forensic expert, and the Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital,where the autopsy was carried out, all pointed scientifically to the fact that the death of the deceased was caused by aspiration of the gastric content which blocked his airwaves as a result of high level of alcohol, sedative, analgesic which cause the vital senses centre in the brain to shut down resulting in death.

Mr. Ayilara said the nurse who treated the deceased before he died, Alfred Aderibigbe, tried to puncture the scientific evidence, claiming he did not give him overdose but the evidence he gave in court and the police statement he gave were contradictory.

The deceased did not die of food poisoning, the deceased has an administration of overdose of sedative and analgesic by an unqualified personnel, Alfred Aderibigbe, through intravenous means which action was hastened by the presence of alcohol in the system.

The deceased had patronised the said Aderibigbe for about 20 years and had taken treatment from him without doctors prescription and that the high dose of sedative and analgesic with the mode of administration caused his death.

The coroner, however, recommended that the qualification of Aderibigbe should be further investigated to be sure he was qualified as he claimed and that the office of the Department of Public Prosecution should look into the case file of Aderibigbe with them with a view to determine the appropriate charges, if any, to be pressed against him.

The public should be sensitised by the government to the need to visit and patronise only qualified medical personnel in treatment of their ailments, he said (NAN)

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The Ogun State Government said it will start using drones as part of security measures to protect its forest across the state.

The Commissioner for Forestry, Kolawole Lawal, made this known on Tuesday while speaking with journalists, explaining that plans are underway to complement the existing human security.

Mr. Lawal said the plan was part of efforts by the ministry to checkmate the activities of illegal loggers towards sustaining the forests in the state.

He noted that the drones when procured would be placed in strategic areas across the reserves to capture pictures and ensure 24 hours video recordings of activities being undertaken in the reserves especially in the remote parts of the forest that are not easily accessible by forest guards towards tracking illegal timber merchants.

While justifying the initiative, he said the system would guarantee maximum protection, adding that it would reduce the vulnerability of the foresters to the armed illegal loggers as well as reduce the cost of patrolling the forest.

In a related development, the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, said his governments policies aimed at promoting industrial growth in the state have yielded another positive result as it has secured a new deal with over 110 new industries to commence operation in the state.

Mr. Amosun disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the 8th Gateway Trade Fair held at the M.K.O Abiola Trade Fair Complex, Oke mosan, Abeokuta.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bimbo Ashiru, said the state had achieved remarkable success in its industrialization drive owing to fascinating investment policies, affirming that government would continue to build on the existing infrastructure so as to boost its global investment plan.

Today, these projects have opened up Ogun State as the investment destination of choice and the resultant effect is being the fastest growing economy and industrial capital of Nigeria by all indices, he submitted.

The governor enjoined industrialists in the state not to renege on their Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, to the various host communities, saying it remained a veritable means of ploughing back to the society and promoting good neighbourliness.

As you do so, you are not just promoting good neighbourliness, but proving to be reliable partners in our dogged determination to make Ogun state a reference point in all facets of life, Mr. Amosun said.

In her welcome address, the president of Ogun State Council of Chamber and Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA), Adesola Adebutu, attributed the success of the 8th Gateway Fair to the high level of commitment by the state government as well as that of OGUNCCIMA.

She lauded the unflinching support of all partners of the association, saying it was a big departure from what it used to be, as the turnout was highly impressive, both on the part of the exhibitors and the patrons.

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"I am an advocate of Georgia's full NATO membership, the doors of the Alliance should remain open, President Andrzej Duda said in Tbilisi on Tuesday after talks with his Georgian counterpart Giorgi Margvelashvili.

President Andrzej Duda met on Tuesday with President Giorgi Margvelashvili. The talks focused, among others, on NATO. After the talks, Presidents Duda and Margvelashvili signeg a joint declaration devoted to bringing Georgia closer to the EU and to the country's territorial integrity.

May be of interest to you Polish, Georgian Presidents sign declaration on deepening cooperation

President Margvelashvili thanked the Polish president for his declaration of support. He emphasised that Georgia would continue talks on its EU aspirations with the Member States.

"There are countries that perfectly understand the specifics of Georgia and in its context fully understand the nature of the challenges facing the EU and NATO", he said. In his view, these states do comprehend that if there is no explicit response to the challenges, as the example of Georgia shows, they may turn into serious problems.

The President of Poland underscored that on every possible occasion he reiterated the doors of the Alliance "must remain open to all those who want to belong to this great Western community, the community of peace".

He added that Georgia was a loyal NATO partner which at every turn showed it was worthy of the Alliance's membership because it acted like the Member States.

"The problem of Georgia's future membership in NATO is also politically complex for obvious reasons, but Georgia has a strategic position in terms of geopolitics, and I am convinced that sooner or later it will be in NATO and is to become a full member of the Alliance", President Duda said.

"I am an advocate of Georgia's full NATO membership and as the president of Poland I will always support Georgia in this respect", Andrzej Duda stressed. He added that Poland also supported Georgia's efforts to integrate with the European Union.

The Polish president expressed his hope that his visit would give a new impetus to Polish-Georgian relations.

In his statement President Duda devoted a lot of attention to economic relations between the countries admitting they were "not the best" and that we had a huge deficit compared to the capacities. "The potential of both countries is very large while the current trade exchange is very modest. There is a huge field for joint activity", he emphasised.

President Duda suggested the need to open the Polish Trade and Investment Agency's office in Georgia to support Polish entrepreneurs in investing there. He also proposed organising a joint business forum.

Giorgi Margvelashvili said he also hoped that close political relations would translate into increased trade between the two countries.

The Georgian president remembered former late President Lech Kaczynski. "The Polish president stood by our side", he stressed.

The Polish president called his Georgian visit "following the path set out in the political sense by Professor Lech Kaczynski".

Andrzej Duda thanked Georgian President for remembering Lech Kaczynski, who "was a great friend of Georgia". He reminded that in 2008, when Georgia was attacked by Russia, President Lech Kaczynski did not hesitate to gather Central Europe leaders in Tbilisi in order to "stand together and say 'no' to that hostile, treacherous attack".

The year 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Poland and Georgia. On this occasion, the presidents of both countries signed a joint declaration on deepening cooperation. (PAP)
A standing ovation greeted William and Delores Brehm when they arrived at Fordson High School on May 24 for the rededication of B hallway in recognition of the life-changing scholarships they have provided over the years.

Dearborn native William Brehm, a 1947 Fordson graduate, has provided 53 full four-year undergraduate residential tuition scholarships since 2004 to the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and 21 scholarships to the University of Michigan Medical School.

Brehm, who earned a bachelors degree in science and a masters degree in mathematics and physics from U of M Ann Arbor, launched his career as an engineer and businessman in the aerospace industry, and in the government sector as assistant secretary to the Army, and as assistant secretary of Defense in the 1970s during the Ford administration.

Brehm said Fordson is a unique institution, from its architecturally inspiring appearance to its strong academic reputation and cultural melting pot in the heart of the auto industry.

It has been a stabilizing influence over those years, Brehm said. A true melting pot of people, adapting to their customs while maintaining constancy of purpose and finding the best in them to lead it, from school board to faculty to student body. I feel proud to have passed through this place, and for the way it has influenced me.

From the students who clamored to greet the couple and pose for photos to officials who spoke of them in the highest terms, the respect and genuine affection for the Brehms is obvious.

Principal Heyam Alcodray said the Brehms launched a scholarship fund to enable Fordsons brightest and most ambitious students to attend the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.

Today, Mr. and Mrs. Brehm have an extended family of 63 Brehm scholars, Alcodray said.

She said the idea of naming a hallway in the Brehms honor came from two of the scholars.

As they talked, I realized that the focus was not on the scholarship money but rather the personal support they were given from the Brehms in the years that followed, Alcodray said. They gave to them guidance, support and encouragement to help them be successful and set a high bar for each of them to aspire to.

Brehm scholar Mariam Hamid, a 2010 Fordson graduate, 2014 U of M graduate, and current fourth year U of M Medical School student, thanked school officials for supporting the Brehm Hallway dedication.

Hamid said the Brehms started as philanthropists and became family to her.

She said the Brehms told her the resources that come to one should serve as a conduit to help others, and said his generosity has inspired generations of students.

She said the impact of their education will influence the lives of their future patients, clients and students who will benefit as a result of the educational philanthropy and mentorship of the Brehms.

With your presence in our lives, we feel poised to make positive contributions within the niches we find in academia and our communities at large, Hamid said. Today is a celebration of the best of humanity.

Abbas Alawieh, a 2008 Brehm scholar, said the power of investing in the immigrant community has a far-reaching positive impact.

I wish everyone in this country who doubts the investment in new American immigrant communities (could see) how far those investments can go to transform communities, Alawieh said. I wish every person in this country could know the story of Bill and Dee Brehm and the transformative impact they have had on this community.
A state Department of Education investigation into complaints about alleged improper actions by Pleasantville School District employees has concluded there were no violations of education statutes or regulations.

The state Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance responded to a complaint filed by Facilities Director William Speedy Marsh.

Among Marshs claims was that Business Administrator Elisha Thompkins had used the district tax identification number to avoid paying taxes on a new water heater for his personal use. The report says the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office investigated the incident and disclosed no evidence that the allegation occurred in the time frame of the statute of limitations, and closed the file.

Thompkins declined to comment on the report.

Marsh also claimed Assistant Superintendent Garnell Bailey used a school employee to pick up and deliver furniture to her home on school time. The investigator reviewed the receipts and found that while the employee did pick up and deliver the furniture, it was done on a day when school was closed.

Bailey could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

A complaint that the district hired an employee with a criminal record as a part-time custodian found that the employee, who was not named, was hired in 2008. The employee was arrested in 2014 and was suspended at that time. The charges were later vacated, and the employee was cleared to return to work by the state Criminal History Review Unit.

Allegations the district failed to provide required services for students with disabilities were referred to the Atlantic County Office of Education.

Complaints that district personnel were hired or promoted without required certification were reviewed and it was found all employees hold the appropriate certificates.

The school board presented the report as required by law at a special meeting Wednesday.

The report did not address the allegation of whether the school board should have approved in June paying Bailey $4,800 for work during Hurricane Sandy when she was superintendent in the district.

Marsh, who is also an Atlantic City councilman, had been targeted for dismissal by Bailey when she was acting superintendent, but the school board failed to get enough votes for termination in November.

Marsh said in an email he had not seen the report.
ATLANTIC CITY  Maude Williams stint at the Atlantic City Police Department may be lost to time, but her granddaughter is sure of two things: she was there, and she was the first police woman.

It was a significant distinction for a black woman in 1923, but Williams service was short-lived according to a city resolution  she held the position for just five months before she was terminated. In later years, she told family it was because of how she voted, an important matter during a time when Enoch Nucky Johnsons Republican Party reigned supreme.

Neverthless, in 2001, the city recognized Williams as the citys first police woman despite another black woman, Margaret Maggie Creswell, formerly holding the honor.

And then something changed, and the honor was returned to Creswell.

In 2007, a plaque honoring Creswell was installed outside of the citys Police Department.

To this day, the historical marker at the northeast corner of Iowa and Atlantic avenues commemorates Creswells public service and de-clares that in 1924 she became the first female Police Officer in both Atlantic City and the State of New Jersey.

Ten years have passed, and that appears to be the final position on the matter.

But its not the end of the discussion for Williams granddaughter, 76-year-old Lovie McCoy, who still hangs onto the 2001 resolution that wasnt revoked.

I didnt write this, she said. They did.

A tale of two women

It might seem that in a city where history is an integral part of the community, the question of who was first  Williams or Creswell  would have been settled by now. That hasnt been the case.

Despite interviews with local politicians, historians, and a search of state, county and local public-records archives, The Press was unable verify Williams employment, outside of the 2001 resolution.

But heres what is known about both women:

Creswell had an impressive career in law enforcement, working first as a clerk in the Atlantic County Sheriffs Office in 1921 before becoming a permanent member of the force in 1927, according to the Atlantic City Free Public Librarys website.

She patrolled the Northside of the city, working with juveniles, and worked with rape victims who may have been too ashamed to speak with a male officer. Unlike Williams, Creswells legacy is well documented, including photographs of her in uniform and payroll records.

Ralph E. Hunter Sr., founder of the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, said infamous political boss Nucky Johnson made it possible for Creswell to get the job at the Police Department because she supported the Republican Party.

To have courage to do something like that in the late 1920s is remarkable, Hunter said.

McCoy remembers Creswell, whom she said they called Ms. Maggie and was a friend of the family.

Creswell retired with the city after 40 years of service and died in 1978, but her contributions to the community are still remembered.

The only accounts of Williams service as a policewoman come from family and a city resolution naming her the first.

Born Maude Bell at nearly the turn of the century in Washington, D.C., Williams later relocated to Atlantic City. In 1923 and 1924, Williams husbands occupation is listed as a driver. Though Williams occupation isnt listed for those years, it doesnt necessarily mean she was unemployed.

The Press sent an open-public-records request to the Atlantic City Clerks Office for employment records of Maude Williams. The office directed The Press to the Atlantic City Free Public Librarys web page, where the confusion surrounding Williams service is discussed.

Municipal employee history or service record cards are only required to be held for 60 years after termination of employment, or until the employee turns 85, according to a list of retention schedules from the states Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services Records Management Services.

The Atlantic City Free Public Library website does note that as early as 1917, female officers patrolled the city, but some may have been seasonal appointments.

McCoy said she has no idea if her grandmother had a seasonal position resulting in her short tenure. All she was told, she said, was that her termination had to do with voting.

When she told us the story, when we were kids, she always said, Oh, you were let go because you had to vote a certain way, said McCoy. But we dont know if that was really the truth. We were always searching to find out why.

McCoy remembers Williams as the best grandmother in the whole wide world. McCoy said Williams would tell her stories about her time as a policewoman and how shed start her patrol at Michigan and Arctic avenues.

She was wonderful, McCoy said of her grandmother, who died in 1971.

While some relatives of Williams want to know why she was let go from the department, McCoy said she just wants to see her grandmother recognized.

All we know was she was there, she said.

The Resolution

McCoy asked former Mayor Lorenzo Langford, then a councilman, for his assistance around 2001.

She said Langford asked Councilman Gibb Jones to look into it and soon after, she was presented with a copy of a resolution naming her grandmother the citys first police woman.

On July 18, 2001, the resolution was passed by consent, which means all council members agreed. It references dates of Williams employment as Dec. 1, 1923, to May 21, 1924, when she was laid off. Creswells is listed as 1924 to 1925, although she is listed in a city directory in 1927 as a police officer.

The resolution goes on to stay that it is altogether appropriate and fitting Atlantic City Council insures the record clearly reflects Ms. Maude Williams was the first African-American policewoman to serve the City of Atlantic City.

But Langford and former councilman Edward P. McGettigan, who is listed on the resolution, dont recall the details of the vote. Neither does state Sen. Jim Whelan, who was mayor at the time.

Hunter tried to help as well.

She was explaining to me about her grandmother; I couldnt corroborate it. I tried for years  I want to do it, he said. If she was there, she should certainly be recognized as number one.

McCoy said she wouldnt want them to take the plaque honoring Creswell down, shes curious why it would be installed if her grandmother had already been recognized.

Our point is, if my grandmother was a police woman in 23  if she only worked one day  she was the first, she said.

(Do you have any information about Maude Williams? Contact MRuss@pressofac.com or by phone at 609-272-7217)
ATLANTIC CITY  Hundreds of residents and city officials gathered at Browns Park for a community barbecue Monday. The choir sang, the children played on the swings and citizens gathered to play chess or just catch up  things that havent been seen there in years.

Harold R. Brown Memorial Park was formally opened Monday during a Memorial Day ceremony that honored veterans, but also dedicated the renovated park that used to be filled with homeless men and women and drugs. The park had been closed during renovations until the Monday ribbon-cutting.

We need something like this, said Leola Archie, 60, of Atlantic City, who has five grandchildren in the area. If they keep it like this is  its a start for the city.

The clouds didnt stop Archie from bringing her granddaughter, Kayla Cundiff-Savage, 9, to use the new space for the first time along with dozens of other children.

I think this park is awesome, Kayla said. I like how its got a lot of fun stuff.

What served as a Memorial Day ceremony to honor all veterans also honored Sgt. Harold Brown, after whom the park is named. He was the first African-American from Atlantic City to die in World War II. The event included a ceremonial wreath-laying in honor of Vietnam veterans and a salute with veterans lined up at the park.

The $1.5 million renovation project began in December. It added new equipment, a community stage, play areas and a sculpture to honor veterans to the park that sits between Stanley Holmes Village and the Schoolhouse Apartments in the citys 3rd Ward. City Councilman Kaleem Shabbazz said the opening of the park is a testament to the citys good work.

We are hopeful that this is going to be a continuing monument to (Sgt. Brown) and everyone that served, he said.

Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner said Monday the effort to get the renovations off the ground paid off, and hes optimistic and hopeful.

Certainly, Sgt. Brown would not have been proud (of the old park), Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian said at the event. Its wonderful to see all the people come out.

Some residents have said they are concerned the former drug-infested area would go back to what it was even with the renovations. But the new park includes more lighting, cameras are being installed that will be under surveillance at the new police surveillance center, and a fence around it will be locked during off hours at night.

The Police Department also plans to have Class II officers patrol the park.

This represents hope, said Council President Mary Small. We need to do more things like this in Atlantic City.

Small challenged the guests at the park to step up for the community to keep the park in good condition, away from the eyesore it used to be.

Keynote speaker Charles Garrett, a former Atlantic County freeholder and a Vietnam veteran, urged those at the event to remember why Americans gather on Memorial Day  to recognize veterans who gave their lives and fought for the country.

But he also said he remembers Browns Park as it was when he was young  as a vibrant and fun area.

We can never ever allow this park to go back to what it was, Garrett said.
MAYS LANDING  The man accused in the stabbing of his ex-girlfriend Bessy Blanco in Atlantic City appeared in court Tuesday as his attorney asked for more time to review voluminous evidence.

Jose Lopez, 51, of Ventnor, entered the courtroom Tuesday and waved to some people sitting in the seats behind him. He pleaded not guilty before Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury.

Lopez was arrested Feb. 19 after Blanco, 54, was found dead inside her home on North Harrisburg Avenue. Mark Richart, 52, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, also Blancos friend, was found outside the home stabbed and critically injured.

Lopez has been detained since his arrest.

Atlantic County Assistant Prosecutor Rick McKelvey read the list of charges against Lopez, who was represented by Steve Scheffler.

Scheffler requested eight weeks of additional time to sift through recent evidence presented, which he called voluminous, including audio and video material.

DeLury ordered a continuance in the matter for further investigation and scheduled the case to reconvene July 25.

Lopez was indicted May 17 on three counts of murder and one count each of attempted murder, burglary, armed robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, theft and carjacking.

He was found operating Richarts car following the stabbings, according to a statement from county Prosecutor Damon Tyner.

At a detention hearing in February, prosecutors described Lopez as a jealous ex-boyfriend who called Blancos daughter after the murder to blame her for what happened.

Authorities said Blancos sister told police there wasnt any history of domestic violence between Blanco and Lopez.

Prosecutors said at the February detention hearing that after police found Richart in the street with stab wounds, he told the officers that Blancos ex-boyfriend Jose stabbed him and that she was probably dead.
A new report finds New Jersey can do a better job at cancer-prevention efforts, especially as the state has one of the highest overall cancer rates in the country.

The American Cancer Societys Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Facts and Figures report for 2017-18 showed that while the state excels in a number of prevention categories, it lags its neighbors in tobacco-prevention funding, exercise and eating habits, tanning regulations and others.

If we want to make a difference in terms of health care costs and human suffering, the best investments we can make are in prevention, said Dr. Arnold Baskies, chairman of the National Board for the American Cancer Society and surgical oncologist for Virtua Health System.

New Jersey was ranked just behind Kentucky, Delaware and New York with the highest rates of cancer, among all types and genders, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions most recent U.S. Cancer Statistics Report.

The data collected from state health departments for 2013, the most recent year available, showed that New Jersey cancer rates exceeded the national average, that breast cancer led among women and prostate cancer led in men.

The American Cancer Society report looked at health factors and lifestyle behaviors that can increase the risk of cancer, including smoking, tanning, lack of physical exercise, obesity, nutrition, infectious agents such as the human papillomavirus and environmental conditions.

Cigarette smoking has been linked to cancers of the oral cavity, lungs, esophagus, pancreas, uterine cervix, kidney, bladder, stomach, colorectum and liver. The Lung Association estimated there were 11,780 smoking-attributable deaths in New Jersey between 2005 and 2009.

While only 13.5 percent of adults in New Jersey smoke, according to the report, one of the lowest rates in the nation, those cancers remain high among state residents.

Cape May county has the second highest rate of lung cancer cases, which was nearly 80 people per 100,000 in 2013, according to the state Cancer Registry.

New Jersey is only one of two states in the nation that does not provide any state funding toward tobacco-cessation efforts, and has not since the 2012 fiscal year.

Weve spent no significant money on tobacco cessation in recent years, Baskies said. We also dont have adequate tools to help people stop smoking. Lung cancer can cost hundreds of thousands per case. Its particularly poignant when looking at state budgets to see how we can cut costs looking into the future.

The World Cancer Research Fund estimates that about 20 percent of all cancers in the U.S. can be attributed to a combination of being overweight and obese, poor nutrition, excess alcohol consumption and insufficient physical activity.

The prevention report found about 63 percent of New Jersey adults were either obese or overweight in 2015 and less than half the adult population met recommended levels of aerobic activity.

Since both outdoor and indoor tanning have been linked to an increased risk for skin cancer, experts recommend people do not overexpose themselves and get regularly checked. It is now illegal in New Jersey for a person under 17 years old to use a tanning bed.

A three-dose U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved vaccine for HPV is generally recommended for teens starting at age 13. The report showed that the vaccine can prevent about 90 percent of related cancers.

Although proven effective, only 45 percent of New Jersey teens ages 13 through 17 in 2015 received all three doses of the preventative cancer vaccine.

The vaccination rates were low, but cancer screenings among older adults in New Jersey remained high in 2015, with mammography and pap-smear rates higher than national averages, according to the report.

To learn more about the Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Facts and Figures report here.
A Cape May County Superior Court judge has dismissed county Prosecutor Robert Taylors defamation counterclaim against former Wildwood Mayor Gary DeMarzo and former City Prosecutor Samuel Lashman due to lack of evidence.

Taylor said Tuesday he plans to appeal the decision at the appropriate time.

In his May 9 decision, Judge Noah Bronkesh said Taylor failed to show that DeMarzo acted with malice when making critical statements about Taylor to the media after the dismissal of a third indictment against DeMarzo.

Bronkesh also said Taylor admitted under oath he has not suffered loss of a prospective economic advantage due to DeMarzos statement, so his claim of tortuous interference also was dismissed.

Taylors cross-motion for summary judgment against the plaintiffs was denied.

This was another loss in a series of losses for Taylor, who will soon face trial for malicious prosecution of attorney Samuel Lashman and me, DeMarzo said in a statement.

DeMarzo, a former Wildwood police officer, sued Taylor for malicious prosecution in 2013 after being cleared of three indictments related to alleged misuse of $348 in city funds.

The first indictment was dismissed by the county prosecutor. The second and third were dismissed by judges. Bronkesh, in his latest decision, noted the judges opined that the substance and manner of the grand jury presentation were fundamentally unfair and/or presented distorted version of the facts.

In his suit, DeMarzo, represented by attorney Louis Barbone, claims Taylor used his position to seek vengeance after DeMarzo attempted to subpoena tapes of alleged physical abuse of a prisoner by a police officer against whom no charges were filed. DeMarzo said he was trying to prove selective enforcement in the case of former Sgt. David Romeo, also charged with abusing a prisoner.

The case was sent to mediation in fall 2016. DeMarzo said Tuesday the mediation was not successful, and now the case will go to trial sometime after Labor Day. No trial date has been set.

Taylor said the only thing he can say about the malicious-prosecution case is: The Attorney Generals Office is defending me. He clarified that his attorney, Matthew Behr, of Marshall Dennehey in Mount Laurel, was hired by the N.J. Attorney Generals Office to represent him in the matter.
Is a bird in the hand really worth two in the bush?

It's a question that comes up a lot in investing, and right now, you could ask it about oil and gas drillers Apache (NYSE: APA) and Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN). Apache has a good outlook for later in the year, but middling performance right now, while Devon has bucked the trend and is one of the top performers in the industry. Let's dive in and see which is the better buy right now.

Performance

Luckily, both companies are similar in size, with market caps between $18 billion and $19 billion. Both also recently announced their first-quarter earnings for 2017, which gives us a great opportunity to compare how well each is doing.

Devon had a spectacular quarter. Oil production averaged 261,000 barrels/day, a 7% increase compared to Q4 2016. That exceeded the top end of the company's guidance range by 5,000 barrels/day. Operating cash flow increased by 54% over Q4 2016.

The company was also profitable, with $565 million, or $1.07 per share, in net GAAP earnings, compared to a loss of $3.06 billion, or $6.44 per share, in Q1 2016. Devon attributed some of this to cost-cutting moves. It was able to nearly halve its total operating expenses to $2.84 billion. All of this exceeded analysts' expectations and caused a stock bump.

Apache's first quarter, on the other hand, underwhelmed the market. The company has been devoting resources to building out infrastructure in its massive Alpine High play in the Delaware Basin of West Texas. And while those efforts are ahead of schedule, they're not expected to pay off until the second half of this year. The company did finally return to profitability with GAAP earnings of $213 million, or $0.56/share, but it is predicting a soft second quarter due to the infrastructure buildout, scheduled rig maintenance, and other issues.

So, even though Apache's prospects look rosy later in the year, Devon has established that it can perform well under current conditions, and thus is a better bet to replicate that performance in the future. .

Winner: Devon

Dividend

While waiting for oil prices to rise, energy investors can take solace (and payouts) from a company's dividend. Luckily, both Apache and Devon pay one, but Devon's quarterly dividend was slashed in 2016, from $0.24/share to $0.06/share. Coupled with a slowly rising stock price, that means it currently yields less than 0.7%. And a dividend increase doesn't seem to be on the table. In fact, the word "dividend" wasn't even mentioned in the company's first-quarter earnings call...and believe me, I was listening for it!

Apache, on the other hand, currently yields just over 2%, which, while it doesn't compare to some of the integrated majors, is one of the best yields among exploration and production companies. With Apache devoting so many resources to Alpine High, though, further dividend increases seems unlikely.

So, although Apache may not raise its dividend this year, its current yield, coupled with the apparent lack of interest in raising the dividend over at Devon, makes it an easy winner in this category.

Winner: Apache

Valuation

Like most oil and gas exploration and production companies, both Devon's and Apache's share prices have taken a hit since 2014. Naturally, if oil and gas prices recover, both stocks should pay off for investors. But many, including Apache's management, are predicting oil prices of around $50/barrel for the foreseeable future, so there's no telling when such a payoff might occur.

Because both Apache and Devon -- and, indeed, most oil and gas explorers and producers -- have been unprofitable for much of the last three years, it's tough to look at traditional earnings-based valuation metrics like PE ratios, because you can't calculate them when earnings are negative. Likewise, dividend yield -- sometimes a proxy metric -- is tough to compare when one company's dividend has been slashed and the other's hasn't. Return metrics like return on invested capital and return on capital employed show both companies working their way out of deep holes.

But let's just look at how the companies have performed relative to the industry at large over the past year:

Devon's shares have been outperforming the industry, while Apache's have underperformed by quite a bit. Currently, Apache's stock is trading at 52-week lows. That means you can now buy Apache -- with its Alpine High position -- for less than you could have last August, when nobody knew about the play's huge potential. This represents a rare chance for investors to "turn back the clock" and pick up shares on the cheap.

Winner: Apache

Investor takeaway

Despite Devon's stellar quarterly performance, Apache has a higher dividend yield and a better valuation, particularly when the company's Alpine High and other prospects for the second half of 2017 are factored in. The stock's recent beating provides investors with an excellent buying opportunity, especially if you can buy in at a price of less than $50/share. Apache wins the day.

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You may love your career, but countless workers look forward to retirement and the less-frazzled lifestyle it offers. In fact, for some folks, the urge to retire is so great that they rush to do so early.

Now, when we talk about retiring early, we generally mean leaving the workforce before reaching full retirement age as designated by the Social Security Administration. Your full retirement age is based on your year of birth, and if you were born in 1954 or earlier, that age is 66. If you were born in 1960 or later, that age is 67. And if you were born after 1954 but before 1960, your full retirement age for Social Security purposes is somewhere in between 66 and 67.

So, when does the typical American retire? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average retirement age in the U.S. is roughly 63. But in areas of the country with a higher cost of living, it tends to be higher. Additional data tells us that more than 67% of Americans wind up exiting the full-time workforce by age 66, while 50% leave their jobs between the ages of 61 and 65.

That said, just because the typical American tends to retire before 66 doesn't mean that it's actually the right move. In reality, the average U.S. worker can't afford to leave the workforce early -- and the sooner more folks realize that, the less financially stressed they'll be in retirement.

We're just not saving enough

The reason the typical American shouldn't retire early boils down to savings, or a glaring lack thereof. The Economic Policy Institute reports that the average American household nearing retirement (aged 56 to 61) has $163,577 saved for retirement. But while that number represents the average, the median savings balance for that age group is only $17,000, which means there are far more people with less than $163,577 than there are with more.

Furthermore, according to IRS data from 2015 (the last year for which such data is available), the average American's household income is $71,258. If we take that number and bump it up a bit to account for typical wage growth, we arrive at an average household income of $74,000 a year.

Now, when we think about how much money we'll need in retirement, it's best to calculate that figure as a percentage of previous income. Though a large number of households actually wind up spending more money, not less, during the early years of retirement, for the most part, having access to 70% to 80% of your pre-retirement income each year should leave you in a fairly secure financial position.

The problem, however, is that the average American hasn't saved nearly enough to support that 70% to 80% income replacement target.

Going back to Social Security, the average recipient currently receives roughly $1,360 a month, or $16,320 a year. Given that one out of every four seniors today will live past age 90, and that the average 65 year old today will live till roughly age 84 to 86, it's fair to say that the typical American who stops working at about full retirement age should plan on needing a minimum of 20 years of retirement income.

So now let's get back to that average savings balance of $163,577. Assuming that's what you have to work with by the time you retire, and that your investments in retirement manage to generate a 4% annual return (which is a pretty reasonable estimate, given that many folks shift their asset allocations away from stocks as they age), over a 20-year period, you'll have about $991 a month in available income, or about $11,892 a year.

When we add in the $16,320 the average beneficiary gets from Social Security, that leaves us with a total of $28,212 -- only 38% of the typical American household income of $74,000. And that's just not enough to live on.

Even if you buff up the numbers by assuming a dual-income household, and take two of those monthly checks from Washington when both spouses retire, the total is only $44,532, about 60% of the average household's income -- better, but not precisely comfortable.

Save now, retire later

So, though you may want to retire early, if you've only saved as much as the average American, you probably shouldn't. Rather, you should use the latter part of your career as an opportunity to pad your nest egg and make up for lost time. Workers 50 and over can contribute up to $6,500 a year to an IRA and $24,000 a year to a 401(k). If you have access to an employer-sponsored plan, and you're able to max out your 401(k) contribution for five extra years, you'll have an additional $130,000 to work with in retirement, assuming those added investments bring in a 4% average annual return during that five-year period.

Even if you're not able to add to your nest egg substantially during those extra years on the job, working longer serves the equally important purpose of letting you leave your savings untouched during that time. In other words, working five extra years means your nest egg will only need to provide income for, say, 15 or 20 years in retirement, as opposed to 20 or 25. And that makes a huge difference.

Another big difference: It gives your nest egg five more years to grow: So if, for example, you have a $163,577 portfolio at age 61, and rather than retire, you work an additional five years but add nothing more, at the end of that time, (assuming that same, conservative, 4% return) you'll have $199,000. Or, contribute $24,000 each year to your 401(k) as suggested above, and you'll be looking at a portfolio balance in the neighborhood of $329,000. Much healthier.

That $329,000 will comfortable provide you with $1,779 a month in available income, or $21,348 a year, rather than the $11,892 a year we arrived at earlier.

Throw in average-sized Social Security checks, and you're either looking at $37,668 a year (for one earner) or $53,988 (for a dual earner household). And that second number works out to be 73% of the average household income, landing you in that target range of 70% to 80% income replacement that we all ought to be aiming for.

One final thing to keep in mind about early retirement is that if you're planning to file for Social Security as soon as you leave your job, you stand to reduce the size of your monthly benefit as well. Claiming Social Security at age 63 when your full retirement age is 66, for example, will permanently lower the size of your monthly benefit checks by 20%. (And that's even before you factor in the increases you might accrue by replacing some of the lower-income, early-career years with higher-income, end-of-career numbers in the government's calculation of your average wages, upon which those benefits are based.)

Of course, not everyone who retires early does so by choice. According to Voya Financial, 60% of Americans end up leaving the workforce sooner than planned, whether due to layoffs, health issues, or the need to care for a family member. But if you do have the option to keep working, and you're behind on savings, you're better off chugging along those few extra years.

Retiring early is a wonderful option for folks who have saved substantially and have robust enough nest eggs to sustain themselves for the long haul. But if that doesn't quite describe your financial situation, it could end up being the worst money move you'll make in your lifetime.

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STOCKHOLM, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The EQT Mid Market Europe fund has successfully closed at the hard cap of EUR 1.6 billion

Comprehensive investor demand shows continued support for EQT's industrial approach and platform of investment strategies

Strengthens EQT's leading position in the Northern European markets which hold ample investment opportunities for strong industrial value add in the mid-market segment

EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT Mid Market Europe fund (the "fund") has been successfully closed at the hard cap of EUR 1.6 billion. The fund targets high-quality mid-market companies in Northern Europe with strong market positions and growth potential. The fund demonstrates EQT's capability to combine the firm's global multi-product platform and the "local with locals" approach with offices across the world and the specialist skills of EQT's industrial network.

"We believe Northern Europe is one of the most attractive regions for private equity investments, and EQT has a proven track record and a market-leading footprint. The fund fortifies EQT's position as a mid-market investor and will offer high-quality mid-sized companies the opportunity to develop into stronger and more sustainable businesses", says Jannik Kruse Petersen, Partner and Head of Mid Market Europe at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to the fund.

The fund has already closed four investments: TransIP (largest domain name, hosting and virtual private server provider in the Benelux based in the Netherlands), Utimaco (global provider of cyber security and compliance solutions based in Germany), Adamo (fiber-based service provider based in Spain), and Fertin Pharma (the world's largest independent developer and manufacturer of medicated chewing gum, based in Denmark).

"The successful fundraise reflects investors' trust in EQT's industrial approach and proven track record of value creation for both investors and society. Approximately 80% of the commitments were made by investors in prior EQT funds, confirming the strength of being an integrated alternative investments firm as well as the ability to attract new sources of capital", says Jussi Saarinen, Partner and Head of Investor Relations at EQT Partners.

EQT Mid Market Europe is backed by a notable, blue-chip investor base including pension funds, insurance companies and fund-of-funds, among other institutions, such as AP4, AP6, BNP Paribas Fortis, Danica Pension, Danske Bank Wealth Management, DnB Private Equity, eQ Asset Management, GoldPoint Partners, HarbourVest Partners, Neuberger Berman Private Equity, SEB Asset Management, Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois and UBS Asset Management.

The fundraising for the EQT Mid Market Europe fund has now closed. As such, the foregoing should in no way be treated as any form of offer or solicitation to subscribe for or make any commitments for or in respect of any securities or other interests or to engage in any other transaction.

Contacts

Jannik Kruse Petersen,

Partner and Head of Mid Market Europe at EQT Partners,

Investment Advisor to the EQT Mid Market Europe fund,

+45-33-181-249

EQT Press Office,

+46-8-506-55-334,

press@eqtpartners.com

About EQT

EQT is a leading alternative investments firm with approximately EUR 36 billion in raised capital across 23 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 19 billion and approximately 110,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.

About the EQT Mid Market Europe fund

EQT Mid Market Europe is a EUR 1.6 billion fund which targets control or co-control investments in high-quality, medium-sized companies in Northern Europe (including the Nordics, DACH and the Benelux) with attractive value creation and growth potential. The fund will seek to make investments in companies with an enterprise value between EUR 100 million and EUR 300 million. The EQT Mid Market Europe investment advisory team consists of 37 professionals across six offices in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Munich, Oslo and Stockholm.

More information www.eqtpartners.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

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Today is World Bedwetting Day and this year's theme is 'Time to Take Action', raising awareness that children don't need to suffer with bedwetting, and that more can be done to diagnose and treat children who struggle with this condition.

Bedwetting is nobody's fault, and families and doctors should be able to discuss the condition without embarrassment or guilt. However, the impact of this condition is often underestimated and trivialised, so help is usually not sought or offered.[7] By raising awareness of bedwetting as a common condition that can and should be treated,[8] World Bedwetting Day aims to encourage families to discuss bedwetting with their doctors and get children the help they need.

To coincide with World Bedwetting Day, the World Bedwetting Day Steering Committee (WBD-SC) has launched simplified practical guidelines to help healthcare professionals (HCPs) understand how to best treat bedwetting. "For decades, people thought children would simply outgrow wetting the bed, but we now know that it is a common medical condition which can be treated relatively easily," says June Rogers MBE, Paediatric Continence Specialist, Bladder and Bowel UK. "This new guidance ensures all HCPs have clear information on how to manage bedwetting; the next challenge is to make sure the parents of children who struggle with bedwetting know they can speak to their doctor or nurse and that help is available."

Bedwetting is a common medical condition affecting around 4 in 25 five year old children.[1] For decades, it has been considered a simple condition that would resolve spontaneously. However, it is now regarded as a complex disorder involving several factors, such as bladder dysfunction and the over-production of urine at night.[3]

The condition can have a serious impact on a child's self-esteem, emotional well-being and daily activities, including school performance and social interactions.[2],[3],[5] Children who have been successfully treated for bedwetting have shown an improved auditory memory - the brain function required for listening, storing and recalling information.[9] Although bedwetting causes a significant impact on children and their families, training for HCPs rarely includes specific guidance on bedwetting and how it should be addressed. Using the worldwide input of the WBD-SC members, the newly released guidelines act as a clear, reliable source of information for HCPs across the globe to improve the journey to diagnosis and treatment, ultimately reducing the impact of bedwetting on families.

Brenda Cheer, Paediatric Specialist Continence Nurse and the ERIC Nurse said: "This year's World Bedwetting Day message that this common childhood condition can and should be treated is one that we echo at ERIC. Left untreated, bedwetting won't necessarily go away on its own and not all children 'get dry in their own time'. Dealing with bedwetting can have a serious impact on a child's well-being and self-esteem. Half of parents whose children wet the bed don't seek medical advice. We want all parents and carers of children and teenagers who are wet at night not to delay but to seek the help that is out there."

For more information, visit: www.stopbedwetting.org, www.bladderandboweluk.co.uk and www.eric.org.uk



(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/516786/Ferring_Pharma_Bedwetting_Day_Infographic.jpg )



About Bedwetting

Bedwetting, also known as nocturnal enuresis, is an uncontrollable leakage of urine while asleep.[6] It does not have a psychological cause, and in most cases it is due to the over-production of urine at night, a reduced capacity of the bladder or an inability to wake up.[3] Bedwetting is a common childhood medical condition, with approximately 4 in 25 five year old children regularly wetting their beds, and the problem may persist into adolescence and even adulthood if appropriate treatment is not undertaken.[1],[7]

About World Bedwetting Day

World Bedwetting Day was initiated to raise awareness among the public and healthcare professionals that bedwetting is a common medical condition that can and should be treated. Founded by the World Bedwetting Day Steering Committee, the overall aim of the day is to encourage families to discuss bedwetting with their doctors and get the help they need.

World Bedwetting Day takes place annually on the last Tuesday of May, with World Bedwetting Day 2017 falling on Tuesday 30 May. This year's theme is: 'Time to Take Action', in recognition that much more can be done to diagnose and treat children who suffer from bedwetting.

For more information, please visit: www.worldbedwettingday.com.

About the World Bedwetting Day Steering Committee

The World Bedwetting Day Steering Committee brings together experts from across the globe to support this initiative and consists of the International Children's Continence Society (ICCS), the European Society of Paediatric Urology (ESPU), the Asia-Pacific Association of Paediatric Urology (APAPU), the International Paediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA), the European Society of Paediatric Nephrology (ESPN), the Sociedad Iberoamericana de Urologia Paediatrica (SIUP), and the North American Paediatric Urology Societies. The initiative is supported by Ferring Pharmaceuticals.

For further information

Steve Howson Sarah Contiero Tel. +44(0)208-580-4199 Tel. +44(0)20-3595-2471 steve.howson@ferring.com scontiero@axon-com.com

References

1. Yeung, CK et al. Differences in characteristics of nocturnal enuresis between children and adolescents: a critical appraisal from a large epidemiological study. BJU Intl 2006; 97:1069-73

2. Iannelli V. Bedwetting. Available at https://www.verywell.com/bedwetting-bedwetting-statistics-2633257 . Last accessed January 2017

3. Vande Walle J et al. Practical consensus guidelines for the management of enuresis. Eur J Pediatr 2012; 171:971-998

4. Theunis M et al. Self-Image and performance in children with nocturnal enuresis. Eur Urol 2002; 41:660-667

5. Joinson C et al. A United Kingdom population-based study of intellectual capacities in children with and without soiling, daytime wetting, and bed-wetting. Pediatrics 2007; 120:e308-316

6. Austin P et al. The standardization of terminology of lower urinary tract function in children and adolescents: update report from the Standardization Committee of the International Children's Continence Society. J Urol 2014; 191:1863-1865

7. Neveus T. Nocturnal enuresis-theoretic background and practical guidelines. Pediatr Nephrol. 2011; 26:1207-1214

8. Hjalmas K et al. Nocturnal enuresis: an international evidence based management strategy. J Urol 2004; 171:2545-2561

9. Van Herzeele C et al. Desmopressin (melt) therapy in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and nocturnal polyuria results in improved neuropsychological functioning and sleep. Pediatr Nephrol 2016; 31:1477-1484

SOURCE Ferring Pharmaceuticals
In its inaugural year, this innovative take on peer-to-peer fundraising conceived by LLS, the world's largest non-profit dedicated to fighting blood cancers, mobilized more than 400 motivated high school students across the country who raised an astounding total of $6 million for LLS's cutting-edge cancer research and patient services. Candidates for Students of the Year sign up for a fierce seven-week fundraising competition, for which they appeal to family and friends to raise critical funds, which LLS deploys to advance breakthrough treatments and to support the more than 1.3 million blood cancer patients in the U.S.

One fundraising superstar, and cancer survivor, 16-year-old Ella Behnke of San Antonio, TX, a cheer leader who attends Alamo Heights High School, earned the winning title, "National Student of the Year," raising more than $334,768 for cancer cures. Her dynamic campaign included activating her social network to fundraise and securing local sponsors. Ella also visited cancer patients in the hospital and addressed local community groups and the Children's Hospital of San Antonio.

Ella knows firsthand about battling cancer  she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoblastic lymphoma at the age of two-and-a-half. This made her victory even sweeter, "I am extremely grateful to be named National Student of the Year for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This victory is not just about my own battle with cancer, but I'm honored to be able to have an impact for others who are still fighting this disease," said Ella.

Ella kept her campaign in the family, with her twin sister, Berkley, serving as her committee chair. "Naturally, I want to do whatever I can to support my sister and learn more about blood cancer, and this fundraising campaign gave us the opportunity to do something together, with our friends and family, to help make a difference for all people fighting these terrible diseases," said Berkley.

Through programs like Students of the Year, LLS has invested more than $1 billion in research to advance breakthrough therapies. The funds raised through Students of the Year are used for:

Research to advance lifesaving therapies like precision medicine and immunotherapies that are saving lives today.

Free blood cancer information, education and support for patients and families.

National and local advocacy efforts for policies that provide access to lifesaving treatments to the patients who need them.

The Influencers of Tomorrow

Millennials have built a reputation for being relentless philanthropists, but experts studying Generation Z are calling this group of teens and under "millennials on steroids" (Williams, A., September 18, 2015, Move Over, Millennials, Here Comes Generation Z, The New York Times).

"The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has a legacy of developing innovative fundraising approaches, like Team In Training, Light The Night and now Students of the Year," explained Louis J. DeGennaro, Ph.D., LLS president and CEO. "By tapping into this new generation of givers, LLS is again reinventing philanthropy for a new generation. We aim to keep these millennials engaged in our mission throughout their life, by working with them to find new and different ways to have an impact on the cancer landscape. Students of the Year is proof that the youngest generation has the power to help us create a world without cancer."

Candidates come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. But they also have characteristics in common: They are all compassionate and driven to reach their own personal fundraising best. They also tend to be dynamic, outgoing, and well-connected. All candidates fundraise in honor of a local blood cancer survivor who is honored throughout their campaign.

In addition to Ella, other top national fundraisers were Julia Strittmatter and co-candidate Hannah Sellinger raising $126,172; Sophie Blasberg and co-candidate Molly Levine raising $124,462; Alexis Areias and co-candidate Ryan Fitzgerald raising $106,857; Gus Robertson raising $102,272; Mason Klain raising $ 98,696; and Kyle Fritschi raising $95,081.

"On top of creating a world without cancer, this is the leadership development and philanthropy program that ensures high school students stand out among their peers when engaging with colleges and future employers. Through guidance and mentoring from experienced professionals at LLS  a non-profit with a track record of success  they will make a real impact in the fight against blood cancers," said Andrew Coccari, LLS EVP and Chief Product Officer.

Whether you are a school teacher, guidance counselor, a parent or a student, to learn more about the Students of the Year program and how it might work for you or someone you know, visit: www.studentseries.org

About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society  (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

Contact: Kristin Hoose

(914) 821-8973

[email protected]

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Related Links

http://www.LLS.org


CHICAGO, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the leading authority on children's oral health, inducted new officers and trustees at its meeting in National Harbor, Md., on May 28, 2017.

James D. Nickman, D.D.S., M.S., President: Private practitioner, Twin Cities; part-time instructor, University of Minnesota.

Joe Castellano, D.D.S., President-Elect: Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Developmental Dentistry at UTHSC-SA Dental School; private practitioner, Laredo, Texas.

Kevin Donly, D.D.S., Vice President: Professor and Chair, Department of Developmental Dentistry, UTHSC-SA; Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UTHSC-SA.

Jessica Y. Lee, D.D.S., M.P.H., Ph.D., Secretary-Treasurer: Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of North Carolina; Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jade Miller, D.D.S., Immediate Past President: Associate faculty member, University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, University of Washington School of Dentistry and University of Nevada School of Medicine; private practitioner, Reno, Nev.

Mario E. Ramos, D.D.S., Parliamentarian: Private practitioner, Midland Park, N.J.; adjunct Associate Professor of Pediatric Dentistry, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.

JC Shirley, D.M.D., M.S., Southeastern District Trustee: Private practitioner, Atlanta, Ga.; Clinical Assistant Professor, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta University; Consultant at Navy Postgraduate Dental School, Bethesda, Md.

Tegwyn H. Brickhouse, D.D.S, Ph.D., At-Large Trustee: Chair, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Richmond, Va.; Director, Oral Health Services Research Core, Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry.

Dorothy Pang, D.D.S, M.S., American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Director: Private practitioner, San Francisco; Health Science Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco.

About the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is the recognized authority on children's oral health. As advocates for children's oral health, the AAPD promotes evidence-based policies and clinical guidelines; educates and informs policymakers, parents and guardians, and other health care professionals; fosters research; and provides continuing professional education for pediatric dentists and general dentists who treat children. Founded in 1947, the AAPD is a not-for-profit professional membership association representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. Its 10,000 members provide primary care and comprehensive dental specialty treatments for infants, children, adolescents and individuals with special health care needs. For further information, visit the AAPD website at http://www.aapd.org or the AAPD's consumer website at http://www.mychildrensteeth.org.

SOURCE American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Related Links

http://www.aapd.org


WASHINGTON, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP Foundation today announced the expansion of its annual meal pack challenge from one event in Washington, D.C., to a Summer of Service to Seniors involving four events in four cities, beginning in Memphis, Tennessee. With the support of presenting sponsor AARP Credit Card from Chase, and title sponsors The Hartford and UnitedHealthcare, these events will bring thousands of volunteers together to fight senior poverty and hunger in cities across the country. Meal-packing events will take place in Memphis on June 3, Denver on July 9, Minneapolis-St. Paul on August 6, and the culminating two-day event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on September 10 and 11.

In addition to 1 million meals already packed in Ft. Lauderdale last month, Summer of Service to Seniors volunteers will pack 3 million meals at the four upcoming events, for a grand total of 4 million meals this year for hungry seniors.

Data from the 2012 Current Population Survey and the 2010 census show that more than 10 million Americans age 50 or older struggle every day with limited or inadequate access to affordable, nutritious food. AARP Foundation is bringing together nonprofit, government and corporate stakeholders in the food and health sectors to reform the food supply system by creating solutions to fight food insecurity and hunger.

"Even though senior hunger exists in every community across the country, it's one of America's best-kept secrets. Senior hunger is hidden hunger, and hunger is a health issue," said AARP Foundation President Lisa Marsh Ryerson.

"The issue of senior hunger is a critical one to focus on, especially as the senior population will nearly double by 2040 according to Feeding America," said Leslie Gillin, President of Co-Brand Cards at Chase. "We are proud to once again be part of the Summer of Service to Seniors and, through the AARP Credit Card from Chase program, will continue to raise funds to combat this issue alongside AARP Foundation."

A survey1 funded by the Foundation last month shows a disconnect between how respondents save money on groceries and the realities faced by those with food insecurity.



Roughly 65 percent of respondents purchased store-brand (generic) items to save money, while many low-income older adults live in identified "food deserts" and may not have any access to generic items.

Over half of respondents shopped at multiple grocery stores to find the best deal. By contrast, low-income older adults with mobility issues or lack of transportation, or who live in areas with only one grocery store, are unable to take advantage of comparison shopping in this way.

"By expanding our Summer of Service to Seniors to four cities, we're calling attention to the fact that too many low-income older adults have to choose between buying groceries and using that money for other essentials, like medicine. The negative impact on well-being is enormous," Ryerson said.

Meal packing events during the Summer of Service to Seniors are part of AARP Foundation's larger effort to increase economic opportunities and social connections that help prevent and reduce senior poverty.

The first 2017 Summer of Service to Seniors event will take place in Memphis and include volunteers from across the state of Tennessee. "In Memphis, more than 140,000 seniors receive SNAP benefits," Ryerson noted. "The need is real. We encourage Memphians to learn more and volunteer to help vulnerable older adults in their communities."

For details on how to volunteer and other information, visit MealPackChallenge.org.

About AARP Foundation

AARP Foundationworks to ensure that low-income older adults have nutritious food, affordable, livable and healthy housing, a steady income, and strong and sustaining bonds. We collaborate with individuals and organizations who share our commitment to innovation and our passion for problem-solving. Supported by vigorous legal advocacy, we create and advance effective solutions that help struggling older adults transform their lives. AARP Foundation is the affiliated charity of AARP. Learn more at aarpfoundation.org.

About Chase

Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.5 trillion and operations worldwide. Chase serves nearly half of America's households with a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans and payment processing. Customers can choose how and where they want to bank: 5,300 branches, 18,000 ATMs, mobile, online and by phone. For more information, go to Chase.com.

About The Hartford

The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at https://www.thehartford.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheHartford_PR.

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, Conn. For additional details, please read The Hartford's legal notice.

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1 million physicians and care professionals and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.

1 The study was conducted for AARP Foundation by Research Now, an independent research company, via its OmniPulse Omnibus Survey. This online survey was fielded from March 20-23, 2017, among a sample of 1,232 respondents age 18+. The sampling is U.S. Census balanced through outbound targeting on age, ethnicity, gender, region and income.

SOURCE AARP
NEW YORK, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlights

 The global agriculture equipment/machinery market is expected to reach USD 243.4 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc.

 The rising population has escalated the demand for food and pressurized the agriculture sector to be increasingly efficient and productive. This is anticipated to drive the demand for farm equipment market across the globe over the forecast period.

 The growth is also estimated to be driven by the increasing sales in developing nations, such as India, China, and Brazil, as these countries continue to mechanize their agricultural sectors.

 The global agriculture equipment is expected to grow at a CAGR exceeding 7% from 2016 to 2025, due to technological advancements in agriculture automation and robotics.

 The tractors segment was the largest product segment in 2015 and is expected to generate more than USD 30 billion by 2025, which is accredited to the fact that farmers are increasingly preferring harvesters so as to increase production and to restrict the dependency on farm labors.

The global agriculture equipment/machinery market is expected to reach USD 243.4 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc.



The rising population has escalated the demand for food and pressurized the agriculture sector to be increasingly efficient and productive. This is anticipated to drive the demand for farm equipment market across the globe over the forecast period.



Agriculture/Farm machinery includes a variety of tools and machinery that are used in several agricultural processes to improve output and enhance the overall quality of crops. Reduced labor availability is another reason for the growing demand of farm equipment. Agriculture is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. Labor employment has become expensive, owing to the insufficient labor supply which is attributed to people opting other jobs.



Additionally, the increasing adoption of technology-driven agriculture equipment is also anticipated to drive market demand. Farmers are adopting modern agricultural technologies to increase farm yield, due to the increasing food demand. The technological advancements in agriculture automation and robotics are fuelling the espousal of farm equipment across the globe.



The growth is also estimated to be driven by the increasing sales in developing nations, such as India, China, and Brazil, as these countries continue to mechanize their agricultural sectors. Furthermore, a strong economic growth and population expansion are expected to impose pressure on the agriculture sectors to be more competent, thus increasing sales.



Further key findings from the report suggest:

The global agriculture equipment is expected to grow at a CAGR exceeding 7% from 2016 to 2025, due to technological advancements in agriculture automation and robotics.



The tractors segment was the largest product segment in 2015 and is expected to generate more than USD 30 billion by 2025, which is accredited to the fact that farmers are increasingly preferring harvesters so as to increase production and to restrict the dependency on farm labors.



The harvesting & threshing segment is anticipated to witness a high growth over owing to the shortage of farm labor since, agriculture is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process



The Asia Pacific regional market is projected to witness substantial growth over the next few years, owing to its existing and improving infrastructure levels, alternative sales channels, and political support



Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04899222/Agriculture-And-Farm-Equipment-Machinery-Market-Analysis-By-Product-Tractors-Harvesters-Planting-Equipment-By-Application-Land-Development-Sowing-Planting-Weed-Cultivation-Plant-Protection-And-Segment-Forecasts.html



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



http://www.reportlinker.com

__________________________

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker

Related Links

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TIRANA, Albania, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Edi Rama, the Prime Minister and leader of the Socialist Party of Albania (SP), has outlined an election program aimed at increasing economic growth, reducing unemployment and generating new jobs. The policies were launched over the weekend following settlement of a three-month stalemate over the opposition Democratic Party's resistance to a program to remove corrupt judicial system officials from office.

Under the agreement, the judicial vetting system, a European Union requirement before Albania's accession negotiations can begin, will now proceed before the elections. Mr. Rama said the breakthrough means that he will be asking the EU to begin negotiations as soon as possible after the June 25 vote.

Deploying the slogan "For the Albania we want," the SP plans to extend its achievements in state-building and job creation to ensure that Albania continues on the right path to the future. "These elections have historical value," Mr. Rama said. "The elections on June 25 will decide who will be governing for the next four years, but also what Albania will be for those who are born today. Four years ago we found an Albania without a state, filled with debts, tired of injustice and a place where those who didn't respect the law were considered strong. The Albania that we have now is a candidate for membership in the EU. The Albania we want must sit at the negotiating table and become a member of the EU as soon as possible."

Recently released Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) figures show that the government's first term, which focused primarily on institutional reform and improved governance, is now starting to show results -- in investment, business expansion and in job creation with 3.5% GDP growth in 2016 and 10.5% rise in foreign direct investment. The Socialist Party will now pour all its efforts into economic expansion and generating rewarding jobs for citizens. According to the program, the next SP government's priorities will include:

 The largest investment portfolio ever within a term, including EUR 2.8 billion in investments from the state budget.

 A reduction in public debt to below 60% of GDP for the first time in 10 years.

 40% salary increase for public sector workers.

 Raising the minimum monthly wage from 24,000 lek, to 30,000 lek

 Economic growth averaging 4.5% during the next four years, with a target of 5.5% in the final year of the term.

 Unemployment of below 10%, reaching 8.2% in the final year. Some 220,000 new jobs are to be created.

 Gender equality, with women averaging at least 40% in the government, Parliament and key state institutions.

The Socialist Party came to power in September 2013, promising a comprehensive reform of the judicial system and will focus full attention and effort on its successful implementation. "We finally start a new chapter for Albania," Mr Rama said. "This is good news, but it's only the start of what we hope to achieve. My government's first term has focused primarily on institutional reform and improved governance. Now we must pour all our efforts into economic expansion and generating rewarding jobs for our fellow citizens."

About the Socialist Party of Albania

The Socialist Party of Albania, led by PM Edi Rama, is a social democratic political party which came to power in 2013 pledging extensive institutional reform and a stronger economy. As a result of the government reforms, the nation's budget deficit has been reduced substantially, tax revenues have risen dramatically and restored confidence in the economy has led to a 10.5% rise in foreign direct investment and 3.5% GDP growth in 2016.

The Socialist Party of Albania is an associate of the Party of European Socialists (PES) and a member of the Socialist International.

For further information: Endri Fuga, +355-4-227-7349 or [email protected] in Tirana or Zhenya Harrison, +44-(0)-20-3397-2825 or [email protected] in London

SOURCE Socialist Party of Albania
Once investors start to look at dividend stocks with yields north of 4%, it's time to start considering whether that payout is sustainable or headed for a future cut. If you can find those reliable high-yield dividend stocks, then you'll want to hang on to them for as long as possible.

If high-yield dividend stocks sound appealing to you, here are three companies you should consider: Total SA (NYSE: TOT), Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE: BIP), and National Grid (NYSE: NGG). Here's a brief look at what these companies do and why their yields of at least 4% look like great buys.

Fast response to the changing market

Integrated oil companies are like massive ships in the ocean. They are too big to change direction on a dime, but their size allows them to handle tougher seas -- or, in this case, low oil and gas prices. During this most recent down cycle, though, Total was surprisingly nimble. Part of it was luck as many of its major projects were completed in 2015 and 2016, which allowed management to wind down spending quickly. At the same time, the company was adept at lowering its production costs to the point that last quarter's free cash flow generation was at the same 2013 levels, when oil was $100 a barrel.

Now that the market has stabilized around $50 a barrel, Total is taking advantage of the situation by making some big investments and acquisitions to boost production. It has won several billion in concession contracts in the Middle East that will provide low-cost production and stable returns for many years to come. It has also upped its investments in U.S. shale, liquefied natural gas export facilities, and petrochemical manufacturing.

Locking in these new projects today when oil service contracts are low should help boost profitability over the next several years, especially if management can meet its stated goal of more than 5% production growth per year until 2019. If you sprinkle in its investments in renewable power as a way to make another pivot many years down the road, Total looks like a fantastic investment in the oil and gas business that also happens to have a dividend yield of 6.25%.

Simple business, steady dividends

Businesses with steady revenue streams and geographic competitive advantages are often described as "toll road-like." For those seeking high-yield investments, there is no better way to heap praise on the stock than to say it has toll-road qualities. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners takes this to the next level as a decent portion of its revenue comes from toll roads.

Brookfield Infrastructure owns a broad range of energy, utilities, transportation, and communications assets. Think things like electric and gas transmission, hydroelectric dams, ports, and those toll roads mentioned above. Not only are these critical infrastructure assets that are mostly regulated businesses, but they also have substantial barriers to entry such as high capital intensity and entail managing public-private partnerships with local governments.

With these kinds of competitive advantages, Brookfield is a kind of business that almost runs itself. What's even better is that the company has an adept management team that consistently looks to deploy capital in the most efficient way. That's how the company is able to project long-term dividend growth in the range of 5% to 9% annually. Today, shares currently have a dividend yield of 4.3%, which makes it a pretty attractive stock.

Earnings stability from both sides of the pond

Like Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, National Grid is the kind of long-term, high-yield dividend stock you want to look for. A vast majority of its revenue comes from regulated businesses: electric transmission, natural gas transmission pipelines, and natural gas distribution pipelines in the U.S. and the U.K. In most of its U.K. markets, it's the only game in town.

National Grid's U.K. businesses aren't going to grow much. That market for electric and gas transmission is quite mature and there aren't many projects outside maintaining existing assets. Also, since National Grid only gets to renegotiate new rates at fixed intervals, there are fewer incentives to invest. What its U.K. business does provide, though, is a massive cash cow that supports its generous yield of 4.1% as well as provides funding for investments in the U.S.

National Grid will dedicate more than 50% of its $4 billion capital plan for the upcoming fiscal year toward its U.S. regulated utility business. National Grid can petition for a rate hike each time it determines it needs one. That worked out last quarter when it received rate hikes for two of its New York operations. On top of its stable business, management just announced it had closed a deal to sell a majority stake in its U.K. gas distribution business for 13.8 billion British pounds. The proceeds will be given as a special dividend to investors.

National Grid is by no means a dividend growth stock, but its business is suited to stable payouts that will modestly rise over time. At its current dividend yield, there is a lot to like about National Grid's stock.

10 stocks we like better than Total

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*Stock Advisor returns as of May 1, 2017

Tyler Crowe owns shares of Total. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends National Grid. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and Total. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
"Like ALERT Protective Services, we know the value in offering customers a total security package," said Steve Jones, Allied Universal CEO. "That's what's special about our new partner. They have an outstanding reputation for understanding and meeting their clients' needs. And they've invested in smart technology that evolves as the security landscape changes. I'm excited about the opportunity to be able to offer ALERT's clients more resources, and look forward to working with new members who will be joining our team."

Similarly to Allied Universal, ALERT Protective Services offers integrated security systems and uniformed security professionals to work in tandem with a complete security program at community gatehouses, concierge desks, or security command centers. Some of these solutions include remote video monitoring, access control and an electronic patrol reporting program that enables security professionals to report threats in real time and alert authorities if back up is needed.

"We are excited to join Allied Universal," said Jeff Haidet, CEO of ALERT Protective Services. "Both companies embrace combining the use of state-of-the-art technology with manpower to provide an optimal solution to our customers. We also share the same passion and commitment to be the employer of choice for security professionals and provider of choice for security users."

With a portfolio that consists of 95% residential condominiums and communities, ALERT Protective Services owns the homeowners association and residential lifestyle communities' security space in Southwest and Southeast Florida. The firm's security personnel, adept at securing HOAs, gated, and un-gated communities, excel as ambassadors who often provide the first impressions to a community's residents, guests and prospective owners.

With over $10 million in revenue and 430 employees, ALERT Protective Services has been in business since 2005. Learn more at www.alertprotectiveservices.com.

About Allied Universal

Allied Universal, a leading facility services company and the largest security force in North America with over 150,000 employees, provides unparalleled security services and solutions. With headquarters in Santa Ana, Calif., and Conshohocken, Pa., Allied Universal combines people and technology to deliver evolving, tailored solutions that allow our clients to focus on their core business. An unrelenting focus on clients' success creates partnerships rooted in quality and value, and is supported by experience gained from being in business for over 50 years. Through our people and leading services, systems and solutionsAllied Universal is there for you. For more information, please visit www.AUS.com.

SOURCE Allied Universal

Related Links

http://www.AUS.com


YONKERS, N.Y., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- alpha-En Corporation (OTC: ALPE), an innovative clean technology company enabling next-generation battery technologies through the production of high purity lithium metal, announced today that it has moved into its new, 8,000 square foot facility in Yonkers, New York. The new facility, part of the innovative iPark Hudson technology and office campus, is now the Company's innovation and product development center as well as its global headquarters and corporate office.

"Our move to our new facility and headquarters is a milestone for alpha-En as a company. It is the latest of several important steps we have taken in the past few months, including the completion of a recent private placement, establishing new research agreements with leading academic institutions and putting together a talented management team," said Jerome Feldman, Founder and Executive Chairman of alpha-En.

Alpha-En CEO Steve Fludder commented, "Now we can move forward and enhance our development program and manufacture samples of our high purity lithium metal for our potential customers and partners. We remain confident that our new process for producing highly pure lithium metal in a manner that has never been done before will be a powerful disruptive force in the rapidly expanding global market for lithium-based rechargeable batteries."

alpha-En's network of partners includes the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, Princeton University and the City University of New York.

About alpha-En Corporation

alpha-En Corporation (OTC: ALPE) is an innovative clean technology company focused on enabling next generation battery technologies by developing and bringing to market high purity lithium metal and associated products produced in an environmentally sensitive manner. For more information, visit http://alpha-encorp.com.

Corporate Contact

Thomas Suppanz, Managing Director/Finance

[email protected]

914 418 2000

Mike Mason

DresnerAllenCaron

[email protected]

212 691 8087

Safe Harbor

Except for the historical information herein, the matters discussed in this news release may include forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current knowledge, assumptions, judgment and expectations regarding future performance or events. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such statements are reasonable, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as they are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary materially. alpha-En Corporation assumes no obligation to update the information in this release. Reference to the Company's website above does not constitute incorporation of any of the information thereon into this press release.

SOURCE alpha-En
KINGSPORT, Tenn., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha Natural Resources (ANR, Inc.) announces the divestment of substantially all of the assets of two separate operations, a coal mining complex and a natural gas operation, both located in central West Virginia.

The Green Valley mining assets in Nicholas and Greenbrier Counties are being sold to Quinwood Coal Company. The divestiture includes the Number 1 preparation plant and related permits, which have been idle since the second quarter of 2014.

In addition to the coal mining complex, the New River Energy natural gas operation is being sold to Kinzer Drilling. The divestiture includes 120 producing natural gas wells in five counties.

Alpha CEO David Stetson said the divestments represent another important step toward reducing Alpha's footprint. "With these significant divestitures, we will transfer 28 mining-related permits, reduce surety bonding by approximately $3.5 million, eliminate future reclamation spending at these sites, and further reduce our annual holding cost for inactive and idle properties by approximately $1.1 million," Stetson said. "Additionally, $2.7 million in self bonding will be eliminated as part of these sales, which will assist ANR in meeting its obligations to the State of West Virginia."

Stetson added, "As with previous divestitures, Alpha has been able to enter into agreements with third parties that have indicated a desire to restart these operations and restore many jobs to the local community."

Stetson indicated that Alpha will continue to pursue sales of other non-strategic assets in the coming months. Terms of the transactions were not released.

About Alpha Natural Resources

Alpha Natural Resources has affiliate mining operations in West Virginia and Kentucky, and supplies metallurgical coal to the steel industry and thermal coal to generate power. Alpha has offices in Kingsport, Tennessee, and Julian, West Virginia, which support approximately 20 active mining operations. Alpha is committed to being a leader in mine safety and an environmental steward in the communities where its affiliates operate. For more information, visit Alpha's website (www.alphanr.com).

SOURCE Alpha Natural Resources

Related Links

http://alphanr.com


ST. LOUIS, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Arch Coal, Inc. recently named 10 outstanding West Virginia classroom teachers as recipients of the prestigious Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award. It is West Virginia's longest-running, privately sponsored teacher recognition program, now in its 28th year.

Each teacher was honored at a special assembly held in front of students, peers, family and friends at his or her individual school.

The 2017 Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award recipients are:

Marcy Alwin Hedgesville Middle School Hedgesville Alana Cunningham Wood County Christian School Williamstown Chelsy Helmick Sherrard Middle School Wheeling Karla Hilliard Spring Mills High School Martinsburg Erica Pack Stratton Elementary School Beckley Andrew Patrick Morgantown High School Morgantown Catherine Shuman Greenmont Elementary School Vienna Jeremiah Smallridge Buckhannon-Upshur High School Buckhannon Mary Ann Testerman Mingo Central High School Delbarton JoAnn White Wheeling Park High School Wheeling

"Outstanding student achievement begins with excellent classroom teaching," said John W. Eaves, Arch's chief executive officer. "These 10 individuals who were selected as this year's Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award recipients represent the hundreds of dedicated classroom teachers across West Virginia who strive daily to enrich the lives of their students. We are pleased to recognize them for their professionalism, commitment to excellence and diligence to ensure that each student achieves their full potential. We commend each of these educators for this well-deserved recognition, and wish them the best in their future endeavors."

The public nominates teachers for the annual award, and a blue-ribbon panel of past award recipients selects the top 10 from among all those completing the comprehensive and rigorous application process. In addition to the public recognition, each teacher is presented with a personal cash award and a distinctive trophy.

The Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards are supported in program promotion by the West Virginia Department of Education, the West Virginia Education Association and the West Virginia Library Commission.

Arch Coal has a long history of supporting educational and community causes in West Virginia  a key operating state for the company. It also supports a teacher recognition program in Wyoming.

U.S.-based Arch Coal, Inc. is a top coal producer for the global steel and power generation industries. Arch operates a streamlined portfolio of large-scale, low-cost mining complexes that produce high-quality metallurgical coals in Appalachia and low-emitting thermal coals in the Powder River Basin and other strategic supply regions. For more information, visit www.archcoal.com.

SOURCE Arch Coal, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.archcoal.com


NEW YORK, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Precalculus course added this month to Arizona State University's online Global Freshman Academy leverages McGraw-Hill Education's ALEKS adaptive software. The Precalculus course is the second math course in the Global Freshman Academy (GFA) that uses ALEKS's artificial intelligence to create a personalized learning experience for students.

In April 2016, ASU's GFA introduced a College Algebra & Problem Solving course that uses ALEKS and that has attracted 51,000 students across 196 countries in its first year. The College Algebra course continues to enroll about 500 new students each week. ALEKS's artificial intelligence has assessed more than 1,450,000 math skills for the 30,000 most active students in the GFA course. It has helped these students learn and master more than 382,000 new skills, and more than 613 students have mastered all of the College Algebra curriculum.

"We're honored to have teamed up with Arizona State University to create these math courses for the groundbreaking Global Freshman Academy," said Stephen Laster, Chief Digital Officer of McGraw-Hill Education. "College math is often the most formidable barrier to success for students entering college. By using ALEKS in the Global Freshman Academy, we're helping open new doors of access to higher education and giving students a powerful learning experience that increases their chances of passing math and succeeding in college."

ALEKS (Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces) provides an individualized experience for K-20 students based on their unique strengths and weaknesses. Through powerful artificial intelligence, ALEKS provides personalized instruction, delivering the exact instruction students need, right when they need it. The ability to assist students at all levels using real-time feedback and inherent motivators results in significant improvements in retention, success and confidence.[1]

"Working with ALEKS in GFA's College Algebra course has been an extremely positive and successful experience for our students, and we look forward to implementing the same technology in the new pre-calculus course," said Adrian Sannier, Chief Academic Technology Officer for EdPlus at Arizona State University. "The ALEKS technology allows us to meet students where they are academically through the use of adaptive learning. This gives us a better understanding of the student's skill level and which areas they need more help in order to be successful."

Like other courses in the GFA, the Precalculus course is free for anyone to take. Upon completion with a grade of C or better, students can pay $600 for course credit from ASU. The Global Freshman Academy is a partnership between ASU, the largest public research university in the U.S., and massive open online course (MOOC) provider edX. All courses in the Global Freshman Academy are taught online  open to anyone, anywhere  and allow students to earn university credit simply and with little risk.

ALEKS is the product of thirty years of research by software engineers, mathematicians, and cognitive scientists in the application of Knowledge Space Theory. With support from the National Science Foundation, the research efforts by New York University and University of California, Irvine have been transformed into a groundbreaking artificial intelligence engine designed to improve student performance in math. In 2016, there were 3.3 million paid activations of ALEKS across K-12 and higher education.

About McGraw-Hill Education

McGraw-Hill Education is a learning science company that delivers personalized learning experiences that help students, parents, educators and professionals drive results. McGraw-Hill Education has offices across North America, India, China, Europe, the Middle East and South America, and makes its learning solutions available in more than 60 languages. Visit us at mheducation.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

About Arizona State University

Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to excellence, access, and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good and assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it. For two straight years, ASU has been named the nation's No. 1 "most innovative" university by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit asu.edu.

Contacts:

Tyler Reed

McGraw-Hill Education

(646) 766-2951

[email protected]

Carrie Lingenfelter

EdPlus at Arizona State University

(480) 884-1541

[email protected]

[1] Students' performance in a given class can improve relative to other students' performance in prior years for a number of reasons, including the innate abilities and prior education of the students participating, as well as differences among professors and their pedagogies. We believe that even taking into account these factors, ALEKS can contribute to significant improvements in students' classroom performance.

SOURCE McGraw-Hill Education

Related Links

http://www.mheducation.com


DALLAS, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ExxonMobil and Chevron will host simultaneous annual meetings on Wednesday, May 31 in Dallas and Midland, TX respectively, and face shareholders who want the oil giants to start dealing with the realities of life in a carbon-constrained world.

At Chevron (proposal #8), a first-time resolution filed jointly by Arjuna Capital and As You Sow, with co-filer Baldwin Brothers Inc., asks for a detailed report assessing how the company can respond to climate change and the resultant transition to a low-carbon economy. The proposal asks Chevron to evaluate the feasibility of altering the company's energy mix, separating or selling its highest carbon-risk assets, divisions, and subsidiaries, and/or buying or merging with companies with outstanding assets or technologies in low carbon or renewable energy. The Chevron resolution is available online at: https://arjuna-capital.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Chevron-Low-Carbon-Transition-Resolution-Final.pdf along with a memo to shareholders at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/93410/000121465917003223/j511170px14a6g.htm

At ExxonMobil (Proposal #11), Arjuna Capital and Baldwin Brothers Inc. are asking for a commitment to increase the total amount authorized for capital distributions (summing dividends and share buybacks) to shareholders as a prudent use of investor capital given growing climate-related risks of stranded carbon assets. This is the second year the shareholder proposal asking ExxonMobil to prioritize returning more capital to shareholders in light of increasingly risky investments in potentially stranded carbon assets will be put to the ballot. The company fought to exclude the proposal at the SEC two years running, but lost its challenges. The Exxon resolution is available online at: https://arjuna-capital.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/XOM-Proposal-Capital-Distributions_2017.pdf along with a memo to shareholders at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34088/000121465917003519/d511171px14a6g.htm

Natasha Lamb, managing partner at Arjuna Capital, said: "Oil majors have to get real if they are going to successfully transition to a carbon-constrained world. Exxon and Chevron's continued investment in high-cost fossil fuel reserves in the face of global climate change, the Paris Climate Agreement, and disruptive technology development is no longer a prudent path forward for the companies or their investors. And simply denying climate risk is not a viable business plan. At Exxon, we believe a disciplined path would prioritize value over growth, by investing in the most profitable lower-carbon assets and returning a greater percentage of profits to shareholders. At Chevron, we are asking the company to disclose its plans to transition to a low carbon economy. Bottom line, investors need to understand if their capital is at risk or if there is a viable path forward."

"The energy market is at a crossroads, "said As You Sow President Danielle Fugere, "low cost, low carbon technologies are competing head-on with traditional fossil-fuel based energy sources. We know who will ultimately win that match-up and it will not be high carbon energy resources. Companies like Chevron and Exxon must not only recognize this growing risk and disclose it to shareholders, but develop plans to strategically and creatively change their focus toward lower carbon, lower cost energy. We are looking forward to seeing our Companies' creative and strategic response."

In releasing a July 2016 report on the growing risks facing oil majors, As You Sow stated: "Higher extraction costs. International supply competition. Falling profit margins. Mounting debt. Shrinking cash. Competing technologies. Rising regulatory risk. Social pressure due to climate change. Indicators are now flashing yellow for the oil industry, which is in danger of 'weakening' if major oil companies continue to operate as though they are in a business-as-usual environment "

In 2014, ExxonMobil wrote a report in response to Arjuna Capital/Baldwin Brothers and As You Sow on the potential for unburnable stranded carbon assets, following a landmark negotiation with shareholders. ExxonMobil has maintained that none of its carbon assets will be stranded, based on its internal projections of unabated global energy demand and a belief that global governments will not take meaningful action to curb global warming.

Chatham House, the London-based Royal Institute of Foreign Affairs and 2nd most influential global think tank, advocates prioritizing capital distributions over reserve growth, stating, "A major new strategy for the IOCs [Integrated Oil Companies] could be to shrink their capital base to match specific demand; shareholders will then benefit from the value released from their shares." https://www.chathamhouse.org/publication/international-oil-companies-death-old-business-model#sthash.VrQVWX2x.dpuf

SOURCE Arjuna Capital, Boston
WHIPPANY, N.J., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for myBETAapp and the BETACONNECT Navigator.

With this software in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, people using the electronic BETACONNECT autoinjector to administer BETASERON (interferon beta-1b) can use Bluetooth technology to connect their current autoinjector to the new myBETAapp on their mobile device or computer.1 Patients have the opportunity to share their injection data with their BETA Nurse and healthcare team. Viewing this data through the BETACONNECT Navigator may be a useful tool for the health care team to gain insights into patients' injection history and provide support to those taking BETASERON.2

"Since introducing the first FDA approved treatment option for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients more than two decades ago, we've listened closely to the community to understand their needs and how we can support them," said Mark Rametta, D.O., FACOI, FACP, Bayer's medical director for Neurology.3 "The myBETAapp and BETACONNECT Navigator add to the services that we've developed based on patient feedback, including 24/7 access to nurse support and the first and only electronic autoinjector for patients taking BETASERON."

Patients should not take BETASERON (interferon beta-1b) if they are allergic to interferon beta-1b, to another interferon beta, to human albumin, or mannitol. 3 BETASERON can cause serious side effects, such as liver problems including liver failure. Symptoms of liver problems may include yellowing of your eyes, itchy skin, feeling very tired, flu-like symptoms, nausea or vomiting, bruising easily or bleeding problems. A healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for these problems while the patient is taking BETASERON. 3

Patients using other injection methods to take their BETASERON can also manually enter injection information into the myBETAapp and participate in the sharing of data with their BETA Nurse and healthcare team.1

"The myBETAapp and BETACONNECT Navigator work cohesively together to support communication and connection between people living with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis and their BETA Nurse and health care team," said Daniel Kantor, M.D., FAAN and President Emeritus, Florida Society of Neurology.

The myBETAapp will be available for free download at the Apple app store, Google Play or Betaseron.com in mid-July. Patients enrolled in BETAPLUS, Bayer's comprehensive patient support program, can speak directly to a BETA Nurse, who is specially trained in MS.

The BETACONNECT autoinjector, myBETAapp and the BETACONNECT Navigator were designed and developed by Medicom Innovation Partner, headquartered in Struer, Denmark.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronically inflammatory, incurable and usually intermittent disease of the central nervous system. The most common form of multiple sclerosis is relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), where symptoms flare up and then improve, making it critical for doctors to track the severity of the disease on a regular basis. Out of the 400,000 people living with MS in the United States, approximately 320,000 people are initially diagnosed with RRMS. Injectable beta-interferons are a prescribed class of immunomodulatory drugs for RRMS.

About Betaseron

Indications

BETASERON (interferon beta-1b) is a prescription medicine used to reduce the number of relapses in people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). This includes people who have had their first symptoms of multiple sclerosis and have an MRI consistent with multiple sclerosis. BETASERON will not cure MS but may decrease the number of flare-ups of the disease.3

Important Safety Information for BETASERON (interferon beta-1b)

Do not take BETASERON (interferon beta-1b) if you are allergic to interferon beta-1b, to another interferon beta, to human albumin, or mannitol. 3

BETASERON can cause serious side effects, including:

Liver Problems Including Liver Failure. Symptoms of liver problems may include yellowing of your eyes, itchy skin, feeling very tired, flu-like symptoms, nausea or vomiting, bruising easily or bleeding problems. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for these problems while you take BETASERON. 3

Serious Allergic Reactions. Serious allergic reactions can happen quickly and may happen after your first dose of BETASERON or after you have taken BETASERON many times. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the mouth or tongue, rash, itching, or skin bumps. 3

Depression or Suicidal Thoughts. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying, new or worse depression (sinking feeling or sadness), new or worse anxiety (feeling uneasy, nervous or fearful for no reason), trouble sleeping (insomnia), acting aggressive, being angry, or violent, acting on dangerous impulses, hallucinations, other unusual changes in behavior or mood. 3

Other possible serious side effects with BETASERON include:

Heart Problems. BETASERON may worsen heart problems including congestive heart failure. Symptoms of heart problems may include swollen ankles, shortness of breath, decreased ability to exercise, fast heartbeat, tightness in chest, increased need to urinate at night, not being able to lay flat in bed. 3

Injection Site Problems. Serious skin reactions can happen in some people including areas of severe damage to skin and the tissue below the skin (necrosis). These reactions can happen anywhere you inject BETASERON. Symptoms of injection site problems may include swelling, redness, or pain at the injection site, fluid drainage from the injection site, breaks in your skin or blue-black skin discoloration. Change your injection site each time you inject BETASERON as it will lessen the chance of you having a serious skin reaction. Avoid injecting BETASERON into an area of the skin that is sore, reddened, infected or has other problems. 3

Flu-like Symptoms. BETASERON can cause flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, tiredness, sweating, muscle aches when you first start to use it. These symptoms may decrease over time. Taking medicines for fever and pain relief on the days you are using BETASERON may help decrease these symptoms. 3

Seizures. Some people have had seizures while taking BETASERON, including people who have never had seizures before. It is not known if the seizures were related to MS, to BETASERON, or to a combination of both. If you have a seizure after taking BETASERON call your healthcare provider right away. 3

Blood Problems. You may have a drop in the levels of infection-fighting white blood cells, red blood cells, or cells that help you form blood clots. If drops in levels are severe, they can lessen your ability to fight infections, make you feel tired or sluggish or cause you to bruise or bleed easily. 3

Risk to Pregnancy:

BETASERON can harm your unborn baby. BETASERON may cause you to lose your baby (miscarry). If you become pregnant while taking BETASERON call your healthcare provider right away. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you should continue to take BETASERON. 3

Most Common Side Effects:

The most common side effects of BETASERON include low white blood cell count, increases in your liver enzymes, headache, increase in your muscle tension, pain, rash, problems sleeping, stomach pain, weakness. These are not all the possible side effects of BETASERON. 3

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take and your medical conditions.

For full prescribing information visit: http://labeling.bayerhealthcare.com/html/products/pi/Betaseron_PI.pdf

For BETACONNECT Instructions for Use please visit: http://labeling.bayerhealthcare.com/html/products/Betaconnect_IFU.pdf

For myBETAapp Instructions for Use please visit: http://labeling.bayerhealthcare.com/html/products/mybetaapp_IFU.pdf

Bayer: Science For A Better Life

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2016, the Group employed around 115,200 people and had sales of EUR 46.8 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.7 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.

 2017 Bayer

BAYER, Betaseron and the Bayer Cross are registered trademarks of Bayer.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

1 myBETAapp Instructions for Use

2 BETACONNECT Instructions for Use. Important Information about Your Autoinjector

3 BETASERON (interferon beta 1-b) [Prescribing Information], Whippany, N.J.: Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, May 2017

Intended for U.S. Media

SOURCE Bayer

Related Links

http://www.bayerus.com


All 54 Benchmark communities in seven states have implemented the Caremerge Family Engagement and Calendar Central solutions -- an industry first in New England. "We wanted a technology solution that could expand our ability to enhance resident-centered services, and Caremerge does that for us," said Krystee Knapic, Corporate Director of Programs and Customer Engagement. "We're excited that, with an easy-to-navigate app, our families have a solution at their fingertips for staying engaged with and informed about their loved ones' activities. The app is one more way for us to 'Elevate Human Connection,' our company mission."

Additionally, Benchmark communities now have access to data that helps define resident health and wellness and program effectiveness, and helps them stay ahead of the curve in improving the customer experience. "Being able to check in with families using the app really allows us to put customers first," says Devin Anuzis, Benchmark's Coordinator of Customer Experience. "The Caremerge team has been extremely helpful in making sure our team is comfortable with the new technology, and we're excited it has been implemented in all our assisted living and memory care communities."

"Great companies put customers first," says Asif Khan, Founder & CEO of Caremerge. "We're thrilled to work closely with Benchmark associates as they strive to make their already great customer experience even more positive by using data to focus on, and enhance, resident- and family-centered initiatives."

For more information on Caremerge and the Family App, contact Olga Jewusiak at [email protected] or call her at 773.505.8315

About Caremerge

Caremerge reinvents the senior living experience with a powerful, all-in-one engagement platform that empowers families, residents and staff. Family, community and calendar engagement tools foster meaningful connections among residents, families, staff and providers. Real-time communications, delivered in a user-friendly format using today's technologies, improve staff and client satisfaction. Caremerge is used in over 445 communities in the United States and Canada and is an avid member of several industry associations. Visit Caremerge at Caremerge.com

About Benchmark Senior Living

Based in Waltham, Mass., Benchmark Senior Living is the leading provider of senior living services in the Northeast. Founded in 1997 by Tom Grape and celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2017, Benchmark operates 54 senior living communities, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation services and skilled nursing in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. It will open its first New York community, Whisper Woods at Smithtown, in May 2018. Benchmark has been recognized by The Boston Globe for the last nine years as one of the Top 100 Places to work, and by the Boston Business Journal six times, including 2017, as one of the Best Places to Work and three times as one of the Healthiest Employers. Visit Benchmark at BenchmarkSeniorLiving.com.

SOURCE Caremerge

Related Links

http://www.caremerge.com


SPRING CITY, Pa., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The college ranking website BestCollegeReviews.org has released its 2017-2018 rankings for the top 30 online RN to BSN degree programs.

Programs were ranked based on points accumulated in categories including curriculum, awards and recognitions, accessibility of learning materials, and return on investment.

A recent report from the Institute of Medicine recommends that 80% of current RNs should study and earn their Bachelor of Nursing degree by the year 2020. With this level of care, they hope to see morbidity and mortality rates decrease. In addition, with more in-depth education, nurses become more familiar with the workings of the healthcare system and are better able to articulate specific needs and fundamental problems within the system that need to be addressed.

There are approximately 100 schools currently offering RN to BSN online programs around the U.S. The editorial staff at Best College Reviews evaluated each program using the above-mentioned criteria to identify the top 30 programs available.

Below is a listing of the programs highlighted in the ranking. For further details, please visit the full article at http://www.bestcollegereviews.org/top/rn-to-bsn-online/.

Rivier University, Online RN to BSN Program

Indian River State College, Online RN to BSN Program

The University of Southern Indiana, Online RN to BSN Program

Purdue University-Calumet, Online RN to BSN Program

The University of Arkansas, Online RN to BSN Program

Minnesota State University, Online RN to BSN Program

Loyola University New Orleans, Online RN to BSN Program

Middle Tennessee State University, Online RN to BSN Program

The University of Iowa, Online RN to BSN Program

Western Carolina University, Online RN to BSN Program

Indiana University  South Bend, Online RN to BSN Program

Montana Tech of the University of Montana, Online RN to BSN Program

Lewis-Clark State College, Online RN to BSN Program

Delta State University, Online RN to BSN Program

The University of Alabama, Online RN to BSN Program

The University of Memphis, Online RN to BSN Program

The University of Toledo, Online RN to BSN Program

The University of Utah, Online RN to BSN Program

The University of Illinois at Chicago, Online RN to BSN Program

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Online RN to BSN Program

Georgia College and State University, Online RN to BSN Program

West Virginia University, Online RN to BSN Program

Kent State University at Kent, Online RN to BSN Program

Francis Marion University, Online RN to BSN Program

Rutgers University  Newark, Online RN to BSN Program

Ball State University, Online RN to BSN Program

Western Kentucky University, Online RN to BSN Program

The University of Miami, Online RN to BSN Program

Boise State University, Online RN to BSN Program

Penn State University, Online RN to BSN Program

BestCollegeReviews.org evaluates publicly available data and produces independent ranking assessments of various educational programs and college facilities. The mission of Best College Reviews is to be a vital resource for potential students making one of the most important decisions of their lives. Best College Reviews recognize that no ranking system is perfect, and recommends that their ratings be used only as a general guide for choosing a quality school.

Contact: Julie McCaulley, Editor

Phone: 518-496-0845

Email: http://www.bestcollegereviews.org/contact/

SOURCE BestCollegeReviews.org

Related Links

http://www.bestcollegereviews.org


VALLEJO, Calif., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Blu Homes, Inc. ("Blu"), North America's leading provider of premium prefab homes, today announced new, lower, standalone home prices along with a "DIY" option for families and general contractors who choose to manage their own site work when purchasing their dream Blu home.

"We are thrilled to be able to provide our customers this new option to buy a standalone Blu home," said Zephan McMinn, Blu Homes CEO. "While most of our buyers want Blu to manage their entire turnkey project, this new option provides more flexibility for homeowners, general contractors and developers who choose to reduce their infrastructure costs by managing their own project. We expect this option will be most attractive for experienced builders or future buyers outside our core Bay Area geography."

Blu's award-winning Breezehouse, Solaire and Lotus can be toured at Blu's Model Home Village on Mare Island in Vallejo CA, just a short drive from Napa and Sonoma valleys. Model home visits are open Tuesday through Saturday by private appointment. To set up your visit, see https://www.bluhomes.com/visit-us.

For more information, email [email protected]. Or, visit www.bluhomes.com, follow Blu on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/bluhomes) and Twitter (@BluHomes).

About Blu Homes

Blu Homes is the leading provider of premium designed, eco-friendly prefab homes in North America. Designed in California and built in half the time of conventional custom homes, Blu homes feature soaring ceilings, walls of glass that "let the outdoors in", luxury quality finishes, and integrated high performance technologies for convenient and comfortable living. Blu's proprietary information technology enables customers to create their unique home design online in 3-D, walk through their unique design in real time, and share with friends and family. Skilled craftsmanship and precision building technology allow Blu to build beautiful, open-plan designs, ship them efficiently and complete them quickly for a simple one-stop process for its customers. Built in leading eco-friendly precision manufacturing facilities, Blu's inspired and nationally recognized products can be found from New York to the Colorado Mountains and the Pacific Coast. Blu currently sells its homes across Northern California. For more information, visit www.bluhomes.com.

SOURCE Blu Homes, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.bluhomes.com


SAN FRANCISCO, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BooleBox is a global leader in providing customers with the most efficient, secure and easy to use file and information sharing systems. We are pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Probert as head of our North American organization. Effective immediately, Probert will assume responsibility for the domestic operations of BooleBox. Probert said: "I am excited for this opportunity. We have a great team and product that is business friendly, cloud ready and addresses the very real issues of compliance, security and risk reduction. Our solution can be deployed in minutes, is intuitive and is relevant to any size of customer.

Probert has more than 25 years of experience in sales, marketing and strategy in software firms including Endeca, Business Objects, EMC and IBM.

We are also delighted to announce the appointment Bill Bliler to head North American Sales Operations. Effective immediately. Bliler is based in Chicago.

BooleBox North America sells directly and with system integration partners. Its strengths include tight integrations with Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint and Google Gmail where it adds value in file sharing, data loss prevention, classification, data rights management and encryption.

Global leaders in Aviation, Banking, Consumer Products, Education, Energy, Fashion, Government, and Insurance depend on BooleBox for more efficient sharing of diverse content while at the same time significantly reducing internal and external risks including accidental disclosures, hacking, industrial espionage, malware and viruses.

Boole Server President, Valerio Pastore commented: "We are investing in North American now because we have had a year of large scale production deployment of our cloud solution in Europe that have proven it will scale and deliver to the demands of the North American market. Our growth is accelerating because we go beyond services such as Box, Dropbox and Google Drive. BooleBox offers complete privacy and control over your data including Personal Key encryption, encryption of your sensitive data on your device, data controls while sharing and secure e-mail. All this is achieved without compromising ease of use or workflow. BooleBox is the first to combine ease of use of consumer cloud products with military grade security".

Boole Server is one of the first Italian providers of data-centric solutions, customized for small and big businesses. Thanks to military level encryption, Boole Server provides its customers with data protection solutions. BooleBox technology, secure sync and share platform, is able to give full control of a user's data, helping to avoid non-authorized access, thanks to user-friendly protection tools. Now Boole Server products are distributed in over 25 countries, through a growing partners network. Boole Server can count on over 180 premium customers  among them Qatar Airways, Riyad Bank, State of Jersey Police, Acqua di Parma, Banco BPM  and more than 100.000 worldwide users.

For more information, please visit www.boolebox.com

Media Contact:

Boole Server Srl

Martina Casiraghi

+39 02 87383213

Mailto. [email protected]

SOURCE Boole Server&BooleBox Inc.

Related Links

http://www.boolebox.com


DALLAS, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BT today announced a contract with Bridgestone Europe for new network infrastructure and managed cloud services connecting more than 200 sites across 20 countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Bridgestone Europe, with headquarters in Brussels and serving markets across EMEA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo-based Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company.

BT will securely connect 150 retail stores and more than 50 offices, manufacturing plants and testing facilities using both BT's global IP Connect virtual private network and its high performance internet service. BT's Connect Intelligence service will ensure high performance of Bridgestone's business critical applications.

Leveraging the new network infrastructure, Bridgestone will deploy BT's One Cloud Cisco portfolio of secure, cloud-based communications to enhance collaboration between employees as well as with customers and suppliers. Employees will also have access to powerful collaboration tools, such as Cisco WebEx, and enjoy high definition audioconferencing services, all managed by BT.

Across Europe, call centre agents will benefit from using BT's Cloud Contact Cisco. The omni-channel contact centre service will allow customers to interact with Bridgestone agents through a wide variety of channels, including voice, e-mail, SMS, web chat and social media.

Chet Patel, president Continental Europe at Global Services, BT, said: "I am proud that Bridgestone Europe has entrusted us with the strategic building blocks of their ICT operations. At BT, we see digital transformation as empowering people  customers, businesses and employees  to do amazing things. We call this making the Digital Possible."

BT will also manage Bridgestone's in-office - and in-store - fixed and wireless local area networks to enable employees to securely access the corporate network.



Notes for Editors

BT's portfolio strategy: the Cloud of Clouds

The cloud is creating choices that never existed before. Through understanding those choices comes the confidence and the ability to harness change and do things that matter: get to market and innovate faster, keep costs down, and keep customers happy.

BT's Cloud of Clouds portfolio strategy is about allowing customers to connect easily and securely to the applications and data they need, regardless of where they're hosted and where they are based.

As a cloud service integrator, we help customers move confidently and successfully along their cloud journey whilst minimising the complexity, risk and cost; to give them a choice of roadmaps that work for their organisation, in a way that will deliver the results they need.

We manage the whole process from network to cloud, we deal with third parties, deliver performance and security and simplify pricing, all under a single Service Level Agreement.

Click here for more information on the Cloud of Clouds.

For further information

Enquiries about this news release should be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369. All news releases can be accessed on our web site.

About BT

BT's purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world. It is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in 180 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed-mobile products and services. BT consists of six customer-facing lines of business: Consumer, EE, Business and Public Sector, Global Services, Wholesale and Ventures, and Openreach.

For the year ended 31 March 2017, BT Group's reported revenue was 24,062m with reported profit before taxation of 2,354m.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

For more information, visit www.btplc.com.

Follow BT on

Web: Our blog

Twitter: @bt_global

LinkedIn: BT for Global business

SOURCE BT

Related Links

http://www.btplc.com


Highlights:

2017 Bathurst drilling campaign planned to complete up to 10,000m at the Nash Creek and Superjack projects;





The primary objective of the Nash Creek phase will be to identify potential to expand the near-surface mineral resource to the north; and





A second drill rig is anticipated to arrive within 30 days.

VANCOUVER, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Callinex Mines Inc. (the "Company" or "Callinex") (TSX-V: CNX; OTCQX: CLLXF) is pleased to announce that it has commenced its 2017 Bathurst drilling campaign (the "Campaign") to complete up to 10,000m at the Nash Creek and Superjack Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide ("VMS") projects located in the Bathurst Mining District of northern New Brunswick (See Figure 1). The Campaign is underway at the Nash Creek Project with one drill rig and a second rig is planned to arrive within 30 days. The drill rigs will be re-mobilized to the Superjack Project in late-June after drilling is concluded at Nash Creek. The Company anticipates 20 to 30 drill holes will be completed at the Nash Creek Project totaling 3,500 to 6,000m and four to eight drill holes at the Superjack Project totaling 2,500 to 4,000m.

Max Porterfield, President and CEO, stated, "We are pleased to be commencing the Company's maiden exploration campaign at the Nash Creek and Superjack Projects in the Bathurst Mining District. These projects each host considerable near-surface, zinc-rich deposits that are open for expansion and are located within an established mining district that has produced over 130 million tonnes of ore." Mr. Porterfield continued, "In the midst of a zinc market with major supply shortfalls forecasted, these assets have the potential to provide significant leverage given their resource size, location and prospects for further exploration and development."

The Nash Creek Project is ideally situated approximately 1 km south of Provincial Highway 11, about 100 km by road to Trevali's Caribou Mine and 25 km by road to Glencore's Belledune lead/silver smelter, which has direct railway access to Glencore's Canadian zinc smelting and refining operations. The current mineral resource contains an Indicated mineral resource totaling 9.0 Mt grading 3.6% Zn Eq. and an Inferred mineral resource totaling 1.1 Mt grading 3.6% Zn Eq. that are open for expansion (See Table 1). In conjunction with dense media separation, it is expected that a head grade of 5-7% Zn Eq. could be achieved with excellent recoveries of 91% for zinc and 82% for lead based on previous metallurgical testing (See News Release dated September 12, 2016).

The primary objective of the Nash Creek phase of the Campaign will be to identify potential to expand the near-surface mineral resource to the north by testing a series of Induced Polarization ("IP") resistivity (See Figure 2) and soil anomaly targets. The Company has completed 3D geophysical inversions and concluded that the known Nash Creek VMS mineralization correlates very well with 3D-IP resistivity lows and, to a lesser extent, some of the 3D magnetic lows. All of the IP targets proposed for 2017 drill testing occur within the same stratigraphic package known to host the current mineral resources.

Many of the 3D-IP resistivity targets proposed for drill-testing also have strong local Ag  Pb  Zn in soil anomalies that occur within the northern 1.1km of a 2.5 km long zinc-lead-silver soil anomaly. The current Nash Creek mineral resources (See Table 1) are contained within the southern 1.4 km portion of the 2.5km soil anomaly and are often associated with IP resistivity lows, similar to the targets being tested in the sparsely drill-tested northern portion of the soil anomaly.

James Pickell, PGeo, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 and a consultant to Callinex, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

Table 1: 2016 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Nash Creek Project

Project Tonnes Zn Eq. (%) Zn (%) Pb (%) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Contained Zn Eq. ('000 pounds) Indicated 9,033,000 3.58 2.79 0.57 18.16 n/a 711,991



Category Tonnes Zn Eq. (%) Zn (%) Pb

(%) Ag

(g/t) Cu (%) Contained Zn Eq. ('000 pounds) Inferred 1,113,000 3.58 2.83 0.57 15.51 n/a 87,883



















Notes:

1) Resources are categorized according to CIM Definition Standards; it cannot be assumed that all or any part of Inferred Mineral Resources will be upgraded to Indicated or Measured as a result of continued exploration.



2) The Nash Creek mineral resource estimate includes the Hickey Zone and Hayes Zone.



4) Zinc equivalent resources for the Nash Creek Project were calculated using metal prices of $0.90/lb for zinc, $0.87/lb for lead, and 17.73/oz for silver. Metallurgical recoveries have been assumed to be 90.5% for zinc, 81.5% for lead and 50% for silver. A cut-off grade of 2.0% Zn Eq. was utilized in the resource estimate.

Figure 1: Map of the Bathurst Mining District of Northern New Brunswick

Click the link below to view this figure:

https://callinex.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/NB-Overview-Map.jpg

Figure 2: 3D Plan View of the Nash Creek Mineral Resources

Click the link below to view this figure:

https://callinex.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/3D-Plan-View-of-the-Nash-Creek-Mineral-Resources.jpg

About Callinex Mines Inc.

Callinex Mines Inc. is focused on discovering and developing zinc and copper rich mines within prolific Canadian VMS mining jurisdictions. The Company is actively exploring its Pine Bay Project, located in the Flin Flon mining district of Manitoba, which hosts significant historic VMS deposits that are within close proximity to a processing facility. The larger project portfolio hosts three significant zinc rich mineral resources including the Point Leamington, Nash Creek and Superjack Projects located in Eastern Canada.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future expenditures. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, among others, the ability to complete the proposed drill program and the timing and amount of expenditures. Except as required under applicable securities laws, Callinex does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

SOURCE Callinex Mines Inc.

Related Links

www.callinex.ca


BETHESDA, Md., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Calvert Foundation today announced the closing of an $8 million financing round for MyStrongHome, a first-of-its-kind company that combines specialized climate-resilient construction, insurance and financing to mitigate risk and increase safety and security for families in vulnerable coastal communities. The investment will allow MyStrongHome to serve its first 1,000 homeowners and prove their model so they can address the market of more than 1.6 million homes across six coastal states.

The transaction incorporates innovative, tiered financing that relies on senior debt, convertible debt and a guaranty. The senior debt was structured and arranged by Calvert Foundation as a part of its new Capital Aggregation business and includes a lead participation from MetLife as well as Pi Investments and The Libra Foundation. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation provided a critical guaranty for the senior debt to de-risk this promising new enterprise and the formation of its market. The guaranty is structured to decline as the business builds a track record and shows how catalytic impact investments can pave the way for large-scale, private market solutions. An additional $2 million in convertible debt was closed in tandem and was structured and arranged by Prudential Financial and includes foundations, including the Greater New Orleans Foundation, as well as individuals.

MyStrongHome traces its origins to the search for market-based mechanisms to build resilience in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, with early research and development supported by Prudential, Rockefeller Foundation, and Nathan Cummings Foundation. MyStrongHome offers homeowners the opportunity to secure financing to safeguard their homes from extreme weather conditions by capitalizing on the resulting savings in homeowners' insurance premiums. The business, a for-profit benefit corporation, will launch immediately in coastal communities of Louisiana, Alabama and South Carolina, including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mobile and Charleston.

"MyStrongHome is a unique impact investment opportunity that focuses on climate adaptation and resilience, and is a rare example of business-model innovation in insurance that we are pleased to help introduce into the marketplace," said Jennifer Pryce, President and Chief Executive Officer of Calvert Foundation. "Today's announcement reflects the determination of all of the parties involved to find the right combination of financing to ensure the launch of this promising business. It's a great example of how financing from financial institutions like Calvert Foundation, MetLife, and Prudential Financial can come together with critical philanthropic leaders like The MacArthur Foundation to support financially viable enterprises that benefit our communities."

About MyStrongHome

MyStrongHome is a benefit corporation with a mission to strengthen communities in coastal areas. MyStrongHome provides home upgrades that meet the standards of the FORTIFIED for Safer Living program of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, provides financing for those improvements based on future insurance savings, and is a licensed insurance agent. They are dedicated to developing innovative, proven and fully certified programs that improve community access to critical resources needed to withstand future storms.

About Calvert Foundation

Calvert Foundation is building a more efficient impact investment marketplace by providing flexible capital at scale to a diversified, global portfolio of mission-driven organizations. Through its flagship Community Investment Note, which it offers through its website and brokerage accounts, and its Capital Aggregation business, Calvert Foundation enables individual and institutional investors to invest in a portfolio of more than 150 mission-driven organizations, enabling financing for thousands of nonprofits, social enterprises and communities worldwide. During Calvert Foundation's 22-year history, it has raised more than $1.4 billion from 18,000 investors and returned 100% of principal and interest. Investor dollars finance community development, education, environmental sustainability, financial inclusion, health, housing, sustainable agriculture, small businesses and renewable energy.

For investor inquiries:

Beth Bafford

800.248.0337, ext 6027

[email protected]

For media inquiries:

Cindy Stoller

(917) 331-0418

[email protected]

SOURCE Calvert Foundation

Related Links

http://www.calvertfoundation.org


MIAMI, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest leisure travel company, has been named winner of the Lloyd's List Americas 2017 Cleaner Safer Seas Solutions award for its environmental commitment to improve the quality of air emissions through first-in-the-cruise-industry adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG), the world's cleanest burning fossil fuel.

In selecting Carnival Corporation for the prestigious Lloyd's List honor, an independent judging panel of shipping industry leaders applauded the company's commitment to build seven next-generation cruise ships powered by LNG. Pioneering a new era in the use of the world's cleanest burning fossil fuel, these new ships for Carnival Corporation's AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and P&O Cruises (UK) brands will use LNG to generate 100 percent of their power both in port and on the open sea.

"We are honored to be a part of the Lloyd's List Americas Awards  one of the most respected awards in the shipping and maritime industry  and on behalf of our more than 120,000 employees across the globe, we are thrilled to be recognized for our company's strong commitment to sustainability and the environment," said Tom Strang, senior vice president, maritime affairs for Carnival Corporation. "We are proud and passionate about being at the forefront of helping the industry continue to identify and adopt solutions like LNG and exhaust gas cleaning technology that reduce emissions and improve our overall environmental performance."

The Hutchinson Ports Cleaner Safer Seas Solutions award was presented to Carnival Corporation during a ceremony in New York on May 25 honoring high achievers across the international shipping and maritime industry. The award recognizes the ship operator in North, South or Central America that is making the most meaningful and positive difference in the areas of safety and environmental performance. To be eligible for the award, entrants were required to "demonstrate a comprehensive effort across operations that show respect for the sanctity of human life and meaningful support for cleaner oceans and environment."

"We extend our congratulations to Carnival Corporation and all our other Lloyd's List Americas 2017 winners who are demonstrating strong environmental leadership in the maritime industry," said Helen Kelly, executive editor of Lloyd's List. "Our awards support the best in the shipping business who have proven excellence, innovation and professionalism over the past 12 months. Their commitment serves as a reminder of the importance of the shipping industry for benefitting jobs, commerce and the economy while also recognizing their role in being strong stewards of the environment and social good."

A Commitment to Sustainability

In 2015, Carnival Corporation announced its 2020 sustainability goals that underscore its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, with specific goals relating to the company's environmental performance and improving the quality of its air emissions. Carnival Corporation continuously evaluates established and emerging technological solutions  such as LNG  to help meet their goals. With less carbon and cleaner emissions, LNG emits zero sulfur dioxides and, when compared to marine diesel oil, it has a 95 to 100 percent reduction in particulate matter, an 85 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides and a 25 percent reduction in carbon emissions.

In total, Carnival Corporation has agreements in place to build seven LNG-powered cruise ships across four of its 10 global cruise brands in coming years. Its pioneering efforts involving LNG began by testing the use of LNG with the AIDAsol in Hamburg, Germany, in 2015. The AIDAsol was the first cruise ship in the world supplied with power via an LNG Hybrid barge, in a unique pilot project with Becker Marine Systems.

In May 2016, the new AIDAprima began bunkering LNG via truck in Germany and now regularly uses dual-fuel engines for an energy supply with LNG while in ports on the ship's Northern European deployment. Its sister ship, AIDAperla, debuted in April with the same technology.

In 2018 and 2019, AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises will debut the cruise industry's first next-generation ships powered by LNG on the open seas. LNG-powered ships for Carnival Cruise Line and P&O Cruises (UK) will follow in 2020. Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises will each receive an additional LNG-powered ship in 2021, followed by an additional LNG-powered ship for Carnival Cruise Line in 2022.

Earlier this month, Carnival Corporation was named one of the top 100 Best Corporate Citizens for 2017 by Corporate Responsibility Magazine. Carnival Corporation ranked number 23 in CRM's 18th annual survey, a significant improvement from last year's ranking at number 51. The company achieved the highest rank in corporate responsibility among firms in the travel and tourism sector and was the only cruise-specific company to make the list, which uses as its base the Russell 1000 Index of the 1,000 largest U.S. public companies. This marked Carnival Corporation's fifth time in the past seven years to be recognized with the 100 Best Corporate Citizens distinction.

About Carnival Corporation & plc

Carnival Corporation & plc is among the largest, most profitable and financially strong leisure travel companies in the world, with a portfolio of 10 cruise brands in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia that includes Carnival Cruise Line, Fathom, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK).

Together, these brands operate 103 ships visiting over 700 ports around the world and totaling 231,000 lower berths with 17 new ships scheduled to be delivered between 2018 and 2022. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour companies in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation & plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&P500 and the FTSE 100 indices.

In 2017, Fast Company recognized Carnival Corporation as being among the "Top 10 Most Innovative Companies" in both the design and travel categories. Fast Company specifically recognized Carnival Corporation for its work in developing Ocean Medallion, a high-tech wearable device that enables the world's first interactive guest experience platform capable of transforming vacation travel into a highly personalized and elevated level of customized service.

Additional information can be found on www.carnival.com, www.fathom.org, www.hollandamerica.com, www.princess.com, www.seabourn.com, www.aida.de, www.costacruise.com, www.cunard.com, www.pocruises.com.au, and www.pocruises.com.

SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc

Related Links

http://www.Carnivalcorp.com


TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Computex -- Celeno Communications, the leading provider of smart, managed Wi-Fi solutions, today announced that its silicon and software technology will power the next generation of ZINWELL Wi-Fi extenders. ZINWELL, a market leader in In-home Ultra HD networking, wireless equipment, broadband communication, digital cable, and satellite equipment, chose Celeno for its ability to meet user expectations in a real-world home Wi-Fi environment. The partnership will outfit ZINWELL G.hn meshed Wireless extenders with Celeno's Wi-Fi silicon and ControlAIR multi-AP management software for a reliable multi-Gbps experience throughout the home, even in crowded, multi-user networks.

"ZINWELL's choice is another validation of Celeno's technology leadership and real-world approach to challenging home environments," said Ronen Peleg, VP Sales and Business Development at Celeno. "Smart Wi-Fi management is the key to help service providers and consumers manage their ever more challenging home networks. We are excited to be partnering with ZINWELL to provide the best Wi-Fi experience to the end-user with easy to manage home networking experience."

ControlAIR multi-AP management software allows for increased capacity, coverage and speed of Wi-Fi when adding smart companion Extenders as well as Wi-Fi Access Points, and Repeaters in the home. ControlAIR is the industry's most effective software solution to orchestrate multiple APs to increase throughput by adding smart cluster connectivity including dynamic Device Steering and Load Balancing and dynamic Radio Resource Management (RRM) addressing the move towards a "small cell" Wi-Fi network or "Sprinklers" architecture for the wireless home of tomorrow.

"As a market leader in the home networking space, we've seen the increasing demand on networks and proliferation of devices," said Yama Yasha, Chairman Office Special Assistant, at ZINWELL. "We have selected Celeno's technology because it delivers a powerful and highly intelligent Wi-Fi solution  both hardware and software  enabling an improved home Wi-Fi experience for the end-user even in a device-saturated reality. Faster Wi-Fi is not enough to master the challenges of today's connected world, it needs to be smarter as well. We believe that Celeno's industry-leading technology provides that missing link."

Celeno representatives will be available to discuss this router and other solutions at Computex, Taipei between May 30  June 3 2017 at the Celeno suite, Grand Hyatt Hotel.

About Celeno Communications

Celeno is the leading provider of smart, managed Wi-Fi solutions. Celeno's extensive 802.11ac chip portfolio and ground-breaking software technologies are designed to excel in real life, highly-interfered dense network scenarios, delivering the level of management, performance, speed, coverage, reliability and superlative user experience demanded by Wi-Fi users. Celeno's field-proven chips and software technology have been successfully integrated into numerous OEM Wi-Fi devices and have been deployed in tens of millions of homes around the world by almost 100 leading service providers worldwide. Founded in 2005 and backed by blue chip investors, Celeno is a well-established company headquartered in Ra'anana, Israel, with a global presence and offices in the US, EMEA and Asia Pacific.

About ZINWELL

ZINWELL was founded in Taiwan in 1981. ZINWELL has presently grown to be a provider of Digital Cable/Satellite/Terrestrial receiving equipment, Broadcast and Broadband Communication equipment, IPTV receiving equipment, In-home Ultra HD wireless equipment, etc. in Taiwan. Being a leading enterprise with those capabilities, ZINWELL has discreetly laid the groundwork for long-term development. In addition to human resources, we never cease to foster technical know-how, products, and teamwork. Our potential and creativity always keep us moving with technological trends. ZINWELL makes your life well. Further information is at http://www.zinwell.com.tw; [email protected]

Media Contact:

Aaron Kliner

Headline Media

[email protected]

+1 516-595-1843

SOURCE Celeno and Zinwell

Related Links

http://www.celeno.com


DURHAM, N.C., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading Christian higher education resource, Christian Universities Online (http://www.christianuniversitiesonline.org/), has published a ranking of the 25 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the South 2017. (http://www.christianuniversitiesonline.org/most-affordable-christian-colleges-in-the-south/)

For this ranking, Christian Universities Online began with a list of schools that are members or member eligible of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). They gave consideration to schools that are in their previously published 50 Most Affordable Christian Colleges and Universities 2017 ranking, and then narrowed the pool down to the southern region of the US. Each was then ranked according to its average net price. This number takes the total cost of attendance and subtracts the average financial aid received at that particular institution.

Erskine College in Due West, South Carolina, claimed the top spot on the list, while Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, and Judson College-AL of Marion, Alabama placed second and third, respectively.

Other schools making the list include (in alphabetical order):

Belhaven University - Jackson, Mississippi

Bryan College - Dayton, Tennessee

Campbellsville University - Campbellsville, Kentucky

Carson-Newman University - Jefferson City, Tennessee

Charleston Southern University - Charleston, South Carolina

Emmanuel College - Franklin Springs, Georgia

Harding University - Searcy, Arkansas

John Brown University - Siloam Springs, Arkansas

Kentucky Christian University - Grayson, Kentucky

King University - Bristol, Tennessee

Lee University - Cleveland, Tennessee

Louisiana College - Pineville, Louisiana

Mississippi College - Clinton, Mississippi

Montreat College - Montreat, North Carolina

North Greenville University - Tigerville, South Carolina

Regent University - Virginia Beach, Virginia

Shorter University - Rome, Georgia

Southern Wesleyan University - Central, South Carolina

Toccoa Falls College - Toccoa, Georgia

Trevecca Nazarene University - Nashville, Tennessee

Warner University Lake - Wales, Florida

Williams Baptist College - Walnut Ridge, Arkansas

Anna-Rebekah Orr, editor at Christian Universities Online, states that the goal of the ranking is to highlight schools that provide the best value in online higher education. Orr goes on to say, "Despite a family's best efforts to be completely open and objective, budgetary concerns inevitably enter the decision-making process when it comes to selecting a college." Cost increases are nothing new, nor surprising. This includes the cost of higher education, which seems to creep up semester by semester. Having published the 50 Most Affordable Christian Colleges and Universities 2017, Christian Universities Online turned its attention to regional rankings in order to provide a resource for students whose college searches are focused on a particular region. Oftentimes a school in or near home is more affordable for many students. Christian Universities Online is pleased to offer rankings that highlight regional schools that have proven to be affordable without sacrificing quality in their programs and resources.

Christian Universities Online (http://www.christianuniversitiesonline.org/) is an independent online resource for students and families researching Christian higher education. The site publishes rankings and reviews of the best Christian colleges and universities, information about Christian scholarships and financial aid, and many other resources for finding, getting into, and paying for a quality Christian education.

Contact:

Michael Templeton, site editor

Christian Universities Online

(919) 858-6153

[email protected]

SOURCE Christian Universities Online

Related Links

http://www.christianuniversitiesonline.org


LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ChromaLuxe, the global leader in dye-sublimation metal prints, recently exhibited their unmatched, visually brilliant and durable solutions at FESPA, May 8-12 in Hamburg, Germany. The show brought together the screen, digital and textile printing communities from across the world. This was ChromaLuxe's fifth appearance at this premier event for print professionals.

ChromaLuxe

ChromaLuxe metal prints were on display at a number of partner booths including Epson, Sawgrass Inks and Felix Schoeller. The ChromaLuxe stand showcased the works of internationally acclaimed photographers in a number of real-life environments, including: a hotel, hospital and home office. Featured artists included:

Andre Wagner

Joris Luyten

Stephan Tuengler

"We asked local German photographer, Stephan Tuengler if we could display three of his wildlife images in our stand to show the power of ChromaLuxe," said Peter Boodts, Marketing Manager at the ChromaLuxe location in Belgium. "This was the first time he had seen his prints on ChromaLuxe, and he was amazed."



After seeing his images on ChromaLuxe, Tuengler stated, "I knew my images were sharp but I didn't know they were that sharp!"

For more information on FESPA and to stay updated with the latest news and technologies in the market, visit: www.fespa.com.

About ChromaLuxe

ChromaLuxe is the global manufacturer of premium print media, supplying high quality blank substrates for a variety of applications that require superb image quality and durability. All coatings and substrates are made in the USA with manufacturing and fabrication done in Louisville, KY. With additional locations in Belgium and Australia, ChromaLuxe serves its global customer base and provides products to more than 80 countries.

ChromaLuxe is an extension of Universal Woods, the world's leading manufacturer of hard surface sublimatable products and mezzanine decking. It is also a sister brand to Unisub, which provides the highest quality custom sublimatable products. To learn more about ChromaLuxe, please visit: ChromaLuxe.com. Connect with ChromaLuxe on Facebook (facebook.com/realchromaluxe), Instagram (instagram.com/realchromaluxe) and Twitter (twitter.com/realChromaLuxe).

Note: ChromaLuxe is a registered trademark of Universal Woods, Inc. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. ChromaLuxe disclaims any and all rights in these marks.

Contact:

Alesha Yaney, ChromaLuxe

502-855-3227

[email protected]

SOURCE ChromaLuxe

Related Links

http://chromaluxe.com


ROCKVILLE, Md., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Angeion Group and Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP announce a class action settlement with Titeflex Corp. and Ward Manufacturing, LLC concerning allegedly defective Gastite and Wardflex corrugated stainless steel gas tubing ("CSST") used to supply natural gas and propane to gas appliances provides important benefits designed to reduce the risk of gas leaks and fires in buildings and homes in Maryland that have CSST installed.

Among other things, the settlement provides (1) a free safety inspection by a licensed and qualified electrician; (2) a subsidized repair, if needed; and (3) a discount on a Lightning Protection System, if qualified.

Homeowners that have natural gas or propane in their home, building or other structure may also have CSST. CSST is usually routed beneath, through or alongside floor joists in your basement, inside interior wall cavities or on top of ceiling joists in attic spaces. CSST is often used to connect fixed appliances such as water heaters, stoves, and gas fireplaces.

Homeowners may qualify for a free inspection if they: (1) own a house or other structure in the State of Maryland with CSST installed; (2) the CSST is either Titeflex's Gastite or Ward's Wardflex CSST; (3) the property was owned as of March 15, 2017 and installed the CSST after September 5, 2006 or they purchased the property before September 5, 2006 with the CSST already installed; (4) and the homeowner submits a Claim Form.

Homeowners can submit a Claim Form online by visiting the settlement website  www.CSSTsettlement.com . Homeowners can also get a copy of the Claim Form by downloading it from the website, emailing [email protected] or by calling 1-844-357-8798 toll-free.

More information is available at the website: www.CSSTsettlement.com or by contacting Gary E. Mason, Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP at [email protected] or (202) 640-1160.

Media Contact:

Angeion Group

Douglas S. Clauson

Director, Communications

(215) 563-4116

SOURCE Angeion Group; Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP

Related Links

http://www.angeiongroup.com


EUGENE, Ore., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- College Choice, a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources, has published a ranking of the 25 Best Colleges in Virginia for 2017.

http://www.collegechoice.net/rankings/best-colleges-in-virginia/

The state of Virginia aims to become "the best-educated state by 2030." As their state government notes, of all the 11.5 million new jobs created since the Great Recession, 99 percent require more education than just a high school diploma. Going to college has never been more important. For prospective college students interested in Virginia, this list should help them narrow down their selection.

"In 2016, the state devoted $316 million to higher education," Christian Amondson, Managing Editor of College Choice, said of the ranking. "This led to the lowest tuition increases in the past 15 years, which should help ensure that fewer students graduate with debtand that those who do have a smaller, more manageable load."

College Choice developed its list by looking at academic quality, student body diversity, and return on investmentthe differential between tuition costs and average early career earnings.

The ranking for the 25 Best Colleges in Virginia finds Washington and Lee University in the top spot. University of Virginia is in second, and University of Richmond rounds out the top three.

The entire ranking, listed in alphabetical order, is as follows:

Bridgewater College

Christopher Newport University

College of William and Mary

Eastern Mennonite University

Emory & Henry College

George Mason University

Hampden-Sydney College

Hampton University

Hollins University

James Madison University

Liberty University

Old Dominion University

Randolph College

Randolph-Macon College

Roanoke College

Southern Virginia University

Sweet Briar College

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

University of Mary Washington

University of Richmond

University of Virginia-Main Campus

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Military Institute

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Washington and Lee University

College Choice is an independent online publication dedicated to helping students and their families find the right college. The site publishes rankings and reviews that make finding the best colleges for different interests easier and more fun, as well as resources to help students get into, pay for, and thrive at the college of their choice.

Contact:

Christian Amondson, Managing Editor, College Choice

Web: http://collegechoice.net

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (541) 255-3801

SOURCE College Choice

Related Links

http://www.collegechoice.net


WASHINGTON, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Coptic Solidarity condemns the barbaric murder of Coptic Christians journeying to the Monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor in Egypt's western desert near Minya, on May 26, 2017. This bloody episode is the latest in a series of horrendous attacks just in the past few months.

Ten armed gunmen attacked a three-vehicle convoy traveling in to the monastery. Twenty-nine individuals, including ten children joined a rapidly increasing number of modern Coptic martyrs. According to survivors, victims were shot dead after being requested to recite the Islamic confession of faith "shahada" and amid cries of "Allah Akbar." Coptic Solidarity extends its deepest sympathies to the victims' families and pledges to continue its advocacy efforts to achieve religious freedom and equality for Copts in Egypt.

President El-Sisi quickly held "external terrorists" responsible for the attack and conducted airstrikes on camps inside Libya, despite lack of evidence that these groups or targets are the actual culprits. Some evidence suggests that the attackers are native Egyptians as they spoke a local Egyptian dialect and were familiar with a relatively unknown desert route to the monastery.

While Mr. El-Sisi rightly asked for coherent international efforts to combat Islamic terrorism, he conveniently chooses to ignore the fact that Egypt under his leadership is increasingly becoming an "ecosystem" conducive to jihadist violence. He allows Salafists and other Islamists to dominate the public sphere, spreading hate speech in state-owned media and educational curricula. Publicly labeling Christians as infidels or 'kufar' amounts to a license to persecute and kill them.

Copts have suffered tremendously this past year and the pace of attacks by Islamists has been rising, with three major attacks on churches, attacks and forced evacuations of Coptic families from northern Sinai, in addition to individual murders during the second half of 2016.

Once again, the Egyptian government has failed to protect its Coptic minority. Coptic Solidarity strongly maintains that this violence is not perpetrated by foreign terrorists, as the Egyptian government would like the world to believe, but is homegrown, one created by a culture of hate and impunity within Egypt.

Coptic Solidarity calls on the Egyptian government to conduct a transparent investigation of these attacks and to institute measures to prevent such attacks. Also, given the government's continued failure to protect the Copts, Coptic Solidarity strongly calls for an independent inquiry by the UN to evaluate the Copts' situation and to recommend necessary measures to alleviate their dire situation and to avoid repetition of the tragic situation of Christians in Iraq and Syria.

Coptic Solidarity is an organization seeking to help minorities, particularly the Copts, of Egypt and we support those in Egypt working for democracy, freedom, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens. It advocates in cooperation with the affiliated organizations in Canada and in Europe (Solidarite Copte). For more information, contact Lindsay Griffin at 801-512-1713 or [email protected]

SOURCE Coptic Solidarity

Related Links

http://Copticsolidarity.org


BOSTON, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Crane Currency, a rapidly growing global producer of currency products, today announced that Doug Prince, Chief Financial Officer of Crane Currency, has been appointed to its Board of Directors effective May 11, 2017.

"Doug's extensive financial and operational experience has been instrumental in supporting the rapid growth of the company," said Stephen P. DeFalco, Chief Executive Officer of Crane Currency. "His expertise in corporate finance has been a critical asset for the company as it has refinanced its debt, funded our expansion into Malta, and worked to improve the business acumen across the company. Doug's diverse experience and proven business know-how brings a valuable perspective to our board."

Doug Prince joined the company in 2013 with over 30 years of experience in global finance and operations. Prior to Crane, Doug was the Chief Financial Officer at Northern Power Systems and at MDS, a $1.2B revenue NYSE company. Doug has held executive roles at PerkinElmer, Allied Signal, and General Electric. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt, and has a BS in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky.

About Crane Currency

Crane has been a global producer of currency products for more than 200 years and is entrusted by more than 50 central banks to play an integral role in the design and manufacture of their nations' banknotes. From the most traditional of cotton substrates to the most advanced micro-optic security elements and design, Crane is a responsive partner focused on delivering innovative products and solutions that meet clients' most demanding requirements. For more information, please visit www.cranecurrency.com.

Contact:

Craig Conrad

[email protected]

+1 617-648-3722

SOURCE Crane Currency

Related Links

http://www.cranecurrency.com


Crystal Group worked in close collaboration with Intel to engineer a rugged and reliable computer designed specifically to enable rapid AV development and to support the entire driverless and self-driving vehicle ecosystem. The company also delivered a custom version of the novel AV computer system with CPUs, a motherboard, and a hard drive from Intel to a major automotive manufacturer in just two weeks  a significant achievement and further evidence of Crystal Group's dedication to meeting customer, application, and industry needs on time and on budget.

Crystal Group's RS363S15F Rugged 3U Server combines high-performance computing and high-capacity data storage in a small size, weight, and power (SWaP) package with a depth under 15 inches (38.1 cm) for the commercial AV market. Offered in the Intel IoT Solutions Directory, Crystal Group's rugged AV computer is available in custom or off-the-shelf configurations with a choice of the latest Intel XEON class Broadwell processors, up to 1 terabyte (TB) of DDR4 memory, AC or DC power supply, optional liquid cooling, and support for popular operating systems, including Linux and Microsoft Windows. Major automotive manufacturers have already selected this rugged and reliable server for use in commercial autonomous vehicles.

Crystal Group Chief Architect and Technical Director, Chip Thurston, accepted the esteemed award during the Intel Solutions Summit (ISS) at the Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, on May 23, 2017. ISS is Intel's largest and most prestigious event of the year exclusively reserved for Platinum members of the Intel Technology Provider program in North and South America.

"Crystal Group is honored to be recognized by Intel, a longtime and valued technology partner, as 2016 Partner of the Year  IoT Solution for our fast, flexible, and innovative work on cutting-edge, IoT-based autonomous vehicle computers," Thurston says. "This prestigious award further solidifies our already strong reputation and decades-long track record for delivering rugged, robust, and reliable systems on time and on budget to a broad and growing customer base. We look forward to continuing to work hand-in-hand with Intel to provide industry-leading technologies to the fast-growing IoT and AV markets."

Over the past 30 years, Crystal Group has designed, manufactured, tested, and delivered rugged, reliable computer and electronics systems that leverage the most advanced hardware and software available. As a Platinum Intel Technology Provider and Intel Internet of Things Solutions Alliance Member, Crystal Group adheres closely to the Intel Roadmap to bring the very latest Intel innovations to aerospace and defense, automotive, commercial, industrial, and other discerning customers quickly and efficiently.

About the Intel Internet of Things Solutions Alliance

From modular components to market-ready systems, Intel and the 500+ global member companies of the Intel Internet of Things Solutions Alliance provide the performance, connectivity, manageability, and security developers need to create smart, connected systems. Close collaboration with Intel and each other enables Alliance members to innovate with the latest technologies, helping developers deliver first-in-market solutions. Learn more at: http://www.intel.com/iotsolutionsalliance.

About Crystal Group Inc.

Crystal Group Inc., an employee-owned small business located in Hiawatha, Iowa, USA, is a technology innovation leader specializing in both custom and COTS products for defense, government and industrial markets since 1987. Crystal Group designs and manufactures installation-ready rugged servers, displays, networking devices, embedded systems, power supplies and storage devices that fit critical applications in demanding environmental conditions.

The company is certified to quality management standards AS9100C:2009 and ISO 9001:2008. Crystal Group products meet and exceed MIL-STDs 810, 167-1, 461, MIL-S-901, IEEE and IEC industrial standards. Additionally, the company offers integration services, configuration management, product life-cycle planning and 5+ year warranties.

crystalrugged.com

 2017 Crystal Group Inc. All rights reserved. All marks are properties of their respective owners. Design and specifications are subject to change.

SOURCE Crystal Group Inc.

Related Links

http://www.crystalrugged.com


AVENTURA, Fla., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TransMedia Group has gone to work to find anyone and everything Cuban within the USA for new eMagazine, www.CubanHeritage.com. TransMedia Group (www.transmediagroup.com) will work to increase traffic to the new online publication by promoting CubanHeritage.com hosted events, and gathering stories from the Cuban-American community to share and showcase their philanthropy in the media.

"We were excited to hear about this historical culture concept and idea since one of TransMedia Group's first published books and subsequent promotion was 'The Cuban Cop' -by Nick Navarro," said Adrienne Mazzone, President of TransMedia Group.

"Now that CubanHeritage.com has retained us, TransMedia Group plans to announceand invite media to the kickoff for the eMagazine with a philanthropic endeavor in conjunction with Gift of Life. Father of two, Manny Valdes has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia and is in dire need of a bone marrow transplant to save his life. CubanHeritage.com is hosting a donor recruitment drive with Gift of Life Marrow Registry to try and find him a compatible match," Mazzone added.

"Mixing culture with charity, we are excited to bring the community together to help Manny Valdes find a lifesaving bone marrow match to help cure his leukemia. Manny is a Cuban-American father of two who is most likely to match a Hispanic donor. We are happy to help promote the cause to those of Cuban descent and bring the community together to help save a life," said Karen Bofill of Cuban Heritage Organization.

CubanHeritage.com is the first of its kind, an electronic hub that covers everything from events to history to creating a community, that strives to keep all those interested updated about all things Cuban. A Cuban Memory Vault is a main component to the eMagazine.

As publicists for Cuban Heritage, TransMedia Group will be growing the brand and looking for opportunities to expand it both nationally and internationally.

TransMedia Group is alerting the media to attend the Cuban Heritage Swab Drive for Manny on Thursday, June 1st,2017. Media are invited to interview principals of CubanHeritage.com, GiftofLife.org and Manny at the Ball & Chain,1513 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135. 6 p.m.  9 p.m. on June 1st. Everyone who swabs to join the registry will receive a complimentary drink. There will besomegiveaways and valet parking is available. For information on the hub of Cuban Heritage, go to www.cubanheritage.com. To arrange for an interview, please contact: [email protected] or 561-750-9800 x2100.

SOURCE TransMedia Group

Related Links

http://www.CubanHeritage.com


Shares Issued and Outstanding: 49,702,714

TSXV:DMI

OTCQX:DMIFF

KELOWNA, BC, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Diamcor Mining Inc., (the "Company") is pleased to announce it has recovered a 5.36 carat green gem quality octahedron rough diamond from the initial processing of material in the +1.0mm to -45.0mm size fractions underway through the newly expanded facilities at the Company's Krone-Endora at Venetia Project (the "Project"). The significance of this rough green diamond is currently uncertain, however given the rarity and potential high value of green diamonds, an analysis of this diamond will be performed over the coming weeks to aid the Company in determining the best course of action to take with respect to this diamond. In certain instances, radiation may cause the outer surface of rough diamonds to present with a green colour, as was thought to be the case with two very small, lower quality rough diamonds previously recovered from testing and commissioning at the Project. The Company believed neither of these smaller, lower quality rough diamonds warranted additional consideration at the time. However, given the larger size, quality, and shape of this rough diamond, the Company believes further analysis is warranted due to the relative rarity and value of green diamonds. While an initial analysis may provide some insight into this 5.36 carat green rough diamond, it is probable that the cutting and polishing of this rough diamond, at the Company's discretion will be required to determine if the rough diamond retains its green colour throughout or if the green colouration is limited to the outer surfaces only.

The 5.36 carat green rough diamond has been shipped to Antwerp along with other rough diamonds recovered from the ongoing efforts and processing underway at the Project. On May 18, 2017, the Company announced the results of two initial tenders held earlier in the current quarter, in which a combined total of 6,165.69 carats of rough diamonds where sold, including the sale of seven individual rough diamonds in the specials category (+10.8 carats). The two tenders and sales completed to date in the current quarter generated gross proceeds of USD $1,512,741.96 for an average price of USD $245.35 per carat. The above noted rough diamonds delivered, excluding the 5.36 carat green rough diamond, will be offered in a third and final tender and sale of the current quarter, which is scheduled to be completed prior to the end of June 2017.

The combined testing, commissioning, and calibration exercises currently underway are designed to support the continued advancement of objectives consistent with the recommendations of the updated NI 43-101 Technical Report ("Updated Technical Report") filed by the Company on April 28, 2015, and to aid the Company in arriving at initial production decisions for the Project. The recovery of all rough diamonds to date are incidental to the ongoing commissioning and testing exercises performed at the Project. The above-noted testing exercises and incidental recoveries do not form part of the Updated Technical Report and therefore no general grade, price, or quality determination is intended by the Company at this time due to the nature and purpose of the processing of this material.

About Diamcor Mining Inc.

Diamcor Mining Inc. is a fully reporting publically traded junior diamond mining company which is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol V.DMI, and on the OTC QX International under the symbol DMIFF. The Company has a well-established operational and production history in South Africa and extensive prior experience supplying rough diamonds to the world market.

About the Tiffany & Co. Alliance

The Company has established a long-term strategic alliance and first right of refusal with Tiffany & Co. Canada, a subsidiary of world famous New York based Tiffany & Co., to purchase up to 100% of the future production of rough diamonds from the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project at then current prices to be determined by the parties on an ongoing basis. In conjunction with this first right of refusal, Tiffany & Co. Canada also provided the Company with financing to advance the Project. Tiffany & Co. is a publically traded company which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TIF. For additional information on Tiffany & Co., please visit their website at www.tiffany.com.

About Krone-Endora at Venetia

In February 2011, Diamcor acquired the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project from De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, consisting of the prospecting rights over the farms Krone 104 and Endora 66, which represent a combined surface area of approximately 5,888 hectares directly adjacent to De Beers' flagship Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. On September 11, 2014, the Company announced that the South African Department of Mineral Resources had granted a Mining Right for the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project encompassing 657.71 hectares of the Project's total area of 5,888 hectares. The Company has also submitted an application for a mining right over the remaining areas of the Project. The deposits which occur on the properties of Krone and Endora have been identified as a higher-grade "Alluvial" basal deposit which is covered by a lower-grade upper "Eluvial" deposit. The deposits are proposed to be the result of the direct-shift (in respect to the "Eluvial" deposit) and erosion (in respect to the "Alluvial" deposit) of material from the higher grounds of the adjacent Venetia Kimberlite areas. The deposits on Krone-Endora occur in two layers with a maximum total depth of approximately 15.0 metres from surface to bedrock, allowing for a very low-cost mining operation to be employed with the potential for near-term diamond production from a known high-quality source. Krone-Endora also benefits from the significant development of infrastructure and services already in place due to its location directly adjacent to the Venetia Mine.

Qualified Person Statement:

Mr. James P. Hawkins (B.Sc., P.Geo.), is Manager of Exploration & Special Projects for Diamcor Mining Inc., and the Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 responsible for overseeing the execution of Diamcor's exploration programmes and a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta ("APEGA"). Mr. Hawkins has reviewed this press release and approved of its contents.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Mr. Dean H. Taylor

President & CEO

Diamcor Mining Inc.

[email protected]

Tel (250) 864-3326

www.diamcormining.com

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our best current judgement, they are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Further, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

WE SEEK SAFE HARBOUR

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Diamcor Mining Inc.

Related Links

http://www.diamcormining.com


ISLE OF PALMS, S.C., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthCost.com and the HealthCost app have made shopping and comparing the prices of healthcare procedures (from arthroscopies to wound care) and office visits (from allergists to vascular surgeons) as easy as shopping online for an airline ticket. Now, the open-market network has added imaging procedures to its expansive list of searchable data. With 34 imaging categories, which include more than 300 procedures such as breast imaging, cardiac ultrasounds and MRIs now available, HealthCost is turning patients into consumers by allowing them to comparison shop in advance. While there are other search tools available to consumers today, HealthCost.com is the only network offering exact pricing so patients can compare per doctor, per facility and make an informed decision on the care they would like to receive. Other search tools simply offer average costs on a local or regional basis.

"The average consumer has no idea what healthcare procedures cost. Why would they? There is no transparency. No disclosures in advance on the cost of anything  a procedure, an office visit, you name it," said William A. Moore, a HealthCost founding partner. "Even Americans who are covered under insurance face incredibly high out-of-pocket deductibles. And what about the 23 million uninsured or the millions who need to visit an out-of-network provider? Previously, there was no way for them to shop, compare and understand what they were paying before they received a scary medical bill. We're changing all of this by giving exact pricing information to the average consumer in advance. This is the first time this has been done, and it's about time."

What can patients search for?

With the addition of imaging services, HealthCost now shares the exact costs nationwide for:

64 episodes of care categories, including nearly 850 specific procedures

47 categories of specialty providers

34 imaging categories, including more than 300 procedures

The launch of imaging data includes private imaging facilities but will soon integrate outpatient hospital imaging costs as well. "Consumers aren't the only ones to benefit, says Russell Amico, M.D., a HealthCost founding partner. "The addition of imaging procedure costs will also give providers who register with the HealthCost NetworkSM an advantage. These providers will be able to reach millions of consumers who are paying out of pocket and interested in understanding costs up front."

"Imaging has become one type of procedure that's commoditized," said Amico. "There might be a free-standing facility across the street from a hospital offering the same services, but one might be three times the cost of the other. HealthCost offers a solution for consumers to understand this in advance. For providers, HealthCost offers the ability to set their own network rates, then explain any cost disparity in terms of specific equipment they use or their individual expertise. We want to strengthen healthcare's ability to operate in the free market. Clear and explicit communication from our healthcare providers should be the first step."

A benefit to patients and providers

HealthCost offers benefits for both the patient and the provider. Consumers benefit from the ability to search for, compare and choose the physician and location they prefer. Providers now have the ability to reach patients they could never reach before  those who pay out of pocket  no matter how, or if, they are insured. Access to the HealthCost.com network is open to all, allowing any consumer to shop and compare healthcare costs and any provider to register, control their own pricing and reach new patients.

Where does HealthCost get its pricing data?

HealthCost quality and pricing information is sourced from publicly available information that originates directly from the government, specifically from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the entity that sets reimbursement rates for doctors and hospitals. While this data is available to the general public, it is healthcare big data, which is not easily accessible or understood. HealthCost has tackled the big data challenge and solved it with a user-friendly, free-market solution, available to anyone with Internet access or a smartphone.

About HealthCost:

HealthCost is the only network offering an open marketplace, through https://www.HealthCost.com, for setting, comparing and locking in healthcare costs. Like other transparent, open markets, consumers and providers (as buyers and sellers) now mutually drive costs and demand. HealthCost providers have the freedom to set their own HealthCost network rates and reach new consumers, no matter how, or if, they are insured. HealthCost consumers have the freedom to comparison shop and lock in rates with any provider they choose.

SOURCE HealthCost

Related Links

https://www.healthcost.com


AMSTERDAM, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- EclecticIQ, the cyber threat intelligence technology provider, announced today a significant expansion of the built-in integrations available within EclecticIQ Platform, along with an expanded engineering team to facilitate future integrations and developments.



The latest version of EclecticIQ Platform, the analyst-centric threat intelligence platform, now covers all relevant sources of intelligence and enrichment data from leading intelligence providers and data sources. With EclecticIQ Platform, enterprise analysts, threat hunters, SOCs, and incident response teams have turnkey access to a complete set of essential sources of cyber threat intelligence, needed to make threat investigations more comprehensive.

"EclecticIQ's analyst-centric approach constantly finds ways to extend threat analyst reach and capabilities," said Joep Gommers, founder and CEO, EclecticIQ. "By integrating the best new out-of-the-box sources into EclecticIQ Platform, we enhance the ongoing business value of threat intelligence practices."

This product momentum comes alongside the news that EclecticIQ has expanded its engineering team to lead the industry at managing future integrations with intelligence providers and enrichment data sources.

"With our recent engineering team expansion, we're positioned to be first to integrate critical new sources into a threat intelligence platform," said Raymon van der Velde, Co-founder and VP Product, EclecticIQ. "We're constantly evaluating sources and technologies in terms of quality and value-add, and will continue to lead the way in delivering a complete, analyst-ready solution."

EclecticIQ Platform adds built-in integrations with:

AlienVault Open Threat Exchange

Cisco Threat Grid - Curated STIX Feeds

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Automated Indicator Sharing (AIS)

DomainTools

Farsight DNSDB

FireEye iSIGHT Intelligence

IBM X-Force Exchange

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) UK Cybersecurity Information Sharing Partnership (CiSP)

PhishMe Intelligence

Recorded Future

EclecticIQ Platform is analyst-centric technology to consolidate, analyze, manage, action, and disseminate intelligence and reports. EclecticIQ Platform has the flexibility to connect to any source of threat intelligence, whether using the STIX/TAXII standards, structured or unstructured documents, or proprietary formats.

About EclecticIQ



EclecticIQ helps organizations to turn cyber threat intelligence into business value through products built for cyber security professionals in threat intelligence, threat hunting, SOC, and Incident Response.

EclecticIQ Platform is the analyst-centric threat intelligence platform based on STIX/TAXII that meet the full spectrum of intelligence needs.

EclecticIQ Fusion Center enables the acquisition of thematic bundles of cyber threat intelligence from leading suppliers with a single contract.

The company won Deloitte's Technology FAST50 Rising Star Award for "Most Disruptive Innovator".

EclecticIQ is headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. More info: www.eclecticiq.com



Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12642844



Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE EclecticIQ

Related Links

http://www.eclecticiq.com


Kaluzny was previously based in Bellevue, Washington, home of a robust Egencia development team and headquarters of Expedia, Inc. and other technology giants. The move to Europe was driven by the growth of technology and development teams outside of the U.S. - which have grown twice as fast as those in the U.S. over the last two years - and a need to compete in a global race for talent.

"As a company, we want to put key players in strategic regions to spearhead business growth. My proximity to Egencia development staff in France will help us compete for talent outside of the U.S., which in turn contributes to our global success. By moving to Paris, I can get more facetime with the teams and hopefully be a more effective leader across the regions," says Kaluzny.

The company is growing fast, with operations in 65 countries worldwide. In 2016, Egencia revenue grew 16 percent YoY to $462 million, and major product developments included the market-leading, intuitive Egencia smartwatch app and a new travel intelligence dashboard for easier reporting for travel managers. In October, the business travel company announced a new global organization to support their ambition to be the "most business traveler centric company in the world."

Kaluzny's move is a logical step in maintaining a successful global organizational structure. He explains, "At Egencia, there are only two levels of hierarchy below senior technology leadership - team manager and functional domain leader. We promote this structure to streamline responsibilities and give people ownership of their work. And it works. But it also means the role of each one of us becomes critical to Egencia's success. My move to Paris will help ensure I can provide full-time support to all team members globally."

Christophe Peymirat, CCO at Egencia comments, "Alex's move is indicative of our culture. Two things we all have in common in the Expedia family is a passion for travel, and a belief in the power of diversity. With a truly global organization, we can pull from a vast variety of talent and our employees reap the benefits of traveling for work."

About Egencia

Egencia makes business travel better by making it more connected and complete. Egencia puts travelers at the heart of business travel, continuously supporting them with solutions that are more engaging and effective. Driven by consumer insights and technology investments from parent company, Egencia LLC, and the ultimate parent, Expedia, Inc., Egencia connects everything that travelers need  content, technology, service and reporting  in one place. Egencia provides services in more than 65 countries. To connect with Egencia, visit www.egencia.com and follow our blog at https://www.egencia.com/public/us/resources/.

 2017 Egencia LLC. All rights reserved. Expedia, Egencia, the Egencia logo and the Egencia Top 100 Preferred Corporate Hotel Awards are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the USA and/or other countries. CST No. 2083922-50

SOURCE Egencia

Related Links

http://www.egencia.com


NEW YORK, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlights

 The global eubiotics market is expected to reach USD 9.4 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc.

 Growing meat consumption coupled with rising awareness regarding meat quality is expected to drive global eubiotics market growth.

 Fodder and water shortage, decreasing grazing lands has put pressure on livestock farmers to optimize feed utilization.

 The global eubiotics market worth is expected to be 9.4 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2017 to 2025

 Solid form dominated the form segment and was valued at USD 2.9 billion in 2016. Liquid form is expected to grow at an anticipated CAGR of 8.0% over the next eight years

 The U.S. market worth for eubiotics used in poultry end use was USD 264.6 million in 2016.

 Rising demand for poultry meat and eggs, demand for high quality meat and concerns over antibiotics have resulted in an increased preference for usage in poulty

The global eubiotics market is expected to reach USD 9.4 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc.



Growing meat consumption coupled with rising awareness regarding meat quality is expected to drive global eubiotics market growth.





iotics influence the gut microflora and confer health benefits on the host. They maintain a correct balance of the microbial activity in the gastrointestinal tract of animals. This results in benefits such as enhanced nutrient absorption, better immunity and increase in overall performance. Such advantages are expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period.



Probiotics emerged as the largest product segment in 2016 and was valued at USD 2.5 billion in 2016. Broad product portfolio, rising awareness and efficacy in animal feed usage are the major attributed reasons for this scenario



Gut health dominated the application segment in 2016 and is expected to grow at an anticipated CAGR of 8.2% from 2017 to 2025. Eubiotics efficiency in treating gut related disorders and search for viable alternative to antibiotics are expected to drive market growth. Immunity is expected to observe the fastest growth among applications.



Fodder and water shortage, decreasing grazing lands has put pressure on livestock farmers to optimize feed utilization. Eubiotics cater to this demand by enhancing feed utilization, and increasing yield in comparatively less feed. Such trends are expected to fuel market growth over the next eight years.



Further key findings from the report suggest:

The global eubiotics market worth is expected to be 9.4 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2017 to 2025



Solid form dominated the form segment and was valued at USD 2.9 billion in 2016. Liquid form is expected to grow at an anticipated CAGR of 8.0% over the next eight years



The U.S. market worth for eubiotics used in poultry end use was USD 264.6 million in 2016. Rising demand for poultry meat and eggs, demand for high quality meat and concerns over antibiotics have resulted in an increased preference for usage in poultry end use.



Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth rate over the next eight years. Strong demand from countries such as China and India, growing meat consumption in the region and rising concerns over antibiotics usage is expected to fuel market growth



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__________________________

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker

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Vin Santo, a homey Italian restaurant owned by Gregg and Clarissa Edwardsen, has been open since 1998 at 7462 Hubbard Ave. in Middleton. The d
(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/517603/Romanian_Energy_Center.jpg )



Corneliu Bodea, President of the Romania Energy Center, said: "This is an important occasion to gather leaders from business and industry, as well as those in government in the EU and Romania and beyond, to address the very pressing issues we face today in the Central and South-Eastern Europe. The European Union has some clear energy targets, including increasing energy efficiency, increasing EU energy production and diversifying supplier routes and countries, completing the internal energy market and building missing infrastructure links. Romania and the C&SEE region have an enormous role to play in regional cooperation that could help deliver on these targets and we are pleased to be able to bring key players together for these discussions."

Speaking at the event, Alexey Golovin, Vice-President of KazMunayGas International, said: "Energy security means economic security, and the Black Sea, with its great energy resources and interconnected network of refineries and pipelines, is increasingly seen in 2017 by business and foreign investors as being the economic and energy lifeline for Europe. KMG International's home is Romania, our business reaches into six EU countries and across ten Black Sea nations. KMG International is bringing energy security of supply with our stakeholders, public and private, to Romania and the region, delivering new resource and energy related projects that total billions of dollars to our national and industry partners."

The event continues tomorrow, with Victor Negrescu MEP, Luminita Odobescu (Permanent Representative of Romania to the European Union) and Minhea Constantinescu (Romanian Ambassador at Large for Energy Security) all addressing the meeting inside the European Parliament. Toma Petcu (Energy Minister, Romania) and Maros Sefkovic (European Vice-President for Energy Union) will provide the closing remarks.

http://evenimente.crenerg.org/



SOURCE Romanian Energy Center
SALT LAKE CITY, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Extra Space Storage Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: EXR) is celebrating its 40th anniversary in the storage industry. Founder, Ken Woolley, constructed his first property in Billings, MT in May of 1977 after becoming interested in the business through a research project as a graduate student at Stanford University. Since that time, the company has gone from a single location, to the second largest self-storage real estate investment trust (REIT) in the U.S. with 1,441 properties, and the largest third party management storage platform in the nation. With a market cap of approximately $10 billion, Extra Space Storage is the largest company headquartered in Utah.

Ken Woolley, the Company's founder and Executive Chairman of the Board commented, "We have had an incredible 40 years as Extra Space Storage has gone from a one person development company to a best-in-class REIT with over 3,000 employees in 38 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. I congratulate and thank our team for helping build a company that will outlast all of us, and will continue to be an employer of choice in the state of Utah and around the country."

Extra Space Storage became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in August of 2004, with 136 locations. At the time it was the largest IPO by a Utah headquartered company, raising gross proceeds of $290 million. One year later Extra Space Storage acquired Storage USA (458 locations) from General Electric for approximately $2.3 billion. The Company acquired its 1,000th location in October 2013 and was added to the S&P 500 in January 2016. Extra Space Storage is known for being a technology leader in the REIT sector, and a pioneer in revenue management and internet marketing strategies. The Company currently has the highest 10-year total shareholder return of any publicly traded REIT in the nation, and is a perennial winner of awards recognizing the fastest growing companies in Utah.

About Extra Space Storage Inc.

Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust. As of March 31, 2017, the Company owned and/or operated 1,441 self-storage properties , which comprise approximately 980,000 units and approximately 109 million square feet of rentable storage space offering customers conveniently located and secure storage units across the country, including boat storage, RV storage and business storage. The Company is the second largest owner and/or operator of self-storage properties in the United States and is the largest self-storage management company in the United States.

For more information, please visit www.extraspace.com.

SOURCE Extra Space Storage Inc.

Related Links

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"I had the idea to combine two stagnant industries (fundraising and traditional retail mattress sales) to create a fundraiser that offered value to the community while providing much needed dollars for schools. The Mattress Fundraiser was born. In 2017, CFS will work with over 2000 schools, and has raised over $25 million since 2005.

Being an entrepreneur requires an unshakable belief in yourself and your ideas. Encouraging people to push themselves farther than they ever thought possible is at the heart of this business and watching people exceed their own expectations feels pretty darn good. I am honored to be an Entrepreneur Of The Year Award finalist. It's a tribute to me, but more importantly, it is a tribute to all the people involved in our business."

Now in its 31st year, the program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 145 cities and more than 60 countries throughout the world.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National competition. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 18, 2017. The awards are the culminating event of the Strategic Growth ForumTM, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are nationally sponsored in the US by SAP America, Merrill Corporation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation In Northeast Ohio, sponsors also include PNC Bank, Smart Business, Howard & O'Brien Executive Search, Oswald Companies and Alliance Solutions Group.

About Custom Fundraising Solutions

Since 2005, Custom Fundraising Solutions has been helping schools raise thousands of dollars hosting Mattress Fundraisers, while providing the community a product they need, for a great value. The company's mission is to grow to over 100 locations, and give back over $10 million dollars each year. Visit customfundraisingsolutions.com and follow us on Facebook @cfscorporate and Twitter @cfsmattress.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Entrepreneur Of The Year, founded by EY, is the world's most prestigious business awards program for entrepreneurs, chosen from an independent panel of judges including entrepreneurs and prominent leaders from business, finance, and the local community. The program makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global awards program of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in over 145 cities and more than 60 countries. ey.com/eoy

About EY's Growth Markets Network

EY's worldwide Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high- growth companies. For more than 30 years, we've helped many of the world's most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early stage, venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/sgm or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth.

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member of the global EY organization that provides services to clients in the US.

For more information, please visit ey.com.

Contact: Melissa Burdick

Company: Custom Fundraising Solutions, LLC

Phone: 440-454-5147

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Custom Fundraising Solutions

Related Links

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"The Ascend Hotel Collection is the world's first and largest global soft brand. The Monahan family and their Federal Pointe Inn were recognized for this achievement because of their commitment to excellence," said Janis Cannon, senior vice president for upscale brands for Choice Hotels. "Once an old schoolhouse, the rich history and local charm of this beautifully restored historic inn in the heart of Gettysburg captures the essence of the Ascend brand."

Pete Monahan is a third-generation hotelier and has been a Choice Hotels owner since 1995. In 2012, Monahan converted what was once the Meade School in 1896 into Federal Pointe Inn, an Ascend Hotel Collection member. The 23-room boutique hotel is located in the heart of the historic district of downtown Gettysburg. The award-winning property features a pub, a fitness center and meeting space. Complimentary amenities include parking, Wi-Fi, bottled water, a daily newspaper, morning coffee, as well as afternoon tea and scones.

"We are so humbled to receive this distinction from Choice Hotels and to be recognized by our peers," said Pete Monahan, owner and general manager of Federal Pointe Inn. "We've been a Hotel of the Year Finalist three times, so we're thrilled to be awarded the top spot. Federal Pointe Inn is truly a special place and we are so proud to share this honor with our staff."

This hotel participates in the award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty rewards program, rated no. 1 in USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards list. Membership is free, offers fast rewards, instant perks, and exclusive member rates when booking directly at www.choicehotels.com. Members can redeem points towards free nights, airline miles and more while staying at any of Choice's 11 global brand hotels, including the Ascend Hotel Collection, Cambria, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, Quality, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, and Rodeway Inn .

Ascend Hotel Collection: let the destination reach you.

The Ascend Hotel Collection is a global portfolio of unique, boutique and historic independent hotels and resorts and is part of Choice Hotels International, one of the world's leading hotel companies. Recognized as the hotel industry's first "soft brand" concept, Ascend has more than 170 properties open and operating worldwide, including in France, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, Australia, Canada, and the Caribbean region. Membership with the Ascend Hotel Collection enables distinctive, independent properties to gain a global presence while maintaining their local charm. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com/Ascend.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the world's largest hotel companies. With approximately 6,500 hotels franchised in more than 40 countries and territories, Choice Hotels International represents more than 500,000 rooms around the globe. As of March 31, 2017, 795 hotels were in our development pipeline. Our company's Ascend Hotel Collection, Cambria, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Sleep Inn, Quality, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, and Vacation Rentals by Choice HotelsTM brands provide a spectrum of lodging choices to meet guests' needs. With more than 30 million members and counting, our Choice Privileges rewards program enhances every trip a guest takes, with benefits ranging from instant, every day rewards to exceptional experiences, starting right when they join. All hotels and vacation rentals are independently owned and operated. Visit us at www.choicehotels.com for more information.

 2017 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.

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"First Priority and First Priority South (a division of First Priority Emergency Vehicles) have a growing sales force that made great strides in selling Demers Ambulances last year," said Benoit Lafortune, Demers Ambulances executive vice president. "We are pleased to not only recognize their outstanding efforts but also support them in their efforts to begin selling our ambulances in the state of Georgia."

"First Priority is honored to receive this award from Demers Ambulance," said Alex Cherepakhov, Chairman and CEO of First Priority Global. "Given Demers high quality product and efficient manufacturing, First Priority has been enthusiastically promoting the Demers brand in our territory and we feel the results reflect those efforts".

About First Priority

First Priority Global Ltd, the parent company to First Priority Emergency Vehicles Inc. and First Priority GreenFleet Ltd, is one of the country's leading suppliers of public safety, emergency response and clean transportation solutions. Established nearly 20 years ago, the company ranks among the top independent dealers and manufacturers in the United States for Emergency Medical Service, Municipal Conversion, Fire Truck and Commercial Electric Vehicles supported by the largest independent commercial EV Service network in the country. With a national footprint and a heritage grounded in innovation and quality, First Priority has developed the depth and experience to serve fleets in both the public and private sectors. http://firstpriorityglobal.net.

About Demers Ambulances

Founded in 1960, Demers Ambulances is the second largest ambulance manufacturer in North America, delivering more than 18,000 ambulances to more than 20 countries. Recognized as a leader in innovative products that meet and exceed the expectations of medical emergency specialists around the world, Demers Ambulances is accredited by Transport Canada and is recognized as a "Qualified Vehicles Modification" (QVM) by Ford. Demers also holds the US National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Member Verification Program (MVP) certification and the BNQ1013 certification from the Bureau de Normalization du Quebec (BNQ). To learn more about Demers Ambulances, visit www.demers-ambulances.com.

SOURCE Demers-Ambulances inc.

Related Links

www.demers-ambulances.com


NEW YORK, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GLG (Gerson Lehrman Group, Inc.), the world's leading membership for professional learning and expertise, today released a new video with former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler. Interviewed by GLG Head of Research for NAFS Eric Jaffe, as part of GLG's Anatomy of a Decision video series, Wheeler reflects on why open, secure networks are more crucial today than ever  and actually serve to benefit not only consumers, but the telecom industry itself. "Because of increased usage on the open network," he says, "we've had record investment in telecom, and increased revenue for Internet Service Providers, who have complained that the rules were holding them back."

Former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler sits down with GLGs Head of Research for NAFS Eric Jaffe to discuss net neutrality, open internet, and cybersecurity.

In the video, Wheeler also covers the history and future of net neutrality, and having to overcome his reputation as an industry insider. "I didn't change my stripes at all," says Wheeler. "It's just that people didn't see which way the stripes were running."

"The videos in this series are a deep-dive into how some of the world's smartest people make tough decisions," said Richard Socarides, GLG Head of Public Affairs. "Our talk with Tom Wheeler is a great example of that. The battle over net neutrality has defined the Internet space for the last decade and with the new administration, its future may be in question. We hope this discussion also reflects more broadly some of the insights available through GLG."

Wheeler served as FCC Chairman from 2013 to 2017. Before that, he worked as a venture capitalist and advocate for the cable and wireless industry and was a technology entrepreneur and executive at Core Capital Partners. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute and was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2003, and in 2009 was inducted into the Cable Television Hall of Fame. He is the only member of both.

All of the videos in GLG's Anatomy of a Decision series are available online without charge, including interviews with: Jill Abramson, former Executive Editor of The New York Times; Jeff Kindler, former CEO of Pfizer and Chair of the GLG Institute; Jake Sullivan, former Director of Policy Planning at the United States Department of State; and Michael Vickers, former U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, among others.

About GLG / Gerson Lehrman Group

GLG is the world's leading membership for professional learning. Business leaders, investors, consultants, social entrepreneurs, and other top professionals rely on GLG to learn in short- and long-term engagements from more than 500,000 members and other experts. Clients partner with GLG to address their most complex strategic challenges, make better business decisions, and advance their careers through conversations, mentorships, small group meetings, surveys, and other interactionsall within a rigorous compliance framework. Headquartered in New York City, GLG's 1,400 employees work from offices in 12 countries. For more information visit www.GLG.it.

SOURCE GLG

Related Links

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Palm Beach Convention Center will be ground zero for over 400 business owners from across the United States in June 2017. These individuals are owners and managers of FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers, the fastest growing medical franchise in America. These are some of the country's leading therapy experts in sports, orthopedics, dizziness, balance and fall prevention care. Owners also include some of the foremost medical experts in dizziness, balance care, and fall prevention.

100 Top Franchise Entrepreneur Top 500 Franchise

This conference will be hosted by FYZICAL's nine flagship Palm Beach centers (formerly Gold Coast Physical Therapy Associates). The conference will feature new business strategies and new technology available to the franchisees.

Mike Graves, the CEO of the Palm Beach operations and the franchise president from 2014 to 2017, stated,

"We are so proud to bring this event to Palm Beach County. FYZICAL brings to the small business owner the resources and a level of business expertise that were simply unimaginable only a few short years ago. It's been amazing to watch the success achieved by our Members throughout the country."

A large part of FYZICAL's operational platform was developed right here in Palm Beach county.

The June FYZICAL conference shares the world-class care and the elite business practices as well as other exciting initiatives, developments, and technologies. The conference participants will also have the opportunity to experience Palm Beach county in June, with great shopping, dining and world-renowned beaches.

The FYZICAL franchise was started in 2013 with just one center in Florida. FYZICAL now has over 220 centers in 36 states and continues to grow very quickly. FYZICAL centers in communities around the country feature cutting-edge orthopedic and vestibular care as well as high-tech equipment and advanced training in dizziness and balance disorders for its physical therapists, otolaryngology physicians and Audiologists. FYZICAL professionals are dedicated to helping Americans Love Their Lives by assisting them in achieving a state of optimal physical health. FYZICAL will continue to focus more and more on changing lives for the better through prevention.

You can learn more about FYZICAL Palm Beach at FYZICALPBC.com. To learn about FYZICAL Corporate go to the FYZICAL Media Page at FYZICAL.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Tim Richardson

[email protected]

1.561.584.9253 x525

SOURCE FYZICAL Therapy and Balance
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Glance Technologies Inc. (CSE:GET.CN), (OTCQB:GLNNF) (CSE:GET.WT), (FKT:GJT) is pleased to announce that it is has agreed to license its mobile payment technology to Cannapay Financial Inc. for $1,000,000, marking Glance's entry into the legal marijuana market.

"As Canada progresses towards legalization of marijuana, a multi-billion dollar industry in need of financial services is emerging," says Desmond Griffin, CEO of Glance. "Cannapay Financial's technology licence from Glance will allow it to bring marijuana industry payments into the digital age by providing a wide variety of Fintech solutions to all levels of the marijuana business, from suppliers to customers. This is inline with our strategy to monetize our robust and constantly advancing technology platform through strategic alliances to address markets that are not on our near term operational roadmap. This deal allows our shareholders to benefit from both significant ongoing revenue as well as equity upside in this exciting space."

Pursuant to the licence agreement, Glance will grant to Cannapay a non-exclusive, worldwide licence to white label Glance's mobile payment processing platform and its proven anti-fraud technology, for legal business to business and business to consumer mobile payments in the marijuana industry. The licence will have an initial term of 10 years and will be renewable for two additional 10 year periods. As consideration for the licence, Cannapay will pay to Glance an initial fee of $1,000,000, payable in two payments of $200,000 each in cash and a third payment of $600,000 in cash or in common shares of Cannapay due within 3 years of signing the licence agreement, with the exception that if Cannapay completes an IPO at a price per offered security of $0.25 or higher, Cannapay will issue to Glance, contemporaneously with closing the IPO at a price per security equal to the price per security under the IPO, as many voting shares in payment towards the $600,000 fee as results in Glance holding, in the aggregate, a maximum of 49% of Cannapay's issued and outstanding voting shares immediately after closing the IPO. Any outstanding amounts to bring the full payment to $600,000 will be due and payable within 3 years of the date of the licence in cash or in common shares of Cannapay. Glance will also receive a 50% royalty on the revenue from all sublicences and will receive additional fees for any development work required for customization and operation of the Cannapay payment platform. In conjunction with the first two payments under the licence agreement, Glance will purchase an aggregate of 8,000,000 common shares of Cannapay at a price of $0.05 per share for a total investment of $400,000, with the result that Glance will own approximately 48% of Cannapay, and Cannapay will be treated as a non-controlled partially owned subsidiary over which Glance exerts significant influence. Separate financial statements for Cannapay will be maintained in accordance with IAS28.

According to a recent study disclosed in the Toronto Star, legalized recreational marijuana promises to spark a $22.6 billion industry in Canada, eclipsing combined sales of beer, wine and spirits. According to Business Insider, the legal weed market is growing as fast as broadband Internet in the 2000s with an annual projected growth rate of 25% through 2021.

Fees from the licence agreement will be recorded in Glance's financial statements as a related party transaction, as Penny Green is a director and President of both Glance and Cannapay.

About Cannapay Financial Inc.

Cannapay combines traditional financial service with innovative technology to provide enhanced digital financial services to legally operating businesses in the marijuana industry. The Company is also developing a mobile payment app that will allow users to order products from their smart phones, tablets or computer and have marijuana products delivered to their physical location in compliance with local rules and regulations.

About Glance Technologies Inc.

Glance Technologies owns and operates Glance Pay, a streamlined payment system that revolutionizes how smartphone users choose where to dine, order food & drink, settle bills, access digital receipts, earn great rewards, & interact with merchants. Glance is building a valuable network of merchants and consumers, and offers targeted in-app marketing, social media marketing, customer feedback, in-merchant messaging and custom rewards programs. The Glance Pay mobile payment system consists of proprietary technology, which includes user apps available for free downloads in IOS (Apple) and Android formats, a merchant manager apps, large scale technology hosting environment with sophisticated anti-fraud technology and lightning fast payment processing.

For more information about Glance, please go to Glance Technologies' website .

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements including the completion of the rights offering (collectively "forward- looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "potentially" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Glance cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by Glance is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors. The reader is referred to Glance's public filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects which may be accessed through the Glance's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.



For more information, contact:

Christina Rao

Vice President, Investor Relations

+1-(604)-723-7480

[email protected]



SOURCE Glance Technologies Inc.
Amir Adnani, Chairman of GoldMining, commented: "We are pleased to be closing our second major transaction in Colombia, which will further expand our significant land package within the Mid Cauca Belt, one of the most prospective and underexplored gold belts in the world. Beyond the current defined resource base, La Mina and Titiribi collectively host several underexplored porphyry targets, which we believe offer excellent opportunities for potential new gold discoveries in an area with excellent infrastructure. On behalf of the Company, we welcome Bellhaven shareholders of GoldMining and we look forward to advancing our asset base together for the benefit of all shareholders."

Garnet Dawson, CEO of GoldMining, commented: "The Mid Cauca Belt has seen increased activity in 2017 with Newmonts strategic investment in Continental Golds Buritica project, IAMGOLDs option of Gran Colombias Zancudo project and the joint exploration success at San Matias by Cordoba Minerals and High Power Exploration.In the months ahead, we will review previous exploration results and work with Dr. Paul Zweng, the former Chairman and CEO of Bellhaven, who has joined our Advisory Board, to outline a drill program at La Garrucha to provide data to complete a maiden resource estimate for this prospect."

The Transaction

The transaction was completed by way of a plan of arrangement pursuant to an arrangement agreement between the parties dated April 11, 2017. Under the arrangement, GoldMining acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Bellhaven (the "Bellhaven Shares") for total consideration of 7,339,303 common shares of the Company (the "GOLD Shares"), which included 1,842,750 GOLD Shares issued to the Toquepala Fund LP in exchange for 6,300,000 units of Bellhaven, each unit consisting of one Bellhaven Share and one warrant to purchase a Bellhaven Share, and 0.25 GOLD Shares issued to Bellhaven shareholder for each outstanding Bellhaven Share. As a result of the transaction, Bellhaven will also pay US$100,000 and US$247,000 to Bellhaven's former Chairman and Chief Executive officer and its former Chief Financial Officer, respectively, in connection with certain change of control and termination provisions under their consulting agreements with Bellhaven.

The Company further announces the completion of Bellhavens previously announced acquisition of the remaining 24% equity interest in the entity that owns certain concessions underlying the La Mina Project ("La Mina" or the "Project") in exchange for a payment of US$300,000 and the delivery of 162,500 GOLD Shares to Monpal S.A.S., a company controlled by Alejandro Montoya-Palacios, a former director of Bellhaven. As a result, the Company now holds a 100% interest in La Mina.

The Project

La Mina is located approximately 41 km southwest of the city of Medellin in the Department of Antioquia, in central Colombia and approximately 6 km southeast of GoldMinings Titiribi Project (Fig. 1). The Project is comprised of two concessions that cover an area of 32 km2. Northern Antioquia has seen steadily increasing activity over the last several years including, but not limited to success by Cordoba Minerals and High Power Exploration at the San Matias copper-gold project, Continental Golds recently permitted high-grade Buritica gold project and investment by GoldCorp, IAMGOLDs recent option agreement with Gran Colombia Gold on the past producing Zancudo gold mine, and AngloGold Ashanti and B2Golds development stage Nuevo Chaquiro project. The Project is road accessible by paved highway to a junction with an 11 km gravel road that leads to site. Water, power and labour are readily available at the Project site.

La Mina includes the Middle Zone and La Cantera gold-copper porphyry deposits as well as the highly prospective La Garrucha prospect located approximately 800 m to the east. The aeromagnetic anomaly over the nearby La Garrucha prospect is substantially larger than those over both the La Cantera and Middle Zone deposits. It has been partially tested by drilling (6,734 m in 17 holes) and future exploration programs will focus on expanding the area of mineralization in order to complete a revised resource estimate. In addition, there are several prospects including El Limon, El Oso, Media Luna and Buenavista that require additional follow-up exploration (Fig. 2).

The Middle Zone and La Cantera deposits occur within 400 m of each other and were the subject of a resource estimate published by Bellhaven in October 2016 (Table 1). The resource was based on 14,284 m of drilling in 88 drill holes. Block models were created with parent blocks measuring 5 m3 for the Middle Zone and 10 m3 for La Cantera. Inverse distance squared was used to interpolate grade into blocks at the Middle Zone and ordinary kriging was used to interpolate grade into blocks at La Cantera, which in both cases were constrained by geology. Indicated mineral resources, which comprise approximately 70% of the resource, were defined as blocks that are within 35 m of a drill hole and where a minimum of two drill holes were used to estimate grade. Grade-capping was employed at the Middle Zone to limit the impact of high-grade outlier samples. Gold was capped at 4.2 ppm, silver at 25.5 ppm and copper at 3,000 ppm. Densities of 2.65 t/m3 for the Middle Zone and 2.70 t/m3 for La Cantera were used to convert volumes to tonnages and were based on 636 individual measurements of drill-core samples.

The conceptual pit delineated resource used a Whittle-Pit algorithm with the following input parameters to calculate the in-pit resources:

Median consensus long-term projected metal prices of US$1,275 /oz gold, US$17.75 /oz silver, and US$2.75 /lb copper;

/oz gold, /oz silver, and /lb copper; G&A of US$0.98 /t;

/t; Open-pit mining costs of US$1.72 /t;

/t; Processing costs of US$5.83 /t;

/t; Metallurgical recoveries of 93% for gold and 90% for copper; and

Average pit-slope of 50 degrees.

Table 1: Indicated and Inferred Resource at a 0.25 g/t gold cut-off for La Mina.

Deposit Tonnage Grade Contained Metal Mt Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) AuEq (g/t) Au (oz) Ag (oz) Cu (Mlbs) AuEq (oz) Indicated Resource La Cantera 17.984 0.87 2.06 0.32 1.37 503,021 1,191,062 125.344 789,953 Middle Zone 10.186 0.50 1.27 0.11 0.68 163,740 415,899 24.898 223,232 Total Indicated 28.170 0.74 1.77 0.24 1.12 666,761 1,606,962 150.242 1,013,185 Inferred Resource La Cantera 10.806 0.69 1.83 0.29 1.15 239,715 635,766 70.256 400,099 Middle Zone 1.588 0.39 1.19 0.09 0.53 19,911 60,754 3.038 27,309 Total Inferred 12.394 0.65 1.75 0.27 1.07 259,626 696,520 73.294 427,408







Table 1 Notes:

1. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources will be converted into mineral reserves.

2. Gold-equivalent grades were calculated using the following formula: AuEq = [{Au (g/t) + [Cu(%)} x {%Recoverable Cu / %Recoverable Au} x {Cu Price/Au Price} x 22.0462 x 31.1035] + [Ag (g/t) x {Ag Price/Au Price}]. Metal prices used were the median consensus long-term prices as of July, 2016 for gold (US$1,275/oz), silver (US$17.75/oz), and copper (US$2.75/lb). Metal prices are not constant and are subject to change. Metal recoveries of 93% Au and 90% Cu are estimates based on metallurgical results announced in Bellhavens news release dated September 21, 2016.

3. All quantities are rounded to the appropriate number of significant figures; consequently sums may not add up due to rounding.

The resource estimate for La Mina is based on a technical report completed for Bellhaven by Scott E. Wilson, C.P.G. titled "Technical Report for the La Mina Project, Antioquia, Republic of Colombia", who is independent of Bellhaven and GoldMining within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, with an effective date of October 24, 2016. Please refer to the technical report for further information regarding the La Mina Project, a copy of which is available under Bellhaven's profile at www.sedar.com.

Advisors

Haywood Securities Inc. advised GoldMining in connection with the transaction, and Sangra Moller LLP acted as legal counsel to GoldMining. Evans & Evans Inc. acted as financial advisor to Bellhaven and McMillan LLP acted as legal counsel to Bellhaven.

Additional Information

As a result of completion of the arrangement set forth above, GoldMining acquired ownership and control of 100% of the outstanding Bellhaven Shares. In connection therewith, the Company will file an early warning report pursuant to National Instrument 62-103  The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues containing additional information respecting the foregoing matters. A copy of such report may be obtained from Bellhaven's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com or by contacting the Company at the contact particulars set forth herein. The Company did not own any Bellhaven Shares prior to completion of the transaction. It is expected that the Bellhaven Shares will be de-listed from the TSX Venture Exchange and that Bellhaven will make an application to cease to be a reporting issuer in the applicable jurisdictions.

Qualified Person

Paulo Pereira, President of GoldMining has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release for GoldMining. Mr. Pereira holds a Bachelors degree in Geology from Universidade do Amazonas in Brazil, is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and is a member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario.

About GoldMining Inc.

GoldMining Inc. is a public mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of gold projects in Colombia and other regions of the Americas. GoldMining Inc. is advancing its Titiribi Gold-Copper Project located in the Department of Antioquia, Colombia, its Cachoeira and Sao Jorge Gold Projects located in the State of Para, northeastern Brazil, its Whistler Gold-Copper Project located in the State of Alaska, United States of America, and its Rea Uranium Project in the western Athabasca Basin in northeast Alberta, Canada.

Table 2: GoldMining Inc.  Global Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resource Statement1,2,3

Deposit Cut-off4 (g/t) Tonnage (Mt) Grade Contained Metal Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) Copper (%) Gold Eq (g/t) Gold (Moz) Silver (Moz) Copper (Mlbs) Gold Eq (Moz) Measured Resources Titiribi5 0.3 51.60 0.49 - 0.17 0.78 0.820 - 195.1 1.290 Indicated Resources Titiribi5 0.3 234.20 0.51 - 0.09 0.65 3.820 - 459.3 4.930 Sao Jorge6 0.3 14.42 1.54 - - 1.54 0.715 - - 0.715 Cachoeira7 0.35 17.47 1.23 - - 1.23 0.692 - - 0.692 Whistler8 0.3 110.28 0.50 1.76 0.14 0.79 1.765 6.130 343.1 2.797 La Mina9 0.25 28.17 0.74 1.77 0.24 1.12 0.667 1.607 150.2 1.013 Total

404.54 0.59 0.48 0.09 0.78 7.658 7.737 952.7 10.147 Measured and Indicated Resources Total

456.14 0.58 0.43 0.10 0.78 8.478 7.737 1147.8 11.437 Inferred Resources Titiribi5 0.3 207.90 0.49 - 0.02 0.51 3.260 0.000 77.9 3.440 Sao Jorge6 0.3 28.19 1.14 - - 1.14 1.035 0.000 - 1.035 Cachoeira7 0.35 15.67 1.07 - - 1.07 0.538 0.000 - 0.538 Whistler8 0.3/0.6 311.26 0.47 2.26 0.11 0.68 4.626 22.617 713.5 6.731 La Mina9 0.25 12.39 0.65 1.75 0.27 1.07 0.260 0.697 73.3 0.427 Boa Vista10 0.5 8.47 1.23 - - 1.23 0.336 0.000 - 0.336 Surubim11 0.3 19.44 0.81 - - 0.81 0.503 0.000 - 0.503 Total

603.32 0.55 1.20 0.07 0.67 10.558 23.313 864.7 13.010





Table 2 Notes: 1. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources will be converted into mineral reserves. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing or other relevant issues. 2. The above global resource estimate table is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to represent the viability of any project on a standalone or global basis. The exploration and development of each project, project geology and the assumptions and other factors underlying each estimate, are not uniform and will vary from project to project. Please refer to the technical report for each respective project, as referenced herein, for detailed information respecting each individual project. 3. All quantities are rounded to the appropriate number of significant figures; consequently sums may not add up due to rounding. 4. Gold cut-off for all projects except for Whistler, which is gold equivalent cut-off. 5. Notes for Titiribi:

Based on technical report titled "Technical Report on the Titiribi Project Department of Antioquia, Colombia" prepared by Joseph A. Cantor and Robert E. Cameron of Behre Dolbear & Company (USA), Inc., with an effective date of September 14, 2016, which is available at www.sedar.com under GoldMinings SEDAR profile.

Gold equivalent estimated for the Titiribi deposit assumes metal prices of US$1,300/oz gold and US$2.90/lb copper and recoveries of 83% for gold and 90% for copper. 6. Notes for Sao Jorge:

Based on technical report titled "Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the Sao Jorge Gold Project, Para State, Brazil" prepared by Porfirio Rodriguez and Leonardo de Moraes of Coffey Mining Pty Ltd. ("Coffey"), with an effective date of November 22, 2013, which is available at www.sedar.com under GoldMinings SEDAR profile. 7. Notes for Cachoeira:

Based on technical report titled "Technical Report and Resource Estimate on the Cachoeira Property, Para State, Brazil" prepared by Gregory Z. Mosher, P.Geo. of Tetratech, Inc. with an effective date of April 17, 2013 and amended and re-stated October 2, 2013, which is available at www.sedar.com under GoldMinings SEDAR profile. 8. Notes for Whistler:

Based on technical report titled "Technical Report on the Whistler Project" prepared by Gary Giroux of Giroux Consultants Inc., with an effective date of March 24, 2016, which is available at www.sedar.com under GoldMinings SEDAR profile.

The Whistler Project is comprised of three deposits: Whistler, Raintree West and Island Mountain.

Gold equivalent estimated for the Whistler deposit assumes metal prices of US$990/oz gold, US$15.40/oz silver and US$2.91/lb copper and recoveries of 75% for gold and silver and 85% for copper.

Gold equivalent estimated for the Raintree West deposit assumes metal prices of US$1,250/oz gold, US$16.50/oz silver and US$2.10/lb copper and recoveries of 75% for gold, 85% for copper and 75% for silver.

Gold equivalent estimated for the Island Mountain deposit assumes metal prices of US$1,250/oz gold, US$16.50/oz silver and US$2.10/lb copper and recoveries of 75% for gold, 85% for copper and 25% for silver (recovered in copper concentrate).

A gold equivalent cut-off of 0.3 g/t was highlighted in the estimate as a possible open pit cut-off (Whistler, Raintree-shallow and Island Mountain), and a gold equivalent cut-off of 0.6 g/t was highlighted in the estimate as a possible underground cut-off (Raintree-deep). 9. Notes for La Mina:

Based on technical report titled "Technical Report on the La Mina Project" prepared by Scott E. Wilson, C.P.G. of Metals Mining Consultants, Inc. ("MMC") with an effective date of October 24, 2016, which is available at www.sedar.com under GoldMinings SEDAR profile.

Gold equivalent estimated for the La Mina project assumes metal prices of US$1,275/oz gold, US$17.75/oz for silver and US$2.75/lb for copper and recoveries of 93% for gold and 90% for copper. 10. Notes for Boa Vista:

Based on technical report titled "Technical Report on the Boa Vista Project and Resource Estimate on the VG1 Prospect, Tapajos Area, Para State, Northern Brazil" prepared by Jim Cuttle, Gary Giroux and Michael Schmulian, with an effective date of November 22, 2013, which is available at www.sedar.com under GoldMinings SEDAR profile. 11. Notes for Surubim:

Based on technical report titled "Technical Report on the Rio Novo Gold Project and Resource Estimate on the Jau Prospect, Tapajos Area, Para State, Northern Brazil" ("Surubim Project") prepared by Jim Cuttle and Gary Giroux, with an effective date of November 22, 2013, which is available at www.sedar.com under GoldMinings SEDAR profile

The above global estimated resource table is provided for information purposes only.

Forward-looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of GoldMining with respect to its business and future events, including expectations respecting the La Mina Project, potential synergies between the Company's and Bellhaven's projects and any future exploration programs and other work on the La Mine project. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the markets in which the Company operates, including that historical exploration results will be confirmed and potential synergies will be realized. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including: the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drill results and other exploration data, the potential for delays in exploration or development activities, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, accidents, equipment breakdowns, title and permitting matters, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in operations, fluctuating metal prices, unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, including to fund any exploration programs and any inability to realize upon expected synergies between the Company and Bellhaven . These risks, as well as others, including those set forth in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward looking information, will prove to be accurate. GoldMining undertakes no obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Providers (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE GoldMining Inc.

Related Links

www.brazilresources.com


MOSCOW, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Group-IB, one of the global leaders in providing high-grade Threat Intelligence and best in class anti-fraud solutions vendor, has published a detailed report leaving no doubt that Lazarus, a cyber gang that attempted to steal about 1 billion USD from the Central Bank of Bangladesh and compromised a number of Polish banks, was connected to North Korea. Deep analysis of the cybercriminals' Command & Control infrastructure as well as detailed Threat Intelligence information enabled the researchers to prove that the attacks were managed from Pyongyang.

The Lazarus is allegedly controlled by Bureau 121, a division of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, a North Korean intelligence agency.

What is Lazarus?

Lazarus (also known as Dark Seoul Gang) is known to DDoS and hack governmental, military, and aerospace institutions worldwide. The earliest known attack that the group is responsible for is known as "Troy Operation", which took place from 2009-2012. This was a cyber-espionage campaign that utilized unsophisticated DDoS techniques to target the South Korean government in Seoul. They are also responsible for attacks in 2011 and 2013. A notable hack that the group is known for is the 2014 attack on Sony Pictures, when personal information about the employees and their families, internal e-mails, copies of then-unreleased Sony films as well as other information was published. The Sony attack used more sophisticated techniques and highlighted how advanced the group has become over time. When the global economic pressure on North Korea increased, Lazarus shifted its focus to international financial organizations for financial and espionage gains. In 2016, the group attempted to steal about $951mln from the Central Bank of Bangladesh SWIFT; however, a mistake in a payment request cut the criminals' income to only $81 mln.

What's so peculiar about Group-IB's report?

Previous reports were focused on either malware analysis, or the attribution based on malware analysis. However, since the attribution based on malware code similarities is not always reliable, Group-IB has focused on infrastructure research. The company's experts conducted an in-depth investigation of Lazarus activity and gained unique insight into their complex botnet infrastructure built by the hacker group to conduct their attacks. Despite the complex three-layer architecture, encrypted channels, VPN services, and other advanced techniques, the researchers managed to identify that the group was operating from Potonggang District, North Korea  perhaps coincidentally, where National Defense Commission was located, previously the highest military body in North Korea.

Dmitry Volkov, Head of Threat Intelligence Department and o-founder of Group-IB:

"Our research testified that North Korean Lazarus group is taking extraordinary precaution measures, dividing the attacks into several stages and launching all the modules manually. So that even if the attack is detected, it would take security researchers much time and effort to investigate it. To mask malicious activity, the hackers used a three-layer C&C infrastructure and pretended to be Russians."

Through analysis of compromised networks, Group-IB identified IP addresses of universities in the US, Canada, Great Britain, India, Bulgaria, Poland, Turkey, pharmaceutical companies in Japan and China, as well as government subnets in various countries.

"Taking into consideration strengthening economic sanctions against North Korea, as well as the geopolitical tension in the region, we expect a new wave of Lazarus attacks against global financial institutions. With that said, we strongly recommend the banks learn more about targeted attacks' tactics and techniques, increase corporate cybersecurity awareness, and cooperate with the companies providing relevant Threat Intelligence," Volkov added.

More details on Lazarus group's attack methodology for financial institutions, the malware employed, and the main targets of the attackers are available on the official blog of Group-IB: http://blog.group-ib.com/lazarus.

Full report is available at http://www.group-ib.com/lazarus.html

About Group-IB

Group-IB is one of the global leaders in preventing and investigating high-tech crimes and online fraud. The company is recognized by Gartner as a threat intelligence vendor with strong cyber security focus and the ability to provide leading insight to the Eastern European region and recommended by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Group-IB runs the largest computer forensics laboratory in Eastern Europe with 100+ successful investigations worldwide, as well as an official computer emergency response team CERT-GIB. Group-IB's Secure Bank and Secure Portal represent sophisticated malware and remote control detection systems. Based on the company's unique Threat Intelligence, they have real-time data on compromised banking cards and users' credentials. TDS appliance tracks network communications and detects anomalies to effectively resist targeted attacks and APTs.

Group-IB products and services are used by global clients, including Fortune 500 companies in the US, Western Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia. Group-IB's clients include top-tier banks and financial intuitions, FMCG brands and industrial corporations, oil and gas companies, software and hardware vendors, and telecommunications service providers from Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, EU, Russian Federation, UK, USA and Ecuador. More information at http://www.group-ib.com/

Please feel free to contact us for additional information [email protected].

Follow us on Twitter (@GroupIB_GIB) to stay tuned.

Related Links

Corporate website

Corporate blog

SOURCE Group-IB

Related Links

http://www.group-ib.com


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SAN FRANCISCO, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- HelloMD - one of the nation's largest communities of medical cannabis patients  announced today that it had received an investment of $200,000 from SeedInvest's 'Selections Fund'. The money will count towards the amount HelloMD is targeting to raise from the crowdfunding platform, as well as from accredited investors in its funding round.

HelloMD launched its crowdfunding offering on the SeedInvest platform last month and has already received over $900,000 from over 600 investors

A HelloMD Doctors Consultation

"We like what HelloMD has accomplished thus far and feel it's well positioned to capitalize as an early leader in a rapidly growing market," stated Ryan Feit, SeedInvest CEO and Co-Founder. "Our Selections Fund invests alongside individual angel investors in some of the most promising companies on our platform," he continued.

Since launching service in California two years ago, HelloMD has developed a rapid following among medical marijuana patients seeking to remedy things like anxiety, stress and chronic pain to more serious medical issues like cancer and epilepsy. The site connects patients, doctors, retailers and brands in an online community where advice on product selection, health & wellness and anything related to medical cannabis can be discovered.

"We are on a mission to create the largest medical cannabis community and the first national retailer of cannabis products," stated Mark Hadfield, HelloMD's CEO. "We are thrilled that SeedInvest recognizes the value HelloMD brings to patients everywhere, and has decided to demonstrate that with a sizable investment of their own," he continued.

HelloMD's rapid growth has been fueled by its extensive library of proprietary patient generated medical information (question & answers about medical cannabis) as well as articles, videos and other unique content. Additionally, over 400 business partners (retailers and cannabis brands) have partnered with the site to make information available to customers seeking information on their use of cannabis. The company plans to use the proceeds of the equity round to expand it service offerings across all 30 cannabis legal states, as well as internationally.

Investors interested in investing can find more information on the offering here.

About HelloMD

HelloMD is the leading digital healthcare platform for medical cannabis patients. The service allows for easy, convenient online video access to physicians for medical cannabis consultations, recommendations to qualifying patients, product advice and more. For more information about HelloMD, visit www.hellomd.com

About SeedInvest

SeedInvest is a leading equity crowdfunding platform that provides individual investors with access to pre-vetted startup investment opportunities. SeedInvest has funded over 160 startups and boasts a rapidly growing network of over 160,000 investors. SeedInvest has had over 13,000 startups apply to raise capital since inception and has only accepted 1% of those companies to feature on the platform. For more information about SeedInvest, visit www.seedinvest.com

Disclaimer: HelloMD is offering securities under both Regulation D and Regulation CF through SI Securities, LLC ("SI Securities"). HelloMD has filed a Form C with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its offering, a copy of which may be obtained at https://www.seedinvest.com/hellomd/series.a. SI Securities is an affiliate of SeedInvest Technology, LLC and SI Selections Fund I, L.P., and a registered broker-dealer, and member FINRA/SIPC. SI Securities will receive cash compensation equal to 7.50% of the value of the securities sold and equity compensation equal to 5.00% of the number of securities sold.

Media Contact

Jennifer Price / Michael Litchfield

E: [email protected]

T: 609-638-2558 / 415-793-6618

SOURCE HelloMD

Related Links

https://www.hellomd.com


NEW YORK, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MyStrongHome, a first-of-its-kind benefit corporation that provides construction, financing and insurance services to homeowners in hurricane-prone areas of Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina, announced it has closed $10M in financing and is now officially open for business. Financing was provided by impact investors including Prudential Insurance, the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the Calvert Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, MetLife, Pi Investments and several individuals.

MyStrongHome helps homeowners manage the risk associated with increasingly frequent and severe weather, most notably hurricanes and other windstorm events. MyStrongHome delivers specialized construction upgrades, including installation of a new impact-resistant FORTIFIED roof. It finances the cost of that work with future insurance premium savings from a new, heavily discounted insurance policy through its insurance partners. Tax incentives and grant programs are also available in Alabama and South Carolina that further reduces the cost to homeowners.

The retrofits are performed by vetted local contractors, and can often be completed in a single day. The upgraded homes receive a FORTIFIED Home designation from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS).

"We are excited to offer the first one-stop shop for consumers that combines construction, lending and insurance services that make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to take that extra step to strengthen their home so they are ready for the next storm," said Margot Brandenburg, Founder of MyStrongHome. "Depending on the cost to retrofit the home and the amount of insurance savings, MyStrongHome may be able to provide its services at little to no upfront cost to the homeowner."

"The FORTIFIED Home standard is based on both decades of real world post-disaster investigations and meticulous full-scale laboratory testing. FORTIFIED construction or retrofitting makes homes stronger and less vulnerable to storm damage," notes Julie Rochman, IBHS President and CEO. "In fact, recent University of Alabama research found that a FORTIFIED designation also increases home resale value by 7 percent. We are proud to work with MyStrongHome, which is the first company whose specific mission is to help homeowners realize a return on their FORTIFIED investment."

MyStrongHome successfully piloted the retrofitting of 40 homes last year in Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina. South Carolina pilot customer Charlie Graham said: "I couldn't have been more satisfied with the job they did [on my home]. It was professional, high quality and done quickly. And, when Hurricane Matthew came in October, my house was untouched, even though a lot of my neighbors had damage."

According to Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, "FORTIFIED upgrades are a great way to reduce the high cost of coastal homeowner's insurance by strengthening homes against storm damage, which allows homeowners to return to their homes and lives more quickly after a storm."

For media inquiries:

Cindy Stoller

Confluence Partners

917 331 0418

[email protected]

Related Links

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety

www.mystronghome.net

SOURCE MyStrongHome

Related Links

http://www.mystronghome.net


WASHINGTON, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Level the Playing Field (LPF), the non-profit that sued to open the final fall presidential debates to a third participant, blasted the Federal Election Commission's response to a federal court decision last week, saying, "The FEC continues to disregard much of this evidence, and its treatment of the remainder is frivolous."

As an example, Alexandra A. E. Shapiro, the attorney for LPF, cited in her filing an FEC claim that a Westlaw news database showed Libertarian Gary Johnson receiving substantial press coverage in 2016. But, as Shapiro noted, "the FEC apparently did notconsider that 'Gary Johnson' is a common name, because its 'analysis' cites articles about dozens of Gary Johnsons who are not the presidential candidate," including a real estate agent, a former defensive standout for the San Diego Chargers, and a Hawaiian chef.

"The FEC has tried to address our arguments through cherry-picking, manipulation, and inaccuracies," said Peter Ackerman, chairman of Level the Playing Field. "That's all they can do. There is no objective, nonpartisan reason for the rule that the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) uses to keep an independent off the stage.

"If these rules are not changed, we might as well write into the Constitution that only Republicans and Democrats can be president. But if the debates are opened to an independent presidential candidate, you will see amazing Americans emerging and ultimately winning."

In its original lawsuit, LPF argued that, without spending many hundreds of millions of dollars to gain name recognition, independent and third-party candidates could not achieve the 15% threshold for participation set by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

In the new filing, LPF noted that the FEC's own survey of 46 newspapers showed that on average, each paper gave Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton 34.1 and 27.8 mentions per week, respectively. Libertarian Johnson received fewer than two mentions per week and Green candidate Jill Stein received less than one.

LPF, along with its co-plaintiffs, the Libertarian and Green Parties, filed its Supplemental Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief on May 26 in response to an FEC filing, which itself was a response to a blistering adverse decision by a federal court.

In that summary judgment on Feb. 1, 2017 U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled "the FEC acted arbitrarily and capriciously and contrary to law" when it summarily rejected LPF's original administrative complaints to the commission. Chutkan decided that the FEC "appears to have stuck its head in the sand and ignored" what she called a "mountain" of evidence the debate-selection criteria were rigged in favor of Democrats and Republicans and against independents.

In its response last week, LPF stated, "What is even more telling about the FEC's post-remand decisions is how little they do to actually defend the 15% polling criterion It offers no justification of its own for a polling criterion so high that, since the CPD's inception, no independent presidential candidate has satisfied it."

The LPF filing noted that the district court ruled that, given "the evidence that since 1988 only one non-major party candidatehas participated in the debates, and only then at the request of the two major parties, and the evidence that the CPD's chairmen and directors are actively invested in the partisan political process through large donations," it is "perplex[ing]" that the FEC is so quick to deem the CPD's criteria "objective."

Also in its response, LPF said that the FEC failed to specifically address more than a "handful of the numerous inculpatory statements and partisan acts of the CPD's officers and directors."

The FEC "does not specifically address the remaining evidence of the CPD's partisan activities, including: [Chairman Frank] Fahrenkopf's statement that the CPD was 'not likely to look with favor on including third-party candidates in the debates' [and former director] Alan Simpson's comment that 'Democrats and Republicans on the commissionare interested in the American people finding out more about the two major candidatesnot about independent candidates who mess things up.'" Shapiro cited many other unaddressed examples as well.

LPF also responded in detail to the FEC's critique of two studies in the original lawsuit, one by Clifford Young of the international research firm Ipsos and the other by veteran political strategist Doug Schoen. The response concludes: "The FEC does not and cannot refute the fundamental mathematical principles that make the 15% rule biased against independent candidates."

The plaintiffs ask the district court to direct the FEC to find that the CPD violated federal regulations and law "by staging candidate debates in a partisan manner and without pre-established, objective criteria" and "by failing to register as a political committee and by failing to make required reports and disclosures."

If the FEC fails to act, LPF asked the judge to "authorize Plaintiffs to bring a civil action against the CPD, its executive director, and the directors who have participated in these violations of federal election law to remedy those violations."

For further information, contact Elizabeth Heaton at [email protected] / (202) 445-9858

Or Jim Glassman at [email protected] / (202) 344-5777

SOURCE Level the Playing Field
ST. LOUIS and CHICAGO, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Verve Industrial Protection, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Love as Customer Officer. Ms. Love will work with Verve's clients to help them get the most out of the company's software and services.

Ms. Love joins Verve Industrial Protection from ABB. As a process control engineer she has worked for Invensys, Honeywell and ABB. She has helped dozens of clients significantly reduce cost of service through the introduction of secure and reliable remote service offerings. She is a committed advocate in the pursuit of solving her clients most challenging operational needs.

"We are excited to welcome Jenny to our team. Verve prides itself on bringing deep industrial controls experience to all of our clients. Jenny is steeped in ICS. She will bring great insights to our clients of how to ensure their systems are secure and reliable," said John Livingston, CEO of Verve Industrial Protection.

Ms. Love will help clients bring together the power of Verve Industrial Protection's integrated set of protection and security solutions. 1) Design-4-Defense 2) Verve Security Center, and 3) Managed Asset Protection Services. Together, these solutions allow Verve to help customers build true defense in depth and cover the critical areas of security as well as compliance.

"I am excited to be part of a team of experienced industrial controls experts who are bringing cybersecurity and reliability solutions that are "built by ICS engineers, for ICS engineers. I have seen firsthand the challenges that large industrial companies face in protecting their critical assets. Verve has built the kind of solutions that I know these customers need," said Ms. Love.

About Verve Industrial Protection: Verve, formerly known as RKNeal Engineering, has been in the industrial controls engineering business for approximately 25 years. The company's flagship software product, Verve Security Center (VSC) is a vendor agnostic security suite that consolidates antivirus, application whitelisting, change & configuration management, security information & event management (SIEM), patch management, vulnerability assessments, intrusion detection, backup management, compliance, workflow and document management into a unified solution. VSC brings together threat intelligence into a single console so users can quickly and simply understand their security posture and compliance status. The company also offers industrial controls engineering and managed asset protection services to industrial clients.

For more information, please email us at [email protected], visit us at verveindustrial.com

Contact:

Rick Kaun

4038275794

[email protected]

SOURCE Verve Industrial Protection

Related Links

http://www.verveindustrial.com


Ms. Kelly will serve as co-chair of the practice with Partner Randall E. Mehrberg . With his deep experience across all areas of legal and business strategy for electric and gas utilities and power generators, the firm had tasked Mr. Mehrberg with developing a leading, full-service Energy Practice upon his re-joining the firm in March 2016 following his service as Executive Vice President at both Exelon and Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG). Since re-joining the firm, Mr. Mehrberg had been developing the practice with long-time firm partners David W. DeBruin and Matthew E. Price , who are based in the Washington, DC office.

Craig C. Martin, chair of Jenner & Block's Litigation Department, added, "With Randy's C-Suite experience, Dave and Matt's deep knowledge and great successes, and Suedeen, Max and Jeff's regulatory experience, industry knowledge and technical skills at the state and federal levels, we are well positioned to create a leading energy practice."

"Over the past several years, our outstanding team of lawyers have been handling important matters on behalf of utility and power clients," said Mr. Mehrberg. "With Suedeen, Max and Jeff's arrival, we are excited to build-out a full-service practice for energy-specific clients as well as clients with needs in this area. Suedeen's distinguished career and significant leadership positions in the energy sector will greatly benefit the firm and its clients. Her knowledge, particularly advising on regulatory matters, adds to the firm's strategic capabilities at the state and federal levels. Together with Max and Jeff, we are building a destination practice."

"Randy is an excellent choice to lead Jenner & Block's energy practice. He has deep industry knowledge and experience, is a creative thinker, builds great teams and he drives outstanding results," said Ralph Izzo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PSEG.

The new Energy Practice expands the firm's already strong reputation in serving clients in the energy sector. Jenner & Block's lawyers have extensive experience representing energy clients in a wide array of litigation and investigations, regulatory and policy matters, transactions, environmental, insurance coverage, tax and privacy and data breach response. Clients include Exelon Corporation; Pacific Gas & Electric; PSEG; Southern California Edison; American Electric Power Company; Arizona Public Service; National Grid; AES; Mitsubishi Electric; Constitution Pipeline; and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Nominated by Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama to three terms as an FERC Commissioner, Ms. Kelly resolved 7,000 disputes with published Commission decisions and personally authored 100 separate statements during her tenure. She is credited with spearheading change in numerous regulatory policies, including transmission interconnection and planning reform, integration and deployment of renewables and smart technology into the grid, the inclusion of smart grid demonstration grants in the stimulus effort, and natural gas quality standards. In addition, she has significant state regulatory experience.

"Jenner & Block practices at the highest levels of excellence and I am looking forward to contributing my skills as we build a go-to energy practice," said Ms. Kelly. "It is a privilege to be helping clients achieve success in their most challenging business, litigation and regulatory matters. On a personal note, I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Max and Jeff."

As FERC's general counsel, Mr. Minzner oversaw an office of just under 200 lawyers and legal professionals and was responsible for legal work in all areas of the Commission's statutory jurisdiction, including regulation of electricity and natural gas under the Federal Power Act and the Natural Gas Act. Among other matters, he supervised the agency's role in the litigation resulting in the United States Supreme Court decisions in FERC v. EPSA, 136 S. Ct. 760 (2016) and Hughes v. Talen Energy Marketing, 136 S. Ct. 1288 (2016). From 2009 until 2010, Mr. Minzner also helped lead the enforcement arm at FERC, investigating violations in the energy sector relating to anti-competitive activities, market manipulation and conduct that threatening the reliability of the electric grid.

Mr. Dennis has extensive experience handling FERC and state public utility commission regulation matters, as well as significant experience navigating the complexities of Regional Transmission Organization and Independent System Operator markets and planning processes.

ABOUT JENNER & BLOCK'S ENERGY LAWYERS

About Suedeen Kelly

Suedeen Kelly represents a variety of clients in the electric and natural gas industries in a variety of matters and areas. These include business affairs, regulatory issues, litigation, enforcement and policy matters such as electricity and gas markets, renewable energy, electricity transmission, natural gas and oil infrastructure, LNG, electricity reliability standards, hydro licensing, carbon emissions, smart grid, energy efficiency and distributed generation. Ms. Kelly's knowledge of the national electricity and natural gas industries includes significant experience in infrastructure development and operation, market structures and financial products, emerging technologies, federal and state laws and regulations, impending policy changes and domestic/international market interrelations. She is an experienced litigator on energy and environmental matters in federal and state courts. Ms. Kelly served as regulatory counsel for the California Independent System Operator, and in 1999, she worked as a legislative aide to Senator Jeff Bingaman, then the ranking member of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee. She also served as chairwoman and commissioner for the New Mexico Public Service Commission and was a lawyer for the Natural Resources Defense Council and US Environmental Protection Agency. Most recently, Ms. Kelly was a partner with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, where she served as chair of the firm's Energy Regulation, Markets and Enforcement Practice.

About Max Minzner

Max Minzner was most recently general counsel of FERC where he was responsible for legal work in all areas of the Commission's statutory jurisdiction. Before joining FERC, he was an associate dean and professor of law at the University of New Mexico School of Law where he taught and wrote in the areas of criminal law, criminal and civil procedure, and administrative agency enforcement. From 2009 to 2010, Mr. Minzner also helped lead the enforcement arm at FERC, investigating violations in the energy sector relating to anti-competitive activities, market manipulation and conduct that threatening the reliability of the electric grid. In this role, he helped lead the enforcement arm of FERC, investigating violations in the energy sector relating to anti-competitive activities, market manipulation and conduct that threatened the reliability of the electric grid. He also taught at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law from 2006 to 2011. Before entering academia, he was an Assistant United States Attorney in the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, where he prosecuted a wide range of federal criminal cases.

About Jeffery S. Dennis

Jeffery S. Dennis represents a variety of clients in the electric and natural gas industries on business, regulatory, litigation, enforcement and policy matters, including electricity and gas markets, renewable energy, electricity transmission, infrastructure development, electricity reliability standards, environmental regulations impacting energy production, smart grid, energy efficiency and distributed generation. He has extensive experience handling FERC and state public utility commission regulation matters, as well as significant experience navigating the complexities of Regional Transmission Organization and Independent System Operator markets and planning processes. Mr. Dennis is also an experienced appellate litigator, having presented oral argument in numerous complex energy regulatory cases in the US Court of Appeals. For more than 10 years, he served in numerous positions at FERC. As the director of the Division of Policy Development, he led FERC staff's efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of existing FERC policies and to identify new and emerging policy issues impacting FERC's statutory responsibilities.

About Randall E. Mehrberg

In addition to his legal experience, Mr. Mehrberg has had leadership experience at major, complex organizations, including serving as executive vice president, chief administrative officer/chief legal officer at Exelon and as president of PSEG Energy Holdings, a multi-billion-dollar subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group. At both Exelon and PSEG, Mr. Mehrberg had responsibility for the company's strategy, M&A and communications. At PSEG, he also oversaw government affairs, diversity and inclusion and philanthropy. Mr. Mehrberg has worked across all aspects of corporate law, including mergers and acquisitions, financings, securities, corporate governance, regulatory, commercial transactions, government relations, restructuring, work-outs, tax, real estate, environmental and labor and employment. He also has significant litigation experience, including jury trials, appeals and investigations.

ABOUT JENNER & BLOCK'S ENERGY PRACTICE

Amid high-stakes changes in the energy sector, Jenner & Block provides clients with cutting-edge strategic guidance, a nationally recognized litigation track record, public policy advocacy and deep transactional experience. Our lawyers, who include a former FERC Commissioner, the former general counsel of Exelon Corporation and former president of PSEG Energy Holdings, and the former FERC General Counsel, have experience handling the full range of issues confronting energy companies today. These issues include bankruptcy and restructuring, litigation and investigation matters, transactional and regulatory counseling, including environmental. We have also counseled energy clients on privacy and data breach response.

ABOUT JENNER & BLOCK

Jenner & Block (www.jenner.com) is a law firm with global reach, with more than 500 lawyers and offices in Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC. The firm is known for its prominent and successful litigation practice and experience handling sophisticated and high-profile corporate transactions. Firm clients include Fortune 100 companies, large privately held corporations, financial services institutions, emerging companies and venture capital and private equity investors. In 2016, The American Lawyer named Jenner & Block to the A-List, which recognizes the top 20 US law firms. The American Lawyer also recognized the firm as the #1 pro bono firm in the United States six of the past nine years; the firm has been ranked among the top 10 in this category every year since 1990.

SOURCE Jenner & Block

Related Links

http://www.jenner.com


DALLAS, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Egon Zehnder, a global leader in executive search and leadership advisory services, announced today that Joon Yoon has just strengthened the ranks of the firm's Dallas office as a core member of its global Chief Information Officer and Tech Practices.

Prior to joining Egon Zehnder, Mr. Yoon was a Senior Manager at Accenture, where he spent over 12 years working with clients in the high-tech, media and communications sectors to implement global strategy, operations and technology programs in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia/Pacific. He also spent time in East and Southern Africa, where he concentrated on fundraising initiatives and facilitating high-impact partnerships between the public and private sectors to drive economic and social development in emerging markets.

Mr. Yoon holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

"I sincerely welcome Joon Yoon to Egon Zehnder," said Arun Dhingra, who is in charge of the firm's Dallas Office. "Our clients stand to benefit greatly from his passion for leveraging technology to develop markets and boost business performance and bottom lines. His extensive project experience has taught him how to focus on clients' needs and work with them to achieve the best possible results."

About Egon Zehnder

Since 1964, Egon Zehnder has been at the forefront of defining great leadership in the face of changing economic conditions, emerging opportunities and evolving business goals. With more than 400 consultants in 69 offices and 41 countries around the globe, we work closely with public and private corporations, family-owned enterprises, nonprofit organizations and government agencies to provide board advisory services and assist with CEO and leadership succession planning, executive search and assessment, and leadership development. For more information, visit www.egonzehnder.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

SOURCE Egon Zehnder

Related Links

http://www.egonzehnder.com


RED BANK, N.J., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The beating heart of the 35th America's Cup pitting the world's best sailors and world's fastest boats against each other May 26 through June 27, 2017 is spectacularly lit for millions of visitors by low energy lighting specialists Kopa Group of Red Bank, NJ.

The iconic twin clock towers of Bermuda's Royal Naval Dockyard lit up by Kopa Group. Evening view of the America's Cup Village lit by Kopa Group.

The company specializing in energy efficient lighting solutions for commercial and industrial uses was brought in to design and engineer all lighting for the America's Cup Village constructed specifically for the month-long event within the island's historic Royal Naval Dockyard. As a planned permanent addition to the island, the village required Kopa's expertise to create something special.

Bermuda is playing host to the international sailing competition for the first time in the event's 162 year history and they are planning to deliver a memorable experience for the millions of spectators expected to attend.

Richard Kolber, Kopa's COO said, "While we lit up the roads and shopping village, it was especially rewarding to light the iconic twin clock towers, which now stands as a welcome to all who come by sea. The beauty of these towers is now a landmark at night that can be seen from miles away."

Immediately after Bermuda was awarded host duties, initial concerns were raised regarding safety at night and also lighting the area attractively. Kopa Group was retained to engineer, design, source and oversee the lighting of the venue and all its new construction covering 90 acres and 8 miles of roadway.

Renowned for crystal blue water and beautiful pink sand beaches, Bermuda's Great Sound will form a natural amphitheater for the primary race course, while the planned America's Cup Village at the Historic Royal Naval Dockyard will be the central gathering place of the America's Cup experience.

Kopa Group is headquartered in Red Bank, NJ, and specializes in Commercial & Industrial energy efficient lighting solutions.

Contact:

Richard Kolber

[email protected]

888-533-5672

SOURCE Kopa Group
NEW YORK, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- KPS Capital Partners, LP ("KPS") announced today that, through a newly formed affiliate, it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire DexKo Global Inc. and its affiliates ("DexKo Global" or the "Company"). Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

DexKo Global is the leading global supplier of highly engineered running gear technology, chassis assemblies and related components with over 130 years of trailer and caravan componentry experience. DexKo Global was formed at the end of 2015 through the combination of Dexter and AL-KO Vehicle Technology. The Company is headquartered in Novi, Michigan and employs over 4,500 employees with 39 manufacturing facilities and 25 distribution centers across the globe.

Raquel Palmer, a Partner of KPS, said, "We are very excited to acquire DexKo Global, a market leader with industry-leading quality, customer service and product innovation. We look forward to working with Chief Executive Officer Fred Bentley and the management team to aggressively grow DexKo Global both organically and through strategic acquisitions. We were drawn to DexKo Global's entrepreneurial management team and the opportunity to provide our manufacturing expertise and other strategic, operational and financial resources to its global platform. We are pleased that DexKo Global's existing controlling shareholder, The Sterling Group L.P. will continue to own a minority stake, affirming the future growth and value creation potential of DexKo Global."

Fred Bentley, Chief Executive Officer of DexKo Global, said, "The entire DexKo Global team is excited to partner with KPS as we continue to execute our strategy to be the preferred global supplier of highly engineered trailer axles, chassis assemblies and related componentry. DexKo Global strives to provide our customers with unparalleled quality, technology and customer service and KPS shares the same focus and commitment as evidenced by many successful investments in industrial businesses over the past 20 years. KPS' focus on manufacturing excellence and significant capital resources will accelerate DexKo Global's many ongoing growth initiatives."

Completion of the transaction is expected around the middle of 2017 and is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison LLP served as legal counsel to KPS and its affiliates.

About DexKo Global Inc.

DexKo Global is the leading global supplier of highly engineered running gear technology, chassis assemblies and related components with over 130 years of trailer and caravan componentry experience. DexKo Global was formed at the end of 2015 through the combination of Dexter and AL-KO Vehicle Technology. The Company is headquartered in Novi, Michigan and employs over 4,500 employees with 39 manufacturing facilities and 25 distribution centers across the globe.

About KPS Capital Partners, LP

KPS is the manager of the KPS Special Situations Funds, a family of investment funds with approximately $5.3 billion of assets under management. For over two decades, the Partners of KPS have worked exclusively to realize significant capital appreciation by making controlling equity investments in manufacturing and industrial companies across a diverse array of industries, including basic materials, branded consumer, healthcare and luxury products, automotive parts, capital equipment and general manufacturing. KPS creates value for its investors by working constructively with talented management teams to make businesses better, and generates investment returns by structurally improving the strategic position, competitiveness and profitability of its portfolio companies, rather than primarily relying on financial leverage. The KPS Funds' portfolio companies have aggregate annual revenues of approximately $3.9 billion, operate 103 manufacturing facilities in 24 countries, and employ approximately 40,000 associates, directly and through joint ventures worldwide. The KPS investment strategy and portfolio companies are described in detail at www.kpsfund.com.

SOURCE KPS Capital Partners, LP

Related Links

http://www.kpsfund.com


MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Lacework, a provider of cloud workload security solutions, will be participating at the Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit 2017, which will be held on June 12-15, 2017, in National Harbor, Maryland. The Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit 2017 is the foremost gathering of security, risk management and business continuity management leaders, delivering the insight needed to guide organizations to a secure digital business future. As a Startup Sponsor, Lacework will be hosting a booth (#K7) where subject-matter experts will discuss the benefits of Lacework Polygraph and how customers use the platform for breach detection, incident investigation, insider threat management and DevSecOps insights on their public, private and hybrid cloud workloads.

Lacework Polygraph is the industry's first zero-touch cloud workload security platform that instantly detects breaches, manages insider threats, and delivers insights into workloads, offering graphical investigation tools for public, private and hybrid cloud workloads. With Polygraph, Lacework eliminates the reliance on labor-intensive policy and rule development and time consuming log correlation activities that characterize today's alternatives. Unlike other solutions on the market today, Lacework Polygraph was developed to provide a complete picture of the entire cyber kill chain for end-to-end visibility so security professionals can connect and visualize elements of an attack or insider threat to respond more quickly and effectively.

"Two years ago, we realized that the cloud was going to need faster and more capable security," said Jack Kudale, CEO, Lacework. "Unfortunately, traditional policy-centric detection and log-based investigations are a cloud professional's nightmare and current security tools and practices aren't agile or effective for today's cloud environments. With Lacework Polygraph, we attacked the cloud security problem head on from a completely new direction that wouldn't slow things down with rules, policies, and log analysis. We look forward to showcasing the Polygraph platform at this year's Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit."

The Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit provides attendees with best practices and strategies to maintain cost-effective security and risk programs in order to support digital business and drive enterprise success. The event provides organizations with a unique opportunity to reinvent their approach to security and risk for the digital age, based on Gartner's trusted independent research and practical recommendations. The comprehensive agenda highlights the latest threats, flexible new security architectures, governance strategies, the chief information security officer (CISO) role and more.

Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit attendees are invited to stop by the Lacework booth to learn how the Polygraph platform provides a complete picture of the entire cyber kill chain for end-to-end visibility so security professionals can connect and visualize elements of an attack or insider threat to respond more quickly and effectively. To learn more about Lacework and the benefits of the Polygraph Platform, please visit the company's website and follow the company on Twitter and LinkedIn. Join the event conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #GartnerSEC.

About Lacework

Based in Mountain View, California, Lacework is the industry's first zero-touch, cloud workload security platform that provides breach detection, insider threat management, workload insights, and investigation analysis. After nearly two years of dedicated development and testing, Polygraphs, Lacework's flagship offering, has been built to significantly compress the breach detection cycle, reduce false positives, provide high precision alerts, and simplify investigation analysis. Lacework's solution provides security for dynamic datacenter, cloud and container workloads without requiring any policies, rules or manual tagging. Lacework automatically discovers customers' workloads, applications and users, along with their interactions, by creating Polygraphs. For more information, please visit https://www.lacework.com/.

Media Contact

Matt Russell

Lumina Communications on behalf of Lacework

(646) 741-8359

[email protected]

SOURCE Lacework

Related Links

http://www.lacework.com/


PALM BEACH, Florida, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Crude-oil prices rebounded Friday before the extended Memorial Day weekend while investors downplayed the notion that OPEC didn't take more aggressive measures to cut production. Oil prices had risen sharply in the days and weeks before the latest OPEC meeting fueling the belief of an extension of current production cuts. Energy and independent Oil & Gas companies with the latest developments and news this week include: Petro River Oil Corp. (OTC: PTRC), Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: OXY), Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM), Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE: CHK), Resolute Energy Corporation (NYSE: REN)

Petro River Oil Corp. (OTC: PTRC) an independent oil and gas exploration company, announced today the discovery of a second oil field in its 106,500 acre concession in Osage County, OK following the successful drilling of the Red Fork 1-3 exploration well. The Red Fork 1-3 well was spud May 15th, 2017 and was drilled to a depth of approximately 2,820 feet. Initial results indicate up to 30 feet of oil productive formation. Following flow and fracking tests, the Company plans to confirm IP rates. Read this and more news for Petro River Oil Corp at: http://www.marketnewsupdates.com/news/ptrc.html

The Red Fork 1-3 well tested multiple zones, which resulted in the discovery of a separate chat field, potentially larger than the 20 feet of oil productive formation in the Chat 2-11 discovery announced on May 15, 2017. This discovery continues to validate the Company's use of modern 3D seismic technology to identify oil structures that were overlooked in historically prolific areas. The 3D seismic identified structures containing potentially over 2.5 million barrels of oil on 1,610 acres of the 4,480 acres of structural closure.

The Company plans to announce a development program following further results from both the Red Fork 1-3 and Chat 2-11. "This is a significant 2nd discovery for Petro River and we are excited with the initial results," said Petro River president Stephen Brunner.

In other industry developments of note in markets:

Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: OXY) announced this month that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.76 per share on common stock payable on July 14, 2017, to stockholders of record as of June 9, 2017. Occidental has paid quarterly dividends continuously since 1975 and has increased its dividend each year since 2002. The current annual rate is $3.04 per share.

Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) News: To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the UTeach program, ExxonMobil has provided a grant of more than $275,000 to DonorsChoose.org that will provide each public school UTeach alumnus with funding for classroom projects. The UTeach program is an innovative, university-based teacher preparation initiative that has significantly increased the number of qualified science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers in U.S. secondary schools.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE: CHK) announced this month that it has priced its private placement to eligible purchasers of $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.00% senior notes due 2027 (the "notes"). The notes will bear interest at a rate of 8.00% per annum, payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2017. The notes will mature on June 15, 2027. Chesapeake may redeem some or all of the notes at any time prior to June 15, 2022 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus a 'make-whole' premium. In addition, Chesapeake may redeem some or all of the notes at any time on or after June 15, 2022 at the applicable redemption price in accordance with the terms of the notes and the indenture and supplemental indenture governing the notes.

Resolute Energy Corporation (NYSE: REN) announced this month the closing of its previously announced Bronco acquisition of certain oil and gas properties located in Reeves County, Texas, for an aggregate purchase price of $160 million, adjusted for normal closing purchase price adjustments. The acquisition was financed in substantial part with proceeds received from the previously announced offering of $125 million of 8.50% Senior Notes due 2020, which closed on May 12, 2017, thereby preserving significant availability under Resolute's revolving credit facility.

DISCLAIMER: MarketNewsUpdates.com (MNU) is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. MNU is NOT affiliated in any manner with OGMarketReport.com or any company mentioned herein. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by OGMarketReport.com are solely those of OGMarketReport.com and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of MNU. The companies that are discussed herein may or may not have approved the statements made in this release. MNU is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. MNU and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. MNU is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed MNU has been compensated two thousand two hundred dollars for coverage of the current commentary covering issued by Petro River Oil by a non-affiliated third party. MNU HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and MNU undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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SOURCE MarketNewsUpdates.com
BALTIMORE, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LifeMark Partners, Inc., one of the nation's largest independent national insurance marketing organizations, today announced a new member to its board of directors: Douglas A. Mishkin, president and CEO of Algren Associates, Inc. He will serve a four-year term.

"Insurance is in Douglas' blood. He has been around this industry his entire life, and that kind of institutional knowledge is priceless. With a profound understanding of the insurance market and the many nuances of the industry, we are certain that Douglas will bring a sound voice and expert advice to the board," said William Shelow, CLU, ChFC, CPCU, LLIF, president and chief executive officer, LifeMark Partners.

Douglas A. Mishkin is a third-generation insurance professional. Although he entered the family industry, Mishkin chose a different career path from his father and grandfather, who built one of the nation's largest multi-line and insurance benefits firms.

Mishkin started his career as an agent with MassMutual Financial Group and The Guardian Life Insurance Company. In 1993, he moved to the independent channel by joining Bufkin, Hefferon & Siegel, a brokerage general agency in Manhattan, as their brokerage manager. He joined Algren Associates, Inc. in 1997 and, in 2001, was named president of the firm. In 2006, he assumed the role of chief executive officer when Algren's founder retired.

An active leader in the insurance industry, Mishkin served as chairman of the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) in 2008, having previously served as a board member for seven years and as chair of its membership committee. In addition to his NAILBA involvement, Mishkin is currently an active member of the SubCenters (where he currently serves on their board of directors), the Professional Life Advisors Network (PLAN), Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU), and TYGERS study group. In 2009, Mishkin was the recipient of the Stephen A. Kramer Humanitarian Award from the UJA-Federation of New York. He is also a former director of the Life & Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers make smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families' financial future. He has sat on numerous insurance carrier field advisory councils including North American, Genworth, United of Omaha, ING and MetLife, helping strengthen and develop product lines and more effectively communicate with distribution partners.

Mishkin is frequently quoted and published in financial journals and publications and is an active speaker for national insurance and financial organizations. He has addressed international advisor forums from the Ukraine, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Western Europe. Mishkin is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business management.

"Douglas has been a part of LifeMark Partners for years and previously served on our marketing committee. With his existing knowledge of LifeMark and vast industry perspective from his work with the TYGERS study group, we are fortunate to have him on the board. We are confident that his input will continue to enhance the strategies and resources LifeMark provides to its partner BGAs," added Mark Rosen, chairman of the board.

About LifeMark Partners, Inc.

LifeMark Partners exists to leverage partner, carrier and industry resources and expertise to enhance and expand life insurance distribution for the benefit of all stakeholders. As an independent insurance marketing organization, LifeMark is dedicated to the ongoing development and enhancement of BGA partner resources to help undeniably differentiate partner agencies from the competition. Affiliates benefit from some of the most robust service offerings in the market today, including expansive underwriting capabilities, advanced case design support, sales and product benchmarking tools, and turnkey sales and marketing systems. At its core, LifeMark Partners was founded as a study group more than 40 years ago and is celebrating more than 20 years as a leading IMO. This foundation provides a unique opportunity to form strategic alliances and share best practices for partners to grow their agencies together through regular training, networking and educational opportunities. With unparalleled partnership, expertise and access to these industry-leading resources, LifeMark Partners provides affiliates The strength of many. The power of one. To learn more about the qualifications necessary to become a LifeMark partner, visit www.LifeMarkPartners.com or call 410.837.3022.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Alana Kohl

AdvisorPR

O: (702) 685-7450

C: (702) 466-4111

[email protected]

SOURCE LifeMark Partners, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.lifemarkpartners.com


MELBOURNE, Australia, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Linius Technologies Limited (ASX: LNU) (Linius) is building on its recent momentum with the hire of former Yahoo director, Kevin Kyer, as the company's Executive Vice President of its Search Division. Kyer will head one of Linius' four core industry divisions in its mission to revolutionize and unlock the vast potential of video content through its innovative concept of video virtualization.

Kevin Kyer joins Linius

As EVP, Search, Kyer will lead all commercial activity for Linius' patented Video Virtualization Engine across a broad spectrum of industries in which hyper-personalized video search results can unlock a tremendous untapped potential for both enterprises and consumers.

The groundbreaking capability of granular, frame-by-frame search identification of video content, along with the ability to deliver it in personalized formats, promises to introduce a bold new era of video search, with Kyer at the helm.

Kyer's scope will go well beyond established search-engine giants like Google. The Search Division will also target social media companies that are increasingly focused on video, and traditional enterprises with large, latent video catalogs that they struggle to exhume, share and monetize, such as news agencies and TV stations.

"We are extremely excited to welcome Kevin to the Linius family," said Chris Richardson, Linius' CEO. "Kevin not only has deep personal connections in the industry, he's a well-proven and experienced start-up executive who can both forge deals going forward and build a solid business underneath them."

Kyer joins Linius from ListGlobally, where he was COO for the software start-up that took its product to market in over 60 countries around the world with over 120 local partners. Prior to ListGlobally he spent 10 years in various rolls at Yahoo, including Director, Stream Ads Solutions, EMEA, and Director, Search Operations, EMEA.

"I'm joining Linius' executive team at a great point  an inflection point, both for the company and for the industry as a whole. Internet video already represents almost 80% of internet traffic, and it's quadrupling every five years. Meanwhile, social-media is driving expectations for instant, hyper-personalized information. There's a huge market demand, and Linius is in the driver's seat when it comes to capitalizing on that."

About Linius Technologies Limited

Linius Technologies Limited (ASX:LNU) is set to revolutionize the world of video. The Linius Video Virtualization Engine has cracked the code of content intelligence and created the next evolution of video streaming.

Linius transforms cumbersome, static video files into agile, dynamic files that can be easily manipulated on the fly, in order to deliver an enhanced, custom experience for both broadcasters and end-users in any way imaginable, and some as yet to be imagined.

Linius has the potential to transform many market sectors, and is initially focused on:

1. Delivering personalized advertising solutions for broadcasters

2. Video security and reduced piracy

3. Enhancing search engine monetization

4. Security-service applications

Linius' patented Video Virtualization Engine cuts costs and boost revenues across the multi-billion dollar video industry.

For more information, please contact:

Chris Richardson, Chief Executive Officer

Linius Technologies Limited

T: +61 3 9607 8234

Press and Media: [email protected]

Investors: [email protected]

General: [email protected]

SOURCE Linius Technologies Ltd
MEDINA, Ohio, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The longtime family-owned local business, National Carpet Mill Outlet, has expanded and renamed their new Medina superstore National Design Mart.

Operated by the King family, the all-new, expanded National Design Mart is the combination of their two Medina stores, National Carpet Mill Outlet and National Granite Luxuries.

National Design Mart Flooring Display Ryan, Dennis and Chris King cut the ribbon at National Design Mart's VIP Grand Opening Event.

Size and Product Breadth is Rare in Retail World

This 150,000 sq.-ft. store is one of the rarest retail showcases in the United States due to the extraordinary variety of flooring, countertops, cabinets, home decor and hardware. The personalized services and in-store shopping amenities, and convenient, in-house financing (0% for 6 months) provide an exceptional shopping experience.

Typically, this vast variety of offerings can be found only in numerous separate retail stores and other businesses like installation, design consulting and financing.

"There's really no place exactly like it in the country," says Ryan King, co-owner, who along with his siblings, grew up working in the National Carpet Mill Outlet in Medina.

Local Business  Not a Big Box Store

What is additionally unusual is that National Design Mart is a local enterprise with a long retail history in NE Ohio.

Dennis King, whose children Chris and Ryan King and Laura McCandless now operate the family's businesses, founded the original National Carpet Mill Outlet in 1998 and has been in the flooring and home decor industry more than four decades. King began his first business on Kenmore Boulevard in Akron selling carpet and sewing specially-embroidered mats and carpets, including one created especially for the White House.

While many stores offer some of the following products, services and shopping experiences (amenities), it is a retail rarity to offer them all under one roof.

The Wide Range of Products:

2 million sq.-ft. of flooring includes:

2700+ carpet choices  including Mohawk, Shaw, Mohawk Smartstrand Carpet, Bliss and more.

30+ hardwood styles from Bruce, Mannington, Mohawk, Armstrong, Anderson, Virginia Vintage, Homerwood and others.

90+ laminate floor brands including Quick-Step, Armstrong, and Mohawk.

1000+ ceramic tile brands  including Mohawk Ceramic, Daltile, American Olean Virginia Tile and more.

Area rugs by O.W. Sphinx, Custom Rugs  and an exclusive Christopher Lawrence line.

Countertops include:

Exclusive National Granite Luxuries brand

National Design Mart's in-house granite slab yard and cutting facility

Granite, marble and quartz countertops for kitchens and bathrooms

The best brands  including Cambria, Mont, Daltile, and Caesarstone

Cabinet selection includes:

Best brands for kitchens and bathroom vanities

Pre-finished & unfinished choices

Contemporary and classic styles

World's best brands  Echelon, Mid Continent, Omega and Hardware Resources

Home decor includes:

Furniture

Beds

Decorative hardware

Much more

Unique In-Store Experience

Supervised children's area  the Kids' Kingdom is open for creative play while parents shop

 the Kids' Kingdom is open for creative play while parents shop Working room demos  see tiles, flooring and other products in a completely designed setting

 see tiles, flooring and other products in a completely designed setting Cafe  cozy spot with complimentary coffee for project planning or just relaxing

 cozy spot with complimentary coffee for project planning or just relaxing In-store designers  design experts to help you every step of the way  from beginning ideas to guiding you through final professional installation

100% Guaranteed Sales and Services

Highly-trained, professional experts install your flooring, countertops and cabinets

Convenient in-house financing  0% financing for 6 months  available directly from National Design Mart

About National Design Mart

National Design Mart in Medina brings wholesale buying power to home decor customers in Northeast Ohio by offering premium flooring, countertop, and cabinet brands and products at affordable prices. The store carries over 2 million square feet of carpet and other flooring for residential, commercial and institutional customers throughout the Northeast Ohio region, including Akron, Cleveland, Wooster and Medina. Residential and commercial customers choose from their vast in-stock and special order inventory of carpet, laminate flooring, hardwood flooring, ceramic tile, vinyl, area rugs, granite countertops, quartz countertops, prefinished and unfinished cabinets, and more. The store offers in-store financing and high-quality installation services that work around your schedule. http://www.nationalcarpetmilloutlet.com/national-design-mart/

Contact Info

Diane Rankin

646-315-2525

[email protected]

SOURCE National Carpet Mill Outlet
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- After a terrorist bombing at the Manchester Arena on May 22, the United Kingdom's threat level for terrorism remains "severe". Ahead of the summer travel season, travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth, explains the impact of the "severe" designation for travelers visiting Europe.

Future Attacks Can Be Covered

Although an ensuing attack is "highly likely", the "severe" threat level does not impact the availability of travel insurance for those with upcoming trips planned to the U.K.

Most insurance providers view another attack as a separate event from the Manchester bombing, meaning future incidents in Europe can be covered, as long as the traveler buys their policy before an attack occurs.

"Unfortunately, it is too late to buy a new policy with coverage for the Manchester attack," says Squaremouth spokesperson Megan Singh. "However, travelers who purchased a policy with terrorism coverage before May 22nd may be able to cancel."

What the Terrorism Benefit Covers

Most travel insurance policies with the Terrorism benefit cover a traveler to cancel an upcoming trip if an attack is declared an act of terrorism, and occurs in or near their destination within 30 days of their arrival.

Concern Over Terrorism Reaches an All-Time High

Interest in terrorism coverage is the highest it's ever been, according to Squaremouth sales data. Travelers going to Europe are the most concerned, especially those traveling to the five most popular European countries.

Annual Increase in Sales with Terrorism Coverage for Top 5 European Destinations

Italy (+110%) United Kingdom (+85%) France (+130%) Spain (+63%) Germany (+94%)

Squaremouth's Terrorism Travel Insurance Information Center explains coverage related to recent terrorist incidents, including the Manchester concert bombing. This resource is updated regularly as information becomes available for each event.

ABOUT SQUAREMOUTH

Squaremouth compares travel insurance policies from every major travel insurance provider in the United States. Using Squaremouth's comparison engine and third-party customer reviews, travelers can research and compare insurance products side-by-side. More information can be found at www.squaremouth.com

Available Topic Expert:

Steven Benna

[email protected]

(727) 619-7262

SOURCE Squaremouth

Related Links

http://www.squaremouth.com


RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Marken today announced it has launched a new hybrid logistics service which leverages the UPS global transportation network, and has already received customer commitments for the new service. The hybrid service enables Marken to utilize the UPS network, including its expansive airline, for a portion of the route. The hybrid offering reduces reliance on commercial aircraft for many routes, and when using the UPS airline, Marken can enhance the quality and value proposition of their service. Hybrid solutions involving a mix of dedicated and common carrier fleets have been offered in the past, but this is the first time the specialty and integrator services are owned by the same parent company, ensuring seamless integration, superior visibility and dedicated customer care.

An undisclosed client recently awarded a contract for hybrid services to Marken only a few short months after the UPS acquisition. For this customer, Marken collects shipments of biologic material from sites in Russia, consolidates them in Moscow, and transports them to their final destination using the UPS airline, which flies from Moscow to its hub in Cologne, Germany, and onward to all European destinations. With the hybrid solution, clients can trust Marken to manage the entire service process with its high touch service, employing the most cost effective transport modes and lanes to manage the shipments. Similar hybrid solutions are being designed for customers in Mexico, the United Kingdom and continental Europe.

Marken has also developed a reverse logistics hybrid service for efficient return of re-useable packaging and tracking devices. This service is now being offered to clinical trials clients who prefer Marken's specialized outbound delivery for sensitive clinical drug products using traditional routing, but who can also use UPS for the return of reusable materials. This new service minimizes reverse logistics costs for non-critical items.

"We want customers to think of Marken as the clinical subsidiary of UPS," said Wes Wheeler, Marken's Chief Executive Officer. "We intend to continue executing on our strategy to be the supply chain service provider of choice for the clinical trials community, and to expand our broad range of services supporting the movement of clinical drug product, clinical drug substance, medical devices, biologic samples and other regulated materials."

"Our traditional specialty services, which our clients have come to expect, remain in place as our core offering. With UPS behind us, we are now able to expand our services to include hybrid and integrator services as well," added Wheeler. "We will maintain responsibility for the client relationship while leveraging UPS global transportation network and solutions capabilities when we can offer improved service or greater value."

According to Geoff Light, UPS President of Healthcare Strategy, Marken can now offer their clinical clients more full service solutions. "Wes and his team have worked very closely with us following the acquisition to fully appreciate the breadth of the UPS network and its capabilities. We continue to work together to refine the solutions offered to clients. We are confident that our customers will find tremendous upside when choosing logistics solutions that take advantage of the efficiencies of Marken and UPS working together."

About Marken

Marken is a wholly owned subsidiary of UPS. Marken is the only patient-centric supply chain organization 100% dedicated to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. Marken maintains the leading position for Direct to Patient services and biological sample shipments and offers a state-of-the-art GMP-compliant depot network and logistic hubs in 45 locations worldwide for clinical trial material storage and distribution. Marken's more than 730 staff members manage 50,000 drug and biological shipments every month at all temperature ranges in more than 150 countries. Additional services such as biological kit production, ancillary material sourcing, storage and distribution, shipment lane verification and qualifications, as well as GDP, regulatory and compliance consultancy add to Marken's unique position in the pharma and logistics industry.

SOURCE Marken

Related Links

http://www.marken.com


NEW YORK, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mesothelioma Victims Center says, "A construction or a remodeling worker who has recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma should take their potential financial compensation seriously. We urge a person like this, or family members acting on their behalf, to call us anytime at 800-714-0303 for on-the-spot access to some of the nation's most skilled mesothelioma attorneys who consistently get the best mesothelioma financial settlements for their clients.

Construction Worker

"When we say on-the-spot access what we mean is that you will be talking directly to one of the nation's most skilled attorneys who has experience working on mesothelioma compensation claims for all types of construction workers for well over a decade nationwide." http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

How could a construction or a remodeling/renovation worker been exposed to asbestos?

A construction worker or skilled tradesperson could have easily been exposed to asbestos on a residential or commercial jobsite prior to 1980. The most at risk construction trades include:

Carpenter

Plumber

Electrician

Welder

Pipefitter

Insulator

Roofer

Tile installer

Mason

Drywall Installer

Concrete Worker

Boiler Technician

Note: These types of construction workers could have easily been exposed to asbestos by simply going to work each day, especially if their work happened before 1980; there were no prohibitions or bans on asbestos related products prior to 1980.

As the Mesothelioma Victims Center would like to discuss with anyone interested, a remodeling construction worker could still be exposed to asbestos on a regular basis. The Center recently heard from a construction crew member in Oklahoma who had just completed the renovation of a commercial structure who was exposed to significant amounts of asbestos for about 30 days. He and his crew members completely gutted a commercial building that was built in the 1950s. His asbestos exposure included insulation, drywall, insulated plumbing pipes, floor tiles, an old boiler, and radiators. According to the worker, "He and his coworkers would leave work each day and be covered head to foot in asbestos."

According to the Mesothelioma Victims Center, "These are the types of construction practices that caused people in the construction industry to be exposed to asbestos prior to 1980 and even today. Mesothelioma typically takes between 30 to 50 years to fully develop. If you are a current of former construction worker and you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma please call us anytime at 800-714-0303 to ensure you are talking directly with some of the nation's top mesothelioma attorneys who really do get the best compensation results for their clients." http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

According to the CDC the states indicated with the highest incidence of mesothelioma include Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Louisiana, Washington, and Oregon.

However, based on the calls the Mesothelioma Victims Center receives a construction worker or skilled tradesman with mesothelioma could live in any state including New York, Florida, California, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, or Alaska.

High-risk work groups for exposure to asbestos include US Navy Veterans, power plant workers, shipyard workers, oil refinery workers, steel mill workers, manufacturing/factory workers, pulp or paper mill workers, plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics, machinists, miners, construction workers, insulators, rail road worker, roofers, or firemen. As a rule, these types of workers were exposed to asbestos in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, or 1980's. US Navy Veterans make up about one-third of all US Citizens who are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

The Mesothelioma Victims Center says, "When it comes to obtaining the best mesothelioma settlement, the quality of the attorney matters, as we would like to explain anytime at 800-714-0303. Please don't shortchange yourself when it comes to mesothelioma financial compensation." http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

Media contact:

Michael Thomas

[email protected]

800-714-0303

SOURCE Mesothelioma Victims Center

Related Links

http://www.mesotheliomavictimscenter.com


NEW YORK, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlights

 The global millimeter wave (MMW) technology market is estimated to reach USD 8.69 billion by 2025, according to the new report by Grand View Research, Inc.

 Millimeter waves are radio frequencies operating in the electromagnetic spectrum of 30 GHz to 300GHz, also known as Extremely High-Frequency (EHF) range. As the millimeter waves are capable of transmitting large amounts of data with greater efficiency, they hold a major application across the telecommunication industry.

 Currently, fiber-optic cables are one of the best transmission mediums being used, extensively, for data transmission.

 The millimeter waves technology market is highly consolidated, in terms of applications and components, where it is extensively used.

The global millimeter wave (MMW) technology market is estimated to reach USD 8.69 billion by 2025, according to the new report by Grand View Research, Inc.



Millimeter waves are radio frequencies operating in the electromagnetic spectrum of 30 GHz to 300GHz, also known as Extremely High-Frequency (EHF) range. As the millimeter waves are capable of transmitting large amounts of data with greater efficiency, they hold a major application across the telecommunication industry.





Currently, fiber-optic cables are one of the best transmission mediums being used, extensively, for data transmission. However, the fiber optics technology is extremely costly and the network is highly tedious to install, posing the millimeter wave technology as an appealing alternative for the fiber-optics medium.



The millimeter waves technology market is highly consolidated, in terms of applications and components, where it is extensively used. The major application areas of the technology include telecommunication, military & defense, medical, and security services. The advancements in the telecom industry are leading to the evolution of next-generation technologies such as 5G.



Owing to the demand for higher bandwidths in the fifth-generation technology, millimeter waves are expected to play a prominent role in the development of 5G technology. As the market is experiencing a shift toward the adoption of fifth-generation technology, the millimeter wave technology market is thus anticipated to grow, significantly, during the forecast period.



Moving further, the increasing focus of the governments and international security authorities toward curbing down the global threats, looming due to the increasing terrorist activities, such as plane hijacking and bomb-blasts, is leading to the adoption of enhanced security measures. These measures prominently include the adoption of millimeter wave scanners across international airports and other crowded places in the urban areas.



The increasing demand of MMW scanners for security purposes is expected to boost the MMW technology market. The emerging markets of the Asia Pacific and South America & MEA regions are the expected to be the potential markets capable of offering strong growth opportunities for the technology, owing to the increasing awareness of security measures.



Intensive R&D activities and investments from the private and publics sectors, coupled with government funding & initiatives, are paving way for improved technologies. Additionally, the increasing use of MMW in the telecom sector and small cell backhaul applications are projected to be the key driving factors responsible for the overall industry growth.



North America contributed for the majority of the market share of more than 45.0% in 2015. The massive market share across the region can be accredited to the extensive adoption of the MMW technology in several sectors. However, the Asia Pacific region is expected to exhibit the remarkable growth over the estimated duration.



The millimeter waves are prone to environmental conditions such as rainfall, humidity, and fog, as their propagation characteristics are hampered by these conditions. Besides, range limitations and line-of-sight communication are few other factors that may hinder the applications of the technology. However, the obstructions hindering the growth of the market are expected to overcome with time, lowering their impact, owing to the intense R&D being carried out by the researchers and the key players in the MMW technology area.



Further key findings from the report suggest:

The millimeter wave technology is gaining attraction, owing to its ability to transmit large amounts of data with greater efficiency



Furthermore, the increasing use of MMW technology in small-cell backhaul applications and the upcoming 5G technology are expected to drive the market, worldwide



The radar & satellite communication systems segment is projected to dominate the market with the fastest growing CAGR of beyond 42.0% during the forecast period



As the fiber-optics technology is a costly medium for data transmission, millimeter waves are gaining traction, owing to their lower cost and equally efficient technology



The E-band frequency segment is poised to witness the highest growth rate, owing to its extensive applications in telecommunication equipment and products



The Asia Pacific market is anticipated to undergo a considerable shift on account of the increasing telecommunication and military & defense applications in countries such as China, and Japan.



Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04899199/Millimeter-Wave-MMW-Technology-Market-Analysis-By-Product-Telecom-Equipment-Imaging-Scanning-And-Radar-Satellite-Communication-Systems-By-Component-Application-Frequency-Band-Segment-Forecasts.html



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



http://www.reportlinker.com



__________________________

Contact Clare: [email protected]

US: (339)-368-6001

Intl: +1 339-368-6001

SOURCE Reportlinker

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The report " Motor Soft Starter Market , By Voltage (Low & Medium), Rated Power (Up to 100 kW & >100 kW), Application (Pumps, Fans, & Compressors), Industry (Oil & Gas, Water & Wastewater, Power Generation, & Mining), and Region - Global Forecast to 2022 ", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Motor Soft Starter Market is expected to grow from an estimated value of USD 1.37 billion in 2017 to USD 1.84 billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 6.08% from 2017 to 2022. The global market is set to witness a significant growth due to the increasing demand for industrial pumps and their cost-effectiveness and minimal space requirements.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )



Browse 64 market data tables and 67 figures spread across 157 pages and an in-depth TOC of the "Motor Soft Starter Market"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/motor-soft-starter-market-117691183.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

The low voltage segment is expected to hold the largest share of the Motor Soft Starter Market, by voltage, during the forecast period

The low voltage segment includes motor soft starters up to 690 V and is expected to hold the major share due to the widespread adoption of low voltage motors in various industries globally. The low voltage motor soft starters find their major application in water & wastewater, paper & pulp, chemicals, cement, petrochemicals, and utility-type industries. Asia-Pacific is the largest market for low voltage motor soft starters because of the presence of developing economies such as China and India, which have experienced rapid rate of urbanization and industrialization. All these factors are expected to boost the low voltage Motor Soft Starter Market.

Download PDF Brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=117691183

The pumps segment is the largest Motor Soft Starter Market, by application

The pumps segment held the largest share in the Motor Soft Starter Market in 2016 due to various pump applications such as chilled water pumps, cooling tower pumps, utility pumps, process pump, and offloading pumps, among others. Moreover, soft starters play an important role in order to protect wear and tear of motors which are driving these pumps. . Industries such as water & wastewater, oil & gas, chemicals & petrochemicals, cement, and paper & pulp involve processes that require pumps for various pumping applications. Any damage to motors which are driving these pumps can affect various processes in these industries.

Water & wastewater to be the fastest growing industry segment in the Motor Soft Starter Market

The water & wastewater segment is expected to be the fastest growing Motor Soft Starter Market, by industry, from 2017 to 2022 due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, especially in developing regions such as Asia-Pacific and the Middle East & Africa. The global demand for water is expected to increase by around 50% in the coming 30 years. So, the increasing demand for clean water in all parts of world is likely to boost the demand for motor soft starters in the water & wastewater segment. Motor soft starters are required in order to avoid problems such as water hammering, voltage fluctuation, and pressure surges. Moreover, motor soft starters are preferred solutions due to features such as torque control and smooth start & stop functions.

Asia-Pacific: The fastest growing market for motor soft starters

In this report, the Motor Soft Starter Market has been analyzed with respect to five regions, namely, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, the Middle East & Africa, and South America. Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the global Motor Soft Starter Market, owing to the growing demand for industrial pumps and rising power generation capacity in the region. China is expected to dominate the Motor Soft Starter Market in the Asia-Pacific region. Countries such as China, India, and Japan are having high growth prospects in the Asia-Pacific Motor Soft Starter Market. Increasing electricity demand and industrialization projects in these countries are the main reasons spurring the growth of the Motor Soft Starter Market in the region.

Make an Inquiry @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=117691183

To enable an in-depth understanding of the competitive landscape, the report includes profiles of some of the top players in the Motor Soft Starter Market. These players include ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Eaton Corporation, PLC (Ireland), Siemens AG (Germany), General Electric Company (U.S.), and Schneider Electric SE (France). Leading players are trying to penetrate the markets in developing economies and are adopting various strategies to increase their market share.

Browse Related Reports:

Motor Control Centers Market by Type (Intelligent and Conventional), Voltage (Low and Medium), & End-User (Industrial and Commercial), Component, Standard (IEC and NEMA), and by Region - Trends & Forecasts to 2021 http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/motor-control-centers-market-227058918.html

Electric Motor Sales Market by Type (AC and DC), Voltage (< 1 kV, 1 kV-6.6 kV, and > 6.6 kV), Output Power (< 1 hp and > 1 hp), End-User (Industrial, Commercial, Residential, Transportation, and Agriculture), and Region - Global Forecast to 2021

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/electric-motor-market-alternative-fuel-vehicles-717.html

Subscribe Reports from Energy & Power Domain @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Knowledgestore.asp

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions.

Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model - GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.

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MarketsandMarkets

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
MUMBAI and NEW YORK, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Nivesh.com, an innovative mass market mutual funds investment platform targeting mainly the highly potential markets in the tier 2 and 3 cities of India, has raised angel funding from a group of successful entrepreneur-turned investors.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/517167/Nivesh_Logo.jpg )



The investors in this round include Rahul Gupta, CEO of Right Global Infosolutions and former president at private equity firm Sonoma Management Partners; Sandeep Shroff, CEO of Silicon Valley-based MyStartUpCFO.com and former head of investor relations at Infosys, and P V Sahad, founder and former CEO of The VCCircle Network.

"The amount raised will be used for network expansion, reaching out to more customers, and for improving the investment experience," said Anurag Garg, Founder and Chief Executive, Providential Advisory Services Pvt Ltd, the Noida, Uttar Pradesh-based company which owns Nivesh.com.

This emerging paperless investment platform will adopt an omni channel approach for on boarding investors while simplifying the scheme selection process by categorizing funds as per broad investment objectives, providing a healthy mix of equity and debt schemes.

Mutual funds are at an inflection point with the ongoing fundamental shift of investments from physical to financial assets, the emergence of game-changing Aadhar-based E-KYC, the government push for digitalisation and financial inclusion, and new payment innovations.

The company is primarily targeting the underpenetrated markets of second and third tier cities and towns and is betting on the growing awareness among middle class Indians of the need for participating in equity markets for wealth creation and goal-based financial planning.

"The mutual fund industry grew 17 times in the last 15 years. However, top five states accounting for only 23 percent of population and 35% of GDP have contributed 71% of the total mutual fund AUM while the rest of the country with 77% population accounted only for 29% of the AUM. There is a huge gap and therefore our mission is to take mutual funds as an investment product to every nook and corner of the country," Garg said.

This omni channel platform was founded in August last year by Anurag Garg, who had earlier set up mutualfundsindia.com, which was later acquired by rating agency ICRA. Sridhar Srinivasan, former India head at global investment research platform Visible Alpha, joined later as Co-founder.

The new investors have a proven track record of founding and building companies. An entrepreneur, Rahul Gupta runs a software services company out of Chandigarh and Bangalore, and has invested in 8 start-ups, besides being an independent director in many listed and unlisted companies. P V Sahad, who founded VCCircle in 2005, sold the company to global media and information giant News Corp in 2015, and has mentored several entrepreneurs. Shroff, who has been helping start-up companies, runs a firm that provides outsourced CFO services based out of Silicon Valley, and had earlier co-founded Gridstone Research.

In line with its future plans to tap the mass retail mutual funds market, the platform will be available in local languages, beginning with Hindi in a few months. Nivesh.com intends to work on creating investor awareness and has conducted six extremely well received programmes in many smaller cities in association with asset management companies. The platform will also be available through local distributor partners, who will assist their clients in on boarding and transactions.

About Nivesh.com

Nivesh.com is a mass market mutual funds investment platform. Nivesh.com is a paperless experience for the investors. The platform simplifies the process by categorizing funds as per broad investment objectives, and further curating schemes to provide a shortlist. The aim is to take away the complexity while ensuring objective investment process. After initial account creation, investors can transact in mutual funds in few simple steps. Post transaction, the platform helps in tracking the portfolio performance with timely alerts and notifications.

Local business partners are key elements in our strategy. They assist investors in the on boarding process and make them comfortable in using the platform for transactions and tracking performance.

Nivesh.com is owned by Providential Advisory Services Private Limited. The Company was incorporated on 1st August 2016 and commenced operations on pilot basis in January 2017. We are now live and scaling up our operations in a steady manner.

For more information, please visit: https://www.nivesh.com/

For more details contact:

Mr. Anurag Garg

+91-96500-95592

Email: [email protected]



Ms. Vandana Pathak

+91-99202-15589

Email: [email protected]



SOURCE Nivesh.com
IRVINE, Calif., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Netwrix Corporation, provider of a visibility platform for user behavior analysis and risk mitigation in hybrid environments, today announced the release of Netwrix Auditor Free Community Edition. This new freeware helps small businesses and startups stay informed about what's happening across their IT infrastructures while meeting budgetary constraints.

IT pros in small companies spend a lot of time poring over piles of log data trying to find out exactly what is happening in the IT environment. Built on proven Netwrix technology, the free edition of Netwrix Auditor provides visibility into changes and access events in hybrid IT environments by tracking user activity across on-premises and cloud-based systems.

The key benefits of Netwrix Auditor Free Community Edition include:

Automated user activity monitoring. The free edition of Netwrix Auditor tracks all changes and access events made during the last 24 hours, including the before and after values for each modification, and automatically delivers the information straight to your mailbox every single day. This helps IT pros spot critical changes that could lead to security incidents or systems downtime, such as the altering of permissions to sensitive folders on a file server, the installation of suspicious software and so on.

The free edition of Netwrix Auditor tracks all changes and access events made during the last 24 hours, including the before and after values for each modification, and automatically delivers the information straight to your mailbox every single day. This helps IT pros spot critical changes that could lead to security incidents or systems downtime, such as the altering of permissions to sensitive folders on a file server, the installation of suspicious software and so on. Scalability. Netwrix Auditor Free Community Edition scales with your business and seamlessly upgrades to the full version of Netwrix Auditor, which delivers complete visibility into user behavior for data security and risk mitigation.

Netwrix Auditor Free Community Edition scales with your business and seamlessly upgrades to the full version of Netwrix Auditor, which delivers complete visibility into user behavior for data security and risk mitigation. Cost efficiency . The free edition of Netwrix Auditor provides customers with reports on user activity in their IT environments for as long as they need at no cost.

. The free edition of Netwrix Auditor provides customers with reports on user activity in their IT environments for as long as they need at no cost. Wide scope of supported systems. All systems supported in the commercial edition of Netwrix Auditor are also supported in the free edition, which eliminates the need to juggle multiple free tools that report on events in only one particular system. The list of supported systems includes Active Directory, file servers, Exchange, Windows Server, Oracle Databases, SQL Server, Office 365 and more.

"Unfortunately, not only large enterprises fall victims of data breaches. Over the last few years, we have seen rapid growth in cyber attacks hitting small companies and startups. Although SMBs require a thorough understanding what is going on across their networks, they often lack the human and financial resources to deploy a full-scale visibility solution. Netwrix meets this market demand by providing freeware that enables small companies to stay on top of what's going on in their IT environments at no cost," said Michael Fimin, CEO and co-founder of Netwrix.

For more information, visit: https://www.netwrix.com/free_community_edition.html

About Netwrix Corporation

Netwrix Corporation was the first vendor to introduce a visibility and governance platform for hybrid cloud security. More than 160,000 IT departments worldwide rely on Netwrix to detect insider threats on premises and in the cloud, pass compliance audits with less effort and expense, and increase productivity of IT security and operations teams. Founded in 2006, Netwrix has earned more than 100 industry awards and been named to both the Inc. 5000 and Deloitte Technology Fast 500 lists of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. For more information, visit www.netwrix.com.

CONTACT:

Erin Jones

Avista PR for Netwrix

P: 704.664.2170

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Netwrix Corporation

Related Links

http://www.netwrix.com


DALLAS, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CMOs, brand managers, and event planners alike worldwide are putting more emphasis on in-person brand experiences, according to a new survey conducted by Freeman, the leading global provider of brand experiences, and SSI, provider of data solutions and technology for consumer and B-to-B survey research. As marketers see the positive results from immersive, sensory brand experiences  encompassing everything from events, trade shows, sponsorships, virtual and hybrid events, and exhibits, to permanent installations, virtual or augmented reality experiences, and cutting-edge pop-ups  they expect to increase spend in this area to get closer to customers, build loyalty, and remain top of mind in purchase decisions.

The study polled nearly 1,000 marketing professionals across North America, Asia and Western Europe, in roles focused on both B-to-B and B-to-C segments, confirming that brand experience is more central to their roles today than it was in the past. They believe both B-to-B and consumer audiences seek more personalized interactions with brands, and more than nine out of 10 of them agree that brand experiences deliver stronger face-to-face interactions and more compelling brand engagements.

"The role of brand experience continues to increase in scope and importance, as audience expectations evolve," said Chris Cavanaugh, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Freeman. "Steep competition, changing demographics and more sophisticated audiences mean now, more than ever, marketers need new approaches. The right brand experiences have the power to evolve brands, build relationships and inspire action. Our new research helps us understand brand experience as a medium of the future."

Across the board, more than two-thirds of survey respondents agree that brand experience is an effective way to reach their organizations' goals. Key findings from the research include:

By and large, marketers feel brand experience is great for building loyalty, with 59 percent of chief marketing officers (CMOs) recognizing brand experience for its ability to create ongoing relationships with key audiences.

As marketers realize the value of brand experiences, they are shifting spend, with more than one in three CMOs expecting to allocate 21-50 percent of their budget to brand experience marketing over the next three to five years.

Marketers believe in customizing experiences to create stronger connections, yet they may not be moving fast enough. Currently, the top three tactics they are using to drive brand experience are standard: website (58 percent), social media (57 percent) and email marketing (51 percent). However, when it comes to immersing an audience into a brand, there's an entire toolbox of game-changing technology out there. Companies involved in more than 20 events per year are taking greater advantage of these tools, which include interactive touch screens, location mapping, virtual reality, and gamification.

In Asia especially, marketers appear to be early adopters of more immersive, interactive technologies, with 42 percent tapping into sensory interaction as a way to personalize brand experience, compared to 28 percent in North America and 13 percent in Western Europe ; 31 percent of Asian companies using virtual reality, compared to a meager 7 to 9 percent elsewhere. Gamification is another growing digital integration, with 22 percent of companies in Asia versus only 9 percent and 13 percent for their respective counterparts.

especially, marketers appear to be early adopters of more immersive, interactive technologies, with 42 percent tapping into sensory interaction as a way to personalize brand experience, compared to 28 percent in and 13 percent in ; 31 percent of Asian companies using virtual reality, compared to a meager 7 to 9 percent elsewhere. Gamification is another growing digital integration, with 22 percent of companies in versus only 9 percent and 13 percent for their respective counterparts. Brand experience is growing across all sectors, yet when looking at marketing roles within an organization, there is a disconnect, providing an opportunity for greater alignment. For example, 48 percent of CMOs value brand experience for its ability to showcase thought leadership, yet that number drops to 33 percent among brand managers and 28 percent among event planners. More than 58 percent of CMOs feel brand experience delivers strong impact in connecting audiences to their brands and increasing advocacy, yet those numbers drop by 13 to 18 percent with brand managers and event planners.

For more insights or to download the full Freeman brand experience survey, please visit http://bit.ly/2q6I6ON.

ABOUT FREEMAN

Freeman is the world's largest brand experience company. We help our clients design, plan and deliver immersive experiences for their most important audiences. Through comprehensive solutions, including strategy, creative, logistics, digital solutions and event technology, Freeman helps increase engagement and drive business results. What makes us different is our collaborative culture, intuitive knowledge, global perspective and personalized approach, gained from our 90 years as an industry leader. Freeman is a family-owned company with 90+ locations worldwide and over 7,000 employees, 2,000 of whom are located outside the U.S. For more information, visit www.freeman.com.

Social Networks:

Blog: www.freeman.com/insights

Twitter: www.twitter.com/freemanco

Facebook: www.facebook.com/freemanfans

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-freeman-company

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FreemancoVideos

Instagram: www.instagram.com/freemancompany/

SOURCE Freeman

Related Links

http://www.freeman.com


CAMDEN, N.J., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters (NRCC) announced its endorsement of City Councilman Frank Moran for Mayor, along with his running mates Angel Fuentes, Sheila Davis and Curtis Jenkins.

The endorsement event will be held on Wednesday, May 31st at 4 p.m. at the Roosevelt Plaza Park (North Fifth Street, Camden, NJ).

"Camden's rebirth is the work of many individuals and organizations like the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters, which are committed to seeing the City Invincible rise to greatness once again," said Frank Moran, mayoral candidate and current Camden City Council President. "Throughout my career, I have fought to ensure the rights of workers. I'm honored to have the support of the NRCC because the organization understands that quality and integrity in both your craft and leadership speaks volumes."

John Ballantyne, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the NRCC, stands by Moran as he runs for Mayor.

"The NRCC is proudly supporting Moran during the campaign because of his continued fight for key worker rights issues that are important to union workers," said Ballantyne. "Now more than ever, we need political leaders who will defend and fight for the middle class and its workers."

About the NRCC:

The Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters (NRCC) represents thousands of hard-working men and women throughout the states of Delaware and New Jersey, plus regions in Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania, making it one of the largest trade unions on the East Coast. The NRCC equips professional craftsmen with the skills that are demanded in today's construction industry. Its regional structure ensures that the organization can work cooperatively with contractors and maintain the superior quality of workmanship that contractors have come to expect from union carpenters. For more information about the NRCC please visit: http://www.northeastcarpenters.org.

SOURCE Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters (NRCC)

Related Links

http://www.northeastcarpenters.org


MONT-SAINT-GUIBERT, Belgium, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Advanced biopharmaceutical company NOVADIP BIOSCIENCES, which pioneers the growth of 3-dimensional tissues derived from adipose stem cells to regenerate bone and soft tissues, announces that Mr. Eric Paul Paques has been appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors. With his strong experience leading the Grunenthal Group to impressive growth, combined with his proficiency in pharmaceutical R&D, Mr. Paques is well-positioned to support Novadip Biosciences in the next phases of its international development.

For over 20 years, Mr. Paques played a key role in the success of the research-based, family-owned pharmaceutical company Grunenthal Group (Aachen, Germany), including as CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board from 2013 through 2016. Mr. Paques holds a Ph.D. of Biochemistry from Max-Planck Institute (Germany) and Universite catholique de Louvain (Belgium), and completed the Advanced Management Programme of INSEAD (France). He has published more than 70 articles and secured more than 30 patents. He sits on the Boards of a number of companies as well as foundations and academies and teaches at the RWTH-University (Germany).

"Appointing Eric Paul as Chairman of the Board marks an important step in Novadip's development," comments Jean-Francois Pollet, CEO of Novadip Biosciences. "He brings a remarkable expertise not only in driving organisational growth, but also in strengthening R&D activities and portfolios to meet today's regulatory, operational and commercial demands. With his track record of successful approvals for pharmaceutical products arising from R&D, he has in-depth understanding of what is needed in order to maximize the performance of our new products."

"Eric Paul has a strong international outlook combined with proven skills in developing partnerships with major players in the advanced pharmaceutical industry," adds Denis Dufrane, CSO of Novadip Biosciences "We are delighted that he will bring his dedication to the role of Chairman of the Board, and are confident that his support will be decisive as our fast-growing company extends the potential of its innovative therapies."

"Eric Paul is a highly respected industry executive with a compelling expertise in the pharmaceutical industry " highlights Philippe Durieux, former Chairman of the Board and CEO of Sopartec and VIVES Fund. "We are honoured that a top executive of his calibre has accepted to join a UCL spin-off company. This decision also validates our attractiveness in pioneering and sustainable technologies."

Mr. Paques expressed his pleasure at being appointed Chairman of the Board of Novadip Biosciences: "I am excited to join Novadip's board of directors and to support the talented team of innovators working together with Jean-Francois and Denis. Regenerative medicine is rapidly evolving and the proprietary technology developed at Novadip has the potential to provide a breakthrough therapy in multiple indications with very high medical needs".

About NOVADIP BIOSCIENCES:

Founded in 2013 by Dr. Denis Dufrane and Dr. Jean-Francois Pollet, Novadip Biosciences is a regenerative medicine spin-off company from Universite catholique de Louvain (UCL) and St. Luc University Hospital. The creation of Novadip Biosciences was supported by the Louvain Technology Transfer Office (LTTO), Sopartec and VIVES II. Novadip Biosciences pioneers the growth of 3-dimensional biologics based on adipose-derived stem cells, to regenerate hard and soft tissues. The flagship of the company's product family is NVD-001, a revolutionary, ready-to-use and biological 3D osteogenic structure that can be modelled to fill any bone defects. The technology has also been used to develop the second family product in the portfolio, NVD-002, a biological bandage for skin tissue applications, designed to avoid formation of painful scars.

Web : http://www.novadip.com

SOURCE NOVADIP
QUEENSLAND, Australia, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Europe & More becomes the ideal talk, text, and data plan for people travelling to Europe and other countries with an increased coverage to encompass 70 nations. Priced at $29.95, including $10 for voice, data, and text, the Europe & More plan is the lowest-priced cell phone service.

OneSimCard

The Europe & More becomes the ideal plan for anyone looking at buying an inexpensive voice, text, and data plan while travelling to Europe or even the US. The plan gives users a SIM card with Direct Dialing feature. Through this plan, the users can continue to receive calls on their domestic number while retaining one European number for any country of travel. The user needs to have an unlocked 3G or GSM phone to avail the service. Outgoing calls in some added countries are completed with a callback. The list of callback countries is marked on the Rates and Coverage page.

The service has a European and a US/Canada number preprogrammed with the OneSimCard Europe & More account. Either receive the calls on the original number or forward them to the OneSimCard acquired numbers or use the Personal Extra Numbers (PENs). Customers can move their PENs between the SIM cards in their account. A $5 fee will be charged for each PEN movement directly from the SIM card. PENs are movable between personal and corporate accounts. Customers with more than one OneSimCard VoIP enabled PEN can switch between the PENs.

Along with the improved Europe & More country coverage and PEN movability, OneSimCard offers better deals in their Super Select Data Packages for ALL SIM cards. The plan covers the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Greece, Greenland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and the USA. It provides 1000 MB of data for use in the included countries and territories. It is valid for 30 days and costs only $19.00, which is less than $0.02 per MB!

About OneSimCard

OneSimCard is a leading mobile service provider for international travellers with low-cost text, voice, and data service globally. It is a division of Belmont Telecom, Inc. With OneSimCard, travellers save 85% of their international roaming charges in comparison to the domestic carriers. The service is widely acclaimed by industry experts such as Boston Globe, Washington Post, The New York Times, and PC Magazine.

Contact Information

Roy A. Heimowitz

Director of Marketing & Sales

[email protected]

Related Links

OneSimCard

International Cell Phone Rates

SOURCE OneSimCard

Related Links

http://www.onesimcard.com.au


SEOUL, South Korea, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kims Living, a baby disinfector manufacturer, announced that it would hold a campaign and begin crowdfunding from May 23 for Cute Tok through Indiegogo in the United States.

Cute Tok is a product for disinfecting pacifiers using anions emitted from the UV lamp that can reduce the load for mothers when going out. It is a portable product that boasts 99.9% disinfection rates.

The portable baby goods disinfector Cute Tok is shaped like a Kisses chocolate and is easy to carry around, lessening the trouble of having to carry around two or three bottles when going out. Furthermore, it is an item that can rid the concerns of mothers of having to disinfect pacifiers and teething rings when they fall on the ground while babies play with them.

A marketer at Kims Living explained, "It is possible to disinfect products that babies put in their mouths anytime, anywhere," and added, "It is common for babies to drop pacifiers while outdoors, so many mothers take two or three out with them at a time. But with Cute Tok, it is possible to disinfect 99.9% of all viruses and germs in just four minutes."

Furthermore, Cute Tok uses high luminance lamps and internal designs that reduce ozone generation by more than 80% when compared to other baby UV disinfectors, thus solving the problem with corrosion of pacifiers, etc.

The UV lamp of this product is semi-permanent and can be used for approximately 10,000 hours. It applies AA batteries to minimize inconveniences for charging while outdoors, and has low-power consumption functions so that it could be used for approximately one month.

CEO of Kims Living Kim Nam-joo said, "Since launching in the Korean market in June 2016, it took first place in sales for baby pacifier disinfectors in just half a year," and added, "It is receiving good reviews from local buyers at overseas exhibits such as in Japan, Hong Kong, mainland China, Vietnam, and India."

She explained why she developed this product saying, "When I first used a portable baby bottle and pacifier disinfector, I became interested in it as it is an essential product for babies and mothers. Soon after, I realized that there were many inconveniences for such products and felt the need to develop a product that gives more consideration to mothers."

The crowdfunding campaign is currently underway as a BI commercialization support program by the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, Gyeongbuk Office, and Busan Techno Park, and Winners Lab is in charge of the practical affairs.

Cute Tok will carry out the campaign through Indiegogo in the United States until June 23, and will be sold at $19 USD during the super early bird period, and then at $39 USD at regular prices.

Cute Tok homepage: http://www.cutetok.com/eng/

SOURCE Cute tok

Related Links

http://www.cutetok.com/eng/


HARRISBURG, Pa., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Can Prebiotin play a role in managing and possibly preventing an illness that affects more than 500,000 Americans every year, with more than 29,000 related deaths? Yes, says Dr. Wilson Jackson, Prebiotin prebiotic fiber medical director, in an interview for the Peggy Lillis Foundation (PLF). The foundation has been building a nationwide clostridium difficile (C. diff) awareness movement by educating the public, empowering advocates, and shaping policy since it was founded in 2010.

Christian John Lillis, PLF's executive director, interviewed Dr. Wilson Jackson, a gastroenterologist and son of Prebiotin founder, Frank W. Jackson, MD, on the growth and management of microbiome-related illnesses like C. diff. "Dysbiosis is the term applied to the unfavorable population of bacteria that may adversely affect a person's health," says Jackson. "We have over 600 different species of bacteria in our gut, and C. diff is one them, but it's normally kept in check by the other bacteria. Antibiotic use can throw the whole balance off."

Peggy Lillis, the mother of PLF co-founders Christian and Liam Lillis, died from a C. diff infection after antibiotics prophylaxis following a dental procedure in 2010. "Most cases of C. diff infection, including our mother Peggy's, are precipitated by using antibiotics, which often deplete the good gut bacteria along with the bad. This dysbiosis allows infections like C. diff to take over. That's why we share Prebiotin's deep belief that a healthy gut microbiome is a vital part of good health," says Christian John Lillis.

During the interview for the blog, Jackson explains that according to research studies, Prebiotin, oligofructose-enriched inulin (OEI), is able to help a better microflora take root. With the product's ability to nourish the desirable bacteria in the colon, Jackson uses the prebiotic fiber before, during, and after Fecal Microbial Transplantation (FMT), which has a 90% + cure rate for C. diff in his practice.

"Our protocol is to place a patient on Prebiotin prior to the FMT, then at least three weeks following the procedure. We also add Prebiotin to the FMT slurry at the time of the transplant. We advise staying on Prebiotin to reduce the likelihood of C. diff recurring," says Jackson, who notes that FMT also shows promise of helping patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's colitis.

Jackson concludes, "We are at the beginning of what may prove a revolution in disease and health management. Better understanding of the interplay between the microbiome and our health will enable us to educate the medical community and impact patient care."

The Peggy Lillis Foundation shares Jackson's emphasis on developing a better understanding of the microbiome. On April 27, 2017, 60 leaders and advocates attended the foundation's second Advocates Summit & National Strategy Meeting in New York City, with presentations from experts in the fields of medicine, public health, activism, microbiology, and others. For more information, visit the Peggy Lillis Foundation website.

Prebiotin is currently involved in two NIH studies and several others with leading research universities and Health Canada. Studies using natural supplements have been and still are rare. "Most studies involving structure-function health claims or disease categories are with drugs, which is why Prebiotin is proud to be included in so many reputable studies," says Prebiotin CEO, Ron Walborn Jr.

Jackson GI Medical/Prebiotin was founded by visionary prebiotic pioneer Dr. Frank Jackson in 2008, and is dedicated to the responsible development and marketing of medically credible nutritional supplements backed by third-party research. Located in Harrisburg, PA, the company can be reached at 855-466-3488 or online at http://www.prebiotin.com.

* Disclaimer: Prebiotin helped sponsor the Peggy Lilli Foundation 2016 Gala; however, this relationship and interview does not constitute an endorsement of Prebiotin prebiotic fiber by the PLF, its staff, or board of directors.

Contact: Anne Mercer Larson

Prebiotin Director of Marketing and Public Relations

855-466-3488

[email protected]

SOURCE Prebiotin

Related Links

http://www.prebiotin.com


CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Constellium, a global manufacturing leader in aluminum products and solutions, has awarded Quaker Chemical Corporation (NYSE:KWR, "Quaker") with the 2016 Constellium Muscle Shoals Supplier Excellence Award.

As part of a supplier incentive program to make Constellium more competitive in the market, Quaker has excelled as a top supplier. Flavio Alberino, Procurement Director of Constellium's Muscle Shoals plant, commented, "Quaker is a top supplier performer and clearly deserved this award for its outstanding work and committed team."

At the Muscle Shoals (Alabama, USA) plant, the Quaker emulsion performance resulted in significant Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) savings surpassing the benchmarked target. Quaker achieved this decrease in average cost/mm lbs in the hot line rolling oil with a similar production output level.

An award ceremony was held in April 2017 at the Muscle Shoals site that was attended by Constellium executives and Quaker Associates.

Quaker's aluminum rolling expertise and high-performance fluids (https://www.quakerchem.com/expert-experience/industry-expertise/aluminum) deliver solutions for every process in the mill. The rolling oils and lubricants are formulated to be compatible with downstream processes allowing for the most productive, cost-effective transitions possible from casting to coil.

About Quaker Chemical Corporation:

Quaker Chemical is a leading global provider of process fluids, chemical specialties, and technical expertise to a wide range of industries, including steel, aluminum, automotive, mining, aerospace, tube and pipe, cans, and others. For nearly 100 years, Quaker has helped customers around the world achieve production efficiency, improve product quality, and lower costs through a combination of innovative technology, process knowledge, and customized services. Headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania USA, Quaker serves businesses worldwide with a network of dedicated and experienced professionals whose mission is to make a difference. Visit quakerchem.com to learn more.





SOURCE Quaker Chemical Corporation

Related Links

http://www.quakerchem.com


WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Reynolds American Inc. (NYSE: RAI) today announced its proposed leadership team after the anticipated third-quarter acquisition of RAI by British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BAT).

Debra A. Crew will remain as president and CEO of RAI. Should the acquisition be successfully completed, she will report to Nicandro Durante, president and CEO of BAT.

Andrew D. Gilchrist, currently executive vice president and chief financial officer of RAI, has indicated that, in the event of the completion of the proposed acquisition, he intends to resign from the company shortly thereafter. Gilchrist's replacement will be named in the future, and will report to Crew.

Should the acquisition be successfully completed, the majority of RAI and its subsidiaries' senior executives will remain with the RAI companies. The executives who plan to remain, and their titles at RAI or one of its subsidiaries, will be as follows:

Michael P. Auger , president of RAI Trade Marketing Services Co.;

, president of RAI Trade Marketing Services Co.; Lisa J. Caldwell , executive vice president and chief human resources officer of RAI, RAI Services Co. (RAIS) and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (RJRT);

, executive vice president and chief human resources officer of RAI, RAI Services Co. (RAIS) and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (RJRT); Joseph P. Fragnito , president and chief commercial officer of RJRT;

, president and chief commercial officer of RJRT; Carolyn C. Hanigan , president of RAI Innovations Co.;

, president of RAI Innovations Co.; Nancy H. Hawley , executive vice president of operations of RJRT;

, executive vice president of operations of RJRT; Daniel J. Herko , executive vice president of R&D of RJRT and executive vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs of RAIS;

, executive vice president of R&D of RJRT and executive vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs of RAIS; Martin (Mark) L. Holton III , executive vice president of legal and external affairs and general counsel of RAI and RAIS;

, executive vice president of legal and external affairs and general counsel of RAI and RAIS; N. Winton Jennette , senior vice president of strategy and planning of RJRT;

, senior vice president of strategy and planning of RJRT; Kevan A. Ostrander , vice president of information management of RAIS; and

, vice president of information management of RAIS; and Mark A. Peters , senior vice president of decision support and transition planning of RAIS and chief financial officer of RJRT.

"I'm delighted that so many of our companies' strong, seasoned leaders will remain in their roles following completion of the proposed acquisition," Crew said. "As a group, we are committed to our shared vision of transforming the U.S. tobacco industry, and we are confident that being part of a much larger, global organization will enable us to achieve this vision and amplify our success," she said.

In the weeks ahead, a new executive vice president of consumer marketing for RJRT is expected to be named, as Cressida Lozano, the current executive vice president of consumer marketing for RJRT, has indicated that, in the event of the completion of the proposed acquisition, she intends to resign from the company later this year.

In addition to Gilchrist and Lozano, J. Brice O'Brien, the current executive vice president of public affairs and chief communications officer, has indicated that, in the event of the completion of the proposed acquisition, he intends to resign from the company shortly thereafter. Following such departure, his responsibilities will be assigned to Mark Holton, in addition to Holton's continuing role as RAI's general counsel.

"Our companies owe Andrew Gilchrist, Brice O'Brien and Cressida Lozano tremendous thanks for their leadership and commitment to our shared success," Crew said. "Should these resignations occur, we wish them all the best in their future endeavors."

RAI's acquisition by BAT is subject to approval by both companies' shareholders as well as other customary closing conditions. RAI continues to expect the transaction to be completed in the third quarter of 2017.

Web and Social Media Disclosure

RAI's website, www.reynoldsamerican.com, is the primary source of publicly disclosed news, including our quarterly earnings, about RAI and its operating companies. RAI also uses Twitter to publicly disseminate company news via @RAI_News. It is possible that the information we post could be deemed to be material information. We encourage investors and others to register at www.reynoldsamerican.com to receive alerts when news about the company has been posted, and to follow RAI on Twitter at @RAI_News.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in this communication that are not historical in nature, including financial estimates and statements as to regulatory approvals and the expected timing, completion and effects of the proposed transaction, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this communication and in documents incorporated by reference, forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the benefits of the proposed transaction, including future financial and operating results, financial forecasts or projections, the combined company's plans, expectations, beliefs, intentions and future strategies, and other statements that are not historical facts, and other statements that are signified by the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "objective," "outlook," "plan," "project," "predict," "possible," "potential," "could," "should" and similar expressions. These statements regarding future events or the future performance or results of Reynolds American Inc. ("RAI") and its subsidiaries or the combined company inherently are subject to a variety of risks, contingencies and other uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those described in or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Among the risks, contingencies and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements or could result in the failure of the proposed transaction to be consummated, or if consummated, could have an adverse effect on the results of operations, cash flows and financial position of RAI or the combined company, respectively, are the following: the failure to obtain necessary shareholder approvals for the proposed transaction; the failure to obtain other necessary approvals for the proposed transaction, or if obtained, the possibility of being subjected to conditions that could reduce the expected synergies and other benefits of the proposed transaction, result in a material delay in, or the abandonment of, the proposed transaction or otherwise have an adverse effect on RAI or the combined company; the failure to satisfy required closing conditions or complete the proposed transaction in a timely manner or at all; the effect of restrictions placed on RAI's and its subsidiaries' business activities and the limitations put on RAI's ability to pursue alternatives to the proposed transaction pursuant to the merger agreement; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; the failure to realize projected synergies and other benefits from the proposed transaction; failure to promptly and effectively integrate RAI into British American Tobacco p.l.c. ("BAT"); the uncertainty of the value of the proposed transaction consideration that RAI shareholders will receive in the proposed transaction due to a fixed exchange ratio and a potential fluctuation in the market price of BAT common stock; the difference in rights provided to RAI shareholders under North Carolina law, the RAI articles of incorporation and the RAI bylaws, as compared to the rights RAI shareholders will obtain as BAT shareholders under the laws of England and Wales and BAT's governing documents; the possibility of RAI's directors and officers having interests in the proposed transaction that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of RAI shareholders generally; the effect of the announcement of the proposed transaction on the ability to retain and hire key personnel, maintain business relationships, and on operating results and businesses generally; the incurrence of significant pre- and post-transaction related costs in connection with the proposed transaction; evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; and the occurrence of any event giving rise to the right of a party to terminate the merger agreement. Discussions of additional risks, contingencies and uncertainties are contained in RAI's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

Due to these risks, contingencies and other uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this communication. Except as provided by federal securities laws, RAI is not under any obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Additional Information

This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed transaction involving RAI and BAT. In connection with the proposed transaction, BAT has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-4 that includes the proxy statement of RAI that also constitutes a prospectus of BAT. The registration statement has not yet become effective and the proxy statement included therein is in preliminary form. RAI plans to mail the definitive proxy statement/prospectus to its shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BAT, RAI, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and shareholders may obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by RAI and BAT through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders may obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by RAI by contacting RAI Investor Relations at [email protected] or by calling (336) 741-5165 or at RAI's website at www.reynoldsamerican.com, and may obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by BAT by contacting BAT Investor Relations at [email protected] or by calling +44 (0) 20 7845 1000 or at BAT'S website at www.bat.com.

RAI, BAT and their respective directors and executive officers and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from RAI shareholders in respect of the proposed transaction that is described in the proxy statement/prospectus. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from RAI shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC. You may also obtain the documents that RAI files electronically from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Information regarding RAI's directors and executive officers is contained in RAI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which was filed with the SEC on February 9, 2017, and its Form 10-K/A, which was filed with the SEC on March 20, 2017. Information regarding BAT's directors and executive officers is contained in BAT's Annual Reports, which may be obtained free of charge from BAT's website at www.bat.com.

This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities in any jurisdiction pursuant to the acquisition, the merger or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.



ABOUT US

Reynolds American Inc. (NYSE: RAI) is the parent company of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, Inc.; American Snuff Company, LLC; Niconovum USA, Inc.; Niconovum AB; and R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company.

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company is the second-largest U.S. tobacco company. R.J. Reynolds' brands include Newport , Camel and Pall Mall.

, Camel and Pall Mall. Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, Inc. manufactures and markets Natural American Spirit products.

American Snuff Company, LLC is the nation's second-largest manufacturer of smokeless tobacco products. Its leading brands are Grizzly and Kodiak.

Niconovum USA , Inc. and Niconovum AB market innovative nicotine replacement therapy products in the U.S. and Sweden , respectively, under the ZONNIC brand name.

, Inc. and Niconovum AB market innovative nicotine replacement therapy products in the U.S. and , respectively, under the ZONNIC brand name. R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company is a marketer of digital vapor cigarettes, manufactured on its behalf by R.J. Reynolds, under the VUSE brand name in the United States .

Copies of RAI's news releases, annual reports, SEC filings and other financial materials, including risk factors containing forward-looking information, are available at www.reynoldsamerican.com. To learn how RAI and its operating companies are transforming the tobacco industry, go to the RAI website, Transforming Tobacco.

SOURCE Reynolds American Inc.

Related Links

http://www.reynoldsamerican.com


CHICAGO, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Redwood Logistics (Redwood), a top-100 3PL provider and one of the fastest growing logistics companies in North America, was named one of Chicago's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For for the fourth consecutive year. Only companies that distinguish themselves as having the most innovative and thoughtful human resources approach can receive this honor.

"I come into work each morning energized by the talented, smart, fun individuals who make up the team here at Redwood," said Todd Berger, president and CEO, Redwood Logistics. "I am extremely proud of the culture we've created over the last 15 years and of the continued success and growth we've seen  and will continue to see  as a result."

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For is a program of the National Association for Business Resources that provides the business community with the opportunity to gain recognition, showcase their best practices and demonstrate why they are an ideal place for employees to work. This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole.

To be selected as a Best and Brightest company, an independent research firm evaluates each company's entry based on key measures in various categories. Those categories include compensation, benefits and employee solutions; employee enrichment, engagement and retention; employee education and development; recruitment, selection and orientation; employee achievement and recognition; communication and shared vision; diversity and inclusion; work-life balance; community initiatives; and strategic company performance.

"Profitability and stability is essential for businesses in today's economic climate. Companies that recognize that their employees are the key to their success achieve staying power. Our 2017 winners create their human resource standards to ensure employee satisfaction and they set standards for every business to aspire toward," said Jennifer Kluge, CEO of Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. "We are proud to honor this year's winners."

The National Association for Business Resources will honor the Best and Brightest companies on Monday, July 17, 2017 at the Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge.

The winning companies also compete for 13 elite awards, one granted for each category. In addition, an overall winner that has excelled in all categories will be honored with a Best of the Best Overall award. The elite award winners will be revealed during the luncheon.

Chicago's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For is sponsored by Baudville, CORP! Magazine, BASIC, Kelly Services, Comerica Bank, ABC 7 Chicago, NOW Health Group, FONA International Inc., Mutual Trust Life Insurance Company, The Management Association of Illinois, Assurance, Verizon Wireless, and Clark Hill.

About Redwood Logistics

Chicago-based Redwood Logistics is a next-generation, strategically integrated logistics provider that believes every company's needs are unique. For more than 15 years, the company has been providing solutions for moving and managing freight and sharing its knowledge across North America. Redwood helps its customers be more successful in their end markets by applying talented and motivated people, proven processes and cutting-edge technologies to optimize their supply chain management efforts. For more information, please visit us at www.redwoodlogistics.com.

SOURCE Redwood Logistics

Related Links

http://www.redwoodlogistics.com


DUBLIN, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicles Market 2017-2021" report to their offering.

The global compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles market to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% during the period 2017-2021.

This report, Global Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicles Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.

The latest trend gaining momentum in the market is growing use of CNG in luxury vehicles. The adoption of CNG in the luxury vehicles segment is high. In 2017, Audi offers A4 Avant g-tron, which can be run on CNG or gasoline. Audi A4 Avant g-tron is equipped with 2.0 turbo fuel stratified injection (TFSI) engine, oducing 170 HP power, generating a maximum torque of 270 Nm. Audi has altered the pistons and valves of the model, specifically for gas operation, and to ovide very low comession ration adequate for CNG vehicles.

According to the report, one of the major drivers for this market is growth in CNG market in APAC. The demand for diesel in China has declined since 2014, and there is an increasing demand for CNG and LNG powered vehicles in China. In 2013, there were approximately 250,000 NGVs in the commercial industry, mainly confined to heavy duty trucks and commercial buses.

Further, the report states that one of the major factors hindering the growth of this market is huge unorganized aftermarket for CNG vehicles in India. The aftermarket for CNG kits is a highly unorganized sector. In June 2016, the government of Delhi imposed a temporary ban on the endorsement of retrofitted CNG in passenger cars. After this interim court order, the Department of Transport in Delhi banned retrofitting of CNG conversion kits in used cars mainly due to safety related concerns. The State Transport of Delhi demanded that CNG vehicles, which are available in the aftermarket to be certified by authenticated authorities. CNG is a highly inflammable fuel, and the kits were deemed unsafe to be used in cars.

Key vendors:

Ford Motor

Volkswagen

General Motors (GM)

Honda Motor

Nissan

Other prominent vendors:

Audi

Chevrolet

Key Topics Covered:

Part 01: Executive summary

Part 02: Scope of the report

Part 03: Research Methodology

Part 04: Introduction

Part 05: Market landscape

Part 06: Market segmentation by application

Part 07: Geographical segmentation

Part 08: Key leading countries

Part 09: Decision framework

Part 10: Drivers and challenges

Part 11: Market trends

Part 12: Vendor landscape

Part 13: Key vendor analysis

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/trllh4/global_compressed

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

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TORONTO, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of their acclaimed IIROC and FPSC approved Masterclass series, "A Revolution in Global Asset Allocation," ReSolve Asset Management is proud to announce two additional courses launching in June 2017 (and available on demand thereafter).

ReSolve Asset Management

"This market has Advisors confounded," notes ReSolve President Mike Philbrick. "It's eerily calm, despite policy uncertainty, high valuations and the potential for rate hikes later this year." But these conditions create Advisor demand for advanced educational courses on global asset allocation, diversification, and risk management.

For the 2017 series, ReSolve sought out some of the brightest minds in global asset allocation. "Yes, our firm has a specific way of doing things," points out ReSolve's CIO Adam Butler, "But our way isn't the only way. A lot of strategies fly under the flag of 'global asset allocation,' and to provide our audience with the most robust content, it was important to involve our friends in the industry."

Future courses will involve the likes of Meb Faber (Cambria Investments), Larry Swedroe (The Bam Alliance), Corey Hoffstein (Newfound Research), Jack Vogel (Alpha Architect), and others.

ReSolve will lead off the series on June 8, 2017, with "Risk Parity: A Long-Term Perspective." The course will examine 90 years of market history to highlight the stark differences between how Risk Parity actually works, versus how it is perceived to work.

Meb Faber of Cambria Investments will follow on June 20, 2017, with "What are Global Stock Market Valuations Saying?" The session will revisit the much-maligned Shiller CAPE ratio to examine whether or not valuations are still a useful investment signal. "Valuations for U.S. stocks and bonds are sending a perilous message about prospective returns," states Mr. Faber. "The trick is not using valuations as a timing tool, but rather a gauge of future returns. And right now, prospective returns are more attractive for those diversifying globally."

To realize the ambitious vision of the Thought Leaders in Asset Allocation series, ReSolve was grateful for the opportunity to partner once again with leading Canadian Advisor community AdvisorAnalyst.com. "We were very excited about the results of the 2016 Asset Allocation Masterclass," says Managing Editor Pierre Daillie. "And with the end of IIROC Cycle 6 nearing its end, we look forward to bringing more top-tier multimedia content to our industry-leading Advisor network."

Visit www.investresolve.com/ce-credit-upcoming-webinars for more information on upcoming courses.

About ReSolve Asset Management:

ReSolve Asset Management delivers ETF Managed Portfolio Solutions focused on global asset allocation. The firm stands for rules-based adaptive portfolios prioritizing diversification and downside protection for strong, stable returns through most market environments. ReSolve serves advisors and institutions in Canada, and advisors, institutions, and individuals in the United States. To learn more about our offerings, including SMA, ETF and ReSolve Online Advisor, or to learn more about our research methods, visit our research blog at InvestReSolve.com/blog or our website at InvestReSolve.com.

Contact:

Ani Yildirim

Director, Marketing and Communications

[email protected]

(1) 647 2531135

Related Images

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image2.jpg

SOURCE ReSolve Asset Management
BRUSSELS, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The war in Donbass in the East of Ukraine has lasted for 3 years; there is daily fighting, with civilian casualties. The war takes away people's homes, their loved ones and their future. In the center of Europe, in the 21st century.

According to the UN, 3.8 million people in Ukraine need humanitarian aid. 2.3 million live in the territory beyond Ukraine's control, including 600,000 - in close proximity to the demarcation line. More than 620,000 people need food, about 38,000 of them are displaced residents who were forced to leave their homes. More than 200 children were injured.

It takes away the lives of children and elderly people, causes them to starve; every day millions of people struggle to survive in inhuman living conditions. All of them, without exception, need a guarantee of security and the end of war. The toll of human suffering and misery for the affected people includes their housing, their ability to work, to earn a livelihood, and look after their families, schooling for their children, healthcare, medical and social services, the payment of pensions and benefits and their general well-being.

The Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center is a private initiative of one person - Rinat Akhmetov - that was created as a rapid response unit to provide practical aid and relief to civilians. The Center has been helping them to cope with this disaster for 3 years. First aid to civilians was provided by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, which works since 2005. In May 2014, the Foundation began to evacuate and resettle civilians. In August 2014, the Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center was established on the basis of the Foundation. Its purpose was to save people. To help them survive, to provide the necessary assistance. For 3 years of work, the Center saved more than 1 million civilians in the East of Ukraine from starvation disease and shelling and became the largest humanitarian mission in this territory, - Alexander Vishnyakov , the director of the Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center, underlined during today's press conference.

Since August 2014, more than 39,000 people have been evacuated from the scene of fighting by the efforts of the Center, 11.7 million of adults and children have received food packages, more than 100,000 people - target medical assistance and psychological counseling.

The rehabilitation of wounded children in the course of military activities has become one of the demanded project. In the first year, 58 children went through rehabilitation. 5-year-old Milana from Mariupol is among these children. During the shelling in January 2015, the girl's mother died covering her daughter with her body. Milana herself lost her leg and now is getting used to wearing the prosthesis.

"I thank the Lord every day for the miracle that He committed, sending us so many merciful people. They all shared their heart with my granddaughter. I would like to express special gratitude to the Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center that helped with Milana's treatment and rehabilitation. The Center's psychologist has worked with my granddaughter for 2 years, and I see how she is getting calmer and quietly getting used to a peaceful life," - Olga Abdurashitova , grandmother and guardian of little Milana says.

The trouble is so large-scale that even the largest organization cannot cope with it alone. Thanks to the combined efforts of international humanitarian missions such as the Red Cross, UNICEF, People in Need and the Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center, during the last 3 years a humanitarian catastrophe in the big European country has been prevented.

Since February 28, 2017, the activity of the Foundation has been blocked in the uncontrolled territory by representatives of the self-proclaimed authorities. 500,000 people left without help.

But the people affected by the war still need help and they need support mechanisms. This will need the effort and attention of governments, businesses and civil society.

"Today humanitarian organizations have no possibility to provide the necessary assistance for old people and children in the territory beyond Ukraine's control. That is why the important part of uniting our efforts is to communicate to the world the real stories of the war victims. Specific people. They cannot turn back time to their past happiness, but they all need help to save their future." - Natalia Yemchenko, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Center, stressed. "Europe should be informed about this war by the first source. We call on you to write about the victims of this war in the center of Europe, so that it never happens again."

Also see: http://www.fdu.org.ua/en

SOURCE Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Centre
CORALVILLE, Iowa, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Last week, Robin Walenta, President and CEO of West Music presented Iowa Senators Joni Ernst and Charles Grassley with a flag in representation of the two school districts in Iowa that were recognized as the Best Communities for Music Education by The NAMM Foundation. The two school districts, Davenport Community School District and Sioux City Community School District, were recognized earlier this year by The NAMM Foundation as part of the organization's Best Communities for Music Education awards program which honored 527 districts across the nation for their commitment to music education.

Walenta made the presentation as part of the annual NAMM Music Education Advocacy D.C. Fly-In, May 22-24. Along with nearly 100 music industry leaders, notable artists, and arts education activists, Walenta took to Capitol Hill to advocate for all school-aged children to have access to quality, comprehensive school music education programs. The issue of music education takes on a special significance this year as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed into law in 2015 by President Obama readies for state-level implementation in 2018 in the face of proposed budget cuts. New research also shows strong ties between K-12 school students who actively participate in school music education programs and overall student success. A recent study of students in the Chicago Public Schools by brain researchers at Northwestern University, detailed in Neuroscientist and Education Week, builds on previous findings that participation in music education programs helps improve brain function, discipline and language development.

"Music and music making is vitally important to offering students a well-rounded education," shared Walenta. "We join this week of advocacy to reinforce the importance of funding music and the arts, and in this case, to share the stories and an award of the districts in our home state where music is making a difference. The Best Communities for Music Education award represents the dedication of the students, teachers, administrators and community at large in Iowa that value the importance of music education."

West Music is a third generation locally owned and family operated business. For over 75 years, West Music has been the area's leading partner in music education, specializing in pianos, guitars, drums and percussion, band and orchestra instruments, and print music as well as offering music instruction, repair, and music therapy services. With seven retail locations in Iowa and Illinois as well as award-winning ecommerce websites dedicated to servicing music education and percussion communities, West Music strives to encourage people of all ages and abilities to play now and play for life.

To view images of the presentations, please visit: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dxsdqy3vuqcoii8/AAAcZzU5w-pa5SKp95SUkx-va?dl=0

To learn more about the event or for interviews, please contact:

Lisa Lafler

West Music

(319) 351-2000 ext. 1163



About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of approximately 10,300 member companies located in 103 countries. NAMM events and members fund the NAMM Foundation's efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music, and advance active participation in music making across the lifespan. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org, call 800.767.NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

SOURCE NAMM

Related Links

http://www.namm.org


Consolidated profit after tax for Q4 FY-17 at Rs. 52.34 cr (Rs. 0.52 Billion) against Rs. 36.94 cr (Rs. 0.37 Billion) in Q3 FY-17, registering a Q-o-Q growth of 41.7%.

Consolidate Profit before Tax and exceptional items for Q4 FY-17 at Rs. 63.35 cr (Rs. 0.63 Billion) against Rs. 36.37 cr (Rs. 0.36 Billion) in Q3 FY-17, registering a Q-o-Q growth of 74.2%.

Consolidated Revenue for Q4 FY-17 at Rs. 731.28 cr ( Rs 7.31 Billion ) against Rs. 911.23 cr (Rs. 9.11 Billion) in Q3 FY-16, registering a Q-o-Q decline of 19.7%.

) against Rs. 911.23 cr (Rs. 9.11 Billion) in Q3 FY-16, registering a Q-o-Q decline of 19.7%. Consolidated Profit after Tax and exceptional item for twelve months FY-17 at Rs. 166.74 cr (Rs. 1.67 Billion) against Rs. 183.79 cr (Rs. 1.84 Billion) in previous year, registering a Y-o-Y decline of 9.3%.

Consolidate Profit before Tax and exceptional items for twelve months FY-17 at Rs. 178.50 cr (Rs. 1.79 Billion) against Rs. 145.83 cr (Rs. 1.46 Billion) in previous year, registering a Y-o-Y growth of 22.4%

Consolidated Revenue for twelve months FY-17 at Rs. 3179.88 cr ( Rs.31 .80 Billion) against Rs. 3799.59 cr (Rs. 38.00 Billion) in previous year, registering a Y-o-Y decline of 16.3%.

.80 Billion) against Rs. 3799.59 cr (Rs. 38.00 Billion) in previous year, registering a Y-o-Y decline of 16.3%. The Board of Directors have not recommended dividend for Financial year 2017.

Mr. K. K. Singh, Chairman and Managing Director said, "We have been charting a course to constantly transform Rolta to remain relevant in the face of relentlessly changing digital technologies and market needs while still remaining focused on core competencies and transition from Services to a predominantly IP led Solutions organization. We are now able to bring together rich solutions powered by our growing portfolio of IP and uniquely combining these with deep vertical specific domain expertise together with decades of Geospatial, Engineering and Enterprise IT experience. This long and arduous journey for transformation of close to a decade required significant investments while Rolta's growing product portfolio was enriched and started gaining global acceptance. Going forward, I am confident Rolta will greatly benefit from nonlinear growth because of our IP led Solutions."

CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS

Rolta now owns a vast repository of around 250 registered copyrights for software packages powering the Company's differentiated Digital Transformation Solutions in the areas of Defence, Smart Cities, Cloud, Enterprise and Cyber Security as well as BI and Big Data Analytics. As part of its ongoing innovation each of the products suites are enriched with new features and functionality based on a well-defined roadmap and formal releases. This is clearly reflected by Rolta's innovative solutions continuing to receive industry recognitions and accolades. The Company's persistent efforts at developing cutting edge IP was recently rewarded with the grant of one more patent (No. US 9,594,955 B2) by the US Patent & Trademark Office with several more being in the pipeline. This patent is for a fast-computational algorithm enabling dynamic display and will be a critical differentiator in defence applications.

This year, the Geospatial World Forum honored Mr. K. K. Singh, the Founder of Rolta, as a 'Living Legend' in the Geospatial Hall of Fame, one amongst ten such World Leaders in the Geospatial Industry recognized globally.

A few notable awards received by Rolta during the year include Frost and Sullivan naming Rolta as the "IT Solutions Provider - Oil & Gas" for the 2nd consecutive year recognizing the Company's outstanding achievements in 'Digital Transformation' while Rolta in the US was recognized by VMWare with the Global Professional Services Partner of the Year award for Rolta's Cloud Solutions.

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

The world of information technology is changing dramatically with the emergence of disruptive Digital technologies. The nexus of these technologies and the pervasive hyper connected networks is responsible for the deluge of digital data and is posing major challenges to organizations. Rolta with its rare combination of deep Geospatial and Engineering expertise combined with its IT prowess and differentiated IP based software packages has developed an enviable track record to help its customers on their Digital Transformation in each of the areas it serves.

Defense and Security

Rolta has successfully deployed its Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) solutions at more than 175 installations with the armed forces in India, enabling them to achieve synergy in inter service military operations. Extensively deployed along the sensitive land borders, they are being exploited to ward off current threats in day to day operations.

As one of the world leaders in Geographical Information Systems, this year Rolta joined a handful of companies worldwide, with the latest 64-bit release of its C4ISR software suite which brings sophisticated technology to fully exploit the latest advances in satellite and aerial imaging. This Next Generation ISR Solution seamlessly integrates Photogrammetry and Imaging with GIS to dynamically generate and display vast expanses of high quality imagery necessary for intelligence, operational planning and execution. This release sees several major enhancements for Data Creation supporting latest generation of satellites, multiple change monitoring algorithms to detect changes, Strategic and Tactical planning, Operational and Mission planning with a bevy of tools such as line of sight, Counter Infiltration and Counter Terrorism modules amongst others. These features and functionalities have been well received and appreciated at various levels across the armed forces.

During the year, the Company won multiple prestigious orders from National Remote Sensing Establishments incorporating Rolta IP to enable these data processing agencies with all-weather, day and night reconnaissance capability. In Homeland Security, with the implementation of specialized communications projects across the country, Rolta has successfully established itself in the rapidly expanding mission critical communications segment. For example, as part of its on-going support to Maharashtra Police, Rolta recently ushered in the digital transformation of their mission critical communications network by deploying sophisticated digital communication systems. Rolta's presence now covers the remotest corners of the country having successfully implemented and operationalized the NAVTEX a project for wireless communication with shipping covering the entire coast of India including Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Battlefield Management System (BMS), aimed at ushering in Digital Transformation of the Indian Army, is one of the largest such program in the world, with an estimated expenditure of Rs. 70,000 Crores. The Consortium of BEL and Rolta selected as a Development Agency for BMS is fulfilling its responsibilities and continues to achieve major milestones within the stipulated timeframes under the active support and guidance of the Indian Army.

Rolta as an Indian organization with rich indigenous IP and an established track record is eminently suited and poised to reap the benefits arising out of the recent "Make India" vision and introduction of new categorization, "Buy Indian IDDM" (indigenously designed, developed & manufactured). Rolta is being invited for major pan-India digital enablement initiative, examples of which include, invitation to bid in RFIs for the cutting edge Software Defined Radio and a BI and Big Data Analytics Solution to deliver actionable insights and predictive analytics across diverse types of assets such as weapons & ammunition, vehicles, equipment, personnel, etc.

Digital Solutions: Geospatial, Asset Management, Enterprise IT, Security, Cloud, and Big Data Analytics

Businesses today are no longer satisfied by automating business transactions but are looking for Business Outcomes to remain relevant and succeed in the Digital Economy. This revolution is being fueled by technologies such as the Cloud, Mobility, Enterprise / Cyber Security, Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data Analytics, amongst others. With over 80% of digital data having a locational context, adding a geospatial dimension is vital for deeper insights. Rolta with its growing portfolio of innovative solutions is building enduring relationships with its customers embarking on their Digital Transformation journey. The Company has established an enviable track record and is capable of designing, building, optimizing and subsequently managing these solutions for its customers as a single vendor.

Geospatial and Engineering Asset Information Management: Rolta has built end-to-end Geospatial capabilities enabling the Company to create secure geospatial enabled digital repositories, build rich and interactive web based portals for smart insightful decision making and culminating in Geospatial Analytics to drive business outcomes. Having deployed more than 400 geospatial enabled Smart City projects in leading cities across Canada, North America, Europe, Middle East, and India, Rolta has built deep expertise and a rich proven portfolio of rapidly deployable productized solutions. During the year, the Company continued to make inroads with multi-million dollar contracts, both in India and across the globe, covering a variety of Smart City solutions in diverse areas such as Economic Development, Urban Planning and Land Management, Transportation, Utilities and Smart Governance to name a few.

Asset intensive industries have realized the intrinsic value of their digital asset information and are demanding robust Engineering Information Management systems for effective plant management. Rolta's unique ability to integrate its portfolio of engineering solutions with enterprise-level IT has positioned the Company to address this growing demand. Over last few years Rolta has successfully delivered hundreds of million dollar projects in North America, Middle East, Japan and India. Asset Lifecycle Management solutions are essentially precursors to large digital transformation initiatives which many industries are adopting to address the problems of having accurate, up-to-date data for subsequent deeper analytics. Examples of successes include Rolta recently commencing a project to establish an "Intelligent Asset Information" solution for a world's leading process technology supplier for deployment at a major refining company in India. Similarly, in the Middle East, Rolta was recently selected by one of the largest petrochemical conglomerate to consolidate all their process assets, comply with standards and provide centralized access to the latest as-built information of their plant assets by maintenance and project teams. One of the largest Water and Sewerage Services company in UK engaged Rolta to build their Asset Hierarchy and Migrate the data from their current system to SAP based on Rolta's IP led automation and deep engineering expertise in Asset Information Management Solution.

Enterprise IT, Cloud, Mobility and Cyber Security. In this digital era, organisations are increasingly embracing Mobility and the ubiquitous Cloud computing for greater accessibility and flexibility, customisation and integration with their enterprise applications such as ERP and Web Portals. The movement of data outside the confines of the organisation's firewall is raising security issues and Rolta has developed a tiered security approach covering cyber, perimeter, network, endpoint, application and data security with a comprehensive portfolio of solutions and services that exploits Rolta IP at all stages.

Armed with these capabilities Rolta has won business of more than a hundred million during the year by providing end-to-end solutions in Enterprise IT, Converged System and Cloud transformation, Mobility and Enterprise / Cyber Security. For example, a major National Insurance and Financial Services Company in the US awarded a US $ 6.2M contract while another large Hospital in North America awarded a US $ 3.9M contract for designing and transforming their Data Centers into a private cloud environment. A good example of Rolta's ability to manage Cloud based infrastructure together with its underlying databases is that of a global cloud based SaaS provider again choosing Rolta to renew its US $ 7.7M contract to manage their environment. In the Mobility space, Rolta won a US $ 3.2M contract from a large global health care distribution company to address their mobility requirements and modernize their mobile device infrastructure.

Some illustrative examples in Enterprise / Cyber Security include a Fortune 500 Global health products distribution company signing a US $ 3.6M contract with Rolta to implement a Smart Network Security solution while another major US restaurant chain tasked Rolta with improving their network and mobile security across 1500 restaurants. In the Middle East, Rolta successfully deployed a US $ 3.5M comprehensive Cyber Security solution covering Identity and Access Management for both internal users as well as 2.5 million citizens accessing the portals with their unique IDs.

IoT and Big Data Analytics: This is another area which is gaining remarkable momentum world over. Rolta addresses the full spectrum of Big Data analytics maturity journey from initial advisory, data discovery, enablement of big data landscape, establishing an asset information model (AIM) to secure IoT integration and advanced analytics. Rolta's unique IP is a vital differentiator in automating several aspects of this journey. Rolta's flagship enterprise product continues to remain at the leading edge with innovations such as AI, Deep Machine Learning, Data Lake and Predictive Analytics. As a result, Rolta OneView continues to win industry and analyst accolades as well as gaining global traction.

The maturity and exceptional value of Rolta's Products and Solutions are clearly evident from the tremendous traction built by Rolta over the years with more than a 100 BI and Big Data Analytics customers worldwide. This customer base includes several marquee clients who have adopted Rolta's BI and Big Data Analytics Solution for their Digital Transformation including 11 Fortune 500 companies and 2 Indian Navratnas. What is even more encouraging is that Rolta's BI and Big Data customers span across all the asset intensive industries served by the company. For example, 3 out of top 10 petrochemical and chemical companies 8 leading Oil & Gas, one of the largest water services company in UK, 3 of the Forbes global power companies, one of India's largest gas distribution company and several Department of Transport in US & Canada and a leading smart transportation authority in the Middle East chose to partner with Rolta for their Big Data analytics.

About Rolta: Rolta is a leading provider of innovative IP-led IT solutions for many vertical segments, including Federal and State Governments, Utilities, Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Retail, and Healthcare. Rolta is recognized for its extensive portfolio of solutions based on field-proven Rolta IP tailored for Indian Defence and Homeland Security. By uniquely combining its expertise in the IT, Engineering and Geospatial domains, Rolta develops State-of-the-Art Digital Solutions incorporating rich Rolta IP in the areas of Cloud, Mobility, IoT, BI and Big Data Analytics. Rolta is a multinational organization headquartered in India and the Company's shares have been publicly traded for more than 25 years in India.

For additional information please visit www.rolta.com, or contact:

Preetha Pulusani Lt. Gen K.T. Parnaik Rajesh Ramachandran Ramakrishna Prabhu President  International Operations Member of the International Board JMD  Defense & Security Business Member of the Board JMD  Global Products & Technology Solutions Member of the Board Director  Corporate Affairs & CFO Member of the Board [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Tel: +1 (678) 942 5000 Tel: +91 (22) 2926 6666 Tel: +91 (22) 2926 6666 Tel: +91 (22) 2926 6666

Disclaimer: This press release includes statements that are not historical in nature and that may be characterized as "forward-looking statements", including those related to future financial and operating results, benefits and synergies of the Company's brands and strategies, future opportunities and growth of the market for open source solutions. You should be aware that Rolta's actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations of Rolta management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, Rolta's ability to integrate acquired operations and employees, Rolta's success in executing its strategies, Rolta's ability to take a competitive position in the industry, business conditions and the general economy, market opportunities, potential new business strategies, competitive factors, sales and marketing execution, shifts in technologies or market demand, and any other factors. The Company may make additional written and oral forward-looking statements but does not undertake, and disclaims any obligation, to update them.

SOURCE Rolta India Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.rolta.com


ARTARMON, Australia and BLOOMINGTON, Minn., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Saluda Medical Pty Limited, a medical device company developing a platform of closed-loop neuromodulation technologies based on neural response to stimulation, announced today that it has secured AU$53M (USD$40M) in an all-equity financing round led by new investor, Action Potential Venture Capital (APVC), a GSK fund that invests in companies developing bioelectronic medicines. Existing investors, including Medtronic PLC, also participated in the round.

Saluda Medical is developing the first intelligent Evoke Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) System. It is designed to use the patient's own neural fingerprint to monitor and adapt the dose of electrical stimulation automatically and tailor the therapy to meet each individual patient's needs in real-time. Long-term clinical data from the first chronic implant study of closed-loop SCS conducted in Australia was presented at the International Neuromodulation Society (INS) 13th Annual World Congress in Edinburgh by Dr. Marc Russo, Director-at-Large, Neuromodulation Society of Australia and New Zealand. At 6 months, subjects with axial back pain experienced an average sustained improvement of 80% relief. In addition, the 32-patient cohort showed clinically meaningful improvements in function, disability, and sleep. The data from the Australia clinical study was presented in the morning plenary session on May 29th as part of a larger program on evoked compound action potentials (ECAP) in neuromodulation that included lectures from Dr. Robert M. Levy, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal Neuromodulation, Dr. Timothy Deer, President of the INS, and Professor Jan Vesper, President of the German Neuromodulation Society.

"Saluda Medical is advancing and expanding the field of bioelectronic medicines. Saluda has developed the first therapeutic device that is designed to both constantly read and modulate signals on the spinal cord to treat chronic pain," said Juan-Pablo Mas, partner at Action Potential Venture Capital. "We are encouraged by the international clinical results to date, and believe Saluda's technology can potentially provide various clinical benefits to patients. We are very pleased to have Saluda among our portfolio of innovative bioelectronic companies."

This latest round of funding will support the current U.S. pivotal randomized, double-blinded clinical trial now enrolling patients at 11 sites across the country. This financing will also allow Saluda Medical to commercialize the Evoke SCS therapy in Europe and Australia.

"Action Potential Venture Capital shares our vision and enthusiasm for bringing innovative neuromodulation devices to market, and we welcome them at this critical time for Saluda Medical as we make progress toward our regulatory and commercial milestones," said Saluda's Chief Executive Officer John Parker. "With support from our engaged investors, we remain committed to developing new approaches to bring relief to patients suffering from chronic pain and other disorders that may be treated with our technology."

About EvokeSpinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) System and Evoke Pivotal Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

Evoke is an intelligent, closed-loop SCS System that is designed to continuously measure the electrical response to stimulation on the spinal cord in the form of the Evoke Compound Action Potential (ECAP) and adjust the stimulation dose automatically and in real-time to the patient's preferred stimulation level. In contrast, current SCS devices provide an output of stimulation that is fixed without regard to the response of the neural tissue and rely on the patient to manually adjust stimulation dose to treat chronic pain.

The Evoke Clinical Study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded study being conducted by pain specialists at up to 20 U.S. clinical sites. The study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Evoke Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) System with feedback, for the treatment of chronic pain of the lower back and legs. More information is available at www.EvokeStudy.com.

* The Evoke Spinal Cord Stimulation System is an investigational device and is limited by US Federal law to investigational use only.

About Action Potential Venture Capital (APVC)

Action Potential Venture Capital Limited is a strategic venture capital fund of GSK created to invest in companies that are pioneering bioelectronic medicines and their enabling technologies. Launched in 2013, the US based team invests globally and has made seven investments to date. Learn more about APVC at www.actionpotentialvc.com.

About Saluda Medical

Saluda Medical is a global medical device company developing a platform of closed-loop neuromodulation technologies, based on the neural response to stimulation, that has the potential to transform the lives of people suffering from chronic back pain and other debilitating conditions. The company's first device is the Evoke Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) System, a first of its kind intelligent, closed-loop SCS that is currently being evaluated in a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial. The company is pursuing CE mark approval in Europe and TGA approval in Australia, and is currently conducting a pivotal clinical trial in the U.S. to seek FDA approval.

Saluda Medical is a privately held company with headquarters in Artarmon, New South Wales, Australia and offices in Bloomington, MN, USA and Harrogate, UK. To learn more, visit http://www.saludamedical.com.

SOURCE Saluda Medical

Related Links

http://www.saludamedical.com


2 p.m.  Dive right in

Upon arriving to Juan Santamaria International Airport, check-in to one of the many beautiful hotels offering spectacular amenities, which are available in and around the capital city of San Jose. Options include luxury resorts, cozy boutiques and ecological lodging choices that are designed with sustainability in mind.

Before exploring the town, feed your soul with local fare. Visitors can find authentic, home-cooked style Costa Rican dishes at the Central Market ("Mercado Central"), the oldest and largest market in the cityoffering more than 200 shops and stalls, as well as "sodas," which are inexpensive family-run restaurants.

4 p.m.  A feast for the eyes

After savoring authentic cuisine, a visit to the National Theater ("Teatro Nacional") is a must. As the architectural jewel of Costa Rica, the theater is one of the country's most popular attractions. Here, guests can enjoy some of the theater's weekly performances, as well as admire its exquisite interior and ceiling murals. The National Theater is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

7 p.m.  Hit the scene

Those wanting to explore the city by night will find the capital's most vibrant bars and popular cafes all within a short taxi ride of one another. Longtime favorites include restaurants and nightclubs that feature live music, impressive craft beer selections and delightful local and international cuisines. A great way to end the night is enjoying a delicious dinner at a beautiful mirador (a restaurant with a view).

Once a month, GAM Cultural hosts Art City Tour, where visitors have free access to museums, galleries and art exhibits throughout the city. GAM also provides a list of the latest cultural events in San Jose. For more information, visit www.gamcultural.com.

Day 2: Play, Pause, Repeat!

8 a.m.  Enjoy the gifts of Mother Nature

Head over to Irazu National Park, which is a short drive from San Jose. Named after the country's highest volcano, this national park is most popular for its breathtaking panoramic views. On a clear day you can see both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts from the top of the volcano. The Irazu Volcano stands at 3,432 meters above sea level and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 per person.

10 a.m.  Indulge in some culture

After taking in the captivating sights from the top of Irazu, descend the volcanic heights into the historic city of Cartago. Here visitors can admire the ruins of a 16th century pilgrimage site and the beautifully ornate Basilica of Our Lady of Angels.

1 p.m.  Live life to the fullest

Take in the lush landscapes of Orosi, while zipping down the Reventazon River towards Cachi Lakea manmade lake that was formed 13,000 years ago. Rafting options vary from scenic to adventurous and cater to all types of difficulty levels.

5 p.m.  Revitalize

After a very active day, treat your limbs to a relaxing massage back in San Jose, where luxury resorts and boutique hotels offer a variety of spa services. Pampering sore muscles is the perfect way to end a dream vacation.

For more information on Costa Rica, visit www.visitcostarica.com

About Costa Rica

Nestled between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica offers visitors an abundance of unique wildlife, landscapes and climates -- meaning a trip to this Central American country is anything but run-of-the-mill. The country proudly shelters approximately five percent of the known biodiversity in the world and has become a global leader in sustainable practices. Visitors to Costa Rica enjoy a highly organized tourism infrastructure offering a broad terrain of activities and accommodations.

About Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)

Established in 1955, the Costa Rica Tourism Board (the ICT), alongside its partners in the private sector, spearheads the vital task of regulating and promoting Costa Rica's extensive tourism offerings.

SOURCE Costa Rica Tourism Board

Related Links

http://www.visitcostarica.com


COLOGNE, Germany, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Celeno Communications, the leading provider of smart, managed Wi-Fi solutions, today announced that its silicon and software technology will power new home gateways and Set-Top Boxes being developed by Samsung Electronics.

Celeno's 802.11ac Wave 2 CL2440 and CL2442 chipsets will power their DOCSIS 3.1 Gateway product line. In addition, Celeno's CL2430 silicon will power their 4K set-top box as a client solution for seamless Wi-Fi video.

"We are delighted to be partnering with such a global powerhouse to deliver Celeno's advanced silicon and software technology to homes around the world," said Gilad Rozen, Founder and CEO of Celeno. "With Celeno's best-of-breed Wi-Fi silicon and software technology, Samsung Electronics is able to ensure best-in- class Wi-Fi performance and flawless user experience on both data and 4K video use cases and with fully managed QoS."

The products are equipped with Celeno's value add silicon and software technology including ARGUS spectrum intelligence technology which seamlessly scans the spectrum and chooses the least crowded or best channel for the device without interrupting service, maximizing system performance in dense and interfered environments and OptimizAIR technology which allows the creation of multiple virtual networks per service and even device, all served by the same Wi-Fi Access Point and allocating Wi-Fi resources to each network and device.

The spokesperson of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics commented: "I expect the collaboration with Celeno to deliver a powerful and highly intelligent Wi-Fi solution enabling an improved home Wi-Fi experience for the end-user. Faster Wi-Fi is not enough to master the challenges of today's connected world - it needs to be smarter as well."

Celeno representatives will be available to discuss the solution at Hall 7, Meeting Suite 11, Cologne, Germany during ANGACOM from May 30th to June 1st, 2017.

About Celeno Communications

Celeno is the leading provider of smart, managed Wi-Fi solutions. Celeno's extensive 802.11ac chip portfolio and ground-breaking software technologies are designed to excel in real life, highly-interfered dense network scenarios, delivering the level of management, performance, speed, coverage, reliability and superlative user experience demanded by Wi-Fi users. Celeno's field-proven chips and software technology have been successfully integrated into numerous OEM Wi-Fi devices and have been deployed in tens of millions of homes around the world by almost 100 leading service providers worldwide. Founded in 2005 and backed by blue chip investors, Celeno is a well-established company headquartered in Ra'anana, Israel, with a global presence and offices in the US, EMEA and Asia Pacific.

Media Contact:

Aaron Kliner

Headline Media

[email protected]

+1-516-595-1843

SOURCE Celeno and Samsung

Related Links

http://www.celeno.com


NEW YORK, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of John Wood Group PLC ("John Wood" or the "Company") (OTCMKTS: WDGJF). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 9980.

The investigation concerns whether John Wood and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here to join a class action]

On May 23, 2017, in a prospectus concerning the Company's proposed acquisition of Amec Foster Wheeler ("Amec"), John Wood disclosed details of the Company's internal probe into its past dealings with Unaoil, a Monaco-based oil business under criminal investigation by the U.K.'s Serious Fraud Office ("SFO"). John Wood further disclosed that the SFO had requested that Amec produce information related to the agency's investigation into Unaoil.

On this news, John Wood's share price fell $0.38, or 3.93%, to close at $9.30 on May 25, 2017.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Florida, and Los Angeles, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

Related Links

http://www.pomerantzlaw.com


ARLINGTON, Va., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing the vital importance of mentorship in the development of our nation's next generation of leaders, the U.S. Army continues its partnership with 100 Black Men of America. The partnership includes the Army's participation at the 31st annual 100 Black Men of America National Conference being held at the Hyatt Regency, New Orleans from June 7  11, 2017.

Alongside the 100 leadership, the Army will assist at the conference by sharing experience and guidance that can lay the groundwork for the long-term success of our young African-American men and women. Working with the organization and its attendees, Army leadership will participate in panel discussions such as the Women of Influence Panel, as well as the Collegiate 100 Workshop.

In addition to its active participation at numerous events, the Army will host an interactive exhibit area with elements that will test attendees' mental agility and critical thinking, as well as opportunities to discover career matches based on their STEM and leadership strengths in both the Army and beyond.

Two distinguished U.S. Army generals are scheduled to attend and provide keynote remarks during the 100 Black Men of America National Conference. Major General Christopher Hughes, Commanding General, U.S. Army Cadet Command & Fort Knox, Kentucky will be the keynote speaker for the Board of Directors meeting on June 7. Hughes will also attend the Salute to Youth Luncheon on June 8. Brigadier General Ural Glanville, Chief Judge of United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals, and a member of the 100 will also be in attendance.

"We believe that to make a difference in the lives of young African American men and women, we must continuously offer leadership and mentorship that truly impacts long-term success," stated Lt. Col. Michelle Nhambure, program manager for the U.S. Army Marketing and Research Group. "The U.S. Army stands strong in support of leading organizations such as 100 Black Men of America for we have a common belief that mentorship breeds strong leadership."

The Army's continued partnership with 100 Black Men of America is consistent with its ongoing focus on leadership development and education. Last year, the Army awarded more than $280 million in ROTC scholarships to students at more than 275 colleges and universities across the country.

Additionally, the Army has more than 150 career paths, including in-demand fields such as information technology, engineering and health care, among others. For more information, please visit www.goarmy.com.

About the Army Marketing and Research Group

The Army Marketing and Research Group (AMRG) is the U.S. Army's national marketing, marketing research and analysis and accessions analysis organization. The AMRG develops innovative and effective ways to: connect with the American public and make the Army more accessible and understood; increase awareness of both the benefits and value of Army service; and motivate the most qualified candidates to choose the Army as their service of first choice.

SOURCE Army Marketing and Research Group

Related Links

http://www.goarmy.com


"Problem-Solver" can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucaAExVL9ZA

A full transcript also follows here:

Hirsh Singh:

Hi, I'm Hirsh Singh.

I'm an engineer -- in other words, a trained problem-solver.

I make solutions and get results.

Career politicians make empty promises and they think they're entitled to run our state; they're not.

We need a conservative to fight for the rights of the people; a results-driven leader who can solve the problems in Trenton and not create new ones.

I'm Hirsh Singh -- a conservative problem-solver from New Jersey and I'm running for Governor.

- 30 -

Hirsh Singh is a native of Linwood, New Jersey. He graduated from Egg Harbor Township High School where he was voted Mr. Egg Harbor Township and the New Jersey Institute of Technology where he earned a degree in engineering. He is a results-driven industry leader and problem solver. Hirsh wants to cut taxes, reform school funding, and reduce regulations. Learn more about Hirsh and his platform at http://singhfornewjersey.us15.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=978b8670b44783121d15ac87e&id=97ec1e6648&e=2938771a69

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Singh For Governor

Related Links

http://www.singhforjersey.com


MILPITAS, Calif., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Smart IOPS, Inc. a leading flash storage solution provider, announced today that its Data Engine PCI Express (PCIe) NVM Express (NVMe) enterprise solid state drives (SSDs) have been certified to support GIGABYTE's Rack servers. GIGABYTE is introducing a new series of high-performance enterprise Rack servers that target the enterprise Compute and software-defined storage (SDS) tier that pools server direct-attached SSDs to create a highly efficient shared storage, optimized for the virtual infrastructure.

"GIGABYTE servers are designed to handle the most demanding data center applications with optimal efficiency and availability. The Data Engine SSDs integrated into these servers offer compelling customer benefits, including higher performance and availability, as well as more compelling TCO economics," said Etay Lee, GM at GIGABYTE. "We have joined forces with Smart IOPS to do the certification work upfront, in order to enable our customers to deploy systems confidently; and reduce time and resources required to scale their infrastructure."

The addition of Smart IOPS Data Engine enterprise NVMe SSDs as a pre-integrated option enables performance and scalability, while maximizing I/O and storage bandwidth for mixed use workloads. GIGABYTE's powerful and reliable Rack servers combined with Smart IOPS' superior SSDs reset the standard for performance, efficiency and sheer storage bandwidth across the demanding enterprise-class infrastructure.

"Smart IOPS' game changing enterprise NVMe SSD offerings center around high performance, reliability and response time, and the certification of our SSDs in GIGABYTE Rack servers is representative of our continued commitment to quality assurance," said Ashutosh Das, CEO at Smart IOPS. "Data Engine NVMe SSDs, powered by Smart IOPS' patented TruRandom technology are increasingly gaining traction with server and storage OEMs due to their cost-effective $/IOPS and high-performance architecture that enables end user customers to confidently deliver storage performance to meet business needs and enhance data center infrastructures."

For additional information about Smart IOPS Data Engine SSDs, please visit smartiops.com. For details about the new GIGABYTE Rack server platform, go to b2b.gigabyte.com/Rack-Server.

ABOUT GIGABYTE

GIGABYTE, headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, is a global leading brand in the IT industry, with employees and business channels in almost every country. Founded in 1986, GIGABYTE started as a research and development team and has since taken the lead in the world's motherboard and graphics card markets. On top of Motherboards and Graphics cards, GIGABYTE further expanded its product portfolio to include PC Components, PC Peripherals, Laptops, Desktop PCs, Network Communications, and Servers & Datacenter systems to serve all aspects of digital life in the home and office. Everyday GIGABYTE aims to "Upgrade Your Life" with innovative technology, exceptional quality, and unmatched customer service. Visit http://b2b.gigabyte.com for more information.

ABOUT SMART IOPS

Smart IOPS is an innovative leader in storage solutions whose TruRandom technology creates new possibilities for flash technology to have a profound impact on current and next generation data center applications. Powered by TruRandom, Smart IOPS SSDs substantially increase IOPS and bandwidth to remove the I/O storage bottleneck that plagues the modern data center. Smart IOPS' flash storage solutions enable Cloud Service Providers (CSP), High Performance Computing (HPC) and enterprise data centers to confidently deploy I/O-intensive applications with greater reliability and SLA, at a fraction of the cost of other flash-based storage products. Visit the company website at www.smartiops.com for more information.

NVMe and NVM Express are a trademark of NVM Express, Inc.

Media Contact:

George Tehrani

Smart IOPS, Inc.

408-216-8100

[email protected]

SOURCE Smart IOPS, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.smartiops.com/


GAITHERSBURG, Md., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) recently held a grand opening in celebration of its new commissary at Fort Belvoir in Virginia and Sodexo, world leader in providing Quality of Life services, helped DeCA celebrate the big event. Sodexo is the Deli-Bakery Services operator at the new Fort Belvoir commissary and partner to 24 DeCA commissaries throughout the east coast.

DeCA operates a global chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Patrons purchase items at cost plus a 5-percent surcharge, saving thousands of dollars annually on purchases compared to commercial prices. These savings make commissaries one of the most significant non-monetary benefits for service members and military families and are a clear contributor in improving quality of military life.

To mark the grand opening, Sodexo hosted a variety of activities. The company provided food-themed giveaways and a decorative cake and cupcakes with special logos to commemorate Fort Belvoir, DeCA and the military.

Additionally, a Sodexo executive chef conducted live cooking demonstrations for deli-related recipes that guests can replicate at home. The company also held special grand opening promotions and deals and unveiled new digital signage in the Deli-Bakery Services area.

"As a company focused on improving the Quality of Life for service members and their families, Sodexo is proud to work with DeCA in support of their efforts to provide cost savings for those bravely serving our country and their families" said Deborah Roberts, CEO Government, Sodexo North America. "Making the Fort Belvoir grand opening an exciting special event reminds those on base of the valuable benefits available to them on a daily basis through their commissary. If the smiles on the faces of guests checking out the new facility were an indication of success, the event went very well!"

Sodexo's support of the Fort Belvoir grand opening celebration was a total team effort. The company's Government segment leveraged resources and expertise from ten general managers in the region to ensure that the day was a success.

With more than 40 years of experience working municipal, state, federal and military clients, Sodexo's Government segment and its nearly 3,000 employees improve the Quality of Life for the people it serves at 150 military and U.S. Federal Government locations in 26 states. Headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Sodexo provides a variety of integrated food and facilities management solutions and is the nation's largest federal foodservice contractor  serving 45.6 million meals annually with a focus on wellness and nutrition.

Sodexo USA is an American business that is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 80 countries. Delivering more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life, Sodexo is a leading provider of sustainable, integrated facilities management and food service operations. It employs 123,000 Americans at 12,500 sites across the country and indirectly supports tens of thousands of additional U.S. jobs through its annual purchases of $9.2 billion in goods and services from small to large American businesses. In support of local communities across the U.S., the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation has contributed close to $30 million over the past 20 years to help feed children in America impacted by hunger.

Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights.

SOURCE Sodexo

Related Links

http://www.sodexoUSA.com


Dr. Colowick has 18 years of industry experience in senior executive, clinical, regulatory, and commercial functions. Prior to joining Sofinnova, Alan was an Executive Vice President at Celgene Corporation and served in various leadership roles including President for Celgene's Europe, Mid-East, and Africa regions and before that, Senior Vice President of Global Medical Affairs. Prior to his career at Celgene, Alan was the Chief Executive Officer at Gloucester Pharmaceuticals, Inc. until its acquisition by Celgene in 2010. Alan also served as the President of Oncology at Geron Corporation, and before that, he served as the Chief Medical Officer of Threshold Pharmaceuticals, a Sofinnova portfolio company. Alan has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility at Amgen culminating with his role as VP, Medical Affairs Europe. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Achaogen, Inc, Dimension Therapeutics Inc., Principia Biopharma and Human Longevity, Inc.

Alan received an M.D. from Stanford University and an M.P.H from Harvard University. He completed specialty training in Hematology-Oncology at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Alan has a B.S. in Molecular Biology from the University of Colorado.

"Sofinnova has had the pleasure of working with Alan dating back to his time as the Chief Medical Officer at Threshold," says Jim Healy, MD, PhD and General Partner. "We have always had such tremendous respect for Alan. His breadth of experience spans large pharma and emerging biotech companies. We believe he is going to add incredible value to our team and our portfolio companies."

"In my view, Sofinnova has a terrific track record of creating and building companies that have benefited patients by focusing on robust science and therapeutic areas with high unmet medical needs," comments Dr. Colowick "I am thrilled to join Sofinnova and look forward to being part of the team as we build on this legacy."

Sofinnova closed its tenth venture fund in 2016, raising $650 million. Sofinnova is managed by experienced venture capitalists and industry executives. The team takes a focused, hands-on approach to drug development and company building.

The partners of SVP X are Jim Healy, MD, PhD, Anand Mehra, MD, Mike Powell, PhD, Alan Colowick, MD, MPH, Lars Ekman, MD, PhD, David Kabakoff, PhD and Dan Welch.

About Sofinnova

Founded in 1974, Sofinnova specializes in clinical and late preclinical investments in biopharmaceutical products. Our goal is to actively partner with entrepreneurs across all stages of company development. We seek to build world class companies that aspire to dramatically improve the current state of medical care and the lives of patients through bringing innovative products to market. For more information, please visit www.sofinnova.com

Contact:

Charlotte Shropshire

[email protected]

SOURCE Sofinnova

Related Links

http://www.sofinnova.com


THE WOODLANDS, Texas, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: SMLP) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Summit Midstream Holdings, LLC, has executed an amendment and extension of its $1.25 billion revolving credit facility. The facility is supported by a syndicate of 20 institutions and provides SMLP with the liquidity and financial flexibility to execute its growth plans and achieve its financing objectives for the foreseeable future.

The maturity date of the revolving credit facility was extended by approximately 3.5 years, from November 2018 to May 2022. The facility includes a $250.0 million accordion, and has the same pricing and a similar covenant package to the previous facility. The total leverage ratio financial covenant, as defined in the credit agreement, was increased from 5.00 to 1.00 to 5.50 to 1.00 in exchange for including a new senior secured leverage ratio financial covenant of 3.75 to 1.00.

Steve Newby, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We sincerely appreciate the continued support of our lenders and the confidence they have in our company. This credit facility provides SMLP with significant liquidity and flexibility for the continued development of our assets. The revolving credit facility amendment also extends our long-term debt maturity profile such that SMLP has no significant debt maturities until 2022."

About Summit Midstream Partners, LP

SMLP is a growth-oriented limited partnership focused on developing, owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets that are strategically located in the core producing areas of unconventional resource basins, primarily shale formations, in the continental United States. SMLP provides natural gas, crude oil and produced water gathering services pursuant to primarily long-term and fee-based gathering and processing agreements with customers and counterparties in five unconventional resource basins: (i) the Appalachian Basin, which includes the Marcellus and Utica shale formations in West Virginia and Ohio; (ii) the Williston Basin, which includes the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in North Dakota; (iii) the Fort Worth Basin, which includes the Barnett Shale formation in Texas; (iv) the Piceance Basin, which includes the Mesaverde formation as well as the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in Colorado and Utah; and (v) the Denver-Julesburg Basin, which includes the Niobrara and Codell shale formations in Colorado and Wyoming. SMLP also owns substantially all of a 40% ownership interest in Ohio Gathering, which is developing natural gas gathering and condensate stabilization infrastructure in the Utica Shale in Ohio. SMLP is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, with regional corporate offices in Denver, Colorado and Atlanta, Georgia.

About Summit Midstream Partners, LLC

Summit Midstream Partners, LLC ("Summit Investments") beneficially owns a 35.0% limited partner interest in SMLP and indirectly owns and controls the general partner of SMLP, Summit Midstream GP, LLC, which has sole responsibility for conducting the business and managing the operations of SMLP. Summit Investments is a privately held company controlled by Energy Capital Partners II, LLC, and certain of its affiliates. An affiliate of Energy Capital Partners II, LLC directly owns an 8.0% limited partner interest in SMLP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements contain known and unknown risks and uncertainties (many of which are difficult to predict and beyond management's control) that may cause SMLP's actual results in future periods to differ materially from anticipated or projected results. An extensive list of specific material risks and uncertainties affecting SMLP is contained in its 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2017, and as amended and updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and SMLP undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events.

SOURCE Summit Midstream Partners, LP
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunroc Building Materials, a leader in building materials and installed services in Idaho and Utah, today announced it has opened a facility in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The new store marks the company's 11th location.

The Idaho Falls operation will offer lumber, trusses, framing components (wall & floor panels), insulation, timbers, siding, windows, doors, millwork, hardware, decking, and railing materials. This location will service customers in the south eastern Idaho area.

"We're excited to offer an additional location in Idaho," said Greg Templeman, President of Sunroc Building Materials. "Sunroc Building Materials vision is to lead the building materials industry as the most trusted partner, creating an unmatched customer experience by getting it right the first time. We look forward to making that vision a reality for builders in Idaho Falls and the surrounding area."

An official Grand Opening event was held Thursday, where customers, employees, city officials and county residents celebrated with lunch and giveaways. The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce was gracious to assist in a ribbon cutting ceremony.

"We are thrilled to have Sunroc Building Materials join the Idaho Falls business family," said Chip Schwarze, CEO of the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce. "Their standard of high quality building products and reputation as a trusted service partner, will greatly benefit our ever-growing community."

The Idaho Falls location is being managed by VonDell Erickson, an Eastern Idaho resident and twenty-eight year industry veteran. Erickson comes to Sunroc Building Materials from his position as Region Manager for Cleary Building Corporation.

Sunroc Building Materials' Idaho Falls store is located at 4000 Bombardier Ave and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For questions or quotes, call (208) 529-3403 or visit www.sunroc.com.

About Sunroc Building Materials

Sunroc Building Materials (www.sunroc.com) is the contractor's choice for building material supply in Utah and Idaho. With eleven convenient locations and an eight-decade-long tradition of delivering outstanding service and impeccable value, they are the preferred partner. For quality lumber, trusses, framing components, doors, windows, insulation, decking, hardware and more, contact Sunroc Building Materials  a proud member of the Clyde Companies family.

MEDIA CONTACT

Dave Kallas

Senior Advisor, Director of Communications

Clyde Companies, Inc.

801.802.6900

[email protected]

SOURCE Sunroc Building Materials

Related Links

http://www.sunroc.com


TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TaiGen Biotechnology Company, Limited ("TaiGen") today announced that it has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) for the intravenous formulation of Taigexyn (Nemonoxacin) to the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). Taigexyn is a novel non-fluorinated quinolone antibiotic. The NDA submission is supported by a pivotal Phase 3 trial comparing intravenous formulations of Taigexyn 500 mg to levofloxacin 500 mg in 518 patients with moderate to severe community-acquired pneumonia. The clinical success rates were 91.8% for Taigexyn vs. 85.7% for levofloxacin and Taigexyn was shown to be non-inferior to levofloxacin meeting the primary endpoint of the pivotal trial.

About Taigexyn

Taigexyn is a novel broad spectrum antibiotic with excellent efficacy against drug-resistant bacteria available in both oral and intravenous formulations. The oral formulation is already approved for marketing and launched in Taiwan and mainland China. In addition, Taigexyn is also partnered in Russia, Commonwealth Independent States, Turkey, Mexico, Brazil and the Latin American territory for a total 32 countries worldwide.

About TaiGen Biotechnology

TaiGen Biotechnology, a public listed company in Taipei Exchange (4157.TWO), is a leading research-based biotechnology company in Taiwan. In addition to Taigexyn, TaiGen has two other in-house discovered NCEs in clinical development: TG-2349, a HCV protease inhibitor for treatment of chronic hepatitis infection, and TG-0054, a chemokine receptor antagonist for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and chemosensitization.

For more information please contact:

Peter W. Tsao, PhD, Sr. Vice President Business Development

Tel: +886-2-8177-7072

[email protected]

SOURCE TaiGen
GREENSBORO, N.C., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE: SKT) announced today that Steven B. Tanger, Chief Executive Officer, will be a featured presenter at NAREIT's REITWeek 2017 Investor Forum on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 10:15 a.m. EDT.

A link to the live audio-only webcast will be available online at investors.tangeroutlets.com, or at http://reitstream.com/reitweek2017/tangeroutlets. An online replay will be available at the same locations beginning approximately four hours after the conclusion of the presentation until June 16, 2017.

The company's management presentation, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017, may be accessed through investors.tangeroutlets.com.

About Tanger Factory Outlet Centers

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE:SKT), is a publicly-traded REIT headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina that presently operates and owns, or has an ownership interest in, a portfolio of 43 upscale outlet shopping centers and one additional center currently under construction. Tanger's operating properties are located in 22 states coast to coast and in Canada, totaling approximately 14.8 million square feet, leased to over 3,100 stores which are operated by more than 500 different brand name companies. The Company has more than 36 years of experience in the outlet industry. Tanger Outlet Centers continue to attract more than 188 million shoppers annually. For more information on Tanger Outlet Centers, call 1-800-4TANGER or visit the Company's website at www.tangeroutlets.com.

Contact: Cyndi Holt

Vice President of Investor Relations

(336) 834-6892

[email protected]

SOURCE Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.tangeroutlet.com


(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/485639/VSY.jpg )



VICTORY FOR VSY BIOTECHNOLOGY

Dr. Ercan Varlibas, the CEO of VSY Biotechnology, who made a statement on the matter, stated that this ruling was a victory for VSY Biotechnology.

Dr. Varlibas said, "I believe that ethical principles should guide our personal and professional lives and ethic is one of the most important fundamental of our industry. We work for enable healthcare professionals worldwide to enhance vision and improve lives quality of their patients. We will continue our fast growth and development. VSY Biotechnology, the head office of which is in Amsterdam, is a young, dynamic and innovative company. It operates in 55 countries, with 270 employees. Within the next 10 years it aims to become one of the top five companies in the world in the field of ophthalmology. It is continuing its work in order to achieve this objective. It is planning to release 32 new ophthalmic products, which are being developed in its R&D center, on to the market within the next four years."

VSY Biotechnology has Intra Ocular Lens manufacturing facilities, which possess the Lathe cut and moulding technology. In addition to this, it also has a viscoelastic manufacturing plant and a cartridge injector manufacturing plant. VSY Biotechnology is also preparing to put its ophthalmic medicine facility into operation in 2018. According to Market Scope 2017 IOL Report, which is published by Market Scope LLC a well reputed independent research company, VSY Biotechnology BV is ranked 13th among 75 worldwide IOL manufacturers.

You can review the court judgment in pdf file.

http://vsybiotechnology.com/uploads/2017/05/zustellungsurkunde.pdf

http://www.vsybiotechnology.com/en/page/company-profile

Web: http://www.vsybiotechnology.com



SOURCE VSY Biotechnology BV
ORRVILLE, Ohio, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The J. M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM) ("Company") announced today the signing of a definitive agreement ("Agreement") to acquire the Wesson oil brand from Conagra Brands, Inc. ("Conagra"). The Wesson brand of edible oils has been trusted by consumers for over 100 years. The all-cash transaction, which the Company will fund primarily with debt, is valued at approximately $285 million, prior to an expected tax benefit related to the acquisition with a present value of approximately $45 million.

Under the terms of the Agreement, Conagra will continue to manufacture products sold under the Wesson brand and provide certain other transition services for up to one year following the close of the transaction. After the transition period, the Company expects to consolidate Wesson production into its existing oils manufacturing facility in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Company anticipates the acquisition to add annual net sales of approximately $230 million. The transaction is expected to generate earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") of approximately $30 million and contribute approximately $0.10 to the Company's adjusted earnings per share in the first full year after closing, excluding one-time costs and before giving effect to synergies. Annual cost synergies of approximately $20 million are expected to be fully realized within two years after closing. The $285 million purchase price represents a multiple of approximately 9.5 times EBITDA. Factoring in the estimated $45 million tax benefit and $20 million of annual synergies, the multiple is expected to be approximately 5 times EBITDA.

"The addition of Wesson creates a strong complement to our Crisco brand," said Mark Smucker, Chief Executive Officer. "By allowing us to more efficiently use existing supply chain and go-to-market resources, this acquisition will lead to significant cost savings that can further fuel growth and innovation opportunities across the Company."

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals.

About The J. M. Smucker Company

For 120 years, The J. M. Smucker Company has been committed to offering consumers quality products that bring families together to share memorable meals and moments. Today, Smucker is a leading marketer and manufacturer of consumer food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in North America. In consumer foods and beverages, its brands include Smucker's, Folgers, Jif, Dunkin' Donuts, Crisco, Pillsbury, R.W. Knudsen Family, Hungry Jack, Cafe Bustelo, Martha White, truRoots, Sahale Snacks, Robin Hood, and Bick's. In pet food and pet snacks, its brands include Meow Mix, Milk-Bone, Kibbles 'n Bits, Natural Balance, and 9Lives. The Company remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People, Ethics, Growth, and Independence established by its founder and namesake more than a century ago. For more information about the Company, visit jmsmucker.com.

The J. M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for the following, which are used under license: Pillsbury is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, LLC, and Dunkin' Donuts is a registered trademark of DD IP Holder LLC.

Dunkin' Donuts brand is licensed to The J. M. Smucker Company for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, and drug stores. This information does not pertain to Dunkin' Donuts coffee or other products for sale in Dunkin' Donuts restaurants.

The J. M. Smucker Company Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, such as projected net sales, operating results, earnings, and cash flows that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties, important factors, and assumptions listed and discussed in this press release, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed, include: the ability of the parties to satisfy closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals, for the transaction, without unexpected delays or conditions; the ability of Conagra to meet its manufacturing and transition services requirements during the transition period; the ability to successfully integrate the acquired business in a timely and cost-effective manner; the ability to achieve cost efficiencies in the amounts and within the time frames currently anticipated and to effectively manage the related one-time costs; the ability to maintain an investment grade credit rating; the ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet deleveraging objectives; volatility of commodity, energy, and other input costs; risks associated with derivative and purchasing strategies employed to manage commodity pricing risks; the ability to implement and realize the full benefit of price changes that are intended to ultimately fully recover costs; general competitive activity in the market, including competitors' pricing practices and promotional spending levels; the loss of significant customers, a substantial reduction in orders from these customers, or the bankruptcy of any such customer; impairments in the carrying value of goodwill, other intangible assets, or other long-lived assets or changes in useful lives of other intangible assets; and risks related to other factors described under "Risk Factors" in other reports and statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, to reflect new events or circumstances.

SOURCE The J.M. Smucker Company

Related Links

http://jmsmucker.com


PITTSBURGH, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, UPMC Health Plan ranks highest in Pennsylvania in overall member satisfaction according to the J.D. Power 2017 Member Health Plan StudySM.

UPMC Health Plan ranks ahead of all seven other Pennsylvania health insurers in overall member satisfaction and also scored significantly higher than the regional average. The 739 overall score ranks UPMC Health Plan as the ninth highest-rated health plan in the U.S.

The study measures member satisfaction with a health plan by examining six key study factors, including coverage and benefits, provider choice, information and communication, claim processing, premiums, and customer service. UPMC Health Plan ranks highest in the state in five of the six individual categories, including coverage and benefits, provider choice, information and communication, claim processing, and customer service.

"Providing superior customer service for our members has always been a core tenet of UPMC Health Plan's mission," said Diane P. Holder, president and CEO of UPMC Health Plan. "Navigating the complex world of health care can be daunting for many consumers, but we believe in providing a superior level of service, one that is committed to helping our members. UPMC Health Plan's belief is that our members' satisfaction is our most important goal. We think this is one of the keys to our consistently above industry average member retention rate."

UPMC Health Plan's current member retention rate across commercial products is 97%, which is well above the industry average of 85%.

The J.D. Power 2017 Member Health Plan StudySM measures satisfaction among members of 168 health plans in 22 regions throughout the United States. The information is used by health plans nationwide to evaluate service quality.

UPMC Health Plan consistently ranks near the top of the state ranking and this year marks the second consecutive year UPMC Health Plan has earned top honors in Pennsylvania.

Over the past few months, UPMC Health Plan has been recognized for outstanding customer service by several additional organizations, including earning the Gold Stevie Award for large call center of the year, the Voice of the Customer Excellence Award from Service Quality Measurement (SQM) Group, and the Best Large Contact Center Award from the International Customer Management Institute (ICMI).

About the UPMC Insurance Services Division

The UPMC Insurance Services Division is owned by UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) a world-renowned health care provider and insurer based in Pittsburgh, Pa. As a provider-led organization that is part of an integrated health care delivery system, the UPMC Insurance Services Division is committed to providing its members better health, more financial security and the peace of mind they deserve. The UPMC Insurance Services Division partners with UPMC and community network providers to produce a combination of knowledge and expertise that provides the highest quality care at the most affordable price. The UPMC Insurance Services Division  which includes UPMC Health Plan, UPMC WorkPartners, LifeSolutions, UPMC for Life, UPMC for You, UPMC for Kids, and Community Care Behavioral Health  offers a full range of group health insurance, Medicare, Special Needs, CHIP, Medical Assistance, behavioral health, employee assistance and workers' compensation products and services to more than 3.2 million members. For more information, visit www.upmchealthplan.com.

About J.D. Power

J.D. Power is a marketing, consumer intelligence, and data and analytics company that helps its clients measure, understand, and improve the key performance metrics that drive their growth and profitability. J.D. Power's industry benchmarks, unique data and analytics platform and reputation for independence and credibility has established the company as one of the world's most well-known and trusted providers of Voice of the Customer insights. Established in 1968, J.D.Power is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, and has offices in North/South America, Asia Pacific, and Europe. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com.

SOURCE UPMC Health Plan

Related Links

http://www.upmchealthplan.com


The joint Sikorsky and U.S. Air Force (USAF) helicopter program team met in May with key partners from government and industry for an in-depth design review. Throughout the review, the CRH team successfully presented a design that participants were confident would meet system requirements. Review participants included leaders from USAF and key suppliers who took part in the technical presentations.

"This milestone is an important achievement and demonstrates Sikorsky and the Air Force are well aligned on the technical requirements of the HH-60W," said Tim Healy, Sikorsky CRH program director. "We got here by conducting several milestones on or ahead of schedule, and we are committed to staying on that track as we build the first HH-60W aircraft."

In preparation for the CDR, the joint team generated more than 300 technical documents, created and reviewed over 50,000 hardware and software requirements, conducted 17 sub-system CDRs and designed 3,000 new parts. "The joint team did an outstanding job in documenting the design of the HH-60W," said Jim Andrews, Sikorsky CRH chief engineer. "We are excited to enter the build phase as the team has leveraged digital design tools to generate manufacturing efficiencies that will reduce cost and schedule. This approach will lead ultimately to the HH-60W becoming the first Black Hawk derivative to have a paperless assembly line."

The USAF awarded Sikorsky the $1.28 billion Engineering Manufacturing & Development (EMD) contract in June 2014, which includes development and integration of the next generation combat rescue platform and mission systems, delivery of four HH-60W helicopters, aircrew and maintenance training systems, and support for both. In January of 2017, the USAF exercised a $203 million contract option with Sikorsky to provide five additional aircraft, bringing the total to nine. The training suite includes devices that span full-motion simulators and discrete aircraft systems, such as hoist and landing gear.

The USAF Program of Record calls for 112 helicopters to replace the Air Force's rapidly aging HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, which perform critical combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations for all U.S. military services.

The HH-60W is an advanced variant of the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter design and features increased internal fuel capability for greater range. The CRH aircraft will feature GE T700-701D engines, composite wide-chord main rotor blades to sustain maneuverability at high density altitudes, and a new fatigue- and corrosion-resistant machined aero-structure to ensure reliability and availability to USAF operational units. The design includes an advanced Tactical Mission Kit integrating multiple sensors, data links, defensive systems, and other sources of intelligence information for use by combat rescue aircrews. The aircraft is designed with a weapons and cabin configuration specifically optimized for combat rescue and recovery operations.

"Conducting the Air Vehicle CDR demonstrates this helicopter system is well on its way to meeting the key program requirements of the Air Force," said Dave Schairbaum, USAF, CRH System Program Manager. "Successful execution of the program is essential to meet the continued demanding personnel recovery mission in today's challenging operational environment. We are working closely with Sikorsky to assure this newly designed aircraft meets the requirements, is affordable and is delivered on schedule to the warfighter."

The CRH and USAF teams will meet again in September for the Training Systems Critical Design Review.

This press release contains forward looking statements concerning opportunities for development, production and sale of helicopters. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in government procurement priorities and practices, budget plans, availability of funding and in the type and number of aircraft required; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in Lockheed Martin Corporation's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

About Lockheed Martin

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.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin

Related Links

http://www.lockheedmartin.com


NEW YORK, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, President Trump's National Security Advisor, will address the AJC Global Forum 2017 on June 4.

The AJC Global Forum, which will take place June 4-6, in Washington, D.C., is the advocacy organization's signature annual event, bringing together more than 2,500 participants from across the United States and 70 countries around the world.

"General McMaster is central to formulating the Trump Administration's approach to foreign and national security polices," said AJC CEO David Harris. "We are honored that he will address the AJC Global Forum, especially so soon after the president's first overseas trip to Saudi Arabia, Israel, the Vatican, NATO and the G-7 summit. We shall look eagerly forward to his insights on President Trump's worldview and international initiatives."

Other world leaders confirmed to date to address the AJC Global Forum include:

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , via video from Jerusalem , in conversation with five AJC young leaders

, via video from , in conversation with five AJC young leaders Israeli Minister of Public Security and Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan

Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano

Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary-General Luis Almagro

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis

Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan

Among the previous U.S. national security advisors to address the AJC Global Forum have been Dr. Condoleezza Rice and Ambassador Susan Rice.

AJC, founded in 1906 and with headquarters in New York, maintains 22 regional offices across the United States; ten overseas posts; and 34 international association agreements with Jewish communities.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Related Links

http://www.ajc.org


BOSTON, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Law students from across the country will have the opportunity to learn from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg this summer in Valletta, Malta. Justice Ginsburg will teach during the third session of the study abroad program sponsored by the Consortium for Innovative Legal Education (CILE), a collaborative effort of four independent law schools. The program will take place at the University of Malta's Valletta campus the week of July 4.

Justice Ginsburg will provide a retrospective of prominent Supreme Court cases over the past year, conduct a question-and-answer session, and attend a reception for participating students and faculty in her honor.

"We are delighted to offer our students this exceptional opportunity," said John F. O'Brien, Dean of New England Law | Boston. "Justice Ginsburg's incomparable legal wisdom, warmth, and engaging presentation style will make this a highly memorable and cherished law school experience."

Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), the Malta program is one of several international legal study abroad options available to participating students through CILE, which includes New England Law | Boston, South Texas College of Law Houston, California Western School of Law, and Mitchell Hamline School of Law. The Malta program features international and comparative law courses taught by faculty members from CILE-member law schools.

Registration is open to students in good standing who have completed at least one year at any national ABA-accredited law school. Participants will receive from four to seven hours of transferable credit, depending on the sessions they choose to attend.

In the past several years, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the late Justice Antonin G. Scalia also have taught in international study abroad programs offered through CILE-affiliated schools in Malta, England, Ireland, Chile, and the Czech Republic.

Justice Ginsburg, appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1993, is the second female justice to sit on the High Court. She attended Harvard Law School and received her LLB from Columbia Law School. Before taking her seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, she served as judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and professor of law at Rutgers University School of Law and Columbia Law School.

"Very few students or attorneys have the opportunity to learn from our nation's leading jurists throughout their law school or professional careers," said Dean O'Brien. "Through this intimate, interactive course led by Justice Ginsburg, students will learn firsthand about the analysis of our country's most controversial cases from one of the current eight justices responsible for interpreting the laws of our land."

Contact: Jen Kelly

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 617-461-6994

SOURCE New England Law | Boston
VALHALLA, N.Y., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- USI Insurance Services ("USI") has acquired Hartman Employee Benefits, Inc., ("Hartman Employee Benefits") from The Hartman Group. Hartman Employee Benefits and its employees will remain at the current Williamsport and State College, Pennsylvania, locations. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Hartman Employee Benefits' solutions include brokerage consulting, benefits administration technology and services, group and individual health insurance, voluntary employee benefits and group insurance.

Prior to USI's acquisition of Hartman Employee Benefits, The Hartman Group, which was founded by W. Howard Hartman in 1932 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, consisted of The Hartman Agency, Inc., Hartman Employee Benefits, Inc., and Hartman Financial Services operating out of offices in Williamsport, State College and Duncannon.

John J. Micale, USI MidAtlantic regional chief executive officer, said: "The team at Hartman Employee Benefits has a long history of industry expertise, world class customer service and unparalleled value. We see their shared-team approach, passion for execution and ability to deliver efficient outcomes as a perfect complement to our operations and with the USI ONE Advantage. I am pleased to have Jens and his team join our growing family, and we look forward to advancing our benefits practice together in central Pennsylvania and to extending our presence as the preeminent insurance brokerage and consulting firm in the MidAtlantic region."

Jens Thorsen, president, Hartman Employee Benefits Inc., said: "Since our founding, it has been our mission to bring our passion and experience to our clients in a way that positively impacts their businesses. The USI ONE platform ensures our clients will continue enjoying employee benefits that are better and different than our competition, plus now they will have access to USI's expanded suite of property-casualty, employee benefits, retirement consulting and personal risk solutions. We are excited to be joining a company that is raising the bar on risk management and employee benefit programs, and we look forward to collaborating with John and his team on accelerating a path for growth in this strategic marketplace."

Michael Gaetano, president of The Hartman Agency, Inc. said: "It is our responsibility to our clients and all stakeholders, including the communities we serve, to offer robust solutions that have a positive economic impact in this ever-changing area of healthcare and health insurance. We are confident USI ONE complements our key tenets of creating measurable value for clients, and it is a strategic pathway for delivering timely and effective benefit programs that will remain supported by Hartman Employee Benefits' trusted and talented professionals."

About USI

USI is a leading local and national insurance brokerage and consulting firm, delivering property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk and retirement solutions throughout the United States. Headquartered in Valhalla, New York, USI has over $1.0 billion in revenue, employs more than 4,400 professionals and operates out of 140 local offices serving every state. USI has become a premier insurance brokerage and consulting firm by leveraging the USI ONE Advantage, an interactive platform that integrates proprietary and innovative client solutions, networked local resources and enterprise-wide collaboration to deliver customized results with positive, bottom line impact. USI attracts best-in-class industry talent with a long history of deep and continuing investment in our local communities. For more information, visit usi.com.

Contact: Contact: Edward J. Bowler Cecile M. Locurto USI Insurance Services USI Insurance Services 914-749-8504 914-747-6331 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE USI Insurance Services

Related Links

http://www.usi.biz


HONOLULU, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor hosted more than 600 Vietnam Veterans, POWs, Gold Star Families and supporters at a Welcome Home Banquet in the Museum's Hangar 37 last night. The event is part of a Hawaii statewide week-long commemoration, honoring Vietnam Veterans and their families for their bravery and sacrifice in the name of freedom and democracy.

Ann-Margret presented an award to Carole Hickerson, from left to right: Ann-Margret, Jim Hickerson, Carole Hickerson, and Kenneth DeHoff. The Banquet culminated in a special performance by Tony Orlando.

The Bob Hope  USO legacy themed event included remarks by Medal of Honor recipient Major General Patrick Brady, U.S. Army (retired); a guest appearance by actress Ann-Margret; a performance by Tony Orlando; and star-studded USO videos showcasing Hollywood celebrities and entertainers. A special viewing of 14 Vietnam-era aircraft fronting historic Hangar 79 took place prior to the start of the event.

Orlando's rendition of "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree" had veterans and their families on their feet. During the 1970's, the hit song was considered by many as an anthem of sorts for Vietnam Veterans returning home during and after the war. In addition to accepting an award for her dedication and performances to U.S. soldiers in Vietnam, Ann-Margret also presented an award to Carole Hickerson, wife of the late Captain Stephen Hanson who vanished in 1967 while piloting a secret helicopter mission in Laos.

Hickerson created the National League of Families for POW/MIAs to create awareness of the plight of these men and to provide support for their families.

The week-long commemoration continues tomorrow at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor with a dedication of a Republic F-105 Thunderchief and the Museum's newly refurbished UH-1H Huey and Bell AH-1 Cobra, followed by a symposium with Vietnam Veterans.

Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to develop and maintain an internationally recognized aviation museum on Historic Ford Island that educates young and old alike, honors aviators and their support personnel who defended freedom in The Pacific Region, and to preserve Pacific aviation history. Contact 808-441-1000; PacificAviationMuseum.org.

(Welcome Home Banquet photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHskXapULg)

CONTACT:

Anne Murata, Director of Marketing

808-441-1013; 808-375-9577 (cell)

[email protected]

SOURCE Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor

Related Links

http://www.pacificaviationmuseum.org


AMSTERDAM, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- VimpelCom Holdings B.V. (the "Company") a wholly-owned subsidiary of VEON Ltd. ("VEON") announced today that it commenced a cash tender offer (the "Offer") for any and all of the outstanding (i) U.S.$1,000,000,000 9.125% Loan Participation Notes due 2018 issued by, but with limited recourse to, VIP Finance Ireland Limited (the "2018 Notes"), (ii) U.S.$1,000,000,000 7.748% Loan Participation Notes due 2021 issued by, but with limited recourse to, VIP Finance Ireland Limited (the "2021 Notes") and (iii) U.S.$1,500,000,000 7.5043% Guaranteed Notes due 2022 issued by VimpelCom Holdings B.V. (the "2022 Notes" and together with the 2018 Notes and the 2021 Notes, the "Notes").

The Offer is made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase dated today, which sets out a comprehensive description of the terms of the Offer.

The Company has separately announced today that it intends to offer new senior unsecured notes (the "New Notes" and the "New Notes Offering"). Completion of the Offer is subject to the successful completion (as determined by the Company at its sole discretion) of the New Notes Offering (the "Financing Condition"), as well as certain other conditions as set out in the Offer to Purchase.

The purpose of the Offer is to acquire any and all of the Notes, provided that the Financing Condition is satisfied, which will be funded principally by the issuance of the New Notes and would have the effect of extending the maturity profile of a portion of the VEON Group's indebtedness. Notwithstanding the potential offering of New Notes, the Group may fund a portion of the Offer with available cash. Notes accepted for purchase by the Company pursuant to the Offer will be cancelled.

When allocating the New Notes to investors, the Company, among other factors, intends to look favourably upon investors that have validly tendered or indicated a firm intention to tender their Notes pursuant to the Offer. However, no assurances can be given that any holder of the Notes (each a "Holder" and together, the "Holders") that tenders Notes will be given an allocation of New Notes at the levels it may subscribe for, or at all. Any allocation of the New Notes, while being considered by the Company as set out above, will be made in accordance with customary new issue allocation processes and procedures. For more information about the New Notes Offering, eligible Holders may contact Barclays Bank PLC at the contact details as set out below.

Purchases of New Notes are subject to all applicable securities laws and regulations in force in any relevant jurisdiction. In particular, Holders must be qualified institutional buyers as defined in Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or non-U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act in order to purchase New Notes. For more information, please refer to the Offer to Purchase.

Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the New Notes. No assurances can be given that the Company will in fact complete the New Notes Offering. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that a Holder validly tenders Notes pursuant to the Offer, then such Offer to Sell will still remain valid irrespective of whether such Holder receives all, part or none of any allocation of New Notes for which it has applied.

The Offer will expire at 4.59 a.m., London time on 27 June 2017 (11.59 p.m. New York time on 26 June 2017), unless extended, re-opened or earlier terminated by the Company in its sole discretion (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Expiration Time"). Holders of Notes must validly tender and not validly withdraw their Notes at or prior to 10.00 p.m., London time (5.00 p.m. New York time), on 12 June 2017 (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the "Early Tender Time") to be eligible to receive the Early Tender Purchase Price (defined below). Holders of Notes who validly tender their Notes after the Early Tender Time but at or prior to the Expiration Time will only be eligible to receive the applicable Final Purchase Price (defined below) for their Notes.

The applicable Early Tender Purchase Price will be payable after the Early Tender Time (the date of such payment, the "Early Payment Date"). The Early Payment Date is currently expected to be 19 June 2017.

The applicable Final Purchase Price will be payable promptly following the Expiration Date (the date of such payment, the "Final Payment Date"). The Final Payment Date is currently expected to be 29 June 2017.

The "Early Tender Purchase Price" payable for each U.S.$1,000 in principal amount of 2018 Notes, 2021 Notes and 2022 Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Time/Withdrawal Time and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer is set out in the table below. Holders will also receive accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes ("Accrued Interest") from and including the last interest payment date applicable to such Notes to, but not including, the Early Payment Date with respect to any such 2018 Notes, 2021 Notes and 2022 Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase in the Offer.

The "Final Purchase Price" payable for each U.S.$1,000 in principal amount of 2018 Notes, 2021 Notes and 2022 Notes validly tendered after the Early Tender Time but at or prior to the Expiration Time and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer is set out in the table below. Holders will also receive Accrued Interest applicable to such Notes to, but not including, the Final Payment Date with respect to any such 2018 Notes, 2021 Notes and 2022 Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase in the Offer.

Notes tendered before the Early Tender Time may be validly withdrawn by delivery of a withdrawal instruction that is received by the Tender Agent at any time before 10.00 p.m., London time (5:00 p.m. New York time), on 12 June 2017, unless extended by the Company in its sole discretion (the "Withdrawal Time"), but not thereafter. Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time may not be withdrawn.

Title of Security ISINs CUSIP Maturity Date Principal Amount Outstanding(3) Early Tender

Purchase

Price(1) Final Purchase

Price(2) U.S.$1,000,000,000 9.125% Loan Participation Notes issued by VIP Finance Limited (the 2018 Notes) US918242AB40 (Rule 144A)/ XS0361041808 (Reg S) 918242 AB4 30 April 2018 U.S.$499,149,000 U.S.$1,070.00 U.S.$1,040.00 U.S.$1,000,000,000 7.748% Loan Participation Notes issued by VIP Finance Ireland Limited (the 2021 Notes) US918242AD06 (Rule 144A)/ XS0587031096 (Reg S) 918242 AD0 2 February 2021 U.S.$650,570,000 U.S.$1,151.25 U.S.$1,121.25 U.S.$1,500,000,000 7.5043% Guaranteed Notes issued by VimpelCom Holdings B.V. (the 2022 Notes) US92718WAB54 (Rule 144A)/ XS0643183220 (Reg S) 92718W AB5 1 March 2022 U.S.$1,280,023,000 U.S.$1,156.25 U.S.$1,126.25





Notes:

(1) Per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Time (as defined herein) and accepted for purchase. Does not include Accrued Interest (as defined herein), which will be paid on all Notes accepted for purchase.



(2) Per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered after the Early Tender Time and at or prior to the Expiration Time and accepted for purchase. Does not include Accrued Interest (as defined herein), which will be paid on all Notes accepted for purchase.



(3) Aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding as at the date of this announcement.

The Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, including the Financing Condition. The complete terms and conditions of the Offer, including the procedures for participating in the Offer, are set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated 30 May 2017. Holders of the Notes are urged to read the Offer to Purchase carefully before making any decision with respect to the Offer.

Indicative Timetable for the Offer:









Events

Times and Dates





Commencement of Offer Period:









Commencement of the Offer upon the terms and subject to the Offer Conditions set out in the Offer to Purchase.

30 May 2017





Early Tender Time:









The last time for Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer in order to receive the applicable Early Tender Purchase Price.

12 June 2017, 10:00 p.m. London time (5:00 p.m. New York time)





Withdrawal Time:









The last time that Holders may validly withdraw any Notes previously tendered.

12 June 2017, 10:00 p.m. London time (5:00 p.m. New York time)





Announcement of the principal amount of Notes of each series validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer as at the Early Tender Time:

13 June 2017, at or around 9:00 a.m. London time (4:00 a.m. New York time)





Announcement of the expected satisfaction of the Financing Condition:

14 June 2017





Early Payment Date:

Expected to be 19 June 2017





Expiration Time:









The last time for Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer in order to receive the applicable Final Purchase Price.

27 June 2017, 4:59 a.m. London time (26 June 2017, 11:59 p.m. New York time)





Announcement of final results of the Offer and the principal amount of Notes of each series accepted for purchase:

27 June 2017





Final Payment Date:

Promptly after the Expiration Time, and expected to be 29 June 2017

The Company reserves the right to extend the Offer with respect to the Notes, if necessary, so that the Expiration Time occurs upon or shortly after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the Offer.

The Company has retained Barclays Bank PLC, Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited and Merrill Lynch International (together, the "Dealer Managers") to serve as the dealer managers and Lucid Issuer Services Limited to serve as the tender agent (the "Tender Agent") for the Offer.

Requests for documents may be directed to the Tender Agent, Lucid Issuer Services Limited, at (Telephone: +44 20 7704 0880; Email: [email protected]). Questions regarding the Offer may be directed to Barclays Bank PLC, at (Telephone: (800) 438-3242 (toll free) or (212) 528-7581 (collect) within the U.S. and +44 20 3134 8515 outside the U.S.; Email: [email protected]); Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited, at (Telephone: (800) 820-1653 (toll free) or (212) 538-2147 (collect) within the U.S. and +44 20 7883 8763 / +44 20 7888 9350 outside the U.S.; Email: [email protected]); or Merrill Lynch International, at (Telephone: (888) 292-0070 (toll free) or (980) 388-3646 (collect) within the U.S. and +44 20 7996 5240 outside the U.S.; Email: [email protected]). This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell with respect to the Notes, nor is this announcement an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. The Offer is being made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and only in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Company considers portions of this announcement and the Offer to Purchase and the documents incorporated by reference in the Offer to Purchase to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "plan", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "continue" or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which the Company might not even anticipate. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions at the time made, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will be achieved. Future events and actual results, financial and otherwise, may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, possible changes in the timing and consummation of the Offer. Holders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and the Offer to Purchase speak only as of the date of this announcement and the Offer to Purchase. The Company does not undertake to publicly update, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws, any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after such dates or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Holders should, however, consult any further disclosures of a forward-looking nature made in the documents incorporated by reference to the Offer to Purchase.

OFFER AND DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTIONS

Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase constitutes an invitation to participate in the Offer in any jurisdiction in which, or to any person to or from whom, it is unlawful to make such invitation or for there to be such participation under applicable securities laws. The distribution of this announcement and the Offer to Purchase in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this announcement or the Offer to Purchase comes are required by the Company, the Dealer Managers and the Tender Agent to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

United Kingdom

This announcement and the Offer to Purchase are for distribution only to persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the "Financial Promotion Order"), (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) are outside the United Kingdom, or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the "FSMA")) may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (including, in respect of the 2022 Notes, persons falling within Article 43 of the Financial Promotion Order) (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This announcement and the Offer to Purchase are directed in the United Kingdom only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement and the Offer to Purchase relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

Republic of Italy

None of this announcement, the Offer to Purchase or any other documents or materials relating to this announcement and the Offer to Purchase have been or will be submitted to the clearance procedure of the Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa ("CONSOB") pursuant to Italian laws and regulations. The Offer is being carried out in the Republic of Italy as an exempted offer pursuant to article 101-bis, paragraph 3-bis of the Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the "Financial Services Act") and article 35-bis, paragraph 4 of CONSOB Regulation No. 11971 of 14 May 1999, as amended (the "Issuers' Regulation"), as the case may be. The Offer to Purchase is also being carried out in compliance with article 35-bis, paragraph 7 of the Issuers' Regulation.

A Holder located in the Republic of Italy can tender the Notes through authorised persons (such as investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in the Republic of Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of 29 October 2007, as amended from time to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993, as amended) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or with requirements imposed by CONSOB or any other Italian authority.

Each intermediary must comply with the applicable laws and regulations concerning information duties vis-a-vis its clients in connection with the Notes or the Offer.

Belgium

The offer restriction below applies only to the 2018 Notes.

In Belgium, the Offer will not, directly or indirectly, be made to, or for the account of, any person other than to qualified investors referred to in Article 10,  1 of the Belgian law on the public offering of investment instruments and the admission of investment instruments to trading on regulated markets dated 16 June 2006, as amended from time to time (the "Belgian Prospectus Law"). This announcement and the Offer to Purchase or any other documentation or material relating to the Offer have not been and will not be submitted to the Financial Services and Markets Authority ("Authorite des services et marches financiers / Autoriteit voor financiele diensten en markten") for approval. Accordingly, in Belgium, the Offer may not be made by way of a public offer within the meaning of article 3 of the Belgian Prospectus Law and article 3 of the Belgian act on public takeover offers dated 1 April 2007, as amended from time to time (the "Belgian Takeover Act"). Therefore, the Offer may not be promoted vis-a-vis, and are not being made to, any person in Belgium (with the exception of "qualified investors" within the meaning of article 10,  1 of the Belgian Prospectus Law that are acting for their own account and without prejudice to the application of article 6  4 of the Takeover Act). This announcement and the Offer to Purchase and any other documentation or material relating to the Offer (including memorandums, information circulars, brochures or similar documents) have not been forwarded or made available to, and are not being forwarded or made available to, directly or indirectly, any such person. With regard to Belgium, this announcement and (where applicable) the Offer to Purchase have been transmitted only for personal use by the aforementioned qualified investors and only for the purpose of the Offer. Accordingly, the information contained in this announcement and the Offer to Purchase may not be used for any other purpose or be transmitted to any other person in Belgium (without prejudice to the application of article 6  4 of the Takeover Act).

The Republic of France

This announcement and the Offer are not being made, directly or indirectly, to the general public in the Republic of France. This announcement, the Offer to Purchase or any other documentation or material relating to the Offer (including memorandums, information circulars, brochures or similar documents) have not been distributed to, and or are not being distributed to, the general public in the Republic of France. Only (i) persons that provide investment services in the field of portfolio management for the account of third parties (personnes fournissant le service d'investissement de gestion de portefeuille pour compte de tiers) and/or (ii) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifies) (that are not individuals) acting for their own account, in each case as defined in or pursuant to articles L.411-1, L.411-2 and D.411-1 of the French Code Monetaire et Financier, may participate in the Offer. This announcement and the Offer to Purchase have not been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorite des marches financiers.

General

The distribution of this announcement and/or the Offer to Purchase in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this announcement or the Offer to Purchase comes are required by the Company, the Dealer Managers and the Tender Agent to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

The Dealer Managers and the Tender Agent (and their respective directors, employees or affiliates) make no representations or recommendations whatsoever regarding this announcement, the Offer to Purchase or the Offer. The Tender Agent is the agent of the Company and owes no duty to any Holder. None of the Company, the Dealer Managers or the Tender Agent makes any recommendation as to whether or not Holders should participate in the Offer or refrain from taking any action in the Offer with respect to any of such Notes, and none of them has authorised any person to make any such recommendation.

Neither this announcement nor the Offer to Purchase constitutes an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell Notes (and tenders of Notes in the Offer will not be accepted from Holders) in any circumstances or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer and any Dealer Manager or any of their respective affiliates is such a licensed broker or dealer in such jurisdictions, the Offer shall be deemed to be made by such Dealer Manager or affiliate (as the case may be) on behalf of the Company in such jurisdiction and the Offer is not made in any such jurisdiction where either a Dealer Manager or any of its affiliates is not licensed.

Each Holder participating in the Offer will be deemed to give certain representations in respect of the jurisdictions referred to above, and generally, on submission of the Notes for tender in the Offer. Any tender of Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offer from a Holder that is unable to make these representations may be rejected. Each of the Company, the Dealer Managers and the Tender Agent reserves the right, in their absolute discretion, to investigate, in relation to any tender of Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offer, whether any such representation given by a Holder is correct and, if such investigation is undertaken and as a result the Company determines (for any reason) that such representation is not correct, such tender may be rejected.

The information contained in this announcement constitutes inside information with respect to VimpelCom Holdings B.V. and VIP Finance Ireland Limited for the purposes of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 on market abuse.

SOURCE VimpelCom Holdings B.V.
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtual Rehab announces a partnership with Securli, the flagship Cybersecurity Defense System from Netswitch to assure that all client data stored on the Virtual Rehab platform is protected and secured from privacy intrusions.

Virtual Rehab is a revolutionary approach to offender, drug, and alcohol addiction education and rehabilitation which leverages advancements in Virtual and Augmented Reality technology to reduce the number of repeated offenses and re-incarceration rates worldwide.

Virtual Rehab's technology is used in Formal Education, Vocational Job Training, Psychological Rehabilitation, and Correctional Services Rehabilitation by inmates, correctional officers, and rehab centers' (drug and alcohol addicts) psychologists and treatment counselors.

"We were looking for an advanced cybersecurity platform that would assure that all of our sensitive and personal client data was secured in the maximum way possible," says Dr. Raji Wahidy, Virtual Rehab's founder and CEO. "As you can imagine, in an offender and an addiction treatment program of this nature, we collect and analyze some of the most sensitive and private personal information possible. Securli is the leading cybersecurity defense system for a good reason. None of their clients have ever been breached and that was a strong testimony for us."

Virtual Rehab believes that putting a kid in the corner does not teach them how to be a better person but rather teaches them not to get caught. Virtual Rehab is interested in improving the long term social good and is passionate about using proven virtual reality technology as an innovative way to help address the challenges of a large and vulnerable population of patients who require advanced treatment techniques.

"We believe strongly in Dr. Wahidy's mission," says Stanley Li, CEO and founder of Netswitch. "That's why we have been determined about committing additional investments in adapting our Securli system to this unique application. Given that the Virtual Rehab technology must accommodate both stand-alone and Internet-connected environments, the opportunity for compromise is heightened. We have been able to create operational versions of both in such a way as to virtually guarantee a fail-safe domain."

Virtual Rehab is working with multiple correction facilities to deliver reduced recidivism and incarceration through virtual and augmented reality based immersive learning and rehabilitation programs.

ABOUT VIRTUAL REHAB

Virtual Rehab is the world's leader in reducing the number of repeated offenses and re-incarceration rates using immersive Virtual and Augmented Reality educational and rehabilitation programs. Virtual Rehab's powerful tool is intended to rehabilitate rather than just punish.

Virtual Rehab is headquartered in Fresh Meadows, New York. http://www.virtualrehab.co/

ABOUT NETSWITCH

Netswitch is a global cyber-security solutions provider, serving businesses of all sizes through Securli, its award-winning Managed Detection and Response platform.

Securli technologies are in use at over 3,000 sites around the world providing 24x7 managed intrusion detection and prevention, advanced behavioral analytics, incident response and remediation and complete audit-ready regulatory compliance.

Netswitch is headquartered in San Francisco, California and serves the Middle East and APAC through its ASIA Pacific Headquarters in Hong Kong. www.netswitch.net

SOURCE Virtual Rehab

Related Links

http://www.virtualrehab.co/


MIAMI, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- eMerge Americas today announced the participation of Visa in the eMerge Americas 2017 technology conference taking place in Miami this coming June 12 and 13. TS Anil, Head of Global Products for Visa, and Luz Adriana Ramirez, Country Manager for Visa Mexico, are confirmed as speakers. As an eMerge Americas 2017 presenting partner, Visa is also sponsoring the pre-event Hackathon and Startup Showcase. This event provides a diverse, multicultural and collaborative environment to share ideas and plans to build the payments solutions of the future.

The two-day conference will include summits, keynotes, startup competitions and networking. As part of his presentation titled Collaborating to Create the Future of Payments, TS Anil will speak about key payment trends, and how fintechs participate in the co-creation process. On June 13, Luz Adriana Ramirez will take the stage for the Women, Innovation & Technology panel, where speakers will discuss strategies to bridge the gender gap in the tech industry.

"At Visa, we are committed to innovate in order to provide the best consumer experience. We look forward to working with local startups and the fintech community during eMerge Americas 2017, in order to keep developing new payment solutions," said Allen Cueli, Senior Director of Product and New Payment Enablers. "It is essential to work together, plug into and build off others' innovations."

Visa is a main sponsor of the eMerge Americas 2017 Hackathon, taking place June 9 and 10. For a chance at $6,000 in cash and an opportunity to meet Apple co-founder Steve Woznaik, Hackathon participants have 24 hours to tackle complex challenges presented by industry-leading API sponsors. Visa is also sponsoring the Startup Showcase on June 11, where startups from three tracks showcase their innovations for the opportunity to win up to $175,000 in prizes.

"In the spirit of open collaboration, we opened our payment network to work with third parties to provide the best solutions and consumer experience to end users. Visa Developer Platform offers access to some of Visa's most popular payment technologies and services APIs, so that third parties can integrate them into their solutions," added Cueli.

Visa's approach to innovation is based on collaborating with multiple organizations that strive to improve the experience of consumers, including financial institutions, retail, governments, fintech and startups.

About Visa

Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable electronic payments. We operate one of the world's most advanced processing networks  VisaNet  that is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second, with fraud protection for consumers and assured payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa's innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: pay now with debit, pay ahead with prepaid or pay later with credit products. For more information, visit https://usa.visa.com/ and @VisaNews.

About eMerge Americas

eMerge Americas serves as the preeminent innovative thought exchange transforming Miami into the technological hub of the Americas. By connecting global industry leaders and investors with America's top business executives, IT decision-makers, and entrepreneurs, partnerships are forged that spur visionary innovation and technological advancements for the betterment of business and society. eMerge's founding partners include: Medina Capital, A Rod Corporation, Greenberg Traurig, Knight Foundation, Miami-Dade County, and the Miami Herald. For more information about eMerge Americas, please visit: emergeamericas.com.

SOURCE eMerge Americas

Related Links

http://emergeamericas.com/


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Browse 38 market data tables and 60 figures spread through 183 pages and in-depth TOC on "Warehouse Management System Market"



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Factors anticipated to drive the growth of the market include emergence of multi-channel distribution networks, growth of the e-commerce industry, increased adoption of on-cloud WMS solutions, and globalization of supply chain networks.

"The software segment accounted for the largest share of the warehouse management system market"

Based on component, the software segment is expected to lead the warehouse management system market between 2017 and 2023. In a dynamic supply chain ecosystem, warehouse operating companies have realized the importance of WMS software, as this software accurately manages their inventory. Therefore, increasing awareness of WMS software among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the growing adoption of cloud-based WMS software solutions are key factors driving the demand for WMS software.

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"The food & beverages industry segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR between 2017 and 2023"

The food & beverages industry segment of the warehouse management system market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2017 and 2023. Factors such as the need for automated and hygienic handling of food items, enhanced traceability of food items, and increased sale of packaged food products are propelling the implementation of WMS solutions in the warehousing facilities of food & beverages companies.

"North America expected to lead the warehouse management system market between 2017 and 2023"

North America is one of the key growth regions in the warehouse management system market. Increased adoption of cloud technology, growth of the e-commerce industry, highly developed warehousing infrastructure, and extensive third-party distribution network are influencing the growth of the warehouse management system market in North America. In addition, the presence of established manufacturing companies in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are further contributing to the growth of this market.

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Key players operating in the warehouse management system market include Epicor Software Corp. (US), JDA Software Group, Inc. (US), Manhattan Associates, Inc. (US), Oracle Corp. (US), SAP SE (Germany), IBM Corp. (US), Infor, Inc. (US), PTC Inc. (US), PSI AG (Germany), TECSYS Inc. (Canada), BluJay Solutions (UK), and HighJump (US).

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A 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)
TORONTO, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Wave (waveapps.com), the leading provider of financial management software for entrepreneurs and small business owners, announced a US$24 million strategic financing today, with participation from leading financial services companies including National Australia Bank (NAB), Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Portag3 (the investment arm of PowerCorp focusing on financial services innovations), and Exhibition Capital. The investment also includes funding from existing investors CRV, Social Capital, BDC IT Venture Fund and BDC Capital, OMERS Ventures, Harbourvest and OurCrowd.

Wave has attracted more than 2.5 million users globally to its financial management software. Designed for the small business owner, Wave allows entrepreneurs to easily manage their business including such critical functions as invoicing, receiving payments, lending, payroll and receipt management, all seamlessly integrated into an award-winning double-entry accounting system. Wave allows the business owner to focus on the things that make their business successful while letting the software automate much of the corresponding bookkeeping.

With a 360 view of a business's finances, Wave can identify the need for specific financial services at the exact time of need, and help the business owner acquire and use those services, all from within the software.

Kirk Simpson, CEO and co-founder of Wave, says, "Since 2010, Wave has been an innovator in small business financial solutions. Our customers tell us that by deeply integrating financial services into our cloud-based software, we are helping them thrive while changing how they think about and use small business financial products."

With this funding, Wave will accelerate the development of seamlessly integrated financial solutions within its core platform, providing business owners with solutions that can help their businesses be successful. In addition, through advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, Wave will continue to develop its ability to automate basic accounting functions and provide meaningful and actionable insights to help businesses grow.

Mike Dobbins, Head, Strategy and Corporate Development, RBC, says, "We're proud to support Wave as they continue to bring solutions to market for entrepreneurs in Canada and around the world. This investment is part of our commitment to support the scale up of emerging fintech companies in our economy, recognizing the critical role they play in Canada's Innovation agenda."

About Wave



Wave is changing the way small businesses make money, spend money and track money. Wave delivers cloud-based financial management software with seamlessly integrated financial services to business owners around the world. Over 2.5 million business owners around the world have used Wave to help manage their finances, and over 60,000 new businesses join the Wave ecosystem every month. For more information, visit www.waveapps.com.

Find us on social media:

Twitter.com/WaveHQ

Facebook.com/WaveHQ

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is Canada's largest bank, and one of the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, investor services and capital markets products and services on a global basis. We have approximately 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 35 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.

RBC helps communities prosper, supporting a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. For more information please see: http://www.rbc.com/community-sustainability/.

SOURCE Wave
This new feature combines WorkWave's proprietary routing algorithm with real-time telematics data in a way that allows Route Manager users to provide their consumers with real-time updates so they can stay better informed along the delivery journey. It also allows for Route Manager users to easily facilitate on-demand requests by assigning the best available driver based on their exact location and workload at the time of those requests.

"Live ETA is a great example of how we continue to leverage each element of the WorkWave platform to create innovative solutions for our users and demonstrates the power of our solution suite," said Chris Sullens, president and CEO, WorkWave. "Solutions like Live ETA allow our users to increase efficiency and visibility into their fleet performance while also delivering a 5-star customer experience."

Demand for accurate estimated time of arrival information has increased dramatically as time-pressed consumers look for every opportunity to optimize their daily schedules. With Live ETAs, businesses can enable trigger notifications, provide accurate updates, and plan for on-demand requests, eliminating the element of surprise after drivers are dispatched. The data generated by such frequent updates from the field allow Route Manager users to make more proactive decisions, leading to better business outcomes.

"With Live ETAs, we have closed a missing link between GPS tracking and route planning and removed the blind spot between what happens as drivers check-in and out of orders throughout the day," said Riccardo Bocci, product manager, WorkWave Fleet Solutions. "WorkWave's Live ETAs give much more assurance that the data businesses are looking at is realistic and takes into consideration the unexpected things that happen when people drive between point A and point B. Businesses can close the loop with the ability to measure and compare the plan vs. actual."

For more information about Live ETAs, view bit.ly/LiveETAs and learn more about WorkWave Route Manager, visit workwave.com/route-manager .

About WorkWave

WorkWave is a fast-growing leader in field service and "last mile" delivery software  a $45+ billion market worldwide. The company connects all aspects of its clients' businesses through its tightly integrated, mobile-first suite of software solutions, which include PestPac, WorkWave Service, ServiceCEO, WorkWave Route Manager, WorkWave GPS, WorkWave Marketing and ContactUs. WorkWave's solutions provide its 9,000+ clients with an unprecedented level of business insight and information, enabling them to increase revenue per employee and provide a five-star customer experience. Founded in 1984, WorkWave has been recognized with multiple awards for its outstanding growth and culture, including the Inc. 5000, SmartCEO Future 50, and Best Places to Work in New Jersey. For more information, visit workwave.com.

Contact Danielle Panichi Email [email protected] Phone 800-792-6067 Website https://www.workwave.com

SOURCE WorkWave

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SAN DIEGO, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Shareholder rights law firm Johnson & Weaver, LLP (J&W) has launched an investigation into whether the board members of Xactly Corporation (NYSE: XTLY) breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed sale of the Company to Vista Equity Partners. Xactly provides cloud-based incentive compensation solutions for employee and sales performance management in the United States and the United Kingdom.

On May 30, 2017, Xactly announced it had signed a definitive merger agreement with Vista. Under the terms of the agreement, Vista will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Xactly common stock for $15.65 per share in cash.

The investigation concerns whether the Board of Xactly breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders and whether Vista is underpaying for the Company. The price being paid by Vista is below an analyst price target of $20 per share.

If you are a shareholder of Xactly and believe the proposed buyout price is too low and you're interested in learning more about the investigation or your legal rights and remedies, please contact Jim Baker ([email protected]) at 619-814-4471.

About Johnson & Weaver, LLP:

Johnson & Weaver, LLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm with offices in California, New York and Georgia. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://www.johnsonandweaver.com. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Contact:

Johnson & Weaver, LLP

Jim Baker, 619-814-4471

[email protected]

SOURCE Johnson & Weaver, LLP

Related Links

http://johnsonandweaver.com


Students at Milwaukees Academy of Excellence charter school attend a rally for supporters of Wisconsins School Choice program gather at La Casa de Esperanza in Waukesha.
Take a look at the stories from around our area and world that are making news today.

Wisconsin sex trafficking bills target repeat patrons of prostitutes: Mary Spicuzza and Ashley Luthern of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel write: "A pair of bills proposed by state lawmakers would target the demand for sex trafficking by cracking down on those who repeatedly patronize prostitutes. One of the bills, a bipartisan effort to toughen criminal penalties for frequent offenders, would make the third conviction a felony. Its lead sponsors are state Reps. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) and Amanda Stuck (D-Appleton) and Sen. Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac). 'Gone are the days where prostitution is viewed as a victimless crime,' Kleefisch said. 'When it comes to human trafficking, we need to attack on all fronts.' He said part of the drive for pimps to push prostitution is the demand, so reducing that demand will help combat trafficking. Adding that many trafficking victims are 'forced, coerced or violently pushed into prostitution,' Kleefisch said those who hire prostitutes  especially repeatedly  are 'enablers at the very least.' The legislation was requested by law enforcement officials in the Fox Cities, and has the support of the state Department of Justice, Kleefisch said. A second bill proposed by state Rep. Andre Jacque (D-DePere) would require people convicted of soliciting or patronizing prostitutes  or keeping a place of prostitution  to pay $5,000. The money would be used to provide treatment and services for victims of sex trafficking, and for investigations and law enforcement related to Internet crimes against children." Read more.

Trumps communications director Mike Dubke has resigned: Michael Edison Hayden of ABC News writes: "Mike Dubke, President Trumps communications director, has resigned, ABC News has learned. Dubke, 47, who had been tasked with helping to shape the president's message, only served at his administration post for about three months. He resigned May 18 but offered to stay on in his post until the end of the president's first foreign trip, ABC News has learned. Dubke is still coming into work, and his last day has not yet been set. Previously, he had helped found Crossroads Media, a Republican media services firm. Dubke's resignation may serve as an opportunity to revamp Trump's communications team, which has frequently come under criticism during the early months of the president's term.

This is what Betsy DeVos thinks about people who oppose her school-choice vision: Valerie Strauss of the Chicago Tribune writes: "During the Obama administration, Education Secretary Arne Duncan got pretty steamed at people who opposed his school reform efforts, especially his support for the Common Core State Standards. In 2013, for example, he went after Core critics, telling a group of state schools superintendents: 'It's fascinating to me that some of the pushback is coming from, sort of, white suburban moms who - all of a sudden - their child isn't as brilliant as they thought they were and their school isn't quite as good as they thought they were, and that's pretty scary.' That same year, he said the Core 'has become a rallying cry for fringe groups' - without noting that critics had come from all across the political spectrum. He frequently denounced the 'status quo' as indefensible and criticized opponents as wanting to maintain that status quo. Now we have a new education secretary, Republican Betsy DeVos, and she is taking attacks on people who disagree with her to a whole new level. She, too, has denounced the status quo as unacceptable and has suggested that those who oppose her want to maintain it. She said at the Brookings Institution in March: 'The reflexive question asked, often politely, by critics of choice is why should we not simply fix the broken schools first? If only schools received more funding, they say, the schools could provide a better learning environment for those being left behind." Read more.

How does Donald Trump solve a problem like Jared Kushner?: Chris Cillizza of CNN writes: "President Donald Trump isn't a man who gets too bogged down in rules. Especially when it comes to how he lives his life or runs his White House. But, he does have a few rules. And these two might be the most important: 1. Family first. Always. 2. Staff getting bad press for the boss isn't staff for long. Which brings us to Jared Kushner, who is both a senior adviser to Trump and the President's son-in-law. Kushner, whose portfolio is so broad that he's been described as the 'Secretary of Everything,' was widely regarded as the one untouchable staffer in the White House due to rule No. 1. Kushner was family -- he's married to Trump's daughter, Ivanka -- before he was ever a member of the Trump staff. Then last week happened. Kushner, according to The Washington Post, sought a secret backchannel with the Russians in a December meeting with ambassador Sergey Kislyak. The Post reported that the FBI, which is in the midst of an ongoing investigation into Russia meddling into the 2016 election and the possibility of collusion with some elements of the Trump campaign found that meeting to be of 'investigative interest.' While that was the biggest negative story about Kushner that popped into the national media at the end of last week, it wasn't the only one. Reuters reported that Kushner had at least three previously unreported contacts with Kislyak both during and after the 2016 campaign. Then, on Monday night, The New York Times reported that federal investigators are trying to figure out why Kushner met with Russian banker Sergey Gorkov shortly after the meeting with Kislyak reported by the Post." Read more.

Wisconsin man remembered in Michigan for trying to save swimmers: The Associated Press reports: "A young man who died while trying to rescue two women last year in Lake Superior is being remembered at a lifesaving station near the site of the drownings. A plaque with a description of the tragedy is on a box that holds a remote-controlled buoy. The Mining Journal in Marquette says the buoy can travel up to 22 mph to reach distressed swimmers. Justin Schroepfer was a 24-year-old from Rhinelander, Wisconsin. He and 22-year-old Kaylilyn Tansey of Grand Ledge died off Little Presque Isle near Marquette. Another woman survived. Kevin Schroepfer says he wasn't surprised to learn that his son dashed into the fierce waves to try to help the women. During a recent ceremony, he thanked emergency responders who recovered the bodies and rescued Abigail Sprinkle."

Manuel Noriega, dictator ousted by U.S. in Panama, dies at 83: Randal C. Archibold of the New York Times writes: "Manuel Antonio Noriega, the brash former dictator of Panama and sometime ally of the United States whose ties to drug trafficking led to his ouster in 1989 in what was then the largest American military action since the Vietnam War, has died. He was 83. President Juan Carlos Varela of Panama announced Mr. Noriegas death on Twitter early Tuesday morning. Mr. Noriega had been in intensive care since March 7 after complications developed from surgery to remove what his lawyer described as a benign brain tumor. His daughters told reporters at the hospital in March that he had had a brain hemorrhage after the procedure. He had been granted house arrest in January to prepare for the operation. His medical problems came on the heels of a legal odyssey that had begun with the invasion and led to prison terms in the United States, France and finally Panama. While imprisoned abroad he suffered strokes, hypertension and other ailments, his lawyers said. After returning to Panama on Dec. 11, 2011, he began serving long sentences for murder, embezzlement and corruption in connection with his rule during the 1980s. It was an inglorious homecoming for a man who had been known for brandishing a machete while making defiant nationalist speeches and living a lavish, libertine life off drug-trade riches, complete with luxurious mansions, cocaine-fueled parties and voluminous collections of antique guns. It was a quirky life as well: He liked to display his teddy bears dressed as paratroopers." Read more.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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New Delhi, May 27 : A day after the missing Sukhoi-30 fighter jet's wreckage was found, efforts by search and rescue teams to reach the spot have been hampered by inclement weather, rugged terrain with a steep gradient and thick foliage, defence sources said on Saturday.

Indian Air Force (IAF) officials said the ground parties comprising IAF Special Force Garuds and Army's Para Special Forces are however endeavouring to reach the crash site. The IAF has said the area is "totally inaccessible".

"The progress is slow and painstaking, owing to the rugged terrain and thick undergrowth," an IAF official said.

The wreckage of the Sukhoi-30 fighter jet, which went missing on May 23, was found on Friday during an aerial recce in a thick forest around 60 km from Tezpur in Assam.

A search for the flight data recorder and the two missing pilots will be conducted once the parties reach the spot.

Search parties from the Army are also attempting to reach the spot by trekking but are constrained by inclement weather, thick vegetation and steep gradient of the terrain.

The Su-30 took off from the IAF Tezpur airbase, about 172 km from the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh, around 10.30 a.m. on May 23 on a routine training mission.

It lost radar and radio contact with the controlling station around 11.10 a.m. near Arunachal Pradesh's Doulasang area, adjoining China, 60 km north of Tezpur.

Tezpur has one of the three IAF air bases in the country that host the Sukhois.

Last year, a Sukhoi-30MKI crashed near Nagaon town of Assam during a routine sortie. While the two pilots ejected safely, some locals suffered splinter injuries in the crash.
New Delhi, May 28 : Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asserted that the BJP-led NDA government has found a "permanent solution" to the vexed Kashmir issue but there would be no compromise on the territorial integrity of India.

The Minister also ruled out inviting separatist groups for talks on Kashmir and said whoever wanted to talk "development and peace" was welcome.

"We have come up with a permanent solution to solve Kashmir. The initiative has begun. We are moving forward," Rajnath Singh said.

He was replying to a question from IANS while talking to a group of journalists on the sidelines of a BJP function to highlight achievements of the three years of the NDA government.

The Minister, however, refused to elaborate on what kind of solution the BJP government has found for Jammu and Kashmir, which is battling nearly three decades of a violent separatist campaign.

Pressed further if the solution was "political in nature", Rajnath Singh said: "It is too early to discuss it in public. I don't want to discuss it with the media."

Asked about the possibility of talks with Hurriyat leaders, the Minister said the government was ready for talks with all stakeholders but there would be no invitations to individuals or organisations.

"We have never said no to talks. I went there (Kashmir) last year and stayed for three days for talks with all stakeholders. Those who wanted to talk came forward. Even (Chief Minister) Mehbooba Mufti had written a letter of invitation to separatists, but..."

Rajnath Singh said Kashmir had indeed been a challenge for the government but refused to accept Opposition claims that the PDP-BJP ruling combine in the state was responsible for it.

"Kashmir has been burning and the problem is decades old," he said.

Rajnath Singh attributed recurring street unrest, increasing number of stone-pelting protests and heightened militancy related incidents to radicalisation of youth in the Kashmir Valley.

"Radicalisation is a global phenomena. We are aware of it and we will tackle it."

Asked if the central government was satisfied with the way the state administration was handling the situation in the wake of fresh trouble, the Minister said: "There is no reason to be unhappy about it."

The Kashmir Valley has been on the boil since the April 9 Lok Sabha polls for the Srinagar parliamentary constituency when eight civilian protesters were killed in firing by security forces guarding voting stations.

The gunning down on Saturday of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat has triggered widespread protests once again. Bhat was a close aide of militant 'poster boy' Burhan Wani, whose death last year led to months of violent unrest that left some 100 civilians dead.

A top BJP leader at the function said Bhat's "fate was written" when he picked up the gun to fight security forces and it was true about anyone who resorts to violence.

"Whoever picks arms, will be killed. They will have to die," the BJP leader said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The BJP leader, who is also a top policy maker for the party, ruled out the possibility of talks with separatist leaders at a time when the valley was burning.

"Is it possible to hold talks with those who throw stones?" he asked.

Asked why not talk to the civil society in Kashmir, the BJP leader said: "Many feel that stone-pelters too are members of the (Kashmir) civil society...There can't be talks in such an environment."
Berlin, May 29 : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Monday on the first leg of a six-day, four-nation European tour that will also take him to Spain, Russia and France.

Modi is to hold a private meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at her country resort of Schloss Meseberg on Monday evening.

Modi is accompanied by Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Seetharaman and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.

On Tuesday, Modi and Merkel will head the fourth round of the biannual Inter-Governmental Consultations. Germany is the only country with which India has such an arrangement. Both the leaders will then address the India-Germany Business Summit.

Later, Modi will call on German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

From Germany, Modi will travel to Spain, Russia and France.
Berlin, May 29 : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attended a private dinner hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel soon after he arrived in Berlin on a two-day visit to Germany.

"The bonds of a fruitful partnership. Chancellor Merkel receives PM @narendramodi at Schloss Meseberg before a private dinner," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted along with pictures of the two leaders.

Schloss Meseberg, some 65 km from Berlin, is the country retreat of the German Chancellor and the official state guest house of the German government.

Earlier on Monday, Modi arrived in Berlin on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe.

Modi is accompanied by Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Seetharaman and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.

On Tuesday, Modi and Merkel will head the fourth round of the biannual Inter-Governmental Consultations. Germany is the only country with which India has such an arrangement. Both the leaders will then address the India-Germany Business Summit.

Later, Modi will call on resident Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

From Germany, Modi will travel to Spain, Russia and France.
Los Angeles, May 30 : Actor Jake Johnson says his "New Girl" co-star Max Greenfield has kissed him more than any girl he ever dated.

Johnson talked about his chemistry with Greenfield during a conversation with anchor-producer Ryan Seacrest, read a statement.

"I have been kissed the most by Max in six seasons then I have been kissed by any girl I have ever dated," Johnson said.

To that, Greenfield added: "Yeah at first the reactions from you were really aggressive you would push me away or hit me and now when it happens and a lot of the times it's in the script, he just kind of goes with it, he's accepted it and that's it's a part of the show."

Johnson and Greenfield are seen as close friends and roommates in "New Girl" - season six of which is aired in India on Star World and Star World HD.

Talking about shooting of kissing scenes for the show, Greenfield said: "I have been trying to do a lot of improv on the show and I would just go and kiss him and they would think please stop that's inappropriate and they would never put it in the show, they finally put it in after the seventh time we had done it on the show."
Washington, May 30 : US President Donald Trump offered a solemn tribute to America's service members during a Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring those who gave their lives in war and those serving in defence of the country.

"Here at this hallowed shrine, we honour the noblest among us, the men and women who paid the ultimate price for victory and for freedom," ABC News quoted Trump as saying on Monday.

"We pay tribute to those brave souls who raced into gunfire, roared into battle and ran into hell to face down evil. They made their sacrifice not for fame or for money or even for glory but for country."

At the cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater he relayed stories of those who served and urged Americans to continue with the day's theme of remembrance.

"We can never replace them. We cannot repay them. But we can always remember. And today that is what we are doing," Trump said.

In the speech he paid tribute to Army Specialist Christopher Horton, Special Forces Captain Andrew Byers and Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, the son of Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly - whose family members were in attendance.

"And while we cannot know the extent of your pain, what we do know is that our gratitude to them and to you is boundless and undying," Trump said to the Gold Star families.

During last year's presidential campaign, he notably engaged in a dispute with Captain Humayun Khan's Gold Star parents, who spoke out against Trump in a Democratic National Convention speech, reports ABC News.

On Monday, Trump also made special mention of former Senator Bob Dole of Kansas, who sat in the audience at the ceremony, thanking Dole for his service in the Second World War.

Earlier in the morning, the president visited the cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where he placed a wreath and reflected silently as a bugle player performed taps.

This was Trump's first public appearance since returning from a nine-day foreign trip.
New Delhi : There is a new reality in clean energy. The world's major emerging economies -- including China, India, and several others -- are moving to the centre stage of the clean energy transition. By betting heavily on energy efficiency, on wind, solar and other renewables, as well as other less carbon-intensive technologies, these countries are increasingly leading the way.

This is the significance of the top-level meeting of energy ministers from the world's biggest economies in Beijing next month. The fact that representatives from fossil-fuel producers like Mexico and Saudi Arabia will join renewable-energy pioneers like Denmark and Germany for a top-level meeting in China is not a coincidence. We are witnessing a global consensus that the key to energy transition will reside with decisions made in emerging economies.

There are many reasons to stand for clean energy today. These can range from reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also battling the scourge of air pollution, improving energy security by reducing the dependency on fossil fuels, diversifying supply, creating high-tech jobs or fostering innovation. As such, approaches to clean energy will vary from country to country.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), all of the projected growth in energy demand in the next 25 years will take place in emerging and developing countries. This means that implementing the right kind of policies and technologies will be critical to ensure stable supplies as well as meeting desirable environmental outcomes.

The good news is that this is happening. India was the first country to set comprehensive quality and performance standards for light emitting diodes (LEDs), and it expects to save as much as 277 terawatt-hours of electricity between 2015 and 2030, avoiding 254 million metric tons of CO2 emissions or the equivalent of 90 coal-fired power plants.

Another upshot is that by committing to these new clean technologies, countries like China are helping drive down costs for the benefit of the world. China is now the undisputable global leader of renewable energy expansion worldwide, and the IEA forecasts that by 2021, more than one-third of global cumulative solar PV and onshore wind capacity will be located in China.

Recently announced renewable projects have broken new records, with power purchase agreements for several onshore wind and large solar PV farms now below $50/MWh.

As clean energy is increasingly driven by the emerging economies, global political leadership in advancing clean energy will be increasingly shared. This is precisely the function of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), which was created in 2010, and whose goal is to form a partnership that brings together major industrialised and emerging economies to focus on clean energy technologies and policies, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure reliable and affordable supplies.

Our timing is critical. Action by the 25 CEM members, representing 90 per cent of global energy investment and 75 per cent of global emissions, is crucial for making the world less carbon-intensive than today.

In Beijing, our focus will be to provide a collaborative environment to tackle these challenges in areas ranging from transportation, buildings to the power sector. Our governments will seek to increase electric mobility, with a target to reach 30 per cent of the new vehicle fleet by 2030. The recent announcements of the Indian government will go a long way towards this end. Another challenge for CEM governments will be to increase EV charging providers by a factor of 10 in the next five years. Other priority areas include improving efficiency in buildings, which account for nearly a third of all energy consumption and 20 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.

In the power sector, the CEM is seeking to move away from the coal-or-renewables paradigm. Coal was the fuel of the last 100 years, and renewables will likely be the dominant fuel of the next century for many countries. At the same time, we must recognise that so-called dispatchable power plants -- including thermal generation -- are key for many countries to ensure energy security during the transition to a cleaner energy system. And so, the Beijing meeting will launch new work to address this challenge.

To succeed, this energy transition will require the full backing of industry. This is why the CEM includes top-level executives from companies involved in all aspects of the energy field who offer a unique on-the-ground perspective and ultimately determine where investments end up going. They are often the first to recognise what drives clean energy uptake.

This is a unique time for the CEM, which is entering a new phase of cooperation and growth in our short history. The world of energy is changing. Facts on the ground unequivocally point to the key role of emerging economies in clean energy. Come the meeting in Beijing June 6-8, we are likely to see this reflected in the leadership of the CEM.

(Christian Zinglersen heads the Clean Energy Ministerial Secretariat. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at hozefa.merchant@gsccnetwork.org.)
Berlin, May 30 : India and Germany on Tuesday started the fourth round of the biannual Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) here headed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"PM @narendramodi & Chancellor Merkel undertake comprehensive review of coop'n at the Plenary meeting of the Inter-Governmental Consultations," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.

Germany is the only country with which India has such an institutionalised dialogue mechanism.

The first IGC was held in New Delhi in 2011, the second in Berlin in 2013, and the third in New Delhi in 2015.

Modi is accompanied by Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Seetharaman and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the German Chancellery here.

Modi and Merkel will also jointly address the India-Germany Business Summit later in the day.

Soon after his arrival here on Monday on a two-day visit to Germany, Modi and Merkel held a private meeting in the latter's country resort of Schloss Meseberg, some 65 km from Berlin, in which a range of issues, including climate change and the fight against terror, figured.

Germany is the first leg of the Prime Minister's six-day, four-nation European tour which will also see him going to Spain, Russia and France.
Kohima, May 30 : A 12-hour general strike on Tuesday called by traders in Dimapur town in protest against the death of one person in a bomb blast badly hit vehicular communication with the rest of Nagaland as also Imphal, capital of neighbouring Manipur.

"There have been no untoward incidents so far," police said.

The traders resorted to the strike after miscreants threw a bomb at a chemists' shop in Dimapur, the largest city and commercial hub of Nagaland, leaving one person dead and four others injured on Monday evening.

Normal life in Dimapur, 74 km from here, was thrown out of gear due to the strike that began from 6 a.m.

Vehicular movement to other parts of the state and Manipur suffered as National Highway 2, that connects Kohima, Imphal and the Myanmar border at Moreh, passes through this commercial town.

Hundreds of vehicles coming from and going to Imphal were stranded in view of the strike. Several dozens of inter-state buses along with passengers were stranded beyond the strike-bound areas.

Meanwhile, Nagaland Home Minister Y. Patton has promised to smoke out the "miscreants" and bring them to justice.

"The bomb blast is condemnable since all sections of the people in Nagaland are yearning for peace," he said.

Police and eye-witnesses said two miscreants travelling in a car fled after hurling the bomb inside the chemist's shop on Nyamo Lotha Road around 7.15 p.m. on Monday.

"Five persons, including two customers, were wounded in the blast. One of the injured customers, Abdul Basit, died around 10 p.m. in hospital. One injured person is also battling for his life, while three others sustained minor injuries," a high-ranking police officer said.

Nidhu Biswas, the pharmacy owner, denied having received any extortion threat from any underground organisation.

However, the police officer said: "We are not ruling out anything for the time being."

An FIR has been registered and investigation is on. So far no outfit has made any claim about the blast.

There have been complaints for long about militants and common criminals extorting illegal taxes from the traders in Dimapur. The traders had formed an organisation to resist the extortion. However, it was not much successful.
London, May 30 : A man yelled racist abuse at an NHS surgeon of Pakistani origin who had spent hours working to save lives of those caught up in the Manchester bombing attack.

Naveed Yasin was on his way back to Salford Royal Hospital to save victims of the worst terror attack in the UK since 2005 when he was subject to the abuse, the British media reported.

The trauma and orthopaedic surgeon said he was driving when a "white, middle-aged van driver" pulled up beside him and blasted his horn.

The man reportedly shouted, "You brown, P*** b******. Go back to your own country, you terrorist. We don't want you people here."Yasin's great-grandfather came to the UK from Pakistan in the 1960s. He grew up in Keighley, West Yorkshire, and now lives in Manchester with his wife and two daughters.

The media quoted him as saying: "I can't take away the hatred he had for me because of my skin colour... and the prejudices he had associated with this."

Yasin described how and his colleagues helped the Manchester Arena victims after a suicide bomber blasted himself on May 22, killing 22 mainly teenagers and injuring over 100 others.

"Many of my colleagues and I had never experienced injuries from a bomb blast and the effect it has, seeing these, is extremely profound and traumatising," he said.

Greater Manchester Police have said there had been a spike in hate crimes after the attack, including a suspected arson attack on a mosque in Oldham.

Salman Abedi, a British man, triggered an improvised explosive device in the foyer between Manchester Arena and Victoria Station after the Ariana Grande concert had ended.

Police have arrested 16 suspects in connection with the attack, including a brother of Abedi.
Bangkok, May 30 : Two foreign journalists headed to Iraq were arrested at an airport here after bullet-proof jackets and gas masks were recovered from their check-in baggage, police said on Tuesday.

Anthony Cheng from the UK and Florian Witulski from Germany were set to fly to the Iraqi city of Mosul to cover the ongoing war when they were apprehended at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Monday night, Efe news reported.

Authorities released Witulski on Tuesday morning, but Cheng - believed to be the owner of the items - remains in custody.

Cheng will be booked for illegal possession of war equipment without the requisite permits, according to a senior police official.

The journalist, who can file for bail, faces up to five years imprisonment under a 1987 law which bans unlicensed possession of military equipment.

In August 2015, a Hong Kong photographer was arrested at the airport for the same reason, after covering a bomb attack in Bangkok.

Following three months of litigation, Thai authorities withdrew the charges and allowed him to return to Hong Kong.

Journalism associations have called on Thai authorities to review the existing law in order to allow reporters to buy, import and use suitable protective gear.

Several reporters lost their lives and others were injured by bullets while reporting on the anti-government protests in the Thai capital in 2010.
Berlin, May 30 : Actress Priyanka Chopra on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in between his packed schedule in Berlin, terming it "such a lovely coincidence".

"Thank you for taking the time to meet me this morning Narendra Modi sir. Such a lovely coincidence to be in Berlin at the same time," Priyanka, who has been making India proud in Hollywood, tweeted.

She even shared a glimpse from her meeting with Modi on Twitter as well as Instagram.

The actress, who is known for her acting skills as well as supporting social and humanitarian causes, is seen in a white dress with a floral print during the meeting.

Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Germany, is in a black bandhgala.

Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Germany, Modi will travel to Spain, Russia and France.

Meanwhile, Priyanka, whose Hollywood debut film "Baywatch" opened internationally to mixed reviews, is enjoying a break in Berlin. "Baywatch", also starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, is slated to release in India on June 2.
Agartala, May 30 : Tripura's Left Front government will not implement the new cattle trade and slaughter rules as it is against the interests of the people, a state Minister said on Tuesday.

"The new cattle trade and slaughter rules framed by the central government are against the interest of the people. We will not carry out the new rules," Tripura's Agriculture and Animal Resource Development Minister Aghore Debbarma told IANS.

"The central government is yet to send us the new cattle trade and slaughter rules. They did not consult us on this issue."

"If people are not able to sell their cattle how will they take care of livestock when it turns unnecessary for them? How will it be determined that the cattle being purchased from the market is for slaughtering?" said Debbarma, also the member of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) central committee.

With the aim to prevent cruelty to animals, the union Forest, Environment and Climate Change Ministry last week modified rules making it mandatory to ensure that cattle are not bought or sold at cattle markets for slaughtering. The list of animals includes cows, bulls, buffaloes, heifers, calves as well as camels.

The ruling CPI-M also strongly censured the central government's new cattle slaughter rules.

"A large section of people, specially those from the Dalit community, are engaged in the business of cattle skin. Farmers engaged with cattle business, minorities, those who depend on cattle for their source of protein would be directly affected," CPI-M Tripura state secretary Bijan Dhar told reporters.

"We have a federal democracy in our country. The central government cannot do many things without involving the states. The BJP government unilaterally framed this important cattle trade and slaughter rules," he said.

Dhar, also a CPI-M central committee member, said the central government without studying the gravity of the impact of the new cattle trade and slaughter rules enforced it from a "communal view point".

"According to the new rules, there would be no animal market 50 km from the international border. But in Tripura a large number of weekly cattle and general markets, besides permanent towns, are much less than the 50 km from the India-Bangladesh border," the Left leader said.

"According to government statistics, over 12,000 farmers have committed suicide every year since 2014 due to debt burden and the government's anti-farmer policies. The new cattle trade and slaughter rule would only deepen the crisis of the farmers, and people involved with the cattle and skin trades," he added.

Cow slaughter had so far been allowed in West Bengal, Kerala and parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim where a large section of people consume beef.
New Delhi, May 30 : A 30-year-old IAS officer drowned in mysterious circumstances in a swimming pool here while allegedly trying to rescue a woman colleague who had fallen into the water, police said. But his family said they suspected foul play.

Ashish Dahiya, 30, a resident of Sonepat in Haryana, drowned in the swimming pool of the Foreign Service Institute at Ber Sarai in south Delhi during a Monday night party attended by around 30 young officers, police said.

"A woman officer accidentally fell into the pool and many officers, including Dahiya, jumped into the pool to rescue her," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Chinmoy Biswal said.

"The lady officer was safely pulled out but Dahiya went missing... He was then seen floating," he said. Dahiya was rushed to the Fortis Hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Dahiya's father Narender Singh insisted that his son could not have drowned. He alleged foul play and demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"My son has swum five to eight kilometres in the Bhakra Nangal Dam in Himachal Pradesh during his police training," Narender Singh told IANS.

He said his son was an experienced swimmer and that he couldn't drown in a swimming pool.

Dahiya's cousin Surender Dahiya also told IANS: "Ashish was a good swimmer. We can't believe he drowned in a pool. There is some problem."

The family alleged the CCTV at the club of the institute was not functional when the tragedy took place.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences where Dahiya's autopsy was done said they would submit the report to police by Tuesday evening.

Police are waiting for the report to ascertain whether the young officer had consumed excess alcohol or any drugs.

"The cause of the death will be clear once we get the autopsy report as no visible injury mark was found on the body. We are in the process of questioning his friends who were with him yesterday (Monday) night," a senior police officer told IANS.

Police are probing if there was a brawl at the party.

Police officers had earlier mistakenly described the dead man as a trainee IAS officer.

Dahiya was a former Deputy Superintendent of Himachal Pradesh Police and had also worked as Assistant Commissioner in the Indian Revenue Service.

According to his cousin, Dahiya was to take a flight from Delhi on Wednesday to take up his assignment in Jammu and Kashmir.

Dahiya had come here from Sonepat on Monday evening to meet his friend Abhimanyu Gahlaut at the institute, a family member said.

One of the guards at the Foreign Service Institute told IANS that there used to be security at the pool but this had been discontinued.

"Now there is an instructor who comes from 6 to 8 a.m. every day. For the rest of the time there is no one to monitor people at the pool," said the guard who was not ready to share his name.

The guard said it were the students at the institute who took Dahiya to the hospital at around 1 a.m on Tuesday morning.

The gates of the institute remained closed on Tuesday.
Chandigarh, May 30 : Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday directed action against top functionaries of the Rohtak Municipal Corporation for alleged irregularities in the purchase of furniture.

Urban Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain said on Tuesday that the Chief Minister has directed the State Vigilance Bureau (SVB) to conduct investigation into the matter on the basis of a complaint.

The action has been ordered against Mayor Renu Dabla, Senior Deputy Mayor Manju, Deputy Mayor, Ashok Kumar, Municipal Engineer, Jagdish Chandra and Accounts Officer, Vikas Kumar.

During investigation, the Bureau found irregularities in the purchase of furniture.

Acting on the report, the Chief Minister ordered the Divisional Commissioner, Rohtak, to initiate action against the municipal corporation functionaries.

He also directed Director, Urban Local Bodies Department, and Director, Treasury and Accounts Department, to initiate action against municipal engineer and accounts officer, respectively.

Jain said the state government would not spare any public representative, officer or any other employee found guilty of wrong conduct or who caused loss of revenue to the state exchequer.
When Leah Kolb, associate curator for the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, saw an exhibition of work and heard a talk by artist Kambui Olujimi in Milwaukee, she became determined to bring his work to MMOCA.

The Brooklyn-born artist, she felt, had a lot to say to Madison.

Olujimi has indeed made a statement in the new exhibition Kambui Olujimi: Zulu Time, now on view at MMOCA through Aug. 13.

An opening reception, featuring a talk by the artist, is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. Friday.

Olujimi created all new work for Zulu Time, in media ranging from cloth to metal to virtual reality. The shows name comes from the term used to designate time at the Earths prime meridian  longitude 0 degrees, or Zulu time  from which all time zones around the globe are calculated.

That invisible, arbitrary line (also known as Greenwich Mean Time) was assigned by the British, who at the time commanded the worlds most powerful maritime fleet and needed to standardize global timekeeping for that reason.

But for Olujimi, Zulu time is symbolic of a subjective, yet profound, standard imposed on humanity from a distinctly European point of view.

Over all arches this idea of time, he explained while helping to install Zulu Time last month in MMOCAs State Street Gallery.

The hour glasses speak to geological time, said Olujimi, noting his glass sculptures shaped like those ancient timekeeping devices. Zulu time speaks to a time of colonialism, a time of empire.

Its all this kind of overlapping time. And what Im hoping with the show  its about a disruption of the projection of time, he said. Because that projection of time is a projection of a set of power dynamics.

Olujimi created a series of wall pieces for the show titled Killing Time from handcuffs and jeweled bling  collapsing eras of slavery, veiled discrimination and present-day mass incarceration.

In one Killing Time piece, titled Litmus Test, I was thinking about how notions of whiteness become a baseline for humanity, he explained.

Then it becomes a litmus test against which other people are measured. For instance, in Trayvon Martins case, theres this reiteration of But he was wearing a hoodie, said Olujimi, referring to the 2012 fatal shooting of the Florida teenager by a neighborhood watch captain.

But its a fashion that is just contemporary fashion, Olujimi said. So what is it when a young black boy wears a hoodie versus a young white girl? Or someone else?

Its these types of questions that are raised by Olujimis work in understated ways, Kolb said.

Hes really interested in paying attention to these invisible hierarchies, and these invisible systems that perpetuate inequalities, she explained during the shows installation.

He does it metaphorically, so the work itself doesnt explicitly say anything necessarily, but hes making these visual connections, these visual references.

In another piece, Olujimi ceremoniously hangs a line of cloth flags printed with photos of failed American rocket launches  in his eyes, repeated acts of nationalism, ego, squandered technological resources and moments of failure witnessed by the world, now frozen in time.

The work is titled T-Minus 0, a phrase that means time is out.

If you say it, the ship has already gone, the artist said. These are all failed rocket and shuttle launches. So its thinking of space or an aspiration of space, thinking about the challenges of a nation and how that operates.

In a very basic way, nation is an imagined community, he said. I think the space race was a very great metaphor for this tenuous position. There was no true need for it. It was all symbolic.

The flags in T-Minus 0 have a double meaning in the moment we are in now, with the Trump Administration (and the question) Will this be the last American president?, Olujimi said. When you have a president, the head of the executive branch, openly saying that hes interested in dismantling the government  again, it comes out of the discrepancy between the America we imagine and the America we live in. At some point we have to face that delusion.

Olujimi, who holds an MFA from Columbia University School of the Arts in New York, is an eloquent spokesman about his work. But he doesnt plan his artist talks, such as the one hell do at MMOCA on Friday, in advance.

When I give a talk, I just think about things I want to get into, he said. I just take my slides and I start.

That way you keep discovering things  and also people ask different questions. I discover different things about the work when I answer those questions.
Richard B. Dicken Co. T-Shirts "Working through life head first"

American based Richard B. Dicken Co., a mens apparel company started by Casey Adcock of Evansville, IN, made its debut last week with the launch of a website and eleven products ready to ship. The companys homepage tells the story of Richard Dicken (the companys mascot) as a child, and his rise to living life head first.

Each high quality t-shirt is an original creation designed to include the well-endowed muscular silhouette of a man, the Richard B. Dicken logo and an occupation on the front of the shirt such as Investments" and a witty relevant quote on the back of the shirt such as "Pulling out at the right time.

The super soft and comfortable Bella Canvas brand t-shirts come in unisex sizes ranging from Small to 3XL. Shipping is temporarily free as a promotion. Your product is expected to arrive within 7 business days and new designs appear online in two color options every single week.

Richard B. Dicken Co. is the newer, hipper and classier version of the old Big Johnson t-shirts and they were recently featured by South Florida Chronicle and VideoGod.com's Professional Business and Product Review Journalist Josh Leidolf.

Email them at adcock(at)richardbdicken(dot)com or call 812-760-6243.
GuideVine Technologies, Inc. is pleased to bring back its annual financial literacy campaign for the summer of 2017. Building upon the popularity and success of the 2015 and 2016 Summer Scoop campaigns that reached over 4 million people, the company is again providing consumers with daily videos featuring useful information to help them understand, and deal with, an assortment of common financial issues and frequently-asked questions.

This year, GuideVine has decided to put a healthier twist on the daily doses of financial advice. For Summer 2017, GuideVine is encouraging you to get #FinanciallyFit. Each week GuideVine will cover a different topic important to financial fitness, such as retirement planning, taxes, social security, and many more. In an effort to improve their own fitness, GuideVine team members have committed to complete various exercises based on the number of likes and shares that the videos receive. The more likes and shares, the more pushups and burpees the team will have to do!

The #FinanciallyFit daily workouts target all parts of your personal finances. The daily videos are organized into thirteen weekly themes which include:



Warm Up - Financial Literacy

Building Your Core - Creating a Financial Plan

Strength Training - Investing

Distance Running - Retirement Planning

Working with a Personal Trainer - Finding a Financial Advisor

And many more!

In 2016, we reached more than 2 million people with our Summer Scoop campaign, providing them with daily financial tips, said Raghav Sharma, CEO and co-founder of GuideVine. We believe that financial literacy should be a year round initiative. To that end, we are always producing new educational articles and videos on our site. In the summer we like to highlight our best, most popular advice with a curated video series. Personal finance is traditionally thought of as dry and boring which is why we make our content easily digestible and engaging.

Tune in on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube on May 30th when GuideVine kicks off with a warm up! Follow along with with the hashtag #FinanciallyFit.

ABOUT GUIDEVINE

GuideVine is a trust-based platform, built for the evolving digital/social world in which consumers and financial advisors live. It provides people with an unbiased and transparent way to find financial advice and content suited to their needs. The complimentary GuideVine investor matching service, available since March 2014, gives consumers a better way to find the right advisor. GuideVine also helps empower the financial services industry, allowing independent financial advisors to better position themselves with consumers. In the short time the service has been available, GuideVine has amassed over 250 advisors who manage more than $35B in assets. The founders are former McKinsey & Co. consultants and software entrepreneurs, with extensive experience in financial services, investment banking and retail. GuideVine has been featured on Good Morning America, CNBC, Fox Business, and The Wall Street Journal. For more information, visit http://www.guidevine.com.
Savoy Foundation Board Chairman Carl J. Morelli, Esq., Honoree H.E. Vicki Downey, DGCHS, Mrs. Eva Franchi, Chair and Board Member Ms. Vivian Cardia, Foundation President Joseph Sciame The Chivalry Award is a humanitarian award that celebrates the vision and endeavor of an individual, whose charitable work, public service and exemplary conduct have contributed significantly to the betterment of the community and world.

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated http://www.savoia.org awarded the fifth annual Chivalry Award to Her Excellency Vicki Downey DGCHS, Lieutenant and head of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in the Eastern United States, in recognition of her outstanding commitment to humanitarian causes in the Holy Land and here in the United States and for her leadership, public service and extraordinary integrity. The Chivalry Award recognizes those who carry forth the humanitarian and hospitaller mission of the centuries-old Savoy Orders. The Award was presented during the Savoy Foundations annual spring event - Festa della Primavera - at the Columbus Citizens Foundation on the evening of May 17, 2017, where over 100 guests and dignitaries saluted and hailed her achievements. Proceeds benefited the Savoy Foundations Emergency Response Fund for victims of natural disasters. The Chair of the event was Vivian Cardia. The Chivalry Award is conferred annually by the Board of Directors of The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated.

Vicki Downey is the first woman to head the Holy Sepulchre Order in the Eastern Lieutenancy. As Lieutenant, she is involved in directing critical support to the institutional activities of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, including pastoral care, maintenance of clergy, support of the seminary, construction and maintenance of parish churches and school buildings, and subsidy of school operations, among others. Most recently she has been working closely with The Halo Trust, a land mine clearing organization, to raise awareness of the hundreds of land mines that still pose a threat in Palestine, especially around the Baptismal Site of Christ. Under her guidance, the Eastern Lieutenancy continues to advocate for the preservation of the holy places and the Christian presence in the Holy Land through its financial support and pilgrimages.

Joseph Sciame, President of the Savoy Foundation stated: The selection of her Excellency Dame Vicki Downey, DGCHS by the Savoy Foundation Board of Directors has brought great favor with our members of the Savoy Orders for a variety of reasons. The Chivalry Award honors significant persons who have not only achieved personal success but who are public role models. The impact of Her Excellency Vicky Downeys work as head of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in the Eastern United States has focused on international human rights advocacy for Christian populations living in the Middle East. Under her leadership, the Order of the Holy Sepulchre aids Christians in the Holy Land to achieve educational and professional standards in their own country, at a level equal to people of other faiths. We are happy to recognize her with our annual Chivalry Award. We congratulate her and wish her well in all of her activities, especially in her leadership role in the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

About the Chivalry Award

The Chivalry Awards were inaugurated by the Savoy Foundation in 2013. The Chivalry Award is a humanitarian award that celebrates the vision and endeavor of an individual, whose humanitarian work, public service and exemplary conduct have contributed significantly to the betterment of the community and world. Its goal is to bring public recognition to individuals whose principles, values, civil conduct and humanitarian accomplishments provide inspiration to future generations. The Chivalry Awards are meant to focus greater attention on standards of knightly conduct, which history associates with Europe in the Middle Ages. Even today, the word chivalry is synonymous with courtesy, honor and integrity. Chivalry survives in modern times as both a code of conduct and a way of life, embodying the highest ideals of civilization. Honorees for these awards are selected in recognition of their outstanding service, generosity and civility in their distinguished careers and their unselfish commitment to public causes and personal dignity, which reflect the noble and ancient chivalric traditions of the Dynastic and Hereditary Orders of the Royal House of Savoy. For more information about the Chivalry Awards or prior recipients, please visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/4/prweb10606064.htm and http://www.savoia.org.

About American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated

The American Foundation of Savoy Orders, Incorporated, a U.S. charitable 501(C) (3) organization, is an NGO in Roster Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. It has three endowments: charitable causes, educational programs and an operating fund. Its Savoy Orders Pigott Scholarship was established to provide financial aid to students in the humanities and international studies.

Annual grants are also made to educational programs, hospice care facilities, orphanages and programs supporting disabled veterans.

(http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/02/prweb14075469.htm)

In order to raise funds for the support of its activities, the Savoy Foundation sponsors a winter event, Savoy Ball of New York (Ballo di Savoia)

(http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/12/prweb13924916.htm) and a spring event, Festa della Primavera. Members of the Italian Royal Family, headed by His Royal Highness, Prince Victor Emmanuel of Savoy, actively support, attend and lend their names through formal patronage of these Savoy Foundation events. For more information, visit http://www.savoia.org.

About The American Delegation of Savoy Orders

The American Delegation of Savoy Orders, which includes the United States of America and Canada, is a part of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy, among the oldest orders of chivalry in the world. The Savoy Orders are headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and have 35 Delegations worldwide that support the ongoing charitable works of these ancient Dynastic Orders of Knighthood and Merit. Their origins and their principles, traditions and humanitarian goals date back a thousand years. HRH Prince Victor Emmanuel, Prince of Naples and Duke of Savoy, is Head of the House of Savoy and Grand Master of the Savoy Orders. His ancestor, King Victor Emmanuel II, united the nation of Italy under his rule between 1861 and 1870 and the Princes father, King Umberto II was Italys last reigning sovereign. He died in 1983.
This isnt just our business  its our name, and we stand behind it every day.

With roots in customer service, precision and quality, Lavelle Machine is proudly celebrating its 50th year in business.

Founded in April 1967 by Ed Lavelle Sr., Lavelle Machine & Tool Company is an established member of the Westford, MA business community and one of New Englands most innovative manufacturing facilities.

Since its inception, Lavelle Machine has remained dedicated to constant innovation and careful, comprehensive service. This has given the company the opportunity to work with a wide variety of businesses and organizations in markets ranging from medical and commercial, to aerospace and defense.

Reflecting on the companys 50 years in business, president Ed Lavelle, Jr. said the Westford machining company has its foundation of hard-work, and the dedication of our employees to thank for such an important milestone. Theres also something to be said about being a family owned and operated business. Today, the company is operated by Lavelle Sr.s sons, Ed Lavelle Jr. and eldest grandson, Adam Lavelle. Regarding the companys roots in family, Adam Lavelle adds, This isnt just our business  its our name, and we stand behind it every day.

As Lavelle, Jr. explains, another aspect that has continued to drive the company for 50 years has been its opportunity to make a difference. Having worked extensively with the medical field in the Boston area and beyond, the company is no stranger to demanding work that offers zero room for error. The payoff, he says, is simple: The products we manufacture make a difference in peoples lives, and thats something we can always be proud of.

Looking beyond its 50th anniversary, Lavelle Machine shows no signs of slowing and will continue to combine its constant drive to innovate with the time-honored values that remain its foundation.

About Lavelle Machine

Lavelle Machine offers a diverse range of machining and manufacturing services, specialized for customers that rely on precision, timeliness, and impeccable customer service. For more information about Lavelle Machine, call (978) 692-8825 or email sales(at)lavellemachine.com.
eegee's is proud to announce the beneficiary of the 25th annual Coupon Card program is Angel Charity for Children, Inc.

Every year during the entire month of June, eegees provides customers the opportunity to support a local not-for-profit organization. In appreciation of each $7 donation a customer makes, eegee's will reward them with a coupon booklet valued at up to $48 in savings.

For 2017, eegees selected an organization whose efforts are dedicated to providing Southern Arizonas children with the vibrant future they so richly deserve. Angel Charity for Children was founded in 1983 and is comprised of more than 150 devoted volunteers representing a cross-section of the Tucson community.

"As a Tucson-based company, eegees is proud to continue this effort for the 25th year, said Robert Santiago, Director of Marketing, eegees. The Coupon Card program allows us to reward our customers generosity and give back to the Southern Arizona community that has supported us since 1971.

For 46 years, eegee's and their employees have made it a priority to lead by example in the area of social and environmental responsibility. In 2016, eegee's customers donated nearly $200,000 to the Johnjay and Rich Care for Kids Foundation through the Coupon Card program.

eegees long tradition of community involvement and philanthropy will allow every customer to have a hand in supporting our exceptional beneficiaries. Together the entire community will help the Diaper Bank cover more butts and Beads of Courage bring creative therapy to our sickest children. said Olivia Sethi, Angel Charitys 2017 General Chair. We are proud to partner with eegees, and we thank everyones favorite Tucson institution for their generosity and for sparking the generosity of our community.

Angel Charitys 2017 beneficiaries include the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona ($600,000 to retire its mortgage) and Beads of Courage ($100,000 to develop an Arts in Medicine program for severely ill children).

Coupon Cards will be available beginning June 1 at all eegees store locations. Donations will be accepted 7 days a week until June 30.

About eegees

Tucson-based restaurant chain, eegees, makes and sells their signature frozen fruit drink in lemon, strawberry and pina colada flavors and a unique flavor of the month. eegees also serves made-to-order sub sandwiches, salads, fries and more at its 24 locations in Tucson and Casa Grande. eegees is committed to social and environmental involvement by donating time, food and money to local charities as well as minimizing waste at their 30,000 sq. ft commissary. For 46 years eegees has been serving the Southern Arizona community. For more information, visit eegees.com.

About Angel Charity for Children, Inc.

For 35 years, Angel Charity has worked to improve the lives of children in Southern Arizona. By partnering with sustainable non-profit agencies focused on helping kids in our community, Angel Charity has provided transformational support to more than 60 organizations. Since its inception, in 1982, Angel Charity has raised and distributed almost $27,000,000. Over 1,000,000 childrens lives have been positively impacted by Angel Charitys work. To learn more, visit http://www.angelcharity.org
Oscar Harari, PhD Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry in Washington University in St Louis

Alzheimers Disease (AD) is the result of complex interactions between risk factors that cause pleiotropic changes in molecular networks linking a host of biological processes. A variety of genetic factors have been shown to contribute to risk with varying degrees of penetrance. Variants in these genes confer a different transcriptomic profile, and mutation carriers clustered separately from their non-carrier siblings.

New evidences provide support for both neuronal and glial specific pathways contributing to pathogenesis. However, little is understood about how the genetic loci and molecular changes are organized into common networks. Understanding variant-specific effects is of an immense importance for the elucidation of the underlying biology of the Alzheimer Disease. Initial analysis reveals a transcriptional regulation module that link that early-onset autosomal dominant and late-onset sporadic genes.

In this webinar, participants will learn to identify confounding factors that can affect transcriptomic analyses and learn how to address them. They will also learn digital deconvolution approaches to infer cell composition from RNA-seq data and how transcriptomic profiles can reveal gene co-expression networks.

The speaker for this webinar will be Dr. Oscar Harari, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry in Washington University in St Louis.

He received a doctorate in artificial intelligence from the University of Granada, and he was trained in genetics of neurodegeneration in the Lab of Alison Goate, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis during his postdoc. In his current role he is the associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry in Washington University in St Louis, where his research is focused in the identification of omics factors implicated in complex neurodegenerative traits; in particular Alzheimer Disease.

LabRoots will host the event June 8, beginning at 10 a.m. PDT, 1:00 p.m. EDT, 7:00 p.m. CEST. To read more about this event, learn of the continuing education credits offered, or to register for free, click here.

About Lexogen:

Lexogen is a transcriptomics and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) company, focusing on the development of technologies for complete transcriptome sequencing. Its portfolio includes innovative molecular biology kits, software, and services for RNA-Seq.

Lexogen offers two types of sequencing library preparation kits. SENSE kits are for whole transcriptome sequencing and are suitable for anaylsis of mRNA and total RNA from intact RNA samples, as well as highly degraded and FFPE samples. QuantSeq library preparation kits are for 3 mRNA-Seq and target-specific sequencing. All library preparation protocols are based on Lexogens proprietary technologies which eliminate the need for RNA or cDNA fragmentation, allowing to preserve superior strand-specificity (>99.9%) and enabling exceptionally rapid turnaround times.

Other products include SPLIT RNA Extraction Kit, TeloPrime Full-Length cDNA Amplification Kit, RiboCop rRNA Depletion Kit, Spike-in RNA Variant Control Mixes (SIRVs), and Mix2 RNA-Seq Data Analysis Software for highly accurate concentration estimates of gene isoforms. Lexogen is based in Vienna, Austria, and has a subsidiary in Greenland, NH, US.

ABOUT LABROOTS

LabRoots is the leading scientific social networking website, which provides daily scientific trending news and science-themed apparel, as well as produces educational virtual events and webinars, on the latest discoveries and advancements in science. Contributing to the advancement of science through content sharing capabilities, LabRoots is a powerful advocate in amplifying global networks and communities. Founded in 2008, LabRoots emphasizes digital innovation in scientific collaboration and learning, and is a primary source for current scientific news, webinars, virtual conferences, and more. LabRoots has grown into the worlds largest series of virtual events within the Life Sciences and Clinical Diagnostics community.
Weve had great success on task-order contracts and are looking forward to partnering with other talented, ethical businesses.

CDO Technologies, Inc. of Dayton, Ohio, is one of 56 U.S. companies nationwide selected for a $37.4 billion contract supporting the United States Army.

CDO Technologies provides secure, cutting-edge data collection; advanced-technology communications; and managed-services solutions for federal, municipal and commercial organizations.

The Responsive Strategic Sourcing for Services Program Office (RS3) is a Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Performance-Based Services Contract that provides customized solutions in areas of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) mission requirements throughout the world.

The scope of the work will include engineering; Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E); logistics; acquisition and strategic planning; education; and training services.

We are thrilled to be a part of our nations mission to protect democracy here and abroad, said Al Wofford, CDO Technologies founder and president. Over the past few years, CDO Technologies has been working to establish itself as a leader in cybersecurity. This has become an important part of our wheelhouse and we are a proactive leader in the field.

CDO is looking for potential partners to team with for this new U.S. Army opportunity, said Greg Greening, CDO Technologies vice president of business development. Weve had great success on task-order contracts and are looking forward to partnering with other talented, ethical businesses, said Greening. We provide commercial and government best practices in everything we do. At CDO, our motto is, together, we can all achieve great things.

CDO is a NETCENTS-2 NEtOps and Infrastructure Solutions Small Business Companion contract holder. Team CDO supports network operations, enterprise services, infrastructure services and telephony. The CDO team consists of 20 companies with proven records of successful accomplishment.

CDO Technologies, Inc. is a veteran-owned small business. It was founded by Wofford in 1995 to assist the United States Air Force and other Department of Defense customers. CDO is an ISO 9001:2008 certified organization headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, and provides information technology services to public and private sector clients.

The RS3 provides federal and state agencies and organizations program management and procurement services for their command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) and knowledge-based professional engineering services mission requirements, according to the RS3 website.

For more information about CDO Technologies and its services and products, go to http://www.cdotech.com or call (937) 258-0022.
Students at Duarte High School partner off to participate in "Mad City Money," a simulation designed by the Center for Financial Empowerment to teach teens financial literacy.

More than one hundred students at Duarte High School in California put their personal finance skills to the test during the Center for Financial Empowerments Mad City Money, a real-world simulation event for teenagers.

During Mad City Money, students are assigned a life scenario, complete with career, debt and insurance payments  even a spouse and children. They also received unexpected windfalls and had to visit stations to pay for housing costs, just as in real life. Fate Cards with different monetary expenses were distributed at random to teach students to prepare for bumps in the road.

I had to learn what I could have and what I couldnt. It was all a matter of if we could afford it, said Duarte High School senior Lizbeth Lidstrom. In real life, I work two jobs. This helped out a lot  I learned where I could put the money I work hard for.

Lidstrom said that one of the take-away points from the Mad City Money event was that she plans to start putting more money into her savings for college.

Other stations were set up to simulate additional expenses  including food, cars, electronics, clothes and childcare costs. A credit union station was available to help teens make better financial decisions and show them the importance of budgeting effectively.

Additionally, students were taught to be on the lookout for fraud by keeping track of their simulated belongings. Players who dropped items, like their debit cards, fell victim to fraud and were penalized.

I think its important because it gives the students real life financial planning experience, said Duarte High School career technical and small business entrepreneurship teacher Amy Bustos. The students get the exposure of what it is like in real life  how to spend and budget their money correctly for basic survival in order to provide for their families.

While financial education courses are not currently a prerequisite for high school graduation in California, studies have shown that students whove taken economics and personal finance courses are more likely to save money and pay off credit card bills in full each month. These teenagers are less likely to be compulsive buyers, max out credit cards and make late payments.

We realize the importance of providing students with a solid education about personal finance before they enter the workforce or go off to college, said Abby Ulm, manager of the Center for Financial Empowerment. Interactive courses like Mad City Money teach them financial literacy as a means to better help them prepare for real world expenses.

For more information about the Center for Financial Empowerment, visit http://www.center4fe.org/.

ABOUT CENTER FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT (http://www.center4fe.org/)

The Center for Financial Empowerment is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable agency whose mission is to educate underserved youth and families in the principles of personal finance. The Center partners with schools and community organizations in Southern California and Southern California to offer financial education, assistance, and improvement programs, giving people the power to make better financial choices and achieve an improved quality of life. SCE Federal Credit Union is the primary supporter of the Center for Financial Empowerment.

ABOUT SCE FCU (http://www.scefcu.org)

SCE Federal Credit Union was founded in 1952 and currently has approximately 50,000 members, $650 million in assets, several Southern California and Southern Nevada branch locations, thousands of shared branch locations across the United States, and nearly 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs available to members.

SCE FCU serves Southern California and Southern Nevada, with membership open to individuals and businesses, and is a not-for-profit entity committed to improving the financial well-being of the communities it serves, especially people underserved by mainstream financial institutions. With a strong commitment to volunteerism, employees donate hundreds of hours to local community causes each year. Additionally, the creation of the Center for Financial Empowerment provides much-needed financial education to the underserved and high schools in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Duarte, Baldwin Park, Boyle Heights, Ontario and Lynwood, Calif.

Contact: PCG  Laura Lemire (424) 903-3651 llemire(at)pacificcommunicationsgroup(dot)com
U.S. Dermatology Partners Our mission is to ensure improved access to the best dermatology care in our communities, and GTD bolsters our ability to do just so by adding such well-respected providers and a convenient location. said Geoff Wayne, CEO of U.S. Dermatology Partners.

U.S. Dermatology Partners (USDP), formerly known as Dermatology Associates, is pleased to announce that it recently partnered with Georgetown Dermatology (GTD), located approximately 30 miles north of Austin, TX. The transaction closed in May 2017. U.S. Dermatology Partners is a dermatology-focused physician services and management organization providing premier dermatologic care.

GTD cares for patients via three board-certified dermatologists and one physician assistant. GTDs providers offer a full suite of clinical, surgical and cosmetic services. Georgetown Dermatology has served the patients of greater Austin for more than 14 years. With the addition of GTD, USDP now has 24 board-certified dermatologists and 14 locations in the Austin area.

Dr. Kevin Miller, a Texas native, started his private practice in Georgetown in September 2003. Dr. Miller earned his medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and completed his internship in internal medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He finished his dermatology training by returning to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and completing his dermatology residency.

Dr. Monica Madray is a board-certified dermatologist who joined Georgetown Dermatology in 2010. She received her medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, graduating with honors. Dr. Madray then completed her internal medicine internship and dermatology residency at Scott & White Hospital at Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center.

Dr. Elizabeth Morris received her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX, where she graduated with high honors. She then went on to complete both her internal medicine internship and her dermatology residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch as well. Prior to beginning in private practice, Dr. Morris spent several years in academia as a clinical research associate in the NeuroOncology department at Childrens Medical Center, and later as a clinical assistant professor of Dermatology at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Joining the physicians of Georgetown Dermatology is their highly experienced Physician Assistant: Sheryl Lucier, PA. Sheryl has over 15 years experience in dermatology, in addition to 16 years experience in clinical microbiology.

We are excited to partner with the outstanding team at GTD, said Geoff Wayne, CEO of U.S. Dermatology Partners. By joining forces, were able to improve the patient experience and strengthen our market-leading position in the Austin area. Our mission is to ensure improved access to the best dermatology care in our communities, and GTD bolsters our ability to do just so by adding such well-respected providers and a convenient location.

If you would like more information about U.S. Dermatology Partners, or if you have any questions regarding the partnership with GTD, please contact one of the team members listed below:

U.S. Dermatology Partners

Geoff Wayne

Chief Executive Officer

Geoff@usdermpartners.com

Scott Wells

Chief Development Officer

SWells@usdermpartners.com

Brent Ohlsen

Director of Corporate Development

BOhlsen@usdermpartners.com

About U.S. Dermatology Partners

Headquartered in Dallas, TX, U.S. Dermatology Partners provides comprehensive practice management services to over 85 board-certified dermatologists across 58 locations in Texas, Kansas and Missouri. U.S. Dermatology Partners is focused solely on supporting providers so that they can focus exclusively on delivering high-quality, medically-focused care to patients.

U.S. Dermatology Partners is making it easier for people to connect with a dermatologist and gain access to the very latest in dermatology care for the entire family and state-of-the-art treatment for diseases of the skin. As the 3rd largest physician-owned dermatology practice in the United States, patients not only have access to general medical, surgical and cosmetic skin treatments through its coordinated care network, but also benefit from the practices strong dermatology subspecialty thought leaders and medical advisory board. To be the best partners to its patients, U.S. Dermatology Partners is fervently focused on providing the highest level of patient-first care, and its team therefore includes recognized national leaders in sub-specialties including psoriasis and Mohs surgery. To learn more visit usdermatologypartners.com

About ABRY Partners

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, ABRY Partners is an experienced and successful private equity investment firm focused on media, communications, healthcare services, insurance services, business and information services. Since its founding, ABRY has completed more than $62 billion of transactions, representing investments in more than 550 properties.
It will enable underwriters to orchestrate a process that produces lower expense ratios, greater customer engagement, and more accurate underwriting decisions.

Instec, a market leader in the delivery of software solutions for commercial program insurance and specialty writers, today announced the launch of a new underwriting solution to complement its flagship policy system.

At Instec, we recognize the role of the underwriter is changing, and with Instec Underwriting weve created a new generation of software to help underwriters adapt, said Jason Pamplin, Product Manager.

Instec Underwriting provides an online collaborative environment where all parties involved in the underwriting process can interact with each other throughout the customer lifecycle. Instead of constantly following up with applicants, agents, and others for the next piece of data or status update, underwriters will build relationships that result in faster turnaround times and improved customer responsiveness.

The new Instec solution also features a highly-configurable rules engine that will enable underwriters to automate routine tasks. Clearly acceptable risks, for example, could be handled via straight-through processing, while unacceptable risks could be auto-declined.

A significant portion of an underwriters day is consumed by busywork that doesnt draw on their unique skill set. The average underwriter would rather tackle the more complex risks that cant easily be automated, said Jeff Goldberg, Senior Vice President of Research and Consulting at Novarica.

Using the latest industry standards for interoperability, Instec underwriting can integrate with remote systems and sources of data to bring situational awareness to underwriters, so they can make better decisions. The solution will be integrated, out of the box, with Instecs rating engine.

As a cloud-based system with mobile capabilities, Instec Underwriting will provide visibility to insureds and agents enabling them to cooperate as active members of the underwriting process, in real-time, 24/7, while ensuring compliance.

We see Instec Underwriting as a game changer, said Kevin Mason, Executive Vice President at Instec. It will enable underwriters to orchestrate a process that produces lower expense ratios, greater customer engagement, and more accurate underwriting decisions.

Instec will demonstrate the new underwriting system at the IASA 2017 Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, on June 5 and 6, at booth #1205. In addition, Instec Executive Vice President, Kevin Mason will join Insureon president Ralph Blust on a panel discussion led by Novarica, entitled Disruption as the New Normal.

About Instec

Instec delivers flexible rating, billing and policy administration systems to personal and commercial lines insurers, MGAs, MGUs, and the solution providers that serve them. Since 1982, Instecs solutions have continuously evolved, providing users with the ability to create innovative new insurance products, and launch them into the market quickly, affordably and reliably. To learn more, visit http://www.instec-corp.com.
A federal appeals court says a transgender student who identifies as a male should be able to use the boys bathroom at his Kenosha high school.

The ruling comes as a state Republican lawmaker says he plans to reintroduce a bill that would require K-12 public school students to use a bathroom or changing room that corresponds to their biological gender.

Ashton Whitaker, who will graduate from Kenoshas Tremper High School this week, first asked to use the boys bathroom as a sophomore. That set off a nearly yearlong legal battle with the school district.

In September, U.S. District Judge Pamela Pepper granted Whitaker permission to use the boys bathroom at school. On Tuesday, the second-to-last day of Whitakers senior year, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that decision.

Whitakers attorney, Ilona Turner, said though the ruling applies only to Whitaker, it sets precedent that a federal law prohibiting gender discrimination in public schools protects transgender people.

This is just another building block on the large and growing number of courts to hold that discrimination against transgender people is illegal, she said.

Kenosha Unified School District had argued that the federal law doesnt apply to transgender people as a group and that the harm to other students of Whitaker using the boys bathroom, particularly to male students, outweighs any harm to Whitaker. It also urged the appeals court to reconsider whether the case should be thrown out.

Ronald Stadler, a lawyer for the school district, didnt immediately return a message.

U.S. Circuit Court Judge Ann Claire Williams declined to reconsider and rejected the districts other arguments, saying harms to others are speculative while harms to Whitaker are well-documented. Those include suicidal thoughts as well as medical issues stemming from avoiding the bathroom.

According to the lawsuit, when Whitaker first asked to use the boys bathroom, the school said he could either use a gender-neutral bathroom in the schools main office or the girls bathroom. He used the boys bathroom anyway without issue for six months, it says, until a teacher saw him washing his hands there and reported it to school administration.

Turner, who works with the Transgender Law Center, said Whitakers win could affect a case with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals  that of Gavin Grimm, a transgender high school senior in Virginia who sued his school board for the right to use the boys bathroom. The U.S. Supreme Court was set to hear his case but sent it back to the lower court after President Donald Trumps administration revoked guidance from former President Barack Obama directing public schools to allow transgender students to use bathrooms aligned with their gender identities.

Rep. Jesse Kremer, R-Kewaskum, who in late 2015 introduced a bill that would have blocked transgender students from using the bathroom of their choice, declined to comment on the ruling Tuesday before reviewing it.

Kremer said he plans to reintroduce the bill during the current session with some changes. The bill received a public hearing last session but did not receive a committee vote after the committees majority Republican members were unable to reach agreement on changes, he said.

This is a states rights issue, Kremer said. Were protecting the school districts with these bills.

State Journal reporter Matthew DeFour contributed to this report.
The Dreamcade Fighter & Retro, both Limited Edition Arcades. Whether youre into the classics or the newer fighting games are more your style, weve got something for everyone." says Michael Ware, Owner of Dream Arcades. "But be sure to act now, as these limited edition arcades are available this summer only.

Dream Arcades (http://www.DreamArcades.com), the leader in high-quality, low-cost home video arcades today unveiled two new, limited release arcades: The Dreamcade Fighter Edition, and The Dreamcade Retro Edition. The Dreamcade Fighter comes with a 24 widescreen TV designed for the most popular fighting games and includes acclaimed fighting games such as Street Fighter 4, as well as Mortal Kombat 1, 2, & 3. The Dreamcade Retro comes pre-loaded with over 200 old school games, and features classic NES styling.

Both of these limited edition arcades can be pre-ordered for just $1999 at: http://www.dreamarcades.com.

Every Dream Arcade Features:



A complete 6-button layout for two players.

Support for thousands of games with free software updates for life.

Real arcade overlay

A built-in trackball at no additional cost.

Tempered glass

Side pinball buttons

Dream Arcades is the only home arcade company that builds both custom software and hardware into their machines. Customers never have to worry about getting assistance with free phone, e-mail, and chat support, along with the ability to remotely connect to every Dream Arcade. Our exclusive Retro Reload software makes the process of adding games safe and easy.

For more information, please contact: media(at)dreamarcades(dot)com or call 916-761-6925. High resolution print images are available.

All Trademarks are property of their respective owners.

About Dream Arcades:

Dream Arcades is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of arcade machines for the home or office. Since 2003, Dream Arcades machines have been enjoyed by gamers all over the world. Dream Arcades has setup strategic alliances with millworks, factories and software companies to offer our customers the lowest cost arcades possible while still maintaining the quality and functionality required to produce an authentic arcade experience at home. Our video games meet high quality standards and each product goes through a rigorous series of tests before shipping to the customer. For more information or to order an arcade, please visit http://www.DreamArcades.com
SDPN-4Q-P Front Additional security can be achieved through the use of optional CAC devices with the added benefit of assigning specific peripheral devices to the CAC port.

KVMSwitchTech is excited to announce the addition of the IPGard line-up of secure keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) Switches. IPGards SDVN, SDPN, SDHN, and SKMN products are certified to conform to the latest NIAP PP 3.0 standards. Designed and assembled in the USA these secure switches are also Buy American Act (BAA) compliant.

IPGards secure KVM switches are available in sizes ranging from 2 to 16 ports. These switches enable a single user to securely use and monitor multiple computers with a single keyboard, mouse and monitor and eliminate clutter. Most units are available in multiple configurations with single, dual, or quad head system support allowing for systems that support as many as 4 displays. Additional security can be achieved through the use of optional CAC devices with the added benefit of assigning specific peripheral devices to the CAC port. These amazing 2 and 4 port SDVN DVI switches have a native resolution of 2560x1600 @ 60Hz while also support up to 4k (3840x2160 @ 30Hz) resolution across a broad range of DisplayPort and HDMI displays with the use of adapters. The 2 and 4 port SDPN and SDHN support 4k natively.

Secure KVM switches are ideal for use in any environment where security is an absolute necessity. Administrators with questions are encouraged to contact KVMSwitchTech and speak with their friendly sales staff who can help to pick the best KVM switch to meet their needs. Other items to consider along with these switches would include port blocking devices to keep users from attaching unauthorized devices to secure systems.

About KVMSwitchTech:

KVMSwitchTech is a global supplier of Keyboard, Video, and Mouse technology. Headquartered near Cleveland, Ohio, the company is built on a strong core of dedicated people who have combined experience of multiple decades with KVM equipment. Their courteous staff can be reached through email and phone with no need to navigate frustrating phone menus. They are readily available and very capable of helping plan a project from start to finish.
Attorney Laila Raheen

Livesay & Myers, P.C. proudly announces the promotion of attorney Laila Raheen to the position of Senior Associate.

Ms. Raheen graduated with honors from the University of Toronto in 2008. She then enrolled in a certificate program in Chemical Analysis at Ryerson University in Toronto. However, seeking a career that would allow her to work directly with people and help them in their daily lives, Ms. Raheen switched gears and enrolled in law school. She proceeded to graduate cum laude from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2013 and was admitted to the Virginia State Bar later that year.

Ms. Raheen began her legal career at a general practice law firm in Chantilly, Virginia. Working for several different firms in Northern Virginia over the next two years, she gained valuable experience in civil litigation and trial practice. Ms. Raheen also built up a strong background in Virginia family law, working on a large number of child custody and divorce cases. She then joined Livesay & Myers, P.C. as an associate attorney in 2015, practicing exclusively family law.

Since joining the firm, Ms. Raheens courtroom skills, attention to detail and tireless work ethic have consistently translated into positive results for her clients. Ms. Raheen has received a large number of excellent reviews and testimonials online, and Avvo awarded her the Clients Choice Award in 20162017. Ms. Raheen was also named one of the 10 Best Family Law Attorneys in Virginia for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys in 20162017.

Ms. Raheen works in the Fairfax office of Livesay & Myers, P.C., and represents clients in Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington and all across Northern Virginia. She resides with her husband in Northern Virginia.

About Livesay & Myers, P.C.

The law firm of Livesay & Myers, P.C. opened its first office in Woodbridge, Virginia in March 2003, and has grown steadily since. The firm now stands at 19 attorneys across four offices in Northern Virginia, representing clients in family law, criminal defense, estate planning and immigration law matters.
Nelson Block Receives Boy Scouts Highest Commendation

Nelson R. Block, Winstead shareholder and chair of the firms Finance & Banking Practice Group, was honored with the Boy Scouts of Americas (BSA) Silver Buffalo Award. The Silver Buffalo Award is the BSAs highest honor for adult volunteers.

Block was one of 12 distinguished honorees receiving the award this week at the BSA National Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Over the past 90 years 776 leaders have earned the Silver Buffalo Award including 14 U.S. Presidents and three Supreme Court justices. Other notable recipients include explorer Adm. Richard Byrd, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, composer Irving Berlin and astronauts John Glenn, Neal Armstrong and Jim Lovell.

Blocks recognition stems from a lifetime commitment to the BSA. Starting as a Cub Scout in 1959, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1966. During 48 years as a volunteer leader, he has co-founded three Scout units, helped 133 boys earn their Eagle Scout rank and rendered 28 years of pro bono service as attorney for the Houston areas Scout council.

He is one of the worlds most published writers on Scouting history, having written or been a co-author of three books and more than 20 articles. In 2008, he co-chaired the worlds first academic symposium on the history of Scouting at Johns Hopkins University, featuring 30 scholars from 10 countries. He is an advocate for Scouting as a path to peace.

Established in 1925, the Silver Buffalo Award is the BSAs highest honor for adult volunteers. It is awarded for to those persons who give noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth. This award is Scoutings highest commendation of the invaluable contributions that outstanding Americans make to youth. The service must be national in scope and can be independent of, or directly through, the Boy Scouts of America.

The Boy Scouts of America provides the nations foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. The Scouting organization is composed of more than 2.3 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 21 and nearly 1 million volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories.

Winstead PC is a national business law firm with more than 325 attorneys. The firm provides a full range of business legal services to some of the most recognized and respected companies across the country and throughout the world. Winstead has offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and The Woodlands, Texas and Charlotte, North Carolina. For detailed information about Winstead, visit http://www.winstead.com.

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iHire has been honored with a 2017 When Work Works Award for exemplary workplace practices, ranking 4th out of 298 total award winners nationwide. Both their Frederick, MD and Angola, IN offices were recognized.

The prestigious When Work Works Award is part of the Society for Human Resource Managements (SHRMs) When Work Works project, a national initiative that helps employers become more successful by transforming the way they view and adopt effective and flexible workplaces.

The award recognizes employers of all sizes across the country that are excelling at offering a variety of top-rated employee initiatives such as work-life fit policies, flexible scheduling, and transition to parenthood programs. The award goes beyond work-life programs and includes efforts that address the additional evidence-based aspects of effective workplaces, such as opportunities for learning, a culture of respect and trust, and job autonomy.

All of our employees played a role in winning this award. I am so proud to be part of the amazing team at iHire, said Vickie Krolak, iHires Administrative Manager. I look forward to continuing to foster the outstanding workplace culture we have all created.

In applying for the award, iHire was evaluated on factors associated with employee health, well-being, and engagement: opportunities for learning, a culture of trust, work-life fit, supervisor support for work success, autonomy, and satisfaction with earnings, benefits, and opportunities for advancement.

Considering that 78 percent of employers report difficulty recruiting employees for highly skilled jobs and 38 percent report difficulty recruiting for entry-level hourly jobs, When Work Works Award winners have leveraged this recognition opportunity to distinguish themselves as exemplary employers that offer new or enhanced options that help them attract and retain top talent, said Ellen Galinsky, president of the Families and Work Institute, the original creator of this award, and senior research advisor at SHRM.

These winners have reinvented their workplaces in ways that benefit business and employees alike and are reaping the benefits in terms of employee job satisfaction and retention, said Cassidy Solis, senior advisor, workplace flexibility, at SHRM.

The award is earned after a rigorous assessment that emphasizes the real-life experiences of employees and incorporates national benchmarks of employer practices from the National Study of Employers and the employee experiences from the National Study of the Changing Workforce. Two-thirds of an organizations winning score is based on a survey of its employees.

To learn more about the awards, view an interactive map that lists winning organizations by state and a list of winners by name.

Additional information about the When Work Works Award and the When Work Works initiative is available online.

About iHire, LLC

iHire offers a network of industry job boards dedicated to specific professions, enabling job seekers and employers to reach their employment goals by focusing their searches. iHire provides job seekers a single place to find jobs that are posted all over the internet, including places like small and large business websites, government databases, and industry associations in addition to other services such as resume writing/formatting. For employers, iHire provides straightforward hiring tools to help fill open positions quickly and cost effectively. iHire understands that successful recruiting isnt about a lot of resumes; its about the right resumes. Thats why iHire offers an industry focus with network reach, enabling employers a fast, affordable way to reach the right candidates. Visit http://www.ihire.com for more information.

About When Work Works

When Work Works is a national initiative led by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) to help businesses of all sizes and types become more successful by transforming the way they view and adopt effective and flexible workplaces. When Work Works is one of the foremost providers of resources, rigorous research and best practices on workplace effectiveness and flexibility in the nation. The initiative administers the prestigious annual When Work Works Award, which recognizes exemplary employers for creating effective workplaces to increase business and employee success. Visit http://www.whenworkworks.org and follow us on Twitter @WhenWorkWorks.
Bonomi's new 630-730 Series ball valves are built high-temperature, high-pressure applications. They are Fire Safe to API 607-6th Edition.

Bonomi North America is introducing a new line of automation-ready full-port three-piece ball valves for high temperature and pressure industrial applications where safety is a primary concern. The new 630 (Carbon) and 730 (Stainless) Series valves conform to wall thickness and structure requirements of ANSI 16.34 and ANSI B1.20.1.

The new valves are available in sizes -inch to 4 inches. They are rated to ANSI Class 900 through 2 inches and Class 600 from 2-1/2 through 4-inches. High-temperature TFM-4215 seats are standard. Grounded 316 stainless steel ball and stem are also standard. The 630/730 Series is Fire Safe to API 607-6th Edition.

Both the 630 and 730 Series are rated to 1500 psi in 2-1/2 through 4-inch sizes. Carbon steel models are rated to 2220 psi in sizes -inch to 2 inches. Stainless steel models are rated to 2160 in -inch to 2-inch sizes.

They come standard with ISO-5211 stem and direct-mount actuation pad to simplify automation. They are perfectly matched to the companys Valbia brand electric and pneumatic actuators. As a package, Bonomi valves and actuators offer the best automation performance in the industry.

A latch-lock handle is standard equipment on the 630/730 Series. Spring return handles are optional. Other options include oval handles, fugitive emissions bonnet, V-ball, seats in Delrin or PEEK, and body materials of Hastalloy, Alloy 20 or Super Duplex. Threaded end connections are standard. They are also available in socket weld (Series 631/671) and butt weld (Series 632/732).

For more information on Bonomi high-performance three-piece ball valves or other Bonomi products, contact Bonomi North America at (704) 412-9031 or visit online at http://www.bonominorthamerica.com.

About Bonomi North America

Bonomi North America has served the U.S. and Canada since 2003 and is part of the Bonomi Group of Brescia, Italy. Bonomi Group brands include Rubinetterie Bresciane Bonomi (RB) brass ball valves and check valves; Valpres carbon and stainless steel ball valves; and Valbia pneumatic and electric industrial actuators. Bonomi North America maintains an extensive distribution network for these products from its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. and a facility in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
JDPs pivotal Phase 3 trial of IV cetirizine in acute urticaria signals the advancement of this exciting product into the very last stage of the clinical program required for marketing registration in the United States and Canada.

JDP Therapeutics Inc., a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing proprietary product candidates principally for use in the hospital and urgent care settings, announced today that it has initiated its pivotal phase 3 clinical trial, ETTAU-03, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of JDP-205 (IV cetirizine) for the treatment of acute urticaria, the most common symptom of acute allergic reactions.

JDP-205 is an intravenous injection of cetirizine (aka IV Cetirizine) for the indication of acute urticaria. The oral cetirizine has been marketed by Pfizer as Zyrtec for allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria since 1995, and later by McNeil as an OTC product since 2008.

The pivotal phase 3 clinical trial, referred to as ETTAU-03, is the last trial as part of JDPs clinical program to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IV cetirizine injection for the treatment of acute urticaria.

The ETTAU-03 study is a randomized, double-blind, active controlled study. It will enroll a total of 256 patients who will be treated with either IV cetirizine injection or the active control IV diphenhydramine injection in patients with a diagnosis of acute urticaria who need treatment with antihistamine to alleviate their allergic symptoms.

The primary endpoint of the trial is to establish the non-inferiority of IV cetirizine injection compared to IV diphenhydramine injection in reducing a key symptom score two hours after treatment. Other endpoints include reduced time of Emergency Department (ED) discharge, reduced ED return rate and reduced adverse events, etc. of IV cetirizine as compared to the current standard of care (i.e. IV diphenhydramine).

The trial is being conducted at approximately 22 sites throughout the United States and Canada. Due to the acute nature of the disease being treated in the trial, all participating sites are emergency departments and urgent care centers.

"JDPs pivotal Phase 3 trial of IV cetirizine in acute urticaria signals the advancement of this exciting product into the very last stage of the clinical program required for marketing registration in the United States and Canada," said Jie Du, Ph.D., president of the company. Dr. Du added: "There is a significant unmet need among patients with acute urticaria (acute allergic reaction) requiring treatment with antihistamine injections. Treatment options currently available involve a significant amount of unwanted and well-known side effects. Our objective for JDPs clinical program is to validate the capacity of IV cetirizine to fulfill this important unmet need."

JDP expects to submit a 505(b)(2) new drug application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the first half of 2018 requesting marketing approval of IV cetirizine for acute urticaria in adults and children. This NDA will include data from both JDPs own clinical development program and reference data available globally from currently marketed oral products containing the cetirizine molecule. Similar filings and regulatory registrations will be pursued for Canada, Europe and rest of the world.

About JDP-205 (IV Cetirizine)

JDP-205 is a proprietary injectable product of cetirizine (IV Cetirizine) being developed for the treatment of acute urticaria, the most common symptom of acute allergic reactions, for the hospital, urgent care, and clinic markets. Due to the acute nature of this disease, an injectable product is needed to provide an immediate onset of action.

A market QUANT study surveyed 110 physicians and revealed that 86% of responding doctors had indicated readiness to use JDP-205 (IV Cetirizine) in place of the current therapy (diphenhydramine injection). Physicians sited JDP-205s lack of side effects as compared to those associated with diphenhydramine as the most compelling reason underlying their support for the JDP-205 treatment.

Two additional independent market research studies with in-depth clinician interviews confirmed the findings that IV Cetirizine will be able to fulfill the unmet need of the current therapy.

Acute urticaria is the most common symptom of acute allergic reaction, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition which has been growing at concerning rates with very limited options for treatment. JDP-205 (IV Cetirizine) will offer a superior treatment to the current therapy for the first time in the last 60+ years.

About JDP Therapeutics Inc.

JDP Therapeutics Inc., a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing proprietary product candidates principally for use in the hospital and urgent care settings. Its lead product candidate is now at the last stage of phase 3 development for acute urticaria (acute allergic reactions) for the hospital, urgent care center and clinic markets.

JDP Therapeutics focuses on developing small molecule therapeutics to treat life threatening diseases with significant unmet medical needs, primarily for use in the hospital and clinical setting. The company develops unique dosage forms, novel formulations, and new indications for proven chemical entities to achieve their full therapeutic and market potential. This approach mitigates risk, shortens the development cycle, leads to a well-defined regulatory pathway, and fully characterizes clinical needs for each product opportunity.

For further information about JDP, please email: info(at)jdptherapeutics(dot)com

Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements

The statements in this release and oral statements made by representatives of JDP relating to matters that are not historical fact, including without limitation those regarding the timing or potential outcomes of research or clinical trials, any market that might develop for any of JDPs product candidates are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the likelihood that future research will prove successful, the likelihood that any product in the research pipeline will receive regulatory approval in the United States or abroad, the ability of JDP and/or its partners to develop, manufacture and commercialize, JDPs ability to fund such efforts with or without partners, and other risks.
Echoes from Louwskloof Echoes from Louwskloof is a timeless legacy of one mans reflection on his musical and homely heritage. Enjoy it! ~ Granville Skippers

Louwskloof was a place close to home where a Khoi captain, Klapmuts, and his people roamed when the German missionaries set up shop in Groenekloof, South Afrcia [today its known as Mamre] at the turn of the 1800s.

Its apparent that that Ramon reveals his special connection to a place, past and present as these historical tidbits flow through his music.

On the issue of a Cape jazz musical legacy Ramon states, It is undeniably part of our culture, it is a cosmopolitan sound coming from places like District 6. The actual rhythm is from the East, rattiep. In a country where our youth is in search for identity and culture, this music definitely has relevance. It is a very indigenous thing.

The tune Louwskloof se mense takes up the subject of some of the first inhabitants of Moravian Mamre [who] were then converted to Christianity. Moreover, on Sons and Captains the style and sound is decidedly ghoema, the genre within jazz that evokes mixed emotions: the jazz purists deride it, while others embrace it as roots music.

Louwskloof se mense (The people of Louwskloof) pays homage to Ramons hometown in Mamre, north of Cape Town. Punchy bass and piano lines with a raspy sax introduce a reflective piece of a legacy left by the Khoisan forefathers of Louwskloof. Ramon Alexanders Echoes from Louwskloof is a timeless legacy of one mans reflection on his musical and homely heritage. Enjoy it! ~ Granville Skippers

Alexanders musical forefathers take centre stage in this more roots-inflected jazz style. Musicians Mac Mackenzie, Abdullah Ibrahim and Robbie Jansen have done a lot to give this a noteworthy place in the jazz spectrum.

Sons and Captains encapsulates both complimentary and contradictory strands in Ramons music: the past and the present; pre-jazz and within jazz; derision and homage. It signals another inclusion to the fresh cohort of jazz musician that has emerged fully able to take over from the previous generation  the Captains have steered the ship well and have handed over the helm to the sons who are ably taking control at the helm. This new crew will take Cape jazz to places it has never been before. (Sons and Captains - Shot in Studios while recording the Echoes from Louwskloof Album https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpRpqIg9v74)

Ramon Alexander is a breath of fresh air, he takes you on a musical journey creating a landscape of rhythmic interplay that showcases his legacy and heritage says Jaijai Jackson of The Jazz Network Worldwide.

Ramon was fifteen when his interest in jazz was first piqued, he became fascinated with a Cuban band called Como No. and started listening to Shakatak, Fourplay, Dave Grusin, Joe Sample and The Crusaders, Bob James, Djavan and Lee Ritenour.

After being introduced to a more mainstream form of jazz through his lessons with Cape Towns foremost jazz teacher, Merton Barrows jazz workshop he was exposed to the music of Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea.

Ramon has performed at diverse music festivals such as the Suidooster Fees, Aardklop, the Cedeberg Fees, Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) and most recently at the Borneo International Jazz Festival in Miri, Malaysia.

In addition, he has performed at Jazz on the Rocks (both Plettenberg Bay and Tieties Bay) and the Darling Music Experience and KKNK. With the inclusion of the Crypt, Ramon regularly plays at the i-Studios Lapa where he recently hosted a Legend Series, paying tribute to the countries Jazz Legends that paved the way for current Jazz artists.

He currently performs with the bassist Chadleigh Gowar, the drummer Annemie Nel, the saxophonist Zeke le Grange and Dustin Julius. Ramon is seeking to bring his artistry to worldwide jazz stages in the coming year.

Be sure to catch Ramons feature on http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com. To learn more go to http://www.ramonalexander.co.za. Echoes from Louwskloof  can be purchased on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/ramon-alexander/id686872501 and can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ramon.alexander1?fref=ts.

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Race Against Poverty is run through downtown Chambersburg during First Friday in June. The annual race is a chance for runners, walkers, and children plus teams and duos to support elimination of poverty in Franklin County.

The Franklin County Visitors Bureau recommends kicking off June with the 7th Annual Race Against Poverty during First Friday in downtown Chambersburg. The race, literally run through downtown Chambersburg, begins at 7 PM and is a highlight of Junes Health & Wellness First Friday. The annual race is a chance for runners, walkers, and children plus teams and duos to support elimination of poverty in Franklin County. Race Against Poverty empowers and funds the work of Support Circles of Franklin County, which works to move people from a place where basic needs are unmet to a place of long-term stability.

Online registration for Race Against Poerty remains open until May 31. Day-of-race registrations are welcomed at check in, which opens at 5:30 PM in the parking area of King Street Church. Lots of family-fun activities are part of the race. It is more like a block party with kids activities, BBQ chicken on the grill, ice cream, and music.

The June First Friday, sponsored by Chambersburg Apothecary and organized by the Downtown Business Council, emphasizes healthy living and ensuring a well community. Vendors will focus on healthy lifestyles for children, families, and older citizens. Downtown Business Council offers a chance to win a gift basket of local goods and services, valued at $250.

The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites all to explore Franklin County PA and enjoy the trails of history, arts and architecture, recreation, natural beauty, fresh foods and the warm hospitality of communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. Franklin County PA is located just north of the Mason Dixon Line and is an easy drive to Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Discover more.... plan a visit soon at ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com or by contacting 866.646.8060.
interjet-logo1-5in-72.png

Interjet announced today it has added a third daily, non-stop flight between New Yorks JFK airport and Mexico Citys Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juarez effective June 15, 2017. This additional flight now brings to four the total number of flights Interjet operates between the two cities.

Our business and leisure travel continues to grow between the U.S. and Mexico, said Jose Luis Garza, Interjet, CEO. And travel demand between New York City and Mexico City is at an all-time high for us, he added.

The A320 aircraft departs JFK at 16:40 arriving Mexico City 20:50 in time for a late evening dinner. A 09:25 morning departure from Mexico City arrives JFK 15:25 in time for an early dinner in the New York metropolitan area. In addition to convenient departures and arrivals, Interjet offers more legroom between seats, inflight service that includes free light snacks and drinks, no fees for checked baggage on specific fares and female-only lavatories. Fares will start at $388.42 (USD) for round-trip service.

For more information regarding this service or to make a reservation, visit http://www.interjet.com or call 1 866-285-9525.

About Interjet

Interjet is an international airline based in Mexico City providing air service to 53 destinations in eight countries, including 36 cities in Mexico. Its network includes service to nine U.S. markets: Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando/Sanford and San Antonio. Other international routes include Montreal, Canada; Havana, Santa Clara and Varadero, Cuba; Bogota, Colombia; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Lima, Peru; and San Jose, Costa Rica. The airline operates a fleet of more than 70 aircraft including three AirbusA320neos, 45 Airbus A320s, three Airbus A321 and 22 Superjet 100s.
The victim in a Sunday morning homicide in Janesville has been identified as Eddie Lee Jones, the Rock County Medical Examiner's Department said Monday afternoon.

Jones, 28, of Markham, Illinois, died from a gunshot wound, according to preliminary autopsy results. The medical examiner's office said additional testing is underway.

Janesville Police said Jones was shot in the face by Barquis Odom of Beloit after an argument Sunday morning.

About 12:25 a.m. Sunday, officers were called to 116 S. Franklin St. for reports of gunshots, police said. A caller at the location said a man needed medical attention after being shot in the face.

Jones was taken to Mercy Hospital where he died, according to police.

Police said Jones had what appeared to be heroin on him when he was shot. Jones has a lengthy criminal record for assaults and weapons and drug crimes, police said.

Witnesses identified Odom as the shooter, and said the two had been arguing when Odom pulled out a handgun and shot Jones, then fled the scene, police said.

Janesville officers located Odom driving on the city's west side at about 9:15 p.m. Sunday. He was arrested without incident after a high-risk traffic stop, police said.

Odom is tentatively charged with first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon.

The incident was Janesville's first homicide in more than three years, police said.

Odom's criminal record in Wisconsin includes felony convictions for the manufacture and delivery of heroin and cocaine and failure to pay child support. His misdemeanor convictions include disorderly conduct, battery and possession of amphetamines, LSD or psilocybin mushrooms, according to Wisconsin criminal records.
Rigaku XtaLAB mini II benchtop chemical crystallography system

Rigaku Corporation is pleased to announce its attendance at the 100th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CSC 2017), the conference is being held from May 28 to June 1, 2017 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in downtown Toronto. Rigaku Oxford Diffraction (ROD) is representing its diverse lines of chemical and macromolecular crystallography systems at booth 710.

CSC 2017 will showcase science from across Canada and around the world, featuring the latest innovations in research in the traditional sub-disciplines of chemistry. The event will feature plenary, invited and submitted lectures, jointly organized international symposia, poster sessions, panel discussions, and special events.

More information about single crystal diffraction solutions from Rigaku is available at http://www.rigaku-od.com/.

About Rigaku Oxford Diffraction (ROD)

ROD was formed as the global single crystal business unit of Rigaku Corporation after the acquisition of the former Oxford Diffraction organization from Agilent Technologies in 2015. ROD is a leader in the field of single crystal analysis, both in the field of chemical crystallography as well as well as macromolecular crystallography. Formed in 1951, Rigaku Corporation is a leading analytical instrumentation company based out of Tokyo, Japan.

For further information, contact

Michael Nelson

Rigaku Global Marketing Group

tel: +1. 512-225-1796

michael.nelson(at)rigaku.com
In response to mounting questions as to whether the White House engaged in a cover-up and obstruction of justice in the Russia investigation, Indivisible Chicago has joined the national March For Truth to demand answers. More than 100 #MarchForTruth events are planned for June 3, 2017 in cities across the United States.

March For Truth is a national coalition of activist groups and grassroots, local organizers demanding that leaders in government defend the rule of law, fully investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election and the role of Donald Trump and his associates, and investigate Donald Trumps motives for possibly interfering in the investigation.

The demands of the March are simple:



An independent commission must be established and Congressional investigations should be properly resourced and pursued free of partisan interests;

As much information should be made available to the public as possible, and as soon as possible;

If crimes were committed or if collusion is discovered, it must be prosecuted.

The Chicago #MarchForTruth event will be held Saturday, June 3rd at: Federal Plaza, 50 W. Adams St, Chicago, IL from 11:00AM - 1:00PM.

The event will include former Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks, Rep. Robin Kelly, Rep. Mike Quigley, and others.

"The truth matters and the American people are demanding answers, from the streets of Chicago to the Halls of Congress, said Rep. Robin Kelly. We simply cannot stand by and allow a foreign, hostile government to hack our democracy.

There is no question that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, said Rep. Mike Quigley. As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, Im committed to following the facts wherever they lead in order to protect our democratic process and ensure this never happens again. Our Committee is charged with uncovering the truth, ultimately to hold those responsible accountable. The American people deserve to know exactly what took place.

"The Trump Administration began under a cloud of deception, winning an election tainted by foreign influence. In Chicago, we will stand indivisible in the fight for Truth," said Jason Rieger, founder Indivisible Chicago. "We will rally downtown and march to Trump Tower to push back against the endless barrage of lies emanating from the White House."

National Partner organizations include Indivisible Guide, Women's March, MoveOn, Town Hall Project, OurStates, Free Speech for People, Rock the Vote, Progressive Democrats of America, Lawyers for Good Government, Swing Left, Working Families Party, Stand Up America, Action Group Network, and flippable.

Local organizing partners include ACLU Illinois, Planned Parenthood Illinois and Fight for 15. A full list of participating cities is here.

QUOTES FROM NATIONAL PARTNERS:

Womens March organizers in states across the nation are working alongside local chapters of the March For Truth to make sure that June 3rd is a call for all Americans to come together as one and march to protect the very foundation of our democracy, said Bob Bland of the Womens March.

"Across the country, constituents have flooded town halls to let their representatives know that they want impartial investigations into Russian interference in our elections," said Jimmy Dahman, executive director of Town Hall Project. "Transparency is critical to the democratic process, and we are proud to partner with the #MarchForTruth in holding Congress accountable to the people that elected them."

The allegations that President Trump or members of his team may have coordinated with the Russian government to influence the 2016 election are the most explosive charges in American political history, said Ron Fein, Legal Director of Free Speech For People. The American people deserve and demand a credible independent investigation.

"It's clear that Michael Flynn, who was compromised by the Russians, would still be in the White House if it weren't for leaks, yet that's all that the GOP seems to want to focus on in the #RussiaGate hearings, said Andrea Chalupa, author, activist and #MarchForTruth organizer. What more is this administration hiding? With our nation's sovereignty at stake, it's time for Republican leaders to put country before party just like they did during the Watergate scandal."

"If we learned anything from Sally Yates' testimony, it's that this administration has ignored attempts by loyal public servants to bring transparency. We must have full transparency throughout this investigation," said Jordan Uhl, #MarchForTruth organizer and Executive Director of the The Opposition (oppstn.com). "We're supporting this nationwide, grassroots movement because we believe the American people want an honest, independent inquiry and, ultimately, answers."

"Since the inauguration of President Trump, The Russian hacking of our election and potential subsequent collusion with members of the Presidential campaign has cast a pall over the entirety of the administration, said Josef Preston, Indivisible Charleston Legislative Coordinator. It is only natural that the people want to get to the bottom of this matter, so American democracy can be reestablished as a shining beacon of light around the world. The world and the people need closure."

"This isn't about party. This is about rule of law, and potentially egregious conflicts of interest within the Executive Branch," said Donna Smith, Executive Director of Progressive Democrats Of America. "Congress must do its job legitimately, and invest serious resources into a bipartisan investigation into Russian ties with the White House, and those within the administration's direct sphere of influence. If it can't happen within Congress, then a special prosecutor must be named, and we must get to the truth, one way or the other, in a transparent and public way."

***

For more information, visit http://www.marchfortruthchi.org
Carthage College president-elect John R. Swallow I was immediately drawn to Carthage College as one of so few liberal arts institutions that can claim both long-standing excellence and profound momentum.

The Board of Trustees at Carthage College has unanimously elected John R. Swallow to serve as president.

Swallow brings an entrepreneurial approach and highly relevant experience as a senior administrator, trustee, and faculty member at three small, private liberal arts institutions. He comes to Carthage from The University of the South, known informally as Sewanee for the Tennessee community in which its located.

As chief academic and operating officer, he has overseen notable strides in the universitys curriculum, fundraising, equity and inclusion, enrollment, student life, faculty and staff development, and strategic planning.

He becomes the 23rd president in Carthages 170-year history, succeeding Gregory S. Woodward. After a distinguished five-year term, Woodward is leaving to assume the presidency at the University of Hartford in his Connecticut hometown.

Swallow plans to take office July 1. He arrives at a time of unprecedented prosperity for the College, evident in its record enrollment, 30 consecutive years of operating surpluses, and $200 million investment in campus facilities since 1999.

I was immediately drawn to Carthage College as one of so few liberal arts institutions that can claim both long-standing excellence and profound momentum, he said. Carthages deep heritage, exceptional faculty and staff, and state-of-the-art facilities are a special and rare combination, and the opportunity to lead Carthage to become ever stronger was truly captivating.

The hire caps a nationwide search that firm Myers McRae coordinated with input from Carthage faculty, staff, students, and trustees.

I am proud to welcome John Swallow to Carthage as our next president, said Ambassador David A. Straz Jr., chairman of the board. The breadth and caliber of his distinguished career at prestigious liberal arts colleges has prepared him for this outstanding opportunity.

Enrolling at age 15, Swallow graduated from Sewanee in 1989 with honors in both mathematics and English literature. He went on to earn two masters degrees and a Ph.D. in mathematics, all from Yale University.

Joining the faculty at Davidson (North Carolina) College in 1994, he taught there for 17 years  10 of them in an interdisciplinary humanities program. He was elected leader of the faculty, and students honored him with the Omicron Delta Kappa Teaching Award in 2010.

His combination of analytical and communication skills impressed Carthage faculty. Aaron Trautwein, a professor on the presidential search committee, attributes that to the incoming presidents dual interests in the sciences and humanities.

He has a very authentic voice, Trautwein said. He sees the world through many lenses. Its really powerful to have someone who can do that.

Swallow returned to his undergraduate alma mater in 2011. He was appointed Sewanees provost the next year and its executive vice president in 2014, holding responsibility for the institutions strategic planning and execution, day-to-day operations, and operating budget. Under his leadership, applications increased by 63 percent and diversity among the faculty rose to 18 percent, in line with the student body.

Even before joining the administration, Swallow took an active role in Sewanees governance as an elected trustee and, later, regent. He moved to cut tuition and fees by 10 percent, which contributed to a spike in visits and enabled admissions officers to more selectively screen applications.

More recently, he served as a trustee at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. In 2015, the womens college implemented the SUMMIT curriculum, which features global learning and leadership development and pairs each student with a personal career mentor and board of advisors.

Swallow has written articles in The Chronicle of Higher Education and The Huffington Post, plus an undergraduate textbook and more than two dozen research articles in mathematics.

Our faculty will really respect that hes a scholar-teacher, Trautwein said. Hes an experienced researcher who also knows how to relate to students. Thats something we want all faculty members to model on campus.

Swallows wife, Cameron, is a high school math and English teacher, and they have two children in college: Ruth, 20, and Sophie, 18. Besides the similarities of the institutions, he was attracted to Kenoshas size and the chance to move closer to relatives in the Chicago area.

Cameron and I are thrilled to join the Carthage community, Swallow said. The Carthaginians we met demonstrated such a genuine welcome, and such a deep commitment to transforming the lives of students, that we knew we had found the right place for us for many years to come. We simply cant wait to get started.

Connect with Carthage:

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ALOHA 1st National Math Challenge $10,000 Jr 1st Prize Winner: Avani Anand, Manalapan, NJ It's been a wonderful opportunity & experience for Avani - participating and preparing for the national math challenge. This is a great initiative to challenge the kids and will surely be something that we will look forward to every year, Avani's parents

$36,000 was awarded to 6 top winners of ALOHA Mind Math's 1st Annual National Math Challenge this May in Princeton, NJ. In the finals, Avani Anand, from Manalapan, NJ won the $10,000 Jr prize out of 1200 ALOHA students who competed in all 3 rounds.

All Top Winners Were:

Junior Category: Grades K-2

1st Prize, $10,000, Avani Anand, ALOHA Center in Marlboro, NJ

2nd Prize, $5,000, Varyan Jain, ALOHA Center in Cary, NC

3rd Prize, $3,000, Micah Khanna, ALOHA Center in Cerritos, CA

Senior Category: Grades 3-6

1st Prize, $10,000, Joshua Tchou, ALOHA Center in Flushing, NY

Tied for 2nd, $4,000, Sathvrik Redrouthu, ALOHA Center in Ashburn, VA

Tied for 2nd, $4,000, Ronak Ramesh, ALOHA Center in Manchester, CT

Children enrolled in ALOHA Mind Math programs across the U.S. geared up this spring to participate in ALOHA's 1st Annual National Math Challenge. This math test-based competition, designed for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade, had three rounds. The live finals, held in Princeton, New Jersey in mid-May 2017 brought students together to compete from all over the US.

ALOHA's first annual National Math Challenge got the students excited about math in a healthy competition and we gave away significant prize money to reward their effort. It was great watching the kids take their math knowledge and explore their capabilities, said Gerard Pilgrim, ALOHA President & CEO. ALOHA is planning to make this an annual competition open to the public in the future. More details will be released in the fall of 2017.

About ALOHA's Junior 1st Prize Winner:

Avani Anand, attends the Marlboro, NJ ALOHA Center and is in 2nd grade at Wemrock Brook school, Manalapan NJ where she lives.

It's been a wonderful opportunity and experience for Avani - participating and preparing for the national math challenge. This is a great initiative to challenge the kids and will surely be something that we will look forward to every year apart from the ALOHA Olympiad. We'd like to specially thank our teacher Miss Seema. She has been a wonderful teacher to Avani and all other kids at the Marlboro center. I am sure Avani's love for math will only grow more under Miss Seema's guidance, said Avani's parents, Prathima and Kandasamy.

How did This National Math Challenge Work?

Children competed in two categories  Junior: K through 2nd grade (max age 8); and Senior: 3rd through 6th grade (max age 12). There were three rounds of competition (preliminary - March 2017, semi-finals April 2017, and finals in May 2017) with age-appropriate math problems and general analytic based questions in multiple choice, paper and pencil, format. No calculators were allowed, but students could opt to use an abacus and/or scratch note paper and pencils.

How Can a Child Get Involved in ALOHA Programs?

ALOHA is currently training children K through 6th grades in Math, Reading and Writing at over 120 locations in 19 states across the U.S., including: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, MA, MI, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, VA*. For more details on these programs, go to ALOHAMindMath.com, search for a nearby center using ALOHA's online center locator, check the ALOHA Facebook page (Facebook.com/aloha.usa), or call 877-256-4203 to find a local center near you.

*Each ALOHA learning center is independently owned and operated. For more information on the ALOHA Challenge: click here.

ALOHA

Since 2006, ALOHA Mind Math, a leading provider of mental arithmetic and English Reading | Writing after school programs, has been guiding children in the U.S. between the ages of 3 through 14 to achieve academic excellence in these grades. ALOHA is currently training children at over 120 locations in 19 states across the U.S. Programs also include a Tiny Thinkers pre-school program for ages 3-5, and a STEM summer camp for 10-14 year-olds. The interactive learning process ALOHA uses enhances a childs math, reading and writing capabilities. The teachers also assist children in developing skills and abilities such as observation and listening that result in the overall growth of the child. The ALOHA program is also in use in 20 countries worldwide.
A recent study by the OECD shows financial literacy competencies of 15-year-olds in 15 different countries around the world. In a new interview with CMRubinWorld, Andreas Schleicher explains how the study was performed and analyzes the results. In the study, the OECD tested whether 15-year-olds were able to define their priorities and plan what to spend money on; whether they are aware that some purchases have ongoing costs or that they can become the victims of fraud; and to know what risk is and what insurance is meant for. Some of the questions also required knowledge of basic financial instruments, such as a bank account.

The 21st century brings new opportunities and complications to financial problems as they are exposed to a wider audience. The spread of digital financial services opens up new opportunities for people once excluded from the financial system; but the digitized system also exposes consumers to new security threats and risks of fraud that are compounded when low financial literacy is combined with poor digital skills and ignorance of cyber security. There are also greater financial risks.

Schleicher gives suggestions as to how to enhance financial literacy in youth. He says, The best predictor is strong performance in key subject disciplines like math and reading, so doing a good job with foundation skills is an important starting point. But it requires more than that. The PISA financial literacy assessment reveals that 38% of the variation in financial literacy is not explained by mathematics and reading skills. Additionally, parents who discuss money matters with their children see higher financial literacy skills in their kids.

Andreas Schleicher is the Director of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Directorate for Education and Skills, which originated in 1948 and is headquartered in Paris, France.

Read the full article here

CMRubinWorld launched in 2010 to explore what kind of education would prepare students to succeed in a rapidly changing globalized world. Its award-winning series, The Global Search for Education, is a celebrated trailblazer in the renaissance of the 21st century, and occupies a special place in the pulse of key issues facing every nation and the collective future of all children. It connects todays top thought leaders with a diverse global audience of parents, students and educators. Its highly readable platform allows for discourse concerning our highest ideals and the sustainable solutions we must engineer to achieve them. C. M. Rubin has produced over 550 interviews and articles discussing an expansive array of topics under a singular vision: when it comes to the world of children, there is always more work to be done.

For more information on CMRubinWorld

Follow @CMRubinWorld on Twitter

Contact Information:

David Wine

David(at)cmrubinworld(dot)com
Saudi Arabias Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) is collaborating with DuPont Sustainable Solutions (DSS), the operations consulting business of DuPont, to improve operational performance and safety in the countrys desalination facilities. SWCC is responsible for about 70 percent of the total production of desalinated water in Saudi Arabia. The collaboration will enhance the operational excellence and risk management processes at SWCC to ensure a sustainable water supply for the people of Saudi Arabia.

Every activity taking place at SWCC now is to prepare for the privatization of the company. We want to create an environment that will allow SWCC to compete internationally so that ultimately, we have a sustainable business that the people of SWCC and Saudi Arabia can benefit from. DuPonts experience in implementing operational improvement initiatives at their own facilities, and in the Kingdom, is an integral part of our improvement process, said His Excellency Ali Al-Hazmi, governor of SWCC.

As part of SWCCs aspirations to privatize and align with Saudi Arabias 2030 strategic objectives, the executive management decided to invest further in the transformation of its operations. While SWCC has long been committed to operational excellence, the implementation of these critical initiatives will enable SWCC to produce water in a more cost-effective way. DSS and its partners will start at some of SWCCs biggest facilities  plants, transmission lines and headquarters.

According to Abdullah al-Zowaid, deputy governor, Operations at SWCC, This operational transformation project will aim at strengthening our practices in risk management and operational excellence. The initiatives selected will focus on developing leadership capabilities, maximizing productivity, reliability and cost optimization.

We are excited to collaborate with SWCC and have invited strategic partners to support us in helping SWCC achieve its aspirations. Each partner will bring a unique set of best practices to ensure SWCC gets support from the worlds leaders in their respective fields: Emerson to bring experience in automation and reliability, Riventa to provide expertise in water transmission and pumps, and GrahamTek with best practices in core desalination processes and technology, noted Johan van der Westhuyzen, regional director for DSS  Turkey, Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Jean-Paul Sacy, senior manager at DSS added, Behavioral shift is at the core of the DuPont operational excellence approach and will play a key role in driving change through the SWCC organization. We are looking forward to progressively developing and empowering the SWCC team to drive continuous improvement into the future.

The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) is a Saudi Arabian Government Corporation responsible for the desalination of seawater-producing electric power and supplying various regions with desalinated water. The corporation was established by royal decree as an independent government corporation. It aims to consolidate the natural water resource in various regions and cities where there are severe fresh water shortages through the process of desalination.

As one of eight businesses in DuPont, DuPont Sustainable Solutions (DSS) is a leading provider of world-class operations management consulting services to help organizations transform and optimize their processes, technologies and capabilities. DuPont Sustainable Solutions is a partner of choice for many industrial companies throughout the Middle East. As an owner/operator, DSS is in a unique position to help companies transform its operations and extract more value. DSS has been operating in the region for over 15 years, and has successfully assisted companies with safety, operations and environmental challenges. For more information, visit http://www.sustainablesolutions.dupont.com.

Emerson (NYSE: EMR), is a global technology and engineering company providing innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial and residential markets. Our Emerson Automation Solutions business helps process hybrid and discrete manufacturers maximize production, protect personnel and the environment while optimizing their energy and operating costs. Our Emerson Commercial and Residential Solutions business helps ensure human comfort and health, protect food quality and safety, advance energy efficiency, and create sustainable infrastructure. For more information visit Emerson.com.

Riventa specialize in pumping systems, delivering class-leading pump efficiency measurement solutions and pump optimization expertise to industry. Its team of hydraulic consultants work with a vast range of international clients, continually building on the companys proven track record in the reduction of costs, energy use and emissions. Its services include in-situ pump performance testing and real-time pump station monitoring, extending to entire network optimization projects. With offices in the U.K. and Asia, it is well placed to support the global water industry through our partnership with DuPont Sustainable Solutions. For more information, visit http://www.riventa.com.

GrahamTek Holdings is a manufacturer, global distributor and owner of its patented Water Purification, Water Desalination, Energy Storage and Waste-to-Energy systems. GrahamTek offer clients cradle to grave strategic implementation solutions to develop high-performance water treatment technology solutions for sustainable, commercially viable long term water supply. For more information visit http://www.gtek.org.za/.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit http://www.dupont.com.

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5/30/17

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont, and all products, unless otherwise noted, denoted with , SM or  are trademarks or registered trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.
Joshua Tchou, Jericho, New York, Won $10,000 Senior 1st prize in ALOHA Mind Math's 1st Annual National Math Challenge ALOHA's first annual National Math Challenge got the students excited about math in a healthy competition and we gave away significant prize money for their effort, Gerard Pilgrim, ALOHA President & CEO

Joshua Tchou, 5th grade, from Jericho, NY won the $10,000 Senior 1st prize in ALOHA Mind Math's 1st Annual National Math Challenge this May. $36,000 was awarded to 6 top winners during the finals held in Princeton, NJ. Of the 1200 ALOHA students who competed, and from the 318 semi-finalists, 42 students made it to this final round.

All Top winners were:

Senior Category winners and prizes: Grades 3-6

1st Prize, $10,000, Joshua Tchou, ALOHA Center in Flushing, NY

Tied for 2nd, $4,000, Sathvrik Redrouthu, ALOHA Center in Ashburn, VA

Tied for 2nd, $4,000, Ronak Ramesh, ALOHA Center in Manchester, CT

Junior Category winners and prizes: Grades K-2

1st Prize, $10,000, Avani Anand, ALOHA Center in Marlboro, NJ

2nd Prize, $5,000, Varyan Jain, ALOHA Center in Cary, NC

3rd Prize, $3,000, Micah Khanna, ALOHA Center in Cerritos, CA

Children enrolled in ALOHA Mind Math programs across the U.S. geared up this spring to participate in ALOHA's 1st Annual National Math Challenge. This math test-based competition, designed for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade, had three rounds. The live finals, held in Princeton, New Jersey in mid-May 2017, brought students together to compete from all over the US. ALOHA is planning to make this an annual competition open to the public. More details will be released in the fall of 2017. ALOHA's first annual National Math Challenge got the students excited about math in a healthy competition and we gave away significant prize money to reward their effort. It was great watching the kids take their math knowledge and explore their capabilities, said Gerard Pilgrim ALOHA President & CEO.

About ALOHA's Senior 1st Prize Winner

Joshua Tchou, from ALOHA's Flushing, NY Center attends Robert Seaman Elementary School (5th grade), and lives in Jericho, New York. Joshua said, The ALOHA program has vastly improved my math skills. I would highly recommend this program."

I enrolled Joshua a few years ago to enrich his mathematics skills. He likes Math. ALOHA has helped deepen his thinking and enhanced his skills, including math and logical thinking. Recently, as captain of his school team for Math Olympiads (Nassau County Math Tournament, held at SUNY Old Westbury, May 23, 2017), Joshua won the first prize as a team. Individually he won the second prize. Honestly, my wife and I had no expectations when we signed Joshua up for the National Math Challenge. The win is a wonderful gift. It boosts Joshua's confidence and enriches his life experience. My wife and I appreciate this immensely, said Joshua's father, Wen-Wei.

How Can a Child Get Involved in ALOHA Programs?

ALOHA is currently training children K through 6th grades in Math, Reading and Writing at over 120 locations in 19 states across the U.S., including: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, MA, MI, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, VA*. For more details on these programs, go to http://www.ALOHAMindMath.com, search for a nearby center using ALOHA's online center locator, check the ALOHA Facebook page (http://www.Facebook.com/aloha.usa), or call 877-256-4203 to find a local center near you.

*Each ALOHA learning center is independently owned and operated. For more information on the ALOHA Challenge: click here.

ALOHA

Since 2006, ALOHA Mind Math, a leading provider of mental arithmetic and English Reading | Writing after school programs, has been guiding children in the U.S. between the ages of 3 through 14 to achieve academic excellence in these grades. ALOHA is currently training children at over 120 locations in 19 states across the U.S. Programs also include a Tiny Thinkers pre-school program for ages 3-5, and a STEM summer camp for 10-14 year-olds. The interactive learning process ALOHA uses enhances a childs math, reading and writing capabilities. The teachers also assist children in developing skills and abilities such as observation and listening that result in the overall growth of the child. The ALOHA program is also in use in 20 countries worldwide.
Kidd & Company, LLC ("KCO"), a leading family office investment firm focused on the middle market, together with McLarty Capital Partners, today announced the recapitalization and merger of Advanced Distribution Solutions, Inc. (ADSI), Agile Network (Agile) and Pantechnik International (Pantechnik) to form Logistyx Technologies, the instant transportation management execution (TME) leader.

These software solution providers have succeeded in this market through customer focus and innovation; they combine the software architecture, applications, sales and implementation skills, and global carrier network and integrations to become the obvious TME provider of choice to a wide range of shippers, said Gerry DeBiasi, a Partner at KCO. At a time when shippers rely heavily on fragmented systems that automatically select carriers based on cost, speed and service, joining these complementary forces together answers a need for a comprehensive global solution.

Logistyx Technologies combines and builds on the established and complementary successes of three dominant TME companies to offer the worlds first global parcel analytics platform. Logistyx Technologies serves shippers sending any type of parcel, from small envelopes to bulk freight, to consumers and businesses across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Shippers working with Logistyx Technologies, who represent over two billion parcels annually, enjoy the benefits of edge computing, leveraging the power and collaboration capabilities of the cloud with the speed and agility of onsite tools and technology.

E-commerce will continue to grow rapidly across the globe, and this helps explain how the parcel market is growing at twice the rate of gross domestic product, said Kevin V. Cox, CEO of Logistyx Technologies and former CEO of Agile Network. These businesses had already established partnerships and integrated their technologies; so Logistyx hits the ground running, instantly able to better serve its customers.

Several industry leaders join Cox on the Logistyx Technologies management team, including Ken Fleming, chief product and marketing officer; Linda Elliott Zider, chief revenue officer; and Peter Nicholls, chief technology officer.

About Kidd & Company

Based in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, KCO traces its roots to 1976 when William Kidd made his first private equity investment. Today, KCO is the private investment arm of the Kidd Family Office engaged in sponsoring private equity transactions in the lower middle market. The firm's focus is on driving superior returns by implementing fundamental strategic and operational improvements to drive above-market growth in revenue and earnings, both organically and through accretive acquisitions. The diverse skill set of its partners allows KCO to bring management, operational, sales and marketing, corporate finance and M&A expertise to bear to substantially increase the total value of its investments. For more information, visit http://www.kiddcompany.com.

About McLarty Capital Partners

McLarty Capital Partners (MCP) is an investment firm that provides flexible capital solutions to lower middle market companies. MCP benefits from the asymmetric market intelligence possessed by the McLarty organization and developed by the experience of its senior professionals, having served long careers in both industry and government. MCPs tailored investments range across the capital structure in the form of unitranche senior debt, junior debt, structured equity and common equity, depending on the circumstances of the transaction. MCP seeks to invest between $5 million to $30 million in both sponsor and non-sponsor owned companies in most sectors of the economy. With offices in Washington D.C., New York, Texas, Arkansas, and California, MCP seeks to partner with management teams and investment firms nationally. For more information, please visit http://www.mcpsmallbusiness.com.
Logistyx Technologies (http://www.logistyx.com), the instant leader in transportation management execution (TME), today announced its new operations and identity after Kidd & Company, LLC (KCO) and McLarty Capital Partners, LLC (MCP) merged Advanced Distribution Solutions, Inc. (ADSI), Agile Network (Agile) and Pantechnik International (Pantechnik) to form the worlds first global parcel analytics platform.

These software solution providers have succeeded in this market through customer focus and innovation; they combine the software architecture, applications, sales and implementation skills, and global carrier network and integrations to become the obvious TME provider of choice to a wide range of shippers, said Gerry DeBiasi, a Partner at KCO. At a time when shippers rely heavily on fragmented systems that automatically select carriers based on cost, speed and service, joining these complementary forces together answers a need for a comprehensive global solution.

Logistyx Technologies combines and builds on the established and complementary successes of three dominant TME companies, which represent over two billion annual parcels and 5,000 carrier relationships and have earned many recent industry honors, including:



The only Diamond Compatible Solution Provider recommended by FedEx (2014-17)

2017 FedEx Compatible Solutions Provider of the Year

UPS Platinum Partner (UPS Ready Professional Service Providers)

USPS MAC Gold system certification

Logistyx Technologies serves shippers sending any type of parcel, from small envelopes to bulk freight, to consumers and businesses across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Shippers working with Logistyx Technologies enjoy the benefits of edge computing, leveraging the power and collaboration capabilities of the cloud with the speed and agility of onsite tools and technology.

E-commerce will continue to grow rapidly across the globe, and this helps explain how the parcel market is growing at twice the rate of gross domestic product, said Kevin V. Cox, CEO of Logistyx Technologies and former CEO of Agile Network. These businesses had already established partnerships and integrated their technologies; so Logistyx hits the ground running, instantly able to better serve its customers.

Several industry leaders join Cox on the Logistyx Technologies management team, including Ken Fleming, chief product and marketing officer; Linda Elliott Zider, chief revenue officer; and Peter Nicholls, chief technology officer.

About Logistyx Technologies:

With the industrys largest geographic footprint and most capable products, Logistyx Technologies helps businesses reduce shipping costs by 40 percent by getting smarter about what label goes on each parcel. Its edge computing model combines the power and collaboration capabilities of the cloud with the speed and agility of onsite tools and technology to ensure seamless support of the worlds largest and most sophisticated warehouse operations, as well as small businesses relying on manual fulfillment processes. Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Logistyx Technologies also has U.S. offices in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego and St. Louis and international offices in Amsterdam, Singapore and Toronto. For more information, visit http://www.logistyx.com.
NAPCO has been named one of Chicagos Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by the National Association For Business Resources. This highly sought-after award is granted to just 101 Chicago-area businesses each year for having demonstrated above-and-beyond dedication to customer service and human resources.

Each of the 101 companies will also be competing for 13 elite awards in each of the categories they qualify for. Companies are divided into small, medium, and large businesses according to the number of people employed at each business (1-100, 101-300, and 301+ respectively).

We are absolutely thrilled to have been named as one of Chicagos best and brightest companies in the small business category, said Steve Coven, Owner and Creative Director at NAPCO. At NAPCO, providing top-notch customer service has been our mission for over thirty years, and I am so pleased that this dedication has been officially recognized.

Companies are selected for this award by an independent research firm that evaluates each entry based on several different standards. These include compensation, benefits and employee solutions, employee enrichment, engagement, and retention, employee education and development, recruitment, and many other categories.

The motto of this award is better business, richer lives, and stronger communities, which is exactly what we are striving for each day at NAPCO, explained Dani Nichols, Vice President at NAPCO. Receiving this award perfectly demonstrates the continuing dedication that we have to our customers.

About NAPCO, Ltd.

NAPCO, Ltd. is a 37 year-old company providing equipment, supplies, and training to professional kitchen and bathroom refinishers. A leader in the green remodeling movement, they offer sound alternatives to replacement of counters, sinks, tile, and bathtubs. NAPCO is located in Skokie, IL and services all 50 states and 5 foreign countries. If you are interested in refinishing your tub, tile, or counter top instead of replacing, call 1-800-888-1081 or visit http://www.napcoltd.com today.
Emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle that kills ash trees, has been found in Fitchburg, city officials said Tuesday.

The infestation was found along Highway M near the intersection with Highway MM and Highway 14, according to the city. A quarantine won't be issued since Dane County has been quarantined since 2013, when emerald ash borer was discovered in Madison.

Emerald ash borer has now been found in 41 of Wisconsin's 72 counties, according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

"The confirmation of EAB in Fitchburg is not surprising," said Anna Healy, Urban Forester and Naturalist for the City of Fitchburg in a statement. "We have been expecting this since the beetle was confirmed in Madison in 2013. If anyone was waiting to treat ash trees on their private property until the beetle was found in the City, now is the time to start."

The city's 691 maintained ash trees on public property are inspected and treated with an insecticide that targets the beetle bi-annually, Fitchburg officials said. Untreated trees are removed and replaced.

The city said property owners should consider hiring an arborist to inspect or treat ash trees.

Signs of an infected tree include thinning branches in the tree's canopy, D-shaped holes in the bark, new branch growth low on the trunk, cracked bark and woodpeckers removing bark to get to insects.

Ash trees infected with emerald ash borer can die within two to four years, according to the state.

While the beetle only flies a few miles, it is commonly introduced to a area through infested firewood, ash nursery stock, and other ash items.

When an area is quarantined, hardwood firewood, ash nursery stock, ash logs or timber can't be moved from the affected area, according to Wisconsin officials.

The larvae of the metallic-green beetle native to East Asia kills ash trees of any age or health by eating tissue under the bark, according to state officials.

An adult beetle is about three-eighths to half an inch long and about one-sixteenth of an inch wide. Full grown larvae average about one and a half inches long, according to the state.

About seven percent of Wisconsin's forest trees are ash. About 20 percent of the state's urban trees are ash, according to the state agriculture department.

More information can be found at emeraldashborer.wi.gov
NEW ENGINEER The Magazine for Engineering Students "Engineering is a very distinguished field to have a career in," says Steven Polydoris, Editor and Publisher.

NEW ENGINEER magazine, a professional journal for engineering students, has released its premier issue, helping jump right into learning all about a career in engineering  one of the fastest growing industries.

With so many different fields in engineering it can be hard to choose which direction to go. Find out about some of the emerging industries in the article, Hot New Fields in Engineering. Engineering students can also find out which field is the right fit in, Which Engineering Field is Right for You? In this article we break down and review some of the most mainstream engineering specialties such as Biomedical Engineering, to Earth Resources Engineering, to Robotics Engineering.

Engineering is a very distinguished field to have a career in, says Steven Polydoris, Editor and Publisher, not only are there so many different opportunities and directions to go but each specialty has major impact on everything we use in the world today.

Find out more about the important trends in engineering today  specifically women engineer initiatives in Women in Engineering. Even before it was socially acceptable for women to work in such a field as engineering, many of the biggest contributions in engineering were made by women. The article notes that although women are pursuing careers in engineering, there is still a need for diversity in the field.

In Engineerings Impact on the World the authors touch on six examples of how some areas of engineering have impacted society and the world in positive ways. You will also see The Top 20 Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century.

Jerome S. OConnor writes the featured cover story in this issue, Wanted: Bridge Engineers. OConnor, writing from the Institute of Bridge Engineers presents the need for more civil engineers. Civil engineers provide so much of what we use to get through our everyday lives, from transportation, safe structures, to clean water and sanitation. OConnor notes, how many bridges and drainage structures did you cross today? Most people do not even know; its taken for granted that we can get from here to there without getting our feet wet. He continues by touching on the four challenges that exists from building bridges. There is a strong demand for civil engineers to continue to provide and maintain a wide variety of infrastructure systems that we have come to depend on, OConnor focuses on one of the many perks of choosing a career in Bridge Engineering, there is a lot of satisfaction knowing that you are a essential part of keeping other people safe.
Im honored to be recognized as an award winner for the fifth consecutive year! I feel it is a reflection of my dedication to my clients and my willingness to provide outstanding service!

Five Star Professional is pleased to announce Shelly Wilson, J Phillips Mortgage, Inc., has been chosen as one of Dallas/Fort Worth areas Five Star Mortgage Professionals for 2017.

Im honored to be recognized as an award winner for the fifth consecutive year! I feel it is a reflection of my dedication to my clients and my willingness to provide outstanding service! said Shelly Wilson of J Phillips Mortgage, Inc.

Five Star Professional partnered with Texas Monthly to recognize a select group of Dallas/Fort Worth-area mortgage professionals who provide quality services to their clients. Less than 3% in the area were selected. Shelly Wilson is featured, along with other award winners, in a special section of the June issue.

Im so happy to be in an industry where I can help people realize their dreams for their home-sweet-home. This industry is based on referrals and I want to thank my clients and business partners for placing their trust in me, said Shelly Wilson.

The Five Star Mortgage Professional award program is conducted in more than 30 markets throughout North America. Mortgage professionals are measured using an objective, in-depth research methodology with significant focus on customer feedback and overall satisfaction.

Five Star Mortgage Professionals provide world-class service which is evident through their clients loyalty. With a strong foundation of knowledge and experience, they work to understand their clients needs and provide a financing solution that fits, Dan Zdon, CEO, Five Star Professional.

Five Star Professional has been conducting market research to define and promote professional excellence in service professionals since 2003.

Mortgage professionals are awarded based on an in-depth research process. Thousands of consumers are contacted to rate their mortgage professional on evaluative criteria including customer service, integrity, communication and overall satisfaction. Beyond a qualifying client evaluation score, professionals are evaluated on objective criteria such as experience, production levels and disciplinary and complaint history.

There is no fee to be considered or awarded. Visit http://www.fivestarprofessional.com for more information.
BELOIT  Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday signaled hes open to charging tolls on Wisconsins Interstates, but with a key condition: linking it to a reduction in the states 30.9-cent-per-gallon gas tax.

Walker also said an impasse over the states next transportation budget risks costly delays to billion-dollar highway projects now under construction. That includes a $1.2 billion expansion of Interstate 39-90 from the Madison area to the Illinois state line.

The Interstate formed the backdrop for Walkers remarks in a press conference at a Beloit rest stop.

Republicans who control the state Assembly have proposed seeking federal approval to toll Interstates, which they say would help stabilize road and bridge finances in the long term. Interstate tolling would take years and hundreds of millions in upfront costs to implement. The first step would be to seek federal approval, the granting of which is not certain.

State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said this month that tolling is something that needs to be explored.

Walker said Tuesday that a tolling plan would be something wed look at.

But it would have to include a reduction in the gas tax for Wisconsin residents, Walker added. He did not specify how much of a reduction would be necessary.

Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, said Walkers interest in tying tolling to a gas tax cut might be feasible if the result is a significant net increase in funding for transportation over the long term. Since tolling is a long-term proposition, it would not provide new revenue for the next state budget.

A July 1 deadline looms in budget talks; its the start of the state fiscal year and of the next two-year budget cycle.

The only thing that would endanger the transportation part of the budget from getting done on time is if we dont have willing partners in negotiation, Steineke said. Everyone knows in a negotiation, everyone has to give a little to get a little.

Delays possible

Legislative Democrats and some Republicans say gas tax increases should be considered for the transportation budget.

The state faces a growing backlog of road and bridge projects, and many in both parties say it cannot continue to rely on borrowing and delaying projects to balance the funding ledger.

So Walkers call to link tolling to a gas-tax cut may complicate already-fraught budget negotiations.

It just seems like weve taken yet one more option off the table, said Craig Thompson, director of the state Transportation Development Association, which advocates for more funding for roads, bridges and transit.

Fitzgerald, in a statement from a spokeswoman Tuesday, said he would like to see tolling remain part of the conversation.

He continues to advocate for a legislative transportation solution that Gov. Walker will support, Fitzgerald spokeswoman Myranda Tanck said.

Some Republican lawmakers have suggested splitting transportation from the larger state budget. Such a move could enable some Democrats to support the transportation measure and could give lawmakers more time to reach an agreement.

But Walker said Tuesday that a budget split would delay work on some highway projects because it likely would mean there would be no new transportation budget in place by July 1.

If only a week or two passes after July 1 before Walker and lawmakers agree on a transportation budget, construction on ongoing major projects likely wouldnt be affected, Walker said. In addition to the I-39-90 project, the projects include expansions of Verona Road from Raymond Road to McKee Road in the Madison area, of Highway 10/Highway 441 in the Fox Valley and of Highway 15 in Outagamie County.

But under multiple months delay, or if no new transportation budget were enacted at all, current funding levels would carry over into the next two-year cycle.

Tough decisions

Under that scenario, Walker predicted all four active major highway projects would be affected. Which ones would be delayed, and by how much, would be decided by the state Department of Transportation, he said.

Some tough decisions would have to be made by the Department of Transportation, Walker said. My message is simple: lets just get it done.

Walker has proposed to fund all four ongoing major highway projects in his budget proposal, keeping their construction on track for the next two years. It would come at the expense of large freeway projects in southeast Wisconsin, which would see a 70 percent funding reduction under the governors plan.

For months the transportation debate has centered on whether to increase gas taxes or vehicle fees to ease the states backlog of road and bridge projects.

Walker opposes the move and proposed a budget that holds the line on taxes and fees. The plan relies on $500 million in borrowing  a problem for some legislative Republicans wary of putting more on the states credit card.

He cited a new memo from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau saying the states transportation fund, filled mostly by gas taxes and vehicle fees, is expected to end the next budget cycle, from 2017-19, with more than $93 million more than previously projected. Thats due to revised projections of higher gas tax revenues and lower debt service costs, the bureau said.

The I-39-90 project is the costliest of the ongoing major projects. Walker repeatedly has described it as a priority project to move tourist traffic into Wisconsin and for businesses along the corridor, which goes through Beloit, Janesville and Madison.

Not included in the $1.2 billion estimate for the project is the reconstruction of the Madison Beltline interchange with I-39-90, which was part of its original scope. DOT Secretary Dave Ross has said the departments estimate for that part of the project, $550 million, is totally unacceptable and the department will re-evaluate it.Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, said in a statement that legislative Democrats want a long-term solution to pay for roads.
CHICAGO (AP)  The number of medical school graduates who stay in Illinois after graduating from the from the state's public universities is dropping.

Crain's Chicago Business (http://bit.ly/2qoCP4i) reports school officials are offering different takes on why, though some point to the state's two-year budget impasse.

The state has two public university medical schools: Southern Illinois University's School of Medicine and the University of Illinois College of Medicine. The number of medical graduates from those schools who will remain in Illinois for their residencies has hit a combined all-time low. Private medical schools in the area, which don't rely on state funding, aren't seeing the same declines.

Among the students who decided to leave was Matt Soltys, 27, who was raised near Springfield. He earned molecular biology and kinesiology degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and then went to medical school at SIU. But he'll head the University of Iowa next month to start his internal medicine residency.

"It's fully hitting me that I'm leaving, and I'm really sad," he said. "The thought that the budget impasse might affect my medical education and my patients is incredibly frustrating. I wanted to go to an institution that didn't have those constraints."

Soltys has a rare vantage point. His father ran the psychiatry department of SIU's medical school until last year. When he began working there in 2002, the department had six state-funded faculty positions. It now has none. He also has watched two hospitals in Springfield cut funding for internal resident positions.

Jerry Kruse, dean of SIU's School of Medicine, said the percentage of graduates from his school who complete residencies in Illinois has fallen to 21 percent this year, the lowest in school history. The share has decreased 9 percentage points each year since 2014.

For decades before that, the percentage of the school's roughly 70 graduates each year who stayed hovered between 40 and 45 percent.

"Nothing has changed much over this period except the budget impasse and the atmosphere it's created," Kruse said. "Young doctors read about it in the papers every day and suddenly there's a fair amount of uncertainty about the future."

At the University of Illinois' College of Medicine, 28 percent of this year's graduates are staying in the state for residencies, which is down from nearly 37 percent last year. But the school's dean, Dimitri Azar, notes that the percentage of graduates who remained in Illinois for their residencies was 33 percent in 2015, 41 percent in 2014 and nearly 34 percent in 2013.

Azar said students choose their destinations mostly based on a program's quality, not the state's finances.

___

Information from: CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  Springfield police say two rival groups are to blame for much of the increase in shootings this year.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports (http://bit.ly/2qq5bPU) police have registered 88 shootings so far this year. They left 18 people injured and three dead. That compares to 73 such incidents over the same period last year, when there were seven injuries and one death.

Deputy Chief Dennis Arnold says 40 percent of this year's shootings are linked to the groups. He didn't describe them as gangs. He says it's a matter of the groups "disrespecting" each other, which leads to the attacks.

Police have linked the accidental fatal shooting of a 13-year-old girl to the rivalry.

Heading into summer, Arnold says police will continue to focus "very heavily on these two groups."
Four people, were killed Sunday in two fiery crashes in Walworth County, with police saying speed was a factor in both single-vehicle wrecks.

Three of the victims were in one crash, when a 17-year-old Burlington boy crashed into a tree Sunday night in the town of Lyons, the Sheriff's Office said.

Jason Davis was killed, along with passengers Landon Brown, 20, and Hunter Morby, 17, both of Burlington.

Davis and Morby were juniors at Burlington High School. Brown graduated from the school in 2015, according to a Burlington Area School District statement.

School counselors will be available starting Tuesday at Burlington High School to help students and staff members affected by the accident, the school district said.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, a gathering to honor the three victims will be held at the high school's gym for students, parents, staff and community members to reflect and grieve. An area social worker will be available to provide grief information for students and parents, according to the school district.

Luminary bags will also be decorated and placed around the school's track.

"Our deepest sympathy goes out to the families and friends of these students," school district Superintendent Peter Smet said in the statement. "Please keep these families and our community in your thoughts as we work through this difficult time."

The high school is located at 400 McCanna Parkway in Burlington.

In a Facebook post Monday, Burlington Mayor Jeannie Hefty said the community suffered "a tragic loss of three young individuals."

"Our hearts go out to these families and I know this community will help in anyway we can," she said in the post.

The Sheriff's Office said Davis was on Cranberry Road at about 7 p.m. Sunday when his car left the road and crashed into a tree in a ditch.

First responders found the car fully engulfed in fire, with the three victims inside.

Early Sunday morning at about 2:50 a.m., a man was killed when he lost control of his pickup truck and crashed into a power pole on Highway B in the town of Sharon.

The man was the sole occupant of the pickup truck. The Sheriff's Office said he lost control on a curve while going at a high rate of speed.
Celebrating Our Service Members

Friday, November 11 is Veterans Day, when we honor and show gratitude to all members of our Armed Forces  those currently serving, those who...

Transit Equity Starts With QueensLink

For decades Queens has seen a disinvestment in the necessary transit infrastructure the borough needs to promote equity and sustainability. Most of the time, transformative...
Twin Eagle said the expansion of the Union Pacific-served park is to meet the strong demand of the Midland Basin. Phase 1 of the unit train capable rail park was completed in February of 2016 and comprised 33,000 feet of track for rail-to-truck frac sand trans-loading services. Phase 2 of the park includes 15,000 tons of flat storage, 7,800 feet of additional rail track and a 50-percent expansion of the transload road. Phase 3 will include the development of the rail parks 150-acre Lot 2 parcel. The new development of Lot 2 will feature 30,000 tons of rail-accessible vertical silo storage. Phase 3 of the park will break ground next month and will be completed by the first quarter of 2018.

The Permian Basin is the strongest frac sand demand center in the country employing almost 50% of the active rigs in the United States, said Griff Jones, Twin Eagles CEO. The first quarter of 2017 has been an exciting time of growth for the Permian Rail Park and our terminal network, we envision the park growing to eventually include a thousand or more rail car spots with greater than 100,000 tons of storage.
Grand Chamber of ECHR to review Navalnys case

MOSCOW, May 30 (RAPSI)  The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will review the case involving Russias Government and opposition politician Alexey Navalny, the courts press-release reads on Tuesday.

Requests to refer the case to the courts Grand Chamber have been filed by the both parties.

On February 2, the ECHR granted an appeal filed by Navalny and ruled that Russian authorities had violated the European Convention on Human Rights by repeatedly detaining Navalny in 2012-2014. The court ordered Russian authorities to pay the applicant about 63,600 in compensation for material and moral damage caused including 12,653 in respect of costs and expenses.

According to Navalny, he was arrested on seven occasions at different public meetings between March 2012 and February 2014.

Following the arrests, the opposition politician was taken to a police station for several hours. Navalny was charged either with failure to the police order or with violating established procedure of mass events. He was detained twice; fines varying from 1,000 to 30,000 were imposed on him in six cases.

Navalny in his applications insisted that Russian authorities had violated Article 11(right to freedom of assembly) of the European Convention of Human Rights (Convention) by arresting him during peaceful gatherings, prosecuting and eventually convicting him; Article 5 (right to liberty) and Article 6 (right to a fair trial) by illegal deprivation of liberty and conducting unfair proceedings against him. Moreover, Navalny complained relying on Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination and Article 18 (limitation on the restriction of rights) taken with Articles 5 and 11 that the authorities actions were politically motivated.

Russian authorities argued that the actions of police officers were reasonable and necessary for preventing riots. Navalny has tried to hold unauthorized events in each of the above cases, according to the defendant.

ECHR held that there was violation of Articles 5,6 and 11 of the Convention. However, the court ruled that there is no need to examine the complaints under Article 14 and Article 18 in conjunction with Articles 5 and 11 of the Convention.

Russias Justice Ministry appealed the ruling on April 26, 2017, and requested to refer the case to the Grand Chamber.
There are almost 320 million people in the United States. And they all depend on one thing in common every dayreliable, affordable electricity. Not only do Americans count on robust power generation to heat their homes, refrigerate their food, and supply clean drinking water, but the pricing for this electricity also affects costs for groceries, transit, and even household items like clothing and toothpaste.

Essentially, the health of the U.S. economy is intricately intertwined with the ongoing security and reliability of the nations power grid. While serving on the Missouri Public Service Commission, I considered it of paramount importance to protect this base load powerto keep the lights on for consumers, and at reasonable prices.

Recently, Energy Secretary Rick Perry announced a review of the stability of the nations power grid. And undoubtedly, he has these kinds of pricing concerns in mind for a planned study on whether regulatory burdens and mandates and tax and subsidy policies favoring renewable energy are now impacting overall energy costs.

This is a responsible step for the U.S. Department of Energy to take. But Secretary Perrys announcement has stirred up controversy nevertheless. The nations wind and solar groups have expressed concern over Perrys intent to conduct a thorough review of the cost-benefit ratios involved in power grid reliability. And with taxpayer-funded subsidies for renewable projects potentially under scrutiny, these groups very much want to rebut the notion that renewable generation is responsible for the retirement of coal.

Safeguarding the security of Americas power grid shouldnt be held captive to partisan wrangling, though. Especially when the impact of recent regulations have been undeniably damaging to base load power plants that are the mainstay of the nations power grid.

Unfortunately, most Americans are likely unaware of the impact that recent federal regulations have posed for both power grid reliability and overall energy costs. For example, less than 10 percent of voters could assess the scale of emissions reductions that have already been attained by coal-powered plants over the past 40 years. And President Obamas plan to reduce power plant CO2 emissions would have prematurely forced 25 percent of the nations coal generation capacity off the electric gridenough to power 24 million homes. This would have significantly impacted electricity prices throughout the nation.

Evidently though, any examination that underscores the impact of regulations on coal plantsand the subsidies parceled out to wind and solar projectsdisturbs the renewable energy industry. In a recent letter to Secretary Perry, these wind and solar groups argued that they shouldnt share the blame for coals woes which, they insist, merely stem from low natural gas prices.

But regulations have consequences. As Duke Universitys Nicholas School has reported, recent government regulations have threatened the viability of 56 percent of U.S. coal plants, while competition from much-touted low natural gas prices threatened only 9 percent of coal plants. Conversely, mounting federal subsidies for renewable energy have shielded the wind and solar industry from competition at the expense of competing sources like coal and nuclear power.

According to the Institute for Energy Research, government policies have led to solar power being subsidized by over 345 times more than coal, and wind being subsidized over 52 times more. And this subsidization is costly for consumers. Data from the Department of Energy reveals that each energy sector requires vastly different labor inputs to produce the same amount of electricity: one coal worker equals two natural gas workers, or 12 wind industry employees, or 79 solar workers. And while coal creates 7,800 jobs per Megawatt-hour, wind yields only 2,200, and solar 98. Without subsidies, wind and solar would fare poorly when competing in the free market against coal and natural gas.

States need to protect their base load power, and Secretary Perry is taking a prudent approach in examining such considerations. The heavily subsidized growth of renewables is indeed impacting other power sources, leaving U.S. taxpayers paying more for a less diverse supply of energy. Thus, Perry is right to consider whether America is still on track to meet future power needs, and at a price that consumers can still afford.
Dreamers, music lovers and hamburger fans were in for a treat 50 years ago. 1967 was the year of the Summer of Love, of legendary albums by The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and The Rolling Stones -- and it was the year the world met the Big Mac.

The message of love, guitar riffs and burgers conquered the world and the winged words "turn on, tune in, drop out" sounded out. The Summer of Love came to an end on Oct. 6, 1967, partly due to commercialism and in part to drug-fueled excess. A funeral procession moved through the epicentre of the movement in San Francisco, with a grey coffin displaying the text "Summer of Love."

How differently did the Big Mac fare. Introduced at a McDonalds in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1967, it was available in every U.S. branch a year later. Nowadays, you can buy one in tens of thousands of restaurants throughout the world. The burger and the large yellow M where it is sold are the emblems of the U.S.-led globalization of the last few decades. Yet, just as the experiment in San Francisco was partly a victim of its own success, many believe globalization has also spun out of control.

In his 1995 book Jihad vs McWorld, Tony Barber saw a battle: Globalization and corporate control of the political process were taking on traditional values, the latter expressed often in the form of extreme nationalism or religious orthodoxy and theocracy.

The term jihad implies a clash between the modern Western world and an Islamic society that "lags behind," but Barbers story reached further. The author held that cosmopolitans -- proponents of free trade and people who plead for open borders and cultural cross-fertilization -- would battle it out with groups emphasizing the uniqueness and often supremacy of their culture. That wasnt all. Barber argued that multinationals -- the ultimate product of globalization -- and so-called traditionalists would have a negative impact on democracy.

More than 20 years on, Barbers arguments are very topical. Many regard the traditional left-wing and right-wing moderate parties as birds of a feather. Politicians have lost sight of the wishes, needs, and problems of the people. Uncertainty, discontent, and tensions have risen high.

For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield dates from 1967, but expresses the current atmosphere well:

There's something happening here

But what it is ain't exactly clear

There's battle lines being drawn

Nobody's right if everybodys wrong

Paranoia strikes deep

Into your life it will creep

It starts when you're always afraid

For years, if not decades, the establishment has sold globalization, free trade, and capitalism as the only right way. There was one set of people who enthusiastically picked up the theme, and a small group that resisted. But the majority of people meekly followed. Most people were turned on and tuned in.

Now however, globalization has spawned many drop-outs. These include people who could not keep up with the changes, but also people who still have it good but feel deep uncertainty about what the future holds.

In such a climate, people have a need for clarity and simple, transparent stories -- stories in which good and evil are clearly distinguishable, in which cause and effect logically merge, and in which there is as little arbitrariness as possible. Nassim Nicholas Taleb refers to this as the narrative fallacy.

In the chaotic, uncertain, rapidly changing and complicated world of present day, it is hard to accept that some things are arbitrary and that sometimes things go completely awry as a result. If you cannot accept this, frustration will ensue. This may soon lead to a search for culprits and scapegoats. In short, a reason is sought to set straight the story.

Politicians like Donald Trump cleverly respond to this. Historian Richard Hofstadter would have dubbed the American presidents style as paranoid. The politically paranoid person sketches the idea that they are caught up in a grand fight with evil powers where civilizations survival is at stake. It is essential here that the paranoid mind is far more coherent than the real world. In other words, Trumpism gives anxious, unsure voters a simple story that sounds logical and explains the world in clear outlines.

This way of doing politics enhances polarization, with far-reaching consequences. In normally functioning democracies, politicians regard competitors as adversaries with whom they engage in battle, but with whom they ultimately also reach compromises and cooperate. In sharply polarized democracies, the political opponent is considered an enemy.

The more divided politics and society, the more difficult it becomes to return to normal behavior. In extreme cases, authoritarianism is the result of polarization, with ensuing political paralysis and failing governance, and the tendency to concentrate more and more power in the executive. Cases in point are Venezuela, Turkey, and Hungary.

The surprising tolerance for, acceptance, or even approval of authoritarian tendencies is a phenomenon on display in many places and could continue to grow. Uncertainty will increase as technological advances jeopardize more jobs, aging populations drive the costs of pensions and healthcare to unsustainable levels, and countries such as China gain ever more power.

The world now has to deal with a U.S. president who prefers coercion over consensus, is happy to go it alone, would rather punish than reward, bluffs too much, makes empty promises and adds half-truth or lie to distortion and falsehood. In Europe, the Brexit puzzle will take time to assemble, and the eurocrisis may very well return. All this is unfolding while geopolitical chaos girdles Europe and concerns grow about Chinese debt mountains, property bubbles, and geopolitical ambitions. In the midst of this dismal picture, major emerging markets are tottering -- including in Brazil and South Africa -- while North Korea makes the world extremely nervous.

Fifty years after the Summer of Love and the Big Macs birth, 2017 will not be a repetition of 1967. That year was followed by a year in which Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. were assassinated, the Vietnam War intensified, the Prague Spring was brutally suppressed, racist Enoch Powell was a candidate for British Prime Minister and Richard Nixon was elected U.S. president. All this took place against the soundtrack of The Rolling Stones Sympathy for the Devil.

Let us hope we will be spared another 1968. However, in 2018 we might well be reminded of this magnificent 1968 song:

I look at the world and I notice it's turning

While my guitar gently weeps

With every mistake we must surely be learning

Still my guitar gently weeps
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The special attraction of Hyderabad city is Prasad multiplex. Prasads has been busy in the Telugu state of multiplex culture. However, there are allegations that there are violations of the provisions for the organization. There have been criticisms that the Chandrababu Government has made the Ponds a place for the pond. If that is the case, Prasad said that the government has been driving ten years of taxes. It is the latest news that the government has to come from the Rs 10 crore to the government.

Recently, Telangana Tourism has come up with organizations that do not have taxes to pay taxes to the government. From this point of view, since 1996, Prasad's company has been accused of paying taxes (including interest) to Rs 10 crore. The government has issued notices to the iMAX authority that it is unnecessary if it does not pay the arrears immediately.

Chandrababu Sarkar was in power and in 2000, the deal was leased to 33 years now. The company agreed to pay 15 per cent of the net revenue for the entire multiplex of Rs 12 lakh per month. The company paying the lease as an agreement gives 15 per cent of the revenue to the government but the tax exemption.
How a small-town theatre actor is navigating his way in the world of endorsements, using his Bollywood playbook as a guide.

IMAGE: Nawazuddin Siddiqui is very choosy about the ads he appears in. He would rather crack brands, which he says, People would not expect me to fit into. Its the thrill of breaking that cliche or stereotype that excites me. Photograph: Kind Courtesy Vodafone Flex.

He was an unusual choice for a menswear suits brand.

Not your typical tall and muscular hero that strides across the screen and sets hearts aflutter. Nawazuddin Siddiqui was not quite cut out to be a fashion icon. And that is why Siddiqui is particularly tickled when he was chosen by a suitings brand that had used big Bollywood stars in the past.

He knows he shocked many when he modelled for Mayur Suitings in 2015 as that was just the way he wanted it to be. And since then that is precisely what he has aimed to do with all the brands that he has signed on, while also raising his fees significantly, although his team was consistent in its refusal to put a number to the amount he charges today.



With a glint in his eye, Siddiqui reveals that endorsing brands, like Mayur, that has had Shah Rukh and Salman Khan among its ambassadors, brings him great joy. He would rather crack brands, which he says, People would not expect me to fit into. Its the thrill of breaking that cliche or stereotype that excites me.

IMAGE: Nawazuddin Siddiqui says he probably shocked many when he became the Mayur man. Photograph: Kind Courtesy Mayur Suitings.

That is partly why after nearly a decade in the industry, Siddiqui has signed just eight brands unlike many of his contemporaries who have crossed the number many times over. The comparatively small list of brands is partly because of Siddiquis stubborn refusal to endorse brands that do not mark him out as one who is not part of the pack. He is selective. At the same time, his is a face that brands have taken their time warming up to.



Everything about him from his looks to his background, challenges the notions that one may have about brand endorsers and actors in general.

Siddiqui says that there are umpteen instances where his acting ambitions have either been trashed or laughed at. But that is the fun, he says. By making it in movies, I broke that stereotype and by taking on brands that look for a particular profile of endorser that is very different from the person I am, I am breaking another stereotype.



Siddiquis unique looks and selection criteria have helped him create a distinct identity for himself say experts and are going a long way helping him earn the big endorsement bucks. Industry estimates put him in the same league as Irrfan Khan. Both charge around Rs 4 to Rs 6 crore per film, depending on the scale of the project. Of course these rates are for the massy films.

"For indie films, they work around the budget. In terms of endorsement, it is difficult to peg down the rate because while Mayur Suitings is a traditional brand, there are other brands who have taken him on board as the face for a campaign and not a long term endorser, says a brand manager.



The actor looks at his endorsing assignments as a means to make a statement, just as he does his movies. It does not matter how big the brand is, he says, he still looks at the script and there are certain brands that he would never do. Fairness creams, for instance.





IMAGE: Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Javed Jaffrey (yes, left) do a cute Maggi skit. Photograph: Kind Courtesy Maggi.

Being selective is what he believes helped him make it in this industry. He says he was choosy even when he had no films on hand. I had seen what had happened to some people before me. How they took everything that came to them and then they suffered. I am not going to do the same, he says.



It took Siddiqui a long time to break into Bollywood. I have a theatre background. Did some street shows too. We would do skits and sometimes there would be a sponsor for those plays. That made us money and come to think of it, that was the first time I endorsed a brand, Siddiqui says.



After he had put together some money, he moved to Mumbai. For six to seven years, he says, I was getting very small scenes, just one scene or so. Then I began getting two scenes. Then there came a surprise festival hit, Patang that got directors taking a second look at his talent and on-screen presence.

Gangs of Wasseypur was the big shift and once the movie released, he was flooded with offers. I got almost 150 scripts, all of which I rejected. I had to be careful, having seen my seniors take on work that made them go down just as fast as they became stars. I do not regret turning down a single one of those scripts, he says.



Siddiqui who has a movie based on the life of Manto coming up, is applying the same principle to his endorsements.

Not only does he look at the product carefully, but he is also careful to ensure that his presence should help the brand make a statement. Once he chooses a brand, there is no backing down on the commitment.





IMAGE: Spice chooses Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Nawazuddin Siddiqui chooses Spice. Its ad is a hat tip to Nawaz's journey from a small town. Photograph: Kind Courtesy Spice Mobile.

The process is very similar to what he does for movies. In his opinion, the trick is to balance the indie and massy projects. So for every Maanjhi he anchors, he has done a potboiler like Kick. He is currently working on Munna Michael, a film starring Tiger Shroff and has also starred in 2016s controversial Anurag Kashyap project called Haramkhor.

Similarly, it does not matter how big or small the brand is. The mix must be right and he says he gives every brand everything he has.

When people say it is a small budget film, do they expect me to act less? Siddiqui shrugs with a twinkle in his eye. On a similar note, no brand is too big or too small for his time as long as it helps smash a few established notions.
Bharata Natyam legends Shanta and V P Dhananjayan discover they are a national sensation after their Vodafone ads.

Nikita Puri encounters a couple who believe in breaking moulds.

IMAGE: Shanta and V P Dhananjayan have fun in a Vodafone ad. Photograph: Kind courtesy Vodafone

For the past five decades at Chennai's Bharat Kalanjali, one of India's premier bastions for Bharata Natyam, mornings have begun with the lighting of the lamp.

This is invariably followed by the sound of feet moving to the nattuvangam, simply described as a stick-like instrument intended to monitor beats.

The senior-most dancers and gurus here also double as the academy's founder-directors, Shanta and Vannadil Pudiyaveettil Dhananjayan.

Made formidable by their talent and dedication to the arts as the 'dancing couple of India,' the Dhananjayans are highly revered in the arduous world of classical arts.

The seamless agility and nimbleness of their movements makes it extremely difficult to believe that she is 73, and he 78.

As legendary gurus who have helped shaped the trajectory of Bharata Natyam across the globe and have also been honoured with a Padma Bhushan in recognition of their work, 'cute' isn't exactly a term the Dhananjayans are used to hearing.

Most call him 'Sir', a few call him 'Anna' (Tamil for elder brother). Shanta is 'Shanta Akka' (elder sister).

Over the past few weeks, complete strangers, including small children, have walked up to them wondering if they were the 'cute couple from TV.'

In a six-part advertisement series meant to promote Vodafone's Supernet 4G, the Dhananjayans shine as the uber-cool elderly couple called Asha and Bala.

In Goa for their 'second honeymoon', Bala is seen getting Asha's name tattooed on his arm, and she tries para-sailing.

They are seen lounging on the beach chairs under giant umbrellas, and dancing to 'modern' music on a boat in the midst of a young crowd.

They are also seen riding around on a scooter, asking one Goan after another the way to the 'Dil Chahta Hai fort' and getting contrary directions.

The Dhananjayans are used to being recognised by art connoisseurs, but the response to these ads have left them thoroughly surprised.

Soon after they had finished watching Baahubali: The Conclusion, the couple found themselves saying 'yes' to requests for selfies with complete strangers.

"We are getting calls from abroad too. We did the ads only because we though it'd be fun," says Shanta.

IMAGE: The Dhananjayans in their day-to-day avatar. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bharata Kalanjali

Their definition of 'fun' includes getting out of their comfort zone.

In a small room at the Vasco da Gama railway station, Dhananjayan put aside his traditional veshti (dhoti) and jippa (kurta) and switched to half-sleeved shirts and shorts; the last time the guru wore shorts was when as a young boy.

The six-day shoot was a taxing one, but the Dhananjayans "could do it because their own schedule and discipline is very demanding," says C P Satyajit, one of their two sons and also an automobile photographer.

The Dhananjayans make the ad shoot look easy, says Tulsi Badrinath, one of their students, "but beneath it is the same discipline and professional approach to work that they exhibit in all areas of life."

Dhananjayan even tried learning to ride a scooter for the shoot, something he has never attempted before; the team at Nirvana Films (the production house behind the animated Zoozoo cartoons) also brought in a three-wheeler to help Dhananjayan. "But it just didn't happen," he recalls.

In the crowd that was cheering on as Dhananjayan was attempting to ride was "a very nice man called Milton", a government official.

"He resembled Dhananjayan so much that the team used him in the scenes which had long rides on the scooter; it was just by chance that he was there," recalls Shanta.

In the lives of the Dhananjayans, a lot has seemed to have happened "by chance."

Much like Milton coming out of the blue, the phone call that got them involved with this shoot was unexpected.

Decades ago, the founder of Chennai's famed cultural academy Kalakshetra, Rukmini Devi Arundale, had assigned Kathakali exponent Chandu Panicker the task of finding a young male dancer who could learn Kathakali and Bharata Natyam.

Panicker had already found a suitable student when he met Dhananjayan's father, a school master.

Feeding a family with eight children was hard, so Panicker was asked if he could also take Dhananjayan, since he had an interest in Sanskrit dramas and poetry.

He was barely 14 then, and Panicker strictly told his father that if the boy didn't meet Rukmini Devi's standards, he'd have to return.

Dhananjayan went on to stay there, on scholarship, for the next 12 years.

When Dhananjayan first came to Kalakshetra in 1955, he spoke only Malayalam, so Panicker introduced him to another Malayalam-speaking student: This was eight-year-old Shanta who had come here a year ago.

"She was the first girl I met at Kalakshetra and I've loved her ever since then," says Dhananjayan.

By the time Shanta was 12, she had also made up her mind to marry Dhananjayan.

When Shanta was 18, she left for Malaysia, where her family lived.

They regularly wrote to each other. "I would always sign my letters saying 'Your loving sister, Shanta' because our communication was monitored and there was censorship," recalls Shanta.

She returned and they married in 1966.

IMAGE: A lovely memory from the Dhananjayans' holiday trip to Greece with their family last year; they were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bharata Kalanjali

Many of the students groomed in Bharata Natyam under the strict tutelage of the Dhananjayans have their own dance schools now, transforming the Dhananjayans into globetrotters who split their time between teaching at Bharat Kalanjali and travelling with their productions.

Reportedly, sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar was so moved by one of their performances that he invited them to collaborate with him.

After that, in the early '90s, the Dhananjayans did choreograph Shankar's dance/theatre-ballet on drug abuse; it was called Ghanshyaam -- The Broken Branch.

During all of their travels, Dhananjayan would regale their students with tales of their life-long romance, recounts Badrinath in her book Master Of Arts: A Life In Dance (Hachette India, 2013).

Stories paint Dhananjayan as an epitome of utmost discipline, a man who highly values time and sticks to his schedule even if 'VIPs' haven't turned up on time.

Till date, he regularly writes to newspapers about pressing national issues, like the Cauvery water conflict, irrespective of whether his writing is published or not.

"My father is the more outspoken one," says Satyajit. "He is a very no-nonsense person while my mother is more forgiving, softer."

But neither of them tolerates laziness, emphasises Badrinath.

"Akka is more patient and gentle. Sir is a bit more forbidding: I have been his student for more than 40 years and I am still scared of him," she says.

One of the hallmarks of Dhananjayan's performances is how he "has always looked for the right mythological characters as vehicles for his artistry," says Badrinath.

The day after one of Dhananjayan's performances at Chennai's Narada Gana Sabha in 2012, in Chennai, Badrinath recounts in her book how her guru, his grey hair freshly shampooed, entered the class.

'Not knowing how to tell him just how superb he was, we burst into spontaneous clapping. This is my continual good fortune; that the lord of dance whom I beheld yesterday is my guru,' Badrinath writes in her book.

Here, she also chronicles how Dhananjayan had to battle prejudice to rise up in a world where men were not encouraged to take up Bharata Natyam.

It took years of hard work, self-belief and the support of his wife Shanta to reach where he has, says Badrinath.

As they made their way forward, the Dhanjayans, notes Badrinath, have chosen their themes with care, and always "preferred to present bhakti or devotion as male, rather than in the role of a nayika."

Over time, many of the prejudices against a male dancer slipped away, giving way to packed halls and ardent fans.

In 1962, when news of Chinese forces storming across India's borders swept through the nation, marking the beginning of the brief Sino-Indian War, a 23-year-old Dhananjayan had made up his mind to join the army.

Shanta was still in Malaysia then and, if a teacher at Kalakshetra hadn't intercepted Dhananjayan and stopped him from going to Avadi where the military cantonment was, this story is likely to have been very different.

For the Dhananjayans, as well as for Bharata Natyam.
Talks will ensure the rise of Islamism in Kashmir and the death of the Idea of India, warns Vivek Gumaste.

If there is any chance of regaining this rotting region it is a firm no-nonsense policy pursued by this government bolstered by relentless military neutralisation of armed militants like the elimination of Sabzar Bhat, Burhan Wani's successor on May 27.

The sliver of doubt that lingered regarding the dubious underpinnings of the Kashmiri insurgency has been unequivocally and categorically erased by recent events.

A series of revelatory incidents -- the gruesome murder of Lieutenant Umar Fayaz, a wild but on the dot rant by a local Hizbul Mujahideen commander, and a successful sting operation by a news channel -- have brought to the fore the inherently ugly visage of the Kashmiri movement.

It is without question a Pakistan sponsored, rabidly fundamentalist, religious movement that is anti-national in character.

Azaadi, or the call for freedom, is nothing more than a deceptive and misleading facade to garner undeserved respectability.

Crowning this payload of explosive information was an investigative report conducted by the India Today channel (external link) that provides irrefutable evidence of Pakistan's diabolical complicity in fomenting trouble in the valley by plying Hurriyat leaders with tonnes of money.

The report details the role of Hurriyat's provincial president (Geelani faction) Naeem Khan, who oversaw this operation and acted as a conduit ferrying money from contacts in Delhi to separatists in Kashmir.

On tape, Naeem Khan is seen claiming: 'You need chaos for disorder. It doesn't matter if that means burning down railway stations, police stations, schools, panchayat buildings... So far, 35 (schools) have been burnt. They were burnt because we were present there.'

'Nothing is possible without (our) support... If Rs 300-400 crore is pumped in, then the Kashmir unrest could be carried on for another three months.'

Other separatist leaders exposed by the video include the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat's Gazi Javed Baba and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Farooq Ahmed Dar also known as Bitta Karate.

After the video was aired, Naeem Khan threatened the India Today staff in Srinagar and demanded that the video be pulled off the air.

JKLF chief Yasin Malik went a step further: He assaulted India Today reporter Kamaljit Sandhu and smashed her cell phone when she sought his reaction to the expose.

In addition to the Pakistani factor, the pretence of Kashmiri insurgency being a secular struggle also came crashing down in the same week when a video (most likely authored by the local Hizbul Mujahideen commander Zakir Musa) surfaced that put a big question mark on the ideological basis of this violent movement.

Countering a statement by Hurriyat leaders that proclaimed the Kashmir struggle was purely 'political' and had 'nothing to do with ISIS or Al Qaeda,' Musa calls the Hurriyat leaders 'hypocrites, infidels, followers of evil', and threatens to chop off their heads 'if they create hurdles in the path of making Kashmir an Islamic State.'

Further, he alludes to their repeated invocation of religious chants and poses this rhetorical but telling question: 'Why do you come and address people in mosques?' (Hindustan Times, May 13, 2017, 'Hizbul threatens to behead Hurriyat leaders over Kashmir statement')

This angry exchange lays bare the immutable reality: This was, is and will always be a fundamentalist movement intent on creating an Islamic State devoid of minorities.

Add to these two incidents the brutal murder of Lieutenant Umar Fayaz of the Indian Army, to complete this horrific jigsaw puzzle of a blueprint for the future: A vision of brutality, chicanery and treason.

Lieutenant Fayaz, a Kashmiri who had been recently inducted into the Indian Army, was on a holiday in Kashmir to attend a cousin's wedding when he was abducted and dismembered by terrorists.

He was killed because he represented a different narrative, a growing one that is aligned with the mainstream of India that promised Kashmiri youth a fruitful life of security and harmony as opposed to the path of murder and bloodshed.

That these militants will not balk at killing one of their own to propagate their message of hate, fear and violence was clearly underlined by this inexcusable killing.

In short, the Kashmiri movement is the very anti-thesis of democracy: It represents religious exclusion, violent murder and extraneous manipulation.

There can be no moral justification for this orchestrated evil, yet there is no dearth of peaceniks in India who continue to champion a path of dialogue and appeasement.

In an op-ed column in the Hindustan Times (external link) journalist Barkha Dutt avers: 'The problem remains political but radicalisation and a growing Islamism is real.'

'I met a teenage boy strapped to a hospital bed who marched for slain militant Burhan Wani because he "protects Islam". The Internet has made many angry young Kashmiris part of a global ummah, exposing them to more fundamental strains of Islam.'

'Both Wani and his successor Zakir Bhat released videos calling for a caliphate... If New Delhi does not start a dialogue process soon, there will be no one to talk to.'

Exhortation to talk with radical Islamists in Kashmir is harebrained counsel that lacks pragmatism, and is a fantastic hallucination.

Dialogue has failed irrevocably in Kashmir and inadvertently or advertently created an unnecessary smoke screen that has allowed nefarious elements to flourish unhindered.

Continued talks are a proven self-destructive strategy that will ensure the rise of Islamism in Kashmir and the death of the Idea of India.

If there is any chance of regaining this rotting region, it is a firm no-nonsense policy pursued by this government, bolstered by relentless military neutralisation of armed militants like the elimination of Sabzar Bhat, Burhan Wanis successor on May 27.

Attempts to undermine this firm resolve by woolly-headed peaceniks must not be encouraged.

Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com
Bharatiya Janata Party veterans L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Union minister Uma Bharti and nine others will stand trial for criminal conspiracy in the 1992 Babri mosque demolition case, with a special Central Bureau of Investigation court in Lucknow on Tuesday framing charges against them.

The trial under the serious criminal conspiracy charge will commence against them after having been dropped by the trial court in 2001. The verdict was upheld by the Allahabad high court in 2010.

The Supreme Court had ordered restoration of the conspiracy charge against them on April 19. The charges were framed against Advani, 89, Joshi, 83, Bharti, 58, BJP MP Vinay Katiyar, 62, Vishwa Hindu Parishad's Vishnu Hari Dalmiya, 89, and one-time Hindutva firebrand Sadhvi Rithambara, 53 -- all of whom appeared before the court.

All six were granted bail by CBI special judge S K Yadav on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each after rejecting the CBI's opposition to their bail plea. The court will resume hearing on Wednesday.

The accused, who spent nearly three hours in the court, had sought discharge for the offence of criminal conspiracy, which the judge rejected.

The charge of conspiracy is in addition to the existing charges against them for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion for which they are already facing trial.

The apex court had while restoring the charge of criminal conspiracy, directed clubbing of two cases relating to the demolition. The court had also ordered that the trial be concluded in two years.

Besides the six, conspiracy charges were also framed against Ramvilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Nritya Gopaldas, Dharam Das and Satish Pradhan -- all of whom were allegedly present when the 16th-century structure in Ayodhya was pulled down on December 6, 1992.

Judge Yadav passed two orders -- one for grant of bail and the other for framing of charges.

The accused are also facing charges of having made assertions 'prejudicial to national integration and injuring or defiling a place of worship'.

The other charges against them include indulging in 'deliberate and malicious' acts intended to outrage religious feelings, uttering statements leading to public mischief, rioting and unlawful assembly.

The maximum punishment upon conviction after restoration of the conspiracy charge could be up to five years in jail or a fine or both, according to a lawyer who attended the proceedings.

The counsel for the accused argued against the framing of charges and pleaded not guilty, saying they had no role in the razing of the mosque.

Advocate Saurav Shamsheri, appearing for Advani and the others, said they would hold consultations with their team of lawyers and decide whether there was a need to challenge the rejection of the discharge applications.

The accused were asked to appear before the court for framing of charges in the light of the Supreme Court order last month.

After Advani, Joshi and Bharti failed to turn up on May 25 and 26, the special court had said no further application for an adjournment or exemption from personal appearance would be entertained. The court had on May 26 fixed the hearing for Tuesday.

Before Advani reached the court, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met him at the VVIP guest house in Lucknow.

The Supreme Court had called the destruction of the mosque a 'crime' which shook the 'secular fabric of the Constitution' while allowing the CBI's plea seeking restoration of the criminal conspiracy charge against Advani and others.

However, the top court had said BJP leader and Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, who was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh when the structure was razed, was entitled to immunity under the Constitution as long as he held the gubernatorial office.

The CBI had charge-sheeted 21 people in the case. Many of them, including Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and the VHP's Acharya Giriraj Kishore, Ashok Singhal, Paramhans Ram Chandra Das and Mahant Avaidhynath, have since died.

They were all named in an FIR for allegedly instigating a mob which climbed atop the mosque and tore it down, triggering large-scale communal clashes across the country which left hundreds dead and many more wounded.

Bharti, the Union minister of water resources, said before appearing in the court that the mosque was pulled down not as part of a 'criminal conspiracy' but an 'open movement'.

"I was present in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, which is no secret. Crores of BJP workers, lakhs of officials and thousands of political leaders participated.

"It was an open movement like the movement against the Emergency. I don't see any conspiracy," she said.

BJP MP Katiyar said," There was no conspiracy as the structure was razed openly by a big crowd."

He also targeted Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav saying that a case should have been lodged against the former chief minister over the firing by police on kar sevaks in Ayodhya in 1990.

"He (Mulayam) himself has admitted that 16 people were killed. He murdered them, he should be booked for it. Babri Masjid was not there, the place belongs to the Ram temple and even the high court has passed the order," Katiyar alleged.

"It is not right and there is no scope for conspiracy charge against us. It was not a conspiracy as whatever had happened had happened openly and lakhs of people were there. There could not be any conspiracy involving such a huge crowd," he said.

The Congress, meanwhile, demanded the resignation of Bharti and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to uphold the law and the Constitution.

The party hoped that 25 years after the incident, justice will be done and the guilty punished.

"One of the accused, Uma Bharti is a Union cabinet minister. Having been charge-sheeted, she must resign. The prime minister must come forward and uphold the rule of law and the Constitution," All India Congress Committee in-charge of communications Randeep Surjewala said.

Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu claimed the BJP leaders accused in the case were 'innocent' and will emerge 'unscathed'.

Hindutva leader Vedanti said he was among those who had pulled down the disputed structure in Ayodhya.

"I was one of those who had pulled the dome down," Vedanti told reporters ahead of his appearance in the special court.
Indian Navy diving and medical teams joined rescue efforts of Sri Lankan authorities in flood-hit regions as the death toll in the countrys worst torrential rains since 2003 climbed on Tuesday to 193.

IMAGE: Indian Navy Diving teams along with Sri Lankan undertaking relief ops in heavily flooded area of Western Province of Sri Lanka. Photograph: @SpokespersonMoD/Twitter

The Disaster Management Centre said the adverse weather condition had left 112 people injured and nearly 600,000 people have been forced from their homes, with thousands suffering structural damage from flood inundation and landslides.

The weather has begun to clear, and many of the more than 100,000 people who evacuated over the weekend had returned home to begin clearing debris and mud from their waterlogged homes. More than 80,000 others remained in relief camps as their homes were either destroyed or remain unreachable.

The Indian contingent of more than 300 navy personnel was assisting in the relief, with divers searching the brackish waters and medical teams seeing patients in makeshift tents set up at shelters.

INS Shardul has nearly 200 personnel on board, including specialised rescue, diving and medical teams, as well as a large amount of relief material and Gemini inflatable boats.

INS Kirch was carrying 125 personnel. It had diving teams, relief supplies, inflatable gemini boats and a mobile medical teams.

A third Indian naval ship arrived on Tuesday, bringing relief supplies including rice, lentils, sugar, milk and blankets for the displaced.

Secy to President of SL and SL Navy chief receiving symbolically the relief material on board the 3rd relief and rescue ship INS Jalashwa, the high commission of India in Colombo tweeted.

IMAGE: Indian diving and medical teams deployed at Kalutara, Ratmalana. Photograph: @SpokespersonMoD/Twitter

Lankan army trucks carried drinking water and food those affected. Helicopters ferried medicine, relief supplies and inflatable boats to remote areas, while small vessels plied the floodwaters in search of people needing rescue.

Lankan Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said that foreign assistance is continuing to flow in with India, China and Pakistan among the countries sending ship loads of humanitarian aid.

The disaster is described as one of the worst-ever calamities since the 2003 floods.

The official death toll was at 193, with another 94 people were listed as missing, the Colombo Gazette reported.

The MeT Department in its weather forecast said the cyclonic storm Mora is expected to get weakened when it enters the Bangladesh land and the possibility for heavy rain and strong winds will be reduced by tomorrow.

However, under its influence cloudy skies, windy and showery conditions are expected over the country.

IMAGE: A man pushes his bike through a flooded road in Dodangoda village in Kalutara. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

The MeT Department warned that the sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai and sea area off the coast extending from Galle to Batticaloa via Hambantota can be very rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 70-80 kmph.

There were scattered showers in many parts of Sri Lanka in the past 24 hours but flood waters were rapidly receding, officials said.

State television broadcast called for public assistance to clean drinking wells contaminated by the monsoon floods.

Lankas water supply minister Rauf Hakeem said 40 per cent of those affected did not have access to piped drinking water, and there was an urgent need to clean contaminated wells in flood-affected areas.

Our workers have volunteered to join a major clean up, the minister told reporters in Colombo, adding water distribution stations had also been flooded, disrupting the

piped supply.

In total, 545,243 people of 142,811 families had been affected by the weather calamity. The south-west monsoon unleashed torrential rains, which ravaged fourteen districts in the western and southern parts of the country on Friday and Thursday.

The DMC had issued an urgent evacuation warning last evening instructing residents living along the Kelani River and within the Divisional Secretariats of Kollonnawa, Kaduwela, Wellampitiya, Kelaniya, Biyagama, Sedawatte, Dompe, Hanwella, Padukka and Avissawella to move to safer areas.

The DMC said the residents of Meethotamulla were already evacuated.

IMAGE: People move in a boat on a flooded road during a rescue mission in Nagoda village in Kalutara, Sri Lanka. Photograph: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters

It said water levels in the Kelani River were rising rapidly as indicted by the water gauges at Nagalagam Street, Hanwella and Glencourse and warned residents to move away from the vulnerable area as it was under an imminent flood threat.

Those living along the banks of Nilwala Ganga, The Gin Ganga and Kalu Ganga were also asked to move to safer areas because of the rising water levels.

Meanwhile, the DMC requested the people to be vigilant on rising water levels.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces. Heavy falls (about 150 mm) can be expected at some places, it said.

Charities have warned on Monday that thousands of people affected by the floods and landslides are at risk of potentially fatal diseases such as dengue fever, as the death toll from the disaster continued to rise.

Sri Lanka had sought international assistance, with India sending two naval ships laden with supplies over the weekend.

Following Indias lead in sending out emergency relief to Sri Lanka, more countries have started pledging assistance to provide relief to the flood victims.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday invited Spanish firms to invest in India whose strong economy offers many opportunities for them in various fields as the two countries signed seven agreements and vowed to strengthen their cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with King Felipe VI of Spain at Palacio de la Zarzuela. Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter

Modi, the first Indian prime minister to visit Spain since 1992, met the European countrys top leadership and said India and Spain maintain close and cordial relations and he sees great potential in this collaboration.

The prime minister held wide-ranging talks with President of the Spanish government Mariano Rajoy at the Moncloa Palace on Wednesday morning in the first engagement during his stay Madrid.

After the talks, the two sides signed seven agreements, including pacts on transfer of sentenced persons and visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports.

Five MoUs were signed between the two countries on cooperation in organ transplantation, cyber security, renewable energy, civil aviation and one between Indias Foreign Service Institute and Diplomatic Academy of Spain.

Spain is the 12th largest investor in India and the seventh largest trading partner in the European Union. There are more than 200 Spanish companies in India that are actively involved in road construction projects, railways, wind power, water desalination, defence and smart cities.

There are more than 40 Indian companies in Spain, in the fields of technology, pharmaceuticals, automotive and energy.

Two-way trade totalled $5.27 billion (Rs 34,255 crore) in 2016.

Modi encouraged Spanish infrastructure, tourism, energy and defence companies to invest in priority sectors in India, saying its a great time for Spanish companies to invest in India.

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Gopal Baglay termed the meeting a fresh impetus to a multifarious relationship.

Modi also called for boosting bilateral cooperation to fight terrorism as both our countries have faced the security challenge.

Spain, the summer holiday destination of Europe, in a recent government report said that the Islamic State group has been publishing in Spanish, which means an increase in the risk of its influence on radicals living in our country.

In todays global context, Modi said, the focus of his discussion in Spain will be on the international developments.

IMAGE: Modi with Spanish President Mariano Rajoy at the Moncloa Palace.

Photograph: Press Information Bureau

The prime minister praised the Spanish president saying under Rajoys leadership the country has undergone economic reforms which is also the biggest priority of my government.

He said railways, smart cities and infrastructure sectors were the priority areas for India and Spain has enough skills and mastery to contribute to India's requirements.

Modi said he is confident that his visit to Spain will give a new momentum to bilateral ties.

Later, he paid a courtesy call to Spanish King Felipe VI at Palacio de la Zarzuela palace on the outskirts of Madrid.

A royal greeting! PM @narendramodi calls on His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain at Palacio de la Zarzuela, Baglay tweeted along with photographs of the two leaders.

In an interview to Spanish daily Expansion, Modi said the strong economic growth of India offers many opportunities for Spanish companies.

He said that there are already a large number of Spanish companies in India and his government wants more firms to come, invest and do business in the country.

Spanish firms enjoy a worldwide reputation in various fields, such as infrastructure, defence, tourism and energy. These sectors have also been identified by my government as priority sectors, he said, adding that there are many complementarities in economic terms between the two countries.

There are synergies between the experience and priorities of both countries and numerous possibilities for additional investments, Modi said.

I see many complementarities between my governments flagship initiatives, such as Make in India, and Spains experience in defence, transport infrastructure, high-speed trains, water and waste management and technologies. I encourage Spanish companies to take advantage of these opportunities, he added.

IMAGE: PM Narendra Modi received by the Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis on his arrival in Madrid, Spain. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

Modi said he was personally committed to helping foreign companies set up operations in India.

We should also increase cooperation in the strategic field in areas such as cyber security, maritime cooperation and defence, he said.

Recalling his meeting with Spanish President Mariano Rajoy in November 2015 on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Modi said he has a great interest in promoting the talks and drawing together an ambitious road map for a greater bilateral commitment between India and Spain.

From Spain, Modi will travel to St Petersburg in Russia on June 1 where he will hold the 18th India-Russia annual Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum the next day.

The prime minister will be in Paris on June 2 and 3 where he will hold official talks with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron with a view to further strengthening India-France strategic ties.
India and Germany on Tuesday vowed to take strong measures against those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on a host of key issues like trade, skill development and climate change.

IMAGE: German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a family photo ahead of the 4th round of German-Indian government consultation at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany. Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

Pace of development of our relations is fast, direction positive and destination clear. Germany will always find India as powerful, prepared and capable partner, Modi said at a joint press interaction after holding talks with Merkel.

Following their talks, the two sides also signed 12 MoUs/agreements in fields like cyber policy, development initiatives, sustainable urban development, continued development of cluster managers and skill development, digitalisation, railway security and promoting vocational training.

The two sides also issued a joint statement after Modi and Merkel held the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations.

The two leaders underlined their common concern about the threat and global reach of terrorism and extremism while condemning terrorist violence in all its forms and manifestations, the joint statement said.

They agreed on the need to take strong measures against all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary and safe havens that sustain and support terrorist groups and organisations, it said.

India and Germany hailed their closer collaboration in countering these challenges through regular meetings of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.

They also called for finalisation and adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, it said.

Making a reference to terrorism, Modi said it was a big problem that faces future generations and all forces of humanity must come together to fight the menace.

Both our countries will work together to tackle this problem together and cyber security and intelligence sharing is a very important aspect of this cooperation, he said.

IMAGE: Modi received a guard of honour and was welcomed as the music choir of the German Army played the Indian National Anthem. Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter

Modis remarks assume significance as they come in the wake of a spate of terror attacks that have struck European countries like Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Sweden recently.

The latest terror attack to have rocked Europe was at a concert in Manchester where a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing 22 people.

Modi said a comprehensive review of bilateral relations was undertaken during the talks with Merkel.

A quantum jump in economic relations can be seen between India and Germany and an outcome-oriented momentum can be seen building, he said.

At the last IGC in New Delhi, we had set up a fast-track system for German companies to invest in India and that has shown very good results, especially the Mittlestand (medium enterprises) companies, Modi told reporters.

On her part, Merkel said India has proved to be a reliable partner and the two sides have been able to deepen cooperation.

Modi also made a call for European Union unity and said India would play a positive role in enhancing that through Germany.

In a major boost to Merkel, who has been fighting against secessionist tendencies within the economic bloc since the Brexit vote in June last year, the prime minister praised her strong leadership.

EU unity, proactiveness and strong relations with other countries is extremely important for global development. We want the EU to become stronger and India will play a positive role towards that through the medium of Germany, Modi said.

Europe and the world are facing lots of challenges and to fight those, India believes, the world needs the strong leadership of Chancellor Merkel, he said.

IMAGE: Modi arrived at the the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, to attend the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations. Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter

Noting that India and Germany were made for each other, Modi highlighted that skills development was a key area of cooperation.

Germany has set global benchmarks in the field of skill development, which is important for India, Modi said.

India, with 800 million youth and 65 per cent of the population under the age of 35, will be benefited by skills development that Germany can provide, he said.

Modi said bilateral cooperation will extend to the field of sports and the Indian youth can benefit from Germanys strong football training skills.

Merkel said India and Germany had further expanded and deepened the bilateral relationship during Modis visit.

There has been signing of a number of declarations of intent with 1 billion euros going into development cooperation between the countries, she told reporters.

During their talks, the two leaders also expressed their commitment to strengthen global non-proliferation efforts.

Germany also backed Indias bid for the Nuclear Suppliers Group, for which India thanked Germany.

Modi and Merkel expressed their commitment to strengthen global non-proliferation efforts, said the joint statement.

Germany welcomed Indias accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime. Germany also welcomed Indias intensified engagement with the other export control regimes -- the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement -- and expressed its support for India's early accession to these regimes, the statement said.

Both countries, that are part of the G4, reaffirmed the urgent need for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations Security Council, including its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, to make it more effective, efficient and responsive to the existing challenges to international peace and security and representative of the contemporary geo-political realities, the statement said.

India and Germany agreed to continue cooperation towards the common aim of developing climate-friendly, efficient and sustainable solutions for Indias expanding energy needs and other areas of sustainable development, the statement said.

The two sides also vowed to strengthen the bilateral cyber relationship as laid out in the Joint Declaration of Intent on German-Indian Cooperation on Cyber Policy.

Both sides looked forward to a successful conclusion of the work of the UN Group of Governmental Experts in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security, the statement said.

Modi and Merkel also underlined their determination to ease bilateral trade and investment.

They pointed to the potential of open markets and the importance of investment protection for foreign investors for deepening trade relations and for attracting investments to the mutual benefit of both countries.

They also reaffirmed their strong commitment to the EU-India Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement and their commitment to bring about a resumption of the negotiations at the earliest possible date. This would, inter alia, allow to establish provisions for the mutual protection of new foreign investments, the statement said.

The signing ceremony for the MoUs took place at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, between senior Indian and German ministers and envoys before Modi and Merkel addressed the media.

The two leaders formal IGC deliberations lasted over an hour.

Modi was joined by his delegation of senior ministers including Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.

The last IGC was held in New Delhi in October, 2015, when bilateral ties were significantly scaled up.

Modi and Chancellor Merkel later proceeded to their meeting with senior business leaders before inaugurating the Indo-German Business Summit 2017.

Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the EU and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment into the country.

"There has been FDI of 2 billion dollars (from Germany) in the past two years," Indian Ambassador to Germany Mukta Dutta Tomar, said, highlighting the success of a fast track mechanism set up in 2015 to assist German businesses work in India and improve the ease of doing business.
IMAGE:Prime Minister Narendra Modi with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Brandenburg Gate

in Berlin on Tuesday. All Photographs: @MEAIndia/Twitter

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday posed for a photo at the Brandenburg Gate, one of Berlin's iconic landmarks linked to the Cold War era.

'A pic for posterity! PM @narendramodi and Chancellor Merkel in front of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin,' External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.

The Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin's most important monuments  a landmark and symbol all in one with over two hundred years of history.

The Gate has now come to represent German unity and freedom since the end of the Cold War and divided country.

It was here that on June 12, 1987, former United States President Ronald Regan issued a stern command to his Cold War adversary Mikhail Gorbachev, admonishing him with the words: 'Mr Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!'.

When Germany was reunified following the fall of the Berlin in November 1989 Brandenburg Gate quickly reinvented itself into the New Berlin's symbol of unity. It was officially opened to the public on December 22, 1989.

Modi also paid a courtesy call to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at his official residence in Berlin before leaving for Spain on the second leg of his four-nation trip.

IMAGE: Modi with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.



Modi met Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue, the scenic official residence of the German President located in Berlin's Tiergarten district on the banks of the river Spree, and signed the visitor's book before being given a tour of the castle.

'Thank you Germany! My visit has led to very positive outcomes in terms of furthering the close ties India and Germany enjoy,' Modi said in his goodbye message as he left for Spain on the second leg of his four-nation tour which will then cover Russia and end in France.

Earlier, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted some photographs of the meeting.

'Reaffirming resolve for strong and dynamic relationship. PM @narendramodi calls on President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Castle Bellevue,' Baglay tweeted.

'After fruitful bilateral engagements, PM @narendramodi concludes first leg of his visit, departs from Germany,' he tweeted.

IMAGE: Modi leaves Germany for Spain.



Modi's next stop is Spain where he will discuss with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy ways to deepen bilateral engagement, including in the high-tech sector. This will be first visit by an Indian prime minister since 1988.

From Spain, he will travel to St Petersburg in Russia on June 1 where he will hold the 18th India-Russia annual Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum the next day.

The prime minister will be in Paris on June 2 and 3 where he will hold official talks with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron with a view to further strengthening India-France strategic ties.
Cruz v. Sessions, Attorney General

Publisher United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Publication Date 13 March 2017 Citation / Document Symbol 15-2511 Cite as Cruz v. Sessions, Attorney General, 15-2511, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 13 March 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,USA_CA_4,592d28174.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.

LUZ MARINA CANTILLANO CRUZ; J.X.M.C., Petitioners, v. JEFFERSON B. SESSIONS III, Attorney General, Respondent.

No. 15-2511

Decided: March 13, 2017

Before MOTZ, KEENAN, and THACKER, Circuit Judges.ARGUED: James Edward Tysse, AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD LLP, Washington, D.C., for Petitioners. Yanal Harbi Yousef, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Washington, D.C., for Respondent. ON BRIEF: Michelle A. Reed, Dallas, Texas, Steven H. Schulman, Matthew W. Kinskey, AKIN GRUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD LLP, Washington, D.C., for Petitioners. Benjamin C. Mizer, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Jamie M. Dowd, Senior Litigation Counsel, Office of Immigration Litigation, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Washington, D.C., for Respondent.

Luz Marina Cantillano Cruz (Cantillano Cruz), a citizen of Honduras, petitions for review of a final order of removal entered by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The BIA affirmed an immigration judge's (IJ) conclusion that Cantillano Cruz was not eligible for asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). Cantillano Cruz argued before the BIA and IJ that she feared persecution on account of her nuclear family ties to her husband Johnny Martinez (Martinez), whom she suspected had been murdered by his employer. The BIA and IJ rejected this argument and determined that any persecution suffered by Cantillano Cruz occurred because she had threatened to report the employer to the police, an act that did not qualify as a basis for her requested relief.

Upon our review, we conclude that Cantillano Cruz's familial relationship with Martinez necessarily was one central reason for the persecution and fear of future persecution established by Cantillano Cruz, thereby meeting the statutory "nexus requirement" for asylum provided in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) in 8 U.S.C.  1158(b)(1)(B)(i). Accordingly, we grant Cruz's petition and remand her case to the BIA for further proceedings.

I.

In July 2014, Cantillano Cruz and her minor son entered the United States without authorization and presented themselves to immigration officials to request asylum. Several days later, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) served Cantillano Cruz with a notice to appear charging her as an alien present in the United States without admission, under the provisions of 8 U.S.C.  1182(a)(6)(A)(i). Cantillano Cruz conceded removability but filed applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the CAT.

At a hearing before the IJ, Cantillano Cruz claimed past persecution and fear of future persecution based on her membership in a "particular social group," namely, the "nuclear family of Johnny Martinez." See 8 U.S.C.  1158(b)(1)(A), 1231(b)(3)(A). She testified and presented other evidence in support of her claim. The evidence showed that in 2003, Cantillano Cruz and Martinez began living together, and that, although they were never married, were considered a married couple by members of their community. The couple had two children together.

Between 2001 and 2007, Martinez worked for the Honduran government as a border patrol agent. However, in 2007, he obtained new employment working as the personal bodyguard to Danny Avila, who claimed to be a fisherman. For about five years, Martinez accompanied Avila on extended "fishing trips."

Martinez eventually learned that Avila worked with organized crime groups in Honduras and Colombia that were engaged in the trafficking of drugs and firearms. In May 2012, Martinez told Cantillano Cruz that because of Avila's criminal conduct, Martinez planned to quit his job and to return to his employment as a border patrol agent. One week later, in June 2012, Martinez accompanied Avila on another "fishing trip," but Martinez did not return.

Cantillano Cruz and Martinez's uncle, Calin Isaias Ramirez Meza (Isaias), later visited the local boat dock to search for Martinez. Cantillano Cruz found Martinez's clothes and motorcycle abandoned there. When Cantillano Cruz and Isaias questioned Avila about Martinez's whereabouts, Avila told them to stop asking questions. After Isaias stated that he and Cantillano Cruz would "put [in] a police report," Avila threatened that they would suffer the same fate as Martinez. Cantillano Cruz and Isaias visited the dock a few more times to ask about Martinez, and encountered Avila there more than one year after their first encounter. Avila told them not to come back, and further warned "that there were dangerous people around."

After Cantillano Cruz returned home from her final visit to the dock, Avila contacted her and instructed her to "go to a certain place" to retrieve money owed to Martinez. Based on Avila's earlier threats, Cantillano Cruz declined his offer.

During a telephone call initiated by Avila, Cantillano Cruz assured Avila that she had no intention of contacting the police regarding Avila or her husband's disappearance. Nevertheless, on different occasions in 2013 and 2014, Cantillano Cruz observed Avila and his associates loitering outside her home. During these incidents, they brandished and fired weapons, and threatened to kill Cantillano Cruz and her children. Also, Avila and his associates killed Cantillano Cruz's dogs.

In July 2014, two days after the last threatening encounter, Cantillano Cruz fled Honduras with her younger child. Because she could not afford to bring both children with her, she left her older child with Martinez's mother. After Cantillano Cruz left Honduras, Avila continued to inquire about her whereabouts. Cantillano Cruz testified that Avila focused his threats on her because he knew that Martinez probably had told her about Avila's criminal conduct.

Upon considering Cantillano Cruz's testimony and the other evidence, the IJ concluded that she was credible. The IJ also credited the testimony of Dr. Thomas Boerman, an expert on the subject of organized crime in Honduras. Among other things, Dr. Boerman testified that Avila likely targeted Cantillano Cruz because he suspected that Martinez had told her about Avila's criminal activities.

In addressing Cantillano Cruz's claim for asylum, the IJ concluded that Cantillano Cruz was a member of a cognizable particular social group, namely, the "nuclear family members of Johnny Martinez." Even though the two never married, the IJ concluded that they lived together as domestic partners and were considered a married couple. However, the IJ further found that Cantillano Cruz failed to show that she had experienced persecution and feared future persecution "on account of her membership in the nuclear family" of Martinez.

The IJ instead determined that the "main reason" Avila had threatened Cantillano Cruz was to deter her from contacting the police. The IJ stated that "although family ties likely motivated" her search for Martinez and her decision to confront Avila, "that concern for [Martinez's] well-being could exist outside their familial relationship." The IJ further observed that the only other family member who had been threatened was Isaias, who also had confronted Avila at the dock, and that neither Martinez's mother nor Cantillano Cruz's older child had received such threats. Additionally, the IJ found that the evidence was insufficient to conclude that Avila threatened Cantillano Cruz because she had learned about his criminal activities from Martinez. The IJ accordingly denied Cantillano Cruz's application for asylum, as well as her application for withholding of removal.

The IJ also rejected Cantillano Cruz's request for protection under the CAT. Even though the IJ assumed that Avila had killed Martinez and would find Cantillano Cruz upon her return to Honduras, the IJ concluded that Avila had threatened Cantillano Cruz only about two times per year, and that the "situation never escalated to violence." The IJ further determined that Avila had threatened to harm Cantillano Cruz only if she reported Avila to police, which she had not done and did not intend to do if she returned to Honduras. Thus, the IJ concluded that Cantillano Cruz failed to show that she likely would be tortured if she returned to Honduras.

Cantillano Cruz appealed the IJ's ruling to the BIA. The BIA dismissed her appeal, adopting and supplementing the IJ's conclusions. According to the BIA, Avila's threats constituted "[h]arm meted out by a private actor for personal reasons or solely on general levels of crime and violence in Honduras," which were insufficient bases to demonstrate eligibility for asylum and withholding of removal. The BIA also affirmed the IJ's denial of Cantillano Cruz's request for protection under the CAT.

Cantillano Cruz petitioned this Court for review. We granted her unopposed motion for stay of removal proceedings pending our review.

II.

Cantillano Cruz contends that the BIA and IJ erred in concluding that she was not persecuted because of her membership in the particular social group of the nuclear family of Johnny Martinez. Citing our decision in Hernandez-Avalos v. Lynch, 784 F.3d 944 (4th Cir. 2015), Cantillano Cruz submits that her familial relationship with Martinez was "intertwined" with her actions resulting in Avila's threats toward her. Cantillano Cruz also submits that the BIA and IJ erred in their factual findings, contending that the record conclusively demonstrates that her nuclear family ties to Martinez were "at least one central reason" she was targeted and threatened by Avila.

In response, the government argues that the BIA and IJ applied the correct legal standard in concluding that Cantillano Cruz failed to establish the required nexus between her membership in a particular social group and persecution by Avila. According to the government, the record does not show that Cantillano Cruz was "singled out" by Avila based on her familial ties to Martinez, and that any interested party, even those outside the nuclear family of Martinez, could have investigated Martinez's whereabouts and threatened to contact the police. The government contends that, therefore, substantial evidence supports the BIA's and IJ's conclusion that Avila did not threaten Cantillano Cruz based on her family relationship with Martinez. We disagree with the government's arguments.

Under the INA, the Secretary of DHS or the United States Attorney General has the discretion to grant asylum to any alien who establishes eligibility for such relief. 8 U.S.C.  1158(b). An applicant seeking asylum must show that she is unable or unwilling to return to her home country "because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of" a protected ground, namely, "race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion." 8 U.S.C.  1101(a)(42)(A).

Membership in "a particular social group" is a protected ground if that group consists of people who "share a common, immutable characteristic." Crespin-Valladares v. Holder, 632 F.3d 117, 124 (4th Cir. 2011). Here, the BIA and IJ properly concluded, and the government does not dispute, that by virtue of her domestic partnership with Martinez, Cantillano Cruz was a member of a cognizable particular social group, namely, "the nuclear family of Johnny Martinez." See Hernandez-Avalos, 784 F.3d at 949 ("[M]embership in a nuclear family qualifies as a protected ground for asylum purposes.").

Persecution occurs "on account of" membership in an immediate family when that relationship is " 'at least one central reason for' the feared persecution." Crespin-Valladares, 632 F.3d at 127 (quoting 8 U.S.C.  1158(b)(1)(B)(i)). This statutory nexus requirement is not limited to situations in which the applicant's proposed group membership constitutes the sole or dominant motivation for her persecution. Oliva v. Lynch, 807 F.3d 53, 59 (4th Cir. 2015); Quinteros-Mendoza v. Holder, 556 F.3d 159, 164 (4th Cir. 2009). Instead, more than one central reason may, and often does, motivate a persecutor's actions. See Hernandez-Avalos, 784 F.3d at 950; Cordova v. Holder, 759 F.3d 332, 338-39 (4th Cir. 2014). However, when membership in the proposed group is merely "incidental, tangential, superficial, or subordinate to another reason" for the persecution, the statutory nexus requirement is not satisfied. Quinteros-Mendoza, 556 F.3d at 164. After all, not "every threat that references a family member is made on account of family ties." Hernandez-Avalos, 784 F.3d at 950 n.7.

When, as in the present case, the BIA "adopts the IJ's opinion and supplements it with its own reasoning," we consider both rulings. Hernandez-Avalos, 784 F.3d at 948. We review de novo the question whether the BIA and the IJ applied the correct legal standard in assessing the applicant's proof of the statutory nexus requirement. See Cordova, 759 F.3d at 337. In contrast, the assessment of a persecutor's motivation presents a "classic factual question." Crespin-Valladares, 632 F.3d at 127-28; see also Temu v. Holder, 740 F.3d 887, 891-92 (4th Cir. 2014) (no rational factfinder could simultaneously credit facts showing that applicant was "singled out" for his mental illness yet conclude that there is no nexus between his mental illness and his mistreatment). Thus, our review of the BIA's and IJ's determination of this factual question is limited to considering whether their conclusion is "supported by reasonable, substantial, and probative evidence." Ngarurih v. Ashcroft, 371 F.3d 182, 188 (4th Cir. 2004).

We treat the IJ's factual findings as conclusive, unless a reasonable adjudicator would be compelled to reach a contrary conclusion. Cordova, 759 F.3d at 337. Accordingly, on a petition for review of a decision by the BIA and IJ holding that an applicant is ineligible for asylum, we may vacate the denial of asylum only if that decision is "manifestly contrary to law and an abuse of discretion." See id.; 8 U.S.C.  1252(b)(4)(D).

Although this standard is stringent, we have been compelled to disagree with several of the BIA's recent decisions holding that an applicant failed to meet the statutory nexus requirement for obtaining relief from removal. See Oliva, 807 F.3d at 59; Hernandez-Avalos, 784 F.3d at 949-50; Temu, 740 F.3d at 892; see also Cordova, 759 F.3d at 340 (remanding for further consideration of the nexus requirement). We are compelled to do so again here.

Our decision in Hernandez-Avalos is particularly instructive in the present case. There, the BIA denied asylum to a petitioner who fled El Salvador after gang members threatened to kill her because she prevented her son from joining the gang. 784 F.3d at 946-47. The petitioner had argued that at least one central reason for her persecution was her nuclear family relationship with her son. Id. at 949. The BIA disagreed, holding that she actually was targeted because she did not consent to her son's criminal activity. Id.

We held that this application of the nexus requirement by the BIA was "excessively narrow," and explained that there was no meaningful distinction between the existence of a maternal relationship and a mother's decision to forbid her son from participating in a gang. Id. at 949-50. We held that the record compelled a factual conclusion that the petitioner's relationship with her son was a central reason for her persecution, because that relationship was the reason "why she, and not another person, was threatened." Id. at 950.

We likewise conclude in the present case that the BIA and IJ applied an improper and excessively narrow interpretation of the evidence relevant to the statutory nexus requirement. The BIA and IJ shortsightedly focused on Avila's articulated purpose of preventing Cantillano Cruz from contacting the police, while discounting the very relationship that prompted her to search for her husband, to confront Avila, and to express her intent to contact the police. See Oliva, 807 F.3d at 59-60 (although the applicant's refusal to pay the gang rent was the "immediate trigger" for an assault, the applicant's membership in the social group of individuals who left the gang led to threats, and thus the two reasons were linked). The BIA's and IJ's focus on the explanation Avila gave for his threats, while failing to consider the intertwined reasons for those threats, manifests a misapplication of the statutory nexus standard.

The full record before us compels a conclusion that Avila's threats were motivated, in at least one central respect, by Cantillano Cruz's membership in Martinez's nuclear family. Although, as the IJ observed, any person interested in Martinez's disappearance may have confronted Avila concerning Martinez's whereabouts, this fact does not adequately explain the ongoing threats Avila made against Cantillano Cruz and her children over a period of two years at her home. See Cordova, 759 F.3d at 339-40 (although the applicant was first attacked by the persecutor to force the applicant to join the gang, the BIA failed to consider evidence showing that later attacks were motivated by family ties). Avila persisted in threatening Cantillano Cruz after she promised him that she would not contact the police. Avila placed threatening telephone calls to Cantillano Cruz at her home, the center of life for Martinez and his nuclear family. Also at the Martinez family's home, Avila and his associates killed the family's dogs, brandished and fired weapons, and threatened to harm Cantillano Cruz and her children.

In their failure to identify the nuclear family relationship as a central reason for Cantillano Cruz's persecution, the BIA and IJ further erred by giving weight to the fact that Avila did not threaten additional family members other than Martinez's uncle, Isaias. Neither Isaias nor Martinez's mother are members of Martinez's immediate, nuclear family, the only relevant social group. And Avila in fact threatened to harm all nuclear family members of Johnny Martinez, specifically, his wife and children. Thus, the fact that other members of Martinez's extended family were not targeted "does not undermine" Cantillano Cruz's own fear of persecution. See Cordova, 759 F.3d at 339; Crespin-Valladares, 632 F.3d at 127 n.6.

The record also unequivocally demonstrates that Cantillano Cruz knew about Avila's involvement with drugs and firearms trafficking as a result of her husband's communications with her. Although Cantillano Cruz could not verify that Avila knew that Martinez had revealed this information to her, circumstantial evidence compels a conclusion that Avila at least suspected that Cantillano Cruz had such knowledge based on her marital relationship with Martinez.

This circumstantial evidence included the suspicious timing of the events surrounding Avila's threats. Martinez informed Cantillano Cruz just one week before he left for his last "fishing trip" that he planned to stop working for Avila because of Avila's criminal activities. After Martinez disappeared, Avila's threats against Cantillano Cruz began. Cantillano Cruz testified repeatedly that Avila feared she would report "him" to police, not simply that she would alert authorities about Martinez's suspicious disappearance. Additionally, Dr. Boerman opined that Cantillano Cruz was targeted because "Avila either knew or suspected that she had information about his criminal activities."

Without accounting for this extensive evidence, the BIA and the IJ essentially required that Cantillano Cruz prove that Avila's threats were based exclusively on her status as Martinez's wife. Such a requirement defies common sense.

In view of the above analytical deficiencies in the BIA's and IJ's reasoning, we conclude that that the record compels a conclusion that Cantillano Cruz's evidence satisfied the statutory nexus requirement. She conclusively has demonstrated that she was not threatened "for personal reasons or solely on general levels of crime and violence," as the BIA held. Instead, the record compels a finding that because of Cantillano Cruz's relationship with her husband, she was more likely than others to search for him and to contact the police based both on her knowledge of Avila's criminal activities and her husband's suspicious disappearance. Accordingly, we hold that any reasonable adjudicator would have been compelled to conclude that Cantillano Cruz's membership in Martinez's nuclear family was a central reason why she, and not another person, repeatedly was persecuted by Avila over a two-year period. See Hernandez-Avalos, 784 F.3d at 950. And, based on this determination, we further hold that the BIA's and IJ's conclusion that Cantillano Cruz failed to establish the statutory nexus requirement is manifestly contrary to law and an abuse of discretion. See id.

III.

In sum, we conclude that Cantillano Cruz established that any past persecution by Avila was "on account of" her membership in the nuclear family of Martinez. We therefore grant Cantillano Cruz's petition for review, reverse the BIA's determination that she failed to meet the statutory nexus requirement, and remand the case to the BIA for further proceedings regarding Cantillano Cruz's requests for relief from removal.

PETITION FOR REVIEW GRANTED; REMANDED FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS

FOOTNOTES

. Cantillano Cruz's minor son joins her petition for review. For ease of discussion, we refer to Cantillano Cruz as the petitioner in this opinion. Our conclusions, however, apply equally to her minor son's derivative claims for relief from removal. See 8 U.S.C.  1158(b)(3)(A).

. To establish eligibility for withholding of removal, an applicant must demonstrate the required statutory nexus between the persecution she suffered and her membership in a particular social group, but she bears a higher burden than that required to show eligibility for asylum. Tang v. Lynch, 840 F.3d 176, 183 (4th Cir. 2016). Thus, an applicant who is ineligible for asylum necessarily is ineligible for withholding of removal. Id.; Camara v. Ashcroft, 378 F.3d 361, 367 (4th Cir. 2004).

. A "nuclear family" is "a family group consisting of a father, mother, and children." Webster's Third New International Dictionary 1547 (2002).

. The BIA here issued a non-precedential opinion by a single BIA member, which opinion is entitled only to Skidmore deference. See Cordova, 759 F.3d at 337 n.3. This level of deference allows us to "rely on the agency's opinions as a 'body of experience and informed judgment' to which we may 'properly resort for guidance.' " Id. (quoting Skidmore v. Swift & Co., 323 U.S. 134, 140 (1944)) (citation omitted). However, the extent of our deference "depends upon 'the thoroughness evident in [the BIA's] consideration, the validity of its reasoning, its consistency with earlier and later pronouncements, and all those factors which give it power to persuade.' " Id. (citation omitted). As explained below, we conclude that the BIA's analysis here is not persuasive.

. With respect to the threats against Martinez's children, the IJ's findings were internally inconsistent. See Temu, 740 F.3d at 891-92. The IJ credited Cantillano Cruz's testimony, which included her repeated assertions that Avila threatened to harm her children. However, the IJ also concluded that "the only other member" of Martinez's family who was threatened was Isaias.

. Based on our conclusion, we do not address the question whether Cantillano Cruz and her minor son separately have met the burden for CAT relief by demonstrating it is more likely than not they would be tortured if returned to Honduras. See Ilunga v. Holder, 777 F.3d 199, 214 n.5 (4th Cir. 2015). If the BIA declines to grant asylum or withholding of removal on remand, the BIA should reconsider her CAT claim in a manner consistent with the conclusions set forth in this opinion. See id.

BARBARA MILANO KEENAN, Circuit Judge:
Bringas-Rodriguez v. Sessions, Attorney General

Publisher United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Publication Date 8 March 2017 Citation / Document Symbol 13-72682 Cite as Bringas-Rodriguez v. Sessions, Attorney General, 13-72682, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 8 March 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,USA_CA_9,592d2b2c4.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.

CARLOS ALBERTO BRINGAS-RODRIGUEZ, AKA Patricio Iron-Rodriguez, Petitioner, v. JEFFERSON B. SESSIONS III *, Attorney General, Respondent.

No. 13-72682

Decided: March 08, 2017

Before: Sidney R. Thomas, Chief Judge, and Diarmuid F. O'Scannlain, Barry G. Silverman, Kim McLane Wardlaw, William A. Fletcher, Richard R. Clifton, Carlos T. Bea, Milan D. Smith, Jr., Morgan B. Christen, John B. Owens and Michelle T. Friedland, Circuit Judges.COUNSEL, Erwin Chemerinsky (argued), Kathryn M. Davis, and Munmeeth Soni, Pro Bono Counsel, University of California, Irvine School of Law, Appellate Litigation Clinic, Irvine, California; Andrea Ringer and Marco Pulido Marquez, Certified Law Students, University of California, Irvine School of Law, Appellate Litigation Clinic, Irvine, California; Mary-Christine Sungaila, Pro Bono Attorney, Snell & Wilmer LLP and Haynes and Boone LLP, Costa Mesa, California, for Petitioner. John W. Blakely (argued), Assistant Director, Benjamin C. Mizer, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, Donald E. Keener, Deputy Director, Stuart F. Delery, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, Kohsei Ugumori and Jesi J. Carlson, Senior Litigation Counsel, United States Department of Justice, Office of Immigration Litigation, Washington, D.C., for Respondent. Peter E. Perkowski, Perkowski Legal, PC, Los Angeles, California, for Amici Curiae The Public Law Center, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, the National Immigrant Justice Center, the Center for HIV Law and Policy; HIV Law Project; Immigration Equality; Disability Rights Legal Center; the Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, National Center for Lesbian Rights, LGBT Center OC, Transgender Law Center, Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, and Centro Legal De La Raza. Charanya Krishnaswami, Cortelyou C. Kenney (Volunteer), and Lisa Jaskol, Public Counsel, Los Angeles, California, for Amici Curiae Kids In Need of Defense, Tahirih Justice Center, and Women's Refugee Commission. Laurie Webb Daniel, Charles L. Coleman III, Kyong M. Kim, and Garrett S. Garfield, Pro Bono Counsel, Holland & Knight LLP, San Francisco, California; Eunice Lee, Karen Musalo, and Blaine Bookey, Counsel, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, San Francisco, California; for Amicus Curiae of Center for Gender & Refugee Studies. Alice Farmer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Washington, D.C.; Ana C. Reyes, Counsel of Record, Williams & Connolly LLP, Washington, D.C.; for Amicus Curiae United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

OPINION

Concurrence by Judge Clifton;

Dissent by Judge Bea

SUMMARY **

Immigration

The en banc court granted a petition for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture to a citizen of Mexico who asserted that Mexican officials were unable or unwilling to protect him from harm by private individuals due to his sexual orientation.

The en banc court held that the evidence Bringas-Rodriguez adduced before the agency-credible written and oral testimony that reporting his abuse would have been futile and potentially dangerous, that other young gay men had reported their abuse to the Mexican police to no avail, and country reports and news articles documenting official and private persecution of individuals on account of their sexual orientation-satisfied longstanding evidentiary standards for establishing past persecution and compelled the conclusion that Bringas-Rodriguez suffered past persecution that the Mexican government was unable or unwilling to control.

The court overruled Castro-Martinez v. Holder, 674 F.3d 1073 (9th Cir. 2011), and other circuit precedent, to the extent they introduced the construct that the failure to report private persecution to government authorities creates a "gap" in the evidence or imposed a heightened evidentiary requirement to establish governmental inability or unwillingness to protect.

The en banc court held that Bringas-Rodriguez was entitled to a presumption of future persecution and remanded for the Board to consider whether the presumption was rebutted, and to consider Bringas-Rodriguez's claims for withholding of removal and CAT protection, taking into account new evidence of Bringas-Rodriguez's HIV diagnosis.

Concurring in the judgment, Judge Clifton agreed that the petition should be granted and remanded for further proceedings, but would not dictate to the Board that Bringas-Rodriguez established past persecution.

Dissenting, Judge Bea, joined by Judge O'Scannlain, wrote that the majority failed to properly apply the substantial evidence standard and would hold that the evidence does not compel the conclusion that the Mexican government is unwilling or unable to protect homosexuals from persecution.

WARDLAW, Circuit Judge:

Carlos Alberto Bringas-Rodriguez (Bringas), a gay man who is a native and citizen of Mexico, petitions for review of the Board of Immigration Appeals' (BIA) denial of his applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection. Bringas was physically and sexually abused as a child on account of his sexual orientation, and he submitted evidence that Mexico was unable or unwilling to control his persecutors. Both the Immigration Judge (IJ) and the BIA found Bringas's testimony credible, and both acknowledged that sexual orientation and identity can establish membership in a "particular social group." Nevertheless, both the IJ and the BIA denied Bringas relief, in part based on a conclusion that his evidence was insufficient to demonstrate that the Mexican government was unable or unwilling to control the private individuals who attacked him. In so doing, both the IJ and the BIA failed to address Bringas's plausible, unrefuted testimony that Mexican police laughed at his gay friends who attempted to report rape and other abuse.

A divided panel of our court agreed, relying primarily on our decision in Castro-Martinez v. Holder, 674 F.3d 1073 (9th Cir. 2011), which interpreted the "unable or unwilling to control" standard as requiring proof that the police are unable or unwilling to control the sexual abuse of children generally. Bringas-Rodriguez v. Lynch, 805 F.3d 1171, 1178-79 (9th Cir. 2015) (now withdrawn). The panel majority adopted the IJ's conclusion that it was unlikely that the Mexican government would take no action to control the "abuse of children." Id. at 1181-82. We granted rehearing en banc and now hold that the evidence Bringas adduced before the agency-credible written and oral testimony that reporting was futile and potentially dangerous, that other young gay men had reported their abuse to the Mexican police to no avail, and country reports and news articles documenting official and private persecution of individuals on account of their sexual orientation-satisfies our longstanding evidentiary standards for establishing past persecution and compels the conclusion that Bringas suffered past persecution that the Mexican government was unable or unwilling to control. We overrule Castro-Martinez to the extent it might suggest otherwise and remand this petition to the BIA for further proceedings.

I.

Born in Tres Valles, Veracruz, Mexico, Bringas was horrifically abused by his father, an uncle, cousins, and a neighbor, all of whom perceived him to be gay or to exhibit effeminate characteristics. His uncle first raped him when he was four years old, and in addition to his uncle, three of his cousins and a male neighbor physically and sexually abused him on a regular basis while he lived in Mexico. Bringas's father also beat him as a child, telling him, "Act like a boy. You are not a woman." When he was eight, Bringas's uncle told him that the abuse was because he was gay. His uncle, cousins, and neighbor never called him by his name, referring to him only as "fag, fucking faggot, queer," and they "laughed about it."

Bringas lived with his mother in the United States for a brief period when he was twelve years old. He returned to Mexico, however, because he missed his grandmother, who had raised him since he was nine. The abuse intensified upon his return. Again he was repeatedly raped by his uncle, cousins, and neighbor.

On one occasion, when Bringas refused to comply with his neighbor's demand for oral copulation, the neighbor beat and raped him, leaving Bringas with black eyes and bruises. Bringas's abusers also threatened to hurt his grandmother, with whom he was close, if he ever reported what was happening. Fearing that they would follow through on their threats, Bringas did not tell his mother, teachers, or anyone else about the sexual abuse.

Bringas fled Mexico in 2004 at age fourteen to get away from his abusers. He entered the United States without inspection at El Paso, Texas, and lived with his mother in Kansas for three years. He then moved out of his mother's home, living elsewhere in Kansas and in Colorado. He worked several different jobs, including positions at a supermarket, a pizzeria, and a chocolate shop. In August 2010, Bringas pleaded guilty to attempted contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Colorado; he had been at home drinking with some friends when another friend brought over a minor who became drunk. Bringas spent ninety days in jail, during which time he attempted suicide and was hospitalized, which precipitated his finally telling a doctor and then his mother about his childhood abuse. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a Notice to Appear in August 2010.

In 2011, at age twenty, Bringas applied for asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT protection. He had previously been unaware "that the [U.S.] government could protect [him]," and only found out when he "spoke with an ICE officer in Colorado in September 2010." In his application, Bringas described the sexual abuse he endured in Mexico and explained that he feared persecution if he returned because he was gay and that the Mexican police would not protect him. Bringas also credibly testified about his gay friends' experiences with police in Veracruz. Those friends went to the police to report that they had been raped, but the officers ignored their reports and "laugh[ed] on [sic] their faces." Additionally, he submitted 2009 and 2010 U.S. Department of State Country Reports for Mexico and several newspaper articles that documented violence against, including murders of, gays and lesbians. The reports showed that the violence rose even as-and perhaps because-Mexican laws were becoming increasingly tolerant of gay rights.

The BIA, reviewing the IJ's denial of Bringas's claims for relief, rejected his claims on the merits. The BIA recognized "the serious abuse that [Bringas] endured as a child." It found, however, that, as in Castro-Martinez, Bringas did not demonstrate that the "abuse was inflicted by government actors or that the government was unwilling or unable to control his abusers." Concluding that Bringas thus failed to establish past persecution, the BIA denied Bringas the concomitant presumption of future persecution. It then rejected Bringas's argument that he had a well-founded fear of future persecution because he had failed to show a pattern or practice of persecution of gay men in Mexico, distinguishing Bromfield v. Mukasey, 543 F.3d 1071 (9th Cir. 2008), because "the record  d[id] not demonstrate widespread brutality against homosexuals or that there [was] any criminalization of homosexual conduct in Mexico." The BIA also concluded that Bringas had failed to show that the Mexican government had been unable or unwilling to control private individuals who perpetuated violence against homosexuals, finding that Mexico "has taken numerous positive steps to address the rights of homosexuals." Finally, the BIA rejected Bringas's withholding of removal and CAT claims and denied a remand to consider his HIV-positive diagnosis.

The majority of a divided three-judge panel of our court agreed that Bringas had failed to meet the heightened evidentiary burden for past persecution that it and the BIA determined applicable to Bringas's claim based on their reading of Castro-Martinez. Acknowledging that nothing requires an abuse victim, "let alone a child," to report persecution to the police, the panel majority reasoned that where a victim fails to report abuse, even as a child, "there is a 'gap in proof about how the government would have responded,' and the petitioner bears the burden to 'fill in the gaps' by showing how the government would have responded had he reported the abuse." Bringas-Rodriguez, 805 F.3d at 1178 (quoting Castro-Martinez, 674 F.3d at 1081). The panel majority found the 2009 and 2010 country reports inadequate to establish widespread, uncontrolled persecution of gay men in either Bringas's home state or town. Id. at 1178-80. Rather, the panel majority found that the country reports demonstrated that Mexico permitted gay pride marches and had expanded marriage equality. Id. at 1179. The panel majority also cited a United Nations report stating that Mexico had established a " 'specialized hate crime prosecution unit[ ],' developed a 'new judicial protocol to guide adjudication of cases involving human rights violations on grounds of sexual orientation,' implemented specialized training for police officers, and officially designated May 17 as 'National Day Against Homophobia.' " Id. at 1179 n.5 (alteration in original) (quoting U.N. High Comm'r for Human Rights, Discrimination & Violence Against Individuals Based on Their Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity,  40, 74, 75 U.N. Doc. A/HRC/29/23 (May 4, 2015) ). Furthermore, the panel majority found insufficient Bringas's testimony that his gay male friends had suffered persecution and reported it to the police in Veracruz, only to have the officers laugh at them. Id. at 1180-81. Even if the friends' reports were credited, the panel majority explained, those reports failed to establish that police practices in the city or state of Veracruz could be linked to police practices in Tres Valles, Bringas's hometown. Id.

Further in support of its conclusion, the panel majority noted the absence of evidence in the record suggesting that Mexican police refuse to protect sexually abused children. Stating that "Bringas's allegations are not just about discrimination against gay and lesbian Mexicans-they are about child molestation," the panel majority found Bringas's evidence lacking because he "ha[d] put forward no evidence that Mexico tolerates the sexual abuse of children, or that Mexican officials would refuse to protect an abused child based on the gender of his or her abusers." Id. at 1182. Because Bringas had not described "how old his 'friends' were who reported abuse to the police," Bringas's testimony about those reports was insufficient. Id. at 1181.

Finally, the panel majority interpreted Castro-Martinez to foreclose it from finding that Bringas's subjective fear of future persecution was objectively reasonable, again citing the "improving" situation for gay men in Mexico. Id. at 1182-83.

Judge W. Fletcher dissented, writing that he had developed misgivings about Castro-Martinez-an opinion in which he had joined-but also explaining that even if Castro-Martinez controlled, he "part[ed] ways with the majority" on its reading of the decision to reject Bringas's asylum claim. Id. at 1186-87 (Fletcher, J., dissenting). Judge W. Fletcher pointed to our ample precedent that does not require victims of private persecution, especially child victims, to contemporaneously report their abuse to government authorities in order to become eligible for asylum in the United States. Id. at 1192. "Yet," he wrote, "Castro-Martinez and today's decision effectively require just that." Id.

II.

We have jurisdiction under 8 U.S.C.  1252(a). Because the BIA conducted its own review and did not adopt the IJ's decision, our review "is limited to the BIA's decision." Hosseini v. Gonzales, 471 F.3d 953, 957 (9th Cir. 2006) (internal quotation mark omitted) (quoting Cordon-Garcia v. INS, 204 F.3d 985, 990 (9th Cir. 2000)). We review the Board's legal conclusions de novo, Romero-Mendoza v. Holder, 665 F.3d 1105, 1107 (9th Cir. 2011), and its factual findings for substantial evidence, Zhi v. Holder, 751 F.3d 1088, 1091 (9th Cir. 2014). A finding by the IJ is not supported by substantial evidence when " 'any reasonable adjudicator would be compelled to conclude to the contrary' based on the evidence in the record." Id. (quoting 8 U.S.C.  1252(b)(4)(B)).

III.

A. Evolution of U.S. Refugee Law

Because this case ultimately turns on whether Bringas has adduced compelling evidence that he is a refugee who is presumptively eligible for asylum based on past persecution by nongovernmental actors, it is helpful to our analysis to review the development of our refugee laws generally.

Beginning with the persons displaced by World War II, the United States has struggled to define its approach to refugees. See Stephen H. Legomsky & Cristina M. Rodriguez, Immigration andRefugee Law andPolicy 874-76, 878 (5th ed. 2009). The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of 1952, Pub. L. No. 82-414, 66 Stat. 163, and its predecessor, the Immigration Act of 1924, Pub. L. No. 68-139, 43 Stat. 153, "contained no special provision exempting [refugees] from the restrictions generally applicable to immigrants." Id. at 876, 881; see also Deborah E. Anker & Michael H. Posner, The Forty Year Crisis: A Legislative History of the Refugee Act of 1980, 19 San Diego L. Rev. 9, 14 (1981). As a result, until Congress passed comprehensive legislation concerning refugees in 1980, the United States largely responded to refugee crises on an ad hoc basis and with temporary measures. Legomsky & Rodriguez, supra, at 881. The Displaced Persons Act of 1948, Pub. L. No. 80-774, 62 Stat. 1009, was the first such measure, and provided sanctuary for certain refugees fleeing Nazi, Soviet, or fascist persecution, as well as "displaced [ ] forced laborers from states conquered by Germany." Anker & Posner, supra, at 13. Later legislative efforts included the Refugee Relief Act of 1953, Pub. L. No. 83-203, 67 Stat. 400, and its extension in 1957, which assisted "victims of natural calamities" and refugees from "communist-dominated parts of Europe and the Middle East." Anker & Posner, supra, at 14.

Finding these narrow policies inadequate, President Eisenhower decided after the Soviets invaded Hungary in 1956-causing some 200,000 Hungarians to flee-to request that the Attorney General temporarily parole 15,000 Hungarian refugees into the United States. Id. at 14-15. At that time, under the INA, the Attorney General had the discretion to parole, but not to formally admit, persons into the country "for emergent reasons or for reasons deemed strictly in the public interest." Id. at 15 (quoting 8 U.S.C.  1182(d)(5) (1952)). Parole was originally intended to benefit individual noncitizens in emergency situations; the Hungarian crisis represented the first time it was used to admit refugees en masse. Id.

In light of the president's expanded use of parole, Congress decided to reassert itself into refugee policy and create a more structured regime. Legomsky & Rodriguez, supra, at 881-82. The first permanent statutory basis for admitting refugees was enacted in 1965 as part of a group of amendments to the INA. Id. at 881. Under the 1965 amendments, a new admissions category was created for "those who feared persecution and were fleeing either a 'Communist-dominated' country or a country 'within the general area of the Middle East.' " Id. at 881 (quoting Pub. L. No. 89-236  3, 79 Stat. 911, 913 (1965)). However, the geographic and ideological restrictions of the category, as well as the "painfully inadequate" ceiling of 17,400 entries per year, limited the category's reach. Id. at 881-82. Presidents therefore continued to rely on parole when refugee crises arose, granting entry to hundreds of thousands of refugees from Cuba, Indochina, and Soviet and Eastern European countries. Id. at 882. In other words, refugee admissions remained ad hoc, spurring policy proposals for overhauling the system that were debated throughout the 1970s. Anker & Posner, supra, at 20-42.

In 1980, to limit the parole power, create a predictable and permanent admissions system, and fulfill international obligations, Congress passed the Refugee Act of 1980 (the "Act"), Pub. L. No. 96-212, 94 Stat. 102. Legomsky & Rodriguez, supra, at 882-83. The final version of the bill set quotas for refugee admissions and limited the executive branch's parole authority. Anker & Posner, supra, at 60-62. It adopted the nondiscriminatory definition of refugee included in the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, but amended it by including not only persons who feared future persecution but also those who were victims of past persecution. Deborah Anker, Law of Asylum in the United States  1:2 (2016). Furthermore, the Act provided a statutory basis for asylum, the granting of status to refugees who arrive or have been physically present in the United States. Id.; see also Legomsky & Rodriguez, supra, at 893. The Act also brought the United States into conformity with the 1951 Convention with respect to withholding of removal, the remedy by which an applicant can prevent forcible return to a country where he fears persecution. Legomsky & Rodriguez, supra, at 893. To this day, the Act is the principal statute governing the admission of refugees, grants of asylum, and withholding of removal. Legomsky & Rodriguez, supra, at 883.

The concept of persecution by non-state actors is "inherent" in the definitions of persecution in the 1951 Convention and the Refugee Act of 1980. Anker, supra, at  4:8. Indeed, the 1979 UNHCR Handbook on Procedures and Criteria for Determining Refugee Status Under the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees stated that persecution included "serious discriminatory or other offensive acts  committed by the local populace  if they are knowingly tolerated by the authorities, or if the authorities refuse, or prove unable, to offer effective protection." Anker & Posner, supra, at 67 (quoting UNHCR, Handbook on Procedures and Criteria for Determining Refugee Status Under the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees (1979)). Even under U.S. statutory definitions of persecution pre-dating the Refugee Act of 1980, a First Circuit opinion and a published, precedential BIA opinion suggested that persecution by non-state actors was cognizable as a predicate for relief. See Rosa v. INS, 440 F.2d 100, 102 (1st Cir. 1971); Matter of Eusaph, 10 I. & N. Dec. 453, 454 (BIA 1964).

Our circuit first determined that the appropriate standard of review for BIA decisions under the Refugee Act of 1980 is the now familiar "substantial evidence" test in McMullen v. INS, 658 F.2d 1312, 1316 (9th Cir. 1981). See Sagermark v. INS, 767 F.2d 645, 649 (9th Cir. 1985). McMullen also provided our first occasion to address "[p]ersecution by  a group which the government is unable to control" under the Act. McMullen, 658 F.2d at 1315.

McMullen, a Catholic of Irish descent, had joined the British Army and been deployed to Northern Ireland in 1969 as part of British peacekeeping efforts. Id. at 1314. As the British soldiers became more violently anti-Catholic, torturing prisoners and plotting to use armed force against nonviolent civilian demonstrators, McMullen deserted them to join the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA), a nongovernmental group that purported to protect Catholics from the British army, but which eventually became, in McMullen's view, extremist and terroristic. Id. He quit the PIRA, but was jailed by the Republic of Ireland police for his earlier activities as part of the PIRA. Id. When he was released, the PIRA pressured him to participate in a plan to kidnap an American, but McMullen refused. Id.

Upon learning that the PIRA intended to murder him for that refusal, McMullen fled to the United States, cooperated with U.S. authorities, and sought withholding of removal. Id. at 1313-14. The BIA reversed the IJ's determination that "McMullen was not deportable because 'the Government of the Republic of Ireland is unable to control the activities of the PIRA and that if [McMullen] were to be returned to that country he would suffer persecution within the meaning of the (United Nations) Convention, Protocol, and section 243(h) (of 8 U.S.C.  1253(h)).' " Id. at 1315. Before our court, the government "concede[d] that persecution within the meaning of [section] 243(h) includes persecution by nongovernmental groups such as the PIRA, where it is shown that the government of the proposed country of deportation is unwilling or unable to control that group." Id. at 1315 n.2.

B. Refugee Law Today

The Attorney General may, in his discretion, grant asylum to applicants in the United States who meet the definition of "refugee" under 8 U.S.C.  1101(a)(42)(A). 8 U.S.C.  1158(b)(1). An applicant qualifies as a refugee if he "is unable or unwilling to return to his home country because of a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion." Navas v. INS, 217 F.3d 646, 654 (9th Cir. 2000). An applicant may establish a "well-founded fear of future persecution" in two ways: by proving past persecution, or by demonstrating that he has a "subjectively genuine and objectively reasonable" fear of future persecution. Id. at 654-56, 656 n.11.

Because Bringas applied for asylum after the passage of the REAL ID Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-13, 119 Stat. 231, he must show that his sexual orientation was "one central reason" for his persecution. 8 U.S.C.  1158(b)(1)(B)(I). However, his "persecution may be caused by more than one central reason, and [he] need not prove which reason was dominant." Parussimova v. Mukasey, 555 F.3d 734, 741 (9th Cir. 2009). If Bringas is able to show that he was subjected to past persecution, he is entitled to a rebuttable presumption of a well-founded fear of future persecution. Tawadrus v. Ashcroft, 364 F.3d 1099, 1103 (9th Cir. 2004); see also 8 C.F.R.  1208.13(b)(1).

C. The "Unable or Unwilling" Standard

"An applicant alleging past persecution has the burden of establishing that (1) his treatment rises to the level of persecution; (2) the persecution was on account of one or more protected grounds; and (3) the persecution was committed by the government, or by forces that the government was unable or unwilling to control." Baghdasaryan v. Holder, 592 F.3d 1018, 1023 (9th Cir. 2010).

1. Early decisions discussing the "unable or unwilling" standard in the context of private persecution

For several years following passage of the Refugee Act of 1980, decisions considering whether a government was unable or unwilling to control private persecution almost exclusively involved a fear of future persecution by organized groups, such as anti-government guerillas. See., e.g., Arteaga v. INS, 836 F.2d 1227, 1231 (9th Cir. 1988) (remanding for the BIA to consider whether the petitioner established a well-founded fear of persecution by guerillas that the El Salvadoran government could not control), abrogated on other grounds by INS v. Elias-Zacarias, 502 U.S. 478 (1992); Sangha v. INS, 103 F.3d 1482, 1487 (9th Cir. 1997) (holding that the petitioner had been persecuted by a terrorist group that the government of India could not control). In such decisions, either it was undisputed that the government was unable or unwilling to control the powerful organizations at issue, or the inability to control was proved through documentary evidence, such as country conditions reports. See, e.g., Gomez-Saballos v. INS, 79 F.3d 912, 916-17 (9th Cir. 1996) (concluding that "documentary evidence about general conditions in Nicaragua" was enough to show that the government was "unable to control" former National Guard members); Arteaga, 836 F.2d at 1231 (analyzing eligibility for asylum under the assumption that guerillas were not controlled by the government).

Later petitions for review, however, involved claims for relief based on past persecution by unorganized groups and individuals. See, e.g., Singh v. INS, 94 F.3d 1353, 1357-60 (9th Cir. 1996) (stating that the petitioner's assailants "need not [have] file[d] articles of incorporation before they can be capable of persecution"). In such instances, where the petitioner was required to show that previous attacks were committed in the shadow of an acquiescent government, we looked to evidence of how the police responded to the petitioner's requests for protection. In Singh, for example, the petitioner-an ethnic Indian citizen of Fiji-received death threats from ethnic Fijians and was assaulted at work. Id. at 1357-58. He and his family were also attacked twice at their home. Id. We looked to record evidence showing that "the government ha[d] encouraged and condoned the discrimination, harassment, and violence by ethnic Fijians against Indo-Fijians." Id. at 1360. But we also highlighted that "Singh testified that he reported each assault and threat to the police and that  the police failed to respond to any of his crime reports." Id. We therefore concluded that the government of Fiji "could not or would not control" the persecutors. Id.; see also Andriasian v. INS, 180 F.3d 1033, 1042-43 (9th Cir. 1999) ("[T]he widespread nature of the persecution of ethnic Armenians documented by the State Department Country Report, combined with the police officer's response [advising Mr. Andriasian to leave the country] when Mr. Andriasian turned to him for help, clearly establishes that the government of Azerbaijan either could not or would not control Azeris who sought to threaten and harm ethnic Armenians living in their country.").

In a published, precedential opinion, the BIA reasoned similarly. In In re O-Z & I-Z, 22 I. & N. Dec. 23 (BIA 1998), a father and son, natives of Russia and citizens of Ukraine, were beaten and threatened with death on several occasions because they were Jewish. Id. at 23-24. They reported the attacks three times, but the police "took no action beyond writing a report." Id. at 26. From that, the BIA concluded that "the Ukrainian [g]overnment was unable or unwilling to control the respondent's attackers and protect him or his son from the anti-Semitic acts of violence." Id.

In such instances of police failure to respond to a report of persecution, we have held that a petitioner need not provide evidence that a government is "unable or unwilling to control [persecution] 'on a countrywide basis.' " Mashiri v. Ashcroft, 383 F.3d 1112, 1122 (9th Cir. 2004) (rejecting the government's reliance on a U.S. Department of State country report to counter the petitioner's evidence of local police unwillingness to protect her and her family). "Instead, an asylum applicant may meet her burden with evidence that the government was unable or unwilling to control the persecution in the applicant's home city or area." Id.

2. Decisions discussing the "unable or unwilling" standard where private persecution was unreported

As early as 2000, the BIA concluded in a published, precedential opinion that the "unable or unwilling" standard could be established in the absence of a report of the violence or threatened violence to government officials. In re S-A-, 22 I. & N. Dec. 1328, 1335 (BIA 2000). There, the BIA addressed the plight of a native and citizen of Morocco, S-A-, who at age fourteen began to suffer regular beatings and was burned, kicked, and punched by her orthodox Muslim father on account of her more liberal Muslim beliefs. Id. at 1329-30. Both S-A- and her U.S. citizen aunt credibly testified that going to the police would have been futile, because, "in Moroccan society, such action would [have been] not only unproductive but potentially dangerous." Id. at 1330, 1333. The BIA considered that testimony and the U.S. Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1997, which corroborated that few Moroccan women report abuse to the authorities "because the judicial procedure is skewed against them," and that women who reported were often returned to their abusers. Id. at 1333.

The BIA found that the credible testimony and country report evidence sufficiently established the "unable or unwilling" standard, reasoning:

[T]he source of the respondent's repeated physical assaults, imposed isolation, and deprivation of education was not the government, but her own father. Although she did not request protection from the government, the evidence convinces us that even if the respondent had turned to the government for help, Moroccan authorities would have been unable or unwilling to control her father's conduct. The respondent would have been compelled to return to her domestic situation and her circumstances may well have worsened.

Id. at 1335. The BIA concluded that, because S-A- had suffered persecution at the hands of her father that the government was unable or unwilling to control, and because the government failed to rebut the presumption of future persecution, S-A- was entitled to asylum. Id.; see also In re Jose Luis Garcia-Gonzalez, A201 063 604, 2011 WL 7327341, at *1 (BIA Nov. 10, 2011) (unpublished) (finding that Mexico was unable or unwilling to control the applicant's abusive father because "the record reflects that the police did not have a presence in the respondent's small town" and because "the respondent was under 14 years old when the harm occurred").

We have similarly long held that a victim of abuse need not report it to government authorities to establish the government's inability or unwillingness to protect him. In Korablina v. INS, 158 F.3d 1038 (9th Cir. 1998), the petitioner, a Jewish native of Russia and citizen of the Ukraine, was the victim of harassment and beatings perpetrated against Jewish citizens. Id. at 1041-42. Korablina was fired from the job she had held for twenty-eight years by a new boss who was a member of an ultra-nationalist and anti-Semitic group. Id. at 1041. After searching for six months for a new job, she found work as a clerical secretary to a Jewish man. Id. at 1042. In that new position, she saw three men attack her boss and thereafter return monthly to the office to extort money. Id. Though she and her fellow employees reported the beating to the police, the officers never appeared, and when Korablina sought help from a friend at the municipal city hall, the friend disappeared. Id. Korablina then began receiving anti-Semitic death threats that warned of retaliation if she reported the threats to anyone. Id. Soon thereafter, two men violently attacked Korablina and left her barely breathing, telling her she "could not  conceal her Jewish origin." Id.

Though Korablina never reported the threats or the attack, she credibly testified that "the police were not interested in protecting Jews," that reporting "would be fruitless," and that she was frightened that if she reported she would share the same fate as her friend in the municipal city hall. Id. Korablina's daughter also credibly testified that "telling the authorities was useless," which was why neither she nor her father reported the violent anti-Semitic attacks that they had suffered. Id. at 1042-43. Furthermore, Korablina offered "articles detailing the authorities' unresponsiveness to complaints made by Jewish victims in Kiev." Id. at 1043. We determined that the credible testimony and corroborating articles were enough to establish that the government was unable and unwilling to control the private acts of violence, and noted that "[c]onspicuous by its absence [was] any authoritative evidence from the government disputing the thrust of her evidence and of the government's complicity." Id. at 1045.

In Reyes-Reyes v. Ashcroft, 384 F.3d 782 (9th Cir. 2004), we first expressly suggested that a per se reporting requirement was untenable. Id. at 789 & n.3. In Reyes-Reyes, we considered the past persecution of an El Salvadoran "homosexual male with a female sexual identity" who had been beaten and raped at age thirteen because of his sexual orientation and identity. Id. at 785. Though we "decline[d] to reach" Reyes's argument that the IJ had incorrectly imposed a per se reporting requirement, we nevertheless stated that such a bright-line rule "would indeed be troubling, especially in light of evidence in the record that rape victims in El Salvador regularly underreport such crimes due to the poor response of the authorities," as well as circuit precedent documenting physical attacks against homosexuals by national police in Latin America. Id. at 789 & n.3.

Two years later, we squarely held:

[A]n applicant who seeks to establish eligibility for withholding of removal under section 1231(b)(3) on the basis of past persecution at the hands of private parties the government is unwilling or unable to control need not have reported that persecution to the authorities if he can convincingly establish that doing so would have been futile or have subjected him to further abuse.

Ornelas-Chavez v. Gonzales, 458 F.3d 1052, 1058 (9th Cir. 2006). We thus "ma[d]e explicit" what may have been only implicit in Korablina, Reyes-Reyes, and In re S-A-. Id. In Ornelas-Chavez, we considered a withholding of removal claim by a Mexican gay male who "suffered a great deal of abuse  because of his homosexuality and female sexual identity": he was beaten by his parents and raped by his father's friend, his cousins, and a worker at his grandfather's hacienda. Id. at 1054. The BIA denied his request for withholding of removal despite finding his testimony credible, concluding that Ornelas-Chavez failed to establish the government's inability or unwillingness to protect him. Id. at 1055. In doing so, the BIA cited "only two pieces of evidence: background country conditions and Ornelas-Chavez's failure to report the incident to the authorities." Id. at 1056. We held this was legal error in light of Ornelas-Chavez's credible testimony that he did not report the abuse to the police "[b]ecause the same police mistreated and harasse[d] [him]"; that "two of [his homosexual] friends were assassinated," presumably on account of their sexual orientation; and that others had reacted with indifference when he told them about the attacks he suffered. Id. at 1057 (second alteration in original). We reasoned that disregarding Ornelas-Chavez's credible testimony about why he failed to report his abuse to police "was tantamount to making the reporting of private persecution a sine qua non for the success of [his] withholding of removal claim." Id. at 1057.

We next took up the "unable or unwilling" standard in a pair of cases argued, submitted, and filed on the same dates by the same panel. In one, Rahimzadeh v. Holder, 613 F.3d 916 (9th Cir. 2010), the petitioner, who had received death threats and suffered physical attacks by extremist Muslims in the Netherlands because he was Christian, did not report the violence because his persecutors threatened to kill him and his sister if he did so. In the other, Afriyie v. Holder, 613 F.3d 924 (9th Cir. 2010), the petitioner, who was violently attacked on the basis of his Christian religion by Muslims in Ghana, did file a written report with the police and requested protection, but to no avail. Both Rahimzadeh and Afriyie were deemed credible by the agency, but we denied Rahmizadeh's petition and granted Afriyie's.

We began our analysis in both cases by citing our precedent, Ornelas-Chavez, and that of the BIA, In re S-A-, to correctly recognize that "reporting persecution to government authorities is not essential to demonstrating that the government is unable or unwilling to protect [a petitioner] from private actors." Afriyie, 613 F.3d at 931; see also Rahimzadeh, 613 F.3d at 921-22. We noted that reporting and police inaction is one means of establishing governmental inability or unwillingness to control the attackers or protect the attacked. Afriyie, 613 F.3d at 931; Rahimzadeh, 613 F.3d at 921. We also introduced a new construct for analyzing the situation where no report has been made:

The absence of a report to police does not reveal anything about a government's ability or willingness to control private attackers; instead, it leaves a gap in proof about how the government would respond if asked, which the petitioner may attempt to fill by other methods.

Rahimzadeh, 613 F.3d at 922 (emphasis added); see also Afriyie, 613 F.3d at 931. We summarized several avenues for filling this "gap," based on a survey of prior case law. We stated that a petitioner could fill the evidentiary gap by: 1) "demonstrating that a country's laws or customs effectively deprive the petitioner of any meaningful recourse to governmental protection," Rahimzadeh, 613 F.3d at 921 (citing In re S-A, 22 I. & N. Dec. at 1328, 1330, 1332-33, 1335); 2) describing "[p]rior interactions with the authorities," id. (citing Ornelas-Chavez, 458 F.3d at 1054); 3) "showing that others have made reports of similar incidents to no avail," id. at 922 (citing Afriyie, 613 F.3d at 932-33); 4) "establishing that private persecution of a particular sort is widespread and well-known but not controlled by the government," id. (citing Avetova-Elisseva v. INS, 213 F.3d 1192, 1198 (9th Cir. 2000)); or 5) "convincingly establish[ing] that [reporting] would have been futile or [would] have subjected [the applicant] to further abuse," id. (third alteration in original) (citing Ornelas-Chavez, 458 F.3d at 1058).

We stressed that the "BIA was entitled to rely on all relevant evidence in the record, including [country] reports," to determine whether the "unable or unwilling" standard was met, Afriyie, 613 F.3d at 933, and in both decisions we examined all the record evidence to determine whether substantial evidence supported the agency's denial of relief. Indeed, the different outcomes in the cases did not turn on whether the attacks were reported to the police; rather, our decisions turned on the nature and quality of the evidence, including credible testimony and country reports and all other evidence in the record.

In Rahimzadeh, we concluded that the IJ properly treated the absence of a report to authorities as "merely one factor in the assessment of the Dutch government's willingness and ability to control private extremists, not as a per se bar to asylum." 613 F.3d at 922. We concluded that the IJ's finding that "the Dutch authorities in fact would have been willing and able to control Rahimzadeh's attackers was supported by substantial evidence." Id. at 923. The 2006 U.S. Department of State Country Report on Human Rights Practices in the Netherlands noted not only that "[Dutch] law provides for freedom of religion," but also that "the government generally respect[s] this right in practice." Id. (alterations in original). Specifically, the judicial system provided "effective means" for addressing human rights abuse, and the government had taken "firm action against groups espousing violence in support of an Islamic extremist agenda," id., the very groups that Rahimzadeh described as his persecutors. A second government report, the 2006 U.S. Department of State International Religious Freedom Report, also indicated that the "[g]overnment at all levels sought to protect [the freedom of religion] in full and did not tolerate its abuse, either by governmental or private actors." Id. (second alteration in original).

By contrast, in Afriyie, we concluded that the IJ's finding that Afriyie failed to establish Ghana's inability or unwillingness to control his attackers or protect him while preaching was not supported by substantial evidence. Although Afriyie was able to file a police report, that said little about whether the police were able to protect him. Afriyie, 613 F.3d at 931. Afriyie's credible testimony "indicate[d] [that] the Ghanaian police forces lacked the resources necessary to protect him." Id. at 931-32. Afriyie testified that his group had requested protection, but that "the police had only one gun for the entire station." Id. at 928. He also testified that police relied on the individuals who were attacked to track down and bring in the perpetrators, and that two murders of his group's members were reported but remained unsolved. Id. Afriyie further testified that even if the police could protect him, they required bribes, suggesting their unwillingness to do so. Id. Moreover, the country report on which the IJ relied did not state that claims of persecution against Christians were investigated and prosecuted; it only noted that claims of corruption against the police were pursued. Id. at 933. There was no evidence in the report that Christians were able to obtain protection, and general statements in the report could not, in any event, contradict Afriyie's specific, direct credible testimony. Id. at 933-34.

In the next "unable or unwilling" decision involving nonreporting, Castro-Martinez, we interpreted the Rahimzadeh and Afriyie "gap" construct in the context of a gay, HIV-positive man seeking asylum based on the childhood physical and sexual abuse he suffered "because of his homosexuality and feminine characteristics." 674 F.3d at 1079. Castro credibly testified that he never told his parents about the repeated, brutal rapes he suffered between the ages of six and ten because the abusers threatened that if he did so, they would beat him and kill his parents. Id. He further credibly testified that "given these threats, and the stigma associated with homosexuality in Mexico, it would have been unreasonably dangerous for him to have reported the sexual abuse to his teachers, neighbors, or parents." Id. Moreover, because the Mexican police might themselves abuse him on account of his sexual orientation and were ineffective in dealing with the persecution of homosexuals, it would have been futile and dangerous to go to the police. Id. at 1079, 1081. Castro backed up this credible testimony by presenting "country reports documenting police corruption and participation in torture, abuse, and trafficking, as well as incidents of police harassment of gay men." Id. at 1081.

We stated that "[w]e have never held that any victim, let alone a child, is obligated to report a sexual assault to the authorities, and we do not do so now." Id. We also acknowledged that, with respect to Castro's petition, "the matter is complicated by the fact that Castro was between the ages of six and ten years when the attacks occurred," and we cited Hernandez-Ortiz v. Gonzales, 496 F.3d 1042, 1046 (9th Cir. 2007), for the proposition that "when the petitioner is a child, the IJ must assess the alleged persecution from a child's perspective." Castro-Martinez, 674 F.3d at 1081 (emphasis in original).

Nevertheless, though the credible testimony and country report evidence met the types of evidence that we held in Rahimzadeh and Afriyie would fill the evidentiary "gap" created by not reporting, we determined the evidence was insufficient. We stated that "Castro's primary reason for not contacting authorities was that he believed the police would not have helped him." Id. This, we held, "without more, [was] not sufficient to fill the gaps in the record." Id. In denying Castro relief, we also relied on the lack of evidence in the record that "Mexican authorities would have ignored the rape of a young child or that authorities were unable to provide a child protection against rape." Id. Further, we dismissed country report evidence of police harassment of gay men, stating that "none of these reports compel the conclusion that the police would have disregarded or harmed a male child who reported being the victim of homosexual rape by another male." Id.

We again addressed a petitioner's claim of past persecution on account of his sexual orientation where the violence was not reported in Vitug v. Holder, 723 F.3d 1056 (9th Cir. 2013). Thirty-seven-year-old Vitug credibly testified that he was "beaten five times on the street, and two of these beatings were 'severe' "; that he was "harassed and threatened by the police because of his perceived sexual orientation"; and that he was "unable to obtain employment in the Philippines." Id. at 1064. He also credibly testified that the "police [in the Philippines] will not do anything to help gay men who report abuse," and that "it is well known in the Philippines that police harass gay men and turn a blind eye to hate crimes committed against gay men." Id. at 1064-65 (alteration in original). He bolstered this credible testimony with "documentary evidence of a police raid on a gay theater during which police beat and robbed the patrons." Id. at 1065.

In Vitug, we did not apply, or even mention, the Rahimzadeh and Afriyie "gap" construct. Rather, we held that Vitug's credible testimony and documentary evidence of police abuse of homosexuals " 'convincingly establish [ed] that [reporting the attacks] would have been futile or have subjected him to further abuse,' thereby demonstrating that the government was unwilling to control the attackers." Id. (alterations in original) (citing Ornelas-Chavez, 458 F.3d at 1058).

D. Castro-Martinez

1. Introduction of a heightened evidentiary standard for children

To determine whether private persecutors are individuals whom the government is unable or unwilling to control, we must examine "all relevant evidence in the record, including [country] reports." Afriyie, 613 F.3d at 933. The useful survey from Rahimzadeh of the types of evidence that may establish the "unable or unwilling" prong of the test for past persecution is not, and never was, an exhaustive list. Like all other circuits to consider the question, we do not deem the failure to report to authorities outcome determinative, and we consider all evidence in the record. See Castillo-Diaz v. Holder, 562 F.3d 23, 27-28 (1st Cir. 2009) (holding that where petitioner failed to report her rape to authorities, the IJ properly relied on evidence in a State Department report that El Salvador enforces its rape laws with significant penalties to conclude the country was able and willing to protect petitioner); Cardozo v. Att'y Gen., 505 F. App'x 135, 138-39 (3d Cir. 2012) (unpublished) (citing Ornelas-Chavez for the proposition that "an applicant 'need not have reported th[e] persecution to the authorities if he can convincingly establish that doing so would have been futile or [would] have subjected him to further abuse' " (alteration in original) (quoting Ornelas-Chavez, 458 F.3d at 1058)); Vahora v. Holder, 707 F.3d 904, 908-10 (7th Cir. 2013) (same); Ngengwe v. Mukasey, 543 F.3d 1029, 1035-36 (8th Cir. 2008) (holding that substantial evidence did not support the IJ's finding that Cameroon was able and willing to protect a nonreporting petitioner, where petitioner's credible testimony explaining that the police do not protect women from domestic violence, the State Department country reports, and a relative's affidavit evidenced that Cameroon would "not do anything" to protect her, citing In re S-A-); Lopez v. U.S. Att'y Gen., 504 F.3d 1341, 1345 (11th Cir. 2007) (holding that the BIA erred by reasoning "that the failure to seek protection without more is enough to defeat a claim for asylum," and remanding to the BIA to consider in the first instance petitioner's testimony and country reports, applying In re S-A-).

Whether a victim has reported or attempted to report violence or abuse to the authorities is a factor that may be considered, as is credible testimony or documentary evidence explaining why a victim did not report. Rahimzadeh and Afriyie unnecessarily introduced the construct that the failure to report creates a "gap" in the evidence, because our law is clear that the agency, and we, upon review, must examine all the evidence in the record that bears on the question of whether the government is unable or unwilling to control a private persecutor. Framing the question of nonreporting as a "failure" that creates an evidentiary "gap" had the inadvertent effect of heightening the evidentiary standard beyond the traditional types of proof, accepted in every prior precedent, that we have deemed sufficient to demonstrate governmental inability or unwillingness to protect victims of persecution. To the extent that our cases' discussion of gap filling suggested that the burden of proof on governmental inability or unwillingness to protect was something beyond the standard we use for other elements-proof by a preponderance of the evidence, considering all the evidence in the record-we supersede those cases by clarifying that there is no heightened proof requirement. The very next petition for review that we considered in the context of nonreporting was Castro-Martinez, which transformed the "gap" into a "gulf," never to be quite filled, especially for those who were victimized as children, the least likely persons to report their abuse to authorities.

In Castro-Martinez, Castro adduced credible testimony detailing the rapes he suffered as a child on account of his sexual orientation and feminine characteristics, the risk of retaliation from both his abusers and the police if he reported his abuse, and country reports documenting private and police harassment of and violence against homosexuals. Despite all this evidence, we held that Castro failed to meet his burden to "fill in the gaps" because he had not shown that Mexican officials were unable or unwilling to intervene specifically in the abuse of gay children, as opposed to gay individuals generally. Castro-Martinez, 674 F.3d at 1081-82. Yet the nature and quality of Castro's evidence fell within several of the categories of proof that we said in Rahimzadeh would suffice, and which should have been sufficient to satisfy the "unable or unwilling" standard under the correctly applied law.

By effectively defining Castro's social group as gay children and rejecting Castro's evidence, we "demand[ed] an unwarranted level of specificity" and "effectively eliminated [country reports] as a method of showing a foreign government's inability or unwillingness to prevent sexual abuse of gay children." Bringas-Rodriguez, 805 F.3d at 1192 (Fletcher, J., dissenting). Castro's evidence demonstrated the futility and potential danger of reporting to the authorities, Ornelas-Chavez, 458 F.3d at 1058, and the widespread tolerance of private persecution of homosexuals by the authorities, Rahimzadeh, 613 F.3d at 922, but we held that evidence insufficient. We imposed a higher burden that required Castro to demonstrate that "Mexican authorities would have ignored the rape of a young child or that authorities were unable to provide a child protection against rape." 674 F.3d at 1081. The result of this holding was to carve out a sub-group of "gay children" within the broader social group of "gay individuals." It also necessarily and erroneously assumed that where government authorities are able and willing to protect heterosexual children, they will be equally able and willing to protect children who exhibit a different sexual orientation or are "different" in other ways. However, our immigration laws recognize that persons who fall within the enumerated, protected refugee categories are often treated more harshly by the authorities than those who do not, precisely because of the characteristics that provided them with statutory protection under our refugee laws in the first place.

Furthermore, adult and child victims of physical and sexual abuse alike face significant barriers to reporting their abuse and seeking the protection of authorities. Sexual abuse commonly results in "severe and long-lasting" effects, including "avoidance of situations that trigger memories of the violation, profound feelings of shame, [and] difficulty remembering events." Lopez-Galarza v. INS, 99 F.3d 954, 962 (9th Cir. 1996) (quoting Shana Swiss & Joan E. Giller, Rape As a Crime of War: A Medical Perspective, 270 J. Am. Med. Ass'n 612, 614 (1993)). As was the case with Bringas, a victim may also fear retaliation, not just from his abusers, but from "police, society, even family members."

The barriers to reporting become even greater when the victim is a child. As Judge W. Fletcher noted in his dissent from the panel-majority opinion:

Many children will not report these crimes for some of the same reasons Bringas-Rodriguez did not. Abusers often threaten their victims with harm if they tell anyone, and they sometimes make good on those threats. Children also have difficulty getting information to the police, especially if family members or neighbors-the people who might report the abuse-are the abusers.

Bringas-Rodriguez, 805 F.3d at 1192 (Fletcher, J., dissenting). Children may lack the cognitive ability to understand that they are being abused, and that beatings and rapes by adults they should be able to trust are crimes. Brief for Kids in Need of Defense et al. as Amici Curiae at 11. Even if they do have that cognitive ability, child victims may not only fear retaliation for reporting to authorities, but may also be practically unable to do so because their day-to-day actions are controlled by their abusers, especially if their abusers are family members. Child victims of sexual abuse frequently "lack the information to navigate official, often complex, channels required to report abuse" and are likely to be unaware of shelters or agencies that might provide them protection. Id. at 9-10. Asylum officers' training guidelines specifically require them to consider the difficulty children may experience in reporting abuse: "The fact that a child did not seek protection in his or her country of origin does not necessarily undermine his or her case. The asylum officer must explore what, if any, means the child had of seeking protection." U.S. Citizenship and Immigr. Servs., Asylum Officer Basic Training Course: Guidelines for Children's Asylum Claims 40 (2009).

Even if a child is able to report the abuse, he may not be able to articulate what happened to the police "in the same way as adults," and, as a result, "may be more easily dismissed or not taken seriously by the officials concerned." UNHCR, Guidelines on International Protection: Child Asylum Claims Under Articles 1(A)2 and 1(F) of the 1951 Convention and/or 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees,  39, U.N. Doc HCR/GIP/09/08 (Dec. 22, 2009).

For all of these reasons, we recognize that children who suffer sexual abuse are generally unlikely to report that abuse to authorities. Because they are unlikely to report, it is similarly unlikely that country reports or other evidence will be able to document the police response, or lack thereof, to the sexual abuse of children. Placing on Castro the added burden of demonstrating governmental inability or unwillingness to control child sexual abuse generally was thus tantamount to imposing a reporting requirement on sexually abused children: either the petitioner must have reported in his own case, or other children must have reported to create the basis for a country report on the general response. That added burden was inappropriate, both because it reflected a heightened gap-filling proof requirement and because it focused on evidence regarding the treatment of gay children rather than the treatment of gay Mexicans generally.

2. Overemphasis on laws as opposed to practices

In Castro-Martinez, we also failed to consider the difference between a country's enactment of remedial laws and the eradication of persecutory practices, often long ingrained in a country's culture. Rejecting Castro's claim that, in Mexico, a systematic pattern or practice of persecution against homosexuals remained, we found Castro's evidence unpersuasive "in light of recent country reports," which showed that the "Mexican government's efforts to prevent violence and discrimination against homosexuals  ha[d] increased in recent years." Castro-Martinez, 674 F.3d at 1082.

Mexico is to be lauded for its efforts. But it is well recognized that a country's laws are not always reflective of actual country conditions. It is not unusual that a country's "de jure commitments to LGBTI protection do not align with the de facto reality of whether the State is able and willing to provide protection." Brief for UNHCR as Amicus Curiae at 4. And we have recently recognized that Mexico has experienced "an increase in violence against gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals during the years in which greater legal protections have been extended to these communities." Avendano-Hernandez v. Lynch, 800 F.3d 1072, 1081 (9th Cir. 2015) (emphasis in original).

Moreover, the anti-discrimination efforts discussed in Castro-Martinez seem to have been made by the national government, and thus do not necessarily reveal anything about the practices within state or municipal jurisdictions. See Madrigal v. Holder, 716 F.3d 499, 507 (9th Cir. 2013) (noting that while Mexico's national government was willing to control the drug cartel that attacked the petitioner, it was not necessarily able to do so, in part because state and local officials were involved with drug traffickers).

IV.

Substantial evidence compels the conclusion that Bringas has established past persecution.

A. Persecution on Account of a Protected Ground

There is no dispute that the brutal beatings and rapes that Bringas suffered as a child rise to the level of persecution. "It is well established that physical violence is persecution under 8 U.S.C.  1101(a)(42)(A)." Li v. Holder, 559 F.3d 1096, 1107 (9th Cir. 2009).

Likewise, there is no real dispute that Bringas's sexual orientation was at least one central reason for his persecution. As the BIA acknowledged, "sexual orientation and sexual identity can be the basis for establishing a particular social group." See Boer-Sedano v. Gonzales, 418 F.3d 1082, 1087-88 (9th Cir. 2005) (holding that "homosexual men in Mexico" constitute a particular social group for purposes of asylum); Karouni v. Gonzales, 399 F.3d 1163, 1171-73 (9th Cir. 2005) (concluding that the petitioner was eligible for asylum because of a well-founded fear of persecution on account of his "membership in the particular social group of homosexuals").

The government argues that the BIA rejected Bringas's claim because he failed to establish that the sexual abuse he suffered was on account of his homosexuality. The government reads the BIA's decision as affirming the IJ's finding that the sexual predators who attacked Bringas were pedophiles motivated by perverse sexual urges. But the BIA did not adopt the IJ's decision, and nothing about the BIA's decision suggests that it denied Bringas's claim on nexus grounds. Rather, by acknowledging the abuse Bringas suffered as a child, and then immediately pivoting to Castro-Martinez, the BIA's reasoning could only have been that, as in Castro-Martinez, Bringas's claim failed for want of proof that the government was unable or unwilling to control his abusers. Indeed, the BIA decision's following three paragraphs discuss homosexuals as "a particular social group" and acknowledge that Bringas is a gay man.

Finally, even if we read the BIA's decision to conclude that the IJ's "perverse desire" finding was not clearly erroneous, the entire record compels the conclusion that at least one central reason for Bringas's persecution was his sexual orientation. Indeed, there is no evidence in the record suggesting Bringas's abusers were motivated by anything else; to find otherwise would be to effectively rule that children can never be victims of abuse on the basis of sexual identity, as such abuse will always be subsumed by a presumption of abuse on grounds unrelated to their protected social group. This cannot be the case. Bringas need only demonstrate that his sexual orientation was "at least one central reason" for the abuse; he need not show it was the only reason. Parussimova, 555 F.3d at 741. The record is replete with statements by Bringas's abusers as to exactly why they targeted him. His father chastised him as a child for being effeminate and beat him because he was "different." When Bringas was eight, his uncle told him the reason for the ongoing physical and sexual abuse was his sexuality. Bringas explained that his uncle, his cousins, and his neighbors "called [him] fag, fucking faggot, queer and laughed about it." A full reading of the record leaves no doubt that Bringas was persecuted on account of his sexual orientation.

B. Unable or Unwilling to Control Private Persecutors

Although Bringas's persecutors were private, not government, actors, the record evidence compels the conclusion that the government was unable or unwilling to control them. Bringas was not required to report his abuse to the authorities because ample evidence demonstrates that reporting would have been futile and dangerous. Bringas volunteered in his asylum application the reason he believed he would be harmed if returned to Mexico:

If I went to the police they wouldn't do anything. They will take a report and never follow-up on it or they would simply laugh at me and tell me that I got what I deserved because I am gay. My gay friend from Veracruz living in Kansas City told me this is what happened to him.

In his sworn affidavit, Bringas stated: "I was afraid to tell anyone about my abuse because my uncle threatened to hurt me and my family." Bringas further explained that when his neighbor sexually assaulted him, "[h]e laughed at [Bringas] and said that if [Bringas] told anyone, he would do something [Bringas] would be sorry for." The IJ recognized that Bringas's abusers acted like pedophilic abusers, who "usually manipulate their victims in such a way as to terrify them, and prevent them from going to an adult and reporting the abuse because they want to continue perpetrating their abuse on the victim." Finally, Bringas stated in his affidavit: "The police are no help and cannot protect me. They wouldn't do anything to my abusers. They would laugh at me and tell me I deserved what I got because I was gay. This happened to friends of mine in Veracruz."

At his removal hearing, Bringas testified that he did not tell anybody about the abuse because he was afraid that his abusers would hurt him, his family, and the person he chose to tell. Bringas further testified that he was afraid to return to Mexico because he would get "beat up by police, society, even family members." The IJ and Bringas then had the following exchange:

IJ: Okay, you're older now. You can go tell police if you return to Mexico and suffer abuse, you could tell the police.  Couldn't you do that?

Bringas: They will do nothing.  I know that because when I was living in Kansas,16 couple of my friends told me that they got raped, they got beat up, like abuse, and they went to the police and they didn't do anything. They even laugh on [sic] their faces.

Thus, even the IJ understood the improbability of a younger Bringas reporting his abuse to the authorities; by stating "you're older now  you could tell the police  [c]ouldn't you do that," the IJ recognized the difference between a minor's ability to report and an adult's. Moreover, both the IJ and the BIA found this testimony credible under the heightened standards of the Real ID Act.

In addition to his sworn asylum application, affidavit, and credible testimony, Bringas submitted the 2009 and 2010 U.S. Department of State Human Rights Reports for Mexico and several newspaper articles describing the treatment of gay men in Mexico. The 2009 and 2010 reports show official discrimination and violence by police against homosexuals, and show that persecution of gay men remained a serious problem in Mexico five and six years after Bringas fled in 2004. The 2009 report states, "While homosexual conduct experienced growing social acceptance, the National Center to Prevent and Control HIV/AIDS stated that discrimination persisted." The 2010 report includes an identical observation from the National Human Rights Commission. Additionally, the 2009 report describes a particularly severe example of discrimination by Mexican officials:

One of the most prominent cases of discrimination and violence against gay men was that of Agustin Humberto Estrada Negrete, a teacher and gay activist from Ecatepec, Mexico State. In 2007 he participated in a gay rights march wearing a dress and high heels. According to the NGO Asilegal, soon after the march, Estrada began receiving threatening telephone calls and verbal and physical attacks. In 2008 he was fired from the school for children with disabilities where he worked. After his dismissal, he and a group of supporters began lobbying the government to reinstate him; when they went to the governor's palace to attend a meeting with state officials in May, police beat him and his supporters. The next day he was taken to prison, threatened, and raped. Although he was released, Estrada continued to face harassment by state authorities.

The 2010 country report states that "some public officials continued to perpetrate bureaucratic abuses and some criminal acts with impunity." It also notes that "rape victims rarely filed complaints with the police, in part because of the authorities' ineffective and unsupportive responses to victims."

Bringas additionally offered several newspaper articles, including one in which the Associated Press reported that a "review of more than 70 newspapers in 11 Mexican states" revealed an increase from "an average of nearly 30 killings a year motivated by homophobia between 1995 and 2000" to "nearly 60 a year between 2001 and 2009." Thus, the totality of Bringas's evidence compels the conclusion that reporting his abuse would have been futile and dangerous.

From Bringas's reports, we do see increasing social acceptance of homosexuals in Mexico, especially in certain parts of Mexico, such as Mexico City, where same-sex marriage has been legalized. But the panel-majority opinion, like the Castro-Martinez decision and the BIA decision here, falsely equated legislative and executive enactments prohibiting persecution with on-the-ground progress. Moreover, the new laws depicted in the country reports include a 2010 law legalizing gay marriage in Mexico City, a Supreme Court decision requiring other states to recognize those marriages, and a 2010 law allowing gay couples to adopt children in Mexico City. The question we address here, however, is whether Bringas suffered past persecution in the years preceding 2004. Therefore, these important developments bear little relevance to Bringas's abuse, which ended in 2004.

V.

Examining all the evidence in the record, and applying long-standing precedent, substantial evidence compels the conclusion that Bringas has proven past persecution due to his identification as a gay individual, and he need not additionally provide evidence specific to him as a gay child. He is therefore entitled to the presumption of a well-founded fear of future persecution. Accordingly, we remand to the agency for consideration in the first instance of whether the presumption has been rebutted, and for consideration of Bringas's withholding of removal and CAT claims. The respondent, Attorney General Jefferson B. Sessions III, shall bear the costs on appeal.

GRANTED; REMANDED.

I agree with the conclusion of the majority opinion that the petition for review filed by Carlos Alberto Bringas-Rodriguez should be granted and the matter remanded to the BIA for further proceedings. The basis for my conclusion is much narrower than that adopted by the majority opinion, however. In my view, the majority opinion does not respect the proper standard for our court's review of an order of removal. That standard is supposed to be highly deferential, and I agree with the dissent that it has not been applied that way in this case.

The majority opinion acknowledges that a finding by the IJ is not supported by substantial evidence when " 'any reasonable adjudicator would be compelled to conclude to the contrary' based on the evidence in the record." Majority Op. at 13 (quoting Zhi v. Holder, 751 F.3d 1088, 1091 (9th Cir. 2014)). The majority opinion also agrees that Bringas had the burden of establishing that the persecution suffered by Bringas, in the form of the sexual attacks on him when he was a child, "was committed by  forces that the government was unable or unwilling to control." Id. at 20 (quoting Baghdasaryan v. Holder, 592 F.3d 1018, 1023 (9th Cir. 2010)).

The evidence offered by Bringas in support of the proposition that the Mexican government was unable or unwilling to control sexual attacks against children was not so overwhelming. That evidence, described in the majority opinion at 43-45 and in the dissent at 72 n.15, amounted in the end to an unspecific hearsay report by Bringas of what he was told by one or two other persons about what had happened when a report was made to police in a different town. That evidence would have been sufficient to support a conclusion that a report by a child to the police would have been futile, but it was not so powerful that no reasonable adjudicator could have found to the contrary. The same is true about the more general evidence offered by Bringas from country reports and newspaper articles about discrimination against gay men and homophobic violence in Mexico. That general evidence did not speak directly to the kind of violence suffered by Bringas. It did not say so much about how the Mexican government would have reacted that it would have compelled any reasonable adjudicator to agree with the majority opinion's own assessment.

The reason that I conclude that the petition for review should be granted is that the agency appeared to disregard the evidence that Bringas offered on the subject. The IJ stated in his oral decision that

[W]e certainly do not have any evidence whatsoever that the police in Mexico or the authorities do not take any action whatsoever to offer some type of protection against the abuse of children, sexually, whether the sexually abused child is a male or female, or whether the abuser is a male or a female. There is no evidence of that, so I cannot really conclude that the government was unwilling or unable to offer [Bringas] protection from the sexual abuse perpetrated upon him as a child.

The BIA's conclusion was more general, stating that the "evidence does not establish" that the Mexican government is unwilling or unable to control private violence against homosexuals. But the BIA did not correct the IJ's finding that there was "no evidence whatsoever" to support Bringas's contention that a police report would have been futile, and it did not reflect any awareness of the evidence to that effect. In my view, the failure to recognize that evidence and to account for it in the decision justifies remand to the agency for further proceedings, including further consideration of the question of whether Bringas suffered past persecution. I would grant the petition for review, but I would not dictate the answer to that past persecution question.

I respectfully dissent from the majority opinion because it usurps the power of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) to determine facts. It does this by reciting, but ultimately departing, from the "substantial evidence" standard which states that agency "findings of fact are conclusive unless any reasonable adjudicator would be compelled to conclude to the contrary." 8 U.S.C.  1252(b)(4)(B) (emphasis added).

Here, the BIA found unpersuasive Bringas's evidence of the Mexican government's inability or unwillingness to control and prevent the abuse of homosexuals. The record evidence-uncorroborated hearsay testimony by Bringas's friends that police in Veracruz failed to respond to reports of homosexual abuse; newspaper articles which document an average of fewer than sixty murders per year of homosexuals in Mexico, with no evidence at all regarding how the Mexican government responded to those murders; a single instance of the persecution of a homosexual man by Mexican government officials; and strong evidence of efforts by the Mexican government to protect homosexual citizens-does not compel us to reverse the BIA's finding. We should deny the petition for review.

To reach its conclusion that the record evidence compels the conclusion that Bringas established past persecution, the majority holds that if there is any evidence-including uncorroborated hearsay testimony-that a foreign government is unable or unwilling to control persecution by private, not public, individuals, the administrative trier of fact must disdain evidence to the contrary, and must ignore the alien's failure to produce any of the agency-requested corroborating evidence, which our immigration law specifically requires. The effect of this new standard: having carried his burden of presentation of evidence, the alien is discharged from his burden of persuasion. This is not and cannot be the law.

I.

Carlos Alberto Bringas-Rodriguez is twenty-six years old, homosexual, and a citizen of Mexico. From the ages of four to twelve, Bringas was repeatedly sexually abused by his uncle, cousins, and neighbor in Tres Valles, a town in the Mexican state of Veracruz. At the age of twelve, Bringas moved to Kansas with his stepfather to live with his mother for several months, but within that same year returned to Tres Valles to live with his grandmother. Once back in Tres Valles, the sexual abuse continued. Bringas never reported the abuse to the police. At the age of fourteen, he returned to Kansas with his mother "to escape [his] abusers." He entered the United States without inspection or authorization.

Six years later, at the age of twenty and while living in Colorado, Bringas pleaded guilty to and was convicted of attempted "Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor." Shortly thereafter, immigration authorities issued him a Notice to Appear. Bringas conceded removability but requested asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT). He claimed that he had suffered sexual abuse as a minor and that this abuse amounted to past persecution on account of his sexual orientation.

The IJ denied Bringas's asylum claim because it was untimely filed. With respect to withholding of removal, the IJ found Bringas credible but ruled that Bringas had not established past persecution on account of a protected ground for two reasons: (1) The evidence established that the "central reasons for the abuse were the perverse sexual urges of the abusers," not Bringas's sexual orientation, and (2) there was no evidence that the police in Mexico would not have protected Bringas "from the sexual abuse perpetrated upon him as a child." As to Bringas's fear of future persecution, the IJ noted that country reports included a few instances of persecution of homosexuals in Mexico, but not any "pattern or practice" of government participation or acquiescence in such persecution. Moreover, the country reports showed that the country as a whole-and Mexico City in particular-had made significant advances with respect to rights for homosexuals, such that Bringas could potentially relocate to a part of the country where he would be safe. The IJ also denied relief under the CAT on the grounds that Bringas offered insufficient evidence that "torture in the future by the government, or with the acquiescence of the government" was more likely than not.

The BIA dismissed Bringas's appeal. The BIA denied Bringas's asylum claim on the merits, assuming arguendo that the application was timely filed. The BIA concluded that Bringas failed to establish past persecution because he had not proved that the government was unable or unwilling to control his abusers, avoiding the question whether Bringas established that he was abused because he was homosexual. The BIA also found that Bringas did not have a well-founded fear of future persecution because he failed to prove a "pattern or practice" of persecution against homosexuals in Mexico. Citing this court's opinion in Castro-Martinez v. Holder, 674 F.3d 1073, 1082 (9th Cir. 2011), and comparing the experience of homosexual men in Mexico to the experience of homosexual men in Jamaica, the BIA explained that no "widespread brutality against homosexuals or  criminalization of homosexual conduct [exists] in Mexico." With respect to withholding of removal, because Bringas failed to satisfy the lower burden of proof required for asylum, the BIA found that he failed to satisfy the higher standard for withholding of removal. With respect to CAT relief, the BIA found no clear error in the IJ's determination that Bringas failed to prove that torture by or with the acquiescence of the Mexican government was more likely than not.

Finally, the BIA rejected Bringas's request to remand his case to the IJ in light of Bringas's recent HIV diagnosis. Bringas's brief to the BIA explained his recent diagnosis and argued that "this fact is significant because it now places [him] in a more vulnerable position should he be returned to Mexico." The BIA declined to remand Bringas's case for further consideration because Bringas had not provided any additional country conditions evidence or specific arguments regarding how his status as an HIV positive homosexual would change the outcome of his case.

Bringas petitioned this court for review of the BIA's decision. The three-judge panel denied Bringas's petition for review. The panel first noted that it could not "resolve Bringas's asylum claim on timeliness grounds because the BIA ignored this procedural defect " Bringas-Rodriguez v. Lynch, 805 F.3d 1171, 1177 (9th Cir. 2015) (now withdrawn); see also Abebe v. Gonzales, 432 F.3d 1037, 1041 (9th Cir. 2005) (en banc) ("When the BIA has ignored a procedural defect and elected to consider an issue on its substantive merits, we cannot then decline to consider the issue based upon this procedural defect."). In reviewing Bringas's asylum claim on the merits, the panel concluded the evidence did not compel reversal of the BIA's determination that Bringas failed to establish past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution. Bringas-Rodriguez, 805 F.3d at 1177. The panel followed the BIA and analyzed only whether Bringas failed to establish that his abuse was inflicted by individuals the government was unable or unwilling to control, thereby avoiding the question whether Bringas suffered abuse because he is homosexual. Id. at 1177-78.

The panel agreed with the IJ and BIA that Bringas failed to establish that the Mexican government was unable or unwilling to control his abusers, and therefore failed to establish past persecution. Id. at 1178. The country reports and hearsay evidence introduced by Bringas did not sufficiently close the gap in proof as to how the government would have responded to reports of his abuse, had such reports been made. Id. at 1180-82. With respect to the country conditions evidence, the panel stated that the country reports noted no instances of discrimination or persecution in Veracruz and "only one specific example of government persecution on the basis of sexual orientation in Mexico." Id. at 1179. The panel highlighted portions of the reports describing "gay pride" marches across Mexico as well as a Mexican Supreme Court decision "requiring Mexico's states to recognize legally performed [same-sex] marriages performed elsewhere," a decision that was made five years before the United States Supreme Court reached a similar conclusion. Id. Turning to Bringas's testimony about his friends' experiences in Veracruz, the panel first recognized that Bringas credibly testified that a "couple" of his friends told him "that they got raped, they got beat up, like abuse, and they went to the police [in Veracruz, Mexico] and they didn't do anything" except "laugh [in] their faces." Id. at 1178. Nonetheless, the panel concluded that the lack of corroborating details about Bringas's friends' experiences-including the names of his friends, how old they were when they were abused and when they reported their abuse, by whom they were abused, to whom they reported their abuse, or where the abuse occurred-justified the BIA's conclusion that Bringas failed to establish that the government would be unable or unwilling to control his abusers. Id. at 1180. The panel therefore held that Bringas was not entitled to a presumption of a well-founded fear of persecution. Id. at 1182.

The panel also concluded that Bringas's evidence supported the BIA's conclusion that Bringas failed to establish a well-founded fear of future persecution. Id. The panel recognized two avenues for Bringas to establish an objectively reasonable fear of future persecution: (1) that he was a member of a disfavored group against which there was a systematic pattern or practice of persecution, or (2) that he belongs to a disfavored group and has an individualized risk of being singled out for persecution. Id. Bringas forfeited the second argument by failing to raise it before the BIA. Therefore, the panel focused only on whether Bringas established a pattern or practice of persecution of homosexual men in Mexico. Id. The panel concluded that Bringas adduced no evidence establishing a change of conditions in Mexico since the court decided Castro-Martinez v. Holder, 674 F.3d 1073, 1082 (9th Cir. 2011). Therefore, the panel held that substantial evidence supported the BIA's finding of no pattern or practice of persecution. Bringas-Rodriguez, 805 F.3d at 1183.

With respect to Bringas's CAT claim, the panel held that the same evidence that supported the BIA's dismissal of the pattern-or-practice claim also supported the IJ and BIA's conclusion that Bringas failed to establish a likelihood of torture. Id. at 1184. As the panel stated, conditions in Mexico are "insufficiently dangerous for gay people to constitute a likelihood of government-initiated or -sanctioned torture." Id.; Castro-Martinez, 674 F.3d at 1082. The panel noted that the likelihood of future torture was especially low given that Bringas is now a "selfsufficient [sic] homosexual adult" who could "relocate to a different part of Mexico." Bringas-Rodriguez, 805 F.3d at 1184.

Finally, the panel held that the BIA did not abuse its discretion in declining to remand based on Bringas's HIV diagnosis. According to the panel, the BIA offered a reasoned explanation that was neither arbitrary nor irrational: Bringas did not provide "any additional country conditions evidence or specific arguments regarding how his [HIV] status changes the outcome of his case." Id. at 1185.

Bringas filed a petition for rehearing en banc, which we granted. A majority of the en banc panel today overrules several of our prior immigration cases in two respects, but only by misreading those cases. First, the majority holds that Rahimzadeh and Afriyie "unnecessarily introduced the construct that the failure to report [private persecution to government authorities] creates a 'gap' in the evidence, because our law is clear that the agency, and we, upon review, must examine all the evidence in the record that bears on the question of whether the government is unable or unwilling to control a private persecutor." Op. at 35. The majority overrules Rahimzadeh and Afriyie "[t]o the extent that [the] discussion of gap filling suggested that the burden of proof on governmental inability or unwillingness to protect was something beyond the standard we use for other elements-proof by a preponderance of the evidence, considering all the evidence in the record." Op. at 35. However, neither case held that any "gap" created by the failure to report could not be filled by other evidence. At most, the "gap" language commented on the lack of one kind of evidence, which could be supplanted by another kind of evidence. It did not increase the evidentiary burden on the petitioner. For instance, there is no "gap" in establishing the date of a fire loss when the homeowner does not file a report with the Fire Department, if he produces a date-stamped video of his house burning. Similarly, there is no "gap" when an asylum petitioner does not report his persecution by private individuals to government officials, if he produces alternative, compelling evidence that the foreign government at issue is unable or unwilling to control his persecutors.

Second, the majority overrules Castro-Martinez because, in that case, "[w]e imposed a higher burden [on Castro, who was persecuted by private individuals as a child] that required Castro to demonstrate that 'Mexican authorities would have ignored the rape of a young child or that authorities were unable to provide a child protection against rape.' " Op. at 37 (citing Castro-Martinez, 674 F.3d at 1081). The majority holds that this language effectively imposed "a reporting requirement on sexually abused children: either the petitioner must have reported in his own case, or other children must have reported to create the basis for a country report on the general response." Op. at 39-40. However, Castro-Martinez stated unequivocally that asylum petitioners, especially children, need not report their abuse to establish past persecution. See Castro-Martinez, 674 F.3d at 1081 ("We have never held that any victim, let alone a child, is obligated to report a sexual assault to the authorities, and we do not do so now."). Instead of accurately reading Castro-Martinez, which needed no clarification with respect to whether a reporting requirement exists for asylum petitioners of any age, the majority removes the requirement imposed by the Supreme Court and Congress on asylum petitioners to produce evidence sufficient to compel the conclusion that the foreign government was unable or unwilling to protect against private persecution. I address the majority's two issues in turn.

II.

A. The majority rejects our substantial evidence standard by holding that merely proffering traditional "types of proof" categorically suffices to establish an "unable or unwilling" claim.

The majority takes issue with the commonsense conclusion reached in Rahimzadeh and Afriyie that a petitioner who does not report his private persecution to government officials leaves an evidentiary "gap" regarding how those officials would react to such a report. The majority "supersedes" Rahimzadeh and Afriyie because "[f]raming the question of nonreporting as a 'failure' that creates an evidentiary 'gap' had the inadvertent effect of heightening the evidentiary standard beyond the traditional types of proof, accepted in every prior precedent, that we have deemed sufficient to demonstrate governmental inability or unwillingness to protect victims of persecution." Op. at 35 (emphasis added).

The assertion that Rahimzadeh and Afriyie created a heightened evidentiary standard for petitioners who fail to report their private persecution to government authorities ignores clear language to the contrary from both opinions. Rahimzadeh and Afriyie made clear that reporting private persecution to government authorities is not required to establish past persecution. Rahimzadeh and Afriyie also provided clear guidance regarding how evidence other than reports to the police can compel the conclusion that government officials were unable or unwilling to protect petitioners from private persecution. The language from those opinions needed no further clarification.

But the majority does not overrule those cases in an attempt to clarify how this court reviews evidence of past persecution. Instead, the majority recites, yet ignores the standard of review for past persecution claims involving private persecutors. The majority holds that "[f]raming the question of nonreporting as a 'failure' that creates an evidentiary 'gap' had the inadvertent effect of heightening the evidentiary standard beyond the traditional types of proof, accepted in every prior precedent, that we have deemed sufficient to demonstrate governmental inability or unwillingness to protect victims of persecution." Op. at 35 (emphasis added). Neither we, nor any other court, has accepted the notion that presentation of a type of proof used in other cases, regardless of its probative value, is categorically sufficient to establish that government officials were unable or unwilling to control private persecution. The nature and quality of the evidence adduced always mattered. However, under the majority's view, the probative value of that proof becomes irrelevant when petitioners provide a "type[ ] of proof, accepted in every prior precedent, that we have deemed sufficient to demonstrate governmental inability or unwillingness to protect victims of persecution." Op. at 35 (emphases added). The majority ignores that an inadequate response by government officials to a petitioner's direct report of private persecution will sometimes provide stronger evidence that government officials are unable or unwilling to protect against private persecution than other types of evidence. Our prior cases recognized this uncontroversial statement regarding the nature of evidence. See, e.g., Afriyie, 613 F.3d at 931 ("[W]hen an applicant attempts to report persecution to the police or request protection from them, the authorities' response (or lack thereof) to such requests may provide powerful evidence with respect to the government's willingness or ability to protect the requestor." (emphasis added)). Rahimzadeh and Afriyie did not create a heightened evidentiary burden for petitioners who do not report their persecution. Those cases simply recognized that a petitioner's direct report to government officials, followed by an inadequate or nonexistent response by those officials, provides "powerful" proof that indirect, vague, or hearsay evidence may lack. My colleagues fundamentally alter our longstanding substantial evidence standard of review by suggesting that evidence other than a failure to report persecution to the police-such as Bringas's hearsay testimony from friends-categorically suffices to constitute compelling evidence that government officials are unable or unwilling to control persecution by private, nongovernmental individuals.

B. The majority sets aside substantial evidence review by excusing adult petitioners who were persecuted as children from adducing sufficient, alternative evidence that the government was unable or unwilling to protect them.

My colleagues take issue with the following language in Castro-Martinez:

As the BIA observed, there was no evidence in the record that Mexican authorities would have ignored the rape of a young child or that authorities were unable to provide a child protection against rape.  [N]one of [the] reports compel the conclusion that the police would have disregarded or harmed a male child who reported being the victim of homosexual rape by another male.

Castro-Martinez, 674 F.3d at 1081. According to my colleagues, this language effectively requires child victims of private persecution to report their abuse to the authorities based on the following reasoning:

[C]hildren who suffer sexual abuse are generally unlikely to report that abuse to authorities. Because they are unlikely to report, it is similarly unlikely that country reports or other evidence will be able to document the police response, or lack thereof, to the sexual abuse of children.  That added burden was inappropriate, both because it reflected a heightened gap-filling proof requirement and because it focused on evidence regarding the treatment of gay children rather than the treatment of gay Mexicans generally.

Op. at 39-40 (emphasis added). Castro-Martinez addressed this exact issue: whether the victim's report of the abuse to the police was a requirement, else an evidentiary gap would make the rest of the victim's proof insufficient, and whether this requirement obtained only as to homosexual children. See Castro-Martinez, 674 F.3d at 1081 ("We have never held that any victim, let alone a child, is obligated to report a sexual assault to the authorities, and we do not do so now."). Castro-Martinez's express language does not permit of a reading that a reporting requirement exists for persecuted children and only for such children rather than similar adults. Nonetheless, the majority concludes that Castro-Martinez created a reporting requirement for persecuted children.

The majority is undoubtedly correct that children who suffer sexual abuse are unlikely to report their abuse to government officials of their own accord. The fact that victims of private persecution-young or old-are unlikely to report their abuse to authorities explains why we have never held that victims of private persecution need to report their abuse to establish past persecution for asylum purposes. See, e.g., Rahimzadeh, 613 F.3d at 922 ("None of [the immigration cases surveyed], or any other we have found, creates a freestanding reporting requirement to qualify for asylum."). But the majority goes much further than restating that child victims of private persecution, like all victims of private persecution, need not report their persecution to the authorities. The majority concludes that, because children are unlikely to report, "it is similarly unlikely that country reports or other evidence will be able to document the police response, or lack thereof, to the sexual abuse of children." Op. at 39 (emphasis added). In other words, this court should excuse the absence of any "country report[ ] or other evidence" that government officials were unable or unwilling to protect adult petitioners who suffered persecution as a child because children are unlikely to report their private persecution to the authorities.

The majority fails to explain why adults who suffer private persecution at the hands of their family, neighbors, or community are any less likely to report their private persecution to government authorities, and thus less deserving of the majority's lack-of-evidence-be-damned approach. We do not require victims of private persecution to report to government authorities to establish past persecution for asylum purposes because, no matter their age, victims are unlikely to report private persecution given that reporting may be futile or dangerous. See Afriyie, 613 F.3d at 931. Nonetheless, our nation's immigration law still requires asylum petitioners to adduce sufficient evidence other than their or others' reports to governmental authorities to prove that those authorities were unable or unwilling to protect asylum petitioners from private persecution. The majority dismisse
Barajas-Romero v. Lynch, Attorney General

Publisher United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Publication Date 18 January 2017 Citation / Document Symbol 13-70520 Cite as United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Barajas-Romero v. Lynch, Attorney General, 18 January 2017, 13-70520, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d37254.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.

RAUL BARAJAS-ROMERO, Petitioner, v. LORETTA E. LYNCH, Attorney General, Respondent.

No. 13-70520

Decided: January 18, 2017

Before: Andrew J. Kleinfeld, Jacqueline H. Nguyen, and Paul J. Watford, Circuit Judges.COUNSEL Katherine Cheng (argued), Certified Law Student, UCLA School of Law, Los Angeles, California; Michael W. Reynolds (argued), and Carlos M. Lazatin, O'Melveny & Myers LLP, Los Angeles, California; for Petitioner. Tim Ramnitz (argued), Attorney; Shelley R. Goad, Assistant Director; Office of Immigration Litigation, Civil Division, United States Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.; for Respondent.

OPINION

SUMMARY *

Immigration

The panel granted a petition for review, holding that the Board of Immigration Appeals erred in applying the REAL ID Act's "one central reason" nexus standard, rather than the "a reason" standard, to an application for withholding of removal, and improperly placed the burden on petitioner to prove that he could not safely relocate within Mexico for purposes of Convention Against Torture protection relief.

Declining to afford deference to the Board's precedential decision in Matter of C-T-L, 25 I. & N. Dec. 341 (BIA 2010), the panel held that by amending the asylum statute to include the REAL ID Act's "one central reason" nexus standard, but not similarly amending the withholding of removal statute, Congress did not intend for the "one central reason" standard to apply to withholding of removal claims. The panel explained further that the "a reason" standard applicable to withholding of removal claims requires weaker motives than the "one central reason" standard.

The panel held that there is no "rogue official" exception for CAT relief, and that an applicant need show a likelihood of torture at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of either a public official, or some other person acting in an official capacity. The panel explained that CAT relief may be based on the actions of off-duty police officers, even where they were not acting in an official capacity, so long as they carried out the acts or knowingly acquiesced in the acts.

The panel held that although petitioner bore the ultimate burden to prove a likelihood of torture, the Board erred by placing the burden on petitioner to establish that he could not safely relocate within Mexico to avoid future harm.

The panel remanded for the Board to reconsider the withholding claim applying the correct nexus standard, and to reconsider the CAT claim under the no-burden-shifting relocation standard.

KLEINFELD, Senior Circuit Judge:

We address the "principal reason" standard for withholding of removal, and also the acquiescence and relocation standards for Convention Against Torture relief. At issue is why Raul Barajas-Romero was tortured and whether he can be returned to Mexico without likely being tortured again.

I. Facts.

Barajas-Romero came to the United States legally from Mexico as a little boy. He grew up in San Pedro, California. His mother, brothers, children, and grandchildren are American citizens, but he never became naturalized, and he remains a citizen of Mexico. Barajas-Romero was deported in 1998 because of convictions for felony methamphetamine possession and receiving stolen property.

After he was removed from the United States in 1998, Barajas-Romero got a house in Santa Clara, a village in the State of Michoacan, where he had relatives. Two years after he moved to the village, men attacked him and demanded his gold watch and everything in his pockets. He refused to hand them over, so the men hit him on the head, kicked him in the face, and threw him off a bridge. The assault left him with a broken nose, broken teeth, and a wound on his head requiring more than a dozen stitches and leaving a two- or three-inch scar. The men identified themselves by announcing: "Hey, puto, no one messes with the Familia Michoacana." Barajas-Romero's political opinion did not come up in this first attack, just the Familia Michoacana drug cartel's pride in its power.

Barajas-Romero reported the assault to the police when he got out of the hospital. He told them La Familia Michoacana were the attackers. The police did nothing. His cousin was kidnaped by La Familia the following year. A couple of years after that, his next door neighbor, who had built a grand house, was murdered when he refused to pay extortion.

In 2006, Barajas-Romero was doing construction work on his house in Santa Clara when the incidents directly giving rise to this case occurred. Four off-duty local police officers arrived at his home. Barajas-Romero recognized them because he got off the bus daily at the police station stop, saw them frequently, and had frequently seen them following him. When he opened the door, the policemen forced him inside, locked the door behind them, and asked him for his money. Barajas-Romero said he had none, but they did not believe him, especially because they saw all the building materials he had purchased for his home.

The four policemen then locked Barajas-Romero in his own bathroom for two days while they deliberated about what to do with him. On the third day they took him out, told him to call his family for money, and began burning him with cigarettes. His leg was permanently scarred, and he later showed the twenty or so scars to the Immigration Judge. Barajas-Romero called his mother, who was in the United States, but she said she had no money she could send. The four policemen thought he could get money if they were more persuasive, so one of them began hitting him all over his body with the blunt side of a machete blade. Barajas-Romero begged them to stop and said his mother was going to try to get money from his brothers.

However, Barajas-Romero did not merely beg. He also made a remark that annoyed the four policemen and could be construed as expressing or manifesting an anti-corruption political opinion. Barajas-Romero testified that he "got a little bold and told them even if I had the money I wouldn't give it to you guys because you guys are getting paid for the job, I don't pay no corrupt cops, nothing."

The torture became much worse after Barajas-Romero's "corrupt cops" remark. The four policemen threw him back in the bathroom, but this time they did not just leave him there. They lifted his pants and put two scorpions on his legs. Both scorpions stung. Barajas-Romero became feverish, swollen, and had trouble breathing.

While the policemen tortured him with scorpions, they also rubbed a dried corncob back and forth on his forehead to make him bleed and cause a permanent scar. They told him that if he told anyone what happened, they would put a bullet through his permanent scar. When Barajas-Romero begged for mercy, the policemen responded by threatening to cut his head off with a machete and slashed his leg, causing a deep laceration. Then they locked him in the bathroom again. Barajas-Romero could not move and passed out from pain, fever, and difficulty breathing.

The next morning the four policemen were gone, and Barajas-Romero stumbled out of his house. His neighbors tried to help him. A police officer arrived and asked what happened, and Barajas-Romero told him that his colleagues had done this. The police officer stopped preparing his report, stopped talking to Barajas-Romero, and dropped him off him at the local clinic without saying a word. The police never asked Barajas-Romero to come in to identify the officers who had attacked him or for any other information regarding their identities. The local clinic where he had been dropped off refused to treat him once they learned that his torturers were police officers. A second medical facility likewise refused to treat him out of fear. Fortunately, a third hospital, one about an hour away from Santa Clara, did treat his injuries. He was hospitalized for two weeks. Approximately a month after his release, Barajas-Romero fled Mexico for the United States because he felt that he could not trust the police anywhere in Mexico, and the mark on his forehead would be, as his torturers had told him, where a bullet would go if he returned.

Barajas-Romero reentered the United States with a false passport and was eventually caught in 2010. Barajas-Romero was charged, convicted, and imprisoned for illegal reentry, and then turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE"). ICE commenced proceedings to reinstate his prior deportation order. These proceedings are the subject of the petition before us. Barajas-Romero was found statutorily eligible for withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture relief.

At his hearing before the Immigration Judge in 2012, Barajas-Romero provided medical evidence to support his claims. As one example, when Barajas-Romero's lawyer showed the Immigration Judge Barajas-Romero's leg, she said "may the record reflect  close to 20 cigarette burns or more on respondent's left leg." Government counsel conceded that he saw perhaps 15 circular scars of some sort. Barajas-Romero's counsel then pointed to an exhibit, a physician's report saying that the scars were "typical purposeful cigarette burns  resemb[ling] the cigarette burns caused by torture." Similarly, a physician's report also confirmed a 12 centimeter (4 3/4 inches) scar on his leg consistent with a deep laceration, with consequential damage to the veins and chronic swelling of the leg. Barajas-Romero remains on medication for his physical injuries, and for the post-traumatic stress disorder caused by his torture. The Immigration Judge found Barajas-Romero to be credible, and none of the horrendous facts concerning Barajas-Romero's torture are in question. The issues in this case have to do with Barajas-Romero's right to remain in the United States because of his torture, not whether torture occurred.

The Immigration Judge denied Barajas-Romero's withholding of removal claim on the ground that the persecution "was solely an effort to extort money by rogue police officers and not because of an expressed or implied [or imputed] political opinion" and the threat came "solely from the off-duty, rogue officers themselves and not the government." He noted that Mexico has laws against torture and corruption, and thousands of police officers have been dismissed for violating them. As for the Convention Against Torture claim, the Immigration Judge determined that Barajas-Romero had the ability to find someplace "acceptable to his standards" of safety to live in Mexico.

The BIA agreed. While the BIA did not disagree that Barajas-Romero's testimony was credible, the BIA held that Barajas-Romero's withholding of removal claim failed because he failed to prove that the harm he suffered "was fueled by any political motives, even though  [Barajas-Romero] expressed to his attackers that he was against police corruption. Rather, the attacks were designed to extort money." As for the Convention Against Torture claim, the BIA held that Barajas-Romero did not show "that any particular officer's actions or acquiescence would not be that of a rogue official." The BIA also held that "the country is aggressively targeting corrupt government elements" and that Barajas-Romero "could relocate out of the area."

Barajas-Romero petitions for review. First, he argues that the BIA applied an erroneous standard to his withholding claim. Second, he argues that the BIA failed to consider the Mexican government's lack of success in its war on gangs, and corruption and the nationwide danger facing him if he returned to Mexico.

II. Analysis

A. Withholding of removal.

The Attorney General must, in general, withhold removal of an alien if the alien's life or freedom would be threatened "because of the alien's race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion." Barajas-Romero argues that his life and freedom would be threatened, at least in part, because of his anti-corruption political opinion. There is ample evidence in the record that the local police and the local drug cartel targeted him without knowing anything about his political opinion, merely because they thought they could get money from him. There is also ample evidence that the police escalated their torture considerably, from confinement, beatings, and cigarette burns, to scorpions, slashing with a machete, and permanent conspicuous facial disfigurement, after he voiced his opposition to police corruption. The parties dispute the extent to which political opinion must be the basis for the threat for the threat to be "because" of the political opinion.

For purposes of asylum or withholding of removal, it is not enough that a person comes from a wretched place, where life will most probably be far worse than if he remains in the United States. For asylum, a person generally needs to face persecution in his home country "on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion." The person seeking asylum has the burden of proving not only the prospective persecution, but also that it would be "on account of" one of the five listed reasons. A person seeking withholding of removal must prove not only that his life or freedom will be threatened in his home country, but also that the threat is "because of" one of the five listed reasons. The list of reasons for which relief may be granted is identical for both asylum and withholding of removal.

The words "on account of" and "because of" address the persecutor's motive for persecuting the victim. For example, if the persecutor has no idea what the victim's political opinion is and does not care what it is, then even if the victim does reasonably fear persecution, it would not be "on account of" the victim's political opinion. But what if the persecutor does have some idea of the victim's political opinion and feels quite hostile to that opinion, but also has other reasons for persecuting the victim? People, including persecutors, often have mixed motives. When is the persecution, motivated only in part by hostility to the victim's political opinion, "because of" or "on account of" that opinion?

We adopted the Second Circuit's position in our 1999 en banc decision in Borja v I.N.S., holding that persecution "on account of" political opinion did not mean persecution solely for that reason. The victim in that case sought asylum because Communist guerrillas in the Philippines had pointed a gun at her and threatened to kill her when she said she was pro-government, but were also upset that she could not pay the increased amount of monthly protection money they demanded. They persecuted her partly because she was pro-government and partly just for the money. We held that persecution was "on account of" political opinion if it was so motivated "at least in part."

Our "at least in part" standard is no longer the law with regard to asylum applicants. Congress amended the statute, so that for asylum, the victim's political opinion has to be "one central reason." When we decided Borja, the statute did not indicate the appropriate burden of proof for establishing that persecution was "because of" (or "on account of") a protected ground. However, the asylum statute now states:

the applicant must establish that race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion was or will be at least one central reason for persecuting the applicant.13

But Congress did not similarly amend the withholding of removal statute, and Barajas-Romero seeks withholding of removal, not asylum. The withholding statute just says "a" reason, not "at least one central reason:"

In determining whether an alien has demonstrated that the alien's life or freedom would be threatened for a reason described in subparagraph (A) [race, religion, political opinion, etc.], the trier of fact shall determine whether the alien has sustained the alien's burden of proof, and shall make credibility determinations, in the manner described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of section 1158(b)(1)(B) of this title.14

Congress's decision to adopt the "one central reason" standard for asylum but not withholding of removal claims appears to have been the product of a deliberate choice, rather than a mere drafting oversight. When Congress amended the withholding of removal statute to clarify the applicable burden of proof, it cross-referenced clauses (ii) and (iii) of the asylum statute's burden-of-proof provision, but not clause (i). Clause (i) is the provision that imposed the "one central reason" standard for asylum claims. Congress's express incorporation of two of the three asylum burden-of-proof provisions into the withholding of removal statute, but not the provision including the "one central reason" language, indicates that Congress did not intend for the "one central reason" standard to apply to withholding of removal claims. See Kucana v. Holder, 558 U.S. 233, 249 (2010) ("Where Congress includes particular language in one section of a statute but omits it in another section of the same Act, it is generally presumed that Congress acts intentionally and purposely in the disparate inclusion or exclusion.").

The government argues that "one central reason" and "a reason" mean the same thing. Barajas-Romero argues that the different words used in each statute mean different things. We agree with Barajas-Romero. The phrase "a reason" includes weaker motives than "one central reason."

A person may have "a reason" to do something that is not his "central" reason or even "one central reason." Ordinary English usage, and the ordinary canon of statutory construction reflecting "the same common-sense premise that when people say one thing, they do not mean something else" indicate that we should attribute some operative meaning to the congressional decision to use the phrase "at least one central reason" in one statute but not the other. Sometimes omission of a phrase implies a negative pregnant, and sometimes it does not. Considering how controversial the reason for persecution has been in the immigration law community, the express congressional narrowing of one statute but not the other to "one central reason" cannot reasonably be read so to narrow both.

The BIA in this case followed its own precedent in Matter of C-T-L-. C-T-L- held that the "one central reason" test for asylum applies to withholding, even though the withholding statute says merely "a reason." The BIA came to this conclusion because: (1) the withholding statute is silent on whether the "one central reason" standard applies, (2) the general intent of the REAL ID Act was to correct what Congress saw as an anomaly created by Borja v. I.N.S. and Briones v. I.N.S. in mixed motive cases, and (3) before the REAL ID Act the Immigration and Naturalization Service ("INS") applied the same standard to asylum and withholding. This analysis starts with a false premise that Congress was "silent." It was not. It explicitly said "at least one central reason" for asylum, and "a reason," an expressly different standard, for withholding.

The government argues that we should accept the BIA's view in C-T-L- because we assumed in Zetino v. Holder that the "one central reason" standard applies to withholding as well as asylum claims. Zetino does not so hold. The alien in that case sought asylum and withholding, but submitted no evidence that the feared persecution had anything to do with actual or imputed political opinion. His evidence was that masked gunmen murdered his family members to steal his grandfather's land and that his home country, El Salvador, was infested with violent gangs. We drew no distinction between the "one central reason" phrase in the asylum statute and the "a reason" phrase in the withholding statute, because there was no nexus at all between the feared persecution and political opinion.

We hold that "a reason" is a less demanding standard than "one central reason." The statutory language is unambiguously different, with different meanings, so there is no ambiguity justifying deference to the administrative agency's contrary view. The different language should not be treated as though it means the same thing. The withholding statute differs from the asylum statute in various ways, not just this one, so there is no reason to assume that Congress meant for them to be the same in this respect. The withholding statute requires applicants to prove that it is more likely than not they will be persecuted , while the asylum statute requires only a "well-founded fear" of persecution , so the lighter standard for the strength of the nexus is offset by the more demanding standard of proof in the withholding statute. Since in withholding the petitioner must show a probability, not just a well-founded fear, of persecution, Congress may have diluted the nexus requirement in order to afford more protection against mistaken deportations where a protected ground played into that likelihood.

That is not the end of the withholding issue, though. The government argues that the police kidnaped and tortured Barajas-Romero to extort money, so his voicing of a political opinion on the third day of his kidnaping and torture could not mean that the torture was because of or on account of his previously unknown and irrelevant (to the persecutors) anti-corruption opinion. The evidence, though, is not unambiguous. The torture became much worse after Barajas-Romero voiced his anti-corruption opinion. Because the BIA accepted the government's view under the wrong standard, we remand to the BIA to decide the case under the correct standard: "a reason" rather than "one central reason."

B. Convention Against Torture.

Congress provided that "it shall be the policy of the United States not to expel, extradite, or otherwise effect the involuntary return of any person to a country in which there are substantial grounds for believing that the person would be in danger of being subjected to torture." It directed that the appropriate agencies should adopt regulations to implement the provisions of the Convention Against Torture ("CAT"). The implementing regulations are at 8 C.F.R.  208.16-.18.

For CAT relief, the alien must prove that it is "more likely than not that he or she would be tortured if removed to the proposed country." The torturers' motivations need not relate to the five protected classifications for asylum or withholding of removal, so Barajas-Romero can establish entitlement to relief under CAT even if he cannot establish motivation related to his political opinion. What matters is the probability of future torture, which under circuit law includes killing, carried out or knowingly acquiesced in by a public official. All evidence relevant to the probability of future torture must be considered, including past torture and country conditions.

Neither the BIA, the Immigration Judge, nor the government's brief, puts at issue whether Barajas-Romero's ordeal amounted to torture. The issue is that to be entitled to CAT relief, the torture must be "inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity." "Acquiescence of a public official requires that the public official, prior to the activity constituting torture, have awareness of such activity and thereafter breach his or her legal responsibility to intervene to prevent such activity."

The BIA rejected Barajas-Romero's claim on the grounds that the police who tortured him were "rogue officials" and he had not proved that he could not avoid the threat by relocating. Here is the entire portion of the opinion explaining rejection of the claim:

We find no clear error in the Immigration Judge's finding that there are insufficient facts in this case to support the legal determination that Mexican officials, acting under "color of law," will more likely than not torture the applicant (or acquiesce in his torture) if he returns to Mexico. The facts here are simply inadequate to show such pervasive corruption that any particular officer's actions or acquiescence would not be that of a rogue official (I.J. at 6-7). As noted by the Immigration Judge, the Mexican government's laws and enforcement policies make it clear that the country is aggressively targeting corrupt government elements. The Immigration Judge also observed that the respondent could relocate out of the area where the 2006 attack occurred (I.J. at 7). Accordingly, the applicant has not met his burden of demonstrating eligibility for protection under the CAT.

The portions of the Immigration Judge's opinion to which the BIA refers say, regarding the "rogue official" issue, that although drug cartel violence and police corruption do exist in Mexico, the national government aggressively seeks to eliminate them:

Here there is evidence in the country report of both drug cartel violence and police corruption. As mentioned, police corruption has been identified and targeted by Mexican authorities. There are laws on the books and verifiable efforts to root out corruption in government. Still, rogue elements do operate; however, the Mexican government's laws and enforcement policies make it clear the country is aggressive against such groups. The evidence does not establish that it is more likely than not if the Respondent was returned to Mexico he would suffer torture at the hands of the government or persons acting in an official capacity or aiding or acquiescing in his torture by others. Wakkarv v. Holder, 558 F.3d 1049 (9th Cir. 2009).

Regarding relocation, the Immigration Judge says that both California and Mexico have dangerous communities, and Barajas-Romero could relocate to "any region where he feels safe" and that is "populated by individuals, businesses, and employers acceptable to his standards":

Respondent has painted the entire country of Mexico as a potential threat to him from a 2006 incident. The Court is not persuaded that is the case. Respondent has the ability to locate in any region where he feels safe or where he has access to authorities should he be threatened or attacked. Whether in California or Mexico, each region has communities that are both dangerous and secure. The key for Respondent would be to locate in an area populated by individuals, businesses and employers acceptable to his standards.

The statute and regulations do not establish a "rogue official" exception to CAT relief. The regulations say that torture, for purposes of relief, has to be "at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity." The four policemen were "public officials," even though they were local police and state or federal authorities might not similarly acquiesce. Since the officers were apparently off-duty when they tortured Barajas-Romero, they were evidently not acting "in an official capacity," but the regulation does not require that the public official be carrying out his official duties, so long as he is the actor or knowingly acquiesces in the acts. The regulation uses the word "or" between the phrases "inflicted by  a public official" and "acting in an official capacity." The word "or" can only mean that either one suffices, so the torture need not be both by a public official and also that the official is acting in his official capacity. An "and" construction would require that the conjunction be "and." The record leaves no room for doubt that the four policemen were public officials who themselves inflicted the torture.

CAT relief is forward-looking, requiring the applicant prove that it is more likely than not that he would be tortured if he were removed to the proposed country, not that he was tortured in the past. The alien must prove not only that torture will more likely than not occur, but also that there is sufficient state action involved in the torture. Public officials acquiesce in torture if they: "(1) have awareness of the activity (or consciously close their eyes to the fact it is going on); and (2) breach their legal responsibility to intervene to prevent the activity because they are unable or unwilling to oppose it." CAT relief is unavailable, despite a likelihood of torture, without evidence that the police are unwilling or unable to oppose the crime, not just that they are unable to solve it, as when the torturers cannot be identified. Police ineffectiveness is not enough to establish an entitlement to relief, "absent evidence of corruption or other inability or unwillingness to oppose criminal organizations." State involvement may be established, though, where "police officials were corrupt, and worked on behalf of criminals or gangsters."

The BIA's "rogue official" rationale is inconsistent with circuit law. The BIA held that the danger Barajas-Romero faced from the drug cartel and corrupt police did not establish government involvement because Mexican law, and national policy to root out the corruption, established the absence of official acquiescence. But we held in Madrigal v. Holder that "if public officials at the state and local level in Mexico would acquiesce in any torture [petitioner] is likely to suffer, this satisfies CAT's requirement that a public official acquiesce in the torture, even if the federal government in Mexico would not similarly acquiesce." The four police who tortured Barajas-Romero and told him he would be killed if he returned to Mexico were themselves government officials. As we held in Madrigal, the "efficacy of the government's efforts to stop the drug cartels' violence," not just the willingness of the national government to do so, must be examined. Here, the BIA focused only on the national government's efforts and not their efficacy, which was mistaken under Madrigal.

The other part of the BIA's rationale was that Barajas-Romero could relocate "to any region where he feels safe or has access to the authorities" in some "area populated by individuals, businesses and employers acceptable to his standards." The BIA did not articulate what standard of proof it applied when considering relocation, nor why it rejected Barajas-Romero's evidence to the contrary. The policemen had marked his forehead with a permanent scar to make him recognizable, and they told him that "that is where the bullet would be" if he was seen anywhere in Mexico or if he reported the incident, which he did. The State Department Human Rights Report on Mexico, while recognizing the national government's efforts to eliminate corruption and police entanglement with drug cartels, said that "corruption remained a problem at all levels of government," and some "public officials continued to perpetrate  some criminal acts with impunity." The State Department cited with approval reports that "police, especially at the state and local level, were involved in kidnapping, extortion, and in providing protection for, or acting directly on behalf of, organized crime and drug traffickers." The State Department mentioned a member of Mexico's national congress, at large as a fugitive, who according to prosecutors was in charge of providing institutional protection to La Familia, the drug cartel who, along with the police, acted against Barajas-Romero.

We recently held in Maldonado v. Lynch that, although a petitioner bears the ultimate burden to prove he would be tortured if returned to his country, the petitioner does not bear the burden under 8 C.F.R.  1208.16(c)(3) to show that it is impossible to avoid torture by internally relocating within a country. In doing so en banc, we overruled our earlier line of authority which had established that the petitioner bore the burden of proving that he would be unable to live safely elsewhere in the country. We held that "[t]he regulations governing CAT deferral, unlike the asylum regulation, do not call for any burden shifting." The regulation, rather than imposing a burden of proof, says that all evidence bearing on the likelihood of future torture should be "considered," including but not limited to past torture, possibility of safe relocation, country evidence of flagrant human rights violations, and other evidence regarding country conditions.

The BIA ruled in this case before Maldonado came down, so it doubtless applied what was then the applicable law, that Barajas-Romero had the burden of proving that he could not safely relocate. The State Department country report says that the national government in Mexico is trying to eliminate widespread police corruption and police cooperation with drug cartels, but it is very much an ongoing effort rather than a completed reform. Past evidence of torture is uncontradicted and substantial. There was not much evidence presented on relocation beyond Barajas-Romero's testimony that the police who tortured him told him that if he returned to Mexico, not just the village of Santa Clara, a bullet would go where they had scarred his forehead, and the State Department country report, which does not identify a safe place for individuals who have become targets of drug cartels and the police.

Because the BIA did not evaluate relocation under the no-burden-shifting standard, and applied the incorrect standard in assessing Barajas-Romero's withholding claim, we remand pursuant to INS v. Ventura so that the BIA may conduct such proceedings as may be appropriate to evaluate the factors for CAT relief under the standard we set out in Maldonado and review Barajas-Romero's withholding claim under the proper legal standard of "a reason."

PETITION GRANTED.

FOOTNOTES

. This summary constitutes no part of the opinion of the court. It has been prepared by court staff for the convenience of the reader.

. 8 U.S.C.  1326.

. 8 U.S.C.  1231(b)(3)(A):(A) In generalNotwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), the Attorney General may not remove an alien to a country if the Attorney General decides that the alien's life or freedom would be threatened in that country because of the alien's race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

. 8 U.S.C.  1101(a)(42):The term "refugee" means (A) any person who is outside any country of such person's nationality or, in the case of a person having no nationality, is outside any country in which such person last habitually resided, and who is unable or unwilling to return to, and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of, that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, or (B) in such special circumstances as the President after appropriate consultation (as defined in section 1157(e) of this title) may specify, any person who is within the country of such person's nationality or, in the case of a person having no nationality, within the country in which such person is habitually residing, and who is persecuted or who has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The term "refugee" does not include any person who ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. For purposes of determinations under this chapter, a person who has been forced to abort a pregnancy or to undergo involuntary sterilization, or who has been persecuted for failure or refusal to undergo such a procedure or for other resistance to a coercive population control program, shall be deemed to have been persecuted on account of political opinion, and a person who has a well founded fear that he or she will be forced to undergo such a procedure or subject to persecution for such failure, refusal, or resistance shall be deemed to have a well founded fear of persecution on account of political opinion.

. 8 U.S.C.  1158(b)(B)(1); 8 U.S.C.  1101(a)(42).

. 8 U.S.C.  1231(b)(3)(A); 8 C.F.R.  208.16(b).

. I.N.S. v. Elias-Zacarias, 502 U.S. 478, 483 (1992); Navas v. I.N.S., 217 F.3d 646, 656-57 (9th Cir. 2000).

. Borja v. I.N.S., 175 F.3d 732, 735 (9th Cir. 1999).

. Id. at 734-35.

. Id. at 737.

. Id. at 735-36.

. Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, PL 104-132, April 24, 1996, 110 Stat 1214; Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005, PL 109-13, May 11, 2005, 119 Stat 231; 8 U.S.C.  1231(3)(A).

. 8 U.S.C.  1158 (1996) (current version at 8 U.S.C.  1158 (2009).

. 8 U.S.C.  1158(b)(1)(B)(i) (emphasis added).

. 8 U.S.C.  1231(b)(3)(C) (emphasis added). Clauses (ii) and (iii) discussed in the quote refer to the credibility rules for asylum applicants located directly after the subsection requiring "one central reason." 8 U.S.C.  1158(b)(i)-(iii).

. 8 U.S.C.  1231(b)(3)(C).

. Kucana, 558 U.S. at 249 (2010).

. 2A Sutherland Statutory Construction  47:23 (7th ed.).

. Longview Fibre Co. v. Rasmussen, 980 F.2d 1307, 1313 (9th Cir. 1992).

. Matter of C-T-L-, 25 I. & N. Dec. 341 (2010).

. Id. at 344.

. Borja, 175 F.3d 732.

. Briones v. I.N.S., 175 F.3d 727 (9th Cir. 1999).

. C-T-L-, 25 I. & N. Dec. at 344-48.

. Zetino v. Holder, 622 F.3d 1007 (9th Cir. 2010).

. Zetino, 622 F.3d at 1015-16.

. Id. at 1010.

. Id. at 1016.

. Cf. Chevron, U.S.A., Inc. v. Nat. Res. Def. Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837 (1984).

. See Kucana, 558 U.S. at 249.

. 8 C.F.R.  208.16.

. Under 8 U.S.C.  1158(a), an applicant "is eligible for asylum if he is a 'refugee,' i.e., if he is unable or unwilling to return to his home country 'because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.' Lim v. I.N.S., 224 F.3d 929, 934 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting 8 U.S.C.  1101(a)(42)(A)).

. Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 ("FARRA"), Pub.L. No. 105-277, Div. G, Title XXII,  2242, 112 Stat. 2681-822 (1998) (codified as a note to 8 U.S.C.  1231 (1999)).

. Id.:(b) Regulations. - Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1998], the heads of the appropriate agencies shall prescribe regulations to implement the obligations of the United States under Article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, subject to any reservations, understandings, declarations, and provisos contained in the United States Senate resolution of ratification of the Convention.

. 8 C.F.R.  208.16(c)(2).

. The five protected classifications for asylum are "race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion." 8 U.S.C.  1101(42); 8 U.S.C.  1231(3)(A).

. Cole v. Holder, 659 F.3d 762, 771 (9th Cir. 2011).

. Id.

. 8 C.F.R.  208.16:(3) In assessing whether it is more likely than not that an applicant would be tortured in the proposed country of removal, all evidence relevant to the possibility of future torture shall be considered, including, but not limited to:(i) Evidence of past torture inflicted upon the applicant;(ii) Evidence that the applicant could relocate to a part of the country of removal where he or she is not likely to be tortured;(iii) Evidence of gross, flagrant or mass violations of human rights within the country of removal, where applicable; and(iv) Other relevant information regarding conditions in the country of removal.

. 8 C.F.R.  208.18(a)(1).

. 8 C.F.R.  208.18(a)(7).

. 8 C.F.R.  208.18(a)(1).

. Madrigal v. Holder, 716 F.3d 499, 510 (9th Cir. 2013).

. Garcia-Milian v. Holder, 755 F.3d 1026, 1033 (9th Cir. 2014).

. Id. at 1034.

. Id.

. Id.

. Id. at 1035.

. Madrigal, 716 F.3d at 510.

. Id. at 509

. Id.

. Maldonado v. Lynch, 786 F.3d 1155, 1163 (9th Cir. 2015) (en banc).

. Id.

. 8 C.F.R.  1208.16:(3) In assessing whether it is more likely than not that an applicant would be tortured in the proposed country of removal, all evidence relevant to the possibility of future torture shall be considered, including, but not limited to:(i) Evidence of past torture inflicted upon the applicant;(ii) Evidence that the applicant could relocate to a part of the country of removal where he or she is not likely to be tortured;(iii) Evidence of gross, flagrant or mass violations of human rights within the country of removal, where applicable; and(iv) Other relevant information regarding conditions in the country of removal.

. I.N.S. v. Ventura, 537 U.S. 12, 16 (2002) (per curiam).

Opinion by Judge Kleinfeld
UNHCR statement on Syrians stranded between Algeria & Morocco

Publisher UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Publication Date 30 May 2017 Cite as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR statement on Syrians stranded between Algeria & Morocco, 30 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d59e14.html [accessed 10 November 2022]

UNHCR is appealing for urgent safe passage and admission for a group of Syrian refugees stranded in dire circumstances on the Algerian-Moroccan border.

Deeply concerned about rapidly deteriorating conditions for this group of vulnerable Syrian refugees, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, called today on the two countries to urgently address humanitarian needs, facilitate access to these refugees and allow them admission to safety and/or reunification with their families.

Prompt action by both governments is needed in facilitating the immediate and safe passage of the forty-one vulnerable Syrian refugees, among them children, babies and women - including at least one pregnant woman reportedly in need of urgent Caesarean section. It is a matter of life and death for this woman and her unborn child.

Moreover, the entire group of refugees is exposed to the elements and the serious threat of scorpions and snakes prevalent in this remote area. We urge Algeria and Morocco to work with us on ending this dangerous and untenable situation for these stranded desperate Syrian refugees.

The forty-one Syrian refugees have been stranded on the remote Algeria - Morocco border since 17 April 2017. Both Algeria and Morocco consider the group not to be in their respective territory, however, UNHCR calls for action to bring the group to safety on humanitarian grounds and stands ready to offer its 'good offices' to coordinate this life-saving evacuation.

There is a sense of urgency in this matter and we call on both governments to take instant and constructive steps to uphold international humanitarian imperatives and evacuate this vulnerable group.
Nigeria: Security forces must avoid repression of Biafra day protests

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 30 May 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Nigeria: Security forces must avoid repression of Biafra day protests, 30 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d5cc24.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The Nigerian security forces must exercise restraint when policing demonstrations marking the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Biafra War on 30 May, and avoid a repetition of the bloodbath caused by their heavy-handed response last year when more than 60 people were gunned down, said Amnesty International today.

"Last year's heavy-handed response against pro-Biafra activists further stirred up tensions in the south east of Nigeria. The reckless approach to crowd control favoured by the security forces when policing peaceful pro-Biafra protests has left more than 150 dead since August 2015, not to mention cases of enforced disappearance and unlawful detention," said Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

"We urge the Nigerian security agencies to conduct themselves in a manner that will ensure public order without resorting to force."

During peaceful Biafra Day celebrations last year in Onitsha, Anambra State, soldiers shot people in several locations. Amnesty International research concluded that at least 60 extra-judicial executions were committed in the space of two days, with a further 70 people injured. The real number is likely to be higher.

"Despite overwhelming evidence that members of the Nigerian security forces fired live ammunition with little or no warning to disperse pro-Biafra gatherings, resulting in the death of at least 150 people, no person suspected of criminal responsibility has been brought to justice," said Osai Ojigho.

A similar pattern of lack of accountability for gross violations by security forces has been documented in other parts of Nigeria including the north east in the context of operations against Boko Haram.

"Amnesty International has repeatedly called on the government of Nigeria to initiate independent investigations into allegations of crimes under international law. President Buhari has repeatedly promised that these would be looked into. However, no progress has been made," said Osai Ojigho.

In November 2016, Amnesty International warned that the Nigerian government's massive deployment of the military to respond to pro-Biafra events seems to be in large part to blame for the violence as they have no specific training in crowd control. Instead, public order during peaceful protests should be dealt with by the police, whose officers should be adequately trained and equipped to respond to crowd-control situations without resorting to the use of lethal force.

Recent arrests of peaceful pro-Biafra protesters

The security forces have already started clamping down on pro-Biafra groups ahead of the formal anniversary. On 22 May 2017, more than 100 members of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) were arrested in Enugu, Ebonyi, and Cross Rivers states during similar celebrations.

"We are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those who have been detained solely for peacefully expressing their political views or other exercise of their right to freedom of expression or peaceful assembly," said Osai Ojigho.

In a report released in November 2016 Amnesty International revealed that at least 150 peaceful pro-Biafra protesters were killed by the security forces between August 2015 and August 2016.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Disclaimer

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
Algeria: Ensure Fair Trial for Minority Rights Activists Fekhar and Other Amazigh Rights Advocates Held Since July 2015

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 29 May 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Algeria: Ensure Fair Trial for Minority Rights Activists Fekhar and Other Amazigh Rights Advocates Held Since July 2015, 29 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d5de94.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The Algerian authorities should drop all charges against a leading activist and his 40 co-defendants that are based on their peaceful activism for the rights of the Amazigh, or Berber, minority, Human Rights Watch, EuroMed Rights, Amnesty International, and Front Line Defenders said today. Kamaleddine Fekhar and most of his co-accused have been detained since July 2015.Regarding other violence-related charges that the defendants face, the authorities should immediately release them from pretrial detention unless there is individual justification in each case of the necessity for their continued detention after nearly two years. All the detainees are entitled to a trial within a reasonable time. The defendants face very similar charges, including murder, terrorism, and other serious offenses that could result in the death penalty, for their alleged role in the deadly ethnic clashes that erupted in the Mzab region between 2013 and 2015.

"If Algerian authorities are to try those suspected of instigating and participating in deadly violence in Ghardaia Province, it should be on the basis of solid, individualized evidence," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. The accusation chamber, a pretrial chamber tasked with confirming or rejecting charges based on a report by an investigative judge, issued its 150-page decision to refer the case to trial on February 14, 2017. The signatory organizations have reviewed the report. Algeria's High Court rejected the defense's appeal of the decision, and the trial opened on May 25. Fekharheaded the section of the Algerian League for Human Rights in the city of Ghardaia from 2004 to 2014. In late 2013, he founded the Movement for the Autonomy of the Mzab, a northern Sahara region, and hascondemned the government for what he called a policy of apartheid and discrimination against the Mozabites, an Amazigh ethnic minority in the region.

Most of the co-accused are also pro-Amazigh activists who favor autonomy for the Mzab. "No one should be prosecuted for his peaceful advocacy for rights of minorities, including for regional autonomy and independence, in compliance with international obligations of Algeria," declared Michel Tubiana, president of EuroMed Rights. Under international human rights law, governments may penalize incitement to violence, hatred, or discrimination. But laws prohibiting incitement must be defined in a clear, narrow, and specific way consistent with protecting the right to freedom of expression. Prosecuting incitement to violence should be limited to cases in which the incitement is intentional and directly linked to the violence. Prosecutions for incitement to hatred or discrimination should never include peaceful advocacy for the rights of a segment of the population or regional autonomy or independence. The court rejected requests by the defense lawyers to have their clients released on bail pending trial, most recently on February 14. The judicial authorities did not provide specific facts or circumstances to justify the rejection, as required under international human rights law and standards.In addition to the flawed charges and evidence, the lengthy pretrial detention of the accused, without providing a justification in each case of the necessity for continued detention, violates their rights to liberty and due process, which include the presumption of release pending trial. Article 14.3(c) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by Algeria along with its Optional Protocol, states that "in the determination of any criminal charge, everyone shall be entitled to be tried without undue delay."

The Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa, adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights in 1999, stipulate that "unless there is sufficient evidence that deems it necessary to prevent a person arrested on a criminal charge from fleeing, interfering with witnesses or posing a clear and serious risk to others, States must ensure that they are not kept in custody pending their trial." "The victims of the tragic events in the Mzab deserve justice, which a deeply flawed trial cannot serve," said Heba Morayef, North Africa research director at Amnesty International.

Background information

Fekhar started a hunger strike on January 3, 2017, to demand his release but suspended it on April 20. Authorities arrested Fekhar and 30 co-defendants on July 9, 2015, at a house he owns in the city of Ghardaia following the intercommunal violence that erupted in Ghardaia Province earlier that month, the latest flare-up in this ethnically tense region.

The rest of the accused were arrested in 2016, on July 26 and December 12.Violence has erupted sporadically between Mozabites and Arabs in Ghardaia Province since 2013.One of the deadliest episodes, from July 7 to 10, 2015, left about 25 people dead and more than 70 injured from both communities, most from gunfire, according to media reports. The accusation chamber approved charges against Fekhar that include terrorism, incitement to hatred or discrimination, distributing material harmful to the national interest, and defamation of state institutions, all under the penal code. In addition to those charges, some of his co-defendants were also accused of forming a criminal gang to commit crimes and premeditated murder. Several of these offenses are punishable by death.The accusation chamber's report, which set out the charges, is problematic for three reasons: first, the report fails to cite incriminating evidence against the defendants for the offenses that criminalize violence, such as specific "terrorism" provisions, murder, and arson; second, it includes offenses that should be abolished because they criminalize peaceful speech that is protected by international human rights conventions, such as "defaming state institutions" and "distributing material harmful to the national interest"; and third, it includes offenses that are recognizable, such as incitement to hatred, discrimination, or violence, but that need to be proven according to narrow and precise definitions of these offenses, consistent with Algeria's obligation to respect the right to freedom of expression.

The accusation chamber report cites no evidence indicating that Fekhar or any co-defendant planned or carried out any act of violence. Instead, it justifies the charges on the basis of recordings of their speeches, without providing evidence that they contained incitement to violence; the fact that they held meetings; and their membership in Amazigh movements. The chamber also considered the fact that an unidentified individual in the vicinity of Fekhar's house had targeted the judicial police agents by aiming a firearm and throwing homemade explosive devices during the arrest operation as evidence that the defendants were part of a criminal gang. The individual did not injure any of the police and evaded capture so is therefore not among the defendants. The accusation chamber's report cites a video of a meeting between Fekhar and several of the co-accused, dated October 5, 2013. According to the report, in this video, Fekhar declares that a "divorce" between the Mozabites and the Arabs is inevitable. He chastises the police for not pursuing those responsible for violence targeting the Mozabite community, calls the Arabs "invaders" and "hypocritical," and declares that the "authorities are dictatorial, corrupt, criminal, repressive" and partial towards the Arab populations.

The report cites another video in which Fekhar reportedly says, "We are in our land and the lands of our ancestors, the Arabs are not guests but invaders; we have to get them out of our land and from all of North Africa, Daesh [Islamic State] is the root of the corruption and the crimes."As for the others accused, the accusation chamber cites police reports identifying them as among those attending the meeting shown in the October 2013 video. The chamber also cites statements that the accused made to the police acknowledging that they are pro-autonomy activists, their presence in Fekhar's house during the July 9, 2015 arrest operation, and their participation in marches or demonstrations for the rights of the Mozabites. In presenting evidence of belonging to a criminal gang and attempting to destabilize state security, the court lists pro-autonomy groups in which Fekhar and others were active.





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Russian Electronic Warfare in Ukraine: Between Real and Imaginable

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Sergey Sukhankin Publication Date 24 May 2017 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 71 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Russian Electronic Warfare in Ukraine: Between Real and Imaginable, 24 May 2017, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 71, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d64224.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

The outbreak of war in the Donbas region (April 2014) turned Ukraine into one of the main targets of Russian information warfare, information-psychological operations, as well as cyberattacks and electronic warfare. Within the past three years, Ukraine has been subjected to no less than 7,000 cyberattacks. Ukrainian cyber expert Sergey Radkevych recently claimed that "Ukraine is in a state of cyber war with Russia" and that Russian cyber activities pose an existential threat to Ukraine's national security (Sprotyv.info, May 5).

Furthermore, military clashes in Donbas have once again demonstrated that Russian military strategists and experts believe Electronic Warfare (EW) has become the backbone of "warfare of the future." Western sources have claimed that from December 2015, Russia started to act much more decisively aiming to "achieve kinetic effects by delivering severe blows to Ukrainian critical infrastructure" (Cna.org, March 2017). Namely, these activities included damaging/destroying command-and-control networks through jamming radio communications, hampering the work of radar systems, and muting GPS signals. The main obstacle, however, was in the lack of concrete proof and factual data pertaining to tools, gadgets and other means used by the Russians while waging EW against Ukraine. But thanks to independent investigations conducted by Ukrainian activists and cyber specialists, it is now possible to speak about Russian involvement in EW against Ukraine as an undisputed fact. And the data presented by the Ukrainians illuminates many points of ambiguity regarding Russia's use of EW in Donbas.

In this regard, it is possible to identify six noticeable means Russia has employed EW during the course of 20142017 (Informnapalm.org, May 2, 2016):

The RB-341 "Leer-3" complex is designed for jamming GSM (cellular) signals with the support of Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and transmitting information. These up-to-date weapons systems were spotted near the city of Donetsk in May 2016. The RB-301B "Borisoglebsk-2" complex is one of the most advanced systems of electronic suppression. It is designed for radio intelligence and jamming of HF/UHF (both terrestrial and aircraft) radio channels as well as mobile terminals and trunked radios at the tactical and operational-tactical command levels. It was introduced to the Russian armed forces in 2013 (even though it was created in 2009), when the first units were deployed to the territory of the Southern Military District (SMD). Later it was spotted in 2015 in the occupied Ukrainian city of Luhansk. Also, complexes of this type frequently appear near the Anti-Terrorism Operation (ATOthe Ukrainian military's term for its armed activities against Russia-backed separatist forces) zone. Some sources have claimed that this complex played a decisive role in the Battle of Debaltseve (January 2015), one of the heaviest defeats suffered by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to date. The R-934UM automated jamming station was first spotted near Luhansk in 2015, where it was working together with an F-330KMA command unit. Previously, this station appeared near the eastern Ukrainian cities of Horlivka and Makiivka. Russian sources also admitted that this station "has been successfully employed in local military conflicts," but did not elaborate further (Protek-vrn.ru, accessed May 24). Between 2015 and 2016, the R-330Zh "Zhitel" automated jamming station was spotted in Horlivka, Makiivka and Zaytsevo. This system is deployed with an infantry brigade based in the SMD (on the territory of Chechnya). This equipment may have been used by separatist forces near Debaltseve in 2015 as well. The R-381T2 UHF radio monitoring station (R-381T "Taran" complex) and "Torn" radio intelligence complexes were observed with joint Russian-separatist forces in 2015 near Donetsk International Airport. Finally, the PSNR-8 Kredo-M1 (1L120) portable ground reconnaissance station is designed to detect moving targets on the ground or on the water and to support artillery fire at any time of day, regardless of the season. Importantly, this system can also be used in conditions of low visibility. It has been spotted on the territory of Luhansk oblast (Blahodatne, Olhynka, Buhas and Volnovakha).

All in all, according to Ukrainian sources, by March 22, 2017, the Russia-backed separatists received 43 pieces of modern EW equipment, which were used against the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Donbas region/ATO area (Begemot.media, March 26).

In the meantime, Ukrainian specialists ("Armiya SOS") were able to intercept signals from "the newest electronic warfare (EW) stations of the Russian Air Force" located in Crimea (Cape Tarkhankut) (Informnapalm.org, April 11). This was done by employing the so-called HackRF One gadgeta software defined radio for transmission/reception of radio signals in the range of 1 megahertz6 gigahertz). The result of this investigation (conducted in March 2017) is a revelation. It suggests the presence in Crimea of Mi-8MTPR-1 helicopters equipped with Rychag-AV jamming stations, making these aircraft formidable weapons for EW operations. One of the main ways these systems have been employed by Russia has been to deal with counter-air defense systems and complexes by reducing their effectiveness though muting and jamming their radio signals. Results of Ukraine's investigation from this past March show that, in 2016, the Russian side deployed helicopters of this type on the territories of both the SMD and the Western Military District (WMD).

All this leads to the following conclusions: First, the impressive capabilities of Ukrainian hackers and open-source-intelligence volunteers in disclosing Russian EW have not yet been met with any significant level of support from the Ukrainian government. Traditional problems such as bureaucracy, red tape and a slow pace of decision-making do not allow the government to rapidly apply the results of these investigations to the needs of the Armed Forces and Ukrainian cyber security. This drastically reduces the potential of the Ukrainian military and convinces the Russian side of its unconditional superiority.

Second, even though Russian capabilities in the domain of EW have grown exponentially since 2014, they still cannot deliver total invulnerability. The most recent events in Syria (the United States' April 7 cruise missile strike on al-Shayrat Airbasesee EDM, April 10) and the fact that Ukraine managed to intercept Russian signals in Crimea suggest that the actual might of Russian EW capabilities is lower than frequently portrayed in the West.

Finally, Crimea as well as Kaliningrad oblastas two heavily militarized anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) "bubbles"together constitute key links in Russia's growing "arc of counter-containment" (see EDM, January 18). And these areas could increasingly be used by the Kremlin as "cyber bastions" as well.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
NATO and US: Enemies of Choice for Russia's Military

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Pavel Felgenhauer Publication Date 25 May 2017 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 72 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, NATO and US: Enemies of Choice for Russia's Military , 25 May 2017, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 72, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d65614.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

This week (May 25), the leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) gathered in Brussels for a special summit. Hopes abounded in Moscow that the summit would not be dominated by Russia and the escalation of East-West tensions and that more attention would be given to fighting Islamist terrorism in Afghanistan and the Middle East (Kommersant, May 25). Addressing a session of the Federation Council (upper chamber of the Russian parliament), Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu accused the West of refusing to "form a joint front to fight the evil of international terrorism while promoting the idea of a Russian military threat." But the notion of jointly fighting terrorism is apparently not actually that high of a priority: in fact, Shoigu also called on the Russian people "not to be blind" to the growing menace "of NATO activities on the borders of Russia." Shoigu interpreted the Russian combat deployment in Syriaoriginally lauded by Moscow as a campaign to defeat the Islamic Stateas primarily an anti-Western move. "A Russian armed force grouping has appeared on the southern flank of NATO, changing the strategic balance of forces in the region," Shoigu thundered (Mil.ru, May 24).

The Russian defense minister boasted about his country achieving military parity with the North Atlantic Alliance, "though we spend much less on defense." Russia has been expanding and modernizing its nuclear triad of ground, sea and air strategic nuclear forces. Nine regiments of new land-mobile and silo-based Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) have been deployed. A typical Strategic Rocket Force (RVSN) regiment fields ten ICBMs. According to Shoigu, by 2021 there will be 17 Yars regiments. The Russian Navy has today nine modern constantly deployed nuclear strategic subs, including three of the new Borei-class vessels with new Bulava ballistic missiles. Within the next four years, there will be 13 strategic subs, including 7 Borei-class submarines (Mil.ru, May 24).

During Soviet times, the backbone of Moscow's strategic nuclear deterrent was formed by the land-based ICBMs of the RVSN. After 1991, the nuclear Navy and the Long Range Air Force (Dalnaya AviatsiyaDA) became increasingly dysfunctional. Today, the RVSN is seen as the most vulnerable part of the nuclear triad, susceptible to a possible, sudden Prompt Global Strike (PGS) by the United States. According to top Russian generals, the US is rapidly developing PGS capabilities to decapitate Russia (kill President Vladimir Putin and the top brass) and defeat Russia via a swift attack that could effectively decimate the country's nuclear deterrent (Interfax, April 26). Great effort has been made to revive the Russian nuclear navy and to build additional surface ships and attack submarines to defend the precious strategic nuclear submarines. As the Arctic ice melts and the nuclear subs in the Barents Sea become increasingly exposed to possible preemptive attacks, a sustained effort is underway to build a secure position for the nuclear strategic subs in the Sea of Okhotsk by reinforcing the air and sea defenses of the Kuril Island chain, Sakhalin and Kamchatka.

In Russia, the DA was always considered to be the weakest part of the nuclear triad, inferior to its US counterpart. To launch cruise missiles at targets in the continental US, DA bombers must reach launch positions some 3,000 kilometers from their targets, which is a dangerous endeavor. DA heavy bombers could not be expected to ever reach these preplanned firing positions in the mid-Atlantic, the Pacific or over Arctic Canada without being shot down by Western fighters. The u-95 and newer Tu-160s that survived the collapse of the Soviet Union were increasingly mothballed as the stockpiles of essential spare parts became depleted. The technologies to produce the high-performance Cold Warera HK-32 jet engines for the u-160s was lost, production lines were dismantled and skilled workers retired or died of old age (see EDM, April 10). Now the situation has changed: Production of HK-32 jet engines has resumed and a new generation of 3050 new modernized u-1602 bombers is planned and will enter service after 2021 (Militarynews.ru, April 11). According to Shoigu, the u-1602 bombers "will be able to attack enemy targets from stand-off [positions] without being threatened by enemy anti-aircraft capabilities" (Mil.ru, May 24).

DA bombers will be armed with a new, stealthy, super-long-range cruise missilethe Kh-101/Kh-102 (the latter, a nuclear-tipped version)that has been developed and tested in Syria. The Kh-101/Kh-102 has a range of 5,0005,500 km, which could possibly be further extended by modifying its engine and increasing fuel capacity. u-160 bombers equipped with Kh-101/Kh-102 missiles could fire 2,0003000 km closer to Russian territory than before; they could be escorted up to the firing position by new long-range fighters, giving them a good chance of surviving their mission.

By 2021, according to Shoigu, Russian strategic and conventional forces must be deployed in all strategic directions ("napravlenya")east, south, west and northready to deter any "aggression." More than half of navy ships will be carrying long-range Kalibr cruise missiles. A new stealth jet fighter, the T-50, will be deployed. Russia will also develop a national missile defense system based on the S-500 Prometheus anti-aircraft and anti-missile rocket system. Russia will be ready, according to Shoigu, to defend itself against a US PGS attack. But all this is under threat because of proposed defense spending cuts "that could curtail the expansion of the Russian military," complained Shoigu. "New spending allocations for 2017 only cover the minimum needs of the defense ministry," he added (Mil.ru, May 24).

It seems the true enemy of the Russian military comes from within, led by President Putin's advisor and former finance minister Aleksei Kudrin, in turn supported by the chiefs of the finance ministry and the central bank. Kudrin announced that this month he will present Putin with an alternative strategic plan for Russia that involves defense spending cuts to generate sustainable economic growth. By de-escalating the present confrontation with the West, Kudrin argues, Russia will be able to again import new technologies, allocate more money and resources on education, medicine and infrastructure, as well as improve the investment climate (TASS, May 2). Evidently, Kudrin and his supporters are among those Shoigu accuses of being "blind" to the NATO threat.

Up to now, Putin seems to have been postponing any decisions, supporting both a continued expansion of the military and containing spendingapparently trying to find some middle path between Shoigu and Kudrin. Eventually, Putin must decide whose advice to take and in what direction Russia goes.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Does Georgia Have Sufficient Resources to Create a New Military Reserve System?

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Giorgi Menabde Publication Date 25 May 2017 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 72 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Does Georgia Have Sufficient Resources to Create a New Military Reserve System?, 25 May 2017, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 72, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d66104.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

The Georgian parliament's Committee on Defense and Security met on May 12 to continue lawmakers' discussions on how best to restructure the Georgian military reserves (Newsday Georgia, May 12). Currently, the reserves are built exclusively on a territorial and mobilization principle: according to legislation passed in 2006, all men ages 27 to 40 are obliged, once every two years, to report for an 18-day training course under the guidance of military instructors. At the same time, the Georgian Army, unlike the armies of neighboring countries, is 90 percent composed of soldiers serving on a contract basis. The lessons of Russia's military aggression in August 2008, however, pushed Georgian authorities, top brass and military experts to try to develop a new concept for organizing the Armed Forces' reserves. This past March, Defense Minister Levan Izoria presented to the parliament a new draft that envisages a fundamental reform of the reserve system. The Ministry of Defense, taking into account the experience of many North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries and the specifics of Georgia, has developed an entirely different principle of reserve organization. (Mod.gov.ge, March 24; RFE/RL, April 16).

Levan Izoria is proposing to create a reserve force consisting of three components: an "active reserve of the army," a "territorial reserve" and a so-called "specialized" or "expert reserve." The first component will be composed of servicemen demobilized from the army, or those who have fulfilled a five-year military contract and are willing to serve for another five years in a reserve unit. The secondthe territorial reserveis to be created on the basis of the existing Georgian National Guard. The members of this reserve component will be deployed only in the areas of their residence and serve for five years. The third component will consist of civilian experts whose knowledge and experience can be useful to the army in peacetime or wartime. The active army reserve is to number 1,500 people, and the territorial reserve will be 10,000 strong. The specialized reserve units will not be limited in size, and will be dynamically formed based on the developing needs of the Armed Forces. Unlike the current reserve system, the new concept provides for manning a reserve force exclusively on a voluntary basis. Moreover, not only men but also women, up to 55 years of age, will be able to serve. Under this newly proposed system, the members of the reserve who conclude a five-year contract will annually undergo a 45-day retraining course; they will receive compensation for their service, equaling 20 percent of the salary of a military service member of similar rank and grade (Mod.gov.ge, March 24; RFE/RL, April 16).

At the March 2017 hearing before the parliament, Defense Minister Izoria said that if this reserve concept is adopted by the legislature, the first "pilot" program to select participants and conclude service contracts will be launched in 2018. The minister believes the new reserve system is "relevant" under present conditions whereby Georgia has already switched to an almost fully professional army. Although the issue of the complete abolition of conscription in the army is still up for debate (see EDM, February 22).

On the whole, the majority of Georgian defense experts have positively assessed the proposed new reserve concept. But former minister of defense of Georgia (20082012) David Sikharulidze declared that Levan Izoria's "project" fails to address a number of vital issues: "The former reserve system had many shortcomings; however, the new concept also raises questions. In the first instance, with respect to resources, it is unclear whether the government will have enough to create a 'three-component reserve.' " Sikharulidze further recalled that 70 percent of all financial expenses for the maintenance of the Georgian military are spent on personal allowances and the maintenance of military personnel; much less goes to infrastructure, the development of the army and the purchase of weapons. "By 'shortage of resources,' I mean not only finance, but also a shortage of qualified officers whose training costs very much, and also a deficiency of experts for the third component of the reserve," Sikharulidze noted (Author's interview, May 17).

The former minister of defense argues that in addition to creating a "beautiful concept," the government should think about how to ensure comprehensive support for the new reserve: "In order for the Armed Forces reserves to work and become really useful to the army as well as to be a solution for the problems of safety of the country, it is necessary to considerably increase the military budget, which is currently about 700 million lari [$291 million]. In addition, it is necessary to develop military [capabilities, including by] strengthening air and anti-tank defense; improve the level of training of command structures; resolve, at last, the issue of completely doing away with conscription; and to determine specific deadlines for the formation of each of the three components of the reserve. Otherwise, if the organization of the reserve is 'pulled out' of the general context of building the Armed Forces and increasing the country's defense capability, even the most attractive project may turn out completely irrelevant and useless." At the same time, David Sikharulidze, who served in 20062008 as Georgia's ambassador to the US, stressed that the various components of the reserve proposed by the Ministry of Defense "have already been tested in many countries and are found only in democratic states" (Author's interview, May 17).

Another problem with the implementation of "Izoria's concept" was noticed by Vakhtang Maisaia, a doctor of military sciences. "The implementation of the ideas offered by the [defense] minister is impossible without radical legislative changes in several different spheres. Otherwise, the approval of the project in the parliament may turn out to be a 'blank shot,' as its provisions will come into conflict with other legislative acts," Masaya argued (Author's interview, May 17).

But as the chairman of the parliamentary Defense and Security Committee, Irakli Sesiashvili, assured this author, in an interview on May 17, "The deputies are very serious about the proposal of the minister of defense. We are ready to create a complete legislative base for a significant reform of the reserve and the further development of the country's defense and security system."

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Controversies Over Proposed Crimean Tatar Autonomy in Ukraine

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Ridvan Bari Urcosta Publication Date 25 May 2017 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 72 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Controversies Over Proposed Crimean Tatar Autonomy in Ukraine, 25 May 2017, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 72, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d66864.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

While Ukraine continues to battle joint Russian-separatist forces in Donbas, it is simultaneously facing a great dilemma over the Crimean Tatar question and the future status of the Crimean Peninsula, both of which represent serious long-term challenges.

The postViktor Yanukovych government in Kyiv wanted to change the previous "unjust" policy regarding Crimean Tatars, which was the status quo before 2014. And following Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in March of that year, Ukraine commenced a discussion on how to return Crimea under Ukrainian sovereignty. One prominent proposal was to grant Crimean Tatars the status of a national autonomous republic within Ukraine and of indigenous people in Crimea. Over the years, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko several times promised that the future "situation would be different" for the Crimean Tatars (Krymr.com, August 12, 2016), and in May 2017 he once again broached the subject of autonomy (President.gov.ua, May 14). However, three years since the annexation, the discussion remains mostly theoretical.

The first steps to improve the situation of the Crimean Tatars in Ukraine were made on March 17, 2014, the day after Moscow-installed authorities held the illegal referendum in Crimea on splitting from Ukraine. Specifically, the Ukrainian parliament issued a decree on guaranteeing the rights of the Crimean Tatar people and recognizing the Mejlis as the Crimean Tatars' highest representative body (Rada.gov.ua, March 20, 2014).

Since 2014, the Mejlis has been in exile in Kyiv. This executive self-governing body's main agenda has focused on supporting the adoption of laws protecting the rights and freedoms of the Crimean Tatar people. It has also pushed Kyiv to clearly indicate Crimean Tatars as an indigenous people of the Crimean Autonomous Republic and to enshrine this status within the Ukrainian constitution. It should be noted that before 2014, even a discussion of such matters was not allowed in Ukraine (Krymr.com, July 13, 2015).

A major problem with this protracted discussion over the future of the Crimean Tatars has been the muted recognition of pre-existing hostility within portions of Ukrainian society toward such a solution. In particular, many nationalist-minded Ukrainians consider any attempt by the Crimean Tatars for self-determination to represent a threat to the very existence of a united Ukraine.

As long as Ukraine does not control Crimea, the Crimean Tatar Mejlis has argued that Ukrainian laws on the autonomy of their nationality should be applied in Khersonas the Ukrainian oblast closest to their Russian-occupied homeland and the region with the second-largest Crimean Tatar population, after Crimea (Krymr.com, August 8, 2014). However, from time to time, one can observe open hostility from the local Slavic population toward Crimean Tatars in Kherson oblastwhich borders directly on Crimeaas well as in neighboring Mykolaiv oblast (Krymr.com, December 28, 2015). Strikingly, according to an opinion poll from late 2016, the biggest group opposing the creation of a Crimean Tatar autonomy is the Slavic population in Kherson region (Ukrinform, December 5, 2016). Both Russian and local occupying Crimean authorities have been carefully following this situation, considering such tensions potential levers to destabilize the Kherson region. And indeed, Ukrainian expert Natalya Belitser has argued that negative attitudes among the local ethnic Ukrainians toward the establishment of a Crimean Autonomous Republic are the result of the successful Russian propaganda in the region (Krymr.com, July 4, 2016).

Concerns in Ukrainian society are also prevalent that the creation of a Crimean Tatar Autonomy could trigger a process of "federalization" in Ukraine. The most active proponents of such a decentralization of the country are the minority communities of Ukrainian Rusyns and Hungarians. In December 2016, Ukraine's Rusyns called on Poroshenko to openly recognize their rights to self-determination: "[the Rusyn] community deserves an autonomous status and recognition no less than the Crimean Tatars" (Vesti-ukr.com, December 22, 2016). And earlier, local leaders of the ethnic Hungarian community living in Ukraine's Transcarpathian region explicitly organized events to promote Hungarian autonomy. At one such forum, held last October, the participants concluded that if the government grants autonomy to the Crimean Tatars, the same rights should be applied to other national minorities as well as certain territories, including Donbas (Izvestia.kiev.ua, October 6, 2016).

The country's Hungarian minority has enjoyed backing for greater autonomy from Budapest. As recently as this past March, Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen stressed that all Hungarian communities abroad should strive toward this goal: "The survival of ethnic-Hungarian communities depends on their ability to make progress toward autonomy" (Hungarytoday.hu, March 21). The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly responded that the two states should avoid this point of contention while neighboring countriesimplying Russiaare actively exploiting national minorities inside the countries of Europe's East as a point of political pressure (Mfa.gov.ua, March 22). And in a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Malta, on March 30, Poroshenko also expressed concerns about the provocative statements coming out of Budapest (President.gov.ua, March 30).

In Russia itself and in occupied Crimea, the experience of the Crimean Tatars in Ukraine is also being thoroughly and nervously studied. In fact, the elaboration of the Kremlin's own policy toward the Crimean Tatars living in Crimea depends on the situation in Ukraine. For example, Moscow's decision to grant Crimean Tatars a federal-level national-cultural autonomy in the Russian Federation (Vz.ru, June 12, 2016; see EDM, June 14, 2016) was in many ways prompted by the Crimean Tatar autonomy discussions happening in Ukraine. More recently, Russian experts have been pointedly critical of Kyiv's deliberations on the Crimean Tatar autonomy (Blackseafleet-21.com, April 16; Nezavisimaya Gazeta, May 15).

At present, the Crimean Tatar question in Ukraine has been postponed indeterminately because, in all likelihood, any real legal decisions will be possible only after the final conclusion of a Constitutional Commission on the matter. For the Crimean Tatars, the name or status of their future autonomy is irrelevant as long their rights and freedoms in their homeland are constitutionally protected once Crimea is returned someday.

On the one hand, Ukraine is quite circumspect in its approach to the resolution of the Crimean Tatar question. In the minds of many, the issue poses potential risks to Ukrainian sovereignty and possible heightened inter-ethnic confrontation in Kherson oblast. Moreover, any attempt to change the unitary character of the Ukrainian state could harm national integrity. However, Poroshenko has repeatedly promised the Crimean Tatars that the new political elites in Kyiv would heal the damages and mistakes that had been made toward this national minority since 1991. Whether this is mere token rhetoric or something more remains to be seen.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
India: The Delhi High Court decision of 22 September 2016, on the rights of Tibetans to citizenship and access to passports, including implementation (August 2016-April 2017)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 12 May 2017 Citation / Document Symbol IND105798.E Related Document(s) Inde : information sur la decision rendue par la Haute Cour de Delhi (Delhi High Court) le 22 septembre 2016 concernant les droits des Tibetains a la citoyennete et leur acces aux passeports, y compris sa mise en oeuvre (aout 2016-avril 2017) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, India: The Delhi High Court decision of 22 September 2016, on the rights of Tibetans to citizenship and access to passports, including implementation (August 2016-April 2017), 12 May 2017, IND105798.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d68954.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Delhi High Court Decision

According to sources, on 22 September 2016, the Delhi High Court delivered a judgement stating that "the nationality of Tibetans born in India between 1950 and 1987 cannot be questioned under the Citizenship Act" in response to petitions filed by three Tibetans born in India: Lobsang Wangyal born in 1970, Lobsand [Lobsang, Phuntsok] Wangyal born in 1977 and Tenzin Dhonden born in 1992, who had attempted to apply for Indian passports (IANS 23 Sept. 2016; Hindustan Times 22 Sept. 2016). The Times of India, an English-language daily newspaper in India, indicates that although Dhonden was born after 1987, "he was still eligible since his father was born in India" (The Times of India 23 Sept. 2016). The same source reports that the petitioners went to court after they were told by the government that they required a certificate confirming their nationality before they could apply for passports, despite "holding other proofs of Indian citizenship including Voter identification [cards]" (The Times of India 23 Sept. 2016). Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), a news wire service focusing on India and South Asia (IANS n.d.), similarly reports that the petitioners were "asked to apply for, and receive, a citizenship certificate from the Ministry of Home Affairs" before a passport could be issued (IANS 23 Sept. 2016). A copy of the 22 September 2016 Delhi High Court ruling in Phuntsok Wangyal v. Ministry of External Affairs & Others + Lobsang Wangyal v. Union of India & Others + Tenzin Dhonden v. Union of India & Others is attached to this Response.

The Indian Express, an English-language daily newspaper based in New Delhi, reports that prior to the 22 September 2016 ruling, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) "had required persons of Tibetan descent to 'confirm citizenship' through application to the ministry before they could be issued a passport," and the ruling "quashed" this requirement (Indian Express 23 Sept. 2016). Similarly, the Times of India notes that the ruling "quashed" an MHA circular "that made it mandatory for Tibetans born between 1950-1987 to get their nationality cleared by the government before seeking travel documents" (The Times of India 23 Sept. 2016).

Media sources further report that the Delhi High Court ruling ordered the Indian government to treat all Tibetans who meet the criteria for being Indian citizens by birth as Indian nationals and to issue them Indian passports (Hindustan Times 22 Sept. 2016; Live Law 2 Oct. 2016; Tibetan Journal 23 Sept. 2016). The Indian Express further indicates that the High Court directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to issue the three petitioners passports within four weeks of the ruling (Indian Express 23 Sept. 2016).

2. Implementation of Ruling

Media sources report that Lobsang Wangyal filed a petition for contempt of court in February 2017 (The Tribune 17 Mar. 2017; Tibet Express 17 Mar. 2017; Hindustan Times 31 Mar. 2017), after he was denied a passport despite High Court orders (Hindustan Times 31 Mar. 2017). The Times of India notes that the contempt petition was filed against "the government of India and police officials of Himachal Pradesh" (The Times of India 19 Feb. 2017).

The Tribune, a daily newspaper published in Chandigarh (The Tribune n.d.), reports that Lobsang Wangyal held a press conference in March 2017 in which he stated that the petition for contempt of court filed in February 2017 was "resolved later that month" (The Tribune 17 Mar. 2017). Media sources further report that Lobsang Wangyal obtained his passport in March 2017 (The Tribune 17 Mar. 2017; Tibet Express 17 Mar. 2017). Information on whether Phuntsok Wangyal and Tenzin Dhonden obtained passports following the 22 September 2016 ruling could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

In an April 2017 article, the Times of India reported that the MEA notified Delhi High Court justice Sanjeev Sachdeva of its acceptance of the High Court ruling and issued a new policy in March 2017 to "all passport offices in India and abroad to process pending applications of Tibetan Refugee applicants born in India between 26/01/1950 to 01/07/1987 for the issue of passports, and treat them as Indian citizens by birth" (The Times of India 18 Apr. 2017). Similarly, the Hindustan Times, a daily English-language newspaper based in India, reports that, in a circular on 17 March 2017, the MEA "directed all Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) to issue passports to Tibetans born in India between 1950 and 1987" (Hindustan Times 31 Mar. 2017). The same source further quotes the circular as stating that "Tibetans born after July 1, 1987, either of whose parents is a citizen of India at the time of birth are also entitled to the same right as per the Indian Citizenship Act of 1955" (Hindustan Times 31 Mar. 2017). Information on the implementation of the MEA policy could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Hindustan Times. 31 March 2017. Naresh K. Thakur. "External Affairs Ministry Directs to Issue Passports to Eligible Tibetans." (Factiva)

Hindustan Times. 22 September 2016. Solbam Rocky Singh. "Delhi HC Rules That Tibetans Born Between 1950-87 in India Are Indian Citizens." [Accessed 21 Apr. 2017]

Indo-Asian News Service (IANS). 23 September 2016. "Issue Passports to Tibetans Born in India: High Court." [Accessed 21 Apr. 2017]

Indo-Asian News Service (IANS). N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 27 Apr. 2017]

Indian Express. 23 September 2016. "Citizenship: Delhi High Court Relief for Persons of Tibetan Origin." [Accessed 21 Apr. 2017]

Live Law. 2 October 2016. Apoorva Mandhani. "Tibetans Born in India Between 1950 and 1987 Are Indian Citizens: Delhi HC [Read Judgment]." [Accessed 21 Apr. 2017]

Tibet Express. 17 March 2017. Lobsang Tenchoe. "Miss Tibet Organizer Lobsang Wangyal Obtains Indian Passport, Says I Am Tibetan-Indian Now." [Accessed 21 Apr. 2017]

Tibetan Journal. 23 September 2016. Yeshi Paljor. "Give Tibetans Indian Passport: Court Orders Not to Question Nationality." [Accessed 21 Apr. 2017]

The Times of India. 18 April 2017. "Tibetan Refugees to Get Indian Passports." [Accessed 21 Apr. 2017]

The Times of India. 19 February 2017. "Tibetan Files Contempt Case for Not Getting Passport." [Accessed 21 Apr. 2017]

The Times of India. 23 September 2016. Abhinav Garg. "Delhi HC to Centre: Treat Tibetans Born in India as Citizens." (Factiva)

The Tribune. 17 March 2017. "Finally, Tibetan Showman Gets Indian Passport." [Accessed 21 Apr. 2017]

The Tribune. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 27 Apr. 2017]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; BBC; Central Tibetan Administration; ecoi.net; Factiva; Federation internationale des ligues des droits de l'Homme; The Guardian; Human Rights Watch; India  Gazette, Ministry of External Affairs, Passport Seva; Tibetan Legal Association; Reuters; United States  Department of State.

Attachment

India. 22 September 2016. High Court of Delhi at New Delhi. Phuntsok Wangyal v. Ministry of External Affairs & Others + Lobsang Wangyal v. Union of India & Others + Tenzin Dhonden v. Union of India & Others. W.P.(C) No. 3539/2016+ W.P. (C) 4275/2016 + W.P.(C) 7983/2016. [Accessed 21 Apr. 2017]
India: Requirements and procedures to obtain a death certificate, particularly in the state of Punjab, including whether these certificates are accessible online (2008-April 2017)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 21 April 2017 Citation / Document Symbol IND105783.E Related Document(s) Inde : information sur les exigences et la marche a suivre pour obtenir des documents fonciers mentionnant le proprietaire et le locataire des proprietes privees, y compris information indiquant si ces documents sont accessibles en ligne dans le Pendjab; information sur les exigences et la marche a suivre pour obtenir une confirmation de titre foncier ou de propriete; emplacement des bureaux du registre foncier (2013-avril 2017) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, India: Requirements and procedures to obtain a death certificate, particularly in the state of Punjab, including whether these certificates are accessible online (2008-April 2017), 21 April 2017, IND105783.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d6a414.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Overview

The US Department of State's "reciprocity schedule" for India states that

[p]rior to April 1, 1970, reporting of deaths [in India] was voluntary. Where no official record exists, a sworn affidavit by a close relative of the deceased giving a detailed account of the circumstances of the death is acceptable. (US n.d.)

The reciprocity schedule adds that "[s]ince April 1, 1970, Death Certificates are issued by appropriate state authorities" (US n.d.). Without providing further details, the same source also states that "Certificates of Death issued by hospital authorities are acceptable" (US n.d.).

A guide to the Civil Registration System published on the website of the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India explains that

[i]n India the registration of births and deaths is carried out under provisions of the Registration of Birth and Death (RBD) Act, 1969 and [the] Registrar General, India is entrusted with the responsibilities of co-ordinating and unifying the activities of the Chief Registrar of Births and Deaths. [The] Chief Registrar of Births and Deaths in each State [and Union Territory (UT)] is the implementing authority and the registration of births and deaths is done by the local registrars appointed by the [s]tate [g]overnment under whose jurisdiction the event has taken place. (India n.d.a)

2. Obtaining Death Certificates in India

Instructions on how to obtain a death certificate published in 2012 on the National Portal of India, a "single window of access" for information and services from various Indian government departments (India n.d.b), state the following:

To apply for a Death Certificate, you must first register the death. The death has to be registered with the concerned local authorities within 21 days of its occurrence, by filling up the form prescribed by the Registrar. [The] Death Certificate is then issued after proper verification. (India 9 Dec. 2012)

The same source indicates that

[a] death can be reported and registered by the head of the family, in case it occurs in a house; by the medical in-charge if it occurs in a hospital; by the jail in-charge if it occurs in a jail; and by the headman of the village or the in-charge of the local police station in case the body is found deserted in that area. (India 9 Dec. 2012)

The same source further states that

[i]f a death is not registered within 21 days of its occurrence, permission from the Registrar/Area Magistrate, along with the fee prescribed in case of late registration, is required.

The application form in which you are required to apply is usually available with the area's local body authorities, or with the Registrar who maintains the Register of Deaths. You might also need to submit proof of birth of the deceased, an affidavit specifying the date and time of death, a copy of the ration card, and the required fee in the form of court fee stamps. (India 9 Dec. 2012)

An overview of the Indian civil registration system found within the 2014 annual report on the status of "vital statistics" in the country published by the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India indicates the following:

Births and deaths are registered only at the place of their occurrence.

[The h]ead of the household is responsible to report births and deaths that occurred in the house to the Registrar of Births and Deaths of the concerned area.

It is the responsibility of the officer in charge or any person authorised by her/him to report the births and deaths that occur in hospitals, nursing homes, health centres etc. to the Registrar of Births and Deaths of the concerned area.





 The birth/death certificate[s] are issued free of charge by the concerned Registrar for events reported within 21 days.

The birth/death reported after 21 days but within 30 days can be registered on payment of the prescribed fee.

birth/death reported after 30 days but within one year of its occurrence can be registered with the written permission of the prescribed authority and on production of an affidavit made before a notary public or any other officer authorised by the State Government and on payment of the fee as prescribed.

Births and deaths reported after one year of its occurrence shall be registered only on an order of the Magistrate of the First Class after verifying the correctness and on payment of the prescribed fee. (India 2014, ix).

Section 17 of the Registration of Birth and Death Act, 1969 states the following:

17. Search of births and deaths register

Subject to any rules made in this behalf by the State Government, including rules relating to the payment of fees and postal charges, any person may--

cause a search to be made by the Registrar for any entry in a register of births and deaths; and obtain an extract from such register relating to any birth or death: Provided that no extract relating to any death, issued to any person, shall disclose the particulars regarding the cause of death as entered in the register. All extracts given under this section shall be certified by the Registrar or any other officer authorised by the State Government to give such extracts as provided in section 76 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), and shall be admissible in evidence for the purpose of proving the birth or death to which the entry relates. (India 1969)

3. Registration of Deaths and Obtaining Death Certificates in Punjab State

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Chandigarh-based lawyer whose practice includes family law and who has appeared before the Punjab High Court and the Indian Supreme Court, stated that an appointed birth and death registrar in each district of Punjab is responsible for issuing birth and death certificates in the state (Lawyer 23 Apr. 2017). The same source added that the procedures to obtain a death certificate are the same throughout Punjab (Lawyer 23 Apr. 2017). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

An undated document entitled Registration of Births & Deaths, published on the website of Punjab's Department of Health and Family Welfare, states that in addition to being governed by the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 of India, birth and death registrations in the state are regulated by the Punjab Registration of Births & Deaths Rules 2004, which are based on model rules enacted by the government of India in 1999 (Punjab n.d.a, 1).

According to the Lawyer,

[i]n urban areas, when death occurs in a hospital or health centre or other like institutions, the Medical Officer in charge is responsible to get the event entered in the office of respective local Registrar and Municipal Council.

In rural areas, in respect of deaths in a house, the head of the household, the nearest relative present in the house and the oldest adult male person present in the house during the period within which the birth or death has to be reported, can enter the event in the chowkidar's [village official] book. The chowkidar gets that event registered in the register of the concerned police station twice in a month. (Lawyer 23 Apr. 2017, italics in original)

The same source added that

[a]lso, these [application forms for death certificates] are available at Suwidha Centres [government service centers] and can be submitted therein after duly filling it. The Cashier/Clerk/Computer Operator receives the application with the required fee and the applicant is given a receipt. The fee can also be paid in the Treasury on the Treasury Challan [receipt or invoice] form T.R.6. The required certificate can be collected personally or by post, giving a self-addressed envelope with the application. (Lawyer 23 Apr. 2017)

Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

4. Availability of Online Services Regarding Death Certificates

The 2014 annual report on the "vital statistics of India" states that the district of Kapurthala in Punjab state was taking part in a pilot project initiated by the Punjab Department of Governance Reforms aimed at providing online services such as the issuance of death certificates and the delayed registration of deaths, with the services expected to be eventually offered throughout the state (India 2014, 9). The same source explains that the online services could be accessed at home or by going to "Gram suvidha kendras" (India 2014, 9). The Punjab Department of Governance Report's website indicates that the state government aims to establish 2,112 government to citizen service centres throughout rural areas under the name "Gram Suwidha Kendra[s]" (Punjab n.d.d).

In August 2015, Indian daily newspaper The Pioneer reported that citizen services offered by the Punjab state government were available online, including "birth or death certificate related services," through the Punjab State Portal (The Pioneer 11 Aug. 2015). The Punjab State Portal lets a user apply online or download a "Form for applying across the counters" for the issuance of death certificates in rural areas (Punjab n.d.b). The same website also allows a user to apply online or download a "Form for applying across the counters" for the issuance of death certificates in urban areas (Punjab n.d.c). Copies of the above forms are attached to this Response (Attachments 1 and 2).

Sources further indicate that copies of death certificates are available online on the website of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India (Lawyer 23 Apr. 2017; Hindustan Times 25 Nov. 2015). The Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India's website allows a user to search and verify registered deaths and to check on the status of application of a reported death (India n.d.c). In November 2015, Indian newspaper Hindustan Times reported that the administration of Chandigarh Union Territory [which also serves as the capital of Punjab state] had uploaded data on births and deaths to this website (Hindustan Times 25 Nov. 2015). Hindustan Times added that "with this, residents can now take any number of copies of the birth and death certificates sitting at home" (Hindustan Times 25 Nov. 2015). The same source also states that a feature of the online system "is that all the certificates have a unique quick response code (QR code) printed on them through which the authenticity of each certificate can easily be validated" (Hindustan Times 25 Nov. 2015). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

However, the Lawyer explained that "[i]t is essential that the death certificate has been entered in the online records. Old deaths were not entered. However, even if the death is not entered online, one can obtain an off line copy by making an application to Registrar Birth and Deaths" (Lawyer 23 Apr. 2017). Similarly, Hindustan Times states that the data on births and death in Chandigarh Union Territory uploaded to the website of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India was for 1995 and after, adding that "[f]or births and deaths occurring prior to 1995, certificates will be issued manually as before" (Hindustan Times 25 Nov. 2015).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Hindustan Times. 25 November 2015. "Now, Copy of Birth, Death Certificates in UT Just a Click Away." (Factiva)

India. 2014. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner. Vital Statistics of India Based on the Civil Registration System 2014. [Accessed 21 Apr. 2017 ]

India. 9 December 2012. National Portal of India. "Obtain Death Certificate." [Accessed 24 May 2017]

India. 1969. The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (Act No. 18 of 1969). [Accessed 11 May 2017]

India. N.d.a. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner. "Civil Registration System." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2017]

India N.d.b. "India.gov.in." [Accessed 15 May 2017]

India. N.d.c. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner. "Birth & Death Registration." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2017]

Lawyer, Chandigarh, India. 23 April 2017. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

The Pioneer. 11 August 2015. "Punjab To Take Up Delivery of 59 Citizen Services Online." [Accessed 21 Apr. 2017]

Punjab. N.d.a. Department of Health and Family Welfare. Registration of Births & Deaths. [Accessed 19 Apr. 2017]

Punjab. N.d.b. Punjab State Portal. "Issuance of Death Certificate (Rural Areas)." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2017]

Punjab. N.d.c. Punjab State Portal. "Issuance of Death Certificate (Urban Areas)." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2017]

Punjab. N.d.d. Department of Governance Reforms. "Gram Suwidha Kendras (CSC Scheme)." [Accessed 4 May. 2017]

United States (US). N.d. Department of State. "India Reciprocity Schedule." [Accessed 20 Apr. 2017]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: 4 lawyers in Punjab, India; Punjab - Department of Governance Reforms, Department of Health and Family Welfare.

Internet sites, including: City Air News; The Economic Times; Factiva; Karpurthala - Karpurthala District Portal; Progressive Punjab; Punjab - Department of Governance Reforms, e-District Sewa; Punjab News Express; Suwidha-Web; UK - Home Office; UN - Refworld, Statistics Division.

Attachments
India: Ability of Indian Tamils to relocate outside of Tamil Nadu to areas such as Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai or Chandigarh; treatment by society and access to housing, employment and social services (2012 - May 2016)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 20 May 2016 Citation / Document Symbol IND105526.E Related Document(s) Inde : information sur la capacite des Indiens tamouls de se reinstaller a l'exterieur du Tamil Nadu dans des regions comme Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai ou Chandigarh; le traitement que leur reserve la societe et l'acces au logement, a l'emploi et aux services sociaux (2012-mai 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, India: Ability of Indian Tamils to relocate outside of Tamil Nadu to areas such as Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai or Chandigarh; treatment by society and access to housing, employment and social services (2012 - May 2016), 20 May 2016, IND105526.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d6d554.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Overview

Article 19 of the Constitution of India states the following:

19 (1) All citizens shall have the right --



(d) to move freely throughout the territory of India;

(e) to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India. (India 1949)

In an analysis of interstate migration flows in India, published in the journal Asian Population Studies, R.B. Bhagat and Soumya Mohanty, both of whom are affiliated with the Department of Migration and Urban Studies at the International Institute for Population Sciences in Mumbai, show that between 200,000 and 300,000 people migrated from Tamil Nadu to the state of Karnataka [Bangalore is the capital city of this state], and between 100,000 and 200,000 migrated from Tamil Nadu to the state of Maharashtra [Mumbai is the capital city of this state] between 1991 and 2001 (Bhagat and Mohanty Mar. 2009, 13, 14, 20). Further and corroborating information on migration and demographic statistics of Tamils from Tamil Nadu could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an associate professor of anthropology at Cornell University, who researches Tamil communities in Malaysia and Bangalore stated, without providing details, that "it is quite common to find Tamils living in other parts of India," and that Bangalore, Southern Karnataka and Mumbai have "large settlements" of Tamils (Associate Professor of anthropology 6 May 2016). Similarly, in correspondence with the Research Directorate, an associate professor of anthropology and Asian studies at the University of Toronto, whose research focuses on Tamil Nadu and Tamils living in Mumbai and Bangalore, similarly stated that based on his knowledge, it is "very common for a Tamil person to relocate to other parts of India, especially to Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai" (Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies 9 May 2016).

The Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies stated that "there are not really any customs that would limit movement" of Tamil people, adding that "customs would be limited to marriage requirements that one marry within one's own caste or community, although this can be achieved in Indian cities" (Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies 17 May 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Sources estimated that 20 to 30 percent of the population in Bangalore consists of Tamil speakers (ibid.; Associate Professor of anthropology 6 May 2016). The Associate Professor of anthropology indicated that there are also "large Tamil communities" in Mumbai, Delhi and Trivandrum (ibid.). The Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies indicated that Mumbai also has a "very significant proportion" of Tamil-speakers, while to his knowledge in Delhi the proportion is smaller (Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies 17 May 2016). An April 2012 article published in the New Indian Express, a Madurai-based English daily newspaper (n.d.), notes a "presence of Tamil migrants in many districts" in the state of Kerala (The New Indian Express 19 Apr. 2012). The website of the Chandigarh Tamil Sangam, "a South Indian socio-cultural organization" in Chandigarh, indicates that there are "about 50,000" Tamil people in Chandigarh (Chandigarh Tamil Sangam n.d.). Further and corroborating information on the size of the Tamil communities outside of Tamil Nadu, including in Bangalore, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Mumbai could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Treatment by Society

Without providing further detail, the Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies stated that "many migrants are discriminated against when they move to a region outside of their own" (Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies 9 May 2016). The Associate Professor of anthropology explained that although demonstrations "sponsored by ethnic/linguistic nationalism" have taken place in Bangalore and Mumbai, "in recent years, Tamils have not been targeted or intimidated directly" (Associate Professor of anthropology 11 May 2016). The same source stated that, "no outright discrimination or violence [against Tamil people] has occurred under state or city policies, to the best of [his] knowledge" since 2012 in Mumbai and Bangalore, though "private incidents may have occurred" (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Without providing details, a October 2014 article in the Free Press Journal, a Mumbai-based English language daily newspaper (n.d.), notes that there have been "hate campaigns" against Tamils in Mumbai in the past (The Free Press Journal 22 Oct. 2014). According to the same source, a Tamil migrant was elected to the Maharashtra legislative assembly for a Mumbai electoral district on 22 October 2014, and was quoted as stating that he had received "'immense support from the predominantly higher middle and middle class Gujarati-speaking population, along with huge pockets of slum dwellers'" (ibid.). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Information on specific incidents of violence and discrimination against Tamil people who relocated to other parts of India between 2012 and May 2016 could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3. Access to Housing, Employment, and Social Services

The Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies stated that "in general," a Tamil person who relocates from Tamil Nadu to another area of India would move to an area where they already have some kin, noting that Bangalore "has such a large percentage of Tamil speakers that most people who migrate there are likely to have some sort of kin to help them access services" (Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies 9 May 2016). The same source stated that the level of support required to find housing or employment depends on the caste and socio-economic class of the person; for example, a "well-qualified doctor might easily find employment, whereas a domestic worker or a construction worker might be much more reliant on already existing social networks" (ibid.). The source added that "there are few if any government services available" for a person who relocates to an urban area outside of Tamil Nadu, and that NGOs do not assist Tamil people, specifically (ibid.).

The Associate Professor of anthropology explained that in Bangalore "Tamil enclaves provide a comfortable environment for speaking the [Tamil] language, worship, and the arts (film, music, dance)" (ibid.). However, the same source stated that "[i]n North India, where the language is primarily Hindi, Tamils may have a hard time assimilating" because in Tamil Nadu, education is only in Tamil, and therefore Tamils often are "less fluen[t]" in Hindi (ibid.). Similarly, the Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies stated that "practical challenges might also be linguistic" for Tamil people who move to another part of India; for example, in Delhi, Hindi is required in order "to get along," and few Tamil speakers would speak Hindi prior to moving (Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies 17 May 2016).

3.1 Support and Services Available to Tamil Migrants

Information on available support systems and services for Tamil migrants was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The Associate Professor of anthropology stated that in Bangalore, there are "a number" of Tamil cultural and business associations that would provide support to a Tamil person who relocated there (Associate Professor of Anthropology 6 May 2016). The website of the Mumbai Tamil Sangam, "a confluence of Tamil Speaking Mumbaites," indicates that it provides "Marathi [1] classes for non-Maharastrians," Tamil classes "for others including Tamilians who do not know [how] to read and write Tamil," and "scholarships to school students" (Mumbai Tamil Sangham n.d ). According to the website of the Chandigarh Tamil Sangam, the organization provides "philanthropic activities such as free health check-ups, camps for needy people [and] distributions of woollens to [the] poor" (Chandigarh Tamil Sangam n.d). Sources indicate that there is also a Tamil Sangam in Bangalore (Bangalore Tamil Sangam n.d.) and Delhi (Delhi Tamil Sangam n.d). Further and corroborating information on these organizations and the services they offer could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3.2. Living Conditions

The Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies stated that the living conditions including access to housing, employment, and social services, as well as the level of safety and security of a Tamil person who relocates outside Tamil Nadu, would depend on the "caste/community and socio-economic class," of the person involved (Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies 9 May 2016). The same source noted that "[m]any" Tamils in Mumbai and Delhi "live in slums and extreme poverty," but that "there is a large Tamil middle class in both cities as well" (ibid.). The Associate Professor of anthropology similarly stated that "Tamils who work in manual labour face difficulties associated with their migrant and low socio-economic status" while professionals do well in "all the major cities" (Associate Professor of anthropology 6 May 2016). Further and corroborating information on the living conditions of Tamil communities in India outside of Tamil Nadu could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Note

[1] According to Ethnologue: Languages of the World, an online catalogue of world languages, Marathi [Maharashtra, Maharathi, Malhatee, Marthi, Muruthu] is an Indian language spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and in Maharashtra state: Karnataka, Belgaum and Bidar districts. It is a statutory provincial language in Maharashtra State (Ethnologue 2016).

References

Associate Professor of anthropology, Cornell University. 11 May 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Associate Professor of anthropology, Cornell University. 6 May 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate

Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies, University of Toronto. 17 May 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Associate Professor of anthropology and Asian studies, University of Toronto. 9 May 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Bangalore Tamil Sangam. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 13 May 2016]

Bhagat, R.B. and Soumya Mohanty. March 2009. "Emerging Pattern of Urbanization and the Contribution of Migration in Urban Growth in India." Asian Population Studies. Vol. 5, No 1.

Chandigarh Tamil Sangam. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 13 May 2016]

Delhi Tamil Sangam. N.d. "Delhi Tamil Sangam." [Accessed 13 May 2016]

Ethnologue: Languages of the World. 2016. 19th ed. "Marathi." Edited by M. Paul Lewis, Gary F. Simons and Charles D. Fennig. Dallas: SIL International. [Accessed 20 May 2016]

The Free Press Journal. 22 October 2014. Ajinkya Gaikwad. "A Tamil Migrant Walks into Maharashtra Assembly!" [Accessed 12 May 2016]

The Free Press Journal. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 19 May 2016]

India. 1949 (amended 2015). The Constitution of India. [Accessed 17 May 2016]

Mumbai Tamil Sangham. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 13 May 2016]

The New Indian Express. 19 April 2012. K Surekha. "Tamils Can Learn While They Earn." [Accessed 12 May 2016]

The New Indian Express. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 19 May 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Aid India; Asian Human Rights Commission; Assistant Professor, College of International Security Affairs; Bangalore Tamil Sangam; Bombay Tamil Sangam; Chandigarh Tamil Sangam; Delhi Tamil Sangam; People's Watch; PhD Candidate, Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat Munster; Professor, Princeton University; United Nations - Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Internet sites, including: Aajeevika Bureau; Afternoon Despatch and Courier; Agence France Presse; Amnesty International; Asian Age; Bangalore Mirror; Bangalore - Municipal Corporation; BBC; Business Standard; Chandigarh - Municipal Corporation; Citizen Matters; Deccan Chronicle; Delhi - government of National Capital Territory, East Delhi Municipal Corporation, North Delhi Municipal Corporation, South Delhi Municipal Corporation; ecoi.net; Factiva; Federation Internationale des droits de l'homme; Financial Express; Freedom House; The Hindu; Human Rights Watch; India - Census India, Ministry for Minority Affairs, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation; India Today; The Indian Express; Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre; International Organization for Migration; IRIN; Jane's Intelligence Review; Minority Rights Group; Mumbai - municipal corporation of greater Mumbai; New Delhi News; New Delhi Times; News Today; North India Kaleidoscope; The Pioneer; Radio France internationale; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; SHRAM Research Portal and Data Repository; The Times of India; Transparency International; The Tribune; United Nations - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Refworld, Reliefweb, UNDP, UNHCR, UN Women; United States - Department of State.
India: Information on the party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), its structure, including selection of representatives and leaders; appearance, and content of membership cards, and process to obtain one (2012-May 2016)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 20 May 2016 Citation / Document Symbol IND105525.E Related Document(s) Inde : information sur le parti All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), sa structure, y compris le choix des representants et des dirigeants; l'aspect et le contenu des cartes de membre et la procedure a suivre pour obtenir une carte de membre (2012-mai 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, India: Information on the party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), its structure, including selection of representatives and leaders; appearance, and content of membership cards, and process to obtain one (2012-May 2016), 20 May 2016, IND105525.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d6e854.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Overview of AIADMK Party

Sources indicate that the AIADMK is a Dravidian party [1] in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu (The Indian Express 27 Apr. 2016; Gorringe 30 Dec. 2011, 4). According to the information available on the website of the party, AIADMK was established in 1972 and is mainly active in the states of Tamil Nadu and in Puducherry (AIADMK n.d.a). For further information on the party's history, see Response to Information Request IND41694 of July 2003.

In an entry on the AIADMK published in Encyclopaedia Britannica, a research fellow with the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore stated that "the AIADMK espouses no particular ideology except the protection of the interests of the Tamil population in India and in Sri Lanka" (10 Oct. 2014). In an article on Tamil politics in India, published in the South Asian Multidisciplinary Academic Journal, Hugo Gorringe, a professor of sociology at the University of Edinburgh who specialises in political movements in South India (University of Edinburgh n.d.), writes that the AIADMK offers a "populist manifesto  and elections continue to be fought on questions of corruption, abuse of power and dynastic succession" (Gorringe 30 Dec. 2011, 4). Rules 2 and 3 of the AIADMK's Rules and Regulations state the following:

Rule: 2: Policy of the Party



The Party will strive to create equality among all classes and to establish a democratic socialist society, to promote the language and culture of Dravidians, to strengthen the democratic system and to strive for more autonomous powers for the States in the Indian Sub-continent subject to overall sovereignty of the Centre without jeopardizing the Unity and Integrity of the Nation in accordance with the Constitution of India.

Rule: 3: Objects

The objectives of the Party will be to strive to foment and forge a sense of Unity among the people of diversified culture, civilizations, traditions and languages inhabiting this Indian Sub-continent.

To strive for equal opportunities for development of political, economic and social environs among the various States by mutual co-operation, adjustment and adopting a give and take policy.

To strive for bringing necessary amendments to the Constitution to declare the regional language of the linguistic States as the official language of the respective States, with a view to maintaining the solidarity and unity among the people of the different linguistic regions and to strive for continuance of English, which by its long usage has taken roots in the soil, as medium of communication as between different linguistic States and also between States and Central Government. (AIADMK 5 Feb. 2007, 1, 2)

1.1. Electoral Representation

The website of the AIADMK party states that in 2011 the party won 150 out of 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly (AIADMK n.d.a). According to the information available on the website of the Assembly, as of May 2016, the party holds 149 of 235 seats (Tamil Nadu n.d.b). According to sources, the party also won 37 out of 39 seats available for Tamil Nadu in the 2014 elections to Lok Sabha [the House of the People (India May 2014)] (AIADMK 21 May 2014; The Economic Times 17 May 2014). According to the website of the Rajya Sabha, a "second chamber known as the 'Council of States,'" AIADMK currently holds 12 seats in Rajya Sabha (India 6 May 2016).

2. Structure and Selection of Representatives

According to Rule 19 of the constitution of the AIADMK, the General Council of the party is the "supreme authority to frame policies and programmes of the Party" and includes, among others, the Chairman, General Secretary, Deputy General Secretaries, Treasurer, Headquarters Secretaries and members of the Central Executive Committee (AIADMK 5 Feb. 2007, 16). Detailed information on the election of party functionaries at village, town and district levels and in the Puducherry state is available in the Rules and Regulations of AIADMK, which is attached to this Response (Attachment 1).

According to Rule 30 of the AIADMK Rules and Regulations, the elections to party functions and party units are held "once every five years" (ibid., 24). Rule 30 states that



ii) [t]hose who want to contest for the posts of Office bearers in the Party Organisation should have been members of the Party for five years without any break.



vii) On[e] who is contesting for a post in the Party organization, should be a member of a Branch Unit within the jurisdiction of the particular unit. (ibid.)

Sources similarly report that the AIADMK must hold party elections every five years and that the party announced that it would carry out a "14-phase organisational poll" between 11 December 2014 and 25 April 2015 (The Hindu 28 Nov. 2014; The New Indian Express 9 Mar. 2015). According to a March 2015 article in the New Indian Express, an English-language Indian newspaper, the 14-phase poll would be conducted for party posts "at all levels[,] including wards, panchayat [village council (Merriam-Webster Dictionary n.d)] unions, towns, town panchayats and corporations" (The New Indian Express 9 Mar. 2015).

3. Leaders

Sources indicate that Selvi J. Jayalalitha, popularly referred to as "Amma" [meaning "mother" (The New York Times Magazine 1 July 2015)] is the leader of the AIADMK and the party's general secretary (The New York Times Magazine 1 July 2015; AIADMK n.d.a). An article in the New York Times Magazine reports that in September 2014 Jayalalitha was sentenced to four years in prison for possession of "disproportionate assets" and had to resign from the post of chief minister of Tamil Nadu (The New York Times Magazine 1 July 2015). Sources indicate that she was eventually acquitted of all charges (ibid.; The Hindu 11 May 2015). According to sources, Jayalalitha began serving her fifth term as chief minister of Tamil Nadu on 23 May 2015 (AIADMK n.d.b; Tamil Nadu n.d.a).

Sources indicate that in November 2015 Jayalalitha announced the names of 41 members either newly nominated or retaining their position for offices within the party, including the following:

E. Madhusudhanan, presidium chairman

O. Panneersevalm, party treasurer

C. Ponnaiyan, organising secretary

Panruti Ramachandran, organising secretary

J. Jeyasingh Thiyagaraj Nattarjee, organising secretary

S. Raju, organising secretary

MLA A. Papasundaram, organising secretary

Nagapattinam MP K. Gopal, organising secretary

Valarmathi, organising secretary

Natham R. Viswanthan, disciplinary committee member

R. Vaithilingam, disciplinary committee member

Edapadi K. Palanisamy, disciplinary committee member

Udumalai K. Radhakrishnan, election wing secretary. (The Hindu 23 Nov. 2015; The New Indian Express 23 Nov. 2015)

Sources also report that M. Thambidurai was named as the party's propaganda secretary (ibid.; The Hindu 22 Nov. 2015). Further information on the results of the organisational elections in 2014/2015 and on previous elections could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

4. Membership Cards

Rule 5 of the party's Rules and Regulations states that any male or female 18 years of age and older who accepts "the aims and objectives, the rules and regulations of the Party" can become a member (AIADMK 5 Feb. 2007, 2). According to the same source, the following directives apply for membership:

iii) a) Only those who hold their Membership Cards, issued by the Headquarters of the Party will alone be recognized as Members. Only from the date of issue of the Membership Card, a Member will become eligible to vote.

b) [the applicants] should send their applications in the prescribed form to the Headquarters Office through the Secretary of the Party Unit concerned and they must obtain their Membership cards in token of their admission. They can also enroll themselves as Members in the presence of the General Secretary who alone is empowered to admit a person to Membership (ibid., 3).

Furthermore, Rule 30 states that "[b]efore conducting every [party] election[,] the renewal of Membership and enrolment of new members should be done within the target date set by the General Secretary" (ibid., 24). According to a May 2014 announcement published on the AIADMK website, in June 2013 the party began to "work to renew the membership of the existing members  and to enroll new members" before the party's organisational elections (ibid. 25 May 2014). The announcement states that membership cards would be issued at the party headquarters upon presentation of receipts given during the submission of applications to those who applied for them before 30 July 2013 and that "only those who have the new party membership card can contest or vote in the party elections" (ibid.). Similarly, according to a June 2013 article by the New Indian Express, an English-language Indian newspaper, forms for the renewal of membership and for new enrollment, together with the "necessary fee" should be submitted to party headquarters by July 7, 2013 (The New Indian Express 14 June 2013).

The website of the AIADMK has a section titled "Join AIADMK - Online Membership" that includes a form with personal data to be filled out, which can be submitted online (AIADMK n.d.c). The form is attached to this Response (Attachment 2). A sample of the AIADMK membership card, available on the party's website, is attached to this Response (Attachment 3).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Note

[1] According to an article in the Indian Express, an English-language Indian newspaper, the Dravidian movement "emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as the response of non-Brahmin communities to Brahmin [the "highest ranking of the four varnas, or social classes, in Hindu India" (Encyclopaedia Britannica 4 Dec. 2014)] dominance in public life, especially government[Its leader] was anti-caste and anti-religion" (The Indian Express 27 Apr. 2016). According to the article, the movement, of which the AIADMK is an offshoot, "played a seminal role in shaping the history of Tamil Nadu" (ibid.).

References

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). 25 May 2014. [Membership Renewal and Membership Cards]. Accessed 29 Apr. 2016]

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). 21 May 2014. [AIADMK - 47 MPs from Tamil Nadu and the third largest party in the Parliament] [Accessed 3 May 2016]

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). 5 February 2007. Rules and Regulations. [Accessed 28 Apr. 2016]

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). N.d.a. "History of AIADMK." [Accessed 28 Apr. 2016]

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). N.d.b. "Hon[ora]ble Tamil Nadu Chief Min[i]ster Selvi J. Jayalalitha's Profile." [Accessed 28 Apr. 2016]

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). N.d.c. "Join AIADMK - Online Membership." [Accessed 28 Apr. 2016]

The Economic Times. 17 May 2014. "Election Results 2014: AIADMK Sweeps Tamil Nadu, Bags 37 of 39 Seats." [Accessed 3 May 2016]

Encyclopaedia Britannica. 4 December 2014. "Brahman." [Accessed 20 May 2016]

Encyclopaedia Britannica. 10 October 2014. Shanthie Mariet D'Souza. "All India Dravidian Progressive Federation." Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. [Accessed 4 May 2016]

Gorringe, Hugo. 30 December 2011. "Party Political Panthers: Hegemonic Tamil Politics and the Dalit Challenge." South Asian Multidisciplinary Academic Journal. [Accessed 4 May 2016]

The Hindu. 23 November 2015. Deepa H. Ramakrishnan. "AIADMK Core Team Gets Bigger." [Accessed 3 May 2016]

The Hindu. 22 November 2015. "Jayalalithaa Rejigs AIADMK Posts." [Accessed 5 May 2016]

The Hindu. 11 May 2015. Krishnaprasad and Sruthisagar Yamunan. "After Acquittal, Jayalalithaa Set to Return as CM." [Accessed 5 May 2016]

The Hindu. 28 November 2014. B. Kolappan. "Party Polls May Galvanise AIADMK Cadre." [Accessed 3 May 2016]

India. 6 May 2016. Rajya Sabha Council of States (Parliament of India). "Alphabetical Party Position in the Rajya Sabha." [Accessed 6 May 2016]

India. May 2014. Lok Sabha Secretariat. Our Parliament. [Accessed 3 May 2016]

The Indian Express. 27 April 2016. Amrith Lal. "The Dravida Family Tree." [Accessed 4 May 2016]

Merriam-Webster Dictionary. N.d. "Panchayat." [Accessed 4 May 2016]

The New Indian Express. 23 November 2015. "Panrutti Part of AIADMK Organising Secy Team." [Accessed 5 May 2016]

The New Indian Express. 9 March 2015. "AIADMK Elections Commence in City." [Accessed 3 May 2016]

The New Indian Express. 14 June 2013. "Issue of Membership Forms for AIADMK Cadre Begins." [Accessed 4 May 2016]

The New York Times Magazine. 1 July 2015. Rollo Romig. "What Happens When a State is Run by Movie Stars?" [Accessed 2 May 2016]

Tamil Nadu. N.d.a. Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. "Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu Since 1920." [Accessed 5 May 2016]

Tamil Nadu. N.d.b. Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. "Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Party Position." [Accessed 5 May 2016]

University of Edinburgh. N.d. School of Social and Political Science. "Hugo Gorringe." [Accessed 5 May 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam; Member of Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu; Professor, School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies, University of Bristol; Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras.

Internet sites, including: All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam - Elect AIADMK, Support AIADMK; ecoi.net; Elections.in; Factiva; India - Lok Sabha; Tamil Nadu - Chief Electoral Office; Government Portal; Tamil Tribune; United Nations - Refworld.

Attachments
Georgia: Situation of Ossetians, including demographics, treatment and available state protection (2008-June 2016)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 4 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol GEO105572.E Related Document(s) Georgie : information sur la situation des Ossetes, y compris les donnees demographiques, le traitement qui leur est reserve et la disponibilite de la protection offerte par l'Etat (2008-juin 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Georgia: Situation of Ossetians, including demographics, treatment and available state protection (2008-June 2016), 4 July 2016, GEO105572.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d6f1e4.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Geographic Distribution

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a professor emeritus with the Department of the Languages and Cultures of the Near and Middle East with the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London, who specialises in languages and ethnic relations in the Caucasus, stated that the Ossetians are descendants of "an amalgamation of nomadic Iranian-speaking peoples." and that their language "belongs to the Iranian branch of the Indo-European language-family" (Professor Emeritus 28 June 2016). Minority Rights Group International (MRG) describes Ossetians as the "most Georgianized of the republic's minorities in linguistic terms" (MRG n.d.). Sources indicate that the majority of ethnic Ossetians are Orthodox Christian, though a small minority are Muslim (ibid.; MAR n.d.a).

Sources cite the 2002 Georgian census as reporting that there are approximately 38,000 Ossetians living in Georgia, excluding South Ossetia (Georgia n.d.; MRG n.d.; ECMI Sept. 2009, 6). According to a 2008-2009 study[1] of Ossetians in Georgia conducted by the European Centre for Minority Issues, which provides research and advisory services on minority issues in Europe (ibid. n.d.), the Ossetian population in 2002 was spread across "132 villages in seven regions of Georgia (Shida Kartli, Kakheti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Kvemo Kartli, Imereti, [and] Racha-Lechkhumi)," with the "main concentrations of Ossetians  in Shida Kartli, Kakheti and Mtskheta-Mtianeti" (ibid. Sept. 2009, 6). According to an assessment by Minorities at Risk, a project run by the University of Maryland that "monitors and analyzes the status and conflicts of politically-active communal groups" (MAR n.d.b), "approximately 55 percent of all Georgian Ossetians live in the de facto autonomous region of South Ossetia  with the rest dispersed in various cities and towns within the rest of Georgia" (ibid. n.d.a).

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative from the Human Rights Center (HRIDC), formally known as the Human Rights Information and Documentation Center, an NGO that is "dedicated to [the] protection and promotion of human rights, rule of law and peace in Georgia" (HRIDC n.d.), stated that due to the armed conflicts in the 1990s, and particularly, the conflict in 2008 [2], the "number of ethnic Ossetians residing in the Georgian authority controlled territory has reduced" and that they have typically relocated to the North Ossetia region in the Russian Federation (ibid. 27 June 2016). According to the Professor Emeritus, the 2014 Georgian census showed a reduction in Ossetians living in Georgia-proper, with a total population of "14,452, forming just 0.4% of the population" of Georgia (Professor Emeritus 28 June 2015). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. For further information on village and town-level demographics of Ossetians, see Annex 1 of the ECMI report, attached to this Response.

2. Treatment of Ossetians

Without specifying whether Ossetians have been targeted, the US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015 indicates that the "Georgian Public Defender's Office and NGOs reported some instances of discrimination against minority communities" in 2015 (US 13 Apr. 2016, 42). Also without specifying whether Ossetians have been targeted, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) reports that in 2014, there were 19 hate crimes reported by police in Georgia (OSCE n.d.).

According to the ECMI report, since the Soviet period, "Ossetians have been generally better integrated into Georgian society than any other ethnic group" (ECMI Sept. 2009, 9). The source further states that over the course of their research in 2009, "in no cases could [they] find evidence of discrimination" and that there have been no "significant changes observed" in interethnic relations since the 2008 war, and Georgian-Ossetian relations are "as peaceful and friendly as they used to be" (ibid., 14). The Professor Emeritus also stated that "if a non-[Georgian] resident of Georgia proper (such as an Ossetian)" keeps a "low profile  without attracting attention by engaging in activities seen as endangering what remains of the Georgian state, it is unlikely that there will be negative consequences" (Professor Emeritus 28 June 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to the ECMI report, "no cases of mass outflow of Ossetians from Georgia or specific incidences of oppression in the aftermath of the conflict have been observed, though there have been several cases of resettlement to North Ossetia unconnected to the hostilities" (Sept. 2009, 17). In contrast, without providing further detail, the HRIDC representative stated that the main cause of migration for Ossetians has been "unpleasant, and sometimes hostile attitudes of the Georgian population towards ethnic Ossetians, particularly [since the] August 2008 war" (HRIDC 27 June 2016). The same source further indicated that they have heard reports "from ethnic Ossetians that neighbors abuse and discriminate against them on ethnic grounds" and "hate speech" against Ossetians is "widely spread among the general population," particularly within "social networks" and the media (ibid.). Without identifying Ossetians specifically, Country Reports 2015 states that while "NGOs did not observe major patterns of violence against national, racial, or ethnic minorities," there were "numerous cases of hate speech targeting minority groups" reported in print and televised media, including "hate speech inciting violence against LGBTI minorities, 200 cases of 'Islamophobic' or 'Turkophobic' and 36 cases of 'Armenophobic' Statements" (US 13 Apr. 2016, 43). The same source further states that "[w]eak Georgian-language skills were the main impediment to integration" for minorities in Georgia, "although political, civic, economic, and cultural obstacles to integration also remained" (ibid.).

2.1 Treatment by Authorities

A 2009 report by the Irish Refugee Documentation Centre cited two Georgian media sources, the newspaper Rezonansi and news agency Kavkas-Press, as reporting that Georgian authorities denied that there were any cases of discrimination or violence against Ossetians in Georgia-proper (Ireland 28 Aug. 2009). An April 2009 report on the situation in Georgia by the Council of Europe states that

[a]ccording to a report by Memorial, the de facto migration service in South Ossetia has registered 35 IDPs from other parts of Georgia. Based on interviews with those IDPs, the experts concluded that there was no indication of any kind of organised anti-Ossetian campaign in Georgia. Nevertheless, an increase in expressions of anti-Ossetian and anti-Russian sentiments following the hostilities, fear of a possible worsening of the situation and memories of events in the past did apparently contribute to the decision taken by some families to leave their current places of residence and relocate elsewhere. (Council of Europe 16 Apr. 2009, para. 35)

The HRIDC representative noted that their organization is unaware of cases of "the present Georgian authority or any governmental officials discriminating or abusing ethnic Ossetians" (HRIDC 27 June 2016).

Information on instances of violence or discrimination by authorities targeting Ossetians could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3. State Protection

Information on state protection available to Ossetians in Georgia was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Sources state that the Georgian Criminal Code declares "discriminatory motive" (TI 23 Jan. 2015) or "racist motivation" as an "aggravating circumstance" (EU 1 Mar. 2016). Article 53 of the Criminal Code of Georgia provides the following:

Article 53. General Principles for Sentencing

3. When awarding a sentence, the court shall take into consideration the extenuating and aggravating circumstances of the crime, in particular, the motive and purpose of the crime, illegal will demonstrated in the action, character and extent of breach of obligations, manner of implementing the action, method employed and illegal consequence, past life of the criminal, his/her personal and economic conditions, behaviour after the action, especially willingness to effect restitution, reconcile with the victim.

31. Commitment of crime based on the race, color, language, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, political or other opinion, disability, citizenship, nationality, ethnic or social belonging, origin, material or social status, place of residence or with other intolerance motives including the other signs of discrimination, are aggravating circumstances of the liability for all the crimes under this Code. (Georgia 2012)

According to the OSCE, of the 19 hate crimes reported by police in 2014, 7 were prosecuted and 8 were sentenced (OSCE n.d.). The same source further reports that in 2012, 5 of the 13 reported hate crimes were prosecuted; in 2011, 1 of the 19 were prosecuted; and in both 2009 and 2010, 11 of the 41 reported hate crimes were prosecuted (ibid.). Information on the sentencing rate for hate crimes for the years 2009-2013 are unavailable (ibid.). Information on whether any of these cases involved Ossetians could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to the HRIDC representative, when seeking redress for real or perceived discrimination or instances of violence, Ossetians "mostly apply to the Public Defender's Office," and "human rights NGOs (whom they trust)" (HRIDC 27 June 2016). The same source further gave the view that these mechanisms are "mostly effective" (ibid.). The Professor Emeritus expressed the opinion that should an Ossetian resident of Georgia seek redress through "law-enforcement agencies or the judiciary, especially if the issue involves an Ossetian-Georgian dispute," they would not expect the claimant to receive "a totally unbiased response" (Professor emeritus 28 June 2016). Other sources state that state responses to hate crimes are insufficient (EU 1 Mar. 2016; TI 23 Jan. 2015). Transparency International (TI) notes that "law enforcement agencies are passive in response to reported crimes and take little action in restoring the rights of the violated minority, or in implementing preventative measures" (ibid.). For further information on the Public Defender's Office, as well as the police in Georgia, including response to complaints and recourse for failure to investigate a complaint, see Response to Information Request GEO105102 of March 2015.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] The purpose of the study was to assess the situation of ethnic Ossetians in Georgia-proper in the aftermath of the 2008 conflict (ECMI Sept. 2009, 4). Research was conducted in "all regions populated by Ossetians, including purely Ossetian villages, mixed population villages  and adjoining Georgian and Azeri villages," for a total of 46 villages (ibid., 5). In addition, "a total of 250 persons were individually interviewed" for the study (ibid.).

[2] According to Country Reports 2008, in August 2008 Georgian forces launched "an attack to defend against what it reported was a Russian invasion" in Tskhinvali, the capital of "Georgia's South Ossetian region, and [in] other areas of the seperatist region" (US 25 Feb. 2009). According to MRG, Russian forces provided support to "Ossetian militias" (n.d.).

References

Council of Europe (COE). 16 April 2009. Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Areas Affected by the Conflict in Georgia: First Report. (SG/Inf(2009)7) [Accessed 24 June 2016]

European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI). September 2009. Giorgi Sordia. Ossetians in Georgia in the Wake of the 2008 War. [Accessed 20 June 2016]

European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI). N.d. "The European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)." [Accessed 27 June 2016]

European Union (EU). 1 March 2016. European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). "Discrimination Against Religious Minorities and LGBT on the Rise, Law Enforcement Deficient in Georgia, Says Anti-Racism Commission of the Council of Europe." [Accessed 24 June 2016]

Georgia. 2012. Criminal Code of Georgia. [Accessed 24 June 2016]

Georgia. N.d. "Occupied Territories of Georgia: Tkshinvali Region." [Accessed 21 June 2016]

Human Rights Center (HRIDC). 27 June 2016. Correspondence from a representative to the Research Directorate.

Human Rights Center (HRIDC). N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 27 June 2016]

Ireland. 28 August 2009. Refugee Documentation Centre. Information on Difficulties Facing Ossetians Living in Georgia. Information on Difficulties for People in Mixed Marriages (i.e. Georgian/Ossetian) and Their Children in Georgia and Ossetia. [Accessed 21 June 2016]

Minorities at Risk (MAR). N.d.a. University of Maryland. "Assessment for Ossetians (South) in Georgia." [Accessed 21 June 2016]

Minorities at Risk (MAR). N.d.b. "The MAR Project." [Accessed 27 June 2016]

Minority Rights Group International (MRG). N.d. "Georgia - Ossetians." World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples. [Accessed 21 June 2016]

Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). N.d. "Georgia." [Accessed 24 June 2016]

Professor Emeritus, Caucasian Languages, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. 28 June 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Transparency International (TI). 23 January 2015. Transparency International Georgia. "Joint Statement of Civil Society and Media Organizations Regarding Bill on Incitement of Hatred." [Accessed 23 June 2016]

United States (US). 13 April 2016. Department of State. "Georgia." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015. [Accessed 21 June 2016]

United States (US). 24 February 2009. Department of State. "Georgia." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2008. [Accessed 29 June 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: European Union - Monitoring Mission in Georgia.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; Civil.ge; ecoi.net; Eurasianet; European Union-Monitoring Mission in Georgia; Factiva; Freedom House; Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center; Human Rights Watch; Tolerance and Diversity Institute; United Nations - Refworld.

Attachment

European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI). September 2009. Giorgi Sordia. "Annex 1." Ossetians in Georgia in the Wake of the 2008 War. [Accessed 20 June 2016]
Colombia: Requirements and procedures to submit a complaint to the police, the Fiscalia General de la Nacion, and the Defensoria del Pueblo, including types of complaints; standardization and appearance of documents; requirements and procedures to obtain a copy of the complaint and investigative report for each organization, both from within the country and from abroad

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 3 May 2017 Citation / Document Symbol COL105772.E Related Document(s) Colombie : information sur les exigences et la marche a suivre pour deposer une plainte a la police, au Bureau du procureur general (Fiscalia General de la Nacion - FGN) et au Bureau du protecteur du citoyen (Defensoria del Pueblo), y compris les types de plaintes; l'uniformisation et la presentation materielle des documents; les exigences et la marche a suivre pour obtenir une copie de la plainte et du rapport d'enquete pour chacune de ces organisations, au pays ou a l'etranger Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Colombia: Requirements and procedures to submit a complaint to the police, the Fiscalia General de la Nacion, and the Defensoria del Pueblo, including types of complaints; standardization and appearance of documents; requirements and procedures to obtain a copy of the complaint and investigative report for each organization, both from within the country and from abroad, 3 May 2017, COL105772.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d70a84.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Criminal Complaints

1.1. Submitting a Complaint

The website of the Attorney General's Office (Fiscalia General de la Nacion, FGN) indicates that anyone who knows of a crime has the obligation to report it, but no one is obliged to submit a criminal complaint (denuncia) against oneself, against one's spouse or permanent partner or against one's relatives within the fourth grade of consanguinity or civil relationship or second of kinship, or when one remains in professional secrecy (Colombia 28 Apr. 2017). According to the same source, minors reporting a crime should be accompanied by their parents or a relative, or the FGN will assign a family advocate who will accompany the minor when filing the complaint (Colombia 28 Apr. 2017).

The website of the Ministry of Justice and Law further explains that a criminal complaint is known as a grievance (querella) for certain crimes, such as injury, slander, theft of up to 150 monthly minimum wages, or minor personal injuries (Colombia 29 Sept. 2016). In the case of a grievance, the person directly affected or the victim must submit the complaint within six months following the incident, or as soon as they become aware of the incident (Colombia 29 Sept. 2016).

The website of the Ministry of Justice indicates that in case one is a victim of a crime or knows of a crime, one must file a complaint, verbally or in writing, at the nearest location of the FGN or, if there is no FGN office in one's municipality, to the police (Colombia 29 Sept. 2016). According to the English-language Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on the website of the FGN, the FGN "is an institution assigned to the Judicial Branch with an administrative and budgetary autonomy whose main purpose is to provide citizens with  effective law enforcement" (Colombia 10 Apr. 2017). The same source states that "[o]ne of its main functions is to investigate offenses and indict alleged offenders before judges and [c]ourts by virtue of a complaint or office" (Colombia 10 Apr. 2017). According to the Spanish-language FAQ section on the same website, the Corps of Technical Investigation is [translation] "the Judicial Police of the [FGN]. Its function is to support criminal investigations by legally obtaining information, evidence and evidentiary materials, under the coordination of the attorney general of the case" (Colombia 28 Apr. 2017). The US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016 indicates that the Colombian National Police (Policia Nacional de Colombia, PNC) shares "law enforcement investigatory duties" with the FGN's "Corps of Technical Investigators" (US 3 Mar. 2017, 10). The same source states that "[t]he [PNC]  is responsible for internal law enforcement and is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense" (US 3 Mar. 2017, 10). However, in correspondence with the Research Directorate, the Head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the PNC's Metropolitan Police of Santiago de Cali stated that the PNC does not receive criminal complaints, but officials of the judicial police of the PNC are in charge of receiving criminal complaints about crimes delineated in the Colombian Penal Code (Colombia 28 Mar. 2017).

According to the FGN website, a natural or legal person who is affected by or has knowledge of a crime that has taken place must submit a complaint at the following entities:

local Complaint Reception Centres (Salas de Recepcion de Denuncia de la localidad);

Justice Houses (Casas de Justicia) [1];

PNC Stations (Estaciones de la Policia Nacional): the Central Judicial Police Directorate (Direccion Central de Policia Judicial, DIJIN) and the Regional Offices of the Judicial Police (Seccionales de Policia Judicial, SIJIN)

Family Commissaries, in cases of domestic violence;

Unified Action Groups for Personal Freedom (Grupos de Accion Unificada por la Libertad Personal, GAULA), in cases of kidnapping or extortion;

Centres for Comprehensive Assistance for Victims on Criminal Cases (Centros de Atencion Penal Integral a Victimas, CAPIV) in the cities where they exist (Colombia 28 Apr. 2017).

A document posted on the FGN website further indicates that the CAPIVs can be found in Bogota, Barranquilla, Barrancabermeja, Villavicencio, and Tumaco (Colombia n.d.a.). For further information on reporting domestic violence, see Response to Information Request COL105771 of April 2017.

The website of the US Embassy in Bogota further reports that "[a] police report  may be filed at the nearest Unidad de Reaccion Inmediata (URI) [Immediate Response Unit] of the Colombian judicial authorities" (US n.d.). A list of URI locations as provided on the FGN website is attached to this Response (Attachment 1). The US Embassy in Bogota adds that a report can be filed "at a police station but it will not have the same validity for legal process and it is recommended that victims go to the URI to file a formal report" (US n.d.). The website further states that "[a] suspected kidnapping or hostage-taking should be reported to the [GAULA]" (US n.d.).

The FGN's website states that procedures handled by the FGN are free of charge (Colombia 28 Apr. 2017). According to the website of the Ministry of Justice and Law, it is not necessary to have a lawyer to submit a complaint (Colombia 29 Sept. 2016). The website of the US Embassy in Bogota indicates that "it is best to file the report in the jurisdiction where the crime occurred, if possible," and that "the victim should file the report in person" (US n.d.).

The Ministry of Justice and Law indicates that once a grievance or criminal complaint is received or the case is known, the FGN has a maximum of two years to bring the case to a criminal judge or to dismiss it (Colombia 29 Sept. 2016). According to the website of the US Embassy in Bogota,

[a] criminal investigation can be a long process, sometimes lasting many months, depending on the circumstances.  [M]any investigations never result in the arrest of a suspect. While the crime is being investigated a victim may be called upon to provide forensic evidence such as fingerprints, photographs, and other evidence.  In general, a case will remain open for 12 months. If there is no progress or arrest during that time it will generally be closed. (US n.d.)

According to the FGN's website, [translation] "[t]he complaint, grievance or petition is filed verbally or in writing, or through any technical medium that allows for the identification of the author, and includes the day and time of filing, and a detailed account of the facts known to the complainant" (Colombia 28 Apr. 2017). The same source indicates that information on the date and place of the events, and the presumed perpetrators, if they are known to the complainant, are also included (Colombia 28 Apr. 2017). The same source indicates that the complaint may only be expanded upon once for relevant aspects of the investigation (Colombia 28 Apr. 2017).

1.1.1. Online Reporting

According to El Tiempo, a Bogota-based newspaper, citizens can report robberies, extortion, drug trafficking and corruption, among other crimes, through the [translation] "Security Online" (Seguridad en Linea) application, which is available in the AppStore and GooglePlay (El Tiempo 2 Apr. 2017). According to Seguridadenlinea.com, the information submitted by the user through the application about a criminal complaint is treated in accordance with Law 1581 of 2012, with the purpose of creating a criminal complaint at the FGN (Seguridadenlinea.com n.d.). According to sources, complaints submitted in the application about different types of robberies, such as general, car and residential theft, robbery known as "fleteo"[2], and credit card fraud, are received by the FGN which assigns the complaint a number in the information system of the Oral Accusatory System of Criminal Justice (Sistema Penal Oral Acusatorio, SPOA) (W Radio 17 Aug. 2016; Enter 17 Aug. 2016).

According to an article in El Colombiano, an Antioquia-based newspaper, criminal complaints, which require the complainant to identify oneself, are sent directly to the FGN so the complainant does not have to go to the URI (El Colombiano 24 Sept. 2016). Similarly, according to El Tiempo, the application [translation] "saves citizens from going to URI or police stations to submit a complaint and allows them to follow up on the cases that they report" (El Tiempo 2 Apr. 2017). Sources cite the mayor of Bogota as stating that citizens can submit a complaint via their cell phone, with complete validity, without having to go to the URI (W Radio 17 Aug. 2016; Enter 17 Aug. 2016).

According to Seguridadenlinea.com, anonymous reports and criminal complaints can be filed in the following locations:

[translation] Medellin (only the municipality of Medellin, including its 16 communities and 5 townships, but not including other municipalities of the Metropolitan Area of the Valle de Aburra);

Bogota D.C. (Distrito Capital) (only the capital, not including the neighbouring municipalities like Soacha, Chia, Cota, La Calera);

East Antioqueno (Abejorral, Alejandria, Argelia, Cocorna, Concepcion, El Carmen de Viboral, El Penol, El Retiro, El Santuario, Granada, Guarne, Guatape, La Ceja, La Union, Marinilla, Narino, Rionegro, San Carlos, San Francisco, San Luis, San Rafael, San Vicente, Sonson);

West Antioqueno (Abriaqui, Anza, Armenia, Buritica, Caicedo, Canasgordas, Dabeiba, Ebejico, Frontino, Giraldo, Heliconia, Liborina, Olaya, Peque, Sabanalarga, San Jeronimo, Santa Fe de Antioquia, Sopetran, Uramita);

Southwest Antioqueno (Amaga, Andes, Angelopolis, Betania, Betulia, Caramanta, Ciudad Bolivar, Concordia, Fredonia, Hispania, Jardin, Jerico, La Pintada, Montebello, Pueblorrico, Salgar, Santa Barbara, Tamesis, Tarso, Titiribi, Urrao, Valparaiso, Venecia) (Seguridadenlinea.com n.d.).

Similarly, according to El Tiempo, Security Online only works in Bogota, Medellin and [translation] "some towns" in Antioquia (El Tiempo 2 Apr. 2017).

El Tiempo states that between August 2016 and February 2017, the Security Online application has been downloaded more than 26,000 times and 752,210 users have registered to the platform on its website (El Tiempo 2 Apr. 2017). The same source further cites statistics of the Secretariat of Security (Secretaria de Seguridad) as indicating that, seven months after the application's launch, 9,490 cases have been reported, including 4,663 complaints and 4,827 [translation] "community problems" (El Tiempo 2 Apr. 2017).

According to W Radio, a Colombia-based radio station, the District Administration of Bogota has placed computers in 15 Justice Houses so that people can submit a criminal complaint online (W Radio 17 Aug. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

1.2. Standardization and Appearance of Documents

According to the Head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Metropolitan Police of Santiago de Cali, criminal complaints received by the PNC's judicial police are linked to the SPOA of the FGN, where a unique, 21-digit number of the [translation] "criminal notice" (noticia criminal) is generated when the crime is reported (Colombia 28 Mar. 2017). With this number, it is possible to determine in which city of the country the crime was reported (Colombia 28 Mar. 2017). According to the website of the Ministry of Justice and Law, the complaint can be tracked with the tracking number of the case (Colombia 29 Sept. 2016). According to the Head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Metropolitan Police of Santiago de Cali, a manual copy of the criminal notice is filled out when there is no access to the SPOA of the FGN (Colombia 28 Mar. 2017). The same source stated that there is no variation of this format because it is unique and established by the FGN (Colombia 28 Mar. 2017). A copy of a [translation] "System of Complaints and Violations" (Sistema de Denuncias y Contravenciones, SIDENCO) application of the PNC which is linked to the FGN's SPOA is attached to this Response (Attachment 2). Further and corroborating information on the format of criminal complaints could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time Constraints of this Response.

1.3. Obtaining a Copy of the Complaint and Investigative Report

The Head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Metropolitan Police of Santiago de Cali stated that once the complaint is received, the claimant is given a copy of the [translation] "established complaint" (Colombia 28 Mar. 2017). According to the same source, a person who reported a crime can obtain a copy of the report from outside of Colombia through a family member or a lawyer, with certified power in the country in which the claimant resides (Colombia 28 Mar. 2017). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Human Rights Complaints

2.1. Submitting a Human Rights Complaint

According to the website of the Ombudsperson's Office (Defensoria del Pueblo), the Ombudsperson's Office is the human rights protection agency created by the 1991 Constitution (Colombia n.d.b.). According to ACCESS Facility [3], "[t]he Colombian Constitution of 1991  establishes the mandate of the [Ombudsperson] as part of the Public Ministry exercising functions under the supreme direction of the [FGN]" (ACCESS Facility Oct. 2015). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, the Head of the International Affairs Office of the Ombudsperson's Office stated that the Ombudsperson's Office has the constitutional mandate to promote and raise awareness of human rights, and to ensure the exercise of human rights (Colombia 23 Mar. 2017). According to the US Country Reports 2016, the Ombudsperson "is independent, submits an annual report to the House of Representatives, and [is responsible] for providing for the promotion and exercise of human rights" (US 3 Mar. 2017, 36). According to the website of the Ombudsperson's Office, the Ombudsperson's Office does not exercise judicial or disciplinary functions, but provides opinions, reports and recommendations, and [translation] "exercises a power of critique based on its moral prestige" (Colombia n.d.b.).

The Head of the International Affairs Office of the Ombudsperson's Office stated that the Ombudsperson's Office manages the process of [translation] "Petition Services" (Atencion de Peticiones), in accordance with Law 1755 of 2015 (Colombia 23 Mar. 2017). The website of the Ombudsperson's Office indicates that any national or foreigner can file a request, complaint or grievance, and that Article 23 of the Constitution recognizes that everyone has [translation] "the fundamental right of petitioning," which includes the right to file a petition to authorities for a general or a particular purpose and the right to obtain a prompt resolution of the petition (Colombia n.d.b.). According to ACCESS Facility,

[a]ny national or foreign person can file requests and complaints related to the protection and enforcement of human rights to the Ombudsman. Anonymous complaints are not accepted. The identity of the complainant may be kept confidential when circumstances so warrant, unless disclosure of the identity is necessary for legal reasons. (ACCESS Facility Oct. 2015)

Similarly, the website of the Ombudsperson's Office indicates that [translation] "when the circumstances require it, the Ombudsperson's Office will withhold the identity of the petitioner" (Colombia n.d.b.).

According to the website of the Ombudsperson's Office, natural and legal persons (including associations, trade unions, NGOs) have the right to submit petitions and petitions can be in verbal or written format (Colombia n.d.b.). According to ACCESS Facility, "[i]ndividuals can submit their concerns both verbally or in written form in the following way: [d]irectly to one of the [r]egional ombuds[person] offices; [b]y phone, calling one of the regional ombuds[person] offices or the national hotline; by mail; [or] by email" (ACCESS Facility Oct. 2015). The Head of the International Affairs Office of the Ombudsperson's Office stated that according to Article 5 of Law 1437 of 2011, the petition can be presented directly by the petitioner or through a representative with power of attorney [translation] "which must comply with the established requirements" and have at least the following information: the full name of the applicant and, if applicable, of the legal representative or attorney, and an identity document and address; the objective of the petition or query; the reasons for the petition; a list of accompanying documents and; the signature of the petitioner (Colombia 23 Mar. 2017). According to the website of the Ombudsperson's Office, a written complaint should include: the name and surnames of the petitioner; the number of the petitioner's identity document; the petitioner's address; a description of the request; an explanation of the events that led to the request; a list of annexed documents (if applicable); and the signature of the applicant, if the petitioner knows how to write (Colombia n.d.b). According to ACCESS Facility, when a complaint is submitted by telephone, "an officer will take note of the petitioner's data and of the procedure that [the petitioner] wants to be performed. Once the concern is registered, the officer will forward the report to the appropriate regional office for follow up" (ACCESS Facility Oct. 2015).

The Head of the International Affairs Office of the Ombudsperson's Office stated that authorities must resolve petitions within a period of 15 working days (Colombia 23 Mar. 2017). According to the website of the Ombudsperson's Office, [translation] "if this is not possible, the Ombudsperson's Office will inform the petitioner about the inability to respond within the statutory period, the reasons for the delay and the date when the response will be given" (Colombia n.d.b.).

2.2. Standardization and Appearance of Documents

The Head of the International Affairs Office of the Ombudsperson's Office stated that in order to ensure that petitions presented by citizens before the Ombudsperson's Office are dealt with in a specific order in accordance with legal requirements, the petitions are received at the Ombudsperson's Office or [translation] "in situ (decentralized service centres outside of the institution)," in person, by email, fax or phone, or "ex officio" (Colombia 23 Mar. 2017). The same source stated that a specific document format for petitions does not exist because petitions are registered digitally in the Ombudsperson's Office's digital case management system called Vision-Web (Colombia 23 Mar. 2017). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2.3. Obtaining a Copy of the Complaint and Investigative Report

The Head of the International Affairs Office of the Ombudsman stated that in order to obtain petition documents, a citizen must express the wish to obtain a copy of said documents, but that in accordance with the Constitution and the law, there are documents that are considered secret or restricted, including documents related to instructions from the government to ministers and diplomats or related to secret negotiations (Colombia 23 Mar. 2017). Further and corroborating information about obtaining copies of documents related to human rights complaints could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] Justice Houses [translation] "are centres for information, orientation, referrals and service delivery regarding conflict resolution where mechanisms that promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence for citizens are carried out" (Colombia 28 Apr. 2017).

[2] Fleteo is [translation] "robbery after leaving a bank" (El Tiempo 25 Mar. 2012).

[3] ACCESS Facility is a Netherlands-based "global nonprofit organization that supports rights-compatible, interest-based problem-solving to prevent and resolve conflicts between companies and communities" and "collects and curates a growing body of academic research, case studies, regulatory and institutional frameworks" on "collaboration, preventative action and conflict resolution" (ACCESS Facility n.d.).

References

ACCESS Facility. October 2015. "Colombia's Defensoria del Pueblo. National Human Rights Commission." [Accessed 6 Mar. 2017]

ACCESS Facility. N.d. "About ACCESS." [Accessed 6 Mar. 2017]

Colombia. 28 April 2017. Fiscalia General de La Nacion. "Preguntas frecuentes." [Accessed 6 Mar. 2017]

Colombia. 10 April 2017. Fiscalia General de La Nacion. "Frequently Asked Questions." [Accessed 1 May 2017]

Colombia. 28 March 2017. Policia Nacional de Colombia, Policia Metropolitana de Santiago de Cali. Correspondence from the Head of the Criminal Investigation Department to the Research Directorate.

Colombia. 23 March 2017. Defensoria del Pueblo Colombia. Correspondence from the Head of the International Affairs Office to the Research Directorate.

Colombia. 29 September 2016. Ministerio de Justicia y del Derecho. "Como presentar una denuncia, si fui victima o conozco de un delito?" [Accessed 7 Mar. 2017]

Colombia. N.d.a. Fiscalia General de la Nacion. "Violencia intrafamiliar." [Accessed 2 May 2017]

Colombia. N.d.b. Defensoria del Pueblo. "Preguntas Frecuentes." [Accessed 7 Mar. 2017]

El Colombiano. 24 September 2016. Gustavo Ospina Zapata. "Seguridad en Linea incentiva la denuncia anonima." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2017]

El Tiempo. 2 April 2017. "Que paso con la 'app' para denunciar atracos en tiempo real?" [Accessed 19 Apr. 2017]

El Tiempo. 25 March 2012. "El fleteo es un delito comun que agobia a los bogotanos." [Accessed 28 Apr. 2017]

Enter. 17 August 2016. Miguel Angel Hernandez. "Descargue Seguridad En Linea, la app para denunciar delitos en Bogota." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2017]

Seguridadenlinea.com. N.d. "Terminos y condiciones." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2017]

United States (US). 3 March 2017. Department of State. "Colombia." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016. [Accessed 10 Mar. 2017]

United States (US). N.d. Embassy in Bogota. "Victims of Crime." [Accessed 26 Apr. 2017]

W Radio. 17 August 2016. "Alcaldia de Bogota lanza aplicacion para denunciar delitos." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2017]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Colombia - Attorney General's Office, Consulate General in Toronto, Embassy in Ottawa, Metropolitan Police of Barranquilla, Ministry of Justice and Law, National Police; Comision Colombiana de Juristas; La Corporacion Colectivo de Abogados Jose Alvear Restrepo; Professor of Law at the Universidad Autonoma Latinoamericana; Programa No Gubernamental de Proteccion a Defensores de Derechos Humanos; US - Embassy in Bogota.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; Colombia - Bogota Secretaria Distrital de la Mujer, National Police; Colombia.com; ecoi.net; El Mundo; El Pensante; Empresa para la Seguridad Urbana; Factiva; Interlatin Corporation; Semana; Soporte Juridico; UN - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Refworld.

Attachments

Colombia. N.d. Fiscalia General de La Nacion. "Centros de Atencion Ciudadana Unidades de Reaccion Inmediata - URI." [Accessed 6 Mar. 2017] Colombia. N.d. Policia Metropolitana Santiago de Cali. "Formatos aplicativo SIDENCO de la Policia Nacional, el cual queda enlazado son el Sistema Penal Oral Acusatorio SPOA de la Fiscalia General de la Nacion." Sent to the Research Directorate by an official of the Policia Metropolitana Santiago de Cali, 28 March 2017.
AATA Case No. 1420100

Publisher Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Publication Date 6 September 2016 Citation / Document Symbol [2016] AATA 4383 (6 September 2016) Cite as AATA Case No. 1420100, [2016] AATA 4383 (6 September 2016), Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal, 6 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,AUS_AAT,592d753d4.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

1420100 (Refugee) [ 2016] AATA 4383 (6 September 2016)

Last Updated: 28 September 2016

1420100 (Refugee) [2016] AATA 4383 (6 September 2016)



DECISION RECORD

DIVISION: Migration & Refugee Division

CASE NUMBER: 1420100

COUNTRY OF REFERENCE: Sudan

MEMBER: David Corrigan

DATE: 6 September 2016

PLACE OF DECISION: Melbourne

DECISION: The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies s.36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.

Statement made on 06 September 2016 at 4:10pm



Any references appearing in square brackets indicate that information has been omitted from this decision pursuant to section 431 of the Migration Act 1958 and replaced with generic information which does not allow the identification of an applicant, or their relative or other dependant.

STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS

APPLICATION FOR REVIEW

This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration to refuse to grant the applicant a Protection visa under s.65 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act). The applicant, who claims to be a citizen of Sudan, applied for the visa [in] February 2013 and the delegate refused to grant the visa [in] December 2014. The applicant appeared before the Tribunal on 26 July 2016 to give evidence and present arguments. The Tribunal hearing was conducted with the assistance of an interpreter in the Arabic (Sudanese) and English languages. The applicant was represented in relation to the review by his registered migration agent.

RELEVANT LAW

The criteria for a protection visa are set out in s.36 of the Act and Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations). An applicant for the visa must meet one of the alternative criteria in s.36(2)(a), (aa), (b), or (c). That is, the applicant is either a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations under the 'refugee' criterion, or on other 'complementary protection' grounds, or is a member of the same family unit as such a person and that person holds a protection visa of the same class.

Refugee criterion

Section 36(2)(a) provides that a criterion for a protection visa is that the applicant for the visa is a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees as amended by the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (together, the Refugees Convention, or the Convention). Australia is a party to the Refugees Convention and generally speaking, has protection obligations in respect of people who are refugees as defined in Article 1 of the Convention. Article 1A(2) relevantly defines a refugee as any person who:

owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.

Sections 91R and 91S of the Act qualify some aspects of Article 1A(2) for the purposes of the application of the Act and the Regulations to a particular person. There are four key elements to the Convention definition. First, an applicant must be outside his or her country. Second, an applicant must fear persecution. Under s.91R(1) of the Act persecution must involve 'serious harm' to the applicant (s.91R(1)(b)), and systematic and discriminatory conduct (s.91R(1)(c)). Examples of 'serious harm' are set out in s.91R(2) of the Act. The High Court has explained that persecution may be directed against a person as an individual or as a member of a group. The persecution must have an official quality, in the sense that it is official, or officially tolerated or uncontrollable by the authorities of the country of nationality. However, the threat of harm need not be the product of government policy; it may be enough that the government has failed or is unable to protect the applicant from persecution. Further, persecution implies an element of motivation on the part of those who persecute for the infliction of harm. People are persecuted for something perceived about them or attributed to them by their persecutors. Third, the persecution which the applicant fears must be for one or more of the reasons enumerated in the Convention definition - race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. The phrase 'for reasons of' serves to identify the motivation for the infliction of the persecution. The persecution feared need not be solely attributable to a Convention reason. However, persecution for multiple motivations will not satisfy the relevant test unless a Convention reason or reasons constitute at least the essential and significant motivation for the persecution feared: s.91R(1)(a) of the Act. Fourth, an applicant's fear of persecution for a Convention reason must be a 'well-founded' fear. This adds an objective requirement to the requirement that an applicant must in fact hold such a fear. A person has a 'well-founded fear' of persecution under the Convention if they have genuine fear founded upon a 'real chance' of being persecuted for a Convention stipulated reason. A 'real chance' is one that is not remote or insubstantial or a far-fetched possibility. A person can have a well-founded fear of persecution even though the possibility of the persecution occurring is well below 50 per cent. In addition, an applicant must be unable, or unwilling because of his or her fear, to avail himself or herself of the protection of his or her country or countries of nationality or, if stateless, unable, or unwilling because of his or her fear, to return to his or her country of former habitual residence. The expression 'the protection of that country' in the second limb of Article 1A(2) is concerned with external or diplomatic protection extended to citizens abroad. Internal protection is nevertheless relevant to the first limb of the definition, in particular to whether a fear is well-founded and whether the conduct giving rise to the fear is persecution. Whether an applicant is a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations is to be assessed upon the facts as they exist when the decision is made and requires a consideration of the matter in relation to the reasonably foreseeable future.

Complementary protection criterion

If a person is found not to meet the refugee criterion in s.36(2)(a), he or she may nevertheless meet the criteria for the grant of a protection visa if he or she is a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations because the Minister has substantial grounds for believing that, as a necessary and foreseeable consequence of the applicant being removed from Australia to a receiving country, there is a real risk that he or she will suffer significant harm: s.36(2)(aa) ('the complementary protection criterion'). 'Significant harm' for these purposes is exhaustively defined in s.36(2A): s.5(1). A person will suffer significant harm if he or she will be arbitrarily deprived of their life; or the death penalty will be carried out on the person; or the person will be subjected to torture; or to cruel or inhuman treatment or punishment; or to degrading treatment or punishment. 'Cruel or inhuman treatment or punishment', 'degrading treatment or punishment', and 'torture', are further defined in s.5(1) of the Act. There are certain circumstances in which there is taken not to be a real risk that an applicant will suffer significant harm in a country. These arise where it would be reasonable for the applicant to relocate to an area of the country where there would not be a real risk that the applicant will suffer significant harm; where the applicant could obtain, from an authority of the country, protection such that there would not be a real risk that the applicant will suffer significant harm; or where the real risk is one faced by the population of the country generally and is not faced by the applicant personally: s.36(2B) of the Act.

Section 499 Ministerial Direction

In accordance with Ministerial Direction No.56, made under s.499 of the Act, the Tribunal has taken account of policy guidelines prepared by the Department of Immigration -PAM3 Refugee and humanitarian - Complementary Protection Guidelines and PAM3 Refugee and humanitarian - Refugee Law Guidelines - and any country information assessment prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade expressly for protection status determination purposes, to the extent that they are relevant to the decision under consideration.

CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

The applicant's claims can be summarised as follows. He was born in [his home town], Al Jazeera province, Sudan in [year]. He is an ethnic [Tribe 1] and [Tribe 2] from Darfur; however he lived in Al Jazeera and Omdurman between [year] and 2012. As a person of Darfuri ethnicity, he is easily identified by his accent and his skin colour. He is imputed by authorities as supporting Darfuri rebels and has received constant verbal abuse in Al Jazeera because of his Darfuri origins. In 1996, he moved to Omdurman to escape discrimination. After the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) attack on Omdurman in 2008, he was routinely stopped by the police because of his ethnicity. He was arrested and detained overnight in 2008 whilst travelling from Omdurman to [Al Jazeera]. In 2012, police visited his [business] in Omdurman and accused him of supporting Darfuri rebels, providing them with information and money. [Several] weeks prior to leaving Sudan, the applicant was arrested and detained overnight. He was interrogated, humiliated and mistreated. Soon after his release he was shot at whilst sleeping in front of his [business]. The applicant also fears harm as a member of a particular social group consisting of "Returned failed asylum seekers from a western country from an African tribe".

Country of reference

The applicant has claimed to be a citizen of Sudan. He has provided a copy of his passport, Sudanese identity card and drivers licence that supports this claim. On the basis of this evidence, I find that he is a national of Sudan for the purposes of the Convention.

Assessment of claims

I have significant concerns about the credibility of the applicant's claims to have been harmed in the past for a number of reasons including: The inconsistency in his claims as to where he was targeted by the police for selling [products] on the street; in his statutory declaration he said this happened in Al Jazeera whilst he told this happened in Omdurman.

His submitted copy of his driver's licence that gave his occupation as [an occupation] rather than as a [business owner];

His [social media] indicates that he attended [a named university] and is inconsistent with his claims to have left for Omdurman because of harassment in his home area;

The implausibility that the police would have visited his [business] for many years but not have found the book of customers owning him money and the police then using this list of debtors (which is a common business practice and according to the applicant had common Muslim names such as [two specified names] in it) to accuse him of supporting rebel groups. However, given my below findings concerning the applicant's tribal background and the country information, I have not made firm findings about his claims of past harm. An applicant does not have to show past persecution in order to demonstrate a well-founded fear of being persecuted.[1] The applicant has given consistent evidence that he was born in and lived in Al Jazeera until about 1996 and that he then lived in Omdurman until he came to Australia in 2012. He has given consistent evidence that his parents both originate from Darfur and that he is of the [Tribe 1] tribe and I accept this to be the case. I have had regard to all the country information referred to in the delegate's decision including that of the International Crisis Group which said in 2009 that Darfuri rebel groups are dominated by members of the Zaghawa, Fur and Massalit tribes. I have also taken in to account country information of [source deleted] which stated the [Tribe 1] then living in [Country 1] had entered Sudan as a result of [a major event] though the source also states in a table that in southern western Darfur the majority of [Tribe 1] came from [Country 1] during the [major event] which does not preclude that there were [Tribe 1] already there or in other parts of Darfur. I have also taken into account country information that when conflict emerged in 2003 that members of the "new' African tribes including the [Tribe 1] did not side with the traditional African tribes of the area and were subsequently considered collaborators and that these "new" African tribes were not targeted by government forces or Arab militias. However, I have given greater weight to other and more recent country information and oral evidence of a witness from [a migrant community organisation in Australia]. [Name deleted] of the [migration community organisation] gave oral evidence to the Tribunal that he was the former [Senior Official] of this association and of [a certain] tribe. He said he had known the applicant since he had arrived in Australia and had helped with his re-settlement. He said he had met with the applicant every 2-3 weeks or so since his arrival in Australia. He said the applicant had told him of his relationship with the [Tribe 1] tribe and [Tribe 2] tribes. The witness stated that he went to school with members of both tribes and they did not migrate recently to Darfur though they extend into [Country 1]. The witness said [that the movement with Country 1] was very free without the need for passports. He said Darfur tribes mix and inter-marry and that given their complexion and heritage it was difficult to tell who was who. He said that all African tribes were targeted and that it could easily be told that someone was from Darfur. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in a recent report have stated:

3.4 Minority Rights Group International ranks Sudan third on its 2015 Peoples Under Threat Ranking, identifying the Fur, Zaghawa, Massalit and others in Darfur, along with the Ngok Dinka, Nuba and Beja, as the most at risk ethnic groups in Sudan. Based on discussions with in-country contacts, DFAT assesses that this is broadly accurate and that non-Arab ethnic groups including the Fur, Zaghawa and Massalit from Darfur and Nuba from South Kordofan face the greatest risk of being deliberately persecuted or discriminated against on the basis of their ethnicity, as detailed below.

...

3.8 There are also examples of individuals from Darfur being targeted outside of Darfur, particularly in Khartoum. There are a number of factors that influence the treatment of Darfuris in Khartoum, including their actual or perceived support for or association with rebel groups, or the criticism, particularly from students, of the implementation of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (which guaranteed free university education for Darfuris). For example, between late April and early July 2015 over 200 Darfuri students and their families were detained in Khartoum following protests.

3.9 Overall, DFAT assesses that Darfuris in Khartoum face a moderate risk of discrimination and violence on the basis of their ethnicity and their actual or perceived support for or association with rebel groups.[2]

The United Kingdom Upper Tribunal in January 2015 considered the case of an applicant who was from the Berti tribe which originates from Darfur and which is one of Sudan's non-Arab tribes. An expert gave evidence to the Upper Tribunal which was summarised as:

(i) The Sudanese authorities would treat the appellant as a non-Arab Darfuri. What would matter to them was that he was a member of a non-Arab tribe who originate from Darfur. It would make no difference to them that his father had moved away from Darfur and that he himself had neither been born nor ever lived in Darfur.

(ii) Since the Tribunal case of AA there had been no improvement in the attitude of the Sudanese authorities to non-Arab Darfuris and indeed for members of the Berti tribe things were now worse, as a significant number of members of that tribe were educated and educated Darfuris were now being increasingly targeted by the security forces on suspicion that they were assisting the rebel forces.

(This like (iv) below) were matters which arose from his oral evidence). Even though there was evidence that a significant number of educated Berti lived in Khartoum and were able to go about their business without significant problems, they were increasingly at risk of becoming a target for adverse treatment.

(iv) On return the authorities would view the appellant not just as a non-Arab Darfuri/Berti, but as someone who had lived in the UK and had claimed asylum there. They would know from his passport that his exit visa had expired. This would add to the risk he would face on return.[3]

The Upper Tribunal concluded:

In the country guidance case of AA (Non-Arab Darfuris-relocation) Sudan CG [2009] UKAIT 00056, where it is stated that if a claimant from Sudan is a non-Arab Darfuri he must succeed in an international protection claim, "Darfuri" is to be understood as an ethnic term relating to origins, not as a geographical term. Accordingly it covers even Darfuris who were not born in Darfur.

For the above reasons we are satisfied that even though not born in Darfur the appellant has established that he faces a real risk of persecution on return as a non-Arab who will be perceived as a non-Arab Darfuri.[4]

I note that Darfur has a [border] with [Country 1] and I accept taking into account the witness' evidence that the applicant's tribe has a longer history in Darfur than that arising since [the major event]. I have also taken into the witness' evidence that there is a substantial rate of mixing and inter-marriage amongst Darfur tribes noting that the United Nations have commented that even between Arab and African tribes in Darfur there is a high measure of intermarriage and they can hardly be distinguished physically.[5] Though the applicant is not of the Berti tribe referred to in the Upper Tribunal's decision, he is of a non-Arab Darfur tribe and I am after considering all of the evidence unable to discount as remote that he will not be perceived by the Sudanese authorities in either Al Jazeera or Omdurman or any other part of Sudan (such as Khartoum) as a being Darfuri and associated with the rebels. In making this finding, I note the above Minority Rights Group identifies others in Darfur (and not just the Fur, Zaghawa, Massalit) as the most at risk ethnic groups in Sudan. DFAT assesses that Darfuris in Khartoum face a moderate risk of discrimination and violence on the basis of their ethnicity and their actual or perceived support for or association with rebel groups and their assessment indicates that Darfuris are targeted in other parts of the country. I am of the opinion that a moderate risk of violence is sufficient to equate to a real chance of serious harm particularly in the light of the Upper Tribunal's decision regarding non-Arab Darfuris. After considering the country information as a whole and the applicant's individual circumstances, I find that if the applicant returns to Sudan, now or in the reasonably foreseeable future, there is a real chance that he will be targeted for serious harm by the Sudanese authorities as per s.91R(1)(b) of the Act. I find that the essential and significant reason for the harm would be the applicant's race and imputed political opinion as per s.91R(1)(a) of the Act and that the conduct feared by the applicant is systematic and discriminatory as per s.91R(1)(c) of the Act. As the harm feared by the applicant is from the Sudanese authorities, I find that state protection is not available to him and that there is nowhere in Sudan where, in the reasonably foreseeable future, there is no appreciable risk of the persecution feared by the applicant. His fear of persecution is well-founded. There is no evidence before me to suggest that the applicant has the right to enter and reside in any safe third country for the purposes of s.36(3) of the Act and I find that this section does not apply in his case.

Conclusions

For the reasons given above, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant is a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations under the Refugees Convention. Therefore the applicant satisfies the criterion set out in s.36(2)(a).

DECISION

The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies s.36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.





David Corrigan

Member

[1] In Abebe v The Commonwealth [1999] HCA 14; (1999) 197 CLR 510, Gummow and Hayne JJ at [192] observed that '[r]egrettably, cases can readily be imagined where an applicant's fear is entirely well founded but the particular applicant has never suffered any form of persecution in the past'.

[2] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Country Information Report Sudan, 27 April 2016.

[3] MM (Darfuris) Sudan CG [2015] UKUT 00010 (IAC) v The Secretary of State for the Home Department: United Kingdom: Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), 5 January 2015.

[4] MM (Darfuris) Sudan CG [2015] UKUT 00010 (IAC) v The Secretary of State for the Home Department: United Kingdom: Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), 5 January 2015.

[5] United Nations, Report of the International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur

to the United Nations Secretary-General, 25 January 2005.
Somalia: Information on the Ujejen sub-clan, including distinguishing features, locations, occupations and position in the clan hierarchy; treatment (2014-November 2016)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 10 November 2016 Citation / Document Symbol SOM105678.E Related Document(s) Somalie : information sur le sous-clan Ujejen, y compris ses caracteristiques particulieres, sa repartition geographique, les metiers de ses membres et sa position dans la hierarchie des clans; le traitement qui lui est reserve (2014-novembre 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somalia: Information on the Ujejen sub-clan, including distinguishing features, locations, occupations and position in the clan hierarchy; treatment (2014-November 2016), 10 November 2016, SOM105678.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d76800.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Name Variants

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a senior lecturer of the Development Planning Unit of University College London, who has conducted research on evolving political settlements in Somalia, noted that spelling variants of Somali clans "can be very variable" (Senior Lecturer 1 Nov. 2016). Name variants for this sub-clan include: Ujejen (UN 2004, 1; Ambroso Mar. 2002, 78; Africa Confidential 1 Nov. 2016), Ujeedeen (Somali Programme Advisor 7 Nov. 2016), Ujeejeen (Somali Analyst 8 Nov. 2016), Ujudeen (Abbink 2009, 27), Ujejeen (Senior Lecturer 1 Nov. 2016), Ujeien (ibid.), Ujudayn (ibid.), Ujujeen (ibid.), and "many others" (ibid.).

2. Place in Somali Clan Genealogy

Sources indicate that the Ujejen belong to the Hawiye clan family (Somali Analyst 2 Nov. 2016; Abbink 2009, 26-27; UN 2004). The Senior Lecturer noted that the Hawiye are one of the major clan families (Senior Lecturer 1 Nov. 2016).

According to The Total Somali Clan Genealogy by Jan Abbink, of the African Studies Centre of Leiden University, the "Ujudeen" sub-clan is part of the "Gurgate" [also spelled out as Gorgate, Gorgarte, or Gorgaate] clan, which is part of the "Bah Girei" "clan 'moiet[y]'" (uterine/territorial division), which is part of the Hawiye clan family (Abbink 2009, 26-27).

According to a genealogical table of Somali clans prepared by UNHCR Somalia in 2004, the "Ujejen" are part of the "Mudulod" clan, who are part of the "Gorgarte," who are part of the Hawiye (UN 2004, 1).

According to a genealogical chart compiled by Guido Ambroso, a UNHCR field/repatriation officer in Somalia, the "Ujejen" are a subgroup of the "Mudulod," who are part of "Hirab," who are part of "Mohamud," who are part of "Gorgate," who are part of Hawiye (Ambroso Mar. 2002, 78).

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Somali Analyst who specialises in the Somalia region, stated that the Ujejen are part of the "Mudulod" clan and "Hirab" (Somali Analyst 2 Nov. 2016). She also noted that the Hirab is the largest clan of the Hawiye (ibid.).

The Senior Lecturer stated that the Ujejen are "a part of the Gorgaate branch of the Hawiye family, alongside Habr Gidir [also spelled out as Habar Gidir] and Abgaal [also spelled out as Abgal]. They tend to be more closely associated with the Habr Gidir group" (Senior Lecturer 1 Nov. 2016). The same source also indicated that "[t]he Ujejeen, although not a particularly powerful sub-clan, are generally considered a central part of the Hawiye clan group, and enjoy status in their own areas as a result" (ibid.).

Regarding the larger clans with which the Ujejen is affiliated, the Somali Analyst noted that Hirab is the largest clan within Hawiye and Somalia, and that the Mudulod are a populous clan within south central Somalia (Somali Analyst 2 Nov. 2016). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Somali Programme Advisor for Saferworld [1], who provided information based on his personal experience, stated that the Ujejen have "a close ethnic affiliation to the Abgal-Hawiye clan, which numerically and geographically constitutes one of the most dominant clans in Mogadishu" (7 Nov. 2016). An article in Africa Confidential similarly describes the Ujejen as "a clan close to the Abgal" (Africa Confidential 14 June 2002).

3. Distinguishing Features and Size

The Somali Programme Advisor noted that the Ujejen "do not have any particular distinguishing features from other Somali clans" (Somali Programme Advisor 7 Nov. 2016). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Sources indicate that the Ujejen are a relatively small sub-clan (ibid.; Senior Lecturer 1 Nov. 2016; Somali Analyst 2 Nov. 2016). The Somali Analyst indicated that they are a "small sub-clan" in the region where they live (ibid.). Information on the exact number of people in the Ujejen could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to the Somali Analyst, "[s]tatistical data and census on population and clan make up is not available in Somalia" (ibid. 3 Nov. 2016).

4. Locations

Sources indicate that the Ujejen live in the following areas:

the Hiran [Hiraan] region of Somalia (UN 2004, 1; Senior Lecturer 1 Nov. 2016; Somali Analyst 2 Nov. 2016);

the Ethiopian borderline zone five (ibid.);

Mogadishu (Senior Lecturer 1 Nov. 2016); and

Ethiopia (ibid.; UN 2004, 1), in the Somali region (Senior Lecturer 1 Nov. 2016).

The Somali Programme Advisor noted that the Hiran region is part of the recently formed Federal Administration of Hir-Shabelle (7 Nov. 2016).

The Somali Analyst explained that the Ujejen have more than eight neighbouring clans in the Hiran region and that each clan in the area has their own customary laws and their own relations with respect to the other clans (Somali Analyst 2 Nov. 2016). She indicated that the following clan-families and clans are neighbours to the Ujejen:

Hawiye: Xawaadle, Habar Gidir, Ceyr, and Jijele;

Darood: Marehan and Ogaden;

Dir: Abdalla;

Jareer: Makane; and

Shanta Sheikh, such as Reer Awxasan Kalweyne (ibid. 8 Nov. 2016).

Further information on the Ujejen's neighbouring clans in Hiran could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

5. Occupations

According to the Senior Lecturer, "[t]he sub-clans of the Hawiye and other 'noble' lineages tend to associate themselves traditionally with pastoralism, though increasing numbers have settled in cities and, in some cases, moved into agriculture" (1 Nov. 2016). The Somali Programme Advisor stated that despite their small size, the Ujejen are "relatively influential as its members are known to be highly urbanized and comparatively well-educated" (Somali Programme Advisor 7 Nov. 2016). He noted that the first democratically elected President of Somalia was Ujejen, as well as the Mogadishu mayor (ibid.). Further information about Ujejen occupations could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

6. Treatment

The Senior Lecturer stated that the Ujejen "are not a traditionally weak or marginalized sub-clan. They situate themselves firmly within the 'noble' lineages, and enjoy significant advantage from residing in central areas, surrounded in large part by other groups from within the Hawiye family" (Senior Lecturer 1 Nov. 2016). The same source expressed the opinion that the Ujejen would "be able to call on Hawiye alliances when needed" (ibid.). However, he noted that "[c]lan alliances do tend to be quite fluid" (ibid.).

According to the Somali Programme Advisor, "[a]s a minority clan, the Ujeedeen might feel marginalized, which is common in all smaller Somali clans" (Somali Programme Advisor 7 Nov. 2016).

Based on interviews with ten local clan elders [2], the Somali Analyst found that the Ujejen had respectful relations with some clans, but felt marginalized by others, specifically the Ogaden (Darood clan-family) and the Xawaadle (Hawiye clan-family) (Somali Analyst 9 Nov. 2016). The same source found that the Ujejen do not receive respect from the Xawaadle and experience issues with grazing and water disputes (ibid. 8 Nov. 2016). The Somali Analyst indicated that the Darood respects customary laws with Hawiye, but when there are issues with territorial expansion and water and grazing rights, the Darood "show their strong power to Ujeejeen," and also "sometimes" do not pay "Dhiig" and "Diyo" [translates as "blood" and "restitution"] when there are troubles with fighting (ibid.). Regarding the Dir/Abdalla, the Somali Analyst said that there is respect between them and the Ujejen (ibid.). However, the same source noted that the Ujejen use their power to gain potential support from Hiraab sub-clans in their interactions with Abdalla, Jaree/Makana, and Jijeele (ibid.). The source indicated that the Habar Gidir "fully respects the Ujeejeen because of kinship" (ibid.). In addition, the Ujejen have "good relations" with the urban Shanta Sheikh, and the Makana and Ceyr clans (ibid. 9 Nov. 2016). Corroborating information about their interactions with specific clans could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] Saferworld is a UK-based "independent international organization working to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives" (n.d.).

[2] The Somali Analyst interviewed clan elders from the Ogaden, Marehan, Ceyr, Xawaadle/Agoon, Ali Maaxweyne, Jijeele, Makane, Dir/Abdalla, and Shanra Sheikh (9 Nov. 2016).

References

Abbink, Jan. 2009. The Total Somali Clan Genealogy (Second Edition). Working Paper, African Studies Centre, Leiden University. No. 84. [Accessed 28 Oct. 2016]

Africa Confidential. 14 June 2002. "And the Arms Flow On." Vol. 43, No. 12. [Accessed 1 Nov. 2016]

Ambroso, Guido. March 2002. Clanship, Conflict and Refugees: An Introduction to the Somalis in the Horn of Africa. [Accessed 1 Nov. 2016]

Saferworld. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 8 Nov. 2016]

Senior Lecturer, Development Planning Unit, University College London. 1 November 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Somali Analyst. 9 November 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Somali Analyst. 8 November 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Somali Analyst. 3 November 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Somali Analyst. 2 November 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Somali Programme Advisor, Saferworld. 7 November 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

United Nations (UN). 2004. High Commissioner for Refugees, Somalia. "Genealogical Table of Somali Clans." [Accessed 28 Oct. 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Associate Professor, International Development Group; Center for Research and Dialogue; Doctoral Candidate, History and African Studies, University of Oxford; Feinsten International Center, Tufts University; Minority Rights Group International; Professor of political science, Davidson College; Reader in development studies, SOAS, University of London.

Internet sites, including: All Africa; Amnesty International; ecoi.net; Freedom House; Hiiraan Online; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; IRIN; Minority Rights Group International; Norway - Landinfo; UN - Refworld; US - Department of State.
Somalia: Information on the Degodia clan, including distinguishing features, locations, occupations and position in the clan hierarchy; treatment (2014-August 2016)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 2 September 2016 Citation / Document Symbol SOM105605.E Related Document(s) Somalie : information sur le clan Degodia, y compris ses caracteristiques particulieres, sa repartition geographique, les occupations de ses membres et sa position dans la hierarchie des clans; information sur le traitement qui lui est reserve (2014-aout 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somalia: Information on the Degodia clan, including distinguishing features, locations, occupations and position in the clan hierarchy; treatment (2014-August 2016), 2 September 2016, SOM105605.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d77b44.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Locations

Members of the Degodia [Dagodiye, Dagodiya, Dagodia, Dagoodi, Dagoodiye, Degodiya, Degodiye, Degodi] clan can be found in regions of Somalia, such as:

Jubaland [Jubbaland] (Doctoral candidate 31 July 2016) [Jubaland is a region created in 2013 and consists of Gedo, Middle Juba, and Lower Juba in southern Somalia (AMISOM n.d.)];

Kismayo [Kismaayo town] (Norway 22 July 2011, 5; Doctoral Candidate 31 July 2016);

Lower Juba (Norway 22 July 2011, 12; HCTV 24 Jan. 2016) and Upper Juba (ibid.);

Bay [Baay]and Bakool (ibid.);

Gedo (ibid.; Somalia CEWERU Dec. 2013, 23-24; Norway 22 July 2011, 5), and specifically Bardheere (ibid.);

Regions of Hiiraan (HCTV 24 Jan. 2016; Dalsan Radio 26 Jan. 2016) and Middle Shabelle (ibid.);

Regions of southern and northern Somalia (ibid.).

Somali clans of the Degodia are also located in northeast Kenya (International Crisis Group 15 Feb. 2012; Ambroso Mar. 2002, 11) along the Somali border (ibid.), including in:

Wajir county, where three major Somali clans are Ogaden, Ajuran and the Degodia, who are "the majority" (The Standard 23 Jan. 2013);

Mandera, situated in north east Kenya on the border with Somalia and Ethiopia (RFI 22 Nov. 2014; Human Rights Watch Feb. 2013, 41) where members of the Degodia, Garre, and Murale are located; members of these clans "also live in Ethiopia and Somalia" (ibid.);

Ashabito, Rhamu, Malka Mari, and along the Daawa River (Dalsan Radio 26 Jan. 2016).

A map showing the regions where the Degodia are located in Somalia and Kenya is attached to this Response.

2. Distinguishing Features and Occupations of Degodia in Somalia

Sources report that the Degodia in Somalia are nomadic pastoralists (Ambroso Mar. 2002, 11) or "pastoralists and farmers" (Doctoral candidate 31 July 2016).

According to a report on Somali languages and dialects, produced by Norway's Country of Origin Information unit, LandInfo, the Degodiya language belongs to the northern Somali dialect group and is called Af-Degodiya (Norway 22 July 2011, 11-12). Af-Degodiya dialect speakers from the Lower Juba coastal area are influenced by the Benadir dialects also spoken in that region, and Af-Degodiya "features specific characteristics because of this" (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Further information on distinguishing characteristics of the Degodia ethnic group could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3. Genealogical Lineage and Clan Position

Sources report that the Degodia are a sub-clan of the Hawiye (Ambroso Mar. 2002, 11; Doctoral candidate 20 Aug. 2016; Abbink 2009, 29).The Total Somali Clan Genealogy, produced by the African Studies Centre at Leiden University in the Netherlands, states that the clan lineage of the Degodia descends as follows: Hawiye (clan family) - Bah Girel (clan moiety/kinship) - Gugundabe (clan) - Degodia (sub-clan) (ibid., 26-29). The descending sub-lineage groups of the Degodia are listed as: Masare, Fardanow, Midhimaal, Gelible, Dumaal, Jibrail, Fau, Reer Mohamud, Mau, Samatar (ibid., 29).

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Doctoral candidate at the University of Oxford who focuses on Somali studies and clan conflict, explained that the Degodia are part of the Hawiye clan group, but "rarely do they call upon the broader group for assistance or protection [because] they are not part of the influential, powerful, and majority Hawiye clans such as the Abgaal, Habar Gidir, Hawaadle, and even Murusade" (Doctoral candidate 20 Aug. 2016). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a researcher for Minority Rights Group International (MRG) who works on Somalia stated that the Degodia are a sub-clan of a major clan, and not considered a minority by MRG (MRG 18 Aug. 2016).

4. Activities and Treatment in the South of Somalia

According to the Doctoral candidate, the Degodia are "marginalised in the southern regions" of Somalia (Doctoral candidate 20 Aug. 2016). The same source explained that since the creation of the Jubaland "mini-state" in the south dominated by the Ogaden sub-clan of the Daroud, the Degodia are "excluded" and experience "socio-political marginalisation and humiliation" (ibid., 31 July 2016). International Crisis Group reports that "the possibility of a semi-autonomous state in the south of Somalia politically dominated by Ogaden may not be favoured by the minority, marginalised clans of northeastern Kenya, such as the [Somali] Ajuran and Degodia" (15 Feb. 2012, 13). For more information on the 2013 creation of the Jubaland state, associated violence, and its impacts on clans, including the Ajuran, who are also associated with the Hawiye and inhabit similar territory to the Degodia, see Response to Information Request SOM105590 of August 2016.

Sources cite leaders of the Degodia clan as claiming that they had been left out of consideration during consultations with the federal government concerning the creation of the new regions of Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle; spokespeople of the clan have called the process unfair (Dalsan Radio 26 Jan. 2016; HCTV 24 Jan. 2016). According to Somali station Horn Cable TV, the Degodia, described as "one of the moral-fibres of the Hawiye clan," walked out of the conference because the group had not been mentioned in the table of tribes living in these two regions, although the clan's leaders claimed that they do inhabit these areas (ibid.).

Information on instances of violence involving the Degodia in Somalia reports, including reports of targeted killings of Degodia on the basis of clan could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

5. Cross-border issues and Treatment in Border Regions of Kenya-Somalia

Sources indicate that the Somali clans Degodia and Ajuran in northeastern Kenya have been involved in historical feuding with each other (Ambroso Mar. 2002, 12; DRC 2014, 105).

A March 2015 conflict assessment on northern Kenya and Somaliland, produced for the Danish Demining Group (DDG) [1] of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), states that "Mandera county is currently the site of some of the worst armed violence in Kenya" driven by two separate dynamics: interclan clashes between the Garre and Degodia and cross-border attacks by Al-Shabaab from Somalia into the territory (DRC Mar. 2015, 93). Sources describe interclan violence between the Degodia and the Garre in Mandera as[translation] "frequent" (RFI 12 May 2013) or "active" since 2011 due to political representation and cross-border trade issues (Somalia CEWERU Dec. 2013, 24). According to a report by Human Rights Watch, violence between the Garre and majority Degodia communities in Mandera "flared in Somalia in late 2011 and crossed the border into Kenya in 2012" (Human Rights Watch Feb. 2013, 41). The same source indicates that the conflict escalated with a July 2012 attack on the Degodia and had left 40 civilians dead and 60,000 displaced on both sides by August 2012 (ibid.). According to the 2013 report, the Degodia and Garre clans both have fighters "ready to respond to attacks from hostile clans" because the police do not respond to "calls for protection"(ibid.). In a 2014 interview with the UN's news agency, International Regional Information Networks (IRIN), the Secretary-General of the Kenyan Red Cross Society described the Degodia and Garre militias in northeastern Kenya as "men who are fully armed, trained, sometimes wear uniform[s], and go totally unobstructed" (UN 2 Sept. 2014).

Kenyan newspaper The Star cites a Degodia community leader in 2014 as stating that the clashes between the Garre and Degodia result from "'ill plans to throw the [Somali] Degodia community out of Mandera county'" (The Star 1 Sept. 2014) while IRIN reports that the Degodia perceive themselves to be politically excluded in Mandera (UN 2 Sept. 2014). Sources report on examples of clashes in this Kenyan border region involving the Degodia:

As of August 2014, IRIN reported that 18,000 households had been displaced and 77 have been killed due to Degodia-Garre fighting in Mandera (UN 2 Sept. 2014);

Two people were killed in Degodia-Garre interclan violence in July 2015 (Daily Nation 2 July; 2015);

In 2015, Somali clans Degodia and Ajuran fought each other in the area of Moyale in northeastern Kenya, reportedly killing 6 (Hiraan Online 6 Aug. 2015);

In August 2015, Degodia and Ajuran interclan fighting along the border of Eldas and Wajir North left 15 individuals killed and nine injured (US 13 Apr. 2015, 49);

Through 2015, violence between the Garre and Degodia clans continued in Mandera and Wajir counties resulting in several deaths (ibid., 48).

6. Al-Shabaab Activity in Degodia Inhabited Areas

The Somalia Conflict Early Warning Early Response Unit (Somalia CEWERU) [2] produced a 2013 conflict mapping report that states that in Gedo, where Al Shabaab had control in 2013, targeted killings are carried out against "anyone perceived to oppose them" (Somalia CEWERU Dec. 2013, 19). The Doctoral candidate similarly explained that Al Shabaab "targets clans randomly" for purposes of recruitment and to extract resources (31 July 2016). The same source also stated, without providing details, that there were incidents of Degodia people being harassed by Al Shabaab for recruitment purposes, and that those Degodia that are targeted for recruitment and resources are mainly those living along the border with Kenya (ibid. 29 Aug. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Radio France internationale indicates that in November 2014, Al Shabaab killed 28 non-muslims in an attack on a civilian bus in Mandera (RFI 22 Nov. 2014). Sources further report that Al Shabaab has used Mandera as a crossing point from Somalia into Kenya to conduct attacks (ibid.; Hiiraan Online 20 May 2014).

According to the Doctoral candidate, Al Shabaab has heavily concentrated their attacks in the area of the Somali-Kenyan border where the Degodia clan reside (31 July 2016). In 2014, the governor of Mandera County was quoted by IRIN as stating that he claimed to have "information showing that the Degodia clan sought the assistance of Al Shabaab" during a clan conflict and that Al Shabaab was involved in launching attacks in Mandera (UN 2 Sept. 2014). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Somali news source Sabahi Online states that in May 2014, in a border town near Mandera, "suspected Al Shabaab members" attacked a security team that was en route to a peace meeting between the Degodia and Garre; the attackers fled towards Somalia (Sabahi Online 20 May 2014). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] The DDG is a "Humanitarian Mine Action Unit" of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) (DDG n.d.). The DRC is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides "direct assistance to conflict affected populations" including refugees, IDPs and host communities by administering support programs such as "relief, humanitarian aid, rehabilitation and support to return home" and the promotion of durable solutions (DRC n.d.).

[2] CEWARN is a network of government and non-government stakeholders from Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea, which shares information on potentially violent conflicts (CEWARN n.d.). It produced a conflict mapping report 2013, funded by the governments of Norway and Switzerland (Somalia CEWERU Sept. 2013, 4).

References

Abbink, Jan. 2009. The Total Somali Clan Genealogy (Second Edition). Working Paper, African Studies Centre, Leiden University. [Accessed 20 July 2016]

Ambroso, Guido. March 2002. Clanship, Conflict and Refugees: An Introduction to the Somalis in the Horn of Africa. [Accessed 26 July 2016]]

African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). N.d. Sector II Profile - Kismayo. [Accessed 20 Aug. 2016]

Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN). N.d. "About CEWARN." [Accessed 24 Aug. 2016]

Daily Nation. 2 July 2015. Manase Otsialo. BBC Monitoring Africa. "Nine Killed in Kenyan County Attack by Clan Militia from Somalia - Report." (Factiva)

Dalsan Radio. 26 January 2016. "Degodia Tribe in Somalia Missing from the Tribes' Table List, and Calls Jowhar Conference Unfair." (Factiva)

Danish Demining Group (DDG). N.d. "About Danish Demining Group." [Accessed 24 Aug. 2016]

Doctoral candidate, University of Oxford. 29 August 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Doctoral candidate, University of Oxford. 20 August 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Doctoral candidate, University of Oxford. 31 July 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Danish Refugee Council (DRC). March 2015. Danish Demining Group (DDG). Conflict Asessment 2014: Northern Kenya and Somaliland. [Accessed 20 Aug. 2016]

Danish Refugee Council (DRC). N.d. "Facts About DRC." [Accessed 24 Aug. 2016]

Horn Cable TV (HCTV). 24 January 2016. Hassan Galaydh. "Somalia: Degodia Tribe in Somalia Banished from Jowhar Conference." [Accessed 21 Aug. 2016]

Hiraan Online. 6 August 2015. "Miraa Supplier Caught Up in Inter-clan Fighting." [Accessed 20 Aug. 2016]

Hiraan Online. 20 May 2014. "8 Dead in Fresh Alshabaab Attacks in Mandera." [Accessed 22 Aug. 2016]

Human Rights Watch. February 2013. High Stakes: Political Violence and the 2013 Elections in Kenya. [Accessed 22 Aug. 2016]

International Crisis Group. 15 February 2012. The Kenyan Military Intervention in Somalia. Africa Report No. 184. [Accessed 20 Aug. 2016]

Minority Rights Group International (MRG). 18 August 2016. Correspondence with a Somalia researcher sent to the Research Directorate.

Norway. 22 July 2011. The Norwegian Country of Origin Information Centre (Landinfo). Somalia: Language Situation and Dialects. [Accessed 23 July 2016]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 22 November 2014. "Kenya: 28 voyageurs executes a la frontiere somalienne." [Accessed 22 Aug. 2016]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 12 May 2013. "Kenya: des hommes armes attaquent un commissariat et tuent un policier a Mandera." [Accessed 22 Aug. 2016]

Sabahi Online. 20 May 2014. "Suspected Al-Shabaab Militants Attack Two Convoys in Mandera." (Factiva)

Somalia Conflict Early Warning Early Response Unit (Somalia CEWERU). December 2013. From the Bottom Up: Southern Regions - Perspectives Through Conflict Analysis and Key Political Actors' Mapping of Gedo, Middle Juba, Lower Juba, and Lower Shabelle. [Accessed 23 July 2016]

The Standard. 23 January 2013. Boniface Ongeri. "Kenya: Two Aspirants Defy Clan Deal to Fight for Senate Seat." [Accessed 22 Aug. 2016]

The Star. 1 September 2014. Patrick Vidija. "Mandera Leaders Condemn Clan Killing of Children, Mums." (Factiva)

United Nations (UN). 2 September 2014. Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). "Red Cross to Kenyatta: Send Troops to Quell Clan Clashes." (Factiva)

United States (US). 13 April 2016. "Kenya." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015. [Accessed 22 Aug. 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Anthropologist, Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology; Associate Professor of history, University of Pennsylvania; Center for Research and Dialogue Somalia; Doctoral Candidate, history and African studies, University of Oxford; Human Rights Watch; IIDA (Women's Development Organization); Independent Researcher; Professor of anthropology, Colby College; Professor of history, Rutgers University; Professor of political science, Davidson College; Professor of political science, Northwestern University; Senior Lecturer in development studies, University of London.

Internet sites, including: Africa Confidential; African Arguments; Amnesty International; Anti-Tribalism Movement; BBC; ecoi.net; Factiva; Freedom House; Garowe Online; Hiiraan Online; Horn of Africa Bulletin; Human Rights Watch; Institute for War and Peace Reporting; Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre; IRIN; Institute for Security Studies Africa; Puntlandi.com; Puntland News24; Puntland Post; Radio Banadir; Raxanreeb; Shabelle Media Network; Somalia Current; Somaliland Press; Somaliland Times; Sonna.net; United Nations - Refworld, Reliefweb, UNDP.

Attachment

European Union (EU). August 2014. European Asylum Support Office (EASO). "Clan Map - Abikar 1999." In EASO Country of Origin Information Report: South and Central Somalia Country Overview. [Accessed 26 July 2016]
Somalia: Whether police investigate killings committed by Al-Shabaab [Al-Shabab] in Mogadishu, including whether police reports are written; procedures to obtain a copy of a police report (2014-June 2016)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 14 June 2016 Citation / Document Symbol SOM105541.E Related Document(s) Somalie : information indiquant si la police fait enquete sur les meurtres commis par Al-Shabaab [Al-Shabab] a Mogadiscio, y compris si la police redige des rapports; la marche a suivre pour obtenir une copie d'un rapport de police (2014-juin 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somalia: Whether police investigate killings committed by Al-Shabaab [Al-Shabab] in Mogadishu, including whether police reports are written; procedures to obtain a copy of a police report (2014-June 2016), 14 June 2016, SOM105541.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d78f34.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Police in Mogadishu

According to the US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015,

[t]wo separate police forces operated in Mogadishu, one under the control of the central government and the other under the Benadir Regional administration. The federal police force [known as the Somali Police Force (SPF) (UN n.d., 3)] maintained its presence in all 17 districts of the capital. (US 13 Apr. 2016, 8)

Sources report that the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) also provides policing in Mogadishu (ibid.; Assistant Professor 2 June 2016). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, Dr. Alice Hills, Chair in Conflict Studies at Durham University in the UK, who specializes in police development in Somalia (Durham University n.d.), indicated that the provision of policing by AMISOM is limited and that its units may answer to their national governments rather than to AMISOM's headquarters (Hills 1 June 2016). In addition, in her article on policing in Mogadishu, published in the Policing and Society journal, Dr. Hills notes that a number of "alternative policing providers" operate in Mogadishu, including "militia, groups loyal to factional leaders, business men and Shari'a courts" (ibid. 2016, 402). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Capacity of Somali Police Force (SPF) to Investigate

Country Reports 2015 states that the police in Somalia "were generally ineffective" (US 13 Apr. 2016, 7). According to the US Department of State's Reports on Terrorism 2015, the Somali police were in need of further training "to build basic police investigation skills" (ibid., June 2016, 50). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a PhD candidate at the Institute of Islamic Studies at McGill University, whose research focuses on militancy and political violence including Al-Shabaab activities in Somalia, stated that while AMISOM has been providing capacity training to the police,

in reality the [SPF]  require[s] close support (financial, supply, and military/armed) from international forces inside the country, such as AMISOM forces and [Federal Government of Somalia]-aligned militias, as well as from external actors operating inside Somalia against Al-Shabaab. (PhD candidate 3 June 2016)

In her article on police force development in Somalia, published in Stability: International Journal of Security & Development, Dr. Hills states that "many general-duties officers are unfit, elderly, illiterate or unable to understand the basic principles of international-style policing" (2014, 3). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Toronto, who specialises in international security and failed states and has written on the situation in Somalia, stated that "many policemen [in Mogadishu] are actually militiamen and gangsters, who have simply been given uniforms and the occasional police salary" (2 June 2016).

2.1 Police Investigations in Mogadishu

In her article on police work in Mogadishu, Dr. Hills states that "Mogadishu is a dangerous city in which even minimal forms of police work are challenging" (2016, 397). The Assistant Professor stated that it is "erroneous" to assume that police in Mogadishu are capable of conducting investigations, adding that neither the Somali police nor AMISOM units maintain complete control of the city, which "is an active and evolving war front" (2 June 2016).

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, Dr. Hills noted that the police in Mogadishu do not have the capacity to investigate killings committed by Al-Shabaab (Hills 1 June 2016). Sources report that the SPF's Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is responsible for conducting investigations of killings committed by terrorists in Mogadishu (Criminologist 6 June 2016; PhD candidate 3 June 2016). However, according to the PhD candidate,

[i]n theory, the CID is responsible for handling cases of individual citizens who are being targeted by Al-Shabab or criminal elements  but in reality its capabilities remain rather limited and its main focus currently seems to be on more large-scale investigations alongside AMISOM police and military forces against Al-Shabab, particularly in the capital  [This] means that individual citizens targeted specifically by Al-Shabab will have limited recourse to official law enforcement bodies. (6 June 2016)

In its quarterly report for the period of April - June 2015 on the implementation of the Civilian Police Project [1] in Somalia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) states that the SPF "has no intelligence unit, which hampers the fight against Al-Shabaab" (UN n.d.a., 3). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3. Reporting of Crimes

According to a Project Manager at the UNDP in Somalia, interviewed in November 2013 by a Danish-Norwegian fact finding mission to Mogadishu, "each police station keeps a so-called 'occurrence book' in which all reported crimes are registered. There is no central registration of crimes committed" (Denmark and Norway Mar. 2014, 36). The report further states that, according to an unnamed international NGO, "police stations in the various districts of Mogadishu are recording crimes. They keep hand written books, but whether these books are consistent or not are impossible to say. Most likely there is [no] central registry or data files" (ibid.).

According to Dr. Hills, in Somalia, the reporting of crimes is not common, neither among the population nor the police, and the police do not have procedures for writing reports on crime (1 June 2016). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a criminologist and international consultant who also acted as an expert for a UNDP police development project in Somalia, stated that the SPF has been developing standard operating procedures, but that "it will take time" before they become operational in practice (6 June 2016). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Information on procedures to obtain a police report could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Note

[1] The Civilian Police Project (CPP) is a UNDP project that "works with law enforcement personnel particularly at the regional level to ensure that they are properly equipped to protect citizens, especially in violent and insecure areas" (UN n.d.b). The project "helps Somali law enforcement institutions deliver better policing services through recruitment, international-standard law enforcement training that stresses human rights and gender issues, improved management capacities, internal governance and oversight" (ibid.).

References

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto. 2 June 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Criminologist. 6 June 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Denmark and Norway. March 2014. Danish Immigration Service and Norwegian Country of Origin Information Centre (Landinfo). Update on Security and Protection Issues in Mogadishu and South-Central Somalia. [Accessed 3 June 2016]

Durham University. N.d. "Staff Profiles." [Accessed 31 May 2016]

Hills, Alice, Chair in Conflict Studies, Durham University. 1 June 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Hills, Alice, Chair in Conflict Studies, Durham University. 2016. "Does Police Work Need a Police Institution? The Evidence from Mogadishu." Policing and Society. Vol. 26, No. 4.

Hills, Alice, Chair in Conflict Studies, Durham University. 2014. "Remembrance of Things Past: Somali Roads to Police

Development." Stability: International Journal of Security & Development. Vol. 3, No. 1.

PhD Candidate, Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University. 3 June 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

PhD Candidate, Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University. 6 June 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

United Nations (UN). N.d.a. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Quarterly Report: Civilian Police Project. Republic of Somalia. [Accessed 3 June 2016]

United Nations (UN). N.d.b. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). "Civilian Police: What is the Project About." [Accessed 14 June 2016]

United States (US). June 2016. Department of State. "Somalia." Country Reports on Terrorism 2015. [Accessed 30 May 2016]

United States (US). 13 April 2016. Department of State. "Somalia." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015. [Accessed 30 May 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: African Union- Mission to Somalia (AMISOM); Associate Professor, Norwegian Institute of Life Sciences; BBC; International Organization for Migration mission in Somalia; Observatory of Conflict and Violence Prevention; PhD Student, Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University; Project Manager, United Nations Development Program Somalia; Research Fellow, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs; Senior Researcher, Swiss Peace Foundation; Somali American Police Association; Somalia - Somali Police Force; UN - Assistance Mission in Somalia, UNDP, UNHCR.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; Armed Conflict Location & Event Dataset; Canada - Global Affairs, High Commission in Kenya; ecoi.net; EU - Institute for Security Studies; Freedom House; Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; Interpol; UN - Office on Drugs and Crime, Refworld, ReliefWeb.
Somalia: Reports of clashes between Hawiye (or subclan Hawadle) and Dir clans/sub-clans in the area of Beledweyne [Beled Weyne, Belet Weyne] in Hiiraan [Hiiran, Hiiraan] and in Mogadishu; state of interclan relations between the Hawiye and Dir in Mogadishu (2014-April 2016)

Publisher Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Publication Date 26 April 2016 Citation / Document Symbol SOM105510.E Related Document(s) Somalie : information sur les affrontements signales entre les clans ou sous-clans Hawiye (ou sous-clan Hawadle) et Dir dans la region de Beledweyne [Beled Weyne, Belet Weyne], dans la region d'Hiiraan [Hiiran, Hiiraan] et a Mogadiscio; l'etat des relations entre les clans Hawiye et Dir a Mogadiscio (2014-avril 2016) Cite as Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somalia: Reports of clashes between Hawiye (or subclan Hawadle) and Dir clans/sub-clans in the area of Beledweyne [Beled Weyne, Belet Weyne] in Hiiraan [Hiiran, Hiiraan] and in Mogadishu; state of interclan relations between the Hawiye and Dir in Mogadishu (2014-April 2016), 26 April 2016, SOM105510.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d7a414.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Reports of Conflict in the Area of Beledweyne

Without providing further details about the clans involved, sources report that rival clan militias have clashed in the town of Beledweyne in October 2015 (Hiiraan Online 19 Oct. 2015; VOA 19 Oct. 2015). Shabelle Media Network, a Somali news agency based in Mogadishu (AllAfrica n.d.), reports that "heavy clash has erupted again between two clan militias" in Beledweyne in December 2015 (Shabelle Media Network 13 Dec. 2015). Sources state that the conflict in October was over "tax collection" (VOA 19 Oct. 2015) or "extortion" money (Hiiraan Online 19 Oct. 2015). According to sources, on 22 January 2015, "at least" 23 people were killed in a land dispute between the Dir and Hawadle clans in the towns of Burdhinle and Hada-Ogle in the Hiraan region (US 13 Apr. 2016, 13; AFP 22 Jan. 2015).

A 2015 report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) states that there has been fighting between Dir and Hawadle clans in and around Deefow village, which is located "40km north east of Belet Weyne" (UN 25 June 2015, 1). The report states that fighting over a land dispute has been ongoing since 2013, leading to the death of "at least 100 people," which has "also resulted in displacement of about 90 percent of people from Deefow, Kabxanle and Dom-Caday villages into Belet Weyne" (ibid.). According to the report, "militia[s] from both sides clashed" on 3 June 2015, and on 22 June 2015, "militias from the Dir clan reportedly burnt down eight houses in Guri Caddo village about 28km northeast of Belet Weyne" (ibid.).

Horseed Media, a news site run by Somali diaspora in the Netherlands and Finland (Horseed Media n.d.), reports that in March 2015, militias from the Hawadle and Surre tribes clashed in Deefow: 12 people died during the fighting, and "dozens" were injured (ibid. 21 Mar. 2015). According to a 2015 UN Security Council report, the Surre is a Dir clan "with two branches, Abadalle and Qebeys, found in Mudug, Hiran, Gedo and the Jubbas" (UN 19 Oct. 2015, 241).

2. Hawiye and Dir Interclan Relations in Mogadishu

Information on clan relations between the Hawiye and Dir clans and sub-clans, including reports of conflict, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to sources, the Hawiye are a "predominant" (Mail & Guardian Africa 19 May 2015) or "the traditionally dominant" clan in Mogadishu (EU Feb. 2016, 50). In a report based on its 2015 fact-finding mission to Kenya and Somalia, the Danish Immigration Service states that Mogadishu is one of the "most complicated" towns when it comes to clan composition, due to 25 years of conflict, internal displacement and population movement (Denmark Sept. 2015, 41). For further information on the situation in Mogadishu, including diaspora returnees and the security situation, see Response to Information Request SOM105094.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 22 January 2015. "At Least 23 Killed in Somalia Clan Violence." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2016]

AllAfrica. N.d. "Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)." [Accessed 22 Apr. 2016]

Denmark. September 2015. Danish Immigration Service. South Central Somalia: Country of Origin Information for Use in the Asylum Determination Process. [Accessed 22 Apr. 2016]

European Union (EU). February 2016. European Asylum Support Office (EASO). EASO Country of Origin Information Report: Somalia Security Situation. [Accessed 19 Apr. 2016]

Hiiraan Online. 19 October 2015. "8 Killed as Rival Clan Militias Fight in Beled Weyne." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2016]

Horseed Media. 21 March 2015. A. Abdirhaman. "Deadly Clan Violence Leaves over 10 Dead in Somalia." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2016]

Horseed Media. N.d. "About Horseed." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2016]

Mail & Guardian Africa. 19 May 2015. Mikolaj Radlicki. "Who Really Rules Somalia? - The Tale of Three Big Clans and Three Countries." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2016]

Shabelle Media Network. 13 December 2015. "Somalia: Tribal Clash Erupts in Western Beledweyne City." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2016]

United Nations (UN). 19 October 2015. Security Council. Letter Dated 9 October 2015 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee Pursuant to Resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009) Concerning Somalia and Eritrea Addressed to the President of the Security Council. S/2015/801. [Accessed 26 Apr. 2016]

United Nations (UN). 25 June 2015. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Inter-Agency Initial Investigation Report - Inter Clan Fighting in Deefow. [Accessed 5 Apr. 2016]

United States (US). 13 April 2016. Department of State. "Somalia." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015. [Accessed 15 Apr. 2016]

Voice of America (VOA). 19 October 2015. Harun Maruf. "Somalia Clan Clashes Kill 14." [Accessed 19 Apr. 2016]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project; professor, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; representative, International Committee of the Red Cross, Somalia; senior research fellow, Clingendael Institute.

Internet sites, including: Africa Confidential; Amnesty International; Ayyaantu News; BBC; ecoi.net; Factiva; Freedom House; Geeska Afrika Online; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; IRIN; Jane's Intelligence Review; The New York Times; UN - Refworld.
AATA Case No. 1609717

Publisher Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Publication Date 6 September 2016 Citation / Document Symbol [2016] AATA 4386 Cite as AATA Case No. 1609717, [2016] AATA 4386 , Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal, 6 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,AUS_AAT,592d7a5d1e.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

1609717 (Refugee)

DECISION RECORD

DIVISION: Migration & Refugee Division

CASE NUMBER: 1609717

COUNTRY OF REFERENCE: Vietnam

MEMBER: Giles Short

DATE: 6 September 2016

PLACE OF DECISION: Melbourne

DECISION: The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies paragraph 36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.



Statement made on 06 September 2016 at 8:55am









Any references appearing in square brackets indicate that information has been omitted from this decision pursuant to section 431 of the Migration Act 1958 and replaced with generic information which does not allow the identification of an applicant, or their relative or other dependant.



STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS

INTRODUCTION

[The applicant] is a citizen of Vietnam. She comes from [City 1] in the Khanh Hoa Province of Vietnam. She last arrived in Australia as the holder of a [visa] in March 2014 but this visa was cancelled under section 109 of the Migration Act 1958 [in] August 2015 on the basis that she had not complied with paragraph 101(b) of the Act in that she had provided incorrect answers in her application for the visa. [The applicant] has said that she fears that she will be arrested on her return to Vietnam because the Vietnamese Criminal Code has provisions which punish people involved in immigration fraud. She has said that although she is a victim of immigration fraud the authorities in Vietnam may take the view that she was involved in the scam. She has also referred to the fact that she is a Catholic and that her [relatives] worked for the Government of South Vietnam and fought the Communists. She has said that she fears that she will be treated differently or punished more heavily than other people because of her religion and her political opinion opposed to the Vietnamese Communist regime. [The applicant]s application for a protection visa was refused by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration and she has applied to this Tribunal for review of that decision. A summary of the relevant law is set out at Attachment A. I have taken the policy guidelines prepared by the Department of Immigration and the country information assessments prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade into account to the extent that they are relevant. The issues in this review are whether [the applicant] is a refugee and, if not, whether there are substantial grounds for believing that, as a necessary and foreseeable consequence of her being removed from Australia to Vietnam, there is a real risk that she will suffer significant harm.

CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

Is [The applicant] a refugee?

[The applicant]s claims

[The applicant] is aged in her [age]. She has said that she completed the equivalent of [education] in Vietnam in [year] and that she then worked mainly in retailing. She has said that for nearly three years before she came to Australia in 2014 she had her own business, a shop selling [certain items]. In a statutory declaration accompanying her application for a protection visa she said that her family had fought against the Communists during the Vietnam War and that after the end of the war her fathers family had lost all of their property. She said that her family had always been politically victimised. She said that they had had small businesses and they had frequently been visited by officials looking for bribes. She said that members of her family could not get government jobs, their movements were monitored and [some] of her [siblings] had escaped the regime by claiming asylum. She said that after this the monitoring of her family had escalated and she had felt as if she had been living in a prison. She said that she herself had always spoken out against the Vietnamese Communist regimes oppression of their citizens. [The applicant] said that she had paid $[amount] to an agent whom she knew only as [name] in order to obtain the visa which she had used to travel to Australia. She said that the agent had advised her to put her occupation as [occupation] on her incoming passenger card and she said that she had not been aware that she had been committing any offence. She said that she had worked with her [sibling] in her [shop] from March 2014 when she had arrived in Australia until August 2015 when her visa had been cancelled by the Department on the basis that she had provided incorrect information in her application about her skills and her English language proficiency. [The applicant] said that she had not been aware how the agent had obtained the visa which she had used to travel to Australia nor had she been aware of the nature of the documents which she had signed because she had poor English. [The applicant] said that she was a victim of immigration fraud and that the Vietnamese authorities were fully aware of this. She said that she would be suspected of having been involved in the scheme and that she had a well-founded fear of returning to Vietnam on this basis. She said that the Vietnamese Criminal Code had provisions to punish people who committed immigration fraud and that she was fearful that she would be arrested upon her return to investigate the scheme of which she had been a victim. She said that in Vietnam the police used brutal tactics to obtain information from people and that it would be difficult for her to prove that she had not been involved in the scam. She said that she could be beaten or even killed during the investigation and that she feared that she would be kept in gaol for an indefinite period of time. [The applicant] was interviewed by the primary decision-maker in relation to her application [in] June 2016. [The applicant] said that she had been assisted by her representative when she had prepared her application for a protection visa. She said that her parents were visiting Australia from Vietnam at the time of the interview and that while they were here the local police force had put their house under surveillance in Vietnam. She said that her own case was very well-known because a lot of Vietnamese people had been in the same situation. She confirmed that she believed that the Vietnamese Government had learned of her case through the media. She said that her [siblings] had come to Australia through marrying Australian citizens. (At a subsequent interview [in] June 2016 she said that [one sibling] had come to Australia on a partner visa but [another sibling] had come here as a student and had then married. She said that her [other sibling] was now waiting for [permanent residence].) She said that when she had stated in her statutory declaration that they had escaped the regime by claiming asylum she had meant that they had been happy to have gained refuge in Australia. Asked her reasons for seeking protection in Australia [the applicant] repeated that she believed that the Vietnamese Government knew about her case. She said that she was very concerned for her safety if she had to go back. The primary decision-maker asked her about her claim that she had spoken out against the Vietnamese Communist regime. [The applicant] said that her family had worked for the Government of South Vietnam and since her childhood she had never supported the Communist government because they were very cruel. She said that after the end of the war the Communist government had taken away property belonging to her family both on her fathers and mothers sides. She said that the government claimed that there were human rights in Vietnam but the Vietnamese people were subject to suppression every day. She said that without money her family could not do anything: they had to pay bribes. She said that Catholics would never get government jobs. [The applicant] said that she had spoken out against the government, she had listened to music that was prohibited in Vietnam, specifically music about South Vietnamese soldiers and songs against the current government, and she had shared information from the South Vietnamese Government. She said that the Communists tried to cover up arrests but she had put this information on [Social Media]. She said that every time she had had to deal with the government they had caused delays and they had asked her for money. She said that she had not had any involvement in political activity but she had put a lot of things on her [Social Media]. She said that she had had a group of friends and every time they had met they had discussed things against the government. She said that they had tried to avoid being arrested by the Communists because if this had happened they would never have got out. She said that she had spoken to her friends about things like policies which made the people suffer. She said that they had compared the current government to the South Vietnamese Government. [The applicant] said that she had not experienced any physical harm from the government but the local government had kept coming to her home asking for money. She said that they had kept telling her that she was not allowed to listen to reactionary music written before 1975. She said that after the end of the war her family members had been sent to new economic zones and even now her family on her fathers side were still there. She said that even now they were afraid to say anything against the government for fear of arrest. She said that her fathers [sibling] was a [occupation] and it had been very hard for him to become a [occupation]. She said that her father used to run a wholesale [business] but he had had to pay taxes and bribes. She said that at the moment her parents had [certain accommodation] and every [person] who came to stay there had to report to the local government. She said that her parents always complied with the law but the local police still came around and harassed them and asked them for money. She said that businessmen were singled out like this. [The applicant] said that she herself had been harassed and asked for bribes whenever she had wanted to apply for documents or things like that. She said that as a Catholic it would have been very hard for her to get a government job. She said that the authorities were monitoring her family home on a daily basis. She said that her family had paid them money so that they would not touch them. The primary decision-maker referred to the fact that [The applicant]s [sibling] had returned to Vietnam from Australia on numerous occasions. [The applicant] said that her [siblings] still had to visit her family in Vietnam. She said that the Vietnamese Government would not dare to touch Vietnamese people who had left the country and who had gained citizenship of another country. She said that if she herself returned to Vietnam she would have no one to turn to for help because she was still a Vietnamese citizen and the government could do whatever it wanted to her. The primary decision-maker referred to the fact that [the applicant] herself had first visited Australia in 2009 and had returned to Vietnam. [The applicant] said that she had not known that she could apply for a protection visa at that time. [The applicant] said that an [relative] in Australia had paid for one of her [siblings] to come to Australia to study and at that time her father had been working on a [farm] so her family had had some money as well. She said that, although her father had been sent to a new economic zone with his father, her parents had moved to Nha Trang after their marriage and they had started to build up from there. She said that she had borrowed the $[amount] for her visa from her parents and she had sold her small [business]. She said that she knew that the Vietnamese authorities had visited detention centres in Australia in 2014 and she thought that it would be very easy for them to have learned about her case. She said that one of her friends was a member of the Viet Tan party and the first time he had landed in Vietnam they had arrested him. She said that this proved that they learned everything from here. She said that an Australian and an American had been arrested. [The applicant] said that all of her family had been members of the old regime so now her family was monitored by the current regime because her family had always opposed their regime. She said that everybody knew about her case so it would be very easy for the Vietnamese Government to get her information. She said that, because the Australian Government had found that she had not told the truth (in connection with her visa), the Vietnamese Government would suspect that she was not telling the truth to them as well. She said that the Vietnamese Government had a tight relationship with the Vietnamese in Australia. The interview continued [in] June 2016. [The applicant] said that she would be considered by the Vietnamese Government to be a dissident because the Australia Government had concluded that she had come here using fabricated documents. She said that she had not been the one who had fabricated these documents. She said that if she were returned to Vietnam they would ask her why she was being deported and if the reason was that she had fabricated the documents which she had used to travel here the Vietnamese authorities would conclude that she would be able to do the same to deceive them. She said that if she were sentenced by the Vietnamese Government she would not be able to escape imprisonment. She said that she was paying a price for something which she had not done by being detained here and if she were return to Vietnam she would have to pay another price for something which she had not done. [The applicant] said that she believed that there were specific provisions in the Vietnamese Criminal Code relating to migration fraud. She said that she was a victim of this migration scam. She said that the law in Vietnam said that you were not supposed to use fraudulent documents to exit or re-enter the country and she would be heavily punished. She said that all the information she had given to the person who had arranged her visa had been true and she had no idea how they had used this information to create these fraudulent documents. She said that the Australian authorities had accepted that she had been a victim of this scheme. She said that the Vietnamese Government could do anything because they were Communists. She said that she did not trust the Vietnamese Government and she referred to the case of failed asylum-seekers returned to Vietnam in May 2016 who had been gaoled for organising a boat departure.[1] [The applicant] confirmed that she claimed that she was a Catholic and she said that in Vietnam she had gone to church every week and she had also been a member of the church [group]. She said that she had also participated in all the religious activities in her parish. She said that at the moment Catholics in Vietnam were oppressed by the government and she believed that she would received a harsher sentence because she was a Catholic. She said that the government denied that it discriminated on the basis of religion but it was happening: the government grabbed land from churches, they damaged churches and they intervened during prayer sessions. [The applicant] said that a Catholic priest who had raised his voice against the government had been assassinated and another Catholic father had been sentenced for his opposition to the government. She said that when her church had tried to do charity work they had been asked by the local government if they had permits to do this. She said that they had been free to hold their services but she said that she believed that Catholics were discriminated against in government employment. She said that her family had been Catholics for four generations. She said that her mothers side of the family had had to move to the southern part of Vietnam because of oppression by the government. [The applicant]s representative submitted that the sole reason for the cancellation of [the applicant]s visa had been the allegation of fraud and that [the applicant] had been an innocent victim in this regard. He submitted that the fact that her visa had been cancelled for this reason suggested that the Immigration Department had concluded that she had committed fraud. He submitted that this conclusion had been wrong and unfair and unjust but the Government of Vietnam could infer that she had been convicted of fraud overseas and that she might commit fraudulent acts in Vietnam. He submitted that she therefore held a genuine fear of persecution or punishment in one form or another. [The applicant]s representative submitted that [the applicant]s application for protection was based on her religion as a Catholic. He submitted that, although [the applicant] had not had difficulties practising her religion in the past, the fact that she would be returning to Vietnam after her visa had been cancelled would mean that her way of practising her religion would not be at ease. He submitted that all it needed was one negative factor to trigger some investigation. He also submitted that because [the applicant] had been overseas her thinking would have been changed in one way or the other and hence her ability to practise her religion will not be freely. [The applicant]s representative submitted that more importantly [the applicant] relied on complementary protection in relation to the allegation of a fraudulent act. He said that he was asking the Department of Immigration to exercise its discretion to grant [the applicant] a visa for compelling and compassionate reasons. Under cover of a submission to the Tribunal dated [in] August 2016 [the applicant]s representatives produced a statutory declaration which repeated verbatim much of what she had said in the statutory declaration accompanying her application for a protection visa including the claim that her [siblings] had escaped the regime by claiming asylum. [The applicant] said that she had married her Australian citizen fiance but she provided no details of the marriage. She confirmed that she claimed that she had posted comments on the governments activities on [Social Media] and that she had listened to music prohibited by the authorities. She said that once she had been caught by the local authorities when listening to songs on South Vietnamese soldiers but she provided no further details. She confirmed that she claimed that her parents had told her that her home in Vietnam was currently under police surveillance. She said that it had been in 2013, not 2014, that Vietnamese officials had visited people in detention centres in Australia. She added that they had secret police around the world to monitor the activities of Vietnamese citizens. In their covering submission [the applicant]s representatives referred to her claims, again repeating verbatim much of what she had said in the statutory declaration accompanying her application for a protection visa including the claim that her [siblings] had escaped the regime by claiming asylum. [The applicant]s representatives referred to advice from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada in relation to penalties under the Vietnamese Penal Code for falsifying the contents of passports, visas, household registration, civic status registration or various kinds of certificates and other documents of agencies and/or organizations and using such papers to commit illegal acts. They also referred to the fact that a representative of the Vietnam Human Rights Network had told the Board that the punishment for exiting Vietnam illegally and/or using fraudulent documents varied depending on the person and the circumstances and that dissidents who left the country illegally and/or used fraudulent foreign visas might face a high level of punishment including being put in gaol for years.[2] [The applicant]s representatives said that she claimed that she and her family had been harassed due to their political affiliation with the South Vietnamese regime and their practice of Catholicism and they referred to her evidence that the local authorities had demanded bribes. They submitted that she had been harassed by the authorities as a Catholic but they provided no details of this claim. They submitted that her circumstances suggested that she had a profile as a person with views opposed to the Communist regime and that her deportation would enable them to punish her for her acts. They also submitted that her visa had been cancelled for providing fraudulent information and that the authorities would consider this to be immigration fraud. They submitted that details of her detention were already in the hands of the Vietnamese regime but they provided no evidence of this. They referred to the fact that Vietnamese officials had visited detention centres in Australia in 2013 and they submitted that the Communist regime had power to investigate the scam of which [the applicant] had been a victim. They referred to [the applicant]s fear that she would be put in gaol for an indefinite period and they submitted that this claim fell under the complementary protection criterion.

Discussion of [the applicant]s claims

At the hearing before me I referred to the fact that [the applicant] had said when she had been interviewed by the primary decision-maker in June 2016 that her parents had been visiting Australia at the time. [The applicant] said that her parents had come to Australia for three months at that time. She said that they had since returned to Vietnam but they were now visiting Australia for another six months. She confirmed that they had [certain accommodation] in Vietnam and she said that her [relative] - was looking after the business while they were here. She said that usually her parents visited Australia one at a time, not together. [The applicant] confirmed that she was a Catholic. I asked her if she had experienced problems practising her religion in Vietnam. She said that she had not but she had had problems when she had gone to remote areas to persuade people to become Catholics. She said that this had not been approved by the local authorities. She said that she had done this within Khanh Hoa Province and she had gone to these remote areas with the priest and with the leader and other members of the church [group]. She said that usually they had gone there on significant or important festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival or at Christmas because they had had to raise money in order to go there. She said that, even though they had informed the local authorities of their trip, when they had arrived the local authorities had forced them to go away. She said that they had only made [number] successful trips: the rest had not been successful. I asked her if, apart from the problems which she had just described, she had experienced other problems because she was a Catholic. She said that she herself had not had other problems but her family had. She said that, for example, when her [relative] had [chosen] a [occupation] it had taken him a long time to do the paperwork and they had asked him what grade he had finished at school. [The applicant] said that when she had stated that her family had worked for the Government of South Vietnam and had fought the Communists she had been referring to [certain relatives]. I asked her what problems she had had because of her family background. She said that after the Communists had taken over in 1975 they had burned all her familys personal documents and they had seized their assets. She said that her family had been forced to go to mountainous areas to work with their hands and two of her [relatives] had been sent to re-education centres. I asked [the applicant] if she herself had had problems because of her family background when she had been growing up. She said that as a child of a family who had worked for the South Vietnamese Government and as a Catholic even before they had gone to school they would be deemed democratic and they would be looked at in a different way from other people. She said that when she had been at school she had needed to ask for permission from the school if she had wanted to take part in activities for the church and they had always refused. She said that she was not sure whether this had been because of her family background or because they had objected to activities for the church. She said that in the context of her business the authorities had asked her for bribes although she said that other people whom she had known had also had problems like this. I referred to the fact that [the applicant] had told the primary decision-maker that she had not been involved in political activity in Vietnam. [The applicant] said that this was correct but she referred to her evidence that she had had her own group, talking about things with her friends. She said that she had followed the Viet Tan party on the internet but she had not done anything else. I noted that at the interview she had said that a friend of hers from overseas who had been a member of the Viet Tan party had been arrested when he had landed in Vietnam. [The applicant] said that this person had just been someone whom she had known on the internet, not a friend of hers. She said that she had wanted to show that all the members of the Viet Tan party were under the surveillance of the Communist Party and that if they were involved in activities in Vietnam they would be arrested or they would be stopped from doing these activities. She said that this had been why she had mentioned this person who had been arrested when they had landed in Vietnam. She said that there could have been a misinterpretation and she had not claimed that this person had actually been her friend. [The applicant] said that while she had been in Vietnam and also since she had been here she had shared information about what was happening with the Viet Tan party with her friends on [Social Media] and with her family because the Communists usually covered up these facts. She said that she had also shared her opinions and ideas which were contrary to the political policies of the Vietnamese Government in the same way. She said that she had not had problems because of comments she had posted on [Social Media] while she had been in Vietnam because the Communists had not been supervising people on [Social Media]. She said, however, that after she had arrived here there had been an order from the Vietnamese Government that all people on [Social Media] should be supervised or monitored. She said that while she had been in Vietnam she had not been able to access the website of the Viet Tan party and other websites of the Vietnamese community overseas. She said that she had had to change her IP address constantly so that she could access these websites to read information about the Vietnamese community overseas. She confirmed that she had also listened to music prohibited by the authorities and that on one occasion she had been caught by the local authorities when listening to songs on South Vietnamese soldiers. She said that she had been warned that she was not allowed to listen to this music. She said that since she had been in Australia she had not taken part in any Vietnamese community activities but she had added the flag of the Government of South Vietnam to [the status on Social Media]. I noted that [The applicant] had referred to the fact that her visa had been cancelled because she had provided incorrect information in her application. [The applicant] said that she had not been the person who had provided the incorrect information: she said that all the information which she had provided to the person who had done the paperwork for her had been true but this person had put incorrect information in the application. She said that the application had been lodged online and she had not signed the application. She said that she had not known anything about them providing false documents when they had lodged the application. I referred to her evidence that a corrupt immigration officer named [name] had assisted her to obtain her visa. [The applicant] said that when she had been in the detention centre she had read the news about this person and then she had compared it with the visa which she had received. She said that before this she had not known. She said that when she had been in the detention centre she had been interviewed by people from the Department of Immigration and the Australian Federal Police. I referred to the fact that [The applicant]s representatives had submitted that details of her detention in Australia were already in the hands of the Vietnamese regime. [The applicant] said that this was what she believed. She referred to the fact that in 2013 Vietnamese officials had visited detention centres in Australia and she said that the involvement of the corrupt immigration officer, [name], in providing false documents had been spread on the news in Australia so she believed that the Vietnamese Government was aware of these things. She said that she believed that the Vietnamese Government would keep an eye on the statistics about the number of Vietnamese people detained in the detention centres and how many had left. I indicated to [The applicant] that I accepted that the Vietnamese Government would be aware of the activities of the corrupt Australia immigration officer because, as she had said, this had been quite well-reported in the media. I put to her that this did not necessarily mean that, if she were to go back to Vietnam, the Vietnamese Government would know that she had been a victim of this fraud or indeed that she had been in immigration detention in Australia. I noted that she had referred to the fact that Vietnamese officials had visited the detention centres in Australia in 2013 but I put to her that she had not even been in Australia at the time. [The applicant] said that a large number of Vietnamese refugees had come here and the Vietnamese Government would keep an eye on these people. She said that she also believed that the Vietnamese Government and the Australian Government would work together to exchange information about these things. She said that their visit in 2013 had just been an initial step: it had not been the end of it. I noted that [The applicant] had referred to her family home in Vietnam being watched by the police. I put to her that it appeared from what she had said at the hearing before me that her parents had not had difficulty leaving Vietnam and going back there. [The applicant] said that a few days after her parents had arrived back in Vietnam the police had come to demand money. She said that if you wanted to lead a peaceful life in Vietnam the only way you could do this was to give bribes. I noted that she had also referred to having to give bribes to the authorities to conduct her business but I put to her that corruption was a significant problem in Vietnam.[3] I put to her that I might take the view that these sorts of demands for bribes were something that everyone in Vietnam faced and that neither she nor her family were being singled out because of her family background or because of her political opinion opposed to the Communist regime. [The applicant] said that she did not agree. She said that when she had lived there her opinions had always been opposed to the Vietnamese regime. I put to [The applicant] that the issue was whether she had been singled out by the authorities to make requests for bribes because of her political opinion. [The applicant] said that she had faced a higher level of demands for bribes compared to other people because of her religion and her political opinion opposed to the Vietnamese regime. She said that while it was true that a lot of people in Vietnam had to pay bribes, people who held political opinions opposed to the policies of the Vietnamese Communist Party or who had a religion would face a higher level of demands for bribes and they would be subject to worse treatment or heavier punishment. I noted that [The applicant] had not said that she had ever experienced any bad treatment or heavier punishment. [The applicant] said that whenever she had wanted to do some paperwork they had always refused to sign it and now if she had to go back there she would be punished more heavily. I referred to [The applicant]s evidence that she had not experienced difficulties practising her religion in Vietnam but that she had experienced problems when she had gone to remote areas with the priest and the [church group]. I noted that the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade produced assessments in relation to different countries which the Tribunal was required to take into account. I put to her that the Department assessed that Catholics in Vietnam who worshipped quietly and in a manner that conformed to government policies and sensitivities were able to do so with a low risk of official interference.[4] I put to her that I might not accept that there was a real chance that she would be persecuted for reasons of her religion as a Catholic if she returned to Vietnam. [The applicant] said that lots of people had been arrested in Vietnam for practising their religion. [The applicant] said that she had come to Australia and then she had been told that her documents were false and this had been why her visa had been cancelled. I put to her that she had said herself (in her application for a protection visa) that her visa had been cancelled because she had provided incorrect information,[5] not because she had provided false documents. [The applicant] denied that she had provided incorrect information. I put to her that in the context of the Migration Act it did not matter whether she herself had filled out the form or whether someone else had filled out the form for her: she was held to be responsible for the incorrect answers in her application. [The applicant] said that she was a victim: she was not someone who cheated. She said that if she had known from the beginning that they had been going to provide false information she would not have applied for a visa to come here. I referred to [The applicant]s evidence that she had not experienced difficulties because of her political activities, for example posting things in [Social Media] and following the Viet Tan party in Vietnam. I put to her that I might not accept that there was a real chance that she would attract the attention of the Vietnamese authorities by carrying on these sorts of activities if she went back to Vietnam now. [The applicant] said that she was sure that she would be arrested and detained when she arrived at the airport in Vietnam. She said that the refugees who had come to Australia and who had been returned to Vietnam had been arrested when they had arrived at the airport although the Vietnamese Government had promised that they would not be arrested. I put to [The applicant] that there did not appear to be any evidence that the Vietnamese authorities knew the basis upon which her visa had been cancelled. [The applicant] said that when she had left Vietnam the Vietnamese Government had been aware of what type of visa she had so if she went back to Vietnam they would have a reason to ask her why she had to go back. She said that this had happened not just to her but to many other people. I put to her that even if the authorities in Vietnam were to be aware that she had been a victim of this migration fraud, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had said that people who had paid money to the people organising these sorts of frauds were generally viewed by the government as victims of criminal activity rather than as criminals themselves. It had said that some of these people had been detained briefly and interviewed in relation to the investigation of these sorts of frauds.[6] I put to [The applicant] that it was difficult to accept on the basis of the evidence before me that there was a real chance or a real risk that she would be prosecuted for criminal responsibility in relation to this fraud. [The applicant] said that she did not think that the Vietnamese Government would think so. She said that the way the Vietnamese Government would look at this was very simple: when someones visa was cancelled they would be deemed to have done something wrong so when they came back to Vietnam they would be considered as someone who had committed some offence and they would be punished. She said that this was stated in the Vietnamese law. After a break to allow [The applicant] to speak with her representative she said that she did not think that the Vietnamese Government would view her as a victim: she said that she thought that they would consider her as a criminal. She referred again to the fact that, although the Vietnamese Government had promised not to arrest failed asylum-seekers returned to Vietnam, they had not kept this promise. She also referred again to the fact that the fraud of which she had been a victim had been well-reported and people were aware of this. She said that she thought that her case would already be in the black book of the Vietnamese Government. She said that there had not been many people who had been victims of this scam and she was sure that the Vietnamese authorities would have a list of these people. She said that she believed that the Vietnamese Government and the Australian Government worked together. She repeated that 2013 had been the initial step. [The applicant] said that while she had been in the detention centre she had heard a lot of information about those people who had been victims of this scam. She said that some of them had been arrested when they had arrived in Vietnam while others had had to pay bribes in order not to be arrested. She said that this was why she definitely believed that she would be arrested when she arrived at the airport in Vietnam. She said that the Vietnamese Government did not keep its promises. She said that they always tried to arrest people and to give people a hard time. She repeated that if she had known from the beginning that false documents had been going to be produced she would not have done this. She said that this had made her lose her future. She said that she had trusted her friend too much and she had been cheated. [The applicant] said that when she had come to Australia she had considered it her second home. She said that she had worked very hard and she had obeyed all the Australia laws. She said that she had had a car and a house like everyone else and she was married as well. She referred to the fact that her husband was here and she said that he would be affected. She said that when her visa had been cancelled her future had been ruined. She said that she really hoped that she would be able to be reunited with her husband. [The applicant]s representative submitted that if the Tribunal was not satisfied that [The applicant] met the requirements for a protection visa he would ask that the Tribunal recommend to the Minister that he exercise his discretion under section 417 of the Migration Act.

Conclusions

I formed a generally favourable view of [The applicant]s credibility. In particular I consider it in her favour that she did not attempt to exaggerate her claims with regard to the problems which she has said she and her family had in Vietnam as a result of her religion and her family background. I accept that she is a Catholic and I accept that, as she said, lots of people have been arrested in Vietnam for practising their religion. However she said that she had not experienced difficulties practising her religion in Vietnam and the only problem to which she referred related to the obstacles placed in her way when she attempted to go to remote areas with the priest and with the leader and other members of the church [group] to persuade people to become Catholics. She said that they had only made [number] successful trips of this kind - the rest had not been successful - but she did not suggest that she or other members of her church had attempted to challenge the local authorities. As I put to her, it appears to me that she falls in the category of those Catholics in Vietnam who worship quietly and in a manner that conforms to government policies and sensitivities and who therefore face a low risk of official interference rather than in the category of religious activists who are perceived to be opposed to government policies.[7] I likewise accept what [The applicant] has said about her family background, in particular that her [relatives] worked for the Government of South Vietnam and fought the Communists. I accept that her family suffered persecution following the victory of the Communists in 1975 but she has not suggested that she was disadvantaged to any significant extent by her family background in obtaining an education or running her business. She said that the authorities asked her for bribes but she said that other people whom she had known had also had problems like this. While she said subsequently that she had faced a higher level of demands for bribes compared to other people because of her religion and her political opinion opposed to the Vietnamese regime, she has not suggested that this prevented her from running her business. She has said that her family is under police surveillance but it appears that what she really meant is that their activities are monitored so that, for example, the police were aware that her parents had returned to Vietnam and visited them a few days after their return to demand money. As I noted, she has not suggested that her parents have had any difficulty in leaving Vietnam. I accept that, as [The applicant] has said, she holds a political opinion opposed to the Vietnamese Communist regime. Once again, however, she has not suggested that she has been involved in political activities which have attracted the attention of the regime or that there is a real chance that she will be involved in such activities if she returns to Vietnam now or in the reasonably foreseeable future. She has said that she shared information with her friends on [Social Media] and with her family and that she discussed political matters with a group of friends. However on the one occasion on which she actually came to the attention of the authorities - when she was caught by the local authorities when listening to songs on South Vietnamese soldiers - she has said that she was simply given a warning. She said that the government now monitors [Social Media] and her evidence in this regard is supported by the independent evidence available to me.[8] However she said that she had been able to evade the governments controls intended to prevent people from accessing websites such as that of the Viet Tan party by changing her IP address constantly and I consider that she will continue to be able to avoid the attention of the authorities by using such expedients if she returns to Vietnam. Having regard to her own description of her activities I do not accept that there is a real chance that she will be persecuted for reasons of her political opinion as a result of such activities if she returns to Vietnam. [The applicant] has said that she obtained the visa which she used to travel to Australia through an immigration scam perpetrated by a corrupt officer working for the Immigration Department, [name]. According to media reports the scam was very simple: [Details deleted].[9] [Details deleted].[10] As I indicated to [The applicant], I accept that the Vietnamese Government will be aware of [officer]s activities. As I noted, the scam was well-reported in the Australian media. I consider that, even if the Australian Government did not seek the assistance of the Vietnamese authorities in investigating the scam, it must inevitably have come to the attention of the Vietnamese authorities having regard to the fact that the [number] victims mentioned in the media report were all from Vietnam. In their submission dated [in] August 2016 [The applicant]s representatives referred to advice from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada in relation to penalties for exiting Vietnam illegally. While they specifically drew attention to the offence involving using fraudulent documents (which I do not consider to be applicable in [The applicant]s case, given that no fraudulent documents were in fact involved), the advice also refers to Article 17 of Decree No. 167/2013 which prescribes penalties for giving an untruthful declaration in order to be issued valuable papers for exit from Vietnam.[11] As I put to [the applicant], there does not appear to be any evidence that the Vietnamese authorities actually know the basis upon which her visa was cancelled. However I accept the force of her submission that, if she is removed from Australia as a consequence of the cancellation of her visa, the Vietnamese authorities will become aware of the fact that her visa has been cancelled and will ask her why it was cancelled. Given that, as I have said, I consider it clear that the Vietnamese authorities are aware of the immigration scam perpetrated by [name], I consider it reasonable to conclude that in these circumstances they will be able to identify [the applicant] as one of the victims of the scam. The question then arises with regard to what their attitude will be to [the applicant] in these circumstances. As I put to her, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said that people who have paid money to the people organising these sorts of frauds are generally viewed by the government as victims of criminal activity rather than as criminals themselves although it has said that some of these people have been detained briefly and interviewed in relation to the investigation of these sorts of frauds.[12] [The applicant] has referred in this context to the well-reported case of failed asylum-seekers who were returned to Vietnam from Australia earlier this year, four of whom were subsequently convicted and gaoled for organising the departure of the group by boat.[13] While I do not regard this case as inconsistent with the advice of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, I consider that it indicates that caution should be exercised in concluding that, just because the Australian authorities might view someone as a victim of people smugglers (or migration fraud), the Vietnamese authorities will necessarily take the same view. I also accept the force of [The applicant]s argument that, given that the Australian authorities have cancelled her visa, the Vietnamese authorities will not see her as an innocent victim but as someone who has done something wrong. No issue of double jeopardy arises on the facts in this case because, as the primary decision-maker correctly noted, [the applicant] has never been prosecuted for any offence under Australian law. In considering whether there is a real chance that [the applicant] will be charged with an offence on her return to Vietnam I consider it relevant that a representative of the Vietnam Human Rights Network told the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada that the punishment for exiting Vietnam illegally and/or using fraudulent documents varied depending on the person and the circumstances and that dissidents who left the country illegally and/or used fraudulent foreign visas might face a high level of punishment including being put in gaol for years.[14] As I have indicated above, I accept that [the applicant] is a Catholic, that she has a family background of support for the former Government of South Vietnam and opposition to the current regime and that she holds a political opinion opposed to the Vietnamese Communist regime. Taking the cumulative effect of these circumstances into account and having regard to the advice of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, I consider that there is at least a real chance that [the applicant] will be arrested and charged with an offence under Vietnamese law if she returns to Vietnam. While the penalty for a breach of Article 17 of Decree No. 167/2013, referred to in paragraph 45 above, is only a fine, the representative of the Vietnam Human Rights Network told the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada that other articles of the Penal Code which carried gaol terms could be used to punish those whom the regime regarded as dissidents. The representative provided the Board with details of cases in which people had been charged and punished under Article 91 of the Penal Code, dealing with those who flee abroad with a view to opposing the peoples administration. Such people can be sentenced to between three and twelve years of imprisonment. The Board noted that Amnesty International corroborated the use of the national security section of the Penal Code to imprison political activists.[15] Having regard to the advice from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, I consider that there is at least a real chance that, as [the applicant] fears, she will be treated by the Vietnamese authorities as a criminal and that her particular circumstances - her religion, her family background and her political opinion - could result in her being treated differently, and punished more harshly, in particular by the imposition of a term of imprisonment, than other people who may have obtained foreign visas by making untruthful declarations. Taking into account the cumulative effect of [the applicant]s circumstances, therefore, I consider there is a real chance that she will be persecuted for reasons of her religion and her real and imputed political opinion (based on her family background) if she returns to Vietnam. I consider that the harm which [the applicant] fears amounts to persecution involving serious harm as required by paragraph 5J(4)(b) of the Migration Act in that it involves a threat to her liberty. I consider that her religion and her real or imputed political opinion are the essential and significant reasons for the persecution which she fears, as required by paragraph 5J(4)(a), and that the persecution which she fears involves systematic and discriminatory conduct, as required by paragraph 5J(4)(c), in that it is deliberate or intentional and involves her selective harassment for one or more of the five reasons mentioned in paragraph 5J(1)(a). Given that the Government of Vietnam is responsible for the persecution which [the applicant] fears, I consider that the real chance of persecution relates to all areas of Vietnam and that effective protection measures (as referred to in section 5LA) are not available to her in Vietnam. I therefore find that [the applicant] is outside her country of nationality, Vietnam, and, owing to a well-founded fear of persecution as defined in section 5J of the Migration Act, is unable or unwilling to avail herself of the protection of that country, thus satisfying the definition of a refugee in section 5H. There is nothing in the evidence before me to suggest that she currently has a right to enter and reside in any country other than her country of nationality, Vietnam, of the kind referred to in subsection 36(3) of the Migration Act.[16] It follows that I am satisfied that she is a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations under paragraph 36(2)(a) of the Migration Act. It is therefore unnecessary for me to consider her claims under the complementary protection criterion in paragraph 36(2)(aa) of the Act.

DECISION

The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies paragraph 36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.





Giles Short

Senior Member



ATTACHMENT A - RELEVANT LAW

In accordance with section 65 of the Migration Act 1958, the Minister may only grant a visa if the Minister is satisfied that the criteria prescribed for that visa by the Act and the Migration Regulations 1994 have been satisfied. The criteria for the grant of a Protection (Class XA) visa are set out in section 36 of the Act and Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations. Subsection 36(2) of the Act provides that:

(2) A criterion for a protection visa is that the applicant for the visa is:

(a) a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations because the person is a refugee; or

(aa) a non-citizen in Australia (other than a non-citizen mentioned in paragraph (a)) in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations because the Minister has substantial grounds for believing that, as a necessary and foreseeable consequence of the non-citizen being removed from Australia to a receiving country, there is a real risk that the non-citizen will suffer significant harm; or

(b) a non-citizen in Australia who is a member of the same family unit as a non-citizen who:

(i) is mentioned in paragraph (a); and

(ii) holds a protection visa of the same class as that applied for by the applicant; or

(c) a non-citizen in Australia who is a member of the same family unit as a non-citizen who:

(i) is mentioned in paragraph (aa); and

(ii) holds a protection visa of the same class as that applied for by the applicant.

Refugee criterion

Section 5H of the Migration Act defines a person as a refugee if, in a case where the person has a nationality, the person is outside the country of his or her nationality and, owing to a well-founded fear of persecution, is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country or, in a case where the person does not have a nationality, the person is outside the country of his or her former habitual residence and owing to a well-founded fear of persecution, is unable or unwilling to return to it. Subsection 5J(1) states that a person has a well-founded fear of persecution if the person fears being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, there is a real chance that, if the person returned to the receiving country, the person would be persecuted for one or more of those reasons, and the real chance of persecution relates to all areas of a receiving country. The definition of a refugee contains four key elements. First, the applicant must be outside his or her country of nationality or country of former habitual residence. Secondly, the applicant must fear persecution. Subsection 5J(4) of the Migration Act states that the persecution must involve serious harm to the person and systematic and discriminatory conduct. Subsection 5J(5) states that the following are instances of serious harm: (a) a threat to the persons life or liberty;

(b) significant physical harassment of the person;

(c) significant physical ill-treatment of the person;

(d) significant economic hardship that threatens the persons capacity to subsist;

(e) denial of access to basic services, where the denial threatens the persons capacity to subsist;

(f) denial of capacity to earn a livelihood of any kind, where the denial threatens the persons capacity to subsist. In requiring that persecution must involve systematic and discriminatory conduct paragraph 5J(4)(c) reflects observations made by the Australian courts to the effect that the notion of persecution involves selective harassment of a person as an individual or as a member of a group subjected to such harassment: see Chan Yee Kin v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1989) 169 CLR 379 per Mason CJ at 388, McHugh J at 429. Justice McHugh went on to observe in Chan, at 430, that it was not a necessary element of the concept of persecution that an individual be the victim of a series of acts:

A single act of oppression may suffice. As long as the person is threatened with harm and that harm can be seen as part of a course of systematic conduct directed for a Convention reason against that person as an individual or as a member of a class, he or she is being persecuted for the purposes of the Convention.

Systematic conduct is used in this context not in the sense of methodical or organised conduct but rather in the sense of conduct that is not random but deliberate, premeditated or intentional, such that it can be described as selective harassment which discriminates against the person concerned for a Convention reason: see Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Haji Ibrahim (2000) 204 CLR 1 at [89] - [100] per McHugh J (dissenting on other grounds). The Australian courts have also observed that, in order to constitute persecution for the purposes of the Refugees Convention, the threat of harm to a person:

need not be the product of any policy of the government of the persons country of nationality. It may be enough, depending on the circumstances, that the government has failed or is unable to protect the person in question from persecution (per McHugh J in Chan at 430; see also Applicant A v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1997) 190 CLR 225 per Brennan CJ at 233, McHugh J at 258)

Thirdly, the applicant must fear being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. Paragraph 5J(4)(a) states that one or more of the reasons mentioned in paragraph 5J(1)(a) must be the essential and significant reason, or those reasons must be the essential and significant reasons, for the persecution. It should be remembered, however, that, as the Australian courts have observed, persons may be persecuted for attributes they are perceived to have or opinions or beliefs they are perceived to hold, irrespective of whether they actually possess those attributes or hold those opinions or beliefs: see Chan per Mason CJ at 390, Gaudron J at 416, McHugh J at 433; Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Guo (1997) 191 CLR 559 at 570-571 per Brennan CJ, Dawson, Toohey, Gaudron, McHugh and Gummow JJ. Fourthly, the applicant must have a well-founded fear of persecution as defined in subsection 5J(1). That subsection contains a subjective requirement, that the person fears being persecuted, and an objective requirement, that there is a real chance that the person will be persecuted. A real chance is one that is not remote or insubstantial or a far-fetched possibility: see Chan per Toohey J at 407 and McHugh J at 429. A fear of persecution is not well-founded if it is merely assumed or if it is mere speculation: see Guo, referred to above, per Brennan CJ, Dawson, Toohey, Gaudron, McHugh and Gummow JJ at 572.

Complementary protection criterion

An applicant for a protection visa who does not meet the refugee criterion in paragraph 36(2)(a) of the Migration Act may nevertheless meet the complementary protection criterion in paragraph 36(2)(aa), set out above. The Full Court of the Federal Court has held that the real risk test imposes the same standard as the real chance test applicable to the assessment of well-founded fear in the context of the Refugees Convention: see Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v SZQRB [2013] FCAFC 33 at [246] per Lander and Gordon JJ with whom Besanko and Jagot JJ (at [297]) and Flick J (at [342]) agreed. Significant harm for the purposes of the complementary protection criterion is exhaustively defined in subsection 36(2A): see subsection 5(1) of the Act. A person will suffer significant harm if they will be arbitrarily deprived of their life, if the death penalty will be carried out on them or if they will be subjected to torture, to cruel or inhuman treatment or punishment or to degrading treatment or punishment. The expressions torture, cruel or inhuman treatment or punishment and degrading treatment or punishment are further defined in subsection 5(1) of the Act.

Ministerial direction

In accordance with Ministerial Direction No. 56, made under section 499 of the Act, the Tribunal is required to take account of policy guidelines prepared by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship - PAM3: Refugee and humanitarian - Complementary Protection Guidelines and PAM3: Refugee and humanitarian - Refugee Law Guidelines - and any country information assessment prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade expressly for protection status determination purposes, to the extent that they are relevant to the decision under consideration.

Credibility

As Beaumont J observed in Randhawa v Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs [1994] FCA 1253; (1994) 52 FCR 437 at 451, in the proof of refugeehood, a liberal attitude on the part of the decision-maker is called for. However this should not lead to an uncritical acceptance of any and all allegations made by suppliants. As the Full Court of the Federal Court (von Doussa, Moore and Sackville JJ) observed in Chand v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (unreported, 7 November 1997):

Where there is conflicting evidence from different sources, questions of credit of witnesses may have to be resolved. The RRT is also entitled to attribute greater weight to one piece of evidence as against another, and to act on its opinion that one version of the facts is more probable than another (citing Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Wu Shan Liang [1996] HCA 6; (1996) 185 CLR 259 at 281-282)

As the Full Court noted in that case, this statement of principle is subject to the qualification explained by the High Court in Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Guo (1997) 191 CLR 559 at 576 per Brennan CJ, Dawson, Toohey, Gaudron, McHugh and Gummow JJ where they observed that:

in determining whether there is a real chance that an event will occur, or will occur for a particular reason, the degree of probability that similar events have or have not occurred for particular reasons in the past is relevant in determining the chance that the event or the reason will occur in the future.

If, however, the Tribunal has no real doubt that the claimed events did not occur, it will not be necessary for it to consider the possibility that its findings might be wrong: Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Rajalingam [1999] FCA 719; (1999) 93 FCR 220 per Sackville J (with whom North J agreed) at 241. Furthermore, as the Full Court of the Federal Court (OConnor, Branson and Marshall JJ) observed in Kopalapillai v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [1998] FCA 1126; (1998) 86 FCR 547 at 558-9, there is no rule that a decision-maker concerned to evaluate the testimony of a person who claims to be a refugee in Australia may not reject an applicants testimony on credibility grounds unless there are no possible explanations for any delay in the making of claims or for any evidentiary inconsistencies. Nor is there a rule that a decision-maker must hold a positive state of disbelief before making an adverse credibility assessment in a refugee case.

[1] See the media report which she produced at folios 90-91 of the Departments file [number].

[2] Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Vietnam: Consequences for a returnee who exited the country illegally, such as through the use of fraudulent foreign visas, 6 March 2014, VNM104803.E.

[3] US State Department, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015 in relation to Vietnam, Section 4, Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government.

[4] DFAT Country Information Report - Vietnam, 31 August 2015, paragraph 3.24.

[5] See her answer to question 64 on Part C of the application form.

[6] DFAT Country Information Report - Vietnam, 31 August 2015, paragraphs 5.23, 5.28.

[7] DFAT Country Information Report - Vietnam, 31 August 2015, paragraphs 3.19-3.24.

[8] US State Department, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015 in relation to Vietnam, Section 2.a, Internet Freedom.

[9] Contrary to what is said in the decision under review, therefore, [the applicant]s visa was not cancelled because she produced fraudulent documents: the scam did not involve any fabricated documents. As [the applicant] herself said in her application for a protection visa, her visa was cancelled because she gave incorrect information in her application for the visa.

[10] [Information deleted].

[11] Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Vietnam: Consequences for a returnee who exited the country illegally, such as through the use of fraudulent foreign visas, 6 March 2014, VNM104803.E.

[12] DFAT Country Information Report - Vietnam, 31 August 2015, paragraphs 5.23, 5.28.

[13] See the media report which [the applicant] produced at folios 90-91 of the Departments file [number].

[14] Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Vietnam: Consequences for a returnee who exited the country illegally, such as through the use of fraudulent foreign visas, 6 March 2014, VNM104803.E.

[15] Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Vietnam: Consequences for a returnee who exited the country illegally, such as through the use of fraudulent foreign visas, 6 March 2014, VNM104803.E.

[16] See Minister for Immigration, Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship v SZRHU [2013] FCAFC 91; (2013) 215 FCR 35.
AATA Case No. 1606601

Publisher Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Publication Date 14 September 2016 Citation / Document Symbol [2016] AATA 4488 (14 September 2016) Cite as AATA Case No. 1606601 , [2016] AATA 4488 (14 September 2016), Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal, 14 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,AUS_AAT,592d7d274.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

1606601 (Refugee) [2016] AATA 4488 (14 September 2016)



DECISION RECORD

DIVISION: Migration & Refugee Division

CASE NUMBER: 1606601

COUNTRY OF REFERENCE: Stateless

MEMBER: Christopher Smolicz

DATE: 14 September 2016

PLACE OF DECISION: Adelaide

DECISION: The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies s.36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.

Statement made on 14 September 2016 at 9:21am

Any references appearing in square brackets indicate that information has been omitted from this decision pursuant to section 431 of the Migration Act 1958 and replaced with generic information which does not allow the identification of an applicant, or their relative or other dependant.

STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS

APPLICATION FOR REVIEW

This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration to refuse to grant the applicant a Protection visa under s.65 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act). The applicant who claims to be stateless applied for the visa [in] November 2012 and the delegate refused to grant the visa [in] March 2014. On 27 March 2014 the applicant applied to the Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) to review the delegate's decision. He appeared before the Tribunal, differently constituted, on 22 June 2015 to give oral evidence (first Tribunal hearing). On 2 November 2015 the Tribunal affirmed the Department's decision not to grant the applicant a Protection visa.[1] The applicant sought judicial review of the decision to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (FCCA). [In] May 2016 the FCCA quashed the Tribunal's decision. The court found that the first Tribunal fell into jurisdictional error by failing to consider the applicant's claims based on his Rohingya ethnicity. The matter is now before the Tribunal pursuant to the order of the FCCA. The applicant appeared before the Tribunal on 1 September 2016 to give evidence and present arguments. The Tribunal hearing was conducted with the assistance of an interpreter in the Bengali and English languages. The applicant was represented in relation to the review by his registered migration agent. The Tribunal was provided with transcripts of the Departmental protection interview conducted [in] July 2013 and a transcript of the first Tribunal hearing held on 22 June 2015.

CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

The criteria for a protection visa are set out in s.36 of the Act and Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations). An applicant for the visa must meet one of the alternative criteria in s.36(2)(a), (aa), (b), or (c). That is, the applicant is either a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations under the 'refugee' criterion, or on other 'complementary protection' grounds, or is a member of the same family unit as such a person and that person holds a protection visa of the same class. Section 36(2)(a) provides that a criterion for a protection visa is that the applicant for the visa is a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees as amended by the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (together, the Refugees Convention, or the Convention). Australia is a party to the Refugees Convention and generally speaking, has protection obligations in respect of people who are refugees as defined in Article 1 of the Convention. Article 1A(2) relevantly defines a refugee as any person who:

owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.

If a person is found not to meet the refugee criterion in s.36(2)(a), he or she may nevertheless meet the criteria for the grant of a protection visa if he or she is a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations because the Minister has substantial grounds for believing that, as a necessary and foreseeable consequence of the applicant being removed from Australia to a receiving country, there is a real risk that he or she will suffer significant harm: s.36(2)(aa) ('the complementary protection criterion'). In accordance with Ministerial Direction No.56, made under s.499 of the Act, the Tribunal is required to take account of policy guidelines prepared by the Department of Immigration -PAM3 Refugee and humanitarian - Complementary Protection Guidelines and PAM3 Refugee and humanitarian - Refugee Law Guidelines - and any country information assessment prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade expressly for protection status determination purposes, to the extent that they are relevant to the decision under consideration.

Background

The applicant claims to be a stateless person born on [date] in [Bangladesh]. His father was born in Burma (Myanmar) and is of Rohingya ethnicity and his mother was born in Bangladesh. He does not have Bangladeshi citizenship and does not have a right to reside in Bangladesh or Myanmar. He has never held any formal identification documents in Bangladesh. In 2006 he illegally departed Bangladesh for Malaysia transiting through [country] and [Country 1]. From 2006 the applicant resided illegally in Malaysia where he worked [illegally]. [In] April 2012 the applicant arrived [in Australia] as an Irregular Maritime Arrival. According to the delegate's decision the applicant was screened out on the basis of his response at the entry interview that he was seeking protection for non-Convention reasons. [In] August 2014 the applicant subsequently put forward new claims based on his imputed political opinion. When he arrived in Australia he was unable to provide any form of identification. He subsequently provided a letter his mother had obtained from [an official] of [an] Union Council in Bangladesh. The letter states that his father was not a resident of the [name] Union and he is a Myanmar national. Since arriving in Australia the applicant has provided a number of explanations why he fled Bangladesh. The applicant's claims are set out in detail in the first Tribunal's decision from paragraphs 27 to 30 and were not accepted by the delegate or the first Tribunal. The applicant's claims can be summarised as follows. The applicant claimed he would face persecution on the basis of his statelessness, which relates to a claim on the basis of nationality and ethnicity. He claims he has no right to reside in Bangladesh, despite having been born there in circumstances where his mother is likely a Bengali national. He claims his father's nationality was that of Myanmar of Rohingya ethnicity. The applicant claims he has no right to reside in Myanmar, as citizenship there would be unavailable to him because of his father's ethnicity and religion. The delegate observed that in his bio-data interview [in] April 2012 the applicant claimed to be a Bangladeshi national. During his entry interview [in] May 2012, the applicant claimed to be stateless but said that his mother was Bangladeshi. In his statement made 22 November 2012 he claimed to be stateless, but said that his mother was Bangladeshi and his father was a Rohingya from Myanmar. In his statement made on 18 December 2012 he referred to a document that his mother obtained that reportedly said that because his father is a Myanmar national, so is he. The first Tribunal noted that the document appears to be based on information provided, possibly by his mother, and as such is of limited objective evidentiary value. The first Tribunal noted that the document makes no statement and draws no conclusion about the applicant's nationality. Rather, it asserts that his father was a Myanmar national. It also makes no reference to his mother's nationality. The delegate found on the basis of changes to the Bengali citizenship laws in 2009, he would be entitled to Bengali citizenship through his mother. The delegate considered the country of reference to be Bangladesh. The applicant also claimed to be a former supporter of the Bangladesh Communist Party who had fallen out with the party. He claims he was detained and tortured by party members and fears returning to Bangladesh on account of his connection with the Communist Party. He also claims to fear a rival Bangladeshi family who were in dispute with his family. The delegate had regard to the applicant's claims relating to his involvement with the communist party in Bangladesh, the delegate noted that the applicant gave contradictory responses about the name of the Communist party to which he belonged. She also noted that he was evasive in explaining his role and activities with the party. With respect to his claims relating to the [Family A]/[name] family the delegate noted past inconsistencies between different versions of the claims put forward by the applicant. The [Family A] family were also, according to the applicant, involved with the Bangladesh National Party (BNP). In the former account, the applicant claimed to have defended his father, who was being attacked by a member of the [Family A] family. In the course of the applicant's defence of his father, the applicant hit a [Family A] family member. The Tribunal has had regard to the applicant's evidence taken from the Departmental interview and at the first Tribunal hearing and also has concerns about the credibility of the applicant's claims based on his imputed political opinion and conflict with the [Family A] family. In making this decision, however, the Tribunal has only found it necessary to focus on whether the applicant is of Rohingya ethnicity, stateless and faces a real chance of serious harm in his countries of former habitual residence. The Tribunal found this aspect of the applicant's claims consistent and credible. For the following reasons, the Tribunal has concluded that the matter should be remitted for reconsideration.

Country of reference

The Tribunal questioned the applicant about his ethnicity and nationality. The Tribunal found the applicant to be forthright and unequivocal in his responses to Tribunal questions at the hearing. In the Tribunal's assessment, the applicant was speaking from a lived experience when he spoke about his early childhood and his family's experiences in Bangladesh, his travel to Malaysia, and reasons for fleeing Bangladesh. The applicant said that his father is of Rohingya ethnicity and was born in Myanmar. He came to Bangladesh as a refugee and lived in a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar. He does not know the name of the camp or the dates. He eventually escaped from the camp. His father had since died. His mother was born in Bangladesh. His parents took part in a local Muslim marriage ceremony. He does not know when his parents married or if the marriage was legally recognised. He has no documents to support their wedding. The applicant said he was born in Bangladesh. He said it was impossible for a person of Rohingya ethnicity to get close to a government department and try to obtain any official documents. He received no education and is embarrassed because he cannot read or write. His goal in life is to obtain an education. He has never held a passport or any formal documents. He has never travelled to Myanmar because he would face persecution as a person of Rohingya ethnicity. The Tribunal questioned the applicant about his Rohingya language ability. The applicant said that the Rohingya language was similar to Bangladeshi and was able to provide the Tribunal with an example. He said he understands Rohingya but finds speaking Rohingya difficult. The Tribunal noted that the applicant was of mixed Rohingya and Bangladeshi ethnicity and asked the applicant which ethnic group he identified with. The applicant said that he did not want to identify as a Rohingya and wanted to identify as a Bangladeshi because he was born in Bangladesh. The Tribunal found the applicant's response demonstrated his desire to be treated equally and avoid discrimination by being accepted into Bangladeshi society. The applicant said he experienced difficulties in Bangladesh because he did not have any papers. From a young age he was thought to hide his Rohingya ethnicity and he only spoke Bangladeshi. He said that if the police found out you were a Rohingya they would cause you problems. He tried to mingle with Bangladeshi people and avoid attention so that he would not come to the attention of the police. He eventually escaped from Bangladesh and travelled to [Country 1] by boat. He was beaten in [Country 1] by smugglers and stayed there for about three months. He was smuggled into Malaysia in [a] car. He had never heard of Australia and was simply escaping from Bangladesh seeking a better life where he could obtain an education and employment. He worked illegally in Malaysia with other Rohingya [people]. If he got caught by the police he would have to pay a bribe. He travelled to Australia because that's what other people were doing in Malaysia. The Tribunal notes the delegate's concerns arising from his bio-data interview where the applicant was reported to claim he was a "Bangladeshi national". The Tribunal notes the interview was conducted about two weeks after he arrived in Australia. The Tribunal notes that the applicant has never had any travel documents and accepts that he would not understand what is meant by the term "national". For example, it is unclear if the applicant was questioned about where he had originally travelled from or where he was born or his ethnicity. The Tribunal finds that these are not clear issues given the applicant's history. The Tribunal finds the applicant's answers need to be assessed in the context of a person who has had no education and was brought up to hide his Rohingya ethnicity from an early age. The Tribunal finds that the applicant may well have said that he was born in Bangladesh and that he wanted a better education and better life in Australia. The Tribunal finds that such a response is not necessarily inconsistent with the applicant having suffered persecution based on race. At the hearing the Tribunal enquired about the possibility of taking evidence from the applicant's mother in Bangladesh. The Tribunal was advised that due to the mother's remote location and lack of telephone communication this could not be arranged at a hearing without prior notice. In post hearing submissions the Tribunal was provided with a statement from the applicant's [mother]. The statement was obtained through a third party telephone number with the assitance of an interpreter. The applicant's mother states that she was born in Bangladesh and her father was Rohingya. She grew up in Chittagong area of Bangladesh and her family were poor and uneducated. She met her [husband] in Cox's Bazar. [Her husband] was not a Bangladesh citizen and was born in Burma. She does not know when they married but it would have been [over 40] years ago. The marriage was arranged by her father. The marriage was never officially recognised. [Her husband] tried to obtain Bangladesh citizenship so that their children would have an education but was unsuccessful. In Bangladesh all people of Rohingya ethnicity are kept poor, denied education and ridiculed by the local population. When the applicant was growing up he was considered Rohingya. Although the statement is unsigned the Tribunal accepts the agent's submissions that it is an accurate account of the mother's telephone interview conducted by the agent. The Tribunal was provided with the third party's mobile number and the mother's consent to speak to her in order to verify her evidence. The Tribunal has accepted the applicant's mother's evidence as credible and consistent with the applicant's claims about his family background and ethnicity. In the Tribunal's assessment the applicant presented as a highly emotional, shy and timid person. Although his evidence was general in part, the Tribunal found him to be forthright and credible in speaking about his past and his reasons for seeking protection. Numerous Federal Court cases refer to the care decision makers must take in assessing credibility. Similarly, Professor Hathaway refers to decisions of the Immigration Appeal Board in Canada, and states in part:

Even where the statement is material, and is not believed, a person may, nonetheless, be a refugee. "Lies do not prove the converse." Where a claimant is lying, and the lie is material to his case, the [determination authority] must, nonetheless, look at all of the evidence and arrive at a conclusion on the entire case. Indeed, an earlier lie which is openly admitted may, in some circumstances, be a factor to consider in support of credibility."[2]

On the basis of the additional evidence provided subsequent to the delegate's decision the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant was born in Bangladesh. That his father was a Rohingya born in Mynmar. New evidence provided to the Tribunal states that although the applicant's mother was born in Bangladesh her father was also a Rohingya. The Tribunal accepts the applicant is from the Rohingya ethnic group (race) in assessing his claims. The independent country information detailed in the annexure to this decision indicates that Rohingya are not recognised as citizens in Burma / Myanmar. As a person considered as a non-national there is no evidence before the Tribunal that the applicant presently has a right to enter and reside in Burma / Myanmar. While there is some information regarding attempts to regularize the status of some Rohingyas in Myanmar, there seems to be no provisions yet for Rohingyas outside of Myanmar to enter and reside there. The information before the Tribunal also does not indicate that the Myanmar authorities would facilitate the applicant's entry to Myanmar. On the evidence before it the Tribunal is not satisfied that the applicant has a right to enter and reside in Myanmar. For the following reasons the Tribunal also finds that the the applicant has no legal right to enter and reside in Bangladesh. The delegate had regard to the amendments to the Bangladesh Citizenship Act 1951 that came in effect on 31 December 2008, and found on the basis of changes to the Bengali citizenship laws that a child born of a Bangladeshi citizen mother becomes a Bangladeshi citizen by descent. The delegate concluded that a child of a stateless man who is married to a Bangladeshi citizen women can apply for citizenship in Bangladesh. In light of the county information the delegate did not accept the applicant was stateless and considered the country of reference to be Bangladesh. The Tribunal has had regard to more recent country information and proposed amendments to the Bangladesh citizenship laws and has reached a different conclusion to that of the delegate. The Tribunal also finds that Bangladesh citizenship laws are complex, contradictory and need to be viewed against the backdrop of historic animosity and tension which exists between the Rohingya and the majority Bangladesh population. Despite the 2009 amendments to the Citizenship Act 1951, the UNHCR reported in 2011 on a practical difficulty of proof of birth in Bangladesh: non-registration of the birth of children to a refugee parent in Bangladesh. The Tribunal finds this information is consistent with the applicant's claims:

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are affected by a number of issues related to documentation. ... [including] the non-registration of refugee children with a Bangladeshi father or mother, despite the fact that the Bangladesh Citizenship Act since 2009 allows both Bangladeshi men and women to pass on citizenship. Because of this gap in the implementation of existing national laws, UNHCR keeps track of such children by entering their data into ProGres, as there would otherwise be no record of their existence. Unregistered refugees are unable to register their newborn children.[3]

The Tribunal notes that United States (US) government agencies have reported that birth in the territory of Bangladesh automatically conferred citizenship only on those born before 26 March 1971[4] and does not confer citizenship on stateless Rohingya.[5] The Tribunal has also had regard to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection's most recent In-country Synopsis 2011-2015 Rohingya which states:

There has been no change to the status of citizenship for Rohingya in Bangladesh. Rohingya in Bangladesh are legally stateless and unable to derive citizenship from birth in the country, marriage with local citizens, or any other means. (emphasis added)

...

Sources indicate that laws in Bangladesh do not provide Rohingya with a means to gain any form of citizenship. Bangladesh is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, and is not a party to the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions.



The USDOS reported in 2016 that 'Rohingya in Bangladesh are legally stateless':



"They cannot derive citizenship from birth in the country, marriage with local citizens, or any other means."



According to the USDOS, citizenship in Bangladesh can only be gained through 'ancestry':



"Individuals become citizens if their fathers or grandfathers were born in the territories that are now part of the country. If a person qualifies for citizenship through ancestry, the father or grandfather must have been a permanent resident of these territories in or after 1971. Birth registration is required to obtain a national identity card or passport." [6]

DFAT reported in 2016 that 'Rohingya in Bangladesh are not eligible for citizenship, including through marriage".[7] The Tribunal has also had regard to a number of recent independent media reports which confirm amendments to the Bangladesh Citizenship Act 1951. The reports confirm that the Bangladesh government has introduced the Bangladesh Citizenship Bill 2016. The Bill has been approved by Cabinet and is meant to supersede the Citizenship Act 1951 and the Bangladesh Citizenship (Temporary Provisions) Order 1972. [8] Reports confirm that the Bill proposes to replace the existing law regarding citizenship by birth with the provision that a person can only gain citizenship by being born in Bangladesh if both their parents are Bangladesh nationals. (The applicant's representative was able to provide the Tribunal with a copy of the Bill from the Bangladesh Embassy website with key aspects annotated and translated into English.) The Tribunal notes that it has been reported that provisions within the proposed Bill will adversely impact on the human rights of Bangladeshi citizens who are married to foreigners. Bangladeshi officials have been reported to suggest that the Bill has been introduced by the government to specifically prevent children born of Rohinghya parents living legally or illegally in Bangladesh from gaining citizenship.[9] The Tribunal also finds on the country information that the applicant has no legal right to enter and reside in Bangladesh or Malaysia. However, refugee status will not be accorded to persons merely because they are stateless and unable to return to their country of former habitual residence. In MIMA v Savvin the Full Federal Court held that Article 1A(2) of the Convention is to be construed as including the requirement that a stateless person, being outside the country of his or her former habitual residence, have a well-founded fear of being persecuted for a Convention reason. Whilst a stateless claimant must demonstrate a well-founded fear of being persecuted, the second limb of Article 1A(2) does not require an inability to return to their country of former habitual residence to be linked to that fear: the claimant must be either unable to return (for any reason) or, owing to their well-founded fear, unwilling to return. The Tribunal also notes that the applicant was born in Bangladesh and lived there until 2006. He subsequently travelled to Malaysia where he resided illegally for about six years. Although the applicant has never lived in Myanmar his father was born in Myanmar so was his maternal grandfather. Given the length of time and the nature of the applicant's residence and connection in these countries, the Tribunal considers that the applicant's countries of former habitual residence are Myanmar, Bangladesh and Malaysia. Information from DFAT indicates that Rohingya in Myanmar face a high level of official discrimination; have been subjected to targeted communal violence including as recently as September 2014, and remain at high risk of further violence and societal discrimination, particularly in the Rakhine state.[10] DFAT refers to credible observers assessing the government's response to outbreaks of violence against Rohingya as deeply inadequate "with security services reportedly standing by as Rakhine mobs attacked Muslim villages, and at times, participating in attacks," in 2012. "Police forces have failed to prevent or effectively respond to several large-scale disturbances and rioting."[11] "Overall DFAT assesses that Rohingya in Myanmar are unlikely to have access to effective state protection."[12] Having considered the evidence and country information the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant faces a real chance of serious harm in Myanmar. The Tribunal finds that the essential and significant reason for the harm is his race / ethnicity (s.91R(1)(a); the serious harm involves systematic and discriminatory conduct as it would be deliberately and intentionally inflicted (s.91R(1)(c)). There is no effective state protection and relocation is not a safe or reasonable option for the applicant. For the reasons outlined above, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant has a well-founded fear of persecution in Myanmar, a country of his former habitual residence. The Tribunal then considered the applicant's claims in relation to Bangladesh. The Tribunal accepts the applicant's evidence that he lived in Bangladesh since birth with no legal status and that he has no legal right to return to Bangladesh. Independent country information cited above indicates that it is not possible under Bangladesh law for the applicant, as a person of Rohingya ethnicity, born to non-Bangladeshi parents, to have lawfully acquired Bangladesh nationality.[13] Having considered the evidence and country information the Tribunal accepts that the applicant is not a national of Bangladesh; however this was a country of former habitual residence from birth until he departed in 2006. In assessing the applicant's claims of fearing persecution in Bangladesh, the Tribunal notes the information from DFAT which indicates that communal violence against Rohingya occurs[14]. Information from USDOS refers to the exploitation and abuse of Rohingya in Bangladesh. USDOS reports that Rohingya in Bangladesh are unable to work legally; have limited freedom of movement beyond the refugee camps; have minimal access to education for children and only inside the camps; and have limited access to basic medical care. In addition USDOS reports that Rohingya who are unregistered have no legal protection and were sometimes arrested because the government viewed them as illegal economic migrants.[15]In addition, independent reports refer to the Bangladesh government having returned Rohingya to Myanmar and is considering returning Rohingya in the future to Myanmar, a country where the applicant has a well-founded fear of persecution. The European Commission on Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection reports the following.

Bangladesh is host to one of the most intractable refugee crises in the world: the Rohingyas. This ethnic, religious and linguistic minority is subject to exclusion and discrimination in their home country Myanmar/Burma, resulting in many of them seeking refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh for the last 30 years. The vast majority are not granted refugee status and are referred to as "undocumented Myanmar nationals" by the Government of Bangladesh. Without legal status they are unable to pursue education and formal employment opportunities, and remain vulnerable to exploitation and serious protection risks.[16]

The UNHCR identifies three distinct groups of Rohingyas in Bangladesh: those in official UNHCR refugee camps (approximately 32,000); those in unofficial or 'makeshift' camps (50,000); and those in the general community (up to 500,000). Given the vast numbers of Rohingya refugees, Bangladesh is seen as an unwilling host and has historically turned back boats carrying Rohingyas fleeing attack by members of the Buddhist majority in Myanmar's Rakhine state.[17] After assessing the evidence the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant faces a real chance of serious harm in Bangladesh, including the risk of refoulement to Myanmar, a country where the Tribunal has found he has a well-founded fear of persecution. The Tribunal finds that the essential and significant reason for the harm the applicant faces in Bangladesh is his race / ethnicity (s.91R(1)(a); the serious harm involves systematic and discriminatory conduct (s.91R(1)(c)). The Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant is unable to access state protection in Bangladesh. For the reasons outlined above, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant has a well-founded fear of persecution in Bangladesh. The Tribunal notes that the applicant lived unlawfully in Malaysia for approximately six years. Country information indicates that Malaysia does not resettle refugees, his rights in Malaysia would be limited and he would be vulnerable to exploitation, bribery and corruption with limited access to protection. Information from both United States Department of State and UNHCR referred to in the annexure to this decision indicates that Rohingya refugees in Malaysia are at risk of refoulement to Myanmar, a country where the applicant has been found by the Tribunal to have a well-founded fear of persecution. The Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant faces more than a remote chance of serious harm in Malaysia. After assessing the evidence the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant faces a real chance of serious harm on cumulative grounds in Malaysia, for reasons of his race / ethnicity (Rohingya). The applicant's race / ethnicity is the essential and significant reason for the harm feared and the serious harm involves systematic and discriminatory conduct. The Tribunal is satisfied the applicant has a well-founded fear of persecution in Malaysia (s.91R(1)). For the reasons given above, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant is a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations under the Refugees Convention. Therefore the applicant satisfies the criterion set out in s.36(2)(a).

DECISION

The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies s.36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.





Christopher Smolicz

Member

ANNEXURE

Country Information

DIBP - In-country synopsis 2011-2015

Rohingya



The UNHCR estimates that since 2014 approximately 94,000 refugees and migrants departed by sea from Bangladesh or Burma and more than 1,100 persons were estimated to have perished at sea since 2014. Amnesty International reported in 2015 that asylum seeker boats leaving Bangladesh consisted of Rohingya asylum seekers and Bangladeshi 'fleeing destitution'. In May 2015, over 5,000 individuals were stranded at sea after smugglers, traffickers and ship crews abandoned their vessels. As a result of the crisis, migrants 'unofficially disembarked', some were repatriated to their country of origin, while others remained in detention centres in Thailand or Malaysia.



UNHCR and Human Rights Watch reported in May 2015 that during the crisis, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand governments (all of which are not signatories to the Refugee Convention) prevented asylum seeker boats landing onshore which effectively left boats adrift at sea for an extended period. Amnesty International reported that following international pressure, Malaysia and Indonesia allowed asylum seekers to land and agreed to accommodate asylum seekers temporarily.



Reports outline the circumstances that lead to the abandonment of dozens of asylum seeker boats in May 2015. A June 2015 Institute of Southeast Asian Studies journal article authored by Su-Ann Oh indicates that, smugglers would ferry asylum seekers ashore in Thailand to obtain payment for further legs of the journey if asylum seekers did not possess sufficient funds for the journey. Human Rights Watch reported in 2015 that human trafficking syndicates held asylum seekers in Thai jungle camps where they are 'extorted'. Those who are unable to make payments risked being tortured or killed. Su-Ann Oh reported that, those who are unable to make payment 'pledge their labour Rohingya interviewed following the crisis indicated that passengers were transferred 'multiple times, across many different boats', and that some paid small fees while others travelled for free.



Human Rights Watch reported in 2015 that human trafficking syndicates held asylum seekers in Thai jungle camps where they are 'extorted'. Those who are unable to make payments risked being tortured or killed. Su-Ann Oh reported that, those who are unable to make payment 'pledge their labour Alternatively, Su-Ann Oh reported that, those who are unable to make payment 'pledge their labour and the amount owed is deducted from their monthly salaries'. Due to reports of physical abuses in Thailand, Amnesty International concluded that it is likely some of the people on boats were 'being trafficked to situations of forced labour or other forms of exploitation'.1



In 2015, the USDOS outlined human trafficking of Burmese en route to Malaysia in 2015:



NGOs report an increase in the number of Burmese males transiting Thailand en route to Indonesia and Malaysia, where they are subsequently subjected to forced labor, primarily in the fishing industry. Some Burmese men in the Thai fishing industry are subjected to debt bondage, passport confiscation, or fraudulent recruitment; some are also subjected to physical abuse and forced to remain aboard vessels in international waters for years. Reports indicate some Rohingya asylum seekers transiting Thailand en route to Malaysia are sold into forced labor on Thai fishing boats, reportedly with the assistance of Thai civilian and military officials. Burmese women are transported to China and subjected to sex trafficking and domestic servitude through forced marriages to Chinese men; Burmese government officials are reportedly occasionally complicit in this form of trafficking.

Government officials are complicit in trafficking within Burma. Men, women, and children from ethnic areas, including the estimated 98,000 persons displaced by conflict in Kachin and northern Shan States and the estimated 146,000 displaced persons in Rakhine State, are particularly vulnerable to trafficking. Reports indicate some Rohingya women are subjected to sex trafficking in Rakhine State. Local traffickers use deceptive tactics to recruit men into forced labor on palm oil and rubber plantations or in jade and precious stone mines. Children are subjected to sex trafficking or to forced labor in teashops, the agricultural sector, and in begging. Children and adults are subjected to domestic servitude. A small number of foreign child sex tourists exploit Burmese children.



Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch both reported that a crackdown on human trafficking by the government of Thailand resulted in the authorities closing down smuggling routes which in-turn led smugglers to abandon asylum seeker boats that were at sea:



On May 1, a Thai government raid on a jungle camp in Sadao district on the Thai-Malaysia border uncovered 26 bodies, sparking a larger Thai government crackdown on networks smuggling Rohingya and Bangladeshis in Thailand. Since then, Thai military and police officials have found more such camps and exhumed more bodies, and as camp guards have fled, more than 250 survivors have escaped the camps and been detained by the authorities. The crackdown effectively closed the smuggling route through Thailand, leaving boats in transit with Rohingya and Bangladeshis unable to land their human cargo. As a result, smugglers have sought to offload these people in Malaysia or Indonesia, or abandoned their boats and left them to drift. Thai authorities at the most senior levels have long known about these smuggling rings and turned a blind eye.



Reports indicate that following initial resistance, Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian authorities allowed passengers to come onshore. Amnesty International reported that Indonesia and Malaysia have indicated that they will only accommodate asylum seekers temporarily. In 2015 In May 2016 Amnesty International reported that Rohingya who were accommodated in Malaysia remain in Belantik detention centre.

Burma / Myanmar

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provided the following information in its report on Burma (Myanmar), dated 9 June 2015.

2.31 Over the past three years there have been several major outbreaks of sectarian violence in Burma in which Muslim minority communities (predominantly, but not exclusively Rohingya) have been most affected (see further details at 'Rohingya', below). Police forces have failed to prevent or effectively respond to several large-scale disturbances and rioting (see further details at 'State Protection', below)...

3.1 The Burmese government recognises eight major ethnic groups (the Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Chin, Mon, Bamar, Rakhine and Shan), divided into 135 "national races". Under the 1982 citizenship law, a group must have been present in Burma before 1823 for its members to be entitled to citizenship. This restricts the recognition of some groups. The 2008 constitution further recognises certain groups by allocating seats in state and region parliaments to members of these groups. Access to Government services is normally dependent on proof of citizenship (see 'Documentation', below). For those recognised as citizens, instances of official discrimination on the basis of ethnicity are not common.

3.2 Certain groups, including the Rohingya and people of Indian, Chinese, Anglo-Burmese and Nepali descent, are not among the 135 recognised ethnic groups.

Rohingya

3.5 This section discusses the situation of the people who identify themselves as 'Rohingya', although it is acknowledged that there is a debate about the origins and historical validity of this term. Most Rohingya are Muslim. The majority of Rohingya in Burma live in Rakhine State (also called Arakan State), where Rohingya are estimated to number 1.1 million, out of a total state population of 3.6 million people. Rakhine State is the second poorest state in Burma.

3.6 Rohingya tend to reside in Northern Rakhine State. The majority of people in Maugdaw and Buthidaung townships are Rohingya. These two townships are referred to as Northern Rakhine State (NRS) and are the only Muslim-majority townships in Burma. There are Rohingya communities in many other townships in Rakhine State, including Pauktaw and Myebon. Ethnic Rakhine (also called Arakanese), who are mostly Buddhists, are the majority group in the rest of Rakhine State.

Official discrimination

3.7 Most Rohingya in Burma are not Burmese citizens, and are also not citizens of neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh. Under the 1982 Citizenship law, many Rohingya are formally eligible for some form of citizenship. In some cases, government officials are unwilling to provide citizenship to Rohingya. In other cases, Rohingya reject the requirement that they be categorised as "Bengali" in order to acquire citizenship. Furthermore, many reject the categories of "naturalised" or "associate" citizenship as defined under the 1982 citizenship law. Rohingya consider these categories of citizenship as discriminatory, denying the existence of Rohingya in Burma before 1823 and legally reinforcing what they see as the inaccurate view that Rohingya are immigrants from Bangladesh. Furthermore, "naturalised" or "associate" citizenship offers diminished rights by comparison with full citizenship. For example the right to education - enrolment in courses for some professions, including medicine, law and engineering is restricted to full citizens only - and the right to stand for election - restricted to full citizen with full citizens for both parents. Provisions for the revocation of "naturalised" and "associate" citizenship - including for showing "disaffection or disloyalty to the State" also make these forms of citizenship less secure than full citizenship.

3.8 The government has conducted a limited 'verification process' of the citizenship status of Rohingya on a sporadic basis over the past two to three years, with the most recent process beginning with a pilot project in Myebon Township in mid-2014. As a result of this pilot project, in September 2014 the government granted citizenship to approximately 800 Muslims (of a reported 1000 applicants), including both ethnic Kaman and Rohingya. However, many more Rohingya rejected the requirement, imposed under this process, that they state their ethnicity as 'Bengali'. They consider Bengali ethnicity would be an admission that they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Some Rohingya, however, were willing to accept being classified as Bengali. In any case, at the time of writing, this avenue for applying for citizenship was not open to the majority of Rohingya.

3.9 Some Rohingya outside Rakhine state have been able to secure identity documentation by registering as another (normally Muslim) ethnicity. However this practice is neither legal nor widespread.

3.10 Exacerbating the effects of their status as non-citizens, Rohingya in Rakhine State also face risks of discrimination due to the Government's response to widespread sectarian violence in Rakhine state in recent years (see 'Societal discrimination, below, for background). Credible observers consider the government's response to outbreaks of violence in 2012 was deeply inadequate, with security services reportedly standing by as Rakhine mobs attacked Muslim villages, and at times, participating in attacks.

3.11 At the time of writing, many of the people displaced by communal violence remained in temporary IDP camps. Displaced Rohingya and Rakhine people are located in separate camps (around 95 per cent of those in IDP camps are Rohingya). Basic services in Rohingya IDP camps, including education, health care and communications infrastructure, are often unavailable or inadequate. International assistance, including from the United Nations, NGOs and civil society (and which is provided to affected Rakhine communities as well), has provided Rohingya in IDP camps with some shelter, food and health care facilities. However, doctors reside outside IDP camps and their attendance depends on their admittance by local authorities. A reliance on ad hoc and volunteer teaching arrangements at makeshift camp schools generally results in substandard educational services, in some cases only madrasahs.

3.12 The access of Rohingya in camps to employment markets is highly restricted. Local authorities prevent Rohingya from exiting the camps on the basis that they cannot guarantee security for Rohingya IDPs outside the camps. Rohingya camp residents are not permitted to fish or otherwise participate in the local economy, again usually on the grounds that their security cannot be guaranteed outside the camps. Rakhine people accused of selling goods or providing services to Rohingya are also allegedly punished by community leaders and local officials.

3.13 These conditions are not reflective of those in IDP camps for non-Rohingya. In non-Rohingya camps shelter is normally adequate, government health clinics are normally available on site, children normally attend schools, and livelihood programs are normally available for adult re-training. Rakhine people are permitted to enter and exit their camps freely and have access to government services and employment opportunities.

3.14 In addition to IDP camps, broader policies have been instituted in Rakhine State to separate Rohingya from people of other ethnicity, purportedly in an attempt to prevent ethnic tensions from escalating into violence. The removal of Rohingya from the economy has had a significant impact on the ability of Rohingya who have avoided internment to re-enter the workforce. Those who left due to the violence have often found their previous roles have been filled by Rakhine people and in some instances employers have been discouraged from re-hiring Rohingya by Buddhist nationalist groups.

3.15 Local authorities have not always facilitated humanitarian access to Rohingya communities. For example, in February 2014, Burma's Ministry of Home Affairs instructed Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) - the sole provider of accessible medical care for many people in Rakhine State - to cease its operations in Burma. MSF was permitted to resume some activities in Rakhine State in June 2014, and operations were mobilised towards the end of 2014, but there remain Muslim communities in NRS with limited access to medical care.

3.16 There is a significant disparity between the educational opportunities available to Rohingya and those available to non-Rohingya residents of Rakhine State. Rakhine teachers have been prevented from entering Muslim enclaves, ostensibly for security reasons. Beyond primary school, few educational services are available for Rohingya. Due to security policies, Rohingya no longer have access to Sittwe University but can study by distance education.

3.17 Rohingya in Rakhine State, particularly Northern Rakhine State, also face other types of discrimination. These include: limitations on freedom of movement, including internal relocation (see more at 'Internal Relocation', below); requiring permission from local authorities to marry; inability to register the births of children born outside of registered marriages; and the order that Rohingya women in Northern Rakhine State can only have two children. Violation of these rules can lead to imprisonment.

3.18 Overall, taking into account their lack of access to citizenship and lower level of access to employment, and health and education services, DFAT assesses that Rohingya in Burma (whether residing in IDP camps or not) face a high level of official discrimination.

Societal discrimination

3.19 Burma has a long history of deadly communal violence between Buddhists and Muslims. Rising Burman Buddhist nationalism and the growing influence of the Buddhist '969' movement (see also 'Religion') have contributed to recent outbreaks of communal violence. Because there is little sympathy for the Rohingya among the broader Burmese community, leading politicians are often not inclined to seek long-term solutions or to take action to improve conditions in IDP camps.

3.20 Outbreaks of significant violence between Rakhine Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya in Rakhine State in June and October 2012 resulted in the displacement of 140,000 people, over 90 per cent of whom were Muslim Rohingya. Nearly 350 were killed and more than 3000 houses burned, predominantly in Rohingya villages. A Human Rights Watch report (All You Can Do Is Pray: Crimes Against Humanity and Ethnic Cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in Burma's Arakan State, April 2013) argues that the violence was organised, incited and committed by local political operatives, Buddhist monks and ordinary Rakhines. The government dismissed the findings of the report as unfounded.

3.21 Rakhine Buddhist nationalists have also engaged in violent protests against perceived assistance to Rohingya communities. For example, Rakhine Buddhists have protested against the perceived corruption of local officials, accused of providing some Muslim Rakhine nationals citizenship papers; and against the presence of UN agencies and NGOs.

3.22 Further violence has broken out since 2012. For example, in January 2014 credible but unverified reports suggest that up to 48 Rohingya were killed in mob violence in Maungdaw, in Northern Rakhine State. In March 2014, violence targeting UN offices and international NGOs in Sittwe resulted in extensive damage to property and temporary relocation of international and local aid workers. This affected the delivery of aid to communities affected by sectarian violence. Rakhine Buddhists in Myebon township reportedly protested the granting of citizenship to approximately 800 Muslims in September 2014.

3.23 Most of the violence in Rakhine State has involved Rakhine Buddhists attacking Muslim Rohingya. However, some Rohingya communities have also been responsible for violent attacks on ethnic Rakhine groups. For example, in June 2012 a number of houses in Rakhine Buddhist communities in Northern Rakhine State were burned by ethnic Rohingya.

3.24 Overall, DFAT assesses that Rohingya in Rakhine state remain at a high risk of further violence and societal discrimination, although this can vary depending on location; Rohingya in Maungdaw appear to face a higher level of prejudice than those in Buthidaung, for instance.

3.25 There are also a number of Rohingya communities outside Rakhine State. Individuals from these communities do not generally publicize their ethnicity. The level of discrimination they face is similar to that faced by other Muslims or people of South Asian appearance living in Burma (see more below at 'Muslims'). Overall, DFAT assesses that Rohingya outside Rakhine State experience moderate levels of societal discrimination on a day-to-day basis...

State Protection

5.1 Burma's 2008 Constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination on the basis of "race, birth, religion, official position, status, culture, sex and wealth". However, in law there are few specific protections offered to citizens to shield them from discrimination and few avenues through which citizens can pursue redress against discrimination.

5.2 The key challenge to the provision of state protection in Burma is the weakness of the rule of law. The Government has publicly committed to improving the rule of law and has demonstrated that reforms to the institutions that apply and implement the law are a priority. However, avenues for a victim of violence to seek protection or redress in Burma remain unreliable.

5.3 The security services in particular continue to enjoy impunity. Charges against members of police or the Tatmadaw would need to be supported by the police themselves or a high profile public figure who could effectively press for action.

5.4 The availability of state protection depends on a range of circumstances and is not necessarily determined on the basis of religion or ethnicity. Nonetheless, given Burma's Bamar Buddhist majority dominates the public service and security services, and given widespread anti-Muslim sentiment in Burma, access to state protection may be more difficult for Muslims and for some Christians...

State Protection for Rohingya

5.24 Police complaint processes require official identity documents to lodge complaints. As non-citizens, Rohingya are often unable to make police complaints. Local administrators and police are generally drawn from the Rakhine Buddhist community. Credible sources suggest that the police in Rakhine State carry societal prejudices against Rohingya. They are unlikely to support protests or investigations into criminal cases on behalf of the Rohingya.

5.25 Police reportedly assist Rakhine nationalists through the provision of protest permits (for example to extremist nationalist monks) that are denied to pro-Rohingya activists. Reports of police standing by when faced with communal violence, particularly in cases of anti-Muslim violence, are widespread and credible. In some cases it is possible that local police may themselves have been involved in incidents of arson and assault. DFAT assesses that the police are generally unable to offer effective state protection to Rohingya against communal violence.

5.26 Access to legal representation and to the court system in Rakhine State is limited. Civil disputes are typically managed by local administrators and criminal matters must be supported by local police if they are to proceed.

5.27 There are few lawyers in Rakhine State willing to represent Rohingya. Lawyers from other states or regions seeking to represent Rohingya are often subject to death threats and in some cases have been assaulted by extremist groups in Rakhine State. In some cases, lawyers from outside Rakhine State have been threatened in their state of residence. Police in Rakhine State have reportedly done little to protect lawyers acting on behalf of Rohingya. For example, in 2012, Rohingya lawyer Dr Tun Aung was sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment for allegedly inciting a crowd to riot. He and independent witnesses claim he had sought to calm the crowd. In July 2014 he successfully had his sentence reduced to a total of three years, and he was released from prison in January 2015.

5.28 The state has also made limited attempts to control societal discrimination: for example, Rakhine nationalists have been prevented by the government from publishing 'pro-Rakhine literature'.

5.29 Overall, DFAT assesses that Rohingya are unlikely to have access to effective state protection.[18]

Bangladesh

DFAT provided the following information in its Country Information report on Bangladesh dated 5 July 2016.

Rohingyas

3.10 The term 'Rohingya' refers to a Sunni Muslim group of people who self-identify as having Rohingya ethnicity. According to the Danish Immigration Service, the Rohingya have lived in Arakan (today called Rakhine State) in Myanmar for a number of centuries, although the Myanmar Government does not recognise Rohingya people as its citizens. There have reportedly been three major flows of Rohingyas into Bangladesh over the last century; during WWII following the Japanese invasion of Burma; and again in 1978 and 1991/92. DFAT recognises there are sensitivities and disagreement in both Bangladesh and Myanmar about this history.

3.11 While the majority live in Myanmar, up to 500,000 Rohingyas now live in Cox's Bazar. Adjacent to the Bangladesh - Myanmar border, Cox's Bazar is one of the poorest regions in Bangladesh. Many Rohingyas have familial connections in Myanmar along with the majority Bengali population in Bangladesh. Increasing numbers of Rohingyas live in Dhaka and, to a lesser extent, other areas of Bangladesh. Rohingyas are not easily distinguishable from the majority Bengali population in physical appearance. Many speak fluent Bengali and have otherwise assimilated into the local community, including through marriage.

3.12 The UNHCR identifies three distinct groups of Rohingyas in Bangladesh: those in official UNHCR refugee camps (approximately 32,000); those in unofficial or 'makeshift' camps (50,000); and those in the general community (up to 500,000). Rohingyas in official refugee camps receive basic health, nutrition, educational and vocational services with the support of international humanitarian organisations. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Rohingyas living in unofficial refugee camps or within the broader community have a growing need for humanitarian services, including health, water, sanitation, hygiene and nutrition. Rohingyas are generally able to move freely in and out of refugee camps.

3.13 Rohingyas are not eligible for Bangladeshi citizenship, including through marriage. They are also not legally entitled to work. However, credible sources have told DFAT that many Rohingyas work informally using fraudulent identity documents such as National Identity Cards (see 'Documentation', below). These sources have also indicated that law enforcement agencies do not actively seek to enforce legal provisions restricting Rohingyas' access to employment, although many Rohingyas have been forced to accept lower wages and poorer conditions. Law enforcement agencies have demonstrated a reluctance to investigate crimes committed against Rohingyas by Bangladeshi citizens, including rape.

3.14 The Government conducted a census of undocumented Rohingyas in June 2016 as part of its 'National Strategy on Myanmar Refugees and Undocumented Nationals in Bangladesh - the Rohingya'. Those who choose to register will receive identity cards that will facilitate access to health and education services, and allow them to move freely throughout Bangladesh. It is unclear whether the Government will grant citizenship or residence status to these individuals or seek to settle them in another country.

3.15 Low levels of societal tension exist between Rohingyas and the broader community in Cox's Bazar. This is a product of the continuing influx of Rohingya from Myanmar, which has generated concerns within the local community about competition over access to humanitarian services and jobs. For example, a small number of anti-refugee groups in the area have periodically lobbied for the forced expulsion of Rohingyas from Bangladesh.

3.16 There is also a low level of communal tension between Rohingyas and the Buddhist and Hindu communities, partly because of Rohingyas' perceived support for the BNP. For example, Rohingyas took part in BNP-led violence against mostly Buddhist communities in Cox's Bazar during broader Islamist protests in September 2012 sparked by the actions of a local Buddhist man who allegedly insulting Islam on Facebook. Violence between these communities escalated in the lead up to and following the January 2014 national elections.



3.17 DFAT assesses that Rohingyas in Bangladesh are subjected to a high level of official discrimination because of the Government's refusal to grant them legally enforceable rights. Rohingyas are subjected to a low level of societal discrimination, including sporadic (but low level) violence which mostly occurs during national elections.

The United States Department of State (USDOS) report on Bangladesh states the following with regard to Rohingya in Bangladesh.

Refugee Abuse: UNHCR reported cases of refugee abuse, including rape, assault, and domestic violence, deprivation of food, arbitrary detention, and documentation problems.

Employment: The government did not authorize Rohingya refugees living in the country to work locally. Refugees had limited freedom of movement beyond the camps and had to obtain permission for all movement outside the camps. Despite these constraints, some refugees worked illegally as manual laborers or rickshaw pullers in the informal economy. Undocumented Rohingya also worked illegally, mostly in day-labor jobs.

Access to Basic Services: Working with UNHCR, the government continued to improve some aspects of the official refugee camps following findings in recent years that sanitation, nutrition, and shelter conditions had fallen below minimum international standards. Some basic needs remained unmet, and the camps remained overcrowded, with densities on par with the country's urban slums. A 2014 nutrition survey report from UNHCR and World Food Program stated the prevalence of malnourished (stunted) and underweight children in refugee camps remained higher than in the rest of the country and above the emergency threshold levels set by the World Health Organization.

Public education, while mandatory as of 2010 through eighth grade throughout the country, was offered only through seventh grade in the camps, compared with fifth grade in previous years. Government authorities did not allow refugees outside the camps to attend school, but some did so.

Government authorities did not allow registered or unregistered Rohingya formal and regular access to public health care. Instead, UNHCR and NGOs provided basic health services in the official camps to registered refugees, and the International Organization for Migration provided health services to the unregistered Rohingya in the makeshift sites. Although NGOs provided humanitarian assistance to registered Rohingya refugees, undocumented Rohingya, and the local population, the government's restrictions on NGO activities outside the camps limited the unregistered population's access to basic medical care and other services.

International NGOs faced difficulties in providing basic services to undocumented Rohingya and to the surrounding impoverished host communities due to extended delays by the NGO Affairs Bureau in granting permission for them to operate. In 2014 the government issued a temporary authorization allowing international organizations and international NGOs to continue providing basic assistance, such as water, sanitation, health care, and education, to registered, and some unregistered, Rohingya.

Registered refugees did not have access to the formal legal system, although they were able to take legal complaints to a local camp official who could mediate disputes. Members of the unregistered population had no legal protection and were sometimes arrested because the government viewed them as illegal economic migrants.

Stateless Persons

The Rohingya in Bangladesh are legally stateless. They cannot derive citizenship from birth in the country, marriage with local citizens, or any other means.[19]

The Tribunal has had regard to media reports from The Diplomat in October 2014[20] on the plight of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh:

The Rohingya in Bangladesh

Refugees International estimates that 29,000 Rohingya live in official refugee camps in Bangladesh, while another 200,000 are in unofficial camps, where they are categorically denied legal protections and humanitarian assistance. The majority of them live near Cox's Bazar, a city located on Bangladesh's southeastern coast. Although the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed its willingness to help the Bangladesh government cover the costs of additional services and registering refugees, Bangladesh refuses to act. The UNHCR and other international NGOs have offered numerous proposals for ways to improve the situation, but the government continues to drag its feet.

The cost factor is simply not enough to fully explain this puzzle. Indeed, in 1971 when 10 million refugees poured into India from East Pakistan, an extremely impoverished country managed to provide basic services with little or no international assistance. Not only could Bangladesh receive far more international assistance, but the total Rohingya population in Myanmar does not amount to more than 2 million.

Despite close cultural and religious affinity, the Bangladesh government has been reluctant to take responsibility for the Rohingya issue. New arrivals are turned away, and Rohingya are blamed for drug-related and violent crimes in Cox's Bazaar; their movement and access to basic services were further restricted in 2012, following attacks on Buddhist communities in southeastern Bangladesh. Indeed, despite this continuing influx of refugees Bangladesh has not come up with a comprehensive refugee policy.

In 2010, Bangladesh announced that it was working on a national refugee policy, and until it was agreed upon, no new refugees could be registered at the country's two official refugee camps. Nor, for that matter, could NGOs or the UNHCR offer any additional services. However, it took until 2014 for the government to announce its national strategy for Myanmar refugees and undocumented nationals. The policy included five key elements: listing unregistered refugees, providing temporary basic humanitarian relief, strengthening border management, diplomatic engagement with the government of Myanmar, and increasing national level coordination. Although the statement acknowledged the need for basic humanitarian relief, it fell far short of demands for building a system that allowed refugees any opportunities for self-reliance.

More recently, the government has come up with more callous plans to deal with the refugee influx. In May of this year, for example, The Guardian reported that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had announced plans to relocate the refugee camps from their current location near Cox's Bazar to an island in the Bay of Bengal. The move appears to be motivated by plans to boost the number of tourists visiting Cox's Bazar's famous beaches.

Besides governmental inefficacy, Bangladesh's highly strained relationship with Myanmar also accounts for the situation of the Rohingya. Continuing differences over border security and insurgencies in regions abutting their borders loom large. Despite ongoing negotiations for a nationwide ceasefire, various insurgent groups are still fighting the Myanmar government. The movement of stateless Rohingya complicates an already insecure border, plagued by drug trafficking and insurgency groups.

The border between these two countries is a major transit zone for methamphetamines from Myanmar. For example, in June 2015, a member of the Border Guard Bangladesh was abducted by the Myanmar Border Guard Police and held for about 10 days before his unconditional release. Neither side offered much in the way of explanation of the incident; many people in Dhaka were convinced that the abduction was probably tied to the involvement of the two border forces in the drug trade from Myanmar to Bangladesh. Methamphetamine addiction is on the rise in Dhaka, even as millions of pills, locally known as yaba, are confiscated annually at the border.

Insurgent groups have also taken advantage of the chaos surrounding the border area. In late August, the Bangladesh military organized a series of operations into the border areas to oust members of the Arakan Army, one of Myanmar's ethnic armed organizations, which had been operating in the region illegally while hiding from Myanmar government forces. Rohingya insurgents have also sought refuge in Bangladesh, as have Bangladesh's own insurgent groups from the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The unchecked movement of Rohingya refugees adds to the Bangladesh government's legitimate concerns about the area. The border is difficult for the state to control given its remoteness from any major cities, there is rampant illegal trade and border crossings, and it appears that some ethnic insurgencies and Islamist groups have used the area as a base of operations. Indeed, the Rohingya are increasingly being pulled into criminal and extremist/terrorist networks.

Malaysia

The Tribunal assessed the applicant's claims against Malaysia, another country of former habitual residence for the applicant. In so doing the Tribunal considered, amongst other material, the following information from various sources.

An article published in The Guardian refers to an Amnesty International report which indicates that Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants face 'appallingly bad' conditions in Malaysian detention centres.

Hundreds of trafficking victims from Myanmar and Bangladesh remain detained in Malaysia a year after being rescued from near-certain death at sea during the Asian migration crisis. In total, 390 trafficking victims - 325 Rohingya and 65 Bangladeshis - have spent the past year in detention, despite nominally being freed from captivity in May 2015, in research Amnesty will be publishing in the coming weeks. Their plight drew the world's attention this time last year after it was discovered that they had been abandoned by their traffickers and left to drift at sea on packed trawlers without any food. Initially, the countries of south-east Asia mostly refused to rescue them, and they survived on food provided by fishermen in the area. Fighting broke out between different groups on board. "They hit us, with hammers, by knife, cutting," one survivor told the Guardian at the time. Following an international outcry, Indonesia and Malaysia took in about 2,900 people, mostly Rohingya and Bangladeshis. Several thousand are believed to have been left at sea. Of the 1,100 brought to Malaysia, around 50 Rohingya have been provided with the opportunity to be resettled internationally, and 670 Bangladeshis were sent back home. But nearly 400 remain jailed in Belantik, a Malaysian detention centre, in what former inmates describe as squalid conditions. "The conditions of [Malaysia's] detention centres are appallingly bad," said Khairunissa Dhala, one of the Amnesty researchers who compiled the report, following several weeks of interviews in south-east Asia. "One year on, these people who have been through this horrific journey are still being punished, rather than being treated as victims of human trafficking." At least one Rohingya woman who was due to be resettled has died in detention, according to Amnesty's research. Another rights group says a Bangladeshi man has also died, but this could not be verified.

Last year's crisis in the Indian Ocean was sparked after a sudden crackdown on traffickers operating along the Thai-Malaysian border. A series of mass graves for migrants were unearthed near the border and a trafficker was arrested, leading to a shutdown of the smuggling routes in the region. Previously, traffickers would take migrants southwards by boat from Myanmar, where the Rohingya minority is persecuted, and Bangladesh. They would then land in Thailand and move across the Malaysian border, usually after being tortured until their families paid a ransom. However, following the crackdown, traffickers abandoned several boats at sea - leaving them to drift as de facto floating prisons. Since the crisis last May, there have been no reports of boats using the same tactics. "But it's just a matter of time - the situation in Myanmar for the Rohingya isn't improving," said Dhala. "The root cause hasn't been solved, and people are still likely to want and need to leave. Maybe they have already found another route and we just don't know yet."

The Malaysian prime minister's office referred press enquiries to the home affairs ministry, who asked for the request to be put in writing. Neither the home affairs ministry nor the Malaysian high commission in London responded to emailed enquiries.[21]

An article published in a Malaysian online newspaper states:

"One year after landing in Malaysia, following a harrowing ordeal in the Bay of Bengal, 36 Rohingya refugees have been resettled in the United States. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that the 36 refugees departed Malaysia early Thursday morning under its resettlement programme. The refugees had been released from the Belantik Immigration Detention Centre the previous afternoon. "UNHCR welcomes the move by the Malaysian Government to release the 36 extremely vulnerable Rohingya refugees from the Belantik Immigration Detention Centre," said Richard Towle, UNHCR Representative in Malaysia in a statement on Friday. "We are also extremely grateful to the Government of the United States of America for their generosity in providing resettlement spaces for this group of extremely vulnerable individuals, for whom no other safe, long-term solution would be an option," he added. In May last year, over 1,000 people from Bangladesh and Myanmar had arrived by boat after being stranded in the Bay of Bengal. They were stranded at sea after human trafficking syndicates abandoned them following the discovery of mass graves and detention camps for Rohingya and Bangladeshis in Thailand and Malaysia.

According to UNHCR, 371 of the refugees were identified as Rohingya from Myanmar and of concern to the commission. Towle, however, expressed concern for the remaining 334 Rohingya "boat arrivals" who are still at the Belantik centre. "These people have undergone traumatic experiences at the hands of smugglers and traffickers, and are in need of specialised care." "The best option for them is to be released into UNHCR's care where we can assess their protection needs and help find support for them within the refugee communities in Malaysia," he said.

The Rohingya are considered by the United Nations as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. They are considered to be stateless and were often subjected to arbitrary violence and forced labour in Myanmar. They come mainly from the Arakan state in Myanmar, which borders Bangladesh. To escape persecution back home, they took long and arduous journeys by boat to other countries in the region. As of February this year, there are 53,700 Rohingya refugees registered with the UNHCR in Malaysia.

The Malaysian Government does not legally recognise refugees, although they are allowed to work in informal sectors.[22]

The United States, Department of State, provided the following information in its report published in April 2016.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) generally had access to registered refugees, asylum seekers, and unregistered persons of concern who may have claims to asylum and refugee status and who authorities held in immigration detention centers and prisons. This access, however, was not always timely. In May, UNHCR representatives said immigration officials unduly delayed access to newly arrived Rohingya refugees at the Belantik detention facility in Kedah State.

According to UNHCR, as of November 30, there were 155,730 persons of concern, including 143,579 of Myanmar origin, while 11,890 refugees were successfully resettled from Malaysia to other countries.

Access to Asylum: The country's laws do not provide for the granting of asylum or refugee status; nonetheless, the government cooperated closely with UNHCR and occasionally reported potential persons of concern to UNHCR.

Refoulement: The government did not provide legal protection against the expulsion or return of refugees to countries where their lives or freedom would be threatened on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. In October, after receiving no reply, four UN special rapporteurs released letters sent to the government in May seeking an explanation to claims that the country pushed back Myanmar and Bangladesh migrants out to sea. The letter also urged the government to explain the measures taken to comply with its nonrefoulement obligations. UNHCR recorded the refoulement of 29 persons during the year.

Refugee Abuse: The government sometimes detained asylum seekers, in either police jails or immigration detention centers, until UNHCR established the asylum seekers' bona fides. Local and international NGOs estimated the population at most of the country's 17 immigration detention centers was at or beyond capacity, with some detainees held for a year or more. The number detained in these centers was not publicly available.

NGOs and international organizations involved with migrant workers, refugees, and asylum seekers made credible allegations of overcrowding, inadequate food and clothing, lack of regular access to clean water, poor medical care, improper sanitation, and lack of bedding. An NGO with access to the detention centers claimed these conditions and lack of medical screening and treatment facilitated the spread of disease and contributed to deaths. NGOs provided most of the medical care and treatment in the detention centers. UNHCR reported 13 deaths of refugees or asylum seekers during the year.

Employment: Although the government does not legally authorize UNHCR-registered refugees to work, the government typically did not interfere if they performed informal work. UNHCR reported, however, in a few cases the government brought charges against employers for hiring them.

Access to Basic Services: For persons with UNHCR cards, the government provided access to health care for refugees at a discounted foreigner's rate, but not to asylum seekers. NGOs operated mobile clinics, but access was limited. Refugees did not have access to the public education system. Access to education was limited to NGO and ethnic community-run schools, and UNHCR estimated no more than 35 percent of refugee children attended school. A lack of resources and qualified teachers limited opportunities for the majority of school-age refugee children. UNHCR staff members conducted numerous visits to prisons and immigration detention centers to provide counseling, support, and legal representation for refugees and asylum seekers.

Temporary Protection: In response to the maritime migrant crisis in May, the government announced it would provide temporary shelter for a maximum of 7,000 migrants at sea, provided UNHCR resettled or repatriated these migrants within one year. The government provided temporary shelter to 1,107 migrants during the crisis. In September, Prime Minister Najib announced the government would provide temporary asylum to a maximum of 3,000 Syrian refugees. The first eight Syrian refugees in the program--two families--arrived in the country in December.

Stateless Persons

UNHCR estimated there were approximately 40,000 stateless persons in the country, 40 percent of whom were children. National Registration Department officials stated they do not keep records of stateless persons. A number of local NGOs and SUHAKAM did research, conducted workshops, and ran public awareness campaigns on the problem of stateless children. Foreigners may qualify for permanent resident status after several years of marriage to a citizen: five years of marriage for foreign women married to citizen men; 10 years for foreign men married to citizen women. After two years of permanent resident status, they are eligible to apply for citizenship. While awaiting permanent resident status, authorities usually grant visas to foreign spouses of citizens to allow them an extended legal stay in the country. A local advocacy group for migrant workers reported that in the last five or six years, procedures improved to include shorter waiting times in the processing of permanent residency petitions and visas. Although nationality laws in the country were not overtly discriminatory due to ethnicity or religion, there was a perception that Muslims received preference.

...Individuals who lacked proof of citizenship were not able to attend school, access government services such as reduced cost health care, or own property. UNHCR may provide birth registration or other documentation in some cases.

By law authorities consider illegal anyone entering the country without appropriate documentation. Such persons face mandatory imprisonment for a maximum of five years, a maximum fine of RM 10,000 ($2,287), or both, and mandatory caning of not more than six strokes.[23]

An article in the New York Times in June 2015 reports the following with regard Rohingya in Malaysia:

In Malaysia, their status as refugees and unregistered migrants bars them from sending their children to government schools, meaning many receive little or no education. They are also barred from holding jobs legally, but necessity compels most of the men to find menial off-the-books labor...Most pressing of all, many migrants said they faced a long, uncertain wait for the United Nations refugee agency office in Kuala Lumpur to accredit them as refugees, which would entitle them to a precious identity card that many see as their best protection against detention or abuse by officials and the police.

"It's almost impossible to get the U.N. card", said Ambiya Kadahusan, a 21 year old Rohingya who said she applied nearly a year ago and had yet to receive a response. "Without a card we feel it's unsafe to go out and look for work, or even visit friends. "The police check: 'Where are you from? Are you a Bangladeshi worker?' And sometimes you have to pay some money to be let go."

...The Rohingya are actively employing strategies of community self-protection," said Matthew Smith, an executive director of Fortify Rights, an organization based in Bangkok that monitors refugee conditions in the region. "The government of Malaysia is not providing adequate protection, and so they have to draw more on their own resources." [24]

An article in The Economist reports the following.

Malaysia was the intended destination of more than 3,000 boat people who scrambled onto beaches around South-East Asia in May, abandoned by their traffickers after a government crackdown blocked commonly used routes across Thailand. Many were Rohingyas, attracted not just by Malaysia's wealth but also its Islamic heritage. Yet life is tough for the 100,000 or so Rohingyas thought to have arrived there since the 1970s. Malaysia has not signed the UN's convention on refugees, and makes no distinction between asylum-seekers and migrants who sneak in to find work. Rohingyas may not legally hold a job and have no right to health care or schooling. They are far more likely than locals to suffer beatings, rape or murder. They are commonly hassled by polie who see them as an easy source of bribes.

A refugee card, supplied by the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) provides some protection from deportation. Obtaining one is an early priority for Rohingyas, many of whom have never owned any kind of ID. Yet the agency has struggled to cope with the growing influx, particularly as its modest resources are sapped by migrant emergencies in North Africa. Asylum seekers can wait two to three years to have their refugee status confirmed. Service is swifter for those languishing in Malaysia detention centres, for whom refugee status often enables release. But the average time they must wait behind bars has also been growing, and in some cases is longer than a year.

Campaigners say the Malaysia authorities have been discouraging the UN from handing out many more cards for fear that it is prompting fresh arrivals.

...Dr Hamid left Rakhine after a bout of violence in the mid-1990s during which an acquaintance died from beatings suffered in military custody. At the time Rohingyas could travel a little more freely; he moved to Malaysia in 1997, where he studied chemistry. But Myanmar refused to renew his passport, and Malaysia will not formalise his residency. That leaves his family stateless. In the coming months they will finally be resettled; they are pleased to be moving to Texas, where the weather is not too cold. Dr Hamid's qualifications will probably not be recognised and the thought of a new start is intimidating - but it is a relief, nonetheless...[25]



[1] AAT decision file ref.1405919

[2] Hathaway, J., The Law of Refugee Status, Butterworths, Canada, 1991, p.86.

[3] United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Policy Development and Evaluation Service (PDES) 2011, States of denial. A review of UNHCR's response to the protracted situation of stateless Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh (PDES/2011/13) , December, page 14 paragraphs 46-47 <http://www.unhcr.org/4ee754c19.html < CISNET CISD9559B11879> . The national ID card was introduced from summer 2011, to be implemented over 5 years, a replacement of the 2008 voter registration card used as unofficial identification, and expected to affect '200,000 unregistered Rohingya refugees, who are not eligible for the ID card': [UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] IRIN 2011, 'BANGLADESH: New ID card policy could hit Rohingya asylum-seekers', IRIN website, 29 March <http://www.irinnews.org/report/92302/bangladesh-new-id-card-policy-could-hit-rohingya-asylum-seekers> [accessed 14 November 2014] <CISNET CX261733>.

[4] 'Birth within the territory of Bangladesh does not automatically confer citizenship. Only persons born before March 26, 1971 would be deemed Bangladesh citizens by birth.': United States Office of Personnel Management. Investigations Service 2001, Citizenship Laws of the World, (IS-1) March, page 28, on Dual and Multiple Citizenship website <http://www.multiplecitizenship.com/documents/IS-01.pdf> <CISNET CIS14049>, which extracts the Bangladesh section at <http://www.multiplecitizenship.com/wscl/ws_BANGLADESH.html]. A United States-based private company promoting dual citizenship thus lists among the ways of acquiring citizenship, by birth in the territory of Bangladesh, but only to parents whose identity and/or nationality are unknown, and so assumed to be Bangladeshi [which is really, by descent]: 'Dual Citizenship Bangladesh' n.d. [2014?], Dual Citizenship made easy website [document created 11/05/2014] <http://www.dualcitizenship.com/countries/bangladesh.html> [accessed 7 November 2014].

[5] United States [US] Department of State. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor 2014, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013 - Bangladesh, 27 February, Section 2[d] <http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper> ] <CISNET Library OG1F18C9014>.

[6] In-country synopsis 2011-2015 Rohingya effective 15 July 2016 pp 18-19

[7] DFAT 2016 Country Information Report , Bangladesh, 5 July, Section 3.12 p.11

[8] http://en.ntvbd.com/bangladesh/16116/Cabinet-nods-changes-to-citizenship-law-widens-scope

http://www.theindependentbd.com/printversion/details/41546

http://odhikar.org/citizenship-law-2016-need-for-thorough-scrutiny-drastic-revision/

http://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2016/may/08/citizenship-bill-draft-termed-fantastic-absurd





[9] http://odhikar.org/citizenship-law-2016-need-for-thorough-scrutiny-drastic-revision/

http://newagebd.net/59222/new-citizenship-law-in-the-offing/



[10] Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Country Information Report, Burma (Myanmar), 9 June 2015.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] "Bangladesh - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2015", US Department of State, 13 April 2016

[14] "Bangladesh - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2015", US Department of State, 13 April 2016

[15] Ibid.

[16] "ECHO Factsheet: Bangladesh", European Commission Humanitarian aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), 03 March 2016

[17] http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/19/bangladeshs-refusal-to-take-in-rohingyas-from-myanmar/





[18] Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, (DFAT) Country Information Report, Burma (Myanmar), 9 June 2015

[19] "Bangladesh - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2015", US Department of State, 13 April 2016

[20] http://thediplomat.com/2015/10/refugees-and-neighbors-rohingya-in-bangladesh/

[21] "Rohingya trafficking victims stuck in captivity, one year on", Guardian, The (Australian Edition), 27 May 2016, CX6A26A6E4686

[22] "36 Rohingya refugees who landed in Malaysia resettled in the US", Star Online, The (Malaysia), 27 May 2016, CX6A26A6E4853

[23] "Malaysia - Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2015", US Department of State, 13 April 2016, OGD95BE926273

[24] Buckley, C., "Even in Safety of Malaysia, Rohingya Migrants Face Bleak Prospects", The New York Times, 3 June 2015.

[25] "Rohingyas in Malaysia: The Long Wait", in The Economist, 15 June 2015.
AATA Case No. 1609600

Publisher Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Publication Date 4 October 2016 Citation / Document Symbol [2016] AATA 4558 (4 October 2016) Cite as AATA Case No. 1609600 , [2016] AATA 4558 (4 October 2016), Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal, 4 October 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,AUS_AAT,592d7f5a4.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

1609600 (Refugee) [2016] AATA 4558 (4 October 2016)



DECISION RECORD

DIVISION: Migration & Refugee Division

CASE NUMBER: 1609600

COUNTRY OF REFERENCE: Turkey

MEMBER: Giles Short

DATE: 4 October 2016

PLACE OF DECISION: Sydney

DECISION: The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies paragraph 36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.

Statement made on 04 October 2016 at 1:35pm

Any references appearing in square brackets indicate that information has been omitted from this decision pursuant to section 431 of the Migration Act 1958 and replaced with generic information which does not allow the identification of an applicant, or their relative or other dependant.

STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS

INTRODUCTION

[The applicant] is a citizen of Turkey. He has said that he belongs to the Kurdish ethnic group and that he lived in [City 1] where he worked as a [occupation] before coming to Australia [in] July 2013. He has said that he comes from a family who are known in [City 1] for their political activities and that he himself was involved in Kurdish political parties and in Kurdish political and cultural activities in [City 1]. In a statutory declaration accompanying his application for a protection visa he said that he feared that if he returned to Turkey he would be persecuted due to his political opinion, his ethnic identity and his membership of political groups and of a politically active family. [The applicant]'s application for a protection visa was refused by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration and he applied to this Tribunal for review of that decision. On 1 March 2016 the Tribunal, differently constituted (the first Tribunal), affirmed the decision under review. [In] June 2016 the Federal Circuit Court ordered, by consent, that a writ of certiorari issue directed to the Tribunal quashing the decision dated 1 March 2016 and that a writ of mandamus issue directed to the Tribunal requiring it to determine according to law the application made to it for review of the decision of a delegate of the Minister dated [October] 2014 to refuse to grant the applicant a Protection (Class XA) visa. The Federal Circuit Court noted that the Minister conceded that the decision of the first Tribunal dated 1 March 2016 was affected by jurisdictional error due to the Tribunal 'being diverted from addressing the fundamental question of whether the Applicant had a well-founded fear of persecution were he returned to Turkey'. It said that, having found at [49] of its decision that the applicant had attended pro-Kurdish events that had also been attended by members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK, the Tribunal had turned to consider at [63] only the ways in which the applicant could avoid coming to the adverse attention of Turkish authorities, and not whether he would avoid such behaviour. It said that this had led the Tribunal to fail to consider the fundamental question of whether the applicant would avoid such behaviour due to a well-founded fear of persecution and that in this way the Tribunal had fallen into an error of the sort identified in Appellant S395/2002 v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [2003] HCA 71; (2003) 216 CLR 473 at [88]. The matter is now back before the Tribunal pursuant to the orders made by the Federal Circuit Court. A summary of the relevant law is set out at Attachment A. I have taken the policy guidelines prepared by the Department of Immigration and the country information assessments prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade into account to the extent that they are relevant. The issue in this review is whether [the applicant] has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for one or more of the five reasons set out in the Refugees Convention in Turkey.

CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

Does [the applicant] have a well-founded fear of being persecuted for one or more of the five reasons set out in the Refugees Convention in Turkey?

[The applicant]'s claims

[The applicant] is aged in his early [age]. In a statutory declaration accompanying his application for a protection visa he said that he spoke Kurdish fluently but that he could not read or write it well. He said that his mother, his brother [Mr A] and his sister [Ms B] were politically active. He said that one of his [relatives] had joined the PKK (Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan or Kurdistan Workers' Party) in 1989 and had been killed by Turkish soldiers in 1994, and that this [another relative[, [Mr C], had also joined the PKK, in 1992, and had been killed by Turkish soldiers in 1995. He said that he had attended [Mr C]'s funeral. He said that a [relative], [name], had also joined the PKK and had been killed in fighting with the Turkish army in 1996. He said that another of his [relatives], [name], had been sentenced for political offences but had fled Turkey and had been granted protection in [Country 1]. He said that [other] [relatives], [names], had been given refugee status in [Country 1], [and other countries] respectively. He said that another [relative], [name], was with the PKK in northern Iraq. [The applicant] referred to problems which he had had in his childhood when the police had raided his home looking for his [relative] [Mr C]. He said that he had been subjected to insults and discrimination by teachers and Turkish students at his school. He said that he had been detained three times and held overnight because he had been talking Kurdish and attending political activities such as Newroz celebrations, the funerals of Kurdish fighters or marches. He said that he had started attending DEHAP (Demokratik Halk Partisi - Democratic People's Party) and in 2005 the DTP (Demokratik Toplum Partisi - Democratic Society Party). He said that in 2006 he had attended the funeral of four PKK guerrillas and he had been hit with a police baton, [injuring him]. He said that the police had harassed him at his place of work. He said that at Newroz in March 2008 party officials had asked him to control and guide the crowds. He said that after Newroz he had been detained for [number] days, slapped, insulted and beaten with fists. He said that the police had threatened that they would kill him. [The applicant] said that while he had been performing his compulsory military service between [month] 2008 and [month] 2009 he had been treated as if he were a terrorist by which he said he meant that he had been insulted, threatened and treated unfairly because he was a Kurd. He said that after completing his military service he had resumed his political involvement. He said that in May 2010 he had attended the funeral in [location] of a Kurdish student who had been [killed] and that in May 2011 he had attended the funeral of 12 guerrillas who had been killed by Turkish soldiers. He said that he had been detained for about [number] hours and assaulted and threatened by the police while in detention. He said that he had attended meetings of the BDP (Bars ve Demokrasi Partisi - Peace and Democracy Party, the DTP's successor) and he had noticed that he had been being followed. He said that he had attended demonstrations organised by the BDP in 2012 to show solidarity with Kurdish prisoners who were holding a hunger strike. He said that [in] November 2012 he had been arrested by officers in plain clothes and taken to the anti-terror unit where he had been held for more than [number] hours. He said that he had been interrogated, tortured and accused of supporting a terror organisation, the PKK/KCK (Koma Civaken Kurdistan - Kurdistan Communities Union, the umbrella political organisation of the PKK). [The applicant] said that he had left his job because the police had known where he was working and that he had also stopped living at his family home. He said that for [number] months he had stayed with [Relative 1] in [City 1], close to his home. He said that [in] February 2013 he had attended a demonstration on the anniversary of Abdullah Ocalan's arrest and he had been shot with a plastic bullet. He said that in March 2013 he had decided to leave Turkey. He mentioned at this point that another relative, [name], who he said had been engaged in similar political activities to him, had been killed in 1993 or 1994. He said that he had escaped to Istanbul and had applied for his passport (issued [in] 2013). He said that he had organised his Australian [visa] through an immigration agency in Turkey. He said that because he had not felt safe in [City 1] he had stayed in Istanbul for about 20 days before he had left Turkey [in] July 2013. He said that he believed that he had not had any difficulty leaving Turkey because there had never been any records of the police detaining him and a court had never issued a warrant for his arrest. [The applicant] said that he feared that if he returned to Turkey he would be persecuted due to his political opinion, his ethnic identity and his membership of political groups and of a politically active family. [The applicant] was interviewed by the primary decision-maker in relation to his application [in] March 2014. He said that there was nothing in his application which he wanted to change. He said that a friend in [suburb] had filled out his application forms for him. Asked why he had left Turkey he referred to his political involvement and the fact that he was Kurdish. He said that the police and the state did not accept this. He said that if he had stayed in Turkey he would have experienced a lot of violence which would probably have led to his death. He said that Kurds were denied their language and their existence. He said that the police always stopped them or obstructed them. He said that if he returned to Turkey he would again be involved in activities defending his rights and he said that this would probably lead to his death. He said that he would be involved in activities like marches which were illegal. He said that he had not been a member of the Kurdish parties like the DTP and the BDP but he had been involved in their activities. [The applicant] said that he had attended DEHAP sessions three to six times when he had been in high school. He said that he had been involved in discussions. He said that he had gone more frequently to the meetings of the DTP. He said that he had also attended cultural activities like concerts of Kurdish music. He said that he had gone to the Saturday Mothers and the Peace Mothers with his mother. He said that he had had the same involvement with the BDP. He said that the funeral of four PKK guerrillas which he had mentioned had been [in] [2006]. He said that the police had used capsicum spray and many people had been injured as well as him. He also said that he had been involved in a march to protest the killing of a student [who] had been [killed]. He said that he had felt strongly that he had been under surveillance after this. He said that the funeral of 12 guerrillas in [2011] had been held in many parts of Turkey but he had joined the one in [location]. [The applicant] confirmed that he claimed that [in] November 2012 he had been detained at the anti-terror unit and he said that he had moved to his [Relative 1]'s home two or three weeks later because he had been being followed and the police had kept coming to his family home. He said that his [Relative 1]'s home was only [a certain distance] from his own home. He said that he had not been leaving the house but he then said that he had left once or twice, for example to join a march on the anniversary of Abdullah Ocalan's arrest on 15 February 2013. He confirmed that he claimed that he had been hit by a plastic bullet at this march. He said that he had not moved to another city because he belonged to [City 1]. He said that he had had to leave work because the police had been coming to his place of work and threatening him. [The applicant] said that after he had decided to leave Turkey he had consulted his [relatives] in other countries but he had only applied for a visa to come to Australia. He said that his mother had wanted him to leave Turkey and his [sibling] who lived here had told him that he could come here [and] had found him an agent. He said that he had spent 10 days in Istanbul and then he had returned to [City 1] for two or three days to say goodbye to his family before returning to Istanbul for a day before boarding his flight to Australia. He said that he had been to Istanbul many times. He said that he had not left Turkey as soon as his [visa] had been issued [in] June 2013 because he had gone to many travel agencies to find a ticket at the right price. Under cover of a submission dated 15 January 2016 [the applicant]'s representative produced a brief statutory declaration made by [the applicant] on the same day in which he said that a [relative] named [name] who had joined the PKK in mid-2014 had been killed in Kobane in December 2014. He said that his mother's [relative] had joined the PKK in the last couple of years and that he had no news of her. He said that [other] [relatives] - [names] - had joined the PKK in 2015. He also produced photographs of [names], the funeral of his [relative] (who he said had been killed in [location] in September 2015) and damage to buildings in [City 1] in December 2015 as well as photographs showing him at protests in Australia in September 2014, November 2015 and January 2016, with [a person] at [Organisation 1] in early 2014 and at a celebration held by [Organisation 1] for [deleted] in January 2015. He also produced a photograph showing the injury which he claimed he had suffered from a plastic bullet in February 2015. In her covering submission [the applicant]'s representative said that his claims related to actual and imputed political opinion, his membership of a particular social group (as an activist or specifically a political or human rights activist) and his Kurdish ethnicity. She submitted that [City 1] was known for its activism and that along with other areas in the south-east it had become a battle zone. She also referred to violence between Kurdish activists and the police in Istanbul in December 2015 and to the bombing at a pro-Kurdish peace rally in Ankara in October 2015. She quoted comments from the US State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013 in relation to Turkey suggesting that the government regarded most demonstrations as a security threat to the state. She also referred to attacks on the pro-Kurdish HDP (Halklarn Demokratik Partisi or Peoples' Democratic Party) at the time of the general election in June 2015. Finally she quoted at length from the US State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014 in relation to Turkey. At the hearing before the first Tribunal on 21 January 2016 [the applicant] said that his [brother] [Mr A] and his [other siblings] all lived with his parents in [City 1]. He said that [one] brother was at [university]. He said that one of his other [brothers] was a [occupation] in [Town 2] and his other [brother] was a [occupation] who lived in his own home in [City 1]. He said that his [brother] [Mr A] was also a [occupation] but he had not been appointed yet. He said that he himself had been more politically active than his brothers. He said that they were active too but not as much as him. He said that he had gone to Kurdish party buildings more often and he had taken part in protests. He said that he had been noticed by the police and he referred to the occasions on which he had been detained. He said that the fact that the authorities were not looking for him at the moment did not mean that he would not attract their attention if he went back to Turkey. He said that even if he relocated to Ankara or Istanbul he would defend Kurdish people and he would continue his political activities. He said that he would not stay quiet. [The applicant] said that he was an activist defending human rights. He said that he had felt obliged to attend the funerals of PKK guerrillas because of his relatives who had been killed in the past and because he believed that the PKK guerrillas were fighting in the mountains for the Kurds and they were dying 'because of us'. He said that if he returned to Turkey he would take part in protests because he would be against the views of the ruling party and he would not be able to stay quiet in the context of the harassment and persecution of the Kurdish people. He said that there would be no security for his life in Turkey. He said that his parents had gone to his [brother]'s place in [Town 2] because of the life-threatening situation in [City 1] although their house remained in [City 1]. He said that when he had said earlier that they were living in [City 1] he had been referring to where they were settled, not where they were actually living at the time of the hearing. In further submissions dated 4 February 2016 [the applicant]'s representative referred to information indicating that political activists from the HDP had been detained on the basis that they were an extension of the PKK as had happened with activists of the BDP in the past. She also referred to the assassination of three Kurdish activists in Silopi in January 2016. She submitted that the treatment which the applicant had endured when he had been detained in the past came within the definition of 'serious harm'. She produced a letter on the letterhead of the Demokratik Bolgeler Partisi (DBP - Democratic Regions Party, a new name for the BDP), together with a translation, saying that [the applicant] had actively participated in the party's activities between 2010 and 2013. In a covering submission she also quoted information about the situation in Diyarbakr where the security forces were fighting the youth wing of the PKK and tens of thousands of people had been forced to flee. Under cover of a further submission dated 17 February 2016 [the applicant]'s representative produced the original of the letter from the DBP and a letter dated [February] 2016 from [Organisation 1] saying that [the applicant] had participated in social and cultural activities organised by the association. [The applicant]'s representative referred to information about restrictions on freedom of expression in Turkey, the shooting of unarmed Kurdish civilians by Turkish forces in Cizre, clashes and arrests at protests, attacks on offices of the HDP and the outcome of the election on 1 November 2015 in which the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) had regained its parliamentary majority. [paragraph deleted].

Discussion of [the applicant]'s claims

At the beginning of the hearing before me [the applicant] produced further material downloaded from the internet in relation to the situation in Turkey. He confirmed that he claimed that he had been assisted by a [friend] when he had prepared his application. He said, however that a [Organisation 2] lawyer had also assisted him. I noted that the form said that he had been assisted by an interpreter named [name]. [The applicant] said that this interpreter might have been arranged by the [Organisation 2]. I noted that the form also said that he had been assisted by his [sibling] in Australia when he had filled out the form. [The applicant] said that his [sibling] did not have much English and [had] helped him with a very few sentences. He said that it had been his friends at [Organisation 1] who had told him that he could get help through the [Organisation 2]. He said that he had been assisted by a Turkish interpreter as well as the lawyer when he had prepared the statutory declaration accompanying his application. [The applicant] said that his parents, [a few] of his [brothers], his [other siblings] were all living in [City 1]. He said that [one] brother had finished university. He said that his other [brother] ([name]) was living in Mersin. I noted that he had said in his statutory declaration that a number of members of his family were politically active. He had said that his mother was particularly active: she attended demonstrations and she was active in the Kurdish political parties. He had said that his [brother] [Mr A] also attended political meetings and helped to organise rallies. [The applicant] said that [Mr A] was also involved but not that much: he attended meetings but he did not organise them. He had been helping but he had not organised anything. I put to [the applicant] that these members of his family like his mother and his brother [Mr A] were still in [City 1] whereas he had said that he had had to leave [City 1] and indeed to leave Turkey. [The applicant] repeated that [Mr A] had not been as active politically as he had been. He said that neither his brother nor his mother had taken part in any activities that would harm the state forces. He confirmed that he himself had not taken part in such activities either. I noted that in his statutory declaration he had set out at some length the fact that he came from a political family: various of his relations had been involved in the PKK and a number of them had been killed fighting for the PKK. However, as had been discussed at the hearing before the first Tribunal, any problems which he would have because of his relationship with these members of his family would also be problems that the other members of his family who were still living in [City 1] would have. [The applicant] said that his mother had experienced the same problems which he had experienced. He said that some of his siblings had been active, but not as much as him. He said that they had also been detained and questioned a number of times. He said that [Mr A] had been taken into custody a number of times and questioned and his sister [Ms B] had also been questioned. He said that his mother had also been questioned many times. I noted that he had said that his mother had wanted him in particular to leave Turkey. [The applicant] said that towards the end the police had increased their actions on him and he had experienced tortures and custody. He said that his mother had known that he was going to continue his political activities so she had wanted him to leave. He said that now she was telling the other members of his family to leave Turkey if they could. I noted that [the applicant] had referred to not having the freedom to speak his language. I put to him that the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had advised that the use of Kurdish in public was legal in Turkey.[1] [The applicant] referred to a media report which he produced in which it was suggested that a person had been killed by ultra-nationalists known as the Grey Wolves because he had been speaking Kurdish while waiting for a bus.[2] I put to [the applicant] that this was a different issue: it did not affect the fact that it was legal to speak Kurdish in public in Turkey. [The applicant] agreed that speaking Kurdish was not banned but he said that the nationalists did not like it or accept it. He said that millions of Kurds were experiencing problems. He said that people were free to speak Kurdish in some cities but in others they were not. He said that if you applied for a job and you said that you were Kurdish you would not get the job. I put to [the applicant] that the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had said that Kurdish was commonly used in Turkey and that societal discrimination against Kurds rarely occurred in south-eastern Turkey given the large Kurdish population in the area.[3] [The applicant] said that this was correct. I put to him that the US State Department had said that for the past three years people had been able to celebrate Newroz freely across Turkey.[4] [The applicant] said that this was also correct. I put to [the applicant] that this suggested that he would not have problems because he was Kurdish or because he wanted to assert his Kurdish cultural identity. [The applicant] said that there had been a decision made only on the day before the hearing to close 12 Kurdish radio and television channels. He said that one of these had been a children's television channel. I put to him that without knowing more of the reasons I could not speculate on why these channels might have been closed down. [The applicant] said that the government of the day was putting as much pressure as they could to suppress the Kurdish language, culture and way of living. I put to him that for the reasons we had just been discussing this was clearly not true. Under the AKP government all the restrictions on the use of Kurdish in public places had been lifted.[5] [The applicant] produced another media report relating to the killing of a Kurdish worker by nationalists.[6] I put to him that once again this was a different issue. I acknowledged that there were undoubtedly people in Turkey who were prejudiced against Kurds and I noted that the fighting between the government and the PKK inevitably meant that there were people in Turkey who felt that the Kurds were not part of Turkey.[7] I put to him that this did not mean that the government was suppressing Kurdish culture. [The applicant] referred again to the decision to close 12 Kurdish radio and television channels. He also referred to the government closing Kurdish city councils and arresting people involved in Kurdish demonstrations. I noted that, as he would be aware, this was because of alleged involvement with the PKK.[8] [The applicant] said that this would only be true if you classified all the people who wanted to think freely together with the PKK. I noted that [the applicant] had said that he had been involved in Kurdish political parties in Turkey and I asked him about the activities in which he had been involved. [The applicant] referred to meetings and he said that he had assisted in carrying placards at rallies, he had distributed newspapers and magazines and they had discussed what they should do to stop any problems coming up during the rallies. He said that they had talked with each other about the problems of the day. He said that the rallies had been human rights rallies, rallies for equality and rallies to stop the killings. He said that they had held peace rallies more than anything else. He said that he had also been involved in campaigning at elections. He said that at the last election before he had come here they had been sent to different suburbs and districts to tell people how to cast a valid vote by using a round stamp to stamp the ballot paper. He said that they had done this without putting people under any pressure to vote for a particular party but he then said that they had only told people who had been going to vote for the BDP how to cast a valid vote: they had not given this information to people who had been going to vote for other political parties. He said that besides this they had also distributed brochures during election campaigns and they had also hired places for entertainment like folk-dancing during election campaigns. He emphasised again that they had not been pressuring anybody to vote for the BDP. I referred to [the applicant]'s evidence that in 2006 he had attended the funerals of four PKK guerrillas in Diyarbakr and that his [body part] had been broken on this occasion. [The applicant] said that the police had attacked people using gas and batons. He said that the police had hit him using batons, breaking his[body part]. He said that they had not been together with the coffins: he said that the families of the dead had been taking the coffins to the cemetery to bury them. He said that he and the group that had gathered there had been walking towards the cemetery when the police had started attacking people with gas and batons. He said that the police had told them that they were not allowed to do this kind of walk. I put to [the applicant] that the information available to me indicated that the funeral procession had been peaceful and that the violence had only broken out after the funerals when young men like him had attacked a police station.[9] [The applicant] said that he did not remember anything as such happening. I referred to [the applicant]'s evidence that in May 2011 he had attended the funerals of 12 guerrillas who had been killed by Turkish soldiers. I noted that when he had been interviewed by the officer of the Department he had said that these funerals had been held in many parts of Turkey but he had joined the one in [City 1]. [The applicant] said that this had been a funeral procession like the one which he had attended in 2006 but he could not remember how many of the guerrillas had been buried in Diyarbakr. He said that it might have been four or six. I put to him that the information available to me suggested that there had been two separate incidents in Diyarbakr in May 2011. There had been a funeral procession for four guerrillas in Diyarbakr but this had been about a week before the 12 guerrillas to whom he had referred had been killed.[10] [The applicant] repeated that in May 2011 he had taken part in the funerals of 12 guerrillas but he then said that he had taken part in the rallies protesting the killing of these people by the state. He said that he could not remember whether, as I had said, there had been two separate incidents. He said that there had been a protest and he had been detained at that protest. I referred to [the applicant]'s evidence that in November 2012 he had been detained by the anti-terror unit and that after this he had gone into hiding in his [Relative 1]'s [place] but that he had said that this was only [a certain distance] from his own home in [City 1]. I noted that he had also said that, although he had been in hiding, he had gone to a demonstration on the anniversary of Abdullah Ocalan's arrest on 15 February 2013 and that he had been hit by a plastic bullet on this occasion. I referred to the fact that he had said that he had gone to Istanbul. [The applicant] said that he had gone there for his medical examination in relation to his visa. He confirmed that he had then returned to [City 1] to say goodbye to his family before leaving the country. I put to him that what he had said he had done did not suggest that he had feared being arrested again by the Turkish authorities. [The applicant] said that while he had been going from Istanbul to [City 1] he had used a different name to buy his bus ticket. He said that the government had not been looking for him and there had been no court decision against him at the time. He said that he had not harmed any government forces. He said that this had been why he had been able to go back to [City 1] to say goodbye to his family. I put to [the applicant] that the fact that no one had actually been looking for him cast doubt on his claimed reasons for leaving Turkey. [The applicant] then said that after [November] 2012 the police had been looking for him. He said that he had been staying at his [Relative 1]'s place but they had not known this and because he had left [City 1] using a different name he had had no problems. I put to him that he had just told me that no one had been looking for him. [The applicant] said that, as he had mentioned in his statutory declaration, the police had been looking for him. He said that about a month after he had come here the police had gone to his home looking for him and his mother had told them that he had escaped out of the country but they did not know where he had gone. I put to [the applicant] again that his own behaviour did not suggest that he had believed that the police had been looking for him in [City 1]. [The applicant] said that the police from the anti-terror unit had been looking for him. He said that he had been being monitored. He said that the police in other branches like passport and traffic had not been looking for him and he had not committed any crime. I put to him that on the one hand he said that the anti-terror unit had been looking for him but on the other hand he said that he had gone to a demonstration in February 2013. [The applicant] said that he had taken part in this demonstration together with his [relatives] and his mother. He said that he had probably taken a risk by doing this but he had just wanted to be there and he had not been carrying any placards or anything like that. I put to [the applicant] that then he had said that he had gone to Istanbul, taking the precaution of buying a bus ticket in a false name, but he had said that after this he had gone all the way back to Diyarbakr so that he could say goodbye to his family. I put to him that once again this did not suggest that he had feared being arrested by the anti-terror unit. [The applicant] said that he had gone back to [City 1] to say goodbye to his mother. He said that he had not done this before he had gone to Istanbul because he had not had a visa then. He said that he had gone to see his mother because he had probably not been going to see her again for a very long time. [The applicant] referred to one of the documents which he had produced at the beginning of the hearing which he said stated that about [Kurdish] [workers who] had been dismissed from their jobs in Turkey. He said that his brother [name] had been one of these [workers]. He said that the government had apparently started a case against his brother because he had written somewhere that [details deleted]. [The applicant] said that after he had come here his mother had been taken into custody a number of times. He said that he did not know if she had been tortured or what they had done to her. He said that of course she would not tell him this. He said that [the] wife of his [relative] had been killed by the state forces. He referred to another of the documents which he had produced relating to this killing.[11] He said that he had been brought up by these people. He said that at this moment this woman's husband and their children were in gaol. [The applicant] said that he was from a family who were known in [City 1] and there was more violence and pressure on families who were known in this way. He reiterated that he had never committed any acts of violence against the state forces and he said that he was definitely against this. He said that some of his [relatives] or his other relatives might have chosen a different way but he had not done this and he would not choose this way. He referred to the travel advice issued by the Australian Government warning Australian citizens not to go to [City 1] in particular because there was no security for people's lives there. He said that his mother had told him that if he came back there he would be arrested. He said that he had been here for three and a half years and he had been involved in all the rallies and meetings of [Organisation 1]. He said that he had not been telling me lies. He repeated that his mother had told him that if he returned there he might go to gaol for many years.

Conclusions

Like the primary decision-maker and the first Tribunal, I accept that [the applicant] supported and continues to support Kurdish political parties in Turkey, that he attended rallies and demonstrations and that he suffered serious harm at the hands of the police as a result as he has claimed. While, as I discussed with [the applicant] in the course of the hearing before me, the independent evidence does not support his claims that he will not be able to speak Kurdish freely in Turkey, for example, I accept on the basis of his evidence at the hearing before me that he is someone who feels very strongly about the situation of the Kurds in Turkey and what he believes to be the suppression of the Kurdish language, culture and way of living by the Turkish Government. I accept that if [the applicant] returns to Turkey now or in the reasonably foreseeable future he will maintain his involvement in Kurdish political parties and he will continue to take part in Kurdish political and cultural activities. I accept that if he does so there is a real chance that he will once again suffer persecution involving serious harm for reasons of his political opinion as I have accepted has occurred in the past. Relevantly the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has advised that the renewed conflict with the PKK in 2015 has led to arrests of non-violent protesters and activists on terrorism charges, with some human rights groups claiming ill-treatment of detainees. It has referred to the fact that over recent decades the Turkish Government has forced many Kurdish parties to disband, declaring them illegal on the accusation that they have provided support for the PKK. The Department has referred to the fact that parliament has removed the immunity of a number of MPs including 50 from the HDP. It has said that overall it assess that the situation for Kurds has not improved since the 2014 DFAT Country Information Report. It has said that Kurds remain at risk of harassment through the legal system and discrimination in public sector employment. It has also said that the ongoing violence in the southeast (from where [the applicant] comes) disproportionately affects Kurds, given that they are the majority in the region, and it had said that the enforcement of temporary security zones and curfews by the military has inhibited access to health services, education, work and other aspects of everyday life.[12] The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada has reported that there were hundreds of attacks on HDP offices at the time of the elections in 2015 and that these attacks included bombings, assaults, mob attacks, vandalism, a lynching attempt, and arson. It said that in the majority of cases there were no records of anyone being indicted for the violence. Like the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade it observed that the level of persecution experienced by members of Kurdish political parties like the BDP and HDP generally reflected the evolution of the armed conflict between the Turkish Government and the PKK. It referred to the fact that Freedom House had reported that, after the ceasefire initiated between the government and the PKK in March 2013 had failed in July 2015, officials had accused the HDP of being a proxy for the PKK. It referred to the fact that between 24 July and 9 October 2015, 2,308 HDP members had been taken into custody and 542 had been arrested, that between the June and November 2015 elections approximately 500 HDP members and officials, including 20 mayors, had been detained on terrorism charges and that, according to Human Rights Watch, the Turkish government had 'a track record of using over[ly]-broad terrorism laws to silence dissent, including by detaining and prosecuting peaceful Kurdish activists as though they were members of the outlawed PKK'.[13] The US State Department has reported that the Turkish Government regards many demonstrations as security threats to the state and it deploys large numbers of riot police to control crowds often using excessive force resulting in injuries, detentions, arrests and even deaths. It referred to the fact that, according to the Human Rights Association, between 21 July and 30 August 2015 alone the police intervened in 145 meetings and demonstrations and 132 people (including 12 children) were seriously wounded during this time in demonstrations relating to the increased violence between the security forces and the PKK. It reported that, according to the Human Rights Foundation, in November the security forces detained 3,038 people and arrested at least 201 during protests and demonstrations that resulted in 203 injuries. It said that human rights organisations remained critical of the violent police response to demonstrations and police use of tear gas.[14] Having regard to the independent evidence I consider that, if [the applicant] returns to Turkey and maintains his involvement in Kurdish political parties and in Kurdish political and cultural activities, as I have found that he will, there is a real chance that he will again be detained or that he will suffer physical injuries as he has in the past while taking part in non-violent political protests. I consider that the persecution which [the applicant] fears involves 'serious harm' as required by paragraph 91R(1)(b) of the Act in that it involves a threat to his liberty or significant physical harassment or ill-treatment. I consider that his political opinion is the essential and significant reason for the persecution which he fears, as required by paragraph 91R(1)(a) of the Act. I further consider that the persecution which he fears involves systematic and discriminatory conduct, as required by paragraph 91R(1)(c), in that it is deliberate or intentional and involves his selective harassment for a Convention reason. Since the Turkish Government is responsible for the persecution which [the applicant] fears, I consider that there is no part of Turkey to which he could reasonably be expected to relocate where he would be safe from the persecution which he fears. I note in this context that, although [the applicant] might be able to escape the ongoing violence in the southeast by relocating to a city in western Turkey like Istanbul, the arrests of peaceful Kurdish activists occur throughout the country and the use of excessive force against peaceful protests has been just as marked in cities like Istanbul as in the southeast. The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada referred, for example, to a report that on 1 May 2016 the police had used tear gas against HDP members who had staged a protest in the Bakirkoy area of Istanbul and the US State Department likewise reported that the Turkish Government took extraordinary security measures in Istanbul on 1 May 2016, using pressured water, pepper gas and plastic bullets against crowds and detaining hundreds of people.[15]

CONCLUSIONS

I find that [the applicant] is outside his country of nationality, Turkey. For the reasons given above, I find that he has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of his political opinion if he returns to Turkey now or in the reasonably foreseeable future. I find that he is unwilling, owing to his fear of persecution, to avail himself of the protection of the Turkish Government. There is nothing in the evidence before me to suggest that he has a 'right to enter and reside in' any country other than his country of nationality, Turkey, of the kind referred to in subsection 36(3) of the Migration Act.[16] It follows that I am satisfied that he is a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations under the Refugees Convention as amended by the Refugees Protocol. Therefore he satisfies the criterion set out in paragraph 36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.

DECISION

The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies paragraph 36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.





Giles Short

Senior Member



ATTACHMENT A - RELEVANT LAW

In accordance with section 65 of the Migration Act 1958, the Minister may only grant a visa if the Minister is satisfied that the criteria prescribed for that visa by the Act and the Migration Regulations 1994 have been satisfied. The criteria for the grant of a Protection (Class XA) visa are set out in section 36 of the Act and Part 866 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations. As applicable to this application subsection 36(2) of the Act provided that:

'(2) A criterion for a protection visa is that the applicant for the visa is:

(a) a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations under the Refugees Convention as amended by the Refugees Protocol; or

(aa) a non citizen in Australia (other than a non citizen mentioned in paragraph (a)) in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations because the Minister has substantial grounds for believing that, as a necessary and foreseeable consequence of the non citizen being removed from Australia to a receiving country, there is a real risk that the non citizen will suffer significant harm; or

(b) a non-citizen in Australia who is a member of the same family unit as a non-citizen who:

(i) is mentioned in paragraph (a); and

(ii) holds a protection visa of the same class as that applied for by the applicant; or

(c) a non citizen in Australia who is a member of the same family unit as a non citizen who:

(i) is mentioned in paragraph (aa); and

(ii) holds a protection visa of the same class as that applied for by the applicant.'

Refugee criterion

Subsection 5(1) of the Act defines the 'Refugees Convention' for the purposes of the Act as 'the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees done at Geneva on 28 July 1951' and the 'Refugees Protocol' as 'the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees done at New York on 31 January 1967'. Australia is a party to the Convention and the Protocol and therefore generally speaking has protection obligations to persons defined as refugees for the purposes of those international instruments. Article 1A(2) of the Convention as amended by the Protocol relevantly defines a 'refugee' as a person who:

'owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.'

The time at which this definition must be satisfied is the date of the decision on the application: Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Singh (1997) 72 FCR 288. The definition contains four key elements. First, the applicant must be outside his or her country of nationality. Secondly, the applicant must fear 'persecution'. As applicable to this application subsection 91R(1) of the Act stated that, in order to come within the definition in Article 1A(2), the persecution which a person feared must involve 'serious harm' to the person and 'systematic and discriminatory conduct'. Subsection 91R(2) stated that 'serious harm' included a reference to any of the following: (a) a threat to the person's life or liberty;

(b) significant physical harassment of the person;

(c) significant physical ill-treatment of the person;

(d) significant economic hardship that threatens the person's capacity to subsist;

(e) denial of access to basic services, where the denial threatens the person's capacity to subsist;

(f) denial of capacity to earn a livelihood of any kind, where the denial threatens the person's capacity to subsist. In requiring that 'persecution' must involve 'systematic and discriminatory conduct' subsection 91R(1) reflected observations made by the Australian courts to the effect that the notion of persecution involves selective harassment of a person as an individual or as a member of a group subjected to such harassment (Chan Yee Kin v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1989) 169 CLR 379 per Mason CJ at 388, McHugh J at 429). Justice McHugh went on to observe in Chan, at 430, that it was not a necessary element of the concept of 'persecution' that an individual be the victim of a series of acts:

'A single act of oppression may suffice. As long as the person is threatened with harm and that harm can be seen as part of a course of systematic conduct directed for a Convention reason against that person as an individual or as a member of a class, he or she is "being persecuted" for the purposes of the Convention.'

'Systematic conduct' is used in this context not in the sense of methodical or organised conduct but rather in the sense of conduct that is not random but deliberate, premeditated or intentional, such that it can be described as selective harassment which discriminates against the person concerned for a Convention reason: see Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Haji Ibrahim (2000) 204 CLR 1 at [89] - [100] per McHugh J (dissenting on other grounds). The Australian courts have also observed that, in order to constitute 'persecution' for the purposes of the Convention, the threat of harm to a person:

'need not be the product of any policy of the government of the person's country of nationality. It may be enough, depending on the circumstances, that the government has failed or is unable to protect the person in question from persecution' (per McHugh J in Chan at 430; see also Applicant A v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1997) 190 CLR 225 per Brennan CJ at 233, McHugh J at 258)

Thirdly, the applicant must fear persecution 'for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion'. Subsection 91R(1) of the Act provided that Article 1A(2) did not apply in relation to persecution for one or more of the reasons mentioned in that Article unless 'that reason is the essential and significant reason, or those reasons are the essential and significant reasons, for the persecution'. It should be remembered, however, that, as the Australian courts have observed, persons may be persecuted for attributes they are perceived to have or opinions or beliefs they are perceived to hold, irrespective of whether they actually possess those attributes or hold those opinions or beliefs: see Chan per Mason CJ at 390, Gaudron J at 416, McHugh J at 433; Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Guo (1997) 191 CLR 559 at 570-571 per Brennan CJ, Dawson, Toohey, Gaudron, McHugh and Gummow JJ. Fourthly, the applicant must have a 'well-founded' fear of persecution for one of the Convention reasons. Dawson J said in Chan at 396 that this element contains both a subjective and an objective requirement:

'There must be a state of mind - fear of being persecuted - and a basis - well-founded - for that fear. Whilst there must be fear of being persecuted, it must not all be in the mind; there must be a sufficient foundation for that fear.'

A fear will be 'well-founded' if there is a 'real chance' that the person will be persecuted for one of the Convention reasons if he or she returns to his or her country of nationality: Chan per Mason CJ at 389, Dawson J at 398, Toohey J at 407, McHugh J at 429. A fear will be 'well-founded' in this sense even though the possibility of the persecution occurring is well below 50 per cent but:

'no fear can be well-founded for the purpose of the Convention unless the evidence indicates a real ground for believing that the applicant for refugee status is at risk of persecution. A fear of persecution is not well-founded if it is merely assumed or if it is mere speculation.' (see Guo, referred to above, at 572 per Brennan CJ, Dawson, Toohey, Gaudron, McHugh and Gummow JJ)

Ministerial direction

In accordance with Ministerial Direction No. 56, made under section 499 of the Act, the Tribunal is required to take account of policy guidelines prepared by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship - 'PAM3: Refugee and humanitarian - Complementary Protection Guidelines' and 'PAM3: Refugee and humanitarian - Refugee Law Guidelines' - and any country information assessment prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade expressly for protection status determination purposes, to the extent that they are relevant to the decision under consideration.

Credibility

As Beaumont J observed in Randhawa v Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs [1994] FCA 1253; (1994) 52 FCR 437 at 451, 'in the proof of refugeehood, a liberal attitude on the part of the decision-maker is called for'. However this should not lead to 'an uncritical acceptance of any and all allegations made by suppliants'. As the Full Court of the Federal Court (von Doussa, Moore and Sackville JJ) observed in Chand v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (unreported, 7 November 1997):

'Where there is conflicting evidence from different sources, questions of credit of witnesses may have to be resolved. The RRT is also entitled to attribute greater weight to one piece of evidence as against another, and to act on its opinion that one version of the facts is more probable than another' (citing Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Wu Shan Liang [1996] HCA 6; (1996) 185 CLR 259 at 281-282)

As the Full Court noted in that case, this statement of principle is subject to the qualification explained by the High Court in Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Guo (1997) 191 CLR 559 at 576 per Brennan CJ, Dawson, Toohey, Gaudron, McHugh and Gummow JJ where they observed that:

'in determining whether there is a real chance that an event will occur, or will occur for a particular reason, the degree of probability that similar events have or have not occurred for particular reasons in the past is relevant in determining the chance that the event or the reason will occur in the future.'

If, however, the Tribunal has 'no real doubt' that the claimed events did not occur, it will not be necessary for it to consider the possibility that its findings might be wrong: Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Rajalingam [1999] FCA 719; (1999) 93 FCR 220 per Sackville J (with whom North J agreed) at 241. Furthermore, as the Full Court of the Federal Court (O'Connor, Branson and Marshall JJ) observed in Kopalapillai v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs [1998] FCA 1126; (1998) 86 FCR 547 at 558-9, there is no rule that a decision-maker concerned to evaluate the testimony of a person who claims to be a refugee in Australia may not reject an applicant's testimony on credibility grounds unless there are no possible explanations for any delay in the making of claims or for any evidentiary inconsistencies. Nor is there a rule that a decision-maker must hold a 'positive state of disbelief' before making an adverse credibility assessment in a refugee case.

[1] DFAT Country Information Report - Turkey, 5 September 2016, paragraph 4.9.

[2] See folio 77 of the Tribunal's file 1609600 .

[3] DFAT Country Information Report - Turkey, 5 September 2016, paragraphs 4.9, 4.19.

[4] US State Department, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015 in relation to Turkey, Section 2.b, Freedom of Assembly.

[5] DFAT Country Information Report - Turkey, 5 September 2016, paragraphs 4.8-4.10.

[6] See folios 78-79 of the Tribunal's file 1609600 .

[7] See DFAT Country Information Report - Turkey, 5 September 2016, paragraph 4.20.

[8] See DFAT Country Information Report - Turkey, 5 September 2016, paragraphs 4.12-4.14.

[9] See Michael Ivers and Brenda Campbell, 'Indiscriminate Use of Force: Violence in South-east Turkey - Fact-Finding Mission Report', Kurdish Human Rights Project and Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, October 2006, downloaded from http://www.khrp.org/khrp-news/human-rights-documents/doc_details/94-indiscriminate-use-of-force-violence-in-southeast-turkey-fact-finding-mission-report.html, accessed 30 September 2016, pages 18-20.

[10] See Halil M Karaveli, 'Is the AKP That "Vanquished" the Military Caught in the Trap of Militarism?', Turkey Analyst, vol. 4, no. 10, 16 May 2011, downloaded from https://turkeyanalyst.org/publications/ turkey-analyst-articles/item/261-is-the-akp-that-vanquished-the-military-caught-in-the-trap-of-militarism?.html, accessed 30 September 2016; Daren Butler, 'Kurdish strife clouds election mood in Turkey', Reuters, 5 May 2011, downloaded from http://news.trust.org//item/20110505144000-x2dyo?view=print, accessed 30 September 2016.

[11] See [folios] of the Tribunal's file 1609600 .

[12] DFAT Country Information Report - Turkey, 5 September 2016, paragraphs 4.13, 4.14, and 4.17.

[13] Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, 'Turkey: Situation and treatment of members of Kurdish political parties that have succeeded the People's Democracy Party (Halkin Demokrasi Partisi, HADEP), including the Peace and Democracy Party (Baris ve Demokrasi Partisi, BDP), and the Peoples' Democratic Party (Halklarin Demokratik Partisi, HDP); whether HADEP and other older acronyms are still in use (2011-2016)', 14 June 2016, TUR105537.E.

[14] US State Department, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015 in relation to Turkey, Section 2.b, Freedom of Assembly.

[15] See footnotes 13 and 14.

[16] See Minister for Immigration, Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship v SZRHU [2013] FCAFC 91; (2013) 215 FCR 35.
AATA Case No. 1607767

Publisher Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Publication Date 30 May 2017 Citation / Document Symbol [2016] AATA 4559 (13 October 2016) Cite as AATA Case No. 1607767, [2016] AATA 4559 (13 October 2016), Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal, 30 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,AUS_AAT,592d82644.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

1607767 (Refugee) [2016] AATA 4559 (13 October 2016)





DECISION RECORD

DIVISION: Migration & Refugee Division

CASE NUMBER: 1607767

COUNTRY OF REFERENCE: Pakistan

MEMBER: David Corrigan

DATE: 13 October 2016

PLACE OF DECISION: Melbourne

DECISION: The Tribunal sets aside the decision under review and substitutes a decision not to cancel the applicant's Subclass 866 (Protection) visa.

Statement made on 13 October 2016 at 12:19pm

Any references appearing in square brackets indicate that information has been omitted from this decision pursuant to section 431 of the Migration Act 1958 and replaced with generic information which does not allow the identification of an applicant, or their relative or other dependant.

STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS

APPLICATION FOR REVIEW

This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration to cancel the applicant's Subclass 866 (Protection) visa under s.109(1) of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act). The delegate cancelled the visa on the basis that that that there had been non-compliance under s.101(a) and (b) of the Act in that the applicant had given incorrect answers on his protection visa application form and had not provided an answer on that form. It was also cancelled on the basis that there had been non-compliance with s.103 of the Act in that the applicant provided a bogus document. The issue in the present case is whether the grounds for cancellation are made out, and if so, whether the visa should be cancelled. The applicant appeared before the Tribunal on 19 August 2016 to give evidence and present arguments. The Tribunal hearing was conducted with the assistance of an interpreter in the Dari and English languages. The applicant was represented in relation to the review by his registered migration agent. For the following reasons, the Tribunal has concluded that the decision to cancel the applicant's visa should be set aside.

CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

Section 109(1) of the Act allows the Minister to cancel a visa if the visa holder has failed to comply with ss.101, 102, 103, 104, 105 or 107(2) of the Act. Broadly speaking, these sections require non-citizens to provide correct information in their visa applications and passenger cards, not to provide bogus documents and to notify the Department of any incorrect information of which they become aware and of any relevant changes in circumstances. The exercise of the cancellation power under s.109 of the Act is conditional on the Minister issuing a valid notice to the visa holder under s.107 of the Act, providing particulars of the alleged non-compliance. Where a notice is issued that does not comply with the requirements in s.107, the power to cancel the visa does not arise. Extracts of the Act relevant to this case are attached to this decision. In the present matter, the Tribunal is satisfied that the delegate had reached the necessary state of mind to engage s.107 and that the notice issued under s.107 complied with the statutory requirements.

Was there non-compliance as described in the s.107 notice?

The issue before the Tribunal is whether there was non-compliance in the way described in the s.107 notice, being the manner particularised in the notice, and if so, whether the visa should be cancelled. The non-compliance identified and particularised in the s.107 notice was non-compliance with s.101(b) of the Migration Act is set out in the delegate's decision (submitted by the applicant to the Tribunal) and reads as follows:

Evidence of non-compliance:

Evidence held by the department:

Evidence - Form 866- Protection visa application

[In] March 2010 the visa holder applied for a protection visa. As part of this application he provided a completed Form 866, signed and dated [the previous day]. In Part C of the form the visa holder gave the following answers: Question 1 of Form 866 asks: "What is your full name?" The recorded answers are: Family name: [Applicant family name]

Given Name: [Applicant given names]

Question 7 of Form 866 asks: "Date of birth". The recorded answer is: "[Date 1]". Question 8 of the Form 866: "Place of Birth". The following answers are recorded: Town/city: [Village 1], Ghazni province

Country: AFGHANISTAN

Question 19 of Form 866 asks: "Your citizenship at birth". The recorded answer is: "AFGHAN". Question 20 of Form 866 asks: "Your current citizenship (if different to at birth)". "No" answer is recorded to this question. Question 21 of Form 866 asks: "Do you hold any other citizenship or are you a national of any other country?" The recorded answer is: NO (tick box). Question 26 of Form 866 asks: "Did you enter Australia as a" (multiple choice): The recorded answer is "Unauthorised" (tick box). Question 27 of Form 866 asks: "Date of arrival in Australia". The recorded answer is: "[in February] 2010".

Evidence - Statutory Declaration

As part of the Protection visa application the visa holder provided a 7 page document - a Statutory Declaration dated [in] March 2010 - made by him in which he stated (relevant excerpts):

"I am not sure of my exact birth date. My parents have told me that I am [age] years old. I have tried to give the accurate birthdates for myself and my family in this application, but we do not have any official confirmation of our birthdates. I do not have any official documents which show my birth date. My parents did not arrange for us children to get a Taskarah as this is not compulsory".

"I was born in [Village 1] and have lived there until I left Afghanistan in 2010. My village is small as it is approximately [number] houses. All the people in my village are Hazara. The nearby [village] is bigger, has approximately [number] houses and has both Hazara and Pashtuns living there. I had not been out of my village until my father took me to Kabul in early 2010. My father always wanted to protect us children so he went alone to the bazaar".

"I fear that my life is at risk if I am forced to go to Afghanistan. I am easily identifiable as a Hazara from my facial features and my Shi'a prayers".

"I fear the Taliban as they hate Hazaras because of our religion and our race. They think that they will be able to go to heaven more easily if they kill Hazaras".

"I could only attempt to return to my area as I do not have any connections with any other region in Afghanistan. It will be very dangerous for me to attempt to go to Ghazni and find my family's village as I do not have anyone to assist and protect me".

"Even if I am able to return to my village I am under threat from the Taliban. They have taken my brother and will take me. I fear that I will be killed by the Taliban".

"When we left the smuggler arranged for us to go back to the airport by car. At the airport he showed all the documents to the officials and we boarded the plane. We arrived in Sydney at night time. The smuggler took all the papers and talked to the officials. I stood behind until we went to get our bags. He took me in a taxi to a hotel".

Evidence - Form 80

As part of the Protection visa application the visa holder also provided a Personal Particulars for Character Assessment (Form 80) signed and dated [in] March 2010. Question 1 of the Form 80 asks: "Write your name and birth details as shown on official documents such as birth certificate, family book, passport or identification document". The following answer is recorded:

Family name: [Applicant family name]

Given names: [Applicant given names]

Question 3 of the Form 80 asks: "Other names you are, or have been known by..." The following answers are recorded:

Family name: No answer is recorded

Given name: No answer is recorded

Question 5 of the Form 80 asks: "Date of Birth". The recorded answer to this question is: "[Date 1]" Question 6 of the Form 80 asks "Place of birth". The recorded answer to this question is: Town/city: [Village 1]

State/Province: Ghazni

Country: Afghanistan

Question 8 of the Form 80 asks: "What is your current citizenship?" The recorded answer to this question is: "Afghan". Question 11 of the Form 80 asks: "Are you a dual citizen or have you held any other citizenship?" The recorded answer to this question is "No" (tick box). Question 13 of the Form 80 asks: "Details of all passports ever issued to you". The recorded answer is "N/A". Question 14 of the Form 80 asks: "Details of any identity documents, social security cards, or any alien registration numbers you currently use or have used in the past." No answer is recorded.

20 Based on the above information and meeting all other relevant criteria [in] December 2010

[the applicant] was granted a Protection visa.

Evidence - Form [Number] - [temporary] visa application lodged by [Name 1]

[In] December 2009, [Name 1] (Date of Birth [Date 2]), applied for a [temporary] visa at the department's office in Islamabad, Pakistan. As part of that application he provided a completed application Form [Number]. Question 4 of Form [Number] asks: "Name(s) as shown in your passport". The following answer is recorded:

Family name: [Name 1 family name]

Given names: [Name 1 first name]

Question 4 of Form [Number] also asks: "Other names you are, or have been known by...". No answer is recorded. Question 6 of Form [Number] asks: "Date of Birth". The recorded answer to this question is: "[Date 2]". Question 8 of Form [Number] asks "Place of birth". The recorded answer to this question is: Town/city: Quetta

Country: Pakistan

Question 9 of Form [Number] asks: "Details from your passport". The recorded answer is: Passport Number: [Number]

Country of Passport: Pakistan

Date of issue: [2008]

Date of expiry: [2013]

Question 11 of Form [Number] asks: "Of which countries are you a citizen?" The recorded answer to this question is: "Pakistan". Included with the [temporary] visa application was a number of supporting documents. These included:

- Pakistan passport in the name of [Name 1] (DOB [Date 2]), Place of birth: Quetta, Pakistan

- A photograph of the visa applicant

Evidence - Departmental Movement Records

Departmental movement records indicate that the holder of a Pakistan passport, number [Number] in the name of [Name 1] (DOB: [Date 2]), entered Australia at [named] Airport [in] January 2010 on a [temporary] visa permitting a stay of up to 3 months.

Evidence - Photographic evidence and Facial Image Comparison Report

[In] December 2009 [Name 1] applied for a [temporary] visa. As part of this application he submitted a photograph of himself. [In] March 2010 the visa holder applied for a Protection visa. As part of this application he was required to undertake a health examination and submit a photograph of himself. [In] March 2014 the visa holder applied for Australian citizenship. As part of his application he was required to submit a photograph of himself. [In] August 2014 the department completed a Facial Image Comparison Report, analysing the images from:

- the [temporary] visa application for [Name 1]

- the medical examination for [the applicant's] Protection visa application - the citizenship application for [the applicant]

The finding of the Facial Image Comparison Specialist is that the three images represent the same person.

Evidence - Departmental Identity Assessment

[In] October 2015 an identity determination was completed by a departmental identity officer in regards to [Name 1]. This determination found that [Name 1] was not [applicant name] from Afghanistan as he claimed; rather he was [Name 1] from Pakistan.

Evidence - Identity Interview conducted [in] May 2015 and Afghan Taskera document

[In] May 2015, an identity interview was conducted with the visa holder and he was asked whether he had been issued with any identity documentation in Afghanistan, such as a Taskera. He stated in the interview that he did not have such a document. He also stated this was the case in his Statutory Declaration for his Protection Visa application. [In] August 2015, the visa holder provided an Afghan Taskera dated [in] 2013 and English translation to the department as evidence of his identity in support of his citizenship application. This document was also submitted to the department [in] September 2015.

Consideration of Evidence

The visa holder's Protection visa was granted on the basis that he satisfied the Minister that he engaged Australia's protection obligations under the Refugees Convention. The visa holder's status as an ethnic Hazara from Afghanistan who was at risk of persecution was fundamental to this determination. The department has completed an Identity Determination Report which has refuted the identity claimed by the visa holder in his Protection visa application. The department has established that the visa holder is not [applicant name], but [Name 1], a citizen of Pakistan. It has been established that the visa holder entered Australia as [Name 1] on his genuinely-issued Pakistan passport on a [temporary] visa [in] January 2010. As the incorrect information the visa holder provided was material to this determination it appears that he may not have engaged Australia's protection obligations

Section 101(a)

Given the evidence explained above, I consider that the visa holder has not complied with section 101(a) of the Act because he has not provided answers to the following questions on the Form 866 . - Application for a Protection (Class XA) visa: At question 20 of Part C of the Form 866, where it states 'Current citizenship', no answer was given, and he should have completed the question to indicate 'Pakistan'. Given the evidence explained above, I consider that the visa holder has not complied with section 101(a) of the Act because he has not provided answers to the following questions on the Form 80 -Personal particulars for character assessment: At question 3 of Form 80, where it states 'Other names you are, or have been, known by', no

answer was given, and he should have completed the question to indicate '[Name 1]'.

answer was given, and he should have completed the question to indicate '[Name 1]'. At question 14 of Form 80, where it states 'Details of any identity documents, social security cards, or any alien registration numbers you currently use or have used in the past', no answer was given, and he should have completed the question to indicate 'Pakistan passport number [Number]'.

Section 101(b)

Given the evidence explained above, I consider that the visa holder has not complied with section 101(b) of the Act because he has provided incorrect answers to the following questions on the Form 866 - Application for a Protection (Class XA) visa: At question 1 of Part C of the Form 866, where it states "What is your full name", and the visa holder indicated '[applicant name]', as his Pakistan passport lists his name as `[Name 1]'.

At question 7 of Part C of the Form 866, where it states "Date of birth", and the visa holder indicated '[Date 1]', as his Pakistan passport lists his date of birth as '[Date 2]'.

At question 8 of Part C of the Form 866, where it states "Place of birth", and the visa holder indicated `[Village 1], Ghazni province, Afghanistan', as his Pakistan passport lists his place of birth as 'Quetta, Pakistan'.

At question 19 of Part C of the Form 866, where it states 'Your citizenship at birth', and the visa holder indicated 'Afghan' as he is a citizen of Pakistan.

At question 20 of Part C of the Form 866, where it states 'Your current citizenship (if different at birth)', and the visa holder indicated 'Afghan', as he is a citizen of Pakistan.

At question 21 of Part C of the Form 866, where it states `Do you hold any other citizenship or are you a national of any other country?' and the visa holder indicated 'No', as he did not declare that he is citizen of Pakistan.

At question 26 of Part C of the Form 866, where it states 'Did you enter Australia as a" (multiple choice)' and the visa holder indicated 'Unauthorised', as he entered Australia as the holder of a [temporary] visa.

At question 27 of Part C of the Form 866, where it states 'Date of arrival in Australia' and the visa holder indicated '[Feb]-2010', as he entered Australia [in] January 2010. Given the evidence explained above, I consider that the visa holder has not complied with section 101(b) of the Act because he has provided incorrect answers to the following questions on the Form 80 - Personal particulars for character assessment: Question 1 of Form 80 in which he incorrectly stated that his name is `[applicant name]', and not '[Name 1]'.

Question 5 of Form 80 in which he incorrectly stated that his date of birth is '[Date 1]', and not '[Date 2]'.

Question 6 of Form 80 in which he incorrectly stated that his place of birth is: `[Village 1], Ghazni, Afghanistan', and not 'Quetta, Pakistan'.

Question 8 of Form 80 in which he incorrectly stated that his citizenship is 'Afghan', and not 'Pakistani'.

Question 11 of Form 80 - 'Are you a dual citizen or have you held any other citizenship?' - in which he incorrectly recorded `No' (tick box), and not 'Pakistani'.

Question 13 of Form 80 - 'Details of all passports ever issued to you' - in which he incorrectly recorded 'N/A', instead of Pakistan passport number [Number]'. Given the evidence explained above, I consider that the visa holder has not complied with section 101(b) of the Act because he has provided incorrect answers in relation to the following information provided in his Statutory Declaration signed [in] March 2010: That he is [age] years old, as his Pakistan passport states that he was born in [Date 2].

That he was born in Afghanistan, as his Pakistan passport states he was born in Pakistan.

That he holds an adverse profile in Afghanistan, as he does not because he is from Pakistan.

Section 103

46. Given the evidence explained above, I consider that the visa holder has not complied with

Section 103 of the Act because the department has established that the visa holder is not [applicant name], born in, and a citizen of, Afghanistan; but [Name 1], born in, and a citizen of, Pakistan. A Taskera can only be issued to a citizen of Afghanistan. The Taskera that the visa holder presented to the department [in] July 2013 and [in] September 2015 cannot be a genuine document as it does not reflect the visa holder's genuine identity and citizenship and as such, I am satisfied that the visa holder has presented a bogus document to the department.

PART C: DECISION ABOUT NONCOMPLIANCE (S 108)

Section 108 of the Migration Act 1958 provides:

The minister is to:

(a) consider any written response given by a visa holder in the way required by paragraph 107(1)(b); and

(b) decide whether there was non-compliance by the visa holder in the way described in the notice.

Does the visa holder agree that there was non-compliance? No

If no, reasons why the visa holder disputes that there was non-compliance:

The visa holder asserts that he is [applicant name], date of birth [Date 1], citizen of Afghanistan. The visa holder asserts that the Taskera document in his possession is genuine. In a written statement dated 27 September 2015 the visa holder's Migration Agent provided the following reasons why the visa holder disputes that there was non-compliance: That he never lied as to his mode of arrival in Australia, and that he entered Australia by air with the help of a people smuggler using a passport that he did not see or know the name under which it was issued.

That at question 26 of the Form 866C he wrote 'unauthorised' for lack of a more appropriate option, such as 'false passport', or 'by aeroplane'.

That at the time of completing the form he was a minor - [age] years-old - and was illiterate.

That the [solicitor] appointed to complete the form on the visa holder's behalf chose the option 'unauthorised' for lack of a better option.

That he never stated that he had arrived as an unauthorised boat arrival as stated in the first NOICC (this error was corrected in the second NOICC which deleted any reference to arrival by boat).

That incorrect dates of arrival for [Name 1] and [applicant name] had been stated by the delegate in the NOICC and as such it is impossible to have any confidence of when [Name 1] may have arrived in Australia (this error was corrected in the second NOICC which corrected the dates in question).

That he maintains that the answers he gave on his 866 Application as listed on page 3 of the NOICC are correct - he also stated at the time that he was not sure of his precise date of birth - as is common to people from Afghanistan and numerous other countries.

That in regard to the department's Facial Image Comparison Report, documented experience and research over many years raises serious questions as to the validity of these methods of attempting to identify individuals and raises serious doubts as to the accuracy of the comparisons of photographs and facial imaging of the Hazara caseload.

I have considered carefully the applicant's evidence and his representative's submissions, however I do not consider him to be a credible witness and I find that he is a Pakistani citizen and not an Afghan citizen and that he has given incorrect answers and submitted a bogus document and that he has not complied with both s.101(b) and s.103 of the Act. I am of this view for the following reasons: A facial image comparison report, dated [in] August 2014, assessed images of the applicant with an image of [Name 1] in his [temporary] visa application and the specialist found that the images represented the same person. I have looked at the images and there is a very strong resemblance and persons look identical. At the hearing, the applicant commented that he was younger at the time and that people smugglers can provide any documents including Pakistani documents and that most Afghan people use false passports when they come to Australia. I have considered his comments but I do not consider they satisfactorily address why the images are of the same person. I consider these facts support that the applicant is [Name 1] (and a Pakistani citizen).

Checks of Departmental databases showed that [Name 1] (a Pakistani national) entered Australia at [named] Airport with his [father] [in] January 2010 on [temporary] visas. [Name 1] has not departed Australia and is residing unlawfully in the community but [his father] departed [in] April 2011. The last recorded address that the Department has of [his father] is [address in Australia]. In an identity interview with the Department [in] May 2015 the applicant confirmed that he had been living at that address for [number] years. At the hearing, the applicant commented that the house belongs to [a person] who is his guardian and that there were others who had lived there. I have considered his comments but I do not consider they satisfactorily address the remarkable commonality of this address. I consider these facts further support that the applicant is [Name 1] (and a Pakistani citizen).

In [Name 1's] [temporary] visa application there was a copy of his Pakistani birth certificate which lists his parent's address as [an address in] Quetta, Pakistan. In the applicant's identity interview with the Department [in] May 2015, he confirmed that his father and [siblings] were living at this same address. The applicant [applied] for [a different] visa lodged [in] January 2012 for his father and [siblings] which listed their residential addresses as this same one. At the hearing, the applicant commented that he had not filled in those addresses and the form was sent from Pakistan and he did not know who filled in the form. I have considered his comments but I do not consider they satisfactorily address the remarkable commonality of this address. I consider these facts further support that the applicant is [Name 1] (and a Pakistani citizen).

Departmental movement records indicate that the applicant departed Australia [in] July 2013. They also show that he travelled with [Name 1's] [Relative 1] and that they checked in at the exact same time. [Name 1's] and [his father's] [temporary] visa applications were sponsored [this Relative 1]. At the hearing, the applicant commented that if he had departed with her, he would have come back with her and that it could have been a lot of other Pakistanis. I have considered his comments but I do not consider they satisfactorily address the matter noting that the applicant was unwilling to tell the Tribunal who it was he travelled with on this date. I consider these facts further support that he actually is [Name 1] (and a Pakistani citizen).

The applicant has submitted an Afghan taskera that was issued [in] 2013. However, in his identity interview with the Department [in] May 2015 he said he did not have a taskera because his parents never arranged to get you one. Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) have reported that there is widespread concern regarding the availability of fraudulent Afghan identity documents such as taskera and that genuine ones can be obtained using false documentation.[1] At the hearing, the applicant did not respond to these matters other than saying his father had posted him the taskera. I do not consider this to be a satisfactory explanation and I consider these facts further support that he actually is [Name 1] (and a Pakistani citizen). For these reasons, the Tribunal finds that there was non-compliance with s.101(b) and s.103 of the Act by the applicant in the way described in the s.107 notice.

Should the visa be cancelled?

As the Tribunal has decided that there was non-compliance in the way described in the notice given to the applicant under s.107 of the Act, it is necessary to consider whether the visa should be cancelled pursuant to s.109(1). Cancellation in this context is discretionary, as there are no mandatory cancellation circumstances prescribed under s.109(2). In exercising this power, the Tribunal must consider the applicant's response (if any) to the s.107 notice about the non-compliance, and have regard to any prescribed circumstances: s.109(1)(b) and (c). The prescribed circumstances are set out in r.2.41 of the Regulations. Briefly, they are:

 the correct information

 the content of the genuine document (if any)

 whether the decision to grant a visa or immigration clear the visa holder was based, wholly or partly, on incorrect information or a bogus document

 the circumstances in which the non-compliance occurred

 the present circumstances of the visa holder

 the subsequent behaviour of the visa holder concerning his or her obligations under Subdivision C of Division 3 of Part 2 of the Act

 any other instances of non-compliance by the visa holder known to the Minister

 the time that has elapsed since the non-compliance

 any breaches of the law since the non-compliance and the seriousness of those breaches

 any contribution made by the holder to the community.

Whilst these factors must be considered, they do not represent an exhaustive statement of the circumstances that might properly be considered to be relevant in any given case: MIAC v Khadgi [2010] FCAFC 145; (2010) 190 FCR 248. The Tribunal may also have regard to lawful government policy. The relevant policy is set out in the Department's Procedural Advice Manual) PAM3 'General visa cancellation powers'. This policy requires delegates to also have regard to matters such as whether the visa would have been granted if the correct information had been given, whether there are persons in Australia whose visa would, or may, be automatically cancelled under s.140 of the Act, and whether the visa cancellation may result in Australia breaching its international obligations.

The correct information and the content of any genuine document (if any)

The correct information is that the applicant is [Name 1] and is a Pakistani citizen. I further find that the Pakistani passport issued to the applicant in the name of [Name 1] is a legitimately obtained and genuine document. I do not consider the taskera to be a genuine document and I find that it was fraudulently obtained. Having considered these factors, I have given them significant weight as factors which support the cancellation of the applicant's visa.

Whether the decision to grant a visa (or immigration clear the visa holder) was based, wholly or partly on the incorrect information (or a bogus document)

I consider that the decision to grant the visa was based wholly (and partly) on the incorrect information and had the correct information been known the delegate would not have been satisfied that the applicant was a citizen of Afghanistan and that he would not have granted the visa. I have given significant weight to this factor as supporting the cancellation of his visa.

The circumstances in which the non-compliance occurred

I find that the applicant wilfully and deliberately provided incorrect information and a bogus document to the Department of Immigration. However, I note the applicant was [the age of a minor] when he applied for the protection visa and provided the incorrect information which reduces the weight I have given to this factor. He was, however, an adult when he submitted the bogus document. I have therefore overall given fairly significant weight to this factor as supporting the cancellation of his visa.

The present circumstances of the visa holder

The applicant has claimed that he has been living in stress due to the process of his visa cancellation. However, he has not submitted any medical evidence to support this I have placed little weight on his present circumstances as a reason not to cancel the visa.

The subsequent behaviour of the visa holder concerning his or her obligations under Subdivision C of Division 3 of Part 2 of the Act

The applicant continues to maintain that he has not provided incorrect information or a bogus document. Having considered this factor, I place only limited weight on it as a reason to not cancel the visa.

The time that has elapsed since the non-compliance

The applicant lodged his protection visa application form with the incorrect answers in March 2010 which is a significant period of time ago. However, the provision of the bogus document was far more recent and I have given some weight to this factor as supporting the cancellation of his visa.

Any other instances of non-compliance by the visa holder known to the Minister

There are no other known instances of non-compliance by the applicant and I have given this factor some weight as a reason not to cancel the visa.

Any other breaches of the law since the non-compliance and the seriousness of those breaches

There are no other breaches of the law known to the Tribunal and I have given this factor some weight as a reason not to cancel the visa.

Any contribution made by the holder to the community

At the hearing the applicant stated he had worked as [an occupation] and had studied. I have given these matters some weight as a reason not to cancel the visa.

Non-refoulement obligations

I accept that if the applicant's visa is cancelled, he may have to return to Pakistan. However, I find that if he returns there, Australia will be in breach of its non-refoulement obligations. I have considered the International Treaties Obligation Assessment undertaken by the Department and like it have utilised various provisions of the Migration Act for assessing Australia's non-refoulement obligations arising under the Refugees Convention, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The information before me (including the [temporary] visa application, the Pakistani birth certificate and the passport) strongly indicates that the applicant was born in and was a resident of Quetta, Pakistan. The applicant has consistently claimed to be a Hazara, he physically resembles one and speaks Dari and Hazaragi. I am therefore satisfied that he is a Hazara and that his home area is Quetta, Baluchistan. I have taken into account country information that there is ongoing violence against Hazara Shias in Quetta, Baluchistan. I find that because Hazaras are physically and ethnically distinct they are targeted by militant groups to a greater extent than other Shias in Baluchistan.[2] DFAT assess that the major threat to Shias in Pakistan (including Hazaras) comes from anti-Shia and militant groups, including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) and Jundullah, as well as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).[3] The agendas of both LeJ and SSP include anti-Shia sentiments and LeJ has claimed responsibility for attacks on Hazaras in Quetta.[4] In an open letter in November 2012, LeJ leaders declared their intention to 'abolish the impure sect' of 'Shias and Hazara Shias'. Other militant groups express strong anti-Shia sentiments. Country information confirms that numerous shootings and suicide attacks on Shia Hazaras took place in Quetta in the years prior to the applicant's departure.[5] The security situation for Hazara Shias in Quetta is such that Hazaras tend to stay within two enclaves, where they enjoy a greater degree of security, and security forces escort Hazaras travelling to and from their workplaces in Quetta.[6] The United States Department of State has reported that in 2015, Hazara Shias in Quetta continued to face discrimination and threats of violence and were unable to move freely outside of Quetta's two Hazara-populated enclaves.[7] A report in Dawn newspaper in 2014 provides the following assessment of the situation for Hazaras in Quetta:

Hazaras live a ghetto existence, fearful of going about the normal business of life. Hazara religious pilgrims, students, shopkeepers, vegetable sellers, doctors and other professionals have been targeted leading to not just widespread fear but increasingly restricted movement leading to a ghettoization of community members, increasing economic hardship and curtailed access to education.[8]

More recent information confirms that the situation for Shias in Quetta has not improved. According to the most recent United States Department of State report:

Members of the Hazara ethnic minority, who are Shi'a, continued to face discrimination and threats of violence in Quetta, Balochistan. According to press reports and other sources, they were unable to move freely outside of Quetta's two Hazara-populated enclaves. Consumer goods in those enclaves were available only at inflated prices, and Hazaras reported an inability to find employment or pursue higher education. They also alleged government agencies discriminated against Hazaras in issuing identification cards and passports. To avoid sparking violent incidents, authorities confined Shi'a religious processions to the Hazara enclaves. Anti-Shi'a graffiti was common in Quetta. According to multiple media reports, assailants killed at least 16 persons in attacks against Hazara Shi'as during the year. Media reported that on July 6, gunmen killed two Hazaras and a police officer in front of a passport office in Quetta; on July 17, a suicide bomber attempting to enter a Hazara neighborhood in Quetta blew himself up, killing two; and on July 28, gunmen on a motorcycle killed two Hazaras in Quetta.[9]

I have also taken into account the following assessment as to the situation for Hazara Shias:

Hazaras are generally unarmed, easily identifiable and utterly helpless - in short, easy to kill. Of course, they are being targeted as part of a broader exercise in targeting all Pakistan Shias but it is equally true that Hazara suffer from double jeopardy - being ethnically distinct in addition to being Shia.[10]

I have had regard to information from DFAT indicating that levels of sectarian violence have decreased throughout Pakistan since 2014 following military operations against terrorist and militant group.[11] In Baluchistan sectarian attacks have declined following targeting by security forces of prominent militant leaders, including those of the LeJ.[12] However, notwithstanding the reported decline in violence, DFAT has assessed that there is a moderate level of sectarian violence in Balochistan and despite a decline in the number of attacks Hazara Shias remain segregated and are a key target of militant groups.[13] Other sources report numerous attacks on Hazara Shias in public areas in Quetta in 2015.[14] According to DFAT, while LeJ has not claimed responsibility for any attacks between June 2014 and September 2015, it remains intact and has sleeper cells in major urban centres across Pakistan.[15] Thus, even with the decline in violence, there were ten sectarian attacks in Balochistan in 2015, seven of which specifically targeted Hazaras, two which targeted Shias in Quetta, and a further attempted attack near a Hazara area.[16] Furthermore, the first quarter of 2016 saw a slight upsurge in violence, with the Balochistan region recording the second highest number of casualties from violence across Pakistan in that period (181 deaths and 79 injuries), although not all of these were from sectarian attacks.[17] Considering the totality of this information, I find that there is a real chance and real risk that the applicant would suffer serious harm or significant harm in Quetta for reasons of his race and religion.

State protection

A person does not have a well-founded fear of persecution if effective protection measures are available to the person in a receiving country: s.5J(2) of the Migration Act. Section 5LA(1) provides that effective protection measures are available if protection against persecution could be provided to the person by either the relevant State, or a party or organisation (including an international organisation) that controls the relevant State or a substantial part of its territory, and that State, party or organisation is willing and able to offer such protection. A relevant State, party or organisation is taken to be able to offer protection against persecution to a person if the person can access the protection, and the protection is durable and, in the case of protection by the relevant State, the protection consists of an appropriate criminal law, a reasonably effective police force and an impartial judicial system: s.5LA(2). Under s.36(2B)(b) of the Act, there is taken not to be a real risk that an applicant will suffer significant harm in a country if the tribunal is satisfied that the applicant could obtain, from an authority of the country, protection such that there would not be a real risk that the applicant will suffer significant harm. That is, the level of protection must be such to reduce the risk of the applicant being significantly harmed to something less than a 'real risk': MIAC v MZYYL [2012] FCAFC 147. The applicant has claimed that the Pakistani government is unwilling and unable to protect Hazaras. I do not accept that the government is unwilling to protect the Hazara community, but I consider that due to "capacity constraints" and other factors their ability to do so is limited. [18] DFAT has stated that although the authorities are generally willing to protect Shia communities and instigate various security measures, capacity constraints limit the governments' abilities to protect the community[19] and the effectiveness of prosecutions.[20] Similarly, the US Department of State reports that police often failed to protect members of religious minorities, including Shias, although there have been improvements.[21] The US Commission on International Religious Freedom also assesses that despite government efforts and positive rulings by the Supreme Court, the government failed to provide adequate protection to targeted groups or to prosecute perpetrators or those calling for violence.[22] In view of this information, I find that the authorities are unable to provide protection in Quetta, such that the applicant would not be able to access effective protection measures and that there remains a real risk of significant harm if the applicant returns to Quetta or elsewhere in Baluchistan.

Relocation

Under s.36(2B)(a) of the Act, there is taken not to be a real risk that an applicant will suffer significant harm in a country if the tribunal is satisfied that it would be reasonable for the applicant to relocate to an area of the country where there would not be a real risk that the applicant will suffer significant harm. That relocation must be 'reasonable' is also a requirement when considering the definition of 'refugee' and the tribunal draws guidance from the judgments of the High Court in SZATV v MIAC and SZFDV v MIAC which held that whether relocation is reasonable, in the sense of 'practicable', must depend upon the particular circumstances of the applicant and the impact upon that person of relocation within his or her country: SZATV v MIAC [2007] HCA 40; (2007) 233 CLR 18 and SZFDV v MIAC [2007] HCA 41; (2007) 233 CLR 51, per Gummow, Hayne & Crennan JJ, Callinan J agreeing. I consider that the highly volatile nature of the situation with regard to the actions of extremist groups and individuals in Pakistan makes it difficult to assess the risks for the applicant upon his return to Pakistan. I also consider that the difficulties in determining the risks for the applicant are exacerbated by the focus of the independent evidence on the situation for Shias as a whole, of which Hazaras comprise only a very small minority. The reports are also lacking in relation to information on the ability of Hazaras to find employment, housing and access to welfare services. However, having considered the independent evidence, I consider that some conclusions can be drawn. These are firstly that the distinctive physical features of Hazaras increase the risk of a targeted attack.[23] Second, the reports indicate that there are between 600,000 to one million Hazaras living in Pakistan, the largest Hazara community resides in Quetta, Balochistan, where I have found above that the applicant has faces a real chance or real risk of serious harm and significant harm, and other communities are much smaller.[24] Having regard to this information, I have considered whether the applicant is able to relocate to another part of Pakistan to avoid the real risk of significant harm in his home area. The independent evidence indicates that in response to sectarian attacks in Quetta, 'many hundreds' have migrated to Karachi[25] and approximately 15,000 Hazaras reside in Karachi. In March 2012, DFAT advised the Department that there are 'two sizeable communities in Karachi (500-1000 families)'.[26] An October 2011 report in The News also states that 'over 13,000 members of the [Hazara] community are living in Karachi'.[27] Although reports from 2014 continued to indicate that Hazaras in Karachi have been the subject of attacks, both targeted and random[28] and food outlets in some of the areas in which Hazaras in Karachi reside have also been targeted in what police believe are sectarian attacks,[29] more recent reports from various sources indicate that there has been a significant decline in terrorist incidents in Karachi. Whilst accepting the volatile nature of extremism in Pakistan and evidence of previous targeting of Hazara Shias in Karachi, I am not satisfied on the basis of evidence indicating a significant reduction in terrorism and crime related incidents in Karachi,[30] that there is a real chance or real risk that the applicant would suffer serious harm or significant harm because he is a Hazara Shia if he moved to Karachi. I have also considered whether there are other parts of Pakistan, including places such as Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalapindi or FATA, where the applicant could relocate without suffering serious harm because he is a Hazara Shia. Despite continuing attacks against Shias throughout Pakistan, I do not accept that the independent evidence supports a conclusion that there is a real chance or real risk that the applicant would suffer serious harm or significant harm if he relocated to these parts of Pakistan, or even some other parts of Pakistan.[31] In assessing complimentary protection, I must also consider whether it is reasonable for the applicant to relocate to another part of Pakistan. DFAT advises that because of Pakistan's size and diversity there are viable relocation options for most religious and ethnic minorities,[32] but it does not specify those ethnic groups for which this might not be viable. In terms of Islamabad, the independent evidence indicates that Islamabad is home to mixed ethnic and religious communities, including a large Shia community and a small Hazara community.[33] DFAT also assesses that Shias can relocate with relative ease and frequency because of family and community networks throughout Pakistan, and states that migrant communities provide a support network to different ethnic groups.[34] I have concerns that there is a lack of information in relation to the Hazara community, as distinct from the significant Shia community, which DFAT has assessed is able to relocate easily because of family and tribal networks. Much of the information about the viability of relocation addresses the situation of Shias generally. Hazara Shias make up only one per cent of the population of Pakistan, whereas Shias make up 20 per cent.[35] As previously stated, unlike Shias from other ethnic groups, Hazara Shias are also readily identifiable because of their distinctive facial features. There also no specific information about the size of the Hazara Shia communities in Lahore or Rawalpindi or Islamabad, and they are described by DFAT as "small". The DFAT report indicates that whilst there are significant numbers of Shias in the autonomous region of Gilgit-Baltistan, Peshawar, Kohat, Hangu and Dera Ismail Kahn in Khyber Pathunkhwa, but does not specify the size of the Hazara Shia community in those places. There is no information about the size of the Hazara Shia communities in other parts of Pakistan, or about whether broader Shia communities made up of other ethnic groups would provide the kind of social networks and support to a Hazara Shia that the applicant would need in order to find employment and accommodation. As discussed above, I consider that the evidence in relation to the situation for Hazara Shias is somewhat inconclusive in relation to the opportunities for Shia Hazaras to relocate elsewhere in Pakistan, given that the evidence primarily focuses on the situation for Shias generally and does not differentiate between targeted attacks on Shias and those on the Hazara Shias. The evidence is also somewhat inconclusive in relation to employment and educational opportunities for Hazara Shias outside of the regions where they have traditionally congregated, such as in Quetta. I have taken into account the applicant's evidence that he has no other family outside Quetta; this is consistent with country information that indicates that most Hazaras in Pakistan reside in Quetta.[36] The applicant has claimed that he did not work before coming to Australia and I accept this given he arrived when he was [age] years old. He said he had done several jobs in Australia including working as [specified occupations]. However, I consider his employment skills are relatively limited. Having considered all of the available information about the possibility of relocation for Hazara Shias within Pakistan, and specifically to Karachi, Islamabad or Lahore, including the security situation, the presence of a Hazara Shia community, the personal characteristics and work experience of the applicant and the impact of those on his capacity to survive without his family, obtain employment and a place to live, I find that it is not reasonable for the applicant to relocate to an area of the country where there would not be a real risk of significant harm and that therefore s.36(2B)(a) does not apply in his case. I further find that the real risk is one faced by the applicant personally and is not one faced by the population of the country generally so s.36(2B)(c) does not apply in his case. I find that there are substantial grounds for believing that, as a necessary and foreseeable consequence of the applicant being removed from Australia to Pakistan there is a real risk that he will suffer significant harm. Given the applicant's individual circumstances and the totality of the country information before me, I find that Australia will be in breach of its non-refoulement obligations and I have given this factor a very significant degree of weight that supports not cancelling the visa.

Whether there are persons in Australia whose visas would, or may, be cancelled under s.140

There are no persons in Australia whose visas would or may be cancelled under s.140A and I have given this factor no weight.

Interests of children in Australia

There are no children in Australia whose interests will be affected and I have given this factor no weight.

Whether there are mandatory legal consequences to a cancellation decision, such as:

 whether indefinite detention is a possible consequence of the cancellation decision , if a person cannot be removed from Australia consistently with Australia's non-refoulement obligations

 whether there are provisions in the Act which prevent the person from making a valid application for a visa without the Minister personally intervening (for example, s46A, s46B, s48, s48A, s91E, s91K and s91P of the Act) and

 whether, upon cancellation, the person would become an unlawful non-citizen (unless the person holds another visa that is in effect) and liable to be detained under s189, and liable for removal under s198.

I accept that upon cancellation, the applicant would become an unlawful non-citizen, be liable to be detained and liable for removal. However, noting that he cannot be removed from Australia consistently with Australia's non-refoulment obligations and that he will not be able to make any valid application for any visa without the Minister personally intervening. I have given significant weight to these factors as reasons that support not cancelling the visa.

Conclusion

The Tribunal has decided that there was non-compliance by the applicant in the way described in the notice given under s.107 of the Act. Further, having regard in their totality to all the relevant circumstances, as discussed above, the Tribunal concludes that the visa should not be cancelled.

DECISION

The Tribunal sets aside the decision under review and substitutes a decision not to cancel the applicant's Subclass 866 (Protection) visa.





David Corrigan

Member

ATTACHMENT - Relevant Extracts from the Migration Act 1958:

Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:

bogus document, in relation to a person, means a document that the Minister reasonably suspects is a document that:

(a) purports to have been, but was not, issued in respect of the person; or

(b) is counterfeit or has been altered by a person who does not have authority to do so; or

(c) was obtained because of a false or misleading statement, whether or not made knowingly.

Interpretation

In this Subdivision:

application form, in relation to a noncitizen, means a form on which a noncitizen applies for a visa, being a form that regulations made for the purposes of section 46 allow to be used for making the application.

passenger card has the meaning given by subsection 506(2) and, for the purposes of section 115, includes any document provided for by regulations under paragraph 504(1)(c).

Note: Bogus document is defined in subsection 5(1).

Completion of visa application

A noncitizen who does not fill in his or her application form or passenger card is taken to do so if he or she causes it to be filled in or if it is otherwise filled in on his or her behalf.

Information is answer

Any information that a noncitizen gives or provides, causes to be given or provided, or that is given or provided on his or her behalf, to the Minister, an officer, an authorised system, a person or the Tribunal, or the Immigration Assessment authority, reviewing a decision under this Act in relation to the noncitizen's application for a visa is taken for the purposes of section 100, paragraphs 101(b) and 102(b) and sections 104 and 105 to be an answer to a question in the noncitizen's application form, whether the information is given or provided orally or in writing and whether at an interview or otherwise.

Incorrect answers

For the purposes of this Subdivision, an answer to a question is incorrect even though the person who gave or provided the answer, or caused the answer to be given or provided, did not know that it was incorrect.

Visa applications to be correct

A noncitizen must fill in or complete his or her application form in such a way that:

(a) all questions on it are answered; and

(b) no incorrect answers are given or provided.

Bogus documents not to be given etc.

A noncitizen must not give, present, [produce][*] or provide to an officer, an authorised system, the Minister, the Immigration Assessment Authority, or the Tribunal performing a function or purpose under this Act, a bogus document or cause such a document to be so given, presented, [produced][*] or provided.

Notice of incorrect applications

(1) If the Minister considers that the holder of a visa who has been immigration cleared (whether or not because of that visa) did not comply with section 101, 102, 103, 104 or 105 or with subsection (2) in a response to a notice under this section, the Minister may give the holder a notice:

(a) giving particulars of the possible noncompliance; and

(b) stating that, within a period stated in the notice as mentioned in subsection (1A), the holder may give the Minister a written response to the notice that:

(i) if the holder disputes that there was noncompliance:

(A) shows that there was compliance; and

(B) in case the Minister decides under section 108 that, in spite of the statement under subsubparagraph (A), there was noncompliance-shows cause why the visa should not be cancelled; or

(ii) if the holder accepts that there was noncompliance:

(A) give reasons for the noncompliance; and

(B) shows cause why the visa should not be cancelled; and

(c) stating that the Minister will consider cancelling the visa:

(i) if the holder gives the Minister oral or written notice, within the period stated as mentioned in subsection (1A), that he or she will not give a written response-when that notice is given; or

(ii) if the holder gives the Minister a written response within that period-when the response is given; or

(iii) otherwise-at the end of that period; and

(d) setting out the effect of sections 108, 109, 111 and 112; and

(e) informing the holder that the holder's obligations under section 104 or 105 are not affected by the notice under this section; and

(f) requiring the holder:

(i) to tell the Minister the address at which the holder is living; and

(ii) if the holder changes that address before the Minister notifies the holder of the Minister's decision on whether there was noncompliance by the holder-to tell the Minister the changed address.

(1A) The period to be stated in the notice under subsection (1) must be:

(a) in respect of the holder of a temporary visa-the period prescribed by the regulations or, if no period is prescribed, a reasonable period; or

(b) otherwise-14 days.

(1B) Regulations prescribing a period for the purposes of paragraph (1A)(a) may prescribe different periods and state when a particular period is to apply, which, without limiting the generality of the power, may be to:

(a) visas of a stated class; or

(b) visa holders in stated circumstances; or

(c) visa holders in a stated class of people (who may be visa holders in a particular place); or

(d) visa holders in a stated class of people (who may be visa holders in a particular place) in stated circumstances.

(2) If the visa holder responds to the notice, he or she must do so without making any incorrect statement.



[1] Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Country Information Report Afghanistan, 18 September 2016.

[2] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[3] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[4] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[5] South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), "Sectarian Violence in Pakistan", 13 December 2015, p. 2.

[6] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[7] US Department of State, "Pakistan - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2015 ", 13 April 2016, section 6.

[8] Syed, M 2014, 'Pakistan: A State of Siege', Dawn, 27 January <http://www.dawn.com/news/1082697/a-state-of-siege

[9] US Department of State, "Pakistan - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2015 ", 13 April 2016, OGD95BE926173, section 6.

[10] Syed M 2014, 'Pakistan: A State of Siege', Dawn, 27 January.

[11] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[12] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[13] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[14] South Asia Terrorism Portal, "Sectarian Violence in Pakistan", 13 December 2015, p. 2, 3; US Department of State, "Pakistan - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2015 ", 13 April 2016, section 6.

[15] South Asia Terrorism Portal,"Sectarian Violence in Pakistan", 13 December 2015, p. 2, 3; US Department of State, "Pakistan - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2015 ", 13 April 2016, section 6.

[16] South Asia Terrorism Portal, "Sectarian Violence in Pakistan", 13 December 2015, p. 2, 3; US Department of State, "Pakistan - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2015 ", 13 April 2016, section 6.

[17] Center for Research and Security Studies, "CRSS Quarterly Security Report - Q1, 2016", 2 May 2016, p.1-2, 5.

[18] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[19] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[20] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[21] US Department of State, "Pakistan - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2015 ", 13 April 2016, section 1(d).

[22] United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), "USCIRF Annual Report 2015 - Pakistan", 30 April 2015, p.2.

[23] Hazara Network 2011, Lashkar-E Jhangvi (Lej) Blamed For Killing Of Hazaras In Quetta, Pakistan, source: Central Asia Online, 23 July <http://www.hazaranetwork.com/forum/topics/lashkar-e-jhangvi-lej-blamed-f> .

[24] Sajjad, S B 2013, '"Intent to Destroy": Violence against Shias in Pakistan', Extremism Watch: Mapping Conflict Trends in Pakistan 2011-2012, Jinnah Institute, p.23 <http://jinnah-institute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/EW1.pdf?bcsi_scan_2b9cb3cfb553fadb=0&bcsi_scan_filename=EW1.pdf

[25] Human Rights Watch 2014, World Report 2014 - Pakistan, 21 January <http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2014/country-chapters/pakistan

[26] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2012, Pakistan: Hazaras in Pakistan, 1 & 9 March <CX 283938>

[27] Ali, R 2011, 'Hazaras not safe even in Karachi', The News, source: Hazara News Pakistan, 7 October <http://hazaranewspakistan.wordpress.com/2011/10/09/hazaras-not-safe-even-in-karachi/

[28] DFAT Thematic Report: Hazaras in Afghanistan and Pakistan (26 March 2014); 'Sunday bloody Sunday: Four people gunned down, one chopped up' 2012, Express Tribune, 14 May CISNET Pakistan CX287026; 'Karachi community member killed' 2012, The News, 19 February CISNET Pakistan CX281807.

[29] 'Targeted attacks: Police ask shops to close early for safety' 2014, The Express Tribune, 20 February.

[30] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[31]Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[32] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Country Information Report Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[33] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[34] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[35] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[36] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT Thematic Report Shias in Pakistan, 15 January 2016.

[*] This wording applies to documents given, presented, produced or provided on or after 4 November 2014: Schedule 7 to Counter Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Act 2014 (No.116, 2014).


Call for full investigation into Siberian editor's murder

Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 30 May 2017 Other Languages / Attachments Russian Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Call for full investigation into Siberian editor's murder, 30 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d836b4.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The investigation into an outspoken newspaper editor's murder last week in the Siberian city of Minusinsk must be thorough and impartial and must examine the possibility that it was linked to his work as a journalist, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said today.

The body of Dmitry Popkov, 42, the founder and editor of the local newspaper Ton-M, was found on the evening of 24 May. He had been shot nine times with a gun fitted with a silencer. The local office of the Investigative Committee said it intended to consider all possible motives, including a connection to his work.

"We note that an investigation is under way into this journalist's murder," said Johann Bihr, the head of RSF's Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk. "Given the sensitive nature of his work and the climate of intolerance towards critics in Minusinsk, serious consideration must the given to the possibility that the murder was linked to his reporting."

Bihr added: "A full and impartial investigation is essential in order to break the vicious circle of impunity that is only too often enjoyed by those who murder or attack Russian journalists."

Popkov created Ton-M in May 2014 after being fired from the municipal council on the grounds that he had been convicted of hitting a diabetic teenager. Popkov denied the charge, saying be was the victim of a provocation designed to punish him for opposing the local authorities.

From the outset, Ton-M focused on local politics, especially corruption and abuse of authority, using the slogan, "We write what the others stay silent about." The stories it covered included the case of a former Minusinsk official who was convicted of fraud.

Popkov was one of the signatories of an appeal to the Regional Union of Journalists earlier this month accusing the local authorities of violating the rights of the media. It followed an announcement by the city's mayor that a complaint would be filed with the local prosecutor accusing unaccredited journalists of "provocation" during a municipal council meeting on 5 May and "obstructing" its work. In response, the journalists accused the council of making it much harder to get accreditation.

The dispute is one of the latest examples of a growing mistrust and intolerance on the part of local officials towards journalists. A decree issued on 16 May included unaccredited journalists along with drug addicts and alcoholics on a list of persons banned from entering municipal buildings.

Popkov is the second journalist to be murdered this year in Russia. The first was Nikolai Andrushchenko, who died in a Saint Petersburg hospital on 19 April from the severe injuries he received in a brutal attack.He had covered organized crime and cases of corruption involving members of the local elite.

Russia is ranked 148th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2017 World Press Freedom Index. Previous RSF press releases have condemned the growing harassment of independent media outlets by the authorities, the curtailment of Internet freedoms and chronic failure to punish those who attack and murder journalists.
The complex battle for control in eastern Syria

Publisher IRIN Author Aron Lund Publication Date 30 May 2017 Cite as IRIN, The complex battle for control in eastern Syria, 30 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d846a4.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Ever since a deal was struck in the Kazakh capital of Astana early this month to de-escalate the conflict in western Syria, all eyes have been turning east. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his allies have just launched an operation to "take control of the eastern desert in Syria". It is not just about driving out the Sunni extremist group known as the Islamic State, but also about preventing other rivals from filling the void.

The Astana agreement is less a driver of this new logic of war, in which all sides seek to position themselves for maximal gain in a fragmented Syria, than a reflection of new realities. Though al-Assad's opponents remain reluctant to say so in public, they increasingly operate under the assumption that Russian and Iranian support has succeeded in saving his regime in Damascus and the pertinent questions now are: Which areas will he be able to retake  when, how, and from whom?

The presence of American, Jordanian, Turkish, and other foreign advisers among some insurgent groups has raised the spectre of Syria's partition. Not in the sense of a formal division, but as a "frozen conflict" in which outlying regions may remain independent of an otherwise dominant Damascus due to de-confliction deals negotiated between foreign governments. Well-founded or not, such fears appear to play a prominent part in the thinking of al-Assad and his Iranian allies, who worry that US-backed Kurdish fighters in the Syrian Democratic Forces will seize northern Syria while other US-backed rebels take control of the rest of the Iraqi border.

To shore up its frail position in the desert and along the eastern borders, the Syrian government is using the relative calm in western Syria to push east along three main axes: in northern Syria east of Aleppo, in central Syria from Palmyra toward Deir Ezzor, and in the southeast along the border with Jordan and Iraq. Let's take a look at each in turn:

The northern front: From Maskanah to Raqqa

On 13 May, Syrian government forces retook Al-Jarrah airbase east of Aleppo. They are now moving southeast along Lake Assad towards IS-held Maskanah. After Maskanah comes Tabqa: a city with an important hydroelectric dam that was recently seized by the SDF as part of its operations to envelop Raqqa from the north. The government will likely complement these moves with a push towards Tabqa from Ithriya, a small town on the Aleppo-Hama road.

In the short-term, this is merely al-Assad picking low-hanging fruit. The area around Maskanah has been more or less cut off from Raqqa since the fall of Tabqa, and the jihadis are not likely to waste great resources trying to hold it. However, the regime's longer-term goals may be more sophisticated. It is unlikely that al-Assad will want to provoke a shooting match with the Kurds and their US backers, or that he could count on Russian support for doing so, but his forces must still move into the Raqqa region if he hopes to regain influence in Tabqa and Raqqa.

The Syrian leader may hope that the weak long-term US commitment to the Syrian Kurds will make them agree to a power-sharing deal that could eventually, when American influence recedes, force them back into al-Assad's embrace. Turkey's hostility to the SDF leaves the Syrian Kurdish forces exposed and in need of allies, which may help al-Assad's bargaining power.

It is a gamble, but not a bad one. Regime sources have claimed that they seek the return of the Tabqa Dam not through fighting but through negotiations, using Kurdish intermediaries. According to a Western diplomat speaking to the Wall Street Journal, the United States may also want Raqqa handed over to "a local civilian council friendly to the Syrian regime", which could then "transfer control of the city back to the regime". Such a manoeuvre seems far-fetched today, but by the time Raqqa falls, it may be much less so.

A lot will undoubtedly depend on future US and Turkish choices, but the first step for al-Assad is move into place and ensure he isn't cut out of the action.

The central front: Reopening the road to Deir Ezzor

The second and most important of al-Assad's eastern offensives seems set to launch from Palmyra, where the Syrian government has retaken valuable gas fields and now prepares to move towards the IS-controlled crossroads at Sukhna. North of Sukhna lies Raqqa, and to its east Deir Ezzor. Both the Syrian and Russian governments speak of Deir Ezzor as a main goal in their current operations, which appear to be taking place in coordination with Iranian-backed militia offensives across the border near Sinjar.

Deir Ezzor has been under siege for years, with a small and overstretched Syrian army garrison slowly losing ground against the jihadis. According to the UN, some 93,500 civilians currently live in two pockets of government-controlled territory, and they have suffered severely. At one point, a bag of sugar was said to cost the equivalent of $450 , and in 2016 the UN received reports of deaths from starvation, prompting the World Food Programme to start parachuting food into the city. The aid drops were interrupted in January 2017 by a jihadi offensive that cut the enclave in two, but later resumed using new drop sites. When the air bridge marked the end of its first year in April 2017, there had been a total of 231 air drops, adding up to 4,407 metric tonnes of food and other supplies.

By taking Sukhna, the Syrian government would be able to reconnect Deir Ezzor to western Syria and the capital, with all that that entails in terms of military reinforcements, administrative contacts, market access, and humanitarian relief for regime-held eastern Syria. It would also greatly facilitate al-Assad's further expansion towards the border by helping him rebuild the provincial capital's administrative apparatus and extend the web of security installations and public services that have served to keep otherwise non-committal civilians in al-Assad's orbit all over Syria. If calm prevails in western Syria, a recaptured Deir Ezzor could serve as al-Assad's springboard to reclaiming the IS-controlled oil wells of eastern Syria, challenging the SDF's grip on the northeast, and reconnecting with Iraq through the al-Bukamal border crossing.

The southern front: Southern Syria and the al-Tanf airstrike

The border crossings at al-Bukamal, southeast of Deir Ezzor, and at al-Tanf, east of Damascus, are a major concern of al-Assad's government. Al-Bukamal remains in IS hands, but the jihadis lost al-Tanf to US- and Jordanian-backed fighters in March 2016. Since then, al-Tanf has been used by the US-led anti-IS coalition to train and equip Syrian rebels to take on the jihadis. Recently, the al-Tanf rebels began to grab villages and outposts in the southeastern deserts, while also launching raids in the direction of al-Bukamal, amid reports of US air drops. Should the al-Tanf rebels succeed in taking al-Bukamal while the SDF holds crossings further north, US-backed groups would be in control of the entire Syrian-Iraqi border.

To al-Assad and his allies, this is a serious concern. The government's loss of its last Jordanian and Iraqi border crossings in 2015 has severely damaged trade with neighbouring countries and deprived Syrian companies of overland access to markets in the Gulf, Iran, and Egypt. It has also hurt Lebanese, Iraqi, and Jordanian traders who depend on transit through Syria. Re-establishing a solid land route between Damascus and Baghdad  and by extension between Beirut and Tehran  would also be of major military and logistical importance. Conversely, some US policymakers seem to want to prevent this, as a way of reducing Iranian influence in Syria and Lebanon.*

Iran-friendly Iraqi militias have repeatedly hinted that they will enter Syria to help al-Assad stabilise the borderlands once they have mopped up IS pockets around Mosul, Tal Afar, and Sinjar. But they are not there yet, and, on the Syrian side, the al-Tanf rebels hope to get to al-Bukamal first. "Our goals are clear," a commander of the US-backed fighters recently told the news site Syria Direct. "We want to outmanoeuvre [pro-regime] militias maliciously advancing towards Deir Ezzor." If they manage to install themselves there with US support, the area may be difficult to recover for al-Assad, since his Russian allies are unlikely to want to strike a rebel garrison full of American military advisers.

Perhaps partly to weigh down the US-backed efforts, pro-Assad forces are now putting pressure on the al-Tanf region from the west and north. In mid-May, regime units began to move into the desert areas east of Sweida and around the Damascus-Palmyra road, while Iranian-backed militias lunged toward the main base at al-Tanf. They were turned back by a rare US airstrike on 18 May .

However, the United States has so far been unwilling to join an all-out contest for control of the border, apparently wishing to retain a narrow focus on IS and seek some form of understanding with Russia. "We are not increasing our role in the Syrian civil war, but we will defend our troops," said US Secretary of Defence James Mattis, who insisted the 18 May airstrike was purely defensive in nature.

Interestingly, though the Syrian and Iranian governments roared and raged and thumped their chests, the Russian response to the airstrike was relatively muted. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov even took care to confirm the US-led coalition's description of the unit struck as a militia rather than a part of the Russian-backed army. "They were not the government troops," Ryabkov said to reporters, though he insisted, as always, that any action inside Syria without al-Assad's permission is a violation of international law.

Competition or collaboration?

Russia may not fully share the agenda of al-Assad and his Iranian allies, but, at the end of the day, Moscow has no reason to bet on any other horse. The balance of forces in eastern Syria clearly tilts in al-Assad's favour in the longer term, while the United States is unwilling to shoulder the costs of any strategy that could fundamentally change the prognosis.

So far, US plans to launch the al-Tanf rebels towards the Euphrates region are mainly framed in the context of anti-IS operations, with no real clarity on the aftermath, said Nicholas A. Heras, a fellow at the Center for a New American Security who is regularly in touch with US policymakers on Syria. "However," Heras added, in an online conversation with IRIN, "the US military engages in a free-flowing dialogue with DC, back and forth, and the military is not unaware of the broader significance of eastern Syria territory to frustrating Iran."

Even so, it is hard to imagine that Washington would want to commit to holding a rebel enclave on the Syrian-Iraqi border indefinitely, against IS, Syrian regime, Iranian, Iraqi, and possibly also Russian resistance. It would be precisely the kind of open-ended policing of a Middle Eastern shatterbelt that the current US administration has sworn to avoid and which most Americans seem to abhor. It would also represent a radical break from the current US strategy, which, with limited success, has tried to disentangle the war against IS from the rest of Syria's armed mayhem. At a recent press conference, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford noted that his forces are "precluded by law from coordinating with the Russians", but added that they are constantly in touch over force de-confliction issues, which involves mapping out offensives to avoid accidents or clashes. Dunford said the United States had presented "a proposal" on Deir Ezzor "that we're working on with the Russians right now".

Most likely, US policy in eastern Syria will continue to be guided by these types of pragmatic, IS-focused arrangements, and the United States will continue to try to work around al-Assad instead of working against him. This attitude has given the Syrian leader and his allies a chance to seize the initiative after the Astana deal, but how far al-Assad's army can carry the opportunity remains to be seen  not least because the war in western Syria could heat up again at any moment.

* A more circuitous land route from Iraq to Syria was recently opened through Kurdish areas, but it leaves al-Assad and his regional allies dependent on the SDF. This is problematic for them because of the SDF's ties to the United States, and because al-Assad may at some point want to play the Kurdish card to extract concessions from Turkey.
What can save Mali?

Publisher IRIN Author Amanda Sperber Publication Date 29 May 2017 Cite as IRIN, What can save Mali?, 29 May 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/592d85654.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Hamidou Barry has come to Bamako to find his son. His village of Ikerena, in the rural heart of Mali, is a long way from the capital, but this is where he's been told that men detained by the security forces are taken.

Barry rented a room in the home of a very distant relative. The city is expensive: He's running out of money and he still hasn't made contact with anyone who can shed light on the whereabouts of his son, also called Hamidou.

Witnesses told Barry that Hamidou, 38, was arrested in mid-December at the hospital in Douentza where he had taken his friend for treatment. For some reason the police took an interest in the two Fulani men. They found a sermon by Fulani Islamist extremist Hamadoun Koufa on Hamidou's phone, but Barry insists that does not make his son a jihadist.

Koufa is a marabout (preacher) from the central Malian town of Niafunke. He is also a protege of the veteran Tuareg leader Iyad Ag Ghali, who heads Ansar Dine (Defenders of the Faith), an al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)-linked militant group.

The connection between the two men is just one of a web of overlapping conflicts and shifting alliances the Malian government is struggling to contain, even with generous Western military support.

Koufa fought in northern Mali with Ansar Dine and allied jihadist groups in 2012, rapidly overrunning the region's main towns. He then led his men south. That advance, threatening Bamako, triggered a French and African Union intervention that scattered his forces.

Koufa re-emerged in 2015 as the head of the newly-founded Macina Liberation Front (FLM), a movement that seeks the revival of the 19th century Macina Empire, a Fulani-led Islamic state based in the central Mopti and Segou regions of present-day Mali.

FLM recruitment has stoked and exploited community tensions, especially between Fulani pastoralists and Bambara farmers over land and access to pasture. The Bambara have turned to government-backed Dozo self-defence militia, and there is now an unbroken tempo of tit-for-tat killings of civilians, along with more formal executions of government officials by the FLM.

Ashley Hamer/IRIN

Central Mali has taken over from the north as the country's most lethal region.

"It's a toxic mix of intercommunal violence, jihadist activities, and abuses by government forces together fuelling this vicious circle," said Heni Nsaibia, an analyst at Menastream, a risk consultancy firm that covers the Middle East, North Africa, and the Sahel.

But the violence is not just narrowly sectarian. A Human Rights Watch report documenting testimonies earlier this year from both communities included the account of a Fulani youth leader who pointed out: "We, the Peuhl [Fulani], were the jihadists' first victims we've also lost imams, mayors, and chiefs at the hands of the jihadists, but no one talks about that."

Both sides have condemned the government's failure to provide justice for the killings and to hold its own security forces accountable.

A Bambara leader was quoted by HRW as saying: "Since 2015, so many of our people have been gunned down in their farms, at home, or on their way to market. We have reported this to local and Bamako authorities, but what we hear are excuses for why they don't investigate  the rain, the danger, insufficient vehicles. But in the end, there is no justice and the killings keep happening."

When the government does act, it is heavy handed. HRW has recorded a number of arbitrary arrests by the security forces, especially around Douentza, where Hamidou was picked up.

When IRIN last spoke to Barry, he had run out of money and was returning home, without his son.

Abuses fuel FLM recruitment. It has adopted AQIM's playbook of taking advantage of a weak state by embedding within the local community, listening to their problems, and fashioning its message accordingly.

"Hamadoun Koufa came [to Mopti] preaching about the government. He said he would help, not the government," explained Amadou Thiam, a Fulani opposition politician.

"In many villages, the jihadists appear to be replacing the state actors responsible for addressing banditry; for responding to common crime, marital and family disputes; and for ensuring community reconciliation," said Corinne Dufka, HRW's West Africa director.

"The messages they preach in community meetings, against corruption, state neglect, and at times abusive community elders, is appearing to resonate."

The government's presence doesn't extend much beyond Segou, three hours from Bamako. Even without the challenge of insurgency, successive southern-based Malian governments have failed to stamp their authority in the north, where the population is relatively small and conditions extremely harsh.

The Tuareg, a traditionally nomadic group, span the Sahara Desert. They are the largest ethnic group in northeast Mali. Fiercely independent, they have historically been influential in the spread of Islam in the Sahel.

Tuareg militants control the informal trade networks, from migration to drugs and contraband cigarettes, on which the region's economy depends.

Northern Mali has been a stronghold for jihadists since 2003, when Algeria's Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, fleeing a government clampdown, escaped across the border. Key to the militants' survival was a tacit agreement with the Malian military and state officials that largely left them alone.

In 2012 they made common cause with the Tuareg National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad. The rebellion relaunched longstanding separatist demands for the secession of the neglected north.

But soon after the independence of "Azawad" was proclaimed, the MNLA was under attack by Ansar Dine and a coalition of jihadist fighters, determined to impose an extreme version of shariah law in the north.

The French military won back the region for the government. Operation Serval, an air and ground mission, was launched at the request of Bamako as the jihadists rolled south. France continues to fight in Mali as part of a regional anti-terror drive called Operation Barkhane.

Underlining that investment, Emmanuel Macron, the newly elected French president, made Mali his first official visit outside Europe, earlier this month.

The West's concern is the transnational threat of jihadism. Some Malian groups have links with Boko Haram in Nigeria, and AQIM last year launched attacks on Burkina Faso and Cote d'Ivoire. Neighbouring Senegal is concerned it could be next.

In what the International Crisis Group has described as a "security traffic jam", more external military intervention is envisaged, from the G-5 (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger) and/or the G-3 (Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali).

But military force alone cannot put Mali together again. The north is now splintered as competing groups emerge  some narrowly ethnic, others backing the jihadists. The government has fallen back on an old model of corrupt payoffs and the use of local proxies to manage the conflict. What is needed, though, is better

The century-old, mud-built Djenne Mosque in Timbuktu is a tourist must-see. Inside, the light refracts between its adobe pillars. It's cool and airy and the acoustics are just how you'd imagine talking under water might sound. In the desert sky above this iconic building a UN military drone buzzes.

Within minutes of new arrivals at the mosque, a man has spread out a small blanket and set up piles of worn postcards and jewelry. He explains that no tourists have visited this famed site in five years. He looks hopeful, if only for a moment.

Timbuktu was held by the Tuareg-dominated Ansar Dine for several months in 2012. They imposed a stringent, alien version of Islamic law in what is a traditionally moderate country. Centuries-old Sufi shrines and Islamic manuscripts, cultural treasures on which Timbuktu's fame is based, were destroyed.

Although the town was recaptured in January 2013, the only visitors to Timbuktu these days are UN soldiers and a smattering of aid workers and government officials. In the vast northern desert beyond the city, jihadist groups hold sway.

Timbuktu's urbanites find the jihadist presence unsettling. But in the conservative rural areas there is far greater acceptance, a local NGO worker, who asked not to be named, told IRIN.

Timbuktu remains unsafe. On 15 May, there was a rocket attack on the airport; earlier this month a UN police base came under fire, as did a Malian army checkpoint. The raids occur despite the presence of Burkinabe and Swedish contingents of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali.

The scruffy Malian soldiers tasked with jointly securing the city with the UN peacekeeping force, MINUSMA, seem marooned, vulnerable and disconnected from any notion of nation-building. They don't always show up for the nightly joint patrols they are supposed to undertake.

MINUSMA is a 13,817-strong, $933 million operation.

Among its contributors are European countries that have brought a level of sophistication  including drones, special forces, and intelligence cells  few other UN missions possess.

But it is also the UN's most dangerous mission, with 118 peacekeepers killed since 2013.

It hasn't been hard for the jihadists to portray MINUSMA and the European intervention as a neo-colonial plot, propping up a corrupt regime as they steal the country's raw materials. But the West's strategic interests clearly go beyond countering extremism to include policing the migration routes from sub-Saharan Africa to the Mediterranean.

From north to south, Mali's state institutions are barely functioning or entirely broken. For months, earlier this year, public schools and hospitals were closed because teachers and health workers were on strike.

"It's difficult to say what really works in Mali today," wrote Abdelkader Abderrahmane, an international consultant on African peace and security issues, in an email to IRIN.

Kamissa Camara, a researcher based in Washington DC and specialising in Africa's Sahel region, said she doubts that any Malian children, save the ones living near Bamako, have gone to school for a straight year since 2012.

The jihadist "threat narrative has obscured a proper assessment of the Malian government's performance and its ability to deliver basic public services and create jobs," Camara wrote in a piece for the Africa Research Institute.

Both Abderrahmane and Camara think that corruption has eroded popular support for successive administrations, and added to the resilience of Mali's overlapping conflicts.

For the past two years there has been a shaky framework for peace called the Algiers Accord, which has been unhurriedly implemented.

The two principal signatories are a coalition of Tuareg rebels known as the Coordination of the Azawad Movements, or CMA, and ostensibly pro-government armed rivals grouped in what is called the Platform.

The jihadists were not included in the agreement and have tried to wreck it. The most dramatic example was a bomb explosion in Gao in January that targeted a joint patrol of rebel fighters (the first patrol of its kind, 18 months after the accord was signed). The attack, which reportedly killed 80 people, stalled the initiative.

In March, the extremists created their own coalition, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin (the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, or JNIM). It fuses AQIM, Ansar Dine, and FLM, and is led by Ag Ghali. It excludes a small faction that has sided with the so-called Islamic State.

Simply throwing more troops at the jihadists does not seem to be the answer.

But there could now be a new twist in the five-year conflict.

A Conference of National Understanding, held between the government and non-jihadist armed groups in the north, had been heading the way of other stalled provisions of the 2015 peace agreement. But after a series of boycotts, it delivered a key recommendation at its close on 2 April that has jolted Mali's political class: the idea that the government should talk to Malian jihadists, specifically Ag Ghali and Koufa.

After initially appearing to welcome the suggestion, Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has since backtracked. France has adamantly rejected it. "We are engaged in a fight. It is a fight without ambiguity against terrorism And so there is only one way; there are not two," France's then-foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said on a visit to Mali in April.

There are also political and legal obstacles to talking with people linked to al-Qaeda. Ag Ghali is on a US terrorist list for a start, which would complicate any potential amnesty deal. Nobody knows what concessions he would seek to extract, how reliable an interlocutor he would be, and how talks might impact on an international coalition that has shed much blood fighting in the north. Domestically, dialogue could also become hostage to Mali's elections due next year.

But it is "worth a try", noted well-regarded Sahelian analyst Alex Thurston in a recent blog: "A peace process that makes no room for Ag Ghali is one that will be disrupted, perhaps fatally, by regular jihadist attacks."

That's not to say, he added, that the Malian government "could magically find common ground with Ag Ghali, but it is to say that opening a channel of dialogue could bear fruit."
AATA Case No. 1502525

Publisher Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Publication Date 30 October 2016 Citation / Document Symbol [2016] AATA 4612 (30 October 2016) Cite as AATA Case No. 1502525, [2016] AATA 4612 (30 October 2016), Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal, 30 October 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,AUS_AAT,592d86b04.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

1502525 (Refugee) [2016] AATA 4612 (30 October 2016)



DECISION RECORD

DIVISION: Migration & Refugee Division

CASE NUMBER: 1502525

COUNTRY OF REFERENCE: Turkey

MEMBER: R. C. Titterton

DATE: 30 October 2016

PLACE OF DECISION: Sydney

DECISION: The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies s.36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.

Statement made on 30 October 2016 at 4:07pm

Any references appearing in square brackets indicate that information has been omitted from this decision pursuant to section 431 of the Migration Act 1958 and replaced with generic information which does not allow the identification of an applicant, or their relative or other dependant.

STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS

APPLICATION FOR REVIEW

This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration to refuse to grant the applicant a Protection visa under s.65 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act). The applicant, who claims to be a citizen of Turkey, is [age] years old. She applied for the visa [in] August 2014 and the delegate refused to grant the visa [in] February 2015. The applicant's parents [Mr A] and [Mrs A] both appeared before the Tribunal on 25 July 2016 to give evidence and present arguments on behalf of the applicant. The Tribunal hearing was conducted with the assistance of an interpreter in the Turkish and English languages.

CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

The criteria for a protection visa are set out in s.36 of the Act and Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations). An applicant for the visa must meet one of the alternative criteria in s.36(2)(a), (aa), (b), or (c). That is, the applicant is either a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations under the 'refugee' criterion, or on other 'complementary protection' grounds, or is a member of the same family unit as such a person and that person holds a protection visa of the same class. Section 36(2)(a) provides that a criterion for a protection visa is that the applicant for the visa is a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees as amended by the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (together, the Refugees Convention, or the Convention). Australia is a party to the Refugees Convention and generally speaking, has protection obligations in respect of people who are refugees as defined in Article 1 of the Convention. Article 1A(2) relevantly defines a refugee as any person who:

owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.

If a person is found not to meet the refugee criterion in s.36(2)(a), he or she may nevertheless meet the criteria for the grant of a protection visa if he or she is a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations because the Minister has substantial grounds for believing that, as a necessary and foreseeable consequence of the applicant being removed from Australia to a receiving country, there is a real risk that he or she will suffer significant harm: s.36(2)(aa) ('the complementary protection criterion'). In accordance with Ministerial Direction No.56, made under s.499 of the Act, the Tribunal is required to take account of policy guidelines prepared by the Department of Immigration - PAM3 Refugee and humanitarian - Complementary Protection Guidelines and PAM3 Refugee and humanitarian - Refugee Law Guidelines - and any country information assessment prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade expressly for protection status determination purposes, to the extent that they are relevant to the decision under consideration. The issues in this review are whether the applicant has a well-founded fear of being persecuted in Turkey for one or more of the five reasons set out in the Refugees' Convention and, if not, whether there are substantial grounds for believing that, as a necessary and foreseeable consequence of her being removed from Australia to Turkey, there is a real risk that she will suffer significant harm.

EVIDENCE

The materials before the Tribunal included the following. First, the applicant's application for a protection visa dated [in] April 2014. The application was signed by [Mrs A]. The application relevantly states that the applicant was born in Australia on [date] to his parents. In summary, the application states that [Mr A] experienced serious harm from Turkish authorities because of his Kurdish ethnicity and his involvement in pro-Kurdish political activities. Secondly, the decision of the delegate [in] February 2015. The applicant provided the Tribunal with a copy of the decision. The delegate refused the application, as [Mr A's] claims for protection had previously been refused by the Department, and affirmed on review by the Tribunal. Thirdly, country information provided by [Mrs A] , including a copy of the Human Rights Watch report for Turkey dated January 2016; and two articles: Turkey and Justifiably Killed 130 People in Kurdish South-East (22 July 2016); and Turkey Wages War on Its Kurdish Population (February 2016). Fourthly, a USB was provided to the Tribunal at the hearing the USB contains five videos titled and dated as follows: Roboski: Chronicle of a massacre foretold (28 December 2011); Turkey Crimes against Kurds; Turkey Sends Tanks and Troops Raiding Civilians Houses' in Kurdish Areas; Turkish Police and Capture Soldier Dialogue; Turkish Police Killing Kurdish Children and Women. [Mrs A] told the Tribunal that the videos on the USB demonstrate what was happening in Turkey at the moment.

CONSIDERATION AND FINDINGS

Is the applicant a citizen of Turkey?

The applicant was born in Australia of Turkish parents. The Tribunal understands that Turkish nationality law is based primarily on the principle of jus sanguinis. Children who are born to a Turkish mother or a Turkish father (in or out of marriage) are Turkish citizens from birth.[1] Accordingly, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant is a citizen of Turkey and that the appropriate country of reference for the assessment of his refugee claims, and the receiving country for the purpose of his complementary protection claims, is Turkey.

Does the applicant have the right to enter and reside in any other country?

There is nothing in the evidence to suggest that the applicant has a right to enter or reside in any other country other than Turkey. Therefore, the Tribunal finds that the applicant is not excluded from Australia's protection by s 36(3) of the Act as it has found that the applicant is a citizen of Turkey.

Does the applicant has a well-founded fear of being persecuted in Pakistan for one or more of the five reasons set out in the Refugees' Convention?

Various decisions of the Federal Court of Australia[2] have held that when determining whether a particular applicant is entitled to protection in Australia the Tribunal must first make findings of fact on the claims made. Usually this involves an assessment of the credibility of the applicant. When assessing credibility, the Tribunal should recognise the difficulties often faced by asylum seekers in providing supporting evidence and should give the benefit of the doubt to an applicant who is generally credible but unable to substantiate all of his claims. This is not possible in this application, and the Tribunal must assess the applicant's claim by reference to the evidence given by each of his parents and the documents provided by them to the Tribunal. As noted above, it is claimed on behalf of the applicant that he has a well-founded fear of being persecuted in Turkey for the following reasons. The applicant's mother gave evidence in spontaneous and straightforward manner whose evidence the Tribunal accepts and finds that: the applicant was born on [date] in Australia. [Mrs A] was born in [year] and is [age] years old. She married [Mr A] [in] July 2009. [Mr A] came to Australia [in] September 2008 on a [temporary] [Visa]. [Mrs A] joined him in 2010. An application of her husband for protection was refused by the Department, which decision was affirmed on review by the Tribunal. When [Mr A] subsequently is sought Ministerial I intervention, this too was refused.

[Mrs A] was a secondary applicant to that application. Her parents live in Istanbul, his father's parents in Urfa.[3] The applicant mother said that if the family returned to Turkey, they would have to live with her husband's family in Urfa, but they would not be safe there. [Mrs A] said that because of her husband's political activities, including protests, they would not be safe. She said that he had been detained in March 2010 for about 18 to 20 hours and was released without charge. She said that he was beaten during this time. The Tribunal asked the opponents on how many times [Mr A] had been beaten. She said that she could not say. She could say that he had been detained a number of times and that on those occasions he had been beaten. But she only personally witnessed the one beating. [Mrs A] said that [Mr A] was involved with the People's Democratic Party, and was a member of that party. She did not know for how long he had been a member. The applicant's father ([Mr A]) also appeared at the hearing. He gave evidence consistent with his previous evidence to the Tribunal. He explained that he had been born in [year] was working in a [factory] in Turkey. He was a member of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) since 2007, and actively participated it in its activities. He said that he was detained many times, on the basis that he was helping the Kurdistan Workers' Party(PKK).[4] Hesaid that the last time he was detained in 2010 when he would participate in a protest. He was taken to police station detained for about 19 hours. He was beaten during this period, necessitating a visit to a clinic when he was released. He said this happened on three or four occasions. The Tribunal notes that the [Mr A] gave this evidence spontaneously and his account was persuasive and coherent. He insisted that he would continue to participate in pro PKK activities if he returned to Turkey. He said that he and his family would all be at risk because of these activities were he to return Pakistan. [Mr A] gave brief evidence of: experiencing official and societal discrimination as occurred

his involvement in successive pro-Kurdish parties and receiving being harassed and mistreated

that he is a particular risk because he asserts his Kurdish identity, and that all authorities automatically impute Kurds with a pro-PKK stands

that were he to return to Turkey he would not suppress his Kurdish identity at work in his daily life, and that was highly likely that the police and military would impute to him a PKK affiliation for that reason alone. The Tribunal understand that, in a previous hearing,[5] he also presented: evidence from BDP officials of his membership of that party

a letter from the Australian Kurdish Association (AKA) stating that their members have known the applicant for the past two years, and that he participated in volunteer activities. It then recited certain aspects of his claims.

a number of photographs taken in Australia, of his participation in pro-Kurdish political activities and support for Kurdish independence. The applicant also expressed concerns about the prospects for the peace process between the Turkish authorities and the Kurdish people, and more generally about the political and security situation. The Tribunal discussed all of these matters with [Mr A]. Broadly speaking the Tribunal found him to be a reliable witness who gave his responses in a spontaneous and believable fashion. While there were some aspects of the [Mr A]'s evidence which may be thought to have been exaggerated, which appears to be have been the assessment of the Tribunal on the previous occasion, the Tribunal is mindful of the observations of Gummow and Hayne JJ in Abebe v The Commonwealth of Australia [1999] HCA 14; (1999) 197 CLR 510 at [191]:

... the fact that an Applicant for refugee status may yield to temptation to embroider an account of his or her history is hardly surprising. It is necessary always to bear in mind that an Applicant for refugee status is, on one view of events, engaged in an often desperate battle for freedom, if not for life.

Accordingly, the Tribunal finds that [Mr A] has been active in pro-Kurdish political activities over a number of years in Turkey. The Tribunal finds that he is likely to continue those activities were he to return to Turkey, consistent with his activities supporting Kurdish independence in Australia. The Tribunal accepts that [Mr A] has a fear of persecution if he returns to Turkey. As the Tribunal explained to him at the hearing, the question is whether that fear is well-founded. The Tribunal understands the applicant to be advancing two bases on which he may be persecuted if he returns to Turkey. The first is on the grounds of her ethnicity as a Kurd. The second is on the basis of her father's political opinions and activities relating to Kurdish independence. The Tribunal explained to [Mr A] that the assessment of whether a fear is well-founded is based primarily on country information. The Tribunal notes that the hearing took place about 10 days after the attempted coup in Turkey of 15 July 2016 by a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces that called themselves the Peace at Home Council.[6] At the time the hearing, there was a reported "crackdown" by the Government and military. It has been suggested that immediately following the coup, over 300 people were killed, more than 2100 injured and that mass arrests followed with at least 40,000 people been detained, including at least 10,000 soldiers and 2,745 judges. Education staff were suspended and the licenses of some 21,000 teachers working at private institutions were revoked after the government alleged they were loyal to Fethullah Gulen.[7] Turkish President Erdopgan accused Gulen of being behind the coup, a claim Gulen denies, and accused the United States of harbouring him. On 28 September 2016, Turkish justice minister Bekir Bozdag said 70,000 people had been processed and 32,000 were formally arrested.[8] According to author Michael Rubin,[9] President Erdogan had himself to blame for the coup:[10]

"Following an increasingly Islamist agenda, Erdogan had supposedly "dropped any pretense of governing for all Turks." After "fanning the flames" at the 2013 Gezi Park protests, he transformed the predominantly Kurdish-inhabited areas of southeastern Turkey "into a war zone reminiscent of the worst days of the 1980s." The biggest problem, according to Rubin, might have been Erdogan's foreign policy, which managed to turn the initial "no problems with neighbors" doctrine into a situation where the country has problems with almost every neighbor and has even alienated some of its allies and friend.

The Tribunal notes the following information in the most recent DFAT Country Report for Turkey dated 5 September 2016:

4.7 There are five areas of significant historical official discrimination against Kurds: the public expression of Kurdish identity; the use of Kurdish languages; detention and prosecution; the right to political representation; and public sector employment. The state's efforts to enforce these prohibitions and suppress dissent have, at times, included the widespread use of extra-judicial killings, torture and enforced disappearances. Discrimination against Kurds on the basis of their ethnicity as opposed to their political opinions (actual or imputed) is often difficult to distinguish. . . .

4.12 Between 2009 and 2011, the state detained nearly 8,000 mostly Kurdish people on the basis of their links to the PKK and the Union of Communities of Kurdistan (Turkish: Koma Civaken Kurdistan, KCK), the 'urban wing' of the PKK. Many of those arrested were charged on the basis of links to those groups alone, and without any evidence of material or other support for terrorism. Those detained included political leaders, activists, academics, journalists, lawyers and students. Many of these people remain in detention.

4.13 The renewed conflict with the PKK in 2015 has led to arrests of non-violent protestors and activists on terrorism charges, with some human rights groups claiming ill-treatment of detainees. Human Rights Watch has reported that investigations into officials of Kurdish political parties and activists, including mayors, have increased. . . .

4.17 Overall, DFAT assesses that the situation for Kurds has not improved since the 2014 DFAT Country Information Report. While Kurds' ability to express their Kurdish identity, use the Kurdish language, and achieve political representation have been maintained, they remain at risk of harassment through the legal system and of discrimination in public sector employment. In addition, the ongoing violence in the southeast disproportionately affects Kurds, given they are the majority in the region, and has resulted in a significant loss of civilian life. The enforcement of temporary security zones and curfews by the military has inhibited access to health services, education, work and other aspects of everyday life. Overall, DFAT assesses that these conditions represent a moderate level of official discrimination against Kurds.

4.20 Societal discrimination against Kurds is partly influenced by the changing nature of Government-PKK peace talks. Given the resumption of hostilities, societal attitudes towards Kurds are currently less positive. Some non-Kurds believer that all Kurds are associated with the PKK, despite the fact that many Kurds are supporters of the current Government and want the conflict to end. On this basis, DFAT assesses that there is, at present, a moderate level of societal discrimination against Kurds. However, this varies across Turkey depending on proximity to the conflict or the number of Kurds present in a particular location.

(emphasis added)

The Human Rights Watch Country Summary for Turkey of January 2016 states:

The environment for human rights in Turkey deteriorated in 2015 with the breakdown of the Kurdish peace process, a sharp escalation of violence in the southeast, and a crackdown on media and political opponents of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

There were two general elections in 2015. In the June 7 election, the AKP lost its overall majority polling at 41 percent, while the left-leaning pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democracy Party (HDP) polled 13 percent, for the first time passing the 10 percent threshold for entering parliament. Failure among the four main political parties to agree the formation of a coalition government precipitated a second general election on November 1, which the AKP won with 49 percent. The run-up to the November election was marked with violence, including an October 10 double suicide bombing in Ankara by individuals linked to the armed extremist group Islamic State (also known as ISIS). The bombing was the worst single attack in Turkey's modern history, killing 102 people. . . .

The most serious escalation of violence followed the June general election. The government held ISIS responsible for a July 20 suicide bombing that killed 32 students and activists from Turkey who had traveled to the southeast town of Suruc to join efforts to rebuild Kobani. The PKK blamed Turkish authorities for the bombing, and local PKK associates killed two police officers in nearby Ceylanpnar. In response, the Turkish air force repeatedly bombed PKK camps in northern Iraq and later in Turkey. The PKK countered with a series of deadly attacks on police and army conveys.

In early September, Turkish security forces placed the southeast town of Cizre under blanket curfew for eight days to conduct a military operation against the PKK's youth wing, which reportedly had sealed off three neighborhoods. The government estimated that 40-42 militants were killed in the operation; the Diyarbakr Bar Association reported 21 civilians dead, 16 from firearm injuries. The authorities have not made the circumstances of the deaths public at time of writing, fueling concerns that they continue to be unwilling to ensure effective investigations and criminal accountability for alleged security force abuses. During further curfews and military operations in towns with neighborhoods sealed off by the PKK youth wing-including Silvan, Nusaybin, and Diyarbakir's Sur district-civilian deaths were regularly reported by media and human rights organizations. There was a rise in credible reports of serious ill-treatment in detention.

On November 28, Tahir Elci, a human rights lawyer and head of the Bar Association, was shot dead in Diyarbakr. The circumstances of his killing were under investigation at time of writing; it followed an attack on the police by individuals reported to be members of the PKK youth wing in which two police officers died and several police officers opened fire in response.

Starting in July, authorities launched a new wave of investigations into hundreds of Kurdish political party officials and activists, including mayors, detaining many on terrorism charges, including in cases where the evidence consisted of non-violent political association and involvement in peaceful protests or press conferences.

Despite thousands of killings and enforced disappearances of Kurds by security forces in the 1990s, only a handful of military personnel have faced criminal trial; in four cases in 2015, military personnel were acquitted, and in no case convicted. Turkey's 20-year statute of limitations on the prosecution of unlawful killings remains a major obstacle to justice.

This information was echoed in the article Turkey Unjustifiably Killed 130 People in Kurdish South-East.[11] A further article, dated February 2016, Turkey Wages War on Its Kurdish Population, states that Turkey is conducting the greatest displacement of Kurds since the 1990s.[12] That article states in part:

"The police and military are using every kind of violence against the Kurds. They are using tanks and heavy armoured vehicles. They have flattened houses, historical places, mosques. They use helicopters and technological weapons, night vision binoculars and drones. They don't let families get to the bodies of youths who were killed. Corpses remain on the streets for weeks. . . .

The recent attacks on Kurdish cities have resulted in mass displacement, as people flee to escape the violence. Ayboga told us that in Amed, around 50,000 people have evacuated their houses. "Together with the other cities in North Kurdistan, up to half a million people have had to leave," he stated. . . .

Summing up the situation across Turkey's Kurdish cities Ayboga told us: "The human tragedy is deepening step by step without any serious critics from Turkish society and the western allies, which makes the Kurds - always seeking for a real peace - more disappointed. However, after some uncertainty, nowadays the majority of Kurds stand behind the resistance in more than 10 cities against Turkish military occupation and systematic massacres."

In Farqin the barricades have since been destroyed, but the residents of the city still believe that they are autonomous. Zuhal Tekiner, the co-Mayor of Farqin, told us in November 2015: "We believe we will achieve autonomy. We believe that we can change things. When we struggle here we believe that all of Kurdistan is with us. They said they wanted to erase us from the map. Now we will draw the map again."

Mass Displacement

The recent attacks on Kurdish cities have resulted in mass displacement, as people flee to escape the violence. Ayboga told us that in Amed, around 50,000 people have evacuated their houses. "Together with the other cities in North Kurdistan, up to half a million people have had to leave," he stated.

The Tribunal notes that the 2015 US Department of State Report for Turkey (written pre-coup but updated on 18 April and 14 June 2016), states:

During the second half of the year, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist organization resumed conflict with government security forces after a two-year hiatus during which the parties had participated in a peace process. Turkish authorities attributed the breakdown to a series of violent PKK attacks on security forces, commencing with the killing of two police officers by PKK militants in the city of Sanliurfa, while the PKK held the Turkish state responsible for complicity in a suicide bomb attack that killed 33 socialist activists in the border town of Suruc. The PKK attacked security installations, planted improvised explosive devices, and in some neighborhoods, erected barriers and dug trenches to wage urban warfare, claiming the lives of more than 170 security personnel as of December 1. Security forces responded with ground and air operations against PKK targets both in Turkey and in Iraq. During clashes with PKK militants in urban areas, the government periodically imposed curfews, some lasting for weeks, to facilitate security operations. Dozens of civilians were killed and injured.

The most significant human rights problems during the year were:

1. Government interference with freedom of expression: Multiple provisions in the law created the opportunity for the government to restrict freedom of expression, the press, and the internet. Government pressure on the media continued. As of November authorities had arrested an estimated 30 journalists, most charged under antiterror laws or for alleged association with an illegal organization. The government also exerted pressure on the media through security force raids on media companies; confiscation of publications with allegedly objectionable material; criminal investigations of journalists and editors for alleged terrorism links or for insulting the president and other senior government officials; reprisals against the business interests of owners of some media conglomerates; fines; and internet blocking. At least one journalist was physically attacked and injured in the wake of threats incited by a progovernment member of parliament. Self-censorship was common amid a prevailing fear that criticizing the government could prompt reprisals. Pressure on Kurdish-language and opposition media outlets in the Southeast reduced vulnerable populations' access to information about the conflict with the PKK. A number of media outlets affiliated with the Fethullah Gulen movement were dropped from digital media platforms (cable providers) and five outlets were taken under the control of government-appointed trustees. Representatives of Gulenist and some liberal media outlets were denied access to official events and in some cases, denied press accreditation.

2. Impunity and weak administration of justice: Inconsistent application of the law and the appearance of overly broad application of antiterror laws remained problems. Wide leeway granted to prosecutors and judges contributed to politically motivated investigations and court verdicts that were not consistent with the law or with rulings in similar cases. Authorities applied the broad antiterror laws extensively with little transparency to arrest opposition political party members and individuals accused of association with the PKK or the Fethullah Gulen movement. Authorities continued to make arbitrary arrests, hold detainees for lengthy and indefinite periods, and conduct extended trials. The government also indicted six judges and prosecutors involved in investigating alleged corruption of high-level government officials, a move interpreted as an attempt by the executive branch to intimidate members of the judiciary.

3. Inadequate protection of civilians: In the renewed conflict with the PKK in the second half of the year, the government did not sufficiently protect vulnerable populations, with the result that both PKK fighters and, at times, government security forces reportedly killed and injured civilians. Dozens of civilians, including at least 20 children, reportedly were killed in clashes between security forces and the PKK. Medical workers, educators, and other officials reported intimidation and threats coming from both the government and PKK that reduced their ability to fulfill their civil roles. Restrictive curfews in a number of areas, which forced residents to remain indoors for days, reportedly resulted in inhumane conditions and deprived thousands of persons of access to food, shelter, and medical care for periods regularly exceeding a week.

(Emphasis added)

Conclusion

As noted, the Tribunal accepts that [Mr A] supported and continues to support Kurdish political parties in Turkey, that he attended rallies and demonstrations in support of Kurdish independence, and that he suffered serious harm, including detention and beatings, as claimed. The Tribunal accepts that if [Mr A] returns to Turkey now or in the reasonably foreseeable future he will maintain his involvement in Kurdish political parties and he will continue to take part in Kurdish political and cultural activities. The Tribunal accepts that if he does so there is a real chance that he will once again suffer persecution involving serious harm for reasons of his political opinion as the Tribunal has accepted has occurred in the past. The Tribunal has above noted the advice of DFAT that overall it assesses her that the situation for Kurds has not improved since the 2014 DFAT Country Information Report. The Tribunal has also notes that the US State Department has reported that the Turkish Government regards many demonstrations as security threats to the state and it deploys large numbers of riot police to control crowds often using excessive force resulting in injuries, detentions, arrests and even deaths. According to the Human Rights Foundation, human rights organisations remained critical of the violent police response to demonstrations and police use of tear gas. Having regard to the independent evidence before it the Tribunal finds that, if [Mr A] returns to Turkey and maintains his involvement in Kurdish political parties and in Kurdish political and cultural activities, as it has found that he will, there is a real chance that he will again be detained or that he will suffer physical injuries as he has in the past while taking part in political protests. The Tribunal finds that the persecution which [Mr A] fears involves 'serious harm' as required by s 91R(1)(b) of the Act in that it involves a threat to his liberty or significant physical harassment or ill-treatment. The Tribunal finds that cumulative reasons of his Kurdish ethnicity and his political opinion in relation to Kurdish independence is the essential and significant reason for the persecution which he fears, as required by s 91R(1)(a) of the Act. The Tribunal considers that the persecution which [Mr A] fears involves systematic and discriminatory conduct, as required by s 91R(1)(c), in that it is deliberate or intentional and involves his selective harassment for a Convention reason. Since ultimately the Turkish Government is responsible for the persecution which [Mr A] fears, the Tribunal accepts that there is no part of Turkey to which he could reasonably be expected to relocate where he would be safe from the persecution which he fears. The Tribunal in this context notes that while [Mr A] said he would not be safe anywhere, and did not nominate any place as a place for relocation, [Mrs A] had indicated that she assumed that she would go to live with [Mr A]'s family in Urfa. The Tribunal notes that the most recent US Department of State report refers to the killing of two police officers in that city. The Tribunal further notes that even in Istanbul, where [Mr A] had last lived before coming to Australia, the US State Department reported that the Turkish Government took extraordinary security measures in Istanbul on 1 May 2016, using pressured water, pepper gas and plastic bullets against crowds and detaining hundreds of people. Having accepted that if [Mr A] returns to Turkey now or in the reasonably foreseeable future he will maintain his involvement in Kurdish political parties and he will continue to take part in Kurdish political and cultural activities, the Tribunal also finds that there is a real chance that the applicant will suffer persecution involving serious harm for reasons of her father's political opinion and because of the family's Kurdish ethnicity. Specifically, the Tribunal finds that the persecution of her father amounts to cruel or inhuman punishment to the applicant.

Conclusion

For the reasons given above, the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant is a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations under the Refugees Convention. Therefore the applicant satisfies the criterion set out in s.36(2)(a).

DECISION

The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies s.36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.











R. C. Titterton

Member

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_nationality_law

[2] See for instance Randhawa v MILGEA [1994] FCA 1253; (1994) 52 FCR 437; Selvadurai v MIEA & Anor [1994] FCA 1105; (1994) 34 ALD 347 and Kopalapillai v MIMA [1998] FCA 1126; (1998) 86 FCR 547.

[3] Also known as Sanliurfa

[4] The Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK (Kurdish: Partiya Karkeren Kurdistane) is a left-wing organization based in Turkey and Iraq. Since 1984 the PKK has waged an armed struggle against the Turkish state for cultural and political rights and self-determination for the Kurds in Turkey, who comprise between 18% and 25% of the population and have been subjected to repression for decades: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurdistan_Workers%27_Party

[5]

[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Turkish_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat_attempt

[7]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Turkish_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat_attempt

[8] Turkey: 32,000 jailed for links to group 'behind' coup". Al Jazeera. 28 September 2016.

[9] described as being from the "neoconservative" American Enterprise Institute

[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Turkish_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat_attempt

[11] http://aranews.net/2016/07/turkey-unjustifiably-killed-130-people-kurdish-southeast-human-rights-watch/

[12]
AATA Case No. 1506100

Publisher Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Publication Date 1 November 2016 Citation / Document Symbol [2016] AATA 4647 (1 November 2016) Cite as AATA Case No. 1506100, [2016] AATA 4647 (1 November 2016), Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal, 1 November 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,AUS_AAT,592d8ca84.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

1506100 (Refugee) [2016] AATA 4647 (1 November 2016)



DECISION RECORD

DIVISION: Migration & Refugee Division

CASE NUMBER: 1506100

COUNTRY OF REFERENCE: Pakistan

MEMBER: James Jolliffe

DATE: 1 November 2016

PLACE OF DECISION: Sydney

DECISION: The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the following directions:

(i) that the first named applicant satisfies s.36(2)(a) of the Migration Act; and

(ii) that the other applicants satisfy s.36(2)(b)(i) of the Migration Act, on the basis of membership of the same family unit as the first named applicant.







Statement made on 01 November 2016 at 10:40am





Any references appearing in square brackets indicate that information has been omitted from this decision pursuant to section 431 of the Migration Act 1958 and replaced with generic information which does not allow the identification of an applicant, or their relative or other dependant.

STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS

APPLICATION FOR REVIEW

This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration to refuse to grant the applicants Protection visas under s.65 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act). The applicants who claim to be citizens of Pakistan, applied for the visas [in] September 2014 and the delegate refused to grant the visas [in] May 2015. The second named applicant had applied for a protection Visa [in] September 2014 but withdrew that application [in] October 2014 and asked to have her claims for protection considered with the protection Visa application of the first named applicant and, the Tribunal understands, also asked to be considered for protection as a member of the same family unit as the first named applicant. Both the first and second named applicants made claims for protection. The third named applicant seeks protection as a member of the same family unit as the first and second named applicants. The applicants appeared before the Tribunal on 22 September 2016 to give evidence and present arguments. The first and second named applicants gave evidence to the Tribunal.

Relevant law

The criteria for a protection visa are set out in s.36 of the Act and Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations). An applicant for the visa must meet one of the alternative criteria in s.36(2)(a), (aa), (b), or (c). That is, the applicant is either a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations under the 'refugee' criterion, or on other 'complementary protection' grounds, or is a member of the same family unit as such a person and that person holds a protection visa of the same class. Section 36(2)(a) provides that a criterion for a protection visa is that the applicant for the visa is a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees as amended by the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (together, the Refugees Convention, or the Convention). Australia is a party to the Refugees Convention and generally speaking, has protection obligations in respect of people who are refugees as defined in Article 1 of the Convention. Article 1A(2) relevantly defines a refugee as any person who:

owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.

If a person is found not to meet the refugee criterion in s.36(2)(a), he or she may nevertheless meet the criteria for the grant of a protection visa if he or she is a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations because the Minister has substantial grounds for believing that, as a necessary and foreseeable consequence of the applicant being removed from Australia to a receiving country, there is a real risk that he or she will suffer significant harm: s.36(2)(aa) ('the complementary protection criterion'). In accordance with Ministerial Direction No.56, made under s.499 of the Act, the Tribunal is required to take account of policy guidelines prepared by the Department of Immigration -PAM3 Refugee and humanitarian - Complementary Protection Guidelines and PAM3 Refugee and humanitarian - Refugee Law Guidelines - and any country information assessment prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade expressly for protection status determination purposes, to the extent that they are relevant to the decision under consideration.

CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

The Tribunal has before it the Tribunal and department files relating to the applicants together with relevant information from a variety of sources. The issue in this case is the applicant's claim to fear harm if they returned to Pakistan on the basis of their interfaith and intercast "Love marriage". They claim to be members of a particular social group in relation to their interfaith and intercast marriage and fear harm on the basis of their membership of that particular social group if they returned to Pakistan. The Tribunal notes that both the first and second named applicants are of the Sunni Muslim faith and in those circumstances the claim for protection relates essentially relates to having engaged in a Love marriage and between different caste groups. For the following reasons, the Tribunal has concluded that the matter should be remitted for reconsideration. In his protection Visa application the first named applicant claimed that he was born in [date] [in] the Punjab in Pakistan. He claimed that he married the second named applicant in February 2013. He claimed to be of the Islamic faith and claimed not to belong to any particular ethnic group. He claimed to have only Pakistani citizenship and claimed to have arrived in Australia initially in July 2010 on a student Visa. He claimed that his current Pakistani passport was issued to him in [2013]. He claimed to have lived at the one address in Pakistan since 1999 before coming to Australia in 2010. He claimed have [number] years of education in Pakistan and Australia. In his protection Visa application the applicant said that he initially came to Australia as a student for education purposes. He referred, in his handwritten claims, to having completed a course in [Australia] and having returned to Pakistani 2013 where he was married in a "love marriage". He claimed that his family and his wife's family did not agree with the marriage and that his wife had previously been engaged to her cousin. He said his wife refused to marry her cousin. He said that the cousin belonged to the "[Caste 1]"caste and he said that the cousin came from an uneducated family. He claimed that his family were not in agreement with the marriage because he was marrying out of the family and he claimed that his family would not give him anything as a result. He claimed that he was threatened by his wife's cousin and abused and that they also fought with him and he claims they "take my wife home back". He claimed that both families eventually agreed to the marriage on condition that the second named applicant would not live with his family and that he would take his wife with him. He said his wife did remain with his family for some months after he returned to Australia and he applied for a Visa for her to come to Australia. He claimed in that time that his wife was mistreated by his [family]. He claimed that his family would not accept the marriage and he claimed that his wife's cousin had threatened him that he and his wife would be killed if they returned. He said he was concerned at the time of making the application that his wife was pregnant and he did not want for her to suffer any tension and wanted his baby to live in peace and in a safe country. He claimed to fear harm from his wife's cousin and her family and he claimed that the family were "well off" and "powerful" and in those circumstances the family can "do anything with us even police can't take any action against them as they have so many links". He claimed that he had been previously threatened by people associated with his wife's cousin and he claimed that he could not get effective state protection from authorities in Pakistan and the police were not capable of protecting the applicants As indicated the applicant's wife, the second named applicant, made a protection Visa application in August 2014. She subsequently withdrew that separate application and asked for her claims to be considered with the protection Visa application of the first named applicant. In her protection Visa application she claimed to have been born in [year] [in] the Punjab in Pakistan. She claimed to be of the Islamic faith and to have married in February 2013. She claimed to have no right to enter or reside temporarily or permanently in any other country apart from Pakistan. She claimed to have arrived in Australia in March 2014 and to have been issued with a Pakistani passport in [2013]. She claimed to have been educated for [number] years in Pakistan and to have completed university level studies and to hold a [qualification in a subject]. She provided reasons for seeking protection in Australia. In those reasons she claimed to belong to the [Caste 1] cast in Pakistan which she described as "quite conservative" and that cast did not allow women to choose their own partners and she claimed that she had been engaged since she was a child to her [cousin]. She referred to meeting her husband and their decision to marry. She referred to her husband having sought permission from his parents to marry her. She claimed that his parents did not approve of marriage outside a particular caste. The Tribunal understands as well that the second named applicant's parents were also opposed to the marriage even though the handwritten reasons in the protection Visa application are difficult to understand because of grammatical issues in relation to some issues. It appears that the second named applicant informed her parents that she would either elope or kill herself if she was forced to marry her cousin. She claimed that she was "scolded" and locked in a room by her parents because of this issue. She claimed that her family issued a statement declaring that the second named applicant would no longer be regarded as a member of her family and that her family did not wish to see her again because of her decision to marry the first named applicant. She claimed that she was then made to suffer because she lived in a "humiliated way at my in-laws". She claimed she was "tortured" physically and mentally and abused because of her marriage and she also claimed she suffered a [health issue] because of the mistreatment that she received while living with her in-laws. She said she did not wish to have any further risks for her baby or her health and wanted to remain in Australia. She claimed to have suffered a [health issue] in March 2013. She claimed that if she returned to Pakistan that the situation because she is a mother now "may not be pleasant for anyone out there". She claimed that she was aware of several incidents that had happened in Pakistan "because of love marriage, caste discrimination etc". She claimed that her family did not want to see her or have any contact with her and she would not be secure if she returned to her parents home. She claimed on one occasion that she and her husband were threatened by two or three friends of her cousin to whom she had previously been engaged. She claimed that if she returned to Pakistan she would definitely be the subject of torture or that she might be punished by having acid thrown on her or her baby may be taken away and her husband's life would be in danger. She claimed that she could not get state protection in Pakistan because females cannot access police stations or requests protection and particularly so in what she described as the "backward area where we belong". She claimed the police could not protect themselves and that authorities in Pakistan are at risk as are airports and that there is political instability in the Punjab and because of the instability people have nothing to eat and cannot access petrol or gas She also provided some country information in relation to Pakistan and that included a media article dated 28 May 2014 which referred to a pregnant woman being stoned to death by her family in front of the Pakistani High Court because she had married a man she loved. In summary the media article also referred to incidents of honour killings in Pakistan apart from this particular incident. Another media article was dated June 28, 2014 and was headed "family kills Pakistani couple after they married for love" and referred to the killings of a couple in a village in Punjab after they had married for love. In summary the article also refers to reports about honour killings and killings in relation to modesty issues(in relation to women) in Pakistan more generally as well as the particular incident. There was a further media article dated July 2014 which referred to a report provided to the Asian human rights commission in relation to the death of a young couple after they engaged in a marriage of their choice and in summary the short article also refers to the father of the groom being required to hand over one of his daughters to the family of the bride in an arrangement that was described as being part of a "parallel judicial system" and the article also refers to issues of honour killings. Further media articles were also provided which in essence dealt with unrest in Punjab and Pakistan more generally and referred to incidents in Lahore and in Karachi in August 2014. One article also refers to the deployment of paramilitary rangers in Lahore in order to ensure security. Some of the media articles referred to attacks by the Pakistani Taliban as well as clashes between members of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek and Pakistan authorities. The applicants produced their Pakistani passports and national identification cards and their birth certificates and their marriage registration certificate. A protection Visa application was also made in April 2015 in relation to the third named applicant who was the child of the first and second named applicants. A copy of the third named applicant's birth certificate was provided to the Department. A further protection Visa application was lodged by the second named applicant in October 2014 and that contains much of the same information that was previously provided in the application made in August 2014. She said in that application that she came to Australia because her husband obtained a Visa for her and that the circumstances in which she was living with her in-laws were not favourable. In summary she referred to she and her husband (the first named applicant) marrying against the will of their parents and that her family "departed me" [in] February 2013 which is the date of the marriage. She claimed she was not accepted by her in-laws and again referred to having been humiliated and scolded and tortured and not being allowed to go out of the house and also referred to the [health issue she suffered]. She said she and her husband were afraid of returning to Pakistan "because we were threatened by some horrible looking boys". She said they "missbehaved with my husband on gunpoint". She claimed they were friends of her cousin and that the people who threatened them came from "well off families". She referred to being pregnant and being sick at the thought of remaining in her town and did not want any harm to come to her baby with whom she was pregnant. She claimed that "no one would be happy see me pregnant and can do anything to stressed or even harm me". She claimed that her family was under pressure from [other relatives] and they might cause harm to her husband or her baby and that her in-laws were also opposed to her. She said if she returned to Pakistan that members of her caste might harm her because she engaged in love marriage. She referred to her husband's cast as being "[Caste 2]" and very religious and that they think the second named applicant is in essence a bad person and that her in-laws would not respect or love her. She claimed that she could not get effective state protection if she returned to Pakistan and referred to authorities being corrupt and ignorant and the police authorities are under pressure from rich people and political parties and the police themselves were not safe because of political instability and terrorist activity. She claimed the Pakistan was suffering from " terrorism, corruption, unemployment, poverty gas and electricity load shedding and much more serious issues". As indicated the second named applicant requested [in] October 2014 that her protection Visa application be withdrawn and that she wished to combine her claims with that of her husband. The Tribunal has proceeded on the basis that the first named applicant is the primary applicant in terms of claims for protection but the second named applicant also claims protection on particular grounds and also seeks protection as a member of the same family unit as the first named applicant and the third named applicant seeks protection as a member of the same family unit as the first and second named applicants. A Department delegate considered the applicants protection Visa claims and declined to grant the applicants protection visas. A copy of the delegate's record of decision was provided with the application for a review.

TRIBUNAL HEARING

The applicants appeared before the Tribunal on 22 September 2016 to give evidence and present arguments. The first and second named applicants confirmed their personal details and particulars to the Tribunal. The Tribunal was provided with their passports together with a document in Urdu which related to the arrest of the second named applicant's cousin (to whom the second named applicant had previously been engaged) and was a newspaper article regarding allegations that he had been [conducting criminal practices] in Pakistan. The Tribunal was also provided with a newspaper photograph said to be of the second applicant's cousin which displayed [evidence] that had apparently been seized and the cousin being photographed with several military or police officers at the time of his arrest. The Tribunal was told that the cousin had been released after about a week by the authorities and the applicants did not know if he had been charged because of the [illegal goods]. The Tribunal was told the cousin conducts an illegal [business] in Pakistan. The Tribunal was also provided with a Pakistani national identity card in respect to the third named applicant. The Tribunal was also provided with newspaper articles which in summary related to a Pakistani man being killed for having an affair in Pakistan and that article was dated July 2016 and there was another newspaper article dated July 2016 which related to the murder of a Pakistani social media star who had apparently been killed by her brother in an alleged honour killing. Another media article referred to child abductions in Punjab and that was dated August 2016. Both the first and second named applicants gave evidence to the Tribunal. The first and second named applicants both confirmed their religion as being Sunni Islam but both came from different sects. The first named applicant was from the [Caste 2] caste the second named applicant from the [Caste 1] caste. The Tribunal noted that a section 438 certificate was on the Department file but that the Tribunal did not regard the documents as being relevant to the applicants claims and the Tribunal was placing no importance or relevance on those documents referred to in the certificate in assessing the applicants claims. The applicants were asked if they wished to comment on that issue and the second named applicant essentially indicated that they would rely on the Tribunal's judgement in assessing their claims. The basis for claiming protection in Australia is that both the first and second named applicants claim to be members of a particular social group who had engaged in a love marriage which had not been approved by their families and it was an inter-caste //inter tribe marriage and they claim to be at risk on that basis. In essence the first and second named applicants nominated the second named applicant's cousin and his friends as being the source of their feared harm. The second named applicant said she also feared her cousin's [family] and friends. The second named applicant appeared to have a particular fear of harm from her [Relative 1]. They said that was the only basis on which they were seeking protection in Australia They both claimed they were not afraid of harm from their parents or from Pakistani authorities. The second and third named applicants were seeking protection in Australia as members of the same family unit as the first named applicant but as indicated elsewhere in these reasons the second named applicant had also previously raised particular issues in support of her claims to fear harm if she returned to Pakistan and was therefore also seeking protection in Australia on that basis. The Tribunal was told the applicants had married in Pakistan in February 2013. The Tribunal was told that members of both the first and second named applicants families had attended the marriage. The first named applicant claimed that both parents had attended the marriage ceremony but the second named applicant was more specific in her evidence and said that the marriage ceremony had been attended by her mother and her [siblings] and her [specified relatives] and both the first named applicant's parents. The second named applicant had arrived in Australia in March 2014. The first named applicant had previously worked in Australia doing [two specific occupations] but he had not worked in the last two years and the family relied on [two agencies] to survive. The first named applicant had previously worked as an [Occupation 1 at an employer] in Pakistan. The first named applicant confirmed that he had completed his application for a protection Visa in Australia. He said that he talks to his mother and sister occasionally in Pakistan and occasionally texts them. The first named applicant told the Tribunal that the third named applicant had been registered as a Pakistani citizen and as indicated the Tribunal was provided with a national identity card for the third named applicant. The Tribunal asked the first named applicant about his claims. The Tribunal asked him about why there had been an apparent Visa delay in the second named applicant coming to Australia. He said that he had applied in July/August 2013 for the second named applicant to come to Australia and that delay had been caused because he did not have enough money to apply for the Visa. He was asked about the circumstances in which he had applied for a protection Visa in Australia. In summary he outlined his education activities since coming to Australia and that he had been intending to seek a renewal of his student Visa and he then intended to apply for residency in Australia. He then discovered that there were difficulties in extending his student Visa. He said that his wife did not want to return to Pakistan. He also claimed he was afraid to return to Pakistan notwithstanding that he had returned there twice after he had married. The Tribunal noted that the first named applicant had returned to Pakistan twice after his marriage and also noted the delay in applying for a protection Visa in Australia. The Tribunal raised its concerns that the return trips to Pakistan and the delay in applying for a protection Visa did not seem consistent with the applicant's claims that he feared harm in Pakistan. As indicated the applicant said he had been intending to get an extension of his student Visa and then apply for residency in Australia but then encountered difficulties and was given one week to leave Australia. The Tribunal noted that the applicant had returned to Pakistan for a period of three months after his marriage. He said he returned because he had [suffered an injury] and that medical treatment in Australia was too expensive and he had injured himself at work and could not get workers compensation in Australia. He said he could not afford to support himself in Australia while he was recovering from his [injury] and he returned to Pakistan to recover. He said the second occasion on which he returned to Pakistan was so that he could travel with his wife to Australia and she could not travel by herself and she had not travelled outside Pakistan before. The second named applicant when giving evidence to the Tribunal confirmed that she had never travelled outside Pakistan before coming to Australia and when asked about the delay in applying for a protection Visa said that she could remember that her husband had a problem with his student Visa and that she and her husband were not familiar with the visa system and only found out about a protection Visa from a lawyer at the time of the difficulties surrounding the student Visa and being told to leave Australia within one week on that occasion. The Tribunal asked the first named applicant about how he met his wife and the applicant outlined the background in that he had been working as an [Occupation 1 at an employer] and had met his wife's [sibling]. He first saw his wife and 2009 and then had more contact with her in 2011 when he had returned to Pakistan. He said he sought permission from their families to get married . He said his wife occasionally worked as [a casual employee] at [that employer] where he worked but that they lived [distance range] apart in Pakistan. He was asked about suffering harm in Pakistan and his claims. He told the Tribunal that the first incident had occurred shortly after his marriage in February 2013 when he and his wife had gone out shopping. He said on that occasion his wife's cousin had slapped him and had pointed a small gun at him but that his wife had begged the cousin to let them go. The first named applicant said that there were about seven or eight people involved but only the cousin had slapped him. The applicant said that the cousin had said that he would kill the applicant and his wife if he saw them again. The first named applicant claimed that about two or three days later after this incident he had been attacked by friends of the cousin who had punched the applicant. He claimed that there were about five people involved. He said the attack was interrupted by people who had been in a motor vehicle nearby and they had intervened to stop the attack. The applicant claimed that he was punched in the nose and in the head and in the ribs and that he went to a small clinic to get some medical treatment after this incident. The applicant claimed that he again saw his wife's cousin ( he thought in May 2013) when he had returned to Pakistan because of his [injury]. He said that he and his wife and some friends had attended at a hospital and that when they were leaving the hospital they had seen the cousin who was carrying a rifle. The applicant said the cousin grabbed the applicant on his shirt and started fighting the applicant and said words to the effect "why did you come back?". The applicant claimed his friends intervened and stopped the cousin. The applicant said that the last time he had seen the cousin was at the May 2013 Hospital incident. The applicant said that he had not received any telephone threats when he had been in Pakistan. He told the Tribunal that he had reported the first incident involving the cousin to the police (the February 2013 shopping incident) but he did not have any documents to substantiate that claim and he said he had not reported the other two incidents to the police. The Tribunal notes that there is a degree of inconsistency between the first named applicant and the second named applicant in terms of their evidence about some incidents involving claimed harm or threats of harm. The Tribunal also notes that there appears to be a degree of inconsistency between the applicants evidence to the Tribunal and the evidence referred to in the delegate's record of decision about particular incidents that were said to have occurred in Pakistan and which relate to claims to fear harm by the applicants (see page 14,paragraph 2 of the delegates decision record). The first named applicant said there were three incidents involving either his wife's cousin or his wife's cousin's friends where he had faced harm. He claimed that in two of those incidents his wife was present. Those incidents, according to the first named applicant, had all occurred after his marriage. The second named applicant gave evidence about the incident that occurred when she and her husband had been out shopping shortly after their marriage in February 2013. She spoke about that occasion and said she begged the cousin and the others to go away and leave her husband alone. She said they tried to hit her husband and she said the group had maybe one or two pistols and her cousin had also pulled her hair on that occasion. She also said that she believed her husband was threatened before they had married and she believed it was her cousin who had threatened her husband. She told the Tribunal that she had not been present at the occasion when the first named applicant claimed he had been leaving a hospital with some friends and the cousin had grabbed the applicant on that occasion. She said she had not been allowed to travel to the hospital with her husband by her husband's relatives on that occasion. The second named applicant gave evidence about her relationship with her cousin and the expectations of her family that she would marry that cousin. She said that she had received a good education in Pakistan and had been allowed to study four days a week at University and she had started her [course]. She said that from around 2012 to 2013 she knew that there was an expectation that she had to marry within the family. She said that the cousin was involved in [some criminal practices] and that [Relative 1] had a lot of businesses and including [criminal practices] and including [two specific businesses] and a number of shops as well as a house. She said she feared her cousin because of the guns he always carried and his involvement in the [criminal practices]. She said her [Relative 1] was a powerful person who apart from being rich had political contacts and used to be associated with [a political] party in Pakistan. She said he was currently not in politics in Pakistan. She referred to the photo that had been provided to the Tribunal showing the cousin alongside police or military officers [when] he had been arrested in Pakistan. The second named applicant described an incident when she had been engaged to the cousin and he had become upset when she had started studying her [course]. She claimed that he had threatened her over the phone about continuing her studies and on one occasion he had placed fingers around her neck and threatened to kill her unless she stopped studying. She said that the cousin was poorly educated and in essence she suggested to the Tribunal that he would not agree with a woman having a better education than him. She told the Tribunal about meeting the first named applicant in 2009 and said that she wanted to get away from her family. She told the Tribunal that if she returned to Pakistan she would be "paranoid" about her in-laws and that she was afraid of her [Relative 1] and she feared being the subject of an acid attack or her children being harmed. The Tribunal raised the possibility of the applicants relocating within Pakistan if they feared harm in their home area. The second named applicant said that a friend's cousin had a child who had been kidnapped and held for ransom. She claimed that her children could be at risk because there could be an assumption or perception that because they had lived overseas they could be perceived to be wealthy and subject to risk of kidnapping and ransom. She said that it would be hard for her husband to get a good job and it would be difficult for her to work because she had to look after the children. She said the family would struggle to meet accommodation and living expenses and she was also concerned about general security issues in Pakistan. The first named applicant in discussing relocation said that he could not support his family in Pakistan and was afraid of his wife's [Relative 1] who he said had connections with a member of Parliament in Pakistan and was connected with the Pakistan Muslim league. He claimed that the police supported the families opposition to the applicants marriage (and by implication that his wife's [Relative 1] could exert influence on the police). He said he was also afraid that because his children had been born overseas people might think that the family was rich and that could pose a threat to the children if they returned to Pakistan. He told the Tribunal that his wife's cousin's family was powerful and were involved in illegal businesses and including [a criminal activity] and that they had political links. He claimed that his wife or his children could be kidnapped. He said in discussing relocation that he had not completed his studies in Australia and he had no savings and he had no money to travel or to meet the expenses involved in supporting his family in Pakistan. He described the differences between the [Caste 2] and [Caste 1] sects as [details deleted] and he said he had had no connection with that sect before meeting his wife. He told the Tribunal he had not been involved in politics in Pakistan and that he had not had any problems in Pakistan because of his religion or his caste. The Tribunal noted that apart from the incident in February 2013 involving her cousin and his friends there had been no incidents of harm by the cousin to the second named applicant. The Tribunal notes her evidence in relation to the threat from the cousin if she continued to undertake tertiary education in Pakistan. The second named applicant referred to the time she spent living with her husband's relatives and she said she had not been allowed out of the house during that time (and by implication avoided risk of harm by remaining at home during that time). She told the Tribunal that her [siblings] were in touch with her cousin's family and that one [sibling] had told her words to the effect "don't think of coming back". She said that the last time her [sibling] had warned about returning to Pakistan was in March or April 2016. The Tribunal asked the second named applicant about these claims and about the basis for the warnings from her [sibling]. The Tribunal indicated that it would allow the applicants extra time to provide further information about these warnings and to provide any further information to the Tribunal about their claims. The second named applicant in discussing the differences between the sects that she and a husband belonged to described the [Caste 1] sect as being [details deleted] and she said the [Caste 2] sect were [details deleted] generally. The first named applicant spoke about the difficulties his wife had faced while living with his family in Pakistan. He described his mother as being very strict and that his mother had on occasions slapped his wife. He also said that his [sibling] had slapped his wife on the face in front of the applicant because she had spoken to the [sibling] and refused to follow a direction from the [sibling]. He spoke about his wife suffering a [health issue] and that the family had called a [health professional] to help the wife in the house and that she had not been allowed to go to hospital. The Tribunal was told that the first named applicant's mother would be "mean" to the second named applicant and as indicated would not allow her to receive proper medical support during her difficulties with her [health issue]. The second named applicant essentially confirmed the claims that she had made about her mistreatment at the hands of her husband's family when she had lived with them in Pakistan. The first named applicant also told the Tribunal that he had avoided harm when he had returned to Pakistan on the two occasions after his marriage by essentially staying at home. The first named applicant told the Tribunal that he did not have any comments in relation to the delegate's record of decision. He told the Tribunal that he wanted his family to stay in Australia to be safe. He told the Tribunal that he had practised his religion in Pakistan once or twice a month but he does not practice his religion in Australia. The Tribunal asked why the family of his wife's cousin and their friends would now seek to harm the applicant and his family if they returned to Pakistan. The applicant said that he was afraid that the cousin could harm his children and claimed that the cousin would "not forget" which the Tribunal understood to mean that the cousin continued to carry resentment about the marriage of the applicants. The Tribunal referred to a background paper dated February 2014 which was available to the Tribunal and which referred to marriages and divorces and births and deaths in Pakistan and included information about arranged marriages and forced marriages in Pakistan (see background paper: Pakistan: marriage, divorce, births and deaths issued in February 2014 and revised in July 2014). The Tribunal noted that the background paper indicated that marriage without the consent of both spouses is illegal in Pakistan and that young girls are particularly vulnerable to forced marriage. The paper indicated that the vast majority of marriages in Pakistan are arranged. The paper indicates that the BBC reported that an estimated 900 women were killed in honour killings in Pakistan in 2012 but that not all of those killings related to marriage or relationships. The BBC report indicated that in Pakistan family honour was closely tied to the behaviour of females but that report in January 2012 also said that it was also common for families to kill the male partner. The background paper also indicated that Pakistani police had a mixed record in relation to providing protection to couples at risk of harm by family members. The DFAT country report for Pakistan dated January 2016 noted that with the exception of Pakistan's Ahmadi community most Pakistanis are able to practice their religion freely although opportunities for religious freedom are generally greater in large urban centres than rural areas. The Department assessment is that there is generally a low level of official discrimination in Pakistan on the basis of religion but there is a moderate level of societal discrimination. The country report indicates that since September 2013 ranger paramilitary operations aimed at dismantling extensive militant and politico-criminal networks in Karachi have reduced the number of militant attacks and lessened the activities of criminal syndicates. According to official statistics there has been a 73% reduction in the number of targeted killings and an 85% reduction in the number of kidnapping for ransom incidents in Karachi in 2015. The report indicated that the Department does not yet have sufficient information to assess the sustainability of this downward trend in relation to crime statistics. The country report indicated in relation to state protection that Pakistan's laws and Constitution provide for state protection but the Department assessment is state protection is limited by resources and in some cases political will and personal means. The report also indicates that there are variations in the effectiveness of individual police forces in Pakistan and the capacity to maintain law and order is generally limited by a lack of resources, poor training, insufficient and outmoded equipment and manipulation by superiors and political actors and the judiciary. Relevantly in relation to the applicants claims the background paper referred to by the Tribunal indicates that Pakistani police have a mixed record in relation to providing protection to couples at risk of harm by family members (see page 22 of the background paper). The country report indicates that the Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of movement in Pakistan and that there is a high level of internal migration. The report notes that because of Pakistan's size and diversity there are viable relocation options for members of most ethnic and religious minorities and that many large urban centres such as Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad are home to mixed ethnic and religious communities and offer a greater degree of anonymity and the opportunity for victims to seek refuge from nonstate instigated discrimination or violence as well as better employment prospects and access to services and state protection than smaller urban areas or rural areas. The country report notes that the security situation in Lahore remains better than many other places in Pakistan, with lower levels of generalised and sectarian violence than many other major population centres. The Tribunal noted that the security situation varies between Pakistan's provinces and autonomous regions. The country report noted Punjab remains relatively free of sectarian and generalised violence while the level of violence is greater in Sindh and Balochistan and the federally administered tribal areas. Urban areas tend to be more secure than rural areas in the country report notes that organised and violent crime such as robbery and kidnapping for ransom occurs throughout Pakistan. The country report indicates that while exact figures are not available the counterterrorism military operations operations which encompassed the paramilitary ranger operations in Karachi had substantially reduced the level of serious crime throughout Pakistan The country report indicates that document fraud is endemic in Pakistan and that there is credible evidence of police in Pakistan accepting bribes to verify fraudulent first information reports. The report notes that the existence of a first information report does not therefore constitute evidence that the described events actually occurred. The report also notes that the Department assessment is that individuals are not subject to discrimination or violence on the basis of having spent time in the West. The Report also indicates that in relation to women that in rural and tribal areas the traditional justice system is more prevalent than the formal justice system and that these rigid cultural traditions deny women their legal rights and failed to protect them from discrimination or abuse. The report refers to a traditional practice in some areas where women are given away as brides to resolve a dispute between families. The Department assessment is that women and girls are increasingly marginalised in Pakistani society. As indicated the Tribunal had also referred to information contained in the background paper dated February 2014 in relation to arranged and forced marriages. The first named applicant responded to the country information by claiming the position in Pakistan was now worse in 2016 than was referred to in the information referred to by the Tribunal. He claimed the position for generalised violence was worse in his home area in Pakistan. He referred to an increase in child kidnappings in Lahore. The Tribunal referred to concerns that it had about the applicant's claims and their evidence. The Tribunal indicated that it had a concern that the applicant's did have a well-founded fear of harm if they returned to Pakistan. The Tribunal noted its concerns about the delay by the applicants in applying for a protection Visa in Australia. The Tribunal noted that the first named applicant had travelled back to Pakistan twice after he was married and that returning to Pakistan was not consistent with his claim to fear harm in Pakistan. The Tribunal indicated that it had a concern that the applicants were seeking a better life in Australia rather than fearing harm in Pakistan. The first named applicant responded by saying that he did fear harm in Pakistan. The Tribunal indicated that it would have to consider relocation if it formed the view that the applicants did have a well-founded fear of harm in their home area. The Tribunal initially allowed the applicant's until 13 October 2016 to provide any further information to the Tribunal. A registered migration agent who was acting on behalf of the applicants sought an additional two weeks to provide further information and including information from Pakistan to the Tribunal. The Tribunal allowed until 27 October 2016 for that to occur. The Tribunal was subsequently provided with some written submissions on the applicant's behalf together with a number of reports in relation to court decisions in Pakistan in relation to honour killings together with a media article relation to child kidnapping in Pakistan. The Tribunal was also provided with medical documentation in relation to the second named applicant's current pregnancy as well as an affidavit from the second named applicant's [sibling] in Pakistan. A birth certificate for the third named applicant was also provided. There was also a letter from a friend of the first named applicant in relation to events in Pakistan involving the first named applicant. In summary the submissions referred to the Department delegate's decision to reject the applicant's protection Visa application and provided comments in relation to aspects of the delegate's findings where there was disagreement with those findings. The affidavit from the second named applicant's [sibling] was overall short and did not refer to any specific threats that had been made to the applicants but essentially indicated that the [sibling] remained concerned about the applicants welfare if they returned to Pakistan on the basis of having engaged in a marriage of choice and there were people in Pakistan who would not forgive or forget the applicants for having entered into such a marriage. The letter from the friend of the first named applicant appeared in essence to refer to the incident (without providing detail in relation to dates) which the applicant's had given evidence about to the Tribunal which occurred shortly after their marriage and according to the applicants involved the cousin of the second named applicant. Where relevant those submissions and documents will be referred to further in these reasons.

CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

On the basis of the materials and information provided to the Department and Tribunal the Tribunal accepts that the applicants are Pakistani citizens and that their identities are as they claim them to be. The Tribunal accepts, without evidence to the contrary, and on the basis of the information and materials provided that the applicants do not have a right to enter or reside temporarily or permanently in any other country apart from Pakistan. The Tribunal accepts, without evidence to the contrary, the second and third named applicants are members of the same family unit as the first named applicant. The Tribunal accepts that Pakistan is the applicants country of nationality for convention purposes. The applicants are seeking protection in Australia on the basis of having engaged in a love marriage in Pakistan and that marriage also involved caste/sect issues. The first and second named applicants are seeking protection on the basis of being members of a particular social group in terms of having engaged in that love marriage and that marriage involving caste/sect issues. The second and third named applicants also seek protection on the basis of being members of the same family unit as the first named applicant. The claims of the first and second named applicants have been referred to elsewhere in these reasons. The Tribunal on the basis of its assessment of the evidence and information before it accepts that the first and second named applicants did engage in a so-called "love marriage" in Pakistan. The Tribunal has referred to the evidence provided by the first and second named applicants during the Tribunal hearing. The Tribunal notes that in essence the first named applicant claimed that there were three occasions after he married the first named applicant where he was involved in confrontations with either the second named applicants cousin or with friends or associates of that cousin. The Tribunal notes that on the evidence the second named applicant was engaged to be married to that cousin but instead married the first named applicant. The first and second named applicants claim that because they engaged in a love marriage and involving different castes or sects they risk harm if they returned to Pakistan. Both claimed they feared harm from the cousin and his family and including his [Relative 1]. Neither of those applicants claimed they feared harm from their parents. The second named applicant did say in her evidence that she was "paranoid" about her husband's family. The Tribunal understood that to be a reference to her fear that she or her immediate family would be subject to harm or mistreatment by her husband's family if she returned to Pakistan. The Tribunal understood that fear to be based on the claimed previous harm and mistreatment she had suffered at the hands of her husband's family. The Tribunal notes that there was some inconsistency in terms of the evidence provided by the first named applicant and the evidence provided by the second named applicant about incidents of harm involving the cousin and his friends and associates. The Tribunal notes that the first and second named applicants evidence about the first incident of harm from the cousin is broadly consistent. Both claimed the first incident involved the cousin and some of the cousin's friends/associates confronting the first and second named applicants shortly after their wedding in Pakistan. Both the applicant's referred to firearms being carried by the cousin and or his friends/associates on that occasion and both referred to the second named applicant pleading with the cousin not to harm the applicants. The first named applicant claimed that a gun had been pointed at his head on that occasion and that the cousin threatened to kill them if he saw the applicants again. The first named applicant claimed that there was a further occasion shortly after the first occasion where he was assaulted by associates of the cousin. The first named applicant also claimed that when he returned to Pakistan in May 2013 because of his [injury] problem that he was at a hospital with some friends and his wife when he was again confronted by the cousin and physically grabbed by the cousin. He claimed the cousin was armed with a rifle on that occasion. He claimed his friends intervened to stop the cousin assaulting him. The second named applicant said she was not at the hospital on that occasion because she was not allowed by her in-laws to attend the hospital with her husband. She did tell the Tribunal that there was another occasion before she and the first named applicant got married where she believed that her now husband was confronted by her cousin. The first named applicant in his evidence to the Tribunal did not refer to that incident. The Tribunal notes that the delegate's record of decision (paragraph 2, page 14 of the decision record) refers to both applicants telling the delegate that no further threats were received once they were married and not referring to the claimed incidents referred to in their evidence to the Tribunal. The Tribunal has considered the applicants evidence about these claimed events. The Tribunal has considered the inconsistencies that have been referred to but is prepared to give the applicant's the benefit of the doubt and is prepared to accept that there were incidents after the marriage where they were confronted with harm by the second named applicant's cousin and or his associates. The first named applicant told the Tribunal that he had reported the first incident (shortly after their marriage) to the police in Pakistan but he had not reported the further two incidents that he claimed occurred. He was not able to produce any documentation to the Tribunal in support of the claim about reporting the first incident to the police. The Tribunal is also prepared to accept the applicant's claims that they fear harm from the cousin and his associates and the wider family of the cousin in particular the [Relative 1]. Neither the first or second named applicants claim to fear harm from their parents. The Tribunal has considered the credibility of the applicants and the credibility of their claims. In particular the Tribunal found the second named applicant to be credible in giving her evidence in support of her claims and the claims of her husband. The Tribunal found the second named applicant did not seek to exaggerate or inflate her claims in terms of what she said occurred when she was in Pakistan and also provided additional evidence about various aspects relevant to the applicants claims. The Tribunal after considering the totality of the evidence and information finds that overall the applicants are credible witnesses in relation to their claims. In those circumstances the Tribunal accepts that there were incidents after the applicants married where they faced threats of harm from the second named applicants cousin and/or his associates/friends. The Tribunal accepts that on at least one of those occasions firearms were present and were carried by the cousin and/or his associates. The Tribunal also notes the photograph produced to the Tribunal by the applicants(which has been referred to elsewhere in these reasons) which shows the cousin in the company of military/police at the time when he was said to have been arrested because of his [conducting criminal practices]. The Tribunal is also prepared to accept the applicants evidence that the cousin was detained for about a week but was then released by the authorities in relation to that incident. The Tribunal accepts the second named applicant's evidence that the cousin is frequently armed with firearms and that she is afraid of [him]. The Tribunal also accepts the second named applicant's evidence that on a previous occasion the cousin had threatened to harm her if she continued to engage in tertiary education. The Tribunal also accepts the claims that the cousin threatened to kill the applicants at the incident shortly after their marriage if he saw them again. The Tribunal notes the first named applicant's evidence that the May 2013 incident involving the cousin (outside the hospital) was the last occasion on which he faced a threat from the cousin. He returned to Pakistan in March 2014 to travel with the second named applicant to Australia. He did not claim to have faced any difficulties or threats from the cousin on that occasion. The first and second named applicants told the Tribunal that they believe that they avoided harm by essentially remaining within the family home when they were in Pakistan. The Tribunal based on its assessment of the evidence and information before it is does not accept the claim that the applicant is at risk of harm from [Relative 1]. There is no evidence before the Tribunal that indicates that [Relative 1] has been involved in threatening harm or causing harm to the applicants. The Tribunal notes that the applicants claimed that [Relative 1] had influence within wider Pakistani society and within Pakistani political circles and they feared harm on that basis and including if they relocated elsewhere in Pakistan away from their home area. As indicated the Tribunal, on its assessment of the evidence, does not accept the claim that [Relative 1] would seek to harm the applicants if they returned to Pakistan. The Tribunal after considering the evidence in relation to the applicants family notes that members of both immediate families attended the wedding of the applicants. In those circumstances the Tribunal does not accept the applicants claims that both families did not accept the marriage and by implication may seek to do harm to the applicants because of that "love marriage". The Tribunal is prepared to accept that members of both families may not have supported the marriage but is not prepared to accept on the evidence that members of the immediate families would seek to harm the applicants because of that marriage. The Tribunal has also considered that aspect in the context of the applicant's claims that she was mistreated when she lived with the first named applicant's family after her marriage The Tribunal has considered the evidence in relation to the first and second named applicant's claims that the second named applicant was harmed and mistreated by the first named applicant's family when she lived with them in Pakistan after her marriage. Both the first and second named applicants gave evidence to the Tribunal about that claimed harm and mistreatment. The Tribunal after considering the totality of the evidence is prepared to accept that the second named applicant was physically hit/slapped by her mother-in-law and her [sibling]-in-law as claimed by the applicants. It is also prepared to accept that the second named applicant had restrictions placed on her movements and her activities when she lived with the family. The Tribunal is also prepared to accept the claims that the family restricted her access to medical facilities at the time when she suffered a [health issue]. The Tribunal's assessment after considering the evidence and the country information before it believes that the mistreatment of the second named applicant may have been the result of an attitude about women by some Conservative Pakistani sects or castes and Conservative Pakistani religious groups as opposed to being caused by opposition to the applicant's marriage. The Tribunal also notes the second named applicant is a well educated woman who apparently pursued higher education in the face of opposition from her cousin(and perhaps other members of her wider family). The Tribunal notes the country information that has been referred to in terms of the DFAT country report that assesses that women and girls are increasingly marginalised in Pakistani society and that they face a high level of societal discrimination in relation to employment opportunities, family decision-making and violence against women (see also country of origin information report, European Asylum support office, Pakistan country overview August 2015 - "situation of women "page 72). It is that context the Tribunal understands the second named applicants reference to being "paranoid" about her husband's family. The Tribunal has considered the evidence in relation to the significant delay by the first named applicant in making a protection Visa application in Australia. The evidence and background about that issue has been referred to elsewhere in these reasons. The Tribunal raised its concern with the applicants about that delay. The delay did not indicate to the Tribunal that the applicants feared harm if they returned to Pakistan. The first named applicant said that he had been essentially assuming that he would be able to extend his student Visa in Australia and apply for residency in Australia and on that assumption he had not thought about returning to Pakistan. His application to extend his student Visa encountered difficulties and he and the second named applicant only turned their minds to the issue of returning to Pakistan when they were informed that they had one week to leave Australia. The second named applicant said that she and her husband were unfamiliar with the migration system in Australia and found out about a protection Visa when the first named applicant's student Visa extension application encountered difficulties. The Tribunal has also considered the issue of the first named applicant returning to Pakistan on two occasions after his marriage and after he claimed he was threatened with harm by his wife's cousin or the cousins colleagues/friends. The Tribunal raised its concerns with the applicant about those return visits and indicated that his return to Pakistan in those circumstances was not consistent with his claim that he feared harm in Pakistan. The first named applicant's explanation for the return to Pakistan for a period of about three months was because he had [suffered an injury] and was unable to work in Australia and therefore was not able to pay his accommodation expenses in Australia and he also said that medical treatment in Australia was too expensive in relation to his [injury]. He stayed in Pakistan on that occasion for approximately three months and returned to Australia in July 2013. His return on the second occasion was to travel to Australia with his wife. He remained in Pakistan for about four weeks on that occasion. His wife also confirmed that she had not travelled outside Pakistan before coming to Australia. On the basis of the first named applicant's evidence and his travel movements he spent about 4 months in Pakistan during the period from April 2013 to early March 2014. That length of time in Pakistan during that period causes the Tribunal concern about the applicant's claims that he feared harm in Pakistan. He and the second named applicant gave evidence about the incidents involving her cousin and the threats of harm by the cousin and the cousin's associates. Both the first named and second named applicants claim that they avoided further harm or threats of harm in Pakistan by essentially remaining home for most of the time that they were in Pakistan after their marriage. As indicated the Tribunal accepts that there were incidents of harm and threats of harm from the cousin directed towards the first and second named applicants. The Tribunal after considering the totality of the applicant's evidence and claims and its assessment of their credibility is prepared to accept that the first and second named applicants were not aware of the protection Visa process before the difficulties arose in relation to the consideration of an extension of the first named applicant's student Visa. The Tribunal has also considered the explanation provided by the first named applicant in relation to his two return visits to Pakistan after his marriage and is prepared to accept as reasonable his explanation for why he returned to Pakistan on those two occasions notwithstanding his claim that he feared harm in Pakistan. The Tribunal is also prepared to accept that the first and second named applicants were able to minimise their exposure to a risk of harm in Pakistan by essentially remaining within the family home for most of the period they were in Pakistan after their marriage. The Tribunal has considered the totality of the applicant's claims and evidence and has had regard to country information that has been referred to elsewhere in these reasons. The Tribunal has also been provided with further information by the applicant's registered migration agent in relation to honour killings in Pakistan. The Tribunal notes that in the Background Paper referred to elsewhere in these reasons in relation to marriage, divorce and births and deaths in Pakistan reference is made to the vast majority of marriages in Pakistan being arranged marriages and the Asian Human Rights Commission describes the right of women to marry out of choice in most of Pakistan as "taboo" and that women who break this taboo are often killed in the name of family honour and that family members who perpetrate such killings often go unpunished(Asian human rights commission 2013," a woman who chose to marry of her own choice is living under the threat of death by honour killing" 8 November). In the applicants case the fear of harm comes from the second named applicant's cousin and his family and associates. The second named applicant also indicated that she feared harm of a possible acid attack or that her child (or children) might be subject to kidnapping or harm. The Tribunal after considering the totality of the applicant's evidence and having considered the claims both individually and cumulatively and the country information is prepared to accept that the first and second named applicants have a well-founded fear of harm on the basis of being members of a particular social group in that they engaged in a love marriage and between different castes/sects in Pakistan. The Tribunal accepts after considering the totality of the evidence and information that has been referred to that the first and second named applicants face a real chance of serious harm on that basis if they returned to their home area in Pakistan either now or in the reasonably foreseeable future. The information before the Tribunal is that the applicants home area is [in] the Punjab and that both the first and second named applicants come from different castes or sects in Pakistan. The source of the feared harm is the second named applicants cousin and his friends and associates or other members of his family. As indicated the cousin was previously engaged to the second named applicant but she ended that relationship and married the first named applicant. The evidence and information before the Tribunal is that the engagement between the second named applicant and her cousin was an arranged relationship within her wider family. The Tribunal accepts she rejected that arrangement and engaged in a love marriage with the first named applicant. The country information referred to elsewhere in these reasons indicates that the Pakistani police have a mixed record in relation to providing protection to couples at risk of harm by family members. In those circumstances the Tribunal is not satisfied that the applicants could rely on effective state protection in their home area if faced with real chance of serious harm from the second named applicants cousin or his friends and associates or other members of his family. The Tribunal in those circumstances has considered whether in the first and second named applicants particular circumstances it would be reasonable for them to relocate to another part of Pakistan where there was no appreciable risk of the occurrence of that persecution. The applicants claimed that their child (or children) could be at risk of kidnapping in Pakistan because the family had lived in the West and could be perceived to be wealthy. The DFAT country report for Pakistan indicates that those individuals who have spent time in the West are not subject to discrimination or violence on the basis of that issue. However the country report also indicates that while there has been a reduction in the number of kidnapping for ransom incidents in Karachi in 2015 because of the Ranger paramilitary operations that organised and violent crime such as robbery and kidnapping for ransom occurs throughout Pakistan but that police and military operations which include the Ranger operations in Karachi have substantially reduced the level of serious crime throughout Pakistan. The Tribunal also notes the country information provided on the applicant's behalf by their registered migration agent. The applicant's evidence to the Tribunal when they were asked about relocation was in summary that they would not be able to sustain themselves or their family elsewhere in Pakistan. They claimed that the first named applicant would have difficulty in obtaining employment that would allow him to support his family and that they would have difficulty meeting accommodation and living expenses elsewhere in Pakistan. The Tribunal notes that the first named applicant has previously worked as an [Occupation 1 at] [an employer] in Pakistan but that he had not completed his course of study in Australia. He told the Tribunal that he had not worked for the last two years in Australia and relied on [two agencies] to support his family. He told the Tribunal his employment history in Australia consisted of having worked as [two specific occupations]. He told the Tribunal that he had not completed his studies in Australia and he had no savings and he had no money to travel and he did not believe he could support his family if they returned to Pakistan and relocated. The second named applicant is university educated but her employment history appears to be limited to working as a [casual employee] on occasions in Pakistan. The applicants have one child (the third named applicant) and the second named applicant is pregnant and likely to give birth in the relatively near future. She told the Tribunal that she did not think she would be able to secure employment because she would need to look after her children The evidence and information before the Tribunal is that their families and possible support networks are in their home area and the Tribunal does not have evidence and information that indicates that they would be able to rely on family or support networks elsewhere in Pakistan or even in their home area. The evidence before the Tribunal indicates that it is unlikely that the applicant's would receive much family support or assistance if they returned to Pakistan. The second named applicant remains in touch with a [sibling] who provided a short statement in support of the applicants claims but the evidence of the first and second named applicants does not indicate or suggest to the Tribunal that it is likely that they would receive much, if any, family support if they returned to Pakistan and relocated or even returned to their home area. As indicated the second named applicant said she was "paranoid" about her husband's family .As well the country information indicates that the security situation varies between Pakistan's provinces and autonomous regions and while the Punjab remained relatively free of sectarian and generalised violence there are other areas within Pakistan where the level of violence is greater. The country information indicates that urban centres also tend to be more secure than rural areas and urban areas provide a greater opportunity for employment and other services than rural areas. The Tribunal notes the applicants claims that they were fearful of the second named applicants [Relative 1] who they said had political influence and wider influence in Pakistan. As indicated the Tribunal does not accept that there is any evidence before it other than the applicant's claims that [Relative 1] may use influence to cause harm to the applicants if they returned to Pakistan and either lived in their home area or relocated. As indicated the applicants did raise concerns about the level of generalised violence in Pakistan in terms of being concerned about kidnappings and risks of harm to the applicants and their children. The Tribunal has considered available and relevant country information and also considered whether it would be reasonable for the applicant's to relocate elsewhere in Pakistan away from their home area to avoid a real chance of serious harm because of their membership of a particular social group. The Tribunal considers that the applicant's have a well-founded fear of harm in their home area on the basis of the membership of a particular social group and that aspect has been considered and discussed. The Tribunal finds after considering the totality of the applicant's claims and the evidence and country information that the applicants would be able to avoid a real chance of serious harm on the basis of their membership of a particular social group if they relocated to another part of Pakistan such as Hyderabad. Hyderabad is Pakistan's fifth largest city and one of the country's main commercial hubs and it offers a greater range of employment and housing. The Tribunal has also considered whether it would be reasonable in the circumstances of the applicants particular circumstances for the applicants to relocate within Pakistan. The Tribunal has had regard in considering the issue of reasonableness in terms of relocation to the decision of the Federal Court of Australia in MZACX .v. Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2016] FCA 1212 (12 October 2016) in considering the actual circumstances of the applicants in terms of relocation. The Tribunal has referred to the first and second named applicants claims and evidence that they would not be able to support their family if they were required to return to Pakistan and relocate. The Tribunal has considered that evidence. The Tribunal after considering the evidence accepts that relocation in the context of the applicant's particular circumstances would not be reasonable in order for the applicants to avoid a real chance of serious harm if they were to return to Pakistan either now or in the reasonably foreseeable future.

Overall Summary

For the reasons given above the Tribunal is satisfied that each of the applicants is a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations. Therefore the applicants satisfy the criterion set out in s.36 of the Migration Act.

DECISION

The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the following directions:

(i) that the first named applicant satisfies s.36(2)(a) of the Migration Act; and

(ii) that the other applicants satisfy s.36(2)(b)(i) of the Migration Act, on the basis of membership of the same family unit as the first named applicant.





James Jolliffe

Member
AATA Case No. 1605812

Publisher Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal Publication Date 16 January 2017 Citation / Document Symbol [2017] AATA 158 (16 January 2017) Cite as AATA Case No. 1605812, [2017] AATA 158 (16 January 2017), Australia: Administrative Appeals Tribunal, 16 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/cases,AUS_AAT,592d8eb54.html [accessed 10 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

1605812 (Refugee) [2017] AATA 158 (16 January 2017)



DECISION RECORD

DIVISION: Migration & Refugee Division

CASE NUMBER: 1605812

COUNTRY OF REFERENCE: Pakistan

MEMBER: Chris Thwaites

DATE: 16 January 2017

PLACE OF DECISION: Melbourne

DECISION: The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies s.36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.



Statement made on 16 January 2017 at 9:37am













CATCHWORDS

Refugee - Protection visa - Federal Court remittal - Pakistan - Political - Awami Party supporter - Peace committee member - Religion - Sunni - Fear of Taliban attacks - Mental health issues - Relocation not possible



LEGISLATION

Migration Act 1958, ss.5(1), 36(2)(a), (aa), (b), (c), 65, 91R(1) 91R(1)(b)), 91R(1)(c)), 91R(2), 499

Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2



CASES

MIMA v Respondents S152/2003 [2004] HCA 18; (2004) 222 CLR 1



Any references appearing in square brackets indicate that information has been omitted from this decision pursuant to section 431 of the Migration Act 1958 and replaced with generic information which does not allow the identification of an applicant, or their relative or other dependant.

STATEMENT OF DECISION AND REASONS

APPLICATION FOR REVIEW

This is an application for review of a decision made by a delegate of the Minister for Immigration to refuse to grant the applicant a Protection visa under s.65 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act). The applicant, who claims to be a citizen of Pakistan, applied for the visa [in] August 2012. [In] November 2012 the delegate refused to grant the visa. [In] December 2012 the applicant applied to the Refugee Review Tribunal for review of that decision. [In] July 2013 the Refugee Review Tribunal affirmed the delegate's decision. The applicant then applied for judicial review of that decision and [in] February 2014 Judge [name] of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia ordered the decision by the Refugee Review Tribunal be quashed and the matter be returned to the Refugee Review Tribunal to be determined according to law. The reasons for judgment indicate the Refugee Review Tribunal failed to deal with an integer of the applicant's claims, that the applicant had a well-founded fear of persecution based on his Pashtun ethnicity. The matter was remitted back to the Refugee Review Tribunal (differently constituted) and [in] July 2014 the Refugee Review Tribunal affirmed the delegate's decision to refuse to grant the applicant a protection visa. The applicant then applied for judicial review of that decision and [in] April 2016 Judge [name] of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia ordered the decision by the Refugee Review Tribunal be set aside and the matter be returned to this Tribunal to be determined according to law. The reasons for judgment indicate the Refugee Review Tribunal failed to take the applicant's particular circumstances into account when determining that the applicant was not at risk of arbitrary deprivation of life based on random violence in the Swat Valley. The matter was therefore remitted to this Tribunal.

CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

The Tribunal has before it the Department's file relating to the applicant's protection visa application and the Tribunal's files relating to the review application. The applicant's initial reasons for claiming protection are contained in his visa application forms. In those forms the applicant states he left Pakistan due to threats by the Taliban. The applicant indicated he had experienced harm in Pakistan, and states he fears he could be attacked and perhaps killed by the Taliban if returned to Pakistan because of his perceived political opinion and membership of the peace committee. The applicant indicates he does not think the authorities of Pakistan can and will protect him if he returns and states they are weak, and are incapable of protecting him. The applicant indicates a detailed statement is attached to his visa application forms. The applicant provided a written statement as an attachment to his visa application forms. In summary the applicant states he is a citizen of Pakistan and a Sunni Muslim born in [year] in [village], Mingora, North West Frontier Province Pakistan. The applicant states he left Pakistan in fear of the Taliban. The Taliban infiltrated his village and surrounding areas in 1994 and became very active around 2008. In 2009 his village was taken over by the Taliban. The people of his village were vacated by the army and moved to [name] city where the applicant lived with his family for two months. After the army chased out the Taliban the applicant's family return to his village in mid-2009. The applicant states remnants of the Taliban were still in his village. The army established the peace committee to counter the Taliban and to identify and notify them of the Taliban's presence. The applicant joined the committee which had [number] other members. The applicant provides the names of the other members of the committee, and gives details of the frequency of meetings and activities undertaken, including guard duties and identifying Taliban members to the army. The applicant states [name], a member of the committee, was shot and killed at the marketplace by the Taliban about 18 months ago. The Taliban took responsibility and it was widely publicised in print. The applicant also states his [relative] [name], a member of the peace committee, was killed by a Taliban hand bomb while on foot walking in his village about eight months ago. The applicant states another member of the committee, [Mr A], was threatened by the Taliban and moved to Karachi to flee the country by ship and while he was there was shot and killed by the Taliban about six months ago. The applicant states that around April 2012 he received a letter from the Taliban threatening that they were going to kill him. He found the letter near his front door tied to a pebble. It was written in Pashto and stated that he would be killed because he was working for the army against them. After finding the letter the applicant was scared to leave his house and spent the next day or two with his children inside his house and then decided to flee the village to spare his life. He left the village and went to Karachi where he stayed for about 15 days. While in Karachi he learned another member of the committee was killed by the Taliban in his village and this was reported in print and the news and his wife called him and told him. The applicant flew to [country] and boarded a ship around April/May 2012 bound for Australia. The applicant states his family is continuously threatened by the Taliban and they told his wife that he will be killed if he returns to Pakistan. The applicant provided a copy of his Pakistan passport to the Department as well as a copy of his Seamen Engagement and Discharge record and a letter from [a society] [village] Distt:SWAT Pakistan dated [in] August 2012 stating the applicant is a bonifide resident of village [name] Tehsil [name] District Swat Kyber Pakhtunkhwa and is a vital member of the [village] Peace Committee from 2009, and is not involved in any acts of terrorism or in relation to any terrorist violent group. The applicant also provided a copy of an online media article dated June 2012 reporting the death of [name], and an online media article from 2011 reporting deaths in Karachi naming [Mr A] as one of the victims. The applicant provided a document in a language other than English later identified as a First Information Report, as well as a copy of a hand written letter and its English translation addressed to the applicant from the Taliban Movement of Swat stating it has come to their knowledge through their informers that the applicant is affiliated with the Awami National Party and through them has been appointed as a member of the peace committee. The letter states the applicant attended meetings with the Pakistan Army and took part in conspiracies against the Taliban. The letter states that despite warnings the applicant has not stopped his activities and therefore the Taliban movement has decided to punish him. As noted above, [in] November 2012 the delegate refused to grant the applicant a protection visa. According to the delegate's decision record, the applicant attended a protection visa interview [in] November 2012 and repeated his written claims and added the following information: he cannot return to Karachi because it is not safe there; he cannot relocate anywhere in Pakistan because his ID card identifies him as being from Swat. His facial features clearly identify him as Pashtun; his wife has been called twice by the Taliban since he left and he will be killed by the Taliban if he returns to Pakistan. Based on the information before him, the delegate accepted the applicant was a Sunni Muslim and a Pashtun from [village] in the Swat Valley. The delegate accepted the applicant and his family were registered as internally displaced persons in December 2009 and relocated to [town] as a result of the fighting between the Taliban and the Pakistan Army. The delegate also accepted the applicant was a member of the [village] Peace Committee. However, the delegate found the applicant's involvement in the peace committee to be highly localised and found it would be reasonable and practical for the applicant to return to Pakistan and relocate outside KP province, for example to Punjab province. The delegate also found that State protection would not be withheld from the applicant for a Convention reason. Therefore the delegate was not satisfied the applicant had a real chance of being persecuted for a Refugee Convention reason and therefore found the applicant's fear of persecution was not well-founded. The delegate was not satisfied Australia had protection obligations to the applicant under the Refugees Convention and as a result the applicant did not meet the criteria for the grant of a protection visa under s.36(2)(a). The delegate was also not satisfied there were substantial grounds for believing that, as a necessary and foreseeable consequence of the applicant being removed from Australia to a receiving country, there was a real risk the applicant will suffer significant harm. Therefore the delegate was not satisfied Australia had protection obligations to the applicant under s.36(2)(aa). Therefore the delegate refused to grant the applicant a protection visa. [In] September 2016 the applicant's representative provided a written submission to the Tribunal, dated the same day, addressing the current health of the applicant, the findings of the previous Tribunal, updated information regarding ANP supporters and Peace Committee Members, as well as submissions on relocation. The submission summarized the applicant's claims to fear both serious and significant harm on his return to Pakistan on the basis of:

His involvement with the [village] Peace Committee/Lashkar;

His association with the ANP;

The fact he has been in Australia for a significant period of time and would be a returnee from the West;

His perceived anti-Taliban political opinion;

The higher risk of generalised violence in Swat;

His current mental health; and

His inability to relocate to another area of Pakistan to avoid harm.

The representative also provided a written statement from the applicant dated [in] September 2016. In that statement the applicant states that people have questioned his wife about the applicant and have also assaulting her. The applicant also refers to a recent attack in Bara Bandai. The applicant also provides information in relation to his mental health, memory problems and relocation. The applicant appeared before the Tribunal on 12 September 2016 (the first hearing) to give evidence and present arguments. The Tribunal hearing was conducted with the assistance of an interpreter in the Pashto and English languages. The applicant was represented in relation to the review by his registered migration agent who attended the hearing. During the first hearing the Tribunal spoke to the applicant about his medical conditions. The applicant told the Tribunal he suffered from mental stress and had trouble sleeping and was taking medication every morning and night, and that his medications affected his memory and his ability to concentrate. The Tribunal spoke to the applicant about his background, family composition, education and employment history, his activities with the [village] Peace Committee, as well as the reasons he left Pakistan and his fears of returning. The applicant told the Tribunal he feared he will be slaughtered by the Taliban if he returns to Pakistan, because he had worked with the Lashkar in 2008 and encouraged people not to co-operate with the Taliban, and with the Peace Committee in 2009 and identified members of the Taliban and the homes of Taliban members for the Pakistan Army. The Tribunal adjourned the hearing on request after the applicant began to feel distressed and unwell. The Tribunal resumed the hearing on 31 October 2016 (the second hearing). The Tribunal again spoke to the applicant about his medical conditions. The applicant told the Tribunal he had seen his psychiatrist [name] since the last hearing. The applicant's representative indicated the applicant was engaged with [name] Health for treatment and that an FOI request had been made for his medical reports. The applicant told the Tribunal he currently takes medications and was feeling well enough to speak to the Tribunal. During this hearing the Tribunal raised concerns about the applicant's credibility and the differences between the applicant's oral evidence and the information he had previously provided. At the conclusion of the hearing the Tribunal granted the applicant 21 days in which to provide any further information in support of the application, including any further medical reports or information. [In] November 2016 the representative provided a post hearing written submission dated the same date addressing the use of an Urdu interpreter with the applicant in the early stages of the application process, as well as submissions and country information in relation to access to mental health services in Pakistan, relocation, violence in Pakistan, and returnees from the West. The representative also noted they had yet to receive the applicant's medical records and requested the Tribunal not to proceed to a decision until the medical information was before the Tribunal. [In] January 2017 the representative provided a further written submission dated [in] January 2017 confirming they had received the applicant's medical records and provided copies of a relevant selection of clinical notes indicating the applicant has been diagnosed as suffering from [numerous medical conditions]. The written submission notes the medical records refer to the applicant's previous hospitalisations and significant changes in mood and his [medical conditions] and that he is preoccupied with thoughts of the Taliban and the threats they pose to his safety if he returns to Pakistan. The submission also refers to the adverse effect the applicant's mental health has had on his ability to work and his inability to pay outstanding accounts to [name] Health. The representative submits the applicant has struggled to maintain employment due to his medical conditions and symptoms. The written submission states the medical evidence provided confirms the applicant has an ongoing history of mental illness and problems with sleeping, all of which would potentially affect his ability to recall events and give evidence, and demonstrates his ongoing mental health issues which stem from significant fear of harm from the Taliban. It is submitted that this evidence corroborates the evidence the applicant has given the Tribunal regarding his fear that the Taliban will target him on his return to Pakistan. The representative also submits the applicant will continue to require mental health support on his return to Pakistan, and when the applicant has been unable to access medication and support services in the past his condition has deteriorated rapidly. The submission notes support services available to the applicant are likely to be expensive, inadequate and he will face cultural barristers to access such services in Pakistan. It is submitted that returning the applicant to Pakistan, given the difficulty he will face accessing mental health services, will expose the applicant to a real risk of significant harm or serious harm. It is also submitted the applicant's mental illness will also affect his ability to relocate. The Tribunal has had the advantage of more evidence than was before the delegate or the previous Tribunals, and for the following reasons, the Tribunal has concluded that the matter should be remitted for reconsideration.

RELEVANT LAW

The criteria for a protection visa are set out in s.36 of the Act and Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations). An applicant for the visa must meet one of the alternative criteria in s.36(2)(a), (aa), (b), or (c). That is, the applicant is either a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations under the 'refugee' criterion, or on other 'complementary protection' grounds, or is a member of the same family unit as such a person and that person holds a protection visa of the same class.

Refugee criterion

Section 36(2)(a) provides that a criterion for a protection visa is that the applicant for the visa is a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees as amended by the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (together, the Refugees Convention, or the Convention). Australia is a party to the Refugees Convention and generally speaking, has protection obligations in respect of people who are refugees as defined in Article 1 of the Convention. Article 1A(2) relevantly defines a refugee as any person who:

owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.

Sections 91R and 91S of the Act qualify some aspects of Article 1A(2) for the purposes of the application of the Act and the Regulations to a particular person. There are four key elements to the Convention definition. First, an applicant must be outside his or her country. Second, an applicant must fear persecution. Under s.91R(1) of the Act persecution must involve 'serious harm' to the applicant (s.91R(1)(b)), and systematic and discriminatory conduct (s.91R(1)(c)). Examples of 'serious harm' are set out in s.91R(2) of the Act. The High Court has explained that persecution may be directed against a person as an individual or as a member of a group. The persecution must have an official quality, in the sense that it is official, or officially tolerated or uncontrollable by the authorities of the country of nationality. However, the threat of harm need not be the product of government policy; it may be enough that the government has failed or is unable to protect the applicant from persecution. Further, persecution implies an element of motivation on the part of those who persecute for the infliction of harm. People are persecuted for something perceived about them or attributed to them by their persecutors. Third, the persecution which the applicant fears must be for one or more of the reasons enumerated in the Convention definition - race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. The phrase 'for reasons of' serves to identify the motivation for the infliction of the persecution. The persecution feared need not be solely attributable to a Convention reason. However, persecution for multiple motivations will not satisfy the relevant test unless a Convention reason or reasons constitute at least the essential and significant motivation for the persecution feared: s.91R(1)(a) of the Act. Fourth, an applicant's fear of persecution for a Convention reason must be a 'well-founded' fear. This adds an objective requirement to the requirement that an applicant must in fact hold such a fear. A person has a 'well-founded fear' of persecution under the Convention if they have genuine fear founded upon a 'real chance' of being persecuted for a Convention stipulated reason. A 'real chance' is one that is not remote or insubstantial or a far-fetched possibility. A person can have a well-founded fear of persecution even though the possibility of the persecution occurring is well below 50 per cent. In addition, an applicant must be unable, or unwilling because of his or her fear, to avail himself or herself of the protection of his or her country or countries of nationality or, if stateless, unable, or unwilling because of his or her fear, to return to his or her country of former habitual residence. The expression 'the protection of that country' in the second limb of Article 1A(2) is concerned with external or diplomatic protection extended to citizens abroad. Internal protection is nevertheless relevant to the first limb of the definition, in particular to whether a fear is well-founded and whether the conduct giving rise to the fear is persecution. Whether an applicant is a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations is to be assessed upon the facts as they exist when the decision is made and requires a consideration of the matter in relation to the reasonably foreseeable future.

Complementary protection criterion

If a person is found not to meet the refugee criterion in s.36(2)(a), he or she may nevertheless meet the criteria for the grant of a protection visa if he or she is a non-citizen in Australia in respect of whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations because the Minister has substantial grounds for believing that, as a necessary and foreseeable consequence of the applicant being removed from Australia to a receiving country, there is a real risk that he or she will suffer significant harm: s.36(2)(aa) ('the complementary protection criterion'). 'Significant harm' for these purposes is exhaustively defined in s.36(2A): s.5(1). A person will suffer significant harm if he or she will be arbitrarily deprived of their life; or the death penalty will be carried out on the person; or the person will be subjected to torture; or to cruel or inhuman treatment or punishment; or to degrading treatment or punishment. 'Cruel or inhuman treatment or punishment', 'degrading treatment or punishment', and 'torture', are further defined in s.5(1) of the Act. There are certain circumstances in which there is taken not to be a real risk that an applicant will suffer significant harm in a country. These arise where it would be reasonable for the applicant to relocate to an area of the country where there would not be a real risk that the applicant will suffer significant harm; where the applicant could obtain, from an authority of the country, protection such that there would not be a real risk that the applicant will suffer significant harm; or where the real risk is one faced by the population of the country generally and is not faced by the applicant personally: s.36(2B) of the Act.

Section 499 Ministerial Direction

In accordance with Ministerial Direction No.56, made under s.499 of the Act, the Tribunal is required to take account of policy guidelines prepared by the Department of Immigration -PAM3 Refugee and humanitarian - Complementary Protection Guidelines and PAM3 Refugee and humanitarian - Refugee Law Guidelines - and any country information assessment prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade expressly for protection status determination purposes, to the extent that they are relevant to the decision under consideration.

FINDINGS AND REASONS

Nationality

On the basis of the copy of the applicant's Pakistan passport provided to the Department, the Tribunal finds that the applicant is a national of Pakistan. There is nothing in the evidence before the Tribunal to suggest that the applicant has a right to enter and reside in any country other than Pakistan. Therefore the Tribunal finds that the applicant is not excluded from Australia's protection by subsection 36(3) of the Act. As the Tribunal has found that the applicant is a national of Pakistan, the Tribunal also finds that Pakistan is the applicant's "receiving country" for the purposes of s.36(2)(aa).

Refugee Criterion s.36(2)(a)

While the Tribunal raised a number of credibility concerns with the applicant during the hearings, credibility concerns similar to those raised by previous Tribunals, the Tribunal also notes the recent medical information and reports on the applicant's mental health history. On the basis of that information, the Tribunal accepts the applicant suffers from [various medical conditions], and associated symptoms. The Tribunal accepts the applicant's mental illness and medications affect his memory and ability to concentrate and recall details consistently, and the Tribunal is satisfied this explains the credibility concerns raised during the hearings. The Tribunal spoke to the applicant in detail about his activities with the Lashkar and [village] Peace Committee. While hindered by his diminished ability to recall some dates and some details, the applicant was able to describe his experiences in a persuasive and straightforward manner. The Tribunal notes the applicant's claims have remained generally consistent throughout the visa application and review process, and the Tribunal is satisfied the applicant has told the truth in relation to his activities on the [village] Peace Committee and the threats from the Taliban and his fear of returning to Pakistan. Consistent with the delegate's findings, the Tribunal accepts the applicant is a Sunni Muslim and a Pashtun from [name] village in the Swat Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. The Tribunal accepts the applicant and his family were internally displaced and relocated to [town] as a result of the fighting between the Taliban and the Pakistan Army, and that on his return to [village] the applicant joined the Peace Committee and assisted the Pakistan Army in identifying members of the Taliban and discouraging villagers from assisting or supporting the Taliban. The Tribunal accepts members of the [village] Peace Committee have been killed in the past. These findings are consistent with and supported by the letter from [a] Society [village] Distt: Swat Pakistan, and the media articles in relation to the killings of [name] and [Mr A] provided to the Department, which the Tribunal accepts as genuine. The Tribunal accepts the applicant has a profile in his village as having worked against the Taliban. The Tribunal accepts the applicant was threatened by the Taliban and left Pakistan in fear of his life. The Tribunal accepts the applicant's wife has been approached and assaulted by people looking for the applicant since he left Pakistan. The Tribunal accepts the applicant has an anti-Talban political opinion and the Tribunal accepts the applicant's oral evidence that despite his fear he will continue to volunteer and support the work of the peace committees if returned to Pakistan. The Tribunal has taken into consideration the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Country Information Report (the DFAT report ) dated 15 January 2016, and notes that report indicates that the most potent security threat in Pakistan remains the Taliban insurgency based in FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which, combined with the war on terrorism, has claimed more than 57,000 lives since 2001 in Pakistan. Militants in Swat operate under the umbrella of the Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM), which has been operationally linked to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The country information reports and articles referred to by the representative in their written submissions including media articles indicate attacks and killings of peace committee members continued in the Swat Valley in 2014, 2015 and 2016[1]. A recent article in the Friday Times reports that at least 120 target killings and other attacks of violence have been reported in Swat Valley since the completion of military operation in 2009; that the prime targets include members of the peace committees. The article refers to a Peshawar-based journalist, originally from Swat, stating that the law and order situation has worsened; that every week an incident of targeted killing is reported from the region; and that "the Taliban have returned to the valley as target killers and are taking revenge from all those who sided with security forces.'[2] In 2016, there have been further security incidents in the Swat Valley, with fatal attacks on VDC members, police and people with an anti-Taliban profile,[3] including separate incidents in late May 2016, where VDC members and police were assassinated in attacks in Bara Bandai and Manglore.[4] The Center for Research and Security Studies released a report for the period April - June 2016 which indicates that police officials appear to be the main target of violence in KPK, followed by political activists belonging to the ANP and the pro-government peace committee members. It states that Swat and Lakki Marwat have suddenly emerged as the main targets of violence.[5] The Tribunal is satisfied that the country information indicates that despite the military regaining control of the Swat Valley in 2009 and a subsequent reduction in the overall level of violence and conflict in the area, the Taliban continues to operate in the area and attack targets including members of peace committees and supporters of the Pakistan Army and authorities. On the evidence before it the Tribunal accepts there is a real chance the applicant will come to the adverse attention of the Taliban and its supporters in the Swat Valley and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Noting that members of the [village] Peace Committee have been killed in the past, and the country information noted above, the Tribunal accepts there is a real chance the applicant will suffer significant physical ill treatment and that his life will be threatened if he returns to his home village. The Tribunal accepts that if the applicant returns to his home village in the Swat Valley or elsewhere in Khyber Pakhutnkhwa now or in the foreseeable future, there is a real chance he will be targeted for serious harm by the Taliban and its supporters. The Tribunal finds the essential and significant reason for the persecution would be the applicant's anti-Taliban political opinion as required by paragraph 91R(1)(a) of the Act. The Tribunal also finds that the harm the applicant fears involves 'serious harm' as it amounts to a threat to his life, and significant physical harassment and significant physical ill-treatment as listed in paragraph 91R(2), and as required by paragraph 91R(1)(b) of the Act. The Tribunal also finds that the persecution which the applicant fears involves systematic and discriminatory conduct, as required by paragraph 91R(1)(c). The Tribunal notes that the DFAT report states that Pakistan's army and paramilitary forces regularly conduct counter-insurgency operations in the FATA and remote parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to increase government control in these areas and a large number of people have been arrested on terrorism-related charges since the commencement of the National Action Plan in December 2014. However DFAT also states that successful prosecutions of those responsible for politically-motivated or sectarian violence are rare and (as noted by the International Crisis Group) only a small number of those arrested under the NAP belong to extremist groups. According to a December 2014 report by Al-Jazeera, the network of military checkpoints across Swat has done little to prevent the Taliban from carrying out targeted killings or to help security forces arrest those responsible. Khwaja Khan, a local political leader who is reported to be on the Taliban's hit list, claims that the attacks have occurred 'in close proximity to checkpoints' and that the response of the security forces has been ineffective.[6] A recent report issued by the United States Department of State's Overseas Security Advisory Council , states that:

Pakistani authorities have only minimal control of many areas of KP province and FATA, including the Swat Valley and North and South Waziristan. These areas offer terrorists, extremists, and militant groups a safe haven to prepare, train, and carry out attacks. The FATA and Swat Valley are lawless and should be avoided.

The presence of al-Qai'da, Islamic State (ISIL), Afghan and Pakistani Taliban elements, and other indigenous militant sectarian groups, and geographic proximity to the Afghanistan border, continue to pose a danger. Targeted attacks against government officials, property, military, law enforcement, and soft targets (educational facilities) are common. Consulate Peshawar receives reports that indicate IED strikes, targeted assassinations, and bombings throughout the region occur on a weekly basis:[7]

Based on the country information the Tribunal considers the situation in the Swat Valley region remains dangerous and volatile, with continuing terrorist attacks being undertaken by the Taliban. While the security situation appears to have improved somewhat since 2009, it is clear that militants remain active in the area and that the response to attacks on residents by militants is limited. On the information before it the Tribunal finds that the level of protection available to the applicant from the Pakistani authorities in the Swat Valley and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province does not meet the level of protection which citizens are entitled to expect as discussed by the High Court in MIMA v Respondents S152/2003 [2004] HCA 18; (2004) 222 CLR 1. Therefore the Tribunal finds that the applicant faces a real chance of persecution for reasons of his political opinion if he returns to his home in [village] or elsewhere in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, now or in the reasonably foreseeable future. The Tribunal has considered relocation to a region where there is no risk of the feared persecution, away from the applicant's home village and outside the Swat Valley and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, as discussed with the applicant during the hearing. As noted above, the Tribunal accepts the applicant suffers from [various medical conditions],, and associated symptoms, and has been hospitalised a number of times in Australia when his mental health has deteriorated. The Tribunal accepts the applicant's ability to work has been adversely effected by his mental illness and that the applicant has suffered financial distress and been unable to pay for his medical treatment in the past. The Tribunal accepts the applicant's mental illness is exacerbated by his fears of the Taliban and his fears and concerns for his safety if he returned to Pakistan. The Tribunal accepts the country information indicates the mental health services in Pakistan are limited[8] and the Tribunal accepts the applicant's mental health condition will deteriorate if he returned to Pakistan. The Tribunal accepts the applicant has ongoing mental health conditions that will adversely impact on his ability to relocate, including his ability to find employment and housing. The Tribunal accepts that given the applicant has been unable to work in the past when his mental health has deteriorated, it will be very difficult for him to secure work outside Swat Valley where he has no family or social supports. In these circumstances, the Tribunal does not consider it reasonable to expect the applicant to relocate himself or his family to another part of Pakistan to escape the harm he fears in [village], Swat Valley and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. The Tribunal finds the applicant has a well-founded fear of persecution in his home village of [name], Swat Valley and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, and that it would be not be reasonable to expect the applicant to relocate himself or his family to another part of Pakistan to escape the persecution he fears. Having regard to the above, the Tribunal finds that the applicant faces a real chance of persecution if he returns to Pakistan now or in the reasonably foreseeable future, for the Convention reason of his political opinion.

CONCLUSION

For the reasons given above the Tribunal is satisfied that the applicant is a person in respect of whom Australia has protection obligations. Therefore he satisfies the criterion set out in s.36(2)(a).

DECISION

The Tribunal remits the matter for reconsideration with the direction that the applicant satisfies s.36(2)(a) of the Migration Act.







Chris Thwaites

Member

16 January 2017

[1] Dawn, Policeman killed, two others injured in Swat attack (25 May 2016), available at http://www.dawn.com/news/1260467/policeman-killed-two-others-injured-in-swat-attack; The Express Tribune, Peace Committee Member Gunned Down in Swat (2 October 2015), available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/965898/peace-committee-member-gunned-down-in-swat-3/;

The Daily Times, Peace Committee Member Gunned Down in Swat (14 September 2015), available at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/14-Sep-2015/peace-committee-member-gunned-down-in-swat; The Frontier Post, Peace Committee Member Gunned Down (15 September 2015); Peshawar Tribune, Two Peace Committee Members Killed in Lower Mohmand (12 September 2015); Abdul Sami Paracha, Attacks in KP leave two councillors dead, Dawn.com (6 September 2015) available at http://www.dawn.com/news/1205231; Fazal Khaliq, 'Local Panic: Fear grips Swat after attacks in Kabal tehsil' The Express Tribune (17 September 2014), available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/763248/local-panic-fear-grips-swat-after-attacks-in-kabal-tehsil/; Fazal Khaliq, 'Taliban target local militias called peace committees in Pakistan's Swat Valley' www.upi.com (20 February 2014) available at http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2014/02/20/Taliban-target-local-militias-called-peace-committees-in-Pakistans-Swat-Valley/41390394841287/; 'Three killed in attack on peace committee members', Peshawar Tribune (12 June 2014) available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/720500/silencing-dissent-three-killed-in-attack-on-peace-committee-members/;

[2] "Restoring Swat's lights", Friday Times, The, 29 July 2016, http://www.thefridaytimes.com/tft/restoring-swats-lights/

[3] See 'Target killings: An unending wave in Swat', Morning Post, 19 January 2016, available at

http://morningpost.today/eng/?p=884; 'Shangla DSP killed in Swat', 13 April 2016, Dawn, available at

http://www.dawn.com/news/1251789/shangla-dsp-shot-dead-in-swat; 'ANP leader killed in Swat',

Dawn, 11 April 2016, available at http://www.dawn.com/news/1251377/anp-leader-killed-in-swat ;

'Two policemen shot dead in Dherai', Dawn, 12 January 2016, available at

http://www.dawn.com/news/1232410/two-policemen-shot-dead

[4] See 'Village defence body member, guard shot dead', Dawn, 24 May 2016, available at

http://www.dawn.com/news/1260354; 'Policeman killed and two others injured in Swat attack', Dawn,

25 May 2016, available at http://www.dawn.com/news/1260467/policeman-killed-two-others-injured-in-swat-attack

[5] Security Report: April - June 2016, Center for Research and Security Studies, 28 July 2016, CIS38A80121410, p .18

[6] Hashim, A 2014, 'Killings target anti-Taliban leaders in Swat', Al Jazeera, 20 November <http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/11/pakistan-killings-target-anti-taliban-leaders-swat-201411208203415596.html.

[7] United States Department of State Overseas Security Advisory Council, 30 March 2016, 'Pakistan 2016 Crime and Safety Report: Peshawar' available at https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=19396

[8] WHO-AIMS Report on Mental Health System in Pakistan, http://www.who.int/mental_health/pakistan_who_aims_report.pdf; http://dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/08-Nov-16/abysmal-mental-health-conditions-in-pakistan; http://www.asianews.network/content/asia%E2%80%99s-access-mental-health-treatment-28936; http://www.asianscientist.com/2016/10/health/eiu-janssen-apac-mental-health-integration-index/; http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37495538;
From 2-7 to sectional champs, Monrovia has one question: 'Why not us?'
Irish Setting In A New Mystery Series

Irish Village Scene courtesy of Pixabay.com

Today's review is for the first book in a new mystery series called Irish Village Mysteries that I literally stumbled upon last week. I wasn't familiar with the author but decided to take a chance and I am so glad that I did.





The first book in this two book series is: Murder In An Irish Village. The story takes place in County Cork, Ireland in the small village of Kilbane. The O'Sullivans are a family of six children who lost their parents a year ago in a tragic auto accident. Since that terrible day the kids, led by 22 year old Siobhan, have kept the family business running. The business is a little bistro that their parents started called Naomi's Bistro. They serve breakfast and lunch in the small shop and live upstairs over the eatery.





The book has a most delightful cast of characters! The children are so very believable with the sibling arguments that any family has to encounter. The youngest is a 10 year old little boy who is just hysterical in his antics and not knowing when to rein in his words. He just blurts things out at the most inopportune times. Just like most 10 year olds.





Siobhan is smart, funny and quite the little sleuth. Her older brother James has been accused of murdering Niall in their family bistro and she is determined to find the real killer so that her brother can be set free. Now Niall was a bad sort! He tried to extort 10,000 euro for Siobhan just before he was killed. Was he blackmailing others? Our fiesty little red-haired gal is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.





I just absolutely loved the setting, the plot and the characters in this book. There are several twists and turns and I have to admit that I was surprised at who the murderer turned out to be. I liked the realism of the bungling attempts of 22 year old Siobhan as she tries to solve the mystery of Niall's death. She isn't exactly subtle in her questioning sometimes but then again she is young and wouldn't have the experience that an older person might have.



I also loved that Carlene O'Connor used real Irish slang in the conversations between the characters. There is a glossary at the beginning of the book that gives you the meanings of some of the phrases that might not be part of your own vocabulary. Ms. O'Connor also helps with the pronunciation of the very Irish names of the O'Sullivan kids. Like Siobhan...that is pronounced shi -vawn. She has a brother named Eoin which is Owen. That impish little 10 year old is named Ciaran which is pronounced Keeran. It is well worth looking through those pages before the story begins.



I plan to read the second book in the series, too. I found the writing of the author very entertaining with her well rounded characters and fast pace twists and turns as she unfolded the story. Very well done!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.
Another month, another record for Chinese steel manufacturers.

Despite complaints from competitors around the world, China's steelmakers set an all-time high for output in April, breaking their previous monthly record in March.

Normally, a one-percent month-to-month increase might hardly be noticed. But China's crude steel production of 72.78 million metric tons comes at a time when the government claims to be making steep cuts in production capacity.

The problem of China's booming steel production is symptomatic of the government's priority for growth over reform, cited by Moody's Investors Service in its decision to downgrade the country's sovereign debt last week.

"The importance the authorities attach to maintaining robust growth will result in sustained policy stimulus, given the growing structural impediments to achieving current growth targets," Moody's said in a statement on May 24.

"Such stimulus will contribute to rising debt across the country as a whole," it said.

The conflicts over steel have been prime examples of China's pursuit of high economic growth rates, leading the government to argue that it is reducing production capacity while steel mills are increasing production at the same time.

On May 11, the official English-language China Daily reported that the steel and iron industries had reduced excess production capacity by 31.7 million tons so far this year.

The cuts announced after a meeting of the cabinet-level State Council were hailed as an achievement, fulfilling nearly two-thirds of the government's goal to slash surplus capacity by 50 million tons in 2017.

"China is taking the initiative to reduce production capacity based on its own national conditions. The efforts are to make the growth model and economic structure move to new economic drivers," said Premier Li Keqiang, as reported by state media.

That would be good news for foreign steelmakers who have complained for years about the glut of Chinese steel on the market. It would also be welcomed by citizens who have struggled under clouds of smog from coal-fired steel plants.

Record suggests otherwise

But the record output suggests that the capacity cuts have little or nothing to do with how much steel China is producing.

In 2016, China's crude steel output of 808.4 million tons accounted for 50.4 percent of global production, according to World Steel Association data.

Last year's production edged up 0.5 percent in a year when the government said it had lowered capacity by 65 million tons.

So far this year, China's production has climbed 4.6 percent from a year earlier despite the capacity cuts, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported.

The increases are possible, in part, because China's excess capacity vastly exceeds its reduction goals.

Before the government ordered the industry to start cutting in early 2016, China's crude steel capacity stood at 1.13 billion tons, according to a Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) official quoted by Reuters at the time.

But China produced only 803.8 million tons in 2015, leaving it with a huge surplus capacity of more than 326 million tons and a capacity utilization rate of 71 percent.

The excess was more than four times the volume of U.S. crude steel production last year.

The problem was actually worse because China's domestic steel demand was likely to remain at 630 million to 700 million tons during the next five years, the MIIT official said. The remaining production would be exported at low prices, triggering antidumping measures and trade complaints abroad.

In April, President Donald Trump ordered an investigation into whether steel imports are harming U.S. national security.

Last week, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) rejected claims that the country is responsible for "global steel overcapacity, saying its exports have little impact on the U.S. steel industry," the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Instead, the MOC argued that shrinking demand is the "root cause" of overcapacity around the world. The country's overwhelming share of the world market may make that argument a tough sell.

In February 2016, the State Council announced plans to cut capacity by 100 million to 150 million tons "over the next five years," Xinhua reported.

As the year progressed and foreign pressure increased, the government pushed industry to move faster on cuts. As a result, officials claimed that China over-fulfilled its 2016 goal of decreasing capacity by 45 million tons, phasing out 65 million tons last year.

The added reductions claimed so far this year would raise the total of capacity cuts to nearly 100 million tons.

But that would still be less than 30 percent of the surplus cited in 2016, leaving plenty of slack for steelmakers to boost production in response to higher prices from the government's stimulus spending, infrastructure investment and the real estate boom last year.

A Chinese worker packs steel rolls in a steel factory in Tangshan, northern China's Hebei province, May 12, 2016. Credit: AFP Study casts doubts

A study released by the environmental group Greenpeace East Asia in December casts doubt on whether China's steel industry even cut as much capacity as targeted in the original 2016 goal.

The study compiled by industry consultants Custeel E- Commerce Co. found that the totals included capacity that was already idled. Fifty-four million tons of production was restarted to take advantage of higher prices, while 12 million tons of new capacity was added, it said.

If the findings are correct, China raised capacity by 36.5 million tons last year instead of reducing it. An increase of that size would also offset all of the cuts that have been claimed for this year.

As a result, China's capacity surplus may still be as large as it was before the government's downsizing initiative started.

Last year, China's Foreign Ministry also claimed that the country had reduced capacity by 90 million tons during the previous five years, but according to figures from the China Iron and Steel Association and MIIT, capacity climbed by more than 70 percent since 2008.

Derek Scissors, an Asia economist and resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, said that China's claims of capacity cuts have come from the government rather than producers.

"There are a number of ways firms and provinces can claim to be reducing capacity, for example, counting idle or planned capacity, without doing so," said Scissors.

"The production numbers show capacity is not being cut. Claims that it is are just government propaganda," he said.

Government accounting problems

Recent official and state media reports have acknowledged problems with the government accounting.

Participants at last month's State Council meeting "decided to eliminate illegal production that adds to overcapacity and prevent production occurring after shutdowns from flaring up again," China Daily reported.

Xinhua said in May that some firms could be "bowing to government pressure (and) could just halt production temporarily to meet their assigned tasks, instead of seriously eliminating capacity."

In March, another statement by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the government's top planning agency, said that "steel overcapacity has not been reversed fundamentally and the recent price rally could result in vulnerabilities," according to Xinhua.

The NDRC cited the impact on jobs and finances as reasons for more gradual capacity reductions.

"Given the obstacles, such as unemployment and debts, the drive cannot be completed in one fail (sic) swoopit requires resilience, composure, and innovation," said the agency, as quoted by Xinhua.

Last year, the government predicted that 1.8 million jobs would be lost due to capacity closures in the steel and coal industries.

The government says it paid out 30 billion yuan (U.S. $4.4 billion) to support 726,000 laid off workers in the two industries last year and plans assistance for 500,000 more in 2017.

While the government has repeatedly argued that current steel production and capacity levels are unsustainable, it has promoted major investment initiatives that may make steelmakers resistant to downsizing in the long term.

China's ambitious "Belt and Road" trade infrastructure program and the Xiongan New Area project to develop a new city center in Hebei province south of Beijing are both seen as opportunities to utilize more steel.

Last month, China Daily reported that the Xiongan development is expected to spark a "building materials boom."

In a May 18 editorial, The New York Times also cited the capacity issue as one of China's motives for pursuing the Belt and Road strategy.

"China itself is eager to open new markets to nourish its own growth and to absorb an overproduction of steel, cement, and machinery," it said.
Cambodias government is using its control over the judiciary to silence rights campaigners and opposition activists ahead of local elections, Amnesty International said Tuesday, drawing a rebuke from an official who claimed the report does not reflect reality of the countrys courts.



Prime Minister Hun Sens government has influenced the courts to jail at least 27 prominent activists and opposition officials since the countrys 2013 general election, the London-based rights group said in its report entitled Courts of Injustice, while hundreds more face trumped up charges.



In Cambodia, the courts are tools in the hands of the government, Champa Patel, Amnesty International's Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement accompanying the report.



Much lip-service is paid to the judiciarys independence, but the evidence reveals a cynical manipulation of the criminal justice system to serve political goals and silence people whose views the government refuses to tolerate.



Amnesty said that the government regularly manipulates the justice system to detain people on groundless charges before subjecting them to unfair trials.



Far from letting justice take its course on the basis of law, our research shows how procedural rules are bent to serve a set purpose, delivering pre-determined outcomes at the behest of the government, Patel said, adding that Amnesty knows of no case where a rights defender or activist was acquitted.



Amnesty found that decisions on how cases proceed are often made to coincide with political eventssuch as demonstrations, elections or negotiations with the oppositionrather than on the basis of an investigations progress.



The group urged the government to drop all charges against peaceful activists and immediately release them from prison.



Cambodias Office of the Council of Ministers spokesperson Phay Siphan on Tuesday called the Amnesty report a politically motivated attack against the government, which he told RFAs Khmer Service is doing its job in accordance with the law.



He added that the report failed to reflect the reality of Cambodias courts and hurt the countrys efforts to build a better judicial system.



We have no interest in this evaluation because it does not [acknowledge] the courts procedures, which stand on the basis of facts and merit in each case where a perpetrator is concerned, Phay Siphan said.



Pillars of protection



But Sam Chankea, spokesperson for local rights group ADHOC, told RFA that Amnestys report accurately details how Cambodias courts are influenced by politicians and the elite, despite provisions in the constitution meant to ensure the independence of the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government.



We have seen that so far, the three branches are no longer serving as the triangular foundation of society, he said.



They have been transformed into pillars of protection of the governments power. Hence, we see that the court system is weak and is under the management or instructions of the powerful elites.



Hun Sens government has been quick to dismiss past condemnation of its human rights record and the performance of the judiciary, calling such statements wild or inaccurate.



Sam Chankea, however, suggested that the government should be more accepting of criticism from both local and international organizations, and work to correct its faults.



Amnestys report comes as 12 political parties prepare to compete for 1,646 commune council seats across the country on June 4.



Several officials and supporters of the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) have been dragged before the countrys courts on what observers say are politically motivated charges since the CNRP nearly beat Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) in 2013 general elections.



Observers say the CNRP could give the CPP a run for its money in Sundays polls, foreshadowing a possible opposition win in next years national elections.



Reported by Sothearin Yeang for RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Chinese authorities have stepped up a nationwide "stability maintenance" operation ahead of the 28th anniversary of the 1989 military crackdown on the Tiananmen Square democracy movement.



As outspoken Beijing University law professor and social media star He Weifang said he would quit posting following repeated shutdowns of his accounts, many other outspoken critics of the ruling Chinese Communist Party are being placed under house arrest or close police surveillance ahead of the sensitive anniversary, activists said.



"Every year, in the run-up to June 4, rights activists are all placed under house arrest," Beijing-based activist Hu Jia told RFA. "Professor He won't be, although he may receive some kind of warning."



He said the authorities are also stepping up controls of dissidents ahead of a major political meeting later in the year, the national Party Congress.



"Also, this year, we've got the 19th Party Congress coming up, so that's what most of the stability maintenance will be focused on," he said, adding that the silencing of He Weifang is an indicator of how far the administration of President Xi Jinping is prepared to go to create an impression of public harmony in the coming months.



Hu said He Weifang's comments aren't even particularly sensitive or outspoken.



"He never says anything that he wouldn't say in his own classroom, or speaking to his students," Hu said. "The party only started to regard him as a threat when he started to wield some influence [via his social media following]."



He Weifang told The Associated Press on Friday: "I feel utterly helpless. Its as if Im not allowed to make a single sound."



Beijing-based rights lawyer Li Jinglin said he was completely unsurprised by He's decision.



"All of the big tweeters in China have been shut down," Li said. "They are actually saving face by allowing him to decide to retire of his own accord."



"The Communist Party has no reason to allow different opinions."



Tightening controls



Activists across China have reported tightening police controls and surveillance in recent days.



Jiangsu-based activist Zhang Kun is currently under house arrest as part of the same operation, Hubei-based fellow activist Wu Lijuan said.



"It's all to do with the stability maintenance operation ahead of June 4," Wu said. "Zhang Kun often tweets various comments and thoughts of his online relating to democracy, and the sensitive date has nearly arrived."



"I think the government just wants him to take a break."



And Guangzhou-based activist Huang Simin said she was recently contacted by police, who warned her and her husband and writer Li Xuewen not to leave town ahead of the anniversary, after which the lock on their apartment door was blocked up with glue by unknown individuals while they were outside it.



So the couple had climbed back in through a window to pick up their ID, before leaving town anyway, she said.



"There is no real reason for them to put such obstacles and difficulties in our path," Huang said. "The authorities are acting illegally by doing this."



"I'm busy with something else now," she said. "I'll worry about that after I get back to Guangzhou."



And in the eastern province of Shandong, activists said they had managed to hold a public meeting to commemorate those who died in the bloodshed that ended weeks of pro-democracy demonstrations in the summer of 1989.



Retired Shandong University professor Sun Wenguang said the meeting took place on May 24, after which the number of state security police watching the door of his apartment rose.



The activists had originally planned to go to Thousand Buddha Mountain in Jinan and meet, but the police discovered the plan while they were en route, so they held the ceremony at Sun's home instead, he told RFA on Tuesday.



"A lot of my friends managed to evade police interference and [came here] to commemorate June 4, 1989," Sun said.



"Around a dozen people were heading towards Thousand Buddha Mountain ... but before they had gotten to the top, around a dozen police arrived in three cars and followed and surrounded them," he said.



The activists had been forced to call off their plan, Sun said.



"There are now more than 20 police outside our home, so I made a speech outside the building for about 20 minutes," he said. "I was talking mostly about the meaning of June 4 in Chinese history, that the Chinese Communist Party killed students with gunfire, and we want the leaders of the Communist Party at that time to be held responsible, including Deng Xiaoping."



28th anniversary



In the 28 years since the PLA crackdown, the Tiananmen Mothers victims' group have called repeatedly for a public inquiry into the massacre and the pursuit of those responsible. They also want compensation, and a detailed account of who died, how and where.



The government styled the student-led democracy protests, sparked in April 1989 by the death of much-loved liberal premier Hu Yaobang, a "counterrevolutionary rebellion."



Public memorials and discussions of the events of June 1989 are banned, with activists who seek to commemorate the bloodshed often detained and veteran dissidents placed under police surveillance or detention during each anniversary.



Reported by Qiao Long and Gao Shan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Lok-to for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
China appears to have shuttered the lesbian app Rela, prompting some to wonder if the move is a part of state censorship of LBGT rights following a ruling in Taiwan earlier this paving the way for same-sex marriages.



The company said in a brief statement on its official account on the social media platform Sina Weibo that it had temporarily suspended the app for "important adjustments to the service."



The app is no longer available on the iOS or Android app stores.



Weibo users hit back at the app's disappearance, although many said they believed it would make a comeback.



"Rela was the best app I have ever used," user @ataimi commented. "I will wait for it for as long as the company doesn't close down."



"The reason it has been shut down isn't necessarily because it was gay," wrote @yueguan_Sywwwww, while @jiujilanger added: "I have no words."



"I was just wondering today why I couldn't sign on," wrote @maoyihelianwu, while @Zeen1123 added, in a reference to the disapproval of lesbians by straight men in China.



"Homosexuality isn't illegal, so I don't know why they've shut Rela down, unless it's a manifestation of straight-male cancer."



And @chalegedawan added: "One day, love and equality will triumph over discrimination and oppression, as long as we keep speaking out."



Social pressure



Homosexuality was officially regarded as a mental illness in China until 2011, and LGBT people face huge social pressure to marry and have children.



Last month, China's Cyberspace Administration shuttered gay dating app Zank, saying it had broadcast "pornographic content."



A thorough investigation found that the apps failed to take responsibility for providing safe content, official media reported.



"For example, some hosts wore military uniforms or army badges, while others were scantily clad and displayed seductive behavior," according to state broadcaster CGTN.



"Some of them even spread private Wechat and QQ accounts, luring fans to engage in pornography via social platforms," it said.



U.S.-based rights activist Liu Qing said homosexuality has long been a documented part of China's history and culture.



"Homosexuality in China has generally been tolerated, compared with a lot of other places," Liu said. "But there are still a lot of people with very backward-looking, feudal attitudes in China, in spite of the scientific evidence that shows it is a natural phenomenon."



"[This leads to] a lot of deliberate discrimination against gay people, unlike in western democracies, which have generally begun to protect their rights."



'No big deal'



China's state propaganda machine last week warned the country's media not to "make a big deal" of a May 26 ruling by Taiwan's constitutional court that effectively legalized same-sex marriages in two years' time.



But rights groups welcomed the landmark ruling, and called on other governments in the region to follow suit.



In April 2016, a court in the central Chinese province of Hunan rejected a complaint filed by a gay man against the government for refusing his application to marry his male partner.



Sun Wenlin, 26, had filed the historic complaint against the Furong district civil affairs bureau in Hunan's provincial capital Changsha, after officials from the bureau refused to allow him and his partner Hu Mingliang to register their marriage there.



Reported by Xi Wang for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.




A senior police official in northern Myanmars Kachin state said on Monday that authorities will investigate the deaths of three ethnic Kachin men found murdered after being detained last week by government troops.



Nhkum Gam Awng, 31, Maran Brang Seng, 22, and Labya Naw Hkum, 27, were taken into custody on May 25 by soldiers from infantry unit 319 while returning to their refugee camp after gathering firewood near Hka Pra Yang village, sources told RFA's Myanmar Service.



Their bodies were found three days later in nearby Maikaung village, sources said.



Speaking to RFA, Kachin state police chief Tun Oo said that police have now opened an investigation into their deaths.



The place where they were found is unsafe, and police dont usually go there, Tun Oo said, adding that land mines have reportedly been scattered through the area.



But because of what has happened, we were able to go there with the help of local people who know their way around the area.



We are now conducting autopsies, and will work to discover whoever is responsible [for the deaths].



The three who were killed had been detained with two others, who were released and returned to their camp after briefly being held, according to a May 30 report by Agence France-Press.



Tortured, shot



Their bodies, bearing gunshot wounds and signs of torture, were found on May 28 by residents of the camp, now home to many of the estimated 100,000 people displaced by fighting between ethnic separatist fighters and government troops in the region, AFP said.



Rights groups have accused both government troops and ethnic rebel soldiers of human rights violations in Myanmars conflict zones, including kidnapping, torturing, and killing civilians, and forcing them to work as laborers.



On May 22, thousands of ethnic Lisu protested in Myitkyina, capital of Kachin state, against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) for indiscriminately arresting and killing civilians and extorting money from them.



Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Richard Finney.




A local administrator was found dead in Buthidaung township in western Myanmars turbulent Rakhine state on Sunday, the State Counselors Office announced on Tuesday.

An unknown group of people killed Tahhrl, the administrator of the townships Michaung Khaungswae village, in a nighttime attack, the announcement said.

His body was found with stab wounds on his neck and cuts on his right eyebrow and lips, it said.

Local police opened a case, and an investigation is under way.

Other recent deaths possibly caused by extremists blamed for a major attack on government guard posts last October have occurred in the area.

An administrative official from Pazonchaung village in Buthidaung township was killed by unknown assailants on May 19, while another while another remains missing after being abducted.

An accidental explosion of handmade bombs in Buthidaungs Theni village on May 4 killed two people and injured three others as the victims assembled bombs. Security personnel who checked the village the following day found bags of potassium nitrate, sulfur, coal powder, and other materials used to make bombs near a forest.

Thirty civilians have been killed and 22 others have gone missing in neighboring Maungdaw township since Oct. 9, 2016, when deadly attacks on three local border guard posts occurred.

Buthidaung, along with Maungdaw and Rathedaung townships in the northern part of Rakhine state, were under a four-month crackdown from October 2016 to February 2017 after the raid by a militant group that claimed to represent the countrys Muslim Rohingya community.

About 1,000 people were killed during the crackdown, and roughly 90,000 Rohingya were displaced, with most of them fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh where they are living in refugee camps.

Rakhine state is home to about 1.1 million Rohingya, about 120,000 of whom live in internally displaced persons camps as a result of communal violence with majority Buddhists in 2012.

The Rohingya are denied basic rights, freedom of movement, and access to social services and education because they are viewed as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, although most have lived in Myanmar for generations.

Reported by Kyaw Thu for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
A recent surge in self-immolation protests by Tibetans living in western Chinese provinces has brought a clampdown by authorities on internet communications, with police regularly monitoring social media sites for evidence of news-sharing outside the area, Tibetan sources say.



Many have now been detained for reporting politically sensitive developments with media contacts outside China, one former political prisoner told RFAs Tibetan Service.



The authorities are watching and investigating, and recently took some individuals into custody, RFAs source said, speaking from Sichuan on condition of anonymity.



I am very careful now in how I use WeChat, the source said, referring to a popular Chinese social media platform. Tibetan friends who were put into Chinese jails and then released are watched even more closely.



I dont want to go back to a Chinese jail again, he added. That would be devastating for my family.



Speaking to an RFA reporter, another former prisoner asked not to be contacted again via WeChat, citing fears for his personal safety.



Intense restrictions have left him unable now to talk even with chat-group members, who must reach out to him instead by phone, he said.



Everyone must be very careful now, RFAs source said, also speaking on condition he not be named.



The authorities are exerting intense pressure on me, and are threatening that if I persist I could land in jail again. I have no choice but to close my WeChat account, he said.



Please accept my apologies. I wish you good luck!



After a drop last year in the number of self-immolations by Tibetans challenging Chinese rule in Tibetan areas, four burnings took place in the first five months of 2017 alone, with two reported in Sichuan in March, and one in Qinghai and one near Bora monastery in Gansu, both in May.



The May 19 protest in Qinghai by 22-year-old monk Jamyang Losal brought to 150 the total number of self-immolations by Tibetans living in China since the wave of fiery protests began in 2009.



Police routinely clamp down on internet and telephone communications following self-immolations and other Tibetan protests challenging rule by Beijing, which controls China's media and forbids coverage of stories deemed politically sensitive.



Reported by Kunsang Tenzin for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Richard Finney.




Vietnamese human rights and religious freedom activists have appealed to the Trump administration to take up the cases of jailed colleagues when Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits the White House on Wednesday.



Phuc, who will be the first Southeast Asian leader to meet U.S. President Donald Trump is believed to be seeking a bilateral trade pact to replace the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which would have reduced tariffs for Vietnamese exports to the United States but was scrapped by Trump. Hanoi also seeks enhanced security cooperation with Washington in the face of expansive Chinese territorial claims and artificial island building in the South China Sea.



In a statement issued on Tuesday Duy Hoang, a Washington-based spokesman for Viet Tan, a Vietnamese pro-democracy party with members inside Vietnam and around the world, said Phuc "comes to the White House following a crackdown against peaceful activists and citizen journalists in Vietnam."



"In the short run it might be possible for the U.S. to pursue a transactional relationship with Hanoi. But a 'comprehensive relationship' thats in the long-term interests of the United States requires an open and free Vietnam," he said.



"The Hanoi government desperately wants a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. President Trump has the opportunity to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with Vietnam that significantly improves on the TPP. To ensure fair trade, Hanoi needs to respect worker rights and stop censoring American internet companies which is a de facto trade barrier," Hoang added.



On Friday, five Vietnamese activists and Amnesty International met Matt Pottinger, senior advisor to Trump on Asian affairs, the activists told RFA's Vietnamese Service.



"During the meeting, I presented three issues: the first is the environmental disaster caused by Formosa, the second is the Dong Yen parish being persecuted, the third is the two priests Dang Huu Nam and Nguyen Dinh Thuc, who are being harassed by the authorities who also organized protests to threaten the two priests," said Nguyen Van Thong, from a Catholic student group in the diocese of Vinh.



An April 2016 waste spill by Taiwan-owned Formosa Plastics Groups steel plant, which killed an estimated 115 tons of fish and left fishermen jobless in four coastal provinces, has spurred a serious of protests by people who lost their livelihoods or who disagree with the scope and pace of Formosa's promised payment of $500 million in compensation.



Many of the protests have been spearheaded by local Catholic priests, who have been punished by authorities with arrests and beatings.



"All of us raised issues of democracy, human rights, and we focused on religious freedom," Nguyen Dinh Thang, executive director of Boat People PSOS, told RFA.



"We have given Matt Pottinger a list of nearly 100 religious prisoners to ask Trump ... to ask Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc or senior officials of the Vietnamese delegation, to consider," he said.



Thang also said the group raised the issue of land he said was seized by authorities from Con Dau Parish in the coast city of Danang, and sold to private investors to build a five-star resort that will be the site of the Asia-Pacific Economic (APEC) cooperation forum that Trump will attend.



"We called on President Trump to raise his voice about this. In addition, President Trump should explain to Mr. Phuc how Magnitsky law should be applied," said Thang, referring to U.S. legislation that punishes officials who commit human rights abuses.



"We presented a number of issues such as how Vietnam should have a clear policy for political and social change, such as changes in civil society, fundamental rights like freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of protest, freedom to use the Internet," The Binh, president of Vietnam For Progress, told RFA.



"We understand that President Trump is very concerned about human rights violations, so we want him to put human rights (ahead of) business benefits with Vietnam," added The.



Also on Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam announced that the U.S. Coast Guard in Honolulu, Hawaii had transferred a High Endurance Cutter to the Vietnam Coast Guard.



The cutter, commissioned in 1969 and decommissioned last month, will be renamed CSB 8020, and is expected to help the Vietnam Coast Guards improve maritime domain awareness and boost its capacity to perform maritime law enforcement operations, search and rescue and humanitarian activities, the embassy said. On May 22, the Vietnam Coast Guard received six 45-foot Metal Shark patrol boats from the United States.



Reported by RFA's Vietnamese Service. Translated by Emily Peyman. Written by Paul Eckert.
A group of environmental and outdoors organizations are taking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to court over Virginias lack of action to stem fish-killing algal blooms caused by nutrient pollution in the Shenandoah River and its tributaries.

Large stretches of the rivers surface are regularly covered in green slime, often during the regions busiest tourism and outdoor recreation season. This suit challenges EPAs refusal to require Virginia to remedy the problem as provided by the Clean Water Act, says the complaint.

The suit was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by the Shenandoah Riverkeeper and its parent organization, the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, as well as the Potomac River Smallmouth Club and the Warren County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, a national conservation group.

Every two years, the state submits a report to the EPA that describes Virginias water quality, called the Integrated Water Quality Assessment Report, which includes a list of impaired bodies of water.

Environmental groups have long sought to add the Shenandoah River and its tributaries to the list, an act that would trigger pollution limits for the nitrogen and phosphorus, mostly from agricultural runoff, that create the algae blooms.

Phillip Musegaas, vice president of programs and litigation for the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, says the groups are taking aim at the EPA, not the state Department of Environmental Quality, because the federal agency has approval authority over which waterways DEQ lists as impaired.

EPAs approval or rejection of the list is the action that gives us the ability to challenge this, he said.

Musegaas rejects DEQs past arguments that it doesnt have numerical limits to enforce for nitrogen and phosphorus and cant accurately determine how much of the river is affected, arguing that it can consider narrative violations, observed effects that keep people from swimming or fishing.

They cant just say its too difficult and throw up their hands and not try to solve the problem, he said.

An EPA spokesman said the agency does not comment on pending litigation. The DEQ did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the issue.

A DEQ spokeswoman provided a link to a section of the agencys website that says DEQ has identified several stream segments in the Shenandoah River watershed as having an observed effect from algae growth but with insufficient data to determine whether the growth is adversely affecting recreational use of the area.
Six people have been taken to the hospital after a crash Tuesday involving a tractor-trailer on Interstate 95 in Petersburg.

Virginia State Police said a 2013 Honda Accord heading north on I-95 hit the right front tire of a 2012 Freightliner truck causing the tractor-trailer to crash over a barrier wall into southbound lanes of the highway.

Five passengers of the tractor-trailer as well as the driver of the Honda were taken to Southside Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The truck driver was not injured.

Hazmat crews are working to contain a fuel spill from the tractor-trailer, which was hauling 36,000 pounds of watermelons.

VDOT said all southbound lanes and one northbound lanes are closed for the cleanup.
A man was shot at the corner of Third and Broad streets Tuesday morning and taken to VCU Medical Center with serious wounds.

About 10:20 a.m., Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond police responded to the shooting on the sidewalk in front of the storefronts for Super Fast Tax Refund and Mr. Fix Cell Phone and Computer Repair along West Broad Street.

Mr. Fix repair technician Michael Hollier said he had just started his shift and was repairing a PlayStation when he heard a single gunshot.

Hollier said he was crouched behind the desk while he was working and didnt see what led to the shooting. He heard the victim call out for someone to get his phone so he could call for help.

The repair technician said he walked outside and found the man lying on his back, his feet against the side of Mr. Fix, bleeding from his right shoulder area.

VCU police officers arrived within minutes, followed shortly by Richmond police, Hollier said.

The police were here super quick, he said.

Police cordoned off the scene for several hours, as officers collected evidence and spoke with people inside nearby businesses.

Hollier said he had witnessed daytime fights break out in front of his store, but it was nothing compared to someone getting shot.

Loitering has been problematic on the block, he said, and an apartment building a few doors down recently hired private security in response.

Hopefully that spurs the city to do something about this block, Hollier said. Its not good for business. Its been getting better, but then to have this happen.

Police asked anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
John R.T. Moore, a self-described paper person, jumped at the chance to start working at the Bear Island mill in Hanover County in 1984.

Moore had studied paper conservation in the 1970s in Washington state and had a passion for stitching together books and making paper, an important artifact of Western civilization, to use Moores phrasing. He was schooled in the study of fine paper, so manufacturing newspaper print was new territory for the Patrick Henry High School graduate.

I have good memories of Bear Island, Moore said. I found it an engaging and profitable environment.

Bear Island mills parent company, White Birch Paper Co., announced this month plans to close the plant it opened in 1979. The mill employed 165 employees and was still in operation last week.

Moore worked at Bear Island mill from 1984 to 2005, when he left of his own accord. He worked on the dry end of the operations, inspecting paper to be sure it was up to snuff for such customers as the Richmond Times-Dispatch and The Herald-Progress, and also on the wastewater treatment side of things.

We made good paper  high-quality, bright paper with minimal impact on the environment, Moore recalled. I was just a little cog in a big wheel.

Operations on the 250-acre property on which the mill sits entailed expensive equipment used in what Moore called a dangerous environment.

Its noisy, and its hot and heavy machinery that doesnt forgive, Moore said.

Moore worked alongside people with college degrees as well as people who may not have finished high school. No matter where they left off with their education, Bear Island offered good wages that set people up for retirement, Moore said.

Moores brother, Jim Moore, a retired lawyer and longtime Hanover resident, said Bear Island has not been a high-profile member of the community, but it has been a valuable one.

Bear Island didnt sponsor any 10K runs or anything, but they were good, solid people, Jim Moore said.

Supervisor Aubrey M. Bucky Stanley, a timber consultant, said the closing of Bear Island mill is going to be a loss for the county.

I know a lot of my constituents are longtime workers  20 years-plus  and its hard finding a pretty good job like some of them had, Stanley said.

Stanley said Hanover, with its large swaths of trees, and neighboring counties are home to many logging and timber companies that sell their pulpwood to the Bear Island mill near Kings Dominion. Those companies will likely have additional hauling expenses as they try to find new, more distant customers to replace the Bear Island mill, Stanley said.

Its kind of tough for everybody, said Stanley, adding that the mill has provided good-paying jobs to the Hanover community. When Bear Island came, lots of people went to work there for the good benefits and training.

In addition to supplying steady jobs, Bear Island has been a source of tax revenue for Hanover.

In 2016, Bear Island Paper Co. paid $213,360 in real estate tax and $824,390 in personal property taxes, according to County Administrator Cecil R. Rhu Harris. Bear Island bought an average of 1.25 million gallons of water a day from Hanover in fiscal 2016 for $1.07 million.

Harris said the county was saddened by the news of the mill closing and that Bear Island has been a solid corporate citizen.

Hanover is committed to working with Bear Island to restart the business or assist in a transition of the business, thereby avoiding any substantial losses, Harris said. We hope that all of those employees are able to quickly find other opportunities to continue their careers.

Stanley hopes that Hanovers economic development arm can persuade another venture to come in and use the mill, though it isnt clear whether a market exists to support such an operation.

Well see what happens, Stanley said.

As the Bear Island mill prepares to close, the company behind it has been in a legal dispute with the county.

The dispute with Hanover is over how Bear Island mills machinery and tools were assessed for tax purposes in 2013 and 2014, according to County Attorney Sterling Rives. Bear Island filed a lawsuit over the issue in 2015. According to Rives, in May 2016 the Hanover Circuit Court ruled that the assessments were done properly, and Bear Island has filed a petition to appeal the decision to the Virginia Supreme Court. The company is current on all its tax payments, according to the county.
A federal judge has decided not to reconsider a class-action lawsuit filed against the commissioner of Virginias Department of Motor Vehicles.

In a recent ruling, Judge Norman K. Moon wrote that he would stand by his decision to dismiss from federal court a lawsuit attacking the DMVs practice of automatically suspending the drivers licenses of individuals who are unable to pay their fines and court costs.

Despite an effort to have the suit brought back to federal court, Moon wrote that the issue was fairly litigated before and that new arguments raised in the motion for reconsideration should have been submitted earlier in the litigation.

Brought on behalf of four indigent Virginians, including one Charlottesville resident, the original lawsuit, filed in July, asserted that the practice unfairly punishes poor individuals by taking away their ability to drive to work, thus hindering their ability to pay off outstanding court fees.

Suspended licenses can trap the poor in an impossible situation: inability to reinstate their licenses without gainful employment, yet inability to work without a license, the original complaint read.

Attorneys from the Legal Aid Justice Center, joined by counsel from the University of Virginia law school and two local firms, filed the suit against DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb, stating that the practice violated individuals rights to due process and equal protection under the 14th Amendment.

Earlier this year, attorneys from the states Office of the Attorney General responded that the claim should be dismissed in light of a new ruling from the Virginia Supreme Court that mandated payment plans for those unable to pay their court costs.

They added that because the DMV was only in charge of carrying out suspensions at the behest of the state courts that issue them, the suit should be filed against the courts themselves.

The plaintiffs argued that the department is culpable as the executor of the suspensions, but in a March 13 written opinion, Moon dropped the case from federal court. Like the counsel for the DMV, Moon asserted that state courts maintained discretionary authority in the suspensions, and that however meritorious, the claim should be filed in Virginias appellate courts and, ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court.

The following month, counsel for the plaintiffs asked Moon to reconsider, saying that his previous ruling had been based on mistakes of facts and law and offering 11 supplemental exhibits to back up that assertion.

The April motion argued that, contrary to Moons finding that suspensions are unequivocally and unambiguously ordered by the court, courts actually only provide defendants with acknowledgment forms about suspensions for non-payments and orders regarding payment arrangements, not suspension.

They continue that, according to case law, these forms cannot be seen as self-executing suspensions, meaning the DMV has the discretion to execute suspensions.

Plaintiff counsel also challenged Moons finding that the suspension is a legal reality preexisting involvement from the DMV, saying instead that while court clerks maintain records of individuals non-payments, they have no independent record of a license suspension except that which is maintained by the DMV.

In his response, Moon wrote that, while the exhibits in the reconsideration motion sought to show the corrected facts the court should have used at the pleading stage, the exhibits did not accompany the original complaint nor any other document preceding his decision to dismiss the claim.

Because the documents were not part of the consultable record at the pleading stage, they cannot now form the basis of the reconsideration motion and should be stricken, Moon wrote.

Per case law, Moon noted, reconsideration is an extraordinary remedy that should be used sparingly, and not an occasion to present a better and more compelling argument that the party could have presented in the original briefs.

In sum, a party who fails to present his strongest case in the first instance generally has no right to raise new theories or arguments in a motion to reconsider, Moon wrote, citing a 2003 federal case opinion.

In an email, Angela Ciolfi, of the Legal Aid Justice Center, said the setback only had to do with jurisdiction, noting, thats not what this case is about.

This case is really about a patently unconstitutional law that punishes hundreds of thousands of Virginians and their families for their poverty, and its hard to find anyone who defends it as a wise or just law, Ciolfi said. We will keep knocking on the courthouse doors until our clients finally have an opportunity to prove the law is neither wise, nor just, nor constitutional.

There are currently more than 900,000 Virginians with suspended licenses, with nearly 650,000 of those suspensions emerging solely from non-payment of court costs. The original lawsuit already has received support from members of the Department of Justice and the Virginia NAACP.

Ciolfi and her fellow attorneys have 30 days from the time of Moons ruling, which was made May 22, to appeal the judges decision.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
HUDDLESTON  Happy new year, from Smith Mountain Lake.

Baby birds are fledging, bees are buzzing and the incessant whine of jet skis will ring in your ears for the next three months.

And despite some unseasonably warm weekends throughout the spring, Memorial Day is when it really kicks off at SML.

One of the places the mood is most palpable is Smith Mountain Lake State Park, where crowds pour in for the parks annual beach opening and a holiday weekend full of planned activities.

Youll see it, traffic backed up all the way to the White House Corner Store if the weathers real nice, said the parks chief ranger, Jared Vandergriff.

The park, more than 1,100 acres located on State Route 626 in Huddleston, was busy last week in preparation. Park interpreter Jeanette Lawler enthusiastically rattled off the list of staff-led activities  osprey-viewing hikes, live music Saturday night, fish printing.

Just around the corner, at Mitchells Point Marina, SML Boat Rentals was 85 percent booked Thursday.

Co-owner Debbie Prowse said she expected to rent the companys full fleet out over the weekend.

Things werent much different up the lake at Bridgewater Marinas boat rental . Ryan Waters, a managing partner at the marina, said all 115 of Bridgewaters boats likely would be rented out Friday. Its been a record spring for the lakes largest boat rental agency.

But the busy season really hits on Memorial Day and in the weeks that follow. And its not just for the lake-area businesses on the water. Hickory Hill Vineyards & Winery in Moneta was gearing up for a big weekend as well, the harbinger of an even busier summer season to come.

For the winery, though, the indicators of a busy day are a little different.

If its raining, were slammed, Hickory Hill co-owner Donald Furrow-Scott said.

Of course. Because if you cant be on the lake, what better to do than taste wine indoors?

If its beautiful, he continued, were back to the locals.

Locals keep the doors open  albeit with slimmer hours  at Hickory Hill year-round, but Furrow-Scott said half or more of the tasting-room business comes in the 12-week window between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Memorial Day is your starting gun, so to speak, he said, and they staff accordingly.

The crowds thin out in early June, while children are still finishing up school. The traffic really picks up around Fathers Day and doesnt let up, he said.

Even though rain pushes people through the doors, Furrow-Scott, who co-owns the winery with his wife, Wendy, and her parents, Roger and Judy Furrow, said they dont pray for rainy summer days.

After all, theres a rhythm to the lake crowd, many of whom are renting houses for a Saturday-to-Saturday vacation. Hickory Hill opens its doors from Wednesday to Sunday in the summer.

Early in the week, Furrow-Scott said, vacationers enjoy the novelty of the lake. If its nice those first few days, theyll start to explore the area by Wednesday.

We call them Sunburn Thursdays, he said, noting a rosy color to many of their midweek patrons cheeks.

And those are the customers Hickory Hill wants.
We are gathering information for the 2022 general election. On desktop, click "election information" on the right side of this pag...
TAGS presents around $23mn South African production to over 120 companies in Nov 2022 The reopening of factories in India post-Diwali was generally delayed by 2 weeks in response to sluggish market conditions. The challenges that faced the market in the lead-up to the Diwali holiday remain unchanged. Global economies are still facing...

Zim boosts gold output Zimbabwes gold output rose 34,1% in the first 10 months of the year to 29,5 tonnes as operations normalise following two years of COVID-19 restrictions. Newsday reports, citing figures from Fidelity Printers and Refiners (FPR), that the...

The 1st stage of the auction of natural diamonds for small and medium-sized enterprises held in Yakutsk The display of jewelry diamonds weighing from 2 to 10 carats as part of an auction for Russian small and medium-sized enterprises ended on November 8 in Yakutsk. The second stage is the show in Moscow, then the winner of the auction will be determined...

2022 US holiday sales estimated to grow amid concerns about inflation The US National Retail Federation (NRF) says it expects holiday retail sales will grow 6%8% over last years record holiday season, but the organization also says that consumers will spend cautiously amid a high-inflation and high...
Tanzania President John Magufuli has fired his mining minister and the chief of the state-run mineral audit agency, according to media reports.

Reuters reports that they were relieved of their duties after an investigation into possible undeclared exports by mining companies to evade tax.

The investigation report showed that Acacia Mining declared the presence of gold, copper and silver in its mineral sand exports but did not declare other precious metals in the consignments.

"The committee (investigating the exports) found that there were many other minerals in those shipping containers that were not declared, such as sulphur, iron, iridium, titanium and zinc," Magufuli was quoted as saying.

"They were also under-invoicing the actual gold, copper and silver content in those shipping containers."

However, Acacia said it fully declared everything of commercial value it produced and paid all appropriate royalties and taxes.

Meanwhile, Magufuli said that the Minister for Mines and Minerals, Sospeter Muhongo, and the state-run Tanzania Minerals Audit Agency (TMAA) chief Dominic Rwekaza were guilty of failings in the monitoring of gold and copper concentrate exports.

"I like Professor Muhongo very much ... he is my friend, but I would like him to assess himself on this issue and vacate his position without delay," Magufuli said after receiving the report on examinations of more than 250 impounded shipping containers of gold and copper concentrates.

The president was said to have also disbanded the board of the mineral audit agency, saying they failed to supervise exports properly.

Mining accounts for about 4 percent of Tanzanias GDP, according to Reuters.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced that it will add four new directors to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The new directors bring the board to 12 members, of which 11 are independent.

Robert J. Druten, Chairman of the Board of Directors made the announcement that Mitch Krebs, Lydia Beebe, Janet Kennedy and Henry Maier were elected to the board.

The diverse backgrounds and wide range of expertise of these new directors substantially strengthens the Boards ability to oversee the achievement of our long-term strategic objectives, said Druten.

Mitchell J. Krebs is the current president and CEO of Coeur Mining, Inc., a publicly-traded company and leading global producer of silver and gold with mines in North and South America, including Mexico. Krebs has served as president and CEO since 2011, but before that he served as Coeurs senior vice president and chief financial officer. KCS says Krebs not only has valuable CEO leadership experience, but will also provide additional financial expertise as well as experience with significant business operations issues in Mexico.

Lydia I. Beebe joins the board after serving in various executive roles at Chevron Corporation, most recently as its chief governance office; she is also an experienced director of public companies. KCS says Beebe is a respected advisor on corporate strategy, and is highly regarded for her expertise in working with all stakeholders. Ms. Beebe currently serves as senior of counsel with the law firm of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, advising clients on a wide range of corporate governance issues.

Janet H. Kennedy is the president of Microsoft Canada, a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation. She has over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing of business solutions and previously spent time in the West and Central regions of the U.S. as the vice president of Enterprise Customers.

Mrs. Kennedy adds not only valuable experience leading a significant business unit within Microsoft but also has understandings regarding specific technological applications and developments that will benefit the transportation industry as well as issues related to cybersecurity that all boards and companies are now facing, said KCS.

Henry J. Maier is president and chief executive officer of FedEx Ground, the $16.6 billion subsidiary of FedEx Corp. He is responsible for the strategic direction and performance of the company, which is a leader in cost-effective package ground shipping to businesses and residential customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Prior to assuming his current role in 2013, Mr. Maier held various other senior executive roles in the areas of marketing, communications and strategic planning.
Canadian National Railway Company (CNR.TO,CNI) announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference - Conductors, Trainpersons and Yardpersons (TCRC-CTY) to renew the labour contract for approximately 3,000 CN conductors and yard operations employees in Canada.

Details of the agreement are being withheld pending ratification by TCRC members, a process expected to take approximately 60 days.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Volution Group Plc. (FAN.L), a supplier of ventilation products to the residential and commercial construction market, announced Tuesday that it has completed the acquisition of Sweden-based VoltAir System. The company noted that the acquisition strengthens its market position in the Nordics region.

The acquisition will be on a debt free, cash free basis for an initial cash consideration of 79.7 million Swedish kronor or approximately 7 million pounds. A further amount of deferred cash consideration of up to 28 million kronor or about 2.5 million pounds may be payable, contingent on VoltAir's earnings for the year ended December 31.

Volution expects the acquisition to be immediately earnings enhancing, and will be reported under Volution's Ventilation Group division.

The acquisition will be funded from the Group's existing cash and banking facilities.

VoltAir is a manufacturer and supplier of centralised heat recovery ventilation systems for residential and commercial purposes, in primarily the new build sector. It develops, manufactures and sells energy efficient air handling units based on proprietary and sold under its own brand.

In the year 2016, VoltAir generated revenue of 6.5 million pounds assisted by a significant and prestigious project for the head office of a large Swedish bank in Stockholm, which will not repeat. The profit before tax was about 1.2 million pounds.

Ronnie George, Chief Executive Officer of Volution, said, "This acquisition is consistent with our stated strategy of making selective value enhancing acquisitions. VoltAir has a strong presence in the residential and commercial new build ventilation in Sweden and the wider Nordics in the growing market for energy efficient air handling units."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Early signals point to a second straight ho-hum session for Canadian stocks Tuesday, as are jittery amid mounting tensions between North Korea and the West.

U.S. planes are reportedly carrying out missions near the Korean Peninsula in response to Pyongyang's missile test.

The geopolitical tensions and political uncertainties in Europe are weighing on investor sentiment, overshadowing another strong earnings report from the banking sector.

The Bank Of Nova Scotia (BNS.TO) revealed earnings for its second quarter that gained 32% from last year.

The company said its bottom line advanced to C$1.97 billion, or C$1.62 per share. This was higher than C$1.49 billion, or C$1.23 per share, in last year's second quarter.

Canadian National Railway Company (CNR.TO, CNI) announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with its conductors union.

Meanwhile, Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX, ABX.TO) said that members of the AOMA union at the Veladero mine in San Juan province, Argentina, have ended a work stoppage that began on May 28.

Huskey Energy (HSE.TO) said funds from operations are expected to grow from about C$3.3 billion in 2017 to about C$4.8 billion in 2021.

"Production will increase steadily over our five-year plan, with funds from operations and free cash flow growing at much higher rates as a result of ongoing reductions in our cost structure," said CEO Rob Peabody.

Lundin Gold (LUN.TO) announced a project finance package of $400 to $450 million for the development of the Company's Fruta del Norte project. The company has started construction of development support facilities for the Ecuador mine.

In economic news, Canada's current account deficit (on a seasonally adjusted basis) widened by $2.3 billion in the first quarter to $14.1 billion.

A separate report from Stats Canada showed its Industrial Product Price Index rose 0.6% in April, mainly due to higher prices for energy and petroleum products.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
Canadian stocks fell Tuesday, as continued weakness in the energy sector offset modest gains among consumer stocks. Financials also struggled despite another upbeat earnings result from a big bank.

The TSX Composite Index was down 49.56 points, or 0.32 percent, to 15,372.35.

The Bank Of Nova Scotia (BNS.TO) revealed earnings for its second quarter that gained 32% from last year. The bottom line advanced to C$1.97 billion, or C$1.62 per share. This was higher than C$1.49 billion, or C$1.23 per share, in last year's second quarter.

BNS shares were up fractionally.

Canadian National Railway Company (CNR.TO, CNI) announced that it has reached a tentative agreement with its conductors union. Shares rose 1.1 percent.

Meanwhile, Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX, ABX.TO) said that members of the AOMA union at the Veladero mine in San Juan province, Argentina, have ended a work stoppage that began on May 28. Shares were flat.

Huskey Energy (HSE.TO) said funds from operations are expected to grow from about C$3.3 billion in 2017 to about C$4.8 billion in 2021. Shares fell 1.8 percent.

"Production will increase steadily over our five-year plan, with funds from operations and free cash flow growing at much higher rates as a result of ongoing reductions in our cost structure," said CEO Rob Peabody.

Lundin Gold (LUN.TO) announced a project finance package of $400 to $450 million for the development of the Company's Fruta del Norte project. The company has started construction of development support facilities for the Ecuador mine. Shares slipped 0.8 percent.

Shares in Kinder Morgan Canada (KML.TO) fell in their debut Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

In economic news, Canada's current account deficit (on a seasonally adjusted basis) widened by $2.3 billion in the first quarter to $14.1 billion.

A separate report from Stats Canada showed its Industrial Product Price Index rose 0.6% in April, mainly due to higher prices for energy and petroleum products.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
China will on Wednesday see May results for the official manufacturing and non-manufacturing PMIs, highlighting a busy day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

The manufacturing PMI is expected to show a score of 51.0, down from 51.2 in April, while the non-manufacturing PMI is called at 53.6 - down from 54.0 in the previous month.

Japan will release April numbers for industrial production, vehicle production, housing starts and construction orders, plus May results for the small confidence index.

Industrial output is expected to add 4.1 percent on month and 6.0 percent on year after falling 1.9 percent on month and rising 3.5 percent on year in March.

Vehicle production was up 4.7 percent on year in March, while housing starts added an annual 0.2 percent and construction orders gained 1.1 percent. The business confidence index had a score of 48.6 in April.

South Korea will release April numbers for industrial production and retail sales. In March, output was up 1.0 percent on month and 3.0 percent on year, while retail sales were flat on month and up 1.6 percent on year.

Australia will provide April data for private sector credit, with forecasts suggesting an increase of 0.4 percent on month and 4.9 percent on year. That follows the 0.3 percent monthly increase and the 5.0 percent yearly gain in March.

New Zealand will see May results for the activity outlook and business confidence indexes from ANZ; in April, their scores were 37.7 and 11.0, respectively.

Thailand will release Q1 figures for current account; in the three months prior, the current account surplus was $9.79 billion, while the financial account deficit was $12.35 billion and the capital account was roughly flat.

Thailand also will see April data for imports, exports and trade balance. In March, imports were worth $17.84 billion and exports were at $20.75 billion for a trade surplus of $2.91 billion.

Malaysia will provide April numbers for producer prices; in March, producer prices were down 1.5 percent on month and up 9.0 percent on year.

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.
Salina Veterans Day Parade planned for this weekend

Interim Healthcare and Hospice, a home health and hospice provider in Salina, has organized a Veterans Day parade for this weekend.
Dear Editor,

Re: Taxing the Head of State

Section 32 of the Land Titles Registration Act 2008 gives the government the right to tax all land registered under that Act.

This means all customary land leased and registered. It also gives them the right to say how the land is used and control of all water rights. It transfers sovereignty or absolute ownership to the State, which means that landholders must pay money every day of their lives to live on that land.

Really sad that ancestors passed that land to our people as a free inheritance and the H.R.P.P turn it into a money making scam for themselves.

Maua Faleauto
Re: Church keeps E.F.K.S TV

Its a Christian propaganda tool. They play the stupidest Christian themed movies and programmes. It may look like they are losing money but they are actually recruiting future donors to their church coffers with this ridiculous station and their ridiculous programs.

Last time I was in Samoa I saw some of the stupidest Christian themed shows filmed in Canada that no Canadian station would bother airing due to their ridiculous Christian message and pitiful cinematography on this station.

My husband and I laughed at these shows while trying to figure out the rural Canadian town they were filmed in. At least Canada found a market somewhere for this rubbish they produced.

Wendy Wonder
Nearly fifty-five years after independence, Moana Petelo, has a simple request for the government.

Please consider the cost of living, she said. Its way too expensive for many of us.

The 36-year-mother of six is from Faleasiu. She works for a local supermarket but she said her salary just cannot sustain her family.

The money we earn from our work is not enough for our children especially our family, she said.

We have family obligations and thats another challenge.

Five of Moanas children are in school.

That means lunch every day plus school fundraising monies, she said. Even when they say school is free, its not. It still costs a lot of money.

Sometimes, Moana and her family dont have money at all.

As a mother at first I was thinking of not taking a job because I see that my children are too young.

But I have no choice. I feel sorry for my husband and my children.

Moana believes the government should look at ways to lessen the burden on families.

I know very well that we are not the only family struggling for the sake of our children, she said.

I think if there was some sort of benefit for low income families, that would be great.

For now, every day is a battle of survival.

What we are focusing on now is making sure that my children have food and school fees, she said.

There are too many things that we are obligated to finance these days and the money we have doesnt even come close to covering everything There are school fees, water and electricity bills.

But Moana remains strong.

Life is tough and rough, she said. But weve just got to cope the best way we can.
Dear Editor,

I was watching TV the other night when the TV1 interviewer shot the P.M. a perfectly legitimate and direct question on the MOF appointment of his son.

I watched systematically how the Prime Minister coined a five cents reply on the question, distancing him from the decision-making scenario, which is perhaps true at some point.

However, we know the truth.

The fact is that they are family and we also know that at some point, there will always be that conflict.

We also know that when the tough gets going, sons and daughters come first and the father will have to do what a father does. Its just the way it is.

I hope this does not happen in this case.

Iofiumi

Vaitele-fou
The Samoa Hotel Association (S.H.A) as the lead industry body for the Tourism and Hospitality sector in Samoa will be officially hosting the Countrys 55th Independence Celebrations Ball tomorrow night.

The S.H.A Marketing and Events Subcommittee is spearheading the event with the invaluable support from the Samoa Tourism Authority, Australia-Pacific Technical College (A.P.T.C) and various other industry partners.

The S.H.A Executive Council and Marketing & Events Subcommittee have been preparing an Industry Marketing Plan to support and augment the national tourism organisation that is; Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A) Strategic Marketing Plan; with the main objectives to increase activities, increase destination appeal and increase occupancy rates.

Given the restricted S.T.A Destination Marketing Budget; the Samoa Hotel Association are developing and have scheduled activities to raise funds to implement the industry Marketing Plan with the S.H.A Official Independence Ball to start.

S.H.A is taking a holistic approach to marketing Samoa working together with Samoa Tourism Authority and Development Partners while driving change at the partnership level as well as the grassroots and within our own industry.

Each of the guests attending the S.H.A Samoa Independence Ball will be treated to a unique experience that has been carefully orchestrated by our Samoa Hotels Association members and industry partners including the Samoa Tourism Authority, A.P.T.C and Martin Hautus Institute of Learning Samoa.

All proceeds will go towards strengthening Samoas Tourism & Hospitality industry through the implementation of Industry Marketing & Events initiatives.

DETAILS

Date: Thursday 01 June 2017

Time: 6pm til late

Venue: Multipurpose Gym (across from the Faleata Golf Course)
SYDNEY (AP)  Australia has picked former rugby league international Karmichael Hunt among eight uncapped players in a revamped rugby squad for June tests against Fiji, Scotland and Italy.

Hunt, Lukhan Tui, Richard Hardwick, Ned Hanigan, Jack Dempsey, Joe Powell, Marika Koroibete and Eto Nabuli are the uncapped players in the 34-man squad that will be led by 117-test veteran hooker Stephen Moore.

"Around the squad as a whole, it's an opportunity to develop a couple of younger guys who will be here in 2018 and 2019, who we think we will benefit," Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said on Tuesday.

Hardwick is expected to be a backup to vice-captain Michael Hooper on the openside flank, while Hanigan and Dempsey would be vying for the blindside flanker role in the absence of veteran back-rowers Scott Fardy and Dean Mumm.

Scott Higginbotham was recalled after two years out of international rugby and likely to be competing with Lopeti Timani to start at No. 8.

World Cup locks Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas and Will Skelton missed out on selection, with Cheika favoring Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Sam Carter and Tui.

France-based Will Genia was recalled and will likely be the first-choice scrumhalf, backed up by Nick Phipps and Powell.

Hunt is expected to fill a utility role, Israel Folau is set to retain his place at fullback, and Koroibete and Nabuli will compete with established test players for spots on the wings.

Australia opens its international season against Fiji in Melbourne on June 10, followed on consecutive weekends by matches against Scotland in Sydney and Italy in Brisbane.

___

Wallabies:

Forwards: Stephen Moore (captain), Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Sam Carter, Jack Dempsey, Ned Hanigan, Richard Hardwick, Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Scott Sio, Toby Smith, Lopeti Timani, Lukhan Tui.

Backs: Quade Cooper, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Kyle Godwin, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Karmichael Hunt, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Eto Nabuli, Sefa Naivalu, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Henry Speight.
Re: Families hit with $5,000 fines for Facebook

Really! Its a shame that these people dont understand the freedom of speech on social media.

Thats why its there for people to express their frustration with how the matai system ruins everything in their village and get away with without consequences.

Samoa is supposed to be a democratic country, I thought.

We are in the 21st century and still no change to this flawed system.

Time to change and plus too much influence from country like China, North Korea and Russia, etc.

Do what I say and not what I do.

Wake up and smell the koko Samoa people. Peace out.

G.F.
California Pizza Kitchen is freshening its menu for summer with new salads, entrees and desserts that use seasonal produce.

This California Fields Salad from the summer menu calls for watermelon, strawberries and California pistachios, plus CPKs house-made Champagne vinaigrette.

Other new offerings include nutritious power bowls with quinoa or farro, a lemongrass chicken entree and a watermelon mint martini. Learn more about the summer menu online at www.cpk.com.

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California Pizza Kitchens California Fields Salad

Serves 4

3 cups watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes

1  cups strawberries, cut into in -inch slices

5 cups field greens

 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced

2 ounces Champagne Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

For garnishes:

 cup feta, crumbled

2 tablespoons pistachios, chopped

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, except for the garnishes. Arrange salad in a chilled serving bowl. Sprinkle the feta and pistachios evenly over the top of the salad.

Use your favorite store-bought Champagne vinaigrette or make the CPK version that follows.

Champagne Vinaigrette

Makes 1  cups

 cup Champagne vinegar

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel

1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 teaspoon finely chopped shallot

 garlic clove (coarsely chopped)

 teaspoon kosher salt

 teaspoon cracked black pepper

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Combine all ingredients except for olive oil in a blender.

With the blender running on high, slowly add olive oil in a thin stream until vinaigrette is slightly thickened and smooth. Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Recipes courtesy of California Pizza Kitchen.

Food & Wine Videos

chris.ross@sduniontribune.com
The first time Judi Bakke went to a Recovery International San Diego meeting, she had no idea what was going on. She also knew that it didnt matter. After spending years struggling with anxiety and panic attacks, Bakke finally felt at home. What she didnt know was how much joy she would get from helping other people feel at home, too.

Recovery International has a lot of tools and principles that they talk about, so it took me a few meetings to catch on, Bakke said during an interview at the Rancho San Diego Library, as attendees streamed in for the Wednesday morning meeting.

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My first thought was, Are they all doing Shakespeare here? It was like a foreign language. But I felt safe. You could hear people talking about what they were like before coming to Recovery and what they were like after, and I could see there was hope.

Founded 80 years ago in Chicago by neuropsychiatrist Abraham A. Low, Recovery International is a self-help program and support group for people dealing with anxiety, depression, mood disorders and other mental health challenges.

The in-person meetings  which are held throughout the United States and internationally  feature Lows common-sense system for decreasing such nerve-rattling symptoms as sleeplessness, angry outbursts and panic attacks.They are offered daily at various locations in San Diego County. There are also online and phone meetings available.

The meetings are free (although a donation is requested) and open to the public. People share their stories about stressful events and how Lows tools  phrases like Do the things you fear and hate to do and Feelings are not facts  helped them help themselves.

The group sessions are run by volunteer leaders. Much to her surprise, Bakke is now one of them. The journey to the front of the meeting room was long and too much of it was solitary. Being there is more of a group-hug situation.

If you ask me what I like about Recovery, I would say it is all of the shared experiences. That has been very helpful to me, said the 57-year-old Bakke, who lives in Serra Mesa. The community is full of very warm and friendly people. You would never guess most of us suffer from a mental illness.

Bakke was born and raised in San Diego, where she had the kind of average suburban childhood that makes the prospect of mental illness seem as improbable as snow at Balboa Park. The second-oldest of four siblings, Bakke spent a lot of time surfing and body surfing, first in South Mission Beach, then at Tourmaline Beach. She graduated from Kearny High School and went on to San Diego State University, where she earned her bachelors degree in economics in 1982.

But she was also an anxious kid, and she grew up to be an anxious adult who also struggled with depression. After graduating from SDSU, Bakke got a job she liked with a research firm, but in 1987 she began having panic attacks. She took a leave of absence, got things under control and went back to work.

When Bakke was laid off in 1991, however, the anxiety came roaring back. She began living on a boat, and she started a small business that would bring in some money without forcing her to go into an office. It was a workable situation, but it was not close to being the life Bakke had imagined for herself.

I had a lot of social anxiety and maybe performance anxiety. I was always worried, and I didnt feel like I fit in anywhere, Bakke said. With the panic attacks, there was this overwhelming feeling of dread, and this feeling like youre on the brink of losing your faculties. And then you become afraid of the next panic attack. Thats how my world shrunk.

During that disorienting period, Bakke began getting counseling through a San Diego County program. In 1994, she picked up a Recovery International brochure at her counselors office. She went to a meeting, and things began to change.

Recovery increased my confidence. It made me a better time manager. It also makes you realize how important it is to help others, Bakke said. I thought my symptoms were unique to me, and I didnt understand that other people had anxious thoughts and feelings, too. It really helped to know that.

Recovery Internationals highly structured meetings, peer-group interaction and collection of common-sense tools helped Bakke learn to handle her symptoms of anxiety and her panic attacks. And once she got a handle on surviving, she moved on to thriving. She got her masters degree and found a job with New Alternatives, a San Diego-based nonprofit that provides services to children who are victims of abuse or neglect.

And in addition to becoming a Recovering International San Diego meeting group leader, Bakke became the chapters treasurer. On a national level, she is member of the board and the fund development committee, and she is helping to oversee the groups 80 Year Celebration/Leadership Conference, which is in San Diego in November.

One of things about Judi is, she is so calming and so loving. It just radiates from her, said Lisa Garcia, program manager and area leader for San Diego. When someone walks into a meeting and theyre nervous, she gives them hope. She loves being on the board, and you can really see her blossoming. Everybody kind of looks to her because she really demonstrates how you can regain your mental health.

Over the past 20 years, the woman whose world had shrunk to the size of a boat cabin has experienced the freedom that comes with expanding your own horizons. She got married. She overcame her fear of flying. She joined a book club and took up yoga. Recovery International gave Bakke the gift of a full life, and she never gets tired of sharing the wealth.

I can say these are the best years of my life right now. I love my job. I love my family. And I love giving back. Working on my mental health saved me, and Recovery has been a big piece of that. Its important for me to know that it will be there for future generations.



For more information, go to recoveryinternational.org or call (619) 383-2084.

Twitter: @karla_peterson

karla.peterson@sduniontribune.com
China is being welcomed back to the worlds largest maritime war games next year -- despite what the United States and its allies see as increased muscle-flexing by China in the South China Sea.

San Diegos U.S. Third Fleet said today that China has been issued an invitation to the Rim of the Pacific exercises in Hawaii, confirming a report by Defense News. All 26 participants from the prior round in 2016 have been invited back.

Chinese officials are expected to travel to San Diego in June for the initial planning conference, said Cmdr. Ryan Perry, Third Fleet spokesman.

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The Rim of the Pacific exercises date back to 1971 and are held every other summer.

Welcome to The Intel, a blog examining the hot military news of the day

When China took part in the 2014 games, its first entry, things went smoothly  despite what were described as growing pains and the presence of a Chinese intelligence ship shadowing the exercises without an invitation.

RELATED from 2014: Historic moment for naval war games 

In recent years, China has built and militarized manmade islands in the South China Sea. The actions have caused concern among the United States and its Asian allies.

The San Diego Navy destroyer Dewey was recently warned away by Chinese ships as it sailed near the islands in the first show of force of this kind during the Trump administration.

Back in 2012, China was noticeably absent from the war games.

However, Russia participated for the first time that year. Russia lost its invitation by 2014 amid its increasing aggression toward the Ukraine.

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Leilani Trautman was only 4 when she got her first library card. Already devouring books as a toddler, Leilani wanted more to read than the selection she had at home.

The librarians at the Lemon Grove Library told her she could get a card if she could write her name.

So she did. Twelve years later, she carries in her wallet that same card, a barely decipherable Leilani scribbled as only a 4-year-olds hand could write.

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I love reading the classics, she said, noting her favorite as The Count of Monte Cristo because its plot is so intricate and I love how everything sort of weaves together.

Today at 16, Leilani is valedictorian of Grossmont Middle College High School, with four Associate of Science degrees from Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.

Leilani Trautman (Karen Pearlman/U-T)

Grossmont Middle College High School, with 37 students, is run out of a couple of bungalow trailers on the campus of Grossmont College.

Leilani has been enrolled as a dual student the last two years and will graduate from high school with a 4.6 grade-point average and from the community college with four associate degrees and a 4.0 GPA.

A National Merit Scholar winner in the Grossmont Union High School District, her community college degrees are in mathematics; mathematics for transfer; university studies in mathematics and natural science and computer science; and physics for transfer.

Leilanis courses this year:

Differential Equations

Light, Optics, and Modern Physics

Advanced Composition: Critical Reasoning and Writing

History of Rock Music

Political Science: Introduction to U.S. Government; Speech & Debate

Java Programming

Fundamentals of Science Computing

Linear Algebra

Aerobic Walking

I dont think theres anything I havent enjoyed learning here, Leilani said. Although there are some Ive enjoyed more than others.

Leilani still loves to get caught up in a good book, but literature and English have never been her first loves. Example: In fifth grade, Leilani was able to derive the quadratic formula.

She said she knew early on that five watermelons plus three watermelons equaling eight watermelons wasnt enough and she wanted to apply real math and calculus where it was visible, applicable and usable.

Im much more interested in math and science, she said. My mom taught me to count in the car when I was a lot younger. In elementary school, in my math classes, teachers always gave me extra problems and more challenging work to do.

She will continue her education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, majoring in electrical engineering and computer science and management. She may minor in economics.

With a deep love for physics as well, she has plans to follow in the footsteps of her father, Craig, an electrical engineer.

Im interested by how the world works as well as how innovations can improve the world we live in, she said. Which is why I want to work in the STEM field, especially engineering.

Leilani said she feels most in her element while learning, but she is not averse to hiking with her family or enjoying time with her pets which include Paco the parrot, Spots the dog and several turtles.

She also likes music, and can play clarinet, tuba, sousaphone and tenor sax. She is a fan of The Beatles, especially their songs All the Lonely People and Revolution.

She said Paul McCartneys 2014 Petco Park performance was my first and last concert.

Grossmont Middle College English teacher Christine Bisera transferred from Valhalla High School two years ago  the same time Leilani did.

Bisera said that Leilani is truly curious about the world around her and is able to discuss art and opera as easily as she does physics and literature.

Academics feed her soul, Bisera said. She asks insightful questions and synthesizes information. Shes only 16, but shes already a leader in everything she does  and she leads by action so people are drawn to that.

She also works so hard. In 27 years of teaching, Ive had less than a handful of kids who have her humility.

Leilani said shes not sure where the future will take her, but shes into spaceships and satellites. A NASA fan, she has considered the aerospace field but is concerned it may be too narrow in focus.

There are so many things Im interested in, she said. I feel like I dont have enough time to pursue all of them.
San Diego will get a boost in its efforts to fight climate change with a $1.9 million state grant to pay for tracking greenhouse gas emissions and energy use at some city buildings and other facilities.

The pilot project, which could eventually be expanded to all city facilities, will help San Diego plan future efficiency upgrade projects to help meet the goals in its ambitious climate action plan.

Were leading by example when it comes to creating a more energy-efficient city, said Mayor Kevin Faulconer. What gets measured gets managed and this new, cutting-edge platform will help us better track energy use in our public buildings so city government can be as innovative as the people it represents.

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The data collected will help determine whether the city is keeping pace with the targets set in the climate action plan, which aims to slash San Diegos greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2035.

The California Energy Commission awarded the grant to San Diego in response to a proposal from the citys Environmental Services Department.

As part of the project, city officials must share the lessons they learn with local governments, elected officials and residents across the state.

Fundamentally, the priority with this type of project is for the city to update and mature its own tool kit to manage and track energy use across multiple facilities and buildings, said Jack Clark, deputy director of Environmental Services. The secondary component is that the city can share its progress on reducing energy consumption and increasing clean energy generation. The results will provide examples and resources that communicate to San Diegans that we are in this together.

The project fits San Diegos participation in the Smart City initiative because it involves leveraging data and technology in innovative ways to improve decision-making and outcomes in a key area, such as energy use.

The pilot project is scheduled for launch this fall.

The climate action plans municipal energy plan calls for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 15 percent by 2020 and an additional 25 percent by 2035. And San Diego was among the first cities in the nation to target 100 percent renewable energy usage citywide by 2035.

The project will also track and report sustainability opportunities in under served parts of San Diego, such as a 6.4-square-mile federally designated promise zone in southeastern San Diego.

Potential opportunities include renewable energy system installation and energy and water conservation.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
For 66 years, Saint Johns Episcopal School welcomed students to its Chula Vista campus with the goal of preparing them for high school and beyond.

Parents say the private school provided a warm, safe environment where children studied in small classes with dedicated teachers. They praise its vibrant art and music programs and the close-knit community it fosters.

But in March, church leaders announced that the school would shut down in June because of declining enrollment  as well as uncertain border and economic issues.

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Parents said they were left scrambling to find spots in other schools and having to comfort children left in tears over being separated from classmates.

The schools 28 faculty and staff members also are losing their jobs.

Clariza Marin, whose son attends kindergarten at the school, said many parents dont like the way the closure was handled. If they had been told of the situation earlier, she said, they may have been able to recruit more students to enroll, raise money to help the school stay open or to find another program to take it over.

They cheated us out of the opportunity to help, said Claudia Anza, whose son has attended the school for three years. We really feel kicked out.

Parents of students at Saint Johns Episcopal School in Chula Vista received notice that the church is closing the school because of declining enrollment. (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Enrollment at the school has declined for years, falling from about 550 students a decade ago to 280 this year. The school body is predominantly Latino, with some families traveling from Tijuana to attend.

Tuition is between $7,200 and $7,800 a year, depending on the grade level.

Church officials point to several factors for the slide in enrollment, including the devaluation of the peso.

The market crashes and the peso devalued and the gas prices in Mexico went nuts, said Rev. Tom Morelli, a diocesan deacon appointed in January to assist the school. I dont think theres any one thing that any of us can point to.

Since 2011, the church has borrowed hundreds of thousands of dollars from the diocese and a bank to keep the school and church operating.

Morelli said he expects the church will need to borrow another $240,000 to cover payroll and other operating expenses through Aug. 31.

We cant keep borrowing money. We are going to be about $1.2 million in debt between the diocese and the bank at the end of August, he said.

The past two months have been an emotional roller coaster filled with false hope and disappointment for many parents.

Initially, they said they were told the school could be saved if enough parents pledged to re-enroll and paid enrollment fees. Parents said they were able to meet the goal they were given, but Morelli said the signup effort fell short.

Next they thought another school, Kinderland Montessori, could lease the campus and take over operations. But in May, the church rejected the business offer without explanation, according to Liza Valencia, owner of the Bonita school which is looking to expand.

Morelli said proposals were submitted by several schools and social service organizations. He said there was concern the new school wouldnt bring in enough to pay its bills.

If they couldnt be successful it would be another closure and more hurt, and nobody was ready to do that, Morelli said.

While some parents have enrolled in new schools for the fall, others are finding waiting lists for their childrens grades or campuses too far from their homes.

Melva Kiser, who has two daughters attending Saint Johns, is still looking for a spot for one of her girls. She never thought the well-established school would close.

My cousin went to that school, she said.

Marin is searching for where her son will attend first grade in the fall. I dont know what Im going to do, she said. It is unfortunate I cant stay on in my community.

As for Saint Johns, it plans to focus more on disadvantaged families. Morelli said it is finalizing plans with a social-service organization to provide services for the homeless, the mentally ill and others who are marginalized.

karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com
The California Coastal Commission has rescheduled its next briefing over the 2015 permit that allows Southern California Edison to bury millions of pounds of nuclear waste along the San Diego County coast.

The agenda item, previously scheduled for the July commission meeting near Monterey, has been pushed back to the August meeting in Malibu so more residents of San Diego and Orange counties will be able to attend.

The public is always welcome to participate in public comment, but we wont have anything formal on the July agenda on the San Onofre briefing, spokeswoman Noaki Schwartz said. We encourage members of the public to come to the August meeting and use this opportunity to hear directly from commission staff, Edison and potentially an invited member of the (Nuclear Regulatory Commission).

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The Coastal Commission scheduled the informational item to collect more input from residents who are concerned about the permit commissioners approved unanimously in 2015.

The permit was subsequently challenged by the Citizens Oversight nonprofit in San Diego Superior Court, where a judge denied a motion to dismiss the case.

That ruling prompted majority plant owner Edison to enter negotiations regarding potential alternative locations for the radioactive waste. Those settlement discussions are confidential and both sides have declined to comment on any plans to relocate the waste.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported this month that nine members of the Coastal Commission had a series of private meetings with utility officials in advance of the vote to approve the on-site waste storage plan for San Onofre.

Schwartz said the rising level of concern over the commissions permit prompted commissioners to schedule a follow-up meeting for residents to register their thoughts about the waste-storage plan. More than 8 million people live within 50 miles of the proposed waste repository.

The August meeting will be held at Pepperdine University in Malibu. Residents who cannot attend the meeting are invited to email the commission at SanOnofreComments@coastal.ca.gov.

Previously

Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35

jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald
One of the Portland teens whose presence on a train was the catalyst for the deaths of two men and the wounding of another at the hands of a known white supremacist spoke out on the incident and thanked the people who stepped in to help her and her Muslim friend.

I just want to say thank you to the people who put their life on the line for me, because they didnt even know me, and they lost their lives because of me and my friend and the way we looked, said 16-year-old Destinee Mangum.

Jeremy Joseph Christian, right, is seen during a Patriot Prayer in Portland, Ore. (John Rudoff / AP)

Mangum and her 17-year-old friend, who was wearing a hijab, were riding the light-rail train Friday afternoon when a man later identified as Jeremy Christian boarded and began hurling racial slurs at the girls, according to Reuters.

He told us to go back to Saudi Arabia and he told us that we shouldnt be here and get out his country, said the teenager. He was just telling us that we basically werent anything and we should just kill ourselves.

Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, 23, 53-year-old Ricky John Best and 21-year-old Micah David-Cole Fletcher stepped up to defend the girls.

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Police said Christian responded by stabbing each man in the neck. Best, an Army veteran and city employee, died on the train. Namkai Meche, who graduated from Reed College last year, died later at a hospital and college student Fletcher, was hospitalized with serious injuries but was expected to recover.

Mangum said one of the men told Christian to stop disrespecting the girls.

And then we turned around while they were fighting, and he just started stabbing people, and it was just blood everywhere, and we just started running for our lives, Mangum said.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said the men were heroes.

Their actions were brave and selfless and should serve as an example and inspiration to us all, said Wheeler.

I just want to say thank you to the people who put their life on the line for me, because they didnt even know me, and they lost their lives because of me and my friend and the way we looked, " she said. Without them wed probably be dead right now.

Christian, who has a criminal history, is scheduled to be arraigned today. He is facing two charges of aggravated murder, two counts of intimidation in the second degree and another count of being a felon in possession of a restricted weapon, according to The Oregonian.

619-293-1710

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German Chancellor Angela Merkels pithy observation on Sunday that Europeans really must take our fate into our own hands following President Donald Trumps first visit to Europe last week may prove a blip in history. Likewise, French President Emmanuel Macrons description of his odd, intense handshake with Trump in Brussels as a successful demonstration he wouldnt be intimidated by a U.S. leader he likened to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and the increasingly dictatorial Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may be quickly forgotten. Its important to remember that Trumps top foreign policy and national security posts are held by people with traditional views about the value of Americas age-old allies.

But it is also possible that Merkels comment may mark the beginning of the unraveling of the largest, most powerful and most successful alliance in world history: the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, formed in 1949 by the United States, Canada and 10 European nations in recognition of the threat they jointly faced from the Soviet Union. Now 28 nations strong, NATO can point to a long list of accomplishments: mostly successfully containing Moscows trouble-making; ending the deadly Balkan wars in the 1990s; working jointly to address international threats; and bringing stability and prosperity to North America and to much of Europe, a continent ravaged twice in the span of 30 years by world wars.

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Yes, the president is correct when he says most other members of NATO dont spend enough on their own defense and many are free riders on U.S. military might. Previous presidents have said as much for decades. But NATO is no parasite. The United States has benefited immensely from the sturdy security it has brought to the world. Soldiers from NATO member nations have been instrumental in various U.S.-led military actions. All NATO nations are partners in the U.S-led coalition against the Islamic State. And the mutual-defense pact that was key to NATOs founding remains crucial to U.S. interests.

NATO essentially says to every American: You wont have to fight alone, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute told The New Yorker last year. That gives America the great confidence that it will always be able to operate in a multinational setting with diverse allies that not only bring military capacity but also political weight to whatever security challenge it faces.

This is not a view that Trump seems to grasp. In linking his grievances over NATO members military spending to his grievances over the U.S. trade deficit with Germany  as he did broadly on the campaign trail and as he did again last week bluntly to Merkel  the president casts U.S. relationships with other nations as zero-sum games in which there are only winners and losers. In tweeting complaints about Germany on Tuesday in apparent response to Merkels questions about U.S. reliability, Trump casts the U.S. not as the worlds policeman but as its most temperamental bully.

In December, The Washington Post columnist David Ignatius wrote that Trumps unpredictability could at times benefit the U.S. in its dealings with other nations. That may be true with U.S. adversaries like Iran and North Korea, if it is linked to a strategic vision. Yet it is hard to fathom how the presidents unpredictability helps with Americas traditional allies. This is especially so when the trait seems driven not by strategy but by vengeful whim  and by a desire to always have the last word.

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She is always at the annual Santa Paula Optimist Club Christmas Parade, either helping with organizing and even judging, but now Robin Gillette will lead the 69th annual procession as grand marshal.

Gillette, the principal of Renaissance High School, was selected by her club peers to lead the parade, which will step out into downtown Main Street on Saturday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m.

The theme of the 2018 Christmas parade is Christmas Dreams. Optimist Pacific Southwest District Governor Cathy Hicks said it is only fitting to select Gillette, who has lived her dreams as she raised her two daughters and developed her career as an educator in the Santa Paula High School system as a teacher, vice principal and now principal at Renaissance High School.

Robin is helping students live their dreams as she works with them in an alternative educational environment, said Hicks. Robin said there are many different methods in education to reach the same goal.

Hicks noted that Robin has

been very active in the community over the years, but she has not been as visible. The Optimist Club likes to recognize folks who are helping our community in a quiet way but they may not be getting recognition.

Robin is involved in a variety of activities in the community to help students attain their dreams, said Optimist and Parade Coordinator Ron Merson.

Gillette was at first hesitant to accept the honor. I was really shocked; I never thought about it, said Gillette, who described the honor as surreal and humbling to have this  spotlight shined on you for doing the things that I love to do.

She said she is looking forward to the parade. Theyre fun. I really love judgingI asked Ron can I come back really quick and judge after being driven along the parade route?

Gillette said she has always enjoyed the parade and the holiday spirit it evokes, although sometimes Christmas can happen at any timefor example, when I see students doing well, graduation when we move the tassels...for me, this is huge and all of us at RHS get to share in such an epic moment for the students and their familys lives. In a way, I am living a dream. How many people can honestly say they love what they do? Each day is a new adventure and I thank Robin Gillette God for my family, friends, that town where I was raised, and to know that the Lord has put me in the places where Im needed to be. How blessed is this?

The parade offers an emotional respite, and Gillette particularly enjoys all the entries and the Christmas spiritit seems like the last couple of years there have been so many emotions. The parade brings our town together, our families and the kidsand I especially like seeing the kids, enjoying being a part of the oldest holiday parade in Ventura County.

The 69th annual Santa Paula Christmas Parade will feature marching bands, toy soldiers, floats, automobiles, fire engines, police vehicles, veterans organizations, equestrians, community groups, churches, youth groups, Santa Claus and more. Each year, there are thousands of people who want to be a part of the merriment by lining Main Street to enjoy the parade, which stretches from Seventh to 11th streets, and ring in the holidays with cheer.

Floats may be self-propelled or towed by another vehicle. It is desirable for the float theme to be carried out so that all spectators can enjoy the entry, whether coming or going.

The parade is held rain or shine; for safety reasons, entrants must not throw candy to spectators. The parade will be filmed by Bob Allen of KADYTV.com and archived for viewing on demand.

All decisions of the judges are final. Judging will be based on execution of the theme, originality of design and spectator appeal.

Parade applications can be downloaded at http://www. ci.santa-paula.ca.us/Xmas%20 Parade%20Application.pdf or picked up at the Santa Paula Times, 120 Davis St.

For more information, contact Merson at 805-525-9439 or at santapaulaparades@hotmail. com.
Advertisers have used the imposing grandeur of the Lincoln Memorial to sell everything from train trips to tombstones.

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After decades of planning, budgeting, and construction, the Lincoln Memorial was finally dedicated on May 30, 1922. Americans were proud of this beautiful monument and eager to visit it. Companies wasted no time using the memorial to advertise a connection to their products. These advertisements appeared in the Post between 1921 and 1948 and hawked everything from tires to tombstones.

The Lincoln Memorial has taken on additional layers of meaning since the 1920s. As Jay Sacher noted, the memorial is cultural shorthand for both American ideals and 1960s radicalism. It is rarely seen in ads anymore. The memorial still makes regular film appearances, an easy stand-in for Heavy Symbolism. However it is used, the Lincoln Memorial will continue to transcend the banal appropriations of its image.

Armco iron was used in the construction of the Lincoln Memorial, a fact that warranted several full-page ads in the Post.

Were not sure what the Lincoln Memorial had to do with a company that made ledger sheets and looseleaf binders, but they seemed to hope that the monument would lend them an air of dignity. The Lincoln Memorial certainly didnt represent cutting office costs, as its construction costs in todays dollars were north of $40 million.

Marmon made cars in Indianapolis from 1902-1933. The Lincoln Memorial serves as the majestic backdrop to emphasize the ultimate in luxurious transportation.

Many Americans wanted to visit this new monument, but how were they to get there? The Baltimore & Ohio Line, of course  the only route New York, Chicago and St. Louis, passing directly through Washington, where liberal stop-over privilege is accorded. (No such privileges for the conservatives?)

Of course, if youd rather drive than take the train, youll need a good set of tires to get you there.

The Lincoln Memorial takes a backseat to this green-suited come-hither swimmer in an age where sex was starting to trump integrity as a selling point.

The Lincoln Memorial once again gets low billing. In case you cant read the caption, it says, Newlyweds Betty and Bob Graves from Connecticut gaze at themselves and the Lincoln Memorial in Washingtons famous Reflecting Pool. What Betty really sees is a picture of herself getting delicious, economical breakfasts for Bob in her own little house with her new glass coffee pot and the heavenly new Chase & Sanborn Dated Drip Grind Coffee in the money saving package! Our research was unable to confirm if thats what Betty was actually seeing.

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Squibb offers inspiring words  The stones supporting that message may ultimately crumble. The words may disappear. But the ideas which they symbolize will live as long as men walk the earth. (Buy our drugs.)

The argument is that the Lincoln Memorial is made out of marble, so your tombstone should be, too. Wise is the person who follows this example when selecting material for memorial or building purposes.

We threw in this ad just to show that the Lincoln Memorial wasnt the only monument used in the service of advertisers. The sculptor of Mt. Rushmore ostensibly took Bromo-Seltzer for his headaches. Early versions of this medicine contained sodium bromide, a tranquilizer. That may not have been such a good idea when he was dangling off the side of Lincolns nose.
New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/30/2017 -- In- Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Industry



According to Stratistics MRC, the In- Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Market is estimated at $1.49 billion in 2015 and is projected to reach $5.66 billion by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 20.9% from 2015 to 2022. Increased occurrences of gamete donations, emerging trend of delayed pregnancies among women, technological advancements in IVF procedures and rising incidence of infertility cases are some of the factors driving the market growth. Furthermore, availability of IVF treatments, increasing disposable income, favourable reimbursement policies, rising health awareness on fertility issues would further augment the market growth. However, high cost of devices, ethical considerations and multiple pregnancies are some of the restraints hampering the market growth. Recent innovations in IVF technology, such as Embryoscope and capsule IVF, are anticipated to boost the demand of IVF devices in future.



Micromanipulator is the highest revenue-generating segment owing to its extensive use in various stages of the IVF procedure. However, sperm separation system segment would witness a significant growth due to its extensive use in healthy sperm selection and gender determination. Europe and North America are expected to gain significant market share over the forecast period.



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Some of the key players in this market include



Vitrolife AB, EMD Serono, Inc., Irvine Scientific, Cooper Surgical, Cook Medical, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Genea Biomedx, Auxogyn, Oxford Gene Technology , OvaScience, Inc., Bangkok Fertility Center, Siriraj Hospital, Ramathibodi Hospital, Jetanin Institute for Assisted Reproduction, Cyprus IVF Centre, Al Bushra Medical Specialty Complex, Trakya University Hospital ART Center, Lifesure Fertility & Gynaecology Centre and BioART Fertility Centre.



Reagents and Media Covered:

- Cryopreservation media

- Semen processing media

- Ovum processing media

- Embryo culture media



Technology Covered

- Fresh embryo transfer technique

- Frozen egg transfer technique

- Donor egg transfer technique



IVF Instruments Covered:

- Sperm separation system

- Cryosystem

- Incubator

- Imaging system

- Disposables

- Consumables ovum aspiration pump

- Other Instruments



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End Users Covered

- Fertility clinics

- Hospitals

- Surgical centers

- Clinical research institutes



Regions Covered:

- North America

- US

- Canada

-Mexico

- Europe

- Germany

- France

- Italy

- UK

- Spain

- Rest of Europe

- Asia Pacific

- Japan

- China

- India

- Australia

- New Zealand

- Rest of Asia Pacific

- Rest of the World

- Middle East

- Brazil

- Argentina

- South Africa

- Egypt



What our report offers:

- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments

- Market share analysis of the top industry players

- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants

- Market forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets

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- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends

- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments

- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements



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Oak Harbor, WA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/30/2017 -- RealEstateInAnacortes.com, a respected and trusted source for Skagit County real estate services announces acknowledgment of record low inventory throughout Skagit County Washington. In areas such as Anacortes, Whidbey Island, Mount Vernon and Burlington as well as Sedro Woolley and other communities, there has been a steady reduction in inventory in the last 18 months. Demand for homes across the region has outpaced inventory with no relief in sight. While this is good news for though selling a home Skagit County home, it is also good news for those buying a home who are actively engaged in searching for property. Working with an experienced and dedicated realtor in Skagit County is one of the best ways to secure home even in a tight market.



Skagit County has experienced a 14% increase year-over-year in overall home pricing. Converse, the state of Washington has seen an average increase in home prices of around 12%. Skagit County is considered to be a very affordable place to live as compared to Whatcom County to the north and Snohomish County to the south. Prices have historically been lower and inventory has been higher. While this is not the case today it is still a highly opportunistic area when it comes to purchasing real estate. Skagit County is affordable and has highly rated public education.



In areas such as Anacortes and Oak Harbor, the shortage of home inventory is further exasperated by a large influx of active-duty military being based at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. While homebuilders are building more homes throughout the region, the forecast is for Skagit County home inventories to continue to remain low. This recent announcement with regard to acknowledgment of record low home inventory in Skagit County Washington is one more clear indicator that this is an excellent time to buy or sell a home in Washington state.



About RealEstateInAnacortes.com

RealEstateInAnacortes.com is an intuitive and easy to use website offering professional realtor services in Anacortes, WA. Nicole provides assistance to both buyers and sellers of real property throughout Anacortes and the surrounding communities. Nicole brings years of experience to the table in working with a full range of real estate deals in both the residential and commercial arenas. She offers clients dedicated and detailed services that include helping clients stage a home for sale as well as negotiating the best possible deal for buyers wishing to make an offer on a home in Anacortes. Nicole has a respected reputation for always staying in close contact with her clients. This can make a big difference when trying to close a real estate deal in Anacortes WA.



Contact: Nicole Haun

Email: Nicolemhaun@gmail.com

Location: Anacortes, WA

Web Address: http://www.realestateinanacortes.com/

Twitter: @HomesAnacortes
Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/30/2017 -- The motive of this strategic research report entitled "United States Flower Pots and Planters Market 2017-2022" is to provide company officials, industry investors, and United States Flower Pots and Planters industry members with consequential insights to enable them make reliable strategic decisions regarding the opportunities in the United States Flower Pots and Planters market.



This report studies the Flower Pots and Planters market in United States , analyzes and research the Flower Pots and Planters development status and forecast [ in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle and Africa.] . Flower Pots and Planters market report focuses on the top players in United States industry, shown below. The report covers Flower Pots and Planters United States sales and United States Flower Pots and Planters market growth rate [2011 to 2021]. United States Flower Pots and Planters market Status, Prospect (2011-2021) also mensioned in this report. United States Flower Pots and Planters market report also includes, United States Flower Pots and Planters Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers - [on United States Flower Pots and Planters market scenario]



Do Inquiry Before Purchasing Report Here: https://market.biz/report/united-states-flower-pots-and-planters-market-gir/15426/#inquiry



Key Manufacturers in United States Flower Pots and Planters market:-

1. toplastics

2. Summit Janor

3. Nursery Supplies

4. Novelty

5. Landmark Plastic

6. HC companies

7. Garant

8. East Jordan Plastics

9. Andersonpots



Market Segment by Type, covers

1. Plastic

2. Ceramics

3. Wood

4. Other Material



Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into

1. Home decorates

2. Commercial use

3. Municipal construction

4. Others



Scope of the United States Flower Pots and Planters market report:



This report focuses on the Flower Pots and Planters in United States market industry. This report on Flower Pots and Planters industry categorizes the United States Flower Pots and Planters market based on manufacturers, type and application.



Flower Pots and Planters Market Segment by Manufacturers. on United States Flower Pots and Planters market scenario.



There are 11 Topics to deeply describe the United States Flower Pots and Planters market.



Topic 1, to describe Flower Pots and Planters Introduction, product scope, Flower Pots and Planters market overview, United States market opportunities, Flower Pots and Planters market risk, United States Flower Pots and Planters market driving force;



Topic 2, covers top manufacturers of Flower Pots and Planters in United States region, with sales, Flower Pots and Planters market revenue, and price of Flower Pots and Planters, in 2016 and 2017;



Topic 3, to display the Flower Pots and Planters industry competitive situation among the top manufacturers in United States region, with sales, revenue, and Flower Pots and Planters market share in 2016 and 2017;



Topic 4 and 5, to show the United States market of Flower Pots and Planters by type and application, with sales Flower Pots and Planters market share and United States market growth rate by type, application, from 2011 to 2016; on United States Flower Pots and Planters industry scenario.



Topic 6, United States Flower Pots and Planters market forecast, by type and application, with sales and Flower Pots and Planters market revenue, from 2017 to 2022;



Topic 7, to analyze the Flower Pots and Planters market/industry development potential except for United States , covering China, Southeast Asia, India, Latin America etc on United States Flower Pots and Planters industry scenario.



Topic 8, 9, 10 and 11, in United States Flower Pots and Planters market report to describe sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Flower Pots and Planters market effect factors, appendix, and data source.



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[MANILA] This years Global Landscapes Forum, held mid-May in Jakarta, focused on peatlands, described as one of the least-understood ecosystems by Tim Christophersen, senior programme officer for Forests and Climate Change with the UN Environment Programme.



Led by the Centre for International Forestry Research, the Forum, an annual event since 2013, aims to shed light on the importance of peatlands not only for climate change mitigation, but also for community development and livelihoods.



Indonesias hosting the 2017 Forum is not surprising. The 2015 forest fires that spread toxic haze across South-east Asia had drawn attention to the countrys vast peatlands exceeded in size only by Brazils.



A new global wetlands map suggests that more peatlands exist in the tropics  at least three times more than previously estimated. Developed by scientists from the Sustainable Wetlands Adaptation and Mitigation Programme, the map shows South America housing most of the worlds peat by area and volume.



Wetlands and peatlands play a vital role in climate change management as they store huge amounts of carbon. Knowing where they are located helps protect them against draining for cultivation, an activity which results in the release of vast amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.

In the end, successful and continuous peatlands conservation relies on each sectors willingness to acquire new knowledge and collaborate. Joiada Cruzate, SciDev.Net
Poaching, illegal fishing and deforestation are threatening more than quarter of UNESCOs World Heritage sites, according to a report by the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)  and the consequences are not just environmental.

The report states that 18 out of the 50 threatened sites are in Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama and Peru. It also says the number could be higher because the illegal extraction of species in the region  a business with annual profits of almost US$ 2 billion  is not as well studied as it is in Africa or Asia.

Many vaquitas fall into nets that are illegally placed for [fishing] totoaba and Asian demand represents a huge incentive for totoaba overfishing. Andres Cisneros Montemayor, resource economist, University of British Columbia.

In 2016, WWF reported that biodiversity declined 60 per cent on average between 1970 and 2012, and that illegal trade was one of the main engines of species loss.

The new report, published in April, warns that if this trend continues, a new wave of extinctions will begin, especially since many of these World Heritage Sites are shelters for endangered plants and animals.

This is the case already in the islands and protected areas of the Gulf of California, in Mexico, which harbour the remaining population of 30 marine vaquitas. Illegal fishing for totoaba, a fish species protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), is the main cause of the vaquitas decline.

Many vaquitas fall into nets that are illegally placed for [fishing] totoaba", says Andres Cisneros Montemayor, resource economist at the University of British Columbia, Canada. "And Asian demand represents a huge incentive for totoaba overfishing. As long as it continues, this problem will not end".

But besides the environmental impact of illegal species extraction, these activities also harm the people living in affected regions. In Belize, for example, illegal fishing combined with pollution and uncontrolled coastal development have damaged the marine-protected areas and reef system on which some 200,000 people depend  almost half of Belizeans.

Nadia Bood, a marine biologist at WWF-Belize, warns that populations of some fish, lobsters and molluscs have declined dramatically in recent years, leaving local fishermen and traders with less stock to sell. It's a constant battle she says. Unless NGOs, society and government work together, we will not see a major change.

This piece was originally published by the Latin America and Caribbean desk.
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is a global effort that unites governments, civil society organisations and the private sector in their commitments to improving air quality and protecting the environment from the impact of climate change.

The CCAC aims to reduce short-lived climate pollutants across sectors. Short-lived climate pollutants are a set of gases and particles with relatively short atmospheric lifetimes, from a few days to approximately 10 years, but have significant warming impacts on the climate.

These include black carbon, methane and some hydrofluorocarbons that are a group of chemicals manufactured for use in refrigeration, insulation foam, and aerosols. Major cuts in their emissions will yield much faster reductions in planetary warming.

The coalition also acts as a catalyst to create, implement and share immediate solutions addressing climate change with the aim of improving peoples lives rapidly and ensuring sustainable development for future generations.

To find out more about the CCAC and its efforts, SciDev.Net spoke with Alice Akinyi Kaudia, environment secretary in Kenyas Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, who was on 17 April elected as a co-chair of the CCAC steering committee.

What are the key objectives of the CCAC?



The key objectives of CCAC are geared towards enabling developing countries  in particular  to reduce emission of short-lived climate pollutants while improving the well-being of people and the environment. These objectives include raising awareness of short-lived climate pollutant impacts and mitigation strategies, enhancing and developing new national and regional actions, promoting and improving best practices, and showcasing successful efforts to aid understanding of impacts of short-lived climate pollutants and associated mitigation strategies.

For Africa, my being a global co-chair means I can articulate the needs of Africa and other developing countries on programmes. Alice Akinyi Kaudia, The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)

As a new co-chair of the CCAC steering committee, what does this position mean to you personally and to Sub-Saharan Africa in particular?



Personally, I am very excited about this position because all the objectives of CCAC focus on practical action that should be taken to aid adaptation to and mitigation of climate change. As you know, climate change is a common global threat to the well-being of people and sustainability of the environment. For Africa, my being a global co-chair means I can articulate the needs of Africa and other developing countries on programmes that should be developed and financed to enable these regions meet their respective commitments to the Paris agreement.



What vision do you have for the CCAC in the next two years?



During the next two years, I want to support the strengthening of all the 11 initiatives of CCAC but with a particular focus on waste, household energy, agriculture and bricks, which have direct relevance to developing countries. I will also strive to ensure increased active participation of governments and non-governmental organisations in low-and middle-income countries in activities of the coalition, but with a focus on improving the wellbeing of resource-poor communities and particularly women and the youth. In addition, I would like to see an increase in the number of partners. Currently, there are 114 partners made up of 52 governments, 17 international non-governmental organisations and 45 non-governmental organisations.



Why are climate change and unclean air of concern in Sub-Saharan Africa?



Having strong and effective climate action to ensure clean air in Africa is a necessity because of the impact of polluted air on human health and overall constrained development associated with scarcity of natural resources such as water, feed, food and forests as a result of negative impacts of climate change. Developing countries depend heavily on these natural resources for their growth and wellbeing of their populations. Without transformative action to tame climate change, our sustainability is compromised.



What do you think African countries and policymakers need to do to address the challenges of climate change and unclean air?



All African governments should have policies that support generation of science-based knowledge and innovations. Such policies should support investment in clean technology and sustainable lifestyles as guided by development paradigms. Where clean technology has to be acquired, the policy pricing model should support affordability by low-income earners.



The 2016 report of the CCAC titled Advancing actions to reduce black carbon, methane and hydrofluorocarbons: time to act! identifies efforts made worldwide to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (RSCPs). What challenges does Sub-Saharan Africa face in reducing RSCPs?



Challenges faced by African governments in reducing SLCPs such as black carbon emitted from wood fuel, for instance, include limited investment capacity in large-scale action that can create impact due to differences in environment polices and climate action strategies across the continent, limited knowledgeable and skilled human resources capacity to promote transformative clean technologies, and a fast-growing middle-class population with a high consumption tendency but without regard for environment sustainability.

Without transformative action to tame climate change our sustainability is compromised. Alice Akinyi Kaudia, The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)

What are the key successes, if any, in reducing climate pollutants in Sub-Saharan Africa?



I see the main success being the climate action governance structure that is emerging on both climate change negotiation and action streams. I take Kenya as an example, where climate change issues are now handled at the presidency level though the National Climate Change Council chaired by the president. The political level of engagement can support mobilisation of financial and other resources to support large-scale uptake of clean technologies.



What opportunities exist for Sub-Saharan Africa to reduce short-lived climate pollutants?



Africa has unquantifiable opportunities to reduce SLCPs. I say this because from a business model approach, every climate change challenge requires a solution and that creates investment and employment opportunity. But let me isolate three areas with high potential impact.

First, Africa has the highest per capita consumption of wood fuel of 0.89 meters squared per year compared to other developing regions, and over seven per cent of Sub-Saharan African households depend on wood fuel as primary sources of energy for cooking. This situation presents a huge business potential for clean energy and efficient cook stoves at household and institutional levels, and a lot of potential to reduce SLCPs.

Second, rapid urbanisation and increasing population of the middle class in Africa are two key drivers of accelerated generation of waste. Worse is the poor management of waste characterised by open dumping and littering, with less than 20 per cent collected for safe disposal. New opportunities include investment in waste management through creating industrial plants for capture and transformation of methane to electricity or promoting use of biogas plants at domestic and industrial scales. Using clean energy and efficient cooking devices has the added benefit of ensuring quality health.

Third, actions which either prevent climate change or support the adaption to climate change are all founded on the principle of resources efficiency and low emission of gases harmful to the environment and people. These actions, therefore, support reduction of SLCPs.



What advice do you have for the global community in addressing climate pollutants?



We have one earth. Negative impacts of climate change have no geographical boundaries. The global community should, therefore, support a strong active and effective South-South and South-North partnerships to boost implementation of research and development projects and programmes that will drastically reduce SLCPs to aid human health and help achieve the sustainable development goals.



Q&As are edited for length and clarity.



This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
A recently discovered new species of frogs, particularly from a group called grass frogs, were found in the Amazonian Ecuador. Unlike the usual grass frogs that have transparent skin showing their organs, this new type of frog fully expose its heart.

In a study published in ZooKeys titled "A marvelous new glass frog (Centrolenidae, Hyalinobatrachium) from Amazonian Ecuador," the new amphibian is described by its relatively dark green spots at the back of its head and the foremost part of the body. The description was made by a team of scientists led by Juan Guayasamin of Universidad San Francisco de Quito.

In addition, the new type of glass frog has a characteristic long call. The frog is named Hyalinobatrachium yaku, where the species name "yaku," is translated to water in the scientist's local language and Kichwa. Water is a crucial part of glass frogs' reproduction

In an article published by Science Daily, the reproductive behavior if glass frogs are quite usual in this species of frogs. Males are often being called from the underside of leaves and look after the egg clutches.

The researchers noted some behavioral differences between the populations of the glass frog named Hyalinobatrachium yaku. Two of them were spotted in the riverine vegetation of an intact forest in Kallana They have been calling from the underside of leaves a few meters above slow-flowing, relatively narrow and shallow streams.

Other species of this glass frog was observed in an area filled with secondary forests located in an Ecuadorian village of Ahuano. It is the same with the amphibians that were found on the underside of a leaf.

The third locality of this glass frog lives in a disturbed secondary forest in San Jose de Payamino. The scientists studied frogs that have been perching on leaves of small shrubs, ferns, and grasses some 30 to 150 cm above the ground.

"Glass frogs presumably require continuous tracts of forest to interact with nearby populations, and roads potentially act as barriers to dispersal for transient individuals," the authors of this study said. The problems this frog might face is the problem of pollution, road development, habitat degradation, and isolation.
Scientists have said that the Great Barrier Reef has been severely damaged because of the warming of the oceans due to climate change. With this, the reef could no longer be saved.

The Telegraph reports that about 95 percent of the Great Barrier Reef is now suffering from bleaching. This is based on the survey conducted in 2016. The scientists said that the ecological function of the reef could be maintained in the coming days. On the other hand, the reef could no longer be saved in its current form.

Half the Great Barrier Reef may have died in the last 2 yearshow much are we willing to lose to #climatechange? https://t.co/uMOmeuicU4 pic.twitter.com/zMKRD78dP0  Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) May 29, 2017

A committee managed by the Australian government that aims to enhance the health of the reef stated that hope remains for maintaining the ecological function over the coming decades. It further stated that in their lifetime and their watch, the significant areas of the Great Barrier Reef and the surrounding ecosystems are experiencing major long-term damage that may be irreparable unless action is taken now.

The committee is recommending lessening of the greenhouse gas emissions. It also said that this must be combined with increased efforts to enhance the resilience of the coral and other ecosystems that form the Great Barrier Reef. It added that the focus of efforts should be on controlling the reef to maintain the benefits that the reef provides.

Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg said that they were trying to manage reefs in a "rapidly changing world." Meanwhile, the views of the expert committee could lead to the declaration of the reef being affirmed as a World Heritage Site "in danger." On the other hand, this view was resisted by the Australian government, according to Independent.
Global warming might reach more dangerous levels even sooner if the U.S. backs out from its pledge to cut carbon dioxide pollution, scientists have said. This is primarily because the country makes a high contribution to rising temperatures.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who had once termed global warming as a Chinese hoax, recently tweeted that he is yet to decide whether or not America will stay in the Paris Agreement deal -- a pact to curb greenhouse gas emissions. In an attempt to understand the repercussions of the U.S. backing out from the deal, The Associate Press reportedly consulted with several climate scientists and examined a special computer model scenario to see what could be the potential effects.

According to the scientists, as reported by Boston Herald, matters will become worse as global warming will cross a dangerous temperature threshold. There might be an annual increase of more than 3 billion tons of carbon dioxide as per estimation. Consequently, ice melt will occur at a rapid rate, sea level will increase and there will be more extreme weather. A computer simulation predicted that if the U.S. does not curb emissions, while the other nations stay true to the Paris Agreement, then America would increase global warming by 0.3 degree.

Analysts, however, have different perspectives on the possibility of that scenario, as per The Independent. Many researchers feel that it is unlikely the U.S. would stop reducing its carbon pollution even if it backed out of the pact due to its increasing adoption of renewable energy sources. The country also uses cheap natural gas that displaces coal. However, another group of experts feels that matters could get worse if other nations follow a U.S. exit because that would mean more emissions produced jointly by the countries that will no more be a part of the pact.
PAMPLICO, S.C. -- The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is investigating two reports people being attacked by a possibly rabid animal.

DHEC spokesperson Adrianna Bradley said the agency received two reports on May 27 of potential exposure to a fox in Pamplico.

The victim have been referred to their healthcare providers for consultation, she said.

"The fox has not been captured or submitted for testing so it cannot be confirmed that the fox was rabid." Bradley said.

Rabies is a virus that can be transmitted when saliva or neural tissue of an infected animal is introduced into the body of a healthy person or animal. It infects cells in the central nervous system, causing disease in the brain and, ultimately, death, according to the DHEC Website.

"It's important to remember that rabies is a medical urgency, but not an emergency. Rabies in humans is 100% preventable through prompt, appropriate medical care. Yet, more than 55,000 people die from rabies every year  a rate of one person every ten minutes," according to the Website.

"Although the cost varies, treatment typically exceeds $3,000 per person," according to the Website.

"Due to federal privacy restrictions, DHEC is unable to provide additional information concerning any individual, including details about physical condition, hospitalization, age, sex, and residence," she said.

If you're bitten or scratched by a wild, stray or unvaccinated animal care for the wound properly and contact your health care provider. The health care provider is required to report the incident to DHEC.

In Florence County report possible rabies exposure to RabiesFlorence@dhec.sc.gov or 843-661-4830.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Commander Brian Souchet is retired from the Navy but now teaches students in the South Florence High Schools Navy JROTC program. He has had a military life that makes him thankful for being an American. He graduated in 1983 from St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, New York.

Q: Was ROTC at your high school?

A: Junior ROTC was not there, but it is called Junior ROTC because ROTC is found at the collegiate level.

Q: What made you want to enlist?

A: Theres a difference between enlist and being an officer. When someone enlists, they actually have a contract they have to sign. A contract does expire, and then you have to sign another contract. An officer doesnt have to enlist. They are commissioned. For the most part, they need at least a college degree, go through officer development like ROTC or Navy Academy and are appointed by the Senate. It is a commission granted to you based on you meeting requirements. Commission is open until you resign the commission or the Navy or military say they no longer need you. I decided to be an officer. I went to Boston University. They had a Navy ROTC program. I always had an interest in the military but not sure what I wanted to do. I was commissioned an officer in 1987 and did my flight training after. I was a pilot when I was on active duty. I retired 20 years later.

Q: What is the role of a high schools JROTC?

A: Our job is to build better citizens. Citizen development is what we do. If the students goal is to go to Florence-Darlington Tech and become an air-conditioning tech, the program still helps them get to that point. If they want to go to Francis Marion (University), we help them get to that point.

Q: What makes the military honorable?

A: Those who enter military service have to be self-sacrificing. Those who succeed understand there is a mission that needs to be accomplished. Those are the people who are willing to put the mission ahead of their own needs and do the same for their coworkers. Those are the ones who say, Im going to get the job done no matter what.

Q: What makes the Navy honorable?

A: Were always deployed. You can be in an Army unit and probably end up deployed. The Navy guarantees eight months at sea after youre trained, then a short tour, and youre at sea for eight months, and its a sea tour rotation. If you join the Navy, you will deploy. Its expeditionary and makes it unique.

Q: What places have you been?

A: I started in Florida, went to Washington, to Japan, to Florida, went to South Texas, then Washington State, then Washington, D.C., and went back to South Texas and went to Newport, Rhode Island. Ive been to Brunswick, Maine. Those are duty stations. The Navy is expeditionary. Ive been to Hong Kong, flew over Iraq, off the coast of Africa and been to Midway Island.

Q: What has military life taught you?

A: I have gained a greater appreciation of the country I live in. I travel, I see how people live. I went to the Philippines, and I thank God Im an American. I know to be born poor in some countries means staying poor your whole life. You can be born poor in the U.S. and make something of yourself. You can be born rich in the U.S. and become a pauper. Ive seen it with my own eyes. That brings me to what makes me frustrated about the students.

Q: What makes you frustrated?

A: What makes me frustrated is that we provide education opportunities to our students and they dont take advantage of it. So many kids globally wish they had that chance. Our kids are given opportunities, and when they squander, that is frustrating to watch.

Q: Any myths about JROTC you want to break up?

A: JROTC is a place where we have rules, and there is an expectation to follow those rules. The stereotype of us (JROTC teachers) being strict disciplinarians is false in the sense that we have expectations that everyone has. We live in a society where not everyone wants to play by the rules. We have to understand that we have expected norms. Expected norms are youre not going to steal, youre going to show up on time and we stick to those norms in this classroom. When you get in trouble, youre held accountable. To the kids not in JROTC, this may be perceived as strict, but you have to be held accountable. When they leave my program and graduate from this high school, thats the same accountability any employer holds them to. We teach them that now.

Q: What motivates you when working with the youth?

A: I want them to be a better person than they otherwise would have been. I want them to look back at their experience and see their growth. If you lined up my students, they will have a lot to say. Not all of it will be positive. Many of them resent being held accountable. I want them to look back when theyre in college or trade school and say, Now I understand why he held me at a high standard. I have them for four years, and I see them come in as 13- and 14-year-olds and leave as young men and women. If I could see that transformation, thats the key motivating factor, and maybe I had a small part in that.
WASHINGTON -- The shocking thing about Greg Gianforte's assault on a journalist isn't that he body-slammed and punched a reporter but that it took so long for the inevitable to occur.

Such an attack was foreshadowed way back in March last year when tough-guy Corey Lewandowski grabbed a female reporter who, apparently, was too brash for the tender sensibilities of then-candidate Donald Trump's inner circle.

A few months after his effrontery, Lewandowski left the campaign and joined CNN as a commentator. He now may be poised to rejoin Team Trump.

Gianforte, a Montana Republican, also was rewarded for his imitation of a distempered jackal. His campaign in a special congressional election reportedly reaped more than $100,000 in online donations just before the vote, most of it in the aftermath of the incident. The Bozeman businessman also managed to win the election, perhaps partly attributable to early voting before the attack.

As captured in an audio recording, The Guardian's Ben Jacobs is heard saying, "You just body-slammed me and broke my glasses." Then, according to Fox News reporter Alicia Acuna, Gianforte climbed on top of Jacobs and began punching him, saying, something like, "I'm sick and tired of this."

Aren't we all?

The cause of his violent meltdown? Jacobs had asked Gianforte a few questions about his position on health care.

This isn't exactly high-handed heckling over a sensitive issue. What if it had been? Would Gianforte have throttled him? Gianforte did apologize for his actions after the election results were in and following 24 hours of denial.

It would seem that Gianforte, who has been charged with misdemeanor assault, is unfamiliar with the media beast known as a scrum, an impromptu assemblage of reporters, usually following an event, during which reporters fire off questions and jostle each other for a better position  sort of the way Trump bulldozed past Montenegro Prime Minister Dusko Markovic this past Thursday.

In Brussels for a NATO summit, the president proved that no one can out-bully him. He chastised other nations for not paying enough of their fair share, and did not offer his endorsement of Article 5, which was interpreted as insinuating that they might not be able to rely on the United States should, say, Russia decide to pursue its dream of re-establishing the empire, as it did in Crimea.

Trump obviously had changed his tune since earlier declaring in Saudi Arabia that he had not come to lecture. He all but wagged his finger, which might explain why newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron walked directly toward Trump and then, at the last moment, swerved to hug German Prime Minister Angela Merkel, shaking several other hands before getting to Trump last.

But Trump's coup de uncouth came when, apparently stricken by an urgent need to reach center stage for a group photo, the U.S. president literally pushed Markovic out of the way. Upon finding his preferred spot, Trump adjusted his tie and seemed oblivious to what the rest of the world observed as profoundly unseemly.

Markovic graciously has said he didn't notice the shove, adding that the U.S. president should be in the front row. Perhaps so, but a light tap on the shoulder and at least a pretense of manners in the form of, "Excuse me," wouldn't have been such a strain.

While Trump's reflexive rudeness was merely embarrassing, Gianforte's attack was frightening. Both actions, however, flow from the same spout  our ever-coarsening culture and partisan hostility that erased all boundaries of civility during the 2016 election. It would be unfair to pin this evolution on Trump alone, but broadening acceptance of bullying tactics undoubtedly has been aided by the commander in chief's own embrace, even celebration, of resolving differences by force, if necessary.

Recall candidate Trump encouraging his supporters to boo journalists at his rallies; his promising to pay legal expenses for a guy who punched a heckler; and his incessant demonizing of the mainstream media as "fake news," meaning news he doesn't like.

Gianforte might be a hero to some people, but his violent antics should send a chill up the spines of Constitution-minded Americans. Trump's rhetoric has normalized hatred of journalists and, by implication, encouraged the sort of behavior we've now witnessed. The perpetrator wasn't some right-wing crazy from Bumduck; he was a respected businessman, now elected to Congress.

If this doesn't worry you, we have bigger problems than Russia could ever dream.

Kathleen Parker's email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com.
Kolkata, May 30 (IBNS): Believing in the concept that power of ideas can change the face of entrepreneurship and help in growing businesses, TiE Kolkata recently organised the F&B Entrepreneurship Summit and Awards 2017 in the city.

Dr S Radhakrishnan, President, TiE Kolkata, inaugurated the event. Beginning on a light note, describing how food can calm down most restless people, he touched upon the main activities of TiE Global and TiE Kolkata, the importance of the Indian food and beverage (F&B) industry and what needs to be done to make it more relevant.

Among the series of panel discussions, the one titled 'Local Going Places' -- moderated by Aninda Palit -- co-founder of 6 Ballygunge Place, brought to light the various challenges that F&B entrepreneurs face when a local brand decides to expand.

Niche restaurants, such as those catering regional cuisine feel the heat the most.

Siddharta Chatterjee, co-founder of Bhojohori Manna, a restaurant specialising in Bengali cuisine, said that not only procuring raw material but also hiring skilled staff can be a challenge sometimes.

Rakhi Purnima DasGupta, started Kewpies to bridge the gap between eating Bengali food in a five star restaurant and at an eatery run by a woman's welfare group. Today, it is one of the most sought after restaurants in Kolkata.

She said that even though she received many offers to expand to other cities, she chose not to because she personally supervises the cooking.

Anuvrat Pabrai, founder of Pabrai's Fresh and Natural Ice Creams said introducing Bengal's 'nolen gur' flavour was a challenge that ultimately changed to success. "We have received business proposals from several countries but we are more keen to fine tune our franchise model before we venture out," he said.

Chai Break owner Aditya Ladsaria said that they were eager to expand to places such as Durgapur and Burdwan because they thought competition would be less. "But we realised the challenges once we set up our restaurant. Getting skilled staff was a key concern," he said.

"Expanding to other cities or towns also means adjusting to new places, new people and new culture," said Ladsaria.

His views were partly reiterated by Siddharta Chatterjee when he said that since people's culinary preference varies across India, sometimes it can be difficult carrying one region's food to another.

"Say, people in Bengaluru may want more chillies in the Bengali mutton curry," said Chatterjee.

He also pointed out that for the F&B industry to expand, it is necessary to consolidate the compliance required to open and run a restaurant.

The only person who seemed least perturbed was Chef Joymalya Banerjee, founder of Bohemian. "I am a chef by passion. To me cooking is like painting," he said.

With the GST regime expected to roll out from July 1, everyone connected to the F&B industry, be they entrepreneurs or providers of related services, seemed concerned about the accounting system.

Therefore, TiE had arranged for a special session where TB Chatterjee, GST consultant, explained the basics of GST and illustrated how the various categories of hotels and restaurants will be affected, how they will have to adopt and adapt to GST rules, etc.

British Deputy High Commissioner, Bruce Buckneil, spoke briefly about the F&B industry in the UK and investing in the UK.

He followed it up with a few short films, including one on the diversity of food in the UK and clips showing how four young entrepreneurs have been doing very well in the country.

He said that visa for the right people is never a matter of concern.

Chef Sabyasachi Gorai of Fabrica & Lavaash by Saby fame and Bikram Dasgupta, Director, BDG Global, were the keynote speakers.

As things were getting a little serious, the organisers decided to call on stage the representatives of the Pepsico India for the launch of the new zero-calorie, no-sugar Pepsi Black, and soon one could hear cans popping in the various corners of the room -- all the hard talk of the evening had made everyone thirsty indeed.

The mood lightened further as Sagar Daryani, co-founder and CEO of WoW!Momo took the stage for moderating the session on 'Innovating for Growth.

Daryani, a TiE Kolkata Charter Member, was also Convener of the F&B Summit.

Participants included Nandan Reddy of Swiggy, Abhinay Choudhuri of Big Basket, Sneha Singhi of Paris Cafe, Rahul Arora of Bon Appetit, Gaurav Kamani of The Grid and Rochelle D'Souza of Lighthouse Advisors India Pvt Ltd.

Both Reddy and Choudhuri highlighted the need to go the extra mile so far as customer satisfaction is concerned to stay ahead of competition.

Choudhuri said that his customer executives are not allowed to call the customer before delivering the order, not even to ask for directions. They are penalised if they break the rule.

Also delivering the exact items a customer has ordered is very important, said the co-founder of Big Basket. "If you cannot deliver the items a customer has asked for and he or she has to go to a store to get that item, you will not be there preferred supplier any more," he said.

So Big Basket banks on technological innovations, even capturing the exact geographical location of a customer's address by plotting its longitudes and latitudes.

Rochelle D'Souza spoke about what do the investors look for in a new start-up before they fund them

The programme concluded with the Swiggy Presents F&B Entrepreneurship Awards. Sagar Daryani won the Food Entrepreneur of the Year award. The Corner Courtyard, Mrs Magpie, 6 Ballygunge Place were some of the other winners.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 30 (IBNS): Giving relief to people after the unbearable summer, the southwest monsoon has arrived over Kerala, met officials said on Tuesday.

The IMD said in a statement:"Southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala today i.e. 30th May 2017. It has also advanced into some parts of northeastern states (some parts of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh."

Southwest monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of south Arabian Sea, remaining parts of Maldives Comorin area, southern parts of Lakshadweep area, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, some more parts of southwest Bay of Bengal, remaining parts of southeast Bay of Bengal, some parts of west central Bay of Bengal, most parts of east central and northeast Bay of Bengal and some parts of Nagaland-Manipur-Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

Conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into remaining parts of south Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep area and Kerala, some parts of central Arabian Sea, coastal & south interior Karnataka, some more parts of Tamil Nadu, southwest, west central & east central Bay of Bengal, most parts of northeast Bay of Bengal and some more parts of northeastern states during next 3- 4 days, the IMD said.
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Financial services giants Legal and General today dismissed national media reports about a proposed take-over of the British Steel Pension Scheme as speculation.

A report in yesterdays Daily Mail said Tata Steel, the former owners of the Scunthorpe works, were in talks over a 15 billion buy-out of the 60-year-old pension scheme

Last June Legal and General took over as the pension providers for the 3,000 British employees in Scunthorpe.

The British Steel fund which is reported to be worth15 billion has an estimated 20,000 stake-holders in North Lincolnshire.

They have been waiting since last June for the Department for Work and Pensions to decide if the scheme should fall into the hands of the Pension Protection Fund after Tata Steel refused to bridge a short-fall to meet long-term liabilities.

Tata Steel has so far not commented on the reported talks with Legal and general.
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A NEW Chief Constable is set to be appointed at Humberside Police after a preferred candidate was selected for the role.

Lee Freeman, who is currently Temporary Deputy Chief Constable of the force, has been announced as Humberside police and crime commissioner Keith Hunters choice for the job.

He was selected following a recruitment process which produced three applications to replace Justine Curran, who stepped down and retired from policing in February.

Humberside Police was told by Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary in November that it requires improvement.

(Image: Kate Woolhouse)

That came after it was the only force rated inadequate in a review of police efficiency across England and Wales in October 2015.

And a report published in March said the force needed to improve its effectiveness at keeping people safe and reducing crime and labelled much of its performance as inadequate.

The selection of Mr Freeman must be approved by the Humberside police and crime panel at a meeting later this month before the appointment can be confirmed, although he will lead the force as Temporary Chief Constable until then.

Mr Hunter said: I am delighted that the selection procedure to identify my preferred candidate for Chief Constable of Humberside Police has concluded with Lee Freeman being unanimously approved as being a suitable and strong candidate for the role by a very experienced panel of interviewers.

I will put forward Lee as the preferred candidate to the police and crime panel with a recommendation for them to approve the selection, that meeting will take place in June.

The chair of the police and crime panel was an observer throughout the final selection process but until the selection can be considered by the whole panel, and the report by an independent member of the selection panel is considered, I will not make further comment so as not to undermine the important role of oversight the police and crime panel have to play.

Due to the current circumstances in the senior leadership team of Humberside Police, and wishing to establish a new normality at the earliest time to encourage stability and the best circumstances for the continuing development of the force, I have appointed Lee Freeman as Temporary Chief Constable from Tuesday (May 30).

This has been done in consultation and agreement with Garry Forsyth, who will revert to Deputy Chief Constable.

I would like to pay tribute to Garry who, at short notice, stepped in to the chiefs role to see the force through the period following the departure of Justine Curran and has performed admirably.

Although there has been an unavoidable period of uncertainty in the force following the departure of Justine, I am of the firm belief that the force is being positioned to allow it to significantly improve over the coming years and the selection of Lee Freeman is a key event in that transition.

Mr Freeman was born in Grimsby and joined the City of London Police in 1993 after completing a sociology degree at Kingston University.

He transferred to Lincolnshire Police in 1996 and was promoted to sergeant in 2000 and again to superintendent five years later.

He had a spell on secondment to Lincolnshire County Council as an assistant director and eventually rose to become Lincolnshire Polices Temporary Assistant Chief Constable for local policing in 2013.

He joined Humberside Police two years later as Assistant Chief Constable for communities and partnerships and described being appointed as a chief officer in his home force as his proudest moment.
The three ships will be built at Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard, with which Deltamarin (China) Co has signed the ship design contract.

Icelands Eimskip and Greenlands Royal Arctic Line ordered the ice-class 2,150 teu newbuildings at the Chinese shipyard in January this year, with deliveries scheduled in 2019.

Deltamarin said it has earlier developed the vessel concept for the two shipowners to fit their trading routes in harsh weather conditions, with the ships designed to comply with IMO Polar Code and the NOx Tier III requirements. The ships will also have built-in scrubbers to minimise sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions.

Deltamarin added that the vessels will consume less fuel per container unit, hence the operating costs will be lower than in existing vessels.

The design is based on Deltamarins extensive development work for a new generation of energy-efficient and operationally optimised 1,000-3,000 teu container vessels intended for feeder service, said Markku Miinala, director, sales and marketing at Deltamarin.

The work will be carried out at Deltamarins Shanghai office in China over an estimated period of eight months.
Sydney, May 30 (IBNS): The worldas first long-term assessment of mental health effects from adolescentsa late-night mobile use has shown some concerning results.

Research conducted by Griffith University and Murdoch University tracked changes in late-night mobile phone use, sleep, and mental health indicators over three years in a large sample of Australian teens.

They found that adolescents late-night mobile phone use was directly linked to poor quality sleep, which subsequently led to poorer mental health outcomes, reduced coping, and lowered self-esteem.

Lead researcher Lynette Vernon, who conducted the study as part of her PhD, said this was the first longitudinal study that had investigated how night phone use and mental health were connected.

We have demonstrated how poor sleep is the key link connecting an increase in night-time mobile use with subsequent increases in psychosocial issues, Vernon said.

Heavy mobile phone use becomes a problem when it overtakes essential aspects of adolescent life. In this case, we see issues when it overtakes time set-aside for sleep.

We found that late night phone use directly contributed to poor sleep habits, which over time led to declines in overall wellbeing and mental health.

The research was part of the Youth Activity Participation Study, funded by the Australian Research Council. The study surveyed 1100 students from 29 schools annually over four years in total, starting in Year 8 and following them until Year 11.

Students were asked what time of the night they received or sent text messages and phone calls, and their perceptions of their sleep quality.

The researchers also investigated adolescents symptoms of depressed mood, involvement in delinquency or aggression, and their coping and self esteem over time.

Results showed that in Year 8, more than 85% of students owned a mobile phone and around one-third of these students reported they never texted or received phone calls after lights out.

But three years later 93% of the students owned mobiles and only 22% of these Year 11 students reported no late night mobile use.

We found that those teenagers who start out as relatively healthy in terms of their late-night mobile use early in high school, tend to show steeper escalations in their late-night mobile use over the next several years, said study co-author Kathryn Modecki from Griffiths Menzies Health Institute Queensland.

This means that even when teens appear to have their technology and sleep under control early-on, they still require monitoring and education as they mature.

Students with high initial levels of night-time mobile phone use also tended to have higher initial levels of poor sleep behaviour, Vernon said.

As their levels of mobile phone use grew over time, so did their poor sleep behaviour.

What is especially compelling said Modecki, is that these increases in poor sleep, in turn, led to rises in depressed mood and externalizing behaviours, and declines in self-esteem and coping one year later, said Modecki.

These effects were highly robust, across the various outcomes Vernon examined.

Vernon said that although these results were concerning, the answer was not as simple as just banning adolescent phone use.

There are many potential benefits of mobile technology, but these results demonstrate the importance of adults meeting teens where they are, enforcing electronic curfews, and teaching good sleep habits during the high school years.

The study has been published in a special section of Child Development.

Image courtesy: Griffith University Website
Press Release

May 30, 2017 SEN. LEILA M. DE LIMA'S STATEMENT ON HER INCLUSION IN THE NAPOLES' PDAF RAPS. Only fools will still believe Secretary Aguirre and Janet Lim Napoles. The woman who stole billions in the PDAF Scam is now being glorified to turn state witness against targeted opposition personalities. What makes her anticipated complaint different from the lies she said in the past? A new-found morality? More like the promise of freedom from the Sandiganbayan trial where she is accused of plunder. Napoles has apparently cut a deal with the devils of this regime. The Department of Justice has turned in a department for the persecution of the opposition and the accompanying fabrication of charges. There is no doubt about that. Partnerships with criminals no longer surprise us, this government having embraced criminality and impunity, its president being a mass murderer. Expect a complaint substantiated with nothing but Napoles's worthless words, and Aguirre's reputation for fake accusations. Justice in the Philippines now is a joke, the biggest joke since Aguirre was appointed Secretary of Justice. Unfortunately, it's a joke that imprisons and punishes the innocent and rewards criminals. Shameful to the core! Nakakasuka na sila!
Explanation of vote on P.S. Res. No 390

I voted not to revoke Martial Law for the reason that we should prevent chaos and violence from spreading across Mindanao. Let me just quote from a Supreme Court decision, I think it is David vs. Arroyo, if my memory serves me right:

"The power to declare martial law poses a severe threat to civil liberties. It is a strong medicine which should not be resorted to lightly."

Mr. President, I have two very simple reasons why I voted yes. One is my personal interpretation that Martial Law is a very strong medicine, or strong tool, to arrest violence and chaos in Mindanao and I think it deserves a larger body to deliberate and assess whether this medicine is being correctly implemented.

Second, Mr. President, I truly believe that the joint session or convention will legitimize and give a stronger mandate to the President. He acted and proclaimed Martial Law and I truly believe that a concurrence or affirmation will strengthen this mandate and proclamation. Thank you Mr. President.
California, May 30 (IBNS): With mosquito season looming in the Northern Hemisphere, doctors and researchers are poised to take on a new round of Zika virus infections.

Now a new study by a large group of international researchers led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) explains how Zika virus entered the United States via Florida in 2016and how it might re-enter the country this year.

By sequencing the viruss genome at different points in the outbreak, the researchers created a family tree showing where cases originated and how quickly they spread.

They discovered that transmission of Zika virus began in Florida at least fourand potentially up to fortytimes last year.

The researchers also traced most of the Zika lineages back to strains of the virus in the Caribbean.

Without these genomes, we wouldn't be able to reconstruct the history of how the virus moved around, said TSRI infectious disease researcher and senior author of the study, Kristian G. Andersen, who also serves as director of infectious disease genomics at the Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI). Rapid viral genome sequencing during ongoing outbreaks is a new development that has only been made possible over the last couple of years.

The research was published May 24, 2017, in the journal Nature. This was one of three related studies, published simultaneously in Nature journals, exploring the transmission and evolution of Zika virus. A fourth study was also published in Nature Protocols providing details of the technologies used by the researchers.

By sequencing Zika virus genomes from humans and mosquitoesand analyzing travel and mosquito abundance datathe researchers found that several factors created what TSRI Research Associate Nathan D. Grubaugh called a perfect storm for the spread of Zika virus in Miami.

This study shows why Miami is special, said Grubaugh, the lead author of the study.

First, Grubaugh explained, Miami is home to year-round populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the main species that transmits Zika virus. The area is also a significant travel hub, bringing in more international air and sea traffic than any other city in the continental United States in 2016. Finally, Miami is an especially popular destination for travelers who have visited Zika-afflicted areas.

The researchers found that travel from the Caribbean Islands may have significantly contributed to cases of Zika reaching the city. Of the 5.7 million international travelers entering Miami by flights and cruise ships between January and June of 2016, more than half arrived from the Caribbean.

The researchers believe Zika virus may have started transmission in Miami up to 40 times, but most travel-related cases did not lead to any secondary infections locally. The virus was more likely to reach a dead end than keep spreading.

The researchers found that one reason for the dead-ends was a direct connection between mosquito control efforts and disease prevention. We show that if you decrease the mosquito population in an area, the number of Zika infections goes down proportionally, said Andersen. This means we can significantly limit the risk of Zika virus by focusing on mosquito control. This is not too surprising, but its important to show that there is an almost perfect correlation between the number of mosquitos and the number of human infections.

Based on data from the outbreak, Andersen sees potential in stopping the virus through mosquito control efforts in both Florida and other infected countries, instead of, for example, through travel restrictions. Given how many times the introductions happened, trying to restrict traffic or movement of people obviously isnt a solution. Focusing on disease prevention and mosquito control in endemic areas is likely to be a much more successful strategy, he said.

When the virus did spread, the researchers found that splitting Miami into designated Zika zonesoften done by neighborhood or city blockdidnt accurately represent how the virus was moving. Within each Zika zone, the researchers discovered a mixing of multiple Zika lineages, suggesting the virus wasnt well-confined, likely moving around with infected people.

Andersen and Grubaugh hope these lessons from the 2016 epidemic will help scientists and health officials respond even faster to prevent Zikas spread in 2017.

Understanding Zikas timeline required a large international team of scientists and partnerships with several health agencies. In fact, the study was a collaboration of more than 60 researchers from nearly 20 institutions, including study co-leaders at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of Oxford, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the Florida Department of Health and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.

The scientists also designed a new method of genomic sequencing just to study the virus. Because Zika virus is hard to collect in the blood of those infected, it was a challenge for the researchers to isolate enough of its genetic material for sequencing. To solve this problem, the team, together with Joshua Quick and Nick Loman at the University of Birmingham in the UK, developed two different protocols to break apart the genetic material they could find and reassemble it in a useful way for analysis.

With these new protocols, the researchers sequenced the virus from 28 of the reported 256 Zika cases in Florida, as well as seven mosquito pools, to model what happened in the larger patient group. As they worked, the scientists released their data immediately publicly to help other scientists. They hope to release more dataand analysisin real time as cases mount in 2017.

The new study was published with three companion papers, also in Nature journals, that explore Zikas spread in other parts of the Americas (see sidebar).

The new study, Genomic epidemiology reveals multiple introductions of Zika virus into the United States, also included authors from the University of Miami, the University of Birmingham, Colorado State University, St. Michaels Hospital (Toronto), the University of Toronto, the University of Washington, Tulane University, Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control, the University of Florida, the University of Edinburgh and the National Institutes of Health.

Imabe: UN website


Koko asks Lopez to accredit "honest-to-goodness" Ph business delegation during foreign trips of Pres. Duterte

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III today challenged Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez to prevent not only corruption but fraud, deceit and swindling of foreign businessmen in their dealings within the country.

He then urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to accredit only "honest to goodness Philippine businesses in the delegations abroad" of President Rodrigo Duterte aimed at seeking big ticket investments in addition to cementing closer ties with foreign partners.

Pimentel said Pres. Duterte, who has promised the Filipino people a corrupt-free government, had earlier assured potential Russian investors to the country that there would be no corruption in their dealings with the present administration.

Although the President had to cut short his recent Russian visit because of a rebellion staged by the Maute group of terrorists in Marawi City, Lopez and the other members of the Philippine delegation stayed behind to finish the trade negotiations.

The visit sealed a total of 10 deals, including an agreement on defense cooperation, tourism promotions, agricultural enhancement, transportation technology, international film and art festivals, trade and investments, and industry development, among others.

Pimentel said the change that President Duterte had vowed to pursue does not only include a drug-free country but a corrupt-free government, pledging to personally take care of complaints aired by foreign businessmen in their dealings in the country. We should also provide them with a fraud-free investment experience in the country.

During his past visits to China, Pres. Duterte got a pledge of $15 billion for large-scale infrastructure projects and a $3 billion credit facility from the Bank of China while Japan has offered $8.1 billion in official loans and private investments.
Press Release

May 30, 2017 Senate to honor the late Senator Kalaw The Senate will hold a necrological service in honor of former Senator Evangelina "Eva" Estrada Kalaw on Thursday, June 1, at 10 a.m. The former lady senator passed away last May 25, at the age of 96. Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, will present a resolution to Kalaw's family expressing the Senate's sympathy and condolences on the death of the former senator during the necrological service. Pallbearers of the Philippine National Police (PNP), honor guards and band members will wait for the arrival of the family and the casket bearing the remains of Kalaw at the front of the Senate building at 9:30 a.m. Pimentel and other senators in attendance as well as Senate Secretary Lutgardo Barbo, Senate officials and employees, will receive the remains of Kalaw at the foyer of the main entrance of the Senate building and escort her to the Session Plenary Hall. Aside from Pimentel, former President and current Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, former Senators Edgar U. Ilarde, Rene A.V. Saguisag, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, Senators Gregorio B. Honasan II, Loren Legarda and Risa Hontiveros are expected to deliver eulogies for Kalaw. Kalaw's youngest son, Valerio, will receive the resolution on behalf of their family and deliver a response for the eulogies. Kalaw was the fifth woman to be elected in the Senate in 1965 and was the first woman to win a re-election in 1971. She served with fellow female Senators Magnolia Antonino, Maria Kalaw Katigbak, Helena Benitez and Tecla San Andres Ziga during the sixth and seventh Congresses. During her stint as senator, Kalaw authored 41 bills, including the salary standardization for public school teachers, creation of Local School Boards and the Education Financing Act. She was the chairperson of the Senate Committees on Games and Amusement as well as Tourism and the National Minorities. Kalaw was a known opposition leader during the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos. When Martial Law was declared, she continued to express her opposition which eventually led to the People Power Revolution in 1986. Kalaw ran under UNIDO Presidential candidate Salvador Laurel for vice president in 1992 but lost to Manila Mayor Estrada. Her last visit to the Senate was when she attended the inauguration of the "Women in the Senate" photo exhibit in celebration of Women's Month last March. Born on June 16, 1920 in Murcia, Tarlac to Demetria Reynada and Dr. Salvador Estrada, Kalaw later married businessman Teodoro Kalaw and was blessed with four children. She graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in education, major in home economics where she was an active member of the Sigma Delta Phi Sorority. She was known for her activism and was once hailed as the ladies' champion in rapid fire pistol shooting where she trained under Olympic shooter Martin Gison. Kalaw was the founder and chairperson of Samahang Filipina and was the first president of the Jayceerettes foundation. She was given a citation for being an outstanding volunteer social worker.
Press Release

May 30, 2017 Removal of restriction on free patents for agri lands gets Senate nod The Senate today passed on third and final reading a bill that would remove restrictions on agricultural free patents issued to farmers and make agricultural land titles immediately available for trade to help spur development in the agricultural sector. Senate Bill No. 1454 or the "Agricultural Free Patent Reform Act of 2017" was approved with 21 affirmative votes, no negative vote, and no abstention. Senator Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, sponsored and authored the measure, while Senators Paolo Benigno Aquino IV and Cynthia Villar served as the bill's co-authors. Gordon said that the bill sought to "make agricultural land titles immediately tradeable and bankable, provide farmer entrepreneurs the much-needed access to credit, and create capital to make investments, create jobs, increase productivity, and reduce poverty in rural areas." "This bill will do much to address our unbalanced development and give agriculture a much-needed shot in the arm. Trillions in dead capital will be unleashed in the market in the form of credit and livelier investments," he said. Gordon said that the bill would primarily amend the Commonwealth-era Public Land Use Act and "abolish provisions that prevent banks from lending to farmers against agricultural patents." Enacted in 1936, the Public Land Use Act entitles any Filipino who have "continuously occupied and cultivated, either by himself or through his predecessors in interest, a tract or tracts of agricultural public lands subject to disposition" to have an agricultural free patent issued to him, for the same land not exceeding 24 hectares. However, Gordon said that under the said act, agricultural patent holders are "prohibited from mortgaging or selling their land within five years from the issuance of the patent, and given the right to repurchase the patents within five years from transfer or conveyances." Under the bill, Gordon said that the agricultural free patent "shall now be considered as title in fee simple and shall not be subject to any restriction against encumbrance or alienation." "Removing these restrictions will unleash the power of freer land markets. It will make agricultural patents bankable to improve the economy, because right now, nobody will want to buy it because of the restrictions," he stressed. Gordon said that the bill would help boost development in the agricultural sector, as it is expected to "unleash about two to three million agri-free patents, equivalent to at least P387 billion up to P1 trillion worth of agricultural land." "More importantly, we will empower the farmer. We will give him options about what he can do with the land-options such as borrowing against the land to develop it, or selling the land to a more productive farmer," he said. Gordon said that the bill could also help attract younger generations of Filipinos into back farming, noting that according to the Department of Agriculture, the average age of farmers now is 57 years of age. "Young people are turning away from farming because they do not see any future in it. It is not hard to see why. It is so hard for farmers to obtain credit. It is also hard for them to expand and buy more land if they are successful. If enacted into law, this bill will help solve the problems our young generations face with farming," Gordon concluded.
Press Release

May 30, 2017 Senate approves expanding AMLC law to cover casinos The Senate today approved on third and final reading a bill that would expand the coverage of the existing Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) or RA 9160 to include casinos, in a bid to improve the country's legal framework against money-laundering and make it more compliant to international standards. Senate Bill No. 1468, authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, was passed with 21 affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention. Senator Francis Escudero, chair of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies and sponsor of SBN 1468, said that the bill primarily sought to "put more teeth into the existing AMLA by including the casino industry under the coverage of the law." The Anti-Money Laundering Act, first passed into law in 2001, established the Anti-Money Laundering Council to ensure that the country will not be "used as a money laundering site for the proceeds of any unlawful activity." It also required the government to cooperate "in transnational investigations and prosecutions of persons involved in money laundering activities wherever committed." "Under this proposed measure, casinos, including internet and ship-based casinos, with respect to their casino cash transactions related to their gaming operations, shall be considered as "covered persons," Escudero said in his sponsorship speech. He said that under the new bill, any single casino cash transaction involving an amount in excess of five million pesos (Php5,000,000) or its equivalent in any other currency will now be considered as a "covered transaction" under the AMLC. "The bill also proposes for the period of effectivity of a freeze order issued by the Court of Appeals and the processes involved therein, subject of course to other remedies available under the same law," Escudero said. He said the passage of the bill was necessary given the June deadline imposed by the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) to the Philippines to strengthen its money-laundering laws. The APG is an international body monitoring the implementation and enforcement of internationally accepted standards against money laundering and financing of terrorism. It is currently monitoring the country's compliance "with respect to the enactment of an anti-money laundering law including casino operators as covered persons." He warned that failure to enact the required legislation within the given time frame would put the Philippines under monitoring of the International Corporation Review Group of the Financial Action Task Force, an global anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism watchdog, "which could eventually result in the blacklisting of the Philippines." Escudero said the blacklist tag would put the country "under stringent international financial scrutiny," which might increase the cost of bank transactions abroad, and badly affect remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) all over the world. "Last year, our country barely escaped the FATF blacklist after hackers broke into Bangladesh Bank's account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and successfully stole eighty-one million US dollars (US$81,000,000), which found their way to four fake bank accounts in a Makati branch of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation," he said. "These monies were then transferred to Philrem Services Corporation and then delivered in cash tranches to casinos. The heist, therefore, highlighted a vulnerable aspect in our anti-money laundering efforts and underlined the FATF's conditions with regard to casinos," Esudero added. Escudero said that the FATF had earlier upgraded the country's status from FATF's "dark gray" list to its "gray" list in 2012, citing the country's progress in fighting money laundering. However, he noted that in 2013, even after the enactment of Republic Act No. 10365--which further strengthened the anti-money laundering drive and removed the Philippines from the FATF's list of vulnerable jurisdictions-- casinos were still not put under the scrutiny of the law.
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May 30, 2017 Bill seeking to double teachers' chalk allowance ok'd The Senate approved today on third and final reading a bill seeking to increase the chalk allowance of public school teachers from P2,500 to P5,500. Senate Bill No. 812 or the Teaching Supplies Allowance Act of 2017, was approved with 21 affirmative votes, zero negative vote and zero abstention. Senator Sonny Trillanes IV, chairman of the Senate Committee of the Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation and sponsor of the bill, said the increase in chalk allowance would help teachers effectively perform their tasks as educators. Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, author of the proposed law, defined chalk allowance as "teaching supplies allowance given to teachers at the start of the year for consumable supplies such as pens, paper, cartolinas, paste, erasers and chalk." The bill was also authored by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. "Chalk , pens, papers, and cartolinas are to teachers what bullets and combat rations are to soldiers. In the war against illiteracy, these are the ammo our teachers use and with the little supplied to them, they can only improve as much," Recto said. "For them to push back ignorance, we have to beef up their ammo load. This bill sends the reassuring message to our literacy war frontliners that we have always their welfare in mind and that their simple requests have not been forgotten," he added. Hopefully, Recto said, a P5,000 allowance would allow teachers to expand their shopping list to include a USB or other computer and internet-use supplies needed in the digital age. According to Recto, increasing the chalk allowance to P5,000 would cost P4 billion based on the 2017 Department of Education (DepEd) teaching workforce of 797,119. The full P5,000 allowance would be appropriated in the GAA. "This legislation is our humble way of providing more aid to public school teachers in their noble work of educating the next generation of Filipino citizens. Hopefully, the larger chalk allowance will help alleviate some of the economic burden suffered by these educators, who often use money out of their own pockets just to provide school supplies for their students," Gatchalian said.
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May 30, 2017 Senate bill seeking extension of validity of driver's license okayed The Senate approved today on third and final reading a bill seeking to extend the validity of all professional and non-professional drivers licenses from three years to five years. Senate Bill No. 1449 or a measure Extending the Validity Period of Driver's Licenses to 5 Years, was approved with 21 affirmative votes, zero negative vote and zero abstention. The measure was authored by Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto and Senators Richard Gordon, JV Ejercito and Joel Villanueva. Sen. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services and sponsor of SBN 1449, said, "We are streamlining the process, cutting bureaucracy and also corruption. I hope this initiative will immediately be felt by ordinary citizens." Poe said holders of professional or non-professional drivers licenses who did not commit any violation during the five year period would also be entitled to renewal of their licenses for another 10 years. The proposed law sought to amend Section 23 of Republic Act No. 4136, as amended by Batas Pambansa Blg. 398 and Executive Order (EO) 1011 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. "Although the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has already issued Administrative Order No 2016-34 in line with the President's pronouncements to extend the validity of driver's licenses, we should bear in mind that an EO cannot amend a law. What Congress prescribes, only Congress can amend," Poe explained. For his part, Recto said he expected shorter queues of drivers applying at the LTO for the renewal of their licenses with the passing of the bill into law. LTO data showed that in 2016 alone, drivers license applications totalled 5.8 million. Recto said the bill was "the best anti-red tape measure the government could adopt for LTO." He said the measure was not complicated and could derive results immediately at the least cost to the government and the public. Poe assured the public that the licenses would not cost more. Citing the LTO, the lady senator said that from the current fee of P820 for new licenses, the LTO was expected to charge only P700 for the new cards. She added that the new licenses would have better security features as the cards would feature a hologram mark and 'hidden data.' She said traffic violations would be uploaded on the system and the barcodes in the license will reflect the changes immediately. "When scanned, the barcode can easily inform police officers of any violation committed by the driver. In the bill, we will require all agencies and even the local government units issuing traffic violations to continue this practice of uploading violations to the LTO's system within 24 hours," she said. Poe said the bill also required LTO to create an online process for the application of new licenses and those for renewal "LTO is now in the process of revising the examination questions for license applications, especially for professional drivers, to ensure that qualified and disciplined drivers are allowed to drive," she said.
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May 30, 2017 Recto urges release of billions in Calamity Fund for Marawi City rehabilitation, aid to civilians Malacanang has been urged to rush a "humanitarian army" to Marawi City and to nearby places where the "spillover of a massive wave of evacuees" are straining local resources to grant them comfort and aid, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said today. Recto said there are billions of pesos in unspent Calamity Fund waiting to be tapped to bring relief to displaced civilians and rehabilitate areas and commerce destroyed by fighting between government troops and terrorists. In fact, some of the "calamity funds" are supposed to have been released in the beginning of the year to the 5 agencies tagged under the 2017 national budget as recipients of "Quick Response Fund" (QRF). The latter, Recto said, serves as a standby emergency fund which a recipient agency can immediately use to respond to a natural or manmade calamity. The P6 billion QRF is separate from the National Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Fund, the Calamity Fund's official name, which has been appropriated P15.755 billion this year. The amount is augmented by the unspent and unreleased portion of last year's P38.895 billion appropriations for the NDRRMF. Recto said the government should step up the release of these funds in order to cushion the harm inflicted by one of the gravest manmade disasters in years on hapless civilians. If the pursuit of terrorists is being done round the clock, the assistance to those caught in the crossfire must be on 24/7 basis too, he said. "There is a war being waged on two fronts. The military one and the humanitarian one. If we are airlifting troops to the frontlines, we must transport help to the civilians in the rear," Recto said. The senator also urged Malacanang to identify this early a "rehabilitation point person" for Marawi City. There must already be some planning at this stage and maybe some preparatory activities so that when the smoke has cleared, the development people must be ready to move in, Recto said. Recto explained that part of this year's P15.755 billion Calamity Fund is "for food assistance, cash-for-work projects, emergency employment, farm aid, housing" for affected families and communities. He said red tape and the submission of voluminous documents must not hamper the flow of aid. Recto has warned that "complicated rules and cumbersome requirements" governing the request, release and use of national calamity funds, if not changed, will lead to the trickle down of aid. There must be no repeat of Yolanda-type flow of assistance, Recto said, referring to the slow pace of rebuilding in places hit by the 2013 massive typhoon. "We must turbocharge the release of aid money, " Recto said. "Hindi pwede na ang Marawi ay hinostage na nga ni Hapilon, mahohostage pa ulit ng red tape," Recto said.
Press Release

May 30, 2017 Congress approved bill making public WiFi not only free but fast The free public WiFi bill which has been approved by Congress will not only make internet services available to all Filipinos, but will make sure that broadband services are faster and more efficient, its main proponent, Sen. Ralph Recto, said today. The bill is now headed to President Duterte's table for his signature after both houses of Congress ratified the reconciled version hammered out by representatives of each chamber. Recto said the bill does not only mandate the mushrooming of free internet access in public places and offices nationwide, it also requires internet to be fast and reliable. He said the proposed Free Internet Access in Public Places Act mandates upstream reforms in the telecoms sector, which would result in the better delivery of what is now acknowledged as the third utility after power and water. "In this bill are provisions that will improve internet speed, better broadband services, slash the red tape that retards ICT growth," Recto said. "If we want a thousand Wi-Fi spots to bloom, we must cut the thicket of regulations choking its growth. This bill authorizes the declogging of administrative bottlenecks," the senator explained. He said the bill does away with "government permitting problems encountered by DICT contractors and telcos in putting up facilities." Under the approved bill, the DICT shall streamline the process for the application, renewal and release of permits, licenses and clearances needed for the construction of infrastructure or installation of equipment. "Licenses and permits must be approved and released within seven days after submission of complete requirements and payments of the corresponding fees," Recto said, citing one provision. Recto said the bill also promotes fair competition and bars unfair business practices. Under the bill, the DICT shall prohibit any unfair method of competition and exclusivity arrangements in favor of a single telecommunications entity, Recto explained. "The DICT, in coordination with the National Telecommunications Commission, shall be allowed the free use of available and unassigned spectrum for the free public internet access program," he said. The excess capacity of private sector partners may be offered to deliver supplemental internet access service for a reasonable fee, Recto added. The senator explained that to lower internet costs, "private service providers are encouraged to exchange data traffic at domestic internet protocol (IP) exchanges, which may be designated by the DICT." The bill requires the NTC to "provide minimum standards for quality of service, including but not limited to download speed, latency, packet loss, and jitter for public free internet service." Another provision states that "the minimum quality of service standards for free public internet access services shall not be lower than minimum quality of service standards provided for retail basic internet connectivity services offered to the public." Free WiFi hotspots will be installed in national and local government offices; public schools, including state universities and colleges; public hospitals and health centers; public parks, plazas, and libraries; and airports, seaports, and transport terminals. It was Recto who, in 2014, moved that the Senate increase the budget allocated for the Free Public Wi-Fi Project of the DOST's Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO), the precursor of the DICT. Since then, three national budgets have sustained funding for what would become the Free National Wi-Fi Project. By end of this year, it is projected that 13,024 sites covered by 18 Points of Presence in 1,489 towns and 145 will be up and running. Overall, the project aims to roll out 23,631 sites by 2018, expanding it fourfold to 100,349 by 2026. "Others may deride free public Wi-Fi hotspots as populist-driven conveniences. Sadly, those who embrace this falsehood have not been able to fully grasp the empowering potential of ICT," Recto said. "Because the only way to view free Wi-Fi hotspots, my friends, is to treat them for what they are - as a form of 'liberation technology,'" he added.
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May 30, 2017 Recto to Palace: Include cost of free public college in 2018 nat'l budget After both houses of Congress ratified the reconciled version of the bill making tuition in public colleges free, Malacanang should include the cost of the program in the 2018 national budget. The call was made by Sen. Ralph Recto, author of the bill, who said that without funds to bankroll it, the bill, even if signed into law by President Duterte, will suffer delays in its implementation-or worse, end up as an unfunded mandate. Noting that Malacanang is in the midst of assembling its 2018 spending request, which will be sent to Congress as early as the fourth week of July, Recto said the cost to defray tuition waivers in public colleges can already be included in next year's proposed budget. By Recto's count, some 1.6 million students in 114 national government-funded SUCs and 102 LUCs or local government universities and colleges stand to benefit from the law. Government should start running the numbers on how much would the program would really cost, and indicate this in the 2018 national budget, Recto said. "Congress has made its own preliminary estimate. But as custodian of official data, those in the executive are in the best position to peg the number, based on the mandates of the bill, upon enactment," he said. But whatever the final cost would be, we would not treat it as an unrecoverable expense, but as investment with a high return, Recto said. "Some will only see the billions in this measure and warn of the deficit they might incur. But let us see them for what they really are - as means to realize dreams," Recto said, reiterating what he said in his speech sponsoring the measure. "A nation's progress depends on the quality of its human capital. But building the country's talent pool is not the responsibility of families alone. Government has to do and give its share," he added. Recto, however, disputed the misconception "that free public college is giving a free lunch even to the affluent." While government will contribute in his education, the biggest equity will be borne by the student himself, Recto said. "Free tuition, and other financial aid, is not an entitlement without condition." "First, a student must qualify for college admission. This bill does not override admission protocols. It is a merit-based aid. And one that can be maintained by merit alone," Recto stressed. Recto said the bill does not cover only SUCs and LUCs, but private colleges as well. "The fear is that if we offer free public college tuition, students in private higher education institutions would flock to SUCs. It is a mass migration that will weaken the tertiary education system, or worse, lead to their mass extinction." The solution, Recto said, is to establish a Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program, as well as to strengthen the existing programs authorized in the UniFAST Law, and make them available to all HEIs. "So what this bill will create is GASTPE for college," Recto said, referring to Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education, wherein the government sponsors the schooling of a student in private high schools at a fraction of the full tuition. "In short, what we're also creating is a 'public-private partnership' in college education," Recto said. "Private colleges can accommodate more students, and if the quality of instruction they offer is superior and at a fraction of what SUCs spend, then everybody wins - them, the government, and above all, the student," Recto said.
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May 30, 2017 SAFT explains negative vote on SRN 388 (Martial Law reso) SAFT: Let me just make it clear that my negative vote for this resolution does not mean that I do not support the military operations going on right now or that I do not symphatize with the people of Marawi and the people of Mindanao. I believe all of us here are supportive and we salute the efforts of the AFP, we laud their sacrifices for the country and we want to support them as best we can. But the issue here is about the correct response or the proportionate response of the government to this crisis, which I believe that this declaration of Martial Law for the whole of Mindanao is not the correct response. And in fact, we heard it during yesterday's security briefing, the AFP and their defense establishment didn't even ask for it. Sotto: Mr. President, that is in executive session. Just a reminder for the gentleman to refrain... SAFT: Mr. President, it was agreed on during the latter part of the executive session that everything was...it was okay for everything that was divulged there to be... SP: Can the chair request a suspension so we can go over, first of all, what we agreed could be divulged...and then we allow Senator Trillanes to continue with his explanation. SAFT: But it was already agreed on yesterday after we terminate it. And I believe I was properly guided... SP: Precisely. I'm requesting if you don't mind we call a break and then let's go over what we agreed yesterday. SAFT: Well anyway, I'll just keep that part. I'll just keep that part Mr. President. SP: Go ahead, sir. Go ahead. SAFT: Well anyway, yesterday's briefing reinforced my belief that the AFP is very much capable of crushing the Mautes without Martial Law. They have done this before during previous incidents. One in 1995, at least in recent history. One in 1995, during the Ipil Massacre wherein hundreds of Abu Sayyaf members raided the Ipil, Zamboanga Del Sur and killed randomly civilians and military personnel. The reaction then was swift and it was decisive. Immediately, the whole force of the Armed Forces in the AFP SouthCom then went after the Abu Sayyaf and they took on lots of casualties. And the whole of Mindanao were not inconvenience with any Martial Law. Mission was accomplished but the progress, the economic progress of the area was not hampered. Then came the Cabatangan Raid or Cabantangan Sulu Siege, again, facing a much larger enemy force, covering a much larger area, the government response was swift and decisive. Again, the AFP pulled through. They crushed the enemy and they restored law and order without resorting to Martial Law. Then came the all-out-war of President Erap, this was one of the biggest engagements of the Armed Forces, they faced around that time 15,000...15,000 armed regulars of the MILF and the response of President Estrada then was very swift and very decisive and the Armed Forces was able to crush the 50 or so bases of the MILF without resorting to Martial Law. Then, recently during the Zamboanga Siege, facing a much larger force, covering again a much larger area, a significant city in Mindanao but President Aquino did not declare Martial Law. Again, the enemy force was crushed. Now, some would rationalize that that's why this things keep on happening because he didn't declare martial law. But let me remember someone who did. President Marcos, during 1972, declared martial law for the whole country precisely to crush and solve all this problems. And I was mentioning to Senator Zubiri, the incident he was citing when he was 10 years old that the NPAs raided their home and shot his brother. And I reminded him that incident actually was doing martial law. 1979. Or seven years into martial law and yet such an incident still happen.so martial law is not the cure as proven by the experience of Marcos. I believe that there is a misplaced expectation. Everybody assumed or everybody assumes that by declaring martial law, all the enemies would cower in fear and suddenly the AFP would have superpowers to obliterate the enemy. But let me remind them, whether martial law or not, you will be limited to the capability of your armed forces - which right now, I believe was stretched thinly for various reasons. And that is why when I spoke to them I was really confident that they can do this job without martial law. And as a counter proposal, because some smart people would ask, "Ok, what's your solution?" The solution is sustained military operation, we're not getting in the way. Regardless whether this debate would go on for weeks, we will not get in the way of the military operations. We let them be. The AFP is a professional armed forces. They are led by generals who have been schooled in the art of ground warfare. So I am confident that they know their job. But they need help. We need to increase their intelligence funds. Right now, malacanang can do that. They can easily realign a portion of the 18B peso intelligence and confidential funds of malacanang to the intelligence operations of the armed forces. Just to give you a breakdown. Malacanang has 2.5B in intelligence funds and 15.5B in confidential funds broken down as follows: 11B for the office of the president for the conduct of the ASEAN activities, and 2B for the DILG presumably for the PNP. But what is puzzling is it has a 1.4B budget for the Presidential Communications Office of Secretary Andanar. And compare that to the total intelligence budget of the defense department of only 1.6B. So they can easily realign if they really want to serve and protect the Filipino people, then it's time to put their money where their mouth is. Realign the intelligence budget from malacanang to the AFP. Then next I propose that we push for the immediate passage of the national id system. Because right now, out of the million who pass through the checkpoints in Mindanao, whether in Davao City or Zamboanga City, not a single Maute has been apprehended out of this checkpoints. Why? Because they can easily fabricate these IDs and there is no database that has a biometric reference for this people, for everyone, for that matter. And Finally, I am pushing for the immediate passage of the provisional enlisted personnel bill that will allow the armed forces to recruit as many as 20,000 troops without being burdened by the pension system. So this new troops that will be recruited will have a new pension system so he retired and the active will still retain the old system. So these are the ways that we can help the soldiers on the ground and eventually crush not only Maute but all the other lawless elements. So that explains my vote, Mr. President.
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Guwahati, May 30 (IBNS): At least nine persons, including eight minors, died and over 200 others fell ill due to suspected food poisoning after consuming rice and pork at an after-church feast in Meghalayaas Ri-Bhoi district, officials said.

The persons, including minors, died and others fell ill after they had consumed rice and pork after attending a church gathering on Sunday at Nongkya village in the bordering district with Assam.

Ri-Bhoi district Magistrate Chinmoy P Gotmare said three persons died on Monday and another six on Tuesday in hospitals.

The top official said that, over 200 people are undergoing medical treatment.

Among them, 80 were admitted to the Nongpoh Civil Hospital, 33 at the Umsning CHC, 23 to the Bhoilymbong health facility and the rest to the Shillong Civil Hospital, NEIGRIHMS and Ganesh Das Hospital, the official said.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya state government has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident to ascertain what caused the deaths.

On the other hand, local villagers claimed that consuming pork had led the incident.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)


Traditional Indian music fills a two-room yoga studio. Dozens of colored mats rest on the floor, facing a shrine. On the wall is a framed picture of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, the father of modern yoga, near a statue of the Hindu god Ganesh.

In USAs Midwestern town of Columbia, Missouri, the teacher at AlleyCat Yoga calls out positions  tree pose, child pose, warrior pose  as students bend their bodies in rhythmic motions to quiet their frazzled minds.Class ends with a final unison, Namaste.



More than 8,000 miles away, a handful of men and women roll out mats inside the Mystic Yoga Cafe in Kolkata, India. Here, the room resembles a dance studio, with simple decor and full-length mirrors covering the front wall. There is no music, no special chanting. Stifling temperatures above 100 degrees dont deter participants, who attend mostly for fitness or weight loss.



Melinda Oliver, of St. Louis, USA, practices yoga at Lake Stephens Park in Columbia, MO. Oliver in a senior at the University of Missouri and has been practicing yoga for two years. Oliver teaches community classes in Columbia, Missouri. She also began a program teaching yoga to 9th-grade girls to promote self-awareness, self-esteem and mental health.These disparate scenes may be the opposite of what many expect. While yogis in the United States are increasingly reconnecting with yogas spiritual roots, many in India are influenced by Americas commercialized approach to the practice and are becoming more consumer-focused themselves. Yoga reflects a reality of globalization  the exchange of ideas that shapes cultures across our connected world, now more than ever.



Such exchanges help drive a booming yoga industry. More than 36 million U.S. practitioners spent $2.5 billion on yoga classes in 2016, according to the Yoga in America Study conducted by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance. In the St. Louis metro area alone, there are nearly 50 yoga studios offering classes of all kinds.



In India, the number of yoga practitioners soared 30 percent last year, prompting a 35 percent increase in demand for yoga trainers catering to Westernized natives and international tourists, according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India.



A group of Indian men and women strike yoga poses while being led during a class at Mystic Yoga Cafe in Kolkata.East meets West



The historical origins of yoga are steeped in ancient Indian philosophy designed to cultivate greater self-awareness, higher levels of consciousness and inner peace.



Yoga gained popularity in America in the 1960s, when the Beatles used traditional Indian instruments on their album Help! stoking interest in Eastern culture among Westerners.



Over the next several decades, yoga spread across the United States, gaining an American flavor along the way. By the 1980s and 90s, the practice was more consumer-focused than traditional Indian yoga. Americans increasingly used it as an exercise to stay healthy and active, according to the Yoga in America Study.



In 2016, the study reported that Americans spent $16 billion on yoga classes, clothing and accessories. Businesses profited from consumers interest in yoga  perhaps none more so than yoga retail giant Lululemon, which charges up to $128 for a pair of yoga pants.



A group of Indian men and women strike yoga poses while being led during a class at Mystic Yoga Cafe in Kolkata.Some yoga instructors say this consumerism can be a good thing.



Do I like looking cute in my yoga pants? You bet. Do we capitalize on that? Yes, we live in America, said Kathy Kessler, a yoga teacher at Halcyon Spa & Salon in Augusta. But because its become commercialized, so many people were exposed to it that werent before.



If someone comes to the mat, theyre going to evolve and and understand the therapeutic benefits of it.



Yearning for meaning



Yet many U.S. yoga practitioners are looking to the past to recapture that centuries-old spirituality at the core of the practice.



One huge aspect of yoga is breathing and meditating, and I do that as much as possible throughout my week, said University of Missouri senior Lucille Sherman, who has been practicing yoga since childhood. Yoga helps me center myself. I'm a better person when I practice.



It reminds me to sit still and take in life as it is, just for a moment.



A group of Indian men and women strike yoga poses while being led during a class at Mystic Yoga Cafe in Kolkata.Types of yoga that reconnect Americans with the deeper side of practice are gaining momentum. These include Kundalini, which blends physical and spiritual practices like dynamic breathing and mantra chantingto awaken the conscious. Kessler offers Kundalini, as well as gong healing and other more spiritual classes.



(Kundalini) is much more spiritual than what has happened to yoga as its been mainstreamed, said SiriAtmaKaur, a Kundalini teacher at Urban Breath Yoga in St. Louis. Its 16 times as powerful as other forms of yoga in getting into upper states of consciousness and achieving balance. The formulas are so powerful, you radiate. You look different.



Instead of trendy yoga pants embellished with bright colors and bold patterns, Kaur said Kundalini practitioners opt for plain white clothing made of cotton, wool or silk to brighten their aura and prevent static electricity from altering their personal electric charges. The attire is topped with a headscarf to keep the Kundalini energy, awakened during yoga, from escaping through the top of the head.



Thanks to pop star practitioners like Katy Perrys ex-husband, Russell Brand, Kundalini communities are active on the U.S. coasts. Recruiting members in St. Louis is tougher, but any American looking to reconnect with yogas traditional roots can find several tools in Kundalini practice, Kaur said.



One such tool is the ringing of the disharmonious gong, which helps students reset and balance their minds. Another is the Japji, or the Song of the Soul recited by the ancient sikhs that allows yogis to explore the depths of their souls.



The poses themselves are tools to explore the inner self.



You can just do the yoga, but most of the time, people catch Kundalini, and they want to go all the way because it makes such a difference, Kaur said. Its not a religion, but a lifestyle, a technology, a sacred science.



West meets East



Sudeshna Sen, a 24-year-old student at St. Xavieras College in Maidan, Kolkata, practices yoga in front of the Victoria Memorial. Sen has been practicing yoga for three years and attends weekend classes at Power Yoga in Kolkata.While spirituality takes hold in the United States, Indias yoga scene is shifting to accommodate American consumer needs.



More stressed-out Americans are traveling to India on yoga retreats, helping the Asian giant become one of the fastest-growing wellness tourism destinations in the booming $439 billion worldwideindustry, according to the Global Wellness Institute.



Missouri resident Dustin Thomas, who suffers from a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, made the pilgrimage to Pune, India, for rest, relaxation and a chance to learn how to become a yoga trainer at his business,Yoga Studio 72, in Springfield.



I live basically pain free now, Thomas said. Yoga is the only thing Ive found that can manage the pain or get rid of it.



The Indian government is capitalizing on yogas popularity by supporting global events like the United Nations International Day of Yoga that make the practice even more susceptible to global and commercial forces. Such events boost Indias international profile and help the country export other parts of its culture, such as films, food and fashion.



I am in touch with a friend in France, and I must say, she does yoga way better than any Indian trainer, said 40-year-old GauravPandey, who attends classes at Mystic Yoga Cafe. I practice yoga as it is a great way to keep myself healthy and fit without using any equipment. It is more of an exercise for me.



But not everyone is happy with yogas changing profile in India. Pandering to commercial interests has caused tension among traditional yoga teachers, who believe globalization has inadvertently corrupted yogas original purpose.



Sudeshna Sen, a 24-year-old student at St. Xavieras College in Maidan, Kolkata, practices yoga in front of the Victoria Memorial. Sen has been practicing yoga for three years and attends weekend classes at Power Yoga in Kolkata.Indians have more knowledge about yoga as it originated in India, so it is our duty to see that yoga is practiced in its purest form, said Sudhir Maheshwari, a yoga trainer at Mystic Yoga Cafe in the eastern city of Kolkata. In India, the practice of yoga must be kept traditional. Once the Western influences creep in, the original form of yoga is not practiced in its sacred form.



Though globalization has produced profound changes in yoga, some practitioners say its spiritual essence is its greatest gift to the world  and the reason its spreading, as Maheshwari said, like wildfire.



I feel if anything is mystical, it will be practiced and adopted by people, the trainer said. When people feel and see the change, they will automatically adopt it.

(Images by Avishek Mitra in India and Emma Beyer in USA)
Regular BART riders grumble that it seems like the stations escalators are out of order practically half the time.

Theres a reason for that: The worst of BARTs escalators really are out of order practically half the time, a Chronicle investigation found.

And although not all of BARTs 177 escalators are broken every other day, virtually every one of them was out of service for dozens of days, at least, between April 2015 and last month. The most reliable of them werent working an average of one day every three weeks.

The worst problems are at BARTs downtown San Francisco stations, where transit officials say rain, litter and debris  including hypodermic needles and human waste  combine with vandalism and misbehavior to cripple aging escalators that werent designed for outdoor use.

Its awful, Michelle Luna, a 33-year-old management analyst, said as she rushed to catch a train from Civic Center Station to Berkeley on a day when the transit systems most abysmal escalator was operating.

But even at BARTs more sedate suburban stations, riders stand a good chance of encountering a broken-down escalator and having to hoof it up the stairs.

The man who oversees BARTs escalator maintenance said age has caught up with the people movers. Most of the transit agencys escalators range in age from about 20 years to 45 years  120 of them were installed before 1980. The last overhaul was in 1998 and was not comprehensive.

Mike Lemon, the agencys power and mechanical superintendent, said another contributor to BARTs escalator woes is the workload that comes with a ridership that has surged over the past two decades.

In 20 years, we went from 250,000 to more than 410,000 passengers a day, Lemon said. You cant handle that kind of increase without some impact.

The equipment just wears, he said.

BART purchased its escalators from seven different manufacturers. While all have their quirks, Lemon said, O&K escalators, built by a German company, are the least reliable.

None are as bad as the O&Ks, he said.

BART bought O&Ks last 19 escalators around 1996, just before the company sold off its escalator division, and installed them at its busiest stations  in downtown San Francisco and the Mission. All of them were put in as street escalators but turned out to be highly susceptible to water damage.

For that environment, they were poorly designed, Lemon said. Whoever made the decision to buy them, he said, wasnt aware. There was a lack of knowledge.

Downtown S.F., Mission

Downtown San Francisco is where BARTs two most problematic escalators are located. They run side by side carrying passengers between Civic Center Station and United Nations Plaza in a canyon-like entryway just off Market Street.

Between April 2015 and April 2017, the down escalator there was closed for maintenance or repairs a total of 342.5 days, according to figures BART provided in response to a Chronicle request. Its neighbor, which hauls passengers up to the plaza, was out of service 334.1 days over the same period.

Unreliability was nearly as much an issue at all other stations that serve downtown San Francisco and the Mission District.

The escalator at Montgomery Station, near Sansome and Sutter streets, was third on the breakdown list, followed by the 16th Street Mission Stations escalator that emerges outside of Walgreens, and the Powell Station escalator that rises near the southeast corner of Fourth and Mission streets.

Escalators at 24th Street Mission, Daly City, Civic Center, Millbrae and Embarcadero stations rounded out the worst 10.

Noah Berger/Special to The Chronicle

Eight of the 10 least-reliable escalators are among the oldest in the system. They not only have the elements to contend with, but also are frequented by vagrants who use them as restrooms, usually after BART has closed, as well as drug users who intentionally shut them down by triggering sensors so they wont be bothered by riders who want to use them.

The street escalators ... are the hardest to stay up with, said Vince Bevilacqua, assistant superintendent for elevators and escalators.

Think of the environment, he said, referring to the combination of weather and the surroundings and the people who linger around the stations at night. You cant put a team out there on graveyard shift to work on them.

BART officials admit the systems escalators need serious attention, but especially those in downtown San Francisco.

This is an issue of critical importance, said Nick Josefowitz, one of San Franciscos three BART directors. Like so much at BART, decades of neglect have left us in a really difficult spot.

But with the passage of the BART bond and a new focus on replacing aging infrastructure, we are going to be getting ourselves out of these problems. Its not going to happen overnight, but it will eventually lead to a much more functioning BART system.

The bond is Measure RR, approved by voters in November to raise $3.5 billion to overhaul the entire system. BART plans to direct some of the money to replace all 40 escalators in downtown San Francisco over the next few years. Attention to escalators at the Mission stations and the downtown Oakland stations will follow.

In San Franciscos four Market Street stations, the plan is to replace one platform escalator and one street escalator at a time at each station. At the end of the first year, eight new escalators will be in place. At that rate, it will take about five years to replace all 40.

Noah Berger/Special to The Chronicle

Bevan Dufty, who also represents San Francisco on the BART board, likes the plan but said the five years hes been told it will take to completion is too long. He wants the work to be accelerated, even if it means inconveniencing riders by having multiple escalators at the same station shut down simultaneously.

Its time for a Marshall Plan for escalators and elevators at BART, he said.

But a speedup may not be possible because of government red tape, high demand for escalators in a booming economy, and the need to keep the stations open and operating.

Lemon said the process of advertising for bids, getting the big escalator companies interested in bidding, and a 12- to 16-month wait for new escalators to be delivered adds up. Then comes the matter of mobilizing crews to install them, work that has to be done in phases to avoid blocking rider access to stations.

In the interim, BART is modernizing some of its most troublesome downtown escalators  the O&K models  by replacing devices that control the machines, rewiring them and making them less susceptible to liquids. That work is scheduled to be completed by July 2018.

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In addition, beginning this summer, crews will erect canopies to cover entrances to the Market Street stations and shield the escalators and stairways from the elements. The canopies are also designed to allow BART to lock the escalators at night.

It protects them from rain, protects them from being used as toilets, protects them from being trashed by vandals, Josefowitz said. Once theyre installed, they will lead to much higher levels of escalator reliability.

To test the concept, BART installed its first canopy, a curved glass covering, at 19th Street Station in Oakland two years ago and it has been a success, Lemon said. But according to BARTs records, the covered escalator was out of service 83.4 days over those two years, putting it somewhere in the middle systemwide in terms of escalator reliability.

Escalator troubles arent just limited to BARTs older, more urban stations. Out in BARTs suburban extensions, an escalator at Millbrae is the ninth most unreliable in the system. Another at Dublin/Pleasanton ranks 11th in shutdowns.

The escalators had once been very reliable but are now showing their age, Lemon said. The Dublin/Pleasanton escalator, on the job since 1997, and the Millbrae escalator, in service since 2003, are both closing in on 20 years, which means its time for an overhaul, Lemon said.

Electrical problems have vexed the Dublin/Pleasanton escalator, he said, while issues with handrails have caused trouble on the Millbrae machine. Both have involved complicated and time-consuming repairs, he said.

Limited staffing

But BART directs most of its focus at downtown San Francisco.

Even though the outlying areas are important to us, 80 percent of the people travel to the downtown area, Lemon said. We have limited resources and staffing. We have to prioritize. We focus as much as we can on downtown.

BART has stationed 13 of its 43 escalator repair workers at Civic Center to more quickly tackle problems downtown. Even so, crews regularly need to be called in from elsewhere in the system to help.

The transit systems ability to keep up with repairs is stymied for another reason: a shortage of licensed escalator mechanics.

The position pays $42 an hour, but competition for the skilled workers is fierce and private industry often lures them with pay as high as $72 and better hours, and locations that dont involve dealing with urine and feces. Just 24 of BARTs escalator workers are licensed mechanics. Ideally, Lemon said, all 43 would be licensed, giving BART more specialized experience.

To address the problem, BART is now using unlicensed assistants and trainees to repair escalators under the supervision of its licensed mechanics. Still, turnover is frequent, and BART is currently down three escalator workers.

Meanwhile, BARTs aging escalators keep breaking down.

Well be busy a long time, Lemon said. We need this renovation fast.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
Under a blanket of gray fog, surrounded by American flags snapping in a cold wind blowing over the San Francisco National Cemetery of the Presidio, Pfc. Caesar Viglienzone was remembered.

He was just 21 when he was killed by a bomb in Iraq in 2006. At Mondays Memorial Day service, his parents laid a wreath for him  and for the hundreds of thousands of other Americans who have lost their lives in battle.

Caesar wore mismatched socks, listened to Metallica, learned to play the drums, said Karl Eikenberry, former ambassador to Afghanistan and a retired Army general, who spoke on behalf of Viglienzones family.

Viglienzone, who grew up in Santa Rosa, had considered college, but decided to enlist in the Army instead. He wanted to do something he could be proud of. He wanted to do something that had meaning, Eikenberry said.

Then Eikenberry thanked the crowd of several hundred gathered on the lawn. Its only through the participation of Americans citizens that we give this day meaning and significance, he said.

San Franciscos Memorial Day observance began with a short, festive march, led by San Francisco Boy Scouts, from the Presidio Officers Club to the cemetery, where the mood was mostly somber, with some brighter moments. The crowd waved when a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter flew an aerial salute overhead, and they applauded in support when one veteran faltered in sharing his memories of fighting in Iraq and the people he lost there.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

The formal ceremony opened with a four-gun salute and The Star-Spangled Banner, and a reading of the poem In Flanders Fields, a tribute to men who died in World War I, which that led to red poppies becoming a symbol of fallen soldiers worldwide. In the audience, dozens of people wore red poppy pins on their coats.

Among the attendees were city and state elected officials, plus House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who offered the closing remarks, choosing to quote largely from President John F. Kennedy on what would have been his 100th birthday.

Everyone knows the most famous line from Kennedys inauguration speech, Pelosi said: Ask not what your country can do for you  ask what you can do for your country. The men and women who died fighting made that commitment, she said.

We come to this occasion with great pride and great humility, Pelosi said.

The ceremony paid special observance to men and women like Viglienzone who have died in more recent wars. Two young veterans spoke about peers who have died, and how their losses echo through families and communities of survivors.

They would have gotten married, had kids, gotten different jobs or even just grown older, said Nicole Suraci-Nguyen, who served with the Marines and the Army and is president of the Golden Gate University Veterans Law Student Association. Its not just that they lost their lives. We lost, too.

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Joshua Mantz, a retired Army major injured in Iraq, said hes suffered with daunting periods of grief, guilt and shame in the years since, and kept going only through the support of family, friends  and at times strangers who understood the depth of his trauma.

Even in my darkest moments, I was never alone, Mantz said. There was always someone in my life with strength and courage to plant healing seeds in my mind.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

Mantz paused, clearly collecting himself, as people in the audience applauded softly and called out encouragement. He smiled, and said that the support hes received in San Francisco and the Bay Area is emblematic of the spirit of respect that is celebrated on Memorial Day.

Monuments and memorials are a great way to honor those who came before us, Mantz said. But the most important is to let their spirit live through us.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallda
BART service was returning to normal after commuters Tuesday morning faced considerable delays from a disabled train blocking the Transbay Tube, switching problems and numerous medical emergencies, officials said.

Delays running more than 30 minutes began shortly before 7 a.m. when a Richmond-bound train broke down just outside the Transbay Tube, where trains cross from one track to another, said Jim Allison, a BART spokesman. The disabled train was pushed out of the way by about 7:25 a.m., clearing the Transbay Tube.
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A Fremont police officer shot a man Monday afternoon who had been waving a large metal pipe after chasing him through a shopping center parking lot, police said.

The lone officer was flagged down just before 4 p.m. by pedestrians concerned about the man, who may have been threatening people, said Geneva Bosques, a Fremont police spokeswoman. The man, who police declined to identify, was undergoing surgery as of Monday evening, and the officer was not injured, she said.
An 82-year-old man tackled and restrained a woman who had allegedly beat up his wife and tried to break into their San Jose home Sunday evening, pinning her down in the street until authorities arrived.

The next day, his wife said she was still shaking from the fear and stress.

Im not doing OK, said Christine Youkhaneh, 76, speaking by phone from their home. Too much stress. Too much worry. Somebody just came to kill me, I dont know why.

The attack occurred around 5:30 p.m., as Youkhaneh was heading into her backyard to do some tidying up. She stopped just outside the screen door and bent over to put on her shoes when she felt two hard cracks on her head, in quick succession. She looked up to see a woman hitting her with a large piece of wood.

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I put my hand to my head, and she hit at my hand, very bad, Youkhaneh said. I tried to see who they are, and I see the lady just hitting me, like shes going to kill me. No reason. I never saw her before. 

Youkhaneh said she was able to run inside the house and call for her husband, Yousef Youkhaneh. With blood pouring down her face and staining her shirt, Christine ordered her husband to make sure the woman who had attacked her wasnt able to get away. Yousef Youkhaneh did as he was told.

I heard a scream from my wife, Yousef Youkhaneh recalled. I run to the scream and I see that my wife is bloody and the blood is coming out from her head, all over. Somebody hurt her. Of course he gave chase, he said.

Yousef Youkhaneh pursued the intruder into the street in front of their home on McKee Road. While he was fighting her, his wife called 911. By the time deputies with the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office arrived, Yousef Youkhaneh had a firm hold on the suspect, a woman more than 30 years younger than he is.

He stayed with authorities while his wife was taken to the hospital to explain what had happened. A few hours later, the Sheriffs Office tweeted a photo of deputies posing with Yousef Youkhaneh.

The tweet said, Many times we meet citizens we see as heroes. Yousef, 82, defended his wife from an attacking burglar & held the suspect till we arrived!

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The suspect, Rehnu Singh, 50, of San Jose was booked into Santa Clara County Jail.

Christine Youkhaneh got eight or nine stitches in her head, and she said her hand is very bruised, but shes otherwise uninjured. Still, she said shes glad to be heading out of town to spend a week with her family in Orange County, though her husband will be staying home.

I was just talking to my husband, and my whole body was shaking, Christine Youkhaneh said, just before leaving for the airport. Thirty-five, 36 years we live in the same house, we never had that kind of problem. I dont know why this happened.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
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Two men were hospitalized after being shot as they were walking on the Newhall Bike Path in Santa Rosa, police said Monday.

The shootings occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday. Officers were sent to the 1300 block of Grand Avenue in response to a report of a gunshot victim. As they were on their way to the site, they learned of a second gunshot victim in the 500 block of Colgan Avenue, police said in a statement.
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The University of California will no longer pay for its governing board members to throw themselves dinners and parties after a Chronicle report showed that the regents regularly billed the university for their festivities.

Although the events were charged to a private endowment, and thus not covered by public money or tuition, the practice will stop to avoid any question over use of university or university-associated funds, Board of Regents Chair Monica Lozano and UC President Janet Napolitano said in a statement Sunday.

Longtime Regent Richard Blum, a wealthy financier and former chairman of the board, said the policy change was his idea. After reading The Chronicles story Sunday, Blum said he called Napolitano and suggested it.

I said, Janet, its not worth the aggravation. Lets have the regents pay for their own dinners, Blum told The Chronicle. I just called Janet and said, Look, for the amount of what it costs to have a dinner, lets have everyone pay for their own dinner. And if they cant pay, Im happy to pick it up.

The change in policy came hours after The Chronicle reported that the UC governing board billed the university for nearly a quarter of a million dollars since 2012 for dinners every two to three months.

Some of the banquets were poorly timed: The $270-a-head Jan. 25 banquet was held the night before the regents voted to raise student tuition. And the similarly priced May 17 party happened a few hours after student protesters shut down the regents meeting, objecting to both the tuition increase and a $175 million secret fund uncovered by a state audit this year.

The dinners were thrown at luxury destinations, such as San Franciscos InterContinental Hotel and Palace Hotel. Attendees included the regents, their spouses, UC executives and campus chancellors.

Up to now, board dinners have been paid for with monies from the Searles Fund, a private endowment that the donor designated for university business costs not covered by state or tuition funds, read the statement from Lozano and Napolitano. However, to avoid any question over use of university or university-associated funds, regents will absorb their costs for board dinners from this point forward.

Revelations of the dinners came as the UC weathered blowback from the scathing audit  including calls by legislators to strip the university system of its independence from state government and Gov. Jerry Browns withholding of $50 million in funding if the university system didnt fix financial problems identified by the review.

Considering that the UC  with its 10 campuses, five hospitals and three national laboratories  has a budget around $30 billion, its kind of silly to be concerned with the price of dinners, Blum said. But having said that, theres the perception problem.

Whats more, Blum said, paying $250 or more per person  even for fine dining  was crazy. By comparison, periodic dinners at the Ritz-Carlton he has hosted for the American Himalayan Foundation, of which he is chairman, cost only $90, he said.

Blum said he asked Napolitano to go through the numbers with him first thing Tuesday morning. He said he wasnt sure whether the new plan would include the Wednesday night dinners the regents have when they gather every other month for the board meetings or whether it would only cover their celebratory dinners.

A university spokeswoman did not return requests for comment Monday.

Those who criticized the spending said they were pleased with the new policy but questioned why it took a newspaper report to make the change.

Its appropriate, if for no other reason than the symbolism, said Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a regent who did not attend the two most recent parties. Spending tens of thousands of dollars on dinners is absurd. It rubs people, understandably, the wrong way.

Some observers, including Jamie Court, president of the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, and Assemblywoman Catharine Baker, R-San Ramon, said the regents should reimburse UC for their past expenditures.

Jessica Levinson, a law professor and government ethics expert at Loyola Law School, said invoicing the dinners to UC was distasteful and tone deaf, but at least university officials were swiftly responsive to public pressure.

Were talking about money that could be used to educate kids, Levinson said. If they wanted to have reasonable business dinners, maybe thats a different story, but that doesnt appear to be what happened.

Chronicle staff writer Kimberly Veklerov contributed to this report.

Nanette Asimov and Melody Gutierrez are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com, nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez, @NanetteAsimov

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To see all of The Chronicles reporting about the controversial University of California audit: www.sfchronicle.com/uc_audit
The 20th century veggie burger was a beige patty packed with whole grains and carrot chunks, sold in a brown paper wrapper. The 21st century version? Its bloody-pink and fleshy, thanks to heme, an ingredient created via genetic engineering.

To those steeped in the natural-food movement, the acronym GMO  for genetically modified organisms  has traditionally been almost as taboo as a plate of braised veal. However, that view could be changing as a new generation of Bay Area entrepreneurs upends the alternative meat and dairy industry, using biotechnology to create vegetarian foods that taste more like meat and promise ecological advantages to boot.

As somebody who has my entire life been a hard-core environmentalist  I went vegan for a large part for that reason  genetic engineering is one of the most important tools we can use in terms of environmental conservation, said Mike Selden, co-founder and CEO of Finless Foods in San Francisco, which is replicating fish fillets out of stem cells, though not currently with genetic engineering.

Not everyone agrees, and as these products hit the market  including the aforementioned veggie burger that bleeds from Impossible Foods  consumer and environmental groups have called for greater oversight and testing than whats currently required by the federal government. The debate brings up two very different ideas about what makes food sustainable and safe, as well as questions about how the public will react to these next-gen foods.

The overarching issue is that any genetically engineered substance, since thats a new technology, should be required to go through a safety assessment, said Michael Hansen, senior staff scientist at Consumers Union.

The specific technology Hansen referred to is being employed by at least a half dozen Bay Area scientist-food entrepreneurs. Often called yeast-based fermentation, it has been used to produce food, medicine and vaccines for decades and involves modifying the DNA of yeast or bacteria to express protein or other substances in a fermentation tank. The resulting product  whether milk or egg proteins  does not contain any genetically modified organisms, which are the yeast cells, but is produced via genetic engineering.

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When you talk about GMOs  in our final product there is no O, said Alexander Lorestani, co-founder and CEO of Geltor, a San Leandro company that makes an animal-free gelatin for use in gummy candies, yogurt and many other food products.

New food products like Geltors gelatin and collagen, which havent yet hit the market, must first be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Companies can also voluntarily apply to have a new food additive classified as Generally Recognized as Safe, or GRAS. The company pays for the laboratory testing with FDA feedback.

Impossible Foods of Redwood City, which sells its burger meat to several restaurants around the country, said an independent panel of food experts has found its heme, a compound found in plants and animals that gives beef its meaty taste and color, to be safe. It plans to submit a GRAS application to the FDA this summer demonstrating its extensive testing.

These products have precursors in the food industry. Since the 1990s, most cheddar and other hard cheeses have been made with chymosin, a rennet-like enzyme produced with genetic engineering.

However, Hansen counters that chymosin shows up only in minuscule levels in cheese, whereas the new milk and gelatin proteins will come in larger amounts.

There is not a long history of these engineered proteins, he said.

Currently, food manufacturers dont have to label products that contain genetically engineered ingredients, but many companies have begun doing so in light of a law passed in 2016 that would require those labels. Its due to go into effect next year, unless the Trump administration changes it.

According to a 2016 report from the Pew Research Center, 48 percent of Americans say genetically engineered foods have health effects no different from other foods; 39 percent say theyre worse for health; and 10 percent say theyre better for health.

Whether the public will see a difference between genetically engineered Monsanto corn and vegan milk made with proteins from genetically engineered yeast, such as one being developed by Perfect Day in Berkeley, is hard to say. There could be a difference in reception to genetically engineered yeast in a tank compared with organisms that have more potential to invade the environment, such as engineered crops grown in a field or engineered salmon, which the FDA approved in 2015.

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Impossible Foods CEO and founder Pat Brown, a former Stanford biochemistry professor, said he is transparent about the use of genetic engineering, partly because he feels that it makes his product more environmentally sustainable.

Producing the soy protein this way instead of growing a cow to produce (protein)  thats the real advantage, said Brown. The prime objective is to minimize the environmental footprint. Its a hell of a lot better than growing a cow.

The company just released a sustainability study asserting that compared with a beef burger, one of its burgers uses about 25 percent of the water and 5 percent of the land and generates 13 percent of the emissions.

But to Ethan Brown, president and CEO of Beyond Meat, a Southern California maker of plant-based burgers that are made without genetic engineering, using the technology would muddle the message.

I think consumers can understand and appreciate our model, where protein and nutrients from the field are directly put to work in the form of plant-based meat, versus running plant material through an animal, he wrote in an email. In our specific case of plant-based meat, adding GMO ingredients creates a distraction that may be better to avoid altogether.

And for Geltors Lorestani, who took a leave from a physician-scientist training program to start his company, the benefits of the technology are overwhelming. Insulin, for example, was originally made with cow or pig pancreas but is now made through genetic engineering based on human insulin.

The tradition that I came out of, he said, has clearly shown that moving out of animal products and into biotechnology can fundamentally transform the health of people and make their lives better.

Tara Duggan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tduggan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @taraduggan
WASHINGTON  President Trump, in his first public remarks since returning from a nine-day overseas trip, paid tribute to fallen U.S. troops in a traditional Memorial Day ceremony Monday, saying they died in war so we could live in peace.

In one of the annual rites of every presidency, Trump traveled the short distance over the Potomac River to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to honor the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who were killed in service to their country.

Words cannot measure the depth of their devotion, the purity of their love or the totality of their courage, Trump told an audience that included relatives of slain service members. We only hope that every day we can prove worthy, not only of their sacrifice and service, but of the sacrifice made by the families and loved ones they left behind. Special, special people.

Trump was accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence and preceded at the podium by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The president, who has been under siege by investigations into contacts between Russia and his associates, including his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, smiled and seemed to enjoy the enthusiastic welcome by a supportive crowd.

Sticking closely to his prepared text, Trump offered no insight into his thinking about how to proceed in the various wars that the United States is currently fighting, including the battle against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria or the war in Afghanistan. The Pentagon has proposed sending an additional 5,000 troops to Afghanistan to bolster the force that has been fighting there since shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Some of Trumps political advisers, including Steve Bannon, worry about a slippery slope into nation building, but the president has not publicly indicated which way he is leaning.

Instead, Trump used the occasion to single out several service members who have died in combat in recent years and also honored former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan., who was wounded in Italy during World War II and attended Mondays event.

They were all angels sent to us by God, and they all share one title in common, and that is the title of hero, real heroes, he said. Though they were here only a brief time before God called them home, their legacy will endure forever.

Like his three most recent predecessors, Trump never served in combat nor the active-duty military, and at one point during his campaign last year he offended veterans by denigrating the service of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a Navy pilot who spent 5 years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. Hes not a war hero, Trump said at the time. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who werent captured.

Trump has never apologized for those remarks, but in his speech Monday he lavished warm praise on other veterans. He singled out John Kelly, a retired four-star general now serving as secretary of Homeland Security whose son, 2nd Lt. Robert Kelly of the Marines, was killed when he stepped on a land mine in 2010 in southern Afghanistan.

Trump also cited Spc. Christopher Horton, a member of the Oklahoma National Guard, who died in a gunbattle with insurgents in Afghanistan in 2011, and Maj. Andrew Byers, a member of the Green Berets who was killed during an attack on a Taliban bastion last year.

Chris sacrificed his life to protect his fellow soldiers and to protect all Americans, Trump said. Addressing Hortons weeping widow, Trump added, Jane, America grieves with you.

The president said that Byers raced through gunfire to save other soldiers. To his parents, Trump said, We stand in awe of your son and his courageous sacrifice.

Peter Baker is a New York Times writer.
New Delhi, May 30 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on the latter's birthday.

Wishing for his long and healthy life, the Prime Minister tweeted, "Birthday greetings to the Chief Minister of Puducherry, Shri V. Narayanasamy. I pray for his long and healthy life."

Narayanasamy, a member of the Congress party, turned 70 on Tuesday.
Bay Area political events

Thursday

Elizabeth Warren event: A conversation with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and MSNBC host Joy-Ann Reid at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon St. in San Francisco. The discussion is part of an all-day event organized around opposition to President Trump. Tickets cost $100 and can be purchased at www.joyouspersistence.com.

Friday

Gun violence: For National Gun Violence Awareness Day, activists are asking people to wear orange to stand against gun violence. For more information: https://wearorange.org.

Saturday

Gun violence awareness march: A march across the Golden Gate Bridge to stand against gun violence. Participants are asked to wear orange. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Golden Gate Bridge plaza. For information: www.facebook.com/events/1324576680972179.

LGBT rally: As part of Sonoma County Pride weekend, a rally to support LGBT rights, womens rights, immigration rights and other causes. The rally is from 1 to 4 p.m. at Guerneville Lodge, 15905 River Road in Guerneville. For information: www.facebook.com/events/1420477121307743.

Peace and Freedom: The Peace and Freedom Party is hosting a forum, Peace and Freedom: Fifty Years of Struggle, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the party. The free event will be from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Starry Plough Pub, 3101 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley. For information, contact (510) 332-3865 or cuyleruyle@mac.com.

Anti-Trump marches: Marchers are demanding an independent investigation into President Trumps Russia connections in a March for Truth. In San Jose, the march will begin at 11 a.m. at City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St. For information: www.indivisibleeastsanjose.org/march-for-truth. In San Francisco, a march will begin at 2 p.m. at Justin Herman Plaza. For information: www.facebook.com/events/1978572495762727.

June 11

Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is seeking volunteers to recruit new members and educate people on environmental issues at Sunday Streets, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Golden Gate Park. The exact location is to be determined. For information, contact Katherine Howard at sfoceanedge@earthlink.net.
Last year we attempted to categorize what restaurants best embody San Francisco. And this might be our favorite batch.

Above is a slideshow of what we consider the most "Only in SF" restaurants you can find in our city.

This project started with a simple request of a visiting friend, who requested to dine at a "very San Francisco" restaurant. Wondering what it really means to be a true "San Francisco" restaurant, we polled our staff and revisited Chronicle archives to make a list. There were so many worthy contenders we realized we needed to create three categories: the true classics, the new classics and the "Only in SF" eateries (above).

Most of these "Only in SF" places could have easily qualified for either our "true classics" or "new classics" lists, but when considering how each of them have qualities that are so uniquely San Francisco, they deserve their own recognition.

They could be a perfect and constantly-adapting example of the Bay Area dining ideology (hi, Zuni) or a beloved eatery that started a local trend, like Cha Cha Cha ushering in small plates or Burma Superstar paving the way for so many of the Bay Area's Burmese eateries or, how, thanks to the Tonga Room, San Francisco is not a tiki bar-shy city. Many of these wonderfully eclectic eateries have proven they have the ability to adapt to our ever-changing city. Others are dining spots representing a mix of old and new San Francisco. And we also had to throw in a few of our staff's personal favorites, just because.

Some of these restaurants are notably "SF" for their food, while others are just quirky enough in concept or ambiance to make the list.

Editor's note: This was the third installment in an SFGATE series of the "most San Francisco" restaurants. The first two slideshows featured the city's "true classics" and "new classics."
A Napa County mother and her boyfriend were found guilty of first-degree murder in the torture-killing of the womans 3-year-old daughter in 2014, a jury announced Tuesday.

The little girl, Kayleigh Slusher, was found dead Feb. 1, 2014. Kayleigh had been tortured, and her body had been kept in a freezer for three days, then placed in her bed, police said.
Two East Bay high school students killed Monday when a pickup truck they were riding in collided with a minivan in Alameda were identified Tuesday, police said.

Briana Ortega, 17, of Hayward and Simon Sotelo, 17, of Union City were both occupants of a four-door, crew-cab truck and were killed shortly after 8 a.m. Monday in the crash at Park Street and Lincoln Avenue, police said.
Two men were hospitalized after being shot as they were walking on the Newhall Bike Path in Santa Rosa, police said Monday.

The shootings occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday. Officers were sent to the 1300 block of Grand Avenue in response to a report of a gunshot victim. As they were on their way to the site, they learned of a second gunshot victim in the 500 block of Colgan Avenue, police said in a statement.
New Delhi, May 30 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted the people of Goa on their state day.

Praying for the state's prosperity, the Prime Minister's tweeted, "Greetings to the people of Goa on Goa Statehood Day. I pray for Goa's progress and prosperity in the years to come."

Following the state elections earlier this year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed the government there.

Goa is also a key tourist destination in India, and attracts a large number of foreigners.
A Trump administration order to deport a man who entered the country illegally and became a respected businessman in Hawaii was inhumane and contrary to the values of the country and its legal system, a judge on the nations largest federal appeals court wrote Tuesday in an unusually impassioned opinion.

President Trump has claimed that his immigration policies would target the bad hombres, Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt said. The governments decision to remove Magana Ortiz shows that even the good hombres are not safe.
BROOKHAVEN, Miss.  A Mississippi deputy killed in a shooting rampage had worked in Christian ministry before going into law enforcement, and enjoyed doing puppet shows to deliver uplifting messages to children.

William Durr, 36, was responding to a domestic-violence call late Saturday when he was fatally shot in Brookhaven, a south Mississippi city surrounded by pine trees and rolling green pastures. He was one of eight people killed in a shooting rampage at three different homes  an outbreak of violence that has shaken the county of 34,500 residents.

Investigators said Willie Corey Godbolt, 35, will be charged with one count of capital murder and seven counts of first degree murder. Mississippi Bureau of Investigation spokesman Warren Strain said the charges could change as the investigation continues.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation identified those killed as: Barbara Mitchell, 55; Brenda May, 53; Tocarra May, 35; Austin Edwards, 11; Jordan Blackwell, 18; Ferral Burage, 45; and Shelia Burage, 46.

Godbolt remained hospitalized in good condition for a gunshot wound Monday in Jackson. It wasnt clear who shot him.

The Lincoln County Sheriffs Department has about 75 employees and is like a close-knit family, said Zach Harveston, who has worked as a dispatcher there for two years. He loved to lead children to the good Lord, Harveston said.

Durr was married and had an 11-year-old son.

On Sunday, Vincent Mitchell sat outside his home and tried to make sense of how a family dispute led to a rampage that killed eight people, including the deputy who tried to keep them safe.

Im devastated. It dont seem like its real, Mitchell said shortly after the arrest of Godbolt, his stepson-in-law. Him and my stepdaughter, theyve been going back and forth for a couple of years with that domestic violence.

Godbolt showed up at Mitchells home in the town of Bogue Chitto shortly before midnight Saturday to demand that his estranged wife give up their two children.

Hed come to get his kids. The deputy was called, and asked him to leave, and it seemed like Godbolt would comply at first, Mitchell said.

Then he reached in his back pocket and grabbed a gun, Mitchell said. He just started shooting everything.

Emily Wagster Pettus and Kevin McGill are Associated Press writers.
AUSTIN, Texas  Hundreds of protesters opposing Texas tough new law against sanctuary cities staged a raucous demonstration from the public gallery in the Texas House on Monday, briefly halting work and prompting lawmakers on the floor below to scuffle  and even threaten gun violence  as divides over hardline immigration policies boiled over.

Activists wearing red T-shirts reading Lucha, or Fight, quietly filled hundreds of gallery seats as proceedings began. After about 40 minutes, they began to cheer, drowning out the lawmakers below. Protesters also blew whistles and chanted Hey, hey, ho, ho, SB4 has got to go, referring to the bill that Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law this month.

Some unfurled banners reading: See you in court! and See you at the polls!

State House leadership stopped the session and asked state troopers to clear the gallery. Officers led people out of the chamber peacefully in small groups. There were no reports of arrests.

Texas new law is reminiscent of a 2010 Arizona show your papers measure that allowed police to inquire about a persons immigration status during routine interactions such as traffic stops. It was eventually struck down in court.

A legislative session that began in January concluded Monday, and the day was supposed to be reserved for goofy group photos and sappy goodbyes. Lawmakers are constitutionally barred from approving most legislation on the last day.

But even after the protest ended, tensions remained high. Rep. Ramon Romero, a Democrat from Fort Worth, said he was standing with fellow Democratic Rep. Cesar Blanco of El Paso when Republican colleague Matt Rinaldi came over and said: This is BS. Thats why I called ICE.

Rinaldi, of Irving in suburban Dallas, and Blanco then began shouting at each other. A scuffle nearly ensued before other lawmakers separated the two.

Later, a group of Democratic lawmakers held a press conference to accuse Rinaldi of threatening to put a bullet in the head of someone on the House floor during a second near scuffle. They said the comment was made in the direction of Democratic Rep. Poncho Nevarez, from the border town of Eagle Pass.

In a subsequent Facebook statement, Rinaldi admitted saying hed called federal authorities and threatened to shoot Nevarez  but said his life was in danger, not the other way around.

Nevarez threatened my life on the House floor after I called ICE on several illegal immigrants who held signs in the gallery which said I am illegal and here to stay, Rinaldi wrote. He said Democrats were encouraging protesters to ignore police instructions and, When I told the Democrats I called ICE, Representative Ramon Romero physically assaulted me.

Meredith Hoffman and Will Weissert are Associated Press writers.
WASHINGTON  Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law and senior adviser, was looking for a direct line to President Vladimir Putin of Russia  a search that in mid-December found him in a room with a Russian banker whose financial institution was deeply intertwined with Russian intelligence, and remains under sanction by the United States.

Federal and congressional investigators are now examining what exactly Kushner and the Russian banker, Sergey Gorkov, wanted from each other. The banker is a close associate of Putin, but he has not been known to play a diplomatic role for the Russian leader. That has raised questions about why he was meeting with Kushner at a crucial moment in the presidential transition, according to current and former officials familiar with the investigations.

The New York Times first reported the meeting between Kushner and Gorkov in March, but the White House at the time did not explain its aim. That article quoted a White House spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, who said that the meeting came at the request of the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, with whom Kushner had met earlier in December at Trump Tower to discuss opening a communications channel with Russian officials during the presidential transition.

But the half-hour meeting with Gorkov since has come under increasing scrutiny. The current and former U.S. officials now say it may have been part of an effort by Kushner to establish a direct line to Putin outside of established diplomatic channels.

The meeting came as Trump was openly feuding with U.S. intelligence agencies and their conclusion that Russia had tried to disrupt the presidential election and turn it in his favor.

On Friday, citing U.S. officials briefed on intelligence reports, the Washington Post reported that Kislyak told his superiors in Moscow that Kushner had proposed a secret channel and had suggested using Russian diplomatic facilities in the United States for the communications. The White House has not denied the Post report, which specified that Russian communication centers at an embassy or consulate in the United States were discussed as hosts for the secure channel.

It is not clear whether Kushner saw the Russian banker as someone who could be repeatedly used as a go-between or whether the meeting with Gorkov was designed to establish a direct, secure communications line to Putin.

The reasons the parties wanted a communications channel, and for how long they sought it, are also unclear. Several people with knowledge of the meeting with Kislyak, and who defended it, have said it was primarily to discuss how the United States and Russia could cooperate to end the civil war in Syria and on other policy issues. They also said the secure channel, in part, sought to connect Michael Flynn, a campaign adviser who became Trumps first national security adviser, and military officials in Moscow.

Yet one current and one former U.S. official with knowledge of the continuing congressional and FBI investigations said they were examining whether the channel was meant to remain open, and if there were other items on the meetings agenda, including lifting sanctions that the Obama administration had imposed on Russia in response to Moscows annexation of Crimea and its aggression in Ukraine.

In a statement Monday, Hicks said, Mr. Kushner was acting in his capacity as a transition official in meeting with the Russians. Kushner has agreed to be interviewed by congressional investigators about the meetings, she said.

Matthew Rosenberg, Mark Mazzetti and Maggie Haberman are New York Times writers.
Kolkata, May 30 (IBNS): The results of the class 12-level West Bengal board exams were declared on Tuesday morning.

West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education President Mahua Das said 84.20 percent students have passed the exam making a slight increase over the last year's percentage.

Archisman Panigrahi from Hooghly Collegiate School who scored 99.2 percent topped the merit list which features 53 males and 13 females.

Das said 85. 15 per cent boys passed the exam while 83.26 percent female candidates were successful.

As in the class ten Board exam results, the the HS merit list is also dominated by students from districts.

The Board President informed that about 7.56 lakh students had appeared for the exam.
Kolkata, May 30 (IBNS): Afghanistan, China's belt and road initiative, terrorism and climate change were some of the key issues discussed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Angela Merkel, according to media reports on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Germany on Monday to attend the Fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations

This is Prime Minister Modi's second bilateral visit to Germany.

Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted an informal dinner for Prime Minister Modi at the Schloss Meseberg, outside Berlin.

The interaction lasted nearly three hours, and covered various areas of mutual interest including smart cities, skill development, clean energy etc.

There was appreciation for India's economic reform agenda, including GST.

The leaders reviewed regional and global issues too.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated the importance of cohesiveness in the European Union, and its significance as a force of stability in the world.



On Afghanistan, both leaders reiterated the importance of an Afghan-led Afghan-owned reconciliation process.

Issues such as de-radicalization and terrorism figured in the discussions.

China's belt and road initiative, and climate change, also figured in the discussions.

Earlier, on arrival at the Schloss Meseberg, Prime Minister Modi signed the visitor's book.

Images: PIB
Chennai, May 30 (IBNS): In a significant development, the Madras High Court on Tuesday stayed the operation on the new restrictions on sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter as ordered by the Centre.

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court stayed the operation of the Centre's order by four weeks.

The court has directed the Centre to file its reply in four weeks.

The Centre recently notified a Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 that said that the member secretary of an animal market committee will have to ensure that no one brings a young animal to the slaughterhouse.

"The prime focus of the regulation is to protect the animals from cruelty and not to regulate the existing trade in cattle for slaughter houses. It is envisaged that welfare of cattle dealt in the market will be ensured and that only healthy animals are traded for agriculture purposes for the benefits of the farmers. The livestock markets are intended to become hubs for trade for animal for agriculture through this process and animal for slaughter will have to be bought from the farmers at the farms. The notified rules will remove the scope of illegal sale and smuggling of the cattle which is a major concern. The specific provisions apply only to animals which are bought and sold in the notified live stock markets and animals that are seized as case properties. These rules do not cover other areas," the Central government said in a statement.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that she will not accept the Central government's ban on selling cattle in the markets for slaughter.

"This law is unconstitutional, undemocratic and against the federal structure. They have introduced the law in the month of Ramadan without taking the views of the state governments," Mamata Banerjee said during a press conference at state's main administrative building at Nabanna in Kolkata.

The Bengal CM also said that her government would challenge the Centre's decision legally.

"There is a constitutional bench in the Supreme Court. We are discussing the matter with our Advocate General (AG) and soon we will move to court against it," Banerjee said.

"People from all religions are living happily here in Bengal. Centre can never decide what to eat and what not," she added.

Talking about the killings by gau rakshaks, Mamata Banerjee told the media, "In the name of saving cows, they are killing farmers and dairy-men and most of such incidents are being reported from BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh."

Image: Wikimedia Commons
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Ivanka Trump stirred up some controversy on Monday after some considered a tweet from her lifestyle brand to be insensitive.

Make champagne popsicles this #MemorialDay, read the tweet, which linked to Trumps website with other ideas for the holiday.

The social media reception was icy.

Who cant relate to champagne popsicles on #MemorialDay? Except maybe all the people honoring those who served and sacrificed all, wrote one Twitter user.

Omg. She did not tweet this on Memorial Day. How insensitive can you be? wrote another.

Other tweets pointed out that the account belonged to Trumps brand, and not the president's daughter herself.

Its still incredibly tone deaf, said Twitter user @snowmanomics.

Hours after the popsicle tweet made the rounds, Trump posted a message on her personal Twitter account: Today we honor the men & women in our armed forces who have lost their lives to protect our freedom. Thank you for your service #MemorialDay.

The tweet surfaced around the same time President Donald Trump honored those who died serving in the military at Arlington National Cemetery.

Read Michelle Robertsons latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.
Powered by record snowmelt, California's Kern River is roaring at a high flow, creating perilous conditions with dramatic white-water rapids.

Three people died and 24 were rescued in a number of incidents on a section of the river about three hours north of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Fuyuki-Kohyama Photography/Getty Images

The Kern River has long been popular with white-water rafters and also known for its danger as it's often referred to as the "Killer Kern." A sign at the mouth keeps a tally of the number of people who have died. The sign was last updated on May 26, 2017, to indicate 280 deaths since 1968.

During the past five years of drought, the river's trickle offered little excitement and tame rafting and kayaking, and it seems many forgot about the river's history.

This year, the 165-mile-long river fed by snowmelt around Mt. Whitney is flowing swiftly again and has returned to its dangerous ways.

"People aren't used to this big water like we've had in the past. Five years of a drought really impacts people's ability to look at a river  they just don't remember," Tulare County Sheriff's Lt. Kevin Kemmerling told the Times. "This year, they think it's the same river, but it's five times as big.

This story was updated on May 30, 2017, at 9:50 a.m.
Patna, May 30 (TheBiharPost/IBNS): Around 65 percent students have failed the Grade 12 examination conducted by the Bihar School Examination Board, thanks to the harsh measures adopted by the authorities to check rampant use of unfair means in the exam.

The results were declared on Tuesday.



Authorities said of the total of over 1.24 million students who appeared at the examination this year, only 445,546 could clear the test whereas the rest 794,622 failed.



While only 30 percent passed the science stream, a little over 37 percent could emerge successful in arts stream. The commerce students, however, fared a little better with their pass percentage being around 74.



Of the total 646,231 students appearing in science examination, 449,280 failed.

Similarly, a total of 533,915 students had appeared in the arts exam but 330,338 of them failed.

In commerce, however, only a little about 15,000 out of total 60,000 plus failed.



Khushboo Kumari with 86.2 percent marks was declared the topper in science stream while Ganesh Kumar who secured 82.6 percent marks was declared topper in arts stream.



In commerce stream, Priyanshu Jaiswal was announced the topper. He obtained 81.6 percent marks.



The state government has announced to give a reward of Rs 100,000 to toppers from each of the three streams, Rs 75,000 to second toppers and Rs 50,000 to third toppers, apart from laptops.



This year the authorities tightened security around the examination centres and adopted varieties of measures to stop cheating, taking a lesson from last years merit scam which earned a huge embarrassment to the government.



(thebiharpost.com)

Image:google maps
Uber has fired Anthony Levandowski, the star engineer at the center of its bitter legal battle with Waymo over his alleged theft of Waymos robot-car trade secrets. Levandowski, a close confidant and friend of Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, got the ax for refusing to help Uber investigate Waymos accusations, according to an Uber spokeswoman.

Waymo in February sued Uber, claiming that Levandowski secretly downloaded 14,000 Waymo documents and took them to Uber to accelerate its robot-car research. Uber has denied any wrongdoing.

Uber paid $680 million last summer to acquire Otto, a startup Levandowski founded right after he abruptly quit Waymo, the self-driving car unit of Googles parent company, Alphabet, in January 2016. In legal filings, Waymo has contended that Uber and Levandowski concocted Otto as a cover-up scheme for Uber to get its hands on Waymos technology.

Levandowski, who was Uber vice president of advanced technology and, until recently, head of the companys foray into self-driving technology, has declined to testify in the case, asserting his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. But U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who says he finds Waymos evidence regarding the illicit downloads compelling, ordered Uber to get Levandowski to either testify or return the stolen documents, under penalty of termination.

Uber laid out those choices in a May 15 letter to Levandowski. We insist that you do everything in your power to assist us in complying with the order, Uber general counsel Salle Yoo wrote to Levandowski. (She has since assumed a new role as Ubers chief legal officer.)

The letter, which repeated Ubers assertions that it is innocent of wrongdoing, said Uber would fire Levandowski if he did not comply. Uber said Levandowski failed to meet its deadlines for cooperation.

Uber has reached the limits of plausible deniability of the evidence that Levandowski did what he did, and its inability to deal with it because Levandowski wont talk, said James Pooley, a trade-secret specialist at Orrick who is not involved in the case.

Levandowskis lawyers, who did not respond to requests for comment, filed papers on Tuesday saying it was unconstitutional for him to have to choose between his job and his Fifth Amendment protection from self-incrimination. They said Uber had sent a follow-up letter stating that Levandowski would be fired on June 15 if he didnt cooperate.

They asked Alsup to modify his order by expressly assuring Uber that the court will not punish the company  by way of an adverse jury instruction or any other means  for failing to terminate Mr. Levandowski if he does not produce the records and respond to the inquiries set forth in the courts order.

Levandowskis firing may mark the end of a close relationship with Kalanick, who reportedly called him a brother from another mother and bonded on long evening walks through San Francisco. Kalanick sees self-driving cars as integral to Ubers future, and picked Levandowski as the person to help make that vision a reality.

They also shared a rebellious streak. Just as Kalanick had Uber enter cities before its ride-hailing app was approved by regulators, Levandowski orchestrated a test run of self-driving cars picking up passengers in San Francisco without seeking the required permits. We dont think the regulations apply to how were driving the cars, he told reporters in December shortly after the cars hit the road. The test lasted a week, and ultimately Uber relented, agreeing to seek permits and halt rides for passengers.

Technology, not politics, is Levandowskis strength. Calling the 37-year-old a star engineer understates his importance, said a source close to Uber. People dont understand just how big a deal Levandowski is, the source said, especially in the field of lidar  a type of light-sensing radar that helps robot cars see, and the specific technology Waymo claims that Uber copied.

Saying he was part of the lidar team at Google is like saying Michael Jordan was just one of a bunch of Chicago Bulls teammates, the source said. He was Michael Jordan.

Levandowskis technical prowess has been richly rewarded. Waymo says he reaped more than $120 million in incentive payments during more than eight years at Google, according to legal filings.

Levandowski, who has bachelors and masters degrees from UC Berkeley in industrial engineering and operations research, came to Googles attention after leading other Berkeley engineers in building a self-driving motorcycle, the only two-wheeled vehicle in the 2004 and 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge, an early test of robot cars organized by the Pentagons research arm. That motorcycle, Ghostrider, is now in the Smithsonian. After joining Google in 2007 to work on mapping, in 2011 he sold two startups to Google X, the search-engine giants moonshot division, for undisclosed prices. Anthonys Robots and 510 Systems reportedly contributed crucial technology to Googles self-driving efforts.

In a hearing this month, Waymo charged that Uber granted Levandowski $250 million of Uber shares on Jan. 28, 2016, the day after he quit Waymo and long before Uber bought Otto. Outside of court, Uber said the stock grant actually happened in August but was backdated to give Levandowski credit for his tenure at Otto. Uber said that Levandowski hasnt received any stock because it was based on meeting technical milestones over time.

However, Levandowski and co-founder Lior Ron, also a former Waymo engineer, presumably received the lions share of the $680 million Uber reportedly paid for Otto, a 6-month-old startup with 40 employees. (Uber may not end up paying the full amount; in Silicon Valley, the price of startup deals often include stock awards paid over time.)

Looming over Levandowski  and possibly some Uber executives  is the possibility of criminal prosecution. In a rare move for a judge, Alsup recommended that the U.S. attorney investigate the case.

Criminal penalties for trade-secret theft include substantial fines and up to 10 years of jail time, Pooley said. If Uber executives were found guilty of aiding and abetting a theft, they would face the same potential liabilities.

Prosecutors cannot use the assertion of Fifth Amendment privileges against defendants in criminal cases. However, the same is not true for civil cases like Waymo vs. Uber, said Dan Handman, an employment attorney who is not involved in the lawsuit.

The case is currently scheduled for a jury trial in October. Uber is still trying to push the dispute into arbitration, arguing that Levandowskis employment contract with Google requires it.

You can comment about (someone taking the Fifth) in front of a jury, which is a big deal, he said. Google will probably be very aggressive about that.

Uber notified employees about Levandowskis firing in an internal email, according to the New York Times, which first reported the news.

Over the last few months Uber has provided significant evidence to the court to demonstrate that our self-driving technology has been built independently, Angela Padilla, Ubers associate general counsel for employment and litigation, wrote in the email, according to the New York Times. Over that same period, Uber has urged Anthony to fully cooperate in helping the court get to the facts and ultimately helping to prove our case.

Eric Meyhofer, who became leader of Ubers Advanced Technology Group in April, taking over from Levandowski as the lawsuit pressure mounted, will continue to lead the team working on self-driving cars, Uber said.

Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid
Kolkata, May 30 (IBNS): West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday congratulated all students who have passed in the Higher Secondary examination as the results came out and wished them luck for the future.

In a tweet in the afternoon, Banerjee said: "My congratulations and best wishes to all the students who have passed Uccha Madhyamik examination. Wish all of you a bright future."

The topper in the Higher Secondary examination, Archisman Panigrahi from Hoogly district, secured 99.2%.

Reports suggest that there are 53 students in the top ten with 44 of them coming from districts overshadowing results of the city.

Image: Official Facebook page of Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata, May 30 (IBNS): After getting approval from a local court, the Kolkata Police on Tuesday charged Bengali actor Vikram Chatterjee with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, exactly one month after model Sonika Singh Chauhan was killed in a car crash during a late-night drive with Vikram Chatterjee in the city, officials said.

According to reports, an Investigating Officer (IO) from Tollygunge Police Station appealed to a city court at Alipore to slap non-bailable IPC section 304 (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder) on Vikram Chatterjee in connection with their ongoing probe into the death of model Sonika Chauhan.

However, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) of Alipore Sessions Court, Sougata Roy Choudhury, approved the plea.

Earlier on Apr 29, Sonika Chauhan was killed and Vikram Chatterjee was seriously injured after their speeding sedan, which was being driven by Vikram that day, lost its control and crashed into a pavement near Lake Mall in south Kolkata's Rash Behari Avenue area.

After beginning probe into the matter, police charged Vikram under several bailable sections, including IPC 304A (Causing death by negligence), and quizzed the actor for hours twice.

Vikram, however, surrendered before a local court and he was granted bail in the case as all sections against him was bailable earlier.

Few of his friends were also questioned by the police while few eyewitnesses recorded their secret testimonies before Alipore court.

However, city police officials have not disclosed their next step(s) against Vikram Chatterjee in the case yet.
Mumbai, May 30 (IBNS): Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra on Tuesday expressed her shock over the recent terrorist attack in Manchester which killed several people.

Calling Manchester as a 'loving' city, the actress tweeted: "Cant believe what happened in Manchester.It was my home for 3 years,truly the friendliest and most loving city. #manchesterattack."

She said: "Dont know what drives people to do such things. My prayers for the families of those kids!! Cant explain in words how I am feeling."

The Manchester suicide attack last week killed at least 22 people.

Several people have been arrested in connection with the attack so far.
Baghdad, May 30 (IBNS): Two blasts rocked Iraq's city Baghdad on Tuesday, killing at least 60 people, media reports said.

Casualties from two suicide bombings that hit central Baghdad early Tuesday have stood at 62, IraqiNews.com reported quoting a local official.

Meanwhile, militant group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the blasts.

"The Islamic State (IS) claimed killing and wounding nearly 123 Shiites in suicide bombings in Baghdads Karrada and Shawaka districts," SITE Intel Group website said.

The attack occurred just few days into the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Represenatative Image: UNAMI/Sanaa Kareem
New York, May 31(Just Earth News): Against the backdrop of more than 1,700 people having perished this year while undertaking perilous crossings across central Mediterranean Sea to reach mainland Europe, the United Nations refugee agency has appealed for acredible alternativesa to ensure accessible and safe ways for people in need of international protection to reach the continent.

According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), since the beginning of the year, more than 60,000 people have used the route, with close to 9,500 migrants and refugees having been rescued over the past week and disembarked in various Italian ports.

[However] the total number of dead and missing since the beginning of 2017 has now reached over 1,720, Babar Baloch, a spokesperson for the agency, told the press at a regular media briefing at the UN Office in Geneva (UNOG) on Tuesday.

A total of 50 bodies were disembarked over the past few days in Crotone, Palermo and Catania following an undetermined number of incidents, in which dozens of others are feared dead or missing at sea.

Last week alone, at least 116 people died or went missing in shipwrecks in the region.

In one such tragedy, early morning on 24 May, 33 people  including 13 women and seven children  lost their lives and dozens more feared missing when a wooden vessel carrying somewhere between 700-900 passengers sunk. 593 persons (from Sudan, Eritrea, the Comoro Islands, Egypt and Morocco)  many are deeply traumatized by the ordeal  were rescued.

Furthermore, on 23 May, some 82 people died or went missing when a dinghy carrying 126 people, mostly from Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan and Cameroon capsized. The others were rescued by an Egyptian fishing boat that came to their aid.

Also, on 27 May, the Tunisian Coastguard rescued a boat carrying 126 people, including 48 women, a five-year old boy and three babies, and took them to the port of Zarzis. A Nigerian woman, however, lost her life.

UNHCR praises the Italian Coastguard for their constant efforts in coordinating rescue operations as well as the Tunisian Coastguard and the crew of all the ships involved for saving so many lives, said Baloch, reiterating the UN agencys call for alternatives to such dangerous crossings, including accessible and safe ways to reach Europe such as family reunification, resettlement and private sponsorship.

Attacks on refugees and migrants further complicate situation

Further compounding the challenges for refugees and migrants, there are reports of attacks on refugees and migrants at during crossings as well as in places where they embark.

Survivors disembarked in Salerno last Saturday told our staff that their boat was approached by criminals who stole their belongings and took their engine off, shooting in the air on several occasions, noted the UNHCR spokesperson, and luckily, nobody was wounded in the incident.

However, several refugees and migrants landed on the Italian island of Lampedusa over the week-end had gunshot wounds and reported having witnessed friends being fired at or killed.

One man told our staff that he was shot in the leg by members of Libyan militias who also stole his belongings. Another man was shot in the arm and tortured by a trafficker to extract money from him, he added.

Photo: UNHCR/Federico Fossi

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, May 31(Just Earth News): Two United Nations agencies on Tuesday pledged to join forces and ago the extra milea by expanding operations in Libya and enhancing their support to migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and Libyans affected by the ongoing conflict.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, joined William Lacy Swing, the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at a senior-level briefing at IOMs Geneva headquarters where they briefed member States on their recent missions to Libya and called for support to broader stabilization efforts in the country.

The High Commissioners Office (UNHCR) issued on Tuesday a Supplementary Appeal for $75.5 million to meet the increased humanitarian and protection needs of people in Libya  including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities, as well as refugees and asylum seekers.

The appeal includes protection monitoring and interventions, as well as advocacy on issues related to respect for human rights, access to basic services, asylum procedures and freedom of movement.

We have urgent work to do in Libya and can only do it together, said Grandi, adding: We are going the extra mile in trying to make a difference for hundreds of thousands of people.

Last week, UNHCR warned that hundreds of thousands of people in the crisis-gripped North African country 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.

RELATED: UN refugee agency ramps up response as Libyas humanitarian crisis deepens

For its part, IOM in April launched a three-year Action Plan for Libya with two key objectives. The first is to provide evidence based humanitarian assistance and protection to both displaced Libyans and migrants. The second objective is to stabilize Libyan communities, as well as to build Libyan capacities in migration management. That appeal is for in excess of $180 million, lasting for a total of 36 months.

While IOM has already started to implement the Action Plan, thanks to funding from some donors, greater financial support is needed in order to urgently assist and protect migrants and conflict affected populations in Libya, Director General Swing said. He emphasized all IOM activities are coordinated and implemented in cooperation with the Libyan authorities and UNHCR.

Photo: UN Migration Agency (IOM)/2017

Source: www.justearthnews.com
Hog Island Oyster Co. is taking over Tonys Seafood Restaurant, one of the handful of restaurants in the small North Bay town of Marshall, just over a mile from the oyster farms picturesque headquarters on Tomales Bay.

When the new regime reopens Tonys sometime this summer, the waterfront restaurants 69-year-old name, concept and old-time look will mostly stay the same, said John Finger, CEO of Hog Island. Finger said that rather than rebranding it as one of Hog Islands existing oyster restaurants in San Francisco and Napa, keeping it as Tonys was a no-brainer.

My sons been going there since he could walk, said Finger, who has lived and worked in the area for close to 40 years. Well do our version of what that place has been, and pay some homage to what theyve done.

Opened in 1948, Tonys Seafood Restaurant has been closed since January, when owners Anton and John Konatich retired and approached Hog Island to purchase it, Finger said. The brothers are grandsons of founder Anton (Tony) Konatich, a Croatian immigrant who started the restaurant with his wife, Mary, son, Felix, and daughter-in-law, Anna, originally as a way to sell their own seafood. The Konatich brothers still fish for rock crab and halibut in the bay and plan to continue doing so.

Finger said Hog Island will buy seafood from them and stick to a seasonal menu, but will keep many Tonys staples like fish and chips, and a burger. They will also add a raw oyster bar. Previously, Tonys focused more on barbecue oysters, a dish some say was invented there, though nearby Nicks Cove gets similar credit. (Finger would not wade into the controversies of the barbecue-oyster origin story, though he pointed out that both restaurants were founded by Croatian fishing families. )

Finger said theyll clean up the restaurant a bit and undertake a bigger remodel in the winter. Another reason to keep the restaurants identity mostly intact is to differentiate it from Hog Islands nearby oyster shack and picnic area, which draw overflow crowds, and give customers another option if they get turned away on busy weekends, he added.

Loren Elliott/The Chronicle

Hog Islands takeover comes during a tumultuous period in the West Marin oyster world. In 2015, Tomales Bay Oyster Co., south of Tonys, had to close its picnic area, which drew up to 500 visitors a day, because the county said it violated its lease.

The previous year, the U.S. government evicted Drakes Bay Oyster Co. from its spot in Point Reyes National Seashore. Its farms had previously produced as many as 40 percent of the states oysters.

Hog Island, which leases 160 acres in Tomales Bay to grow shellfish, is trying to pick up some of the slack by opening an oyster hatchery in Humboldt Bay, where it already operates a nursery, so it can breed its own oysters and sell seed to other shellfish farmers.

The company also recently purchased a 250-acre ranch across Highway 1 from the oyster farm. In addition to wanting to gain more space for its oyster operation, the idea is to grow row crops and raise livestock. Co-founder Terry Sawyer is particularly interested in learning how to improve farm soil for carbon sequestration.

Were getting into terrestrial farming as well, said Finger, who said the farm will be a way to demonstrate how land use can affect the bays ecosystem.

Tara Duggan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tduggan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @taraduggan
NIGHTLIFE

Cresta's Twenty Two Eleven Club

If you walk by too quickly, you're likely to miss the place. Inside the narrow, hidden storefront is a long bar of locals, a small table in the back and ... well, that's about it. An alternative to the Royal Oak's pickup scene next door. 2211 Polk St., (415) 434-1220.

Bacchus Wine Bar

What started out three years ago as an overflow bar for the always-packed Sushi Groove restaurant has become its own debonair destination. Grab a seat on one of eight bar stools or plop down on one of the leather love seats in the storefront window and groove to Euro-style lounge music while mingling with young neighborhood hipsters. The eclectic 50-bottle wine list focuses on small wineries from around the world -- there's even a wine from Lebanon -- and the bar offers 13 wines by the glass or half-glass. Want some sushi to go with that? Just give the bartender your order and pick up the goods a few doors down. (--Tina Caputo, special to SF Chronicle) 1954 Hyde St. (near Union Street), (415) 928-2633.

The Buccaneer

An unpretentious bar with great happy-hour specials and a free pool table. 2155 Polk St., (415) 673-8023.

Green's Sport Bar

If there is an important sporting event on, even at 9 am, Green's will be open for business. March Madness really packs them in with as many as 10 simultaneous games, and on an off day, it's one of the few bars in the area where you're likely to find a seat. 2239 Polk St., (415) 775-4287.

The Royal Oak

With its plush sofas, Tiffany-style lamps and jumble of potted plants, this popular bar is a relaxed, old-timey saloon by day. After dark, however, it drops its sleepy demeanor and is transformed into a packed singles scene. 2201 Polk St., (415) 928-2303.

Tonic

In the space that once housed a working-class neighborhood bar is now Tonic, home to black clothes and pink cocktails. The interior is plush, with dark blue velvet couches and barstools, architectural light fixtures and floating candles on every table. Another plus is the jukebox, which specializes in alternative British bands such as Hooverphonic, the Smiths and Pulp. 2360 Polk St., (415) 771-5535.
PANAMA CITY  Manuel Noriega, the brash former dictator of Panama and sometime ally of the United States whose ties to drug trafficking led to his ouster in 1989 in what was then the largest American military action since the Vietnam War, has died. He was 83.

President Juan Carlos Varela of Panama announced Gen. Noriegas death on Twitter early Tuesday morning.

The death of Manuel A. Noriega closes a chapter in our history; his daughters and his relatives deserve to bury him in peace, Varelas post read,

Gen. Noriega had been in intensive care at a public hospital since March 7 after complications developed from surgery to remove what his lawyer described as a benign brain tumor. His daughters said at the hospital in March that he had sustained a brain hemorrhage after the procedure. He had been granted house arrest in January to prepare for the procedure.

His medical problems came on the heels of a legal odyssey that had begun with the invasion and led to prison terms in the United States, France and finally Panama. While imprisoned abroad he suffered strokes, hypertension and other ailments, his lawyers said.

After returning to Panama on Dec. 11, 2011, he began serving long sentences for murder, embezzlement and corruption in connection with his rule during the 1980s.

It was an inglorious homecoming for a man who had been known for brandishing a machete while making defiant nationalist speeches and living a lavish, libertine life off drug-trade riches, complete with luxurious mansions, cocaine-fueled parties and voluminous collections of antique guns. It was a quirky life as well: He liked to display his teddy bears dressed as paratroopers.

Gen. Noriega, who became the de facto leader of the country by promoting himself to full general of the armed forces in 1983, had a decades-long, head-spinning relationship with the United States, shifting from cooperative ally and informant for American drug and intelligence agencies to shady adversary, selling secrets to political enemies of the United States in the Western Hemisphere and tipping off drug cartels. Whose side he was on was often hard to tell.

It was an awkward embrace that befitted the history of American and Panamanian relations since the United States built the Panama Canal early in the 20th century. The United States continued to operate the canal  and govern a strip of territory alongside it  for eight decades before turning it over to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999.

In the 1990 book In the Time of the Tyrants, a chronicle of the Noriega years, the journalists Richard Koster and Guillermo Sanchez Borbon gave a startling example of Gen. Noriegas double-dealing. While providing secrets about Cuba to the United States, they wrote, Gen. Noriega sold Fidel Castro thousands of Panamanian passports, at $5,000 each, for use by Cuban secret agents and possibly agents of other Soviet bloc nations.

The authors estimated that his illicit gains came to at least $772 million. The White House put his personal fortune at $200 million to $300 million in the months before his ouster.

Randal C. Archibold is a New York Times writer.
MARAWI, Philippines  A Catholic priest who was taken hostage by militants linked to the Islamic State group says hes being held with 200 other captives, including children, in what appeared to be a battle-scarred part of a southern Philippine city.

In a video apparently taken under duress by militants, the Rev. Teresito Suganob said his captors wanted the military to withdraw its forces from Marawi, where Islamic militants still hold pockets of territory after a week of gunbattles with the army.

A colleague of Suganob confirmed that the man in the video is the priest. It was not clear when the video was taken or who released it online, and whether Suganob believed what he was saying or was forced to say it.

We want to live another day, we want to live another month, Suganob said, standing in front of debris and partially burned buildings. Directing his remarks to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, he said, We want to live few years and in your generosity, Mr. President, in your heart, we know you can make something (happen).

Suganob said in the video that he was taken prisoner along with a professor from Mindanao State University, two female church workers and seven teachers.

Along with us are about 200 carpenters, household helpers, children and youth, and ordinary Christian settlers, he said.

The siege in Marawi followed an unsuccessful army raid May 23 that attempted to capture militant commander Isnilon Hapilon, who has been designated by the Islamic State as its leader in the Philippines.

Marawi, a mosque-studded city about 500 miles southeast of Manila, is regarded as the heartland of the Islamic faith on southern Mindanao island.

Hapilon escaped and gunmen loyal to him swept through the city of 200,000 people, torching buildings and taking hostages.

Soldiers have now taken control of about 70 percent of Marawi, military Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Ano said on Tuesday. More than 100 militants, government forces and civilians have been killed.

Up to 90 percent of Marawis people have fled to safety amid the intense fighting and military air strikes, and rescuers in ambulance vans have crisscrossed the city in recent days to save hundreds of trapped residents.

Some communities resemble ghost towns. Neatly stacked bananas, avocados and vegetables in an abandoned market were beginning to rot and were being eaten by a cat and a chicken. Helicopters frequently buzzed overhead and sporadic gunfire and blasts shattered the eerie silence.

Duterte declared martial law in the south through mid-July, but lawmakers on Tuesday asked for a public session of Congress to determine whether it is still necessary.

At least 65 militants and 20 Philippine troops and police have been killed, the military said. The bodies of 19 civilians have been recovered, and local authorities have reported more civilian deaths still to be tallied.

Jim Gomez is an Associated Press writer.
DAKAR, Senegal  A sweeping new U.N. report identifies hundreds of human rights violations in Central African Republic since 2003 that may amount to war crimes, including massacres, gang rapes and entire villages burned to the ground.

Tuesdays report comes amid growing fears that the country terrorized by multiple armed groups is once again slipping into the sectarian bloodshed that left thousands dead between late 2013 and 2015.

U.N. investigators highlight more than 600 abuses over a 12-year period, and are urging both prosecution and the creation of a truth and reconciliation commission. While the report refrains from identifying the alleged perpetrators unless they are already the subject of sanctions or an arrest warrant, those identities are known and are being kept in a confidential database, officials said.

In documenting the violations and abuses of the past, we hope to galvanize national and international efforts to protect and bring justice to the victims of these crimes, said Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the U.N. special representative for the country.

The International Criminal Court is already examining abuses dating back to 2003 in Central African Republic.

While the U.N. report does not characterize the worst sectarian violence as genocide, it does identify facts which may warrant further investigation to determine whether the elements of the crime may have been met.

Central African Republic exploded into violence in late 2013 after mostly Muslim rebels from the Seleka coalition terrorized civilians in the capital until the Seleka leader stepped down from power. A mainly Christian militia that arose in opposition to the rebels then carried out horrific violence against Muslim civilians in retaliation, even though few of them supported Seleka in the first place.

At one point, Muslims were stoned to death with rocks by mobs in the street, at times decapitated and mutilated. Those fleeing for their lives in truck convoys to the countrys north and beyond to Chad were slain by mobs in many cases.

More than 500,000 people remain internally displaced while others remain in neighboring Chad, Cameroon and Congo, officials said.

Krista Larson is an Associated Press writer.
MIAMI  Javier Fungairino was eating breakfast with his son at a bakery one recent morning when he noticed a familiar face at a nearby table: a former minister of Venezuelas socialist government whose presence reminded him of the pain he suffered when he left his homeland for Miami three years ago.

I knew it was him, the 43-year-old Venezuelan businessman said of the encounter this month. But the first thing I asked was, Are you Eugenio Vasquez? and he said, Yes.

Immediately, an angry mob of scolding Venezuelan exiles surrounded the former head of state-run Banco de Venezuela, shouting Rat! and Get out, thief! until Vasquez and another man with him fled.

The confrontation was captured on a cell phone video that went viral on social media back in Venezuela among opposition members who for two months have been protesting what they say is President Nicolas Maduros dictatorship.

Public shamings are becoming more frequent. Whether its attending the opera in New York or strolling along a beach in Australia, current and former Venezuelan government officials  even their children  are finding it harder to enjoy the good life abroad while an increasingly violent power struggle plays out back home.

But the aggressive form of protesting has been met with some hostility of its own.

Maduro has denounced the attacks on former and current officials abroad as violent and undemocratic, comparing them with the anti-Semitism faced by Jews in Nazi Germany. Even some of Maduros detractors oppose attacks on officials families.

The in-your-face heckling of top officials from Venezuela is similar to how in the 1990s victims of Argentinas military dictatorship staked out their former torturers in confrontations called escraches.

The same practice has been employed against officials in Spain in recent years by people evicted from their homes during the countrys financial crisis. In Cuba, loyalist groups have long carried out similar public attacks known as acts of repudiation, but there it is dissidents, not officials, who are the ones targeted.

In Bern, Switzerland, a woman recently confronted Venezuelan Ambassador Cesar Mendez at a grocery store, yelling corrupt and thieves in German as stunned shoppers looked on. Venezuelas ambassador to the United Nations, Rafael Ramirez, was surprised attending the opera in New York.

One of the most debated videos, seen hundreds of thousands of times, shows Caracas Mayor Jorge Rodriguezs daughter, Lucia Rodriguez, walking with a man along Bondi beach in Sydney as she is badgered in Spanish by a woman who walks alongside shouting, Thanks to your father, people are dying!

Adriana Gomez Licon and Joshua Goodman are Associated Press writers.
Federal fire minders scramble over the weekend

In the Jemez Mountains of the Santa Fe National Forest, there are four fire protection officers to patrol the district's 240,000 acres. Even with help from law enforcement and an extra crew of fire specialists from the Grand Canyon, keeping up with the spike in useand abuseof forest lands is next to impossible on the holiday weekend. "People are trashing out our forest quicker than we can clean it up," Fire Protection Officer Ron Gallegos tells NM Political Report in an eye-opening glimpse of holiday weekend mayhem.

While you were holiday-weekending...

The governor signed the budget for next year. It looks a lot like the one from which she excised $744 million for the state's higher education system, as well as the budget for the Legislature. But she

, balancing the budget by shifting the state's debt around in a one-time move. Lawmakers say it's irresponsible and isn't a long-term solution. The governor says it's better than raising taxes.

Special session return

And so, back to the Capitol they come today. The Legislature could try to override Martinez' vetoes of various revenue-raising bills, but that option failed when tried at the beginning of the session. With higher education spending and the Legislature's money back in the budget, there's a

unless Democrats want to dig in their heels over sustainable revenue fixes.

Indictment says gallery owner stiffed artists

A grand jury handed up five counts of felony embezzlement after hearing prosecutors argue former gallery owner Steve Brennen

whose work he sold at his now-closed Canyon Road gallery. Those are felony charges. Court documents and artists say Brennen either didn't pay artists after he sold their work or didn't return pieces they'd consigned to his gallery.

VeneKlasen in for land commissioner

Santa Fean Garrett VeneKlasen is the second Democrat to jump into the

. He made the announcement this weekend and joins former land commissioner Ray Powell in seeking the nomination to challenge incumbent Republican Aubrey Dunn. VeneKlasen is currently the executive director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation.

Chan jurors explain impasse

Jurors from the second trial of former Santa Fe County sheriff's deputy Tai Chan say their three-hour deliberations after a lengthy trial showed they weren't going to reach an agreement. One juror, they say,

of first degree murder in the shooting of then-fellow deputy Jeremy Martin. That's contrary to what we heard last week. Prosecutors haven't decided if they'll try Chan a third time.

Tire blowout, not alcohol, triggered deadly crash

While accident investigators say a sober person could have recovered from the situation, it appears a

of a crash that killed an Aztec family earlier this month. Passengers in a large work truck say they and the driver had been drinking on their way back from a landscaping job when their truck crossed the center line and slammed into the family's SUV near Cuba, killing all four people inside. The driver of the truck was killed, too.

Nava Ade vs. Las Soleras

People who live in the Nava Ade subdivision on Santa Fe's Southside say construction dust from the Las Soleras project is making their lives miserable and

. The project will result in a new Presbyterian hospital and 300 homes off I25 at the tail end of Cerrillos Road. They've complained to the city and Land Use Department.

Thanks for reading! The Word advises you to take it slow this morning and ingest plenty of coffee. Welcome back.

Subscribe to the Morning Word at sfreporter.com/signup

Santa Fe Reporter
The New Zealand dollar traded near the highest levels in almost four months against the Australian dollar and is expected to keeping pushing higher given the impact of falling commodity prices across the Tasman coupled with New Zealand's better economic outlook.

The kiwi traded at 94.88 Australian cents as at 5pm in Wellington versus 94.83 Australian cents at 8am and 94.95 late yesterday. It has rallied from as low as 90.66 cents in mid-March. The local dollar fell to 70.46 US cents from 70.67 cents yesterday.

"The Australian dollar is looking heavy and the real focus in the past couple of days has been on the kiwi/Aussie cross and what level it could reach," said Tim Kelleher, head of institutional foreign exchange sales at ASB Bank.

He noted there had been little trading activity on the day due to holidays in the US, UK, China and Hong Kong but sliding commodity prices and the weaker outlook for the Australian economy versus the New Zealand economy meant parity "is looking more likely this time round ."

The Aussie remained under pressure as oil prices retreated on lingering concerns about whether the extension of output cuts by OPEC and other producing countries will be enough to support prices. Kelleher said Australia may also be witnessing a cooling off in its housing boom as approvals for new projects sank 17.2 percent on the year in April.

New Zealand residential building consents dropped 7.6 percent in April but the slide had little impact on the market as Statistics New Zealand attributed the drop to the timing of the Easter public holiday.

Kelleher said the main event risk for markets will be next month's likely rate increase by the US Federal Reserve. Against that backdrop, he said the kiwi would struggle to break through resistance at 71.50 US cents "if we even get that high."

He said while both the Australia and the New Zealand dollar would fall against the greenback on the US rate hike, the rate differential between New Zealand and the US will continue to be more attractive than the US-Australian differential, adding to the allure of the kiwi, in particular against the Aussie.

Otherwise, markets will be watching for the Reserve Bank of Australia's rate decision on June 6 and that nation's gross domestic product on June 7.

On the day, the kiwi continued to gain against the euro after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said the regional economic bloc still requires stimulus even as it shows signs of improved growth.

The kiwi traded at 63.33 euro cents from 63.28 cents late yesterday. The kiwi fell to 4.8283 yuan from 4.8413 yuan. It was little changed at 54.99 British pence from 55.05 pence and fell to 78.12 yen from 78.68 yen. The trade-weighted index was at 76.31 from 76.44 late yesterday.

New Zealand's two-year swap rate was unchanged at 2.22 percent and 10-year swaps fell 1 basis point to 3.21 percent.

(BusinessDesk)

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Orion Health is to raise $32.9 million in a discounted two-for-nine rights issue to shore up working capital after posting a full-year loss that reflected weaker Europe, Middle East and Africa sales. It expects to be profitable in 2018 even after a drop in recurring income from a US customer.

The health management software company's net loss was $34.2 million in the year ended March 31, down from $54.4 million a year earlier, and in line with its revised guidance last month that warned delayed execution of contracts would impact earnings. Operating revenue fell to $199 million from $206.9 million and total net cash outflows grew to $51.5 million from $38.5 million, leaving Orion with cash reserves of $6 million at balance date, $30 million in working capital debt facilities and a $10 million standby facility.

The rights will be issued at 90 cents per share, a 21.4 percent discount to the theoretical ex-rights price of $1.14, based on yesterday's closing share price of $1.20, it said. The shares fell 8.3 percent to $1.10 immediately after NZX trading commenced at 10 am and have declined 40 percent this year.

Describing the last financial year as "challenging", Orion chief executive and 50.8 percent majority shareholder Ian McCrae said the company was still on track to achieve profitability in the current financial year. Still, presentation slides detailing the result warn that because of a merger between a major US customer, Cal Index, and Inland Empire HIE, "the company has budgeted for a material reduction from Cal Index in FY2018 with the result that the company's recurring revenue percentage is expected to drop just below 40 percent for the current year".

Recurring revenue from regular licence payments are a key measure for software-as-a-service companies and stood at 46.4 percent in the last financial year.

The $32.9 million two-for-nine rights offer and existing bank facilities would "provide the business the financial resources to achieve" profitability in the second half of the current financial year. A loss is forecast in the first half of the year "of similar magnitude" to the first-half loss in the year just ended of $18 million, "substantially offset by planned material improvement" the second half of the 2017/18 year.

"Operating cash flow is expected to follow our earnings profile," the notes say, "absent large one-off sales on non-standard payment terms".

The company expects revenue growth of between zero and 10 percent in the year ahead in constant currency terms to give Orion revenues of between $200 million and $220 million.

McCrae will take up his full $15 million entitlement under the rights issue, along with 9.6 percent shareholder Geoff Cumming and the company's New Zealand-based directors.

First NZ Capital is underwriting the balance of the $32 million rights offer. The shares have dropped heavily over the last year as Orion has fallen prey to deteriorating sentiment towards cash-burning SAAS 'growth stocks', which expect to accumulate losses while building scale, and reflecting slow contract execution and institutional shareholders' question marks over founder McCrae's tenure as managing director.

The company is in the midst of a strategic review and has cut some $10 million from its annual operating costs.

McCrae confirmed the company continued to entertain "out of scope" expressions of interest received in the course of the review, which had included a search for sources of additional capital, including minority investments in the company.

"Orion Health has decided to widen and extend the review to explore that interest, focused on ways to maximise shareholder value and deliver outcomes that are in the best interests of all stakeholders," McCrae said. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that recent events have created a challenging time for our shareholders. We have made, and will continue to make, appropriate changes to improve business performance. At the core of our business we have an impressive list of prestigious customers internationally, modern scalable technology and our staff are passionate and talented. Therefore I remain totally committed to the business and have supported the rights offer to the greatest extent I can.

The results presentation shows total revenue from the North American market grew by two percentage points to 65 percent of total revenues in 2016/17, and totalled $129.5 million, compared with $125.4 million the previous year, to be the only one of the company's three geographies where total revenues rose. Of that total, recurring revenue was 54 percent of the total, up from 49 percent the previous year. The North American contribution to operating earnings for the year trebled to $37.9 million, from $12.2 million the previous year.

The company made strong progress migrating North American customers to cloud-based Amazon Web Services, a key part of its strategy, but warned the Cal Index and Inland Empire merger had "resulted in reduced usage of Orion Health software pending a potential vendor review process, with a consequential material reduction from Cal Index in the current year".

Performance in the Europe, Middle East and Africa segment was affected by a slowdown in contracting by Britain's National Health Service, with total revenues falling to $38.6 million from $48.4 million the previous year and making a contribution to operating earnings of $4.7 million last year, compared with $15.2 million the previous year.

Asia-Pacific revenues, covering mainly Australian and New Zealand operations, were down slightly at $30.2 million from $32.4 million the previous year for a contribution to operating earnings of $7.4 million, against $7.7 million.

Notes to the Orion balance sheet say the company took a $27 million on revenue in advance liabilities, caused mainly by a change in payment terms by one significant customer. The company also entered into a receivables purchase agreement with the Bank of New Zealand to provide immediate cash while allowing BNZ to collect receivables from a "large international corporate" that is making payments under extended terms.

The company said it signed a number of new agreements in North America, including a significant contract with Saint Francis HealthCare Partners, a growing network of over 1,000 independent health care providers serving more than 500,000 patients in Connecticut in the US.

The record date for the rights offer is June 8, and further details on the rights offer, including how shareholders can take up their rights, are expected to be released on or around June 7. The offer is expected to open on June 14.

(BusinessDesk)

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Auckland University's commercialisation company UniServices has inked a deal that could increase the number of companies spun out of the universitys research and development activities.

Under the terms of the agreement, Auckland University and eight Australian universities will together receive investment of at least $215 million over 10 years to find and develop companies involved in "disruptive innovation" in areas such as digital medicine, new medical therapies and quantum computing, UniServices said.

The commercialisation agreements  the first of their kind in Australasia  were signed between London-listed IP Group's subsidiary IP Group Australia and the nine universities. The investment is being supported through a capital raising, which has seen the participation of new shareholders including Telstra Super, Temasek and M&G, as well as existing shareholders Invesco, Woodford and Lansdowne, IP Group said in a statement.

"This partnership will give New Zealand scientists and researchers access to vital capital that will help develop young, technology-intensive ventures arising from university-led research to take their products and ideas to the world, said Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith. In return, the IP Group has the first right of refusal for all arising commercialisation opportunities, Goldsmith said.

Andy Shenk, chief executive of UniServices, says the investment and its associated support fills a funding and skills gap that exists in New Zealand and will enable the team to bring many more ideas and research to market readiness and beyond.

Each year UniServices works on some 1,200 projects with more than 300 New Zealand and global firms. In 2016, UniServices generated revenues of $114 million, executed more than 50 licences for intellectual property and created more than 11 businesses to commercialise university research.

The Australian universities include the University of Adelaide, Australian National University, University of Melbourne, Monash University, UNSW Sydney, University of Queensland, University of Sydney, University of Western Australia.

(BusinessDesk)

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Serco New Zealand, which operates Wiri Prison in South Auckland, narrowed its loss in 2016 despite the loss of the Mt Eden prison contract costing it an estimated extra $3.2 million in penalty charges.

The company posted a $10.5 million loss for the year ended Dec. 31, 2016, from $11 million in 2015. Revenue dropped to $52.1 million from $64.1 million a year earlier, while cost of sales narrowed to $55 million from $75 million in 2015.

Serco NZ made a $3.2 million provision for onerous contract charges in 2016, after using up all of the $10.1 million provision it had made in 2015. In April 2016, it agreed to pay $8 million to the Department of Corrections after chief Ray Smith invoked a step-in clause in the Crown's contract, taking back management of the Mt Eden Corrections facility following an investigation into organised fighting at the remand prison.

Under the agreement, Serco's involvement was shrunk back to labour supply and other transition services through until the end of the contract in March 2017. It had taken over the management of the prison in 2011 after winning a $300 million, 10-year contract.

In a statement, Serco Asia Pacific's chief executive Mark Irwin said the company supports the government's goals to reduce reoffending and create better outcomes for Maori.

"Our focus across the prison is to achieve the outcomes that we are contracted to deliver on behalf of New Zealanders, Irwin said. Our contract sets clear performance standards, expects us to achieve significant savings for government and holds us accountable if we dont deliver.

The company had $2 million in cash and equivalents at the end of 2016, from $4.1 million a year earlier. The local division got a $30 million equity injection in the year from its British parent Serco Holdings, after issuing it 30 million shares in Serco NZ at $1 apiece. That gave it total equity of $7.3 million at balance date, compared to a $12.1 million deficit in 2015.

(BusinessDesk)





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BERLIN: India and Germany on Tuesday started the fourth round of the biannual Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) here headed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"PM @narendramodi & Chancellor Merkel undertake comprehensive review of coop'n at the Plenary meeting of the Inter-Governmental Consultations," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.

Germany is the only country with which India has such an institutionalised dialogue mechanism.

The first IGC was held in New Delhi in 2011, the second in Berlin in 2013, and the third in New Delhi in 2015.

Modi is accompanied by Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Seetharaman and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the German Chancellery here.

Modi and Merkel will also jointly address the India-Germany Business Summit later in the day.

Soon after his arrival here on Monday on a two-day visit to Germany, Modi and Merkel held a private meeting in the latter's country resort of Schloss Meseberg, some 65 km from Berlin, in which a range of issues, including climate change and the fight against terror, figured.

Germany is the first leg of the Prime Minister's six-day, four-nation European tour which will also see him going to Spain, Russia and France.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Navy SEAL killed in a Jersey City parachute accident has been identified, according to a statement from the family provided to the news branch of the US Naval Institute.

Remington Peters, 27, was a member of Navy parachute demonstration team "The Leap Frogs" and was jumping as part of the New York Fleet Week when his parachute failed to open.

Peters was pronounced dead today at 1:10 p.m. after his parachute malfunctioned and he landed in the Hudson River during an aerial demonstration at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, according to a statement from the Navy.

His family described Peters as positive and principled. They said he would be "painfully missed."

"Anyone that has ever had the pleasure of knowing Remi could attest to his fierce loyalty to his friends, family, and his country," their statement read. "He was an angel on earth and role model to all."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- No arrests have been made in two shootings that occurred in West Brighton over the weekend, a spokesman for the NYPD said.

The first incident occurred Saturday on Alaska Street at approximately 3:05 p.m., a spokesman for the NYPD said.

The victim, an 18-year-old male, was seated in a grey sedan on Alaska Street when a GMC SUV pulled up and began to fire multiple rounds at the vehicle, police said.

"I heard at least six shots," said one neighbor, who requested anonymity. "One after another -- real quick."

Police said the victim was struck in the face at least one time by the unknown assailant. The suspected shooter then fled the scene in the SUV. The victim was listed in stable condition and was expected to recover.

The second incident occurred Sunday night at approximately 8:09 p.m. inside the West Brighton Houses, a spokesman for the NYPD told the Advance.

a 23-year-old male, was inside the New York City Housing complex at 780 Henderson Ave. when he was shot in the hand, police said.

The victim was then transported via EMS to Richmond University Medical Center in serious, but stable condition.

According to police, the victim's injuries did not appear to be life threatening.

Police added that the victim was being "uncooperative with the investigation."

The investigations into both shooting incidents were ongoing, and police could not say if they were connected.
WASHINGTON - The frenzied chatter and speculation is on over whether President Donald Trump will withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement this week.

But this much is already clear: Trump's administration will not actively work to stop climate change. And considering that the U.S. is the second biggest global emitter, that may well prove the bigger deal.

"We're all now part of this drama, will they withdraw or not, but they have already said they won't do anything substantial on climate policy, and that's what matters," said Oliver Geden, a climate policy analyst who's currently a fellow atthe Institute for Science, Innovation and Society at the University of Oxford.

Calculations by scientists and climate policy experts point to several key facts underlying this discussion. First, the U.S. emissions cuts were set to make up a major part - over a fifth between now and 2030 - of the reductions achieved by the Paris climate agreement.

Second, even with the U.S. and all other countries doing their best to meet their commitments, that agreement still was not strong enough, at least not in its first round of country-level pledges, to keep the world from warming above the 2 degree Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) threshold that scientists have identified as a marker beyond which we'll see truly "dangerous" change. (We're already a bit over 1 degrees Celsius now above pre-industrial temperatures.)

This means that in 2017, in order to tackle climate change, the world needs a more ambitious United States - not a country that will abandon Paris entirely, or at minimum,scale back its commitments to that agreement.

Let's take this in pieces:

1. The U.S., measured by emissions cuts out to 2030, makes up 21 percent of the Paris climate agreement. According to an analysis from the think tank Climate Interactive, the U.S. pledges would account for 21 percent of the total expected emissions cuts out to the year 2030 under the Paris agreement.

Under the Obama administration, the U.S. promised to slash emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. This made the U.S. a major contributor to the deal during its early implementation over the critical next 10 to 15 years, a time period that will heavily determine what kind of a planet we end up with.

"Trump has already damaged U.S. prospects for meeting its Paris Agreement goal by undermining federal regulations and casting a dark shadow of uncertainty across the energy sector," said Ellie Johnston, the climate and energy lead for Climate Interactive. "Fortunately, many U.S. states, cities, and businesses are not letting this opportunity slip away and are still taking action, but it is too early to tell how much they can close the gap created by the Trump Administration."

Indeed, just because Trump is president, that doesn't mean that the entire 21 percent contribution of the U.S. will be lost. The U.S. has already lowered its emissions 12 percent below their 2005 levels as of 2015, according to the Energy Information Administration. That's largely due to factors like the switching from burning coal to burning natural gas brought on by fracking.

But with President Trump's moves to roll back Obama-era regulations that were designed to achieve the U.S. pledge, it's unlikely the U.S. will achieve the remaining reductions. As a new analysis by Climate Action Tracker points out, Trump policies "are projected to flatten U.S. emissions instead of them continuing on a downward trend."

2. Paris was never enough to hold the plant's warming "well below" 2 degrees Celsius anyway. It has been clear from the start that these pledges were not enough and that more will have to be done to get warming under control.

A 2016 study in Nature, for instance, found that the current commitments under Paris "still imply a median warming of 2.6-3.1 degrees Celsius by 2100."

"The arm of the laws of physics is not so easily twisted," said Joeri Rogelj, a researcher at the Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Laxenburg, Austria and a lead author on the study.

"Whatever you delay now, you will have to make up later, and it's obvious that limiting warming to 2 degrees or 1.5 as was mentioned in the Paris agreement is an incredible challenge which will require lots of innovation, new technologies, new ways of thinking, entrepreneurship."

Some scientists are already suggesting that the 2 degree goal may be lost to us. "There's so many things that need to go right for 2 degrees. Essentially we've emitted too much, which makes the 2 degree challenge hard," says Glen Peters, a senior researcher at the Center for International Climate Research in Oslo.

If there's any chance left, it's clear that nations need to ramp up their ambitions to keep warming below 2 degrees C - something that Paris is designed to do, through regular meetings aimed at determining what adjustments need to be made to meet that goal.

It may well be that the world will need to pioneer geoengineering policies to control temperature, or "negative emissions" technologies to extract carbon from the air, in order to buy some time.

3. Trump, in the Paris agreement or out of the Paris agreement, is dulling the U.S. contribution to fighting global climate change and punting the problem to the rest of the world.

Whether the U.S. stays in or out of the Paris agreement, the upshot is the Trump administration is delaying action on climate change, and is defining U.S. ambition downward rather than upward. Since climate change is a collective problem, that means that the slack must be made up some other way.

"It is a global problem and it's a cumulative problem," said Rogelj. "Everything we are not doing today somewhere on the globe will have to be compensated somewhere else, or later."

Other countries may be able to make up the slack for the U.S. The Climate Action Tracker analysis suggests, for instance, that progress in India and China could be enough to offset any backsliding in the U.S. "If something happens in a positive direction in the rest of the world, that can completely offset what's going on in the US," said Peters.

But filling the U.S. role in the Paris agreement is only part of the problem - since that agreement itself doesn't go far enough, other countries would also have to ratchet up their ambitions further if the U.S. falls behind.

"Somebody would have to cover that part [for the U.S.], and then there's still the gap for the whole world," said Geden.

The conclusion is pretty clear. Trump may stay in the Paris agreement and define the U.S. contribution down, or he may leave the agreement entirely. The latter would be far more controversial.

But either way what it all means is that the U.S. is ceding a leadership role in an increasingly important global arena.

"If the U.S. goes sideways or goes back it creates a void for someone else to fill in a leadership sense, there's probably many countries that would be happy to be seen as a world leader," said Peters.
Francesco (Frank) Baldassarre was bludgeoned to death by his wife, Antoinetta Baldassarre, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Three weeks ago, Antoinetta Baldassarre pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, admitting she bludgeoned her 80-year-old husband to death three years ago in their Tompkinsville home.

She was promised a 15-year prison sentence in return.

But Baldassarre, who had needed some convincing to take the plea offer, apparently isn't happy about it.

"You're not fair," Baldassarre told Justice William E. Garnett on Tuesday at her sentencing in state Supreme Court, St. George.

"Ten, not 15," the short white-haired defendant, a native of Italy, said referring to the amount of time behind bars she believes she deserves for slaying her spouse Francesco (Frank) Baldassarre on Oct. 7, 2014.

Prosecutors alleged she also committed arson by trying to burn herself to death the next morning inside a car in her garage.

Garnett reminded the defendant she had knowingly and willingly pleaded guilty to manslaughter with the understanding she'd be sentenced to 15 years.

As neither defense lawyer Mario F. Gallucci nor Assistant District Attorney Tuesday Muller-Mondi opposed the promised prison term being imposed, Garnett sentenced Baldassarre to 15 years behind bars and five years' post release supervision.

No family members were present.

"This is a very sad and unfortunate case," Gallucci said outside court. "The plea with the prosecutor took into consideration her story that she suffered years of both physical and mental abuse at the hands of her husband, and that on this one day, unfortunately, she had enough. Today closes that story, that sad story."

In pleading guilty earlier this month, Baldassarre admitted she intended to seriously injure the victim and caused his death by striking him multiple times on his head and body with a crowbar in their Victory Boulevard residence.

But she contended the act was not premeditated.

"I never thought about it to kill my husband," she said then. "That comes from years of abuse."

In April of last year, Baldassarre had rejected a similar offer to plead guilty to first-degree manslaughter in exchange for a 15-year sentence.

She said then she believed a 10-year sentence was "sufficient."

In a bizarre soliloquy at a subsequent conference, she told Justice Stephen J. Rooney, then presiding over the case, she did not want to go to trial because she would "have a very short life left" if she testified.

"You will have to put me somewhere where they won't find me," she said.

Baldassarre underwent several mental-competency examinations over the course of the proceedings, and was ultimately found fit to stand trial.

During the prior plea hearing, Muller-Mondi said the 15-year offer was based on her consideration of all the facts in the case and was in the interest of justice.

The prosecutor did not mention anything about Baldassarre's alleged claims of abuse.

In a statement issued afterward, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said the plea would hold Baldassarre accountable "for the violent and brutal crime she committed."

"We hope that this disposition can give some peace and closure to the victim's remaining family," said McMahon.
Seeing a play as "a social document," actor and director Chris Staley '09 feels a sense of "responsibility and stewardship" to help foster creativity, mindfulness, and social change. Clearly he's come to the right place: the SITI theater workshop at Skidmore from June 3 to July 1.



SITI Company SITI Company

Founded by theater gurus Tadashi Suzuki and Anne Bogart among others, SITI Company calls itself a "gymnasium for the soul" and an artistic collaboration that aims to make "a significant impact upon both contemporary theater and the world at large." Skidmore's monthlong SITI training includes rigorous physical practice, theoretical research, and the creation and performance of a new theatrical work by each participant.



To mark SITI's 25th anniversary, the June workshop will be preceded by an international symposium on the Suzuki method of actor training. The "Transformation through Training" symposium will bring together some 70 scholars, actors, and authors from Japan, the US, Denmark, and elsewhere.



The keynote address by Suzuki himself will be free and open to the public, June 3 at 11 a.m. in Skidmore's Bernhard Theater. And the symposium will be capped by two performances of the classical Greek tragedy The Trojan Women adapted and presented by the Suzuki Company of Toga, Japan (with co-sponsorship at Skidmore by the Stewart's Signature Series). Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. on June 2 and 3; tickets can be ordered online here or at 518-580-5321. Performed in Japanese with English supertitles, the play marries east and west, past and present, in an experience that has been called "seminal and shattering."



The impact of Suzuki's work has been especially powerful for Chris Staley, who says simply, "SITI has changed my life." Staley first participated in a SITI workshop in 2009, just after he graduated from Skidmore, and calls it "a watershed moment for me, personally and professionally."



A Periclean Scholar with a double major in theater and psychology, he was influenced by professors like psychologist Sheldon Solomon and theater artists Will Bond and Alma Becker, as well as by a semester at the Moscow Art Theater in Russia. After his 2009 SITI institute, he engaged in further Suzuki-related training, instructed others, earned an M.F.A. through Harvard's program with the American Repertory Theater and Moscow Art Theater, directed shows for New York City's Midtown International Theatre Festival, and took on acting roles ranging from Malcolm in Macbeth to Hitler in Drums in the Night to the caterpillar in Alice.



Currently a University of Pittsburgh doctoral student with an interest in theater anthropology and the intersections of performance and cognitive science, Staley maintains that, as a teacher, it's "important to remain somehow a student."



All are welcome to join Staley and the other workshoppers for SITI's free public events: a reading of a work in progress, June 23 at 7:30 p.m.; a showing of the participants' creations, June 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m.; and training demonstrations, June 30 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

[View the story "SITI 25 at Skidmore" on Storify]
By Press Trust of India: Theni(TN), May 30(PTI) Ganja weighing about 100 kg and meant to be smuggled to Kerala was seized from a car near here today and two persons arrested in this connection, police said.

The narcotic substance worth Rs 10 lakh, was being smuggled to Kerala from Andhra Pradesh via this district, they said adding two persons in possession of it were arrested and further investigation are on. PTI COR SSN ROH RBS

--- ENDS ---

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By Press Trust of India: Nawada, May 30 (PTI) As many as 20 people, including two girls, were arrested today after they were found in inebriated condition and six liquor bottles seized from them at an integrated check post at Rajauli in Bihars Nawada district, an official said.

During routine checking of vehicles at the integrated check post, the police intercepted a luxury vehicle and found 20 people, including two girls, intoxicated with liquor, the Excise Inspector Vinod Khalifa said.

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During search, six bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) were seized from the vehicle, he said.

Khalifa refused to share name of those arrested under the stringent excise act for consumption of liquor and possession of alcohol bottles, but said that all of them hailed from Nawada, Nalanda and Patna districts, besides Delhi.

The luxury vehicle too has been impounded, the Excise Inspector said. PTI CORR KDK RG

--- ENDS ---
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Six people purportedly died after a landslide in Bangladesh occurred due to Cyclone Mora today.

By Press Trust of India: At least six persons were killed as Cyclone Mora made landfall in Bangladesh today, packing winds of up to 150 kilometres per hour and damaging several houses, with authorities scrambling to evacuate over half a million people from the coastal areas.

In a special bulletin, Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the severe cyclonic storm Mora moved northward over North Bay and started crossing Cox's Bazar- Chittagong coast at 6:00 AM (local time). It is likely to move in a northerly direction further, it said.

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One of the six persons died of a heart attack during the storm while others were killed by falling trees and houses in Cox's Bazar and Rangamati, local media reported.

Under the cyclones influence, gusty winds with rain or thunder showers were continuing over North Bay and the coastal districts and maritime ports of Bangladesh, the Daily Star reported.

"Wind speed is estimated at 130 kmph in Saint Martins Island and 150 kmph Cox's Bazar port after it hit the area in between 6 AM and 7 AM," Cox's Bazar Met official A K M Nazmul Haque said.

All flights were suspended to and from Chittagong international airport and the Cox's Bazar airports.

As many as 300,000 people had been taken to shelters in more than ten districts most vulnerable to the cyclone, Additional Secretary Golam Mostafa, a spokesman for the disaster management ministrys control room, was quoted as saying by BD News.

The people were moved out to at least 400 cyclone shelters or safer places like schools and government offices in the coastal areas," a disaster management ministry spokesman said.

There are also fears for the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees living in makeshift homes after fleeing violence or persecution in neighbouring Myanmar.

At least 2.5 million people in 10 districts risk falling in the way of the severe cyclonic storm.

The districts at risk were Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barisal and Pirojpur.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was monitoring the situation from Vienna, where she has gone to attend a conference on atomic energy.

"The prime minister is maintaining round-the-clock communication with Dhaka on the storm situation. She has ordered all-out preparation to tackle the storm," said Ihsanul Karim, Prime Ministers press secretary.

Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, the low- lying areas of the coastal districts and their offshore islands were likely to be inundated by storm surge of 4-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide, the Met office said.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.

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The MeT office had issued the highest level of warning signal in a scale of 10 for two maritime ports after Mora developed into a severe cyclonic storm.

Habibur Rahman, a member of Saint Martins Island Union Parishad, told Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo that several houses were damaged in Saint Martins Island in the morning.

Bangladesh is often hit by bad storms between April and December that cause deaths and widespread destruction.

Cyclone Roanu hit the southern coast of Bangladesh last year, leaving 20 people dead and forcing half a million to flee their homes.

The Mora cyclone formed after heavy rains in Sri Lanka caused floods and landslides killing over 180 people.

ALSO READ:

Cyclone Mora wreaks havoc in Bangladesh refugee camps for Myanmar's Rohingyas Cyclone Mora hits Bangladesh, thousands moved to safer places

--- ENDS ---
"I wish everyone would understand everyone can't be just like you," Hunsaker said. "It's dumb to think everyone can be the exact same. It's about acceptance. We're all human. We breathe the same air. We live on the same planet."
Macron was the first Western leader to speak to Putin after the Group of Seven summit the French leader attended over the weekend, where relations with Russia were a key topic. These first forays into world diplomacy by the French president who has never before held elected office have shown the 39-year-old to be a quick learner and self-confident, willing to take the calculated risk of voicing firm views on thorny issues.
"Many Idahoans have fought and died for the freedoms we hold dear, including the right and privilege to vote. (My wife) Becca and I take this sacred responsibility very seriously and make sure we teach our children the importance of expressing our patriotism by consistently participating in primary and general elections," Labrador said in a statement.
"When I think about the folks in my community who wake up so early to go to work, and now they wake up in the morning to go to work and hope and pray that they don't get pulled over by ICE, to me that's just unacceptable," Alonso said in an interview. Some kids are even afraid to attend school, she said, worried they'll return to empty homes, their parents gone.
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Education Minister Simon Birmingham has acknowledged the ACT is a "special case" when it comes to school funding changes and has promised transitional help for the 29 Catholic schools set to receive cuts over the next 10 years.

But the National Catholic Education Commission has warned the Catholic system remains in an "untenable position" and may be forced to raise fees or redistribute funds from low socioeconomic schools to higher socioeconomic schools in order to neutralise the cuts' impact.

Principals will be encouraged to get the health checks every second year..

Senator Birmingham has stood by his policy of transitioning all schools to needs-based funding within the next decade. Writing to ACT Catholic schools, he vowed to end the "special deals" that saw Canberra's system receive funding based on an SES of 101 rather than their actual scores, which reach as high as 128.

Senator Birmingham told media on Tuesday that Catholic schools would at least maintain their current funding level "over the next few years".
The Canberra convention centre is considering a proposal for "the fanciest marquee you've ever seen" to host event dinners until a new centre is built, chief executive Michael Matthews said on Tuesday.

Mr Matthews urged an ACT parliamentary inquiry to revive the project to build a new international standard convention centre, saying the existing centre could not cater properly for big events.

The convention centre reference design from Massimiliano Fuksas and Guida Moseley Brown, viewed from Vernon Circle.

It did not have space to host a meeting, trade show and dinner for big conventions, but could only do two of the three. That reputation "is hurting us", he said, pointing to an annual defence conference, which had 900 the first year, then 1400 and was now having to build a marquee behind the convention centre to fit. Defence was "a perfect example" of an industry that Canberra wanted to grow, but the conference was going to be lost interstate.

Dinners were held at the Australian Institute of Sport arena and at Exhibition Park, but the convention centre had lost a 1800-delegate Rotary convention recently because Exhibition Park had been booked. If the AIS option was lost, "we are really cooked", Mr Matthews said.
By Press Trust of India: thousands evacuated

(Eds: Updating with details of casualties; fresh inputs)

By Anisur Rahman

Dhaka, May 30 (PTI) At least six persons were killed as Cyclone Mora made landfall in Bangladesh today, packing winds of up to 150 kilometres per hour and damaging several houses, with authorities scrambling to evacuate over half a million people from the coastal areas.

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In a special bulletin, Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the severe cyclonic storm Mora moved northward over North Bay and started crossing Coxs Bazar- Chittagong coast at 6:00 AM (local time). It is likely to move in a northerly direction further, it said.

A man and woman were killed after getting hit by a falling tree as the cyclone cut its path through the tourist district of Coxs Bazar, police said.

A child was killed in Bhola, one of the most vulnerable districts in the south. In Rangamati town, trees uprooted by the cyclone fell on a woman and a child, leaving them both dead, Police Inspector Mohammad Rashid said.

Separately, in the district town of Coxs Bazar, an elderly woman died from cardiac arrest at a cyclone shelter, local media reported.

Under the cyclones influence, gusty or squally wind with rain or thunder showers were continuing over North Bay and the coastal districts and maritime ports of Bangladesh, the Daily Star reported.

"Wind speed is estimated at 130 kmph in Saint Martins Island and 150 kmph Coxs Bazar port after it hit the area in between 6 AM and 7 AM," Coxs Bazar Met official A K M Nazmul Haque said.

All flights were suspended to and from Chittagong international airport and the Coxs Bazar airports.

As many as 300,000 people had been taken to shelters in more than ten districts most vulnerable to the cyclone, Additional Secretary Golam Mostafa, a spokesman for the disaster management ministrys control room, was quoted as saying by BD News.

"The people were moved out to at least 400 cyclone shelters or safer places like schools and government offices in the coastal areas," a disaster management ministry spokesman said.

There are also fears for the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees living in makeshift homes after fleeing violence or persecution in neighbouring Myanmar.

At least 2.5 million people in 10 districts risk falling in the way of the severe cyclonic storm.

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The districts at risk were Coxs Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barisal and Pirojpur.

However, the Met office has said that the cyclone has already started to lose strength, but strong winds and heavy rains in Coxs Bazar and Chittagong may continue.

Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader said that the government has disbursed cash assistance of 18.7 million taka for the affected areas. "A navy ship is on its way to the St. Martins Island with relief supplies. The prime minister has instructed the army and air force to join the relief efforts."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is monitoring the situation from Vienna, where she has gone to attend a conference on atomic energy.

"The prime minister is maintaining round-the-clock communication with Dhaka on the storm situation. She has ordered all-out preparation to tackle the storm," said Ihsanul Karim, Prime Ministers press secretary.

Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, the low- lying areas of the coastal districts and their offshore islands were likely to be inundated by storm surge of 4-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide, the Met office said.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.

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The MeT office had issued the highest level of warning signal in a scale of 10 for two maritime ports after Mora developed into a severe cyclonic storm.

Habibur Rahman, a member of Saint Martins Island Union Parishad, told Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo that several houses were damaged in Saint Martins Island in the morning.

Bangladesh is often hit by bad storms between April and December that cause deaths and widespread destruction.

Cyclone Roanu hit the southern coast of Bangladesh last year, leaving 20 people dead and forcing half a million to flee their homes.

The Mora cyclone formed after heavy rains in Sri Lanka caused floods and landslides killing over 180 people. PTI ASK/AR KJ CPS UZM

--- ENDS ---
Another freezing start to the day! Today started with a temperature of -2 degrees and will reach an expected top of 12. We can look forward to a mostly sunny afternoon at least - a nice reward for dealing with this morning's frost.

The stoush between the ACT's Catholic system and Education Minister Simon Birmingham does not seem to be cooling, though both parties have somewhat tempered their language.

Senator Birmingham has acknowledged the ACT is a "special case" and outlined a few measures to help Canberra's Catholic schools adjust to an eventual funding decrease.

Schools are still encouraging parents to write to the government though, and the Catholic Education Office won't be going down without a fight.

Finbar O'Mallon and I worked on this one.

Garbos of the galaxy
This line was backed up by Finance Minister Mathias Cormann who reiterated "the government has full confidence in the ATO". It has to. In late April Treasurer Scott Morrison took the unprecedented step of two years out from Mr Jordan's term expiring, reappointing the commissioner for another seven years. Inspector-General of Taxation Ali Noroozi may launch his own review. Credit:Louie Douvis This was Mr Jordan's first appearance since the Australian Federal Police raids on the alleged $165 million tax fraud ring (Mr Jordan told the hearing the figure was in fact $130 million). When news of the raids broke, Mr Jordan is believed to have been on sick leave - described as "unavoidable leave" by his deputy Andrew Mills, who had to step in and take the heat in Mr Jordan's absence. Mr Jordan's first public address was crucial. No doubt he would have been briefed by his media advisers not to appear flippant and defensive. Yet when asked about the alleged criminal syndicate that Mr Cranston's son, Adam Cranston, was allegedly involved in, Mr Jordan said: "This was a father misguidedly, with a huge error of judgement, trying to find out information for his son."

AFP investigators taped phone calls in which Mr Cranston warned his son, "you could be the subject of search warrants" but that Adam was lucky that the police wouldn't take any more referrals, and that he would arrange for Adam to meet with a tax official to discuss the issue. The matters are serious - they will be dealt with in court. They may also warrant wider investigation into the ATO. The Inspector-General of Taxation Ali Noroozi and Auditor-General Grant Hehir are both agencies that can launch their own reviews into the agency. Mr Noroozi is exploring how he can review without prejudicing upcoming court proceedings on the tax fraud case. Mr Jordan has long argued that the ATO needs less, not more, scrutiny. Past reviews of ATO performance by the Auditor-General have been scathing, basically asserting that there's no assurance the ATO is doing its job.

"The Auditor-General can do a performance audit - he seems to do [one of] everything else, so he might as well go here," Mr Jordan flippantly remarked, after which he quickly said, "sorry". He then assured the concerned senators eager to know how things turned so bad at the ATO: "I am not in any way trying to be defensive. We are acutely aware of the sensitivities and the need to give confidence to the community." Mr Jordan was also asked about The Canberra Times report that Mr Cranston was investigated by the ATO's anti-fraud unit last year over claims he improperly used his influence to have a court case against a "high-wealth individual" dropped. Mr Jordan would not comment on the case but said he had "no doubt" that there would be more "people coming out of the woodwork", perhaps "some ex-employee making some allegation no one knows anything about". Mr Noroozi also told the hearing later that they are likely to get more complaints from the public against the ATO, some of which may be baseless. Nevertheless, whether true or not, it "will start affecting perceptions" and "confidence in the system," he said.
Aventus Retail Property has beaten off tough competition to strike the biggest sale deal in the large format retail sector, with the purchase of two home hub centres in metropolitan Sydney for $436 million from LaSalle Fund Management.

It was a battle of the billionaires, with the Brett Blundy co-founded Aventus winning the race for the prize assets, from Gerry Harvey.

Home Hub Marsden Park sold on a yield of 6 per cent. Credit:UA Creative

While the price was struck on sharp yields, Aventus will be able to add value through tenant remixing, additional space through redevelopment, and once completed, an expected revision of the rent.

Aventus centres have tenants from JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman, to large food courts and services, such as banks and medical centres.
ICD Property, the Chinese-backed developer of one of Melbourne's largest high-rise residential towers, and investment firm Wingate have cashed out of a Fitness First investment in Cheltenham for $17.55 million.

A property caveat lodged on the title shows the joint owners sold the freestanding gym at 241 Bay Road  leased to Fitness First on an eight-year term  to investor David Feldman.

Low-cost gym operators offering 24-hour access to no-frills facilities with limited staff have made inroads into the market. Credit:Glenn Hunt

The sale will free up funds for Wingate, a private equity and fund manager, which has been increasing its exposure in both mezzanine debt and equity developer funding after the major banks reduced their lending to the apartment market.

ICD was backed by giant Chinese property developer Sino-Ocean Land Holdings to build the 63-level, $300 million high-rise Eq. Tower with 633-apartments on Melbourne's A'Beckett Street.
There are further signs of heat coming out of the east coast housing market, with Sydney and Melbourne leading a 1.1 per cent fall in property prices across Australia's five largest cities this month.

In a preview of its monthly home value index, CoreLogic said the 1.1 per cent fall indicated a negative month-on-month result for May.

"The weak preliminary result is largely influenced by a month-on-month fall in Sydney and Melbourne dwelling values," CoreLogic's head of research Tim Lawless said.
All Australians are equal. This principle is the basis of our freedoms and a cornerstone of the Australian constitution.

Our nation's founding document should unify us - not divide us.

It is entirely understandable that many Indigenous Australians feel they have not been well represented in and consulted by the political system in the past. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Any proposal that seeks to enshrine division between Australians on the basis of race should therefore be rejected. And it is why any suggestion of a treaty between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians should also be rejected.

Rarely has such a powerful defence of equality and the value of the individual been expressed as on a hot afternoon in Washington DC on 28 August 1963.
A nation without wisdom, imagination and courage is locked into the status quo, not because that is the best way forward but because it favours ignorance over change. We do not want to be that nation. Yet some of the early responses to the historic Uluru Statement from the Heart of May 26 by Australia's First Nations peoples point us in that doleful direction.

Consider what has been achieved. The national debate about recognising Indigenous Australians and ending racial discrimination in the constitution has been going for the best part of 10 years. Support for recognition has gained steadily to the point where various opinion polls over the past four years have consistently found the vast majority of Australians to be in favour.

Megan Davis (left) and Pat Anderson from the Referendum Council holding the Uluru Statement from the Heart with Noel Pearson. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Much work has been done on the hard task of finding a blueprint for change that is legally robust and can attract widespread support. A year-long expert panel in 2012 and a joint select committee in 2015 proposed two constitutional changes: one to acknowledge Indigenous people, their history and culture, and another to remove provisions that permit discrimination against people on the basis of their race.

So far so good. But what do Indigenous Australians themselves think? Now we know, after the first-ever national Indigenous constitutional convention at which 250 delegates represented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes "coming from all points of the southern sky".
Reports of the so-called "media shake-up" in the recent federal budget have a tendency to set politicians' hair on fire. This is because many assume that "shake-up" is code for consolidation and contraction, and that it will kill the diversity of media voices and result in more job losses in an already challenged sector.

The bottom line is that a shake-up is well overdue and the Turnbull government must be applauded for pulling together a package of reforms that has the unprecedented support of the entire media industry.

With so much competition, there is not enough room for everyone at the local table. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

The government understands that it must address the fact that Australian media companies are fighting hard to support local jobs, preserve local voices and maintain a local presence, but are operating with one hand tied behind their backs. Global players like Google, Facebook, YouTube and Netflix have landed on our doorstep and taken up residence in our loungerooms.

In the pre-internet era, rules like the two-out-of-three rule, which stops one proprietor from owning television, radio and newspapers in the same market, ensured a diversity of voices and opinions. However, in the current environment, there is more choice in the community than ever.
The times are such that states are competing to build grander, larger-than-life statues to celebrate icons from history. So it's no surprise that the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh has unveiled plans to install a 108-foot tall sculpture of Adi Shankaracharya on the banks of the Narmada at Omkareshwar.

The state proposes to register the Adi Shankaracharya Sanskritik Ekta Nyas, a public trust that Chouhan will chair, to execute the project. And like in the Statue of Unity-the Sardar Patel project in neighbouring Gujarat-the trust will run a 15-day (June 15 to 30) campaign to collect recyclable metal for the project from across the state. This, the CM hopes, will invoke a sense of pride and ownership amid people vis-a-vis the project. Having pledged to contribute the remainder of the cost from the state's coffers, Chouhan hopes to instal the tallest Adi Shankaracharya statue in the world in MP.

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Working with a three-tier system, the project will requisition the help of sadhus and temple workers to collect metal from people's homes. The Jan Abhiyan Parishad, an umbrella organisation of NGOs that recently organised the Narmada Seva Yatra, will be the coordinating agency for the project.

It's notable that rather than opting for political icons like Sardar Patel in Gujarat or Maharashtra's Shivaji memorial in the Arabian Sea, CM Chouhan decided to go with an early 8th century religious philosopher. Adi Shankara is credited with consolidating the doctrine of Advaita vedanta.

Analysts believe Chouhan is looking to score brownie points with the RSS, which approves of the celebration of Hindu icons. But Manoj Shrivastava, principal secretary, culture, insists "the MP government isn't competing (with other states)"; 108 feet was chosen as the height of the sculpture, he says, only because it's an "auspicious" number.

--- ENDS ---
Mitch Wallis is going to the tattoo parlour with his mother on Wednesday  as you do.

The 27-year-old and mum Gina will leave with matching tattoos on their forearms.

Mitch Wallis envisioned the Heart on My Sleeve Movement after a lifelong battle with mental illness left him suicidal.

If ingenuity and authenticity count for anything, and we are serious about reducing the toll of mental illness in the community, then Mitch and Gina will be among the first of millions worldwide to have a heart tattooed or drawn on their sleeve.

Each heart will represent a show of strength, a personal story of survival and a message to others in pain or teetering on the edge: you are not alone, I have struggled with mental health too, and we can help each other get through.
Public dissatisfaction with politics is well established. Something must change. That involves transforming the way politics is done, away from the strategically charged "winner-takes-all" approach characterised by hyper-partisanship. As part of that change, public involvement must be conceived more widely than filling out a ballot paper or being either sufficiently motivated or resourced enough to try to influence decisions between elections.

Citizens' juries  which democracy researchers often refer to as minipublics  involve facilitated deliberation by randomly selected members of the public on a particular issue. Although they are often described as "deliberative democracy", they are only part of a wider deliberative effort to improve the entire democratic process.

The article refers to the cost of citizens' juries but this should be seen in wider terms. It almost always pales in comparison to the costs associated with the decision they inform. And the benefits must be viewed beyond the terms of a single issue. Indeed, if done well, the initiative will have positive implications for the nature of politics beyond any given deliberative event.

The ACT government's pledge to improve public consultation using citizens' juries, as Andrew Barr outlined in The Canberra Times earlier this month, is laudable. It marks an important departure from the limited way that citizens are traditionally engaged in decision-making.

There is growing interest in deliberative democracy. Unbeknown to most Canberrans, the world-leading Centre for Research in Deliberative Democracy is right here at the University of Canberra. The centre was set up in 2005 (originally at the Australian National University) and now sits alongside the better-known National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling as part of the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis. As well as minipublics, it researches wider issues relating to how we can better organise governance at all scales, from the local to the global.

Citizens' juries and their like can contribute to this change, but their role in the wider political process must be well conceived. Julia Gillard's aborted pledged to implement a citizens' assembly on the carbon tax was a poorly perceived strategy (possibly well-intentioned); it is perhaps a strength of the political system that it failed to proceed, although we disagree strongly with some arguments made at the time that these events have no place in a representative democracy. Whatever its provenance, the decision to implement the carbon tax was effectively already made, rendering the exercise redundant from a deliberative democratic perspective.

As is ever the case, the devil can be in the detail. But if well implemented, citizens' juries are a powerful mechanism for bringing the public closer to decision-making  or, rather, decision-making closer to the public. Of the nearly 20 deliberative minipublics I've been involved in as a researcher, it's always been exciting to witness what's possible when members of the public are promoted from spectator to meaningful participant in the politics of issues that affect them.

When constructed well, minipublics are much more than information or discussion sessions. When the process goes well, there is a dramatic improvement in the sophistication of the participants' positions, reflecting a transformation of their thinking about the issue  as opposed to a migration along a political spectrum. There is often disagreement at the conclusion, which is respectful and actually a good thing from a democratic perspective. Importantly, the deliberative environment gives citizens a chance to formulate their positions in a way that synthesises their own aspirations with the nature of the issue, often producing arguments that can recast the issue and confound the assumptions about what they really want  distorted as this is because of the reactive nature of the political process.

These observations provide a window into what's possible in politics. And minipublics can help revitalise it. Indeed, when conducting the Australian citizens' parliament on federal political reform in 2009, we found that one of the effects was increased appreciation by citizens for our parliamentary system, together with recognition that it needs significant reform to improve its potential.
A young couple, John (Stephen Curry) and Evelyn (Emma Booth), abduct young women from their own neighbourhood streets. They take them home, torture them and John eventually kills them and buries the bodies in a state forest, usually about a week later. We understand all this in the first 10 minutes, which sets up a sense of dread. When we see them go out in their tan Holden station wagon, we know what's coming.

Hounds of Love brings Perth into this ugly fold  beautiful, sunny, dull old Perth of the late 1980s. Men in stubbies and sideburns mow their lawns and wash their cars in endless rows of Australian suburban ugliness, while crimes of unspeakable horror take place in the neighbour's house. The Australian Ugliness was the title of Robyn Boyd's 1960 book attacking Australian architecture, and there's an unspoken connection in Ben Young's first feature. The depravity is partly suburban too, connected to the banality.

Violent crime in Australian cinema, when it's really nasty, is usually pegged to a true story. It almost needs to be for us to stomach it. Snowtown was about the bodies-in-barrels killers in Adelaide; Animal Kingdom was a lightly fictionalised story of a real Melbourne crime family. The Boys was based on the Anita Cobby killers in Sydney.

Director Ben Young and Emma Booth on set of Hounds of Love.

Vicki (Ashleigh Cummings), a wilful 16-year-old, sneaks out of her mother's house at night. She is angry at mother Maggie (Susie Porter) for leaving her dad. The abduction relies on psychology: the victims get in the car willingly, when they see there is a woman. Evelyn does her part, by guessing what each girl might be looking for. I'm guessing that's part of the reason for the period setting: Young wants us to think people were more innocent in the late 1970s (debatable), or at least more gullible.

Hounds of Love is not based on a true story, although it feels like it is. Ben Young, who grew up in Perth, read about a number of different cases, inspired by his mother's work as a crime writer. He offers us a sophisticated guess at the dynamics that might produce a pair of suburban killers like John and Evelyn and it's compelling, partly because they see themselves as "normal".

Outside the house, John is a weedy guy who is easily intimidated by local toughs; inside the house he's a master manipulator of Evelyn's vast well of loneliness and insecurity. The social workers have taken her kids away and she's desperate to get them back; at the same time, she's terrified John will leave her.

When they abduct Vicky, Evelyn's insecurities just get worse. She doesn't mind him torturing and killing these girls, but she won't have him fancying them. You think she's prettier than me, she whines. In this small chink, Vicky sees her chance. She must coax Evelyn over to her side, before he kills her.
In a rare media appearance on Wednesday morning, Mr Lewis said the key point was that "the refugee program is not the source of terrorism in Australia".

Last week, Duncan Lewis, the director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, told a Senate hearing there was "absolutely no evidence" of a connection , rebuffing questions from One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.

Australia's domestic spy chief has been forced to expand on comments he made rejecting a link between refugees and terrorism, after days of intense pressure.

"We have had tens of thousands of refugees come to Australia over the last decade or so and a very few of them have become subjects of interest for ASIO and have been involved in terrorist planning," he told ABC radio.

ASIO chief Duncan Lewis. Credit:Andrew Meares

"I'm not denying that. I've not said that there are no terrorists who have not been refugees or who have not been the sons and daughters of refugees born in this country.

"But the context is very important. The reason they are terrorists is not because they are refugees but because of the violent, extremist interpretation of Sunni Islam that they have adopted."

Following his responses to Senator Hanson last week, the senior public servant was criticised by One Nation, conservative commentators and former prime minister Tony Abbott, who suggested ASIO was "tiptoeing around this subject".
Counter-terrorism experts have overwhelmingly backed spy boss Duncan Lewis in his assessment there was "no evidence" linking refugees to Islamic terrorism, cautioning his critics against inflaming tensions with Muslims.

Mr Lewis, director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, also told One Nation leader Pauline Hanson there was no evidence the children of refugees were more likely to convert to radical Islam.

The comments sparked a wave of criticism from conservative circles. Former prime minister Tony Abbott suggested the ASIO chief was "tiptoeing" around the issue, while commentator Andrew Bolt called on him to retract or quit.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will launch a strident defence of the tax rises in his government's second budget, arguing the alternative was unsustainable debt and deficit.

In a major speech to the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia on Wednesday, Mr Turnbull will argue that while Labor floats "grand schemes" such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme, it is the Coalition that has to find the money to fund these services, as well as those in health and education.

The Prime Minister will also say that Labor's commitment to re-instate the deficit levy on high income earners, combined with the hike in the Medicare levy, would push the top marginal tax rate to 49.5 per cent - its highest level since 1988-89, when it was 50.25 per cent.
The Asia-Pacific defence spending bill put forward by House Armed Services Committee chairman Mac Thornberry  which will help shape Pentagon policy over the next year  includes $15 million for "joint and other exercises with the armed forces of the governments of Japan, South Korea, Australia and the United States for the defence against and defeat of ballistic missile forces of North Korea".

Fairfax Media understands Australia has not received any invitation yet for involvement in such exercises. Defence Minister Marise Payne said Australia "supports very clear messages to North Korea that it should not continue down this path of risking regional and global security" and reiterated calls for China to play a more forceful role.

Australia has previously taken part in Nimble Titan, a classroom-based missile defence exercise involving a large number of countries.

The exercises flagged by Congress would be more substantial and more narrowly focused on key countries, though experts stressed the amount of money Congress was considering would allow only for limited live drills or so-called "table top" exercises  simulations that test decision-making.

Military expert Malcolm Davis, from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), said the Pine Gap facility could be used to track missiles but Australia needed to upgrade its three new Air Warfare Destroyers for missile defence.
When Kim Kardashian West's makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic first opened up about contouring the Queen of Calabasas, he never knew he would change the makeup landscape.

Dedivanovic didn't invent contouring, and has never claimed to do so, but it's his legacy and he now travels the world with Kardashian West teaching others how to do the same.

The reporter, before and after hair contouring. Credit:Amy Croffey

Can't make their master class? Well, there are about 2.6 million contouring videos on YouTube and almost 5 million contouring hashtags on Instagram.

But it's no longer just about contouring your makeup for a more defined jawline, nose and cheekbones, the latest optical illusion to hit the beauty scene - contouring your hair.
The number of people charged with driving with illicit drugs in their system in NSW has risen 300 per cent following a concerted state government crackdown, according to a report from the state's crime statisticians.

About 9800 people had charges for driving under the influence of drugs finalised in local courts last financial year, compared with 2300 the year prior, according to Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research analysis of court data released on Tuesday. That amounts to a rise of some 320 per cent.

Drivers are swabbed but only for certain classes of drugs.

"It seems likely that the increase in charges is a reflection of increased law enforcement activity rather than an increase in actual drug driving," the report concludes.

That follows a pledge in 2015 by Police Minister Troy Grant to triple the number of roadside drug tests conducted each year to 100,0000.
A man has been found guilty of bashing Sydney pig farmer Keith Cini to death in one of two violent home invasions a month apart in 2014.

Ryan David Evans, 28, was found guilty of six of seven charges relating to the attacks at a home in Medway in the NSW Southern Highlands and another at Mr Cini's home in Badgerys Creek.

On Tuesday, the NSW Supreme Court jury delivered its verdicts including one of murdering Mr Cini but not guilty of the attempted murder of his partner Lucina Boldi.

Prosecutors had argued that Evans, who had once worked with Mr Cini, would have known that the farmer usually kept the days' takings from delivering pigs to restaurants in two safes in his home office.
The Agra Police has made a sizeable discovery of illegal arms in the city in the past few months.

By Siraj Qureshi: No matter how strict gun control laws may be in India, the fact is that Uttar Pradesh tops the list of both legal and illegal arms possessed by civilians.

Minor fights between neighbors now result in shots being fired and most of these incidents of indiscriminate firing take place with illegal weapons - both in the form of crude country-made pistols and well-finished illegally manufactured arms.

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The UP police has so far been unable to track down the suppliers of these illegal weapons. However, with the recent discovery of an illegal weapons factory in Agra and now the arrest of two pistol suppliers in the city, it is becoming clear that a parallel business of illegal arms manufacture and sale is operating in UP. Incidentally, this is fuelling the internecine tensions that are on the rise in the state.

The Agra Police has made a sizeable discovery of illegal arms in the city in the past few months and the recent arrest of Furkan and Raja Khan, who used to sell illegally manufactured pistols and their ammunition only to Muslims, has created an uproar in the intelligence agencies.

The duo claims to have sold at least 50 such pistols in Agra, all of which had been brought from Munger in Bihar and all of them in possession of Muslims. Four semi-automatic pistols, two magazines and four cartridges were also recovered from them.

Furkan told India Today that he is a labourer in a shoe factory but he also carries pistols hidden in shoe boxes to sell them to clients. SSP Agra D C Dubey told India Today that Furkan seems to be connected to elements in Pakistan as his phone list had several numbers listed from the neighbouring.

A supplier named Aman was also involved in this racket. So far, the police has been able to recover 20 names and addresses of the people who purchased these pistols.

ARMS SOLD TO MEMBERS OF MUSLIM COMMUNITY

The SSP claimed that both these suppliers sold pistols only to those belonging to the Muslim community. Some other accomplices of these two are being searched and as soon as they are nabbed, their entire planning will be unravelled, including the purpose of deliberately arming only one community with illegal and untraceable weapons. He said that it is possible that these weapons could be used in a communal incident in the city in the future, so the recovery of each and every illegal weapon was paramount.

He said that Furkan used to buy one pistol for Rs 15,000 in Munger and sold it for Rs 30,000 in Agra. Furkan has also travelled to Pakistan and the police in investigating his possible links to Pakistani smugglers and the ISI.

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The SSP said that Furkan was soon to receive another consignment of 10 pistols from Munger, but he got arrested beforehand. Another agent's name has come to light in Firozabad and he is also being investigated.

Bhartiya Muslim Vikas Parishad Chairman Sami Aghai told India Today that Islam is against all illegal businesses, but no innocent Muslim should be implicated in criminal cases. Some young BJP activists are trying to give this illegal weapons sale a communal colour and the police and administration should be wary of such attempts to poison the city's atmosphere by the BJP.

Also read:

Agra Police seizes replicas of Webley Scott, Beretta pistols; arms dealer arrested

Agra conversion: UP Cleric threatens to pick up arms against government

WATCH | Meerut: DRI recovers Rs 1 crore, huge cache of arms from retired Colonel's house

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The death of police officer Brett Forte has sent "shockwaves" through the police service and Toowoomba community, as people paid tribute to a "wonderful police officer" and a "great bloke".

On Monday, Senior Constable Forte was shot dead after attempting to intercept the vehicle of Rick Maddison in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane.

Following a 19-hour siege, Maddison was shot and killed about 11am on Tuesday.

A visibly emotional Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said he met with the senior constable's family on Monday night to offer them support.
A man who shot dead a police officer, triggering a 19-hour siege, has been killed in a shootout with police.

Ricky Maddison left his hideout on a Ringwood property near Gatton, where he had been holed up overnight, about 11am on Tuesday morning and shot at police while attempting to run into bushland, police said.

Specialist police returned fire and the 40-year-old was declared dead at the scene, Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Tony Wright said.

"He has exited the building in which he was in, he has been challenged by police, at that point he has fired at those police, specialist police has returned fire," he said.
Police are investigating whether slain Queensland officer Brett Forte was deliberately lured to his death by a repeat offender who had a grudge against the policeman's unit.

Fairfax Media understands Ricky Charles Maddison, 40, had a history of threatening tactical crime squad officers from Toowoomba over the phone.

On Monday, the wanted man rang the office from a telephone box in the Darling Downs city and challenged officers to find him, sparking a manhunt.

Police spotted the violent offender in Mary Street, tracking him for more than 40 kilometres to a rural part of the Lockyer Valley, where he opened fire, killing Senior Constable Forte, a father-of-three, at the scene.
Announcing the winner, Cameron said the judges really liked the product. "The ability that this start-up has shown to penetrate enterprises at the highest level is very impressive," he said. In her pitch, Grover said Australian banks had about 14 million inquiries about unrecognised transactions from their customers every year. Michael Kasumovic pitches Arludo, which creates libraries of apps for teachers to use in classrooms. The start-up has signed a seven-figure contract with an undisclosed bank. Look Who's Charging co-founder and chief executive Stuart Grover said the product was in use in a lockdown environment, and would go live on August 1. "Then, it's about creating datasets for other countries around the world."

Max Doyle pitching at CeBIT PitchFest. He told the judges that other Australian banks were keen. The start-up won a stand for CeBIT Australia 2018, $12,000 worth of hosted cloud services from Orion VM, and a 12-month membership to TiE Sydney, a non-profit, global networking community. CeBIT PitchFest winners with the judges, from left: Raj Dalal, principal BigInsights and president of TiE Sydney; Maureen Murphy, commercialisation adviser, Accelerating Commercialisation; Look Who's Charging co-founders David Washbrook, Stuart Grover and Nicole Grover; James Cameron, partner at AirTree VC; and Nitin Singhi, director at TiE Sydney It's a real validation of the hard work that has gone into this. Nicole Grover

Stuart Grover said Singapore was Look Who's Charging's next target market. "We have already got interest from one of the major banks over in Singapore. Lot of people are also interested in the UK and the US  very large markets." Look Who's Charging hopes to raise $2 million to build a dataset for select overseas markets. Solving their own problem Rivuu, which aims to streamline the social media content workflow process, took second place. It allows people to collaborate on social media content, said Max Doyle, who started a social media marketing agency called Hello Social five years ago.

Rivuu is designed to transform the workflow of social media agencies and brands to help them to create, preview, approve and schedule published content from a single tool. Doyle said the start-up launched on January 10, and had already signed up some international brands. Cameron said the judges felt the Rivuu team had a "fantastic pitch, very high energy; traction was undeniable. We like the fact that they were really solving their own problem." Good core technology Carolyn Mee's Sound Scouts, an app that gamifies hearing screening, took third place.

Sound Scouts is designed to test the hearing of children around the time they start school. Cameron said the judges thought the Sound Scouts team had a fantastic insight on "how to build what is a good core technology and package it in a really nice consumer application that would resonate and is resonating with the customer base, solving a real problem." Sharing economy focus Among the other start-ups that took part in the PitchFest were two designed for the sharing economy. KeyHub offers key storage facilities for rental-accommodation hosts and other space sharers to drop off and swap keys in a convenient and safe location.

In his pitch, KeyHub co-founder and chief executive Vincent Shang said his goal was to expand to 15 locations in Sydney and Melbourne by the end of the year. He said KeyHub was raising $100,000 in seed investment which would go into, among other things, product development and marketing. Another start-up tapping the sharing economy is Share with Oscar. The app dubbed the "Airbnb for parking" allows drivers to rent private parking spots in real-time. It started when co-founder Lisa Qi could not find a parking spot at Bondi Beach for 40 minutes. Online learning Two start-ups focused on education. Inkerz aims to bridge the gap between the notepad and the computer to increase the effectiveness of online learning. When using Inkerz, everything a user writes on a notepad or piece of paper appears on their computer screen.

Michael Kasumovic presented the pitch for Arludo  the second start-up aimed at the education sector  and said while technology had changed our lives, today's children who have grown up with this technology can be a little disengaged in class. He said teachers were becoming digital curators, and his gamification app blends augmented reality and play to empower them. Arludo creates a library of apps that teachers can use in the classroom to engage students in STEM topics. Hosonto Middleware is an end-to-end development platform for web and mobile applications that utilise a patent pending Automated Model View framework. It automates much of the development work so developers can focus on the important and relevant tasks of the application. Start-up Ontoto is an advanced water- tracking solution to measure water levels and temperatures.
Zurich: A Facebook user who 'liked' a post accusing another man of anti-Semitism and racism has been convicted of defamation in a landmark ruling.

In the first case of its kind in Switzerland, the 45-year-old unnamed man from Zurich was found guilty after he pressed the 'like' button on several posts attacking Erwin Kessler, the president of an animal rights group.

Facebook says it couldn't access encrypted messages even if the Turnbull government forced it to. Credit:Reuters

The posts came about during discussions on the social media website over which animal welfare groups should be allowed to take part in a large vegan street festival, Veganmania Schweiz.

Posts describing Kessler as racist, anti-Semitic or fascist, and his organisation as a neo-Nazi group, were 'liked' by a number of people, including the defendant.
Uber has fired Anthony Levandowski, the star engineer at the centre of its high-stakes legal fight over driverless cars.

Levandowski, the 37-year-old former chief of Uber's self-driving program, was given notice on Friday, according to a termination letter obtained by the Washington Post. He was let go after failing to comply with a judge's request that he turn over thousands of documents that he is accused of stealing from Google's parent company, where he had worked as a senior engineer.

Uber also said that he had broken the terms of his employment with the company. Under those terms, Levandowski promised that he wasn't disclosing any trade secrets or proprietary information from his previous employer when he came on board.
Heartless scammers used photos of sick kids to prise more than $100,000 from people who thought they were donating to a good cause, police say.

Detectives arrested three people on Tuesday morning after a four-year investigation into an alleged fake charity scam which operated across Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.

Three men were arrested over a fake charity scam. Credit:Steve Baccon

Police allege the men set up fundraising stalls asking people to donate money that would go to terminally ill children and their families.

Instead, police claim the money was splurged on food, clothes, cigarettes and healthcare.
"That got him over the line," said Ms Baulch. Parents like Ms Baulch point to federal government data showing that fewer than half of the 469,000 Australian students who have a disability or learning difficulty are receiving funding. This week Fairfax Media also revealed that students with disabilities are being excluded from school camps and excursions and told they are too disruptive. The number of students receiving funding for severe behaviour disorder has been steadily rising in Victoria, jumping by 26 per cent between 2011 and 2015. There was a 40 per cent increase over the four years before that.

Ms Baulch said her son's psychologist did not lie, as Jack's oppositional behaviour could be linked to severe behaviour disorder. But "99.9 per cent" of the boy's behaviour was clearly explained by autism. She was "annoyed" that she had to hunt for yet another label to secure funding for his education. "These conditions are supposed to be lifelong diagnoses, they stick with a child for ever," she said. Another parent, Gina*, said that several years ago she felt forced to lie about her son's disability so he could keep his place at a special school, where he was enrolled throughout primary. When her son underwent a mandatory re-evaluation of his funding eligibility in grade six, he lost his funding and access to his special school.

Like Jack, the boy has high-functioning autism, so he performed well on language tests. But the boy, who often yelled and thrashed out in class, or otherwise withdrew and stopped speaking altogether, was asked to go to a mainstream school without any support. "The school said there is another way we can do it and they explained on paper he would be listed as having a severe behaviour disorder and that was the only way to keep his funding." So Gina asked her psychiatrist to tell the department that his behaviour was "over and above autism". The psychiatrist did. "It annoyed me that I had to do that," Gina said. "I had to go and say he had something he didn't necessarily have."

A recent state government review of disability funding acknowledged that "a number of students" with autism do not meet the eligibility criteria, often due to strong language skills, and called for additional resources to support these students. Dr Paul Robertson, the Victorian director of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, often writes reports on students' behalf requesting special needs funding, but said he has never manipulated a students' diagnosis. He said he was concerned that this would misdirect classroom resources, and cause confusion within the school about the student's needs. "An accurate diagnosis of a disability is very important for the school because there are resources, training and strategies that are specific for things like having autism spectrum disorder or learning difficulties," he said. Dr Robertson said he was concerned that the current funding program was "inequitable and unfair" as it overlooked many disabilities.
Six-year-old Kylie Maybury's body was found in Donald Street, Preston on November 7, 1984. She had suppressed his name from her memory. Davies pleaded guilty on Monday to snatching six-year-old Kylie from a Preston street on November 6, 1984 then raping her and dumping her body the next day. He was only charged with the crime last year. Lucy is so deeply troubled that the man who attacked her was free to kill that she has called for a full investigation into any unsolved crimes that could also be tied to the 74-year-old. Davies was only linked with Kylie's murder after his DNA matched a sample left on her body.

Lucy, then a student at Hurstbridge High School, was on her way home to her sick mother when Davies crept up behind her on the train as it travelled between Hurstbridge and Diamond Creek. She did not hear or see Davies until he started the frenzied beating. She was hit several times on the head with a hammer, and fell to the floor bleeding. Davies left her carriage, but then came back and hit her again on the shoulder. Lucy was found on the floor when the train stopped at Eltham. Davies was arrested at Diamond Creek station after a police officer noticed him on the platform.

When the officer spoke to Davies, he appeared nervous and agitated. The officer then saw the blood-stained hammer in a Gladstone bag Davies was carrying. Lucy proved the pessimistic doctors wrong, and after a month in hospital was able to go home. But she had no feeling on her left side, and while her injuries improved with time, her mind would never heal. "He didn't rape me, but he did hurt me really badly. And he probably thinks, she's alive, that's fine, but he does not know what he's left. "I struggled through school, but I made it, and then I worked, had kids and married, and all that stuff, but the pain I have been suffering with through it all is pretty bad."

Lucy had three children, two of them daughters. She never let go of the anguish she felt when they caught the train. "My kids used to think I was being really ridiculous and over-mothering," Lucy said. "But I had to do it. I was petrified." Having children of her own made Lucy understand how traumatised her parents must have been when they thought she would not survive, and for the rest of her teenage years, as everyone tried to get on as normal. "I was in hospital for a month, maybe more. The following year I did not want to go to school, but my father made me. That was really hard, facing everybody. But everyone was really great." There was no counselling offered back then though. And no victims of crime compensation to help Lucy's family pay the medical expenses.

The closest Lucy came to any support to help her cope with the trauma which would stalk her for the rest of her life came in the form of a policewoman who constantly stopped by her hospital bed. "She was amazing. She really was. I don't even remember her name." Eventually, Lucy became curious about the man who had left her lying in a pool of blood on the train carriage floor. Her parents did not speak of it much, thinking they were protecting her. So, when she was an adult, Lucy spent hours looking through old newspaper articles. She eventually found an article about her case. It did not name her, but it named the man who had been charged: Gregory Keith Davies, a 28-year-old welder from Francis Grove in Thornbury. She could not find anything about his sentence, but remembered her parents saying he had been sent to Ararat. While a sex offenders facility' had not been established there at that time, there was a prison, and an asylum.

The Age has not been able to confirm details of Davies' sentence for the attack on Lucy, but has found archival news articles showing he was committed to trial in November, 1970. He pleaded not guilty and was refused bail. Lucy said whatever Davies' sentence, it obviously did nothing to suppress his urgings. "In the sentencing for his attack on me, there was a failure there," Lucy said. "Because perhaps if that was harsher, than he might have thought twice about doing it again. Loading
A woman who killed her three youngest children by deliberately driving her car into a lake, in what a Supreme Court judge described as a "horrendous crime", has been jailed for 26 years and six months.

But Justice Lex Lasry ruled on Tuesday that Akon Guode's life was in turmoil on April 8, 2015, when she drove into Lake Gladman in Wyndham Vale with four of her children in the car, and that there was a connection between her disturbed mental state and the offending.

Guode drove four laps of the lake before she did a U-turn, steered through the only entry point to the lake and accelerated into deeper water.

She then got out but did nothing to help residents and emergency services workers who frantically tried to save the children.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered three cases pertaining to purchase of 111 aircraft, leasing of planes and relinquishing profit-making routes and schedule.

By Shashank Shekhar: The Central Bureau of Investigation will be investigating into alleged "irregularities" in aviation deals during the Congress-led UPA rule that cost Air India heavy losses. The central agency has registered three cases pertaining to purchase of 111 aircraft, leasing of planes and relinquishing profit-making routes and schedule.

In addition, the investigation agency has launched preliminary inquiry into the circumstances leading to the 2011 merger of the two state-owned airlines, Air India and Indian Airlines, which allegedly resulted in setback of thousands of crores of rupees to the national exchequer.

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The flag carrier airline is currently under a debt of more than Rs40,000 crore.

Sources in the CBI said cabinet ministers and senior bureaucrats, who were behind these decisions, are likely to be asked to join the investigation.

Even though the current FIR by the CBI does not name any official, senior officials in the ministry of civil aviation and air India are kept under scanner.

INVESTIGATIONS REVEAL

In January this year, the Supreme Court had ordered the CBI to investigate the alleged irregularities in purchase and leasing of aircraft by Air India between 2004 and 2008 when the Congress-led UPA was in office.

The allegations made in a PIL filed by activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan, included allotment of routes to private airlines at the expense of the national carrier.

A bench led by CJI JS Khehar had directed CBI to hand in its probe report by June 2017.

According to CBI officials, the preliminary inquiry found glaring irregularities that may have resulted into massive loses.

The order to purchase of 111 aircraft costing about Rs70,000 crore may have benefited foreign aircraft manufactures with substantial financial loss to the already stressed national carrier, sources said.

Praful Patel was heading the civil aviation portfolio at the time of the purchase order for these aircraft was placed.

WHAT KIND OF PROBE

In another FIR, the agency will probe leasing of a large number of aircraft without due consideration, proper route study and marketing or price strategy.

"It was also alleged that the aircraft were leased even while the acquisition programme was still in process," the sources said.

The agency will also study the allegation that private airlines were offered international routes at their behest.

"The national carriers gave up profit-making routes and schedules which clearly placed private airlines in a profitable position while causing a huge loss to them," said the official.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered the cases against Air India and Civil Aviation department under 120B, 420 IPC & PC Act for the alleged corruption charges related to the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines.

Air India, which is surviving on a Rs30,000-crore bailout package spread over a 10-year period, is working on drastic measures to stay afloat, turn the corner and at a later stage improve its financial position.

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The national carrier's debt amounts to Rs48,000 crore at present, with is nearly one-third of the borrowings on account of aircraft acquisition.

Air India MD Ashwani Lohani has made no secret about his displeasure about the decision to merge the two airlines during the UPA-II regime, and holds it squarely responsible for Air India's current financial woes.

"Air India went down due to the ill-fated decision of the merger of two organisations that were not destined to be, coupled with many other wrong decisions of the earlier (UPA) regime," Lohani wrote in a Facebook post earlier this month.

Also Read

Air India's Mumbai-Delhi-Osaka flight grounded for four hours due to technical glitch

Bhubaneshwar bound Air India flight returns to Mumbai after smoke in cockpit

Also WATCH:

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Detectives have identified a body found in a Preston rubbish bin on the weekend as a 44-year-old man from Broadmeadows.

A garbage truck driver made the grim discovery shortly after 8am on Saturday when he emptied the bin, left on the corner of Young and Butler streets, into the back of his garbage truck.

The screams of the driver were heard by neighbours in the street.

The strongest lead homicide squad detectives initially had on the identity of the body was a distinctive Korean pop band T-shirt the dead man was wearing.
Akon Guode has been sentenced to a minimum of 20 years jail for killing three of her children. Credit:Jason South Infanticide is a rare charge that applies to women who kill their biological child in instances where the mother is affected by a mental-health problem related to childbirth. It applies only to children under two years, which explains the different charges for the siblings' deaths, and carries a maximum jail term of five years. Bol, 1, left, Hanger, 4, centre and her twin brother Madit, right, were killed when their mother's car crashed into the lake. Murder, by contrast, carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Outlining the stresses Guode faced before she killed her children, Mr Dempsey in March quoted a submission made to a 2004 review of the offence of infanticide, put forward by the Federation of Community Legal Centres. Robert Farquharson outside the Supreme Court in 2010. Credit:John Woudstra The federation's position read: "While men kill to control or punish their children or partner, women kill children because they cannot cope with the extreme difficulties that they encounter in trying to care for their children." The Victorian Law Reform Commission, which conducted that review, has described infanticide as "a distinctive kind of human tragedy" which requires a distinctive legal response. Jai, left, Bailey and Tyler Farquharson were killed when their father drove into a creek. Credit:The Age

But the offence also has its critics. Those who want it scrapped say infanticide devalues young lives lost, diminishes the responsibility of mothers to care for their children and is sexist, as there is no equivalent offence for fathers who kill. Akon Guode at the funeral for her three children in 2015. Credit:Chris Hopkins A family member of a Victorian infant killed by her mother likens infanticide to "the flavour of the month, a get out of jail free card", and believes mothers who kill their children must accept responsibility, even if mental-health problems contribute. The woman, who cannot be named, said she and her family were "gutted" when the mother avoided jail, and has repeatedly urged the state government to abolish the offence of infanticide.

"It's as if the children don't count and it's all about the mother," she told Fairfax Media. "Suddenly it's as if that child's life is worth nothing. I think that is so unjust." The woman acknowledged the effects on women of postnatal depression, but could never accept that could justify a mother killing her child. "Post-natal depression can be nasty and all consuming but it should never get to that point, not today. People know too much about it and there is help out there," she said. Professor Thea Brown, from Monash University's department of social work, has conducted several research projects on Australia's child homicide rate, and found mental illness is the most common factor among mothers who kill their own children.

The City of Wyndham accounted for 10 of the 52 recorded child homicides in Victoria between 2000 and 2009, according to Professor Brown's research (Guode's three children died outside that span). That figure made her question whether Guode could have got help addressing her mental health and social stresses had she lived elsewhere. "I can't help but think that it would have been more obvious if she had been at a well-resourced inner-city hospital," Professor Brown said. "And because her culture was so different from many people in Melbourne, people would have avoided her." Guode is believed to be the first woman jailed in Victoria for pleading guilty to infanticide. As part of the sentence of 26 years and six months Justice Lasry imposed on Guode, 12 months was for the infanticide charge.

But in sentencing on Tuesday, Justice Lasry acknowledged the difficulties of cases involving killer mothers with mental-health problems. Before handing down the sentence he said: "The sentence I am about to impose is, in some respects, inadequate to reflect the gravity of what you have done yet at the same time excessive given your mental state as well as your background of hardship and desperation." Mothers who kill Credit:JOE CASTRO Leanne Azzopardi Drowned five-week-old daughter Hayley in the bathtub in 2003. Spared jail by a Supreme Court judge and put on an 18-month community corrections order (CCO).

Beat her baby son after giving birth alone at home in 2004. Spared jail and put on a three-year good behaviour bond. QPX (name suppressed) Inflicted numerous bone fractures on her twin daughters in 2012. One died at eight weeks and the other survived, but suffered serious injuries. Pleaded guilty to infanticide and recklessly causing serious injury. Spared jail and put on a one-year CCO. Loading ZZMM (name suppressed) Smothered her newborn daughter in the moments after she gave birth alone at home in 2014, and left the baby's body under a tree. Spared jail and put on a one-year CCO.
Youth detention centre staff are refusing to report assaults against them to police because they fear revenge attacks from inmates, Victoria's police union says.

The Victorian Police Association told a parliamentary inquiry into youth justice that centre workers believed they would be threatened by inmates if serious assaults were investigated.

The youth justice system has seen a series of violent riots. Credit:Jesse Marlow

The association's secretary Wayne Gatt said there were "many cases" in which police received complaints from centre staff who were unwilling to have matters investigated.

"It perpetuates a level of inactivity by staff  to actually make a report to the police because they don't think the system is going to protect them," he told the inquiry.
Perth man Patrick Slater was attacked and killed in a "49 second window" by eight males in the hours after Australia Day celebrations in the city, with an 11-year-old boy potentially delivering the fatal blow, a court has heard.

Seven males, including two boys aged 14 and 17 at the time, are on trial in the Supreme Court of Western Australia accused of murdering the 26-year-old near the Esplanade train station around 3.30am on January 27, 2016.

Patrick 'Paddy' Slater died at the Esplanade Train Station in Perth on Australia Day 2016

A third boy, the youngest of the group, is accused but is not standing trial.

The state claimed Mr Slater was chased and attacked by the group after they armed themselves with weapons including rocks, poles, a star picket, screw driver and socket bar following two earlier altercations between their groups during the night.
Burying a time capsule to mark special occasions is a tradition many schools across Perth have taken part in.

But how many of the schools actually recorded where the capsules were buried?

Students at Karrinyup Primary School celebrating WA's 150th anniversary in 1979. Credit:Karrinyup Primary School 50th

At least four primary schools across Perth have tried in recent years to recover their capsules, only to realise they have no idea where their little piece of history is hidden.

Warriapendi Primary School principal Peter Jakimowiez told Mornings on Radio 6PR volunteers at the school had been unable to locate two capsules, likely buried in 1979 and 1988.
Jakarta: Indonesian police on Monday named an Islamist leader as a suspect in the exchange of pornographic messages and photos, a new legal threat to a cleric who helped organise mass Muslim rallies against Jakarta's then governor.

Muhammad Rizieq Shihab, also known as Habib Rizieq, is a firebrand cleric who heads the hardline Islam Defenders' Front (FPI), has also been made a suspect in a separate investigation over allegations he insulted the secular state ideology in the Muslim-majority nation.

"Habib" is a title which in Indonesia is given to descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo appears to be taking a tougher stance against Islamism and has said he would not tolerate any individuals or organisations that undermine the secular state ideology "Pancasila", or threaten Indonesia's tradition of pluralism.
Broad portfolio: Jared Kushner with his wife Ivanka Trump during US President Donald Trump's visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Credit:AP Kushner's attorneys have said he will cooperate with the federal investigation and answer questions from a special counsel examining allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 campaign, a probe that could also examine financial connections Trump advisers may have had with Russia. Kushner declined to comment. Kushner's allies said his experience in New York's aggressive business culture prepared him to manage crises and tackle any problem Trump gives him to solve. Jared Kushner, left, in the Cabinet Room of the White House with former New Jersey governor Chris Christie in March. Credit:AP But running a real estate company, where business deals and corporate rivalries stem from the singular goal of turning the biggest profits, is far different from navigating the vast federal government or mastering the tricky politics of Washington and complexities of overseas diplomacy.

In the name of the son Elizabeth Spiers in 2006, when she was publisher and editor-in-chief of DealBreaker. Kushner hired her to work at The New York Observer in 2011. Credit:Bloomberg Kushner's real estate career began with a family trauma. His father, Charles, a major Democratic Party donor whose company then focused on modest apartment buildings in New Jersey, was convicted in 2005 of federal tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign donations, including some in Jared Kushner's name. The prosecutor was then-US attorney Chris Christie, who said the elder Kushner had not taken responsibility for his "vile and heinous acts". Jared Kushner is now in the FBI's sights over the Trump campaign's ties to Russia. Illustration: Matt Golding

Christie's prosecution scarred the family, Kushner associates said. The wound reopened during the Trump campaign, when White House officials said the younger Kushner helped quash consideration of Christie for an administration role. Christie did not respond to a request for comment. Jared Kushner was studying law at New York University as the case generated wide attention because of its scandalous details. Charles Kushner had arranged to secretly videotape his brother-in-law meeting with a prostitute, allegedly hoping to coerce relatives to stop cooperating with federal authorities. The judge called it an act of vengeance. Jared Kushner, top, attends a news conference with US President Donald Trump and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos earlier this month. Credit:Bloomberg Kushner told New York magazine in 2009 that his father arranged for the sex tape as a warning to warring family members who he said were trying to hurt him. "Was it the right thing to do? At the end of the day, it was a function of saying, 'You're trying to make my life miserable. Well, I'm doing the same'," Kushner said.

With his father incarcerated in Alabama, barred from making business deals, Jared Kushner, the eldest son, took over the empire. It had 1000 employees and owned more than 25,000 apartments. The family's reputation was in tatters. "A lot of their friends and business colleagues just disappeared," said Arthur Mirante II, a business consultant who advised the Kushners. Approaching Trump Kushner went to Alabama every week to consult his father. He came up with two risky moves. In 2006, he bought an unprofitable newspaper, The New York Observer, for a reported $US10 million. The newspaper, a broadsheet printed on pink paper, aggressively covered New York business and politics. It had been especially hard on real estate titan Donald Trump, calling him the "prince of swine", according to former columnist Michael Thomas. Kushner's newspaper ownership gave him an entree with the city's powerful. Kushner had relocated his company to Manhattan, and he added to his allure by announcing in January 2007 a deal that shocked many real estate analysts.

He agreed to pay $US1.8 billion for a 41-storey office building at 666 Fifth Avenue, only blocks from Trump Tower, the highest price paid at the time for a US office building. Kushner called it "a great acquisition", but some real estate veterans saw it as an act of hubris. Income projections suggested that Kushner had vastly overpaid - and that was months before the Great Recession further softened the market. Within three years, Kushner's project was drowning. A 2010 appraisal placed its value at $US820 million, about half of what he paid, and well below his debt to banks, according to financial records. As the recession set in, office rents plunged, and his building's occupancy rate dropped from nearly full to 77 per cent in 2011, according to lending documents. One of the biggest debt holders was Colony Capital, which owned $US72.2 million, according to analysts' estimates. The company was run by Thomas Barrack jnr, a Trump friend. Barrack had worked for an oil baron who sold the iconic Plaza Hotel to Trump for $US410 million, which Trump later acknowledged was too high, eventually forcing him to put the property into bankruptcy. The two men nonetheless remained close; Barrack had a speaking role at the Republican National Convention and headed Trump's inaugural committee. Kushner mentioned to his wife, Ivanka Trump - whom he married in 2009 - that Barrack was going after him on the debt. She told him that her father was close to Barrack, and so Donald Trump introduced Kushner to Barrack, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Barrack was concerned, but Kushner argued that lowering his obligation was better than foreclosure. "I'm asking you to make more money for yourself than you'll make otherwise," Kushner told Barrack, according to the person familiar with the conversation. Barrack did not respond to a request for comment.

At the same time, one of Kushner's most severe challenges was dealing with a New York company called AREA Property Partners, which held $US105.4 million of Kushner's debt, according to industry estimates based on lending documents. Its chief executive, Richard Mack, objected to Kushner's debt-relief requests. Mack declined to comment. Journalism as a weapon One editor of the Observer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was discussing a private conversation, said Kushner wanted a negative story on a banker who was at odds with the family business. The editor recalled Kushner saying: "We have to do a hit job on this guy. He is a bad guy." "I said, 'Jared, first off, never use the phrase "hit job". We can't use that term. And second, there's no story here'," the editor said. A similar episode occurred with Spiers, the former editor who said Kushner offered a tip that cast Mack, the lender from AREA Property Partners, in a bad light.

Spiers said Kushner urged her to pursue the tip, which included information about Mack's business affairs. Spiers, who previously had founded the website Gawker, said she had already determined that Kushner seemed to want to use the newspaper to advance his business interests. "Jared didn't buy the paper because he was interested in journalism. He bought the paper because it was a mechanism to gain influence in New York," Spiers said. "He was angry at the media because he thought the media was partly responsible for his father going to jail." She said she told Kushner that "you realise if we did this story, if anything is wrong, even by accident, he has a malice precondition, and Jared didn't know what I was talking about". A public official who sues for libel must show that the publication had "actual malice" against the subject of the story. Spiers gave the tip to two reporters, but they could not substantiate it. Kushner insisted on meeting with the reporters twice and brought in a source to speak with them, according to Foster Kamer, one of the reporters. Still, it could not be confirmed. Kamer said that Kushner had put him in an improper position.

"To Jared, it was such a benign thing, and to myself, it was just one of the most deeply offensive  things that had ever happened to me professionally," Kamer said. In the end, the reporters and Spiers convinced Kushner that the tip did not check out, and no story was published. "I think it took a year off my life to pursue that story," Spiers said. "Every meeting I had with him, he asked, 'So how's that story coming?' " Trust and conflicts Kushner was asked in March 2016 at a forum how he managed conflicts between his real estate business and the Observer. He brushed off the question.

"If you don't want conflicts, just go into your apartment and lock the door, don't go to work, don't do anything," he said. "But as it comes up, you trust people to do the right things, and we found that we really haven't had any issues." Kushner divested himself of his interest in 666 Fifth Avenue when he joined the administration, although he kept stakes in about 90 per cent of his real estate holdings, valued between $US132 million and $US407 million. He resigned from the family business and pledged a clear ethical divide. But ethics experts say his remaining business ties - many in partnerships and companies that cannot be easily traced - call for fuller disclosure. An associate defended Kushner by saying the newspaper owner spent less than 1 per cent of his time on the Observer and was not involved in daily operations. As Kushner gave less attention to his newspaper, he hired a close friend, Ken Kurson, to become editor in 2013. Kurson, who announced this past week that he was stepping down from his Observer job, said in an interview that those "who poke fun at the enormous portfolio" Kushner has at the White House fail to appreciate what he has gone through during the past decade - and what he means to Trump. "It overlooks, first of all, the complexity and depth of what he has achieved in his business career," Kurson said of Kushner. "It overlooks the major factor of how leaders select their teams. It is trust."
London: The head of Manchester's police force says he is proud his officers do not all carry guns, after being asked if British police officers should be armed like their counterparts in Australia to deal with the elevated terror threat.

The comments came during an exchange with an Australian caller - "Steve from Sydney" - who phoned into BBC Manchester's radio morning program to question Chief Constable Ian Hopkins. The police chief has been the face of the investigation into the suicide bombing at Manchester Arena last week, in which 22 people were killed and scores more were injured while attending an Ariana Grande concert.

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Ian Hopkins meets with Prime Minister Theresa May following the attack. Credit:Getty Images

Chief Constable Hopkins spent one hour on Tuesday morning, British time, taking questions from the public. Half-way into the program he received a question on the hotly-debated question as to whether English police officers should all be allowed to carry guns.

"Should the UK police officers maybe consider [allowing] police officer to carry hand guns like we do here," Steve asked, citing the case of PC Keith Palmer who was stabbed to death by terrorist Khalid Massood outside Westminster in March. British media reported that Masood was shot dead by an armed officer attached to a Government minister.
The Central Board of Excise and Customs has made available a new FAQ that answers all your questions about the Goods and Services Tax that will come to effect starting July 1.

By India Today Web Desk: 1) What is Goods and Services Tax (GST)?

It is a destination based tax on consumption of goods and services. It is proposed to be levied at all stages right from manufacture up to final consumption with credit of taxes paid at previous stages available as set off. In a nutshell, only value addition will be taxed and burden of tax is to be borne by the final consumer.

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2) What exactly is the concept of destination based tax on consumption?

The tax would accrue to the taxing authority which has jurisdiction over the place of consumption which is also termed as place of supply.

3) Which of the existing taxes are proposed to be subsumed under GST?

The GST would replace the following taxes:

(i) Taxes currently levied and collected by the Centre:

Central Excise duty

Duties of Excise (Medicinal and Toilet Preparations)

Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance)

Additional Duties of Excise (Textiles and Textile Products)

Additional Duties of Customs (commonly known as CVD)

Special Additional Duty of Customs (SAD)

Service Tax.

Central Surcharges and Cesses so far as they relate to supply of goods and services

(ii) State taxes that would be subsumed under the GST are:

State VAT

Central Sales Tax

Luxury Taxd. Entry Tax (all forms)

Entertainment and Amusement Tax (except when levied by the local bodies)

Taxes on advertisements

Purchase Tax. Taxes on lotteries, betting and gambling.

State Surcharges and Cesses so far as they are late to supply of goods and services.

The GST Council shall make recommendations to the Union and States on the taxes, cesses and surcharges levied by the Centre, the States and the local bodies which may be subsumed in the GST.

4) What principles were adopted for subsuming the above taxes under GST?

The various Central, State and Local levies were examined to identify their possibility of being subsumed under GST. While identifying, the following principles were kept in mind:

(i) Taxes or levies to be subsumed should be primarily in the nature of indirect taxes, either on the supply of goods or on the supply of services.

(ii) Taxes or levies to be subsumed should be part of the transaction chain which commences with import/manufacture/ production of goods or provision of services at one end and the consumption of goods and services at the other.

(iii) The subsumation should result in free flow of tax credit in intra and inter-State levels. The taxes, levies and fees that are not specifically related to supply of goods and services should not be subsumed under GST.

(v) Revenue fairness for both the Union and the States individually would need to be attempted.

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5) Which are the commodities proposed to be kept outside the purview of GST?

Article 366(12A) of the Constitution as amended by 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 defines the Goods and Services tax (GST) as a tax on supply of goods or services or both, except supply of alcoholic liquor for human consumption. So alcohol for human consumption is kept out of GST by way of definition of GST in constitution. Five petroleum products viz. petroleum crude, motor spirit (petrol), high speed diesel, natural gas and aviation turbine fuel have temporarily been kept out and GST Council shall decide the date from which they shall be included in GST. Furthermore, electricity has been kept out of GST.

6) What will be the status in respect of taxation of above commodities after introduction of GST?

The existing taxation system (VAT and Central Excise) will continue in respect of the above commodities.

7) What will be status of Tobacco and Tobacco products under the GST regime?

Tobacco and tobacco products would be subject to GST. In addition, the Centre would have the power to levy Central Excise duty on these products.

8) What type of GST is proposed to be implemented?

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It would be a dual GST with the Centre and States simultaneously levying it on a common tax base. The GST to be levied by the Centre on intra-State supply of goods and / or services would be called the Central GST (CGST) and that to be levied by the States/ Union territory would be called the State GST (SGST)/ UTGST. Similarly, Integrated GST (IGST) will be levied and administered by Centre on every inter-state supply of goods and services.

9) Why is Dual GST required?

India is a federal country where both the Centre and the States have been assigned the powersto levy and collect taxes through appropriate legislation. Both the levels of Government have distinct responsibilities to perform according to the division of powers prescribed in the Constitution for which they need to raise resources. A dual GST will, therefore, be in keeping with the Constitutional requirement of fiscal federalism.

10) Which authority will levy and administer GST?

Centre will levy and administer CGST and IGST while respective states/UTs will levy and administer SGST/UTGST.

11) Why was the Constitution of India amended recently in the context of GST?

Currently, the fiscal powers between the Centre and the States are clearly demarcated in the Constitution with almost no overlap between the respective domains. The Centre has the powers to levy tax on the manufacture of goods (except alcoholic liquor for human consumption, opium, narcotics etc.) while the States have the powers to levy tax on the sale of goods. In the case of inter-State sales, the Centre has the power to levy a tax (the Central Sales Tax) but, the tax is collected and retained entirely by the States. As for services, it is the Centre alone that is empowered to levy service tax.

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Introduction of the GST required amendments in the Constitution so as to simultaneously empower the Centre and the States to levy and collect this tax. The Constitution of India has been amended by the Constitution (one hundred and first amendment) Act, 2016 for this purpose. Article 246A of the Constitution empowers the Centre and the States to levy and collect the GST.

12. How a particular transaction of goods and services would be taxed simultaneously under Central GST (CGST) and State GST (SGST)

The Central GST and the State GST would be levied simultaneously on every transaction of supply of goods and services except the exempted goods and services, goods which are outside the purview of GST and the transactions which are below the prescribed threshold limits. Further, both would be levied on the same price or value unlike State VAT which is levied on the value of the goods inclusive of CENVAT. While the location of the supplier and the recipient within the country is immaterial for the purpose of CGST, SGST would be chargeable only when the supplier and the recipient are both located within the State.

Illustration I:

Suppose hypothetically that the rate of CGST is 10 per cent and that of SGST is 10 per cent. When a wholesale dealer of steel in Uttar Pradesh supplies steel bars and rods to a construction company which is also located within the same State for, say Rs 100, the dealer would charge CGST of Rs 10 and SGST of Rs 10 in addition to the basic price of the goods. He would be required to deposit the CGST component into a Central government account while the SGST portion into the account of the concerned State Government.

Of course, he need not actually pay Rs 20 (Rs 10 + Rs 10) in cash as he would be entitled to set off this liability against the CGST or SGST paid on his purchases (say, inputs). But for paying CGST he would be allowed to use only the credit of CGST paid on his purchases while for SGST he can utilize the credit of SGST alone. In other words, CGST credit cannot, in general, be used for payment of SGST. Nor can SGST credit be used for payment of CGST.

Illustration II:

Suppose, again hypothetically, that the rate of CGST is 10 per cent and that of SGST is 10 per cent. When an advertising company located in Mumbai supplies advertising services to a company manufacturing soap also located within the State of Maharashtra for, let us say Rs 100, the ad company would charge CGST of Rs 10 as well as SGST of Rs 10 to the basic value of the service. He would be required to deposit the CGST component into a Central Government account while the SGST portion into the account of the concerned State Government.

Of course, he need not again actually pay Rs 20 (Rs 10 + Rs 10) in cash as it would be entitled to set-off this liability against the CGST or SGST paid on his purchase (say, of inputs such as stationery, office equipment, services of an artist etc.). But for paying CGST he would be allowed to use only the credit of CGST paid on its purchase while for SGST he can utilise the redit of SGST alone. In other words, CGST credit cannot, in general, be used for payment of SGST. Nor can SGST credit be used for payment of CGST.

13) What are the benefits which the Country will accrue from GST?

Introduction of GST would be a very significant step in the field of indirect tax reforms in India. By amalgamating a large number of Central and State taxes into a single tax and allowing set-off of prior-stage taxes, it would mitigate the ill effects of cascading and pave the way for a common national market. For the consumers, the biggest gain would be in terms of a reduction in the overall tax burden on goods, which is currently estimated at 25 per cent - 30 per cent. Introduction of GST would also make our products competitive in the domestic and international markets. Studies show that this would instantly spur economic growth. There may also be revenue gain for the Centre and the States due to widening of the tax base, increase in trade volumes and improved tax compliance. Last but not the least, this tax, because of its transparent character, would be easier to administer.

14) What is IGST?

Under the GST regime, an Integrated GST (IGST) would be levied and collected by the Centre on inter-State supply of goods and services. Under Article 269A of the Constitution, the GST on supplies in the course of inter-state trade or commerce shall be levied and collected by the Government of India and such tax shall be apportioned between the Union and the States in the manner as may be provided by Parliament by law on the recommendations of the Goods and Services Tax Council.

15) Who will decide rates for levy of GST?

The CGST and SGST would be levied at rates to be jointly decided by the Centre and States. The rates would be notified on the recommendations of the GST Council.

16) What would be the role of GST Council?

A GST Council would be constituted comprising the Union Finance Minister (who will be the Chairman of the Council), the Minister of State (Revenue) and the State Finance/Taxation Ministers to make recommendations to the Union and the States on

(i) the taxes, cesses and surcharges levied by the Centre, the States and the local bodies which may be subsumed under GST;

(ii) the goods and services that may be subjected to or exempted from the GST;

(iii) the date on which the GST shall be levied on petroleum crude, high speed diesel, motor spirit (commonly known as petrol), natural gas and aviation turbine fuel;

(iv) model GST laws,principles of levy,apportionment of IGST and the principles that govern the place of supply;

(v) the threshold limit of turnover below which the goods and services may be exempted from GST;

(vi) the rates including floor rates with bands of GST;

(vii)any special rate or rates for a specified period to raise additional resources during any natural calamity or disaster;

(viii) special provision with respect to the North East States, J and K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand; and

(ix) any other matter relating to the GST, as the Council may decide.

17) What is the guiding principle of GST Council?

The mechanism of GST Council would ensure harmonization on different aspects of GST between the Centre and the States as well as among States. It has been provided in the Constitution (one hundred and first amendment) Act, 2016 that the GST Council, in its discharge of various functions, shall be guided by the need for a harmonized structure of GST and for the development of a harmonized national market for goodsand services.

18) How will decisions be taken by GST Council?

The Constitution (one hundred and first amendment) Act, 2016 provides that every decision of the GST Council shall be taken at a meeting by a majority of not less than 3/4th of the weighted votes of the Members present and voting. The vote of the Central Government shall have a weightage of 1/3rd of the votes cast and the votes of all the State Governments taken together shall have a weightage of 2/3rd of the total votes cast in that meeting. One half of the total number of members of the GST Council shall constitute the quorum at its meetings.

19) Who is liable to pay GST under the proposed GST regime?

Under the GST regime, tax is payable by the taxable person on the supply of goods and/or services. Liability to pay tax arises when the taxable person crosses the turnover threshold of Rs 20 lakhs (Rs 10 lakhs for NE and Special Category States) except in certain specified cases where the taxable person is liable to pay GST even though he has not crossed the threshold limit. The CGST / SGST is payable on all intra-State supply of goods and/or services and IGST is payable on all inter- State supply of goods and/or services. The CGST /SGST and IGST are payable at the ratesspecified in the Schedules to the respective Acts.

20) What are the benefits available to small tax payers under the GST regime?

Tax payers with an aggregate turnover in a financial year u p t o [Rs.20 lakhs & Rs.10 Lakhs for NE and special category states] would be exempt from tax. Further, a person whose aggregate turnover in the preceding financial year is less than Rs.50 Lakhs can opt for a simplified composition scheme where tax will payable at a concessional rate on the turnover in a state. [Aggregate turnover shall include the aggregate value of all taxable supplies, exempt supplies and exports of goods and/or services and exclude taxes viz. GST.] Aggregate turnover shall be computed on all India basis. For NE States and special category states, the exemption threshold shall be [Rs 10 lakhs]. All taxpayers eligible for threshold exemption will have the option of paying tax with input tax credit (ITC) benefits. Tax payers making inter-State supplies or paying tax on reverse charge basis shall not be eligible for threshold exemption.

21) How will the goods and services be classified under GST regime?

HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) code shall be used for classifying the goods under the GST regime. Taxpayers whose turnover is above Rs 1.5 crores but below Rs 5 crores shall use 2-digit code and the taxpayers whose turnover is Rs 5 crores and above shall use 4-digit code. Taxpayers whose turnover is below Rs. 1.5 crores are not required to mention HSN Code in their invoices. Services will be classified as per the Services Accounting Code (SAC).

22) How will imports be taxed under GST?

Imports of Goods and Services will be treated as inter-state supplies and IGST will be levied on import of goods and services into the country. The incidence of tax will follow the destination principle and the tax revenue in case of SGST will accrue to the State where the imported goods and services are consumed. Full and complete set-off will be available on the GST paid on import on goods and services.

23) How will Exports be treated under GST?

Exports will be treated as zero rated supplies. No tax will be payable on exports of goods or services, however credit of input tax credit will be available and same will be available as refund to the exporters. The Exporter will have an option to either pay tax on the output and claimrefund of IGST or export under Bond without payment of IGST and claim refund of Input Tax Credit (ITC).

24) What is the scope of composition scheme under GST?

Small taxpayers with an aggregate turnover in a preceding financial year up to [Rs 50 lakhs] shall be eligible for composition levy. Under the scheme, a taxpayer shall pay tax as a percentage of his turnover in a state during the year without the benefit of ITC. The rate of tax for CGST and SGST/UTGST shall not be less than [1 per cent for manufacturer & 0.5 per cent in other cases; 2.5 per cent for specific services as mentioned in para 6(b) of Schedule II Viz Serving of food or any other article for human consumption]. A tax payer opting for composition levy shall not collect any tax from his customers. The government may increase the above said limit of 50 lakhs rupees to up to one crore rupees, on the recommendationof GST Council.

Tax payers making inter- state supplies or making supplies through e-commerce operators who are required to collect tax at source shall not be eligible for composition scheme.

25) Will the composition scheme be optional?

Yes.

26) What is GSTN and its role in the GST regime?

GSTN stands for Goods and Service Tax Network (GSTN). A Special Purpose Vehicle called the GSTN has been set up to cater to the needs of GST. The GSTN shall provide a shared IT infrastructure and services to Central and State Governments, tax payers and other stakeholders for implementation of GST. The functions of the GSTN would, inter alia, include:

(i) facilitating registration

(ii) forwarding the returns to Central and State authorities

(iii) computation and settlement of IGST

(iv) matching of tax payment details with banking network

(v) providing various MIS reports to the Central and the State Governments based on the tax payer return information

(vi) providing analysis of tax payers' profile, and

(vii) running the matching engine for matching, reversal and reclaim of input tax credit.

The GSTN is developing a common GST portal and applications for registration, payment, return and MIS/reports. The GSTN would also be integrating the common GST portal with the existing tax administration IT systems and would be building interfaces for tax payers. Further, the GSTN is developing back-end modules like assessment, audit, refund, appeal etc. for 19 States and UTs (Model II States). The CBEC and Model I States (15 States) are themselves developing their GST back-end systems. Integration of GST front-end system with back-end systems will have to be completed and tested well in advance for making the transition smooth.

27) How are the disputes going to be resolved under the GST regime?

The Constitution (one hundred and first amendment) Act, 2016 provides that the Goods and Services Tax Council shall establish a mechanism to adjudicate any dispute-

between the Government of India and one or more States; or

between the Government of India and any State or States on one side and one or more other Sates on the other side; or

between two or more States, arising out of the recommendations of the Council or implementation thereof.

28) What is the purpose of compliance rating mechanism?

As per Section 149 of the CGST/SGST Act, every registered person shall be assigned a compliance rating based on the record of compliance in respect of specified parameters. Such ratings shall also be placed in the public domain. A prospective client will be able to see the compliance ratings of suppliers and take a decision as to whether to deal with a particular supplier or not. This will create healthy competition amongst taxable persons.

29) Are actionable claims liable to GST?

As per section 2(52) of the CGST/SGST Act actionable claims are to be considered as goods. Schedule III read with Section 7 of the CGST/SGST Act lists the activities or transactions which shall be treated neither as supply of goods nor supply of services. The Schedule lists actionable claims other than lottery, betting and gambling as one of such transactions. Thus only lottery, betting and gambling shall be treated as supplies under the GST regime. All the other actionable claims shall not be supplies.

30) Are transaction in securities be taxable in GST?

Securities have been specifically excluded from the definition of goods as well as services. Thus, the transaction in securities shall not be liable to GST.

31) What is the concept of Information Return?Information return is based on the idea of verifying the compliance levels of registered persons through information procured from independent third party sources. As per section 150 of the CGST/SGST Act, many authorities who are responsible for maintaining records of registration or statement of accounts or any periodic return or document containing details of payment of tax and other details of transaction of goods or services or both ortransactions related to a bank account or consumption of electricity or transaction of purchase, sale or exchange of goods or property or right or interest in a property under any law for the time being in force, are mandated to furnish an information return of the same in respect of such periods, within such time, in such form and manner and to such authority or agency as may be prescribed. Failure to do so may result in penalty being imposed as per Section 123.

32) Different companies have different types of accounting software packages and no specific format are mandated for keeping records. How will department be able to read into these complex software?

As per Section 153 of the CGST/SGST Act, having regard to the nature and complexity of a case and in the interest of revenue, department may take assistance from an expert at any state of scrutiny, inquiry, investigation or any other proceedings.

33) Is there any provision in GST for tax treatment of goods returned by the recipient?

Yes, Section 34 deals with such situations. Where the goods supplied are returned by the recipient, the registered person (supplier of goods) may issue to the recipient a credit note containing the prescribed particulars. The details of the credit note shall be declared by the supplier in the returns for the month during which such credit note was issued but not later than September following the end of the year in which such supply was made or the date of filing of the relevant annual return, whichever is earlier. The details of the credit note shall be matched with the corresponding reduction in claim for input tax credit by the recipient in his valid return for the same tax period or any subsequent tax period and the claim for reduction in output tax liability by the supplier that matches with the corresponding reduction in claim for ITC by the recipient shall be finally accepted and communicated to both parties.

34) What is Anti-Profiteering measure?

As per section 171 of the CGST/SGST Act, any reduction in rate of tax on any supply of goods or services or the benefit of input tax credit shall be passed on to the recipient by way of commensurate reduction in prices. An authority may be constituted by the government to examine whether input tax credits availed by any registered person or the reduction in the tax rate have actually resulted in a commensurate reduction in the price of the goods or services or both supplied by him.

LEVY OF AND EXEMPTION FROM TAX

1) Where is the power to levy GST derived from?

Article 246A of the Constitution, which was introduced by the Constitution (101st Amendment) Act, 2016 confers concurrent powers to both, Parliament and State Legislatures to make laws with respect to GST i.e. Central tax (CGST) and state tax (SGST) or union territory tax (UTGST). However, clause 2 of Article 246A read with Article 269A provides exclusive power to the Parliament to legislate with respect to inter-State trade or commerce i.e. Integrated tax (IGST).

2) What is the taxable event under GST?

Taxable event under GST is supply of goods or services or both. CGST and SGST/ UTGST will be levied on intra-State supplies. IGST will be levied on inter-State supplies.

3) Whether supplies made without consideration will also come within the purview of supply under GST?

Yes, but only those activities which are specified in Schedule I to the CGST Act / SGST Act. The said provision has been adopted in IGST Act as well as in UTGST Act also.

4) Will giving away essential commodities by a charitable institution be taxable activity?

In order to be a supply which is taxable under GST, the transaction should be in the course or furtherance of business. As there is no quid pro quo involved in supply for charitable activities, it is not a supply under GST.

5) Who can notify a transaction to be supply of goods or services?

Central Government or State Government, on the recommendations of the GST Council, can notify an activity to be the supply of goods and not supply of services or supply of services and not supply of goods or neither a supply of goods nor a supply of services.

6) What are composite supply and mixed supply? How are these two different from each other?Composite supply is a supply consisting of two or more taxable supplies of goods or services or both or any combination thereof, which are bundled in natural course and are supplied in conjunction with each other in the ordinary course of business and where one of which is a principal supply. For example, when a consumer buys a television set and he also gets warranty and a maintenance contract with the TV, this supply is a composite supply. In this example, supply of TV is the principal supply, warranty and maintenance service are ancillary.

Mixed supply is combination of more than one individual supplies of goods or services or any combination thereof made in conjunction with each other for a single price, which can ordinarily be supplied separately. For example, a shopkeeper selling storage water bottles along with refrigerator. Bottles and the refrigerator can easily be priced and sold separately.

7) What is the treatment of composite supply and mixed supply under GST?

Composite supply shall be treated as supply of the principal supply. Mixed supply would be treated as supply of that particular goods or services which attracts the highest rate of tax. 8) Are all goods and services taxable under GST?

Supplies of all goods and services are taxable except alcoholic liquor for human consumption. Supply of petroleum crude, high speed diesel, motor spirit (commonly nown as petrol), natural gas and aviation turbine fuel shall be taxable with effect from a future date. This date would be notified by the Government on the recommendations of the GST Council.

9) What is meant by Reverse Charge?

It means the liability to pay tax is on the recipient of supply of goods and services instead of the supplier of such goods or services in respect of notified categories of supply.

10) Is the reverse charge mechanism applicable only to services?

No, reverse charge applies to supplies of both goods and services, as notified by the Government on the recommendations of the GST Council.

11) What will be the implications in case of receipt of supply from unregistered persons?

In case of receipt of supply from an unregistered person, the registered person who is receiving goods or services shall be liable to pay tax under reverse charge mechanism.

12) Can any person other than the supplier or recipient be liable to pay tax under GST?

Yes, the Central/State government can specify categories of services the tax on which shall be paid by the electronic commerce operator, if such services are supplied through it and all the provisions of the Act shall apply to such electronic commerce operator as if he is the person liable to pay tax in relation to supply of such services.

13) What is the threshold for opting to pay tax under the composition scheme?

The threshold for composition scheme is Rs 50 lakh of aggregate turnover in the preceding financial year. The benefit of composition scheme can be availed up to the turnover of Rs 50 lakh in current financial year.14) What are the rates of tax for composition scheme?There are different rates for different sectors. In normal cases of supplier of goods (i.e. traders), the composition rate is 0.5 % of the turnover in a State or Union territory. If the person opting for composition scheme is manufacturer, then the rate is 1 per cent of the turnover in a State or Union territory. In case of restaurant services, it is 2.5 per cent of the turnover in a State or Union territory. These rates are under one Act, and samerate would be applicable in the other Act also. So, effectively, the composition rates (combined rate under CGST and SGST/UTGST) are 1 per cent, 2 per cent and 5 per cent for normal supplier, manufacturer and restaurant service respectively.

15) A person availing composition scheme during a financial year crosses the turnover of Rs 50 lakh during the course of the year i.e. say he crosses the turnover of Rs 50 lakh in December? Will he be allowed to pay tax under composition scheme for the remainder of the year i.e. till 31st March?

No. The option availed shall lapse from the day on which his aggregate turnover during the financial yearexceeds Rs 50 lakh.

16) Will a taxable person, having multiple registrations, be eligible to opt for composition scheme only for a few of registrations?All registered persons having the same Permanent Account Number (PAN) have to opt for composition scheme. If one registered person opts for normal scheme, others become ineligible for composition scheme.

17) Can composition scheme be availed of by a manufacturer and a service supplier?

Yes, a manufacturer can opt for composition scheme generally. However, a manufacturer of goods, which would be notified on the recommendations of the GST Council, cannot opt for this scheme. This scheme is not available for services sector, except restaurants.

Courtesy: Central Board of Excise and Customs.

Also read:

What is the GST bill? Here's all you need to know about India's biggest tax reform

How Goods and Services Tax (GST) brings a certain order to India's complex taxation process

--- ENDS ---
Beijing: For Taiwan, it has been the best of weeks and the worst of weeks.

First it suffered its biggest diplomatic humiliation in a decade, shut out of the world's peak health summit in Geneva, at China's demand.

Yet just two days later, the island was exalted by the international community for breaking new ground in Asia as Taiwan's high court ruled in favour of same-sex marriage.

Both events came as Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen marked a year since her inauguration, and a seismic shift in Taiwan's politics.
Beijing: North Korea has revealed why it launched an older style, short-range Scud missile on Monday.

After a flurry of launches this year that have alarmed the international community because they appear to significantly extend the range that North Korea's missiles could travel, the "cheap" Scud fired on Monday travelled just 450 kilometres.

But North Korean missile watchers believe the regime's latest launch could be an attempt to perfect a guided-missile system, which, if combined with the longer range missiles capable of flying 4500 kilometres, could allow North Korea to conduct precise attacks against military targets.

This theory appeared to be confirmed on Tuesday, as North Korean media reported its leader Kim Jong-un had watched the test "through a precision control guidance system" a day earlier.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On the heels of a Grand Opening Ceremony held on Friday, May 26, 2017, for its new Showroom at Cole Bay, Motorworld is hosting a week of activities to show appreciation to its customers in Sint Maarten/Saint Martin.

The Motorworld Sales Team and other staff members began the week of activities despite the heavy rainy weather on the morning of Monday, May 29 and will continue until Saturday, June 3.

Managing Director of Motorworld Tariq Amjad said the appreciation activities are a demonstration of the companys gratitude to all customers for making the brand new Showroom possible.

All of our customers and even members of the wider community are encouraged to drop into the new Showroom during the course of this week, said Mr. Amjad. Prices on all models have been reduced significantly for this week only. There will be free food, drinks and giveaway items to our loyal customers, so do not miss this special opportunity.

There will be special discounts up to $3,000 off on all our brands, including Hyundai, Honda, Ford, Jeep, Ram, Mazda, Volkswagen and Audi models, but only during our Customer Appreciation Week, he reiterated.

All of the six major banks in the territory will be present throughout the week to give on-the-spot financing advice on loans to potential customers or interested persons who simply need more information on how they can become a new vehicle owner. These are Scotiabank, PSB Bank, Banco Di Caribe, WIB, CIBC First Caribbean and RBC Royal Bank.

The building which houses the new Showroom is more than 15,200 square feet and is designed to withstand earthquakes and Category Five hurricanes. There is a modern dedicated customer lounge, a power bank with charging stations and a customized reception desk, with the entire Sales Team based on the ground floor to serve customers.
Harbour View:--- As announced earlier the theme of the 6th annual Governors Symposium is ICT Governance  Shaping our Future. The event will be held at the auditorium of the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, in Cupecoy, on Friday, June 23, 2017.

As usual attendance at the Governors Symposium is by invitation only due to limited space. Preparations for the symposium, including the invitation list, are ongoing. The organizing committee is, therefore, requesting persons 18 years and older who are interested in attending the symposium to visit the website or Facebook page of The Governor of Sint Maarten and submit their personal contact information. The deadline to sign-up online is June 5, 2017. Based on the information submitted, 50 persons will be selected and added to the list of invitees.

This years symposium will feature national, regional and international speakers who will share their views and ideas and participate in an interactive panel discussion with the audience. In particular, the speakers will address ICT infrastructure, innovations, threats, cybersecurity and governance issues relevant to the shaping of our future. In addition, students will also present their research projects.

For information on Governors Symposium visit the website of the Governor of Sint Maarten: www.kabgsxm.com.
GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, strongly advises against any swimming in Great Bay on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning up until midday.

This advisory is in relation to water that is being released into Great Bay from the Fresh WatPondond. The channel on Great Bay beach at the mouth of the Fresh Water pond was opened in order to lower the water levels due to the heavy rainfall the country experienced on Monday morning.

This water can be contaminated, from amongst others, rainwater runoff into the aforementioned.

CPS advisory is a precautionary measure to prevent swimmers from coming into contact with any contaminated water that could pose a health risk if ingested or by skin contact, thereby making the person vulnerable to recreational water illnesses.

The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) commenced early Monday morning with the opening of the channel on Great Bay beach allowing the excessive rain water to go into bay.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Andrew Crawford, the CEO of Sounds Air, an airline in New Zealand and almost on the opposite side of the globe, will make a presentation at the Caribbean Aviation Meetup in St.Maarten, June 13-15.

It takes record-breaking numbers for him to come to the event in the Caribbean. Flying from Blenheim, where his company is headquartered to Auckland, New Zealand, then across the Pacific to Los Angeles and on to Miami for the final leg to St.Maarten. All in all, it is a trip of 33 hours of which 24 hours in the air and crossing 10 time zones.

The Caribbean conference seems to be the ideal platform to connect with a lot of like-minded people. I have spoken at several conferences in Australia and always had a good reception. We are passionate about aviation, especially in the General Aviation and small airline sector and feel the experience we have gained in 30 years of operation is something that would be good to share, says Andy who is looking forward to coming to St.Maarten. What excites me about joining at this particular conference in the Caribbean is, that its catering to a niche market in our area of expertise. Hopefully, we can impart some knowledge and learn a lot ourselves.

Under his leadership, Sounds Air provided its airline services to more than 100,000 passengers last year with its fleet of ten small aircraft. The operation has come a long way. The original founders of the airline had a vision of providing low-cost inter-island transport to provide locals and tourists with easy access to the Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of sea-drowned valleys at the north end of the South Island of New Zealand. In 2003, the operation had only one single 12-seater Cessna Caravan flying one route, moving 14,000 people who were opting out of the three-and-a-half hour drudgery of the sea ferry between the North and South Island of the country, for the much faster scenic flight across Cook Strait.

I am always excited to see a new part of the aviation world. The Caribbean has a great history and tradition and I am excited to see what it offers. I was recently in Hawaii and took a great interest in the smaller airlines there. They are operating large Cessna Caravan fleets in high-frequency operations like ours; its great to see them being so successful. I am passionate about single engine turbine operations. We have been operating the Cessna Caravan for 30 years. They are a fantastic aircraft for our operation.

Extremely high on time dispatch rate for reasonable costs makes them the perfect aircraft for most of our sectors. We have 5 of them in our fleet along with 5 Pilatus PC12s.

This single-engine, turbine powered aircraft, are perfect for Sounds Air routes and providing high levels of passenger safety and comfort, as well as being very sturdy and extremely reliable aircraft to operate. The Caravans that Sounds Air is using, are also perfect planes for shifting freight. The airline is being approached by an increasing number of companies that want to shift perishables, lobsters, and fresh blood for hospitals around the country.

Some of the experiences I want to share are, of course, the 30 years of operation in the single engine, single pilot environment. What may be of special interest are the benefits of the airline enterprise software system we use and how it clearly shows how it has transformed our business. From reservations to online booking to flight management to maintenance scheduling and tracking to flight and duty to revenue management to GDS interface, it has transformed our business. These are the types of experience I want to share.

In the past, Sounds Air couldn't find an appropriate contractor who was suitable to maintain its aircraft when it wanted it maintained. Being annoyed of the delays that contractors were taking with their growing fleet, Sounds Air decided to do it themselves and they created an additional company, Sounds Aero Maintenance.

Similar to the smaller air transportation operations in the Caribbean, Sounds Air pilots are highly trained and more flexible in their landings than other providers, tailoring their approaches to suit the conditions. If it's a really windy northerly in Wellington, they come in slow and high and then get down to the ground quicker, instead of barrelling in at a certain speed, or a certain time they put the flaps down.

There are similarities between our operation and activities in New Zealand and operations in the Caribbean. We operate between two islands, single engine, over water. Sounds just like a Caribbean, just 30 degs cooler!!

Andy Crawford is proud of what his company has achieved, but likes deflect attention by saying people are only interested in aviation because of its sex appeal. From an airline that started as a tourism venture getting people in and out of the Marlborough Sounds, the company has successfully carved itself a niche in New Zealand aviation.
Historian, Political Scientist, Author

and the book launch of The Laws of St. Maarten (InfoMedias five-volume book project)

Keith C. Simmonds, Ph.D. (USA), political scientist, author, has taught at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Atlanta University, and Jackson State University. Dr. Simmonds has served as Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and chairperson of the Department of History and Political Science at Florida A&M University (FAMU). He also teaches university courses on public budgeting and finance, statistics for public managers, and human resource management. Through the leadership of Dr. Simmonds, the US government $2.5 million Center for Academic Excellence grant was awarded to establish the Center for Global Security and International Affairs at FAMU. He served as Director of the Center for five years and participated in a federal grant that was funded by the Russian and European Analysis (OREA) Office. Dr. Simmonds is the co-founder of the International Roundtable on Public Policy and Science. The roundtable has directed research presentations in Brazil and at FAMU. Dr. Simmonds has given research presentations in Mexico, South Africa, Ghana, Angola, Dominican Republic, Curacao, and China. He is involved in conducting faculty-led study abroad programs at FAMU that expose students to cultures of various nations. Books authored or edited by Keith Simmonds include Readings in Comparative Politics, Development Finance, and Economics (1996), Public Budgeting and Finance: An Interdisciplinary Approach (2010), Electoral Reform in the English-Speaking Caribbean  Blueprint for the 21st Century (2010), and Treasures of My Mind  A Book of Quotations (2017).




US Coast Guard finds a Dinghy in the surf near Morro Bay along the Central Coast

The dinghy was reported to have oars and a gas can inside, and is around 10 feet in length.

The Coast Guard responded to an unmanned and adrift dinghy near the coast of Montana de Oro State Park on Monday. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach command center received a report at approximately 3:30 p.m, of the unmanned dinghy.

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, Defense sources could not be reached for comment. But we wondered if North Korean operatives used the dinghy to infiltrate California, the most populous US State.

DPRK Special Forces have used Zodiacs (the commercial name for such a rubber raft), to infiltrate South Korea in the past. Memorial Day would present a perfect opportunity with so many US military personnel on leave. The Zodiac could have been launched from a submarine that surfaced before dawn, launched the craft, then quietly resubmerged.

President Donald Trump has indicated that he considers North Korea and its development of nuclear missile technology, to be the biggest threat to the US. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un apparently regards the United States, and the potential of a US invasion, as the biggest threat to his regime, which in turn causes the DPRK to develop advanced nuclear weapons. The Chinese have noted the tensions are at an historic high on the Korean Peninsula.

A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Morro Bay and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Forward Operating Base Point Mugu conducted several search patterns in the area looking for any possible missing persons. The dinghy was reported to have oars and a gas can inside, and is around 10 feet in length.

USCG Detail of the propellor

"Incidents have occurred where several agencies and assets are responding to adrift or unsecured personal watercraft, and these accidents can impede response and search capabilities to mariners in need of actual assistance," said the Coast Guard in a press release, which did not specify North Korea as the suspected source of the abandoned dinghy.

"Due to these incidents the Coast Guard advises mariners to exercise caution when inclement weather is forecasted and to ensure personal vessels are properly secured at all times. Anyone with information that may help locate the owners of the dinghy are asked to contact the Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach command center at (310) 521-3801," continued the Coast Guard's Los Angeles area command.
Berenice Onofre Vasquez, 70, earns her third degree from California State University Los Angeles

Berenice Onofre Vasquez previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Public Administration from California State University Los Angeles

When Berenice Onofre Vasquez walks across the stage to receive her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, it will mark a proud moment in a life-long journey for the 70-year-old Santa Monica grandmother.

As the oldest member of the California State University, Los Angeles Class of 2017, Onofre Vasquez has shown that that is never too late to pursue a passion.

She will conclude a long history of success at Cal State LA. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Public Administration from the University.

"When I got my BSN that was a very proud moment. Now I am getting my Ed.D. for a very clear purpose, it is amazing and I am really excited," she says. She will receive her degree during the Charter College of Education Ceremony on May 22.

Since her days as a child on a small farm in Peru, she has placed education at the center of her life. Her reason for pursuing an Ed.D. began taking shape long ago when she arrived in the United States at the age of 21.

After moving to Santa Monica with the help of her aunt, Onofre Vasquez enrolled at Santa Monica College to become a nurse, but she recalls being restricted to introductory level math courses due to her lack of English skills. Onofre Vasquez, a bright student who had attended a university in Peru, was frustrated. Then she heard from a fellow student that Cal State LA had an excellent nursing program.

Since then, Cal State LA has played an important role in her continued success, such as when she received her first paycheck as a registered nurse.

"It was my proudest moment as a product of Cal State LA," she says. "I really was very thankful to the institution and my teachers who helped me."

She worked nursing and nursing administration for about 38 years. A single parent, she often worked two jobs, but still found time to attend Cal State LA part time to further her education.

Juggling jobs and coursework wasn't always easy, but she coped during stressful times by telling herself: "I am knowledgeable, I am experienced. I am a Cal State LA graduate."

Her can-do attitude is showcased in her work on her dissertation, which focuses on the experience of Spanish-speaking Latino parents and the issues English learners face.

"Us immigrants, we come with the desire to do something better. To be somebody, to do something," she says.

Onofre Vazquez grew up raising chickens, cows and pigs on a small family farm, Caiqui, in the department of Huanuco, in central Peru. She attended the local school until third grade, the highest level the school offered. Her parents wanted her to continue her education, so she moved to the nearby city of Ambo to finish her elementary education. She attended high school in Lima, the capital of Peru, during the week, returning to the farm on weekends to visit her family.

She opened a school at Santa Isabel, a town in Huanuco, in a small room donated by the community. She worked there as a teacher and principal for two years. She later attended Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal (UNFV) in Lima to become a professor of chemistry, physics and mathematics.

Once she receives her Ed.D., Onofre Vasquez plans on teaching at a university and continuing her research related to Latino parent engagement and English learners. Her goal is to help Latino parents and English learners stand up for themselves and empower their communities.

"I hope that in my life I can contribute toward that," she says, "maybe in small ways, maybe in big ways."
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has a forward-thinking space program

While the United States increasingly puts science on the back burner, the United Arab Emirates is forging ahead with an ambitious program meant to increase knowledge and economic opportunities for its citizens.

Their long-term goal is to put men on Mars by 2117.

No Arab state has ever launched a spacecraft, but UAE intends to launch its first space probe in 2021 to celebrate the country's golden jubilee. That probe, named Al Amal (Hope), will mark the beginning of UAE's plan to become a significant player in space exploration.

Saeed al Gergawi, program director of Mars 2117, spoke at this year's Humans to Mars Summit in Washington, D. C.

"We believe that we are on the cusp of a new age for exploration, a new space race that affects literally every human on earth," he said.

Early images from UAE indicate plans for construction of an extensive infrastructure.

Al Gergawi hopes the project will get people, and particularly young people, excited about science and interplanetary exploration.

Last year, UAE made several significant moves forward in commitment toward its space effort.

At the January 2016 Global Art Forum, they conducted a panel discussion on their future in space, and the significance of having Arab countries enter into the 21at century Space Race.

In June 2016, UAE signed an outer space cooperative agreement with NASA. NASA reported that the agreement is "to cooperate in aeronautics research, and the exploration and use of airspace and outer space for peaceful purposes, working together in the peaceful use of outer space for the benefit of humanity."

NASA administrator Charles Bolden met with UAE Space Agency Chairman Khalifa Al Romaithi to discuss the possibility of putting men on Mars, and what that act would mean to the world.

"The United Arab Emirates and the United States of America are long-standing allies and have deep economic, cultural and diplomatic ties," said Al Romaithi. "We at the UAE Space Agency genuinely welcome the opportunity to collaborate and work with the USA and NASA in the fields of aeronautics, space science, and the peaceful exploration of outer space toward the common goal of fostering the well-being of humankind."

Al Romaithi noted the financial, scientific, and humanitarian benefits that could come from international collaboration.

"We believe that working alongside international partners is the best way to accelerate the development of space technologies and the space sector within the UAE," he said, adding "The space sector serves as catalysts for economic development and diversification, creating job opportunities and enabling scientists and engineers to become leaders of an industry that can bring huge benefits to our daily lives."
Unfazed that his nascent state lacks a single metropolitan centre, Naidu presented Andhra Pradesh in the US as a sunrise state on a transformational journey.

"Andhra Pradesh is ready to take off. We will create all the necessary conditions." Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's steady spiel over a week-long visit to woo investors, including Telugu expatriates, in the United States seems to have worked like a charm.

Unfazed that his nascent state lacks a single metropolitan centre, Naidu presented Andhra Pradesh as an opportunity- a "sunrise (state) on a transformational journey" with the goal of "promoting inclusive economic growth with happiness". He also made an emotional pitch to Telugu residents in the US while inviting them to partner in developing the new state capital, Amaravati, as one of the five best cities in the world.

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"Building a capital is both a challenge and opportunity for me," Naidu told them. "If you are part of the development plans for sustainable growth in the next 15 years, we can eliminate poverty in the state." He wanted investors to help create a new ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh, as it presents a rare opportunity to build systems from scratch. With Amaravati as the centre, he spoke of developing manufacturing, information technology and other sectoral hubs in each of the 13 districts.

By the time his seven days in the US came to an end on May 11, Naidu had 50 top North American corporates, including IT majors such as Apple, Cisco, Dell and Google, looking at the state with new interest. In fact, Cisco executive chairman John Chambers, a long-time admirer of Naidu, arranged an interaction with 30 CEOs at his home.

CM Naidu also invited Stanford University (incidentally his son Nara Lokesh and daughter-in-law Brahmani's alma mater) to be a 'knowledge partner' in the new Andhra Pradesh.

Later, the US-India Business Council (USIBC) felicitated him with the 'Transformative Chief Minister' award in recognition of his role in advancing US-India partnership at the state level.

Many of the CEOs and others Naidu met have been invited back to Andhra Pradesh as 'state guests' for a first-hand appraisal of what the state can offer. Among those expected to visit is Raja Krishnamoorthi, the first US Congressman of South Indian origin. Tellingly, Naidu's 16-member delegation included just one other politician, finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu. Others included advisors and civil servants responsible for infrastructure, IT and economic development.

--- ENDS ---
MOBI724 Global Solutions (CSE: MOS) (OTCQB: MOBIF) Files Q1 Financial Statements and Invites Current and Future Investors to a Webinar for a Material Management Update

MONTREAL, QUEBEC  (Marketwired)  05/29/17  MOBI724 Global Solutions Inc. (MOBI724 or the Company) (CSE: MOS)(OTCQB: MOBIF), a FinTech leader offering integrated EMV payment, Card-Linked Offers and Digital Marketing, hereby invites its current shareholders as well as the public to assist a webinar presided by Marcel Vienneau, CEO of MOBI724 to provide a management update and to answer questions further to the filings of the Q1 financial statements for March 31, 2017 and the management discussions and analysis.

Interested parties may log in at the following web address:

Please register for Management update on May 30, 2017 4:15 PM EST

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Brought to you by GoToWebinar Webinars Made Easy

About MOBI724 Global Solutions

Mobi724, a leader in the fintech industry based in Montreal (Canada), offers a unique and fully integrated suite of payment & digital marketing solutions with a combined EMV Payment, Card Linked Offers, and Digital Marketing platform that works on any card and any mobile device. Mobi724s solutions add value to all types of transactions benefiting banks, retailers and cardholders by leveraging available user and purchasing data to increase transaction volumes and spend. Mobi724 provides a turnkey solution to its clients to capture card transactions on any mobile device, at any point of sale or from any payment card. Mobi724 provides its customers with full and comprehensive traceability and enriched consumer data through its offering. Its solutions enables card associations, retailers, manufacturers, offer providers, mobile operators and card issuers to create, manage, deliver and track and measure incentive campaigns worldwide to any mobile device and allow its redemption at any point of sales.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this document, including those which express managements expectations or estimations with regard to the Companys future performance, constitute forward-looking statements as understood by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are, of necessity, based on a certain number of estimates and hypotheses; while management considers these to be accurate at the time they are expressed, they are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and risks on the commercial, economic and competitive levels. We advise readers that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other known and unknown factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Investors are advised to not rely unduly on the forward-looking statements. This advisory applies to all forward-looking statements, whether expressed orally or in writing, attributed to the Company or to any individual expressing them in the name of the Company. Unless required by law, the Company is under no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events, or other circumstances.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed this news release and does not accept responsibility for its adequacy or accuracy.

Contacts:

MOBI724 Global Solutions Inc.

Marcel Vienneau

1-514-394-5200 x 413
TrackX Reports a 414% Increase in Revenues Over Same Six-Month Period in Previous Year, New CFO Announced

DENVER, COLORADO  (Marketwired)  05/30/17  TrackX Holdings Inc. (TSX VENTURE: TKX) (TrackX or the Company) announces the financial and operational highlights from its second quarter ended March 31, 2017. All results are reported in Canadian dollars.

Financial Highlights

Several catalysts occurred during the quarter that contributed to our positive growth, said President and CEO Tim Harvie. We expanded our reach via our partnerships with Barcoding and All Premium. Going forward, our oversubscribed private placement solidified the Companys balance sheet to ensure that we can capitalize on new opportunities to grow our business.

Selected Financial Information

Q2 2017 and Subsequent Period Operational Highlights:

New CFO Appointment

In addition, the Company has appointed Mr. Gene McConnell, CA, of Denver, CO as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. McConnell is a partner with C Squared Solutions, LLC whose more than 30-year career includes serving as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Controller for companies in the technology, software, service, cable, manufacturing, finance and medical and dental products sectors. The company and wishes to thank Mr. Mark Lotz of Vancouver who served as CFO as TrackX transitioned to a public company.

About TrackX

TrackX, based in Denver, Colorado, is an enterprise Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) software platform provider leveraging multiple auto-ID technologies for the comprehensive management of physical assets. TrackXs Global Asset Management for the Enterprise (G.A.M.E.) enables the IIoT by providing unique item level tracking, workflow processing, event management, alerts and powerful analytics to deliver solutions across a growing number of industries. This platform creates unprecedented visibility and business intelligence of man-to-machine and machine-to-machine interaction. TrackX delivers significant value to a growing list of Fortune 500 companies and for customers in industries such as transportation, beverage, brewery, healthcare, hi-tech, hospitality, mining, agriculture, horticulture, manufacturing and government.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements that address future plans, activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur including the Companys anticipated pipeline and value of current and customer deployments and future opportunities are the managements best estimates and cannot be guaranteed or relied upon and is forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contacts:

Knox Henderson

TrackX Holdings Inc.

778-373-2003

Sean Peasgood

Sophic Capital

416-565-2805
NTT Introduces CloudWAN to Deliver Cloud-Ready Enterprise Networks Starting from South Africa and Japan

PALO ALTO, CA and JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA and TOKYO, JAPAN  (Marketwired)  05/30/17  NTT Innovation Institute Inc. (), a prominent Silicon Valley innovation center for NTT Group, and Internet Solutions (), the leading pan-African telecoms services provider, NTT PC Communications (), a network service and communication solution provider in Japan, announced today global collaboration on the delivery of .

A collaborative, worldwide development effort across several members of the , CloudWAN combines both software-defined Wide Area Network technology (SD-WAN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) into one environment, enabling enterprise customers to deliver advanced services to the computing edge.

CloudWAN delivers an enhanced user experience, powerful flexibility and agility to NTTs enterprise customers. With CloudWAN, enterprise customers can maintain and deliver high quality services, consistent policies and robust security.

With CloudWAN, NTT Group delivers one-stop productive operation management for the entire ICT environment, said Hiromichi Shinohara, Senior Executive Vice President, CTO for . By combining NTT i3s Silicon Valley-based R&D with the strengths and features of each NTT Group company, I believe we are a stronger company that significantly contributes to the business value of a wide variety of customers.

NTT is uniquely able to leverage the strengths and global presence of its operating companies to develop an open, agile product that weaves functionality into an intelligent service delivery fabric that drives rapid growth and expansion while minimizing network costs, reducing complexity and increasing control.

CloudWAN empowers businesses with an accelerated path to leverage new software easily and in an agile way at the edge of their network, said Nina Simosko, President and CEO, NTT i3. This opens the door to a whole new level of business flexibility and enables rapid business transformation, and that is the heart and soul of what we do here at NTT i3.

Todays enterprises must adapt to successfully achieve digital transformation, cloud-based consumption and infrastructure convergence. These paradigm shifts require a radically different approach to networking. CloudWAN offers enterprises a simple, three-step journey designed to modernize their network and transform their business.

As a first step, CloudWAN delivers a platform to link public and private clouds and on premise infrastructures into a. This new virtualized service plane provides the capability to then extend network services across the enterprise in a controlled and consistent way.

With a virtualized service plane in place, enterprises can now deploy third party virtualized network functions (NFV) such as firewall and WAN acceleration onto the unified virtual network, eliminating the need to send highly skilled network administrators onsite to manage the rollout.

The third step is where enterprises truly transform their business with the ability to rapidly deliver applications and services to the edge. In this case, necessary applications and services can be instantly deployed to user communities at the edges of the network.

The result of this modernization is that enterprise customers can now proactively plan for network needs, while also managing their existing infrastructure investments. Similarly, enterprise cloud operators running a wide range of traditional enterprise applications from multiple vendors or cloud-native workloads can flexibly consolidate their application silos into one universal data infrastructure.

Unified Virtual Network for linking public and private clouds, and on-premises infrastructure

Management support of infrastructure, network functions, and applications from a single cloud-based console

Extensible Network Functions provided by software that interoperates with the core virtual network

Integration of Business Applications and Services from the cloud to the edge of the network

Modularity and simplicity to scale distributed IT environment

Micro-service architecture for connected devices

Ecosystem of other network function providers that allow CloudWAN to flexibly fit into an existing enterprise IT landscape without disrupting prior infrastructure investments

Seamless unification of disparate network deployments

Site in a Box solution to standardize network technologies across diverse global locations or to streamline complex networks across various business units

COST:

Reduce setup and service costs of network products and apps

Reduce bandwidth cost by enabling alternate transport networks

COMPLEXITY:

Easier device management with network functions as a service on a single appliance

Reduce burden on overloaded subject matter experts

Easier network monitoring, debugging, and troubleshooting

CONTROL:

Improve ability to rapidly deploy centralized changes to the network edges

CloudWAN is a unified, virtual WAN and network function solution that simplifies the way you manage your network. The network essentially functions as a service on a single device, so you need just one device at each location instead of a complicated arrangement of network hardware. With CloudWAN, you no longer need to ship network devices, servers and applications to new sites. Even your skilled engineers can stay where they are and set up site-to-site VPN remotely.

It is critical that we provide our clients with a high performance, highly resilient network solution, said Saki Missaikos, Managing Director, Internet Solutions. Having an open ecosystem available to develop an adaptable platform that can morph along with rapidly developing technology changes and market needs is critical. Leveraging NTT i3s CloudWAN SD-WAN controller and ecosystem allows us to offer a high speed, reliable enterprise service to local enterprises.

For more information on CloudWAN from Internet Solutions, visit

NTT Communications group is promoting SDx + M, and NTTPC has been developing related services as a member of the group. NTTPC launch MastersONE CloudWAN Service suitable in the Japanese SME market empowered by NTTi3 CloudWAN technology.

NTTPC positioned the SD-WAN service as a next generation Network service. This service is terms of 3 features  Flexibility, Agility and Security, provide a unified VPN service by overlaying various networks. This connects various Clouds, large and small business sites as necessary.

As enterprise businesses move towards digitalization and cloud, NTT will continue to provide innovative solutions like CloudWAN which enable flexibility and agility, without compromising on performance, said Motoo Tanaka, President and CEO for NTT PC Communications.

For more information about MastersONE CloudWAN, please visit

NTT Innovation Institute, Inc. (NTT i3) is the Silicon Valley-based innovation center for NTT Group, one of the worlds largest ICT companies. Our approach to enterprise technology is driven by a commitment to discovering ambitious new ideas, developing them into robust technology platforms, and delivering them into the marketplace to be applied against significant and difficult industry, business, and human problems.

NTT i3 accelerates the movement of innovation from an initial idea in the lab to impact in the marketplace through our unique access to NTTs global infrastructure and investment resources, a significant network of research labs, long and trusted relationships with customers, and an engaged global community of collaborators in both established enterprise companies and the startup community. For more information, please visit .

Internet Solutions (IS) is a South African company founded in 1993. Owned by Dimension Data, it is an Internet Protocol (IP) communications service provider on the African continent. The company provides connectivity services, cloud offerings as well as carrier services to corporate enterprises. Today, IS is at the forefront of Internet Protocol-based technologies and it builds solutions and services tailored to the increasingly complex demands of organizations across the enterprise and public sector.

Internet Solutions maintains its own tier one international network and its own network nodes in North America, Europe and Asia, where it interconnects with Internet backbone providers. The company lands this international bandwidth at multiple points in Africa. Internet Solutions provides services to 80 percent of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. IS also has a presence in Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, Mauritius, Tanzania, Nigeria, Angola and Ghana. More information can be found at

NTTPC Communications Incorporated (NTTPC), established in 1985 is a subsidiary of NTT Communications, is a network service and communication solution provider in Japanese telco market, The company has been the most strategic technology company of the group throughout of years. NTTPC launched the 1st ISP service of the NTT group, so called InfoSphere at 1995, and also launched the 1st Internet Data Center and server hosting services of Japan so called WebARENA at 1997. NTTPC have always started something new in ICT market.

MastersONE is the VPN service based on the technology and skills related to the Internet services. In recent years NTTPC has grown a broadband VPN service that makes full use of the features of FLETS, Japanese broadband Network. In addition, and has been providing functionally and various services that can be combined with these network services.

For more information, please visit

Tatsuya Hisano

NTT Innovation Institute, Inc.

Mayur Soni

Internet Solutions

Motohiko Sato and Masaharu Hayashi

NTT PC Communications Incorporated

Public relations team:
VirtualHealth Receives Frost & Sullivans 2017 Product Leadership Award

NEW YORK, NY  (Marketwired)  05/30/17  , the leading provider of population health and care management technologies, announced today that it received Frost & Sullivans 2017 North America Product Leadership Award in Population Health Management (PHM). The award recognizes organizations for best-in-class product and customer service offerings that optimally meet market needs and offer a compelling value proposition. The award also considers achievements in customer satisfaction, pricing, and market share to identify the single company that rises above the competitive landscape and offers customers the most well-rounded solution set.

VirtualHealth is recognized in the healthcare industry for its cloud-based PHM platform, which was purpose-built for value-based care. The highly customizable enterprise platform offers unrivaled interoperability, proven population management capabilities, configurable workflows, and unprecedented implementation timelines. The solution also incorporates an uncommonly comprehensive functional set, including clinical care management, secure communication, community service management, connected device integration, and built-in provider and member portals.

According to Frost & Sullivan, patient care is moving to a broader coordinated environment where PHM solutions automate routine, manual tasks. Many PHM offerings do not allow for easy integration or interoperability between systems, creating gaps in care and patient management workflows. Frost & Sullivan notes that VirtualHealth recognized and overcame these challenges by taking the unique approach of building interfaces around customers preferred data formats. This allows it to rapidly deliver enterprise-wide interoperability while serving as the single hub connecting the many spokes within customers infrastructures.

Frost & Sullivan further states that, the company designed its platform with a modular design, supporting extensive customization and configurability and ensuring the product can cost-effectively tailor to each clients specific needs. As a result, VirtualHealth can keep the platforms price low, providing a cost-effective and customized PHM platform to a variety of stakeholders across the care continuum.

We are honored to be selected for this esteemed recognition, said VirtualHealth CEO Adam Sabloff. Receiving the Frost & Sullivan Product Leadership Award is a validation of our multi-year effort to build the industrys leading population health and care management platform that would fundamentally transform how healthcare is delivered in value-based settings. Today, our customers are delivering better care to a broader population by relying on the integration, insights, and intelligence provided by our solutions.

The VirtualHealth platform empowers organizations to reach or exceed quality and growth objectives in a number of situations by as much as 1000%. By enabling data to flow across previously siloed healthcare settings, providing collaboration and transparency across the care continuum, and continually expanding its capabilities, VirtualHealth helps to ensure customers achieve sustainable growth, improved health outcomes, and regulatory compliance.

provides the leading end-to-end technologies purposely built for value-based care. VirtualHealth offers a vast range of functionalities, including interdisciplinary clinical workflows, electronic health record aggregation, behavioral health management, broad spectrum telehealth, care team collaboration, real-time and predictive analytics, quality metrics, patient engagement, and customizable reporting. VirtualHealth empowers health plans, managed care organizations, government agencies, and accountable care organizations to provide patients with a better quality of life and enhanced outcomes while maximizing efficiency, improving transparency and lowering costs. VirtualHealth is a member of (HIMSS) and (AHIP) and an invited member of (HCEG). For more information, visit.

Contact:

Dana Levin-Robinson

646-603-3641
GPS over Fibre system to be showcased at IMS 2017 by ETL Systems

ETLs RF Components were recently utilized by service provider Timeline Television and system integrator ND SatCom

Madley, UK. 30 May 2017. ETL Systems, a global designer and manufacturer of RF signal distribution equipment for satellite communications, will be exhibiting its wide range of RF Components at the International Microwave Symposium (IMS)  the premier annual international meeting for technologists involved in all aspects of microwave theory and practice  in Hawaii, June 4-9.

ETL Systems RF Components were recently utilized in the building of broadcast technology and service provider, Timeline Televisions, first UHD production truck for use with major UK broadcasters. ETL components were also selected by ND SatCom to upgrade a VSAT system for an air traffic control provider in Africa.

At its stand (#605) at IMS, ETL will display its expanded portfolio of RF and microwave solutions, which now includes GPS over Fibre and other Global Positioning System (GPS) / Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) products such as GPS lightning arrestors, GPS line amplifiers, GPS splitters and GPS attenuators. Typical fields of application for these products include Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT).

ETLs GPS/GNSS over Fibre can transport a GPS signal from an antenna to a GPS receiver up to 10km away and the outdoor transmit unit features an IP65 rated weatherproof housing with flexible mounting options, said Dominic Overton, Components Sales Executive, at ETL Systems. With the news that Fiber-Span has gone out of business, we want to let their customers know we can support them.

ETLs GPS over Fibre is provided with short circuit protected 12V 500mA antenna power, with LED indicators for module and antenna power and status. Single or dual redundant external power supplies are available as an option, and the indoor receive modules feature antenna fail alarm pass through and can be provided as standalone units or housed in a 19 rack mount chassis, which can hold up to four modules.

Rounding off ETLs expanded portfolio are new RF and microwave custom filters, an outdoor range of components and waveguide assemblies.

ETL is able to offer custom RF and Microwave filters for 50? or 75? impedances and various connector types for many fields of application, including: telecom infrastructure, satellite systems, microwave links, test and instrumentation, cellular applications, military communications and radar networks. The company can supply cavity bandpass filters working within a frequency range of 100 MHz to 40 GHz and also microstrip filters, including suspended substrate technologies, for broadband performances covering frequencies within DC to 20 GHz.

We are seeing an increasing number of customer requirements for L band components to be installed outdoors in weatherproof housings for satcom applications, which is why ETL is expanding its range of standard RF components IP65 and IP67 rated for outdoor applications to now include RF Splitters/Combiners, Couplers, Multiplexers, Bias Tees, Impedance Transformers, and Line Amplifiers, said Overton.

ETL Systems also now offers precision made waveguide components for RF & microwave systems, which are all made to the highest quality standards and use International Flange styles and finishes to suit. Components are available in aluminium, brass or copper waveguide with aluminium or brass flanges fitted. Frequency ranges up to 40 GHz, & WR-650 to WR-28.

We are very much looking forward to showcasing our range of components which has grown over the past twelve months to delegates and visitors at IMS 2017, finished Esen Bayar, CTO at ETL Systems.

For further information about ETL Systems please see http://www.etlsystems.com/.

Visitors to IMS 2017 can discover more about ETL Systems range of solutions at Booth 605 at the Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu.
\A Zone Change Petition application has been submitted to change the zoning designation for a property in Mount Washington neighborhood. This submission is presently being considered by the Pittsburgh City Planning Commission which will be taking action in the near future.

An application was filed by Indovina Associates Architects on behalf of property owners, to change parcel 6-G- 251 in the Mount Washington neighborhood from Mixed-Use Planned Unit Development (AP) to Grandview Public Realm sub-district C (GPR-C). Enactment of this rezoning will permit the involved property to be developed only for uses permitted in the Grandview Public Realm  C (GPR-C) Zoning District.

The documents submitted as part of this application are available online at http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/notices and they are available in paper copy at the Zoning Counter at 200 Ross Street, third floor. The paper copies may be examined between the hours of 8 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Planning Commission is interested in obtaining the opinion of residents concerned with this matter. A public hearing has been scheduled before the Commission on Tuesday May 30 at 2 p.m. on the 1st floor of the John P. Robins Civic Building, 200 Ross Street.

Testimony presented by individuals as well as by spokespersons representing an organization or a group of people will be limited to three minutes each; and, in addition, any person who intends to testify in behalf of an organization such as a chamber of commerce, community club, etc., shall provide a Letter of Authorization from the appropriate duly appointed officers before testifying. Prepared comments, statistics or reports in printed form may be presented to the commission to support testimony or in lieu of testimony.

Email zoning@pittsburghpa.gov or call 412-255-2241 if additional information is necessary.
A day after senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti were charged with criminal conspiracy in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu has expressed confidence that top party leaders will come out "unscathed".

By India Today Web Desk: A day after the CBI court in Lucknow charged senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti among others with criminal conspiracy in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu has expressed confidence that top party leaders will come out "unscathed".

Meanwhile, Congress has demanded that Bharti step down from her position as Cabinet minister.

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After being charged of criminal conspiracy, the leaders were also granted bail to the case.

The court had yesterday framed charges under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code against the BJP leaders.

Speaking to the media, Naidu said that the accused BJP leaders were "innocent" and would come out of the case "unscathed".

Naidu added that the NDA government did not move to withdraw the case against the top saffron leaders.

BJP's HINDUTVA FACES RAISE PITCH FOR RAM TEMPLE

As the BJP leaders arrived for the court appearance, the party's Hindutva faces raised the pitch for the construction of Ram Temple.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath too met Advani.

BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj said that "no power on earth" could stop the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Bharti, the Union minister of water resources, said before appearing in the court that the mosque was pulled down not as part of a "criminal conspiracy" but an "open movement".

"I was present in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, which is no secret. Crores of BJP workers, lakhs of officials and thousands of political leaders participated.

"It was an open movement like the movement against the Emergency. I don't see any conspiracy," she said.

CONGRESS DEMANDS UMA BHARTI's RESIGNATION

The Congress asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to uphold the law and the Constitution by getting Bharti to resign as minister.

"One of the accused, Uma Bharti is a Union Cabinet minister. Having been charge-sheeted, she must resign. Prime Minister must come forward and uphold the rule of law and the Constitution," AICC incharge of communications Randeep Surjewala said.

"Time for law of the land to deliver justice expeditiously," he said as the opposition party voiced hope that the trial would now begin.

"Those who are guilty must be punished in accordance with the law of the land without any fear or favour," Surjewala said.

DEMOLITION OF MOSQUE NO CONSPIRACY: VINAY KATIYAR

Another BJP leader and one of the accused, Vinay Katiyar, insisted that there was no conspiracy as the mosque was razed by a big crowd in the open.

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"It is not appropriate to charge a few persons with criminal conspiracy", the one-time firebrand Hindutva leader and former UP BJP chief said.

Katiyar targeted Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, saying that a case should have been lodged against the former chief minister over the firing by police on 'kar sewaks' in Ayodhya in 1990.

He claimed that he had not delivered a speech on December 6, 1992, when the 16th-century structure was demolished.

He also claimed that the case had "reached" the judgement stage before the apex court gave its new ruling.

(WITH INPUTS FROM PTI)

Also read | Babri Masjid demolition case: LK Advani, MM Joshi, Uma Bharti, others charged with criminal conspiracy

Also read | Uma Bharti on Babri Masjid demolition: I want to know what the conspiracy is all about

WATCH VIDEO

--- ENDS ---
What does a 'Strengthen Our Schools' win mean for Penn-Harris-Madison?

One of three candidates backed by a conservative-leaning group has flipped a seat on the Penn-Harris-Madison school board. Here's what we know.
Hearing a PIL, the court directed the state and central government to reply in four weeks.

By India Today Web Desk: The Madurai bench of Madras High Court today ordered a month's stay on the central government's notification on animal slaughter.

Hearing a PIL, the court directed the state and central government to reply in four weeks.

The PIL had prayed before the court that it is the basic right of an individual to choose his food after which the court placed the order on hold.

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The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had last week notified new rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which bans sale of cattle for slaughter in open markets across the country.

A gazette notification, titled Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 by the ministry had stated that no one can bring cattle to an animal market unless he or she has furnished a written declaration that the cattle will not be sold for the purpose of slaughter.

Further, upon sale of cattle, the animal market committee will take an "undertaking" that the animals are for agricultural purposes and not for slaughter.

THE CONTROVERSY

Various bodies and political parties have reacted sharply to the government's decision, saying it is an "ill-advised" move which will widen the "terrorism" by cow vigilantes. It has also been criticised that the order imposes an indirect ban on beef.

The notification had created an uproar in many states including protests by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

In Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, a group of students conducted a beef festival, showing their agitation against the Centre's order.

Against this backdrop, union minister Venkaiah Naidu has said the Centre is examining the issues. It was also reported earlier that the government may exempt buffalo from the list.

Also read:

Government bans sale of cows for slaughter at cattle markets, restricts trade

Cattle slaughter economy: How ban on sale of cattle for killing may affect industry, employment

WATCH | Madras High Court grants 4-week stay on Centre's notification on cattle slaughter

--- ENDS ---
Unusual butterfly-shaped craters on Mars, Mercury and the moon may provide insights into the surfaces of the three worlds, and even suggest the presence of a third moonlet that may have once orbited the Red Planet, new research shows.

The research comparing these butterfly features across all three solar system objects is helping to pin down the bodies' similarities and differences, and helping scientists understand conditions on the worlds when material crashed into them and created these insect-like patterns.

Unlike conventional, circular craters, butterfly craters have a central crater that is elongated, more of an oval than a circle, and "wings" of material blown out to the sides of the crater, rather than all around it. [Solar System Facts: A Guide to Things Orbiting Our Sun]

"The combination of these two [features] gives us what looks like butterfly wings," Robert Herrick, of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, told Space.com. Herrick used updated observations of Mars, Mercury and the moon to make a more complete survey of objects that hit the surfaces at low angles, forming butterfly craters and other unusual shapes. He presented his results at the Lunar and Planetary Sciences Conference in The Woodlands, Texas, in March.

Forbidden zones and dying moonlets

NASA's Viking orbiters collected images of butterfly craters on Mars in the 1970s, while Apollo missions captured signs of similar craters on the moon in the 1960s and 1970s. The elongated, oval bodies of the craters themselves revealed the low angles of the impactors, which smashed into the ground at relatively low speeds. As they plowed into the surface, they blew material into the air.

The ejecta pattern on this Martian butterfly crater formed as blown-off material created two "forbidden zones" in front of and behind the crater in which nothing fell back to the surface. The resulting debris left a butterfly pattern. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU)

But the debris doesnt fall evenly around the site. Slow-moving, low-angled impacts create "forbidden zones," or wedge-shaped regions in front of and beyond the incoming object with no ejected material. While ejecta falls heavily to the sides, the ground in front of and behind the impactor remains clear of debris. The result is the unusual butterfly shape.

While laboratory experiments have re-created most of the butterfly shapes observed in nature fairly closely, Herrick said they aren't perfect replicas. "We're still working to figure out what's going on," he said. Replicating the downrange forbidden ones in the lab remains a challenge, one that Herrick suspects is related to the material on the surface, he said.

Material blown into the air by the impact can be rapidly melted or vaporized, which affects how it falls back to the ground. Herrick suggested that the presence of ice beneath the Martian surface may affect the way material falls back to the surface around elongated craters. Detailed observations of the craters and their features may help to solve some of the mysteries surrounding them, he said.

In the decades since NASA's Apollo and Viking missions, space agencies have sent other missions to visit the three rocky worlds. Herrick examined images of Mercury from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft, as well as more detailed images from multiple lunar and Martian missions, to make a more complete list of the population of unusual craters. He compared some of the most well-preserved craters to one another to see how the features differed across the three worlds.

Due to the active erosion from wind and (in the past) water on Mars, most of the Red Planet's unusual craters are degraded, Herrick said. However, because Mercury and the moon have essentially no atmospheres, their craters tend to remain more pristine, he said. At the same time, Mars is the largest of the three bodies, and this affects how much material is gravitationally pulled toward its surface. As a result, it has a higher population of elongated craters.

After cataloging a handful of the better-preserved elongated craters on each world, Herrick found several similarities. In all elliptical craters, the deepest parts of the craters on each world are usually closer to the back end than to the front. In butterfly craters, there's always at least a small rim at the "back" of the crater that rises above the surrounding terrain.

An elliptical crater in the Hesperia Planum region of Mars, captured by the European Space Agency's Mars Express. (Image credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum))

He also found that Mars has more of the elongated, "tear-drop" shaped craters, that are stretched out even farther than most. While he was able to spot at least one similar crater, Torricelli, on the moon, he could not find a comparable crater on Mercury, he said.

"This is a rare subset of a rare subset of the crater population," Herrick said. "Maybe  only really slow impactors make these types of craters, or [maybe it's] something else.

"I don't have a good explanation," he said.

In the future, he hopes to utilize 3D models to better track the ejected material and learn more about how everything moved during and after an impact, Herrick said. These models can help provide insight into the conditions beneath the surface, he said.

In addition to comparing the populations of craters, Herrick also examined a few of the most well-preserved impactors. In a previously published study, he and his co-author found that a dying moonlet may have carved one of Mars' butterfly craters. As the small object spiraled into the planet, the impactor's pieces may have excavated two end-to-end craters on the surface, producing a butterfly ejecta.

In fact, when the Martian moon Phobos spirals to its death within 50 million years, it may carve out a similar pattern. Previous models have suggested that the moon is unlikely to slam directly into the planet, but will instead slowly spiral inward, and will probably crash at a low angle and velocity.

"Phobos, when it spirals in  and it's a pretty big body, so it should make a pretty big crater  it should make a nice butterfly crater," Herrick said.

Follow Nola Taylor Redd at @NolaTRedd, Facebook or Google+. Follow us at @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
Lia Halloran's exhibit "Your Body is a Space That Sees" features paintings and cyanotypes of cosmic objects in round frames. This is the largest piece in the exhibit, and is more than 10 feet wide.

Visual artist Lia Halloran's newest exhibit, "Your Body is a Space That Sees," features large-scale paintings of astronomical objects that were photographed and catalogued by women working at the Harvard Observatory in the late 1800s.

Those women, along with their male colleagues, took thousands of photographs, catalogued and characterized the cosmic objects therein, and changed the landscape of space science. Despite the impact their work had on the world, those women were left out of history for many decades, a fate suffered by many female scientists that is now being somewhat remedied.

Halloran's exhibit is partly about remembering those forgotten histories. It's a reminder that these women existed; that they took up physical space while they also literally uncovered new territory in outer space. [Walk Through "Your Body is a Space That Sees" Exhibit (Photos)]

"It's almost like a roll call; it's like saying they were there," Halloran told Space.com at the Luis De Jesus Los Angeles art gallery, where the work was previously on display. "This experience of the history of astronomy is theirs, is ours, is yours, and it is about kind of a physical experience. It's not just something that's at a distance."

The original painting of the Small Magellanic Cloud by Lia Halloran, in honor of Henrietta Swan Leavitt, an astronomer who studied variable stars in the cloud. (Image credit: Courtesy of Lia Halloran/Luis De Jesus Los Angeles)

Those women may be the "your" in the title of Halloran's exhibit  "Your Body is a Space That Sees"  in whcih case, is the title spoken by the universe? Or is it the women who are talking to the current generation, calling on them to remember forgotten histories? Either way, the title calls out to the people who view Halloran's works; they are also bodies that fill a space as they observe the world around them. Observing the natural world requires a person's physical presence  someone has to look through the telescope and photograph the sky. Those physical acts are what begin to illuminate the conceptual landscape; to identify new islands in a vast, unexplored ocean of knowledge.

Harvard Computers

The Harvard College Observatory's Astronomical Photographic Plate Collection contains over 500,000 photographs of sections of the night sky, captured by astronomers between 1882 and 1992. A large portion of those photographs were taken by female astronomers who worked at the observatory in the last 1800s. Led by astronomer Edward Charles Pickering, the women were at one point given the derogatory group title "Pickering's Harem." Later, the nickname changed to the "Harvard Computers," a name created at a time when computers were people and not machines.

The work of the Harvard Computers and some of the group's most influential members is detailed in the book "The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars" (Viking, 2016) by Dava Sobel. With a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Halloran visited Harvard and received access to the photographic plate collection around the time that Sobel was investigating the history of the people who created it. Halloran said she and Sobel began conversing as they both dug through the plate collection and the stories surrounding it.

There were three particularly influential astronomers who came out of this Harvard group: Henrietta Swan Leavitt, who figured out a way to measure distances to far-off objects and laid the groundwork for Edwin Hubble to discover that the universe is expanding; Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, who showed that hydrogen is by far the most common element in the universe; and Annie Jump Cannon, who came up with a classification system for stars that is still used today.

But Halloran said the works are meant to reflect the entire history of female astronomers, including Hypatia, an astronomer who lived in Greece around A.D. 415, and Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who identified the first pulsar but did not share the Nobel Prize in physics that was awarded for that discovery.

Your Body is a Space That Sees: The Magellanic Cloud (opens in new tab) from Lia Halloran (opens in new tab) on Vimeo (opens in new tab).

For the exhibit, Halloran selected a few plates created by members of the Harvard Computers, and did paintings of these photographs. At the gallery, Halloran showed me one of the pieces that depicts the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy that orbits the Milky Way. Halloran painted hundreds of dots representing stars.

"As much as I can, I try to represent the [stellar] density," she said. "I'm not gridding it out, so if someone were to compare this with the actual image, they wouldn't find the exact number of stars [in the painting], but the density would be equivalent."

Halloran uses a type of paint that is "highly volatile," meaning it doesn't settle on the paper until the liquid in it evaporates. The effect is similar to how coffee rings dry on paper  the solids that float around in the liquid move to the outer edge of the ring, so that edge is usually darker than the inner edge.

Similarly, in Halloran's paintings, a single dot of the paint isn't a solid circle; instead, the coloring moves to the outside of the dot, creating an ombre effect all by itself. Broad, sweeping brush strokes around the edges of the panting look like the curling patterns of a gas cloud or smoke rising from a fire. These monochrome paintings are simpler versions of actual telescopic images, and the works capture the serenity of a star-filled sky and the fluid movement of cosmic structures. They may inspire a Zen-like trance in the observer.

But many of the pieces in the gallery are not just paintings; creating them involves another, much more complicated step. In the gallery, Halloran and I stand before two square pieces that both show a dense cluster of stars. One of them looks as though she used blue paint on white paper, while the other looks as though it was done with white paint on blue paper. Halloran is pointing to one and then the other, saying, "This is that." I think she must mean she's painted the same object twice, but after a few confused minutes I realize she's being literal. The piece that looks as though it was done with blue paint is actually a negative of the other painting.

The image on the right is a cyanotype of the painting on the left. Cyanotyping creates a negative image of the original, similar to how photographs are made from film. (Image credit: Courtesy of Lia Halloran/Luis De Jesus Los Angeles)

To achieve this effect, Halloran did her original paintings on a semitransparent paper, which was then placed on top of watercolor paper inside a darkroom, and brushed over with a light-sensitive paint, a process called cyanotyping. When the sandwiched works are brought out of the darkroom and into the light, the light-sensitive paint creates a negative of the original painting, so that where the original was white the new one is dark, hence the new pieces looking like photo negatives of the originals. (In the past, cyanotyping was used to make copies of drawings.) The video above shows how Halloran and colleagues carried out this process.

Halloran, who is also an assistant professor of art at Chapman University in Orange County, assures me I'm not the only person who didn't immediately understand the connection between these pieces. But that's part of engaging her audience, she told me; it's her way of pushing them to more actively engage with the works, and to "have an experience."

"I like that you look at this and you dont totally know what you're looking at," she said. "I like that there's something that makes you stay a little longer. You have to explore a little bit, to dig deep, to get in there. And that can be frustrating for the viewer. But I want them to have to have a dedicated look, and take time. [The art works] evolve and they give a little more the longer you take with them."

Another way that the pieces engage with the viewer is how they are framed: the starry landscapes are bordered by round frames, which give the impression that the viewer is looking down the tube of a telescope  its a reminder that the viewer's body occupies a space that sees these starry scenes. Halloran and I walk over to one of the largest pieces in the exhibit, which has a horizontal oval frame.

"When I hung this up in my studio the first time  I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I'm in a spaceship and I'm looking through this porthole!'" she said. "I didn't intend for that. But they become experiential and not just a large version of another image."

Some of the more vertically oriented oval frames even look like mirrors. Either way, they highlight the act of observation, not just by long-dead astronomers but by the people standing in the gallery.

A gift to astronomers

The cyanotyping that Halloran uses to create her works is similar to how photographs are developed, and serves as one more link to the Harvard Computers. The photographic plates are extremely fragile and would have been somewhat labor-intensive to make, but they allowed astronomers of the day to study a huge number of night-sky objects in detail, and to catalogue and characterize them without having to look into a telescope.

Two cyanotype works appear in Lia Halloran's exhibit "Your Body is a Space That Sees Us." (Image credit: Courtesy of Lia Halloran/Luis De Jesus Los Angeles)

"It was really important that to me that, these aren't just images from history, but the process itself sort of reflects that history," Halloran said.

The Harvard plate collection has also provided a historical record of cosmic objects unlike anything else that exists in astronomy. Astronomers in the 21st century have used the plates to look for objects that have moved across the sky in the last 100 years or so. The background stars are so distant that even over the course of a century, they will appear to be in the same place relative to each other. But nearer objects like asteroids or objects in the Kuiper Belt (the region of the solar system beyond Neptune) could move relative to those background stars over decades or centuries; therefore, by comparing two images of the same patch of sky, taken 50 or 100 years apart, astronomers could identify those moving, nearby bodies.

In another 100 years, scientists will have plenty of digitized sky observations to comb through, but for now, the glass plates are a rare gift to modern astronomers. Halloran thinks that's a contribution that's worth remembering, and worth honoring through art.

You can see more of Halloran's work on her website, or follow her studio on Instagram at @halloranstudio.

Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield.Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
NASA officials are scheduled to make an announcement tomorrow (May 31) regarding the agency's first-ever mission to fly directly into the punishing heat of the sun's atmosphere.

The announcement will be part of a live webcast that will be available to watch on NASA TV, or you can watch the event live on Space,com, courtesy of NASA.

The Solar Probe Plus mission is scheduled to launch in the summer of 2018 and will orbit within 4 million miles (6.4 million kilometers) of the sun's "surface," where the probe will "[face]heat and radiation unlike any spacecraft in history," according to a statement from NASA.Mercury, by contrast, orbits the sun at a distance of between 28 and 43 million miles (46 and 70 million km), and the constant stream of radiation and powerful particle storms from the sun have utterly transformed that planet's surface and atmosphere.

This artists concept shows the Solar Probe Plus spacecraft approaching the sun. Launching in 2018, Solar Probe Plus will provide new data on solar activity and make critical contributions to scientists' ability to forecast major space-weather events that impact life on Earth. (Image credit: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory)

"[Solar Probe Plus] will explore the sun's outer atmosphere and make critical observations that will answer decades-old questions about the physics of how stars work," the statement said. "The resulting data will improve forecasts of major space-weather events that impact life on Earth, as well as satellites and astronauts in space."

The speakers scheduled to participate in the webcast are: Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate; Nicola Fox, mission project scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland; Eugene Parker, a professor emeritus at the University of Chicago; Eric Isaacs, executive vice president for research, innovation and national laboratories at the University of Chicago; and Rocky Kolb, dean of the Division of the Physical Sciences at the University of Chicago.

Visit Space.com Wednesday for complete coverage of NASA's Solar Probe Plus announcement.

Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield.Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
41 out of of 64 banned extremist outfits are operating in Pakistan via Facebook. They are a mix of Sunni and Shia sectarian groups

By Indo-Asian News Service: 41 out of Pakistan's 64 banned outfits are present on Facebook in the form of groups and individual user profiles and were operating openly via the social media giant, a media report said on Monday.

According to an investigation carried out by Dawn news last month, the outfits' network, both interconnected and public, is a mix of Sunni and Shia sectarian groups, global terror organisations operating in Pakistan, and separatists in Baluchistan and Sindh provinces.

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The names of all banned outfits - including acronyms and small variations in spelling - were searched on Facebook to find pages, groups, and user profiles that publicly "liked" a banned outfit.

The biggest outfits on the social network, in order of size, are Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) with 200 pages and groups, Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) with 160, Sipah-i-Sahaba (SSP) with 148, Balochistan Students Organisation Azad (BSO-A) with 54 and Sipah-e-Muhammad with 45, according to the Dawn news investigation.

Other banned outfits which exists on Facebook at a smaller scale include Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat, Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi, Jamat-ul-Ahrar, 313 Brigade, multiple Shia outfits and a host of Baloch separatist organisations.

"An examination of some user profiles linked to these banned outfits indicates open support of sectarian and extremist ideology," Dawn news said in its probe report.

A few of these profiles have also publicly "liked" pages and groups related to weapons use and training.

While some of the Facebook pages and groups claim to be "official" representatives of the outfits, others appear to be managed by members and supporters in ideological agreement.

"In general, the Facebook updates were in Urdu or Roman Urdu rather than English, suggesting the content was primarily for local consumption. A very small number were in Sindhi or Balochi, also indicating a niche target audience," the report added.

Also Read:

'Why did Nawaz Sharif even go to Riyadh?': Pakistan humiliated at US-Arab-Islamic Summit

Also Watch:

Video released by Indian Army shows heavy shelling on Pakistani posts in Naushera

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The ePrivacy proposals contrast with the implication of the Commission's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - due to come into force in May 2018 - which aims to empower user privacy by forcing sites themselves to make sure that users understand and are empowered to control the gathering of data about their browsing behaviour in context of each site that they visit. By creating a single global permission within the browser interface, the Commission's ePrivacy proposals will make it more difficult to ensure transparency and meaningful user empowerment in practice, and remove any distinction between publishers who place a high value on the trust of their users, and those who do not. While the explanatory memorandum accompanying the ePrivacy proposals does not place an outright ban on publishers communicating with readers in order to seek consent for the use of 3rd party cookies, in practice, publishers are concerned that it will be incredibly difficult to persuade readers to change their browser settings to allow 3rd party cookies. As a consequence, individual news organisations would be unable to provide readers with personalised content and marketing, or serve relevant digital advertising within their environments.

The practice of serving relevant advertising to readers is now an established norm in the advertising industry, and is essential to ensure that publishers can compete with Google and Facebook who already control 20% of total global advertising spend in 2017[3]. If as a result of these proposals, news publishers were unable to serve relevant advertising to our readers, this would reduce our ability to compete with the capabilities of dominant digital platforms for digital advertising revenues, ultimately undermining our ability to invest in high quality journalism across Europe.

The current ePrivacy proposals will result in the data of European digital citizens being concentrated in the hands of a few global companies, as a result of which, digital citizens will become less protected. It will give those global companies: a tighter grip on the personal data of European digital citizens; further strengthen their dominance in the European digital economy, and; introduce further complexity for individual publishers, despite the European Commission acknowledging these issues are already covered by the regulation that will enter into force in 2018.

By shifting consent to the collection of data from each individual news site that they visit, to providing a global consent via a small number of powerful gateways, the Commission's proposals threaten to prevent news organisations from delivering basic functionality such as the marketing of products and services, the tailoring of news products to the needs and desires of news consumers, and relevant and acceptable advertising. The impact on news organisations would be to reduce their ability to deliver high quality products and services, and undermine their ability to generate advertising revenues to reinvest in journalism.

Therefore it is essential that in implementing the objectives of the "ePrivacy" proposals, the European Parliament / Council must work with the news industry to ensure that the directive provides flexibility of implementation to encourage a direct relationship between each internet user and the trusted news organisations that they visit, not further undermine it.

[1] 1 The latest Reuters News Report - which surveyed citizens across the world - found that " half (51%) say they use social media as a source of news each week. More than a quarter of 18-24s say social media (28%) are their main source of news - more than television (24%) for the first time." As a result of these changes, the Reuters survey found that the "growth of news accessed and increasingly consumed via social networks, portals and mobile apps means that the originating news brand gets clearly noticed less than half the time in the UK, and Canada. In countries like Japan and South Korea, where aggregated and distributed news is already more widespread, the brand only gets noticed around a quarter of the time when accessed through news portals."

[2] https://www.statista.com/statistics/269881/market-share-held-by-internet-browsers-in-europe/

[3] https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/may/02/google-and-facebook-bring-in-one-fifth-of-global-ad-revenue
Nora Naughton / Hearst Connecticut Media

884 Newfield Ave.: The Concordia Conservatory of Concordia College-New York is moving into St. Johns Lutheran Churchs instructional spaces this summer. The music program has been working on this move to Stamford for the last five years, Executive Director Kathleen Suss said. Construction will start next week after a small press conference Friday, with a ribbon-cutting set for early September. Suss said both floors of the churchs educational wing will be renovated and fitted to the conservatorys needs.

Have a question about a building or property? Email Nora Naughton with Point of Interest in the subject line at nnaughton@stamfordadvocate.com.
N o-frills airline Ryanair on Tuesday moved to reassure holidaymakers it has invested heavily in IT to avoid computer meltdowns like the devastating glitch that hit British Airways.

The Irish carrier said it continues to invest in digital centres it calls labs, recently opening a third one in Madrid to add to ones in Dublin and Poland.

Chief executive Michael OLeary said: While many competitors subcontract their IT development to high-cost third parties, in Ryanair we believe the success of labs has vindicated our decision to manage and control this development internally.

Marketing boss Kenny Jacobs told the BBC: We take IT very seriously. The important thing here is making sure that we dont have an outage like BA had.

Investors dumped shares in British Airways owner IAG, down 18p, or almost 3%, at 596p, following the chaos at airports at the weekend with easyJet and Ryanairs stock also down.

Ryanair revealed a 5% rise in pre-tax profits to 1.47 billion (1.28 billion) in the year to March. Sales increased 2% to 6.6 billion.

It expects the cost of flights to fall by up to 7% this year.

Ryanair, which campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU, has warned it is reducing its focus on flights from the UK to Europe, focusing on intra-European journeys.
C redit Suisse has found itself in trouble with bank watchdogs again, this time over money-laundering failures in Singapore.

The Swiss bank was fined, alongside United Overseas Bank, $1.2 million (935,000) for its dealings with Malaysias scandal-plagued 1MDB.

The bank, led by former Prudential chief executive Tidjane Thiam, breached both Prevention of Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism regulations.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore said its latest inspections of CS and UOB revealed multiple breaches of anti-money-laundering requirements and control lapses, including weaknesses in conducting due diligence on customers and inadequate scrutiny of customers transactions and activities.

This is hardly the first time Credit Suisse has fallen foul of regulations. Last December it agreed to pay $5.3 billion for mis-selling mortgage bonds in the US.

In May 2014 it paid $2.5 billion for helping Americans evade taxes, pleading guilty to a criminal charge in the process.

It is the Monetary Authority of Singapores biggest money-laundering probe.
W hats the price to pay for the worst IT failure in UK aviation history? Shares in BAs parent company IAG fell a measly 3% earlier, and some of that was down to Ryanair warning on air fares.

For context, easyJet, which hasnt had a massive IT disaster (yet), fell nearly 2%.

So a 3% hit to IAGs shares for totally ruining the bank holidays of 75,000 passengers amid allegations that the company exploited the customers misery by making them pay for expensive upgrades and 62p-a-minute premium phone lines.

The compensation hit could be 150 million, or roughly what BA spends a year on those in-flight snacks that are a bit like peanuts, only not edible.

The PR blow is bad, but short-lived. Some folk are boldly insisting they will never fly BA again, a pledge that will last until the next time they need a cheap flight to Spain and BA seems to be the best offer, if not the only one.

Like many of you, every time I fly Ryanair is the last time I am ever going to fly Ryanair.

Air executives offer the pretence that they operate in a dynamically competitive industry, when in truth what they sell is a utility. We dont care who provides our water, we just want the taps to work when we turn them.

No one has brand loyalty to BA any more than they have to Severn Trent. We just get on the plane thats going our way.

The air industry benefits from low expectations. We expect it will delay us, abuse us, overcharge us and lose our luggage. On that score, it tends not to disappoint.
The couple had tied the knot in 2012.

By India Today Web Desk: Bigg Boss 10 contestant Karan Mehra and actress-wife Nisha Rawal will soon welcome a precious little one in their lives. The couple recently celebrated their baby shower, and it was beautiful.

Both Karan and Nisha were dressed in the same colour, and posed for pictures looking adorable.

Also read: Nisha Rawal's baby bump is super-cute, just like her

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Nisha posted a couple of pictures on her Instagram account with the caption, "& finally the much awaited shower pix. To all my dearies who dolled me up:

This pretty floral peach dress made with so much love - my darling @rohitkvermaMake Up & Hair by my sweetheart @9_roni_9 My dreamy shoes- @tiesta.shoes My fav. ring- @_jaipuri_jewels My partner-in-crime making the picture whole @realkaranmehra"

Check out the picture:

The bash was attended by friends and family.

Karan and Nisha had tied the knot in 2012.

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W ith nine days to go until polling day, its all about the Head of State  and I do mean that literally.

On Sundays Andrew Marr Show, shadow home secretary Diane Abbott referred to her rather splendid Afro when explaining why her views on the IRA had changed. Home Secretary Amber Rudd hit back, saying she had never changed her mind even though she also changed her hairstyle many times  although predecessor Jacqui Smith called and demanded it back.

These are now big questions in British politics  Are politicians more than their hair? Are you as good as your last haircut?

Margaret Thatchers helmet hair was synonymous with her Iron Lady image. Rock-solid, immovable and definitely not for turning  even in gale-force wind or a poll-tax riot.

Big hair is definitely a weapon for a woman in politics  although you are highly flammable. Someone asked me recently, what was I? About 74 per cent dry shampoo, I replied. Im with Dolly Parton  the higher the hair, the closer you are to God. Especially if you do Sky News.

Andrew Marr VS Diane Abbott on the IRA

Theresa May has moved somewhere in between a silvery, wispy bob and a sharper crop  aka the Brexit Brop. All the soft edges have gone, which probably means no deal on the customs union, guys. Sad face.

And the Barnett formula applies to men just as much as women. Political chaps can be very sensitive about the whole hair thing. In 2002, the image- conscious German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder successfully sued a news agency for suggesting he coloured his chestnut locks.

Brexit brop: Theresa May / Getty Images

David Camerons hairdresser, Lino Carbosiero, got an MBE for services to hairdressing, which meant concealing the former PMs bald spot. To be fair, it was an infrastructure project more complex than the Shard.

He also tried to move his parting from the right to the centre but that didnt go so well.

I remember once, around the time of a Budget, my former boss, Labour leader Ed Miliband, underwent a rather severe chop and the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg came in to interview him. It was a bit awkward. Thankfully, our key message was the cuts have been too far and too fast. Everyone nodded.

Its worth noting that the great British public have not been kind to the follically challenged  Neil Kinnock, Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Howard and William Hague all suffered cruelly at the ballot box.

Jeremy Corbyns hair is looking less overgrown allotment now and more Chelsea Flower Show as hes smartened up, raised his game and the polls have narrowed. Hes always played a strong beard game way before it was trendy and hipster. Probably before Tory adviser Nick Timothy was even born.

And then there is, of course, the ultimate political hair dont that is Donald Trumps top. Animal, vegetable or mineral? Who knows? But we are all mesmerised by it. And it tells you that if hes capable of styling that out on a daily basis, getting impeached will probably be a walk in the park.

So what can we tell from a politicians hair? Probably not that much. But what about us, the voters? A friend confided in me that when his hair was unruly, shocking and a bit of a mess, hed voted for Boris. Now that he has regular visits to the barber and things have all calmed down up top, he finds himself strangely drawn to Vince Cable. Ill just leave that there.

As for me, I remember being desperately jealous of all my friends in Glasgow who had a perm in the Eighties.

I now, of course, realise that it was just a political cry for help.

Tired Paxo seems to be lost in a time warp

Last night I was invited to be a television pundit on the first big TV non-debate extravaganza  The Battle for No 10  hosted by Channel 4 and Sky.

As various politicians, advisers, journalists and commentators gathered in the Spin Room  we all thought it was a foregone conclusion  Jeremy would be the big loser. None of us expected it to be Jeremy Paxman, though.

Paxo came out of retirement and lumbered back into the ring for one last fight without much enthusiasm, energy or preparation. His questions had all the subtlety of an electric cattle prod and were entirely predictable, apart from a mad tangent about the Queen. One was not amused.

All good things come to an end. Paxman was once the best in the business but, as someone tweeted me, its all sadly gone a bit Tiger Woods.
T he fact that the Prime Minister today is trying to get the Conservative campaign focused back on Europe is revealing. When Theresa May announced she was calling an election, the pretext she gave was that Brexit was the single most important issue facing the country  and that she needed a stronger mandate to negotiate on Britains behalf. She was right about the importance of the issue, although we suspect the allure of a potential landslide was the real reason for the election.

What is certain is that the way we conduct these European negotiations will determine our relations with our near neighbours and allies for decades. Here we could not have got off to a worse start. High-handed British arrogance and low leaks from the Europeans have poisoned the dialogue before its even started. Anyone who cares about Britains role in the world will have been dismayed this weekend to see the German Chancellor lump Brexit Britain with Trumps America, and claim that neither are reliable partners any more. Whether it was sensible for Angela Merkel to reveal her fears about the western alliance in public in a beer tent in Munich is doubtful; what counts is that she and other Europeans now think that way.

Meanwhile, at home we face profound choices about everything from who we let into the country to how we sustain support for the free market and the free trade it depends on. Yet hardly any of this has featured in what was supposed to be the Brexit election. Labour knows the public shudders at the thought of Jeremy Corbyn representing the country abroad, so what passes for its campaign strategy has been a focus on softer domestic issues, from childcare to haircuts. The Conservative campaign has meandered from an abortive attempt to launch a personality cult around Mrs May to the self-inflicted wound of the most disastrous manifesto in recent history and, after the atrocity in Manchester, shrill attacks on Mr Corbyns appeasement of terrorism.

Their campaign seems to have gone out of its way to avoid the very issue  Brexit  that was supposed to be the very reason we were having an election in the first place. The result can be summed up by what we imagine to be the conversation around the breakfast table in Downing Street: Honey, I shrunk the poll lead.

Its not too late to get back to the issues that count. Lets be told how immigration is going to be reduced  not the blank responses this paper got from Cabinet ministers today. Lets hear how we are going to try to keep tariff-free access to our largest export markets. Lets debate how we are going to change the global view that thinks Britain is turning its back on the world. We have had no answers from Labour or the Conservatives. In other words, treat the public like grown ups, and allow them a chance to give the mandate the government claims to seek.

The princes fine work

The unveiling today by Prince Harry of the injured military personnel who will form the UK team for his latest Invictus Games is a reminder of the efforts that both he and his brother William are making to improve the nations mental health. In Harrys case, his decision to create the Paralympic-style contest is giving new motivation to veterans while providing an valuable illustration to the wider population of how participation in sport can improve mental health.

At the same time, Prince William talks movingly today in an interview for GQ magazine about the challenges he faced coping with the death, almost 20 years ago, of his mother Princess Diana. His frank words follow his brothers candid disclosure about the way in which he sought counselling to overcome his own anguish. The ambition of both princes is to break the stigma surrounding mental health. We hope their fine work continues.
T he goal of a terrorist is to force us all into a siege mentality. In any case, it is almost impossible to have 100 per cent security and anything like it would bring us all to a standstill. It is usual after an attack to have increased security for a few days, then we relax and revert to normal.

Understandably, extra security measures are now in place following the Manchester suicide bombing.

But does extra bag-searching do anything apart from reassuring people?

I Walker



Why is there so much anxiety over having troops on Londons streets?

I remember the last time this happened, in 2012, when the Army stepped in to manage security throughout the Olympics. They did brilliantly, operating with good humour and a sense of calm.

I will continue to travel around London without hesitation and look forward to mingling with the armed forces.

Lindsay Heasman

Join the conversation: #esnewsviews
I was disheartened to read Rohan Silvas column [The technology sector is an essential ally in the battle against terrorism, Comment, May 25].

Forcing companies such as WhatsApp to remove encryption or put back doors into the protocol is a terrible idea. Many people rely on secure communications, not just terrorists. Look at the recent WannaCry virus; it came out of code developed by the National Security Agency to break into systems.

Systems such as eCommerce rely on secure web comms. Putting back doors into these protocols or reducing the security means criminals will also find those back doors and security weaknesses, therefore potentiality damaging the security of eCommerce as a whole.

Secure communication is also useful for whistleblowers and people living under oppressive regimes. Removing security or reducing it also puts all those users at risk.

Security services really want meta data, which they can already access  reducing security is a bad idea and will make the world a worse place.

Steve Karmeinsky



Like the rest of the country, I feel anger towards the coward who committed the Manchester atrocity. However, Rohan Silva unfortunately fell in with the rest of the misinformed when he calls for further intrusion into private communications.

The repeated knee-jerk reaction of blaming encryption and communication tools belies a complete misunderstanding of how they work. The encryption genie is well and truly out of the bottle; a determined individual could build their own encrypted messaging app in a couple of days without much difficulty. What do we do, then, ban the internet?

The technology giants quite rightly balk at the idea of enabling blanket back doors that put all of us at further risk. The recent NHS hacks were made possible thanks to intrusion tools developed by the National Security Agency that subsequently fell into the wrong hands, clearly proving that governments cannot be trusted with weaponised tools of this kind.

R Boateng



I wholeheartedly agree with Rohan Silva we should do whatever it takes to ensure no more innocent people are killed. If everyone was asked whether they would sacrifice encryption if it meant security services foiling terrorist attacks, one would hope the response would be unanimous in authorising access. Why, then, has this not happened?

We can say as much as we like about protecting our citizens and deploying soldiers on Londons streets. But I fear these attacks will continue unless security services are given special dispensation to intercept certain individuals phones.

Jennifer Blake



Southern timetable is madness

Just when Southern commuters think it couldnt get any worse, a new timetable came out this week. I work at Drury Lane in the musical 42nd Street and return to Brighton after the evening shows. The trains are packed with theatregoers.

The new 23.07 service gets into Brighton at just gone midnight, which most people can cope with. However, it is always being cancelled due to a lack of night-time drivers. Since most theatres close at about 10.30pm and attendees struggle to make the 22.50 service, it means they have to wait for the 23.32, which arrives in Brighton at nearly 1am. Putting their drivers before customers, it seems Southern have lost the plot.

Bruce Montague



London is reliant on its outsiders

Russell Lynch's theory that London subsidises the rest of the UK (Londons the golden goose", May 25] because Londoners earn more and pay more tax is nonsense.

London has always had a constantly moving, evolving population made up of people from across the UK and beyond. The rest of the country supplies much of the labour force that helps to keep London laying its golden eggs.

Ed Ewing



No need for rivalry between the Tates

I read Marcus Fields interview with Alex Farquharson on his first 18 months as director of Tate Britain with interest and optimism [I have a duty to lead people to the unfamiliar, May 25]. That was until Field reported plans are being made to rehang the entire collection in a thematic way.

It is only four years since Farquharsons predecessor, Penelope Curtis, completed a comprehensive rehang of the collection along chronological lines  an achievement greeted by reviewers with near-universal praise.

Does this mean Curtiss work is being undone so soon  and, if so, at what expense?

I hope I have not misunderstood but Farquharsons focus on recent British works also suggests a possible return to energy-sapping rivalry with Tate Modern and a confusion of purpose between the two institutions.

Mary Dejevsky

Join the conversation: #esnewsviews



The fewer cars on our roads the better

Transport for London is right to have policies that discourage vehicle use in London [Letters, May 24], given what we know about the number of Londoners who die early and suffer from illnesses as a result of illegal levels of pollution.

Your correspondent, Jeremy Walker, talks of essential road usage but the fact is most of it isnt. Around 50 per cent of journeys are less than two miles long and do not require a car given how good our public transport is and how easy it is to cycle and walk short distances in London. Only tradespeople with equipment, deliveries and service vehicles can be classed as essential. The rest are simply shortening our lives unnecessarily and placing a huge burden on the NHS.

Anthony Lambert



Will the Mayor consider a scheme that fines drivers for leaving engines idling in traffic? While it would be difficult to enforce, a warning that drivers could face financial penalties may be enough on its own to deter them from polluting Londons air.

Michael Davis

Join the conversation: #escleancityviews



The Gunners are just stuck in limbo

Despite Arsenals dramatic and deserved FA Cup final win over Chelsea, the result is unlikely to change the tide of fans discontent towards Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman met Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke yesterday and an announcement over his future is expected tomorrow.

Arsenal fans unhappiness has been well documented and perhaps justified, now that the Gunners have finished outside the top four. It is hard to take when Chelsea have won the Premier League title and local rivals Tottenham ended up higher in the table than Arsenal for the first time in 22 years.

But in calling for Wengers head, Gunners fans should be warned. Since Sir Alex Fergusons retirement in 2013, Manchester United have appointed three managers and only finished in the top four once.

Jason Palmer

Join the conversation: #essportviews
T wo British drunks caused a major security scare that left 770 Eurostar passengers stranded in Calais.

A Paris to London train made an emergency stop so French police could haul off two troublemakers alleged to have been aggressive to staff.

But all the trains doors were opened as it stood at Calais-Frethun station on Monday night, and customs officials feared migrant stowaways could have got on board.

It led to the French authorities insisting on all passengers got off the train so it could be searched before they went through security checks again  a process that took more than six hours.

The police were dealing with a couple of aggressive British drunks on board, said a source working for SNCF, Frances national railway.

It was a very warm night, and doors were opened while the train was stopped still. This caused a security scare, and everybody on board had to be re-checked.

Police and customs officers were involved in the re-checking of tickets and passports, which went on past 3am. The 8.15pm train should have arrived in London at 9.30pm.

Banking adviser Celine Bayle, who was returning from celebrating her 28th birthday in the French capital, claimed passengers were treated like criminals.

She told the Standard: We were told they needed to get some passengers off the train but were given no more information than that.

Then we saw the French police arriving. They were looking for two people they were drunk and apparently they had a bit of an argument with some Eurostar staff.

They couldnt find one of them so we were held in Calais. Then they told us the French police wanted to do check-in again with all the security checks because Eurostar didnt follow the usual rules, because they opened the doors before the arrival of police.

Police took two drunk Brits off the train but several passengers got off for a break while waiting, forcing staff to clear the train and start the boarding from scratch for security purposes.

One woman claimed passengers were "treated like criminals" / Celine Bayle

Ms Bayle, a French national who lives in South Kensington, said: They put us in a really small room. There was no water or anything, even for a pregnant woman and babies. There were like 50 policemen and even some army staff. We were a bit treated like criminals.

We were in this room for five hours while they searched the train with dogs. Then when it was done they wanted to do an ID check.

It was really, really long.

Border authorities and train staff rechecked passengers passports, tickets and baggage before they were allowed back on board.

The train arrived at London St Pancras at 4.15am, eight hours after it left Paris Gare du Nord.

About 770 passengers were crammed into a room at Calais station while police searched the train / Celine Bayle

Max Arthur, 25, of Clapham, said: We thought it would be five or 10 minutes in and out [at Calais.]

Then there was an announcement that they werent going to search the train until we all went downstairs to this tiny little atrium, which wasnt really big enough.

It was a long time before anything happened. Eventually they started to pass water around but it never really got very far.

But the sales worker added: France is in a national state of emergency and youd expect them to take precautions, so we were just sitting tight.

A Eurostar spokesman said: One service yesterday evening was held at Calais to remove two passengers due to disorderly behaviour.

As this involved opening the doors, the French border authorities had to go through the passport checks again for everybody on board before the train could continue its journey.

We apologise for the inconvenience this caused to customers whilst these checks were carried out and are offering compensation to those affected.

The two drunk Brits behind the disturbance spent the night in a hotel in Calais, according to local media.
A councillor-turned-entrepreneur today vowed to get the nations favourite drink taken as seriously as coffee as he opened the doors of Londons first specialist tea pub.

Alex Holland today bemoaned the quality of tea served up outside the home.

What does it say about Britain as a nation defined by tea drinking that we accept terrible quality dust in a sad little bag? Its easier to get loose leaf tea in Paris than London, the Brew founder said.

Hollands tea pub, a world first, opened this week in Tooting Broadway serving pots of tea and alcoholic tea cocktails, including Earl Grey and Tonics and Lapsang Old Fashioneds.

Theyre classic cocktails made better with tea. There was a fad for tea-infused cocktails a few years back, but you couldnt actually taste the tea, says Holland.

The entrepreneur said he plans to convert builders tea drinkers with a simple menu of five teas and an unintimidating atmosphere. Customers wont be able to buy single cups of tea.

The opening comes after a two-year struggle to open the themed bar. Holland raised 229,000 through a crowdfunding campaign but could not find premises in his target area, Balham.

The best bars in London 1 /64 The best bars in London Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN, rosewoodhotels.com/london

The Rosewood is doubly wonderful for drinkers, as theyve two fine spots. In the modern Dining Room, sit at the gin bar, which outstocks anywhere else in London, with more than 400 gins and 27 tonics. Trying to choose is impossible, but what a lovely impossibility to have. The bar staff clearly had one hell of a tasting session as they know the list perfectly. Across the way is Scarfes Bar, a brilliant, brilliant bar gladly shaken free from all the stuffiness usually found in hotel bars. The drinks are stunning, theyve often live music, it gets wonderfully busy and crackles with laughter. Go a little later and its busier, people drink more, everything is better. Bar Americain 20 Sherwood St, W1F 7ED, brasseriezedel.com

As the name suggests, this is a classic American bar, and done near perfectly. One can become very fond of Bar Americain and very quickly: passing through Piccadilly Circus, it acts as a magnet  a quick negroni becomes a temptation impossible to resist. Its a very beautiful place, calling to mind grand Parisian hotels of the 20s and 30s, bottles winking from the bar, staff floating through with their finery and litres of charm. Youre here to drink the classics: theyve a killer Clover Club and a straight-down-the-line Manhattan. But ask: the bartenders know their stuff and bring their A-game to any challenge  tell them what you like, and theyll bring you something new. They often have specials on, as well. Top marks for the attentive staff, bringing plenty of water and bowl after bowl of popcorn  both essential after a few here. Oriole Smithfield Markets, E Poultry Ave, EC1A 9LH, oriolebar.com

The team behind Nightjar took their winning formula, gave it a bit of a shake up and created Oriole. Theyve live music throughout the week  from Wednesday to Saturday, theres a charge per person, so watch out for that  which gives any night here a bit of zip. This is a strictly seated spot, so be sure to book: once inside, its a whirlwind tour of the world, with fine details from across the globe, both in the styling and the drinks and so much cheaper than booking a holiday. Drinks are excellent, whether youre into New Orleans style classics or something from the depths of Asia: explore the menu (split into Old World, New World and The Orient) and expect something unusual and faintly brilliant, with a touch of the Tiki. Put it this way: Oriole is ideal whether you prefer drinking from a crystal tumbler, a teacup or, er, a silver crocodile. Piano Works 113-117 Farringdon Road, Farringdon EC1R 3BX, pianoworks.bar

Full credit to this fun Farringdon spot: theyve worked hard to make the place better and better since opening, which is pretty good going for what was already a decent spot to begin with. The Piano Works sounds like a quiet jazz bar but instead is a hell-raising house of sound, splendidly raucous, where a house band take requests and belt out your favourite songs. The more you get involved, the more fun it is, and the place heats up the later it gets. Wine starts at 16, house cocktails are 8, but they've tons of terrific deals during the week  including cocktails for a fiver (!!) Drink lots, dance lots and leave in the early hours with someone you shouldnt do. Thats what we did. Hawksmoor, Spitalfields 157A Commercial St, E1 6BJ, thehawksmoor.com

Its hardly surprising the bar snacks are a highlight here  have the oxcheek nuggets with a side of chips, then call the waiter over to order them over again  given how good the steak upstairs is. The drinks and setting, though, match them pound for pound. The old tube tiles on the walls, the beautiful parquet floor, the copper tops and silvery black ceiling make the large space a place to settle in for the night no matter your seat, while the cocktails come with oodles of thought in each one: the new menu has homemade bitters, shrubs and syrups, and its bloody obvious everyone behind the bar is more than a little nerdy about building drinks. Shaky Petes Ginger Brew is the classic, so have it, but follow up with the Shadow Boxer, a mix of scotch, sherry and Fernet-Branca. Odd, oddly delicious. Its also a cracking place to sit for a bottle of wine. Andrew Edmunds 46 Lexington St, W1F 0LP, andrewedmunds.com

Perhaps better than its ever been, Andrew Edmunds recently won The Good Drinking prize in our Restaurant Awards, and for good reason. Its a small spot, cramped to the point that coming here on a first date feels like youre being very forward indeed , with the best tables upstairs and not much to look at  just settle for being distracted by someone beautiful. The food, French-ish/English-ish, is fine, but its the wine that's extraordinary. And youre here for wine: forget cocktails, they have. What a list, and so quietly marked up that youre getting a steal with almost every bottle  indeed, the more expensive the better the deal. Having been going 30 years, those who knew old Soho say its one of the last bastion of such things. Drink too much gorgeous wine and come back often. The Connaught Bar Connaught, Carlos Place, W1K 2AL, the-connaught.co.uk

A bar for the impossibly beautiful, a bar of high heels and glimmering lights, of perfume and leather. Aside from oddly thumping music, the Connaught is wonderfully detached from the world  a place of its own, cosy and winter warm when it needs to be, light and summer when desired. The drinks, naturally pricey, are well put together and while classic in tone, come with crackles of theatre: washes in perfume bottles, branches as garnishes, smoke, the lot. Still, the martini trolley is what theyre famed for, so its only right to indulge. Afterward, head to the Champagne Room: sadly the law stops it being the cigar haven it once was, but it's still gorgeous: romantic and charming with its fireplace, dramatic with its glass ceiling and sculpture swan diving. Treat yourself to the Ruinart blanc de blanc. Damned good olives, too. Milk & Honey 61 Poland St, W1F 7NU, mlkhny.com

You know a bar is good when local bartenders love it, and Milk & Honey has long been a Soho favourite for those in the know. Hidden in plain sight this terrific bar has been doing its thing for just shy of 15 years. The talent hasnt diminished, and neither has the care put into the drinks. Cocktails are strong and proper and happily, they're updating the list soon to freshen things up. At around 10 a drink, M&H is also a bargain for central London, and the quality outstrips the price. It functions as a members bar, but non-members can book up until 11pm  though going earlier in the week means youre more likely to score a table. Milk & Honey is civilised, without the crushing formality. Next door is the Blind Pig, another top 'hidden' spot. Mark's Bar HIX Soho, 66- 70 Brewer St, W1F 9UP, hixrestaurants.co.uk

The bad: you might not get in. If its busy, they dont squeeze people into this basement, so either be there early, or bamboozle them with charm, or dazzle them with your brilliant wit. Were kidding: just take someone hot. The good: pretty much everything else. Naturally, the bar snacks are distractingly tasty, but the drinks list is excellent, and unusual too, with a few historical recipes brought back to life. Attention to detail is everything here, so if youre not sharing one of the big old Chesterfields, head to the bar and sit and watch  theres something about it thats like seeing a cardmaster turn tricks. And have a Hix Fix, just to say you have. The Beaufort bar and the American Bar at The Savoy The Savoy, Strand, WC2R 0EU, fairmont.com

Glitz, glamour and lots of gold: both Savoy bars are wonderfully opulent. The world-famous American bar, recently revamped, is still up there as one of the best bars on our humble planet. The bartenders bible, Harry Craddocks The Savoy Cocktail Book, was written here, and the cocktails served today remain as finely tuned as they ever were. Whereas as other bars try to recreate the glamour of such places, The Savoy neednt pretend: everything is genuine. The palatial Beaufort is absurdly romantic, and drinks are extravagantly presented: it works for the most special of special occasions, and theres something undeniably grand about sipping away in the same place Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway all did. If youre planning a few drinks, either be rich or take someone rich  seriously. Artesian 1C Portland Pl, W1B 1JA, artesian-bar.co.uk

Artesian won its accolades for its team, Alex Kratena and Simone Caporale, who ran the place for eight years and earned its reputation as the best bar in the world. Theyve sadly departed, but have left the place in capable hands, and the feel is much the same as it ever was, which is chic, glamorous, and not taking itself too seriously. While the beautiful and the rich rub shoulders, the bartenders are mixing up excellent but often slightly silly drinks  but its their mischievousness that makes them so winning. Seriously impressive. Les Compagnie Des Vins Surnaturels 8-10 Neal's Yard, WC2H 9DP, cvssevendials.com

Call it CVS and your night becomes considerably easier to pronounce. Sat in Neils Yard, it is one of Londons finest wine bars. Thoroughly French, of course: New World wines barely get a sideways glance, while even Italys finest is only begrudgingly given a little space on the considerable menu. This doesn't mean there is a lack of choice  to the contrary, it is almost overwhelming, though they have a short by-the-glass list, and the charming staff are both well informed and passionate about what to have. In the summer, sit outdoors, in the winter, cosy up by the bar. Wherever you are, try the mystery wine; if you guess it, youll win a bottle. Have food  small plates made to share, and terrifically good  and drink plenty, so the bill doesnt hit as hard. The Shrub & Shutter 336 Coldharbour Ln, SW9 8QH, theshrubandshutter.com

This Brixton bar felt new in the area, taking a little of east London and bringing it down south. Theyve a pleasingly patchwork approach to decor: there are jars and bottles and shakers everywhere, which gives the place a kitchen feel. The cocktails, lovely to drink on their own, are made better with the food, which is designed to match what youre drinking. The pairings initially sound a little gimmicky  crayfish with vodka, venison on the side of The Deerhunter (an old fashioned, basically)  but they work, so drop that sceptical streak for a moment. It gets busy, so book up, get in early, and stay late. Theyve a license until 3am, so itd be rude not to. Sky Pod at the Sky Garden 1 Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF, skygarden.london

The truth of it is, you come for the view, but good God it's a great view, and 360-degrees at that. Up 35 floors, if you can think of a London icon, you can probably see it. When the weather's good, get outside for some fresh air. With completely free entry and minimal security fuss, its worth making a reservation, though if youre ok to queue, theyll have you in. Cocktails arent torturously expensive, at around 11.50, and are very enjoyable  the cognac-chocolate-caramel-port mix that is Black and Gold is particularly good so it doesn't feel like they're relying on the sights.

Theres a sense of special occasion, and all the more so with live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. Theyre hoping for jazz on Wednesdays, too. If youre tempted to eat, Fenchurch and the Darwin Brasserie are well worth trying  Fenchurch is particularly good for veggies. The Gilbert Scott St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Rd, NW1 2AR, thegilbertscott.co.uk

Given the golden hue here, where luxury hangs in the air like perfume, its remarkable that wine starts at as little as 5 a glass. Wine is its strong point, and likeable head sommelier Joris Beijn is a man worth knowing: he is passionate about his list, knowledgeable and accommodating. The bar is flexible, in that it is by turns ideal for a date, or a catch up with old friends, or a pre/post dinner drinks. The room is a stunner: high painted ceilings, dramatic red walls, great big bells as art, marble bar top and crystal glasses catching the light. Cocktails come in at around 14, and err on the light side: lots of gin and floral concoctions. The restaurant, next door, isnt to be missed, either, just be prepared to get an Uber home: invariably, youll stretch and tease out the evening to stay just a little longer. Gerry's Club 52 Dean Street, W1D 5BJ, gerrysclub.com

A word of warning: this is technically a member's club, but you'll probably be fine if you flirt enough  and don't ask for Gerry, he's long since passed. Michael looks after this place now. We've only been once  very late, very drunk and with very good friends. Most old-school Soho drinking dens are dead, but this hub of actors and writers is what remains of 'Old Soho'. If you're boring, steer clear: it is a place to drink wine and beer and tell stories, to laugh uproariously and to give yourself a monumental hangover in a faintly discreet way. 68 and Boston 4-5 Greek St, Soho, W1D 4DD, 68andboston.com

Boston, the bar upstairs, looks like glamorous train carriage from the golden age of cocktails but plays it a little bit safe. Wine bar 68, downstairs, is the real gem, with a wonderful way of pricing: every bottle on the list is 20, so choose what you like, not what you can afford. Better yet, if you don't fancy a bottle, they're served by the carafe (14) or glass (5.50). Wines are well picked and Denise Medrano, wine blogger and lover found behind the bar, is always working to update the list  so go back to try something new. Youll probably end up getting drunk here: the pull of another bottle at just 20 is monumentally hard to resist, but hey, thats what Soho is for. If you fancy drinking something more upscale, ask  theyve a few hidden wines kept hidden away for those in the know. Thats you, now. The Pink Chihuahua at El Camion 25-27 Brewer St, W1F 0RR, elcamion.co.uk

Forget house infusions and drinks that take half an hour to make: sometimes a good night needs tequila and dancing. The Pink Chihuahua is built for it: theyre providing the tequila  more than 300 different types of it, in fact  youre there to drink it down and dance it up. Theyve all sorts of twists on Margaritas and Daiquiris, and, given youre downstairs from Mexican restaurant El Camion, plenty of bar food to indulge in too. Lots of fun, and if youre feeling more in the mood just to sit back and sip something slowly, ask about their choice of Mezcal. There's real talent here, but fun too. The Gibson 44 Old St, EC1V 9AQ, thegibsonbar.london

Given the dearth of decent cocktails in Farringdon, the tiny Gibson is a God-send. Its a parlour pitched somewhere between Edwardian and Art Deco, and drinks arent simply poured here, theyre tended to, built, thought about, adored. All unsurprising, really, given the team learnt their trade at the likes of Nightjar and The Connaught.

This place is doing more creatively to push bartending forward than any bar that's opened up in a while, so ask the team for recommendations and youll be presented with something magic. Youll need to ask, actually, as the menu is a novel and theres the risk of wasting the evening reading instead of drinking, and that simply wouldnt do at all. Peg+Patriot Patriot Square, E2 9NF, talentedmrfox.com

The Talented Mr Fox, Matt Whiley, offers is a nice blend of things here: while the menu takes a sophisticated trip around London, with each cocktail a column of flavour, some managing chameleonic taste all within the space of a sip, the actual bar is surprisingly spare and understated. The effect is such that while drinks are upmarket, one doesnt feel obliged to sit demurely to enjoy them. Relax, have a few  you might want to, as the serves arent huge. It should be said that these cocktails are among Londons most interesting, rather than Londons best: they are talking points, oddities, they put flavours together in a way that isnt available elsewhere. If youre big on trying new things, different experiences, seeing what a cocktail can do, come, its a must. If its just something reliably delicious you fancy, elsewhere may be better. Worship Street Whistling Shop 63 Worship St, EC2A 2DU, whistlingshop.com

One presumes the staff here have night vision, otherwise its a complete and utter mystery how they see customers, let alone their ingredients. Still, they must do, for the output is pretty much excellent through and through at this dark spot. Its Victorian-inspired, which sounds tired and not a little tacky, but the gang from Purl have done it properly. Drinks are busy  lots of fusions, blends, gasses and pressure and all sorts  so its appropriate they come out of a lab. Still, all this engineering seems to be worth it, as the drinks slip down easily, the alcohol often hidden away. Make sure to take a seat in the Dram Shop, and pop in to the Gin Closet too, which operates as an honesty bar. Kansas Smitty's 63-65 Broadway Market, E8 4PH, kansassmittys.com

Below bar Off Broadway  a long way off, its Mexican  sits this glorious den of jazz and juleps. It is a speakeasy for 2016: that is to say, it has none of the contrived mannerisms of bars which proclaim to be speakeasies, it just happens to actually be one: youll need to knock to get in, the music raves loud and hot, and the place is so crowded strangers become family after a drink or two. The house band, for which the place is named, have envy-inducing talent, and the bar has fairly recently overhauled its drinks list, and the results are good. Youll be absorbed by the music, and stay afterwards to ride the buzz of the crowd. GONG 52, Shangri-La Hotel, the Shard, SE1 9QU, .gong-shangri-la.com

Gong is in the Shard, so youre there for the view alone. View it certainly does: at 52 floors up, its by far Londons highest spot to drink: consequently, sipping on a martini, one feels a little like a Bond villain pondering all thats below. Its not a huge bar, but that somewhat adds to the sense of exclusivity. Prices are, naturally, sky high: expect to pay at least 18. The drinks have plenty about them to compete with the view: presentation is everything. Theyve not skipped on the spirits making the mix, either: expect the likes of Zacapa 23 rum (heavenly stuff), Talisker scotch and Tanqueray 10 for the gin. All top drawer stuff. If this all sounds a bit intimidating, bear in mind they operate a no reservations policy, so youve as good a chance of getting in as anyone else. Mr Fogg's Salon 58 St Martin's Lane, Theatreland, WC2N 4EA, mr-foggs.com

Downstairs is a pretty decent pub, busy from theatreland. Upstairs, the salon is quieter, but only a little. The walls are a glittering ballgown of 19th century curiosities, unsubtle nonsense winking away. Head to a chaise longues with a couple of friends or a date and take in something from each one of the five acts which split the menu. Drinks seem to smell especially good here, rich, relying heavily on the likes of rum, cognac and sherry. Gin lovers need not despair: theyve a room with 300 different types next door. Come elegantly dressed. Bar Termini 7 Old Compton St, W1D 5JE, bar-termini.com

Do Bar Termini right and youll love it: do it wrong, and you may be underwhelmed. Tony Conigliaro, cocktail chap par excellence, and coffee maestro Marco Arrigo have built a revolving-door of a place: dont come here to linger. Expect a night of cocktails and youll leave disappointed: instead, love it in the day for the 1 espressos, and swing by in the evening for a negroni (6). Theyre small, but some of the best in the capital. One swishes in and out here, and that way, it adds a touch of Italian glamour to any evening. Trisha's (New Evaristo Club) 57 Greek St, Soho, W1D 3DX



Drinks dont make a bar, and thank goodness, as the stuff served at Trishas  named for its owner  is uniformly pretty awful: red and white wine youd consider an insult if a friend served it at supper, prosecco wildly overpriced, terrible spirits ecetera ecetera. At more than 70, the club is Sohos oldest, and while nobody who goes there can ever remember anything changing  its often quite hard to recall much about Trishas in crystal detail, as it happens  nothing needs to. The bad wine and expensive mixers and paint stripper spirits are all part of the point: its a glorious drinking den, and marvellous, marvellous fun. There are characters here: the last time we were in, we sat being scared witless by an old East End gangster who said hes known the Krays. Tremendous. Long may this place live. The Fumoir Claridge's, 49 Brook St, W1K 4HR, claridges.co.uk

The Fumoir will confuse you, as youll be torn between shouting about it and keeping it all to yourself. This plush purple and leather spot, deco decadence with a touch of welcome pomp, is hidden away behind a secret door at Claridges. Tiny and glitzy enough to feel like a Hollywood dressing room from the Golden Age, its little surprise the likes of Christina Hendricks adore it. For such a small place, they squeeze an awful lot in: plenty of wines, classic cocktails given a stern shake up, buckets of gin, a lovely choice of armagnac and a magnificent scotch list, gleaming with rarities. 69 Colebrooke Row 69 Colebrooke Row, N1 8AA, 69colebrookerow.com

Once known as the bar with no name, henceforth they shall be called the bar with Bernards watch, as there is no other explanation for the speed with which their finely mixed cocktails arrive. Another bar from Tony Conigliaro, its earned its reputation for turning out hit after hit: the drinks list is endlessly tempting. The piano is a nice touch; that is gets played a much nicer one, and make sure to order the Prairie Oyster  fun to drink, and one even for those who cant eat seafood. Bear in mind its a small spot, so youre close to your neighbours, and if you dont like strong drinks where the booze kicks, this wont be for you. Happiness Forgets 8-9 Hoxton Square, N1 6NU, happinessforgets.com

Dont expect frills and fuss or the rest of it here: Happiness Forgets is cocktail bar distilled down to its very essence, and done very well  their tag High End Cocktails/Low End Rent sums it up best. The bartenders are all top drawer, and their creations impeccable. Unsurprisingly, this Hoxton space has its regulars, so the crowd is always good. Tables can be booked, but half are always kept for walk-ins: try your luck, its worth it. Dry Martini by Javier de las Muelas Melia White House Hotel, Albany Street, NW1 3UP, melia.com

Come to this one to brag: Dry Martini is known as Barcelonas best cocktail bar, and has been rated the fifth best bar in the world by the Worlds 50 Best Bars panel. Renowned bartender Javier de las Muelas has bought over his concept to us lucky Londoners, and with it, finely mixed and classic cocktails. No prizes for guessing that the Dry Martini is the house special  if you dont think you like them, heres a place to change your mind. With more than 80 gins on the list, you could easily lose a week here. Gordon's 47 Villiers St, WC2N 6NE, gordonswinebar.com

Gordons seems to get more and more crowded with each passing day, but perhaps rightly so: the beloved Embankment institution is made for knocking back bottles of wine in. Eat a few cold bites and chat into a long, unwinding evening. The wine list is good enough, but youre really here for the atmosphere: in summer, the terrace, buzzing, in winter, the caves indoors, crammed with noise, spilt wine, and joy. Social bar at City Social 25 Old Broad St, EC2N 1HQ, citysociallondon.com

Youd think youre at City Social, up 24 stories of Tower 42, to eat, but if you stop in the bar, theres a good chance you wont make it to your table. The drinks come as something of a surprise: theyre so much better than one expects from a restaurant bar, inventive, put together carefully but not staidly, retaining a sense of fun. And, crucially, damned tasty. Its a dark room, and full of city types, but perfect for a few late night cocktails soaking up the view, which is really quite wonderful. Bloody pricey, but thats part of it. Ladies and Gentlemen 2 Highgate Rd, NW5 1NR, twitter.com

William Borrells bolthole transcends its gimmick (which, if you hadnt guessed, is that its a converted public loo), with the help of some very handy bartenders, and its house-brewed gin, Highwayman, of which twelve bottles a day get distilled. Ladies & Gents manages well as a place for a quiet drink, or better yet, a place to quietly get roaringly drunk. Convenient indeed. The drinks are strong, very interesting, and theres plenty of odd sods on the wall to keep your conversation up. It maintains a veneer of being somewhere faintly upmarket, but youll probably end up reading from one of the books scattered around or trying to dance to the live music. Perfect for a date that gets out of hand. Bull In A China Shop 196 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6LG, bullinachinashop.london

Truth it, youll need to catch this place on a good night, as weve been in often enough to know it has its good nights and its meh nights. But when the place is on, its really cooking, and easily one of the best bars in town. The cocktail list is short, but thought through, and care is taken in even the small things: they even make sure the water glasses are chilled. The chamomile and charcoal Old-Fashioned is a must, and any whisky lovers should get chatting to the bar staff, as theyve bottles which arent available anywhere else in the capital. Sager + Wilde Arch, 250 Paradise Row, E2 9LE, sagerandwilde.com

Wine lovers rejoice, wine bores look elsewhere. Sager + Wilde admirably keep things unpretentious: the exposed brickwork sets the tone: theyre keeping things low key. The specials list changes regularly, and always with interesting choices introduced. Some of the wines are exclusive to this place, so youre all but guaranteed to try something new. Have a SHE + T (sherry with tonic, delicious), and absolutely do not leave without having the grilled cheese sandwich. 7 Tales at Sosharu 64 Turnmill St, EC1M 5RR, sosharulondon.com

Underneath Jason Athertons Sosharu is this sexy, seedy Japanese drinking den, where youll find the hazy, debauched glamour of Tokyo after dark. Unlike so many bars underneath restaurants, 7 Tales doesnt feel like a holding pen, and drinks are precision made, with flavours leaning beyond the usual  think rice-washed gin, sake, infusions of sesame, snacks like tempura. Bar snacks are an irresistible must. Callooh Callay 65 Rivington St, EC2A 3AY, calloohcallaybar.com

Eccentric doesnt seem to quite cover it: enter the surreal world of Callooh Callay through an old Victorian wardrobe, catch sight of a throne and order punch out of a gramophone from a menu thats more of a sticker book. It sounds a bit ridiculous, but the bartenders really know their stuff, so for all the quirks, drinks are fundamentally pretty excellent. On the weekends, its a party bar, and DJs spin music to match: youre here for a good time. Any detectives in your gang will find there are two extra rooms in Callooh Callay to explore  theyre hidden away, too, naturally. If youre good, you might even get an invite upstairs to the Jub Jub Room, where the 10-long cocktail list changes every three weeks. Fans should also head to their new offering in Angel, Little Bat. Dukes Bar Dukes Hotel, 35 St James's Pl, SW1A 1NY, dukeshotel.com

Dukes is known for one reason: martinis. The St Jamess hotel was a favourite haunt of James Bond author and (very) keen drinker, Ian Fleming, who supposedly came up with the shaken, not stirred line here. Their martinis are exceptionally strong, and very large: theres a reason they wont serve you more than two. But look, break the mould: theyre a classic hotel bar, they serve a fine range of classic cocktails. Theres also a cognac and cigar garden, if youre so inclined. NOLA 1st Floor, 68 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AY, nola-london.com

It would be too easy to miss this place, so do your homework and saunter in: its must more attractive than sweatily asking anyone if theyve seen the place. Drawing inspiration from the home of proper cocktails, New Orleans, the bar loves traditional drinks, builds them properly and serves them in a den of music and laughter. Unlike some places specialising in old school serves, NOLA is a place for fun: sure, it seems to say, you could have a quiet drink  but why would you want to? Theres a cracking cigar terrace too, small enough that everyone talks before heading back in for one hell of a Vieux Carre. Call Me Mr Lucky 11 Southwark St, SE1 1RQ, twitter.com

All the hidden bars at the Breakfast Clubs around the capital are popular, with perhaps The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town being the best known. Call Me Mr Lucky, on Southwark Street, happens to be our favourite. Once youve flirted with the staff  ask to get lucky  youre taken through the restaurants kitchens to a lively bar decorated like some twisted take on a kids party. Have a go on the wheel of fortune, where youll really want to get lucky, and win a free shot, and then work your way through the cocktail list. Like any good-time bar worth its salt, this place is big on tequila, and the drinks are light-hearted fun, but  here we go getting lucky again  along with the quirks comes quality. By the of the evening, before youre porured back onto the street, youll swear tequila is your new favourite drink, and youll be singing the party hits they play all the way home. K Bar at The Kensington 109 - 113 Queen's Gate, SW7 5LP, townhousekensington.com

K bar feels majestic  and there is no other word for it  because drinking here is a little like being in the captains quarters of the Titanic, albeit without the sinking feeling. There is glamour here: a kind of place to be seduced in. Cocktails wise, bar manager Ben Manchester is the man to ask for, but theres a fine list to choose from. It avoids stuffiness, and just needs to be packed out to really get cooking. Nightjar 129 City Rd, EC1V 1JB, barnightjar.com

Nightjar has fame which means writing about it is redundant: people think it marvellously good, and theyve live music most of the week. Its seating only and worth booking: just be sure not to cancel, or theyll charge a steep 10 per person. They do the speakeasy theme, but well enough that it isnt too tired yet, and have plenty of old school style on the list. Pick up a pack of cards from the bar on your way out. Reverend J W Simpson 32 Goodge St, W1T 2QJ, revjwsimpson.com

Bourne and Hollingsworth run this rather lovely little bar, downstairs from a small doorway on Goodge St. Service is friendly and speedy, it's comfortable, and drinks more than hold their own  there's both obscure traditional mixes and modern serves made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Luckily, with good drinks come good people, and it's a loud, happy place. Albertine 1 Wood Ln, W12 7DP, albertinewinebar.co.uk

Albertine hasnt changed much since the day East Enders was commissioned there. A wine bar through and through, youll struggle to get anything else (though there are a couple of ales on the menu.) Its a place with spirit, which draws a regular, devoted crowd. They sell everything they serve, and its well worth splashing out: the mark-up gets less and less as the bottles get more expensive, meaning you can get an absolute bargain at the top end of the list. Its also the kind of wine bar you go to to overindulge. First Aid Box 119 Dulwich Rd, SE24 0NG, firstaidbox2015.com

This place really is worth travelling to Herne Hill to, which must be saying something. The team behind Shrub & Shutter have thickly laid on the pharmacy theme here, with cure-all drinks. Its not an idea which sounds like it should work, and yet, how much better life would be if they were one of the emergency services. Expect saline drips, syringes, and the likes of plastic lungs  their take on thirst aid  but rest assured, flavours arent medicinal in the slightest. At 8 - 10 a drink, its reasonable for London, and wonderful to see a bar really trying something new. Bravo. Media Wisdom Photography - Giles Christopher Nam Long Le Shaker 159 Old Brompton Rd, SW5 0LJ, namlong.co.uk

It gained fame for its celebrity fans, which include Mick Jagger and Prince Harry, but Nam Long has held on longer than most A-list haunts: its been going 30 years, and recently was given an overhaul. Its quite possibly the most Chelsea place imaginable  there are literally MIC cast members floating about  and its a go-to spot to drink far too much and party. The upstairs area is bright, airy, and well looked after by the excellent bartenders, while downstairs  "the Opium Den"  is as it sounds (though there was no opium available when we asked... ) The drinks upstairs were made with more care, but downstairs is more intimate, opulent, and better for a small groups. Some of those Chelsea types who go really are the very worst, and the drinks are outrageously expensive, but hey, its a laugh. The Vault at Milroy's 3 Greek St, Soho, W1D 4NX, shop.milroys.co.uk

A bar through a bookcase: were sold. Better yet, its underneath one of Sohos finest whisky shops  with stiff competition from The Vintage House  so if youre taken with something downstairs, buy it on your way out. Its a simple little bar and the service is decidedly so-so, but its usually pretty busy, they play good music and have an excellent range of spirits. The menu is changed regularly, but its a good place to cram into with friends or on a date. You mightnt spend the entire night here, but for a couple of drinks on the way somewhere, or on the way back, it fits the bill perfectly. Bounce 241 Old St, EC1V 9EY, bouncepingpong.com

There are two Bounce bars, one on Old Street and one on Holborn. The Old Street spot is a little more fun, graffiti adorning the walls,the Holborn spot somewhat more upmarket. Still, they both deserve a mention, and for the simple reason theyre damned good fun. Drinks here are good, with a decent spirit selection at both (and a huge number of gins in Farringdon) and a respectable selection of beers. Food is fine, simple. Still, you come to play ping pong. Theyve tables everywhere. Theres little to fault with Bounce: its a laugh, and sometimes thats all somewhere needs to be.

We resorted to knocking on doors asking people to let us buy them out of their leases. The residential development market in London is so strong that smaller food kiosk operators hoping to open have a mountain to climb.

Theres so many start-ups from modest backgrounds which could put a lot of value into the exchequer who cant get on that first rung of the ladder.

Holland, who also used to be a journalist, helped to save Brixton market from redevelopment in 2009 and served as a Labour councillor for Brixton Hill ward for four years from 2010. He has been mentored by restaurateur and Cinnamon Club founder Iqbal Wahhab.

The pub will employ former inmates from Londons prisons. It will initially open from Wednesday to Sunday.

For more information, visit brewteapub.com
A west London restaurateur is hosting a series of suppers to celebrate an area which he says has been overlooked by trendier parts of the capital.

Alex Wrethman, the owner of three Charlottes Group restaurants in and around Ealing, has invited four top chefs from the area into his kitchen as part of London Food Month, which begins on Thursday.

All four events will be held at Charlottes W5, near Ealing Broadway.

The first guest chef is Henry Harris, who will draw on his time at the helm of classic French restaurant Racine, in Knightsbridge, to create rustic bistro plates on June 6.

He will be followed by acclaimed Shepherds Bush chef and restaurateur Rowley Leigh, who worked for years at Joe Allen restaurant, Le Gavroche and Le Poulbot and will dream up a menu to be served on June 13. Leigh  who ran Le Cafe Anglais in Bayswater and now runs Parabola at the Design Museum in Kensington  will be creating a rustic Italian menu, including a main course of whole shoulder of middle white pork braised in milk and sage. Next, on June 20, is Atul Kochhar, who was only the second Indian chef to receive a Michelin star, for his Mayfair restaurant Benares in 2007.

Kochhar, who lives in Isleworth, will be serving up a tasting menu of Indian fine-dining dishes such as grilled prawn moilee with vermicelli and chargrilled lamb rump with rogan jus and sprouting broccoli.

Delhi-born chef and cookery teacher Angela Malik completes the line-up on June 27. The Great British Menu judge will create a menu that reflects Ealings melting pot of cultures, using producers from the area.

Mr Wrethman bought Charlotte's Place from the original owner, family friend Charlotte Kearns, several years ago and subsequently opened Charlottes W5 and Charlottes Bistro.

He said he wanted to get involved in London Food Month to showcase the area. West London is packed with wonderful food and drink, but we are often overlooked by other trendier parts of London, he said.

We are proud to have three restaurants which sit in the centre of this historic culinary heartland, so what better way to celebrate these chefs than to invite them all in and let them flex their cooking muscles to new and existing customers? Once Crossrail arrives in Ealing, that will give it a huge boost. I think Ealing could be the new Shoreditch for sure.

Charlottes Group is only one of the venues helping to put Ealing on the map during London Food Month. W5 Food Market is partnering with South Ealings Abbotshill Wine Bar to host the first W5 Cheese Fest on June 11, while Actons Vindinista is also holding a series of pop-ups and supper clubs with guest chefs throughout the month.
W hat do you get when you mix eight of Londons top sandwich hawkers, plenty of beer and a horde of food lovers unperturbed by the traditionally rubbish May weather? Sandwich Fest 2017, the capitals first celebration of everything between bread, on brioche and beyond.

Down in London Fields SPACE Gallery courtyard on 20 May, visitors poured into the sold-out afternoon session to get their fill of the best sarnies around while perched on picnic tables, quaffing IPA from Five Points Brewery and passion fruit cocktails.

Pitched up for the day was a range of vendors covering plenty of sandwich bases: Le Bao, Earls Serious Sandwiches, Bala Baya, Grill My Cheese, The Piadina Project, Happy Endings, Deeneys, and Project Sandwich. There was cheese, there was flatbread, there was ice cream - and not a limp BLT in sight.

Therere so many amazing sandwiches to be found across London, said Dan, the man behind Sandwich Fest, who left his job in events to make the festival happen after dreaming up the idea on a few post-work tipples.

I wanted to bring them all together for a sandwich-off. Inevitably, you can't have every type of sandwich there because there are hundreds, but I wanted to get eight of the best from across the city.

But who would win the critics vote, and who would win over the public? We took a seat on the judges panel to decide whod take home the Critics Best Sandwich award.

Le Bao, previous winners of Best Sandwich at 2016s British Street Food Festival, were out in force serving up pairs of their Pork Belly Bao. Steamed soy-milk buns were topped with big chunks of braised pork belly, a smear of smoked hoi sin, with pickles and a squirt of sriracha for good measure.

The Piadina Project

There was also The Piadina Projects Lincolnshire sausage-sarnie-via-Italia, with a butterflied banger squished between crisped Piadina flatbread (made, without exception, with water from the Adriatic), and all of it dripping with thick mouthfuls of burrata.

Grill My Cheese

Toastie lovers could go for the charmingly retro Grill My Cheese, sprinkled with actual Monster Munch and pickled onions, complete with those oh-so-Instagrammable melty cheese strings.

Flying the flag for the sugar lovers was Happy Endings with their dinky ice-cream sandwiches that experiment with flavours like salted caramel with miso, stroopwafel, and a negroni made with a reduction retaining all the botanical flavours (and none of the booze).

Bala Baya meanwhile drew on the roots of its Tel Aviv roots with a beefy pitta that was outstandingly good value, and came liberally stuffed with sticky date glazed short rib, smokey bonfire potatoes and tangy lumps of green horseradish aioli. The bread was noteworthy, as is all of Bala Bayas, for being light baked in its South bank restaurants own bakery.

Earl's Serious Sandwiches

Over in the courtyard, Earls Serious Sandwiches were handing out their picture perfect Kim Wrong Uns to the crowds from their huge Chevrolet food truck. It came in the form of a glossy demi-brioche gently laden with buttermilk fried chicken and smeared with a dreamy mayo, blended with that tangy Korean red bean paste, gochujang.

Deeney's

Deeneys left lasting impressions with the Macbeth, their gorgeous haggis toastie containing heaped spoonfuls of the Scottish delicacy, caramelised onion and sharp cheddar between sliced wholemeal. Magnificently simple, particularly that crunchy greasy bread, it was a strong contender for the our top vote, and did eventually win over the stomachs of the punters to take home the public vote for Best Sandwich.

However, there can only be one winner, and for the judging panel, it was the top notch El Jefe from Project Sandwich that took the crown. We watched greedily as sizzling puddles of gruyere were topped with slow cooked pork and smoked shoulder, then a sprinkle of crispy pig bits, a splodge of salsa mojo and chipotle, and finally, a thick brushing of lime butter, all of which caused us to swear and stamp our feet with glee. 
IPS officer R S Bhagora was appealing against the conviction by the Bombay High Court in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case.

The Supreme Court refused to grant relief to convicted IPS officer in Bilkis Bano case. Photo: PTI.

By India Today Web Desk: The Supreme Court today refused to provide any relief to convicted IPS officer R S Bhagora in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case.

Bhagora was appealing against the conviction by the Bombay High Court and sought a stay on the order.

A vacation bench of Justice A K Sikri and Justice Deepak Gupta said there was "no urgency" as this case was one of the several 2002 Gujarat riot cases.

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Convicted IPS officer Bhagora's counsel urged the bench that his client has already undergone the sentence and if conviction was not stayed then he would lose his job.

The Supreme Court, however, refused to hold an urgent hearing in the case and posted the plea for a hearing in the second week of July.

The Bombay High Court on May 4 upheld a trial court's sentence awarding life imprisonment to 12 people in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case while setting aside the acquittal of seven others including policemen and doctors.

The high court also dismissed an appeal filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking death penalty for three of the convicts.

THE BILKIS BANO CASE

Bilkis Bano, who was six months pregnant, was gangraped during the communal violence that erupted in Gujarat in 2002. Fourteen members of her family were also brutally murdered by a violent mob.

During the Gujarat riots of March 2002, Bano witnessed 14 members of her family being massacred by a violent mob, when they were trying to escape from their riot-struck village Randhikpur, 250 km away from Ahmedabad.

Six months pregnant at the time, Bilkis survived the slaughter, but not before being subjected to gangrape by a savage mob.

The trial began in Ahmedabad but the Supreme Court transferred the case to Mumbai in August 2004 after Bano expressed fears that witnesses could be harmed and the Central Bureau of Investigation evidence tampered with.

ALSO READ:

Bilkis Bano case: Story of brutality and 15-year-long wait for justice

Activists, Congress welcome Bombay HC order in Bilkis Bano case

Gujarat riots gangrape survivor Bilkis Bano: Ensure no parole for convicts

ALSO WATCH: Happy with verdict; wanted justice, not revenge: Bilkis Bano

--- ENDS ---
I f you loved nothing more than spending hours building castles and forts with Lego bricks when you were younger, then a new professor role at Cambridge University well be the dream job for you.

The prestigious university has just hired its first Lego Professor of Play, who will be tasked with examining how children are encouraged to play at home and school, and how this can benefit their learning development.

Professor Paul Ramchandani has been named the first Lego Professor by Cambridge, following widespread interest in what was dubbed a dream job role.

Ramchandani, is a leading child mental health expert for Imperial College, and has penned ground-breaking research around the treatment of severely mentally ill children.

The new role has been devised and funded by the Lego Foundation, which owns 25 per cent of the Lego business.

The philanthropic enterprise aims to make childrens lives better by educating parents, carers, governments and institutions on the importance of play - believing that it empowers children to become creative, engaged, life-long learners.

The Lego Foundation has already made a 4m endowment to Cambridge University, 2.5m of which will be used to fund the professorship.

Part of the role will involve heading up Pedal, a research centre based at the university which will work to devise and evaluate play-based teaching methods.

Shutterstock / Konstanttin

Prof Ramchandani and his researchers will look into how fun and games can benefit children, turning various studies into hard evidence for international and national bodies as they produce policy around childrens right to play.

Speaking of his new role, Prof Ramchandani said: Everyone has an opinion about what role play should have in early education and there is some wonderful research, but there are also big gaps in our knowledge.

We need the best evidence possible in order to inform the vital decisions that are made about children's education and development and I look forward to taking that work forward together with colleagues at Cambridge.

The best LEGO sets- in pictures 1 /8 The best LEGO sets- in pictures Scroll to see the best LEGO sets for Christmas... LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon 75105 Build the most iconic spaceship of all time with this fantastic Millennium Falcon kit. Once built, you can enjoy the rotating top and bottom laser as well as the dual spring loaded shooters. This comes with mini-figures of the whole gang and is suitable for ages 7- 11. 89, Tesco, Buy it now LEGO Friends Amusement Park Roller Coaster 41130 Build your own amusement park with this set, including a roller coaster and a Ferris wheel. As you build each part youll notice a new activation, including the rotating gondolas on the Ferris wheel and the moving roller coaster cars. Suitable for age eight and up. 71, Tesco, Buy it now LEGO Parisian Restaurant This stunning set will take you right to the cobbled streets of Paris. Capturing the heart of a French restaurant, it includes a chef, waiter and romantic couple as well as a second floor apartment, plates of food and even a little rat- perfect for fans of the film Ratatouille. Suitable for age 16 and up. 133, LEGO, Buy it now LEGO Creator 10220 VW Camper Van Create your own model of the legendary VW Camper and reminisce about the swinging 60s. the attention to detail is excellent- the interior strikes an uncanny resemblance to the real thing. Theres a front cabin bench seat, gear stick and the iconic spherical speedometer. A perfect gift for an enthusiastic LEGO collector. Suitable for age 16 and over. 80, John Lewis, Buy it now LEGO The Simpsons 71016 Kwik-E-Mart The ultimate gift for fans of The Simpsons, this model of the famous Kwik-E-Mart comes complete with the owner, Apu, as well as the whole Simpsons clan. Remove the roof to stock the shelves with market essentials. Suitable for age 12 and over. 153, John Lewis,Buy it now

The professor of play is expected to earn around 84,000 per year  the average salary for a Cambridge University professor.

Professor Anna Vignoles, acting head of Pedal said: The value of play is relatively under-researched. The aim of the Pedal centre is to conduct rigorous research into the importance of play and how playful learning can be used to improve students outcomes.
A song brandishing Theresa May as a liar has climbed up the charts just weeks before the General Election.

Liar Liar GE2017 by Captain Ska, criticises the Prime Ministers policies on the NHS, education and poverty.

The damning song was released on Friday and by Monday had reached number two in the iTunes singles chart.

The song has gained attention for its cutting lyrics, which features the chorus: Shes a liar liar, you cant trust her, no, no, no.

The anti-Conservative pop song was first released in 2010 during the student protests opposing the Governments hike in tuition fees.

At the time, it attacked Nick Clegg and David Cameron, but now the song lyrics have been rewritten to coincide with next months election.

General Election polls and projections: May 30

The song features sound bites of Theresa May, while the lyrics attack the party over its policies.

"When there's nurses going hungry and schools in decline I don't recognise this broken country of mine" is just one of the scathing digs.

Now people are taking to social media to campaign for the song to reach the top spot in the charts.

The 2010 release has kind of been around for a while and I ended up getting so many messages to remix it I thought Id do it, a member of Captain Ska told HuffPost.

Its overwhelming to be at number two now, were all freelance session musicians in London, so were totally amazed by it.

Original music, and especially political music, doesn't have traction any more. Everyone is totally over the moon with it.

Funny General Election Campaign Pictures 2017 1 /48 Funny General Election Campaign Pictures 2017 When the chips are down? Prime Minister Theresa May eats chips as she meets with residents in Mevagissey PA You looking at me? Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn is startled by Cody the Dachshund during a campaign event outside the James Paget Hospital Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Falling down British Trade Union leader Len McCluskey falls on the steps outside the Clause 5 Labour meeting to finalise the Labour manifesto in Londo Andy Rain/EPA Not complete pants First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is presented with a pair of stained-glass pants, which Ms Sturgeon designed for the Prostate Cancer UK charity Jane Barlow/PA Sign him up! Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn saves a penalty kick from a child during a visit to Hackney Marshes Football Pitches, to highlight Labour's manifesto commitment to ensure 5% of the Premier League's television rights income is diverted to the grassroots game PA Cutting edge Ed Miliband mows a lawn whilst canvassing in his Doncasater North constituentcy Jane Nightingale Play time with Corbyn Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn meets staff and children at Marsham Street Community Nursery in Westminster, London Stefan Rousseau/PA Leap of faith Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron leaps off the stage after taking part in the BBC Election Debate Stefan Rousseau/PA Tongue-tied Ukip leader Paul Nuttall speaking at a policy launch event in Gt George Street Victoria Jones/PA Crazy like a fox Former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott gives a stump speech during General Election campaigning outside The Junction in Goole, Yorkshire Chris Radburn/PA Back to school Prime Minister Theresa May meets the Nishkam Trust leadership team and pupils of Nishkam Primary School in Birmingham Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Raising the bar First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to the Inveralmond Brewery in Perth David Cheskin/PA Running for election Conservative party leader Theresa May and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson during the Scottish Conservatives manifesto launch at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre PA The wheels on the bus Alex Shimmin takes control of the Lib Dem battlebus, after Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron launched the party's Welsh campaign in Cardiff Bay, Wales Gareth Fuller/PA Photo bomb Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has a selfie taken with supporters after he launched Labour's education plans during a visit to Leeds City College Danny Lawson/PA Top Gear First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon sits in the driving seat of a Midge car during a visit to Moffat on the General Election campaign trail PA Into the light Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn after speaking in Morley, Leeds Danny Lawson/PA Rolling with it SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon holds a rolling pin as she and the party's local candidate John Nicolson (left) make haggis pies with Table 13 Express co-owner Iain Murphy on a campaign visit to the cafe in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire Andrew Milligan/PA It's a dog's life ... A dog wears a placard as Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Labour Party campaigns outside Leamington Spa Town Hall Darren Staples/Reuters My goal! Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron plays a game on table football during a visit to charity Gloustershire Action for Refugess and Asylum Seekers in Gloucester. Gareth Fuller/PA Jamming with it Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with Busker Dan Hettfield during his general election campaign stop in Aston Under Lyme Peter Byrne/PA Bake off SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon savours the aroma of a haggis pie featuring the party's logo that she helped to make on a campaign visit to Table 13 Express in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire Andrew Milligan/PA Got a lotta bottle tops Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Willie Rennie (second left) and party candidate Jo Swinson examine bottle tops during a tour of the Guala Closures factory, at Guala Closures UK Ltd in Kirkintilloch, Scotland Yui Mok/PA Stamble and fall Tim Farron takes a stumble on his battle bus during a Sky News broadcast Sky News Just like that Theresa May visits the Dhamecha Lohana Centre in Harrow North London Jeremy Selwyn Top dog? Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron meets a dog in St Albans Philip Toscano/PA Down with the kid's Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn reads with children as he visits Brentry Children Centre in Bristol, during Labour's election campaign Steve Parsons/PA There's no smoke without fire Pensioner Malcolm Baker confronts Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron while he was the election campaign trail in Kidlington, near Oxford Sam Lister/PA Look who's talking Jeremy Corbyn the leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party holds one year old Angelo during a campaign event in Harlow, Essex Neil Hall/Reuters Flower power Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (R) smells a red rose alongside Mohammed Yasin (L) the Labour Party general election candidate for Bedford and Kempston while on the campaign trail in Bedford, north of London, Britain Andy Rain/EPA This Bud's for you Britain's opposition Labour party Leader Jeremy Corbyn (C) walks past a bus shelter with Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton, and local councillor Satvir Kaur (R), before meeting local residents Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images Wenger Out!? Students hold up a Wenger Out banner behind Labour leader and Arsenal fan Jeremy Corbyn as he speaks to supporters outside the Town Hall in Leamington Spa Arj Singh/PA Swing vote Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Labour Party, watches local candidate Anneliese Dodds' children play on the swings in a playground during a campaign stop in Oxford Darren Staples /Reuters Watch the birdie A demonstrator, speaks to police officers outside a British Conservative Party campaign event in London Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA Grape expectation Ukip leader Paul Nuttall (left) eats grapes during a walkabout in Dudley town centre in the West Midlands, with Ukip West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge (right) and Phil Durnell, West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Richard Vernalls/PA Bad hair day Prime Minister Theresa May makes her statement to the nation and calls General Election Getty Images

In the wake of the songs success, many UK radio stations are declining to include the song as part of their chart music downloads, as this would breach impartiality rules laid down by Ofcom.

All proceeds from downloads of the song, meanwhile, will be split between food banks around the UK and The Peoples Assembly Against Austerity.
O nce a Victorian hotel in the heart of Herne Hill, iconic south London boozer The Half Moon became a place of pilgrimage for music fans - everyone from Frank Sinatra to U2 played on its stage.

But the well-loved watering hole was forced to close its doors in 2013 due to 5ft-deep floods in the area, leaving it untouched for years.

Now, four years on, Fullers have breathed new life into the Grade II Listed building, restoring both the pub and its guest rooms to their former glory, with a contemporary design scheme to rival some of the best boutique hotels in the city.

Now the pub is positioning itself as a South Londons coolest hangout - a stylish one-stop-shop to dine, drink and stay in the heart of the village.

Where is it? Right in the heart of Herne Hill in South London, which neighbours Brixton and Dulwich. A two-minute stroll from the station, its ideally positioned for travelling into Victoria and Central London. Herne Hill itself has a charming, village vibe with an array of independent coffee shops and restaurants, a bustling farmers market and leafy Brockwell Park right on your doorstep.

The rooms have an astrological design scheme (Image: Ben Carpenter)

Style: Cosy, quirky and contemporary. The interiors come courtesy of Concorde BGW, who created a unique personality for each of the 13 boutique bedrooms in the new-look hotel. The buildings famous period features, such as the original iron fireplaces, stunning floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows and oak floorboards have been lovingly restored, and placed alongside contemporary furnishings which are pleasingly sympathetic to the original design. There are salvaged interior gems in every room - think mid century furniture, reclaimed wood tables and little vintage curiosities - alongside trendy House of Hackney wallpapers. The design team took inspiration from the night sky, and youll notice nods to the astrological in the Lunar-themed lights, books, vintage optical instruments and artworks.

House of Hackney wallpapers (Image: Ben Carpenter)

Facilities: The pub downstairs has an all-day restaurant and a well-stocked bar, while each room comes with a separate shower and bath, Nespresso machine, Roberts radio and flat-screen TV. Outside there is a spacious terrace for al-fresco dining.

The Half Moon, Herne Hill - in pictures 1 /33 The Half Moon, Herne Hill - in pictures Ben Carpenter

Food and drink: whether youre a local or a guest, the Half Moons dining area is a great place to enjoy dinner and a glass of wine - thanks to an accessible pub grub menu which has been elevated with a fine dining finesse. Head chef Mike Blizzard serves up gastro-takes on pub favourites like battered cod and burgers alongside venison carpaccio, confit pork belly and pigs cheek. The wine list is pleasingly extensive, with bottles from around the world categorised by their key notes (soft and silky, zesty and aromatic), while there are 12 different beers on tap - many from local brewery Canopy and Bullfinch. The pub is also fast becoming famous on Instagram for its generously plated Sunday roasts with all the trimmings.

The dining area (Image: Ben Carpenter)

Extra curricular: Despite its close proximity to central London, Herne Hill is often described as a slice of rural living in the city. Sprawling Brockwell Park and its year-round Victorian lido are a stones throw away while Herne Hill is home to some charming little shops and cafes. Theres a buzzing Sunday market, a wine bar with cheese and live music, a butcher, baker, antiques shop and wool shop. Meanwhile, the nightlife, bars and restaurants of Brixton are just a short taxi ride away.

Which room? It has to be the Grand Suite. Superbly spacious and at the top of the pub, it occupies a glorious floor to ceiling set of generous sash windows to the front and left of the room which look out onto the hustle and bustle of London life on Half Moon Lane. Theres a brilliantly opulent four-poster bed, a separate living area and a glorious Victorian clawfoot bath set in the far corner, perfect for an indulgent bubble bath. Theres also a separate bathroom with stacks of Cole and Lewis products and a walk-in shower for guests on the go. The room comes with a Nespresso machine, Apple desktop computer, Roberts Radio, a well-stocked mini bar and the chest at the foot of the bed extends to reveal an LED TV screen.

The Grand Suite (Image: Ben Carpenter)

Best for: Design lovers looking for a stylish stay at an affordable price.

When to go: Summer is a perfect time to enjoy the spoils of Brockwell Park and strolling around this city village.

Details: 10 Half Moon Lane, London SE24 9HU 020 7616 5276 halfmoonhernehill.co.uk
A carer has denied trying to kill a 90-year-old widow with a kitchen knife in her own home in west London.

Abosede Adeyinka, 52, appeared before the Old Bailey on Tuesday accused of the attempted murder of elderly Pamela Batten.

Police were called to Ms Batten's home in West Drayton on the evening of April 27 following reports of an elderly woman being assaulted.

She had suffered a stab wound to the neck and serious head injuries "consistent with blunt force trauma", police said.

The victim, who lost her husband in October, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

She spent a month in hospital before being discharged.

Adeyinka, of Hayes, also faced an alternative charge of wounding with intent and possessing a kitchen knife at the scene of the alleged attack in Lilac Place.

She spoke only to confirm her name and enter not guilty pleas to all the charges via video link from Bronzefield jail.

The mother-of-three was remanded in custody ahead of a six-day trial on October 23.
A former priest who subjected London children to decades of horrific sexual abuse including rape has been jailed for 22 years.

Eugene Fitzpatrick, 68, was found to have sexually assaulted one boy in Islington, as well as raping a boy at Our Lady St Josephs Catholic Church in Hackney.

The offences were all committed in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s, police said.

But police fear that the predatory sex offender could have assaulted other children in that time, and have pleaded for survivors of his abuse to come forward.

Fitzpatrick, of Raymond Avenue, in Canterbury, was convicted at Blackfriars Crown Court on Thursday, May 25, of seven counts of indecent assault, four counts of indecency with a child and two counts of buggery.

The indecent assault and indecency offences were committed against one victim in Islington. The buggery offences were committed against a second victim in Hackney.

He was sentenced to 22 years in prison the following day.

Detective Constables Lorraine Simpson and Klementina Balint, the investigating officers, said: "Eugene Fitzpatrick is a predatory sex offender who abused his position of trust, preying on vulnerable youngsters and subjecting them to horrific sexual abuse over a period of years.

"In addition to the two known victims in this case, I believe that there may be additional survivors of Fitzpatricks actions who continue to suffer in silence. I urge anyone who has been abused by Eugene Fitzpatrick to contact police without delay.

"Specially trained officers will support victims throughout the investigative process and there are a number of additional support pathways that we are able to signpost."
A thief appeared to give a High Court judge a kiss on the cheek after mugging him in the heart of the legal establishment, a court heard.

Sir Robin Knowles CBE was walking back to his flat in Middle Temple, just a few minutes from the Royal Courts of Justice, when he was confronted by a man clutching a champagne bottle who demanded his wallet, it is said.

Fearing he was about to be attacked, Sir Robin handed over cash and appears to have been kissed on the cheek by the mugger as he fled.

Inner London crown court heard the judge then had to help the thief escape because he could not get through a security gate on to The Strand.

Terry Brown, 45, is on trial accused of robbing Sir Robin at around 9.30pm on September 27 last year. It is also said he stole the champagne bottle during a burglary at legal chambers at Lamb Building, in Middle Temple Lane, earlier in the evening.

Prosecutor Michael Williams said a man was caught on CCTV entering Lamb Building where staff were enjoying a seminar and drinks reception.

The burglar was seen grabbing a coat before disappearing upstairs, then returned downstairs when he was confronted by a member of staff.

"He said I'm the cleaner, but she knew the cleaner and called him into the room", said Mr Williams.

"At this point the man's story changed, and instead of being the cleaner he tried to suggest he was looking for work as a cleaner.

"At that point he was told no, and the male was seen leaving the Chambers holding what appears to be a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine."

Mr Williams said minutes later Sir Robin was returning home from a shopping trip when he was confronted by a 6ft man.

"The male approached Mr Knowles and said to him 'give me your wallet".

"He was holding a champagne bottle by its neck when he said this."

Sir Robin told the court: "I did the calculation that the best thing for me to do was to produce my wallet rather than arguing or trying to run.

"I felt under a very real threat that the bottle would be used to hit me and I'm fully aware of how devastating the injury that type of action could cause.

"I was pretty focused on that danger."

He said he handed over around 140 to the mugger, who then inspected his wallet to check it was empty of cash.

"He may have leaned in and given him a kiss on the cheek after taking his money", added Mr Williams.

The court heard the mugger tried to flee but could not find the button to open a key fob-controlled gate from Middle Temple, so Sir Robin helped to unlock it for him.

"Either I helped him to get out of Middle Temple or I risked him coming back past me", said the judge.

"A bit on auto-pilot I went up and remember saying 'press the green button' from a distance.

"I then walked towards him in order to press the green button and allowed him out on to the Strand."

Mr Williams said Brown was later picked out as the man who had burgled the chambers and robbed Sir Robin.

Brown, from Bethnal Green, denies robbery and burglary but is not in the dock for his trial.

Jurors have been told not to speculate why he is absent and unrepresented, and to focus on the evidence.

The trial continues.
A 37-year-old man has been charged with terror offences after being arrested at Stansted Airport.

Aweys Faqey, from north London, was arrested by counter-terror officers at the airport on May 23.

He was charged on Tuesday with the preparation of terrorist acts, the Met Police said.

Faqey had been detained as he tried to board a plane to Turkey.

He was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Scotland Yard said the incident is not linked to the Manchester attacks.
P olice are appealing for information after a man was brutally assaulted coming out of a train toilet on a service from Brighton to London Victoria.

The victim was in the lavatory at about 11.30pm on Friday, April 7, when he heard a loud bang.

Opening the door, he was confronted by two men, one of whom assaulted him, punching him in the head.

The victim got off the train at Burgess Hill, where the assault continued on the platform and, as he tried to run off, the man chased him for a short time.

Investigating officer PC Michael Gosling, from British Transport Police, said: I am keen to speak to anyone who was on the service at the time and may have witnessed the incident.

Everyone has the right to travel on the rail network without fear or intimidation. This was an unprovoked attack which left the victim shaken by the assault.

He was left with swelling to the side of his face and a cut lip, he added.

The man is described as white, six foot, medium build, aged in his early twenties, with short dark brown hair. He was wearing blue jeans and a dark blue hooded top.

Anyone with any information can call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 citing reference 136 30/05/2017.
R olf Harris has walked free from court after prosecutors abandoned an indecent assault case against him.

The disgraced former entertainer, 87, was twice tried over alleged sex attacks on teenage girls in the 1970s and 1980s.

But after the second trial jury was unable to reach verdicts on four historical indecent assault charges on Tuesday, prosecutors said they would not seek a second retrial.

Judge Deborah Taylor formally found him not guilty of all four charges of indecent assault, which he had denied.

Mr Harris left HMP Stafford on licence part-way through this retrial after serving less than three years of a sentence of five years and nine months handed down in June 2014 for unconnected sex attacks on young girls and women.

Jeremy Selwyn

Prosecutor Jonathan Rees QC told London's Southwark Crown Court: "We have reviewed whether it would be appropriate to seek a further retrial on these allegations.

"We have come to the firm view that it would not.

"Accordingly, we offer no evidence to the four counts on the indictment."

There was a cry of "Well done, Rolf" from the public gallery as the former TV star left the courtroom.

The 87-year-old had been accused of indecently assaulting three teenage girls, the youngest of whom was 13, at public events between 1971 and 1983.

But after deliberating for just under five hours at Southwark Crown Court in London, the jury said they were unable to reach verdicts on any of the four charges and were discharged by Judge Deborah Taylor.

Mr Harris did not give evidence, with his lawyers saying he did not remember any of the events in question.
T he sister of a 21-year-old carpenter who died in a brutal attack two months ago has made an emotional appeal to find his killers.

Malachi Brooks was ambushed in Battersea as he made his way home in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday, March 28, after spending an evening at a friends house.

Four men, all wearing balaclavas, hoods or face coverings, pulled up in a vehicle in Surrey Lane. Three attackers then got out and stabbed Mr Brooks before getting back in the car and fleeing

Mr Brooks' sister Rashaune Morin said: "These last two months have been the worst nightmare. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

"There are so many questions that we can't answer and the only person who knows what happened to Malachi and he's not here to tell that story.

Ambushed: Malachi Brooks

"That's what hurts the most - I know he was scared and I know he was vulnerable.

"No one deserves to be killed or murdered on the streets. No one deserves to take someone's life, and walk free and live life like normal."

Police and paramedics raced to the scene in Surrey Lane at 1.10am but Mr Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene at 1.55am. He had died from a stab wound to the heart.

The incident happened just yards from the private Thomass School, where Prince George is due to start in September.

"At this stage it is unclear why Malachi was attacked in such a brutal manner and we continue to keep an open mind about the possible motive," said Detective Inspector John Massey from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command.

A 21-year-old man was arrested on April 26 on suspicion of murder but later released with no further action.

Anyone with information can call the incident room on 020 8721 4868. Police can also be contacted via Twitter @MetCC. To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
British Airways has said that the "major IT systems' failure" that left several passengers stranded was not due to outsourcing of IT services to India and refused to resign over the issue.

By India Today Web Desk: Less than 72 hours after the British Airways cancelled all flights from London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports due to a "major IT systems failure" leaving several passengers stranded, the airline has ruled out any link between the glitch and the outsourcing of IT services to India.

British Airways CEO Alex Cruz has ruled out resigning over the paralysing of flight services.

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This comes in the wake of statements from the GMB trade union claiming that the current problems and the IT redundancies were caused due to the outsourcing of work to India. In its defence, the airline told the Registrar: "We would never compromise on the integrity and security of our IT systems."

Speaking to the BBC, Cruz said that flight disruption had nothing to do with cutting costs.

NONE INVOLVED IN OUTSOURCING IN ANY FOREIGN COUNTRY: ALEX CRUZ

"I can confirm that all the parties involved around this particular event have not been involved in any type of outsourcing in any foreign country," he told Sky News. "They have all been local issues around a local data centre."

An official of the airline told a London-based online publication, "IT services are now provided globally by a range of suppliers and this is a very common practice across all industries and the UK Government."

The British Airways has a very large infrastructure. It has over 500 data cabinets spread across six halls in two different sites near its Heathrow Waterside Headquarters, the report said.

BRITISH AIRWAYS CEO EXPLAINS ROOT CAUSE

British Airways CEO Alex Cruz said the root cause of the London flight-grounding IT systems was "a power supply issue" and that the airline had "no evidence of any cyberattack".

Cruz also said that no BA passengers' data had been compromised in the IT meltdown and said there was no evidence to show that it was the result of a cyber attack, promising not to allow such an outage to happen again.

The airlines' IT teams are working "tirelessly" to fix the problems, said Cruz.

WHAT DOES THE TRADE UNION SAY

Meanwhile, the British Airways' GMB trade union said outsourcing IT jobs to India could have made the problems worse.

The union spokesperson said that it could have been avoided had "hundreds of dedicated and loyal" not been replaced by cheaper Indian staff in 2016.

The airline on Saturday cancelled all flights from London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports amid a "global IT system failure", thus leaving thousands of passengers stranded at airports.

Also read | British Airways cancels flights from Heathrow and Gatwick airports amid global computer outage

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Also read | Global IT failure impact: British Airways may face 100 million pounds compensation bill

(WITH INPUTS FROM PTI)

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A teenage boy is fighting for life in hospital after being stabbed in a south east London street.

Witnesses described seeing a gang of teenagers running and screaming shortly before the attack in Thamesmead at around 10pm on Monday.

Police were called to Curlew Close and found a 15-year-old boy who had been stabbed.

Paramedics rushed him to hospital where he remains with life-threatening injuries, police said on Tuesday.

Bystanders described seeing a large group of teenagers running along Crossway, near to the junction with Glendale Way.

On Facebook, Charinna Jane said: There was a house party which stayed calm and went well.

[The boy] was on his way home waiting for a bus when he was attacked in front of his friends.

Angela Mckenna, said a "big group of kids" came out of a party, followed by screaming and madness as they ran up and down the roads.

She said she then heard sirens as an ambulance sped to the scene.

Detectives in Bexley are now investigating what happened.

A spokeswoman for the Met Police said they have not yet made any arrests.
T ributes were paid today to a wonderful mother-of-two stabbed to death yards from her family home.

Hospital worker Emma Day was pronounced dead at the scene following the daylight attack in Elyewood Road, West Norwood, which took place days after her 33rd birthday.

Ms Day, a former pupil of Sydenham School who worked as a ward clerk at Kings College Hospital, was attacked just after 7pm on Thursday near the home in Bentons Lane, where she lived with her two young children.

Tributes to the young mother have poured in on social media, and flowers have been laid at the scene.

Tracey Walsh wrote: She was so full of life and always so happy. I cant imagine what those poor kids must be going through.

Jonathan James Caddell said: She was always positive and always wanted to do good for her kids.

A post-mortem carried out on Friday gave the provisional cause of death as a stab wound to the heart.

Joanna Walsh wrote: Cant believe what I was told last night. Such a wonderful, strong willed person has been taken in the worst possible way.

Still cant get my head around it. Only spoke to her last week.

Jack Kilner said: Its such a tragic, unlawful loss to the world. A fantastic woman, mother and friend.

One of the tributes left at the scene read: RIP angel. Such a beautiful woman inside and out, always in our hearts, never forgotten. Sleep tight. Love from Mellissa. X

Mark Morris, 39, of Thornton Heath, appeared at Camberwell Magistrates Court on Monday charged with murder.
A s partisans squabbled over whether Theresa May or Jeremy Corbyn came out on top in their interview special on Sky News and Channel 4, The Londoner  weary of such toing and froing  chose to have a long hot soak to catch up with the popular music charts. In at number two on the iTunes singles chart, just behind Justin Bieber, was a surprising entrant  a fearsome political anthem taking down Theresa May.

Liar Liar GE2017, by the band Captain Ska, was only released on Friday but had quickly soared to second place by Monday. With lines such as Saying theyre strong, and stable, wont disguise / Were still being taken for a ride  the relaxed ska groove conceals the songs topical bite.

Liar Liar has also had more than half a million hits on YouTube, and it isnt your usual music video  it includes statistics about the number of children living in poverty. The song also features audio clips of Theresa Mays speeches on how she wouldnt be calling an election, accompanied by horns and snare drums.

(Captain Ska)

Jake Painter, the bands producer and songwriter, told The Londoner: I thought it might get into the top 40 but I am happily overwhelmed by its popularity  clearly it resonates with a lot of the British public! But could the hit tip the election for Corbyn? Jake plays coy. Music can be very powerful. I would like to think it made a positive progressive impact in some way.

But its power may be limited by the fact that radio stations  including Capital FM and Heart  have refused to play the song on their chart shows, as the Ofcom regulator says stations must show impartiality.

Available for download at just 79p on the iTunes music store, Liar Liar GE2017 is truly for the many, not the few.

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The Londoner bumped into journalist James Fox last week, and he told us his Damien Hirst autobiography is almost ready. Fox co-wrote Keith Richardss 2010 book Life and said Mick Jagger had objected to a description of his tiny todger. The Hirst will finish with a chapter on the artists Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable show at this years Venice Biennale. Would there be tiny todgers in the new book, we asked? Not this time, Fox said.

Right man to predict the wrong result

VETERAN psephologist Sir David Butler has become a celebrity of the election at the age of 92, joining Twitter and appearing on Newsnight last Friday. Butler has commentated on every national vote since the war, and co-invented the swingometer. This time he predicts the Conservatives will win, but not by the margin they were hoping for. But a friend of Butlers jokes that he doesnt have the best record.

He prides himself on having been wrong in his predictions since people first started to ask him, they tell us. Butler insists hes only got it wrong once or twice, but did predict a Labour government in 2015. So whos wrong about getting it wrong?

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Quote of the day: You seem to be a bit of a glum bucket

Journalist Quentin Letts, pictured, coins The Londoners favourite new insult, speaking to Theresa May yesterday

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The Hay set arent too wild about Jezza

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The Londoner headed to Wales for the Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts. After a day of talks and Q&As we unwound at the GQ/Land Rover dinner, hosted by Dylan Jones and attended by Tracey Emin. The pair came fresh from an onstage interview, during which they discussed the artists new political beliefs. I might vote for the Womens Equality Party, she said. To get one woman in the Houses of Parliament thats just for women. Never Jeremy Corbyn: Its not even his policies. Its his attitude I dont like. I cant believe how he was about Brexit. I dont like his attitude to people and his arrogance.

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Theresa May believes in the power of fashion. For big political moments  think the Tory party leadership bid launch and her 12-point Brexit speech  she dons her Vivienne Westwood tartan suit. Curious, then, that she chose her red Amanda Wakeley suit for last nights televised Battle for Number 10 showdown. Its most prominent outing? That hand-holding shot with Donald Trump at the White House. Who knows where Jeremys LBS (Little Black Suit) has been.

Find Freuds best friend

Keep your eyes open for Londons most well-connected pooch. Vincent, pictured, the four-legged friend of PR guru Matthew Freud, has gone missing.

Last week Freud took to Instagram to seek help. Vincent, he posted, had wandered off while being walked in Hyde Park on Thursday morning  he was last seen in the Italian Fountain area  and had not returned. Freud has offered a 5,000 reward and has his sister Emma Freud, co-founder of Comic Relief, on the look-out.

Matthew fears that Vincent, a fox-red labrador, may have been a victim of dog-napping, with such incidents on the rise in the city in recent years as demand for pedigree dogs has led to an alarming increase in targeted thefts.

Emma led the online search back in 2015 when Vincent legged it in Belsize Park with Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, a guest at one of Freuds famously raucous house parties, in hot pursuit. Kirstie Allsopp took the blame for losing Vincent then but he was home soon, though, tail between his legs.

Hopefully hes already homeward bound.

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(Getty Images) / Stefan Rousseau/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Tweet of the day: British politics 2017. Two pensioners named Jeremy getting moderately cross with one another on a bank holiday.

The Suns Harry Cole despairs at the same old, same old political landscape.

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Boys with toys? Definitely, maybe

You gotta roll with it ... Noel Gallagher turned 50 yesterday and the Oasis man celebrated in style with a weekend party at Aynhoe Park in Oxfordshire. Guests included Madonna, Damon Albarn and Bono, who snuck a lift on Noels Vespa. There was no looking back in anger  the pair seemed to be loving it.

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Cake of the day: a week after Melania Trump told the Pope she fed her husband Putizza, from Slovenia, manufacturers want official EU recognition. Will those caught selling it without the right ingredients get their just desserts?
T heresa May's Cabinet was accused of a deafening silence today for failing to say where cuts in immigration should fall.

The Evening Standard challenged every member of the Cabinet to name an industry or sector that they believed should take fewer overseas workers.

But although Mrs May has set a target of slashing net immigration to the tens of thousands, her ministers seemed unable to explain how. None identified a business or sector that should recruit fewer foreign staff.

The Prime Minister refused to say who would be allowed into the UK when challenged in a TV interview with Jeremy Paxman last night. Today she was seeking to move the spotlight onto Brexit talks , her strongest issue, with a speech in the Midlands.

But the silence of the Cabinet continued when the Standard asked each member if the NHS should hire fewer nurses and doctors from abroad to help meet their pledge to reduce the number of immigrants.

Silence of the Ministers 1 /16 Silence of the Ministers Amber Rudd, Home Secretary Could you identify the employment sector or sectors which can or should employ fewer people from overseas? No reply Jeremy Selwyn Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary Do you think there should be a reduction in immigrants employed in areas over which you have control? No reply AFP/Getty Images Jeremy Hunt, Health To what extent do you believe social care homes would be affected by a reduction of labour from overseas? No reply PA Sajid Javid, Local Government Is housing and construction one area in which to reduce the number of overseas workers? No reply Bruce Adams/Daily Mail David Davis, Brexit Should there be a reduction in immigrants employed in hospitality, construction, agriculture or factory work? No reply EPA Andrea Leadsom, Environment Would you suggest bringing numbers down by reducing the number of EU migrants that work in the UKs agricultural sector? No reply AFP/Getty Images Michael Fallon, Defence Do you believe defence technology and manufacturing industries would be affected by a reduction in labour from overseas? No reply EPA Karen Bradley, Culture The hospitality industry has expressed concern that hotels and restaurants would be unable to cope without overseas workers: Do you agree or disagree? No reply Chris Grayling, Transport To what extent do you believe major infrastructure projects would be affected by a reduction in workers from overseas? No reply Bruce Adams/Daily Mail Damian Green, Pensions What would be the impact on overall employment and unemployment levels if net immigration is reduced sharply? No reply Bruce Adams/Daily Mail Philip Hammond, Chancellor Can you say how a reduction in immigration can be achieved without sacrificing growth? No reply PA Justine Greening, Education Are there too many teaching assistants and staff from overseas working here? Would you reduce the number of foreign students? No reply PA

This newspaper also asked senior Cabinet ministers specific questions about the areas for which they are responsible. Communities Secretary Sajid Javid was asked whether housing and construction should take fewer overseas workers.

Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, was asked whether major infrastructure projects would be affected if there were fewer foreign construction workers. Culture Secretary Karen Bradley was asked how she thought the hospitality industry, such as restaurants, hotels and bars, would be affected if the young and keen recruits from abroad were prevented from coming.

None gave answers. Instead, the Standard was sent a lengthy statement from Conservative Campaign Headquarters that repeated manifesto promises to train more British people in the long-term and to consult on how visas can be used to let firms recruit the brightest and best from around the world.

Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of business group London First, said the silence was not good enough.

She said: Government has to face facts and recognise that many of our industries would simply grind to a halt today without workers from the EU and around the world.

London and the South-East already has a shortfall of 60,000 construction workers  the people we need to build homes, offices and transport links. So why are we talking about turning them away?

If the next government is committed to cutting immigration, then they have to commit to radically improving the UKs skills system first. Thats what we need to hear from ministers, instead of this deafening silence.

The Federation of Master Builders said there were acute skills shortages in the construction industry, including of carpenters and plasterers. Director of external affairs Sarah McMonagle said: The reason that various Government ministers have been at pains to avoid answering these questions is that it would be politically toxic to do so.

Candace Imison, director of policy at health think tank the Nuffield Trust, said overseas staff were vital to the NHS and that training homegrown staff to replace recruits would take years. The NHS needs clarity on where the doctors and nurses of the future will come from, she said.

Seamus Nevin, head of employment and skills at the Institute of Directors, said: The Conservatives need to be up-front about how it would affect sectors from agriculture to healthcare if the net figure is brought down to the tens of thousands. There simply isnt a pool of UK workers there to fill the gaps yet... developing one will take years.

Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: We have repeatedly said that we need to protect our access to talent and capacity and that an arbitrary cap is not the way to do this. The lack of detail does suggest that the cap is lacking in any firm background research.

The director-general of the British International Freight Association, Robert Keen, said: History tells us it is easy for any party to produce a manifesto promise that wins election votes, but it is much more difficult to deliver it.

Any silence on how pledges will be fulfilled speaks for itself. Comments about bringing immigration down to sustainable levels as soon as is economically viable may be seen as vote-winning, but any business that relies to some extent on immigrant labour needs more clarity on how that will be done without causing labour shortages.

In her Paxman interview, when asked who would be allowed in, Mrs May said: Well we are working at the moment on what those new rules should be in terms of Mr Paxman interrupted: So you still dont have any idea? Mrs May said migrants would be allowed in where there are skills shortages.

Election 2017: TV leaders debate highlights

Asked if her policy was economically illiterate, she said: Its a policy which ensures that we are recognising the concerns that people in this country have about uncontrolled immigration. In his own Paxman interview, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he was making no promises to cut immigration. He said: Weve had Theresa May promising in three elections to make cuts to immigration. Im making no promises on that.

A Tory spokesman told the Standard: Leaving the European Union provides us with the opportunity to develop an immigration system where control rests within the UK, and which works for the benefit of ordinary working people and businesses here in Britain ... at the same time we will give Britain the technical education it has lacked for decades in order to address the needs of those sectors of the economy that require specific skills. We will ask the independent Migration Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the government about how the visa system can become better aligned with our modern industrial strategy.

We will always ensure that our British businesses can recruit the brightest and best from around the world and Britains world-class universities can attract international students.
C onservative candidate Lee Scott, a grandfather of 14, says its his duty to run in Ilford North again after losing to a young challenger two years ago.

The veteran Tory, 61, was MP for the north London constituency for a decade until he was defeated by 589 votes in 2015 by Labours Wes Streeting, 34.

The pair are going toe-to-toe again  and Mr Scott is hoping to capitalise on Ukips decision not to field a candidate. The anti-EU party won 4,355 votes here in 2015. The Greens, who took 1,023, have pulled out to back Mr Streeting, recently endorsed by Sir Ian McKellen as one of the great young politicians.

But neither candidate says Brexit has been the main issue on the doorstep, with Theresa May vs Jeremy Corbyn popping up far more frequently. The talking points are school places, where homes should be built, and NHS cuts. Mr Scott attributes his defeat last time to a campaign of anti-Semitic abuse which led to him calling in the police after death threats were made against him and his family. He stresses that he does not believe his rival was involved.

Election candidate Wes Streeting receives backing from Sir Ian McKellen

Mr Scott told the Standard: I have nothing against Wes on a personal level. But whether my opponent likes it or not he is Mr Corbyns candidate. Of course there are issues to do with housing affecting the community, but if we dont have the stability, the economy in place then everything is affected.

Ilford North's ex-Tory MP, Lee Scott, chats to Bronwyn Klimach / Lucy Young

BA cargo manager Kiritpal Gandhi, 28, said his parents were Labour voters but he will vote for Mr Scott. Mr Gandhi said: Wes seems like a people-pleaser who just wants to be on TV. Lee might be low-key, but he does a good job.

Mr Streeting, an anti-Corbyn Labour moderate, is hoping to make it a local fight, standing on his own record.

The constituency is changing from a typical outer London borough to more like inner London, but it is the pace of change that is key. The long-term trend is one of white, Jewish, traditionally Tory voters moving out to Essex and Asian, Muslim, traditionally Labour voters moving in from east London.

However, the most recent arrivals have been Eastern European migrants and middle-class hipsters first priced out of Hackney and now Leytonstone  and their votes are still up for grabs.

There are tensions especially over mosques expanding or new mosques opening. Vaseem Ahmed, of the Redbridge Islamic Centre, said two of its mosques have had bricks through their windows and Islamophobic incidents have increased. He said: Im a businessman so I should be a natural blue, but Im concerned about social justice and cuts so I will be voting Labour. Plus Wes has helped us. Hes out and about a lot and he focuses on local issues.

Riaz Ahmed, of Beehive Wine Stores in Barkingside, said he will switch from blue to red due to Mr Streeting. Mr Ahmed, 47, said: Even if its little things like security cameras and parking hes always available and he does what he says. I never saw Lee Scott.

Mr Streeting says: The choice that people face in Ilford North is what kind of MP do you want to represent you in Parliament? They could send someone who will be a yes man, and will make up the numbers for Theresa May and nod every policy through.

Or they could elect someone who has shown theyre independently minded, will always put the constituency first and is willing to speak truth to power  whether thats challenging Tory ministers or people in my own party.
T op earners in the UK should pay a 50p tax rate, the Scottish National Party said today despite having resisted a rates hike in Scotland alone.

Nicola Sturgeons party has rejected raising the top rate of tax from 45p to 50p several times in the past two years amid warnings it would be detrimental to the Scottish economy.

However today Ms Sturgeon said a UK-wide rise would help pay for the SNPs 118 billion public spending plans which they announced at their manifesto launch in Perth this morning.

The partys leader in Westminster, Angus Robertson, said they wanted to set the UK on a new fiscal path and end Tory cuts, but did not explain why the tax had not previously been introduced by the SNP-led Scottish Parliament.

In an interview with BBC radio, he said: The main economic levers are exercised at Westminster.

Asked why the SNP had not chosen to raise the Scottish rate of income tax despite having the powers to do so he said: The Scottish Government has already outlined its decision this year and going forward on taxes.

"What Im saying is what were going to do at Westminster if were elected and were going to vote to end austerity.

If public spending profiling is different at a UK level, that will have knock on effects for spending in Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon has previously ruled out Scotland increasing the top rate of income tax after the countrys civil service warned that it could cost the economy 30 million if the wealthiest residents chose to move their tax affairs.

John OConnell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers Alliance: Reintroducing the 50p rate would be a disaster for Britain.

"If the SNP really thought that this was a sensible idea and were not just playing politics then they would have introduced it in Scotland where they have the power to do so.

"The facts are that the introduction of this tax would fly in the face of the evidence which shows that cutting the top rate has brought in more cash to treasury coffers and boosted the economy.

A Conservative spokesman said: If the SNP were serious about this theyd apply it in Scotland where they can already do it.

"However, the SNP have already made Scotland the highest-taxed part of the UK, and its exactly this kind of policy they would force on London if Jeremy Corbyn becomes PM.
V iewers flooded social media with GIFs mocking Theresa May for her performance during Monday nights live TV election debate.

The Prime Minister and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn faced tough questions from a studio audience before a grilling from Jeremy Paxman during Sky News and Channel Four's election special.

But the PM was mocked for her performance by viewers in a series of tweets posted with the hashtag #TheresaMayGIFs.

Many thought Mrs May had failed to convey her strong and stable campaign message and suggested her performance was damaging.

Social media users also speculated over what the reaction may have been like to Mrs May's performance at Tory HQ.

But there was one man in the studio audience who thought Mrs May did so well that she deserved a standing ovation.

Mr Corbyn came out relatively unscathed with Twitter users posting celebration GIFs after his performance.

The party leaders will next face voters in a BBC Question Time special hosted by David Dimbleby live from York on June 2.

Mrs May has refused to take part in any TV leaders debates, while Mr Corbyn vowed he would not take part if it only involved opposition leaders.
A ndy Burnham hailed Manchester's "phenomenal" spirit as a rail station close to the scene of last week's terror attack reopened for the first time since the blast.

Mr Burnham and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling were among those who laid wreaths at Victoria station as trains resumed on Tuesday morning.

The station, which is attached to Manchester Arena where Salman Abedi killed 22 people in a suicide bombing, shut to allow a forensic search of the area.

Mr Burnham said: "The response has been truly phenomenal from everybody.

Commuters at the station, which reopened today (Owen Humphreys/PA ) / Owen Humphreys/PA

"We've seen the best of our people, the best of our public services, the whole place has pulled together and helped everybody through what has been our darkest week.

"You do see the best of people at moments like this and I think that gives us all something to cling on to in what is a very difficult time and remains so."

He added: "What's been extraordinary for me is to see the true character of the place and the people at its most intense way and it's made me so proud actually.

"I want to capture this spirit we have had in the city, this togetherness, and use that to pull communities together to then do a better job of tackling extremism."

Manchester Victoria Station reopens bombing terror attack 1 /13 Manchester Victoria Station reopens bombing terror attack People look at floral tributes at Manchester Victoria railway station which has reopened for the first time since the terror attack Owen Humphreys/PA Scaffolding covers the entrance into the Manchester Arena bearing a banner that states "We love Manchester" Owen Humphreys/PA Commuters pass through Manchester Victoria railway station which has reopened for the first time since the terror attack Owen Humphreys/PA The station was closed pending the completion of a forensic search Owen Humphreys/PA Commuters pass by the scaffolding at the entrance of the arena in Manchester Owen Humphreys/PA Floral tributes at Manchester Victoria railway Owen Humphreys/PA Police on patrol today at Manchester's Victoria station Owen Humphreys/PA Two rail workers hug each other in front of a floral tribute to victims Owen Humphreys/PA Armed police patrol Manchester Victoria railway station PA Flowers and balloons laid at a memorial at Manchester's Victoria Station Owen Humphreys/PA

Mr Burnham said he will not be joining thousands of others in getting a bee tattoo inked in a symbol of solidarity.

Asked if he would get the tattoo, Mr Burnham said: "Not just yet and (it's) possibly unlikely to happen.

"But I think that's been one of the defining moments of the week.

"Even the tattoo artists have played their part in rebuilding the spirit, and that's fantastic."

British Transport Police Chief Constable Paul Crowther said he was "incredibly proud" of the police response at Victoria station in the immediate aftermath of the blast.

He said: "Like many others, their first instinct was to go into the scene - they did a fantastic job.

"It never ceases to amaze me how police officers and others in public service step forward into danger when others are fleeing.

"I know they did their very best for the people they tended to."

Liam Sumpter, managing director of Northern Trains, which run out at Manchester Victoria, said 15 members of staff were among those first on the scene.

He said: "They provided first aid and comfort to those victims without any thought to their own safety and without any training in that sort of response.

"When they first got there the scene they described was foggy, but with walking wounded.

"There was some suggestion there might be a secondary device or at least [police] wanted to make the area safe, so they instructed everybody to leave the area.

"But my team refused to do that. Their dedication and bravery in doing that was solely because they couldn't leave people who were injured.

"Many of them had been on shift for 10 or 12 hours before that, and they stayed on shift providing support to the many dedicated emergency service personnel who arrived on scene.

"I'm very proud of everyone. It's just indicative of how everyone responded."

Meanwhile, hundreds of mourners paid an emotional tribute to the victims of the terror attack on Monday night, exactly a week after the attack.

People of all ages stood alongside each other in quiet contemplation shortly after 10.30pm at St Ann's Square, the site that has become the unofficial memorial site for those killed and injured in the blast.

The vigil, illuminated by the gentle light from hundreds of tea candles, was a moment of quiet reflection for a city united in grief.

At a vigil earlier in the day, an impromptu rendition of Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis broke out.

The Oasis classic has become an anthem adopted by the public in response to the bombing at Ariana Grande's concert Manchester Arena on May 22.

Mr Burnham said it was the people and their songs, rather than politicians and "people in suits", who would define Manchester's response to the tragedy.

But the former Labour MP ruled out being the next of the city's citizen to get a bumblebee tattoo.

Tattoo parlours across Manchester have been deluged by people asking for inkings of the city's distinctive insect emblem since the bombing.

Artists have offered free tattoos of the bee with a minimum donation of 50 to a JustGiving page set up to support victims' families.

But the 47-year-old politician said he was "unlikely" to be among the growing numbers to proudly display the body art.

He joked: "Not just yet and [it's] possibly unlikely to happen.

"But I think that's been one of the defining moments of the week.

"Even the tattoo artists have played their part in rebuilding the spirit, and that's fantastic."

The history of the insect as a motif for Manchester dates back to the Industrial Revolution, when the city was at the centre of textile manufacturing. It is believed the busy workers in the mills were commonly compared to bees in their hives.
T he tiger that killed a female keeper in a freak accident at a zoo in Cambridgeshire has not been put down, police said today.

Rosa King, 33, was mauled to death by a tiger in an enclosure at Hamerton Park Zoo on Monday.

Her heartbroken mother Andrea said the animal-lover had worked at the zoo for around 14 years and wouldnt have done anything else.

It's what she has always done, it's what she has always loved," Ms King's mother said on Tuesday.

Rosa King was called 'one of life's rarities' / Hamerton Zoo Park/Facebook

Ms King was described as a "beautiful spirit" who adored animals and had a particular passion for cheetahs.

Three years ago the zookeeper met veteran wildlife presenter Sir David Attenborough, who had visited Hamerton to film for a documentary.

Ms King was pictured gesturing to the cheetah, Ares, as Sir David strokes the animal's neck. A caption for the image, written by her brother Mark, read: "How awesome can you get? My sister with one of her cheetahs and David Attenborough!"

Police were called at 11.15am on Bank Holiday Monday to reports of a serious incident as visitors were evacuated from the park.

Tragedy: Rosa King, who was killed on Monday. / Facebook

A full investigation was launched by the zoo as they reassured the public that the tiger had not escaped and the incident happened within an enclosure.

Cambridgeshire Police confirmed on Tuesday that the tiger had not been killed and was unharmed.

The zoo is thought to have four tigers, after two died earlier this year.

They include the park's most recent additions, Malayan tigers Cicip, eight, and Sahaja, and white tigers Mohan and Shiva.

Cicip, the park's eight-year-old Malayan male tiger. / Hamerton Zoo Park/Facebook

The two Malayan tigers were brought into the park in 2015.

The zoo's newest tiger exhibit, a 2,500 square metre area called Tiger Falls, opened last summer. It includes a tiger house with an indoor viewing area into the main den and separate dens for isolation and rearing cubs.

Following news of Ms King's death, tributes poured in from friends and those who knew her.

Wildlife photographer Garry Chisholm, 59, penned a moving tribute to the young woman, who he described as a good friend.

Mohan, the zoo's white male tiger. / Hamerton Zoo Park/Facebook

Rosa wasnt just a keeper at Hamerton Zoo  she WAS Hamerton Zoo, he said.

Her passion for the animals in her care was exceptional though her favourites were undoubtedly the cheetahs which she would refer to as her pride and joy.

I feel privileged to have known Rosa and been able to call her a friend. She will be greatly missed, not just by me but by everyone who came to know her.

The only consolation I can take from todays tragic events is that Rosa is now reunited with her beloved Ares the cheetah and Blizzard and Ladybelle her beloved tigers.

Another photographer, called Leanne, said she had met Rosa earlier this year and could tell instantly she was one of lifes rarities.

Such a beautiful spirit. Such a tragic loss. RIP Rosa.
T he head of the national body for police commissioners has resigned after being told he should not appear on Question Time following the Manchester attack.

Nazir Afzal, former chief executive of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), was advised against going on the show because of the potentially controversial policing issues that could have been raised.

But Mr Afzal stepped down from his position in order to make an appearance on the BBC's topical debate programme on May 25.

The APCC said: "Nazir told the board that he intended to go on Question Time to discuss the recent events in Manchester.

Manchester Arena explosion aftermath - In pictures 1 /46 Manchester Arena explosion aftermath - In pictures Stephanie Brodie and mother Lisa Brodie who were inside the foyer when the explosion happened Jeremy Selwyn Armed police patrol near Victoria station in Manchester AFP/Getty Images Police close to the Manchester Arena the morning after a terrorist attack at the end of a concert by Ariana Grande left 22 dead PA Prime Minister Theresa May addresses the media in Downing Street Stefan Rousseau/PA A police officer moves a floral tribute close to the Manchester Arena PA A man embraces a woman and a teenager as he collects them from the Park Inn Hotel where they were given refuge after last nights explosion at the Manchester Arena Getty Images Police forensic officers investigate the scene of an explosion at Victoria Station Getty Images People affected by the deadly terror attack at Manchester Arena look out from a hotel window in Manchester AFP/Getty Images Police stand guard at the scene of a suspected terrorist attack during a pop concert by Ariana Grande in Manchester AFP/Getty Images A flag flies at half-mast from the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Images Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese speak to the media outside Manchester Town Hall after a suicide bomber killed 22 people, including children, as an explosion tore through fans leaving a pop concert in Manchester. PA Police forensic investigators walk along a bridge linking Victoria Station with the Manchester Arena where a suspected terrorist attack at the end of a concert Ariana Grande PA Tributes left outside St Ann's Church in Manchester Ben Birchall/PA The scene at Manchester Royal Infirmary as the death toll from the Manchester bomb attack rose to 22 with 59 injured PA Armed police patrol inside Victoria Station adjacent to Manchester Arena Getty Images A flag flies at half-mast from the Treasury Office in London AFP/Getty Images Tributes left outside St Ann's Church in Manchester PA Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins speaks to the media in Manchester where he said that the death toll from the Manchester bomb attack has risen to 22 with 59 injured PA Susan Walton and her daughter Katie who attended the pop concert by US star Ariana Grande pose in Mancheste AFP/Getty Images Ariana Grande concert attendees leave the Park Inn where they were given refuge after last nights explosion at Manchester Arena Getty Images A police officer escorts people near to Manchester Arena Getty Images Police stand guard at the scene of a suspected terrorist attack during a pop concert by Ariana Grande in Manchester AFP/Getty Images Tributes left outside St Ann's Church in Manchester PA A man embraces a woman and a teenager as he collects them from the Park Inn Hotel where they were given refuge after last nights explosion at the Manchester Arena Getty Images People leave Victoria Station adjacent to Manchester Arena Getty Images Ariana Grande concert attendees Karen Moore and her daughter Molly Steed, aged 14, from Derby, leave the Park Inn where they were given refuge after last nights explosion at Manchester Arena Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about the attack in Manchester Reuters A Union Flag flies above Victoria Railway Station, close to the Manchester Arena Getty Images An ambulance arrives as police officers stand at the Miller Street and Corporation Street Crossroads, near the Manchester Arena Getty Images Ariana Grande concert attendees Vikki Baker and her daughter Charlotte, aged 13, leave the Park Inn where they were given refuge after last night's explosion at Manchester Arena Getty Images Ariana Grande concert attendees Vikki Baker and her daughter Charlotte, aged 13, leave the Park Inn where they were given refuge after last night's explosion at Manchester Arena Getty Images Ariana Grande concert attendees Vikki Baker and her daughter Charlotte, aged 13, leave the Park Inn where they were given refuge after last night's explosion at Manchester Arena Getty Images Home Secretary Amber Rudd arrives for a COBRA meeting in Downing Street Getty Images British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon arrives for COBRA meeting at the Cabinet Office on Whitehall Getty Images Flags fly at half mast above Downing Street, London, after a suicide bomber killed 22 people, including children, as an explosion tore through fans leaving a pop concert in Manchester PA

"The Board, made up of all parties, advised that it would be inappropriate for him to do so, given the number of contentious issues relating to policing which could be raised especially in discussion with politicians who were appearing and during purdah.

"He resigned from his post in order to make this appearance.

"We thank him for his service during his year at the APCC."

In a statement on its website the organisation said that when Mr Afzal took up his post he signed a contract saying he would not do any media without the consent of the board.

It said this was "essential" because the apolitical APCC is made up of Conservatives, Labour, Plaid Cymru and Independent Police and Crime Commissioners, and the chief executive's role is politically restricted.

Mr Azfal posted on his Twitter account to announce his resignation.

He wrote: Given media calls I confirm that I've resigned as Chief Executive of country's police & crime commissioners. I'm not saying anything publicly.

Nazir Afzal was previously Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West.
By Press Trust of India: By H S Rao

London, May 30 (PTI) British Airways today said it was operating a full flight schedule from Heathrow and Gatwick airports after a three-day flight disruption due to a massive IT failure that hit some 75,000 passengers.

The airline said it "may take some time" to reunite travellers with their bags.

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"Our IT systems are now back up and running and we will be operating a full flight schedule at Heathrow and Gatwick," the British Airways (BA) said.

Embattled Chief Executive of BA Alex Cruz has blamed a power surge for the disruption, which affected 75,000 people.

He had ruled out resigning over the crippling flight disruption and maintained that the computer glitch had nothing to do with cutting costs or outsourcing IT services to India.

Cruz said a power surge had "only lasted a few minutes" but the back-up system of the airline had not worked properly.

BAs GMB union has said outsourcing IT jobs to India could have made the problems worse.

The union spokesperson said it could have been avoided had "hundreds of dedicated and loyal" not been replaced by cheaper Indian staff in 2016.

Cruz also said that no BA passengers data had been compromised in the IT meltdown and said there was no evidence it was the result of a cyber attack, promising not to allow such an outage to happen again.

The IT failure was caused by a short but catastrophic power surge at 9.30 AM on Saturday that affected the companys messaging system, he said, and the backup system failed to work properly.

Cruz said: "We have no evidence whatsoever that there was any cyber attack of any sort".

Cruz said he was "profusely sorry" to the thousands of passengers still stranded at airports worldwide.

Heathrow, Europes busiest airport, advised affected BA passengers not to travel to the airport unless their flights had been rebooked, or were scheduled to take off yesterday.

BA is liable to reimburse thousands of passengers for refreshments and hotel expenses, and travel industry experts have suggested the cost to the company - part of Europes largest airline group IAG - could run into tens of millions of pounds.

Davy analyst Stephen Furlong said the cost to the carrier of cancelling one day of operations was around 30 million pounds.

In a statement yesterday, the airline apologised again for the "frustration and inconvenience" to passengers and said it was continuing to get people reunited with their luggage "as quickly as possible".

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The airline also admitted that it was aware some passengers were unable to file a delayed bag report on its website.

Thousands of BA passengers worldwide are still without their bags and have been bombarding the airlines lost luggage phone lines, website and social media feeds. PTI HSR CPS AKJ CPS

--- ENDS ---
F our Russian vessels were spotted and escorted out of the English Channel by a Royal Navy warship over the bank holiday weekend.

HMS Mersey escorted the ships through the channel, the fourth time Vladimir Putins vessels had been spotted sailing in UK territorial waters in the past two months.

The offshore patrol vessel intercepted the intelligence ship Vasily Tatishchev, the depot ship PM82 as well as a Russian tug and the frigate Severomorsk.

A Royal Navy spokesman said that Mersey later handed over to Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke to escort the Severmorsk out of the UK area of interest.

Lieutenant Commander George Storton, HMS Mersey's commanding officer, said: "HMS Mersey was ready to respond within a matter of hours to this tasking.

"This is routine business for the Royal Navy, and HMS Mersey herself is well-versed in this role with this being the fourth such operation in the last two months."

Mersey is one of four River-class patrol ships, three of which conduct fishery protection, general patrols and other maritime security duties around the UK.

A fourth, HMS Clyde, is permanently deployed to the Falkland Islands.

Earlier this year Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset shadowed a surfaced Russian submarine as it passed through the English Channel.

The Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine Krasnodar passed through the Dover Strait in the first week of May.

The RAF and Navy were also scrambled several times last year to escort Russian aircraft and ships near the UK.
S ecurity around key sites such as the Houses of Parliament eased today more than a week after the suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena.

Soldiers are being withdrawn from the streets and the Palace of Westminster reopened to the public, though police urged Londoners to remain vigilant.

In Manchester the citys Victoria railway station reopened to services for the first time since the attack which killed 22 people and injured dozens more.

The station, which is attached to the Manchester Arena where Salman Abedi exploded his device, was shut to allow a forensic search of the area to take place.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling laid wreaths at the station this morning.

Alex Lentati

Mr Burnham said: The response has been truly phenomenal from everybody.

Weve seen the best of our people, the best of our public services, the whole place has pulled together and helped everybody through what has been our darkest week.

He also spoke of how music from Manchesters bands has helped define the city in the wake of the attack.

Oasis classic Dont Look Back In Anger and The Smiths seminal There Is A Light That Never Goes Out have become anthems adopted by the public in response to the bombing.

Hundreds of mourners paid an emotional tribute to the victims of the atrocity last night, exactly a week after the attack.

People of all ages stood alongside each other in quiet contemplation shortly after 10.30pm at St Anns Square, the site that has become the unofficial memorial site for those killed and injured in the blast.

A separate memorial site, visible from within the terminal but away from public access, has also been created.

It features bunches of flowers and notes, believed to have been left by some of the victims family members during a private visit to the bomb site on Monday evening.

The display also included a clock, with the hands pointing to 10.31pm - the time of the fatal blast.

Further details emerged of the ordeal of victims as it was reported that one mother of two was so badly injured in the blast she will need 12 months of surgery and treatment. Meanwhile, police are continuing to dismantle a network of associates and possible co-conspirators of the 22-year-old Manchester-born suicide bomber.

Minute's silence for Manchester bomb victims 1 /21 Minute's silence for Manchester bomb victims Mourners in St Ann's Square, Manchester Owen Humphreys/PA Wire St Ann's Square Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images St Ann's Square AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire St Ann's Square Owen Humphreys/PA Wire St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham lays flowers after a minute's silence in St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire St Ann's Square Ben Birchall/PA Wire The Queen visits the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital to meet victims of the terror attack Peter Byrne/PA Wire Soldiers and police outside Buckingham Palace Alex Lentati Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn joins firefighters at Islington Fire Station, north London Yui Mok/PA Wire Australian cricketers at The Oval Reuters / John Sibley Silence in Westminster for the Manchester bombing. Jeremy Selwyn

Police raided more homes yesterday including an address in Shoreham-by-Sea on the south coast.

Detectives are also searching for a blue hip-high suitcase which Abedi is thought to have used to move components of the bomb through the city.

Police say he was seen with the suitcase on a number of occasions in the four days leading up to the attack in the Wilmslow Road area and the city centre.

The suitcase was not used in the attack but Abedi is thought to have been used it to take items to the city centre flat in Granby Row, a short distance from the Manchester Arena.

A total of 16 people have been arrested in connection with the bombing and 14 remain in custody.

MI5 has launched two urgent inquiries into whether it missed the danger posed by Abedi, amid allegations it was warned of his deadly intent.

The domestic security service is said to be investigating whether any glaring errors were made in the handling of intelligence before the attack.

Spy chiefs are believed to have held an emergency review in the days after the atrocity, while a separate in-depth inquiry is being conducted to look at the decision making surrounding his case before the massacre.
A gunman who killed a police officer in Australia was shot dead today after holding authorities at bay at a farmhouse for more than 18 hours.

Rick Maddison, 40, died after a police siege at Seventeen Mile in the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane.

He had been wanted over the fatal shooting of Senior Constable Brett Forte after the police officer intercepted his car.

Maddison fired at a police helicopter before heading to bushland and entering the farmhouse.

Rick Maddison: The killer was shot dead

Authorities tried to negotiate but Queensland police assistant commissioner Tony Wright said he tried to flee, adding: He has fired at police.

"Specialist police have returned fire.

Maddison was said to have had a violent history, including charges of torture.

Mr Forte was a father of three and his widow Susan is a police officer.
D onald Trump's personal lawyer has rejected a request for documents after being drawn into investigations into Russia's alleged meddling in the US presidential election.

Michael Cohen has told US media that he had received a request, but turned it down because it was "overly broad and not capable of being answered".

He had been asked for information regarding his contacts with the Kremlin, with Congress investigating alleged meddling from Russia.

Mr Cohen remains a personal lawyer for the president and served as a cable television surrogate for the Republican during the presidential campaign.

The House intelligence committee's request for information from Mr Cohen came as investigators continue to scrutinise members of Mr Trump's inner circle.

The president's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, has received subpoenas from the Senate intelligence committee regarding his Russian contacts and his business records.

Democratic Representative Adam Schiff said last week that a subpoena from the House panel was likely.

"I declined the invitation to participate as the request was poorly phrased, overly broad and not capable of being answered," Mr Cohen said. "I find it irresponsible and improper that the request sent to me was leaked by those working on the committee."

He told ABC News that he had been asked by both the House and Senate intelligence committees to provide information and evidence about contacts he had with Russian officials.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the allegations of Moscow meddling in the US presidential election are "fiction" invented by the Democrats to explain their loss.

In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, he reaffirmed his strong denial of Russian involvement in the hacking of Democratic emails.

Mr Trump made a similar claim in a tweet early on Tuesday: "Russian officials must be laughing at the U.S. & how a lame excuse for why the Dems lost the election has taken over the Fake News."

Mr Cohen's ties with Russian interests came up in February when the New York Times reported that he helped to broker a Ukraine peace plan that would call for Russian troops to withdraw from Ukraine and a referendum to let Ukrainians decide whether the part of the country seized by Russia in 2014 should be leased to Moscow.

The Russian government denied knowing anything about such a plan.

The NYT reported that the peace plan was the work of Felix Sater, a business associate who has helped Mr Trump try to find business in Russia, and Mr Cohen.

Mr Cohen was a fierce defender of Mr Trump during the campaign, often haranguing probing reporters and famously challenging a CNN reporter live on air to name the specific polls that showed Mr Trump behind his rival, Hillary Clinton.
G erman police have arrested a 17-year-old asylum-seeker on suspicion of planning a suicide attack in Berlin.

He was detained in the village of Gerswalde, 60 miles north-east of the German capital, after allegedly telling family members "he had joined the jihad".

He sent a farewell message to his family last week, said police in the state of Brandenburg on Tuesday.

Detectives are investigating but so far "evidence of the planning of a concrete act has not yet been identified", said a spokesman.

The state Interior Ministry's office identified the suspect as Syrian, but police spokesman Torsten Herbst said investigators were checking to see whether he falsely registered as a Syrian but was actually from a North African country.

The teenager, whose name was not released, came to Germany in 2015 as an unaccompanied minor and registered as an asylum-seeker. He has been living since 2016 in a home for minor refugees in Gerswalde, and was detained there in the Tuesday morning raid.

Mr Herbst said the teenager was still being interrogated.

German security officials have repeatedly warned that the country is in the crosshairs of international terrorism groups.

Germany suffered a number of violent attacks by Islamic extremists last year, including a lorry attack on a Berlin Christmas market in December that left 12 victims dead and dozens of others injured.

The attack, carried out by a young Tunisian man who had been denied asylum in Germany, was later claimed by Isis.

The teenager's arrest on Tuesday came eight days after Libyan Salman Abedi blew himself up at Manchester Arena, killing 22 people.
T hirteen people have been killed and 24 wounded after a car bomb exploded as they enjoyed ice cream on a hot night in central Baghdad.

The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place just after midnight outside a popular ice cream parlour in the mostly Shia district of Karrada.

Iraqi officials said the attack involved remotely-detonated explosives inside a parked car.

The bombing came just days into the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast during daylight hours.

After sundown, cafes and restaurants quickly fill with people breaking their fast.

Footage on social media showed stunned bystanders holding each other in streets strewn with debris and colourful upturned bowls, and alongside the husk of a white vehicle.

Ice cream and blood stain the floor. But ISIS underestimates our resolve. Iraqis will be back on these very streets tomorrow night pic.twitter.com/i83YoDZXMe  Ali Hadi Al-Musawi (@ahmusawi) May 29, 2017

Late-night attacks on civilians during Ramadan have previously also proved deadly in Baghdad. In July 2016, a truck bomb targeted a busy shopping district in Karrada just after midnight.

More than 300 people were killed, and hundreds more injured.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
M anuel Noriega, the former dictator of Panama, has died at the age of 83.

Noriega was a key US ally in Washingtons battle against the spread of communism in central America, but was ousted when US troops invaded in 1989 and he was later jailed on drugs and laundering charges.

Juan Carlos Varela, Panamas president, tweeted that the death of Manuel A Noriega closes a chapter in our history.

Nicknamed Pineapple Face for his pockmarked complexion, the military officer who ruled from 1983 to 89 was considered a key CIA asset and the US paid him millions of dollars for his help.

However, he fell out of favour with Washington over his regimes brutality and corruption, and links to drug traffickers such as Pablo Escobar. In 1989, the US sent 28,000 troops to Panama City to capture him.

He sought refuge in the Vaticans diplomatic mission but was flushed out by US troops who played deafening heavy metal music outside.

He spent the next two decades in US and French jails and the last few years in a prison in Panama for the murder of political opponents.

In January, he was released under house arrest and in March had an operation to remove a brain tumour, but suffered a haemorrhage and had been in a coma since a second operation.

Noriega is survived by his wife Felicidad and daughters Lorena, Thays and Sandra.
D onald Trumps head of PR has quit the White House just three months into the job.

Communications director Mike Dubke resigned from the post shortly before President Trump left for his international trip earlier this month.

On Tuesday, senior White House aide Kellyanne Conway confirmed that Mr Dubke was to leave.

She told Fox News that Mr Dubke made very clear that he would see through the president's 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."

US President Donald Trump talks during a trip to France to meet Emmanuel Macron. / AP

Mr Dubke, 47, who has been involved with politics for three decades, was brought into the White House in March and is reportedly leaving on good terms.

He took over the role from Sean Spicer - who was in the post temporarily - in March in a bid to revamp the White Houses strategy.

The White House director of communications is in charge of spreading the Presidents message through the media. The role also includes working on the key inaugural address speech and State of the Union Address.

The media director, who owns a communications firm, is leaving amid a larger shake-up of the communications team. It is thought new aides will be brought into the White House to help manage allegations involving Russia.

According to Axios News, changes in the White House's media strategy could see fewer press statements by Sean Spicer and more opportunities for President Trump to answer media questions.

Over the last few weeks President Trump has been touring the Middle East and Europe as park of his first international trip abroad as US leader.
A 19-year-old woman has reportedly been sentenced to death by village elders in Pakistan for allegedly having a sexual relationship with her cousin.

The teenager, who lives in Pakistans Punjab province, has denied having consensual sex with the man and has claimed she was raped at gunpoint.

She reportedly told the police she was asleep when her cousin came into her home and assaulted her.

The incident allegedly happened on Friday in Rajanpur, a rural district about 400 kilometres from provincial capital Lahore.

According to the Express Tribune, the woman told police: I could not raise an alarm as Ahmed was holding a gun.

But the panchayat refused to accept my statement and declared that I wilfully slept with him.

She added that she could not call for help during the assault as her alleged attacker was holding a gun.

Her family was also sleeping in the home.

The woman approached police the following day, but was reportedly ordered to be either killed or sold off on charges of adultery.

According to the Express Tribune, four men, including the father of the alleged rapist, forced the council to sentence the woman to death.

An official complaint has been filed and the men since taken into custody by Pakistani police, according to the reports.

The woman has reportedly since been taken to a government-run refuge.
V ladimir Putin dismissed allegations of Russian meddling in the US presidential election, saying the claims were invented by Democrats to blame for their defeat.

The Russian president reiterated his denial of any involvement in the hacking of Democratic National Committee emails  leaks that proved embarrassing for Hillary Clinton's campaign against Donald Trump.

In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, Mr Putin said claims of Russian interference were driven by the "desire of those who lost the U.S. elections to improve their standing."

He made the comments while visiting France on Monday.

Republican Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the US election last year / AFP/Getty Images

Mr Putin said: "They want to explain to themselves and prove to others that they had nothing to do with it, their policy was right, they have done everything well, but someone from the outside cheated them.

"It's not so. They simply lost, and they must acknowledge it."

The "people who lost the vote hate to acknowledge that they indeed lost because the person who won was closer to the people and had a better understanding of what people wanted," the Russian leader said in a reference to President Donald Trump.

Russia's hopes for a new detente under Trump have been shattered by congressional and FBI investigations of the Trump campaign's ties to Russia.

In the Le Figaro interview, Putin said the accusations of meddling leveled at Russia have destabilized international affairs.

He argued that trying to influence the U.S. vote would make no sense for Moscow as a U.S. president can't unilaterally shape policies.

"Russia has never engaged in that, we don't need it and it makes no sense to do it," he said. "Presidents come and go, but policies don't change. You know why? Because the power of bureaucracy is very strong."

The Russian leader added that he agrees with Trump that anyone could have been behind the hacking of the Democrats' emails.

"Maybe someone lying in his bed invented something or maybe someone deliberately inserted a USB with a Russian citizen's signature or anything else," Putin said. "Anything can be done in this virtual world."

The assessment echoed a remark by Trump during a September presidential debate in which he said of the DNC hacks: "It could be Russia, but it could be China, could also be lots of other people. It could be someone sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds."
By Press Trust of India: Eds: Incorporates related stories.

Madurai/New Delhi/Barrackpore, May 30 (PTI) The Madras High Court today stayed by four weeks the enforcement of the Centres contentious notification banning sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter.

The interim order of the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court came following protests in some states including Tamil Nadu and Kerala against the measure.

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Under relentless opposition attack, the government, meanwhile, said it was examining "issues" raised by some state governments and trade organisations.

A defiant West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had yesterday called the new rules "undemocratic and unconstitutional" and declared it would be challenged legally.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had termed the ban "anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular", and shot off letters to his counterparts in other states asking them to "stand together" and oppose it. He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the new regulations.

A division bench of the high court comprising Justices M V Muralidharan and C V Karthikeyan today ordered a stay on the execution of the notification on two PILs for four weeks by when it directed the Centre to file its counter-affidavit on the petitions.

The PILs sought quashing of the provisions of Rule 22(b) (III) and Rule 22(e) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulations of Live stock Markets) Rules 2017 on the ground that they were contrary to the parent Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and the countrys Constitution. Petitioners Selvagomathy and Asik Ilahi Bhava also contended that the provisions breached the "cardinal principle of federalism" as it amounted to legislation in areas earmarked for state legislatures.

Allowing their prayer, the judges stayed the operation of the new rules banning sale and purchase of bulls, bullocks, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers and calves and camels for slaughter from animal markets.

Referring to the contention of the petitioners that the notification related to food and hence ought to have been discussed in Parliament, the judges asked the Centre to respond to the point also in its counter-affidavit.

Meanwhile, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu said in New Delhi the government was examining the issues raised by states and trade organisations against the ban.

The ban, he said, was notified against the backdrop of some observations made by the Supreme Court and a parliamentary committee on preventing cruelty to animals.

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The controversial decision is expected to hit export and domestic trade of meat and leather.

The Environment Ministry, which had notified the rules last week, has received 13 representations regarding those.

Officials in the Environment Ministry said they are studying them.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee, who had said yesterday she does not "accept" the ban, today asked the state police not to comply with the Centres notification.

"What someone will eat is his or her personal choice. No one has the right to dictate. Dont follow that order. The state has not given any such order. The administration should ensure that there is no confusion. Until the state government gives an order (in this regard), dont follow it (the Centres ban order)," she told an administrative review meeting in Barrackpore.

The TMC supremo had yesterday termed the Centres notification "a deliberate attempt to encroach on the states rights and destroy the federal structure".

Several places in Kerala and Tamil Nadu have witnessed protests during the past few days against the ban, with those opposed to it hosting beef fests and saying the Centres decision interfered with the food habits of people.

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The petitioners said the provisions were notified on May 23 last when courts were on vacation. Such rules should have been discussed in parliament and approved by it. Rules prohibiting sale and purchase of animals violated the right to freedom of religion guaranteed under Constitution, they submitted. "The slaughtering of animals for food, the food and culinary (items) made out of such animal flesh and offering sacrifice of animals are part of cultural identity of most communities in India, protected under the Constitution," the PILs said.

The farmers and other traders involved in the sale of cattle, and slaughter houses and their employees would be deprived of their right to livelihood, the petitions said.

The petitioners also contended that the matter came under the legislative domain of state legislatures and "breached the cardinal principle of federalism".

The cattle ban controversy came in the midst of a festering row over cow slaughter and consumption of beef.

Vigilante groups have dragged even genuine cattle traders out of vehicles, and beaten them up mercilessly, at times to death, over the last several months. In one instance, a Dalit family was flogged for skinning a dead cow in Gujarats Una, while a Muslim man was beaten to death in Dadri near Delhi on suspicion of storing and consuming beef.

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Some opposition leaders have claimed the new rules to regulate the livestock market was part of the RSS-BJP "agenda" to impose a nation-wide ban on beef consumption. PTI Team SK SK

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N o matter what they may have said in the past, Boyzone have finally announced plans to reunite in celebration of their 25th anniversary.

The Irish boyband, who shot to fame in the 1990s, are planning new music and lots of touring to mark the quarter of a century milestone.

Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham announced the news on Instagram before unveiling details for a special summer show at Royal Windsor Racecourse in August.

Alongside a picture of the quartet, they posted: 2018 will see Boyzone celebrate their 25th anniversary! That's something that Ronan, Keith, Mikey & Shane are incredibly proud of.

Plans are being hatched for new music and lots of touring throughout the year. But next year still seems a long way off so in case you can't wait, the Boyz are hitting the road for some exclusive UK shows later this summer.

Dates and ticketing details will be announced here soon... #boyzone2017.

Back in the day: Boyzone performing in 2008 with the late Stephen Gately / Dan Kitwood/Getty

Boyzone were first brought together in 1993 by X Factor judge Louis Walsh. They went on to dominate the charts with six UK Number One singles, including Words and No Matter What before splitting in 1999.

In 2010 they reunited to record their fourth and most recent album, Brother, as a tribute to founding band-member Stephen Gately, who died in 2009.

Fans were left ecstatic by the news with one tweeting: My life has just got a whoooole lot better.

Another posted: Liam tweeting HB to Noel & news that Boyzone are back together, can make you think, maybe, just maybe, all can be right with the world.

Boyzone are one of many groups to reunite in recent months, including Bananarama and Bros.


H it Netflix series The Crown has had the royal seal of approval from the Queen.

Her Majesty is reportedly a fan of the show, which follows the early years of her reign, including her marriage to Prince Phillip and her sister Princess Margarets affair with a married man.

According to the Sunday Express, the Queen was encouraged to watch the show by her son and daughter-in-law, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, who allegedly organised Saturday night screenings of the show at Windsor Castle.

Edward and Sophie love The Crown, a senior royal source told the publication.

Dramatic: Matt Smith and Claire Foy reenact the royal wedding / Alex Bailey/Netflix

It has been a longstanding arrangement that they drive to Windsor at the weekend to join the Queen for an informal supper while watching TV or a film. They have a Netflix account and urged her to watch it with them.

Happily, she really liked it, although obviously there were some depictions of events that she found too heavily dramatised.

The Crown premiere 1 /16 The Crown premiere All smiles Matt Smith and Claire Foy attend the World Premiere of new Netflix Original series "The Crown" at Odeon Leicester Square Dave Benett Over the shoulder Vanessa Kirby, who plays Princess Margaret, dazzles in a mint gown Dave Benett Leading man Matt Smith strikes a pose for photographers Dave Benett Group photo Matt Smith, Dame Eileen Atkins, Claire Foy, Peter Morgan and Stephen Daldry pose with the Queen's favourite breed of dog - a corgi PA Chemistry Matt Smith and Claire Foy play Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II in the big budget drama Dave Benett Leading lady Claire Foy works a patterned dress for the red carpet bash PA Red carpet ready Vanessa Kirby knows how to work the red carpet Dave Benett On guard The cast are guarded by two soldiers on the red carpet PA Fooling around Matt Smith points to the cameras as he poses alongside his co-star Claire Foy Dave Benett Pretty in pink Gemma Oaten puts on an elegant display Dave Benett Regal red Gillian Anderson colour co-ordinates with a velvet red dress PA Royalty Dame Eileen Atkins plays the Queen's mother in the hotly anticipated Netflix series Dave Benett

Penned by Peter Morgan, the show, which became the most expensive TV series of all time, with its first season costing $130m (101.5m) to produce, stars Matt Smith as Philip and Claire Foy as Elizabeth.

But Her Majesty may not be as big a fan of the second series as Morgan hinted that it could allude to Phillip's alleged affairs with actress Pat Kirkwood and TV personality Katie Boyle, something all parties have denied.

The Crown - trailer - Netflix

Speaking of the upcoming series, which will be set between 1956 and 1964, Foy told The Hollywood Reporter: This is a story of a marriage very much in the second series, and how they navigate that. Theyve been together for ten years, theyve had two children and its about going and assessing the situation. Its not going to be a rose-tinted view of marriage.

Smith said: Theres an edge to the dynamic between them. Were entering the sixties and the world is changing around them in quite significant ways. Like always with the royal family, theyre having to adapt but theyre having to do it away from the public.

The show was honoured with a haul of gongs across the pond, including Golden Globe and SAG awards for Best Actress and Best TV series, but it failed to scoop a BAFTA TV award at this year's ceremony.
Sri Lanka go into Champions Trophy 2017 as underdogs and rightly so after a disorderly few months which saw them lose 0-5 in an ODI series to South Africa.

By Asian News International: Former Sri Lanka skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan believes Asian countries will have to play out of their skins to win the Champions Trophy, beginning Thursday in England and Wales.

Sri Lanka go into the 50-over marquee event as underdogs and rightly so after a disorderly few months which saw them lose 0-5 in an ODI series to South Africa.

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They enjoyed good campaigns in 2007, 2009 (World T20), 2011 and again in 2012 (World T20) where they finished runners-up before finally ending their trophy drought in 2014.

But things started going downhill ever since their maiden World T20 triumph with the senior duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene biding adieu to their international careers the following year.

And things don't seem to be on the rise and as recently as this week, the Lankan Tigers succumbed to an embarrassing loss to Scotland and had to see Bangladesh move past them in the ICC ODI rankings.

Talking about Sri Lanka's chances in the upcoming tournament, Dilshan feels that considering the conditions in English conditions, the non-Asian team --- England, South Africa and Australia will have a huge advantage.

"We have a young team and they are inexperienced but a talented one. Playing away from the sub-continent, especially in English conditions, is not an easy task and that is where sides like England, South Africa and Australia will have a huge advantage," the former Sri Lankan opener said in an interview with pakpassion.net.

"For Asian countries to win the trophy in England is not going to be easy. In fact, I will say that even playing 75% of their potential will not be enough and they will need to play out of their skins to win the Champions Trophy this year," he added.

The 40-year-old, however, did hesitate to name any one team as the favourite to win the Champions Trophy.

Sri Lanka will kick off their campaign against South Africa on June 3 before the two matches against their sub-continental rivals India and Pakistan.

Sri Lanka Squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwan Pradeep, Asela Gunaratne, Chamara Kapugedera, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara.

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By Shreya Goswami: Does your heart melt every time you see those fluffy and crispy bhature come out of a wok full of oil? Does the idea of spicy chhole make you drool more than a large, double-cheese, cheese burst pizza?

If your answer is yes, then you are a hard-core chhole bhature fan. In your eyes, every other dish in this world falls short of everything chhole bhature has to offer--from the crunch to the spicy flavours.

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But do you know exactly where to get the best of your favourite dish? To be very honest, chhole bhature is a dish that tastes best when served at the nukkad ka dhaba or halwai. These are the places that serve delicious plates of chhole bhature, and the fact that they're extremely pocket-friendly only makes them more attractive.

Also Read: The hot Punjabi Pindi chana-bhature recipe we all need

These are our top picks for this plateful of deliciousness in Delhi.

1. Sita Ram Diwan Chand

Undoubtedly the most popular chhole bhature joint in the city, Sita Ram Diwan Chand has been around for half a century now. Their small shop in Chuna Mandi, Paharganj usually gets crowded by 9am in the morning, and for a good reason--their outstanding chhole bhature. Even when stuffed with paneer, their bhature stay soft and light. Their spicy chana and pickled carrots have made people from across the city drool.

Chhole bhature at Sita Ram Diwan Chand. Picture courtesy: Instagram/ht0007

Price: Rs 50 per plate

Timings: 8am to 5pm

2. Baba Nagpal Corner

Located in Amar Colony, near Lajpat Nagar, this shop serves typical Punjabi-style Pindi chhole and bhature. Their chhole are so yummy that you can totally handle the bhature, which usually tend to be a little on the oily side. Their puris and chawal are equally well-paired with the masaledar chhole--so you can take your pick any day. Of course you can have a tall glass of cool lassi to go with this dish!

Chhole bhature at Baba Nagpal Corner. Picture courtesy: Instagram/tasha_bhatia_

Price: Rs 60 per plate

Timings: 7am to 6pm

3. Chache di Hatti

Ask any Delhi University student where to go for chhole bhature in North Delhi, and they'll have one name on their lips--Chache di Hatti. Located in Kamala Nagar (with another branch in Model Town 2), this shop has the most flavourful chhole you can dream of. Soft and light bhaturas make the perfect partners on this platter, with their mouth-watering imli ki chutney as another favourite. Always buzzing with crowds of college students, their chhole bhature are usually sold out by 1pm.

Chhole bhature at Chache di Hatti. Picture courtesy: Instagram/foodie_ritika

Price: Rs 50 per plate

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Timings: 9am to 3pm

Also Read: 7 places in Delhi you need to head to for crazy ice cream flavours

4. Roshan di Kulfi

If you thought this place in Karol Bagh is only good for kulfi faluda, think again. Their chhole bhature is definitely one of the best in the city. In fact, their chhole bhature will give you a glimpse of authentic Punjabi flavours--although their bhature are definitely on the heavier side. But, on the plus side, you can always finish off your meals with a chilled kulfi faluda. Doesn't that sound just right?

Chhole bhature at Roshan di Kulfi. Picture courtesy: Instagram/tastypumpkiin

Price: Rs 110 per plate

Timings: 8am to 10pm

5. Kwality

Yes, this one might seem to be a little more expensive, but Kwality's chana bhature are actually value for money. How? Well, have you seen the size of their bhature? Two can eat out of that one large, crispy and soft bhatura! Their flavours are bang on, and they've been serving this city for the last 70 years. So they don't just deliver taste, but also nostalgia. It's cleary the place you need to go to, if you want to relive the magnificence of both Delhi and chhole bhature.

Chhole bhature at Kwality. Picture courtesy: Instagram/abhay1788

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Price: Rs 325 per plate (plus taxes)

Timings: 12pm to 11pm

If you love chhole bhature, Delhi is clearly the city you need to be in. You'll definitely get at least one shop serving this dish in every corner. We have picked our favourites in the city, but there are always more to explore.So where do you go for a good dose of chhole bhature?

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SCOTTSBLUFF  As the dawn peaked over the horizon in the east, the dew evaporated from the neatly manicured grass of Fairview Cemetery, where hundreds of American flags waved in the shadows cast by marble monuments which gleamed in the Monday morning sunlight.

A man and a young boy reach into a pick-up truck and retrieve a frame. In the velvet back hang the decorations once worn by World War II-veteran and Army Staff Sgt Robert C. Wallace.

The man is Rick Wallace, and his son Frost  Robert Wallaces son and grandson.

We come out here every year, Rick Wallace said, choking back a bit of emotion. It is what he would have wanted.

Among the many veterans buried in Fairview is Army Cpl. Carl Edmonds, a classmate of Wallaces who graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1966. Edmonds was killed in Vietnam by an enemy grenade.

He was a good man, Rick Wallace said.

As Rick and Frost made there way through the rest of the flag-decorated graves, more families came to place flowers at the bases of tombstones and honor the dead.

Between Fairview in Scottsbluff, and the Sunset Memorial Park on Highway 26 between Scottsbluff and Mitchell, lie the remains of those who served during war and peace going back to the Civil War to the most recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The ceremonies Monday brought back memories of many of the fallen.

Memorial Day has been officially celebrated since may of 1868, commemorating the defenders of our Republic during the civil war, Tom Arends, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1681, read from a proclamation during Memorial Day ceremonies. The meaning of Memorial Day is as powerful and as meaningful as it was 149 years ago, for today, America finds herself again at war.

The guest speaker for the ceremony was Jamie Jakub, adjutant for the Disabled American Veterans Department of Nebraska.

For most veterans, it is the men and women we served alongside who, through their service and sacrifice for others, live on as heroes in our hearts forever, Jakub said. While few receive the nations highest honor, many gave their lives in uniform, and many more were taken from us after, result of injuries or illness contracted in service.

Among a few of the names were 21-year-old Army Spc. Jamie Wolf, who died from injuries he suffered on Nov. 6, 2003, when an improvised explosive device exploded near his convoy as it moved through Mosul, Iraq. His mother, Chris Wolf, has devoted her life following her sons death to honoring and assisting veterans.

For those of you who are veterans, you understand the deeper meaning of military brother- and sisterhood, Wolf said, while holding back tears. You became united as one while living and working side by side for days on end, sometimes in the most horrendous situations and conditions. But that didnt stop you from doing what you were trained to do and you did it to the best of your ability.

You mourn for those you served with and for those you never knew who did not return. You know the cost of freedom. For those of us, who have never served in the military, we can never begin to understand what you experienced. Each persons experience is different, and no one can be compared with the other.

Ive learned over the last 13 years that I will never say, I know how you feel, because in reality that cant happen. But I can understand your grief, and how real it is.

May 9 would have been Jamie Wolfs 35th birthday. Chris Wolf said she found an old picture of Jamie from when he graduated the eighth-grade, which she posted on Facebook.

There was so many wonderful and loving comments made, but one stood out from the rest, Wolf said. Our good friend Sue (McLaughlin) said, You always made me smile and laugh, so today I will make someone smile and laugh in memory of you. These words touched my heart, as I have made the same kind of statement many years ago.

Instead of letting my grief swallow me up, I would do something every day to honor him.

I am so grateful that I found the Veterans Upward Bound Program at WNCC and for Ce Merrigan, who gave me the opportunity to work with veterans of all ages, needs and situations. Every time I work with a veteran, I feel I am honoring Jamie in a way that he would approve.

This is my challenge to all of you, spread the word about what Memorial Day really means. Show it by your words and your actions. Organize a group of family or friends or coworkers to help in both placing and picking up the cemetery flags.

Or make someone laugh or smile today in honor of someone who gave their life for their country, and then challenge someone else to do the same.

It is only through our actions that we can help educate those who do not understand. We need to set the example to show others how important a simple smile or a kind word can be, and honor those who we remember.

To have more people attend events like today would also be wonderful. Many people work hard to organize this program, and wouldnt it be nice to fill this entire area with people here to show respect.

A Gold Star box full of pennies sat on the ground to the left of Wolf. She said that the tradition of leaving coins on graves, which became popular during the Vietnam War, was believed to be a way to show respect without getting into an uncomfortable political discussion about an unpopular war.

A coin left on a headstone lets the deceased soldiers family know someone stopped by to pay their respects, Wolf said. A penny means you stopped to visit, a nickel means that you and the deceased trained at boot camp together. If you served together, you leave a dime.

A quarter is very significant because it means you were there when that military person was killed. Please feel free to come by and take a handful of pennies and place them on any military grave you see. Let them know you were here and that you were thinking of them.

After the ceremony, a number of children came to grab handfuls and decorate the headstones.

And off to the side stood Nate and Beth Merrigan, both veterans who deployed to Iraq together with the 172nd Striker Brigade from August 2005 to December 2006.

I think it ... Its about the other people we were with, Beth said, with an emotional pause choking back tears. It takes me back to a different time and place ... just the intensity of a different time ... It makes you think about the people that we served with who didnt come back.

Youre right there, you see their faces and the circumstances, Nate said. We both lost people that we knew and were friends with, it takes you back and its real.
SCOTTSBLUFF  A search through old newspaper clippings reveal the history of a ship named after a monument.

After Ed Hilzers wife, Elsie, died, he was searching through items she had collected over the years. Amongst them was a newspaper clipping of the S.S. Scotts Bluff. According to the National Park Service (NPS), the S.S. Scotts Bluff T2-SE-A1 was a tanker, the 67th of 153 T2 tankers built by the Kaiser Companys Swan Island Shipyards in Portland, Oregon.

She cut it out because at that time, a lot of relations were in the Navy or the Army, he said. She was probably thinking it was something good to save.

The tanker was named after the Scotts Bluff National Monument. T2 tankers were oil tankers produced in large numbers from 1940 to 1945. Although it was completed in June 1944, its maiden launch was on Oct. 5,1944. The S.S. Scotts Bluff was built in only 39 days, a record. The average time was 70 days.

When the ship was launched, among the witnesses were three people from Scottsbluff.

One was a welder (Russell Ballew) who worked on the vessel and the other (Ernest Eckhart) actually had the pleasure of riding it down the ways. Russel Ballews wife also witnessed the launch. Because no Nebraskans were thought to be on hand, the vessel was christened on May 10, 1944, by Mrs. E. Ken Ward, wife of the hull materials superintendent, the pamphlet read.

Hilzer said his wife enjoyed clipping items out of the paper she thought might be important and saving them in her scrapbooks. Thats where he found the clipping about the S.S. Scotts Bluff.

I was surprised and yet wasnt surprised, he said. She always saved these kinds of clippings.

Hilzer told his friend Danny, who hadnt heard of the ship either.

I was very surprised when I found it, Hilzer said. I had never heard anything about it before.

T1 tankers were named after major oil fields. T3s were named after private companies. The T2 tanker fleet was named after NPS monuments, parks, forts and battlefields, including Glacier, Grand Teton, Fort Laramie, Scotts Bluff, Kings Canyon, Little Big Horn, Gettysburg, Bents Fort and Capital Reef.

By the time the S.S. Scotts Bluff docked in Brisbane, Australia, in 1946, she was well-worn from the ravages of war.

The S.S. Scotts Bluff was later renamed Orcher and sold to the French government in 1948, a pamphlet from the National Park Service said. It was sold again in 1963 to the Superior Shipping Company in Monrovia, Liberia, and its name changed to Patrick D. The tanker was again renamed to Lake Katrina in 1968 and sold to Trinity Shipping in New York. On July 19, 1968, the former S.S. Scotts Bluff arrived in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where it was dismantled and scrapped.

The small tidbit of history, tucked away in scrapbook recalls a time when even monuments helped in the war effort. Hilzer said.

She saved it because its important, he said. Its good history.
Wesley D. Joy, 64 of Morrill was called home Tuesday May 23, 2017 after a brief courageous battle with leukemia. A graveside inurnment will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday June 2, 2017 at Valley View Cemetery in Torrington, WY with Pastor Giles Armstrong officiating. Following the inurnment a Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Berean Church. Family and friends are invited to the Morrill American Legion following the Memorial Service for refreshments, celebration and sharing. The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers, memorials in Wes name be made to Mitchell Berean Church or the Panhandle Humane Society. Online condolences may be left at www.jones-mortuary.com.

Wes was born April 12, 1953 to Earl and Frances (Fisher) Joy of Lyman, NE. He graduated from Lyman High School in 1971 and attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He married Jacie Larson in 1983 and welcomed Clint and Brittany as his son and daughter. Wes and Jacie later divorced. Wes married Dorothy Birch in 2012 and to this union Wes gained another daughter and son in law, Denise and Al.

He spent his life in the valley farming, working at Lockwoods, Sargent Irrigation, and spent the last 23 years working with Union Pacific Railroad. He enjoyed his family and many friends. Wes never met a stranger. He loved reading, music, woodworking, and sharing his faith and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Most will remember his humorous demeanor, ornery disposition and his unforgettable laugh.

Wes is survived by his wife Dorothy; son Clint (Kathy) Joy of Charlotte, NC;

daughters Brittany (Cory) Fitzsimmons of Wheatridge, CO and Denise (Al) Alpuin of Tampa, FL; brothers Jack (Stella) Joy of Cheyenne, WY, Darrell Joy of Indianapolis, IN, David Joy of Riverton, WY, and Ed (Laura) Joy of Northglenn, CO; sisters Deloris (Harold) Schillereff of Scottsbluff and Edna (Paul) Curry of Morrill; grandchildren Sascha, Jack and Zovi Joy, and Mia and Macie Fitzsimmons; many nieces and nephews, and numerous great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Donald and Dale; niece Angela Halstead and nephew Jason Joy.
The Congress units of poll bound-states specially from Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Mizoram are keen to get the internal organisational polls postponed.

By Supriya Bhardwaj: Congress organisational polls have left many leaders of the party in a tizzy.

Armed with a plea to postpone the organisational polls, Congress general secretaries will be knocking on the door of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.

The Amethi MP has now called a crucial meeting of all General Secretary in charges of poll-bound states to contemplate on the situation.

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The Congress units of poll bound-states specially from Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Mizoram are keen to get the internal organisational polls postponed.

Apart from General Secretaries, Congress Election Committee members also have been asked to attend this meet.

Recently, a meeting of all PROs and APROs was called by party's election committee.

The grand old party has to complete its internal election process by this year end.

The polls will be held from booth level to the top most position in the Principal Opposition party.

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Concerns over vandalism, maintenance and preservation of Statesvilles historic Fourth Creek Cemetery prompted residents to gather at the Iredell Public Library last week.

Attendees determined increased dialogue with the City of Statesville is necessary.

Officials with First Presbyterian Church, which transferred the cemetery to the City of Statesville in 1933, will meet to determine if they will represent the group in discussions with the city.

The meeting was organized by Don Stevenson and moderated by Pastor Stephen Scott of First Presbyterian Church. Also present were representatives from groups like the Colonial Dames, Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Fort Dobbs and Mary Slocum chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Some group members are requesting that Statesville cease using riding mowers and weed eaters with abrasive cutting cords, establish a building for the storage of damaged markers, increase maintenance funds and provide a city representative for a committee to manage the cemetery were among the items listed.

A city representative did not attend the meeting, but Brent Cornelison, director of Statesvilles Recreation and Parks Department, said in an email that the city plans to continue caring for the cemetery.

Cornelison wrote that the city has instituted more hand mowing within the walls as our workforce allows. He also wrote the department would be willing to contribute to an informational board and the city has kept two gates locked, added trail cameras and increased police patrols in an effort to reduce vandalism, loitering and promiscuous behavior.

Also during the meeting, Jason Harpe of Harpe Consulting, a Lincoln County-based gravestone and monument conservation company, gave a keynote presentation on the methods to care for graves and the sometimes unintentional damage caused by preservation methods like setting remnants of markers in cement. Improper landscaping can contribute to damage, he said.
A 27-year-old Georgia man involved in an eight-hour armed standoff with authorities last year was sentenced recently in Iredell County Superior Court.

Nicholas Griffin Williams submitted a no contest plea to assaulting a law enforcement officer/parole officer with a firearm.

He was sentenced to between 20 and 36 months in prison.

The plea meant that Williams doesnt admit or dispute the charge, but is treated as guilty.

On May 8, 2016, Mooresville police officers responded to a call around 3 a.m. at a home in the 100 block of Sapling Street, according to court documents.

The caller told police Williams assaulted her then threatened his own life, the documents said.

The woman also said Williams was a Marine and was carrying a carbine rifle with him.

Williams 2016 Chevy Impala was missing from the driveway, so police began searching for him.

About a half-hour later, officers learned that Williams was in a chase with Catawba County deputies and was stopped near Perth Road off Highway 150, the documents said. When officers arrived, they attempted to speak with Williams, who refused to get out of his car.

The standoff shut down Highway 150 for hours and led to several churches being put on alert.

After about two hours, Williams refused to respond to questions from law enforcement and turned his vehicle to face them. Officers then noticed a rifle leaning on the steering wheel and aimed at them, court documents said.

Williams then attempted to drive away from the area, but authorities shot out his tires.

Authorities then used an armored vehicle to get close to Williams, who still refused to surrender.

Around 12 p.m., authorities finally took Williams into custody. They seized a .40 caliber carbine rifle from the passenger seat along with a Glock magazine, 15 rounds of rifle ammunition, a military-grade pocketknife and military paperwork, according to reports.
The preacher, who is believed to be having permanent residence status in Malaysia, has now sought its citizenship but no decision has been taken so far on his application.

By Press Trust of India: Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on terror charges, has applied for Malaysian citizenship, according to agency sources.

Naik has been changing his base quite frequently after the NIA moved the Interpol for issuance of a Red Corner Notice (RCN), international arrest warrant, against him, they said.

The preacher, who is believed to be having Permanent Residence status in Malaysia, has now sought its citizenship but no decision has been taken so far on his application, the sources said.

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The Indian government is planning to use its diplomatic channels to frustrate all attempts by the controversial preacher to get citizenship in any country, they said.

The Malaysian authorities were aware about terror cases pending against the controversial Islamic preacher, they said.

Naik is being probed for terror and money laundering charges. He had fled from India immediately after an investigation against him was initiated.

WHERE IS ZAKIR NAIK NOW?

His present place of stay is unknown and it is believed that he has been shuttling between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, African and Southeast Asian countries, the sources said.

The controversial preacher is accused of spreading hatred by his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering several crores of rupees over the years.

The Interpol was approached against Naik after a year-long probe during which the NIA gathered evidence of his NGO -- Islamic Research Foundation - and Peace TV, being used to allegedly promote hatred between different religious groups.

The central government has already banned his NGO and taken his TV channel off air. During the probe, the NIA claimed to have found 37 properties owned by Naik and companies run by him, which are estimated to be worth more than Rs 100 crore.

A Special NIA court in Mumbai, while issuing a non-bailable warrant against Naik, had said that "there are reasonable grounds to believe that Naik is evading arrest and that he will not voluntarily appear before the court or before the agency."

The NIA alleged that Naik has been promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his speeches and lectures on various platforms and inciting Muslim youths and terrorists in India and abroad to commit terrorist acts.

Naik had fled from India on July 1, 2016 after terrorists in neighbouring Bangladesh claimed that they were inspired by his speeches on waging jehad.

Also read:

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi takes over Zakir Naik's Islamic International School

Zakir Naik's properties worth Rs 100 crore under ED's scanner, attachment begins

Ten controversial statements by Zakir Naik

Has Islamic preacher Zakir Naik got Saudi Arabian citizenship?

--- ENDS ---
In the context of the recent hue and cry over the Centre virtually banning unregulated cattle trade Kisan Morcha has come up with a novel proposal to make cattle dung a profitable source of income for farmers.

By Siddhartha Rai: Many in the ruling party feel that mere laws against illegal trade in cattle that leads them to slaughterhouses cannot stop them from going under the knife. Kisan Morcha (the farmers' body of the BJP) chief has come up with a novel proposal to stop cattle culling: make cattle dung a profitable source of income for farmers.

In the context of the recent hue and cry over the Centre virtually banning unregulated cattle trade in markets as it came up with strict rules concerning sale of livestock in animal fairs and local 'haats' that dot the rural terrain of India, peasant leader and MP from UP's Bhadohi, famous for its carpets, Birendra Singh 'Mast' has proposed that the Centre make use of dung-coated urea after the phenomenal success of neem-coated urea to incentivise cattle dung.

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The proposal has found significant support in the ruling quarters as it presents a way to create "social deterrence and economic logic against cow slaughter".

LAWS ARE NOT ENOUGH

"Only laws will not be able to stop cow slaughter. If we make manure out of dung, such as dung-coated urea, this will provide the farmer with his own fertilizer without him paying for it. Secondly, his produce becomes organic, which he can market at a way higher price that what his usual produce fetches him," said Singh.

To cater to the latter part of the argument - giving farmers access and avenue to sell organic products - the peasant leader has proposed that certification with the 'organic' label be made available at the local level of the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) at the block level.

"The biggest problem so far is even if the farmer produced organic products, he doesn't know where he can go for certification or to sell it. We have proposed that certification be given at the local block level as the block is where the administration comes in contact with the farmer," he said.

"Secondly, the government can tie up with local khadi stores, which can then sell the products like other organic products," the Kisan Morcha chief added.

This creates a complete economic cycle, Singh said, adding, "Farmer produces organic and earns more. He produces organic by means of dung so he needs his cattle even if they become apparently useless when they grow old or no more remain milch-worthy."

"As he needs them, he doesn't sell them away to slaughterhouses. This bridges the current economic logic that after they cannot be milked, the cattle become an economic burden on the farmer," the farmers' leader further said.

Also Read

Won't tolerate hate crime in name of cow vigilantism: Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje

Kerala BJP chief slams cow slaughter 'in broad daylight'

--- ENDS ---
JEFFERSON CITY  Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley is trying to keep the states limits on campaign contributions intact after a federal judge put parts of the new law on hold this month.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Hawley said he would appeal the decision by U.S. District Court Senior Judge Ortrie Smith that found a part of the new law barring certain businesses from contributing to campaigns unconstitutional.

As attorney general, I have a duty to defend the laws and constitution of the State of Missouri, Hawley said. The people of Missouri overwhelmingly voted to place these rules in our constitution, and my office will defend them.

Under the November change to the state constitution, 70 percent of Missouri voters chose to cap contributions to individual candidates at $2,600 per election. Contributions to a political party were limited to no more than $25,000.

Support for the initiative came in an election year that saw a rise in large contributions to candidates including Gov. Eric Greitens and Hawley. Missouri has not had limits on contributions since 2008.

In the court case, the Association of Missouri Electrical Cooperatives and Legends Bank argued the new law unfairly stops them from donating to campaigns and political action committees.

Attorneys argued that if the law stayed in place, the electrical cooperatives would be unable to raise adequate money to ensure members voices were heard by the Legislature and in upcoming elections.

In his decision, Smith said the Missouri Ethics Commission, which regulates campaign finance and lobbying activities, could not enforce the new law regarding giving by certain groups.

After Smiths decision, attorneys suggested that the decision to strike down one part of the new law could result in the entire law being voided.

The referendum that brought back campaign contribution limits was backed by Fred Sauer, a Republican and Clayton businessman who made an unsuccessful run for governor in 2012.
EARTH CITY  Gov. Eric Greitens on Tuesday signed into law a measure that will prevent Missouri cities from requiring union-level wages in public construction projects, a move he said will bring the taxpayers more efficiency, but that critics say is the latest in a pattern of union busting from the new Republican governor.

Weve sent a very clear message and that is that Missouri is open for business, Greitens said at a signing ceremony in an Earth City retooling plant, where he was flanked by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, the former Republican presidential candidate who made his national name challenging unions.

Gov. Greitens is doing what he said he was going to do, Walker told reporters. He said the measure Greitens signed ensures that everybody can compete for public sector construction jobs instead of that money going into the hands of union bosses.

The new law effectively bans project labor agreements, or PLAs, in which local governments require companies to pay union wages to their workers when they carry out tax-funded building projects such as schools and roads. Under the measure, Missouri cities and counties that require PLAs could be penalized with the loss of state funding or tax credits.

Both union and nonunion contractors could bid on public construction projects under PLAs. But Republicans have long argued that PLAs force nonunion contractors out of the running and drive up the cost of public projects because of the required higher wages. PLAs are already banned for state construction projects.

The fact is, this is good for taxpayers and its good for workers, said Greitens. Now if somebody wants to refurbish a school, repair a courthouse, help to build a library, anyone in Missouri can now compete. At the end of the day, this is good for Missouri workers and is going to save taxpayer dollars.

The legislation is part of what critics say is a broader attack on labor by the Greitens administration and his fellow Republicans who control the Legislature. Earlier this year, Greitens signed a landmark right-to-work law that bans mandatory union fee collection in workplaces.

Greitens hasnt yet taken action on a bill the Legislature sent him that would roll back St. Louis newly instituted citywide increase in the minimum wage.

After the Republican establishment in Jefferson City voted to slash the minimum wage, Eric Greitens is rubbing salt in the wounds of working families by celebrating another attack on their paychecks, Democratic Party chairman Stephen Webber said in a statement Tuesday.

Democrats and labor advocates contend that PLAs ensure a highly skilled workforce for the construction of local schools, libraries or police stations, weeding out bad contractors and keeping a tight budget and schedule for the projects.

Mike Louis, president of the Missouri AFL-CIO, alleged Tuesday that the bill is part of a pattern of systemic union busting by Greitens, with an eye toward helping his corporate buddies make more money.

This will let them pay (workers) less ... but theyre not going to pass that savings on to the taxpayers who fund the public projects, Louis predicted. This is all going to continue to drive the wedge further between the rich corporations and the poor.

Louis said the labor organization is reviewing the legislation for the possibility of a legal challenge.
Two years into Illinois budget wars, Jeff Gripp has some advice for Gov. Bruce Rauner:

Dont back down.

A retired truck driver who lives in a middle-class neighborhood in Rock Island, Gripp thinks Illinois first-term governor is engaged in a worthy fight for control.

If he can get power away from Chicago, then its better for the rest of us, he said.

Given the slip in the governors approval rating over the two-year budget impasse, voices like Gripps are probably pretty welcome to Rauner.

Thats likely even more true given where it comes from. Gripps single-story house, in a tree-lined neighborhood just southeast of Longview Park, lies within a precinct that backed Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

In 2014, it shunned Democrat Pat Quinn and delivered Rauner a close victory, 50.7 percent to 46.3 percent.

Thats roughly the same margin by which Rauner won Rock Island County.

If Democrats expect to win Rock Island County back next year, an important one in the fight for downstate Illinois, neighborhoods like these will be important.

After months of cascading headlines about struggling social service agencies and college debt downgrades, Illinoisans patience is wearing thin with Springfield, and Rauner is feeling the impact, too.

The governors statewide approval rating in March was at 36 percent, according to a poll by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, down 5 points from the year before. Downstate, it was slightly better, at just short of 38 percent, but it too was down by about 5 points from the year before.

Its true that House Speaker Mike Madigan, a Democrat, fared worse. But Rauners 58 percent disapproval rating statewide was up 8 points in the poll from the previous spring and 26 points from the spring of 2015.

The governor has stepped up his presence in recent months. Hes hit the road to sell his case against the Democrats, and campaign-like television ads featuring the governor with a roll of duct tape have been a constant presence in communities such as Rock Island since early April.

Its not hard to find a harsh word for Springfield in Rock Island County. Complaints that people and businesses are fleeing the state abound.

If you live in Iowa, stay there, Rich Simmons, a retired postal worker, said the other day. His house sits just a few blocks from where Gripp lives.

Simmons voted for Rauner in 2014, and he still supports him. Nevertheless, he doesnt think much will change. Im not real confident, he said.

That pessimism about change is also frequently heard. But so is a desire  its particularly loud in the business community  that the state end the budget standoff.

Bill Anderson, a retired federal government worker who voted for Quinn in 2014, is resolute when he says, weve got to get a balanced budget. And hes equally sure that he doesnt think Rauner is doing his share to get there. It sounds to me like hes politicking more than hes doing his job, he said.

Since Rauner came into office, Democrats have accused the governor of an ideological campaign to bust unions and hurt working people. Now, they say, the states fiscal stalemate and its consequences cant help but hurt him with voters.

Hes held the states budget hostage for two years, said Doug House, chairman of the Rock Island County Democrats and leader of the Illinois County Democratic Chairmens Association.

With 18 months to go before next years election, its hard to tell what the political climate will be like, nationally and statewide. Christopher Mooney, director of the institute of government and public affairs at the University of Illinois, said even if a deal is reached, its elements will be important. And to make a dent in the states debt, it will require sacrifice. Its not as if they get a deal and its happy days are here again. Thats when the pain is going to really start, he said.

Senate Democrats passed a budget package Tuesday that raises income taxes and expands the sales tax. They argued the state couldnt wait any longer, and there needed to be some certainty brought to the states fiscal situation. Moodys Investors Service warned in March if the state cant get a budget by Wednesdays scheduled adjournment date its already weak credit rating would suffer further.

Rauner has argued that any deal with new revenue had to include a measure to curb property tax increases. He and Democrats couldnt come together on the issue, and after the vote the Republicans unleashed robocalls criticizing Democrats.

That Rauner is holding fast to his agenda wears well with the two dozen or so conservatives who attended the Ronald Reagan Breakfast Club on Wednesday at City Limits Saloon and Grill in Rock Island.

A weekly meeting, its members like to joke it is the largest unorganized gathering of conservatives that meet weekly in the state of Illinois. Members pass a microphone and, over eggs and coffee, take turns making announcements, sharing information and offering opinions on events of the day.

Rauner has been a guest at the club, and so have other officeholders.

Support for Rauner here appears to be strong. Told of a reporters interest in their opinion about the governor, several people at the table vowed their support as the microphone went around the table.

He is doing what he said, and he is sticking to his guns. And that is what we want, said Bill Long, a Republican from Rock Island.
WASHINGTON  Sen. Claire McCaskill paid more than $15,000 out of her own pocket to bring Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and their spouses, along on a McCaskill family and friends vacation to Cancun, Mexico, last year, according to financial disclosure forms filed by Schumer and Tester.

This was a family birthday celebration with family and personal friends, including colleagues, and the trip was publicly disclosed per Senate guidelines, McCaskill spokesman John LaBombard said Tuesday.

According to Testers 2016 financial disclosure forms, which were filed this month, the trip took place from Feb. 19-22 last year. McCaskill spent $7,410 for Tester and his wife, Sharla, to join McCaskills party in Cancun.

Schumers financial disclosure form shows that McCaskill paid $8,235 for Schumer and his wife, Iris Weinshall, to attend.

McCaskill did not have to report her own costs for the trip because they are not required under Senate financial disclosure rules.

Like McCaskill, Tester  who was head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee at the time  faces a potentially tough election next year. The two are known as personal friends, and McCaskill has tweeted that Tester is one of her best buds. McCaskill and Schumer are also personal friends.

Republicans in Missouri and elsewhere have pointed out that a dark money political committee that Schumer is affiliated with, Majority Forward, has helped put up more than $1 million in radio and TV ads praising McCaskill in Missouri this spring.

McCaskill last week called for Missourians to disregard any ads from groups that dont have to disclose their donors, including the one affiliated with Schumer. Republicans have mocked her for not calling for those ads to be taken off the air, but McCaskill defenders say such a call could be interpreted as forbidden coordination between a politician and a nonprofit political group funded by anonymous donors.

Now, with the disclosure that Schumer was on the trip paid for by McCaskill, Republicans are referring to Schumer as McCaskills beach buddy and trying to connect the two events.

So far, Claire has yet to ask for those ads to come down, despite her purported strong opposition to dark money groups, National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Michael McAdams said. Makes you wonder, why has Claire stayed silent?

LaBombard responded: Claires taken the strongest possible step on dark money ads, which is strongly supporting and voting for legislation to force disclosure by these groups. While Republicans have blocked that legislation, shes called on these groups to disclose their donors, and has told Missourians they should only pay attention to the ads run by candidates.

He said outside groups have run more ads attacking McCaskill than those defending her have spent so far in this election cycle.

Spokespeople for Tester and Schumer, D-N.Y., did not immediately respond on the record Tuesday.

Members of Congress annually must file financial disclosure forms in which they disclose personal wealth across a broad reporting range. The last major ranking of the wealth of all 535 members of Congress was done by the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call in late 2015.

It ranked McCaskill as the 21st richest member of Congress at the time, with just over $19 million in net worth. Tester, with about $580,000 in net worth, was ranked 245th, and Schumer, with $390,000, 284th.

NTK Network first reported that Tester was on the trip, and Politico on Tuesday noted Schumers attendance.

McCaskill announced on Feb. 22, 2016, the day that Schumer and Tester said the trip ended, that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Three weeks later, after receiving treatment, she returned to the Senate and full-time work.
The NCP president suggests RSS should open an ashram for the old cows or the government should pay maintenance to the farmers.

By Kiran Tare: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar today said that the Union government's move on sale of cattle is gross injustice to the farmers.

"Either the government should set up an ashram to feed the old cattle or should pay farmers monthly maintenance in lieu of feeding the old cattle." Pawar said while interacting with reporters here.

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In an apparent dig at the RSS, the NCP chief also said that Nagpur should open another ashram for the old cattle. "They have so many institutes. They can open another one for the cattle," he said.

Referring to Veer Savarkar's views on cows, Pawar said the great freedom fighter whom the Hindutva forces consider as their idol too was in favour of cow slaughter. "Everyone should pay respect to cow. Savarkar used to say cow is a beneficial animal but he had no issues if cow is slaughtered after she becomes non beneficial," Pawar said.

The issue of ban on cattle sale has gathered heat after two chief ministers, Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal and Pinarayi Vijayan of Kerala have come forward against the Union government's amendment in the cattle act.

'NOT IN PRESIDENTIAL RACE'

Pawar also reiterated that he was not in the race for the President's post. "I have been insisting since a few days that I am not in the race. I don't want to retire from public life at this moment," he said.

Pawar said that he has convinced the Opposition parties not to discuss any name for the post until there is a broad consensus. "I have suggested that the candidate for presidential post should be chosen through consensus with the government. If there is no consensus a committee should be formed and empowered to decide name," Pawar said.

ALSO READ:Ban on cattle sale for slaughter: Madras High Court stays government's order for a month

Government bans sale of cows for slaughter at cattle markets, restricts trade

Cattle slaughter economy: How ban on sale of cattle for killing may affect industry, employment

--- ENDS ---
Despite what they say, Republican actions in the Legislature prove that they are not the party of law and order. And Republicans most certainly do not Back the Blue.
Rohingya community leader said that damage in different camps was severe with almost all the 10,000 thatched huts in the Balukhali and Kutupalong camps destroyed.

By Reuters: A cyclone battered refugee camps in Bangladesh today where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar have taken refuge from violence at home, as authorities moved at least 350,000 Bangladeshis out of harm's way.

Cyclone Mora struck the island of Saint Martin and Teknaf in the coastal Bangladeshi district of Cox's Bazar, where officials said some 200,000 people were evacuated to shelters. In Chittagong district, about 150,000 people were evacuated.

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The islands are a few miles from the Myanmar border, and the refugee camps for Rohingyas who have fled their homeland.

Shamsul Alam, a Rohingya community leader, told Reuters that damage in different camps was severe with almost all the 10,000 thatched huts in the Balukhali and Kutupalong camps destroyed.

"Most of the temporary houses in the camps have been flattened," Alam said.

Omar Farukh, a community leader in Kutupalong camp, said conditions were dire: "Now we're in the open air."

Officials in Chittagong reported winds gusting up to 135 kph (85 mph), and said low-lying coastal areas were flooded by a storm surge with waves 2 metres (7 feet) high.

Flights in the area were cancelled.

Last October, following a Myanmar army operation launched in response to insurgent attacks, an estimated 74,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh where they joined more than 200,000 who have taken refuge there over the years.

The Bangladeshi government has estimated that in all, there are about 350,000 Rohingyas in Bangladesh.

In predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, where Rohingyas are officially denied citizenship and classified as illegal immigrants, about 120,000 of them have been internally displaced by communal violence over recent years and are living in camps.

WE ARE WORRIED

A UN official working with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh said the damage in the camps could not be assessed while the storm was raging.

"Heavily pregnant women have been evacuated but most people in areas like Balukhali and Kutupalong makeshift settlements have stayed," said the official, who declined to be identified.

"The winds are strong and people there live in flimsy structures, so we're worried."

In Myanmar, about 300 houses were damaged in Rakhine State but the extent was unclear, the government said.

But Bangladeshi weather officials said the cyclone was not as bad as they had feared.

"The severity was less than the apprehension," Shamsuddin Ahmed, a weather official based in Chittagong said.

The cyclone was expected to weaken in Bangladesh by late morning as it moved inland towards India where authorities have warned of heavy rain in the northeastern states of Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

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The cyclone formed after monsoon rains triggered floods and landslides in Sri Lanka, off India's southern tip, killing at least 180 people in recent days, authorities said.

In the eastern Indian state of Bihar, 24 people have been killed in recent days, either by lightning or in collapsed dwellings.

The southwest monsoon reached the Kerala coast of southwest India on Tuesday.

ALSO READ:

Cyclone Mora hits Bangladesh, thousands moved to safer places

Cyclone Mora to intensify in next 24 hours, heavy rains expected in Odisha, northeast

Cyclone Mora to hit Bangladesh, a number of Indian states to be affected

--- ENDS ---
The storm made landfall on the coast between Cox's Bazar and the main port city of Chittagong at 6:00 am (local time), the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said in a special weather bulletin.

By India Today Web Desk: Severe Cyclone Mora hit Bangladesh today packing winds of up to 117 kilometres per hour after authorities evacuated hundreds of thousands of people from low-lying coastal villages.

The storm made landfall on the coast between Cox's Bazar and the main port city of Chittagong at 6:00 am (local time), the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said in a special weather bulletin.

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The Disaster Ministry ordered authorities to evacuate people from the coast, the ministry's additional secretary, Golam Mostafa, told reporters in Dhaka. About 10 million of Bangladesh's population of 160 million live in coastal areas.

River ferries had suspended operations and fishing boats called in to safety.

240 medical teams have been formed in Chittagong for emergency services. Leave of all doctors and health officials have been cancelled.

In the coastal districts, residents of low-lying areas are being evacuated and shifted to safer shelter. In addition to forming medical teams, members of different forces along with 50,000 volunteers have been prepared for emergency rescue and relief operations.

Bangladesh is hit by storms, many of them devastating, every year. Half a million people had their lives disrupted in coastal areas such as Barisal and Chittagong in May last year.

It is still recovering from flash floods that hit the northeast, affecting millions of people, in April. Rice prices have reached record highs and state reserves are at 10-year lows in the wake of flooding that wiped out around 700,000 tonnes of rice.

The cyclone formed after monsoon rains triggered floods and landslides in neighbouring Sri Lanka, off India's southern tip, which have killed at least 177 people in recent days, authorities said, with 24 killed in storms in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, either by lightning strikes or under collapsed village huts.

India warned of heavy rain in the northeastern states of Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh as Mora moved further up the Bay of Bengal.

Also read:

Cyclone Mora to hit Bangladesh, a number of Indian states to be affected

Cyclone Mora to intensify in next 24 hours, heavy rains expected in Odisha, northeast

1888 Indian hailstorm, which killed 246 people, among world's all-time deadly storms

(With inputs from agencies)

--- ENDS ---
The Saudi Arabian Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Muhammad bin Salman al Saud gave praise to Russias relations with the Kingdom in a meeting with President Putin on Tuesday. Both Salman and Putin said during the talks in Moscow, that the two countries are speeding up their bilateral process to overcome the still existing differences.

The crown prince added, that relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia are seeing one of their best stages at the moment. He stressed, that there is already a common ground for the two countries and a clear mechanism established with which remaining issues can be solved out.

Especially the oil market was emphasized by Salman as a field of cooperation:  The main thing is that we manage to built a strong foundation as concerns the oil market and prices of energy resources. This offers opportunities for building a strategic future further.

Russia and Saudi Arabia are the two biggest oil exporters worldwide. Naturally their economies suffered from the heavy drop in oil prices since 2014. Together with other members of the OPEC cartell of oil producing states they recently agreed on limiting their oil output in order to stabilise the prices.

While Russias economy, despite being under additional sanctions by the West, is doing relatively well, Saudi Arabia seems to be heavier impacted by the low oil prices, which together with the costs of their war with Yemen cut into their household.

Saudi Arabia has recently downsized its social benefits program, increased taxes, started the privatisation of Saudi Aramco, a state owned oil producer and liquidated its foreign asset holdings.
Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan failed to present even 10 years old record of his tax returns but on the other hand, he was demanding record pertaining to the seventies from the Sharif family.

She lashed out at PTI chairman and said that Imran demanding the disqualification of the prime minister due to the supposed unavailability of the record while on the other hand seeking exemption for himself on the same account.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said in a statement that Imran admitted before the court that he could not find the record of his income tax returns prior to the sale of the London flats despite his best efforts.
Hussain Nawaz, the younger son of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was provided urgent medical care after his blood sugar level dropped following the hours-long interrogation by the Joint Investigation Team probing Panama case.

Hussain appeared before the joint investigation team (JIT) on Tuesday for the second time in connection with Panama Papers case investigation.

Accompanied by senior lawyers and party leaders, the prime ministers son reached Judicial Academy to appear before the team that is probing alleged offshore wealth of the Sharif family.

Nearly two hours after he reached the Judicial Academy, an ambulance was dispatched to the academy where, according to sources, Hussain Nawaz was given medical treatment after his health deteriorated.

According to sources, Hussains sugar level dropped as he was being quizzed by investigators. There was no further report on his health.

Hussain Nawaz, who was quizzed for about five and a half hours on Tuesday, made his first appearance yesterday and was questioned for 90 minutes.

Read more: Supreme Court dismisses Hussain Nawaz's reservations regarding JIT members

On Monday, a three-member bench of Supreme Court dismissed his petition against two of the JIT members.

The PMs son had objected to the inclusion of two members  Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistans Bilal Rasool and State Bank of Pakistans Amer Aziz  accusing them of being close to the PML-Ns political rivals.

Moreover, National Bank of Pakistan President Saeed Ahmad also reached the venue to appear before the JIT to record his statement.

The head of the JIT, Federal Investigation Agency's Wajid Zia, along with other members of the high-profile probe team, reached the venue earlier.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders, including MNA Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Senator Chaudhry Tanvir, Hanif Abbasi, had reached the venue along with party workers earlier.
Opposition leader in Senate, Senator Aitzaz Ahsan has alleged leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of raising questions over Joint Investigation Team (JIT) regarding Panama Leaks as a pressure tactic.

He said that it is unlawful to have ones counsel accompany him during investigation proceedings. He endorsed Supreme Courts (SC) rejection to entertain reservations of Hussain Nawaz, premiers son over members of the JIT.

He said that the petitioners were aware that the top court would not entertain their plea however, they continued with the process just as a pressure tactic.

Read more: Supreme Court dismisses Hussain Nawaz's reservations regarding JIT members

Opposition leader foreboded that the JIT would give its verdict under pressure and not freely as it should.

He said that the PML-N leaders should have objected to Dawn Leaks probe also as representatives of Director General (DG) Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) were part of the probe.
By Press Trust of India: Dhaka, May 30 (PTI) Cyclone Mora made landfall in Bangladesh today damaging several houses and packing winds of up to 117 kilometres per hour after authorities evacuated hundreds of thousands of people from the coastal areas.

In a special bulletin, Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the severe cyclonic storm Mora moved northwards over North Bay and started crossing Coxs Bazar- Chittagong coast at 6:00 AM (local time).

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It is likely to move in a northerly direction further, it said.

Under its influence, gusty or squally wind with rain or thunder showers were continuing over North Bay and the coastal districts and maritime ports of Bangladesh., the Daily Star reported.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 64 km of the cyclone centre was about 89 kph rising to 117 kph in gusts or squalls, it said.

As many as 300,000 people had been taken to shelters in more than ten districts most vulnerable to the cyclone, Additional Secretary Golam Mostafa, a spokesman for the disaster management ministrys control room, was quoted as saying by B D News.

At least 2.5 million people in ten districts risk falling in the way of the severe cyclonic storm.

The districts at risk were Coxs Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barisal and Pirojpur.

Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, the low- lying areas of the coastal districts and their offshore islands were likely to be inundated by storm surge of 4-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide, the Met office said.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.

Habibur Rahman, a member of Saint Martins Island Union Parishad, told Bangla daily Prothom Alo that several houses were damaged in Saint Martins Island in the morning.

Bangladesh is often hit by bad storms between April and December that cause deaths and widespread destruction.

Cyclone Roanu hit the southern coast of Bangladesh last year, leaving 20 people dead and forcing half a million to flee their homes. PTI ASK ASK

--- ENDS ---
Former federal minister and Pakistan Peoples Party leader Firdous Ashiq Awan has decided to join the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).This was announced after she held a meeting with PTI General Secretary and Imran Khans close aide Jahangir Tareen at his residence in Islamabad.

According to PTI, the former PPP leader is likely to make a formal announcement today after meeting with PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan got elected as Member of the National assembly for the first time in 2002 on PML-Qs ticket. She later left the party by resigning from the seat of National Assembly and went into by-election from Pakistan Peoples Party ticket and got re-elected in 2008.

During PPP tenure, she was appointed as Federal Minister for National Regulation and Services.

She had given her resignation to then Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gillani on 25 December 2011 because she thought party leaders are continuously ignoring her. The resignation was later declined by Gilani after holding a one-to-one meeting with Awan.
A close aide of veteran warlord and Hizb-e-Islami chief Gulbadin Hikmatyar was shot dead on the outskirts of Peshawar on Tuesday. Haji Muhammad Farid alias Naqibullah, 60, was targeted by men riding on motorcycles in the Pishtakhara area, police told source.

Farid was Hikmatyars former secretary and also his father-in-law. He was an important figure in Afghanistans Hizb-e-Islami party and had no enemies, according to his sons.

A week ago, he went to Afghanistan and returned to Peshawar where he was currently residing. Farids killing is the latest in a string of attacks on important Afghan clerics and pro Emarit-e-Islami figures in the city.

The two groups are engaged in a bloody conflict with each other for the control of Afghanistan. The Pishtikhara police have registered a case against unidentified assailants and an investigation is underway.

A resident of Peshawar told source Farid lived in Najeeb Colony, Tajabad. He added that Farid was attacked outside a mosque when he was leave after offering his morning prayers.

The caretaker of the Pir Siraj seminary was killed in a similar attack near Academy Town a few months ago.

Waliullah, the spokesperson for the Hizb-e-Islami in Pakistan, told source that Farid was an important member of their party and had held several important posts in the past. He was a Kharoti by clan and a close relative of party head Gulbadin Hikmatyar, he added.
A local leader of the Daesh terrorist group was killed with his two fighters in an airstrike conducted by the US forces in eastern Nangarhar province.

The provincial police commandment in a statement said the US forces carried out an airstrike using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in Spina Zhai area of Nazian district late on Sunday afternoon.

The statement further added that the local Daesh leader identified as Asadullah was killed with his two fighters in the airstrike.

The local residents and security personnel did not suffer any casualties during the airstrike, the statement added.

Nangarhar is among the relatively calm provinces in eastern Afghanistan but the anti-government armed militant groups have recently increased their insurgency activities in some parts of the province during the recent years.

This comes as the Afghan forces are busy conducting counter-terrorism operations to eliminate the militants affiliated with the ISIS terrorist group in Nangarhar province.

The operations are being conducted in coordination with the US forces based in Afghanistan who are mainly carrying out airstrikes as part of a broader role granted to them by the Obama administration last year.
Egypt has defended attacking militant training camps in Libya, noting that the terrorists' facilities were completely destroyed.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry made the remarks on Saturday during a meeting with his US counterpart, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

On Friday, Egyptian military carried out several airstrikes against purported terrorist training camps in Libya after gunmen attacked a bus carrying Coptic Christians south of the Egyptian capital Cairo, leaving at least 28 dead.

Following the attack, the Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the deaths in Cairo.

"There was enough information and evidence of the terrorist elements involved in the (attack) having trained in these camps," said a statement released by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

"The air force has conducted several intensive day and night-time strikes. They targeted several gatherings of terrorist elements within Libyan territory after coordinating and fully verifying all information," added the statement.

It refrained from giving the exact locations of the training camps but said they were located in the country's eastern regions.

"The strikes led to the destruction of the planned targets, which included concentrated areas for the training of terrorist elements that participated in the planning and implementation of the Minya attack," it added.

The attack came after church bombings in December and April claimed by Daesh that killed dozens of Egypt's Coptic Christians. The Takfiri terrorists have threatened more attacks against the Arab country's Christian minority.

Two deadly church bombings in Alexandria and Tanta took more than 45 lives in April, and nearly 30 people were killed in the Daesh-claimed attack on a church in the capital Cairo in December.

The Takfiri terrorist group has vowed that it would continue to target Christians, who make up about one tenth of Egypt's population of more than 92 million.
In the southern Philippines, heavy fighting continues between military forces and Daesh militants, who have taken positions in urban areas and are facing a government operation to drive them out.

Street-to-street battles and a military bombing campaign in Marawi, one of the biggest Muslim cities in the country, continued on Monday.

Its very chaotic. Helicopters are dropping bombs; lots of military [personnel] are coming into our area. There are no more people in our town. Its like a no mans land, a resident of Marawi, Rodjan Galupo, told media.

Authorities say some 2,000 people remain trapped in the city and fear that they would be killed by the militants if they attempted to leave.

They are texting us and calling us for help, said Zia Alonto Adiong, a spokesman for the provincial crisis management committee.

Authorities said the militants had already killed at least 19 civilians, including women and children, while 17 members of the security forces had also died in the clashes. Some 61 militants were also reported to have been killed in Marawi in the seven days since the military operation has begun.

Meanwhile, most of Marawis 200,000 residents have fled, many seeking refuge in the nearby town of Iligan, which is on lockdown over fears that militants may have sneaked into the city. Authorities are now concerned that Maute militants  who have pledged allegiance to Daesh  are blending in with the evacuees in Iligan and could launch terrorist attacks there.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who has declared martial law in the south, has warned that Daesh was trying to set up a local branch in the Philippines.

Witnesses said they had seen militants in Marawi flying the Daesh flag and wearing black outfits and headbands typical of the Takfiri group, which is mainly concentrated in Iraq and Syria.

Duterte has said he would extend the martial law for as long as necessary to end the terrorist threat gripping the country.

The violence began when dozens of gunmen went on a rampage throughout Marawi in response to an attempt by security forces to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a local militant who has joined Daesh and been appointed a local leader of the terrorist group.

Malaysian, Indonesian, Singaporean and other foreign militants have joined those in the Philippines, according to the military. More than 100 inmates, who had escaped a local jail during the initial rampage last week, were also suspected to have joined the militants.

Meanwhile, the main Muslim opposition groups have signed accords with the government, giving up their long-running separatist ambitions in return for autonomy.
Following up on Merkels call on Europe, to take its destiny in its own hands, due to the unreliabilty of the US as a strategic partner, the German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel piled another round of criticism on the US. Speaking about the unproductive G7 talks in Taormina, Sicily, he went as far as excluding the US from the West.

With the breakdown of the US as an important nation he said, the west is becoming a bit smaller. He also delivered an interpretation of why this development described by him was occuring: This is unfortunately a signal of changes in the worlds balance of power.

In concerns of Trumps foreign policies he went even further an called for resistance against his policies. Gabriel mentioned Trumps arms deals with nations of the Middle East and pointed out, that these will only increase the flow of refugees to Europe and would make anyone implicated in this policy guilty.

As we reported Trump signed the biggest arms deal the US ever arranged with the Kindom of Saudi Arabia and framed it as a contribution to its gulf allies fight against terrorism, while naming Iran as a host of terrorism.

The now occuring harsh criticism against the US from Germanys political leaders is unheard of. The Federal Republic of Germany first instituted in the sectors controlled by US and British forces after the Third Reich has been highly dependend on US policies ever since.

Even after a tape of US diplomat Victoria Nuland stating Fuck the EU while cherry picking political figures to lead the future Ukrainian government occured, Merkel only voiced that these words were not acceptable. And when then Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer criticised the US pretext for its Iraq war announcing, that Germany would not participate he put it politely with excuse me, I am not convinced.

What this sudden escalation of words means for the actual politics and cooperation between the US and Germany remains to be seen. But both Merkel and Gabriel have signalled, that they would now seek to implement a climate protection protocol without US participation.

It also is questionable wether Germany itself would cease its arms exports to the Middle East, since it is among the top five nations in terms of arms exports and of course Middle Eastern states are important customers. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Israel all ranked among the top ten importers of German weaponry in the period 2015/2016.
By Press Trust of India: Patna, May 29 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said that he gave orders to "publicly destroy" seized alcohol, dismissing reports that rodents had gulped more than nine lakh litres of liquor, as claimed by police officials.

"The reports were an attempt to defame Bihar," Kumar said dismissing media reports that rats consumed liquor kept in police stations store.

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"I have ordered for destruction of liquor publicly. Keep sample of the seized liquor bottles and inform the courts about it. The seized nine lakh litres liquor have been destroyed," Kumar said.

The chief minister was addressing the 11th foundation day function of Mahavir Vatsalya cancer hospital here.

Reports of rats guzzling more than nine lakh litres of liquor seized in drives and kept in "Malkhana" (store room of police station) had ruffled feathers in Bihar recently. Stung by the news reports, Patna district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal and senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaj had in a face-saving bid supervised an operation to destroy seized liquor bottles by running a road roller over the bottles spread on roads. PTI SNS AYP MD MD

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By Press Trust of India: Patna, May 29 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said that he gave orders to "publicly destroy" seized alcohol, dismissing reports that rodents had gulped more than nine lakh litres of liquor, as claimed by police officials.

"The reports were an attempt to defame Bihar," Kumar said dismissing media reports that rats consumed liquor kept in police stations store.

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"I have ordered for destruction of liquor publicly. Keep sample of the seized liquor bottles and inform the courts about it. The seized nine lakh litres liquor have been destroyed," Kumar said.

The chief minister was addressing the 11th foundation day function of Mahavir Vatsalya cancer hospital here.

Reports of rats guzzling more than nine lakh litres of liquor seized in drives and kept in "Malkhana" (store room of police station) had ruffled feathers in Bihar recently. Stung by the news reports, Patna district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal and senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaj had in a face-saving bid supervised an operation to destroy seized liquor bottles by running a road roller over the bottles spread on roads. PTI SNS AYP MD LNS

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Tension has been brewing up between the two countries after the recently concluded NATO and G7 Summits saw differences between the influential leaders coming out in open.

US President Donald Trump (C) walks past French President Emmanuel Macron (L) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on his way to his spot for a family photo during the NATO summit at their new headquarters in Brussels, Belgium May 25, 2017. Photo: Reuters

By Santosh Chaubey: First it was German Chancellor Angela Merkel who gave indications that all was not well between Germany and its traditional allies Britain and America. She slammed the two countries saying Germany could no longer trust its "traditional allies".

According to a report in The Guardian, while speaking at an election rally in Munich, German Chancellor said "the times in which we could completely depend on others are, to a certain extent, over". Elections in Germany are due in September 2017.

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The recently concluded NATO and G7 Summits between the world's most industrialised nations saw differences between the world's most powerful and influential leaders coming out in open. The Guardian described the summits as "bruising meetings" while The Telegraph wrote that the impression after the G7 Summit was, "that, for the first time in decades, more divides industrialised Western powers than unites them". Without naming Trump, Merkel described the Sicily G7 Summit as "six against one" saying as "the result of the talks was very difficult, if not to say very unsatisfactory", The Guardian report said.

But Germany's Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel didn't mince his words while taking on Trump. Following Merkel's harsh words, he blamed Trump for "weakening the west". "The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union (EU). The West has become smaller, at least it has become weaker", a CNN report quoted him saying. And the charge of "standing against the interests of the European Union" is not baseless. Donald Trump has been vocally anti-EU. Trump has also termed 'Brexit a great development for the UK'.

CONTROVERSIAL TRUMP

How Donald Trump is becoming a controversial figure in Germany also becomes clear from the reaction of Martin Schulz, Merkel's main political rival and former president of the European Parliament. According to a report in The Hill, Schulz slammed Trump, "The chancellor represents all of us at summits like these. And I reject with outrage the way this man takes it upon himself to treat the head of our country's government. That is unacceptable."

This was enough for Trump to react it seems. And he expressed his displeasure and anger through a tweet again reminding Germany of the "massive trade deficit" that the country has with the US and its "far less" NATO contribution than required and added that he was going to change it.

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

TRUMP'S ANTI-GERMANY TWEETS

On May 25, Donald Trump had charged Germans for cornering business and jobs in the US. While blasting Germans, Trump had said, "The Germans are bad, very bad. See the millions of cars they are selling to the US. Terrible. We will stop this."

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In response to Trump's criticism, Sigmar Gabriel had quipped that the US automakers needed to come up with better cars. He termed products of American automakers "worse, weaker and more expensive", an Associated Press report said.

And during the G7 Summit also, he behaved like he was acting unilaterally. While six G7 members, Germany, France, Italy, Britain, Japan and Canada reiterated their commitment for the 2015 Paris climate deal, Trump remained non-committal saying he needed more time to think over it. Merkel was blunt in her criticism over Trump's stand saying the developments say the US will not stay with the climate deal.

Trump has been a vocal critic of the Paris climate deal and he had promised to cancel it, if he became the US President. And according to a Daily Mail report, Trump has "made up his mind to withdraw US from Paris climate deal". The G7 Summit said it would fight against protectionism while protectionism has been a cornerstone of Trump administration.

Also read: Why Donald Trump thinks Germans are bad, very bad

Also read: Trump tells confidants, US will leave Paris climate deal: Reports

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

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Dasari Narayana Rao has died at the age of 75.

By India Today Web Desk: Dasari Narayana Rao, well known filmmaker and producer, has died. He was 75 years old.

Rao celebrated his 75th birthday on May 4 this year. He has been hospitalised for a while now. It was reported earlier today that Rao was critical.

The filmmaker was undergoing treatment at the KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad. He had to undergo a gastric balloon surgery some time ago.

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Rao is known for his work predominantly in Telugu cinema. He holds a record in the Limca Book of Records for directing the maximum number of films. Some of his most famous films are Tandra Paparayudu (1986), Meghasandesam (1983) and Kaante Koothurne Kanu (2000).

ALSO READ: Veterean filmmaker Dasari Narayana Rao hospitalised

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Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller is calling on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to actively engage with community concerns regarding proposed changes to Tauranga school bus services.

He says a number of families have been in contact with his office to express their concerns.

A proposal to reduce the number of school buses from 45 to 11 and encourage children to use the public Bay Hopper service is not a minor tweak, says Todd.

This is a significant redesign of our bus network and our community deserves to have their concerns heard and taken into consideration.

He adds many local parents, him and his wife included, are anxious about the changes will work.

The issue for families isnt the cost. Its the potential complexity of navigating interchanges, missing buses, being late for school, and the unknowns such as who else will be on the bus or what the weather will be like.

My own family can relate to this in our lives. Anyone with kids knows it can be daunting enough for a child to catch a bus with older students  let alone with adults they arent familiar with.

He believes it will lead to some parents reverting back to driving their kids to school, putting more pressure on local roads and adding to congestion.

We should be looking to make public transport as easy as possible for families and putting the right incentives in place, not building barriers.

Local families need to check what the proposals are, consider how they impact their lives, and engage with the consultation process to make sure their family perspective is heard. That is how we will get a public transport network that meets the needs of our community, says Todd.

It is up to Bay of Plenty Regional Council to run a true full and fair consultation process that has no predetermined outcomes and find a solution that works for our community. I have every confidence that they will.
Called the Vertu SIGNATURE Cobra limited edition, the phone will be available in a limited run of 8 units, one of which will be sold to the Chinese market. In 2015 Vertu was purchased by Chinese company Godin Holdings, although the phones continue to be hand-assembled in the UK.

The new handset has a grand total of 388 different part and was inspired by the original Vertu SIGNATURE phone. It is covered with 439 rubies that are studded in a way to appear like a cobra around the front side of the phone. To depict the cobras eyes, Boucheron has used two sparkling emeralds.

Available on Jingdong Mall, an online Chinese shopping site, Vertu says that each of these opulent phones will be delivered by helicopter.

Founded in 1998, Vertu was solely owned by the Finnish mobile-phone manufacturer Nokia until 2012 June when Nokia sold 90 per cent of the company's equity share to private group EQT VI, before its Chinese buyout a couple of years ago.

Founded by Frederic Boucheron in 1858, Boucheron currently operates over 50 boutiques worldwide.
Some 300 fire hydrants were broken across France after temperature crossed 35 degree Celsius in the region. Hydrants were seen spraying gallons of water on people who for a moment forgot about their chores and enjoyed the summer bash.

By India Today Web Desk: People across France have broken and vandalised some 300 fire hydrants which are used to extinguish fire. People broke the fire hydrants to beat the heat as soaring temperatures there set a new record.

The temperatures topped 35 degrees across the Paris region of Ile-de-France. Several roadways were flooded after the hydrants were broken to be turned into roadside showers, BFMTV reported.

@touitiparis @PtdArcole les "jeunes" installent mme des piscines en pleine rue, que font les parents?le street pooling dure depuis plus d'une semaine ST Denis. pic.twitter.com/LqrWtwjCIp- #RadioLondres ???? ? (@sans_transition) May 29, 2017

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In Plaine Saint-Denis neighbourhood in the Paris suburbs, five hydrants ran open for much of Sunday night and even Monday morning.

FYI || Watch: Cobra gulps down water from bottle, Karnataka wildlife officials save its life ||

"This lasts for more than a week now," RT quoted one Plaine Saint-Denis resident. "A group of young people come with a wrench and open fire hydrants."

"For them it's funny, there's water coming out, they're cooling off, except that... It's still vandalism," another added.

Firefighters of Paris were compelled to remind the public that fire hydrants are used to extinguish fire and should not be used for enjoyment.

"Refreshing with the hydrants [is] a bad idea! Fire hydrants are for the safety of everyone and are reserved for firefighters!" RT quoted a Paris firefighters.

?cologie: plus de 200 bouches incendie ouvertes aujourd'hui principalement en Seine-Saint-Denis. Vivrensemble mais avec vos impts locaux... pic.twitter.com/SlR9cO1732- Pont d'Arcole ? ???? (@PtdArcole) May 28, 2017

In Lyon, violence erupted on the streets after firefighters clashed with a group who had been asked to stop their recreational activities.

FYI || This device turns saltwater into drinking water: Could this be a solution for water crisis? ||

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The colour of the new Re 1 note will be predominantly pink-green.

By India Today Web Desk: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will soon put into circulation fresh currency notes in one rupee denomination. The notes, printed by the Government of India, have new features.

The existing currency notes in this denomination in circulation will also continue to be legal tender. The Ministry of Finance issued a notification to this effect on May 25.

SO WHAT'S NEW IN THE NEW RUPEE ONE NOTE: The note will be rectangular in size with dimensions of 9.7 cm and 6.3 cm. It will be made of 100 per cent rag content. The colour of the note will be predominantly pink green on obverse and reverse in combination with others. The old Re 1 note The reverse side of the note has a floral design with a picture of Sagar Samrat, the oil exploration platform. Made with 110 microns thick paper, the weight will be 90 GSM (Grams per Square Meter). On the right side of the note 'Bharat' will be written vertically. Ashoka Pillar will be watermarked in the window without the words Satyameva Jayate. The number 1 will be hidden somewhere in the centre. "Bharat Sarkar" is written in Hindi above the words "Government of India" with the bilingual signature of Ministry of Finance's secretary Shaktikanta Das. It also has a replica of the new rupee one coin with rupee symbol in Hindi with "Satyameva Jayate" written in Hindi. There would also be an authentic rendering of value in 15 languages in the language panel with the year and figure mentioned. The Re 1 currency note has high printing cost but a short life. Only these rupee one notes and coins are signed by the Finance Secretary as they are printed by the central government under The Coinage Act 2011. All other Indian currency notes in India are printed by RBI and bear the signature of the RBI governor. In November 1994, printing of Re 1 note was stopped mainly due to higher cost and for freeing capacity to print currency notes of higher denomination. Printing of Rs 2 and Rs 5 notes too were discontinued in 1995 and only only coins were issued for these denominations.

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Also read:

Delhi: SBI ATM dispenses Rs 2000 notes by 'Children Bank of India', culprits identified

Fake Rs 2,000 note: Counterfeiters copy 11 out 17 security features

Also watch:

SBI ATM found dispensing fake cash of Rs 2000 notes from Children Bank of India

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Pieces of a dead pig, pig feet, severed head of a pig, were found at the site of a future Ahmadiyya mosque in Germany to protest against the establishment.

By India Today Web Desk: Muslims consider pigs offensive, and refrain not just consuming pork but also any contact, as Islam reviews it as an 'impure' animal.

Pieces of a dead pig along with nine wooden stakes have been found at the site where a mosque is to be built in Germany. Half head of a pig, pig feet, and pig bowels were kept at the site where an Ahmadiyya mosque is scheduled to be built.

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FYI || Karma is a pig: Wild boars maul 3 ISIS militants gearing up to execute locals ||

Pigs are considered unclean by Muslims. To protest against Islam, people have used pigs to stage various anti-Islam protests in Germany and in many other parts of the world.

The stakes, 1.5 meters tall, were planted on the land where the mosque is to be built in the east German city of Erfurt, DPA news agency said, citing local law enforcement.

It is not the first time the place of worship has seen such a thing as numerous protests have taken place against the mosque which is to be built on the land where they found pieces of the dead pig.

Grsslicher Anschlag: Moschee-Gegner haben auf dem Baugelnde der geplanten Moschee in Erfurt Schweinekpf auf Holzpflcke gespie?t. pic.twitter.com/IERNbvFvTn

- Suleman Malik (@sulemannmalik) May 29, 2017

RALLIES AGAINST AHMADIYYA MOSQUE

The Ahmadiyya community is an Islamic religious movement founded in India around the end of the 19th century. Ahmadis believe that Ahmad appeared to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstate morality, justice, and peace.

It has the same legal status as the Christian church in Germany, DPA reports.

FYI || 1000 per cent rise in Muslim profiling by US Customs officials since Trump took office: Muslim group ||

Erfurt police has no idea who planted the stakes and pieces of the dead pigs at the site. An investigation is on.

There have been number of rallies against the Ahmadiyya mosque, one of which included protesters erecting large Christian crosses on a neighbouring piece of land.

REFUGEE CRISIS AND HEADS OF PIGS

German police in May found a pig's head bearing an "insulting inscription" outside Chancellor Angela Merkel's office. The chancellor has been criticised by many Germans over her welcoming stance towards the migrants that have come into Europe over the past year.

In April, severed heads of pigs were found hanging on a fence outside the Moroccan ambassador's residence in a Paris suburb.

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In August 2016, a Hungarian politician received flak after he proposed that severed pigs' heads would be a great discouragement against refugees trying to get into the country.

FYI || Man vs wild: Video of a big black bear charging at a man will churn your stomach for the day ||

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By Press Trust of India: (Eds: recasting first and second para, adding a quote)

Mumbai, May 30 (PTI) The Maharashtra government will cancel the registration of chemists who force customers to buy a greater quantity of medicines than prescribed, food, drugs and civil supplies minister Girish Bapat said here today. "It is binding upon chemists to sell medicines as per the prescription....people go to a chemist to buy a particular quantity (number of tablets) as prescribed, but the chemist sometimes sells more than what is needed (forcing to buy a whole strip, for e.g., when fewer tablets are prescribed). Those who are found to be violating the rules will lose their licenses," Bapat said, talking to reporters.

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The minister also called on chemists to rethink of their strike today against online sale of medicines. "Online sale is happening not only in India but globally. The Centre will soon come out with a law on online sale and also start a website where consumers can upload prescriptions which will be then routed to online chemists," he said.

He was willing to take a delegation of chemists to meet the concerned union ministers if they had any specific grievances, Bapat said. The Centre had set up a committee headed by the then Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration commissioner Harshadeep Kamble for regulation of online sale, he said. "The report has been submitted to the Centre. Soon a law will be framed. It is not right for chemists to go on strike before the law is framed," Bapat said. The chemists strike got lukewarm response in the state, and very few medical shops remained closed, the minister claimed, adding that all the 24-hour medical shops outside hospitals were open. PTI MM KRK KRK

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OnePlus made a name for itself for building high end smartphones at relatively affordable prices by selling direct to consumers. With the OnePlus 5 expected to arrive in the coming weeks, possibly as soon as June 15, the company is kicking off its marketing efforts to drum up some hype.

Keeping true to its non conventional advertising channels in order to pass the savings on to customers, OnePlus is now launching a referral program whereby anyone who's ever purchased a OnePlus smartphone directly from OnePlus can sign up and get a shareable link to pass on to others. your friends or family use the link to buy a smartphone from OnePlus, they'll receive $20 (or an equivalent amount in their local currency) off an accessory of their choosing, and you'll get 100 referral points that can be used toward an accessory, discount on a phone, or exclusive OnePlus gear.

OnePlus says the referral hub is constantly going to be updated with new stuff to get.

When the first OnePlus smartphone came out the company implemented an invite system to make sure it kept production as close as possible to actual demand. Intentional or not, the artificial scarcity along with the high end internals and cheap price made the phone very popular.

But as competition rose from Chinese manufacturers making high end phones and operating on razor thin margins, it no longer made sense to keep this system in place. OnePlus finally ditched their invite system with the OnePlus 3 last year, so anyone that wanted to purchase a device could do it with relative ease.

The new campaign tries to go back to OnePlus' roots by relying on word-of-mouth marketing, though it remains to be seen if OnePlus' upcoming flagship has what it takes to battle it out with today's top smartphones. Not much is known about the device at this point, the company did confirm that it's working with DxOMark for the OnePlus 5's camera and shared the image above on Twitter along with a little teaser: "Can you tell which photo was taken with the OnePlus 5?".
As the WannaCry crisis abates, government agencies and security researchers from around the world continue their search for those behind the ransomware. Two weeks ago, the finger pointed at North Korean-run hackers the Lazarus group. Now, there's evidence to suggest the perpetrators are linked to China.

That's the view of web intelligence firm Flashpoint. It carried out a linguistic and cultural review of the WannaCry ransom notes, which, as the malware infected computers in more than 100 countries, were written in 28 different languages.

Analyzing each note for content, accuracy, and style, the company concluded that virtually every note had been translated using Google Translate. The only exceptions were those written in English, traditional Chinese, and simplified Chinese, which appeared to have been composed by a human.

While the English version of the ransom is almost perfect, it contains what Flashpoint calls "a glaring grammatical error" that suggests the author "is non-native or perhaps poorly educated." There are a few small errors in the English note, but the most glaring is, "But you have not so enough time."

The grammar, punctuation, syntax, and character choice in the Chinese notes suggest they were written by a native speaker. More tellingly, the content, length, and tone differs from the other notes. It uses a term for week (li bai) that is more common in south China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore, Flashpoint says. But Dr Zhang Kefeng, a professor of Chinese language at Jimei University in Xiamen, told the South China Morning Post that the word is also common in northern China.

"It is difficult to spot geographical differences in written Chinese nowadays, especially among educated people," he said.

With Google struggling to translate English to Chinese and Chinese to English, it seems the English version was used to translate the note into other languages, while the Chinese notes were written by a person fluent in the language.

Flashpoint points out that its findings are not enough to determine the nationality of the author(s). But the fact the Lazarus group is said to operate out of China makes this discovery all the more interesting.
Samsung at Computex on Tuesday announced the Notebook 9 Pro, a convertible notebook featuring a 360-degree touchscreen display that supports the built-in S Pen made popular by its Note line of smartphones.

The Samsung Notebook 9 Pro, offered with your choice of 13.3-inch and 15.0-inch FHD LED display, is powered by Intel's 7th generation Core i7-7500U processor (2.7GHz base clock, Boost up to 3.5GHz) and up to 16GB of DDR4 memory. The smaller variant relies on Intel HD Graphics 620 while the larger unit leans on AMD Radeon 540 graphics (2GB GDDR5).

Both systems include a 256GB solid state drive, 802.11 ac 2x2 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, dual 1.5W speakers, a 720p webcam and an island-style backlit keyboard. Connectivity-wise, you'll get two USB 3.0 ports, a USB Type-C port, an HDMI port, a microSD card slot and a combination audio jack in addition to the DC-in port.

No word yet on how long the 54Wh battery will last or how fast you'll be able to recharge it via Fast Charging technology.

The smaller 13.3-incher measures 12.21 inches x 8.54 inches x 0.63 inches and tips the scales at 2.91 pounds while the 15-inch machine weighs 3.79 pounds with measurements of 13.67 inches x 9.41 inches x 0.67 inches.

Samsung is keeping quiet regarding pricing and a launch date at this hour. Given its Computex coming out party, however, it's probably safe to assume that we'll see the Notebook 9 Pro arrive in the coming months (and almost certainly in time for the holidays).
NASA researchers are eyeing and developing new technology to help drones automatically select the best places during a crash landing to avoid any accidents on the ground.

This is in light of the increasing numbers of drones flying in the sky, potentially endangering both people and properties when they come crashing down with mechanical issues.

Safer Emergency Landings

Aerospace technologist Patricia Glaab from NASA Langley Research Center teamed up with her husband and fellow NASA researcher Lou Glaab in crafting crash-landing software for drones.

She revealed that based on their eight test flights so far, their technology has already successfully selected safe landing zones such as drainage ditches to avoid emergency landings on properties such as peoples cars.

No one wants to think about it, Glaab said of drone crashes in a Fortune report, adding that drone capabilities get more attention than these safety features and scenarios.

Glaab first thought of the technology back in 2015, and then got a little under $10,000 from the U.S. space agency to develop it. It was an opportune time, as companies started to more frequently use drones for power line or rooftop inspection, but both software and mechanical problems could put drones and people below them at risk.

Amazon, for instance, seeks to deploy entire drone fleets in the air to deliver customer orders.

Designed For Emergency Situations

While companies such as China-based DJI install software that assists drones in sensing and steering free of obstacles while flying, Glaab warned that these technologies arent cut out for emergencies.

Their crash-landing software technology, still in development at present, links drone parts like motors and batteries for health checks. It seeks to identify when something on-board is off, putting the drone in a crash-landing setting once confirmed.

The software, once it is triggered, goes through a database of safe zones close by. A similar national database for emergency case is already being used by major airlines.

The software also features capabilities, developed by a team from Brigham Young University, that allows drones to recognize as well as avoid things on the ground via on-board cameras.

Note, however, that the database must be manually uploaded in the drone being tested for every location. It may not be considered a tedious process, but only another step in the whole system as we envision a future when drones can wirelessly connect to a national safe landing zone database.

Bird-Drone Interactions

In Australia, a professional drone surveyor said that a staggering 90 percent of problems in using unmanned aerial vehicles are caused by eagle attacks. It turns out that wedge-tailed eagles and drones are fighting for territory in Western Australian skies.

You dont really know if they are just curious, or sometimes they are just really unhappy with you. So you have to be quite aware, said Flynn Drage of HTD Surveyors, who regularly makes use of drones to take measurements in remote places across his state.

Some of the eagles will fly straight up to a drone and initiate a mid-air tussle as they would with another bird, he recalled.

The interaction costs surveying firms not only lost time due to job postponement, but also broken equipment and devices. The birds, too, could face deadly injuries.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Bogoslof Volcano, which has been active for the past six months in the Alaskan Aleutian Island, erupted yet again. The plume of smoke and ash from the volcano covered the sky and reduced the visibility, which led to fears of flights in the area being delayed.

The volcano eruption started at around 2:16 p.m. on Sunday, May 28. It lasted for around 55 minutes and in that time, sent ash clouds almost 35,000 feet high.

Alaska Volcano Eruption Sparks Aviation Alert

The volcanic eruption may cause flights between Asia and North America to be delayed or even canceled for several days. The Aviation Color Code was raised to red, which is the color assigned to the highest possible alert.

Ashes from volcanoes adversely impact a plane's engines and may even shut them down completely. This is the reason why aviation authorities usually ground flights in an area where the volcano eruption has been severe and where the ash has spread higher than 20,000 feet.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory or AVO claims that the ash cloud from the Bogoslof Volcano may rise to heights of 45,000 feet in the coming days. The National Weather Service Alaska Aviation Weather Unit said that it may even reach 50,000 feet.

These conditions are unfavorable for flying and so, it is almost certain that most flights will be grounded till the ash cloud clears up. Other flights may be diverted to different airports, which may cause further inconvenience to travelers.

History Of Bogoslof Volcano Eruption

Bogoslof Volcano is a conical structure whose summit forms the Bogoslof Island. It is located 35 miles off the north-western coast of Unalaska Island and 850 miles southwest of Anchorage. It has been active since December 2016 and erupted almost regularly since then. The last Bogoslof Volcano eruption occurred on May 17 and send smoke cloud at least 34,000 feet high in the air at the time.

The Bogoslof Volcano first emerged from the sea in 1796 due to an underwater eruption. Prior to its eruption in 2016, the Bogoslof Volcano last erupted in 1992. However, this sustained activity for the last half year has puzzled many in the scientific community.

Scientists at the AVO state that these volcano eruptions provide ample opportunity to study underwater eruptions, a subject about which geologists know very little about. Scientists said that the volcanic eruption at Bogoslof created smoke and ash clouds, which are different from the ones volcanoes on the ground produce.

Bogoslof Volcano Alert Status Changed To Orange

The AVO has changed the alert status from red to orange as no additional ash emissions were detected post the Alaska volcano's eruption.

"No further ash emissions have occurred at Bogoslof Volcano since the explosion on Sunday, 28 May at 14:16 AKDT (22:16 UTC) and seismicity remains low. We are therefore lowering the Aviation Color Code to ORANGE and the Alert Level to WATCH. Additional ash-producing eruptions could occur at any time, however, with no detectable precursors," the AVO noted.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Nokia 9 has not yet been officially unveiled, but rumors describe the upcoming smartphone as a device that might push Nokia back to relevance in the smartphone industry that it once dominated.

HMD Global, the company which now owns the manufacturing and selling rights for Nokia devices, has kept the details of the Nokia 9 a secret. However, there have been many leaks and rumors attached to the device, with the latest one hinting that the Nokia 9 will have a feature that has never been seen in other smartphones.

Nokia 9 Geekbench Score Leaks

A Geekbench score of a device labeled the Unknown Heart recently surfaced online. The name is widely considered as the codename of HMD Global for the Nokia 9.

A look through the specifications listed in the Geekbench score reveals mostly the same details as what FrAndroid recently reported when it was given permission to have a hands-on look at the Nokia 9. The smartphone is shown to be powered by Android 7.1.1 Nougat and a 1.90 GHz octa-core processor, believed to be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835.

However, there is a very notable difference in the spotted Geekbench score compared to the details that FrAndroid acquired. While the Nokia 9 prototype showed RAM of only 4 GB, the spotted Geekbench score for the Nokia 9 revealed an 8 GB of RAM.

If the leaked specification is true, the Nokia 9 will be the first smartphone with 8 GB of RAM. There have been rumors that the OnePlus 5 will also offer as much as 8 GB of RAM, but that has not yet been confirmed.

Nokia 9 With 8 GB Of RAM?

Most flagship smartphones currently offer 4 GB of RAM, with certain models pushing the specification up to 6 GB of RAM. This is particularly the case in the lucrative Chinese smartphone market, where powerful specifications spell the difference between a middling device and a best-seller.

If the Nokia 9 will indeed come with 8 GB of RAM, it will at the very least turn heads due to a specification that has only been previously seen on decent laptops. The specification may also boost the Nokia 9's appeal in China, and if it does well in the Asian market, the rise of the Nokia brand back to relevance may be hastened.

However, Nokia fans should not yet celebrate. The spotted Geekbench scores for the Nokia 9 were relatively low, with only 615 for single-core tests and 1116 for multi-core tests. For a device with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 and 8 GB of RAM, the expected score should be around 2000 for single-core tests and 6000 for multi-core tests, which is what Samsung's Galaxy S8 scores.

The 8 GB of RAM specification for the Nokia 9 may turn out to be false, or there could be an explanation for the low scores on the Geekbench listing. However, we will not know for sure until HMD Global releases the official details of the highly anticipated flagship smartphone.

So far, in addition to the rumored specifications, all we have are unconfirmed design sketches for the smartphone, along with a possible price and release window for the Nokia 9.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as superbugs, has got researchers worried about a return to the pre-antibiotic era and the fatal infections supposedly long wiped out. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for instance, estimates that over 2 million in the country each year gets these antibiotic-resistant infections, with at least 23,000 dying.

Now scientists are structurally modifying an antibiotic known as vancomycin to produce a more potent version of an already-powerful medicine.

Modified Vancomycin

Doctors could use this modified form of vancomycin without fear of resistance emerging, said lead researcher Dale Boger of The Scripps Research Institute in a statement.

Doctors have become wary of antibiotic use due to fear of resistance, but for Bogers team, restricting use only slows down the whole process. The key, they believe, is to engineer antibiotic drugs to anticipate as well as prevent resistance in the first place.

Vancomycin has been prescribed for six decades now, and bacteria have only begun developing resistance to the drug. What this means is they may have difficulties overcoming its mechanism of action, which works through disrupting how bacteria create cell walls.

Based on the teams previous studies, one could add two modifications to vancomycin to make it more powerful, requiring less of the drug to have the same effect, Boger explained.

In this new research, a third modification meddled with bacterias cell wall in a novel way, as tested against Enterococci bacteria. Combined with the first two techniques, it gives the antibiotic 1,000 times more activity.

This way, physicians would need to use less of it for battling infection.

Even if [the bacteria] found a solution to one of those [three mechanisms], the organisms would still be killed by the other two, Boger added.

Next Steps Against Superbugs

This modified vancomycin still needs to be further developed to be tested in people for gauging safety and effectiveness. Furthermore, the team is looking to shorten the lengthy 30-step process that limits drug yield.

In 2015, medicinal chemist Derek Lowe lauded the previous study that introduced the two deadly modifications. In an email to the San Diego Union Tribune, he explained that the drugs original mechanism of action has made it last so long: it does not directly bind to a bacterial protein but instead vacuums up a key oligopeptide needed by the bacteria to function.

Throw these new functions in on top of that, and you not only get a big boost in potency, which this (latest) paper demonstrates, Lowe said. But you make it far, far less likely that a bacterium will emerge that will be able to deal with all of this at once.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have recently started to incite horror in hospital staff worldwide, spreading relentlessly despite medical experts best efforts. The enterococci group is known for its hardiness and dates as far back as 425 to 450 million years, as well as survive multiple catastrophes that have struck Earth.

The breakthrough on modified vancomycin, as Bogers team and other professionals hope, offers a positive answer.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
This months ferocious ransomware attack, known as WannaCry, spread across the globe with astonishing speed and breadth, freezing more than 300,000 computers in an estimated 150 countries. Management teams at every corporate, government and not-for-profit organization should now be reviewing lessons learned from that experience.

The biggest takeaway from the WannaCry experience is this: effective cybersecurity is mostly about having good actionable data to tell you where your highest priority vulnerabilities are.

Heres why: as with most large-scale cyberattacks, the WannaCry ransomware exploits vulnerabilities that are already known and understood. In this case, the vulnerability is called EternalBlue, which was released online in April by a hacker group called the Shadow Brokers.

The EternalBlue vulnerability, reportedly developed by the National Security Agency, exploits weaknesses that affect older versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Roughly 98 percent of computers affected by WannaCry run Windows 7, according to Kaspersky Labs. Most of the remaining computers affected were running Windows XP or were clients of Microsofts Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system, which is built on the same kernel used in Windows 7.

But even though the EternalBlue vulnerability was known, it was nevertheless successfully exploited with devastating results. In fact, the most frequently exploited cybersecurity vulnerabilities, known as Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), date back many years. (WannaCry is entry CVE-2017-0144 in the national CVE registry, which is maintained by The MITRE Corp).

These vulnerabilities continue to be successfully exploited by hackers and malware because end-of-life (EOL) and end-of-support (EOS) software and hardware continue to live on many organizations networks without the knowledge of IT staff.

In many cases, organizations knowingly keep outdated software and hardware running because of fears that replacing them will disrupt legacy applications and systems. But in those cases, organizations often do not fully understand the larger cyber risks they open themselves up to.

This is where good actionable cyber risk intelligence is so critical.

Many organizations do not manage their EOL software. In fact, a recent BDNA survey found that 52 percent of responding organizations do not have a process for handling EOL software.

As we have seen with many recent cyberattacks, including the WannaCry ransomware attack, the consequences of this are too great to ignore. Software vulnerabilities in commercial products are the biggest source of data breaches in the enterprise. Not managing end-of-life of enterprise applications has major implications on enterprise security, compliance, and the ability to enforce critical processes.

The challenge in doing this is that technology vendors dont always diligently publish the EOL dates for their software, leaving IT teams to their own devices.

The results are troubling. In one organization with more than 550,000 software installations, 56 percent of its software was found to be EOL, posing a very high security risk. More than 6,350 instances of the software installed had come to EOL more than 14 years before and included applications from Microsoft, SAP, IBM, Symantec and more.

This is where asset management tools that automatically provide visibility into the entire asset lifecycle, including EOL dates for application software, become extremely useful. Such tools go beyond providing visibility into IT networks because they are able to analyze the database and alert IT managers about what assets are EOL, nearing EOL, approved and unapproved and/or out of configuration. This increased awareness allows organizations to not only be proactive about their security needs, but also enables them to leverage their data more effectively.

To make smart decisions about cyber risk, an organizations management team must know exactly what assets are present on its networks, what vulnerabilities those assets present, and what the severity of the risk is that is associated with those vulnerabilities.

A myriad of scanning tools exist, but they are incapable of providing organizations with a single, aggregated, actionable view of cybersecurity vulnerabilities. They are incapable of providing detailed information on what assets exist on the network, which are EOL today and which will be EOL in a month or a year, which are approved or unapproved under the organizations security guidelines, and how severe those risks are. The result is a cybersecurity posture that is reactive and always playing catch-up  in other words, at high risk.

Companies need comprehensive, actionable data to transition their cybersecurity postures from reactive to proactive.

In the wake of the WannaCry attack, corporate management teams across the globe should be reviewing their cyber risk-management postures to determine whether they are proactive and built upon actionable data.

If not, there is no time to lose.

About the Author

Walker White is president of BDNA. Joining the company in 2002, he originally served as Chief Technology Officer before becoming president in 2014. Prior to BDNA, Walker had a 13-year career at Oracle, working as chief technologist in Oracle Service Industries. He holds a B.S. in computer engineering from the University of California, San Diego.

Edited by Alicia Young
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, May 30 (PTI) A 30-year-old rookie IAS officer drowned allegedly while rescuing a woman colleague who had accidentally fallen into a swimming pool at the Foreign Service Institute in Ber Sarai here today.

The deceased, Ashish Dahiya, was a Jammu and Kashmir cadre officer and had won the Directors Gold Medal during his IAS training around a fortnight back.

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He was attending a pool side party with his friends, which they had planned before he joined as an assistant collector in Srinagar from June 1, when the incident happened, according to police.

Ashishs family, however, said that he was a good swimmer and raised doubts over the claim that he had died due to drowning.

Ishwar Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), said, "Prima facie, the team that carried out the post-mortem has said that the death was due to drowning and there were no injuries on the body."

Police was informed about the drowning at the insitiute in south Delhi around midnight after which he was rushed to Fortis Hospital where he was declared brought dead.

According to police, Ashish was attending a pool side party with friends from the Indian foreign and revenue services. During the party, they decided to go for a swim in the pool located at the club. Police suspect they had consumed alcohol

A woman officer accidentally fell into the pool and the other officers, including Ashish, jumped in to rescue her, police said quoting eyewitnesses.

As the woman was safely pulled out, it was noticed that Ashish was missing. Later, he was found unconscious floating in the pool.

He was taken to a hospital where efforts were made in vain to resuscitate him

Ashishs family demanded a thorough probe in the matter. His uncle Kuldeep said that he was an ace swimmer and had crossed a five kilometre stretch across Bhakra Nangal dam.

While he was posted as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Himachal Pradesh, he had even won a gold medal in swimming, Kudeep told PTI.

He said that Ashish wanted to be an IAS officer and serve people. He appeared for the UPSC examination and qualified for the Indian Revenue Service.

He served in the Customs and Central Excise till last year and then qualified for the IAS.

He had finished his training from Mussoorie recently and was supposed to join duty in Srinagar.

Before going their separate paths, Ashish and his friends had planned to have a reunion in Delhi.

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He was married for three years. His wife Pragya is a doctor and is preparing for UPSC examination.

Police said that a medical board comprising three doctors carried out the post-mortem. The entire procedure was videographed.

Police also made the family members talk to the doctors who carried out the autopsy. The doctors told them that the death was caused due to drowning but a final report will affirm the initial findings.

The viscera has been preserved in order to ascertain whether he had consumed alcohol. PTI SLB RT

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By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, May 30 (PTI) An India-Australia pact for transfer of each others sentenced prisoners has come into effect with the ratification of the treaty by both the countries.

In a gazette notification, the Home Ministry said the agreement between India and Australia concerning transfer of sentenced persons has come into effect from May 26.

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The full text of the pact was signed by India and Australia on November 18, 2014 and the agreement was ratified by India on December 16, 2015 and by Australia on November 21, 2016.

Under the treaty, a prisoner who wants to be transferred should notify the Indian embassy or consulate of his or her desire.

The application then must be approved by the foreign country and the government of India. For the prisoner to serve the rest of his/her sentence in India, there must not be a standing appeal against his committal to prison in the foreign country.

India has entered into prisoner transfer treaties with many nations that allow a person convicted of a crime to be transferred to his or her home country to serve the prison sentence.

The Repatriation of Prisoners Act 2003 was enacted by the government with a view to help foreign prisoners imprisoned in a jail in India or vice versa to be transferred to their native countries for serving the remaining part of their sentence near to their families so as to help them in the process of their social rehabilitation. PTI ACB IKA

--- ENDS ---
Brazil: Lula Meets With the Presidents of the House and Senate
By Press Trust of India: operation

New Delhi, May 30 (PTI) A treaty signed by India and Kazakhstan for transfer of each others sentenced prisoners has come into effect with the ratification of the agreement by both the countries.

In a gazette notification, the Home Ministry said the agreement between India and Kazakhstan concerning transfer of sentenced persons came into effect from May 26.

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The agreement was signed by the nations on July 8, 2015. It was ratified by India on October 9, 2015 and by Kazakhstan on March 4, 2016.

Under the treaty, a prisoner who wants to be transferred should notify the Indian embassy or consulate of his or her desire.

The application then must be approved by the foreign country and the government of India. For the prisoner to serve the rest of his/her sentence in India, there must not be a standing appeal against his committal to prison in the foreign country.

India has entered into prisoner transfer treaties with many nations that allow a person convicted of a crime to be transferred to his or her home country to serve the prison sentence.

The Repatriation of Prisoners Act 2003 was enacted by the government with a view to help foreign prisoners imprisoned in a jail in India or vice versa to be transferred to their native countries for serving the remaining part of their sentence, as part of their social rehabilitation. PTI ACB SRY

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: By Gurdip Singh

Singapore, May 30 (PTI) India is seeking to double the German investment in the country over the next five years from the current 9.5 billion euros and also wants a two-fold increase in the number of German companies, a former Indian Ambassador to Germany said here today.

In recent times, India has attracted about 74 German companies which have business plans worth investment of USD 1 billion, Gurjit Singh told PTI as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with German ChancellorAngela Merkel and signed eight agreements.

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There are opportunities for German companies in Indias infrastructure, defence sectors, railways, smart cities, renewable energy, ports and shipping, coastal shipping and inland waterways, he added.

"German investments in India is about 9.5 billion euros, made during 2000-2016, which can be doubled to 18 billion euros may be over the next five years. We (also) want to double the number of German companies in India to 3,600 from 1,800," according to Singh who retired in March this year after serving 37 years in foreign service with Germany being his last posting.

Singh said German companies were also being urged to form consortiums with European and non-European companies to undertake mega projects in India, especially their participation in smart cities which would require different disciplines, expertise and technologies.

Germanys small and medium size companies, known for having good technologies, should take the lead in forming these consortiums, he pointed out.

Joint ventures between German and Indian companies could also lead to building up consortiums for undertaking mega projects in the country, he said after addressing the Institute of South Asian Studies, a think tank at the National University of Singapore.

Overall, the European investments in India should also be doubled to at least 1.5 per cent from the current nominal level of 0.7 per cent of their global investments, according to Singh who has also served as ambassador to Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and African Union.

He said Modis ongoing to visit to Germany is well timed and would boost bilateral relations between the two countries. PTI GS AMS AKJ AMS

--- ENDS ---
An India Today investigation has cracked open tightly-guarded tools of communications he has been using to lure young men back home into ISIS fold.

By Rahul Kanwal: In heavily-encrypted audio transmissions from the mountains of Khorasan, he's heard extolling jihad, offering chocolates, housing and women to young Indians.

Kerala's Abdul Rashid Abdulla is believed to have started ISIS recruitment and fundraising operations in the southern state in July 2015. In less than two years, he has risen through the terror ranks as the group's recruiter-in-chief for India based out of Afghanistan.

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An India Today investigation has cracked open tightly-guarded tools of communications he has been using to lure young men back home into ISIS fold.

Audio signals accessed exclusively by the network shed new light on the Islamist outfit's India module recruiting new insurgents, mostly from Kerala.

INSIDE THE ISIS RECRUITMENT ROOM

A resident of Kasaragod district, Abdulla had led 21 youth from the state to ISIS dens in Afghanistan. Reports suggest two to three of them died in security ops this year.

But the India handler continues to send audio clips back to Kerala via the highly-secure Telegram messaging app in order to fill his rosters with insurgents from India, the investigation found.

His messages in Malalayam aim to radicalise youth in the name of Islam and a ballyhooed promised caliphate.

Highly-places sources in the country's intelligence establishment have confirmed the authenticity of Abdulla's voice on Telegram audio files obtained by India Today.

ISIS AFGHANISTAN TERROR TAPES

"IS has much more territory than you can imagine in Iraq, Sham, Libya, Khorasan, Africa, etc. These lands are ruled by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He is the leader of all Muslims in the world. Therefore, it is obligatory to give bayat (oath of allegiance) to him," he says in Malayalam in one of the transmissions from his Afghan hideout to Kerala.

In tapes, he repeatedly glorifies ISIS as a "normal country" espousing shariat. "This is just like a country here, just like any other government. We lead a normal life here in Islamic State Khorasan. Everything allowed in sharia is done here and anything not allowed by sharia cannot be done here. There are different departments here under the Islamic State government, such as the Departments of Education, Agriculture, Police, Wealth, Zakat (charity), Finance and Department of Jihad."

Without demanding tough commitments, Abdulla is heard tossing out baits to induce his target audience.

ON OFFER: WOMEN, MEAT & CHOCOLATES

In his messages, he presents housing, meat and even chocolates to future recruits. "There are houses here. All facilities are there including electricity and water in houses. There are individual houses. Most of the houses are owned by the government. There are markets here where everything is available. Everything that is available back in our country is available here also -- chocolates, biscuits, meat, vegetables," Abdulla says.

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The ISIS' Afghanistan-based India handler is also heard enticing young men with women, saying guerrillas in the group are encouraged to marry widows of slain militants. "My friend, Murshid, married a virgin woman," he says, "Sajid married a widow with two children and Manjat a widow with one child. So whatever the case is, getting married here is easy."

Indoctrination follows next as he gives his own interpretation of sacred texts and sharia, calling ISIS purely Islamic. In the same vein, he justifies use of brutal violence as part of jihad. "It's a sunnah to do jihad. Islamic state also does jihad - against the mushrikeen, kuffaar, murtadeen and the munafiqeen. Let Allah show the correct path to all and may we all meet in heaven."

According to top security officials, Abdulla took 17 people from Kasargod and four from Palakkad in Kerala to ISIS camps in Afghanistan.

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In January, the NIA named him a key motivator for the terror outfit in India. His recruits, security officials say, included professionals doctors, engineers and management experts.

Till March this year, as many as 75 people have been arrested from across India for suspected links with the ISIS.

Of them 21 belonged to Kerala, 16 to Telangana, nine to Karnataka, four to Tamil Nadu, eight to Maharashtra, six to Madhya Pradesh, four to Uttarakhand, three to Uttar Pradesh, two to Rajasthan and one each to Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal, highly-placed officials told India Today.

ALSO READ: At least 2 of 20 ISIS Kerala recruits feared dead in Afghanistan MOAB attack ALSO READ: Missing Kerala youth who 'joined' ISIS killed in drone strike in Afghanistan

WATCH | India Today penetrates Islamic State's India module, terror tapes reveal recruitment drive in Kerala

--- ENDS ---
More than a dozen critics of Louisiana Education Superintendent John White asked a judge Tuesday to either require White to be reconfirmed by the state Senate by the June 8 end of the regular legislative session or declare his post vacant.

White has been superintendent since 2012, when he was appointed by the 11-member state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and approved by the Senate.

His supporters argue that because he hasn't been reappointed by BESE, a Senate confirmation hearing is not required. His critics contend the law requires the superintendent to face another Senate review.

"I plan to continue serving the students of Louisiana until BESE tells me to stop," White, who is operating on a month-to-month contract, said Tuesday in a written statement.

The lead plaintiff in the petition for declaratory judgment filed in the 19th Judicial District Court is Ganey Arsement, a Calcasieu Parish public school teacher with two children in Louisiana public schools.

Arsement said the petition is not a personal attack on White.

"This motion is intended to clarify the law and affirm that if White isn't sent to the Senate for confirmation by a 2/3 vote of BESE, he will be required to vacate the position," Arsement wrote in an email.

John Bel Edwards repeatedly vowed to replace White during his successful 2015 gubernatorial campaign, but he has not been able to obtain the needed votes on BESE, even with his three appointees.

BESE hires and fires superintendents. White's opponents lack the eight BESE votes needed to fire him. His backers don't have the eight votes required to enter into a new contract with him.

White has butted heads with Edwards, and former Gov. Bobby Jindal, particularly on the Common Core academic standards.

The petition filed by Arsement and 13 other plaintiffs claims the Common Core standards pushed by White are "substantively and academically flawed." The plaintiffs are represented by state Sen. John Milkovich, D-Shreveport.

Governor, White call meeting productive but no resolution on school changes Without giving any details, Gov. John Bel Edwards and state Superintendent of Education John

"The Common Core agenda which Mr. White helped push in Louisiana has resulted in home work assignments that are incomprehensible to parents; distraught children; frustrated parents; overburdened teachers; (and) a drop in morale among educators," the suit alleges.

The case has been assigned to state District Judge William Morvant.
By Press Trust of India: guarantee peace: Jaitley

New Delhi, May 30 (PTI) Indias military preparedness is the best deterrent, which will guarantee peace in the region, and it must significantly ramp up defence production keeping in mind geo-political dynamics, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said today.

He said defence PSUs and private sector can have a healthy competition to develop military platforms and weapon systems, asserting that India must not rely heavily on imports.

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In an oblique reference to Pakistan, Jaitley said security requirements are dictated by the kind of neighbourhood India has.

"Obviously, in view of the peculiar situation from geo- political point of view where we are located, our preparedness is the best deterrent and which is certainly a guarantee for peace as far as our region is concerned," he said.

He was speaking at an event where some of the defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) were given Raksha Mantris awards for their performance in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

"No country can indefinitely win wars and battles on the strength of trying to buy and import equipment from outside. Its security preparedness would be incomplete if it relies only on that," Jaitley said.

The defence minister referred to the strategic partnership model for involving leading domestic private sector firms along with foreign entities for defence production and said it will encourage defence manufacturing in the country.

Under the strategic partnership model, Government plans to rope in select private firms to build military platforms like submarines and fighter jets in India in partnership with foreign entities.

It 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.

"There is no reason why we cannot become a force to reckon with (in defence production)," he said.

Talking about the economy, Jaitley said it has been logging impressive growth in the last three years.

"Having completed seven decades after Independence, we have now for three years in a row achieved the distinction of being the fastest growing global economy among the major economies. We aspire to evolve from a developing economy to a developed economy," he said.

Jaitley said India must expand its manufacturing sector to create job opportunities on a mass scale. PTI MPB RT

--- ENDS ---
In a legislative session that has seen little bipartisanship, the Louisiana House approved late Tuesday a bill pushed by both the Democratic governor and a Republican right winger.

Rep. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, and Gov. John Bel Edwards joined forces to fight the powerful parish tax assessors for complex legislation that would be the most sweeping change since Huey Longs time in the way the state allows local governments to raise money.

The House backed the legislation on a vote of 75 to 20. The measure now needs two-thirds support in the Senate and a majority of the states voters would also approve it in the Oct. 14 statewide election.

Basically, House Bill 444 would allow local taxing authorities to voluntarily enter into contracts in which manufacturers would pay a set fee, starting immediately and paid out over time, in lieu of property taxes.

Thats in contrast to the 80-year-old Industrial Tax Exemption Program, the other key incentive to attract large corporations to open or improve manufacturing plants in Louisiana. Under ITEP, local governments dont receive any property tax payments for five, eight or 10 years.

Critics argued that for decades ITEP was routinely doled out and automatically renewed by the state  without input from local governments  that forgave property taxes for a decade. Edwards last year ordered local government involvement before awarding ITEP and would forgive paying property taxes for five years with the possibility of another three years.

Seabaugh argues that payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes, or PILOT, would allow local governments to receive money early that can be spent on roads, schools, law enforcement and other local government services. Such infrastructure improvements are often necessary when a new business comes to town. The manufacturers would pay on the front end for consideration of lower payments back end, rather than wait eight to 10 years under ITEP.

Its a another tool in the toolbox, another option available, Don Pierson said in an interview. As secretary of the Louisiana Economic Development, he tries to entice businesses to locate in this state. A lot of other Southern states, such as Texas and South Carolina, have the PILOT option and use it to great effect.

Immediately before taking up the Seabaugh legislation, state Rep. Barry Ivey, R-Central, amended his House Bill 366 to include the entirety of HB444. State Rep. Kenny Havard, R-St. Francisville, opposed the Ivey's move as well as Seabaugh's bill. Were kicking the door wide open to let special interests in, Havard said.

Iveys bill was sent to House Civil Law committee to vet the language.

The idea also is opposed in other corners.

This would be an almost limitless loophole for a corporate subsidy, Broderick Bagert with the Together Baton Rouge, a coalition of church and civic groups whose attention to ITEP excesses were instrumental in the changes Edwards made to the program.

We think the public is frustrated at the fiscal situation the state is facing now and with these legislators creating, in this situation, more of these corporate subsidies," Bagert said.

The problem, at least from the assessors point of view, is that every taxing body in a parish  there are 23 in East Baton Rouge Parish alone, for instance  can make their own deal, said Glenn Waguespack, the St. James Parish Assessor.

Its going to cause chaos. It sure wont help uniformity, Waguespack told The Advocate.

This legislation gives big manufacturers incentive to cut a deal locally, and since once a contract is struck, it remains enforceable regardless of whether the terms are good or bad for the local government. What youre going have is big business inserting themselves into local school boards and council races because all they need are enough votes on a local authority, Waguespack said.

Rep. Jay Morris, R-Monroe, told the House chamber during debate last week hed only seen notes from assessors, who were against the bill, and a bunch of large corporations, who were for the measure.

That tells me that big companies hope to save money by this passing, Morris said of HB444. When local government is short on money and theyre not getting it from big companies, theyll get it from somewhere else. Itll put pressure on them if they cut a bad deal, meaning taxes could go up for homeowners and small businessmen.

Seabaugh points out that the bill was amended to give the Legislature a signoff on the local agreements and the ability of a taxpayer to file a lawsuit to challenge and invalidate an agreement, if the deal doesnt come through as advertised.

Also of the amendments were written by Edwards Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson and Executive Counsel Matthew Block.
A proposed law to ban so-called sanctuary cities in Louisiana, branded as racially discriminatory by Democrats, stalled in a Louisiana Senate committee on Tuesday.

The sponsor of the bill, who is white  Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs  tried to defend her legislation from attacks of people characterizing it as racist by telling a committee with three black members that she, too, has been discriminated against because of her race.

For the last two years, Hodges has passionately defended her measure to penalize sanctuary cities. But both years, the bills died in Senate committees controlled by Democrats after successfully advancing through the House.

Hodges and other proponents have argued the bills would improve local public safety and assist the federal government with national security by ensuring law enforcement can question people who may be in the country illegally. But opponents have questioned whether the bill unfairly targets New Orleans and whether it is a veiled effort to discriminate against immigrants.

While defending the proposal on Tuesday, Hodges assured the committee that the bill was not intended to be an attack on people of Hispanic descent. She said she spent 18 years as a missionary with her family in Mexico and is well-aware of how it feels to be discriminated against.

"I understand what it is to be a minority. This is not about that. This is about public safety," she said. "I know what it feels like to be discriminated against because of the color of your skin. But what we're seeing is a rise of people in this country illegally."

She said every day that she lived in Mexico, she and her family were stopped by law enforcement officers who asked for their immigration papers. Her family knew that if they overstayed their visa by a single day they could be detained.

The point was not well received by Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, a Democrat from New Orleans. Peterson, who is black, said she is an American who is discriminated against because of the color of her skin routinely  in her own country.

"Because I look the way I look, I have been discriminated against. And people in my family have been discriminated against, and many people who have come here, whether they came two or three generations ago, have been discriminated against," she said. "Whether you came to this country 300 years ago or if you came last week, most people just want opportunity and that slice of what we call the American dream."

House Bill 676 would have allowed the state Attorney General's Office to withhold state funds to municipalities and law enforcement agencies with "sanctuary city" policies that prevent local officials from cooperating with U.S. immigration authorities. President Donald Trump's administration has proposed a similar withholding of federal aid for cities with such policies.

It was unclear precisely what would constitute a sanctuary city under the definition in Hodges' bill.

New Orleans officials have stressed that they are not a sanctuary city, and have had discussions with federal Department of Justice officials to ensure they're in compliance with federal laws.

Hodges has repeatedly said that law enforcement, under her bill, should be able to ask a lawfully arrested person about their immigration status. New Orleans police are barred from asking about immigration status, because of a federally mandated consent decree that governs their policies, which was crafted in conjunction with the Department of Justice during President Barack Obama's administration.

New Orleans Sen. JP Morrell, another Democrat, also pointed out that no local law enforcement officers have expressed support of the bill and that New Orleans police officials were actively lobbying against it. He said that called into question the argument from supporters that this was a necessary tool to improve public safety.

Peterson called for the bill to be deferred, effectively a rejection of the legislation, and no one on the committee objected.

Despite its conservative reputation, Louisiana remains one of the few Southern states that hasn't passed its own version of a sanctuary city ban. States such as Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina have passed similar laws.

At the national level, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken aim at cities with friendly policies to undocumented immigrants. But last month, a federal district judge in San Francisco ruled that President Donald Trump's attempt to restrict federal dollars to cities that fail to cooperate with U.S. immigration authorities was illegal.
For all of the troubled convictions he has battled tooth-and-nail in the courts to preserve, it's the one he gave up without a fight that has forced Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro to defend his office from its inglorious past.

Cannizzaro's swift decision three years ago to vacate the problematic murder conviction and life sentence of Reginald Adams was hailed then as a bold stroke by a district attorney more prone to relentlessly attacking legal challenges to convictions from the era of his onetime boss, longtime District Attorney Harry Connick.

In Adams' case, Cannizzaro didn't wait for a judge to rule. He called out two former Connick assistants for "manifest intentional prosecutorial misconduct," saying they had joined with a pair of former New Orleans police detectives to railroad Adams for the 1979 murder of Cathy Ulfers, a police officer's wife.

Their nefarious actions "denied this community any opportunity to hold the real perpetrator criminally responsible for this violent crime," Cannizzaro said, while offering a public apology to Adams for his 34 misspent years in prison.

Now, however, Cannizzaro and the city are the defendants in a federal civil rights lawsuit in which Adams alleges his conviction stemmed from a pattern of unconstitutional practices by police and prosecutors.

U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan has set an August trial date for a case that already has put the district attorney on the hot seat, over nearly six hours of deposition testimony in which Cannizzaro dispensed with apologies.

His sworn deposition in February marked Cannizzaro's most expansive on-the-record account of his experience and training as a young prosecutor under Connick, the marching orders he gives his own prosecutors on their obligations to turn over evidence to the defense, and his suddenly jaundiced assessment of Adams' claim of innocence.

Though he stood by his decision to vacate Adams' conviction, Cannizzaro said he's not so sure now that the man he agreed to cut loose didn't fire seven bullets into Ulfers as she stepped inside her home in New Orleans East.

Her husband, former NOPD Officer Ronnie Ulfers, is now serving his own life sentence for killing his second wife, Debra.

Adams claims then-NOPD Detective Martin Venezia plied him with Valium, beer and intimate details of the murder in an overnight grilling in 1980 that included a late-night drive to the murder scene. The result was a confession that convinced two separate juries to convict Adams, whose first conviction was overturned because of a mistake in letting the jury view a transcript of his confession during its deliberations.

'Compelling statement'

According to a transcript of his deposition, Cannizzaro repeatedly described Adams' confession as "a compelling statement," even as he acknowledged Adams got several key details wrong: his description of Ulfers, the kind of gun used to shoot her, the number of shots.

"There is no force. There is no intimidation. No one is beating him. No one is using any psychological intimidation factors with regard to this man. And he does admit to the shooting of this woman on a number of occasions. Again, I find that to be compelling," Cannizzaro testified.

"I hope the judge lets us show to the jury, 'Hey, maybe this guy is responsible for this homicide, and maybe he is not entitled to the however (many) millions of dollars you all are trying to get.'"

Attorneys with Innocence Project New Orleans helped convince Cannizzaro to drop Adams' conviction, and IPNO director Emily Maw dismissed the DA's take.

"Has he read the confession? The guy gets the gender of the person he shot wrong, at his first guess," Maw said of Adams. "That confession is not worth the paper it's written on."

Following Adams' release, former state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell's office accepted his claim of "factual innocence," the tall legal hurdle that exonerated ex-convicts must clear to tap the state's Innocence Compensation Fund. After an investigation, Caldwell's office agreed that Adams did not commit any crime based upon the same set of facts used in his original conviction.

But that decision may have no bearing on a federal civil case that marks the first direct attack on the local District Attorney's Office since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2011 tossed out a $14 million judgment that a jury had awarded to former death-row inmate John Thompson in another case of prosecutorial misconduct from the Connick era.

In its 5-4 ruling, the high court held that a District Attorney's Office couldn't be held liable for failing to train its prosecutors based only on one case and that Thompson hadn't shown a pattern of violations indicating "deliberate indifference."

Since Connick left office in 2002, his legacy has suffered from a series of overturned convictions, with long-serving inmates walking free based on withheld evidence and, in some cases, dirty dealing by police or prosecutors.

Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles who was hired by Adams' attorneys, cited at least two dozen cases from the Connick era involving documented violations of Brady v. Maryland, the 1963 Supreme Court ruling that said prosecutors must disclose all exculpatory evidence to the defense.

In a speech in 2014, Cannizzaro described the District Attorney's Office he took over in 2008 as having been "in a steady state of decline" marked by "bad policies (that) took root and became institutional."

Defending his old boss

Cannizzaro walked back that statement in his recent deposition, defending Connick even as he acknowledged that he couldn't recall much in the way of specific training or office policies regarding the Brady requirement.

"Mr. Connick was about prosecuting cases. He certainly wanted us to be successful, but he did not want us to cheat. He was very, very clear about that," Cannizzaro said. "I will go to my grave saying this man never knew anything about the improper conduct that was taking place by some of the assistants in his office."

Cannizzaro argued that the legal burden on prosecutors regarding the disclosure of evidence has evolved since he served as a prosecutor under Connick from 1978 to 1983  a period that included the Adams case. He cited the U.S. Supreme Court's 1995 decision, in another New Orleans case, Kyles v. Whitley, clarifying that prosecutors are responsible for turning over all favorable evidence, including evidence withheld by police.

Cannizzaro admitted that when he was a young prosecutor, he rarely questioned detectives directly over what they might have left out of their reports. Sometimes, he said, he wouldn't meet with the lead detective to review a case until the trial was underway.

"You know, sometimes you are embarrassed to say with some of the narcotics cases ... you might not sit down and talk to the officer until maybe the day before," Cannizzaro recalled.

"Or sometimes, you know, I hate  I don't want this to go public, but my kids, I will kill them if they say this. But sometimes, you'd pick a jury. You'd meet the detective who did the throw-down narcotics case for 10 minutes. And you'd go over the report," he testified.

"And you would certainly ask for some indulgence from the judge to  'Can you give me 15 or 20 minutes just to talk to this guy? It will be short. I won't delay your trial, Judge.' You know, you always want to keep them happy, so you keep the thing moving and they are not cutting you off at your knees during the course of the proceeding."

Cannizzaro also testified to having instituted reforms in his office, including quizzing prosecutors about their obligation to turn over evidence. But he also downplayed the need for detailed written directives or formal oversight to ensure that so-called "Brady material" is disclosed.

"I don't think Brady involves rocket science. I think it is very, very simple. It is simply if you have information, if you have facts that help the defendant, you have an obligation to give it to him," Cannizzaro said.

"I don't want to do it by trickery or deceit. We want to play fair, but we are going to play hard. So that is essentially what we try to drive in them," he added. "It is not about winning at all costs. It is about playing fair and playing hard."

Crossing the line

In Adams' case, Cannizzaro accused former prosecutors Harold "Tookie" Gilbert and Ronald Bodenheimer of crossing the line, hiding part of a newly found police report in the file of a separate burglary case for which Adams was acquitted  but which he now admits committing. More pages of the same report were found in the file of another man, Roland Burns.

That report pointed to the recovery of a murder weapon and stolen items from the Ulfers home, and cited a trail to a suspect, Burns, who would be arrested on an accessory charge that the District Attorney's Office dropped several months before Adams' confession.

Burns is now deceased. So is Gilbert, one of the prosecutors. The other one, Bodenheimer, went on to become a Jefferson Parish judge and to serve time in federal prison after being convicted of, among other things, framing an enemy by having drugs planted on him. Bodenheimer, a co-defendant in the civil rights case, has claimed he never saw the report he's accused of hiding.

Cannizzaro agreed to set Adams free just 10 days after IPNO attorneys revealed the hidden document, which purports to detail an investigation into Burns by Venezia and another detective, Sam Gebbia.

Both detectives testified against Adams, telling jurors that no other suspects had been identified and that no murder weapon had turned up.

Gebbia was killed in a vehicle crash in late 2015. Venezia has stridently defended Adams' confession and his own trial testimony, insisting that Burns was innocent and that the gun the NOPD had tied to Ulfers' killing wasn't in fact the murder weapon.

Venezia has called the undisclosed police report a mistake-filled fabrication that he didn't write. He has chided Cannizzaro's office for failing to authenticate the report before tossing out Adams' conviction.

"Reginald Adams did in fact murder Cathy Ulfers, beyond a shadow of a doubt," Venezia said last week, adding, "I have never lied under oath."

Before his untimely death, Gebbia said in an interview with Caldwell's office that he had suspected Ulfers' husband played a role in the murder but that he had backed out of the case well before Adams' confession, over a conflict with Venezia.

Gebbia said Venezia had grown too "chummy" and had developed a "friend relationship" with Ronald Ulfers during the investigation, according to notes from the February 2015 interview. Venezia denies that claim.

After Adams' confession and arrest for Ulfers' murder, Connick's office took the unusual step of asking the FBI to retest the recovered .32-caliber handgun that an NOPD analyst had concluded was the murder weapon as part of the investigation that led to Burns' arrest. But the FBI testing was inconclusive; the agency said it couldn't establish a match to Ulfers' killing, the FBI report shows.

In his deposition, Cannizzaro acknowledged that his office never asked Venezia or Bodenheimer for an explanation before setting Adams free. The existence of the report was proof enough of a bad conviction, he maintained.

Connick, who also was deposed in the Adams case, blamed Gilbert and Bodenheimer for going rogue in hiding the report.

"I'm convinced that they knew what they were doing, and that is why they were secretive about it. And that is what happens when you fail to disclose," Connick said. "I think they knew that it was exculpatory evidence. I knew that the policy of the office prohibited them from not turning over exculpatory evidence. But they did it."

Adams' attorney, Michael Magner, insists that Cannizzaro's attempt to place the blame on "rogue" detectives and prosecutors can't "insulate his office from potential civil liability."

"They were participants in a system that routinely and as a matter of practice and policy withheld exculpatory evidence and other information helpful to the defense as a matter of course," Magner said.

Also named in the suit are former District Attorney's Office investigators Frank Ruiz and Gerald "Jerry" Ursin, who both were involved with the case on the night of Adams' confession.

Ursin, who became a top NOPD commander and later Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman's top deputy, pleaded guilty in federal court last year to a billing scam for off-duty details by other deputies. He received three years of probation.
Nearly 8 lakh candidates appeared for both class 10 and class 12 examination.

By India Today Web Desk: The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has released the class 12 (Commerce and Science stream) exam results 2017 on the official website, the link for which is jharresults.nic.in

Meanwhile, the compartmental results for both class 12 have been released on the official website.

Steps to check the results:

Log on to the official website, jac.nic.in

Click on the link 'JAC results 2017'

Enter your roll number and date of birth in the fields provided and click on submit

The result will be displayed on the screen

Download and take a print out of the same for further reference.

Number of candidates:

Nearly 8 lakh candidates appeared for both class 10 and class 12 examination

Out of the total candidates, over 4,66,746 candidates appeared in the class 10 examinations.

About Jharkhand Academic Council:

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The Act to establish the Jharkhand Academic Council was assented by the Governor of the State on December 26, 2003, and was known as Jharkhand Academic Council Act.

The Jharkhand Academic Council was established for holding and conducting examinations at the end of Intermediate, Education, Secondary Education, Sanskrit Education and Madrasa Education and for prescribing courses of studies for such examinations.

For any query regarding the results, candidates can visit the official website.

Read: CBSE Class 12 Marks Moderation Policy Debate: UP to follow board's decision

For more updates, follow India Today Education or you can write to us at education.intoday@gmail.com

--- ENDS ---
It was an uncanny case of right time and right place when photographer Ari Rex snapped this streaking ball of light at the Namadgi National Park.

Mr Rex was teaching a photography workshop at the Orroral Homestead when he unexpectedly captured a meteor hurtling past Earth.

Photographer Ari Rex snapped this meteor hurtling past Earth while taking pictures in Namadgi National Park. Credit:Ari Rex

"Last Friday, during the new moon, I went to Namadgi National Park to teach an advanced Milky Way photography workshop," he said.

"It's very dark out there when there is no moon so it makes it perfect for photographing the Milky Way, especially now in winter."
Wonder: a celebration of contemporary Australian music by Carl Vine, Graeme Koehne and Matthew Hindson. National Capital Orchestra and the Canberra Choral Society, conducted by Leonard Weiss. Pre-concert talk 6.30 to 7pm, concert at 7.30pm on Saturday June 3 at Llewellyn Hall. Bookings: ticketek.com.au.

This year's concert by the National Capital Orchestra and the Canberra Choral Society, conducted by Leonard Weiss is a celebration of contemporary Australian music by notable Australian composers Carl Vine, Graeme Koehne and Matthew Hindson. This is an opportunity for the Canberra audience to experience contemporary music from living Australian composers. Central to the feature is Vine's presence in Canberra, both to work with the orchestra and choir and to give a pre-concert talk at Llewellyn Hall.

Composer Carl Vine will give a pre-concert talk at Llewellyn Hall. Credit:Keith Saunders

Koehne's Tivoli Dances will open the concert with evocation of the big band-era. Koehne has developed a reputation for merging the techniques of classical music and popular music.

This will be followed by Vine's Symphony No.6, for choir and orchestra. The composer writes that he wanted this composition "to revel in the power of human community  and the text should relate to our basic need for religion without being overtly religious. To focus on this 'inner' humanity, I selected four hymns from religions long-dead, in languages that have not been spoken for thousands of years."
Adani has reached an agreement with the Queensland government on royalty payments for its $16.5 billion Carmichael coal mine.

The deal follows tension between the Left and Right factions in the Palaszczuk cabinet over royalties for the Adani mine.

In a statement, Adani confirmed an agreement was reached with the Queensland government on Tuesday, stating it met the company's "expectations and requirements" and was a benchmark decision to take the project forward.

Adani chairman Gautam Adani said he thanked Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and state MPs for their continued support.
Where are the relevant authorities? Either by design or an uncontrolled leaker we have been treated to clickbait snippets of Victorian police activity somewhat akin to previews of a reality show. "Tune in for our next highlight, we're off to Rome" hasn't got much of a professional ring to it.

From the Director of Public Prosecution a second report. It reportedly says that the police "could" decide to prosecute. That's not a recommendation to prosecute and hardly an advice in terms of likely success in obtaining a conviction. Without a clear and reasonable prospect of conviction launching a prosecution might be seen as an abuse of process. It shouldn't happen.

The presumption of innocence carries with it the principle that unless there is that reasonable prospect of conviction no charges should be laid. That's because the mere laying of a charge destroys reputations and careers and to do so without that reasonable prospect seems to initiate a malicious prosecution.

What on earth is going on inside these two bodies? Certainly legal eagles, luminaries in their field, are concerned. Innocent until proven guilty isn't just a verbal game for lawyers. Whatever you think privately, out in the public space it's meant to be hands off and let the legal eagles do their job. Discarding that rule of law simply because one might dislike Pell and what he stands for is plainly stupid.

As stupid as Thomas More's son-in-law, Roper, in A Man For All Seasons. More refused a course of action as being not within the law which he said was like a thicket of trees, there to protect us all. Roper replied with bravado that he would cut down every law in England to get at the devil. More's response was on the money. He asked, having cut down every law in England to get at the devil, what would Roper do when the devil turned on him?
You may think the media is full of the argy-bargy of politics, full to saturation point. There is, however, a level of politics we rarely hear about. You may not have noticed, but it raised its ugly head at the time of the budget earlier this month.

One sign was the anger, almost outrage, of the big banks when, on budget night, Scott Morrison surprised them by announcing a small new tax on them. Why weren't we consulted about this, they shouted.

Illustration: Simon Letch

Just a few days earlier, Education Minister Simon Birmingham surprised us by announcing the government's conversion to needs-based federal grants to schools, a la St David of Gonski.

The Catholic school authorities were deeply saddened. Birmingham's plan was to gradually unwind decades of special sectarian deals, the most recent of which had been made with the previous Labor government.
Yale evolutionary biologist Richard Prum: "Weve been explaining away desire rather than actually trying to understand or explain it." Credit:Christopher Capozziello/New York Times To grasp his view, a little bit of history is in order. Darwin famously proposed the idea of evolution by natural selection, what is often called survival of the fittest. To put it simply, living things vary in their inherited traits, from speed to colour to sense of smell. The traits of the individuals who survive longer and have the most offspring become more common. So, over time, the faster antelope have more young, the fastest of them have more offspring, and antelope end up very speedy. But reproduction isn't just about surviving and staying healthy long enough to mate. You have to find a mate. And in many species, your mate must choose you. This process is sexual selection. Female birds are often the ones choosing. And their choices can produce male birds that are incredibly colourful, and some that are elaborate dancers or designers of striking boudoirs - like the bower birds. If, for example, females like males with long tails, then long-tailed males have more offspring, and the longest-tailed of those offspring reproduce more. In the end, that species becomes known for its long tails. Maydianee Andrade, an evolutionary biologist and vice dean at the University of Toronto, Scarborough, who studies sexual selection and teaches evolution, said that "the question is basically this. You can think of females when they are choosing a mate as foraging. So what are they looking for?" "If you're dragging a giant tail behind you, that might tell the female something," she said. "A male that survives carrying a large heavy tail is more impressive than a male that survives with a short tail."

But survival might not have anything to do with it. Some female finches use white feathers to line their nest, perhaps to camouflage white eggs. In one experiment, they also liked males with white feathers stuck on their heads better than other males. This seemed to be an aesthetic choice, and also proved that there is no accounting for taste. Darwin contended that selection-based mate choice was different from natural selection because the females were often making decisions based on what looked good - on beauty, as they perceived it - and not on survival or some objective quality like speed or strength. Scientists of that era reacted negatively, partly because of the emphasis on females. "Such is the instability of vicious feminine caprice that no constancy of coloration could be produced by its selective action," wrote St. George Jackson Mivart, an English biologist who was at first a great supporter and later a critic of natural selection. Alfred Russell Wallace, who came up with the theory of evolution at the same time as Darwin, preferred the idea that the colours and patterns meant something - either they were signs that this was a male of the right species, or they indicated underlying fitness. Perhaps only a strong, healthy male could support such a big, beautiful tail. At the very birth of evolutionary theory, scientists were arguing about how sexual selection worked. And they kept at it, through the discovery of genes and many other advances. Fast forward to the 1980s, when Prum was in graduate school at the University of Michigan, sharing an office with Geoffrey Hill, now a professor at Auburn University.

At that time, mainstream evolutionary thought took a big swing toward the idea that ornaments and fancy feathers were indications of underlying fitness. "Animals with the best ornamentation were the best males," Hill said. This was called "honest signalling" of underlying genetic fitness. The idea, he said, "almost completely ran over what was the old idea of beauty". Hill, for one, was completely convinced. "I was pretty sure I could explain all ornaments in all animals as honest signalling." But, he added, he has since reconsidered. There are some extreme forms of ornamentation that he thinks don't signal anything, but rather are a result of the kind of process Prum favours. "You can't explain a peacock's tale with honest signalling," Hill said. But, he said, he thought Prum had taken an important idea and gotten "a little bit carried away with it". The book, he said, "was a great read, and I could tell he put his heart and soul into it." But, he said, he found it "scientifically disappointing". Darwin himself, Hill said, "was completely unsatisfied with his work on sexual selection". And the mainstream of evolutionary biology is not hostile to a partial role for arbitrary female choice. Hill has recently argued for combining several different processes to explain sexual selection.

Prum is indeed given to enthusiasm, and to intellectual contention. He has been on the winning side of initially unpopular ideas before. As a graduate student, he sided with researchers who wanted to change the way animals are classified, to emphasise their evolutionary descent. The new idea was called cladistics and it is now the established idea. He has done groundbreaking research on both the physical structure and the evolution of feathers, and he was an early supporter of the notion that birds descended from dinosaurs, another new idea that is now the mainstream view. He has disagreed with the dominant view of sexual selection since graduate school and sees his new book, which he hopes will reach beyond scientists, as a kind of manifesto. It has too many parts to summarise. He takes a chapter, for instance, to speculate that same-sex attraction in humans evolved in our ancestors through female choices that undermine male sexual coercion. For a full account, you need to read the book. But one particular aspect of his argument is his distress at the idea that almost all evolutionary change is assumed to be adaptive, contributing to fitness. In other words, if a fish is blue, it must be blue for a reason. The colour must help it escape predators or sneak up on prey, or be otherwise useful in some way. Beauty, therefore, must be adaptive, or a sign of underlying qualities that are adaptive. Pick a behaviour or an ornament or a physical trait, and it is useful until proven otherwise. That's backward, says Prum. Take beauty. Since animals have aesthetic preferences and make choices, beauty will inevitably appear. "Beauty happens," as he puts it, and it should be taken as nonadaptive until proven otherwise.
In an extraordinary address in Sydney on Tuesday evening, Republican giant John McCain begged an Australian audience that included two former prime ministers, diplomats and business leaders for patience and even leadership to sustain the alliance between the US and Australia during the Trump presidency.

Speaking as a guest of the United States Studies Centre in the State Library's grand reading room, McCain began his speech with a reverent reflection upon the shared sacrifices of Australian and American soldiers over a century, before acknowledging the uncertainty the new administration had caused around the world.

"I realise that I come to Australia at a time when many are questioning whether America is still committed to these values," the US senator said early in his 30-minute address. "And you are not alone. Other American allies have similar doubts these days. And this is understandable.

"I realise that some of President Trump's actions and statements have unsettled America's friends. They have unsettled many Americans as well. There is a real debate under way now in my country about what kind of role America should play in the world. And frankly, I do not know how this debate will play out.
Former SAS commander-turned Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has weighed in on the debate on using special forces to resolve a future terrorist attacks, arguing it is important to have the best resources on the ground.

And he has said the most lethal force available resides not with state police but with the military's Special Air Service, otherwise known as the SAS, who would be better placed to kill a terrorist threatening hostages.

His comments followed the airing of a two-part Four Corners investigation into the Lindt Cafe siege featuring former hostages, and the families of victims Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson. Both families expressed extreme frustration at the refusal of NSW Police to take earlier action to resolve the deadly stand-off.

While Mr Hastie stopped short of stating outright that SAS commandos should have been used in the December 2014 siege, he has made no secret within the Coalition party room of his view that the crisis was allowed to drag on too long under the control of NSW Police.
London: Robert De Niro has said that if the US was a movie it would now be a "tragic, dumb-ass comedy".

The two-time Oscar-winning actor and vocal Donald Trump critic said his nation had descended to this point having been an "inspiring, uplifting drama" just four years ago.

De Niro, 73, was welcomed with applause and laughter as he made the remarks in a speech to graduating students at Brown University in the New England state of Rhode Island.

"The country has gone crazy. In movie terms, when you started school the country was an inspiring, uplifting drama," he said on Sunday.
The Enforcement Directorate says it has fresh evidence against Karti Chidambaram and has approached the Home Ministry for its nod to send letter rogatory to UK and some other countries in connection with INX Media case.

By Atir Khan: A day after former Finance Minister P Chidambaram came out in open support of his son Karti , saying he had connection with anyone from INX Media Private Ltd, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) today said it has fresh evidence to probe Karti's involvement in the alleged deal.

The ED is now probing certain payments in connection with the deal allegedly received by Karti Chidambaram in the UK. Highly placed sources in Home Ministry told India Today, that central agency has got some fresh leads of alleged payments made by the then promoter of INX Group Peter Mukerjea to Karti Chidambaram.

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In a latest development Enforcement Directorate has sent request to the Union Home Ministry seeking the latter's approval for sending letter rogatory to UK and some other countries in this connection. The agency is now awaiting for the Home Ministry's approval.

According to CBI FIR registered in this connection earlier this month, INX Group had approached FIPB in March 2007 for getting approval for engaging in the business of creating, operating, managing and broadcasting of bouquet of TV channels.

The application of the company seeking FIPB approval was received and acknowledged by Department of Economic Affairs, FIPB Unit, Ministry of Finance. Thereafter, the FIPB unit forwarded the proposal to various departments of government for their comments.

WHAT IS THE CASE

The FIPB unit also clearly stated that for down streaming investment for INX News Pvt Ltd, a separate FIPB approval would be required. The FIPB in its meeting held on May, 2007 recommended the proposal of INX Media Pvt Ltd for consideration and approval of the then Finance Minister. However, in the meeting, the Board did not approve the downstream investment by INX Media Pvt Ltd in INX News Pvt Ltd. Accordingly the recommendations were approved by the then Finance Minister.

Contrary to the approval of FIPB, INX Media Pvt Ltd deliberately and in violation of the conditions of the approval (1) made a downstream investment to the extent of 26 per cent in the Capital of INX News without the specific approval of FIPB included indirect foreign investment by the same foreign investors and (2) generated more than Rs 305 crores foreign direct investment in INX Media Pvt Ltd against the approved foreign inflow of Rs 4.62 crore by issuing shares to the foreign investors at a premium of more than Rs 800 per share.

THE ALLEGATIONS

Now, the allegations are that INX Group entered into a criminal conspiracy and for the services rendered by Karti Chidambaram through his company Chess Management Services Pvt Ltd in getting the issues against INX Group scuttled, by influencing officials of FIPB, in consideration in the form of payments against invoices raised by INX Media Pvt Ltd to Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd, a company allegedly run by Karti by proxy.

I FEEL SAD FOR MY SON: CHIDAMBARAM

P Chidambaram, in a statement on Monday, said: "I feel sad that my son and his business friends are being targeted. I am indignant that some of the most distinguished civil servants of the country have been humiliated by the FIR. I have advised my son to fully co-operate with the investigation and he will do so."

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WATCH: Heat on Karti Chidambaram: Enforcement Directorate to seek information from UK in INX case

ALSO READ:

No one from my family could influence FIPB: Chidambaram

ED notice to Karti Chidambaram, others for foreign exchange violations

Karti leaves for London while under CBI scanner, father P Chidambaram says he'll return soon

Enforcement Directorate seeks CBI probe into share transactions of firm linked to Karti Chidambaram

--- ENDS ---
We know that animals can sniff out sickness in humans, but humans might be able to detect disease in each other too.

A new study led by neuroscientists from Sweden's Karolinska Institute shows that we can see and smell sickness in others often before there is any sign of it.

Being unwell can change the smell of our sweat. Credit:Stocksy

"Throughout human evolution, infectious diseases have been a primary cause of death. Detection of subtle cues indicating sickness and avoidance of sick conspecifics would therefore be an adaptive way of coping with an environment fraught with pathogens," the authors write in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

In the double-blind placebo-controlled study, 22 participants allowed themselves to be injected with endotoxin (which is harmless but brings on an immune response resulting in pain, lethargy and fever).
A man who burnt down his home so his ex-wife wouldn't get it in their divorce says the house was still legally his, and therefore his to destroy.

Police found Krste Kovacevski in the granny flat of his home in Coniston, a suburb of Wollongong, in the early hours of August 4 last year. He was with his dog, wearing a cardigan and was calmly watching his home go up in flames.

The fire caused the roof to cave in, with nearby houses evacuated. Credit:Illawarra Mercury

"He did not appear fazed that the house was burning down only metres away from him," reported a police officer, who tried to move him on.

"I'm just watching it," was Kovacevski's reply.
A 40-year-old man has been been shot and killed by police, following a night-long siege after police officer Brett Forte was shot dead west of Brisbane on Monday afternoon.

Here is a timeline of how events unfolded.

Monday, May 29, about 2pm

Police observe a person of interest who drove his vehicle down the range from Toowoomba.
The man who gunned down a police officer before he was shot dead after an overnight siege had "issues" and a "grievance" against police, Queensland's Deputy Commissioner says.

Rick Charles Maddison had a decades-long criminal history and was wanted for questioning when police chased him down a Lockyer Valley road on Monday afternoon.

Senior Constable Brett Forte was killed when the 40-year-old Maddison stopped his car, left his vehicle and fired his automatic weapon at the tailing police cars.

As fellow officers attempted to revive the father-of-three, Maddison sped off.
Kylie and Kristen Shepherd wait for news of what is happening inside the police exclusion zone in the Lockyer Valley, where Senior Constable Brett Forte was shot yesterday. Credit:Jorge Branco It is understood the "wanted man" got out of his car and shot down Senior Constable Forte before he drove off down a dirt road at Seventeen Mile, north-west of Gatton. A police car rolled during the chase. Paramedics remain on stand-by. Credit:Jorge Branco 'This guy has got serious history'

Armed with a semi-automatic weapon, the man reportedly fired at a police helicopter as he entered a property late Monday afternoon. It is understood the man is armed inside a "shed type structure" near Gatton. Credit:Jorge Branco An emergency situation was declared and residents were told to remain inside their homes within the lockdown area while others were cordoned off from their homes. "This guy they are after, he has got serious history," Queensland Police Union CEO Ian Leavers said on Tuesday morning, without going into details. Rick Maddison was wanted for questioning when he killed a police officer on Monday. Credit:Seven News

"I know a bit about him but while it is unfolding I have to hold back." He has been described in media reports as a career criminal, which included a 2008 arrest in Gatton for torture, deprivation of liberty, and drug offences. 'It was frightening' Mr Leavers indicated Mr Maddison should not have been at large. "I would like to say more but I just don't want to hamper anything more because obviously there could be prosecution down the track and I want justice to happen very quickly."

It is understood Mr Maddison has a criminal history spanning more than two decades. Cold and sometimes frustrated residents waiting at the edge of the police cordon have detailed what they know of the terrifying scenes. 'It was frightening' Kylie Shepherd heard what sounded like machine gun fire start while she was hanging out the washing and made the split-second decision to flee. "I knew something bad was going to happen," she said.

"It was frightening. "I thought they (the police) were all gone." Exclusion zone Mrs Shepherd called her family as she left the property, close to where Maddison remained holed up in a tense standoff with police on Tuesday morning. "She was like 'don't come home, shit's going down'," daughter Kristen, 27, said.

Locked out of their Wallers Road home thanks to the massive exclusion area, they spent an uncomfortable night in their station wagon with 14-year-old Tyler. Others were growing increasingly frustrated as they waited to be let back in while loved ones remained at home, within a kilometre of where Mr Maddison is believed to be holed up. Terry Hayden said his wife, Lisa, watched as officers frantically worked to revive Senior Constable Forte at the front of his home. "The only thing I know about him is numerous sources described him as an absolute psycho," Mr Hayden said. Neighbours heard gunfire

Some neighbours said they believed the gunman had been living at the property with his brother, describing both a shipping container and something like a shed or shanty. Many said they had heard machine gun fire from the property several times in the past months. Peter Hills said he heard gunfire as often as two or three times a week and police were called to the property several weeks ago after Maddison went "ballistic" one night. Special Emergency Response Team officers were on scene Tuesday morning as negotiations with the armed man, more than 17 hours after Senior Constable Forte was killed.

Wayne Lyons, who lives on Wallers Road, said he saw four police cars chasing a four-wheel-drive in the early afternoon before the vehicles disappeared into a wooded area. This was followed by what Mr Lyons described as gunfire that "sounded like a machinegun" and what he thought sounded like pistol shots in return. He said in the hour since the opening exchanges of gunfire, he had heard occasional shots until just before 4pm. He said helicopters had been circling overhead and police cars had been tearing past his home and he estimated the gunfire to be three to four kilometres from his home. Loading
Queensland Rail commuters can expect residual delays of 45 minutes after a disabled train just outside Roma Street station clogged the network.

The train was towed away and power problems fixed just after 7.30pm, but not before the backlog affected the entire network.

Queensland Rail reported the problem on Twitter just before 7pm Credit:Glenn Hunt

EARLIER

Commuters heading south can expected up to an hour of delays as Queensland Rail crews work to tow away a disabled train, which is sitting just outside Roma Street station.
Researchers from across the globe are gathering in Canberra to coordinate one of the biggest clean-up efforts the universe has seen.

Mount Stromlo's Space Environment Research Centre is hosting the consortium, focused on clearing millions of pieces of man-made "space garbage" from the Earth's orbit.

Researchers Paul Sibley, Moriba Jah, Ben Greene and Michael Copeland gather in front of Mount Stromlo's satellite laser station. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

It is estimated that 170 million pieces of debris are circling the Earth at speeds in excess of 27,000 km/h, putting A$900 billion worth of satellites and space infrastructure at risk.

Dr Ben Greene, the Space Environment Research Centre's chief executive, described why it was so important to clear the skies of this cosmic clutter.
Motorists are in the midst of a horror evening commute after a semi-trailer loaded with boxes of soap rolled on the Western Ring Road.

Two trucks and a car were involved in a massive collision on the Western Ring Road at Glenroy about 10.30am on Tuesday, leaving the semi-trailer loaded with soap lying on its side in the middle of the road.

VicRoads finally managed to right the truck about 4.30pm  six hours after the crash.

However, by 7pm two lanes remained closed Greensborough-bound at the site of the accident near Pascoe Vale Road, with only two open.
By Press Trust of India: Meerut (UP), May 29 (PTI) Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the government was making efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue at the earliest, and asserted that Kashmir, Kashmiri and Kashmiriyat belonged to India.

Those who make attempts to hurt the pride of jawans also need to be taught a lesson, Singh said during an event at Subharti University on Delhi-Dehradun highway here.

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He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told the 20- nation grouping B20 that India was fighting corruption and terrorism.

In such a condition if they do not provide India with details of Indians who have bank accounts overseas then it would be difficult to check graft, Modi had told B20 leader, Singh said.

"As a result, India now has access to information from foreign countries because of which Indian government would be able to seize black money," he said.

On purported video clips of Pakistan killing two Indian soldiers, the home minister said the defence forces have several times responded to such provocations and the surgical strikes were one of them.

The senior BJP leader also termed the three-year term of his party-led NDA government as "successful".

He asked the elected representatives to keep their doors open round-the-clock for the public.

In his 47-minute address, he touched upon issues including demonetisation, farmers issues, corruption, economy, foreign policy, among others. PTI COR KIS KIS

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A man had been cut out of his cars by firefighters after crashing his car into the garage of a home in Lynwood on Monday.

Police spokeswoman Susan Usher said the driver of a Mitsubishi Magna Sedan lost control of his car around 6:15pm and crashed into the carport and garage of a home on Iveston Road.

The driver was trapped in his car and had to be extracted by Department of Fire and Emergency officers.

He received minor injuries and was brought to Fiona Stanley Hospital. He was also breath tested, the ABC's Graeme Powell reported.
A man has been brought to hospital after a shot was fired at a home in Falcon, south of Perth on Monday.

Police spokesman Samuel Dinnison said police were called to a house on Merrin Court about 7:30pm in relation to concerns about the wellbeing of a man.

Police respond to shot fired at a Falcon home Credit:Mandurah Mail

A single shot was fired, but police said no one was injured.

The man involved, who is in his 70s, was brought to Peel Health Campus for a health assessment.
WA Premier Mark McGowan wants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto to pay his cash- strapped government a multi-billion dollar lump sum in a buyout of their lease agreements and thinks it's "in their interests" to do so but the big miners are resisting.

The idea would involve the two iron ore miners paying the Labor government a large one-off cash sum in exchange for removing the 25 cents a tonne production rental fee that has been set at that price since the 1960s.

The WA government wants the two large miners to pay out a large one-off sum. Credit:Erin Jonasson

The two mining giants and Mr McGowan rejected the same idea when the previous Barnett government proposed it before the March election.

The WA Nationals criticised the fee as too low and announced a policy last year to raise it to $5 a tonne, prompting a fierce advertising campaign against the "new mining tax" by the industry and led to Nationals leader Brendon Grylls losing his seat.
Mrs Merkel regards her speech on Europe becoming more active internationally as a reflection of the reality during the Ukraine conflict and the refugee crisis, according to a senior German government official with knowledge of her thinking. Her comments may have been interpreted differently in the US, causing an uproar, but that's not her fault, said the official, asking not to be named discussing private deliberations. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are "meant for each other". Credit:AP Mr Trump's tweet underscored the deterioration of links with a key NATO ally, yet his timing also highlighted Germany's web of relations with international partners who broadly share Mrs Merkel's free-trade outlook and conviction on combating climate change. After hosting Mr Modi, Mrs Merkel is due to meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday. She's also looking to French President Emmanuel Macron as an ally in strengthening the euro area. In a speech to a German-Indian business forum later on Tuesday, Mrs Merkel took another tilt at a President elected on a ticket of "America First", referring to "a whole series of protectionist tendencies" emerging worldwide. She said, "It's necessary to be open to achieve fair trade conditions." G7 leaders at Friday's meeting: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni. Credit:AP

Mrs Merkel, who is campaigning for a fourth term in September elections, stuck to her message at her party bloc's weekly parliamentary caucus meeting. While trans-Atlantic relations remain of paramount importance, disagreement shouldn't be swept under the carpet, a party official quoted her as telling the closed-door session. While it's unclear whether Mrs Merkel has deliberately picked a fight with Mr Trump or misspoken and bitten off more than she can chew, challenging his stance is popular in Germany. Polls suggest that Mrs Merkel has overwhelming backing among German voters, and even among her political opponents, for taking a stand. It's the "calling of our times to stand up to this man with everything that we represent", Social Democrat Martin Schulz, Mrs Merkel's main election challenger, said in a campaign speech late on Monday. It's also not the first time a German chancellor has clashed with a US president. Mrs Merkel's Social Democratic predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder, publicly disavowed George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq in a trans-Atlantic rift that Mrs Merkel worked to repair upon her election in 2005.

Alongside Mr Modi, Mrs Merkel said that, while trans-Atlantic relations were of "paramount significance", the European Union had to forge its own path in the world "considering the current situation". "What I said was simply to indicate that here are even more reasons beyond those we already have that Europe needs to take its destiny into its own hands," she said. Mr Modi, the leader of the world's largest democracy, welcomed a stronger global role for the EU and expressly lauded the bloc's most powerful leader. "We always want that the European Union should be stronger, should be more active," Mr Modi said. "Through Chancellor Merkel, we will be able to work with the European Union. It's very easy for us." G20 Summit

Mr Modi's comments contrasted with Mr Trump's meeting with EU leaders in Brussels last week, when he said that Germany is "very bad" for flooding the US with cars, hectored NATO allies on military spending and refused to explicitly back the principle of collective defence. At the Group of Seven summit that followed, Mr Trump's first, passages on free trade and on immigration were substantially altered compared with previous years, while the US was alone in failing to commit to the global Paris climate agreement. After failing to sway Mr Trump, Mrs Merkel has turned her attention to forging consensus among other G20 nations at a summit meeting she's hosting in Hamburg in July. Mr Modi signalled that India would move forward on its climate agenda even if the US exits the Paris agreement, saying politicians have "absolutely no right" to put in jeopardy the environment for future generations. He praised Mrs Merkel's experience and Germany's economic example to India. Loading "We are meant for each other," Mr Modi said.
A police officer wipes away tears as he looks at flowers and tributes left in St Ann's Square in Manchester, England. Credit:PA/AP Shoreham Airfield said that they did not have anyone available to comment. Police released a new image of the bomber on Monday that showed him wheeling a blue suitcase through Manchester city centre days before he carried out the attack. Members of the British Muslim Forum and religious leaders from Christian and Jewish faiths pay their respects at St Ann's square in Manchester on Sunday. Credit:AP Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson has made an appeal to the public, asking whether anyone had seen Abedi with the suitcase on May 22. He said the authorities were particularly interested in his whereabouts in the four days leading up to the attack as investigators continue to track down his final movements.

"We believe Abedi was in possession of this case in the days before the attack at Manchester Arena on Monday 22 May," he said in a statement. "I want to stress that this is a different item than the one he used in the attack." Salman Abedi in an unknown location of the city centre in Manchester, England. Credit:Greater Manchester Police Investigators suspect that Abedi received extensive training in Libya before returning to Britain, where he is thought to have received assistance from a local network in the days before the attack. The bombing, at Manchester Arena at the end of an Ariana Grande concert, was Britain's deadliest since 2005. "The suspect would have received training abroad, without a shadow of a doubt," said David Videcette, a former detective for the Metropolitan Police. "To acquire these skills you can't sit in your bedroom and watch a YouTube video. It takes practice." Police appealed to locals for information on anyone who saw Abedi carrying a suitcase like this in Manchester. Credit:Police

Initial analysis of the attack pointed to a sophisticated cell that probably supplied logistical, technical and emotional support to the bomber "in order to keep him in a place where he is willing to blow himself up," Videcette said. With the intense series of police operations showing no signs of abating. On Sunday, counter-terror officers stormed addresses in Gorton, Rusholme and Moss Side. Explosions were reported at several of the searches, but police would not comment on whether controlled blasts were used to gain entry. Members of the British Muslim Forum with religious leaders from Christian and Jewish faiths pay their respects at St Ann's square in Manchester on Sunday. Credit:AP Three people were arrested - and quickly de-arrested - during the afternoon's operation at Quantock Street, Moss Side, leading them to post an outraged sign on their front door. It read: "This is what the police has caused and we have nothing to do with what happened in the bombing attack".

One Moss Side resident, who did not want to be named, said he heard a loud explosion "like a bomb going off" and saw a number of police vans in the street. He said a group of young Middle Eastern men moved into the address around six months ago. "There's a group of them knocking about with each other - they're from the Middle East," he added. "A couple of them dress in the traditional Muslim robes. "There was always a lot of coming and going in and out of that building.

"Every time I've been outside my flat there's someone there or a group of them sitting outside in a car." The developments came hours after the Home Secretary said members of Abedi's circle could still be at large, despite a wave of arrests leading to the country's terror threat level being de-escalated. Ms Rudd told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "The operation is still at full tilt, in a way. "Until the operation is complete, we can't be entirely sure that it is closed." Seven children were among the dead in what was the most costly terror attack to hit Britain since the July 7 bombings in 2005. A total of 116 people required hospital care in the wake of the massacre.
Kerala BJP leader K Surendran's Facebook cover image shows him sitting beside a calf. But that's not the misleading image he shared while talking against the beef fests organised in the state.

By India Today Web Desk: The Ministry of Environment banned the sale of all kinds of cattle for slaughter at animal markets nationwide in a gazette notification last week. This, quite obviously, didn't go down well with people in states like Kerala, Karnataka etc.. where cow slaughter is not banned and beef is a favourite food.

In protest, beef fests were organised in Kerala and controversies followed. Amid all this, senior Kerala BJP leader K Surendran, who has an active presence on social media platforms, made a Facebook post from his official page speaking against the beef fests organised in Kerala. Along with the post, he shared an image that is misleading, an image that shows slaughtered cows lying by the sidewalk of a market place.

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Read || Kerala BJP chief slams cow slaughter 'in broad daylight' ||

Suredran made the post at a time when there was already outrage against Youth Congress activists for slaughtering a calf in public in protest against the blanket ban on sale of cattle for slaughter. The fact that Surendran did not specify that the photo he shared with the post was of a scene from Uttar Pradesh and not from Kerala is indicative of his intentions and it misleads people even more since he talks about cows being slaughtered in public in Kerala.

Here is the post that became the talk of the town as many Facebook users called out the bluff of the BJP leader.

Read || IIT Madras beef fest: Students protest against Centre's cattle slaughter ban ||

DISCLAIMER: THE IMAGE COULD BE DISTURBING FOR SOME. VIEWER'S DISCRETION ADVISED.

Here is a close translation of K Suredran's Facebook post in Malayalam that ends with what seems like a threat:

"The State government should immediately take necessary measures to curb beef festivals organised across the state by youth organisations affiliated to the left, the Congress and certain "terrorist" organisations. Beef distributed during these festivals are not purchased from legal slaughter houses and in many places cattle is being slaughtered in public, openly flouting the law. Such incidents instill fear in common people and make them uncomfortable and is being done to provoke people. Anti-social elements and "terrorists" are taking advantage of the current scenario. Devaswom minister consuming cow meat in public has hurt the sentiments of many people. Ministers and responsible social workers should distance themselves from such horrific protests. People have the right to protest, but it will be better for all if people behind such protests refrain themselves. I request everyone involved not to force nationalistic organisations to counter this."

WHAT IS THE TRUTH BEHIND THE PHOTO?

K Surendran cropped the original image to lead people into believing that the scene is indeed from Kerala. The original image gives out information about the place. The name board that is visible in the original photo makes it evident that the photo is not from Kerala. The image is of a scene from the animal sacrifice at Dharampal temple.

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Here is original image.

DISCLAIMER: THE IMAGE COULD BE DISTURBING FOR SOME. VIEWER'S DISCRETION ADVISED.

FYI || Tamil Nadu farmer protest: 9 antics used to grab attention of PM Narendra Modi and the media ||

Watch || 'Cruelty at its peak': BJP Kerala chief slams public cow slaughter ||

--- ENDS ---
In Kerala's Nilambur area, a man with criminal records was arrested for vandalising a temple and trying to cause communal violence. After the details of the incident came out, a Reddit user wrote an "open letter to all Indians from Kerala".

By India Today Web Desk: In Kerala's Nilambur area, a man with criminal records was arrested for vandalising a temple and trying to cause communal violence. After the details of the incident came out, a Reddit user wrote an "open letter to all Indians from Kerala".

The man behind the attack, identified as Mohanakumar S S, confessed to vandalising the temple and idols and was booked under IPC Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion) and Section 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class). A Deccan Chronicle report said that he hailed from Kilimanoor in Kerala's capital Thiruvananthapuram

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Also read: Metro for Hindustanis: Delhi youngsters insult senior citizen who requested for seat, ask him to go to Pakistan

"The doors of the main sanctum and the idols inside were found broken. This was almost immediately followed by a hartal by Hindu Aikya Vedi", the Reddit user wrote in the open letter.

The user also claimed that there was a social media campaign "urging Hindus to be ready to open refugee camps across southern districts of Kerala". According to the open letter, there were rumors of "possible Muslim involvement".

Also read: Communal violence on surge in BJP-led states: MHA data

However, none of that happened because the Kerala Police department caught the perpetrator within 24 hours. The user goes on to talk about how lies are spread to create differences between people of different religions. The accused had claimed that he attacked the temple to protest against bad customs in the Hindu religion.

Also read: Modi government fueling religious tensions in India, says Amnesty report

But the user pointed out, the smear campaigns being plot and how there is a need to "resist fascism".

Read the full post here :

--- ENDS ---
Sources from the police said that Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar were on the radar of these radicalised youths.

By Satender Chauhan: Punjab Police today busted a Khalistan terror module after it arrested four persons including a woman.

The accused were planning to organise large-scale violence and targeted killings under the banner of 'Khalistan Zindabad' to stoke communal violence in the sensitive border state.

Sources from the police said that Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar were on the radar of these radicalised youths.

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The police said that they were also targeting all those responsible for incidents of sacrilege/desecration.

These arrests have come close on the heels of the apprehension of five other members of the group, who were nabbed on May 26 from Bathinda district.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The youth had come together to form the group - Khalistan Zindabad - after being radicalised over the Facebook and other social media platforms by certain individuals based in Pakistan, various Middle Eastern countries, and the UK. Working in close collaboration with their handlers and associates based in India and abroad, the youth were in the process of mobilisation of funds, procurement of militant hardware, such as weapons, and arranging training for its members, when the Mohali police swooped on them in an intelligence operation spread over May 29 and 30. The four suspects have been booked under various sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Arms Act, and IPC. They have been remanded in police custody for seven days. The accused have been identified as Harbinder Singh, a resident of Amritsar, Ludhiana-resident Amritpal Kaur, Jarnail Singh and Randeep Singh both residents of Gurdaspur district. While Harbarinder and Amritpal were nabbed from the Mohali bus stand on May 29, Jarnail and Randeep were arrested on May 30 from Gurdaspur and Ludhiana respectively. Those arrested earlier were identified as Tarsem Singh Khalistani, Mohkam Singh Babbar, Manjit Singh, Jaswant Singh, and Jasbir Singh. Police have also recovered two pistols of 32 bore (with 4 magazines and 5 live rounds) from the four youth nabbed on Monday night. The earlier arrests, from near Kotra, PS Rampura, district Bathinda, had led to the recovery of two weapons (one .315 bore pistol and one 12 bore pistol). Police investigations revealed that these weapons were to be used at an opportune time to carry out killings of those accused for sacrilege/desecration and leaders/members of socio-religious organisations in Punjab. Further investigations are underway to unravel the entire conspiracy and network of operatives based in India and abroad.

Also read:

Why Khalistani allegations surface in every Punjab elections?

Khalistani terrorist Harminder Singh Mintoo made several phone calls to Pakistan from Nabha jail, says probe

WATCH | Harminder Singh Mintoo arrested in Delhi within 24 hours

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Jose Raul Eusebio-Figueroa allegedly crashed his Ford Explorer into a pole in the 1700 block of South Texas Avenue shortly before midnight, according to probable cause affidavits. Police said they noticed Eusebio-Figueroa standing beside a concrete column near a storefront when they arrived on the scene. As Bryan police approached him, Eusebio-Figueroa started running westbound toward Cavitt Avenue, officials said. He eventually slipped on wet pavement, after which police ordered him to stay down and put his hands behind his back, but Eusebio-Figueroa refused. The affidavits state that Eusebio-Figueroa resisted arrest throughout the encounter, until two more officers arrived on scene and helped get his hands behind his back.
UPDATE:

A report released by the Kirbyville Police Department shows Kirbyville High School principal Dennis Reeves was confronted over a possible affair and was given the option to resign or be fired.

According to a statement given by superintendent Tommy Wallis, a district employee said she had had an affair with Reeves while she was working for him. Wallis and assistant superintendent Georgia Sayers met with Reeves and asked him about the allegations, which Reeves denied.

Wallis then told Reeves he would be placed on administrative leave pending a district investigation. The report states Wallis told Reeves if an investigation showed he did have an affair and was lying, he would be fired, but if he did have an affair he could resign without an investigation. Reeves said he would resign and typed up a resignation letter.

The report states Reeves as escorted outside and returned about five minutes later to return tools from the welding shot. He told Sayers twice that he was "not good." About 15 minutes later, the school's maintenance director arrived to change the locks to Reeves' office and noticed his truck was still in the lot. According to Wallis' statement, he contacted the school board president, who had the police call Wallis. Wallis asked police to ask Reeves to leave, and when police arrived, it was discovered Reeves was dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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Former Bryan superintendent Tommy Wallis gave a principal in his new school district an ultimatum about an hour before the man was found dead in the school parking lot, according to a report

KFDM-TV has reported that sources in the East Texas school district said Wallis and the assistant superintendent told Kirbyville High School principal Dennis Reeves he would be fired if he didnt resign last week.

Shortly after, Reeves was found dead of a gunshot wound in his pickup in the high school parking lot. When police arrived, they found a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol in Reeves hand. Police believe the death to be a suicide, though gunpowder tests are still being performed.

Wallis told the Beaumont television station that Reeves had resigned during their earlier meeting, though he declined to say why.

Wallis previously told the station that several items were discussed during the meeting. "We called the meeting to visit with him about a couple of things -- summer school, staffing patterns, several things to discuss," he reportedly said.

He also told KFDM that he and the assistant superintendent were the ones to notify police that Reeves truck was still parked and running in the parking lot about an hour later.

Wallis began work as superintendent of the Kirbyville school district in April after being forced to resign from the same role in the Bryan school district in 2016.

Few documents requested under the Texas Open Records Act related Wallis departure have been made public.

The Texas Attorney Generals office said much of what the media is asking for is open record, but Wallis is fighting the disclosure of the records. In January, a judge granted a temporary injunction to halt the release of those documents until a hearing, set for October, is conducted on the matter.
Texas' 85th legislative session has come to an uncertain, rancorous end after a 140-day period that saw the state extend its rightward march and tensions between the two chambers reach new heights  largely because of disagreements within the ruling Republican Party.

Lawmakers gaveled out Monday afternoon  first the House, then the Senate  under a cloud of uncertainty over whether Gov. Greg Abbott would call a special session, which Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been pushing for to deal with a number of incomplete priorities. Abbott was coy Monday morning, saying he would announce his decision "later in the week"  and making clear that he would be in charge in the event of an overtime round.

"I would normally say, 'I'll see you in 18 months,' God willing," Patrick told senators as the chamber prepared to adjourn for the last time in the regular session. "But we'll see you a little sooner than that."

The final day was also consumed by a scuffle on the House floor that seemed to embody some of the sharpest tensions of the session: State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, traded accusations with House Democrats after Rinaldi said he called immigration authorities on people in the gallery protesting the state's new "sanctuary cities" law. The dustup punctuated a session in which Democrats and Republicans alike waged fierce battles over illegal immigration, abortion and LGBT rights.

"This session has been very, very difficult and emotional in many different ways, in many layers, over contentious issues, and there are enough of us here to remember a time in Texas when respect and decorum ruled the day," state Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin, said Monday at a news conference held by House Democrats. "It's just ironic  my senior members that have been here dozens of years have told me this is the worst session they've ever seen."

Even after both chambers gaveled out Monday afternoon, the fault lines were clearer than ever. Patrick issued a statement that accused the House of killing several of his priorities, including those related to property taxes and bathrooms, which the lieutenant governor said remain "must-pass legislation." Straus, for his part, issued a statement saying his chamber "feels very good about where we ended up, and now we look forward to returning home."

The session got underway on Jan. 10 in the shadow of Comptroller Glenn Hegar's dour revenue estimate, in part due to the downturn in oil prices, ensuring budget writers had their work cut out for them. For weeks, the two chambers sparred over the best way to balance the budget, with the Senate using an accounting trick to free up $2.5 billion  Straus called it "cooking the books"  and the House turning to the state's savings account, colloquially known as the Rainy Day Fund.

Budget writers ultimately struck a deal that relied on a bit of both methods.

The session also opened against the backdrop of a new Republican administration in Washington led by President Donald Trump. Texas Republicans were hopeful Trump would provide some relief for a state that spent the last eight years at war with a Democrat-led federal government, but the benefits ultimately appeared to be limited.

On one of the items where Texas Republicans have long sought assistance from the federal government  border security  budget writers maintained the current spending level of $800 million.

That did not mean Trump's influence was not felt under the pink dome. His hardline stance against illegal immigration dovetailed with Abbott's push for a ban on "sanctuary cities," arguably the most rancorous proposal of the session. After the Senate passed the legislation, Senate Bill 4, House leadership sought to water it down, an ultimately unsuccessful endeavor thanks to a polarizing amendment by state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler.

The amendment allows law enforcement officials to ask the immigration status of anyone they detain  not just those they arrest. Its passage, mainly along party lines, marked something of a coming-out party for the newly formed House Freedom Caucus, a group of 12 conservative lawmakers who spent the session working to advance their priorities through their knowledge of the rules and procedure.

"Our fingerprints are on many pieces of policy," Schaefer said in an interview earlier this month, "and that's not by accident."

The sanctuary cities ban was one of four emergency items Abbott declared in his State of the State address, and he signed it into law weeks before the session concluded. He did so without advance notice on a Sunday evening on Facebook Live, spawning another round of protests against the bill.

While Abbott, Patrick and Straus were generally on the same page regarding SB 4, they were far more splintered on a "bathroom bill" that would require transgender people to use the restroom that matches their birth gender. Patrick charged into the session vowing to fight for it, while Abbott kept his distance and Straus made clear he viewed it as potentially bad for the state's economy.

There were few big surprises regarding the issue during the first half of session. The Senate approved its bathroom bill, Senate Bill 6, early on and sent it to the House, where it languished amid continued resistance from House leadership. But in April, the House debuted what some had hoped would be an alternative to SB 6, House Bill 2899, and got the governor to break his silence  Abbott called it a "thoughtful proposal."

Still, HB 2899, which would have invalidated local trans-inclusive policies and school accommodations for transgender students, remained stuck in a House committee  even as it accrued a total of 80 co-authors. The issue wouldn't show signs of life again until after a remarkable turn of events that began May 11, when the Freedom Caucus, at a boiling point with House leadership, went on a bill-killing spree that claimed what is known as the sunset safety net bill. In the House, the failure of the measure, which keeps some state agencies from shuttering, meant the Senate would have to pass it to avoid a likely special session.

Patrick seized the opportunity, vowing to hold the bill hostage until the House acted on a bathroom bill and property tax reform. Abbott aligned himself with Patrick, calling them priorities in the home stretch  but stopped short of threatening a special session over them.

"It definitely, I think, kind of shifted the balance, so to speak, or shifted the playing field on what was going to get done in the session or whether there was going to be leverage at all for this issue or the property tax issue," one Freedom Caucus member, state Rep. Matt Krause of Fort Worth, recalled Sunday.

With time running out, the House worked to appease Patrick, passing measures that dealt with the two issues more narrowly than the lieutenant governor had preferred. The period marked the apex of pressure that Patrick had been applying on the House since the session's early days, hoping to bend it to his chamber's more conservative will.

"I think Speaker Straus did a terrific job of being basically the voice of reason in that regard," state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, said Monday, reflecting on the Senate pressures. The House had its priorities, Zerwas added, "we got them done, and the lieutenant governor had some of his priorities that didnt really sync up with our leadership here, so you know, I think ultimately that's how the political process works. I think we got done the things the state, the citizens, expect us to get done."

In the final days of the regular session, there appeared to be some hope lawmakers could work out a deal to avoid overtime  Abbott sounded optimistic as of Friday morning. But whatever chance there was for compromise seemed to plummet over the weekend, when the chamber leaders held dueling news conferences  twice  to assign blame to the other side for putting lawmakers on the brink of a special session.

By Monday morning, Abbott, known for his aversion to special sessions, was striking a somewhat different tone. Asked at a bill-signing ceremony whether he planned to call lawmakers back to Austin, he raised the possibility for the first time in 140 days. "I'll be making an announcement later this week," the governor said.
Since February (2017), under the name Operation Sola Stella, Sea Shepherd has been assisting the government of Liberia to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The Sea Shepherd vessel Bob Barker was deployed as a civilian offshore patrol vessel operating in Liberian waters, under the direction of the Liberian Ministry of National Defense.

Prior to the arrival of the Bob Barker in Liberia, fishermen from Harper, a Liberian town on the border with Cote d'Ivoire, complained of daily incursions by foreign industrial fishing vessels running over artisanal nets and plundering fish from a 6-nautical mile inshore exclusion zone (IEZ) reserved for traditional fishermen.

Approximately 33,000 Liberians depend on small-scale artisanal fisheries for their livelihood. The local fishermen of Harper pled for assistance from the resourced-stretched Liberian Coast Guard.

Days after the deployment of the Bob Barker, on 13th March, the Liberian Coast Guard launched lightning-style raids from the Sea Shepherd vessel, making their first arrests in waters that had not been patrolled for decades.

A target in sight

By the time the vessel that would later be identified as the Star Shrimper XXV was detected on the radar of the Bob Barker entering Liberian waters from Cote d'Ivoire, Operation Sola Stella had already netted three arrests.

A Liberian Coast Guard boarding team quickly mobilized on board the Bob Barker and proceeded to the slow-moving target by small boat, where the vessel was discovered actively fishing with its trawling gear in the water.

The nets of the Star Shrimper XXV dragged through Liberian waters, less than 6-nautical miles from the coast, when the Nigerian captain sighted the Sea Shepherd small boat and tried to make a run back for Ivorian waters. The Liberian Coast Guard scrambled aboard and took control of the bridge.

The captain was ordered to stop the vessel and to bring his trawling gear back aboard. As the net came out of the water, the illegally-caught shrimp and fish was released back into the sea.

With the net finally on deck, it was clear that there was no turtle excluder device (TED) attached to the trawl net. TEDs are grates attached to the mouths of shrimp trawl nets that keep sea turtles and other marine life out of the nets.

The Liberian Coast Guard arrested the vessel and ordered it to proceed to the port of Monrovia. Three Liberian Coast Guard sailors remained on board as it made the passage to the Liberian capital.

A 'Friend of the Sea'

The Star Shrimper XXV is part of a massive fleet of 70 fishing vessels owned by Atlantic Shrimpers Ltd that is certified by the US Department of State to export shrimp to the United States because of the use of measures to reduce by-catch including turtles.
On the very day Theresa May triggered Article 50, her government quietly issued another bold statement to Brussels.

Documents obtained by Energydesk reveal UK government attempts to significantly weaken draft EU climate and energy rules, even as Brexit is underway.

Key renewable energy and energy efficiency targets proposed by the European Commission should be reduced, made non-binding, or even scrapped altogether, the UK said, despite the fact that they would not take effect until after the UK had left the EU.

"This smells of obstructionism", Jonathan Gaventa, director of environmental think-tank E3G, told Energydesk. "The UK is pissing off countries it needs as allies."

The news comes as the future of the Paris climate agreement hangs in the balance, with the United States refusing to commit to the deal at the G7 meeting.

"This leak shows Donald Trump has a mole in the EU, and she is called Theresa May", Shadow Climate Change Minister Barry Gardiner said. "It is calculated dishonesty to publicly embrace the Paris agreement whilst trying to block the very steps needed to implement it."

Caroline Lucas - a sign of Theresa May's plans for post-Brexit UK?

The move also suggests a Conservative government alter European climate and environment rules once they are transposed into British law via the much-touted Great Repeal Bill. Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party, said this is

"a strong indication that, unless we fight back, Britain could become an offshore pollution haven where the environment is in the firing line of an aggressive Government with a blind and brutal deregulation agenda."

A spokesperson for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: "Any future decisions on energy efficiency policy would be a matter for the next government."

The Conservative Party failed to comment for this story, however the party has stated that it is committed to retaining the UK's carbon reduction targets and its support for the Paris climate agreement.

One of the laws the UK is lobbying to weaken is the revised Energy Efficiency Directive, a key component of the EU's plan to tackle climate change by reducing consumption of fossil fuels.

The European Commission's proposal would set a binding target of 30% increased energy efficiency by 2030 (compared to the 'business as usual' scenario), but the UK would like to see that ambition considerably scaled back, recommending it be reduced to 27% and made non-binding.

Every 1% improvement in energy efficiency means saving the (equivalent of the) annual CO2 emissions of 12 million cars, and averting thousands of premature deaths caused by air pollution, according to data compiled by Friends of the Earth.
Beyhadh's Maya aka Jennifer Winget turned a year older today and her co-star Kushal Tandon had the most special surprise for her ever.

By India Today Web Desk: It was a working birthday for Jennifer Winget aka Maya of Beyhadh. But her co-star and reel romantic interest Kushal Tandon made sure she had the most wonderful birthday ever.

The actor not only gifted Jennifer a Buddha statue--apparently her favourite--but also decorated her makeup room with her favourite flowers.

Also read: Maya to kill her mother for love? 5 Beyhadh brutal moments from the Jennifer-Kushal starrer

Surprise form @therealkushaltandon A post shared by ?????? Ie????e? ???ge? e?? ????? (@fc_jenniferwinget1) on May 30, 2017 at 2:55am PDT

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The actress was completely blown away by the surprise and was too overwhelmed to react. She of course thanked Kushal profusely and said "it was her bestest birthday ever." Also read: 5 spine-chilling moments from Jennifer Winget and Kushal Tandon's Beyhadh

From story instagarm @sehban_azim #teammaya #beyhadh #maya #jenniferwinget A post shared by ?????? Ie????e? ???ge? e?? ????? (@fc_jenniferwinget1) on May 30, 2017 at 4:54am PDT

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WACO gets a crack at the first state championship game in school history
As many as 20 to 25 LeT terrorists have entered India and may carry out attacks like 26/11 in states bordering Pakistan and metro cities, say intel inputs.

By Reema Parashar: As many as 20 to 25 LeT terrorists have entered India and may carry out sensational attacks like 26/11 in states bordering Pakistan and metro cities, according to central intelligence inputs.

Places that could possibly be targeted include tourist destinations, railway stations, airports, malls and hotels.

All airports and major railway stations have been put on high alert.

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STATES BORDERING PAKISTAN ON HIGH ALERT

Police in states that share a border with Pakistan have also been asked to beef up security.

Crowded places, especially tourists destinations, are high on the radar of terrorists.

According to a message from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), all security forces are requested to be on high alert and all units sensitised.

There has been a spurt in ceasefire violations and infiltration bids from across the border in recent times.

Hizbul commander Sabzar Bhat was killed in an encounter with the security forces in Tral area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district on May 27, only a few days after the Army put out in public domain the video of its recent 'punitive strikes' on Pakistan posts aiding infiltration.

Also read | 'Terrorists in Kashmir will not live to see this winter' Army vows to wipe out militancy

Also read | How Army tracked and killed Burhan Wani's successor Sabzar Bhat, 9 terrorists

WATCH VIDEO: LeT terrorists enter India, may carry out strikes like Mumbai attacks, says Intel

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This is roughly how our galaxy, the Milky Way, will look to the first human-spawned artificial intelligence ruminating on its existence in some massive intergalactic traveling spacecraft as it shifts its cameras backward to peer through millions of light years at its former home.

That's one of the things NASA sort of said about this wildly amazing, even galactically amazing, image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in January over a 20-day exposure.

Click through above to zoom through space to the galaxies and use the zoom tool below to zoom into the galaxies themselves.

The two galaxies, NGC 4302 (edge-on) and NGC 4298, are roughly 55 million light years away deep in the constellation Coma Berenices nestled in the Virgo Cluster, where some 2,000 galaxies peer at each other with shy, practical and analytically derived intentions. They are Virgos, after all, and so very detail oriented.

Anyway, officially, NASA said, "This starry pair offers a glimpse of what our Milky Way galaxy would look like to an outside observer.

"Both were discovered in 1784 by astronomer William Herschel. Such objects were first simply called "spiral nebulas," because it wasn't known how far away they were. In the early 20th century, Edwin Hubble discovered that galaxies are other island cities of stars far outside our Milky Way."

The agency took the photo, it said in the news release on HubbleSite.org, to celebrate the telescope's 27th year in space.

Here is a zoomable version of the photo:

And some Hubble trivia to celebrate it's birthday:

Launched on April 24, 1990, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has made more than 1.3 million observations of more than 42,000 celestial objects.

In its 27-year lifetime the telescope has made nearly 148,000 trips around our planet. Hubble has racked up plenty of frequent-flier miles, about 3.8 billion.

An average of approximately 2 terabytes of Hubble data are added to the archive every month.

Hubble observations have produced more than 141 terabytes of data, which will be available for present and future generations of researchers.

Astronomers using Hubble data have published more than 14,600 scientific papers.

Jake Ellison can be reached at jakeellisonjournalism@gmail.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/Jake_News. Also, swing by and *LIKE* his page on Facebook. If Google Plus is your thing, check out our science coverage here.
By Press Trust of India: (Eds: Updating with details of petitions)

Madurai, May 30 (PTI) The Madras High Court today stayed for four weeks the Centres notification banning sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter and sought its response to PILs which contended that the rules should have been approved by Parliament first.

A Madurai bench, comprising justices M V Muralidharan and C V Karthikeyan issued the interim order on the two pleas which said that the rules should be quashed as they were against the Constitution, breached the principle of federalism and were contrary to the parent legislation -- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.

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The judges said a delegated power to legislate by making rules, for carrying out the purposes of the Act, was general in nature, without laying any guidelines.

"It cannot be so exercised as to bring into existence substantive rights or obligations or disabilities not contemplated by the provisions of the act," they said.

The court said there was considerable force in the arguments advanced by senior counsel for the petitioners for granting interim relief sought.

The judges were not in agreement with the assistant solicitor general that a presumption was in favour of the central government when a particular rule was introduced not by Parliament, but by the executive.

Referring to the contention of the petitioners that the notification was related to food and hence ought to have been approved by Parliament, the judges asked the Centre to respond to the point also in its counter to be filed in four weeks.

The order has come amid a raging row on the ban, with non-BJP parties and state governments of Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry stridently opposing the Centres recent notification.

Several places in Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been witnessing protests during the past few days against the ban on sale of cattle for slaughter. Protesters have alleged that it infringed upon the food habits of people.

The PILs sought quashing of the provisions of Rule 22(b) (III) and Rule 22(e) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulations of Live stock Markets) Rules 2017 on the grounds that they were contrary to the parent act of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and the countrys Constitution. Petitioners Selvagomathy and Asik Ilahi Bhava contended that the "provisions breached the cardinal principle of federalism" as it amounted to legislation in the fields earmarked for state legislature. The new rules notified by the Union environment ministry banned the sale or purchase of bulls, cows, camels for slaughter houses or for sacrifice for religious purpose.

The petitioners said the provisions were notified on May 23 last when courts were on vacation. Such rules should be discussed in parliament and approved by it. Rules prohibiting sale and purchase of animals offended the right to freedom of religion guaranteed under Constitution, they submitted. "The slaughtering of animals for food, the foods and culinary made out of such animal flesh and offering sacrifice of animals are part of cultural identity of most communities in India, protected under constitution," the PILs said.

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They said the rules, which deprived the people of the right to sell or purchase any animal for sale or slaughter as part of meat vending business, were a burdensome interference in the freedom of trade and business guaranteed under the Constitution.

Farmers and other traders involved in sale of cattle or other animals and slaughter houses and its employees would be gravely deprived of their right to livelihood, they said. The right to choice of food (non-vegetarian or vegetarian) was part of the right to personal liberty and conscience and privacy. By imposing the ban on slaughter of animals for food, the citizens with the choice of eating meat would be deprived of such food, the petitioners said.

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They also contended that the impugned regulations though framed in furtherance of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, which tend to regulate live stock markets to preserve and improve stocks, is in pith and substance a legislation on the fields earmarked for state legislature and breached the cardinal principle of federalism.

The petitioners also said already local bodies had been prohibiting slaughter of animals.

Anti-social elements were policing shops and houses of persons belonging to minority and Dalit communities and had been attacking shops sighting the impugned provisions, they alleged and urged the court to intervene. PTI SSN VS APR ZMN

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NORWALK  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Tuesday that sudden unexpected infant death was the cause of death of a 4-month-old girl in October at a Norwalk daycare.

A spokesperson for the medical examiner said that the death of the infant, Corinne Magda, was caused by SUID while sleeping prone in a Pack n Play. The manner of death was undetermined, the spokesperson said.

On Oct. 5, the Norwalk Police Department responded to the daycare on Hunters Lane for an unresponsive 4-month-old. The infant was transported to Norwalk Hospital for evaluation and later pronounced dead.

The following day, at the request of the States Attorneys Office, Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime detectives responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

Norwalk Police spokesperson Lt. Terrence Blake said at the time that Norwalk police, after consulting with the States Attorneys Office, requested to have state police assume the investigation.

The daycare was run by Christine Limone, the daughter of Harry Rilling, Norwalks mayor and former police chief.

State police spokesperson Trooper Kelly Grant said Tuesday that their investigation has not been completed and that they are still investigating.

Limone voluntarily surrendered her license to the state on Oct. 31. An attorney representing Limone and the licensing arm of the state Office of Early Childhood reached an agreement allowing Limone to reapply for a home child care license in the future.

The OEC suspended Limones license Oct. 6 and set an administrative hearing in Hartford. Limones Bridgeport-based attorney, Frank J. Riccio, said in October that Limone voluntarily surrendered her Family Home Care License, and the OEC has moved to withdraw the administrative charges against Limone.

A surrender enables her to reapply at any time if she so chooses. Consequently there will not be a hearing, Riccio said.

Riccio had said that the surrender of the license was negotiated to prevent a fully contested hearing and to leave the door open for Limone to reapply for a home child care license in the future.

Riccio said Tuesday that he had not heard from the States Attorneys Office.

Limones licensing status is currently listed as inactive.
Community Health Charities of Nebraska has announced the 2017-18 Partnership Campaign for Health chairwoman for the West Central Nebraska region.

Roxann Holliday of Hastings College will lead efforts to achieve this years regional goal of raising $165,000 for 22 health charities through the donor-focused nonprofit organization, said Kari Hooker-Leep, CHC-NE regional director.

A lot of people who need help dont want to ask for it or dont know where to go. These 22 organizations are helping those people, Holliday said. Workplace giving is an easy way to be that someone to provide that help. Just a couple of dollars can help in a way that people may never realize, and the help is always appreciated.

In May 2007, Holliday was diagnosed with breast cancer. After finding a lump in December 2006, she went to the doctor to have it checked. After an initial diagnosis of fibroids, she went back to the doctor three months later for a checkup, and by then she had an additional lump under her arm.

I still didnt dream it would be cancer, she said.

After having a needle biopsy and then waiting a week for the results, Holliday found out she had breast cancer, and it had spread to her lymph nodes.

As soon as the doctor walked in and shut the door, I knew what she was going to tell me. But she wanted me to understand that my cancer was treatable, Holliday said. She said 2007 was going to be a hard year but by 2008, we would look for me to be cancer free.

Holliday started chemo that summer and treated the cancer as aggressively as possible.

The doctor told me that her best predictor of success was whether chemo was effective in shrinking my tumor, and every time we went in, my tumor was shrinking and we were that much more confident.

She took drugs to keep her nausea away during chemo, but her white counts would drop and shed end up in the hospital. After five of her six aggressive treatments, she couldnt control the nausea anymore, and both her red and white counts dropped. She and her oncologist agreed that her last treatment wouldnt be as strong.

One month after chemo, Holliday had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Three months later, she completed radiation. She also had a complete hysterectomy since her cancer was estrogen positive.

At one point during treatment, Hollidays doctor asked if anyone had talked to her about survival rates.

I told her, those dont apply to me, Holliday said. I trust that my doctors are doing everything they can, and Im putting the rest in Gods hands. At some point, I didnt have a choice, I had to ask God to take this from me.

Oct. 8 will be 10 years since Hollidays mastectomy. At that point, she said, she will consider herself to be 10 years cancer-free.

When I was first diagnosed and my hair was falling out, I was concerned people would see me as a victim. But then I started to wonder, what if Im that person who inspires someone. So after that, I was OK with sharing my story and hopefully giving someone else hope. Im excited to have the opportunity to share that story with even more people.

Holliday and her husband, Gregg, live in Grand Island, and she is an assistant professor of marketing at Hastings College. They have three children  Sierra, a high school senior; Carson, a high school sophomore; and Camden, a sixth-grader.

Community Health Charities of Nebraska is a fundraising federation of 22 nonprofit health charities raising contributions primarily through annual corporate employee giving campaigns.

Member health charities include the ALS Association, Mid-America Chapter; Alzheimers Association, Nebraska Chapter; American Diabetes Association of Nebraska; American Lung Association in Nebraska; Arthritis Foundation Nebraska; Autism Action Partnership; Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska; Crohns and Colitis Foundation, Nebraska/Iowa Chapter; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Nebraska Chapter; JDRF International, Heartland Chapter, Lincoln and Greater Nebraska; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Nebraska Chapter; March of Dimes, Nebraska and Western Iowa Market; Muscular Dystrophy Association of Nebraska; National MS Society, Mid-America Chapter; Nebraska AIDS Project; Nebraska Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation; Nebraska Community Blood Bank; Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association; Nebraska Kidney Association; Susan G. Komen Great Plains; Team Jack Foundation; and United Cerebral Palsy of Nebraska.

For more information, go to www.chcne.org or www.facebook.com/CHCNebraska.com or call (402) 614-8500.
HENDERSON  Members of the Aurora American Legion post, who took part in five Memorial Day services on Monday, have a definite appreciation for the place they visited last  Farmers Valley Cemetery.

Rich Lemmerman, adjutant of Legion Post 42, likes the rich history of the cemetery, which is in southeastern Hamilton County. He likes the strong bonds families have to those buried in the cemetery.

About 140 people gathered for Mondays memorial service.

Its really a family affair, and its a very special location, said Lemmerman, who lives in Marquette.

Tall trees, some more than 100 years old, create much of the shade at the comfortable setting near the Big Blue River.

The cemetery is well maintained, Lemmerman said. Its very special  a very special place.

Farmers Valley Cemetery is the final resting place for nine Civil War veterans. The music of Paul Siebert helps recreate the feeling of that era. Siebert, who grew up nearby, performed on the banjo, guitar, hammered dulcimer and button accordion. About half of his songs were from the Civil War era. Among the numbers were Yankee Doodle Dandy, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Edelweiss and Danny Boy.

Aurora American Legion members provided a 21-gun salute, followed by Taps. Navy veteran Justin Dimmitt, the speaker, said its important for veterans and current service members to know they wont be forgotten.

Dimmitt finished his talk by quoting Gen. George S. Patton, who said, It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.

The program also included a performance by eight members of the Hamilton County Community Band.

While the festivities go on, its easy to be distracted by the smell of fried chicken in the air. The service is followed each year by a large potluck meal.

A historical marker points out that many Hamilton County pioneers are buried in Farmers Valley Cemetery. Many of the first settlers in the county built their sod and log houses along the banks of the Big Blue.

You can see the double headstones of Mary Kaily and her child, who were frozen to death in an Easter blizzard in 1873. Another headstone identifies Alice Morse, who lived from 1870 to 1961, as the first white girl born in Hamilton County.

Many of the people gathered Monday were descendants of Perry Reed, a Nebraska state senator who lived from 1871 to 1943.

One of those descendants was Bert Reed of York, who is 86.

Ive been coming here all my life, except for a couple of years when I was in the Air Force, said Reed, who is on the Farmers Valley Cemetery Association board.

The annual Memorial Day ceremony is hardly running out of steam. It gets bigger every year, Reed said.

Perry Reed served in the Legislature from 1916 to 1931 and was also secretary of the Nebraska State Fair.

Another descendant of Perry Reed is Tela Christensen of Eagle, who sang the national anthem Monday.

Larry Carlson, who is president of the cemetery association, regularly commutes from Bassett to mow the lawn at Farmers Valley. The Hordville native has more than 40 relatives buried in the cemetery.

He loves the setting. Its a peaceful place, says Carlson, whose goal is to continually improve the cemetery.

Carlson jokes that you have to get lost to find Farmers Valley. The road that leads to it has a sign that says No outlet.

A one-room schoolhouse used to be located nearby. The school, which opened in 1870, was the first school district in the county. It closed in the mid-1950s.

The building was moved to a farm a couple of miles away. They use it as a horse barn now, said Suzanne Ratzlaff, who is on the cemetery board. When she was teaching fourth grade at Heartland Community Schools, Ratzlaff had her fourth-graders compile a detailed history of the cemetery.

Among the schools former students are Sieberts mother, Alma, who spent one year at the school, and Bert Reed, who attended grades one through four.

At one time, a Methodist Episcopal church was near the graveyard.

Among the attendees Monday was Dwayne Madsen of Aurora, who came with his daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Lavern Ziegelbein of Union.

Madsen, 82, was in the Army from 1956 to 1958. Lavern Ziegelbein, who was in the Air Force from 1979 to 1994, is a Gulf War veteran.
Today is a special day for Americans. Today, on Memorial Day, Americans honor those who gave their life for their country, those who didnt come home from the battlefield.

For history buffs, this Memorial Day has special meaning as it is the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I.

In the Great War, as it was known, 4 million families had members who served; 116,516 U.S. soldiers died and another 200,000 were wounded.

At that time, Americans surely thought it couldnt get any worse. However, the war to end all wars failed to do that, and 20 years later the world was again thrown into conflict in World War II.

Today, Americans not only honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War I and World War II, but also those who died in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere protecting the freedoms that Americans hold dear.

Americans shudder at what could have happened if these brave men and women had not been willing to leave their families and their homes and travel to distant lands to take on enemies intent on destroying the American way of life.

America stands for freedom, for democracy, for liberty and for equality. Many throughout history have sought to destroy those ideals. Many still seek to do so today.

Unfortunately, todays battlefield can be anywhere, including a concert hall in Manchester, England, as was seen in the horrific terror attack inspired by ISIS last week. Today, even children are a target.

So while Americans honor those who died in battle on Memorial Day, lets also remember those who are serving in uniform these days. The War on Terror still goes on. And as this weeks attack shows, its unlikely to end any time soon.

Which means that Americans also should honor law enforcement officers. The front lines against terror can be frighteningly close to home.

Americans, it appears to some, have grown more divided over the years. It seems as though there is always quarreling along the political spectrum and very little cooperation.

That quarreling can be thrown aside on Memorial Day. Today Americans are united in honoring those who gave their life for their country. Their memory lives on.

During World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt described what was the Greatest Generation was facing. His words fittingly describe the spirit of the men and women we remember today, through all generations.

This generation of Americans has come to realize, with a present and personal realization, that there is something larger and more important than the life of any individual or of any individual group  something for which a man will sacrifice, and gladly sacrifice, not only his pleasures, not only his goods, not only his associations with those he loves, but his life itself. In time of crisis when the future is in the balance, we come to understand, with full recognition and devotion, what this Nation is, and what we owe to it.
Manuel Noriega, who ruled Panama from 1983 to 1989, spied for the Central Intelligence Agency until the United States invaded and toppled his corrupt government, ending a criminal career that saw him working with drug traffickers like Pablo Escobar.

By Reuters: Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, who spied for the CIA before his drug trafficking and brutal regime sparked a US invasion in 1989, has died aged 83.

President Juan Carlos Varela announced Noriega's death on Twitter late on Monday, and said his passing marked the closing of a chapter in Panama's history.

Noriega, who ruled Panama from 1983 to 1989, spied for the Central Intelligence Agency until the United States invaded and toppled his corrupt government, ending a criminal career that saw him working with drug traffickers like Pablo Escobar.

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Noriega was initially sentenced in the United States in 1992 but was serving a sentence for murder in Panama when he died.

The wily military ruler of the Central American nation made world headlines as his relationship with Washington soured, culminating in the United States sending nearly 28,000 troops to seize Panama City and capture him in a house-to-house hunt.

Noriega spent the rest of his life in custody between the United States, France and Panama for crimes ranging from murder to racketeering and drug-running.

The former dictator had undergone an operation in March to remove a brain tumor but suffered a hemorrhage and had been in a coma since a second surgical intervention.

A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Noriega died at around 11 pm local time after his condition suddenly worsened.

With the knowledge of US officials, Noriega formed "the hemisphere's first narcokleptocracy," a US Senate subcommittee report said, calling him, "the best example in recent US foreign policy of how a foreign leader is able to manipulate the United States to the detriment of our own interests."

After his capture, Noriega tried to turn the tables on the United States, saying it had worked hand in glove with him.

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Heaven's Dead: Chris Cornell, famous lead singer of Soundgarden, Audioslave, dies at 52

Supercop KPS Gill who fought Punjab insurgency dead

--- ENDS ---
For the Intelligencer

This May, the Edwardsville Rotary Club honored Edwardsville High School student Madelyn Foster with the Student of the Month Award. Nominated by a Theater Arts teacher Kate Motley, Madelyn will be attending University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign next fall and major in Journalism with a double minor in Political Science and Spanish. After graduation, she plans to further her education by attending law school.

Madelyn participates in multiple organizations at Edwardsville High School including Model UN, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Edwardsville High School Leadership Council, Edwardsville High School Task Force Chair, Edwardsville Peer Influence Club Council Member, Student Council, Broadcast Club, New Student Ambassadors, Bravo Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the Bel Canto Female Acapella Ensemble.
Keep an eye out for Edwardsville police officers on bike patrol in yellow uniforms.

After receiving two iFORCE police patrol bicycles as a donation from Madison County Transit, the Edwardsville Police Department is now all set for the summer season. With four bike patrol officers and four patrol bikes now on-site, the department is now fully-prepared to take to the city streets and bike trails.

MCT Managing Director Jerry Kane said this isnt the first time MCT has donated bicycles to the EPD and likely wont be the last.

This is the second time we donated two bikes to Edwardsville. Actually Edwardsville is where we started this program. It was the first police department that we donated bikes to. Its a perfect location because, as you know, we have quite a few of our trails come through Edwardsville and Edwardsville is very pedestrian-bicycle-friendly, Kane said.

Apparently its very popular not only with the police but with the people because police on a bike are much more approachable than they are in a car. We believe the police are one of the reasons we have such a good quality of life in this area. We owe a lot to them. Its one of the few things we can do to help pay them for all of the services that we get and comfort and peace of mind, knowing we have a very good, strong, well-organized police force in the city of Edwardsville.

The EPD wasnt the only department to receive bikes from MCT  Maryville, Alton, Granite City, Highland, and East Alton all have benefitted from the bike patrol program.

The two Edwardsville Police bikes are equipped with a microphone, sirens similar to that on a patrol car, patrol lights, an open battery compartment that can only be opened only with a handcuff key, and a public address speaker.

Kane said both bikes are manufactured in the United States.

These bikes are made by a company called iFORCE. They only make patrol bikes and police bikes. They dont sell them through bike shops. The frames are made in the USA  we wanted a few bikes that had frames still made in the United States. They have a special light package  its built into the frame. It goes through the frame and in the back, he said.

In exchange for the bike donations, MCT has asked the EPD to continue patrolling the MCT bike trails and create an accessible presence for pedestrians who utilize the trails.

Bike patrol officers are now also able to transport their bikes on MCT buses across town for free to get from one section of town to the other without having to ride solely on their bikes.

With these new additions and the bike patrol program in full swing, Kane said, People can appreciate not only the police, but the personalities behind the badge, as it allows citizens to get up-close and personal to the officers on patrol.

Bike Patrol Officer Mark Lask, of the EPD, said the donation will definitely not go unnoticed.

I think its something we really appreciate. The program is something we really like to use to interact with the community. Having two new bikes is going to allow us to  each officer on the street is going to have their own bike now that they can take care of and maintain. I think its just a great addition to our fleet, Lask said.

Prior to the donation, the EPD had only two patrol bikes on-hand, which meant the four bike patrol officers needed to rotate the two bicycles when on-the-job.

Bike Patrol Officer Jason Penick said patrol officers will definitely have a presence during city-wide events and during the summer season.

Whether its for parades, we can now have more officers out there for parades and 5K runs and it just gets more of us out there, Penick said. We try to get out on the trails and subdivisions and the business districts  whether its Main Street or Edwardsville Crossing.

The benefits of the EPD utilizing a bike patrol program, according to Penick, is it allows officers to be more efficient and more accessible to the public.

We can spot people on their phones or no seatbelts. Its good with enforcing the traffic laws. Also I think it brings more attention when youre on a bike and you approach somebody on a bike, theyre a lot more willing to listen to you, Penick said. You tell them about the laws of riding the same way, riding with the flow of traffic. A lot of the bicyclists I see dont know that and theyll be riding against traffic.

The program has been ongoing for quite some time after Kane approached the EPD, hoping to revamp the bike patrol program. Edwardsville Police Chief Jay Keeven said since MCT became a primary sponsor of the program, it has taken off significantly.

I think Highland now has bike patrolsGranite City has bike patrols and as you can see today, were kind of adding to our emphasis. So having four officers allows us for the most part to have an officer on each squad at any given time. That staffing allows for that officer to work the trails. Its a good tool when you kind of want to get up close and personal, Keeven said. People like to interact with our officers. People like to kind of have that close and personal interactionInteracting with kids is fantastic. Anytime you can have a positive interaction with a youngster or even a young adult, you know that carries on into adulthood so that these people growing up in this community, theyll know four, five or six police officers by first name, which is what our goal is.

For more information about the bike patrol program, contact the Edwardsville Police Department at 618-656-2131. For more information about Madison County Transit, visit its website at www.mct.org.
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Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 08:17 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a2fc370 4 Editorial #Editorial,ISIS,terror-attack,terrorism,antiterrorism-law,ASEAN,Philippines,Indonesia,Marawi,Islamic-State Free

Whether or not Indonesian nationals are fighting for the terrorist group loyal to the Islamic State (IS) movement against the Philippine army in Marawi city in the southern part of our neighboring country, the danger of spillover of the conflict into our territory cannot be underestimated.

Its primarily for the sake of our national security and the stability of the Southeast Asian region in general that Indonesia should not let the Philippines walk alone during crises such as this. Indonesia, which like the Philippines has been combating terrorist groups, including those affiliated with IS, cannot intervene too far into the Philippines domestic affairs, but it can initiate regional cooperation under the ASEAN framework to tackle terrorism threats.

IS, whose stronghold in Syria and Iraq has come under constant attack and is moving closer to defeat, has declared its intention to form an outpost in Southeast Asia. The recruitment of hundreds of people from Southeast Asia to fight in Syria and Iraq about two years ago, its formation of Katibah Nusantara there, a series of attacks in the southern Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, and the seizure of the predominantly Muslim city of Marawi are all part of the groups attempt to realize this goal.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto has said the government was anticipating such a possibility and that Indonesia fully supports Philippine military action against IS in Marawi City to prevent it from gaining any more ground.

Wiranto just recently visited Riyadh and Moscow for talks on, among other topics, international counterterrorism cooperation. Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Russia, and perhaps the entire world, consider terrorism a common enemy and plan to set up a data bank of information on terrorist groups that nations can access to eradicate terrorism on their home soil.

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared 60 days of martial law for all of Mindanao Island in the wake of the Marawi crisis. As the city is only five hours by boat from Indonesias northernmost island of Miangas in North Sulawesi, the rebellion poses a direct threat to Indonesia.

For years Indonesian terrorists are believed to have traveled to Mindanao either for training or combat experience or to escape from the police. An Indonesian infamous for his terrorist activities, Jamaah Islamiyah member Fathurrahman al-Gozhi, was shot dead in a gunfight with Philippine security authorities in October 2003.

Both the Indonesian Military and National Police have announced their readiness to deal with any local repercussions from the crackdown on terrorist groups in Marawi, despite the fact that the porous border between Indonesia and the Philippines has allowed terrorists to slip through the fingers of security forces.

More coordinated counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries is pressing as Marawi is only a trial run, although it may prove to be erroneous, for regional terrorist groups who pledge allegiance to IS. As these groups efforts will not stop in Marawi, a larger scope of cooperation under the ASEAN counterterrorism convention is imperative.
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Linkedin Fitri Bintang Timur (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017

As Indonesia is among the major contributors to United Nations peacekeeping operations (UN PKO), cynics may say we are only in it for the money.

However, on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on May 29, Indonesia has every rights to commemorate its contributions to the global operations. Since the 1950s the country has deployed its defense and security personnel to UN peace missions, notably through the Indonesian Garuda Contingent (Konga).

The first Konga mission was in 1957 when the peacekeepers were assigned to assist the ending of the Suez Crisis in which Israel, the United Kingdom and France failed to regain control of the Suez Canal and to oust Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser. The 559-strong Konga was deployed to the border of Egypt and Israel and their mission finished successfully.

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Chinese sci-fi title The Three-Body Problem was first serialized in Science Fiction World magazine in 2006 and then published as a book in 2008. It was eventually translated into English and it became a literary phenomenon, winning the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2015.

Even former US President Barack Obama is a fan. He told The New York Times while still in office: The scope of it was immense. So that was fun to read, partly because my day-to-day problems with Congress seem fairly petty  not something to worry about.

Its author, Liu Cixin, 53, is as surprised as anyone by its success. He says in Mandarin over the telephone from Beijing: Sci-fi novels usually have a shorter shelf-life because they tend to be overtaken by scientific developments.

Its been more than a decade since it was first published and for it to continue to have such an impact is something my publishers and I never expected.

In The Three-Body Problem (Tor Books, 2007), readers first encounter the Trisolaran world, an unstable stellar system with three suns. The sequel, The Dark Forest (Tor Books), published in English in 2015, details how Earth deals with a Trisolaran invasion coming in 400 years time.

In the concluding installment, Deaths End (Tor Books), published in English last year, the two civilizations coexist peacefully at first, but before long, humanity is once again faced with the threat of annihilation. Deaths End is up for Best Novel at the 2017 Hugo Awards, which will be presented in August.

Collectively, the trilogy is known as Remembrance Of Earths Past (Tor Books).

Liu adds wryly, though, that the attention lavished on The Three-Body Problem has not been a tide that lifts all boats.

For example, with regard to his translated book of short stories, The Wandering Earth (Beijing Guomi Digital Technology Co, 2012) he says: Theres been not much impact, its like throwing a stone into a pond.

Still, he can be justifiably proud of what he has achieved so far.
Cyclonic storm Mora hits the coastal areas of Bangladesh with gusty winds, rains and thunder storms. People in coastal areas have been evacuated and fishermen there warned against venturing out into the sea.

By Ashish Pandey: The severe cyclonic storm 'Mora' over the North Bay moved northwards and has started crossing Cox's Bazar-Chittagong coast near Kutubdia at 6 am today.

It is likely to move further north.

Under its influence, gusty winds with rain and thunder showers continue to hit the North Bay and the coastal districts and maritime ports of Bangladesh.

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The maximum sustained wind speed within 64 kilometres of the cyclone center is about 89 kilometer per hour, rising to 117 kilometer per hour. People living along the coast have been cautioned against venturing into rough seas.

About 10 million people of Bangladesh's population of 160 million lives in coastal areas.

EVACUATE PEOPLE FROM THE COAST: DISASTER MINISTRY

The Disaster Ministry ordered authorities to evacuate people from the coast, the ministry's additional secretary, Golam Mostafa, told reporters in Dhaka.

Maritime ports of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar have been advised to be on high alert.

Coastal districts of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands, are particularly prone to the cyclone threat.

Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra are also likely to be hit.

Coastal districts of Bhola, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands have also been issued warnings.

LOW-LYING DISTRICTS LIKELY TO BE INUNDATED

Under the influence of the severe cyclonic storm 'Mora', the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat,Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 4-5 feet height above the normal astronomical tide.

They are likely to experience wind speed up to 89-117 kph in gusts/ squalls, with heavy-to-very-heavy falls during the passage of the severe cyclonic storm.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised not to to venture into the sea till further notice.

ALSO READ:

Cyclone Mora hits Bangladesh coast, thousands moved to safer places

Cyclone Mora to intensify in next 24 hours, heavy rains expected in Odisha, northeast

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Sydney, Australia  Tue, May 30, 2017 08:35 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a2fdfdd 2 Art & Culture John-Travolta,Qantas,Museum,#museum,Australia,airplane,aviation Free

Hollywood star John Travolta has donated his "beloved" Boeing 707 plane to an Australian aviation museum and is aiming to be part of the crew to deliver the vintage aircraft.

Made for Qantas Airways in 1964, the "Saturday Night Fever" heartthrob and qualified pilot acquired the jet when Australia's national carrier retired it more than 30 years later.

"It gives me great pleasure to make this exciting historical announcement that my beloved Boeing 707 aircraft has been donated to the Historical Aircraft Restoration society (HARS)," Travolta, a Qantas ambassador since 2002, said in a statement.

Australian aircraft preservation organisation HARS will help restore the plane so it can make the journey from the United States to their base some 90 miles (145 kilometres) from Sydney.

A date for the flight is not yet fixed but the actor, a long-time aviation buff, said he plans to be on it.

Read also: Dresses that tell a story: Princess Diana's life in fashion

"The aircraft currently requires a lot of work to be restored to a safe flying state and having seen first hand the dedication and passion of people at HARS, I have no doubt this beautiful and historical aircraft will be flying again," Travolta said.

"I am hoping to be part of the crew to fly the aircraft to Australia."

HARS President Bob De La Hunty said the idea was first floated when he met Travolta in 2009 and the pair flew a Qantas 1955 Super Constellation aircraft along Australia's east coast.

"We share a mutual respect for old airplanes and flying and at that stage we were keen to suggest to him that if he ever wanted to part with his Boeing 707 we would be very interested in it," De La Hunty told broadcaster ABC.

"When we heard earlier this year that he was looking at possibly not continuing with his Boeing 707, we made contact. He jumped at the idea and so we've been in detailed discussions and negotiations since."

Boeing 707s dominated passenger aircraft in the 1960s, helping usher in an era of long-range travel which had previously been dominated by rail and sea.
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Linkedin John McBeth (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 09:52 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a2fffbe 4 People obituary,Australia,Timothy-Charles-Scott Free

Surveyor, diplomat, miner, raconteur and man armed with a wicked sense of humor. Timothy Charles Scott was all that and more during his colorful life, which was intertwined with and shaped by five decades of turbulent Indonesian history.

When he died at 75, the big Australian with the white goatee and sparkling eyes left behind a host of friends separated by nationality, occupation, geography and the years, but all agreed on one thing: he was a hard man to forget.

Altruistic, well-read and larger than life, always the first to see the funny side of things, he lifted the spirits of everyone he encountered with his jokes and a rich store of anecdotes about some of the central figures of the day.

He died peacefully at his home in South Jakarta on May 17 after complications from a fall he suffered a month earlier, the result of a general deterioration in his health over the past two years.

Scott was born and raised in Perth, West Australia, a descendent of early Scots sealers and Polish settlers who developed a love for Indonesia and Indonesians that was often tested, but never diminished.

Like many of the countrys most longterm expatriates, he had the depth of experience and knowledge to criticize what he saw as the failure of subsequent generations to live up to the promise and integrity of the founding fathers.

During his school years in Perth, he joined the Sea Scouts at the site of an old United States wartime flying boat base, developing a love for the sea and an expertise in explosives, on one occasion making a batch of nitro-glycerine. During school vacations, he also worked with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) helping track emu migration patterns in the West Australian outback.

Still a teenager, Scott went to work for GSI, a mining company, amassing a lot of valuable information by buying drinks for old prospectors that allowed him to make a significant amount of money for his widowed mother. It was GSI that brought him to Indonesia in February 1963. Once here he witnessed the 1965 coup and much of the bloodshed that followed from a distance, in a jungle drilling camp at the headwaters of southern Sumatras Rokan River.

Among the many Indonesians he befriended in those early days was Harry Tjan Silalahi, a young Indonesian lawyer who would subsequently join the newly formed Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Founded by economist Hadi Soesastro and brothers Jusuf and Sofjan Wanandi, the CSIS would become the countrys principal think tank and an adviser on both domestic and international affairs to president Soeharto. It was a connection Scott would learn to value.

Like a lot of young foreigners then, Scott enjoyed his first taste of Indonesia. He fondly remembered the downtown Ramayana Bar, one of Jakartas few watering holes, and the drunken becak (three-wheeled pedicab) races around the fountain of the Hotel Indonesia roundabout.

In 1966, he returned to Perth, where he obtained an arts degree from the University of Western Australia, using that as his entree into the Australian Foreign Service in 1971. He cut his diplomatic teeth on postings in London and Kuala Lumpur before being sent to Jakarta as first secretary in 1976, a year after Indonesias annexation of East Timor, widely believed to have been given the green light by the US and Australian governments.

Over the next three years, as international criticism rained down on Soehartos New Order regime, he would serve as an invaluable liaison between Australian ambassador Richard Woolcott, CSIS policymakers and government agencies.

Scott also built a close relationship with then military strongman Benny Moerdani, his fluent command of the Indonesian language later allowing him to translate the bluff generals biography and numerous other books.

Colleague David Irvine, who like Woolcott became a life-long friend, recalls that one of Scotts greatest skills was to understand the mindset of the politically and ethnically dominant Javanese  and other ethnic groups too, judging by his grasp of Batak swear words. He had a very deep understanding and love for Indonesia, says Irvine, who went on to become a distinguished ambassador and head of Australian intelligence. He could think like a Javanese, while being aggressively avuncular and overtly Australian.

Despite decades in his adopted land, where he oversaw the building of rambling wooden house on the outskirts of Jakarta, Irvine recalls that his friend always retained his Australianess, his common sense and down-to-earth approach.

Scott returned to the private sector in 1981, first as country manager for Canadian explorer Husky Oil, where he worked closely with Pertamina on several innovative ventures, including secondary oil recovery.

In the mid-1980s he had to turn back after trying to sail an old schooner from the US to Indonesia, running into a US Coastguard cutter whose captain suspected he was smuggling drugs

A second attempt almost ended in tragedy when he was caught in a typhoon off the Galapagos Islands; he managed to limp back to Panama where the boat was condemned.

After leaving Husky, Scott ventured back into mining, working for Australias Parry Corporation and later Canadas Barrick Gold during the infamous US$5 billion Bre-X gold scam. The Australian had an inkling the East Kalimantan discovery was not what it seemed and he was also unimpressed with Barrick CEO Peter Muncks efforts to form a partnership with Soehartos children to gain a controlling interest in the deposit.

Never one to mince words, he warned Munck he was walking into a minefield, telling him that that going under fence and getting involved with politically connected people to gain favors was a short-sighted policy.

In later years, Scott worked for Kalimantan Gold, a small exploration company in Central Kalimantan, and as a self-employed consultant, advising Ratu Samban Mining and Telen Indoclay, local coal and nickel miners. He also played an active part in several energy-related organizations.

After the 2004 Aceh tsunami, Scott signed on with a number of aid agencies involved in the massive international relief effort, later helping to drill water wells in other unaffected parts of the devastated province.

More recently, he assisted US and Australian diplomats looking for the graves of servicemen who disappeared in Indonesia during World War II, typical of a man who would always offer help when it was needed.

When he died, a little bit of Indonesia died with him.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 11:48 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a30e8d2 1 Business Airbnb,business-expansion,Indonesia Free

Global hospitality marketplace Airbnb will expand its business in Indonesia as it considers the country to be one of the most important markets in the Asia-Pacific.

Airbnbs country manager for Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, Robin Kwok, said that Indonesia is one of the fastest growing countries in terms of inbound travel, with nearly 38,000 local homes currently listed on its rental website.

Indonesia is such an important country, not only in Southeast Asia, but also for the rest of APAC [Asia Pacific], Kwok told The Jakarta Post in Jakarta on Monday.

(Read also: Recommended Airbnb rentals in Indonesia's surfing spots)

Kwok said her company had developed teams to educate local hosts on how to use the app.

We [also] do a lot of marketing. We want to drive more people to Indonesia, she said.

She said her team would also discuss with government officials about how the company could help the government gain a better understanding of the services required by visitors to Indonesia.

Airbnb also looks forward to cooperating with local partners, Kwok said, adding that her company had high expectations for the potential partners to boost brand awareness of the company.

Founded in 2008, Airbnb is currently present in 65,000 cities in 191 countries across the world, with 160 million guest arrivals, according to the companys data. (yon/bbn)
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Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 20:32 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a3254e2 1 Business antam,aneka-tambang,nickel-export,mineral-export-ban Free

State-owned diversified miner PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) has started exporting its low-grade nickel, with content below 1.7 percent, following the governments decision to relax its mineral export ban earlier this year.

The company revealed on Tuesday that it had exported 165,000 wet metric tons (wmt) of nickel ore to China and was preparing the shipping schedule for a second batch.

The exports of nickel and bauxite by Antam will support the mineral processing sector [] in line with the operations of our FeNi I ferronickel plant [in Pomalaa, Southeast Sulawesi], Antam president director Arie Prabowo Ariotedjo said in a statement.

(Read also: Antam aims to export 6 million tons of low-grade nickel)

In late March, Antam obtained the first permit to export 2.7 million wmt of nickel ore, in accordance with the total capacity of its three ferronickel plants in Pomalaa. This export quota has been allocated to its market in China.

The company has submitted a second proposal to the government to export another 3.7 million wmt of nickel ore, in line with the feeding capacity of its new ferronickel smelter in East Halmahera, North Maluku.

The smelter is slated for completion by the end of 2018, with an annual capacity of 13,500 tons of nickel contained in ferronickel (TNi).

The second export quota will be allocated to other markets, including its long-time traditional partner Japan.

Within the first quarter of 2017, Antam mined 525,468 wmt of nickel ore, up 109.36 percent compared to the same period last year. (tas)
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Linkedin Ruslan Sangadji (The Jakarta Post) Poso, Central Sulawesi  Tue, May 30, 2017 17:17 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a321d36 1 National BPBD,poso,earthquake,BMKG,#Poso,central-sulawesi Free

Authorities in Poso, Central Sulawesi, are gathering data on the impact of a 6.6 Ritcher scale earthquake that hit the regency late on Monday evening.

According to the Poso Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), residents in several areas across the regency were injured by rubble of buildings that collapsed during the earthquake, which struck at around 10:35 p.m. local time.

Three residents from Sedoa and Alitupu villages were injured by rubble from buildings, BPBD Poso head Masdian Mentiri.

He further said that another resident from Tokorondo village in Poso Pesisir had been injured by falling rubble and was taken to a nearby community health center. For the exact number of injured victims, we are waiting for the results of data collection on the ground, said Masdian.

Several houses belonging to Sedoa villagers were severely damaged in the earthquake, he added.

The BPBD, along with Indonesian Military and National Police personnel, are working to allay the fears of local people, some of whom are reportedly panicking over fears the earthquake could cause a tsunami.

According to a report from the BMKG [Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency], the earthquake wont trigger a tsunami because the epicenter of the earthquake is on the land, not sea, Masdian said.

The BMKG data also showed people in several areas had felt the shock of the earthquake. These areas include Parigi Moutong, Sigi, Tolitoli, Pasang Kayu, and Tana Toraja  all are in Central Sulawesi, as well as Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, and Gorontalo. (foy/ebf)

Natural calamity: Goods are scattered on the floor of a grocery story in Poso, Central Sulawesi, after a 6.6 Ritcher scale earthquake hit the area on May 29. (JP/Ruslan Sangadji)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 18:32 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a3234f0 1 City Jakarta-council,ahok,basuki-tjahaja-purnama,resignation Free

The City Council has postponed a plenary session to formally announce the dismissal of Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama from his position as Jakarta governor as well as recommend the appointment of acting governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat to the official position of governor, which was initially scheduled to be held on Tuesday.

City council secretary Muhammad Yuliardi said council members would discuss when to hold the plenary session in the Consultative Body (Bamus) meeting.

"The function of the Bamus meeting is to discuss the plenary session schedule," Yuliadi said as quoted by kompas.com, adding that Bamus would hold its meeting on Wednesday.

On May 23, Ahok tendered his letter of resignation to the President, one day after dropping his appeal against his two-year prison sentence for blasphemy.

The letter was signed by Ahok at the polices Mobile Brigade Command headquarters detention center in Depok, West Java, where he is currently being detained.

Ahoks dismissal, meanwhile, will be processed after the Jakarta High Court releases an official letter stating that he has withdrawn his appeal. (vny)
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Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 10:59 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a30514b 1 National Vietnam,fisheries Free

Vietnam released on Monday an Indonesian fisheries official who was recently detained by the Vietnamese coast guard after intercepting five Vietnamese fishing boats in waters allegedly claimed by both countries.

Danang Gunawan Wibisono, an officer from the Marine and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) who was taken into custody by Vietnamese coast guard officials last week, arrived in Jakarta on Monday following intensive coordination through diplomatic channels between the governments of Indonesia and Vietnam, KKP secretary general Rifky Hardjianto revealed.

Gunawan was a crewmember onboard Hiu Macan 01 patrol ship and took part in the processing of five Vietnamese fishing boats captured on May 21 in the Natuna Sea, Riau islands, Rifky said in a statement to The Jakarta Post late on Monday.

The KKP official was evacuated to a Vietnamese coast guard ship when the captured boat he was inspecting  KH 97579 TS  capsized at the location it was seized. He spent a few days on board the coast guard vessel until it docked in Ho Chi Minh City, before the Vietnamese side handed him over to the Indonesian Consulate General there on Saturday, Rifky said.

The ministrys director general for marine and fisheries resources surveillance (PSDKP), Eko Djalmo, offered his thanks for the cooperation of all parties involved in Gunawans return.

We offer our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all parties, particularly the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, for ensuring Gunawans safe return home, Eko said in Mondays statement.

A PSDKP patrol unit attempted to arrest on Sunday morning, May 21, five Vietnam-flagged fishing vessels equipped with gill nets, squid fishing equipment and 55 crewmembers.

A Vietnamese patrol ship reportedly appeared just as the PSDKP was preparing to escort the vessels to its Batam base for processing. The patrol boat reportedly intercepted and rammed into one of the fishing vessels, which subsequently sank. (dmr)

Topics : Vietnam fisheries
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 16:08 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a31d6f2 1 City vigilante-group,FPI,Depok Free

The head of the Jaguar team of the Depok Police in West Java, First Insp. Winam Agus, said that he never expected his teams effort to disperse members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) hard-line group, who were about to conduct a sweep in the satellite city, would go viral.



In the video, dozens of members of the FPI's South Jakarta chapter were seen carrying weapons, including sharpened bamboo sticks, to use, they initially claimed on camera to police, to stop violent motorcycle gangsters from roaming in the city.

The video has been shared on some social media platforms and has gained considerable public attention.

Winam said that the special team formed to deal with gangs had frequently carried out similar measures to disperse groups or organizations that could potentially create unease among citizens through their vigilantism.



Thats indeed part of our duty, but maybe the public was unaware of it until the FPI video went viral. We previously carried out the same measures against the PP [Pancasila Youth], Winam said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

He explained that mass organizations did not have any authority to conduct raids in the name of upholding justice because the job belonged to the police.

They dont have any right [to conduct raids], he said. (fac)
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Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 07:00 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a2f6d6c 1 Business tourism,infrastructure-local-residents,public-works-housing-ministry Free

The Public Works and Public Housing Ministry on Monday signed cooperation agreements with seven regional administrations for the construction of infrastructure for local residents in tourism areas.

The infrastructure projects include roads in residential areas, drainage systems and clean-water networks, whose tender bids are still in process, said ministrys housing and utilities director general Sri Hartoyo on Monday.

The construction of the facilities is expected to start this year and be completed next year, said the official.

Supporting facilities for locals in the tourism areas are important so that the people there live decently. We also hope that it will help them support tourism activities in their areas, he told reporters after the signing ceremony.

The seven tourism areas are Borobobudur in Central Java, Morotai in Maluku, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi, Thousand Islands in Jakarta, Lake Toba in North Sumatra and Bromo-Tengger-Semeru in East Java.

For the seven agreements, the ministry has allocated Rp 1 trillion (US$75.1 million).

On Monday, the ministry also signed agreements with PT Meares Soputan Mining (MSM) to develop a household water project for North Minahasa in North Sulawesi and with Prasetiya Mulya University and Bina Ekonomi Sosial Terpadu (BEST) to help local people improve sanitation in their areas.

On May 23, the ministry signed a similar agreement to develop infrastructure for local people in Lombok South Beach, West Nusa Tenggara; Kelayang Cape in Bangka Belitung as well as Tanjung Lesung and Ujung Kulon areas in Banten. (bbn)
Not too long ago, Aashka had broken the news about her injury on the sets of the show.

By India Today Web Desk: Nach Baliye's Aashka Goradia and Brent Goble have been impressing the judges and viewers with their dedication and consistency on the dance floor. However, recently things took an unfortunate turn for the couple when Brent badly injured himself while rehearsing for a performance.

According to reports, Brent was rushed to the hospital.

Also read: Dance Plus and Super Dancer are coming back; here's what Nach Baliye needs to learn from their success

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"This week Aashka and Brent were challenged by Remo to perform to western hip hop dance since they both have already proved themselves well in Indian style dancing. Brent wanted to take the challenge a level up and hence there were never before seen acrobatics, stunts and flips in this upcoming episode's act. While being launched in air for one of the flips, Brent landed properly but the force caused an injury in his ankle. He was rushed to the hospital for X-rays and is currently resting," The Times of India quoted a source as saying.

Not too long ago, Aashka had broken the news about her injury on the sets of the show.

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 10:25 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a3028f5 1 Politics house-of-representatives,Lawmakers,2019-elections,legislative-body,legislative-seats Free

The House of Representatives will add 19 seats in the 2019 legislative election, bringing a total of 579 lawmakers in the legislative body.

House members made the decision during the deliberation of the election bill on late Monday evening, following heavy debate and closed-door lobbying among factions.

We finally agreed to add 19 seats [...]," said National Awakening Party (PKB) lawmaker Lukman Edy, who chairs the Houses special committee for the deliberation of the election bill.

Committee deputy chairman Ahmad Riza Patria of the Gerindra Party said it was likely the 19 additional seats would go to 13 provinces, including three seats for North Kalimantan as a new province. Riau, West Kalimantan, Papua and Lampung would get two more seats each.

Eight provinces -- North Sumatra, Riau Islands, Jakarta, West Java, Southeast Sulawesi, Jambi, South Sumatra and West Nusa Tenggara -- would get one more seat each.

We considered principles of proportionality and equity based on the growth of the population in each region, Riza said.

The House currently has 560 lawmakers representing 33 provinces.

Separately, the government insisted on increasing the number of House seats to 570.

Home Ministry secretary-general Yuswandi Tumenggung said five out of the 10 seats might be given to North Kalimantan, while Riau and Lampung would get an additional seat each.

The five remaining seats would be given to three provinces that lost seats in the 2014 election, such as Gorontalo, Maluku and West Papua. The House has made a decision but we have not agreed to it yet. Adding 19 more seats goes beyond our calculations, Yuswandi said. (ebf)
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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 11:05 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a305446 1 Politics house-of-representatives,judiciary-system,judge-tenure-bill,YasonnaLaoly,Law-and-Human-Rights-Ministry,Constitutional-Court,Judicial-Commission,Supreme-Court,SupremeCourt Free

A House of Representatives hearing on Monday agreed to speed up the deliberation of a bill on judge tenure, which aims to reform Indonesias judiciary system.

Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna H. Laoly said the government had three important proposals for the bill.

These comprised: clear and strict stipulation of judges as government officials; the involvement of the Constitutional Court in the process of recruiting, promoting, assessing and monitoring lower court judges; and the rigid formulation of authority and responsibility between the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the Judicial Commission to avoid confusion.

The government will also prepare a proposal on the process to recruit and dismiss judges, Yasonna told lawmakers in the meeting at the Houses Commission III, which oversees law and human rights affairs.

The judge tenure bill aims to amend the 2009 Judiciary Law, which is considered to have given the Supreme Court the power to block the reform efforts of the Judicial Commission.

The amendment is expected to recognize the concept of shared responsibilities among judicial institutions as stated in the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 2011 guide on strengthening judicial integrity and capacity.

Commission III deputy chairman Trimedya Panjaitan, who led the meeting, said his commission would set up a special working committee that would handle the deliberation of the bill.

We are still waiting for the Gerindra Party, the National Awakening Party and the National Mandate Party to submit the names of their representatives to join the committee, he said. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 19:46 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a323b69 4 National TNI,terrorism,Terrorism-Law,counterterrorism Free

The Army chief of staff Gen. Mulyono welcomed President Joko Widodo Widodos call to involve the Indonesian Military (TNI) in the countrys war against terrorism, saying that the military would be ready to hunt down terrorists.

Most importantly, the TNI is ready to be involved in any situation, he said at the Army headquarters in Central Jakarta on Tuesday as reported by kompas.com.

Jokowi said on Monday that the TNI could be granted a role in the revision of 2003 Terrorism Law to help the National Police prevent any terrorism following the bomb attacks in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta, last week.

Mulyono did not give details on the roles that the TNI wanted mentioned in the law. However, he stressed that the TNIs involvement was needed in counterterrorism efforts. Once involved, the TNI was ready to hunt down terrorists in forests or in any remote areas.

[We will hunt them] wherever they are, like in the forests. Its refreshing for military personnel to have duties in the forest -- just like Idul Fitri, he said.

TNI personnel had been involved as back-ups in the police's large Operation Tinombala, organized to hunt down the notorious East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group lead by Santoso in Poso, Central Sulawesi. The operation managed to kill Santoso last year and narrowed the number and movement of the terrorist group members who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State movement.

The authority for detention and investigation in counterterrorism efforts currently lies with the National Police. (rin)
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Linkedin Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Bogor, West Java  Tue, May 30, 2017 09:00 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a2fede7 1 National Rizieq-Shihab,FPI,pornography,Firza-Husein Free

Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said supporters of firebrand cleric Rizieq Shihab should respect the polices decision to name the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader a suspect in a pornography case and called on them to not stage any protests that could be seen as an effort to hamper the legal process.

We are a democratic country where all disputes must be settled through the courts. The panel of judges will reveal the truth about the case, Lukman told reporters at the Bogor Palace on Monday.

Rizieq was named a suspect without having undergone police questioning under his previous capacity as a witness as he had failed to answer police summonses issued in April and May.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman Maruf Amin called on Rizieq to respect the legal case by returning to Indonesia to face trial.

The legal process must be handled in a transparent way so that people can follow its progress, Makruf said.

Separately, Rizieq's lawyer, Sugioto Atmo Pawiro, said Rizieq would challenge the police claim.

Sugito, who was in Saudi Arabia with Rizieq, lamented that the police did not make an effort to pursue the uploader of the sexually explicit chats that allegedly took place between Rizieq and Firza Husein, who was named a suspect in the same case on May 16, which led to the pornography charges against Rizieq and Firza.(dmr)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 16:02 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a31c465 1 National FCTC,tobacco-bill,tobacco-control,#FCTC Free

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, the National Commission on Tobacco Control (Komnas PT), a coalition of organizations that has been staunchly campaigning on tobacco issues in Indonesia, has asked the government to draft a comprehensive regulation on tobacco control to protect society.

Komnas PT chairman Prijo Sidipratomo said on Tuesday that the most important thing was for the government to immediately sign the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to protect society from the dangers of smoking.

Second, the existed tobacco bill that is being discussed by the government and the House of Representatives must be dropped, Prijo asserted in a press statement.

Prijo said the demand was in line with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodos statement in February during the 2017 National Health Meeting, saying that we should not let the money that was supposed to increase children's nutrition to be instead used to buy cigarettes.

The Komnas PT asked every party to join hands to protect the young generation from the dangers of nicotine addiction that could degrade the nations productivity.

(Read also: Fate of tobacco bill continues to hang in balance)

Hazardous commodity  Workers roll cigarettes in a factory in Surabaya, East Java.(thejakartapost.com/Wahyoe Boediwardhana)

Without a comprehensive regulation, more than 250 million people are left unprotected when facing the dangers of the cigarette industry that always looks for profits while harming the environment, economy, society and human rights, he added.

The commission criticized the House for wanting to delete the existing article declaring a total ban of cigarettes advertisement in broadcasting in a revision of the Broadcasting Law. (hol/dan)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Blora  Tue, May 30 2017

A panel of judges at the Blora District Court in Central Java has declared Bambang Tri Mulyono, the author of Jokowi Undercover, guilty of defaming President Joko Jokowi Widodo and spreading hatred, sentencing him to three years in prison.

The verdict was lighter than prosecutors previous demand of four years in prison.

Presiding judge Makmurin Kusmastuti said Bambang, 45, was guilty of violating article 28 of the 2008 Law on Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) and Article 16 of Law No. 40/2008 on the Elimination of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 13:15 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a3155be 4 National Alfian-Tanjung,hate-speech,State-Palace,Jokowi-administration Free

The Jakarta Police have named Alfian Tanjung, lecturer at Jakartas Prof. Dr. Hamka Muhammadiyah University (UHAMKA), a hate speech suspect in relation to a lecture he gave about the now-defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and Chinese Communist Party (PKC).

Yes, he has been named a suspect, Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said on Tuesday as quoted by tribbunnews.com. We will summons him on Wednesday.

According to the police, Alfian had spread hate speech when he claimed that members of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and several members of President Joko Jokowi Widodos inner circle were PKI members.

The lecture, given at Mujahidin Mosque, Surabaya, earlier this month, was uploaded and went viral on social media. The lecture saw him accusing several people of being involved in the PKI and claiming that a number of PKI members had led meetings at the State Palace.

Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki then sent him a reprimand letter, asking him to apologize and take back his statements.

Owing to a lack of response from Alfian, Teten reported him to the polices criminal investigation division on Friday.

During another lecture at Jami Saud Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, Alfian claimed that a number of PKI members had control over the palace. (foy)
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Linkedin Herve Asquin and Clare Byrne (AFP) Versailles, France  Tue, May 30, 2017 08:00 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a2fa9fc 2 World France,Emmanuel-Macron,Vladimir-Putin,Russia,Syria,Ukraine,#Russia,#France Free

France's President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin sought to improve their countries' strained ties Monday during talks at Versailles palace the French leader described as "extremely frank."

Their first meeting since Macron took office provided another test of the Frenchman's diplomatic skills after his memorable vice-grip handshake last week with US President Donald Trump.

This time, the handshake was warmer but the tone guarded after an hour of talks on the 300th anniversary of a visit to Versailles by tsar Peter the Great.

Putin admitted to some differences of opinion in the talks, which covered issues including the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, but insisted that Franco-Russian ties withstood "all points of friction."

"We disagree on a number of things but at least we discussed them," Macron said.

"Our absolute priority is the fight against terrorism and the eradication of terrorist groups and Daesh in particular," he said, using an alternate name for the Islamic State group that has claimed several deadly attacks in France.

- 'Organs of propaganda' -

The newly elected French leader said he wanted to work more closely with Russia to try resolve the six-year war in Syria, one of the sticking points in relations between the West and Moscow, which backs Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Calling for "a democratic transition that preserves the Syrian state," he warned that "failed states" in the Middle East emboldened terror groups and posed a threat to the West.

But in an apparent warning to Assad and Russia, he said the use of chemical weapons was a "red line" that would draw an "immediate response" from France.

The pair also discussed the Western sanctions imposed on Russia over its encroachment on neighbouring Ukraine as well as allegations of Russian meddling in France's presidential campaign.

The Russian strongman defended hosting Macron's far-right rival Marine Le Pen -- seen as the Kremlin's favourite -- for a visit during the race, saying he had no cause to deny her request for an audience.

He also shrugged off allegations that Russian hackers infiltrated Macron's campaign.

"Maybe they were Russian hackers, maybe they were not," he said.

A more candid Macron let fly when questioned about two pro-Kremlin media outlets that were barred from his campaign headquarters after being accused of a smear campaign.

The RT broadcaster and Sputnik agency are "organs of influence and untruthful propaganda, nothing more, nothing less," he declared.

RT's chief editor Margarita Simonyan, in a statement, dismissed Macron's comment as "baseless accusations" for which "not a single piece of evidence" had been provided.

Macron also took the bull by the horns on human rights, saying Putin had promised him "the whole truth" about an alleged crackdown on gay men in Russian-controlled Chechnya and warning he would be "vigilant" on the issue.

- 'No concessions' -

France's youngest ever president made a successful debut on the world stage last week, holding his own against Trump at a NATO summit in Brussels and winning plaudits from his peers at a G7 summit in Italy.

Ahead of Putin's visit, the 39-year-old centrist told a French weekly that he was not "bothered" by leaders who "think in terms of power dynamics."

He said he would make "not a single concession" to Russia on the three-year-old conflict in eastern Ukraine, with he and his G7 counterparts saying they were prepared to strengthen sanctions against Moscow.

Macron said he, Putin and the leaders of Germany and Ukraine would meet soon for talks, "which will allow us to make a complete evaluation of the situation."

- Modernising tsar -

Western powers charge Russia with failing to honour its commitments under the Minsk accords framework for ending the violence between government forces and Kremlin-backed rebels in Ukraine's east.

Putin said the sanctions imposed on Russia, which have seriously hurt trade with the EU, had "in no way" advanced the prospects of a lasting peace.

Directly after the French election, he moved quickly to try reset relations with France, congratulating Macron and urging him to work to overcome their countries' "mutual distrust."

Monday's visit came seven months after the Russian leader cancelled a trip to Paris amid a row over Syria with Macron's predecessor Francois Hollande, who had said Russia's bombing of Aleppo could amount to war crimes.

In Versailles, he and Macron inaugurated an exhibition marking the visit of Russia's modernising tsar Peter the Great to Versailles in 1717.

Putin later visited a new Orthodox cathedral complex in central Paris. (**)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 10:58 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a30418d 4 City terror-attack,Istiqlal-Mosque,suspect,Jakarta-police Free

The Jakarta Police arrested Iyus Rusmana, 43, on Monday for allegedly sending a text message threatening to bomb the Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Central Jakarta.

Iyus allegedly sent the text message to the mosque caretaker on Saturday at 12 a.m.

After receiving the text, the mosque caretaker reported the threat to the Sawah Besar Police.

The police directly followed up the report by teaming up with the Jakarta Polices general crimes division.

The police said Iyus sent the message from Pasar Baru in Central Jakarta.

Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said Iyus was arrested at The Peak apartments in Setiabudi, South Jakarta.

He was arrested without resistance, Argo said as quoted by tribunnews.com on Tuesday.

During the arrest, the officers seized Iyus mobile phone, ID, ATM card and Rp150,000 (US$11).

The police also searched his rented house in Meruya, West Jakarta, Argo said.

Iyus is being detained for further questioning. (cal/dmr)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 08:30 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a2fd412 1 City #JakartaAttack,#KampungMelayubombings,terror-attack Free

National Police arrested Ahmad Rifai, 37, for allegedly spreading fake news through a Facebook post in which he said the suicide bomb attack that killed three police officers and injured 16 others in East Jakarta last week, was a police plot.

"ARP [Ahmad Rifai] is a resident of Rao Pasaman. He was apprehended by the National Polices cybercrime squad on Sunday afternoon," National Police deputy spokesman Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompul was quoted by tribunnews.com.

According to Martinus, ARP is an employee at an all-female Islamic boarding school in Padang Pajang Barat, West Sumatra.

Police investigators said they were delving into Rifai's motive behind his fake news spreading. (dmr)
Naxals again shook Chhattisgarh by setting a private bus on fire after asking its passengers to de-board. Police arrested seven rebels ahead off a face-off.

By Press Trust of India: Naxals torched a bus after asking passengers to descend down in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district. While seven rebels were arrested today following a face-off with police in a nearby area, an official reported.

"When the private bus was on its way to Orchha from Narayanpur, a group of Naxals, some of them armed, stopped the vehicle on Tuesday night near Jhorigaon village, located about 300 kms from the state capital, Superintendent of Police, Santosh Singh.

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"The rebels asked the passengers to de-board the bus and then set it on fire. We do not have the count of passengers but all of them are reported to be safe," he added.

Security personnel rushed to the spot soon after receiving an alert. A combing operation has been launched in the region to nab the attackers, he said.

According to Singh, the Naxals are frustrated with the road construction work in the region, and therefore are committing such acts.

"The ultras have been opposing road construction from Narayanpur to Orchha in Abujhmaad - considered as a Maoist den," Singh said.

"Despite their disruption, construction has been completed in around 45-km patch of the total 66 kms, under security cover of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and district force," he said.

The construction of the remaining portion is underway, the SP said.

In another incident, seven Naxals, including three women, were on Tuesday arrested in another nearby village in Narayanpur.

They were nabbed after an exchange of fire between the ultras and security personnel near Tekanar village in early hours of Sunday on suspicion that they were involved in the skirmish, Singh reported.

He claimed that during interrogation, the rebels admitted to their involvement in several other incidents, including arson, following which they were arrested on Tuesday.

A team of security personnel was out on an anti-Maoist operation in the forest between Dhanora and Orchha villages of the district on Saturday night when the Maoists started firing on them near Tekanar village, leading to a gun-battle between the two sides, he said.

However, the Naxals soon escaped from the spot.

Later seven suspects, including three women, were held from the spot for questioning, the SP said.

"During interrogation, they admitted to their association with the outlawed CPI (Maoist)," Singh claimed.

"One of them had surrendered in the past before police but later rejoined the banned outfit," he said.

The SP also claimed that interrogation of the Naxals led to revelation of crucial details about their functioning in Dhanora and Orchha areas, located around 300 kms from Raipur.

--- ENDS ---

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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 10:10 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a3017b7 1 Business Masela-block,production-capacity,ignasius-jonan Free

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan has said the onshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant for the gas-rich Masela block will most likely have a production capacity of 9.5 million tons per annum (mtpa) and 150 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd).

The government has asked Japan-based Inpex and Dutch Shell, which hold a 65 and 35 percent stake in the block, respectively, to conduct a single phase pre-front end engineering design (pre-FEED) in order to determine the production capacity of the onshore LNG plant and the buyers of piped gas, Jonan said after a Cabinet meeting at the Bogor Palace in West Java

(Read also: Inpex to start works for Masela plan)

The piped gas is expected to be sold to local petrochemical companies.

The gas-rich Masela block is estimated to be able to produce 1,200 mmscfd and 24,000 barrels of condensate per day for 24 years.

While the government believes the block can start operating by 2023, the previous plan on development estimated that it could start production by 2024, and start operating in 2026, just two years shy of Inpex and Shells contract expiration.

The government has promised to amend their contract with an additional seven years. Furthermore, the government will strongly consider Inpexs request for a cost recovery worth $1.2 billion following an audit. (bbn)
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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Margareth S. Aritonang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 19:03 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a3238bb 1 National Densus-88,Terrorism-Law,counterterrorism,TNI Free

Human rights watchdog Imparsial has lambasted the proposal to grant the Indonesian Military (TNI) an official counterterrorism role, saying it will not only lead to an overlap of duty with the National Police, but also put the countrys democracy and human rights protection at risk.

Direct involvement from the military will violate the principle of civil supremacy and cause problems with our criminal justice system. It will be a setback to our program of reform. The military should only have responsibilities in the area of state defense, Imparsial director Al Araf said on Tuesday.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo said on Monday that the country needed a stronger antiterrorism law and the TNI should be given a greater role in the countrys war against terrorism. He made the statement following the twin bomb attack in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta, on May 24 that claimed the lives of three police officers and injured more than a dozen people.

The House of Representatives is currently deliberating the amendment of the 2003 Terrorism Law. There has not been yet agreements on a number of crucial articles including the TNIs role in counterterrorism. Currently, counterterrorism arrests and investigations must be under the coordination of the National Police.

Al Araf argued that there was an insufficient legal basis to ensure the military would not commit human rights violations when arresting terrorism suspects if it was granted such powers. Moreover, he added, there was no guarantee the TNI would obey the rulings of civilian courts given that it has its own military court, the transparency of which is still in question. (rin)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 12:58 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a314a3d 1 Business mnc-securities,sharia-online-platform,expansion,retail-investors Free

MNC Securities, a subsidiary of diversified conglomerate MNC Group, launched online platform MNC Trade Syariah on Monday to boost transactions of its retail investors.

Currently, 60 percent of our bottom line comes from institution investors. The remaining 40 percent sources from retail investors of which sharia contributes less than 20 percent, MNC Securities president director Susy Meilina said in Jakarta.

MNC Securities finance and operation director said the new sharia platform was expected to contribute 30 percent both in value and in number of investors this year, with a gradual increase to 50 percent.

Susy said her staff had visited a number of Islamic boarding schools and met with representatives of Islamic organizations like Nahdhlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah to introduce the new sharia platform.

The company has 90 points of sales and 22,000 customers across the country.

MNC Securities has adjusted net working capital of Rp 295 billion (US$22.12 million) with total daily transactions of Rp 350 billion a day.

Financial Services Authority (OJK) commissioner for capital market supervision Nurhaida said sharia stock contributed less than 5 percent to total stocks. "This is due to the lack of education on the stock market. We hope this sharia online platform will help people learn more about the trading," Nurhaida said. (dra/bbn)
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Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 12:56 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a313c92 1 Business energy-and-mineral-resources-ministry,BPK,auditing,bribery,comments Free

The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has reassured that its latest clean audit result has nothing to do with the alleged graft case implicating Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) auditors.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named two BPK auditors, Rachmadi Saptogiri and Ali Sadli, suspects in a bribery case, in which they are accused of accepting bribes to grant an unqualified (WTP) opinion  the best audit level  for the Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Ministrys 2016 budget report.

Energy and Mineral Resources Ministrys inspector general, Mochtar Husein, said the bribery case had led people to question the credibility of other government institutions that had also been granted the WTP opinion, including his ministry.

(Read also: Villages minister shocked by graft scandal)

It is as if that the WTP opinion can be traded easily. Therefore, I want to underline that our ministry has not been involved in such a thing, Mochtar told reporters in Jakarta on Monday.

We have never made any approaches. Instead, we have improved our administrative system and organizational structure. We have organized it carefully within the past two years so that we can reap the results now.

In the 2014-2015 period, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry got a reasonable with exception (WDP) grade from the BPK. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 14:45 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a31970a 1 City Rizieq-Shihab,arrest-warrant,pornography Free

A day after the Jakarta Police declared Islam Defenders Front (FPI) firebrand leader Rizieq Shihab a suspect in a pornography case, they issued on Tuesday a warrant for his arrest.

The case surfaced early this year after screenshots of sexually explicit WhatsApp chats that allegedly took place between Rizieq and a treason suspect, Firza Husein, went viral. Firza has also been named suspect in the case.

Prior to being named a suspect, Rizieq had evaded police questioning twice, on April 25 and May 10, as he left the country with his family to go on umrah (minor haj). He has not returned to Indonesia since.

Meanwhile, Firza was arrested on May 16 over the same case after she underwent 12 hours of questioning at the Jakarta Police headquarters.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono told reporters that the police would immediately visit Rizieqs house to seek his whereabouts.

From the suspects house we will go to the immigration office to find out more information regarding his exact location, said Argo.

The warrant, he said, would also be used to begin the procedure to put Rizieq on the polices most-wanted list.

As a last resort, we will request that Interpol issue a red notice against Rizieq if there are no signs that he will be returning to Indonesia, he said. (dea)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 12:39 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a31220c 1 National Rizieq-Shihab,FPI,Islam-Defenders-Front,social-media,ulemas,religious-defamation,blasphemy Free

The Islam Defenders Front (FPI) has claimed the Internet sweeping conducted by several FPI members to hunt down social media users allegedly insulting its leader, Rizieq Shihab, was an initiative of members in several regions, not an official program of the organization.

However, as an organization, FPI fully supports the initiative because it is in line with the organizations vision, which aims to avoid conflict among religious followers that can create dissension in Indonesia.

Police should thank us for educating irresponsible people who have insulted ulemas and defamed religions, FPI spokesperson Slamet Maarif told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

The most recent online prosecution allegedly committed by FPI was directed toward a female physician, Fiera Lovita, 40, from Solok Regional Hospital in Padang, West Sumatra. The FPI accused her of insulting Rizieq by posting comments on her Facebook account about his alleged involvement in a pornography case.

Several FPI members confronted Fiera at her workplace on May 23, pressuring her to delete her comments and write an official letter saying she regretted her actions. For a deterrent effect we want the police to arrest and take a legal action against her, Slamet said.

Contacted separately, FPI secretary general Habib Novel condemned Fiera's posts on Facebook. As an educated Muslim woman she should not insult [Riziq Shihab] especially in West Sumatera, a Muslim majority area, Novel said.

We have rules and laws. FPI supporters should not act like vigilantes. They should not act as judges in the field, National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto said. (hol/ebf)
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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam, Riau Islands  Tue, May 30, 2017 21:26 1989 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a326447 1 National Sacofa,Natuna,Malaysia,sovereignty,UNCLOS,underwater,submarine,optical-cable,telecomunication Free

Indonesia on Tuesday began to demolish a landing station that Malaysian telecommunications infrastructure company Sacofa Sdn Bhd had built on Anambas Island, one of the Natuna islands in Riau Islands province.

The facility, which was built in 2002, was connected to a submarine cable the Indonesian Military (TNI) viewed as a security threat and a violation of Indonesian sovereignty.

The chief of the team sent to demolish the "Sarawak Gateway" landing station, First Adm. Semi Djoni Putra, said the facility violated a 1983 law that ratified an Indonesian-Malaysian agreement on laying submarine cables and a 1985 law that ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

(Read also: Malaysian firms station deemed security threat)

"The firm holds principle license, but their operations are illegal and do not contribute to our national interest. On May 4, we summoned them, asked them to dismantle [the landing station] but they did not respond," Semi said.

Heavy equipment destroyed a land facility that consisted of six rooms, namely a guard room, a store room, a battery room, an equipment room, a generator room and a diesel tank room.

The Natuna Islands sit between Malaysia's peninsula and its province of Sarawak.(-/-)

Last month, TNI commander Gen. Gator Nurmantyo asserted Sacofas server and fiber optic cable infrastructure projects in the area must cease operations. The Foreign Ministry has said the 1982 agreement that was ratified in 1983 only allows Malaysia to build underwater facilities.

Anambas Information and Communications Agency head Jefrizal said he supported the move as residents had been questioning the existence of the Malaysian facility for years. Locals had been barred from entering the complex by foreigners who controlled the site. (bbs)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 14:15 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a318375 1 National kampung-melayu,#KampungMelayubombings,National-Police,national-police-chief,Tito-Karnavian,bombings,suicide-bombings Free

The suspected spreader of fake news on the Kampung Melayu suicide bombings, Ahmad Rifai, 37, from West Padang Panjang, West Sumatra, wrote an apology letter to National Police chief Gen.Tito Karnavian, through which he begged to be released.

Our client [Ahmad] wrote an apology letter to the National Police chief as he regretted the Facebook posts that hurt many people, Ahmads lawyer, Muhammad Ihsan, told Tito on Monday.

The National Polices cybercrime squad arrested Ahmad on Sunday over fake news he posted on his Facebook account on the same day.

On his Facebook status, Ahmad said the twin suicide bombings at the Kampung Melayu bus terminal in East Jakarta on May 24 were a police plot.

Ahmad said his wife was five months pregnant and that they had two children aged 5 and 3 years old who needed him.

Separately, police investigators said they were still investigating Ahmad's motive behind spreading the fake news. (hol/ebf)

A show of regret: Through his handwritten letter (pictured), Ahmad Rifai, 37, from West Padang Panjang, West Sumatra, asks National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian to release him. (Courtesy of the National Police/File)
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Colombo  Tue, May 30, 2017 14:43 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a319007 2 World Sri-Lanka,#flooding,flooding,#NaturalDisasters,natural-disaster Free

Sri Lanka appealed for volunteers Tuesday to help with a massive recovery operation in the wake of devastating flooding that left 183 dead and tens of thousands without clean drinking water.

State television broadcast calls for public assistance to clean drinking wells contaminated by the monsoon floods, the worst in 14 years after record rainfall in the island's southwest.

The Disaster Management Centre said nearly 600,000 people had been forced from their homes, with thousands suffering structural damage from flood inundation and landslides.

Water supply minister Rauf Hakeem said 40 percent of those affected did not have access to piped drinking water, and there was an urgent need to clean contaminated wells in flood-affected areas.

"Our workers have volunteered to join a major clean up," the minister told reporters in Colombo, adding water distribution stations had also been flooded, disrupting the piped supply.

The military has deployed more troops to the thousands already involved in distributing food and other essentials to flood victims in the districts of Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle and Matara.

The disaster center said weather in Sri Lanka was expected to improve Tuesday, with powerful Cyclone Mora moving away from the island towards Bangladesh.

There were scattered showers in many parts of Sri Lanka in the past 24 hours but flood waters were rapidly receding, officials said.

The official death toll was at 183, with another 110 people were listed as missing as of Tuesday morning.

In May 2003, 250 people were killed and 10,000 homes destroyed after a similarly powerful monsoon.

Sri Lanka has sought international assistance, with India sending two naval ships laden with supplies over the weekend. A third ship was expected later Tuesday, officials said.

The United Nations said it would donate water containers, water purification tablets and tarpaulins while the World Health Organization will support medical teams in affected areas.

Japan had promised portable generators and a team of experts to help with relief work.
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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 15:36 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a31b31a 1 National counterterrorism,terrorism,Terrorism-Law,terrorism-law-amandment,Jokowi,Joko-Widodo,abuse-of-power,criminal-justice-system,Imparsial Free

Responding to President Joko Jokowi Widodos suggestion to involve the Indonesian Military (TNI) in fighting against terrorism, rights group Imparsial has warned that Indonesia must uphold the criminal justice system in taking counterterrorism measures to avoid abuse of power.

Imparsial director Al Araf said on Tuesday that Article 7 of the 2004 Indonesian Military Law clearly regulated the militarys roles in the fight against terrorism. Under the law, TNI personnel could join in counterterrorism operations but their involvement was just to assist the National Police and was conducted only under the instructions and political decisions of the President.

We have had a legal basis for the militarys involvement in counterterrorism. Hence, we dont need to regulate it again through an amendment to the 2003 Terrorism Law, Al Araf said in a written statement.

Citing examples, he said the TNI had been active in helping the police hunt terrorists in Poso, Central Sulawesi.

On Monday, Jokowi said the Indonesian militarys role in combating terrorism should be stipulated in the amendment of the 2003 Terrorism Law, which was being deliberated at the House of Representatives.

Give the TNI authority to play its roles [in combating terrorism] in this regulation, Jokowi said.

Al Araf said Jokowi needed to elaborate more specifically on what military involvement he wanted to see. If the President insisted on involving TNI personnel in counterterrorism measures, it should not be conducted without a political decision of the President.

Military involvement must be the last resort as well, Al- Araf said. (ebf)
By Press Trust of India: By Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, May 30 (PTI) Nepals former prime minister K P Sharma Oli, who last year blamed India for his fall, said today that the deal signed with China for the Belt and Road initiative was a milestone and would take bilateral ties to a new level.

Oli, the chairman of Nepals main opposition party CPN- UML, described as historic the agreement Nepal signed to join the ambitious initiative that aims to link China with African and European markets through a maze of road, rail and port projects in Asian countries.

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He said the initiative, first announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, "will not only serve the interest of China but it will also open a new door for economic prosperity for Nepal and other neighbouring countries."

Oli was addressing an event on the B&R initiative in Kathmandu organised by the International Concern Centre.

Recalling his participation in a programme on the initiative as prime minister, Oli said with the signing of the agreement Nepal-China relations have reached a new height.

Nepal government should take concrete steps to materialise the Belt and Road initiative, he said.

Oli, who became the prime minister of Nepal in October 2015, resigned in August last year blaming India for his fall.

He had then alleged that India was behind the months-long agitation by the Madhesis, who are of Indian-origin and were demanding amendments to the new Constitution for more representation, that led to his resignation.

Also speaking at the event today, Nepali Congress leader Ram Sharan Mahat said the B&R initiative would benefit Nepal on multiple fronts by expanding the road and railway networks.

Chinese investment would increase in Nepal through the implementation of this project. PTI SBP ABH AKJ ABH

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Surakarta, Central Java  Tue, May 30, 2017 20:30 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a324a15 1 National toll-road,Idul-Fitri-2017,exodus Free

PT Solo Ngawi Jaya (SNJ), a subsidiary of state-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga, will open two gates of the Surakarta-Kertosono toll road in Ngasem, Boyolali and Klodran in Karanganyar in Central Java to facilitate travelers during the Idul Fitri exodus this year.

The tollgates will be opened for vehicles coming from Semarang, Boyolali, Yogyakarta and Surakarta, 2017 exodus task force secretary Ri Syamsi said.

We will still study further if we will open the gates for the returning wave of traffic, he said on Tuesday.

During the Idul Fitri exodus, the exit tollgates will function as entrances in Pungkruk, Sragen and Widodaren in East Java as the company will make the whole highway a one-way road toward East Java from June 19 to 25.

Just like last year, the routes are only for small and private vehicles. The tollgates will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., he said.

Sragen Transportation Office official Pursis Yuliono said the tollgates will be opened for two different streams of traffic coming from Semarang and Yogyakarta to prevent congestion.

If travelers from Yogyakarta enter through the Ngasem tollgate, there could be congestion on the Surakarta-Boyolali road. Therefore, we will open the Klodran gate especially to accommodate travelers from Yogyakarta, he said. (rin)
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Linkedin Bambang Muryanto (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta  Tue, May 30, 2017 21:19 1989 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a32602f 1 National Asa-Firda-Inayah,Facebook,tolerance,intolerance,radicalism,UGM,religious-tolerance,ReligiousRadicalism Free

Asa Firda Inayah, a 19-year old school student whose writings go viral on social media, has called on all younger generations in Indonesia to be open-minded and respect diversity.

God has created diversity. This can be a blessing if we can be wise in the way we perceive it, she said during a talk show held by the University of Gadjah Madas (UGM) School of Politics and Social Science on Monday.

About 100 participants comprising students, activists and academics attended the dialogue.

(Read also: Banyuwangi teenager garners attention with writings on tolerance)

Asa, a student from state senior high school SMA Negeri 1 Banyuwangi, East Java, became popular after she wrote an article entitled The Legacy and posted it on her Facebook account. Through her article, Asa called on all people not to claim that their religion was the most truthful.

Amidst the growing intolerance in Indonesia, Asas writings, which convey her thoughts that are against the mainstream, have gone viral in social media and triggered pro and con comments. Her Facebook account was once temporarily suspended.

Asa, who writes under a pen name, Afi Nihaya Faradisa, said she was sad and felt upset when she was bullied because of her writings, such as when she was accused of not having learned a lot about Islam. In fact, Asa said, she read classic Islamic books and her writings called for unity and encouraged people to keep thinking.

What makes it dangerous for a religious person to convey his or her thoughts? Asa said. She called on all UGM academics attending the talk show to undertake concrete work for society. (foy/ebf)
The Cenderawasih National Park and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have formulated a code of conduct to create an environment in which divers and whale sharks can interact.

The park, located in Kwasitore in Nabire, Papua, monitors whale sharks, the largest fish species in the sea, throughout the year in its fishing platform zone.

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Linkedin Markus Makur (The Jakarta Post) Waingapu, East Nusa Tenggara  Tue, May 30, 2017 10:02 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a2ffff5 4 Destinations sumba,East-Nusa-Tenggara,tourist-village,MaTaLaWa-National-Park,travel,destination Free

Father Robert Ramone describes Sumba as a forgotten island in his pictorial book, Sumba: Forgotten Island, published in Holland. Sumba Island in fact shouldnt be a forgotten island, because it has so much to offer.

The island abounds with distinctive natural and cultural highlights like unique woven fabrics, traditional villages, megalithic tombs, beautiful beaches and the countrys vastest savanna landscape.

Sumba, which also boasts the Manupeu Tanah Daru and Laiwangi Wanggameti (MataLawa) national parks, is a home to various endemic butterflies and birds, the highest waterfall in East Nusa Tenggara, unique traditional costumes and preserved system of kingship  all of which contribute to the nations international repute.

Read also: Sumbas MaTaLaWa National Park lures visitors with ecological attractions

With such resources, the only way to fully grasp the real beauty of this part of Indonesia is to take an extensive tour across the island.

The Jakarta Post joined a recent tour of Sumba led by head of MataLawa National Park Maman Surahman and his staff to cross the Trans Sumba highway. Along the route they described Sumbas four regencies  Southwest, West, Central and East Sumba  and their attractive features, including the Prai Ijing traditional village, the Pasola spear fighting tradition, the highest peak of Mount Wanggameti, the Sumba wedding ritual and the local peoples Marapu faith.

Sumba has its own style of architecture. Sumba women also weave ikat, fabrics with patterns created with tie-dye method. They wear the woven clothes with accessories and their community leaders carry daggers. Meanwhile, traditional village women hold earthen jugs on the head as their daily practice and on ritual occasions, Maman said.

He said the goal for MataLawa National Park is the development of the islands tourism based on its ecology and culture. This strategy is aimed at giving the Sumba community the opportunity to enjoy the economic impacts of tourism and also to encourage them to safeguard MataLawa, which provides sources of clean drinking water, irrigation and micro-hydro power.

Lets conserve the national parks resources for our generations of the next century. The assets of tourism should benefit the islands population, Maman said.

Marthen Ragowino Bira, the former village head of Tebar, Kota district, West Sumba, referred to the Prai Ijing settlement in Tebar as a one of the main tourist destinations due to its traditional housing architecture, ancestral rituals and Sumba ikat center.

Read also: 'Pasola': Centuries old ritual of Sumba

The 90-meter high Lapopu waterfall is located in Hatikuloku village, Wanokaka district, West Sumba, and is the highest in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), falling in stages down a steep rocky slope into a pool.

The savanna of Waerinding, East Sumba, is perhaps the most popular place in the regency for taking selfies and watching the sunset, besides being a vast cattle grazing area.

From the summit of Mount Wanggameti in East Sumba, tourists can enjoy spectacular views of the green and immense savanna with hundreds of grazing buffalos, cows, horses and goats. The rolling hills of the savanna come in three colors, brown, black and green, which compare with Flores Islands three red, green and blue lakes, MataLawa staffer Tri Wiyato pointed out.

Sumba people are proud of their islands natural beauty, which is reminiscent of Africas savanna plains. Agust Dapa Loka, an Indonesian language teacher in Waingapu, the capital of East Sumba, praises the great plains of Sumba in his award winning poetry anthology, Gemerisik Ilalang Padang Sabana (The rustling tall grass of savanna).

For travellers who want to experience the many sides of Indonesia, an expedition to Sumba is a must.
In a renewed commitment to the environment, Thailand will not let tourists access several of its 61 national parks for at least five months.

During the annual monsoon period, which is when the largest numbers of tourists head for Thailands beaches, 61 out of the countrys 154 national parks will be closed. This closure applies to some very well-known sites around Phuket, such as the Koh Phi Phi islands. Maya Bay, made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach, will remain open this year despite damage to the reefs, AsiaOne reported.

The Koh Ha islets to the west of Koh Lanta Island will be inaccessible to tourists until Oct 15. And in the Andaman Sea, the remote Similan Islands that tourists generally reach from Khao Lak, will also be out of bounds.

Read also: Exploring Sumba Island's natural and cultural riches

This means that numerous locations that are popular with divers will be closed. This drastic decision, which has been taken for the fourth consecutive year, aims to give marine wildlife time to recover from the effects of mass tourism. Between May and October, nine million tourists visit Thailands national parks. The wet season is the ideal time for marine wildlife to regenerate.

This drastic decision aims to give marine wildlife time to recover from the effects of mass tourism.
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Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Papua  Tue, May 30, 2017 12:11 1990 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a30f8ae 4 Activities Nabire,marine-tourism,whale-shark,Papua,diving,WWF-Indonesia Free

The park, located in Kwasitore in Nabire, Papua, monitors whale sharks, the largest fish species in the sea, throughout the year in its fishing platform zone.

Visitors must heed the instructions from the guides before going to the platform where whale sharks like to appear.

Apart from keeping a minimum distance of between 2 and 3 meters from the body and tail of the fish, divers are forbidden to touch or ride them.

Read also: Swimming with the whale sharks of Gorontalo

Divers taking pictures must not use flashes because they can disturb the whale sharks and even cause blindness. When the fish approaches, divers can swim to its side or go in reverse.

A study by WWF Indonesia in the zone identified individual 135 whale sharks, the majority being males with only four females. They measure 4 to 5 meters in length on average and fall into the young-age category.

Whale sharks have become a main tourist attraction for the park. In 2012, the park listed 1,764 foreign and local tourists and in 2016 it recorded 4,083 foreign and local visitors.

Do not disturb: A speed boat or a ship carrying divers is required to stop its engines when berthing at a platform so as not to disturb whale sharks.(JP/Arya Dipa)

Hi, human: A whale shark appears near the Kwatisore fishing platform area in Nabire in Cenderawasih Bay National Park, Papua.(JP/Arya Dipa)

Eating time: Whale sharks consume food by opening their mouths, sucking in water and filtering the food from it. This way of feeding causes whale sharks to be often found near the surface.(JP/Arya Dipa)
The NIA is probing all aspects of funding of separatist leaders and use of these funds in fuelling unrest in the Valley after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016.

By Jitendra Bahadur Singh: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to file a First Information Report (FIR) in Pakistan's funding of Hurriyat leaders for stone-pelting and other forms of protest in Jammu and Kashmir, a case exposed by the exclusive investigation conducted by the India Today TV earlier this month.

The FIR follows the NIA's interrogation of separatists Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leader Javed Ahmed alias Gazi Baba, and suspended Hurriyat leader Naeem Khan, who have all reportedly admitted that Hurriyat chief Syed Ali Shah Geelani was getting money from Pakistan frequently through different channels.

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The NIA is probing all aspects of funding of separatist leaders and use of these funds in fuelling unrest in the Valley after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016.

The agency registered a preliminary inquiry against Hurriyat Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and his close aide and Hurriyat provincial President Nayeem Khan, Dar and Baba.

The separatist leaders were alleged to have received money from the Lashkar-e-Taiba and other sources in Pakistan to fund stone-pelting and violent protests in Jammu and Kashmir.

INDIA TODAY IMPACT

On May 16, India Today TV had aired its sting operation in which Nayeem Khan had confessed that akistan was pumping in money to stoke trouble in the Valley in connivance with Hurriyat leaders. Three days later, NIA questioned him first.

On May 20, the agency had collected details of 13 accused and chargesheeted accused in cases of arson attacks on schools and public property in Kashmir.

The interrogation revealed that hawala and cross-border trade were the main sources of getting money from Pakistan. The trio, who were asked by the NIA to bring certain bank and property documents, also reportedly admitted they were minor players in this entire nexus.

Sources in the NIA said the facts are being ascertained and the preliminary inquiry of the three separatist leaders is likely to be changed into a regular case. Once the FIR is filed, the NIA is likely to interoogate the Hurriyat veteran Geelani, sources said.

Also read:

Hurriyat leaders Bitta Karate, Ghazi Baba to appear before NIA in Delhi tomorrow

India Today impact: NIA launches probe after sting exposes Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders took money from Pakistan

WATCH : India Today's Hurriyat tapes decoded in 3 minutes: How Pakistan funds villains of Kashmir

--- ENDS ---
More than two weeks after the devastating fire at Beth Hamdrash Hagadol, the historic Norfolk Street synagogue, engineers are still trying to determine whether any part of the 167-year-old building can be saved.

We spoke with Rabbi Mendel Greenbaum late last week, who said it will likely be a few more days before they have any solid answers. As you may have noticed, construction fencing went up around the perimeter some time ago and a shed for debris was moved into position behind the synagogue. The Department of Buildings (DOB) forensic engineering unit will be working o determine if the remaining structure is secure, or whether walls are in danger of collapsing. Howard L. Zimmerman Architects has filed applications for the removal of debris, according to the DOBs online database.

Greenbaum said hes determined to move ahead in partnership with the Chinese American Planning Council (CPC) for a new structure behind the current nursing home building. That site is owned by the CPC. Before the May 14 fire, the two organizations were planning to restore the synagogue building as part of the new development, creating a synagogue space in the basement of the landmark-protected building. Greenbaum said he still wants to re-establish Beth Hamedrash Hagadol as a functioning congregation on the Lower East Side.

In related news, a 14-year-old boy accused of setting the fire is expected to be back in family court tomorrow. According to a spokesperson with the NYC Law Department, hell be informed as to whether a case will be filed against him. If that occurs, the boy will be required to appear before a judge. He was arrested May 16 and later released into the custody of his mother, a Lower East Side resident.
The Cannes Film Festival came to a close on Sunday with what is seen as one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies in film.

The week and a half long festival saw 19 films nominated for the Palme dOr, all of which were of excellent quality. With that being said, some stood out more than others. Heres a look at four stand-out films to come out of Cannes this year.

The Square

Starting with the winner of the Palme dOr: The Square. Directed by Ruben Ostlund the film is a satirical drama about the publicity that arises around an art installation in the Stockholm Palace, which, in the film, has been converted into an art museum.

Starring the likes of Dominic West and Elizabeth Moss, the film has been praised for its depiction of the decadence of the contemporary art world. It follows museum curator Christian, played by Claes Bang, who, after having his phone and wallet stolen, sets in motion events that lead to his professional downfall.

The film is darkly humorous and although it was the unexpected winner of Cannes' top prize, the jury made up of the likes of Pedro Almadovar and Will Smith chose it as the festival's best film. Almadovar said that The Square accurately depicted the dictatorship of being politically correct.

Loveless

The film that many believed would win the Palme dOr was Russian director Andrey Zvyaginstevs Loveless. The film follows a Russian couple in Moscow who are in the midst of a bitter divorce when their 12-year-old son Alyosha (Matvey Nokivov) disappears.

The police, who believe the boy has run away, leave the broken couple to form their own search party in an attempt to find their son. The films characters, particularly Alyoshas mother, Zhenya (Maryana Spivak) are shown to be selfish, vain and obsessed with social status.

Writer Agnes Poirier dubbed Loveless beautiful, bleak and hypnotic saying that the film shows Russia today". Zvyaginstev however, says that the film is more of an intimate story rather than a portrait of Russia. Having left Cannes with the Jury Prize and leaving many impressed, Loveless is sure to be a great watch come its theatrical release.

Happy End

A film that didnt pick up any awards but was still incredibly well received was Happy End. The Austrian film, from veteran director Michael Haneke, is about a wealthy family in Calais whose members are all looking for what the films title suggests: a happy end.

The film touches on a number of issues including euthanasia, lack of responsibility and damaging the next generation. All this is shown with the European refugee crisis as a backdrop.

Although some have criticised the film for being a re-tread of Hanekes previous works, with similar themes being touched upon, others see it as a triumphant ensemble of the directors best features. This is the case for BBC culture editor Matthew Anderson, who said that whilst being a very heavy and difficult film, Happy End is like the final movement of a classical piece of music as it incorporates all of Hanekes key themes. The film stars Isabelle Huppert and Toby Jones amongst many others, who are said to have put in excellent performances.

102 Beats Per Minute

The final stand-out film coming out of Cannes is 102 Beats Per Minute. Winner of what is considered to be the second-place prize of the festival, the Grand Prix, the film tells the story of HIV and AIDS activists of the group ACT UP, and tells of their struggles in Paris during the 1990s.

The film has been dubbed humorous and inspiring whilst being able to capture the harsh realities faced by its characters. Directed by Robin Campillo, the French film received a positive reception at the festival from critics. Its depiction, not only of the sense of community amongst the activists, but of the realistic political struggle they faced, has been praised as well as its uplifting tone. Starring Arnaud Valois as protagonist Nathan and Nahuel Perez Biscayart as fellow activist Sean, the drama will be released in France this coming August.

These are only a handful of some of the great films to come out of Cannes this year. Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidmans The Killing of a Sacred Deer has received notable acclaim, as has You Were Never Really Here, starring Joaquin Phoenix. The Jury awarded Phoenix the Best Actor Award for his role in the film whilst Diane Kruger received Best Actress for German drama In the Fade.

Though Cannes is now done for another year it has brought with it a number of great films that audience will surely enjoy as they are released throughout the year.
By Press Trust of India: (Eds: Correcting quote in para 12)

Bengaluru, May 30 (PTI) Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia today did not rule out the scope for rationalisation of tax rates fixed on various goods and services under the GST regime to be implemented from July 1.

"One thing we would agree is that there is a scope forrationalisation of tax rates on various goods and services," hesaid here in an interaction with the industry on GST.

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Even the Central Board of Excise and Customs ChairpersonVanaja Sarna had yesterday said the GST Council could revise rates if there is any justification for reconsideration.

Various industries and businesses, including traders, FMCG and automobiles had been petitioning the Central government for revising rates.

On concerns by representatives of food processing sector, Adhia said a decision on the rates of foodgrains, especially wheat and rice, would be taken at the June 3 meeting.

"It was already mentioned by (Finance Minister Arun) Mr Jaitley that this is one issue which is still pending before the GST Council, and it will take a decision. We understand the food processing industry needs to be encouraged," he said.

He also argued that if these items were kept in the exempted category, the food processing industry will be losing.

He said the Council will take a view on the definition of branding.

On concerns raised by representatives of financial services sector, Adhia said dismissed the fear of loans getting costlier due to implementation of GST.

"There have been some concerns raised in the financial service sector that loans and all of these will become costlier, no way (it is going to be so)," he said.

"All people in financial services will know, we are notcharging service taxes in deposits as well as loans, but taxeson other services. Loans are not going to become costlier. That is a misplaced fear, because of lack of understanding,"he added.

Adhia also said according to economists (rpt) according to economists the GST may push Indias GDP up by more than 4 per cent because of the simplicity and predictability of the new indirect tax regime, which will encourage people to be tax compliant.

"Economists have argued that Indias GDP may go up by more than 4 per cent because of GST - that is the kind of potential it has," he said.

"Why will the GDP go up? It is because businesses require simplicity, predictability of tax regime. These are the things which are going to be fulfilled by GST," he added.

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Adhia said the new indirect tax regime will create problems but one should find solutions, instead of not allowing it to happen. PTI BDN RA SS MR

--- ENDS ---
Renters in Manchester could get completely free Uber rides, under a newly launched scheme.

British property developer Moda Living has joined forces with Uber in an effort to attract tenants, to use space more efficiently and to cut car ownership in cities.

Moda Livings first building with the Uber initiative will be opening in Manchester city centre, but the company plans to develop more than 6,000 total flats in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham.

This is Ubers first foray into the property market, which follows its expansion into food delivery and courier services.

The developer intends to build its complexes with few or no parking spaces to allow the ability to construct more amenities, such as gyms, cinemas and swimming pools.

Tenants that decline to use a parking space will receive up to 100 each month in credit to spend on Uber rides.

Embracing future technology is vital from day one and these plans for a partnership with Uber would not only give our customers an affordable ride at the touch of a button  it would also enable us to design better buildings with more space for social interaction, Johnny Caddick, the managing director of Moda Living, says.

Uber believes the deal could potentially cut car ownership in cities and that private cars remain vastly unused anyway.

Cars are one of the most expensive assets most people own, but theyre used just 5% of the time, Jo Bertram, general manager of Uber in the UK, says.

By getting more people to ditch their own vehicles we can put some of the space wasted on parking to much better use. And with more people using car sharing options like UberPOOL we can reduce congestion and emissions too.

Caddick added that the apartments will be for rent instead of sale so that they may consider how the companys customers will reside in cities in the future.

Everyone wants a more frictionless life and Ubers model fully aligns with our approach of wanting to drive efficiency and maximise value for our customers, Caddick says.
This General Election, I will be voting for Ilford Norths Conservative Candidate Lee Scott.

Scott was my local MP for ten years and did a marvellous job representing his constituency, as has (in all fairness) current incumbent Labours Wes Streating. But a combination of my own political views and Streatings performance as a Cabinet Member and Councillor in Redbridge tips me in favour of Scott.

Ive heard many times that is some sort of crime to be a student and a Tory. So, Ill lay down the reasons why Im a Tory.

Here's why

I only really have four political beliefs, when it comes down to it.

I believe in unlimited opportunity for all. Every citizen should be able to make the use of social mobility to better themselves. I believe we should be proud of our welfare system and it should be there to protect the most vulnerable, but it can be a trap and people can sometimes become over-reliant.

I believe in limited government. Government should not interfere with all aspects of life - only when it will be immoral not to do so or if itll be impractical for them not to do so.

This gives people personal freedom to make the decisions they want to live their own lives. I believe in civil liberties, but with this comes personal responsibility: people shouldnt blame others for their shortcomings. This, I feel from experience, leads to positive personal outcomes.

Lastly, I believe in an open, free, mixed market economy. I dont believe governments stimulate the economy.

Can you find me an example of a nation being taxed into prosperity?

It is business and consumers that do it, and the government merely creates conditions to allow them to do so.

The Conservative and Unionist Party fluctuates in their support for those four principles, especially with civil liberties, with Amber Rudd and Theresa Mays' performances as Home Secretary being cases in point.

But they are still the party that best fit those principles.

Employment

Tories tend to be pragmatic: the deficit has been slashed; unemployment is at its lowest point in 40 years. The Tory long term economic plan is working. It may be slower than liked, but it is working.

People who say otherwise would do well to remember to the situation the country was in back in 2010. Theres no money left, said the note in the Treasury.

Austerity

People have criticised the Tories for austerity. Some of them wont criticise the EU for its own forced austerity measures, but thats a story for another day.

Austerity is simply living within your means: you cannot spend money you do not have, it is unsustainable, and you then rely on the strength of an economy you have no control over.

I do not believe cuts are responsible for the public service crisis. Merely, they are a symptom. During the late 20th and early 21st Century, demand for services increased to new highs. We used borrowing to pay for it; that proved to be disastrous.

The NHS

On the NHS, theres talk of privatisation from the Tories. However, it was Labour who bought the private sector into the NHS with PFIs. In addition, under EU law, the procurement of services must go out to universal tender, which causes an unnecessary waste of time and resources.

It was Labour who commissioned ATOS in 2008.

In 2015, Labour committed an extra 2.5 billion per year for the NHS, so far, the Tories have invested 10 billion. Since the Conservatives have been in power, there have been an extra 11,000 doctors and 12,000 nurses and midwives joining the workforce.

If they really wanted to privatise, then theyre doing a terrible job of it.

I agree, the improvement of the NHS starts with investment, which is why we need the economy to be strong.

You cant, however, simply throw money at the problem and hope it goes away. It needs more than just money. Since the NHS was created, every government apart from Jim Callaghans has put more money into it.

However, its never been enough. Theres always new problems. People are living longer, but arent necessarily healthier and are using services more, which means there needs to be a frank and honest debate in this country about healthcare. We need to proactive and not reactive.

I only trust the Tories to engage in this debate.

Leaving Europe

As for Brexit negotations, I don't feel it's an issue. I don't believe politcal leaders are going to decide the deal; it is business leaders. I suppose I'd rather have May fighting our corner, but both sides will be dictated to by corporations in their countries.

Taxes

A side note on corporation tax. Its low taxes which makes this country attractable to businesses and the investment and jobs they bring. Increasing it, being forceful, will mean these businesses will move and take their jobs elsewhere, to maximise profits.

When the EU ruled Apple must pay it, Ireland refused to collect an 11 billion tax bill.

Fox Hunting

As for fox hunting, I do have massive opposition to it. I feel the need to address it, as therell be comments about it Im sure, I quite simply dont like it. Fox hunting is nothing more than bullying. However, I dont think it will happen. I have a theory that the Tories are deliberately running a poor campaign to give Labour a possibility of forming a coalition (a majority is impossible with Scotland near enough gone for them) and then in the last week really hammer the message home with coalition of chaos rhetoric.

If thats not true, Im pretty hopeful that the motion will be defeated by backbenchers, who caused plenty of U-Turns in the last year of Camerons premiership.
According to Freedom of Information requests sent to 120 universities, at least 169 sexual assault allegations were made against staff (both academic and non-academic) between 2011-12 and 2016-17.

A further 127 allegations about staff were made by colleagues.

At the University of Glasgow there were eight cases of sexual assault and five cases of rape involving students from 2012-2016.

However, many students do not come forward in fear of repercussions on their education and some are persuaded to sort the situation internally.

petition Cambridge student and CUSU Women's Officer Audrey Sebatindira started acalling for an improvement in the support of sexual assault survivors. The petition claims that over 300 sexual harassment claims were made against university staff in six years.

A total of four cases of sexual assault and five cases of rape were reported by students at UCL between 2013-2015. The university confirmed that there were no records relating to reports of sexual violence relating to members of staff.

In the past three years, there were eight cases of sexual assault reported at University of Oxford and seven cases of rape.

The petition calls for universities to all include sexual assault as a mitigating circumstance in their policies and for Universities UK (UUK) to advise them to do so.

So far, it has received over 2,000 signatures.

However, regulations governing the assessment of students is a matter for individual universities as autonomous organisations. It is therefore not something Universities UK would comment upon.

In terms of providing support for students who have been victims of sexual violence or harassment, UUK stresses that all universities will offer appropriate support if an incident occurs.

Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK and chair of the taskforce, says:

The university sector has been clear that there is no place for sexual violence, harassment or hate crime on a university campus, nor anywhere else.

The impact of any such incident on a student is so potentially serious that universities must be ready to respond effectively and proactively engage in prevention initiatives.

The taskforce agreed that there are several steps that universities can take to promote and reinforce positive behaviour among students.

UK universities, however, have a significant role to play, and are in a position to lead the way in preventing and responding to violence against women, harassment and hate crime, beyond the boundaries of the university campus.
A Houston-area school district has disciplined several teachers after a student received a mock award naming her most likely to become a terrorist.

Certificates given to the 13-year-old girl and other students were supposed to be lighthearted, but the Channelview Independent School District issued a statement apologising for the insensitive and offensive fake mock awards.

The girls mother, Ena Hernandez, says she was upset by the certificate given to her daughter, particularly in light of the recent attack in Manchester.

Channelview spokesman Mark Kramer told KPRC-TV in Houston that the certificates were a poor attempt to poke fun. The news has been widely met with shock and outrage.

So some adults thought this would be light-hearted and funny. I'm so baffled at the thought processes of some people. https://t.co/T3o8a8Mvln  Abbie Amiotte (@AbbieAmiotte) May 26, 2017

How, in ANY WAY, could ANYONE deem this "lighthearted" and "an attempt to poke fun"??!! https://t.co/Tjs2zedKVm  Caroline (@CarCar923) May 26, 2017

And these are the so called educators teaching our children. Incidents like these are why people say "there's no hope for the future" https://t.co/4SgIOX72Nr  Tobias Pena (@Elgringo1213) May 26, 2017

The district declined to disclose the punishment the teachers received.
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President Juan Carlos Varela announced former Panamanian dictator Noriega's death on Twitter and said his passing marked the closing of a chapter in the Central American country's history.

By Reuters: Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, who spied for the United States before his drug trafficking and brutality triggered a U.S. invasion to oust him in 1989, has died aged 83.

President Juan Carlos Varela announced Noriega's death on Twitter late on Monday, and said his passing marked the closing of a chapter in the Central American country's history.

Noriega's CIA connection

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Ruling Panama from 1983 to 1989, Noriega was a longtime collaborator of the Central Intelligence Agency and a useful U.S. ally in a region that was prone to leftist insurgencies.

The invasion ordered by President George H.W. Bush brought an end to his career of money-laundering and cocaine smuggling, in which he worked with traffickers like Colombian Pablo Escobar. He was initially sentenced in the United States in 1992, but was serving a sentence for murder in Panama when he died.

Noriega was let out of prison under house arrest in January to have an operation to remove a brain tumor. The surgery went ahead in early March, but he suffered a hemorrhage, underwent a second operation, and had been in a coma ever since.

A Panamanian government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Noriega died at around 11 p.m. local time in a Panama City hospital after his condition suddenly worsened.

President Varela said Noriega's family should have the right to bury the former leader in peace.

Most Panamanians had gone to bed by the time the announcement was made close to midnight in the isthmus nation, so local reaction was initially muted.

"We Panamanians must remember the (Noriega) era as something that cannot be repeated in Panama, it was a really painful time for the country because it ended with an invasion," said Aurelio Barria, a former leader of the Cruzada Civilista, a civil society campaign against the dictatorship.

Early life

Born less than a mile from the U.S.-controlled Panama Canal Zone in a tough Panama City neighborhood, Noriega was raised by a family friend. A poor but intelligent youth, his options were limited until a half-brother helped him join the military.

Noriega became head of military intelligence under Omar Torrijos - who had seized power in a 1968 coup - and oversaw the army's corrupt off-book deals, and ran the secret police force.

Torrijos died in 1981, and as ruler in his own right Noriega hit the headlines as his relations with Washington turned sour, culminating in Washington sending nearly 28,000 troops to seize Panama City and capture him in a house-to-house hunt.

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Noriega spent the remainder of his life in custody between the United States, France and Panama for a host of crimes ranging from murder to racketeering and drug-running.

With U.S. officials in the know, Noriega formed "the hemisphere's first narcokleptocracy," a U.S. Senate subcommittee report said, calling him "the best example in recent U.S. foreign policy of how a foreign leader is able to manipulate the United States to the detriment of our own interests."

After his capture, Noriega tried to turn the tables on the United States, saying it had worked hand in glove with him.

--- ENDS ---
Following the allegations, AAP has also demanded resignation of Pankaja Munde who is the minister of women and child welfare.

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: It seems BJP minister Pankaja Munde has kicked the hornet's nest yet again. This time Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Preeti Menon has leveled allegations of corruption against Munde who is the minister of women and child welfare in Maharashtra.

Following the allegations, AAP has also demanded resignation of Munde.

Preeti Menon in press conference said that government of India and various Supreme Court judgements have made it clear that all supply of nutrition though the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) will not be from contractors but from village communities, self- help groups and Mahila Mandals.

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"Despite the directive, there are many self help groups of women which are run by men. And these contracts were awarded by Panakaja Munde to private companies," said Menon.

AAP has alleged that minister Panakaja Munde has awarded THR (Take Home Ration) contract to three such companies who were ordered by Supreme Court to be blacklisted. About 88 per cent contracts were awarded to three companies.

According to AAP, in 2016 Pankaja Munde floated tender again for THR. The tender had made conditions making them virtually inaccessible to the local self help groups. About 18 people were shortlisted out of which only three companies got 88 per cent contact. All these contracts had mostly gone to agro or food companies which are not at all local self help group.

AAP ALLEGES INVOLVEMENT OF BJP STATE PRESIDENT IN SCAM

AAP further claimed that BJP state president Raosaheb Danve too was involved in a similar scam. The party said that a private company transacted about Rs 5 lakh with a person identified as R D Danve. AAP has asked the state government to find out who is this R D Danve as his initials are similar to BJP state president Raosaheb Danve and what connection this person has got with this Moreshwar company.

"We want fair probe in this issue and Pankaja should resign immediately as she is not capable of handling department of women and child welfare,"said Preeti Menon.

"I have no knowledge about these allegations. Earlier, I had proven all allegations against me wrong with evidence. We have followed SC's guide lines and if anyone has violated it, we will take strict action against them," said Munde.

Due to the issues, women who operate self groups are finding it difficult to repay loans. They had taken loan for acquiring equipment and till March they used to get contracts from government to make THR. However, since April they have been asked by government to stop work as they do not have modern machinery. Incidentally, the same THR contracts were handed to the blacklisted firms.

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"We have sold our jewellery to repay the loan amount. When we fail to deliver products on time, they reprimand and ask questions. But the authorities seem to be silent now. We demand that those contract should be given to us, we are ready with all the materials," said Nisha, a representative of a Mumbai-based self help group.

Also read:

Pankaja Munde to address rally at foothills of Bhagwangad

WATCH | Pankaja Munde denies corruption charges

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The decease has been identified as Manjula Devak, a final year PhD student.

By India Today Web Desk: A 28-year-old final year PhD student was found hanging at her room in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi campus on Tuesday evening.

The deceased has been identified as Manjula Devak. She was reportedly found hanging from the ceiling fan in her room at Nalanda apartment inside the campus.

Sources said that the police received a distress call at around 7.45 pm. Devak was rushed to the nearest hospital where she was declared brought dead.

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Devak, who was married to Ritesh Virha, was a student of water resources. Her husband and parents, who reside in Bhopal, have been informed about her death, Biswal said.

An inquiry has been initiated and the cause of suicide was yet to be known as no suicide note was found, police said.

Also read:

JNU PhD scholar commits suicide in South Delhi

PhD student from JNU found dead, police say he suffered from depression

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By Press Trust of India: By Shirish B Pradhan

Kathmandu, May 30 (PTI) The pilot of a small cargo plane of the Nepal Army was killed and two crew members injured when the aircraft overshot the runway during an emergency landing in western Nepal today, the second accident involving a cargo aircraft in less than a week in the Himalayan nation.

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Captain Kailash Gurung died and two others sustained injuries in the accident atKolti airport in Bajura district, about 700 kilometres west of Kathmandu, Nepal Army said.

The injured have been admitted to a hospital.

The Army aircraft, PZL M28 Skytruck with call sign NA- 048, was carrying food supplies from Nepalgunj to the mountainous district of Humla in far-west Nepal.

The plane was to land at the Simikot airport in Humla district. But, due to bad weather it was flown to Bajura where the pilot tried to force-land it resulting in the accident.

The plane overshot the runway for about 50 metres and overturned on a field, an airport official said.

This was the second mishap involving a cargo plane in Nepal in less than a week.

On May 27, a Czech-manufactured LET-410 plane of the domestic carrier Goma Air crashed during landing at Tenzing? Hillary Airport, the gateway to the Mount Everest region. The pilot of the aircraft was killed in the crash while the co- pilot succumbed at a hospital later.

Nepal has a poor aviation record owing to dangerous airports in the mountainous region. PTI SBP ABH AKJ ABH

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The prime minister praised Merkel's "strong leadership" and said a EU-focused vision is what the world needed.

By Press Trust of India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today backed German Chancellor Angela Merkel's "strong leadership" in uniting the European Union at a time the economic grouping showed signs of strain over the UK's decision to exit it and the protectionist stance adopted by US President Donald Trump.

Modi, whose visit to Germany comes less than a week after Merkel provided the strongest indication yet that the EU and the US under President Trump were drifting apart, said India would play a positive role in boosting unity in the grouping.

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Modi's public support comes at a crucial time for Merkel, who has been fighting secessionist tendencies within the bloc since Britain decided to leave the 28-member grouping through a referendum in June last year.

The prime minister praised Merkel's "strong leadership" and said a EU-focused vision is what the world needed. He also said a global order based on democracy is the need of the hour, in an interconnected and interdependent world.

"EU unity, pro-activeness and strong relations with other countries is extremely important for global development. We want the EU to become stronger and India will play a positive role towards that through the medium of Germany," he told reporters at a joint briefing with Merkel, who hosts Chinese Premier Li Keqiang tomorrow.

The visit by Asian leaders in quick succession have led to the western media calling it an "Asian pivot" to Europe and Germany, the most important pillar of the EU now that Britain was preparing to exit the largest single market.

MADE FOR EACH OTHER

Responding to a question, Modi said India and Germany were "made for each other". He said the two countries share the values of innovation and democracy and these values were "a blessing for mankind".

He explained the huge synergy that exists between German capabilities and Indian requirements.

Merkel last week said that reliable ties forged since the end of World War II "are to some extent over." Germany's Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel followed her and blasted the US, saying the Trump administration's "short-sighted policies... stand against the interest of the European Union".

ALL IS NOT WELL WITH TRUMP

The remarks came soon after G7 and NATO summits, where news reports suggested that not all was well between her and Trump, who is leading the US towards a more protectionist stance on economic issues and has called for NATO to pay for their share of expenditure of the Atlantic military alliance.

Also, during the presidential election in France, the other key member of the EU, Trump tacitly backed the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and her vocal support to leave the EU. But she lost the election earlier this month.

The US and Germany are also not on the same page on climate change issue. Trump has vowed to walk away from the historic Paris deal while Merkel supports the agreement.

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"Europe and the world are facing lots of challenges and to fight those, India believes, the world needs the strong leadership of Chancellor Merkel," Modi added.

Merkel said that Europe must "take our fate into our own hands" and added that it should step up as a diplomatic player on the international stage.

"The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days," she repeated today.

"Others," in this case, seems to be a euphemism; Merkel was clearly talking about the US, according to The Washington Post.

Soon after her comments, Trump swiftly blasted Germany over trade imbalance. "We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for US. This will change(sic)," he tweeted.

Merkel, however, had also said Germany's relationship with the US was of "outstanding importance" but it must also engage with other important nations.

"We live in a globalised world and India...is a partner," she said.

"India wants the world not just to be interconnected but also that it should be sensibly run," Merkel said, endorsing a trade deal in the works between India and the European Union.

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Germany is the largest trading partner for India in the EU and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment into the country.

Also read:

Donald Trump's anti-Germany tweets escalate tense relations between two countries

Germany, India made for each other: PM Narendra Modi after meeting Angela Merkel in Berlin

Also watch:

Germany key trade partner for India, says Modi after meeting Angela Merkel in Berlin

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Book looks into 52 cases unsolved murders with ties to South Dakota

Christine Wevik started researching cold cases in South Dakota thinking there were about 30. She found 155.
After holding talks on wide-ranging issues like skill development, cyber security and terrorism, PM Modi called for "outcome-oriented" momentum in Indo-German ties.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following a news conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany. Photo: Reuters

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi while giving the joint statement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin said, "Germany and India are made for each other."

After holding talks on wide-ranging issues like trade, skill development, cyber security and terrorism, PM Modi also called for "outcome-oriented" momentum in Indo-German ties and a "quantum jump" in economic relations of both nations.

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PM Modi after holding talks with Merkel added, "The pace of development of our relations is fast, direction is positive and destination clear. Germany will always find India as a powerful, prepared and capable partner."

JOINT DECLARATION SIGNED

The two sides also signed a joint declaration of intent on cyber politics, development initiatives, sustainable urban development, continued development of cluster managers and skill development, cooperation in the field of digitalisation, cooperation in the field of railway security, promoting vocational training and continued cooperation on an Indo-German centre for sustainability.

Modi, who along with Merkel held the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) to set a roadmap for the bilateral strategic ties, said they conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations. "We are looking at outcome oriented momentum in India-Germany ties and a quantum jump specially in economic ties. We had wide ranging discussions today. India-Germany partnership will help our nations and also help the world," he said.

INDIA A RELIABLE PARTNER

On her part, Merkel said India has proved to be a reliable partner and the two sides have been able to deepen cooperation.

Talking about the threat of terrorism, Modi said humanitarian forces must unite to combat the menace.

Earlier, Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, where he was greeted by Merkel and senior German officials. Modi received a guard of honour and was welcomed as the the music choir of the German Army played the Indian National Anthem.

Also read: 'Good interaction', says PM Modi after meeting Angela Merkel, asks Europe to take lead in fight against terror

Also read: When Priyanka Chopra met PM Narendra Modi in Berlin

WATCH VIDEO HERE

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Priyanka Chopra was in for a treat when she got to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin. PM Modi is on his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe.

By India Today Web Desk: Priyanka Chopra on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Germany, in between his packed schedule in Berlin. The Bajirao Mastani star termed the meeting "such a lovely coincidence".

"Thank you for taking the time to meet me this morning Narendra Modi sir. Such a lovely coincidence to be in Berlin at the same time," Priyanka, who has been making India proud in Hollywood, tweeted.

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She even shared a glimpse from her meeting with Modi on Twitter as well as Instagram.

Thank you for taking the time to meet me this morning @narendramodi Sir. Such a lovely coincidence to be in #berlin at the same time. ????????? pic.twitter.com/vLzUSH5WR1- PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) May 30, 2017

Chopra, who is known for her acting skills as well as supporting social and humanitarian causes, is seen in a floral-print white dress during the meeting.

Was such a lovely coincidence to be in #berlin???? at the same time as the Prime Minister. Thank you @narendramodi Sir for taking the time from your packed schedule to meet me this morning. ???? A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on May 30, 2017 at 1:04am PDT

Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Germany, Modi will travel to Spain, Russia and France. The prime minister will be in Madrid today.

Meanwhile, Priyanka, whose Hollywood debut film Baywatch opened internationally to mixed reviews, is enjoying a break in Berlin. Baywatch, the big-screen adaptation of the 90s' TV series of the same name, also stars Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron in the lead roles.

Baywatch is slated to release in India on June 2. The film released in the US last Friday (May 26) and was largely panned by critics in the West. The critics, however, were almost unanimous in their praise for Priyanka.

ALSO READ: Good interaction, says PM Modi after meeting Angela Merkel

ALSO SEE: Before Baywatch, Priyanka Chopra's best Hollywood moments

ALSO WATCH: Will always remain a desi girl, says Priyanka Chopra

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All possible alternatives are being considered to make Air India viable, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said here on Tuesday.

Raju asserted that there is no point in mulling over the harm done by the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines as "the clock cannot be put back".

Days after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley pitched for Air India's disinvestment, Raju said all options are open for the airline. NITI Aayog has made recommendations for making Air India strong and viable. All courses of action are being examined. We have not closed any option, Raju said during a press briefing on three years achievement of the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the NDA government.

Asserting that the government is proud of Air India, Raju said the ministry would cooperate with the CBI in respect of cases related to alleged irregularities at the airline in the past.

Air India, which is surviving on a Rs 30,000 crore bailout package spread over 10 years announced by the Manmohan Singh government in 2012, is working on ways to improve its financial position. In 2015-16, the airline posted operational profit of Rs 105 crore on account of low fuel prices and increased passenger numbers.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said whatever would be done for Air India would be in national interest. We are considering all possible alternatives (for Air India)We are discussing what can be the winning strategy for the airline, Sinha said.

Asked about the Air India and Indian Airlines merger in 2007, which is seen as a reason for the problems of the national carrier, Raju said the clock cannot be turned back on the deal.

The CBI has decided to probe the controversial merger besides alleged irregularities in purchase and lease of aircraft by the two state-run carriers under the UPA government which caused huge losses to the exchequer.

The probe agency has registered three FIRs and a preliminary enquiry (PE) to go into the controversial decisions made by the erstwhile UPA government with regard to the carriers, including surrender of profitable routes to favour private airlines.

The CAG had in 2011 questioned the rationale behind the government's decision to order 111 airplanes for AI and Indian Airlines ~ 48 from Airbus and 68 from Boeing ~ for about Rs.70,000 crore in 2006.
Priyanka Chopra is getting slammed on social media for not being "decently" dressed and sitting in a disrespectful posture during her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin.

By India Today Web Desk: Actor Priyanka Chopra met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin and posted about the "lovely coincidence" on Facebook. She thanked the PM for taking out time from his packed schedule and meeting her but many Indians were not happy.

After she posted a picture with PM Modi, social media users did what they do the best- outrage. They slammed Priyanka Chopra for not covering up her legs and wearing 'decent clothes'. Some even found her posture 'disrespectful'.

Was such a lovely coincidence to be in #berlin???? at the same time as the Prime Minister. Thank you @narendramodi Sir for taking the time from your packed schedule to meet me this morning. ???? A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on May 30, 2017 at 1:04am PDT

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Many Facebook users critcised her for forgetting her roots because she was wearing a "western dress" in front of an Indian prime minister. FYI: Modi was not wearing a khadi kurta pajama when he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Priyanka was dissed for sitting in front of the PM cross-legged as apparently it is a disrespectful posture (important note for young ladies).

Also read: Priyanka Chopra slammed for being insensitive towards refugees and immigrants because of her T-shirt

The users advised her to cover her legs, wear either a salwar kameez or saree, and basically just be 'decently' dressed as that is the only way she can be respectful towards the prime minister. Apparently, it was a matter of "common sense" which Priyanka allegedly lacks because she did not cover her legs.

Here are some 'progressive' comments people wrote on Priyanka's post:

Also watch:

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Germany on Tuesday reaffirmed its support for India's membership in international export control regimes, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group, following the fourth biannual Inter-Governmental Consultations jointly headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel here.

"Both leaders expressed their commitment to strengthen global non-proliferation efforts," a joint statement issued following the talks said.

"Germany welcomed India's accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime," it said.

"Germany also welcomed India's intensified engagement with the other export control regimes  the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement  and expressed its support for India's early accession to these regimes."

At the NSG plenary in Seoul in June last year, China had blocked India's membership bid on the ground that for a country to a part of the 48-nation bloc, it has to be a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Beijing has again indicated this year that it has not changed its stand.

According to the statement, Modi and Merkel also reaffirmed the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, "including its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, to make it more effective, efficient and responsive to the existing challenges to international peace and security and representative of the contemporary geo-political realities".

"Both countries reiterated their full support to each other's candidatures for a permanent seat in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council," it said.

"Both sides underlined the importance of freedom of navigation in international waters, the right of passage and other maritime rights and obligations in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and other principles of international law," it said and added that both leaders attached particular importance to security, stability, connectivity and sustainable development of the blue economy in the Indian Ocean region.

The two leaders also underlined their common concern about the threat and global reach of terrorism and extremism.

"They condemned terrorist violence in all its forms and manifestations," the statement said. "They agreed on the need to take strong measures against all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary and safe havens that sustain and support terrorist groups and organisations."

Modi and Merkel reiterated their commitment to the ambitious implementation of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals both domestically and through international cooperation, as well as the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change with a timely transformation to low-carbon inclusive sustainable economies, according to the statement.

"Both leaders stressed the important role of the G20 in fostering strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, private investments, free and rules-based trade and financial markets regulation," it said.

Holding the group's Presidency this year, Germany will host the G20 Summit in Hamburg with the theme "Shaping an Interconnected World", and Modi "welcomed the Presidency's focus on building resilience, improving sustainability and assuming responsibility, as well as on enhancing the benefits of globalization and sharing them more widely at national and international levels".

Both leaders also underlined their determination to ease bilateral trade and investment and pointed to the potential of open markets and the importance of investment protection for foreign investors for deepening trade relations and for attracting investments to the mutual benefit of both countries.

The India-Germany Bilateral Investment Protection Treaty (BIT) had expired in March this year and the Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) between India and the European Union (EU) has been hanging fire for 11 years now despite 16 rounds of negotiations.

According to the joint statement, both leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to the BTIA and their commitment to bring about a resumption of the negotiations at the earliest possible date.

"Recognising Germany's key competencies in high technology and India's growing needs, both the leaders welcomed the efforts of the High Technology Partnership Group (HTPG) to identify specific opportunities for high technology collaboration, including in priority areas of skills development, in manufacturing under the Make in India programme and to enhance cooperation in defence manufacturing and machine tools as well as enhancing cooperation in maritime technology and the development of blue economy," it stated.

After both countries identified last year sustainable urban development as a new priority area of bilateral cooperation, Germany intends to provide financial technical assistance in the range of 1 billion euros.

The statement also said that Modi and Merkel welcomed the Indo-German partnerships in higher education to facilitate collaborative research and academic and institutional exchanges between 10 universities and institutions of higher Education of each country.
New one rupee notes with a multicoloured look will soon be put in circulation by the Reserve Bank of India, the RBI announced on Tuesday.

"The Reserve Bank of India will soon put into circulation currency notes in one rupee denomination," an RBI release here said.

"The notes have been printed by the Government of India. The existing currency notes in this denomination in circulation will also continue to be legal tender," it said.

"The colour of One Rupee currency note shall be predominantly pink green on obverse and reverse in combination with others," it added.

Elaborating on the design of the note, the central bank said it will bear the signature of Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das.

"The numbering shall be in black at right hand bottom portion of the note," it said.

On the reverse side, the year '2017' is mentioned.

"There is also representation of One Rupee coin with rupee symbol having floral design, and the surrounding design consists of the picture of 'Sagar Samrat' the oil exploration platform," it added.
Implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) may hold positive surprises for states finances with a likely gain of Rs.35,000-45,000 crore or 0.2-0.3 per cent of GDP leading to lowering of fiscal deficit, a report said on Tuesday.

"As per the initial calculation, the states can look at a total gain of Rs.35,000-45,000 crore (0.2-0.3 per cent of GDP)," according to the Standard Chartered Bank's report 'India-States' Finances: The other half of the story'.

"This should easily help absorb most of the additional strain on fiscal deficits. If states can keep their fiscal deficits within the budgeted target (2.7 per cent) and the central government adheres to its target of 3.2 per cent of GDP, the combined 2017-18 deficit could be 6 per cent (or lower)  the narrowest since 2007-08," the report stated.

The impending GST implementation in mid-2017 should mean higher revenues for all states, it said, adding that the central government has agreed to compensate states for any revenue loss for five years.

The study has assessed the underlying dynamics of various states' finances over a decade. Together, the 18 states in the sample account for 90 per cent of all states' gross state domestic product (GSDP), fiscal deficits, revenue and expenditure.

"Each state's political will to achieve fiscal consolidation plays a more important role," it noted.
An IIT-Madras student was attacked allegedly by the members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Tuesday for consuming beef during the Sunday protest event on the campus.

Sooraj, studying M.Tech in the prestigious college, was one of the many students who took part in the beef festival as a mark of protest against the ban.

He was seriously injured and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Around 80 students organised the beef festival on the campus on Sunday with beef curry and bread being served as a mark of protest against the governments decision.

There were similar protest in Kerala also and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that the people of his state didnt need a lesson on food habits from New Delhi or Nagpur.

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Harsh Vardhan on May 26 said that the government has notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, to ensure that the cattle are not sold for slaughter.

An undertaking to this effect has to be given to the member secretary of the animal market committee from the seller as well as the buyer, Vardhan.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that politics should be kept away from issues concerning the safety of women and girls.

Kejriwal made the remarks at a day-long conclave on 'Women Safety and Empowerment' organised by the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues at the US State Department and NGO Shakti Vahini in collaboration with Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

"Got a chance to speak at a DCW programme. I believe that there should be no politics on the issues concerning women safety," Kejriwal tweeted.

"People indulging in politics should not forget that they too have women family members and if the situation worsened they too will be affected," the Aam Aadmi Party leader said.

Kejriwal also praised DCW's works towards women empowerment and their safety in the city.

Women and Child Development Ministers of Bihar and Chhattisgarh along with senior representatives from US Government also participated in the conclave.

Ministers and representatives from 12 states participated in the conclave.

Besides Kejriwal, Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal, Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, and US Embassy's Director for North India Jonathan Kessler addressed the conference.

Participants included state ministers for women and child development, state government officials, international organizations, industry representatives, and NGOs.

Forum participants discussed common challenges, and shared best practices and ideas for future US-India cooperation on issues facing women and girls, including involving private sector and civil society partners, said a US Embassy statement.

The conclave aimed to develop effective partnerships to advance gender equality and to build a network of leaders committed to addressing key issues facing women and girls.

US Charge D' Affaires MaryKay Carlson addressed the closing session of the conclave.
The progress of science has been marked by extraordinary people who recognised patterns, which others could not. That capacity was not entirely a gift but came from scholarship in the sciences and facility in abstract thinking, as in mathematics.

Acuity of perception is also believed to be sharpened by practice of music, dance or the visual arts. Joseph Gal, professor at the School of Medicine, University of Colorado at Aurora, Colorado, US, describes in the journal, Nature Chemistry, how proficiency in drawing portraits perhaps helped the young Louis Pasteur to spot some structural features in crystals, which were missed by capable scientists before him.

Pasteur is best known for discovering the principles of vaccination, microbial fermentation and pasteurisation. His contribution, however, is also formidable in chemistry, and his discoveries about the structure of tartaric acid crystals laid the bases of understanding the structure of organic compounds. Gal, in his article, suggests that Pasteurs proficiency in art helped him visualise the geometry of crystals and identify the two forms  looking alike but distinct  that tartaric acid could take.

The background of the work with tartaric acid is the different effects that transparent materials have on light that passes through them. One effect, of course, is colour  the material allows some colours but not others. And another is the speed of light during its passage through the material. It is because light is a little slower when it passes through glass, than through air, that we have lenses, prisms, telescopes and microscopes. And because the speed of light through a material is different for different colours of light, a prism splits light into rainbow colours. Indeed, it is for this reason that droplets of water in the sky bring about the rainbow.

An important aspect of the nature of light is that it is a wave, a lot like the waves in the sea or ripples on the surface of a pond. We can readily see that these waves are not flows of water but are the regular up-down movements of particles of water that stay essentially at the same place. The light wave also consists of electric and magnetic effects that vary not in the direction of the beam of light but in the transverse plane. Unlike particles of water, which move only up and down, however, electromagnetic effects can vary up-down, right- left, or in any other direction, except along the direction of the beam itself.

And then, there are materials in which light has a different speed for the waves whose components move up-down, as against right-left, with respect to an axis of the material. Different parts of the light falling on a sheet of such a material would hence bend by different angles and a beam could be split into two beams, each with different axes of vibration. Each such beam, with a single axis of vibration, is known as a polarised beam, as opposed to normal light, which has light vibrating along all axes.

When a beam that has been polarised, or consists of waves along a specific plane, is passed through a class of optically active materials, the electric and magnetic parts get slowed down to different extents. The result is that the two kinds of vibration fall out of step and the axis of polarisation is turned by an angle, which depends on the material and the thickness of the sheet of the material. And then, depending on the material, the change in the axis of polarisation can be to the left or right. Materials that change the axis to the right are called dextrorotatory and those that turn the axis to the left are laevorotatory.

Tartaric acid or TA is an organic acid, which is to say that it is based on carbon, like methane, benzene, and living things. Thus TA naturally occurs in plants and is found in wine lees. Jean Baptiste Biot had discovered in 1832 that tartaric acid solutions were optically active and dextrorotatory. A puzzling feature, however, was that TA, derived from natural sources like from wine lees, showed activity but TA synthesised in the laboratory did not show any. Pasteur, then just 25 years old, took the work forward and began to examine the crystals of tartaric acid and its salts. He found that the crystals were not completely symmetric, but displayed handedness. This is like our right and left hands, which are built in the same way and match when they are placed against each other, but not if placed one on the other. This is to say that one hand cannot be re-oriented, or turned around, so that it appears to be the same as its mirror image. Pasteur found that synthetically formed crystals of tartrate salts could be distinguished as two distinct types, and one crystal type was the mirror image of the other. Painstaking separation of the crystals and testing their effect on light that was passed through their solutions revealed that one kind was dextrorotatory, the other kind was laevorotatory, and a mixture of the two, which had equal portions of the two kinds of tartrate, was not optically active!

The subtle property of the two forms of crystals of the same substance  that they formed in the same way  but were still non-super imposable, except through a mirror, led Pasteur to the conclusion that molecules themselves had two forms  not symmetrical but mirror images of each other. This was in 1849. A whole 25 years later, in 1874, vant Hoff and Le Bel proposed a mechanism and the structure of the two molecular forms is now well known.

The science of these alternate forms of molecules is now an important field of stereochemistry and is applied in designing drugs or reagents, which retain the properties of one form but avoid shortcomings, like side effects because these cannot arise in the alternate form. Today, we have sensitive methods to measure wavelengths of infra-red light that molecules absorb or emit, or to investigate crystals by interference of X rays. But Pasteur worked out the basics of asymmetric molecules from just visual examination of crystals, with tweezers and a magnifying glass, at a time when modern methods were not there. And almost as soon as he entered the field of study, in which others had been long immersed, he observed a feature that had eluded them. Gal has studied Pasteurs work in detail and has written extensively on the subject. He says in the paper that Pasteur was as much an artist as he was a scientist. Till the age of 20, Pasteur was a committed artist who created portraits and lithographs. While creating an accurate likeness sensitises the creator to symmetries, shades and proportions, creating prints using lithography calls for the original impression on the lithograph to be a mirror image of the subject. The practice surely enabled Pasteur to visualise shapes and structures and to see how a detail of asymmetry could be the reason for differences in optical activity.

The well-known example of the artist-scientist is Leonardo da Vinci, with interests in painting, sculpting, architecture, literature, anatomy, cartography, history and writing, apart from the sciences. And there are more instances  Albert Einstein was trained in the violin since the age of five.

The writer can be contacted at [email protected]
Prime Minister is in Germany as part of his six-day tour of four nations. Priyanka was in Berlin to promote her latest Hollywood movie Baywatch.

Priyanka Chopra tweeted a photo with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their meeting in Berlin. (Photo/Twitter@@priyankachopra)

By Press Trust of India: Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin, Germany.

The 34-year-old actress, who is promoting her latest movie Baywatch in the city, took to Twitter to share a picture with the prime minister.

"Thank you for taking the time to meet me this morning @narendramodi Sir. Such a lovely coincidence to be in #berlin at the same time. (sic) ," Priyanka captioned the photo.

Thank you for taking the time to meet me this morning @narendramodi Sir. Such a lovely coincidence to be in #berlin at the same time. ???????? pic.twitter.com/vLzUSH5WR1- PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) May 30, 2017

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PM Modi arrived yesterday in the country on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Germany, Spain, Russia and France aimed at boosting bilateral economic engagement with them and inviting more investment for India's transformation.

WATCH: 'Very good interaction', says PM Modi after meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel ALSO READ:

'Good interaction', says PM Modi after meeting Angela Merkel, asks Europe to take lead in fight against terror

PM Modi in Berlin: Europe must play lead role in combating terrorism

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By Manjeet Sehgal: The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday said that the one-man commission appointed by Captain Amarinder Singh government in the sand mines auction is an eyewash as son of Justice JS Narang, Amitjeet Singh Narang has worked as a counsel for Irrigation and Power Minister Rana Gurjit Singh.

Senior AAP leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Tuesday urged Justice JS Narang to recuse and withdraw from the judicial inquiry, his son being the counsel of Rana Gurjeet Singh's family.

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Citing the Punjab and Haryana High Court records (website), Sukhpal Singh Khaira said that Amitjeet Singh Narang, Justice JS Narang's son is the counsel of Rana Prabhdeep Singh who is nephew of Rana Gurjit Singh. The AAP has demanded dismissal of Rana Gurjit Singh.

"This clearly exposes the close relations and counsel-client arrangement between the families of Justice JS Narang and accused Minister Rana Gurjeet Singh. Keeping in view the ethics and morality, I urge Justice JS Narang to recuse himself from this judicial inquiry as it can never be free, fair and impartial in view of his close proximity with the accused minister. AAP urges Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to re-allocate this judicial inquiry to a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and dismiss Rana Gurjeet Singh from his council of ministers without any further delay," Sukhpal Singh Khaira said.

FREE AND FAIR INVESTIGATION

The Congress government on Monday had ordered the setting up of a one-man judicial commission to probe the allegations of impropriety against Irrigation and Power Minister Rana Gurjit Singh in the multi-crore sand mining auctions conducted on May 19 by the state government.

Interestingly, in the centre of controversy, Rana Gurjit Singh had offered to resign to ensure a 'free and fair investigation' into the mine auction scam, but Amrinder Singh had asked him to continue till the outcome of the judicial probe, which will submit its report within a month.

GOVERNMENT IN DOCK

Though the fund starved Punjab government managed Rs 300 crore from the sand mine auctions, but the way the auction was held has put the government in dock, which won the elections on the promise that it would provide a clean and transparent government to the people of Punjab.

"There was no question of allowing any deviation from my government's avowed policy of providing clean governance. I would take all steps to ensure that there is no violation of the trust reposed by the people of Punjab in his government and the Congress party," Captain Amrinder Singh said.

Also read: 3 months after losing Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal woos upset AAP leaders, workers

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Also read: How Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh carries forward BJP ideology in his last political inning

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Port aux Basques woman feels as though her 'future is in somebody else's hands' as she waits for answers on Fiona compensation

Patty Munden has faced her share of loss and frustration over the past seven, almost eight, weeks, but the Port aux Basques woman is not letting it get her down. She has found an outlet to express her feelings about whats been happening, or not ...
Before starting the election campaign, Rahul Gandhi has asked the party cadre and workers to maintain discipline in the party.

By Supriya Bhardwaj: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will launch Karnataka Congress' Assembly poll campaign in July. But before that he has given a clear message to the party cadre and members that discipline and unity have to be maintained in the state.

According to sources, Rahul Gandhi has gone a step ahead and maintained that if any grievance is made public, strict action would be taken against those party members and leaders.

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KC Venugopal, General Secretary and in-charge, Karnataka Congress, "We are ready to hear the differences at party forums. Me and in-charge sectaries are available for the cadre round the clock and if anyone still with an intention to malign the Congress during election season goes public with grievances will not be tolerated."

This message was given to Karnataka Congress unit by the Amethi MP during three-hour long meeting that took place on Monday in Delhi.

FREEDOM NOT TO BE MISUSED

According to sources, Rahul Gandhi maintained that the Congress has given a lot of freedom to its cadre, but during election time this freedom should not be misused. "Rahul Gandhi said that if there are any complaints, then they should be either reported to him or general secretary and secretaries incharge and they will handle them. But going public won't be tolerated. Rahul ji added that we have to be a disciplined party and those who break it, action will be taken against them."

Meanwhile, the Congress plans a mega show of strength in July in Raichur, Karnataka wherein Rahul Gandhi will interact with more than 80,000 booth level workers.

Also read: To counter BJP's outreach in south India, Rahul Gandhi to visit Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh this week

Also read: Armed with plea to postpone organisational polls, Congress general secretaries to meet Rahul Gandhi

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Days into the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast during daylight hours, a car bomb exploded outside a popular ice cream shop in central Baghdadkilling 13 people and wounding 24

By AP: A car bomb exploded outside a popular ice cream shop in central Baghdad just after midnight Tuesday, killing 13 people and wounding 24, hospital and police officials said.

The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, which Iraqi officials said involved apparently remotely detonated explosives inside a parked car. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

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The attack came just days into the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast during daylight hours. After sundown, families break their fast and Baghdad's restaurants and cafes quickly fill up.

Videos posted to social media showed chaotic scenes on the streets surrounding the blast. A number of wounded lay on the ground, others propped themselves up on the colorful park benches outside the ice cream shop. One young girl, wearing a ribbon and bow in her hair, wandered the scene dazed.

Ramadan is often marked by an uptick in violence in Iraq.

Last year, Baghdad was rocked by a huge truck bomb attack that targeted a popular retail district in the city center where young people and families were shopping for new clothes ahead of the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. The blast killed hundreds in the single deadliest event in Baghdad since Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003. The IS group also claimed responsibility for that bombing, which ultimately led to the resignation of Iraq's interior minister.

Tuesday's attack comes as Iraqi troops are slowing pushing IS fighters out of their last strongholds in the northern city of Mosul. Iraqi commanders say the offensive, which recently entered its eight month, will mark the end of the IS caliphate in Iraq, but concede the group will likely increase insurgent attacks in the wake of military defeats.

Also Read

Islamic State supporters celebrate Manchester blast on social media, no official claim so far

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Patnaik's close aides say that to understand him, one has to understand his empathy

By Pratul Sharma/Photos Sanjay Ahlawat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have held "very good" discussions on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues like the Brexit consequences, trade and radicalisation in the context of recent terror attacks in Europe.

In their informal talks yesterday at Schloss Meseberg, the Chancellor's official country retreat near Berlin, both leaders also exchanged views on China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative and climate change.

"Had a very good interaction with Chancellor Merkel," Modi said in a tweet after his meeting.

"The interaction lasted nearly three hours, and covered various areas of mutual interest including smart cities, skill development, clean energy etc. There was appreciation for India's economic reform agenda, including GST (Goods and Services Tax)," a Prime Minister's Office statement on the meeting said.

"The leaders had discussions that covered the bilateral agenda and how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programmes. There was appreciation of India's reform agenda, particularly GST," India's Ambassador to Germany Mukta Dutta Tomar told reporters at a briefing here last night.

Highlighting that this is Modi's second bilateral visit to Germany since 2015, she said that the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism set up in 2015 to assist German businesses work in India received appreciation from the German side.

"In fact, there has been foreign direct investment of $2 billion (from Germany) in the past two years. The figures speak for themselves," she said.

Regional and inter-global issues were also discussed during the three-hour-long interactionssome at the delegation level and some one-to-one between Modi and Merkel.

"The consequences of Brexit (the UK's exit from the European Union) and how it would affect India and Germany were covered by the two leaders," Tomar said, adding that theprime minister reiterated the utmost value that India attaches to the EU's cohesiveness, which is a major factor of stability in global politics.

The issue of radicalisation and terrorism and each country's experience in dealing with it was discussed, with recent terrorist events in Europe also mentioned in this context, she said.

Peace in Afghanistan and the importance of an the "Afghan-led and owned reconciliation and development process" was touched upon, with the prime minister expressing appreciation over the German presence in Afghanistan and calling for a consolidation of efforts in the country, Tomar said.

The Belt and Road Forum in Beijing earlier this month, where Germany was represented by its economy and energy minister, also featured in the exchange, during which the Chancellor explained German participation and India reiterated its stand against the initiative, she said.

"Our position is well known on this issue," the ambassador said, in reference to India's opposition to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the flagship project of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative, which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Modi will today hold formal talks with Merkel as part of the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) where he will be joined by his delegation of senior ministers, including Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan,Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.

The prime minister will receive a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, following which he will begin discussions with Merkel across a range of economic and political issues.

At the IGC, thetwo leaders are expected to clinch a host of agreements and sign MoUs to open a "new chapter" in Indo- German relations.

"Several MoUs are expected to be signed. This would obviously broaden the scope and expand the canvas of bilateral cooperation that we have with Germany," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

India and Germany have over 25 working groups, including in areas such as climate change, energy, infrastructure, and tourism.

Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the European Union (EU) and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.

There are more than 1,600 German companies and 600 German joint ventures in India and the German economic profile supports excellence and expertise that match with India's development priorities of Make in India, Clean India, Skill India, Digital India, Smart Cities, the MEA said.

"We will chart out a future roadmap of cooperation with (the) focus on trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science and technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways and civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine," the prime minister had said in a Facebook post before he left for Berlin yesterday.

Modi and Chancellor Merkel will also hold a meeting with senior business leaders before inaugurating the Indo-German Business Summit 2017 later today.

"Economic relations with Germany is the most important pillar of our partnership. It has preponderance over other areas," the MEA said.

Modi will end his Germany visit with a courtesy call on German President, Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at his official residence of Castle Bellevue before leaving for Spain.

Modi arrived in Germany yesterday at the start of his four-nation tour, which will coverSpain, Russia and France besides Germany.

From Berlin he heads to Madrid, where the premier will hold a bilateral summit with Spanish Premier Mariano Rajoy and call on Spanish King Felipe VI as well as interact with a select group of Spanish CEOs keen to invest in India.

"There is significant potential for deepening bilateral trade and investment ties. We seek active participation of Spanish industry in various Indian projects including infrastructure, smart cities, digital economy, renewable energy, defence and tourism," Modi had said ahead of his visit.

The first meeting of the India-Spain CEOs Forum will be held on the sidelines of the Spanish leg of the visit.
In a jolt to former union home minister L.K. Advani and other BJP leaders like M.M.Joshi and Uma Bharti, a CBI special court in Lucknow rejected their discharge petition.

All the accused have been charged with criminal conspiracy in felling the Babri Masjid on Dec 6, 1992. The accused had argued against the allegations of criminal conspiracy and maintained that they had no role in pulling down the Babri mosque.

The charges have been framed by the court. The trial will commence shortly. The accused will now move the High Court against the verdict of the CBI special court. Earlier, the court had granted bail to all accused.
The Red Panda was attacked by stray dogs but was saved by the troops of SSB led by Anjani Kumar Tiwari AC along with the help of locals.

By India Today Web Desk: A Red Panda, an endangered animal species, was found near Tezpur-Tawang Highway and was rescued by Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). The Red Panda was attacked by stray dogs but was saved by the troops of SSB led by Anjani Kumar Tiwari AC along with the help of locals.

The Red Panda was taken to a safe place after it was confirmed by the forest authorities that the species is endangered.

#WATCH Red Panda (endangered species) which was being chased & attacked by stray dogs rescued by SSB along Tezpur-Tawang highway pic.twitter.com/UXNlnQNBvu- ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

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Found in the Eastern Himalayas, the population of Red Pandas has declined in the last few years due to deforestation.

Also read: Mowgli 2.0: Girl found in UP's Katarniaghat forest eats, walks like animals

Along with deforestation, poaching and inbreeding depression are few more reasons why this rare looking animal is endangered.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the Red Panda as endangered after their population decreased less than 10,000.

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The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court granted a four week stay on the Union government's notification on cattle slaughter.

It has directed the state and the Government of India to reply in four weeks.

A petition was filed at the Madurai bench stating that it's basic right of an individual to choose his food.

Expressing strong disapproval of the Centre's move, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attacking the BJP-led government at the Centre and the RSS. He said there was no need for the people of his state to draw lessons from New Delhi or Nagpur on their food habits.
Khokon Majumdar, the last Naxalite alive who had met Mao Zedong in China, breathed his last late evening on Monday.

Majumder was 84 and left behind nothing, but a handful of memories of struggle and courage. He died in the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal's Siliguri where he was admitted a week ago. Majumdar died at the same hospital where he worked as a boy.

Majumdar was in his hospital bed on May 25 when delegations from around the world visited Naxalbari to mark respect to the first revolution in free India.

He did not have any house to live in and used to stay at the CPI (ML) Liberation party office at Naxalbari. He suffered a stroke ten years ago that crippled his activities. He could not move freely but walked with a walker donated by the party.

Born in Bangladesh, Majumdar came to Kolkata after the Partition and joined the communist movement at the age of 16 when the party was banned India. He worked as an attendant in Calcutta hospital.

After working for a few years in Calcutta, Majumdar was transferred to the North Bengal Hospital. He continued to work as a secret agent of the Communist Party of India. He joined the Te-bhaga movement of farmers in nineteen fifties and sixties.

In a twist of fate, Majumdar met Charu Majumdar, the man behind the Naxal movement in India, at a theatre hall in Siliguri. Charu was impressed with him, while Majumdar was attracted to the former's ideology.

In 1967, when the Naxal movement broke, Charu sent Majumdar to Naxalbari. Majumdar became the key man and coordinated with Kanu Sanyal and Jungle Santhal to create the massive movement that rocked the world in late nineteen sixties.

On Charu's instruction, Majumdar and others were sent to China in 1970 and was given arms training there. Majumdar became the chief of military wing of CPI (ML) when it was formed in 1971.

Later, Majumdar, Sanyal, Sourin Bose and Deepak Biswas, yet again on Charu's orders, went to China and met chairman of Chinese Communist party Mao Zedong.

The meeting made way for China's support for Indian naxal movement.

Majumdar got arrested in 1974, soon after Sanyal's arrest and Charu's death. He was kept in prisons across India and tortured.

"He was a selfless person who always thought of the poor. We lost the last hero of the first Naxal movement. Though a couple of people are still alive from that batch, Khokon da was the last among the greats," said Abhijit Majumdar, son of Charu Majumdar.
Security forces on Tuesday succeeded in foiling the Tral Chalo call by separatists on the third day mourning of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmed Bhat.

The march to Tral was called by the joint resistance leadership of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik to pay tributes to Sabzar and his aide Faizan, who were killed in an encounter at Saimoh village of Tral on May 27.

Strict restrictions were put in place across all major roads and intersection across south Kashmir's Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam and Tral. All roads leading to Sabzar's native village of Rathsuna were sealed with heavy deployment of troops, police and para military soldiers.

A complete shutdown was observed in most areas adjoining Tral including Awantipora, Pampore, Letpora and Sangam. Since morning, heavy contingents of police and paramilitary forces were deployed at all the entry and exit points of Tral town. The CRPF and police were deployed in the lanes of the town to prevent people from marching towards Rathsuna.

But some people, despite crippling restrictions, managed to reach Rathsuna.

Many people from adjoining villages of Saimoh, Pinglish, Cheribugh and Shikargah also managed to reach Rathsuna to participate in the pro-freedom march. some youth were seen carrying pro-Burhan and pro-Sabzar banners and placards. Loudspeakers also reverberated with pro-Islam and pro-freedom slogans through out the day.

Senior Hurriyat leader and district Hurriyat (Geelani faction ) president Ghulam Mohudin Andrabi addressed the gathering and said. the sacrifices of the martyrs will not go waste.

Clashes erupted between youth and security forces at a bus station in Tral after the former raised slogans against the government forces. The youth resorted to stone-pelting while police responded with tear smoke shells to disperse them. Some protesters were detained.

In other parts of Kashmir like Budgam and Srinagar, the police and the CRPF laid siege on the sensitive areas and potential trouble spots. There will be no curfew in Srinagar on Wednesday, but authorities have ordered closure of schools for the third day in succession.

At Batamalo in Srinagar, a boy, Faizan Ahmed, who the family claims is a minor, was detained by police allegedly for stone pelting. The Srinagar-Jammu highway has been closed due to the prevailing situation in Kashmir.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman said situation across the valley remained peaceful and under control. However, minor incidents of stone pelting were reported from Keller Chowk in Shopian and Court Road and Pinglish in Tral, a police spokesman said.

At Pinglish in Tral, miscreants heavily pelted stones on police and forces deployment in which some police and security forces personnel were injured. The deployment used maximum restraint while dealing with the situation and the miscreants were chased away. A stone pelter was injured in the incident, he said.

To avoid any untoward incident, restriction under section 144 CrPC remained imposed in some part of the city as also in some main towns, the spokesman said.

Sabzar had replaced Burhan Muzaffar Wani who was killed in July last year with two of his associates at kokernag in Anantnag in south Kashmir. His killing had triggered the six month long uprising in which 96 people were killed and thousands injured with many blinded by pellets in one or both eyes.
Sri Lankan military and police used boats to rescue the marooned and retrieve corpses as the death toll from the devastating floods in the island nation rose to 183, officials said on Tuesday.

At least 103 persons remained missing and the toll was expected to rise as authorities battle to rescue those still stranded across a wide stretch of the country, the Daily Mirror reported.

It was the worst flooding in Sri Lanka since 2003. India and other countries have rushed aid to help Sri Lankan authorities.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said 112 people were also injured. A total of 545,243 people were affected by the disaster.

The South-West monsoon unleashed torrential rains, ravaging 14 districts in the western and southern parts of the country last week.

Houses and shops remained submerged in 10 to 30 feet of water. The Expressway from Colombo to Matara, in the deep south, was flooded in several areas.

The DMC ordered people living along the winding Kelani riverwhere the Hollywood movie The Bridge on the River Kwai was filmedto evacuate to safer places.

Officials said this would cover the areas of Kollonnawa, Kaduwela, Wellampitiya, Kelaniya, Biyagama, Sedawatte, Dompe, Hanwella, Padukka and Avissawella.

The Meteorology Department said rains and winds were expected to continue.

Indian rescue personnel were deployed last week in flood-hit areas. An Indian ship carrying relief material and rescue personnel, INS Kirch, reached Colombo last week.

Sri Lanka Red Cross volunteers and staff workers were engaged in search and rescue missions besides distributing food, water and essential supplies.
For over a decade, she has been the most powerful woman on earth. And then, her reputation and power appeared to crumble. But the pendulum has swung again. German Chancellor Angela Merkel now seems reasonably well-positioned to retain her post for another four years. If she wins the national elections in September, as most experts expect, it will be her fourth term as German chancelloran incredible feat amidst the turbulence that has swept the planet, especially Europe.

I am in Hamburg, Germanys busy and beautiful port city, to attend the annual world congress of the International Press Institute, the watchdog of press freedom around the globe. Political analysts here say that Merkels conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) winning three state elections in recent months confirm voters belief that she is the best person to steer the nation with the maturity required to cope with accelerating political, economic, social and technological changes. Her partys recent successes suggest that the threat from her main challengerMartin Schulz of the Social Democratic Party (SPD)is fizzling out.

That was not how it seemed a few months ago. In January, Schulz resigned as the president of the European Parliament to return to German politics as head of the SPD and mount a serious bid to snatch the chancellorship from Merkel in the September elections. After 12 years of Angela Merkel, voters were hankering for change.

Competent, astute and fluent in English and French, Schulz was widely regarded by the German electorate as a much-needed breath of fresh air. But now he is in danger of epitomising the Shakespearean dictum: Began with a bang, but ended with a whimper. Says Ute Brucker of the German ARD (a consortium of public broadcasters in Germany), the worlds largest public broadcaster: Schulz came like a messiah. But now he is losing steam. Schulz campaigned on issues such as social justice that failed to resonate with the voters. Germany is the best performing nation in Europe, by far.

The SPDs recent defeat in North Rhine-Westphaliahome to one out of five German voters and always a trendsetter for national electionswas devastating. Says Elmar Thevessen, head of news in the German television channel ZDF, The biggest message from this election result is that Schulz has no message. There is no content. Acknowledging his defeat, Schulz said, This is a difficult day for the SPD and a difficult day for me personally. It is my home state where we suffered a bitter defeat. We lost an important state election.

How times have changed! Two years ago, Merkel was perilously close to falling off her pedestal. Her immigration policy opened a Pandoras box of troubles, anger and attacks across Europe as Syrian and Afghan refugees poured in. Germany alone took in more than a million refugees. Local communities could not cope with the inflow and their welcome turned to anxiety and then anger. Some immigrant men misbehaved with German women, neighbourhoods became squalid, terror attacks on malls and Christmas markets threatened to derail the relaxed, open German way of life. Immigration and terrorism provided wind to the sails of far right populism across Europe, including Germany, threatening to destroy European values that are anchored in secularism and openness.

Open-door policy: Children at a shelter for refugees and migrants in Marienfelde, Berlin.Germany took in over one million refugees and migrants between 2015 and 2016 | Getty Images

But Merkel stayed firm and true to her policy and character. Being from East Germany, she was empathetic to immigration and believed in its power to improve individual destinies while reinvigorating the host nation. Germanys low birth rate had to be compensated by a steady inflow of immigrants to boost the economy and expand the tax base. This was even more necessary to keep afloat Germanys ageing society, with its significant proportion of pensioners. But responding to public resentment and opposition in her own party, Merkel moderated her open-door policy to immigrants. She acknowledged the need for better integration policies, improved security measures and tightened border controls to limit the refugee stream.

As in all matters of state, Merkel was sensible, stable, cautious and patient, preferring to ride out the storm calmly, while refusing to rise to the bait of an eye-for-an-eye fight with the populists. The fiery rhetoric of the German far right party, the anti-muslim and anti-immigrant Alternative for Deutschland (AfD), began to flounder when both the SPD and CDU began to co-opt their populist demands, such as tighter immigration. As Brucker says, Right now, Merkel is expected to win the September elections because there is no alternative.

Europe today is breathing a sigh of relief after a tumultuous year following Brexit and the rise of Donald Trump. The spectacular electoral success of Trump turbocharged European far right populism. But Trump in office displayed the disarray, chaos and turmoil of inexperience, undisciplined rhetoric and ill-conceived actions. The defeat of far right leaders in the recent Dutch and French elections were a source of comfort for European Union leaders.

In policy and in personality, Angela Merkel is the very antithesis of Donald Trump, generating neither drama nor confusion. Merkel is tough, unassuming and hardworking, said Kevin, who drove me around in Hamburg. While other politicians are all talk, Merkel prefers to act. And, despite her hectic schedule, Merkel occasionally steps into a local store, picks up some veggies, and whips up a meal, said Kevin. She is predictable, perhaps even staid and boring. But those are invaluable virtues in statecraft.

But voters can be fickle and new issues or acts of terrorism can turn the tide again. Merkel is not taking victory for granted and have adopted a three-pronged electoral strategy. Her party will go all out to focus on security in order to address the primary voter concern with regard to terrorism and immigration. Second, Merkels government, which has amassed a sizeable tax surplus, will give some welfare sops to win over social democrats and finally, instead of press conferences and TV talk shows, they will go door-to-door.

German television station ZDF released its latest opinion poll on May 18, which showed Merkels CDU at 38 per cent, SPD at 27 per cent and the AfD down to 7 per cent, its lowest. Explains Thevessen, This wide margin makes it hard for the SPD to catch up with Merkel. As for the AfD, choosing a more extremist path has hurt its popularity.

Across the board, experts, bureaucrats and politicians acknowledge that the EU must reform if it is to effectively tackle the political, economic and social challenges that have buffeted it in recent years: from migration to populism, from terrorism to radicalisation, from austerity measures to rising inequality, from Brexit to communities in EU countries feeling a loss of sovereignty due to centralisation of power in the EU headquarters in Brussels. Germany is the leading force in the EU. A steady and experienced hand is required at the helm to steer not only Germany, but Europe through the choppy waters. And, that hand might well be Angela Merkels for some more time.
Senior Army sources, privy to the operation in which Bhat was cornered and neutralised in Tral area of Kashmir, said that the slain Hizbul commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat was no braveheart.

By Ajit Kumar Dubey: Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, the slain Hizbul commander who routinely released his photographs in combat gear for social media, was no braveheart. Details emerging about the terrorist's last moments point at his being more adept at shooting from a smartphone than the Kalashnikov on his shoulder.

Senior Army sources, privy to the operation in which Bhat was cornered and neutralised in Tral area of Kashmir's Pulwama district last Saturday, told Mail Today that the 27-year-old terrorist remained in hiding for nearly 10 hours, without firing a single bullet at the troops.

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Bhat also frantically sent text messages from his handset to gather a crowd of stone-pelters at the encounter site to provide him cover, the sources said.

HOW DID ARMY TRACK SABZAR

Security forces had tracked down Bhat's location using technical intelligence provided to the troops on ground by the Jammu and Kashmir police cells. These units have been successful in nailing a large number of terrorists in recent years.

"The intelligence provided by the police confirmed that Sabzar and Faizan were in a cluster of houses in Saimoo village in Tral area and we laid a cordon on Friday evening around his house," senior Army sources said. The raiding party included Army, Special Operations Groups and state police troops.

After laying the cordon, the troops tried to establish contact with Sabzar and his category A accomplice Faizan. There was no retaliation or firing from the terrorists in hiding as forces suspect the two did not want to give away their positions.

A large number of weapons including an AK-47 and INSAS assault rifles along with a huge cache of ammunition and other warlike stores, were recovered from the hideout after the operation was over.

After failing to establish contact with terrorists, the raiding team decided to "smoke out the rats" and called for fire tenders filled with petrol instead of water.

STONE PELTERS TO RESCUE?

Meanwhile, Bhat and his accomplice were trying to gather a crowd of stonepelters to be able to escape from the encounter location but the late hours did not get them much help. Sources said their messages betrayed desperation and fear.

"Petrol was poured inside the first house using hose pipes and it was set on fire but the two did not react. The result in the second house was also the same. But when the troops poured in petrol in the third house around 8:15 am, the two ran out of the house and tried to breach the cordon," the sources said. Before Bhat could open fire, the troops fired a hail of bullets. Within a few seconds, the two "propagandist terrorists" were lying dead on the ground.

Army sources said Sabzar, a Class 7 dropout, was a known womaniser and drug addict at the time of his joining the Hizbul Mujahidden two years back. He replaced Burhan Wani who had been killed last year by the Army in South Kashmir.

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Both the terrorists were tracked by technical intelligence sleuths and killed in similar brief encounters. Sources said in Burhan's case too, the terrorist was trapped when the technical cells of Jammu and Kashmir police had followed a terrorist named Sartaj and did not know about Burhan's presence there.

However, in Sabzar's case, they were tracking him directly and were sure about his presence in the Tral area.

Sources said the recent crop of local terrorists is high on propaganda and try to conjure up a hero-like status by spreading their pictures on social media in full combat gear. "Little do they know that this act of theirs is of big help for security forces in identifying them and locating them," the sources said.

As part of Pakistan's strategy, local terrorists, who are not even trained formally into firing and combat tactics, are being used as cannon fodder to keep the militancy in J&K alive.

Also Read

Sabzar Ahmad Bhat: Burhan Wani's successor joined Hizbul after a failed love affair

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Pakistan calls Sabzar Ahmad Bhat 'martyr' says India killing 'defenceless Kashmiris'

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R already had financial troubles when he enlisted into the IDF about four years ago. He entered a combat unit.

A number of months later he requested to be moved to a different unit to permit him to work part-time, explaining his need to earn additional money. Over the years, his debts increased until he began receiving threats from persons he borrowed money from.

He found himself in a military prison for two weeks and when released, he fled to the United States. Family members explained to Channel 2 News he owes money to loan sharks and fled the country fearing for his life.

He began working abroad and has begun paying off debts and has since married and has two children. About eight months ago, he returned to Israel to return the money he still owes. However, having fled while in the IDF, he was immediately taken into custody by military police. He has since been indicted for being AWOL and awaits a trial date. He has been imprisoned already for over 45 days.

The military court has rachmanus on him and after hearing the details of the case, it was decided to suffice with time served and he was reduced to the rank of private.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Tens of persons participated in a kabolas panim for Tzvi Friedman, who was released from military prison after 70 days for refusing to cooperate with military officials. Friedman, a member of the Peleg community, will be receiving $100 for each day imprisoned from Satmar askanim.

The kabolas panim was held on Hillel Street in Beit Shemesh with the participation of avreichim and children, with festivities spilling on to Rabi Yehoshua Street. Rabbonim of the area also particiapted.

After the kabolas panim, a few dozen gathered and tried to block the road as they hurled rocks and eggs at police. One female policeperson was hit by a stone and lightly injured, transported to a hospital. A police vehicle was also damaged by rocks.

Police moved in and dispersed the protestors, leading to two arrests.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
As part of a police operation cracking down on drivers speaking on the phone without a hands-free device, a truck driver was pulled over by traffic police on Route 2 in Israel on Monday, 4 Nissan.

As police ran a check, they were surprised to learn the driver has no license. The truck was taken off the road and the driver promptly placed in custody. The drivers license expired in 2015 and the trucks registration expired in 2016.

It was an all-around difficult day for the 31-year-old resident of the Israeli Arab Municipality of Kafr Kassam, who told police he was unaware of the expiration of his and the vehicles license.

A supervisor impounded the truck for 30 days. The driver will soon be appearing before a traffic court judge.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
North Koreas ballistic missile test on Monday was its ninth this year, the South Korean military says, in an ongoing challenge to new leaders in both the United States and South Korea. A look at key developments:

Jan. 20: Donald Trump inaugurated as U.S. president.

Feb. 12: North Korea tests a new midrange ballistic missile, the Pukguksong-2. It says the missile used solid fuel, an advance that increases a weapons mobility and makes it harder for outsiders to detect a coming launch.

March 6: North Korea fires four ballistic missiles that fly about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). Three land in waters near Japan. It later says it was simulating nuclear strikes on U.S. military bases in Japan.

April 5: North Korea fires a missile on the eve of a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The missile flies about 60 kilometers (40 miles) before falling into the sea.

April 16: North Korea fires a missile off its east coast, but the launch apparently fails. U.S. officials say the missile was likely a KN-17, a new Scud-type missile.

April 29: South Korean and U.S. officials say a North Korean midrange ballistic missile, presumably a KN-17, failed shortly after launch.

April 30: Trump calls North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a pretty smart cookie in a U.S. television interview for being able to hold onto power after taking over at a young age.

May 10: Liberal Moon Jae-in is inaugurated as South Koreas president. He says he wants to improve ties with North Korea.

May 14: North Korea test-fires its newly developed Hwasong-12 missile, which it says can carry a heavy nuclear warhead. Outsiders see the launch as a major step forward because of the height it reached. Moon expresses deep regret over the launch.

May 21: North Korea again tests the solid-fuel Pukguksong-2. The missile flies about 500 kilometers (310 miles) before falling into the ocean.

May 26: Moons government says it will allow a South Korean civic group to contact North Korea to help fight malaria. Its the first government approval of a cross-border civilian exchange since January 2016.

May 29: South Korean and Japanese officials say North Korea fires a short-range ballistic missile that lands in Japans maritime economic zone.

(AP)
In the aftermath of the encounter killing of Burhan Wani's successor Sabzar Bhatt, Indian agencies have recorded multiple conversations where Hizbul Mujahideen cadre can be heard discussing whether former Hizbul terrorirst Zakir Musa betrayed Bhatt.

By Rahul Kanwal: Militant ranks in the Kashmir valley are abuzz with chatter about a serious rift between Zakir Musa and the current leadership of the Hizbul Mujahideen.

Radio and mobile chatter intercepted by India's intelligence agencies reflect a high level of distrust between former Hizbul commander Zakir Musa and the terror outfit he had led till recently.

In the aftermath of the encounter killing of Burhan Wani's successor Sabzar Bhatt, Indian agencies have recorded multiple conversations where Hizbul Mujahideen cadre can be heard discussing whether Zakir Musa betrayed Sabzar Bhatt.

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Hizbul terrorists seem to suspect that a personal messenger close to Musa tipped off the Jammu and Kashmir police about the location of Sabzar's hideout. Sabzar was killed last week in an encounter very close to his hometown of Tral.

While agencies are not confirming whether they were indeed tipped off by Musa's men, this new development could set off a fratricidal war among Kashmiri terrorists.

Zakir Musa had delivered a much talked about audio address on May 10 in which he declared war on Hurriyat separatists and advocated the beheading of Hurriyat leaders at Lal Chowk. It was in the same address that he announced his allegiance to a pan-Islamic Caliphate and broke away from the ranks of the Hizbul Mujahideen.

This development has rattled Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin and his bosses in the Pakistan Army who run the United Jehad Council (UJC). Inputs received by intelligence agencies suggest the UJC now wants Musa dead at the earliest possible and wants no effort to be spared to achieve this goal.

Clearly, the ISI does not want control of the terrorist leadership to slip from its control and into the hands of terrorists who are affiliated to a pan-Islamic Caliphate.

It was after Musa broke away that Sabzar Bhatt was appointed as the new commander of Hizb cadre in the valley. His death last week is a blow to the damage containment strategy that Hizbollah bosses in Pakistan had drawn up.

Hizbul bosses have now appointed tech savvy 29-year-old terrorist Riyaz Naikoo as Sabzar's replacement. Naikoo is seen as being relatively moderate and has been chosen with the hope that he can stop the HizbUL cadre from being attracted to the hardline Islamic ideology of the ISIS. Given that he is tech savvy, his bosses in Pakistan hope that like Burhan he too will be able to attract youngsters to the terror fold.

Post that Sabzar Bhatt had been appointed the Hizbul Chief in the Valley by its protectors and providers in Pakistan.

Also Read:

Who is Zakir Musa? Why Hizbul Mujahideen distanced itself from his 'Islamic Kashmir' remark

'Throw stones at security forces for Islam': Burhan Wani's successor Zakir Musa urges protestors

Hizbul commander Sabzar Ahmad was coward in death: Indian Army Sabzar Ahmad Bhat: Burhan Wani's successor joined Hizbul after a failed love affair

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Pakistan calls Sabzar Bhat martyr, says India killing defenceless Kashmiris

Hizbul commander Sabzar Bhat's killing: Civilian killed in protests as Hurriyat calls for 2-day shutdown

Zakir Musa quits as Hizbul Mujahideen commander after outfit condemns his threat to Hurriyat leaders

Watch: Terrorist vs terrorist in Kashmir: Hizbul Mujahideen suspects Zakir Musa's betrayal

--- ENDS ---
British police arrested a 23-year-old man Monday on the south coast of England, hundreds of miles south of Manchester, in the widening inquiry into the deadly concert bombing.

Greater Manchester Police said the man was arrested in Shoreham-by-Sea on suspicion of terrorism offenses and an address there was being searched.

The arrest means that 14 men are now in custody in Britain for suspected roles in the May 22 bombing of an Ariana Grande concert that killed 22 people and wounded nearly 120 others. It was Britains worst attack in a decade.

The suspects have not been identified or charged. All are being held on suspicion of violating the Terrorism Act.

Police and security services have said very little about the network believed to be behind suicide bomber Salman Abedi, a Manchester native whose parents had moved to Britain from Libya. Abedis elder brother Ismail is among the suspects being held in Britain, and a younger brother and Abedis father have been detained in Libya.

Britains intelligence services have launched an inquiry into how warnings about the 22-year-old Abedis radical views were handled amid indications that vital warning signs were missed.

Police are scouring 12,960 hours of closed circuit TV recordings in their search for clues, have collected more than 630 pieces of evidence and have searched 21 addresses.

Authorities say Abedi returned to Britain from Libya on May 18, and likely completed assembling his bomb at a rented apartment in central Manchester.

Britains official terror threat level was set at critical in the days after the attack but was downgraded Saturday to severe. The country remains on high alert, however, as officials caution that some suspects who helped Abedi may still be at large.

(AP)
A Jewish family from Stamford Hill enjoying a beach vacation were attacked by a gang of teens, and local police refused to help.

The family and their five young children, aged 8 to 15, were playing on the beach when a group of five teens ran towards them allegedly throwing stones. The suspects, two boys and three girls in their upper teens, were also shouting anti-Semitic slurs such as Jews!

The incident occurred at Minster beach on the Isle of Sheppey, a popular vacation spot about 50 miles east of London.

The family took shelter and called police, while the attackers remained on the beach and continued their assault. To their shock, Kent Police informed them they would not immediatly be responding to the scene, and instead, were told that an officer would contact them the following week to investigate.

Left with no choice, the family was forced to cut short their vacation and return home to Stamford Hill. They have since contacted Shomrim NE London who is advocating on their behalf.

The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism has branded the handling of the incident appalling. Local Conservative candidate Tom Tugendhat on twitter said the attack was disgraceful.

The following is a statement from Kent Police: Kent Police was called at 4.10pm on Sunday 28 May 2017 to a report of an assault at Minster Beach, Isle of Sheppey.

During the call the informant left the scene and officers deemed there was no further risk.

As the informant is from outside of the county, police are arranging a suitable time to speak to the informant in due course. No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information about the incident can call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting reference 28-0929.

Jewish family from #StamfordHill were enjoying bank holiday weekend at the beach before being pelted with pebbles by youths shouting Jews pic.twitter.com/4GP9W3R2WQ  Shomrim N.E. London (@Shomrim) May 28, 2017

(Nat Golden  YWN)
The media controlled communism and encouraged the river of blood of the Arab spring.

In a speech at the appointment of Minister Ayoub Kara, MK Rabbi Yisrael Eichler attacked the hypocrisy of advocates of democracy who turned the media into a tool of dictatorship of the judiciary and bureaucracy.

My congratulations to the new Minister of Communications, my old friend Ayoub Kara The media is the most important ministry in the very tense relation between the democratic system of government and the dominant dictatorial hegemony of public discourse, the media is a key component in the destruction of democracy and the empowerment of dictators and officials, like prosecutors, police officers, and senior officials, who can abuse civilians as individuals and minorities, all under the auspices of the propaganda of the subjective media, said MK Rabbi Yisrael Eichler.

The media throughout history brought the largest revolutions, some of them brought salvation and freedom to the world, while most of them caused destruction and bloodshed in the world. In the distant past, propaganda in the media created communism, let alone Nazism, which without the media would not have swept tens of millions of people into a moral abyss. On the other hand, the media has weakened dictatorial regimes and stopped them from abusing the weak. Hence the media is a tool for evil or good. It is not for nothing that the media is called in Hebrew klei tikshoret (which can translate to a dish of communication). The media is like a dish, it all depends what is served in it. Therefore, as the new Minister of Communications you have a very important role to play in ensuring that the media will indeed be a conveying the truth and not lies. A media that reports and not one that creates a reality, as seen through the eyes of the moderator and editor.

Here is an example: For many years, the media has strengthened the status of the attorney general. This was in order to weaken the elected government. Even when the attorney general became from a mere prosecutor to an adviser to the government which enabled a tyrant like Aharon Barak to overthrow a prime minister, Rabin, the media loved it. Then he took control of the courts and uprooted democracy, he transferred control to the prosecutors, judges and police officers, who descended to the lives of innocent civilians, falsely correcting versions and lies in the court, so that a citizen had no savior. In the public sphere too, Barak gave a small group of the extreme left, control of the people and the state. The decision of the High Court of Justice to annul the laws of the Knesset and cause civil wars culminated legal dictatorship in place of parliamentary democracy, and at that time it was forbidden to speak against the attorney general and his cronies.

Today these leftists protest against the attorney general, specifically in front of his house. Why? Because he does not put the prime minister on trial to please the people who want to overthrow him. All this is done with the help of the media, which intensifies these demonstrations and conceals public anger on other issues they do not like.

Therefore, now that Minister Karah will take the media portfolio, he must make sure that it will cease to be a dictatorship and start advocating the freedom of speech, not freedom of contempt, freedom of expression for all and not just a certain section and a certain opinion. With Gods help, you will do it with dignity and pride. This will be an honor not only for the Druze community but also for the entire State of Israel and the people of Israel as a whole. Good luck, said MK Rabbi Yisrael Eichler.
Police say a 36-year-old man fired an AK-47 rifle while driving down a Florida highway, damaging at least two passing vehicles.

Miami-Dade Police Detective Daniel Ferrin told The Miami Herald that the man began shooting from inside his Toyota Corolla around 1 a.m. Monday as he was driving south on the Palmetto Expressway.

At least two vehicles were struck by bullets.

Ferrin said the man hit a median, drove into oncoming traffic and crashed into a wall before exchanging gunfire with law enforcement officers who were approaching him. The man eventually surrendered.

Ferrin said one victim drove himself to a hospital with a minor head injury due to debris from the shooting.

It wasnt clear how many officers were involved in the shooting. Ferrin said many shots were fired. Authorities didnt know if the suspect had been involved in a dispute or if he fired randomly.

Officers from Miami-Dade Police, Doral Police and Florida Highway Patrol were involved in the incident.

(AP)
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times

Perhaps it could be called, Friends Dont Friends Recite Safek Bracha Levatalahs.

The question is, however, how much do these friends have to sleep?

Confusing, yes. So lets start at the beginning:

In the seventies and eighties, many people were getting killed by drunk-drivers. In 1986, Hiram Walker and Sons, the alcohol company, decided to create a campaign called the Designated Driver Program. The program essentially advertised that one person should remain sober and not drink so that he could drive those who did not remain sober to their homes. Bars gave discounts to drinkers that had a DD a designated driver.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving supported the idea as did police departments throughout Canada and the United States. The idea soon swept the nation. Harvard Universitys Center for Health Communication adopted the project. The US Department of Transportation soon flooded the media with the motto, Friends dont let friends drink and drive.

Shavuos presents a situation which lehavdil  perhaps needs a similar solution  not a designated driver but a designated sleeper.

The situation for many people on Shavuos presents four possible problems.

On Shavuos, there is a custom to stay up all night and learn. In order to make up for the fact that our ancestors actually had slept the night of the Sinaitic revelation, religious Jews stay up all night and study Torah (Midrash Shir HaShirim Rabbah 1:56). The practice is mentioned in the Zohar (Parshas Emor 98a). There it even describes the reward that awaits one who studies Torah all night. The all-night learner receives no less than seventy divine blessings from above and is crowned with a special celestial crown of the upper heavens. Then they are inscribed in a special Sefer HaZikaron, a book of memory.

So what is the issue?

There are certain brachos in which there are questions as to whether or not they may be recited by a person who was up all night. These include (1) the bracha of al netilas yadayim, (2) the bracha of Elokai Neshama, (3) the bracha of Hamaavir shainah and (4) birchas HaTorah. People usually make an asher yatzar upon going to the bathroom  so that one we will assume is not a problem.

WASHING HANDS IN THE MORNING

What is the reason that we wash our hands in the morning? This is actually a four way debate between the Rosh, the Rashba, the Orchos Chaim (Rav Aharon of Narbonne), and the Zohar. The Rosh (Responsa #61) writes that the sages enacted this obligation because our hands invariably touch parts of the body during the night that should be covered, and we must wash our hands before praying.

The Rashba (Responsa 1:191) writes that we are renewed every morning based upon the Pasuk in Eichah (3:23). Therefore, the sages enacted that we must wash our hands from a vessel just as the Kohanim wash their hands from the Kior (a vessel) in the Bais HaMikdash.

The Orchos Chaim (cited in the Drisha in OC Siman 4) writes that during the nighttime an impure spirit rests upon the hands and does not leave until the hands are washed three times. The Shla (Chulin, Derech Chaim) explains that there are three separate impure forces. Therefore, three washings are necessary to remove them.

The Zohar (Parshas VaYaishev 184) states that when the Neshama leaves it leaves a spirit of Tumah, impurity in the body. When the soul re-enters, the impurity travels to the limbs. Water can remove the impurity from the hands. Why the limbs? The Shla explains that the limbs correspond to the outer extensions of the universe, where the powers of impurity are strongest.

How does the Shulchan Aruch rule? He rules that a bracha is only recited when both the Roshs reason and the Rashbas reasons apply. The other reasons may be reasons to wash ones hands, but as far as the sages enactment goes, the Rosh and the Rashba are the main reasons.

There is a difference between the two views if someone were to stay up all night. The Rashba would hold that the sages made an enactment all across the board, whether one slept or not. The Rosh holds that there is no need to wash the hands in such a situation.

The Mishna Brurah rules (4:30) that if a person used the facilities  he may recite this bracha after washing his hands. It is, however, difficult for everyone to do this at the precise time before Shavuos Shacharis.

THE OTHER THREE BRACHOS

The blessings of Elokai Neshama, HaMaavir Shaina and Birchas HaTorah also bring up questions. Perhaps the first two brachos were only enacted for people who underwent sleep. Can one say, Hashem the soul that You have taken from me when the person did not actually sleep? Or may he recite Who removes sleep from eyes when he didnt sleep? The issue may be more acute because these brachos are formulated in the singular rather than the plural form.

The answer is that it is a debate between the Shulchan Aruch and Ramah (See Shulchan Aruch 46:8). The Mishna Brurah on 46:24 cites Acharonim that are more stringent than the Ramah. The recommendation is to be yotzeh from someone else.

In the past three decades the custom has developed for almost every HaNetz HaChama minyan on Shavuos to have a designated sleeper come in and recite all the brachos. Previously it was done on a catch-as-can basis; now it has become a bit more formalized.

It is interesting to note that the designated sleeper of late doesnt just recite the four brachos that are in doubt, but he recites all of them. There is actually no need to do so, it does, however, make things less confusing and much simpler.

The designated sleeper could actually have learned during Shavuos night as well. The only requirement is that he must have slept for a half hour in a bed. . Rav Yisroel Gustman ztl is quoted (Halichos Yisroel Siman 21) as saying that the half hour could even be after Alos HaShachar, but before Naitz.

Also, it could be that the sleeping does not have to be a half hour. The Shaarei Teshuva 46:12 writes that it could be any amount  which is understood as at least 3 minutes (See BH 4:16 Dovid).

Rabbi Teplin, the author of Halichos Yisroel, cites Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg ztl that it must be a full 30 minutes because that has become the near universal custom. The Chayei Adam (7:8) and the Marcheshes (Vol. I 14:8) cited by Rabbi Teplin clearly disagree. It is difficult to say that there is a universal custom that developed afterward because there are people who still follow the Ramah.

So how much must the friend or designated sleeper sleep? Is it three minutes or thirty minutes? It would seem that the Rav of each Shavuos all-night learning should decide. Have a great kabalas HaTorah  the learners, the designated sleepers, and those who do get a regular nights sleep as well.

The author can be reached at [email protected]
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times

NOT SAYING WHY YOU ARE RESTING

Some people have the custom to sleep on Erev Shavuos in order to be able to stay up the entire night on Shavuos. The Mogain Avrohom (OC 290) quotes the Sefer Chasidim that when Erev Shavuos falls on Shabbos, it is forbidden to say that one is resting so that he or she can be awake for the night of Shavuos.

GRASS AND TREES IN SHUL

There is a Minhag mentioned by the Ramah in Shulchan Aruch (OC 494) to place grass, flowers, and trees in Shul on Shavuos. One explanation for this is found in the words of the Levush (Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe):

It commemorates the grass that surrounded Har Sinai at the time of Matan Torah. As the verse states, the sheep and flocks may not graze The indication is that grass grew there. It is a worthwhile Minhag to continue because it helps us relive the experience at Har Sinaian experience that we actually go through once again.

Another explanation is that it commemorates the bringing of the Bikkurim the first fruits, which were made from baskets woven and decorated from and with grasses and flowers (Ziv HaMinhagim).

Another explanation is that Moshe Rabbeinu was saved on the banks of the Yeor which had grassy knolls (Chiddushei HaRim  the Gerrer Rebbe).

The Brisker Rav explained that the decorations are a minimum form of decoration and show us that the only means in which one can acquire Torah is if we are satisified with the minimum and not pursue luxuries and other forms of consumption. Grasses are mentioned in this vein in the Gemorah Eiruvin 22a by Rabbi Adda Bar Ahava (Moadim LSimcha p. 402).

The Minhag of Milchigs

The Ramah mentions that it is the custom to split the meal on Shavuos, where the first half of the meal is comprised of dairy foods and the second half is comprised of meat foods. Although it is no longer the custom to split the meal, we do have the custom to eat dairy foods on Shavuos. The reason for this custom is to remind us that when we received the Torah we were taught the laws of preparing the meat in the proper, kosher manner. Since we were unable to this immediately, we consumed only dairy foods at the time.

Waiting for Nightfall

Although generally we are permitted to bring in Shabbos or Yom Tov slightly earlier than is required, in regard to Shavuos the custom is not to pray immediately but to wait for nightfall. The reason is that we want to count the Omer completely and perfectly. Doing so would entail making sure that the last day is complete.

The Minhag to Stay Up All Night

Although the custom is not mentioned in the Talmud nor in the Shulchan Aruch, the custom has developed in Klal Yisroel to remain awake the entire night of Shavuos and to study Torah. The Seforim HaKedoshim explain that one who stays up all night studying Torah merits Gilui Shechina revelation of Hashems Divine Presence on that night.

The Kaf HaChaim (OC 494) writes that women who have the custom of counting the Omer can indeed partake in perfecting the Tikkunim involved in the Mitzvah of Sfiras haOmer by learning at night as well. Other Poskim explain that there was no Minhag for the women to stay up as well.

No Bloodletting or Testing

The Talmud (Shabbos 129b) tells us that a celestial damager was sent out against the nation of Israel on the day before Shavuos. Its name was Tvoach. By virtue of Klal Yisroel having accepted the Torah, they saved themselves from the destructive fate of Tvoach. On the eve of Shavuos we do not engage in any form of bloodletting because of the dangers involved. Indeed, the sages forbade doing so on every Erev Yom Tov on account of Shavuos. The Minhag is cited by the commentators (Darchei Moshe CM 468:3) and the custom in Klal Yisroel is to avoid it unless there is medical need.

Shavuos Davening

The Shacharis and full Hallel of Yom Tov are recited.

The Piut of Akdamus

The Piut (supplication poem) was written by Rav Meir Ben Yitzchok Shliachtzibbur, a Rishon that is often quoted by Rashi and Tosfos (See, for example, Rashi on Tehillim 73:12 and Tosfos RH 11a). It is a double Aleph Bais poem that describes the greatness of the Creator of the world, the nature of Malachim, and the loftier stature that the nation of Israel has above the angels themselves. One section of it describes how, kavyachol, Hashem is longingly desirous of Klal Yisroel learning Torah and desires their prayers. It ends with the statement that who hear (and absorb the depth and meaning of the piut) will merit to be among that group that will merit fantastic miracles on the great day.

The reading of the Aseres HaDibros takes place on the first day of Shavuos. This is followed with Mussaf and the Birkas Kohanim. On the second day Megilas Rus is read before the reading of the Torah.

Why We Read Megilas Rus

There is a debate among the Poskim as to whether our custom to read the Megillah of Rus on Shavuos is a full-fledged obligation or a Minhag. The reason why we read the book of Rus is to teach us that Torah is only given through hardship and poverty (Yallkut Shimoni 596). Another reason is that the entire episode took place during the Zman HaKatzir  and Shavuos is known as Chag HaKatzir too. A third reason is so that we will have read all three parts of the TaNaCh on the day of Matan Torah (Otzer HaMinhagim).

The Piut is recited in Aramaic so that the Malachim will not understand it, hear it and take it for their own use. It should remain special for the Jewish people alone. It is the only Piut which is recited while the Sefer Torah itself is lying on the Bima. This demonstrates how very special it is.

Yizkor

On the second day of Yom Tov (the first day in Eretz Yisroel) after the Torah is read, a special prayer of Yizkor is recited as is done on all second day Yomim Tovim. We daven for and pledge Tzedakah in the merit of those in our family who have passed on. It is the custom in Klal Yisroel for everyone who still has both parents to leave the shul during the recitation of Yizkor.

YOM TOV HALACHOS

Like on Shabbos, there exists a prohibition of performing Malacha on Yom Tov. The admonition against certain Malachos should be used as a means of coming closer to Hashem as well. What is Malacha exactly, and how can it be used as a tool for greater closeness to G-d?

Malacha is not defined as work, necessarily. Malacha is defined as a certain, specific type of creative act. More precisely, Malacha is defined as the specific creative acts that were necessary to create the Mishkan, the resting place for Hashems concentration of the Shechina Presence here on earth.

Our refraining from such creative acts on Shabbos and Yom Tov is the collective flag of the Jewish people. Just as any nation is proud and salutes its national flag, so too is the observance of Shabbos and the holidays the flag of the Jewish people. The flag symbolizes and embodies our belief that the world was created for a purpose by a kind and benevolent Being who rewards good and punishes evil. A focus on this idea will cause us to become ever closer to Him. Mere contemplation of it when we refrain from Malacha achieves this end.

While the definition of Malacha is the same for both Shabbos and Yom Tov, the Torah made some exceptions for Yom Tov. The Torah states that actions that are necessary for people to eat are permitted on Yom Tov. This is called Ochel Nefesh. Not all actions, however, are permitted for Ochel Nefesh purposes. If the food preparation could have been done with equal freshness and results before Yom Tov, and one had the time opportunity to do it then, then it may only be done with a shinui on Yom Tov itself. There are some Malachos on Yom Tov that are forbidden or very different even when it comes to food preparation.

It is also important to know that one may never do Malacha on Yom Tov during a Bain HaShmashos  twilight that immediately followed a Yom Tov. Why is this so? Because we do not know exactly when the day changes from one to the other. It is forbidden to do Malacha on Yom Tov for another day. Thus we might be doing Malacha on Yom Tov for another day which is forbidden.

One is also, of course, not permitted to perform any Malacha on the first day of Yom Tov for the second day of Yom Tov  even if the preparations involve no Malacha. This is called Hachana and something in which we must be very careful. The Yom Tov is very special and acts performed on it must be limited only to the needs of that Yom Tov.

May it be Hashems will that we merit a complete and full Kabalas HaTorah this year!

The author can be reached at [email protected]
U.S. Sen. John McCain urged Australia on Tuesday not to abandon its alliance with America despite jitters over President Donald Trump, saying the U.S. needs its allies more than ever to remind it of its principles.

The Republican senator, in Australia for talks on security in the Asia-Pacific region, acknowledged that America is going through a rough period and said he understands why the countrys allies have questioned its commitments to truth over falsehood and freedom over oppression. But he urged Australia to stick with the U.S. to encourage us to stay true to who we are at our best and remind us always just how much is at stake.

I realize that some of President Trumps actions and statements have unsettled Americas friends. They have unsettled many Americans as well, McCain said in a speech organized by the United States Studies Centre. There is real debate under way now in my country about what kind of role America should play in the world and, frankly, I dont know how this debate will play out. But I do believe  and I dont think Im exaggerating here  that the future of the world will turn to a large extent on how this debate in America is resolved. Thats why I and others are fighting so hard to ensure that America stands by our allies and remains an active, principled leader in the world.

McCain emerged as one of Australias staunchest advocates in the U.S. earlier this year following a spat between Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. After reports emerged in February of a testy phone call between the two leaders over a refugee deal, McCain quickly reached out to Australias ambassador to the U.S., and publicly praised Australia for its long history of military cooperation with the U.S.

Australia has fought alongside America in every major conflict since World War I, and is one of the largest contributors to the U.S.-led military campaign in Iraq and Syria.

On Tuesday, McCain said that despite a widespread perception that Americans have turned isolationist and protectionist under Trump, a majority of its citizens believes globalization is a good thing. The senator criticized Trump and the presidents Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for their opposition to the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact. McCain urged Australia  which was unhappy with Trumps decision to pull the U.S. out of the agreement  to continue to pursue a free trade deal with other nations.

McCain, who is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also said that while he and Trump differed on some things, they were aligned in their support for a boost in military funding. The senator said he plans to introduce a bill that would significantly increase funding for Americas military. McCain said he also supports an initiative for the U.S. to bolster its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region amid growing concerns about North Koreas nuclear program.

(AP)
By India Today Web Desk: Comedian and actor Krushna Abhishek, who is currently busy with India Banega Manch, just cannot stop praising Bollywood actor Salman Khan.

Krushna recently shot for the show with Salman and Sohail, who were there to promote their upcoming movie Tubelight.

Also read: Kapil Sharma's arch-rival Krushna Abhishek's show to clash with TKSS again

"Salman is the only star who supported me. He was the first star to come on Comedy Nights Bachao when it started and also the first star to visit Comedy Nights Live when I took over from Kapil (Sharma). He is a man with a great heart. Once he came on the sets just because he was shooting nearby and that was when Katrina was on the show. And, now he has come on my new show," Krushna told DNA.

This is the fact. Thanks to salman bhai for coming to all the shows I hv done ???he is a good luck always. A superstar with a superb heart thx for the support sir ??? @soorajpancholi @colorstv @kashmera1 #rajnayaksir #indiabanegamanch A post shared by Krushna Abhishek (@krushna30) on May 30, 2017 at 12:59am PDT

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Krushna revealed that he even asked the brothers a few personal questions during the shoot, and they happily responded.

--- ENDS ---
Music lovers came in numbers to witness the last day of the MTN Bushfire Festival. (Pic by Nhlanhla Mathunjwa)

MALKERNS  More money more fun as Swazilands leading mobile network pumps in a lot of money amounting to over E1 million.



This was disclosed by the companys Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ambrose Dlamini. The companys CEO disclosed that the company was excited to be part of this initiative which was a good way to bring people together.

He said when it started they were not aware that the festival would become so huge adding that it was exciting to see the concept being supported this way.



It is exciting to see the world coming together to have fun in this way. The concert is growing and it is becoming bigger and better every year. As a company we are proud and what we are seeing makes us to believe in supporting this initiative continuously, he said.



Supporting



He said as a company they are looking at ways of supporting this initiative adding that this is one festival that brings the country together.



It is our wish to continue working hand in hand with the MTN Bushfire Festival. I must say as a company we might consider adding more money towards this initiative, he said.



He thanked all fun lovers who took their time to attend the festival saying he was happy to see that Swazis are in love with the Bushfire Festival.



Seeing so many Swazis coming together is indeed a great feeling.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, May 30 (PTI) Erickshaws seized by the police or transport department officials should not be released till they are registered, the Delhi High Court ordered today.

Justice Sunil Gaur issued the direction on a plea by the Delhi governments transport department claiming that the high courts earlier order not to release seized unregistered erickshaws was being interpreted differently by each metropolitan magistrate (MM).

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To ensure registration of the vehicles, the high court ordered that the motor licensing officers (MLOs) would accompany the owners to the pit, where the seized erickshaws are kept, and inspect them.

After inspection, the MLO would tell the owner what else is required to be done for registration of the vehicle.

The transport department, in its application filed by advocate Anuj Aggarwal, said the January one order of the high court needed to be clarified as different MMs were interpreting it differently.

One MM in March this year had said that an owner cannot be denied his movable property and ordered the release of a seized unregistered erickshaw.

The MM had said that the high courts January one order only pertained to those erickshaws which were seized for theft of electricity.

Through the order, the high court had directed that the seized erickshaws should be released only after being registered.

The order had come on a plea by some discoms against the theft of electricity by erickshaw owners to charge their vehicles.

The discoms petition had been tagged with a contempt petition filed against the police and transport department for not implementing the high courts September 9, 2014 ruling to ensure that erickshaws ply as per the rules and regulations.

The ruling had come on a PIL alleging that erickshaws are illegally plying on Delhi roads. PTI HMP PPS ARC

--- ENDS ---
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By Bill Parry

When 55 community college students from around the nation were selected Tuesday for the 2017 Jack Kent Cook Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships, three were from LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City. Each will receive up to $40,000 a year to complete a bachelors degree at a four-year college or university.

Having three students be selected for the prestigious Jack Kent Cook Scholarships is a testament to the work these incredible students and to the high-quality education delivered by LaGuardia faculty, LGA President Gail O. Mellow said. This scholarship represents the national imperative to open up the doors of our nations most elite institutions to community college students. We need our nations top colleges to reflect our nations diversity, and LaGuardia and the nations community colleges are an often ignored pipeline that can bring talented, motivated, and proven students to these institutions.

They were selected from a pool of 3,000 applicants nationwide. LaGuardia is one of only two institutions in the country to have three Jack Kent Cooke scholars this year.

Jonathan Morales, 24, dropped out of high school and earned his high school equivalency diploma to seek work to help his mother  who raised him and his brother as a single parent  with their familys expenses. After several years working as a carpenter, Morales decided to go back to school and found his way to LaGuardia, where he excelled both academically and personally.

Becoming a Jack Kent Cook Scholar has given me a new higher-education pathway with significantly fewer financial barriers, Morales said. I hope my selection for this award will show other LaGuardia students that they, too, can win a competitive national scholarship, regardless of their cultural background or hardships theyve endured.

Morales was accepted at Brown, Amherst, Michigan, and a host of other institutions, He has decided to attend Stanford. His professional goal is to facilitate the sharing of self-published narratives and news for the Latinx gender-fluid community and other marginalized communities through a new social media platform he intends to develop.

Miguel Castillo is a first-generation Mexican-Dominican, raised by a single mother. He is also a Marine Corps veteran who completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He has completed research at Columbia University and the Brookhaven National Laboratory and will be at Stanford this summer for a technology and entrepreneurship program. Castillo intends to pursue a dual-major in computer science and electrical engineering at an institution to be determined.

Being named a Jack Kent Cooke Scholar has made me dream bigger  beyond even obtaining a bachelors degree, he said. In addition to becoming an inventor and an entrepreneur, I want to give back to society in the future.

Konstandinos Gobakis embraced and excelled in opportunities he found at LaGuardia, especially the Peer Activist Learning Community. He has been accepted at Swarthmore College, where he plans to earn his bachelors in computer sciences and humanities.

I am extremely proud to have received this Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship, said Gobakis, a Liberal Arts: Math and Science major. It has opened new doors for me.
Bridgewater looks to become a regional nightlife hub in western PA

Bridgewater bars offer patrons a nightlife experience that is unique from any other in western Pennsylvania
By Shivani Chhabra: The Cannes Film Festival left us with moments to cherish for years to come. From Aishwarya Rai Bachchan donning a Cinderella-like ballroom gown to Sonam Kapoor paying a subtle tribute to feminist icons--things were pretty darn mesmerising.

While most of us were enthralled by the prepossessing beauty Bollywood blessed Cannes with, Shruti Haasan wasn't exactly the embodiment of all things gorgeous. And, if you did not know this, then consider yourself lucky to not have seen her red carpet look--because she was everything, but well-dressed.

Picture courtesy: Instagram/fashionregister

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After disappointing us on the international red carpet, the gorgeous actor is back home, and continues to pull-off fashion blunders.

Also Read: Shruti Haasan and Nandita Das totally lost the fashion game at Cannes

The Ramaiya Vastavaiya actor, attended The Kapil Sharma Show for the promotion of her upcoming film Behan Hogi Teri. And her ensemble made us feel sorry for our eyes. No kidding.

The actor wore a parakeet-green dress with hideous, polka dots all over it, transporting us back to our childhoods when weird, polka dotted textiles were uber-cool.

The pink and mauve polkas looked the opposite of great on the green dress, that even the beautiful wrap-around pattern could not save it, leaving us scarred beyond repair.

Also Read: Shruti Haasan's red carpet debut at Cannes Film Festival was the opposite of great

The actor teamed her sad, Papa Don't Preach number with a subtle pair of gold, open-toe stilettos by Vanilla Moon Shoes, that were clearly, the best thing about her ensemble.

Keeping her makeup and hairdo minimal, Shruti managed to not ruin her look further. Aren't you so glad, right now?

Picture courtesy: Instagram/onlyshrutih

While we adore Shruti to bits, her dress sense has been totally off recently, and it's getting harder to see her fail constantly with her fashion choices.

We hope she strikes back with some flawless outfit choices in the coming days and change our opinions completely.

--- ENDS ---
Albany

L.J. DArrigos phone rings more often these days.

The Albany-based attorney connects New York farmers with guest workers from outside the country. And this year business is booming, with his client base expanding by about 30 percent.

Both in New York and nationally, farmers are increasingly turning to the H-2A worker visa program that DArrigo assists with as a way to plug holes in their workforce and, in some cases, to avoid the intensifying scrutiny of undocumented workers from federal immigration officers.

Last week the Department of Labor reported that it approved more than 69,000 H-2A farm job applications in the first three months of this year -- a 36 percent increase over the same period last year, and one that farmers say indicates the need for comprehensive immigration reform rather than crackdowns that can scare off scarce workers and grind production to a halt. (H-2A workers in the country numbered in the thousands only a few decades ago, according to the Brookings Institution.)

Farmers who were never touching (H-2A) are beginning to use it, said Steven McKay, a Hudson-based consultant who has worked in the sector for decades. They just cant find workers. The work pool has dried up.

Even before Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were ramping up their sweeps of Hudson Valley farms, New Yorkers were slowly turning to the H-2A program, which for decades has brought Hispanic and Caribbean people to the Empire State for seasonal apple-picking jobs or other farm work. The state in 2016 received more than 5,5000 such workers, a 31 percent increase since 2010 that farmers blame to varying degrees on the shrinking pool of native-born farmers and the constant uncertainties of federal immigration policy.

The Department of Labor has not released state-by-state H-2A numbers for this year, but farmers from across New York and the nation have generally agreed that the growing scrutiny of their workforces has pushed more of their colleagues into H-2A.

"Many farmers are concerned about what's going to happen" to the supply of foreign workers, Laura Ten Eyck, vice president of Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont, said in February. "It's seasonal and it's hard work, and it's hard to find American workers to fill the jobs.

For years the government had turned a blind eye to the estimated 50 percent of American farm workers who are undocumented, DArrigo said, but with increased enforcement and everything thats going on politically, I think a lot of farms are scared into compliance.

Its a costly and frustrating system that neither farmers nor workers view as ideal.

Farmers using H-2A labor have to post the job openings for weeks before filling them; pay the regional prevailing wage (in New York H-2A workers make about $11 an hour, according to the Department of Labor); and have to provide housing and other costly amenities to the workers.

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For some workers, the program is not much better. Because they rely so heavily on their bosses for basic needs -- and because they lack many of the collective bargaining rights afforded to traditional American employees -- farm workers are uniquely susceptible to hazardous work conditions and exploitative practices, with virtually no legal recourse at their disposal.

New York Reps. Elise Stefanik and Chris Collins are pushing legislation that would streamline some of the H-2A processes, and bring the program under the purview of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The bill has support from the New York Farm Bureau, which for years has called for reforms to the federal immigration system to help with some of the red tape that can keep farmers waiting in limbo for workers. But its also likely to be met with fierce opposition from workers rights groups that worry it will streamline visa issuances at the expense of already vulnerable workers.

RDownen@timesunion.com - 518-454-5018 - Follow @RobertDownenTU
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ALBANY  Albany County District Attorney David Soares has decided against pursuing an investigation of the ongoing scandal over potentially improper legislative stipends known as "lulus," according to a Monday report in the New York Daily News.

Citing an unnamed source, the article said no reason was given for Soares' decision. His spokesman declined to comment on the matter.

The Times Union reported last week that the district attorney's office had recently requested a meeting with representatives of the state Senate's mainline Democratic conference, including its deputy leader, Sen. Michael Gianaris, and its attorneys.

The stipends in question  worth tens of thousands of dollars per year  were directed by the chamber's Republican leadership to GOP lawmakers as well as members of the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference for committee chairmanships that the legislators did not hold. The mainline Democratic conference argues that the payments violated the law as well as the state constitution; the GOP insists that the stipends are proper according to its own legal counsel's judgment.

The Republican conference and the IDC are allied in a "majority coalition" that has drawn the ire of mainline Democrats as well as progressive groups who point out that there are now 32 Democrats in the chamber  enough to secure a bare majority.

The state attorney general's office is reportedly looking into the stipend matter, as well as the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, which covers Brooklyn and Long Island.

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Despite serving through a period of unprecedented prosecutions of state legislators, Soares' office has largely remained on the sidelines in enforcing ethics at the Capitol. Soares served as a member of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Moreland Commission to Investigate Public Corruption, which was mothballed in March 2014 midway through its planned 18-month tenure by Cuomo as part of a deal struck with then-legislative leaders Sen. Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

Within 14 months after the demise of the Moreland Commission, both men had been arrested on corruption charges. They were ultimately found guilty and ejected from the Legislature, though both remain free pending appeals.
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TROY  After an eight-year hiatus, Hot Dog Charlie's has reopened at a new location in Lansingburgh, returning to the city where Greek immigrant Strates Fentekes started selling the miniature hot dogs downtown.

"It has been missed. Hot Dog Charlie's is part of the DNA of Troy," Mayor Patrick Madden said Tuesday.

The mini-dog cuisine is popular in the city and across the Hudson River in the Collar City's neighboring communities. The new location at 472 Fifth Ave., right at the corner with 112th Street, has seen businesses open and shut, but Hot Dog Charlie's mystique is expected to create staying power.

"I'd like to see them be the first. Everybody loves Charlie's hot dogs," said Dody Tibbitts, placing an order just before the grand opening ribbon cutting.

When Tibbitts' brother Mike D'Alberto was asked how long he had been eating the mini-dogs, he responded quickly and to the point: "Like forever."

That's the enthusiasm Chuck Fentekes likes to see at the counter when customers walk up to order.

"It's been my goal to come back to Lansingburgh," said Fentekes, the third generation of his family to make hot dogs. The 51-year-old Fentekes' 27-year-old son, Jonathan Fentekes, is the fourth generation to come into the business.

Hot Dog Charlie's opened in 1922 on Congress Street as New Way Lunch next to Famous Lunch, another purveyor of the mini-dogs. Hot Dog Charlie's name came from when Strates Fentekes' customers started called him Charlie.

Chuck Fentekes remembered getting his start at the old Congress Street location when he went to work with his father, John Fentekes.

"Since I was a kid," Fentekes said about getting into hot dogs. "I use to go with my father on Saturdays down to Congress Street."

Consuming mini-hot dogs is part of the culture along the Hudson River in the vicinity of Troy. Not only is there Hot Dog Charlie's and Famous Lunch, but in Watervliet there's also Gus's Hot Dogs at 212 25th St.

Fentekes closed his Latham location to equip the new restaurant in Lansingburgh. He also has locations in Cohoes, Rensselaer and Clifton Park.

Hot Dog Charlie's had opened at 626 Second Ave. in Lansingburgh in the early 1970s. A July 3, 2009 fire forced the Lansingburgh location to close. For Fentekes, it was a double blow: Just the day before, his Cohoes restaurant had been flooded. The location at 626 Second Ave. was in a wooden building built in 1787,

Fentekes said he considered reopening on Second Avenue, but when he saw that the building at 472 Fifth Ave. was available to lease and was ready for his kitchen operations, he decided that was the site. He said the availability of off-street parking also is a plus for customers.
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Seoul, South Korea

North Korea's latest missile test Monday may have less to do with perfecting its weapons technology than with showing U.S. and South Korean forces in the region that it can strike them at will.

South Korean and Japanese officials said the suspected Scud-type short-range missile flew about 280 miles Monday morning before landing in Japan's maritime economic zone, setting off the usual round of condemnation from Washington and the North's neighbors.

It's the latest in a string of test launches by North Korea as it seeks to build nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach the U.S. mainland, a drive that puts North Korea high on the list of foreign policy worries for Japan, Washington and Seoul.

North Korea already has an arsenal of reliable short-range missiles. While North Korean scientists could be tweaking them  for instance, developing a new solid-fuel short-range missile  the North tests these shorter-range missiles much less than it does its less dependable, longer-range missiles.

This sets up the possibility that North Korea hopes to use the test to show it can hit U.S. targets near and far and emphasize its defiance of U.S.-led pressure on its missile and nuclear programs, which has included vague threats from President Donald Trump and the arrival in Korean waters of powerful U.S. military hardware. Scuds are capable of striking U.S. troops in South Korea, for instance, and the two newly developed missiles tested earlier this month have potential ranges that include Japan, Guam and even, according to some South Korean analysts, Alaska.

The missile was launched from the coastal town of Wonsan, the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. It landed in Japan's exclusive maritime economic zone, which is set about 200 nautical miles off the Japanese coast, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said. He said there was no report of damage to planes or vessels in the area.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters that "North Korea's provocation by ignoring repeated warnings from international society is absolutely unacceptable."

Suga said the missile fell about 190 miles north of the Oki islands in southwestern Japan and 310 miles west of Sado island in central Japan.

Suga said Japanese officials will discuss North Korea with a senior foreign policy adviser to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Yang Jiechi, who was scheduled to visit Japan later Monday. China is North Korea's only major ally. North Korea is still thought to be several years from its goal of being able to target U.S. mainland cities with nuclear ICBMs.

South Korea says North Korea has conducted nine ballistic missile tests this year, including one in which four missiles were launched on the same day.

North Korea's state-controlled media had no immediate comment on Monday's test, but released a statement, without mentioning the launch, that accused Seoul and Washington of "aggravating the situation" on the Korean Peninsula by conducting joint military drills and other "reckless acts."

On Sunday, North Korea also said leader Kim Jong Un had watched a separate, successful test of a new type of anti-aircraft guided weapon system. The report didn't say when the test happened.

The official Korean Central News Agency cited Kim as ordering officials to mass-produce and deploy the system all over the country so as to "completely spoil the enemy's wild dream to command the air."

Monday's launch was North's Korea's third ballistic missile launch since South Korean President Moon Jae-in was inaugurated on May 10.
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Arlington, Va.

President Donald Trump on Monday expressed the nation's "boundless" gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice paid by Americans defending the United States, dedicating his first Memorial Day address as commander in chief to a top Cabinet secretary and two other families who lost loved ones.

Participating in the somber annual observance at Arlington National Cemetery, Trump recounted the stories of Green Beret Capt. Andrew D. Byers of Colorado Springs and Christopher D. Horton of the Oklahoma National Guard as Byers' tearful parents and Horton's emotional widow looked on.

Trump also singled out for special mention Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, a retired Marine four-star general whose son, Marine 2nd Lt. Robert M. Kelly, was killed in November 2010 after he stepped on a land mine while on patrol in southern Afghanistan.

To all Gold Star families, Trump said of their lost service members: "They each had their own names, their own stories, their own beautiful dreams. But they were all angels sent to us by God and they all share one title in common and that is the title of hero, real heroes."

"Though they were here only a brief time before God called them home, their legacy will endure forever," Trump said.

Horton, a sniper sent to Afghanistan in 2011, died in a gun battle with the Taliban near the Pakistan border three months into his deployment. Byers was on his third combat tour and, Trump said, ran through smoke and a hail of bullets to rescue an Afghan soldier when he was killed last November.

Secretary Kelly's other son, Johnny, is getting ready for his fifth military deployment. A son-in-law, Jake, is a wounded warrior.

Trump also recognized former U.S. senator and GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole, 93, who suffered life-altering wounds during World War II. He attended the ceremony along with his wife, Elizabeth Dole, also a former U.S. senator.

"As we honor the brave warriors who gave their lives for ours, spending their last moments on this earth in defense of this country and of its people, words cannot measure the depth of their devotion, the purity of their love or the totality of their courage," Trump said.

"We only hope that every day we can prove worthy not only of their sacrifice and service, but of the sacrifice made by the families and loved ones they left behind. Special, special people," he said.

Before the remarks, Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, touching it for a long moment before stepping away. He then rested his hand on his heart as a bugler played taps.

Stepping to the microphone to deliver the address, Trump seemed to relish the warm welcome from the audience gathered in the sun-splashed amphitheater. Trump has been feeling particularly aggrieved in recent weeks by federal and congressional investigations into contacts between his associates and Russian government officials, including news reports that Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and top White House adviser, proposed establishing secret back-channel communications with Russia during the presidential transition.

The president was accompanied to Arlington cemetery by Vice President Mike Pence, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as a slew of advisers and Cabinet members, including veterans' secretary David Shulkin and housing secretary Ben Carson.

After the address, Trump visited a section of the cemetery for U.S. service members killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The White House said Trump visited the gravesite of Robert Kelly, who was laid to rest in Section 60.
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Troy

It wasn't any one incident that led Jacques Bastien to leave the Capital Region. Nothing dramatic happened. He wasn't targeted or insulted.

Bastien and his wife, Dahcia, decided to move because of the quiet indignities and subtle anxieties that come with being black in a place that is overwhelmingly white  the feeling of always being watched, the sense that your best behavior still isn't enough.

"It's hard to explain in words," Bastien said. "But you are noticed. You feel it."

More Information Contact columnist Chris Churchill at 518-454-5442 or email cchurchill@timesunion.com See More Collapse

Bastien is 27. He adores his wife. He's a college graduate and a business owner. He doesn't drink or smoke. He goes to church and tithes. He dresses way better than I do. He's never been arrested. He drives a nice car.

He isn't eager to tell you this story. He knows that talking about race relations in the Capital Region will bring criticism  and, most likely, the usual torrent of online hate. He doesn't want to sound like somebody who is complaining. He concedes his life is charmed and knows many people have it worse.

"This is not who I am. I don't usually talk about this stuff," he said. "I'm not an activist. But these are my experiences."

Bastien, born in Haiti, arrived in the United States when he was 10. He lived in Brooklyn until he came north to attend the University at Albany, where he met Dahcia.

After graduation, Jacques and Dahcia stuck around and started Boogie, a marketing firm that had offices in Troy. They began to believe they could build their life in a place where neither had intended to stay.

"We started to realize that this could be our home," Bastien said. "Maybe we could stay here and raise a kid."

They settled in an apartment complex in Guilderland, a town where 86 percent of the population is white and 4 percent is black. Life was good, but ...

There were the white women who clutched at their purses as he approached. The extra security questions from bank tellers. The grocery store cashiers whose demeanors changed when it was time to ring up his groceries.

Yes, there were issues with police, too. Bastien said he often was pulled over for no tangible reason and was sometimes treated with outright hostility from officers.

But police are only a part of the story. Bastien is talking mostly about the stress of having to live so consciously and cautiously. Always worried. Always thinking about race and his appearance.

He wouldn't turn up the music in his car, because he didn't want to attract attention. He would dress up even for a quick run to the grocery store, because he knew he'd get a more negative response otherwise.

Bastien says people of color suffer from a "negative branding" created by media that portrays them poorly. The problem, Bastien says, is that the unfortunate (and inaccurate) brand is all that many people here know, because they've had so few interactions with black people.

This issue is partly about numbers. The Capital Region, though it is rapidly becoming more diverse, is still among the whitest metropolitan areas in the country. The suburbs, where Bastien prefers to live, are especially so.

Earlier this year, Jacques and Dahcia decided life would be easier in a more diverse place. They moved downstate to New Rochelle, where 19 percent of the population is black, on the edge of one of the most diverse cities on the planet.

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"I can go out in sweats and I don't feel like I should have worn a blazer because of the way I'm being looked at," Bastien said. "They've seen people like me more."

Last week, Bastien wrote about his decision to leave on Facebook. He told me he spoke out because he wanted his friends to understand that racism and indignities aren't just a problem for people living in poor, segregated neighborhoods.

"There are people who think I don't go through these things," Bastien said. "That post was my way of saying, 'That stuff you read about? It happens to me, too.'"

If the usual patterns hold, some will dismiss Bastien or deny what he's saying. A few will say he should toughen up. But how can we, especially those of us who are white, say that he's wrong? How can we know what his experience is like?

Bastien is describing reality from his point of view. We can deny it or ignore it, if we choose, but why not listen and at least try to understand?

Bastien stressed that he has no ill feelings toward the Capital Region. Bastien became the adult version of himself here. This area will always be a home, of sorts.

He isn't saying goodbye. He and Dahcia will still visit.

But they are choosing to live somewhere else. The loss is ours.

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchill
The wreckage of the fighter jet, which went missing on May 23, was found on May 26 through aerial recce, in a thick forest around 60 km from Tezpur in Assam.

By India Today Web Desk: A blood-stained shoe, a half-burnt PAN card and wallet of one of the two pilots on board the Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet, which crashed near Assam-Arunachal border last week, have been found.

Search and rescue teams have found belongings of the pilots flying the combat jet from the crash site located in a dense forest.

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"Search operations are continuing despite bad weather conditions. However, there is still no trace of the two pilots," Indian Army sources said.

The wreckage of the fighter jet, which went missing on May 23, was found on May 26 through aerial recce, in a thick forest around 60 km from Tezpur in Assam.

The Su-30 had taken off from the Tezpur air base, around 10.30 am on a routine training mission but lost radar and radio contact with the controlling station around 11.10 am near Arunachal Pradesh's Doulasang area, adjoining China.

Tezpur has one of the three IAF air bases in the country that host the Sukhoi jets.

(With inputs from IANS)

ALSO READ:

Black box of IAF's missing Sukhoi-30 aircraft found, search operation underway

Two days and yet no trace of IAF's Sukhoi 30 which went missing near China border with two pilots on board

China says no information on missing Sukhoi, warns India on 'disturbing peace'

WATCH: Wreckage of missing Sukhoi-30 found, no information on pilots

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There was tight security around the tiny lakeside village of Dromineer on Lough Derg this lunchtime as Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, paid a visit to the RNLI station based in the grounds of Lough Derg Yacht Club.

The Duke, who is a cousin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, made the visit in his capacity as president of the RNLI.

He was due to arrive by helicopter at around 1pm and remain in Dromineer until around 2.30pm, having lunch with locals and members of the RNLI and yacht club in the clubhouse facility.

The local RNLI is hoping that the high-profile visit will boost its case for a new headquarters as, at, present, it is working out of two Portacabins in the yacht club grounds.

During his brief visit, he was entertained by musicians and Irish dancers, led by local Comhaltas member Ned Kelly. Lough Derg lifeboat helm and internationally-recognised poet Eleanor Hooker read one of her poems at the gathering.

The visit had remained a much-guarded secret due to security concerns, with many locals only discovering they had a royal visitor hours before his helicopter touched down in a local field. Among those he met were former An Taisce chairman Charles Stanley-Smith, current chair of Tipperary LCDC, and local boatyard operator Teddy Knight, whose boat, the Ku-ee-tu, was once a tender to the QE2 ocean liner.

Lough Derg RNLI station was the first inland station to be established in Ireland when it became operational in May 2004, and only the third ever to be set up by the voluntary group. It is one of the busiest stations in Ireland or the UK, covering an area from Portumna to Killaloe.
[May 30, 2017] Bell MTS and University of Manitoba launch IoT in agriculture initiative

$500,000 fund supports the Bell MTS Innovations in Agriculture Program

fund supports the Bell MTS Innovations in Agriculture Program Student-driven development of broadband Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to support growth in the essential agriculture and agri-food sector of the economy WINNIPEG, May 30, 2017 /CNW/ - Bell MTS today announced a $500,000 contribution to the University of Manitoba's Front and Centre campaign to launch a visionary new initiative: the Bell MTS Innovations in Agriculture Program, providing students at one of Canada's leading post-secondary institutions with opportunities to develop Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for application in agriculture and food services. "As the Canadian leader in communications network and service innovation, Bell MTS fully appreciates the vital contributions our country's top schools are making to technology design and development," said Stephen Howe, Bell's Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President. "We're very pleased to work with the University of Manitoba to create this opportunity for students and faculty to develop new and better IoT solutions for a sector that is a mainstay of Manitoba's economy and important to all Canadians." Enabling broadband access to real-time operational data of all kinds, IoT applications can help improve the production of food resources through managing the location and performance of farm machinery, remote analysis of soil samples, field conditions, seeding rate and crop health, and monitoring of storage and processing operations. "The University of Manitoba thanks Bell MTS for their support in providing our students with exciting new opportunities to develop and apply leading-edge technology solutions relevant to the agri-food sector," said Karin Wittenberg, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. "Working on IoT solutions within the agriculture, food and nutrition sectors not only offers our students a unique skills development opportunity that will support their future career opportunities, it is critical to the advancement of our agriculture and food economy. It's a perfect match and weare thankful for this visionary gift."



The University of Manitoba is one of Canada's top research institutions and the school's Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences delivers specialized training each year to over 1,200 students representing the next generation of leaders in agriculture, food and nutrition. Agriculture plays a key role in Manitoba's economy. Agricultural production represents an estimated 5 per cent of Manitoba's gross domestic product (GDP) and the sector accounts for an estimated 33,000 jobs in the province.

The $500,000 in funding from Bell MTS will advance student, faculty and public understanding of the potential for advanced communications in agriculture with mentorships, research funding, and access to new co-operative education opportunities. IoT refers to the real-time exchange of data between physical things. By connecting the physical world through fibre and wireless broadband networks using sensors and other measuring and operational devices, IoT is transforming the way we live and work. Bell is helping Canadian businesses of all kinds transform with a range of IoT solutions, including top-ranked wireless and fibre networks, hardware, data hosting and applications, which together can enhance performance measurement, operational efficiency and overall productivity while creating new revenue-generating opportunities. Bell invests almost $4 billion every year in network infrastructure expansion and research and development, more than any other communications service provider in Canada. In 2016, Bell partnered with Nokia on the first Canadian trial of fifth generation (5G) wireless technology, and in April announced the first LTE wireless network in North America capable of delivering Quad Band LTE Advanced (LTE-A) service, offering customers access to mobile data speeds of up to 750 Megabits per second, the fastest available. Today's Bell MTS donation supports a pillar of Front and Centre, the campaign for the University of Manitoba. With a fundraising goal of $500 million, this campaign is the largest philanthropic investment in the history of the province. Outstanding student experience has been identified as a priority that will ensure Manitoba's long-term economic, social, and cultural vitality. About the University of Manitoba

Founded 140 years ago and located in the heart of Canada, the University of Manitoba is the region's largest and only research intensive university, offering over 100 academic programs to almost 30,000 students. The University stimulates over $1.8 billion in economic activity in Manitoba, and is a leader in the province's knowledge economy. Students, faculty and staff are recognized globally for their academic achievements, leading-edge research, teaching and innovation. About Bell

Founded 137 years ago, Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing broadband wireless, TV, Internet and business communication services from Bell Canada, Bell Aliant and Bell MTS. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out of home and digital media. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca. The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk. Media inquiries: Jeremy Sawatzky

Bell MTS

[email protected]

204-391-2849 Sean Moore

U of M

[email protected]

204-474-7963 SOURCE Bell Canada

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[May 30, 2017] Minnesota and Virginia approve CenturyLink - Level 3 merge

MONROE, La., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The states of Minnesota and Virginia recently approved the merger of CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) and Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT). These two states joined Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio, Utah and West Virginia in approving the merger. The merger also recently received regulatory clearance from Puerto Rico and Montana, joining Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada and Texas in granting regulatory clearance for the merger. "More than 15 states and territories have approved or cleared the CenturyLink - Level 3 merger, showing that regulators understand this transaction will create a robust, resilient and secure network and improve the combined company's ability to meet the ever-increasing demands of customers," said CenturyLink Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Government Relations John F. Jones. "The strength of our combined network will help customers access higher bandwidth services in more locations and connect more businesses to customers around the globe." The merger, announced Oct. 31, 2016, should allow the combined company to offer enterprise and wholesale customers a broader and more complementary range of services and solutions, and position the combined company to enable the advanced technology and growing bandwidth needs of its customers, including small businesses, large businesses, large multinational enterprises and government entities. In December 2016, CenturyLink began filing applications with the appropriate federal and state regulatory agencies. The transaction is subject to the company receiving various regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The two companies continue to expect to receive the remaining state, federal and international approvals in time to complete the merger by Sept. 30, 2017. About CenturyLink

CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) is a global communications and IT services company focused on connecting its customers to the power of the digital world. CenturyLink offers network and data systems management, big data analytics, managed security services, hosting, cloud, and IT consulting services. The company provides broadband, voice, video, advanced data and managed network services over a robust 265,000-route-mile U.S. fiber network and a 360,000-route-mile international transport network. Visit CenturyLink for more information. Forward Looking Statements

Except for the historical and factual information contained herein, the matters set forthin this communication, including statements regarding the expected timing and benefits of the proposed transaction, such as efficiencies, cost savings, enhanced revenues, growth potential, market profile and financial strength, and the competitive ability and position of the combined company, and other statements identified by words such as "will," "estimates," "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "projects," "plans," "intends," "may," "should," "could," "seeks" and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond our control. These forward-looking statements, and the assumptions upon which they are based, (i) are not guarantees of future results, (ii) are inherently speculative and (iii) are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or implied in those statements if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to: the ability of the parties to timely and successfully receive the required approvals for the combination from regulatory agencies free of conditions materially adverse to the parties; the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the proposed transaction cannot be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the possibility that costs, difficulties or disruptions related to the integration of Level 3's operations with those of CenturyLink will be greater than expected; the ability of the combined company to retain and hire key personnel; the effects of competition from a wide variety of competitive providers, including lower demand for CenturyLink's legacy offerings; the effects of new, emerging or competing technologies, including those that could make the combined company's products less desirable or obsolete; the effects of ongoing changes in the regulation of the communications industry, including the outcome of regulatory or judicial proceedings relating to intercarrier compensation, interconnection obligations, access charges, universal service, broadband deployment, data protection and net neutrality; adverse changes in CenturyLink's or the combined company's access to credit markets on favorable terms, whether caused by changes in its financial position, lower debt credit ratings, unstable markets or otherwise; the combined company's ability to effectively adjust to changes in the communications industry, and changes in the composition of its markets and product mix; possible changes in the demand for, or pricing of, the combined company's products and services, including the combined company's ability to effectively respond to increased demand for high-speed broadband service; changes in the operating plans, capital allocation plans or corporate strategies of the combined company, whether based on changes in market conditions, changes in the cash flows or financial position of the combined company, or otherwise; the combined company's ability to successfully maintain the quality and profitability of its existing product and service offerings and to introduce new offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis; the adverse impact on the combined company's business and network from possible equipment failures, service outages, security breaches or similar events impacting its network; the combined company's ability to maintain favorable relations with key business partners, suppliers, vendors, landlords and financial institutions; the ability of the combined company to utilize net operating losses in amounts projected; changes in the future cash requirements of the combined company; and other risk factors and cautionary statements as detailed from time to time in each of CenturyLink's and Level 3's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Due to these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the proposed combination or any other transaction described above will in fact be completed in the manner described or at all. You should be aware that new factors may emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to identify all such factors nor can we predict the impact of each such factor on the proposed combination or the combined company. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this communication. Unless legally required, CenturyLink and Level 3 undertake no obligation and each expressly disclaim any such obligation, to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed events or otherwise.



Additional Information

In connection with the proposed combination, CenturyLink filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC (Registration Statement No. 333-215121) which was declared effective by the SEC on February 13, 2017. CenturyLink and Level 3 have filed a joint proxy statement/prospectus and will file other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction with the SEC. CenturyLink and Level 3 began mailing the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus to their respective security holders on or about February 13, 2017. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, dated as of February 13, 2017, contains important information about CenturyLink, Level 3, the proposed combination and related matters. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED COMBINATION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders may obtain the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and the filings that are incorporated by reference in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about CenturyLink and Level 3, free of charge, at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Investors and security holders may also obtain these documents free of charge by directing a request to CenturyLink, 100 CenturyLink Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71203, Attention: Corporate Secretary, or to Level 3, 1025 Eldorado Boulevard, Broomfield, Colorado 80021, Attention: Investor Relations.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/minnesota-and-virginia-approve-centurylink---level-3-merge-300464824.html SOURCE CenturyLink, Inc.

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[May 29, 2017] Just Jobs Launches its First Mobile App

NEW DELHI, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- App to Facilitate Search for Entry Level Jobs Targeting Blue Collar Jobseekers in India Just Jobs, one of the most reliable and well-known blue collar jobs marketplace in India, today announced the launch of their first mobile app available for Android. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/516945/Just_Jobs_Android_App_Screenshots.jpg )

Just Jobs recently launched its web application and in just 8 months, it has successfully registered over 50,000 employers and jobseekers. The list of employers include most of top startups and companies like BigBasket, Flipkart, UrbanClap, Ola, Portea, Uber, Jugnoo, Omaxe, CrossRoads, Zoomcar, 1MG and many others. This all-mobile experience offers more personal, on-the-go access to maximum number of people. The Just Jobs mobile app is a free interactive tool that allows blue collar jobseekers to search and apply for entry level jobs via an Android Phone. The new application, available online through the Android Phone 'Google Play Store', features single touch application submissions, so job seekers can easily point and click on a job available in an area nearby. This is following the recent announcement of their 50,000 user registrations milestone. Hailed as 'LinkedIn of entry level jobs', Just Jobs app helps job seekers find their dream job by matching their location and skill with the right employer. Keeping in mind that target audiences are for the informal sector, it has a very simple design, with an intuitive ad user-centric interface. There are thousands of jobs to choose from the mobile app.



"The 'blue collar sector' needs an organized job board that is easy, fast, secure and free to use," said Kishore Beniwal, Just Jobs Co-Founder & CEO. "The Just Jobs Android Phone application is easy, fast and a free way to search and apply for jobs at the touch of a button," he continued. "Now, with the penetration of low-cost smartphones and better access to the Internet, delivery boys, accountants, babysitters, housemaids, drivers, personal assistants, electricians, cooks, plumbers, security guards, waiters, telecallers, carpenters, and IT professionals can connect with potential employers using one-time password (OTP) for login through Just Jobs app in a simplified manner," added Kishore Beniwal.

Key features of Just Jobs App are as follows: - Forever Free: For job seekers, the Just Jobs app is completely free. - Jobseekers are not the Product: The website takes privacy seriously and never sells personal information like our competitors, selling data is their business model. - Verified Jobs and Employers: The website has no room for fake jobs and bogus employers. - One-click Apply: Applying for jobs was never this simple. - Smart Search Filters and Dashboard: Preferences can be filtered to get to a person's dream job. - Free and Instant Job Alerts: Free job alerts can be created and relevant jobs can be received on one's mobile. - Favourite Jobs and Employers Instantly: Jobs and employers can be marked as favourites. Download the Just Jobs App Free:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.just.jobs By-and-large, Just Jobs gives an ads-free experience along with an exposure to the most qualified candidates at absolutely no hidden or upfront costs. It also tends to work much faster than the other competitors' app and makes searching for jobs easy. About Just Jobs: Just Jobs is an innovative online staffing company dedicated to blue collar jobs sector in India. It is a one-stop destination for informal sector recruitment solutions enabling both employers (households and small to medium-sized businesses) and job seekers to bridge the gap between skill and opportunity. Both employers and job seekers have to be constantly dependent upon fraudulent agencies, however, using Just Jobs makes the entire process completely transparent and free from malpractices. Focused only on blue collar jobs, Just Jobs is truly a people's portal aiming to help employers hire the skilled people effortlessly and enable job seekers to seize better jobs fast and easy. A Just Jobs Internet Services Pvt. Ltd. company, Just Jobs is based in New Delhi, India and was founded in August 2016. To learn more about the features, procedure and everything related to Just Jobs, please visit https://www.just.jobs/company. Both job seekers and employers can get useful updates, relevant information and tips through its rich presence on prime social media channels as well.

Media Contact

Kishore Beniwal

CEO & Co Founder

[email protected]

+91-9899005522

Just Jobs Internet Services Pvt. Ltd.





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[May 30, 2017] Soraa Brings Health Store Philosophy to Light

Soraa, the world leader in high-quality LED lighting and illuminator of the world's most famous historical buildings, museums, hotels, and luxury retailers, announced today that its lamps have been installed at Dr. Pharmacy in Athens, Greece. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170529005297/en/ Soraa, the world leader in high-quality LED lighting, announced today that its lamps have been installed at Dr. Pharmacy in Athens, Greece. Photo credit: Panos Kokkinias. Dr. Pharmacy was created to bring its customers a truly unique experience-health is directly related to wellness and happiness. To help them portray this, the company required the type of light that supported their high-quality heath and cosmetics products in an immaculate atmosphere that conveyed the essence of wellness and beauty. Designed and constructed by SOLID, who worked with L4A selected Soraa to give the space the desired look and feel they were seeking. With a narrow and adjustable beam, Soraa lamps allow the store to highlight products throughout the space, while also creating dramatic environments in areas where cosmetics and beauty products are prominently displayed.



Soraa MR16 and GU10 lamps were chosen to illuminate Dr. Pharmacy because their lamps produce all colors of the visible spectrum (400-700nm), with no gaps, creating the truest colors possible. Soraa's lamps render warm tones and infinite shades of white beautifully, but more importantly, accurately achieve a color index (CRI (News - Alert)) of 95 and deep red (R9) rendering of 95. Soraa's LED design provides crisp object definition, revealing dynamic texture and coloring throughout the entire environment, and gives L4A the ability to draw attention to the interior surfaces that matter most. "There is no comparison to the quality of Soraa lamps. The flexibility of the different beam angles helped us to create drama and highlights throughout the store," said Petros Kaisaris, L4A. "Soraa lamps give us the theatrical effect that we could only achieve with halogen lamps until now."

Unlike blue-based white LEDs without any violet emission, the company's lamps have Soraa's Violet-Emission 3-Phosphor (VP3) LED technology to properly excite fluorescing brightening agents in objects such as clothing, paper and cosmetics. Soraa's unique GaN on GaN LED technology allows its LEDs to operate at currents that are more than five times higher than LEDs built on other materials. This means a lot of light and a narrow beam come from a very small, single source. About Soraa Pioneering lamps built from pure gallium nitride substrates (GaN on GaN); Soraa has made lighting, simply perfect. Soraa's full spectrum lamps have superior color rendering and beam characteristics compared to lamps using LEDs created from non-native substrates. Founded in 2008, Soraa is based in Fremont California, where it manufactures its LEDs. Please visit us @ www.soraa.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Soraa is a registered trademark of Soraa, Inc., and GaN on GaN is a trademark of Soraa, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170529005297/en/

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[May 30, 2017] Mutual Fund Investment Platform Nivesh.com Gets Angel Funding, Eyes Growing Mutual Funds Markets

MUMBAI, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nivesh.com, an innovative mass market mutual funds investment platform targeting mainly the highly potential markets in the tier 2 and 3 cities of India, has raised angel funding from a group of successful entrepreneur-turned investors. The investors in this round include Rahul Gupta, CEO of Right Global Infosolutions and former president at private equity firm Sonoma Management Partners; Sandeep Shroff, CEO of Silicon Valley-based MyStartUpCFO.com and former head of investor relations at Infosys, and P V Sahad, founder and former CEO of The VCCircle Network. "The amount raised will be used for network expansion, reaching out to more customers, and for improving the investment experience," said Anurag Garg, Founder and Chief Executive, Providential Advisory Services Pvt Ltd, the Noida, Uttar Pradesh-based company which owns Nivesh.com. This emerging paperless investment platform will adopt an omni channel approach for on boarding investors while simplifying the scheme selection process by categorizing funds as per broad investment objectives, providing a healthy mix of equity and debt schemes. Mutual funds are at an inflection point with the ongoing fundamental shift of investments from physical to financial assets, the emergence of game-changing Aadhar-based E-KYC, the government push for digitalisation and financial inclusion, and new payment innovations. The company is primarily targeting the underpenetrated markets of second and third tier cities and towns and is betting on the growing awareness among middle class Indians of the need for participating in equity markets for wealth creation and goal-based financial planning. "The mutual fund industry grew 17 tims in the last 15 years. However, top five states accounting for only 23 percent of population and 35% of GDP have contributed 71% of the total mutual fund AUM while the rest of the country with 77% population accounted only for 29% of the AUM. There is a huge gap and therefore our mission is to take mutual funds as an investment product to every nook and corner of the country," Garg said.



This omni channel platform was founded in August last year by Anurag Garg, who had earlier set up mutualfundsindia.com, which was later acquired by rating agency ICRA. Sridhar Srinivasan, former India head at global investment research platform Visible Alpha, joined later as Co-founder. The new investors have a proven track record of founding and building companies. An entrepreneur, Rahul Gupta runs a software services company out of Chandigarh and Bangalore, and has invested in 8 start-ups, besides being an independent director in many listed and unlisted companies. P V Sahad, who founded VCCircle in 2005, sold the company to global media and information giant News Corp in 2015, and has mentored several entrepreneurs. Shroff, who has been helping start-up companies, runs a firm that provides outsourced CFO services based out of Silicon Valley, and had earlier co-founded Gridstone Research.

In line with its future plans to tap the mass retail mutual funds market, the platform will be available in local languages, beginning with Hindi in a few months. Nivesh.com intends to work on creating investor awareness and has conducted six extremely well received programmes in many smaller cities in association with asset management companies. The platform will also be available through local distributor partners, who will assist their clients in on boarding and transactions. About Nivesh.com Nivesh.com is a mass market mutual funds investment platform. Nivesh.com is a paperless experience for the investors. The platform simplifies the process by categorizing funds as per broad investment objectives, and further curating schemes to provide a shortlist. The aim is to take away the complexity while ensuring objective investment process. After initial account creation, investors can transact in mutual funds in few simple steps. Post transaction, the platform helps in tracking the portfolio performance with timely alerts and notifications. Local business partners are key elements in our strategy. They assist investors in the on boarding process and make them comfortable in using the platform for transactions and tracking performance. Nivesh.com is owned by Providential Advisory Services Private Limited. The Company was incorporated on 1st August 2016 and commenced operations on pilot basis in January 2017. We are now live and scaling up our operations in a steady manner. For more information, please visit: https://www.nivesh.com/ For more details contact:

Mr. Anurag Garg

Founder & Chief Executive, Nivesh.com

+91-96500-95592

Email: [email protected] Ms. Vandana Pathak

+91-99202-15589

Email: [email protected]



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[May 30, 2017] ICICI Bank Ltd Launches New 'Money2India' Website and Mobile Application to Enhance Customer Experience

MUMBAI, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can now transfer money to India in just 3 clicks

in just 3 clicks First Indian bank to integrate international money transfer facility with its Internet banking platform

NRIs can pay for services directly to over 100 entities in India ICICI Bank Ltd, India's largest private sector bank by consolidated assets, announced the launch of a new website and mobile application for Money2India (M2I), the bank's flagship online money transfer service for NRIs. The new website as well as the mobile app comprises a host of features which enhance customer experience. The website and the mobile app have an intuitive design that guides users to complete money transfer quickly. NRIs can now enjoy the convenience of a simplified transaction flow to transfer money to India in 3 simple clicks for their frequent transactions*. It provides an option of biometric authentication for logging into the mobile app as well as view the status of the transaction. They can also make quick payments for services in India to over 100 entities from the M2I website. They can do so for services including telephone bills, insurance premiums, and prepaid mobile recharge among others. The new responsive design also offers a coherent experience across multiple devices like desktops, mobiles and tablets. Frequent users of Money2India will be enabled for instant money transfer credit to their recipients in India. As an industry first, the bank has integrated its M2I website with its Internet banking platform. With this, NRIs can now access their bank accounts, transaction details as well as undertake remittances from a single Internet banking platform. This gives improved convenience to NRI customers as they are not required to separately login and authenticate themselves to access the M2I website. Ms. Chanda Kochhar, MD & CEO, ICICI Bank Ltd said, "ICICI Bank has pioneered and popularised many innovative solutions in the banking industry in India. It has always been our endeavour to provide world-class services to our customers. The new Money2India platform is yet another testimony to that effort. We see large number of our customers today transacting through our digital channels. The Money2India website and mobile app have been significantly enhanced to provide ease of sending money to India. It allows registered NRI customers to transfer money to India in just 3 clicks if it is frequently transferred. They also have an option to pay over 100 entities in India from the M2I website. We believe that these developments will offer a seamless user experience for NRIs looking to transfer money to India." NRIs, who are customers of any bank globally, can use the M2I website and obile app to transfer money to any bank in India. New users can initiate a money transfer instantly with the help of a simple one-time registration. The simple transaction flow makes it easy even for a first time user to transact.



Some of the key highlights of the website and application are: Transfers in 3 easy clicks: The interface displays the frequent transactions upfront to customer to enable a transfer in just 3 clicks.

Biometric Login: The mobile app, which is available on Android and iOS, can also be accessed through biometric authentication in addition to the login ID & password.

Direct payments to over 100 entities in India : A first-of-its-kind service by any bank in India . Apart from money transfers, the Money2India website now offers the option to pay bills and other expenses directly to over 100 entities. This includes payments like utility, telephone, insurance, and prepaid mobile recharge among others.

: A first-of-its-kind service by any bank in . Apart from money transfers, the Money2India website now offers the option to pay bills and other expenses directly to over 100 entities. This includes payments like utility, telephone, insurance, and prepaid mobile recharge among others. Receipt summary and status updates: On completion of the transfer, a summary is displayed with the details of the transaction including currency exchange rate, promotion discounts if any and the likely receipt date of the transfer to the beneficiary. It also has an interesting 'track your transfer' feature which enables customers to check the status of their transfer in real time. ICICI Bank Ltd is a pioneer and the largest player/bank in the remittances market in the country. Its 'Money2India' platform has been facilitating remittances into the country since the last 15 years, catering to over 1.5 million NRIs worldwide. In 2015, it also launched 'Money2World' India's first fully online service to transfer money from any bank in India to any bank overseas. The Bank also has a wide array of arrangement with a host of correspondent banks across the globe to enable quick and easy trans-border money transfers.

For news and updates, visit http://www.money2india.com and follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ICICIBank About ICICI Bank: ICICI Bank Ltd (NYSE:IBN) is India's largest private sector bank by consolidated assets. The Bank's consolidated total assets stood at US$ 152.0 billion at March 31, 2017. ICICI Bank's subsidiaries include India's leading private sector insurance, asset management, securities brokerage and primary dealership companies, and among the country's largest private equity firms. It is present across 17 countries, including India. ICICI Bank Limited ("ICICI Bank") is incorporated in India and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India ("RBI") and maintains its corporate office in Mumbai, India. The products and services provided by ICICI Bank are subject to product/service specific terms & conditions. Please familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions applicable, available at http://www.icicibank.com and http://www.money2india.com. The products and services are also subject to RBI rules/regulations, prevailing foreign exchange regulations & other applicable Laws. ICICI Bank reserves the right to modify/change all or any of the terms and conditions governing the products and services. ICICI Bank also reserves the right to discontinue the products and services without assigning any reasons whatsoever. Any references to timelines or service levels are only indicative and should not be construed to refer to any commitment by us or any other service provider. The information contained in this document is not intended to nor should it be construed to represent that ICICI Bank provides any products or services in any jurisdiction where it is not licensed or registered or authorised to do so. The information provided herein is not intended nor should it be construed to represent that ICICI Bank is soliciting. The information provided herein is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation. ICICI Bank and the "I man" logo are the trademarks and property of ICICI Bank. UK: The products mentioned herein are not regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). Protections offered by the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), will not apply. Please visit http://www.money2india.com for rates and charges. The product and/or service offered by ICICI Bank are not authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). In addition, protection offered by the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), will not apply. Deposits in ICICI Bank, that are payable in India are protected by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation ("DICGC") upto a maximum of Rs 1,00,000 for each depositor. Any disputes arising out of the products and/or services mentioned herein or any information contained herein shall be governed by applicable Indian laws and regulations and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts at Mumbai, India. Paid up capital of ICICI Bank is INR 11.75 billion as on 31st March 2015.



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[May 30, 2017] Invoke to Continue Focusing on Growth

LONDON, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 2016 Accounts Publication The Invoke group's general assembly took place on May 16, 2017 in Mont-Saint-Aignan. On December 31, 2016, balance sheet quality for Invoke France, Invoke Luxembourg, and Invoke UK demonstrated the group's vitality, which was further confirmed by the financial situation of these entities at the end of March 2017. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161206/445969LOGO )

For the ninth year in a row, Invoke has shown profitable two-figure growth, with an average of more than 20% for annual revenue increase over the past five years. The French software firm develops a software suite for tax, regulatory, and financial information management. In 2016, the company's revenue reached 14.2 million euros, with EBITDA representing 19%. "The use of a SaaS-based system has made marked changes to our economic model. We are particularly proud that that has tripled in three years, enabling us to increase earnings from recurring income to 57%," explained Remi Lacour, CEO of Invoke. Innovation as a Growth Driver Invoke opened offices in Stockholm and Lisbon in 2016. In terms of development, the group is continuing to focus on organic growth abroad, with still more branch openings planned in the coming months. In 2016, through a strategy centered on innovation and business expertise,Invoke significantly increased market share in the field of regulatory reporting for the banking and insurance sectors. This has secured the group's position as a trusted partner for both regulated entities and regulator clients in 32 countries.



Within Europe, the company equips nearly 10% of regulated entities in the banking sector and more than 20% of regulated entities in the insurance sector with its cutting-edge software suite, in addition to national and supranational supervisory authorities such as the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (ACPR), European Banking Authority (EBA), Deutsche Bundesbank, and Bank of Israel. In France, their tax-reporting, legal secretariat, fixed asset management, consolidation, and global reporting solutions have been implemented by major companies from all sectors.

"Innovation is our driving force. That's why we've invested heavily in research and development since the very beginning. Our R&D efforts have picked up once again this year and new, innovative solutions will be taking shape in 2017 and 2018," announced Lacour. Vitality and Recognized Offer Quality Invoke has set itself apart with a course of growth recognized by BPI France. The French financial newspaper Les Echos gave the group the "Champions de la Croissance" (Growth Champion) award in 2017. The quality of the company's software offering has merited a number of other distinctions, including the Best Data Solution award, granted by the prestigious magazine Insurance ERM for its flagship app Invoke FAS*. "The Best Data Solution award confirms that we have been using the right strategy for the past 15 years, namely the choice to place data at the core of our solutions. Our reporting and analysis software applications are data-driven by design, which allows our clients to take a leap forward in the industrialization of their reporting processes, the ultimate goal being to achieve an end-to-end, fully unified reporting system and to secure a perfect control over data quality," said Antoine Bourdais, Head of the Banking and Insurance Division at Invoke. Betting on the Future Projections for 2017 remain ambitious, the aim being to sustain two-figure growth. To do so, the company is continuing to invest in both R&D and other key activities. CEO Remi Lacour concluded: "The quality of our software and support services is directly dependent on the excellence of our teams. We have twice the personnel today than we did not even five years ago, and will actively pursue a hiring campaign this year, in order to attract new talent and nourish the outstanding expertise to which we owe our client satisfaction." * Invoke FAS Regulatory was also awarded "Best Regulatory Reporting Software" at the Insurance Risk Awards 2014. More information : http://www.invoke-software.com



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[May 30, 2017] New Business Models such as Uber for Trucks to Transform Freight Industry from Product-based to a Service-based

LONDON, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The digitalisation of the logistics industry impacts each element of the value chain  from the shipper, over the broker and the carrier to the warehouse. Rising digitalization throughout the freight brokerage value chain is improving the efficiency and flow of freight from pick-up to drop-off. Many large brokers increasingly leverage digital solutions to augment their offering. Digital brokers provide value-added services to attract carriers and shippers. Algorithms, which streamline the process and pass on the savings to the shipper, allow automated freight brokers to take significantly lower commissions (5%10%) than traditional brokers (15%20%). As part of the Frost & Sullivan industry event "Intelligent Mobility" taking place on the 29th of June at the Jumeirah Carlton Hotel in London, the panel "The Future of Freight" will provide the stage for a lively discussion on opportunities as well as challenges within the industry. "New business models like digital freight brokerage or last mile delivery concepts such as vans and drones, combined with real time data, sensorisation, 3D printing and autonomous vehicle technology will transform the logistics sector," explains Christoph Domke, Director Commercial Vehicles, who will be moderating the panel. Domke continues: "The digital freight brokerage market alone will create revenue opportunities worth ~$210 billion for ecosystem participants by 2025." To download the Intelligent Mobility brochure and register to attend the event, please visit www.frost.com/intmob. Globally, the connected truck market presents a massive $300 billion opportunity, with most start-ups emerging from the United States, India, and Europe. Most are competing in the digital freight brokerage segment. Examples include companies like Transfix, Freightos, Flexprt, Loadsmart or Timocom.



Freight brokerage can be automated using digital technologies thereby driving greater transparency between shippers-carriers and supporting ad-hoc and planned freight demands at lower brokerage rates. Big Data and applications such as traffic prediction, sensors and terrain/weather, mapping, ITS through mobile integration and social media integration will make decision making faster and proactive rather than reactive. During its upcoming annual industry event "Intelligent Mobility," taking place on 29th of June 2017 at the Jumeirah Carlton Hotel in London, Frost & Sullivan will offer visionary insights into the future of mobility from leading OEMs and tier-one suppliers, prominent industry thinkers, policymakers and disruptors from companies like Jaguar Land Rover, Facebook, RenaultNissan Alliance, MAN Trucks, the Financial Times, Mahindra & Mahindra, Transport for London, the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, and many more.

Besides focusing on Healthcare and Wellbeing, Intelligent Mobility will bring together industry experts on the Future of Mobility Trends, the role of Healthcare, Wellness and Wellbeing in cars as well as Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. Moreover, the event will shed light on carefully selected auto tech startups and their particular business models to showcase the extent of disruption the industry faces. The conference will be complemented by a debate at the House of Lords and the Frost & Sullivan Intelligent Mobility Awards Banquet, a black tie evening and gala dinner. A limited number of complimentary passes are available to members of the media. For more information on Frost & Sullivan's Intelligent Mobility event, please e-mail Jana Schoeneborn, Corporate Communications, at [email protected]. View Frost & Sullivan's video on the Commercial Vehicle Industry here: http://frost.ly/1kt About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact:

Jana Schoneborn

Corporate Communications  Europe

P: +49 (0)69 77033 43

E: [email protected] Twitter: @Frost_Sullivan or @FS_Automotive

Facebook: FrostandSullivan

Linkedin: Future of Mobility  A Frost & Sullivan Forum

http://www.frost.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-business-models-such-as-uber-for-trucks-to-transform-freight-industry-from-product-based-to-a-service-based-300465216.html SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

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The incident came to light after the woman's husband filed a complaint at the Falaknuma Police station.

By Ashish Pandey: A shocking incident of human trafficking has been reported from Hyderabad. A woman from Vattepally of Hyderabad in Telangana has been reportedly sold to a man in Oman.

The incident came to light after the woman's husband filed a complaint at the Falaknuma Police station.

Ghulam Hyder told the police that a woman identified as Khatija Begum had approached his wife Rubina Fatima (36) three months ago.

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Hyder told that Khatija offered Rubina a job as a house maid and promised a salary of Rs 80,000. Rubina was later taken to Dubai on visit visa on February 3 this year.

Upon arriving, Rubina was received by a person identified as Md Abdul Sattar who works for Ababil Group of Tours and Travels.

Hyder alleged that his wife was kept by Sattar for about eight days, and later sold to a person identified as Rajat Arabi in Oman for Rs three lakh.

Hyder said that Rubina is being shifted to different locations in Oman and is being asked to do odd chores. He alleged that he is being denied food and medicine.

Based the complaint of Gulam, the Falaknuma Police station booked the travel agent.

Police said that when Hyder confronted the travel agent they told him that he needed to pay Rs three lakh to free his wife.

Hyder told the police that he could not get in touch with his wife yet.

He told the police that he sent his wife for work abroad as he was an auto-rickshaw driver and they had three children to look after.

Also read:

Ratlam: 6 women arrested for human trafficking

Over half of Rohingya Muslim girls who fled violence in Myanmar became child brides: UN Survey

--- ENDS ---
[May 30, 2017] Aureus Analytics Launches its Advanced Analytics Platform for North American Insurance Carriers at Plug and Play Tech Center

MUMBAI and SUNNYVALE, California, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aureus Analytics recently made the cut to join one of Silicon Valley's most prestigious programs - Plug and Play Tech Center. In what was one of Plug and Play's largest cohort to date, Aureus was one of the 175 other startups across 9 verticals shortlisted for an intense 12-week business development program. Aureus was one of the 31 other startups, and the only Indian one, that was part of the Insurtech batch. The shortlisted startups worked out of the Plug and Play Headquarters in the Valley, and had an opportunity to interface with their exhaustive ecosystem of 180 corporate partners, 200 VCs, and 583 alumni. Plug and Play's partners include most of the leading corporations across multiple industry lines. The 31 startups selected in Insurtech cohort come from diverse background such as life, health, property, casualty, general, etc. "This is not only a remarkable opportunity for Aureus to leapfrog into the global league of leading Insurtech companies, but also a great validation of the need for such products in the North American insurance industry. Insurance carriers across the world are challenged with improving their customer retention, engagement and overall experience. Our selection in this cohort validates our approach of building problem specific analytics products for insurers that address these challenges. These 12 weeks helped us in engaging with global Insurance thought leaders, which will significantly influence the future roadmapof our product development. We already have a slew of customer meetings lined up, and we have our work cut out for us," said Anurag Shah, CEO and Co-Founder of Aureus Analytics.



The insurance industry has traditionally been very conservative in adopting newer technologies. However, with the increase in customer churn and reducing life time value (LTV), they are increasing looking at predictive analytics and machine learning to know their customers better. According to InsuranceFraud.org, fraud steals about $80 BN a year across all lines of insurance. On the other hand, insurers lose about 18-20% of their customers to churn. These double-barrelled challenges are making insurers leverage new technologies as soon as possible. "Aureus Analytics provides context to the insurance companies about their relations with their customers, and allows for more data driven ways of improving UX. We are honored to have them apart of our second Insurtech batch," says Ali Safavi, Director of Plug and Play Insurtech.

The program culminates on June 6, 2017 which is the demo day for startups of the selected cohort to demonstrate their progress and future plans to a select audience. About Aureus Analytics Aureus Analytics is the customer intelligence and experience company that enables insurers to deliver a superior customer experience leading to greater customer retention, loyalty and lifetime value. Aureus specializes in leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning technologies and delivering the actionable insights at the Point of Decision.

For more information please visit: http://www.aureusanalytics.com . About Plug and Play Tech Center Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. We connect startups to corporations and invest in over 150 companies every year. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in 22 locations globally giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 6,000 startups and 180 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 365 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $5 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club, PayPal, SoundHound and Zoosk. For more information, visit http://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com. Media Contact:

Ketan Pandit

[email protected]

+91-22-2570-5445

Director - Marketing and Brand

Aureus Analytics Pvt. Ltd



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[May 30, 2017] Egencia CTO Relocates from Seattle to Paris to Support Global Growth Initiatives

LONDON, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a strong first quarter of 2017, Egencia announces that Chief Technology Officer Alex Kaluzny will re-locate to Paris from Seattle to better support the company's global growth initiatives and team structure, which is spread across Europe, the U.S. and India. Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/517023/Egencia_Alex_Kaluzny.jpg This move is part of the recent Egencia global reorganisation as it looks to grow market share globally. Last year, the company opened offices in Hong Kong and Singapore. Kaluzny was previously based in Bellevue, Washington, home of a robust Egencia development team and headquarters of Expedia, Inc. and other technology giants. The move to Europe was driven by the growth of technology and development teams outside of the U.S. - which have grown twice as fast as those in the U.S. over the last two years - and a need to compete in a global race for talent. "As a company, we want to put key players in strategic regions to spearhead business growth. My proximity to Egencia development staff in France will help us compete for talent outside of the U.S., which in turn contributes to our global success. By moving to Paris, I can get more facetime with the teams and hopefully be a more effective leader across the regions," says Kaluzny. The company is growing fast, with operations in 65 countries worldwide. In 2016, Egencia revenue grew 16 percent YoY to $462 million, and major product developments included the market-leading, intuitive Egencia smartwatch app and a new travel intelligence dashboard for easier reporting for travel managers. In October, the business travel company nnounced a new global organisation to support their ambition to be the "most business traveller centric company in the world."



Kaluzny's move is a logical step in maintaining a successful global organisational structure. He explains, "At Egencia, there are only two levels of hierarchy below senior technology leadership - team manager and functional domain leader. We promote this structure to streamline responsibilities and give people ownership of their work. And it works. But it also means the role of each one of us becomes critical to Egencia's success. My move to Paris will help ensure I can provide full-time support to all team members globally." Christophe Peymirat, CCO at Egencia comments, "Alex's move is indicative of our culture. Two things we all have in common in the Expedia family is a passion for travel, and a belief in the power of diversity. With a truly global organisation, we can pull from a vast variety of talent and our employees reap the benefits of travelling for work."

About Egencia

Egencia makes business travel better by making it more connected and complete. Egencia puts travellers at the heart of business travel, continuously supporting them with solutions that are more engaging and effective. Driven by consumer insights and technology investments from parent company, Egencia LLC, and the ultimate parent, the Expedia group, Egencia connects everything that travellers need  content, technology, service and reporting  in one place. Egencia provides services in more than 65 countries. To connect with Egencia, visitwww.egencia.co.uk or visit our blog,LinkedIn orTwitter.  2017 Egencia LLC. All rights reserved. Expedia, Egencia, the Egencia logo and the Egencia Top 100 Preferred Corporate Hotel Awards are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the USA and/or other countries. CST No. 2083922-50 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130916/CG79319LOGO-a

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[May 30, 2017] JinkoSolar Attends IEC's TC82 2017 Plenary Meetings and Chairs WG8 Meeting

SHANGHAI, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. ("JinkoSolar" or the "Company") (NYSE: JKS), a global leader in the PV industry, today announced that it attended the International Electrotechnical Commission's ("IEC") TC82 Plenary Meetings which was held from May 13-19, 2017 in Nara, Japan. Dr. Jin Hao, Vice President of JinkoSolar, gave opening remarks where he addressed the future of the standardization of solar cells and silicon wafers. As the convener of a working group on solar cells, he chaired a seminar held on May 16 and 17, 2017, during which experts discussed the revision of cell standards. The IEC/TC82 is a technical organization that specializes in the international standardization of photovoltaic energy-related technologies. It mainly undertakes the drafting, formulation and publication of international standard projects in related fields. Six working groups were convened during the meetings, including Glossary (WG1), non-concentrating modules (WG2), systems (WG3), balance-of-system components (WG6), concentrating modules (WG7) and photovoltaic cells (WG8), as well as several joint working groups. At present, IEC/TC82 has 91 published standards and 70 ongoing projects. IEC standards carry significant authority around the world, which ensure product quality, create industry standards and protect the interests of customers. IEC attracts experts from all over the world to participate in the standard formulation and revision process. It is currently one of the largest standard-setting organizations in the industry. The meeting was the first international technical seminar held by the IEC/T82 WG8 Working Group since its establishment. Several IEC members from China, U.S., Canada, Switzerland, South Korea, Germany and Japan attended the Plenary Meeting. During the WG8 Working Group meeting, experts discussed IEC60904-11 testing methods for initial light-induced degradation of crystalline silicon solar cell standards, which was jointly developed by JinkoSolar and Suntech. As the first IEC international standard for commercial batteries, the standard is closely followed by domestic and foreign experts. The standard has gone through numerous discussion, verification, and joint comparison and has basically completed the revision. In his prepared remarks given at the IEC/TC82 Plenary Meetings, Dr. Jincommented, "China is a leader in manufacturing, marketing and technology in the PV industry. Its leadership however is not commensurate with its contribution to international PV standards. Solar cells are distributed in the market as mature products, but the absence of a unified evaluation system has been a problem plaguing the entire industry. In order to better protect the interests of all parties, developing an objective standard is the only way to meet the market's requirements."



About JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is a global leader in the solar industry. JinkoSolar distributes its solar products and sells its solutions and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base in China, the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, South Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, and other countries and regions. JinkoSolar has built a vertically integrated solar product value chain, with an integrated annual capacity of 5.0GW for silicon ingots and wafers, 4.0GW for solar cells, and 6.5 GW for solar modules, as of December 31, 2016. JinkoSolar has over 15,000 employees across its 6 productions facilities in Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Xinjiang Provinces, China, Malaysia, Portugal and South Africa, and 15 overseas subsidiaries across Japan (2), Singapore, India, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Australia and South Africa. JinkoSolar has 18 global sales offices across China (2), United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Kenya, Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil and Mexico.

To find out more, please see: www.jinkosolar.com Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends, "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release and the Company's operations and business outlook, contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in JinkoSolar's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: Mr. Sebastian Liu

JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

Tel: +86 21-5183-3056

Email: [email protected] Mr. Christian Arnell

Christensen, Beijing

Tel: +86 10 5900 2940

Email: [email protected] In the U.S.: Ms. Linda Bergkamp

Christensen, Scottsdale, Arizona

Tel: +1-480-614-3004

Email: [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jinkosolar-attends-iecs-tc82-2017-plenary-meetings-and-chairs-wg8-meeting-300465232.html SOURCE JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

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[May 30, 2017] KBR to Present at KeyBanc Capital Markets' Conference; Reaffirms Guidance for Fiscal Year 2017

HOUSTON, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR) announced today that Stuart Bradie, President and CEO, and Mark Sopp, Executive Vice President and CFO, will speak at the 2017 KeyBanc Capital Markets' Industrial, Automotive & Transportation Conference on Thursday, June 1, 2017. The June 2017 investor presentation which will be used for the KeyBanc Capital Market conference as well as other investor communications may be found on the investor relations section of the website at http://investors.kbr.com beginning May 31, 2017. In connection with the conference presentation, KBR reaffirms its earnings guidance for fiscal year 2017. KBR's guidance of earnings per share is on an adjusted EPS basis, which excludes legacy legal costs. The company reiterates its full year 2017 fully diluted adjusted earnings per share guidance of between $1.10 and $1.40 per share. However, with the resolution of the PEMEX settlement, KBR projects earnings per share to be above the mid-point in the range. KBR's diluted adjusted earnings per share excludes legal costs associated with legacy U.S. Government contracts which are expected to be approximately $9 million, or $0.07 per fully diluted share in 2017. The estimated legacy legal fees do not assume any cost reimbursement from the U.S. Government that could occur in the future. KBR's estimated effective tax rate for 2017 will range from 25% to 27%. The expected EBITDA range for 2017, which is on the same basis as the EPS guidance, is $300-$350 million. The estimate for operating cash flows will range from $100 - $200 million for 2017. About KBR, Inc. KBR is a global provider of differentiated professional services and technologies across the asset and program life cycle within the Government Services and Hydrocarbons sectors. KBR employs over 34,000 people worldwide (including our joint ventures), with cusomers in more than 80 countries, and operations in 40 countries, across three synergistic global businesses:



Government Services, serving government customers globally, including capabilities that cover the full life-cycle of defense, space, aviation and other government programs and missions from research and development, through systems engineering, test and evaluation, program management, to operations, maintenance, and field logistics

Technology & Consulting, including proprietary technology focused on the monetization of hydrocarbons (especially natural gas and natural gas liquids) in ethylene and petrochemicals; ammonia, nitric acid and fertilizers; oil refining; gasification; oil and gas consulting; integrity management; naval architecture and proprietary hulls; and downstream consulting

Engineering & Construction, including onshore oil and gas; LNG (liquefaction and regasification)/GTL; oil refining; petrochemicals; chemicals; fertilizers; differentiated EPC; maintenance services (Brown & Root Industrial Services); offshore oil and gas (shallow-water, deep-water, subsea); floating solutions (FPU, FPSO, FLNG & FSRU) and program management KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, integrated EPC delivery and long term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver. Visit www.kbr.com

Forward Looking Statement The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding future financial performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the outcome of and the publicity surrounding audits and investigations by domestic and foreign government agencies and legislative bodies; potential adverse proceedings by such agencies and potential adverse results and consequences from such proceedings; the scope and enforceability of the company's indemnities from its former parent; changes in capital spending by the company's customers; the company's ability to obtain contracts from existing and new customers and perform under those contracts; structural changes in the industries in which the company operates; escalating costs associated with and the performance of fixed-fee projects and the company's ability to control its cost under its contracts; claims negotiations and contract disputes with the company's customers; changes in the demand for or price of oil and/or natural gas; protection of intellectual property rights; compliance with environmental laws; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements; compliance with laws related to income taxes; unsettled political conditions, war and the effects of terrorism; foreign operations and foreign exchange rates and controls; the development and installation of financial systems; increased competition for employees; the ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; and operations of joint ventures, including joint ventures that are not controlled by the company. KBR's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors that KBR has identified that may affect the business, results of operations and financial condition. Except as required by law, KBR undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kbr-to-present-at-keybanc-capital-markets-conference-reaffirms-guidance-for-fiscal-year-2017-300465167.html SOURCE KBR, Inc.

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[May 30, 2017] Jeff Nolan Joins SecureAuth as Chief Marketing Officer

IRVINE, Calif., May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SecureAuth Corp., the leader in adaptive access control, today announced the expansion of its executive leadership team with the addition of Jeff Nolan as Chief Marketing Officer. Nolan, the companys first CMO, will build on the strong brand recognition that SecureAuth has earned as the market innovator in preventing the misuse of stolen credentials, and will work closely with the sales and channel teams to continue the strong revenue and customer growth the company has been achieving.

Nolan brings deep experience in security marketing to SecureAuth, and his appointment represents his return to the identity and access management (IAM) market. He previously led marketing at Ping Identity during a time in which the company pivoted to a solution-based approach and incorporated cloud technologies in its market-facing activities. Nolans experience spans product marketing, demand generation, sales and brand development. Most recently he led marketing efforts at mobile security technology company NowSecure as its marketing vice president. He also helped launch voice biometrics as the marketing vice president at startup company Knurld. Before entering security, Nolan spent 10 years in venture capital. In a time when data breaches have reached an unprecedented high with 1,093 reported data breaches recorded last year, it is critical that companies look beyond legacy approaches to identity security, Nolan said. Companies are spending billions of dollars on security, yet 81 percent of hacking-related breaches leveraged either stolen or weak credentials  or both. In other words, four out of five breaches involve attackers walking right through organizations front doors with stolen credentials. I have wathed SecureAuth for several years, and the opportunity to lead marketing for this company, with modern and flexible solutions that are highly regarded by customers and competitors alike, is a high point in my career.



In his new role, Nolan will continue to drive SecureAuths innovation by expanding the companys branding and messaging around its award-winning adaptive authentication suite. He will lead marketing efforts as SecureAuth adds Identity-as-a-Service product Cloud Access and passwordless capabilities around SSO, and identity-based threat detection and remediation. Nolans appointment marks the fifth in a series of strategic additions to SecureAuths executive leadership team. Since moving to the CEO position in February, Jeff Kukowski has since expanded his leadership team to include CISO Danielle Jackson, Senior Vice President of Identity Strategy Robert Block, and Vice President of Research David Ross.

Jeff Nolans addition to SecureAuth will help us better orient the market to an exceptionally high-value but low-lift problem of shutting the front door to attackers attempting to gain fraudulent access, Kukowski said. Despite $73.7 billion being spent on security, its shocking that attackers are walking past the security in place with stolen credentials. Nolan is an industry insider with direct experience to bring visibility to the critical issue of identity security, and modern and flexible solutions that improve security posture while providing a good user experience. About SecureAuth

SecureAuth is the leader in adaptive access control solutions, empowering organizations to prevent the misuse of stolen credentials. SecureAuth has been providing SSO and MFA solutions for over a decade. For the latest insights on adaptive access control, follow the SecureAuth blog; follow @SecureAuth on Twitter and LinkedIn; or visit www.secureauth.com. SecureAuth is a registered trademark in the United States and/or other countries. Media contact: Andrew Smith [email protected] 415.591.8438

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[May 30, 2017] New! Denny's On Demand: Whatever. Whenever. Now, Wherever.

SPARTANBURG, S.C., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For more than 60 years, Denny's has been feeding America whatever they want, whenever they want it. Now, with 'Denny's on Demand' fans can order the diner food they crave, wherever they crave it. Starting today, America can enjoy Denny's anywhere thanks to the new ordering platform, offering guests a quick and easy way to place a mobile or online order for takeout or delivery* of their favorite menu items. Whether it's pancakes by the pool, burgers on the beach or coffee on the couch, Denny's is bringing the diner right to your door, 24/7. Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8102451-dennys-launches-dennys-on-demand/ "Denny's has always been a place where America can come and get their favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes, literally at any time of day or night," said John Dillon,@DillonJohnW, chief marketing officer for Denny's. "With 'Denny's on Demand,' we've taken that same 'always open' philosophy that is synonymous with our brand and expanded it to easy-to-use technology, bringing access to our craveable diner fare straight to our guests' fingertips. With the menu variety we naturally provide, America no longer has to compromise when it comes to getting the food they want, exactly when and where they want it. Whether it's a Grand Slam for dinner, a Fit Slam for breakfast, all-new Pancakes at 3 a.m., one of our delicious burgers, or all of the above, the options are endless and now truly the world is your diner." Within the new platform, developed in partnership with leading digital ordering provider, Olo, Denny's has carefully considered and improved upon all aspects of the ordering experience. 'Denny's on Demand' includes a complete revamp of the brand's mobile app, making it quick and easy for users to find their local Denny's restaurant, customize and place an order, and pay for takeout or, where available, delivery via Olo's Dispatch delivery network  all from the convenience of their smartphone or tablet. Ordering is also available 24/7 through new mobile and desktop functionality at Dennys.com, where guests can choose pickup or delivery time, track their order, and view their order history.



"We are proud to partner with Denny's, a global brand that has been celebrated as American's Diner for over 60 years," said Noah Glass, Founder and CEO of Olo. "Denny's is a forward thinking brand that has embraced technology, and with this launch takes service to the next level, offering the option to order and pay ahead for pickup at the restaurant, or to place a delivery order where available. This launch makes Denny's one of the largest brands to tap into Olo's Dispatch delivery network to bring convenience to its guests." In addition to the new online platform, the brand is also bringing 'Denny's on Demand' directly to guests through its social media platforms. The diner will be one of the first to utilize a new online ordering functionality through Twitter, introducing an interactive way for users to select and order their favorite dish all from within a Direct Message. In the coming weeks, fans of Denny's on Facebook will also be able to engage and place an order with the diner directly, any time of day or night, via a branded Chatbot and other on-page options. Fans will also be able to share their 'Denny's on Demand' experiences through a variety of new and unique Snapchat filters.

Plus, regardless of when or where they dine or how they place their order, Denny's meals will be served hot, fresh and delicious thanks to an all-new array of custom-designed take-out packaging to deliver guests the best-tasting breakfast all made using microwaveable and sustainable materials, including recyclable plastics and paper. As an extra layer of engagement, the brand has printed a variety of Denny's tweets directly on the burger boxes, cups and more. Dillon added: "The launch of 'Denny's on Demand' is the result of our commitment to leveraging new technology to reach a wider audience and make it even more convenient for today's virtually-connected guests to enjoy their favorite diner dishes. In the coming months, we will continue to enhance the Denny's experience for our guests, giving them even more ways to get exactly what they want from our menu, whenever  and now wherever  they want it." Fans can use 'Denny's on Demand' to order from the diner's every-day menuoffering breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert 24/7or enjoy 'Fresh Picked Flavors' from the new limited-time menu featuring delicious summer dishes such as the new Chopped Kale and Grilled Chicken Salad and Strawberries & Cream Pancake Breakfast. Order up at www.dennys.com or by using the Denny's app, available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. About Denny's Corp.

Denny's is one of America's largest full-service family restaurant chains, currently operating over 1,700 franchised, licensed and company-owned restaurants across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, Mexico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Guam, the United Arab Emirates, Chile, Curacao, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Philippines. For further information on Denny's, including news releases, please visit the Denny's website at www.dennys.com or the brand's social channels via Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram or YouTube. *Delivery facilitated by Olo's Dispatch and its network of third-party services. Your online ordering experience will indicate delivery availability. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-dennys-on-demand-whatever-whenever-now-wherever-300464783.html SOURCE Denny's

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[May 30, 2017] alliantgroup to Host Webinar on Tax Incentives for Work on Public Schools

HOUSTON, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- alliantgroup Director of Energy Credits and Incentives Andy Gerstenhaber will be hosting a free webinar next Tuesday entitled "Tax Benefits for Working on Public Schools" at 12:00 p.m. CDT to discuss how construction firms and contractors can benefit from the Energy-Efficient Commercial Building Deduction. Many times builders and contractors are unaware that they can claim a federal deduction for work done to government-owned buildings. Work done on public buildings at the federal, state and municipal level can qualify, including: schools, transportation facilities, courthouses, parking structures and others./p>



webinar, Gerstenhaber will cover what work is eligible for this valuable deduction. Claiming this deduction for work done on a government-owned building requires an allocation letter from the government entity. Gerstenhaber will discuss these letters and how to successfully acquire them. "Any CEO, president, partner or CFO of a construction firm and contracting company should attend this webinar," said alliantgroup CEO Dhaval Jadav. "I encourage any business that has worked on public schoolsor any other public buildingto sign up for this event and find out how big an impact this deduction could have on their business."

Click here to register for this event. alliantgroup's mission is one of education and awarenesswe exist to help industry organizations, U.S. businesses and the CPA firms that advise them take full advantage of all federal and state tax credits, incentives and deductions available. Our government has legislated these powerful incentive programs to help businesses grow and successfully compete both in the U.S. and abroad. We are proud to have helped over 20,000 businesses claim more than $5 billion in tax incentives. alliantgroup's headquarters are in Houston, Texas, with offices across the country including New York, Boston, Chicago, Orange County, Sacramento, Orlando, Indianapolis and Washington D.C. For more information visit our website or us on Facebook and Twitter. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alliantgroup-to-host-webinar-on-tax-incentives-for-work-on-public-schools-300465155.html SOURCE alliantgroup

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[May 30, 2017] CincyTech, NCT Ventures Announce Investment in Data Inventions

CincyTech and NCT Ventures are pleased to announce investment in Data Inventions, a technology company that brings new life to conventional manufacturing. The Data Inventions platform adds a layer of front line analytics to traditional machine tools. The resulting insights enable midsize manufacturers to take immediate actions to get the most out of their operations, from materials, to the shop floor, to the bottom line. "In a typical factory, more than 99% of data is discarded without attempting to derive insight," said Duane Clement, founder and CEO of Data Inventions. Clement, who began his career in R&D as an engineer with Procter & Gamble, said the inspiration for Data Inventions came from a simple manufacturing plant visit. "By connecting people with real-time information in applications that are easy-to-use, manufacturers can improve actual production performance. They can respond to problems quickly to reduce downtime by as much as 45% and improve productivity up to 25%. Customers can go live in hours, see results in weeks and pay out their investment in a matter of months." The Data Inventions platform and applications feature an intuitive user interface at the machine and seamless, visible data and analytics. "Data Inventions is addressing problems I saw in manufacturing operations throughout my career," says R. Keith Harrison, former Global Product Supply Officer, Procter & Gamble and Data Inventions Advisory Committee Chair. "This is a huge issue across a broad specrum of manufacturers. The Data Inventions technology is the kind of innovation needed to continually improve manufacturing effectiveness and efficiency."



"The Data Inventions team has built a solution that supports a growing manufacturing sector," said CincyTech Entrepreneur-in-Residence John Bostick. "It enables midsize factories and operations that are staples in Ohio, the Midwest and so many American communities, to work smarter and compete globally." According to a 2016 study published by Deloitte (News - Alert), the United States is expected to become the most competitive country for manufacturing by 2020. "Competitiveness in manufacturing is shifting towards higher value, advanced products and processes," said Calvin Cooper, Director, NCT Ventures. "While this is an advantage for developed nations like the U.S., mid-market firms often struggle with operating inefficiencies. Data Inventions makes game changing IoT technology and applications more accessible."

Data Inventions is headquartered at the HCDC Business Center in Greater Cincinnati, attracted by the region's vibrant startup ecosystem and favorable business climate. It has offices in Boston and Erie, Pennsylvania. Details of the investment will be disclosed at a later date. ABOUT DATA INVENTIONS Data Inventions was founded in 2014 to transform the operating potential of mid-market manufacturers with IoT applications that leverage existing assets and make it easier for people to do their jobs and run the business more effectively. To learn more or request a demo, visit http://datainventions.com ABOUT CINCYTECH CincyTech helps to transform innovation into high performing life science and digital companies in Southwest Ohio. One of the Midwest's most active seed funds, we're invested in Southwest Ohio. http://cincytechusa.com ABOUT NCT NCT Ventures is a Columbus-based venture capital firm dedicated to providing a platform for entrepreneurs to succeed in turning their ideas into profitable business models through hands-on operational support. Over the last 20 years, NCT has helped build many successful companies across a variety of industries. NCT empowers entrepreneurs to develop disruptive technologies that improve market efficiencies. For more information, visit http://www.nctventures.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530005628/en/

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[May 30, 2017] Gala Global Inc. Subsidiary Controlled Environment Genomics Inc. signs Exclusive Agreement with Clipius Technologies Inc. to Develop Proprietary Computer Controlled Digital Plant Cloning Incubators

ANAHEIM, Calif., May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gala Global, Inc. (OTC:GLAG), a publicly-traded development firm specializing in equity investments, debt financing and mergers and acquisitions in the biotech industry, has completed the acquisition of a majority equity position in Controlled Environment Genomics Inc., an Akron, Ohio based start-up biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of computer controlled digital plant cloning incubators for use in the agricultural and biopharmaceutical industries.

Gala Global targets investments in companies commercializing biotechnologies, including indoor agriculture, molecular biology, genetics, and biopharmaceuticals. We are concentrating Gala Globals focus on the biotech industry, said Gala Global CEO Timothy Madden. This allows us to expand our portfolio of companies now successfully commercializing technologies and services that create efficiencies and improvements, while simultaneously reducing production costs and improving economic growth in the industry. Said Madden: Gala Globals greatest potential exists in acquiring high-growth-rate companies that have intellectual property rights to commercially proven disruptive technologies, which are rapidly changing and expanding the biotech industry. Gala Global is now working with technology partner GenoBreeding Inc., on developing breeding tools such as molecular markers to enable productive plant breeding decisions and processes that achieve top-tier plant performance in a sustainable manner. Another Gala Global technology partner is Controlled Environment Genomics, Inc. (CEG), an Akron, Ohio genomics company recently acquired by Gala Global. CEG specializes in digital plant gene sequencing, editing, and cloning technologies. CEGs state-of-the-art genomics technology enables GenoBreeding to digitally sequence the genomes of the most desirable plant varieties based on flavor and nutrition, so the desirable traits can be used to improve the most desirable commercial varieties with traits like increased yield, and quality, thus enhancing consumer demand for the product and increasing profitability. GenoBreeding is also developing a proprietary digital genetic database that will be used as an online cloud based library of digitally sequenced genomes and phenotypic (chemical composition) information on all existing and new plant varieties. CEG Inc. proprietary digital plant cloning technology will enable GenoBreedings geneticists to select the best plant varieties to hybridize, improving and increasing crop quality and yields, by combining the very best genetics, maximizing the variation of positive inherited characteristics in each variety. About Gala Global Inc. Gala Global, Inc., Anaheim, Calif., is a publicly-traded startup development company specializing in equity investments, debt financing and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the biotech industry. Gala Globals professional services group provides operational services and technologies that drive efficiencies in the market. Gala Global has industry-lading expertise helping companies make the most of their potential in an emerging market. Gala Global website: www.galaglobalinc.com.



About Clipius Technologies Inc. Clipius Technologies Inc., a Carbondale, Ill.-based manufacturer of genomic technologies, will direct development in the digital plant cloning incubators project. Clipius is headed by Dr. Ajay Mahajan, president. Mahajan, currently a tenured professor in the mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering departments at The University of Akron in Ohio, now chairs the finance committee for the Akron BioInnovation Fund II (ABFII) for the City of Akron. He was the associate vice president for innovation for the University and the associate dean for research in the College of Engineering until 2015.

About GenoBreeding Inc. GenoBreeding Inc. a subsidiary of Greengro Technologies, Inc., (OTC:GRNH) Anaheim, Calif., formed in early 2017 to direct a Greengro initiative intended to bring to the cannabis market cutting-edge plant varieties through the application of modern plant breeding technologies conducive to increased consumer demand and improved production profitability. Disclaimer: The Company relies upon the Safe Harbor Laws of 1933, 1934 and 1995 for all public news releases. Statements, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The company, through its management, makes forward-looking public statements concerning its expected future operations, performance and other developments. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the companys best judgment based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that other factors will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements. It is impossible to identify all such factors. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the company include, but are not limited to, government regulation; managing and maintaining growth; the effect of adverse publicity; litigation; competition; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in the companys public announcements. Development Team: Dr. Ajay Mahajan, President Clipius Technologies Inc., is currently a tenured professor in the mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering departments at The University of Akron in Ohio. He is currently the chair of the finance committee for the Akron BioInnovation Fund II (ABFII) for the City of Akron. He was the associate vice president for innovation for the University and the associate dean for research in the College of Engineering until 2015. Before coming to Akron he worked at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He is currently a board member for the Bell Chapter of the Hawkins Foundation that advances orthopedic medicine and outcomes for patients through research and education. In the past he has worked with NASA, US DoD, US Federal Highway, as well as companies such as Timken, Caterpillar and Medtronic. He has also worked with two Formula One teams (Renault F1 and Toyota F1). He is the co-founder and president of Clipius Technologies, a high-tech genomics device company, and serves on the boards of many organizations/ companies. He has developed numerous biomedical devices and has also run numerous cadaver labs for Medtronic while testing that companys new devices for FDA approval and marketing claims. In NE Ohio, he has been a champion for increasing/improving the technology and innovation ecosystem. Two years ago, he served on President Barack Obamas Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP2.0) initiative at the White House. Wil Hemker is an R&D scientist and entrepreneur experienced in new product development, identifying advanced technology, IP assessment, and leading partnership teams to commercialize innovative products. His successes include: commercializing IP protected products using advanced technology for the environmental, food production, new product materials for over-the-counter (OTC) dermatological and anti-microbial marketplaces. Wil is a senior entrepreneur fellow at the University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF) commercializing new materials and technologies into environmental, food production and biomedical markets. Wil holds a BS in chemistry from Bowling Green State University and a MS in Food Science from The Ohio State University. He is very active in the food movement including ways to increase nutrition in schools, hospitals and institutions. Timothy Madden, a serial entrepreneur, inventor and business executive, has positioned his companies as leaders in the U.S. indoor agriculture industry. His extensive knowledge of plant science, greenhouses, integrated renewable energy systems and fully automated controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technologies provides his companies with significant competitive advantages in their respective markets. Tims education and experience include a degree in computer electronics from Fortis College, ten years as founder and President of Biodynamics Inc., and three years as founder and manager of On Point Hydroponics LLC, currently serving as CEO of Gala Global Inc. As part of his early education, Tim studied the work of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, a scientist, philosopher and inventor of commercial-scale organic agriculture. Steiner published his work in 1924 to combat the rapid worldwide decline in crop nutritional value and fertility occurring in the 20th century as a result of monoculture practices and the overuse of pesticides. The science of indoor agriculture is founded on the need for crop production as a closed loop agricultural system, self-contained and self-sustaining, creating and maintaining life, free of external contaminants and the production of pollution. Tim has helped make Dr. Steiners vision a reality in his own work through entrepreneurship and the invention and development of proprietary controlled environment technologies operated by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and powered by integrated renewable energy systems. Contact: Timothy J. Madden, CEO Gala Global, Inc. [email protected] www.galaglobalinc.com (714) 660-3081

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[May 30, 2017] Fineqia to Launch Beta Version of Investment Platform by Canada Day

VANCOUVER, May 30, 2017 /CNW/ - Fineqia International Inc. (the "Company" or "Fineqia") (CSE: FNQ) (OTCPink: FNQQF) (Frankfurt: FNQA) announces its intention to launch a beta version of its new investment platform that aims to bring investors-at-large financing opportunities, by July 1, 2017, also known as Canada Day. Fineqia's minibond platform is designed to democratise access to vetted, asset-backed debt and equity offerings by giving investors greater information transparency and importantly, a way to participate in institutionally financed deals. The platform applies a high filter with only select and high quality deals shown at any given time. It will initially showcase opportunities from the media and fintech industries. "Fineqia aims to foster financial equality, whereby those investing can get a potentially better return than they would get elsewhere and save on ordinarily high transaction costs," said Fineqia's Chairman Martin Graham. "Launching the platform on July 1 is a way for us to celebrate Canada's 150-year-old birthday by showcasing Canadian innovation in financial services and technology." Canada celebrates 150 years of the July 1, 1867 enactment of the Constitution Act, 1867 this year, which united three separate colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick into a single Dominion within the British Empire at that time, called Canada.



Fineqia, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia and operated out of London, England has partnered with Calgary-based JOI Media to develop the minibond platform. Its crowdfunding software facilitates the entire investment process from deal origination through to investor tax reporting. It has developed compliant crowdfunding platforms in more than 20 countries so far. About Fineqia International Inc.

Fineqia provides a platform and associated services to support security issuances and manage administration of debt securities such as minibonds. It acts as a broker bringing an issuing company's minibonds to market, by distributing and marketing minibonds to the crowd, as well as transparently highlighting the risks and objectively outlining opportunities involved. For more information visit www.fineqia.com About JOI Media Inc. Headquartered in Calgary, Canada with locations across three continents, JOI Media is one of the leaders in enterprise software and software related services. They work with reputable organizations across the private, public and social sectors. For more information visit www.joimedia.com. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATORY SERVICE PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. Investing involves risks. For statutory disclosure and full risk warning, please visit: https://fineqia.wordpress.com

Investing in start-ups and early stage businesses involves risks, including illiquidity, lack of dividends, loss of investment and dilution, and it should be done only as part of a diversified portfolio. Fineqia Ltd is targeted exclusively at investors who are sufficiently sophisticated to understand these risks and make their own investment decisions. You will only be able to invest via Fineqia Ltd once you are registered as sufficiently sophisticated. This page is communicated by Fineqia Ltd and has been approved as a financial promotion by Kession Capital Ltd. Fineqia Ltd, is an appointed representative of Kession Capital Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Investment are not offers of guaranteed returns and investments can only be made by members via Fineqia Ltd on the basis of information provided in the pitches by the companies concerned. Fineqia Ltd takes no responsibility for this information or for any recommendations or opinions made by the companies. Your capital is at risk Fineqia Limited (FRN: 757772) is an appointed representative of Kession Capital Limited (FRN: 582160) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. SOURCE Fineqia International Inc.

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By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, May 29 (PTI) Shooting for Amitabh Bachchan-Aamir Khan starrer "Thugs of Hindostan" is set to begin in Malta from June 5.

The star cast, also including Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Sheikh, will shoot the first schedule in the relatively unexplored ocean side scenery.

The team of the Yash Raj Films project will be filming in the two specially constructed, massive ships, currently docked by the Maltese seaside.

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"The set of the film is in a high security water zone, with restricted access. Both these ships have been built in the early eighteenth century style, when vessels would carry cannons and other weapons.

"An international crew has been hard at work creating these elaborate ships in Malta. Most of the portions filmed on board these ships involve high octane action," director Vijay Krishna Acharya said in a statement. PTI SHD SHD

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[May 30, 2017] CTA Chooses Tech Savvy Netherlands to Host CES Unveiled

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) today announced the Netherlands will host CES (News - Alert) Unveiled Amsterdam, Thursday, October 26, 2017. Serving as a preview for the ground-breaking tech to be displayed at CES 2018, the global stage for tech innovation, CES Unveiled Amsterdam will unite budding startups and cutting-edge tech companies, top members of the media , buyers and key consumer tech influencers from around the region. Owned and produced by CTA, CES 2018 will run January 9-12, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES Unveiled Amsterdam will take place at the Beurs van Berlage, where CTA executives will announce the latest CES news, present global market research trends around the breakthroughs that will be seen at the upcoming CES 2018. Disruptive startups and innovative tech companies will tout their newest technologies to industry stakeholders coming from the surrounding region including Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Sweden and UK. "From its smart city efforts to its economic policies, The Netherlands has created an environment that allows technology and innovation to thrive," said Gary Shapiro (News - Alert), president and CEO, CTA. "When hosting our CES Unveiled events abroad, we look for cities with the promise of innovation and Amsterdam this year is the ideal location to provide a sneak peek into the cutting-edge and disruptive technologies that startups bring to the industry." CES Unveiled is partnering with StartupDelta to showcase some of the budding startups that will be attending CES 2018. Last year, Startup Envoy Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands led a group of startups to Las Vegas. In 2018, the Netherlands plans to bring even more startup exhibitors to the show, giving them the opportunity to network and present themselves to industry leaders. "The Dutch embrace the transformative power of technology, we appreciate CTA's commitment to innovation, pecifically through their support of smart cities," said Prince Constantijn, who leads StartupDelta. "We look forward to host CES Unveiled Amsterdam this year. Our focus is on giving access to capital, talent and investors and paving the way for startups. We had a remarkable experience so far, but we believe the best is yet to come."



CES Unveiled events provide tech companies and leaders the space and opportunity to gather in different cities around the world to display their latest cutting-edge innovations and make strategic partnerships. The full CES Unveiled event lineup will be announced soon. For more information about exhibiting or attending the event, please visit our website.

High-definition video b-roll from CES is available for easy download on CESbroll.com About CES: CES is the world's gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for 50 years-the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace. As the largest hands-on event of its kind, CES features all aspects of the industry. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)TM, it attracts the world's business leaders and pioneering thinkers. Check out CES video highlights. Follow CES online at CES.tech and on social. About Consumer Technology Association: Consumer Technology Association (CTA) is the trade association representing the $292 billion U.S. consumer technology industry, which supports more than 15 million U.S. jobs. More than 2,200 companies - 80 percent are small businesses and startups; others are among the world's best known brands - enjoy the benefits of CTA membership including policy advocacy, market research, technical education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CTA also owns and produces CES - the world's gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. Profits from CES are reinvested into CTA's industry services. UPCOMING EVENTS CES Asia 2017 - Register

June 7-9, Shanghai, China

June 7-9, Shanghai, China CEO Summit

June 21-24, Amalfi Coast, Italy

June 21-24, Amalfi Coast, Italy Innovate! and Celebrate

October 9-11, San Francisco, CA (News - Alert)

October 9-11, San Francisco, CA (News - Alert) CES Unveiled Amsterdam

October 26, Amsterdam, Netherlands

October 26, Amsterdam, Netherlands CES 2018

January 9-12, Las Vegas, NV View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530005937/en/

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[May 30, 2017] Inspyr Therapeutics and Lewis and Clark Pharmaceuticals to Merge

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. and CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inspyr Therapeutics (OTCQB:NSPXD), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, and Lewis and Clark Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held biotechnology company, today announced that they have entered into an agreement to create an integrated company with a proprietary platform driving a pipeline of novel therapeutics.





Under this agreement, Inspyr will purchase Lewis and Clark in an all-stock transaction and will execute plans to leverage a team with significant experience to advance a broader pipeline of novel therapeutics. The boards of directors of both Inspyr and Lewis and Clark have unanimously approved the proposed agreement, which is subject to customary closing conditions as well as reaching a definitive agreement on all of the terms. By combining the strengths of each organization, we are creating an integrated biopharmaceutical company with a unique ability to potentially improve outcomes for patients in a variety of therapeutic areas. Our capabilities will span from the discovery of new molecules through clinical development and regulatory filings, said Peter Grebow Ph.D., Chairman of Inspyr. Over the last 12 months, we embarked on a path to unlock the potential of our lead therapy Mipsagargin, strengthen the management team and broaden the pipeline. We will now have proprietary platform technology, additional expertise and laboratory facilities, while also broadening the pipeline. We believe this transaction immediately creates a stronger company and longer term allows us to explore new options to generate additional value from this proprietary platform and pipeline of novel therapies. Our proprietary platform has been validated with multiple therapies and we are eager to advance into IND-enabling studies, said Robert Thompson, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lewis and Clark Pharmaceuticals. We are excited to leverage the Inspyr teams expertise in translational medicine and clinical development, in particular for oncology therapeutics, to accelerate our pipeline toward the clinic and unlock additional value from this technology. Inspyr will become an integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing a broad pipeline of novel therapies to treat cancer, inflammation, and other serious diseases. Inspyrs lead product candidate Mipsagargin, a novel prodrug therapeutic for cancer, is being developed initially for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or liver cancer. Lewis and Clarks pipeline of novel proprietary and potentially first-in-class adenosine receptor modulator based compounds are currently in advanced preclinical development as oncology or anti-inflammatory agents. For more information on the pipeline, please visit http://www.inspyrtx.com/product-pipeline.



Key strategic benefits from creating an integrated company include:

 Novel proprietary technology platform. Lewis and Clarks industry-leading proprietary technology platform is based on adenosine chemistry and biology. From this platform, Lewis and Clark has developed multiple adenosine receptor modulator based compounds that are advancing into studies to support planned Investigational New Drug (IND) applications. Inspyr intends to leverage this platform to explore future potential license opportunities.

 Broad pipeline of novel therapies for oncology and inflammation. Lewis and Clarks pipeline of novel proprietary therapies includes four lead programs: a dual A 2A /A 2B antagonist, an A 2A antagonist, an A 2B antagonist, and an A 2A agonist. These therapies are highly potent and selective, with important molecular properties that enable enhanced distribution in tissue and penetration of human skin. These therapies are in advanced preclinical development.

/A antagonist, an A antagonist, an A antagonist, and an A agonist. These therapies are highly potent and selective, with important molecular properties that enable enhanced distribution in tissue and penetration of human skin. These therapies are in advanced preclinical development. The dual A 2A /A 2B antagonist has both immune function modulation and anti-angiogenic properties and thus has potential as an immuno-oncology and anti-angiogenic agent to treat multiple types of solid and hematological malignancies.

/A antagonist has both immune function modulation and anti-angiogenic properties and thus has potential as an immuno-oncology and anti-angiogenic agent to treat multiple types of solid and hematological malignancies. The A 2A agonists offers the potential to treat inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as arthritis, Crohns disease, diabetic nephropathy, and psoriasis.

agonists offers the potential to treat inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as arthritis, Crohns disease, diabetic nephropathy, and psoriasis. The A 2B antagonist offers the potential to treat asthma, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

antagonist offers the potential to treat asthma, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Inspyrs lead therapy, Mipsagargin, currently is in development for the treatment of solid tumors.

 For liver cancer, Mipsagargin in combination with Nexavar is being evaluated in a preclinical study in liver tumor models that express different levels of PSMA, the target of Mipsagargin. Inspyr is finalizing the design of a clinical study to examine the potential benefits of Mipsagargin in combination with Nexavar in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or liver cancer.

 For gastric cancer, Inspyr has initiated a preclinical study in gastric cancer tumor models that express different levels of PSMA. In this initial study, Mipsagargin will be evaluated first in combination with paclitaxel and in a subsequent study will be evaluated in combination with DC101 (Cyramza surrogate antibody).

 Utilizing Lewis and Clarks wet laboratory facilities, Inspyr has the potential to internally develop additional pro-drugs targeting PSMA with different toxic payloads.  Experienced leadership. Inspyrs team has significant clinical development, translational medicine, and business operations experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Lewis and Clark, which was founded by Robert Thompson, Ph.D, an industry-recognized leader in adenosine chemistry, has a team with significant expertise in preclinical development, toxicology, regulatory filings, adenosine receptor pharmacology, physiology, and molecular biology.

Pursuant to the terms of the transaction, Lewis and Clark Pharmaceuticals will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inspyr. Upon the closing of the transaction, existing Lewis and Clark stockholders are expected to own 50% of Inspyrs common shares, on an as converted basis. About Inspyr Therapeutics

Inspyr Therapeutics, Inc. develops therapies for cancer using a novel technology platform that combines a powerful therapeutic (thapsigargin) with a patented prodrug delivery system that targets the release of drugs within solid tumors. Mipsagargin, its lead drug candidate, has been studied in a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with Nexavar-refractory hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has been granted Orphan Drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in this indication. For additional information on Inspyr Therapeutics, visit www.inspyrtx.com. About Lewis and Clark Pharmaceuticals

Lewis and Clark Pharmaceuticals is a privately-held biotechnology company developing novel proprietary compounds from an industry-leading technology platform based on adenosine chemistry and biology. In addition, Lewis and Clark maintains fully-equipped, state-of-the-art organic and analytical chemistry laboratories located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Companys chemists and toxicologist have expertise in chemical synthesis and analysis, non-clinical dose formulation and plasma concentration analysis, assay development, and toxicology. For additional information on Lewis and Clark, visit http://www.lncpharma.com. Inspyrs Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

This communication may contain forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that statements in this document regarding potential applications of Inspyr's technologies or the future prospects of the company constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, uncertainty of clinical trial results or regulatory approvals or clearances, need for future capital, dependence upon collaborators and maintenance of our intellectual property rights and the acceptance of Inspyrs proposed therapies by the health community. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Additional information on potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties will be detailed from time to time in Inspyr's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Inspyr Therapeutics Contact: Lisa Cali [email protected] 408-239-7503 Lewis and Clark Pharmaceuticals Contact: Robert Thompson [email protected] 434-963-4000 x200

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[May 30, 2017] Community Health Systems Announces Definitive Agreement to Divest Five Pennsylvania Hospitals

Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CYH) announced today that subsidiaries of the Company have signed a definitive agreement to sell five Pennsylvania hospitals and their associated assets to subsidiaries of Reading Health System. Hospitals included in the transaction are 169-bed Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville, 148-bed Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia, 63-bed Jennersville Hospital in West Grove, 151-bed Phoenixville Hospital in Phoenixville and 232-bed Pottstown Memorial Medical Center in Pottstown. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. The five hospitals included in this transaction are part of the 30 planned hospital divestitures discussed on the Company's first quarter earnings call. About Community Health Systems, Inc.

Community Health Systems, Inc. is one of the largest publicly traded hospital companies in the United States and a leading operator of general acute care hosptals in communities across the country. The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns, leases or operates 146 affiliated hospitals in 21 states with an aggregate of approximately 24,000 licensed beds. The Company's headquarters are located in Franklin, Tennessee, a suburb south of Nashville. Shares in Community Health Systems, Inc. are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CYH." More information about the Company can be found on its website at www.chs.net.



Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this news release regarding potential transactions, operating results, and other events are forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties. Actual future events or results may differ materially from these statements. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Community Health Systems, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's annual report on Form 10-K, current reports on Form 8-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. These filings identify important risk factors and other uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530006275/en/

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[May 30, 2017] Lite Access Technologies Inc. Reports Q2 2017 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Lite Access Sees Continued Revenue Growth in UK Operations VANCOUVER, May 30, 2017 /CNW/ - LITE ACCESS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: LTE)(OTC PINK: LTCCF), a world leader in fibre optic products and advanced installation methodologies, today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended March 31, 2017 and provided a corporate update. The financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") can be viewed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Financial Highlights for the Second Quarter 2017: Increased Lite Access UK 2017 Q2 revenues of $954,196 as compared to 2017 Q1 Lite Access UK revenues of $119,193 for total Lite Access UK revenue of $1,073,389 , an increase of 700%.

as compared to 2017 Q1 Lite Access UK revenues of for total Lite Access UK revenue of , an increase of 700%. Total revenue of $1,807,563 for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 compared to $6,895,478 for the quarter ended March 31 , 2016.

for the quarter ended compared to for the quarter ended , 2016. Total revenue of $3,605,817 for the six months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $7,709,024 for the six months ended March 31, 2016 .

for the six months ended compared to for the six months ended . 2017 Q2 revenues $1,807,563 compared to 2017 Q1 revenues of $1,798,254 .

compared to 2017 Q1 revenues of . Net loss after taxes of $1,803,586 for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 compared to net income after taxes of $953,096 for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 . The net loss for 2017 is attributable to Lite Access UK start-up costs relating to intensive training and trialing of different deployment methods as well as intentionally overstaffing crews to allow for development of an experienced, trained workforce that can be rapidly scaled to meet anticipated future demand.

for the quarter ended compared to net income after taxes of for the quarter ended . The net loss for 2017 is attributable to Lite Access UK start-up costs relating to intensive training and trialing of different deployment methods as well as intentionally overstaffing crews to allow for development of an experienced, trained workforce that can be rapidly scaled to meet anticipated future demand. Cash of $19,830,446 as at March 31, 2017 compared to cash of $2,115,078 as at September 30, 2016 . Operational Highlights for the Second Quarter 2017: Firmly establishes Lite Access UK operations, accounting for 53% of Lite Access' 2017 Q2 revenue.

Continued developing an experienced and trained workforce as well as key equipment acquisitions to service Lite Access UK operations.

Started first customer fibre deployments in the UK in connection with a major UK network operator in Wrexham, Wales .

. Successfully completed 265 FTTH trial in Ireland for Actavo on behalf of major UK network operator in the Republic of Ireland .

for Actavo on behalf of major UK network operator in the . Awarded and commenced fibre optic network build for the City of New Westminster, British Columbia .

. New South American construction partner, TEASA and Tilsit (T/T), awarded fibre connectivity project in Panama .

. Successful introduction of Lite Access' revolutionary narrow trench technology  uniquely designed for high fibre count (backbone) applications.

On March 28, 2017 , the Company closed a bought-deal financing for gross proceeds of $20.45 million primarily to advance and support further customer deployments in the UK. "I am satisfied with the results thus far in 2017 as we have laid the groundwork for Lite Access' success by ramping up employee on the job training in the UK and Western Canada and successfully introducing new technologies to help sustain and grow our business," stated Mike Plotnikoff, CEO of Lite Access. "Growth capital from the recently completed financing are being used towards equipment and having a trained workforce in-place that can be rapidly scaled to meet expected future customer demands and enhance our ability to execute full construction activities on a broader basis." Mr. Plotnikoff added, "While overall results are important, it is important to emphasize that strategically we made a significant investmen in our UK operations and that that business is clearly accelerating with over 2,000 homes now connected representing an eight-fold increase in revenue over the previous quarter. As we establish our operational foothold in the UK and Western Canada, we are well poised to transition to our next phase of growth and see our business inflecting over the coming quarters."



Corporate Update: United Kingdom Operations

Lite Access Technologies UK Ltd. (LATUK) continues to connect homes as part of a large-scale project for a major UK network operator in Wrexham, Wales and has now completed over 2,000 homes across the United Kingdom using the Company's proven and preferred narrow trenching technique. In addition to FTTH connections, LATUK has also successfully deployed over 10kms of trunk / backbone network using its modified cutting equipment and processes that have proven to offer the most cost effective, fastest to deploy, and least intrusive means for fibre connectivity. Within the last two months, the Company's training and upskilling program was put into action to assemble additional backbone and FTTP crews. In support of a major UK operator's initiative to cover 17 million UK premises by 2019, additional crews are being hired and cross-trained in both FTTH as well as trunk installations. At present, the LATUK team has over 50 employees on-the-job-training (billing weekly) with an expectation of growing the UK base to 150 by year end. Western Canada Operations On February 9, 2017, Lite Access was awarded a fibre optic network build for the City of New Westminster, British Columbia and construction started on March 29, 2017. Already tested and in use in the UK, this fibre installation featured the use of the Company's narrow trenching process for the first time in North America. Based on the results of the project and new installation methodology, the Company has been approached numerous times with interest from others that will be using this narrow trenching process. Contracts and Ongoing Expansion Network Projects: Awarded first fibre project in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia for the City of Kelowna

for the Awarded fibre optic network extension project for the Corporation of Delta

Working with the Waterton Improvement District in Waterton Park, Alberta on a FTTH project

on a FTTH project Work continues within the Kootenay region of South Eastern British Columbia for Shaw Cable Systems as well as ongoing network extensions for communities within this territory

Lite Access continues to support local clients in Vancouver's Downtown core (many of whom are under non-disclosure agreements) by helping to extend existing networks that are required to better service a growing customer base. These ongoing contracts are the latest in a number of similar contracts that have been awarded to Lite Access over the past several years. Past projects have been completed with minimal disruption to the surrounding area and in far less time and at significantly lower costs compared to traditional methods of deployment. Continued Network Builds in the USA and South Africa Lite Access has received an additional product order from valued partner Colville Tribes in the State of Washington. Furthermore, the Company continues to support our certified construction partners in the east Coast of the USA in support of our long term clients as well as in South Africa for last mile connectivity using the LiteXTend technology. Global Certified Construction Partners Adding new teams of qualified and trained construction partners in territories around the world is part of Company's expansion strategy to solidify its position as a global leader in proven air blown technologies as well as the approved and successful micro / narrow trench processes developed by Lite Access Technologies. The most recent addition, South American partner TEASA and Tilsit, was awarded a fibre connectivity project in Panama that was completed in less time and under budget using the Company's proven process and equipment. Mr. Plotnikoff explained, "Developing the right strategic alliance and enabling our partners with training, equipment and proven technology, enables success for all parties involved. We continue to establish certified construction partners throughout much of the world, effectively creating an extension of the sales teams to further promote and encourage the adoption of Lite Access as the solution of choice for future proof fibre optic connectivity." About Lite Access Lite Access is a world leader in Microduct and fibre optic technologies. Using its specially designed and innovative micro / narrow trench and alternate methods of deployment, Lite Access' proprietary Microduct technology extends a network provider's ability to deliver true broadband connectivity directly to end-users, such as homes, government and educational institutions, and emergency response facilities. Providing a full portfolio of fibre connectivity solutions for many types of Telecom infrastructure, Lite Access has successfully deployed or enabled deployment of thousands of kilometres of Microduct networks throughout North and South America, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean, Australia and Asia. Lite Access' products have been deployed in many high-profile communication networks including Olympic facilities, military and government, numerous communities throughout British Columbia, the USA and Alberta as well as Global telecoms that have adopted Lite Access as the "solution of choice" for future proof fibre optic connectivity solutions. Providing total Integrated Solutions including proven and approved alternate deployment methodologies, Lite Access remains flexible and innovative in its commitment to enable global clients and partners with the most cost effective and proven fibre connectivity available. Forward Looking Information This news release contains statements that, to the extent they are not recitations of historical fact, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Lite Access uses words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "expect", "believe", "intend" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by Lite Access in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to Lite Access' expectations and predictions is subject to any number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Many factors could cause Lite Access' actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties described in Lite Access's most recent Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) for the period ended December 31, 2016 which can be accessed at www.sedar.com . The "forward-looking statements" contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release and, unless required by applicable law, Lite Access undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise such information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Lite Access Technologies Inc

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INVESTOR ALERT: Goldberg Law PC Announces an Investigation of John Wood Group PLC

Goldberg Law PC, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of John Wood Group PLC ("John Wood" or the "Company") (Other OTC: WDGJF).

If you purchased or otherwise acquired shares of John Wood, and would like more information about the investigation, we encourage you to contact Michael Goldberg or Brian Schall, of Goldberg Law PC, 1999 Avenue of the Stars Suite 1100, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) 90067, at 800-977-7401, to discuss your rights without cost to you.

You can also reach us through the firm's website at http://www.Goldberglawpc.com, or by email at [email protected].







The investigation focuses on whether John Wood and certain of its officers and/or directors violated federal securities laws. On May 23, 2017, in a prospectus concerning the Company's proposed acquisition of Amec Foster Wheeler ("Amec"), John Wood disclosed information about its internal probe into its past dealings with Unaoil, a Monaco-based oil business under criminal investigation by the United Kingdom's Serious Fraud Office ("SFO"). John Wood also divulged that the SFO requested that Amec provide information related to the Unaoil investigation. Following this news, John Wood's stock price dropped.

If you have any questions concerning your legal rights, please immediately contact Goldberg Law PC at 800-977-7401, or visit our website at http://www.Goldberglawpc.com, or email us at [email protected].

Goldberg Law PC represents investors around the world, and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530006359/en/
[May 30, 2017] James Stein, MD, MSc, FACS, FAAP, Named Children's Hospital Los Angeles' Inaugural Chief Medical Officer

Following a nationwide search, Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) has named James Stein, MD, MSc, FACS, FAAP as the hospital's inaugural senior vice president and chief medical officer, beginning July 1, 2017. Dr. Stein will be responsible for developing care delivery systems that set the bar in all metrics including quality, outcomes and institutional operational and financial performance. He will oversee the Department of Quality and Safety, the Office of Medical Staff and regulatory compliance activities. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530006360/en/ James Stein, MD (Photo: Business Wire) "Dr. Stein is an internationally renowned pediatric surgeon and a leader esteemed for championing initiatives that support the delivery of the highest quality patient care across the institution," says Paul S. Viviano, president and chief executive officer of Children's Hospital Los Angeles. "His commitment to providing groundbreaking, life-saving care, combined with his extensive management experience, will ensure CHLA continues to be one of the finest pediatric academic medical centers in the country." Since joining CHLA in 1996, Dr. Stein, associate professor of Clinical Surgery at Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, has held a variety of leadership roles. He was named vice chair for CHLA's department of Surgery ahead of the institution's successful move into the Marion and John E. Anderson Pavilion in 2011. Between 2004 and 2005, he served as the interim chief of the division of Pediatric Surgery. Additionally, he led the Division of Pediatric Surgery's efforts to offer outpatient care for families in locatins that are closer to home, particularly in the San Gabriel Valley.



Dr. Stein is at home in complex environments. He has served as a lead surgeon in no less than six conjoined twin separation surgeries-of which he led four-procedures that require intense multidisciplinary planning and coordination and meticulous execution. He was part of a CHLA and Keck Medicine of USC team trip to Haiti to separate that nation's first set of conjoined twins with an abdominal fusion, which received international attention. Board-certified in surgery and pediatric surgery, Dr. Stein obtained a bachelor's degree from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and a medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, where he also fulfilled his internship and residency, and ultimately went on to serve as chief surgical resident. He completed three fellowships: a research fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital; a pediatric surgery fellowship at The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia; and a pediatric surgery fellowship at Babies and Children's Hospital in New York. Dr. Stein also obtained a master's degree in health care management from Harvard School of Public Health.

He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons and the American Pediatric Surgical Association, and is on the California Children's Hospital Association Quality Leaders. He is a member of the Children's Hospital Association Quality Leaders, and an inaugural board member for the California Hospital Patient Safety Organization and the Hospital Quality Institute. Recently, Dr. Stein was selected to the Quality and Patient Safety Board of the California Children's Hospital Association. He is a past Morris and Mary Press Humanism Award nominee and has been named a Top Doctor by The Hollywood Reporter, Best Doctors in America, U.S. News & World Report magazine, Castle Connolly America's Top Doctors, Pasadena Magazine and Southern California Super Doctors. About Children's Hospital Los Angeles Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been named the best children's hospital in California and among the top 10 in the nation for clinical excellence with its selection to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll. Children's Hospital is home to The Saban Research Institute, one of the largest and most productive pediatric research facilities in the United States. Children's Hospital is also one of America's premier teaching hospitals through its affiliation with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California since 1932. For more information, visit CHLA.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram, or visit the institution's child health blog (www.WeTreatKidsBetter.org) or its research blog (www.ResearCHLABlog.org). View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170530006360/en/

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[May 30, 2017] Robin Walenta of West Music Presents the Best Communities for Music Education Award to Senators Joni Ernst and Charles Grassley in Washington, D.C.

CORALVILLE, Iowa, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Last week, Robin Walenta, President and CEO of West Music presented Iowa Senators Joni Ernst and Charles Grassley with a flag in representation of the two school districts in Iowa that were recognized as the Best Communities for Music Education by The NAMM Foundation. The two school districts, Davenport Community School District and Sioux City Community School District, were recognized earlier this year by The NAMM Foundation as part of the organization's Best Communities for Music Education awards program which honored 527 districts across the nation for their commitment to music education. Walenta made the presentation as part of the annual NAMM Music Education Advocacy D.C. Fly-In, May 22-24. Along with nearly 100 music industry leaders, notable artists, and arts education activists, Walenta took to Capitol Hill to advocate for all school-aged children to have access to quality, comprehensive school music education programs. The issue of music education takes on a special significance this year as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed into law in 2015 by President Obama readies for state-level implementation in 2018 in the face of proposed budget cuts. New research also shows strong ties between K-12 school students who actively participate in school music education programs and overall student success. A recent study of students in the Chicago Public Schools by brain researchers at Northwestern University, detailed in Neuroscientist and a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2016/09/studying_music_in_high_school_.html" rel="nofollow">Education Week, builds on previous findings that participation in music education programs helps improve brain function, discipline and language development.



"Music and music making is vitally important to offering students a well-rounded education," shared Walenta. "We join this week of advocacy to reinforce the importance of funding music and the arts, and in this case, to share the stories and an award of the districts in our home state where music is making a difference. The Best Communities for Music Education award represents the dedication of the students, teachers, administrators and community at large in Iowa that value the importance of music education." West Music is a third generation locally owned and family operated business. For over 75 years, West Music has been the area's leading partner in music education, specializing in pianos, guitars, drums and percussion, band and orchestra instruments, and print music as well as offering music instruction, repair, and music therapy services. With seven retail locations in Iowa and Illinois as well as award-winning ecommerce websites dedicated to servicing music education and percussion communities, West Music strives to encourage people of all ages and abilities to play now and play for life.

To view images of the presentations, please visit: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dxsdqy3vuqcoii8/AAAcZzU5w-pa5SKp95SUkx-va?dl=0 To learn more about the event or for interviews, please contact: Lisa Lafler

West Music

(319) 351-2000 ext. 1163

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of approximately 10,300 member companies located in 103 countries. NAMM events and members fund the NAMM Foundation's efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music, and advance active participation in music making across the lifespan. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org, call 800.767.NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/robin-walenta-of-west-music-presents-the-best-communities-for-music-education-award-to-senators-joni-ernst-and-charles-grassley-in-washington-dc-300465778.html SOURCE NAMM

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[May 30, 2017] Moat Extends Collaboration with Snap Inc. to Brand Safety

NEW YORK, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Snap Inc. is extending its relationship with Moat, a SaaS analytics company focused on delivering measurement to marketers and publishers that recently became part of the Oracle Data Cloud, to include brand safety on the Snapchat platform. Marketers working with Moat and Snapchat can now gain viewability, attention, and brand safety guidance to help ensure their brands are seen and engaged with in a safe environment. Moat has completed a review of Snap brand safety protocols and confirmed Snapchat is focused on ensuring programmatic and community safeguards in place to minimize risks to advertisers. Moat has also joined the Snapchat Brand Safety Coalition, which will regularly convene to align on Snapchat's protocols and industry best practices. Brand safety concerns aren't new, but in recent months they've been in headline after headline. Fifty-nine percent of US marketers said they were "significantly challenged by the lack of inventory transparency" when purchasing programmatically in 2016, according to a survey from the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and Forrester Consulting, up 16% from 2014. In addition, reports of advertising appearing unintentionally next to fake news and extremist content are driving more vocal calls for brand safety controls. Moat started to work with Snapchat in 2016, and remains a key provider of third-party viewability and attention analytics on Snapchat video inventory. Following industry asks for a clearer standard for video measurement, Snapchat was an early adopter of the Moat Video Score, a comprehensive video metric that incorporates video length sen, video length heard, and the screen real estate the ad occupied on a 0-100 scale.



Moat is now excited to collaborate with Snapchat to pioneer innovative approaches to improving brand safety. Snapchat provides brands with a unique full-screen ad experience to prevent unsafe content showing on the screen at the same time the ad is on the screen. Snapchat is committed to helping shift the industry from brand safety challenges to solutions. Moat recently announced the Open Brand Safety (OBS) framework, the first of several steps to increase transparency for brands, agencies, and platforms and help them avoid unsafe brand environments. Moat will be working with partners including Storyful, City University of New York, and others to address fake news, extremism, and brand safety as a whole, providing brands with the right toolkit to make smarter decisions about their media.

"GroupM is happy to support Moat and Snapchat in their joint efforts to maintain a brand-safe environment throughout the Snapchat app," said John Montgomery, GroupM Global Executive Vice President of Brand Safety. "As more media buying moves onto dynamic platforms like Snapchat, GroupM will continue to press for innovative approaches to protecting brands, and is encouraged that Moat and Snapchat are making a move to more measurable brand safety." "Snapchat continues to push on the issues that matter to marketers, from transparent 3rd party measurement to a focus on business outcomes, and we are pleased to share that Snapchat has focused on ensuring brand safety measures are in place. We look forward to working together on creative solutions around such an important topic as brand safety," said Jonah Goodhart, Moat CEO and Co-Founder. About Moat: Moat is a New York-based SaaS analytics company focused on building products for brand advertisers and premium publishers. Its offerings include Moat Analytics, an attention measurement platform that provides analytics and insights on ad campaigns and website inventory for publishers and advertisers, and Moat Pro, a real-time ad intelligence platform for marketers, publishers, and agencies. Moat is the first company to be accredited by the Media Rating Council (MRC) to measure viewable ad impressions across online display, video, and mobile (web and in-app). The company was founded by Jonah Goodhart, Noah Goodhart and Michael Walrath and was recently acquired by Oracle to join Oracle Data Cloud, which uses data and analytics to enhance media for leading marketers and publishers. The serial entrepreneurs had previously partnered to launch Right Media, which was acquired by Yahoo! in 2007. For more information on Moat, please visit http://www.moat.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/moat-extends-collaboration-with-snap-inc-to-brand-safety-300465841.html SOURCE Moat

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November 2022 is Subscriber Appreciation Month

We're launching a full month of surprises to say thank you to our most loyal subscribers!
The logo of Thugs of Hindostan is out.

By India Today Web Desk: It's not every day that you get to see Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan in one frame. But that is soon going to happen with Thugs of Hindostan. Director Vijay Krishan Raj managed a casting coup of sorts by getting these two actors on board for his next film. Ever since the makers revealed the star cast, the excitement among fans is palpable.

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It's not just Aamir and Big B's deadly combination that has grabbed eyeballs, but the leading ladies of Thugs of Hindostan too have caught the fancy of many. If Fatima Sana Shaikh's entry made many heads turn, Katrina Kaif addition only added to the buzz.

And with a few days left for the film to go on floors, the makers have revealed the logo of the film.

Trade Analyst Taran Adarsh took to Twitter to give a glimpse of the logo.

And here's the logo of #ThugsOfHindostan... Stars Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, Fatima Sana Shaikh... Diwali 2018 release. pic.twitter.com/t6FDRH9dMe- taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) May 29, 2017

The shooting of the film will begin on June 5 in the picturesque locales of Malta. The first schedule of Thugs of Hindostan will be in the relatively unexplored ocean-side scenery.

According to a report in PTI, the cast and crew will be filming in two specially constructed, massive ships, currently docked by the Maltese seaside.

"The set of the film is in a high security water zone, with restricted access. Both these ships have been built in the early eighteenth century style, when vessels would carry cannons and other weapons. An international crew has been hard at work creating these elaborate ships in Malta. Most of the portions filmed on board these ships involve high octane action," director Vijay Krishna Acharya said in a statement.

The film is set to hit the screens on Diwali 2018.

ALSO READ: Katrina Kaif is our last thug, confirms Aamir Khan

ALSO READ: Thugs Of Hindostan inspired by Pirates Of The Caribbean? Aamir Khan responds

WATCH: Aamir Khan discusses his acting career with Ranveer Singh

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Actress Avika Gor and Manish Raisinghan are in Cannes for their short film, I Me Myself.

Avika Gor and Manish Raisinghan attend Cannes two times in a row. Picture courtesy: Instagram/avika_n_joy

By India Today Web Desk: TV actress Avika Gor and her Sasural Simar Ka co-star Manish Raisinghan attended Cannes Film Festival for the second time in a row. This year they attended the festival for their short film I, Me, Myself.

We've all talked about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor's Cannes appearance, but Avika also deserves a special mention here.

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Avika Gor dazzled in a dramatic yet elegant black and gold evening wear dress by Reeti Arneja. Manish was seen twinning with the actress in black on the Cannes red carpet.

Last year, Avika and Manish made their debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Avika looked beautiful in a blue dress and short curls, while Manish looked dapper in a black tuxedo. And this year, they again walked the red carpet, and were absolute head-turners.

Also read: Avika Gor was a sight to behold at #Cannes2016

Before attending Cannes, Manish and Avika were in Switzerland shooting for their next short film.

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The mission will seek access to Myanmar, where the army last week rejected allegations of abuses during a crackdown last year which forced some Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh.

By Reuters: The United Nations named a trio of independent experts on Tuesday to investigate widespread allegations of killings, rape and torture by Myanmar security forces against Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state.

The international fact-finding mission will be chaired by Indira Jaising, an advocate of the Supreme Court of India, the president of the UN Human Rights Council said in a statement.

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The mission will seek access to Myanmar, where the army last week rejected allegations of abuses during a crackdown last year which forced some 75,000 Rohingya to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh. The UN urged the government to "fully cooperate" by making available the findings of its domestic investigations and by "granting full, unrestricted and unmonitored access".

The two other members are Radhika Coomaraswamy, a human rights veteran and lawyer from Sri Lanka, and Australian activist Christopher Sidoti, said the UN statement, issued after private consultations within the 47-member state forum.

The Council agreed to set up the fact-finding mission last March in a resolution strongly condemning violations and calling for ensuring "full accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims".

A UN report in February said Myanmar's security forces had committed mass killings and gang rapes in a campaign that "very likely" amounted to crimes against humanity and possibly ethnic cleansing. The report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was based on extensive interviews with Rohingya survivors in Bangladesh.

ALSO READ:

Over half of Rohingya Muslim girls who fled violence in Myanmar became child brides: UN Survey

Fate of 40,000 Rohingyas from Myanmar to be sealed soon

ALSO WATCH:

Centre exploring ways to deport 40,000 Rohingya Muslims

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Gregory Bryant, corporate vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group at Intel, gave the opening keynote at Computex in Taipei. His focus? The data-driven future. That included the smart home, smart cities, modular computing and the future of both laptop and desktop chips.

Data, Bryant said, was behind the next chapter of the technological revolution.

(Image credit: Intel's Gregory Bryant speaks at Computex. Credit: Andrew E. Freedman / Tom's Guide)

Its going to fundamentally change the way we live, the way we work and the way we interact, he said.

He was talking about collecting, analyzing and figuring out how to use data. By 2025, he says, 80 billion devices will be connected to the internet -- not just phones and PCs, but autonomous cars, drones and IoT devices. By 2020, each person will produce 1.5GB of data per day. A car may produce 4TB, and a factory would reach 1 petabyte. In fact, he said Intel no longer considers itself a PC company anymore, but a data company.

Bryant started by talking about the cloud and data centers. Customers and organizations need to bridge the public and private clouds, he said. For that, he announced an Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family platform, with boosts in performance and efficiency. Additionally, Intel will release its second generation of 3D Nand SSDs for data centers.



MORE: Which Laptop CPU is Right for You?

Smart Homes - and Cities

He moved on quickly to the Internet of Things, where you can see the greatest impact that technology and data can have on delivering more personalized and more immersive experiences, he said.

For homes, he focused on modular computing. Intel today is launching the Intel Compute Card, which we first saw at CES. It keeps smart devices from becoming obsolete by separating the computer from the rest of a device. A representative showed off a dock that the Card plugs into to make a full PC. An all-in-one from LG also includes the Compute Card, as did an education laptop demoed on stage. They showed one card transferring from a laptop to a smart whiteboard to a desktop, moving a students' data all of the way.

And thats not just homes; its the smart cities of the future.

He discussed smart city kiosks, with emergency alerts, Wi-Fi and more, that are replacing aging infrastructures. He showed off an oversized demo version called CityBeacon, which uses a small form-factor Intel PC to show off multimedia content, measure seismic devices and measure other data. Data or footage can be sent to the right government agency or police department in the case of an emergency.

Still Working on the PC, and Now VR

Of course, Intel hasnt forgotten the PC. It showed off new and recent devices including Lenovos Yoga 720 with an H-series processor, the Huawei Matebook X with a fanless design, one of MSIs VR-ready desktops and VR backpack.

Bryant stopped the show to show off Acers Predator Triton, which is super thin and launched today.

Intels Wi-Gig technology using HTC Vive and the DisplayLink XR codec will make VR wireless. We saw an early version at CES, and it looked even better on stage. It will come in early 2018.

Bryant dedicated a whole section to Asus, local to Computexs home city of Taipei. Asus chairmen Jonney Shih took to the stage to show off Asuss new laptops, the ZenBook Flip S and the Asus ROG Zephyrus. He also announced a new 2-in-1 with LTE inside, codenamed Kukuna, which will feature an Intel Core CPU and Intel LTE. Bryant calls this the always connected PC. Other partners include HP, Asus, Lenovo, Dell, Samsung and Acer.

Bryant turned his focus to performance on PCs, with Intel Optane memory. He loaded a game of Black Desert Online with two machines, one with Optane, one without. The machine with Optane loaded it twenty-eight seconds faster than the one without it. An Optane based SSD will be available later this year.

(Image credit: A Core i9 X-series chip. Credit: Intel)

Finally, Bryant focused on processing power, discussing the 8th-generation series of Core i CPUs. Bryant claims it squeezes out more than 30 percent of performance over Kaby Lake chips. Bryant said it will release by the holiday season this year.

Intel is also developing purpose-built products for creators and gamers. Intel revealed Intels next-gen enthusiast platform, Intel Core X-series for desktops. It will scale from 4 to 18 cores and is meant for intensive processes like virtual reality streaming. They showed a demo with a user on a green screen streaming herself in a VR game over OBS, live on Twitch. They also did a demo showing how the power works for game creators making games in VR.

The Core i7 is no longer the pinnacle of performance. The Core X series will go up to Core i9 to represent the highest performing processor for content creation, gaming and VR.

Bryant said this virtuous cycle of growth will allow for more in the future, but as it seems, Intel has a ton on its plate right now.
One of the easiest ways to avoid malicious software on Android phones is to install apps only from the Google Play Store. Google vets every program that crosses into its storefront, and the vast majority of them are perfectly safe. (Even if the vast majority of them are also perfectly banal.)

(Image credit: Kiniwini)

Still, a clever developer can sneak something dangerous into otherwise innocuous code, and thats just what Korean game-maker Enistudio Corp., part of a larger Korean company called KiniWini, may have done. "Judy" isnt only the mascot for the companys casual games; its also the name that security researchers have given to a well-hidden strain of adware that could compromise your phone's performance. If you've got an app from Enistudio, you might want to delete it.

Israeli security firm Check Point investigated what it called "The Judy Malware," although the "malware" label is debatable. While the Judy apps do indeed install shady software on your phone and do so without your knowledge or explicit permission, they don't actually harm your phone, steal your data or compromise your privacy. Rather, the Judy apps are adware  programs that hog your phones resources to generate ad-click revenue for dubious paymasters in distant corner of the world.

MORE: Best Android Antivirus Apps

The good news is that Google has already removed the Judy apps from the Play store  all 50 or so of them. While the vast majority of Judy apps were casual games from Enistudio starring the eponymous pink-haired mascot, a handful were finance, music, calendar or fashion apps from other Korean developers.

You can scrutinize Check Points blog post for a full listing of the offending apps, but even if youve installed one, you dont have to worry. Simply uninstalling the program will take the adware with it.

Avoiding similar apps in the future may be a more difficult proposition. Check Point explains that some Judy apps had been in the Play Store for years, and up to 18.5 million people may have downloaded the various programs. Most of the apps had positive, organic user reviews.

The adware may have been part of a recent update, or it may have been part of the software since the beginning  Check Point can't tell for sure. (It appears that the malicious code was added to each app after installation.) The episode is a dismaying reminder that while Google Plays security protocols may be good, theyre not perfect, and even a minor breach can affect millions of users.

The best way to avoid malicious Android apps is to install them only from legitimate sources, such as the Google Play Store, but that would not have helped in this case. An Android antivirus program may have caught the programs suspicious behavior  or not, since the programs werent technically compromising the phone or the information on it in any way.

The sad truth is that theres no surefire way to avoid every piece of unwanted software on the internet. Sometimes, all you can do is use common sense, install an antivirus program and hope for the best.
The NAND shortage has been like driving behind a slow car on a two-lane highway with heavy traffic in both directions. Without ample flash, companies find it difficult to produce new products in significant volume. The flash available for consumer products isn't the best the industry has to offer, so for the past year we've had to wade through some nasty stuff, only to find a couple high-quality products. Shoppers have had it even worse, spending money to purchase SSDs that are inferior to what they already own.

That's about to change but don't expect a miracle overnight.

THE CREEK Gets 64-Layers Deep

64-layer NAND, and subsequently products with the technology, will make the largest splash at Computex 2017 this week. Toshiba, Western Digital, and SanDisk have product announcements in queue, with others set to follow. Toshiba already released some information about the technology at Dell World, so the other shoe has to drop from manufacturing partner WD. This is the moment many of us have waited for.

In short, Toshiba/WD are supposed to take us out of the NAND recession by delivering third-generation 3D NAND called BiCS FLASH.

BiCS FLASH may gain praise for reducing the strain on NAND supply, but our readers will be left behind for several quarters. SanDisk has said for years that the future focus will be on 3-bit per cell NAND (or TLC). That philosophy carried over to infect Western Digital after the SanDisk acquisition. No one talks about BiCS MLC for use in the client space, even though 3D TLC is unproven technology for high-performance products (outside of Samsung).

Toshiba isn't only company ready for a 64-layer makeover. IMFT (Intel Micron Flash Technology) will push second-generation 3D NAND. We won't see end products ready to sell at Computex, but we will see demos featuring 64-layer stacks that will double the existing 32-layer die density. We expect Intel to talk about 3D Gen 2 at a keynote in the coming days, and several companies have already said they will show working samples.

IMFT 64-layer NAND isn't as far along in the release process as Toshiba 64-layer BiCS FLASH, but it's not far behind. 3D TLC Gen 2 will reduce costs by more than 30% according to Micron. Like BiCS FLASH, the increase in bit output should help increase NAND supply and allow prices to return to steady levels with predictable declines in the near future.

The largest 64-layer announcement this week will not come from Taiwan but from a few hundred miles north, in South Korea. Our sources tell us Samsung will ramp up production of 64-layer V-NAND any day now. The production numbers should start to increase as a new fab comes online for mass production. It will take a few months to impact products sold on store shelves. We expect some type of 64-layer product announcement at Flash Memory Summit this summer, or possibly sooner.

I hate to say it, but TLC will be in nearly every new consumer SSD from this point forward. It's now up to the controller design houses to make it fast enough for enthusiast use.

Controlling The Flow

On the other side of the equation, all of this new flash will require new controllers or at least new firmware. Large firmware changes are the perfect opportunity to optimize programming, add features, and increase clock speeds. Just like your CPU, processing power is a finite resource. This limits what code can run and how often. Some of the 3D NAND controller solutions we hoped would bring us throughput prosperity fell short. They are low cost, but dual-core NVMe processors will never compete with Samsung's five-core NVMe controllers.

We should see the Phison E8 on display in a few places. This is a lower cost version of the E7 with half the number of channels to the flash. Phison gave us a quick taste test at CES in January, but products based on this architecture will only come with increased BiCS FLASH availability. We noted at CES that the E8 with Toshiba 15nm planar NAND easily outperformed the Intel 600p and were told to expect even lower prices from E8 retail products from various manufacturers. Given Phison's success with PS5007-E7, we're excited to see what the follow up controller is capable of in terms of both performance and price disruption. One company we spoke with expected to show a new SSD, but later determined it was too early. We suspect it was based on the Phison E8. We were told to expect more information at Flash Memory Summit later this year.

Toshiba displayed a new client-focused NVMe SSD at Dell World. The company doesn't have a booth here at Computex, but we hope to see the XG5 and what will eventually become an OCZ RDx00 branded product for store shelves. Sadly, the drive will use 3-bit per cell NAND, but we're hopeful the new 64-layer NAND can meet the high-performance numbers set by the Samsung 960 EVO.

Silicon Motion Inc. was quiet going into Computex, but the company has several design wins with various versions of the SM2260 (NVMe) and SM2258 (AHCI) controllers. I expect to see a road map update but not a production-ready controller running. We hope the company can move away from dual-core processors and step out into the high-performance market or at least add direct-to-die features that increase sequential write performance and performance consistency.

Every company we've spoken with about SMI gives high praise for support and timeliness during the qualification cycle. One company said it could find an issue in the morning and have SMI field engineers in the office by the afternoon. SMI has grown at an incredible rate over the last two years and surely that's added to the engineering budget needed to bring exciting products to market.

Marvell is another company that went quiet before Computex, but we have an idea of what to expect after our meeting at CES in January. The company should have progressed the 88NV1140 SSD with Host Buffer Memory (HMB). The technology is the future for OEM SSDs, and if you run Windows 10 with the Anniversary Update or later you already have support. This is the next evolution in DRAM-less design, but with a plentiful performance increase from the system DRAM. It only works on the NVMe protocol. The NVMe SSD controller has a direct channel to the system memory and uses a small portion to cache the flash translation layer. Users shouldn't miss a small portion of system memory, and there is a significant performance increase over DRAM-less SSDs shipping today.

We've yet to see a consumer SSD ship with Eldora Lite, the 4-channel version of the same controller used in Plextor's M8Pe. At this point I suspect its in the same boat with with Phison E8, waiting for 64-layer NAND availability to increase before companies bring products to market. Anything based on Eldora Lite should have an attractive price point and allow the industry to reduce NVMe SSD pricing. Some analyst firms predict NVMe will surpass SATA shipments in late 2017. Eldora Lite and similar designs will make that possible.

Retail Ready Products

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There are a few retail ready products we can show but with very little we can tell. Plextor will finalize the M8Se, a TLC-based version of the M8Pe enthusiast NVMe SSD. We have these drives in the office and are testing them remotely from the show. The drives will ship in three configurations with variances in cooling. The M.2 2280 version will ship as a bare SSD and with a heatsink. There is also an add-in card model with a massive heatsink. Plextor tells us to expect up to 2,450 MB/s sequential read and 1,000 MB/s sequential write speeds. You can read about the M8pe here for comparison.

Adata should have a number of new products on display. The company likes to throw out several proposed designs and then limit the number of retail products based on ability and market need. Two new NVMe products look promising for retail availability. The first adds to the XPG line designed for gamers and enthusiasts. Adata looks to ship this product with a heatsink that will match your ROG motherboard's design. The second NVMe SSD uses a Marvell Eldora controller, but we don't have any more details. It may utilize 15nm planar NAND from Toshiba; one last gasp before end of life status, but we suspect it will only ship with new 64-layer 3D NAND. Adata is one of the few companies still willing to use MLC flash. We just hope the company can urge Toshiba to manufacture enough 3D MLC to support a consumer-focused product or to keep the planar mill running for a little longer. Cross your fingers but don't hold your breath.

We should see a number of new retail SSDs from smaller storage companies and a trove of products from China. The Chinese products are always fun to look at because you never know what type of crazy is involved. There is no shortage of obscure SSDs sold in far off lands. Many are low cost, but there are a few high-performance models that we would love to see in the USA and Europe. The Galax PCI-E HOF and Tigo G5 are good examples.

Optane Is Where It's At

For the last couple of months we've known about some type of Intel Optane prosumer SSD based on the P4800X. Rumor has it the new high-performance SSD will come under the 900p name. Rob Crooke, Senior VP and GM of the Non-Volatile Memory Solutions Group has a speaker role during an Intel keynote, and we hope to learn more about the drive. For the past few weeks we've seen leaked documents and images, but it's difficult to trust early leaks as reliable information. If nothing changes, the 900p will ship in several capacity sizes that start at 250GB and go up to 1.5TB!

If you want high-performance, Optane is where it's at. Optane is not based on NAND flash. It uses a phase change material that's capable of moving between 0s and 1s without a read, modify, write cycle. Essentially Intel and Micron built a next generation single-level cell flash-like memory that delivers superior performance at low queue depths.

Just as interesting, the 900p leaks show two versions in the images. One design is a take-no-prisoners black heatsink over a standard printed circuit board like the P4800X. The second leaked image shows an LED strip that could be RGB. Your high-performance workstation will look like the inside of a 1970s New York City Discotheque in no time.
AND WE'RE BACK!!!

Kansas City Mowing Season

50 Yard Challenge comes to Kansas City A nationwide trek makes its way to Kansas City. Rodney Smith Jr. , is traveling the United States with his lawn mower, offering a helping hand to those who may struggle to keep up their yards. ...

Unwarranted Mission Crackdown

Mission store owner surprised by raid where police confiscated CBD MISSION, Kan. -- The owner of Mission business is upset after he says a police officer raided his store. Eddie Smith owns "Into The Mystic" on Johnson Drive, and said on Friday that a Mission police detective came into his store asking about a hemp product, Cannabidiol, also known as CBD.

Suburban Traffic Tragedy

Serious injuries following wreck in Lee's Summit At least four people suffered serious injuries following a wreck at 350 and Colbern Road in Lee's Summit. The Lee's Summit Police Department said "five or six" people suffered injuries from the wreck and at least four of them were serious in condition. Multiple vehicles were involved in the wreck.

Golden Ghetto Aftermath

Motorcyclist killed in collision with Johnson County sheriff's vehicle remembered as a loving family man OLATHE, Kan. -- A loving man: that's how family members say they'll remember a crash victim killed on a motorcycle after colliding with a Johnson County sheriff's deputy's SUV on Sunday. The crash is still being investigated, but FOX 4 was able to speak with a family member of David Lohuis, who says her uncle will be greatly missed.

Royals Glory Days Gone

Two meltdowns for KC in 10-7 loss to Detroit Whit Merrifield near-cycle and Hos dong not enough to overcome pen woes.

Hottieinspires this early morning peek at some of the top local news links of the day. Let's get started . . .is the song of the day and this is thefor right now . . .
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - A woman is accused of shoplifting high-end cosmetics and then selling them. Yvette Shonk is charged with two counts of theft. Overland Park police said because of several tips from the public, detectives have been conducting an investigation into a "boutique" selling high-end cosmetics out of a residence.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Police are searching for the person who shot at a couple in what they call a possible road rage incident. The deadly shooting happened last Thursday near 104th and Holmes shortly after 4:00 in the afternoon.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has released the identity of the man shot and killed by an off-duty sheriff's deputy in Raytown Sunday. Donald Sneed, 31, was taken to an area hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.
Kansas City High Flying Schemes

KCI debate highlights why you need to learn about public-private partnerships - Kansas City Business Journal Imagine folks in the development community starting to talk about a new phenomenon called "sliced bread" as the latest, greatest thing since, well, sliced bread. The same type of confusion has been inherent in recent local discussions about "public-private partnerships." The term - usually called P3 - used to mean public incentives for private development.

KCK Burning Down

Partial structure collapse reported in KCK building fire The Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department was called to battle a building fire with a partial structure collapse Tuesday afternoon. According to KCK Fire Chief John Paul Jones, a fire was reported at a 3-bay shop building in the 3400 block of West Drive in Wyandotte County Lake Park.

Naming The Local Dead

Police say shooting victim was found in vehicle linked to recent carjacking KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Police on Tuesday identified the victim in a Friday night shooting in KCMO. Police said 15-year-old Franklin Noland of Kansas City, Kan. died as a result of a shooting at 26th and Myrtle. Officers were called the the scene around 11:15 p.m.

Kansas City Fun Times Trouble

Worlds of Fun experiences technical difficulties on multiple rides KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Some visitors to Worlds of Fun were having a little less fun when multiple rides were reportedly shut down on Tuesday. One visitor told FOX 4 she was on the Steel Hawk ride when it shut down, which she estimated for 8-10 minutes, before maintenance crews got it working again.

KCK Gunfire Tragedy Report

Police ID KCK teen found in vehicle taken in carjacking Police have released the name of a Kansas City, Kansas, teen shot to death in a vehicle Friday night near 26th Street and Myrtle Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. Authorities said Franklin Noland, 15, was driving a vehicle that had been taken in a carjacking in Kansas City, Kansas.

Kansas City Grocery Fight

Aldi will give its KC-area stores a $30M upgrade - Kansas City Business Journal Aldi is giving its grocery stores a makeover and plans to invest more than $30 million in the Kansas City market. The store renovations are part of a $1.6 billion capital improvement plan nationwide and will include more space for fresh fruits and vegetables and energy-saving refrigeration.

Kansas City Teachable Moment

Non-profit hopes to restore historic black school in Independence INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - The Truman Heritage chapter of Habitat for Humanity is hoping to raise $2.5 million dollars in order to renovate and restore the Young School in Independence. The school, which is located at 505 North Dodgion, is a historic landmark.

Hottienot only proves that social media makes life better but also starts this Kansas City afternoon contemplation of all the important local news. Dive right in . . .And this is thefor right now . . .
CHECK INTERNETS CHATTER ON THE WEATHER NEWSIE CAREER OF KANSAS CITY WEATHER HOTTIE LISA TEACHMAN!!!

"KCTV morning meteorologist Lisa Teachman submitted her resignation on Wednesday. Teachman has told co-workers she is returning to Wichita to be a chief meteorologist. Although not announced yet, the logical destination would be KSNW, where chief meteorologist Dave Freeman retired this month. Teachman spent three years at KCTV, and several more years at KMBC."

Special thanks to the denizens of our blog community for recovering this recent tidbit from the clutter of message boards.To wit . . .We've had more than a few locals ask about her whereabouts and here's what seems like the best answer . . .Ms. Teachman was a local fave and we've been surprised at all of the questions about her next gig. Look for an official announcement later this week as the KCMO weather scene struggles to meet the demand for morning smiles and hotness.Developing . . .
In March and April this year, 3,925 and 3,973 non-immigrant visas were issued to Pakistani nationals respectively by the United States against 6,553 visas per month under the Obama administration.

US President Donald Trump signed an order on travel ban soon after assuming office. Photo: Reuters.

By Hamza Ameer: Soon after Donald Trump took office as the President of the United States of America, he banned immigration from six Muslim-majority countries over perceived terror threats.

Pakistan's name is not on the travel ban list but there has been a noteworthy decline in the provision of visas for Pakistani nationals who apply for non-immigrant US visas.

A decline of up to 40 per cent has been witnessed in provision of US visas for Pakistani nationals this year when compared to previous years.

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In March and April this year, 3,925 and 3,973 non-immigrant visas were issued to Pakistani nationals respectively by the United States.

During the Obama administration, at least 6,553 visas were issued to Pakistani nationals on an average monthly basis.

VISA DEMAND IS CYCLICAL

A spokesperson of the US State Department said, "Visa demand is cyclical, not uniform throughout the year, and affected by various factors at the local and international level."

"Visa issuance numbers tend to increase during peak travel seasons, such as during the summer and the winter holidays, though there may be different trends in the country, nationality, or visa category level," the spokesperson said.

There has also been a notable increase in rejection of J-1 exchange visitor visas to Pakistani physicians during May this year.

APPLICATIONS REJECTED

Recently, local physicians, who were selected for a residency training in the US, saw the US Embassy rejecting their visa applications.

"Our training requires sponsorship of J-1 non-immigrant US visa by ECFMG. We were issued the contracts by our hospitals. We received necessary papers from the ECFMG and the government of Pakistan for an exchange visa programme," said a doctor from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province whose visa application was rejected.

"We have completed an exhaustive process of taking the required qualifying tests and received the Education Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification from the US, wherein we were interviewed and selected for residency training in accredited training hospitals," he said.

With residency training scheduled to start from July, these doctors are fearful of losing their jobs because of the rejection of their visas by the US Embassy.

INDIA A STUDY IN CONTRAST

In contrast, the number of non-immigrant US visas issued to Indian nationals has increased by at least 28 per cent as compared to 2016.

At least 87,049 and 97,925 non-immigrant visas were issued to Indian nationals in March and April respectively. In 2016, about 72,082 non-immigrant visas were issued to India every month.

As of now, the travel ban stands ineffective as a US federal appeals court recently upheld a lower court ruling blocking the government to temporarily suspend new visas to the six countries.

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Trump's travel ban included Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen, but Pakistan also seems to have been hit by the scrutiny on Muslim-dominated countries.

ALSO READ:

US President Donald Trump's revised travel ban: Millions targeted for possible deportation

Donald Trump's new travel ban too in court's firing line

New travel ban doesn't keep US safe: Indian-American lawmakers

ALSO WATCH: Trump may mediate in India-Pakistan peace process: Top Indian-American diplomat Nikki Haley

--- ENDS ---
CHECK THIS ARGUMENT AGAINST THE KANSAS CITY NO BID AGENDA CHAMPIONED BY MAYOR SLY & CO. THIS SUMMER!!!

Update on Hotel, Airport And Streetcar

NO BID

NO BID

NO BID

NO BID

NO BID

NO BID

NO BID

NO BID

The agenda @ 12th & Oak is once again under fire as tax fighters call local development priorities into question.To wit . . .Take a look:After two weeks of attempted intimidation and bullying from thedowntown convention hotel developers, let me thank all of you who gathered signatures or signed our Referendum Petition to put thedowntown convention hotel on the November ballot. On Friday afternoon, CFRG turned into the City Clerk signatures to place thedowntown convention hotel on the November ballot. Now we taxpayers can decide whether or not we want to spend our tax money on this project. By the time the process is finished, we will have had over 10,000 KCMO voters sign our petitions to get thisconvention hotel on the ballot. We think that speaks pretty clearly the public wants their say on this project.it is not over, read on.There is a lot going on so we thought we would forward a heads up. The City Council is off this week but it will all start again next week. The Mayor, City Manager, City Attorney and some of their sheeple on the city council will begin the process of doing several things which are not in the best interest of the KCMO taxpaying voters. You pretty much know who the culprits are!> They will try to pass an MOU on the new Burns and McDonnellsingle terminal airport plan without even being able to verify the B$M guys have any assets. More on that later.> Then they will try to thwart our Referendum Petition on thedowntown convention hotel with a new ordinance #170394 adding some things, changing zoning, etc. They believe this will render our Referendum Petition invalid. We will need to get active and let the council know how the voters feel. Again these hotel guys and gal have never produced a balance sheet or let the council know who the investors are. Maybe they dont have any. They appear to have no assets yet some on our council are willing to fork over, free of charge, our funds from the convention and visitors bureau ($35,000,000), our land ($5,000,000) and our future income from property taxes plus incentives ($127,000,000). All totaled $167,000,000, over half the cost of thedowntown convention hotel. Any council member not challenging this newdowntown convention hotel ordinance is not qualified to be the Mayor of our great city.Heres where it starts:This will be an excellent location to raise the question of what the city is doing under its legal obligation to protect the history of the life and graves of slaves and plantation owners in Platte County.Try to get some answers from B$M who have never built an airport from the ground up. Where are their assets? What do they own? How can they support a $2 - $3 billion project if it experiences problems? and on and on########Developing . . .
The move would dramatically expand a ban announced in March that currently affects roughly 50 flights per day from 10 cities

US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said he was considering banning laptop computers on all international flights in and out of the country. Kelly added there were signs of "a real threat.

"Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly made his remarks during the Memorial Day weekend - one of the busiest travel periods in the US. Kelly said that terrorists were "obsessed" with the idea of "knocking down an airplane in flight - particularly a US carrier, if its full of mostly US folks."

"Theres a real threat - numerous threats against aviation," Kelly told the Fox News less than a week after the bombing at an Ariane Grande concert in Manchester in the United Kingdom.

The UK has since raised its security to the highest level in ten years, fearing that further attacks might be planned especially at hubs of public transportation, such as train stations and airports.

Last week, Kelly already met with European Commission officials in Brussels to discuss further details about a possible laptop ban in airplane cabins. However, the air travel industry has already been highly critical of the ban.

Expansion of existing ban

The move would dramatically expand a ban announced in March that currently affects roughly 50 flights per day from 10 cities - mainly in the Middle East and North Africa. This current ban was reportedly put in place because of concerns about terrorist attacks and related risks. Countries that are affected by the present ban are Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco.

Travelers from those destinations are barred from bringing laptops, tablets and a number of other devices on board with them in their carry-on bags - regardless of their nationalities. Electronic devices bigger than smartphones have to be checked in on those flights. Some of the airlines affected by the ban have tried to implement workaround solutions especially for business class travels, such as making complimentary laptops available to those afftected.

A ban that would encompass all international flights would likely follow a similar pattern.

ss/XX (AFP, AP)

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Mytilene is the capital and port of the island of Lesvos. During the ancient times the little harbor was connected with a 700 meter long channel, evidence of which has been noted in the tales of the Roman writer Longus. Vibrant and historically rich Mytilene is a gem of the North Aegean, where visitors will be captivated by the bustling capital, the remarkable historical landmarks and the incredible culinary scene, not to forget the local drink and culture of ouzo.

The people of Lesvos add to the charm of the island with their gracious hospitality and the desire to showcase the best of their island. Here are some of the highlights of Mytilene Town which we experienced by spending the day in this wonderful neighborhood.

The Archaeological Museum of Mytilene

Do take advantage of the daylight and start your visit as early as possible. Like any great Greek destination, Lesvos is also rich in historical heritage. If you do enjoy learning about a destinationxs historical past then a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Mytilene is highly recommended. This fairly new museum displays a permanent exhibition dedicated to Lesvos from Hellenistic to Roman Times. For more information about the museum you may read my previous post on Mytilene for the history buffs.

The Castle of Mytilene

The Castle of Mytilene, the islands historical landmark is perched on a hill amongst the pine forest, overlooking the sea  from here you can experience the best view of Mytilene. The castle which has managed to withstand time is one of the largest in the Mediterranean.

Ermou Street  the heart of the city

To really experience the everyday life of the Mytilene Town make sure to spend time walking around Ermou Street which is the commercial center of Lesvos. Linger around the streets and admire the impressive architectural buildings. Here you will find a variety of shops selling everything from souvenirs to products, clothing and much more.

The architectural facades of the buildings are a harmonious blend of Neoclassical and baroque styles dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries with notable touches from the Ottoman Empire which are evident in buildings such as the Yeni Tzami, a 19th-century Turkish mosque located towards the end of Ermou Street.

Towards the end of Ermou Street the skyline is highlighted by the islands most prominent church of Saint Therapon which was built in 1860. The church was completed combining Neoclassical, Baroque and Gothic elements, featuring a very distinct dome shaped roof which is visible from the port of Mytilene Town.

If you werent acquainted with the ouzo culture before, not to worry  a trip to Lesvos will instil a love of ouzo, guaranteed. On the island of Lesvos, sitting down for an ouzo break as early as 11 am is considered a vital part of the local culture. You dont want to miss learning about the origins and the production of this fascinating drink.

During our trip we had the chance to visit a family run distillery which is located on the outskirts of Mytilene Town. At the EVA distillery, Eleni a food technologist gave us a tour of the premises and explained the process of producing this anise based drink.

Distillery methods

Eleni spoke about the ingredients and the distillery methods applied in the production. Making the drink requires skill and the use of local ingredients and after a double or even triple distillation process which can total up to eight hours, the famous ouzo is made.

EVA distillery produces a variety of ouzo with distinct flavours such as Dimino, Mitilini and Sertiko as well as the Mastic Tears, an elegant aromatic mastic spirit liqueur with a sweet and refreshing aftertaste. The company exports its products internationally to 24 countries.

On the occasion of our visit our hosts organised an event dedicated to the ouzo and meze culture of Lesvos where we got to savour the local appetizers prepared by a local food blogger Maria Panagou and special ouzo and Mastic based cocktails.

Mytilini Town is a sea port with a designated marina which is located on the south-east edge of the island. The marina operates since 2010 and has a total capacity of 222 berths for yachts up to 25 meters.

In the evening enjoy a walk around town as the night sky gives a completely different character to this historical neighborhood.

Source:passionforgreece.com

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RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Greece can only expect a moderate increase in Chinese tourism arrivals this year, less than 10 percent up on last season, according to the General Panhellenic Federation of Tourism Enterprises (GEPOET), which took part in the ITB China 2017 fair earlier this month.

GEPOET notes that the signs from China are favorable but not spectacular. So far group trips are lagging compared to personalized packages that Chinese tourists can easy find through online agents. It also stresses that it will take a long, persistent and systematic effort for Greece to tap the Chinese market for the desired level of holidaymakers from that country.

In any case, the federation estimates the situation could show a sudden shift only if direct flights are launched between Athens and Beijing. In this context it argues that according to information that is pending confirmation, Air China and China Eastern Air Lines are planning to start flights to Athens as of September, as Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced during his recent visit to China.

The latest official figures from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) and the Bank of Greece show tourism arrivals from China came to 17,329 in the first half of 2016, down 27.6 percent from the same time in 2015. The same data show that Chinese visitors numbered 55,097 for the whole of 2015.

At an event organized by the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen and the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry to present Alitrip, an Alibaba subsidiary, representatives of the Chinese tourism platform said that Chinese visitors to this country could increase up to 1 million per year in the next three years. They added that that was conditional on an improvement in visa issue procedures, the promotion of Greek tourism in China, the Alipay system becoming available in Greek stores as of early July, and signs written in Chinese, among other factors.

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RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
In a move aimed at increasing competition in the Israeli electricity sector, Greek developer Energean Oil & Gas has secured its first gas supply deals for Israels Karish and Tanin reservoirs.

The companys subsidiary cIsrael, which intends to begin providing gas to the domestic market by 2020, has signed agreements with independent power provider Dalia Power Energies and its sister company Or Power Energies. The two firms will be purchasing an overall amount of up to 23 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas to operate the Dalia power plant  Israels largest private power station  as well as future such facilities to be built by Or, the partners announced on Sunday.

This is a significant day for the Israeli gas market, said Mathios Rigas, chairman and CEO of Energean Oil & Gas. These are the first contracts for gas supplies from the Karish and Tanin fields signed with the Dalia group, the largest private power producer in Israel. The agreement is a substantial step towards bringing competition and cheaper energy to the market for the benefit of Israeli consumers and the countrys economy.

Located in the north of Israels exclusive economic zone, the Karish and Tanin reservoirs jointly contain about 58.7 bcm of gas and 14.3 million barrels of condensate in contingent resources  those that have been discovered but not yet commercially developed. In addition to these quantities are prospective resources with high chances of success, including approximately 25.6 bcm of gas and an additional 4.3 million barrels of condensate.

After receiving the Israel Petroleum Councils approval in December, Energean purchased the two gas reservoirs from the Delek Group in a $148 million deal, originally cemented in mid-August.

Energean is in talks regarding further contracts with other potential customers in the market and is aiming to submit a field development plan for the Karish and Tanin project in the next few weeks, Rigas said.

As far as the current deals are concerned, the period of the supply agreements will begin from the date natural gas flows in commercial volumes from Karish and Tanin to the purchasers, and conclude at the point when their generation licenses need to be extended, according to the partners. The purchases have agreed to a take-or-pay arrangement for a minimum annual amount of gas, with the price linked to Israeli electricity markets and underpinned by a floor price, they said.

Dalia and Or Energy are working to expand the volume of production offered by them while continuing to reduce the price of electricity, said Eitan Meir, CEO of Dalia Power Energies. We are pleased to sign the agreement that expands the gas sources and the ability of the companies to offer their customers electricity at a competitive price. Competition in all segments of the electricity sector will serve the public and the Israeli economy.

National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Minister Yuval Steinitz praised the signing of these deals as a step forward in shattering the existing monopoly in the countrys natural gas sector. In part, he attributed this success to the advancement of the countrys controversial natural gas outline  a document approved last year to ensure competition and stability in the industry.

The agreement is an important milestone in breaking the monopoly, with the entry of new players into the energy market of the State of Israel, Steinitz said. The agreement is the direct result of the implementation of the gas outline and the government decision about two months ago to encourage the development of small reservoirs. This will lead to increased competition in the field of natural gas in Israel, while lowering prices.

Source: jpost.com

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RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Dubais Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has teamed up with UAE Food Bank to boost Meals on Wheels activities during Ramadan.



Moaza Al Marri, director of Marketing & Corporate Communication, RTAs Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector, said: The RTA is holding an array of events during the current month of Ramadan in line with its efforts to keep up with the UAE initiative designating 2017 as The Year of Giving.



For the seventh year in a row, the RTA will launch the Meals on Wheels initiative in coordination this year with the Governments humanitarian initiative: UAE Food Bank. The RTA will deploy two buses to distribute 4,000 Iftar meals, in collaboration with Beit Al Khair Society, to public transport riders in five bus stations and four metro stations.



Necessary coordination is in place with the Community Development Authority (CDA) in support of its initiative: Dubai Volunteering Programme by establishing a special tab for the RTA in the app of this Programme, for its charitable & communal initiatives. The CDA will educate volunteering employees of the RTA about the app, the role of volunteering in serving the community, and the participation in community initiatives, she added.



The RTA will distribute Ramadan charitable supplies to 400 disadvantaged families in Hatta and other areas of Dubai while celebrating Zayed Humanitarian Day (19th of Ramadan) where several CEOs Directors and employees of the RTA will take part. During the events, the RTA will support the Ramadan Aman campaign held by Al Ihsan Charity Association through participating in the distribution of Ramadan Iftar meals at road junctions in a bid to induce motorists to slowdown and protect their lives at the time of Iftar, Al Marri explained.



The RTA is also lending support to the Dubai International Holy Quran Award by allocating two VIP buses to lift contestants, judges panel, scholars and guests of the Award from their place of residence to the venue of the Contest. Offering a smooth mobility to these persons will raise the profile of the Award; which boasts of a growing popularity for several years.



Ahmed Al Muhairi, executive director of Charitable Activities cum Member of Preparatory Committee of the UAE Food Bank, said: The RTA is one of the biggest government supporters of communal, charitable and humanitarian initiatives in Dubai, in line with the government drive. Since launched, the UAE Food Bank has been seeking to foster a spirit of cooperation & solidarity with all parties to boost its mission in catering to the needs of several community segments.  TradeArabia News Service
Jordan-based Azkadenya, featuring a modern-retro, casual dining concept, has opened its first branch in Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, offering much-loved Middle-Eastern dishes with a twist.



Azkadenya blends a modern approach to traditional Arabic dishes with quirky interiors. Drawing inspiration from the Middle East back in 1950s right through to the early 90s  eccentric design elements are thrown together with humour, a statement said.



Azkadenya, managed by Gourmet Gulf, a leading food and beverage company in the Middle East, is located at Rubeen Plaza, on Riyadhs Northern Ring Road.



Stewart Black, chief executive officer of Gourmet Gulf said: The Saudi food industry has grown significantly over the past years and there is a growing demand for the best in class international restaurants. Azkadenya has gained the attention of the Gulf region, especially visitors from Saudi Arabia who frequent our outlets in the UAE. This first branch in Saudi Arabia offers a unique dining experience to Arab food lovers and brings even closer to our customers from Saudi Arabia who are already familiar with Azkadenyas dishes and ambience.



He added that the opening represents a significant milestone for the company and is part of Gourmet Gulfs overall strategy of expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia.



The promising and growing business opportunities within the Kingdom require specialized companies with extensive experience and a high degree of efficiency. Gourmet Gulfs experience has led us to partner with many leading international restaurant brands and now with our presence in Saudi Arabia, we look forward to adding value to the Kingdoms existing food and beverage sector, he said.



The restaurants buffet selection will change every day during Ramadan, he noted.



Gourmet Gulf holds the exclusive franchises rights of a prominent set of restaurants in Saudi Arabia, including California Pizza Kitchen, YO! Sushi and Panda Express - the largest and fastest-growing Asian restaurant chain in the world. Other Gourmet Gulf restaurants opening in Saudi Arabia include Texas De Brazil and The Hummingbird Bakery.  TradeArabia News Service


Passengers flying on board Qatar Airways who are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan will be offered a delicious Iftar meal box infused with a traditional Middle Eastern twist to break their fast.



Qatar Airways Iftar boxes will feature a creatively-designed Ramadan Kareem logo extending best wishes to all passengers during the Holy Month.



Qatar Airways First and Business Class passengers travelling on selected flights will be offered Iftar boxes containing either a chicken or vegetarian sandwich wrap, hummous, crudites, mini Arabic bread, mixed nuts, baklava, dates, an Alpen fruit and nut bar, fresh laban and water.



Passengers travelling in Economy Class will be offered an Iftar meal box containing a vegetarian sandwich wrap, Walker biscuit, dried fruits, dates, mixed nuts, fresh laban and water.



Qatar Airways group chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker said: This year, we continue our tradition of offering our passengers a delicious way to break their fast while flying. The holy month of Ramadan is an important period for a vast number of our passengers, and we continue to offer them the high standards of service they have become accustomed to. We invite our passengers to embrace this special time of year by enjoying our special Iftar boxes. On behalf of Qatar Airways, we extend to all warmest wishes for a Ramadan Kareem.



This years Iftar boxes will be distributed on Qatar Airways flights to Abu Dhabi, Abha, Amman, Alexandria, Bahrain, Basra, Baghdad, Cairo, Dammam, Dubai, Erbil, Gassim, Hofuf, Jeddah, Kuwait, Khartoum, Luxor, Muscat, Medina, Mashad, Najaf, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, Salalah, Sulaymaniyah, Sharjah, Shiraz, Taif and Yanbu.



Qatar Airways cabin crew will make an on-board announcement and will serve Iftar boxes at the appropriate time during the flight, alleviating customers from having to calculating the time.



Known for introducing industry firsts, Qatar Airways is one of the fastest-growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. Qatar Airways has a modern fleet of 199 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents. - TradeArabia News Service
Minister for women and child welfare, Swati Singh's picture of inaugurating a beer bar has gone viral. Here's why.

By Rajat Rai: Controversy has gripped one of CM Yogi Adityanath's minister whose picture of inaugurating a beer bar went viral in the state capital on Monday.

Surprisingly, the minister is a woman and the controversy has taken at a time when women across the state are staging protests against liquor outlets demanding prohibiting liquor in the state as done in the neighbouring state of Bihar last year.

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The minister is none other than Swati Singh who is the minister for women and child welfare and the event dates back to May 20 when Singh inaugurated the Bee the Beer bar in posh Gomtinagar.

After investigation, it was found that the bar belongs to Deep Sikha Singh who is a native of Jaunpur and is from a prominent business family in Lucknow.

There are inputs that Unnao SP Neha Pandey and Raebarelli SP Gaurav Pandey also attended the event. Though Neha has confirmed to the media that she attended the programme, there is no picture to confirm the presence of the two IPS officers.

HUSBAND'S CONTROVERSIAL PAST

It is to be mentioned that Swati is the wife of BJP leader Daya Shanker Singh who came to limelight when he used derogatory words against BSP chief Mayawati.

However, protests against Singh by BSP backlashed when the then BSP leader Naseemudin Siddiqui used foul language against Singh's mother and daughter after which BJP gave ticket to Swati from the Sarojininagar seat of Lucknow. Swati gained sympathy especially from the women and won the seat comfortably.

Meanwhile, Swati could not be contacted after repeated attempts and the BJP has maintained a safe stand.

"I came to know about this through the media. It is someone's personal matter as to where he or she goes and in what circumstances she chose to inaugurate the establishment is her own whole and sole discretion," said state BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla.

"This shows the real face of the BJP. Before the elections, they were making high claims and boasting of 'Ram Rajya'. However, now they have forgotten everything after coming into power," SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said.

Later in the evening, IG Range JN Singh took cognisance and has sought explanation from the IPS couple. Singh has asked the couple as to why they left the district. However, Neha said she had informed her seniors before coming to Lucknow. "My husband (Gaurav Pandey SP Raebarelli) was on leave that day and I came along with him," Neha explained.

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Meanwhile, as the news started airing on news channels, the beer bar was closed by evening. Sources in the administration also informed that the bar was illegally serving liquor as it was given the permission to serve beer only for three days i.e. May 20 to May 22 for a party and its full time license is still pending.

Also Read

Uttar Pradesh horror: 14 boys grope, molest 2 women in broad daylight, upload video

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's minister in trouble for filing 'false' caste certificate to Election Commission

--- ENDS ---
Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje, in an interview with Mail Today, spoke about Rajasthan's digital route to development and incidents like cow vigilantism.

By Rakesh Ranjan: Rajasthan has taken the 'digital route' to development, but incidents like cow vigilantism and hate crimes dent the image of the government, feels incumbent chief minister Vasundhara Raje.

She, however, said such acts are not exclusive to Rajasthan, but are taking place across the country. In an interview with Mail Today, Raje said such acts won't be tolerated and only the law of the land will prevail.

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"Incidents of cow vigilantism are a matter of concern as they put the government in bad light, but such incidents are happening everywhere and not just Rajasthan. We have, in fact, acted swiftly and took strict action against the culprits. Such acts cannot be tolerated," she said.

The chief minister, who will be completing her second term next year, takes umbrage on singling out Rajasthan over the issue of hate crime. She cites an example of honour killing where an engineer from Kerala was killed in Jaipur for marrying a Rajasthani girl, but police showed no leniency and arrested the killers immediately.

"Our government does not discriminate on the basis of caste, region or religion. We arrested the killers of the man hailing from Kerala, but the government there (Kerala) is silent over targetted killings of BJP and RSS workers," Raje said.

She, however, believes that the government would contest the next elections on the basis of its development works.

"We have an active state government, active Centre and an active party organisation. These together have put Rajasthan in smart mode. The pace of development has increased in Rajasthan over the last four years," Raje said.

RAJE LAUDS NITIN GADKARI

She lauded the progressive approach of the BJP-led central government which, the CM claimed, has sped up infrastructure development.

She has a special mention for Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari who has shown great interest in expansion of road network across the country.

"The BJP government in 2013 had promised increasing the road length in Rajasthan from 5,000 km to 20,000 km in five years, but in just four years we have already constructed 21,000 km of roads," she said.

"By 2018, we will be able to construct 30,000 km of roads. Such fast pace of development is possible only because of the positive and development-oriented attitude of the governments in the state and Centre," the chief minister iterated.

Digital initiatives such as Abhay by Jaipur Police, Bhamashah scheme for women empowerment, smart solutions by the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) that includes traffic and sanitation service management, environmental censors, LED-based smart lighting, online surveillance and wi-fi hotspots are going to be the poll plank in 2018 when Rajasthan goes to polls.

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UNDETERRED BY AAP

She is, however, undeterred by the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) plans to contest Assembly elections in Rajasthan.

"They are welcome. It is a democratic country and everybody has a right to contest election anywhere and against anybody," she said

Raje also listed a number of initiatives in the education sector, power reforms, delivery of justice at the doorsteps of citizens through 'Nyay Aapke Dwar' programme and water conservation via Mukhyamantri the Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan (MJSA) scheme.

She claimed power transmission and distribution losses came down to 15 per cent from 58 per cent by involving locals and urging them to reduce wastage of power.

Also Read

Maharashtra: Cow vigilantes attack two youths for allegedly possessing beef in Washim district

Modi government inches closer to national beef ban with Ramzan just few days away

--- ENDS ---
Berlin, May 30

Actress Priyanka Chopra on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in between his packed schedule in Berlin, terming it "such a lovely coincidence".

"Thank you for taking the time to meet me this morning Narendra Modi sir. Such a lovely coincidence to be in Berlin at the same time," Priyanka, who has been making India proud in Hollywood, tweeted.

She even shared a glimpse from her meeting with Modi on Twitter as well as Instagram.

The actress, who is known for her acting skills as well as supporting social and humanitarian causes, is seen in a white dress with a floral print during the meeting.

Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Germany, is in a black bandhgala.

Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday on the first leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. From Germany, Modi will travel to Spain, Russia and France.

Meanwhile, Priyanka, whose Hollywood debut film "Baywatch" opened internationally to mixed reviews, is enjoying a break in Berlin. "Baywatch", also starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, is slated to release in India on June 2.

IANS
By Karishma Kuenzang: The global food and beverage scene has seen an evolution in the recent years. At a recent whisky-tasting session at Qla in the Capital, celebrated mixologist Yangdup Lama quoted a clear example of this, saying, "When I started off, it was about simple drinks for the men, while cocktails were seen more of a ladies' drink or someone who doesn't drink alcohol."

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"Today, consumers have travelled and experienced things outside the country and so, know global trends. People have started going out more not just on special occasions, and are relatively more experienced - they are clear about their preferences, the techniques and ingredients used." He points out in a similar fashion that people are more interested in the chefs cooking for them, not the kind of food or decor. Similarly, bars are known by their bartenders.

Photo : Mail Today

As he mixed up a plethora of his signature whisky-based cocktails - Mint Julep, Manhattan, Whisky Sour - he remarked that there was a time when whisky in India meant just one brand, namely Johnny Walker, while globally, blended scotch whisky was becoming became popular. "Even when we started drinking scotch, we drank it based on the name of the brand, not the taste. With time, our palate has evolved," he says. The rest of the world is now focusing on small production and small brands of handcrafted whiskies. "However, when it comes to artisanal spirit consumption, we are still learning how to appreciate alcohol. Secondly, with the laws in place here it's not easy to get hold of a number of brands and the consumers have limited options. Also, it's difficult to produce premium quality scotch in India. We have more mass brands, not niche palates, whereas abroad it's about the quality not quantity," he points out.

Also Read: This chef is giving a delicious twist to Sonam, Deepika and Aishwarya's Cannes outfits

As far as alcohol and spirits go, it always takes a couple of years to develop a taste for it. "Every person has a different palate. But it's also about how you mature as a consumer over the year. Everyone in India starts off with beer or vodka first, including me, because it's cheap and easy to mix," Lama says. He used to drink old monk and coke, but realised it was a little too sweet, so switched to vodka and coke, then whisky and coke. It took him three years to narrow it down to whisky with water and many more years to zero it down to whisky and ice.

Scotch is traditionally drunk with a drop of water and no ice, because you want to taste the flavours. However, people love their whisky with ice and water in India, which works because the climate is tropical. Indians have a very strong flavour palate, so subtle flavour goes unnoticed, and hence Indians prefer something spicy or fruity.

Most whisky drinkers in India prefer American whisky - bourbon or Tennessee - as one doesn't have to be too evolved to appreciate it. But a very small percentage of consumers is moving away from this drinking culture, and it's mostly people from Gurugram that has a cosmopolitan crowd which keeps travelling. "We get different kinds of drinkers, who come from an evolved background, who don't mind spending a little to appreciate the quality. I know so many people who collect whisky and go to bars abroad and try new alcohol! But the mass is still drinking its Royal Stag," says Lama.

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Speaking about what contributes towards the quality of any spirit, Lama says that the most crucial factor is the quality of water.

"Any whisky manufacturer will look for a good water source. For example, when we talk about bourbon whisky, we talk about water of Kentucky whisky, where the water undergoes limestone filtration, washing out the unwanted elements from the water. There are small streams there that offer the perfect speed for the same," he says.

The second important thing is the grain used - traditionally corn because it was found in abundance, but now the US is using rye as well, and Scotland uses barley. "The shape of the container used for the distillation of alcohol is also important. There are two methods of distillation - pot still distillation and the new continuous method. In the first, the alcohol is distilled twice, but the product is not as flavourful and the spirit has less character, while the second method costs less and produces more whisky," Lama says. The onion shape is the most common when it comes to pot still distillation. Some also use a long stemmed pot still, which imparts a different character to the whisky.

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Also Read: Here's why Gaggan, Asia's Best Restaurant, is going to shut down by 2020

In the US, whisky is produced using the continuous distillation method, which gives it a lighter flavour, after which it is matured in the barrels, which gives it the flavour.

The flavour of the whisky also has a lot to do with the barrel the whisky is matured in. There's a law in the US that whisky should be matured in fresh white oak barrel, because oak is readily available there. In Scotland, whisky is matured in secondhand oak barrels. Both countries use different techniques to mature their whisky, and hence the difference in the taste.

ut India has never been considered a whisky-producing country. "We've been using a lot of sugarcane and molasses in whisky production because it and costs less. But, sugarcane is more often used in the production of rum. There are no laws for whisky production in India, unlike feni (can't be produced anywhere outside Goa), though second-hand oak barrels are most commonly used for maturing whisky," Lama adds. Apart from whisky, Lama says that the next big thing in spirits should be gin because of the number of flavours available in India. "Gin drinking isn't as popular in India yet, though it should take off in the metropolitan cities at least," he concludes.

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BE YOUR OWN BARTENDER:

OLD FASHIONED-

Bourbon/Tennessee Whisky45ml, Sugar cube 1 number, Aromatic Bitters 3 drops

METHOD:

Drop the sugar into an old-fashioned glass and measure three drops of aromatic bitters. Muddle to break the sugar and mix with bitters. Pour the bourbon whisky and fill with ice. Stir gently to mix and dilute a little. Release oils from the orange peel and drop and serve.

Photo : Mail Today

MANHATTAN-

Bourbon/Rye Whisky 45ml, Sweet Vermouth 10ml, Aromatic Bitters 3 drops

METHOD:

In a mixing glass pour all the ingredients and fill with ice. Stir for a long time and then strain into a chilled martini glass. Drop a cherry and an orange peel to garnish and serve.

Photo : Mail Today

WHISKY SOUR-

Bourbon/Tennessee, Whisky 45ml, Egg White 1 number, Fresh Lime juice, 15ml Sugar syrup, 15ml Angostura bitters 3 drops

METHOD:

In a shaker tin pour the egg white, fresh lime juice, sugar syrup and whisky and fill with ice. Shake the ingredients vigorously and strain off the ice. Shake the ingredients again with no ice (reverse dry shake) and pour into a whisky tumbler filled with ice. Garnish with orange peel oils and serve.

--- ENDS ---
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 30

An interactive session was organised by the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) and the Social Thinkers Forum.

Expressing concern over the increasing tension between India and Pakistan, speakers said steps should be taken to defuse the tension otherwise it could have grave consequences.

Speaking on the subject perspectives for peace and harmony in Indian subcontinent, speakers said low-level conflicts could escalate into full-fledged war and with both countries in possession of nuclear weapons, the threat of their use could not be ruled out. Such an eventuality would be disastrous for India and Pakistan and will have far-reaching impact on rest of the world, said a speaker.

The speakers were of the opinion that the situation benefitted only the military industrial complex which was making huge profits by selling arms. While democratic institutions in Pakistan are very weak, India is the largest democracy. Therefore, it becomes the duty of the Indian government to take the lead in restoring the talks without any precondition, otherwise things will get more complicated.

Charging the government with trying to draw political mileage of the prevailing situation, speakers at the seminar said carrying out huge propaganda of military operations (surgical strikes) was meant only for political gains. The Army chiefs statement on Kashmir is uncalled for and will be taken only as a provocative action, they opined.

Speaker said unfortunately, the RSS-guided government wanted to thrive on hatred and hegemony by destroying our composite culture. This could have grave implications. It was high time that all secular and democratic forces came together to foil the nefarious designs and strengthen peace and harmony in the Indian subcontinent.

Among those who addressed the seminar were Jagmoan Singh, Dr Arun Mitra, Dr Balbir Shah, MS Bhatia, Dr Rajinder Pal Aulukh, IS Sodhi.
Lucknow, May 30

The special CBI court on Tuesday ordered framing of charges against BJP leaders L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and nine others in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

The charges will be framed under Section 120-B, criminal conspiracy.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)



Earlier, all the 12 accused had pleaded not guilty and had moved a 'discharge application' rejecting the charges levelled against them.

Special judge S.K. Yadav rejected the plea and ordered framing of charges against all the 12 accused.

The accused have, however, been given bail on personal bonds.

Bail was also granted to BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmia and one-time Hindutva firebrand Sadhvi Ritambara, who too presented themselves before the court.

They were given bail on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each by the CBI Special judge.

They appeared before the court for framing of charges in the light of a Supreme Court order restoring the serious offence of criminal conspiracy against them.

After the court's order on the discharge applications, charges will be framed in the politically sensitive case, lawyers attending the proceedings said.

The court, which is hearing two separate cases relating to the demolition of the 16th-century mosque, had granted bail to Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma alias Prem Ji, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Dharma Das and Satish Pradhan earlier this month in the second matter.

After Advani, Joshi and Bharti did not turn up in court on May 25 and 26, the special court had said that no further application for an adjournment or exemption from personal appearance would be entertained.

The Supreme Court had on April 19 ordered the prosecution of Advani (89), Joshi (83), Bharti (58) and the others, directing that the trial be concluded in two years.

Advani this morning met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after he arrived at the VVIP guest house here before leaving for the special court.

The Supreme Court had called the destruction of the mosque a "crime" which shook the "secular fabric of the Constitution" while allowing the CBI's plea seeking restoration of the criminal conspiracy charge against the four BJP leaders, including Katiyar (62), and against Ritambara (53) and Dalmia, who is in his late eighties.

However, the top court had said BJP leader and Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, who was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh when the structure was razed, was entitled to immunity under the Constitution as long as he held the gubernatorial office.

It had transferred the case against Advani, Joshi, Bharti and three other accused from a Raebareli court to Lucknow for a joint trial in the demolition case.

Hindutva leader Vedanti claimed that he was among those who had pulled down the disputed structure in Ayodhya.

"I was one of those who had pulled the dome down," Vedanti, who appeared before the special court in the Ayodhya case, told reporters earlier.  Agencies
Berlin, May 30

India and Germany on Tuesday vowed to take strong measures against those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on a host of key issues like trade, skill development and climate change.

Pace of development of our relations is fast, direction positive and destination clear. Germany will always find India as powerful, prepared and capable partner, Modi said at a joint press interaction after holding talks with Merkel.

Following their talks, the two sides also signed 12 MOUs/agreements in fields like cyber policy, development initiatives, sustainable urban development, continued development of cluster managers and skill development, digitalisation, railway security and promoting vocational training.

The two sides also issued a joint statement after Modi and Merkel held the fourth India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC).

The two leaders underlined their common concern about the threat and global reach of terrorism and extremism while condemning terrorist violence in all its forms and manifestations, the joint statement said.

They agreed on the need to take strong measures against all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary and safe havens that sustain and support terrorist groups and organisations, it said.

India and Germany hailed their closer collaboration in countering these challenges through regular meetings of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.

They also called for finalisation and adoption of Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, it said.

Making a reference to terrorism, Modi said it was a big problem that faces future generations and all forces of humanity must come together to fight the menace.

Both our countries will work together to tackle this problem together and cyber security and intelligence sharing is a very important aspect of this cooperation, he said.

Modis remarks assume significance as they come in the wake of a spate of terror attacks that have struck European countries like Germany, France, the UK and Sweden recently.

The latest terror attack to have rocked Europe was at a concert in Manchester where a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing 22 people.

Modi said a comprehensive review of bilateral relations was undertaken during the talks with Merkel.

A quantum jump in economic relations can be seen between India and Germany and an outcome-oriented momentum can be seen building, he said.

At the last IGC in New Delhi, we had set up a fast-track system for German companies to invest in India and that has shown very good results, especially the Mittlestand (medium enterprises) companies, Modi told reporters.

On her part, Merkel said India has proved to be a reliable partner and the two sides have been able to deepen cooperation.

Modi also made a call for European Union (EU) unity and said India would play a positive role in enhancing that through Germany.

In a major boost to Merkel, who has been fighting against secessionist tendencies within the economic bloc since the Brexit vote in June last year, the prime minister praised her strong leadership.

EU unity, proactiveness and strong relations with other countries is extremely important for global development. We want the EU to become stronger and India will play a positive role towards that through the medium of Germany, Modi said.

Europe and the world are facing lots of challenges and to fight those, India believes, the world needs the strong leadership of Chancellor Merkel, he said.

Noting that India and Germany were made for each other, Modi highlighted that skills development was a key area of cooperation.

Germany has set global benchmarks in the field of skill development, which is important for India, Modi said.

India, with 800 million youth and 65 per cent of the population under the age of 35, will be benefited by skills development that Germany can provide, he said.

Modi said bilateral cooperation will extend to the field of sports and the Indian youth can benefit from Germanys strong football training skills.

Merkel said India and Germany had further expanded and deepened the bilateral relationship during Modis visit.

There has been signing of a number of declarations of intent with 1 billion euros going into development cooperation between the countries, she told reporters.

During their talks, the two leaders also expressed their commitment to strengthen global non-proliferation efforts.

Germany also backed Indias bid for the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Both countries, that are part of the G4, reaffirmed the urgent need for a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, including its expansion in both permanent and non- permanent categories of membership, to make it more effective, efficient and responsive to the existing challenges to international peace and security and representative of the contemporary geo-political realities, the statement said.

India and Germany agreed to continue cooperation towards the common aim of developing climate-friendly, efficient and sustainable solutions for Indias expanding energy needs and other areas of sustainable development, the statement said.

The two sides also vowed to strengthen the bilateral cyber relationship as laid out in the Joint Declaration of Intent on German-Indian Cooperation on Cyber Policy.

Both sides looked forward to a successful conclusion of the work of the UN Group of Governmental Experts in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security, the statement said.

Modi and Merkel also underlined their determination to ease bilateral trade and investment.

They pointed to the potential of open markets and the importance of investment protection for foreign investors for deepening trade relations and for attracting investments to the mutual benefit of both countries.

They also reaffirmed their strong commitment to the EU- India Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement and their commitment to bring about a resumption of the negotiations at the earliest possible date. This would, inter alia, allow to establish provisions for the mutual protection of new foreign investments, the statement said.

The signing ceremony for the MoUs took place at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, between senior Indian and German ministers and envoys before Modi and Merkel addressed the media.

The two leaders formal IGC deliberations lasted over an hour.

Modi was joined by his delegation of senior ministers including Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.

The last IGC was held in New Delhi in October, 2015, when bilateral ties were significantly scaled up.

Modi and Chancellor Merkel later proceeded to their meeting with senior business leaders before inaugurating the Indo-German Business Summit 2017.

Germany is the largest trade partner for India in the EU and one of the leading sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country.

There has been FDI of 2 billion dollars (from Germany) in the past two years, Indian Ambassador to Germany Mukta Dutta Tomar, said, highlighting the success of a fast track mechanism set up in 2015 to assist German businesses work in India and improve the ease of doing business.  PTI
Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 30

Aided by Cyclone Mora, southwest monsoon on Tuesday hit Kerala and also simultaneously advanced into some parts of north-eastern states some parts of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

The arrival over the Indian mainland in Kerala on May 30 occurred two days before the normal onset date of June 1.

According to the IMD, widespread rainfall occurred over Kerala during the past two days. Seventy-eight per cent monitoring stations reported rain in the past 48 hours.

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It advanced into some more parts of south Arabian Sea, remaining parts of MaldivesComorin area, southern parts of Lakshadweep area, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, some more parts of southwest Bay of Bengal, remaining parts of southeast Bay of Bengal, some parts of west central Bay of Bengal, most parts of east central and northeast Bay of Bengal and some parts of Nagaland-Manipur-Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

As far as North India is concerned, it will be sometime before monsoon arrives here.

While it is too early to predict, some meteorologists expect monsoon to land in the Delhi-Haryana-Punjab region around June 26-27. In the meantime, the region can expect western disturbances to keep it cool.

Thunderstorms are keeping the mercury in control in the region and currently temperatures are ruling well below normal (5.1C or below) at most places over Uttarakhand and at many places in western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi.

The Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) is currently passing through Kochi and Tondi in Kerala and Aizwal, Kohima and Deomali in the northeast.

Conditions, it said, were favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into remaining parts of south Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep area and Kerala, some parts of central Arabian Sea, coastal and south interior Karnataka, some more parts of Tamil Nadu, southwest, west central and east-central Bay of Bengal, most parts of northeast Bay of Bengal and some more parts of northeastern states during next the next three to four days.
Lucknow, May 30

BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj on Tuesday said "no power on earth" could stop the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya ahead of proceedings in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case here.

The Babri Masjid versus Ram temple debate should be dropped now, he said, claiming that those who had opposed the construction of the temple were now Ram bhakts.

The Muslim community too was in favour of a temple being built in Ayodhya, he told mediapersons here.

"No power on earth will be able to stop the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya," he said.

Meanwhile, senior Hindutva leader Ram Vilas Vedanti, an accused in the case, said that he was among those who had pulled down the structure in Ayodhya.

"I was one of those who had pulled down the dome of the disputed structure in Ayodhya," Vedanti, who is here to appear before the special court in the Ayodhya case, told reporters.

BJP stalwarts L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti are to appear before a special CBI court here for framing of charges in the demolition case. PTI
Lucknow, May 30

Taking cognisance of Uttar Pradesh Minister Swati Singh inaugurating a beer bar in Lucknow, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the former to clarify her stand over the matter.

On May 20, Singh had inaugurated a bar named 'Be the Beer' in Gomti Nagar area.

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Lucknow Range Inspector General Jai Narain Singh has also sought an explanation from IPS officer couple, Rae Bareli's Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh and Unnao Neha Pandey, for being part of the event.

The couple reportedly, left their duty mid-way to join the inauguration event.

In the pictures, Singh can be seen cutting a ribbon of the bar and holding a menu card with the bar's name imprinted on it.

Singh is Minister of State of women welfare, family welfare, maternity and child welfare in the Uttar Pradesh government.

The inauguration by a woman minister has become an issue for the government, as women groups in the state have been demanding a ban on the sale and consumption of liquor.

Is this promised Ram Raj', Cong asks BJP

The Congress on Tuesday questioned the intentions of the Yogi government after Uttar Pradesh Minister Swati Singh's photo of inaugurating a beer bar in Lucknow went viral.

The real face of the BJP has been exposed. This is not the Ram Raj that the BJP promised during elections. Had it been serious, the Chief Minister would have taken strict action on this. It clearly shows that this government cannot reel in their ministers let alone the criminal elements, said Congress leader Dwijendra Tripathi.

ANI
Dhaka, May 30

At least six persons were killed as Cyclone Mora made landfall in Bangladesh today, packing winds of up to 150 km per hour and damaging several houses, with authorities scrambling to evacuate nearly half a million people from the coastal areas.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the severe cyclonic storm Mora moved northward over North Bay and started crossing Coxs Bazar-Chittagong coast at 6 am (local time). It is likely to move in a northerly direction further, it said.

One of the six persons died of a heart attack during the storm while others were killed by falling trees and houses in Coxs Bazar and Rangamati, local media reported. Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader told the media that around 20,000 houses were damaged. The authorities moved hundreds of thousands of people to shelters.

Under the cyclones influence, gusty or squally wind with rain or thunder showers were continuing over North Bay and the coastal districts and maritime ports of Bangladesh, the Daily Star reported.

Wind speed is estimated at 130 kmph in Saint Martins Island and 150 kmph Coxs Bazar port after it hit the area in between 6 am and 7 am, Coxs Bazar Met official AKM Nazmul Haque said. All flights were cancelled to and from Chittagong international airport and the Coxs Bazar airports.

As many as 3,00,000 people had been taken to shelters in more than 10 districts most vulnerable to the cyclone, Additional Secretary Golam Mostafa, a spokesman for the disaster management ministrys control room, was quoted as saying by BD News.

The people were moved out to at least 400 cyclone shelters or safer places like schools and government offices in the coastal areas, a disaster management ministry spokesman said.

There are also fears for the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees living in makeshift homes after fleeing violence or persecution in neighbouring Myanmar.

At least 2.5 million people in 10 districts risk falling in the way of the severe cyclonic storm. The districts at risk were Coxs Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barisal and Pirojpur.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was monitoring the situation from Vienna, where she has gone to attend a conference on atomic energy.

The prime minister is maintaining round-the-clock communication with Dhaka on the storm situation. She has ordered all-out preparation to tackle the storm, said Ihsanul Karim, Prime Ministers press secretary.

Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, the low- lying areas of the coastal districts and their offshore islands were likely to be inundated by storm surge of 4-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide, the Met office said.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.  PTI

India braces for the storm

As the severe cyclonic storm has moved inland towards India, authorities have warned of heavy rain in the northeastern states of Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea in Odisha and West Bengal. The cyclone is likely to continue to move towards the North-East and weaken into a cyclonic storm and then into a deep depression.

Lanka flood toll 183
Melbourne, May 30

A mother who drowned three of her children and attempted to kill a fourth by driving the family car into an Australian lake was sentenced on Tuesday to 20 years and six months in prison.

Akon Guode, 37, drove a SUV carrying four of her seven children into the lake in Melbourne in April 2015. Her 5-year-old daughter Alual survived after passersby pulled her from the partially submerged car.

But Guodes 16-month-old son Bol and 4-year-old twins, Hanger and her brother Madit, died.

Victoria state Supreme Court Justice Lex Lasry said he would have sentenced Goude to life in prison if she had not pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder.

People dont understand why you did what you did, the judge said.

In my opinion, your actions were the product of extreme desperation, he added.

Goude wept and wailed through her sentencing hearing as the judge outlined her crimes and her troubled life that led to it.

Born one of 16 children in 1979, she fled Sudans civil war in which her husband died and arrived in Australia as a refugee in 2006.

The judge set a non-parole period of 20 years and said she would likely to be deported on release. Her hometown, the city of Wau, is now in South Sudan, which became an independent country in 2011. Its not clear to which country she will be deported. AP
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, May 30 (PTI) The World Health Organisation (WHO) has conferred a special recognition award on Union Health Minister J P Nadda for his commitment to advancing tobacco control in the country.

The global health body said that Nadda will be conferred the Director Generals Special Recognition Award for accelerating Indias tobacco control initiatives and taking bold measures to protect people against hazards of tobacco use.

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Interestingly, sources said that one of the main proposers for the award was K S Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), which was recently barred from getting foreign funds by the government.

WHO has also selected health ministers of the Maldives and Bhutan among five individuals or institutions from the WHO South-East Asia Region for this years World No-Tobacco Day Award.

"Nadda has accelerated Indias tobacco control initiatives, taking bold measures to protect people against multiple health, economic, social and development hazards of tobacco use," said Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia.

Indias recent initiatives include making graphic health warnings covering 85 per cent of all tobacco products mandatory beginning April 2016 and establishing national tobacco testing laboratories last year.

The initiatives also include launching cessation services in 2015 and, as part of this, a National Tobacco Quit line a year ago.

These have all been made possible by the strong commitment and focused efforts of the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, the Regional Director said in a WHO-South East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) statement.

Nadda is among the two recipients of the special global award this year.

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs of the Republic of the Gambia is the other awardee.

Singh added that by pursuing tobacco control measures, countries across the region are striving to advance public health at the same time as accelerating development.

"Tobacco consumption not only threatens and undermines public health, it has major social, economic and environmental consequences.

"On World No-Tobacco Day, we must pledge to continue our efforts to strengthen implementation of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), to address tobaccos threat to public health and sustainable development," Singh said.

Sources said that Nadda will be conferred the award at an event scheduled next month.

From the WHO South-East Asia Region, Health Minister of Maldives, Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim, has been conferred the World No-Tobacco Day Award for promoting tobacco cessation services and launching the anti-tobacco I Choose Life campaign last year.

Bhutans Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk, has been selected for the award for implementing measures, as chairperson of Bhutans Narcotic Control Authority, to ban production and sale of tobacco in the country.

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An MP from Bangladesh, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, has been selected for the World No-Tobacco Award for initiating inclusion of tobacco control in the countrys seventh five- year plan in 2015, for sustainable resources for the programme.

The CEO of Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Supreda Adulyanon and Sri Lankas National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol control are among the others selected for the award from the region this year. PTI TDS KUN

--- ENDS ---
After years of workshops and planning, Tulsas transit officials are readying to approve a plot for bus stops on Peoria Avenues high-frequency bus route.

The Bus Rapid Transit route, or BRT, is meant to modernize Tulsas bus system along Peoria Avenue where within a 10-minute walk there are 1 in 5 Tulsa jobs and 1 in 7 places of residence.

With two exceptions, the route has three full stops per mile or 10 blocks. One exception is where the Gilcrease Expressway cuts a quarter-mile swath through north Tulsa. The other is between 21st Street and 31st Street where neighbors said they didnt want a stop and dont need one, city officials said.

Instead, the planned route has a full, northbound and southbound stop at 21st Street and a southbound-only stop at 31st Street. Two blocks south at 33rd Street is a full, northbound and southbound stop.

No other group or neighborhood along the route opposed a planned stop, said James Wagner, chief of the Mayors Office of Innovation and Performance Strategy.

The feedback that we got from that neighborhood is that a station wasnt desired for that mile, Wagner said.

City officials said the absence of a bus stop on that stretch is justifiable through some of the lowest bus ridership in the city and few nearby destinations such as restaurants or businesses.

The Philbrook Museum of Art, the citys most popular museum, is less than a third of a mile from Peoria Avenue midway between 21st Street and 31st Street where a stop would be and presents a problem for the city.

For one thing, the museum is tucked into the neighborhood, presenting a pedestrian issue if hundreds of people are walking from the bus to the museum every week.

Councilor Blake Ewing called the lack of a station there frustrating from a philosophical standpoint but said he gets the logistics of why that largely residential mile could be skipped.

Some of it is just figuring out as a community what kind of community we are going to be, Ewing said.

Ewing said the Philbrook Museum could best be served by including it on a planned midtown circulator route so that transit customers could get dropped off directly at the front door.

But bus riders unwilling to transfer buses, as currently planned, would have to disembark near 31st Street and walk almost three-quarters of a mile to the museum.

Transit riders going to the Gathering Place would not be affected because there is no access to the park through the neighborhood. The best access for them from the Peoria bus route would be walking from 31st Street or 21st Street regardless of an extra bus route.

Transit officials said they didnt know why residents in the area dont want the extra stop.

Comment summaries from the most recent workshops meant to gather input on the planned stops actually included several comments asking for the previously planned stop between 21st Street and 31st Street.

The issue came up, and we did get a fair amount of comments for people wanting to go to Philbrook, said Debbie Ruggles, assistant general manager of Tulsa Transit. What people (opposed to a stop) said is that there wasnt a need.

Cullen Koger is neighborhood association president in Maple Ridge, which is on the west side of Peoria Avenue. He said his group has not reached an official position on whether to support a stop.

Koger said the group meets in the next month and hopes its position will be heard before the city begins installing stations in coming years.
Married at First Sight couple Simon McQuillan and Alene Khatcherian have split.

The couple who were paired in the last 2017 season were regarded as one of the shows most likely to succeed.

It was a difficult decision but we have decided to part ways, they said in the joint statement.

We remain the greatest of friends and we will continue to be part of each others lives. We thank you for (respecting our) privacy at this time.

News Corp questions whether long distance was a factor for McQuillan, 37, who owns Atlas Balance in Booval, and Khatcherian, 31, a nurse from Sydney.

Just one of 10 couples remains together from this years series, Nick Furphy and Sharon Marsh, although Zoe Hendrix and Alex Garner from Season 1 became proud parents last November.

TENs Bachelor Tim Robards recently proposed to partner Anna Heinrich.
Udaku Special

NAFASI ZA AJIRA BONYEZA HAPA





Marsha Minaj (left) with her friend Clea Adi Vybz

Police on Sunday gunned down two suspected gangsters believed to be members of the same gang as slain gangster, Claire Njoki Mwaniki, famously known as Clea Adi Vybz.One of the suspects, known by her alias- Marsha Minaj, is said to have been the best friend of the late Claire Njoki.Minaj was shot dead together with a male suspect believed to be her boyfriend on Sunday afternoon at a house in Migingo, in Patanisho area.The suspects were gunned down following a tip-off from members of the public on the whereabouts of the wanted criminals.Confirming the shooting, Nairobi County Police Commander Japheth Koome said when the police went to the house they were in, they found the two and attempted to arrest them but they engaged them in a shoot out.The officers were forced to return fire and they managed to fatally injure the two and recovered a pistol, five rounds of ammunition and three spent cartridges from the suspects, Mr Koome said.After the shooting, a mysterious police officer who identifies himself as Hessy wa Kayole on Facebook, posted gory pictures of the killed suspects on the Facebook group called Kayole Crime Free.Hessy had previously warned the female suspect through the same platform, that she would be killed if she did not reform from a life of crime.
| By Chris Zang

Antonio Tony Williams, MS, is retiring as police chief and associate vice president of public safety at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), effective July 1.

A steady and positive influence, Williams has served the University for more than seven years, and his tenure has been marked by steadily declining crime rates, recognition for meritorious service from the national Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, and innovative upgrades to safety programs like the Police Escort Service, which provides rides or walking escorts with UMB police to UMB faculty, staff, and students.

In the wake of two on-campus robberies the night of Oct. 6, 2014, Williams and UMB President Jay A. Perman, MD, quickly stepped forward with a series of town halls to address fears within the University community. With a highly effective information campaign  advising the Universitys people to secure their valuables, to pay attention to their surroundings, to walk without distractions and devices, and to use the escort service  crime began to fall. In fact, robberies fell from 12 in 2014 to four in 2015 to two in 2016.

Chief Williams has been a powerful leader and valuable advisor to me on many matters during his time here, Perman said. We thank him for his years of dedicated service to the University and wish him well in his retirement.

Williams took over from Cleveland Barnes as UMB police chief on Jan. 18, 2010. A Baltimore native, Williams retired from the Baltimore Police Department (1986-2005) before serving as chief of police for Baltimore City Public Schools (2005-2007) and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (2007-2010). He is a member of numerous organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the wonderful opportunity to serve the UMB community while working to make our community safe for students, faculty, staff, and visitors, Williams said of his retirement. I enjoyed collaborating with all segments of our community to help UMB be the best place to study, work, live, and visit. I appreciated the opportunity to lead one of the best public safety departments in the University System of Maryland. I will always consider myself a part of the UMB family. Best wishes to everyone. Stay safe!

Capt. Martinez Davenport, MS, interim chief of UMB Police

Capt. Martinez Davenport, MS, will serve as UMBs interim chief of police while a national search for a permanent replacement is undertaken. That search will be led by Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MPA, chief accountability officer and vice president, and Dawn M. Rhodes, MBA, chief business and finance officer and vice president.

Davenport joined the UMB Police Force in 2015 after 32 years of service with the Baltimore Police Department (BPD). He rose through the ranks in BPD, and retired as a major in 2015. Prior to joining BPD, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, taught as a substitute teacher in the Baltimore City School System, and worked with the Baltimore City YouthWorks program.

He earned an Associate of Arts degree from Baltimore City Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Coppin State University, and a Master of Science degree in applied behavior science from Johns Hopkins University.

Davenport teaches criminal justice and related courses as an adjunct professor at both Stevenson University and Baltimore City Community College.
Residents of Bria seek refuge from recent violence in the Central African Republic town.  UNHCR/Cassandra Vinograd

More funds are urgently needed to aid more than 88,000 people who have been forced to flee an upsurge in violence in the Central African Republic (CAR).

Since fighting flared in May between rebels more than 68,000 people have fled their homes within CAR, while more than 20,000 have sought refuge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

To assist those who have been recently forcibly displaced, UNHCR is calling for urgent support to its funding appeal of US$209.2 million for the CAR situation which is only 6 per cent funded.

Significant rebel activity on towns along the DRC border as well as rumours of possible attacks are pushing people to flee in the Haute Kotto and Mbomou prefectures inside CAR.

Over the last weeks, attacks of armed groups resulted in displacement within the three prefectures of Bria, Bangassou and Basse-Kotto. In Bria only, more than 41,000 people have been displaced. In addition, hundreds of civilians were reportedly killed. Most of the displaced sleep in the open or in makeshift shelters.

Humanitarian access in many of these areas remains severely restricted due to the security situation. UNHCR was however able to provide, through an inter-agency response, relief items for the newly displaced in Bria. We intend to distribute further relief, including family tents, mats, and blankets among the vulnerable families.

With available stocks in Bria, UNHCR will also be sending further relief from Bangui as our team assess the extent of the displacement in Bria and identify needs.

The recent upsurge in violence is also pushing people to cross the border into the DRCs Bas Uele and Ubangi provinces. Some 20,575 Central Africans have fled over the past two weeks, according to estimates. UNHCR teams have met some of the arrivals while others were reported by local authorities.

Central Africans continue to arrive in the DRC, citing fear of new violence. Most of the new arrivals are staying close to the rivers -- Mbomou and Ubangi-- constituting the border between the two countries, hoping to quickly cross the border again once the situation stabilizes.

UNHCR is particularly worried about the situation of the asylum seekers in the area near the small town of Ndu, just across the Mbomou River. People there arrived with hardly any belongings and some were wounded and require treatment. However, the area is so remote that UNHCR could not bring assistance by road and we are now assessing alternative options to reach Ndu.

Other areas, notably in DRCs North Ubangi province, are easier to reach. The new arrivals are settled along the banks of the river, and most of them have found shelter with local families. UNHCR is working with humanitarian partners to provide further assistance and relief.

There are 503,600 internally displaced persons in the CAR. Prior to the latest influx, there were 102,600 Central African refugees registered in the DRC.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
GENEVA  The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has expressed his warmest wishes to the millions of people observing the holy month of Ramadan, calling it a time of deep reflection and reconciliation.

The holy month comes at a time when more people are being forcibly uprooted than at any time in recent history, with over 65 million driven from their homes by war or persecution.

Families torn apart, innocent lives lost, children separated from their parents, said Grandi. These are some of the harsh realities that far too many people endure on a daily basis.

Families torn apart, innocent lives lost, children separated from their parents."

In the first half of last year alone, 1.7 million people were newly displaced within their own country, while 1.5 million had crossed an international border.

But despite the mounting challenges, Grandi said resolve to overcome them is far greater and praised the outpouring of generosity from individuals and communities to help those seeking refuge.

The spirit of solidarity, a central tenet in Islam, remains strong, said Grandi. It is in this very same spirit that refugees and the internally displaced also find relief and courage.

He called for solidarity and support to help in alleviating their tragic circumstances and rebuilding a vision of the future.

I wish you and your loved ones a blessed spiritual journey of fasting, prayer and deep reflection, he concluded.

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In response to todays Irish Supreme Court decision on the right of asylum-seekers to work, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, expressed its hope that the Irish government will amend domestic legislation to bring it into line with European laws on the rights of asylum-seekers.

Ireland is the only country in the European Union (EU) that currently prohibits asylum-seekers from entering employment, even after a period of delay said Enda ONeill, Head of Office with UNHCR Ireland. Todays Supreme Court Judgment confirms that Irelands own Constitution is in line with protections afforded by EU law.

The Supreme Court held unanimously that the indefinite ban on asylum-seekers seeking employment in Ireland is contrary to the constitutional right to seek employment. Under European Law, Member States must ensure that asylum applicants have access to the labour market no later than nine months from the date when the application for international protection was lodged, if they are still waiting for a first decision on their application. However, Ireland has decided not to apply this law as it retains an opt-in to all laws in the Justice and Home Affairs sphere.

The 2015 McMahon report recommended that asylum-seekers enjoy the right to work if still waiting for a first decision after nine months. Under current processing times, asylum-seekers in many cases are likely to wait between 12-18 months to receive their first decision.

Current backlogs mean that asylum-seekers are likely to wait for longer than nine months to get a first decision on their application. We urge the government to ensure sufficient resources to bring overall processing times down over the next 12 months," added O'Neill. "Timely appointments and the sufficient allocation of resources would ensure that only small numbers of applicants would ultimately need to have recourse to any new provisions on employment. It would equally provide those in need of international protection the opportunity to begin their integration process as soon as possible, and to reduce lengthy periods of time spent in Direct Provision, including vulnerable persons and children."
At the quay in Lampedusa, the Italian coastguard disembarks survivors of a boat tragedy in the Mediterranean, in February 2015.  UNHCR/Federico Fossi

The total number of people crossing the Central Mediterranean since the beginning of the year has now passed 60,000, with close to 9,500 migrants and refugees rescued over the past week and disembarked in various Italian ports.

A total of 50 bodies were disembarked over the past few days in Crotone, Palermo and Catania following an undetermined number of incidents, in which dozens of others are feared dead or missing at sea. The total number of dead and missing since the beginning of 2017 has now reached over 1,720.

Some 33 people lost their lives in a particularly deadly shipwreck, including 13 women and 7 children, with dozens others feared missing. The incident happened early morning on 24 May. As rescue operations started, refugees and migrants panicked and the boat took on water. The three-level wooden embarkation had left Libya the night before, with 700 to 900 passengers on board, including 300 persons crammed in the hold. A total of 593 survivors were disembarked in Crotone last Saturday and are receiving help, including psychological support, as many are deeply traumatized. Most come from Sudan, Eritrea, the Comoro Islands, Egypt and Morocco.

A second shipwreck was reported to us by survivors disembarked in Crotone on Friday. A dinghy carrying 126 people, mostly from Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan and Cameroon, left Sabratha, Libya, late morning on Wednesday 23 May. After a few hours, it deflated and people fell into water. An Egyptian fishing boat came to rescue them, but 82 people went dead or missing.

On 27 May, the Tunisian Coastguard rescued a boat carrying 126 people, including 48 women, a 5-year old boy and 3 babies, and took them to the port of Zarzis. The body of a Nigerian woman was also recovered from the boat which had departed from the Libyan port of Sabratha two days earlier. In close coordination with the Tunisian authorities, medical checks were carried out by MSF upon disembarkation, and those in need transferred to Zarzis regional hospital for treatment. Local volunteers provided food and drinking water to survivors, who were registered by the Tunisian authorities. The most vulnerable individuals are accommodated in a UNHCR dormitory, where they are receiving help, including clothes and relief items, from UNHCR and its partner, the Tunisian Red Crescent.

We have received deeply worrying reports of incidents at sea during crossings. Survivors disembarked in Salerno last Saturday told our staff that their boat was approached by criminals who stole their belongings and took their engine off, shooting in the air on several occasions. Luckily, nobody was wounded in the incident.

Several refugees and migrants landed on Lampedusa over the week-end had gunshot wounds. One man told our staff that he was shot in the leg by members of Libyan militias who also stole his belongings. Another man was shot in the arm and tortured by a trafficker to extract money from him. Many survivors also reported having witnessed friends being fired at or killed while in Libya.

Saving lives remains the top priority. UNHCR praises the Italian Coastguard for their constant efforts in coordinating rescue operations as well as the Tunisian Coastguard and the crew of all the ships involved for saving so many lives. We reiterate our call for credible alternatives to these dangerous crossings for people in need of international protection, including accessible and safe ways to reach Europe such as family reunification, resettlement and private sponsorship.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
An aerial view shows part of the Kakuma refugee camps in Kenya.  UNHCR/Siegfried Modola

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is implementing a number of measures to strengthen management and oversight of its Kakuma operation in Kenya in light of an internal investigation that found fraud and other serious misconduct.

UNHCRs investigation was prompted after allegations were received of fraud, corruption, threats and intimidation at the camp.

The investigation confirmed the involvement of five staff, against whom a range of actions have now been taken. These include, in three cases, referral by the UNs Office of Legal Affairs to the Kenyan police for criminal prosecution  so far resulting in one arrest. Two of the five have resigned, and disciplinary processes are under way against the remaining three.

UNHCR has separately launched an independent management review which has made a number of recommendations to accompany the disciplinary actions being taken against those found to have committed malfeasance.

As further measures to address the situation, and in parallel with the investigation, we immediately suspended normal resettlement submissions from Kakuma and reviewed processes. An information campaign is under way, and we are pursuing matters with our partners, including working with them to carry out their own investigations and to deepen anti-fraud awareness and prevention measures.

Protecting lives is at the core of UNHCRs work, which makes the betrayal of trust we have seen in this case so galling, said UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees George Okoth-Obbo. "The management review has provided us an understanding of what happened and allows us now to enhance a number of preventive, assurance, response and corrective measures in management, oversight and operational delivery."

Additional Information

UNHCR has immediately informed concerned partners of the investigation and we have briefed donors both in Nairobi and Geneva.

Investigations at UNHCR are done by the organizations Inspector Generals Office (IGO)  an independent investigative body which reports directly to the High Commissioner. The IGO conducts ad hoc inspections of field offices and Headquarters units; undertakes investigations of possible misconduct by UNHCR personnel or any entity with contractual links to the organization; and conducts inquiries into violent attacks on UNHCR personnel and operations. The team is made of experienced investigators, some of whom are former police officers.

All UNHCR staff, and staff of our partners, are expected to sign a Code of Conduct which specifies an obligation not to abuse positions in relation to beneficiaries and to make sure that all their actions are free of any consideration of personal gain. Staff must agree never to request any service or favour from refugees. The Code of Conduct does not have the force of law, however it serves as a guide to the kind of professional and personal behaviour that is expected. Failure to comply with the Code may amount to misconduct, and  as in this case  staff may be referred to national authorities for prosecution.

News contacts:

UNHCR Headquarters, Switzerland

Nairobi, Kenya
In recent Batman video games, players were given the ability to scan through walls using one of the many gadgets the superhero has at his disposal. Now, the same thing is possible in real life as German scientists from the Technical University of Munich develop a similar device.

According to Fossbytes, the Batman-like gadget works using simple Wi-Fi signal. Philipp Holl, in earlier media interviews, said that the scanner probes a room with someone's Wi-Fi transmission. For the record, Holl, together with a professor from the Technical University of Munich, developed the concept behind the new tech toy.

To further illustrate, the technology exploits Wi-Fi's ability to pass through walls. With the use of two antennas, they record a "Wi-Fi field" around a particular room. The antennas then catch the intensity and the phase of the Wi-Fi field, both from its source and the areas it bounces from.

Per the same source, the result is a "holographic image of the room. However, the image is not yet that vivid. Nonetheless, the concept has been proven effective in practice and not just in theory.

Now, Futurism reported that the ability to see through walls might be a little disturbing at first. For one, it could open doors to potential privacy exploitation issues. Fortunately, the developers from the Technical University of Munich assure that the gadget is unlikely to be used to spy bedrooms.

Rather than being a nuisance tech, the Batman-like device could definitely boost rescue and security surveillance techniques. The gadget can be used to spy agencies for legitimate operations requiring the scanning of hideouts. Also, it appears to be very useful in looking for victims under rubbles after a huge disaster like an earthquake or avalanche. The antennas could be placed in a truck and then be driven around the debris to look for survivors.
When the gene-editing tool CRISPR was introduced, it was hailed as the cure to all diseases including cancer. Recently, however, scientists discovered that there is a fatal flaw to the method. A flaw that can have dangerous effects if left unaddressed.

The CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tool has been touted to have the power to cure all genetic diseases, blindness, and cancer by adding, repairing, or deleting specific parts of the genome.

A team of researchers from the United States also used the method to restore sight to blind mice. The experiment was successful but the scientists noticed something else that caused alarm - it caused unintended mutations. Specifically, they found more than 1,500 small mutations and more than a hundred larger insertions and deletions in two of the sections of the mice.

Professor Stephen Tsang of Columbia University said that the scientific community should be aware of the potential hazards of off-target mutations if scientists will not use whole genome sequencing, which is necessary if testing live animals. He added that even the tiniest change in a single nucleotide can have great impact.

With that in consideration, Tsang encouraged other researchers who are using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing tool to use whole genome sequencing to find any off-target as well as important mutations.

Compared to the computer algorithm they used, he said that genome sequencing is important because it allows scientists to look at different edited versions of the genome and find the safest and most effective editing. A computer algorithm, on the other hand, is only effective when studying tissues in the laboratory.

Even though they issued the warning, researchers said that they are aware of the potential risks of CRISPR-Cas9 since it is considered a new kind of therapy. However, they believe that it still holds a lot of promise in fighting diseases.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday to remember those that have died while serving. For most people this means a day off work and a good reason to fire up the grill and spend time with friends and family.



For the Texas National Guards Military Funeral Honors Team, Memorial Day comes every day ... only barbecue is not included.

February 9, 2017 - Service members on the Texas Military Department's Military Funeral honors team prepare to issue a three volley salute during the funeral of a U.S. veteran. (Photo courtesy of Texas Military Funeral Honors) We are there at the moment when the family suffers the loss of their loved one who has passed away, said Jim Levine Jr., Military Funeral Honors State Coordinator. We are the last living representation of the military. Its us honoring their service every day.



This long-standing military custom dates back to World War I, and until recently, services were only provided when manpower was available. In 2001, the National Defense Authorization Act passed a law that mandated the United States Armed Forces provide the rendering of honors in a military funeral for any eligible veteran.



All family members want military funeral honors, they want to see that flag being folded and the sound of the trumpet, that is closure for the family, said Ricky Williams, memorial affairs coordinator, at Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.



The family member or next-of-kin of the veteran must request honors through their funeral director. The funeral director then contacts the appropriate military service to arrange for the funeral honors detail.



Most Texas veteran memorial requests are processed through the casualty assistance office of Fort Sam.



We cover everyone from Buda to Mexico and Beaumont to El Paso, active duty, reserves and National Guard, said Williams. We average 2,250 services a year.



Williams assigns the services to Military Funeral Honor teams based on their component, area of responsibility and availability. In instances where active duty teams are over tasked, Texas guardsmen can honor any veteran in Texas.



We depend on the Texas National Guard to help us make the family happy by coming out and performing funeral honors because we dont have the manpower without them, said Williams.



Recently, the team conducted a joint memorial service to honor a veteran from the Tuskegee Air Force.



We did a joint service for a Tuskegee Airmen from WWII with the Air Force, said Levine. Since he was a pilot in the Tuskegee Air Force, we were able to do that with him. The Air Force did the flag folding we did the firing party, it was a great deal.



The Texas Honor Guard has approximately 14 full-time Soldiers and 25 traditional Guardsmen. Regardless of the veterans military branch, Texas Guardsmen treat every service with honor and respect.



Its an honor for me to do this, said Texas Army National Guard Sgt. Jonathan Strother, assistant team leader for Military Funeral Honors. Whether they served in Vietnam, WWII or whatever era that they served, we want to leave a lasting impression of our sincerity and appreciation for their veterans services.



Strother joined the team in 2011 as a bugler and worked his way up to an assistant team lead. He is the first Texas Guardsmen to perform nearly 1,900 services.



His leadership role allows him to instill his knowledge and expertise to incoming Soldiers.



What I tell the young Soldiers coming in is be professional, this is not an easy job, we are on call seven days a week and we dont usually get weekends off, said Strother. It is a very stressful job dealing with death and the families, but it is a very rewarding in the same sense.



Through the military funeral honors program, Texas Guardsmen are able to share their passion of providing the family one last military honor.



The family sometimes doesnt see the honor behind their veterans service, they just know that he/she sacrifices; they are gone a lot and they deploy a lot, said Levine. But when they see our guys at the funeral, doing the flag folding, presenting the flag, playing the taps, we are honoring their service so therefore, for the family we are honoring their sacrifice.



As you celebrate your Memorial Day this year, please take a moment to remember those who have given their lives for our freedom, and their families still here. By U.S. Army Sgt. Elizabeth Pena, Texas Military Department

Provided through DVIDS

Copyright 2017 Honoring The Fallen | Don't Weep For Me | Remember The Fallen | Tears For Your Fallen Comment on this article
Book by UWs Couch Makes Kansas Notable Book List

UW Associate Lecturer Julianne Couch (Julianne Couch Photo)

Julianne Couch, an associate lecturer in the University of Wyomings Department of English, is the author of a book named a Kansas Notable Book by the State Library of Kansas.

The Small-Town Midwest: Resilience and Hope in the Twenty-First Century (University of Iowa Press, 2016) was one of 15 books selected for the award, celebrating Kansas cultural heritage. All winning titles were either written by Kansans or about a Kansas-related topic.

The Kansas Notable Book list highlights the states lively contemporary writing community. Couch is a Kansas native who completed her education at Emporia State University.

An awards ceremony will be held at the Kansas Book Festival Sept. 9 at the State Capitol. Kansas Notable Books is a project of the Kansas Center for the Book, a program of the State Library. Throughout the award year, the State Library promotes and encourages promotion of all the titles on that years list at literary events, and among librarians and booksellers.
By: Dezan Shira & Associates

Editor: Koushan Das

The Ministry of Labour, Invalid, and Social Affairs has proposed to revise the 2012 Labour Code to increase the overtime ceiling from 200 hours per year to 400 hours per year. Manufacturing enterprises have long asked to increase overtime limit to increase production efficiency, worker incomes, and competitiveness. Once the draft is approved, enterprises will be able to ask for more overtime work.

Overtime limits in Asia

The current overtime hours limit of 30 hours per month in Vietnam is much less than its neighboring countries. China, Laos, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia monthly limits at present are 36, 45, 56, 72, and 104 hours respectively, while Cambodia and Philippines have no such limits.

However, Vietnams overtime limit for sectors such as textiles and garments, leather, aquaculture, processing, telecommunications, and water and power supplies is set at 300 hours per year.

Need to change

For several years, enterprises in Vietnam have stressed the need to increase the overtime limits to increase production efficiency, increase labor incomes, and raise the competitiveness of the countrys labor market. Not only manufacturing, even IT services companies support the increase, arguing the need for round the clock technical support for clients.

Although Vietnam has benefitted in the last decade from low labor and production costs, productivity has been low which has prompted businesses to push for changes in overtime regulations to compensate for decreasing production efficiency.

RELATED: An Introduction to Overtime in Vietnam

Mixed Responses

The proposal has had mixed responses from enterprises, government officials, and workers. Most of the female workers believe that although an increase in overtime caps will increase their incomes, they would prefer to spend that time taking care of families. On the other hand, migrant workers welcomed the proposal, as it would increase their net income, which can cover their living expenses and increase their savings.

Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, which represents unions are against the proposal. They have cited issues such as enterprises taking undue advantage and workers health as their major concerns.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalid, and Social Affairs stated that they have considered workers issues and enterprises benefits before deciding to increase overtime caps. The government stresses the need to increase the limits to match up with neighboring competing countries with higher limits to remain competitive and increase production efficiency.

Overtime incomes, which can often be a third of total income, will benefit workers, increasing their spending capacity and savings. The increase in overtime caps will also help enterprises have a flexible workforce and address shortage issues and busy production periods. However, businesses need to maintain a balance to ensure workers are not fatigued which can affect production in the long run.

Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure

Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide.

An Introduction to Doing Business in Vietnam 2017

An Introduction to Doing Business in Vietnam 2017 will provide readers with an overview of the fundamentals of investing and conducting business in Vietnam. Compiled by Dezan Shira & Associates, a specialist foreign direct investment practice, this guide explains the basics of company establishment, annual compliance, taxation, human resources, payroll, and social insurance in this dynamic country.

Managing Contracts and Severance in Vietnam

In this issue of Vietnam Briefing, we discuss the prevailing state of labor pools in Vietnam and outline key considerations for those seeking to staff and retain workers in the country. We highlight the increasing demand for skilled labor, provide in depth coverage of existing contract options, and showcase severance liabilities that may arise if workers or employers choose to terminate their contracts.
What are the American business communitys expectations for Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucs visit to the US at the end of May?

We look forward to the renewal of high-level meetings between Vietnam and US leaders, and are especially happy to see that Prime Minister Phuc will be the first leader from the ASEAN region to meet with President Trump. We expect that the meetings will strengthen trade and investment relations between our countries.

Do you think that the US and Vietnam will need another trade tool, for example a new bilateral free trade agreement, to replace TPP and the existing bilateral trade agreement, to increase trade and investment co-operation?

AmCham strongly supported and advocated the ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). We believed that it would produce significant income gains for each of its 12 signatory member states. While we regret that the present administration effectively ended US participation, AmCham believes there are new paths forward to increase trade and investment between the US and Vietnam.

Among other things, we support a path towards a free trade agreement between our two countries through the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. For an FTA to move forward, it will need to be viewed as beneficial and fair by all parties. The American business community in Vietnam stands ready to do its part to make this goal a reality.

In addition, Vietnams robust implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement would be an excellent trade tool. A WTO Secretariat study reported that such implementation would reduce Vietnams trade costs by 20 per cent, making Vietnam much more competitive as a destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), and would help Vietnamese-based businesses connect to cross-border production networks.

According to AmChams recent survey, Vietnam is the number one choice for US companies. What are the factors driving the positive sentiment of American investors?

The main factor is the very positive results of FDI from the US. Trade between Vietnam and the US in 2016 exceeded $52 billion, with another double digit increase. Vietnam is the largest exporter to the US in the ASEAN region, accounting for 26.6 per cent of all ASEAN exports to America. In addition, Vietnam is the fastest-growing ASEAN export market for the US.

Renewable energy is one of the most attractive sectors for American investors. How are American investors preparing to tap into this sector?

AmCham and its partners wrote the Made in Vietnam Energy Plan, which provides a roadmap of necessary reforms to attract American investors, equipment suppliers, manufacturers, and operators.

The plan highlights the speed, low risk, and economic efficiency of fully utilising renewable energy resources, natural gas, and energy-efficient technology in Vietnam to meet the relentless growth in energy demand. The plan also lays out a roadmap to energy security in Vietnam from 2018 to 2030.

Global trends in the energy market include American consumers increasing demand for access to clean energy. American firms like Intel, Microsoft, Apple, Nike, and Walmart lead this dynamic movement.

The falling cost of American solar and wind technology now brings them close to parity with the cost of energy supplied by coal and natural gas.

Americans also present a new architecture for the power market with the 4th Industrial Revolution technologies. No longer is a power consumer playing a single role in the market. Consumers do not simply buy power and suppliers do not simply sell power. The American consumer in Vietnam now also wants to produce power with solar panels and store power in batteries, utilise the internet of things, and charge electric vehicles.

However, American firms state that if the Draft Solar Circular and the Draft Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) are not improved and the PPA template of the Ministry of Industry and Trade remains non-bankable, actual development and investment in solar power projects may be more limited than expected under the amended Power Development Plant VII, even though Vietnam has great potential as a solar power producer.

What are AmChams plans for advancing US-Vietnam trade relations in 2017 and into the future?

AmCham will certainly continue to champion efforts to strengthen trade and investment between the US and Vietnam. It will constructively co-operate in identifying non-tariff trade barriers and supporting Prime Minister Phucs efforts to reduce red tape and business costs.

Additionally, we are dedicated to assisting the development of Vietnamese SMEs and their increased participation in global supply chains via our participation, along with VCCI and USAID, in the Vietnam Trade Facilitation Alliance. This Alliance provides technical assistance related to customs administration, trade facilitation, and food safety. This year, AmCham will also be expanding the very popular Supplier Day programme, whereby FDI companies meet with Vietnamese enterprises to establish business links.

We also congratulate the government on the hosting of APEC 2017 and express our hope and confidence among the business community that Vietnams best days are ahead of it.
A computer systems failure at British Airways caused chaos for thousands of holidaymakers on a busy holiday weekend. (Photo: AFP/Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS)

LONDON: People can be remarkably tolerant of long travel delays when they are clearly unavoidable, clearly communicated and accompanied by practical efforts to limit the inconvenience and help those affected make alternative plans.

None of these mitigating features was evident at Heathrow or Gatwick airports on Saturday, when a computer system crash forced British Airways to cancel all its flights out of London on one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Instead, thousands of passengers were left stranded without information, many of them unable to retrieve their luggage or even leave the terminal. British Airways staff were conspicuous by their absence.

NO GOOD EXCUSE

When the airline's chief executive, Alex Cruz, eventually donned a yellow jacket to issue an apology posted on Twitter, his message amounted to: "We're really sorry, but please don't come to the airport, and please, please don't try to call customer services."

On Sunday, he offered further apologies, acknowledging many families had endured a "horrible experience", but Heathrow remained crowded and chaotic, with about a third of British Airways flights still cancelled.

On the scant information available so far, there appears to be no good excuse for the crippling IT failure. Mr Cruz said there was no evidence of a cyberattack and that the root cause seemed to be a power supply issue - the same reason given by Delta, the US airline, when IT problems forced it to ground planes around the world last year.

This is an entirely inadequate explanation. Whatever back-up systems British Airways had in place, they are woefully deficient if they cannot withstand a power cut. No chief executive today can afford to underestimate the threat posed by either cyberattack or more mundane IT glitches.

Equally inexcusable, though, was British Airway's failure to look after families left in limbo. Those executives responsible for such errors should be held to account. Mr Cruz must be ruthless with subordinates who dropped the ball, but his own management of the crisis should be equally scrutinised.

British Airways GMB trade union was swift to blame the disruption on British Airway's decision to outsource some of its IT functions. Given their natural bias, this claim needs substantiation.

But British Airways has been more aggressive than other legacy airlines in cutting costs to compete with low-cost carriers and new challengers on its long-haul routes. It has irked customers by trimming frills, from the flowers in first-class toilets to economy-class leg room. This incident will prompt questions as to whether it is also scrimping on essentials.

PRIVILEGED POSITION

If so, it will be entirely self-defeating. British Airways has two big advantages over its rivals. One is its brand. There is an enduring perception that the former flag carrier offers higher standards, better customer service and is intrinsically more trustworthy than the low-cost upstarts. This perception will not survive many more such debacles.

British Airways other huge asset, though, is its dominant position at Heathrow, a hub for the most lucrative long-haul routes used by business travellers, where it holds more than 50 per cent of take-off and landing slots. This is partly due to astute deal-making: British Airways gained new slots as a result of its parent company IAG's takeovers of British regional airline BMI and Irelands flag airline Aer Lingus.

But it is largely a legacy of its days as a flag carrier: British Airways has "grandfathered" rights to its existing slots and can keep them so long as it uses them. Although slot trading is allowed, the severe capacity constraints at Heathrow mean that very few new slots are made available.

Under the current regulatory regime, this makes British Airways advantage a formidable one. It is increasingly questionable whether the airline deserves its privileged position.
The imposition of cement export tax is said to undermine the industrys competitiveness. - Photo baoxaydung.com.vn

Under the Decree No 122/2016/ND-CP, which took effect from September 1, 2016, if spending on natural resources and energy for production accounts for 51 per cent of a products price or higher, the product will be subject to an export tax of 5 per cent. The decree was raised with an aim to limit the export of natural resources and minerals. Cement is currently subject to the tax.

The National Assembly Finance and Budget Committee has asked the Ministry of Finance to review this regulation, adding that it was difficult to verify the volume of natural resources producers are using and the costs of energy they are incurring, making the regulation infeasible and burdening export firms.

The Committee said the appropriateness of this regulation in reality must be evaluated to propose amendments and remove difficulties for firms.

According to Nguyen Quang Cung, president of Viet Nam Cement Association, there is currently no basis to verify the content of natural resources and energy costs. He said that they still rely on the declaration of producers, which is a loophole that firms could exploit to avoid tax.

In addition, such tax imposition on cement would discourage the application of new technologies in production to reduce prices. Modern technologies would help create economies of scale, thereby reducing total production cost, while spending on natural resource materials is unchanged. Therefore, the percentage of natural resource cost could exceed 51 per cent and it is possibly that they would pay much more tax, Cung said.

If tax imposition on cement aims to prevent the export of natural resources, other tax calculation methods such as partially progressive tariff like what is applied for the personal income tax should be applied rather than a fixed tax rate, he added.

He said that the export tax was undermining the competitiveness of the cement industry, which was struggling with a stockpile in the domestic market.

The association said that the current production capacity of domestic cement plants totalled 88 million tonnes per year and expansions and new plants were forecast to boost production capacity to between 120 million and 130 million tonnes by 2020. Meanwhile, domestic consumption demand was anticipated to reach only 82 million by 2020.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and French President Emmanuel Macron (L) wave upon their arrival at the Versailles Palace, near Paris, ahead of their meeting. (STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP)

Their first meeting since Macron took office provided another test of the Frenchman's diplomatic skills after his memorable vice-grip handshake last week with US President Donald Trump.

This time the handshake was warmer but the tone guarded after an hour of talks on the 300th anniversary of a visit to Versailles by tsar Peter the Great.

Putin admitted to some differences of opinion in the talks which covered issues including the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, but insisted that Franco-Russian ties withstood "all points of friction".

"We disagree on a number of things but at least we discussed them," Macron said.

"Our absolute priority is the fight against terrorism and the eradication of terrorist groups and Daesh in particular," he said, using an alternate name for the Islamic State group that has claimed several deadly attacks in France.

'ORGANS OF PROPAGANDA'

The newly elected French leader said he wanted to work more closely with Russia to try resolve the six-year war in Syria, one of the sticking points in relations between the West and Moscow which backs the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

Calling for "a democratic transition that preserves the Syrian state", he warned that "failed states" in the Middle East emboldened terror groups and posed a threat to the West.

But in an apparent warning to Assad and Russia, he said the use of chemical weapons was a "red line" that would draw an "immediate response" from France.

The pair also discussed the Western sanctions imposed on Russia over its encroachment on neighbouring Ukraine as well as allegations of Russian meddling in France's presidential campaign.

The Russian strongman defended hosting Macron's far-right rival Marine Le Pen - seen as the Kremlin's favourite - for a visit during the race, saying he had no cause to deny her request for an audience.

He also shrugged off allegations that Russian hackers infiltrated Macron's campaign. "Maybe they were Russian hackers, maybe they were not," he said.

A more candid Macron let fly when questioned about two pro-Kremlin media outlets that were barred from his campaign headquarters after being accused of a smear campaign.

The RT broadcaster and Sputnik agency are "organs of influence and untruthful propaganda, nothing more, nothing less," he declared.

RT's chief editor Margarita Simonyan, in a statement, dismissed Macron's comment as "baseless accusations" for which "not a single piece of evidence" had been provided.

Macron also took the bull by the horns on human rights, saying Putin had promised him "the whole truth" about an alleged crackdown on gay men in Russian-controlled Chechnya and warning he would be "vigilant" on the issue.

'NO CONCESSIONS'

France's youngest ever president made a successful debut on the world stage last week, holding his own against Trump at a NATO summit in Brussels and winning plaudits from his peers at a G7 summit in Italy.

Ahead of Putin's visit, the 39-year-old centrist told a French weekly that he was not "bothered" by leaders who "think in terms of power dynamics".

He said he would make "not a single concession" to Russia on the three-year-old conflict in eastern Ukraine, with he and his G7 counterparts saying they were prepared to strengthen sanctions against Moscow.

Macron said he, Putin and the leaders of Germany and Ukraine would meet soon for talks, "which will allow us to make a complete evaluation of the situation".

MODERNISING TSAR

Western powers charge Russia with failing to honour its commitments under the Minsk accords framework for ending the violence between government forces and Kremlin-backed rebels in Ukraine's east.

Putin said the sanctions imposed on Russia, which have seriously hurt trade with the EU, had "in no way" advanced the prospects of a lasting peace.

Directly after the French election he moved quickly to try reset relations with France, congratulating Macron and urging him to work to overcome their countries' "mutual distrust".

Monday's visit comes seven months after the Russian leader cancelled a trip to Paris amid a row over Syria with Macron's predecessor Francois Hollande, who had said Russia's bombing of Aleppo could amount to war crimes.

In Versailles, he and Macron inaugurated an exhibition marking the visit of Russia's modernising tsar Peter the Great to Versailles in 1717.

The fervently pro-Europe Macron said his invitation to Putin aimed to showcase "a Russia which is open to Europe".

Putin later visited a new Orthodox cathedral complex in central Paris.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc: Photo: Luong Thai Linh/Bloomberg

What is the purpose of your visit to the US and your message to Trump Administration?

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc: At the invitation of President Donald Trump, I will lead a high-level Government delegation to pay an official visit to the US where I will hold talks with the US President on May 31 at the White House. This is the first visit of a senior Vietnamese leader to the US since President Donald Trump took office. In pursuance of the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multi-lateralization of external affairs with a focus on accelerating and deepening relations with major partners and countries as well as the orientation of proactive international integration, the visit aims to strengthen the Viet Nam-US comprehensive partnership effectively and really both in depth and width in all bilateral, regional and international aspects.

I would like to convey to President Donald Trump and American people the message that the Vietnamese leaders and people consistently attach importance to the relationship with the US, stand ready to cooperate with President Trumps Administration to promote the achievements of 20-year cooperation between the two countries and boost the comprehensive partnership in a sound, stable and long-term manner based on respecting the UN Charter, international law, independence, sovereignty, political system and development path of each country, equal cooperation for mutual benefits, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability and development in Asia-Pacific.

Does Viet Nam plan to discuss on a free trade agreement with the US?

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc: Viet Nam signed the bilateral trade agreement with the US in 2001 and both sides have negotiated and signed a number of economic agreements. These agreements have taken effect, which have helped vigorously accelerate economic ties between Viet Nam and the US and the economic reform and international integration process of Viet Nam as well as assist Viet Nam to actively participate in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. After the US withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the two sides have restarted the cooperation mechanism under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to deal with economic and trade issues of common concerns. Now, the two sides competent agencies are actively engaging in talks to improve cooperation mechanisms related to trade towards more effectiveness, convenience and mutual benefits.

With its policy of active international integration and deep participation in international economic linkages, Viet Nam has become an important link of the economic linkage network of 59 economic partners, including 15 members of the G20. From this perspective, Viet Nam stands ready to discuss with other countries, including the US on new forms of cooperation to push economic and trade linkages based on equality and mutual benefits. At the same time, Viet Nam will continue efforts to improve domestic business and investment environment in favor of foreign businesses and investors, including American ones to do business in Viet Nam.

Could you clarify the importance of economic relations between Viet Nam and the US?

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc: Since normalization of the diplomatic ties in 1995, economic cooperation is a prominent point, a pillar and an impetus of the bilateral ties. The US is now one of the top trade partners of Viet Nam. As the two economies are supplementary and they are not direct competitors, the two-way trade has kept rising continuously and quickly, from US$500 million in 1995 to nearly US$50 billion in 2016, bringing practical benefits to both Viet Nam and the US. Viet Nam imports many goods and services from the US while exporting many goods that are no longer produced by the US. The US is the 8th biggest foreign investor in Viet Nam with 815 projects worth over US$10 billion.

However, I believe that the bilateral ties are not commensurate with potential and demands of the two countries; there are many opportunities for cooperation between the two countries businesses, especially in such fields like energy-petroleum, infrastructure, high-tech, finance-banking, education and training, tourism among others. In the face of the 4th industrial revolution, both sides can also boost cooperation in science-technology and innovations.

I affirm the two sides possess vast potential in economic cooperation to enhance growth and job creation in both countries. This is also one of the key topics that I will discuss with President Donald Trump. During the visit, businesses of the two countries will ink many contracts worth billions of US dollars.

What do you think about the viewpoint saying that the US and other countries are pursuing protectionism?

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc: I believe that free trade, international integration and economic linkage are still the prevailing trend in Asia-Pacific and the world. One of the example is that many linkage initiatives have been taken shaped and deployed at regional, inter-regional and global scales. Maybe at present, the US does not give priority to pursuing free trade agreements like TPP. We respect the USs decision but I think the US will still boost economic freedom and linkage through bilateral agreements.

Viet Nam is one of the economies that are highly open to the world (the countrys import-export value accounts for more than 170% GDP), having economic and trade relations with 230 countries and territories. It has signed or are negotiating 16 bilateral and multi-lateral free trade agreements involving 59 partners, including the worlds biggest economies. In multi-lateral aspect, Viet Nam has actively and proactively participated in top economic and trade cooperation mechanisms, prominently the ASEAN Community and is now the host of APEC Year 2017. We are consistently pursuing international integration and accelerating comprehensive reform, improving competitiveness for fast and sustainable development.

In the time to come, countries need to continue accelerating economic cooperation and linkages to exploit the benefits of globalization and free trade and investment to the maximum while reducing negative impacts from this process. For the US, no matter where the regional and international economic linkage process goes, Viet Nam still expects to enhance cooperation and deepen trade and economic ties with the US on the basis of mutual respect, equality and satisfaction of the aspiration and interests of the two countries businesses and people.

I expect that the US would further promote cooperative activities, especially in economic and trade domains to contribute to the common prosperity in the region and the world.
The 270-degree technology, launched by CGV, a film distributor and cinema operator in Viet Nam, projects footage onto the front main screen and the two side walls (with six projectors on each wall). - Photo courtesy of CGV

The 270-degree technology, launched by CGV, a film distributor and cinema operator in Viet Nam, projects footage onto the front main screen and the two side walls (with six projectors on each wall), which will provide audiences the most immersive cinema experience, no longer limiting film makers to a bordered frame.

The first two ScreenX screens have been installed at CGV Hung Vuong Plaza in HCM City and CGV Aeon Long Bien in Ha Noi. One auditorium each at both cinemas will be renovated to apply this new technology, expecting to accommodate 200-250 people.

CGV also plans to invest some US$200 million in the 2017-2020 period to introduce state-of-the-art cinema technologies to its cinema system nationwide.

We believe that with potential market growth, together with the right direction and the investment of all stakeholders in the industry, Viet Nam will be positioned among the top five developed film markets in the whole world in the next 5-7 years, CEO of CGV Viet Nam, Dong Won Kwak said.

It is expected that by the end of 2017, CGV will operate more than 50 cinemas nationwide, including the remote areas such as the northern province of Yen Bai, southern province of Tra Vinh, Kien Giang and Vinh Long.
Photo for illustration: patients receive dialysis at Bach Mai Hospital.-Photo nld.com.vn

As soon as the deaths were reported, the hospital turned off its dialysis machines and transferred the living patients to Hoa Binh Citys General Hospital for emergency aid.

Director of the provinces Department of Health Tran Quang Khanh said that patients were given intensive care and doctors from Ha Noi-based Bach Mai Hospital were summoned to the northern province for further medical assessment.

The doctors will also help detect the cause of the incident, Khanh said, adding that the investigation would require time.

Luong Ngoc Khue, director general of the Medical Examination and Treatment Department under Ministry of Health said that when informed of the case, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien assigned him to lead a ministrys group to Hoa Binh on the same day to deliver assistance and detect the incidents causes.
Larpinthe owner of Hong Kong-based Asia Investment Fundrecently selected Phu Quocs Khem Beach as his new investment destination. He also owns high-end jewellery and olive oil processing firms and a luxury cruise ship service named Michelangelo Cruises. Larpin explained why he decided to invest in the Khem Beach.

Billionaire financial expert Christian A. Larpin

What convinced you to come to Khem Beach four times within a short period of time?

Of course, I combined both looking for business opportunities and relaxation in Phu Quoc. But during my first visit to Khem Beach in January this year, I was literally taken aback by the beauty of this pristine beach.

The stretching white sandbank, the natural forest, the warm, blue sea, the charming hills, and the sun all year roundKhem Beach reminds me of the South of France 60 years ago, and I immediately thought that this is where I belong.

The wildness of the nature, the warm and friendly islanders, and the great potential for development in the future have urged me to come back to Khem Beach to promote investment.

When I returned to Khem Beach, I took my wife and children so the whole family could enjoy this paradise on earth.

From the perspective of an experienced investor, how do you assess the development of Khem Beach?

Christian A. Larpin with his wife and son

Both Khem Beach and Phu Quoc, especially the southern part of the island, will definitely become a world-class luxury travel destination in the next 3-5 years.

The unique location, the overwhelming natural beauty, and pure Vietnamese culture are the root of the places charm.

In addition, I see unique world-class projects from Sun Group, such as JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, the Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort, the Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, and the Khem Beach Resortand there is just so much more coming in the near future.

Why did you decide to invest in Sun Groups resort estate projects?

First of all, Sun Group made sure that each of its projects is located in a unique and distinctive setting. Danang and Phu Quoc both hold unparalleled potential for luxury travel.

In addition, each project is a masterpiece in its own right, with whimsical, creative features from the exterior architecture to the interior design. I have never seen repetition in any work developed by Sun Group.

In addition, I trust the great partners that Sun Group has cooperated with to create their resort real estate projects. You can build a beautiful villa, but if your customer service is not good, visitors will never come back.

These are the reasons why I will work together with Sun Group to create luxurious and unique tourism products for Phu Quoc in the future.

A villa of Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort, developed by Sun Group

What do you think should be done more to attract investors to Khem Beach?

As I have said, if the infrastructure is properly developed, Khem Beach and Phu Quoc will become popular destinations for high-class travellers for both short and long-term stays. For example, direct flights from Hong Kong or Singapore, or more luxury resorts like JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay would drive the number of visitors through the roof.

Along with these, it will be necessary to come out with new luxury travel services, like cruises. We plan to partner up with Sun Group to start cruises and other luxury services on the island.

Our high-class customers from Hong Kong, Macau, and Switzerland, among others, will certainly enjoy exploring Khem Beach and go cruising on these beautiful waters.

Billion-dollar projects transform Phu Quoc vista As of now, Phu Quoc Island has attracted $16.7 billion in investment capital to a range of international-scale projects that not only gave the island a new face, but also attracted other projects as well as tourists. Sun Groups projects in the south of the island are one of the engines of change.

Sun Group confirmed as sole casino operator in Van Don A recent document issued by the Quang Ninh Peoples Committee stated that real estate developer Sun Group is the only one chosen to develop a casino in Van Don Economic Zone.

Attractive incentives await buyers of Sun Group properties this March Sun Group is holding the sales launch ceremony for the villas in the Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort and condotels in the Premier Residences Phu Quoc Emerald Bay on March 11 at New World hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and on March 12 at Pullman hotel in Hanoi.
Under AmCham Singapores ASEAN Business Outlook Survey, 97 per cent expect a profit increase in 2017, Photo: Le Toan

Damian Kassabgi, director of Public Policy for the Asia-Pacific region for the US-based giant Uber Technologies, came to Vietnam on May 19 with plans to expand the firms operations here.

Uber is a smartphone application that connects drivers with people who need rides.

Uber has been operating in Vietnam for only three years, but its revenue growth has hit double digits, and we are expecting a growth rate of triple digits in the very near future, Kassabgi told VIR.

Recently, the Ministry of Transport has approved Uber Vietnams pilot project, which applies technology to connect and manage contracted passenger transportation.

We are seeing fast growth in Vietnam, where there is a huge demand for our services. We currently have two offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but will soon expand operations to many other localities, Kassabgi said.

Uber is one among many US firms wishing to expand their business within Vietnam.

Vietnam is becoming an attractive investment destination for US firms and investors like Uber, ExxonMobil, and Cargill. We expect the US will soon become one of Vietnams top foreign investors, State President Tran Dai Quang said at the May 19 conference on the future of bilateral economic relations between Vietnam and the US in Hanoi.

Lucrative investment locale

Quang said that thanks to the good relations between the two countries  and Vietnams improved investment and business climate  many US firms have signed large co-operative deals with Vietnamese institutions, focusing on many sectors such as oil and gas, IT, and electronics.

For example in January 2017, state energy group PetroVietnam inked a $10 billion deal with ExxonMobil to develop Blue Whale deep-water gas reserve for power generation, Quang told the conference, attended by representatives of many big US firms wishing to expand business in Vietnam.

The Blue Whale project, which is Vietnams biggest gas project with an estimated 150 billion cubic metres of natural gas reserves, aims to produce the first gas for power plants by 2023. This project is expected to contribute nearly $20 billion to the state coffers.

Under the agreement, ExxonMobil is to build several works to exploit gas, and an 88 kilometre pipeline to connect the gas field to shore, while PetroVietnam will build a gas treatment plant and a power plant.

The firms at the conference included Mastercard, Visa, Uber, Microsoft, Gap, Cargill, Google, Coca-Cola, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and PhRMA.

Many of these firms are working with Vietnams state agencies to expand their operations in Vietnam.

For example, an undisclosed firm from the US wants to invest in the electronics industry in Vietnam from a third nation. This project may have investment capital in the billions of US dollars and a production scale on par with that of Intel.

This firm is currently working with a US investment consulting firm based in Hanoi to review and revise their plans before they officially begin working with the Vietnamese government.

Vietnam offers special incentives to high-tech projects, especially in terms of taxation. High-tech projects are eligible to receive a 10 per cent corporate income tax (CIT) for the first 30 years of operation, during which there will be a CIT exemption for the first four years and a 50 per cent CIT reduction for the next nine years thereafter. The countrys normal CIT rate is 20 per cent.

Another firm that is considering a Vietnamese expansion is Cargill Vietnam. In December 2017, Cargill will put into operation a $10 million warehousing facility in Phu My port in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. The firm is also interested in the development of a northern port  because of expansions and increased capacity in the countrys northern region  and is eager to discuss this possibility with the Ministry of Transport.

Vietnam is a critical aquaculture market for Cargill. Cargill will continue to be an active investor in Vietnam by further expanding its workforce, manufacturing capabilities, distribution network, and product line diversity, Jorge Becerra, managing director of Cargill Feed and Nutrition Vietnam, told VIR.

Cargill is currently constructing a $30 million feed mill in the southern province of Binh Duong, and is also planning to build another in the northern Bac Ninh province. Last year, the group began operating its 11th feed mill in the central province of Nghe An, with an annual capacity of 60,000 tonnes.

At a recent meeting with Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, Tomoyuki Sasama, country director of Dow Chemical in Vietnam, said that the firm obtained a business licence in Ho Chi Minh City last year, and will continue expanding its operations this year.

Dow Chemical is now co-operating with many businesses in Vietnam in the sectors of agriculture, biology, and services. Sasama said Dow Chemical stands ready to support Vietnam to compile a national list of chemicals to be used for research and development purposes.

Arn Vogels, country manager and chief representative for Indochina at Mastercard, and Sean Preston, country manager of Visa in Vietnam-Cambodia and Laos, both said that their firms will work with Vietnams government to develop a non-cash payment system in the country.

In another instance, Sanket Ray, CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam Ltd., said that Coca-Cola is committed to continuing its investment in Vietnam. Recently, it added $285 million, raising its total investment in Vietnam to $1 billion.

The investment will be used to expand Coca-Colas production facilities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the recently released AmCham Singapores ASEAN Business Outlook Survey 2017, out of 100 American firms in Vietnam that responded, 72 per cent said Vietnams investment environment is improving, higher than in Myanmar (70 per cent), Malaysia (23 per cent), Thailand (22 per cent), and Brunei (16 per cent).

Eighty per cent of respondents reported that they will expand their business in Vietnam, and 97 per cent expect a profit increase in 2017. Sixty per cent said they will increase their workforce in Vietnam.

Forty per cent of respondents across the region reported that Vietnam continues to be their top-priority market for future business expansion, up from last years 31 per cent. In 2016, Vietnam was the top destination for US companies planning to expand in ASEAN.

Currently, all key sectors in Vietnam are home to big US investors, such as oil and gas (ExxonMobil), aviation (Boeing and ADC-HAS Airport), IT (Microsoft, Intel, and HP), and electricity and electrical equipment (General Electric, General Atlantis, and AES).

It is important to understand that US tax laws and business considerations related to the relatively small size of the Vietnamese domestic market encourage many US companies to invest in Vietnam from regional headquarters, most commonly Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as to some degree from other countries with more favourable tax reporting requirements, Adam Sitkoff, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Hanoi, told VIR.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, by late March 2017, the US was Vietnams ninth largest foreign investor, with 834 valid investment projects registered at $10.2 billion.

Long-term commitment

A co-operation deal between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and AmCham was signed last week, with the two sides committing to boost American investment in Vietnam.

Since early this year, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) has worked with the government three times, affirming that US firms attach great importance to this market.

During a recent meeting between Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and USABC, Dung expressed his concerns over the prospects of US investments leaving Vietnam following the US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In response, Michael Michalak, senior vice president and regional managing director of USABC, said that although Trump does not want US firms to invest overseas, the firms USABC represents  in general  still want to invest outside of the US.

They will continue making investment-related decisions not based on any single order, but based on the attractiveness of the foreign markets, including Vietnam, Michalak said. We hope Vietnam will continue being an attractive investment destination for US investors.

Agreeing with this view, Kassabgi of Uber, a member of USABC, said Uber wants to do long-term business in Vietnam, where it sees strong development in digital technology and vehicles that fit its business model. Vietnams internet is very good. And there are many drivers willing to share their cars and motorbikes. One of the special things about Vietnam is Uber motor, which we cannot see in Western nations. We have adapted our products to motorbikes in Vietnam, Kassabgi said.
The first event of its kind in Vietnam, the AVCJ Vietnam Forum offered in-depth analysis of the risks and rewards presented to private investors looking to commit capital to the growing economy of Vietnam.

There are a lot of opportunities in Vietnam now but challenges are also ahead, Mr. Andy Ho, Chief Investment Officer at VinaCapital, told the forum. He added that industries seeing the most activity are logistics, media, technology, and FinTech.

Vietnam is now more fiercely competitive, but enterprises must coordinate with each other based on a win-win situation in order to survive, he said.

Among the ten ASEAN countries, according to global investors, Vietnam, behind Singapore, has the most open economy. It is involved in a range of bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements with the US, the EU, and other leading economies.

Vietnam exports in excess of $1 billion to nearly 30 markets, according to Mr. Tran Anh Dung, Chairman of the Thien Phu Energy Investment JSC.

He agreed that political stability is a key factor in attracting investment, among others, such as its geopolitical location.

With strong macroeconomic fundamentals, a stable political environment, and investment reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment, Vietnam has become a destination of choice in Southeast Asia.

While there is an active local general partner (GP) community already in place, global and regional funds are increasing their interest and, therefore, helping the domestic private equity ecosystem gain momentum and compete with other Asian markets.

The forum provided a platform for attendees to showcase the latest alternative investment opportunities, share strategies for navigating the Vietnamese market, while networking with a diverse audience of limited partners (LPs), GPs, and service providers.

This will be among the largest investment forums held in Vietnam in 2017, and included six topics: Vietnams place in an Asian private equity portfolio; Examining the opportunities for M&A and cross-border deals; Real estate opportunities and challenges; Venture capital (VC) targeting the Vietnamese consumer story; The role of technology in Vietnams new economy; and LPs perspective of Vietnam.

The forum helped global investors gain a positive outlook on investment opportunities in Vietnam, in particular being persuaded by global theoretical points and enlightened by the countrys history and culture.

This will definitely open up many great investment opportunities for Vietnam in the years ahead.

AVCJ has been the leading source of information on private equity and venture capital activities in Asia since its establishment in 1987.

It is part of the Mergermarket Group, which also includes Mergermarket, Debtwire, Unquote and the Inframation Group.
Ebrahim Raisi, the candidate who is most known for his role in the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners, complained of voter fraud and called on the judiciary and the countrys election watchdog to investigate, according to Reuters.

He said: Tampering with the numbers of peoples participation is inappropriate. Not sending ballots to centres where the governments opponent has a chance of getting votes is very inappropriate. I ask the Guardian Council and the judiciary not to let the peoples rights get trampled. If this vote-tampering is not looked into, then the peoples trust will be damaged.

Its incredibly hard to hear a man responsible for so many deaths, talking about peoples rights getting trampled, but these allegations are likely to enrage Raisis supporters, who have been enraged since Rouhanis second-term was announced.

Were the elections fraudulent?

First of all, we should address that the Iranian so-called elections are an embarrassment to democracy; they are neither free or fair.

At the end of the day they are engineered by the Regime to get a result that is favourable to the Regime and, by May 19, Irans Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei decided that the candidate who would best suit his agenda was Rouhani.

Raisi knew that the sham elections would be fixed, as did every candidate in the race, hes just upset that it did not work in his favour.

Rouhani, who has executed over 3000 people over the past four years, was not elected by the people of Iran but selected by a Regime that saw him as their best chance to maintain control. The Regime knows that their stranglehold on Iran is getting weaker by the day, and that they will soon be deposed in favour of an actual moderate government, namely the National Council of Resistance of Iran, which serves as a government in exile.

Their leader, Maryam Rajavi, has a ten-point plan to fix the mullahs mistakes and obtain a secular, non-nuclear Iran with full gender equality. She has the support of the Iranian people, many of whom boycotted the election rather than vote for the Regime, and the support of many lawmakers and activists from around the world.

On July 1st, the NCRI will hold a 100,000 strong rally in Paris, with activists, Iranian exiles, and lawmakers, all calling for Regime change.
China will keep working toward a stronger friendship with the Philippines, which it sees as a valuable new ally in Southeast Asia, despite the Philippine presidents comment that Beijings top leader once threatened war over a disputed tract of sea, analysts say.

Duterte told a Philippine coast guard unit on May 19 that Chinese President Xi Jinping this month had threatened war if the Philippines forced the issue over sovereignty of the Spratly Islands, an archipelago of tiny features in the South China Sea, according to widespread media reports in the Philippines.

They cannot say anything either way, because it would look bad for them, said Jay Batongbacal, director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the University of the Philippines in Metro Manila. So I think its difficult for them and probably (they) wont say anything and just avoid it altogether.

Beijing claims about 90 percent of the 3.5-million-square-kilometer South China Sea, including the Spratlys. The claim overlaps the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. Xi and Duterte were talking about oil drilling in the Spratlys at a meeting in Beijing when Xi made the comments, Philippine media say.

China probably did not want the war comment disclosed and political experts say Beijing may speak more cautiously with Dutertes government in the future.

But analysts say Beijing will avoid any retaliation for the disclosure because it sees Duterte trying to improve relations after a stormy past. The president has thundered against Chinas major global rival and former Philippine colonizer, the United States. He has visited China twice, and the two sides sat down this month to start working out their maritime differences.

Last week Duterte traveled to Russia to sign a series of agreements. Russia is a traditional Chinese ally that like China was not on Manilas roster of friends a year ago when Duterte took office.

Duterte, a populist known for being loose with language, also has a reputation for making comments against other countries. He has slammed the United Nations, the United States and the European Union over their criticism of an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 extrajudicial killings in the Philippine anti-drug campaign.

I think as long as theres not any substantive action on the part of the Philippines to follow through with any of its rhetoric, theyre willing to let it slide at least to some extent because Duterte seems to be badmouthing everyone, said Maxfield Brown, business intelligence associate at the consultancy Dezan Shira & Associates in Manila.

Its not like China is the sole recipient of this," Brown said.

A mellow Chinese response to the comment about war could in turn allay any fear in other countries about their own relations with Beijing. Each has its own way of handling China based on historical relations, Batongbacal said.

Beijing has increasingly valued its relations in Southeast Asia since July 2016, when a world arbitration court ruled against the legal basis to much of Chinas maritime claim. China had incensed countries in Southeast Asia with a half-decade of building artificial islands and passing coast guard vessels through contested waters.

China rejected the ruling, but to minimize its impact the government it wants to talk with the other countries, in some cases offering them aid. Duterte received pledges of $24 billion in aid and investment from China in October.

Beijing and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed last week after 15 years of resistance  largely because of China -- to a framework for a code of conduct that would eventually prevent mishaps in the sea thats prized for fisheries and fossil fuel reserves.

Its highly unlikely that there theres going to be an escalation of tension (that would) lead to physical confrontation regarding the territorial and sovereignty issues, said Andrew Yang, secretary-general with the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies think tank in Taiwan.

All the intention and behavior taking place basically is trying to satisfy those disputes and try to find out what would be acceptable for a code of conduct, he said.

The presidential office softened Dutertes comment about war days after he made it. His spokesman Ernesto Abella said on the office website the two sides would keep seeking peace.

President Duterte was forthright about its economic rights awarded by the Arbitral Court in The Hague, a claim the Chinese leader said they would vigorously contest given their historic claims to the area, Abella said. Given this complexity, both parties agreed to pursue a more peaceful resolution to the matter that satisfies both our sovereign and economic rights.
With the commune elections just around the corner, the government has yet to come up with a plan to help garment workers get to the polls.

Many have come forward with concerns that they may be unable to get time off work or be able to access polling stations on June 4.

Election observers and labor rights campaigners said without clear guidance many could be excluded from the results.

Moeun Tola, chief executive of the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (Central), said the government was to blame for not facilitating workers who wish to return to their hometowns to vote.

If there is no facilitation, or instructions for factories and businesses, they will surely not allow workers to leave for the election, he said.

Even though the election is on Sunday, they need time to travel.

Last Thursday, the National Election Committee (NEC) called on employers to allow workers time off to vote.

But Ath Thorn, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union, said as the NEC letter was unenforceable and not backed up by an order from the labor ministry, it carried little weight.

When workers are not allowed to leave, they will face many problems, such as wage and bonus cuts, he said.

We are sorry that the state is not able to help workers overseas [migrant workers]. Now they cant fully help the workers inside the country.

Ken Loo, secretary general of Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC), said the groups member companies would not grant workers permission to leave work to vote unless ordered by the government.

We follow the law and the ministry. There isn't a bonus day off because the election is on Sunday, he said. 

Hang Puthea, NEC spokesman, said that employers should take the initiative if the government did not order companies to close operations.

Phay Siphan, government spokesman, claimed the government and Prime Minister Hun Sen had already issued a request, which he said was enough.

Workers this week said they had registered to vote but were unsure if they would be able to make it back to their home communes as their employers had not informed them of time off.

Voung Pheap, 48, a garment worker from Prey Veng province, said her factory had granted workers three days off for the election, while others, such as Sok Kunthea, 42, from Svay Rieng province, were unclear whether they would be granted leave.

If they cut our wages, Ill have no reason to risk my job to vote, said Orn Khem, 27, another garment worker.
Three U.S. Congress members have called on the government to respect human rights in Cambodia ahead of local elections this week after Prime Minister Hun Sen said that war could break out if the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party lost the election.

The statement was sent to U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson by Alan Lowenthal, Steve Chabot and Edward Royce.

We call on the State Department and United States Embassy in Phnom Penh to publicly express support for the rule of law and call on the government to respect the right of every Cambodian citizen to vote in advance of the election, they wrote in a statement dated May 25.

We are deeply disturbed by report of Prime Minister Hun Sen inciting violence and using scare tactics to intimidate votersincluding making threats of civil war should his party lose elections, they added.

Last Thursday, Hun Sen threatened to terminate 100 to 200 people if his rule was threatened.

Any action that leads to the toppling of the government needs to be absolutely cracked down on with no tolerance. To guarantee the lives of millions of people, we will resort to terminating 100 to 200 people, he said.

Hun Sen also defended senior military officials, head of the armed forces Pol Saroeun, and Tea Banh, defense minister. Both have recently issued threats against opposition forces.

Jay Raman, U.S. Embassy spokesman, declined to comment.

Sok Eysan, CPP spokesman, dismissed the statement, saying Cambodia was implementing democracy and strengthening the rule of law.
Amazon, the e-commerce giant that has changed how much of the world shops for books, toilet paper and TVs, hit a new milestone. Its stock topped $1,000 for the first time.



That price puts Amazon's market value at $478 billion, double that of rival Wal-Mart and more than 15 times the size of Target. And its four-digit stock price places it in rare company: Only four other U.S.-listed companies have shares that trade above $1,000.



Amazon.com Inc. has come a long way since its start in 1995, when it mostly sold books. The Seattle company now sells just about anything, from groceries to small appliances, and has been blamed for taking business away from department stores, supermarkets and clothing retailers.
A car bomb has exploded outside a popular ice cream shop in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, killing at least 13 people and wounding 24 others.

The bombing late Monday comes just three days into the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims flock to cafes and restaurants after a whole day of fasting.

Islamic State militants claimed responsibility for the attack, which Iraqi officials said involved apparently remotely detonated explosives inside a parked car.

Islamic State was also responsible for a big truck bombing during Ramadan last year that killed hundreds of people.
A litany of killing, rape, mutilation, pillage and torture committed by successive governments and armed groups in Central African Republic from 2003-15 may constitute crimes against humanity, the United Nations said in a report on Tuesday.

The 368-page mapping report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, based on more than 1,200 confidential and open sources, is meant to help authorities identify cases as they establish a Special Criminal Court to try the worst crimes committed in the landlocked, isolated nation.

"The point is to send a signal, particularly to the 'big fish' ... that we have documented their crimes and will continue to document their crimes," Andrew Gilmour, U.N. assistant secretary-general for human rights, told Reuters.

Repeated political crises in CAR have fueled conflict since 2003. The most recent violence erupted in 2013 when a mostly Muslim rebel coalition overthrew the then-president Francois Bozize, prompting reprisals from Christian militias.

Tit-for-tat violence is on the rise again despite a successful presidential election last year. In the past two weeks alone, fighting between militia groups has killed about 300 people and displaced 100,000, the worst bout of displacements since 2013.

The U.N. report said that perpetrators have enjoyed near total impunity throughout the period in question due to persistent insecurity and a feeble justice system, which has fueled cycles of abuse.

It said that ending a decade and a half of impunity would not be easily achieved. Even before the latest violence, armed groups controlled more than half the country, making it difficult for victims come forward and for witnesses to testify.

"Critical preconditions for an effective judicial process which functions in accordance with international human rights standards, are not yet in place," the report said, cautioning that "the rushed or ill-timed introduction of transitional justice measures ... may prove counter-productive."

After seizing power from President Ange-Felix Patasse in a March 2003 coup d'etat, forces loyal to Francois Bozize killed and tortured civilians in order to settle personal scores and pillaged U.N. and other diplomatic facilities, the report said.

A decade later, Christian anti-Balaka militia again killed unarmed civilians, conducted public lynchings and mutilated victims in so-called "cleansing operations" against Muslims in retaliation for similar abuses by mostly Muslim rebels, it said.

The report called on the Special Criminal Court, agreed to in 2015, to maximize the use of foreign judicial personnel given the dearth of expertise in CAR and to collaborate closely with the International Criminal Court, which has been investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity since 2012.

It did not determine whether any of these acts constituted genocide but suggested there are grounds for further investigation as to whether they were.

It also said that investigations and indictments could help deter violent acts such as repeated attacks on displaced persons camps, humanitarian workers and U.N. peacekeepers.

The report also recommended that a truth commission accurately document past violence, allow victims to tell their stories and reveal underlying causes of conflict.
At Cafe Bar-Ba-Reeba on Chicago's north side, there is one key ingredient that could make or break Executive Chef Matt Holmes' menu.

We feature it in our paeallas, which are our signature dish here at Cafe Bar Ba Reeba, as well as use it in a dessert and some other dishes as well, so its incredibly important to have high quality saffron, Holmes explained to VOA from his test kitchen above the restaurant, where he was preparing one of those signature dishes.

Saffron has long been one of the world's most expensive spices, at times traded as currency. The saffron crocus that produces the spice grows mostly in parts of Europe, Iran and India.

It is a staple in cuisine throughout Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, but less so in the United States, where saffron  while a $60 million market has limited appeal.

But Rumi Spice, Holmes' saffron supplier, is hoping to change that.

We are named after Juhalladin Rumi, he was a 13th century poet and philosopher who was born in present day Afghanistan, and a Sufi mystic, says founder Kimberly Jung. One of his most famous sayings is, Where there is ruin, there is hope for treasure.

Veterans inspired by relationships

Kimberly Jung, Keith Alaniz and Emily Miller are three of the founders of Rumi Spice, U.S. military veterans who served in Afghanistan who returned with more than just combat experience.

I was never able to resolve just going to Afghanistan, spending time, and then leaving and never thinking about the place again, especially when you form relationships with people who live there, says Alaniz.

Those relationships inspired the business strategy for Rumi Spice  increasing demand in the U.S. for saffron produced by Afghan farmers they met in Herat province. Saffron has very limited demand in Afghanistan, leaving the market for it outside the country.

Afghanistan has essentially been cut off from the international market for 30 years, says Alaniz. They are producing a great product but they aren't able to get a fair value for their goods because they are not able to export it anywhere.

Another challenge

Afghanistan's enduring instability isn't the only challenge to getting Afghan saffron to market.

Near to 20 years we've been growing saffron, there are still no certificates for our saffron product, says Abdullah Faiz, chancellor of Herat University, which is working with Purdue University in Indiana to develop a department of food technology, with Afghan saffron farmers in mind.

The department of food technology will teach and give training for the farmers to produce the saffron with hygiene quality, says Faiz, adding that it could help increase demand for Afghan saffron in new markets.

Quality, taste is key

A lack of international certification hasn't stood in the way of Rumi Spice, which conducts rigorous tests to make sure the saffron it is importing is clean and pure before arriving in the United States.

WATCH VIDEO:

The quality and taste of Rumi Spice saffron is what attracted Matt Holmes as a customer.

It's much higher potency, says Holmes. So while we pay a premium to use Rumi, it actually goes a longer way, so that's another benefit of using a higher quality product you can stretch how much you are using each time.

Famous investor

Our supply is outpacing our demand, says Alaniz, which is good for us because it keeps our prices low at the moment, but we hope to increase more demand here in the U.S. so we can purchase more saffron.

The good thing about Rumi is they have a premium product that's fantastic to use, says Chef Matt Homes. You are kind of doing double duty with the program that they have with helping farmers in Afghanistan and helping women, being a positive influence instead of just selling a product, so you really get the best of both worlds.

These are qualities investors also are noticing. Rumi Spice was recently featured on the U.S. reality television show Shark Tank, where entrepreneur Mark Cuban committed $250,000 for a 15 percent stake in the company, signaling his faith in Rumi Spice, and the future potential for saffron grown in Afghanistan.
The Cleveland police officer who shot dead 12-year-old Tamir Rice in 2014 has been fired, the city's police chief announced Tuesday.

Officer Timothy Loehmann was fired for submitting inaccurate details on his job application, and not for the shooting of the African-American boy who was playing with a toy gun when he was killed.

Loehmann's partner when Rice was shot, officer Frank Garmback, will be suspended for 10 days starting Wednesday for a tactical offense related to the time of the shooting.

Following Rice's killing three years ago, a grand jury declined to indict the officers involved, ruling both believed their lives were in danger and the emergency police dispatcher did not mention Rice was a child and had what looked like a toy.
The president of Cyprus on Tuesday rebuked a United Nations envoy for speaking of a possible crisis over the ethnically divided country's search for offshore oil and gas, calling the remark "unacceptable" and a "threat" amid faltering reunification talks.

The envoy, Espen Barth Eide, was quoted in the Greek newspaper To Vima as expressing concern about the issue. In similar remarks earlier this month, Eide said an "international crisis" could lead to a collapse of the ongoing talks aiming at reunifying Cyprus as a federation.

"I regret that I'm being harsh about it, but I've made complaints directly that I consider such remarks unacceptable, especially if they're made in the form of a threat," President Nicos Anastasiades told reporters.

It's the second time this month that Anastasiades, a Greek Cypriot, has leveled strong criticism at Eide, accusing him of bias.

Turkey and the Cypriot government are sharply divided over the energy search.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded in the wake of a coup mounted by supporters of union with Greece.

Turkey, which doesn't recognize Cyprus as a state, opposes what it calls a unilateral Greek Cypriot project which flouts the rights of breakaway Turkish Cypriots. In March, the Turkish Foreign Ministry warned that it would "take all necessary measures to protect its interests" in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as those of the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey is also said to claim part of gas exploration areas, or blocks, off Cyprus' western and southern coast.

French energy company Total is scheduled to drill an exploratory well off Cyprus' southern coast in mid-July.

Peace talks are at a standstill after Eide called off mediation efforts last week when Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci failed to find common ground on holding a final summit in Geneva, Switzerland. Anastasiades insists on prioritizing at the summit an agreement on withdrawing more than 35,000 troops that Turkey has kept in the island's breakaway north since 1974. Akinci maintains that all issues should be discussed in a give-and-take process.

Anastasiades said Tuesday there would be no point to a Geneva summit if Turkey isn't ready to discuss the security issue.
The United Nations is warning that more than 1.4 million people in northeastern Nigeria could face famine by September because of a severe funding shortage. To date, only 28 percent of the U.N. appeal for more than $1 billion to provide humanitarian aid for nearly seven million people has been received.

Since Boko Haram militants began their armed rebellion against the government of Nigeria in 2009, the United Nations estimates more than 20,000 people have been killed, nearly two million are internally displaced inside the country, and about 200,000 have taken refuge in neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Government forces have recaptured much of the territory held by Boko Haram, but the security situation remains fragile.

The U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, says food is in short supply and traditional coping measures have been exhausted.

"Although the humanitarian response has increased substantially, we have not turned the corner yet," he said. "If the funding situation is not sustained, the situation can easily relapse into a famine situation."

Kallon says 43,000 people already are in a state of famine.

Nigeria has entered the so-called lean season when food stocks are at their lowest. U.N. estimates indicate 2.8 million people will be in urgent need of food between June and September. This is also the rainy season, a period when disease outbreaks are expected.

The situation means some of the 450,000 severely malnourished children could die, according to Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria Peter Lundberg.

"If they die, they will most likely die from disease that could be easily prevented if their immune system had been much stronger," Lundberg told VOA. "So, what we will see is that people will die from diarrhea disease or malaria or anything else that they normally would be able to survive if they were in a much better nutritional condition."

The United Nations says people in northeastern Nigeria also are living through a protection crisis. It says thousands are victims of sexual violence and exploitation. According to government statistics, tens of thousands of children and women have been used by Boko Haram, some as suicide bombers.
The Foreign Minister of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif, made almost the same comments. He is in a position where he needs to defend the Islamic Republic and has got to find a way to justify the horrific policies of terrorism and extremism the country has adopted.

The Foreign Minister and Zakaria both failed to mentioned that there were dozens of leaders at the Islamic summit. They instead ignored this significant and telling piece of information to instead criticise the US Presidents visit.

In fact, every Islamic government there met with Saudi Arabias demands. Not surprisingly, Syria and Iran did not attend. They were not there to hear every single other Muslim leader rejecting the accusations against Islam and Islamists.

The Muslim countries at the summit expressed their desire to work with the United States in a fight against terrorism and extremism. The Muslim countries agreed with Saudi Arabia that there needs to be an end to the generalisations about religion that lead to ignorance and conflicts surrounding religion and culture.

Why would people like Zakaria have a problem with this? It would appear that he does not want the United States, via the Trump administration, to cooperate with Saudi Arabia (or any other Islamic country) in a fight against terrorism. He is trying to make out that the Saudi conservativeness is somehow a cause of political and religious terrorism and extremism.

When looking at the facts, this is nothing but a twisted view of reality because extremism applies to all religions  not just Islam.

Saudi Arabia is jailing and executing people linked with terrorism, but the Islamic Republic is giving them high positions in the government. Saudi Arabia is confronting extremist groups, but Iran is creating, funding and supporting them.

The reality is that Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism. It has been noted by officials in Trumps administration as well as by Saudi Arabia and other countries across the world. An international effort is needed to curb Irans spread of terrorism and extremism, and the summit last week is a good start.
When you walk around Istanbuls famous Taksim Square, men with bands around their heads are not an uncommon sight. The locals know by now that the men have just received hair transplants.

Even though general tourism has suffered in Turkey due to recent terrorist attacks, medical tourism continues to thrive. In 2016, more than 152,000 people came to Turkey for medical tourism, according to statistics from the Turkish Health Ministry.

Jordanian Khaled Saleh is one of the thousands of people who came to Turkey not only for a visit, but also to get a hair transplant.

If I want to make the same surgery in my country, it's going to cost me $5,000. I spent $1,100 here, says Saleh. It was very cheap and helpful. The team was very helpful. We also come here for tourism. We feel safe in Turkey. Police is everywhere, helping us. Also, the tourism  Istanbul is a magnificent city."

Medical tourism consultant Emre Ali Kodan lists the reasons why Turkey is one of the top medical tourism destinations.

High quality service, affordable prices, surpassing Europe in medical technology, cultural proximity to Middle East, experience of doctors, he says.

Kodan says about 5,000 people received hair transplants each month in 2016, and up to 80,000 people are projected to receive hair transplants in 2017.

WATCH: video from Istanbul

The men with bands around their heads are the most visible medical tourists in Turkey. But the top medical procedures tourists came to Turkey for in 2016 involved obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology and orthopedics. Plastic surgery and cancer treatment were also in the top 10.

"Our doctors are top notch," says Kodan. "We have competitive advantage in terms of fees. These reasons are why even Europeans chose to come here for medical treatments."

In 2016, most of Turkey's medical tourists were Libyans, Azerbaijanis and Iraqis. But Europeans choose Turkey as well.

German Jan Bourcevet, 23, found the Turkish hair transplant clinic he used after researching online.

In Germany where I come from, its like [one] fourth of the price. I sent my pictures to them and they made me an offer. It sounded great, so I did it, says Bourcevet.

Like Jordanian Khaled Saleh, Bourcevet also plans to use the opportunity to be a traditional tourist. He's happy that, thanks to his hair transplant procedure, he gets to explore another country.
Former Panama dictator Manuel Noriega, whose time in power was marked by corruption and violence, has died at the age of 83.

Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela said on twitter that Noriega's death "closes a chapter in our history" and that his family deserves a burial in peace.

Noriega had been in the hospital recovering from several surgeries related to removing a brain tumor earlier this year.

Before being released on house arrest to prepare for the procedures, Noriega had been imprisoned for corruption and killing opponents during his 1983-89 regime.

Noriega was ousted from power by a U.S. invasion in 1989 and was imprisoned in the United States on drug offenses. He then was jailed in France for money laundering and was returned to Panama in 2011 for further imprisonment.

Despite amassing great wealth, Noriega had worked hard to cultivate an image of a man of the people. He lived in a modest, two-story home in an upper-middle-class neighborhood in Panama City that stood in stark contrast with the opulent mansions customary among Latin American dictators.

He would only say `hello' very respectfully, said German Sanchez, who lived next door for 16 years. You may think what you like of Noriega, but we can't say he was anything but respectful toward his neighbors.

The humble, the poor, the blacks, they are the utmost authority, Noriega said in one speech.

While some resentment lingers over the U.S. invasion, Noriega has so few supporters in modern-day Panama that attempts to auction off his old home attracted no bidders and the government decided to demolish the decaying building. Late in life, the ex-dictator essentially had zero influence over his country from behind bars.

He is not a figure with political possibilities, University of Panama sociologist Raul Leis said in 2008. Even though there's a small sector that yearns for the Noriega era, it is not a representative figure in the country.

Noriega broke a long silence in June 2015 when he made a statement from prison on Panamanian television in which he asked forgiveness of those harmed by his regime.

I feel like as Christians we all have to forgive, he said, reading from a handwritten statement. The Panamanian people have already overcome this period of dictatorship.

But for the most part Noriega stayed mum about elite military and civilian associates who thrived on the corruption that he helped instill - and which still plagues the Central American nation of some 3.9 million people, a favored transshipment point for drugs and a haven for money laundering.

Meanwhile, families of more than 100 who were killed or disappeared during his rule are still seeking justice.
U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his accusation that Germany does not pay its fair share of dues in NATO, three days after a meeting with the country's leader that the White House said went well.

"...they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for U.S. This will change," Trump wrote on Twitter Tuesday.



After the recent G-7 meeting in Sicily, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, "The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days."

But Tuesday, Merkel clarified that she remains committed to strong ties between the U.S. and Germany.



"Our trans-Atlantic relationship is of the utmost importance," she said. "And the statement I made, or what I said recently, is due to the fact that, in the face of the present circumstances we have additional reasons for us to realize that we have to take our fate in our own hands in Europe."

Merkel, among other European leaders, was sharply critical of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision at the recent G-7 meeting in Sicily not to reiterate support for the 2015 Paris agreement to combat climate change. In a pared down final communique, all G-7 nations except the U.S. pledged action to mitigate climate change. Merkel has said the climate agreement is so important there should not be any compromise on it.

While acknowledging that Germany and Europe should strive to maintain good relations with the United States and Britain, which is leaving the European Union, Merkel said, We need to know we must fight for our own future as Europeans, for our destiny.
The leader of Russia's Chechnya has invited the French president and the German chancellor to visit his region and check for themselves the reports about gay people being killed and tortured there.

The Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta reported in April that gay men in Chechnya had been tortured and killed by police. The Associated Press last month spoke to two victims of the crackdown who backed the reports.



On Monday, after his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters he had raised these reports with Putin.



Chechnya's leader Ramzan Kadyrov in a social media post Tuesday accused European leaders of relying on false information. Kadyrov said Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were welcome to visit Chechnya in a search for the truth.
A song labeling Prime Minister Theresa May a liar has shot to the top of music sales charts in Britain, mocking her "strong and stable" motto ahead of the June 8 national election.

"Liar Liar Ge2017" by Captain SKA now tops Amazon's listing for songs downloaded in Britain, and stands at No. 2 in Apple's iTunes UK chart, despite receiving no airplay from radio stations.

Hitting out at the austerity policies of Britain's Conservative Party, the song stitches together samples of May's speeches with choruses of "She's a liar liar, no you can't trust her."

"We all know politicians like telling lies / Big ones, little ones, porky pies / Saying they're strong and stable, won't disguise / We're still being taken for a ride," reads one verse.

May is expected to win comfortably on June 8, but her party's lead in opinion polls has narrowed sharply in the last week, calling into question her decision to call the unscheduled election seeking a strong endorsement of her Brexit strategy.

Captain SKA, a London-based band led by producer Jake Painter, is aiming for the No. 1 spot in Britain's official Top 40 chart.

"The success of this song shows people are fed up with this government of the rich, for the rich," the band said in a statement published by Official UK Charts Company, which said "Liar Liar" was on course to be the highest new entrant this week.

A spokesman for May's Conservative Party said it had no comment on the song.

Political songs are a thorny issue for British broadcasters, which are bound by impartiality regulations, especially around elections.

In April 2013, "Ding-dong the Witch is Dead" from the Wizard of Oz musical rose to No. 2 in the official charts following the death of former Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

BBC radio refused to play the song in full, but aired five-second clips in news reports instead.
Developments over the weekend concerning President Donald Trump include holding his first Memorial Day events, saying he has total confidence in his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, regarding the ongoing Russia investigation, speaking out against a hate crime against Muslims in Portland, Oregon, as well as a spokeswoman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying she remains committed to trans-Atlantic relationships:

WATCH: Trump lays wreath at Arlington Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Marking Memorial Day, Trump Notes Ongoing Battle on Terror  U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday paid tribute to "a new generation of American patriots" who, he said, "are fighting to win the battle against terrorism." They are "risking their lives to protect our citizens from an enemy that uses the murder of innocents to wage war on humanity itself," added Trump.

WATCH: Trump at Arlington Cemetery ceremony

US Observes Memorial Day, Honoring Its War Dead  The U.S. is celebrating Memorial Day to honor its war dead. President Donald Trump, in his first Memorial Day as the U.S. leader, laid a wreath Monday at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington. Officially, Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, has been set aside to honor all who died during military service throughout U.S. history.

Trump Says Has 'Total Confidence' in Son-in-law, Key Adviser Kushner  .S. President Donald Trump is defending Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and a senior White House adviser, who news reports say attempted to establish a back-channel communications link to Russian officials in the weeks before Trump assumed power in January. Jared is doing a great job for the country, Trump told The New York Times late Sunday. I have total confidence in him. He is respected by virtually everyone and is working on programs that will save our country billions of dollars. In addition to that, and perhaps more importantly, he is a very good person.

Help or Hindrance? Trump's Effect on Midterm Elections  Congressional investigations have long timelines. House Republicans do not. 239 House Republicans are facing down a November 2018 mid-term election, which will determine whether they get to keep their jobs. They have to weigh the merits - and the costs - of supporting President Donald Trump.

Spokesman: Merkel Remains Committed to Strong Trans-Atlantic Ties  German Chancellor Angela Merkel remains committed to strong trans-Atlantic relations, her spokesman said Monday, after the German leader suggested that the United States is no longer a reliable partner. "Because trans-Atlantic relations are so important to this chancellor, it is right from her viewpoint to speak out honestly about differences," spokesman Steffen Seibert said Monday during a news conference.

Attack on US Train Brings Statements Against Hate  Days after U.S. President Donald Trump told Muslim leaders of the need to unite to stamp out terrorism and extremism, a man on a train in the northwestern U.S. city of Portland, Oregon, targeted two teenagers with an anti-Muslim rant, then killed two people and wounded another who confronted him. In a tweet Monday, President Trump called the attack "unacceptable."
The Pentagon says its first-ever missile defense test involving an inter-continental ballistic missile was a success.

"The intercept of a complex threat-representative ICBM target is an incredible accomplishment," Vice Admiral Jim Syring of the Missile Defense Agency said.

Tuesday's test involved two separate missile launches. A simulated attack intercontinental ballistic missile was fired from a tiny island in the Pacific. A second missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

WATCH: Pentagon conducts ICBM missile test

A simulated attack intercontinental ballistic missile was fired from a tiny island in the Pacific, while the second missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to intercept it.

The second missile successfully struck the first missile over the ocean, destroying it in mid-flight.

"From a diplomatic standpoint, its a tremendous message, and from a technical standpoint it shows that there are possibilities of actually mounting a type of defense that will knock at least some inter-continental ballistic missiles out of the sky before they reach their intended targets," former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer and current crisis management consultant Cedric Leighton told VOA.

Leighton said the system has had a problematic history and is about 50 to 55 percent effective.

"It is not something that is completely foolproof," he said.

The U.S. test followed North Korea's test of a short-range ballistic missile on Monday, which North Korea declared a success.

The missile landed in the Sea of Japan in what is known as Japan's exclusive economic zone, angering Tokyo.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Twitter that "North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile." But Trump gave China credit for "trying hard" to rein in North Korea's military ambitions.

China, North Korea's closest ally, has repeatedly said dialogue is the best way to make headway with dictator Kim Jong Un.

At the United Nations Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said the Trump administration believes China is doing what she calls "backchannel networking" with North Korea on its nuclear program, and that the United States will keep up the pressure on China.

Haley also said the U.S. and China are working on the timing of when to come out with another resolution toughening sanctions on North Korea.
Dozens of banned militant, sectarian, terrorist and anti-state groups in Pakistan reportedly operate freely on social media, particularly on Facebook, spreading hate speech without being confronted by authorities.

In an investigative article published Tuesday, the English-language DAWN newspaper reports 41 of the 64 extremist organizations banned by the government are accessible to social network users in the form of hundreds of pages, groups and individual profiles.

While Pakistan's counter-extremism efforts have long remained under fire for being selective, critics say the reported unchecked extremist activity strengthens widespread opposition fears a recently unleashed government crackdown on social media in the name of "national security" is meant only to stifle political dissent and demands for accountability of state institutions.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs government has not immediately commented on the newspaper report and has previously rejected allegations its social media crackdown is targeting political opponents.

Hate roams free

The Federal Investigation Agency that is coordinating the anti-social media campaign has mostly detained and probed social media activists linked to Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and other opposition parties.

Khan has been staging street protests and holding public rallies to pressure Sharif to step down for alleged corruption. His opposition party, analysts note, has effectively used social media to highlight governance issues and mobilize public support in Pakistan.

Critics say that pressuring political opponents and "selectively" moving against extremist forces will fuel religious fanaticism.

The increasing curbs on freedom of expression in the so-called name of national security will not permit the construction of an intellectual edifice which is needed to for countering terrorism, observed opposition Senator Farhatullah Babar.

The DAWN story also prompted a flood of criticism of the government on social media for suppressing free speech instead of moving against those promoting violent extremism in the country.

Hate roams free while the state chases poets, artists and journalists, read one Twitter comment.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has authorized the State Department to notify Congress of the Trump administration's sale of precision-guided munitions for Saudi Arabia to use in its Yemen campaign, a senior U.S. diplomat said on Tuesday.

The notification is one of the last steps in the arms sale process and triggers a formal 30-day review to allow members of Congress to attempt to pass legislation to stop any sale.

U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation last week seeking to block about $500 million of a $110 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia, including the portion on precision-guided missiles and other offensive weapons.

An announcement of the sale had been expected in March but objections from mostly Democratic lawmakers and human rights groups led to Washington to ask Riyadh for commitments to improve targeting procedures that would minimize civilian casualties.

Asked on Tuesday whether the Saudis had taken specific measures to improve targeting capabilities, the senior U.S. diplomat, acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Stuart Jones, did not answer directly.

That's a continuing source of conversation between us, Jones told reporters. We're constantly trying to improve that process.

Limited military support

The Yemen civil war pits Iran-allied Houthi rebels against the government backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition. Nearly 4,800 civilians have been killed since March 2015, the United Nations said in March.

Jones said Tillerson's authorization, which was expected, occurred just before President Donald Trump's May 20-21 visit to Saudi Arabia.

Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, in December limited military support to Saudi Arabia's campaign in Yemen because of concerns over civilian casualties, and halted the sale of the precision-guided munitions.

On his trip to Saudi Arabia, Trump received a warm welcome from Gulf Arab leaders, who want to crack down on Iran's influence in the region, a commitment they found lacking in Obama.

Human rights abuses

Trump also did not make overt mentions of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia in his speech there, a move criticized by Democrats and Republicans in Congress.

The fact that it wasn't featured in the speech doesn't mean that it's not part of the bilateral dialogue, Jones said. By taking it out of the public debate and having those conversations directly and quietly, we'll be more effective.

Tillerson last week told reporters that human rights issues were not the central part of Trump's private meetings with Saudi officials, which instead focused on the fight against terrorism.
The militants who have besieged much of a southern Philippine city over the past week include foreign fighters and local gunmen who want to establish a regional branch of the Islamic State group, the military said Tuesday.

Soldiers have taken control of about 70 percent of Marawi, where the gunmen have been fending off the army for a week, military chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Ano said. About 100 militants, troops and civilians have been killed.

They wanted to show the world that there is an ISIS branch here which can inflict the kind of violence that has been seen in Syria and Iraq, Ano told The Associated Press, using an acronym for the Islamic State group.

The siege in Marawi followed an unsuccessful army raid that attempted to capture militant commander Isnilon Hapilon, who has been designated by the Islamic State group as its leader in the Philippines.

Marawi is regarded as the heartland of the Islamic faith on the southern Mindanao island.

Hapilon escaped and gunmen loyal to him swept through the city of 200,000 people, torching buildings and taking hostages. Ano said the gunmen were prepared to fight because they had been planning to unleash attacks during the holy month of Ramadan to capture the attention of the IS group.

The unrest has boosted fears that the violent ideology of the IS is gaining a foothold in the restive southern islands, where a Muslim separatist rebellion has raged for decades.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the south through mid-July, but lawmakers on Tuesday asked for a public session of Congress to determine whether it is still necessary.

Duterte's declaration unnerved Filipinos who lived through the rule of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who imposed martial law in 1972 and used it to hold power for more than a decade.

The army insists the drawn-out fight in Marawi is not a true sign of the militants' strength because the military has held back to spare civilian lives.

Ano said the military, working house to house, had cleared 70 percent of the city as of Tuesday morning and the remaining militants were isolated.

Still, the fighters have turned out to be remarkably well-armed and resilient. Experts have warned that as IS is weakened in Syria and Iraq, battered by years of American-led attacks, Mindanao could become a focal point for regional fighters.

Three Malaysians, an Indonesian and possibly Arab extremists have been killed in the Marawi fighting, Ano said. He said Hapilon was still hiding somewhere in the city and that authorities were working to confirm whether another top militant had been killed.

At least 65 militants and 15 Philippine troops have been killed, Ano said. The bodies of 19 civilians have been recovered and local authorities have reported more civilian deaths still to be tallied.

The fighters' support network in Marawi remains unclear, though the power of one militant group - the Mautes -has grown in recent years. Led by members of the city's Maute clan, the group has become increasingly active across Lanao del Sur province, where Marawi is located, and has been instrumental in the fighting this past week.
However, while this is going on, Iran is able to get away with deploying proxy armies (as well as its own fighters) to Syria to keep Bashar al Assad in power. Iran is getting its manpower from the Shiite Muslim populations.

Iran has only sent a small number of its own operational force to Syria so that the country only has a limited involvement. Most of those sent are advisers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) who will train recruits, gather intelligence and manage the logistics rather than being on the front line.

The IRGC are in charge of providing the manpower to Syria. Some of the entities recruited are the Lebanese Hezbollah, the Yemeni Houthis, the Pakistani Zainebiyoun Brigade, the Afghan Fatimiyoun and Khadem el-Aqila brigades and several Iraqi Shiite militias. They are paid by Iran, their equipment is provided by Iran, they are trained by Iran and they take their orders from Iran.

Hezbollah, despite receiving much criticism about its cooperation in battles against Sunni rebel movements, has not been challenged by any political force in Lebanon. This strength has been very useful and attractive to Iran.

The Afghan forces fighting in Syria on behalf of Iran are arguably the most exploited. The Fatimiyoun Brigade is composed of 3,500 Afghani refugees that were living in Iran. The Iranian authorities took advantage of the desperate economic and political situation of the refugees who had spent a lot of money to get into Iran.

Iran was an attractive place for the Afghans. As well as leaving behind the war at home, they could earn a lot more in Iran. However, illegally living in Iran was a dangerous choice for Afghans too. The Iranian authorities (who have a very poor human rights record towards its own people) often mistreat the refugees. Many are jailed. Despite this, they continue to flock to the Islamic Republic in large numbers and Iranian authorities found a way to send a great deal of manpower to Syria without diminishing its own forces.

Iran gave the Afghan volunteers a residency permit and several hundred dollars salary per month. Therefore, any deaths were no burden to Iran, but most importantly to Iran it could deny involvement in Syria.

Unlike the jihadist movements in the West, Iran is being allowed to carry out some of the worst atrocities in the Middle East unnoticed. Despite Irans denial of its extensive involvement in Syria, it is clear for the international community to see and action needs to be taken.
A sudden surge of deadly violence in the ever restive Philippine southland is likely to further endear common people to once controversial President Rodrigo Duterte as they see the strife as fallout from his effort to resolve five decades of strife, experts and polls indicate.

Filipinos are accustomed to violence in the far southwest, including parts of the giant island Mindanao where troops have been fighting militants in the city of Marawi over the past week, leaving more than 100 dead, including 24 civilians.

But they resent that Mindanao has been left out of the Philippines overall quick economic development, partly because of security risks.

This is not an easy fight. Our enemy is terrorism, said Vice President Leni Robredo, who was elected separately from the president last year and often critical of his policy. This is a time for us to unite, she told reporters last week at the militarys headquarters. This is the time we need to protect the security of our nation. This is not the time for divisiveness.

Duterte support in Mindanao

People in Mindanao, population 21 million, have broadly supported Dutertes stepped-up effort over his first year in office to get rid of Abu Sayyaf, a loose-knit group of some 400 known for kidnapping foreigners and beheading three over the past 14 months.

Duterte, who took office about a year ago, has made waves overseas and among some Filipinos for extrajudicial killings in an unrelated anti-drug campaign.



Gunfights against the Maute Group in the 200,000-person city of Marawi in western Mindanao has killed more than 60 militants and more than 20 troops while sending civilians to seek safety outside the city, Philippine media reports say.

Two rebel groups to contend with

The four-year-old Maute Group came under attack starting May 23 when troops were told Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon was in Marawi and that the two groups may have been plotting something together, Philippine media reported. Both groups have pledged allegiance to the violent Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

The declaration of martial law has the immediate mission to prevent the spread across Mindanao because the group has the potential, particularly in alliance with other terrorist groups, to spread terror in the islands, even spread it to the Visayan [islands] and to Metro Manila, says Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Philippine advocacy group Institute for Political and Electoral Reform. Thats why the hope is [the conflict] will not last, should not last.

Martial law

Despite objections among lawmakers to Dutertes declaration last week of martial law over Mindanao until further notice, the people affected are expected to support it, said Eduardo Araral, an associate professor at the National University of Singapores public policy school.

Duterte knows something about this ISIS-inspired group that a lot of people dont know, and theyre not just based in Marawi city, but they probably have sleeper cells in other cities in Mindanao, Araral said. But you see that the people are not up in arms against this declaration. I think they trust Duterte that he knows what hes doing.



The Metro Manila-based research institution Social Weather Stations said Monday that 75 percent of people were satisfied with the Duterte government as of late March following nine months of attacks on Abu Sayyaf plus the setup of a commission to seek permanent peace with another Muslim autonomy-seeking group.



Martial law plus the fighting could finally dent the two suspected terrorist groups, earning support among Filipinos, some scholars expect.



Im sure its going to have some implications on those rebel forces [who] are in Mindanao, said Antonio Contreras, political scientist at De La Salle University in the Philippines. These groups that attacked Marawi are terrorists There is no country in this world that negotiates with terrorists.

Plans for talks with other rebel groups



Separately, Duterte hopes to work out deals with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front via a 21-member commission he set up in February and talk with another group, the Moro National Liberation Front. Both want more autonomy over lands near the Sulu Sea, where the Islamic Moro people have lived for centuries and resent the countrys Catholic majoritys control of resources.



Duterte, a native of Mindanao, inspired hope for easing strife when he took office in June 2016. He proposed a federalist government system that could give Muslims a higher degree of power over their historic lands.



Dutertes autonomy-sharing effort is still likely to meet opposition in the Philippine congress as citizens in much of the country dispute giving land rights to Muslim groups, analysts say. Some of those opponents live in Mindanao and resent the Muslim groups for their violent ways.

Fighting linked to Muslim rebel groups has left about 120,000 dead since the 1960s. Security issues, for one, have held back the resource-rich yet impoverished island from keeping pace with the rest of the Philippine archipelago in economic growth.
The Vatican said on Tuesday it had scrapped tentative plans for Pope Francis to make a visit this year to South Sudan, which has been hit by civil war, famine and a refugee crisis.

Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said the trip "was not for this year" but did not say when it might now take place.

Church leaders in the country said they had expected the pope would visit the capital, Juba, probably in October, but the Vatican had never announced the trip officially.

Burke did not give a reason for the cancellation of the plans but Vatican and Church sources said it was a combination of security concerns and logistics.

The trip was to have lasted only one day and the pope was to have flown in after spending a night in another African country.

He was to have made the trip with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, head of the worldwide Anglican communion, in an effort to promote unity in the mostly Christian country.

Oil-producing South Sudan, which became independent in 2011, descended into civil war in December 2013 when a dispute between President Salva Kiir and his sacked deputy Riek Machar exploded into fighting, often along ethnic lines. Both sides have targeted civilians, human rights groups say.

Kiir is a Roman Catholic who regularly attends services at the cathedral in Juba in his trademark cowboy hat.

A Church source said one reason for the cancellation was that a Vatican advance team was not able to secure guarantees that people of both ethnic groups would be able to attend a papal Mass of reconciliation. He said the pope also wanted to visit refugees.

The conflict in the world's youngest country has sparked Africa's worst refugee crisis since the 1994 Rwandan genocide and plunged parts of the country into famine.

More than 875,000 refugees have fled into neighboring Uganda since the war broke out. Overall, the fighting has uprooted more than 3 million South Sudanese.

On top of the civil war, South Sudan has been hit by the same east African drought that has pushed Somalia to the brink of famine. Nearly half of the population of 5.5 million people face food shortages, according to the United Nations.
Russia and Saudi Arabia hailed their growing partnership in oil markets and dialogue on Syria on Tuesday, in a departure from past hostilities between the top global producers and major players in the Middle East.

Russian President Vladimir Putin heaped praise on Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who looks after the kingdom's defense and energy, as he welcomed the possible future king to the Kremlin.

It was the second meeting between the two men over the past year following a breakthrough meeting in China, where Putin and Prince Mohammed showed the first signs the world's two biggest oil exporters could clinch a deal to prop up oil prices.

Non-OPEC Russia had long opposed any cooperation in reducing oil output in tandem with OPEC, where Saudi Arabia is de facto leader.

Russia's military campaign in Syria to support President Bashar al-Assad in the past two years has effectively pitted the Kremlin in a direct military confrontation with Saudi Arabia as the Sunni kingdom has long fought for Assad's removal.

But the oil price plunge in the last two years has overstretched the budgets of both producers, making joint cuts more likely, especially with Russia facing a presidential election next year and Saudi Arabia requiring higher prices for economic reforms and the listing of its energy giant Aramco.

"The relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia are going through one of their best moments ever," Prince Mohammed told Putin.

"We have a lot of common ground. As far as our disagreements are concerned, we have a clear mechanism of how to overcome them. We are moving forward quickly and in a positive way," he added.

"The most important thing is that we are succeeding in building a solid foundation to stabilize oil markets and energy prices," Prince Mohammed said.

Last December, Russia and 10 other non-OPEC nations agreed to join OPEC's output cuts for the first time in 15 years. Last week Moscow agreed to extend its cooperation by another nine months until March 2018.

Both Moscow and Riyadh said that cooperation would last beyond the current agreement as both countries are still trying to find ways to co-exist with U.S. shale oil producers, who are not part of the global output reduction deals.

As a part of Tuesday's talks, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding with the Russian Direct Investment Fund to explore an opportunity to join a consortium of investors in a Moscow real estate project.

The Russian fund also said in statement both parties are evaluating more projects, including in retail, real estate, alternative energy projects, transportation and logistics infrastructure.

"We are grateful to you for your ideas and the joint work between OPEC and the countries which are not part of the cartel," Putin told Prince Mohammed.

"We support political contacts, contacts between defense ministries. We work together on sorting out difficult situations, including in Syria," Putin said.
A new report says Kenyan authorities have used threats, beatings and phone tapping to intimidate journalists reporting on sensitive issues.

The report, titled "Not Worth the Risk," details abuses in Kenya since 2013 that Human Rights Watch and media advocacy group Article 19 say have made it dangerous for journalists to report on controversial issues like corruption, land rights and alleged human rights violations by security services.

Otsieno Namwaya, a Human Rights Watch researcher, detailed some of the issues Kenyan journalists face.

"The government has attempted to obstruct critical journalists using legal, administrative and informal measures which include threats, intimidation, harassment online and phone surveillance, which is really a big problem right now. Most journalists are worried they are being monitored, phones tapped," Namwaya said.

The rights group says it has documented 17 cases in which 23 journalists and bloggers were attacked. At least two journalists died have been killed since 2013 while doing their jobs.

VOA spoke to journalist Isaiah Gwenji, who says he was arrested in March and beaten for four hours at a police camp in western Kenya.

"They were arresting me because of previous stories that I have been doing which they claimed were painting them in bad image," Gwenji said, "like there were incidences where people being tortured by the same officers and we also had evidence of people who had been beaten by these officers, and I was simply doing stories highlighting the violation of rights of these people."

Government spokesman Eric Kiraithe refutes the allegations in the report. He says the government is not working to silence journalists.

"There might be individual cases of private conflict between one individual and the other, but the issue of systemic of muzzling journalists by the state, they are just not there," Kiraithe said. "The government is not doing that."

Henry Maina is the head of the East Africa office of Article 19, a global nongovernmental organization that promotes freedom of expression and information. With campaigning under way in these hotly contested polls, Maina says Kenya needs a free press now more than ever.

"You are likely electing people who you knew nothing about," Maina said. "You are likely to end up having people react to misinformation that may be inciteful. [They] may say things didn't work well, yet, in reality, they may have worked well. So it's  critical in a moment of electioneering that credible professional media exists."

With the vote less than three months away, HRW and Article 19 are calling on Kenyan authorities to send a clear message, and to investigate and prosecute threats against journalists.
In the week before the May 19 presidential election in Iran, the eventual victor, Hassan Rouhani, criticized the judiciary and the powerful Revolutionary Guards with rhetoric rarely heard in public in the Islamic republic.

Now, in the eyes of his supporters, it is time to deliver.

Millions of Rouhani's followers expect him to keep pushing on human rights issues.



"The majority of Iranians have made it clear that they want improvement on human rights," said Hadi Ghaemi, the director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), a New York-based advocacy group. "Expectations are running high."



That message came through loud and clear shortly before Rouhani, who won re-election with more than 57 percent of the vote, took the stage at a gathering of supporters in Tehran last week.



"Ya Hussein, Mirhossein" went the thunderous chant, a reference to Mirhossein Mousavi, a presidential candidate in the 2009 election, who, along with fellow candidate Mehdi Karroubi disputed the results, spurring widespread protests.



Dozens of protestors were killed and hundreds arrested in the crackdown that followed, according to human rights groups.



Mousavi, his wife Zahra, and Karroubi, were placed under house arrest in 2011 after calling for protests in Iran in solidarity with pro-democracy uprisings across the Middle East.



The trio's continued detention is a divisive political issue in Iran and one that Rouhani has promised to resolve.



But if he keeps pushing, he will face a backlash from his hardline opponents which could undermine his second term, analysts say.

Clear message



At the rally, it took several minutes for the announcer to quiet the crowd before another chant broke out: "Our message is clear, house arrest must be broken".



Along with those arrests, more than 20 journalists and activists were arrested in the lead-up to the elections according to CHRI, an issue which has also been raised by Rouhani supporters.



Many political prisoners are kept in solitary confinement and not allowed to see their families for long periods of time, according to human rights groups.



Iran has one of world's highest rates of capital punishment. At least 530 people were executed in 2016, according to a United Nations report.



Rouhani's supporters also expect him to fight for basic rights that affect their daily lives, like preventing security forces from harassing women for the way they dress or the judiciary from cancelling concerts.



During his first term, Rouhani made the signing of an agreement with Western powers, which lifted a large number of sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear program, his top priority.



As a result, human rights issues were sidelined, analysts say. But now that the nuclear agreement is being implemented, his supporters are waiting for change.



Rouhani's decisive election win may have finally given him the opportunity to address human rights issues.



"As the head of the executive branch, Mr. Rouhani and his colleagues must use this opportunity to the maximum," parliamentarian Gholamreza Tajgardoon said last week, according to the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA).



But signs are emerging that hardliners are ready for a fight.



Iran's judiciary chief hit back at Rouhani on Monday for bringing up the issue of the house arrest of opposition leaders during his campaign.



"Who are you to break the house arrests?" Larijani said without naming Rouhani, according to the judiciary news site Mizan.



Larijani said the Supreme National Security Council must take the initial decision to end the house arrests and then the judiciary would step in.



Any attempt to resolve this issue outside this legal procedure would be seen as an attempt to stoke up unrest similar to 2009, he said, according to Mizan.



"We're issuing a warning that they should wrap this issue up otherwise the judiciary, with authority, will wrap this issue up itself," Larijani said.



Meanwhile, the restrictions continue.



Karroubi, 79, served as speaker of parliament before running for president in 2005 and 2009. He now stays largely on the upper floor of his house in Tehran and gets exercise by walking indoors, according to his son Mohammad Taghi.



His only sources of information are local newspapers and state TV.



Security agents stay on the premises around the clock and do not allow him to have access to the phone or Internet.



Taghi, speaking by telephone, said the hosue arrest had backfired, raising the profile and importance of his father and the other detainees.



"If the goal is to cut off their political ties, what we've seen is that the passage of these six or seven years hasn't had any effect," he said. "In fact, the limitations and problems have increased their impact in society."



Little progress can be made on any human rights issue without the approval of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the highest power in the country.



"Since becoming Supreme Leader in 1989, Khamenei has sought to weaken every Iranian president in their second term," said Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment.



"Given how directly Rouhani challenged Khamenei during the campaign this tradition is likely to continue."




Scientists have tweaked a powerful antibiotic, called vancomycin, so it is once more powerful against life-threatening bacterial infections. Researchers say the more powerful compound could eliminate the threat of antibiotic resistance for many years to come.

Antibiotic resistance, in which microbes no longer respond to drugs, is quickly becoming a global health emergency. Of particular concern are so-called superbugs, a handful of pathogens that patients acquire in hospitals and other health care settings. Patients recovering from surgery are particularly vulnerable to the resistant, hospital-borne infections, which put them at high risk of death.

Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, modified vancomycin, invented 60 years ago and considered a last resort treatment against many of these infections. They made a key change to its molecular structure, interfering with how the bacterium, enterococcus, makes protective cells walls.

In a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, investigators describe how the change made vancomycin 1,000 times more effective against both drug-resistant enterococci and the original forms of the microorganism.

Total cures

The modification is in addition to two previous changes made by the Scripps team that improved the drugs potency, so less of it is needed to treat an infection.

Lead researcher Dale Boger, who co-chairs the institutions Department of Chemistry, said it is difficult for enterococcus to find a way around three independent mechanisms of action. Even if they found a solution to one of those, said Boger, the organisms would still be killed by the other two.

The challenge now for researchers is to reduce the number of steps it takes in the lab to boost vancomycins effectiveness. Having redesigned the antibiotics molecular structure, Boger called streamlining its production the easy part.

Even if researchers are unable to simplify the way the improvements are made, Boger said efforts to supercharge vancomycin are worth it for the antibiotics lifesaving powers, calling the drugs total cures against bacterial infection.

Given the growing failure of antibiotics to treat common infections, Boger said making the super-charged vancomycin molecule is important, even if its labor-intensive.
More than 900 people, most of them from India and Pakistan, have signed a resolution calling on the two governments to decrease hostilities and resolve their differences through dialogue.

Drafted by Boston-based Pakistani journalist Beena Sarwar and Indian academic Anish Mishra, who is based in Singapore, the resolution aims to reduce the increased tensions between the two South Asian nuclear-armed rivals that have already fought five wars since their independence from the British in 1947.

Signatories include well-known artists, authors, journalists, politicians, activists and even retired armed forces personnel. Names like internationally renowned linguist and activist Noam Chomsky, Bollywood stars Naseeruddin Shah and Nandita Das, famous Indian film producer Mahesh Bhatt, poets such as Gulzar and Kishwar Naheed, and historians like Ayesha Jalal and Romila Thapar join the ranks of retired generals Mahmud Durrani and Talat Masood and admiral L. Ramdas as "peacemongers," a name they have chosen for themselves.

Endorsements from other regional countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, indicated how people in the region "feel impacted by relations between the two South Asian giants," stated a web post announcing the resolution.

"The peace constituencies on both sides have to raise their voices," said Pakistani politician Afrasiab Khattak, who has endorsed the resolution. "If they're silent, they leave the field open for warmongers and no one challenges the stereotypes they create."

Short-lived efforts at peace

Hostilities between India and Pakistan have been high ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014. He had campaigned on a platform of creating a "muscular India" that was tough on its rival, Pakistan. New Delhi often accuses Pakistan of harboring anti-India militants who carry out cross-border attacks on Indian targets.

Several apparent attempts by both sides at breaking the ice have been frustrated by subsequent events.

A surprise visit by Modi, for example, to attend the wedding ceremony of the granddaughter of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in December of 2015 was supposed to act as a reset button. The euphoria was short lived.

In January 2016, heavily armed militants attacked an air force base in Pathankot in the Indian state of Punjab. India blamed Pakistan-based militants and the relationship soured.



More recently, India sent back 50 Pakistani students who had been invited to the country by a nongovernmental organization after accusing Pakistan of killing and mutilating the bodies of two Indian soldiers on the Line of Control or LoC, a de-facto border in the disputed territory of Kashmir. Pakistan denied the allegation.

Taking account of such instances, the resolution notes, "Whenever it seems that relations might improve, some form of disruption takes place ranging from jingoistic statements to militant attacks."

For this reason, the peacemongers have demanded that the two countries design a framework for dialogue that is "uninterrupted and uninterruptible," words first used by Indian diplomat-turned-politician Mani Shankar Aiyar.

Aiyar signs, but remains skepical

The former diplomat was less enthusiastic about the resolution's prospects for success.

"The bureaucracy completely closes its ears to anything that does not come out from within," he said. He added that the Bharatiya Janta Party of Prime Minister Modi was increasing its vote bank as a result of hostilities with Pakistan.

"I don't think they'll even read the resolution, let alone be influenced by it," he added.

Still, Aiyar endorsed the resolution because he believed "peace lovers on both sides should stand by their convictions," no matter what.

The organizers admit the resolution might not affect policy, but say they are hoping for a ripple effect of "a pebble thrown in a pond."

Sarwar, one of the initiators, maintained the peace constituencies on both sides were large but not represented in mainstream media.

"When Indians and Pakistanis meet in a third country, they mostly become good friends," she pointed out.

"Even the soldiers at the Wagah border who put up a show of hostility rehearse that show together," she said, referring to a flag-lowering ceremony at the India-Pakistan border in which soldiers from both sides growl and wave fists at each other but do it in unison.

The media, she said, represented voices that were loud, even if they were a minority.

The resolution also calls on both sides to "[r]enounce all forms of proxy wars, state-sponsored terrorism, human rights violations, cross-border terrorism, and subversive activities against each other, including through non-state actors or support of separatist movements in each other's state."

The initiative comes at a time when fears of Indian-Pakistani hostilities leading to a wider conflict are high. In testimony in the United States before the Senate Armed Services Committee, the director general of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, expressed fears of a further strain in ties between the two South Asian nations.

India has sought and continues to move to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and is considering punitive options to raise the cost to Islamabad for its alleged support of cross-border terrorism, he said.
A group of Senate Democrats sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, requesting information about a raft of trademark approvals from China this year that they say may violate the U.S. Constitution's ban on gifts from foreign governments.

"China's rapid approvals after years of court battles have raised questions as to whether the trademarks will prevent you from standing up to China on behalf of American workers and their businesses," the eight senators, led by Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow and Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal, wrote.

China's most recent nod for a Trump trademark, covering clothing, came on May 6, bringing to 40 the number of marks China has granted or provisionally granted to the president and a related company, DTTM Operations LLC, since his inauguration. If there are no objections, provisional approvals are formally registered after 90 days. China has also rejected or partially rejected nine Trump trademarks since the inauguration.

Trademarks give the holder monopoly rights to a brand in a given market. In many jurisdictions, like China, they can also be filed defensively, to prevent squatters from using a name. Because trademarks are granted at the discretion of foreign governments and can be enormously valuable, they can be problematic for U.S. officials, who are barred by the emoluments clause of the constitution from accepting anything of value from foreign states without congressional approval.

In their letter, the senators were particularly interested in any special efforts Trump, his Chinese lawyers, or the U.S. Embassy in China, which sometimes advocates for U.S. firms, may have made to secure approval for the president's trademarks. They cited an Associated Press report quoting one of Trump's lawyers in China, Spring Chang, who said that "government relations are an important part of trademark strategy in China."

Concern about favoritism is particularly sharp in China, where the courts and bureaucracy are designed to reflect the will of the ruling Communist Party. China has defended its handling of Trump's intellectual property interests, saying it followed the law in processing his applications, though some trademark lawyers viewed the pace as unusually quick and well-coordinated. In addition, China approved one trademark for Trump-branded construction services after a 10-year legal battle that turned in his favor only after he declared his candidacy.

Alan Garten, chief legal officer of The Trump Organization, did not respond immediately to a request for comment. He has previously said that Trump's trademark activity in China predates his election and noted that Trump has stepped away from managing his company. However, the president retains an ownership stake in his global branding and real estate empire.

In April, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog group, added "gratuitous Chinese trademarks" to its lawsuit against the president for alleged emoluments violations. Trump has dismissed the suit as without merit.
A military trial opened Tuesday in South Sudan for 20 soldiers accused of murder and rape in an attack on international aid workers last year.

Thirteen of the suspects, all in military uniform, were in court in Juba to hear the charges against them: murder, rape, torture and looting during an attack last July on the Terrain Hotel complex in the South Sudanese capital. The chief military prosecutor said the accused could face the death penalty if found guilty.

Proceedings began at the Giada Barracks in Juba. Four of the defendants wore insignia of the Tiger Brigade, the country's presidential guard.

Lieutenant General Mangar Buong, an assistant chief of defense forces for administration, finance and personnel, said the trial proves the Sudan People's Liberation Army does not condone human-rights abuses. The trial is the first known prosecution of government forces members on rape charges.

The chief prosecutor, Colonel Abubakar Mohammed Ramadhan, asked the Terrain Hotel's manager to describe what happened last July 11. Witness Michael Woodward said 50 to 100 armed soldiers, along with a vehicle-mounted machine gun, broke through the gates of the hotel and burst inside after overpowering security guards:

"They started vandalizing and shooting. During this time, another group started stealing the vehicles. A total of 18 were stolen, nine belonging to the hotel. At around 4:30 p.m., physical attacks ... started. This included the murder of one man, John Gatluak, working with Internews. They gang-raped at least five women workers for international organizations," Woodward testified.

Fight against impunity

Prosecutor Philips Anyang told VOA's South Sudan In Focus that the trial marks a step forward in the fight against impunity in South Sudan.

"It is a great gesture because this case has been going on for almost a year, and the whole world has been waiting for it. The start today gives us a green light that there is hope for justice at some stage," Anyang said outside the courtroom.

Human Rights Watch has corroborated the hotel manager's testimony that female aid workers were threatened at gunpoint and raped. A report by the rights group said terrified aid workers called for help from United Nations troops stationed 1,200 meters away from the Terrain complex, but there was no response.

The defense attorney in the military proceedings, First Lieutenant Peter Malual Deng, asked for further trial sessions to be postponed until he could familiarize himself with details of the case. His request was granted, and the trial is due to resume June 6.

Some skeptical of progress

Some analysts are not convinced the military trials will mark an end to impunity for crimes committed by soldiers. Amnesty International researcher Elizabeth Deng said there were crucial flaws in Tuesday's proceedings, and that holding the trial in Juba's chief military barracks could have an intimidating effect on victims of the attacks who might be called to testify.

"We oppose the use of military courts for crimes against civilians," Deng said. "And in fact, the SPLA Act itself provides that whenever a military personnel commits an offense against a civilian or civilian property, the civil court shall assume jurisdiction over such offense," Deng noted.

Seven months ago, the army said it had arrested more than 70 soldiers suspected of committing various crimes last year during a period of unrest that included the Terrain Hotel attack. No convictions or sentences for those men has yet been announced, however; authorities say a lack of evidence has hampered their investigations.

Neither did the Amnesty International researcher agree a trial would mark a step toward accountability for the armed forces. For one thing, she said, the venue  Juba's military barracks  could foster an atmosphere of intimidation.

"For people who lived in Juba, we know that this is where the violence in December 2013 broke out," Deng said. "That Giada [military barracks] is notorious as a place for detention and forced disappearance and torture. And that it is a place filled with military personnel.

"So when you have the alleged perpetrators who are members of the military themselves, it is extremely unlikely that victims or witnesses would feel comfortable and safe participating in, attending [or] giving testimony that takes place within the military barracks."

Many foreign victims of last year's outbreak of violence are no longer in South Sudan, Deng noted, adding: "It will take a special commitment and effort to contact them and to ensure their availability, whether by scheduling them to come to South Sudan or allowing them to testify via video link. So I think this will require a prosecution that is really committed and diligent."
Heavy rains and highway obstructions are hampering efforts to get food, water and medicine to thousands of flood survivors in Sri Lanka, government officials and aid workers said Tuesday.

Floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains in recent days have killed 200 people and disrupted the lives of over half million others. Over 80,000 people have been forced into temporary shelters, and about 100 people remain missing.

Government and military officials said the army and air force, using boats and helicopters, had managed to reach most of those affected, but persistent rains and inaccessible roads were hampering efforts to airdrop and distribute aid in some areas.

"The military was able to facilitate access to three landslide areas only yesterday. Hundreds of army personnel were deployed to remove the soil mounts from the landslides," military spokesman Roshan Seneviratne told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The deluge, the worst Sri Lanka has witnessed in more than a decade, has forced the island to call for international assistance. The U.N., aid agencies, India, China, Pakistan, Australia and Japan have rallied to offer support.

Farmland swamped

The flooding has swept away hundreds of buildings and homes and inundated major roads, bridges and vast tracts of farmland, including tea and rubber plantations.

Military officials said that they were still trying to access some remote villages in the worst-affected districts of Galle, Matara, Kalutara and Rathnapura in the island's south, but that local communities had come forward to help.

"There were some areas which we could not reach in the first 36 hours. Local people helped a lot in the aftermath of the disaster. There were also committed officials at a grass-roots level who managed to cope with the situation," Law Minister Sagala Ratnayake told reporters.

Aid workers said the focus was slowly shifting from search and rescue to relief and recovery, where people were returning to their homes from the temporary camps and would need help to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.

"They are returning to significantly damaged property where they have lost many of their belongings, where the water may be contaminated and where the crops they had in the ground have been destroyed," said Save the Children's country director Chris McIvor.
He pointed out that Iran has so far failed to take a public stance on efforts to fight terrorism. He said that Iran can contribute to these efforts. Failing that, it will be clear that Iran wants to support and spread terrorism across the region.

He said that it is now time for Iran to speak out about something that it has remained ambiguous about for a long time.

However, Frattini recognised that Iran is a big supporter of militias that are fighting in the region, naming the Yemeni Houthis in particular.

He said: The decisive moment of truth has arrived, and Iran has to choose its stances clearly and do away with ambiguity when it comes to terrorism. It is by no means a secret that Iran backs and supports Houthis in Yemen, which is what calls for investigating such an approach and to avert its (Iranian expansionist strategy) evils from affecting the region.

Frattini congratulated Saudi Arabia on its key role in creating an Arab coalition in Yemen to assist the legitimate government. He insisted that the Yemeni people have the right, and deserve to be represented, defended and supported in reaching a solution to the problems in their country.

He also mentioned that concerns about Irans nuclear and ballistic missile testing are rising, so much so that Europe is preparing an agreement with Russian and the United States so that Irans nuclear plans are no threat to the rest of the world.

Frattini also said that that there needs to be very strict monitoring measures and rigid regulations in place regarding the nuclear deal.

He called for genuine cooperation between NATO and the Islamic alliance so that terrorism can be curbed all over the world and said he believed that one of the most serious and consequential mistakes made by the West was its effort to export the model of Western democracy to other nations and making links between Islam and terrorism and extremism.

Emphasising that Islam and extremism are not related, he said: We have to guide generations to invest in education and clarify everything related to extremism.
A senior State Department official has defended President Donald Trump at an on-camera briefing for not mentioning human rights during his recent speech in Saudi Arabia.

On Tuesday, a reporter asked Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Stuart Jones what he would say to critics who say the president's speech on countering terrorism in Riyadh basically gave Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region a free pass on human rights abuses.

Jones said human rights continues to be part of the U.S. dialogue with Saudi Arabia and all the other countries in the region:

But the fact that it wasn't featured in the speech doesn't mean that it's not part of the bilateral dialogue and it's not a part of what we're constantly talking about," he said. "And I think the fact that, you know, you can argue that by taking it out of the public debate and having those conversations directly and quietly will be more effective.

'We are not here to lecture'

Trump emphasized unity with Muslim majority nations on countering violent extremism during his speech.

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.

Some human rights groups and U.S. lawmakers criticized the president for not mentioning Saudi Arabia's human rights record, including Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who told CNN we are not here to lecture would not have been part of a speech he would have delivered.

Strong statement against extremism

During the president's first trip abroad, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was asked about the issue of human rights and told reporters it was not the central part of our conversations with Saudi leaders.

At Tuesday's briefing, Assistant Secretary Jones was asked how he characterized Saudi Arabia's commitment to democracy. After a long, 20-second pause, he said, the U.S. was able to make significant progress with its Saudi and Gulf Cooperation Council partners in making a strong statement against extremism.



Jones announced that he is retiring after serving as U.S. ambassador to Iraq and Jordan, and as deputy chief of mission in Cairo. He told reporters this is a personal decision he made more than a year ago.
The suspect in a fatal stabbing spree on a Portland, Oregon, commuter train yelled remarks about "free speech" as he entered the courtroom where he was being arraigned on Tuesday on charges of attacking bystanders who intervened when he shouted religious slurs at two women of Muslim appearance.

Suspect Jeremy Joseph Christian, a 35-year-old convicted felon, entered the courtroom yelling "Free speech or die, Portland. You got no safe place. This is America - get out if you don't like free speech."

Christian was arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court on three felony murder charges, one felony assault charge, three felony weapons charges and two misdemeanor counts of intimidation.

He is charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of two men who intervened when he shouted religious slurs at two women who were the subject of the religious slurs on Friday. A third man who tried to step in was also stabbed but survived.

About a dozen protesters in the hall outside the courtroom erupted into shouting while the charges were read.

As he was escorted out of the courtroom after the arraignment, Christian shouted, "Death to the enemies of America. Leave this country if you hate our freedoms. ... You call it terrorism. I call it patriotism."

The surviving victim of the attack, Micah Fletcher, sat in the front row of the gallery during the arraignment, with a long, sutured wound visible on his neck.

If found guilty of the murder charges, Christian could face either life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Friday's stabbing attack came as some religious rights groups warn of a rising tide of anti-Islamic sentiment in the United States, blaming President Donald Trump for divisive anti-Muslim rhetoric.

One of the two women who was the target of the religious slurs on Friday, Destinee Mangum, who was with a friend wearing a Muslim head scarf, said in a video posted on CNN's website on Monday that she did not know the men who intervened and thanked them for putting their lives on the line.

Trump condemned the stabbings on Monday, calling them "unacceptable." "The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them," he said on Twitter.

Trump's remarks came after the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called on him to condemn the rampage and speak out against what the advocacy group sees as an increase in anti-Islamic sentiment. Anti-Muslim incidents increased more than 50 percent in the United States last year, it said.

Asha Deliverance, the mother of Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, one of the two men who was killed on Friday, in an open letter to Trump that was posted on social media on Tuesday, urged the president to condemn "acts of violence, which result directly from hate speech."

According to The Oregonian, a witness to the stabbings said Namkai-Meche's last words before being taken away by paramedics were, "Tell everyone on this train I love them."

On Monday, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler called on federal authorities to rescind a permit for a June 4 "Trump Free Speech Rally" and not to issue a permit for a June 10 "March Against Sharia." In a Facebook post, he said, "Our community's anger is real, and the timing and subject of these events can only exacerbate an already difficult situation."

The Oregon chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union replied with a statement on Twitter warning against censoring "unpopular speech."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the attack to determine whether to charge Christian with terrorism or a federal hate crime, Portland FBI spokeswoman Beth Anne Steele said.
Hundreds of protesters opposing Texas' tough new anti-sanctuary cities law launched a raucous protest from the public gallery in the Texas House on Monday, briefly halting work during the final, largely ceremonial day of the legislative session.



Demonstrators wearing red T-shirts reading Lucha, or Fight, quietly filled hundreds of gallery seats as proceedings began. After about 40 minutes, they began to cheer, drowning out the lawmakers below. Protesters also blew whistles and chanted: Here to stay! and Hey, hey, ho, ho, SB4 has got to go, referring to the bill that Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law this month.



Some waved banners reading: See you in court! Texas' new law is reminiscent of a 2010 Arizona show your papers measure that allowed police to inquire about a person's immigration status during routine interactions such as traffic stops. It was eventually struck down in court.



Under SB4, Texas police chiefs and sheriffs are required - under the threat of jail and removal from office - to comply with federal requests to hold criminal suspects for possible deportation.



Police officers also have the option to ask the immigration status of anyone they stop. The bill was viewed as a crackdown on Austin and other sanctuary cities, a term that has no legal meaning but describes parts of the country where police are not tasked with helping enforce federal immigration law.



The Texas House leadership stopped the session and asked state troopers to clear the gallery. The demonstration continued for about 20 minutes as officers led people out of the chamber peacefully in small groups. There were no reports of arrests.



A legislative session that began in January concluded Monday, and the day is usually reserved for group photos and goodbyes. Lawmakers are constitutionally barred from approving most legislation on the last day.



But even after the protest ended, tensions remained high. Rep. Ramon Romero, a Democrat from Fort Worth, said he was standing with fellow Democratic Rep. Cesar Blanco of El Paso when Republican colleague Matt Rinaldi came over and said: This is BS. That's why I called ICE.



Rinaldi, of Irving in suburban Dallas, and Blanco then began shouting at each other. A scuffle nearly ensued before other lawmakers separated the two.



Living in fear

Monday's protest was organized by activists who canvassed over Memorial Day weekend in Austin. They informed anxious immigrants about the rights they retain despite the law and urged grassroots resistance against it.



Abril Gallardo rode 15 hours in a van to Austin to urge fellow Hispanics to fight back.



Fear motivated me to get involved, said Gallardo, a 26-year-old Mexican native who entered the U.S. illegally at age 12.



Texas cities and immigrant rights' groups have challenged the legality of the law, hopeful for a legal victory like the one in Arizona, but that could take months to have any effect.



But even as some vowed to fight, others have begun fleeing the state. Their ranks are still too small to quantify, but a larger exodus - similar to what occurred in Arizona - could have a profound effect on the Texas economy. The state has more than 1 million immigrants illegally in the country, according to the Migration Policy Institute.



Some are abandoning Texas for more liberal states, where they feel safer - even if it means relinquishing lives they've spent years building.



Jose, a 43-year-old Mexican living in the U.S. illegally since 2001, and his wife Holly left Austin for Seattle in January in anticipation of Texas' immigration crackdown. That meant parting with Jose's grown son, their community of friends and their beloved home of eight years.



I felt like we ripped our roots up and threw ourselves across the country, said Holly, a 40-year-old Kentucky native who wanted to protect her husband.



Holly said as soon as Donald Trump was elected president, she and her husband began preparing to move. They expected Texas would follow Trump's agenda trying to force local law enforcement to do immigration's job. And when they heard Texas had approved a crackdown on sanctuary cities she said they finalized the decision.



I was living in constant fear in Texas, said Holly, who works as an immigration paralegal and has been married to Jose for 11 years. Now I know my husband is safe, and I don't have to worry every day about whether he's going to come home.



Others are doing the same. Miriam, a 34-year-old Mexican house cleaner who has spent the past 10 years in Austin, plans to move with her husband and two U.S.-citizen children to Oklahoma in September, when Texas' law goes into effect. Like Jose, Holly and others who were interviewed, she asked that her full name not be used to prevent possible deportation.



We can't even go out to get food or to go to work, she said of the law. A police officer can find you in any place.
Three senior leaders of India's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, including a cabinet minister, have been charged with criminal conspiracy in connection with the demolition of a 16th century mosque 25 years ago.

Appearing in a special court Tuesday in Lucknow city, former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani, cabinet minister Uma Bharti and Murli Manohar Joshi pleaded not guilty to charges of inciting a Hindu mob that tore down the mosque in December 1992. They were granted bail.

The destruction of the mosque in the small, sleepy town of Ayodhya in northern India triggered some of the worst Hindu-Muslim violence witnessed in the country. About 2,000 people were killed.

The three leaders say although they were present when the mosque was destroyed, they did not incite the mob that brought down the stone structure with pickaxes and crowbars.

Hindus believe the mosque stood on the birthplace of one their most revered gods, Lord Rama and that Muslim invaders had built it after destroying a temple standing there.

The BJP led a massive movement in 1992 demanding that Hindus be allowed to build a temple on the spot. Although a quarter century has passed, it continues to be one of Indias most contentious disputes between Hindu groups that want a temple built in Ayodhya and Muslim groups who insist the mosque must be rebuilt.

Not guilty plea



As she entered the courtroom, Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti told reporters, I contributed to the movement with complete faith, I dont consider myself guilty. She said that in a manner concerning God, My hopes also rest on God.

The ruling BJP is throwing its weight behind the three stalwart leaders. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh state, where the mosque was located, met the three outside the courtroom in a show of solidarity.

Several senior party leaders appeared on television to maintain the three are innocent.

New trial



Charges of criminal conspiracy against the three had been dropped by a lower court in 2001, but India's Supreme Court ordered a fresh trial last month.

The trial is expected to conclude in two years and the three leaders have been told to appear personally in court.

Political analysts say as the case is heard on a day-to day basis in the coming months, it will revive debate on what critics call the Hindu nationalist agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modis government. They say the agenda includes issues such as erecting a grand temple on the disputed site and protecting cows, which Hindus consider holy.

A BJP member of parliament, Sakshi Maharaj said Tuesday as he emerged from the courtroom that no power on earth could stop the construction of the temple.
Trade is returning to Cameroon's border communities more than two years since the start of the regional military offensive against Boko Haram militants. But as security improves, local officials warn Boko Haram remains a threat.



Hundreds of buyers and sellers assembled at the Ngule market near Achigachia as police and a few soldiers stood guard. The town straddles the Cameroon-Nigeria border, which officially reopened in January.



At the market, traders sell cotton, sorghum and millet destined for Nigeria. Food items and dresses from Nigeria are also for sale.



Fifty-eight-year old merchant Bouba Lamsi said 80 percent of the population in the area work in commerce. He said business activity is picking up and life is slowly coming to their locality.



It's a stark change from last year when the village was deserted after a large Boko Haram attack on Achigachia and a nearby military command post. Mosques, schools, and the market were burned.



In April, the government of Cameroon reconstructed the market and refurbished the Ngule government primary school, also damaged in the deadly attack. Hundreds have returned to class.



Speaking to VOA as he visited the school, Boniface Bayaola, Cameroon's secretary of state for secondary education, said teachers who are still reluctant to resume work should be informed that peace has returned.

He said he is visiting schools that were shut down due to the insurgency to encourage children with textbooks and financial assistance.



The official said 125 of the 170 schools sealed in the former Boko Haram hot spots of Logone, Chari, Mayo-Sava and Mayo-Tsanaga administrative units have been reopened.



But Midjiyawa Bakari, the governor of the Far North region of Cameroon, urged vigilance. He said Boko Haram has lost significant firepower but has orchestrated at least 20 suicide bombings in the area since January.



"We cannot say that 100 percent we have security," he said. "You know how Boko Haram is operating. They are just seeing whether you are sleeping and they will operate."



Another concern is food security.



El Hadj Toukour Abbo, who reopened his business in Achigachia after a two-year hiatus, sells cattle and livestock to Nigerian traders. But he said he now has to travel to the interior of Cameroon to find the animals.



He said cattle ranchers at the border are now poor and jobless because all of their stock has been stolen. Most herders have lost everything, he added, and prefer to leave their villages and move to more secure places where they can have food to eat and water to drink.



The Cameroonian government has begun distributing seeds to farmers willing to return to their fields, offering assurances of protection in the event of a Boko Haram attack.



But some residents say it is too risky to go home to their villages.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday was scheduled to interview two candidates to replace James Comey as head of the FBI, former agency No. 2 James Pistole and former Assistant Attorney General Chris Wray, the White House said.

The interviews mark a re-start of sorts for the search to find someone to replace Comey, who Trump fired on May 9. Trump said earlier this month he was "very close" to picking a nominee for the post and he had already met with several candidates.

"The president will be meeting with two additional candidates this afternoon, both Chris Wray and John Pistole," White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters. "When the president feels as though he's met with the right candidate he'll let us know."

Pistole, the former head of the Transportation Security Administration, served as deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 2004 to 2010. USA Today was first to report that Trump would be meeting with Pistole.

Wray served as assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department's Criminal Division from 2003 to 2005.

Comey was leading an FBI probe into possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia to sway the 2016 presidential election. His dismissal prompted an outcry from Democrats and some Republican lawmakers and raised questions about whether the president was trying to interfere with the investigation.

The week after Comey was fired, reports emerged that Trump had asked Comey to end the agency's investigation into ties between former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn and Russia, according to a source who has seen a memo of the conversation written by Comey.

The Department of Justice appointed a special counsel, former FBI director Robert Mueller, to head an independent investigation of the Russia matter.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Russian officials "must be laughing" at the United States with its escalating investigations into Moscow's meddling in last year's election, which he asserts was "a lame excuse" by opposition Democrats to explain losing the White House.

In a Twitter comment Tuesday, Trump said accounts of the probes of links between Trump campaign aides and Russian operatives aimed at helping him win have "taken over the Fake News," his derisive term for U.S. media.

Later, at a White House briefing for reporters, spokesman Sean Spicer said Trump "is frustrated ... to see stories come out that are patently false, to see narratives that are wrong, to see, quote, unquote, fake news, when you see stories get perpetrated that are absolutely false, that are not based in fact.

"That is troubling," Spicer added, "and he is rightly concerned."

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump, has partly blamed Russian interference in the election for her defeat.



WATCH: Clinton on her election loss, Russian interference



But Trump has been dismissive of the investigations, even as his own Justice Department appointed a special counsel to probe whether his campaign aides colluded illegally with Russia, and several congressional panels have embarked on their own fact finding.



ABC News reported that congressional investigators had asked one of Trump's closest confidants, his personal attorney, Michael Cohen, to tell them about contacts he has had with people connected to the Russian government, but he said he turned down the invitation. Cohen told the television network the request was "poorly phrased, overly broad and not capable of being answered.

Kushner's back-channel communications



Trump's Russia comment came as news reports continued to focus on Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and a White House adviser, and his reported attempt to establish a back-channel communications link to Russian officials in the weeks before Trump's inauguration in January.

Spicer deflected several questions about Kushner's actions, telling one reporter his inquiry "presupposes facts that have not been confirmed."

The White House is also bracing for the upcoming congressional testimony of former FBI chief James Comey. Trump fired Comey after allegedly asking him to drop the probe into former national security adviser Michael Flynn and his close ties to the Kremlin.

U.S. Senator John McCain, a key foreign affairs figure in Congress, said he views Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, as the "greatest challenge we have," even more so than that posed by Islamic State terrorists.

Speaking during a visit to Australia, McCain told the Australian Broadcasting Company Russia has tried to "destroy the very fundamental of democracy" with efforts to influence the U.S. presidential election and others elsewhere in the world.

MCain voiced concerned about the Kushner effort to establish the secret link to Russia.

"I know that some administration officials are saying, 'Well, that's standard procedure,'" McCain said Monday. "I don't think it is standard procedure prior to the inauguration of a president of the United States by someone who is not in an appointed position."

The White House says Kushner "was acting in his capacity as a transition official," and that he has agreed to discuss the meetings with congressional investigators.

Trump has rejected allegations his campaign colluded with Russia.

"Jared is doing a great job for the country," Trump told The New York Times late Sunday. "I have total confidence in him. He is respected by virtually everyone and is working on programs that will save our country billions of dollars. In addition to that, and perhaps more importantly, he is a very good person."

The 36-year-old Kushner, a New York real estate executive before joining Trump's White House staff, is married to Trump's oldest daughter Ivanka, who is also a White House adviser.

According to several news accounts, Kushner sought to create the secret communications link with Moscow as he met with the Kremlin's ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, last December.

Some foreign affairs experts said the move, while former President Barack Obama had weeks left in his term, worried them that it could undermine U.S. security, and some opposition Democrats have suggested Kushner's security clearance should be revoked. Other experts say exploring the creation of "back channels" is commonplace, even during presidential transitions.

'Fake news'



Trump's Tuesday attack on the U.S. news media, a near constant during his campaign and the first four months of his presidency, was his second in three days.

On Sunday, he wrote on Twitter, "It is my opinion that many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies made up by the #FakeNews media. Whenever you see the words 'sources say' in the fake news media, and they don't mention names, it is very possible that those sources don't exist, but are made up by fake news writers. #FakeNews is the enemy!"

He later added a defense of his use of Twitter, saying the media "works hard at disparaging & demeaning my use of social media because they don't want America to hear the real story!"
Attention is growing on Turkey's relationship with key NATO allies because of an increasingly acrimonious fight over the use of its Incirlik airbase.

Ankara and Berlin remain at loggerheads over German lawmakers being blocked from visiting their soldiers operating at the base.

It's a legitimate right from the German point of view and that is something Ankara is missing, points out former Turkish ambassador Unal Cevikoz, now president of the Ankara Policy Center, research organization. I understand at the meeting in Brussels between Chancellor [Angela] Merkel and President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan [in May] the matter was seriously discussed.

The blocking of German lawmakers to Incirlik follows Berlin's refusal to extradite to Turkey suspects in July's coup attempt. Bilateral tensions soared this month with Germany granting asylum to more than 200 Turkish diplomats and military personal wanted by Turkish authorities. The two sides are in talks to resolve the impasse.

I have seen some hints that Turkey will be looking at this issue favorably, predicts former Turkish ambassador Cevikoz.

'Blackmail wont work

Germany has deployed reconnaissance planes to Incirlik as part of international efforts against Islamic State. The vast base, located close to the Syrian and Iraqi borders, is widely seen as crucial in the war against the jihadists. But this month German Foreign Minister Sigma Gabriel warned Berlin is prepared to relocate its forces. Jordan is widely touted as an alternative.

It's not if, but when, and that when will happen quite soon," warns former senior Turkish diplomat Aydin Selcen, who served widely across the region and is now an analyst.

It's up to them, we will not beg them (to stay), Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, claiming Berlin's threat to withdraw is blackmail.

Key logistics hub

Repercussions from the German-Turkish dispute could add to growing unease in Washington. U.S. forces are the primary foreign users of Incirlik in its war against the Islamic State, as well as using it as a key logistics hub.

But Ankara has tried to use that dependency as leverage in its dispute with Washington over its military support of the Syrian Kurdish militia the YPG in fighting Islamic State. Ankara calls the YPG terrorists, claiming they are affiliated with the PKK, which is fighting the Turkish state.

There is high anti-Americanism in Turkey, observes Sinan Ulgen, a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Institute in Europe. There has been talk of restricting use of Incirlik, other than Incirlik there are few areas that Ankara could really undermine the U.S. position.

The refusal of Turkey's suggestion to avoid using the PKK/PYD/YPG in the Raqqa operation is unacceptable hypocrisy, thundered Devlet Bahceli, leader of the National Action Party, in parliament Tuesday. Bahceli is a key backer of Erdogan, who has an eye on his 2019 presidential re-election bid.

A balancing act

Ankara's use of Incirlik as leverage on its allies, in particular Washington, analysts claim is a balancing act, extracting maximum concessions, but avoiding a withdrawal.

"I don't think Turkish policy makers want to go there really, [to U.S. withdrawal], claims analyst Ulgen. But the dispute with Berlin over Incirlik's use, could add impetus in Washington to reassess its own dependency.

The [U.S.] movements of planes from Incirlik are now reduced to earlier periods. This sends a strong signal to Ankara, that Incirlik is not indispensable, warns former diplomat Aydin. But lets not forget there are some quarters in Ankara, whether among officials or politicians, who will rejoice if that day comes and the U.S. decides to move out of Incirlik all together.

Not just a military airbase

The cost to Ankara of its allies abandoning Incirlik could be immediate and considerable.

Incirlik is not just a military airbase used by our allies, its also important for intelligence purposes, points out research organization head Cevikoz. The intelligence German and U.S. experts secure are also shared with Turkey and this intelligence is absolutely necessary for Turkey's fighting against the PKK terrorism.

Turkish policy makers comfort themselves in knowing that finding an alternative to Incirlik has proved illusive to the United States. Analysts point out no one base can match Incirlik, but a combination of airbases belonging to the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government, along with small airstrips in Syria controlled by the YPG, could offer an alternative.

Such a step could have far reaching consequences.

It will underline the fact Turkey is not a strategic partner anymore for the other members of the coalition, warns analyst Aydin. But looking at the map, the geographical size of Turkey and its location, Turkey will still remain indispensable in the fight against ISIS.
Last year, Uganda's Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development worked with Parliament to enact and implement the Children Amendment Act, which prohibits corporal punishment in schools.

Of 93 recommendations made by the Uganda Human Rights Commission, this is the only one that government departments have fully complied with in the past five years.

"If there is no compliance and we keep on making the same recommendations and piling new ones and nothing is being done, that means the violations that we have assessed and recommendations we have made to address those violations are not implemented," said Katebalirwe Amooti Wa Irumba, who chairs the commission. "The violations will continue. In fact, they will become even worse."

Chief among those concerns, the commission said, was the issue of torture by security forces.

The commission said it documented more than 1,000 cases of torture by police and 275 by the army from 2012 to 2016. The alleged abuses ranged from electric shocks and beatings to mock executions and the denial of food to detainees. These things occurred despite Uganda's enactment of the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act of 2012.

"We shall do whatever is possible to make sure that we stop this act, and any officer who is involved in torture ... will be arrested and taken to courts of law," said Asan Kasingye, police spokesperson.

Other recommendations from the commission included a minimum wage mandate and categorization of skin treatments, lotions, sunglasses and hats that are appropriate for persons with albinism as essential drugs provided free of charge.

The Human Rights Commission is itself a government agency and has raised the issue of noncompliance with parliament.

The chairperson of the parliamentary human rights committee told VOA that lawmakers would hold hearings with government departments to find out why they were not making progress on the commission's recommendations.

Colonel Shaban Bantariza, the deputy government spokesman, said funding was a problem.

"We are slow, not because we don't like, but we can't afford to make the necessary increments," Bantariza said, citing such "competing priorities" as transportation, education and health spending.

The parliamentary committee said it would also look at what the Human Rights Commission called Uganda's unmet international obligations.

For example, the commission said ratifying the Optional Protocol to the U.N. Convention Against Torture would provide for additional mechanisms to prevent torture and ill treatment by obliging Uganda to open up all detention sites to scrutiny at both domestic and international levels
The United Nations humanitarian chief said Tuesday that Yemen has become the worlds largest food insecurity crisis, with more than 17 million people struggling daily to get enough to eat.



Stephen OBrien told the U.N. Security Council that of the 17 million people who are food insecure, nearly 7 million of them are one step away from famine.



What is worse, the threat of famine is driven and exacerbated by conflict, OBrien said, speaking of the more than two-year-old war between Yemen's government and Houthi rebels.



OBrien noted that the country is not facing a drought, a common cause of famine, but that the crisis is entirely man-made.



If there was no conflict, there would be no descent into famine, misery, disease and death  a famine would certainly be avoidable and averted, he said.



Spike in food prices



Food prices have surged, leaving a quarter of Yemenis unable to afford provisions at their local markets.



Local food production, especially agriculture and fishing, has been severely disrupted by the fighting. Add to that a de facto blockade on the countrys main commercial port by the governments Gulf Arab supporters, which is making the delivery of humanitarian aid and fuel extremely difficult.



As hunger spreads, the population becomes more susceptible to disease and the country is now trying to contain a cholera outbreak that OBrien said has sickened an estimated 60,000 people and killed 500. He said another 150,000 cases of the water-borne disease are projected over the coming six months.



The scale of this latest outbreak isa direct consequence of the conflict, OBrien said. He praised the U.N. and its humanitarian partners who are working to contain the epidemic. Less than 45 percent of Yemens medical facilities are functioning, adding to the challenge.



Political settlement still beyond reach

And there is no political settlement in sight.



I will not hide from this council that we are not close to a comprehensive agreement, the U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed told council members.



The reluctance of the key parties to embrace the concessions needed for peace, or even to discuss them, remains extremely troubling, he said.



Ahmed said he has also failed to get agreement on a deal to avert a military attack on the vital Red Sea port of Hodeidah, which is the main entry point for the majority of the countrys fuel and humanitarian aid.



Meanwhile, over one million civil servants have not been paid their salaries in months, driving families into poverty and adding to the countrys economic crisis.



Even the special envoy has not been immune to first-hand experience of the violence. Last Monday, Ahmed's convoy was attacked in Houthi-controlled Sana'a while traveling from the airport to the United Nations compound. The U.N. has called for an investigation into the incident.
The United Nations said Tuesday that 200,000 Iraqi civilians could flee an Islamic State-controlled part of Mosul in the coming days.

The Iraqi government on Thursday urged civilians in the Old City of Mosul to flee their homes and cross to safety on the other side of government lines.

"When they issued this new instruction, it represented a dramatic change and shift from the guidance that they had been previously providing," said Lise Grande, the U.N.'s top humanitarian official in Iraq.

She said there are three neighborhoods to the north of the Old City, as well as the Old City itself, where the civilians are trapped.

"We are deeply concerned about the safety of these civilians," Grande told reporters by video link from Baghdad. "We feel those civilians are probably at greater risk now than at any stage of the entire campaign."

She noted that the evacuation notice was not compulsory, and that the Iraqi security forces would protect civilians who remained in the Old City.

When the military offensive to retake Mosul began in the eastern part of the city last October, the U.N. feared an exodus of as many as 700,000 civilians. It did not happen, as a half-million residents stayed in their homes and rode out the fighting.

But when the army began liberating the western part of the city, residents fled at a much higher rate. Grande said 774,000 Iraqis have left Iraq's second-largest city, which has been under IS control since 2014. The U.N. is providing assistance to all of them, as well as the half-million east Mosul residents who remained in their homes.

Expecting the worst

"Based on our own scenario planning, we are at the moment staring our worst-case scenario straight in the face," Grande said. "Now we know that in the next few days, the next few weeks, an additional 200,000 civilians are likely to flee," she added, saying it would be difficult for humanitarians to cope with the number and speed of people moving.

Grande said the number of people leaving western Mosul recently had spiked to 10,000 a day and had reached 15,000 to 16,000 on some days.

"We are, however, developing contingency plans for a worst case that would envision as many as 40,000 civilians leaving each day," Grande said.

They are arriving at humanitarian points where they receive water, food and medical care, before they are screened and then sent to emergency camps or find shelter with friends or relatives. Grande said the families who have made the difficult and dangerous escape report limited food supplies, as well as shortages of clean water and medicines.

The battle for Mosul is not over, but humanitarians already are making contingency plans for the next town the Iraqi security forces are likely to try to liberate from IS  Hawija, in Kirkuk province. The U.N. already has constructed eight emergency camps nearby and is building more in anticipation of that operation.
The Pentagon is still trafficking arms from the port of Burgas (Bulgaria) to the port in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). Thus the Pentagon is delivering to jihadist groups in Syria  including Daesh arms manufactured in the former Soviet Union, which have not been not registered by Nato. Such arms are produced by Vazovski Machine Building Factory (VMZ) (Bulgaria) and Tatra Defense Industrial Ltd. (Czech Republic).

On 5 May 2017, the Marianne Danica left Bulgaria. On 20 May it arrived in Saudi Arabia just as the Hanne Danica was making its way back from Jeddah to Burgas.

According to Yoruk Isk and Alper Beler, these cargo ships were illegally transporting Grad multiple rocket launchers and OT-64 SKOT armoured vehicles (see photo).

These deliveries appear to execute obligations under the final contracts that the Obama Administration entered into at the beginning of January  i.e. at the end of the transition period , with the company, Orbital ATK. The contracts are worth 200 million dollars. Orbital subcontracted delivery to Chemring, which in turn, rented out cargo ships to the Danish company, H. Folmer & Co.

While the Trump Administration has discontinued with this line of contract, it has not cancelled contracts of this type that were entered into by the previous administration.
From the 3rd conference of the Friends of Syria, on 6 July 2012 in Paris, to the investiture of President Trump, on 21 January 2017 in Washington, the United States, France and the United Kingdom never ceased organising the war against Syria, while constantly pretending to be negotiating a political resolution.

Over the last 16 years, and particularly during his Presidential electoral campaign, Donald Trump has presented himself as a militant anti-imperialist. Contrary to what is claimed by his detractors, the fact that he is a billionaire in no way compromises his political convictions.

Since he arrived at the White House [1], President Trump has had to fight against his own administration, of which 98% of the senior civil servants voted Hillary Clinton, and also against the allied governments of his predecessor.

So, over the last four months, he has continued to follow his desire to liberate his country and the world by instigating a series of actions which his adversaries either deform or present as contradictory.

During the Summit of the Arabo-Muslim States, on 21 May in Riyadh, Donald Trump appealed to his interlocutors in general and Saudi Arabia in particular to break off all contacts with the Muslim Brotherhood and to sever all ties with Islamic terrorism [2]. Aware that he was asking King Salman to give up his main army, he gifted him with a replacement arsenal worth 110 billion dollars.

Despite the bursts of generosity of the King and his court, at the end of the summit, Saudi Arabia published a declaration without prior approval by the other participants [3]. This document may be read as the announcement of the creation of an  Islamic Military Coalition , an expansion of the  Joint Arab Forces  whom we saw at work in Yemen. But it may also serve later as a justification for Saudi occupation of regions of Syria, Iraq and elsewhere which had been liberated by Daesh.

At the Nato summit, on 25 May in Brussels, Donald Trump invited his allies to offer a minute of silence before a fragment of the Berlin Wall and a piece of debris from the Twin Towers. Reminding them that they had accepted  in the name of Article 5 of the Treaty - the principle of the fight against terrorism during the attacks of 9/11, he obliged them to redirect the aims of the Alliance [4]. It will of course maintain its anti-Russian function, but is now dedicated to the eradication of the jihadists which it has so far been coordinating from the base at Izmir (Turkey). As well as this, he compelled them to share their information concerning terrorist organisations via a Coordinated Intelligence Cell.

At the G7 Summit in Taormina, 26 May, Donald Trump managed to strong-arm his allies into making a declaration  against terrorism and violent extremism  [5]. In reality, his partners only accepted the agreement in order to prevent the spilling over of terrorism to the West from the areas where they organise it, finance it and supervise it. In any case, the G7 began a process aimed at drying up not only the financing of terrorism, but also that of violent extremism, in other words the Muslim Brotherhood, the source of terrorism.

This declaration was only possible in the context of the attack in Manchester perpetrated on 22 May, by the son of an M16 double agent, both an ex-member of Mouamar Kadhafis security services and of Al-Qaida [6]. But it is clear that the British still have no intention of depriving themselves of the Muslim Brotherhood.

However, it does seem possible that France and Germany are beginning to clean up their services. It will take them a while. Donald Trump has still not been able to do so in his own administration. Thus, on 20 May in Jeddah, the Pentagon delivered arms to the jihadists,honouring a contract signed in the final days of the Presidential transition [7]. These new weapons include multiple rocket-launchers and Bulgarian OT-64 SKOT tanks.
An international order based on rules that promotes peace between nations, safeguards sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all states and ensures the protection of human rights: this is what the G7 leaders say they want. These leaders have gathered at Taormina, near the Sigonella base, the strategic centre in the Mediterranean for US /Nato wars and covert operations that have demolished the Libyan state and tried to do the same thing in Syria, accelerating the tragic flow of migrants out of the country  migrants whose human rights the G7 is said to be extremely concerned about.

The declarations track those of the Nato Summit at Brussels: the G7 is formed of the six biggest Nato members plus Japan which is the USs and Natos principal ally in Asia. There is no shortage of economic and political divergences, dressed up as conflicting positions on climate change and migration. At the Summit, Trump irritated Merkel and the other leaders by recalling that the US spends more on defence than all the other Nato countries put together. Using a dictatorial tone, he has requested that all the allies uphold their commitment, assumed in 2014 with President Obama, to allocate at least 2% of their GDP to military expenditure. To date, the only countries to have crossed this threshold apart from the USA are Greece, Estonia, Great Britain and Poland. Sipri calculates that Italys military expenditure is 1.55% of the GDP which translates to around 70 million euro per day. If Italy were to increase expenditure to match Greece (2.36%, despite its economic crisis), it would spend more than 100 million per day; if it were to match US military expenditure (3.61%), it would spend more than 160 million euro per day. The 2%, insists Trump, is now insufficient given that the Alliances commitments have now increased. The Brussels Summit announced that Nato was entering into the Global Coalition to crush Isis (under the command of both the US and Nato) of which already 28 members of the Alliance are members.

Nato will provide Awacs radar airplanes and special forces for operations for the express purpose of combatting Isis (even though Isis plays a role in the US/Nato strategy to demolish states), aims at penetrating Syria to tear apart its territory and to circle Iran.

The Summit has also announced an increase in Nato troops in Afghanistan, today increased to 13,000 men.

In Europe, Nato continues its expansion to the East: Montenegro enters as the 29th member, already invited to the Summit. Montenegro, despite its small dimensions, is important for its geostrategic position and for its bunkers, in which Nato will deploy vast quantities of arms (which in all likelihood will include nuclear arms), and bomber fighters.

Nato  the Secretary-General Stoltenberg has declared at the Summit  must react because it has before it a Russia that is using military force to change the boundaries in Europe with its aggressive actions against Ukraine, illegally annexing Crimea and continuing to destabilize Eastern Ukraine. Going even further than Trump, who has talked in general terms of threats coming from Russia to the eastern boundaries of Nato, the Summit has re-charged Russia of wanting to re-draw the boundary lines within the Europe with its aggressive use of military force. The Summit accuses Russia of reopening the raw wounds of the old Cold War, advancing the hypo of armed Russian tankers invading Europe.

Trumps electoral pledge of wanting to start dialogue with Moscow is shattered to bits by a wall, invisible but powerful, built of those dominant US and European circles whose minds are fixed on a new Cold War and block every initiative with Moscow, threatening Trump himself with impeachment with the charge of conniving with the enemy.

While Trump beat Clinton, it is her ghost that now torments him, relentlessly like the Furies. For now, both at the G7 and Nato, the US President must take his seat at the table, as if he were a persona non grata.
A fractured view from the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. Photo: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images

By the time Ruben Ostlunds The Square won the Palme DOr at the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival, I was almost at the end of the eight-hour flight back to New York City, and already well into that post-festival feeling that the last week or two of my life was a dream that few outside of it would find interesting. This is not true in general, of course  plenty of eyes are on the festival, and Cannes is as good a harbinger as any for the films the rest of the world will be talking about by the end of the year. (Last years competition included Elle, American Honey, Toni Erdmann, and The Handmaiden.) But this year, my overall reticence might not have just been my own insecurity talking  as the spotlight fades, Im seeing and hearing more and more agreement that its been a down year for the festival, in more ways than one. This is reassuring, but not very helpful: More than usual, Im left wondering what to take away from all of it. What can I confidently tell people to look forward to? Is there a single new awards concern to be had? Which Cannes film can I recommend to my mom?

Perhaps the most damning irony of the festival is its most headline-friendly controversy looks worse for the festival than it does for its scarlet nemesis. This is the first year that Netflixs original films have premiered in competition on the Croisette  that would be Bong Joon-hos Okja, and Noah Baumbachs The Meyerowitz Stories. Its also the last, according to an announcement from the festival committee prior to opening day, which says that as of 2018 the festival will no longer accept films without a planned French theatrical release in the competition. This all but dashed any Palme hopes for either of Netflixs films (and, for that matter, Amazons two titles, Todd Hayness Wonderstruck and Lynne Ramsays You Were Never Really Here  though Amazon does more significant theatrical runs, its logo was booed just as Netflixs was, seemingly on principle.) But, perhaps uncoincidentally, Okja and Meyerowitz were two of the most generally well-received films in the competition, not to mention two welcome breaks from the punishing doom and gloom that characterized much of the rest of the slate.

They also both include noteworthy performances by big-name actors  Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaals gonzo turns in Okja, and Adam Sandler doing some of the best dramatic work of his career in Meyerowitz. Those sorts of headline-grabbing performances were in short supply this year, especially for women. You may hear some spin that this was a low-key-great year for women at Cannes, but Im with Jessica Chastain: Women both onscreen and off- had a rough time of it. One Sofia Coppola confederate matriarchy couldnt make up for the fact that too often the female characters were either one-dimensional allegorical monsters (Loveless), one-dimensional allegorical victims (You Were Never Really Here), or vacuous collateral. I was particularly disappointed by Ramsays film, given how deftly shes explored the emotional states of women whose lives deviate from societys norms. The filmmaking is as phenomenal as ever; Im still thinking about Ramsays virtuosic skipping-record raid sequences. But its troubled-man-redeemed-by-little-girl story felt out of step with what I need  critically, spiritually  from the movies right now. Ramsays split screenwriting win and Coppolas directing win (only the second for a woman in the entire history of the festival, shamefully) were hailed as triumphs, but they felt arbitrarily assigned. If anything, Ramsay should have gotten directing, Ostlund should have been a home run for screenwriting, and Sofia Coppola should have gotten the Palme for The Beguiled  not because it was great by any stretch of the imagination, but because not much was better, and Jane Campion is lonely.

Throughout all of this, the outside world threatened to steal the thunder of the films, with events often more dramatic, instructive, and darkly funny than what was going on onscreen. The festival took place against an embarrassment of a presidential world tour, a horrific terrorist attack in Manchester, and newly damning evidence of the Trump campaigns cooperation with Russia. Even in the balmy fantasyland of the Croisette, stringent security and huge blockades had visions of suicide bombers dancing through our heads as we trudged up the red carpet day after day. (There was even a blessedly false bomb scare before a press screening of Michel Hazanaviciuss Redoubtable, which I skipped for reasons unrelated to terrorism.) It was a fascinating context in which to watch some world-class Important Cinema, and especially to compare American and European approaches to political awareness.

Theres a wealth of turmoil stemming from every political and socioeconomic corner of the world right now, but the highest-profile European films at Cannes seemed preoccupied with the obliviousness of bourgeois and cultural elites. The upper-middle-class families of Loveless, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and Happy End, and the art-world buffoons of The Square were continually held up for condemnation and mockery, but it was not always clear to what end. (I did not see Fatih Akins neo-Nazi revenge tale In the Fade, which was probably among the most directly topical entries in the competition and certainly came at its politics from a different angle.) There was a stuck feeling to a lot of these films, unable to gracefully connect their characters sheltered worlds to a bigger picture. In stark contrast, many of the finest American films took place on the fringes of society and lower classes, from the desperate Queens criminals of Good Time to Sean Bakers standout The Florida Project and Chloe Zhaos The Rider, the latter pair highlights of the Directors Fortnight sidebar. Though less overtly political, they had more to say about shifting, disappearing, and otherwise unstable ways of life.

It was strange to reach the end of my Cannes stay and realize that all my favorite films were American, and two were in sidebars. The filmmaking and storytelling of The Florida Project, Good Time, and The Rider, all by comparatively young American filmmakers, made me more excited about the future of cinema than the selections from the more internationally established pros. Zhao in particular getting top honors at the Fortnight felt like a particularly important moment, especially for an Asian-American female filmmaker working in the far-from-stereotypical milieu of South Dakota rodeo boys. These directors arent dragging their chosen medium behind them like a ball and chain: Theyre exalting in it, wrapping themselves in bright colors and sweeping cinematography and loud music even in the midst of turmoil.

Im happy to recommend Ostlunds big winner The Square, which is consistently smart and laugh-out-loud funny in all its liberal-creative absurdity. But its a film that made me think far more than I felt, which makes it pretty representative of my Cannes experience. On the third or fourth day of any festival, if one hasnt yet seen anything breathtaking, a critic can enter a manic emotional-junkie state, ravenously looking for anything that disproves ones own terminal anhedonia. (This years Sundance went similarly for me, but at least it was capped off by Luca Guadagninos euphoric Call Me by Your Name, which many critics have speculated would have killed if it played in the competition.) This was only my second time at Cannes, so hearing the muted response from Chastain and the rest of Pedro Almodovars jury was somewhat reassuring to me. If Will Smith, Park Chan-wook, and Maren Ade can all agree the festival needs to do better, maybe Im not crazy. Because when its magic hour and youre alone in Cannes drinking rose, freshly let down by one of your favorite filmmakers, its hard not to feel like a shallow hedonistic American, in search of a good time when theres none to be had.
Isabelle Huppert and Michael Haneke. Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Last week, we discovered the pure joy that is knowing that Jane Campion and David Lynch hold hands when in each others presence. Now I am proud to report that Cannes produced another unlikely set of hand-holders: Isabelle Huppert and her four-time collaborator Michael Haneke (Amour, The Piano Teacher). We are friends! Huppert announced, grabbing Hanekes hand with glee during an interview for their new film, Happy End. It was an amazing, loving sight, given just how  whats the word?  sadistic their work together tends to be.

Even more surprising, though, is that Haneke, 75, and Huppert, 64, both seem to have taken a keen interest in social media, which fits into the movies themes, per Haneke, of the autism of Western society and our indifference to the rest of the world. A deeply dark comedy about a disintegrating bourgeois family, led by Huppert, Happy End actually begins with footage from the social-media stream of an unseen 12-year-old. At first its innocent footage of her mothers bathroom routine, but then it takes a turn: The girl feeds her hamster her mothers depression meds just to see what happens, and then writes crude commentary over footage of her mother collapsed in the living room. And that, folks, is what happens when Michael Haneke discovers Snapchat. We spoke to the duo about their social-media habits, karaoke, and Hanekes newfound love of Sia. Heres what we learned:

Even Isabelle Huppert thinks its weird shes on Instagram.

As a member of a pre-pre-internet generation and the chicest woman in France, and perhaps the world, Isabelle Huppert as an Instagram user makes zero sense. La Huppert doesnt need to self-promote; were already obsessed. Yet, somehow, shes had an account since last September, with a delightful feed of her with fellow redheads Jessica Chastain and Julianne Moore, and dream collaborator Barry Jenkins. How in tarnation did this come about?

Its been a bit strange. I dont know why I did it, actually, she says. I mean, every other day I said I should close it. Sometimes I think its nice, but sometimes I dont really see the purpose of it. Shes aware someone has made a fake Twitter and fake Facebook for her, but shes only on Instagram herself, and only because someone talked her into it and promised shed never have to post personal photos or engage with the hilarious comments section herself, in which fans poke loving fun at how rarely Huppert smiles in photos. I dont even know how to use it, says Huppert, laughing. I dont even have access to my account myself! So I do it completely blind and someone takes care of it.

Haneke learned about Snapchat from actual 12-year-olds, who consulted on the script.

Snapchat is not something that interests me, Haneke says, but of course I researched it. One of his main protagonists is that 12-year-old girl, Eve (Fantine Harduin), who has to move in with Hupperts characters family after her mother overdoses, and Haneke wanted to make sure he was creating an authentic portrayal of youth today. So he created an imitation of the Snapchat interface (for legal reasons they couldnt use the real thing) and brought in his adolescent grandchildren, as well as the kids of his French translator, as script consultants to tweak the jargon. I dont know what extent that comes through in English subtitles, he says, but in French its clear its a very specific language of young people.

Related Stories Cannes Review: Michael Haneke Makes Snapchat Scary in Happy End

As for his own social-media usage, Haneke admits hes as tethered to his iPhone as anyone else, and regularly checks social media, even if he doesnt post anything himself. If youre looking at contemporary society its absolutely essential, he says, telling me hes fascinated about how quickly the means of communication have improved, without, it seems, any improvement in actual human connection. All you have to do is go to the cafe at the next street corner and look at people and how they communicate with each other, he says. Even couples arent talking to each other. Theyre looking at their smartphones and typing away on them.

The two are so simpatico they communicate almost by telepathy.

Huppert and Haneke are so in tune with each other they dont need to text or talk on the phone. Michael lives in Vienna most of the time and I live in Paris, said Huppert, but we are in touch anyway. Even if we do not call each other every day, we are connected. We are very close because we are friends! This is when she grabbed his hand and clutched it to her heart.

When we finish a project and we are separating, we just say, See you next time, said Haneke, and then you see us in two years on the next project. Haneke doesnt even pitch movies to Huppert anymore; he just asks her to show up.

He doesnt need to explain and I dont want explanations, she said. I just say, Give me the script.

She is an adult person. She knows how to read, said Haneke, laughing. If the cast is right, you do not need to explain the characters. If the cast is wrong, you can explain whatever you want; it will not work.

Haneke has watched that Sia Chandelier video a gazillion times.

The movies most indelible scene, in which Hupperts characters fuck-up son (played with dark intensity by Franz Rogowski) goes full Maddie Ziegler in a drunken karaoke rendition of Sias Chandelier, wasnt Hanekes idea. But the second Rogowski suggested it, the director did recognize the opportunity to mix desperation, camp, and terrible singing. It turns out that Haneke was already familiar with the Sia video (again, grandkids). The girl who did the original  is she American?  shes so well-known that there are lots of parodies of that performance on the internet, he said. So we decided to come up with an alternative of our own, which was difficult because, like me, that actor doesnt know how to sing. But hes very strong and physical.

Huppert agrees. I love that scene, too, Michael, she said. Its so powerful and disturbing. It says everything about loneliness and craziness and solitude and disturbance just through the body language.

Haneke agrees with me and the rest of the world that Huppert needs to sing in public more often.

As I have noted previously, Hupperts rendition of Happy Birthday, sung onstage at host of Canness 70th anniversary celebration, will change your life. And Haneke agreed, telling her how impressed hed been, as they sat in front of me. You sounded super! he told her. It would be impossible for me. I feel much too embarrassed when Im singing.

Isabelle Huppert sings Happy Birthday to #cannes. Your life will never be the same. #cannes70 pic.twitter.com/2YO1U46QNM  Jada Yuan (@jadabird) May 24, 2017

Huppert seemed genuinely touched. Coming from you, Michael, that is the best compliment! she said. Because he knows music. It had been Hupperts idea to sing onstage, and shed been encouraged, she said, by something the famed avant-garde stage director, Robert Wilson, once told her. I remember once I was singing for Bob and he said, You have a microphone voice, meaning, your voice gets even better with the microphone: When you sing with the microphone, you feel the potential of your voice.

Further evidence that Huppert is a chanteuse for the ages: Video thats surfaced of her singing along with a mariachi band Salma Hayek brought to the Cannes 70th after-party. I had no idea what I was singing because it was all in Spanish, she said, so I was reading lips, movements of the people. The only song I really knew was the one that goes, Ay ay ay ay  Cielito Lindo. Thats the only one everyone knows.

One final video from this very special singalong led by Salma Hayek and Guillermo del Toro. #cannes pic.twitter.com/60M4JBTxhb  Rebecca Ford (@Beccamford) May 24, 2017

Huppert  who knew?  is a karaoke fanatic.

Haneke doesnt do karaoke (Me? No! Never!), but Huppert loves it. And we have Taiwanese auteur Hou Hsiao-hsien (who won Best Director at Cannes in 2015 for the slow and insanely beautiful martial-arts flick The Assassin) to thank for that. Years ago, when they were hanging out in Taipei, Hou took Huppert karaoke-ing for the first time. All people from Asia, they are very keen on karaoke, she said. Its very in their culture, even someone like Hou Hsiao-hsien. Hes the first person I ever did karaoke with. In Asia you go to these small rooms in upper floors in hotels and you spend hours doing karaoke. Its very funny. I love it!

Its crazy he loves doing karaoke, Haneke chimed in. I would not like to sing. Never.

Michael wouldnt necessarily sing [karaoke], said Huppert, but if he was forced to do it, he would sing opera, something classical.

Whats Hupperts karaoke go-to? I would sing Edith Piaf, she said, because you can really let your voice go.

There you go, filmmakers of the world: Isabelle Huppert loves singing Edith Piaf in her spare time. If that isnt in a movie in the next two years, you only have yourselves to blame.
House of Cards Chapter 57 Season 5 Episode 5 Editors Rating 3 stars * * * Previous Next   Previous Episode Next Episode  Kevin Spacey as Frank, Michael Kelly as Doug. Photo: David Giesbrecht/Netflix

Remember when I was relieved that House of Cards wasnt going to make this election drag all season? Well, that relief is as dead as that dog from the series premiere because Chapter 57 picks up nine weeks after the election and still  still!  neither of these dudes has enough electoral college votes to win. The situation was a lot funnier when it happened on Veep a year ago. Frank tells us that the Supreme Court is short a justice (what else is new) and all three branches of government are in crisis (omg same) and maybe some important person should just flip a coin, as great philosopher Donald Duck once recommended in a Disney comic.

Its an awful lot of tell with very little show, unless you count the pleasant tour of our national monuments. Also, Franks idea of a killer kicker is meet your new daddy, which is (1) gross, and (2) not really accurate, because hes the incumbent, so, you know, hes already the daddy if were insisting on that gross term of endearment.

Conway is not enjoying this purgatory and we find him doing some VR thing that replicates his experience in combat. At first, I think this is because war is preferable to his real hellish existence, but it turns out this is a form of PTSD therapy (which is real and fascinating). Conway, as per usual, gets all edgy whenever anyone suggests something went awry during his service. Under the stress of it all, Conway starts being a real dick to his wife. He mansplains politics to Hannah, calls her darling in a snarky tone of voice, and taunts her: What are you gonna do? Take the kids and go to your mom? Youve already picked out the White House china. Oh, and because there arent enough creepy white men on this show, campaign manager Mark continues to look like Julian Assanges fraternal twin and flex his evil mastermind muscles.

One of this shows most annoying habits is taking us on scenic detours to nowhere  especially in episodes like this, where there is a ton of plot to address and these supposedly symbolism-heavy side trips just slow things down for no reason. Just because a Netflix episode can be 54 minutes long doesnt mean it has to be! You may be surprised to learn that 45 is a perfectly fine number of minutes. Perhaps it will not shock you to learn that I could have done without the little reunion of Frank and Eric, who played Franks ancestor Augustus in a Civil War reenactment a while back and gave Frank good, meaningful, ghosty feelings. The purpose of this is  umm  that everything Frank thought he knew about Augustus was a lie and its okay because Eric believes in destiny? Wow, thank you for that. Such a valuable use of my finite time in this cruel world.

Cut to MSNBC, where soon-to-be-betrothed Mika and Joe are flirt-shouting about how messy democracy can be, but theres a method to the madness of the mess, so dont get mad about the mess without paying attention to the method. In my notes I write: Jesus, is this entire season going to be all these dodos flipping out about how no one knows who the president is? Zoe Barnes did not die at the non-existent Cathedral Heights metro station for this.

Things get worse before they get better: Tom is writing short stories (eww, why) and they are all about Claire and their tryst (double eww, double why). When Claire, a goddess mucking about with mortals like some kind of modern-day Zeus in a perfectly tailored pencil skirt, states the obvious fact that Tom cannot write about this, and he should instead write about literally anything else, Tom throws the self-indulgent, whiny fit of a young creative white male who is encountering the word no for the first time in his life. Im writing. Its what I do. Im a writer, he says, although have we seen him write anything, actually? (Never forget: He didnt write the novel that made him famous. He stole it from his dead friend.) Claire reminds Tom that he is not a prisoner in the White House and is free to leave whenever, so Tom is all, I do have some things to do, which is hilarious and not even a little bit convincing. Does Tom live at the residence? Did Claire give him a drawer? She later sends one of her lackeys out to stalk Tom as he goes to New York to have a touchy-feely dinner with another older woman.

Finally we get to the juicy stuff: LeAnn tells Claire that Franks approval ratings are dipping into the high teens but, on the bright side, Claire is at 30 percent. And because of convoluted electoral rules I wont bother to explain because I know you dont care either, Claire can be vice-president even if Conway wins the presidency. Everyone proceeds to talk about a split ticket like it will actually tear the fabric of our delicate country asunder. Honestly, I think wed all be fine, but such is life as the House of Cards recapper: Everyone onscreen has an aneurysm over everything, while I nod knowingly from my couch and murmur, Doesnt seem like that a big deal.

Then again, whenever I want these guys to think something is a big deal, they brush it off. Such is the case when Lisa  who you may remember was the girlfriend of dearly departed Rachel back when Rachel was living off the grid  visits Tom at the Herald to share her concerns about Doug Stamper and the Underwoods. Tom is surprisingly dismissive of her and cavalier about the evidence he says he already has, but fortunately, cute gumshoe Sean snaps some pictures of Toms notes from the meeting and passes what little intel he has so far on to Seth.

After sharing a cigarette with Claire in a spot where you can almost not hear the protesters  its just like old times!  Frank tries to lock down this Congressman Romero character. Instead of clinging to his integrity or successfully selling out, Romero tries and fails to secure the votes Frank needs for the presidency. Turns out the Democrats think supporting Frank would do more damage than a Conway presidency. GEE, IF ONLY A CERTAIN POLITICAL PARTY HAD FELT THAT WAY ABOUT THEIR CANDIDATE NOT SIX MONTHS AGO. Frank tells Romero hell never set foot in the Oval again, then blackmails all the Congressmen he can. (The grimier offenses include statutory rape, a father-daughter DUI, and who knows what kind of incriminating email.)

Aidan calls LeAnn and tells her to stop the manhunt. Hes got dirt on the Underwoods (and, one assumes, Doug) and will start leaking it. LeAnn passes this choice threat along to Doug, who is feeling all bruised because Frank questioned his loyalty (!!!) and also because he failed to get New Hampshire, even though LeAnn managed to secure Maine. Not even weirdly silent sex with the transplant widow can cheer him up. (Maybe he shouldve role-played as her Uber driver?)

Frank is slipping, but Claire is gaining ground: She meets with a few undecided female senators, all of whom seem onboard with Claire in the White House. Now its only a matter of when, and with whom. Empowered by this meeting, Claire beautifully destroys Donald, who it seems has moved beyond his crush  not enough to not say stuff like, Id vote for you! but enough to provide the country with clarity that can only come from a single-party ticket. Claire responds by telling Donald he is a fool: You always were. You are your dumb, dead wife that you never, ever shut up about  You have a legacy of nothing. Donald, ever the mature gentleman, basically calls her a cunt. Politics: Its fun for the whole family!

In the end, the vote for the president is inconclusive. Neither Frank nor Conway got the 26 they needed, so the vice-president will be the acting president for as long as it takes the House to make up its mind. And who will that be? The episode ends on Claire staring right at us.
Season five begins with Claire Underwood, cheekbones strong as the day is long, staring us straight in our less-cheekbone-y faces and asking, Its terrifying, isnt it? GIRL. You dont even know.

Really, though: This season premiere is plagued by that feeling of you dont even know, the sense that House of Cards is coming to us from some vacuum-sealed place where no one keeps up with the approximately 10,000 breaking-news alerts sending our phones into seizures every hour. This is not a show winking knowingly at reality, as it perhaps once was; its a show that keeps bumping into reality like a drunk stumbling around a bar, crashing into other patrons who are just trying to enjoy a chill happy hour. (Filming started last July  a.k.a. a few back-to-back forevers ago  and wrapped in February.)

While Claire works on this fear-mongering PSA about seeing something and saying something because terrorists walk among us, Frank puts on his Kiss me, I used to be in Congress pin, barges into their chambers, and hijacks the whole session, stealing the mic from the gentlemen from whatever states and theatrically chucking the Washington Herald, stuffed with its pesky allegations that Frank is a criminal. He marches into the room to the sound of a military snare, so no surprise that his strategy for changing the conversation is to feign disgust at being the center of attention when it is time to formally declare war against ICO.

ICO is the shows fictional terrorist faction, and I get that its very difficult to come up with realistic-sounding fictional terrorist factions, but  really, ICO? Pronounced eye-koh? It sounds like something a focus group might name an online banking app. Anyway, you may remember them as the group to which two strapping, white 20-something American guys pledged allegiance last season. It was in the name of ICO that these two beheaded ordinary, Dennys-eating citizen Jim Miller and kidnapped Jims wife and daughter, Melissa. One of these dudes is already dead. Josh is the one who is still alive and reportedly at large; he has this little chinstrap, Ed Sheerany facial-hair situation that makes him even less sympathetic than he was when we could only hear his voice on the phone.

Anyway, Frank grandstands a lot and generally acts like That Man Who Interrupts Everyone in Meetings. Even when Madame Speaker insists he yield the floor, nevertheless, he persists. He bellows, I WILL NOT YIELD. He was violating the very rules he manipulated to get access to the proceedings in the first place, a totally on-brand move. YOU WILL ALL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS COWARDS. Honestly, no one in that room is going down in history as anything. Maybe theyll be half a blurb in a did you know? box in the textbooks of tomorrow. If theyre lucky.

Frank goes to Jim Millers funeral and is remarkably clumsy about the whole situation. Its pretty clear that the Millers dont want him there: Melissa, angsty teen, interrupts her moms eulogy to say, You killed my father, youre the reason he died, so, yeah, Id say, not the best PR for Frank with two weeks to go until the election. Conway is also there and is also impressively graceless, staging a pissing contest with Frank just feet away from the grieving family. And when Frank does go talk to the Millers, he doesnt even ask them how they are. Is that so hard to do? Have any of the politicians in House of Cards ever had a conversation with a regular person?

Melissa later whispers in Franks ear: I hope you die.

You might think, what with reality being so bonkers, it would be impossible for anything in HoC to strike a viewer as implausible. But so much that happens in this episode makes no sense, even in the context of our totally senseless world. Why is Claire on Charlie Rose with Tom from the Herald? Why would she even bring up Lucas Goodwin? (R.I.P., buddy.) Why would she be called upon to talk about national security? And maybe Im naive, but I find it hard to believe there is no one running for president in the HoC universe that cares, at least an itty-bitty bit, about the fact that a man was just beheaded.

Another thought: Wouldnt Conway be more interesting if he werent all but twirling a mustache in every single scene? Cartoon villainy is so dull. His wife, Hannah, is much more intriguing: Although someone savvy enough to get to where she is wouldnt be foolish enough to just post a video like that without running it by an entire phalanx of social-media and communications people on the Conway campaign, the fact that she still has these flashes of humanity, unlike her husband, makes her unpredictable and fascinating to observe. (Meanwhile, Claire apologizes to Frank for crying at a funeral.)

Frank wants to declare total war  not clear what that would entail, exactly  mostly as a diversion tactic from the Herald. (Another thing: Wouldnt playing up the threat of war only make Conway, the candidate with actual military experience and a whole war-hero shtick, more attractive to the American people?) Frank has big dreams that include expanding the no-fly list and closing off our borders to people from the Middle Eastern countries where citizens are protesting him. Those meanies in the Middle East hurt Franks feelings, so now he has no choice but to lash out at an entire region, with zero thought to the global consequences of letting his ego dictate foreign policy. This is what I mean about the whoops, we crashed into reality! sensation: A president who wants to undermine the press and is willing to just lie, wildly, to keep everyone from reading the damning headlines? A president who deals with dissent by banning immigrants? Its both too real and not-self-aware enough to be a thoughtful commentary on whats happening out here.

Novel-writing Tom is still on hand as Claires sidepiece  her and Franks arrangement is just like that story on open marriage from The New York Times Magazine!  which, unfortunately for us, means we have to watch him aimlessly mosey around the residence, saying cryptic, not actually poetic or insightful stuff to Claire, and stealing what Im pretty sure is that satchel of her baby teeth she found at her moms place in Dallas.

Later, we see Claire at a burned-out convenience store  her choice atrocity from a bunch offered up to her by Leann  and as she boldly tells everybody not to worry, the NSA is spying on all of us, someone calls her a war whore and throws a thing of paint at her. Its okay: Tom is there to lick her wounds, literally. Why does Claire wear so much beige in this episode, by the way? Makes her seem so mousy, compared to her usual ivory or ebony color palette.

Thats all good and strange, but the oddest sequence in the episode comes when Claire insists on staging a one-on-one meeting with Joshs mom. As we discover at the end of the hour, Josh isnt missing at all! Hes already in custody, and Frank has been letting officers beat him up to extract information until it becomes convenient to announce his capture. Claire knows  right? She has to know  and knowing that she knows turns what was already a brutal confrontation into borderline psychological torture. She grills Joshs mom for not knowing about the terrorist under her own roof, as if Claire doesnt understand how possible it is to be blind to the darkest parts of the people closest to you. (Also, Claire just spent so much time with her mother, from whom she was so distant. Does she really not get how parents can miss the obvious in their own kids?) Because Claire clearly doesnt need Joshs mom to find Josh, I guess the sole purpose of this emotional horror show is to get Joshs mom to beg her son to turn himself in on camera.

About that whole Josh is alive thing: not for long! Frank instructs his lackey to get rid of the asset  get some good, usable footage of his killing and then destroy everything else. Doug is there, his heart torn asunder, but he follows Frank out in silence, as he must, for his devotion to Frank is absolute, as pure and bright as the fire at the center of the sun that never sheds light on his Sadness Cave.

In other news, Aidan hacked into the NSA. You remember him, right? Hes the data scientist who tipped off the Underwoods to the Conways sketchy use of Pollyhop  thats the fake search engine; wow, the HoC writers are not great at coming up with fake names for stuff. Anyway, this hack involves lots of photos of waterfalls. As my understanding of cybersecurity is limited to put a Post-it over your laptop camera because creeps are always trying to catch you Gchatting in your underwear, I cant explain the significance of this just yet.

Frank calls the Millers, who have made it inescapably clear that they want nothing to do with him. I am relieved that Melissa and her mom are not charmed at all by the Underwoods. But now that Melissa is a single, wounded brunette, Im afraid Doug will try to take her out for coffee.
Presumed snack recipient. Photo: Peter Mountain/Disney Enterprises

Everything about the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is big: the hats, the sword battles, Johnny Depps eyeliner, and of course, the budgets  including one very specific budget. While some might scoff at the price tag for the two Gore Verbinskidirected follow-ups to the original Pirates ($225 million for Dead Mans Chest and $300 million for At Worlds End), those people clearly dont know how much food it takes to feed pretend swashbucklers. According to Jack Davenport, who played the white-wigged, Jack Sparrow foil, Commodore James Norrington, the snack budget on the 2006 and 2007 sequels was quite astounding. Davenport recounted to The Hollywood Reporter a conversation he had with the craft services chef about the snacks budget:

He looked me square in the eye and said essentially unlimited. I was like what does that mean? He was like I dont know, $2 million. I was like For snacks? And he was like yeah?

While Davenport was quick to point out that this might not be as frivolous as it sounds  there were a lot of hungry people working both behind and in front of the cameras on those blockbusters  we cant help but wonder how much of that money was dedicated to disappearing bottles of rum.
I would trade every minute were forced to watch Cameron and her limp extensions for a millisecond of Kathryn, whose lopsided red hairdo is still the best reason to tune into this deflated souffle of a television program. The best moment the entire episode is in the very opening seconds, when Kathryn is sitting in a public park doing yoga. It seems ordinary (which is appropriate, because Kathryn is just into regular yoga), but it is entirely extraordinary. This is not a park for activities; it is a lawn with a fountain that looks more like a decorative boulevard. That means Kathryn showed up with all of her equipment and was putting on a show of flexibility and mental focus while traffic was swirling around her.

The best part is, she isnt even doing yoga. She is all kitted out in Lululemon and just plops herself down on a yoga mat that she schlepped out to this park. She doesnt do downward dog or warrior one. She just sits there, Indian-style (can we still say that?), holding her hands in front of her body with the palms pressed together. The only pose she is even remotely close to doing is a stock photo of desperate woman doing yoga in public. The whole scene, which lasts a little more than an instant, is the best thing to happen on the entire episode and that is why I never want Kathryn, a hot-air balloon propelled by sorrow, to ever go away. Namaste.

Other than that, this episode is a collection of disastrous meals. First is when Craig takes Naomie out to celebrate his finally graduating from law school, which means he turned in his long-overdue thesis. He just wants to go out, have a nice meal, and get his girlfriend really excited about his shoddy accomplishments. Instead she says, I dont even know whether I should believe you right now. That is how far their relationship has deteriorated because of his whole deceit over whether or not he was going to take the bar. Then she scolds, Doesnt it feel good when you do what youre supposed to do? like hes a toddler who didnt piss all over the bathroom because his mother put some Cheerios in the toilet so he could use them for target practice.

All Craig wants is for Naomie  clearly the more intelligent and ambitious of the two  to validate what he has done, but she does not take the bait at all. When he gets moody and petulant, she finally musters up some wilting enthusiasm and says, Yay! Youre going to take the bar, but its the sort of feigned excitement one usually reserves for unwrapping ugly sweaters that your grandmother knitted for you for your birthday.

Kathryn gets to go on two very sad lunch dates. The first is with Shep and Craig, where Shep invited Cameran along. It seems like Kathryn and Cameran never had much of a relationship to rekindle, so Im not entirely sure why Shep wanted her along, but it was nice for him to invite her. Hes right: There is no reason why everyone should be hanging around with Thomas and not Kathryn. It seems like they were both crazy and awful as their relationship ignited and then crumbled.

Cameran then decides to invite Whitney and not tell the others. Now, Kathryn did invite Thomass best friend (and her former lover and adversary) to lunch independently, but I feel like that was something she wanted to mentally plan for rather than just having his presence flung on her like one of those octopus toys from the cereal box that you throw on the wall. It is a total dick move on Camerans part. She says that she brought Whitney because she was anxious about seeing Kathryn and bringing Whitney would make her feel better. What she accomplished was shifting her anxiety to Kathryn, because she couldnt have possibly prepared for this meeting in a way that seems necessary.

Anyway, Kathryn handles herself nicely and they have a very boring and tasteless lunch of gray nachos at a place called California Dreams, which is the worst sort of name for an inside-outside restaurant complex on the water in Charleston, especially when its a little bit too cold and not nearly sunny enough to be dining al fresco. There is no joy at this lunch at all. These people dont seem to enjoy each others company, dont have anything to talk about, and certainly have no new business to discuss. They just exchange pleasantries blander than those gray nachos like a bunch of old co-workers getting together at a bar in a Holiday Inn during a convention that no one wanted to attend.

But Kathryns good behavior and the letter she sends Thomas pay off when Kathryn and Liz share a tiny little birthday cake for her son, Saint, who is turning 1 on that day and Kathryn isnt allowed to celebrate with him. Thomas writes her a letter and gives it to Liz to give to Kathryn, which seems slightly byzantine considering he could have it delivered to her in two days for less than 50 cents. Anyway, the letter says Thomas wants to repair their relationship as parents and invites Kathryn to Saints first birthday party after all. That would be very nice if not for that sad little cake for a little boy who is not there.

The worst meal of all, however, is Thomas and Landons date. Oh my God, how awful, awkward, and another word that starts with a! (Armageddon, maybe?) Thomas is acting like a total goon, spilling his wine everywhere, and discussing topics that have no consequence whatsoever. We do learn that Landon had to change the name of her website because Roam is copyrighted and several other websites have that name. Landon says, How am I supposed to know that? Yes, this is an internet entrepreneur who doesnt know how to use Google to make sure that her web domain name is available. Does she think that people want to name their businesses R3fr3shr or some other jumble like that? No, they do it because all of the good domain names are already taken.

Oh, no, wait! We find that out at Landons dinner with Drew, a few days after her date with Thomas where she finally breaks up with her 26-year-old sex robot and starts crying because no one will walk her dog with her. Drew, on the other hand, does not care at all. Landon thinks shes breaking his heart, but he says, Well, if you want to see someone else, you just go for it. He knew this thing was about as permanent as a caricature of someones boss hastily drawn on a conference-room white board. He doesnt mind so much that its ending.

Anyway, back to her date with Thomas. Apparently, Landon thinks it went well since she showed up to let Thomas down gently and left feeling like she was about to get a Jonas Brothers brand promise ring in the mail in the next several days. The worst part of this bad date is the woman sitting next to them, whos just dying to horn in on their conversations after one too many glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon. You just be yourself because youre precious! she shouts at Landon interrupting their conversation. No one can deny the chemistry you two have. This is your soulmate right here.

This, right here, is why I hate the South. Not only do people think that its perfectly all right to interrupt a nice conversation with their idiotic opinions, but the people on the receiving end of those comments have to smile and nod graciously and pretend like they dont want this woman to be swallowed up by a three-quarters-full septic tank and then spit out into a vat of acid. If this had happened in New York, both parties would have turned to her and simultaneously cursed her out only to stop mid-sentence, turn to each other, stare across the candlelit abyss between their two faces, and realize that they were meant to be together all along. Were just one immaculate kitchen away from a Nancy Meyers movie here. Instead, we get them giggling with good manners and letting the darkness fester deep within their bowels. God, the South is the worst.
Selina begins this episode with actual, genuine excitement about something: the unveiling of her official presidential portrait and, more importantly, the oh-so-glowing remarks President Montez will make for the occasion. Selina must have forgotten that the painter of said portrait was, as Mike would say, making love to Andrew, and was already being treated pretty badly by Selina before that fun fact came to light. If I were Selina, Id be nervous about this whole thing from the get-go. But alas, we cannot crawl into our television screens and advise these characters how and when to manage their expectations. So Selina is all giggly about Montez saying some hilariously untrue thing about shattering glass ceilings, in English, in front of 200 of the most important people in Washington.

Richard would just like to know if Jonah is invited. Selina compliments his sense of humor.

Jonah, naturally, is obsessed with the fact that basically everyone in D.C., except for him, scored an invite to this gathering, which I guess is prestigious because both POTUS and former POTUS will be in attendance, but honestly it sounds sort of boring and not that important. Then again, Jonah has never met a pretty grievance he couldnt cling to and make into a way bigger deal than necessary. So Jonah will, in time, use this non-invite as his inspiration for shutting down the entire United States government. But more on that in a minute.

First, Selinas meeting with her editor. While he is so riveted by her tales of her fathers horse-thievery, the book ends when Selina goes off to college. (It sounds like this is her Dreams From My Father, right? People seemed to want to read that! I mean, I didnt. But like, other people did.) The editor is totally cool with her going in that direction  volume two, of course, being Meyer Ascendant and volume three The Meyer Year  its just that, unless she gets some presidential stuff into this particular book, shell have to pay back her advance. (Poor Mike, on the brink of poverty and starvation: There was an advance?)

It doesnt take long for Selina to realize the juiciest parts of her presidency  or at least, the parts she can actually remember  revolve around her sex life. (Briefly in contention is Catherines sex life, but Selina dismisses that idea: Does anyone really give a shit about two average-looking lesbians?) Besides, Selinas got something better to share with a soon-to-be-shocked America: She had sex with Tom James at the Congressional Ball. Nobody knows about that! Well, except for Gary, but shhh, Selina doesnt know he knows. (I greatly enjoy watching Gary, throughout the episode, accidentally reveal his knowledge all the details of this tryst because he literally watched it with his own eyes and cannot help himself.)

Selina decides to run this whole idea by Tom at his office, where, in his comically large workplace, she meets someone who seems awfully nice, humbled, and apologetic. TOO NICE, SELINA! RED FLAG. But Selinas judgment in the man department has never been stellar. Tom reminds Selina that he, too, has a book coming out: Investing With a Conscience. (As Selina puts it: So, its sci-fi?) Tom is in this thrilling new stage of his life, with a pregnant wife and all, and he begs Selina not to write about their hookup. I guess I will have to think outside my box, Selina says, and then she assures Mike that shell be writing about it anyway.

At least, she plans to write about it anyway, even promising her editor, Ive got a White House book that is hotter than Nancy Reagans guide to cocksucking. Im not kidding. Youre gonna be so pleased. But alas, Tom wrote about it first. Tom appears on CBS This Morning to chat with Danny Egan about the explosive revelations in his book. I wonder where this little erotic sidebar fit in the broader Investing With a Conscience narrative? Anyway, Tom offends Selina in a battery of ways: outing their hookup before she has the chance to capitalize on it, calling her one year his senior, and labeling her the aggressor in their encounter. And Selina wrote him such a nice blurb! What a prick.

Shes ready to call off the whole portrait thing and just stay home in her pajamas, but Gary gives her a pep talk. Theyre going to use the Jackie crystal service, for one thing, and besides, Selina should be inspired by Jackies example: If Jackie Kennedy can go through the day with her husbands philandering brains all over her dress with her head held high looking STUNNING  you can go to the White House tomorrow.

But little does Selina know whats been happening on the House floor: Jonah has rallied his Jeffersons to vote against raising the debt ceiling, mostly because (1) Jonah is the king of petty; and (2) he doesnt understand how the debt ceiling works. Okay, yes, none of us understand how the debt ceiling works. (Also, just noticing this now: Whats with all the ceilings in politics? Glass ceilings, debt ceilings, theres probably some other kind of ceiling that I just cant come up with this second.) Kent and Ben attempt to reason with the unreasonable Jonah, explaining that these votes will shut down the government. Jonah is unmoved. When somethings broken, you shut it down and then you turn it back on again, he replies. Like with a router.

Jonah will make EVERYONE pay for the fact that he did not get invited to the portrait unveiling. Does Jonah even know what an unveiling is? Look, whether I know what an unveiling is or not is not the point.

This means that, by the time Selina and her crew arrive at the White House, her swanky event has been downgraded to a Dixie cup shitshow. I am surprised at how well Selina takes this, but I guess her focus is elsewhere  specifically, on reaming out Tom James. I could watch these kids go toe to toe forever. You know what? Tom probably could, too, because as Selina discovers in the middle of their very heated shut-the-fuck-up fest, Tom was in love with her.

I am so impressed by Selinas mic drop: You can have your trophy wife, and your trophy office, and your trophy baby who you wont even live to see go to college. But I still got to be president, and you never will. I even wrote in my notes, in all caps: HELL YEAH SELINA, SHUT IT DOWN LIKE YOURE JONAH SHUTTING DOWN THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.

But then Selina doubles back. She needs to call Tom out on his feelings, on being too much of a pussy to go for my pussy. In her effort to get Tom to confess to his love, she also gets quite a lot off her chest: She admits flat out that she was in a loony bin where she thought of him constantly, and that shes been crushing on him since their Senate days. Unfortunately for all of us, this emotional outburst is cut short by the entrance of Elithia, Toms wife. She does not look a year older than Tom.

Montezs speech  a.k.a. the thing that really got Selina to show up here in the first place  ends up not happening, because Montez has to rush back to the Oval and deal with the shutdown. The portrait not only shows Selina wearing a different dress than she wore while posing, but also features the chair in which the artist and Andrew had sex. Also, it doesnt exactly make Selinas neck look spectacular. I have pardoned turkeys with fewer waddles.

Selina gets onstage and gives an abbreviated, surprisingly honest, borderline nihilist speech: Maybe in 100 years, all that anyone will remember is that you have your portrait hanging on a wall in the White House. That is, if anyone remembers the Meyer year at all.

Meanwhile, Dan is having some workplace problems of his own: Even though hes actually having sex with Brie, their onscreen chemistry is nonexistent. Dan is scandalized because hes never not had chemistry with a woman, and Brie, who is engaged to a Yankee, cannot lose this job before her wedding. The network note is: Maybe you two should fuck differently then. Dan responds to this criticism by being gross about Bries ability to fill out a bikini right before his new sign-off about how every day starts with morning.

And so, Veep continues to provide us with a taxonomy of all the fun and different ways men can be disgusting.

A Few Other Things

 Jonah, to Shaunee, learning about Judaism: This stupid hat is too small for my head. Yarmulke. Fine, this stupid hat is too small for my yarmulke.

 I love that Jonahs first concern re: Judaism and heaven is: How am I going to see my dog again? Is there, like, a Jew place for dogs?

 Selina, in response to Mikes claim that some things are so dull you have to block them out: No kidding. Im sure I played with Catherine when she was a child, but for the life of me I cant remember.

 Catherine doesnt want to find out the sex of her baby, so of course Kent can tell just from looking at her belly that its a boy.

 Selina, reacting to Marjories pronoun soup: Is that how were talking now, Marjorie? Like some bi-curious Porky Pig?

 New life goal: Find a way to make sure the line despite evidence of cocaine and reckless boating winds up in a news story about me.

 Selina, about her struggle: This is like Black History Month. It never fucking ends!

 Amy really wants to work for Furlong? Oof.

 Underage Muslim brides are less traumatized at their unveiling, says Selina. Gary agrees: And they dont have to drink Coke Zero.

 While ranting about everything he wants shut down, Jonah gives a special shout-out to the national parks, which he closed so your parents will have to take you someplace cool on vacation, like Disneyland, or Cancun, or Mexico!

Insult of the Episode

Selina, to Tom, after seeing and learning the name of his wife: Elithia? Is that her name or is that the pill you take to fuck her?

Compliment of the Episode

Gary, to Selina: Nobody since Jackie has given as much for her country as you.

Selina, about Montez: Oh wow, she looks awesome. Id give my left tit for those tits.

Jonah Shall Henceforth Be Known As

Like Herman Munsters brother who liked to molest that pudgy werewolf kid.
Waco Independent School District is now the No. 1 local education agency offering dual-credit courses, after a jump in involvement and opportunities this year, McLennan Community College and school district officials said.

Three years ago, Waco ISD had the fifth-largest dual-credit program MCC worked with, but the program has grown by 253 percent since then to become the biggest, said Scott McClanahan, Waco ISDs Advanced Academics director.

Students from other school districts, private schools and charter schools are returning to Waco ISD to take advantage of the opportunities, McClanahan said. Though he didnt have an exact number, he said students have returned from Vangaurd College Preparatory School, Reicher Catholic High School, Rapoport Academy, Midway ISD and others.

Theyre not all coming back specifically for dual-credit, but because they see the number of different opportunities were offering now, McClanahan said.

The growth is largely thanks to measures voters approved in a tax ratification election almost two years ago. The move gives the district $8.2 million more per year in state and local money, enabling any student to take dual-credit courses, he said.

And the growth is expected to continue into next year. The Legislature also moved to allow students to take dual-credit classes starting their freshman year, with no limit on the number of courses they could take, McClanahan said.

With those things combined, we started having students who previously, if they didnt qualify for a tuition waiver through MCC, they would just sit out unless parents had the extra money they could give them to take the class, which was not a lot of our students, he said.

Before the extra tax money was approved, 50 students were taking dual-credit classes they paid for themselves. Now, 130 students who dont qualify for the MCC tuition waiver are taking dual-credit classes, McClanahan said.

During the 2014-15 school year, 119 students took dual-credit in the fall and 103 took the classes in the spring. That has risen since, with 411 students taking dual-credit classes in the fall and 372 in the spring, district documents show. About 70 percent receive MCC tuition waivers, and Waco ISD covers the rest.

That much growth has helped revitalize the partnership MCC has with the district, MCC dual-credit director Londa Carriveau said via email.

Applications rising

About 410 students have already applied for the districts Accelerate program in the 2017-18 school year, documents show. Accelerate is Waco ISDs early degree program, giving students a chance to earn their associate degree and high school diploma at the same time through dual-credit courses, McClanahan said.

Waco ISD has made significant progress in providing support for students enrolled in college courses, Carriveau wrote. The district provides tutoring software for the college placement exam, facilitators to monitor the students enrolled in online courses, orientation sessions for students coming to the MCC campus and those enrolling in the Accelerate program, just to name a few.

Family savings

The Accelerate program can save a family $25,000 to $30,000, depending on the number of credit hours required, the Waco ISD website states.

We have for a long time been trying to, as (school board President) Pat Atkins says, change the narrative about the district  that we have offerings for students, that we have strong programs, McClanahan said. Once the TRE passed, we could really tell students and tell families, Hey, we will pay for your kid to take dual-credit classes if you find thats financially not feasible for you to kick in. Well cover the books, well pay for the tuition so we could get your child some college hours accrued before they ever leave the door from high school.

More than 20 hours

Isaac Arterburn, a Waco High School senior who started dual-credit courses last year, said had he known about the opportunities earlier in his high school career, he would have jumped on the bandwagon sooner. Taking three courses this year, he has earned more than 20 college credit hours.

Now when he sees freshmen or sophomores in dual-credit courses he never had the opportunity to take, it even makes him a bit envious, he said.

One of the things it shows us is when the word gets out and its not bad, people understand what we have to offer and how successful our kids are being with those programs, it gives them reason to bring their kids back and not pay the extra to send them to private school, McClanahan said. The success rate is the other big thing. Were looking at passing rates that are higher than most of our regular academic classes, and these are kids that are all the way down to freshmen. . . . I would really challenge people who say our kids somehow cant because were the city district, because this shows they can.
McLennan County leaders are no longer bracing for an annual $1.2 million state mandate as the regular legislative session came to an end Monday without seeing passage of a bill to change the age of criminal responsibility from 17 to 18.

The move to keep 17-year-old offenders from automatically going into the adult criminal justice system has broad support, but the raise the age bill, or House Bill 122, had caused concern for local leaders because it wouldnt offer state money to cover the costs of housing more juvenile inmates.

Gone but not forgotten, the bill is likely to resurface in the next session, said Collin Coker, director of McLennan Countys Bill Logue Juvenile Justice Center.

It went further this session than it has in past sessions, Coker told county commissioners Tuesday.

Commissioner Ben Perry asked if it is possible the bill could find new life if Gov. Greg Abbott calls a special session.

Coker said it isnt likely, but anything is possible.

Because juvenile inmates receive more services than adults, including counseling and education programs, the county spends more per person to house juveniles. McLennan County has estimated it would spend an extra $1.2 million per year if 17-year-old offenders were to move to the juvenile system.

Also at the meeting Tuesday, commissioners agreed to offer the county engineer position to Zane Dunnam, a San Antonio resident. Dunnam was one of nine qualified applicants for the position, which has a $98,800 salary, plus benefits.

We had some great candidates come in and apply for the position, which I was very pleasantly surprised about, County Judge Scott Felton said. It was a hard choice.

Dunnam was comfortable around commissioners, and they were equally comfortable communicating with him, which is important for a department head, Felton said.

Dunnam has worked as civil engineer and supervisor to San Antonios land survey department, civil engineer for Oklahoma City and as a designer for the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Former County Engineer Steve Hendrick retired Dec. 31 after 24 years of service. Assistant County Engineer Luke Lammert has been serving as the interim county engineer.

Fuel storage

Wayne Canaday, the countys equipment maintenance director, also told commissioners the countys underground fuel tank at its garage at Seventh Street and Washington Avenue is running low.

Canaday said he is looking for direction from commissioners about whether to refill the tank because county leaders have suggested relocating the county garage.

As of Tuesday morning, the 5,882-gallon tank had 1,287 gallons of fuel left, Canaday said. The tank will quit pumping fuel once it hits 200 to 250 gallons, he said.

I think we can make it through the summer at the average they are fueling up, he said.

Commissioners have discussed relocating the garage because the space is too small for the maintenance work done there.

Canaday said it could cost $30,000 to $35,000 to remove the tank.
Farewell, Wilbert

We are losing a true advocate for District 1 and all Waco as Wilbert Austin leaves the Waco City Council. Wilbert is the picture of the citizen servant. Concern for the greater good shapes every decision he makes.

I spent 40 years in East Waco working for Bill Miller and saw in Wilbert a man who actually cared more about others than he did himself. He mowed countless yards and shredded even more vacant lots for those who couldnt and to make his neighborhood look better. Wilbert constantly worked to get a neighbors house fixed up or a wheelchair ramp installed. Through three battles with cancer, he worked tirelessly for others.

Perhaps Wilberts greatest contribution has been his ability to get things done. He knows how to find middle ground in every situation and knows that give and take and negotiation are the ways to move forward. We need more leaders like Councilman Wilbert Austin. Waco will miss him.

Allen Miller III, Waco

Wall of disbelief

Its little wonder that the president and vice president will not answer Duwaine Olivers proposed design for the border wall (Climb this wall letter, May 10) other than the fact that neither they nor their secretaries are evaluating such proposals.

Mr. Olivers letter as published says his 12-foot concrete wall design will cost less than $1 million per 100 miles. The math works out to be less than $10,000 per mile or $1.83 per foot. That wouldnt even come close to paying for a typical back-yard wooden fence.

Did the Trib make a typo and convert $1 billion to $1 million or should we quickly award the border wall contract to Oliver Wall Builders Inc. and get that wall built at a super bargain-basement price? With a total cost of less than $20 million, Mexico might even be willing to pay for it.

Herbert R. Haynes, China Spring

EDITORS NOTE: No, we ran Mr. Olivers figures just as he scribbled them down. He also included a sketch of the wall.

A beautiful world

Would you please publish the letter, How the World Began, periodically so we remember how the world began? The Tribs subtitle is In God We Trust. We need to remember to go back to the beginning and bring it forward. God created a beautiful world. Its up to us to hold on to that beauty and not get caught up in worldly obstacles.

Jan Gentry, Waco

Fashion statement

Do you understand

The holes in jeans?

What are they wearing

These young teens?

Saw a fashion show

And just didnt get it.

Five nice youngsters

Wore clothes that didnt fit.

Guess Im too old

To be with it today.

Am I all alone?

What do you say?

Let me hear from you

If you have time and can.

Answer for me

Do you understand?

Ben Hagins, Waco
Since I decided not to engage with lunatics on the internet, my mood, and therefore my quality of life, has improved markedly.

I made the decision a while ago but it was confirmed when I read Lindy West's explanation of why she'd decided to leave Twitter. For her, it turned out to be a huge waste of space, where the ignorant and the cruel played with her emotions and valuable time. Unlike West, I didn't leave any social media platforms but I now engage very differently to how I engaged even a year ago. I don't reply to the poorly conceived or to the badly brought up.

Are Australian insurer's doing enough to protect our personal information from cyber criminals?

But a few weeks ago, I received an email in response to a column I wrote on women not being recognised in the Australian honours system. In the realm of rude emails, this one wasn't so bad. No threats of violence. No use of words beginning with c. No use of the word "leftard" (awful for so many reasons).

It just had a message for me in the subject line. "Shocking whinger". So not too bad really. Take it on the chin along with all the other bad behaviour.
London: A female zookeeper was killed in a 'freak accident' on Monday in a suspected tiger attack in an animal enclosure.

Police said the unnamed woman died after a tiger "entered an enclosure with a keeper".

Witnesses recalled hearing screams and keepers desperately trying to distract tigers with pieces of meat as Bank Holiday visitors were evacuated from Hamerton Park Zoo in Cambridgeshire, north of London.

A statement from the zoo released on Monday evening said staff were too upset to talk because "one of our colleagues was killed in a freak accident".
Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan and his long-term collaborator appear to have paid tens of millions of dollars to settle their long-running dispute with the Australian Taxation Office, a parliamentary committee has heard.

Commissioner of Taxation, Chris Jordan, expressed his irritation that Hogan, his lawyer Andrew Robinson, and sections of the media had been falsely claiming that Hogan had been victorious in his famous stoush with the ATO.

Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan says there is a "fresh set of eyes" on small business disputes. Credit:Andrew Meares

"There has been quite misleading commentary," Mr Jordan told a budget estimates hearing on Tuesday and referred to an erroneous report by The Daily Telegraph, which stated: "As for Paul Hogan ... Operation Wickenby never nailed him. Years of legal fights ended without conviction and with Hogan successfully taking a civil action against the tax office."

"Well, there was no civil action and it was therefore not successful," Mr Jordan said.
Just one day ago, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull praised Mr Wyatt as an "extraordinary" figure who has "a presence and a calm and a wisdom that all of us are inspired by".

Mr Wyatt was the first Indigenous person elected to the House of Representatives and the first to enter the ministry. He serves as the Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health.

Australia's most senior Indigenous politician, Ken Wyatt, has warned a preselection challenge could hand his seat to Labor.

But Fairfax Media has spoken to a number of Western Australian Liberals who confirmed discussions had taken place about a possible move against the 65-year-old Mr Wyatt ahead of the next election.

Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health Ken Wyatt during the unveiling of his portrait at Parliament House. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Preselections in the west are not expected to begin before early 2018.

Mr Wyatt confirmed he was aware his seat in Parliament could be under threat but said he would fight to stay on and contest the next election.

"I will be nominating and standing at the next election and continue to serve the people of Hasluck. I remain committed to them. I am aware that there is a sense that Hasluck is a safe seat, but it's far from safe," he said.
Is there anything more disruptive to the workplace than hormones? I mean, I'm all for equal opportunity, but someone needs to play devil's advocate, acknowledge the elephant in the room and be the voice of reason in the whole gender-workforce debate.

Basic biological facts can't be ignored in hiring practices, and if the practice of hiring based on merit happens to favour women, well, we all just have to accept that it's the nature of the beast.

Is there anything more disruptive to the workplace than hormones? Credit:Stocksy

Face it. Testosterone and work just don't mix.

We all know women are inherently stronger collaborators than men, and collaboration is what makes humans the dominant species.
With their heads covered with Islamic headscarves, the three members of the Indonesian band VoB ("Voice of Baceprot" or "Noisy Voice") do not look like your typical heavy metal group.

Formed in 2014, the band of teenagers met at school in Indonesia's most populous province of West Java, and use their music to combat the stereotype of Muslim women as submissive or voiceless.

Widi Rahmawati (L) and Firdda Kurnia, members of the metal band Voice of Baceprot, perform during a school's farewell event in Garut, Indonesia, May 15, 2017. Credit:Reuters

Wearing a hijab, or Islamic head scarf, should not be a barrier to the group's pursuit of its dream of being heavy metal stars, said Firdda Kurnia, 16, who plays guitar and sings.

"I think gender equality should be supported, because I feel I am still exploring my creativity, while at the same time, not diminishing my obligations as a Muslim woman," she added.
A former Sydney high school teacher has been found guilty of conducting sexual relationships with a male student and two female students from three Sydney school campuses where he worked as a teacher.

Cameron Peter White, 39, was found guilty of 19 offences on Tuesday after a trial in the Downing Centre District Court.

Cameron White has been jailed for at least six years. Credit:AAP

White, who is bisexual, denied having a sexual relationship with any of the complainants.

He pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of aggravated sexual intercourse of a child between 14 and 16 and three counts of sexual intercourse with a person under care, alleged to have occurred between 2007 and 2013.
Murky practices in small business debt collection have been uncovered following a case in the Heidelberg Magistrates Court involving a phone book publisher.

Local Blue Pages copped a $40,000 court imposed fine for coercive debt collection including aggressively pursuing a plumber despite failing to publish his ad and sending debt collection notices and calls to a massage therapist who had made repeated attempts to cancel his contract.

A $40,000 fine has been handed down to Local Blue Pages for its debt collection practices. Credit:Louise Kennerly

But owner Les Papaioannou says the court imposed fine is unfair and he is being used as a scapegoat.
When Gregory Keith Davies, 74, finally confessed that he was an opportunistic child killer he did so not because of one shred of remorse but because he knew he had been trapped by a combination of new-age science and old-fashioned policing.

For decades, the quiet everyman must have been confident that he would take his secret to the grave.

On Melbourne Cup Day 1984, Davies saw a little girl called Kylie Maybury heading to her home in Gregory Grove, Preston after buying some sugar for her mother from a Food Plus convenience store.

At 5.30 pm the streets were relatively quiet and Davies, then 42, would have thought no one would have seen him take the six year old.
July 1986: Miss USA, Christy Fichtner, left, and Miss Panama, Gilda Garcia Lopez, salute while flanking Manuel Noriega in Panama City. Credit:AP As many observers of the era have since concluded, US officials took the decision to get rid of Noriega, and then sought a cause. That came with a couple of isolated attacks on US military personnel stationed in Panama, including the killing of one serviceman and the assault on a naval officer and his wife. On December 20, 1989, Operation Just Cause was launched, with more than 26,000 US troops deployed to the tiny isthmus nation. Bush also asserted the need to "protect" the strategic Panama Canal. It was, at the time, the largest US military operation since the Vietnam War. And it was, as Dinges put it, "like using a mallet to swat a fly". Former Mexican foreign minister Jorge Castaneda called it "the bloodiest, costliest and most disproportionate drug bust ever". A bloodied vice-presidential candidate Guillermo Ford is seen after being attacked by thugs linked to Noriega in election-related violence in May 1989. Credit:AP The outgunned Panamanian Defence Force was quickly subdued. Noriega took refuge in the Vatican Embassy in Panama City, which US troops bombarded - with loud rock music. Noriega, in his later memoirs, would refer to the din as "scorching diabolical noise".

Within days, Noriega surrendered to the US military, which bundled him off to Miami. In all, 23 US troops were killed in the invasion along with several hundred Panamanians, including many civilians who perished when their neighbourhoods were destroyed and burned in the fighting. January 1990: Manuel Noriega watches as US Drug Enforcement Agents place chains around his waist aboard a C-130 transport plane. Credit:AP Noriega would not set foot on Panamanian soil again until his extradition from France on December 11, 2011, when he was immediately placed in a prison called El Renacer ("Rebirth"). In 2015, still a prisoner, Noriega apologised on Panamanian national television for the abuses and human rights violations committed during his regime. He asked for forgiveness for those he had hurt, affected or humiliated, saying he now wanted to "close the cycle of the military era". January 1990: Manuel Noriega begins a 40-year sentence in Miami for drug trafficking. Credit:AP

Manuel Antonio Noriega was born on February 11, 1934, in a seedy, bayside Panama City neighbourhood. His mother worked as a maid; his father was a low-level civil servant. It is unlikely his parents were married to each other, and at five he was farmed out to proxies who raised him. That uncertain parentage, combined with his homely appearance (a life-long battle with acne earned him a cratered complexion and the pejorative nickname of "Pineapple Face"), proved permanently traumatic. Though he showed promise in school, his poverty prevented him from pursuing the medical career he craved. Instead, he was educated in a military academy, and he joined the Panamanian National Guard upon graduation in 1962. December 2011: Manuel Noriega, transported in a wheelchair, returns to Panamanian soil. He was promptly jailed. Credit:AP The young military officer became a protege of the legendary Panamanian nationalist General Omar Torrijos and provided key ground support in the 1968 coup that overthrew a civilian government and established Torrijos as the country's dictator. Noriega rose to become head of military intelligence by the mid-1970s, making him the second most powerful person in the country and especially useful to US spy agencies. "From his earliest days, Noriega showed a penchant for manipulation and clandestine relationships that would later become the hallmarks of his personal life and his political career," Frederick Kempe wrote in Divorcing the Dictator.

"Too shy to take on the world directly, he cleverly used intelligence to outmanoeuvre friends and foes during his determined rise to power. Too ugly to charm, he still philandered and wooed, sometimes scoring through guile and other times through simple intimidation." Though it appeared not to stop his womanising ways, Noriega married a shy schoolteacher, Felicidad Sieiro, in the 1960s. They would have three daughters. In 1981, Torrijos was killed in a suspicious plane crash, and two years later, Noriega emerged from a series of power struggles as Panama's de facto leader. He formed the Panamanian Defence Forces, consolidating the military and police into a single armed organisation under his command. Over the years, Noriega performed numerous tasks for the Americans, including serving as a secret back channel to Cuban leader Fidel Castro and allowing Panama to be used for training US-backed Contras fighting Nicaragua's Sandinista government, and US-backed Salvadoran soldiers fighting that country's leftist guerrillas. At the same time, he was supplying weapons from Cuba to the Sandinistas and the Salvadoran rebels. No task was performed without handsome fees. The US administrations that benefited seemed willing to turn a blind eye to Noriega's abuses at home. He is widely believed to have ordered the 1985 murder of Hugo Spadafora, an activist who denounced Noriega as a drug trafficker. Spadafora's headless, tortured body was found stuffed into a US mail bag near the Panama-Costa Rica border. Noriega also fixed elections and ordered presidents to resign when they dared to disobey him, including Nicolas Ardito Barletta in 1984 and Eric del Valle in 1988.

Crass and paranoid, with a voracious appetite for whisky and women, Noriega seemed to relish many of the outlandish rumours that circulated around him, from a penchant for the occult to a hobby in bisexual exploits. For all his brutality, Noriega was not without some domestic support. Like most Panamanians, he was dark-skinned, of mixed heritage, and he had come from humble roots. He used those characteristics in an attempt to exploit class warfare and rally many of Panama's vast underclass against the wealthy white elite. Led by that white elite, and joined by many other ordinary Panamanians, an anti-Noriega protest movement gained traction in 1987. They would dress in white and stand on balconies and street corners, banging pots and pans. Noriega responded by suspending civil rights and unleashing shock troops called Dignity Battalions, a paramilitary force recruited from Panama's poor and criminal gangs. Washington stepped up its pressure to drive Noriega from power, suspending economic and military aid, indicting him on drug charges and backing a coup attempt that failed. When presidential elections rolled around again in May of 1989, Noriega's candidate, by all accounts, was destined to lose to the opposition's Guillermo Endara. Noriega annulled the elections as votes were being counted and then fought protesters in the streets. The blood-soaked white guayabera shirt of the opposition's vice-presidential candidate, Guillermo Ford, made the front of US newspapers and magazines, and quickly galvanised international opposition to Noriega.
A three day SAFE  AEO programme assessment workshop was held from 23  25 May 2017 at the Headquarters of the Brunei Royal Customs & Excise Department in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam with support of the WCO Customs Cooperation Fund. 20 officials from the various sections and districts of Brunei were in attendance. In his opening remarks the Acting Controller of Customs Mr. Mohammad Muinuddin Chin bin Abdul Rahman emphasized the need of the successful implementation of the programme as a vehicle to facilitate compliant traders in the country. In addition, he expects that the programme will also encourage more foreign direct investments into the country.

The workshop focused on Bruneis Sutera Lane Merchant Scheme (SLMS) programme and its implementation plans through various exercises conducted together with all the participants. Special attention was paid to the gap analysis between the SAFE AEO and the forthcoming SLMS programme with an aim to ensure that the programme is aligned and compatible to international standards. The Brunei Customs will further work on the gaps identified with the intent of launching their programme at the end of this year.

Within ASEAN, 5 countries  Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have already implemented the SAFE AEO programme and Brunei expects to be the 6th member with the intention of enhancing intra-regional trade.
Upon request of Libyan Customs, a WCO support mission was conducted from 22 to 26 May 2017 in Tunis to help the administration draft its Strategic Plan taking due account of the WCO most essential instruments, as well as modern strategic planning methods. The mission was conducted with the financial support from CCF Japan.

The workshop provided an opportunity to familiarize participants with the methodologies and benefits of effective strategic planning and the development of appropriate Mission / Vision / Values and Strategic Goals / Objectives / Activities / Indicators. It offered also the occasion to provide advice and guidance on the development of a new long-term Strategic Plan that is aligned to core strategic priorities of the Government and the Customs administration.

During the five day workshop, discussions focused on the need to create a new strategic perspective to satisfy the requirements of modern Customs in the 21st Century. Particular attention was paid to results-based management to deliver customs modernization projects more effectively. The mission also touched upon the need to discuss the importance of organizational design and structure to avoid, among other things, confusion within roles and slow decision-making. Group discussions also covered principles of reporting, monitoring, evaluation and risk management.

Overall, the workshop was successful in delivering methodology, processes and a draft strategic plan that provides direction for Libyan customs over the next 3-5 years.
The WCO Regional Workshop on the Implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) for the North Africa, Near and Middle East Region was held from 14 to 18 May 2017 in Doha, Qatar under the sponsorship of Qatar Customs Authority.

The objective of the Workshop was to discuss the role of Customs and the WCO in implementing the TFA through the Mercator Programme.

During the Workshop, the representatives from the WCO presented the latest development of TFA notification, ratifications and the establishment of the National Committees on Trade Facilitation, as well as the Mechanism for the TFA. They also introduced WCOs activities of technical assistance and capacity building under the Mercator Programme in assisting Members with the implementation of the TFA by using WCO instruments and tools.

The Workshop provided a good opportunity for the participants to discuss the issues of establishing NCTF, applying Advance Rulings in Customs, Coordinated Border Management, Customs Brokers, AEO Programmes development, Risk Management, Post clearance Audit, Time Release Study, Single Window, etc. Participants also shared their national experiences and lessons learned in implementing the trade facilitation measures.

The workshop, which offered the occasion to highlight the modernization and reform achievements in this area from the MENA region Members, was successfully concluded with positive feedback from delegates.
Boys and Girls State Return to WSU

May 31, 2017

OGDEN, Utah  Weber State University will host approximately 700 high school students at the annual Utah Boys and Girls State conferences in June. Girls State will be held June 5-10, with Boys State June 12-16.

Girls State is celebrating its 70th birthday this year with a cake and a 70s-themed party, June 8, 8:30 p.m. in Shepherd Union Ballroom B.

This organization is one of the largest organizations dedicated to helping develop a sense of patriotism in young women, said Kari Hofheins, Utah Girls State director. As we have been planning this years conference, we are hoping we can help young women connect with their nation and their community, as well as connect with the rich history that surrounds them.

Students are eligible to participate in both Girls and Boys State after completing their junior year of high school. Participants will engage in courses designed to promote civic responsibility and good citizenship while interacting with peers from other schools.

The programs provide an early opportunity for high school students to learn how the electoral and government systems of Utah work, said Carol McNamara, who served as a site liaison and is director of WSUs Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service. More importantly, it teaches them that their involvement in public life is essential to the success of an effective representative democracy. They learn how to run for office and become leaders and active citizens in their communities.

To learn how American democracy functions, students participate in all phases of forming a government, including running for political office, drafting and debating legislation, and practicing public speaking and debate skills.

In addition, attendees will hear from guest speakers such as Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, as well as local leaders including Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell.

Boys State is sponsored by American Legion and Girls State by American Legion Auxiliary.

The programs are sponsored around the country to supplement high school civics instruction, said Ken Hoyal, American Legion Utah Boys State director. The Utah curriculum is coordinated with Weber State Universitys Department of Political Science to provide an enhanced learning environment and academic university credit for participating high school students.

Participants earn three hours of political science college credit at any state-funded Utah university.

Visit legion.org/boysnation/websites for more information about the program.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Little sign of relief expected in October US inflation data
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

May. 23, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 23, 2017 | 12:29 PM | PADUCAH, KY

Wildhair Studios Rock Shop has announced they will hosting the Heaven & Earth Psychic Fair on Sunday, August 20th at the Robert Cherry Civic Center in Paducah.



Paducah is one of the locations experiencing the total solar eclipse, Rock Shop owner, Susan Edwards said. Were expecting a large number of visitors arriving the weekend before Mondays eclipse and I wanted to provide something interesting for them to do while they were in town.



Fair vendors will offer crystals, gifts, services and holistic wellness information. Aura photography, essential oils, handmade soaps & lotions, candles, energy-work, intuitive readings, holistic products will be featured. Artisan Kitchen will be offering a range of eclipse inspired treats for attendees.



The Heaven and Earth Psychic Fair will be held Sunday, August 20th from noon until 6 pm at the Robert Cherry Civic Center, 2701 Park Avenue. Admission is $8 at the door and includes classes, demonstrations, energy-work and eclipse info. Intuitive readings and other services will be available at a modest charge. Solar eclipse related items and Paducah souvenirs will be available for sale.



For more information and how to become a vendor or volunteer, visit www.NiceRockShop.com. The Rock Shop is a retail center featuring healing crystals, natural stone jewelry, aromatherapy, gifts, classes, events and alternative & holistic health products. The store is located at 311 Broadway in Paducah.



The full solar eclipse will be viewable from western Kentucky on Monday, August 21.
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May. 30, 2017 | HANSON, KY

By May. 30, 2017 | 03:08 PM | HANSON, KY

Police are asking for the public's help identifying a suspect in a shoplifting incident in Hopkins County.



Kentucky State Police at Post 2 in Madisonville say they investigated the crime at the Walmart in Hanson on May 26. They say a white woman entered the store about 4:15 pm, and put tools and groceries into a shopping cart. Police say she went to a self-checkout lane and put the items into bags before leaving the store.



As she left, store employees tried to stop her, but she reportedly got into a white car with a man, who drove away. Police say the car has damage on the driver's side, as indicated in the photo.



Anyone with information about the people or vehicle involved in this crime is asked to contact state police at 270-676-3313. Callers can remain anonymous.
HENDERSONVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH REACHES SETTLEMENT OVER CHURCH PROPERTY

AFTER VOTING FOUR YEARS AGO TO WITHDRAW FROM THE PREBYTERIAN CHURCH USA DENOMINATION, HENDERSONVILLE PRESBYTERIAN (FORMERLY FIRST PRESBYTERIAN) HAS REACHER A SETTLEMENT OVER CHURCH REAL ESTATE...AND MUST RAISE $600 THOUSAND...$100 THOUSAND BY JULY 1

Hendersonville Presbyterian Churchnew historic name, bright future

When the members of what was then First Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville took a vote in June 2013 to ask to be dismissed from the denomination known as the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), no one thought it would be nearly four years before it would actually happen. The vote was 81percent in favor of dismissal and 19 percent preferred to remain with the PCUSA. Only 75 percent was required in order for the PCUSA to grant the dismissal; but there were extenuating circumstances.

Among the minority who chose to remain was a group who definitely decided to continue with the PCUSA. Many of these were families with deep roots in the mainline denomination and an abiding love for its history and ministry over the years. The PCUSA had compassion for those feelings and decided that the smaller group would continue in the denomination as First Presbyterian Church (FPC). The larger group then elected to revert to the churchs original name, Hendersonville Presbyterian Church (HPC), which it chose when it was established in 1852 and by which it was known for the next 100 years until it was changed in 1952 (its centennial year) to First Presbyterian Church.

After the name change, a financial settlement would be required between Hendersonville Presbyterian and the PCUSA (and FPC members) to secure the title and deed to the property which comprises the city block bounded by Seventh and Sixth Avenues and Grove and King Streets.

Negotiations went slowly, as much was at stakeincluding more than just the value of the property. There were also the sentimental attachments to gifts that had been previously given to the church by FPC family members. But on April 26 of this year, an amicable agreement was reached whereby HPC would pay the PCUSA and their continuing church the sum of $600,000 and grant the return of a number of items requested by continuing church members. Terms require that $100,000 be paid by July 1, 2017, and the balance in installments spread over the coming decade.

Dr. Bill Campbell, pastor of Hendersonville Presbyterian Church, said the positive response of his congregation has been astounding. First was their almost unanimous agreement, early on in the process, that the denomination to which they wish to be dismissed would be the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Then, when news of the settlement broke, a meeting was held to describe a fund raising program that would raise the first $100,000 installment by July 1, 2017.

Our church officers suggested that it would be good if we didnt take 10 years to get the full sum paid, Campbell said, and pledges and gifts began to come in immediately. One of the most creative and inspired means of raising funds came about when one of our Deacons, Sam Elliott, acknowledged to all of us who have known him at least for the past five years, that he had been quiet about his life as an accomplished artist, sculptor and poet. He offered to give the church the right to reproduce three of his beautiful paintings, and he would sign and number them for those making qualifying donations. We had no idea he had that kind of gift and a reputation to go with itbut when he presented the church with framed reproductions to publicize his offer, we were amazed. They are incredibly beautiful! He and his wife, Marcia, continue to organize and participate in signings for our congregations donors.

Campbell went on to say that on Sunday, June 11, the community is inved to come enjoy Sams work on exhibit at an Ice Cream Social drop-in from 2 to 4 pm. In addition to the art on display, there will be a looped PowerPoint presentation with some personal history and close-ups of many of Sams other works of art, and Sam will be signing the 11 x 14 numbered prints for any who wish to make a qualifying contribution to our Settlement Fundthat is a tax deductible gift of $500 per painting desired. There will also be smaller prints of some of Sams other works that will be given for each $25 contribution.

The highlight of the day, Campbell said, will be a silent auction for three approximately

24 x 32 beautifully framed reproductions on canvas. These are suitable for hanging in a church or other public area as well as for personal enjoyment at home.

The starting bid on each of these will be $750. At 3:30 the current highest bids will be announced, and bidding will continue until 3:45 when the final successful bidders will be announced.

The community is invited to join the congregation of Hendersonville Presbyterian Church for their June 11 celebration. Drop in anytime between 2 and 4 pm. For more information, contact the church office at 692-3211.
With Manchester United hovering, its being reported in Spain that Antoine Griezmann has finally told Atletico Madrid of his intention to leave the club this summer.

According to Antonio Ruiz, a very well-connected and reliable Atleti correspondent, the French forward has informed the club that he wishes to move on

ATLETICO DE MADRID | @RuizAntonito: Griezmann le ha transmitido a la zona noble del club que quiere salir.  Deportes Cope (@deportescope) May 30, 2017

Translation: Griezmann tells Atletico he wants to leavehttps://t.co/m8nC9nKQEU  Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) May 30, 2017

Not that its 100% gospel, but thats as close as your going to get to hearing it from the horses mouth.

Should United trigger Griezmanns release clause, the transfer fee involved would be upward of 86million  thanks to the large five-year contract extension he signed last July.

Still, theyd probably make that kind of money back in first-day shirt sales alone.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 30/05/2017 (1990 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Doctors at Misericordia Health Centre are decrying a government decision to close the facilitys urgent care centre as part of a citywide hospital reorganization.

They say the centre serves a vulnerable population with complex chronic-health, social and mental health needs.

In an open letter circulated to the media Tuesday, the MDs said many of their patients cant afford to travel outside of the area to seek care at other facilities.

Doctors at Misericordia Health Centre say the facility serves a vulnerable population with complex chronic-health, social and mental-health needs. (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press files)

With the closure of our urgent care centre, the alternative will be that many will need to walk to Health Sciences Centre or St. Boniface, call for an ambulance or not seek care at all, the letter, signed by two dozen physicians, states. In our opinion, there is certainly no patient-care justification for this closure.

The hospital overhaul plan released last month by the province and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority states Misericordias urgent care centre will be closed and the space used for other medical purposes.

The master plan calls for emergency departments at Seven Oaks, Concordia and Victoria hospitals to be closed. The emergency rooms at Seven Oaks and Victoria will be converted to urgent care centres, which are designed to deal with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

The Misericordia doctors said their urgent-care centre functions in many ways like an emergency centre but at a cost of about half of what it takes to fund a full emergency department.

The WRHA said Tuesday the Misericordia urgent care centre is scheduled to close sometime this fall. A specific date has not yet been determined, an official said.

The Misericordia physicians said they are hoping the government and the WRHA can be persuaded to reverse their decision.

Even from a cost-savings perspective, the closure is indefensible, they said, noting 80 per cent of Misericordias budget is made up of labour costs and the government and the WRHA claim there will no loss of front-line care positions.

Responding to Opposition questions about the physicians letter in the legislature Tuesday, Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen said the hospital reorganization is being carried out to improve the overall health system.

What is indefensible is people waiting hours and hours and hours for care when they go to an emergency room, he said. This is about building a system so that when people go to an emergency room or to an urgent care centre, they get the right care at the right place at the right time.

Dr. Brock Wright, the WRHAs senior vice-president and chief medical officer, said he appreciates the Misericordia physicians concern but the region has plans in place to care for vulnerable patients.

Theyre speaking out because they have concerns, and I respect that, Wright said. But Im also very confident that we can address those issues.

Wright said about 11,400 patients who visit Misericordias urgent care centre each year are from the neighbourhood surrounding the hospital, located between Sherbrook and Maryland streets at Cornish Avenue. Another 6,000 travel from River Heights, while 18,000 others arrive from other parts of the city.

Wright said in the future he expects most vulnerable Misericordia patients will choose Health Sciences Centre, with some going to St. Boniface Hospital.

The HSC sees a particularly vulnerable population and has established a number of relationships with the community over the years to address the unique needs of that vulnerable population, he said.

Dr. John Sokal, medical director of HSCs adult emergency department, said his hospital has a program to work with impoverished patients and those with psycho-social needs. The hospital and WRHA work to connect these patients with community physicians and service agencies, he said.

Weve done hundreds of care plans for such patients over the years, Sokal said, referring to folks in the Point Douglas and downtown areas. And weve developed special relationships with a number of care providers, clinics and agencies in the area.

He said these services would be extended to the area now served by Misericordia.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 29/05/2017 (1991 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Crown attorneys prosecuting the second-degree murder case against a Winnipeg man accused of killing his wife more than five years ago are rebutting suggestions he should not be found criminally responsible for her death.

Teklu Mebrahtus trial continues this week after a month-long hiatus as the Crown calls more evidence aiming to bolster its case against Mebrahtu, who told 911 operators he killed his wife less than six months after the Eritrean couple settled in Winnipeg.

Alche Kidane, 34, was found dead in the bathtub of the couples Assiniboine Avenue apartment suite in January 2012.

Supplied photo Victim Alche Fsehaye Kidane.

A forensic psychiatrist who assessed Teklu Mebrahtu testified Monday he does not believe the accused has a mental disorder and that he may be malingering, or faking his symptoms, contrary to the defences argument Mebrahtu should be found not criminally responsible because of a schizophrenia diagnosis.

Dr. Jeffrey Waldman, who contributed to a November 2014 assessment of Mebrahtu that found him fit to stand trial, testified Monday he believes the inconsistent symptoms Mebrahtu displayed are not consistent with mental illness. It is most consistent with malingering.

Two other psychiatrists have diagnosed Mebrahtu with schizophrenia, but Waldman disagreed. He said he believed Mebrahtus symptoms were inconsistent and disconnected to each other. For example, Waldman said Mebrahtu reported having paranoid thoughts and believed someone was following him before his wifes death but afterwards didnt report any of the same feelings and had a prolonged period of being well while off his anti-psychotic medication.

Waldman testified schizophrenia is a psychotic mental disorder that worsens without treatment and doesnt go away on its own. People with schizophrenia tend to develop a delusional belief system in response to hallucinations, he said, and that belief system remains consistent. But he said that wasnt the case with Mebrahtu.

Mr. Mebrahtus symptoms seemed to change with every interview, with different psychiatrists, Waldman said.

To inform his assessment of the accused, Waldman listened to the recording of Mebrahtus 911 call  during which he told the dispatcher he killed his wife  and watched the police interview with an interpreter who translated what Mebrahtu said when police werent in the room. Waldman said he found nothing in the 911 call or the police interview to suggest Mebrahtu had been suffering from hallucinations, delusions or any psychosis.

He knew very well that he had killed his wife with a knife and that she was dead because of what he had done, Waldman said, saying Mebrahtu never discussed his motivation for the killing.

A psychiatrist who treated Mebrahtu for five years previously testified he didnt believe the accused was faking his symptoms.

At no point did I think they were inauthentic, Dr. Daniel Globerman testified in late March.

Mebrahtu reported hearing voices and having delusions and would sometimes randomly shout or go mute. He spent four months in the psychiatric ward at Health Sciences Centre while in custody and received electric-shock treatment to bring him out of a reported catatonic state.

The Crowns rebuttal evidence is set to continue today, and closing arguments in the trial will be set for a later date before Court of Queens Bench Justice Shawn Greenberg.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 29/05/2017 (1991 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winnipeg police Sgt. Richard Sierhuis in the 1969 Chevelle SS 396 he restored. He is now charged with ripping off customers of luxury vehicles he sold them and is on administrative leave from the police service.

Fraud charges against a former Winnipeg police sergeant were dropped Monday after his son pleaded guilty in an auto-selling scam.

Richard Paul Sierhuis, 51, initially faced seven counts of fraud over $5,000, forging a trademark/passing off wares and driving an unregistered vehicle for his alleged role in falsely advertising and fraudulently selling used vehicles. All of the charges against him were stayed after his son, 23-year-old Adam Sierhuis, took responsibility in provincial court.

The younger Sierhuis pleaded guilty to one count of fraud under $5,000, admitting to fraudulently selling three vehicles to two individuals and one married couple between March and November 2012 even though he knew none of those vehicles could have passed a legitimate inspection. Provincial court Judge Sandra Chapman accepted Adams guilty plea, and as a result, the Crown stayed all other charges against him  which had included seven counts of fraud over $5,000  as well as all the charges against his father.

Adam Sierhuis admitted to selling three vehicles that had all been brought across the Canada-U.S. border with falsely declared clear titles. They were advertised for sale as having clean titles despite having been previously damaged and, in some cases, written off as total losses.

One of the vehicles  referred to in court as a Franken-car  was a 2006 Volvo that was being passed off as a 2010 model. The 2010 vehicle identification number details had been welded into the car to misrepresent its age, court heard. The 2010 vehicle had been in a major accident, and the 2006 vehicle had electrical damage because of flooding that meant it could never again be legally registered. But none of that was mentioned in an Auto Trader ad or to the vehicles eventual buyer, court heard.

Two other vehicles sold during the same time period were from Florida  one had a certificate of destruction, and the other was a total loss. They were brought across the border as salvaged vehicles with partially redacted documents, at least one of which had been covered up with black marker to hide details from border officials, court heard.

Adam Sierhuis is set to be sentenced Aug. 14. The judge heard his defence lawyer intends to ask for a discharge and the Crown may ask for a conditional sentence.

Richard Sierhuis was a veteran Winnipeg Police Service officer who worked with the force for 24 years before the criminal charges were laid in spring 2013. He had been under investigation by the police services professional standards unit starting in fall 2012 and was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the charges.

A WPS spokesman said Monday Sierhuis is no longer employed by the WPS but could not release more information about the circumstances of his departure.

 with files from Mike McIntyre

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 30/05/2017 (1990 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mayor Brian Bowman is heading to Ottawa this week for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual conference and meetings with its Big City Mayors Caucus.

Bowman said the focus of the big city mayors meeting will be discussing the next phase of Ottawas long-term, $81-billion infrastructure program and Canada-U.S. trade.

Winnipeg is a trading city and we need to make sure the border is open for trade, Bowman told reporters Tuesday. Its something Ive played a very active role in that national discussion.

The FCM annual general meeting runs June 1-4.

Bowman will also be dealing with a big city mayors task force recommendation on the opioid crisis.

As part of the FCM annual general meeting, Coun. Jenny Gerbasi is slated to become the next president of the organization.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 30/05/2017 (1990 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Harold Granke wanted to live close to a hospital  it paid off when his wife was rushed to Concordia Hospital with a heart attack.

We live close by. We moved into the area because we wanted to be close to a hospital, the 86-year-old told reporters Tuesday.

Granke was among an angry and disappointed group of northeast Winnipeg residents who came to the legislature Tuesday to present petitions with more than 5,000 names to Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen demanding he not close Concordias emergency room.

RUTH / BONNEVILLE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Concordia Hospital workers, concerned citizens and CUPE members hold rally in front of Concordia Hospital on April 11.

Goertzen will meet with them at 3:30 p.m.

People are just furious about the closing of the hospital, Granke said.

He collected a signature from a woman whose husband suffered a heart attack while driving. She took over and got him to Concoria in time.

It will be a real hardship when the ER closes, Granke said. Some of them said theyd have to move.

Resident Claudette Wills said she met families in Transcona with young children who have diabetes who fear the long drives, heavy traffic, trains blocking roads and lack of parking when they have to take their kids to St. Boniface General Hospitals ER.

A number of (signators) said they would not vote Conservative if this goes through, she said.

Concordia nurse Karen Huggins said the ER treats 32,000 people a year who will need to go elsewhere.

Everyones very sad for the people of the area. The people of that area need an ER, they should not need to leave their area and go across the city to get help, she said, adding staff are also on edge.

People are scared they wont have a job, or will be offered a job different from their ER duties, she said.

NDP health critic Matt Wiebe said the closing of the ER at Concordia isnt a partisan issue, and the New Democrats didnt organize the petitions.

These are residents whove stepped forward of their own volition, he said.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 30/05/2017 (1990 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A POLICE PRESS ROOM WITH A DIFFERENCE Kelly Dehn, the former CTV newsman-turned-Winnipeg Police Service manager of public affairs, shared something with me the other day that wasnt on the daily news release list. The two of us happened to be standing in the hallway chatting outside the media room after a briefing when he casually mentioned the police news conference room doubles as a Muslim prayer room.

That happens during the lunch hour, Dehn said, and its not just for police members of the faith. Its open to all because, as Dehn later explained via email, the room is easily accessible, so it allows for citizens in the downtown area to join our own members in prayer.

How the police news conference/prayer room came to be created makes the story even better.

WPS members were finding that it was taking them too long to leave HQ for prayer, Dehn wrote. So they asked for a space in the building. We have a prayer room; however, it is not publicly accessible. They wanted to extend the invitation to those who worked nearby and are tight for time, as well. So the room being publicly accessible met their needs.

I dont know what you think of that kind of caring, but one word comes to mind for me: bravo.

  

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO Its been a while now since last October, when the man who once was the flamboyant face of Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries was replaced as CEO, months after Brian Pallister and his Progressive Conservatives swept into office, brooms in hand.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Top: Former Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries CEO John Stinson has a new gig in Edmonton. Below: Norm Larsens memorial was as he wanted it. Bottom: Devon Clunis book remains popular.

John Stinson, who previously had been CEO of the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, led Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries for less than two years.

During that period, he advocated progressive changes to the way booze could be marketed and became the leading local authority and voice on cannabis legalization, offering up options on selling pot that the government might entertain.

Naturally, he was perceived as an NDP guy, even though he professed not to be affiliated with any political party.

I kept in touch with Stinson, hoping he would land another job that fit his various talents. Earlier this month  wondering how it was going, seven months later  I texted him.

That turned out to be timely. Stinson said he had just moved to Edmonton, where he was taking up a new position with the Alberta government as an assistant deputy minister of Disability and Accessibility.

LinkedIn jobs work! he wrote.

Im sure. And Im sure landing a position with the only NDP government in Canada is purely coincidental. In any event, heres wishing Stinson well.

  

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Former WPS Chief Devon Clunis.

HAPPY DAYS FOR DEVON Former Winnipeg Police Service chief Devon Clunis and his wife visited Brock Corydon elementary school Monday by invitation and, as he told me, to honour the students.

Much to his surprise, Clunis also has been visiting high schools, too, where hes been invited to talk about his autobiographical childrens book. He says The Little Boy from Jamaica has been incorporated in classes for older kids.

When he emailed earlier this month, he had just been to Elmwood and Kildonan East high schools speaking to students about our journey and inspiring them to dream big in our fair city.

Clunis went on to say, I never expected this age demographic to latch onto the story, but they have been incredibly engaged.

This is what I love to do. Our city has great promise if we show our youth the potential for their futures.

  

SUPPLIED Norm Larsens memorial was as he wanted it.

THE LAST WORD Back in April, when I wrote a tribute to Norm Larsen  my favourite high school teacher and one of my all-time favourite people  I mentioned he was turning 82 in a few days. On April 4, to be exact. What I chose to keep private was that he was in palliative care at the Riverview Health Centre at the time.

Norm died less than a month later.

The family held a memorial service for him earlier this month, full of music and mirth, just as he wanted it.

His daughter, Janna, and son, Kenton, delivered eulogies.

Norm, who went on to be an esteemed lawyer, director of Legal Aid Manitoba and friend to all, wrote some parting words in keeping with his beliefs and his fabulous sense of humour.

If Im wrong about an afterlife, he wrote, please look me up.

You bet I will, Norm.

gordon.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 29/05/2017 (1991 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A recent spate of serious hit-and-runs in Winnipeg has put a spotlight on the mindset of the offending driver. And that mindset, in the vast majority of cases, is simple, says Alberta-based forensic psychologist J. Thomas Dalby.

Its not against human nature in the people that I see A large percentage of those people who hit-and-run, and are eventually caught, are anti-social young males who sometimes dont have their licence, they are impaired, they have previous convictions, and their foot is on (the gas in) the getaway car. They are ready to go, the adjunct professor in the department of psychology at the University of Calgary said Monday.

The potential for witnesses weighs heavy in an offending drivers initial decision whether to stay at the scene or not, said the co-author of a 2008 paper (with Marc Nesca of Athabasca University) titled The Psychology of Hit and Run, which drew from the pairs case files.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Jefferson Avenue between McPhillips Street and Fir Street is closed as Winnipeg Police investigate an MVC, Sunday.

People make a quick calculation: whats the probability of getting away with this? On a country road, you hit something  that calculation, quickly done, the probability of getting away is pretty high, said Dalby, whose work within the legal system spans decades.

Should police later make a public appeal to the driver, asking them to clear their conscience, half of them would laugh at that statement, its just not in their wheelhouse that they are going to confess to anything.

At the other end of the spectrum, Weve seen some of the nicest people who have committed (a hit-and-run) and just panicked the rush of adrenaline, some people dont know how to interpret that and just panic and go. And then later regret it and turn themselves in, Dalby said. But those cases are rare.

Even rarer still, some leave for reasons that dont make a lot of sense, said Dalby, citing the recent case in Calgary of a taxi driver who was sentenced to eight months in jail after his vehicle struck and killed a teen girl who was lying in the road at 3:30 a.m.

If he had stopped, he would not have been charged with anything, but he was confused and left and eventually went to jail for it Thats an unusual case (where the driver was) overwhelmed by emotions and information and kept on going.

The Winnipeg Police Service is investigating three incidents in the past week where the driver of a vehicle fled the scene of a collision that left behind an injured person.

On May 21, a 30-year-old man was walking in the 300 block of Cumberland Avenue just after 3 a.m. when he was struck by a car. He was taken to hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries. Police say theyre looking a mid-2000s, four-door Honda Accord, silver or grey in colour.

On Saturday, an eight-year-old girl was hit by a gold-coloured truck while riding her bike on Westgrove Way around 5:30 p.m. She was released from hospital but remains in a neck brace.

At around 3:25 a.m. Sunday, an 18-year-old man was taken to hospital after being hit by a vehicle on Jefferson Avenue near McPhillips Street. As of Monday afternoon, the man remained in critical condition, the WPS said.

Three such cases in seven days appears to be a blip on the radar in terms of the usual number the city police handle, WPS Staff Sgt. Rob Riffel said Monday. Fender-benders are common  fatalities are not.

You are either prone to doing the right thing or youre not. Unfortunately, when someone leaves the scene, it leaves a lot of questions, not only for police but for the families (of victims), he said.

Theres any number (of) reasons. From the minor fender-bender where they dont want their Autopac to go up  they just dont want to take responsibility  right up to hitting someone and seriously injuring them.

Outside of the provincial capital, hit-and-runs, when solved, boil down to similar circumstances, said Sgt. Mark Hume, a collision investigator with the Manitoba RCMP.

Typically, (drivers who flee) have done something else wrong: theyre impaired or they dont have a licence, and they panic and take off, he said. Usually, they are not admitting they were involved even after being arrested.

Such crimes are not too common in RCMP jurisdiction, Hume said.

In smaller communities everybody knows who did it, and we solve it pretty quick. Maybe one every year or two, we have a real mystery as to who did it and there is a lot longer investigation.

Under the Criminal Code of Canada, drivers found guilty of fleeing the scene of a vehicle collision where someone is injured or killed can face up to life in prison.

In several cases where people panic and drive away, their only criminal offence was taking off. Had they phoned the police (at the scene), they would not have been found at fault at all, Hume said.

You have to do something to aid its as simple as calling 911, he said. (Drivers) are obligated to stop and call the penalty for fleeing is often much larger than the penalty theyd be facing if they had just stopped.

scott.emmerson@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 29/05/2017 (1991 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging European powers to pull together and take care of their own interests because they cant rely on the United States and Britain as they once did. She drew this conclusion after watching U.S. President Donald Trump at work among the NATO heads of government and the Group of Seven heads of government last week.

Canadas trade and its military security are tightly linked to both the U.S. and Europe. If Chancellor Merkel is right  if Mom and Dad are quarrelling or drawing apart  Canada may have to make some new friends and explore new ways of ensuring its trade and its safety.

Among his NATO allies, Mr. Trump declined to endorse the doctrine that an attack on one alliance member is an attack on all. He used the NATO gathering as a backdrop for a speech complaining that other alliance members dont spend as much on defence as the U.S does. He resisted calls for a tougher stance against Russias annexation of Crimea. And he refused to join the other G7 members in endorsing the Paris Accord on greenhouse-gas emissions.

EVAN VUCCI / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left), German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Reviewing these events at an election campaign rally on Sunday, Chancellor Merkel said, The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days and so all I can say is that we Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands.

The German chancellor may be overreacting. Mr. Trump is notorious for improvising policy on the fly and then contradicting himself a little later. He certainly seemed to be deliberately refusing to harmonize his voice with the European chorus. But his complaints about defence spending are an American grievance of long standing, not a new element in Euro-American relations. From the 1997 Kyoto Protocol onward, the United States has stood apart from the international consensus on climate change. Nothing new here.

Moreover, Europe and the U.S. are inextricably tied together, whether they like it or not. The great corporations on the two sides of the Atlantic are copying each others methods, poaching each others executives and muscling into each others markets. The top academics, professionals and artists pursue careers in a mid-Atlantic civilization that is not severed when isolationism arises among the politicians on one side or the other.

What may be new is that British withdrawal from Europe coincides with U.S. withdrawal from leadership in the quest for freer trade and more open markets. Mr. Trumps policy of America first, coupled with Britains separation from the European Union, may seem to justify a European policy of Europe first. A mid-sized country such as Canada may have a tough time in a world operated along those lines. We fight no wars except in alliance with others. We live by international trade.

Canada should heed Chancellor Merkels warning  not as a prophecy of doom but as fair warning of a path we should not take. Canada should keep the Americans and the Europeans talking to each other and help them find their self-interest in co-operation. We could start, for example, with close scrutiny of the defence-spending controversy  dig behind the slogans and the rhetoric and see whether the facts of the case might lead toward agreement.
The current mess Donald Trump has gotten into poses a crisis in two respects. The first respect is whether or not he can continue to function as president, head of the executive department of our federal government. The second respect is how effectively can he act as president in resolving the problems posed by North Korea developing long range missiles, and the capability for them to carry nuclear warheads, capable of striking key allies, and, soon, capable of striking key parts of the United States.

First, his ability to function as president. A special counsel has already been appointed. Trump has responded by tweeting that this is a witch hunt and he is being persecuted beyond the level of any politician previously persecuted. Apparently, he has no understanding or appreciation of what Richard Nixon went through. The Watergate saga lasted two full years. It took about one year before a special prosecutor was appointed, and then there were additional disclosures. I closely followed that saga and am fully convinced that this current mess has all too many similarities. Trump is delusional if he thinks he can put this mess aside, and just concentrate on trying to achieve his agenda. By firing the FBI director, he has given incentive for everyone in the FBI to diligently pursue any evidence that he, or his team, violated any laws with respect to Russian meddling in U.S. affairs and the 2016 election.

We have already witnessed one Representative call for charges of obstruction of justice and that Trump should be impeached. Now we wait to see if former FBI Director Comey will actually testify to the Senate next week. Now that a special counsel has been appointed, he might refuse to testify. It is easy to predict that if he refuses, the Senate will not be satisfied. It is also easy to predict that there will be an uproar and additional speculation. There are almost certain additional leaks of information that will occur. This is what the history of Watergate teaches us. We could experience another crisis of how accountable our President is to the law. Can he tweet his way out of this? Will he be impeached? Would he be convicted?

The second element of crisis could be even more dangerous. The North Korea development of nuclear bombs and ballistic missile technology is very ominous. The next step is to mount nuclear warheads on those missiles. This poses a direct threat to key U. S. allies and the U. S. itself. Will it be decided to bomb North Korea, to stop them from further development of ballistic missiles? This is certainly a possibility.

This raises serious concerns. In the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, Kennedy finally warned Russia that if the Russian missiles were not removed from Cuba, the U.S. would truly invade Cuba and remove the missiles by force. His brother, Bobby, delivered the message to the Russian ambassador to the U. S., to make the warning credible. During this crisis, Kennedy closely consulted his cabinet and military advisers. He was thoughtful, measured, resolute and in command.

Now, imagine Trump trying to warn Russia and China that if they could not get North Korea to stop its missile development and their nuclear bomb development, the U. S. would bomb North Korea enough to stop their programs. Would they take any such warning as credible? Would Trump be capable of getting international support for such action? When Kennedy threatened Cuba, he had the backing of the Organization of American States, that the missiles in Cuba posed a critical threat. When George H. W. Bush decided to pursue war against Iraq because of their invasion of Kuwait, he was able to muster support from many countries. He was trusted by those countries, he was credible, thoughtful, resolute, measured and rational. He did get Congressional backing for this war.

Now, can a man as rash, unconventional, inexperienced in foreign affairs, someone who has offended a number of members of Congress, someone who has offended a number of other countries, a man who has lied so many times, exaggerated so many times, manage this crisis? Is he credible, measured, rational, thoughtful and resolute? Might he blunder us into a full nuclear war? Considering what happened in the Cuban missile crisis, this is not an abstract concern. Frankly, I greatly wish that we had a different President. This crisis is more dangerous than the Watergate crisis because of the situation with North Korea. It needs action soon. Unfortunately, we have a current President who is seriously discredited, lacking in leadership, ration, knowledge of diplomacy and statesmanship, rash, and clearly egomaniacal. He cant even manage his own cabinet and team. This is a true crisis.
The Sauk County Board is scheduled to discuss major budget initiatives Tuesday night, and take quick action on two resolutions involving the sale of a county park and construction of a multi-use trail.

The board meets at 6 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County for its mid-term assessment, a discussion of broad policy initiatives and major spending items on the horizon.

The discussion will be led by Gary Becker, director of the University of Wisconsin-Extensions Local Government Center. It is expected to include consideration of a $500,000 request for the planning and design of a county-run assisted living facility in Reedsburg next year.

The county constructed a new government-run nursing home in the city of Reedsburg in 2009. Sauk County Health Care Center Administrator Jennifer Vosen told the board last month that market demands show a need for an assisted living facility at the same 55-acre property.

Discussion also is likely to include a consultants placemaking plan intended to draw people to live, visit and work in Sauk County. Supervisors also may discuss a plan to install solar energy systems on county buildings.

Resolutions consider

The boards Highway and Parks Committee is slated to meet at the campus one hour before the special meeting. The committee may forward two resolutions to the full board to be considered for approval after the mid-term discussion.

One resolution would authorize the countys highway department to construct the first phase of the Great Sauk State Trail.

The resolution also would authorize Sauk County Board Chair Marty Krueger and County Clerk Becky Evert to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for trail development, operation and maintenance.

The resolution says pledged contributions of $1.3 million to the $1.9 million project are as follows: $400,000 from a state grant, $207,500 each from Sauk County and the villages of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac, $10,000 from the town of Prairie du Sac, and $167,500 from the Friends of the Great Sauk Trail.

The village of Prairie du Sac is expected to contribute about $53,676 for a gate connection and Sauk City is expected to kick in $23,600 for the purchase and installation of street crossing lights.

The county also plans to contribute $530,000 for labor on the project. The resolution authorizes the transfer of that amount from the parks departments rainy day fund, which will be reimbursed to the highway department budget for the labor of highway department personnel assigned to the project.

The committee also will consider a resolution that requests that the state sell White Mound County Park to the county for $1.

The county sold the property to the state for the same amount in the 1960s, but has managed the property since then under a perpetual easement.

State officials recently became aware of the countys plan to construct a new building at the park, and informed the county that the construction plans may have to win the approval of a state agency.

Sauk County Parks Director Matt Stieve said after talks with state lawmakers and others, the DNR has offered to sell the park back to the county for $1.

Its not official until we get this resolution to them, he said. Then theyre going to put a bill together.
With more than a dozen area veterans seated behind him, Jerry Parchem paid tribute the nations fallen soldiers.

We may find comfort in knowing their lives were not lost in vein, said Parchem, commander of VFW Post 987, during a speech Monday at Walnut Hill Cemetery in Baraboo. We remain forever grateful to them for having gifted us the greatest gift on earth: Freedom.

The speech was the culmination of Memorial Day ceremonies that included the dropping of flowers into the Baraboo River to remember those who died at sea and a procession around the downtown square.

Parchem saluted the generations of Americans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, putting their lives on the line to fight tyranny and oppression around the globe. He also paid tribute to the mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and spouses who have borne an unthinkable burden through the loss of a loved one.

We are truly fortunate to live in a country worth fighting for, and to be afforded a way of life worth dying for, Parchem said.

President Donald Trump paid tribute to the nations fallen during a speech at Arlington National Cemetery. He mentioned several in attendance who lost loved ones in combat.

We can never replace them, Trump said. We can never repay them. But we can always remember. And today, that is what we are doing  we remember.
While paging through one edition of the Chicago Tribune last week, I suddenly realized just how much our government has changed in the few weeks since Donald Trump has been president.

And, unfortunately, if you believe in mundane things like open government or helping humanity combat the spread of AIDS and other diseases, it isnt for the better.

The issue I was reading carried the front-page news that Trump had shared some highly sensitive classified information with Russian diplomats, which no one but top U.S. officials was supposed to know. Some of the stories inside the paper, though, were even more disturbing.

People who were paying attention knew that the administration had decided to no longer make public the lists of people who visit the Oval Office to bend some ears and do some lobbying. Although other presidents have made the visitor logs public, apparently its no longer anyones business.

Other stories in the paper revealed thats just for starters. In just these past three-plus months, Trumps people have removed from public disclosure information about workplace violations, energy efficiency and animal welfare abuses. These moves have essentially eliminated the naming and shaming of employers and others who violate government rules, a practice that often led to better behavior.

Until now OSHA, for example, has regularly published the fines it levies on companies that violate the Occupational Safety and Health Act. No more. Anyone who wants to find out will have to go digging to learn who the scofflaws are. Same with the Agriculture Department. No longer are there regular reports of abuses by dog breeding operations or horse farms. Plus, the White House ended the Federal Supplier Greenhouse Gas Management Scorecard, a service that ranked firms with major government contracts on their energy efficiency and policies to reduce carbon emissions.

Also removed are websites run by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Interior Department that contained scientific information about climate change. Thats not new to us in Wisconsin, of course. Scott Walkers Department of Natural Resources has been way ahead in scrubbing climate change and global warming nonsense from websites.

Government agencies traditionally have provided the public with huge amounts of data, which, in turn, are used by private companies, researchers and policy advocacy groups. Now theres a whole lot less data for the public to hold government accountable.

Meanwhile, another story in that days paper noted that Trumps order to block American aid to groups that counsel about abortion will affect nearly $9 billion in foreign health assistance.

The administration admitted that Trumps executive order aimed at abortion also will cut off funds for programs that are aimed at preventing AIDS and malaria and promoting child health. The AIDs and malaria initiative in Africa was a program pushed by former President George W. Bush, one of his administrations most heralded accomplishments.

But, in typical throw out the baby with the bathwater fashion, the zealots who see everything as black and white when it comes to abortion also will put a crimp in teaching about birth control, which, ironically, undoubtedly will lead to even more demand for abortions.

Such is life today in the halls of Washington. Were wide open when it comes to sharing secret stuff with the Russians, but we cant trust our own people to keep an eye on their own government.
A medical journal claims that Americans are having less sex than they did 25 years ago.

First of all, you might be asking, Less sex than whom? Secondly, you might be questioning if this is a joke or more fake news? Since I cant answer either question with 100 percent certainty, I will just say that I read about it in the Washington Post, and they got their information from a journal called Archives of Sexual Behavior.

The New York Times looked at the same study and titled their article Its not just you. Americans are having less sex. Is nothing sacred? Do we really need to know that American adults had sex nine fewer times in 2014 than they did in the late 90s? Am I the only one that thinks this information is totally bogus? Considering all research involves self-reporting, accurate accounting really is up for grabs (and bragging rights).

We can only surmise that a professional journal is confident in publishing it, and other credible sources report it. Now you know why it gets complicated. People say things, others publish it, and if it is interesting enough, others report it. I do know that what I read made some sense based on lifestyles, current technology and statistics.

The bottom line of the research was that adults today have sex less often than they did 25 years ago. Married adults showed the greatest decline in frequency. This is a conversation, since sex seems to be incorporated into everything from television and movies, to advertising and music. I decided not to do my personal survey on this topic, so well have to go with what we can glean from observation and conversation.

The reasons could be a combination of factors from electronic distractions, longer work hours with longer commutes, young children at home, and, did I mention electronic devices?

The goal, of course, is work-life balance, and having a healthy sex life fits into that. There also is the issue of lowered birth rates in some segments of society in our country, as well as others. France, for example, passed legislation granting employees the right to disconnect just to allow workers to get a better handle on time off  and possibly each other.

In Denmark, a travel agency jumped on the information that people have more sex on vacation, so to address their birthrate concern, they promoted romantic holidays for couples. Their slogan? Do it for Denmark.

This all might explain why a councilman in Overtonea, Sweden, proposed that municipal employees be given one hour each day to return home to engage in sex. (I am just reporting, stop groaning).

That begs the question; who exactly is going to surveil this and verify appropriate use of the 60 minutes? What if employees go grocery shopping, take a nap, do yard work, or heaven forbid, play video games? It doesnt sound like a realistic approach to increase the birthrate.

Meanwhile, back in America, we havent tried any of these more creative approaches. We just report the study. It is what it is.

One bit of information came out of the study that might be of interest to some: There was one age group that showed no interest in slowing down; it was people over 70. I wont even speculate, but if it has something to do with Robert Redford, Sofia Loren, Helen Mirren or Sean Connery, I think I get it.

Are we really becoming an endangered species? If Americans are supposed to be having more sex for their health or for procreation, why not just cut down on Internet access throughout the country? Or try limiting cable to five hours a day.

Somehow extinction by apathy, preoccupation and an epidemic of distraction does not seem like part of an advanced civilization. A passage from a T.S. Eliot poem comes to mind: This is the way the world ends, not with a bang, but a whimper.
Another bill to reform marijuana laws is being pushed in the state Legislature, but this time from an unlikely source: a Republican.

For me this bill has been a little bit of journey, Rep. Adam Jarchow said Tuesday.

The Balsam Lake lawmaker, who described his rural district as pretty conservative, held a press conference on Tuesday to spotlight his bill, which would reduce the maximum penalty for possessing 10 grams or less of marijuana to a municipal violation, with a forfeiture of $100.

What we propose here today is what I think is a common-sense solution to a difficult issue, he said. And that is to not legalize but to decriminalize.

Also supporting the bill were Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, and Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee.

Absent were any other Republican lawmakers, although Jarchow noted that Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has shown interest in exploring a medical marijuana bill, which Jarchow said gives me some hope.

Jarchow said the bill would not ease sanctions on larger amounts of marijuana.

Were not talking about any amount that would be sufficient to be a dealer, he said. Were simply talking about a small amount that you could get a joint or two out of.

The measure, he said, would reduce the fiscal and social costs to the criminal justice system and to countless people who have lost their ability to vote, own a gun, get students loans, obtain some professional licenses or land a job with decent pay.

Jarchow said he started thinking about the issue on the campaign trail last summer, when I would hear from voters pretty regularly that they thought we needed to change course on marijuana policy.

During a subsequent Facebook town hall meeting, he posed the question to constituents, with 90 percent of those weighing in wanting a change.

A survey of his district this spring yielded similar results, he said, with 75 to 80 percent of more than 700 respondents wanting to see a change in marijuana policies.

I think the reason is because the costs to society are so high with our current course, he said.

The bill is similar to a proposal the Office of the State Public Defender has requested for the past several budget cycles.

"Its meant to be a cost-saving measure, said Adam Plotkin from the Public Defenders Office. By decriminalizing you no longer provide representation. You also achieve savings in prosecutors, law enforcement and corrections.

He also said that plunging low-level offenders into the criminal justice system has been shown to increase the likelihood that they will offend again. So keeping them out of the system, he said, not only saves money, but furthers public safety.

Several Wisconsin municipalities have already passed city ordinances that make marijuana possession an ordinance violation rather than a criminal offense, including Madison, Milwaukee and Appleton. But elsewhere, police and prosecutors have the discretion to charge possession as a misdemeanor or a felony, leaving the state with wildly disparate consequences.

I represented a number of young men, primarily young men of color, on misdemeanor and felony charges of possessing marijuana, said Goyke, a former attorney with the State Public Defenders Office in Milwaukee County. I can personally attest to the fact that charges are brought on low amounts of marijuana in this state. Its not just a Milwaukee practice, its a statewide practice. And it should end.

Risser pointed out that the bill would reduce the penalty for possession to about that of running a red light.

And yet thats life-threatening, he said. Smoking or having possession of small amounts of marijuana are not life-threatening.

Jarchow said that while hes hopeful for reform of the states marijuana laws in the long run, hes not betting that hell garner the support from his GOP colleagues to get it passed in the near future.

Im not naive to think that we are going to probably pass this and get it signed into law, he said. This to me is a first step. And what Im hoping we achieve today is a little bit of public awareness of a bipartisan solution to a difficult problem, as well as maybe we could get a public hearing and we could flesh out some of these issues weve been talking about, some of these costs. That would help lead the way to further reforms.
Most grave markers have a name, birth and death dates and maybe a brief epitaph.

But the stories of the people buried beneath the markers tend to get lost to all but the most devoted, detail-oriented descendants.

For Mondays Memorial Day observance at the Fort Winnebago Cemetery, Nancy Burns wanted something more.

We know so little about the people buried here, Burns, of the Daughters of the American Revolution, told the crowd gathered Monday at Fort Winnebago Cemetery, where Memorial Day (formerly Decoration Day) has been observed annually since 1899.

Thats why the DAR members pored through paper documents and cruised ancestry- and history-related websites to find at least a little of the story behind most of the people who are buried in the cemetery along County Highway EE.

As people began gathering for the Memorial Day observance, many of them paused to read the posters that DAR members had placed alongside the graves.

Take, for example, the grave near the entrance of the cemetery, belonging to Silas Walsworth. People who read the poster by his tombstone would know that he was born in 1790 in Bridgeport, New York, and that his grandfather was a Revolutionary War soldier.

Just a few steps away is the grave of an actual Revolutionary War soldier, Alexander Porter, born in Connecticut in December 1757 (the same year as Alexander Hamilton was born). On July 11, 1775, when he wasnt quite 18, Porter enlisted to fight on the colonists side in the war that would result in the birth of a new, independent nation.

Porters grave got a special ceremonial wreath decoration, as did the grave of another Revolutionary War veteran, Cooper Pixley, who was about 15 when he enlisted in Capt. Josiah Troops company of Col. Marinus Willetts regiment of New York Militia.

Joseph Yaskal, who graduated from Portage High School Friday, laid a wreath on the cemeterys tomb of the unknown soldier, because the DAR had chosen him for their Good Citizen honor.

Most, but not all, of those buried in the Fort Winnebago Cemetery served in the military, Burns said.

In addition to veterans from the American Revolution to World War I, Burns said, the cemeterys burials also include immigrants who were laid to rest there between 1850 and 1852, and the wives and children of prominent Portage men, most of whom also were veterans.

For much of Monday, people were invited to tour the cemetery at their leisure and read the stories of the people buried there

It was the Dawes grave that captured the attention of Ken and Julie McGwin, who live near Montello.

There were several posters by the Dawes tombstone, because it marked the burial site of several children who had died very young.

There were so many children who died in infancy, Ken McGwin observed. People today have such a hard time understanding how that could have happened.

Burns compiled a booklet with information about most of the people buried in the cemetery. The booklet is available at the Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters at 1824 Highway 33, just east of Portage. People who might be descended from those who were buried in the cemetery might be particularly interested in the booklet, Burns said.

The breezy weather Monday morning reminded Burns, of Green Lake, of the peaceful summer day when she first visited the Fort Winnebago Cemetery.

The wind was whistling through the tall elms, maples and oaks, she said.
Lt. Col. Josephine Daniels was among friends and neighbors.

Whether she was waving at the crowd while riding along East Slifer Street in Portages Memorial Day parade Monday, or stepping away from the dais at Blue Star Park to greet someone she knows, Daniels spent the morning remembering people who lost their lives in battle  and spending what she called a bittersweet day among people who remember her as a girl who grew up near Pardeeville.

Hundreds assembled Monday in Blue Star Park to hear Daniels reflections on the meaning of Memorial Day.

The meaning, she said, can be found in a monument that was unveiled almost exactly eight months ago.

The Killed in Action Memorial features, etched in stone, the names of people who lived in the Portage Community School Districts boundaries who lost their lives in war, dating back to the Civil War.

Thats what this day is about  those men who did not come home, Daniels said.

Daniels, of the Wisconsin Army National Guard, has been deployed in Iraq.

On Memorial Day, she said, she cant help but think of people she knows who lost their lives in war.

Youre taking time from your busy lives, she said, to remember that freedom isnt free.

In addition to the parade, Portages Memorial Day observance included the laying of memorial wreaths and naming local veterans who had died since last Memorial Day. Red flowers  one for each of the departed veterans who were named  were formed into a memorial cross.

Portage Mayor Rick Dodd, who presided over Mondays ceremony, acknowledged the sacrifice of fallen military personnel.

Please join me, he said, in honoring their commitment by enjoying the freedom they provided.
They are mothers, sisters and daughters with one of the toughest jobs on the planet.

There are no holidays or weekends. Workdays can stretch into nights and in spaces ranging from sweltering to freezing.

Yet the women who farm say they wouldnt trade it for another career. For some, its in the blood, with the family farm being passed down through multiple generations. Others saw it as a way to take charge of their food or provide an enriching way of life.

Job lost, gained

Before working in farming, Lisa Nelson had a career in information technology. Then, like so many others during the recession, Nelson was laid off from her job.

The loss soured her desire to return to corporate life so she considered her options. Nelson remembered growing up on her familys farm and wondered if there was any way to return and make a go of it.

There was.

In 2010, she started Roots Chocolates, a Wisconsin Dells based business. The fourth-generation farm grows fruits, vegetables and herbs for the purpose of making homemade chocolate. Nelson said she ships chocolate or cocoa beans from South American growers and makes everything by hand.

Nelson has used mint, basil, tart cherries, lemongrass, and garlic, to name a few, in her concoctions.

Ill try anything, she said.

Nelson sells her creations at farmers markets in Wisconsin Dells, Madison and Monona.

Few things bring Nelson joy like working with her hands and turning natures abundance into sweet treats.

Its kind of an art to use what you grow, she said.

The gender battle

While some women farmers have never experienced sexism, others say it has happened at least once.

Nelson remembers having an experience during a tractor showcase. She said the salesman never approached her. He looked at her several times but refused to offer assistance. The same salesman had no issue addressing male shoppers.

Nelson left without spending a dime.

Sometimes businesses dont believe Jayne Dalton when she calls for a quote or service. Dalton grew up on her familys farm as an only child and she plans to someday take the reins of the farm. She currently raises Angus and serves as promotion and education chair of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federations Columbia County chapter.

She loves what she does, although there is the occasional frustration. In the past customer service representatives have questioned her judgment or doubted her knowledge. She said its sad because some businesses helped her family in the past and her male relatives were treated differently.

Offenders changed their approach upon realizing her familys identity but respect shouldnt require a familiar name, she said.

To support other women in agriculture  and raise awareness for farming in general  Dalton started a Facebook page to share stories and pictures. She also supports Common Ground, an effort to connect women across all facets of agriculture, from production to consumption.

Whats acceptable for a man isnt always highly regarded in women, said Patty Johnson, operator of Iron Horse Training Center in Portage. Its a common experience in many aspects of society. If a man is outspoken, strong or intelligent, he is considered respectable, but a woman who does the same is seen as cold, unfriendly and arrogant. In some circles, its not polite for a woman to stand up for herself.

Johnson said she forges ahead and runs her business with tenacity, knowledge and willpower regardless of what critics may say.

Lisa Evert finds the occasional problem while parts shopping. Evert juggles feeding, milking, maintenance, cleaning and many other duties on the dairy she runs with her husband, Tim, and Rick and Ronda Lehman. The Sauk City area farmer has experience with heavy machinery, but cant always convince some sales reps of the fact.

Evert said shes had salesmen question her knowledge even though she knows what she wants.

Thankfully, it only happens here and there, she said.

Although she doesnt see a lot of women in her field, Sally Turpin, who serves as the young farmer and agriculturist chair with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federations Juneau County chapter, has never felt intimidated. She specializes in agronomy and feed while working at Star Blends in Sparta. Gender has never seemed to make a difference.

If you can prove your skills it doesnt matter if youre male or female, she said.

Tight finances

Like their male counterparts, women farmers face a struggle to secure financing.

It can be tough to convince a financial institution to fund a potentially insolvent operation. Its even more difficult for new farmers who have little experience.

Technology has made farming more accessible to women but money is still a concern. Youthful farmers especially struggle, said Turpin. Its not unusual for startups to feature a husband-and-wife team. Collaboration between farmers has also become more common as families pool their resources and income.

Starting out on ones own can be daunting.

I wont say its impossible but its not easy, Turpin said.

An agreement with family gave Laura Mortimore the key to starting Orange Cat Community Farm. She said she wanted to launch community supported agriculture, but it was during the economic downturn and money was scarce.

She looked at numerous properties before finding her current one between Lyndon Station. Her parents, who live in Reedsburg, agreed to buy the farm and charge Mortimore rent.

Nine years later, Mortimore owns the farm.

She said she chose to stay in the area because of support from family, neighbors, friends and acquaintances. People stepped up to help a local get off the ground.

Mortimore can understand why others dont take the plunge.

Its almost an insurmountable hurdle for some people, she said.

Youth impact

For generations of Wisconsin families, farming has had an indelible effect on youth.

Suzie Horkan said shes proud her children, JoEtte, Kyran and Tarek, had an agricultural upbringing, at Just-A-Hill Dairies in Reedsburg, which helped turn them into dependable, responsible adults. Kyran is in the process of an electrical apprenticeship and Tarek is studying agriculture business. JoEtte holds a degree in animal and dairy science and works alongside her siblings and parents on the farm.

JoEtte Horkan said work ethic started early when she was in 4H. She learned its impossible to get anywhere without working.

Farming isnt for the faint of heart, Suzie Horkan said. Cows dont stop giving milk because its a Saturday or Christmas Day.

Its not 9 to 5, thats for sure, she said.

The Jones family left city life so their children could learn the value of a rural upbringing. Kehaulani and Andrew Jones, owners of Rowley Creek Lavender Farm between Baraboo and Portage, watched other youth become spoiled from affluent city living. It was nothing for kids to have the latest gadgets or request an abundance of material things. Teens expected to receive a car when they earned their drivers license.

At the same time, fewer children seemed interested in toiling for what they wanted. As a little girl in Hawaii, Kehaulani Jones had a very different upbringing. She said she can remember helping out, even at a young age. Andrew Jones said he can see the impact it had on his wife because shes driven, intelligent and patient.

Agriculture comes as a shock to the unaware. Kehualani Jones said shes had adults and young workers quit after only hours or days. Few jobs seem difficult after time in the field or barn.

You need to learn what it means to work hard, she said. You learn to work hard on a farm.

Dalton understood the business of livestock since she was a child. She started out showing pigs and moved on to beef by 13. She started with a heifer and gradually built her own herd. Now, almost 15 years later, she has 200 animals.

Raising cattle has taught her responsibility and entrepreneurship, she said. She also has a better understanding of animal welfare and the many tasks required to keep healthy animals.

Johnson said she loved going to horse shows as a child. But, like Cinderella, she always had to leave when the clock struck the appointed hour. The cows needed to be milked, so Johnson didnt question nor complain when her father said it was time to go home.

It may not seem the fairy tale life to some but it was a dream come true for Johnson.

It was wonderful, she said of growing up on a farm. I wouldnt trade it for anything.
A Sauk City pastor is the newest member of the Sauk Prairie School Board.

Dennis Virta, pastor at River Hills Church, received a unanimous vote by the school board during an open meeting May 22.

Virta grew up in the Chicago suburbs and attended Wheaton College where he received a degree in philosophy and Biblical studies. He completed graduate work at Notre Dame where he studied philosophy, followed by seminary school.

I did a short stint as a blue-collar steel worker; it was the only time I could punch out at 3 p.m. and be done with work, Virta said. Now I pretty much work all the time.

Virta moved to the area in 2002, later starting River Hills Church in 2005. It is his fifth church spanning 37 years in ministry.

Our goal at River Hills is to serve people who have given up on religion, but not on God, Virta said.

He didnt plan on being a school board member even a month ago, but a few things happened that set him on course. Virta had been to the district office on an unrelated matter when he noticed the posted school board vacancy. He was one of several community members who recently spoke publicly at a school board meeting in support of keeping a controversial book in the high schools curriculum. He said it was part of the reason he chose to apply for the position.

The respectful dialogue with the community and with those who disagreed about the book  I realized I wanted to be a part of that, Virta said.

School Board President Ryan Jesberger said it became clear during Virtas interview with the board his experience and background in education, as well as his statements about promoting, providing and encouraging excellent public education for the children of our community, demonstrated his commitment to the role.

Virta said he has always had one foot in the door of academia and the other in the ministry.

For instance, there was a time where I was teaching at Wheaton College while pastoring at church; I felt torn between the two, he said. The pull toward the ministry won out. But I have always had a heart for the educational process; encouraging teachers and students  thats something Ive always done.

He said school funding is probably one of the most challenges facing all school districts right now.

We are caught in a referendum cycle here in the state of Wisconsin, he said. Almost all schools are facing issues of salaries, maintenance and how to expand.

Virta said the one-year term he will fill is perfect for where he is in his life.

I was asked before if I would run for school board; its something that has been on my mind, Virta said. But I never wanted to go through the whole election thing with the kids still at home. A one year appointment is a good way for me to test the waters. I want to see how I click with the board, and how the time commitment goes with my life.
Under an enormous American flag waving in the brisk wind over Broadway in downtown Wisconsin Dells, the Dells-Delton area marked Memorial Day on May 29 with its annual parade followed by a solemn ceremony honoring the nations fallen veterans.

On a sunny and breezy spring morning, hundreds lined both sides of the downtown Dells main thoroughfare to view the annual parade, then moved to nearby Bowman Park for a half-hour ceremony, which concluded with a traditional firing squad salute and playing of Taps.

Members of Harold B. Larkin American Legion Post 187 and Dells Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Post 9387 led the parade, followed by the Wisconsin Dells High School Band, local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and dozens of local youngsters riding patriotically decorated bicycles.

Bedecked in the dress uniforms, active and retired members of the Kilbourn Volunteer Fire Department and Lake Delton Fire Department followed the bicyclists, each department also represented by numerous current and vintage department vehicles with lights flashing and a siren or two occasionally blaring.

The two fire departments joined in hoisting the giant flag flying overhead, with a bucket truck from each parked along Capital Street on either side of Broadway.

Following the welcome from Legion Commander Dale Tompkins and invocation from St. Celia Catholic Church Rev. Eric Sternberg, local Daisy Girl Scouts joined in raising the flag next to the Bowman Park band shell, the band performed the National Anthem and everyone gathered recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guest speaker Lt. Colonel Dave Murray (retired) then gave a brief speech reminding everyone in attendance of the sole reason behind the days observances: Remembering Americas fallen military veterans.

It is up to us to remember their sacrifice, Murray said. Our fallen have given us what President Abraham Lincoln called their last full measure of devotion. They did it to serve America, they did it to serve us.

Murray also emphasized the importance  on Memorial Day and every day  of supporting and honoring the families of those departed men and women.

Long after the battlefields guns have been silenced and the bombs stop exploding the children of our fallen warriors will still be a parent, spouses will be without their life partners, parents will continue to grieve their heroic sons and daughters, who died too early, he said. Nobody can replace these fallen heroes in the eyes of their families.

A closing prayer by Sternberg and a moment of silence to fallen comrades followed Murray's address, then the reports from the firing squad rang out across the park in salute.

Attention the turned to the group of patriotic bicyclists, whose efforts were viewed and as part of the annual event.

Ava Van Wie was named the winner of the bicycle-decorating contest, with Pierce McClyman finishing second. Van Wie received a $6 prize, McClyman received $5, and all the other young entrants received third-place prizes of $4 each.
It didnt take long for The Smoke That Thunders, the new water slide at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, to become a popular destination for kids of all ages.

About an hour into its grand unveiling May 25, a long line of riders had formed, clutching large yellow rafts with beaming faces under the bright late-spring sunshine. After days of cold, rainy weather, temperatures rose into the 70s and the threat of more showers stayed away as people got an early start on Memorial Day weekend taking a plunge down Kalaharis newest creation.

Travis Nelson, financial analyst for Kalahari, said The Smoke That Thunders was scheduled to debut a day later, but with the ride finished and with the summerlike weather finally arriving, it was the ideal time to open the ride.

We have our outdoor water park thats only a couple acres of space and so to be able to find this unique attraction in a small area, I think it fits great and its really exciting, Nelson said.

The Smoke That Thunders derives from the nickname given to Victoria Falls in southern Africa. Since Kalahari is an African-themed resort, the name fit for the parks latest attraction. Nelson and his family toured Victoria Falls in the fall of 2014.

Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and its just unbelievable, Nelson said. You see videos and pictures of it, but it doesnt do it justice. You get up there and look over the edge and feel the power  it creates this mist and thats why they call it The Smoke That Thunders because its loud and brings up all this mist.

Nelson said the waterslide, which combines two rides into one, is the first of its kind in the U.S. The ride requires at least two people (no more than four) on a raft. Riders start by going through a large chute, falling through an enclosed pipe and whipping through the first turn. Then riders get sucked into the toilet bowl before plunging down a deep embankment and onto the final turn as they twist their way to the finish and one final splash.

Families are encouraged to ride together, however there is a height requirement so small children, preferably under 8 years old, might have to wait a couple years to take the plunge.

We always try to offer something new as often as possible for our guests so families come back a couple times a year, Nelson said. Our family rides are always our most popular because dad, mom and the kids can all ride together. If youre 42 inches tall, they might be nervous to go that high and do something thrilling, but if mom and dad are with them, theyll want to do it.

Construction for the water slide began last fall and work continued through the winter and early spring. Motorists passing through the Dells on I-90/94 can see the ride and a large display promoting The Smoke That Thunders from the freeway.

On May 25, as word spread that the new ride was open, groups of eager tourists flocked to experience it. Scott Kuehn, from Plato, Minnesota, took his son, Eli, down at least twice.

Its a fun ride, Scott Kuehn said. The best part is probably the big drop from the bowl  you go straight down.

Hannah Halle and Maddie Andreae from Marshfield echoed Kuehn, saying its fun but the drops are kind of scary.

Friends Emily Solinski and Danielle Angeli, from New Lisbon, along with Nicholas Franco from Chicago Heights, Illinois, work at the resort and were among the first group to test the slide.

The ride was awesome, Solinski said. You didnt expect anything at first and then, whoosh, you go down and it was crazy. As you go through the big drop your stomach drops as well.

The mega drop seems to be the early highlight of The Smoke That Thunders.

It comes out of nowhere, it gets you, Angeli said. But its obviously fun because were going again.

The ride is open every day, from 10 a.m. to dusk, until at least Labor Day weekend or longer depending on the weather. For more information on The Smoke That Thunders go to www.kalahariresorts.com.
Virginia keeps clam and carries on with lead in shellfish production

Clam Bags: Hard clams ready for market Photo by K. Hudson/VIMS

Oyster Cages: Intensive culture uses cages to protect oysters from predation. Photo by K. Hudson/VIMS

Oyster Shells: Young oysters prefer to settle on oyster shells like these. Photo by C. Rose/VASG Photo - of - Hide Caption

VIMS survey shows $56.6M in farm-gate value in 2016

Virginia shellfish farmers sold $56.6 million in clams and oysters in 2016, with hard clam sales of $38.1 million and $18.5 million in oyster sales. Hard-clam production once again leads the nation and oyster production is tops among East Coast states.

The values are according to the 11th annual Virginia Shellfish Aquaculture Situation and Outlook Report, a survey of shellfish farmers in the state conducted by the Marine Advisory Services program at William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

The survey and report provide an annual assessment of trends and projections for Virginias shellfish aquaculture industry. The latest report is based on an industry survey completed during the first quarter of 2017.

Report author Karen Hudson says, The story this year is that everything looks good. The markets remain strong and prices are up. There is no sign of market saturation with Virginia products.

Virginia growers reported an average price of $0.41 per oyster in 2016; the same as the previous year and significantly above the 10-year average of $0.33 per oyster. Oyster hatcheries also reported a sales increase, for both single seed (up 22 percent) and eyed larvae (up 12 percent). The average price of eyed larvae has increased for the past four years, and in 2016 increased 4 percent to $326 per million.

VIMS and our partners have put a lot of effort into supporting the heart of this industry  the hatcheries, says Hudson. They produce the product, so we support them by refining tools to better monitor and evaluate water quality to ensure healthy shellfish. Partners include Virginia Sea Grant, Virginia Tech, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

Virginia growers did report a 22 percent decrease from the previous year in single oysters planted  from 135.6 million to 106.3 million  but predict an 11 percent increase in oysters planted for 2017, to 118 million.

Hudson downplays this years dip in oyster plantings, saying, Were more interested in long-term trends. We would only be concerned if we saw that decline continue over the next five years  and nothing in this report suggests that we are on anything other than a good track.

The number of oysters sold increased by 13 percent in 2016 compared to the previous year  from 35 million to 40.2 million. Although this is 14 percent less than predicted in the previous survey  in which Virginia growers forecast a 32 percent increase to nearly 47 million market oysters  Hudson again sees little significance in the discrepancy. Oyster growers remain optimistic, she says, with survey respondents predicting a 21 percent increase for 2017 sales, which would translate to nearly 49 million market oysters sold.

The number of hard clams sold in Virginia in 2016 also increased  to 195.4 million from the previous years 185 million. Virginias clam growers reported a 10 percent decrease in seed plantings during 2016 to a total of 476 million clams, but predict an increase of 10 percent for 2017, which would translate to 523 million individual clams planted. Virginia remains the nationwide leader in growing hard clams.

The 2016 results are drawn from 63 completed surveys returned to VIMS. Respondents include 15 clam growers, 58 intensive oyster growers, seven extensive oyster growers, six shellfish hatcheries, and 10 growers who cultured both molluscs.

Oyster culture has two main production methods, which generally provide product to separate markets. In intensive culture, growers plant single oysters in cages, racks, or floats, then carefully tend them for harvest primarily in the half-shell market. In extensive culture, growers allow hatchery-raised oyster larvae to settle on oyster shells in large tanks on land. They plant the resulting spat-on-shell directly on bottom almost immediately, and then allow them to grow freely into clumps of oysters that are harvested for sale as shucked meat.

Clam culture has one standard production method, in which clams are planted in plots and covered with mesh net for predator protection. From planting to harvest is a two-year process; longer than in oyster aquaculture.

For interactive graphics from the report, see the story on the VIMS website.




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Three Mile Island faces premature retirement

30 May 2017

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The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania will be permanently shut down around the end of September 2019 if there are no policy reforms, US utility Exelon announced today. The company had warned last week the plant was at risk of early retirement.

Three Mile Island (Image: NRC)

Exelon announced on 24 May that its Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear power plant and its Quad Cities plant in Illinois had failed to clear the latest PJM regional capacity auction. The TMI plant has not cleared the past three PJM auctions and has not been profitable in five years, it noted. While the continued operation of Quad Cities is ensured by newly-introduced legislation in Illinois, the TMI plant is "at risk of early retirement", Exelon said.

The utility announced today that it had decided to retire the plant, "absent needed policy reforms" in Pennsylvania.

Exelon said it is taking the first steps to shut down the plant, including informing key stakeholders. This, it said, includes sending regional transmission organisation PJM a deactivation notice and making permanent shutdown notifications to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) within 30 days. It will also immediately take one-time charges of $65-$110 million for 2017 and accelerate some $1.0-$1.1 billion in depreciation and amortisation between now and the announced shutdown date. Exelon is also terminating capital investment programs required for the long-term operation of TMI and cancelling 2019 fuel purchases and outage planning.

Pennsylvania is home to nine nuclear power reactors that produce 93% of its carbon-free electricity, avoiding 37 million tonnes of carbon emissions. However, nuclear power is not included in Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS). Sixteen other clean power sources - including solar, wind and hydro - are supported by this state energy policy.

"Amending the AEPS is one of many potential solutions to preserve Pennsylvania's nuclear plants. Other options include establishing a zero emissions credit program, similar to the approach being implemented in Illinois and New York," Exelon said. "Absent policy reforms, the loss of Pennsylvania's nuclear plants would increase air pollution, compromise the resiliency of the electric grid, raise energy prices for consumers, eliminate thousands of good-paying local jobs and weaken the state's economy."

Exelon president and CEO Chris Crane said: "Today is a difficult day, not just for the 675 talented men and women who have dedicated themselves to operating Three Mile Island safely and reliable every day, but also for their families, the communities and customers who depend on this plant to produce clean energy and support local jobs.

"Like New York and Illinois before it, the Commonwealth [of Pennsylvania] has an opportunity to take a leadership role in implementing a policy solution to preserve its nuclear energy facilities and the clean, reliable energy and good-paying jobs they provide."

Unit 1 of the Three Mile Island plant - which is built on an island in the Susquehanna River - began commercial operation in September 1974. It is a pressurized water reactor designed by Babcock and Wilcox. The unit is capable of generating 837 MWe (net), enough electricity to power over 800,000 average American homes. TMI 2 - owned by First Energy - was damaged during an accident in 1979 and never reopened.

In June 2016, Exelon announced it would move forward with the early retirements of two nuclear power plants in Illinois - Clinton and Quad Cities - due to a lack of progress on that state's energy policy. Earlier last year, Exelon announced that Clinton would close in June this year and Quad Cities next year, if the state did not pass legislation supporting their continued operation. However, in December, the state introduced energy legislation that will ensure the continued operation of the plants.

Last August, the New York Public Service Commission formally approved a Clean Energy Standard recognising the zero-carbon contribution of nuclear power plants and ensuring the continued operation of four that had been at risk of premature closure. This included the James A Fitzpatrick plant, which Exelon then agreed to buy from Entergy.

The short-term nature of deregulated electricity markets have left other US nuclear power plants at risk of premature closure for economic reasons, despite their long-term future and their potential contribution to achieving greenhouse gas emissions targets.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
5. Background

The Battle of Vienna took place on the 12th day of September, 1683 at Mount Kahlenberg near Vienna. It was fought by the Holy Roman Empire, the Monarchy of Habsburg and the Commonwealth of Polish-Lithuania against the Empire of Ottoman under the leadership of King John III Sobieski. This marked the first ever military cooperation between the Holy Roman Empire and the Commonwealth against the Ottomans. After this battle, the Ottoman never became a menace anymore to the Christian world. It had been a long-term strategy for the Ottoman Empire to capture Vienna because of its control over the Black Sea of Western Europe and the trade route from the Eastern Mediterranean to Germany. This battle was won by the combined force of the Commonwealth and the Holy Roman Empire.

4. Description of the Engagement

On the 14th of July 1683, the Ottomans laid siege on Vienna. This day is also the day the Ottomans leader Kara Mustafa sent a demand for surrender to the city. This happened when John III Sobieski had sent relief troops to Vienna. The battle began before the deployment of all units. The Ottomans began the attack with an aim at stopping the deployment of the Holy League troops. The Germans became the first to strike. The Imperial forces moved to the left led by Charles of Loraine, and the Holy Imperial army moved in the center. By noon on the same day, the imperial army had attacked the Ottomans, and they were close to a breakthrough. Kara Mustafa consistently launched counterattacks because he had wanted to take over Vienna before John III Sobieski. The Polish attacked the other side of the battlefield, leading the Ottomans to the point of desperation since the relief troops had arrived. The Ottomans were attacked from all corners, and this made them retreat with some even disappearing. By then the Ottoman forces were leaving the battlefield, and before long the Christian forces were winning the battle.

3. Makeup of the Forces

The Holy Roman Empire had their troops represented in the battle while the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland represented the Commonwealth. John III Sobieski led the relief force and was the overall commander. Kara Mustafa led the opposing militaries of the Ottoman Empire and the Ottoman fiefdoms. The number of the Ottoman army was thought to be between 90,000  300,000 individuals.

2. Outcome

After the fight, the Ottomans had to dispose of Kara Mustafa their defeated commander. He was executed through being strangled by a rope pulled by men on each end. Sobieski ordered that the Polish troops should have the priority of the loot while the German and the Austrian troops were left with smaller portions. The Protestant Saxons left empty handed and instead the Catholics verbally abused them.

1. Historical Significance and Legacy

This victory by the Christians at Vienna was the first step towards conquering Hungary. However, the Ottomans fought further for another 16 years but lost control of Hungary before later on giving up. After that, the Holy Roman Empire in 1699 signed the Treaty of Karlowitz with the Ottoman Empire. The signing of this treaty signified the end of the Ottoman Empires spreading out into Europe.

Pope Innocent XI honored Sobieskis victory by celebrating the Holy Name of Mary which had on previously been celebrated only in the Kingdom of Naples and in Spain.

Astronomer Johannes Hevelius also honored John III Sobieski by naming of constellation Scutum which originally was known as Scutum Sobiescianum which is a Latin name for a shield.
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was an uprising against the Soviet Union carried out by the citizens of Hungary. Although the national revolt nearly succeeded in overthrowing the Soviet Union, but it was soon squashed as quickly as it had begun. The major players of the war were Hungarian Revolutionaries against the Soviet Armed Forces, Soviet Union, and the KGB.

Background

In March 1944, Nazi Germany invaded and occupied Hungary. At the end of World War II in 1945, the Soviet Unions Red Army drove out Nazi Germany and established control within the nation. Hungary came under the leadership of communists with Matyas Rakosi at the helm. Rakosi subscribed to the ideas propagated by Joseph Stalin, and he set out to destroy political opponents and consolidate his power. Hungary became the Peoples Republic of Hungary under his leadership. The Security Police (AVH) under Rakosis leadership began to purge dissidents, which saw many Hungarians imprisoned, exiled, or killed. The Communist government implemented reforms geared towards creating a communist economy which caused the standards of living in the state to decrease. Thousands of people were forcefully relocated from Budapest to create housing for members of the Working Peoples Party. Rakosi reforms, which were intended to raise the countrys economic standards, resulted in rationing of goods and poor living standards for the citizens.

Events Leading Up to the Revolution

Joseph Stalin died on March 5, 1953, following which the Soviet Union replaced Rakosi with Imre Nagy. Nagy instituted some reforms such as releasing political prisoners, but Rakosi was re-instated back to the position. In June the same year, Poles staged a revolt against Soviet Rule, and Nikita Khrushchev granted them a degree of reform. Rakosis fall from power came on July 18, 1956, after he was deposed from the helm of the Working Peoples Party. In a bold move, Khrushchev criticized Stalin, his policies, as well as his protegees forcing Rakosi to resign. Erno Gero, a Communist, replaced Rakosi. The absence of Rakosi served to encourage criticism and debate between students, journalists, and writers. University students in Szeged revived the Union of Hungarian University and Academy Students (MEFESZ), which had been banned under Rakosi. Intellectual forums began to take place where participants debated on some of the issues facing Hungary.

Revolution

The first open demonstration took place on October 23, 1956, when nearly 20,000 protesters gathered near the statue of Jozef Bem, a revered hero in both Poland and Hungary. A manifesto was read before the crowd highlighting some demands including freedom, more food, and disbandment of the Secret Police. The group joined other protesters outside the Parliament Building. The crowd toppled Stalins statue after Gero condemned the demonstration. The Soviet Union responded by appointing Imre Nagy as Prime Minister. Nagy tried to get the Soviet to withdraw their troops and restore peace. He announced the abolition of one-party rule and the withdrawal of the nation from the Warsaw Pact. Armed revolutionaries launched attacks on military personnel, suspected Communists, and members of state security. The Soviet Union was alarmed by Nagys reforms, which were in conflict with communist ideologies. On November 4, 1956, Soviet Armed Forces trooped into Budapest armed with tanks in a move to crush the uprising. An estimated 2,500 citizens were killed while over 200,000 fled the country. About 13,000 more were wounded while Nagy was captured and executed for treason. The rebellion was crushed, Janos Kadar ascended to power, and Soviet leadership confirmed once again.
The Laotian Civil War was a covert theater among belligerents in the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Indochina War lasting from November 9, 1953, up to December 2, 1973. Communists, loyalists, right-wingers, and neutralists fought for the control of Laos. The worlds superpowers, the US and the Soviet Union, took sides in the battle with the Soviet Union fighting alongside the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Pathet Lao, while the US troops fought alongside the Kingdom of Laos, Thailand, South Vietnam, Philippines, and Taiwan.

Contributing Factors

The Laotian civil war began soon after the end of WWII which left Laos in political chaos. Though Japan had declared Laos an independent country, the French wanted to restore Laos as its protectorate prompting the organization of guerrilla troops. Princes Phetsarath Rattanavongsa, Souvanna Phouma, and Souphanouvong formed a new Laotian government under a movement of Lao Issara. The movement gained only a few members and lacked support from Viet Minh, the northeast rulers. Other forces occupying Laos were the Chinese troops who withdrew from Laos after negotiations with the French. The French troops began their conquest of Laos using paratroopers, artillery, armored cars, and Spitfire fighter-bombers defeating the Vietnamese troops of the Lao Issara movement, who were forced into exile in Bangkok. The three princes dissolved their movement and joined the various factions of the war. The civil war began on November 9, 1953, when the Pathet Lao began a conflict with the Kingdom of Laos.

Battles And Casualties

Several battles were fought in Laos after the civil war began. The battle of Dien Bien Phu fought from March to May between the French Union, and Viet Minh saw the victory of Viet Minh, the signing of the 1954 Geneva Conference and the end of the first Indochina war. The North Vietnamese Army (NVA) launched the second invasion in 1959, constructing the Ho Chi Minh Trail as a supply route for the National Liberation Front (Vietcong) and the NVA to increase the chances of the communist victory. Unresolved disputes between the factions prompted the attack which ended in the North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao victory the Kingdom of Laos lost the battle.The neutralists paratroopers under Kong Le staged a coup in 1960 seizing Vientiane, the administrative capital. General Phoumi began a three-day bombing campaign on Vientiane resulting in the union of the neutralists with the Pathet Lao. The period between 1963 and 1973 saw the massive bombardment of Laos by the US. Within this time, several battles including the Battle of Luang Namtha, the battle of Lak Sao and the Battle of Nam Bac. The battle ended on December 2, 1975, after Vientiane fell under Pathet Lao which formed a one the socialist state government that is still in existence. The battle claimed lives of between 20,000 and 70,000 people with losses in property, aircraft, as well as soldiers.

Aftermath

The Laotian civil war ended in 1973 after 22 years of fighting leaving Laos with an indelible mark of war. In a period of only nine years, starting from 1964 to 1973, the US dropped more than 2 million tons of ordinances in Laos, bombing missions. Laos is the most heavily bombed nation on earth in history. The bombs were equivalent to a planeload of bombs every 8 minutes 24 hours a day for the duration of the nine years. The bombing was part of the US secret war in Laos in support of the Royal Lao government against the Pathet Lao and trying to stop the traffic along the Ho Chi Minh trail. The bombs destroyed villages and displace thousands of civilians. More than a third of the bombs did not explode, and they are still a threat today.
Parents Left Frustrated Over Lack of Welsh Medium School Places in Wrexham

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, May 30th, 2017

A number of parents across Wrexham say they feel let down by Wrexham Council after their child was refused a place in their desired Welsh medium primary school.

The allocation process for primary school places was completed last month, with parents across the county borough finding out if their child had been allocated a place at their preferred school by April 18th.

However RhAG (Rhieni dros Addysg Gymraeg)  a society that campaigns on behalf of parents wishing their children to receive Welsh medium education  say that a number of parents have been left devastated at their child not being offered a place in the desired school, with some families now having siblings in two different schools.

Campaigners also say that some parents have been refused a place in their first and second preference Welsh medium school  with some others considering placing their child in an English medium school.

Brian Williams of Rhostyllen, said he could not believe that it was so difficult to get his child a Welsh medium education in Wales.

He said: I am a proud Welshman who wants my child to speak Welsh.

Last year when there was no space in the Welsh medium Nursery class I was told by the council I could send them to an English school for a year because they learn some Welsh. I was appalled and kept my child at home.

Mr. Williams explained his anger with the situation, adding: I am not happy this year because the school we have been offered a reception place is further away from our home and the town centre, and is going to add to the distance we will have to travel in the morning. Both my wife and I work in town and it is going to be difficult.

Clare Roberts of Wrexham said she was heartbroken after being unable to get her youngest son into the nursery class in the same school as his eldest brother. She said: This was heartbreaking news for us as a family. We have found it very difficult to explain to our children why they cannot attend the same school.

It is going to cause us severe headache to work out the logistics of being in two schools at the same time to drop off our sons and also get to work ourselves. The council dont seem to care about this at all.

Trudi Stott of Gwersyllt discovered that her daughter had no reception place at the school where she attended nursery class.

It is awful to find out your child has been refused a place in the Reception class of the school she attended for a year in Nursery, she said.

Having to reassure a four-year-old that it is not her fault but that she wont be able to go to the same school as her friends is the hardest thing of all.

RhAG is now calling on Wrexham Council to address the issue with urgency rather than claim it is a temporary spike in demand.

The chairman of RhAG Wrecsam, Rhodri Davies, said: We are devastated to hear from so many disappointed parents again this year, often they are in tears explaining the situations they face. This is having a significant impact on many families for several reasons.

A spokesperson for Wrexham Council said: The Council is committed to improving access to Welsh medium education as demonstrated through its investment of over 11.5m to increase provision for Welsh medium schools across the county borough with a further 1.2 million planned for additional places at our Welsh medium secondary school during the next two years.

As a consequence we have more than sufficient places to meet the demand although this is not always in the school of choice. The admissions criteria applies to both Welsh and English medium education provision and the same problem can arise with parents who choose an English medium school.
A former Amazon worker who nearly suffered heatstroke and was ordered by the company to keep working told the International Amazon Workers Voice that Amazon ignored reports of the incident to avoid blame and deny her access to medical attention.

On a sweltering hot summer day in 2016, a young picker named Nicole was working on the floor of Amazons fulfillment center in Chester, Virginia. Although workers requested that management turn up the air conditioning, Nicole said the company refused. When she nearly passed out, Amazon gave her just 20 minutes of rest and then ordered her back on the floor. The company knew that medical officials warned she could suffer potentially fatal heatstroke.

To this day, Nicole explained, she has been unable to seek medical attention because the corporation ignored a report she filed of the incident.

Amazon workers are familiar with this type of brutal treatment by a corporate giant that prioritizes private profit above the lives of its workers. This is the rule under capitalism: corporations like Amazon cut costs by sacrificing workers health to improve the profit margin and enrich the corporate leadership.

When I made a report about my incident, Nicole told the IAWV, I found out they never did my report because they didnt want to get into trouble. How I found out was I called the Amazon hotline for employees to see if there was a report made so I could go see a doctor about my current condition, and they said they had no report on my incident when I made one. I wanted to because it was a work place accident. And they didnt want to help me.

Because the company ignored her report, Nicole said she couldnt file a workers compensation claim or bring a lawsuit against the company for the abuse she said she suffered.

After the incident, Nicole decided that the $12.50 an hour she made was not worth the risk of suffering from the intense heat on the shop floor. But instead of firing her, the company sent her a letter claiming she left the company through voluntary resignation due to job abandonment. Because of this, she was ineligible to collect unemployment benefits.

Out of a job and still feeling the effects of the incident, Nicole says she began to have difficulty being outside during the daytime for long periods of time. Though she has finally found new work, she hasnt seen a doctor despite ongoing side effects because of the high cost of health care in the US. She fears her health will never be the same.

Ever since I left Amazon I have been having problems with heat in general, she said. I havent gotten medical attention for it because I had no job and no health insurance. I loved being outside before, and now I cant enjoy the summertime as I used to. I am basically cursed because of them.

Nicole is not alone. She described horrific conditions at the Chester, Virginia fulfillment center, which was featured in a 2015 article, The Life and Death of an Amazon Warehouse Temp.

From what I have heard, Nicole said, one person had died from a heart attack there. I also heard someone killed themselves by jumping from one of the floors, and not quite sure about the other [deaths at the facility]. We also had a lot of workplace injuries where ambulances were called.

But no matter what circumstances we were under, management always told us to keep working even if we were hurting. They told us to take some painkillers and get back to work.

Nicole said it is hard to find news articles of many of the deaths, since Amazon keeps that under wraps because they dont want people to know so they can get people to work for them. She added, They dont like us talking about it.

Despite these conditions, some workers drive from as far away as North Carolina to work at the Chester fulfillment center. Temporary workers make $10 an hour, and many other workers at the facility make $12.

Nicole expressed gratitude that the International Amazon Workers Voice was exposing sweatshop conditions at Amazon fulfillment centers.

I am for the cause, she said. I am all for uniting to show Amazon that they need to listen to how they are treating their people. We work far too hard. I want Amazon to do better or be shut down. I hate seeing my friends being worked to the very core to the point of almost disabling themselves. I dont want anyone to go through what I am going through right now. I cant even go to amusement parks which are my favorite places without having a threat of heatstroke.

She said she would share the IAWV with her friends who still work at the facility and encouraged other workers across the world to step forward and share their stories of abuse.

Amazon workers: contact the IAWV today and help expose Amazons exploitation of the working class. We protect anonymity and dont use names without your approval. Sign-up to receive updates, like the IAWV on Facebook, and share this article with your coworkers.
Most truck drivers transporting dangerous materials in France went on strike on Friday and continued strike action throughout the weekend and on Monday.

Blockades were set up in front of fuel depots both in the provinces and the Paris area. Only one fuel depot in the Paris metropolitan area was functioning normally on Saturday according to Agence France-Presse. There are widespread reports of possible major fuel and gasoline shortages across the country.

Drivers transporting dangerous materials (gasoline, natural gas and chemical products) are demanding a large increase in hourly wages from the current miserly level of 9.73 (US $10.82), which is three cents less than the official 2017 minimum wage for a dangerous and stressful job; a 13th month bonus at the end of each year; limiting the working day to 10 hours; and regular medical check-ups. Earlier this year, in April, drivers in several trucking firms operating at the European level went on strike to raise similar demands.

The Stalinist General Confederation of Labor (CGT) and Workers Force (FO) unions are insisting that this strikethe last since the mobilization of millions of workers and youth last year against the reactionary labor laws pushed by the previous Hollande governmentshould be limited to trade union action in one industry.

In early May, the CGT and FO had proposed to include some of these demands in an industry-level contract for road transport. Employers' representatives refused, however. Now they are proceeding despite union threats of a strike, which has prompted the CGT and FO to ask the corporations to return to the negotiating table.

The CGT and FO are carefully seeking to avoid any serious interruption of industry and transport. When the blockade at the Donges refinery proved to be too effective, they suspended it.

At Donges, we saw there were a few worries about fuel stocks at the Nantes airport, so we freed up a few trucks, a CGT delegate told the press.

The unions are organizing the blockade so that most of the depots are not fully blocked, but simply sending out trucks more slowly than at normal times. The bosses are acting ruthlessly against the strikers, however, as a CGT spokesperson admitted, The transport companies are hiring scabs and giving an exceptional 100 bonus to drivers who work.

The government of newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron also apparently acted to make sure gas stations and oil depots had large reserves before strike action began.

Despite the deep anger over deteriorating social conditions felt by the working class in France and across Europe, the trade unions are doing everything they can to block political opposition to Macron prior to next month's legislative elections. Their goal is to stabilize this government, which intends to pursue and intensify Hollandes austerity policies.

The only way forward for the working class is to take the struggle out of the hands of the trade union bureaucracy and to develop it as a political movement against the Macron administration. The unions' initial discussions with Macron have made clear their willingness to collaborate with him. They are accepting the principle of imposing stepped-up austerity using Hollande's labor law, in the context of the ongoing French state of emergency, which allows the government to suspend basic democratic rights and violently attack strikes and protests.

The unions are calling strikes they know they cannot prevent to have something to negotiate with Macron and to hide their basic political alignment with his administration. The political parties tied to the trade union bureaucracy, like the Stalinist French Communist Party (PCF) or the New Anti-capitalist Party (NPA), both made clear that they supported Macron in the election, insisting that backing the former investment banker and militarist was the only way to stop neo-fascist candidate Marine Le Pen.

Now the unions are promoting the illusion that workers can achieve their demands by exerting pressure on Macron.

Last year, the CGT did everything, under the slogan of generalizing strikes, to block a general strike that threatened to develop against Hollande's labor law. While CGT leader Philippe Martinez carried out back-channel talks with then-Prime Minister Manuel Valls, his union federation played the key role in keeping Hollande in power so he could impose the labor lawwhich he did using anti-democratic emergency provisions in the French constitution allowing him to ram the law through without a parliamentary vote.

The emergence of the working class in struggle only a few weeks after Macron's election on May 7 confirms the correctness of the Parti de l'egalite socialiste's (PES) perspective in the presidential elections. It warned that the working class would face bitter struggles against the next president. Unlike the CGT and the NPA, which aligned themselves on the media consensus calling for an anti-Le Pen vote for Macron, the PES called for an active boycott of the election.

The PES was and is seeking to arm the working class with a perspective for a struggle against Macron, which is politically independent from all the capitalist parties, whose plans the trade unions are trying to impose, perhaps with a few minor modifications, on workers.

Workers will face a long and protracted struggle against Macron who is determined to carry out a frontal assault against workers' social rights. What is needed is a clear revolutionary perspective, that is socialist and internationalist. Since road transport is organized on a European-wide level and beyond, the mobilisation of French workers in industrial and political struggle can be effective only to the extent that it is coordinated with workers in Europe and internationally.

Workers should take the conduct of this struggle out of the hands of the trade unions by electing action committees to extend the strike, broaden the struggle to other layers of workers, including oil and transport workers, and mobilize their class brothers and sisters in other countries in struggle.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested nearly 190 people across Southern California in a five-day operation covering six counties last week.

ICE officials boasted that 90 percent169 of the 188 peopleof those arrested had prior criminal convictions. Among the detained immigrants, there were 15 people convicted of sex crimes, including one man convicted of rape, and a previously deported cocaine trafficker. The latter two stories have been promoted by ICE officials and media outlets to push the narrative that the operation was conducted to remove public safety threats.

The field office director for Enforcement and Removal Operations for ICE in Los Angeles, David Marin, commented on the operation in an interview with the Daily Breeze: Its a win for us, and now weve taken these convicted criminals off the streets so they cant re-offend, they cant make more victims and, ultimately, our goal is to remove them from the country, later adding, they werent people who just had traffic tickets or speeding violations.

The portrayal of the ongoing crackdown on immigrants as a public safety operation is a campaign of fear-mongering that lacks any factual basis.

In this case, of the 188 immigrants detained in last weeks sweep, the most common offense was for drug offenses, which included 43 people.

While a more detailed analysis of the criminal records is not provided by ICE documents, this category can include very minor offenses such as possession of small quantities of drugs like marijuana. The second most common offense, 30 of the cases, was driving under the influence (DUI). Three people were arrested for reentering the United States after being deported once already, and 19 were arrested despite having no criminal record whatsoever.

It is a widely accepted fact among experts that the claim that immigrants are more likely to be criminals is entirely false. In fact, there are innumerable studies that support the opposite conclusion.

According to data from the 2010 American Community Survey (ACS), for example, roughly 1.6 percent of immigrant males age 18-39 are incarcerated compared to 3.3 percent of the native-born. These conclusions are consistent throughout decades. Census data from 1980, 1990, and 2000 show that the incarceration rate of native-born individuals were anywhere from two to five times higher than that of immigrants.

Despite these well-documented studies, the notion of the criminal immigrant is being used to try to garner support for the Trump administrations very unpopular immigration policies. Like the majority of the recent immigration initiatives, this tactic is hardly a creation of the Trump administration; it has been prepared, in a bipartisan effort, over the course of decades.

The confluence of the terms criminal and immigrant emerged as a conscious policy in conjunction with the War on Drugs in the 1980s. During this campaign, the battle against illegal drugs and illegal aliens became frequently linked to each other in political rhetoric.

This rhetoric was heavily promoted by private prison companies that worked actively to shape the federal and state laws regarding immigration, detention, corrections, and law enforcement policies. The persecution of immigrants during this period provided these companies, which were rapidly expanding, a fresh market to fill their prisons. The 1980s and 1990s gave rise to the current massive prison apparatus, locking up working class men and women, both immigrant and native-born alike, by the millions.

Another pivotal event in the criminalization of immigrants came with the signing of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), and the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA) by Democratic President Bill Clinton.

This legislation impacted immigration policy in two profound ways. First, the laws introduced the mandatory detention and deportation of non-citizens (both lawful permanent residents and illegal immigrants) who had been convicted of an aggravated felony. Second, the laws transformed the definition of aggravated felonies to include a much wider set of offenses. Today, aggravated felonies have been expanded to include more than 30 types of crimes, including simple battery, theft, filing a false tax return, and failing to appear in court.

In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, these measures were both strengthened and expanded as part of the fraudulent war on terror. The US Patriot Act of 2001, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002 collectively make up the Bush administrations contribution to the criminalization of immigrants.

Among the many newly enshrined powers was granting to federal officers the ability to apprehend and detain non-citizens on immigration grounds without legal review for up to six months if the case is deemed a national security risk.

Finally, the Obama administration built on the policies of its predecessors through the massive expansion of the Secure Communities Act, which introduced a new mechanism for identification and apprehension of immigrants through the use of biometric data, combining local law enforcement databases with immigration databases, to screen for deportable immigrants who were being jailed. It is through these very mechanisms that the Trump administration is now able to target the criminal immigrants, such as those victims of the recent Southern California raids, who are being apprehended and deported in droves.

The policies of the Trump administration certainly mark a significant escalation in the criminalization and assault on immigrant workers in the US; however, they were not created from scratch overnight. They flow from the policies of previous administrations, both Republican and Democrat, over the course of the last almost four decades.

ICE raids have spiked significantly since the signing of Trumps executive orders on immigration in January. Immigrant apprehensions have increased by nearly 40 percent compared to the same period last year. The same ICE forces responsible for last weeks raids in Southern California conducted a similar campaign in February that netted 161 arrests. Official statements by local Los Angeles ICE agents indicate that more such sweeps are still to come this year.

These raids have a particular significance in the Southern California region, which is home to the largest cluster of people living in the country without proper documentation. About 1.4 million undocumented immigrants live in the area between Los Angeles and the US-Mexico border.
Written and directed by David Michod

The Netflix satire War Machine is a forceful work that depicts the futility and madness of war in general and the war in Afghanistan in particular. The film revives a venerable tradition of anti-military and anti-war drama and comedy in the US, which the media and the establishment thought (or hoped) had been thoroughly suppressed and even extinguished.

Written and directed by Australian David Michod, and produced by and starring Brad Pitt, the film is based on the 2012 non-fiction book, The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of Americas War in Afghanistan, by the late American journalist Michael Hastings.

Hastings, only 33 when he died under suspicious circumstances in June 2013, authored The Runaway General, the article for Rolling Stone magazine in 2010 that led to the removal of Gen. Stanley McChrystal from his post as ranking US commanding officer in Afghanistan. War Machine is a fictional account of McChrystals tenure in Afghanistan and the events leading up to his firing.

In the movie, Pitt plays a platinum-haired Gen. Glen McMahon who, in 2009, has just been appointed to direct the war in Afghanistan, already in its eighth bloody year. McMahon, according to the narration, arrives fresh from a successful stint running the secretive special operations killing machine in Iraq. The narrator, Sean Cullen (Scoot McNairy), a Rolling Stone journalist, describes the general as  a throwback to another era, his hand bent into a permanent claw, like it was still clutching a World War II cigar.

With a frozen face and a freakish squint, McMahon runs seven miles before breakfast, sleeps only a few hours a night and has been dubbed the Lion King, the G-Man, Big Glen and, most commonly, the Glenimal by his entourage of toadies. Front of that pack is the psychopathic Greg Pulver (Anthony Michael Hall), loosely based on Gen. Michael Flynndescribed by a staffer in Hastings book as a rat on acid. Other members include Cory Staggart (John Magaro) as McMahons special operations advisor and Matt Little (Topher Grace) as his as his civilian press consultant.

Michods War Machine presents the war in Afghanistan as a debacle, presided over by lunatics and egomaniacs (in Hastings The Operators, the author describes the war as a clusterfuck that defied satisfying analysis).

The mockery directed against Americas military and geopolitical policies begins at the outset, when the narrator ironizes, Ah, America. You beacon of composure and proportionate response. You bringer of calm and goodness to the world.

The conflict is presented as an entirely doomed project. In this regard, the tone is set early on by the journalist-narrator, who refers to two types of generals in the American military. There are those who believe they can win in the face of all evidence to the contrary. And there are those who know they cant. Unfortunately for the world, its the believers who climb to the top of the ladder.

The narrator insists on getting a handle on the madness of modern American war. He explains that the US militarys counterinsurgency strategy (McMahon has his own personalized versionSNORPP, short for Systemic Negation Of Repetitive Procedural Practice) runs up against basic political realities. When  youve just gone and invaded a place that you probably shouldnt have, you end up fighting against just regular people in regular-people clothes. These guys are what are called insurgents. Basically, theyre just guys who picked up weapons cause ... so would you, if someone invaded your country. Funnily enough ... insurgencies are next to impossible to defeat.

War Machines voice-over points out that the British and French tried to hang on to their crumbling empires through counterinsurgency and the efforts failed. You cant win the trust of a country by invading it. You cant build a nation at gunpoint.

The films version of McChrystal/McMahons sojourn in Afghanistan includes the generals conflicts with Obama administration officials over release of his initial assessment (which the officials want to sit on and which he subsequently leaks to the US media) and, based on that assessment, his demands for tens of thousands of additional troops. War Machine devotes a portion of its time and energy to the Afghan war commanders jaunt across Europe, where he attempts to raise more soldiers from reluctant US allies. It also touches upon his fantasy of winning the hearts and minds of the Afghan people, with the unassailable might and power of our ideals. Helping to pour cold water on that possibility, American officials inform the general that the sole crop the occupying force will permit local farmers to grow is poppies for the heroin trade.

It is not possible or necessary to recount every detail, but certain episodes and themes stand out. They stand out, above all, because they run counter to the official US media and political establishment narrative, which finds almost unanimous expression in film and television. In other words, War Machine punches through the big lie.

One of the more striking and lengthier sequences occurs when McMahon encounters a unit of Marines, just back from rest and rehabilitation in Italy, and who we will meet again. A young black soldier (Lakeith Stanfield) complains to McMahon, I cant tell the difference between the people and the enemy. They all look alike to me. Im pretty sure theyre the same people, sir. To which the Afghan commander replies, Sometimes when youre dealing with an insurgency, youre not gonna be 100 percent clear on who the enemy is.

Once McMahon has his troop surge, he sets out to organize Operation Moshtarak, aimed at removing the Taliban from the town of Marjah and destroying its influence in Helmand Province (which McMahon has just been told by a British military official is a lost cause).

During the battle of Marjah the death of an Afghan child traumatizes the same black soldier. A Marine sergeant offers money and empty platitudes to the grieving father. Later, a translator repeats a local mans blunt protest to McMahon, And every day that you spend here longer, the worse it will be for them [the residents] when you leave. So please, leave now. Please.

The pointed portrayal of Afghan President Hamid Karzai (Ben Kingsley), Washingtons puppet, in War Machine adds a darkly and lively comic note.

In one scene, McMahon feels obliged to seek Karzais approval for Operation Moshtarak, and complains to the president, who he has not been able to reach, that he is not behaving like a leader.

Karzai-Kingsley responds sagely, but cheerfully, But I am behaving like a leader. Im unavailable. I am as unavailable to you as is your own president. Hmm? You have my approval, General. We both know it was never really mine to give. But... I thank you for inviting me to participate in the theater of it all.

The performances in War Machine reflect genuine thought and commitment. The actors here, for once, are attached to an important reality.

Pitt bears the largest weight in the film, and bears it admirably. He enables us to get inside the mind [and empty soul] of Glen McMahon, this madman in whose hands lies the fate of vast numbers of human beings. Much of the role necessarily involves debunking, criticizing, not something American actors have done much of in recent decades. Too often actors want to be loved. Pitt remains unlovable and unattractive virtually throughout, as he should.

The general is a fraud. Supposedly committed to keeping the civilian population alive and sympathetic, he presides over war crimes. He is renowned for his irrepressible energy and determination, but what does that lead to? Destruction, criminality  His folksy, man of the people demeanor is another charade. As the narrator points out, Glen was known as a humble man. But humble in that way that says, My humility makes me better than you.

Hall gives Pulver-Flynn (His official title was director of intelligence, but all I saw was a guy with anger management issues whose life had no meaning without Glen.) his terrifying due. Tilda Swinton, as a pacifistic German politician who questions McMahons crude insurgency arithmetic, makes a mark during her brief time on screen.

Not everything in War Machine works. There are issues of tone and consistency and pace. The first half of the film is more successful. The European portion, in which we witness the personal idiosyncrasies and misbehavior of McMahons team, drags somewhat. Largely secondary issues suddenly arise.

The film does not delve into the larger geopolitical realities behind the war drive in the Middle East and Central Asia. Related to that perhaps, the Netflix movies comic, not to say occasionally flippant, element is incompatible at certain moments with the awfulness of the situation. To his credit, Michod does allow the tragedy to unfold in the films culminating scenes, but at times the work suffers from a flatness as it tries to find the proper balance between dark and light.

However, even the failings in War Machine have to be seen in historical and artistic context. Michod, Pitt and company are traveling in what is relatively uncharted territory in our day. Savagely satirizing and mocking the glorious American military, dripping with blood from every pore, has become practically illegal in the US. Widespread popular hostility toward a quarter century of brutal war and toward the politicians and generals who have conducted it finds virtually no outlet in American culture. Here, for once, the pent-up disgust and horror comes through.

Michod explains in an interview, The great sadness and the great concern is that weand by we, I mean the United States and its allies, including my great country, Australiaare not only still at war in Afghanistan, but that this War on Terror has expanded now to six or seven other different countries. And its shocking to me how seemingly un-newsworthy this stuff is.

He told another interviewer, And, at some point, in the process of outlining the movie, I realized that what I wanted to do was not just make a movie about the insanity of war but I wanted to make the movie feel insane. I wanted to create a kind of sharp and pronounced tonal schism between that upper executive level and the boots on the ground in order to make that distinction more pronounced.

The critics for the most part have been unsettled by War Machine. They pick on certain weaknesses as a means of dismissing the films sharp and long-overdue critique. Variety, for instance, snidely refers to Michods film as a costly flop, a big-budget Netflix misfire and a colossally miscalculated satire. A CNN review headline reads, Brad Pitts War Machine fizzles on Netflix.

These are some of the same people who find complexity and depth in the rubbish Hollywood ordinarily churns out, including its exercises in psychotic violence, along with its superhero and comic book movies.

In fact, if the truth be told, the critics and the media generally identify with the US military and its drive for global hegemony. They instinctively react to any exposure of the institutions that protect their stock portfolios and comfortable lives. They are outraged that the universal consensus about the war on terror, another enormous falsehood, is broken through.
Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers said Tuesday he doesnt think Nikko Jenkins death sentence will ever be carried out, and may even be overturned at the Nebraska Supreme Court level.

A three-judge panel Tuesday sentenced Jenkins to death for the killing four people in Omaha in 2013.

If not on the state level, the ruling will probably be overturned by a federal appeals court or the U.S. Supreme Court, he said.

I do believe that Nikko Jenkins is mentally deranged. I think the evidence will show that, and under the circumstances, I dont think the death penalty can be carried out, Chambers said.

There will be so many moving parts in the way the case was handled, that the number of appeals themselves will be virtually infinite, he said.

Jenkins victims were two Latino men, a black man and white woman, and there was a noticeable change in the reporting of the murders when Andrea Kruger, a white woman, was killed, he said. Had she not been a victim, Chambers said, the case would have most likely been handled as a plea bargain and the death penalty would not have been on the table.

I think it was a cruel hoax played on the families and the friends of the victims to hand out all those additional sentences in terms of years, he said. It shows the political nature of what these judges did.

In addition to death for each of the four counts of murder, Jenkins also was sentenced to at least 450 years for a dozen weapons counts in the case.

Jenkins mental state and the conditions in which he was held in prison will have a bearing on how the matter turns out, Chambers said. And it especially will have an impact that Judge Peter Bataillon allowed Jenkins to represent himself during his initial trial phase.

I think that was a fatal flaw in the proceedings, Chambers said.

Jenkins has said getting the death penalty would allow him to get out of the solitary circumstance hes been in all these years and be around other men on death row, which is a type of segregation but allows contact with other humans, Chambers said.
Recriminations between Britain and the United States over leaks from Washington in the aftermath of the May 22 Manchester suicide bombing have given way to combined damage control.

There has been no crisis in US-British relations on this scale in recent memory. US intelligence from the first moments leaked crucial details to the media about Salmand Abedi, the suicide bomber.

Prime Minister Theresa May and Home Secretary Amber Rudd both demanded of Britains closest military and intelligence sharing ally that the leaks stop.

As a result, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson flew to Britain Friday to discuss the crisis and held a joint press conference with UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. Tillerson said, We take full responsibility for that and we obviously regret that that happened.

The conference was held after May met Trump at last weeks NATO summit in Brussels, during which she would have raised that the leaks were an existential threat to her government whose poll numbers were collapsing ahead of the June 8 snap general election. On Sunday, Trump, after stating that those who leaked the information would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, tweeted that May was very angry that the info the UK gave to US about Manchester was leaked.

US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told NBCs Meet the Press Sunday, I believe when you leak the kind of information that seems to be routinely leakedhigh, high level of classification I think it's darn close to treason.

Behind the leaks is no doubt the ongoing factional warfare within the US ruling elitegiving the reference to treason an ominous coloration.

Britains scathing criticism of the US, even with their much-vaunted special relationship called into question, is because the leaks are so explosive and destabilising.

The initial leaks set off further revelations, including by French intelligence, indicating that the UKs domestic intelligence agency MI5 knew Abedi and allowed him to travel to Syria and Libya without hindrance.

The May governments own damage control operation has begun with the launching of two inquiries by MI5 into Abedi. The first, according to the Guardian, began last week on the spurious grounds of aiming to quickly identify any glaring errors regarding Abedi.

The second is to look at the decision-making around Abedi before his attack.

The Guardian reported a source who said the key question, given what is now evident about the danger Abedi posed, would be: Would different decisions be made? It added, The longer review will look at the processes and systems used to assess suspects and what was known about any of the other main conspirators.

It is already clear that what is being prepared is a cover-up. Abedi and his family were not only intimately known to British intelligence, but were used by them in 2011 as part of the British-backed regime change operation that resulted in the overthrow and murder of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

Rudd quickly gave her a seal of approval to the inquiries, telling Sky News Monday, As a first step, it is absolutely right. This was in answer to the question, Are you happy that MI5 should be investigating themselves?

Rudd refused to comment on the information already available about Abedi and his familys connections to British intelligence. There's a lot of information coming out about what happened, how this occurred, what people might or might not have known We shouldn't rush to make any conclusions at this stage, she said.

The damage control operation also requires a ratcheting up of political dissembling to divert the publics attention from the Manchester atrocity and establishing the truth about who is responsible. To this end, the only issues of security the Tories are prepared to countenance discussion on is Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyns alleged connections to Sinn Fein and the Irish Republican Army more than three decades ago!

Government representatives and their media backers have in addition issued a series of hysterical anti-Corbyn diatribesbased around the accusation that he is a danger to national securityfollowing a speech last Friday in which he suggested politely that Britains aggressive foreign policy was connected to the growth of terrorist attacks in the UK. Corbyn stressed this in order to persuade the ruling elite that what was required was not a retreat from foreign interventions, but a smarter way to reduce the threat from countries that nurture terrorists and generate terrorism.

On Monday, the Daily Mail published an editorial that did not once reference the Manchester bombing just days earlier, but targeted Corbyn and his Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott.

Headlined, Corbyn, Abbott and a threat to our security, it railed against Corbyns attitude to terrorism that should ultimately disqualify him from ever being prime minister.

Speaking about deaths as a result of terrorismwhich flowed from Britains centuries long occupation of Irelandthe Mail declared, [M]any victims and their families have been unable to move on. These are not trivial issues to be brushed asidethey are central to our national security.

The government has been joined in the attacks on Corbyn by Labour right-wingers, along with a co-ordinated offensive by sections of the military. This is an escalation of attacks on Corbyn first made when he became Labour leader and was met with comments from an unnamed serving general that there would be a mutiny if he was allowed to come to powergiven his declared opposition to the UKs Trident nuclear weapons system and criticisms of NATO.

The Sunday Express, under an inflammatory headline, Corbyn is calling all Our Boys murderers, aired the comments of Colonel Richard Kemp, who commanded British troops in Afghanistan and General Lord Dannatt, the former head of the British Army.

Kemp said, It's a despicable thing to suggest that, while they were risking their lives in Afghanistan, they were actually complicit in the terrorist act that caused the deaths of 22 innocent people. He added, We must face the fact that Jeremy Corbyn as prime minister would simply aid our enemies. He would rather support the likes of Hamas--every bit as fundamentalist as Islamic Statethan oppose these extremists.

Dannatt said Corbyn was espousing outdated left-wing views in an extraordinary intervention just three or four days after a terrorist outrage."

He warned, And lets not forget that this is the man who had admitted that if he became prime minister, he would never press the nuclear button, so our nuclear deterrent would be rendered utterly useless.

For a country like Great Britain, one of the permanent members of the [UN] security council, a leading major power within NATO and Europe, it is very isolationist to say we are not going to get involved, he added. There will be circumstances in the future where we will just have to get involved.

The government is covering up everything it can and throwing dirt at its opponents to prevent any genuine examination of the Manchester bombing. But this is not a scandal that is so easily swept under the table. That night saw 22 people killed, including many children. Many more are still critically injured. Yesterday it emerged that Tony Walter, a 52-year-old man who worked at a legal firm in London had killed himself at home within hours of Abedis bombing. Walter was a survivor of the London terrorist bombings of July 2007, in which 52 people were killed. He was within feet of one of the bombers when he detonated an explosive device on a Tube train after it left Edgware Road station.
German Chancellor Angela Merkels anti-US stance has been endorsed by all of the establishment political parties and most of the media. They are exploiting outrage at US President Donald Trumps arrogant behaviour at the NATO and G7 meetings to mobilise support for Germany to adopt an independent great power policy.

At a meeting of the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) in a beer tent in Munich on Sunday, Merkel called into question the alliance with the US, which has been the cornerstone of German foreign policy since the founding of the Federal Republic 70 years ago. The times when we could completely depend on others are over, she said. From this she drew the conclusion, We Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands and fight for our future.

Merkels Social Democratic (SPD) coalition partner gave its unreserved backing to this stance. Martin Schulz, who hopes to replace Merkel as chancellor in the federal election in September, tweeted, The best answer to Donald Trump is a stronger Europe.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) said the US was missing as an important nation. Under Trump, the US could no longer play a role in the Western community of values, he declared. The G7 summit was a signal for a shift in global power relations, he continued, adding, The West is becoming somewhat smaller.

The Left Party sought to outdo Merkel and the SPD. Party Chairwoman Katja Kipping called in the Bild newspaper for a tougher approach to dealing with Trump. Germany had to stop being a yes-man towards the US, she wrote. The friendliest thing she could think of to say to the US president was that he is an infantile narcissist. Europe had to move closer together in response to Trump, she added.

Merkel also received international support. EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker pushed for more European independence and decisiveness. The Commission had already presented ideas related to this, his spokesperson Margaritis Schinas said. This is precisely about ensuring that Europe determines its own fate.

The French newspaper Le Monde, which is aligned with President Emmanuel Macron, published an editorial titled, One must respond to Merkels appeal. Brexit and the retreat of the Americans have destroyed Europes equilibrium, it stated. But Germany did not want to be the only continental power.

When Angela Merkel says we Europeans, she is directing an appeal to France, her only refuge if the Americans and British disappear in the dust, the newspaper declared. Macron had to respond positively to this appeal and not lapse into Gaullist superiority.

However, Merkels speech was sharply attacked by Britains Financial Times. It is easy and appropriate to blame President Trump for this state of affairs, wrote columnist Gideon Rachman. But despite her cautious phrasing, Ms. Merkel has also behaved irresponsibly--making a statement that threatens to widen a dangerous rift in the Atlantic alliance into a permanent breach.

The Financial Times accused Merkel of deliberately deepening the split not only with the United States, but also with Britain. If Ms. Merkels government pursues the Brexit negotiations in the current confrontational spirit--demanding that the UK commit to vast upfront payments, before even discussing a trade deal--she risks creating a self-fulfilling prophecy and a lasting antagonism between Britain and the EU, Rachman continued.

An article in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) indicates that these are the plans of the German government. It views Britains withdrawal from the EU and the rift with the United States as an opportunity to reorganise the EU as a military and political alliance under German dominance, and make this the starting point for a new, independent great power policy.

Under the headline A secret plan for Europe, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung wrote that after the rift with Trump, Merkel had activated plan number 2: Europe, which was composed of several facets. The refugee issue was of central importance: Stopping the flight across the Mediterranean is seen in the Chancellors Office as critical for the future of the European Union.

The second point identified by the newspaper is defence. Merkel wants to spend more money and allow the cooperation of the armies to continue unhindered. The concept of a European army, which is vehemently opposed by Britain, had for this reason been carefully avoided thus far, the paper added.

The German army was offering its services as an anchor to smaller NATO members so as to strengthen their military capabilities and establish practical milestones for the creation of a European armed forces, wrote the FAZ. Joint units already exist with the Netherlands, France and Poland, and there are agreements with Romania and the Czech Republic.

The third point noted by the FAZ is the economic and currency union. In this area, the German government was prepared to compromise with Macron on the creation of economic governance for the euro zone and joint bonds (euro bonds), but, with regard to the latter, only on the condition that structural reforms are adopted, i.e., further attacks on social welfare programs and working conditions. As a concession to Germany, the appointment of Jens Weidmann to succeed Mario Draghi as president of the European Central Bank is under discussion, the newspaper reported.

Spiegel Online went even further than the FAZ, raising the possibility of new geo-strategic alliances. Columnist Henrik Muller, a professor of economic and political journalism, appealed for a European-Chinese strategic partnership against the US.

Trumps verbal outbursts, he wrote, show that the US is no longer a dependable partner. Trumps retreat from Americas traditional role as a leader was having a destabilising impact. As a consequence, global economic policy was in flux. The other two large economies--the EU and China--are looking for new partners to solve international problems.

The most important areas for intensified European-Chinese cooperation were global trade and climate change policy, wrote Muller. The US, as the Wests leading power, had once supported the global economic institutions of the post-war era--the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organizations predecessor, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Now it was necessary for Europe and China to jointly fill the global regulatory vacuum.

Muller recommended cooperation on climate change policy out of pure economic interest, and not because of ecological conviction. The rapid progress in productivity in renewable energy promised massive competitive advantages for the future. This would require long-term investments, the basis for the calculation of which would be destroyed by policy shifts and the zigzag course being pursued by Trump, according to Muller.

The German government and the EU are both eagerly seeking to expand their economic and political relations. The EU is exploiting Trumps protectionism to conclude trade agreements around the globe. Negotiations are currently under way with 20 countries.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Berlin today, accompanied by several government ministers. An EU-China summit is scheduled in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to be attended by Prime Minister Le Keqiang.

The conflict between the major powers and the forming of new alliances recalls the period between 1890 and 1914, when the blocs that dragged the major powers into the First World War in 1914 were formed as a result of economic and political rivalries. As in that earlier period, the contradictions of the global capitalist order are threatening to plunge humanity into a catastrophe. Only an independent movement of the working class that connects the struggle against war with the fight against capitalism can prevent this.
The test firing by North Korea of a short-range missile on Monday, the latest in a series of similar missile trials, has provoked another round of condemnations and warnings by Washington and its allies, amid a continuing US military build-up near the Korean Peninsula. The US Navy announced last week that it was deploying the USS Nimitz and its battle group to the region, bringing to three the number of aircraft carriers able to direct their massive fire power against North Korea.

President Trump responded to the missile test by tweeting that North Korea had shown great disrespect towards its neighbour China, which was trying hard to compel Pyongyang to bow to US demands to abandon its nuclear and missile programs. Washington has placed immense pressure on Beijing, above all through the threat of a war on its doorstep, to use its economic muscle to rein in the Pyongyang regime.

Speaking on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday, US Defence Secretary James Mattis made clear that China had limited time. He condemned North Korea as a direct threat to the United States, adding: We dont have to wait until they have an intercontinental ballistic missile with a nuclear war head on it. Mattis warned that any war with North Korea would be catastrophic and involve probably the worst kind of fighting in most peoples lifetimes.

The US war drive against North Korea has been accompanied by an incessant campaign in the media vilifying the Pyongyang regime and the alleged threat posed by its tiny nuclear arsenal. Mattis has already indicated that any attempt by North Korea to use a nuclear weapon would be met with an effective and overwhelming responsethat is, annihilation, using Americas huge nuclear armoury.

Like the US-led conflicts in the Middle East, North Koreas weapons of mass destruction and its gross human rights abuses have become convenient pretexts for preparing a war against a small, isolated and economically backward country. US imperialism has other, predatory, economic and geo-strategic objectives. Above all, a war to destroy the Pyongyang regime would be aimed at weakening and undermining China, which has always regarded North Korea as an important buffer against the US and its allies in North East AsiaJapan and South Korea.

Nor is the sudden rise in tensions on the Korean Peninsula solely due to Trump and his administrations militaristic propensities. Rather Trumps aggressive and menacing stance against North Korea is a product of rapidly sharpening geo-political rivalries in Asia and throughout the world, fuelled by the ever worsening capitalist breakdown in the wake of the global financial crisis of 2008.

Ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the chief objective of US strategy has been to prevent any economic or military challenge from its rivals and, in particular, to prevent the Eurasian landmass from being dominated by one or more competitors.

Former US national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski spelled out the rationale in 1997 in Foreign Affairs: What happens with the distribution of power on the Eurasian landmass will be of decisive importance to Americas global primacy and historical legacy  In a volatile Eurasia, the immediate task is to ensure that no state or combination of states gains the ability to expel the United States or even diminish its decisive role.

Between 1950 and 1953, the US waged a criminal war on the Korean Peninsula against China, which cost the lives of millions, in order to ensure its dominant position in North East Asia. Washingtons attitude to Pyongyang, with which it never signed a peace treaty, has, ever since, been one of unremitting hostility. After the demise of the Soviet Union, American strategy has been based upon regime change and the incorporation of North Korea into its sphere of influence, at Chinas expense. The US failed to live up to its side of the agreements, struck in 1994 and 2007 with North Korea, to denuclearise.

The rising danger of a US attack on North Korea coincides with a barely disguised civil war over foreign policy raging within the American political establishment and state apparatus. The differences are, in reality, tactical: whether in its drive for dominance of Eurasia, the US should focus first on Russia or on China. The constant barrage of accusations against the Trump administrations alleged links to Russia is driven by opposition to his efforts to reorient US foreign policy towards a confrontation with Beijing, rather than Moscow.

Washingtons unrelenting pressure on Beijing over North Korea is, in part, a response to growing signs that the Obama administrations pivot to Asiawhich was intended to isolate and militarily encircle Chinais unravelling. The tilt by the Philippines, under President Rodrigo Duterte, away from Washington and towards closer relations with Beijing, is the most obvious sign of similar drifts elsewhere in Asia and internationally to take advantage of economic opportunities in China.

The US is also facing challenges in Europe, most openly from Germany, where Chancellor Angela Merkel declared, after the weekends G7 meeting, that we Europeans must really take our destiny into our hands, rather than relying on the US. Earlier this month, China formally launched its ambitious One Belt, One Road initiativea plan for massive infrastructure spending on roads, ports, pipelines, rail links and telecommunications across Eurasia, linking China to Europe. Significantly Germany and Britain, which have both looked to boost economic relations with China, were strongly represented at the gathering in Beijing.

Unable to outbid China economically, the US is preparing to use its military might to undermine a potential competitor and disrupt the relations of its rivals with Beijingand not for the first time. In 2002, President Bush tore up an agreement with North Korea to denuclearise and branded it part of an axis of evil, along with Iran and Iraq. In doing so, he effectively sabotaged South Koreas so-called Sunshine Policy which, with the backing of China and the European powers, was a plan to transform the Korean Peninsula into a transport and pipeline conduit to link Europe and East Asia.

Fifteen years later, the stakes are far higher and the threat of war much greater. Facing a mounting political crisis and acute social tensions at home, the Trump administration is resorting to more and more reckless measures to try to assert US dominance. Whether on the Korean Peninsula or another flashpoint, such as the South China Sea, US imperialism is being driven to take military measures that would threaten to precipitate a war between nuclear armed powers and a catastrophic conflagration.
Quebecs Liberal government recalled the provincial legislature Monday so as to outlaw a six-day old strike by 175,000 construction workers.

The governments emergency anti-strike legislation, which it has vowed will be rushed into law by this morning, threatens workers with harsh fines if they do not report for work at their regular start time tomorrow, Wednesday, May 31.

Bill 142 also illegalizes work slow-downs or any diminishing or alteration of workers normal activities. Under threat of legal sanction, union officials must publicly instruct their members to obey the law and document this for the Labour Ministry in an affidavit.

Even before construction workers walked off the job last week, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard signaled his government would criminalize the strike. Speaking yesterday, Labour Minister Dominique Vien and Treasury Board President Pierre Moreau deplored the strikes major impact on the economy. "Do you honestly think, asked Moreau, Quebec can afford to lose $45 million per day? The answer is clearly no.

Under Bill 142, the government is giving itself sweeping powers to shape the arbitration process that will determine the workers terms of employment if mediation fails to resolve the dispute by October 30.

This includes the right to choose the arbitrator or arbitrators, determine what issues will go before arbitration, select the method of arbitration and fix the criteria on which the arbitrator or arbitration board will base their decision.

In other words, the big business Liberal government, which has spent the last three years imposing massive social spending cuts and slashing municipal workers pensions, is now rigging the already anti-worker arbitration process to ensure that it rewards the construction bosses with most, if not all, of their concession demands.

These demands include sweeping cuts to overtime pay and flexible schedules, under which workers start-time could fall anywhere between 5 AM and 11 AM and be changed by up to six hours on a daily basis.

The legislation stipulates that the collective agreements covering all three sectors of the construction industryresidential construction; civil engineering and roads; and institutional, commercial and industriallast for four years, ending April 30, 2021.

Bill 142 would grant construction workers a wage increase of 1.8 percent pending the finalization of their new contracts. This is less than the employers last offer and the increase is not retroactive to the expiry of the previous agreements.

Nevertheless, the construction employer associations are denouncing the government for according the workers any increase whatsoever. We dont understand why the government is granting pay hikes to workers, while not consenting to a single employer demand, complained Eric Cote of the Quebec Construction Association.

As the Liberals were initiating the legislative process to strip the construction workers of the right to strike, thousands of construction workers from all corners of Quebec rallied outside the provincial legislature Monday.

The workers were outraged that the Quebec government has once again trampled on their rights. In 2013, a Parti Quebecois government imposed a similar back-to-work law and in 2014 the newly-elected Liberal government threatened to preempt any worker job action with a no-strike law.

However, the Alliance syndical de la construction (Construction Union Alliance) called yesterdays protest not with the aim of mobilizing workers to fight the construction bosses and the Liberal government, but to defuse their anger.

In the name of preserving social peace, Quebecs unions have suppressed repeated challenges to the austerity agenda of big business and the political establishment, including the 2012 student strike and 2015 Quebec public sector workers struggle.

Speaking to CBC Radio yesterday, Alliance syndicale spokesman Michel Trepanier voiced concern about the militant mood among construction workers and possible defiance of the Liberals anti-strike law. "I hope everything will go well, said Trepanier. But my feeling I don't like the situation right now because people are angry, really angry.

That construction workers were on a collision course with the Liberal government has been obvious since the outset of the negotiations. Trepanier has himself said that the construction bosses taunted union negotiators with the prospect of the government outlawing any workers job action.

But rather than warning workers about this threat and seeking to mobilize support from other workers in Quebec and across Canada for a joint struggle against concessions, anti-workers laws and the dismantling of public services, the Alliance syndicale kept mum about the threat of government intervention until Couillard himself raised the issue on May 12.

This conforms to what is by now a long pattern. Although governments in Quebec and across Canada routinely criminalize worker job action, the unions keep studiously silent about this threat. Then as workers begin to assert their interests, the unions invoke the passage or imminent threat of anti-strike legislation to torpedo the struggle, to say that workers have no choice but to return to work and/or accept sellout agreements.

Alliance Syndicale spokesmen have said they will fight Bill 142 in the courts and that workers will remember the Liberals actions at the next election in October 2018. This too has a long history. The unions have repeatedly urged workers to look to the capitalist courts to defend their rights, but time and again the courts have given their imprimatur to anti-worker laws. And the party that the Quebec unions have for decades promoted as a progressive alternative to the Liberals and are preparing to stump for once again in 2018the big business Parti Quebecois (PQ)has imposed social spending cuts and anti-worker law no less than the Liberals.

Yesterday PQ leader Jean-Francois Lisee took a typical two-faced stance on the Liberals anti-strike law. Lisee said the PQ supported ordering the construction workers back to work, but couldnt support the Liberal bill because it gave the government too much control over the arbitration process.

Articulating the anger and fear of Quebecs elite at construction workers economic power, Francois Legault, the head of Quebecs third party, the Coalition Avenir Quebec (Coalition for Quebecs Future), criticized the government for not illegalizing the strike earlier and urged the government to introduce permanent limits on, if not outright abolish, construction workers right to strike.

Emboldened by the unions plans to enforce the back-to-work order, Labour Minister Vien said the Liberals would be ready to consider changes to the bargaining processfurther limits on construction workers rightsbut only once the current conflict is resolved.
Diane Ravitch, the widely read education historian, author and advocate for public education, titled a May 23 blog, Dont Like Betsy DeVos? Blame the Democrats. The full-length opinion piece was also published the same day in New Republic with the underline The Democratic Party paved the way for the education secretarys efforts to privatize our public schools.

For those who might think to themselves, Finally the truth at last! there is more to the story. Ravitch aims not to discredit the Democratic Party, let alone encourage a political break from this party of Wall Street and war, but to advise it.

The article states that Trump administration Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has generated a tsunami of liberal outrage for good reason. Ravitch emphasizes that the secretary is hostile to the very idea of public education. Indeed, Trumps budget proposals demand $10.6 billion in cuts, measures that could deny tens of thousands of young people the chance to go to college, put the community college system on rations and slash K-12 school programs across the country. The day prior to the release of the budget, DeVos promised the most ambitious expansion of education choice in our nations history.

Ravitchs article then refers to the stage-managed grilling of DeVos by Senator Al Franken at her confirmation hearings, and the reaction of other Democrats like Senators Cory Booker and Michael Bennet who decried her nomination as an insult to the nations children.

Listening to their cries of outrage, one might imagine that Democrats were Americas undisputed champions of public education, Ravitch says. But the resistance to DeVos obscured an inconvenient truth: Democrats have been promoting a conservative school reform agenda for the past three decades, she states.

The education historian substantiates this by briefly reviewing the record, starting with the support of Bill Clinton for standardized metrics linked to monetary rewards, which ultimately laid the groundwork for No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top.

As usual, Ravitch does not spare Obama. The Obama years saw an epidemic of new charters, testing, school closings and teacher firings. In Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel closed 50 public schools in one day. Democratic charter advocateswhose ranks include the outraged Booker and Bennethave increasingly imported school choice into the partys rhetoric, she states.

She hones in on the money trail: [S]upport for mandatory testing and charter schools opens fat wallets on Wall Street.  In 2005, Obama served as the featured speaker at the inaugural gathering of Democrats for Education Reform, which bundles contributions to Democrats who back charter schools: Among its favorites have been those sharp DeVos critics George Miller, Michael Bennet, and Cory Booker.

Ravitchs narrative highlights the hypocrisy of the Democratic Party, its open alliance with Wall Street hedge funds and its thoroughly reactionary attacks on public education in the interest of profit-taking.

The problem with her argument, however, is the inconvenient fact that Ravitch has been an unswerving supporter of the Democratic Party every step of the way. This included supporting Obama twice, Hillary Clinton in 2016, and countless other regional and local Democrats.

She called Obamas Race To The Top disastrous and demoralizing, but formally endorsed him. Ravitch stated about Clinton: I am supporting her vigorously in this election but have no idea what she will do about K12 education.

As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Despite the brutal cuts assented to by the Democrats, despite their entrenched alliance with Wall Street privatizersRavitch continues to back them and encourage her supporters, through the Network for Public Education, to back them. In other words, Ravitch is also culpable for paving the way for DeVos, both in fact and by her very own arguments.

But why? There is a certain contradiction. The 78-year-old academic/policy analyst has a substantial record of sticking her neck out in defense of public education, producing among the most well-known and consistent series of exposures on privatization nationally.

An honest observer can only conclude, however, that she is more interested in preventing the discrediting of the Democratic Party and the union apparatus than she is in defending public education. In this, she speaks for the upper middle class social layer that stocks academia, the union hierarchies and various pseudo-left organizations that have a taste for mild reforms and find Trump distasteful, but are appalled by the prospects of a revolutionary working class movement for socialism.

In the vein of Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren or the Working Families Party (a Democratic Party faction allied with the union hierarchy), Ravitch seeks to conceal the class character of the nations oldest capitalist party and reinforce illusions that it can be pressured to defend social and democratic rights.

The type of pressure they suggest is demonstrated by the May 23 letter by American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten to the membership of the union. She called the Trump-DeVos budget manifestly cruel to children and catastrophic to public schools advocatingnot strike action or a mass mobilization to defend public educationbut a letter writing campaign to DeVos!

Such transparently pathetic appeals to the billionaire who has devoted her life to the destruction of public education will hardly impress teachers. But these developments speak to the recognition by Ravitch, Weingarten and others of rising working class opposition to Trump and DeVos. They feel compelled to work overtime to keep it safely confined within the Democratic Party.

Ravitch concludes her piece with a series of prescriptions for the Democrats: They should reclaim their mantle as the party of public education, they should support strong teachers unions, they should fight privatization of all kinds, etc.

This appeal is above all directed towards her readersteachers and advocates in defense of public educationto not lose faith in the Democrats and the capitalist system this corporate-controlled party defends.

Ravitch represents a very politically conscious element within American politics. She is most famous for her come to Jesus moment when as assistant secretary of education under George H.W. Bush, she switched from being an advocate of standardized testing and school choice to an outspoken opponent of high-stakes testing, charters and market-based school reform. Since that time, she has rubbed shoulders with various pseudo-left organizations like the International Socialist Organization, elements within the BadAss Teachers and #BlackLivesMatterAtSchool.

She combines this supposed radicalism with the politics she absorbed in her early days in the political and personal orbit of the late teachers union president Albert Shanker. A seminal figure, leading the United Federation of Teachers and the AFT each for two decades, Shanker garnered a reputation in the late 1960s for leading wages struggles and serving jail time for illegal strikes. He coupled his limited trade union militancy with extreme right-wing policies, supporting the Vietnam War and conducting anticommunist purges within the union.

Shanker is perhaps most notorious for his role in sabotaging the struggle against mass closures of schools in the wake of the 1975 New York City bankruptcy, even going so far as to offer $150 million from the Teachers Retirement System for investment in city municipal bonds.

Like many other neo-conservatives, Shanker traces his ideological outlook back to ex-Trotskyist Max Shachtman who, in his hatred of the Soviet Union and disillusionment in socialism, became a key adviser of the anticommunist AFL-CIO bureaucracy and the US State Department.

Shankers legacy became a prototype for the AFL-CIO and the trade union apparatus. Faced with the end of the post-World War II boom and a historic decline in the world position of American capitalism, the unions by the 1980s would abandon any resistance to the corporate-government onslaught against the working class and convert themselves into direct agencies of the corporations and banks.

In 1983, Shanker signed onto A Nation at Risk, setting the stage for the modern education reform movement, and subsequently pioneered the concept of charter schools. It was Albert Shanker who originated the mantra of reform with us, not against us to which Randi Weingarten and the AFT now fully subscribe.

This coincided with a sharp shift to the right by the Democratic Party, which would jettison liberalism from its program of liberal anticommunism and join the Republicans in dismantling the social reforms associated with the New Deal of the 1930s and Great Society programs of the 1960s. By the 1990s, the Clintons would join the Republicans in promoting the school choice nostrums promoted by free market guru Milton Friedman.

With a photo of herself and Shanker on her home mantle, according to Education Week, Ravitch apparently considers the late union leader a friend and close ideological colleague. In her book Left Back authored in 2000, Ravitch expresses a viewpoint very close to his neo-conservatism, giving vent to her antipathy for the Soviet Union, the Bolshevik Party and socialism. Today she is tightly aligned with the right-wing trade union bureaucracy of the AFT and, no doubt, the US State Department like her mentor, but under conditions of a far more serious crisis of capitalism.

It is, therefore, no surprise she is a full-throated advocate for the anti-Russia campaign of the Democratic Party attacking Trump from the right. In this, she sides with intelligence agencies and the military in their factional battle for state control and efforts to tilt foreign policy further in the direction of war with Russia.

Ravitch recently writes, The presidents unwillingness to answer questions about contacts between his campaign team and Russian officials, and the pattern of contradictory and misleading statements on those contacts, are toxic. Never in American history has a president been suspected of collaborating with a hostile foreign power to win an election.

Ravitchs continued support for the Democratic Party takes place under an unprecedented social counterrevolution and an escalating frenzy for war. Her allegiance to the party is not politically naive or tepid, no matter how coyly she wields her pen. It follows inevitably from her anticommunism and ideological support to the pro-capitalist trade unions.

Dont like Betsy DeVos? Blame the Democrats is, despite superficial appearances, aimed at dampening down opposition and providing a lifeline to the crisis-ridden Democratic Party and the capitalist system it represents.

The author also recommends:

How the Democrats paved the way for Betsy DeVos

[10 February 2017]
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- As the Islamic holy month of Ramadan continues, local Muslims are reflecting on Friday's tragedy in Portland, Oregon, where two young women were the target of an anti-Muslim rant on a train.

The man making those comments attacked three people who intervened, killing two of them.

Muslims in the Big Bend and Panhandle say the incident was "devastating," but they're "eternally grateful" for those who stepped in to help.

"There are victims who died with courage and with honor," said Amro Abdalla, the imam (prayer leader of a mosque) of the Islamic Center of Tallahassee.

On a day where Americans remember those who died for their country, local Muslims say the Portland tragedy echoes the same sentiment.

Portland police say Jeremy Christian started yelling anti-Muslim slurs at two young women on a train. Three men who tried to help the women were attacked by Christian; two of them died.

"These two individuals -- and even the third who was injured but gratefully not killed -- rise to the ranks of American heroes," said Hiba Rahim, the coordinator of the Council on American-Islamic Relations' (CAIR) Northwest Florida chapter, based in Panama City.

Local Muslims say the attack shows anyone of any religion or ethnicity can do harm, so the message is to remind others of the common bonds all humans have.

"I hope that I never see something like this happening again here in America," Abdalla said. "This is the ideology of the terrorist groups, by the way. It is sad that to see part of it here."

"In Florida, we've seen a 1,000 percent in Islamophobic incidents," Rahib said. "That's just really a shame, and it's so painful."

To honor those who intervened in the Portland attack, CAIR's Northwest Florida chapter held a gathering Sunday. The group has also collected several letters from the community for the families of the victims.

"Just saying things like, 'Your family members are true American heroes, and we're happy to recognize them on this Memorial Day, as we recognize all fallen victims of the past."

During the month of Ramadan (which ends June 24), the Islamic Center of Tallahassee hosts an iftar, a nightly community feast to mark the breaking of the fast. Abdalla says the iftar is an open invitation to learn more about the local Muslim community over a meal, which is held after sunset at its Old Bainbridge Road location.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A renewed fear of terrorist attacks could mean a new electronics ban.

"There's numerous threats against aviation," said Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly. "That's the really the thing that they're obsessed with: the idea of knocking down an airplane in flight - particularly if it's a U.S. carrier, particularly if it's full of mostly U.S. folks."

Kelly said on Sunday that the U.S. 'might' expand its laptop ban to all international flights. But for travelers who already have to face tight airport security, is a laptop ban too much? The reaction is mixed.

"You can't ban everything," said Michael King, who traveled through Tallahassee from Texas.

"All this terrorism is going to affect our lives and we have to adjust to that," said Jeffrey Nicoson, who traveled from Tallahassee to New York.

Since March, the U.S. has prohibited electronics bigger than a cell phone in the cabins of flights from 10 airports in the Middle East and Africa because of concerns about hidden explosives. Now, the DHS Secretary says that ban could be expanded to all international flights coming into or leaving the U.S.

When it comes to safety, some say they're willing to do whatever it takes to prevent terrorist attacks.

"Everything you can do on a laptop you can do your phone or a tablet. A little bit of extra checks saves 250 people, so be it," said Nicoson.

However, some fliers believe a laptop ban won't be effective.

"I think it's too little too late. Basically, if they have the technology to put explosives in a laptop, then they're gonna be able to put it in various other devices," said King. "The key is to vet people coming from certain countries. Those that we can vet, we do vet them and look at their history as much as possible."

Some say if they knew more about why they couldn't take certain items through the security line, they'd be more accepting of a dramatic measure like a laptop ban.

"If the laptop goes in the belly of the plane, it can't be activated, that's what I'm kind of assuming. It has to be a hands-on, touching of a button on your laptop. If people knew that, they'd be a little more comfortable with saying yeah, get em outta here," said Nicoson.

As for when a ban like this might go into effect? Kelly says, simply: "When the time is right."
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It isnt hard to imagine the moment Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to appoint Ayoob Kara as communications minister . The feeling of eureka that ran through his mind like lightning. Or like a stroke. A moment of elation, of self-satisfaction, of gratification.

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Its quite possible that when the idea hit his mind, he even chuckled with pleasure. He will have laughed as someone who has the last laugh. A laugh of a person who managed to both win and humiliate his victim. And the victim in this case is anyone who is not Netanyahu. In other words, all of us: the government, the Knesset, the State of Israel, the media, and even Ayoob Kara, who has nothing good waiting for him in his new ministry.

Whoever still believes that beyond the prime ministers personal whims there is still a country to run hereand that not everything is about power games, defiance and humiliationswas amazed by this appointment.

Netanyahu (L) and Kara. Whoever still believes that beyond the prime ministers personal whims, there is still a country to run here, was amazed by this appointment (Photo: Yoav Dudkevitch)

Appointing Ayoob Kara as communications minister is like appointing Incitatus, Caligulas horse, as a consul.

Forgive the comparison, but whats the difference? Caligula, the emperor of Rome, was an uninhibited tyrant who had no respect for institutions and acted according to personal whims. His plan to appoint his favored horse as a consul was an act of defiance against those institutions, or just a sense of humor. Since Netanyahu cannot be blamed for having a sense of humor, this is likely a sort of joke on all of us, and primarily on the media which he despises, in a bid to show them whos in charge here.

Its true that there was an attempt to appoint Tourism Minister Yariv Levin as communications minister, but Levin was smart enough to turn down the offer. Anyone who wishes to survive the Netanyahu era knows that this portfolio is a fire trap. What stopped Netanyahu from appointing Tzachi Hanegbi, who has served as acting communications minister for the past several months? Perhaps Netanyahu didnt want to, because as always, he is afraid of breeding people who might show initiative. And its possible that even Hanegbi, who in the past few months hasnt abstained from any dirty work at the service of his royal highness, realized that there is a limit to weakness and that the communications portfolio is that limit.

And why isnt Ayoob Kara fit to serve as communications minister? For the exact same reasons that he isnt fit to serve as any other minister. The man is delirious. If you dont believe me, just look back at comments he made on different issues. At best, they are embarrassing. From his revelation that the IDF will soon have a robot that will be used to eliminate Hezbollah and Hamas , through his exposure of a security affair involving Israel, to his argument that earthquakes in Italy were a divine punishment over UNESCOs decision to ignore the Jewish peoples affiliation to Jerusalem a comment for which the Foreign Ministry and Netanyahu were forced to apologize.

And its not that Netanyahu doesnt know who hes dealing with. He knows that very well. And precisely because he knows that, he announced the appointment. Its his way of voicing his opinion about the media. Its like giving them the finger, saying: Thats what I think you deserveAyoob Kara.

It takes a lot of self-confidence on the prime ministers part to go through with this appointment. It seems, however, that self-confidence is the exact thing the prime minister isnt lacking right now, after US President Donald Trumps visit. The weekend polls, which pointed to a rise in the Likuds popularity and to a drop in the number of Knesset seats predicted for Yair Lapids Yesh Atids partyand even better, a decline in the power of Naftali Bennetts Bayit Yehudi partyremoved the last barrier on Netanyahus way to full control. Look, I can do anything, even appoint Ayoob Kara, and theres nothing you can do about it.
Head of the Samaria Regional Council Yossi Dagan lambasted a recent decision taken by members of the Security Cabinet to allow Palestinian construction in Area C of the West Bank, which is under Israeli military control.

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Dagan called on the members to retract their decision to approve the move which came as part of a series of relief measures for the Palestinians shortly before US President Donald Trump visited Israel.

According to Dagan, the territory was handed over to the Palestinians without sufficient deliberation in the Knesset. "You should be more upfront with the public and revote on the issue," he said.

Head of Shomron (Samaria) Regional Council, Yossi Dagan (Photo: Eli Mendelbaum)

Last week, the Cabinet approved a concessions package for the Palestinians. Eight members of the cabinet voted in favor, versus two who voted againstMinister Naftali Bennett and Minister Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi), who opposed on account of the concession that would allow Palestinians to construct in Area C.

"The Cabinet's decision was made in the dark, without so much as a minimal discussion in the Knesset or at least in the government," wrote Dagan in his message to the Cabinet. "In practice, this is actually a move to relinquish Jewish construction rights and hand over territories in disguise. (Even) a left-wing government would do this openly."

According to Dagan, in times when the US president does not call the settlements "an obstacle to peace," the Cabinets' decision constitutes an unnecessary handing over of land gratis.

"This is very wrong in this day and age. An American president will probably, in the future, denounce Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria; but now, for the first time in history, we have an American President who puts (Palestinian Authority President) Mahmoud Abbas in his place and avoids mentioning the two-state solution," wrote Dagan. "To volunteer to, in fact, give away territory that will be left in any other policy agreement in the hands of Israel is redundant."

Dagan also addressed other ministers and MKs who are not members of the Cabinet, some of whom have openly agreed with him. MK and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) said that giving away territories in Area C could carry a price, stating that "we must resist any change and transfer of territory to the Palestinians in this area."
Two 17-year-old boys from Jabel Mukaber neighborhood in southern Jerusalem were detained with a school bag containing nine Molotov cocktails. The bag also contained a plastic bottle filled with fuel, duct tape and a knife, and an Arabic inscription with the name of the terrorist, Baha Alian. According to the suspicions, the two tried to put the satchel with the Molotov cocktails near the police station in the neighborhood. Their detention has been extended until Thursday, when an indictment will be filed.
The Allenby Bridge border crossing, also known as the King Hussein Bridge terminal, which serves as the main crossing point between Israel and Jordan, will be upgraded at a cost of NIS 450 million.

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The goal of the renovations is to increase capacity and improve the level of service to the public using it.

Some 2.3 million people pass through the crossing every year, most of them Palestinians, and the rest are tourists. It is also used for the transfer of merchandise: every year, about 50,000 trucks pass through the crossing.

Photo: AP

Plans to upgrade the crossing, both short and long term, include improving the passenger halls and building a new terminal at a cost of NIS 200 million. In this manner, the operational hours of the terminal will be expanded.

In addition, new security technologies will be integrated, border control services will be improved, and the terminal access roads as well as the cargo terminal will also undergo renovations and be upgraded.

Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz has recently visited the United States and met with US Ambassador to the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt, who presented Katz with requests regarding the border crossing between Jordan and Israel.

Among other things, Greenblatt asked to expand the crossing's operational hours to 24 hours a day. Currently, it operates on weekdays from 7:30am to 1:30am and on weekends, from 7:30am to 3:00pm.

The minister responded to this request and instructed the Israel Airports Authority, which is responsible for the ground crossings, to open the terminal around the clock.

Photo: Gil Yohanan

In addition to the passage of the Palestinian residents, there is also a terminal for tourists. This crossing became fully operational a year ago and runs between 8am and 11pm. Israeli citizens are not allowed to cross the terminal.

The Allenby border crossing is the only exit point for the Palestinian population on its way abroad, and serves as a border crossing between Israel and Jordan and between the Palestinian Authority and Jordan.

The Allenby Terminal is one of the five land border crossings between Israel and its neighbors to the east and south. It is located over the Jordan River, about five kilometers east of Jericho. The terminal is 273 meters below sea level. Travel time from the terminal to Amman is 54 minutes.

The Allenby Bridge was established during the First World War as a transition point for British forces from the East Bank to the West Bank and vice versa. It began as a simple and limited wooden bridge, but over the years it has become one of the three main bridges between the two banks.

In 1946, the bridge was blown up on The Night of the Bridges, and a Bailey bridge was built in its place, which stood on its foundations until it was blown up during thec 1967 Six-Day War. At the end of the war, with the establishment of the open door policy by the Civil Administration and Israeli authorities, the bridge was rebuilt, allowing a mass movement of Arab residents on both sides of the river.

In 1994, following the signing of the peace agreement with Jordan under the Oslo Accords, the Airports Authority assumed responsibility for the operation of the terminal.
A-Sharq al-Awsat reported that recently senior Hamas figures and members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards had held meetings in Beirut. According to the report, at the end of the elections, it was decided that Iran would resume financial aid to Hamas after a standstill in recent years.
The i24News international news channel will be permitted to begin broadcasting its content in Israel, it was confirmed Monday in the second and third readings in the Knesset plenum.

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The channel, whose main studios are located on the port of Jaffa, broadcasts news in English, Arabic and French about Israel and the Middle East to countries around the world. Thus far, it has been prohibited from broadcasting in Israel due to regulatory issues.

MK Nachman Shai, the initiator of the law, said once the bill was passed: "Today, we have bridged a gap that has been particularly prominent for foreign-language speakers with regard to Israeli television broadcasts, most of which deal with Israeli affairs. Channel i24 has proven over the years that it meets professional standards, serving a wide audience outside the borders of Israel and now also within Israel."

The law was passed with the support of 22 Knesset members.
Iran has decided to renew financial aid to Hamas after a prolonged period of frosty relations between the two sides that lasted for years, according to a report on Tuesday in the English newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.

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The report claims that the decision was made after a series of meetings between senior Hamas figures and members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Beirut.

Intensive talks were held between the sides, the report noted, in which senior Hezbollah figures also took part and cluminated in anagreement in principle to renew Iran's financial support for Hamas. Among other things, it was also agreed to renew and improve relations between the two sides.

Moreover, it was decided at the talks that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh would visit Tehran in the near future in an effort to bring about a reconciliation and in order to build new bridges between Tehran and Hamas.

R-L Haniyeh, Soleimani (Photo: AFP)

The decision was made only a week after another step had been taken to bringing the Islamic Republic closer to the Gaza terrorist organization when Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani sent a letter of congratulations to the new political bureau chief, Haniyeh, for his election.

Since his election to head the terror movement, Haniyeh has received warm greetings from Iran's leaders, and the recent talks attest to Iranian satisfaction with the personnel changes in the Hamas leadership.

Relations between Iran and Hamas have been in a state of stagnation since the outbreak of the civil war in Syria, and Hamas has expressed opposition to Bashar Assad's regime and support for the rebels, contrary to Iran and its proxies in LebanonHezbollah.

Relations between the two sides deteriorated further as support from Iran and Hezbollah lent to Hamas was significantly reduced, but not completely halted.

The connection between Khaled Mashaal, former head of Hamas' political bureau, and Iran's sworn enemy in the regionSaudi Arabiadid not contribute to the restoration of relations. At the end of Hamas' internal elections, members of the pro-Iranian faction in Hamas won significant positions (Haniyeh, leader of the organization, Yahya Sinwar, Gaza's Hamas leader, and other senior figures in the Hamas leadership).

Yahya Sinwar (Photo: AP, EPA)

Iran feared that the election of Musa Abu Marzuq as the leader of the organization would further weaken the already precarious relations since Abu Marzuq was believed to have thought that Iran was not helping Hamas. An anonymous source (apparently a Middle East intelligence agency) broadcast about a year ago an intercepted phone call between Abu Marzuq and another man, in which he strongly attacks Iran, accusing it of talking too much without acting in support of Hamas.

In a letter sent by Soleimani, he also congratulated Yahya Sinwar, one of the released prisoners of the Shalit deal who was appointed Hamas leader in Gaza and supported the renewal of the alliance with Iran.

"We expect to strengthen cooperation with members of Hamas, the allies of the axis of resistance, in order to restore the debate on the Palestinian issue," Soleimani wrote. adding that the Revolutionary Guards expect to see the efforts of the Gazan organization to implement the resistance, following Hamas's jihadist line, which only recently published its new political document as part of an attempt to open up to the world.

Soleimani later expressed his hope for "a wise government that will ensure a better future in which internal crises will be handled wisely." Soleimani told Haniyeh that he expects their efforts to bring the Palestinian issue back to the forefront of the global struggle of Muslims and free believers.
ARLINGTONPresident Donald Trump has led administration officials and military leaders in a somber observance of Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery.

The president laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, touching it for a long moment before stepping away. As a bugler played taps, he rested his hand on his heart.

Trump dedicated his address at Arlington's amphitheater to a top Cabinet secretary and two other families who had lost loved ones. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly is a retired Marine four-star general whose son, Marine 2nd Lt. Robert M. Kelly, was killed in 2010 in Afghanistan.

In honoring lost members of all Gold Star families, Trump said all share the title of "hero."

He also visited the resting grounds for those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A harsh confrontation and a constitutional crisis has taken place between Supreme Court President Miriam Naor and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked against the backdrop of the latter's refusal to officially announce the appointment of Esther Hayut as the next Supreme Court president.

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As revealed by Yedioth Ahronoth, Minister Shaked refused to state that the meeting of the Judicial Selection Committee on July 18 will also include the election of Justice Esther Hayut as its next president.

following Shaked's refusal, President Naor sent a harsh letter to the minister. "I do not see justification for postponing the committee meeting," Naor wrote. "Postponement breeds concern of disrupting the deployment of the next president and unnecessarily harming the judicial system and the public. In particular, I do not see justification to postpone when there is no apparent reason for this. It seems that the only reason for the postponement of the committee meeting is that we have not been able to reach an agreement regarding the identity of the two judges to be chosen in place of Justices Danziger and Shoham."

(Photo: Motti Kimchi)

In response, Minister Shaked wrote: "Your letter seeks to elect the next president of the Supreme Court more than a hundred days before your retirement, without any necessity at this time and before a substantive discussion is held."

Naor also noted that it is possible the Justice Minister is using her legal authority to determine the agenda of the selection committee improperly, and that it may be possible to file a petition against Shaked's actions in the High Court of Justice.

According to the law, the agenda must be published 45 days in advance, that is, until May 29. Shaked conditioned the publication of the agenda on the election of two additional judges to join the Supreme Court instead of the retiring judges.

Last week, it became clear that the members of the selection committee, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and the Chairman of the Israel Bar Association Effi Naveh, were signaling their support for electing Hayut. At the Bar Association conference in Eilat, Naveh called Hayut "the intended president." Kahlon also made it clear that he would not lend a hand to abolishing the seniority system according to which the most veteran judge is elected to the Supreme Court.

In order to elect the Supreme Court's president, it is possible to make do with a simple majority out of the nine members of the Judicial Selection Committee. Such a majority has seemingly already been reached, with three Supreme Court justices, two representatives of the Israel Bar Association and Minister Kahlon looking to vote for Hayut.
The IDFs Education Corps has come under scrutiny in recent weeks as news has surfaced that non-Jewish soldiers are consistently forced to attend information seminars on the possibility of converting to Judaism.

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Each year more than 1,500 people convert to Judaism during their military service in the IDF in a fast-track course known as Nativ.

According to Orthodox Judaism, the individual undergoing the process must do so out of a sincere and pure desire to convert to Judaism of his or her own volition and free of any ulterior motives or pressures.

But the IDF, it turns out, obligates its non-Jewish soldiers to at least participate in seminars and conferences about the Nativ course, and many of those participating have claimed that pressure is indeed exerted on them, at both a command and social level, to enroll on the course itself.

I went to the course following incessant pressure. I didnt want to but I felt as though I had no choice, explained Yael, who is shortly to be discharged from the army.

Illustration (Photo: Yaron Brener)

I need to be like everyone else, and they make you feel bad if you dont go. During the course I suffered and felt humiliated, she continued. Just as they dont ask Druze or Christians in the IDF to convert, there is no reason to exert pressure on me. It isnt ok.

Proof of such coercion can be seen in a letter that was exposed for the first time to Ynet, that was sent from the IDF Education Corps to non-Jewish soldiers instructing them to enroll on the Nativ course.

Failure to attend seminars, which will place in Jerusalem in two parts during the month of June, could be considered for the non-Jewish soldiersespecially Christians or those who officially consider themselves as non-religiousas insubordination.

A letter sent by the Head of the Education and Immigration Section Captain Shani Zaruk contained the instructions regarding the non-Jewish soldiers.

All soldiers are obligated to appear at one of the two seminars. The seminar will include registration and information  A soldier will not be given the chance to choose the day of the course or its character (whether he remains on base or returns home each day). This is a subject for the consideration by the Education and Immigration Section, the directive reads.

Photo: Yaron Brener

Eighty per cent of Israelis who convert each year are women. The reason for this disproportionately high figure, and one which is seldom discussed, pertains to prevention of assimilation.

According to Jewish law, a child can only be considered Jewish providing that his or her mother is either Jewish by birth or has converted. In the event that a child is born to a Jewish mother and a non-Jewish father, it is still considered Jewish, meaning that non-Jewish men have no reason to be concerned about the religion of their child if born to a Jewish mother.

By contrast, if a woman is not Jewish, regardless of the religion of her partner or spouse, the baby is not considered Jewish.

Ya'ana immigrated to Israel 15 years ago. After being drafted into the IDF, she claims, she was pressured into attending one of the seminars.

At a certain point my commander told me to enter his office. It turned out that he had received a mail containing the details of non-Jewish soldiers he had to send to the seminar. He gave me the details and said I had to go to Jerusalem. It was mandatory. Full stop, she recalled.

Instructed to go whether she agreed or not, Yaana attended the seminar in Jerusalem. Only at its conclusion was she permitted to sign a waiver stating that she did not want to enroll on the course itself.

The IDF readily admits that participation in the seminar is obligatory, insisting that it exposes the soldiers to the conversion course who may otherwise never be made familiar with the option. However, it maintains that the ultimate decision to convert or not rests solely with the soldier.

The emphasis placed on demanding that non-Jewish soldiers attend the seminar is nothing new. In fact, it has been common practice for the past two years.

With may of the soldiers wondering why their personal beliefs are the subject of IDF interest, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel sent a letter to the army demanding that the practice be terminated.

The IDFs longstanding policy of forcing non-Jewish soldiers to go and hear information at the conversion seminar about the course encroaches on their privacy, ignores their rights to freedom of religion and conscience and sends a humiliating and degrading message that they are B-class citizens and inferior soldiers, the letter said.

Nevertheless, officials from the IDFs Education Corps insisted that there was no alternative to obliging the soldiers to participate in the seminars since without them, it is doubtful that people who may wish to convert would be made aware of the courses existence.

Everything is done with good intentions and there is no intention to impose a religion, the IDF responded. To be sure, the military conversion track is known to be considerate and moderate, which is why it has attracted criticism and opposition in Orthodox circles.

Photo: Reuters

The IDF Spokespersons Unit also intervened, issuing a statement responding to the outcry and defending the practice.

The Nativ program was instituted with the aim of strengthening the sense of belonging of the immigrant soldiers and their children to the State of Israel and the IDF, the statement began.

The program allows soldiers who are not defined as Jews according to Halacha (Jewish law) to undergo a conversion course that is recognized by the State of Israel during their military service, it continued.

The soldiers who meet the criteria are invited to attend an information conference about the course, which the soldier is obligated to attend so that he has the ability to make an informed decision regarding his desire to participate in the program.

A soldier who chooses to sign a waiver at the end of the conference will not be invited to another seminar and the process as it relates to him will cease. In the event that the soldier chose to participate in the program and then wishes to leave, he has the right to do so at all times.
SYDNEYUS Sen. John McCain has urged Australia not to abandon its alliance with America despite jitters over President Donald Trump, saying the US needs its allies more than ever to remind it of its principles.

The Republican senator is in Australia for talks on security in the Asia-Pacific region. He acknowledged in a speech on Tuesday that America is going through "a rough period." But he urged Australia to stick with the U.S. "to encourage us to stay true to who we are at our best and remind us always just how much is at stake."
At graduation ceremonies across the country in upcoming weeks, students will be hearing from invited speakers. One would expect an academic institution to select an inspiring speaker who reflects the values of the university and represents the hopes of the graduates. For its June 1st commencement, The CUNY School of Public Health and Health Policy has invited Linda Sarsour. Sarsours record is replete with anti-American values, degradation of feminists and others who disagree with her, unbridled hatred of the State of Israel and those who support it, and the promotion of violence. This shocking choice of speaker, by a City University, should be changed.

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In the United States, violence and terror are not recognized as legitimate means to accomplish goals. Sarsours support of violence and terror include: praise of the intifada- the Palestinian terror war against Jews in Israel, through suicide bombings, car rammings, stabbings, bus bombs and other attacks,as invaluable on many fronts; warm words of endorsement for convicted murderer Rasmea Odeh, who murdered two college students in a supermarket bombing in Israel (Odeh will be deported for concealing her terrorist crimes on her US immigration forms); and admiration of Palestinian youths throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers as the definition of courage. In our civilized society, these are the definitions of crimes. Sarsour supports barbaric methods that are incompatible with American law.

Regarding feminism, a womans right to bodily integrity is a fundamental right. Yet Sarsour denigrates feminists who speak out against the role Islam plays in tolerating the abuse of women, such as genital mutilation and honor killings. She urges, in a tweet, a whippin of Somali human rights activist Aydan Hirsi Ali, a victim of female genital mutilation, who speaks out against Islams acceptance of abuse of women. Sarsour tweets Ali doesnt deserve to be a woman. Sarsours attempted delegitimization of women who speak out against abuse is incompatible with feminism.

Additionally, Sarsour defends Saudi Arabias oppressive treatment of women. In Saudi Aarbia, women cannot vote, study, work, marry, or open bank accounts without permission from male guardians. Womens clothing is strictly regulated (they must be covered from head to toe, and only eyes and hands may show). Yet Sarsour tweets Saudi Arabia puts us to shame by providing 10 weeks of PAID maternity leave  and ur worried about women driving. Sarsours defense of subjugation of Saudi women disqualifies her as a feminist.

Linda Sarsour on Facebook

Ironically, Sarsour excludes Jews and other Israel supporters from the feminist movement. This is anti-Semitic and spreads a lie about Israels treatment of women. There is absolutely no conflict between Zionism and feminism. In Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, all citizens have equal social and political rights, regardless of gender, religion or race. All citizens of Israel, be it Arab, Christian, or Jew, no matter what gender, have equal access to voting, transportation, hospitals, universities, swimming pools, public restrooms, etc. Israeli Arabs are Supreme Court Justices and have seats in the Knesset, and these positions can be held by men or women. Israeli Arab women have won or been runner-ups in The Voice (Israel), Master Chef, and Miss Israel. Moreover, sexism and discrimination perpetrated by Palestinian men against Palestinian women is pervasive, as described in a recent New York Times article, In Gaza, Bicycles Are a Battleground for Women Who Dare to Ride, February 22, 2016.

Sarsours unbridled hatred of Israel is prevalent. She advocates for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, which seeks to cripple and delegitimize the State of Israel, while she ignores the worlds many countries with egregious human rights violations. Further, Sarsour tweets: Nothing is creepier than Zionism; and (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is a waste of a human being. When Sarsour was justifiably criticized for extolling throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers, she tweeted, The Zionist trolls are out to play. Bring it.

CUNY in particular should be sensitive to anti-Semitism. Last year, Jewish students at CUNY suffered many anti-Semitic incidents. At a CUNY rally sponsored by Students for Justice for Palestine, protestors screamed at Jews to go back home and get the (expletive) out of my country and chanted Jews out of CUNY and death to Jews. Given these recent events, it is all the more appalling that a CUNY school would invite a divisive person with Sarsours record to deliver the commencement address.

Knowing all this, CUNYs refuses to rescind Sarsours invitation. It would be atrocious for CUNY to host a commencement speaker with a history of bigotry towards the LGBTQIA community, African Americans, women, or Hispanics. CUNY should treat Sarsours hate-mongering towards Jews and Israel in the same manner.

Given the current climate of division in our country, CUNY, and every university nationwide, should feel compelled to promote tolerance and civility. Sarsours platform, rife with bigotry, denigration, and endorsement of violence, must be rejected. CUNY must rescind her invitation. This is a teachable moment for todays youth and tomorrows leaders. Don't waste it.
The film Wonder Woman starring Israeli actress Gal Gadot is expected to be pulled from the screens in Lebanon even before its scheduled premiere following successful efforts by the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Movement (BDS) in the country.

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The latest development signals a turnaround in the wake of reports that the campaign to boycott the movie had thus far proved unsuccessful and announcements that it is due to be screened in theaters across Lebanon.

The Lebanese BDS branch has recently undertaken efforts to prevent the screening despite the continued showing of the movie's trailers and advertisements ahead of its release next month.

On Tuesday, the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade announced that it had sent a letter to the Lebanese General Security to take steps to prevent the screening of the film.

Lebanese call to boycott Wonder Woman

In addition, in April, a letter was sent to the headquarters of the BDS movement in Damascus demanding that Gal Gadot and all films in which she appears be 'blacklisted'. The statement also claimed that the General Secretariat of the Arab League issued a memorandum in April banning the screening of Gadot's films.

The campaign against Wonder Woman began the same month when the BDS movement sent a letter to the Boycott of Israel Office in the Lebanese Economic Ministry in which it was noted that Gadot is a former beauty queen of Israel, who served in the IDF and publicly supported Operation Protective Edge in 2014. Since then, however, movie theaters in Lebanon have promoted the film and called on the public to buy tickets in advance.

CinemCity Beirut is still selling tickets

The Gadot controversy comes on the backdrop of an internal Lebanese controversy regarding school curriculums in which materials dealing with the Palestinian issue appear to have been removed.

Following an angry article published in the Lebanese Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper Al-Akhbar, Lebanese Education Minister Marwan Hamadeh decided to deal with the issue.

Caricature protesting the removal of the Palestinian issue from school curricula

The media in Lebanon, including the Lebanese newspaper, reported that Hamadeh sent a letter to the chairman of the Educational Center for Research and Development in which he asked to reincorporate the Palestinian-related content: "Lebanon's educational and national commitments require that the Palestinian issue be reinstated during the 2017-2018 school year and that any other decision reached in the previous school year be cancelled."

Former Education Minister Elias Bou Saab, who was accused of publishing the controversial decision yesterday, went on the defensive and gave a different version of the events. "There were no classes on the subject to cancel," said Saab.

The former minister of education also claimed that, contrary to what was said in 2016, he tried to re-incorporate the Palestinian issue into the curriculum, but to date the Lebanese government has not approved the unified history book "because of disagreements and political struggles related to the Palestinian issue  Every group that belongs to a particular party markets history from a different point of departure."

There has been a precedent for the Arab League to call for banning Israel-linked films. In 2013, Arab nations acted on calls by the Arab League to ban the terrorism drama, "The Attack," that was shot in Israel, even though it was made by Lebanese-born filmmaker Ziad Doueiri.

In a high profile case in 2009, Gad Elmaleh, a French comedian of Moroccan-Jewish descent, canceled his participation in one of Lebanon's biggest festivals because of concerns for his safety after Hezbollah's TV station alleged he served in the Israeli army.

In 2015, Miss Lebanon, Saly Greige, was in hot water when she appeared in a selfie with Miss Israel, Doron Matalon, in Miami. She later apologized and said the Israeli photobombed her selfie.

Support for the "Wonder Woman" boycott was not unanimous.

Elie Fares, a well-known Lebanese blogger, said the movie already must have been approved to be allowed in theaters in the first place. He said the push for a boycott apparently reflects disputes within the Lebanese government.

"Resist what?" Fares wrote. "A movie about an iconic superhero who's been part of pop culture for over 70 years. A movie in which the lead actress happens to be Israeli but who's not portraying ANYTHING related to her 'country' in any way whatsoever."

Lebanon also has a website called "The Virtual Museum of Censorship" that tracks censored artwork since the 1940s.

Boycott campaign supporter Idriss rebuffed critics, saying that politics is inseparable from art.

"We don't separate arteven romantic moviesfrom the role of the artist and the intellectual on the ground," he said.

There is no clear mechanism for appealing a ban on artwork, and public campaigns often are the only means to protest such a ban. Religious institutions also have a say in artwork with religious references.

Despite the controversy in Lebanon, "Wonder Woman" is set to open as scheduled Thursday at theaters in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait on Thursday. It is scheduled for release June 22 in Oman and June 29 in Bahrain.

The movie, based on the DC Comics character, has earned acclaim for Gadot for landing a rare leading role for a woman.

Gadot did her mandatory two-year military service in Israel before starting her acting career. She appeared in sequels of the "Fast and Furious" franchise, none of which were banned in Lebanon.

She appeared in other Hollywood movies before appearing as Wonder Woman in last year's "Batman vs. Superman."

The same campaigners sought to bar "Batman vs. Superman," which was shown in Lebanese theaters.
KHARTOUM Sudan's cabinet has approved a ban on imports of agricultural and animal products from Egypt, Sudan's state news agency SUNA said on Tuesday.

The cabinet also urged the private sector to import products directly from countries of origin, bypassing neighbouring Egypt.

Growing tension between Egypt and Sudan has led to mounting trade restrictions between the two countries. Sudan banned all Egyptian agricultural goods in March.
A recent study by the Adva Centera policy analysis institute that provides information on equality and social justice in Israelfound that decades of exerting military control over the territories has cost Israel NIS 55 billion between 1988 and 2015.

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The study was headed by Dr. Shlomo Swirski and Attorney Noga Dagan Buzaglo, who examined the cost of the conflict's occupying element over close to three decades. The researchers found that Israel's many military operations cost the state considerable money and hindered its socio-economic growth; with large sums of money going to the defense establishment, the necessary funding does reach social services, while at the same hindering Israel's growth and causing widespread damage to its gross domestic product (GDP).

IDF forces in southern Hebron (Photo: EPA)

The study cited the terrorist attacks and conflict that were part of the Second Intifada as a period of unrest that significantly hurt incoming tourism, whose numbers were drastically cut to less than one million, after it had previously reached more than 2.5 million. Only in 2010, seven years after the bulk of the Intifada had ended, did the number of tourists visiting Israel return to normal.

Photo: EPA

Further comparison found that during the mid-nineties, the GDP per capita in Israel was similar to the OECD average, but that the Intifada slowed down its growth rate, while the rest of the countries in the OECD began, on average, to surpass Israel.

According to the study, during the late nineties, Israel's budget stood at 46 percent  49 percent of the GDP, compared with 35 percent of the GDP today, so that the state's monetary investment in social issues has reached a very low mark.

The Adva Center study notes that additions to the defense budget between 1988 and 2015, added on top of its existing budget due to security-related projects and needs, amounted to NIS 55.6 billion. As such, "a considerable part of the Ministry of Public Security's resources were directed to the maintenance of the occupation."

The study linked the increase in Israel's defense budget to specific slashes in the social support offered to its citizens. These include lowering the amount of unemployment benefits by NIS 700 between the years 2001 to 2004. The number of people to receive unemployment benefits was also reportedly affected, as it dropped from 227,000 in 2002 to 156,000 in 2008.

"Many Israelis regard the occupation and Palestinian resistance as a security or political issue separate from the socio-economic issue," said Dr. Swirski. "But it's a mistake: 'maintaining the occupation' is a very expensive business that harms economic growth, the state's ability to invest in the periphery and the raising of the overall standard of living."
German Police detained on Tuesday a 17-year-old militant, who a spokesman for the Interior Ministry in the state of Brandenburg said was a Syrian planning a suicide attack in Berlin, citing a report by the German news agency DPA.

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"I can confirm that," the spokesman said, referring to the report.

Berlin's Christmas market, reopened after the attack (Photo: EPA)

However, Brandenburg police said they had not yet found evidence that the suspect was planning an attack. He was detained Tuesday in the village of Gerswalde, 100 kilometers (60 miles) northeast of Berlin, after they learned he had sent a farewell message to family members and told them that "he had joined the jihad," or holy war.

An overview of Berlin's 2015 Christmas market (Photo: Reuters)

The WhatsApp message talking about jihad to the suspect's family was sent within the last week, and Brandenburg authorities were told of it late Monday night by two other German states, stated Brandenburg Police Spokesman Torsten Herbst.

The crashed truck, used in the attack

He said police were investigating but so far "evidence of the planning of a concrete act has not yet been identified."

Though the German Interior Ministry's office did already identify the suspect as Syrian, Herbst said investigators were checking to see whether he falsely registered as a Syrian but was actually from a North African country.

Berlin's Brandenburg Gate (Photo: Danny Sadeh)

The teenager, whose name wasn't released, came to Germany in 2015 as an unaccompanied minor and registered as an asylum-seeker. He has been living since 2016 in a home for minor refugees in Gerswalde, and was detained there in the Tuesday morning raid.

"The Syrian nationality and concrete attack plans could not so far be confirmed. The investigations continue," Brandenburg Police tweeted.

"According to evidence, he joined Jihad and said goodbye to family members," they added, referring to the term for Islamic holy war.

Memories are still fresh in Germany of the Berlin Christmas market attack last December, in which 12 people were killed by a failed asylum seeker who had pledged allegiance to ISIS.

Last Wednesday, police arrested four suspected Islamists in dawn raids in Berlin as the German capital geared up for a long weekend of mass gatherings, capped by a joint appearance by Chancellor Angela Merkel and former U.S. president Barack Obama.
Mere hours after US President Donald Trump called Germany's trade and spending policies "very bad" on Tuesday, pacifying tones could already be heard from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, apparently wishing to calm down what had de-escalated into a passive-aggressive war of words, and tweets.

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"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 tweeted.

Trump took to Twitter a day after Merkel ramped up her doubts about the reliability of Washington as an ally.

In response to Trump's tweet, Head of the German Social Democrats' (SPD) parliamentary group Thomas Oppermann said that "Donald Trump makes clear with his tweet that he views Germany as a political opponent."

Martin Schulz, another leader of the Social Democrats, similarly reporters Trump was "the destroyer of all Western values". He added that the US president was undermining the peaceful cooperation of nations based on mutual respect and tolerance.

A moment in the sun for NATO allies (Photo: Reuters)

On Sunday, Merkel showed the gravity of her concern about Washington's dependability under Trump when she warned, at an election campaign event in a packed Bavarian beer tent, that the times when Europe could fully rely on others were "over to a certain extent".

Those comments, which caused shock in Washington, vented Europe's frustration with Trump on climate policy in particular, along with Trump's statement during the recent NATO summit meeting, in which he criticized major NATO allies over their military spending and refused to endorse a global climate change accord. And while German politicians sided with Merkel, Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel signalled that it was time for cooler heads to prevail.

Europe takes a deep breath

As the situation threatened to spin out of control, Merkel and other senior German politicians began to cahnge tone, stressing the importance of Germany's Atlantic ties, with Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel suggesting the spat was just a rough patch.

"The United States are older and bigger than the current conflict," he said, adding that relations would improve. "It is inappropriate that we are now communicating with each other between a beer tent and Twitter," he said in Berlin.

L to R: Macron, Trump and Merkel (Photo: Reuters)

Merkel had already begun finessing her message on Monday, stressing that she was a "convinced trans-Atlanticist", a message she repeated after a meeting with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin.

Meanwhile, in Rome, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said he agreed with Merkel that Europe needed to forge its own path.

Trump (fourth from left) and Gentiloni (fourth from right) with other NATO leaders during summit (Photo: Reuters)

"This takes nothing away from the importance of our trans-Atlantic ties and our alliance with the United States. But the importance we put on these ties cannot mean that we abandon fundamental principles such as our commitment to fight climate change and in favour of open societies and free trade," he said.
The celebrations of the holiday of Shavuot began Tuesday evening. Among the main celebrations are many kibbutzim and moshavim, as Shavuot marks the harvest of the first fruits of the land and the receiving of the Torah.

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A large Shavuot ceremony was held Tuesday evening at Kibbutz Gan Shmuel, which was celebrating its 95th anniversary. The ceremony brought the first harvests of the kibbutz's different branches and ended with a mass dance comprised of hundreds of participants, from 13 year-olds to the kibbutz's veterans.

Celebrating Shavuot ( :   ,   )

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First fruits in Kibbutz Amir (Photo: Avihu Shapira)

In the Jezreel Valley, where Jewish settlers first settled and worked the land, the main celebrations are to take place on Wednesday at 17:00, in the fields of Nahalal. The event is free, and will include the presenting of the moshav's various produce, along with a demonstration of agricultural activities such as plowing, sowing and harvesting, and a procession of tractors and horses.

Kibbutz Ein HaShofet, which is celebrating 80 years since its founding (Photo: Megido Regional Council)





Photo: Ein HaShofet Regional Council

A girl in white looks on as all of Yokne'am celebrates Shavuot (Photo: Maya Shekel)

Babies presented before their community elders (Photo: Avihu Shapira)

A new aspect of the holiday is the organized donation of surplus agricultural produce that will be offered free of charge by kibbutzim and moshavim to those in need. The NGO Leket Israel reported that this year moshavim and kibbutzim contributed about 15,000 tons of surplus produce. As such, Nahalal's ceremony will also include a tractor-drawn cart with samples of the produce donated this year, including broccoli, citrus, cauliflower, onion, radish and beet.





Mothers with empty strollers in an interpretative dance exalting the miracle of birth (Photo: Avihu Shapira)

Towns and cities are also celebrating the holiday, with the northern city of Nesher offering a colorful festival for the last four years. The festival, organized by the Nesher Municipality and community center, includes a ceremony for presenting first fruits by schoolchildren, introducing babies who were born this year, a farmers' market, a drummers' circles and more.

Kfar Baruch celebrates Shavuot with in a hay-fevered dream (Photo: Jezreel Valley Regional Council's Spokesperson's Office)

Yokne'am breaks out the tractors (Photo: Maya Shekel)

Girls in Balfuria raise their arms skyward as the sun sets upon Moshav Balfuria (Photo: Jezreel Valley Regional Council's Spokesperson's Office):

The city of Haifa marked Shavuot in a different manner on Tuesday, focusing instead on its more modern aspect as "the holiday of water." In the city's Gan Shmuel, located on the Carmel, dozens of people took part in a "water fight" held in memory of Asaf Tzur (Blondi), a 17-year-old boy who was killed in a terrorist attack in the city.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley will travel to Geneva next week to address the UN Human Rights Council, whose funding is under threat by the Trump administration. She'll then fly to Israel to meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

The US Mission to the United Nations said Tuesday that Haley's address to the Human Rights Council on June 6 will be the first by a US ambassador and will be followed by a speech at the Graduate Institute Geneva laying out the US position on future involvement with the council that will address its benefits and failings.

Haley will also participate in an event highlighting Venezuela's human rights crisis, the mission said. The mission said Haley's visit to Israel from June 7-9 will also include visits to UN operations in the region.
YORK  Last month, Sydney Thieszen was re-sentenced for murdering his 12-year-old adopted sister, Sacha, when he was 14.

He was sentenced to a term of 70 years to life.

Now, his attorney, Jeffrey Pickens, is appealing that sentence.

Documents have been filed on behalf of Thieszen , including an intent to appeal the sentence handed down by Judge James Stecker.

Thieszen has already been in prison for nearly 30 years.

But because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which said juvenile offenders sentenced to life must be given the chance of parole, he was resentenced.

At the time of sentencing, Judge Stecker told Thieszen, This crime was violent, brutal and utterly senseless. In execution style, you shot her in the back of the head, put her in the tub and with precision shot her twice more, once in the head and once in the chest. You robbed her of the rest of her life, you took away her teenage years, her time in high school and college, you took away her opportunity to have a profession, to marry and have children. You left her with no escape, no way for her to be saved.

Court files do not include written indications as to arguments for the appeal of the sentence.

A higher court will determine the next phase in this case, as to whether Judge Steckers sentence determination was appropriate.
Cairo: Egypt made clear on Monday that it planned to press ahead with air strikes against Islamist militants in neighbouring Libya who it says were responsible for killing Egyptian Christians in an ambush last week.



Libyan military commanders said Egyptian jets hit the Libyan city of Derna on Monday, continuing attacks that began hours after masked men boarded vehicles driving dozens of people to a monastery in the southern Egyptian province of Minya on Friday and killed 29.



A witness said on Monday one air attack hit the western entrance to Derna and two others hit Dahr al-Hamar in the city`s south.



"The air strikes are joint ones between the Libyan National Army and the Egyptian army," said Ahmad Messmari, a spokesman for the Libyan National Army, an eastern Libyan faction allied with Egypt.



An Egyptian military spokesman, Colonel Tamer al-Refaei, said anyone who plotted what he called terrorist violence against Egypt was not beyond the reach of the military.



"Anyone sponsoring terrorism will be punished no matter where they are," he told the state-owned Ahram newspaper. "We have not announced the cessation of military operations against terrorist training camps."



Libyan operational commander Brigadier Abdulsalam Al-Hasi told Reuters the strikes targeted Majlis Mujahideen Derna and Abu Salim brigade, two local Libyan groups allied with al Qaeda.



Refaei said the military was not targeting a specific militant group because it did not differentiate between various factions.



Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Egypt had targeted militant bases in Libya "to get rid of them and to limit their ability to threaten Egypt`s national security".



Speaking at a news conference in Cairo with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Shoukry said Egypt looked forward to "Russia utilising all of its available capabilities to work together to get rid of terrorism".

ISLAMIC STATE



Islamic State claimed responsibility for last week`s attack in Egypt, the latest targeting the Christian minority there. Three church bombings since December, also claimed by Islamic State, have killed more than 70 people.



Another Egyptian state-owned newspaper, Akhbar, said two men responsible for planning the Minya attack had also been involved in the church bombings. The two, now on the run, had been helped by accomplices from Libya who supported Islamic State.



Akhbar quoted security sources as saying the two men had provided weapons and cars for the gunmen, some of whom belonged to Islamic State`s Libyan affiliate.



Egypt has carried out air strikes in Libya occasionally since its neighbour descended into factional fighting in the years following the 2011 civil war that ousted Muammar Gaddafi.



Islamist militant groups, including Islamic State, have gained ground in the chaos, and Derna, a city of about 150,000 that straddles the coastal highway linking Libya to Egypt, has a long history of Islamist militancy.



Islamic State first attempted to establish a presence in Libya in Derna, but it faced armed resistance from more locally affiliated militant groups, including the Majlis Mujahideen Derna coalition and the Abu Salim Brigade. It was driven out of the city in 2015 and later set up its main Libyan base in Sirte.



Egypt has been backing eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, whose Libyan National Army has been fighting Islamist militant groups and other fighters in Benghazi and Derna for more than two years.



Messmari, the Libyan National Army spokesman, told reporters in Benghazi late on Sunday that Haftar`s forces were coordinating with Egypt`s military and the weekend raids targeted ammunition stores and operations camps.



Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Friday the air raids targeted militants responsible for plotting the attack, and that Egypt would not hesitate to carry out additional strikes inside and outside the country.
Panama City: The late Manuel Antonio Noriega`s public persona was extinguished nearly three decades ago when the United States toppled him in an invasion that spoke volumes about Cold War tensions at the time.

Noriega, 83, died in a hospital late Monday as he was recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumour. He was dictator of Panama 1983-1989.



Noriega`s ignominious ouster by US troops in December 1989 was a dramatic fall from power for a man who had risen through the ranks of Panama`s military while working for the CIA, to become de facto ruler of a country that hosts the strategic Panama Canal.



The ex-strongman was captured and imprisoned in the United States, France and later Panama under a variety of charges, ranging from drug trafficking, money laundering and forced disappearances.



Short in stature and with a pockmarked face, Noriega was considered an unscrupulous and opportunistic officer who juggled relationships with Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, Cuba`s Fidel Castro and several foreign intelligence services.



"The most surprising thing in the life of Manuel Antonio Noriega was what he did to the (military) institution, making it an instrument, a macabre combination of crime and drug trafficking," said a former National Guard general, Ruben Dario Paredes, who used to be Noriega`s commanding officer and who is now a critic.Born to a poor family in Panama City on February 11, 1934, Noriega started his military career at a young age.



Reportedly recruited onto the CIA payroll in 1967, his rise through the ranks began when he took part in a 1968 coup against then-president Arnulfo Arias.



A year later one of the coup`s leaders, General Omar Torrijos, promoted him to head the feared G-2 military intelligence unit.



In 1983, two years after Torrijos` death in a mysterious plane crash, Noriega took charge of the now-defunct National Guard, giving him de facto power over the country.



Noriega lived a life of luxury with his wife Felicidad and their three daughters Sandra, Lorena and Thays. They lived in a sumptuous estate that included a mini-zoo, a private casino and a ballroom.



The mansion was the scene of extravagant parties, and in the main bedroom, there was a giant safe that rumours said contained millions of dollars` worth of various currencies -- a fortune that supposedly vanished when the US troops invaded.



"Pineapple Face" -- as Noriega was known due to his facial acne scars -- played various sides off each other to stay in power while civil wars fueled by US-Soviet Cold War rivalry raged across much of the rest of Central America.



In time Noriega`s brutal tactics to stay in power set the foundation for his eventual ouster -- especially his defiance of then US president Ronald Reagan, who wanted him removed from office.



In 1986, a US intelligence leak to The New York Times revealed that Noriega was involved in the torture and decapitation a year earlier of a guerrilla and opposition critic, Hugo Spadafora.



Roberto Diaz Herrera, a colonel who was second-in-charge in the regime, then accused Noriega of electoral fraud, corruption and being behind the plane crash that killed the popular Torrijos.



Those and other accusations triggered public protests and unrest that sharpened Washington`s determination to remove him from office.It was Reagan`s successor, former CIA chief George H.W. Bush, who ordered the Panama invasion -- code name Operation Just Cause -- on December 20, 1989.



Thousands of Panamanian civilians died in the US attack. Noriega fled to the Vatican embassy, where he bunkered down for days as US soldiers outside blasted rock music in an attempt to smoke him out.



Noriega surrendered to the US forces on January 3, 1990 and was flown to the United States, where he was sentenced to 40 years in prison on drug trafficking charges. He ended up serving 21 years of that term, which was reduced for "good behaviour."



In 2010, however, Noriega was sent to France, where he was sentenced to seven years for laundering $3 million in cash from the Medellin drug cartel through French banks.



One year later France extradited him back to Panama, where the now broken down ex-dictator arrived in a wheelchair. Noriega had been sentenced in absentia to three 20-year prison terms for the forced disappearances of opposition figures, including Spadafora.



Panama`s authorities rejected multiple requests for Noriega to serve out his sentence under house arrest based on ill health, said to include strokes, respiratory problems, prostate cancer and depression.



The former dictator likely went to his grave without divulging many secrets built up over a lifetime of shady dealings.



"In the name of God, I swear I had nothing to do with the deaths of any of these people," Noriega said shortly before his death, referring to the many victims attributed to him.



"There was always a permanent conspiracy against me. But I am here, standing straight, with no cowardice."
Panama City: Panama's former dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega has passed away at the age of 83 here, according to officials.



Noriega, who ruled the country between 1983 and 1989 before being overthrown by an American invasion, was in the intensive care unit (ICU) since March 7 after undergoing an operation removing a benign brain tumour. He died on Monday night, Efe news reported.



His health condition worsened after the former strongman had to undergo a second surgical operation due to cerebral bleeding he suffered a few hours after the March 7 surgery.



Since then he has been in the ICU of Santo Tomas Hospital, the largest medical facility in the country.



Noriega was extradited to Panama on December 11, 2011, after serving more than 20 years in jail in the US and France for drug trafficking and money laundering.



He was serving more than 60 years in El Renacer prison near Panama City until January 28, when he was granted temporary house arrest so that he could complete the pre- and post-operative care outside prison.



In 2010, a new criminal charge was laid against him for alleged involvement in the disappearance in 1970 and death of leftist leader Heliodoro Portugal, but the trial was suspended in 2016 due to Noriega's health problems.
Mumbai: Actor Sanjay Dutt has pulled out of Total Dhamaal due to unavailability of dates as well as his issue with the film's adult comedy, says a source.

The actor, who completed shooting for Bhoomi earlier this year after his incarceration in Yerwada Jail for illegal possession of arms, has his dates locked till the end of 2018.

He has films like Torbaaz, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 and a collaborative project with actor-filmmaker Ajay Devgn.

Sanjay, who played a crucial role in Dhamaal and Double Dhamaal, has decided to quit Indra Kumar's Dhamaal franchise.

The third instalment, "Total Dhamaal", was expected to roll out this year, but the fact that Sanjay is unavailable has caused the film some delay.

A source close to the development stated that Sanjay's busy schedule and already locked dates is not the only reason why he won't be doing the film.

"Besides the issue of unavailability of dates, Sanjay was not okay with the film's adult comedy. He doesn't want his children to see him in a film that has innuendo-laden jokes or crass humour," the source stated.

Sanjay has three children -- daughters Trishala and Iqra, and son Shahraan.
New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Tuesday said his ministry will fully cooperate with a CBI probe into alleged corruption and mismanagement that led to the financial crisis in the national carrier Air India.

"We will fully cooperate with the CBI on this," Raju said replying to a question during a press interaction here.

The Minister`s response came a day after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered three cases against unnamed officials of the Ministry and Air India.

The case involves the purchase of 111 Boeing aircraft worth Rs 70,000 crore and alleged corruption in handing over international airline routes to private airlines during the UPA regime.

Apart from the Civil Aviation Ministry and Air India officials, the CBI has also booked some unnamed private companies in its FIRs lodged under sections of criminal conspiracy and cheating of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The FIRs do not mention any public official by name but are based on a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) submitted to Parliament in 2011 and a subsequent report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament.
New Delhi: The Delhi government will act against officers responsible for "non-payment" of bills to suppliers of medicines in its hospitals and may "deduct" salaries of officers behind lapses, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said.

Kejriwal has laid down the instruction in a letter to Chief Secretary M M Kutty on the issue that came to the fore during his recent surprise inspection of the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital.

The chief secretary has been directed to respond by 11 am tomorrow detailing the reason behind the "non-payment" of bills, which has led to a medicine crunch, affecting patients flocking these state-run facilities for affordable health care.

Kejriwal has called for a mechanism to be developed to tackle such festering issues plaguing government hospitals in the city, under which, he said, officers will be held accountable for any lapses.

"In case a charge (interest) is to be paid on late payment, the amount should be deducted from the salary of the accountable officer," Kejriwal wrote, seeking a comprehensive plan by next Monday.

Last week, Kejriwal had expressed "displeasure" after paying a surprise visit to the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Mangolpuri.

The Delhi government had appointed a new medical superintendent at the hospital after Kejriwal found that it had failed to comply with his direction to provide free medicines and diagnostic test facilities.
New Delhi: Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday ordered desilting of all PWD drains by June 7 to prevent water-logging on roads during the monsoon season.



Jain`s direction came after he conducted a surprise inspection of roads and drains at Mandoli Jail Road and Mandoli village.



He told the media that 1,000 pumps would be installed at different locations across the national capital for pumping out water from the roads if there is water-logging.



"The main reason for water logging during the monsoon is that the drains are not desilted ahead of the rains. I will personally keep a watch," the minister said.



According to Jain, a coordination committee has been set up to ensure that all the organisations, including the PWD and municipal corporations, work together to clean the drains and there is no blame game over the issue.



Later, he visited the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital and took stock of the situation there.



Jain, who also holds the health portfolio, said the Delhi government was fully prepared to tackle the menace of vector-borne diseases.



He said that last year, around 300 additional beds were added to the city hospitals specifically for people suffering from dengue and chikungunya and, if needed, the number would be further increased this year.



"I have also directed all the hospitals, including private ones, to add 10 to 20 per cent additional beds, if required."



Jain said the state government was cooperating with all the municipal corporations to prevent breeding of mosquitoes in the city.
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that politics should be kept away from issues concerning the safety of women and girls.

Kejriwal made the remarks at a day-long conclave on `Women Safety and Empowerment` organised by the Secretary`s Office of Global Women`s Issues at the US State Department and NGO Shakti Vahini in collaboration with Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

"Got a chance to speak at a DCW programme. I believe that there should be no politics on the issues concerning women safety," Kejriwal tweeted.

"People indulging in politics should not forget that they too have women family members and if the situation worsened they too will be affected," the Aam Aadmi Party leader said.

Kejriwal also praised DCW`s works towards women empowerment and their safety in the city.

Women and Child Development Ministers of Bihar and Chhattisgarh along with senior representatives from US Government also participated in the conclave.

Ministers and representatives from 12 states participated in the conclave.

Besides Kejriwal, Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal, Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, and US Embassy`s Director for North India Jonathan Kessler addressed the conference.

Participants included state ministers for women and child development, state government officials, international organizations, industry representatives, and NGOs.

Forum participants discussed common challenges, and shared best practices and ideas for future US-India cooperation on issues facing women and girls, including involving private sector and civil society partners, said a US Embassy statement.

The conclave aimed to develop effective partnerships to advance gender equality and to build a network of leaders committed to addressing key issues facing women and girls.

US Charge D` Affaires MaryKay Carlson addressed the closing session of the conclave.
New Delhi: In a tragic incident, a trainee Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer drowned in a swimming pool here while rescuing a lady colleague in Ber Sarai area of south Delhi early Tuesday.

Ashish Dahiya, a resident of Sonepat in Haryana, was attending a party with his friends from the Indian foreign and revenue services at the poolside of the Indian Foreign Services Institute in Ber Sarai on Monday evening.

During the party, the officers decided to go for a swim in the pool located at the club. Police suspect they had consumed alcohol.

According to eyewitnesses, a lady officer accidentally fell into the pool and the officers, including 30-year-old Dahiya, jumped in to rescue her, police said.

As the lady officer was safely pulled out, it was noticed that Ashish was missing. Later, he was found floating in the pool.

"Many young officers, including Dahiya, attempted to rescue her," a police official said.

"The lady officer was safely pulled out but Ashish went missing... Soon, he was discovered floating," the officer said.

"Ashish was pulled out of the pool and rushed to Fortis Hospital, where he was declared brought dead," the officer said.

The body of the officer has been sent for autopsy.

(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: Speaking at the Indo-German Business Summit in Berlin on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India has one of the most liberal FDI policy regimes in the world.

Modi added that more than 90 percent of foreign investment flows are under automatic route.

The Indian prime minister welcomed the German companies to India saying that the economic partnership of two countries is still below its full potential and therefore to enhance this,India is ready with open arms.

Our economic partnership still below its full potential; to enhance this,India is ready with open arms to welcome German companies:PM Modi pic.twitter.com/tbDevmU5l3  ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

Never before India was so much ready for business, we are on a take-off stage. I assure we will work hard,hand in hand with you: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/rSeGitNucl  ANI (@ANI_news) May 30, 2017

Make In India already created strong impact, Germany contributing in a big way in success of Make In India, Modi said.

Talking about the goods and services tax (GST), Modi said that it is among the most historic reforms India has ever done and will be implemented from next month.

He invited many more German companies to India saying, our direction,desire and dreams create tremendous business opportunities.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier today held the fourth round of the inter-governmental dialogue to set a roadmap for the bilateral strategic ties.

Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome with military honours at the Chancellery, the office of the German Chancellor, where he was greeted by Merkel and senior German officials.

He then introduced the Chancellor to his accompanying Indian ministerial delegation.

Modi received a guard of honour and was welcomed as the the music choir of the German Army played the Indian National Anthem.

The two leaders then headed inside for the fourth India- Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) Plenary session, the focal point of Modi's two-day visit to Germany.

Modi was holding formal talks with Merkel as part of the IGC -- held every two years --?where he was joined by his delegation of senior ministers, including?Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.

The last IGC was held in New Delhi in October, 2015, when bilateral ties were significantly scaled up.

At the IGC in Berlin, the two leaders were expected to clinch a host of agreements and sign MoUs to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Versailles: The use of chemical weapons in Syria is a red line for France and would result in reprisals, President Emmanuel Macron said after meeting his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday.



Meeting Putin for the first time, Macron told a news conference that France and Russia must cooperate to "eradicate terrorist groups" in Syria and did not directly criticise Moscow`s role there.



France and Russia back different sides in the Syrian conflict, with Putin supporting President Bashar al-Assad and Macron part of a western coalition that supports rebel groups and has accused Assad of using chemical weapons in the past.



Macron said it was essential to talk with all actors in the Syria conflict, including representatives of Assad.



"Our two countries will cooperate on Syria, this is essential," Macron said. "We need strong cooperation because we have a joint priority, which is the fight against terrorism."



Macron said he wanted Paris and Moscow to bolster intelligence sharing on Syria and to work together on finding a political solution to the conflict, but gave no details on what a political deal might look like.



Sounding less forthcoming, Putin said he wasn`t sure if France`s Syria policy was "independent" because it was part of a U.S-lead alliance, adding that Paris and Moscow had points of disagreement and agreement over Syria.



Putin said he and Macron had agreed the fight against terrorism was their top priority but stressed that he hadn`t changed his views on Syria and told Macron so.



Macron`s warning of French retaliation in the event chemical weapons is used echo the line taken by U.S. President Donald Trump, who in April ordered cruise missile strikes in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack that Washington blamed on Damascus.



"Any use of chemical weapons would results in reprisals and an immediate riposte, at least where France is concerned," Macron said, standing next to Putin in the Versailles palace outside of Paris.



Former U.S. President Barack Obama put himself in a tough spot with his "red line" ultimatum to Syria on the use of chemical weapons, a phrase he first used in August 2012. But he backtracked in the face of congressional opposition.



In April, Russia`s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Vladimir Safronkov, told the U.N. Security Council that Obama`s threat of military action if a "red line" was crossed had provoked such attacks.



Syria agreed in September 2013 to destroy its chemical weapons programme under a deal negotiated with the United States and Russia after hundreds of people were killed in a sarin gas attack on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus.



But French intelligence concluded that forces loyal to Assad carried out a sarin nerve gas attack in April this year in northern Syria and that Assad or members of his inner circle ordered the strike, a declassified French report showed.



Assad has denied his government used chemical weapons.
Versailles: French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that he and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin were agreed the time was right for a new round of peace talks on Ukraine.



The two were speaking at a joint news conference in Versailles, outside Paris, during a visit by Putin at the invitation of the newly inaugurated French leader.



Macron said last week that he wanted to bring together soon the `Normandy format` which groups the leaders of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine and which met first in Normandy, north-west France.



On Monday, he said Putin shared the same hope, adding that the talks should take place "in days or weeks."



Putin, for his part, said sanctions imposed by western countries on Russia over its activities in Ukraine would not help stabilise the situation in the east of the country where it borders Russia.



Last Friday at G7 talks in Sicily, European Council President Donald Tusk urged the group`s leaders to stick to their sanctions, but his urging came a day after a senior U.S. official said Washington had no position on the issue.



The 28-nation EU bloc and the United States imposed sanctions on Russia after Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and then backed separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.



While EU leaders have so far backed sanctions until a shaky ceasefire agreement signed in February 2015 in Minsk is fully implemented, U.S. President Donald Trump`s promise of warmer ties with Moscow has tested the EU`s resolve to remain united on the issue.
New Delhi: Before heading out for a job interview, make sure you are dressed in solid colours and appropriate attire, suggest experts.

Salesh Grover, Business Head at OSL Luxury Collections Pvt, Vandana Anurag, Founder of The Parisian Boudoir (online-multi-brand boutique) and designer Sunil Mehra have listed a few tips:

* Make sure your clothes are clean and properly ironed, this will bring out your confidence. Wrinkled and untidy clothes leave a very negative impression. Don't wear dirty and muddy shoes as they will make you appear unhygienic and lazy.

* Always choose a tie that complements your suit as well as your shirt. Tie with small and conservative prints blend with all styles. Coordinate the tie with the suit. You can match the colour of tie with shoes.

* Wear suits that are in darker hues like black and navy blue. Make sure it fits properly so that you look and do your best.

* An attire reflects your personality, so always wear clothes that not only make you look good but also feel good. Always dress in to an outfit that brings out your inner confidence for an everlasting impression.

* For women, dress up in styles like pantsuits, sheath dresses and pencil skirts. For a sincere and mature look, conservative dressing is the best option.

* Choose outfit that go well with the company culture and dress code. Your appearance will make the employer think of you as a perfect fit for their corporate culture.

* Avoid wearing uncomfortable clothes and shoes as this will distract you from the interview and reduce your confidence.

* Do not wear revealing and skin-fit outfit no matter how casual the office environment is.

* Avoid suits with big prints as they are more suitable for casual occasions
Shimla/Manali: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Nothing can describe the hospitality industry in Himachal Pradesh better than Newton`s law of motion.



As the heat in the plains of northern India pulls tourists to the hills, they feel the heat of being fleeced everywhere.



Hotels, guesthouses and lodges have doubled their tariffs. Private taxi drivers and guides openly fleece the tourists by quoting high rates in this peak summer season, pinching the pockets of thousands of holidaymakers.



Sample this: In the picturesque tourist resort of Manali, for glimpses of a snowy landscape spread over the majestic Rohtang Pass, you should be ready to shell out an extremely high fare to hire a cab.



So it is in tourist spots near Shimla, such as honeymooners` paradise Kufri where each pony owner is virtually trying to poach you without paying any heed to your refusals. You will end up getting charged an exorbitant fare for a ride across the hilly terrain.



"We have been charged Rs 12,000 by a travel agent for arranging to and fro journey between Manali and Rohtang Pass. This is fleecing in the name of taking you close to snow cover," Samuel Mukherjee, a tourist from Kolkata, told IANS.



The actual fare of a luxury cab is Rs 6,000 while an ordinary one costs Rs 4,000.



His wife Sudeshna remarked: "We had no option but to listen to the taxi driver to avoid spoiling our vacation. There is no mechanism here to check abnormally high tariffs."



With only 1,200 taxi or private vehicle permits -- 800 petrol vehicles and the remaining diesel -- issued online daily on a first-come-first-served basis to visit the Rohtang Pass, some 52 km from Manali, taxi operators are charging two to three times more than the actual fare, reports say.



Added New Delhi-based banker Chinmaya Mehta: "I was looking for a luxury hotel in and around Shimla for four days. To my surprise, the room tariff of a luxury hotel in Shimla is around Rs 16,000, almost double the five-star hotels in Delhi and Mumbai."



He asked the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department to keep eye on hotel fares to check exorbitant pricing, especially when the tourism season is at its peak.



Ongoing protests in Jammu and Kashmir, which is scaring away tourists, and rising mercury in the plains have triggered a sudden surge in tourist footfalls in Himachal Pradesh.



Hill stations like Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda, Kasauli, Chail, Manali, Dalhousie, Palampur and Dharamsala are flooded with visitors.



According to various reports, there has been an increase of 30-35 percent in the tourist inflow to the state compared to last year.



Hundreds of touts, mostly Kashmiris, operate in the guise of potters in Shimla, the erstwhile summer capital of the Raj.



"If a tourist asks for a booking in a particular hotel, we try to convince him that the particular hotel is either unsafe for tourists or closed for renovation. We would take him to another hotel where we are offered hefty commissions," a tout admitted.



Saying he had received complaints against taxi operators for fleecing tourists in Manali, Subdivisional Magistrate H.R. Bhairwa said he had blacklisted 70 cabs over two weeks.



"In case they repeat the offence, their permits to ply private taxis will be cancelled permanently," he said.



A word of advice: Prefer to stay in state-run hotels.



"We charge fixed tariffs throughout the year. In this season, we are promoting some of our less-visited properties by offering special discounts of up to 25 percent," Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corp (HPTDC) General Manager Vijay Sharma told IANS.



In a first, the HPTDC, which has 59 properties in the state, has started a special package tour from Manali that will take the tourists at least for a day at Keylong in Lahaul Valley via snow-marooned Rohtang Pass in a deluxe bus.



Himachal Pradesh`s economy is highly dependent on tourism, besides hydroelectric power and horticulture.



The state attracted 18.45 million tourists last year, which is 2.7 times its population, says the state`s Economic Survey 2016-17.



According to the report, the state has 2,604 hotels with a bed capacity of 70,869 registered with the tourism department. In addition, there are 787 home-stay units with a provision of 2,137 rooms.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had a very good interaction with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, is due to arrive in Spain on Tuesday.

After his arrival in the Spanish capital, PM Modi will kick-start his two-day visit to initiate bilateral engagements with President Mariano Rajoy.

During his stay, he will meet the top leadership of the country to discuss issues of mutual interests.

He is also expected to call on King of Spain - King Felipe VI tomorrow.

The Prime Minister will be discussing ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in combating terrorism.

Prime Modi will also meet top Chief Executive Officers of the Spanish industry and encourage them to take part in the `Make in India` initiative.

During his tour to Spain, a number of agreements are likely to be inked in the fields including, renewable energy, high speed rail, infrastructure, civil aviation, water waste management and air space management.

In the first leg of his four nation tour to Germany, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed number of regional and global issues, including Brexit, terrorism, Afghanistan as well as China`s One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.

Discussions on climate change and the possibilities of including India in the G 20 contact also took place.

The two leaders also reviewed Brexit, its effects on both India and Germany as well as the future of the European Union (EU).

The two sides, during bilateral talks, also discussed how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programs including skill development, energy sector, environment, smart cities and digital India.

The German side appreciated India`s economic reform agenda, the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism that was established in 2015 to assist German businessmen in India.

After concluding his visit, Prime Minister Modi said that he had a "very good interaction" with Merkel.

With ANI inputs
New Delhi: A picture of an IIT Madras PhD scholar is going viral on social media.

The picture allegedly shows a student being brutally thrashed by alleged right-wing students.

Reportedly, he was thrashed for organising beef fest in IIT Madras.

Even as he was thrashed, the angry Twitter slammed him for hurting sentiments and organising beef fest.

@ANI_news For every bad action, there will be equal and opposite reaction.  M Subramani (@hindustani_m) May 30, 2017

@ANI_news Hogya fest iska toh  Bhanu Partap Singh (@maan_ki__baat) May 30, 2017

@ANI_news How can we call him "SCHOLAR" if he doesn't know to respect the sentiments of other religion?  Amit Kumar Singh (@amit__1902) May 30, 2017

@ANI_news So he attacked a cow and Karma got him back.



PhD scholar? Ask him if he had ever published a paper?    (@LegalKant) May 30, 2017

@ANI_news WTF?.. r u serious this guy is from IIT?. picture/face make me remember Syria ISIS members looks.. https://t.co/8PI3iwK6nR  NayaN (@nayanchandra) May 30, 2017
Lucknow/New Delhi: BJP veterans LK Advani, MM Joshi, Union Minister Uma Bharti and nine others will stand trial for criminal conspiracy in the 1992 Babri mosque demolition case.

They were on Tuesday arraigned in the case by a special CBI court which ordered framing of charges invoking criminal conspiracy provision against them.

A last-minute bid by the three leaders and nine other accused to get discharged from the case was foiled when the court rejected their plea in this regard.



All the accused were earlier given bail on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each.

The trial under the serious criminal conspiracy charge will commence against them after having been dropped by the trial court in 2001. The verdict was upheld by the Allahabad High Court in 2010.

The Supreme Court had ordered restoration of the conspiracy charge against them on April 19.

The charges were framed against Advani (89), Joshi (83), Bharti (58), BJP MP Vinay Katiyar (62), VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmiya (89) and one-time Hindutva firebrand Sadhvi Rithambara (53) - all of whom appeared before the court.

The charge of conspiracy is in addition to the existing charges against them for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion for which they are already facing trial, as per PTI.

Besides the six, conspiracy charges were also framed against Ramvilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Nritya Gopaldas, Dharam Das and Satish Pradhan - all of whom were allegedly present when the 16th century structure in Ayodhya was pulled down on December 6, 1992.

CBI Special Judge SK Yadav passed two orders - one for grant of bail and the other for framing of charges.

The accused are also facing charges of having made assertions "prejudicial to national integration and injuring or defiling a place of worship".

The other charges against them include indulging in "deliberate and malicious" acts intended to outrage religious feelings, uttering statements leading to public mischief, rioting and unlawful assembly.

The maximum punishment upon conviction after restoration of the conspiracy charge could be up to five years in jail or a fine or both, according to a lawyer who attended the proceedings.

Last week, counsel of the accused had moved a plea in the court to exempt Advani, Joshi and Bharti from personal appearance, but it was turned down, as per IANS.

After Advani, Joshi and Bharti failed to turn up on May 25 and 26, the special court had said no further application for an adjournment or exemption from personal appearance would be entertained.

The court had on May 26 fixed the hearing for today.

The CBI had chargesheeted 21 people in the case.

Many of them, including Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and the VHP's Acharya Giriraj Kishore, Ashok Singhal, Paramhans Ram Chandra Das and Mahant Avaidhynath, have since died.

They were all named in an FIR for allegedly instigating a mob which climbed atop the mosque and tore it down, triggering large-scale communal clashes across the country which left hundreds dead and many more wounded.

(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: Cyclone Mora made landfall in Bangladesh on Tuesday morning. The powerful storm made landfall around 6 am in Kutubdia damaging several houses and packing winds of up to 117 kilometres per hour.

A depression formed over southeast and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal in the morning of May 28, 2017. Moving northeastwards, it concentrated into a deep depression in the afternoon and into a cyclonic storm MORA over eastcentral BoB in the late evening of May 28. Further moving north northeastwards it lay centred at 1130 hrs on May 29 over east central Bay of Bengal

May 30, 2017 weather forecast:

Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places and isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely over Assam and Meghalaya. Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

May 31, 2017 weather forecast:

Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places very likely over Assam and Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Sea condition: Sea condition would be rough to very rough along and off West Bengal Coast on May 30.

Fishermen Warning:

Fishermen along and off West Bengal Coast are advised not to venture into sea on May 30 those out at sea are advised to return to the coast.
New Delhi: Amid an ongoing legal battle over Kulbhushan Jadhav, Pakistan has now claimed that the alleged Indian spy is providing 'crucial information' on recent terrorist attacks in the country.

Nafees Zakaria, Pakistan Foreign Office spokersperson, had revealed this to Dawn News, according to news18.com.

Zakaria's statement came hours after the countrys Attorney General, Ashtar Ausaf, had told the newspaper that Pakistan has enough evidence to prove Jadhav was an ndian spy.

Ausaf, while refusing to divulge the details, said those evidence would only be presented before the ICJ once it resumes the hearing in Kulbhushan Jadhav case.

Jadhav, 46, was sentenced to death by a Pakistan military court that convicted him of alleged spying and subversive activities.

India maintains that he is a retired Indian Navy officer who was kidnapped in Iran and taken to Pakistan, where he has been in custody for more than a year.

On May 18, the International Court of Justice after hearing Indias request to grant consular access to Jadhav and Pakistans submission through QC Khawar Qureshi decided that Pakistan should not execute Jadhav till a verdict is delivered by the world court.

The ruling triggered criticism of the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) for its "poor handling" and also for its choice of Qureshi, who represented Pakistans case before the ICJ.

Several political analysts and politicians had claimed that the country's legal counsel was not adequately prepared.

Following the verdict, media reports claimed that the Attorney General will represent Pakistan in the Jadhav case at the ICJ after widespread calls for a change in the countrys legal team.

Attorney General Ausaf, however, said that Pakistan would not change but expand its legal team at the ICJ.

India is being represented by senior advocate Harish Salve who is fighting the case pro bono.

With PTI inputs
New Delhi: The Madras High Court on Tuesday temporarily put on hold the central government notification that outlawed sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets triggering a political storm while directing the state and the Government of India to reply in four weeks.

The court observed that it was an individual's right to choose his food, while hearing a public interest litigation against the Centre's recent notification imposing license raj to curb cattle slaughter.

A petition was filed at the Madurai bench stating that it's basic right of an individual to choose his food.

In the PIL, Madurai-based activist and lawyer S Selvagomathy challenged the constitutional validity of Rules 22(b)(iii) and 22(e) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules 2017 notified by the Centre, The Hindu reported.

The petitioner further argued that according to the PCA Act, the Centre had no authority ban the sale of animals in a market for slaughter. She further argued that the new notifications offended the Right to Freedom of Religion and the Protection of Interests of Minorities guaranteed in the constitution.

The notification brought in by the central government  that banned the sale of cows, bulls, bullocks, buffaloes, steers, heifers, calves, and camels for slaughter  has been fiercely opposed by several states such as Kerala and West Bengal that call the order an attack on Indias federal structure.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed strong disapproval of the Centre's move and sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by attacking the BJP-led government at the Cntre and the RSS, saying "there was no need for the people of his state to draw lessons from New Delhi or Nagpur on their food habits."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also spoken against the law, describing the Centre's notification on cattle slaughter as a "deliberate attempt to encroach upon the state's powers" and said her government will not accept it.

Last week, the Environment Ministry notified the stringent Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, banning the sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter.

The decision is expected to hit export and trade of meat and leather.

The rules define cattle as a bovine animal including bulls, bullocks, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers and calves and camels.

The new rules also prohibit establishment of an animal market in a place which is situated within 25 km from any state border and within 50 km from any international border.
Berlin: India and Germany on Tuesday started the fourth round of the biannual Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) here headed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"PM @narendramodi & Chancellor Merkel undertake comprehensive review of coop'n at the Plenary meeting of the Inter-Governmental Consultations," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.

Germany is the only country with which India has such an institutionalised dialogue mechanism.

The first IGC was held in New Delhi in 2011, the second in Berlin in 2013, and the third in New Delhi in 2015.

Modi is accompanied by Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Seetharaman and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the German Chancellery here.

Modi and Merkel will also jointly address the India-Germany Business Summit later in the day.

Soon after his arrival here on Monday on a two-day visit to Germany, Modi and Merkel held a private meeting in the latter's country resort of Schloss Meseberg, some 65 km from Berlin, in which a range of issues, including climate change and the fight against terror, figured.

Germany is the first leg of the Prime Minister's six-day, four-nation European tour which will also see him going to Spain, Russia and France.
Lucknow: BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj on Tuesday said "no power on earth" could stop the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya ahead of proceedings in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case here.

The Babri Masjid versus Ram temple debate should be dropped now, he said, claiming that those who had opposed the construction of the temple were now Ram bhakts.

The Muslim community too was in favour of a temple being built in Ayodhya, he told mediapersons here.

"No power on earth will be able to stop the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya," he said.

Meanwhile, senior Hindutva leader Ram Vilas Vedanti, an accused in the case, said that he was among those who had pulled down the structure in Ayodhya.

"I was one of those who had pulled down the dome of the disputed structure in Ayodhya," Vedanti, who is here to appear before the special court in the Ayodhya case, told reporters.

BJP stalwarts L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti are to appear before a special CBI court here for framing of charges in the demolition case.
Madrid: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here in the Spanish capital on Tuesday on the second leg of his six-day, four-nation tour aimed at boosting bilateral economic engagement with them and inviting more investment for India's transformation.

"Landed in Spain, marking the start of a very important visit aimed at improving economic and cultural relations with Spain," PM Modi tweeted in English and Spanish after landing here.

PM Modi's visit to Spain will be first visit by an Indian prime minister since 1988.

"Hola Espana! Prime Minister Modi arrives in Madrid, first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly three decades, is received by Spanish FM in a special gesture," said Gopal Baglay, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs in a tweet.

PM Modi will hold discussions with his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy on ways to deepen bilateral engagement, including in the high-tech sector.

PM Modi will also call on King Felipe VI of Spain.

"He (PM Modi) would also have a round-table interaction with leading Spanish business leaders who are keen to invest in India. Prime Minister's visit to Spain will add further strength to the existing warm and friendly India-Spain bilateral ties," the Ministry of External Affairs had said in a statement.

From Spain, he will travel to St Petersburg in Russia on June 1 where he will hold the 18th India-Russia annual Summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum the next day.

The prime minister will be in Paris on June 2 and 3 where he will hold official talks with newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron with a view to further strengthening India-France strategic ties.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held the fourth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) during which the two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and the two sides inked 12 agreements/Memorandum of Understandings (MoU).
New Delhi: Following his visit to Germany, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Spain's Madrid from Germany's Berlin Tegel Airport on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Modi will kick-start his two-day visit to Spain with bilateral engagements with Spanish President Mariano Rajoy.

During his stay, he will meet the top leadership of the country to discuss issues of mutual interests. He is also expected to call on King of Spain - King Felipe VI tomorrow.

The Prime Minister will be discussing ways to enhance bilateral engagement, especially in economic sphere, and cooperation on international issues of common concern, particularly in combating terrorism.

Prime Minister Modi will also meet top Chief Executive Officers of the Spanish industry and encourage them to take part in the 'Make in India' initiative.

During his tour to Spain, a number of agreements are likely to be inked in the fields including, renewable energy, high speed rail, infrastructure, civil aviation, water waste management and air space management.

In the first leg of his four nation tour to Germany, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed number of regional and global issues, including Brexit, terrorism, Afghanistan as well as China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.

Discussions on climate change and the possibilities of including India in the G 20 contact also took place.

The two leaders also reviewed Brexit, its effects on both India and Germany as well as the future of the European Union (EU).

The two sides, during bilateral talks, also discussed how Germany can partner with India on its flagship programs including skill development, energy sector, environment, smart cities and digital India.

The German side appreciated India's economic reform agenda, the ease of doing business in India and the fast track mechanism that was established in 2015 to assist German businessmen in India.

After concluding his visit, Prime Minister Modi said that he had a "very good interaction" with Merkel.
New Delhi: After special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court framed charges against all accused including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti in the Babri Masjid demolition case, party leader Subramanian Swamy said the decision would not affect party veterans` future as they are still innocent in the eyes of the court.

"This is the right time when everyone would come to know about the facts and the truth about this issue. This would not affect the future of the politicians as they are innocent in the Supreme Court`s eye. It will depend on court`s verdict," Swamy told ANI.

Meanwhile, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader M. G. Vaidya refrained from speaking on the issue while saying that he would comment on it after the court`s final order.

"Let`s see what will be the Court`s decision then only we can comment on it. It was not a conspiracy," he told ANI.

In a major setback to BJP veterans-- Lal Krishna Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, a special CBI court earlier in the day rejected their discharge application, framing charges against them and the other nine accused in the case.Charges of criminal conspiracy under section 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have been framed against all the accused.

However, the accused will now move the Allahabad High Court against the CBI court`s order.Earlier today, the court granted bail to all the accused by signing a personal bond of Rs. 20,000.

"They have been granted bail by signing bonds of Rs. 20,000. We have submitted discharge application. If the court rejects it, then charges will be framed," said lawyer of accused Prashant Atal.

The court had also asked BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP`s Vishnu Hari Dalmia and Sadhvi Ritambara to present themselves before the court in person.While directing the accused to present themselves in person, the judge had said no application for adjournment or exemption from personal appearance shall be entertained.

The court, which is hearing two separate cases relating to the demolition, would also frame charges against Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma alias Prem Ji, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Dharma Das and Satish Pradhan in the second matter.

The Supreme Court had on April 19 ordered prosecution of Advani, Joshi, Uma Bharti, and other accused for criminal conspiracy in the politically sensitive case. It had also ordered day-to-day trial to be concluded in two years.

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 apex 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.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the conviction of an IPS officer in the sensational 2002 Bilkis Bano case.

A vacation bench of Justices A K Sikri and Deepak Gupta said that there is no urgency for hearing the matter as the convicted officer has already undergone the sentence.

The bench, however, listed the matter for hearing in the second week of July, observing the fine is of Rs 15,000 only.

IPS officer RS Bhagora, currently serving in Gujarat, has been convicted along with four other policemen by the Bombay High Court recently after the trial court had acquitted them.

The counsel appearing for Bhagora said if the conviction is not stayed, then he will be terminated from the service as per service rules.

He said the court should grant stay on the conviction.

The Bombay High Court had on May 4 reversed the trial court verdict acquitting Bhagora and others and had upheld the conviction of 11 people (one convict is dead) in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case.

Along with five policemen, two doctors were also convicted by the HC.

The High Court bench had said that the seven persons -- doctors and the policemen-- are convicted under sections 218 (not performing their duties) and section 201 (tampering of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

A special court had on 21 January, 2008 convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment 11 men for raping Bilkis and murdering seven of her family members in the aftermath of the Godhra riots while acquitting seven persons including the policemen and doctors.

The convicts later approached the Bombay high court challenging their conviction and sought for the trial court's order to be quashed and set aside.

The CBI had also filed an appeal in the high court seeking harsher punishment of death for three of the convicted persons on the ground that they were the main perpetrators of the crime.

According to the prosecution, on 3 March, 2002, Bilkis Bano's family was attacked by a mob at Randhikpur village near Ahmedabad during the post-Godhra riots and seven members of her family were killed.

Bilkis, who was five months pregnant at the time, was gang raped while six other members of her family managed to escape from the mob. The trial in the case began in Ahmedabad.

However, after Bilkis expressed apprehensions that witnesses could be harmed and the CBI evidence tampered, the Supreme Court transferred the case to Mumbai in August 2004.

The convicts had challenged the order on three main grounds?that all evidence in the case was fabricated by CBI, that Bilkis gave birth to a child after the incident, thus, the same proved that she could not have been gang raped, and the failure to find the bodies of some of her family members proves that they were not killed.
Melbourne: Indian energy giant Adani Group said on Tuesday that it has struck a deal on 'royalties payments' with the Queensland government for its 21.7 billion dollars coal mine project in Australia, a major breakthrough for the controversy-hit Carmichael venture.

According to the company statement, the deal with the state has met Adani's expectations and requirements and the move would mean that the project was back on track to generate 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in the regional state.

"This shows a strong commitment by the State government to the project and is a benchmark decision to take this project forward," the statement said.

"I thank the Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, and the elected members of the State for their continued support to make this happen. I also wish to thank Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten for their support for the changes to the Native Title Bill," said Gautam Adani, Adani Group Chairman.

The company will consider the final investment decision at the next board meeting, it said.

The project, which is the most advanced in the Galilee Basin, involves a phase one mine production of 25 million tonnes per annum, and construction of a 388-kilometre standard gauge open access common user rail line.

Peak mine production in later phases will rise to 60 million tonnes per annum.

To accommodate that later stage mine production, Adani will also expand the port capacity from 50 million tonnes per annum to 120 million tonnes per annum of its owned and operated bulk coal port facility at Abbot Point near Bowen in North.

The future of the so called biggest mine in the world and largest in Australia was put on hold recently after the state cabinet's split on the royalties payment.

Adani wanted the Queensland government to delay the start of royalty obligations on the coal mine it hopes to build in Queensland's Galilee Basin.

Earlier, state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had said the Indian mining giant would have to pay "every cent" of royalties for the proposed mine that was followed by Adani's announcement to defer its final investment plan on the project.

The project has been mired in several controversies in the past. It came under strong criticism from environmentalists and also faced several legal challenges from time to time.
Singapore/Zurich: Singapore`s central bank has fined Credit Suisse and United Overseas Bank (UOB) a total of S$1.6 million ($1.2 million) for breaching anti-money laundering rules in transactions related to Malaysia`s scandal-ridden state fund 1MDB.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said on Tuesday it had fined UOB S$900,000 and Credit Suisse S$700,000 as it wrapped up its two-year probe into banks involved in 1MDB-related transactions, which revealed several breaches of anti-money laundering (AML) requirements and control lapses.

"These include weaknesses in conducting due diligence on customers and inadequate scrutiny of customers` transactions and activities," it said in a statement, adding it did not, however, detect pervasive control weaknesses at UOB and Credit Suisse.

The fines are smaller than those the authority has already imposed on other banks as part of its biggest money-laundering investigation. It has now imposed penalties of S$29.1 million on eight banks.

Once a pet project of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who chaired its advisory board, 1MDB is the subject of money-laundering investigations in at least six countries including Switzerland, Singapore and the United States.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing.

"While the fines imposed on UOB and Credit Suisse may appear low relative to the amounts that we see imposed by U.S. and UK regulators, they are substantive by Singapore standards," said Nizam Ismail, partner at RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP, where he advises clients on financial services regulation.

"Unfortunately, the presence of financial crimes is a reality and occupational hazard of major international financial centres. But when they are detected, the enforcement is robust and extensive - which is what MAS has done."

Last year, MAS fined DBS, UBS, Standard Chartered and private bank Coutts for breaches of Singapore`s anti-money laundering laws in connection to 1MDB transactions.

Separately, Swiss financial watchdog FINMA said on Tuesday it had conducted "extensive investigations" into Credit Suisse`s dealings surrounding 1MDB, resulting in a written reprimand for Switzerland`s second-biggest bank.

As part of a two-year review into 1MDB-related transactions, Singapore has shut down the local units of BSI Bank and Falcon Bank due to failures of money laundering controls and improper conduct by senior management, frozen millions of dollars in bank accounts and charged several private bankers.

"The price for keeping our financial centre clean as it grows in size and inter-connectedness is unstinting vigilance," said Ravi Menon, managing director of the central bank.

"MAS has enhanced its AML surveillance and taken unprecedented enforcement actions against errant institutions and individuals," he said.

The extensive review uncovered a complex web of transactions involving shell companies and individuals operating in multiple jurisdictions, including the United States, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Luxembourg and Malaysia.

"Credit Suisse takes a very serious view of our obligations in the prevention of money laundering and is firmly committed to upholding the high standards of the Singapore financial center," the bank said in a statement.

UOB, the smallest of Singapore`s three listed banks, also said it had accepted the findings by MAS.

"We have instituted measures to address the areas of concern, including enhancing our training programme to raise risk and control awareness among our staff," it said.
Poonch: In a major success, the Indian Army apprehended Md Kasim, along with two packets of heroin, valued at approximately above Rs. two crore from the Line of Control in Bhimber Gali of Jammu and Kashmir`s Poonch district on the night of May 29.

23-year-oldMd Kasim under the garb of cattle grazer had gone to the LoC and received the consignment of heroin from a Pakistani Occupied Kashmir national.

The alert troops of the Army challenged and apprehended the individual.

The apprehension is a significant blow to the nefarious designs of Pakistan Army in facilitating narco smuggling to fund terrorism in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

An FIR has been lodged with the Poonch Police.

The search of the area and further investigations are under progress.
Srinagar/Jammu: Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat who was killed by the security forces May 27 at Soimoh village in Tral of Pulwama district, is said to have sent out desperate messages to stone-pelters to help him out when cornered, as per media reports.

Bhat had succeeded Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

Wani was killed on July 8 last year in south Kashmir. His killing had sparked violence in the Kashmir Valley for months.

Bhat was gunned down during a cordon and search operation following specific information about the presence of terrorists there.

He was holed up inside a house and had opened fire at security personnel as they closed in on their hideout.

He was killed in retaliatory fire along with another militant.

Meanwhile, barring two incidents of stone-pelting, the situation today (Tuesday) was peaceful in Kashmir where curfew-like restrictions continued for the third consecutive day in the wake of killing of Bhat.

The curbs were in place in view of the separatists call for a march to Tral area in south Kashmir's Pulwama district today to pay tributes to Sabzar and his associate.

Incidents of stone-pelting were reported from Keller Chowk in Shopian district and Court Road Pinglish in Tral area of Pulwama district, a police spokesman said, as per PTI.

The security forces used force to disperse the aggressive mob, resulting in injuries to a stone-pelter and some security personnel.

The spokesman said the mob indulged in heavy stone- pelting on the security deployments at Pinglish but the forces used maximum restraint while dealing with the situation.

"Except these incidents, the overall situation across Kashmir remained peaceful and under control," he said.

Curfew-like restrictions were in place in the districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian all in south Kashmir, as also in seven police station areas of Srinagar and in Sopore township in north Kashmir, officials said.

In Srinagar, the curfew-like restrictions continued in the police station areas of Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal, MR Gunj, Rainawari, Kralkhud and Maisuma, all in old city.

The officials said restrictions on the assembly of people under Section 144 CrPc also continued in the districts of Budgam and Ganderbal in central Kashmir.

Incidents of stone-pelting were reported from Keller Chowk in Shopian district and Court Road Pinglish in Tral area of Pulwama district, a police spokesman said.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: The government has ruled out talks with separatists in Kashmir and insists that the problem of violence is limited to just five districts of south Kashmir while the rest of the state is "in peace".

The government is ready for talks on "development" with all other stakeholders, says Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu, who questioned the demand for a Ramzan ceasefire.

In an interview with IANS, the Information and Broadcasting Minister said the state and central governments were making "best efforts to deal with the situation" in the Kashmir Valley which has been on the boil since the April 9 Srinagar Lok Sabha polls when eight civilian protesters were killed in firing by security forces guarding voting stations.

"We are determined to solve the problem" in Kashmir that "we inherited from previous Congress governments", said the former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief.

He rejected allegations that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-BJP coalition government led by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had failed to bring normalcy and contain surging violence in the state since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 last year.

The militant leader's death triggered a deadly wave of street violence that left 100 people dead in about five months of unrest last year. The year 2017 also began on a stormy note in the Valley with intermittent bouts of stone-pelting protests.

However, Naidu told IANS that the situation in the Kashmir Valley was still "better as compared with earlier UPA governments".

"Kashmir, which is not our creation, is a 69-year-old problem. Where is the question of failing? It is all legacy of great Congress leaders."

He said the trouble in the state was not as widespread as it was made out to be in the media.

"Other than five districts, remaining parts of the state are free from violence. Let us understand this. Except for south Kashmir, the state is in peace. In north Kashmir there is no major problem. In Jammu region, there is no major problem. In Ladakh region, there is no problem.

"Kashmir is not four south Kashmir districts. There is a problem. We have to (solve it). But at the same time, we have to send a message across the border that we will not accept terrorism."

Asked about a possibility of a ceasefire during the current month of Ramzan that culminates in Eid celebration, the Minister said it was for the Home Minister to look into the demand. But he questioned the very demand itself.

"Ceasefire by whom? Won't there be any stone-pelting? There will not be any terrorist activity? Will somebody give us an assurance? Suppose people were observing Ramzan and then there is some attack, who has to be responsible."

Asked about talks with separatist groups in the valley, Naidu said all previous efforts of dialogue to solve the Kashmir issue have failed.

"How many years have we been talking? It has become a fashion for some people to make such demands and then be in news. Otherwise what is there in talks? Anybody who swears loyalty to India's integrity. Yes, we should talk to them irrespective of which party they represent."

Asked if he was clearly ruling out talks with the separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference, the Minister said: "All I am saying is there is no question of disintegration of Kashmir. There is no question on the integrity of the country.

"There are issues of development, lack of development in a particular region. There is no question of giving one inch of land to anybody. Development, we can talk with all. Why are we mentioning separatist? We are willing to talk with all Kashmiri people who are part of India."

About the differences in the coalition government with the PDP led by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti demanding talks with Hurriyat leaders, Naidu said it was because "we are different parties".

"It is the PDP which is saying that. Not the government. It may be their view, not our view. The point is, first restore normalcy. Allow the public life to move on."

He said the PDP-BJP have a "political understanding (and) are making an effort to see that we work through the elected government".
New Delhi: Three separatist leaders from Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Ahmed Dar alias Bitta Karate, Javed Baba and Naeem Khan on Tuesday arrived at National Investigation Agency (NIA) Delhi headquarters for the second day of their interrogation in the Pakistan funding matter.

They have been summoned in connection with a case related to the funding of terror and subversive activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The two leaders also have been asked to bring certain bank and property documents, besides other papers.

Earlier this month, the NIA had questioned them in the national capital for four consecutive days.

The NIA, which went to Srinagar to probe into the alleged funding by Pakistan for illegal activities in Kashmir, continued questioning the separatist leaders regarding their involvement in raising, collecting and transferring funds through Hawala and other channels for terror funding in Kashmir.

The NIA is probing all aspects of funding of separatist leaders and use of these funds in fuelling the unrest in the Valley.

The agency has collected details of 13 accused chargesheeted 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.

The development came after the Hurriyat Conference suspended Nayeem Khan from the organisation after he allegedly confessed to receiving money from Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) for Kashmir unrest.

Khan was allegedly heard admitting in a TV sting operation that he had received money from Pakistan to create unrest in the Valley.

He, however, claimed that the sting operation was fake and doctored.

After the video surfaced, the NIA registered a preliminary probe against Khan, Tehreek-e- Hurriyat leader Gazi Javed Baba and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (R) chairman Farooq Ahmed Dar.
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Police recently neutralized Hijbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmed Bhat in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral area.

Bhat alias Abu Zarar had succeeded Wani who was killed on July 8 last year in a security operation in Anantnag and carried a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head and was at the top of the security forces' wanted list.

Bhat's killing in the gunfight in Saimoh village triggered widespread protests in the Valley once again, with one civilian death reported.

His killing also brings notice to one of the most widely shared pictures of a group of 11 young militants, all dressed in camouflage and holding Kalashnikov rifles, that was uploaded on Facebook in July 2015.

It is to be noted that nine of these 11 terrorists have been eliminated by the security forces in all these months. One of them, Saddam Padder is still active and commander of the outfit while another Tariq Pandit has surrendered himself before the state police.

Here's a brief look at the details:

Saddam Padder (1) is alive and has reportedly been named as the successor of Sabzar Bhat after the latter was killed in an encounter with security forces on Saturday. Padder, a 25-year-old, was a contender for Hizbul commander earlier as well, but Zakir Musa beat him to it, according to sources.

Burhan Wani, (2) the former commander of the outfit was killed in a gunbattle with security personnel in July last year. His killing sparked days of deadly violence in the Valley with thousands of people severely been hit by it in the past 10 months.

Adil Khande (3), Neesar Pandit (4), Affaq Bhat (5), Sabzar Bhat (6), Anees (7), Ishfaq Dar (8), Waseem Mallah (9), Wasim Shah (10) have also been killed, one Tariq Pandit (11) has surrendered himself to the police and is still alive.
Srinagar: The Indian Army on Monday evening killed two Pakistani troopers in a counteroffensive strike on the LoC in Kashmir`s Uri sector to foil a Border Action Team (BAT) attack from the Pakistani side.



Defence sources said in Srinagar on Tuesday: "Special forces of the army targetted the Pakistani troopers along the Uri LoC (Line of Control) yesterday."



"Inflicting casualties on the Pakistani troopers, a convoy of three vehicles was attacked by our troopers in which two Pakistani troopers were killed and four injured," the source said.



"The weekly run of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service was cancelled on Monday as our troopers were carrying out a major counter offensive strike to pre-empt any BAT attack from the Pakistani side," it added.



The defence sources said commandos of Indian Army took a position at a vantage point on the LoC overlooking the Chakothi-Muzaffarabad road in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.



The sources said the counteroffensive operation strike was carried out by the Indian Army as it had actionable information that the militants assisted by Pakistani Army were planning a BAT attack on the Indian troopers in Uri sector.
Balaghat: The Madhya Pradesh Police on Tuesday recovered a large amount of explosives from the jungles in Maoist-affected Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh, which could have been meant for a major attack by the Left-wing extremists in Chhattisgarh.

The explosives were stored by the militants in the jungles of Sitapala, the police said.

"Late on Monday night the Hawk Force along with a police team under the command of the Sub-Divisional Officer of Lanji, Pradeep Sharma, conducted a search operation on Ghagra road. They discovered a black polythene bag containing the explosives," Additional Director General of Police G. Janardana told IANS.

Janardana said the bag contained sodium nitrate, urea, detonator, electrical wires, and metal and glass pieces.

He said the consignment could have been part of a major conspiracy.

A case has been registered at Bahela police station against 15-20 Maoists.

Police believe the Maoists were planning to mount a major attack in Chhattisgarh.

A few days ago police nabbed two persons from Balaghat who extorted money from contractors in order to fund Maoists.
Bengaluru: Reacting to the Central Government`s new rule on cattle trade, Karnataka Chief Minister K. Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said it is not mandatory to follow every notification which comes from the Centre.

"It is not mandatory to follow every notification which comes from Centre as this matter is a state issue," Siddaramaiah told the media here.

The Chief Minister further said that his government will look into all the aspects and consider feelings of all communities and reply to the Centre.Earlier, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged the Chief Ministers of other states to raise their voices against restrictions imposed on cattle trade, while saying that the Centre`s `anti-democratic` notification is an attempt to usurp the state governments` powers in the guise of rules under a Central Act.

Vijayan wrote a letter to the Chief Ministers saying that the restrictions imposed on cattle trade would adversely affect the livelihood of the millions of people, especially, those in the agriculture sectors.

"I am sure that you are already conversant with the Notification containing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 23rd May, 2017. The Rules impose a number of restriction on cattle trade which would have serious repercussions on the livelihood of millions of people, especially those in the agricultural sector, in our country," the letter read.

Vijayan further said that the Centre`s new rule is an impermissible encroachment into the domain of the State Legislatures which is a clear `violation of the spirit of federalism.

`Urging the Chief Ministers to stand up against Centre`s `anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular move`, Vijayan said that they need to request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the rules introduced without any consultation with the states.

"I would therefore fervently appeal to you to convey your objection to the 2017 Rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to the Prime Minister, and to request him to withdraw the rules introduced without any consultation with the States. Since the matters dealt within the Rules squarely fall within the purview of State Legislatures, the State Governments may be allowed to formulate necessary policies and laws to suit the socio-cultural and economic milieu of the State," he said.

Drawing a huge backlash from various fractions, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Harsh Vardhan ordered that the ministry has notified the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 to ensure that the sale of cattle is not meant for slaughter purposes.

He said the seller and buyer both have to ensure that the cattle is not being bought or sold across the country`s livestock markets market for slaughter purposes.

The rules also state that the purchaser shall not sacrifice the animal for any religious purpose or sell it to a person outside the state without permission and must keep in with the state`s cattle protection laws.
Koriya: Chhattisgarh's Koriya Police on Tuesday arrested a groom after the bride filed a complaint against him over dowry demands.

The incident took place when the groom demanded a refrigerator and a gold chain after the wedding from her family.However, the family of the bride flatly refused his demand, which led to him abusing them profusely.

Even though the relatives and the neighbours tried to convince the groom to change his mind, he was adamant of his demand.The situation escalated when the groom and his family returned back to their home without taking the bride along.

Police Station in charge, Anand Soni said that a case has been filed against the groom under various section of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and assured that action would be taken against him.

The evil of dowry remains a menace till date in several parts of the country, but many women are rising against the archaic practice and standing up for their rights.
Agartala: Tripura's Left Front government will not implement the new cattle trade and slaughter rules as it is against the interests of the people, a state Minister said on Tuesday.

"The new cattle trade and slaughter rules framed by the central government are against the interest of the people. We will not carry out the new rules," Tripura's Agriculture and Animal Resource Development Minister Aghore Debbarma told IANS.

"The central government is yet to send us the new cattle trade and slaughter rules. They did not consult us on this issue."

"If people are not able to sell their cattle how will they take care of livestock when it turns unnecessary for them? How will it be determined that the cattle being purchased from the market is for slaughtering?" said Debbarma, also the member of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) central committee.

With the aim to prevent cruelty to animals, the union Forest, Environment and Climate Change Ministry last week modified rules making it mandatory to ensure that cattle are not bought or sold at cattle markets for slaughter. The list of animals includes cows, bulls, buffaloes, heifers, calves as well as camels.

The ruling CPI-M also strongly censured the central government's new cattle slaughter rules.

"A large section of people, especially those from the Dalit community, are engaged in the business of cattle skin. Farmers engaged with cattle business, minorities, those who depend on cattle for their source of protein would be directly affected," CPI-M Tripura state secretary Bijan Dhar told reporters.

"We have a federal democracy in our country. The central government cannot do many things without involving the states. The BJP government unilaterally framed this important cattle trade and slaughter rules," he said.

Dhar, also a CPI-M central committee member, said the central government without studying the gravity of the impact of the new cattle trade and slaughter rules enforced it from a "communal view point".

"According to the new rules, there would be no animal market 50 km from the international border. But in Tripura a large number of weekly cattle and general markets, besides permanent towns, are much less than the 50 km from the India-Bangladesh border," the Left leader said.

"According to government statistics, over 12,000 farmers have committed suicide every year since 2014 due to debt burden and the government's anti-farmer policies. The new cattle trade and slaughter rule would only deepen the crisis of the farmers, and people involved with the cattle and skin trades," he added.

Cow slaughter had so far been allowed in West Bengal, Kerala and parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim where a large section of people consume beef.
Mumbai: Soon after the release of the first half of SS Rajamoulis magnum opus  Baahubali: The Beginning released in 2015, Telugu superstar Prabhas became a household name. Since then, the hunks impending marriage has discussed a lot and rumours about the same continue to float even today.

The latest buzz that we have heard is that the Baahubali of Indian cinema may tie the nuptial knot with the granddaughter of an industrialist. It has been reported that the prospective brides parents have approached Prabhas family to fix the marital alliance.

According to a report in India.com, the family of Bhupathi Raja, chairman of Raasi cements are keen to get their daughter married to Indias latest heartthrob.

However, there has been no official announcement or confirmation yet!

Interestingly, it was also being believed that Prabhas is dating his onscreen ladylove  Anushka Shetty, who played Devasena in the SS Rajamouli directorial.

In fact, fans of this onscreen couple are so smitten by their chemistry that they want the duo to get married to each other in real life too!

Prabhas has remained extremely tight-lipped about his plans to get married but we are sure, the day this hunk decides to give up his bachelorhood, he would end up breaking a million hearts for sure!

Post the release of Baahubali: The Conclusion, female moviegoers have started nurturing the desire to have a life partner like Amarendra Baahubali, who epitomises an ideal husband.
New Delhi: Bollywood diva Katrina Kaif is keeping her Instagram family super happy and as a result, she is soon gaining a lot many followers every day. We are loving the fact that Kat keeps sharing new stills and pictures on Insta and Facebookmaking her reach out to her fans on social media.

Recently, she shared a still on Insta where we can see the close-up of gorgeous Katrina with a one-word caption which reads: 'Focused'. Well, she surely looks one in the picture shared.

A post shared by Katrina Kaif (@katrinakaif) on May 29, 2017 at 10:51pm PDT

Also, she shared one picture on Monday where she looks like a total free spirit beach babe.

A post shared by Katrina Kaif (@katrinakaif) on May 28, 2017 at 10:46pm PDT

Professionally, Kat is busy working on Ali Abbas Zafar's 'Tiger Zinda Hai' with Salman Khan. The film will be opening in theatres on Christmas this year.
Jaipur:) Six Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were injured on Tuesday morning when a mortar shell accidentally exploded during a training exercise at a field firing range here in Rajasthan. Two of the injured were in critical condition, an official said.



The incident took place around 8.30 a.m. at the Kishangarh firing range near the Pakistan border.



"Six of our troopers were injured when a 51 mm mortar shell exploded after a shortfall. Two of the injured are in critical condition," a BSF official said.



The injured were being treated at a hospital in Ramgarh while those critically injured were airlifted to the Army Hospital at Jodhpur, the official added.



In a similar accident in January, two BSF personnel died and three others, including a deputy commandant, were injured when an 81 mm mortar shell accidentally exploded at the same firing range.
Chennai: In an another case of cow vigilantes running amok, an Indian Institute of Technology (Madras) Ph.D. scholar was brutally thrashed by alleged right-wing students for organising a 'Beef Fest' in the campus.

The student, identified as R Sooraj, reportedly organised a beef fest in the IIT-Madras campus on Monday, attended by at least 50 students, to protest against the central's government recent ban on sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter at cattle markets.

During the attack, he suffered severe injuries and also sustained a serious fracture in his right eye.

An eye-witness told CNN-News18 that the attackers warned for more assaults in future and also issued death threats to all the beef eaters on the campus.

A media report said that the protesting students, who took part in the fest, belonged to the Progressive Students' Union of the IIT.

Earlier today, the Madras high Court granted a four-week stay on the central government's notification to ban the sale and purchase of cattle meant for slaughter purpose. The Madurai bench of the high court also directed the state and Government of Indian to file a reply on the issue within four weeks.

The new Central rule has drawn criticism in South, especially in Kerala, where a huge controversy started after some Youth Congress workers slaughtered an ox in public over the weekend.

The Congress suspended the workers and later party vice-president Rahul Gandhi condemned the incident, calling it a "thoughtless" and "barbaric" act.

The Left-led Kerala government has opposed the Central rule. Since the Central notification was issued, the CPM has held over 300 "beef festivals" across Kerala, where cooked beef was freely served.
Taipei: Computex Taipei, Asia`s largest computer fair, is presenting the latest in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), with the creation of a new section dedicated to this area of innovation.

More than 1,600 companies from 30 countries are participating in this year`s fair, which began on Tuesday, and visitor numbers exceeding 50,000 from 178 nations are expected, according to the President of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), Walter Yeh.

The fair, co-organised by TAITRA and the Taipei Computer Association (TCA), presents a new section for robotics and artificial intelligence, and another for start-ups, applications of the Internet of Things, solutions for companies, games and virtual reality, said TCA Deputy Secretary General Li Chang.

In addition to leading computer and robotics companies, including Intel, Microsoft, Apple, Dell, ARM, Foxconn and automaker Tesla, Computex 2017 has the participation of 217 emerging companies from around the world, Efe news reported.

One of these companies, Lai Yang Technology, is presenting its robot "Robelf", which specialises in caring for the elderly and children as well as responding to the needs of Taiwan`s average family, according to company sources.

The fair also includes important information technology forums and an exhibition on this sector, which will be open to the public from May 30 to June 3 at the Taipei World Trade Centre, Nangang Exhibition Centre and the International Convention Centre.
New Delhi: The national capital of India, Delhi is one of the places you must explore in your life.

Right from Qutub Minar to Lotus Temple, Humayun's Tomb to India Gate, Delhi is every tourists' dream place. Now since everyone is aware of the beautiful historical places to visit in Delhi, we want to share some not so conventional things you should enjoy in Delhi.

We bring you the top 5 must do things in Delhi to bring out the traveller in you.

Check it out!

The street food

Delhi is highly famous for its street food and if you ever find yourself here, you must try the variety of food that the city offers. From the numerous options of Momos to chole bhature , Dilli chaat and what not. You're trip to Delhi would be incomplete without the taste of street food. The best kinds you find in Amar Colony, Sarjoni Nagar and last but not the least - Paranthewali Gali in old Delhi's Chandani Chowk.

Visit the Hauz Khaz Fort

If you are an avid traveller you must visit not only the clubs in Hauz Khaz but also the Hauz Khaz Fort. It is every photographer's dream place and you can make your vacation pictures look more authentic. The Hauz Khaz Fort is a hub for photography and is also a nice place to spend time with family.

Travel in the Delhi Metro

When visiting Delhi, try to travel by the Delhi Metro and not by cabs. A Delhi trip without the experience of Delhi Metro is surely incomplete. Taking the metro instead of cabs and autos will not only be economical but also give you an insight to how the modern Delhi life operates.

Bangla Sahib

One of the most peaceful places in Delhi is the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, situated in the heart of the Connought place. Spend time in Bangla Sahib with your family and enjoy some quite time with delicious Prasad and Langar food. The beautiful gurudwara will surely make your trip to Delhi a hit.

Ditch the malls and enjoy street shopping

Instead of going to the malls and spending money on high-end brands, check out the variety of street shopping that Delhi is filled with. On your next trip to Delhi go to Sarojini Nagar, Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar market and Chandani Chowk Bazaar to experience the real and raw Delhi.
Shimla/Manali: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Nothing can describe the hospitality industry in Himachal Pradesh better than Newton's law of motion.

As the heat in the plains of northern India pulls tourists to the hills, they feel the heat of being fleeced everywhere.

Hotels, guesthouses and lodges have doubled their tariffs. Private taxi drivers and guides openly fleece the tourists by quoting high rates in this peak summer season, pinching the pockets of thousands of holidaymakers.

Sample this: In the picturesque tourist resort of Manali, for glimpses of a snowy landscape spread over the majestic Rohtang Pass, you should be ready to shell out an extremely high fare to hire a cab.

So it is in tourist spots near Shimla, such as honeymooners' paradise Kufri where each pony owner is virtually trying to poach you without paying any heed to your refusals. You will end up getting charged an exorbitant fare for a ride across the hilly terrain.

"We have been charged Rs 12,000 by a travel agent for arranging to and fro journey between Manali and Rohtang Pass. This is fleecing in the name of taking you close to snow cover," Samuel Mukherjee, a tourist from Kolkata, told IANS.

The actual fare of a luxury cab is Rs 6,000 while an ordinary one costs Rs 4,000.

His wife Sudeshna remarked: "We had no option but to listen to the taxi driver to avoid spoiling our vacation. There is no mechanism here to check abnormally high tariffs."

With only 1,200 taxi or private vehicle permits -- 800 petrol vehicles and the remaining diesel -- issued online daily on a first-come-first-served basis to visit the Rohtang Pass, some 52 km from Manali, taxi operators are charging two to three times more than the actual fare, reports say.

Added New Delhi-based banker Chinamaya Mehta: "I was looking for a luxury hotel in and around Shimla for four days. To my surprise, the room tariff of a luxury hotel in Shimla is around Rs 16,000, almost double the five-star hotels in Delhi and Mumbai."

He asked the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department to keep eye on hotel fares to check exorbitant pricing, especially when the tourism season is at its peak.

Ongoing protests in Jammu and Kashmir, which is scaring away tourists, and rising mercury in the plains have triggered a sudden surge in tourist footfalls in Himachal Pradesh.

Hill stations like Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda, Kasauli, Chail, Manali, Dalhousie, Palampur and Dharamsala are flooded with visitors.

According to various reports, there has been an increase of 30-35 percent in the tourist inflow to the state compared to last year.

Hundreds of touts, mostly Kashmiris, operate in the guise of potters in Shimla, the erstwhile summer capital of the Raj.

"If a tourist asks for a booking in a particular hotel, we try to convince him that the particular hotel is either unsafe for tourists or closed for renovation. We would take him to another hotel where we are offered hefty commissions," a tout admitted.

Saying he had received complaints against taxi operators for fleecing tourists in Manali, Subdivisional Magistrate H.R. Bhairwa said he had blacklisted 70 cabs over two weeks.

"In case they repeat the offence, their permits to ply private taxis will be cancelled permanently," he said.

A word of advice: Prefer to stay in state-run hotels.

"We charge fixed tariffs throughout the year. In this season, we are promoting some of our less-visited properties by offering special discounts of up to 25 percent," Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corp (HPTDC) General Manager Vijay Sharma told IANS.

In a first, the HPTDC, which has 59 properties in the state, has started a special package tour from Manali that will take the tourists at least for a day at Keylong in Lahaul Valley via snow-marooned Rohtang Pass in a deluxe bus.

Himachal Pradesh's economy is highly dependent on tourism, besides hydroelectric power and horticulture.

The state attracted 18.45 million tourists last year, which is 2.7 times its population, says the state's Economic Survey 2016-17.

According to the report, the state has 2,604 hotels with a bed capacity of 70,869 registered with the tourism department. In addition, there are 787 home-stay units with a provision of 2,137 rooms.
Lucknow): Before appearing in the CBI court here on Tuesday where charges will be framed against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in the Babri Masjid demolition case, party leader Vinay Katiyar assured that he will follow the rulings.

"I don`t want to say anything on this, court has to take the decision and we will follow it. The court has issued summons against us. We will appear before the court and will see what will happen," Katiyar told ANI.

Katiyar further trained his guns on Samajwadi Party Patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, Katariya said that the case should have been filed against him as he has already accepted his crimes."Nobody destroyed the Masjid, Mulayam Singh started the firing, and he himself has accepted that 16 people were killed.

He murdered them, he should be booked for it. Babri Masjid was not there, the place belongs to the Ram temple and even the High Court has passed the order," he said.

A special CBI court in Lucknow will frame charges today against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti in the Babri Masjid demolition case.The leaders will appear today before the Special CBI judge S K Yadav.

The court had also asked BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP`s Vishnu Hari Dalmia and Sadhvi Ritambara to present themselves before the court in person.

While directing the accused to present themselves in person, the judge had said no application for adjournment or exemption from personal appearance shall be entertained.

The court, which is hearing two separate cases relating to the demolition, would also frame charges against Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Baikunth Lal Sharma alias Prem Ji, Champat Rai Bansal, Mahant Dharma Das and Satish Pradhan in the second matter.

The Supreme Court had on April 19 ordered prosecution of Advani, Joshi, Uma Bharti, and other accused of criminal conspiracy in the politically sensitive case.

It had also ordered the day-to-day trial to be concluded in two years.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 apex 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 with the reasons for it; second, the trial judge hearing the case shall not be transferred till the judgement is delivered.
Lucknow: The special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Tuesday ordered framing of charges against Bharatiya Janata Party leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, and nine others in the Babri Masjid demolition case.



The charges will be framed under Section 120 B, criminal conspiracy.

Earlier, all the 12 accused had pleaded not guilty and had moved a `discharge application` rejecting the charges levelled against them.

Here are the UPDATES:

- The charges will be framed under Section 120 B, criminal conspiracy.

- Charges will be framed against all 12 accused including LK Advani, MM Joshi, and Uma Bharti

- CBI special court rejects applications of discharge moved by BJP stalwarts LK Advani, MM Joshi, Uma Bharti and three others in the Babri Masjid demolition case; framing of charges underway

- The court is now dictating the order on the discharge application.

- The defence counsel moves a "discharge application" in which the accused claimed not guilty in the December 1992 razing of the mosque at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

- All six were given bail on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 each by CBI Special Judge SK Yadav.

- Bail is also granted to BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, VHP's Vishnu Hari Dalmia and one-time Hindutva firebrand Sadhvi Ritambara.

- A special CBI court grants bail to BJP stalwarts LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti.

- BJP leader Vinay Katiyar and one-time Hindutva firebrand Sadhvi Ritambara also present themselves before the court in the politically sensitive case.

- Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu exudes confidence that the senior BJP leaders will come out unscathed in the CBI court hearing today.

- BJP stalwarts LK Advani, MM Joshi, Uma Bharti reach special CBI court in Lucknow in connection with Babri Masjid demolition case.

- Senior Hindutva leader Ram Vilas Vedanti, an accused in the case, says that he was among those who had pulled down the structure in Ayodhya. "I was one of those who had pulled down the dome of the disputed structure in Ayodhya," Vedanti, who is in Lucknow to appear before the special court in the Ayodhya case, tells reporters.

- BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj says "no power on Earth" could stop the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. The Babri Masjid versus Ram temple debate should be dropped now, he said, claiming that those who had opposed the construction of the temple were now Ram bhakts.

- The UP Chief Minister holds a meeting with Advani and other senior leaders.

- Yogi was waiting at the guest house for Advani along with other state leaders.

- The UP CM welcomes Advani with a bouquet of flowers as the former deputy prime minister stops at the VVIP guest house before leaving for the special court.

- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath meets senior BJP leader LK Advani who is in Lucknow to appear before a special CBI court in connection with a case relating to the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.

- Bharti rejects the charges of the opposition for conspiring in the matter. "It was an open protest, as it was during the time of emergency. What conspiracy was there in it I don't know," she adds.

- Union Minister Uma Bharti says she is not a 'criminal'. "It is the matter of God and in such a case I can only have expectations from him. Since I have taken part in it with devotion, I don't consider myself as a criminal."

- Katiyar trains his guns on Samajwadi Party Patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, saying that the case should have been filed against him as he has already accept his crimes. "Nobody destroyed the Masjid, Mulayam Singh started the firing, and he himself has accepted that 16 people were killed. He murdered them, he should be booked for it. Babri Masjid was not there, the place belongs to the Ram temple and even the High Court has passed the order," he says.

- BJP leader Vinay Katiyar assures that he will follow the rulings. "I don't want to say anything on this, court has to take the decision and we will follow it. The court has issued summons against us. We will appear before the court and will see what will happen," Katiyar tells news agency ANI.

- All the accused are facing charges of conspiring to bring down the mosque.

- Charges would also be framed against Sadhwi Ritambhara, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Vinay Katiyar and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Vishnu Hari Dalmia.

- Charges against six others accused in the matter - Mahant Ram Vilas Vedanti, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Baikunth Lal Sharma, Dharm Das, Champat Rai Bansal and Shiv Sena's Satish Pradhan, who were granted bail, will also be framed today.

- The leaders will appear today before the Special CBI judge S K Yadav.

- A special CBI court in Lucknow will on Tuesday frame charges against Bharatiya Janata Party leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti in the Babri Masjid demolition case.
WBCHSE Results 2017: Kolkata: The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education will on May 30, 2017, (Tuesday) declare the HS Result 2017/WBCHSE Class 12th Result 2017.

Log on to the official websites: wbchse.nic.in or wbresults.nic.in to check WB HS Result 2017/WB Class 12th Result 2017.

The West Bengal 12th Result 2017/West Bengal HS Result 2017 will be declared at 10:30 am.

West Bengal WBCHSE Class 12th HS Result 2017 declared, check wbchse.nic.in, wbresults.nic.in for grades

Steps to check WB 12th Class Result/WBCHSE 12th board result:

- Log on to the official websites: wbchse.nic.in or wbresults.nic.in

- Click on West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Examination-2017 tab

- Enter details like roll number and date of birth

- Click on `Submit`

- Check WBCHSE XII Result

- Take a printout of the result for future

Around eight lakh students appeared for the WB Class 12th exam 2017, which was held from March 15 to 19.
Kolkata: The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education will on May 30, 2017, (Tuesday) declare the WBCHSE Class 12th Result 2017/ West Bengal 12th Result 2017.

Students can log on to wbchse.nic.in or wbresults.nic.in to check WB Class 12th Result 2017/West Bengal 12th Result 2017.

The WB HS Result 2017 will be declared at 10:30 am.

West Bengal WBCHSE Class 12th HS Result 2017 declared, check wbchse.nic.in, wbresults.nic.in for grades

Steps to check West Bengal HS Result 2017/WB XII Result:

- Log on to the official websites: wbchse.nic.in or wbresults.nic.in

- Click on West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Examination-2017 tab

- Enter details like roll number and date of birth

- Click on `Submit`

- Check WBCHSE XII Result

Take a printout of the result for future

Around eight lakh students appeared for the WB Class 12th exam 2017, which was held from March 15 to 19.
Islamabad: Out of Pakistan's 64 banned outfits, 41 are operating openly on Facebook in the form of groups and individual user profiles, a media report said on Monday.

As per a probe carried out by Dawn news in April, the outfits` network, both interconnected and public, is a mix of Sunni and Shia sectarian or terrorism outfits, global terrorism organisations operating in Pakistan, and separatists in Balochistan and Sindh.

The names of all banned outfits - including acronyms and small variations in spelling - were searched on Facebook to find pages, groups, and user profiles that publicly "liked" a banned outfit.

In order of size, following are the outfits on the social network:

- Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) with 200 pages and groups

- Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) with 160

- Sipah-i-Sahaba (SSP) with 148

- Balochistan Students Organisation Azad (BSO-A) with 54

- Sipah-e-Muhammad with 45

Other banned outfits which exist on Facebook at a smaller scale include Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat, Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi, Jamat-ul-Ahrar, 313 Brigade, multiple Shia outfits and a host of Baloch separatist organisations.

"An examination of some user profiles linked to these banned outfits indicates open support of sectarian and extremist ideology," Dawn News said in its probe report.

A few of these profiles have also publicly "liked" pages and groups related to weapons use and training.

While some of the Facebook pages and groups claim to be "official" representatives of the outfits, others appear to be managed by members and supporters in ideological agreement.

"In general, the Facebook updates were in Urdu or Roman Urdu rather than English, suggesting the content was primarily for local consumption. A very small number were in Sindhi or Balochi, also indicating a niche target audience," the report added.

The report further said that most of the Facebook pages and groups glorify existing leaders or those killed while some banned outfits also campaign for the release of their activists or leaders.
Baghdad: The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a car bomb that killed at least 13 people and wounded about 30 in the early hours of Tuesday in a commercial street in central Baghdad, according to security sources.



The bombing targeted the Karrada district, which was hit by a massive truck bomb in July 2016 that killed at least 324 people, the deadliest attack in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion of the country in 2003.



The 2016 blast was also claimed by Islamic State.



Both bombings happened during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, during which people stay up late and many eat out to prepare for the fast the next day.



Islamic State`s Amaq news agency claimed Tuesday`s attack in Karrada, a mainly Shi`ite Muslim district.



The hardline Sunni group has been retreating in Iraq since the end of 2015 in the face of U.S.-backed government forces and Iranian-backed Shi`ite paramilitary groups.



It is now besieged in an enclave in the northern city of Mosul, which it has used as its de facto capital in Iraq. Islamic State declared a "caliphate" over parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014.
Washington: Relations between the US and Germany veered further toward crisis on Tuesday as President Donald Trump complained about the US trade deficit with Germany and said it must pay more for the NATO military alliance.

His censure follows a volley of criticism from Germany after the president concluded his first official tour abroad on Sunday, returning from Saudi Arabia, Israel, Brussels and then Italy for a G7 summit.

"We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO and military," Trump wrote on Twitter. "Very bad for US This will change."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel had made waves in Berlin on Sunday, warning that the United States and Britain may no longer be completely reliable partners.

"Transatlantic ties are of paramount importance to us... but the current situation gives more reasons for... Us to take our destiny in our own hands," she said, stressing that "Europe must become a player active in international affairs."

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel was blunter yesterday, slamming the US president's "short-sighted" policies that have "weakened the West" and hurt European interests.

During his trip, Trump rejected pressure from G7 allies to commit to abiding by the 2015 Paris climate accord and berated 23 of NATO's 28 members -- including Germany -- for "still not paying what they should be paying" toward the funding of the alliance.

Days earlier, in Saudi Arabia, Trump had presided over the single largest US arms deal in American history, worth USD 110 billion over the next decade and including ships, tanks and anti-missile systems.

Gabriel said yesterday that "anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk."

"The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union," he added, judging that "the West has become smaller, at least it has become weaker."

Germany's harsh words for Washington, traditionally a close ally, were highly unusual and came as relations have grown increasingly tenuous.

Merkel today repeated her call for Europe to take control of its own destiny, but also dismissed any talk that Germany is shifting away from its old ally and pivoting East.

Trump launched a salvo against German car exports to the United States last week, saying that "the Germans are bad, very bad" during a meeting with senior European officials in Brussels, the German weekly Der Spiegel reported.

He had begun attacking Germany and Merkel during his election campaign last year.

In keeping with his nationalist economic agenda, he hit out in particular at Germany's substantial trade surplus with the US, threatening to introduce customs duties in retaliation.

After a frosty meeting with Merkel in Washington in March - which he initially described as "GREAT" - he launched a diatribe the following day, accusing Germany of owing "vast sums of money" to NATO and the United States.

For her part, Merkel had called on Trump after his election to uphold the values of Western democracy following a divisive presidential campaign.
Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday downplayed suggestions that her bid to further develop relations with India and China was a signal that Berlin and the EU were moving away from their traditional allies in London and Washington.

Merkel was hosting a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when she was asked whether Germany was looking towards Asia to develop relations, following her comments on Sunday that "Europe could no longer rely on the US and Britain", reports Efe.

"Our trans-Atlantic relationship is of the utmost importance," Merkel said.

"What I said recently is due to the fact that, in the face of the present circumstances, we have additional reasons for us to realise that we have to take our fate into our hands in Europe."

Merkel caused a media stir when she described last week's summit of G7 leaders as "unsatisfactory", adding based on what she had experienced during the two-day discussion with other world powers, "Europeans would have to fight for their own future."

Expounding her answer in Berlin on Tuesday, Merkel continued by saying that US relations would retain the utmost importance irrespective of the Indo-German and German-Chinese talks which, she added, began a long time ago.

Traditional relations between Brussels and Washington have been tested since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who had raised eyebrows in the EU with his criticism of NATO and his reticence to back the Paris accord climate change deal.

On Tuesday, shortly after Merkel's meeting with Modi, Trump used his Twitter to warn Berlin: "We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO and military. Very bad for US. This will change."
Mosul: Iraqi forces pressed forward with an offensive against jihadist-held areas of Mosul as the United Nations warned of the grave danger to civilians in the final stages of the battle.



More than seven months into the massive operation to recapture Mosul from the Islamic State group, Iraqi forces have retaken the city`s East and large parts of its western side, but the jihadists are putting up tough resistance in areas they still hold.



"Our units are continuing to advance... and entered Al-Saha al-Oula and Al-Zinjili and Al-Shifaa neighbourhoods and the Republican Hospital," said Joint Operations Command spokesman Yahya Rasool on Monday.



IS was using "explosives-rigged vehicles and snipers and suicide bombers" to target Iraqi forces, he told AFP.



Meanwhile, in Baghdad, a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged vehicle overnight at a popular ice cream shop, killing at least eight people and wounding 30 others, security officials said early Tuesday.



The Islamic State group-linked Amaq propaganda agency said the suicide bomber targeted a "gathering of Shiites".



IS considers members of Iraq`s Shiite Muslim majority to be heretics and frequently carries out attacks against them.



The bomber struck just days after the start of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, during which Iraqis often stay out late shopping or socialising after breaking their daily fast.The Joint Operations Command said Monday that Iraqi aircraft had dropped leaflets over Mosul urging residents to leave IS-held areas -- the second time this has been done within the past week.



This is the opposite of the strategy Iraqi forces employed in east Mosul, where they urged civilians to stay in their homes and may encourage even more people to leave.



"In the past several weeks, 160,000 civilians have fled, and our expectation is that, because of this order (from the government), we could be seeing a similar number of civilians flee in coming days," Lise Grande, the UN`s humanitarian coordinator in Iraq, told AFP.



"Altogether, since the start of Mosul, 760,000 civilians have left their homes, and we are looking at the possibility of another 200,000 civilians leaving," she said.



Of the 760,000 civilians who have fled, some 150,000 have since returned home, leaving more than 600,000 currently displaced.



"We are deeply concerned that right now, in the last final stages of the campaign to retake Mosul, that the civilians... in (IS) areas are probably at grave risk now than at any other stage of the campaign," said Grande.



She said that the UN estimates there are between 180,000 and 200,000 civilians in jihadist-held areas of Mosul, the majority of them in the Old City area.



The area -- a warren of closely spaced buildings and narrow streets -- has posed a significant challenge to Iraqi forces, which have surrounded it with a large number of civilians trapped inside.



"The Old City has been blockaded for a while, completely from the south and now our units are present on the north and west," Rasool said. The area`s eastern side is bordered by the Tigris River.



According to information received by the UN from families who have managed to flee, conditions in IS-held Mosul are increasingly dire.



"We understand that medicines are very scarce, that there are severe shortages of safe drinking water, that there are very limited stocks of food. We also are aware that families which try to escape are often targeted by snipers," Grande said.



"You have an enclosed area, you have fighters which are determined to hold out, the civilians are in many ways trapped in that area, there haven`t been re-supplies into the Old City for months," she said.



The battle for Mosul has taken a heavy toll on civilians, pushing hundreds of thousands to flee, while hundreds more have been killed or wounded.
Tokyo/Beijing: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe`s top security adviser has urged China to play a bigger role in restraining North Korea`s nuclear and missile development programmes, Japan`s foreign ministry said in a statement.



National security adviser Shotaro Yachi made the remarks in a meeting near Tokyo with China`s top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, on Monday, the same day that North Korea conducted the latest in a quick succession of missile tests.



Pyongyang`s official KCNA news agency said on Tuesday a new ballistic missile controlled by a precision guidance system had been tested and that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had ordered the development of more powerful strategic weapons.



Yachi told Yang during five hours of discussion that North Korea`s actions had reached a new level of provocation.



"Japan and China need to work together to strongly urge North Korea to avoid further provocative actions and obey things like United Nations resolutions," Yachi was quoted as telling Yang, urging China to take on a bigger role.



They also discussed regional issues of concern, with China`s foreign ministry saying in a statement that Yang told Japan it should view China`s development as an opportunity, not a threat, and that it should deal with issues like the South China Sea and Taiwan cautiously and keep its word.



China, the world`s second-largest economy, and Japan, the third-largest, have a difficult political history, with ties strained by the legacy of Japan`s World War Two aggression and conflicting claims over a group of uninhabited East China Sea islets.



Beijing is also suspicious about Tokyo`s stance on the disputed South China Sea and over self-ruled Taiwan, once a Japanese colony and claimed by China as its own.



Yang said relations were currently at an important juncture with both new opportunities and outstanding challenges, China`s Foreign Ministry said late on Monday.



He called on Japan to speak and act cautiously on the South China Sea and to play a constructive role as relevant countries in the region are making efforts to solve the issue properly.



However, the Chinese statement made no mention of North Korea.
Pyongyang: North Korea on Tuesday accused the US of making a grave military provocation by sending a formation of B-1B nuclear strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula for a second time in weeks.

The formation flew over South Korea "once again to stage a nuclear bomb dropping drill" on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The formation of B-1B took off from Guam at the dawn of the day and flew over the 80 km of the east of Kangrung on the East Sea of Korea near the Military Demarcation Line," the report said.

"It frantically staged a joint drill making a precision strike against North Korea's major targets together with pursuit and assault planes on the nuclear aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, which is conducting a joint naval drill with the puppet navy on the East Sea of Korea," it said.

This was the second time for B-1B bombers to stage a nuclear bomb dropping drill in South Korea within several weeks, according to North Korean officials.
Moscow: A top Russian diplomat has complained about "the threat of leaks" from the White House to the media, saying it hampers cooperation between Russia and the United States.

Speaking to Russian news agencies today, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, "You don't know what's going to happen tomorrow: maybe you'll see what you discussed with your counterpart on the pages of Washington Post or on CNN."

Ryabkov did not elaborate, but added that the communication with the Trump administration is currently "on the basic level" because he "wouldn't tell my counterparts in Washington what I wouldn't be able to tell you."

Ryabkov's comments came several days after top White House adviser Jared Kushner faced allegations that he tried to create back-channel communications with Russia.
Bangkok: A British journalist faces jail time after he was arrested at Thailand's main airport with a gas mask and plates for a bullet-proof vest, which police said today breached a law that classifies the protective gear as war weapons.

Anthony Cheng, who works for Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, was detained at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport Monday night on his way to report in the war-torn Iraqi city of Mosul where troops are battling the Islamic State group.

Gas masks and ballistic vests, which are frequently used by reporters around the world, are classified as war weapons in Thailand and require a licence.licence.

Violating the legislation is punishable by up to five years in jail.

"A British national was arrested and charged with illegal possession of war weapons last night at the airport," airport policeman Somchart Maneerat told AFP Tuesday. His German coworker was also detained, the officer said.

Media groups have repeatedly criticised the Thai law and say journalists should not be punished for carrying body armour and protective gear in and out of dangerous zones.criticised the Thai law and say journalists should not be punished for carrying body armour and protective gear in and out of dangerous zones.

Late yesterday Cheng posted a photo on Facebook of the airport detention cell where he was held overnight.

The plates and gas mask were "for use in Mosul where ISIS are well documented to be using gas," he wrote.Mosul where ISIS are well documented to be using gas," he wrote.

"I was unaware either of those things were classified as 'war weapons'".

Attempts over the years to amend the legislation have fallen on deaf ears, despite Thailand's own history of deadly street protests and a festering Muslim insurgency in the far south.

"Journalists who feel they need to carry this stuff need to inform or contact the concerned authorities prior to travelling," junta spokesman Major General Werachon Sukhonhapatipak told AFP.

In August 2015 a Hong Kong photographer was charged with violating the law for carrying a bullet-proof vest and helmet while covering a deadly bombing in Bangkok. A Thai court later dropped the case.

During Thailand's regular bouts of often violent street protests, both demonstrators and journalists have donned ballistic vests and helmets, largely without falling foul of police.

Two foreign reporters were killed by gunfire while covering the worst round of political unrest in 2010.
YEREVAN, MAY 29, ARMENPRESS. Numerous medals, certificates of appreciation, words of gratitude from high-ranking officials, militaries of Armenia and other countries: the path passed by the Armenian Armed Forces peacekeepers is marked with high level of appreciation.

Commander of the Peacekeeping Brigade of the Armenian Armed Forces, Major General Artur Simonyan told a press conference in Armenpress that during their missions Armenian peacekeepers have always been distinguished with high level of preparedness: and this is not coincidential, it is a result of everyday hard work.

The Peacekeeping Brigade of the Armenian Armed Forces participates in implementation of all issues of the Armed Forces and carries out peacekeeping mission in other states, in accordance with the UN requirements.

The Armenian peacekeepers carried out their missions in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and etc. since 2004.

We have received words of gratitude from numerous foreign partners. Our first military group discovered unexploded ammunition in the area of airport of the Afghan city of Kunduz. In that same airport our troops found two internationally wanted Afghans. Later it was revealed that they were terrorists. They were exploring the airport territory to find possible ways for carrying out terror attack, Simonyan said.

Artur Simonyan informed that the NATO partners want to increase the number of peacekeepers.

Our NATO partners are interested that we have 3 battalions to conduct the mission in shifts. The process of equipping with technique, weapon is not over yet, it is in process, Simonyan said.

Currently 65 Armenian troops carry out peacekeeping mission in Afghanistans Mazar-i-Sharif city, 56 in the capital Kabul, 40 in Kosovo, and 32 in Lebanon.

Artur Simonyan added that the Armenian peacekeepers are going to participate in large-scale military exercises in Germany and Kazakhstan. He said military exercises will be held also in Armenia.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. The number of injured in Moscow's May 29 storm reaches nearly 170 according to latest data by healthcare officials of the Russian capital.

13 people were killed and many were injured in Moscow and the Moscow Region, including 17 children, as result of Mondays storm, according to a report by the All-Russian Center of Disaster Medicine, RT reports.

The storm uprooted trees and tore the roofs off buildings.

Earlier, the Moscow Health Department reported that at least 50 people had suffered injuries linked to the storm in Moscow alone. The number of those applying for medical assistance in its aftermath continues to rise, it said.

There are casualties as a result of the storm, more than 40 people applied for medical attention. My condolences to the relatives and loved ones of those who died, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin tweeted earlier.

The mayor added that the authorities were taking the necessary measures to deal with aftermath of the disaster.

Moscows Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo airports have cancelled 13 flights and delayed 33 others due to the bad weather.

According to air traffic control, the storm did not require any planes arriving at the airports to switch to a reserve airfield, with all aircraft landing routinely in the capital.

Earlier, the Emergencies Ministry issued a warning, saying that heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, and gusts of wind reaching 17-22 meters per second were expected in the capital from noon Monday until Tuesday morning.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments Hovhannes Azizyan on May 29 held a meeting with President of Arton Capital company Armand Arton, Vice-President on Business Development Emil Shahmooradian, as well as a number of representatives of companys expert group, the Ministry told Armenpress.

They arrived in Armenia at the invitation of International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) which carries out Support to Migration and Border Management EU-funded project in Armenia.

Welcoming the guests, the Deputy Minister said Armenias government attaches importance to improving the investment environment, the legislative field, promoting investments, mainly, foreign direct investments in the countrys economy, creation of new jobs, strengthening the countrys competitive advantages and the steps ensuring economic development based on this, adding that the development of the abovementioned strategy can become an impetus for attracting investments in Armenia.

Hovhannes Azizyan also attached importance to the role and experience of Arton Capital company on studying the international experience in that field which can be very useful to develop more effective model for Armenia.

At the meeting a number of issues relating to procedures on granting citizenship, their deadlines, selection of more appropriate model for Armenia were discussed.




YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Germanys Social-Democratic Party (SPD) will discuss the issue of withdrawing the German troops from the Turkish Incirlik Air Base during the factions session at the parliament on May 30, DPA reports.

The party will adopt a decision on withdrawing the German troops from Incirlik based on the session result. This decision is going to be a clear message to Turkey the recent actions of which resulted in tense Turkish-German relations.

Niels Annen, the partys foreign affairs spokesman, told one of the German newspapers that they cannot allow the Turkish government to continue that game.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Sergey Avetisyan, head of the general department of civil aviation of Armenia, and H.E. Ashot Smbatyan  Armenian Ambassador to Germany, held a meeting on May 30 with Roland Schutz  CIO of Lufthansa Group, Rene Kojinzak  chief commercial manager for Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia and Armenia, and Novika Mrkovicm Austrian Airlines representative in Yerevans Zvartnots Airport.

Avetisyan briefed the executives on the ongoing business environment improvement projects in Armenia for airlines. The aviation chief also highlighted the EU-Armenia comprehensive air transportation agreement, which will have important impact on enhancing flight operations of Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines to Armenia.

The guests thanked for active cooperation, and mentioned that they will study the Armenian market for carrying out wider operations, as well as they will discuss launching daytime flights also.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. CIS heads of states' Council session is planned to be held in Sochi in October, CIS Executive Committee Chairman Sergei Lebedev told reporters, TASS reported.

The regular session of the Council of the CIS heads of states is planned to be held in Sochi on October 11, Lebedev said.

He said considering the desires of the administrations of heads of CIS states, the most important issues for countries will be presented at the session.

Lebedev also informed that the Council session of the CIS Foreign Ministers will be held on October 10 in Sochi.

He stated that the Council session of heads of CIS governments which was held in Kazan on May 26 was productive, constructive and with positive result.

Sergey Lebedev said the CIS will continue the work on deepening the economic and humanitarian cooperation.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan on May 30 hosted the delegation led by Chairman of the Central Board of Ramgavar Azatakan/ Democratic Liberal Party Sergio Nahapetian, press service of the Government told Armenpress.

The PM attached importance to the partys activity in strengthening Armenia-Diaspora ties and maintaining Armenian identity in Diaspora. Karen Karapetyan said the Government is interested in engagement of potential of all Armenians in the reforms aimed at boosting investments, improving business environment, and his message addressed to Diaspora-Armenians was directed for that purpose.

On behalf of the party Sergio Nahapetian expressed readiness to support implementing the Armenian Governments programs and reforms, as well as solving vital issues.

The sides exchanged views on issues related to Armenia-Diaspora cooperation, preservation of Armenian identity, strengthening ties with Fatherland, development of Armenia and Artsakh.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has always been in favor of meetings with Azerbaijan on both foreign ministerial and presidential levels, and if the condition matures and works are done for organization, a meeting will be possible to be held, Armenias foreign minister Edward Nalbandian told a joint press conference with OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier.

The Armenian FM reminded that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs will visit the region during the next ten days. If the necessity and proposal happen, perhaps we will also discuss the issue of further meetings. I believe currently we can speak only about a ministerial meeting, in order for relevant work to be carried out for organizing a presidential meeting in the future also, Naldandian said.

Edward Nalbandian also commented on the recent statement of Azerbaijani president, when Aliyev said the Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be settled based on the principle of territorial integrity.

I treat this kind of statements the same way I treat other claims stating that supposedly Azerbaijan is a global multicultural center, which respects all fundamental freedoms, human rights and is a tolerant country, which can serve as an example to other countries and other similar absurd claims, Nalbandian said.

Nalbandian reminded that the international community and the Co-Chairs have numerously said that the issue must be solved based on the three well-known principles, which are one whole: non-use of force or threat of force, self-determination right and territorial integrity, as well as the elements which are in the well-known five statements of the presidents of Co-Chairing countries.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. The Parliament will ratify or cancel its international agreements by law rather than by the decision of the Parliament, reports Armenpress.

The Parliament discusses the draft law on making changes in the Law on International agreements.

Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan said the changes are connected with the provision of 2015 Constitution according to which the Parliament ratifies or cancels its international agreements by law.

The provisions in the draft presented by the Government are regulated which will enable the Parliament to ratify or cancel its international agreements by respective law rather than by the decision of the Parliament. The respective legislative initiatives right belongs to Government. The Government will present the legislative initiative, and the Government representative will present the respective agreement to MPs, Shavarsh Kocharyan said.

He added that the presented draft law also solved another issue. The Deputy FM informed that currently more than 30 international agreements are included in the Parliaments agenda. As according to the Constitution and the Parliaments rule of procedure those agreements must be ratified by law, the government must submit drafts of respective decisions to the Parliament within a month, the Deputy FM said.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. French Days of Medicine will be held in Armenia on July 6-8, French Ambassador to Armenia H.E. Jean-Francois Charpentier told a press conference in Armenpress.

The event has a commercial approach. French healthcare companies will meet with their Armenian partners. The companies will be linked with production of medical equipment, pharmaceutics. Although the event is commercial-oriented, it will not hinder to hold new meetings, establish new contacts, as well as find further cooperation ways during those days, the Ambassador said.

The event is organized by Business France company and the Armenian Healthcare Ministry.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. After completing the agenda of the final session of Yerevan City Councils sitting, the Mayors advisor briefly presented the 2nd convocation City Councils report.

In the period of 2013-2017, 52 City Council sessions were convened, 743 decisions were passed with 722 being completed and only 21 still in process.

Prior to finishing the 2nd convocation City Councils operations, Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan thanked all City Council members for the joint work during the past 4 years.

On behalf of the Yerevan City Hall, I thank all of you for the joint work, which was really effective. I also thank all media for covering the discussions and works of the 2nd convocation Yerevan City Council during the past 4 years. Good luck to all of us, and I wish productive work to the 3rd convocation City Council, Margaryan said.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. The closure of OSCE Yerevan Office is only the closure of one chapter and opening of new paths to work together, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier said at a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in Yerevan on May 30, reports Armenpress.

I am here because unfortunately we couldnt reach consensus on the continuous activity of the Office. I am here to talk to the staff and organize the process of closure. Unfortunately, we have to complete the works with Armenia, however, there are many important topics in the agenda. We need to find different formats for working together and to assure that closure of the Office is the closure of only one chapter. The OSCE will continue assisting Armenia in elections. There are important programs relating to cooperation with the OSCE or other international organizations, and we are going to continue following them. I want to thank the Armenian Government for good cooperation and state that we will continue working on that paths, the OSCE Secretary General highlighted.

Asked about Azerbaijans role in the closure of the Yerevan Office and the OSCEs non-response to that countrys unconstructive behavior, Lamberto Zannier said: You know that OSCE operates by consensus and it doesnt blame any country that violated the consensus, that didnt join the consensus. But, of course, I personally regret that the mission will not continue, and I must say that we need to try to find ways to continue the works done here.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenia and Kazakhstan develop good relations in the Eurasian Economic Union, Kazakhstans Ambassador to Armenia H.E. Timur Urazayev told reporters ahead of the 2nd conference of experts entitled Eurasian Integration and Prospects: Potential and Opportunities for EU and Third Countries on May 30, reports Armenpress.

It is necessary to understand that there is cooperation of all member states, rather than of two states in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and there are common rules in the EAEU which are followed by all member states, Timur Urazayev said, adding that the conflict of interests of the EAEU member states must be gradually solved.

The Ambassador doesnt agree that the cooperation of the EAEU member states with the EU and third countries can create controversies.

It is also necessary to cooperate outside EAEU, this will enable to enter new market, therefore, isolation will not lead to any positive change, he said, adding that these cooperation prospects are going to be discussed at the conference.

Todays conference will focus on the Eurasian Economic Unions prospects, and most importantly, the cooperation opportunities with the EU and third countries, as well as it will try to find optimal options to solve economic, investment, financial and other issues in the EAEU. Our goal is that every citizen understands which are the EAEUs advantages, what problems exist and etc, the Kazakh Ambassador stated.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenia states for the record that a situation is maturing when OSCE  having international mediation mandate, should not only make statements but also actions to restrain Azerbaijans unconstructive policy, Armenias FM Edward Nalbandian said during a joint press conference with OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier.

The Co-Chairs pointed out that it was Azerbaijan who breached the ceasefire and opened fire. Azerbaijan was opposing the introduction of investigative mechanisms in order to not allow the Co-Chairs or relevant participants of the mechanism to point out who is violating the ceasefire and who is opening fire. While this was obvious even without a mechanism, and this was shown by the statement which the Co-Chairing countries made, Nalbandian said.

The FM mentioned that this wasnt the first addressed statement, similar statements were made by the OSCE Minsk Group numerously  urging Azerbaijan not to escalate the situation in the region, reaffirm commitment to the peaceful solution of the conflict and refrain from transferring it to another format.

Yes, statements were made numerously, however Azerbaijan continues to not only ignore, but rather do the very opposite, he said.

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors Igor Popov of Russia, Stephane Visconti of France, and Richard Hoagland of the United States of America, released a statement on May 18 on the May 15 Azerbaijani missile launch in the line of contact.

The statement namely said According to information collected from multiple reliable sources, on 15 May, Azerbaijani armed forces fired a missile across the Line of Contact, striking military equipment.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. President of Poland Andrzej Duda announced during his visit to Tbilisi that his country supports Georgia on its integration way to NATO, RIA Novosti reports.

Andrzej Duda is expected to have meetings with Georgias Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze.

I agree with NATO statements that its doors are always open. NATO is not an aggressive alliance, it is always defending alliance. Georgia always is in NATOs spotlight, and it is a stable partner of the alliance. I warmly support Georgias membership to NATO, the Polish President said at a joint press conference with President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili.

According to him, joining NATO is a difficult process. I want to emphasize that Georgia will definitely become a member of the alliance, Andrzej Duda said.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Defense minister Vigen Sargsyan had a meeting on May 30  the second day of his official visit  with President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades.

The Cypriot president welcomed that Armenian delegation and expressed conviction that it will boost the enhancing of Armenian-Cypriot cooperation, which is anchored on centuries long friendship.

Vigen Sargsyan thanked for the warm reception and briefed President Anastasiades on the details of his talks with Cyprus defense minister, and mentioned the directions where the defense ministries of the two countries can cooperate.

The Cypriot president appreciated the role of the Armenian community, which has harmoniously integrated itself into the public life of Cyprus, at the same time preserving its culture, language and religious identity. At the request of the Armenian Defense Minister, President Anastasiades presented the latest developments over the Cyprus issue.

The Nagorno Karabakh conflict was also discussed during the meeting. Vigen Sargsyan thanked the Cypriot President for the constructive and consistent stance in the Artsakh issue.

The sides both agreed that great potential exists for the development of partnership between the two countries, which must be used.

On the same day, minister Sargsyan had a meeting with Demetris Syllouris, president of Cyprus Parliament.

Syllouris welcomed Sargsyans delegation and highlighted the visit, mentioning that historical friendly ties must be enriched with practical steps too.

Mentioning the 2015 Armenian Constitutional changes referendum, Vigen Sargsyan notified that Armenia is transitioning to a parliamentary administration system, where the role of the Parliament will drastically increase. In this context, according to Sargsyan, cooperation of inter-parliamentary groups are even more highlighted, as well as partnership of parliamentary delegations in international platforms, which will make resisting common political challenges more effective through joint efforts. Issues related to both the Cypriot and Artsakhi conflicts were also discussed.

Later on the same day, Vigen Sargsyan also met with Cyprus foreign minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

The Cypriot FM mentioned the ages long friendship of the two peoples as an important prerequisite for deepening the Armenian-Cypriot partnership. Kasoulides also highlighted the Armenian communitys factor, which has fully integrated itself into the social-political life of Cyprus, by preserving its national identity.

According to the Cypriot FM, defense minister Sargsyans visit can be a powerful signal for deepening the Armenian-Cypriot relations, namely in the defense sector.

Ioannis Kasoulides recalled his Armenia visits with warmth.

The Armenian defense minister thanked for the warm reception of the Cypriot side and presented the details of his talks. Sargsyan mentioned that modern challenges force to combine powers for effectively resisting them.

According to Sargsyan, the formation of new tension hotbeds, is inadmissible and is fraught with unpredictable consequences.

In this context, according to the minister, the combination of efforts of countries having common interests is being more emphasized and the development of effective dialogue.

The Artsakh and Cyprus conflicts were also discussed.

In the Cypriot FMs belief, it is wrong to draw parallels between these two issues, because unlike Northern Cyprus, which is occupied by Turkey, Artsakh is the historic land of Armenians, they have always lived there, fought for their security and declared independence.

Vigen Sargsyan thanked the Cypriot FM for the clear and consistent stance in the NK conflict, and mentioned that it is extremely important for Armenia.
YEREVAN, 30 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 30 May, USD exchange rate down by 0.09 drams to 481.70 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.06 drams to 537.87 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.01 drams to 8.52 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.51 drams to 619.13 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 3.66 drams to 19591.85 drams. Silver price down by 0.05 drams to 267.77 drams. Platinum price down by 2.78 drams to 14883.02 drams.
YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Two ISIS car bombs killed at least 27 people and wounded dozens more in Baghdad streets packed with crowds preparing for the Ramadan fast, Armenpress reports, citing The Independent.

The first car bomb was detonated outside a popular ice cream shop just after midnight, killing at least 15 and wounded 27 in the commercial Karrada district, police and health officials said. A few hours later, a second explosives-laden car went off during rush hour near the state-run Public Pension Office near the al-Shahada (Martyrs') Bridge in the busy Shawaka district, killing at least 12 and wounding 23 more, a police officer said.

The attacks came just days into the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast during daylight. After sunset, families break their fast and Baghdad's restaurants and cafes quickly fill up with people staying up long into the night to prepare for the next day's fast.

Isis claimed for both attacks in the mainly Shia district through its Amaq news agency.
1 injured as RJPN cadres clash with police in Saptari

A person was injured when the cadres of agitating Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) clashed with police personnel in Rajbiraj of Saptari on Tuesday.
SAN FRANCISCOAs award-winning adult retailer Good Vibrations celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, the staff is sharing statistics from its recent sex survey.

Of 375 people surveyed, 30 percent said they learned about vibrators by watching porn. Almost 70 percent stated that they prefer vibrators that offer clitoral stimulation and more than 50 percent prefer using a wand type vibrator. Sixty percent of respondents confirmed they use a vibrator during solo and partnered sex. As for favorite location for vibrator use, 93 percent said in bed and more than 40 percent prefer when a partner uses it on them while more than 60 percent prefer vibrator use during partnered sex.

Eighteen percent of respondents prefer vibrating cock ring type vibrators and 35 percent prefer G-spot stimulation. The most important thing about a vibrator to people? Not just affordable price, but overwhelmingly body safe materials is the No. 1 priority to people surveyed. (Good Vibrations does not sell any product containing phthalates, the chemical softeners that raised concerns about toxicity in plastics.)

Good Vibrations founded International Masturbation Month in 1995 in the wake of the controversy surrounding the firing of former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, who evoked conservative wrath when she stated that discussion of masturbation might have a place in sex education curricula. Realizing that one simple, sensible mention of solo pleasuring was enough to lose this prominent womanthe countrys first African-American surgeon generalher job convinced Good Vibrations staff that this most basic and accessible form of sex needed a serious image boost. Since that time others have followed suit and helped Good Vibrations spread the word.

We have been talking to people about sex for 40 years and we know a thing or two about vibrators- says Jackie Rednour-Bruckman, Good Vibrations executive vice president. Pleasure should be celebrated and we invite everyone to stop by our stores and see what all the fun is about.

For more, visit GoodVibes.com.
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Bath Cake Company has been awarded with the PME Professional Diploma UK and Ireland Award of Excellence 2016 as part of PMEs Wall of Honour 2016.

The accolade was presented to Bath Cake Company for its outstanding contributions on all levels where the PME Professional Diploma courses are concerned.

The PME Professional Diploma and Masters Certificate consists of three diploma courses  PME Sugarpaste, PME Sugar Flowers and PME Royal Icing.

At the end of each course, a student is awarded with a PME Diploma Certificate, and if they go on to complete all three, they will also receive their PME Professional Masters Certificate.

Celia Adams, managing director of Bake Cake Company, said she was proud to have been awarded for the business efforts in teaching the PME Diploma courses and Masters Certificate.

Weve been teaching these highly sought-after courses for over three years, and its wonderful to have been recognised by PME themselves for the work we have done, Adams said. I couldnt recommend the courses more  theyre perfect for people looking to better their cake decorating skills and those looking to start their own cake business.

She added: We have both beginner to advanced students who attend and everyone comes away having learnt something new and with more confidence in their skills. As well as learning sugarcraft techniques, each course includes discussing basic business guidelines for setting up a cake business.

Bath Cake Companys Decorating School opened at the beginning of 2014 and is home to the south wests largest range of cake decorating classes.
Britains biggest crisp brand, Walkers, is rebranding its Oven Baked range to highlight its 50% less fat element.

In addition to the revamp, Walkers has extended its Oven Baked crisps and Crispy Cracker ranges.

Available as a multi-pack format at retailers, convenience outlets and wholesalers nationwide for 1.80, the new Oven Baked Roasted Chicken & Thyme flavour crisps will broaden the appeal of the range, according to Walkers.

Meanwhile, the company has extended its Crispy Crackers range into a multipack format, as well as adding new flavour Italian Herb to grocery, convenience and wholesale channels for 1.65.

Walkers added that the new Oven Baked packs will highlight the less fat element while delivering the same taste.

In January 2017, Walker rolled out a new premium Mediterranean range.
Two Sides Of War (All Wars)

All wars are planned by older men

In council rooms apart,

Who call for greater armament

And map the battle chart.



But out along the shattered field

Where golden dreams turn gray,

How very young the faces were

Where all the dead men lay.



Portly and solemn in their pride,

The elders cast their vote

For this or that, or something else,

That sounds the martial note.



But where their sightless eyes stare out

Beyond life's vanished toys,

I've noticed nearly all the dead

Were hardly more than boys



by Henry Grantland Rice 1880-1954





Rest easy boys, smoke em if you got em.

I'll take it from here. - Bobby Tony





The following perished in Tay Ninh Province



From the Wall (Vietnam War Memorial):



4 APRIL 1968



Richard Call, panel 47E line 059

Heinrich Gerstheimer, panel 48E line 003

Tommy Knapp, panel 48E line 006

Lawrence Osborne, panel 48E line 008

David Rosenberger, panel 48E line 010

David Schultz, panel 48E line 010





5 APRIL 1968



Rafael Martinez-Santiago, panel 48E line 018

Robert Thompson, panel 48E line 021

May 25, 2015

May 28, 2016 Update

4 MARCH 1968

Edward August Schultz,, Panel 42 line 72

Hey guys, you may have already met Eddy but if not look him up. He is just a few panels down from you. Eddy served with you in Company C 2nd,12th, 25 Infantry Division. Here is his address

May 28, 2016

May 28, 2017 Update

2 April 1945



Charles J. Righini

Hey guys, his name is not on the wall with you but just cross the field at the end of that reflection pool there is a monument to him and his comrades from a previous war. Like you, he is now forever 22 years old. If you see him around the area, let him know that he too has not been forgotten. His name is Charles Righini but you may call him Paisan.

May 28, 2017

May 28, 2018 Update

I provide this update as an example of the long range effects of war deaths on their loved ones.

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of my year in Vietnam. I have alluded to that in a few articles here on BCN. Here is the most recent. I may have found the closure I have been looking for on two long lost fallen brothers.

In January of this year (2018) I received an email from the old girl friend of my comrade Ozzy. Listed above. She indicated that she found my contact information on The Wall USA Memorial page.

"My name is XXXX and I was Larry's girl friend way back in 1968. Many years have passed but I have not forgotten him either. I watched the PBS special on the Vietnam war, as I always do when any program or pictures surface with hopes that I could see Larry's face. What a horrible time in our lives. I don't know what possessed me but I did some research and found your post from 2010 (you will never be forgotten); how heartening it was to see. Just thought I would let you know. I hope you are doing well."

I responded and asked for her address as I had additional pictures of OZZY I would like to forward to her. After receiving her address I prepared a package of 8x10 pictures of OZZY and included the plaque that has been in my front entrance for many years honoring his sacrafice.

In a short letter I gave her a few memories of OZZY and included the paragraph.

"For many years, the acknowledgement of April 4, 1968 was just a private observance. In recent years, that proved to be insufficient. My daughter was in Washington a few years back and brought back a rubbing of the names. I decided to dedicate a wall in my house as a memorial to the memory of Ozzy and Rosey. I have displayed that on the wall at the entrance foyer. I know that every soldier that died there left a hole in someone's heart back home. My pledge was to remember that in the best of times in my life, there were those who did not have the benefit of living a long and peaceful life after Vietnam. With that in mind, I am sending you the plaque that has been on my wall for many years. It is proper that on the 50th year anniversary of Ozzy's death, someone who was close to him before he left for that war have what has been my pleasure to honor on a yearly basis. Perhaps, this will provide you with some of the solace it has provided me for many years. I do know that even thought I pass on this cenotaph; the memory of Ozzy's friendship will remain with me until I too pass on. You may use this plaque as you choose, and if you wish to donate it to a suitable location, I suggest either a library or the high school where Ozzy attended before his service."

That left only one additional personal plaque on my wall. That of Rosey, also listed above. In April of this year (2018) I received an email from the daughter of Rosey.

"My name is XXX XXXX, I was adopted as a baby and have since tracked down both parents. David is my father, and although Ive never met him I feel strangely, or not, close. Ive even spoken with his adopted mom, my grandma, now deceased, and she would have nothing to do with me. I really would consider it a great honor to be able to keep his memorabilia from the war. By the way I have a son who was born on the day of his death- 4/4/68. My sons birthday is 4/4/89. Weird, right? Anyway, XXXX XXXX gave me your name saying that you knew him? Im anxiously awaiting your reply, and thank you for any help"

I responded to here email and asked for her address as well. I prepared a package for her and included the Rosey's Plaque from my wall with this paragraph.
UML shuns all-party meet called by NC prez Deuba

Main opposition party CPN-UML has shunned an all-party meeting called by Nepali Congress in a bid to form a consensus government.
Porch Chairs and Hurricanes Trilogy-Part 1

Not Worrying About Hurricanes

Written October 18, 2010

Updated May 27, 2017

I grew up in New Orleans. Hurricanes in my youth were exciting but really no big deal. My father would put masking tape on the plate glass window of his grocery store and we would wait for the winds to blow.



We would sit outside on our kitchen chairs (substitutes for porch chairs) unless and until the winds got really bad and then we would go inside to "ride out" the rest of the storm looking through the masking-taped plate glass window.



If the storm was a direct hit and the eye passed right over us, we would go back outside and look up through the eye hole.



If it got too late, my mother would send my brother and me to bed and we would find out the rest of the story in the morning.



One thing we never did even think of doing was leaving town.



Hurricane Betsy in 1965 changed all that.

********************************************************************** Here I insert a point of interest on May 28, 2017...



Our family grocery store of the 1940's and 1950's was under 8 feet of water after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

**********************************************************************

We have now gone to the other extreme with hurricanes...



 In the old days we hardly paid any attention until the storm entered the Gulf of Mexico.



 Now our 24 Hour New Cycle starts telling us about puffs of wind that might turn into something puffier while they are still off the coast of Africa.



 We give them names when they elevate themselves to stiff breezes capable of causing significant puddling in the Good Ole USofA in about a week or so..



Many of these storms lately have stayed in the Atlantic and headed north into the Arctic. There they quietly turned back into puffs of wind with no puddling potential.



By the time the hurricanes are in the process of unpuffing in the Arctic, there have been hundreds of thousands of tee-shirts sold in the Good Ole USofA that have printed on them...



"I Survived Hurricane Harry In 2010" .

Would I kid u?

Smartfella


Lawsuit says General Assembly violated separation of powers and made unconstitutional changes to appointment process



Gov. Roy Cooper at a March 2017 press conference. (CJ file photo by Kari Travis)

The Clean Water Management Trust Fund

The Child Care Commission

The State Building Commission

The NC Parks and Recreation Authority

The Rural Infrastructure Authority

The Private Protective Services Board

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper gave General Assembly Republicans a Memorial Day weekend present: yet another legal challenge to legislation the governor claims unconstitutionally limits his executive powers.Cooper's office announced late Friday he filed a lawsuit seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions in Wake County Superior Court stemming from what he views as violations of separation of powers outlined in the state constitution.Defendants are Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham; House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland; Charlton Allen, chairman of the North Carolina Industrial Commission, and Yolanda Stith, vice chairwoman of the Industrial Commission - the wife of former Gov. Pat McCrory's chief of staff Thomas Stith; and the state of North Carolina.Berger quickly responded by citing Cooper's earlier call for cooperation in his March State of the State Address.Cooper said in his State of the State speech. He encouraged elected officials to look beyond themselves to do what is right for the state, regardless of who's in power.Berger said.Cooper spokesman Ford Porter said in a news release that the suit seeks to block legislation preventing Cooper from appointing judges to the North Carolina Court of Appeals to fill terms of retiring judges, and nullify legislation passed in a December special session regarding appointments to the North Carolina Industrial Commission.The suit also says the legislature has failed to make state law consistent with the conclusion of a Supreme Court decision in. In that lawsuit, the justices said the General Assembly had violated the separation-of-powers principle when it created three commissions with executive authority but limited the governor's ability to control those bodies.The lawsuit alleges that just weeks after voters elected Cooper in 2016 to enact his platform, policies, and ideology in governing the state,The lawsuit said the legislature's actionsBy passing House Bill 239 , Republicans intended to exert partisan influence over the judicial branch by eliminating three Republican-held court seats upon judges' retirements, Cooper claims. He said that was done to appoint replacements for the remainder of the terms. He vetoed the bill, but was overridden by the House and Senate.By eliminating the court seats before the end of the full terms of office, H.B. 239 violated a section of the North Carolina Constitution that Court of Appeals terms last eight years. The state Supreme Court has affirmed that principle, the lawsuit claims.Republican legislators' claim that the court reduction was in response to decreased workload was made without factual basis or consultation with the Court of Appeals, the news release said. Four former NC Supreme Court justices from both parties wrote to the General Assembly to say the bill would " seriously harm our judicial system ."During December's unannounced special legislative session, Republicans passed a series of measures with Senate Bill 4, including allowing McCrory unconstitutional power during his final days in office to make special appointments to the Industrial Commission.For instance, Yolanda Stith was granted a one-time, nine-year appointment. The legal term on the commission is six years. The lawsuit claims tacking three years of an unexpired term onto the six-year appointment was unconstitutional.S.B. 4 also changed the law prohibiting Cooper from appointing leaders of the Industrial Commission, allowing McCrory, on the last day of his term, to appoint Allen and Stith to four-year terms, covering almost all of Cooper's term, the suit said.The Industrial Commission administers a number of statutes dealing with state compensation, including the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act, the Tort Claims Act, the Law Enforcement Officers', Firemen's, Rescue Squad Workers', and Civil Air Patrol Members' Death Benefits Act.By limiting the governor's ability to appoint Industrial Commission leaders and direct the policy views and priorities of the commission, the legislature unconstitutionally infringed on the governor's mandate to administer laws and policies, Cooper claims in his suit.The lawsuit also challenges the legislature's removal of Executive Branch oversight from numerous boards and commissions in state government, including:That violates the ruling in, Cooper claims.
More than 100,000 military personnel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have signed up for the Department of Veterans Affairs burn pit exposure registry

Contact: Daniel Keylin

Daniel Keylin daniel_keylin@tillis.senate.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have led a bipartisan group of senators in calling for Pentagon funding and research of burn bit exposure. More than 100,000 military personnel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have signed up for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) burn pit exposure registry. In a letter to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Tillis, Klobuchar, and a group of senators requested that burn pit exposure be included as a congressionally directed Department of Defense research topic and that robust funding for research on burn pit exposure and related illnesses be provided in the FY 2018 defense appropriations bill.the senators wrote.In addition to Tillis and Klobuchar, the letter was also signed by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Al Franken (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Bill Nelson (D-FL).Klobuchar and Tillis have led Senate efforts to support our troops when they return home and improve healthcare for our nation's servicemembers and veterans. In February, the lawmakers introduced the Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act. The bipartisan bill would create a center of excellence within the VA to better understand the health effects associated with burn pits and treat veterans who become sick after exposure. Klobuchar and Tillis also introduced this legislation in the last Congress.Dear Chairman Cochran, Vice Chairmen Leahy and Durbin:As the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense considers appropriations for the 2018 fiscal year (FY 2018), we respectfully ask that you ensure burn pit exposure is included in the FY 2018 Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs and provide robust funding for the treatment and research of burn pit exposure.More than 100,000 military personnel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have signed up for the VA' s burn pit exposure registry. These veterans were exposed to a variety of potentially harmful substances that the smoke produced from the burning of waste on military bases. Plastic, aerosol cans, electronic equipment, human waste, tires, and batteries were thrown into open pits, often doused with jet fuel, and set on fire. As a result, many deployed servicemembers were exposed to smoke from these open-air burn pits. Health effects from exposure to chemicals found in burn pits may include cancer, neurological effects, reproductive effects, respiratory toxicity, and cardiovascular toxicity. Troops who have worked in these areas are subject to higher rates of asthma, emphysema, and rare lung disorders.In response to these health effects, we introduced the Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act to create a center of excellence within the Department of Veterans Affairs to address the health conditions relating to exposure to burn pits. In addition to creating a center of excellence, more research and treatment options should be developed through the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program. We respectfully request that burn pit exposure be included as a congressionally directed topic area and that robust funding in the FY 2018 defense appropriations bill is provided to fund research on burn pit exposure and related illnesses.Thank you for your consideration of this request.
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.
Nick Russell took a close look at contemporary samurai accounts of a strange ship that landed at Mugi port in 1830, and found it corroborated the celebrated legend of convict pirate William Swallow, who led an escape from Tasmania via a mutiny on the brig ship Cyprus.

The pirates, some of whom were later hanged, claimed they had encountered samurai, giving a number of details, but no one believed their story. Via The Guardian:

Russell, after almost three years of puzzling over an obscure but meticulous record of an early samurai encounter with western interlopers, finally joined the dots with the Cyprus through a speculative Google search last month. The British expatriate all but solved what was for the Japanese a 187-year mystery, while likely uncovering vivid new detail of an epic chapter of colonial Australian history. "If you'd said I was going to go hunt and find a new pirate ship, I'd have gone, 'you're crazy'," Russell told Guardian Australia. "I just stumbled on it. Boom. There it was on the screen in front of me. "I immediately knew and as soon as I started checking, everything just fitted so perfectly."

 Australian convict pirates in Japan: evidence of 1830 voyage unearthed

(The Guardian via MetaFilter)


While China has enlisted its internet giants  such as Weibo  in its system of social control and surveillance for years, a new "cyber security law" will come into effect on Thursday that expands and formalizes this role for tech companies, with implications for non-Chinese companies doing business in China.

The law  passed last November by the rubberstamp Chinese parliament  requires internet firms to surveil and retain all user communications, while implementing penalties for abuse of this information.



Until now, China's data industry has had no overarching data protection framework, being governed instead by loosely defined laws. However, overseas critics say the new law threatens to shut foreign technology companies out of sectors the country deems "critical", and includes contentious requirements for security reviews and data stored on servers in China.



China to implement cyber security law from Thursday

[Brenda Goh/Reuters]





(via /.)
Can't accept re-polling in Bharatpur, Oli tells EC

CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said that re-polling in Bharatpur Metropolitan City will not be acceptable to his party.
Adaptive Learning

ASU Global Freshman Academy Doubles Down on ALEKS Software for Math Courses

Arizona State University's Global Freshman Academy (GFA), an online program that allows students to try out first-year college courses for free and then opt to pay a fee for ASU credit, is expanding its use of McGraw-Hill Education's ALEKS adaptive software in its math courses.

GFA first deployed ALEKS in a College Algebra & Problem Solving course in April 2016, where the software has assessed more than 1,450,000 math skills for 30,000-plus students and helped the students learn and master more than 382,000 new skills, according to a press release. Now, GFA is rolling out the adaptive tool in its Precalculus course.

PRNewsFoto/McGraw-Hill Education

"Working with ALEKS in GFA's College Algebra course has been an extremely positive and successful experience for our students, and we look forward to implementing the same technology in the new pre-calculus course," said Adrian Sannier, chief academic technology officer for EdPlus at Arizona State University, in a statement. "The ALEKS technology allows us to meet students where they are academically through the use of adaptive learning. This gives us a better understanding of the student's skill level and which areas they need more help in order to be successful."
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New York, May 30, 2017Azerbaijani authorities should immediately release freelance journalist Afgan Mukhtarli and allow him to return to neighboring Georgia, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Mukhtarli, whose wife reported him missing from their home in Tbilisi, Georgia, last night, is being held at a detention center in Baku, Azerbaijan, regional and local media reported.

Mukhtarli, who has contributed to the Berlin-based independent news outlet Meydan TV and the London-based Institute of War and Peace Reporting, fled to Georgia from Azerbaijan in 2014 after receiving threats over his investigative reporting on corruption in the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. Before he disappeared, Mukhtarli was investigating the assets of Azerbaijans first family in Georgia, according to his colleague and independent investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova.

Leyla Mustafayeva told journalists in Tbilisi today that her husband, Mukhtarli, called her at around 7 p.m. last night to say he was on his way home from meeting colleagues in the Georgian capital, but never arrived. She said she reported him missing to the Georgian police. The independent Azeri news agency Turan later reported that the Azerbaijani border service department detained Mukhtarli.

The journalists lawyer, Elchin Sadygov, told CPJ that Mukhtarli was abducted from Tbilisi and forcefully brought to Azerbaijan. He was beaten, has a broken nose, bruises all over his head and right eye, his rib may be broken, said Sadygov, who visited Mukhtarli in the detention center. The journalist is charged with illegally crossing the border and contraband, according to Sadygov, who said that Mukhtarli told him that the police planted 10,000 ($11,200) in his pocket while he was unconscious.

Georgias Interior Ministry said it is investigating the alleged unlawful imprisonment of Mukhtarli, according to reports. CPJ was unable to determine the journalists legal status in Georgia.

Georgian authorities should demand that Azerbaijan immediately release Afgan Mukhtarli and allow him to return to Tiblisi, said CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova. Azerbaijans crackdown on independent reporting has forced many journalists into exile. Forcefully returning them to Azerbaijan is a further sign of the countrys hostile behavior to the press.

Mukhtarlis wife said at the press conference that the journalist had been surveilled in recent weeks but did not specify who she suspected was behind it. In a May 18 interview with independent online news outlet JAMnews, Mukhtarli said he and his wife, who is a journalist and an activist, were both under surveillance. They openly follow us and then leave the photos of what [we] were doing during the day at [our] doorstep, he said. Mukhtarli also said in the report about Azeri exiles that Georgian authorities obstructed the work of exiled Azerbaijani activists and journalists, including his wife, by not extending residence permits. Some Azeri activists were denied political asylum in Georgia, according to the JAMnews report.

Mukhtarli and Mustafayeva were criticized along with several other exiled Azeri activists in a May 4, 2017 article published on Haqqin, a pro-government Azerbaijani news website that portrayed Tbilisi as a nest of anti-Azerbaijani subversion. Two other activists mentioned in the article, Farman Jeyranli and Gozal Bayramli, were arrested by authorities in Georgia on May 23 and May 25, respectively, according to media reports. Bayramli is in detention in Azerbaijan on charges of contraband, Sadygov said. CPJ was unable to determine the status of Jeyranli.
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Bangkok, May 30, 2017A reporter was abducted, dragged into a waiting vehicle, and then critically wounded in an auto accident on May 26, near the town of Loikaw, in Myanmars southeastern Kayah State, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on security forces to identify the assailants and swiftly bring them to justice.

Maw Oo Myar, a reporter for the Kantarawaddy Times newspaper and the broadcaster the Democratic Voice of Burma, was forced from the motorcycle she and a fellow journalist were riding and was pulled into a vehicle waiting nearby by two unidentified men, media reports said. The two assailants verbally threatened the reporter before dragging her into the waiting car, reports said. Soon after, her abductors crashed the car they were driving, and Maw Oo Myar lost consciousness, the reports said.

Maw Oo Myar was taken to a nearby hospital at around 5:30 p.m. and later transferred to Loikaw General Hospital, where she was placed under a security detail while receiving treatment, according to news reports. She is still unable to eat, talk, or move because of her injuries, reports said.

Police said they were investigating two suspects, whom they did not name, but that no arrests had been made, according to reports today.

Journalists in Myanmars provinces are at rising risk of violent reprisals for their reporting, said Shawn Crispin, CPJs senior Southeast Asia representative. It is imperative that those responsible for the abduction and assault of reporter Maw Oo Myar are identified, apprehended, and fully prosecuted.

Maw Oo Myar reported on politics, womens rights, business, and public health. She also produced a regular Karienni-language program for the Democratic Voice of Burmas weekly program on Myanmars ethnic minorities, reports said.
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Bangkok, May 30, 2017Thai authorities should drop all charges against two journalists arrested at Bangkoks main airport today for carrying protective gear and should amend laws to allow journalists to carry potentially lifesaving, protective equipment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.

Airport police arrested Tony Cheng, a British national and reporter for China Global TV News, and German freelance reporter Florian Witulski under Thailands 1987 Arms Control Act, which classifies protective gear as military weapons that require a license to possess. Cheng and Witulski were in transit to cover fighting in Mosul, Iraq, according to media reports. Cheng was released on 100,000 baht (US $2,857) bail, according to news reports, and Wituslki was released today. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Authorities confiscated the equipment, but it was unclear from media reports whether they had also confiscated the journalists passports.

Thailand should stop charging journalists with serious crimes for trying to protect themselves while on dangerous assignments, said Shawn Crispin, CPJs senior Southeast Asia representative. Authorities should drop all charges against reporter Tony Cheng and lawmakers should amend the 1987 Arms Control Act to decriminalize journalists use and possession of body armor.

Government deputy spokesman Maj. Gen. Weerachon Sukhonhapatipak told Agence France-Presse that Cheng and his German colleague were to blame for their actions. He said journalists who carry such equipment should inform Thai authorities before traveling.

The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand noted in a statement today that Cheng intended to use the safety equipment outside of Thailand and therefore posed no conceivable threat to national security.

Airport police in 2015 detained and charged Hong Kong-based photojournalist Hok Chun Kwan, also known as Anthony Kwan, for carrying body armor and a helmet in his carry-on luggage at Bangkoks international airport. The charges, which entered court proceedings, were dropped without explanation in January 2016, according to media reports.
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The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 20 human rights and press freedom organizations in calling on Egyptian authorities to stop blocking access to Mada Masr and the 22 other news websites. The letter, sent May 26, says the blocking of the sites violates international standards.

Egyptian authorities on May 24 ordered internet service providers to block access to the sites, including Al-Jazeera and the Huffington Posts Arabic-language website, because they allegedly publish content that supports terrorism and spreads lies. A few days later, the websites of financial newspaper Al-Borsa and its sister-publication, Daily News Egypt, were blocked, according to news reports and a statement by the outlets.

A copy of the joint letter can be viewed here:
The 9th edition of the Yaw Live on Stage series tagged Apere was held last Sunday, May 28, at Eko Hotels Convention Centre.

As expected, the venue was filled to capacity as actors, comedians and top dignitaries trooped out to see Yaw and Sound Sultan in action in a concert/comedy show.

Actors like Iyabo Ojo, Dayo Amusa, Kemi Afolabi, Gbenro Ajibade, Papa Ajasco, Saheed Balogun, Kate Henshaw, Adeniyi Johnson and many more were spotted on the red carpet at the beginning of the show.

READ ALSO: Actress Susan Peters rock N1.3 million dress for her 37th birthday photo shoot (photos)

Top comedian Alibaba and his wife

Former Chief Security Officer to late military head of state late Sani Abacha, Major Hamza al-Mustapha (rtd) surprised many with when he showed up at the comedy show. Seasoned economist Prof Pat Utomi, former first lady of Lagos state Dame Abimbola Fashola were also present to support Yaw. While comedians like Ali Baba and wife, Funnybone, EmmaohmyGod, Kenny Blaq, Woli Arole, Mc Tagwaye, Ambassador Wahala, Asiri and others were also spotted.

Omini

The highlight of the evening was a professionally acted hilarious stage play featuring Yaw and Sound Sultan. The play touched various aspects of the sad state of the Nigerian economy and several topics that have trended on social media over the months.

Timi Dakolo, Busola Dakolo and Adebola Williams

Legit.ng exclusively gathered that the duo through their commendable acting skills in the comic stage play were able to address some of todays social vices which include the disconcerting MMM Ponzi scheme, failed youth empowerment system, celebrities social media antics, economic recession, among others.

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

The stage play addressed issues of national concern in a satirical manner, including Buharis infamous disapproval of late president YarAdua back in 2010, Chibok girls, EFCCs recent cases, the Nigerian military, and several more.

See more red carpet pictures below:

Funnybone

Sound Sultan

Kemi Afolabi

Hamza al-Mustapha

Comedian Fish

Woli Arole and Asiri

Abimbola Fashola

Lolo 1

Ogbolor

Dayo Amusa

Saidi Balogun

Emmanuel Ikubese and friend

Watch Legit.ng video below:

Source: Legit.ng
Nollywood actor Femi Branch's estranged wife has revealed her side of the story saying that Femi abused her in their 10 years marriage and they are not yet officially divorced.

Legit.ng reported that Nollywood actor, Femi Branch is set to marry the third time. Now his estranged wife, Ibitoye, has spoken out on their relationship.

READ ALSO: Davidos second baby mama shares a photo of her post-baby body, throws shade at her senior baby mama

In an interview with Encomium.ng, she revealed their 10 year marriage was filled with abuse and that he is a gold digger.

What actually happened?

I came back from work that day, and he went out as well. I waited till 11 pm and I didnt see him. I tried calling him on phone when I didnt see him. He complained that I was screaming, I apologized for screaming and I asked him for his whereabouts. I told him he wouldnt have gone that long since he wasnt on location. All he said was that he was coming, he also said I was screaming which I apologised for again. But Femi did not come back to the house till 1am. I was up waiting since he said he was coming. When he came, I went to open the gate and I told his friend that I wouldnt come down that late again if he comes back late. I was really upset. I asked his friend to warn him because of another time. I added that he should be telling me if he would come home or not because that wasnt his first time.

Nollywood actor Femi Branch with his estranged wife, Ibitola.

The next thing Femi said was, You dey craze. And I replied the same way. He started bragging, Do you know who you are talking to? I am Femi Branch, and he descended on me and started beating me. He was hitting me hard and his friend was trying to stop him. He left me and went upstairs and told me to meet him upstairs. His friend said I shouldnt go, but where will I go by that time? So I went upstairs. Femi continued beating me and insulting me. His friend tried to intervene again, all these while I never raised my hands against him. You can imagine him with his stature hitting me. His friend said I shouldnt sleep in the house, so I followed him because he was also a married man with a kid. I slept in his house that night.

Would that be the first time he would be beating you?

The truth is, that was the first time. But before then, he had pushed me hard against the bed that I almost hit my head on the wall. That was two years ago. Such things dont happen without signs, him pushing me the first time and now beating me. It could develop into something else. I have always said I cant stay in a marriage if the man is beating me, I know I can get killed if it continues. I have risked my life enough in that marriage so I decided to leave.

READ ALSO: See the stunning Ethiopian lady this Nigerian man just married in America (photos)

What were the signs that showed things were getting really bad?

The issue is that we women see signs even before marriage. I would like to say that Femi came extremely late on our wedding day. People were already waiting for almost three hours before Femi came and he was not apologetic about it?

What exactly happened?

I dont know, but it took him almost three hours before he showed up and he was not remorseful about it. Then, when I got married to him, he has only paid my daughters school fees for just one term. My daughter is nine years, that means I am the one who has been responsible for her upkeep.

What was his excuse for not being responsible?

He made me believe he does not have money. Later on, I heard he goes out and spends money anyhow. He goes to clubs, pops champagne and spends crazily. It was a regular occurrence, people used to call me that he was in one hotel or the other. There was this particular day someone called me that he was in a hotel spending money. That person knew Femi was not responsible at home. All I was trying to do was to patch the marriage and make sure things were fine. You know in the African setting when you are married, you have to endure. Up till this moment that I am talking to you, he doesnt know how his children are eating or faring. The last time he saw them was January this year. He said they should spend the New Year with him and he returned them empty handed. Several times, we spoke severally. He was always saying jobs were not coming, he doesnt have money.

It is unfortunate outsiders have a different picture of him. Femi is someone who can be in church speaking in tongues and the next minute he is out with the guys drinking, smoking and womanizing. He acts a lot. He is not the same person at home and outside.

Funny enough, he has a very wonderful family. They knew about it and spoke with him severally. In fact, his family made me stay this long in the marriage. His family complained and talked to him, they did everything they could. It is only prayer that can change him, Femi lies a lot.

He would tell me he has gone on location and he would lodge in a hotel, do whatever he likes. There was a time he was part of the crew following Jimi Agbaje during his campaign period. I was in Abeokuta then. After the whole exercise, everybody left the hotel except Femi. He was enjoying himself. One of his colleagues whom I had complained to called me to inform me that he was the only one left in the hotel. It is the same hotel he is indebted to now. He has a case at the Ikeja magistrate court. The story is true that he was locked up in Kirikiri. He is owing the hotel to the tune of millions.0

What steps did you take about this?

I asked, spoke with him and he would always give excuses. It is what Femi wants that he will do. It took him eight months before he came home. When he was arrested, I was in Abeokuta and he was in Lagos. I traveled to Lagos that night to bail him out but I couldnt bail him that night. That was in November 2015. I did all these for Femi but to him I have done nothing.

I told you Femi lies a lot. Ask him to produce his certificate. He has lied so much and he will continue to lie, that was what he told me.

Yes, he was married before we met. According to what I heard, the lady didnt stay up to a month. I was told a funny story about it, I was told the mother in law was to collect cow leg and the lady left.

Have you heard he wants to get married again?

Yes, I have. I was just laughing, and I said, Wow, Femi has caught a big fish. According to what I heard, the lady is British. I said Femi has caught a big one. I know Femi, he would only go to women who have money.

That means he married you for your money?

I am not saying that but before I married him, I do travel out a lot for leisure. When we got talking, he had the idea of the type of life l lived before meeting him. Maybe he felt I had money or that I had a British citizenship. I was even pregnant before we got married but the baby was still birth. Immediately it happened, I traveled abroad to rest. Good for the lady, I pray they find happiness together. But there must be more to why Femi wants to marry that lady. I am not granting this interview because I am bitter, I have moved on. I just want to clear my conscience because my family didnt know what I went through for ten years. It was when I left last year that I told my family. People have called to blame me, some said I should go back to him.

Has he filed for divorce?

We are just separated, not divorced.

The couple were married for 10 years. Now they are separated.

Why did you leave your children in the first instance?

When I left the house, my children were with my parents for holiday. When the holiday was over, I went to pick my children and took them back to our house. I told them to go upstairs that I was coming. I then turned my back and left. I did that not because I wanted to leave my children, but I wanted his family to be sure of all I had been saying,). I knew he cant take care of those children. I was crying when I left and I prayed that I would get them back, it was not up to two weeks that Femi took the children to the village, to his parents. He did not drop money for their upkeep or anything, so his parents took them to public school and he never visited them for once in that four months they were there from April to July. I went there two times to check on them, I later called him that I wanted the children back. He said was l not the one who dumped them before? I told him I needed to make a statement that he couldnt take care of his children that was why I left them in the first place. He eventually released the children. Arrangement was made, he picked them up and dropped them at his brothers house and I picked them there.

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Was there no intervention from his siblings or parents to reconcile the two of you?

When the incident happened, some of his elder brothers tried to call and I told them that I was no longer interested. Family members were trying to reconcile but the person that caused the trouble was not remorseful. He did not apologize for beating me, he didnt say he was sorry. This was the same person that had an accident in 2012 on location. I was the only one taking care of him. You know marriages have their own challenges, I have stayed through thick and thin. I covered up for so long, my mum will always call me, Are you okay? Are you sure you are okay? I almost shut my mum up on his case. I have never done that in my life. My mum will always complain that I was always telling her he was on location, that it means he doesnt have time for his family. But I always calm her down. His family tried but I have made up my mind about the marriage. I dont think I can endure any longer. If Femi reads this, he knows that I am not lying. I was practically fending for the family throughout the ten years. Someone asked me, Does it mean he has not done anything good for you in the last ten years? And I told the person the bad he did was far more than the good. I dont want my daughter to go through what I went through in marriage, and I dont want my son to be like his father.

Watch the video below of Legit.ng discussing at what point should a person walk out of an abusive relationship:

Source: Legit.ng
EC forms panel to probe Bharatpur counting fiasco

The Election Commission (EC) on Monday formed a three-member committee to probe into disruption in vote counting for the Bharatpur Metropolitan City.




trump merkel

With friends like these, the saying goes, who needs enemies?

America's European allies may be starting to feel this way about the United States.

Donald Trump has shown a special knack for starting diplomatic spats with longtime US allies  the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Mexico all found themselves on the president's erratic firing line within his first couple of months in office.

Germany is the new enemy, after a recent visit to Europe left leaders there despondent about US relations and prompted Chancellor Angela Merkel to make the unprecedented statement that Europe could no longer fully count on the US as an ally.

Rather than letting things cool, Trump ratcheted up tensions upon his return with a tweet that not only constitutes shoddy diplomacy but belies a lack of understanding of both economics and geography:



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

There are several problems with Trump's focus on the trade deficit with Germany. First, bilateral trade deficits are not particularly useful indicators of countries' economic performance in relation to others. More importantly, Germany is part of the European Union and therefore trades with the US and other nations as a bloc. That makes its bilateral trade deficit with the US even less relevant.

Germany is also a member of the eurozone, which means the European Central Bank, not Germany's Bundesbank, sets monetary policy, undermining claims by members of the Trump team that Germany was somehow manipulating its currency to maintain a competitive exporting edge.

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available on iOS and Android.

Story continues

The thing is that there is a widespread complaint about Germany shared by not only the Obama administration but also many European states: The country saves too much and spends too little, creating internal economic imbalances that make it harder for struggling countries elsewhere in Europe to compete. Trump could have seized on that to make a case for a more positive German contribution to the world economy.

But that's far too nuanced a point for this American president, whose visit to Europe was marked by all kinds of diplomatic strife, from ridiculous handshakes to unceremonious shoves.

Germany bad, America good. That's best Trump could do. No wonder Merkel was left with such little confidence. When it comes to leading the free world, she knows it's up to her now.

NOW WATCH: Colonel Sanders' nephew revealed the family's secret recipe  here's how to make KFC's 'original' fried chicken





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Jonathan Ernst | Reuters. President Donald Trump criticizes Germany once again for its trade surplus and low contributions to NATO, saying this attitude is "very bad."

President Donald Trump has criticized Germany once again for its large trade surplus with the U.S. and its low contributions to NATO, saying this attitude is "very bad" for the United States.

The comments made on Twitter take current tensions in U.S.-German relations a notch higher.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said at an election rally on Sunday that Germany and the European Union can no longer rely on the United States.

"The times in which we could completely depend on others are, to a certain extent, over," she told the rally in Munich.

"I've experienced that in the last few days. We Europeans truly have to take our fate into our own hands," she said. Her comments came as she steps up her campaign in the September federal election.

The image of friendly relations between Germany and the U.S. seems distant since Trump took office. His administration has previously said that Germany's trade surplus is a result of the country's manipulation of the euro (Exchange: EUR=).

Germany fought back arguing that it doesn't have powers to manipulate the euro and the only reason consumers opt for its products is because they are more competitive.

Data released last February by the German Federal Statistics Office showed that Germany's trade surplus rose to 252.9 billion euros ($270.05 billion) in 2016, surpassing the previous high of 244.3 billion euros in 2015.If it were a single trade partner, Germany would be the fifth largest in total trade flows with the U.S. But it runs the third largest trade surplus, after China and Japan.

Meanwhile, contributions to the defense alliance NATO has emerged as another problem between Berlin and Washington. Trump has repeatedly asked NATO allies to step up their contributions. At the moment, only 5 of the 28 members fulfill the target of paying at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense.

Story continues

According to NATO data, Germany is currently spending 1.2 percent of its GDP on NATO. The U.S. spends 3.6 percent.

At a summit last week, Germany, like other NATO members, vowed to present an action plan on how it will increase defense spending. At the time, Trump told his allies they were being unfair toward U.S. taxpayers.

Additional reporting by CNBC's John W. Schoen.

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Also From CNBC

Watch The Profit on Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.

WATCH: Trump may be seriously damaging the U.S. relationship with Germany: Analysts





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Lithuanian English

Alytus, Lithuania, 2017-05-30 16:09 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Snaige AB reached an EBITDA of EUR 452 thousand (according to consolidated unaudited data) within the first quarter of this year, which is 3% higher than during the same period last year.

The unconsolidated unaudited sales of the company exceeded EUR 7 million and were slightly higher than during the same period last year. According to Gediminas Ceika, Director General of Snaige AB, the first quarter of the year was traditionally inactive, these months in the business of consumer refrigeration equipment are considered off season.

In Ceikas opinion, this year will be full of challenges. Most of raw material suppliers as early as last year declared an increase of the prices of raw materials and materials. This will inevitably have influence on our business too. Competition will become fiercer since not all the producers are going to increase prices. Yet we are also ready to actively operate in all our markets and especially the ones where we sell our production with the trademark of Snaige.
TORONTO, May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Bioceutical Corporation (the Company or BCC) (CSE:BCC) (OTCQB:CBICF) today announced that the company has secured DTC Eligibility by The Depository Trust Company for its shares on the OTCQB marketplace, effective May 30, 2017.



DTC-eligibility greatly simplifies the process of trading and exchanging BCC common stock on the OTCQB marketplace in the United States. The Company commenced trading on the OTCQB on May 22, 2017, a move that management anticipates will increase the Companys addressable universe of potential investors.

The Depository Trust Company (DTC) is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation DTCC, and manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through the DTC are considered "DTC eligible." This electronic method of clearing securities speeds up the receipt of stock and cash, and thus accelerates the settlement process for investors.

About The Canadian Bioceutical Corporation

BCC, an Ontario corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiaries in the U.S., provides substantial management, staffing, procurement, advisory, financial, real estate rental, logistics and administrative services to two medicinal cannabis enterprises in Arizona operating under the Health for Life (dispensaries) and MPX (high-margin concentrates wholesale) brands. The successful Health for Life (H4L) brand operates in the rapidly growing Phoenix Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) with a population of 4.6 million people. The award winning Melting Point Extracts (MPX) brand is carried by over 40% of Arizona dispensaries.

The Company is supporting development of a third licensed dispensary in Arizona. Additionally, BCC is expanding its U.S. footprint, acquiring additional assets supporting cultivation, production and up to three dispensaries in Massachusetts and three to-be-developed dispensaries and a concentrate production facility in Maryland, as well as a cultivation and production wholesale business in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both Massachusetts and Nevada are implementing legalization of adult use.

The Company also leases a property in Owen Sound, Ontario, for which an application to Health Canada has been made for a cannabis production and sales license. In addition, the Company will continue its efforts related to its legacy nutraceuticals business.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the completion of the announced acquisitions in Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts and Nevada, expansion of cultivation capacity and concentrate yields, the Canadian and U.S. political and regulatory environment, availability of financing and BCC's objectives and intentions. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic and social uncertainties; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments, completion of the announced acquisitions in Arizona, Maryland, Massachusetts and Nevada, delay of expansion of cultivation capacity and concentrate yields, availability of financings, delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; those additional risks set out in BCC's public documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com; and other matters discussed in this news release. Although BCC believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, BCC disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

The Canadian Bioceutical Corporation

Scott Boyes, CEO
TORONTO, Ontario, May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rio2 Limited (Rio2 or the Company) (TSX-V:RIO) announces today that the Company continues to strengthen its management team and provides an update on its activities.



Senior Management Appointments

Rio2 is pleased to announce the appointments of Kathryn Johnson as Executive Vice President  Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary and Luc English as Country Manager  Nicaragua. Both Kathryn and Luc will assume their new positions with the Company on 1 June 2017.

Kathryn Johnson is based in Vancouver and has over 10 years of experience in the mining industry, primarily in Latin America. Kathryn brings extensive experience in accounting and finance, including financings, mergers and acquisitions, project development, internal controls and financial reporting. Kathryn held various senior positions at Rio Alto Mining Limited until acquired in 2015. Her last position was Chief Financial Officer and prior to that Vice President, Corporate Controller and Corporate Reporting. While at Rio Alto Mining, Kathryn was a key member of the team that successfully completed the acquisition of Sulliden Gold and the Shahuindo Gold Project for $300 million in 2014 and the subsequent sale of Rio Alto to Tahoe Resources Inc. for $1.2Bn. Kathryn has also held the positions of Financial Reporting Contractor at Goldcorp, Director of Finance at Tahoe Resources. She holds a BA with a double major in History and Political Science from the University of British Columbia and is a CPA, CA who earned her chartered accountant designation while articling at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Vancouver. Kathryn Johnson has been granted an aggregate of 100,000 Restricted Share Units and 250,000 options to purchase Rio2 common shares at the exercise price of $1.71 per share, all pursuant to Rio2s Share Incentive Plan and Stock Option Plan. The grant of the RSUs and Options are subject to regulatory approval.

Kathryn replaces David DOnofrio as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary. The Company wishes to thank David for his contributions during the Companys transition over the past two months.

Luc English is based in Nicaragua and has over 20 years experience as an Exploration Geologist and Manager. He has spent the past 10 years in Nicaragua where he successfully led Condor Golds exploration team from concession acquisition, through exploration and resource development to a pre-feasibility mining study on the La India Gold Project. He also recently represented geological consultants CSA Global managing geotechnical drilling for a proposed interoceanic canal across Nicaragua. His training as an exploration geologist was gained in Australia, Eritrea and Gabon on gold and multi-commodity exploration projects. He has explored for a number of different commodities in a variety of different geological settings. He was the geologist responsible for the resource definition and bankable feasibility study of two satellite open pits on the Coyote Gold Mine in Central Australia, and prior to that for the resource definition of satellite open pits for the Jundee Gold Mine in Western Australia. He has also worked as a technical consultant for the oil and gas industry in the UK and Middle East. Luc holds a PhD in Geology from the University of Cambridge and a BSc in Geology from the University of Bristol. He is a Chartered Geologist with the Geological Society of London and a European Geologist with the European Federation of Geologists, recognised as a Competent Person under JORC, PERC and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

Project Acquisition Update

The Company continues to review numerous precious metals projects and companies for potential acquisition. Management remains focused, disciplined and selective in its due diligence activities as projects must demonstrate the ability to be developed into high margin, strong free cash flowing mining operations which in turn generate significant value accretion for shareholders.

Gold Exploration Portfolio, Peru

As previously announced on April 10, 2017, Rio2 Limited, through its whole owned subsidiary Rio2 Exploraciones S.A.C. has entered into a mining assignment and option agreement with Compania Minera Milpo S.A.A. pursuant to which it has the right and option to acquire all rights and interests in 7 gold exploration prospects totalling approximately 19,000 hectares in Peru.

Rio2 has recently completed site visits to each of the prospects and is in the process of planning and prioritizing a first phase exploration program for the coming months. Social and community fieldwork has commenced to facilitate the gaining of social license for the work programs the Company is planning.

The Company will provide updates to shareholders as it advances its activities on these properties.

Nicaragua Strategy

Rio2 has recently applied for 10,000 hectares of exploration concessions in Nicaragua as the Company ranks the country highly as a destination to do business in the mining sector in Latin America. Recognizing the mining sectors potential to boost the countrys gross domestic product and economic growth, the Nicaraguan government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mines, is actively promoting investments by having established a solid legal framework and facilitating the development of mining projects in the country.

Bordering Honduras to the north, and Costa Rica to the south, Nicaraguas mining tradition dates back to the nineteenth century and has since become one of the countrys most dynamic economic sectors.

Rio2 understands that less than 10% of the country is currently under exploration and all current mining operations are taking place in three historical districts: the Golden Triangle (Bonanza, Siuna and Rosita), La Libertad/Santo Domingo, and El Limon/La India. The Company intends to leverage off of Country Manager, Luc Englishs ten years of experience of exploring in the country, to acquire precious metals prospects that have the potential of being able to be developed into highly profitable mining ventures.

The Company will provide updates to shareholders as it advances its activities in Nicaragua.

About Rio2

The focus of Rio2 is to compile an attractive portfolio of precious metals assets that can be developed into mines and to assemble a highly experienced technical and corporate management team with a solid experience base of developing and building mines in South, Central and North America. Through its strategy of evaluating and acquiring precious metals projects and through a combination of organic exploration and development and strategic acquisitions, the management team intends to grow Rio2 and create long-term shareholder value through the development of high-margin, strong free cash flowing mining operations.

Reader Advisory

Forward-Looking Statements. This news release contains forward-looking statements. More particularly, this document contains statements regarding the Companys acquisition and exploration strategy and plans. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "potential", or other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "should" or "could" occur.

The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including expectations and assumptions concerning timing of receipt of required regulatory approval and general economic, operational and financing factors. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable by the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date hereof. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained herein to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Alex Black

Chief Executive Officer

alexb@rio2mining.com

416.570.3155
ronybtl wrote:

Australian embryologists have found evidence that suggests that the elephant is descended from an aquatic animal, and its trunk originally evolving as a kind of snorkel.





(A) that suggests that the elephant is descended from an aquatic animal, and its trunk originally evolving



(B) that has suggested the elephant descended from an aquatic animal, its trunk originally evolving



(C) suggesting that the elephant had descended from an aquatic animal with its trunk originally evolved



(D) to suggest that the elephant had descended from an aquatic animal and its trunk originally evolved



(E) to suggest that the elephant is descended from an aquatic animal and that its trunk originally evolved





Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Tenses + Verb Forms

A:

B:

because

as a separate action

C:

D:

E:

Correct.

Hence, E is the best answer choice.

Dear Friends,Here is a detailed explanation to this question-Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of this sentence is that Australian embryologists have found evidence that suggests that the elephant is descended from an aquatic animal and that its trunk originally evolved as a kind of snorkel. The simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past. Information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense. The present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb has/have) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present. The past perfect tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had") is used when a sentence contains two actions in the past; the helping verb "had" is used with the action in the "greater past". The introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- evolving in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship.This answer choice incorrectly uses the present participle ("verb+ing" - "evolving" in this sentence) to refer to an action that concluded in the past; please remember, the simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past.This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "its trunk originally evolving"; the use of the "comma + present participle ("verb+ing" - "evolving" in this sentence)" construction incorrectly implies that the elephant is descended from an aquatic animalits trunk originally evolved as a kind of snorkel; the intended meaning is that the elephant is descended from an aquatic animal andits trunk originally evolved as a kind of snorkel; please remember, the introduction of the present participle ("verb+ing"- evolving in this case) after comma generally leads to a cause-effect relationship. Further, Option B incorrectly uses the present perfect tense verb "has suggested" to refer to information that is permanent in nature; please remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense, and the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb has/have) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.This answer choice alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "with its trunk originally evolved"; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning; the intended meaning is that Australian embryologists have found evidence that suggests that the elephant is descended from an aquatic animal and that its trunk originally evolved as a kind of snorkel. Further, Option C incorrectly uses the past perfect tense verb "had descended" to refer to information that is permanent in nature; please remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense, and the past perfect tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had") is only used when a sentence contains two actions in the past; the helping verb "had" is used with the action in the "greater past".This answer choice incorrectly uses the past perfect tense verb "had descended" to refer to information that is permanent in nature; please remember, information that is permanent in nature is best conveyed through the simple present tense, and the past perfect tense (marked by the use of helping verb "had") is only used when a sentence contains two actions in the past; the helping verb "had" is used with the action in the "greater past".This answer choice uses the phrase "and its trunk originally evolved", conveying the intended meaning of the sentence - that Australian embryologists have found evidence that suggests that the elephant is descended from an aquatic animal and that, as a separate action, its trunk originally evolved as a kind of snorkel. Further, Option E avoids the tense error seen in Option B, as it uses the infinitive verb form ("to + base form of verb" - "to + suggest" in this sentence) rather than an active verb, such as "has suggested" (used in Option B). Moreover, Option E correctly uses the simple present tense verb "is descended" to refer to information that is permanent in nature. Additionally, Option E correctly uses the simple past tense verb "evolved" to refer to an action that concluded in the past.To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):To understand the concept of "Comma + Present Participle for Cause-Effect Relationship" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~3 minutes):All the best!Team_________________
Legit.ng gathered that a man believed to be a fake prophet was exposed while trying to cause a fatal accident at a bus terminus.

A man identified as Madzibaba Benfred, who claims to be a prophet, was caught while attempting to cause a fatal accident to other travellers.

Benfred had reportedly confessed to some members of the bus crew that he had placed 'juju' inside a corner of a bus that was heading to Harare, Zimbabwe, hoping to cause a tragic accident.

The fake prophet of the Johanne Masowe yeChishanu faith ended up causing a delay of over one hour as they went back and forth over the matter trying to determine what to do to him.

READ ALSO: Tragedy as pastors only child was mistakenly shot dead by robbers in Benin (photos)

The fake prophet was caught with 'juju'

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

One of the eyewitnesses was heard saying:

Do not be fooled by that man. He wants people to believe his powers by placing man-made things, this is a fake goblin.

Describing the juju, some of the passengers claimed it was a cow-horn tied with beads and a piece of cloth. They also said it was placed in a wrapped package and placed under a seat.

The prophet was eventually handed over to the police who took him away.

Meanwhile, see this video of a Nollywood actor who said he'll soon become a pastor:

Source: Legit.ng
Empowering local units major focus of budget

The new budget tabled by the government has given a due focus on empowering the newly-formed local bodies, allocating a whopping 17.6 percent of the total budget of Rs 1,279 billion for 744 units. The budget has effectively adopted a policy of fiscal transfer to the local bodies as per the spirit of the Constitution of Nepal.
Fourth meeting of Eminent Persons Group begins in Dehradun

The fourth meeting of Nepal-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG) kicked off in Dehradun, India on Monday. The two-day meeting would fix the date of another engagement.
On 3-5 October 2017 Kyiv is going to host the Space and Future Forum to network international experts and youth, many of whom will also participate at the first CosmoHack in the world. Joinfo provides media coverage of the Forum, and some of its topics were already discussed ...
President Donald Trump has condemned the killing in Oregon of two men who tried to stop another man from using anti-Muslim speech against two teenaged girls. A third man was injured in the violence.

Trump tweeted a statement saying:

The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our Prayers are w/ them.

On Friday, a man in the American city of Portland, Oregon, apparently shouted anti-Muslim words at two teenaged girls on a train. He then stabbed two people who tried to defend them.

Those killed were Ricky John Best, aged 53, and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, aged 23. The two died from their wounds. A third person, Micah David-Cole Fletcher, was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

Portland Police said one of the two young women on the train was wearing a hijab, head covering. The suspect, identified as 35 year-old Jeremy Joseph Christian, shouted at them using, in their words, hateful speech.

One of the young women involved, 16-year-old Destinee Mangum, told Portlands KPTV television station: "He told us to go back to Saudi Arabia and he told us we shouldn't be here, to get out of his country."

Mangum thanked those who came to her and her friends defense. Without them, we probably would be dead right now," she said.

The communitys response

Local and state officials, denounced the incident saying attacks of this kind have no place in their communities or the United States.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said, "Two men lost their lives standing up to somebody spewing hateful words directed at Muslim passengers on an afternoon commuter train."

He continued saying, "Our current political climate allows far too much room for those who spread bigotry. Violent words can lead to violent acts. All elected leaders in America, all people of good conscience, must work deliberately to change our political dialogue."

Oregon Governor Kate Brown said she was "heartbroken" by the attack.

"Safety while traveling through our community is a basic human right that we need to be able to guarantee to everyone, regardless of where they're from, or what they believe," she said.

Jeff Merkley, a U.S. Senator representing Oregon, denounced the incident on Twitter.

We all stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters who've had to face discrimination and fear. This hatred is unacceptable and un-American.

Police are investigating the suspect Christian. They said he appears to have posted extremist ideas on social media.



Thousands of people have given money to an online fundraising effort for the victims and their families. As of Monday, the amount donated reached about $800,000.

Minnesota representative Keith Ellison is the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress. He praised those killed in a statement.

"They saw injustice being committed, racism being practiced, and they intervened," said Ellison. He said they showed, the best qualities of American heroes. And they were killed for it."

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi said that the attack showed an increase in hate-crimes against religious and ethnic groups during the past year.

Im Phil Dierking

This story was originally written for VOA News. Phil Dierking adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

What do you think is the best way to stand up to racism? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_____________________________________________________

Words in This Story

bigotry - n. act that are strongly and unfairly against other people, ideas, etc. 

conscience - n. the part of the mind that makes you aware of your actions as being either morally right or wrong

dialogue - n. discussion or series of discussions that two groups or countries have in order to end a disagreement

extremism - n. belief in and support for ideas that are very far from what most people consider correct or reasonable

hijab - n. head covering worn in public by some Muslim women.

ideology - n. the set of ideas and beliefs of a group or political party

spew - v. to flow out of something in a fast and forceful way


Ronald Reagan

The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.

Albert Einstein

If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.

Winston Churchill





It isnt so much that liberals are ignorant. Its just that they know so many things that arent so.

With integrity nothing else counts; Without integrity nothing else counts.

Winston Churchill





Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself.

Harvey S. Firestone





It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office. H. L. Menken



Referenda insure all have a voice in land use decisions.

U.S. Supreme Court

Listen carefully to first criticism of your work. Note just what it is about your work the critics don't like - then cultivate it. That's the only part of your work that's individual and worth keeping.

Jean Cocteau
Fuel pumps caught tampering by NBSM

Spending 6-months in jail seem to have no effect on Atmaram Thapa as he was back to his crooked old ways in no time.
Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Saturday indicated that the Saudi Throne is edging toward collapse for siding with the United States in response to the declared strengthening of US-Saudi alliance.

The Iranian leader known for his phosphorous animosity towards the Kingdom and the US told a religious gathering that Riyadh has chosen the enemy of Islam in favor of brother Muslims in Bahrain and Yemen.

They (Saudi leaders) act cordially towards the enemies of Islam while having the opposite behavior towards the Muslim people of Bahrain and YemenThey will face certain downfall he said on his Twitter account.

Riyadh neared closer to Washington during US President Donald Trump visit early last week. Trump vowed Washingtons support to Saudi efforts to keep Iran at bay. Trump accused Teheran of funding terrorism in the region.

Washington and Riyadh struck an arms and defense system deal worth $110 billion. Washington argued that the defense equipment will enable Riyadh to contain Teherans growing threats and influence in the region.

Last week, Teheran defense minister Hossein Dehghan also warned Saudi Arabia. We say to the Arab leaders to accept the wishes of their people and not collude with foreign forces, Dehghan said.

Dehghan pointed out that foreign forces are led by interest and only tie themselves to a country when they have an interest in sight.
As the U.S. Senate takes up the proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA), a large study provides evidence that eliminating the individual mandate could jeopardize health care coverage for young adults. Analysis of insurance data found that without an individual mandate, young adults were more likely to lose health insuranceeven with the Obamacare provision allowing people under age 26 to be covered under their parents' health plan.

The study, led by Lauren Wisk, PhD, of the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, appears in the upcoming issue of the journal Health Services Research.

Wisk and colleagues analyzed data from 131,542 adolescents and young adults in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire whose family was covered by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care between January 2000 and December 2012. Massachusetts introduced an individual mandate in 2007, while Maine and New Hampshire did not. This allowed a natural comparison before the individual mandate went into effect nationally (in 2014).

Wisk and colleagues found that having an individual mandate boosted the effect of the Dependent Coverage Expansion, which took effect in these three states (and others) in 2007 and nationally in 2010. "With an individual mandate, many more young adults used the dependent coverage provision, and people who were previously dropped from their parents' plan were more likely to get back on," says Wisk.

With both the individual mandate and the dependent coverage expansion in effect, young adults in Massachusetts:

were 23 percent more likely to keep their dependent coverage than their counterparts in Maine or New Hampshire

kept their dependent coverage for longer periods of time

were 33 percent more likely to regain dependent coverage after going off their parents' plan.

Threats to dependent coverage

The current AHCA (H.R. 1628) retains the dependent coverage provision, and it would seem to protect young adults. However, various other provisions in the AHCA could undercut that popular provision, says Wisk.

Without an individual mandate, more young adults and their families may choose to go without dependent coverage even when it's needed, Wisk says. She notes that the AHCA would limit the tax credits available to families and provide significantly less income-based assistance, which may make it too expensive for some families to keep a young adult child covered as a dependent. (See: http://files.kff.org/attachment/Proposals-to-Replace-the-Affordable-Care-Act-Summary-of-the-American-Health-Care-Act)

Moreover, while the current version of the AHCA retains coverage of pre-existing conditions, young adults who lose or drop their insurance could be charged 30 percent higher premiums for one year after resuming coverage, Wisk notes. Such lapses in insurance are common for young adults, who may leave dependent coverage as they enter college or get entry-level jobs, but then find their parents' policies offer better coverage.

"At Boston Children's we see many adolescents and young adults with chronic conditions who could lose access to their doctors under the ACHA when they change plans, or find that the AHCA changes make it too expensive to keep seeing their doctors," says Wisk. "Our study suggests that the individual mandate encourages young adults to have better, continuous access to the care they need. The AHCA could change that."

"Boston Children's Hospital was an early and strong supporter of the Massachusetts coverage expansion in 2006, and, more recently, the Affordable Care Act," says Josh Greenberg, the hospital's VP of Government Relations. "The individual mandate, with its accompanying subsidies to support low-income individuals, was always understood to be a critical component of our efforts to reach near-universal coverage. Young adults are especially vulnerable both socially and economically, and we should be careful about making changes that reduce coverage and could result in lifelong health complications."

Panel at Boston Children's to discuss how AHCA would affect children and youth

On Wednesday, May 31, Boston Children's offices of Government Relations and Community Health will host a panel, Grand Rounds: Spotlight on Health Care PolicyThe Impact on Children and Families (10-11 a.m., Folkman Auditorium, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston). Boston Children's President and CEO, Sandra L. Fenwick, will moderate a panel of experts. The event is free and open to the public (registration and information here).

Alison Galbraith, MD, MPH, of Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute was senior author on the Health Services Research paper. Coauthors were Jonathan Finkelstein, MD, MPH, Sara Toomey, MD, MPH, Gregory Sawicki, MD, MPH, and Mark Schuster, MD, PhD, all of Boston Children's.
Staphylococcus aureus - Antibiotics Test plate. Credit: CDC

The frightening spread of antibiotic-resistant superbugs threatens to return medicine to the pre-antibiotic era, with the return of deadly infectious diseases long thought vanquished.

Each year, more than 2 million people in the United States get antibiotic-resistant infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 23,000 of them die. Unless breakthroughs are achieved, that toll will keep rising.

If a new version of an antibiotic of last resort lives up to its promise, that date with doom may be averted. A study on this bolstered form of vancomycin by scientists at the Scripps Research Institute was released Monday.

Researchers led by Dale Boger, co-chair of Scripps' Department of Chemistry, introduced three modifications to vancomycin, all lethal to bacteria and independent of each other. Superbugs need to overcome all three changes to survive, which is extremely unlikely, the study said.

The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Boger was senior author and Akinori Okano, also of Scripps, was first author. Research funding was supplied by the National Institutes of Health.

While fear of losing antibiotics has made doctors restrict their use, Boger and colleagues contend that doesn't solve the problem, it just slows the process. Better science is the solution, they say, to engineer antibiotics to anticipate and thwart resistance from the start.

The modified vancomycin needs further development so it can be tested in people to prove its safety and efficacy. Moreover, Boger's team made the drug through a lengthy, 30-step process, which limits yield. He and colleagues are working on shortening that process.

Even with the current synthesis method, the new vancomycin should be medicinally useful, the study said. It's more than 10 times as potent as an earlier version that introduced two lethal modifications. With the third lethal change, the altered vacomycin is more than 1,000 times as potent as standard vancomycin.

Two scientists praised the study as chemical synthesis of the highest order.

Medicinal chemist Derek Lowe said he's excited about the report and looking forward to seeing the new form of vancomycin developed further.

In a 2015 post on his blog, In the Pipeline, Lowe praised a previous study on the research that introduced the two lethal modifications.

That achievement arose from Boger's work in total synthesis of complex organic molecules. It's one of his specialties, and also something other Scripps scientists have been noted for.

Boger's previous work on vancomycin is the kind of feat that requires intense human creativity, something that can't be captured in automated synthesis, Lowe wrote in 2015.

The new study adds even more chemical tricks, he said.

"Vancomycin's original odd mechanism of action is why it's lasted so long in the first place. It doesn't bind directly to a bacterial protein, which would engage the evolutionary battle directly, but instead vacuums up a key oligopeptide that the bacteria need to function," Lowe said in an email.

"Throw these new functions in on top of that, and you not only get a big boost in potency, which this (latest) paper demonstrates, but you make it far, far less likely that a bacterium will emerge that will be able to deal with all of this at once."

Dan Kahne, a Harvard University professor of chemistry and chemical biology, described Boger's work as "spectacular."

"To be able to engineer a molecule of the complexity of vancomycin is a feat that few synthetic groups in the world could even attempt," Kahne said. "We need to continue to support these kinds of research programs because resistance will develop to any antibiotic, because death is a powerful selection."

Bacteria exist in astronomical numbers, mutate often and freely swap genes with others, even between species. So when they're confronted with antibiotics, Darwinian evolution by natural selection ensures that when resistance occurs even once, it rapidly spreads.

Vancomycin foiled this evolution for decades because it indirectly attacks bacteria by removing oligopeptide, a substance needed for their survival. But even so, some bacteria have developed resistance.

This process has spurred the rise of vancomycin-resistant enterococci, or VRE, three letters that strike fear into hospital staffs the world over. VRE has spread relentlessly, despite the best efforts of medical professionals.

Given the power of natural selection, the emergence of VRE and other resistant organisms appears inevitable. So doctors have become more cautious in prescribing antibiotics, hoping to reduce the pressures of natural selection that fuel resistance.

Boger and colleagues say in the study that approach is too defeatist.

"Although sounding attractive, the effort to restrict antibiotic use seems counter to their importance, introduces guilt into even their most legitimate of uses, challenges the prevailing practices of initial empirical best guess therapy and prophylaxis deployment, and produces additional disincentives to antibiotic development," the study says.

Moreover, restricting antibiotic use doesn't do anything to generate greater understanding of how resistance arises and how it might be thwarted, it said.

And the study posed a question:

"As an alternative to championing the restricted use of antibiotics or conceding that bacteria will always outsmart us, can durable antibiotics be developed that are capable of continued or even more widespread use?"

The modified vancomycin provides a positive answer, the authors say, not only by itself, but also as an approach to generating other more durable antibiotics.

More information: Akinori Okano el al., "Peripheral modifications of [[CH2NH]Tpg4]vancomycin with added synergistic mechanisms of action provide durable and potent antibiotics," PNAS (2017). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Akinori Okano el al., "Peripheral modifications of [[CH2NH]Tpg4]vancomycin with added synergistic mechanisms of action provide durable and potent antibiotics,"(2017). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1704125114

2017 The San Diego Union-Tribune

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Brett Crist, M.D., associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at the MU School of Medicine and senior author of the review. Credit: Justin Kelley, University of Missouri Health

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer osteoporosis-related fractures each year. Although comprehensive care for fragility fractures is available to patients, their understanding of risk factors, treatment adherence and the use of preventive screening remains low. Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine reviewed recent osteoporosis treatment and management options with the goal of preventing complications from the disease.

"A fracture is the only true symptom of osteoporosis, and typically, that's how the disease is diagnosed," said Brett Crist, M.D., associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at the MU School of Medicine and senior author of the review. "Knowing risk factors - age, gender and family history - allows us to screen for osteoporosis and prevent complications. However, in our review, we found that preventable complications, such as secondary fractures, are more common than they should be. The reality is that death and disability associated with osteoporosis affect more people than most cancers. Previous research shows that the mortality rate for the elderly is 30 percent up to one year following a hip fracture."

Crist, who also serves as an orthopaedic trauma surgeon at MU Health Care, said that several factors can lead to preventable secondary fractures.

"The use of preventive screening for osteoporosis is low," Crist said. "The risk of decreased bone density starts at age 50, so it's appropriate to start screening patients then to maximize the benefit and cost-effectiveness of fracture prevention. However, less than 27 percent of patients ages 65 to 79 are screened for the disease. Screening rates are even lower for both younger and older patient populations. Screening methods should include questionnaires and available tests for measuring bone density, such as a DEXA scan."

Medication cost is another factor that can inhibit osteoporosis care. Although newer medications that require fewer doses and have fewer side effects are available, their use is relatively low because of their cost.

"Getting patients to follow their care plan sometimes can be a challenge, especially when it comes to prescribed medications," Crist said. "Cost is definitely a factor. For example, a newer medication called Teriparatide increases bone density in patients with osteoporosis. However, a month's supply of this medication without insurance costs about $3,000. The more cost-effective drugs often carry greater side effects and a more difficult dosing regimen."

Calcium and Vitamin D are commonly prescribed for the treatment and management of osteoporosis. However, recent studies have called into question their effectiveness.

"These supplements are relatively inexpensive, over-the-counter treatment options," Crist said. "For those reasons, patients tend to take them as suggested by their physician. However, some studies question the benefits of calcium supplements and suggest they may have unwanted side effects in some patients. More research is definitely needed in the area of calcium supplementation as a treatment option."

Ultimately, Crist said that physicians need to have conversations with their patients about recent advances in osteoporosis treatment and management.

"Patients sometimes view osteoporosis as part of the normal aging process," Crist said. "However, they take a significant risk if they don't fully understand the consequences of their diagnosis. The development of an interdisciplinary care plan that meets the expectations and needs of the patient is the goal."

The review, "Osteoporosis: A Discussion on the Past 5 Years," recently was published in Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. The review in this publication was supported by the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the MU School of Medicine. Crist and Kyle Schweser, M.D., orthopaedic trauma fellow at the MU School of Medicine and co-author of the review, have no conflicts of interest to declare related to this publication.

More information: Kyle M. Schweser et al, Osteoporosis: a discussion on the past 5 years, Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine (2017). Kyle M. Schweser et al, Osteoporosis: a discussion on the past 5 years,(2017). DOI: 10.1007/s12178-017-9410-y
Candidate drug BAY1436032 (yellow) binds to the mutated enzyme IDH1. Credit: Stefan Pusch/DKFZ

The substitution of a single amino acid in a metabolic enzyme can be the cause of various types of cancer. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center and Heidelberg University Hospital, collaborating with Bayer AG, have now been able to develop a candidate for an agent that is intended to specifically block the altered enzyme. First studies in mice have demonstrated preclinical effects of this investigational compound.

Many malignancies develop as a result of genetic alterations in individual cells. These gene mutations often cause altered proteins that give new, growth-promoting properties to the cell. A prime example for this principle is a cancer-related altered form of the IDH1 enzyme that was initially discovered in certain malignant brain tumors.

Scientists had noticed that mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 almost always occur at position 132 of the enzyme's chain of amino acids. This replacement causes a specific cancer-promoting metabolic product to accumulate in the cells. Non-mutated IDH enzymes in healthy cells do not produce this metabolite. "This prompted the idea of developing an agent that inhibits position 132-mutant IDH1," said Stefan Pusch from the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ). He added: "Our goal is to develop a drug that acts on cancer cells while it does not influence healthy cells with the normal enzyme."

In a research alliance with Bayer AG, the researchers from the DKFZ and Bayer jointly succeeded in finding a substance that is presumed to be highly selective. The investigational compound, called BAY1436032, is currently being examined in comprehensive preclinical tests for its safety and effectiveness.

Leukemia and brain cancer in mice slowed down

The 132 mutation of IDH1 has been found by now not only in various types of brain cancer (oligodendroglioma, diffuse astrocytoma and a smaller portion of glioblastomas) but also in approximately ten percent of acute myeloid leukemias (AML) as well as in bile duct cancer and certain malignant bone tumors. In two currently published studies, the Heidelberg researchers have now demonstrated the preclinical activity of BAY1436032 against AML and brain tumors (astrocytoma) in mice.

Under treatment with BAY1436032, mice that had been transplanted human astrocytoma cells survived significantly longer than untreated fellows. The agent, which can be administered with the food, substantially reduced the levels of the cancer-promoting metabolite in the cancer. "Even at high doses the animals tolerated the treatment well," said Andreas von Deimling, who is the head of a Clinical Cooperation Unit at the DKFZ and at Heidelberg University Hospital. "BAY1436032 really seems to act specifically on the mutated IDH1 in the cancer cells."

Tests of the agent against AML were also successful. Mice that had received IDH1-mutant human leukemia cells survived longer when treated with BAY1436032 than untreated animals did. Furthermore, the leukemia stem cells in their bone marrow were significantly reduced.

Cancer cells lose stem-cell properties

"There is evidence to suggest that BAY1436032 does not act cytotoxic, but may cause tumor cells to mature into normal blood cells instead," stated hemato-oncologist and scientist Alwin Kramer, who leads a Clinical Cooperation Unit of the German Cancer Research Center and Heidelberg University Hospital. Von Deimling, who led the preclinical study in gliomas, confirmed this observation: "The cancer cells in the mice under investigation lost their dangerous stem-cell characteristics and developed into precursors of normal brain cells".

As a couple of different mutations at amino acid position 132 of IDH1 are known, the research team also tested the effectiveness of the investigational compound against these mutational variants. In biochemical and cell culture assays, they could show that BAY1436032 is effective against all known mutational variants at position 132. In addition, there are indications that BAY1436032 may be able to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Following these promising preclinical results, a first clinical trial is currently being conducted at the Neurology Department of Heidelberg University Hospital. The trial comprises patients with glioma and other solid tumors with proven IDH1 mutation. The goal is to determine the tolerability of BAY1436032 and the appropriate dose. "Innovative therapies are greatly needed here," von Deimling said, "because therapy-resistant astrocytomas often turn into highly aggressive tumors that cannot be treated effectively with the drugs that are available at the present time."

In addition, an international clinical trial led by Alwin Kramer will shortly be launched to study the tolerability and the appropriate dose of BAY1436032 against IDH1 mutant AML.

More information: Stefan Pusch et al, Pan-mutant IDH1 inhibitor BAY 1436032 for effective treatment of IDH1 mutant astrocytoma in vivo, Acta Neuropathologica (2017). Stefan Pusch et al, Pan-mutant IDH1 inhibitor BAY 1436032 for effective treatment of IDH1 mutant astrocytoma in vivo,(2017). DOI: 10.1007/s00401-017-1677-y

Provided by German Cancer Research Center
As many as 53 percent of cancer patients' Emergency Department visits that do not require admission could be avoided with better symptom management and greater availability of outpatient care tailored to their needs, according to a new study from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Although a number of studies have addressed the prevalence of ED visits among cancer patients, this is the first to systematically identify potentially preventable ED visits during treatment. Dr. Laura Panattoni, a staff scientist at the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, or HICOR, and colleagues followed cancer patients in 13 Western Washington counties with solid tumors whose treatment included chemotherapy, radiation or both.

"My hope is that seeing this data will promote innovative thinking and investment in how oncology teams manage patient symptoms," Panattoni said. "Managing nausea, pain, dehydration, diarrhea and other symptoms in an outpatient setting has great potential to improve patient experience and decrease the cost of care."

Panattoni is scheduled to present these findings at the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago on June 5 at 9:24 a.m. (ASCO abstract number 6505.)

Measuring what matters

The study began with data from 5,853 commercially insured patients who were 18 years or older, diagnosed with a solid tumor and treated with chemotherapy, radiation or both. Out of that population, 27 percent, or 1,581 patients, visited the ED without being admitted in the year after starting treatment.

Panattoni and her colleagues tallied 2,400 ED visits by these 1,581 cancer patients and then set about analyzing whether they could have been prevented.

Using a list of symptoms that federal health authorities identified as preventable, combined with symptoms targeted by patient-reported outcome tools, the researchers found that slightly more than half of these ED visits53 percentwere related to symptoms that could be managed with timely care in an outpatient setting.

The share of potentially preventable visits rose to 70 percent when Panattoni expanded the standard to include other common patient complaints, as well as symptoms associated with chronic health conditions.

"At a time when federal authorities and private payers are linking insurance payments to hospital quality measures, this study points to the importance of developing methods to accurately identify those ED visits that are preventable versus those that are appropriate," Panattoni commented.

The study revealed that the most common reason cancer patients visited an ED was due to pain. In fact, visits due to pain amounted to 27 percent of overall visits and had a median cost per visit of $1,127. Fever and difficulty breathing were the next two most common reasons that brought patients to the ED, each at 6 percent.

Overall, the study indicated a higher median cost per visit for cancer patients compared with the cost of visits as a result of other chronic health conditions. The median cost per visit of preventable cancer-related symptoms was $1,047 compared to a median cost per visit of $335 for symptoms related to a chronic health condition.

"This represents a rare opportunity to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes" said Panattoni, noting that investment in sharing best practices and new models of care will likely be necessary to make a significant difference.

One limitation of the study is that it did not include data from patients insured through Medicare. The team expects to receive that data in the coming months and incorporate it into these findings.

Novel partnerships drive research

Under the leadership of Dr. Scott Ramsey, HICOR has developed a network of providers and insurers who routinely share healthcare claims and cost data in an effort to improve cancer care.

"HICOR has facilitated a collaborative environment where payers and delivery systems work together and share data," said Panattoni. "This allows us to identify priority areas to improve care and develop shared solutions."

HICOR has also established a community working groupincluding patient representatives focused on reducing ED and hospital use for patients undergoing treatment. The working group makes recommendations for research priorities and new, patient-centered models of care, including investment in proactive symptom management.

Panattoni pointed to oncology medical home models and cancer-specific urgent care centers as an approach better suited to addressing patient symptoms. Such models strive to deliver value-based care, a departure from the historic focus in oncology on volume-based care. They include features such as expanded hours, same-day visits, electronic outreach to patients and team care.

Panattoni and her HICOR colleagues plan to focus next on the financial burden patients experience through out-of-pocket costs due to preventable ED visits, which could particularly affect those patients on high-deductible insurance plans. Including data from more diverse socioeconomic and geographic groups, along with following patients for longer, would make the data more applicable to a larger population.

More information: This study will be presented at the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting on June 5, 2017. Abstract #6505: This study will be presented at the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting on June 5, 2017. Abstract #6505: abstracts.asco.org/199/AbstView_199_193735.html
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

An analysis of billing records for more than 12,000 emergency medicine doctors across the United States shows that charges varied widely, but that on average, adult patients are charged 340 percent more than what Medicare pays for services ranging from suturing a wound to interpreting a head CT scan.

A report of the study's findings, published in JAMA Internal Medicine on May 30, also notes that the largest hospitals markups are more likely made to minorities and uninsured patients.

"There are massive disparities in service costs across emergency rooms and that price gouging is the worst for the most vulnerable populations," says Martin Makary, M.D., M.P.H., professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the study's senior investigator. "This study adds to the growing pile of evidence that to address the huge disparities in health care, health care pricing needs to be fairer and more transparent," adds Makary, whose widely published research focuses on health care costs and disparities.

For the study, Makary and his team obtained Medicare billing records for 12,337 emergency medicine physicians practicing in nearly 300 hospitals all 50 states in 2013 to determine how much emergency departments billed for services compared to the Medicare allowable amount.

The Medicare allowable amount is the sum of what Medicare pays, the deductible and coinsurance that patients pay, and the amount any third party such as the patient pays.

In addition, using the 2013 American Hospital Association database, the research team identified size, urban/rural status, teaching status, for-profit status, regional location and safety-net hospital status for each emergency medicine department whose billing data were made part of the analysis. Using the zip code for each emergency department, the researchers also estimated poverty rates, uninsured status and minority populations for those using each emergency room, based on data from the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau.

The researchers then calculated each service bill's markup ratio, defined as the relationship between the billed charges and the Medicare allowable amount. For example, a markup ratio of 4.0 means that for a service with a Medicare allowable amount of $100, the hospital charged $400, or 300% over the Medicare allowable amount.

Makary and his team found that emergency departments charged anywhere from 1.0-12.6 times ($100-$12,600) more than what Medicare paid for services. On average, emergency medicine doctors had a markup ratio of 4.4 (340 percent in excess charges), or emergency medicine physician charges of $4 billion versus $898 million in Medicare allowable amounts.

The researchers also analyzed billing information for 57,607 general internal medicine physicians 3,669 hospitals in all 50 states to determine whether any markup differences, and how much, existed between emergency medicine physicians practicing in a hospital's ER, and general internal medicine physicians who see patients at hospitals.

On average, charges were greater when a service was performed by an emergency medicine physician rather than a general internal medicine physician. Overall, general internal medicine physicians had an average markup ratio of 2.1 compared to the Medicare allowable amount.

Makary found that wound closure had the highest median markup ratio at 7.0, and interpreting head CT scans had the greatest within-hospital variation, with markup ratios ranging between 1.6 and 27.

For a physician interpretation of an electrocardiogram, the median Medicare allowable rate is $16, but different emergency departments charged anywhere from $18 to $317, with a median charge of $95 (or a markup ratio of 6.0). General internal medicine doctors in hospitals charged an average of $62 for the same service.

Overall, emergency departments that charged patients the most were more likely to be located in for-profit hospitals in the southeastern and Midwestern U.S., and served higher populations of uninsured, African-American and Hispanic patients.

Our study found that inequality is then further compounded on poor, minority groups, who are more likely to receive services from hospitals that charge the most," says Makary.

While the study was limited by lack of data on facility and technical fees also charged by the hospital, as well as lack of patients' insurance type and the actual amount patients ultimately paid, Makary says the study highlights the urgent need for legislation that will protect uninsured patients.

"This is a health care systems problem that requires state and federal legislation to protect patients. New York has passed a law that requires hospital and insurance companies to agree on a cost for the care so patients are not billed egregious amounts. Patients really have no way of protecting themselves from these pricing practices," says Tim Xu, a fourth year medical student at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the paper's first author.

Models such as the Maryland Waiver, Makary adds, where prices are set at the same rate no matter what hospital a patient goes to, can increase price transparency and protect patients. Currently, at least 7 states have passed some legislation to protect uninsured patients from paying so called charge master prices, a list of billable services developed and closely guarded by each hospital, noting prices that are usually highly inflated and charged mainly to uninsured and other "self pay" patients. However, Makary says a national model is necessary to unveil what is currently an inexplicably chaotic and opaque pricing system.
(HealthDay)Proposed legislation as part of the American Health Care Act, which includes the option of high-risk pools, is not likely to reduce costs, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online May 23 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Jean P. Hall, Ph.D., from the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, discusses high-risk pools, which segregate persons with preexisting conditions from the broader insurance pool to a smaller pool with others who have potentially high costs.

Hall notes that high-risk pools operated in 35 states prior to implementation of the Affordable Care Act, during which time there were 47 million uninsured people, including 33 million who lived in states with high-risk pools, suggesting that these pools were not making insurance affordable or accessible. Historically, high-risk pool coverage was associated with high premiums and deductibles and serious limits on coverage. High-risk pools developed under the proposed legislation are likely to have stringent coverage limits. Higher premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs allowed under the proposed legislation may make high-risk pool coverage unaffordable for many people.

"Insurance works best when it spreads costs across a large pool of people, limiting the effects of those with higher costs on overall rates," Hall writes. "High-risk pools do not work, because they concentrate costs and require subsidies at a level that policymakers have never funded adequately."

Support for this article was provided by The Commonwealth Fund.

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

People taking leisurely strolls tend to choose safer walking routes than those heading to work or on an errand, a new study found.

Led by D. Alex Quistberg, Ph.D., an assistant research professor in the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, the study used GPS, accelerometers and travel logs from a 2008-2009 survey in King County, Washingtonwhich includes Seattleto measure the path and purpose of 537 pedestrians. That data was then compared to maps on the probability of pedestrian collision risk, and the study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Quistberg and his team found that pedestrians on recreational walks were 8 percent less likely to be in areas where car collision risks were higher than those on utilitarian walks (walking somewhere with a purpose).

"There's likely a mix of things happening here," Quistberg said. "On recreational walks, people likely want a more relaxing path than someone on a utilitarian walk."

The study also found that people who took longer walks, both in distance and time, were less likely to stray into dangerous areas (where car-collision risk is high). That, too, was likely tied to recreational walks vs. walks with a purpose. The study also took demographic data into account. This yielded the finding that people who lived in single-family homes, owned homes and/or owned a car all were less likely to walk in more dangerous areas.

People who participated in the survey who had children were slightly less likelyaround 2 percentto walk in areas with high collision risk.

"This could be due to people with children living in single-family homes, which are usually in neighborhoods that have a low risk of pedestrians collisions because of low traffic and slow speeds," Quistberg explained. "It is also possible that people with children at home are walking more cautiously, perhaps with their children."

Recently, Dornsife School of Public Health Dean Ana Diez Roux, M.D., Ph.D., signed on to a letter supported by former president Jimmy Carter that appealed for protection of the walking paths of children, especially those headed to school. And although results from Quistberg's study analyze adult pedestrians in Washington state, he believes they reveal information that could serve to improve walkability universally.

"Improving road safety for pedestrians will support interest in walking for recreation as well as those who integrate a healthy walk into their commute," Quistberg said.

More information: D. Alex Quistberg et al, The Relationship Between Objectively Measured Walking and Risk of PedestrianMotor Vehicle Collision, American Journal of Epidemiology (2017). Journal information: American Journal of Epidemiology D. Alex Quistberg et al, The Relationship Between Objectively Measured Walking and Risk of PedestrianMotor Vehicle Collision,(2017). DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwx020
Efforts to reduce hospital readmissions are working, but they're not always saving money, according to a new Cedars-Sinai study.

Many medical centers are tackling the readmission problem by trying to pinpoint the root causes of unnecessary repeat hospitalizations. A Cedars-Sinai-led team of investigators systematically evaluated the effectiveness and financial benefit of quality improvement programs at medical centers in the U.S. and elsewhere.

The team, led by Teryl Nuckols, MD, MSHS, conducted a systematic review of data from 50 quality improvement studies involving more than 16,700 patients. Among the findings: Quality improvement interventions reduced readmissions by an average of 12.1 percent for heart failure patients and 6.3 percent for older adults with diverse health issues.

But savings to health systems varied. The investigators gauged how much money these interventions saved or cost health systems by measuring expenses for hospitals, physicians, other providers and payers. They found average net savings for health systems of $972 per person among heart failure patients and average net losses of $169 per person among other patients. However, costs varied so widely across studies that the authors could not conclude definitively whether these interventions saved or lost money.

Among older adults, interventions that engaged patients and caregivers yielded the most net savings per patient. For example, several interventions involved nurses or pharmacists training patients and family members about how to manage medications after discharge, which types of activities are appropriate and which symptoms might represent something serious.

The study was published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine.

Nuckols, director of the Division of General Internal Medicine in the Cedars-Sinai Department of Medicine, said she was surprised that the interventions didn't save more money across the board. Nuckols said the results counter a widely held belief that reducing readmissions should save money by preventing additional costs for return hospital stays.

"Hospitalization is very expensive, so avoiding even a few readmissions should have saved a lot of money," she said. "Our findings suggest that there is no guarantee of net cost savings once the implementation costs associated with efforts to prevent readmissions are considered."

Adding urgency to the study, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services now penalize institutions for excessive readmissions. As a result, almost 2,600 hospitals are expected to lose a total of more than $500 million in payments this year, according to analysis of government data by Advisory Board, a healthcare consulting and research firm.
Govt unveils Rs 1,279b budget for 2017-18

The government has proposed to spend Rs 1,279 billion in the next fiscal year to meet various expenses and achieve economic growth target of 7.2 percent.
UZH researchers were able to develop a mouse model for kidney cancer for the first time. Credit: UZH

Research in the field of kidney cancer, also called renal cancer, is vital, because many patients with this disease still cannot be cured today. Researchers from the University of Zurich have now identified some of the gene mutations that contribute to the development of carcinomas in the kidneys. They also developed a mouse model that will contribute to progress in the research and treatment of this type of cancer.

Roughly 2-3 percent of all people suffering from cancer have kidney cancer. The most common form of this disease is called clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). In roughly half of all patients with this disease, the tumor develops metastases and generally cannot be cured.

New mouse model for investigating kidney cancer

The research of different types of cancer and the testing of new treatments depends on accurate mouse models. This is because the tumors in mice mirror the genetics as well as the molecular and cellular properties of tumors in humans. Despite decades of effort, however, researchers were unable to develop a mouse model of renal cell carcinoma  until now. Scientists conducting a long-term research project at the University of Zurich were able to develop a mouse model. The study was led by Sabine Harlander and her colleagues at the Institute of Physiology of the University of Zurich in the lab of Professor Ian Frew, who has recently joined the University of Freiburg in Germany. The researchers began by identifying the genes that often mutate in human renal cell carcinomas. They then mutated three of these genes simultaneously in renal cells of mice, which then developed renal cancer.

Gene Mutations Promote Uncontrolled Cell Division

The progression from gene mutation in the renal cells to the development of a tumor took eight to twelve months. This lengthy period of time, compared to a mouse's lifetime, indicates that additional factors play a role in tumor development. The researchers therefore decided to take a closer look at the protein-encoding genes in the mouse tumors. They discovered that in all of the tumors at least one of the many genes responsible for the correct functioning of the primary cilium had mutated. The primary cilium is a hair-like structure found on the cell's surface and is responsible for coordinating cell signaling, among other things.

Based on this finding, the researchers found that similar mutations also occur in renal cell carcinomas in humans. The scientists now believe that the loss of normal function in the primary cilium leads to the uncontrollable division of renal epithelial cells, which contributes to the formation of ccRCC. "This research project is a prime example of how mouse models can help us to better understand cancer diseases in human beings," says Sabine Harlander.

Mouse model enables development of better treatments

The new mouse model will make it possible to develop better therapies for renal cancer. For example, in the case of patients with renal carcinoma metastasis who are given different medications, some patients respond to the medications, while others do not. The same phenomenon can be observed when mice with renal cancer are treated with the same drugs as the humans. Some tumors shrink, while others do not. Now researchers can investigate the factors that contribute to why certain tumours respond to certain medications and not to others. "We hope that our mouse model, which allows us to combine drug testing and genetic analysis, will provide a deeper understanding of why tumors are sensitive or resistant to drugs," states Ian Frew. Such vital information could be used to better adjust treatments to the characteristics of each patient.

The mouse model could also contribute to the further development of immunotherapies  a method in which the body's immune system is stimulated, so that it intensifies its fight against tumor cells. In the last few years, much progress has been made in this field of cancer research, also for the treatment of renal cell carcinomas. Now, thanks to the new mouse model, it will be possible to study how renal tumors are able to develop in an environment with a normal immune system, and how cancer cells manage to evade the immune system's attacks. Ultimately, the researchers' goal is to use these new findings to improve the effectiveness of immunomodulatory treatments.

More information: Sabine Harlander et al. Combined mutation in Vhl, Trp53 and Rb1 causes clear cell renal cell carcinoma in mice, Nature Medicine (2017). Journal information: Nature Medicine Sabine Harlander et al. Combined mutation in Vhl, Trp53 and Rb1 causes clear cell renal cell carcinoma in mice,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/nm.4343
R2K has filed PAIA requests with four network operators for statistics on how often they hand over sensitive customer information.

The Daily Maverick recently reported about a legal loophole that allows magistrates to authorise thousands of surveillance operations every year in South Africa.

This forces telecommunications companies such as MTN, Vodacom, Telkom, and Cell C to hand over sensitive information about their customers  like their call records.

All of this is happening parallel to the provisions of RICA, South Africas main surveillance law, said R2K.

We dont know how often this loophole is used, but we need to know  this is why R2K has filed requests for information using the Promotion of Access to Information Act.

R2K has requested feedback on how many warrants the operators have received via the Criminal Procedures Act between 2015 and 2017.

These requests do not ask for any sensitive information  we only want to know how many times a year the network providers have been forced to hand over sensitive customer information using the loophole, said R2K.
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The police continue investigating the explosion, which occurred in the military hospital of Bangkok on May 22.

So far nearly 50 people suspected of having implication in the incident have been detained, Xinhua reports, citing Deputy PM and Defense Minister of Thailand, Prawit Wongsuwan.

According to the Deputy PM, there are also hospital workers among the detainees. Currently, the law enforcement authorities are interrogating them. The official declined to comment on the presence of political motives in this case.

As per Thai media outlets, the police also suspect three former officers of having implication in the explosion.

The explosion occurred in the military hospital of Bangkok at about 11 am on May 22. 25 people suffered injuries as a result of the incident.
YEREVAN.  Armen Rustamyan, head of the National Assembly (NA) faction of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Partywhich is junior partner of the coalition government with the Republican Party of Armenia, does not agree with the comments that the Constitution was amended so that the NA assume the task of resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The President [of Armenia] spoke about the Kazan [in Russia] documents, from which Azerbaijan has diverged, said Rustamyan. The Armenian sides [to the conflict] stand on a very clear argument that unless Azerbaijan recognizes the exercising of the [people of Karabakhs] right to self-determination, there can be no talk on any concessions, whatsoever.

As per the ARF MP, the center of gravity for decision-making in Armenia will now completely shift to the parliament.

Now, the National Assembly will be the sole body to have the primary mandate in the country, added Armen Rustamyan.
USAID official says she personally saw how democracy, economic development are progressing in Armenia (VIDEO)

Spain court sentences civilian to prison for spreading fakes

Armenian Embassy in Russia issues statement on Azerbaijan's actions

Indian company to supply 155mm self-propelled artillery guns worth $155mln to Armenia

Japanese minister caught in scandal for talking about death penalty

France changes its ambassador to Azerbaijan

UN General Assembly draft resolution requires Russia to pay reparations to Ukraine

Joint meeting of Armenian National Assembly and Russian State Duma Committee takes place

Iranian President says attempt to destabilize country fails

Deputy: Russian side is informed about importance of withdrawal of Azerbaijani units from the territory of Armenia

State Duma deputy: We can't imagine Russia without Armenia

Georgian PM and Armenian Ambassador discuss cooperation issues

Bali is short of armored limousines for G20 summit participants

FLYONE ARMENIA to start flights between Yerevan, Dubai

Kyodo: Emperor of Japan revealed to have prostate hyperplasia

Iranian intelligence urges Saudi Arabia not to test Tehran's strategic patience

Kazakhstan intends to ship 1.5 mln tons of oil via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline

Former Ombudsman: 2,700 ha of Kapan community of Armenia's Syunik Province are under occupation by Baku

Japan and the US begin major joint exercise

Armenia soldier sustains gunshot wound from Azerbaijan shooting

PM: If anyone thinks peace agenda is peaceful annihilation of Armenia or Karabakh Armenians, they are sorely mistaken

Armenia Premier: We have 16 missing persons since September 13 military aggression by Azerbaijan

Bitcoin is trading just above $16,000

Armenias Pashinyan: Spreading of fake news by Azerbaijan becomes prelude to new aggression

Armenia PM: Azerbaijan, with its practices, reminds of Al Qaeda and Islamic State, which discredit Islam

PM: Armenia, Karabakh propose Azerbaijan to create demilitarized zone

Pashinyan: There is no Armenia army in Karabakh

Pashinyan: Armenia is going to present new proposal to Azerbaijan

$25M allocated to Armenia MOD

Biden says he will discuss Ukraine conflict at G20 summit

Pashinyan: Armenia has no obligation to construct new roads

Pashinyan: Aliyev not only threatens but is already preparing genocide of Karabakh Armenians

Armenias Pashinyan: Azerbaijan president is attempting to create invented grounds for closing Lachin Corridor

Erdogan tells what relations between Turkey and Armenia depend on

Iran says it has developed first hypersonic ballistic missile

Armenias Pashinyan: Russia peacekeepers are deployed in Karabakh indefinitely

FM Lavrov to head Russia delegation at G20 summit

Erdogan: Ankara continues mediation efforts to resolve Ukrainian crisis

Armenia to get 100mn loan to fund budget deficit

IAEA head: Talks on Iran's nuclear program ended inconclusively

Armenia PM: Aliyev grossly violated tripartite written agreement of Sochi

This year 320 people seek asylum in Armenia, 213 are from Ukraine

Erdogan speaks on trusting relationship with Putin

Gold prices remain stable

Ombudsperson in Brussels, reflects on top Azerbaijan leaderships policy of Armenophobia

Indonesian authorities: Putin won't come to G20 summit in Bali

World oil prices falling

Washington demands part of Israeli Arrow 3 for sale to Germany, be produced in the U.S.

Armenia Security Council chief meets with Lithuania officials

Armenia FM heading for Paris

Egypt launches Tax Free system for foreign tourists

Washington, Brussels don't approve German plan to resume transatlantic trade talks

Newspaper: Armenias Mirzoyan makes it clear to Blinken that wording Artsakh should be included

Newspaper: Armenia parliamentary opposition decides to return to legislative body

Volkswagen releases office chair with electric motor and klaxon

Israel reveals Pulcinella secret, admitting that it used drones not only for surveillance

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

France National Assembly speaker reaffirms solidarity with Armenia, Armenians

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
ASHGABAT.  The International Energy Charter Forum, entitled Towards a Multilateral Framework Agreement on Transit of Energy Resources, kicked off Tuesday in Ashgabat, the capital city of Turkmenistan.

The event will be followed by a media forum, the Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter informed from Ashgabat.

An official delegation from Armenia, and led by Deputy Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Hayk Harutyunyan, also is attending this forum.

The discussants will confer on the transit of energy resources, including natural gas, oil, and electricity.
USAID official says she personally saw how democracy, economic development are progressing in Armenia (VIDEO)

Spain court sentences civilian to prison for spreading fakes

Armenian Embassy in Russia issues statement on Azerbaijan's actions

Indian company to supply 155mm self-propelled artillery guns worth $155mln to Armenia

Japanese minister caught in scandal for talking about death penalty

France changes its ambassador to Azerbaijan

UN General Assembly draft resolution requires Russia to pay reparations to Ukraine

Joint meeting of Armenian National Assembly and Russian State Duma Committee takes place

Iranian President says attempt to destabilize country fails

Deputy: Russian side is informed about importance of withdrawal of Azerbaijani units from the territory of Armenia

State Duma deputy: We can't imagine Russia without Armenia

Georgian PM and Armenian Ambassador discuss cooperation issues

Bali is short of armored limousines for G20 summit participants

FLYONE ARMENIA to start flights between Yerevan, Dubai

Kyodo: Emperor of Japan revealed to have prostate hyperplasia

Iranian intelligence urges Saudi Arabia not to test Tehran's strategic patience

Kazakhstan intends to ship 1.5 mln tons of oil via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline

Former Ombudsman: 2,700 ha of Kapan community of Armenia's Syunik Province are under occupation by Baku

Japan and the US begin major joint exercise

Armenia soldier sustains gunshot wound from Azerbaijan shooting

PM: If anyone thinks peace agenda is peaceful annihilation of Armenia or Karabakh Armenians, they are sorely mistaken

Armenia Premier: We have 16 missing persons since September 13 military aggression by Azerbaijan

Bitcoin is trading just above $16,000

Armenias Pashinyan: Spreading of fake news by Azerbaijan becomes prelude to new aggression

Armenia PM: Azerbaijan, with its practices, reminds of Al Qaeda and Islamic State, which discredit Islam

PM: Armenia, Karabakh propose Azerbaijan to create demilitarized zone

Pashinyan: There is no Armenia army in Karabakh

Pashinyan: Armenia is going to present new proposal to Azerbaijan

$25M allocated to Armenia MOD

Biden says he will discuss Ukraine conflict at G20 summit

Pashinyan: Armenia has no obligation to construct new roads

Pashinyan: Aliyev not only threatens but is already preparing genocide of Karabakh Armenians

Armenias Pashinyan: Azerbaijan president is attempting to create invented grounds for closing Lachin Corridor

Erdogan tells what relations between Turkey and Armenia depend on

Iran says it has developed first hypersonic ballistic missile

Armenias Pashinyan: Russia peacekeepers are deployed in Karabakh indefinitely

FM Lavrov to head Russia delegation at G20 summit

Erdogan: Ankara continues mediation efforts to resolve Ukrainian crisis

Armenia to get 100mn loan to fund budget deficit

IAEA head: Talks on Iran's nuclear program ended inconclusively

Armenia PM: Aliyev grossly violated tripartite written agreement of Sochi

This year 320 people seek asylum in Armenia, 213 are from Ukraine

Erdogan speaks on trusting relationship with Putin

Gold prices remain stable

Ombudsperson in Brussels, reflects on top Azerbaijan leaderships policy of Armenophobia

Indonesian authorities: Putin won't come to G20 summit in Bali

World oil prices falling

Washington demands part of Israeli Arrow 3 for sale to Germany, be produced in the U.S.

Armenia Security Council chief meets with Lithuania officials

Armenia FM heading for Paris

Egypt launches Tax Free system for foreign tourists

Washington, Brussels don't approve German plan to resume transatlantic trade talks

Newspaper: Armenias Mirzoyan makes it clear to Blinken that wording Artsakh should be included

Newspaper: Armenia parliamentary opposition decides to return to legislative body

Volkswagen releases office chair with electric motor and klaxon

Israel reveals Pulcinella secret, admitting that it used drones not only for surveillance

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

France National Assembly speaker reaffirms solidarity with Armenia, Armenians

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
Impeachment motion against CJ withdrawn

The impeachment motion filed against Chief Justice Sushila Karki has been withdrawn.
YEREVAN.  Armenia is ready to support all projects related to ensuring the security of energy transit, Deputy Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Hayk Harutyunyan said in Ashgabat on Tuesday.

Harutyunyan is attending International Energy Charter Forum, entitled Towards a Multilateral Framework Agreement on Transit of Energy Resources, special correspondent of Armenian News - NEWS.am informs from the capital city of Turkmenistan.

He urged to focus on the idea that access to energy is not a privilege, but a fundamental human right.

Modern access to energy is still a problem in many parts of the world. It is necessary to diversify the transit of energy resources. And all projects related to energy resources should include the security of transit of energy supplies,Harutyunyan said.

The deputy minister stressed that Armenia is ready to work in partnership with all world countries on providing transit of gas and electricity.

Now we are working on creation of a corridor between Iran, Georgia, Armenia and Russia, Hayk Harutyunyan added.
Alexander Lapshin, who is under arrest in Azerbaijan, met his mother Bella Lapshina in the medical center of the detention facility, Trend reported quoting lawyer Eduard Chernin.

According to the lawyer, Bella Lapshina came to Baku to inquire about the course of the investigation and the health of her son. She met Lapshin and was informed that the investigation on her son's case was completed.

He noted that they could get familiarized with the materials of the case, later the materials would be sent to court.

After his visits to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in 2011 and 2012, blogger and journalist Alexander Lapshinwho is a citizen of Russia, Israel, and several other countrieswas blacklisted by Azerbaijan.

In June 2016, however, he paid a visit to Azerbaijan--but with a Ukrainian passport--and, subsequently, he published several articles criticizing the Azerbaijani authorities.

Afterward, Azerbaijan issued an international search for this famous blogger. On December 15, 2016, Lapshin was detained in the Belarusian capital city of Minsk, and based on this search.

On January 26 of the current year, the Minsk city court dismissed the blogger's appeal of the Belarusian General Prosecutor's Office decision to extradite him to Azerbaijan.

On February 7, the Supreme Court of Belarus dismissed the appeals that were filed into this case, and upheld the aforesaid decision by the General Prosecutors Office.

And on the evening of the same day, Belarus extradited Alexander Lapshin to the Azerbaijani capital city of Baku, where he was taken into custody.
Infra sector gains priority; energy projects get Rs62.5b

The government has rolled out an ambitious annual budget, putting strong emphasis on development of hydroelectricity and other infrastructure projects. The government has allocated adequate funds for the development of various national pride projects.
YEREVAN. - Yelk (Way Out) Bloc proposes to reduce the number of Armenian ministries from 18 to 15, bloc MP Edmon Marukyan said in the parliament on Tuesday.

In his words, the new edition of the Constitution requires the governmental authorities to be included in the composition of ministries. But this procedure will enter into force since 2018, while before this the leaders of the mentioned institutionsfirst of all, those of the Police and National Security Servicewere not considered as political officials Not bearing a political responsibility, they were not accountable to the parliament, Marukyan noted.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs was reorganized into Police in 2001, and the Ministry of National Securities has turned into a service since 1 January 2003.

Yelk proposes to include the Ministry of Emergency Situations in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and make the Service of National Security a separate ministry.

It is also proposed to include the State Committee of Real Property Cadastre into the Ministry of Justice, and combine the ministries of agriculture and ecology, as well as the ministries of education and culture. Apart from this, Yelk proposes to return the State Revenue Committee (SRC) to the Ministry of Finance.

According to Marukyan, the Ministries of Defense, Health, Labor and Social Affairs, Sport and Youth should be retained in their current form. The Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources should be included in the State Nuclear Safety Regulatory Commit, whereas the General Department of Civil Aviationin the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies, the MP said.

Finally, it is proposed to combine the Ministry of Economic Integration and Reforms, as well as the State Property Management Department with the Ministry of Economic Development and Investments. Moreover, the management of the Government staff should be entrusted to the vice premier, Marukyan proposed.

Thus, there will be no agency left in the Government, which will not be accountable to the parliament. We appoint them and pay them salary, Marukyan said.
YEREVAN. - Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, Eduard Sharmazanov, who is also the co-chairman of the Armenian-Estonian friendship group, on Tuesday received President of the National Defense Committee of the Estonian parliament, Hannes Hanso, and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marco Mihkelson.

Welcoming the Estonian deputies in the Armenian NA, Eduard Sharmazanov noted that in the recent years serious progress was recorded in the Armenian-Estonian inter-parliamentary relations. He expressed his gratitude for the exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide held at the National Library of Estonia and the concert held in St. Johns Church of Tallinn.

The NA Deputy Speaker highly appreciated these steps of the Estonian authorities, expressing hope that Estonia will soon join the countries, which have recognized the Armenian Genocide.

Referring to the Armenia-EU relations, Sharmazanov noted that Armenia is positive about developing bilateral relations. He lauded the role of EU in the ongoing institutional reforms in Armenia.

Touching on the regional issues, the Deputy Speaker noted that Turkey keeps the border with Armenia close, ignoring all the international obligations, the policy conducted by the Turkish authorities destabilizing the situation in the region.

Speaking about the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, Sharmazanov reconfirmed Armenias stance: like Europe, Armenia is against the military solution of the conflict.

In the context of the military aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh last April, the Armenian official noted that a few days ago the OSCE Minsk Group for the first time gave a targeted assessment to the steps of Azerbaijan aimed at destabilizing the situation in the region.

In the deputy speakers words, Azerbaijan should recognize the right of the Artsakh people to live freely and independently. Now the Artsakh people are fighting for liberty and independence, he added.

Hannes Hanso, for his part, noted that the framework agreement with Armenian will be signed during the Estonian chairmanship in the EU, it being a great responsibility for Estonia to assume the EU Chairmanship. He also referred to the deepening of cooperation between the EU states within the framework of the Eastern Partnership, as well as the visa waiver and the Eastern Partnership summit to be held in Brussels.

By the end of the meeting, Sharmazanov touched on the constitutional changes, the parliamentary governance system and the bills to be discussed in the parliament in the future.
Let NARC do its job

When the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernisation Project (PMAMP) was conceived, its framers must have thought about where the required improved technology would come from.
Director of Venezuelan NGO Foro Penal (Criminal Forum), Alfredo Romero, on Tuesday informed that the death toll reached 69 as political protests continue in Venezuela, RIA Novosti reports.

According to the latest official data announced by Attorney General of the country, Luisa Diaz, there were overall 55 casualties. However, as per the information circulated by media outlets, their number is at least 60.

In Romeros words, 49 people were killed, while the rest died as a result of various incidents, accidents and robbery during the protests.

Mass protests have been staged in Venezuela since early April after the decision of the Supreme Court to seriously restrict the power of opposition-controlled National Assembly. The decision was cancelled but the opposition supporters took to the streets demanding the resignation of court members and snap election. Now they are also protesting against the convention of constitutional assembly, considering this as an attempt to change the countrys Constitution.
When it comes to making acquisitions, PepsiCo (PEP) - Get Free Report has always been a patient bunch. But when it decides to strike, it very often strikes big and with something that could transform the company's bottom line.

One such deal could be lurking. The soda and snacks maker is in talks to acquire All Market Inc., the owner of coconut water brand Vita Coco, Reutersreported on Friday evening. PepsiCo offered less than the $1 billion that All Market's owners have been seeking to sell the company, the report said.

A PepsiCo spokesman told TheStreet the company doesn't comment on rumors or speculation.

An acquisition of Vita Coco would give PepsiCo a dominant market position in coconut water, which in itself is part of a strong outlook for plant-based hydration products as consumers shift to healthier drinks. PepsiCo already sells coconut water under its One, Kero Coco and Naked brands. These offerings go head-to-head with Coca-Cola's (KO) - Get Free Report Zico coconut water, a brand it acquired in 2013.

Global sales of plant-based waters grew 21% in 2016 to about $2.7 billion, according to food and drink consoltency Zenith Global. By 2020, the market is seen having doubled to $5.4 billion.

PepsiCo chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi is no stranger to doing to deals. But to her credit, she has embodied PepsiCo's history of doing deals that make strategic sense and aren't at nosebleed valuations.

"We have yet to find that gem of a company -- there is nothing out there at the moment," Nooyi said at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference (CAGNY) in 2016.

Nooyi added that "we don't shy away from investments that could grow this company." The long-time PepsiCo executive explained at the time the company was having trouble either finding the right strategic fit, or was unwilling to pay high multiples for up-and-coming beverage or snack brands.

To be sure, the modern day PepsiCo has been created via doing the big deal. The most prominent being its combination with snack maker Frito Lay in 1965.

In 1998, PepsiCo purchased Tropicana for about $3.3 billion, a deal Nooyi was heavily involved in making happen. Then in 2000, Nooyi was instrumental in getting PepsiCo to plunk down a colossal $13.4 billion to buy Quaker Oats, which also gave it access to the coveted Gatorade brand. The company's purchase of Izze for an undisclosed sum in 2006 gave it access to the hot-selling sparkling water category, while in the same year it gobbled up juice brand Naked for an undisclosed amount.

The company's last huge brand acquisition was Russian dairy products and fruit-juice maker Wimm-Bill-Dann for about $5.4 billion in 2010. In November 2016, PepsiCo acquired probiotic drinks maker Kevita for an undisclosed sum.

Click here for the latest business headlines.

Jim Cramer and the AAP team hold a position in PepsiCo for their Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells PEP? Learn more now.

Editors' pick: Originally published May 27.





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Universities are driven by metrics. They track graduation and retention rates and the number of graduates who secure employment within their field of study.

But public institutions are increasingly focused on another key metricthe degree to which they enable upward mobility.

For many professors, administrators, and outside commentators, it is vital that U.S. higher education afford people from lower income households, and from traditionally underrepresented ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, equitable educational opportunities.

It is one of the most important things that the United States should be doing in the 21st century, said interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Martin Berger. In order to unlock the full potential of the country, you need to do more than educate the same elite population generation after generation. Doing so limits our ability to innovate and problem solve. The more heterogeneous our approach, the more creative our solutions.

With this vital mission in mind, UC Santa Cruz will launch the First-Gen Faculty (FGF) campaign during Student Achievement week, which starts June 5. This initiative is aimed at encouraging professors on campus to identify themselves as first generationthe first in their families to graduate from a U.S. four-year college or university.

So far, 54 professors have identified themselves as first-generation faculty, and 41 faculty have signed on as supporters.

Berger is in the latter group, but Rebecca Covarrubias, faculty in psychology and a prime mover behind the campaign, knows firsthand the trials and triumphs of being a first-generation student.

Covarrubias childhood in a lower income, primarily Mexican American community in Phoenix meant that when she finally reached the University of Arizona, she was bringing along her family and her community. Yet, a firm sense of belonging proved elusive once on campus.

Not only did I miss my family, but I also wasnt prepared for college, she said. I didnt use office hours or talk to professors because I didnt think I had to.

These strategiesseeking out faculty, forming study groups, attending office hoursare key to student success, but activities that some first-generation students may only learn about once on campus. There are many hidden rules about how to navigate the university, Covarrubias said. We have great programs and people on campus who work hard to unpack these rules for students. But, if we are really going to serve students, the institution, as a whole, needs to be responsible for bringing resources to students.

Thats why the T-shirt campaign, where first-generation faculty and supporters will don the same distinctive shirts and buttons, is so important.

Its about raising awareness of the large number of first-generation students on our campus, and also about raising visibility of an often invisible group, Covarrubias said. You dont always know who the first-generation students are in your classroom. In drawing attention to the shared identities among students and faculty, we can send a clear message that we want you here, that you belong here, and you will succeed here.

The psychology professor says she is further convinced that young students who see people belonging to their same cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds occupying a position like university professor helps instill a sense of possibility central to successful careers in higher education.

Jaye Padgett, interim Vice Provost for the Division of Student Success, agrees.

Studies show that certain students who are predisposed to feeling like they dont belong are less likely to graduate, even if they are academically on par with their peers, he said.

Padgett knows the feeling well. He is a first-generation college graduate, raised in a low-income household with a father who never graduated high school and a mother who got a diploma but not a college degree.

I lacked cultural capital, he said. I didnt know how to pronounce a word like poignant and I had no idea who Richard Strauss was. I felt that. I had friends, but I also felt a little isolated.

While the initiative is designed to help puncture that sense of isolation and replace it with a sense of belonging, Covarrubias said the initiative also serves to educate professors about how to recognize the cultural strengths of first-generation students.

This is not about student deficiencies. This is about institutional deficiencies in recognizing what students bring with them to our classrooms, she said.

Many first-generation students come from families where they are depended upon to provide vital services such as translation, or supplemental income.

Some of these students work two or three jobs to support themselves and their families. They are doing incredible things that we dont acknowledge in the classroom. We have a lot to learn from our first generation students, Covarrubias said.

These students are highly motivated and come to college with a firm purpose.

However, professors are trained to identify students who speak up in class, effectively use office hours, use sophisticated networking to score internships, or rely on recommendations as proof of proficiency.

Covarrubias said teaching professors how to identify and recognize diverse strengths and skill sets in students will result in a system that serves and includes a more diverse student body.

Berger agrees that the initiative's primary goal is two-fold: to make students feel a sense of belonging and ownership over their education and to help teachers understand the challenges and cultural wealth of first generation students.

We have a long way to go to build better connections between students and faculty and to improve the mentoring first generation students receive, he said.

Shifting demographics in California make crafting policies that address the challenges of first-generation students and the professors who teach and guide them more urgent than ever.

Of the students enrolled throughout the University of California system in fall 2016, 42 percent came from households where neither parent had graduated college. The number is the same for UC Santa Cruz. In 2016, 42 percent of the entering class are vying to become the first in their families to graduate with a college degree.

The FGF Campaign begins the week of June 5.

For further information visit the UC Santa Cruz First-Gen Faculty website. To participate or if you have questions, please contact Gwynn Benner at gbenner@ucsc.edu or 831-502-7793.
Wisconsinites, your word is "embarrassing."

The National Spelling Bee is currently underway, so Google Trends, the Twitter account featuring the official data and visualizations from the company, assembled a map of each U.S. state's most misspelled word  as determined by the word that's most searched with "how to spell."

The results are fun until you reach Wesconsin Wiskonsen our home state.

America's most misspelled words - it's #spellingbee week and we mapped top "how to spell" searches by state#dataviz pic.twitter.com/oHkRHj8Eku  GoogleTrends (@GoogleTrends) May 30, 2017

Keep up the good work, Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/Nm4bMh5eG1  stefan (@boring_as_heck) May 30, 2017

Low blow, Google! Well I guess I'm just going to use Bing from now on.

As for the other states, most fared at least a little better. "Pneumonia" was one of the most commonly misspelled words, with four states  Washington, Maine, Michigan and Alabama  having to hit the search bar to figure it out. "Beautiful" also sent four states into a tizzy  Minnesota, Ohio, Kentucky and New York  which tells me a lot of people in those states haven't seen "Bruce Almighty."

Meanwhile, Vermont has trouble with diarrhea  the word, and, if you're Googling it that much, probably the ailment, too.

West Virginia and Connecticut were showoffs with the longest misspelled words, both with "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" as their biggest spelling speed bump, while seven states  Oregon, Idaho, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Rhode Island  had their primary struggles with words that aren't even five letters long.

In Georgia and Rhode Island's case, their words have less letters than the average person has fingers on a hand  though in fairness, Georgia's "gray" can easily be misspelled with an E, and I can see Rhode Island's confusion in whether an A or an E for "liar." It's certainly more understandable than New Mexico's "banana," which sounds just like it's spelled.

And it's certainly more understandable than Wisconsin not being able to spell ... itself. Maybe if we could have it used in a sentence, such as "That sound you just heard was the entire state of Wisconsin facepalming."

But hey, I bet none of those other states can spell Ashwaubenon or Potawatomi  and we sure as hell know they can't pronounce them.

Point: Wiscansin.
In 1988, The Wisconsin Historical Societys Architectural Inventory called William Howard House  built in 1854  "one of the oldest known standing frame houses in the city." Nearly 30 years later, it aint getting any younger.

(Urban Spelunking fans may remember I wrote about an 1859 house in Brewers Hill in February, suggesting it was among the citys oldest. This one is older still. Though THIS one is even older.)

Current owner Aliza Baran says she and her husband Mark heard that the home is the second-oldest surviving wooden structure in the city, after the Benjamin Church House, which was built circa 1843-44 and moved from Kilbourntown to its current location in Estabrook Park in 1938.



(PHOTO: Aliza Baran)

However, 418 S. 4th St., also in Walkers Point, was constructed around 1846, which would push the Howard house down to at least third-oldest. And it is likely a bit lower on a list that should also include the Layton House Hotel on Forest Home Avenue (1849), The Mitchell home (now The Wisconsin Club, 1848), Charles Whitnall House on Locust Street (1851) and a few other private residences that survive.

Regardless of where exactly it sits on the list, it is clearly among the oldest. And great news for folks who would love to live in a classic old Milwaukee house, the Greek Revival home  at 910 S. 3rd St. in Walkers Point  has been renovated and treated kindly and is for sale.

It was recently listed in The New York Times.

What does the Times say?

"Beautifully restored 1850s-era Simplified Greek Revival. Original pocket doors provide a spacious feel, joining the living room with its natural fireplace to the family room and its built-in bookcases. Maple hardwood floors throughout. Updated kitchen with porch, mudroom and full bath complete the first floor. Upstairs you will find three bedrooms and a renovated full bathroom with claw foot tub (pictured above). Entertain on the patio under the gorgeous pergola. Key updates since 2013 include tear-off roof, new gutters,high efficiency furnace and A/C, power-vented water heater, new electric panel, new washer/dryer, dishwasher and refrigerator."

What the Times doesnt say...

William Howard House was built, youll be unsurprised to hear, by canal and cargo ship worker William Howard, a Fort Ann, New York native, who worked on the Erie Canal.



This basement support post was replaced but kept by the owners.

Howard, born in 1812, moved to Milwaukee in 1836 with his wife Eliza Jane Till, born in Fort Edward, New York in 1818. Thats pretty early days for a city that wasnt even officially chartered until 10 years later. Howard, clearly, was a Milwaukee pioneer, though he remained a working man, laboring on cargo ships until his death in 1881.

Interestingly, the 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 censuses describe Howard as an engineer, suggesting he may have either been more than a common laborer. The fact that in 1870 he had a domestic servant may further support that idea.

Howard built his home facing Walker Street and it was a beaut.

The Howard home can be seen in its original position facing Walker Street at the top left in this 1872

bird's eye view map of Milwaukee.

"The Howard House is one of the best remaining examples of the Greek Revival Style in the city," notes the reliable "Built in Milwaukee" book, published in 1983. "Of note is the recessed entry framed by pilasters and a classical entablature; full sidelights (pictured below) and a glazed transom surround the door."

According to the 1978 nomination form for historic landmark status for the Walkers Point neighborhood, "The ends of the gable return in a manner characteristic of the Greek Revival. Sided in 1937 (NOTE: with asbestos shingles, by then-owner, Mrs. Mary Grodisek), the house recently has been restored, making it the finest example of the Greek Revival in the district. Other Greek Revival houses, most of a more modest nature, are found at 627 S. 4th St.; 700-02 and 904 S. 6th St.; 653,701,722 and 744 W. Bruce St.; 316 W. Scott St.; and 705 W. Virginia St."

"The symmetrical window placement and squat proportions are characteristic of the style," Megan Daniels wrote of the Howard House in her book, "Milwaukees Early Architecture," "while the gable returns and pilasters at the entrance exhibit the simplification of the style as it migrated to the Midwest."

According to a undated and unidentified clipping from a neighborhood brochure, provided by the Barans, "Despite the homes small size, as many as nine persons  which included Howards son-in-law (cigar dealer George Greenleaf) and granddaughter (infant Leslie), a boarder (dredging laborer Elisha Clark), as well as a servant (16-year-old Laura Larson)  were listed as living at the home in the 1870 census."



Even the closet doors are sturdily constructed.

Of course, the 56-year-old Howards family lived there, too  his wife Eliza and daughters Adda (age 26 and married to Greenleaf), Clara (14) and Lizzie (11).

A decade later, only Howard  described by the census taker as an "ingeneur"  and his wife lived there with 21-year-old Lizzie and their infant granddaughter Lauressa Farrel.

Three years after Howards death, the Lindemann family  German immigrants to Milwaukee in 1863  became owners of the home.

In 1895, the Howard home was moved further back on its lot and turned 90 degrees to face South 3rd Street. Orville Webbers brick Queen Anne style home was then built on the northern end of the lot, on Walker, but also facing 3rd.

Howards house is of balloon frame construction, a method developed in the 1830s that allowed for homes to be more quickly and inexpensively constructed.

Lighter studs replaced heavier posts and they were nailed together rather than connected by wooden joints in a medieval process called joinery. The home, therefore, is likely among the earlier examples of this revolutionary home building method in Milwaukee.

Interestingly, a series of wooden pins can be found binding joists in the home, including along the foundation sill, which suggests it was built in a hybrid style.

The house has undergone changes over the years, of course, not limited to its relocation and those 1937 asbestos tiles meant to mimic brick. In the 1940s or 50s a bay window was cut into the front of the home, too. The positioning of doorways between the kitchen and bathroom were altered, too.

A 1954 plan to turn an upstairs bedroom into a kitchen to create a duplex was nixed by city inspectors.

Luckily, a renovation, funded in part by the Womens Club, allowed the Walkers Point Development Corp. to do a renovation that the WPDC then used as a model for restoration work on neighborhood homes. Further work was done at the start of the 1990s.

Then Susannah Pierce bought the place around 1993 and opened it up for Historic Milwaukees Spaces & Traces Tour in 2006. It was featured in the daily newspaper at that time.

For me, the most striking features inside are the dining room floor, striped with alternating walnut and maple...

... the pocket doors to the living room...

... and the strip of early wallpaper that was uncovered during work and left exposed for all to enjoy...

Outside, there's a cozy back porch on the south facade, and, to the north, this great pergola...

The Barans moved in about five years ago and have worked to bring the house back to its original glory, too.

"Maintenance was deferred," says Aliza Baran. "Another woman came in and bought it, lived here for nine months, and when we came in it looked like a foreclosure. We repainted, we sanded, stripped everything, all the wood in this house.

"There was so many years of paint on all these windows, you couldn't even see the detail anymore. I have a very intimate relationship with all of the windows in this house."

But Baran says, they fell in love with the place as soon as they saw it. But they didn't immediately realize just how long a history it had. That came later.

"It was for sale by owner," says Baran. "And it was listed as being built in 1900, which is often what the city does when homes were built before, 1880-something, right? I remember coming up here with our home inspector after we had an accepted offer. I was like, 'Do you really think this house was built in 1900?'

"I just had a gut feeling something was really different about this home, the layout of the home, the style of the home and I started doing research at the Historical Society in the library and we found some articles online about this house."

Now, despite the fact that they're leaving, the Barans really appreciate the home and its story and their departure is bittersweet, says Aliza Baran.

"I love this house," she says, and I can see it as she shows me around. "I cried when the sign went out front. We're going because I had a photo studio over on Pittsburgh and 2nd, and when that building sold, I had to move. So we're moving to a place where there's a three-car garage, with a lofted space and that's going to become my photo studio."

The couple lived in a small puddler's cottage in Bay View before they purchased the William Howard House. The new home is on the East Side, where Baran's husband Mark was raised, so it's also something of a homecoming for him.

Their departure closes another chapter in the long history of the William Howard House, but it also opens yet another.
Milestone in Nepali-China ties

A new chapter in age-old Nepal-China ties opened in 1955 when Nepal established diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China and recognised Tibet as being part of it.
The movement patterns of baboons in the wild. Credit: Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin

How do baboons succeed in coordinating the movements of their group? Biologists at the University of Konstanz study these organisms in the wild to find out which behavioural rules baboons use when interacting with others. Konstanz researchers have found out that the animals only need a few simple rules to coordinate their group movements, enabling them to organise themselves, and to make decisions, without splitting. In four recent research publications - published in the journals Science, Scientific Reports, eLife and the Proceedings of the Royal Society B - the Konstanz scientists paint a new picture of group dynamics among baboons with unprecedented detail by tracking how individuals make decisions within a group. Research partners were the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama as well as Princeton University, the University of California, Davis, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Baboons have long been studied because they have a highly complex social structure, forming groups from 20 to over 100 individuals. Such social structure suggested to early biologists that baboons must employ high levels of cognition to be able to coordinate their behaviour with so many group mates. For example, classical theories on group coordination among baboons suggested that the larger, grown-up individuals should stay at the periphery of the group to protect younger and weaker animals in the centre. However, to constantly keep up this positioning, each baboon would need to know, at all times, where the other members of the group are. Konstanz biologists have now demonstrated that this is not necessarily the case - neither is there a need for it. "Actually, coordinating their movement with only a few neighbouring individuals can generally be enough for animals to keep their group together, and what we see in the baboons is consistent with this idea", explains biologist Dr. Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin. Mathematics can further explain how individuals maintain specific positions within the group (either close to the center, at the front, back, or at the periphery) as her colleague Dr. Damien Farine explains: "If a baboon tries to stay together with only a slightly larger number of neighbouring individuals, this baboon will automatically move closer to the centre of the group. By contrast, individuals that coordinate their positions with a smaller number of fellow group members will end up at the group's periphery."

This means that the neighbourhood size, i.e. the number of members in the neighbourhood an animal stays together with, is decisive for maintaining the group structure. "This simple rule makes it possible to consistently describe the movements of the baboons. Consequently, the group structure results from local behavioural principles of individual animals and not from a joint decision taken by the entire group", says Professor Iain Couzin (University of Konstanz and Max Planck Institute for Ornithology), adding: "We also observe that the movement rules of baboons, and how they make decisions, very much resembles the decision processes found in schools of fish and flocks of birds."

Baboons in Kenya. Credit: Rob Nelson, Untamed Science

For their research the biologists studied a group of 25 baboons living in the wild in Kenya - a complex project headed by Professor Margaret Crofoot (University of California, Davis). A GPS transmitter provided locations of the individual animals, second-by-second, for two weeks. The scientists combined the movement data of the animals with remote images of the three-dimensional environment and vegetation structure recorded by a drone to obtain an overall picture of the surrounding conditions.

The evaluation of these data provides new insights into the collective behaviour of the baboons. In a series of publications, the researchers have also examined group dynamics and factors that influence the movements of individual animals of the group, and ultimately determine the entire group structure. The inclination to follow other group members is the strongest factor driving the decision-making behaviour of baboons. For example, baboons prefer paths that other group members have taken shortly before. The more baboons use a certain path, the more attractive it becomes for the others. In situations where they need to decide in which direction to move, if several members of the group head in different directions, baboons are inclined to follow the majority (i.e. the direction where most of their group mates are headed).

"Together, these studies capture new insights into how baboons make decisions. No longer do we believe that a single dominant male leads the troop, deciding on behalf of everyone", says Damien Farine. Instead, University of Konstanz researchers have revealed that baboon life is much more democratic, and that many of the complex behaviours they exhibit might actually be the outcome of simple behavioural rules, potentially allowing individuals to spend more time thinking about other things - such as looking out for predators.

More information: 1) Strandburg-Peshkin, A.*, Farine, D.R.*, Couzin, I.D., Crofoot, M.C. (2015) Shared decision-making drives collective movement in wild baboons. Science 348(6241): 1358-1361. * joint first authors 2) Farine, D.R., Strandburg-Peshkin, A., Berger-Wolf, T., Ziebart, B., Brugere, I., Li, J., Crofoot, M.C. (2016) Both Nearest Neighbours and Long-term Affiliates Predict Individual Locations During Collective Movement in Wild Baboons. Scientific Reports 6: 27704. 3) Strandburg-Peshkin, A., Farine, D.R., Crofoot, M. C. & Couzin, I.D. (2017) Habitat and social factors shape individual decisions and emergent group structure during baboon collective movement. eLife 6:e19505. 4) Farine, D.R.*, Strandburg-Peshkin, A.*, Couzin, I.D., Berger-Wolf, T.Y., Crofoot, M.C. (2017) Individual variation in local interaction rules can explain emergent patterns of spatial organisation in wild baboons. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 284: 20162243. * joint first authors Journal information: Science , Scientific Reports , eLife , Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Early signs of mortality on bleached coral colony. Credit: Keisha Bahr

Corals in peril at a popular Hawaiian tourist destination due to global climate change

Despite state protected status, nearshore corals at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve on O'ahu, Hawai'i are at risk as the global trend in warming seawater temperatures continues.

Researchers from the Coral Reef Ecology Lab at the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology documented the third global bleaching event as it occurred from 2014 to 2016 at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (HBNP) on the island of O'ahu, Hawai'i.

Dr. Paul Jokiel (in his final field research before his passing in April 2016) and team investigated the extent of the 2014 and 2015 bleaching events and the underlying causes of the patterns observed. They found that 47% of reef flat corals at HBNP bleached overall and 9.8% of corals died at Hanauma Bay during this time.

Their findings, published in the international journal PeerJ, show that temperature is by far the most influential factor in coral bleaching at this well-managed location where corals, fish, and all other organisms are protected.

The warmer seawater temperatures that negatively affected coral reefs in Hawai'iand across the globeare tied to the drastic increases in global carbon emissions of the past several decades.

Dr. Ku'ulei Rodgers conducting coral bleaching survey. Credit: Keisha Bahr

The researchers explain that despite past and current efforts to protect and manage this valuable coral reef ecosystem, carbon will continue to be absorbed by the ocean and water temperatures will continue to rise.

Bleaching occurs when the corals expel algae from their tissue as a stress response to environmental factors. Without the algae, the corals begin to starve.

Dr. Jokiel's Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP) has been monitoring the HBNP since 1999 and surveys already showed a significant decrease in shallow coral cover in 2002.

Reef-building corals at HBNP form a barrier from one end of the bay to the other that separates the shallow nearshore from the deeper seaward regions. This barrier and its two channels, influence how cool water is carried from the open ocean to shore and how it subsequently exits the bay.

These water flow patterns were a major focus of the study as the researchers wanted to determine why bleaching occurred more severely in certain areas of the preserve. They found the highest amount of bleaching and mortality in areas where water tends to warm up and pool for extended periods of time. Other areas benefit from a circulation pattern that flushes cool water in and warm water out more quickly.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve on a Tuesday: the one day each week without visitors. Credit: Keisha Bahr

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve receives a million visitors annually and is a Marine Life Conservation District with strict enforcement of no-take fishing regulations. Large fish and great diversity of marine life are advertised benefits that attract visitors to the most popular snorkeling location in the Hawaiian Islands.

The lack of direct human fishing and harvesting pressure has resulted in an ecosystem that appears more diverse than other locations on O'ahu, however, coral cover continues to decrease. Without living coral tissue, the physical framework of the reef will continue to erode and will cease to provide the numerous services, i.e., shelter, food, to reef-dwelling creatures, including fishes.

"Warmer seawater temperatures are again predicted for the Hawaiian Islands in 2017 with the grave possibility of more coral bleaching and mortality", explains Dr. Keisha Bahr.

Dr. Ku'ulei Rodgers adds, "Global climate change poses a direct threat to the biological sustainability of the protected reefs of Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve and a clear economic and cultural threat to the state of Hawai'i."

More information: Rodgers et al. (2017), Patterns of bleaching and mortality following widespread warming events in 2014 and 2015 at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Hawai'i. PeerJ 5:e3355; DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3355 Journal information: PeerJ

Provided by PeerJ
A Czech court ruled Tuesday that a Russian man who faces charges of hacking computers at American companies can be extradited either to the United States or Russiaand the suspect immediately appealed his possible extradition to the United States.

Czech authorities arrested Yevgeniy Nikulin in Prague on Oct. 5 in cooperation with the FBI after Interpol issued an international warrant. He is accused of hacking computers and stealing information from LinkedIn, Dropbox and other companies.

Moscow also wants him extradited on a separate charge of internet theft in 2009. Russian officials had previously said they were working to prevent his extradition to the U.S.

Judge Jaroslav Pytloun ruled Tuesday that the extradition requests from both countries meet all the necessary legal conditions.

The 29-year-old has denied wrongdoing.

"I'm innocent," Nikulin said through a translator at the hearing Tuesday. "I haven't done anything illegal. I have nothing to do with that."

Nikulin appealed his extradition to the United States. He has three days to decide if he will agree to being extradited to Russia.

Justice Minister Robert Pelikan will have the final say on where Nikulin goes after Prague's High Court decides on his appeal.

Nikulin's defense lawyers have rejected the U.S. charges, saying they are based on one FBI agent, and suggested the U.S. was seeking him for political reasonsto use him as a pawn in the investigation into alleged Russian hacking in the U.S. election.

The alleged hacker claimed in the courtroom Tuesday that he was twice approached by U.S. authoritiesin November and in Februaryin the absence of his previous lawyer. He said they urged him to falsely testify that he was cooperating in the hacking attack on the Democratic National Committee ordered by Russian authorities. He said U.S. authorities would, in exchange, give him money and a life in the United States.

"I rejected doing it," Nikulin said.

The U.S. has accused Russia of coordinating the theft and disclosure of emails from the Democratic National Committee and other institutions and individuals in the U.S. to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. Russia has vigorously denied that.

There was no indication that Nikulin's case is connected to the DNC hacking accusation.

 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
3D image of rice bulliform phytolith from the Shangshan site for dating and identification. Credit: Houyuan Lu et al.

(Phys.org)A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in China has dated rice material excavated from a dig site in South China's Zhejiang province back to approximately 9,400 years ago. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes where they found the evidence of early rice, their testing and dating techniques, and what they found.

Various research groups from several countries in Asia claim to have found evidence of the earliest cultivation of rice as a food source. Now, those claims may have been dispelled, as the team in China has found the oldest evidence yet of cultivated rice.

In this new effort, the researchers worked at a dig site near the Yangtze River called Shangshanprior work there had uncovered some ancient pottery artifacts. The team found numerous samples of phytoliths, which are tiny bits of silica that some plants fashion to protect themselves against pests. Rice plants create fan-shaped phytolithsthey are made of silica, and thus do not digest, burn or decay over time. Specific patterns on the surface of the phytoliths offer evidence of the history of rice as it evolved from wild rice to today's domesticated rice.

To date the phytoliths, the researchers collected enough samples from soil in areas where they found the ancient pottery shards and then sifted, cleaned and heated them to create a powder which could be carbon dated. Such testing showed the phytoliths to be approximately 9,400 years old. The team also studied the phytoliths under a microscope to note the patterns on their surfaces, which they report is neither like wild rice nor modern domesticated riceinstead, it was from a time period somewhere between the two. To add more credence to their discovery, the researchers also carbon dated other materials in the same area and depth, including seeds and charcoal, and found them to be roughly the same age.

Several pottery sherds tempered with rice husks from Shangshan. Credit: Image by LU Houyuan

The work by the team offers more evidence to bolster prior claims that Shangshan was one of the first places to cultivate rice, if not the first outright.

Rice bulliform phytoliths. (a,b) more than nine fish scales decorations; (c,d) less than nine fish scales decorations; black bar = 20m. Credit: Image by LU Houyuan

More information: "Dating rice remains through phytolith carbon-14 study reveals domestication at the beginning of the Holocene," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2017). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1704304114 Abstract

Phytolith remains of rice (Oryza sativa L.) recovered from the Shangshan site in the Lower Yangtze of China have previously been recognized as the earliest examples of rice cultivation. However, because of the poor preservation of macroplant fossils, many radiocarbon dates were derived from undifferentiated organic materials in pottery sherds. These materials remain a source of debate because of potential contamination by old carbon. Direct dating of the rice remains might serve to clarify their age. Here, we first validate the reliability of phytolith dating in the study region through a comparison with dates obtained from other material from the same layer or context. Our phytolith data indicate that rice remains retrieved from early stages of the Shangshan and Hehuashan sites have ages of approximately 9,400 and 9,000 calibrated years before the present, respectively. The morphology of rice bulliform phytoliths indicates they are closer to modern domesticated species than to wild species, suggesting that rice domestication may have begun at Shangshan during the beginning of the Holocene. Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

 2017 Phys.org
This artist's rendering shows the huge segmented primary mirror of the ESO Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). Contracts for the manufacture of the mirror segments were signed on May 30, 2017, at a ceremony at ESO's Headquarters near Munich. The German company SCHOTT will produce the blanks of the mirror segments, and the French company Safran Reosc will polish, mount and test the segments. The contract to polish the mirror blanks is the second-largest contract for the ELT construction and the third-largest contract ESO has ever awarded. Credit: ESO/L. Calcada

The unique optical system of ESO's Extremely Large Telescope consists of five mirrors, each of which represents its own significant engineering challenge. The 39-metre-diameter primary mirror, which will be made up of 798 individual hexagonal segments each measuring 1.4 metres across, will be by far the largest ever made for an optical telescope. Together, the segments will collect tens of millions of times as much light as the human eye.

The contracts to manufacture and polish the ELT primary mirror segments were signed today by ESO's Director General, Tim de Zeeuw, and senior representatives of SCHOTT and Safran Reosc, a subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defense, in the presence of key ESO staff members. The first contract was signed with SCHOTT by Christoph Fark, Executive Vice President Advanced Optics, and Thomas Westerhoff, Director Strategic Marketing Zerodur. The second contract was signed with Safran Reosc by Philippe Rioufreyt, Chief Executive Officer.

Tim de Zeeuw expressed his delight at the current progress with the ELT: "This has been an extraordinary two weeks! We saw the casting of the ELT's secondary mirror and then, last Friday, we were privileged to have the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, attend the first stone ceremony of the ELT. And now two world-leading European companies are starting work on the telescope's enormous main mirror, perhaps the biggest challenge of all."

The 798 hexagonal segments that together comprise the ELT's primary mirror will be produced from the low-expansion ceramic material Zerodur by SCHOTT. Previously SCHOTT was also awarded the contracts for the production of the telescope's giant secondary and tertiary mirrors and the material is also being used for the ELT's deformable quaternary mirror that is currently under construction.

Once the mirror blanks are ready they will be passed to Safran Reosc, to design the mounting interfaces, figure and polish the segments, integrate them into their support systems, and perform optical tests before delivery. During the polishing process, each segment will be polished until it has no surface irregularity greater than about 10 nanometresno higher than a ladybird if each segment were as big as France!

To meet the challenge of delivering such a large number of polished segments within seven years, Safran Reosc will build up to a peak production rate of one mirror a day. It will set up a dedicated new facility at its Poitiers plant, specialising in the production of high-tech optical and optronic (electro-optical) equipment.

The new contract with Safran Reosc is the second-largest contract for the ELT construction and the third-largest contract ESO has ever signed. Safran Reosc will also design, polish and test the ELT's secondary mirror and tertiary mirror, and is currently manufacturing the 2-mm thick deformable shell mirrors that will comprise the ELT's fourth mirror.

Both SCHOTT and Safran Reosc have long and successful involvements with ESO. Together they manufactured many optical components, including the 8.2-metre main mirrors of the four Unit Telescopes of the ESO Very Large Telescope.

The ELT is currently under construction at Cerro Armazones near ESO's Paranal Observatory in northern Chile, and is scheduled to see first light in 2024.

Provided by ESO
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Educational attainment is a national priority because it creates both economic and personal gains: higher incomes, better individual and family health and deeper civic engagement. U.S. college enrollments are increasing, suggesting greater educational attainment; however, national college completion rates are lagging behind other developed nations. Recent research suggests that U.S. college students could succeed if they are encouraged to develop a sense of belonging, a growth mindset and salient personal goals and values, according to a new national report co-authored by a Rice University psychology professor.

"Supporting Students' College Success: The Role of Assessment of Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Competencies" was released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and commissioned by the National Science Foundation. Fred Oswald, a professor of psychology at Rice, was a co-author of the report, which was based on a review of 49 articles targeting 61 experimental studies that examined interventions to improve educational attainment.

Across these studies, three competencies most frequently showed evidence of supporting students' college persistence and success, as measured by grades, retention and graduation:

A sense of belonging, meaning that college students (particularly underrepresented minorities and first-generation college students) feel that they belong in college, fit in well and are socially integrated. Approximately 85 percent of the studies measuring students' sense of belonging demonstrated a positive impact of belonging on students' college GPAs.

A growth mindset, referring to college students' beliefs that their own intelligence is not a fixed entity, but rather a malleable quality that college can help improve. Seventy-five percent of the studies measuring students' growth mindset showed this characteristic had a positive impact on students' college GPAs.

Personal goals and values that college students perceive to be directly linked to the achievement of a future, desired end. Approximately 83 percent of the studies measuring personal goals showed this characteristic as having a positive impact on students' final course grades.

Oswald noted that this recent research reported some remarkable findings based on low-cost, brief writing exercises for improving these intra- and interpersonal competencies. One required students to write about the relevance of course topics to their own life or to the life of a family member or close friend. Another intervention aimed to lessen psychological perceptions of threat on campus by framing social adversity as common and transient, and used subtle attitude-change strategies to lead participants to self-generate the framing in their writing.

With these interventions, GPAs have been shown impressively to improve not only in the class where the intervention was given, but many semesters beyond, Oswald said. Furthermore, the interventions show the largest benefits accrue in student groups that are at greatest risk for academic failure. Oswald thus noted that these interventions have promise but deserve further intensive research to assure these interventions can impact student success in the future, in other college settings.

Oswald said measures of intrapersonal and interpersonal competencies should be held to rigorous development procedures and statistical standards, just like the SAT, ACT, MCAT, LSAT and other standardized tests of cognitive competencies.

"Many current assessments of these competencies fall short in providing solid statistical evidence supporting their reliability and validity," Oswald said. "It is important to investigate these measures carefully, for example, because students can differ in how they interpret the meaning of rating scales, or sometimes they feel pressured to present themselves in the best light."

He and his co-authors recommend further research in partnership with higher education institutions to build on the report's findings and to find reliable ways to track these intra- and interpersonal characteristics that can lead to increased college completion.
Map of Egypt, showing the archaeological site of Abusir-el Meleq (orange X), and the location of the modern Egyptian samples used in the study (orange circles). Credit: Graphic: Annette Guenzel. Credit: Nature Communications, DOI: 10.1038/NCOMMS15694

An international team of scientists, led by researchers from the University of Tuebingen and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena, successfully recovered and analyzed ancient DNA from Egyptian mummies dating from approximately 1400 BCE to 400 CE, including the first genome-wide nuclear data from three individuals, establishing ancient Egyptian mummies as a reliable source for genetic material to study the ancient past. The study, published today in Nature Communications, found that modern Egyptians share more ancestry with Sub-Saharan Africans than ancient Egyptians did, whereas ancient Egyptians were found to be most closely related to ancient people from the Near East.

Egypt is a promising location for the study of ancient populations. It has a rich and well-documented history, and its geographic location and many interactions with populations from surrounding areas, in Africa, Asia and Europe, make it a dynamic region. Recent advances in the study of ancient DNA present an intriguing opportunity to test existing understandings of Egyptian history using ancient genetic data.

However, genetic studies of ancient Egyptian mummies are rare due to methodological and contamination issues. Although some of the first extractions of ancient DNA were from mummified remains, scientists have raised doubts as to whether genetic data, especially nuclear genome data, from mummies would be reliable, even if it could be recovered. "The potential preservation of DNA has to be regarded with skepticism," confirms Johannes Krause, Director at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena and senior author of the study. "The hot Egyptian climate, the high humidity levels in many tombs and some of the chemicals used in mummification techniques, contribute to DNA degradation and are thought to make the long-term survival of DNA in Egyptian mummies unlikely." The ability of the authors of this study to extract nuclear DNA from such mummies and to show its reliability using robust authentication methods is a breakthrough that opens the door to further direct study of mummified remains.

Verena Schuenemann at the Palaeogenetics Laboratory, University of Tuebingen. Credit: Johannes Krause

For this study, an international team of researchers from the University of Tuebingen, the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena, the University of Cambridge, the Polish Academy of Sciences, and the Berlin Society of Anthropology, Ethnology and Prehistory, looked at genetic differentiation and population continuity over a 1,300 year timespan, and compared these results to modern populations. The team sampled 151 mummified individuals from the archaeological site of Abusir el-Meleq, along the Nile River in Middle Egypt, from two anthropological collections hosted and curated at the University of Tuebingen and the Felix von Luschan Skull Collection at the Museum of Prehistory of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Stiftung Preussicher Kulturbesitz.

In total, the authors recovered mitochondrial genomes from 90 individuals, and genome-wide datasets from three individuals. They were able to use the data gathered to test previous hypotheses drawn from archaeological and historical data, and from studies of modern DNA. "In particular, we were interested in looking at changes and continuities in the genetic makeup of the ancient inhabitants of Abusir el-Meleq," said Alexander Peltzer, one of the lead authors of the study from the University of Tuebingen. The team wanted to determine if the investigated ancient populations were affected at the genetic level by foreign conquest and domination during the time period under study, and compared these populations to modern Egyptian comparative populations. "We wanted to test if the conquest of Alexander the Great and other foreign powers has left a genetic imprint on the ancient Egyptian population," explains Verena Schuenemann, group leader at the University of Tuebingen and one of the lead authors of this study.

Sarcophagus of Tadja, Abusir el-Meleq. Credit: bpk/Aegyptisches Museum und Papyrussammlung, SMB/Sandra Steiss

Close genetic relationship between ancient Egyptians and ancient populations in the Near East

The study found that ancient Egyptians were most closely related to ancient populations in the Levant, and were also closely related to Neolithic populations from the Anatolian Peninsula and Europe. "The genetics of the Abusir el-Meleq community did not undergo any major shifts during the 1,300 year timespan we studied, suggesting that the population remained genetically relatively unaffected by foreign conquest and rule," says Wolfgang Haak, group leader at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena. The data shows that modern Egyptians share approximately 8% more ancestry on the nuclear level with Sub-Saharan African populations than with ancient Egyptians. "This suggests that an increase in Sub-Saharan African gene flow into Egypt occurred within the last 1,500 years," explains Stephan Schiffels, group leader at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena. Possible causal factors may have been improved mobility down the Nile River, increased long-distance trade between Sub-Saharan Africa and Egypt, and the trans-Saharan slave trade that began approximately 1,300 years ago.

This study counters prior skepticism about the possibility of recovering reliable ancient DNA from Egyptian mummies. Despite the potential issues of degradation and contamination caused by climate and mummification methods, the authors were able to use high-throughput DNA sequencing and robust authentication methods to ensure the ancient origin and reliability of the data. The study thus shows that Egyptian mummies can be a reliable source of ancient DNA, and can greatly contribute to a more accurate and refined understanding of Egypt's population history.

More information: Ancient Egyptian mummy genomes suggest an increase of Sub-Saharan African ancestry in post-Roman periods, Nature Communications (2017). nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/ncomms15694 Journal information: Nature Communications
Principal Investigator Manuel Quijada is shown here with the type of optic he and his team would coat with a fluoride film to provide maximum reflectance over a wide spectral range. Credit: NASA/W.Hrybyk

NASA technologists produced telescope mirrors with the highest reflectance ever reported in the far-ultraviolet spectral range. Now, they're attempting to set another record.

Manuel Quijada and his team, optical experts at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, are investigating techniques for creating highly reflective aluminum mirrors sensitive to the infrared, optical, and far-ultraviolet wavelength bandsa broad spectral range envisioned for proposed space telescopes after the James Webb Space Telescope and Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope. These proposed missions would tackle a broad range of astrophysics studies, from the epoch of reionization, through galaxy formation and evolution, to star and planet formation.

Quijada's team specifically is studying three different techniques and materials for creating and applying protective coatings on aluminum mirrors to prevent them from oxidizing when exposed to oxygen and losing their reflectivity.

"Aluminum is a metal that nature has given us the broadest spectral coverage," Quijada said. "However, aluminum needs to be protected from naturally occurring oxides with a thin film or substrate of transparent material."

Unfortunately, no one has developed a coating that effectively protects and maintains a mirror's high reflectivity in the 90- to 130-nanometer range, also known as the Lyman Alpha range. At this spectral regime, scientists can observe a rich assortment of spectral lines and astronomical targets, including potentially habitable planets beyond our solar system. "The low reflectivity of coatings in this range is one of the biggest constraints in far-ultraviolet telescope and spectrograph design," Quijada said.

Ultraviolet light, which is shorter than that of visible light but longer than X-rays, is invisible to the human eye. Only with instruments tuned to this wavelength can objects be observed.

One of the recent NASA missions fully dedicated to far-ultraviolet observations was the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer, or FUSE, which was decommissioned in 2007 after a successful prime mission. Although it acquired 6,000 observations of nearly 3,000 separate astronomical objects over its eight years in orbit, FUSE's lithium fluoride substrate coating was not stable enough and began to degrade with time, Quijada said.

Principal Investigator Manuel Quijada is dwarfed by the two-meter coating chamber where he applies thin films onto telescope mirrors that can be as large as one meter in diameter. The ability to coat large mirrors is key to enabling astronomical instruments of the future.Credits: NASA/W. Hrybyk Credit: NASA/W. Hrybyk

Quijada's goal is to develop a coating and process that not only improves reflectance in the far ultraviolet, but also allows observations in the other wavelength bands.

"Traditional coating processes have not allowed the use of aluminum mirrors to their full potential," Quijada said. "The new coatings we're investigating would enable a telescope covering a very broad spectral range, from the far ultraviolet to the near-infrared in one single observatory. NASA would get more bang for the buck."

Under one coating approach, the team would use physical vapor deposition to apply a thin layer of xenon difluoride gas to an aluminum sample. According to Quijada, studies have shown that the treatment of xenon difluoride creates fluorine ions that tightly bind to the aluminum surface, preventing further oxidation.

He also is investigating the use of two other thin-film deposition techniquesion-assisted physical vapor deposition and atomic layer depositionto apply thin films of aluminum trifluoride, which is environmentally stable compared with other coatings.

Quijada and his team already have succeeded in developing a coating for another region of the ultraviolet spectral band.

In 2016, a validation test proved that a protective coating that the team devised provided 90 percent reflectance in the 133.6-154.5 nanometer rangethe highest reflectance ever reported for this ultraviolet band. To achieve this unprecedented level of performance, the team developed a three-step physical vapor deposition process to coat aluminum mirrors with protective magnesium fluoride or lithium fluoride films.

These high-reflectance coatings are now enabling new types of instruments, Quijada said. Two new heliophysics missions that will study the interactions between Earth's ionosphere and solar windsthe Ionospheric Connection Explorer and the Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk will employ this coating technology.

"We need to push further down in the ultraviolet spectrum," Quijada said, referring to the targeted far-ultraviolet spectral range. "We need to get access to the whole ultraviolet to infrared range. We are blazing a trail in mirror coatings."
An image taken from one of NASA's two special "Webb-cams," a camera in a giant clean room at NASA Goddard. The Webb-cams focus on what's happening with the very first completed instrument that will fly onboard the James Webb Space Telescope. The flight Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) is at left center. The Ambient Optical Assembly Stand is on the right side of the image. Credit: NASA

NASA's special "Webb-cam" kept an eye on the development of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, since 2012. Now that Webb telescope has moved to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, a special Webb camera was installed there to continue providing daily video feeds on the telescope's progress.

Space enthusiasts, who are fascinated to see how this next generation space telescope has come together and how it is being tested, are able to see the telescope's progress as it happens by watching the Webb-cam feed online.

There were two Webb-cams at NASA Goddard. Those cameras, which were mounted inside the giant cleanroom, provided still photos (refreshed every minute) of the activity inside and gave a peek at what engineers and technicians were doing to the telescope as it came together. Over the last five years, Webb-cam viewers saw some amazing images of the Webb at Goddard, such as when all 18 gold-coated mirror segments of the Webb's primary mirror were mounted on the telescope.

"The two Webb-cams we installed in Goddard's giant cleanroom have developed a huge following over the last five years," said Maggie Masetti, social media manager and web developer on the Webb telescope mission at NASA Goddard. "With millions of views every month, you can bet that if there was a camera glitch, we heard about it right away."

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope sits folded up in the cleanroom outside of Chamber A at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas. Credit: NASA/Desiree Stover

The new "Webb-cam" is mounted where it has a view of the cleanroom at NASA Johnson Space Center. The camera fronts the chamber where the Webb telescope will be undergoing cryogenic testing in a massive chamber called "Chamber A." Although there is no view of Webb once it is inside the chamber during the actual cryo-optical testing, there will be much activity on Webb in the cleanroom itself for several weeks before and after.

The Web camera at NASA's Johnson Space Center can be seen online at: http://jwst.nasa.gov/, with larger views of the cams available at: http://jwst.nasa.gov/webcam.html.
Panda fans take photos of the new panda stars making their public debut at a Dutch zoo

Cautiously at first and then with mounting curiosity, two giant pandas stepped outside into their new open-air enclosure at a Dutch zoo on Tuesday, met by a barrage of cameras and squeals of delight.

Female Wu Wen (Beautiful Powerful Cloud) and her male companion Xing Ya (Elegant Star) were making their public debut, marking the culmination of a 16-year dream for the zoo and Dutch officials.

The pair are now going on show at Ouwehands Dierenpark zoo in central Rhenen, housed in an imposing, pagoda-style enclosure specially built at a cost of seven million euros ($7.4 million).

They arrived in The Netherlands on April 13, after an 8,000-kilometre (5,000-mile) journey from China and after years of negotiations in what has been dubbed "panda diplomacy".

But despite mounting panda-mania here the two pandas were first given a few weeks of quarantine and a chance to acclimatise to their new surroundings before going on show.

In the wild, pandas are solitary creatures and the pair are being housed separately and will be brought together when the female is on heat.

They will stay in the zoo for some 15 years, and the hope is that they will breed and help replenish global panda numbers.

While pandas remain endangered, conservation work and an increased awareness of their plight has led to a rise in numbers.

Some 1,864 pandas remain in the wild in China, an increase from around 1,000 in the late 1970s, according to the environmental group WWF.

And just over 400 pandas live in zoos around the world, in conservation projects set up with Beijing.

Panda power

Zoo owner Marcel Boekhoorn said Wu Wen and Xing Ya were more than "just two impressive giants."

"Xing Ya and Wu Wen show us the power and vulnerability of our planet. Black and white. Yin and Yang," he told an invited audience at the official opening of the panda enclosure which included Chinese ambassador Wu Ken.

The "soft power" of the pandas should inspire everyone to "search for balance. Balance between countries, balance within nature. And last but not least, balance between human and animal."

The new panda enclosure is part of a larger project which also houses other Asian species. It covers about 9,000 square metres (97,000 square feet), of which 3,400 square metres are designated for the giant panda enclosure.

The pandas' area includes separate indoor and outdoor spaces, night accommodation, a nursery, a cold store for their bamboo food supply, a special veterinary clinic and an area for their full-time keepers.

The Dutch are paying a million dollars a year to Beijing for being able to house the pandas, of which some 80 percent is being ploughed back into conservation work in China, said Christian van der Hoeven, a panda expert with WWF.

"We don't get involved with zoos normally," he told AFP, while the male panda padded curiously around his enclosure behind him, and chewed enthusiastically on some bamboo.

"Almost all giant pandas are in a lease programmes, so they pay money to the Chinese government. It used to be 30 or 40 years ago, the WWF who paid the money to protect the pandas in the wild.

"Now, more and more the Chinese government is taking over these costs. So these pandas here, and in other countries, are paying for the work WWF normally did."

 2017 AFP
Colonel Gurung dead as Nepal Army plane overshoots runway in Bajura (With video)

Pilot of a Nepal Army cargo plane bound for Simikot died when it crashed during an emergency landing at Bajura Airport on Tuesday.
Geckos have a sophisticated vocal communication systems similar to mammals and birds. Credit: Henrik Brumm

It has now been shown for the first time that non-avian reptiles are able to adjust their calls in relation to environmental noise as is known for the complex vocal communication systems of birds and mammals. In Tokays, night active geckos of South East Asia, researchers of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen found an increase in the duration of brief call notes in the presence of broadcast noise compared to quiet conditions. The geckos did not adjust the amplitude of their calls, however, under noisy conditions the animals produced more of the louder syllables. This discovery shows that the communication systems of non-avian reptiles are much more complex than previously thought and that they already possess faculties that are typical of sophisticated signaling of birds and mammals.

The sophisticated vocal communication systems of birds and mammals are characterized by a high degree of plasticity in which signals are individually adjusted in response to changes in the environment. One mechanism of such vocal plasticity is the Lombard effect, in which the call amplitude increases depending on the level of ambient noise. This Lombard effect is often accompanied by an increase in the duration of the call, which further helps to detect the signals in noise.

In non-avian reptiles some species do have vocal communication, like for example the Tokay, a night active gecko from South East Asia. Within his repertoire, especially the loud GECK-O call stands out and led to his scientific name Gekko gecko. The GECK-O call has important functions for the communication of Tokay males to attract females and to repel rival males. This call is often preceded by low-amplitude cackles. For their study, Henrik Brumm and Sue Anne Zollinger of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology exposed Tokays to noise of about 65 dB(A) which corresponds to the traffic noise of a busy street. They wanted to find out if the Lombard effect could also be found in a reptile. And in fact, the Tokays increased the duration of the GECK-calls by 7 percent and the O-calls by 37 percent compared to the control group in quiet conditions. Therefore, the Tokays, and probably also other vocally-communicating reptiles, are able to adjust their calls depending on the ambient conditions.

However, the researchers could not find a Lombard effect in the calls, as the Tokays did not increase the amplitude of their call syllables in relation to the background noise level. "The study suggests that the Lombard effect evolved independently in birds and mammals", says Henrik Brumm, first author of the study and research group leader in Seewiesen. However, the Tokays employed another strategy to increase the overall signal-to-noise ratio of their calls: Instead of increasing the amplitude of each call component, they produced more of the loud GECK-O syllables and fewer of the softer cackle calls in noise. "We think that the fact that signals will reach the intended recipient is a driving force for the evolution of a communication system, independently of the animal group", says Sue Anne Zollinger, co-author of the study.

More information: Henrik Brumm et al. Vocal plasticity in a reptile, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2017). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0451 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Three-Rowed Sea Cucumber (Isostichopus badionotus): University of British Columbia research outlines the impacts of elite global seafood markets on coastal communities. Credit: Wikipedia

Coastal communities are struggling with the complex social and ecological impacts of a growing global hunger for a seafood delicacy, according to a new study from the University of British Columbia.

"Soaring demand has spurred sea cucumber booms across the globe," says lead author Maery Kaplan-Hallam, who conducted the research as a master's student with the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES) at UBC.

"For many coastal communities, sea cucumber isn't something that was harvested in the past. Fisheries emerged rapidly. Money, buyers and fishers from outside the community flooded in. This has also increased pressure on other already overfished resources."

Sea cucumber can sell for hundredssometimes thousandsof dollars a pound. The "gold rush" style impacts of high-value fisheries exacerbate longer-term trends in already vulnerable communities, such as declines in traditional fish stocks, population increases, climate change and illegal fishing.

"These boom-and-bust cycles occur across a range of resource industries," says co-author Nathan Bennett, a postdoctoral fellow at UBC. "What makes these fisheries so tricky is that they appear rapidly and often deplete local resources just as rapidly, leaving communities with little time to recover."

The researchers based their findings on a case study of Rio Lagartos, a fishing community on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. For the past 50 years, small-scale commercial fishing has been the dominant livelihood of the community.

The town's first commercial sea cucumber permits were issued in 2013, a significant economic opportunity for fishers in the region. The leathery marine animals are a delicacy in many parts of Asia, and as stocks have depleted there, demand has rapidly depleted fisheries across the globe.

A host of new challenges emerged in Rio Lagartos as the sea cucumbers attracted outside fishers, money and patrons, according to the researchers' interviews with community members.

"Resource management, incomes, fisher health and safety, levels of social conflict and social cohesion in the community are all impacted," says Kaplan-Hallam. "The potential financial rewards are also causing local fishers to take bigger risks as sea cucumber stocks are depleted and diving must occur further from shore, with dire health consequences."

Unfortunately, say the authors, this isn't an isolated situation.

"There are many examples around the world where elite global seafood marketsabalone, sea urchins, sharks, aquacultureare undermining local sustainability," says Bennett.

"If we want to sustainably manage fisheries with coastal communities, we need a better understanding of how global seafood markets impact communities and how to manage these impacts quickly. Think of it like an epidemic: it requires a rapid response before it gets out of control."

"Think of it like an epidemic: it requires a rapid response before it gets out of control."

More information: Maery Kaplan-Hallam et al. Catching sea cucumber fever in coastal communities: Conceptualizing the impacts of shocks versus trends on social-ecological systems, Global Environmental Change (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2017.05.003
Scientists are seeking to develop chickpeas that can flourish in dry climates, to help some of the world's poorest farmers reliably grow the staple crop.

Experts are to use low-cost imaging and computing science techniques to identify how to speed the breeding of chickpea varieties that give high yields in arid conditions.

Their research could enable farmers in Africa - where much of the population relies on poor smallholdings for subsistence - to improve chickpea harvests in a changing climate.

Researchers hope their findings can significantly improve annual yields from current levels of about 1.5 tonnes per hectare to about 5 tonnes per hectare.

Chickpeas grown in Ethiopia depend on monsoon rain for their development, but this has been unreliable in recent years, affecting harvests.

Researchers will grow varieties of chickpea plants under a range of conditions in simple transparent frames. Images of the plants' developing root systems - which show how well these reach into deep soil - will be analysed by artificially intelligent computers.

An interdisciplinary team of scientists will seek to gain a deeper understanding of how conditions affect chickpea growth. They will develop algorithms to determine how a resilient variety could be bred. This will enable breeders to focus on varieties with improved performance.

Experts from the University of Edinburgh will work with Addis Ababa University, the Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research and the Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute on the 750,000 project, funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

The collaboration seeks to build on the University of Edinburgh's expertise in plant root science and machine learning.

The team hopes the findings from their 30-month study may also benefit chickpea farmers in the Middle East, India and Pakistan, where climates are becoming hotter and drier.

Dr Peter Doerner, of the University of Edinburgh's School of Biological Sciences, who is taking part in the study, said: "Growing this staple food is already a challenge in many poor regions, and is becoming tougher amid climate change. A chickpea that grows well in dry climates could aid many of the world's poorest farmers."
Test subjects were more than twice as likely to correctly discern the size of grasped objects grasped with a prosthetic hand when they received haptic feedback from a simple skin-stretch device on the upper arm. Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University

Engineers working to add "muscle sense" to prosthetic limbs found that tactile feedback on the skin allowed blindfolded test subjects to more than double their ability to discern the size of objects grasped with a prosthetic hand. The results will be presented next month in Germany by researchers from Rice University and the Research Center "E.Piaggio" of the University of Pisa and the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT).

"Humans have an innate sense of how the parts of their bodies are positioned, even if they can't see them," said Marcia O'Malley, professor of mechanical engineering at Rice. "This 'muscle sense' is what allows people to type on a keyboard, hold a cup, throw a ball, use a brake pedal and do countless other daily tasks."

The scientific term for this muscle sense is proprioception, and O'Malley's Mechatronics and Haptic Interfaces Lab (MAHI) has worked for years to develop technology that would allow amputees to receive proprioceptive feedback from artificial limbs.

In a new paper to be presented June 7 at the World Haptics 2017 conference in Furstenfeldbruck, Germany, O'Malley and colleagues demonstrate that 18 able-bodied test subjects performed significantly better on size-discrimination tests with a prosthetic hand when they received haptic feedback from a simple skin-stretch device on the upper arm. The study is the first to test a prosthesis in combination with a skin-stretch rocking device for proprioception, and the work has been recognized as a finalist for best paper award at the conference.

An estimated 1.7 million people in the U.S. live with the loss of a limb. Traditional prostheses restore some day-to-day function, but very few provide sensory feedback. For the most part, an amputee today must see their prosthesis to properly operate it.

Improved computer processors, inexpensive sensors, vibrating motors from cellphones and other electronics have created new possibilities for adding tactile feedback, also known as haptics, to prosthetics, and O'Malley's lab has done research in this area for more than a decade.

"We've been limited to testing haptic feedback with simple grippers or virtual environments that replicate what amputees experience," she said. "That changed when I was contacted last year by representatives of Antonio Bicchi's research group at Pisa and IIT who were interested in testing their prosthetic hand with our haptic feedback system."

In experiments at Rice beginning late last year, Pisan graduate student Edoardo Battaglia and Rice graduate student Janelle Clark tested MAHI's Rice Haptic Rocker in conjunction with the Pisa/IIT SoftHand. They measured how well blindfolded subjects could distinguish the size of grasped objects both with and without proprioceptive feedback.

While some proprioceptive technologies require surgically implanted electrodes, the Rice Haptic Rocker has a simple, noninvasive user interfacea rotating arm that brushes a soft rubber pad over the skin of the arm. At rest, when the prosthetic hand is fully open, the rocker arm does not stretch the skin. As the hand closes, the arm rotates, and the more the hand closes, the greater the skin is stretched.

"We're using the tactile sensation on the skin as a replacement for information the brain would normally get from the muscles about hand position," Clark said. "We're essentially mapping from feedback from one source onto an aspect of the prosthetic hand. In this case, it's how much the hand is open or closed."

The Rice Haptic Rocker uses a rotating arm to brush a soft rubber pad over the skin of the arm. The more a prosthetic hand closes, the more the pad brushes the skin. Credit: Brandon Martin/Rice University

Like the Rice Haptic Rocker, the SoftHand uses a simple design. Co-creator Manuel Catalano, a postdoctoral research scientist at IIT/Pisa, said the design inspiration comes from neuroscience.

"Human hands have many joints and articulations, and reproducing and controlling that in a robotic hand is very difficult," he said. "When you have to grasp something, your brain doesn't program the movement of each finger. Your brain has patterns, called synergies, that coordinate all the joints (in the hand)."

The Pisa/IIT SoftHand uses a control synergy just like people do in everyday life, Catalano said. "At the same time, thanks to the intrinsic capability of the SoftHand to adapt and deform with the environment, it is robust and able to grasp objects in many different ways."

Battaglia said neurological studies have identified a set of synergies for the hand. People use these alone or in combination to perform tasks as simple as turning a doorknob and as complex as playing the piano. Grasping an object, like a cup or a coat hanger, is one of the simplest.

"Experiments show that one synergy explains more than 50 percent of all grasps," he said. "SoftHand is designed to mimic this. It's very simple. There is just one motor and one control wire to open and close all the fingers at once."

Edoardo Battaglia (left), Manuel Catalano and Janelle Clark at Rices Mechatronics and Haptic Interfaces Lab. Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University

In tests, subjects used the SoftHand to grasp objects of varying shapes and sizes, ranging from grapefruit-sized balls to coins (quarters). To close the hand, subjects simply flexed a muscle in their forearm. Electrodes taped to the arm picked up electric signals from the flexing muscle and transmitted those to the motor in the SoftHand.

For the size-discrimination test, subjects were blindfolded and asked to grasp two different objects. They were then asked which of the two was larger. Without haptic feedback, the blindfolded subjects had to base their guesses on intuition. They chose correctly only about 33 percent of the time, which is what one would expect from a random choice. When they performed the same tests with feedback from the Rice Haptic Rocker, the subjects correctly distinguished the larger from smaller objects more than 70 percent of the time.

The researchers are following up to see if amputees get a similar benefit from using the haptic rocker in conjunction with the SoftHand.

"One of the things that makes the research we do in the MAHI lab unique is that we involve end-users from the very beginning, from the design and concept stage all the way to testing and evaluation of our systems," O'Malley said. "Through our close collaborations in the Texas Medical Center, we are able to have those interactions with the end userswith patients, physical therapists and doctorsall of the way through our design and evaluation process."
What to do if you fall in your home? Many elderly people ask themselves these and similar questions; they want security without having to give up their own four walls. A new technology concept, developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering IESE in Kaiserslautern, Germany, now makes this possible  while also ensuring privacy. A communication tool integrates nursing care consultation and ensures social integration.

Security? Absolutely  this is especially true for older people who live alone in their home. But monitoring is a very different issue. Hardly anyone would like to be watched day after day by cameras, even if it is only by trusted relatives who use cameras to make sure that the person living alone is safe and sound. So what if you do not want to move out of your own home, but still want to make sure that help will arrive quickly in the event of an emergency?

Security plus privacy

Researchers from the Fraunhofer IESE, the Deutsches Institut fur angewandte Pflegeforschung e.V. [German Institute for Applied Care Research] and CIBEK technology + trading GmbH have now developed the system SUSI TD, which combines security and privacy. There are no cameras or other such devices to be seen in the home environment. "Our system is based on non-invasive sensors, especially on motion detectors (such as those used in lamps and alarms) as well as touch sensors placed on often-used drawers or refrigerators," explains Rolf van Lengen, Head of Department at the IESE. On the basis of the sensory data, the system learns to identify the recurring actions of the person and to recognize when assistance is needed.

There is another plus in terms of privacy: the collected data remain in the residence and are also evaluated there. Only when the person's behavior deviates from the usual does the system send an encrypted message to the nursing care center or the nursing care support point.

Direct link to the offerings of the nursing care support points

Just as important as providing security is promoting independent living as well as social integration  that is, counseling the elderly. What can they do to maintain their health and master their everyday life? Who is available as a contact person if there are problems in this area? This issue is of particular concern to Anne Gebert of the Deutsches Institut fur angewandte Pflegeforschung e.V.: "Using a video communication tool, the people can talk directly with the counselors of the nursing care support points via touchscreen. As a result, the consultants are able to support people even more effectively than they could if they only paid occasional house visits." And more than that: via the communication tool, the residents can also contact friends and family members, play games or share pictures.

A central guiding principle in the development of the concept was to not create any new or duplicate structures. The concept has therefore been developed and tested with those individuals who are already active on the ground  that is, the nursing care support points and outpatient service providers.

Close feedback with test subjects

For the development of such a system, it is essential to keep the needs of the users in view. Therefore, the researchers initially equipped 18 apartments in the area of Trier, Germany, with the sensors, went repeatedly to the households and had direct contact with the people, experiencing firsthand their stories, desires and needs. In the follow-up project StuDI, the researchers want to integrate an adapted system into 100 apartments as a test run.

For the development of SUSI TD, Cornelius Moucha, Mario Schmitt and Rolf van Lengen from the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering IESE, Anne Gebert from the Deutsches Institut fur angewandte Pflegeforschung e.V. and Bernd Klein from CIBEK technology + trading GmbH received this year's Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize, entitled "Technik fur den Menschen" [Human-Centered Technology]. The jury justifies the award by mentioning, among other things, "the special value which, in addition to the technical implementation, was placed on the ethical aspects."
SKUlocal Driving More Targeted Redemptions in Grocery Industry

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/  During a special grocery promotion in May and June, SKUlocal placed nearly 100 million inserts in Valpak envelopes from such top-tier grocery brands as Procter & Gamble, Kelloggs, Blue Bunny and Mars.

This helped Valpak achieve a significant milestone in May. It was the most grocery content ever in a single month inside Valpak envelopes, which are mailed monthly to nearly 37 million demographically targeted households across the country. Sams Club was also featured on the outside of millions of Valpak envelopes in May.

Key SKUlocal highlights:

The large increase in CPG content is fueling SKUlocals early success in 2017.

Achieved a 300 percent year-over-year growth in mailing volume for the month of May.

Return on ad spend is averaging 182 percent when all marketing elements are combined.

One reason for SKUlocals rapid growth is that CPG manufacturers and retailers are looking for alternative solutions to drive more targeted redemption at key retail partners, versus the wasted distribution that can come from traditional marketing. SKUlocals targeted activation campaigns integrate retailer-focused direct mail, customized social media and targeted print-at-home coupons.

Were listening to the marketplace and developing responsive solutions to activate against key retailers, said Jay Loeffler, Senior Director of National Sales at SKUlocal. Our quick success tells us theres a real demand for this approach and were able to satisfy the goals of these advertisers.

Other SKUlocal clients include Bayer, Walgreens and HEB grocery stores.

SKUlocal was formed earlier this year after Platinum Equity acquired Cox Target Media, which owns Valpak. SKUlocal combines intelligent targeted direct mail services with keen shopper insights to connect with local consumers in more cost-effective ways. It is focused primarily on the grocery, CPG and over-the-counter (OTC) categories.

About SKUlocal

Based in St. Petersburg, FL, SKUlocal is a national direct marketing company that offers targeted marketing solutions to identify and engage specific shopper segments. The company provides marketers with keen insights into how consumers think and behave when shopping and buying. SKUlocals mass reach  coupled with powerful, precise targeting and true consumer insights  drives measurable-buying transactions across verticals, including consumer packaged goods (CPG), over-the-counter (OTC) and grocery. SKUlocal is owned by Platinum Equity, a global investment firm based in Los Angeles.

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By Lucinda Elliott

Alternative carnival

Florianopolis, the capital of the state of Santa Catarina, is one of Brazils most popular carnival hotspots after Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.

The Blocos de Sujos parade on Carnival Sunday is famous for cross-dressing male performers. The festival draws a mixed crowd, including 50,000 tourists every year from the LGBT community.

Oysters

Oyster farming was introduced to this 33-mile long island in the late 1980s, after small-scale fishermen began struggling to survive on fishing alone. Since then, locals have guarded this rare delicacy fiercely, making the oysters almost impossible to source outside Brazil. Try them at award-winning Ponta dos Ganchos, an upmarket resort.

Latin cyber space

Six hundred tech companies are based in the tropical islands colonial-style city. Over the past two decades, two technology parks and six incubators for new businesses were set up in Florianopolis. The area, which is also home to families of monkeys, is more affordable than the sprawling megacities of Sao Paulo and Curitiba further north. This new workforce is having an impact on housing. Sapiens Parque expects to house more than 25,000 tech workers across 400 companies over the next 10 years.

Oktoberfest, Brazilian style

For 19 days in October, a town settled by German immigrants in the mid-19th century plays host to its own Oktoberfest. In 2015, nearly half a million visitors flocked to Blumenau, which lies 150km north-west of Florianopolis, for beer, bratwurst and a beauty pageant to crown the Oktoberfest Queen.

Whale watching

To escape the harsh winters of Antarctic waters, southern right whales travel up the coast of Santa Catarina to give birth and nurse their young. Take a boat out between late August and early October for the best sightings.

Photographs: Alexandro Auler/LatinContent/Getty Images; Sandra Martins/FOAP/Getty Images; Purestock / Alamy; Global_Pics/Getty Images; Travel Pix/Alamy

FT special report: Reinventing Brazil
China to Launch Controversial Cybersecurity Law This Week

Companies are asking China to delay the implementation of a new cybersecurity law amid concerns of how the legislation will affect personal information and cloud computing.

China is set to implement their first cybersecurity law on Thursday, June 1 amid growing concerns that the law does not properly secure personal information or cloud computing.

Passed last November, the law is largely aimed at protecting Chinas networks and private users information at a time when the WannaCry ransomware attack showed that any country can fall victim to cyber threats.

Companies have pleaded with the government to delay the legislation as it is unclear how it will affect personal information and cloud computing. The Chinese government is still scrambling to finalize the rules of the law.

Two weeks ago, Zhao Zeliang, director of the cybersecurity bureau, gathered nearly 200 representatives from foreign and domestic companies and industry organizations at the new headquarters of the Cybersecurity Administration of China in Beijing to discuss the draft of the rules for transferring personal data overseas.

New drafts of the law that surfaces after the talks removed a contentious requirement for companies to store customers personal data in China, but concerns remain as the laws date to launch draws closer.

Many believe the government is ill prepared to enforce the law and it is very unlikely that it will actually launch on the first of the month. Authorities are still issuing new draft documents as the law evolves and some documents wont even be viewable until July 7, leading some to believe that on June 1, the government will not just be able to switch a light and allow the legislation to be law.
Dutch senators backed a hard-won compromise Tuesday to ratify an amended EU-Ukraine pact, clearing one of the final hurdles for approval of the deal to help nudge Kiev closer to the West. The draft bill was approved by a vote of 50 to 25 in the upper house of parliament in the Netherlands, the only EU state yet to ratify the pact aimed at steering Ukraine away from its former Soviet masters in Moscow. "This is the last parliamentary step," for the amended deal to be approved, senate spokesman Gert Riphagen said. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whose liberal VVD party won a general election in March, sought a compromise after Dutch voters rejected the initial pact in an April 2016 referendum. Rutte is now expected to return to Brussels with the Dutch go-ahead once the measure is signed into law which could happen as early as Thursday. In Brussels, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said, "Our Association Agreement... is now one step closer to being ratified." The vote sent "an important signal from the Netherlands and the entire European Union to our Ukrainian friends: Ukraine's place is in Europe. Ukraine's future lies with Europe," Juncker said in a statement. He added that he would like to see the process finalized in time for the EU-Ukraine summit in July. Dutch officials said European bodies expected the accord to enter into force around September 1. In Kiev, Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko thanked Rutte and his country for their support. "The path to this point was long and much more complicated than Ukraine imagined at the start of the process," Poroshenko said on his Facebook page. But he hailed the treaty as "a guarantee of our freedom, independence and territorial integrity. Europe is our civilizational choice." Moscow however angrily retorted that the ratification "of this famous accord will give the authorities in Kiev a bit more time to cultivate the fable of a 'radiant European future'." "Kiev will continue to pretend not to foresee the rapid transformation of Ukraine from a developed industrial state into an agrarian appendage and a source of raw materials for the EU," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Russia's TASS news agency. - Treaty rejected - The original treaty deal was opposed by eurosceptic groups in the Netherlands who forced the issue to a referendum. About 60 percent of voters rejected the treaty, though turnout was barely above the 30 percent needed for the results to be validated. The rejection dealt a blow to Rutte and his coalition government at a time when the Netherlands was at the helm of the EU's rotating presidency. Rutte managed to work out a compromise deal that limits the EU's defence commitments to Ukraine and does not provide any guarantees to Kiev of full EU membership in the future. The lower house of parliament had approved the amended pact by a large majority in February. Rutte, however, has caught flack from opposition politicians and the organisers of the referendum, who accused the Dutch leader of ignoring the voice of voters by not rejecting the agreement out of hand.
The raid took place at the Geylang Serai Bazaar. (Photo: Gabriel Choo / Yahoo Singapore)

Unlicensed food handlers were nabbed at a Geylang Serai Bazaar stall on Tuesday (30 May), said Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Zainal Sapari.

Responding to a post on the Halal Cafes & Restaurants In Singapore Facebook page, he said the food handlers had also been working illegally and were arrested as part of a joint operation by the police, Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the National Environment Agency (NEA).

Twenty-two unregistered food handlers who were also working illegally have been arrested during the joint inspection and investigations are ongoing, an MOM spokesman said.

Many online, including those commenting on the aforementioned post, had been speculating on the possible reasons for the arrests after photographs allegedly showing men being handcuffed at the stall were circulated via social media on Tuesday afternoon.

Yahoo Singapore has reached out to MOM for comment on the incident.

#BAZAARRAID. Police raiding one of bazaar Ramadan stall. Orang Yang jual tu Tak halal kot? pic.twitter.com/KejatKOFnw  N A D D (@nad3hadi) May 30, 2017

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RJP-N welcomes govt decision to defer polls

The Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal, welcoming the governments decision to postpone the second phase of local elections by nine days, has urged the major parties to utilise the time to address its demands so that it can participate in the polls.
By Alister Doyle OSLO (Reuters) - The United States is resisting plans to highlight how climate change is disrupting life in the oceans at a U.N. conference of almost 200 nations next week, Sweden's deputy prime minister, who will co-chair the talks, said on Tuesday. President Donald Trump doubts that global warming has a human cause and that U.S. scepticism has even affected preparations for the June 5-9 U.N. Ocean Conference in New York, Isabella Lovin told Reuters. The conference is due to issue a "Call for Action" to limit damage to marine life from threats the United Nations says include global warming, over-fishing and pollution such as plastic waste. "I think I can safely say that the United States has not been very keen on strong language on climate change," Lovin said in a telephone interview. "We are not prepared to leave that (strong language) out. That's really fundamental," Lovin said of the draft documents. "The impacts of climate change are almost immeasurable." It is unclear how the differences will be resolved. Lovin, who is also Sweden's minister for international development cooperation and climate, will co-chair the global ministerial talks with Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama. Among climate impacts, a U.N. panel of scientists says rising water temperatures are damaging coral reefs and driving fish stocks polewards, sea levels are rising and carbon dioxide absorbed from the air has formed a harmful mild acid in water. "The decline of the oceans is really a threat to the entire planet ... We need to start working together," Lovin said. The conference is seeking ways to implement a U.N. sustainable-development goal to safeguard the oceans, adopted by all governments in 2015. A parallel U.N. goal calls for "urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts". Marlene Moses of Nauru, who heads a U.N. group of Pacific island states, said valuable tuna stocks had often moved eastwards with warmer currents in recent years, depleting traditional catches off some western islands. She said it was vital to factor in climate change in any plan to protect the oceans. "Leaving climate change out of a document in the context of oceans is like cutting off the right arm of the Pacific island countries," she told Reuters. More broadly on climate change, Trump is undecided on whether to carry out his election campaign pledge to quit the global 2015 Paris Agreement, which seeks to phase out greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from burning fossil fuels, this century. He tweeted after a Group of Seven summit in Italy on Saturday, "I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week!" All other G7 leaders reaffirmed strong commitment to the global deal. Lovin said it had been hard to engage Washington in the ocean conference, partly because key posts at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration remain unfilled since the end of the Obama administration. The ocean conference will also promote partnerships, such as between governments and businesses, to address issues such as marine pollution, ocean acidification, and marine research. It will also compile voluntary commitments, such as a Peruvian plan to safeguard local fishing fleets and a scheme by Malaysia's Sabah region to end "fish bombing" by 2020, in which explosives are used to catch fish. (`Editing by Mark Heinrich)
A British journalist faces up to five years in a Thai jail after he was arrested for carrying a gas mask and plates for a bullet-proof vest through Bangkok's main airport on his way to cover fighting in the Iraqi city of Mosul, police confirmed Tuesday. Tony Cheng, who works for Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, was detained at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport late Monday night under a law that has been heavily criticised by media groups. Gas masks and ballistic vests are frequently used by reporters around the world but are classified as "war weapons" in Thailand and require a licence, something journalists have been unable to obtain. Violating the 1987 law is punishable by up to five years in jail. "A British national was arrested and charged with illegal possession of war weapons last night at the airport," Suvarnabhumi airport policeman Somchart Maneerat told AFP Tuesday. Cheng, who is married to a Thai national, and German colleague Florian Witulski were on their way to report from war-torn Mosul where troops are battling the Islamic State group. The pair previously reported from Mosul in March. Witulski was briefly detained alongside Cheng but was later released and has not been charged. Suvarnabhumi police said Cheng was released Tuesday afternoon after his wife paid a 100,000 baht ($3,000) bail and he agreed to forfeit his passport. In a Facebook post from an airport detention cell Cheng said the plates and gas mask were "for use in Mosul where ISIS are well documented to be using gas." Media groups have repeatedly criticised the Thai law and say journalists should not be punished for carrying body armour and protective gear in and out of dangerous zones. - 'Invidious choice' - In a statement on Cheng's arrest, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand said reporters based in the country who travel to dangerous assignments are "presented with an invidious choice: break Thai law or increase the risk to life and limb". Attempts over the years to amend the legislation have fallen on deaf ears, despite Thailand's own history of deadly street protests and a festering Muslim insurgency in the far south. The protection equipment law was rarely enforced until the military seized power three years ago. "The issue has occurred quite a few times already, I am certain there will be review on this matter," junta spokesman Major General Werachon Sukhonhapatipak told AFP. He added that journalists should inform authorities if they plan to travel with such equipment. Yet media groups have previously said that would not protect reporters from the risk of prosecution. Bangkok has long been a regional hub for international reporters but since the coup the military have clamped down on dissent and made media visas harder to obtain. In August 2015 a Hong Kong photographer was charged with violating the law for carrying a bullet-proof vest and helmet while covering a deadly bombing in Bangkok. A Thai court later quietly dropped the case. During Thailand's regular bouts of deadly street protests, both demonstrators and journalists have donned ballistic vests and helmets, largely without falling foul of police. Two foreign reporters were killed by gunfire while covering the worst round of political unrest in 2010. "Both might have survived had they been wearing body armour," the FCCT statement said.
Is Washington really listening to small businesses? U.S. Sen. James Lankford was on Capital Hill recently talking to colleagues about the challenges these small businesses face thanks to government regulation.

Lankford recently introduced the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act. It has since passed through the committee stage.

What is the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act?

Basically, the bill aims to close loopholes in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, which passed in 1980. The bill was initially designed to help small businesses, but Lankford says that it has so many loopholes itself that the goal sort of gets lost in the shuffle.

More specifically, the new bill aims to account for the actual economic impact of business regulations. So when government entities are considering new regulations for businesses, they would have to account for not just direct costs but indirect costs, like electricity use or the cost of additional state requirements that come with the regulation.

The bill would also require the IRS to engage with small businesses before creating new regulations. So instead of small businesses having to employ compliance officers just to keep up with changing rules, they could actually have a say in the tax rules that come to pass. The bill also aims to increase transparency in the rulemaking process so that businesses arent blindsided by new regulations.

But its not just new rules that often hurt small businesses. There are also plenty of outdated regulations that put small businesses into difficult situations. So the new law would require lawmakers to reevaluate regulations after 10 years to make sure they are still relevant and necessary.

And finally, the bill would offer first-time forgiveness for paperwork violations by small businesses. This obviously wouldnt apply to things like health and safety issues. But if its just a simple paperwork mistake, small businesses wouldnt have to worry about paying exorbitant fees for first-time offenses.

This is not a bill I came up with on my own. It is a bill that was drafted in direct response to small businesses and small business leaders around the country. It has been discussed for a long time but for whatever reason it has never been passed, Lankford explains.

Lankford says he is hopeful that lawmakers in Washington will put aside differences and assist small businesses beginning with passage of the bill.
Labour  May 30, 2017  Zwelinzima Vavi

The following speech by Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary of the newly formed South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), was delivered in New Orleans at the 46th International Convention of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) a few days ago.

Greetings to my brother and comrade, President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), Rev. Terrence L. Melvin. Revolutionary salutes to my big brother Bill William Lucy, the former President of CBTU and leading member of the AFL-CIO and AFSCME now trying to enjoy his well deserved retirement.

Good morning to all of you my dearest sisters, brothers and comrades gathered here in this historic 46th International Convention of the CBTU. Let me not forget to also give special greetings to all of your distinguished guests.

I must confess from the outset, that I am not exactly a stranger to the CBTU convention! I have had the great pleasure of being with you before and I am a very proud recipient of an award from your good selves in recognition of my humble contribution to the struggle to improve the lives of working people in my country and beyond.

Can I just say at this point, that asking a recipient of one of your prestigious awards to return and report back on developments seems to me to be a very powerful thing to do. Firstly, it provides an opportunity to update friends and comrades on developments that have occurred over the last period since we were together. Reporting back is also a fundamental element of building a democratic culture. Secondly, it provides an opportunity for us to share what we have learned as the struggle for emancipation unfolds. In these challenging times, we have to keep talking and learning from one another, to think critically about how best we can move forward. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, reporting back provides an opportunity to assess whether the beliefs we held dear when we were younger are still relevant today, and are still capable of guiding our actions for the project to liberate the working class and the whole of society from the yoke of oppression.

Amongst Comrades

Looking around this room today, I can confidently say that I am amongst comrades who still hold true to their principles. Comrades who are still fighting the good fight against all forms of oppression, and comrades who are determined to see real change, and not just window dressing or a compromised illusion of change. For these reasons, I have to say, that I feel very at home amongst you and thank you sincerely.

Can I ask that all of you please come home with me to South Africa soon? Comrades, we need each other!

In terms of providing an update on developments in South Africa, many of you may not have followed the dramatic events that have taken place there. Last time I was here I was introduced as the General Secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), and now I am being introduced as the General Secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU). You may well ask, how has this come about?

I cannot answer that question adequately without taking a few more minutes than my allotted time, and I am pleased therefore to report that I have successfully negotiated a little extra time to explain the tragedy taking place in my beloved country.

I am doing so because you deserve to know. The CBTU played a key role in coordinating solidarity not only for COSATU but for the ANC and the liberation movement as a whole. I remember so vividly when you came to observe the first democratic elections held on the 27 April 1994, and that produced the first president of the New Democratic Republic of South Africa. Some of you stayed on until Comrade Nelson Mandela was inaugurated on the 10 May 1994. We shared tears of joy, and were full of hope that the liberation of South Africa was on hand, and that our common struggle against injustice, dating back to the horrendous enslavement of our fore-mothers and fathers through forms of utterly barbaric forms of colonialization of our shared motherland of Africa, was now to be finally challenged, and its evil legacies uprooted and in a new chapter of liberation.

This was clearly one of the proudest moments, not only for us who live in Africa, but for all of our sisters and brothers of the African diaspora everywhere including here in the United States. The defeat of the apartheid system represented a triumph of the human spirit against evil. The liberation of South African we hoped, would unleash a new beginning not only for Africa, but for the marginalized everywhere. A new beginning to close the widening gap between the so-called developed North and the chronically under developed South, but also to encourage and inspire the struggle to end inequality within each of our countries, including here in the city of New Orleans!

Progressive forces acknowledged that South Africa was amongst the last countries to be liberated in Africa and therefore had the advantage of witnessing and learning from the great liberation movements in Africa and other parts of the world, in the hope that it would ensure that it did not succumb to the trappings of power, corruption, and the self aggrandizement of leaders at the expense of the poor and real social change. Comrades like Chris Hani identified the possibility at an early stage, and typically and courageously spoke out before his untimely departure. We now know, from our own experience, that Comrade Chris Hani, and so many others who made the ultimate sacrifice, must be turning-over in their graves at what they see happening in the name of emancipation.

A Dream Betrayed

So what happened? How has that inspiring dream been stolen and betrayed? Let me try and provide some food for thought on these matters. The generation of leaders of which I was a part committed a grave mistake in 2005, when we defended a man compromised by allegations of corruption, and whose key financial advisor took the fall at that stage and was given a 15 year jail sentence.

We continued to support, and elevate a man who is now facing 783 counts of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering charges, and helped usher him in to the highest office of our land, as the President of both the liberation movement, the ANC and of our new democratic country, under a Constitution that embedded many of the freedoms we had hitherto been denied.

Many ask the question how did we commit such a blunder? There is no other way of explaining this except to admit that we were blinded by the hatred of the pro-business neoliberal policies that were advanced by the former President of the ANC, Thabo Mbeki, and so much so that we stopped thinking with our heads, rather than our hearts!

When the opportunity arose to remove Thabo Mbeki in the ANC National Conference held in 2007, we had no qualms in forming a broad coalition of the wounded to install Jacob Zuma who we solemnly believed would represent the aspirations of workers and the marginalized in our society.

Some of us realized within the first few months after he was elevated to the position of the President that we had committed a grave error! We started to raise concerns initially very privately and later more publicly about the direction the country was taking under his leadership. We raised the alarm as early as March 2010 when it was clear that he was taking us on a route not just to a deepening of neoliberalism, but also toward a Kleptocracy. Could we have stopped this earlier? Perhaps, but I am sorry to report that removing one person now, will be totally inadequate. The damage has been done. The rot has gone too deep and too wild to be removed by just removing one person.

Jacob Zuma was until very recently, working hand in glove with the leaders of the so called South African Communist Party (SACP), who meticulously invested everything to winning individual leaders of key unions and other structures through patronage, to dash the hopes of a truly democratic and liberated South Africa. COSATU which was celebrated by you and other unionists across the globe as the only reliable force that combined a powerful class analysis with an ability to mobilize practical solidarity, and not just for South African workers, but also our friends in Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cuba, Palestine, Western Sahara, and many more countries.

By 2011 divisions on the way forward were entrenched but still under wraps and not so obvious to outsiders. These divisions played themselves out during the 11th National Congress held in 2012. Bill Lucy was amongst those present at that congress. A group of union leaders representing their own agendas without a mandate, had grown increasingly uncomfortable with the General Secretary of COSATU. They together with the leaders of the ANC and South African Communist Party launched a scathing attack on the Secretariat Report which they had previously endorsed, which had been drafted in partnership with them, but that clearly upset their political minders. The report was presented to the Congress by myself, as the General Secretary as is customary.

The very same leaders who had once endorsed the report, now felt that the report was too candid about the ANC government failures to deliver to the working class, and was too frank about the weaknesses of the Federation, and its affiliated unions. This congress took place after the Marikana massacre where 34 workers lost their lives after embarking on an unprotected strike demanding a R12500 minimum wage. Congress was also preceded by another wildcat strike where thousands of farm workers took to the streets to demand R150 an hour against a R60 to R80 they were being paid.

When these leaders failed abysmally to persuade their own members why the General Secretary must be removed they vowed first privately, and then publicly that they will use the smaller structures where they had power and a slight majority to pursue the objectives they could not win at National Congress.

Indeed they wasted no time. Immediately after the Congress, which gave a resounding endorsement of the General Secretary and the radical policies contained in the Report, and then launched an unprecedented and unattributed attack in the media against the General Secretary. They made vitriolic allegations that the General Secretary was corrupt, and acting outside of a mandate, despite what the Congress had agreed.

These attacks included circulating a bogus intelligence report that has now been wholly discredited that accused the General Secretary of being an agent of imperialism, especially American imperialism! I hope I do not have to reassure you here that I have never worked for the CIA or any other intelligence service!

When a CEC asked two prominent individuals with historic links to the unions to probe all these allegations the accusers simply refused to cooperate and accelerated their vitriol through the media. The founding Assistant General Secretary of COSATU pulled together a small group to coordinate a unity intervention, but this too failed because they were not interested in unity but were hell bent on surgically removing as they described it themselves, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and the COSATU General Secretary from COSATU.

Even when a task team was established by the ANC, led by its Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa to bring about unity and cohesion, they ignored its appeals and essentially boycotted the proceedings. The leaders of the pro-Zuma faction inside COSATU were so compromised and enjoyed the support of the dominant ANC faction led by the ANC President, Jacob Zuma, and the whole-hearted support of the so called Communist Party led by its General Secretary Blade Nzimande.

Expelling NUMSA

On the 8th of November 2014, 34 members of the COSATU leadership without a mandate, pushed through a vote to expel 340,000 members of NUMSA from

the Federation which they had been so instrumental in building. A federation that was so loved by metalworkers! The dominant faction eventually totally frustrated a renewed ANC intervention and turned their backs on a third of a million workers at a time when working class unity was of paramount importance. The COSATU General Secretary was himself expelled on the 30 March 2015 for refusing to support this undemocratic and draconian decision.

It is worth adding here that NUMSA did everything it could to remain in COSATU. Comrades must read the document that was submitted by NUMSA in defense of its right to be critical of ANC policies, and to simply discuss whether or not it would be endorsing the ANC at the next election. NUMSA painstakingly refuted every accusation leveled against it, including that it poached members from other unions. NUMSA pointed out that under conditions of globalization and ever expanding value chains as a result of the restructuring of domestic and international Capital, union organizing scopes were being redrawn. NUMSA even proposed a way forward for ensuring that cooperation and not competition between affiliates be the order of the day. Despite all of this, they were recklessly expelled, to the detriment of COSATU, and it has to be said the wider working class. With NUMSA and the General Secretary out of the way, the dominant COSATU/SACP faction was free to imprison the movement in a series of class compromises that continue to paralyse it today.

In a parallel development, those progressive elements who remained in COSATU and who argued for a more tolerant and inclusive political culture were isolated and attacked from within. Several unions that had a long and noble tradition of independence, militancy, internal democracy and accountability were targeted by the dominant faction, and were encouraged to deal with dissent within their own ranks. To their eternal shame, some of the most historically inspiring unions were transformed almost overnight into little more than lap dogs for the ruling party, and especially the faction that promised patronage! When corruption as a result, was exposed on a grand scale by activists within these unions, they were summarily dismissed, abused and subjected to treatment more befitting gangsterism than trade unionism. Worker leaders were shot and killed for daring to demand forensic audits, and accountability. This is the reality of what we had to face in those troubling times, and I dare say that most of you here did not hear about this at the time. Never again must workers suffer in silence on the alter of political expediency.

What this meant in effect, is that hundreds of thousands of workers were now without a home, and I shall return to their new homecoming shortly.

Whilst this tragedy was unfolding inside COSATU there was a larger crisis happening in the country and inside the ANC itself. The ANC youth structure were also targeted for domestication leading to the expulsion of its President, Julius Malema and the disbandment of all structures. The ANC women structure too did not escape so did other provincial leaders seen to be not supporting the rampant corruption that had become the feature of the Jacob Zuma presidency. Before we know it the ANC itself had become so factionalized, so divided and so weakened that in the last Local Government election it lost three major metros, Johannesburg, Pretoria/Tshwane and Port Elizabeth/Nelson Mandela.

Let me go back to this programme which is implemented with military precision to domesticate and hollow out not only the organs of peoples power but key institutions that support our constitutional democracy and the state owned enterprises. This was done through a combination of abusing a revolutionary concept of cadre deployment in key strategic institutions or an outright undermining and discrediting institutions that could not be controlled including such institutions as the office of the Public Protector and the Judiciary.

This whole project to hollow out institutions had only one aim which is the enforcement of the project to create a predatory state whose only reason for existence will be to accumulate and plunder the countrys resources for the benefit of family members of Jacob Zuma as the matrimonial of this era but the networks of greedy corrupt other families benefiting from this crony capitalism.

Whilst all this was unfolding the material conditions of the workers and Black people were worsening.

35.6 per cent of the population of working age is unemployed, if we include those who have stopped looking for work. Thousands more jobs losses are expected to be lost

A growing number of the remaining jobs are insecure and low-paid, as casualization and exploitation by labour brokers continue unabated, creating a growing army of vulnerable and powerless workers. Many employers are trying to sabotage collective bargaining and drive down wages to the lowest level which desperate workers are prepared to accept.

The richest 1 per cent of the population has 42 per cent of the countrys wealth; the wealth of South Africas top 10% grew 64% in first 17 years after 1994, whereas the wealth of the poorest 10% did not grow at all in real terms. This has made us the most unequal society in the world.

The economy is still dominated by monopolies owned by a still mainly white and male capitalist class, which uses the wealth created by workers labour to enrich themselves. Another section of their class, and their cronies in the public service, has become a predatory elite of thieves, turning our country into a kleptocracy where public funds are corruptly stolen to enrich a greedy few.

There is chaos and corruption in numerous state-owned enterprises, including Eskom, SAA, Prasa, PetroSA and Transnet.

The economy has been down-graded to junk status. Government ministers behind todays political and economic carnage have tried to downplay the impact of being placed on a junk status. One truth that cant be disputed is that they as individuals will hardly be affected, but the workers who have been in a junk status for 500 years cant afford worsening of the current crisis.

The ruling ANC is paralysed and divided into factions, hiding behind empty words about radical economic transformation while continuing with the neoliberal economic policies which are further entrenching the power and wealth of the monopoly capitalists and taking us further from the ideals of the historic mission.

All these problems, as always, affect the working class and the poor the most. Yet existing union federations, which ought to be leading a fightback are failing abysmally. This was most starkly exposed when they agreed with government and business to an insulting R3,500 or about $269 a month or about $1.60 an hour minimum wage, which will do nothing to lift workers and their families from their present poverty.

Faced with the reality that COSATU has been totally captured by the ANC politics of divisions, we only as a very last resort created a New Federation. History was made when the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) was launched on 21-23 April 2017 and it has already made a big impact on the countrys political and labour landscape.

With 700,000 members from 24 unions, SAFTU is already the second biggest workers federation after COSATU; and nearly 20 other unions have

already shown interest in affiliating; some are just waiting for a mandate from their structures.

The pathetic plight of the once mighty COSATU could not have been better illustrated than the recent fiasco where they were forced to end their rally on the most important day of the workers year, May Day, when they had to scuttle from the stage without uttering a word, as their own members demanded that President Zuma must go.

At exactly the same time SAFTU members were marching in their thousands in the streets of Durban. As one federation was dying a new one was springing to life.

This is the price the COSATU leadership  and more importantly their working-class members  are having to pay for the leadership becoming an appendage of the ruling ANC and getting embroiled in its bitter factional fights, in which neither side stands up for the workers but both represent different factions of neoliberalism and capitalist exploitation that has created the current and worsening material conditions of the working class.

When NUMSA pointed out the dangers of COSATU locking itself into a subservient relationship with the ruling party and government they were expelled. COSATU refuses to acknowledge that both the ANC factions may we add together with the SACP and COSATU itself have long been captured by the white monopoly capital they purport to be fighting. The current neoliberal and austerity programme is the trophy that capital has secured. COSATU seeks to replace a butcher of the working class with another one. COSATU is trying to serve the master and the slave at the same time, hence it is now imploding, disintegrating and toothless.

Challenge Facing SAFTU

The immense challenge now facing SAFTU is to revive the hopes of the working class, build a vibrant, independent, and democratic workers

movement, and take up the struggle for the total emancipation of the working class from the chains of its capitalist oppressors.

It must prioritize recruitment of the three quarters of workers who are not in any trade union but are generally the most vulnerable, and marginalized workers who have the greatest need of a trade union.

To achieve all this the launching Congress committed itself to a set of basic principles, which include:

Independence from both employers (in the private and public sector) and political parties, though this does not mean that unions are apolitical. We shall campaign on policies in the interests of the working class and the poor. Congress has already identified key ares for campaigning, including saving jobs, fighting for free education, the national health insurance scheme, land to be restored to the people, the end to abuse of farm workers, defense of collective bargaining and the nationalization of the banks in particular the Reserve Bank, the mineral wealth and key industrial monopolies. Affiliated unions will be worker-controlled and based on democracy, accountability and transparency, with an insistence on mandates from, and reporting back to, the membership in order to unite workers by democratic means and not by dictatorship from the top. Fighting SAFTU for the maximum unity of all workers and rejecting all divisive and negative sentiments such as racism, xenophobia, tribalism and ethnicity, all of which are the product of the capitalist system which exploits divisions within the working class. We shall welcome and recruit migrant workers. Financial self-sufficiency and accountability, and opposition, in word and deed, to business unionism, corruption, fraud and maladministration within our own ranks. A high priority on international solidarity with workers in struggle.

We are determined that these principles must not just be slogans, but a guide to action. Time is not on our side. If workers cannot turn the

tide and fight back against their appalling conditions of life, we shall slide into a new age of barbarism, exploitation of the working class and the poor.

We need your support comrades. We need each other. We can challenge capitalism, and we can advance toward a more equitable society. But only through honest, open, transparent and mandated collective action. Lets rebuild a democratic global trade union movement, to be a living example, a microcosm if you like, of the world we want to help build for our children, and our childrens children.

Amandla! 
Certain regulation is necessary, but there is still discussion on how to do so.

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The capital of the Czech Republic has recently announced plans to deal with people who offer accommodation via the AirBnb platform as it loses tens of millions of Czech crowns on fees paid by tourists and other visitors. The city has also created a working group and is discussing what can be done in this field, said Eva Novakova from the Prague municipal authority, as quoted by the Hospodarske Noviny daily.

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Bratislava, too, is dealing with AirBnb headquarters, asking it for cooperation when collecting the tax for accommodation.

The city needs the contacts for accommodation providers (who at the same time are taxpayers) who offer the rental mostly under nicknames, Marek Papajcik from the press department of the Bratislava municipal authority told The Slovak Spectator.

More information about travelling in Slovakia

Please see our Please see our Spectacular Slovakia travel guide

The regulation of shared economy services is also being discussed by the European Commission, which is currently seeking ways of how to approach them and their regulation.

Sharing accommodation with other persons, however, is nothing new. Also in the past the information offices had certain lists of people renting their own flats or houses, said Vladimir Balaz, prognosticator of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

The only novelty is the internet platform, he told The Slovak Spectator.

Benefits, but also risks

Currently, there are some 2,000 accommodation offers published via the AirBnb platform, with the majority of them situated in Zilina Region, according to Robert Chovanculiak, analyst with the economic think tank INESS.

The service brings several benefits to the owners of flats and houses, including the possibility for them to share it for a short period of time.

Moreover, it connects people with empty rooms with strangers who arrive to the town and seek accommodation.

Thanks to the shared economy platforms they learn about each other, agree on the price and conditions in a few clicks, while the platform will check whether they both observe the agreed conditions, Chovanculiak told The Slovak Spectator.

Using shared economy services also enables the owners of flats to address more potential clients, for example, from abroad, said Maros Ovcarik from the Financnykompas.sk website.

There are, however, certain risks since the shared economy platforms do not have to observe the same rules as ordinary entrepreneurs. This may includes details like insurance, Balaz warned.

Tourism without a greater impact

Slovakia witnessed a record number of tourists last year, with the number of holidaymakers exceeding 5 million, and it is expected that another record will be broken during this years season. This may have a certain impact on the use of AirBnb services in Slovakia, though it will not be significant, observers admit.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/sRmQLJAwOYA

In case of the further increase in demand for accommodation services there is no reason not to expect that the accommodation sector within the shared economy will rise, Chovanculiak said.

Balaz says that using shared economy services in fact broadens the offer.

Everything that helps expand the market and improve the quality of the supply is good, he added. More people come and spend money here, while the state can collect more taxes, if it applies certain rules.

At the same time, it is necessary to realise that shared economy services work especially in metropolitan regions. In the case of Slovakia, there is some potential for the service to grow in Bratislava and possibly also Kosice, Balaz said.

More possibilities available

AirBnb is not the only service to share accommodation Slovaks can use. Czech startup Flatio launched its services in the local market in the beginning of 2017, offering rental housing for one-six months, the Hospodarske Noviny daily reported.

When offering their services, the company focuses mostly on foreigners coming to Slovakia for a couple of months, including managers, students and so-called digital nomads, said Radim Rezek, founder and CEO of Flatio.

Yet the company does not want to compete with providers of short-term accommodation, for example, for tourists.

If we will expand our offer, we will focus rather on long-term rentals and how to apply the technologies we use in the real estate market, Rezek told The Slovak Spectator.

Regulate or not?

One of the most discussed topics in connection with shared economy services is their regulation. The EC issued a directive last year, setting some basic principles which member states should follow when dealing with the legislation in this field.

The changes to the system should be in compliance with both the national and European legislation, but first of all they should be beneficial for people, the Transport Ministrys press department told The Slovak Spectator, adding that currently they only discuss how to approach the matter.

The Economy Ministry also organised an inter-department discussion at which it presented a proposal to create certain rules for the shared economy platform and the providers of these services. Next steps will depend on the decision of the European Court of Justice about the status of the shared economy platforms and the ECs recommendations, said the ministrys spokesperson Maros Stano.

Chovanculiak does not support extensive regulation of the shared economy, though he admits there should be some simple rules like requiring contracts and responsibility for caused damages. In his opinion, the shared economy comes with its own mechanisms to secure quality and safe services, which is the reason why it is growing and attracting an increasing number of customers and providers.

The shared economy does not need more than the simplification of the regulation and the implementation of its business model into laws, Chovanculiak said.

Balaz says the shared economy should be regulated to a certain extent in order to secure fair competition in the market. Though the shared economy platforms claim they only offer the space to people either offering or seeking for a certain services, but do not do any business, the fact is there are certain laws stipulating what it means to run a business.

The state should define at least minimum standards that would be fair for all subjects in the market, Balaz added.
The name of the eastern Slovak town of Bardejov has roots in the male Christian name, Bartolomej, or Bartholomew.

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We do not know anything specific about this man  only that he was an important nobleman from Slavonic times. Based on the name, we thus get to the pre-history of the town, long before the year 1241 which marks the oldest written mention of the town, when mainly Slovaks are supposed to have lived there.

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However, it was some time before 1320 when the composition of the population changed markedly. Numerous German guests started to arrive in Bardejov  and many other towns and cities, for that matter. They came from a more developed environment and gradually took over control of the town. The town administration, trade and crafts got under their control, as in most Slovak towns. Slovaks, Hungarians and other nationalities were more or less pushed out to the periphery of urban life, sometimes literally.

In the Middle Ages, Bardejov had around 3,500 inhabitants, an average size among towns in the Hungarian Empire. In the 15th century, the balance of power among these nationalities started to shift, as ever more and more Slovaks, Poles and Hungarians came to the town. Their influx must have been massive, which is the only explanation for why Germans feared they may lose their positions. In a panic, the mayor and the town council turned to the emperor and asked him to issue a ban on Slovaks and Poles moving to Bardejov. Emperor Ferdinand I finally signed the much awaited charter  but even that did not prevent the gradual Slovakisation of Bardejov. Ever more and more self-confident Slovaks started asserting themselves especially during the second half of the 15th century. By that time, Slovaks finally even had their own chaplain serving Masses specifically for them.

As was true elsewhere, Germans ultimately failed to keep their dominance in Bardejov. Despite the loss of power positions, many towns preserved their German cultural and language character for a long time. Part of this is the beautiful mediaeval architecture in Bardejov, one of the finest in Slovakia.

Of particular note is the mediaeval square in Bardejov, with a unique renaissance town-hall on the right side of the postcard that was issued some time around the end of the 1930s.
Tenders to build Nijgadh airport to be called by next fiscal year

The government will invite tenders for the construction of Nijgadh International Airport by the next fiscal year as it moves to prioritise the development of all planned international airports which have stalled for various reasons,
The political momentum on LGBTI equality issues was not apparent in Slovakia after the 2016 parliamentary elections, according to the recently released report.

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Slovakia placed 31st on a list of 49 countries most tolerant towards the rights of homosexuals. This come from the Rainbow Europe Index used by the ILGA-Europe association to rank the laws and policies concerning the lives of LGBTI people in European countries.

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Slovakia earned 28 of 100 points and raised its position from last year by one place, the SITA newswire reported.

The most tolerant country was Malta, with 88 points, which had also topped the ranking last year. Second and third place went to Norway and the United Kingdom. The least tolerant countries are Azerbaijan, with five points, and Russia, with six.

Slovakia placed in the second third of the ranking, as did Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania and Italy. Of the Visegrad Group (V4) countries, the most tolerant was Hungary (19th place), followed by the Czech Republic (29th place). Poland placed 37th on the list, SITA reported.

One of the reasons cited for Slovakias poor evaluation was the lack of political momentum on LGBTI equality issues following the 2016 parliamentary elections.

Various human rights NGOs and LGBTI activists repeatedly spoke out against the lack of references to protections for LGBTI people in programmes released by the newly-elected government of Robert Fico, and the continued absence of legal recognition for same-sex couples had been emphasised, the report said.

Significant gaps remain in the areas of legal gender recognition and protection from bias-motivated crimes concerning gender identity. ILGA-Europe did recognize that the return of the Rainbow Pride march to the streets of Bratislava after a years absence was a positive development in the country.

The Slovak National Centre for Human Rights, which was informed of the ranking, encourages the country to raise awareness and support for LGBTI people. The centre stressed the need for effective approaches to utilising public services and responses to reports of discrimination and hate-motivated violence, as well as analyses of reasons that these crimes might go unreported, SITA wrote.
The shutdown of the Schneider meat-processing plant in the Czech city of Pilsen will leave 230 people jobless. Production is slated to be moved outside the Czech Republic.

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The Slovak investment group Penta bought the meat company in 2012 but it has never made it out of the red. Masokombinat Plzen, the Meat-processing Plant in Pilsen, is renowned in the Czech Republic, mostly thanks to the Schneider brand. In three months, production will end.

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By August 31, all production will be stopped and 230 employees will get notice, the Sme daily wrote on May 30.

Thus, another famous meat-producing brand will cease to exist in Pilsen after merely two years. In 2015, the local Zeman meat plant moved its production to the central-Bohemian town of Pribram.

However, Schneider meat products will continue to be sold there  only production will be moved abroad.

Schneider products will remain strongly represented on the Czech market, statutory representative of the plant, Ladislav Cechovic, told the Plzensky dennik daily. The closing down of the meat factory will enable us to make production more effective and be ultimately more flexible in fulfilling clients requirements.

In the Czech Republic, Schneider is under heavy pressure form its rival brand, Kostelecke uzeniny, which belongs to the Agrofert group owned by the Czech tycoon Andrej Babis.

Loss-making

Since Penta acquired the meat processing plant in 2012, the economic results have been worsening. Five years ago, the annual turnover of the plant was around three billion Czech crowns (app. 330,000,000) and profit CZK36 million (about 3,960,000). In 2015  the last year for which data are available  the turnover was CZK1.4 billion (154,000) and the company recorded a loss of CZK40 million (4,400,000).

The Pilsen plant has been making a loss every year since 2012, although technically, it is profitable. According to 2015 data, profit from the previous period has been accumulated by the company to the sum of CZK461 million (5,710,000).

Masokombinat Plzen belongs to the Carnibona group, through which Penta associates has investments in the meat-processing industry. Apart from the Pilsen plant, Penta also owns the Mecom company with a plant in the eastern/central-Slovak towns of Humenne and Lucenec, and the Hungarian brand Kaiser Food with production factories in Solnok and Bekescsaba.

Mecom  the biggest meat-processing trust in Slovakia with 800 employees  also presented Penta with a struggle. In the long term, the company ran at a loss, Sme wrote, and the revenues have only been increasing in the past four years, amounting to 98 million in 2015.

Mecom also then recorded a small profit of 78,000  for the first time. Last year, the company faced a bankruptcy proposal but the Presov District Court refused it as unjustified because Mecom proved its liquidity. The bankruptcy proposal was filed by the then-business partner of Mecom from the Ukraine which is in legal dispute with Penta concerning money. The Kosice Regional Court confirmed the decision of not announcing the bankruptcy as correct and turned down the appeal of the Ukrainians. Despite this, they filed a new proposal for bankruptcy involving the Humenne-based plant at the beginning of May.

Disclaimer: The Penta financial group has a 45-percent ownership share in Petit Press, a co-owner of The Slovak Spectator.
The breeding process took 25 years.

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Slovakia has its second national breed of sheep. After 35 years the new stock, called the Slovak dairy sheep, was recognised in Trencianska Tepla, bred from original Slovak breeds and specialised dairy breeds, the TASR newswire reported.

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The number of sheep in Slovakia is stagnating but the production of sheep milk keeps increasing. The new breed should increase not only milk production but also the competitiveness of Slovak sheep breeders, said Agriculture Minister Gabriela Matecna (nominee of the Slovak National Party).

It is an historic event for both breeders and related professions, said Stefan Ryba of the Agriculture Ministry.

After 25 years of breeding and selection, the new Slovak breed has been recognised, Ryba said, as quoted by TASR. We expect that it will result in better economic evaluation of sheep breeding for our shepherds.

The Slovak dairy sheep is mostly the result of crossing the Improved Wallachian sheep and Tsigai with the specialised dairy breeds Lacaune and East Friesian Sheep. It is a specialised breed focusing on improving the production and quality of milk, TASR reported.

Currently, there are 5,000 sheep of this breed in the breeding book.

The creation of the new breed results from the need to support sheep milk production which is of value, especially because of the other products that are made from it, including sheep cheese, bryndza and boiled sheep whey, said Jaroslav Slamecka of the Research Institute of Animal Production in Nitra. It is also necessary to increase the production of mutton and lamb.

Production from breeding the Native Wallachian sheep in the mountains amounts to 100 kilograms of milk a year, while the average from the Slovak dairy sheep is 160 litres of milk a year. This result should increase production to more than 200 litres a year, Slamecka said, as reported by TASR.

Since the new sheep breed is not demanding, there is big interest in all regions of Slovakia, said Igor Nemcok of the Association of Sheep and Goat Breeders. They do not have to be fed with special fodder but can be released in the meadows and pastures, with only a minimal addition of feed, Nemcok said.

Currently, 381,000 sheep are bred in Slovakia. The production of sheep milk increased from 11,000 tonnes to 12,000 tonnes in 2016.
Stricter measures should be taken in order to achieve the expected results in this area, Robert Fico said.

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Prevention in terms of combating corruption needs to be accompanied more significantly with repression, stated Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) at a seminar on whistleblowers in Bratislava on May 30.

Stricter measures have to be taken in order to achieve the expected results in this area, Fico told the participants.

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Repression has to play a more important role; repression that will be sufficiently covered by the media; repression that will be discussed; repression that won't leave anyone in peace, the PM said, as quoted by the TASR newswire, adding that it is necessary to create a society in which people will not be afraid to report corruption.

The police are trying to increase their activities in this area, said Police Corps President Tibor Gaspar, who also attended the seminar.

Were hiring more people and modernising the technology and equipment we use, Gaspar said, as quoted by TASR. I dont think were overlooking anything.

The seminar on corruption was attended by top state officials who are in charge of human resources. The Government Office expects them to come up with ideas on how to improve the status of corruption whistleblowers.

We cant allow those who show civil courage to be the target of attacks, threats or radical inconvenience in their jobs and surroundings, said Fico, as quoted by TASR.

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Read also: People are more willing to report corruption Read more

Representatives of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) who also took part in the seminar, are currently preparing a host of draft legislative changes for Slovakia that should increase the protection of whistleblowers.

The status of whistleblowers should be similar to that of witnesses in criminal proceedings, Fico said.

The director of the ethics watchdog, Transparency International Slovakia (TIS) Gabriel Sipos told the seminar that according to TISs latest survey on reporting corruption, people are mainly afraid of taking action for two reasons. The first is the fear of losing their job and that someone will threaten them, while the second is that nothing will be changed or resolved in the end.

Its very important for people to feel that when they eventually summon up the courage to report something, it will bring results and that the one that they are pointing the finger at will end up behind bars, Sipos said, as quoted by TASR. Unfortunately, this is often not the case in Slovakia. There are shortcomings on the part of both the police and politicians that have the power to appoint and supervise people who investigate these cases.
Tobacco, alcohol items dearer up to 10pc

The government has raised excise duty on cigarette, alcoholic beverage, chewing tobacco and tobacco related products by 8-10 percent. However, the tax rate on a majority of other goods has remained unchanged, says the budget for fiscal year 2017-18.
Costco, the US-based chain of warehouse stores, opened its first branch in Iceland on May 23. This year.

To call this a big event in Icelands consumer landscape is an understatement. One in eight Icelanders had already signed up for membership by the time doors opened in a Reykjavik suburb. Units from the countrys famed search and rescue teams were called in to manage crowd control on opening day.

A Facebook group called Keypt i Costco Isl.Myndir og ver (Bought in Costco Iceland Pictures and prices) has more than 62,000 members, one-fifth the national population of 334,000. There, members compare breathless notes on the prices of big screen TVs, multi-packs of frozen Indian samosas, mixed-nut canisters the size of small dogs, and toilet paper.

Costco has just opened in Iceland for the first time. The people of Iceland have been gripped by Costco mania. pic.twitter.com/JQN0S2YbKD  Ragnar Jonasson (@ragnarjo) May 25, 2017

Its not just about the nuts. For many shoppers, the opening of a chain like Costco is a chance to stick it to a really unpopular group in Iceland: other chain stores.

People are excited about [Costco] because it is a chance to boycott the big chains that control all the prices and show that people will not have it any longer, one Iceland native now living in California told Quartz.

Prices for food and other consumer goods in Iceland are more than 70% higher than US equivalents. Gasoline prices are among the highest in Europe. Price comparison is something of a national obsession. Neytandinn, an app that lets users compare consumer purchase receipts, is the number one app in Iceland for both Android and iOS, a local news site reported. Users jumped by one-third in the days after Costco opened.

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Several factors keep prices high, notably the costs of labor and shipping. But another key reason identified in a 2015 OECD report is lack of competition. Many of the Facebook groups post are less complimentary of Costco than they are critical of Bonus, Kronan and Netto, the countrys three main grocery chains.

Costcos relatively inexpensive gasoline, now the cheapest available in Iceland, has led to criticism of the countrys fuel suppliers, long suspected of collaborating to keep prices high. The new Costco charges 169.9 Icelandic kronur per liter, the equivalent of $6.40 per US gallon. A liter of gas at a typical non-Costco pump is 198.9 kronur, or $7.50 per gallon.

Its great to see that were getting some real competition on this market, Runolfur Olafsson, managing director of Icelands auto association told a local news source. Local fuel companies, he said, owe an explanation to Icelandic consumers.

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BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra resigned on Monday and will move to Madrid to be closer to her family, President Mauricio Macri said. Argentina's ambassador to France, Jorge Faurie, will be the new foreign minister and Malcorra will continue as an adviser to the government from afar. "Our foreign minister is leaving us - not the team, but the role of foreign minister," Macri told reporters at a press conference. "She is leaving this crucial role for strictly personal reasons." Faurie, a lawyer, has served as a diplomat for four decades and was briefly vice foreign minister in 2002, according to a resume sent by the government. Malcorra, a businesswoman and diplomat who ran to be secretary general of the United Nations last year, led Macri's centre-right administration's efforts to boost diplomatic and trade ties with the United States and other Western countries after years of tense relations under former President Cristina Fernandez. The shift has been part of a general move to the right among Latin American countries formerly friendly to Venezuela's socialist government, leaving President Nicolas Maduro increasingly isolated as violent protests shake the country. Malcorra is the second minister to leave Macri's government since he took office in December 2015, following former Finance Minister Alfonso Prat-Gay, who was asked to resign late last year. Under Malcorra, Argentina has taken a particularly harsh line toward Venezuela, accusing Maduro of violating democratic norms. Argentina and other members of regional trade bloc Mercosur suspended Venezuela from the group last year, and Malcorra has supported a push by the Organization of American States to increase pressure on Maduro. "We will continue to have the same position [on Venezuela] we have had up until now," Malcorra said at the press conference, calling on Venezuela to set a clear timeline for holding elections, implement a separation of powers and free political prisoners. Faurie will also inherit an ambitious but slow-moving effort to sign a trade deal between Mercosur and the European Union, as well as an escalating trade dispute with the United States over the importation of biodiesel, a key Argentine export. (Reporting by Caroline Stauffer and Luc Cohen; Editing by James Dalgleish and Steve Orlofsky)
By Alexander Tanas CHISINAU (Reuters) - Moldova's pro-European government expelled five Russian diplomats on Monday, a move the country's Moscow-backed president Igor Dodon described as "outrageous" and aimed at undermining Moldova-Russia relations. Moldova has been ruled by a succession of pro-European Union administrations but Dodon's election in late 2016 reflected a loss of trust in its leaders as well as Russia's increasingly assertive influence over ex-Soviet states. Moldova's government gave no reasons for the expulsions. Russia's ambassador to Moldova, Farit Mukhametshin, confirmed the sanction but gave no further details. "The government has taken an outrageous step regarding our strategic partner, Russia," Dodon said in a Facebook post. "This has most likely been done on orders from the West, maybe even from across the ocean, by those who are worried that a constructive and effective dialogue has finally been found between the presidency and the Kremlin," he said. As in Ukraine and Georgia, past moves by Chisinau to forge closer ties with the EU were met with strong resistance from Moscow. In 2014 when Moldova signed a political and trade pact with the EU, Russia imposed a retaliatory ban on Moldovan produce. Dodon won the presidential race after campaigning to put the brakes on seven years of closer relations with the EU, after a massive corruption scandal sapped the popularity of his pro-Brussels rivals. Even so, Moldova's parliamentary majority and government remain close allies of Europe. Earlier this year, Moldovan officials accused Russia's security apparatus of seeking to derail a Moldovan probe into a Russian-led money laundering operation by harassing Moldovan officials as they travelled to or through Russia. Moldova, Europe's poorest country, borders EU member Romania, with which it has close linguistic and cultural ties, but remains heavily reliant on Russian energy supplies. (Additional reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Dmitry Solovyov in Moscow; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Larry King and Richard Lough)
BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia's Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic stepped down on Tuesday, a day before he assumes the country's presidency which he won in a decisive election victory last month. He announced this in a brief letter of resignation sent to parliament and will take the oath of office on Wednesday to succeed outgoing head of state Tomislav Nikolic. Vucic, who is also head of the ruling conservative Serbian Progressive Party, is moving to a largely ceremonial post, but he is expected to wield considerable power through his control of the Progressives and their allies in the coalition government. Until the appointment of the new prime minister, which is expected by mid-June, Serbia's Foreign Minister and First Deputy-Prime Minister Ivica Dacic will serve as the caretaker head of the government. On Tuesday, Vucic told Reuters Global Markets Forum he will strive to boost economic ties among the countries in the region, most of which are still recovering from armed conflicts of 1990s, with an ultimate goal of joining the European Union. To join the EU, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Macedonia Albania, and Kosovo must undertake deep reforms, some of which may take decades. Vucic said that until that happens, the region should create a regional economic alliance. "That will mean a unique market of 20 million people which will become one of the most important markets on the continent," he said in Belgrade. In addition, he said, "it will economically strengthen our position regarding the EU". Vucic also said he would try to renew talks about normalising relations with Kosovo, Serbia's former southern province which is predominantly ethnic Albanian and declared independence in 2008, following a bloody war and NATO bombing of the-then Yugoslavia in 1999. With the backing its traditional ally Russia, as well as several other countries, Serbia remains firmly opposed to Kosovo's independence. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic and Kirsten Donovan; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
The United States has started supplying small arms to Kurdish fighters ahead of their assault on Islamic State's headquarters.

Kurdish fighters are thought to be just outside of the Syrian city of Raqqa and are preparing to attack IS positions.

Pentagon spokesman Major Adrian Rankine-Galloway said: "We have begun to transfer small arms and vehicles to the Kurdish elements."

The Kurds are one of a number of allied groups closing on Raqqa with the aim of defeating IS militants.

The move is expected to infuriate Turkey which claims the Kurdish YPG is linked to the PKK, a Turkey-based Kurdish group that Ankara, Europe and Washington regard as terrorists.

But the United States regards the YPG as a valuable partner in the fight against IS militants in northern Syria.

Mjr Rankine-Galloway said the weapons include AK-47s and small-calibre machine guns.

President Donald Trump said earlier this month he had approved the arming of YPG fighters.

On Monday, Raqqa was hit by fresh airstrikes as part of the US-backed fight to remove IS from their Syrian stronghold.

The Kurdish-led Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) have been pushing closer to the IS de facto capital and fighters have surrounded the city from the north, west and east.

Meanwhile, a battalion of Syrian Arab fighters allied to the international coalition moved closer to the outskirts of Raqqa, a spokesman for the unit and a monitor said.

Syrian Elite Forces spokesman Mohammad Khaled Shaker said: "Our forces are 400 metres from Al Mishleb (a neighbourhood in the eastern outskirts of Raqqa)."

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor, said the advance came after further heavy airstrikes from the US-led coalition.

It is feared jihadists will use residents as human shields when Syrian rebel forces enter the city, which has been held by IS since January 2014.

A steady stream of civilians has been leaving Raqqa since the US-led coalition dropped leaflets in Arabic on Sunday, warning residents it was their "last chance" to flee.

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There was no immediate reaction from Turkey to the move to arm the YPG.

Ankara is concerned that advances by the YPG in northern Syria could aid the PKK insurgency on Turkish soil.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has told a French newspaper he was "convinced" the Syrian government was not behind an alleged chemical attack in the country last month that killed dozens of people.

In a news conference alongside Mr Putin on Monday, France's President Emmanuel Macron said that use of chemical weapons was a "red line".

But Mr Putin told Le Figaro: "According to our information, there is no proof of the use of chemical weapons by (Syrian President Bashar al) Assad. We are convinced he did not do so."
With its unsparing lens, photography can shatter denial, revealing death in all its cascading grief and loss. Sometimes this exploration spirals into a broader kind of disappearance spanning extinction and renewal.

516ARTS is presenting the social and environmental issues behind the Wests catastrophic wildfires, as well as the landscapes of human death, through two concurrent exhibitions: Fires of Change and Landscapes of Life & Death.

Landscapes gathers the works of six photographers in images ranging from a portrait of a popular suicide bridge to charred forests. Former New Mexico Museum of Art photography curator Mary Anne Redding served as curator.

The theme is looking at how artists process grief; individual grief, death, illness or the destruction of the planet, which is a slow death due to climate change, she said in a telephone interview from Boone, N.C., where she is the curator at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts at Appalachian State University.

Silver Citys Ella Sala Myers died at age 16 in a plane crash while photographing the aftermath of a fire in the Gila Wilderness in southern New Mexico. Her portraits of the resulting cloudscapes become a larger meditation on death, Redding said. The youngest artist in the exhibit, Myers was still in high school when she died.

She was a child prodigy, Redding said. Her parents think she probably knew she wasnt going to live to be an older person.

Kevin Horans Untitled Burn depicts a scorched Washington state forest as carpet of new, green undergrowth sprouts beneath it.

San Francisco native Donna J. Wans Dumbarton Bridge No. 4 captures the last landscape a suicide victim sees before his or her death.

She photographs landscapes of suicide, Redding said.

The downstairs gallery features Fires of Change, a Flagstaff Arts Council traveling exhibition featuring sculpture, photography, video, mixed-media and an installation exploring issues behind the rise of catastrophic wildfires.

In late 2014, the artists attended a fire science boot camp through the northern Arizona forests.

I think all of these problems go back to cultural perspectives dating back to the conquering of the Southwest, curator Bryan David Griffith said. Griffith is a photographer with work in major museum collections.

We view life and death as opposed forces, or forest and fire, he said. That worldview has resulted in the problems we now have.

Broken Equilibrium is his large-scale sculptural installation featuring cut and salvaged trees, as well as their scorched and charred skeletons from nearby forest thinning projects. His Box and Burn is a wood sculpture created from a burned ponderosa pine.

It all started when humans interfered with the forest by attempting to smother wildfires through decades of suppression, the artist said.

Natural fires kill the young trees but not the old trees, he said. They create habitat and allow the forest to thrive.

This natural cycle stopped in the late 19th century with large-scale grazing. The trees grew so densely that forests became the tinderboxes they are today.

They never get a chance to mature, Griffith said.

Prescribed burns must be so carefully designed through a multistage process that they are financially prohibitive, he said. To complicate the issue further, satellite maps reveal a checkerboard of squares throughout the forest, their arbitrary borderlines signaling ownership by the federal government, the state, private parties and the railroads, Griffith said.

So this broken cycle of life has become this feedback loop of destruction.
Identity thieves waste no time plying their nefarious trade.

Technology researchers at the Federal Trade Commission found this out when they created a database of information about 100 fake consumers to track the use of stolen identities.

They posted the data twice on a website that hackers and others tap into.

The criminals were quick to pounce, the FTC said. After the second posting, it took only nine minutes before crooks tried to access the information.

The staff recorded 1,200 attempts to access the email, payment and credit card accounts and said the thieves tried to use the fake credit card information for clothing, games, online dating memberships and pizza, among lots of other stuff.

The research shows that Identity thieves are actively looking for any consumer credentials they can find. If your account data becomes public, they will use it.

What stopped them from gaining access to the accounts, the agency said, was two-factor authentication. This is a procedure in which you must log in not only with your password but with a second form of identification, such as a code thats sent out to your phone.

Its not foolproof and doesnt provide 100 percent protection, but it does help, the FTC says.

How it works: Once its set up and you have logged into the online account, a code is sent to your phone via text message. You must use that code for initial log-ins or if youre using an unrecognized device. Only then can you access your account.

That means a thief would have to have your phone in order to successfully hack.

Many financial institutions offer this kind of protection, as do popular websites.

  

Unfortunate, but true: A company out of Georgia is not going to treat you to 100 percent of all funeral expenses up to $35,000.

An Albuquerque woman recently got one of these offers, which seem to be hitting mailboxes around the country.

The mailing, titled 2017 benefit information for New Mexico citizens only, says the offer is part of a state-qualified program to pay your final expenses.

It comes tax-free if you fill out a form and send it back within five days.

Those who fall for it (the Albuquerque woman did not) are required to pay an application fee and provide personal information.

The mailings are targeted to areas that are populated by the elderly, according to Scam Detector.

  

A new twist on scam calls to immigrants involves the Canadian authorities.

This one claims to be from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, with callers telling people theyre under investigation and must pay a fee. The callers, in many cases, instruct people to pay by prepaid or gift card or by money transfer.

In typical scammer fashion, they spoof a Canadian number so that it appears the call is legitimate, according to the FTC.

If you get this call  no matter how much you might want to move to Canada  dont fall for it. Like its U.S. counterpart, the Canadian agency does not threaten to arrest or deport people nor does it ask to confirm personal information over the phone.

  

Alert from the Bernalillo County Treasurers Office: Hang up immediately if a phone caller claims to be from the office and asks for credit card or banking information.

The office doesnt ask residents to pay tax bills, nor does it accept payment, over the phone.

Residents should never provide their credit card or banking information to unsolicited callers, a spokeswoman said in a news release.

Ellen Marks is assistant business editor at the Albuquerque Journal. Contact her at emarks@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3842 if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division toll-free at 1-844-255-9210a.
MIAMI  What started as an argument over a parking space in South Beach ended with a police chase and two dead men, including one shot and killed by Miami Beach police, marking a harsh turn for the Memorial Day weekend that in recent years has been relatively low-key.

On Monday evening, police identified one of the suspects as 19-year-old Jeffery Alexander, a rapper from the New York borough of Brooklyn, who was accused of killing 30-year-old Ladarian Tyrell Phillips of Homestead in the deadly incident. Alexander has been charged with second-degree murder with a deadly weapon and second-degree attempted murder with a deadly weapon.

The initial altercation began around 10:35 p.m. Sunday at Second Street and Ocean Drive. Police say Alexander and three friends were trying to parallel park a white BMW with a New York tag along the northbound curb of Ocean Drive. Alexander was in the passenger seat. After the first attempt to park the car, the driver hit a gold Buick Regal. The driver inched forward and tried to park the BMW again, striking the vehicle a couple more times, according to Alexanders arrest affidavit.

When the BMW couldnt fit into the parking space, the driver began force pushing the Buick back in an attempt to move the Buick, according to the affidavit.

Thats when Phillips, who was with a friend across the street, came over and asked the BMW how many times he was going to hit his car.

As Alexander, who was standing outside the car guiding the driver, headed back to the car, the unidentified driver yelled step the (expletive) back to Philips and his friend. The driver then passed a handgun to Alexander, now sitting in the front passenger seat.

Alexander fired two to three shots, according to police, striking Phillips in the back and his friend in the leg. Phillips died Monday morning at Jackson Memorial Hospital. His friend was treated and released.

The BMW took off from the scene. Police, arriving on the scene about a minute later, caught up with the BMW at Alton Road and Second Street.

A chase ensued, resulting in a crash at Fifth Street and Alton Road., damaging two police cars and the BMW. The chase ended at Sixth and Alton, where police gunned down one of the BMWs occupants. Police did not identify the shooting victim, who was transported by Miami Beach Fire Rescue to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he died Monday.

Initially, Miami Beach police detained two of the BMWs passengers. A third fled but was picked up by police shortly thereafter. The four suspects in the BMW are New York residents. Alexander, the person arrested and charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder, had performed at a Miami Beach club Saturday, according to an Instagram post. He appears to go by the rap name 22GZ.

Monday morning, Miami Beach Police Chief Dan Oates said the two Miami Beach police officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, as per department police. He said police recovered a gun during their investigation, and they are currently searching the area to see if any other weapons were dropped. Police did not identify the type of weapon found.

Miami-Dade police impounded the BMW. A search warrant for the car is pending.

Police have not released the name of the person shot and killed by police. In addition, police have not identified the names of the three other people in the BMW nor have police identified the names of the two officers involved in the shooting.

One resident in a nearby condo towers filmed a video where eight gunshots can be heard.
CHICAGO  It is said that your perception is your reality. This truth is more important to understand than ever since some of us are living in a time when reality is skewed by perceptions shaped by falsehoods from people in power.

Donald Trump rode into the White House by pushing the idea that Muslims have a propensity toward terrorism, that African-Americans live in crumbling ghetto war zones, and that Latinos are illegal immigrants who bring crime to communities.

If you happen to fall into any of those groups, this stuff gets into your head, even when you try hard to shut it out.

Not long ago I was walking out of Walmart with a cart full of goods and the greeter, an elderly white gentleman, stopped me to check my receipt and inspect my cart.

Why me? Why not the white guy behind me or the little old white lady who cruised out in front of me? I thought to myself. Is it because of my brown skin and brown hair? Do I just look like someone who would try to sneak a few items through?

Something similar happened at a different store last month. I was rolling my cart down the aisle and an older white lady was, seemingly out of nowhere, super rude and condescending to me.

Maybe she was just a jerk. Maybe she was just having a bad day. But I had to wonder if she felt like she could bully me because she was white and Im not.

When you have experiences like these there are two options: (1) Feel bad about others for, potentially, having discriminated against you or (2) Feel bad about yourself for thinking discrimination was involved. Was I, myself, racially profiling these people by attributing their behaviors to their race or ethnicity?

Either way, you feel bad.

These everyday experiences take a toll, sometimes in ways that are completely unexpected.

For instance, a recent study published online in the journal Ethnic and Racial Studies found that middle school Latino boys with higher awareness of the Arizona SB1070 law  also known as the show me your papers law  had a harder time controlling their classroom behavior than girls with similar knowledge of the law and boys with less knowledge of the law.

There are a few factors at work here. For one, boys are well documented to be less able to control their impulses and behaviors in a classroom setting than are girls. And the authors, all of whom are researchers at Arizona State University at Tempe, note, There is a growing psychological literature suggesting that males are more likely to perceive discrimination than females.

In general, Latino boys and young men are at higher risk than their white peers and their female peers to fall behind in reading and math. Latino boys, according to the authors, may already face social pressures that discourage self-regulatory behaviors in academic settings  e.g. peer pressure to appear to not care about school.

Throw onto that pile the specter of upheaval due to possible effects of SB1070 on fragile family structures  i.e. knowing a family member who is living in the country without permission or having a close relative at risk for removal  and the boys themselves reported lower levels of classroom behaviors like being able to follow teacher instructions or stay quiet while others are talking.

(This) suggests that Latino males, many of whom belong to immigrant families themselves or coexist with immigrants in their communities and schools, may be at risk for academic adjustment problems resulting from the enforcement of strict immigration laws, the authors wrote. Latino males have the highest school dropout (rate) compared to any other group in the U.S.A.  U.S. Department of Education 2014  and thus it is critical that we identify factors that hinder and promote the educational prospects of these youths.

That fears about deportations breaking up families might have an adverse effect on Latino students isnt shocking. But it is sobering that mere awareness has such an outsize effect.

Considering that research from across the country has documented postelection instances of immigration-related bullying and racism in schools, one thing is clear: No border wall has been funded or built, yet Trumps commitment to it will have a lasting negative impact on a growing portion of the countrys public school students.

E-mail: estherjcepeda@washpost.com. Copyright, Washington Post Writers Group.
The huge flag fluttered at half-staff at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial in Southeast Albuquerque on Monday morning as Col. Eric Froehlich told the hundreds gathered that we, as a nation, have a duty to remember the lessons of the past to avoid putting the lives of our service members in jeopardy unnecessarily.

History is a great teacher, said Froehlich, the outgoing commander of the 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base. Students of history seek to understand events that occurred in the past so that we may not be doomed to repeat mistakes of the past.

He said we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have made sacrifices for our freedom.

What a tragedy it would be to ignore the national experience that has resulted in great loss and repeat the mistakes of the past that result in the needless shedding of American blood in a way that dishonors their sacrifice, Froehlich said.

The remarks came during Albuquerques somber Memorial Day ceremony honoring the 1.3 million U.S. service members who have lost their lives in defense of our country. Also honored were several Gold Star mothers, women who lost a son or daughter on the battlefield. Froelich noted that since last Memorial Day, 25 Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Mayor Richard Berry said that in addition to honoring the fallen, we owe gratitude to the nearly 1.4 million men and women who are currently serving in our armed forces, and to their families.

Delivering the keynote speech was Harrison Jack Schmitt, a former Republican U.S. senator from New Mexico and the second-to-last man on to walk on the moon.

Young Americans are continually being called upon to go in harms way, Schmitt said. They serve so that Ronald Reagans shining city on a hill can remain a beacon for the perpetuation of human freedom.

But Schmitt cautioned that the American experiment in constitutional government remains uncertain.

The most critical specific danger to constitutional government for which so many have fought and died lies in the deterioration of the public education system, he said. The nations founders believed that educational instruction in the basic virtues instilled by their Judeo-Christian heritage and knowledge of history formed an essential foundation to the American republic.

He also told the audience that given the geopolitical and security challenges posed by others, the United States is once again in need of a vastly expanded presence on the frontier of deep space.

Schmitt said he and the other members of the Apollo space missions answered one of the many challenges presented by the former Soviet Union. During that same time, he said, their contemporaries were defending freedom in the jungles of Vietnam, at the borders of Europe, on and under the oceans, and working with our countrys nuclear arsenal.

As with the many greatest generations before them, we should have no doubt that todays young Americans will meet and overcome the challenges before them on Earth and in deep space, Schmitt said. Indeed, the heroes of the future are among us.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

Right now, but maybe not for much longer, a mesa about 20 miles west of Bernalillo is known on maps as San Felipe Mesa, likely named by Spanish conquerors to honor King Philip II of Spain.

But the Tamayame people of Santa Ana Pueblo would like to change the name as part of their overall strategy for reclaiming ancestral lands to the one used by their ancestors, who told of living atop the mesa centuries ago.

The mesa is on the former Alamo Ranch land the pueblo purchased last year from the King family, about 100 square miles for close to the asking price of $33 million.

This particular mesa is on the ranch, and it was part of the reason why they bought the land, said Phillip Shelley, Santa Ana Pueblos historic preservation officer and director.

Their oral history talks about the fact that when they were migrating they found themselves in a precarious position. They had enemies around them and in order to protect themselves, they built their community on top of an almost inaccessible mesa  which later became known as San Felipe Mesa.

But in Santa Ana oral history, the mesa, which reaches about 6,500 feet in elevation, is called Kii,Nii,Iwa, pronounced kin-nee-eewah, and means up on top.

We know there is a community up top. Its known in the archaeological community as Sky Village, Shelley said.

The pueblo has applied to have the name officially changed on all federal maps to Kene-ewa. Its a process that requires approval from the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, though local maps can be changed without such a process.

Most name changes are approved if there is no major opposition. No official protest has been lodged with the state or federal committees in charge of renaming locations and features on government maps.

The name board must reach out to possible stakeholders to alert them of name change proposals.

Local place name expert Bob Julyan said it could be controversial because the mesa likely was named because of its proximity to San Felipe Pueblo. The San Felipe name was given by Spanish explorers and Christianity conversion missions in the late 1500s in honor of the then-king of Spain.

The pueblo declined to comment on the name change.

Nationally, other Native American communities and others have been working to rename locations to fit with their history or to overturn cruel or exploitative names. In 2005, the federal name board approved changing Dead Negro Hill in Roosevelt County to Buffalo Soldier Hill.

The only other current site being considered for a name change in New Mexico is a petition to name a now-unnamed climbing rock northeast of Farmington as Molar Rock.

Shelley said he hopes the pueblo gets approval, which could come some time this summer.

On all of our maps we can change the name, but we want to get it so in the published official maps it carries a name that has meaning to the community, Shelley said. Santa Ana is like most other traditional communities, working very hard to retain their core values and have the younger generation understand where they came from. This is all part of it.
Former superintendent of the Double Eagle Water System, Ron Myers, has been named as the new City of Carlsbad director of utilities.

Myers will assume the position three weeks after former director Mike Hernandez resigned to take a position as the citys deputy administrator which was formerly held by Stephanie Shumsky.

Its a big asset to have someone already familiar with the water system, Hernandez said of Myers. Were happy to have him on board.

As director of utilities, Myers will manage the department, which includes waste water treatment and collection, sewage, solid waste, the Carlsbad Municipal Water System and Double Eagle.

According to a news release from the city, the utilities department is the citys largest.

What really stands out about Ron is his commitment and dedication, said Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway. He is very well regarded for his work with the Double Eagle system, and we know he will do an excellent job.

Myers moved to Carlsbad from Utah when he took the job as a supervisor for the Double Eagle Water System in 2012, a year after he earned a bachelors degree in civil engineering from the University of Utah.

Myers then became superintendent of Double Eagle in 2014, according to the news release.

I got to work quite a bit with the public and the city and interact with the citizens, he said. I was honored to be given this opportunity.

In his first few days as director of utilities, Myers said he will work to get acquainted with all areas under the utilities department. Myers will relinquish his role as the superintendent of Double Eagle.

Were looking to see how thats going to change, he said. Were taking it one day at a time.

DeJanay Booth can be reached at 575-628-5546, dbooth@currentargus.com and @DeJanayBooth on Twitter.



2017 the Carlsbad Current-Argus (Carlsbad, N.M.)

Visit the Carlsbad Current-Argus (Carlsbad, N.M.) at www.currentargus.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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CONCORD, Calif.  Concord resident Marta Gonzalez, an immigrant from Mexico, said her troubles with her building manager started last summer. After a series of rent increases that drove up monthly rates by $200 to $300 every time a lease ended, Gonzalez, a member of the nonprofit Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, and other residents in the complex began to organize an effort to stabilize the rents there.

Not longer after, Gonzalez said, her children and others at the complex who play outside started receiving threats from the building manager that she would call immigration enforcement officers to the complex. After being threatened with eviction, Gonzalez and her family had to fork over an extra deposit to be able to stay in the apartment, which now costs them $3,000 a month.

Their situation is an example of what immigrant and tenant advocates in California say is a pattern that has troubled them in recent months: more landlords and building managers harassing or threatening immigrant tenants because of their real or perceived immigration status. They hope a bill making its way through the state Legislature will boost the rights of tenants like Gonzalez, who fear punishment for trying to negotiate rent or even report habitability issues.

Many people in the complex where Gonzalez lives are worried they will see immigration authorities at their door, she said through a translator. Many families there now fear sending their children outside to play, she said.

While immigrants, particularly those without legal residency status or those who do not speak English, have always been vulnerable when it comes to housing, harassment in the Bay Area seems to have increased in the past year or so, said Jovana Fajardo, a director at ACCE, particularly as immigration has come to the forefront of national political discussions and was prominent in President Donald Trumps campaign.

It has been going on for a long time, but definitely after this past election, its gotten way worse, Fajardo said. Weve been having these conversations for years, but with the new administration, theres a big fear in the community.

Fajardo has received many calls from East Bay residents who report harassment by landlords, including a recent incident in which a renter was at a buildings garbage bins when the landlord came up, seemingly unprovoked, and started pushing her and threatening to call immigration enforcement officers.

We have tenants living in properties with holes in the walls, saying I dont even know if I should report it, or, Ive been trying to get rid of rats, but theyre not wanting to risk being evicted or worse, Fajardo said.

The ACCE, part of a new coalition called Housing Now California, has been pushing for a bill that is making its way through the Legislature to create stronger protections for immigrant tenants without legal residency status. The bill, introduced by state Assemblyman David Chiu of San Francisco, a Democrat, would prohibit landlords from disclosing information about tenant immigration or citizenship status if the intent is to influence them to vacate a dwelling, and bar landlords from harassing or discriminating against tenants based on their immigration status or perceived immigration status.

Supporters of the bill, which passed the Assembly and was sent to the stare Senate, say landlords all over the state are threatening immigrant tenants to get them to vacate apartments or agree to unfair living conditions, like the renters in Concord said.

Chiu, at an Assembly floor session, cited complaints his office has received from around the state about incidents where landlords threatened to report tenants to immigration authorities  often for reporting habitability issues, which landlords are legally required to fix  or in order to raise rents.

Laura Lane, the director of housing practice at the East Bay Community Law Center, said the bill would add more specific protections for immigrant renters than exist currently. Under California state law, landlords cannot ask tenants about their immigration status, but landlords typically have access to information used to determine financial qualifications of prospective tenants, including Social Security numbers, taxpayer identification numbers or other information. While there are anti-discrimination laws for renters, there are none that specifically prohibit discrimination or harassment based on immigration status.

Lane said her office has seen an increase over the past two years in immigrants citing harassment and threats from landlords, mostly in an effort to evict them from rent-controlled apartments and get more money for units.

This (harassment) is a tool that is being more frequently used, Lane said. But even if the bill becomes state law, tenants face another struggle: accessing affordable legal aid to represent them in these cases in an era where there are more people needing low-cost legal help and fewer lawyers to help them.

Debra Carlton, senior vice president of public affairs for the California Apartment Association, said the bill does not appear to interfere with landlords ability to appropriately screen tenants.

Except for affordable housing programs, which often ask for new tenant documentation each year, landlords should not have to go back and ask for tenants documents, she said. When a landlord has already approved a tenant based on their criteria, that should never change, so asking for an updated Social Security number or other document to prove who you are does not make sense.



2017 The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.)

Visit The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.) at www.mercurynews.com

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M.  A 23-year-old New Mexico man charged with stealing copper pipe and fittings from the Los Alamos National Laboratory has been sentenced to three years of probation.

The Los Alamos Monitor reports (https://goo.gl/4tlGSC) the Los Alamos Magistrate Court last week sentenced Joshua Montoya of Espanola in connection with his July 2016 arrest.

Authorities say Montoya was arrested after the owner of an Espanola scrap metal yard gave investigators Montoyas drivers license information and sales records.

Montoya pleaded no contest to larceny.

Montoyas attorney, Tyr Loranger, says he was able to get a more lenient sentence for his client because there were others involved in the thefts.
SANTA FE  Democrat Damian Lara  an Albuquerque attorney with expertise in immigration and tax law  launched his campaign Tuesday to succeed Michelle Lujan Grisham in the U.S. House.

Lara, 39, joins a crowded primary race that already features four other Democratic candidates.

I am running for Congress because I believe in a better New Mexico, Lara said in a written statement. And I believe New Mexicans deserve better.

The race is wide open because Lujan Grisham, also a Democrat, plans to run for governor next year rather than seek re-election in the 1st Congressional District.

Joining Lara in the campaign to succeed her are Albuquerque City Councilor Pat Davis; Albuquerque physicist Dennis Dinge; former state Democratic Party chair Debra Haaland; and former University of New Mexico law school associate dean Antoinette Sedillo Lopez.

No Republicans have formally entered the race yet.

Lara is president of the New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association.

He has served as deputy Bernalillo County assessor, staff attorney for the state Legislative Council Service and legal clerk for the governors counsel under Bill Richardson.

Lara now works in private practice, specializing in immigration and family law. He lives in Albuquerque with his wife, Iris.

I will fight for high-quality healthcare that is affordable for all and a better economy that creates better jobs for the middle class, said Lara. I will also work hard for better immigration policies that protect the economy but also protects family unity. I commit to fighting for better a better criminal justice system, including in our tribal courts, as well as better educational opportunities and better infrastructure to Indian Country and rural New Mexico.

The primary election is in June next year.

The 1st Congressional District covers Albuquerque and a chunk of the central part of the state.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  New Mexico lawmakers on Tuesday completed a special session that yielded legislation to restore vetoed higher education funding, but left the state facing the possibility of an additional downgrade to its credit rating due to the expectation of all-but-exhausted cash reserves.

Sen. John Arthur Smith, a Deming Democrat and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, predicted theres a 50-50 chance that New Mexicos credit rating will be downgraded for a second time, which would mean higher borrowing costs for state and local governments.

Well keep our fingers crossed, Smith said.

The special session resumed Tuesday after a four-day recess to allow Gov. Susana Martinez to act on passed legislation.

The House adjourned after only about 10 minutes, and the Senate spent about 25 minutes in session, with Democrats slamming Martinez for vetoing some tax legislation.

Martinez, the states two-term Republican governor, last week vetoed a package of tax increase proposals that would have generated at least $215 million in new annual revenue, saying it would have hurt New Mexico families. A separate GOP-backed proposal to overhaul the states gross receipts tax system stalled in the Democratic-controlled House.

The state is now projected to spend roughly $6.1 billion in the fiscal year starting July 1  about $133 million more than its expected to collect in revenue.

The difference could be made up in money left over from the current budget year, estimated to be $167 million, but lawmakers acknowledged its a bit of a wager.

Without any additional revenue, the states projected cash reserve balance for the end of the coming year is $24 million  or just 0.4 percent of spending.

The low reserve levels could also mean additional budget-balancing  either in a new special session or the 2018 regular session  if projected revenue levels do not materialize.

Were never out of the woods in this game, Rep. Larry Larranaga, R-Albuquerque, told the Journal after the House adjourned. But I think were seeing the revenue come in at a higher rate.

He also said the enactment of a new rainy day fund designed to set some revenue aside in cash-flush years could be looked upon favorably by national credit rating agencies.

The rainy day fund was signed into law, along with a proposal to divert some of the money that usually flows into a legislative retirement account for several years.

Another cash-saving provision enacted by Martinez is a complex bond transaction thats expected to generate more than $80 million in one-time money for the states general fund.

Senators  many of whom expressed reservations about the deal  criticized it as irresponsible borrowing to prop up the operating budget. The Martinez administration, in turn, described the deal as a common-sense way for legislators to give up their pork projects to help the budget.

An official for Moodys Investors Service, one of the large national credit rating agencies, suggested Tuesday that there will be close scrutiny of New Mexicos special session outcome.

Weve noted the budget was passed late last week, and well be analyzing the budget in full later this week, said David Jacobson, the rating agencys vice president of communications.

The credit rating agency downgraded the states top bond rating in November, due to concern over plummeting state revenue levels that led to spending cuts and the depletion of cash reserves.

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces, said the governors rejection of the proposed tax increases on gas and vehicle sales, among other revenue-generating ideas, leaves New Mexico without enough reserves.

We are in a vulnerable position when it comes to potential natural disasters or unforeseen circumstances, she said.

But in the end, there was no attempt Tuesday to override Martinezs vetoes. Previous attempts in the House and Senate had failed last week largely along party lines.

Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, said legislators had done what they needed to  provide funding for higher education and the Legislature itself after Martinez had vetoed the spending in a previous budget bill. He suggested it was time to move on.

Were never always right  either side of the aisle, Ingle said.
Jesse Denver Hanes, accused of killing Hatch Police Officer Jose Chavez last August, entered a guilty plea in state court in Las Cruces Wednesday in the death a day after pleading guilty to related carjacking and firearms charges in federal court.

The Wednesday plea was part of an agreement with prosecutors in which six other charges were dismissed. Hanes will be sentenced in the state case in about 90 days, after federal sentencing.

Both pleas of Hanes, 39, of Columbus, Ohio, stipulate a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of release, said Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney and Special Agent in Charge Terry Wade of the FBIs Albuquerque Division in a news release Tuesday.

The U.S. Attorneys Office has made a commitment to prosecute those who seek to harm the courageous officers who put their lives on the line to protect us and safeguard our communities whenever there is federal jurisdiction to do so, Tierney said in a statement.

Hatch Police Chief James Gimler, on Tuesday, said, I am very pleased that justice is being served in this case and that the victims of Mr. Hanes crimes will be spared the emotional difficulty of sitting through his trial.

Hanes also is facing an unrelated state murder charge in Ohio. He has not yet been arraigned on that charge.
WASHINGTON  Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn will provide documents to the Senate intelligence committee as part of its probe into Russias meddling in the 2016 election, The Associated Press has learned.

Flynns decision Tuesday came as President Donald Trumps personal attorney, Michael Cohen, rejected a House intelligence committee request for information, and former White House staffer Boris Epshteyn confirmed he has been contacted for information as part of the House investigation.

Meanwhile, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin sounded similar tones as they criticized the ongoing U.S. scrutiny of Russias attempts to sway the presidential election.

Flynns cooperation was the first signal that he and the Senate panel have found common ground. Congressional investigators continue to press for key documents in the ongoing investigation, and the retired lieutenant general is trying to limit damaging disclosures that hostile Democratic lawmakers could use against him.

Flynn had previously invoked his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination in declining an earlier subpoena from the committee, which sought a wide array of documents and information related to his contacts with Russia. Flynns attorneys had argued the request was too broad and would have required Flynn to turn over information that could have been used against him.

In response, the Senate panel narrowed the scope of its request. It also issued subpoenas seeking records from Flynns businesses.

One of the businesses, Flynn Intel Group Inc., did consulting work for a Turkish businessman that required Flynn to register with the Justice Department as a foreign agent earlier this year. The other, Flynn Intel Group LLC, was used to accept money from Flynns paid speeches. Among the payments was more than $33,000 Flynn received from RT, the Russian state-sponsored television network that U.S. intelligence officials have branded as a propaganda arm of the Kremlin.

On Tuesday, a person close to Flynn said he will turn over documents related to the two businesses as well as some personal documents the committee sought in the narrower request. Flynn plans to produce some of the documents by next week, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss Flynns private interactions with the committee.

While the Senate committee awaits documents from Flynn, Putin and Trump both dismissed the U.S. intelligence communitys conclusion that the Kremlin interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election by hacking Democratic emails.

In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, Putin reaffirmed his strong denial of Russian involvement in the hacking. The interview was recorded during Putins Monday trip to Paris and released Tuesday. Putin also said the allegations are fiction invented by the Democrats in order to explain their loss.

Trump made a similar claim in a tweet early Tuesday: Russian officials must be laughing at the U.S. & how a lame excuse for why the Dems lost the election has taken over the Fake News.

Meanwhile, Cohen, Trumps personal attorney, told the AP that he turned down a request for information from the House intelligence committee looking into the Russian interference.

I declined the invitation to participate as the request was poorly phrased, overly broad and not capable of being answered, Cohen said. I find it irresponsible and improper that the request sent to me was leaked by those working on the committee.

Earlier Tuesday, the AP reported, citing a congressional aide, that the House intelligence committee had subpoenaed Cohen. The aide later retracted the statement. Cohen said if he is subpoenaed, he will comply.

Cohen, a longtime attorney for the Trump Organization, remains a personal lawyer for Trump. He served as a cable television surrogate for the Republican during the presidential campaign.

Cohen told ABC News that he had been asked by both the House and Senate intelligence committees to provide information and testimony about contacts he had with Russian officials.

Cohens ties with Russian interests came up in February when The New York Times reported that Cohen helped to broker a Ukraine peace plan that would call for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and a referendum to let Ukrainians decide whether the part of the country seized by Russia in 2014 should be leased to Moscow. The Russian government denied knowing anything about such a plan.

The Times reported that the peace plan was the work of Felix Sater, a business associate who has helped Trump try to find business in Russia, and Cohen.

Cohen was a fierce defender of Trump during the campaign, often haranguing probing reporters and famously challenging a CNN reporter live on-air to name the specific polls that showed then-candidate Trump behind his rival, Hillary Clinton.

In the early 2000s, he formed his own firm working on a range of legal matters, including malpractice cases, business law and work on an ethanol business in Ukraine. Cohen also owned and operated a handful of taxi medallions, managing a fleet of cabs in New York.

Cohens business associates in the taxi enterprise included a number of men from the former Soviet Union, including his Ukrainian-born father-in-law.

Cohen has made his own unsuccessful attempts at public office, losing a city council race and briefly running for state assembly in New York.

The House intelligence committee has also sought information from Epshteyn, a former staffer in the Trump White House.

Epshteyn said in a statement that he has asked the committee questions to better understand what information it is seeking and will determine whether he can reasonably provide it.

Epshteyn, who grew up in Moscow, worked a short time in the White House press office. He left in March and now works as a political analyst for right-leaning Sinclair Broadcasting.

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Associated Press writers Julie Bykowicz, Eileen Sullivan and Deb Riechmann contributed to this report. Pearson reported from New York.
From showcasing eco-trekking along the scenic Western Ghats, to the celebration of the iconic Golden Chariot, Karnataka Tourism will look to intensify its 2017 campaign with its creative collaboration with Indias fastest growing digital outdoor media company, Vyoma Technologies. The association falls strategically in-line with the elevated impact and increased awareness Karnataka Tourism is looking to create across highly dynamic, engaging and measurable mediums in the country.

As new age medium gains thrust and enables overall campaign effectiveness, Vyoma technologys collaboration with Karnataka Tourism is extremely befitting and imperative as the dynamic technology reaches a diverse, and large number of daily commuters and travellers. With the 2017 campaign titled Year of the Wild, looking to appeal to audiences across demographics, geographies and age groups, Vyomas intelligent displays, which is powered by curated audience engagement, will enable a reach of over 10 crore people a month. The campaign is currently running across 7 states including Maharashtra, Telangana, Bihar, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka.

The Ministry of Tourism numbers point to a record 15.5 per cent growth in domestic tourism in 2016. This registered a clear shift in travellers behaviour and upcoming holiday trend. While earlier seasoned travellers or travel enthusiasts used to visit, or look at International destinations, now ultra-modern travellers are inclined towards exploring vast list of unexplored locations across India. The demand for experiential travel, focused on authentic, local and unique locations has immense potential to boost domestic tourism further. The Indian Railways recent policy change also reflect the objective to promote tourism by connecting tourist spots across the country through railways.

Vyoma technologies with its intelligent digital display network across the country has progressively strived to integrate technology and creativity to turn brand awareness into contextual engagement and customer adoption. Speaking on the potential of the medium and creative approach of Karnataka Tourism, Shriranga K. Sudhakara, MD, Vyoma said, Karnataka Tourism has been at the forefront of adopting innovative mediums, and we are very excited to partner with them and provide the massive reach of Indian Railways on a digital tech platform that offers both measurability and engagement.

As Karnataka Tourism works towards cementing its position as one of Indias foremost destinations for outdoor and historical pursuits with a complex combination of cultures, flavours and picturesque locales, the association with Vyoma technologies is well placed to enhance customer targetability and inspire the ever evolving travellers.

Karnataka tourism has been leveraging on major mass transportation touch points like the Metro, Airport, Bus terminals and now the massive Indian railway reach is there to amplify this campaign.
Samsung introduced the VR Live Pass for the Gear VR, a new program that will bring live streaming of various events like UFC 212 to owners of its virtual reality headset. The tech company announced that it has partnered with UFC, X Games, and Live Nation to bring live virtual reality broadcasts to the platform from early June through the Samsung VR app. The new initiative may be a bit hit with Gear VR users, as it will offer an immersive experience of various live events free of charge. The VR Live Pass will give Gear VR users access to close-ups and live action shots of all covered happenings, Samsung said.

The first of these unique live broadcasts will be held on June 3, covering the much-anticipated UFC 212: Aldo vs Holloway. Additional UFC 212 content will also be brought to the platform, including pre-event highlights with featherweights Jose Aldo and Max Holloway, as well as highlights after the bout. Other events that will also benefit from the VR Live Pass experience are the X Games Minneapolis which are running from July 13 through 16, and a live music concert in August. The South Korean consumer electronics manufacturer also released a trailer for Gear VR: UFC 212  Aldo vs Holloway that can be seen below.

Samsungs virtual reality ecosystem is currently officially supported in 45 countries across the world so the Gear VR that was commercially released in 2015 is already readily available to millions of consumers. In the first quarter of this year, the company sold 782,000 units of the device, ahead of other brands, adding that its expecting to maintain that performance in the short term. Further to this, a recent market report forecast that Samsung would surpass ten million sales of the Gear VR by 2018, even without a successor to the latest revision of its head-mounted display. Like many other tech giants on the planet, Samsung has been putting an increased focus on VR in recent years, both in terms of hardware and software. While this emerging technology is still far from mainstream adoption, it will likely continue gaining traction in the future as numerous companies including Samsung and Google continue investing into growing their VR ecosystems.

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Mark Zuckerberg returned to Harvard University last week to receive his first degree, about 12 years after dropping out to build Facebook. He was one of 10 luminaries recognized by the university during its 366th Commencement.Zuckerberg, who also delivered the commencement address, was given a doctor of laws degree. In his speech, the Facebook CEO urged the new graduates to help others find their lifes purpose.[I]m not here to give you the standard commencement about finding your purpose. Were millennials. Well try to do that instinctively. Instead, Im here to tell you finding your purpose isnt enough. The challenge for our generation is creating a world where everyone has a sense of purpose, said Zuckerberg.He described purpose as the sense people have of being part of something bigger than themselves  that they are needed, and that there is something better ahead to work for.To keep our society moving forward, we have a generational challenge  to not only create new jobs, but create a renewed sense of purpose, he added.Other doctor of laws degree recipients were former Lockheed Martin chairman and CEO Norman Augustine, Somali human rights activist and physician Hawa Abdi, feminist literary critic and author Sandra Gilbert, and distinguished academic Walter Massey.Harvard conferred honorary doctor of arts degrees to Dame Judy Dench and James Earl Jones. Doctor of science degrees were conferred to computer scientist Michael Rabin and geneticist and neuroscientist Huda Zzoghbi. Acclaimed composer John Williams received a doctor of music degree.
Ben Malone

An infrastructure investment management company has snagged a senior lawyer from one of Australias top firms.Palisade Investment Partners has appointed Ben Malone its newly created general counsel role. He was previously a senior lawyer at Gilbert + Tobin (G+T).Malone, who has been seconded to the company since January, has been tasked to lead the investment management companys legal affairs team, and to support its investment team with transaction execution and investment management.During his time at G+T, Malone focused on acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, and commercial transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Before joining G+T, he was a senior associate at Allen & Overy (A&O) in London, and later at the firms Sydney office. While at A&O, Malone was seconded to the Macquarie Groups infrastructure and real assets team. He focused on advising the European infrastructure funds on acquisitions and disposals during his tenure there.Roger Lloyd, managing director and CEO of Palisade, said that the appointment comes as the company is seeing more mid-market opportunities.Palisade, which has over $2.4bn in funds under management and commitments, manages equity investments across a range of sectors including airports, ports, renewable power generation, transmission, social infrastructure, agri-infrastructure, and alternative waste treatment.
The Law Society of England and Wales abused its dominant market position when it required conveyancing firms to buy training from it to maintain an accreditation, the UKs Competition Appeals Tribunal (CAT) said.The CAT ruled in favour of online training company Socrates Training, which claimed that from April 2015, the Law Society practised anti-competitive behaviour when it required firms to secure anti-money laundering (AML), mortgage fraud, and subsequently financial crime training only from the Law Society to maintain Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accreditation.The Law Society, which should have allowed third-party trainers to offer some modules required for the CQS, owes Socrates damages and has been ordered to stop any anticompetitive conduct related to the requirement.The Law Society said that it is reviewing the training elements of the CQS, which has been running since 2010. It also said that only one of the modules that concerned the tribunal  the financial crime module  has been withdrawn."We are grateful to the tribunal for their guidance on changes to CQS that they make in their ruling and we will be looking at their comments as a matter of priority in the coming days," said Robert Bourns, Law Society president.For the vast bulk of the time CQS training has been available, it has been compliant with competition rules. I am certain that in setting CQS up, the Law Society acted in good faith and in the public interest. The purpose of CQS  and its effect  was to ensure greater consumer choice in terms of practitioners available to undertake this important work. We note the decision and have and will take steps to avoid similar issues in the future, he added.Bourns said that buying a house is the biggest investment most people make, and they  as well as lenders  need to feel confidence in the process.That was always our motivation - CQS has never been about profit, he said.
For starters, this is a velocity gathering that allows one to notice just how many flavors the British skeleton-type sportscar has to offer.Come to think of it, the line-up we see here is the modern-day expression of the classic British roadster. And while the latter formula has been adopted by multiple automaker from other parts of the world, with Mazda's MX-5 Miata being the most representative example, not all that many companies have rushed to deliver thill-heavy contraptions such as the ones seen here.Then there's the old-schoold take-off that means the element linking the pedals to the steering wheel can make quite a lot of difference. Unlike the other three, the BAC Mono has a sequential tranny, but the one occupying the driver's seat still has to work the clutch for the take-off phase. And, as anybody who's taken part in drag racing shenanigans knows, such a move isn't easy.Oh, and we mustn't forget the unusual side of the brawl - those who acquire such toys don't normally use them for drag racing. For one thing, last time we talked Caterham matters, we saw a Seven trolling another British missile, namely a McLaren 650S, on the Nurburgring.Returning to the stunt we're here to discuss, the Top Gear-delivered sprinting adventure that awaits you behind the "play" button below sees the four lightweight weapons duking it out in a fierce battle.In fact, things got so intense that a second run was needed to make things clear. And this is where things went south, but we won't get into the details, as we don't want to risk ruining the fun of the clip.
Exelon Corporation has announced it will retire the Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania by September 2019, earlier than expected. Three Mile Island was the site of the 1979 accident that took 14 years to clean up.

Why the premature close: TMI has been set back by low wholesale power prices and hasn't turned a profit in five years. That the state's alternative energy standard covers wind, solar and other forms of energy but not nuclear also hasn't helped.

The impact: Nuclear power currently produces 93% of Pennsylvania's emissions-free electricity and prevents 37 million tons of carbon emissions (about 10 million cars worth). Exelon says the closure will "compromise the resiliency of the electric grid, raise energy prices for consumersand weaken the state's economy." The closure will affect about 675 workers and 1,500 contracted local outage workers.
On his first full working day since returning from his overseas trip, President Trump tweeted: "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..."

Why it matters: Germany spends 1.19% of its GDP on defense, compared to the 3.61% the U.S. spends and the 2% requirement from NATO. Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have previously discussed NATO spending, and one of our sources told Axios that Trump has mentioned to Merkel the U.S. feels taken advantage of.

Germany spends 1.19% of its GDP on defense, compared to the 3.61% the U.S. spends and the 2% requirement from NATO. Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have previously discussed NATO spending, and one of our sources told Axios that Trump has mentioned to Merkel the U.S. feels taken advantage of. Don't forget: Trump criticized NATO partners during their May 25 meeting saying, "Members of the alliance must finally contribute their fair share and meet their financial obligations." And he reportedly called Germany "bad, very bad," which Sean Spicer later denied on Twitter.
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

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30 May 2017 12:20 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Presence of Iskander-M operational-tactical missile complexes in the arsenal of Armenia poses a threat not only for South Caucasus, but for whole Europe.

Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament Siyavush Novruzov announced about this at the meeting of the Defense and Security Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) in Tbilisi on May 28.

Addressing the meeting on the topic "Ballistic missile defense and NATO," Canadian MP Joseph A. Day noted the danger to the world community from the presence of ballistic missiles in North Korea, Iran and other countries.

After the Canadian MPs report, Novruzov brought to the attention of the Committee Chairman the information on the existence of ballistic missiles in Armenia.

It is gratifying that the report notes the danger of ballistic missiles to the world community. As you know, Russia gave Armenia weapons for $1 billion. There are Iskander-M operational-tactical missile complexes among them. This missile system is a source of danger not only for the South Caucasus, but for the whole Europe, he said.

Novruzov further mentioned the recent threats voiced by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan regarding the possible strike on Azerbaijan with these missiles.

Head of the Committee thanked Novruzov and said his proposal was accepted.

The acquisition of Iskander missile complexes by Armenia in 2016 caused new wave of debates around the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. A number of experts condemned this purchase, noting that it escalates already fragile situation in the region.

Threats from the Armenian leadership to Azerbaijan show the essence of the aggressive policy of Armenia, which instead of withdrawing its armed forces from the occupied Azerbaijani lands and letting Azerbaijani refugees and IDPs return to their homes, continues its unsuccessful attempts to frighten Azerbaijan.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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30 May 2017 10:34 (UTC+04:00)

By Samuel Kargbo

Donors like the World Bank and the World Health Organization often urge developing countries to invest in national health systems. But while rushing to construct clinics and other medical facilities in even the remotest regions may seem like a straightforward approach to ensuring universal health coverage, that has not turned out to be true.

The recent Ebola epidemic in West Africa highlighted the urgent need for stronger, more efficient, and more resilient health-care systems in developing countries. But when countries rush to build more clinics, the resulting facilities tend to be hastily constructed and lacking in the equipment, supplies, and staff needed to deliver vital health services effectively.

In my frequent visits to rural areas of my native Sierra Leone, I have seen more than a few health facilities that communities could do without. A newly refurbished facility in Masunthu, for example, had scant equipment and no water in the taps. The facilities in nearby Maselleh and Katherie had cracked walls, leaky roofs, and so few cupboards that supplies like syringes and medical registers had to be stacked on the floor.

This situation is the direct result of a piecemeal and hurried approach to investment in health-care infrastructure. At the end of the civil war in 2002, Sierra Leone had fewer than 700 health facilities, according to the 2004 Primary Health Care Handbook. In 2003, the cash-strapped government decided to decentralize various public services to the district level, fueling fierce competition for limited resources.

Local councils, seeking to grab the biggest possible slice of the pie, began to push forward new projects, leading to rapid and uncontrolled expansion of the health system. Today, Sierra Leone  with a population of just seven million  has nearly 1,300 health facilities. The Ministry of Health has been unable to equip all of these new facilities and cover staff and operational costs, as its budget has not risen to match the systems expansion. In fact, very few (if any) of the African countries that signed the 2001 Abuja Declaration to allocate 15% of their budget to health have been able to do so.

Last September, Sierra Leone conducted an assessment of the distribution of public-health facilities and health workers in the country, in order to guide discussions on the Human Resources for Health Strategy 2017-2021. The results were stark: only 47% of the countrys health facilities employed more than two health workers, including unsalaried workers and volunteers. Seven percent of health facilities had no health workers assigned to them at all  an empty promise in physical form.

This situation is not unique to Sierra Leone  or to Africa. In Indonesia, the government invested oil revenue in the massive and rapid expansion of basic social services, including health care. But today an insufficient number of doctorsplagues many of these facilities, particularly in remote areas, where absenteeism also is high. There are many nurses, but most are inadequately trained. Still, they are left to run remote facilities on their own.

Beyond personnel, remote health facilities in Indonesia lack adequate supporting infrastructure: clean water, sanitation, reliable electricity, and basic medicine and equipment. Decentralized local governments, which have little authority over remote clinics, cannot supervise their activities. Small wonder that Indonesia has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in East Asia.

An excess of poorly equipped health facilities is not only ineffective; it can actually make matters worse, owing to factors like poor sanitation and weak emergency referral systems. During the recent Ebola crisis, underequipped facilities caused even more deaths, not just among patients, but also among the health workers committed to helping them.

Rather than continuing to pursue the uncontrolled proliferation of poorly equipped and operated health-care facilities, policymakers should consider a more measured approach. Of course, people living in remote areas need access to quality health care, without having to navigate rough and dangerous roads that can become virtually inaccessible during some periods of the year. But outreach services and community health workers could cover these areas much more effectively. The value of such an approach has recently been demonstrated in Ethiopia, where health outcomes have improved.

While most of the Sierra Leone facilities were built with donor funds, the government has gone along with plans to accelerate the construction drive. The government and donors have a joint responsibility to pursue a more cautious approach that guarantees quality service delivery.

At the WHOs World Health Assembly this month, participants should shine a spotlight on this responsibility and begin to rethink current strategies for achieving universal health coverage. With a more measured approach, it will take longer to build the same number of clinics. But more lives will be saved. And thats the only indicator that should count.

Copyright: Project Syndicate: Too Many Health Clinics Hurt Developing Countries

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30 May 2017 13:02 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Prices for land plots fell in April in Baku, Azerbaijans capital city and busiest economic center.

The general director of the consulting company MBA Group, real estate expert Nusrat Ibrahimov told Trend that the price of land plots fell by 3.14 percent in the past month.

Ibrahimov noted that activity on the land market has decreased significantly over the recent months.

Now we see how the decline in activity affected the prices. Usually in April-May, prices for land are rising, but this time we are witnessing an opposite trend, he said, explaining the fall in prices with a decrease in private housing construction.

The Real Estate Market Participants Public Association earlier stated that the volume of proposals in the Baku land market increased by 19.4 percent in two years, that is from February 2015 to February 2017.

The April report of the Public Association shows that the number of offers in the land market increased by 437 for two years.

In February 2017, most of the offers fell to the share of Bakus Sabunchu (29.7 percent) and Khazar (28.2) districts. They are followed by Surakhani (15.9 percent) and Binagadi (12.6) districts. The offers on these areas of Baku propose mostly private houses and cottages.

The least offers fell to the share of Narimanov, Yasamal, Pirallahi and Nasimi districts of the capital city.

The monitoring shows that despite a sufficient number of offers in Pirallahi and Garadagh districts, the demand in these areas is quite low.

Most experts say that purchase of land plots may be considered as the best object of long-term investments, while apartments in buildings under construction is appropriate for short-term investments.

In Azerbaijan, there is no difference in the rights of foreigners and local citizens for buying a real estate. The foreign citizen, as well as the citizen of Azerbaijan can buy any property, except a land plot.

Prices in the market are mainly determined by location, quality of buildings and a number of other factors.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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30 May 2017 13:40 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

Azerbaijan will open its first Trade House in Russia in Arkhangelsk region.

This was discussed at a meeting between Head of Executive Authority of Imishli Region William Hajiyev and Economic Development Minister of Arkhangelsk Semyon Vuymenkov.

The main topic of the meeting was trade and economic relations and the prospect of establishing an Azerbaijan Trade House in the Arkhangelsk region.

Vuymenkov said the Trade House will be located in one of the historical buildings in Arkhangelsk.

He stressed that the opening of the Trade House would be a good driver for the development of economic and cultural-educational cooperation between Archangelsk and Azerbaijan.

The potential of the northern region is not limited to the products of timber industry. The Arkhangelsk region can also supply meat, milk, seed potatoes, algae plant products and berries, he said.

The Minister invited the Azerbaijani delegation to take part in the Margaritinskaya Fair.

Hajiyev, addressing the meeting, said that this will be the first Trade House of Azerbaijan in Russia.

It is important for us not only to create the Trade House in Arkhangelsk region, but also we would like to restore one of the historical buildings of Arkhangelsk, to unite under its roof a Trade House and the Heydar Aliyev Friendship Center. Moreover, we are considering the prospect of opening a similar site in our region, said Hajiyev.

President Ilham Aliyev signed a relevant decree on January 26, and endorsed the economy minister to appoint trade representatives to the countrys diplomatic missions abroad and open trade houses.

Trade representatives will take measures to expand Azerbaijan`s economic and trade relations with foreign countries, protect economic interests of Azerbaijan, increase export of Azerbaijani goods and services, promote Azerbaijans business environment and investment opportunities.

Trade houses in foreign countries will facilitate the export process, promote an export of competitive Azerbaijani production and enable the countries to expand trade operations.

Azerbaijans first ever Trade House was opened in the Belarusian capital Minsk, on May 26.

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30 May 2017 15:23 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

Coca-Cola company has invested more than $200 million in Azerbaijan's economy since 1994.

Director General of Azerbaijan Coca-Cola Bottlers Erdinc Guzel announced about this during the Economic reforms: Achieved Results and Recommendations conference in Baku May 30.

He added that the tax deductions of the company, which is one of the first foreign investors in Azerbaijan, amounted to $200 million over the same period.

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands.

Globally, the company is the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks.

The Company has local operations in more than 200 countries around the world and opened its bottling plant in Azerbaijan in 1994. The company provides employment directly and indirectly to more than 2,200 people across the country.

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30 May 2017 15:53 (UTC+04:00)

Azercell Telecom LLC has joined the 2nd Career Fair held in State Oil and Industry University on May 27. The event brought together some 56 companies and 500 students and graduates.

Azercell representatives held information sessions for graduates and informed the visitors about active vacancies in the company. Recruitment Unit specialists provided information about the recruitment process and the Student Bursary and Internship Programs at Azercell and answered a number of questions of the career fair visitors. The students also got an opportunity to get information about the existing demand for his/her field of specialization in labor market, build up first relations with employers while the employers had a chance to shortlist potential employees.

The event was aimed to provide advice to the jobseekers about their field of specialization and help them build their future career. It should be noted that Azercell Telecom continuously helps talented youth in this regard. With its own initiative, Azercell has organized Career Days on a regular basis. During such events, the youth striving to join the company met with Azercell representatives and got broad information about company activities.

Last year Azercell signed a memorandum of cooperation with Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry. Under the memorandum, Azercell and the University exchange best practices in research and technology and training and organize training courses for upgrading qualification. Furthermore, the cooperation entails improving scientific and technological base of the university and organization of internship for university students qualified for Student Bursary Program conducted by Azercell.

The leader of the mobile communication industry of Azerbaijan and the biggest investor in the non-oil sector Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996. With 48% share of Azerbaijans mobile market Azercells network covers 80% of the territory and 99,8% of population of the country. Currently, 4,5 million subscribers choose Azercell services. Azercell has pioneered an important number of innovations in Azerbaijan, including GSM technology, advance payment system, 24/7 Customer Care, online customer services, GPRS/EDGE, M2M, MobilBank, one-stop- shop service offices Azercell Express, mobile e-service ASAN signature, etc. Azercell deployed first 4G  LTE services in Azerbaijan in 2012. According to the results of mobile network quality surveys of Global Wireless Solutions company and international systems specialized in wireless coverage mapping such as Opensignal and Testmy.net, Azercells network demonstrated the best results among the mobile operators of Azerbaijan.

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30 May 2017 17:33 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

The next meeting of Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Joint Intergovernmental Commission will take place in Baku in June, Kazakh Ambassador Beybit Isabayev said.

The ambassador noted that this was agreed during Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev`s visit to Azerbaijan in early 2017.

Our goal is to increase trade two-three times. The concrete spheres and priorities will be discussed at the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, Isabayev added.

The joint intergovernmental commission on economic issues, which is being annually held in turn in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, considers all the issues that arise in the course of work in a variety of areas.

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are working on increasing the bilateral trade turnover and searching for possibilities to expand the economic interaction.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on August 27, 1992. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Turkic Council, Joint Administration of Turkic Arts and Culture, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Today, 37 Kazakh companies involved in different sectors of economy are successfully doing their business in Azerbaijan. In a western region of Kazakhstan alone, a total of 46 companies with Azerbaijani capital are registered.

The two countries have already signed over 100 agreements, which constitute legal basis for negotiations between the countries. More than 20 of those are in the field of economy.

Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan amounted to almost $124.4 million in 2016, including more than $26 million that accounted for the export to Kazakhstan, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee.

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30 May 2017 11:11 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The Madrid principles should be base of the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, German parliamentary Christoph Bergner told news.am on May 28.

I think we all need to understand that the Madrid principles must underlie the solution of this complicated conflict, said the MP.

Bergner added that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved through peaceful negotiations. Germany cannot resolve the conflict. It needs to be solved in the framework of the OSCE Minsk group, and only through negotiations."

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, the occupation of the territory of the sovereign state with its internationally recognized boundaries has been left out of due attention of the international community for years.

Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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30 May 2017 15:02 (UTC+04:00)

By Fuad Muxtar-Aqbabali

Hardly a day goes by without shelling of Azerbaijani civilian targets and front line villages by Armenian occupying forces. The enemy resorts to similar provocations, especially when Azerbaijan plays host to international events.

The latest deterioration along the front line also overlapped with the start of the fourth Islamic Solidarity Games. Yerevan made an attempt to deteriorate the situation by advancing Osa surface-to-air missile system of the Armenian air defense forces to a new position to take control of the airspace, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said in a press release on 15 May 2017.

Funny enough, three days later, finally a statement by the OSCE Minsk Group came. According to information collected from multiple reliable sources, on 15 May, Azerbaijani armed forces fired a missile across the Line of Contact, striking military equipment. On the evening of 16 May and continuing into 17 May, Armenian armed forces retaliated with mortar fire of various calibers. These actions by both sides represent significant violations of the ceasefire and are cause for alarm, the statement read.

As usual, without denunciation of the aggressor and explaining the reasons why Azerbaijan destroyed the enemys military equipment, the group remained loyal to years-old style and expressed concern about the violations of the ceasefire.

The same group, however, failed to react to a statement by Maj-Gen Andranik Makaryan, commander of the Russian-Armenian combined group of forces, who threatened Azerbaijan with military actions if Baku goes to war to liberate the occupied Karabakh and surrounding seven adjacent districts.

Armenia as a red herring

For nearly two decades into the XXI century, the aggressor state of Armenia in the South Caucasus has been retaining about 20 per cent of Azerbaijani territories under occupation. Armenia was, is, and will undoubtedly be a powder keg in the whole Caucasus, distracting nations from cementing their deeply-cherished independence and sovereignty.

Unless official Yerevan is taught a bitter lesson, the aggression against Azerbaijani ancestral lands, for sure to go on endlessly, and no hopes that the junta regimes driven by ultra-nationalistic motives will give up preposterous claims on the neighbors internationally-recognized lands.

Yerevans belligerent policies remain an imminent threat not only to Azerbaijan but also to Georgia, another nation in the South Caucasus. Carrying similar threats for centuries and serving alien plans realization in the region, Armenia has also deteriorated own plight plagued by corruption, debts, economic and political dependency, the exodus of residents and internal tension.

The nation - home to Russian military bases  has so far failed to realize the dreadful and aggressive nature of its policies. It stubbornly refuses to end treacherous policies, and tries with the help of patrons and anti-Azerbaijani circles to deny the aggression. It both retains the occupation of Azerbaijani lands and serves malign forces far-reaching plans to keep the region in explosive and desperate situation.

Azerbaijan rightly refuses to reconcile itself with the status quo and is set to change it at any cost to end the unjust occupation. Armenia also serves interests of states who vehemently oppose Azerbaijans determination to safeguard hard-won independence, restore the territorial integrity to navigate through unseen and unpredictable obstacles in the region.

Armenia as well distracts Azerbaijans attention from strengthening own state institutions, investment in the national economy and building prosperous future for citizens. With the occupation of Azerbaijani lands and ignoring international laws, official Yerevan plays into hands of states driven by own plans and plots to keep the region in turmoil for years to come.

With the help of foreign pro-Armenian politicians and organizations, official Yerevan and the diaspora also hopelessly tried to block Azerbaijans oil and gas pipelines, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum railways project, designed both to be conducive to the regional and global economic development and to help Europe to diversify gas supplies away from Russia.

Carte blanche or challenge to Putin?

Deeply-polarized by almost two-decade rule of the rogue regimes and economic hardships, official Yerevan shows no signs of relinquishing aggressive policies against the neighbor and ceding Azerbaijani lands to bring about peace and harmony to the Caucasus. On the contrary, the corrupt and criminal regime paves the way for the possible fresh turmoils, becoming instrumental in further aggravation of the situation across the region.

Azerbaijan is in complete control of the situation along the entire perimeter of the front and has to step up pressure on the aggressor country through inflicting heavy casualties on it. Official Baku has to constantly apply political, economic, diplomatic, military leverage over Armenia to stifle any move for justification.

It is to no avail and useless to pin hopes on the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve the long-drawn-out conflict. Azerbaijan has long endured the status quo and hoped that the international mediators will finally live up to the obligations and commitments though almost 30 years have been lost in the hope of triumph of justice.

Over this period, Armenia has been misappropriating neighboring Azerbaijan's our national resources, destroying historical monuments, mosques, erasing their identities through changing names of districts and villages.

Azerbaijan couldnt and did not reconcile itself with the endless occupation. The April 2006 flare-up proved the might of the Azerbaijani army to act, and as the Azerbaijani Supreme Commander-in-Chief said the Armenian armed forces need to draw a conclusion from the April fighting, or there will be more successful military operations, like Lala Tapa.

Describing the April fighting as yet another historic victory, President Aliyev said that the world witnessed that Azerbaijan will never tolerate Armenias occupying policy. We must restore our territorial integrity and we will. Its our ancestral land. The Lala Tapa military operation is our symbol of heroism and it made a history...

The aggressor itself has been hardly hit by the junta regimes aggression against Azerbaijani lands. The unfounded military spending, political apathy, poverty, emigration and others have reduced this resource-poor country, built on our lands and funded for 70 years from Soviet budget, to the verge of collapse.

Judging by Armenias moves, official Yerevan has charted several scenarios out of the current situation.

Firstly, to let Russia cement its dominance over the country despite domestic discontent; secondly, to mobilize pro-Armenian forces across Europe and the USA to bring pressure on Azerbaijan. Fortunately, Donald Trumps victory disillusioned the Armenian Diaspora and deprived it of the leverage.

Thirdly, Armenia seeks to get support of as many countries as possible to disappoint Azerbaijan, and encourage investment in the poverty-stricken country.

Hit hard by the on-going economic recession, the exodus of citizens, the loss of even symbolic independence, Armenia is making futile attempts to make a comeback after the devastating 2016 April defeat in the hands of the Azerbaijani army. Azerbaijan has been on full alert for threats coming from Armenia and works day and night to confront them, using all available resources.

Despite Azerbaijans persistent calls and UN resolutions, urging the aggressor state to unconditionally liberate the occupied lands, Yerevan beats about the bush. On the contrary, it plots fresh and appalling plans to cause blatant provocation against Azerbaijan. Another latest provocation of Armenia came to light when Azerbaijan arrested a number of military servicemen and civilians, who, it said, provided military secrets to the aggressor Armenia.

Another trick Armenia resorted to is to closely involve Moscows 102nd military base, stationed in Armenias northern city of Gyumri and part of the Southern Military District of the Russian armed forces, in its aggression against Azerbaijan. At the same time, under the 2016 interstate treaty, the military base has been subordinated to the Russian-Armenian combined group of forces.

Maj-Gen Andranik Makaryan, commander of the combined group of forces, bragged about the groups readiness to neutralize a potential threat from Turkey. If there is a threat from Turkey, we will throw ourselves in the enemys way. This is enshrined in the documents, the general out of nowhere told a news conference.

Makaryan also claimed that the military group would be used against Azerbaijan if the latter goes to war to liberate occupied Karabakh and surrounding seven adjacent districts. Asked if Putin can ban their attack or not, the arrogant general was quoted as saying: No, he cant.

This claim remains to be seen and tested.

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30 May 2017 16:57 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will pay a visit to Armenia and Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is under the Armenian occupation, in early June.

This was said at a joint press conference of Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier in Yerevan on May 30.

The co-chairs will travel to Yerevan and then Khankendi [the occupied Azerbaijani territory] during the visit, which is expected to take place in approximately ten days, news.am reports.

Asked about possible meeting between Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers and presidents, Nalbandian said the issue of the meeting between foreign ministers will be probably discussed during the co-chairs visit if there is a proposal.

During the regional visit, the co-chairs will also come to Baku.

Armenia captured Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions from Azerbaijan in a war that followed the Soviet breakup in 1991. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and nearly 1 million were displaced as a result of the war.

Large-scale hostilities ended with a Russia-brokered ceasefire in 1994 but Armenia continued the occupation in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal.

Peace talks mediated by Russia, France and the U.S. within the OSCE Minsk Group have produced no results so far.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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30 May 2017 17:49 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Japan fully supports the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs efforts to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and expects peaceful resolution based on the principles of international law, Japanese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Teruyuki Katori told APA on May 30.

The diplomat expressed Japans deep concern over the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and voiced sincere condolences to its victims.

Conflicts destabilize their regions. A final resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is essential for the peace and stability of the South Caucasus region, noted Katori.

The ambassador added that the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not a problem of two parties."It includes much more context from regional issues to geopolitics. It is very difficult to solve this problem only between the two countries, he said.

Katori added that it is necessary to cooperate with related countries, neighboring states and international organizations to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The conflict began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

The OSCE Minsk Group, the activities of which have become known as the Minsk Process, is working to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. While the OSCE Minsk Group acts as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, it failed to make any move to achieve a breakthrough in the peace process so far.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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30 May 2017 17:53 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Blogger Alexander Lapshin, who is under arrest in Azerbaijan, has met with his mother Bella Lapshina in the medical center of Bakus detention facility No. 1, Lapshins lawyer Eduard Chernin told Trend on May 30.

The lawyer said that Bella Lapshina arrived in Baku to get acquainted with the investigation process and ask about her sons health.

The investigation into the criminal case filed against Lapshin has been completed, the lawyer said. The case is being reviewed. Then the files will be sent to the court.

Blogger Lapshin, who owns citizenship of several countries, will stand trial in Baku for his illegal visits to the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

The blogger illegally visited Azerbaijan`s Armenia-occupied lands and now is charged under the articles 281.2 (appeals directed against state) and 318.2 (illegal border crossing) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. He violated Azerbaijani laws on state border in April 2011 and October 2012.

Helped by his accomplices in the occupied territories, Lapshin paid a number of visits to Azerbaijan`s occupied lands, where he voiced support for "independence" of the illegal regime, and made public calls against Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized territorial integrity on April 6 and June 29, 2016.

The blogger was arrested in Minsk in late 2016 and transferred to Baku in February 2017.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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30 May 2017 10:10 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Irans First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri has congratulated the neighboring Republic of Azerbaijan on the occasion of its Republic Day.

In a letter to Azerbaijans Vice President and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, Jahangiri felicitated his counterpart as well as Azerbaijans government and people on the national occasion, the Iranian governments website reported May 28.

He hoped that the strong determination of the leaders of both countries bring about to more and more robust mutual ties.

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30 May 2017 09:55 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

On May 29, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a phone call to President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani.

The head of state congratulated Hassan Rouhani on his re-election as President, and extended Ramadan greetings to him and the people of Iran. The President wished Hassan Rouhani success in his presidential activity and the people of Iran prosperity and development.

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani thanked for attention and congratulations, and congratulated the President and people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan and May 28  Republic Day.

The presidents exchanged views over a number of aspects of bilateral relations, as well as regional security, construction of North-South railroad, oil and gas cooperation, investment making, tourism, and agriculture.

They hailed successful development of Azerbaijan-Iran relations over the years of independence, noting that the bilateral ties have reached the highest level in the past four years. They emphasized numerous reciprocal visits at the level of presidents and the signing of several very important agreements. The presidents stressed successful execution of all agreements and documents.

The presidents expressed their confidence that friendly and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Iran will continue to successfully develop and strengthen.

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30 May 2017 14:45 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

A two-day sub-regional workshop on Data and Statistics for Sustainable Development Goals for high-level official statisticians kicked off in Baku on May 30.

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov, addressing the event, stated that over the period of 10 years, as many as 1.6 million jobs were created in the country.

He noted that Azerbaijan's economy grew by more than 3.5 times in 10-15 years. During the same period, the poverty rate in the country fell from 50 to 5.6 percent.

Azerbaijan is one of the few countries that achieved the highest level of development in the last 15 years, according to him.

Ahmadov stressed that, today, Azerbaijan is successfully implementing reforms and the development concept, which are aimed at improving the living standards of the population.

The government works for the reduction of dependence on oil, diversification of the economy and creation of new industries, the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Azerbaijan is one of the oil exporting countries. At the same time, our country is carrying out the economic reforms. Azerbaijan has set a goal to reduce dependence on oil. We believe that Azerbaijan will successfully achieve its goal and enter a new stage of the development," Ahmadov added.

Chairman of Azerbaijans State Statistics Committee Tahir Budagov, in turn, stressed the importance of the global indicator framework adopted at the 48th session of the UN Statistical Commission in terms of ensuring high-quality, accessible, accurate, reliable and detailed information to conduct national, regional and global monitoring of progress on the goals and objectives specified by Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

He said that the realization of information security for assessment of achieving Sustainable Development Goals set new duties on statisticians.

"Registry databases of state institutions must be integrated into the registry database of the state committee. To this end, there is a great need for the support of international organizations, he added.

Chairwoman of the State Committee of Azerbaijan for Family, Women and Children Affairs Hijran Huseynova, in turn, noted that the UN's Sustainable Development Goals have determined 17 goals for eradication of poverty by 2030.

"Azerbaijan is carrying out a policy of strengthening the family institute. Statistical data collection has led to further improvement of this policy. Official statistics have been produced particularly about girls, early marriage, violence, street children, etc. These studies will allow us to assess the real situation in the country, she added.

UN Resident Coordinator Ghulam Isaczai noted that no one should be left out of the Sustainable Development Goals.

"To this end, official statistics is very intrinsic. I believe that the data and statistics on what has been done in these areas in Azerbaijan will be delivered to the UN through UNICEF. Azerbaijan has itself initiated submitting the report on Sustainable Development Goals in New York City in July. The UN is ready to offer support to Azerbaijan about the roadmaps which were recently approved, he said.

Senior officials from the UN Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific, CIS Interstate Statistics Committee, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries(SESRIC), and statistical agencies of Germany, Belarus, Bulgaria. Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkey are participating in the event.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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30 May 2017 18:03 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Bringing of the Caspian gas to the European market is becoming a reality, as confirmed by the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) Advisory Council Third Ministerial Meeting held in Baku this February, said Maros Sefcovic, the Vice President of the European Commission.

Sefcovic announced about this while addressing the Energy Charter Forum that opened in Ashgabat on May 30, Turkmen Dovlet Habarlary news agency reported.

He expressed firm confidence that shortly the Caspian and Central Asian Region and the European Union would develop beneficial cooperation in different spheres, including energy.

He highlighted that the negotiations and continuous efforts to ensure Turkmen gas supplies to European markets indicates strong partnership and cooperation.

Natural gas plays considerable role in long-term transit to low-carbon economy, according to Sefcovic.

The tendencies at international gas markets and in transport infrastructure, as well as trans-boundary trade of electrical energy and establishment of regional markets of electrical energy remain topical for the development of energy systems, he said.

The EC Vise-President further congratulated Turkmenistan on the completion of construction of the EastWest pipeline and the works on TAPI project..

The experience, gained by the sides in similar large projects, can be used in diversification of supplies and routes to the European Union, in particular to the South Gas Corridor and its possible expansion to the Central Asia via Trans Caspian pipeline, he said.

Sefcovic stressed that Ashgabat Declaration on Cooperation in Energy, signed between the EU, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan, was the base for establishment of working group and this successful cooperation will continue.

The document reads that the sides support the creation of favorable conditions necessary for ensuring reliable, stable and long-term international energy cooperation taking into account the interests of producers, transit countries and consumers of energy resources.

The sides also recognized the importance of the equal and mutually beneficial cooperation in ensuring the supply of natural gas from Turkmenistan to Europe.

The ambitious SGC project, one of the European Union's priority energy projects, is assessed as a strategically important initiative that will allow Europe to secure its energy security. The project which is set to change the energy map of an entire region will bring Caspian gas to the European markets.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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30 May 2017 10:22 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Recent exploration has led to the discovery of a new oil block in Irans central province of Semnan, an unnamed source told Fars news agency .

However, the source said that preliminary findings do not indicate the existence of any notable reserve in the newly found block.

The source was quoted as saying that if decision is made to conduct further study into the block, it will be arranged under Irans new oil contract model the IPC.

The International Monetary Funds estimates that Irans crude oil output would increase from 4.1 mb/d in 2017 to 5.4 mb/d by 2022. Wood Mackenzies estimations also indicate that Irans crude oil (without gas condensate) would increase from 3.899 mb/d in 2017 to 4.29 mb/d in 2022.

Earlier, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangane said that in the coming years, on the basis of IPC, it is expected to attract foreign investments in the amount of $20-30 billion.

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30 May 2017 10:51 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on the construction of an electrified double-track high-speed railway around Tashkent.

The project with a total cost of $320.1 million will be implemented in 2017-2021, according to the document posted on the website of the presidents press service.

The total length of one line of the ring road will be 71.2 kilometers. In total, it is expected to construct more than 140 kilometers of railway lines and built 26 stations.

After completion of the project, it will be possible to pass through Tashkent in one hour using the belt railroad.

The project is planned to be financed at the expense of the Uzbek state budget and centralized investment worth $185.1 million, loans of the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan worth $20 million, and $115-million loans of Chinas Exim Bank.

All project participants are exempt from customs duties, value added tax for goods, work and services, and obligatory payments by 2022.

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30 May 2017 15:42 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who visited Paris upon the invitation of newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron, had difficult, but frank talks with him during their first meeting in Versailles on May 29.

The agenda of the talks covered a wide range of issues including the intensification of Russian-French political, economic and cultural cooperation and the situation in Ukraine, Syria and Libya and on the Korean peninsula.

Macron stressed that dialogue with Russia is vital in solving a number of international disputes, RT reported.

The French president admitted, however, that he has some disagreements with his Russian counterpart, but said that the two leaders discussed them openly in a frank exchange of views.

Putin also noted certain differences, but said that both of them view many issues in a similar way, and that French-Russian relations could be qualitatively improved.

The relations between the two countries are overshadowed by mistrust, with Paris and Moscow backing opposing sides in the Syrian civil war and at odds over the Ukraine conflict.

Another issue that weakened Russian-French ties was accusation against Russia over alleged attempts to interfere in French presidential election.

Russia has not interfered in elections in any country, there is no subject for discussion on this issue, Putin said at a news conference after talks in reply to reporters question.

He also noted that his meeting with Marine Le Pen, who was another candidate in the presidential race, was not aimed at influencing the recent presidential election in France.

"Once Le Pen asked us for a meeting, we could not refuse her since she had been always a supporter for the development of relations with our country," Putin said.

Commenting on rumors about alleged interference of Russian hackers in the French presidential election, Putin reminded there were no hard facts proving this.

Putin noted that Moscow and Paris are looking for joint solutions to the problems of Syria, Ukraine, North Koreas nuclear program and terrorism.

"We spoke about the Ukrainian crisis, spoke about the possibilities of settling the Syrian problem and, naturally, we also touched upon such a complex and, in my mind, dangerous situation as the situation with the nuclear problem in North Korea and with the North Korean missile program," the Russian leader said.

Macron further said that France and Russia could work together towards a settlement in Syria noting that "it is necessary to seek an inclusive political solution."

He also stressed that he had told President Putin about the red line as to the use of chemical weapons.

"Any use of chemical weapons [in Syria] will see a prompt response [from Paris]," Macron said.

Commenting on anti-Russian sanctions, Macron warned that new sanctions against Russia may only be caused by escalation of the Ukrainian conflict.

"I confirm what I said earlier on this issue, if necessary, the sanctions may be strengthened but only in case of escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. If de-escalation does not happen, then there will be sanctions," he said.

Relations between Paris and Moscow were strained under former President Francois Hollande. Putin cancelled his last planned visit in October after Hollande accused Russia of war crimes in Syria.

Then during the French election campaign the Macron camp alleged Russian hacking and disinformation efforts, at one point refusing accreditation to the Russian state-funded Sputnik and RT news outlets which it said were spreading Russian propaganda and fake news.

In Syrian conflict Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad while France supports rebel groups trying to overthrow him.

France has also taken a tough line on European Union sanctions on Russia, first imposed when it annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, and cancelled a $1.3 billion warship supply contract in 2015.

During the campaign, Macron backed expanded sanctions if there were no progress with Moscow implementing a peace accord for eastern Ukraine.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
30 May 2017 12:26 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Iran, one of the three guarantor countries, is ready to send observers to Syria to support the ceasefire, if an appropriate agreement is reached, Tasnim news agency reported.

The negotiations on the ceasefire and de-escalation zones in Syria are underway between Iran, Russia and Turkey, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi told reporters during his press conference in Tehran on May 29.

If the required grounds are provided, there would be a need to deploy forces that can monitor the ceasefire. We are prepared to take this measure if the necessary agreement is reached, the Iranian spokesman said.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia will actively promote the quick dispatch of military observers to the de-escalation zones in Syria.

The question about which countries will send their military forces there will be discussed with the government of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Earlier this month, Iran, Russia, and Turkey agreed on a proposal to establish four de-escalation zones in Syria, following intra-Syrian talks held in the Kazakh city of Astana.

These zones are intended to halt conflicts in specific areas between Syrian forces and rebels, and would potentially be policed by foreign troops.

According to Russian defense officials, the fact that the de-escalation agreement was supported by the United Nations, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia guaranteed its implementation.

The civil war in Syria between government and opposition with various terrorist groups involved, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), began back in March 2011.

Syrian President Bashar Assad managed to turn the tide of war in his favor after Russia started an air campaign in September 2015, while Iran is an uncompromising supporter of the Syrian leader.

According to a report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the countrys pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
30 May 2017 18:42 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

NATO has no plans to use Georgian ports at the time for establishing security in the region, while the Alliance hopes for Georgias integration to the block.

The alliance is intending to ensure the security in the Black Sea with the forces of a multinational brigade in Romania, NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller told Georgias Rustavi 2 TV channel, APA reported.

In the current stage, NATO is not planning to deploy its forces in Georgian ports, Gottemoeller stressed.

At the same time, the declaration the NATO Parliamentary Assembly adopted on May 29 regarding Georgia demonstrates that the alliance supports the process of Georgia becoming a member of NATO block.

Georgian Prime Minister Georgy Kvirikashvili stressed the importance of the document as he met with Gottemoeller in Tbilisi.

Gottemoeller pledged NATOs support in the process of reforming and strengthening Georgias defense capacity.

The declaration is urging allied governments to provide strong political and practical support as Georgia moves closer to the Alliance.

By supporting the document, the NATO PA Assembly reaffirmed its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

The resolution declares that Georgias relationship with the alliance contains all practical tools to prepare for eventual membership, while taking note of the position of allied leaders that Georgia will become a member of NATO through the Membership Action Plan (MAP) as an integral part of the process.

--

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
30 May 2017 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Those who love to travel become an inheritable part of the world cuisine and a visit to Azerbaijan cannot be completed without tasting dolma!

This stuffed meal is widely prepared in kitchens across the Middle East, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Russia and Central Asia. However, in Azerbaijan this dish is iconic, no Azerbaijani table is complete without dolma.

The name of this ancient national dish originates with the pure Azerbaijani verb doldurmag (to stuff) as it means various leaves, vegetables and fruits stuffed with minced meat. There are currently more than 25 varieties of dolma. In spring it is made of vine leaves, in summer of aubergines (egg-plants), tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, in autumn it is made of cabbage leaves, apple and quince, in winter it is made of preserved vine leaves. Dolmas are traditionally stuffed with ground lamb and/or beef, rice, onions, and herbs.

Stuffed vine leaves ( yarpag dolmasi) are one of the most popular types of dolma. Using vine leaves in spring time is very healthy because they contain 70-80mg per 100g of vitamin C, while at this time of a year potatoes contain only 6-8mg per 100g of the vitamin.

If you are a genuine gourmet, why not visit the country this June to relish in the abundance of culinary provisions?

The 2nd International Dolma Festival will be held in Azerbaijan's picturesque region Khachmaz this June.

A number of dolma recipes will be presented to food lovers in Chenlibel Park, Azertac reported. The festival will feature several tables with different kinds of dolma, such as aubergines, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers as well as made of cabbage leaves, apple and quince and more.

Furthermore, various competitions will be held as part of the festival.

The first International Dolma Festival was organized in Baku in 2016. Co-organized by the Azerbaijani Culture and Tourism Ministry, National Culinary Center, Azerbaijani National Culinary Association and Absheron District Executive Power, the event brought together about 400 representatives from Azerbaijans 24 regions, as well as from Turkey, Ukraine and Jordan.

--

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz




First up, Joe Biden is thinking about dropping tariffs against China. But theres a spy in prison this morning that helps us understand why he shouldnt. Ill explain.





Your second brief, If youre looking for a good paying job, you might consider being a CEO for a health insurance company. One executive made $142M dollars last year. Let's talk about that.





And as always, Im keeping an eye out for developing stories. Put this one on your radar. Mexican cartels are grooming American kids online and paying them cash to traffic illegals or run drugs across the border. Ill share details.





If you enjoyed this episode of the President's Daily Brief, remember to subscribe and listen daily at podfollow.com/pdb.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Alliant Energy Corporation operates as a utility holding company that provides regulated electricity and natural gas services. It operates through three segments: Utility Electric Operations, Utility Gas Operations, and Utility Other. The company, through its subsidiary, Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), primarily generates and distributes electricity, and distributes and transports natural gas to retail customers in Iowa; sells electricity to wholesale customers in Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa; and generates and distributes steam in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Alliant Energy Corporation, through its other subsidiary, Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), generates and distributes electricity, and distributes and transports natural gas to retail customers in Wisconsin; and sells electricity to wholesale customers in Wisconsin. As of December 31, 2021, IPL supplied electric and natural gas service to approximately 500,000 and 225,000 retail customers respectively; and WPL supplied electric and natural gas service to approximately 485,000 and 200,000 retail customers, respectively. It serves retail customers in the farming, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, chemical, and packaging and food industries. In addition, the company owns and operates a short-line rail freight service in Iowa; a barge, rail, and truck freight terminal on the Mississippi River; and a rail-served warehouse in Iowa, as well as offers freight brokerage services. Further, it holds interests in a 347 megawatt (MW) natural gas-fired electric generating unit near Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin; and a 225 MW wind farm located in Oklahoma. The company was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin.
The following companies are subsidiares of Bristol-Myers Squibb: 1096271 B.C. ULC, 345 Park LLC, A.G. Medical Services P.A., AHI Investment LLC, AbVitro LLC, Abraxis BioScience Australia Pty Ltd., Abraxis BioScience Inc., Abraxis BioScience International Holding Company Inc., Abraxis BioScience LLC, Abraxis BioScience Puerto Rico LLC, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Adnexus, Adnexus a Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D Company, Allard Labs Acquisition G.P., Amira Pharmaceuticals, Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc., Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Apothecon LLC, B-MS Generx Unlimited Company, BMS Benelux Holdings B.V., BMS Bermuda Nominees L.L.C., BMS Data Acquisition Company LLC, BMS Forex Company, BMS Holdings Sarl, BMS Holdings Spain S.L., BMS International Insurance Designated Activity Company, BMS Investco SAS, BMS Korea Holdings L.L.C., BMS Latin American Nominees L.L.C., BMS Luxembourg Partners L.L.C., BMS Omega Bermuda Holdings Finance Ltd., BMS Pharmaceutical Korea Limited, BMS Pharmaceuticals Germany Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals International Holdings Netherlands B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Korea Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Mexico Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Netherlands Holdings B.V., BMS Real Estate LLC, BMS Spain Investments LLC, BMS Strategic Portfolio Investments Holdings Inc., Blisa Acquisition G.P., Bristol (Iran) S.A., Bristol Iran Private Company Limited, Bristol Laboratories Inc., Bristol Laboratories International S.A., Bristol Laboratories Medical Information Systems Inc., Bristol-Myers (Andes) L.L.C., Bristol-Myers (Private) Limited, Bristol-Myers Middle East S.A.L., Bristol-Myers Overseas Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Israel) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (NZ) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Proprietary) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Taiwan) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (West Indies) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb A.E., Bristol-Myers Squibb Aktiebolag, Bristol-Myers Squibb Argentina S. R. L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Axia Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb B.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Belgium S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Business Services Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada International Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Delta Company Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Denmark Filial of Bristol-Myers Squibb AB, Bristol-Myers Squibb EMEA Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Egypt LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Epsilon Holdings Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Ltda., Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Portuguesa S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb GesmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH & Co. KGaA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holding Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings 2002 Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Pharma Ltd. Liability Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Ilaclari Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb India Pvt. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Company Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Investco L.L.C., Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K., Bristol-Myers Squibb Kft., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg International S.C.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb MEA GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Manufacturing Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Marketing Services S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Norway Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Nutricionales de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Peru S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (HK) Ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (Thailand) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Holding Company LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Ventures Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Polska Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Products SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico/Sanofi Pharmaceutical Partnership Puerto Rico, Bristol-Myers Squibb Romania S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.A.U., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Holding Partnership, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Service Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Services Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Spol. s r.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Theta Finance Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Trustees Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Colombia S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Costa Rica Sociedad Anonima, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Guatemala S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb/Astrazeneca EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership, Bristol-Myers de Venezuela S.C.A., CHT I LLC, CHT II LLC, CHT III LLC, CHT IV LLC, CR Finance Company LLC, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals Inc., Celem LLC, Celem Ltd., Celgene, Celgene A.B., Celgene AS, Celgene Ab (Finland), Celgene Alpine Investment Co. II LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. III LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. LLC, Celgene ApS, Celgene B.V., Celgene BVBA, Celgene Brasil Produtos Farmaceuticos Ltda., Celgene CAR LLC, Celgene CAR Ltd., Celgene Chemicals Sarl, Celgene China Holdings LLC, Celgene Co., Celgene Corporation, Celgene Distribution B.V., Celgene EngMab GmbH, Celgene Europe B.V., Celgene Europe Limited, Celgene European Investment Company LLC, Celgene Financing Company LLC, Celgene Global Holdings Sarl, Celgene GmbH [Austria], Celgene GmbH [Germany], Celgene GmbH [Switzerland], Celgene Holdings East Corporation, Celgene Holdings II Sarl, Celgene Holdings III Sarl, Celgene Ilac Pazarlama ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Celgene Inc., Celgene International Holdings Corporation, Celgene International II Sarl, Celgene International III Sarl, Celgene International Inc., Celgene International Sarl, Celgene K.K., Celgene Kft., Celgene Limited [Hong Kong], Celgene Limited [Ireland], Celgene Limited [New Zealand], Celgene Limited [Taiwan], Celgene Limited [UK], Celgene Logistics Sarl, Celgene Ltd, Celgene Luxembourg Sarl, Celgene Management Sarl, Celgene NJ Investment Co, Celgene Netherlands B.V., Celgene Netherlands Investment B.V., Celgene Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Celgene Pte. Ltd., Celgene Pty Ltd, Celgene Puerto Rico Distribution LLC, Celgene Quanticel Research Inc, Celgene R&D Sarl, Celgene RIVOT LLC, Celgene RIVOT Ltd., Celgene RIVOT SRL, Celgene Receptos Limited, Celgene Receptos Sarl, Celgene Research Incubator At Summit West LLC, Celgene Research S.L.U., Celgene Research and Development Company LLC, Celgene Research and Development I ULC, Celgene Research and Development II LLC, Celgene Research and Investment Company II LLC, Celgene S. de R.L. de C.V., Celgene S.L.U., Celgene S.R.L., Celgene SAS, Celgene Sarl AU, Celgene Sdn Bhd, Celgene Services Sarl, Celgene Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Celgene Sp. Z.o.o., Celgene Sro [Czech Republic], Celgene Summit Investment Co, Celgene Switzerland Holding Sarl, Celgene Switzerland II LLC, Celgene Switzerland Investment Sarl, Celgene Switzerland LLC, Celgene Switzerland Sarl, Celgene Tri A Holdings Ltd., Celgene Tri Sarl, Celgene UK Distribution Limited, Celgene UK Holdings Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing II Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing III Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing Limited, Celgene d.o.o., Celgene sro [Slovakia], Celmed LLC, Celmed Ltd., ConvaTec Divestiture, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals AB, Crosp Ltd., Delinia Inc., Deuteria Pharmaceuticals Inc., DuPont Pharmaceuticals, E. R. Squibb & Sons Inter-American Corporation, E. R. Squibb & Sons L.L.C., E. R. 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Rockwell Automation, Inc. provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in the United States and internationally. The company operates in three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products, and services. The Intelligent Devices segment offers drives, motion, safety, sensing, industrial components, and configured-to-order products. The Software & Control segment provides control and visualization software and hardware, information software, digital twin and simulation software, and network and security infrastructure solutions. The Lifecycle Services segment provides consulting, professional services and solutions, and connected and maintenance services. The company sells its solutions primarily through independent distributors in relation with its direct sales force. It serves discrete end markets, including automotive, semiconductor, warehousing and logistics, and other discrete markets, as well as general industries comprising printing and publishing, marine, glass, fiber and textiles, airports, and aerospace; hybrid end markets, such as food and beverage, life sciences, household and personal care, and tire, as well as eco industrial, including water/wastewater, waste management, mass transit, and renewable energy; and process end markets comprising oil and gas, mining, metals, chemicals, pulp and paper, and others. Rockwell Automation, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. engages in the design, construction, and sale of single-family attached and detached homes in the United States. The company operates through a portfolio of six brands comprising Maracay in Arizona; Pardee Homes in California and Nevada; Quadrant Homes in Washington; Trendmaker Homes in Texas; TRI Pointe Homes in California, Colorado, and the Carolinas; and Winchester Homes in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. As of December 31, 2021, its operations consisted of 112 active selling communities and 41,675 owned or controlled lots. The company sells its homes through own sales representatives and independent real estate brokers. It also provides financial services, such as mortgage financing, title and escrow, and property and casualty insurance agency services. The company was formerly known as TRI Pointe Group, Inc. and changed its name to Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. in January 2021. Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.
29 Christians killed on their way to monastery were asked to 'leave the cross' and then killed when they refused

According to a chaplain, Friday's massacre of 29 Coptic Christians who were on their way to a monastery in Egypt occurred after Islamic radicals marched them off the bus one by one and asked them to deny their faith in Jesus Christ.

A priest identified as Father Rashed, a chaplain for one of the groups comforting the survivors of the attack, said in an article in Breitbart News on Sunday that 10 masked Islamic State militants did not simply open fire on the bus on its way to the Monastery of Saint Samuel the Confessor.

Instead, the IS radicals apparently stopped the bus, made the victims walk out, and asked each of them, including the children, whether they were Christians.

Rashed explained that the victims "were asked to renounce their Christian faith and profess belief in Islam, but all of them  even the children  refused. Each was killed in cold blood with a gunshot to the head or the throat."

Gerges Morkous, the nephew of victim 60-year-old Mohsen Morkou, shared a similar account. "They asked the people still alive inside to leave the cross," he said. "Everyone who said 'no' they shot. ... We believe they're in heaven, right now."

Friday's attack, at the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, was another devastating blow to Egypt's minority Copts, who in the past year have suffered a number of massacres at the hands of radicals, including Palm Sunday church bombings that killed 46 believers.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has tried to assure Coptic Pope Towadros II that the attackers in the latest tragedy will be punished.

The Coptic church has warned that despite the government's efforts, however, IS radicals, who on Saturday took responsibility for the slaughter, "damage Egypt's image and cause Egyptians a great deal of pain."

The Vatican's Pope Francis also highlighted in his speech at St. Peter's Square on Sunday that the Christians were killed specifically for their faith.

"The victims, amongst which were also children, were killed after having refused to renounce their Christian faith," the Roman Catholic Church leader said.

The pontiff, who visited Egypt last month and called for peace, prayed that God "may welcome these courageous witnesses, these martyrs, in his peace and convert the hearts of the terrorists."

U.S. President Donald Trump, who in his election campaign vowed to eradicate IS, condemned on Friday the "merciless slaughter of Christians in Egypt," which he said "tears at our hearts and grieves our souls."

"Wherever innocent blood is spilled, a wound is inflicted upon humanity," Trump's statement read. "But this attack also steels our resolve to bring nations together for the righteous purpose of crushing the evil organizations of terror, and exposing their depraved, twisted, and thuggish ideology."

IS has been killing Christians specifically for their faith throughout Egypt, Iraq and Syria. Islamists have murdered Christians for refusing to deny their faith in Jesus on numerous occasions.

One Christian pastor from Syria, identified as Pastor Edward, told The Christian Post earlier this year that the country is getting "torn apart," with evil "all around us."

"There was a man named George who chose not to be hidden by his Muslim neighbor when extremists came looking for Christians. He told his mother Jesus said, 'If you deny me I will deny you.' And he was killed. His mother was not even allowed to bury his body," Edward recalled.

This article was originally published in The Christian Post.
3 things you can do to grow spiritually

Growing in God doesn't happen automatically. Many beloved brothers and sisters think that since they've been in church for a long time, perhaps even from childhood, they've already grown mature. Age is not an accurate guide: we can be a Christian for many years and yet still remain a baby in the faith.

The writer to the Hebrews says it precisely, saying:

"For though by now you should be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God and have come to need milk rather than solid food." (Hebrews 5:12)

We could be just like that: a people who should be mature already, but we aren't. According to ESV.org, the writer was addressing a people who became "less attentive to Christian instruction" and have "ceased regular attendance at their meetings" despite their faithfulness to Christ in the past (see Hebrews 5:11-14, 10:25, 10:32-34).

This implies that even faithful Christians can fail to progress in their growth in the faith. Anybody can remain a baby Christian, but not all grow to be mature Christians  and this owing to their own choices.

Do you want to grow in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? I want to help you. I am not perfectly mature yet either, but I am excited to grow with each day, and would like to invite you to journey with me into growth in Christ.

Here are some things we can do to help ourselves grow in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1) Diligently seek to know the truth through God's Word

In Acts 17 we find a group of Berean Christians, who were a people lauded for their daily habit of searching the Word of God for truth that would confirm what the apostles preached.

"The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all eagerness, daily examining the Scriptures, to find out if these things were so." (Acts 17:10-11)

2) Be molded by the Word of God

The Word of God is more than just a message of salvation to all who are sinners; it's also a guidebook that will help the saved be transformed into the likeness of Christ. We need to let ourselves be molded by the Word of God so we may be "complete" just like Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

3) Follow the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit that God put inside us causes us to grow and bear fruit. It is Him who makes us want to pursue Christ, and empowers us to produce His fruits in our lives. When we follow His lead, we allow Him to mold us and make us grow in the faith.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control; against such there is no law. Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-25)
3 times we can be ashamed of the Gospel when we really shouldn't be

All Christians are given the mandate to preach the Gospel to all nations, even to every creature (see Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15). It's our divine duty and privilege to tell people who Christ Jesus is and what He has done for all of us. And not only is the Gospel of Christ a message of hope  it's the only message that will bring life to those who receive it the right way.

There are many instances, however, that we Christians actually become ashamed of the very message that caused us to believe in Christ and be saved by Him. If it weren't for the love of God that gave boldness to those who shared the Gospel to us, we wouldn't even be Christian today.

As recipients of God's love and salvation through the atoning work of Christ, this should be our declaration:

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."" (Romans 1:16-17)

Make it yours

Friend, do you feel ashamed of the Gospel? Perhaps you're telling me now that you don't, but there are instances where your actions and words betray you. Reflect on whether you do the following:

1) Water Down The Word

When we try to share the Gospel of Christ, do we try to make it sound politically correct so that we won't be labeled as "extreme"? Or, when we try to preach the Gospel, do we take away the seemingly "harsh" topics of sin and human depravity, so that we won't sound offensive? Oops, we've watered it down, suggesting we're not as unashamed of it as we thought.

2) Present The Gospel As An 'Option' Rather Than An Ultimatum

We can also fall into the trap of presenting the Gospel as "another" way to life, eternal security, and true joy and peace. Jesus is black-and-white regarding salvation: those who believe Him will be saved, and those who don't won't be saved (see John 3:16, 18; Mark 16:16).

When we treat the Gospel of Christ as "one of the ways" to be God's child or perhaps "a good way" to bless someone, we treat it like an option. Going to church, doing good things, even reading the Bible is a good thing, but these aren't enough to save anybody. Those who want to be saved must believe in Christ (see John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 4:12).

3) Shy Away From Sharing It

Lastly and most commonly, when we prefer to simply be "a good friend" or a "good Christian" to others without sharing the Gospel to them, we actually are hiding what we believe in from them. When we don't tell them what Christ did for them and what He demands for us to be saved, what's that friendship for? And when we tell ourselves we're being salt and light but we don't tell them the source of that salt and light in us, then what good is it?

Our kind acts and thoughtful deeds have limited power in themselves. Only Christ can truly save, and they should believe in Him as much as we believe in Him.

Overcoming these things

Friend, I am writing this to help you overcome and be unashamed of the Gospel that sets people free from sin. Think about this: If those who shared the Gospel to you were ashamed of it, you wouldn't have heard it. If the disciples of Christ shied away from sharing the Gospel for fear of rejection or ridicule, who would have heard it?

If Christ Himself was ashamed of God's plans and love for all of us who are destined for God's wrath, then who could have been saved? Jesus suffered the humiliation of a public trial, flogging and execution for us so how can we be ashamed of Him?

Don't be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, my friend. It's the most beautiful and important thing that ever happened. Don't waste that precious life-saving treasure you have in your heart.

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14)
Battle for Number 10: Why last night's debate has left Labour quietly gleeful

Are the Conservatives panicking? Not quite yet, perhaps, but a little tense? They should be. Most of the polls are showing Labour closing a gap once thought impossibly wide. An election that was theirs to lose is slipping away from them, and if they can hold on to their rapidly eroding lead until June 8 they will be very relieved.

Is a Labour victory likely? Still not. But it's no longer unthinkable, and some of the reasons why were on display last night when they were each interviewed by a studio audience and by Jeremy Paxman for Sky News and Channel 4.

They covered familiar ground. On Brexit, May said she would walk away from divorce talks with the European Union without a deal if she had to, but Corbyn said he would make sure an agreement was reached if he won power. May struggled to respond to questions about cuts, and was heckled by the audience. Corbyn was pressed on corporation tax and security.

The Prime Minister did not shine, though she didn't make a complete hash of it; she is no Diane Abbott. She was rather wooden and spoke in slogans. Jeremy Corbyn, on the other hand, was articulate and engaging, and his answers had real substance. Of the two, there's no doubt who was the winner  not only in the audience debate, but in the subsequent trial by Paxman. The once-feared interviewer asked Corbyn a series of foolish blind-alley questions the Labour leader handled well enough; May was clearly rattled when he challenged her on whether the EU would see her as a 'blowhard who collapses at the first sign of gunfire' after she softened her plans on old age care.

On the other hand, neither is there any doubt about which has the higher mountain to climb. Two years ago, when Corbyn was first elected, I wrote a piece that I think is worth quoting (it was headed 'Jeremy Corbyn for Labour leader: Right ideas, completely wrong choice').

'A Corbyn-led government would not see the streets running red with the blood of plutocrats. His economic plan involves raising taxes on rich people and businesses, reducing corporate tax relief and using the money to support infrastructure projects. He also wants to crack down on tax avoidance (don't we all?) and reverse cuts to HMRC staff to help them collect more taxes.

'...However, Corbyn is also associated with various other causes that are polling-booth poison. He wants dialogue between Britain and Argentina on the Falklands. He wants to re-nationalise the railways. He supports the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. He supports a united Ireland and invited Gerry Adams and other Sinn Fein members to Parliament in 1984 just after the Brighton bombing. He's referred to Hamas and Hezbollah as "friends". In short he's given away so many hostages to fortune that he can barely field an army. Oh, and he's also anti-Trident, anti-military intervention and generally pro-peace.

'There's nothing indefensible about any of these positions, individually. But you can see Labour's problem. Faced with a Tory machine that is the political equivalent of a Great White shark, it's going to need a much, much bigger boat.'

Well: the Great White shark has looked more like a goldfish during the last couple of weeks, but apart from that the caveats still stand. Corbyn is most vulnerable on his record, and the right-wing press has remorselessly retailed stories of his unfortunate meetings and pronouncements over the years. It's these  some picked up by Paxman in his inquisition  that have led to his huge unpopularity among the voting public, who tend to be older. His warmth and personality, on the other hand, with his passionate denunciations of austerity, appeal more to the largely non-voting younger generation. It's not a good trade.

The truth is that last night both Corbyn and May did what they do. Of the two, Corbyn is most likely to benefit because he was the better performer by far. Whether it was enough to sway the electorate sufficiently remains uncertain  and brain fades like the one on Women's Hour this morning, when he forgot how much Labour's childcare plans would cost, won't help. But there is a week of campaigning to go, and there's everything to play for.

Follow Mark Woods on Twitter: @RevMarkWoods
Donald Trump leads prayers for Manchester from global leaders: 'They are evil losers in life'

Donald Trump has lead worldwide condemnation of a terrorist attack in Manchester, northern England, on Monday night.

The US President joined other global leaders in offering prayers and thoughts for the victims after 22 were killed and 59 injured in a suicide explosion at a teen pop concert.

Speaking from Bethlehem where he is meeting the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Trump called for this 'wicked ideology' to be 'completely obliterated' from the earth.

'I would like to begin offering my prayers for the people of Manchester in the UK. I extend my deepest condolences to those so terribly injured in this terrorist attack and those killed, and so many families of the victims,' he said, describing the killers as 'evil losers in life'.

He said: 'I won't call them monsters because they would like that term. They would think it was a great term. I will call them from now on losers. Because that's what they are  losers. We will have more of them but they are losers. Remember that.'

He added: 'We can't stand any more slaughter of innocent people ... Terrorists and those who give them comfort must be driven out. This wicked ideology must be completely obliterated and innocent must be protected.'

Leaders around the world joined to voice their outrage and sympathy.

The first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, tweeted:

Heartbreaking news from Manchester. My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones or been injured in this barbaric attack.  Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 23, 2017

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said he was sending condolences to the families of those murdered and wishes of a speedy recovery to the wounded. 'Terrorism is a global threat and it is incumbent on the enlightened countries to defeat it everywhere,' he said. German chancellor Angela Merkel said she was 'standing shoulder to shoulder' with the UK at this time, adding it was 'incomprehensible' someone would target a children's pop concert. She said the attack 'will only strengthen our determination to keep acting together with our British friends against those who plan and carry out such inhuman deeds'. Canada's Justin Trudeau tweeted:

Canadians are shocked by the news of the horrific attack in Manchester tonight. Please keep the victims & their families in your thoughts.  Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 23, 2017

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, also sent his condolences.

Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to the British Prime Minister following Manchester bomb attack  President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) May 23, 2017

India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, tweeted he is 'pained by the attack'.
Donald Trump said he prayed to God for wisdom at the Western Wall during Jerusalem visit

President Donald Trump prayed to have God's wisdom as he touched the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem Monday.

"Yesterday, I visited the Western Wall, and marveled at the monument to God's presence and man's perseverance  I was humbled to place my hand upon the wall and to pray in that holy space for wisdom from God," he said in a speech at the Israel Museum.

Trump is the first American president to visit Judaism's holiest site while in office. Prior to going the Western Wall, he visited one of Christianity's most sacred sites, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which some believe is the place where Jesus was crucified. The trip to Jerusalem was the second stop on Trump's first international trip as president.

His flight to the Jewish state was also historic in that he flew directly from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a flight pattern that never happens. In Saudi Arabia, he gave a speech to leaders of over 50 Muslim-majority countries, challenging them to drive terrorists out of their lands.

The speech struck some theological notes, particularly when he said that Muslim religious leaders must urge their followers to reject barbarism. "If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be condemned," Trump said.

The faith of the 45th president has been a subject of much speculation in American political life.

The thrice-married businessman originally from Queens spoke clumsily about religion during the election cycle, infamously joking about "two Corinthians" and saying that he never asked God for forgiveness during the campaign. Yet the vast majority of white evangelical Christians, most of whom are staunch supporters of Israel, voted for him on Election Day and Trump has solicited the support and input of conservative evangelical leaders.

At the signing of an executive order protecting religious liberty earlier this month, Vice President Pence, who is known for his sincere faith, introduced Trump as a "believer" who "loves his family and loves his country with an unshakeable faith in God."

His daughter, Ivanka, has converted to orthodox Judaism. Her husband, Jared Kushner, is Jewish.

As The Christian Post reported May 5, CP Executive Editor and Southern Evangelical Seminary President Richard Land, who dined at the White House with the president and his evangelical advisory board earlier this month, said that the president is "comfortable around evangelicals; it's obvious that he likes us and he's fascinated by us. I don't think he was around people like us much before he ran for president."

Evangelist James Robison, president of LIFE Outreach International, told CP last November that several advisers were instructing Trump to avoid certain kinds of expressions of faith, especially excessive contrition for past sins, because it will be seen as manipulative and pandering.

Trump was due to meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesday. In 2013, on Christmas Day, Trump tweeted about Francis after he was elected, saying, "The new Pope is a humble man, very much like me, which probably explains why I like him so much!"

This article was originally published in The Christian Post.
Egypt bus attack victims refused to renounce Christian faith before being shot, bishop confirms

Victims of ISIS' deadly attack on a bus in Egypt were asked to renounce their Christian faith and when they refused they were shot dead, a senior Coptic bishop has confirmed.

Girls as young as two were among the 29 killed as militants targeted pilgrims en route to a monastery near the town of Menya in southern Egypt.

Bishop Makarios, the top Coptic Orthodox cleric in Minya, said the assailants ordered victims off the bus and told them their lives would be spared if they converted to Islam.

'They chose death,' said Makarios, according to the Associated Press.

'We take pride to die while holding on to our faith,' he said in a television interview, the agency reported.

The bishop has been an outspoken critic of the government's handling of anti-Christian violence in Minya, where Christians account for more than 35 percent of the population, the highest anywhere in Egypt.

Bishop Angaelos, head of the UK Coptic Church and in regular contact with his counterparts in Egypt, also confirmed those killed had been asked to renounce their faith.

In an extraordinary message directly to the perpetrators on Tuesday, Angaelos said: 'You are loved. The violent and deadly crimes you perpetrate are abhorrent and detestable, but YOU are loved.

'You are loved by God, your Creator, for He created you in His Image and according to His Likeness, and placed you on this earth for much greater things, according to His plan for all humankind.

'You are loved by me and millions like me, not because of what you do, but what you are capable of as that wonderful creation of God, Who has created us with a shared humanity. You are loved by me and millions like me because I, and we, believe in transformation.'

His statement comes after Egypt responded to the attack with a wave of airstrikes against suspected militant bases where the military said the perpetrators trained. A large-scale manhunt by police and soldiers backed by helicopters is underway in the vast deserts to the west of the site of the attack, but has so far yielded no arrests.
Family pelted with stones by youths shouting 'Jews', police under fire for 'appalling' response

Police have come under fire for their handling of an incident over the bank holiday weekend in which a family on a trip to the Kent seaside were pelted with stones by a mob of racist youths shouting 'Jews'.

The parents and their five young children, from Stamford Hill in north London, came under attack at Minster beach on the Isle of Sheppey on Sunday afternoon.

It is claimed that two boys and three girls aged from 16 to 18 hurled pebbles from the shoreline.

The family was forced to take shelter during the ordeal and call 999 for help.

However, the family said that police refused to come to the scene even though the attackers were still there.

Police insisted yesterday that officers had deemed there was no further risk to the family after the person who dialled 999 left the scene.

The Campaign Against Anti-Semitism branded the handling of the incident 'appalling'.

The local Conservative candidate Tom Tugendhat said the attack was 'disgraceful'.

The family have now returned to London where they are being supported by the north east London branch of the Shomrim community group.

Jewish family from #StamfordHill were enjoying bank holiday weekend at the beach before being pelted with pebbles by youths shouting "Jews" pic.twitter.com/4GP9W3R2WQ  Shomrim N.E. London (@Shomrim) May 28, 2017

They tweeted on Sunday: 'Jewish family from #StamfordHill were enjoying bank holiday weekend at the beach before being pelted with pebbles by youths shouting "Jews".'

A spokesman for Kent Police said: 'Kent Police was called at 4.10pm on Sunday, 28 May, to a report of an assault at Minster Beach, Isle of Sheppey.

'During the call the informant left the scene and officers deemed there was no further risk.

'As the informant is from outside of the county, police are arranging a suitable time to speak to the informant in due course. No arrests have been made.'
Finland's Lutherans mull same-sex marriage in tense debate

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is to return to a discussion of same-sex marriage in November after an 'intense' debate on the subject at its May synod meeting.

The debate follows the introduction of same-sex marriage in Finland on March 1. The Church had previously said the new law would not affect its position, which remains that marriage is between a man and a woman. However, the bishops said at the time: 'Same-sex couples are welcome to all church activities and shall be treated as families, even though they have not entered into marriage in accordance with the Church Act.'

Proposals to include same-sex couples in its definition of marriage saw no less than 63 speakers contribute, according to Evangelical Focus. In what observers described as an unprecedented intervention, the Archbishop of the Finnish Church, Kari Makinen shut down one contributor, Leif Nummela, who edits the Christian weekly Uusi Tie. Nummela had expressed fears about the effects on children of being taken away from their biological parents.

Conservatives have expressed fears that their views will be marginalised in a push to drive through acceptance of same-sex marriage, in line with Churches in other Nordic countries.

Evangelical Focus quotes Timo Eskola, a researcher at the Theological Institute of Finland, who says: 'The liberal trend has determinedly aimed at a situation, where the views it represents are not allowed to be criticised.'

In Iceland the Church ended the right of clergy to refuse to solemnise same-sex marriages in 2015. Sweden's Lutheran Church retains the right of pastors not to officiate at gay weddings, as does Norway's. However, according to sources cited by Evangelical Focus, those who take conservative positions on the issue can be marginalised.
Martha Collison, the Christian star of Great British Bake Off, is passionate about helping families living in poverty

Great British Bake Off Star Martha Collison, a deeply committed Christian, is helping families living in poverty.

20-year-old celebrity baker, Martha, who is famously known for being the youngest contestant on the BBC hit, Great British Bake Off back in 2014, is an ambassador for Tearfund.

Tearfund is a UK Christian relief and development agency which works in over 50 countries.

The star took to the Big Church Day Out festival stage on Sunday and urged more than 25,000 Christians to think about what they can individually do to help break the hunger cycle in Malawi.

With more than 6.5 million people which makes up almost 40 per cent of the Malawi population, many people suffer from periodic hunger and constantly struggle to recover after two years of consecutive drought.

One Malawian mother called Sylvia Ngondo, 34, described how she struggled to feed four of her children all of her life. She has just one bag of maize left to last her family six months when it would usually last six weeks.

She said: 'It is just a matter of surviving. When there is no maize my children are crying throughout the day, looking for food.'

The charity handed out more than 1,000 bags of popcorn kernels during the West Sussex festival to demonstrate how essential items like grain can be beneficial to women like Sylvia and millions of others who are living in poverty in Malawi.

Martha spoke passionately to festival-goers about her faith and how it has helped and motivated her to help others and lift families out of poverty. Whilst demonstrating to young festival goers how she uses popcorn for recipes to demonstrate how Malawians are struggling to survive, she expressed how life-changing it has been witnessing the work Tearfund carry out.

She said: 'For me, a bag of popcorn is just a useful ingredient in a recipe, but for someone like Sylvia, a single bag of maize determines the survival of her family.

'It is sometimes extremely hard to walk in the shoes of someone who lives thousands of miles away, but having visited some of Tearfund's projects, I know just how crucial it is that the charity continues following Jesus where the need is greatest. We must act now and put an end to hunger in Malawi.'

Donald Mavunduse, Tearfund's Head of East and Southern Africa said: 'Malawi has been trapped in a hunger cycle for many years. Every time drought hits, people have fewer reserves to deal with.

'That's why we are training thousands of families in vital farming skills, helping them to make the most of the land even in such a challenging climate, and to produce enough surplus to last during day periods.'

Tearfund asked supporters to commit to giving 5 a month. Over the weekend at the Big Church Day Out, enough supporters signed up to provide farming training for 3,400 families, helping them to secure a hunger-free future.

Mavanduse was extremely thankful for those who had contributed but wanted to reiterate how important it is for people to continually invest in impacting change for someone else.

He said: 'We are hugely grateful for the generosity of festival-goers at this year's Big Church Day Out.

'However, it is very crucial that more people make a long-term investment in the future of Malawi to break the hunger cycle and help women like Sylvia to stand on their own two feet.'

For more information about how Tearfund is beating hunger in Malawi visit : http://www.tearfund.org/en/hungersteals/
How your church can use the Reformation anniversary as a gospel opportunity

Is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation interesting only to dusty Church history enthusiasts? Surely events from so long ago can't have any relevance to life and mission today?

No so, according to one London-based mininstry. Christian Heritage London has published an introduction to the Reformation by Oxford academic Michael Reeves designed as an evangelistic giveaway.

The book is designed to be accessible as well as informative and spokesman Ben Virgo wants it to replicate the success of a similar book, The Servant Queen and The King She Serves. Published to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday, well over a million copies were distributed.

Freedom Movement tells the story of Martin Luther. One of Luther's own illustrations, the story of a prostitute whom a king loves and marries, and on whom the status of royalty is bestowed, draws out the great story of grace.

The booklet then examines the impact and consequences the rediscovery of grace had in areas as diverse as Christian mission, church revival, the abolition of slavery, art and music, and social improvements in education and health.

Virgo told Christian Today: 'It shouldn't be possible to talk about the Reformation without the gospel. Through what happened to Martin Luther, the gospel was rediscovered.

'This book uses a historical moment not just to talk about Germany in the 16th century but to talk about the gospel.'

He stressed the importance of Luther's work: 'There would have been no Martin Luther King without Martin Luther,' he said.

At only 40 pages and lavishly illustrated, the book is designed to be short enough to read quickly while still conveying scriptural truth. And Virgo hopes it will be read by Christians as well as by non-Christians.

'We hope Christians will get behind it, as they did The Servant Queen, and replicate its success as churches across the UK buy copies in bulk and distribute them to family, friends and neighbours,' he said.

'At the same time we expect believers, many of whom are unaware of this key aspect of our Christian heritage, to learn more about who Luther was and what he achieved  and to be greatly encouraged as they do so.'

Freedom Movement can be ordered here.
Is Theresa May really the party leader who is 'most like Jesus'? Some people think so

According to new research, Theresa May has been voted the party leader who is 'most like Jesus' by listeners of a Christian radio station.

Almost 46 per cent of believers who took part in the poll said that the current UK Prime Minister reminded them most of the Son of God.

Despite sharing the same initials as Jesus Christ  and, as the Mirror reported, having a beard  fewer than one in three said Jeremy Corbyn resembles Christ. Liberal Democratic leader and committed Christian Tim Farron came in third with just 20 percent.

May is the daughter of an Anglican vicar and attends services at her local church every Sunday. In November 2016, May said her Christian faith helps her make difficult decisions and that her belief in God means she has faith in her gut instinct even when she has been criticised for her decision making process.

Many members of the public were rather surprised by the results of the survey, by Premier Christian Radio, and took to social media to share their views.

Jo Drayton wrote : 'Was this research published on 1st April? Otherwise it makes no sense to me at all!'

Philip Steer wrote : 'Christian Values? Please show me where they are in the party manifesto ... please do, I have all day.'

While others on social media confessed to seeing the similarities between Christ and the current UK Prime Minister.

Darach Conneely said : 'To be fair, I can see the similarities, like Jesus telling the sick they were healed or the man who'd been chronically ill for 38 years. 'Get up, take your bedroll and start walking!'

Nearly 2,000 people took part in the research which also concluded slightly more than 50 per cent of Christians plan to vote for the Tories in next week's General Election.

The poll put Labour on 27 per cent, the Lib Dems on 13 per cent, Ukip on 2.5 per cent and the Greens on 2 per cent.

The research also asked participants whether they will pray before entering the polling booth and whether it matters if the Prime Minister is a Christian or not.
Israel does not have a 'blank cheque' from Trump's US administration, says PM

Despite the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's apparently close relationship with Donald Trump, he told agroup of his MPs yesterday that Israel does not have a 'blank cheque' from America.

Netanyahu's comments to his Likud party meeting came after comments from Likud members of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, calling for the prime minister to be more vocal in opposing a two-state solution, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The paper said that Netanyahu told his representatives that while Israel is a sovereign country that can make many decisions, the country must proceed in the diplomatic process 'wisely and responsibly,' and those claiming that Israel has a 'diplomatic blank check' are wrong.

The prime minister also reportedly said that Trump is determined to reach an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

The US President has said after his trip to the region last week that both Netanyahu and the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas want a peace deal.

But Israel's deputy foreign minister Tzipi Hotovely was quoted as saying at the meeting with Netanyahu that Israel does not have to agree to any agreement.

Meanwhile, a senior Palestinian official yesterday denied a report about a confrontation between Trump and Abbas during the American leader's visit to Bethlehem last week.

'It is a total fabrication and a lie,' Ahmad Majdalani, a confidant of Abbas, told the Post.

Israel's Channel 2 reported on Sunday that Trump shouted at Abbas, saying he was fooling him.

'You deceived me in Washington,' Trump was reported as telling Abbas, referring to a meeting they had in the US capital earlier in May. 'You spoke to me about peace, but the Israelis showed me that you personally have a hand in incitement.'

Majdalani added that all the meetings between Abbas and Trump have been positive. 'The talks we have had with the American administration have been based on mutual respect,' he said. 'They have been positive, and we are feeling a major development in the American administration's position.'

Abbas's foreign- policy adviser, Nabil Sha'ath, told the Post that while he is aware that the issue of incitement was raised in the Bethlehem meeting, he has no knowledge of Trump shouting at the PA president.

'There was a question that Mr Trump had about something that Mr Netanyahu told him,' Sha'ath said. 'Our president explained the matter very clearly to Mr. Trump, and the meeting went on quite productively.' Sha'ath added that his account of the meeting is based on a conversation he had with Abbas.
Justin Trudeau urges Pope Francis to apologise for Catholic abuse of indigenous children

Justin Trudeau has urged Pope Francis to apologise for the Catholic Church's treatment of indigenous children in schools it ran in Canada.

The prime minister asked the pontiff to visit and apologise personally after about 150,000 aboriginal children were placed in so-called 'residential schools', many run by the Church, in an attempt to rid them of their culture and native languages in the 19th century.

A 2015 report said the government-funded practice amounted to 'cultural genocide' with many children physically and sexually abused.

The study by Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission made 94 recommenations, including that the pope make a formal apology for the church's 'role in the spiritual, culturalemotional, physical and sexual abuse' of the children.

'I told him how important it is for Canadians to move forward on real reconciliation with the indigenous peoples and I highlighted how he could help by issuing an apology,' Trudeau, a devout Catholic,told reporters after meeting the pope on Monday.

He added the pope 'reminded me that his entire life has been dedicated to supporting marginalised people in the world, fighting for them, and that he looks forward to working with me and with the Canadian bishops to figure out a path forward together'.

The pair also discussed climate change and unlike Trump's Vatican meeting last week, the Pope and Trudeau agreed global warming was human caused.

'We talked about how important it is to highlight the scientific basis of protecting our planet and the moral and ethical obligations to lead, to build a better future for all people on this earth,' Trudeau said.

He added he had 'a deeply personal and wide-ranging, thoughtful conversation with the leader of my own faith'.

Additional reporting from Reuters.
Labour vows to defend Christians' right to wear crosses at work

Jeremy Corbyn is promising to defend the wearing of crosses, hijabs and other religious clothing in a special 'race and faith' manifesto on Tuesday afternoon.

The Labour leader is seeking to tackle the perception he is soft on antisemitism, vowing to tackle hate crime and recruit 10,000 more police officers to work on community beats.

The special interest manifesto promises to reassess the counter-extremism Prevent programme, which has been criticised for prejudicing against Muslims.

Launching in Watford this afternoon, Corybn said: 'People continue to be treated unfairly due to their gender, ethnicity, faith, sexuality, gender identity or disability. The recent rise in hate crimes, including Anti-Semitic, Islamophobic attacks and increased attacks against other faith communities, underscores how far we still have to go

'Labour will repair the damage done by the Conservatives which has sown the seeds of division in our communities.'

The 17-page 'race and faith' booklet promises to strengthen communities' rights to 'practice their religion free from persecution'.

It reads: 'We will defend the right to wear all forms of religious and other dress of Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and many others.'

The move comes as a poll shows just 13 per cent of Jewish voters plan to back Labour at the election in nine days time, compared to 77 per cent for the Conservatives.

The Survation study for the Jewish Chronicle found more than half who will not back Labour say they would reconsider if Corbyn was not leader.

In an attempt to tackle his 64-point deficit among Jewish voters, Corbyn's 'race and faith' manifesto strongly condemns antisemitism.

'Anti-Semitism is an evil which led to the worst crimes of the twentieth century. Every one of us has a responsibility to ensure that it is never allowed to fester in our society again.'

Pointing to 'a sharp increase in the number of racially or religiously aggravated offences' since the EU referendum, Labour promise to 'take robust action against violence and hate crime'.

Days after the Manchester bombing, the booklet accuses the Conservatives of failing 'to take any effective new measures against a growing problem of extreme or violent radicalisation' and promises to introduce a new 'community based and intelligence led' response to extremism.

'Labour will review Prevent with a view to assessing both its effectiveness and its potential to alienate minority communities,' the manifesto reads.

It also promises to make the NHS introduce halal and kosher food labelling in hospitals.
Marawi Q&A: Is Jihad coming to the Philippines, and how are Christians being affected?

According to the latest news from the Philippines, the military there says it has made gains retaking Marawi city from Islamist militants after clashes that have left about 100 people dead.

Militants now control only small pockets within the southern Philippine city, according to the military.

However, nineteen civilians are known to have died and there are still reports of fighting on the ground and thousands of civilians trapped.

Why has violence flared in the Philippines city of Marawi?

Violence erupted last Tuesday after a failed army raid to capture a top militant, Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf militant group who is on a US terror watch list and has also pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State group. The raid failed and dozens of gunmen took to the streets of Marawi, flying black ISIS flags.

Since then, troops have been using attack helicopters to battle the Islamist militants, who have seized parts of the southern Philippine city.

How have Christians been caught in the crossfire?

Last Tuesday, a Catholic priest, Fr Teresito 'Chito' Sugarno, the vicar general of Marawi City, was taken hostage along with around a dozen of his parishioners.

There has been no word of the Christians since, and troops say they are investigating reports of civilian deaths.

More than 200 local and foreign fighters from the Maute group and others allied to ISIS spread out across the city, seizing the main hospital and prison before attacking the Cathedral of Maria Auxiliadora.

According to reports, Fr Teresito and the group of worshippers were decorating the church for a holy day to celebrate the life of Mary.

The Christian group reportedly ran to the nearby bishop's house, looking for safety, but the militants burst in after them. According to local residents, that evening, after bundling their captives into vehicles, they torched the church.

There have been reports of other Christians being attacked on the same day, with local Muslims defending them.

What is the background to Christian presence in the Philippines and Marawi?

More than 90 per cent of the Philippines' 100 million people is Christian, but in Marawi Muslims are in the majority. In 1980 Marawi declared itself an 'Islamic City', the only one in the Philippines.

The city is in the Lanao del Sur province on the southern island of Mindanao. The province is a stronghold for the Maute group, which has pledged allegiance to ISIS. Islamist fighters from Malaysia, Indonesia and other countries have converged in Mindanao, sparking fears that it could become a regional stronghold of ISIS.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law in Mindanao last Tuesday  the first time martial law has been imposed since 1986 - in response to the violence. Martial law allows the use of the military to enforce order and the detention of people without charge for lengthy periods.

Nonetheless, until recently the small Christian population in the city have lived in relative peace.
Muslims help restore church in Mosul after it was devastated in battle with ISIS

Muslim neighbours helped to restore a church in Mosul which was left ruined after Kurdish and allied forces pushed Islamic State out of the Iraqi district.

One of the occupied areas was al-Arabi in Mosul, where the Mar Georges monastery is located and during the IS occupation the Chaldean church was shot at by terrorists.

But rebuilding began this week after Muslims in the community were accused of harassing a Christian family, a rumour that was denied by the Muslims.

They said they wanted to show that 'Mosul is yours as it's ours' and 'our differences are our strength'.

Photos on the This Is Christian Iraq website show how Muslim neighbours rushed to the church to clean the space and repair the holy rooms.

Mosul is set to be liberated by the end of next month, after years of Islamist domination.

Iraqi Christians were driven from their homes by the ISIS advance in the summer of 2014, when some 80,000 Christian refugees fled Mosul and the Nineveh Plain under threat of forced conversion or execution.

The 2,000-year-old Christian population of Iraq shrunk from 1.4 million to around 250,000 in the aftermath of the 2003 Iraq war, with many of those who are left now living in disused steel containers or hiding out in churches.

Some experts have predicted that Iraqi Christians may never return to Mosul.
Ruth, the ultimate pilgrim: How the Jewish festival of Shavuot can help heal Manchester's wounds

Shavuot is the festival which marks the giving of the Torah (613 commandments) to the Jewish people. The festival is a celebration of women. The Torah itself is regarded as female in Jewish thought. The Torah is tough yet compassionate. And because of this the Torah was given to women first.

Last week in Greater Manchester we experienced an attack on female values. Many Jewish girls and women attended the concert, including people I know. The greatest symbol of hope was given by the visit of the Queen to the Children's Hospital. The Queen represents the female values of hope, love, loyalty and determination.

These same values were embodied by Ruth, the Moabite princess, who converted to Judaism and became great-grandmother to King David.

Modesty is a virtue much cherished by Judaism. Ruth herself was modest and so is the religion of Judaism today. It doesn't push or draw attention to itself. By maintaining a quiet and flourishing presence all over Greater Manchester, it contributes and supports the spirit which makes this great city famous all over the world.

Jews have lived in Greater Manchester since 1700. Broughton Park, Salford is presently home to the fastest-growing Jewish community in Europe. What started through small beginnings has now become a quiet force to be reckoned with.

Through Sinai and Ruth three religions developed that have gone their separate ways. Judaism, encapsulated through Ruth the pilgrim, is the matrix from which the two other monotheistic religions have grown.

Ruth is the opposite of ruthless, which is why what we experienced in Greater Manchester last week needs Ruth's qualities to heal the wounds.

Greater Manchester simply wouldn't be Greater Manchester without her Jews and this is realised, if not always openly expressed, by both her religious and civic leaders.

Ruth is the ultimate pilgrim. Tonight, on Shavuot, one of our three 'pilgrim festivals', we are celebrating two events: the giving of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai. In Hebrew Sinai means 'tiny bush'. This bush is connected to the story of Ruth. These two events in our history give us guidelines as to how we should live and how we should conduct our lives.

What is Ruth? We used to have a word 'ruth' in the English language, but that has rather fallen by the wayside. Now, as Maimonides said of G-d, we can only know what 'ruth' is from its opposite, 'ruthless'.

What is ruthless?

Ruthless walks all over people, has tunnel vision, believes that the end justifies the means and knows that might is right.

Ruth, on the other hand, is caring, generous, open-hearted, steadfast and, most of all, loyal. Ruth also knows that 'small is beautiful'.

I have known many Ruths in my life and every one has embodied her name. Here are three of these Ruths who have enriched my life.

Scottish Ruth was a Quaker I met at school. She was feisty and different, but always there in a crisis.

Liverpudlian Ruth was the neighbour who welcomed my children into her home and gave them exorbitant amounts of pocket money in exchange for baby-sitting. If not for Liverpudlian Ruth, I would not have founded the Liverpool Burma Support Group, which was the first to publicise the plight of Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burmese people. Without Ruth, I would not have obtained the PhD on which I embarked at the age of 40. I would not have written the book on the great biblical scholar, Abraham ibn Ezra, who left his native Spain in 1139, bringing the fruits of Sefardi culture to northern Europe. He ended his life in England, where he was murdered by Christian pilgrims (or 'anarchic English hordes', as his greatest Israeli biographer has put it) en route to the Holy Land. Ibn Ezra is reputedly buried in Oxford, but his grave has never been found. He inspired Robert Browning to write one of his greatest poems, which starts 'Grow old along with me...'

Jewish Ruth lives in Haifa, Israel's third city, which is situated near Lebanon and Syria, in the north of the country. A bilingual translator, she often used to help with difficult words and phrases when I was her near neighbour and employed by the Haifa Tourist Board as a translator in the immediate aftermath of the 2006 Lebanese War. The local flora and fauna were her speciality.

Of these three Ruths, only one is Jewish, and also Israeli.

You don't have to be Jewish to be good. You don't have to be Jewish to to do the right thing. You don't have to be Jewish to be loyal.

The Ruth we are celebrating today came from a dreadful background. Not only was she from Moab, a country born through incest, which had stabbed Israel in the back a number of times, but she was also a princess, and therefore a torch-bearer for all the negative values which Moab represents. And yet, despite her unpromising beginnings, she chose to be Jewish.

What does it mean to be Jewish? Our Ruth didn't say 'I believe in'. She didn't say 'I believe that'. She didn't say 'I worship'. She didn't say 'I want to be saved', 'go to heaven' or 'see the light'. She didn't aspire to be a bishop or even a rabbi. She didn't worry about which shul she would join. She didn't even become a disciple.

Our Ruth did not follow her mother-in-law, Naomi, because she thought she was perfect. Whose mother-in-law is? What Ruth wanted to become was a pilgrim. She wanted to walk with her mother-in-law to Israel. In Hebrew a pilgrim is someone who walks on foot (holech regel). This concept is related to the word for 'Jewish law' which Moses is also given during the Shavuot festival. That word is 'halakhah'.

Neither walking or Jewish law are static. They involve constant movement  a good word today would be 'evolvement'.

This walking is therefore graceful, but it is walking with purpose: it is physical, mental and spiritual all at the same time. It is not, however, 'walking with attitude'. 'Walking with attitude' is not a pilgrimage: walking with attitude is a crusade. And we all know the outcome of that!

Pilgrimage is therefore a process  and Ruth knew this:

'Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people will be my people and your G-d my G-d. Where you die I will die and there will I be buried.'

This isn't about certainty: this is about the unknown. But it is also about Jewish history. Ruth knows that Naomi is returning to Israel. For Naomi this is a going back  for Ruth it is a change of direction. Ruth knows that, along the way, the Jewish people will sojourn in different lodgings  and these won't be the Ritz, the Savoy or even the local pub.

Ruth's lodgings and our lodgings will be all the diaspora countries in which the Jews will be invited to settle throughout their long history and from which they will later, without exception, be banned, have to flee, or in which they will be murdered. As inevitably as day turns to night, Jewish sojourn in diaspora always ends the same way, whether in 500 BCE, 70 CE, 1290, 1492, 1648, 1933 or 2017.

Ruth recognises the importance of community and land. Only by throwing in her lot with the impoverished Jewish people will she come nearer to

G-d. Rather than return as the princess she was in her previous life, she takes the risk  choosing suffering over comfort; moving on rather than remaining stuck in a rut.

By learning the ways and aspirations of her mother-in-law, Ruth replaces all the men in Naomi's life. Naomi had lost husband and sons at a time when male protection was deemed essential. Her story tells us that this need not be so.

The pilgrimage itself was undertaken by two women together, without male protection, at a time in world history, and in an area of the Middle East, which was extremely dangerous, to say the least.

To me this part of the story is even more remarkable than the eventual marriage with Boaz, which leads to the establishment of the House of David  and the Messianic hope.

This story teaches us something wonderful. Even a daughter-in-law from the most unpromising background imaginable can give birth to the Messiah. In fact this is deliberately the case: Ruth may not be an important personage any more, but she has grace.

This Shavuot festival celebrates the ongoing story of the Jewish people  the culmination of our long Exodus from slavery to freedom, in which we receive the ultimate gift  the gift of practical learning, embodied in the female principle of Torah.

This is a female story of survival against the odds and has been an inspiration to women of different religions and ethnicities all over the world.

For as it states in the Midrash on Eshet Chayil (Proverbs 31: 10:29): '"Many women have done valiantly, but you have surpassed them all." This is Ruth the Moabitess.'

Dr Irene Lancaster is Chair of the Broughton Park Dialogue Group in Manchester and an author who has pioneered the teaching of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at a number of universities in the UK.
Theresa May tells Jesus House church: Be role models in your faith

Theresa May urged Christians to talk openly about their faith as she visited Jesus House  one of the largest black-majority Pentecostal churches in the UK  on Sunday.

The Prime Minister was interviewed by Pastor Agu Irukwu in front of thousands at the north London megachurch and was asked about black and ethnic representation in parliament, Christian persecution and marriage.

Addressing concerns about a clampdown on Christians being able to voice their beliefs, May told the congregation: 'One of the things I think we can all do in terms of faith is to give very clear signs of our faith and be prepared to talk about it so that people can see that that freedom exists and also so there will be roles models for people to look to and to follow.'

But May faced criticism from LGBT activists for meeting Pastor Agu, who has spoken strongly against homosexuality and gay marriage.

Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner and a staunce supporter of LGBT rights, said the prime minister had 'recklessly colluded with homophobic Christian extremists'.

He told the I newspaper: 'Theresa May's deliberate, conscious decision to visit Rev Irukwu at Jesus House is a slap in the face to black LBGT people.

'This church and pastor have a long record of opposing LGBT equality and preaching against the human rights of LGBT Africans.

'Their teachings fuel self-hatred and mental ill-health in our black African LGBT communities. The Prime Minister has recklessly colluded with homophobic Christian extremists.'

Pastor Agu has repeatedly spoken against gay marriage, warning in a 2006 letter to the Telegraph that the Sexual Orientation Regulations were an affront to Christians.

A Conservative spokesman said: 'As Pastor Agu said himself in his sermon on Sunday, 'we are called to love all, irrespective of the person's ethnicity, the person's background, the person's sexual orientation'.

'Theresa May has a strong record on LGBT+ equality, and has been clear that under her leadership, we remain committed to advancing equality for LGBT+ people at home and abroad.

'It's not for the Government to tell people what to believe. The law is clear  discrimination on the grounds of sexuality or gender identity is unacceptable.'

In a wide ranging interview with the pentecostal leader, May said her upbringing in a vicarage had helped in her role as an MP.

'What I learnt from my parents  particularly my father, was the importance of treating every human being equally, not making assumptions and actually recognising that we are all human, we come from different backgrounds, different interests, different problems.

'However, his job was to serve everybody and that's the message that I hope that I have kept with me from my time in the vicarage.'

Asked what she would do to increase the number of black and ethnic MPs, the PM said: 'I've always said Parliament will make better decisions if it has a greater diversity of people because if you have people who have all got the same background then the decisions won't be as good as if you have people bringing different experiences, different backgrounds into the House of Commons.

'I would hope you would have some young people here in your church who will see being an MP as something they can do to give back to society and to work actively to improve the lives of others.'

Quoting figures from persecution charity Open Doors, Pastor Agu asked what the UK could do to protect Christians overseas.

The PM pointed to diplomacy through the Foreign Office and embassies and said lessons could be learnt from the message about stamping out modern slavery.

'We should do the same in terms of encouraging freedom of belief and challenging where we see that persecution happening.'

A largely socially conservative church, Pastor Agu then asked about perceived threats to marriage and family life with the introduction of same-sex marriage.

May said: 'I think you can do quite a lot of work here in the church with some of your groups and outreach  but one of the things we are doing is ensuring that there is good relationship training in schools so that children can learn how to relate to each other and learn to understand the importance of those relationships for the future.'
Thy Kingdom Come: Offering love to one another

The Bishop of Cuba has spoken on the need of offering love to one another and sharing the gospel just as Christ did for us, even in times of hardship.

In a video forming part of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Thy Kingdom Come initiative, aimed at encouraging Christians to pray for nations, Bishop Mario Griselda Delgado del Carpio says: ' We have worked in the ministry for about six years. We have an intense work in the mission, the development of communuties and giving the Gospel especially to the younger generations. We are also in favour of the church being an integral part of the society where we are, and from there to share the Gospel and our mission.'

She continues: 'At this time that we are living in Cuba, with many challenges, we know that spirituality has grown in Christ Jesus and this makes us strive even more in the task of continuing to carry out this Word of God to the society.'

In a prayer, she says: 'God of grace and peace, for all the good things you give us, we thank you. We also give you our gratitude Lord, because you have given us the opportunity to work on your mission and above all to know that your Son Jesus Christ, offering himself on the cross, teaches us to offer ourselves in service, in love, in hope for others. Lord, allow our hearts to be able to follow that path and to offer us also in that love, as Christ did for each one of us. In His name. Amen.'

In another video forming part of the Thy Kingdm Come series, we see how a group of church members went to Rwanda for a missionary trip . When they arrived they came across a man who had been in jail and had nothing and no one to turn to following his release. However, the beauty of the story lies within what the church in Rwanda said to him when he turned to them, 'Yes, you've done some bad things in your life, but Jesus still loves you.'

The church built him a house and reminded him that even when others may look at him differently, he can always find love here with them in the church, just as Christ loves them.

It is always lovely to have the opportunity to show love to another individual. Let us offer love and hope to others in our communities and show them the true meaning of Christ's love radiating within us.

The Thy Kingdom Come initiative is a global prayer movement, which invites Christians around the world to pray for the evangelisation of the nation during the week before the Day of Pentecost, for more people to come to know Jesus Christ. It concludes on June 4.
Youth mentor at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church arrested following accusations of lewd acts with teenage boys

A volunteer youth mentor with Pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, has been arrested on suspicion of lewd acts with at least two teenage boys. The church stated that it is "shocked and grieved" at the development.

Saddleback released a statement on Friday, describing its "shock and grief" at the news that 32-year-old Ruven Meulenberg, who volunteers as a junior high youth mentor at the church, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a child.

As CBS Los Angeles explained, Meulenberg was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff's Department following a report from a parent, and is being held on a $100,000 bail in Orange County Jail.

Sheriff's deputies said that the youth mentor is suspected of being involved in an "inappropriate relationship" with a 14-year-old boy. Authorities are investigating an alleged relationship with another 14-year-old boy as well.

NBC Los Angeles reported that the teens claimed to have "engaged in inappropriate conduct'' with Meulenberg over the past year while he served as a volunteer at the church, with the "lewd and inappropriate conduct" allegedly occurring on the church campus.

Meulenberg has apparently been volunteering at the church for six years, and alongside his twin brother has written religious children's books.

Saddleback's said in a statement:

"We ask you to do two things: First, please pray for the Saddleback families who are involved in this sad matter."

It continued: "Second, please pray for the investigators as they determine the facts. As followers of Jesus, we always want the whole truth to come out because Jesus taught us that lies enslave us, but the truth sets us free."

The megachurch insisted that for decades it has had "extremely high requirements and strict procedures in place" for anyone who volunteers in the student and children ministries, including background checks and fingerprinting.

CBS 2 spoke with some Saddleback congregants who were "not happy" with the news.

"It's not acceptable," said Lennard Cowans.

"It's not something that, not anyone would condone not only here at Saddleback," he added, "but any person wouldn't condone any kind of interaction like that with a youth."

Others, such as Laolu Oladapo, offered that the church "handled the situation effectively."

Some congregants had not received Saddleback's email statement when they heard the news.

"It's the first I heard of it. So, it's pretty shocking," said Sandi Caminiti.

Saddlback is frequently featured near the top of lists ranking the largest megachurches in the U.S., such as Newsmax's list in 2015. According to Pastor Warren, the church has continued growing.

The pastor said in April that the church drew more than double its attendance from its first two Easter services compared to last year.

"After just two services (Thursday and Friday evenings) where I taught 'He Did It All For You- Part 1,' 296 new people have given their lives to Jesus for the first time," Warren said at the time, revealing that the total attendance for the first two services alone was 14,400.

"Be sure of this: The Bible says that in Heaven these members will be rewarded for eternity by Christ for caring enough to invite unbelievers," he added.

This article was originally posted in The Christian Post.
Liberal ideology conceives of safe spaces in the context of alleged white patriarchy, but there was a real need for a safe space in Britains Manchester Arena on May 22, when 22-year-old terrorist Salman Abedi detonated his nail- and screw-filled suicide bomb after a concert by teen idol Ariana Grande. What was the progressive answer to yet another instance of Islamic terrorism in the West? Feckless calls for resisting hate, pledges of renewed diversity, and little else.

A rethinking of immigration policies is off the table. Nothing that an Islamic terrorist can do will ever shake the left-wing commitment to open bordersnot mass sexual assaults, not the deliberate slaughter of gays, and not, as in Manchester last week, the killing of young girls. The real threat that radical Islam poses to feminism and gay rights must be disregarded in order to transform the West by Third World immigration. Defenders of the open-borders status quo inevitably claim that if a terrorist is a second-generation immigrant, like Abedi, immigration policy has nothing to do with his attack. (Abedis parents emigrated to Britain from Libya; his immediate family in Manchester lived in the worlds largest Libyan enclave outside Africa itself.) Media Matters ridiculed a comment about the Manchester bombing by Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt with the following headline: fox news host suggests open borders are to blame for manchester attack carried out by british native.

Earhardt had asked how to prevent whats happening in Europe, with all these open borders, theyre not vetting, theyre opening their borders to families like this, and this is how theyre paid back in return. Pace Media Matters, a second-generation Muslim immigrant with a zeal for suicide bombing is as much of an immigration issue as a first-generation immigrant with a terrorist bent. The fact that second-generation immigrants are not assimilating into Western culture makes immigration policy more, not less, of a pressing matter. It is absurd to suggest that Abedi picked up his terrorist leanings from reading William Shakespeare and William Wordsworth, rather than from the ideology of radical Islam that has been imported into Britain by mass immigration.

The Washington Post, too, editorialized that defenders of vulnerable immigrants and asylum seekers, who in Britain as elsewhere in the West remain the targets of populist demagogues, could take some comfort from the fact that the assault apparently did not originate with those communities. Well, where did the assault originate fromBuckingham Palace?

Since liberals and progressives will not allow a rethinking of open borders policy, perhaps they would support improved intelligence capacity so as to detect terror attacks in the planning stages? Nope. The Left still decries the modest expansions of surveillance power under the 2001 Patriot Act as the work of totalitarianism. Former New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly sought to gather publicly available information about dense Muslim neighborhoods in New York in order to monitor potential radicalization; his discontinued initiative is still denounced as anti-Muslim oppression. Internet companies protect encrypted communications from government access, to the applause of civil libertarians and the mainstream media. The National Security Agencys mass data analysis, done by unconscious computer algorithms, is still being challenged in court.

What about using ordinary police powers to try to hinder terrorism? Islamic terrorists in Europe have moonlighted as crooks, engaging in drug dealing, robberies, vandalism, and theft. The U.S. should have zero tolerance for any criminal activity committed by aliens: break the criminal law and youre out of here. Deporting alien criminals is both an anti-crime and an anti-terrorism strategy. Yet mayors and police chiefs in sanctuary jurisdictions across the country continue to release alien criminals back into the community from jail in defiance of requests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold the criminals briefly for removal proceedings. The New York Police Department defied every ICE detainer request it received in the first four months of 2017, instead releasing 179 alien criminals back into the streets, according to the New York Post.

So what does the progressive and liberal bloc offer? Treacly bromides, combined with fatalism about the necessity of adjusting to future attacks. A day after Manchester, the Washington Post admonished:

As nations across the West have learned, it is not possible to prevent all such terrorist attacks, especially when they are staged by homegrown militants. What is possible is a response that focuses on uniting rather than dividing a diverse society. Thats what was happening in Manchester on Tuesday, as thousands of people of all races and faiths gathered for a vigil in the citys Albert Square. Im not here as a person with brown skin or someone born Muslim, a man named Amir Shah told a Guardian reporter. Im here as a Mancunian. If that spirit prevails, the terrorists will have failed.

No, the terrorists will have failed if they can no longer slaughter children. They dont care if a terror attack is met with candlelight vigils; they care if border restrictions and law enforcement make it impossible to destroy lives.

The flip side of the Posts terrorists will have failed if we light candles conceit is the ubiquitous meme that the terrorists will have won if we modify our intelligence strategies or immigration policies in any way. The New York Times editorialized after the Manchester bombing: It is important to recognize this attack for what it is: an attempt to shake Britainand, by extension, the rest of Europe and the Westto its core, and to provoke a thirst for vengeance and a desire for absolute safety so intense, it will sweep away the most cherished democratic values and the inclusiveness of diverse societies. This response is narcissistic. The attack was an effort to kill British girls and their parents, period. The terrorists win every time they pull off such massacres. They are not monitoring the legislative process and plotting how to move the needle on Western security protections in a way contrary to their own self-interest. If a society were exclusively Christian, Jewish, or even Muslim, it would be just as much the target of attack by ISIS or al-Qaida as a more diverse society.

Moreover, how would the New York Times distinguish a terror attack that seeks to sweep away . . . the inclusiveness of diverse societies from one that was merely intended to kill? Any terror attack carries some chance (albeit an increasingly de minimis one) that it will result in a tightening of immigration or security policies, but that does not mean that such tightening is the goal of the attack.

Perhaps aware that the candlelight vigil strategy for fighting terrorism may seem a little wan, progressives make passing reference to actual security measures, but couched in such broad terms as to be almost meaningless. And they are only faking it, because those security measures would violate core tenets of progressive ideology.

Washington Post columnist Anne Applebaum, for example, invokes the usual weak remedies: she calls for community solidarity, things like the mass vigil that took place in Manchester on Tuesday night, or the offers of tea, blankets and bedrooms extended to people stranded by the attack. But then, so as not to sound too soft, she also suggests better policing . . . as well as the forthright teaching of British values in British schools. If better policing means more surveillance of, or interaction with, suspicious individuals, good luck with that. One can already hear the cries of racial profiling. As for the forthright teaching of British values in British schools, where does Applebaum think we arethe 1920s? Forthright teaching of Western values went out decades ago as an anti-minority, anti-immigrant violation of multicultural relativism.

Even more hypocritically, the New York Times intones that maximum vigilance is needed, and . . . public spaces must be made as safe as possible. Never mind that the Times led the fight against NYPD Commissioner Kellys neighborhood-mapping program that tried to maintain vigilance against nascent radicalization. Never mind that the Times rages against any police effort to increase the safety of public spaces, whether via pedestrian stops or Broken Windows policing.

The contrast between the Timess attitude toward domestic policing and its attitude toward Islamic terrorism is striking. When it comes to terrorism, the public should recognize that more attacks will very likely occur, despite our best defenses, the Times says. It is also critical that immigrants, especially Muslims, are not stigmatized. If the Times were talking about police shootings of black males, it would never counsel acceptance of the alleged inevitability of more shootings. As for not stigmatizing an entire group for the actions of a few, when it comes to the police, there has been no shriller a stigmatizer than the Times. It has crusaded against cops in the most inflammatory terms, accusing the police of systemic bias against blacks. Unlike a terrorist, an officer almost never initiates an interaction with a civilian with the intention to kill, unless he is confronting a suspect who poses a deadly threat. True, a few individual officers have made horribly wrong judgments about a suspects threat level. But those misjudgments do not occur out of homicidal animus. Regarding Islamic terrorism, the Times intones that Understanding is critical and inveighs against whipping up divisive ethnic, racist and religious hatreds. The Times has never tried to understand why officers are more likely to use force in high-crime, gang-ridden areas or why officers try to restore order there (answer: because the law-abiding residents of those anarchic neighborhoods beg them to do so).

Applebaum warns against politicizing the natural emotions triggered by the attackhorror, anger, sadness, fear, revulsion. Why shouldnt those emotions be politicized? Every left-wing cause, especially the anti-cop crusade, is the result of politicizing an emotion. When it comes to terrorism, however, a country is apparently not allowed to say: Enough is enough, the status quo is not working, we need to rethink the policies that have allowed this mayhem to flourish. Mob justice, of course, is abhorrent, and any changes of law must follow the normal deliberative process. But the public should not have to resign itself abjectly to future attacks.

Islamic terrorism in the West is an immigration problem. Until we have the law enforcement and intelligence capacity to detect terror plots, immigration policy has to change, both in Europe and in the U.S. European security forces are unable to track the militants in their populations, so large are their numbers. The United States must not end up in the same situation. We need lower immigration levels and much tighter screening. The Manchester bombing vindicated President Donald Trumps March 2017 executive order briefly limiting travel to the U.S. from half a dozen ISIS- and al-Qaida-riven countries, including Libya, while the administration reviews security screening in those countries. Yet three days after Manchester, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down that order, claiming that it drips with religious intolerance, animus and discrimination. This judicial crusade against Trumps travel pause cripples the executives ability to protect the country from attack, by exporting phantom constitutional rights to the world. Progressives passivity in the face of Islamic terrorism is not a consistent philosophy. It is rather the outcome of their commitment to open borders at any cost. That ideology has taken too many lives and must be overcome.

Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Videos from Evergreen State College in Washington state show mobs of studentsmostly but not only blackharanguing their professors and accusing them of racist abuse. The college president, George Bridges, is heckled, insulted, mocked, and ordered to stand with his arms firmly at his sides because his gestures are considered threatening to the students, who have invaded his office and refused to leave. Bridges complies meekly with all demands, including buying gumbo for his captors.

Its tempting for anyone who cherishes the liberal (in the original sense of the word) purpose of the university to view the outrage at Evergreen (and Middlebury, and Berkeley, and Claremont McKenna, ad nauseam) as an American recurrence of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, when students were encouraged by the ruling class to torment any teachers suspected of reactionary deviance. But the modern college campus is staffed and led by progressives, who have created the conditions for, and invited, students PC tantrums. In Marxs classic formulation, history is repeating itself, but as farce.

By academic training, George Bridges is a sociologist whose work has focused on the criminal-justice system from the standpoint of race theory. In one of his most cited articles, Racial Disparities in Official Assessments of Juvenile Offenders: Attributional Stereotypes as Mediating Mechanisms, published in 1998 in American Sociological Review, Bridges observes that white youth are excused for delinquency on the basis of external factors, such as poverty or family problems, while black youth in similar trouble are blamed for internal factors like poor impulse control or inherent criminality. Thus, according to Bridges, black youthful offenders unfairly receive harsher punishments than their white counterparts. Judges and probation officers, he says, should second-guess their professional judgement through the lens of critical race theory, which holds that the doctrine of white supremacy influences every aspect of society and the legal system.

In the Evergreen videos, we see Bridges struggling to be as passive and compliant as possible with the crowd of angry students occupying his office. When he is yelled at for saying Please, he apologizes. When he admits to having a claustrophobia-induced panic attack, he is derided and told to get to work transcribing the mobs demands. Bridges could have called the campus police at any time to end the illegal occupation of his office and his imprisonment, but he ordered them to stand downpresumably because, according to his own academic doctrine, police intervention is necessarily fascist and racist.

The spectacle of Bridgess humiliation is initially horrifying, but it isnt clear that he disagrees with the students. In fact, he seems to appreciate, or even enjoy, being forced to submit to what he, after all, likely acknowledges as a just cause. In an August 2016 op-ed in The Seattle Times, Bridges condemned the dean of the University of Chicago for dismissing the importance of safe spaces for students on campuses. Trigger warnings can alert students to genuinely distressing content that could otherwise cripple their learning, he wrote, worrying that students often lack confidence in their capacity to succeed, believing that they dont belong at a major college or university (the so-called impostor syndrome).

Clearly, Bridges believes that his role as college president is to make sure that every student, no matter how rude, nasty, or stupid, feels that they belong: that they are not imposters. So he will absorb every insult and acquiesce to every indignity in order to extend the charade that what is going on in his office is a serious effort to achieve justice, instead of a riot of spoiled children.

Conservatives will be forgiven if they take grim satisfaction in watching aging campus radicals harassed and intimidated by their spiritual children. But the bigger picture is worrisome: the academy as an ideal place of learning and growth is basically gone, except for a few notable redoubts; we lost it decades ago. Perhaps when the Lefts long march through the institutions has thoroughly wrecked the university, we can use the rubble to rebuild.

Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images
Five charities, including Friends of the Earth and Arthritis Research UK, have registered with the Electoral Commission as a non-party campaigners since the snap announcement of a general election.

On 18 April Prime Minister Theresa May announced a general election would take place on 8 June, prompting over 30 organisations to register as non-party campaigners with the Electoral Commission.

Other charities that have signed up with the Commission - which regulates campaigning activity ahead of the election - are Stonewall, Britain Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and the League Against Cruel Sports.

Under the Lobbying Act organisations much register if they plan to spend over 20,000 in England, or over 10,000 in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, on campaigning which might reasonably be viewed as intended to influence the result of the election.

The regulated period for spending begins one year before polling day, even when a snap election is called. Registered campaigners also need to report weekly in the six weeks leading up to the election.

Some 31 organisations have registered since the election was announced. This includes a number of trade unions, campaigning groups, such as the More United movement, and some individuals. A community business, One Norbiton, has also registered.

Permanent threat?

Charities have consistently raised concerns about the Lobbying Acts potential to stifle the sectors voice.

Greenpeace has described the Lobbying Act as a permanent threat and said it is prepared to go to court over the issue. Today the Guardian reports that a chief executive of a social care charity feels muzzled by the legislation and unable to speak out on social care plans.

Recently the Electoral Commission fined Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth for breaches of the Lobbying Act during the 2015 election.

But in a blog for NCVO, Ben Wilkinson, head of external communications for the Electoral Commission, said the effect the law has on charities has been exaggerated by the press and said that the Electoral Commission will take a pragmatic and proportionate approach.
The RNLI is being forced to re-evaluate and possibly unpick some of the decisions it made around opt-in communications, due to updated guidance and advice on GDPR.

Speaking at a GDPR briefing organised by Civil Society Media in London last week, Tim Willett, head of fundraising strategy at the RNLI, said that the organisation made its decision to move to opt-in before any advice or guidance had been made available regarding incoming General Data Protection Regulation. As a result, said Willett, the organisation made some decisions regarding opt-in that it may have to now unpick.

We dont know all the answers about GDPR, we went early on consent, got that out of the way, but theres a lot of work still to do on GDPR. Actually if youre doing it all at once, theres real benefits to that. Were having to unpick stuff weve already done on opt-in because of what were now doing around GDPR.

The RNLI first announced that it would only be contacting people who had opted-in to hearing from the charity in October 2015. At the time, the charity said the move would potentially cost it 35.6m worth of lost income over a five-year period.

'Tied a couple of big rocks around our ankles'

Willett said that, while early returns from its first few campaigns under opt-in have had better than expected results, the charitys decision to move to opt-in so early had effectively tied a couple of big rocks around our ankles. He said in hindsight, the charity perhaps would have done things differently.

The ICO and Fundraising Regulator advice on GDPR came out a bit too late for us. Wed already made all of our decisions by then, which is a problem for us, said Willett. If Im being reflective, looking back with a bit of hindsight, we probably tied a couple of big rocks around our ankles that perhaps we wouldnt have done if wed known what the guidance was going to be at the time.

There are things weve done that we now need to revisit, and say actually well, we guessed at that. We dont even know if thats going to be compliant come next year. So were going to have to start looking at some of that stuff.

Willet said that the RNLI faces the same challenges when it comes to GDPR as the rest of the sector and said that moving to opt-in ahead of time doesnt mean the charity have all the answers or a perfect solution when it comes to GDPR.

Civil Society Media is hosting a second event on GDPR for charities. The event has sold out - but to join the waiting list click here
The UK government, banks and non-governmental organisations all need to work together to tackle problems with bank de-risking that are disrupting the work of NGOs.

A research paper has been produced by policy insitute Chatham House which looks at the issues faced by NGOs as a result of bank de-risking, and what can be done to address issues faced by NGOs as a result.

The paper Humanitarian Action and Non-state Armed Groups: The Impact of Banking Restrictions on UK NGOs, which was produced last month, says that many UK-registered NGOs are faced with unreported financial restrictions and an increasing bureaucratic burden placed on them by banks.

The research paper states that although humanitarian NGOs generally accept the need for regulation and due diligence, the current weight of compliance demands by their banking partners is often seen as disproportionate.

It states that this has resulted in a need to spend donor money on additional staff and due diligence tools, increased administration costs, aid delivery and financial transfer delays, and in some circumstances the closure of programmes to which funding cannot be delivered.

It also says that banks and NGOs must cultivate relationships  with the support of the Charity Commission  that allow for reciprocal education regarding compliance expectations on the part of the former, and the operating risks and mitigation steps being taken by the latter.

Commission should form working group

The research paper also said that the Charity Commission should form a banking working group that facilitates learning and assists banks to develop due diligence procedures that are relevant for the NGO sector.

It also said that banks need to develop specialist knowledge to better equip them to understand the NGO sector, rather than treat them as though they are a subset of their corporate client base.

It outlined some lessons for NGOs too. It said that they need to engage (if they are not already doing so) with their banks to demonstrate the extent to which they have raised their operating standards in recognition of the risk environment in which they operate.

It also called on NGOs to build relationships and educate banks on the nature of their humanitarian programmes.

However, the report says that it is the UK government who must take leadership and ownership of the challenges that the report has identified. It says it needs to provide clear guidance, support and consistent messaging on the use of licenses, and consider the introduction of humanitarian exemptions from counterterrorism laws that provide legal certainty for NGOs and their bankers, thereby removing the ambiguity, complexity and inefficiency of licensing.

It says that the government should also take the lead in engaging with other key regulatory jurisdictions, particularly the US, to ensure that the current exterritorial regulatory threat is addressed.

It says: Without this leadership, the UK governments development objectives are at risk of failure, as loss of financial services further restricts the activity of NGOs at a time when their activities are certainly more critical than ever before.

Civil Society Media is hosting its NGO Insight 2017 conference on 28 November 2017. For more information, and to book, click here.
American Oriental Bioengineering, Inc. engages in the development, manufacture, and commercialization of various pharmaceutical and healthcare products. The company primarily provides prescription pharmaceutical products, including Shuanghuanglian Lyophilized Injection Powder under the SHL brand for the treatment of flu symptoms, such as high fever, cough, and sore throat, as well as upper respiratory infections, mild pneumonia, bronchitis, and tonsillitis; and Cease Enuresis Soft Gel under the CE Gel brand to alleviate bedwetting. It also offers over-the-counter pharmaceutical products comprising Cease Enuresis Patch for the treatment of bedwetting and incontinence; Jinji Capsule for the treatment of endometritis, annexitis, and pelvic inflammations; Jinji Yimucao for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and other PMS and menopause-related symptoms; and Boke Nasal Spray for the treatment of sinus congestion from common cold, stuffy nose, chronic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, and nasosinusitis. In addition, the company provides various nutraceutical products, such as soybean peptide based drinks, tablets, powder, and instant coffee. Further, it is involved in the wholesale and retail of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. The company sells its products directly and through distributors to hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, supermarkets, fitness centers, specialty nutraceutical stores, and other retail outlets in the People's Republic of China. American Oriental Bioengineering, Inc. is headquartered in Beijing, China.
ServiceNow, Inc. provides enterprise cloud computing solutions that defines, structures, consolidates, manages, and automates services for enterprises worldwide. It operates the Now platform for workflow automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, performance analytics, electronic service catalogs and portals, configuration management systems, data benchmarking, encryption, and collaboration and development tools. The company also provides information technology (IT) service management applications; IT service management product suite for enterprise's employees, customers, and partners; IT business management product suite; IT operations management product that connects a customer's physical and cloud-based IT infrastructure; IT Asset Management to automate IT asset lifecycles; and security operations that connects with internal and third party. In addition, it offers governance, risk, and compliance product to manage risk and resilience; human resources, legal, and workplace service delivery products; safe workplace applications; customer service management product; and field service management applications. Further, it provides App Engine product; IntegrationHub enables application to extend workflows; and professional, industry solutions, and customer support services. It serves government, financial services, healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing, IT services, technology, oil and gas, education, and consumer products through direct sales team and resale partners. It has a strategic partnership with Celonis to help customers identify and prioritize processes that are suitable for automation. The company was formerly known as Service-now.com and changed its name to ServiceNow, Inc. in May 2012. The company was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Frost Bank that offers commercial and consumer banking services in Texas. It operates in two segments, Banking and Frost Wealth Advisors. The company offers commercial banking services to corporations and other business clients, including financing for industrial and commercial properties, interim construction related to industrial and commercial properties, equipment, inventories and accounts receivables, and acquisitions; commercial leasing; and treasury management services. It also provides consumer banking services, such as checking accounts, savings programs, automated-teller machines (ATMs), overdraft facilities, installment and real estate loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, drive-in and night deposit services, safe deposit facilities, and brokerage services. In addition, the company offers international banking services comprising deposits, loans, letters of credit, foreign collections, funds, and foreign exchange services. Further, it acts as a correspondent for approximately 171 financial institutions; offers trust, investment, agency, and custodial services for individual and corporate clients; provides capital market services that include sales and trading, new issue underwriting, money market trading, advisory, and securities safekeeping and clearance; and supports international business activities. Additionally, the company offers insurance and securities brokerage services; and holds securities for investment purposes, as well as investment management services to Frost-managed mutual funds, institutions, and individuals. It operates approximately 157 financial centers and 1,650 ATMs. The company serves energy, manufacturing, services, construction, retail, telecommunications, healthcare, military, and transportation industries. Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. was founded in 1868 and is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.
Ireland-focussed petrol forecourt retailer Applegreen updated the market on its current trading at its annual general meeting on Monday, confirming that it had a positive start to the 2017 financial year - both in terms of trading, and in the development of the business.

The AIM-traded company said its business in Ireland was delivering strong growth in non-fuel sales in particular, while its fuel margin experience had been in line with 2016.

Its board said it also continued to enjoy good growth in UK food sales as it expanded its branded food offering.

Overall the trading performance of the business for the first four months of the year has been in line with the board's expectations, its statement read.

Since 31 December, Applegreen added 16 sites to the estate.

In the Republic of Ireland we have added four new petrol filling stations (PFS), one new service area and five dealer sites.

In the UK we have opened three new PFS as well as our latest motorway service area in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, the board said.

Our pipeline of new PFS continues to be strong in both the Republic of Ireland and the UK.

Applegreen also opened two new PFS sites in the New England area of the US, and said it made very good progress in generating further opportunities to grow in that region.

We have added to our management team to cater for the growth planned in that region.

The company completed six rebrands and upgrades so far this year, including two former PFS sites in Great Britain that it upgraded to trunk road service areas.

It claimed the pipeline of service areas continued to develop in both Ireland and the UK, with a significant number of prospects in both core markets at various stages of the planning process.

The board said it was confident of further expanding its businesses in each territory.

Subject to shareholder approval, we intend to pay a maiden dividend of 1.25c per share in June 2017.

We committed to a prudent dividend policy at the time of our IPO and our financial performance since then warrants this move to deliver further shareholder value.

Applegreens board said it wa very satisfied with the progress and performance of the business for the first four months of the year.

This gives us confidence in our ability to meet our growth targets for 2017.

All of the resolutions proposed at the annual general meeting were duly passed, the board confirmed.
Crimson Tide , the provider of the mpro5 smart mobility as-a-service product, updated the market on progress with its international expansion strategy on Tuesday, which it previously indicated would drive further growth opportunities.

The AIM-traded company said strategic partnerships with tactical investments were being made.

In Ireland, the board said a first phase contract had been secured with one of the largest state-sponsored companies in the country.

The initial agreement was for approximately 200 subscribers who would be using mpro5 for remote working.

It said the transaction had been closed with the company's partner, Vodafone, and added that to support the ongoing growth in Ireland, Wesley Dunn had been promoted to a full time role in business support.

In the US, Dagen Wilhelm had been appointed as international healthcare consultant.

Wilhelm, who is based in the Washington DC area, would focus on business development for mpro5 with specific emphasis on the company's healthcare offering.

Crimson Tide said she would be the key contact for its participation in the CARIN Alliance, which focuses on delivering solid pharmacovigilance and digitalised healthcare.

The CARIN Alliance was a bipartisan, multi-sector collaborative, working to advance consumer-directed exchange of health information.

Further to that, Crimson Tide was also in the process of establishing membership of RX360 - an international pharmaceutical supply chain consortium.

In the Netherlands, the board said that following the recruitment of Erik-Jan Smulder, a seasoned sales professional previously with BlackBerry, the company had signed an important pilot project with one of the world's leading facilities management companies, which was looking to combine mpro5's smart mobility with internet of things-enabled functionality.

The pilot had already commenced, and the company remained hopeful that it would lead to a long-term commercial agreement in the near future.

In Denmark, Crimson Tide said it secured its first contract with a Scandinavian company with a global footprint involved in the food processing industry.

The use of mpro5 would enable staff to check workflows as components move through the supply chain, with the board saying the initial deployment was small but it expected it to increase as the benefits of mpro5 were recognised.

In the United Arab Emirates, the companys agreement with the British Centres for Business had started to produce enterprise-level opportunities to the extent that it had appointed senior consultant Brad Manser with immediate effect.

Manser, who is based in Dubai, would act as director of business development for the Middle Eastern region.

The board said he had a wealth of experience in the area with previous roles as operations manager, chief operating officer and managing director for a number of companies within the region.

Finally in Australia, the company said it got off to a good start with its new partner, Mobilise IT, based in Melbourne.

The board said company representatives would be visiting the region shortly to progress emerging opportunities.

Crimson Tide also announced the appointment of Barry Finnegan, an IoT strategist who would help develop its nascent investment in IoT technologies on mpro5.

It said internet of things technology had considerable benefits for intelligent and proactive data collection, particularly regarding smart sensors from motion to temperature and humidity, and Bluetooth devices which it believed represented a significant opportunity for mpro5 and Crimson Tide.

We are delighted with the progress that we have made with our international sales effort in such a short space of time and which underpins our belief that mpro5 has wide reaching appeal on a global basis, said executive chairman Barrie Whipp.

This is just the start of our international journey and I am confident that we will experience many more successes and wide scale adoption in these and other geographies as our reputation continues to grow.
Savannah Resources announced the completion of the Mutamba Scoping Study on Tuesday, which concluded that there was potential for a financially robust, long life mineral sands project, which the board said was anticipated to provide excellent life of mine financial returns with relatively modest capital requirements.

The AIM-traded company said the Mutamba Mineral Sands Project was being developed by Savannah and Rio Tinto as part of a consortium agreement between the two parties.

Savannah held the right to earn up to a 51% interest in the project, subject to key milestones being met, and by delivering the scoping study Savannah now held a 20% interest.

The company said the highlights of the study included an initial mine life of 30 years, based on a resource of 451Mt at 6.0% total heavy minerals.

It was targeting first production in 2020 with average annual production of 456,000t of ilmenite and 118,000t of non-magnetic concentrate.

The study suggested $4.23bn life-of-mine revenue was forecast based on Management Case Two, with base case revenue of $3.53bn forecast.

Pre-production capital expenditure of $152m, plus $74m of contingency, EPCM (engineering, procurement, construction management) and spares was forecast, with opportunities identified that could reportedly reduce capital expenditure.

The results of the scoping study outline the potential for a long life, robust project at a time of increasing demand for titanium feedstocks and strong price growth, said Savannah CEO David Archer.

Mutamba is a tier one deposit that is well placed to provide a long-term, reliable supply of ilmenite, zircon and rutile.

With high-grades at surface, the project shows potential strong returns over a 30-year mine life.

Archer said the companys conceptual mine plan was based on well known, long established mining and processing techniques and was enhanced by the very complementary infrastructure setting, comprising local roads, power, telecommunications, an international airport and the nearby port of Inhambane.

Importantly, the project could provide major benefits to the people of Inhambane Province and to Mozambique as a whole.

Mutamba could be a major industrial development for the region, and with an anticipated final labour complement of 332 people and over 1,000 indirect jobs expected to be created, we are targeting 95% local participation once the operations become established.

Archer explained that the key social benefits of the project would be job creation and job diversity, which was complemented by the consortium's current skills development programme with the local community.

The involvement of local business and contractors in the project would be supported through a procurement and logistics policy.

Furthermore, the project could provide strong capital flows into Mozambique and will be an additional element in the country's growing levels of foreign direct investment.

Archer also pointed out that Savannah's interest in the project could be further increased to 35% upon the delivery of a pre-feasibility study, and the board was now looking to commission a group to undertake that study once a tender process was complete.
With shares in Acacia Mining down by more than a third since Tanzania's accusation that the company is grossly underreporting the value of its gold exports, Investec said the company was more of a "binary investment" as it "may not be dealing with a rational administration".

After an investigation of containers held at Dar Es Salaam port by a presidential committee, the FTSE 250 gold miner, which is 63.9%-owned by Toronto-based Barrick Gold, was accused of reporting only a tenth of the true gold content.

The committee claimed to have found gold content of 7.8 tonnes, or 250,000 ounces, which compared to the 26,000oz declared by the company and the 254,552 oz produced in the calendar year of 2016.

"We had expected the concentrate ban to be resolved, anticipating perhaps some penalty in the form of increased tax prepayments," said Investec on Tuesday, keeping its 'hold' rating and setting a 'binary' target price outcome of 512p or 235p.

"However, given the implausible assertions being propagated by the Tanzanian government, it now appears that Acacia may not be dealing with a rational administration and that there may not in fact be an equitable resolution to come.

"Unless some resolution is reached, Acacia now faces the prospect of a protracted and costly legal battle in international courts."

The fall in the share price might arguably reflects an appropriate risk adjustment, analyst Hunter Hillcoat wrote, were it not for the improbability of the governments assertion.

If Acacia decides to close its Bulyanhulu and Buzwagi mines to focus on its one remaining mine in the country and emerging production from Kenya, his valuation for the shares crashes to 235p as 2018-19 earnings per share forecasts would reduce by more than half, but if the situation is resolved the base case of 512p offers plenty of upside.

"Our sense is that Acacia is now more of a binary investment  it is either worth what it was before this situation, or it is worth the cash that it has in its (non-Tanzanian) banks. We cannot recommend investment in Acacia until the Tanzanian authorities provide some comfort that companies can operate there under predefined agreements."
The European Commission has approved Vivendi 's acquisition of Telecom Italia , subject to the latter's divestment of its stake in broadcasting services group Persidera.

The EC pointed out that France's Vivendi holds a significant minority stake in Mediaset, which is also active in the market for the wholesale access to digital terrestrial networks for the broadcast of TV channels.

The antitrust watchdog found that following the deal, Vivendi would have had an incentive to raise prices charged to TV channels in the market for wholesale access to digital terrestrial television networks, where Persidera and Mediaset each hold a significant share.

"The benefits of such a strategy would be obtained either directly through Persidera or indirectly via the minority shareholding in Mediaset, since other players active in the market do not represent a viable alternative for TV channels. As a result, TV channels would have found it more expensive to reach their audiences in Italy."

The Commission also investigated whether the relationship between Vivendi's activities in Italy in advertising, music, TV and mobile gaming and Telecom Italia's activities in fixed and mobile telecommunications raised competition concerns. It concluded that Vivendi would not have the ability or incentive to shut out other competitors from the relevant markets.

At1552 BST, Vivendi shares were down 0.7% to 19.38 and Telecom Italia was down 2% to 0.83.
Italian political uncertainty is again high on investors' list of worries amid reports that the country's leading parties will press for snap elections, which might see non-establishment options win the day.

On Sunday, the head of Italy's centre-left Democratic Party (PD), Matteo Renzi, told Il Messaggero that elections in the autumn would reduce uncertainty in financial markets.

That came close on the heels of a report during the previous weekend which had indicated that Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia would back PD's plans for early elections.

In exchange, Renzi would throw his weight behind Berlusconi's proposal for Italy to adopt an election system along German lines, based on purely proportional representation.

Key to Renzi's plans, according to some observers, was the fact that the PD had recovered in the polls and he was worried that the negotiations and approval of the 2018 budget might prove unpopular, undermining voter support.

Budget season ran from 20 October to 21 December and the current legislature was then scheduled to end in March 2018.

The decision to allow snap elections, or not, was Italian president Sergio Mattarella's to make.

"Against this backdrop, we expect President Mattarella to keep the bar for snap elections high. We believe that, in the presidents view, reform of the voting system should minimize the risks of a hung parliament or of any government coalition that is too big and heterogeneous to meet upcoming budget season deadline and be effective from the standpoint of implementing reforms," analysts at Barclays Research said.

Nevertheless, Barclays admitted that the probability of snap elections in Italy had risen "substantially" and that under the voting system which had reportedly been agreed there was a "non-negligible" risk that anti-establishment parties might win.

As of 1153 BST the yield on the benchmark 10-year Italian government bond was higher by two basis points to 2.20%, following an eight point jump the day before.

Similarly-dated French and Spanish debt on the other hand were not negatively impacted by the news.
London equities meandered to a somewhat lethargic finish on Tuesday, after the bank holiday weekend, with resources stocks slipping with commodities prices and banks also hurting.

"It wasn't the most glorious of returns from a long weekend in markets," said Jasper Lawler, senior market analyst at London Capital Group.

The FTSE 100 finished the day down 0.28% to 7,526.51, and the FTSE 250 slipped 0.17% down to end the day at 19,991.85. Shares indices in both Europe and the US were lower, too. Sterling was mildly rising on the greenback.

"Investors bought up the latest Trump dip but haven't quite shown the desire to take it any further," said Lawler.

"Continuing weakness in oil markets after last week's Opec meeting doesn't help -- but may also be symptomatic of the shunning of riskier assets."

To these comments, Connor Campbell, financial analyst at Spreadex, said "Tuesday Snoozeday" continued after the bell rang on Wall Street.

There was, he said, "little on offer to cheer up the sluggish markets."

Prices for gold, silver and copper were down, as were those for West Texas Intermediate and Brent Crude on concerns about the sufficiency of Opec's production cut extension last week.

On the FTSE this played out with oil heavyweights BP and Shell falling. Among miners it was BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Glencore slipping.

Anglo American has completed the sale of its 83.33% interest in the Dartbrook coal mine located in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia, to Australian Pacific Coal.

British Airways-owner International Consolidated Airlines flew lower after the weekend of disruption to BA flights from a computer glitch.

Banks such as Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Chartered were on the defensive as well.

Royal Bank of Scotland was also in the red after a group of investors agreed on Monday to settle with the bank over claims they were misled about its health before it launched a 12bn rights issue back in 2008.

Looking more closely at the FTSE 100, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has formally opened an investigation into Tesco's proposed acquisition of wholesaler Booker. The first phase would run to 25 July. Tesco's shares were down on the news.

London Stock Exchange Group nudged up as it struck a deal to buy US bank Citigroup's fixed income indices and analytics businesses for $685m (535m) cash.

Shopping centre operator Intu Properties said itself and TH Real Estate - on behalf of its pan-European investment vehicle, the European Cities Fund - had agreed to form a joint venture to own Madrid Xanadu shopping centre in Spain.

Market Movers

FTSE 100 (UKX) 7,526.51 -0.28%

FTSE 250 (MCX) 19,991.85 -0.17%

techMARK (TASX) 3,621.30 -0.26%

FTSE 100 - Risers

3i Group (III) 888.50p 2.30%

TUI AG Reg Shs (DI) (TUI) 1,192.00p 1.97%

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 1,673.00p 1.79%

London Stock Exchange Group (LSE) 3,442.00p 1.50%

Admiral Group (ADM) 2,031.00p 1.25%

RSA Insurance Group (RSA) 627.50p 1.21%

Associated British Foods (ABF) 2,984.00p 1.15%

Compass Group (CPG) 1,661.00p 1.10%

Wolseley (WOS) 5,040.00p 1.04%

easyJet (EZJ) 1,400.00p 1.01%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Mediclinic International (MDC) 789.50p -3.25%

Shire Plc (SHP) 4,503.00p -3.19%

Informa (INF) 669.50p -2.76%

Old Mutual (OML) 191.30p -2.70%

Paddy Power Betfair (PPB) 8,095.00p -2.65%

Imperial Brands (IMB) 3,607.50p -1.98%

Antofagasta (ANTO) 809.50p -1.82%

British American Tobacco (BATS) 5,501.00p -1.61%

Experian (EXPN) 1,615.00p -1.58%

BT Group (BT.A) 308.85p -1.58%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Ferrexpo (FXPO) 182.60p 5.73%

Sophos Group (SOPH) 454.00p 3.94%

Restaurant Group (RTN) 361.40p 3.08%

Ibstock (IBST) 242.90p 3.01%

Assura (AGR) 63.00p 2.94%

ZPG Plc (ZPG) 369.80p 2.89%

Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 2,343.00p 2.54%

Countryside Properties (CSP) 334.00p 2.42%

Computacenter (CCC) 863.00p 2.37%

Rathbone Brothers (RAT) 2,589.00p 2.21%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

TalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) 172.10p -5.49%

Tullow Oil (TLW) 192.70p -4.37%

Nostrum Oil & Gas (NOG) 493.60p -3.22%

IP Group (IPO) 140.00p -3.18%

CLS Holdings (CLI) 196.80p -2.91%

Euromoney Institutional Investor (ERM) 1,181.00p -2.82%

Just Group (JUST) 134.90p -2.60%

Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 129.30p -2.56%

Polymetal International (POLY) 999.00p -2.54%

Cairn Energy (CNE) 205.30p -2.52%
Concerns about the political situation in Italy and Greece dampened sentiment at the start of the week.

By the closing bell, the benchmark Stoxx 600 had slipped 0.19% to 390.50, with Germany's Dax trading 0.24% lower at 12,598.68.

The worst performing sectors on the Stoxx 600 were Banks (1.01%), Telecommunications (-0.84%) and Chemicals (-0.68%).

Somewhat ironically, the FTSE Mibtel outperformed as Milan's benchmark gauge bounced back a smidgen following bruising losses the day before, rising by 0.15% to 20,814.48.

On Sunday, Italian centre-left leader Matteo Renzi told Il Messaggero that calling snap elections would help reduce uncertainty in financial markets.

That followed a report a week before that Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia would back Renzi's call for early elections, in exchange for reforming the voting system towards purely proportional representation.

However, under the planned reform analysts at Barclays saw a non-negligible risk that anti-establishment parties might carry the day.

"We expect volatility in Italian and periphery assets to increase in coming weeks and to remain driven by electoral polls," Barclays Research told clients in a research note.

Also weighing on sentiment was a warning on Monday from Greece's finance minister that delays in agreeing on debt relief for his country might plunge it deeper into recession.

For Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst IG, the punchy negotiations tactics used by Greece were the reason behind the wobble in European stocks. Yet in his opinion soothing words from Mario Draghi the day before were acting as an offset.

Adding to the selling pressure, Deutsche Bank downgraded its view on European lenders' shares to 'underweight' from 'benchmark'.

The German broker believed euro area purchasing managers surveys had overshot and that as they inevitably fell back they would drag banks down with them.

"Banks are among the sectors most sensitive to swings in Euro area PMI momentum and tend to underperform when it turns negative."

Yet the flow of economic data was arguably on the positive side of things come Thursday.

French household spending was 0.5% higher month-on-month in April, a far weaker outcome than the 1.0% rise projected by economists although the 'miss' was somewhat offset by upwards revisions to data for the previous months.

On a cheerier note, France's gross domestic product expanded at a 0.4% quarter-on-quarter clip during the first three months of the year as investment bounced back, revised data from the national statistics office showed.

However, the European Commission's economic sentiment index for the single currency bloc retreated from a reading of 109.7 for April to 109.2 in May.

Consumer prices in Spain dipped by 0.1% month-on-month in May on a harmonised basis, according to INE, with the annual rate retreating by six tenths of a percentage point to 2.0%.

Economists had been expecting a reading 0.0% on the month and 2.1% year-on-year.

German consumer prices were also weaker than expected, slipping from a year-on-year pace of 2.0% for April to 1.4% in May (consensus: 1.6%), that country's Ministry of Finance said.
Outrage was brewing at a fresh announcement from the Home Office on Tuesday afternoon, after it was revealed migrants would be charged for emailing UK Visas and Immigration.

The announcement confirmed the outsourcing of all immigration customer enquiries to Sitel, due to take place on 1 June, would result in changes to all phone numbers and contact centre opening hours.

It was also revealed the number of languages being offered would be reduced to eight, including English.

But the point causing the most consternation was the revelation that customers who contacted UK Visas and Immigration by email would be charged 5.48 for the privilege of doing so.

These changes help the government reduce costs and ensure those who benefit directly from the UK immigration system make an appropriate contribution, the release read.

The changes meant there would no longer be a way for customers outside the UK to contact the immigration service without charge.

One migrant worker, who wished to remain anonymous, told Digital Look he did not understand why the policy was being implemented.

How do you charge for emails? Emails are supposed to be free!

The changes come after statistics released last week showed net migration slowed significantly in 2016, by 84,000 migrants to 248,000.

Despite that, the Conservative Party still promised to almost triple the cost of many visas in its manifesto, by increasing the health surcharge on working immigrants to 600 per year from 200.
Defensive shares paced losses at the start of the week, with BT Group and Mediclinic weighing down their respective sectors.

Stock in BT dropped after the company confirmed it was mulling closing its defined-benefit pension scheme to current workers in favour of a cheaper plan.

BTs annual report, which was issued on 25 May, said the company was exploring alternatives to more cash injections to the pension fund, including giving a prior claim to the pension fund on certain BT assets.

Among health care equipment stocks it was Mediclinic which acted as the biggest drag on the back of weakness in South Africa's currency.

The rand was lower again on Tuesday following a failed bid to remove president Jacob Zuma as the head of the ruling African National Congress.

Top performing sectors so far today

Industrial Metals & Mining 2,269.32 +1.75%

Oil Equipment, Services & Distribution 13,063.85 +0.96%

Insurance (non-life) 3,023.58 +0.93%

Food Producers & Processors 8,618.62 +0.82%

Electronic & Electrical Equipment 6,004.74 +0.81%

Bottom performing sectors so far today

Tobacco 60,289.78 -1.70%

Fixed Line Telecommunications 3,562.68 -1.66%

Industrial Engineering 11,700.03 -0.69%

Health Care Equipment & Services 8,345.08 -0.68%

Real Estate Investment & Services 2,732.48 -0.68%
By Dave Anderson

Travis Fisher, a Trump political appointee in the Department of Energy, wrote a 2015 report for the Institute for Energy Research that called clean energy policies the single greatest emerging threat to the nations electric power grid, and a greater threat to electric reliability than cyber attacks, terrorism or extreme weather.

Fisher is now leading up a controversial grid study ordered by Sec. of Energy Rick Perry under the pretense of ensuring the long-term reliability of the nations electricity supply. If Fishers past writings on the topic are any indication, the forthcoming DOE study is sure to be a thinly veiled attack on renewable energy aimed at propping up outdated coal and nuclear power plants that cant compete in todays electricity market.

Rick Perrys grid study sounds strikingly similar to the one Travis Fisher wrote for fossil fuel interests in 2015.

https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/866047157178126336 to argue that government should get out of energy. But I like the challenge.

Who paid for Travis Fisher to serve on Trumps Department of Energy landing team?

A list of landing team members on GreatAgain.gov, the Trump transition teams website, disclosed Fishers current or most recent employer as IER, but did not list AEAeven though Fisher is listed as an IER economist and AEA economist on the groups respective websites. The transition team website also listed funding source: private for Fisher, while some other landing team members were identified as volunteers. The site did not disclose the private source of Fishers funding.

A separate financial disclosure filed by Fisher and published by The Intercept also disclosed his employment by IER, but not AEA. He also disclosed Employment Assets and Retirement Plans, which included his IER salary and related 401K, as well as his participation in the Charles Koch Industries 401K. In a section below titled, Filer Employer Agreements and Arrangement, Fisher disclosed to continue to participate in both 401K plans, but specified that both IER and the Charles Koch Institute would no longer make contributions. A Google search revealed no previous record of Fishers employment with the Charles Koch Institute.

Just the latest sign of IER, AEA influence over Trump

Its no coincidence that, now that Donald Trump is in the White House, some of the same clean energy policies that Fisher targeted for attack in his 2015 grid study for IER are now being rolled back. As a candidate, Donald Trump was one of only two Republicans who responded to an AEA questionnaire. In his response to a question about the Clean Power Plan, Trump pledged that all EPA rules will be reviewed. Trump also pledged to rescind the Clean Power Plan while in the campaign trail.

During the Trump transition, an IER-AEA memo from the desk of Tom Pyle, which was obtained by the Center for Media & Democracy, predicted that the Clean Power Plan would be withdrawn by the Trump administrationeven if courts upheld the rule. Pyle, IER and AEA soon got their wish. Trump signed an executive order that began the process of reviewing the Clean Power Plan during his first 100 days in the White House. His administration also hit the pause button on the EPAs legal efforts to defend the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, another target of Fishers 2015 IER report, in court.

Whats next?

With Fisher at the helm, the DOE grid study ordered by Rick Perry could serve as a convenient excuse when the Trump administrations review of the Clean Power Plan culminates in a real plan to suspend, revise or rescind the rule. It could also be used to justify attempts by the Trump administration to preempt state and local clean energy laws, though any such effort would face an uphill battle. Finally, the new DOE grid study could be used to reignite efforts to rollback renewable energy standards and net metering incentives at the state level. In any case, clean energy supporters will have no shortage of evidence at the ready to debunk any erroneous claims made by Fisher, and make the case that renewable energy is affordable, reliable and benefits our economy and the environment.
The Swedish government announced new

climate change legislation Thursday that requires the country to phase out greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, one of the most ambitious plans by any developed country.

Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Isabella Lovin posted a

photograph on Twitter of her signing the bill surrounded by an all-female staff. Many people are comparing this photo to the viral photo of Donald Trump when he signed an executive order restricting access to abortion while surround by men.

https://twitter.com/climatemegan/status/827484481154084865

You can interpret it as you want, Lovins spokesperson told BuzzFeed News. Its more that Sweden is a feminist government and this is a very important law that we just decided on  And to make the Paris agreement happen we need climate leadership.

The legislation will bind all future governments to net zero emissions by 2045, Lovin said, and require Swedish governments to provide updates on climate change efforts and whether the country is on track to meet its target.

The new Swedish law was developed after agreement from seven out of the eight political parties in parliament. It takes effect on Jan. 1, 2018.

According to the

AP, Lovin said, Sweden wanted to set an example at a time when climate skeptics (are) really gaining power in the world again. She criticized climate skeptics within the new Trump Administration and said, the position we hear from the new administration is worrying, and warned that all countries need to step up and fulfill the Paris agreement.

Lovins concern is clearly warranted as news this week continued to show Trumps war on the environment.

Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

suspended their panels rules Thursday to force through Scott Pruitts nomination to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/827232296063348737

On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate

confirmed former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State, revealing just how much fossil fuel industry money has corrupted Congress, as climate group 350.org put it.

https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/826947054815547392

And, on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) drafted a bill to

abolish the EPA and is seeking support from his colleagues for the measure.
By Steve Horn

During his recent trip to Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump announced an array of economic agreements between the U.S. and the Middle Eastern kingdom, saying it would usher in jobs, jobs, jobs for both oil-producing powerhouses.

While the $350 billion, 10-year arms deal garnered most headlines, a lesser-noticed agreement was also signed between ExxonMobil and the state-owned Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) to study a proposed co-owned natural gas refinery in the Gulf of Mexico. Under the deal, signed at the Saudi-U.S. CEO Forum, the two companies would conduct a detailed study of the proposed Gulf Coast Growth Ventures project in Texas and begin planning for front-end engineering and design work for the 1,300-acre, $10 billion plant set to be located near Corpus Christi, Texas, according to an ExxonMobil press release.

In addition, ExxonMobils press release for the agreement mentions that Darren Woods, the companys CEO, was in the room for the signing of the pact alongside ExxonMobil Saudi Arabia CEO Philippe Ducom and SABIC executives. Missing from that release: After the forum ended, Woods went to the Al-Yamamah Palace for an agreement-signing ceremony attended by both President Trump and recently retired ExxonMobil CEO and current U.S. Sec. of State Rex Tillerson.

DeSmog discovered they were all present at the palace via the Saudi Press Agencys English-language press Twitter account, which released a series of photos of Woods and Tillerson shaking hands with SABIC CEO Yousef Al-Benyan and Saudi Defense Minister Prince Mohammad bin Salman, respectively. President Trump is seen seated in the background of the photos of both Woods and Tillerson, which were taken in the same room.

Signing ceremony of a number of agreements and investment opportunities in presence of King Salman and President Trump#RiyadhSummit #SPAGOV pic.twitter.com/TyWTAF6D0k  SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) May 20, 2017

As in the ExxonMobil press release, White House and State Department press releases failed to mention that Tillerson and Woods were both present when the deals were signed between the two countries at the Royal Court. Getty Images also published the photo of Woods at the Al-Yamamah Palace, with Trump seated in the background.

Tillerson-ExxonMobil Recusal

Tillerson served as CEO of ExxonMobil for 10 years, heading the private empire until President Trump nominated him as U.S. Secretary of State in December 2016. At his January Senate confirmation hearing, Tillerson said he would recuse himself for one year from ExxonMobil-related business which comes before the State Department, and submitted a letter to the same effect on Jan. 3 to the State Departments Office of Legal Counsel.

For a period of one year after my resignation from ExxonMobil, I will not participate personally and substantially in any particular matter involving specific parties in which I know that ExxonMobil is a party or represents a party, unless I am first authorized to participate, pursuant to 5 C.F.R.  2635.502(d), wrote Tillerson in the letter.

The statute of U.S. law laid out by Tillerson in his letter, 5 C.F.R.  2635.502(d), dictates what steps federal employees should take if they have potential business conflicts or impartiality issues pertaining to U.S. government business.

Where an employee knows that a particular matter involving specific parties is likely to have a direct and predictable effect on the financial interest of a member of his household, or knows that a person with whom he has a covered relationship is or represents a party to such matter, and where the employee determines that the circumstances would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question his impartiality in the matter, the employee should not participate in the matter unless he has informed the agency designee of the appearance problem and received authorization from the agency designee, the law reads.

At his Senate confirmation hearing, Tillerson echoed the remarks made in his recusal letter with regards to State Department business potentially overlapping with that of ExxonMobil.

If confirmed as secretary of state, I would recuse myself from those issues, Tillerson said at his confirmation hearing. Ive made clear in my disclosures, and I think in answers to questions that have been posed, that obviously theres a statutory recusal period, which I will adhere to, on any matters that might come before the State Department that deal directly and specifically with ExxonMobil.

Saudi-U.S. CEO Forum

Woods, the Exxon CEO who took Tillersons spot at the top of the company, was in Saudi Arabia at the same time as the Trump administration, apparently both to sign the agreement with SABIC and lead a roundtable at the inaugural Saudi-U.S. CEO Forum on business Partnership Enablers.

The forum, attended by U.S. Sec. of Commerce Wilbur Ross, drew the kind of corporate firepower Trump suggested he could harness when he ran for the Oval Office as a Washington outsider/business executive who would reach outside the Beltway and enlist other executives in support of the administrations economic goals, wrote Bloomberg.

More than 30 CEOs of major U.S. companies were on hand for the summit, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh. Some later joined Trump and Saudi officials at the Royal Court Palace for a deal-signing ceremony.

Bizarre Art of the Deal

Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, known in industry lingo as a cracker facility, is set to refine natural gas obtained via hydraulic fracturing (fracking) from Texas Eagle Ford Shale and other shale basins into plastics materials. It received billions of dollars in tax subsidies from local government bodies in Texas. When built and fully functioning, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures will be the largest cracker facility on the planet.

Tillerson, as previously reported by DeSmog, maintained close ties between ExxonMobil and Saudi Arabia during his tenure as CEO. The State Department did not respond to a request for comment pertaining to Tillersons trip to Saudi Arabia and interaction with current Exxon CEO, Darren Woods, but maintained to DeSmog that Tillerson has upheld his ExxonMobil recusal and divestment agreement (in which Tillerson sold away his stock holdings in the company) as Secretary of State.

Tyson Slocum, energy program director at Public Citizena Washington, DC-based watchdog organizationhas a different take on the matter.

The presidents Saudi trip was a bizarre Art of the Deal-esque foreign policy disaster: a sleazy mix of conflicted government-arranged corporate endorsement deals, Slocum told DeSmog.

Most troubling of all was Tillersons presence and role in accommodating Exxons deal with the House of Saud, thereby violating the former CEOs recusal agreement. Trump and Tillersons Riyadh embarrassment is just another sad indication of the administrations prioritization of crony corporate access masquerading as a jumbled assembly of foreign policy and economic development.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Reposted with permission from our media associate DeSmogBlog.
After months of anticipation, President Donald Trump has made up his mind about the United States participation in the Paris climate agreement.

According to an Axios report, Trump told confidants, including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt, that the U.S. will leave the landmark accord, fulfilling a long-held campaign pledge.

Axios cites three sources with direct knowledge of the presidents decision.

Trump, who has called global warming a hoax, tweeted on Saturday:

I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week!

The tweet was posted soon after he left the G7 summit where he met with the leaders of Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Japan, who each reaffirmed their commitment to the climate deal.

https://twitter.com/EcoInternet3/statuses/861576188862414848

The entire discussion about climate was very difficult, if not to say very dissatisfying, German chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters. There are no indications whether the United States will stay in the Paris agreement or not.

And according to an unnamed French official cited by CNN, Trump told French president Emmanuel Macron in Brussels that a lot of people in my country are against this agreement.

If Trump pulls out of the accord, the U.S. would become largest greenhouse gas emitter not included in the 2015 pact agreed upon by nearly 200 countries to curb climate-changing carbon emissions. Only two countries, Syria and Nicaragua, do not back the accord. The U.S. could become the third.

However, whether or not the U.S. withdraws is unclear. Defense Sec. James Mattis told CBSs Face the Nation on Saturday that the president is wide open on the deal.

I was sitting in on some of the discussions in Brussels, by the way, where climate change came up, and the president was open, he was curious about why others were in the position they were in  and Im quite certain the president is wide open on this issue as he takes in the pros and cons of that accord, Mattis said.

While Mattis noted that such negotiations were not inside my portfolio, he pointed out obviously we deal with the aspects of a warming climate in the Department of Defense, and to us, thats just another one of the many factors we deal with which we call the physical environment.

Not only that, POTUS tweeted a missive Sunday that might have been directed to the Axios story:

It is my opinion that many of the leaks coming out of the White House are fabricated lies made up by the #FakeNews media. Whenever you see the words sources say in the fake news media, and they dont mention names it is very possible that those sources dont exsist [sic] but are made up by fake news writers. #FakeNews is the enemy!

Notably, Axios warns that Trump is notorious for changing his mind:

Although Trump made it clear during the campaign and in multiple conversations before his overseas trip that he favored withdrawal, he has been known to abruptly change his mindand often floats notions to gauge the reaction of friends and aides. On the trip, he spent many hours with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, powerful advisers who back the deal.

The president is expected to meet with chief executives of energy companies and big corporations and others about the climate agreement before announcing his decision on Paris this week, Reuters reported.
From severe coral bleaching to rising sea levels, climate change is drastically impacting the health of our oceans. However, these facts seem to evade the President of the United States.

The Trump administrations notorious skepticism of global warming is affecting plans for the upcoming United Nations ocean conference, according to Swedens deputy prime minister, Isabella Lovin.

I think I can safely say that the United States has not been very keen on strong language on climate change, Lovin told Reuters.

We are not prepared to leave that (strong language) out. Thats really fundamental, she added about the draft documents. The impacts of climate change are almost immeasurable.

Leaders from 200 countries will meet at the conference in New York next week to devise ways to reverse the decline in oceanic health. The United Nations has identified global warming, overfishing and pollution as major threats to our oceans. Lovin as well as Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama will co-host the weeklong event.

The decline of the oceans is really a threat to the entire planet  We need to start working together, Lovin said.

Additionally, Lovin described how engaging with Washington about the ocean conference has been difficult, partly because key positions at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have not yet been filled.

America has taken a drastic fall as an international climate leader ever since last years election. Trump, who believes that global warming is a hoax and has been dismantling regulations that protect the environment since taking office in January, will announce next week if the U.S. will withdraw from the landmark Paris climate agreement.

Will U.S. Join Syria and Nicaragua as Only Countries Not Participating in Paris Agreement? https://t.co/n42tpHVLaB @SierraClub @climatehawk1  EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) May 30, 2017

Lovin, who is also Swedens climate minister, has taken a dig at Trump and his climate denial before. In February, she posted a photograph on Twitter of her signing a bill that requires Sweden to phase out greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, one of the most ambitious plans by any developed country.

The photo featured an all-female staffa stark contrast to a photo of Trump signing an executive order restricting access to abortion while surround by men.

You can interpret it as you want, Lovins spokesperson told BuzzFeed News. Its more that Sweden is a feminist government and this is a very important law that we just decided on  And to make the Paris agreement happen we need climate leadership.
Despite President Donald Trumps pledge to bring back U.S. coal jobs, hundreds of laid off miners in Wyomingthe nations largest coal-producing stateare still seeking work.

But these ex-miners might find hope with a most unlikely employer: a wind power company.

The American arm of Goldwind, a Chinese wind turbine maker, has announced a free program to retrain miners to become wind farm technicians, The New York Times reported.

The Goldwind Works program kicks off next month in Wyoming with informational meetings.

Coal workers are ideal because they have relevant electrical and mechanical skills as well as experience working under difficult conditions, explained David Halligan, Goldwind Americas chief executive.

If youre a wind technician, you obviously cant be afraid of heights. You have to be able to work at heights, and you have to be able to work at heights in a safe manner, he told the Times.

Goldwind will supply up to 850 turbines for a project in Carbon County. About 200 workers will be needed to maintain and operate the plant once construction is complete.

Wyoming, which has waged a quasi-war on wind, happens to be the only state that that taxes wind energy production. However, the state also has some of the nations best on-shore wind resources, with wind power constituting 8 percent of the states energy.

If we can tap into that market and also help out folks that might be experiencing some challenges in the work force today, I think that it can be a win-win situation, Halligan said.
As the U.S. Senate takes up the proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA), a large study provides evidence that eliminating the individual mandate could jeopardize health care coverage for young adults. Analysis of insurance data found that without an individual mandate, young adults were more likely to lose health insurance -- even with the Obamacare provision allowing people under age 26 to be covered under their parents' health plan.

The study, led by Lauren Wisk, PhD, of the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, appears in the upcoming issue of the journal Health Services Research.

Wisk and colleagues analyzed data from 131,542 adolescents and young adults in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire whose family was covered by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care between January 2000 and December 2012. Massachusetts introduced an individual mandate in 2007, while Maine and New Hampshire did not. This allowed a natural comparison before the individual mandate went into effect nationally (in 2014).

Wisk and colleagues found that having an individual mandate boosted the effect of the Dependent Coverage Expansion, which took effect in these three states (and others) in 2007 and nationally in 2010. "With an individual mandate, many more young adults used the dependent coverage provision, and people who were previously dropped from their parents' plan were more likely to get back on," says Wisk.

With both the individual mandate and the dependent coverage expansion in effect, young adults in Massachusetts:

were 23 percent more likely to keep their dependent coverage than their counterparts in Maine or New Hampshire

kept their dependent coverage for longer periods of time

were 33 percent more likely to regain dependent coverage after going off their parents' plan.

Threats to dependent coverage

The current AHCA (H.R. 1628) retains the dependent coverage provision, and it would seem to protect young adults. However, various other provisions in the AHCA could undercut that popular provision, says Wisk.

Without an individual mandate, more young adults and their families may choose to go without dependent coverage even when it's needed, Wisk says. She notes that the AHCA would limit the tax credits available to families and provide significantly less income-based assistance, which may make it too expensive for some families to keep a young adult child covered as a dependent. (See: http://files.kff.org/attachment/Proposals-to-Replace-the-Affordable-Care-Act-Summary-of-the-American-Health-Care-Act)

Moreover, while the current version of the AHCA retains coverage of pre-existing conditions, young adults who lose or drop their insurance could be charged 30 percent higher premiums for one year after resuming coverage, Wisk notes. Such lapses in insurance are common for young adults, who may leave dependent coverage as they enter college or get entry-level jobs, but then find their parents' policies offer better coverage.

"At Boston Children's we see many adolescents and young adults with chronic conditions who could lose access to their doctors under the ACHA when they change plans, or find that the AHCA changes make it too expensive to keep seeing their doctors," says Wisk. "Our study suggests that the individual mandate encourages young adults to have better, continuous access to the care they need. The AHCA could change that."

"Boston Children's Hospital was an early and strong supporter of the Massachusetts coverage expansion in 2006, and, more recently, the Affordable Care Act," says Josh Greenberg, the hospital's VP of Government Relations. "The individual mandate, with its accompanying subsidies to support low-income individuals, was always understood to be a critical component of our efforts to reach near-universal coverage. Young adults are especially vulnerable both socially and economically, and we should be careful about making changes that reduce coverage and could result in lifelong health complications."

Panel at Boston Children's to discuss how AHCA would affect children and youth

On Wednesday, May 31, Boston Children's offices of Government Relations and Community Health will host a panel, Grand Rounds: Spotlight on Health Care Policy--The Impact on Children and Families (10-11 a.m., Folkman Auditorium, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston). Boston Children's President and CEO, Sandra L. Fenwick, will moderate a panel of experts. The event is free and open to the public (registration and information here).

Alison Galbraith, MD, MPH, of Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute was senior author on the Health Services Research paper. Coauthors were Jonathan Finkelstein, MD, MPH, Sara Toomey, MD, MPH, Gregory Sawicki, MD, MPH, and Mark Schuster, MD, PhD, all of Boston Children's.

###

The study was funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ; 5T32HS00063-21); a joint grant from AHRQ and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (U18 HS020513); the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (K24HD060786) and the Thomas O. Pyle Fellowship in the Department of Population Medicine.

Boston Children's Hospital is home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869. More than 1,100 scientists, including seven members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and 10 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Boston Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children, Boston Children's today is a 404-bed comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care. Boston Children's is also the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more, visit our Vector and Thriving blogs and follow us on our social media channels: @BostonChildrens, @BCH_Innovation, Facebook and YouTube.
LOS ANGELES (May 30, 2017) -- Efforts to reduce hospital readmissions are working, but they're not always saving money, according to a new Cedars-Sinai study.

Many medical centers are tackling the readmission problem by trying to pinpoint the root causes of unnecessary repeat hospitalizations. A Cedars-Sinai-led team of investigators systematically evaluated the effectiveness and financial benefit of quality improvement programs at medical centers in the U.S. and elsewhere.

The team, led by Teryl Nuckols, MD, MSHS, conducted a systematic review of data from 50 quality improvement studies involving more than 16,700 patients. Among the findings: Quality improvement interventions reduced readmissions by an average of 12.1 percent for heart failure patients and 6.3 percent for older adults with diverse health issues.

But savings to health systems varied. The investigators gauged how much money these interventions saved or cost health systems by measuring expenses for hospitals, physicians, other providers and payers. They found average net savings for health systems of $972 per person among heart failure patients and average net losses of $169 per person among other patients. However, costs varied so widely across studies that the authors could not conclude definitively whether these interventions saved or lost money.

Among older adults, interventions that engaged patients and caregivers yielded the most net savings per patient. For example, several interventions involved nurses or pharmacists training patients and family members about how to manage medications after discharge, which types of activities are appropriate and which symptoms might represent something serious.

The study was published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine.

Nuckols, director of the Division of General Internal Medicine in the Cedars-Sinai Department of Medicine, said she was surprised that the interventions didn't save more money across the board. Nuckols said the results counter a widely held belief that reducing readmissions should save money by preventing additional costs for return hospital stays.

"Hospitalization is very expensive, so avoiding even a few readmissions should have saved a lot of money," she said. "Our findings suggest that there is no guarantee of net cost savings once the implementation costs associated with efforts to prevent readmissions are considered."

Adding urgency to the study, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services now penalize institutions for excessive readmissions. As a result, almost 2,600 hospitals are expected to lose a total of more than $500 million in payments this year, according to analysis of government data by Advisory Board, a healthcare consulting and research firm.

###

Study co-authors included Joshua Pevnick, MD, assistant professor of Medicine, and Laura Anderson, MS, both from Cedars-Sinai; researchers from the RAND Corp. in Santa Monica; the College of Science at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia; the UCLA Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health in Los Angeles; and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. The team's work was supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

About Cedars-Sinai

Cedars-Sinai is a leader in providing high-quality healthcare encompassing primary care, specialized medicine and research. Since 1902, Cedars-Sinai has evolved to meet the needs of one of the most diverse regions in the nation, setting standards in quality and innovative patient care, research, teaching and community service. Today, Cedars-Sinai is known for its national leadership in transforming healthcare for the benefit of patients. Cedars-Sinai impacts the future of healthcare by developing new approaches to treatment and educating tomorrow's health professionals. Additionally, Cedars-Sinai demonstrates a commitment to the community through programs that improve the health of its most vulnerable residents.

doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.1136
PITTSBURGH - A new interactive design tool developed by Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute enables both novices and experts to build customized legged or wheeled robots using 3D-printed components and off-the-shelf actuators.

Using a familiar drag-and-drop interface, individuals can choose from a library of components and place them into the design. The tool suggests components that are compatible with each other, offers potential placements of actuators and can automatically generate structural components to connect those actuators.

Once the design is complete, the tool provides a physical simulation environment to test the robot before fabricating it, enabling users to iteratively adjust the design to achieve a desired look or motion.

"The process of creating new robotic systems today is notoriously challenging, time-consuming and resource-intensive," said Stelian Coros, assistant professor of robotics. "In the not-so-distant future, however, robots will be part of the fabric of daily life and more people -- not just roboticists -- will want to customize robots. This type of interactive design tool would make this possible for just about anybody."

Today, robotics Ph.D. student Ruta Desai will present a report on the design tool she developed with Coros and master's student Ye Yuan at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2017) in Singapore.

Coros' team designed a number of robots with the tool and verified its feasibility by fabricating two -- a wheeled robot with a manipulator arm that can hold a pen for drawing, and a four-legged "puppy" robot that can walk forward or sideways.

"The system makes it easy to experiment with different body proportions and motor configurations, and see how these decisions affect the robot's ability to do certain tasks," said Desai. "For instance, we discovered in simulation that some of our preliminary designs for the puppy enabled it to only walk forward, not sideways. We corrected that for the final design. The motions of the robot we actually built matched the desired motion we demonstrated in simulation very well."

The research team developed models of how actuators, off-the-shelf brackets and 3D-printable structural components can be combined to form complex robotic systems. The iterative design process enables users to experiment by changing the number and location of actuators and to adjust the physical dimensions of the robot. The tool includes an auto-completion feature that allows it to automatically generate assemblies of components by searching through possible arrangements.

"Our work aims to make robotics more accessible to casual users," Coros said. "This is important because people who play an active role in creating robotic devices for their own use are more likely to have positive feelings and higher quality interactions with them. This could accelerate the adoption of robots in everyday life."

###

The National Science Foundation supported this research.

About Carnegie Mellon University: Carnegie Mellon is a private, internationally ranked research university with programs in areas ranging from science, technology and business, to public policy, the humanities and the arts. More than 13,000 students in the university's seven schools and colleges benefit from a small student-to-faculty ratio and an education characterized by its focus on creating and implementing solutions for real problems, interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
People taking leisurely strolls tend to choose safer walking routes than those heading to work or on an errand, a new study found.

Led by D. Alex Quistberg, Ph.D., an assistant research professor in the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, the study used GPS, accelerometers and travel logs from a 2008-2009 survey in King County, Washington -- which includes Seattle -- to measure the path and purpose of 537 pedestrians. That data was then compared to maps on the probability of pedestrian collision risk, and the study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Quistberg and his team found that pedestrians on recreational walks were 8 percent less likely to be in areas where car collision risks were higher than those on utilitarian walks (walking somewhere with a purpose).

"There's likely a mix of things happening here," Quistberg said. "On recreational walks, people likely want a more relaxing path than someone on a utilitarian walk."

The study also found that people who took longer walks, both in distance and time, were less likely to stray into dangerous areas (where car-collision risk is high). That, too, was likely tied to recreational walks vs. walks with a purpose. The study also took demographic data into account. This yielded the finding that people who lived in single-family homes, owned homes and/or owned a car all were less likely to walk in more dangerous areas.

People who participated in the survey who had children were slightly less likely -- around 2 percent -- to walk in areas with high collision risk.

"This could be due to people with children living in single-family homes, which are usually in neighborhoods that have a low risk of pedestrians collisions because of low traffic and slow speeds," Quistberg explained. "It is also possible that people with children at home are walking more cautiously, perhaps with their children."

Recently, Dornsife School of Public Health Dean Ana Diez Roux, M.D., Ph.D., signed on to a letter supported by former president Jimmy Carter that appealed for protection of the walking paths of children, especially those headed to school. And although results from Quistberg's study analyze adult pedestrians in Washington state, he believes they reveal information that could serve to improve walkability universally.

"Improving road safety for pedestrians will support interest in walking for recreation as well as those who integrate a healthy walk into their commute," Quistberg said.

###

The study, "The Relationship Between Objectively Measured Walking and Risk of Pedestrian-Motor Vehicle Collision," was co-authored by Eric Howard, Philip Hurvitz, Anne Moudon, Dr. Beth Ebel and Dr. Fred Rivara at the University of Washington and Dr. Brian Saelens at the Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute. Research was conducted with support of the UW's Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center.
The unique optical system of ESO's Extremely Large Telescope consists of five mirrors, each of which represents its own significant engineering challenge. The 39-metre-diameter primary mirror, which will be made up of 798 individual hexagonal segments each measuring 1.4 metres across, will be by far the largest ever made for an optical telescope. Together, the segments will collect tens of millions of times as much light as the human eye [1].

The contracts to manufacture and polish the ELT primary mirror segments were signed today by ESO's Director General, Tim de Zeeuw, and senior representatives of SCHOTT and Safran Reosc, a subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defense, in the presence of key ESO staff members. The first contract was signed with SCHOTT by Christoph Fark, Executive Vice President Advanced Optics, and Thomas Westerhoff, Director Strategic Marketing Zerodur. The second contract was signed with Safran Reosc by Philippe Rioufreyt, Chief Executive Officer.

Tim de Zeeuw expressed his delight at the current progress with the ELT: "This has been an extraordinary two weeks! We saw the casting of the ELT's secondary mirror and then, last Friday, we were privileged to have the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, attend the first stone ceremony of the ELT. And now two world-leading European companies are starting work on the telescope's enormous main mirror, perhaps the biggest challenge of all."

The 798 hexagonal segments that together comprise the ELT's primary mirror will be produced from the low-expansion ceramic material Zerodur [2] by SCHOTT. Previously SCHOTT was also awarded the contracts for the production of the telescope's giant secondary and tertiary mirrors and the material is also being used for the ELT's deformable quaternary mirror that is currently under construction.

Once the mirror blanks are ready they will be passed to Safran Reosc, to design the mounting interfaces, figure and polish the segments, integrate them into their support systems, and perform optical tests before delivery. During the polishing process, each segment will be polished until it has no surface irregularity greater than about 10 nanometres -- no higher than a ladybird if each segment were as big as France!

To meet the challenge of delivering such a large number of polished segments within seven years, Safran Reosc will build up to a peak production rate of one mirror a day. It will set up a dedicated new facility at its Poitiers plant, specialising in the production of high-tech optical and optronic (electro-optical) equipment [3].

The new contract with Safran Reosc is the second-largest contract for the ELT construction and the third-largest contract ESO has ever signed [4]. Safran Reosc will also design, polish and test the ELT's secondary mirror and tertiary mirror, and is currently manufacturing the 2-mm thick deformable shell mirrors that will comprise the ELT's fourth mirror.

Both SCHOTT and Safran Reosc have long and successful involvements with ESO. Together they manufactured many optical components, including the 8.2-metre main mirrors of the four Unit Telescopes of the ESO Very Large Telescope.

The ELT is currently under construction at Cerro Armazones near ESO's Paranal Observatory in northern Chile, and is scheduled to see first light in 2024.

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Notes

[1] The ELT primary mirror segments will be installed in a common support structure and equipped with edge sensors -- the most accurate ever used in a telescope -- that will continuously sense the locations of the ELT primary mirror segments relative to their neighbours and allow the segments to work together to form a perfect imaging system.

[2] Zerodur is a sophisticated material which has almost no thermal expansion even when subjected to large temperature fluctuations, is highly chemically resistant, and can be polished to a high standard of finish. The reflective layer, made of aluminum or silver, will be vapourised onto the extremely smooth surface shortly before the telescope is put into operation. Many well-known telescopes with Zerodur mirrors have been operating reliably for decades, including ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile.

[3] Up to 931 segments will ultimately be produced and polished, including 133 in a maintenance set, allowing for segments to be removed, replaced and recoated on a rotating basis once the ELT is in operation.

[4] The two other contracts are those for the Dome and Main Structure of the ELT and the European ALMA Antennas.

More information

ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It is supported by 16 countries: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky".

Links

* Further information about the ELT - http://eso.org/e-elt

* Further information on SCHOTT - http://schott.de/

* Further information about Safran Electronics & Defense - http://www.safran-group.com/

* Speech of ESO Director General - https://www.eso.org/public/archives/releases/pdf/eso1717a.pdf

* See the latest news and press-releases about the ELT - http://www.eso.org/public/news/archive/search/?adv=&facility=65

* ELT FAQ page - http://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/faq/faq-e-elt/

* Images - http://www.eso.org/public/images/archive/search/?adv=&subject_name=European+Extremely+Large+Telescope and videos - http://www.eso.org/public/videos/archive/search/?adv=&subject_name=European+Extremely+Large+Telescope of the ELT

Contacts

Richard Hook

ESO Public Information Officer

Garching bei Munchen, Germany

Tel: +49 89 3200 6655

Cell: +49 151 1537 3591

Email: rhook@eso.org
SEATTLE - May 30, 2017 - As many as 53 percent of cancer patients' Emergency Department visits that do not require admission could be avoided with better symptom management and greater availability of outpatient care tailored to their needs, according to a new study from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Although a number of studies have addressed the prevalence of ED visits among cancer patients, this is the first to systematically identify potentially preventable ED visits during treatment. Dr. Laura Panattoni, a staff scientist at the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, or HICOR, and colleagues followed cancer patients in 13 Western Washington counties with solid tumors whose treatment included chemotherapy, radiation or both.

"My hope is that seeing this data will promote innovative thinking and investment in how oncology teams manage patient symptoms," Panattoni said. "Managing nausea, pain, dehydration, diarrhea and other symptoms in an outpatient setting has great potential to improve patient experience and decrease the cost of care."

Panattoni is scheduled to present these findings at the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago on June 5 at 9:24 a.m. (ASCO abstract number 6505.)

Measuring what matters

The study began with data from 5,853 commercially insured patients who were 18 years or older, diagnosed with a solid tumor and treated with chemotherapy, radiation or both. Out of that population, 27 percent, or 1,581 patients, visited the ED without being admitted in the year after starting treatment.

Panattoni and her colleagues tallied 2,400 ED visits by these 1,581 cancer patients and then set about analyzing whether they could have been prevented.

Using a list of symptoms that federal health authorities identified as preventable, combined with symptoms targeted by patient-reported outcome tools, the researchers found that slightly more than half of these ED visits -- 53 percent -- were related to symptoms that could be managed with timely care in an outpatient setting.

The share of potentially preventable visits rose to 70 percent when Panattoni expanded the standard to include other common patient complaints, as well as symptoms associated with chronic health conditions.

"At a time when federal authorities and private payers are linking insurance payments to hospital quality measures, this study points to the importance of developing methods to accurately identify those ED visits that are preventable versus those that are appropriate," Panattoni commented.

The study revealed that the most common reason cancer patients visited an ED was due to pain. In fact, visits due to pain amounted to 27 percent of overall visits and had a median cost per visit of $1,127. Fever and difficulty breathing were the next two most common reasons that brought patients to the ED, each at 6 percent.

Overall, the study indicated a higher median cost per visit for cancer patients compared with the cost of visits as a result of other chronic health conditions. The median cost per visit of preventable cancer-related symptoms was $1,047 compared to a median cost per visit of $335 for symptoms related to a chronic health condition.

"This represents a rare opportunity to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes" said Panattoni, noting that investment in sharing best practices and new models of care will likely be necessary to make a significant difference.

One limitation of the study is that it did not include data from patients insured through Medicare. The team expects to receive that data in the coming months and incorporate it into these findings.

Novel partnerships drive research

Under the leadership of Dr. Scott Ramsey, HICOR has developed a network of providers and insurers who routinely share healthcare claims and cost data in an effort to improve cancer care.

"HICOR has facilitated a collaborative environment where payers and delivery systems work together and share data," said Panattoni. "This allows us to identify priority areas to improve care and develop shared solutions."

HICOR has also established a community working group -- including patient representatives --focused on reducing ED and hospital use for patients undergoing treatment. The working group makes recommendations for research priorities and new, patient-centered models of care, including investment in proactive symptom management.

Panattoni pointed to oncology medical home models and cancer-specific urgent care centers as an approach better suited to addressing patient symptoms. Such models strive to deliver value-based care, a departure from the historic focus in oncology on volume-based care. They include features such as expanded hours, same-day visits, electronic outreach to patients and team care.

Panattoni and her HICOR colleagues plan to focus next on the financial burden patients experience through out-of-pocket costs due to preventable ED visits, which could particularly affect those patients on high-deductible insurance plans. Including data from more diverse socioeconomic and geographic groups, along with following patients for longer, would make the data more applicable to a larger population.

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Media Contact:

Claire Hudson

O: 206.667.7365

M: 206.919.8300

crhudson@fredhutch.org

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutch's pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nation's first cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women's Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network.
SEATTLE -- May 30, 2017 -- Three out of four patients treated with an experimental combination of three different therapies for the rare skin cancer known as Merkel cell carcinoma are in complete remission following the treatment, according to study results from a small clinical trial led at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Fred Hutch immunotherapy researcher Dr. Kelly Paulson will present results from the study in a poster on Monday, June 5, at the 2017 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago. ASCO abstract number 3044; poster board number 139.

The trial combined a form of T-cell therapy; a newly FDA-approved immunotherapy drug known as avelumab, a checkpoint inhibitor drug made by EMD Serono; and either radiation or interferon, a general immune system booster that renders the tumors more visible to the immune system. Paulson likens the approach to building a fire.

"We've got the tumor and we upregulate [a certain protein] to throw some kindling on, and then we put the T cells in to light the match, and then we put the checkpoint blocker in to fan the flames," she said.

This small study of four patients built off a previous study, also of four patients, that tested a double combination of just T-cell therapy and radiation or interferon. The patients in that study did not fare as well -- three of them saw their cancer progress, and two of those patients have since died.

In their current study, the addition of avelumab seems to have kicked the T cells into high gear, Paulson said. When the researchers tracked the cells in the patients' bodies, they saw that the immune cells traveled from the bloodstream, where they are administered, to the tumors. And the cells stayed at the tumor sites for months, even when the tumor was no longer clinically detectable.

All four patients who received this triple therapy saw their cancer shrink in response; three of them are now in what's known as complete remission, where biopsies of their tumor sites show no evidence of remaining cancer cells. The researchers have followed the patients for a median of 12 months since the start of the trial.

Although the trial of triple therapy was small -- only four patients have received the therapy and another two are enrolled to begin soon -- the researchers didn't see any unexpected side effects from the therapy. As the researchers expected, patients experienced lymphopenia, or reduced white blood cell counts, and cytokine release syndrome (although none required ICU admission). All these effects were transient, the researchers said.

All eight patients in the two trials had metastatic cancer, or cancer that had spread from its original site throughout the body. Merkel cell carcinoma metastasizes in a third of patients even with prior treatment, and when it does, it's often deadly -- historical five-year survival rates for patients with metastatic disease are less than 10 percent.

T-cell therapy -- a form of immunotherapy that manipulates a patient's own immune cells in the lab to better fight their cancer -- is showing promise for certain cancers, primarily blood cancers. But for many cancer patients, especially patients with solid tumors like breast or lung cancer, the promise of T-cell therapy has yet to be delivered.

Paulson, who is also an oncology fellow in the laboratory of Fred Hutch immunotherapy researcher Dr. Aude Chapuis, and her colleagues at the Hutch and the University of Washington had reason to hope this form of immunotherapy would be safe and effective for patients with this rare skin cancer, which afflicts about 2,000 in the U.S. every year, primarily the elderly.

The majority of Merkel cell carcinomas are caused by a nearly ubiquitous virus known as the Merkel cell polyomavirus, and most patients who have the disease have a high level of one of the virus' proteins present in their tumors -- but nowhere else. That situation is an ideal setup for a working T-cell therapy, Paulson said, because therapeutic T cells need to recognize and attack tumor cells but spare healthy cells. T cells that attack both tumor and healthy tissue can lead to toxic side effects. But most cancers house proteins that are also present, albeit at low levels, elsewhere in the body.

For their current study, which is ongoing, only patients who already have T cells that react to the viral protein are eligible. About 15 to 25 percent of Merkel cell carcinoma patients make this kind of T cell naturally, Paulson said. Unlike some other forms of T-cell therapy such as CAR T-cell therapy, in which T cells are engineered in the lab to better recognize cancer cells, this approach uses laboratory manipulations to boost a patient's own response to their cancer. The researchers extract the cancer-recognizing T cells from the patients' blood and multiply them in the lab.

Their next step, which Paulson and Chapuis are working on in the lab, is to engineer patients' cells to recognize the cancerous protein, thereby broadening the therapy's potential to more patients.

Paulson hopes the team's work will lead to insights that can apply beyond just this rare cancer.

"These are a really deserving group of patients and I love working on Merkel cell cancer, but I also know that the most impact is going to be made by spreading what we know about Merkel to other cancers," she said.

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The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health and EMD Serono. Paulson received two awards for the abstract: the Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO Merit Award and the Washington State Medical Oncology Society Fellowship Grant for Research. Other authors on the poster include: Fred Hutch's Maurizio Perdicchio, Felecia Wagener, Kieu-Thu Bui, Megan McAfee and Philip Greenberg; the University of Washington's Rima Kulikauskas, Natalie Vandeven, Candice Church, Hannah Thomas, Natalie Miller, Upendra Parvathaneni, Shailender Bhatia and Paul Nghiem; EMD Serono's Kevin Chin and Zhen Su; and MD Anderson Cancer Center's Cassian Yee.

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutch's pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nation's first NCI-designated cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women's Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network.
Lisbon, Portugal (30 May 2017)--The Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc) in the Netherlands, the Instituto de Medicina Molecular Lisboa (iMM Lisboa) in Portugal, and PATH in Seattle, Washington announced today that they will collaborate to test a new approach to malaria vaccine development in humans for the first time.

The concept being tested is similar to that used by Edward Jenner to develop a vaccine against smallpox, the only disease affecting humans that has ever been eradicated. Jenner used cowpox--a similar but much less dangerous bovine version of the disease--to inoculate people against smallpox. In this clinical trial, based on data from earlier animal studies conducted by iMM Lisboa, the researchers will use a rodent version of the malaria-causing parasite (known as Plasmodium berghei) to determine if it can induce protection against infection by Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest version of the parasite that infects humans.

In the study, a specific gene from P. falciparum known as the circumsporozoite protein (CS), will be inserted into the rodent parasite, resulting in a genetically modified version known as Pb(PfCS@UIS4). By inserting the gene for CS, the researchers hope to improve the potential of the modified rodent parasite to induce a protective response in healthy human volunteers.

"Bringing together the concept underlying the first vaccine ever developed, when Edward Jenner used the cowpox virus to immunize people against smallpox, with modern genetic manipulation tools, has resulted in a truly innovative approach to malaria vaccination," said Miguel Prudencio, who is leading the research team at iMM Lisboa.

The trial will be conducted in two phases at Radboudumc in the Netherlands. In the first phase, 18 healthy adult volunteers will be recruited into three groups and exposed to varying, but carefully controlled number of bites from mosquitoes infected with the genetically modified P. berghei parasite. The researchers will closely monitor volunteers for signs of infection to make sure they are treated if they become ill. If all goes well in the Phase 1 study, volunteers from the highest dose group will enter the second phase of the study which is designed to assess protective efficacy of the approach.

"This is the first time we have tested a genetically modified malaria vaccine approach in Europe using this rodent parasite," said Robert Sauerwein, principal investigator and professor of medical parasitology at Radboudumc. "Along with our partners in the Netherlands, the Havenziekenhuis and Erasmus MC, we're looking forward to investigating whether this novel concept might one day contribute to the elimination and eradication of this terrible disease."

Malaria is a disease that killed more than 429,000 people in 2015, most of them young African children. Although the most advanced vaccine in development globally is slated for pilot implementation in parts of Africa beginning in 2018--an incredible accomplishment and critically important step--researchers are still on the hunt for a malaria vaccine that can confer higher levels of durable efficacy. The long-term goal of the malaria vaccine community, as outlined in the World Health Organization's Malaria Vaccine Technology Roadmap, is to develop vaccines with protective efficacy of at least 75 percent against clinical malaria, and vaccines that reduce transmission of the parasite in order to lower the incidence of malaria infection.

"Although much progress has been made to drive down the malaria burden with currently-available interventions, a highly effective vaccine would be an important new tool for malaria elimination," said Ashley Birkett, director of PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI). "We are pleased to collaborate with Radboudumc and iMM Lisboa on testing this novel approach."

With nearly two decades of experience in developing, managing, and overseeing human malaria challenge studies for vaccines against P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria, MVI, part of PATH's Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, will provide financial support for the project, input into trial design, and oversight for the clinical studies. MVI also supported previous toxicology studies. Radboudumc, a leader in controlled human malaria infection with P. falciparum, will lead, implement, and conduct the study in the Netherlands. iMM Lisboa, a nonprofit research institute devoted to biomedical research, will collaborate with Radboudumc on the conduct of the clinical trial and will provide the vaccine candidate, Pb(PfCS@UIS4), for use.

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PATH is the leader in global health innovation. An international nonprofit organization, PATH saves lives and improves health, especially among women and children. PATH accelerates innovation across five platforms--vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, devices, and system and service strategies and tools. By mobilizing partners around the world, PATH takes innovation to scale, working alongside countries primarily in Africa and Asia to tackle their greatest health needs. Learn more at http://www.path.org.

PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI) accelerates malaria vaccine development and catalyzes timely access in endemic countries, toward a world free from malaria. Standing at the intersection of malaria and immunization, MVI is part of PATH's Center for Malaria Control and Elimination and PATH's Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access. Learn more at http://www.malariavaccine.org.

Radboud University Medical Center is a leading academic center for patient care, education and research, with the mission 'to have a significant impact on healthcare'. Our activities help to improve healthcare and consequently the health of individuals and of society. We believe we can achieve that by providing excellent quality, participatory and personalized healthcare, operational excellence and by working together in sustainable networks. Learn more at https://www.radboudumc.nl/EN/Pages/default.aspx.

The iMM Lisboa - Instituto de Medicina Molecular is a leading Portuguese private non-profit research institute that offers a vibrant scientific environment, aiming to nurture innovative ideias in basic, clinical and translational biomedical research. Created in 2002, iMM Lisboa has established itself as a major national and internationally competitive biomedical institute. Its strategy has been defined by promotion of excellence, leveraged by high-quality human resources, increasing expenditure in infrastructures and knowledge transfer to the society. iMM Lisboa is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits. Learn more at: https://imm.medicina.ulisboa.pt/en/

For more information, please contact:

Katy Lenard at klenard@burness.com or +1 301 280 5719

Pieter Lomans, Radboudumc, at nieuws@radboudumc.nl

or +31 6 3197 0558 or +31 6 5129 1446 (outside office hours)

Ana de Barros, iMM Lisboa, at imm-communication@medicina.ulisboa.pt

or +351 217 999 411 x47335 
New Rochelle, NY, May 30, 2017--Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) sensors are now so accurate that two CGM devices, including the first approved "Flash Glucose Monitoring" system, have received regulatory approval for nonadjunctive use by individuals with type 1 diabetes to guide insulin dosing. The critical factors related to CGM accuracy, clinical implications of accurate CGM and flash glucose monitoring, and results of the most recent clinical trials assessing this technology are the focus of an article published as part of a special supplement on Flash Glucose Monitoring to Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics (DTT), a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The supplement is available open access on the DTT website.

In the article "Clinical Implications of Accuracy Measurements of Continuous Glucose Sensors," Timothy Bailey, MD, AMCR Institute, Escondido, CA, examines the different measures and approaches used to evaluate the accuracy of CGM devices. Dr. Bailey describes how in silico simulation studies are proving to be more useful for assessing the clinical effects of CGM accuracy than traditional clinical trials. He provides a valuable review and comparison of recent clinical studies that have compared various strategies for using different types of CGM devices, including a flash glucose monitoring device that is approved for use in Europe (with a professional version only approved in the U.S.).

In the Editorial "Flash Glucose Monitoring: The Future Is Here," DTT Editor-in-Chief Satish Garg, MD, Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Denver (Aurora) presents several reasons for the early success and rapid uptake of flash glucose monitoring: low cost; no calibration needed (factory calibrated for 14 days of continuous use); accurate data available on demand; similar/lower mean absolute relative difference (MARD) throughout 14 days of use. Dr. Garg states, "We hope that flash glucose monitoring (FreeStyle Libre personal) will be made available soon in the United States after approval by the FDA. We also hope that it is approved as 'nonadjunctive.'"

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This supplement was supported by an educational grant from Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.

About the Journal

Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics (DTT) is a monthly peer-reviewed journal that covers new technology and new products for the treatment, monitoring, diagnosis, and prevention of diabetes and its complications. Led by Editor-in-Chief Satish Garg, MD, the Journal covers topics that include noninvasive glucose monitoring, implantable continuous glucose sensors, novel routes of insulin administration, genetic engineering, the artificial pancreas, measures of long-term control, computer applications for case management, telemedicine, the Internet, and new medications. Tables of contents and a free sample issue may be viewed on the Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics (DTT) website. DTT is the official journal of the International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes.

About ATTD

The International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) presents top caliber scientific programs that have provided participants with cutting-edge research and analysis into the latest developments in diabetes-related technology. A unique and innovative conference, ATTD brings the world's leading researchers and clinicians together for a lively exchange of ideas and information related to the technology, treatment, and prevention of diabetes and related illnesses.

About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Thyroid, Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery, Childhood Obesity, and Population Health Management. Its biotechnology trade magazine, GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 80 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- A new advance on a method developed by MIT researchers could enable continuous, high-precision monitoring of materials exposed to a high-radiation environment. The method may allow these materials to remain in place much longer, eliminating the need for preventive replacement. It could also speed up the search for new, improved materials for these harsh environments.

The new findings appear in the journal Applied Physics Letters, in a paper by graduate student Cody Dennett and assistant professor of nuclear science and engineering Michael Short. This study builds on the team's earlier work that described the benchmarking of the method, called transient grating spectroscopy (TGS), for nuclear materials. The new research shows that the technique can indeed perform with the high degree of sensitivity and time-resolution that the earlier calculations and tests had suggested should be possible for detecting tiny imperfections.

"Our whole goal was to monitor how materials evolve when exposed to radiation," Short explains, "but do it in a way that's online," without requiring samples to be extracted from that environment and tested in outside devices. Such a process can be time-consuming and expensive, and doesn't provide information about how damage occurs over time.

The new testing approach can reveal changes in, for example, thermal and mechanical properties that affect the material's response to temperature surges or vibration. "What we're working toward is a real-time diagnostic system that works under radiation conditions," Short says.

Their earlier work, he says, showed that the technique was capable of detecting such radiation-induced changes. The new work, which included making some modifications to the method, makes it possible to take measurements at high speed under real-time, dynamic conditions, and to produce the kind of detailed information needed for a practical monitoring system.

The method works without requiring any physical contact between the monitoring device and the metal surfaces being monitored. Instead, it relies purely on optical probes, which use one set of laser beams to stimulate vibrations in the surface, and others to probe the properties of those vibrations by using the interference patterns of the beams, which can reveal details not just of the surface properties but of the bulk material, as well.

The technique could also have broad applications in monitoring other kinds of materials, the researchers say. For example, it could be used to monitor the behavior of phase-change materials that are being developed for new kinds of magnetic data storage. "The ability to do characterization of dynamically changing systems is of interest to a wider materials processing community," Dennett says. Since the team published details of the initial work, researchers around the world have contacted the researchers with requests for help with applying the technique to different kinds of materials and environments.

"We have particular applications in mind for our next steps," Dennett says, "but the relative ease of implementation should make it interesting to a wide range of materials scientists."

Compared to existing methods of studying these radiation-induced materials' changes, which involve using multiple samples exposed over long periods of time before testing, Short says, this technique can provide "more data from one sample, in one experiment, in about 1 percent of the time."

That ability to do rapid testing could be a significant boon for those attempting to develop new materials for new generations of nuclear reactors, Dennett says. Now, such development is a slow and painstaking process, because even tiny changes in the relative percentages of different alloying metals can dramatically affect the material's properties. The new technique's ability to provide rapid, real-time answers could open up much broader possibilities for developing and refining new options.

"There are a lot of groups working on more radiation-resistant alloys," Short says, "but it's a long process. Instead, this allows you to make a lot of variations and test them as you go." This method could allow these researchers to come up with significant characterization data on new materials "in weeks instead of years," he says.

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The research was supported by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration, and the MIT-Singapore University of Technology and Design International Design Center.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND

ARCHIVE: Measuring radiation damage on the fly

ARCHIVE: Scrutinizing radiation's impact
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission or GPM satellite constellation provided rainfall data after the monsoon generated large amounts of precipitation in Sri Lanka that caused landslides over the week of May 22. The monsoon continued to affect the island on May 30 when a weather advisory was issued for strong winds.

More than 90 people have been reported killed and over 100 missing due to a landslide in the village of Bellana, in the Kalutara district of Sri Lanka.

In an analysis of rainfall accumulation using NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data, heavy rainfall was measured over the southwestern Bay of Bengal over the period from May 23 to early May 26, 2017. The maximum IMERG rainfall accumulation estimates over the Bay of Bengal to the northeast of Sri Lanka estimated over 434 mm (17 inches) or rain had fallen. GPM is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency JAXA

The village of Bellana, where the landslide occurred is located on the southwestern side of Sri Lanka. The heaviest rainfall over Sri Lanka for this period appeared on the southern side of the Island nation to the east of Bellana.

On May 30 at 12:30 p.m. local time in Sri Lanka, the Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology in Sri Lanka issued a Weather Advisory for strong winds and rough sea areas valid for next 36 hours.

The advisory noted that also Tropical Cyclone Mora made landfall in Bangladesh, windy conditions are expected to continue around and over the island of Sri Lanka today. Strong winds can be expected up to 80 kph, especially over the western slope of the Central hills. The advisory noted "The sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanturai and sea area off the coast extending from Galleto Batticaloavia Hambantota can be very rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 80 kph at times." For additional updates, visit: http://www.meteo.gov.lk

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Tropical Cyclone Mora formed in the Bay of Bengal and in just two days it strengthened into a tropical storm and was making landfall in Bangladesh. NASA's Aqua and NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellites helped monitor the progress and extent of the storm.

The second tropical cyclone of the Northern Indian Ocean season formed on Sunday, May 28 and once it strengthened into a tropical storm, it was renamed Mora. By May 30, Mora reached hurricane strength.

On May 29 at 07:54 UTC (3:54 a.m. EDT) NOAA-NASA's Suomi NPP Satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Mora over the Bay of Bengal, approaching landfall in Bangladesh. Tropical Cyclone's Mora circulation had improved and it continued to move toward Bangladesh. At the time of the Suomi NPP satellites overpass, Mora's maximum sustained winds were near 55 knots (63 mph/102 kph) and it was approximately 277 nautical miles south of Chittagong, Bangladesh moving to the north-northeast.

At 0300 UTC on May 30 (11 p.m. EDT on May 29) the Joint Typhoon Warning Center said Tropical Cyclone Mora was located near 21.8 degrees north latitude and 91.9 degrees east longitude, about 78 nautical miles south of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Mora's maximum sustained winds were near 65 knots (75 mph/120 kph), making it a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Mora has tracked northward at 15 knots (17 mph/27 kph) and is expected to continue in that direction through landfall later in the day.

A visible image of Tropical Cyclone Mora was captured on May 30 at 07:20 UTC (3:20 EDT) by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument aboard the Aqua satellite. Mora's center was still over the Bay of Bengal, but its northern and eastern clouds extended over Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar. Animated enhanced infrared satellite imagery depicts improved consolidation with an eye feature struggling to emerge during the morning of May 30.

By 1500 UTC (11 a.m. EDT) Mora made landfall near Chittagong, Bangladesh. Following landfall, rapid weakening is expected, with the system dissipating in a day and a half. For updated local forecasts from the Bangladesh Meteorological Service, visit: http://www.bmd.gov.bd

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Dr. Ravetch will receive the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and Molecular Medicine's 2017 Award for his research in immunology

NEW YORK, May 30, 2017 - The New York Academy of Sciences in conjunction with the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and Molecular Medicine will host the 2017 Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine - Regulating Immunity: Fc Receptor Biology at the Academy's headquarters on Monday, June 5th. Pioneering immunology researcher Jeffrey V. Ravetch MD, PhD, the Theresa and Eugene M. Lang Professor and Head of the Leonard Wagner Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology at The Rockefeller University, will be awarded this year's prize, which includes a $50,000 award for his identification of the mechanism by which the specific structure of antibodies controls immune cell reactivity.

"I am honored by the recognition this award represents and to be included among the distinguished scientists who have preceded me," said Dr. Ravetch on the news of his receiving the award.

Dr. Ravetch's research focuses on understanding the immune system response. His work revealed the fine line that exists between healthy immune reactions that destroy foreign pathogens, and autoimmunity that attacks the body's own tissue. This understanding and improved knowledge of immunity will allow for the improvement or creation of new therapies for infectious, neoplastic, and inflammatory diseases.

The Ross Prize recognizes biomedical scientists who have made a significant impact in the understanding of human disease pathogenesis and/or treatment, and who hold significant promise for making even greater contributions to the general field of molecular medicine.

"Dr. Jeffrey Ravetch's discovery of the relationship between antibodies and activation of the immune response has opened the door to developing new therapies for autoimmune conditions," said Feinstein Institute President and CEO Kevin J. Tracey, MD, who also serves as editor emeritus of Molecular Medicine. "His work embodies the pioneering spirit of the Ross Prize and we look forward to honoring his career and to his future discoveries' positive impact on patients."

After the presentation ceremony, Dr. Ravetch will give a lecture titled, "Diversification of Antibody Effector Function," where he will discuss his findings in the field of Fc Receptor Biology. In addition, Rafi Ahmed, PhD, Director of the Emory Vaccine Center, and Ronald Levy, MD, Professor and Chief of the Division of Oncology at Stanford Medicine, will discuss their work on antibody dependent mechanisms of protection in infectious disease and cancer.

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If you are interested in attending this event in person please visit the registration page for additional information.

About the Feinstein Institute

The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research is the research arm of Northwell Health, the largest healthcare provider in New York. Home to 50 research laboratories and to clinical research throughout dozens of hospitals and outpatient facilities, the 3,500 researchers and staff of the Feinstein are making breakthroughs in molecular medicine, genetics, oncology, brain research, mental health, autoimmunity, and bioelectronic medicine - a new field of science that has the potential to revolutionize medicine. For more information about how we empower imagination and pioneer discovery, visit FeinsteinInstitute.org

About Molecular Medicine

Molecular Medicine is an Open-Access, international, peer-reviewed, biomedical journal seeking insight into the cellular and molecular basis of disease. The journal publishes work in the format of original research articles, review articles, editorials, commentaries and letters to the editor. The 2014 Journal Citation Report (JCR) lists Molecular Medicine with an impact factor of 4.508. For more information, visit http://www.molmed.org.

The New York Academy of Sciences

The New York Academy of Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit organization that since 1817 has been driving innovative solutions to society's challenges by advancing scientific research, education, and policy. With more than 20,000 Members in 100 countries, the Academy is creating a global community of science for the benefit of humanity. Please visit us online at http://www.nyas.org and follow us on Twitter at @NYASciences.
Despite state protected status, nearshore corals at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve on O'ahu, Hawai'i are at risk as the global trend in warming seawater temperatures continues

Corals in peril at a popular Hawaiian tourist destination due to global climate change

Despite state protected status, nearshore corals at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve on O'ahu, Hawai'i are at risk as the global trend in warming seawater temperatures continues.

Researchers from the Coral Reef Ecology Lab at the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology documented the third global bleaching event as it occurred from 2014 to 2016 at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (HBNP) on the island of O'ahu, Hawai'i.

Dr. Paul Jokiel (in his final field research before his passing in April 2016) and team investigated the extent of the 2014 and 2015 bleaching events and the underlying causes of the patterns observed. They found that 47% of reef flat corals at HBNP bleached overall and 9.8% of corals died at Hanauma Bay during this time.

Their findings, published in the international journal PeerJ, show that temperature is by far the most influential factor in coral bleaching at this well-managed location where corals, fish, and all other organisms are protected.

The warmer seawater temperatures that negatively affected coral reefs in Hawai'i -- and across the globe -- are tied to the drastic increases in global carbon emissions of the past several decades.

The researchers explain that despite past and current efforts to protect and manage this valuable coral reef ecosystem, carbon will continue to be absorbed by the ocean and water temperatures will continue to rise.

Bleaching occurs when the corals expel algae from their tissue as a stress response to environmental factors. Without the algae, the corals begin to starve.

Dr. Jokiel's Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP) has been monitoring the HBNP since 1999 and surveys already showed a significant decrease in shallow coral cover in 2002.

Reef-building corals at HBNP form a barrier from one end of the bay to the other that separates the shallow nearshore from the deeper seaward regions. This barrier and its two channels, influence how cool water is carried from the open ocean to shore and how it subsequently exits the bay.

These water flow patterns were a major focus of the study as the researchers wanted to determine why bleaching occurred more severely in certain areas of the preserve. They found the highest amount of bleaching and mortality in areas where water tends to warm up and pool for extended periods of time. Other areas benefit from a circulation pattern that flushes cool water in and warm water out more quickly.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve receives a million visitors annually and is a Marine Life Conservation District with strict enforcement of no-take fishing regulations. Large fish and great diversity of marine life are advertised benefits that attract visitors to the most popular snorkeling location in the Hawaiian Islands.

The lack of direct human fishing and harvesting pressure has resulted in an ecosystem that appears more diverse than other locations on O'ahu, however, coral cover continues to decrease. Without living coral tissue, the physical framework of the reef will continue to erode and will cease to provide the numerous services, i.e., shelter, food, to reef-dwelling creatures, including fishes.

"Warmer seawater temperatures are again predicted for the Hawaiian Islands in 2017 with the grave possibility of more coral bleaching and mortality", explains Dr. Keisha Bahr.

Dr. Ku'ulei Rodgers adds, "Global climate change poses a direct threat to the biological sustainability of the protected reefs of Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve and a clear economic and cultural threat to the state of Hawai'i."

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Citation to the article: Rodgers et al. (2017), Patterns of bleaching and mortality following widespread warming events in 2014 and 2015 at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Hawai'i. PeerJ 5:e3355; https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3355

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But are still more likely to seek psychological help

College students who belong to sexual minority groups are more likely to seek help for mental health problems than their straight peers, but they still face many barriers to using on-campus mental health services, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

Researchers found that students who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or questioning were more likely to use off-campus mental health services than their heterosexual peers and were more likely to report being deterred by barriers such as concerns over confidentiality and uncertainty over eligibility for on-campus services.

The findings are from one of the largest surveys ever of college students about mental health issues. More than 33,000 students from 33 public four-year and two-year colleges in California were surveyed about mental health needs during 2013. The study was published online by the Journal of Adolescent Health.

"It's encouraging that college students who identify as sexual minorities are more likely to utilize mental health services, but our findings suggest there is a need to develop campus-based mental health services tailored to this group and address barriers to using them," said Michael S. Dunbar, lead author of the study and an associate behavioral scientist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization.

The study found that 7 percent -- roughly 1 in 15 -- of the students surveyed identified as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or questioning.

Compared to heterosexual students, sexual minority students had higher rates of psychological distress (26 percent versus 18 percent), were more likely to report academic impairment related to mental health problems (17 percent versus 11 percent) and reported higher overall levels of stress over the past month (63 percent versus 55 percent).

Members of sexual minority groups were nearly twice as likely to have used some type of mental health services during their time in college (31 percent versus 18 percent). Among all students, most of those who reported serious psychological distress did not use mental health services.

Among students who needed services but didn't get them on campus, sexual minority individuals were more likely than their heterosexual peers to report specific barriers to using on-campus mental health services. In particular, sexual minority students endorsed concerns over confidentiality, embarrassment over using services and uncertainty over whether they would be eligible for services as reasons they did not use on-campus services. They also were more likely to report seeking help off-campus.

"Our study underscores the need for additional actions to increase access to and use of mental health services among all students," said Dr. Bradley D. Stein, co-author of the study and a physician scientist at RAND. "It also highlights the need for efforts to ensure that campuses' mental health services are sensitive and responsive to the needs of sexual minority students, enabling all students to address their mental health needs and maximize their chances for success in college and beyond."

Previous studies have estimated that 17 percent or more of college students suffer from serious psychological distress, with risks being higher for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or questioning students. If unaddressed, psychological problems among college students often persist, with consequences including greater levels of substance abuse, lower academic achievement, poor graduation rates, and lower workforce participation and income.

Few studies have examined ways that sexual minority college students differ from heterosexual students on factors such as mental health status and their use of mental health services.

The RAND study analyzed information from a survey about mental health completed by students from nine University of California campuses, nine California State University campuses and 15 California community colleges. The results were weighted to help reflect the state's overall college student population.

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Support for the study was provided by California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities in California. Programs implemented by CalMHSA are funded by counties through Proposition 63, which provides the funding and framework needed to expand mental health prevention and early intervention services to previously underserved populations and all of California.

Other authors of the study are Lisa Sontag-Padilla, Rajeev Ramchand and Rachana Seelam.

RAND Health is the nation's largest independent health policy research program, with a broad research portfolio that focuses on health care costs, quality and public health preparedness, among other topics.
Educational attainment is a national priority because it creates both economic and personal gains: higher incomes, better individual and family health and deeper civic engagement. U.S. college enrollments are increasing, suggesting greater educational attainment; however, national college completion rates are lagging behind other developed nations. Recent research suggests that U.S. college students could succeed if they are encouraged to develop a sense of belonging, a growth mindset and salient personal goals and values, according to a new national report co-authored by a Rice University psychology professor.

"Supporting Students' College Success: The Role of Assessment of Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Competencies" was released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and commissioned by the National Science Foundation. Fred Oswald, a professor of psychology at Rice, was a co-author of the report, which was based on a review of 49 articles targeting 61 experimental studies that examined interventions to improve educational attainment.

Across these studies, three competencies most frequently showed evidence of supporting students' college persistence and success, as measured by grades, retention and graduation:

A sense of belonging, meaning that college students (particularly underrepresented minorities and first-generation college students) feel that they belong in college, fit in well and are socially integrated. Approximately 85 percent of the studies measuring students' sense of belonging demonstrated a positive impact of belonging on students' college GPAs.

A growth mindset, referring to college students' beliefs that their own intelligence is not a fixed entity, but rather a malleable quality that college can help improve. Seventy-five percent of the studies measuring students' growth mindset showed this characteristic had a positive impact on students' college GPAs.

Personal goals and values that college students perceive to be directly linked to the achievement of a future, desired end. Approximately 83 percent of the studies measuring personal goals showed this characteristic as having a positive impact on students' final course grades.

Oswald noted that this recent research reported some remarkable findings based on low-cost, brief writing exercises for improving these intra- and interpersonal competencies. One required students to write about the relevance of course topics to their own life or to the life of a family member or close friend. Another intervention aimed to lessen psychological perceptions of threat on campus by framing social adversity as common and transient, and used subtle attitude-change strategies to lead participants to self-generate the framing in their writing.

With these interventions, GPAs have been shown impressively to improve not only in the class where the intervention was given, but many semesters beyond, Oswald said. Furthermore, the interventions show the largest benefits accrue in student groups that are at greatest risk for academic failure. Oswald thus noted that these interventions have promise but deserve further intensive research to assure these interventions can impact student success in the future, in other college settings.

Oswald said measures of intrapersonal and interpersonal competencies should be held to rigorous development procedures and statistical standards, just like the SAT, ACT, MCAT, LSAT and other standardized tests of cognitive competencies.

"Many current assessments of these competencies fall short in providing solid statistical evidence supporting their reliability and validity," Oswald said. "It is important to investigate these measures carefully, for example, because students can differ in how they interpret the meaning of rating scales, or sometimes they feel pressured to present themselves in the best light."

He and his co-authors recommend further research in partnership with higher education institutions to build on the report's findings and to find reliable ways to track these intra- and interpersonal characteristics that can lead to increased college completion.

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The report was funded by the National Science Foundation and is available online at http://www.nap.edu/catalog/24697/supporting-students-college-success-the-role-of-assessment-of-intrapersonal. The study was sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

This news release can be found online at news.rice.edu.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations on Twitter @RiceUNews.

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,879 undergraduates and 2,861 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for happiest students and for lots of race/class interaction by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview.
Engineers working to add "muscle sense" to prosthetic limbs found that tactile feedback on the skin allowed blindfolded test subjects to more than double their ability to discern the size of objects grasped with a prosthetic hand. The results will be presented next month in Germany by researchers from Rice University and the Research Center "E.Piaggio" of the University of Pisa and the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT).

"Humans have an innate sense of how the parts of their bodies are positioned, even if they can't see them," said Marcia O'Malley, professor of mechanical engineering at Rice. "This 'muscle sense' is what allows people to type on a keyboard, hold a cup, throw a ball, use a brake pedal and do countless other daily tasks."

The scientific term for this muscle sense is proprioception, and O'Malley's Mechatronics and Haptic Interfaces Lab (MAHI) has worked for years to develop technology that would allow amputees to receive proprioceptive feedback from artificial limbs.

In a new paper to be presented June 7 at the World Haptics 2017 conference in Furstenfeldbruck, Germany, O'Malley and colleagues demonstrate that 18 able-bodied test subjects performed significantly better on size-discrimination tests with a prosthetic hand when they received haptic feedback from a simple skin-stretch device on the upper arm. The study is the first to test a prosthesis in combination with a skin-stretch rocking device for proprioception, and the work has been recognized as a finalist for best paper award at the conference.

An estimated 1.7 million people in the U.S. live with the loss of a limb. Traditional prostheses restore some day-to-day function, but very few provide sensory feedback. For the most part, an amputee today must see their prosthesis to properly operate it.

Improved computer processors, inexpensive sensors, vibrating motors from cellphones and other electronics have created new possibilities for adding tactile feedback, also known as haptics, to prosthetics, and O'Malley's lab has done research in this area for more than a decade.

"We've been limited to testing haptic feedback with simple grippers or virtual environments that replicate what amputees experience," she said. "That changed when I was contacted last year by representatives of Antonio Bicchi's research group at Pisa and IIT who were interested in testing their prosthetic hand with our haptic feedback system."

In experiments at Rice beginning late last year, Pisan graduate student Edoardo Battaglia and Rice graduate student Janelle Clark tested MAHI's Rice Haptic Rocker in conjunction with the Pisa/IIT SoftHand. They measured how well blindfolded subjects could distinguish the size of grasped objects both with and without proprioceptive feedback.

While some proprioceptive technologies require surgically implanted electrodes, the Rice Haptic Rocker has a simple, noninvasive user interface -- a rotating arm that brushes a soft rubber pad over the skin of the arm. At rest, when the prosthetic hand is fully open, the rocker arm does not stretch the skin. As the hand closes, the arm rotates, and the more the hand closes, the greater the skin is stretched.

"We're using the tactile sensation on the skin as a replacement for information the brain would normally get from the muscles about hand position," Clark said. "We're essentially mapping from feedback from one source onto an aspect of the prosthetic hand. In this case, it's how much the hand is open or closed."

Like the Rice Haptic Rocker, the SoftHand uses a simple design. Co-creator Manuel Catalano, a postdoctoral research scientist at IIT/Pisa, said the design inspiration comes from neuroscience.

"Human hands have many joints and articulations, and reproducing and controlling that in a robotic hand is very difficult," he said. "When you have to grasp something, your brain doesn't program the movement of each finger. Your brain has patterns, called synergies, that coordinate all the joints (in the hand)."

The Pisa/IIT SoftHand uses a control synergy just like people do in everyday life, Catalano said. "At the same time, thanks to the intrinsic capability of the SoftHand to adapt and deform with the environment, it is robust and able to grasp objects in many different ways."

Battaglia said neurological studies have identified a set of synergies for the hand. People use these alone or in combination to perform tasks as simple as turning a doorknob and as complex as playing the piano. Grasping an object, like a cup or a coat hanger, is one of the simplest.

"Experiments show that one synergy explains more than 50 percent of all grasps," he said. "SoftHand is designed to mimic this. It's very simple. There is just one motor and one control wire to open and close all the fingers at once."

In tests, subjects used the SoftHand to grasp objects of varying shapes and sizes, ranging from grapefruit-sized balls to coins (quarters). To close the hand, subjects simply flexed a muscle in their forearm. Electrodes taped to the arm picked up electric signals from the flexing muscle and transmitted those to the motor in the SoftHand.

For the size-discrimination test, subjects were blindfolded and asked to grasp two different objects. They were then asked which of the two was larger. Without haptic feedback, the blindfolded subjects had to base their guesses on intuition. They chose correctly only about 33 percent of the time, which is what one would expect from a random choice. When they performed the same tests with feedback from the Rice Haptic Rocker, the subjects correctly distinguished the larger from smaller objects more than 70 percent of the time.

The researchers are following up to see if amputees get a similar benefit from using the haptic rocker in conjunction with the SoftHand.

"One of the things that makes the research we do in the MAHI lab unique is that we involve end-users from the very beginning, from the design and concept stage all the way to testing and evaluation of our systems," O'Malley said. "Through our close collaborations in the Texas Medical Center, we are able to have those interactions with the end users -- with patients, physical therapists and doctors -- all of the way through our design and evaluation process."

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Additional co-authors include Matteo Bianchi of the University of Pisa. The research was supported by the National Science Foundation and the European projects WEARHAP, SOFTPRO and SoftHands. The collaboration will continue to be supported by a recently announced Rice University Award for International Collaboration, allowing Janelle Clark to visit the University of Pisa for an extended period in 2018.

VIDEO is available at: https://youtu.be/a6VWE_jckWg

https://youtu.be/G-_7skCFBSg?list=PLfo0T9jz8_FISkQdB76PGQsN2SEEplN4Q

A copy of the paper is available at: http://mahilab.rice.edu/content/rice-haptic-rocker-skin-stretch-haptic-feedback

Haptics World 2017 home page: http://www.worldhaptics2017.org/

Related research from Rice:

Gentle vibe designed to give docs smoother moves -- Sept. 6, 2016 http://news.rice.edu/2016/09/06/gentle-vibe-designed-to-give-docs-smoother-moves/

Robotics expert O'Malley to showcase research on Capitol Hill -- June 6, 2016 http://news.rice.edu/2016/06/06/robotics-expert-omalley-to-showcase-research-on-capitol-hill/

Brain wave-reading robot might help stroke patients -- Aug. 20, 2012 http://news.rice.edu/2012/08/20/brain-wave-reading-robot-might-help-stroke-patients-2/

Researchers aim for 'direct brain control' of prosthetic arms -- July 27, 2011 http://news.rice.edu/2011/07/27/researchers-aim-for-direct-brain-control-of-prosthetic-arms/

'RiceWrist' robot helps spinal-cord injury victim -- April 12, 2011 http://news.rice.edu/2011/04/12/ricewrist-robot-helps-spinal-cord-injury-victim/

Wii bit of fun at Rice has serious intent -- Dec, 8, 2008 http://news.rice.edu/2008/12/08/wii-bit-of-fun-at-rice-has-serious-intent/

This release can be found online at news.rice.edu.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations on Twitter @RiceUNews.

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,879 undergraduates and 2,861 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for happiest students and for lots of race/class interaction by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview.
Using optical technology specifically developed for this project, dolphins at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD, are at the center of research from an interdisciplinary team from Hunter College and Rockefeller University. The system involves an underwater computer touchscreen through which dolphins are able to interact and make choices. The system, the first of its kind, will be used to investigate dolphin intelligence and communication by providing them choice and control over a number of activities. Researchers believe this technology will help extend the high-throughput revolution in biology that has brought us whole genome sequencing and the BRAIN project, into the field of animal cognition.

The eight-foot underwater touchscreen features specialized dolphin-friendly "apps" and a symbolic keyboard to provide the dolphins--which are intelligent and highly social--with opportunities to interact with the system. To make the system safe for the dolphins, the touchscreen has been installed outside an underwater viewing window, so that no parts of the device are in the pool: the animals' touch is detected purely optically. While the research is still in its early stages, the team has embarked on studies aimed at understanding dolphin vocal learning and communication, their capacity for symbolic communication, and what patterns of behavior may emerge when the animals have the ability to request items, videos, interactions and images.

The interdisciplinary research team is comprised of Diana Reiss, a dolphin cognition and communication research scientist and Professor in the Department of Psychology at Hunter College; biophysicist Marcelo Magnasco, Professor and Head of the Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience at Rockefeller University; Ana Hocevar, a postdoctoral research scientist; and Sean Woodward, a doctoral student, both in Magnasco's lab.

"We hope this technologically-sophisticated touchscreen will be enriching for the dolphins and also enrich our science by opening a window into the dolphin mind," says Reiss. "Giving dolphins increased choice and control allows them to show us reflections of their way of thinking and may help us decode their vocal communication."

Reiss is known for her earlier work demonstrating "mirror self-recognition" in dolphins (and elephants) as well as a prior dolphin study that pioneered the use of an interactive underwater keyboard system and demonstrated their capacity for spontaneous vocal imitation and self-organized learning.

"The interactive system was designed to engage the dolphins without requiring explicit training. It is an open system in which the dolphins' use of the touchscreen will shape how the system evolves," says Hocevar, who built the hardware and programmed its functionality.

In addition to the touchscreen itself, the dolphin's habitat at the National Aquarium has been outfitted with equipment to record their behavior and vocalizations as they encounter and begin to use the technology. "We want to monitor whether the dolphins integrate novel elements from touchpad interactions, such as acoustical signals, into their daily repertoire, to which end we have installed an array of underwater microphones and video cameras," says Woodward.

Already, the scientists have begun to introduce the dolphins to some of the system's interactive apps, so the animals can explore on their own how touching the screen results in specific contingencies. "Without any explicit training or encouragement from us, one of the younger dolphins, Foster, spontaneously showed immediate interest and expertise in playing a dolphin version of Whack-a-Mole," Reiss says, "in which he tracks and touches moving fish on the touchscreen."

This research is funded by The National Science Foundation, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, and a fellowship from the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Foundation, and it is carried out in partnership with the National Aquarium.

"Using methods from statistical physics to analyze dolphin communication will open the door to understand how other animals communicate, which could be a game-changer in understanding how even human language originated," said Krastan Blagoev, the program director for the National Science Foundation's Physics of Living Systems program, which funded the research. "Projects like this not only enable science, but excite the next generation to think about science."

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About The Rockefeller University

The Rockefeller University is the world's leading biomedical research university and is dedicated to conducting innovative, high-quality research to improve the understanding of life for the benefit of humanity. Our 82 laboratories conduct research in neuroscience, immunology, biochemistry, genomics, and many other areas, and a community of 1,800 faculty, students, postdocs, technicians, clinicians, and administrative personnel work on our 14-acre Manhattan campus. Our unique approach to science has led to some of the world's most revolutionary and transformative contributions to biology and medicine. During Rockefeller's 115-year history, 24 of our scientists have won Nobel Prizes, 22 have won Albert Lasker Medical Research Awards, and 20 have garnered the National Medal of Science, the highest science award given by the United States.

About Hunter College

Hunter College, located in the heart of Manhattan, is the largest college in the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Founded in 1870, it is also one of the oldest public colleges in the country and famous for the diversity of its student body, which is as diverse as New York City itself.

Most Hunter students are the first in their families to attend college and many go on to top professional and graduate programs, winning Fulbright scholarships, Mellon fellowships, National Institutes of Health grants, and other competitive honors. More than 23,000 students currently attend Hunter, pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than 170 areas of study.

The 1,700 full- and part-time members of Hunter's faculty are unparalleled. They receive prestigious national grants, contribute to the world's leading academic journals, and play major roles in cutting-edge research. They are fighting cancer, formulating public policy, expanding our culture, enhancing technology, and more.
PHILADELPHIA  Most cases of Parkinsons have no known cause, and researchers continue to debate and study possible factors that may contribute to the disease. Research reported in the journal npj Parkinsons Disease suggests that a certain strain of influenza virus predisposes mice to developing pathologies that mimic those seen in Parkinsons disease.

This study has provided more evidence to support the idea that environmental factors, including influenza may be involved in Parkinsons disease, says Richard J. Smeyne, Ph.D., Professor of Neuroscience in the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and Director of the Jefferson Parkinsons Disease Center in the Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience. Here we demonstrate that even mice who fully recover from the H1N1 influenza virus responsible for the previous pandemic (also called swine flu) are later more susceptible to chemical toxins known to trigger Parkinsons in the lab.

Previously, Dr. Smeyne and his collaborator Dr. Stacey Schultz-Cherry in the Department of Infectious Disease at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, showed that a deadly H5N1 strain of influenza (so-called Bird Flu) that has a high mortality rate (60 percent of those infected died from the disease) was able to infect nerve cells, travel to the brain, and cause inflammation that, the researchers showed, would later result in Parkinsons-like symptoms in mice. Inflammation in the brain that does not resolve appropriately, such as after traumatic injury to head, has also been linked to Parkinsons.

Building on that work, the current paper looked at a less lethal strain, the H1N1 swine flu, that does not infect neurons, but which, the researchers showed, still caused inflammation in the brain via inflammatory chemicals or cytokines released by immune cells involved in fighting the infection.

Using a model of Parkinsons disease in which the toxin MPTP, made famous in book The Case of the Frozen Addicts, induces Parkinsons-like symptoms in humans and mice, Dr. Smeyne showed that mice infected with H1N1, even long after the initial infection, had more severe Parkinsons symptoms than those who had not been infected with the flu. Importantly, when mice were vaccinated against the H1N1, or were given antiviral medications such as Tamiflu at the time of flu infection, the increased sensitivity to MPTP was eliminated.

The H1N1 virus that we studied belongs to the family of Type A influenzas, which we are exposed to on a yearly basis, says Dr. Smeyne. Although the work presented here has yet to be replicated in humans, we believe it provides good reason to investigate this relationship further in light of the simple and potentially powerful impact that seasonal flu vaccination could have on long-term brain health.

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This project was supported by NIH NS075840, CEIRS NIH contract HHSN27220140006C, and the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC). The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Citation: Sadasivan, S., et al. Synergistic effects of influenza and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) can be eliminated by the use of influenza therapeutics: experimental evidence for multi-hit hypothesis. npj Parkinsons Disease. 2017. DOI: 10.1038/s41531-017-0019-z.

About Jefferson

Jefferson, through its academic and clinical entities of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, including Abington Health and Aria Health, is reimagining health care for the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey. Jefferson has 23,000 people dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients, educating the health professionals of tomorrow, and discovering new treatments and therapies to define the future of care. With a university and hospital that date back to 1824, today Jefferson is comprised of six colleges, nine hospitals, 35 outpatient and urgent care locations, and a multitude of physician practices throughout the region, serving more than 100,000 inpatients, 373,000 emergency patients and 2.2 million outpatients annually.
Discovery by researchers at the University Of Central Florida could lead to advances in 2-D materials, controlling light

University of Central Florida researchers have developed a new and better way of detecting interactions between light and matter at the atomic level, a discovery that could lead to advances in the emerging field of two-dimensional materials and new ways of controlling light.

Scientists typically use spectrometry tools to study the way light interacts with a gas, liquid or solid. That method is described as "inelastic," meaning the light's energy is altered by its contact with matter.

A team led by Professor Aristide Dogariu of UCF's CREOL, The College of Optics & Photonics, has pioneered a way to detecting such interaction on a single layer of atoms - an exceedingly hard task because of the atom's minute size - using a method that's "elastic." That means the light's energy remains unchanged.

"Our experiment establishes that, even at atomic levels, a statistical optics-based measurement has practical capabilities unrivaled by conventional approaches," Dogariu said.

As reported this month in Optica, the academic journal of The Optical Society, it's the first demonstration of an elastic scattering, near-field experiment performed on a single layer of atoms.

The researchers demonstrate this novel and fundamental phenomenon using graphene, a two-dimensional, crystalline material. Their technique involved random illumination of the atomic monolayer from all possible directions and then analyzing how the statistical properties of the input light are influenced by miniscule defects in the atomic layer.

The method provided scientists not only with a simple and robust way to assess structural properties of 2D materials but also with new means for controlling the complex properties of optical radiation at subwavelength scales.

The team's finding that its method is superior to conventional ones is of broad interest to the physics community. Beyond that, it could lead to other advances.

Graphene and other two-dimensional materials have properties that researchers are trying to leverage for use in display screens, batteries, capacitors, solar cells and more. But their effectiveness can be limited by impurities and finding those defects requires sophisticated microscopy techniques that are sometimes impractical. Dogariu's research has yielded a more effective way of discovering those defects -- a potentially valuable technique for industry.

The finding that a single layer of atoms modifies properties of light and other electromagnetic radiation has implications for controlling light at subwavelength scales in photonic devices such as LEDs and photovoltaic cells.

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The research team also included Roxana Rezvani Naraghi of UCF's College of Optics & Photonics and Department of Physics; Luiz Gustavo Cancado, of UCF's College of Optics & Photonics and the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil; and Felix Salazar-Bloise of Polytechnic University of Madrid in Spain.
Research by PhD candidate Nicola Bryson-Morrison from the University of Kent's School of Anthropology and Conservation (SAC) suggests chimpanzees are aware of the risks of foraging too close to humans.

The findings could play a vital role in helping further understand how human activities and development affect chimpanzee behaviour and habitat use.

Nicola and her team conducted the research in Bossou, Guinea, West Africa between April 2012 and March 2013.

They carried out six-hour morning and afternoon follows of the crop-foraging chimpanzees over a full year to record their various behaviours in different habitat types across the landscape.

They found that the chimpanzees preferred mature primary forest for all behaviours and avoided foraging in non-cultivated habitats within 200m from cultivated fields, suggesting an awareness of the associated risks of being too close to locations where humans were likely to be present.

However, the chimpanzees did not avoid foraging close to unsurfaced roads or paths where vehicles or humans may be present.

The risks related to roads and paths may be less than cultivated fields where humans are more likely to behave antagonistically towards chimpanzees.

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The findings have been published in the latest issue of the International Journal of Primatology.

Nicola is studying at the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) research centre within SAC, under the supervision of Dr. Tatyana Humle.

For further information or interview requests contact Dan Worth at the University of Kent Press Office.

Tel: 01227 823581/01634 888879

Email: d.worth@kent.ac.uk

News releases can also be found at http://www.kent.ac.uk/news

University of Kent on Twitter: http://twitter.com/UniKent

Note to editors

Established in 1965, the University of Kent - the UK's European university - now has almost 20,000 students across campuses or study centres at Canterbury, Medway, Tonbridge, Brussels, Paris, Athens and Rome.

It has been ranked: 22nd in the Guardian University Guide 2018; 23rd in the Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2017; and 25th in the Complete University Guide 2018.

In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2015-16, Kent is in the top 10% of the world's leading universities for international outlook and 66th in its table of the most international universities in the world. The THE also ranked the University as 20th in its 'Table of Tables' 2016.

Kent is ranked 17th in the UK for research intensity (REF 2014). It has world-leading research in all subjects and 97% of its research is deemed by the REF to be of international quality.

In the National Student Survey 2016, Kent achieved the fourth highest score for overall student satisfaction, out of all publicly funded, multi-faculty universities.

Along with the universities of East Anglia and Essex, Kent is a member of the Eastern Arc Research Consortium (http://www.kent.ac.uk/about/partnerships/eastern-arc.html).

The University is worth 0.7 billion to the economy of the south east and supports more than 7,800 jobs in the region. Student off-campus spend contributes 293.3m and 2,532 full-time-equivalent jobs to those totals.

In 2014, Kent received its second Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.
How do baboons succeed in coordinating the movements of their group? Biologists at the University of Konstanz study these organisms in the wild to find out which behavioural rules baboons use when interacting with others. Konstanz researchers have found out that the animals only need a few simple rules to coordinate their group movements, enabling them to organise themselves, and to make decisions, without splitting. In four recent research publications - published in the journals Science, Scientific Reports, eLife and the Proceedings of the Royal Society B - the Konstanz scientists paint a new picture of group dynamics among baboons with unprecedented detail by tracking how individuals make decisions within a group. Research partners were the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama as well as Princeton University, the University of California, Davis, and the University of Illinois at Chicago (all USA).

Baboons have long been studied because they have a highly complex social structure, forming groups from 20 to over 100 individuals. Such social structure suggested to early biologists that baboons must employ high levels of cognition to be able to coordinate their behaviour with so many group mates. For example, classical theories on group coordination among baboons suggested that the larger, grown-up individuals should stay at the periphery of the group to protect younger and weaker animals in the centre. However, to constantly keep up this positioning, each baboon would need to know, at all times, where the other members of the group are. Konstanz biologists have now demonstrated that this is not necessarily the case - neither is there a need for it. "Actually, coordinating their movement with only a few neighbouring individuals can generally be enough for animals to keep their group together, and what we see in the baboons is consistent with this idea", explains biologist Dr. Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin. Mathematics can further explain how individuals maintain specific positions within the group (either close to the center, at the front, back, or at the periphery) as her colleague Dr. Damien Farine explains: "If a baboon tries to stay together with only a slightly larger number of neighbouring individuals, this baboon will automatically move closer to the centre of the group. By contrast, individuals that coordinate their positions with a smaller number of fellow group members will end up at the group's periphery."

This means that the neighbourhood size, i.e. the number of members in the neighbourhood an animal stays together with, is decisive for maintaining the group structure. "This simple rule makes it possible to consistently describe the movements of the baboons. Consequently, the group structure results from local behavioural principles of individual animals and not from a joint decision taken by the entire group", says Professor Iain Couzin (University of Konstanz and Max Planck Institute for Ornithology), adding: "We also observe that the movement rules of baboons, and how they make decisions, very much resembles the decision processes found in schools of fish and flocks of birds."

For their research the biologists studied a group of 25 baboons living in the wild in Kenya - a complex project headed by Professor Margaret Crofoot (University of California, Davis). A GPS transmitter provided locations of the individual animals, second-by-second, for two weeks. The scientists combined the movement data of the animals with remote images of the three-dimensional environment and vegetation structure recorded by a drone to obtain an overall picture of the surrounding conditions.

The evaluation of these data provides new insights into the collective behaviour of the baboons. In a series of publications, the researchers have also examined group dynamics and factors that influence the movements of individual animals of the group, and ultimately determine the entire group structure. The inclination to follow other group members is the strongest factor driving the decision-making behaviour of baboons. For example, baboons prefer paths that other group members have taken shortly before. The more baboons use a certain path, the more attractive it becomes for the others. In situations where they need to decide in which direction to move, if several members of the group head in different directions, baboons are inclined to follow the majority (i.e. the direction where most of their group mates are headed).

"Together, these studies capture new insights into how baboons make decisions. No longer do we believe that a single dominant male leads the troop, deciding on behalf of everyone", says Damien Farine. Instead, University of Konstanz researchers have revealed that baboon life is much more democratic, and that many of the complex behaviours they exhibit might actually be the outcome of simple behavioural rules, potentially allowing individuals to spend more time thinking about other things - such as looking out for predators.

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Original publications:

1) Strandburg-Peshkin, A.*, Farine, D.R.*, Couzin, I.D., Crofoot, M.C. (2015) Shared decision-making drives collective movement in wild baboons. Science 348(6241): 1358-1361. * joint first authors

2) Farine, D.R., Strandburg-Peshkin, A., Berger-Wolf, T., Ziebart, B., Brugere, I., Li, J., Crofoot, M.C. (2016) Both Nearest Neighbours and Long-term Affiliates Predict Individual Locations During Collective Movement in Wild Baboons. Scientific Reports 6: 27704.

3) Strandburg-Peshkin, A., Farine, D.R., Crofoot, M. C. & Couzin, I.D. (2017) Habitat and social factors shape individual decisions and emergent group structure during baboon collective movement. eLife 6:e19505.

4) Farine, D.R.*, Strandburg-Peshkin, A.*, Couzin, I.D., Berger-Wolf, T.Y., Crofoot, M.C. (2017) Individual variation in local interaction rules can explain emergent patterns of spatial organisation in wild baboons. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 284: 20162243. * joint first authors

Facts:

- Project cooperation: University of Konstanz, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology (Radolfzell), Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Panama), Princeton University (USA), University of California, Davis (USA), University of Illinois at Chicago (USA)

- Data basis: Movement data of a group of 25 baboons living in the wild in Kenya, tracked with GPS transmitters

Note to editors:

You can download pictures here:

https://cms.uni-konstanz.de/fileadmin/pi/fileserver/Bilder/30.5.17/Movement%20patterns.jpg

Caption: Movement patterns of baboons in the wild

Photo: Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin

https://cms.uni-konstanz.de/fileadmin/pi/fileserver/Bilder/30.5.17/baboon_group.jpeg

Caption: Baboons in Kenya

Photo: Rob Nelson, Untamed Science

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Physicists from the University of Liverpool have made a huge step forwards towards building a novel experiment to probe the "dark contents" of the vacuum. What we see, normal matter and light, only accounts for a about 5% of the universe. Understanding the remaining 95% (the dark content) remains of the greatest challenges for fundamental physics in the 21st Century.

A novel experiment to probe the dark universe was co-initiated by Dr Jon Coleman, a Royal Society Research Fellow in the University's Department of Physics, together with Nobel Laureate Martin Perl (a visiting Professor at the University of Liverpool from 2011, until his passing in 2014). The unique experiment relies on "quantum interferometry" using ultra cold atoms. This is based on one of the most challenging modern experimental techniques of cold atoms (itself awarded a Nobel prize in 1997), called atom interferometry.

In a paper released to ArXiv, the research group present their results demonstrating interference, using low cost equipment and sophisticated control systems which are a synthesis of their work at Stanford, electronics expertise from the T2K neutrino experiment in Japan, and motivated by a vision for a new way to probe the universe.

There are only a handful of working atom interferometers in Europe and none configured to probe the dark universe. This marks a great advance in the university's ability to use the quantum nature of atoms.

Liverpool Physicist, Dr Jon Coleman, said: "This is certainly one of the most difficult things that I have attempted and has taken years of dedication. This would never have been possible without the fantastic team of staff and graduate students that are involved in the project, and the encouragement from my colleagues. We are excited because this apparatus can be used for so many things as well as probing for dark energy. Potential applications range from navigation to gravity scanning."

Professor Themis Bowcock, Head of the University's Particle Physics group, commented: "This is a critical new addition to way that fundamental physics will be done in the next decades. This technique could be as important as utilization of accelerators at CERN.

"We want Liverpool to be at the forefront of developing these technologies for studying the cosmos. We are very proud to be able to have given Jon the intellectual room, and the support, to complete the first stage of his programme."

Quantum Technology is estimated at a 1billion industry for the UK and quantum technologies are expected to have applications across multiple future multi-billion-pound industries in many markets and sectors.

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According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer osteoporosis-related fractures each year. Although comprehensive care for fragility fractures is available to patients, their understanding of risk factors, treatment adherence and the use of preventive screening remains low. Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine reviewed recent osteoporosis treatment and management options with the goal of preventing complications from the disease.

"A fracture is the only true symptom of osteoporosis, and typically, that's how the disease is diagnosed," said Brett Crist, M.D., associate professor of orthopaedic surgery at the MU School of Medicine and senior author of the review. "Knowing risk factors - age, gender and family history - allows us to screen for osteoporosis and prevent complications. However, in our review, we found that preventable complications, such as secondary fractures, are more common than they should be. The reality is that death and disability associated with osteoporosis affect more people than most cancers. Previous research shows that the mortality rate for the elderly is 30 percent up to one year following a hip fracture."

Crist, who also serves as an orthopaedic trauma surgeon at MU Health Care, said that several factors can lead to preventable secondary fractures.

"The use of preventive screening for osteoporosis is low," Crist said. "The risk of decreased bone density starts at age 50, so it's appropriate to start screening patients then to maximize the benefit and cost-effectiveness of fracture prevention. However, less than 27 percent of patients ages 65 to 79 are screened for the disease. Screening rates are even lower for both younger and older patient populations. Screening methods should include questionnaires and available tests for measuring bone density, such as a DEXA scan."

Medication cost is another factor that can inhibit osteoporosis care. Although newer medications that require fewer doses and have fewer side effects are available, their use is relatively low because of their cost.

"Getting patients to follow their care plan sometimes can be a challenge, especially when it comes to prescribed medications," Crist said. "Cost is definitely a factor. For example, a newer medication called Teriparatide increases bone density in patients with osteoporosis. However, a month's supply of this medication without insurance costs about $3,000. The more cost-effective drugs often carry greater side effects and a more difficult dosing regimen."

Calcium and Vitamin D are commonly prescribed for the treatment and management of osteoporosis. However, recent studies have called into question their effectiveness.

"These supplements are relatively inexpensive, over-the-counter treatment options," Crist said. "For those reasons, patients tend to take them as suggested by their physician. However, some studies question the benefits of calcium supplements and suggest they may have unwanted side effects in some patients. More research is definitely needed in the area of calcium supplementation as a treatment option."

Ultimately, Crist said that physicians need to have conversations with their patients about recent advances in osteoporosis treatment and management.

"Patients sometimes view osteoporosis as part of the normal aging process," Crist said. "However, they take a significant risk if they don't fully understand the consequences of their diagnosis. The development of an interdisciplinary care plan that meets the expectations and needs of the patient is the goal."

The review, "Osteoporosis: A Discussion on the Past 5 Years," recently was published in Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. The review in this publication was supported by the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the MU School of Medicine. Crist and Kyle Schweser, M.D., orthopaedic trauma fellow at the MU School of Medicine and co-author of the review, have no conflicts of interest to declare related to this publication.

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About the MU School of Medicine

The MU School of Medicine has improved health, education and research in Missouri and beyond for more than 165 years. MU physicians treat patients from every county in the state, and more Missouri physicians received their medical degrees from MU than from any other university. For more information, visit http://medicine.missouri.edu/.
New work from the University of Maryland suggests that a common, inexpensive and safe chemical could slow the aging of human skin. The researchers found evidence that the chemical--an antioxidant called methylene blue--could slow or reverse several well-known signs of aging when tested in cultured human skin cells and simulated skin tissue. The study was published online in the journal Scientific Reports on May 30, 2017.

"Our work suggests that methylene blue could be a powerful antioxidant for use in skin care products," said Kan Cao, senior author on the study and an associate professor of cell biology and molecular genetics at UMD. "The effects we are seeing are not temporary. Methylene blue appears to make fundamental, long-term changes to skin cells."

The researchers tested methylene blue for four weeks in skin cells from healthy middle-aged donors, as well as those diagnosed with progeria--a rare genetic disease that mimics the normal aging process at an accelerated rate. In addition to methylene blue, the researchers also tested three other known antioxidants: N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), MitoQ and MitoTEMPO (mTEM).

In these experiments, methylene blue outperformed the other three antioxidants, improving several age-related symptoms in cells from both healthy donors and progeria patients. The skin cells (fibroblasts, the cells that produce the structural protein collagen) experienced a decrease in damaging molecules known as reactive oxygen species, a reduced rate of cell death and an increase in the rate of cell division throughout the four-week treatment.

Next, Cao and her colleagues tested methylene blue in fibroblasts from older donors (>80 years old) again for a period of four weeks. At the end of the treatment, the cells from older donors had experienced a range of improvements, including decreased expression of two genes commonly used as indicators of cellular aging: senescence-associated beta-galactosidase and p16.

"I was encouraged and excited to see skin fibroblasts, derived from individuals more than 80 years old, grow much better in methylene blue-containing medium with reduced cellular senescence markers," said Zheng-Mei Xiong, lead author of the study and an assistant research professor of cell biology and molecular genetics at UMD. "Methylene blue demonstrates a great potential to delay skin aging for all ages."

The researchers then used simulated human skin (a system developed by Cao and Xiong) to perform several more experiments. This simulated skin--a three-dimensional model made of living skin cells--includes all the major layers and structures of skin tissue, with the exception of hair follicles and sweat glands. The model skin could also be used in skin irritation tests required by the Food and Drug Administration for the approval of new cosmetic products, Cao said.

"This system allowed us to test a range of aging symptoms that we can't replicate in cultured cells alone," Cao said. "Most surprisingly, we saw that model skin treated with methylene blue retained more water and increased in thickness--both of which are features typical of younger skin."

The researchers also used the model skin to test the safety of cosmetic creams with methylene blue added. The results suggest that methylene blue causes little to no irritation, even at high concentrations. Encouraged by these results, Cao, Xiong and their colleagues hope to develop safe and effective ways for consumers to benefit from the properties of methylene blue.

"We have already begun formulating cosmetics that contain methylene blue. Now we are looking to translate this into marketable products," Cao said. "We are also very excited to develop the three-dimensional skin model system. Perhaps down the road we can customize the system with bioprinting, such that we might be able to use a patient's own cells to provide a tailor-made testing platform specific to their needs."

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In addition to Cao and Xiong, other study co-authors affiliated with the UMD Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics include: former laboratory technician Mike O'Donovan, postdoctoral research associate Linlin Sun, graduate student Ji Young (Julie) Choi and undergraduate researcher Margaret Ren.

This research was supported by the Maryland Innovation Initiative. The content of this article does not necessarily reflect the views of this organization.

The research paper, "Anti-Aging Potentials of Methylene Blue for Human Skin Longevity," Zheng-Mei Xiong, Mike O'Donovan, Linlin Sun, Ji Young Choi, Margaret Ren and Kan Cao, was published online in the journal Scientific Reports on May 30, 2017.

Media Relations Contact: Matthew Wright, 301-405-9267, mewright@umd.edu

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About the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences

The College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland educates more than 7,000 future scientific leaders in its undergraduate and graduate programs each year. The college's 10 departments and more than a dozen interdisciplinary research centers foster scientific discovery with annual sponsored research funding exceeding $150 million.
In previous papers, University of Pennsylvania physicists investigated the "coffee ring effect," the ring-shaped stain of particles left after drops of coffee evaporate. In one paper, they learned how to undo this effect by altering particle shape. Now, in a new paper published in Nature Communications, they have uncovered the complex and remarkably different behavior arising in a liquid crystal drop that is drying.

The research, carried out in collaboration with scientists at Lehigh University and Swarthmore College, reveals novel behavior characteristics of liquid crystals, fluids with aligned phases of constituent molecules. The formation of different phases during drying leads to dramatically different fluid movement and solid deposition and also provides insight needed for the control of drying solutions of macromolecules that occur in many dyes and pharmaceutical formulations.

Penn alumnus Zoey Davidson, now a postdoc at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Germany, had been experimenting with Sunset Yellow, a dye that gives Doritos and orange soft drinks their bright colors, when he accidentally spilled some of the material.

"I noticed that the spill pattern left behind by the drop was sort of similar to coffee-patterns we had studied before, but there were also differences," Davidson said. "The drying drops had a macroscopically visible interior structure, too."

Davidson, along with Arjun Yodh, director of the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter and the James M. Skinner Professor of Science in the Department of Physics & Astronomy in the School of Arts & Sciences at Penn, and Peter Collings of Swarthmore, an adjunct professor at Penn, then decided to investigate this in a more controlled fashion. Penn Professor Randall Kamien, undergraduate alumnus Adam Gross and postdocs Angel Martinez and Tim Still also contributed to the study. The group collaborated with Chao Zhou of Lehigh and his Ph.D. student Yongyang Huang.

Unlike the particles in a coffee drop, the liquid crystal drop they studied was a solution of Sunset Yellow molecules that spontaneously combine to form rod-like macromolecular assemblies, similar to how rod-like molecules order to form the liquid crystals used in LCDs.

"Liquid crystals are a phase of matter," Collings said, "just like the more well-known solid, liquid and gas phases. They are fluids, which means they take the shape of their container, but unlike liquids there is some order among the constituents that make up the substance. So, although the constituents diffuse around much like what happens in liquids, they maintain some orientational and sometimes positional order."

While the liquid crystals used in LCDs, called thermotropic liquid crystals, are made of molecules with nothing else added, the liquid crystals used in this experiment were chromonic liquid crystals. Chromonic liquid crystals consist of assemblies of molecules dispersed in liquid water.

During drying, the Sunset Yellow concentration varied within the drop, and microscope images revealed the formation of different fluid phases such as the isotropic liquid (random), liquid crystal nematic (aligned) and liquid crystal columnar (cylindrically packed) phases that segregate to different regions of the drop.

"When you look at the drop over time," Yodh said, "it's not uniform; it has a lot of structure."

The central region of the drop was isotropic, and it was surrounded by the aligned nematic phase. The boundary between the two phases moved toward the center as the droplet dried, and then other regions with different structures appeared, such as the columnar and crystal phases.

"It's a qualitative jump to go from a drop that is one phase that just gets more concentrated," Yodh said, "to a drop that can change into several different phases depending on concentration. The different phases segregate and affect the viscosity and convection in different regions of the drop."

They noticed unusual dynamics in the drying process but found it difficult to discern these processes with simple microscopies. Thus they joined forces with Zhou and Huang to employ optical coherence microscopy to track the flow inside of the droplets. The new microscope revealed circular flow patterns, or Marangoni currents, circulating in a direction opposite to that seen in other solutions. This circulation anomaly was due to the unusual surface tension properties of Sunset Yellow.

Because evaporation happens fastest at an outer edge in a drying drop of coffee, solid material inside the drop is transported from the center of the droplet to the outer edge, bringing more and more coffee grains with it.

"These coffee grains accumulate at the edge," Collings said, "and after the drop has completely dried a nice, dark ring of coffee particles results."

In the end, deposition from the drying liquid crystal drop was not ring-like or uniform.

"In many cases," Collings said, "the existence of liquid crystal phases raises the viscosity and lowers the speed material moves at, so the final shape looks like a volcano or sunken souffle."

Although there have been other investigations in which multiple phases arise in drying and evaporating drops, especially near the drop edge, this is the first time researchers have investigated multiple liquid crystal phases and understood how viscoelastic effects and other properties of liquid crystals affect the final drying deposition pattern.

"We're pushing a frontier," said Yodh, "We know that lots of systems actually can have these properties, and this research is important if you want to understand what they're going to do."

Many technologies depend on depositing material in a precise way through the evaporation of a solvent. Since liquid crystal-like phases are common among dyes and pharmaceuticals, this research could have potential applications down the line.

"One need only think about ink-jet printing," Collings said, "to realize an extremely common and useful example. If such processes involve substances that form liquid crystal phases, as many dyes and drugs do, then the understanding gained through our experiments is going to be important in achieving whatever results are desired."

But much of the importance of this work lies in the realm of basic science.

"Our newfound understanding of how droplets of another class of materials dry," Collings said, "substantiates some concepts developed before but also extends our knowledge into realms where the behavior is different."

The researchers hope to follow up on some of the interesting observations they made about the structures that form as the material dries.

"The patterns of material that form," Yodh said, "are influenced both by traditional equilibrium thermodynamics and by fluid convection and new structures with novel locked topologies form as a result."

To be able to control this phenomenon would be an exciting next step.

"That's the funny thing about watching paint dry," Davidson said. "There's actually all this cool stuff happening inside the drop."

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This research was supported by National Science Foundation grants DMR12-05463, DMR12-62047, MRSEC DMR11-20901 and the MRSEC shared experimental optical microscopy facility and DBI-1455613; National Aeronautics and Space Administration Grant NNX08AO0G; and a Simons Investigator grant from the Simons Foundation.
Roughly 2-3 percent of all people suffering from cancer have kidney cancer. The most common form of this disease is called clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). In roughly half of all patients with this disease, the tumor develops metastases and generally cannot be cured.

New Mouse Model for Investigating Kidney Cancer

The research of different types of cancer and the testing of new treatments depends on accurate mouse models. This is because the tumors in mice mirror the genetics as well as the molecular and cellular properties of tumors in humans. Despite decades of effort, however, researchers were unable to develop a mouse model of renal cell carcinoma - until now. Scientists conducting a long-term research project at the University of Zurich were able to develop a mouse model. The study was led by Sabine Harlander and her colleagues at the Institute of Physiology of the University of Zurich in the lab of Professor Ian Frew, who has recently joined the University of Freiburg in Germany. The researchers began by identifying the genes that often mutate in human renal cell carcinomas. They then mutated three of these genes simultaneously in renal cells of mice, which then developed renal cancer.

Gene Mutations Promote Uncontrolled Cell Division

The progression from gene mutation in the renal cells to the development of a tumor took eight to twelve months. This lengthy period of time, compared to a mouse's lifetime, indicates that additional factors play a role in tumor development. The researchers therefore decided to take a closer look at the protein-encoding genes in the mouse tumors. They discovered that in all of the tumors at least one of the many genes responsible for the correct functioning of the primary cilium had mutated. The primary cilium is a hair-like structure found on the cell's surface and is responsible for coordinating cell signaling, among other things.

Based on this finding, the researchers found that similar mutations also occur in renal cell carcinomas in humans. The scientists now believe that the loss of normal function in the primary cilium leads to the uncontrollable division of renal epithelial cells, which contributes to the formation of ccRCC. "This research project is a prime example of how mouse models can help us to better understand cancer diseases in human beings," says Sabine Harlander.

Mouse Model Enables Development of Better Treatments

The new mouse model will make it possible to develop better therapies for renal cancer. For example, in the case of patients with renal carcinoma metastasis who are given different medications, some patients respond to the medications, while others do not. The same phenomenon can be observed when mice with renal cancer are treated with the same drugs as the humans. Some tumors shrink, while others do not. Now researchers can investigate the factors that contribute to why certain tumours respond to certain medications and not to others. "We hope that our mouse model, which allows us to combine drug testing and genetic analysis, will provide a deeper understanding of why tumors are sensitive or resistant to drugs," states Ian Frew. Such vital information could be used to better adjust treatments to the characteristics of each patient.

The mouse model could also contribute to the further development of immunotherapies - a method in which the body's immune system is stimulated, so that it intensifies its fight against tumor cells. In the last few years, much progress has been made in this field of cancer research, also for the treatment of renal cell carcinomas. Now, thanks to the new mouse model, it will be possible to study how renal tumors are able to develop in an environment with a normal immune system, and how cancer cells manage to evade the immune system's attacks. Ultimately, the researchers' goal is to use these new findings to improve the effectiveness of immunomodulatory treatments.

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VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Tampere University of Technology (TUT) and Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) are creating an extensive research infrastructure in Finland. This alliance will provide new business opportunities for Finnish industry, as manufacturing begins to benefit from research environments and machines. Automation and robotics, 3D printing and digital product development are the focus areas of the infrastructures.

Sharing will multiply the use of separate infrastructures, when a range of research environments are available to companies, and to VTT, TUT and TAMK which are providing the research infrastructure. The idea is to facilitate and accelerate demos, prototypes, piloting and product development without major investments. This will create new volumes for large project preparation activities, which will increase the chances of involvement in major, international programmes. The result will be new expertise, and improved competitiveness and productivity in Finnish manufacturing.

"High-quality, international cooperation requires strong centres of expertise of the kind appearing here," stresses Professor Kari T. Koskinen of TUT.

One-stop shop at SMACC

The Smart Machines and Manufacturing Centre SMACC, which was founded by VTT and TUT in 2015, serves as a platform for combining infrastructures. Such infrastructures will be made available to Finnish manufacturers via SMACC's website in stages from 29 May. Agile practices will be adapted to meet companies' needs as experience of such needs is gained. The SMACC expert network will help clients to find and benefit from the right kind of infrastructure.

"Practical cooperation will create more opportunities to help companies on a one-stop-shop basis," says Risto Kuivanen, Business Development Manager at VTT.

VTT, TUT and TAMK's research infrastructures are categorised on the website into digital systems, smart machines, robots and material development. Each of these includes several modules in support of challenging manufacturing, such as the latest measuring devices for creating experimental prototypes. For example, digital systems include industrial 3D printers for materials such as plastic, ceramics and metal printers.

"This infra-alliance will also provide excellent support for Tampere3's development," says Mika Ijas, Principal Lecturer at TAMK.

What is SMACC: http://smacc.fi/

Together, VTT and TUT form the TTY Smart Machines and Manufacturing Centre, which is building the future of Finland's manufacturing industry.

The annual volume of SMACC's collaborative research is EUR 40 million in total. New technologies and approaches are being trialled on a collaborative basis.

###

Contact details:

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

Erja Turunen, Executive Vice President

+358 50 380 9671, erja.turunen@vtt.fi

Tampere University of Technology

Pauli Kuosmanen, Dean

+358 50 304 5934, pauli.kuosmanen@tut.fi

Kari T. Koskinen, Professor, Head of Laboratory

+358 400 634 242, kari.t.koskinen@tut.fi

Tampere University of Applied Sciences

Hannu Kivilinna, Director, Industrial Engineering

+358 500 981 118, hannu.kivilinna@tamk.fi

Further information on VTT:

Milka Lahnalammi-Vesivalo

Communications Manager

+358 40 5457 828

milka.lahnalammi-vesivalo@vtt.fi

http://www.vtt.fi

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd is the leading research and technology company in the Nordic countries. We use our research and knowledge to provide expert services for our domestic and international customers and partners, and for both private and public sectors. We use 4,000,000 hours of brainpower a year to develop new technological solutions. VTT in social media: Twitter @VTTFinland, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and Periscope.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017

For Memorial Day 2017, Sunset Memorial Park here in Albuquerque, New Mexico hosted a unique storytelling event honoring those U.S. servicemen and women who died in wars. The storytellers were actors who looked like green toy soldiers.

On a day like today, for many of us its a day off, its barbecues, its time for family, and it is. It should be all of those things, but the reason we have all of that available to us is that there are people who gave their life for our freedoms, said Tom Antram, CEO of the French family of companies, which includes Sunset Memorial Park.

Today for us at Sunset, this is about memorializing those lives and telling their stories.

The green soldier actors at the cemetery this Memorial Day related the stories of those who are buried in Sunset Memorial Park or have a connection to New Mexico.

This is the second year in a row Sunset has done this event. Last year, they werent certain how the public would react to coming to the cemetery for a storytelling event.

What we heard from many of the veterans who came out and were part of the event, sitting and watching these stories being told, is that they felt honored. And for us, that was the home run, said Antram.

Hundreds of people came to the event. Military vehicles were on display and attendees could get lunch and ice cream from food trucks on-site.

Elsewhere in the park, Flowers by Zach-Low offered patriotic arrangements for visitors to decorate the graves of loved ones. Notice the bear in this arrangement?

In the video below, listen to the Korean War story about Lt. John Koelsch. With gratitude for those who died to secure our freedoms, democracy and American ideals, and those who lived to bear the scars of war  we salute you!

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From: Rick Smith -- News USA For Immediate Release: Dateline: Washington , DC Tuesday, May 30, 2017

[unable to retrieve full-text content] (NewsUSA) - We all work hard for our money, which in turn is divided up to pay our bills. That's how it works. But with the added stress of managing daily life, managing bill payment can often be overwhelming and sometimes get overlooked. It can be hard to keep track of what's due and when; never mind those bills that have fallen through the cracks and are late.Here are some tips to help, according to finance experts: * Learn Self-Control -- Learn the fine art of delay gratification, and you'll soon find it easy to keep your finances in order. Although you can effortlessly purchase an item on credit the minute you want it, it's better to wait until you've actually saved up the money. In this way, you may even be able to get a deal by paying cash at the outset. * Take Control of Your Own Financial Future -- Find a personal finance app. It is an essential component for managing modern life. Personal finance apps help remind you to pay bills, keep an eye on account balances, and stay within budgets -- things we need to do daily and for which we often need reminders. For example, Express Canada recently launched a free, web-based application that will offer a more improved approach to users' cash flow management and regular bill payment, which will invariably improve the credit rating with service providers. Payment for bills are made directly from XBP International to service providers by a click of a button. Users receive regular reminders for upcoming and overdue bills through email notifications, which improve regular bill paying habits. Users can also easily track and reconcile accounts with services providers.* Know Where Your Money Goes -- It is extremely important to make sure your expenses aren't exceeding your income. The best way to do this is by budgeting. In addition, keeping your recurring monthly expenses as low as possible will also save you big bucks over time."Plan Bill Payment" from XBP International is a perfect solution, developed by Express Canada (Ca) Corp., a Canadian corporation with a specialty in developing financing and business solutions for individuals, corporate and government. XBP International provides users with a schedule of the cash amount needed for the next 30 days. This enables users to coordinate paycheck or available cash with bill payment schedules -- a great financial planning tool. * Start an Emergency Fund - Having money in savings to use for emergencies can keep you out of trouble financially and help you sleep better at night -- especially when those large life events occur. Also, if you get into the habit of saving money and treating it as a non-negotiable monthly "expense," pretty soon you'll have more than just emergency money saved up.Banking and managing money keep getting easier. All the financial capabilities are a far cry from the pre-Internet days, when tracking expenses involved saving receipts, opening paper bills, and writing down every time you gave someone a fistful of cash.For more information, visit - We all work hard for our money, which in turn is divided up to pay our bills. That's how it works. But with the added stress of managing daily life, managing bill payment can often be overwhelming and sometimes get overlooked. It can be hard to keep track of what's due and when; never mind those bills that have fallen through the cracks and are late.Here are some tips to help, according to finance experts: * Learn Self-Control -- Learn the fine art of delay gratification, and you'll soon find it easy to keep your finances in order. Although you can effortlessly purchase an item on credit the minute you want it, it's better to wait until you've actually saved up the money. In this way, you may even be able to get a deal by paying cash at the outset. * Take Control of Your Own Financial Future -- Find a personal finance app. It is an essential component for managing modern life. Personal finance apps help remind you to pay bills, keep an eye on account balances, and stay within budgets -- things we need to do daily and for which we often need reminders. For example, Express Canada recently launched a free, web-based application that will offer a more improved approach to users' cash flow management and regular bill payment, which will invariably improve the credit rating with service providers. Payment for bills are made directly from XBP International to service providers by a click of a button. Users receive regular reminders for upcoming and overdue bills through email notifications, which improve regular bill paying habits. Users can also easily track and reconcile accounts with services providers.* Know Where Your Money Goes -- It is extremely important to make sure your expenses aren't exceeding your income. The best way to do this is by budgeting. In addition, keeping your recurring monthly expenses as low as possible will also save you big bucks over time."Plan Bill Payment" from XBP International is a perfect solution, developed by Express Canada (Ca) Corp., a Canadian corporation with a specialty in developing financing and business solutions for individuals, corporate and government. XBP International provides users with a schedule of the cash amount needed for the next 30 days. This enables users to coordinate paycheck or available cash with bill payment schedules -- a great financial planning tool. * Start an Emergency Fund - Having money in savings to use for emergencies can keep you out of trouble financially and help you sleep better at night -- especially when those large life events occur. Also, if you get into the habit of saving money and treating it as a non-negotiable monthly "expense," pretty soon you'll have more than just emergency money saved up.Banking and managing money keep getting easier. All the financial capabilities are a far cry from the pre-Internet days, when tracking expenses involved saving receipts, opening paper bills, and writing down every time you gave someone a fistful of cash.For more information, visit https://xbp.today


Leaving the European Union will ensure the next Conservative government is able to cut 'unnecessary' red tape for farmers and get greater control over fishing waters, Defra secretary Andrea Leadsom has said.

Writing on the Conservative Home website, she said if the party is re-elected Brexit would present 'huge' opportunities for the sector.

"Farm productivity is higher than ever before," Leadsom wrote.

"However, there is still much more we can do to support innovation in farm techniques, skills development, greater resilience to disease and floods, as well as environmental stewardship and sustainability."

Mrs Leadsom said Brexit is an opportunity to emerge from a period of great national change 'stronger and more prosperous than ever before.'

"Our priorities are simple: to grow more, sell more and export more Great British food, and to be the first generation to leave our environment in a better state than we inherited it."

'Sustainable growth'

The party pledges to bring 'sustainable growth' to rural and farming communities, so that people in these areas can have the same opportunities as those who live in towns and cities.

Prime Minister Theresa May launched the Conservative manifesto earlier this month. She says she is determined to grow more, sell more and export more British food.

The manifesto states that she wants to bring more stability to farmers as the UK leaves the EU.

It also stated that the Conservatives will work with each devolved nation to work on a new agri-environment scheme, to be introduced in the following parliament.

Funding

Mrs Leadsom said there is still much more to do to support innovation in the farming sector and said it was important to commit to the same funding levels as CAP.

"If elected on June 8, Theresa Mays Conservatives will commit to the same spending on farming and food production over the next Parliament as is now provided by the EUs Common Agriculture Policy.

"As we translate the body of European law into our domestic regulations, it means that the rules around the environment, food and farming will be set in the UK."
Farmers are cautious about signing up to new schemes, survey shows
The distance from Clearwater, Florida, to Kathmandu, Nepal, is roughly 8,500 miles. Somewhere around the middle is Lecce, Italy.

Two are relatively small idyllic coastal communities; one is the teeming hub of a vast landlocked region. One is a mecca for tourism, not more than a century old; the other two date back through millennia.

In most ways, these areas could not be more different. But they all share at least a few things in common: Each has a serious and growing problem with drug abuse and addiction. And each has hope and thousands of success stories from individuals who have overcome their addiction through the Narconon program. For former addicts in these three disparate locations, Narconon means a new life.

Narconon is a network of drug rehabilitation centers on six continents employing a program based on the groundbreaking drug rehab technology of L. Ron Hubbard.

The secular, drug-free program first addresses the physical realities of addiction, through a complete regimen for smooth and safe withdrawal and a revolutionary program for detoxification. These are followed by a series of communication exercises and life skills courses through which individuals learn to solve problems and live without drugs.

Narconons approach is also unique in that it identifies and resolves the reasons that an individual turns to drugs in the first place. Addicts are considered to be individuals with an issue, rather than victims of a lifelong and irreversible genetic or mental disease.

Individuals make choices that start them on the path of addiction. While each ones story is unique, there are similarities in the decisions that result in drug or alcohol addictions: Loneliness, lack of self-confidence, aimlessness and fear are some of the factors that lead them to choose drugs or alcohol. As the cravings for another high, another escape, increase, abuse leads to addiction.

Narconon, through its exact, standardized proceduresa precise technology for drug rehabilitationaddresses addiction from every angle.

Since its founding in 1966, tens of thousands of Narconon program graduates have gone on to lead drug-free, productive lives.

HAVEN FOR REHABILITATION

Narconon Nepal Situated on Hubbards Peak outside Kathmandu, the 80-bed residential Narconon is a mainstay for drug rehabilitation in Nepal.

In Nepal, an estimated 46,000 people abuse hard drugs. Seventy percent of them are thought to be between 15 and 29 years old; nearly a fifth of them were introduced to hard drugs before the age of 15. Among the entire youth population, recent estimates also find that nearly a third of all students use drugs to some extent.

Basanta Raj Kunwar, former senior superintendent for the chief of police of Kathmandu, has seen the damage of drugs firsthand. I tried when I was a police officer to combat drugs, but I could not, he said. And 80 percent of crime was drugs.

Kunwar learned of the Narconon program, and with training and support, opened a first Narconon rehabilitation center in 2004. The results were immediate. Individual after individual who seemingly had lost control of their lives regained their sobriety, their joy of life, their relationships with friends and families, and found a purpose for living a clean and productive life.

Narconon Nepal soon occupied five buildings in the center of Kathmanduincluding facilities for the outreach of its drug education to hundreds of Nepalese schools, police and military institutions, youth organizations and nonprofits. Then in 2013, Narconon Nepal opened its 80-bed residential rehabilitation facility outside Kathmandu, atop a Himalayan mountain dedicated as Hubbards Peak, after L. Ron Hubbard.

Narconon Nepal boasts impressive stats of more than 7,000 program completions since it first opened, with more than 2,000 of those after the Hubbards Peak facility opened in 2013. In addition, their drug education program has now reached more than 825,000 people nationwide.

We see people who were at the door of death and give them new life, new purpose, said Kunwar. They are productive, stable. I believe its a great achievement for our organization.

GIVING LIFE BACK

Narconon Gabbiano The largest of the Italian network of Narconon centers, Gabbiano serves Lecce and the greater region of Salento in the nations south.

In 1992, a graduate of the program in one of Narconons Italian facilities saw the need for a center in Leccea southern city and province, located on the heel of the Italian boot along the Adriatic Sea. He began in a villa that could hold 20 students. Outgrowing that, the Narconon moved in 1995 to a spacious facility to serve the greater region of Salento.

Narconon Gabbiano, as it is known, is today the largest Narconon center in Italy, with a commensurately large staff of 49. In answer to questions about Narconon, they point to the thousands of former addicts freed from drugs.

Said one, This goal I reached fills me with joy. It was a challenging journey, but it gave me back my life. I realized a goal, after so many failures.

Success after success, Narconon is not only saving lives, but creating drug-free lives.

As one graduate recently said, echoing the message of tens of thousands of graduates, The Narconon program saved my life. Without it, I wouldnt be here. I wouldnt have a wife, I wouldnt have a family, I wouldnt have two beautiful daughters. It has given me my life back.

STARTING OVER

Narconon Suncoast The seven-acre enclave in Clearwater, Florida, opened in 2015 as an ideal, distraction-free environment for overcoming addiction.

Along Floridas picture-perfect Gulf Coast, the stunning Narconon Suncoast in Clearwater is fulfilling a dire community need. In a state where heroin-related deaths increased 124 percent in one year, Clearwater is the seat of Pinellas County, where someone succumbs to a narcotics-related issue every 32 hours.

The facility was dedicated in November 2015 and has already saved hundreds of lives. Before attending Suncoast, recalls one graduate, I became a person that didnt care to connect with anybody because I simply didnt care, he said. The program really helped to clean all the drugs out of my system. It helped with the mental part of my addiction, and helped me bring out the past and helped me to not stay stuck in my head and think about drugs.

Another recent graduate recalled she came to Narconon Suncoast after four days in a hospital due to an abscess in her left arm from shooting up. I was beat down, depressed, anxious and tired, she said. Withdrawal was hard for me, but the staff helped me a lot to stay positive. My mind got clearer every day, and my energy finally came back. I learned how to be a responsible person. I am so utterly grateful that I got to experience and do this program.

I am excited to finally live my life again, and now I can carry all that I learned here into the real world and begin the life that I know I deserve.




Haiti - Politics : Deep sadness of President Moise





Following the death of the former Senator Turneb Delpe, Coordinator of the  Mouvement Patriotique Populaire Dessalinien  (MOPOD) in a hospital in New York on Saturday, May 27, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21065-haiti-politics-former-senator-turneb-delpe-coordinator-of-mopod-passed-away.html President Jovenel Moise expressed in a note his deep sadness at the disappearance of this militant who marked Haitian political life.



"The President of the Republic, His Excellency Jovenel Moise, expresses his deep sadness at the announcement of the death of former Senator Turneb Delpe, whose action marked the Haitian political life for several decades.



The Head of State would like to pay tribute to an activist who has worked tirelessly for democracy, human rights and individual freedoms. We can not say enough the tireless efforts he has made, not without bitterness and disenchantment, throughout his life, to promote national dialogue.



Today, society and in particular the Haitian political class mourn the loss of a great party leader, a man of conviction, a patriot who offers for the future lessons of courage, integrity and self-denial. The President of the Republic, His Excellency Jovenel Moise, expresses his deepest condolences to his family, his relatives and his political allies."



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21065-haiti-politics-former-senator-turneb-delpe-coordinator-of-mopod-passed-away.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politics : Towards the creation of a Parliamentary Front against Hunger in Haiti





Some 20 deputies participated in a day of reflection on the establishment of a Parliamentary Front Against Hunger (FPF), recently organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).



Nathanael Hishamunda, FAO Representative in Haiti, drew the attention of Parliamentarians to the fact that the fight against hunger requires a multi-level governance approach that includes both Executive, Legislative and Judicial powers, economic agents and Organizations of the Civil Society.



He particularly stressed the role of the legislature in this approach to fighting hunger, through legislation that can accompany food and nutrition security policies and programs, and has drawn the attention of parliamentarians to their ability to put the issue of food security at the highest level of the political and legislative agenda.



The deputy Tanis Tertius, chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and Food Security in the Chamber of Deputies, said he relies on FAO's technical support for the establishment of such a Front, like other countries of the region "The creation of a Parliamentary Front against Hunger will allow us to respond to the different facets of poverty and hunger and to identify the possibilities of solution through the implementation of adapted public policies."



The day focused mainly on issues related to the processes and mechanisms for creating this front: the different steps involved in creating an FPF, its composition, mandate, objectives, relevance, structure, legal status, its legitimacy within the legislature, its internal regulations, its strategies, its conditions of sustainability, among others.



At the end of the day, FAO's Special Ambassador "Zero Hunger" for Latin America and the Caribbean, former Dominican Deputy Guadalupe Valdez, who facilitated the discussions, stressed that despite the major challenges faced by Haiti, achieving food security as a goal of sustainable development by 2030 is possible if all actors combine their efforts in the same direction.



Ambassador Valdeza recalled that with the support of FAO, 17 Parliamentary Fronts against Hunger, 4 Framework Laws and 20 laws on food security and nutrition issues have emerged in some countries in the region "Haiti could be the 18th country to join the Regional Coordination of Parliamentary Fronts against Hunger and the first Francophone country in the world to create one.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















New Delhi : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has found strong evidence against Kashmiri separatists Farooq Ahmad Dar, Javed Ahmad Baba and Nayeem Khan, who have been alleged to have received funds from Pakistan-based terrorist groups to create tensions in the valley.

Sources said, the separatist leaders were summoned on Monday in the national capital over the same.Earlier this month, the NIA had questioned them in the national capital for four consecutive days.

The NIA went to Srinagar to probe into the alleged funding by Pakistan for illegal activities in Kashmir.

The agency continued questioning the separatist leaders regarding their involvement in raising, collecting and transferring funds through Hawala and other channels for terror funding in Kashmir.

The agency has collected details of 13 accused who have been chargesheeted 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.

The development came after the Hurriyat Conference suspended Nayeem Khan from the organisation after he allegedly confessed to receiving money from Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) for Kashmir unrest.

Khan was allegedly heard admitting in a TV sting operation that he had received money from Pakistan to create unrest in the Valley.

He, however, claimed that the sting operation was fake and doctored.

After the video surfaced, the NIA registered a preliminary probe against Khan, Tehreek-e- Hurriyat leader Gazi Javed Baba and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (R) chairman Farooq Ahmed Dar.

Source : Zee News
he St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has announced that Alexander Blair has been appointed as General Manager of the island resort. Blair joins The St. Regis Maldives having been the Complex General Manager of Al Faisaliah Hotel in Saudi Arabia since 2014. Prior to this, he held managerial roles at Oriental Residence Bangkok and HPL Hotels & Resorts, Maldives. He brings 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, having begun his career in the UK with Marriott International and progressing through the company over 14 successful years. Alexander was born in the UK and gained a National Certificate in Hotel Catering whilst studying in Scotland, before embarking upon the Management Trainee programme with Marriott in 1991.
Pod Hotels, a famous and up and coming New York City Hotel brand, has begun to expand, doing so by introducing Pod DC, which is, of course, located in Washington DC.

The company will make its first foray outside of New York City into the capital of the United States with a micro hotel that will offer 245 rooms total for guests, located in Washington DC's Chinatown neighborhood. Officials say the property is slated to emphasize efficiency, and it will boast an extensive design style after mid century aesthetics with a modern twist. The design work will be handled by the New York City based firm of Stonehill and Taylor.

Perhaps the most interested design touch of note about The Pod DC, which is saying a lot because the work being done here is truly stunning is, the way its interior is curated with artwork and property, all of which serve to help the hotel stay grounded in a hyper local identify, reinforced further by lobby walls that are set to feature artists discovered and managed in partnership with CulturalDC. This, of course, mirrors an ongoing trend throughout the industry in which stylized and hip hotels such as Pod DC seek to create an authentic localized identify, rather than to replicate the cookie cutter, homogenized reliability that was expected and appreciated by past generations of luxury travelers.

Art and design aside, the sleek guest rooms in The Pod DC have multiple configurations, which range from bunkbeds to double beds to queens. Every room in the property, however, will be fully equipped with built-in storage as well as cutting edge technology that has been specially installed to maximize the amount of available space. The rooms will also boast attractive finishes, which will be royal blue but accented by cheerful yellow tones, which will be enhanced by their exposure to the ample natural light pouring in through all of the hotel's many large window openings.

Guests at The Pod DC will be left to enjoy the views of Chinatown and Penn Quarter, which will serve as a backdrop for all of the hotel's guests. Some of these views, the most sought after, will even face the iconic Chinatown-Friendship Archway, a famous fixture of Washington D.C. The bathrooms present in these guest rooms will feature sliding barn doors, as well as rain showerheads and terrazzo flooring.

Guests will also be able to enjoy Pod DC's onsite eatery, Crimson Diner, which will feature a warm design from architect Michael Francis of SAINT, or Studio for Architecture and Interiors. On the street-level, the Crimson Diner will have the new concept, Crimson Whiskey Bar. Finally, guests will find a rooftop venue that is both in and outdoors.

Let's take a look at another Pod Hotel currently under cunstruction. More contact details of these Hotel Projects and its suppliers and architects involved can be found on the TOPHOTELPROJECTS website.

POD BROOKLYN

Located in the heart of Williamsburg, off the corner of Driggs and Metropolitan, Pod Brooklyn will be steps away from lively Bedford Avenue, which has attracted national brands like Apple and Equinox, and local favorites including Parm, Fette Sau, St. Anselm, The Commodore and more. A short walk to the Bedford L subway and East River ferry will have guests exploring Manhattan and other areas of Brooklyn in no time.

More information on Pod Hotels can be found on TOPHOTELPROJECTS, the specialized service provider in the exchange of cutting-edge information of hotel construction in the international hospitality industry.

Jule Grass

Marketing Manager

+49 4261 4140 309

TOPHOTELPROJECTS

View source
New York, NY  Colorado's Copper Mountain Resort is using ALICE's staff operations platform and guest engagement solution to improve staff communication and efficiency, and provide even more digital conveniences to guests. The resort, located at the base of popular ski-destination Copper Mountain, has been using ALICE since November of last year.

Copper Mountain Resort's Lodging General Manager, Steve Miller, was looking for a guest engagement tool to enhance communication with guests, but quickly realized ALICE could also transform staff operations behind the scenes. As an expansive resort that offers lodging in over 26 buildings across three different base area villages, and with employees spread throughout, Copper Mountain had a couple of unique challenges when it came to coordinating its staff. For one, guest requests and internal work orders, which come from a wide-range of stakeholders (including guests, unit owners, the front desk, a separate luxury management team, and multiple restaurants, event spaces, and other mountain operations) were being communicated via a variety of channels (phone, email, radio, and in-person), making it difficult to organize work, dispatch it correctly, and keep track of everything. Use of radios in particular was challenging in regards to effective communication. And while radios provided staff with mobility, maintenance technician activity in particular remained organized from a central dispatching location.

Now, with ALICE's staff management system, condo maintenance technicians are saving time and are working more efficiently. Because they now receive new work orders as notifications on their mobile devices, they no longer have to stop what they're doing to take notes about an incoming order. Attaching photos to orders has also simplified communication for the team, who no longer has to provide detailed explanations about location or equipment condition. So too, being able to see a list of open tickets on-the-go means maintenance technicians can accept orders most geographically proximate to them, instead of returning to the dispatch building to receive their next task.

Copper Mountain Lodging GM Steve Miller is also excited about the conveniences ALICE is providing the resort's guests. Copper Mountain has built ALICE's guest application into the resort's own innovative Copper Mountain Resort app, which provides resort-goers with services like lift times, trail conditions, weather reports, a resort guide and the ability to book lodging and other skier services. Building ALICE - which lets guests request housekeeping, bellman and maintenance services, and communicate directly with the front desk - into their existing guest offering is helping their staff provide even more exceptional service, as evidenced on TripAdvisor.

Lodging GM Miller's appreciation of ALICE extends beyond the product's benefits to the experience of working with the ALICE team. "The leadership at ALICE has been very engaged with us as we've worked together to customize the platform to our exact needs. They've taken our product feedback and requests and really helped adapt the system in a way that works best for each of our teams."

ALICE has found the partnership with Copper Mountain Resort to be similarly fulfilling. Says Justin Effron, ALICE co-founder and CEO: "After only a few months, Copper Mountain has become one of our highest volume users, proving just how necessary a mobile, cross-department staff solution is to running a complex, high-standard operation like Copper Mountain Resort. We look forward to continuing this productive relationship."

About ALICE

ALICE is the leading all-in-one hospitality operations platform that enables hotel staff to do their most impactful work. Task management, real-time communication, and operational analytics reduce the complexity and chaos of hotel operations providing the transparency and flexibility needed to run efficiently. Founded in 2013, ALICE works with more than 2,500 hotels and tens of thousands of hotel staff across many of the world's leading brands, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Graduate Hotels, and Grupo Posadas. ALICE won 7 HotelTechAwards in 2022: winner of Best Concierge Software & Best Housekeeping Software; finalist for its Guest Messaging, Maintenance, and Staff Collaboration Tools; Top 10 People's Choice; and Top 10 Best Places to Work in Hotel Technology for the fifth straight year. https://www.aliceplatform.com/.

Lola Feiger

Marketing Lead
In preparation for the busy summer season, we've analysed trivago data to identify the biggest summer travel trends for Ireland. These insights into traveller search behaviour reveal where visitors to Ireland are coming from, which cities they're going to, how long they'll stay and how much they'll pay this summer.

The following information relates to searches for stays of three nights or more, between 1 June and 31 August 2017.

Where will visitors to Ireland be from this summer?

Based on search volumes for destinations in Ireland, residents from the United Kingdom will make up the largest group of travellers from one country making their way to the Emerald Isle this summer. They'll also exceed the number of Irish nationals travelling domestically.

UK travellers account for 61% of international visitors to Ireland, followed by travellers from Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Austria and Finland.

The top 10 visiting countries account for approximately 93% of all searches from overseas generated for destinations in Ireland.

What will be the most popular destinations for summer travel?

Dublin is, predictably, the most sought-after destination in Ireland for both international visitors and domestic travellers. In fact, there's little variation between the top destinations for the two groups. The exceptions are Limerick City and Sligo Town, which make the top 10 cities for international visitors, and Wexford and Waterford, which rank higher for domestic travellers.

Across the international markets, Galway, Cork and Killarney are locked in a tight three-way popularity battle, their rankings varying between second, third and fourth place for the different markets. Their overall positions are influenced heavily by their popularity among UK travellers.

What does the data reveal about traveller behaviour ?

Along with where travellers come from, our search data also reveals when travellers prefer to travel, how long they'll stay and how much they'll spend on average.

The search behaviours of both the Irish and the international travellers from the top visiting countries are seen in their searches for destinations worldwide, and are illustrated below.

The most popular weeks to travel for the different markets are spread out evenly across the summer season. However, the highest volume of searches by travellers from both Ireland and the top 10 visiting markets is for dates that occur mid-season during the weeks beginning 31 July and 7 August.

Searches by domestic travellers, as well as by visitors from Germany, the UK, the US and Finland, peak for dates that fall in the first two weeks of summer. Visitors from the Netherlands, Italy, France and Spain, on the other hand, opt for the busiest weeks.

For those destinations in Ireland with the highest demand, the average clicked per-night prices exceed the global market average. Average Dublin prices are from 18 to 48 higher than the global market average for domestic travellers and all travellers from the top 10 visiting countries, with visitors from Austria, the UK and the Netherlands clicking on the highest prices. Average clicked prices for Galway and Killarney also exceed the global average clicked prices for several countries.

Irish residents and visitors from Italy and France search for the longest stays  eight nights on average. Travellers from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Austria all search for seven nights on average.

Irish hoteliers looking to capitalise on one of the busiest travel periods in the year can use summer travel trends to craft a targeted and effective hotel marketing strategy. Use all your online channels to highlight your hotel's unique summer appeal and drive bookings. Start by updating your hotel profile with summer-specific images, descriptions and details with trivago Hotel Manager.

About the data:

Travel period: 1 June  31 August 2017

Search period: 1 January  5 April 2017

Includes searches for stays of 3+ days

Searches include those where the traveller made at least one click-out to a hotel

Searches include those to specific cities as destinations. Searches to region or country are excluded.

View this article on the trivago Hotel Manager blog.

Andrea Ricciarelli

Global B2B Content Marketing & Global PR Lead

trivago

View source
ORLANDO, Fla. & SAN FRANCISCO -- Tourico Holidays, the world's fastest growing wholesale travel brokerage company, today shared encouraging data for the United States hotel industry, revealing an 8 percent overall increase in U.S. hotel bookings in 2016, compared to the prior year  and an additional 6.5 percent increase through the first 18 weeks of 2017.

Another promising sign for the U.S. hotel market is Chinese travel. According to Tourico, the Chinese have increased their U.S. inbound hotel bookings by 67.5 percent year-over-year in 2017. Other countries also increasing their U.S. hotel bookings in 2017 include Brazil (+23.5% YOY), Canada (+19% YOY), Australia (+9% YOY), and the United Arab Emirates (+60% YOY).

"There was some concern that current issues, such as a travel ban and seemingly tighter immigration policies, would negatively affect the U.S. hotel industry, but the market appears to be even more resilient than even we initially predicted," said Matias Elisavetsky, the Executive Vice President of Global Product Development for Tourico Holidays. "It's extremely encouraging to see hotel traffic continue to grow  especially from key source markets like China, Canada, Brazil and the UAE."

California, a popular tourism destination among foreign travelers and a market that typically reflects the overall health of the hotel industry, has also increased its inbound hotel bookings. Hotel bookings in The Golden State are trending 19 percent higher in 2017 than the same time last year.

To meet the growing demand, Tourico Holidays has bolstered its U.S. hotel inventory, growing its footprint of contracted hotels in California by 10 percent in 2016, and by 52 percent since 2013. The company works with suppliers, pre-purchasing massive room blocks and providing guaranteed occupancy levels. Tourico utilizes a network of 2,500 distributors throughout the world to generate global demand for their U.S. hotel partners. As a result of its global footprint, U.S. travel suppliers can rely less on local and domestic customers and increase occupancy rates through global channels.

"As private accommodation aggregators flood the online marketplace and consumer behaviors shift, it's vital for hotel suppliers to expand their distribution plan and put their inventory in front of a global audience," said Elisavetsky. "Being connected to a diverse collection of international travel sellers, our hotel partners can access customers in every part of the globe and enjoy sustained profitability."

Tourico Holidays will be exhibiting its comprehensive lineup of travel offerings  including hotels, cruises, activities and transfers, car rentals, and vacation homes  at IPW 2017 in Washington DC from June 3rd to the 7th. To speak with a Tourico Holidays representative at IPW 2017, please visit Booths 1101 & 1105.

About Tourico Holidays

Tourico Holidays, a business unit within Hotelbeds Group, is a leading global travel distributor that contracts directly with travel providers, such as hotels, flights, cruise lines, attractions, car rentals, vacation homes and more. Tourico works on a high-volume, wholesale model to broker this inventory to over 2,500 clients in 95 countries using proprietary technology. For more information please visit: www.TouricoHolidays.com.

Pete Bahrenburg

802-497-1932
Nor1 today announced their technology partnership with MP-Network GmbH, the inventor of RIMS, the Reservation Information Management System, to provide state-of-the-art email guest communication for hotels and hotel chains. RIMS and Nor1 will work together to add the NOR1 eStandby Upgrade offer to reservation confirmation and pre-arrival emails sent to guests. The pilot implementation of the two companys solutions took place at the luxury Hotel Palace Berlin, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Nor1 has more than 50 active integration partners in the hotel industry, and were pleased to add RIMS to the list, said Jason G. Bryant, Nor1s founder and CEO. Working with companies like MP-Network means we can drive revenue for our hotel customers while allowing them to communicate with their guests in an effective and meaningful way.

MP-Network and Nor1 expect to work together to serve independent and branded hotels in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Benjamin Lindner, founder and CEO of MP-Network, highlights: All of us at MP-Network are excited about the partnership with NOR1 and the synergies for our joint customers. With RIMS we are not only dramatically improving the quality of all email sent to the guests directly from PMS, but also helping the hotels to increase the exposure of their professional NOR1 upgrade solution to create an additional revenue stream.

About Nor1, Inc.

Nor1, Inc. is the leader in hospitality merchandising technology. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Nor1 provides data-driven pricing and merchandising solutions to maximize incremental revenues for hotels and resorts worldwide such as Hilton, IHG, Carlson Rezidor, Accor, and Wyndham. Nor1s patented, dynamic decisions intelligence engine PRiME, powers Nor1s Merchandising Platform including its signature eStandby Upgrade, eXpress Upgrade, CheckIn Merchandising, and eReach products.

Nor1 is creating the fusion between technology and guest experience. Its that combination of expertise and skill that have set Nor1 apart and continues to attract technologys most distinguished investors such as SAP, Goldman Sachs and Accel Partners. For more information, please visit www.nor1.com.

About MP-Network GmbH:

Established in 2012 by Benjamin Lindner, today MP-Network GmbH is one of the leading hotel guest communication providers internationally. MP-Networks solution RIMS, is based on latest technologies and the operational understanding of guests and hotels requirements for a professional email communication.

RIMS as a hosted Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution works seamlessly with major Front Office systems and does not require an interface from the PMS vendor.

The satisfied RIMS family members are based all over the world from the USA to Europe, Middle East, Asia until Australia including world leading hotels and chains, such as: Hotel Palace Berlin, Plaza Athenee New York, Lancaster London, IHG, AHORN Hotels & Resorts, K+K Hotels a brand of Highgate Hotels, Far East Hospitality Group, Swire Hotels, Dogus Tourism Group, Nira Hotels & Resorts, etc. For more information, please visit www.hotel-rims.com.
Steady Rates and Inconsistent Bookings Mark Ongoing Trend for North American Hoteliers

Transient Leisure Segment Continues to Stand Out as the Exception in Second Quarter of 2017

Heading into the summer months, North American hoteliers are continuing to experience stable average daily rates (ADR) alongside decreases in bookings during the second quarter of 2017. According to new data from TravelClicks May 2017 North American Hospitality Review (NAHR), this marks an ongoing trend from earlier in the year.

ADR for transient business travel in the second quarter, for example, is up 1.9 percent, but bookings are down -2.5 percent. Similarly, ADR for the group segment is up 0.9 percent, but occupancy is down -3.5 percent. The transient leisure segment continues to hold strong, with positive gains in both ADR and bookings, up 1.0 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively.

Our latest data indicates that North American hoteliers are still dealing with dips in occupancy across the board, with bookings down -0.7 percent for all travel segments in the second quarter, said John Hach, TravelClicks senior industry analyst. Future booking trends indicate that the inconsistency will likely continue throughout the upcoming summer travel season.

Twelve-Month Outlook (May 2017  April 2018)

For the next 12 months (May 2017  April 2018), transient bookings are down slightly -0.5 percent year-over-year, but ADR for this segment is up 1.4 percent. When broken down further, the transient leisure (discount, qualified and wholesale) segment is up 0.7 percent, and ADR is also up 0.7 percent. The transient business (negotiated and retail) segment is down -1.8 percent; however, ADR is up 2.4 percent. Lastly, group bookings are nearly flat at -0.2 percent in committed* room nights over the same time last year, while ADR is up 1.8 percent.

As we near peak vacation season, business intelligence tools become even more important for hoteliers, added Hach. There is an increasing need to gain competitive advantage through powerful forward-looking data, and this advantage enables timely differentiation from the local competition. Ultimately, it aids hoteliers in making proactive business decisions, especially when demand curves abruptly change.

The May NAHR looks at group sales commitments and individual reservations in the 25 major North American markets for hotel stays that are booked by May 1, 2017, from the period of May 2017 to April 2018.

*Committed Occupancy  (Transient rooms reserved + group rooms committed) / capacity

The second quarter combines historical data (April) and forward-looking data (May through June).

About TravelClick

TravelClick offers innovative, cloud-based and data-driven solutions for hotels around the globe to maximize revenue. TravelClick enables over 38,000 hoteliers to drive better business decisions and know, acquire, convert and retain guests. The Companys interconnected suite of solutions includes Business Intelligence, Reservations & Booking Engine, Media, Web & Video and Guest Management. As a trusted hotel partner with more than 30 years of industry experience, TravelClick operates in 176 countries, with local experts in 39 countries and 14 offices in New York, Atlanta, Bucharest, Chicago, Barcelona, Dubai, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Ottawa, Paris, Shanghai and Singapore. Additionally, the Company fosters more than 600 travel-focused partnerships for hotels to leverage. Follow TravelClick on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Hotel Indigo Warsaw - Nowy Swiat Hotel Opens in Poland

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announced the opening of Hotel Indigo Warsaw  Nowy Swiat Centrally located on Nowy Swiat - or 'New World' - street, one of the main historic thoroughfares of the city. The opening highlights IHG's growing footprint across the region, following the opening of Hotel Indigo Krakow - Old Town in 2016.

Nowy Swiat street is one of the most recognisable, fashionable and entertaining areas in Poland. It connects the two elements of the capital  the historical and the contemporary, leading straight to the Old Town area. Hotel IndigoWarsaw - Nowy Swiat provides an ideal base to explore the sprawling city. Guests can easily access the boutique shops, cultural venues and amazing dining options the district has to offer. For business travellers, the financial and business centres are also nearby, with the diplomatic district a walking distance from the hotel.

The rebuilding process of Warsaw after the Second World War left this district with an enviable blend of architectural styles; immaculately restored gothic creations and neoclassical palaces sit alongside Communist-era concrete towers and sleek modern skyscrapers. These contrasting styles are reflected in Hotel Indigo Warsaw  Nowy Swiat, where guests will find slick contemporary rooms dressed in dark grey shades alongside crisp white rooms decorated with ornate mouldings and elegant columns.

Just as no places are alike, no two Hotel Indigo properties are the same. Every Hotel Indigo draws inspiration from the local culture and popular trends in food, drink and design to create a warm and vibrant atmosphere for guests to enjoy together. The 60 guest rooms have been individually designed with unique decor, contemporary furnishings, and high ceilings. The inimitable atmosphere of each room is complimented by high comfort; each room includes luxurious plush bedding and beautiful spa-inspired bathrooms.

Guests and locals alike can enjoy the hotel's contemporary restaurant offering, Florentine, where Middle Eastern flavours and cooking techniques are paired with local Polish produce to create exciting and eccentric dishes. For visitors wanting to enjoy a selection of whiskey, the hotel's 'old fashioned' inspired Bourbon Lounge Bar offers a wide assortment of unique whiskey concoctions.

Grazyna Kania, General Manager of Hotel Indigo Warsaw  Nowy Swiat commented: "We are looking forward to opening our doors and welcoming guests and locals. Hotel Indigo is the perfect fit for thus location. Our hotel showcases the best of the local neighbourhood as well as acting as the perfect base to explore it."

Tom Rowntree, IHG's Vice President of Brand Management for Hotel Indigo, Europe, commented: "Boutique is the fastest growing segment in our industry, and with tourism to Eastern Europe continuing to rise, it's an exciting time to be opening our second Hotel Indigo in Poland following Hotel Indigo Krakow - Old Town. This year is an exciting one for the brand. We're expanding into new neighbourhoods including The Hague, London Aldgate and Cardiff and have just signed a new hotel to open in London, Leicester Square."

There are currently 21 Hotel Indigo properties in Europe and a further 18 in the pipeline*. Hotel Indigo Warsaw  Nowy Swiat will operate under a franchise agreement with Budizol.
The 5 Dumbest Hotel Website Design Mistakes

This article originally appeared on Tambourine.

Hotel website design is much more than pretty pictures

Excuse us for stating the obvious: but of all the hotel marketing tools and tactics that exists today, nothing will ever be more vital and essential to your hotels success than your own direct booking website.

Yet, despite its monumental importance, we still see hotels making these same five catastrophic website mistakes that end up costing them thousands in lost revenue.

1. Letting it Stagnate

Remember when websites used to be static online brochures?

Those days are long gone, friends.

Not only is your website the first impression of your hotel and your brand, its at the core of every hotel marketing strategy and direct booking effort. Almost every marketing campaign or tool flows from it or to it: your advertising and retargeting efforts, all of your inbound marketing leads, your SEO, your hotel PPC campaigns, your ROI reporting and more.

Treat your hotel website as a software application, not a brochure.

Your amenities, browser standards, email capture forms, booking engine widget integrations and online plug-ins (like live chat) change all the time and so must your website. If your hotel website is stagnant, chances are your direct booking flow will be as well!

2. Lack of Visually Arresting Imagery

It takes mere seconds to make the wrong first impression.

Have lackluster or outdated photos on your website?

People will automatically assume that your hotel is also lackluster and outdated. Studies show that hotel photography has the power to change a guests mind  making them consider a property that before was not in the running or to drop a hotel they were once interested in. Photos arent just pretty pictures, they matter to your bookings and your bottom line.

So, dump all the stock photography, delete your old images and establish higher standards for all new photography. Hire a photographer with an established portfolio of hotel or architecture work. Then, dip into your most valuable photographer pool  your own guests. Your guests are Instagramming their favorite moments from their trips, and some are pretty stunning!

3. Failure to Display Social Validation

Guests will always trust other guests over you.

So, you need to harvest the experiences of past guests to sell for you. This means displaying your propertys accolades, magazine awards and other recognizable trust marks prominently on your website, so that guests will immediately see that your hotel is a trusted, proven player. Also, be sure to showcase compelling guest reviews that sum up the best of your hotel experience.

In marketing, this tactic is called social proof. It basically tells potential guests, Other travelers stayed at this hotel and loved it. You will too. You can also use social proof to validate your hotels value to meeting planners and win more group business.

4. Missing a Meaningful, Local Story

Modern travelers are driven to book based on what lies outside your hotel walls, not just whats inside. They want to experience your destination like a true local and crave front-row access to cool discoveries and remarkable experiences unlike anything they can find at home.

So, your website should not only focus on your property; It should share the spotlight with your destination.

Your hotel website should position your property as the epicenter of your destination.

You need to show what experiences guests can look forward to and which are within reach. What cool wine bars or quirky, local coffee shops are within walking distance? What local secrets can your staff share? What should guests know about your immediate neighborhood?

The best hotel websites promise to change the viewers perspective on the destination and enrich their lives.

5. Absence of Key Tech Tools

As stated in Mistake #1, your hotel website should never be a stagnant marketing piece that sits still looking pretty. It is the dynamic centerpiece of all your hotel marketing efforts and should be powered with critical technology that amplifies its capabilities. Today, there are a number of technology plug-ins (more affordable then ever) that enable hotel marketers to maximize every click and visit and reap as much revenue as possible.

Some of the tech add-ons we recommend are built-in reservation recovery, live online chat, meeting/group lead tracking technology, ROI tracking, schema integration for SEO, and call tracking.

About Tambourine

Tambourine uses technology and creativity to increase revenue for hotels and destinations worldwide. The firm, now in its 33rd year, is located in New York City and Fort Lauderdale. Please visit: www.Tambourine.com
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Canadas support for UN peace operations: Unmet promises, delayed commitments

Posted by Press Releases on Tuesday, 05-30-2017 1:31 am

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Canadian officials are once again hinting at renewed Government of Canada support for UN peace operations, without delivering firm commitments of personnel.-Defence Minister Sajjan was in New York last week to consult with governments, UN officials, and other stakeholders about a ministerial level conference on UN peace operations that Canada is hosting November 14-15 in Vancouver.-And Foreign Affairs Minister Freeland is expected to include discussion of Canadas support for peace operations next week in a major speech to Parliament on Canadas approach to international relations. Media reports suggest those remarks will describe a framework for Canadian engagement with UN operations, but not the specifics of a Canadian deployment.According to Prof. Walter Dorn, National President of the World Federalist Movement Canada, Unfortunately, the dithering and delay by Canada is harming our reputation at the UN. Dorn, a faculty member at Canadas Royal Military College, is on leave to wo...

Close Forgot Your Password? Enter in your email address and we will send it to you. Send Email An HR.com member profile provides you with access to a multitude of information and education along with the opportunity to network with the largest HR community on the web.

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Midland IRA and 1031 Announces Employee Promotions to Accommodate Growth

Posted by Press Releases on Tuesday, 05-30-2017 1:17 am

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Midland IRA is a self-directed retirement plan administrator as well as a qualified intermediary for 1031 exchanges. The firm serves investors across the nation and is announcing critical employee promotions due to their growth over the past year.Due to the planned and achieved growth of Midland IRA over the past year, the self-directed retirement plan firm is pleased to announce new hires and employee promotions among senior management. These changes have been implemented relevant to IRA and 1031 exchange service divisions in their Ft. Myers, Florida and Chicago, Illinois locations.The firm serves clients across the nation who hold over $1 billion in assets in self-directed retirement plans. These accounts allow owners total control in choosing their own assets to increase the wealth-building potential in their portfolios. Self-directed plans allow alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals, private equity, hedge funds, forex, and more.Midland is also a qualified int...

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Kazim Kizil and videographer in Turkey has been jailed by the Erdogan government along with many other video activists and journalists. There is an international campaign to demand his release and the release of all other journalists and educators

Solidarity Call for Video Activist Kazm Kzl and Other Imprisoned Individuals in Turkey29.05.2017Kazm Kzl is one of many activists and journalists who have been imprisoned in Turkey for voicing their opinions in the wake of the attempted military coup and the more recent constitutional referendum held in Turkey in April 2017. A recently launched campaign and petition to free Kzl now provides an opportunity to offer support and show solidarity with those affected by the political development in Turkey.Photographer and documentary director Kazm Kzl was arrested last month while covering protests in Izmir that questioned the legitimacy of the recent constitutional referendum in Turkey. Kzl faces charges for allegedly insulting the president in his tweets. I document protests and resistance. The police are on one side and the protesters are on the other side and I am not photographing this from the outside. I am on the side of the protesters. I use photography and video as a tool., says Kzl in a video statement on Facebook. On 17 April 2017, Kzl was detained by Izmir police while covering and filming a demonstration organized in protest against potentially fraudulent referendum results; four days later he was arrested.Kzl's work includes the documentary The Tree of Eternity: The Yrca Resistance (Olmez Agac: Yrca Direnisi), dealing with the peasant's resistance against the expropriation of their land by the state and commercial firms. His most recent film Where are you buddy? (Neredesin Arkadasm?) is a documentary about child labour and has been shown at the International Workers Film Festival in May.Kzl's videos are mostly short and only a few minutes in length, without narration, essentially just the recording of the event, sometimes with music and occasionally featuring short interviews. Common themes in his films are environmental destruction, nature and labour. His sensitivity regarding violence and resistance in Kurdish regions are seen in many videos including Diyarbakr Newroz Celebration and 2016 Cizre after attack. Police brutalism in demonstrations are among the issues covered in many videos (see Vimeo clips here and here).The international call for solidarity and online petition is organized by MIT Open Documentary Lab. More information about the campaign can also be found here.How to support the campaign and sign the petition Help spreading the word via social media: see Facebook page Tweets using the following tags: #KazmKzlVicdanmzdr #FreeKazm #KaKzlaOzgurluk #FreeKa You can sign this petition for solidarity Check this blog where collected signatures from supporting individuals and collectives are shown. In order to supportKazm, you can also send an e-mail to belgeseldayanisma(at)gmail.comFurther links at edn.networkSearch among 600+ events in the DOCalendarSee Upcoming EDN ActivitiesFollow EDN on Facebook and Twitter
Asia Kim Jong Nam Murder Case Moves to Malaysian High Court

Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, who is charged for the murder of Kim Jong Nam, is escorted by police as she leaves Sepang court, in Malaysia on April 13, 2017. / Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, who is charged for the murder of Kim Jong Nam, is escorted by police as she leaves Sepang court, in Malaysia on April 13, 2017. (Lai Seng Sin/ Reuters)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia  The case of two women charged in Malaysia with killing the estranged half-brother of North Koreas leader was transferred to a higher court on Tuesday, as a defense lawyer complained of not getting all of the documents he had requested.

Indonesian Siti Aishah, 25, and Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam, face the death penalty if convicted of murdering Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur airport on Feb. 13.

The two women are accused of smearing Kims face with VX nerve agent, a chemical described by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction.

Aishah and Huong have told diplomats from their countries that they were unwitting pawns in what US officials and South Korean intelligence have said was an assassination orchestrated by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Kim Jong Nam, the eldest son of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, had spoken out publicly against his familys dynastic control of the isolated, nuclear-armed nation.

Aishah and Huong were charged on March 1 but the Sepang district magistrate court had twice deferred prosecutors requests for the case to be moved to a higher court pending collection of documents.

On Tuesday, the district court judge moved the case to the Shah Alam High Court. No date was given for the first High Court hearing but prosecutor Iskandar Ahmad told reporters the court should notify them within a month.

Aishah and Huong were present for the hearing, their third court appearance, both wearing bullet-proof vests.

Aishahs lawyer, Gooi Soon Seng, told the court the police and prosecution had yet to supply the defense with documents and other evidence needed for the case.

The concept of a fair trial demands that all material documents should be supplied to the defense at the earliest opportunity, Gooi said.

Gooi said last month he feared a trial by ambush and said police had not responded to requests to provide evidence such as CCTV recordings and statements from other suspects.

Three North Korean suspectsincluding a diplomatwere allowed to go home in March, along with the body of Kim Jong Nam, as part of a swap deal with North Korea, which had banned nine Malaysians from leaving there.

Four other North Koreans have been identified by Malaysia as suspects. Malaysian police have said the four left Kuala Lumpur for Pyongyang on the day of the killing.

North Korea has refused to accept the dead man was leader Kim Jong Uns half brother, and has suggested the victim died of a heart attack. It has accused Malaysia of working with South Korean and other hostile forces.
Burma Cyclone Brings Destruction to Burma Refugee Camps in Bangladesh

A satellite shot of Cyclone Mora. / Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology

COXS BAZAR, Bangladesh  A cyclone battered refugee camps in Bangladesh on Tuesday where hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims from Burma have taken refuge from violence at home, as authorities moved at least 350,000 Bangladeshis out of harms way.

Cyclone Mora struck the island of Saint Martin and Teknaf in the coastal Bangladeshi district of Coxs Bazar, where officials said some 200,000 people were evacuated to shelters. In Chittagong district, about 150,000 people were evacuated.

The islands are a few miles from the Burma border, and the refugee camps for Rohingyas who have fled their homeland.

Shamsul Alam, a Rohingya community leader, told Reuters that damage in different camps was severe with almost all the 10,000 thatched huts in the Balukhali and Kutupalong camps destroyed.

Most of the temporary houses in the camps have been flattened, Alam said.

Omar Farukh, a community leader in Kutupalong camp, said conditions were dire: Now were in the open air.

Officials in Chittagong reported winds gusting up to 135 kph (85 mph), and said low-lying coastal areas were flooded by a storm surge with waves 2 metres (7 feet) high.

Flights in the area were cancelled.

Last October, following a Burma Army operation launched in response to insurgent attacks, an estimated 74,000 Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh where they joined more than 200,000 who have taken refuge there over the years.

The Bangladeshi government has estimated that in all, there are about 350,000 Rohingyas in Bangladesh.

In predominantly Buddhist Burma, where Rohingyas are officially denied citizenship and classified as illegal immigrants, about 120,000 of them have been internally displaced by communal violence over recent years and are living in camps.

Were Worried

A UN official working with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh said the damage in the camps could not be assessed while the storm was raging.

Heavily pregnant women have been evacuated but most people in areas like Balukhali and Kutupalong makeshift settlements have stayed, said the official, who declined to be identified.

The winds are strong and people there live in flimsy structures, so were worried.

In Burma, about 300 houses were damaged in Arakan State but the extent was unclear, the government said.

But Bangladeshi weather officials said the cyclone was not as bad as they had feared.

The severity was less than the apprehension, Shamsuddin Ahmed, a weather official based in Chittagong said.

The cyclone was expected to weaken in Bangladesh by late morning as it moved inland towards India where authorities have warned of heavy rain in the northeastern states of Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

The cyclone formed after monsoon rains triggered floods and landslides in Sri Lanka, off Indias southern tip, killing at least 180 people in recent days, authorities said.

In the eastern Indian state of Bihar, 24 people have been killed in recent days, either by lightning or in collapsed dwellings.

The southwest monsoon reached the Kerala coast of southwest India on Tuesday.

This article has been updated.
Burma Cyclone Mora Flattens Hundreds of Homes in Arakan State

Residents work to repair houses at Thet Kay Pyin IDP camp on the outskirts of Sittwe on Tuesday. / The Irrawaddy

RANGOON  Cyclone Mora destroyed hundreds of structures and ripped roofs off buildings in Arakan State on Tuesday, including flattening shelters in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

There were no immediate reports of casualties and authorities were working to assess the damage, according to Lt-Col Win Naung of Sittwe Township police.

U Kyaw Hla Aung, from Thet Kay Pyin IDP camp on the outskirts of Sittwe and a member of the Rohingya community widely affected by the cyclone, told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that hundreds of structures in his area were blown to the ground.

The cyclone struck at 9 p.m. on Monday night and eased on Tuesday afternoon, with rain and wind continuing all day, he said, adding that he had heard of damage to almost every IDP camp along the Arakan coast.

U Tun Tha, a teacher in Thae Chaung IDP camp, said the cyclone had destroyed 50 houses and taken the roofs off 200 bamboo houses in the camp.

There were reports that downed telephone lines were hampering communication in Maungdaw Township along the border with Bangladesh.

Some 50 buildings were destroyed in Khaung Doke Kar IDP camp, each home to about eight families, according to a local resident.

The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates 120,000 people remain displaced in Arakan State following riots in 2012 and subsequent flaring of violence.

Arakan State chief minister U Nyi Pu was working with the fire department, the electricity department, police, and the army to check damage around Sittwe on Tuesday, according to his Facebook page.

The Irrawaddy telephoned regional social welfare minister Dr. Chan Tha for comment but he replied that he was in a meeting.

Authorities evacuated 350,000 people from the effects of Cyclone Mora in Bangladesh. The storm caused severe damage to refugee camps housing Rohingya refugees from northern Arakan State near Coxs Bazar.

Shamsul Alam, a Rohingya community leader, told Reuters that damage in the camps was severe with almost all the 10,000 thatched huts in the Balukhali and Kutupalong camps destroyed.

Coxs Bazar district chief Mohammad Ali Hussin said at least 15,000 houses in the district had been destroyed and he had unconfirmed reports of three people killed and dozens injured, including several Rohingya refugees, Reuters reported.

The cyclone killed at least 177 people in recent days, with widespread floods and landslides in Sri Lanka and 24 killed by lightning strikes and collapsed village huts in the eastern Indian state of Bihar.

Cyclone Komen crossed coastal Arakan State in 2015 and brought severe flooding and landslides, claiming 132 lives and displacing 1.6 million people across Burma, according to a World Bank report.
Burma Deputy Defense Minister: Army Agriculture on Confiscated Land Saves Money

A signboard reading, Military-owned land. No trespassing. / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYIDAWThe Burma Armys farming projects inside cantonments and on confiscated land saves more than 75 billion kyats annually from the states budget, said Deputy Minister of Defense Maj-Gen Myint Nwe.

During the Upper House legislative session on Tuesday, the deputy minister faced a question by lawmaker U Wai Sein Aung from Arakan State (1) regarding some 100 acres of land grabbed by the Light Infantry Battalion No. 270 in Sittwe in 1994.

The deputy minister said his ministry had already returned some of the land to the government, and would not give back the remaining area because the battalion is farming the area.

The Tatmadaw really works hard in farming and [livestock] breeding. This not only boosts the food productivity of the country and supports the livelihoods of service personnel, but also saves 75.79 billion kyats (US$51.13 million) annually on the states funds, the deputy minister told lawmakers.

If food expenditure is to be allocated to the army like it is to the police force, the annual military expenditure will need an additional 75.79 billion kyats, he said.

But the Tatmadaw does not ask for this sum from the states budgetit meets this requirement by farming and breeding on its own, said the deputy minister.

The military institution implements farming and livestock breeding as part of a welfare policy, said the deputy minister. The produce is sold to service personnel and their families at cheaper prices than outside markets, and surpluses are also sold to outside markets at low prices, he said.

When asked by lawmaker U Wai Sein Aung if the ministry would consider giving compensation for confiscated lands, the deputy minister said those lands were confiscated in line with procedures in 1994, and therefore there was no plan to provide compensation.

The defense budget for 2017-18 fiscal year was set at more than 2.0 trillion kyats, which is 13.59 percent of the total Union budget, according to the deputy minister.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.
Burma Gender Alliance Reports 20 Percent Womens Participation in Peace Conference

Women representatives from the Tatmadaws delegation register their attendance during the second session of the 21st Century Panglong/Union Peace Conference in May. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

NAYPYIDAW  The inclusion of women in peace talks slightly increased during the second session of the 21st Century Panglong conference with an estimated 20 percent representation, although it has not yet reached the minimum target threshold of 30 percent.

Overall, an estimated 146 of the total 740 delegates (19.73 percent) were women, according to the Alliance for Gender Inclusion in the Peace Process (AGIPP), which published its evaluation paper on Monday.

Government spokesperson U Zaw Htay said that they would continue to strive to reach 30 percent womens representation, as is outlined in the framework for political dialogue. However, AGIPPs numbers remain an estimate, as government representatives could not provide an official number or percentage of the women delegates present during the recent conference, despite being asked about the issue by numerous reporters.

Women at the recent peace conference participated as delegates, facilitators and issue-specific experts and observers. They were undoubtedly visible, but conference observers noted that many of the women present at the event were not there in a decision-making capacity, instead serving as police officers, administrative support staff, and cleaners.

AGIPP reported in 2016 that in the conferences first session, held in August and September, there were 97 women out of 663 total delegates (14.6 percent). The majority of these women represented the ethnic armed organizations, many of which did not attend the most recent session because the groups have not signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA).

This year, the female delegates were from only eight ethnic armed organizationsthe NCA signatory groupsas well as the government, Parliament, Burma Army and various political parties.

Government spokesperson U Zaw Htay told The Irrawaddy last Friday that the government had instructed each ministry to carefully select the women representatives for the peace conference, choosing those who were experts on the issues and who could contribute fully to the process.

He said that most of those women were from the social welfare sector, and therefore the government had stronger female representation in the discussion on the social sector than they did on the political and security sectors.

Fifty-six women out of 167 total delegates participated in the proceedings surrounding the social sector, sharing their perspectives on the reintegration of refugees and internally displace persons from Burmas civil war and various natural disasters. Arguably missing from this discussion, and the basic social sector principles agreed upon, was a focus on education and health.

According to the delegates, women also actively participated in the economic sector discussion, in which federal economic policies were discussed.

The basic principles outlined in the land and environment sector ensured the equal ownership of land by both men and women in accordance with land laws, one of the womens key concerns.

The fewest women were present in the security sector discussion: 13 participants out of 133. Yet, AGIPP described these individuals as highly active in the talks.

Delegates who participated in the political sector discussion told The Irrawaddy that there was no consensus concerning the theme of gender equality during the discussion.

Gender equality, which is under the equality principle, was left to proceed in discussions for the next rounds of talks, said Naw May Oo, the stakeholder representing the Karen National Union, as it is not attractive during the talk, even though it is under the equality principle.

As long as we think gender equality should not be a priority, we [the country] will be behind, because we, women, are 51 percent of the total population, she added.

In its paper, AGIPP also urged the government and relevant stakeholders to pay attention to the recommendations of the CEDAW (Convention on the End of all forms of Discrimination Against Women) committee in drafting future laws and state constitutions, so as to ensure gender equality and prevent the discrimination against women.

The delegates are optimistic that greater inclusion of women in the peace talks will help ease hindrances which cannot be solved only between men.

Now womens voices for peace have become loudly heard, and everyone pays attention when it comes to peace, said Daw San Wint Khaing, the Pa-O ethnic affairs minister in Mon State, who attended the conference as the Mon State representative.

The stakeholders have become aware that peace is key for creating a good future for the women, young children, and the elders, minister Daw San Wint Khiang told The Irrawaddy on Monday, adding that peace would be implemented sooner for the sake of women, children and the elderly.

Daw Htoot May, a Lower House lawmaker representing the Arakan National Party told The Irrawaddy that at least 30 percent of women lawmakers joined the peace conference and took part in the discussions.

She is hopeful that as long as the federal principles agreed to can address the political problems, womens participation and the role of women in decision making will follow.

We did not see a womens section created, as the key theme was how to form a federal state, she said. When we can create a federal system, I dont think there will be discrimination against men or women.

The second 21st Century Panglong peace conference session concluded with the signing of 37 of 45 basic principles negotiated during the six-day event, but key principles concerning those of equality, self-determination and the secession were left to be addressed in future negotiations.
Burma UN Names Fact-Finding Mission Members

Sri Lankan lawyer and human rights veteran Radhika Coomaraswamy (Right), pictured here in 2009, will join a three-member UN fact-finding mission. / Reuters

The UN named a trio of independent experts on Tuesday to investigate widespread allegations of killings, rape and torture by Burmas security forces against Rohingya Muslims in Arakan State.

The international fact-finding mission will be chaired by Indira Jaising, an advocate of the Supreme Court of India, the president of the UN Human Rights Council said in a statement.

The mission will seek access to Burma, where the army last week rejected allegations of abuses during a crackdown last year which forced some 75,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. The UN urged the government to fully cooperate by making available the findings of its domestic investigations and by granting full, unrestricted and unmonitored access.

The two other members are Radhika Coomaraswamy, a human rights veteran and lawyer from Sri Lanka, and Australian activist Christopher Sidoti, said the U.N. statement, issued after private consultations within the 47-member state forum.

The Council agreed to set up the fact-finding mission last March in a resolution strongly condemning violations and calling for ensuring full accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims.

A UN report in February said Burmas security forces had committed mass killings and gang rapes in a campaign that very likely amounted to crimes against humanity and possibly ethnic cleansing. The report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was based on extensive interviews with Rohingya survivors in Bangladesh.

Both Burmas de facto leader State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Burmas military commander-in-chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing have rejected the team of experts.

In her State of the Union address last month Daw Aung Suu Kyi said she did not accept a fact-finding mission into Arakan State. It does not mean we disrespect the UN, she added, it is just that it does not correspond with our countrys [situation].

On the occasion of the 72nd Anniversary of Armed Forces Day last month, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing reiterated that the Rohingya population did not belong to Burma, but were interlopers from Bangladeshand that any international political intervention on the pretext of assisting refugees from this community would threaten Burmas sovereignty.

Last week, more than 50 civil society groups in Burma urged the government to fully cooperate with the fact finding mission, claiming it would foster a rule-of law culture. Last month, 23 international organizations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Fortify Rights, called on overseas governments to engage Burmese authorities in allowing unfettered access to the UN fact-finding mission.
Guest Column The UWSA and the Risks Within Burmas Political Landscape

A United Wa State Army (UWSA) soldier holds a weapon while marching during a display for the media in Panghsang, Wa territory on October 3, 2016. / Soe Zayar Tun / Reuters

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) plays a significant role in the political spectrum in Burma, highlighted by pressure placed on the groups delegates not to sign the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) in the 21st Century Panglong peace conference, and the recent series of ethnic conferences led by the UWSA in its enclave of Panghsang. The group and its alliance were invited to participate in the opening of the second session of the Union Peace Conference, demonstrating that State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wanted to portray an atmosphere of all-inclusiveness at the event.

In fact, the recent involvement of the UWSA in Burmas peace process can be understood skeptically as being a calculated decision. If the government and military cannot pave the way toward fruitful and timely negotiations, the UWSA could potentially induce unprecedented political risk in the country through the intensified pursuit of the following courses of action.

Claiming Territory as a State

The UWSA has claimed it officially recognizes its territory as a state since former President U Thein Seins tenure. It has controlled the territories referred to by the government as Special Region No. 2 in Shan State, while the UWSA refers to the area as Wa State. On January 1, 2009, the UWSA announced its territory as the Wa State Government Special Administrative Region. Yet the 2008 Constitution officially classifies this territory as the Wa Self-Administered Division.

Sam Khun, a spokesperson for the UWSAs political wing, the United Wa State Party, emphasized to The Irrawaddy in 2013 that the group was asking for state autonomy, though the government had given them a Wa-run administrative region. Many said that the UWSA initially brought their proposal to address the issue in the first-round of the 21st Century Panglong peace conference held in 2016. However, before addressing the proposal, they walked out of the conference, citing government mismanagement.

The UWSAs claim may bring about grievances from the government, military and other ethnic armed groups with which they are not currently allied.

Rejection of the NCA

The UWSA have indicated that they believe the peace process with which the government, military and other ethnic armed groups deal will be stalled and prolonged. They also have been excluded from the political talks, particularly in the initial stages of the NCA process.

In February, the UWSA hosted representatives of six other ethnic armed groups in its Panghsang headquarters for a meeting on the peace process. After the meeting, the gathering rejected the NCA and called for a new peace process arbitrated by China. Government spokesperson U Zaw Htay said that the UWSA-led demands could complicate some issues but would not derail the NCA process.

The UWSA released a statement on September 2, 2016 in which they condemned the government and its military for what they described as poor management and discrimination against ethnic minorities during the first session of the 21st Century Panglong peace conference. The UWSAs rejection the NCA remains a major challenge for the government and the military.

Alliances With Other Ethnic Armed Organizations

The UWSAs alliances with other ethnic armed organizations challenge the supremacy of the government and militarys peace process. The current alliances were the result of the three-day ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) summit in Panghsang, and include the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North (SSPP/SSA-N), Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the ethnic Kokang Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA). Their common agreement is to stand together and assist one another when or if any member is under attack. Perhaps to fortify its position as a leader in this process, the UWSA hosted another ethnic conference from April 15-19, and even formed the Federation of Ethnic Nationalities.

The government and its military see this alliance as a hurdle to its own ongoing peace process, centered on the signing of the NCA. Questions arise on how they will confront this challenge: will they accept the new peace trajectory brought by the UWSA-led coalition? Or, through military means, will they force the alliance to sign the NCA?

Strengthening of the Military

The strengthening of the UWSAs own military puts a burden on the Burmese army as the latter attempts to weaken and disarm the countrys ethnic armed groups in order to reach its aim of serving as the countrys single armed force.

The UWSA has been building its military for decades with the support of China. It has an estimated 30,000 active military personnel who are believed to be highly trained. The UWSA produce ammunition and possess sophisticated weaponry such as tanks, snipers, anti-tank artillery, and helicopters from China, reportedly complete with TY-90 air-to-air missiles, according to sources close to the Wa army, as well as leaked documents.

The UWSA is also believed to serve as a prominent arms dealer for other ethnic armed groups, including the MNDAA, KIA, AA, and TNLA. The Burma Army faces the dilemma of how to address the UWSAs military clout without such a confrontation escalating into large-scale conflict.

A Scenario for a Peace Deal

The uncertainties outlined hereregarding Wa statehood, the NCA, new alliances, and a fortified Wa armymust be addressed in negotiations; in peace talks, the UWSA cannot be excluded. Without Wa participationa major linchpin for a peace deal in Burmathe peace process will be meaningless, as it will not have the backing of the largest and strongest ethnic military power in the region.

The new Federation of Ethnic Nationalities recently showed up at the second session of the 21st Century Panglong peace conference in Naypyidaw, but the alliances delegates were excluded from participation in the event. Instead, they were appeased with separate meetings with the State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and left the administrative capital without having made any tangible headway.

If Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her team neglect the UWSA in a peace deal, it could end up being a significant mistake. The government and Burma Army must pave the way for negotiations with the UWSA, lest a resolution be stalled indefinitely. Otherwise, the risk of non-inclusiveness could be an environment of even greater insecurity and instability.

Joe Kumbun is the pseudonym of a Kachin State-based analyst.
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By Arie Perliger | (The Conversation) |  

The murder in College Park, Maryland of Richard Collins III, an African-American student who had recently been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was days away from his graduation from Bowie State University, underscores the violence of Americas far-right wing. Sean Urbanski, the University of Maryland student who allegedly stabbed Collins to death, belongs to a racist Facebook group called Alt-Reich: Nation.

It makes sense that the FBI is helping the police investigate this incident as a suspected hate crime. But my 15 years experience of studying violent extremism in Western societies has taught me that dealing effectively with far-right violence requires something more: treating its manifestations as domestic terrorism.

While attacks such as the recent suicide bombing in Manchester that left 22 people dead and several dozen injured will probably continue to garner more headlines, this growing domestic menace deserves more attention than its getting.

Domestic terrorism

Terrorism is a form of psychological warfare. Most terrorist groups lack the resources, expertise and manpower to defeat state actors. Instead, they promote their agenda through violence that shapes perceptions of political and social issues.

Collins murder, if it was motivated by racist sentiments, should be treated as an act of domestic terrorism, which I define here as the use of violence in a political and social context that aims to send a message to a broader target audience. Like lynching, cross-burning and vandalizing religious sites, incidents of this kind deliberately aim to terrorize people of color and non-Christians.

I consider domestic terrorism a more significant threat than the foreign-masterminded variety in part because it is more common in terms of the number of attacks on U.S. soil. For example, my report published by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point identified hundreds of domestic terror incidents per year between 2008 and 2012.

Another report initially published in 2014 by New America Foundation on domestic incidents of extremist violence shows that excluding the Orlando nightclub massacre, between 2002-2016, far-right affiliated perpetrators conducted 18 attacks that killed 48 people in the United States, while terrorists motivated by al-Qaidas or the Islamic States ideology killed 45 people in nine attacks.

The Orlando mass shooting, given its mix of apparent motives, is hard to categorize.

A spontaneous appearance

In briefings with law enforcement and policymakers, I have sometimes encountered a tendency to see U.S. right-wing extremists as a monolith. But traditional Ku Klux Klan chapters operate differently than skinhead groups, as do anti-government patriot and militia groups and anti-abortion extremists. Christian Identity groups, which believe Anglo-Saxons and other people of Northern European descent are a chosen people, are distinct too.

Certainly, there is some overlap. But these groups also differ significantly in terms of their methods of violence, recruitment styles and ideologies. Across the board, undermining the threat they pose requires a more sophisticated approach than investigating their criminal acts as suspected hate crimes.

In an ongoing study Im conducting at the University of Massachusetts Lowell with several students, we have determined that, as apparently occurred with Collins recent murder in Maryland, many attacks inspired by racist or xenophobic sentiments may appear spontaneous. That is, no one plans them in advance or targets the victim ahead of time. Instead, chance encounters that enrage the perpetrators trigger these incidents.

Sporadic attacks with high numbers of casualties that are plotted in advance, such as Dylann Roofs murder of nine African-Americans in a Charleston, South Carolina church, are always big news. More typical incidents of far-right violence tend to draw less attention.

The fatal stabbing of Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche and Ricky John Best aboard a train in Portland, Oregon on May 26 seems to be emerging as an exception. The alleged killer of these two white men, Jeremy Joseph Christian, attacked them with a knife after they stood up to him for haranguing two young women who appeared to be Muslim, police said. A third injured passenger is expected to survive. Much of the media coverage is focused on Christians violent and racist background.

Given the spontaneous nature of so much far-right violence, U.S. counterterrorism policies should, in my view, target the dissemination of white supremacist ideology, rather than just identifying planned attacks and monitoring established white supremacy groups.

An iceberg theory

The number of violent attacks on U.S. soil inspired by far-right ideology has spiked since the beginning of this century, rising from a yearly avarage of 70 attacks in the 1990s to a yearly avarage of more than 300 since 2001. These incidents have grown even more common since President Donald Trumps election.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit that researches U.S. extremism, reported 900 bias-related incidents against minorities in the first 10 days after Trumps election  compared to several dozen in a normal week  and the group found that many of the harassers invoked the then-president-elects name. Similarly, the Anti-Defamation League, a nonprofit that tracks anti-Semitism, recorded an 86 percent rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the first three months of 2017.

Beyond the terror that victimized communities are experiencing, I would argue that this trend reflects a deeper social change in American society.

The iceberg model of political extremism, initially developed by Ehud Shprinzak, an Israeli political scientist, can illuminate these dynamics.

Murders and other violent attacks perpetrated by U.S. far-right extremists compose the visible tip of an iceberg. The rest of this iceberg is under water and out of sight. It includes hundreds of attacks every year that damage property and intimidate communities, such as the recent attempted burning of an African-American familys garage in Schodack, New York. The garage was also defaced with racist graffiti.

Data my team collected at the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point show that the significant growth in far-right violence in recent years is happening at the base of the iceberg. While the main reasons for that are still not clear, it is important to remember that changes in societal norms are usually reflected in behavioral changes. Hence, it is more than reasonable to suspect that extremist individuals engage in such activities because they sense that their views are enjoying growing social legitimacy and acceptance, which is emboldening them to act on their bigotry.

Budget cuts

Despite an uptick in far-right violence and the Trump administrations plan to increase the Department of Homeland Security budget by 6.7 percent to US$44.1 billion in 2018, the White House wants to cut spending for programs that fight non-Muslim domestic terrorism.

The federal government has also frozen $10 million in grants aimed at countering domestic violent extremism. This approach is bound to weaken the authorities power to monitor far-right groups, undercutting public safety.

How many more innocent people like Richard Collins III  and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche and Ricky John Best  have to die before the U.S. government starts taking the threat posed by violent white supremacists more seriously?

Arie Perliger, Director of Security Studies and professor, University of Massachusetts Lowell

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

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Related video added by Juan Cole:

ABC News: Two men called heroes after brutal stabbing attack on Oregon train
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By Edward Hunt. | ( Foreign Policy in Focus) |  

The Obama administration could have done more to stop climate change. The Trump administration couldnt have done less.

. . . As human activity continues to warm the planet at an alarming rate, the leaders of the United States are failing to confront one of the greatest challenges the human species has ever faced: human-caused climate change.

Donald Trumps victory in the 2016 presidential election has only made matters worse. Not only has Trump previously dismissed climate change as a hoax, but he has already taken a series of steps that will ensure the ongoing warming of the planet. Trump has filled his administration with men who deny that human activity is causing global warming, such as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. Last March, Trump also began to dismantle a number of the moderate environmental protections that the Obama administration had put in place. We will unlock job-producing natural gas, oil, and shale energy, Trump announced. We will produce American coal to power American industry.

Trumps actions have already had serious consequences. Perhaps most significant is the weakening of the Paris Agreement, one of the last, best hopes to slow global warming. Mr. Trump has not yet decided whether to formally withdraw from the Paris agreement, The New York Times reported in March. But by rolling back the policies needed to meet American commitments, the United States essentially announced that it would not comply.

As the crisis worsens, the fate of the world grows increasingly precarious. Global warming is continuing at record levels, but the leaders of the United States are ignoring this existential threat to the planet.

The Obama Shift

Certainly, some important changes were beginning to take place in the years before Trump entered office. Officials in the Obama administration, who had always been slow to confront the crisis of climate change, were starting to acknowledge the seriousness of the problem.

President Obama signaled the shift in thinking when he noted in his State of the Union address in January 2015 that no challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change. Secretary of State John Kerry felt the same way, issuing a stronger warning the following year. Climate change, Kerry said, is the greatest threat that our planet has faced in modern history.

Although many powerful people in the country continued to frame the issue as a debate, or even a hoax, officials in the Obama administration insisted that the so-called debate of the previous years was over.

The debate over whether climate change is happening is, in most places, not a debate anymore, Secretary Kerry observed in September 2016. Climate change is a visible reality that people can measure, like the sun coming up in the morning or the moon appearing. Its all just a matter of common sense, Kerry added. And if you dont begin to get a sense of whats happening, then youre really not exercising your brain in the way that God gave us the privilege of doing.

Consequently, officials in Washington began to take a number of steps to confront the problem. From 2015 to 2016, they joined three major international initiatives to slow global warming, including an amendment to the Montreal Protocol to phase out hydrofluorocarbons, a new United Nations agreement to reduce global aviation emissions, and the Paris Agreement to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases.

Of course, the Paris Agreement alone wont solve the climate crisis, President Obama acknowledged in September 2016, when the United States formally entered the agreement. But it does establish an enduring framework that enables countries to ratchet down their carbon emissions over time, and to set more ambitious targets as technology advances.

The Obama Regression

The few encouraging steps aside, the Obama administration still left office having only adopted the most modest of measures to confront the climate crisis. The enduring framework of the Paris Agreement, for example, was no guarantee that the worst polluters in the world, including the United States, would take the necessary action to reverse trends that Obama himself had described as terrifying.

In fact, in other ways the Obama administration arguably made the situation much worse. By overseeing a major increase in energy production in the United States, one in which the United States began producing far more oil and gas for use and export, the Obama administration actually contributed to the terrifying trends that are destroying the planet. Obama even bragged about the transformation. In his State of the Union address in 2015, the same one in which he identified climate change as the greatest challenge to the Earth, Obama boasted that America is number one in oil and gas.

The following year, Energy Department official Melanie Kenderdine provided additional confirmation of the new reality. On the issue of oil production, Kenderdine explained, the United States is now the number one producer of liquid fuels in the world and within the last two years began producing more oil than it imports for the first time in decades. Crude oil production in the United States has risen from an average of 5.1 million barrels per day in 2008 to 9.4 million barrels per day in 2015.

Even Secretary of State John Kerry, who fashioned himself as one the administrations leading defenders of the environment, embraced the need for continued production of oil. When he visited McMurdo Station in Antarctica in November 2016 to observe what he called the dangerous warming of the area, Kerry insisted that oil-producing countries must continue pumping oil. Nobody is saying to people, Were not going to pump, were not going to use oil, Kerry remarked. The fact is were not going to suddenly wean ourselves off of it.

By making no serious effort to wean the United States off of oil, the Obama administration ensured that the United States remained one of the leading producers of greenhouse gases. Even as administration officials continually boasted of their efforts to reverse the terrifying trends of global warming, they oversaw a dramatic increase in energy production, which they understood would have devastating consequences for the world.

Undeniably, a very large share of US and global emissions come from the energy sector, the administrations Special Envoy for Climate Change, Jonathan Pershing, acknowledged in November 2016.

The Trump Catastrophe

Of course, things have only gotten worse now that Trump is in power. Not only has Trump begun to dismantle the moderate protections that the Obama administration had created, he and his associates are unwilling to accept the fact that human-caused climate change poses a major threat to life on Earth.

Trumps Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who ran ExxonMobil before joining the administration, exemplifies the denialist attitude. Asked about climate change during his confirmation hearing, Tillerson said that I do not see it as the imminent national security threat that perhaps others do. Tillerson also refused to accept the near certainty that human activity is causing global warming. The facts on the ground are indisputable in terms of what is happening with drought, disease, insect populations, Tillerson said. However, the science behind the clear connection is not conclusive.

Other officials in the Trump administration have displayed the same disregard for the fate of the world. For example, Scott Pruitt at the EPA spent years working on behalf of the energy industry to undermine the Obama administrations efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Energy industry lobbyists drafted letters for him to send to the EPA, the Interior Department, the Office of Management and Budget and even President Obama, The New York Times disclosed in December 2014.

Since becoming the head of the EPA, Pruitt has also confirmed his denialist views. I think that measuring with precision human activity on the climate is something very challenging to do and theres tremendous disagreement about the degree of impact, so, no, I would not agree that its a primary contributor to the global warming that we see, Pruitt said in an interview last March.

The denialist attitude does not bode well for the future of the planet. With temperatures rising and greenhouse gases still being pumped endlessly into the atmosphere, the planet appears to be heading for a major catastrophe.

Certainly, some officials remain well aware of the problem. Anybody who spent time in or studying the Arctic knows that the region is warming, that climate change is a real issue here, State Department official David Balton commented earlier this month. At the same time, the people with the most power in Washington appear hardly concerned. They are not spending time in the Arctic, they are not persuaded by facts, and they refuse to acknowledge that the threat exists.

Whats the worst that happens if theyre wrong? Secretary of State John Kerry asked just before leaving office. Although Kerry had certainly played his own problematic role in the collective failure of U.S. leaders to take the required action to confront the threat, he at least understood the consequences of inaction. The planet dies, he said.
VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - May 30, 2017) - Trek Mining Inc. (TSX VENTURE: TREK) ("Trek Mining" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017 and the accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis are available for download on the Company's website at www.trekmining.com and at www.sedar.com. All dollar amounts are in United States dollars.

Quarterly highlights and recent developments

Completed the acquisition of Luna Gold Corp.

Raised $61.4 million (approximately C$81.9 million), net of finance fees, in a private placement and brokered financing

Initial drill results confirmed extension of mineralization along strike from existing reserves at Aurizona

Secured two additional exploration concessions at Warintza (total property size now 26,777 hectares)

Cash and short-term investments at end of Q1-2017 of $85.7 million (approximately C$110 million)

On March 31, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Luna Gold Corp. and rebranded as Trek Mining Inc. The combined company is well-funded with a diverse portfolio of assets, anchored by near-term production at its cornerstone 100%-owned Aurizona Gold Mine ("Aurizona") in Brazil. Trek expects to complete a feasibility study for Aurizona in June 2017 and hopes to initiate mine construction in Q3, with the objective of pouring gold at Aurizona by year-end 2018. Aurizona is expected to produce on average 150,000 ounces of gold per year during its first five years of production.

Concurrent with development activities, exploration is underway at Aurizona to test both near-mine and district targets. In its initial drill program on the Piaba West target, the Company intersected 3.90 grams per tonne gold over 11.0 metres in a step-out drill hole located 300 metres along strike of the currently defined Piaba gold deposit. This intersection, along with additional results from 18 shallow holes drilled on the Piaba West target, confirmed that mineralization extends at least 300 metres along strike to the west and also at depth below the western extent of the existing pit (see Trek's May 17, 2017 news release). The Company will continue to drill along strike to test the western extent of mineralization and will also infill existing drilling, with the expectation of adding to the resource base and extending the mine life.

At the Company's other projects, production ramp-up at the Peru-based Koricancha Mill continues with over 2,000 ounces of gold poured in Q1-2017. The Company also expanded its Warintza project in Ecuador with two additional exploration claims, in addition to the three announced in January 2017. The five claims received in 2017 are free of nongovernmental royalties. The Company has increased its outreach programs with various stakeholders to establish the relationships and social support required to recommence exploration activities at this promising copper-molybdenum property.

At March 31, 2017, the company had $85.7 million (approximately C$110 million) of cash and short-term investments and no cash debt, with a working capital balance of $87.8 million.

About Trek Mining Inc.

Trek is a Canadian mining company with a portfolio of production, near-production and exploration-stage projects in North and South America. The Company is producing gold from its Koricancha Mill, a custom-built gold and silver ore processing facility in Peru, and is completing a feasibility study for its past-producing Aurizona Gold Mine in Brazil, with the objective of pouring gold at Aurizona by the end of 2018. Trek's exploration properties include both near-mine and district exploration opportunities at Aurizona; the Warintza project, a porphyry copper-molybdenum exploration project in Southeastern Ecuador; the Ricardo project, a porphyry copper-molybdenum exploration project in Chile; and Elk Gold, a past-producing high-grade gold mine in British Columbia, Canada. Further information about Trek's business strategy and portfolio of assets is available at www.trekmining.com or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Technical Information

Scott Heffernan, M.Sc., P.Geo., the Company's EVP Exploration, is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical and scientific disclosure throughout this news release.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 30, 2017) - Minera Alamos Inc. (TSX VENTURE:MAI) (the "Company" or "Minera Alamos") is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into and completed an agreement with Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd ("Osisko"), pursuant to which Osisko has purchased, on a private placement basis, 22,045,000 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.15 per Common Share (the "Issue Price") for gross proceeds of $3,306,750 (the "Osisko Placement"). As a result of the Osisko Placement, Osisko owns approximately 19.9% of the common shares of Minera Alamos on a non-diluted basis.

Concurrent to the Osisko Placement, Minera Alamos is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Haywood Securities Inc. ("Haywood Securities"), as lead agent on behalf of a syndicate of agents (collectively, the "Agents"), pursuant to which the Agents have agreed to sell, on a best efforts private placement basis, up to 23,333,333 Common Shares at the Issue Price, for additional gross proceeds of up to $3,500,000 (the "Brokered Offering" and together with the Osisko Placement, the "Financings"). Minera Alamos has granted the Agents an option, exercisable in whole or in part by the Agents at any time up to 48 hours prior to the closing of the Brokered Offering, to sell up to an additional 20% of the Brokered Offering in Common Shares at the Issue Price.

Darren Koningen, President of Minera Alamos, commented: "this is a transformative announcement for Minera Alamos and marks the beginning of the next phase of our Mexican production and growth strategy. We are pleased to welcome Osisko as a significant shareholder of the Company and a strong partner to pursue near-term gold production at La Fortuna. We look forward to working with Osisko to fast-track La Fortuna toward production and expand our presence in Mexico organically and through additional acquisitions."

Sean Roosen, Chairman and CEO of Osisko, commented: "we are pleased to partner with Minera Alamos as a platform for growth in Mexico and add an option to acquire another near-term production royalty to our portfolio. We look forward to working with Darren and his team to advance La Fortuna as well as other future opportunities in Mexico and elsewhere in Central and South America as they become available."

Investment Agreement with Osisko and Financings

In connection with the Osisko Placement, the Company and Osisko have executed an investment agreement (the "Investment Agreement") which provides for the following:

Participation Right: As long as Osisko holds common shares equal to at least 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Minera Alamos, on a non-diluted basis (as determined in accordance with the terms of the Investment Agreement), Osisko shall have the right to participate in any future issuances of equity or voting securities, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity or voting securities, of Minera Alamos, including the Brokered Offering, provided that in no event shall the exercise of such participation right results in Osisko owning, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the issued and outstanding common shares of Minera Alamos on a non-diluted basis. Nomination Right: As long as Osisko holds common shares equal to at least 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Minera Alamos, on a non-diluted basis (as determined in accordance with the terms of the Investment Agreement) and under certain other circumstances, Osisko will be entitled to nominate up to two (2) directors to the board of Minera Alamos. Ruben Padilla, current chief geologist of Talisker Exploration Services Inc., will be appointed to the board of Minera Alamos immediately. Royalty Option: Osisko will be granted an option to purchase up to a 4.0% NSR royalty on the La Fortuna Property ("La Fortuna") for total consideration of $9 million. Royalty/Stream Right: As long as Osisko holds common shares equal to at least 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Minera Alamos, on a non-diluted basis (as determined in accordance with the terms of the Investment Agreement), Osisko will have a participation right on any and all royalties, streams, or similar interests granted on properties belonging to Minera Alamos. Additional Rights: Osisko has (i) the right to participate in half of any buybacks of existing La Fortuna royalties, and (ii) the right to acquire a 2.0% NSR on any property acquired within a 250 km radius of La Fortuna.

The aggregate gross proceeds from the Financings will be used for the development of La Fortuna and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Brokered Offering is expected to close on or about June 29, 2017 and is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Common Shares issued in the Financings will be subject to a four month hold in accordance with Canadian securities laws. Haywood Securities has acted as financial advisor to Minera Alamos in relation to the Osisko Placement and the Investment Agreement. The Company has agreed to pay the Agents a cash commission equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds of the Financings and issue the Agents compensation options equal to 7.0% of the number of Common Shares issued in connection with the Financings.

Insiders of the Company intend to subscribe for Common Shares pursuant to the Brokered Offering. The issuance of those Common Shares to insiders (the "Insider Participation") will be considered a related party transaction within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely on the exemptions from the requirements of MI 61-101 in respect of any Insider Participation.

Corporate Update: Appointment of Darren Koningen as Chief Executive Officer

Minera Alamos announces that Chris Frostad is resigning as Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 31, 2017, to pursue other business interests. The Board of Directors of the Company has appointed current President, Darren Koningen, to the role of Incoming President and Chief Executive Officer effective May 31, 2017. Darren has a proven track record of building and operating mines in Mexico and is well-positioned to advance La Fortuna through the next phase of construction and beyond. The Board of Directors thanks Mr. Frostad for his support and direction of Minera Alamos and wishes Chris well in his future endeavours.

About Minera Alamos

Minera Alamos is a junior exploration and development company. Its growing portfolio of high-grade Mexican projects includes the La Fortuna open pit gold project in Durango and the Los Verdes open pit copper-molybdenum project in Sonora, both currently in development.
TORONTO, Ontario, May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rio2 Limited (Rio2 or the Company) (TSX-V:RIO) announces today that the Company continues to strengthen its management team and provides an update on its activities.

Senior Management Appointments

Rio2 is pleased to announce the appointments of Kathryn Johnson as Executive Vice President  Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary and Luc English as Country Manager  Nicaragua. Both Kathryn and Luc will assume their new positions with the Company on 1 June 2017.

Kathryn Johnson is based in Vancouver and has over 10 years of experience in the mining industry, primarily in Latin America. Kathryn brings extensive experience in accounting and finance, including financings, mergers and acquisitions, project development, internal controls and financial reporting. Kathryn held various senior positions at Rio Alto Mining Limited until acquired in 2015. Her last position was Chief Financial Officer and prior to that Vice President, Corporate Controller and Corporate Reporting. While at Rio Alto Mining, Kathryn was a key member of the team that successfully completed the acquisition of Sulliden Gold and the Shahuindo Gold Project for $300 million in 2014 and the subsequent sale of Rio Alto to Tahoe Resources Inc. for $1.2Bn. Kathryn has also held the positions of Financial Reporting Contractor at Goldcorp, Director of Finance at Tahoe Resources. She holds a BA with a double major in History and Political Science from the University of British Columbia and is a CPA, CA who earned her chartered accountant designation while articling at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Vancouver. Kathryn Johnson has been granted an aggregate of 100,000 Restricted Share Units and 250,000 options to purchase Rio2 common shares at the exercise price of $1.71 per share, all pursuant to Rio2s Share Incentive Plan and Stock Option Plan. The grant of the RSUs and Options are subject to regulatory approval.

Kathryn replaces David DOnofrio as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary. The Company wishes to thank David for his contributions during the Companys transition over the past two months.

Luc English is based in Nicaragua and has over 20 years experience as an Exploration Geologist and Manager. He has spent the past 10 years in Nicaragua where he successfully led Condor Golds exploration team from concession acquisition, through exploration and resource development to a pre-feasibility mining study on the La India Gold Project. He also recently represented geological consultants CSA Global managing geotechnical drilling for a proposed interoceanic canal across Nicaragua. His training as an exploration geologist was gained in Australia, Eritrea and Gabon on gold and multi-commodity exploration projects. He has explored for a number of different commodities in a variety of different geological settings. He was the geologist responsible for the resource definition and bankable feasibility study of two satellite open pits on the Coyote Gold Mine in Central Australia, and prior to that for the resource definition of satellite open pits for the Jundee Gold Mine in Western Australia. He has also worked as a technical consultant for the oil and gas industry in the UK and Middle East. Luc holds a PhD in Geology from the University of Cambridge and a BSc in Geology from the University of Bristol. He is a Chartered Geologist with the Geological Society of London and a European Geologist with the European Federation of Geologists, recognised as a Competent Person under JORC, PERC and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

Project Acquisition Update

The Company continues to review numerous precious metals projects and companies for potential acquisition. Management remains focused, disciplined and selective in its due diligence activities as projects must demonstrate the ability to be developed into high margin, strong free cash flowing mining operations which in turn generate significant value accretion for shareholders.

Gold Exploration Portfolio, Peru

As previously announced on April 10, 2017, Rio2 Limited, through its whole owned subsidiary Rio2 Exploraciones S.A.C. has entered into a mining assignment and option agreement with Compania Minera Milpo S.A.A. pursuant to which it has the right and option to acquire all rights and interests in 7 gold exploration prospects totalling approximately 19,000 hectares in Peru.

Rio2 has recently completed site visits to each of the prospects and is in the process of planning and prioritizing a first phase exploration program for the coming months. Social and community fieldwork has commenced to facilitate the gaining of social license for the work programs the Company is planning.

The Company will provide updates to shareholders as it advances its activities on these properties.

Nicaragua Strategy

Rio2 has recently applied for 10,000 hectares of exploration concessions in Nicaragua as the Company ranks the country highly as a destination to do business in the mining sector in Latin America. Recognizing the mining sectors potential to boost the countrys gross domestic product and economic growth, the Nicaraguan government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mines, is actively promoting investments by having established a solid legal framework and facilitating the development of mining projects in the country.

Bordering Honduras to the north, and Costa Rica to the south, Nicaraguas mining tradition dates back to the nineteenth century and has since become one of the countrys most dynamic economic sectors.

Rio2 understands that less than 10% of the country is currently under exploration and all current mining operations are taking place in three historical districts: the Golden Triangle (Bonanza, Siuna and Rosita), La Libertad/Santo Domingo, and El Limon/La India. The Company intends to leverage off of Country Manager, Luc Englishs ten years of experience of exploring in the country, to acquire precious metals prospects that have the potential of being able to be developed into highly profitable mining ventures.

The Company will provide updates to shareholders as it advances its activities in Nicaragua.

About Rio2

The focus of Rio2 is to compile an attractive portfolio of precious metals assets that can be developed into mines and to assemble a highly experienced technical and corporate management team with a solid experience base of developing and building mines in South, Central and North America. Through its strategy of evaluating and acquiring precious metals projects and through a combination of organic exploration and development and strategic acquisitions, the management team intends to grow Rio2 and create long-term shareholder value through the development of high-margin, strong free cash flowing mining operations.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 30, 2017) - Lundin Gold Inc. ("Lundin Gold" or the "Company") (TSX:LUG)(OMX:LUG) is pleased to report the start of construction of the mine development support facilities on its 100% owned Fruta del Norte Project ("FDN" or the "Project") in Ecuador. In addition, the Company has completed a project update for FDN. The update is based on advancing the design and estimates from the Technical Report entitled "Fruta del Norte - NI 43-101 Technical Report on Feasibility Study" (the "FS") filed by the Company in June 2016. The updated results include a revised mine plan, updated capital and operating costs and a new execution plan based on a self-perform approach versus EPCM. All dollar amounts are quoted in U.S. dollars ("$") and all cash cost information is net of silver by-product credits. This update should be read in conjunction with the FS.

Lundin Gold President and Chief Executive Officer, Ron Hochstein, remarked that, "A remarkable amount of work has been accomplished over the past year to provide a comprehensive update to the project. The result of these efforts has led to a more technically robust and constructible project with an improved execution plan. In addition, first gold production is now scheduled for Q4 2019, versus Q1 2020, and commercial production is achieved over six months sooner than anticipated in the FS. In addition, the update results in an improvement in the economics of the Project."

Highlights

Based on field investigations and improved mine design, the expected first gold production has been moved forward several months, from first quarter 2020 to fourth quarter 2019;

The mining rate is expected to ramp up quicker, over a twelve-month period, to an extraction rate of 3,500 tonnes per day ("tpd") until 2022, when the extraction rate is planned to reach 3,600 tpd;

Average annual gold production is anticipated to exceed 300,000 ounces over 15 years (13 years in the FS) at an average life of mine ("LOM") total cash cost of $561/oz and a LOM all-in sustaining cash cost ("AISC") of $609/oz;

LOM production is expected to be approximately 4.5 million ounces of gold and 5.5 million ounces of silver;

Estimated Project capital cost, including contingency and pre-production costs and revenues, is $684 million, net of taxes, compared to $669 million in the FS. This revised estimate includes the cost of mining equipment and the paste plant, estimated at $58 million, previously included in sustaining capital;

Project economics show an improvement over the FS, at the same gold and silver price assumptions used in the FS ($1,250/ounce of Au and $20/ounce of Ag):

Pre-tax After Tax Net Present Value at a 5% discount rate (NPV 5 ) $1,323 million $717 million Internal Rate of Return (IRR) 24.7% 16.3% Capital Payback (yrs) 3.1 4.0

Notes:

All figures are reported on a 100% equity project basis valuation. Capital payback is calculated based on start of commercial production. Economic valuation is presented using a start date of July 1, 2017.

Project Update Details

Mining

As a result of a complete review of the mine plan, the updates to the FS are:

The development schedule was shortened by several months as a result of improved ground conditions based on further field investigations, relocation of certain infrastructure into better ground conditions and better than anticipated contractor development rates.

Conversion of approximately 1.5 Mt from drift & fill to transverse stoping mining method.

The revised mine plan has a more even distribution of transverse stoping and drift & fill over the entire life of mine. The Company believes that the extraction sequence is more geotechnically stable and carries less risk than the sequence contemplated in the FS.

Detailed ventilation modelling resulted in reduced power requirements and the elimination of the north vent raise.

Process

There were no changes to the proposed flowsheet. However, the optimization of the process plant layout resulted in significant reductions in earthwork, concrete and piping quantities.

Capital & Operating Costs

As compared to the FS, LOM capital costs decreased from $932 million to $854 million.

The revised pre-production capital cost is estimated to be $684 million, inclusive of contingency and pre-production expenses and revenues, and net of taxes. Consistent with the FS, this capital cost was estimated on the basis that any expenditures by the Company prior to July 1, 2017 are not included in the estimate. While the FS was developed under an EPCM execution platform, this updated estimate is based on a self-perform / direct hire strategy.

Initial capital cost increased approximately $15 million due to reallocating mine equipment purchases and the paste backfill plant from sustaining capital to initial capital, offset by reductions due to changes in scope, reduction in equipment quotations and the inclusion of pre-production costs and revenues. This capital cost estimate includes all direct and indirect costs to be expended throughout the project execution, starting July 1, 2017 and ending when the plant production reaches commercial production, defined as 70% of the nominal nameplate capacity for three consecutive months, estimated to occur by mid-2020. The capital cost estimate of $669 million in the FS was based on costs up to first production. By comparison, if the FS estimate were stated at commercial production to align with the basis in the project update, the FS estimated capital cost would have been $704 million.

The sustaining capital is estimated to be $169 million (FS - $262 million) and reclamation and closure costs are projected to be $44 million (unchanged from FS).

Capital Cost Summary ($ M)

Capital Items Initial

Capital Sustaining

Capital Closure &

Severance Underground Mine 147 86 Process Plant 71 2 Tailings / Reclaim Water Facilities 45 42 Surface Operations 46 39 Infrastructure 48 1 Power & Electrical 67 Mine Closure 44 Sub-Total - Direct Costs 424 169 44 Indirect Costs & Commissioning 120 Owners Costs 118 Contingency 69 Sub-Total Indirect Costs 307 - - Pre-Production Net Revenue (46) Total Capital Costs 684 169 44 Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.

The capital cost estimate does not include advance royalty payments, working capital requirements, corporate costs, $108 million in indirect taxes and the remaining 2017 Early Works program. Approximately $73 million of taxes will be recovered once production begins.

The LOM operating costs and all-in sustaining costs estimates have also improved compared to the FS. Operating costs are now estimated at $111.84/t of ore, versus $118.04/t in the FS. All costs are in Q2 2017 dollars.

LOM Operating Cost by Area

Area Operating Cost

($/t) Mining 54.98 Process 32.44 Surface 4.21 G&A 20.21 Total 111.84

LOM All in Sustaining Cash Cost ($/oz Au payable)

Area Cash Cost

($/oz Au) On site operating cost 424 Treatment & Refining charges 84 Royalties & production taxes 76 By-product silver credit (22) Cash Cost 561 Sustaining Capital 39 Closure costs 10 AISC per oz 609 Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.

This press release has been reviewed and approved by Ron Hochstein, P. Eng., a metallurgical engineer and the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, who is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

For information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters and risks associated with the results of the FS for the Project, the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates included therein and other technical information, please refer to the Technical Report entitled "Fruta del Norte - NI 43-101 Technical Report on Feasibility Study" dated effective April 30, 2016 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About the Company

Lundin Gold Inc. owns the Fruta del Norte ("FDN") gold project located in southeast Ecuador. FDN is one of the largest and highest grade undeveloped gold projects in the world. The Company is advancing FDN in order to realize the significant potential of this asset.

The Company believes that the value created will not only greatly benefit shareholders, but also the Government and people of Ecuador who are the Company's most important stakeholders in this project. Lundin Gold views its commitment to corporate social responsibility as a strategic advantage that enables it both to access and effectively manage business opportunities in increasingly complex environments. Lundin Gold is committed to addressing the challenge of sustainability - delivering value to its shareholders, while simultaneously providing economic and social benefits to impacted communities and minimizing its environmental footprint.
The office of U.N. Secretary-General Antonia Guterres on Sunday rejected Japan's claim that he expressed support for a 2015 deal reached between Seoul and Tokyo over the issue of Japan's wartime sexual slavery.



According to press reports, Japan's Foreign Ministry made the claim that Guterres backed the deal, which is deeply unpopular in South Korea, when he met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Italy on Saturday on the sidelines of a summit of the Group of Seven industrialized nations.



But Guterres' spokesman said the U.N. chief never expressed support specifically for the 2015 deal.



"The secretary-general and Prime Minister Abe did discuss the issue of so-called comfort women. The secretary-general agreed that this is a matter to be solved by an agreement between Japan and the Republic of Korea," the spokesman said in a note to correspondents.



"The secretary-general did not pronounce himself on the content of a specific agreement but on the principle that it is up to the two countries to define the nature and the content of the solution for this issue," he said.



The 2015 deal, which was reached when impeached former President Park Geun-hye was in office, centered on Japan's admission of responsibility for the crime and plans to pay reparations to the victims. South Korea promised to end the dispute once and for all if Japan fulfills its responsibilities.



But the agreement has been under fire for failing to take the victims' positions into consideration.



Historians estimate that up to 200,000 women, mainly from Korea, which was a Japanese colony from 1910 to 1945, were forced to work in front-line brothels for Japanese soldiers during World War II. Japan has long attempted to water down the atrocity. (Yonhap)




By Yi Whan-woo



North Korean state media reported Tuesday that two U.S. B-1B Lancer strategic bombers conducted a "nuclear bombing drill" the previous day over waters near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL).



The South Korean military confirmed the arrival of the U.S. planes hours after the North Korean report.



Flights of U.S. bombers over the Korean Peninsula have repeatedly been made known through North Korea this year.



"The United States made a grave military provocation yet again, bringing its notorious B-1B bombers into South Korean airspace for a nuclear bombing drill," the Korean Central News Agency (KNCA) said.



It added the aircraft flew over the waters 80 kilometers east of Gangneung, which is close to the MDL on the east coast, after taking off from the U.S. military base in Guam.



The bombers were joined by fighter jets from both the South Korean Air Force and the USS Carl Vinson, a U.S. nuclear-powered super carrier operating in the East Sea.



"They frantically carried out drills aimed at a surgical strike of our major facilities," the KCNA said. "Such military provocation is an extremely dangerous act that puts the peninsula pn the brink of a nuclear war. The U.S. imperialists should not forget it will only accelerate the U.S. mainland being burned to the ground."



After the report, the South Korean military said the two B-1B bombers conducted drills for over two hours in the East Sea with F-15Ks and a strike group led by USS Carl Vinson.



Previously, the U.S. sent B1-B bombers to the peninsula March 1 and March 15.



The South Korean military confirmed the exercise only after it was reported by the North Korean media.



Meanwhile, the KCNA said the Donald Trump administration's softened gesture on the Kim Jong-un regime was "hypocrisy."



"Such a measure is merely intended to disarm us and it is clear that the plan to annihilate us remains unchanged," it said.




GE Vice Chairman John Rice speaks during a ceremony marking the opening of GE Power's plant in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday. The plant produces heat recovery steam generators, a core component of combined cycle power plants that recycle thermal energy from gas turbines to produce electricity. / Courtesy of GE Korea



By Lee Hyo-sik

General Electric (GE) opened a manufacturing plant for steam generators in Korea, a key component of combined cycle power plants, the company said Tuesday.

GE Power held a ceremony to mark the opening of the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) production facility in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province.

Last August, the company acquired the site from Doosan Engineering & Construction, which was reeling from snowballing debt, for 300 billion won ($250 million) to capitalize on the growing combined cycle power plant market in Asia.

HRSG is a core component of a combined cycle power plant that recycles thermal energy from a gas turbine to produce electricity for a steam turbine.

GE said it has successfully transformed the plant into a state-of-the-art smart factory that meets its high manufacturing standard. The company has also added research and development, and design functions to the site, which will serve as its global HRSG business hub.

"GE Changwon's capabilities and expertise in HRSG engineering and project execution, combined with our leading technologies and global footprint, will lead to better power solutions for customers in Korea and around the world," GE Vice Chairman John Rice said at the ceremony.

The global demand for HRSG has more than doubled in recent years in line with the growing appeal of combined-cycle power plants as a higher efficiency power generation solution, according to GE Korea CEO Chris Khang.

He said GE Power will continue to expand the Changwon plant, which exports more than 70 percent of its output.

"GE has been operating in Koea for more than 40 years, and has been one of the major multinational corporations in Changwon. We are excited to open this innovative facility and contribute to the development of the regional economy," Khang said. "The facility is expected to further enhance Korea's manufacturing and engineering capabilities in the power generation industry. GE will nurture the Changwon plant as our HRSG hub."
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by Nina Lentini @Nina_Lentini, May 30, 2017

Canada is expecting a surge in visitors from its southerly neighbor this year, with a favorable exchange rate and low gasoline prices holding steady in the United States.

The Conference Board of Canadas latest Travel Market Outlooks finds that on top of last years 9.5% growth in overnight visits from Americans, a further 5.3% increase is expected. Tourism organizations have been increasingly targeting their marketing campaigns to attract more U.S. travelers, it says. In fact, Canada secured the top spot on The New York Times' list of travel destinations for 2017.

Outside the United States, solid travel gains are expected from nearly every world region in 2017 with overseas visits to Canada forecast to increase by 8.4%. The strongest growth this year is expected from Mexico at 28.3%. Canada lifted Mexico's visa requirement in December 2016, which, coupled with the exchange rate and new policies put in place by the Trump administration, might make Canada appear more attractive as a travel destination.

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Visits from Asia are expected to increase by 13.1% and overnight visits from Europe are slated for 4.5% growth this year.

"We expect that new direct flights and Canada's reputation as a safe travel destination will drive the increased number of international arrivals," says Greg Hermus, associate director for the Conference Board of Canada's Canadian Tourism Research Institute, in a release.

Domestic pleasure travel is expected to grow by 3.4% in 2017 and will be boosted by two major events: the 150th anniversary of Confederation and the 375th anniversary of Montreal, pictured here.

Ottawa-Gatineau will experience the strongest growth in overnight visits in 2017 at 6%, as travelers flock to the capital city for the 150th anniversary of Confederation. Ottawa-Gatineau is also expected to experience the strongest growth in domestic pleasure travel at 7%.
by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, May 30, 2017

From rustic Vermont villages, Bostons hip arts scene and mountain views in Maine, New Englands various marketing machines are out to catch as many summer tourists as they can.

That includes intensifying efforts to win attention from overseas. Discover New England, a nonprofit marketing cooperative that focuses solely on international prospects, says that while other U.S. destinations may be reporting a Trump Slump among foreign travelers, business looks solid for the months ahead.

We have not seen any indication of a slowdown, says Lori Harnois, the groups executive director. New England is considered a safe, authentic U.S. destination, she says. Last year saw record overseas visitor arrivals, topping 2.1 million, a 68% increase from 2002. Core markets continue to be the U.K. and China, as well as Germany and Japan. Last year, it also stepped up marketing in Australia and New Zealand.

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But the region still plays second fiddle to places like New York, Las Vegas and Florida. Typically, the person who visits New England has visited the U.S. once before, she tells Marketing Daily. She says it has broad appeal for both families and couples, who especially like that the area combines beaches and mountains with Bostons urban offerings.

And each of the regions six states has its own marketing campaigns and is also hoping to attract more visits. Maine, which spends about $11 million in marketing, brought in 36 million visitors in 2016. That includes 5 million first-timers, as well as a major surge in Canadian travel, and in part, was buoyed by the 100th birthday of Acadia National Park, one of the countrys busiest. Since 2012, visits to Maine have climbed 30%. This year, its trying to do even better, with a new marketing campaign it hopes will encourage people to see Maine as a lifestyle more than a destination. Themed This is Me, it includes TV, print, and a redesigned website, as well as out-of-home.

Connecticut is making convenience a big part of this years message, positioning itself as a destination that gives tourists a mix of activities and attractions, all close to each other, says Randy Fiveash, director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism, whether its exciting or relaxing, historic or innovative, culture or nature-focused. Themed Connecticut still revolutionary, the campaign highlights specific attractions. (Adams & Knight, based in Avon, Connecticut, is the agency.)

While measuring visitors is tricky, since so many drive in, he says that hotel bookings and Web site visits indicate a strong season. Our location between major U.S. cities makes it quick and easy for New Englanders and others to travel here, he says. If our online engagement is any indication, it should be another banner summer. Visits to its site are up 64% and he says interest in culinary tourism, including local wines, is especially hot.

Vermont, meanwhile, is running a campaign called Two Fifty-One, which makes the case that all 251 of the Green Mountain States cities and towns are worth a visit. A spokesperson says all creative is done in house, and that this year, its using traditional outdoor, digital, native and online travel agency programmatic placements. Despite all its ski resorts, summer is Vermonts busiest season, and this year, it expects to host more than 5 million visitors.
To keep its edge in emerging technology, Apple is developing a processor devoted entirely to artificial intelligence.

Currently referred to as the Apple Neural Engine, the chip is being designed to take on such standard AI tasks as facial recognition and speech recognition, Bloomberg reports.

Among top tech companies, it is hard to overstate the current excitement surrounding AI.

Google, for example, is now shifting from a mobile-first to an AI-first strategy, CEO Sundar Pichai told attendees at Googles I/O developer conference, last week. In an AI-first world, we are rethinking all of our products, and applying machine learning and AI to solve user problems, Pichai said.

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As tech titans pour money into the space, it is clear the market for AI is taking shape faster than previous tech trends.

This is not going to be as slow as the previous [tech] waves, Sarah Fay, managing director at Glasswing Ventures, told attendees of MediaPosts Marketing AI conference last week.

Compared to broadband adoption, programmatic integration and other transformative tech, AI [implementation] is going to happen at about double the speed, Fay predicted.

Thats because, in Fays estimation, the necessary infrastructure and data are already in place for smart marketers to turn AI into high ROI.

Earlier this year, Apple was expected to join the Partnership on AI, which includes other industry leaders with a stake in the future of AI.

Separately, Apple sold fewer iPhones during its second fiscal quarter compared to the same period last year. All told, the company sold 50.8 million phones during the quarter ended April 1, which was off from the 51.2 million sold during the company's second-quarter 2016 period.

On the upside, Apple made more money from phone sales -- $33.2 billion, which was up from $32.9 billion -- meaning that the company is now making more per device.

Analysts are expecting a major sales boost when the next iPhone debuts in the fall.

As such, rather than fret about Q2 sales, Apple watchers should hit snooze for 90 days, as RBC analyst Amit Daryanani explained in recent note to investors.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, May 30, 2017

Yandex has reportedly come under "suspicion" of leaking personal information about Ukrainians to the Russian government.

The search engine was one company among several that were blacklisted by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenkos decree on May 16, which imposed sanctions on some Russian media outlets and IT companies.

Russian sites Yandex, the Mail.Ru group and social networking sites VKontakte and Odnoklassniki -- along with TV channels RBC, TV Tsentr, VGTRK, NTV Plus and Zvezda, as well as Internet security companies Dr. Web and Kaspersky Lab -- were among those on the list.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) accused Russia's largest and most successful search engine that it "illegally gathered, stored and handed over to Russia personal information about Ukrainian citizens, such as names, occupation, lifestyle, address, sources of income, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and accounts on social networking sites," reports Reuters, citing the SBU press service.

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Searches of the Yandex Kiev and Odessa offices on "charges of state treason" found equipment and documents that raise suspicion. SBU claimed Yandex management was particularly interested in information about state and law enforcement officers.

Poroshenko's May 16 post on VK in Russian (translated into English) explains Russia's recent intervention in the election in France. The post goes on to say that it is time to do things differently and more strongly." Poroshenko wrote that all official pages of the President in these services will be closed. "I urge all fellow citizens to immediately leave from Russian servers for security reasons," he wrote.

Poroshenko also wrote that Ukrainian ISPs should stop providing access to "facebook," "Classmates," "Yandex" and other Russian services, but points to other social networks such as Facebook where he posts messages.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, May 30, 2017

WPP has acquired a stake in New York-based 88rising, a U.S.-based producer of digital content catering to the Asian Millennial market. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

88rising, founded in 2015, has branded and sponsored content deals with companies such as adidas, Maybelline and Revolve -- the latter an online fashion and cosmetics retailer.

In addition to its New York headquarters, the firm has an office in Los Angeles, with plans to open a location in Shanghai.



To date, 88rising has produced over 500 hours of original content that has generated over 80 million total video views on Facebook and YouTube. More than half of 88risings 16- to-34-year-old viewers are in the Asia-Pacific region.

The deal is WPPs latest investment in a content company, a key part of its investment strategy. The Group has invested in multiple specialized digital content companies like Russell Simmons' All Def Digital, and Refinery29, the fashion and lifestyle media company that targets Millennial women.

WPP has also invested in Millennial male-focused Woven Digital, and Mitu, which develops content for Latino youth, as well as in Fullscreen, Indigenous Media, Imagina (a content rights and media company based in Spain), MRC and VICE.
First American Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides financial services. It operates through Title Insurance and Services, and Specialty Insurance segments. The Title Insurance and Services segment issues title insurance policies on residential and commercial property, as well as offers related products and services. This segment also provides closing and/or escrow services; products, services, and solutions to mitigate risk or otherwise facilitate real estate transactions; and appraisals and other valuation-related products and services, lien release and document custodial services, warehouse lending services, default-related products and services, mortgage subservicing, and related products and services, as well as banking, trust, and wealth management services. In addition, it accommodates tax-deferred exchanges of real estate; and maintains, manages, and provides access to title plant data and records. This segment offers its products through a network of direct operations and agents in 49 states and in the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, and internationally. The Specialty Insurance segment provides property and casualty insurance comprising coverage to residential homeowners and renters for liability losses and typical hazards, such as fire, theft, vandalism, and other types of property damage. It also offers residential service contracts that cover residential systems, such as heating and air conditioning systems, and appliances against failures that occur as the result of normal usage during the coverage period. First American Financial Corporation was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Santa Ana, California.
GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the creation, discovery, development, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceutical products, vaccines, over-the-counter medicines, and health-related consumer products in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. The company offers pharmaceutical products comprising medicines in the therapeutic areas, such as respiratory, HIV, immuno-inflammation, oncology, anti-viral, central nervous system, cardiovascular and urogenital, metabolic, anti-bacterial, and dermatology. It also provides consumer healthcare products in wellness, oral health, nutrition, and skin health categories. The company offers its consumer healthcare products in the form of nasal sprays, tablets, syrups, lozenges, gum and trans-dermal patches, caplets, infant syrup drops, liquid filled suspension, wipes, gels, effervescents, toothpastes, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, denture adhesives and cleansers, topical creams and non-medicated patches, lip balm, gummies, and soft chews. It has collaboration agreements with 23andMe; Lyell Immunopharma, Inc.; Novartis; Sanofi SA; Surface Oncology; Progentec Diagnostics, Inc.; Alector, Inc.; and CureVac AG., as well as strategic partnership with IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. The company was formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline plc and changed its name to GSK plc in May 2022. GSK plc was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Brentford, the United Kingdom.
Best Buy Co., Inc. retails technology products in the United States and Canada. The company operates in two segments, Domestic and International. Its stores provide computing products, such as desktops, notebooks, and peripherals; mobile phones comprising related mobile network carrier commissions; networking products; tablets covering e-readers; smartwatches; and consumer electronics consisting of digital imaging, health and fitness, home theater, portable audio comprising headphones and portable speakers, and smart home products. The company's stores also offer appliances, such as dishwashers, laundry, ovens, refrigerators, blenders, coffee makers, and vacuums; entertainment products consisting of drones, peripherals, movies, music, and toys, as well as gaming hardware and software, and virtual reality and other software products; and other products, such as baby, food and beverage, luggage, outdoor living, and sporting goods. In addition, it provides consultation, delivery, design, health-related, installation, memberships, repair, set-up, technical support, and warranty-related services. The company offers its products through stores and websites under the Best Buy, Best Buy Ads, Best Buy Business, Best Buy Health, CST, Current Health, Geek Squad, Lively, Magnolia, Best Buy Mobile, Pacific Kitchen, Home, and Yardbird, as well as domain names bestbuy.com, currenthealth.com, lively.com, yardbird.com, and bestbuy.ca. As of January 30, 2022, it had 1,144 stores. The company was formerly known as Sound of Music, Inc. The company was incorporated in 1966 and is headquartered in Richfield, Minnesota.
The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking segments. The company offers personal deposits, such as checking, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases. It also provides credit cards and payments; real estate secured lending, auto finance, and consumer lending services; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, and advice to retail and institutional clients through direct investing, advice-based, and asset management businesses; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking products and services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to corporations, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The company operates through a network of 1,061 branches and 3,381 automated teller machines (ATMs) in Canada, and 1,148 stores and 2,701 ATMs in the United States, as well as offers telephone, digital, and mobile banking services. It has a strategic alliance with Canada Post Corporation. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
30.05.2017 LISTEN

Mr Klenam Kwami Agbemenya, branch Manager of First Trust Savings and Loans Limited based in Kumasi, has handed over his messenger to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for prosecution.

Ernest Frimpong, 32, a messenger of the First Trust Savings and Loans Limited, is accused of always forging the receipt anytime he was sent to pay electricity bills of the company, and also duping his employer.

The Manager explained that Frimpong forges the ECG receipt and submits it to him as payment of bills and keeps the money.

Mr. Eramus Baidoo, Ashanti Regional Public Relations Manager of ECG, explained that the savings and loans company had a problem with its electricity supply and alerted the ECG, during which it was detected that no payment had been made by the company, in respect of bills, since 2014.

As a result, Frimpong was confronted by his boss, (the branch Manager) to demand an explanation, as to why no payment had been made, in spite of the release of funds for such purpose over time, only to realise that Frimpong had always forged the ECG receipt and kept the money to himself.

The messenger has since been handed over to the police to assist in investigations.

From Ernest Best Anane, Kumasi
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, May 24 2017, told a meeting of Ghanaian residents in Sierra Leone that, as part of his one-day working visit to that country, he will not shield any public official found to be engaged in acts of corruption or malfeasance.

President Akufo-Addo pointed out that he will ensure that the laws of the land are applied fully, without fear or favour.

When people get caught up in the net, I am imploring people not to come to me and say that, 'Oh! Nana, this man is my relative, so spare him.' That is the problem in Ghana. You find people going to speak to your wife with the hope of trying to influence you.

We are going to create the Office of Special Prosecutor, who will not be a creature of the government, but will be an independent person who will have the power to decide who to prosecute. So it will not be Akufo-Addo, but it is the law that is working.

It is the view of The Chronicle that the President has hit the nail right on the head by re-echoing the sentiments of many Ghanaians, who are keen on seeing that people who are found to have embezzled state funds are allowed to rot in jail.

It is the wish of hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians, if not millions, to see the President taking decisive action against all those who have, in one way or the other, embezzled state funds for their personnel interest.

President after president in this Fourth Republic has paid lip service to the good people of this country, promising that they were going to deal with the canker, but indications are that nothing concrete has been done.

One cannot deny the fact that, in Ghana today, everybody is calling on the government to do whatever it takes to deal with people who have been found culpable of embezzling state funds.

The Chronicle thinks that the time has come for Ghana, as a nation, to develop great interest in state funds that find their way into private pockets, retrieve the monies, and prosecute those found to be guilty, to serve as a deterrent to others.

Last Friday, a huge crowd of people joined Captain Smart, host of Adom FM's flagship programme, to hit the streets in protest to demand that people who have squandered our monies should return them.

The paper is appealing to President Akufo-Addo to walk the talk, by speeding up the process of establishing the Office of Special Prosecutor, to kick-start the procedure of prosecuting all those perceived to be involved, one way or the other, in corruption.

Against this backdrop, The Chronicle would like to remind the President that many Ghanaians joined the long queue of voters in the 2016 general elections to cast their votes for him, simply because of one thing, which is to see the prosecution of state looters.

This was because it was the perception of the people that there were too many corruption allegations in the dethroned John Dramani Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.

It stands to reason, therefore, that if the President fails to prosecute all those found to have embezzled state funds, then he would have disappointed a greater number of Ghanaians who voted for him in the 2016 elections.

The paper commends the President for mincing no words by coming out to state that he is not going to listen to anybody, stressing that his major concern at the moment is Ghana, and not one or two individuals.

The President must demonstrate the political will to prosecute corrupt officials, including those in his administration, by bringing them to justice, to prove to Ghanaians that he is a man of his words, so as to continue to enjoy the respect of all.

Per his own words, Nana Akufo-Addo has given indication that he will not spare any corrupt official who is caught to have engaged in acts of corruption or malfeasance.

Ghanaians are watching, and so is The Chronicle. The President is advised to keep his promise not to spare any corrupt official.
Police in the Ashanti Region say they will soon reopen investigations into the abrogated Delta Force case.

The Police also hint that members of the pro-New Patriotic Party (NPP) group who attacked a court in Kumasi, the Ashanti Region capital, and freed thirteen of their colleagues would be re-arrested.

The trial of the case came to a stop after the Police failed to bring convincing evidence against eight suspects standing trial for the offence of attacking the court.

But this was interpreted to mean the government was deliberating influencing the judicial process and letting the offenders off the hook.

Many thought an attack on the court breached the sanctity of the judiciary.

Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ken Yeboah, told Accra-based Citi FM that they are hopeful of providing an airtight evidence to back their prosecution this time.

We are now going to re-investigate to find out whether we will be able to get the right people and the right information to be able to pin them to the case, he said.

He, however, dispelled rumours that the state was not interested in the case.

He points out that the court works with evidence, and hence if the Police were not getting convincing evidence to pin down the suspects that did not mean a lack of interest.

If we are lucky, we will be able to get enough evidence to link them to the case, he told Citi FM

The eight Delta Force members were standing trial for storming a Kumasi Court and in the process setting free thirteen of their colleagues, who were charged with assaulting the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator.

After that incident, the 13 who escaped later reported themselves to the police, and were put in custody again. When their case was called, they were remanded, fined and made to sign a bond of good behaviour for escaping lawful custody.

Following this, it was expected that the eight persons who were arrested by the police for raiding the court, would have been prosecuted and severely punished.

But in a shocking turn of events, the eight have been freed with state attorneys claiming lack of evidence against them.

The Principal State Attorney in the case, Marie Louise-Simmons, who was the representative of the Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, said the charges against the suspects must be dropped because there was insufficient evidence against them.

The court, presided over by Her Honour, Patricia Amponsah, subsequently discharged the accused persons and dismissed the case, much to the frustration and anger of many Ghanaians.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | George Nyavor | [email protected] (additional reporting by Citi FM)
Deputy Minister of Education, Barbara Asher Ayisi, has bemoaned the negative mindset of the public, particularly parents who regard technical education as the preserve of academically weak students.

She has, therefore, appealed to parents and guardians to eschew the perception and allow their children particularly females who desired to pursue technical and vocational education to have the liberty to do so.

Mrs Ayisi, also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Cape Coast North said this at the launch of her brainchild, Barbara Arsher Foundation to provide the youth with entrepreneurial training and skills development to help them set up their own businesses.

She assured Ghanaians that the Government would contribute significantly towards effective technical training for the accelerated development of the country and therefore the youth who desire skill training should not be prevented.

We are determined to disabuse the minds of parents and students to overcome the prejudice and misconceptions they have about technical and vocational education to move the nation forward, she said.

The Barbara Asher Foundation will work in collaboration with at the Cape Coast Technical Universitys (CCTU) Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation (CEDI) to run Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).

It would be done in collaboration CCTU, Cape Coast Municipal Assembly Council for Technical and Vocational Education Training and the Youth Entrepreneurial Agency among others.

Participants will undergo a four to six months intensive skills training at the Cape Coast Technical University in 10 modules free of charge and would receive certificates upon completion.

The programme is aimed at equipping the youth with employable and entrepreneurial skills to enable them secure jobs or start their own businesses.

The modules include dressmaking, millinery, accessory making, batik, tie and dye, hairdressing, manicure and pedicure, masonry, plumbing computer hardware and software, leadership and entrepreneurial training.

The Vice Chancellor of CCTU, Professor Lawrence Atepor explained that the programme would be practical and career oriented for all to join regardless of ones education background.

He re-echoed government's commitment to inject resources into TVET as part of efforts to reduce youth unemployment through skills training.

The move, according to the Vice Chancellor, is expected to build a solid foundation for robust technological training and boost enrolment of technical students across the country to sustain the governments industrial revolution agenda.

He added that government was making serious inroads into liaising with some public and private partners to entrepreneurial initiatives to give specialised training in all sectors to create employment, increase revenue to support economic growth.

Dr Ernest Asamoh, Executive Director of Youth Employment Agency advised the youth to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the government on skills training to unearth their talents.

He underscored the importance of discipline among the youth in building better future for the country.

He said, the absence of this could mar the future aspirations of young people and subsequently affect the growth of the country.


Bangassou (Central African Republic) (AFP) - They were attacked by "drugged, drunk and uncontrollable" armed men, and now the residents of a Central African town live in terror after one of the most murderous raids in months was carried out right under the nose of UN troops.

At least 108 people were slaughtered and 76 injured during the attack by several hundred fighters on Bangassou on May 13, according to the Central African Red Cross and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The attackers "threw severed hands and feet at us", said Djamil, a Bangassou resident who has now sought refuge in a camp near the cathedral of the southeastern town on the border with Democratic Republic of Congo.

MINUSCA, the UN mission in the CAR, said the raiders were members of the anti-balaka militias. These largely Christian forces emerged to take on former rebels of the mainly Muslim Seleka alliance, with the two sides engaged in horrific revenge attacks.

During the attack on Bangassou, several hundred people holed up in a mosque. "MINUSCA told us to take shelter in the mosque and that's what we did," Djamil says. "Then the UN troops abandoned us."

"Given the number of the attackers, the UN soldiers had to fall back," a source close to the UN mission confirmed.

After UN troops left

"As soon as the UN troops left, a wave of anti-balaka rushed up to the mosque, yelling and brandishing machetes and home-made guns," said the bishop of Bangassou, Juan-Jose Aguirre. "I tried to talk with them, but they finished by shooting a friend who wanted to protect me."

"They saw the imam come out. They shot him. He fell to his knees, mortally wounded." the bishop said. "When I came back, I found him like that and I carried him off to lay him down with dignity. The anti-balaka shouted at me not to touch him."

"They were drugged, drunk and uncontrollable," a humanitarian worker recalled.

A displaced man in the Central African Republic in Bangassou, where over 100 were slaughtered on May 13

Terrified by the flare-up of violence, residents of Bangassou are digging in or fleeing. Only a few shops remain open on the central market and streets are deserted.

On Sunday, "armed elements taken for anti-balaka banned humanitarian workers from undertaking a mission in the area," MINUSCA said on Monday.

"Moreover, the armed elements kidnapped a woman and five children before killing them in the bush," the statement said.

'Woman buried alive'

Last Wednesday, the supposed anti-balaka fighters "abducted two women being treated in hospital. One of the women was killed on the spot while the other was buried alive," according to MINUSCA.

Confronted with the escalation of violence, humanitarian teams now fear "new large-scale attacks on the town", an aid worker told AFP, asking not to be named.

Clashes between the Seleka, officially disbanded in September 2013, and the anti-balaka degenerated that year into ethnic and religious massacres that targeted mainly civilians.

A Central African internal displaced woman holds a child inside an emergency room of the MSF-run (Doctors Without Borders) hospital in Bangassou

Military intervention by France in Operation Sangaris followed by the deployment of UN troops reduced the number of atrocities, but armed bands still run wild in parts of the deeply poor country.

"This hunting down of Muslims, the looting of their shops, their houses ... It is revenge against the Seleka," the bishop said. "In people's minds, the Muslims of Bangassou are allies of the ex-Seleka."

Late in April, some 481,000 people were refugees in neighbouring countries, while half a million were internally displaced in the CAR, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The identity of the anti-balaka fighters remains unclear. "The people who have massacred us are unknown," said Ali, a displaced trader.

In the mineral-rich region fights to control resources such as diamonds, gold and timber frequently take place between rival gangs, but civilians are still in the front line.

"These young people are idle," the bishop said. "I've been meeting them since the month of February, because this is my diocese, to ask them to leave schools alone, particularly."

At the heart of his bishopric lies another displaced persons camp, this one for Christians.

For the UN troops in the region, they are "exhausted", according to a MINUSCA source, who recalled that six UN soldiers perished in the Bangassou region at the beginning of May.
Scores of armed military personnel have been deployed to Denkyira-Obuasi as they mount a search for residents said to have lynched a military Captain.

Thirty-Five (35) Men and Two Officers have been dispatched to the community where the incident happened, Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul told Kojo Yankson on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Tuesday.

Capt Maxwell Mahama of the 5 Battalion of Infantry is said to have been lynched while he was on his early morning jogging Monday morning. He was allegedly stoned and burnt by the youth of the area who mistook him for an armed robber.

A statement from the Ghana Armed Forces says a high-powered fact-finding team led by the Chief of Army Staff [Major General Obed Akwa] is proceeding to the scene of the incident to ascertain the facts of the case.

There were initial reports that the troops deployed to the area may brutalise the residents in retaliation for the attack, however, the Spokesperson for the Ghana Armed Forces, Col. Aggrey Quarshie, has told Joy News that will not happen.

"We are not going to expect that they will go and be attacking the community, no...they are going there to protect the Chief of Army Staff," he said.

"We will leave the security agencies that are responsible for investigating such things to do that and we hope that all the culprits will be picked up and brought to book. So we expect the community members to help us arrest all the culprits," he adds.

However, Joy News' Correspondent Ohemeng Tawiah reports Tuesday that residents are hiding in their rooms for fear of being picked up by the military.

He said the troops are going from door-to-door, waking up residents and seeking to get information that will bring the perpetrators to book.

File photo

Police Account

Meanwhile, Central Region Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Irene Oppong, has told Joy News Central Region Correspondent, Richard Kwadwo Nyarko that at about 10.00 a.m. on Monday, May 29, Assemblyman for Diaso, the area where the incident occurred, one William Baah, reported at the police station that at about 09:30am on the same day he [Mr Baah] received distress call from one of the foodstuff sellers along the Denkyira Obuasi highway that she has seen a man with a pistol hidden at his back and suspects him to be an armed robber. 

The Police PRO further explained that Mr Baah and two of his colleagues headed in the direction of where the suspected robber was seen jogging.

According to the complainant [Mr Baah] when approached, the suspect [Capt Mahama] pulled a pistol at him and he managed to escape leaving the two colleagues behind.

"Police quickly proceeded to the scene only to find the suspect lynched by unknown mob. He had multiple deep cut wounds on the head and parts of the body partially burnt. Body photographed and deposited at Dunkwa- on -Offin government hospital morgue," ASP Irene Oppong narrates.
The Institute for Liberty & Policy Innovation (ILAPI- Ghana), a Ghanaian based free market and policy Think Tank emerged the winner of the 2017 Think Tank Shark Tank  Africa Competition held in Johannesburg in South Africa recently.

The Think Tank, represented by its Executive Director, Peter Bismark Kwofie, got the recognition for its pitch on a project dubbed "the National Undergraduate Debate and Essay Competitions," and was presented with an amount of $5,000 project funding as award, including a certificate at the regional Africa Liberty Forum.

The Africa Liberty Forum brings together friends of the freedom movement across Africa to discuss challenges facing the region and to learn from one another how to most effectively advance economic freedom reforms.

There were distinguished speakers including, Dr. Tom palmer, Brad Lips CEO of Atlas Network, Tim Modise, Franklyn Cudjoe and Bright Simons of IMANI, Eustace Davie, Chris Becker of Investec, Temba Nolutshungu and Peter Bismark Kwofie himself.

At the international ceremony held to award the Policy Think Tank, the Atlas Network, the organisers of the African competition, indicated that ILAPI-Ghana won the day with its touching idea of defusing the misguided mindset of the youth in Ghana and Africa as a whole on job creation.

According to them, the words by ILAPI-Ghana that Too many students in Ghana have a misguided role of government. They think governments role is to create jobs, but we know that isnt the case, So these debate and essay competitions will help them learn, for the first time in many cases, the basic principles of freedom and classical liberalism as a fulcrum to creating prosperity for a free society, earned the Think Tank the grand award.

The runners up were Michael Howe-Ely, chief marketing officer of the Ineng in South Africa and Jasson Urbach, director of the Free Market Foundation South Africa.

Open only to graduates of Atlas Networks training program, Atlas Leadership Academy, three contestants are usually chosen for each Regional Think Tank Shark Tank Competition, in which they pitch 5 minutes of their innovative project before a panel of local philanthropists and the regional network of free-market think tanks for the chance to win $5,000 in project funding.

Emerging winner of the Africa region, ILAPI-Ghana will have the opportunity to take part in the grand ceremony to be held in New York, United States of America in November this year.

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Waking up to the sad news of the lynching to death of Captain Maxwell Mahama an innocent service personel suspected to be a criminal has left me with so many quetions than answers. Lynching is a Crime so what will make a mob lynch another human being to death, is it

1. the animal instint in them?

2. lack of feeling for another human being?

3. lack of trust in the security service?

4. leadership by example? or

5. Lack of circumspection by our media.

Recently the sense of lack of patriotism has been a topic that is being ignored and the sermon of hatred is being preached for reasons best know to selfish and greedy beings.

Politics plays an integral role in nation building and who ever relegates it does so at his own risk.

Build up to the general elctions there were reports of political parties mobilizing and recruiting their own security force to protect them and their ballot boxes and the question one could ask himself was have they lost trust in the national security service?

We all looked on and used our months to condemn it that it was illegal BUT the proper authorities refused to act for reasons best known to themselves.

When the right institutions refuses to act the people will obviously take the law into their hands.

We have had cases of criminals being freed by the security service after a mob arrested and turned in a criminal caught in the act.

We've also had servicemen shooting and killing innocent people suspected to be criminals instead of arresting them.

Now back to the politicians, during President Mahama's era there was a case of some party members popularly known as Motie 3 who threatened to rape and kill some Judges on live radio and when they were arrested and prosecuted by a court of competent jurisdiction ie The Supreme Court we had party members signing and petitioning the president which eventually lead to the freeing of their comrades with his executive powers.

Fast foward to President Nana Addo's era and we have a group calling itself delta forces throwing out a top security personel who was appointed by the president and instead of it being condemned we rather heard top party members defending this disrespectful act then when they were arrested and placed before court we had some party machomen going into the courtroom to free their comrades.

After this shameful act I heard the Ashanti regional party chairman struggling to defend this indefensible act on radio.

You see when you sow such lawlessness over a period of time you will only reap that lawlessness so I wasn't surprised when I heard that some people had gone to destroy and burn down that party regional chairman's mining properties.

Repeated Unpunished sin begins to look good in the eyes of the sinner and it will take self realization to refix that sinful nature.

Three days ago we heard that a mob at Somanya went to destroy the properties of ECG, a gpvernment agency just because there were complaints of high cost of electricity charges. Yesterday some people were arrested in connection with that illegal act and handed over to the police yet again the people went there, beat up the police destroyed their properties and freed their collegues.

There are numerous examples which I wouldnt bore you with but in conclusion would like to touch on the MEDIA and their Reportage.

The MEDIA plays a very vital role in the developement of the nation and it can either make or break us in fact Rwanda went to war because of MEDIA reportage therefore we need to continue training and cautioning our MEDIA to be professional in their line of duty.

Let the media do away with sensationalism when it comes to sensitive issues and make sure the right authorities are furnished and left to deal with such issues. Just a couple of days ago the media lead the citizens in a demonstration to protest against corruptions, yes we will commend them for it BUT they should leave it to the appropriate authorities to deal with it like they have done. It will only take the law courts to determine who is guilty of an offence therefore the name calling and citizens arrest being preached should be done with great circumspection in order not to spark a fire we cannot quench.

Lets all learn to play our individual roles.

R.I.P Capt.
Today, I have been unable to hold myself together on certain happenings in this country. I have tried my best possible to get the root causes of these happenings but it all proved abortive. My inability to get answers to questions I have asked uncountably, warranted me to as usual, discerningly lace these words together to deeply and explicitly, express my great concern to possibly get solutions or what realistically is responsible for the consistent occurrence of that problem.

It has invariably been said that the best way to succeed is to learn from previously conscious and unconscious mistakes made by others. I have been in a state of delimma for long. It appears Ghana as a country doesn't want to succeed hence Her advertent efgort to disbelieve in the assertion of learning from previous mistakes.

But let me place it on records that the successful retrogression of Mother Ghana is leadership failure to undo certain perennial problems that have been consistent over some years now. Yes, you have every right to vigorously refute my claims but that is my opinion. But in any case I have no modicum of doubt that you will cite with me on leadership inability to put in measures to curtail some basic problems that have lingered in the country. I also know without any shred of ambiguity that some people will concur with me just as others will equally support you. Let me quickly clear every cloud of doubt as well as disabuse the erroneous impression that might be created in some people's mind by this article. This write up has nothing to do with ethnic sentiments or political colouration. I have tackled this issue holistically as a concern citizen of this country who is gravely engrossed with passion on education. Of course I am not being more angelic than the Angels themselves. I am also not unaware of the frantic efforts others are making to have this problem solve once and for all; so am not being more passionate than the past and current presidents and other leaders.

It is pragmatically unbelievable for one to pretentiously pretend to be oblivious of the yearly denial of the basic rights of students in the three Northern regions. Let me take the pain to remind those who might still be doubting on this subject matter, that senior high schools in the three Northern regions re-opened just last week, 22nd May, 2017. This happens every year on the bases of shortage of feeding grants. It is disheartening to hear the percentage of students who failed in the BECE and WASSCE every year. Yet government and leaders sit down and shift the blames on teachers. Do we indeed have leaders? I mean visionary leaders? And even if we have some, are they committed and optimistic to seeing a promising prospect of this country? These are some of the questions that lingers in my mind.

In any case, I shouldn't be flabbergasted about the parochially interested self seeking contemporary politicians who doubled as our leaders. This is because they are always bent to doing everything possible to satisfying their insatiable self aggrandizement at the expense of the country's progress. Why must both the ruled and ruling governments pretend to engage in blame games with teachers and parents? I owe you an apology if am sounding so harsh but truth must be said.

I stand to be corrected, but the shortage of feeding grants in the three Northern regions started in the 1990s if my memory can serve me right. What a long time! Yet no government has been able to find a lasting solution to it. Hmmmm this is so pathetic. Sixty years of independence we are still wallowing in some of these problems. Hmmmm God save us. The sad aspect is that it is only these three Northern regions that suffer some of these things in the name of poverty. Because we record the mass failure in both BECE and WASSCE results. Of course I am not blind to the fact that some people take solace in our mass failure hence the lackadaisical attitude towards its curb.

In all sincerity, I am sometimes tempted to believing that the consistent shortage of feeding grants in the three Northern regions is a deliberate attempt to punish us. Quite apart from that I may also be tempted to believing that it is a major source of funds for the pockets of individual leaders in every ruling party. I refer to this as education discrimination which seeks to debar the young gifted and talented once from championing the continuity of the intellectual discourse and great work done by our past leaders to uplift the image of these regions.

For evidentiary purposes and in all fairness, I want to give an opportunity to the current leaders to exonerate themselves as to why I will be unfair to say that they deliberately remain indifferent to this problem in the three Northern regions because it puts a humongous sum of money into their pockets? I still want to give them the chance to debunk my claim that they take delight in the vulnerability and plight of the students attending schools in the three Northern regions? In going forward, I want leadership to prove beyond every reasonable doubt, the efforts they are making to permanently getting rid of this canker.

Hitherto the above, I succinctly want to remind both past and current leadership of how loud they touted their unrelenting penchant to bridging the ever widening hiatus between the north and south. May I know whether that was one of the political promises that were meant to cajole the electorates? Enough is enough!

It is high time our politicians started being frank with the discerning people of Ghana. We have had enough of your deceit and pretention. In fact, I must say that it is sardonically lugubrious for a country like Ghana to pretend to be unaware of the benefits of education. It is indeed a disappointment on us as a country of no mean repute to still engage in what I termed as education discrimination in this 21st century. No wonder we are where we are.

It suffice to state that past and present governments have failed the three Northern regions. I don't think any government has any reservations regarding the citizenship of the indigenes of the three Northern regions. And if our membership of this country is undoubted, why this blatant education discrimination?

In conclusion ladies and gentlemen, I want to use this golden opportunity to call on government to as a matter of urgency to find a lasting solution to this perennial food shortage in the senior high schools in the three Northern regions. Or better still, government should come out boldly and publicly cancel this seemingly south-north gap bridging policy that is inimical to our education progress. We are fed up with leadership excuses on this issue.

[email protected]

0240371356
Juba (AFP) - A South Sudan military court on Tuesday opened the trial of 13 soldiers accused of raping foreign aid workers and murdering a local journalist during fighting in Juba last July.

The chilling attack cast a spotlight on atrocities by government troops but also led to a damning probe into the failure of United Nations peacekeepers to protect civilians, which led to the sacking of the force's commander.

The suspects appeared in court in a variety of uniforms indicating attachment to different units, including four in the colours of the "Tiger Division" which guards the president.

"There is a crime of murder, we have a crime of raping, we have a crime of looting and we have a crime of damaging property. There were a lot of investigations that have been taking place," military prosecutor Abubakr Mohamed Ramadan told AFP.

Civil war broke out in South Sudan in 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

An August 2015 peace deal collapsed last July when fierce fighting erupted in Juba between forces loyal to Kiir and Machar.

A Human Rights Watch report documented targeted ethnic killings, rapes and gang rapes, beatings and looting during the clashes.

The report describes how on July 11, government forces attacked the Terrain compound housing some 50 employees of foreign organisations.

Pleas for help

Witnesses told HRW how the soldiers "killed a prominent journalist, raped or gang raped several international and national staff of organisations, and destroyed, and extensively looted property."

They also allegedly killed a local journalist "presumably because of his Nuer ethnicity".

The UN force in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, has come under fire over allegations its peacekeepers did nothing to protect civilians from violence in Juba by Sudanese troops in July 2016

A report from a special UN investigation showed that despite pleas for help, UNMISS peacekeepers stationed just 1.2 kilometres (0.7 miles) away failed to come to their aid.

There were multiple requests made to the peacekeepers from China, Ethiopia, India and Nepal to dispatch forces "but each UNMISS contingent turned down the request, indicating their troops were fully committed."

During the attack, "civilians were subjected to and witnessed gross human rights violations, including murder, intimidation, sexual violence and acts amounting to torture perpetrated by armed government soldiers," it said.

The report found that a lack of leadership in the UN mission, which has some 13,000 uniformed personnel in South Sudan, culminated in a "chaotic and ineffective response" during the July fighting.
Onitsha (Nigeria) (AFP) - Shops, schools and businesses were shut in southeast Nigeria on Tuesday, 50 years to the day since an independent republic of Biafra was declared, sparking a brutal civil war.

In Onitsha, the economic hub of Anambra state on the banks of the River Niger, most markets were closed and the streets were largely empty of people and traffic.

Separatist sentiment persists in the region, which is dominated by the Igbo people, and the main pro-Biafran independence group has called on supporters to stay at home.

"No work today, we are Biafran, we are not Nigerians," said Ebere Ichukwu Eli, one of the few people to venture outside, where there was a visible security presence.

"No violence, it is a peaceful sit at home. We are protesting peacefully," the 47-year-old told AFP.

A woman who gave her name only as Justine, said: "The market is closed today. I'm just going home to stay with my children.

"We want our one Biafra. It's our land. That's why we all sit at home today."

Over 100 arrested

The closures were either to commemorate the anniversary in support or because of fears of violence, local people said.

Nigerian police last week denounced "planned protests and order of market closures" and warned it would "deal decisively" with any breach of the peace or unlawful protest.

Last year, demonstrations marking the declaration of Biafran independence turned bloody. Amnesty International said the military gunned down more than 60 people.

Support for secession has increased since the arrest in late 2015 of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the pro-independence Indigenous People of Biafra movement

Since August 2015, more than 150 people have been killed in pro-Biafra protests, said Amnesty's Nigeria director Osai Ojigho. Nigeria's government denies the claim.

"We urge the Nigerian security agencies to conduct themselves in a manner that will ensure public order without resorting to force," he added.

Amnesty said the security forces had arrested more than 100 members of pro-Biafran separatist groups in the run-up to Tuesday's anniversary.

Calls for independence never disappeared even after the 30-month civil war, which left more than one million dead, most of them Igbos, mainly from starvation and disease.

Many people accuse the government of failing to invest in the southeast since the end of the war in 1970, blighting development. Some see it as a punishment for the conflict.

Support for secession has increased since the arrest in late 2015 of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the pro-independence Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement.
Luanda (AFP) - Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who has been dogged by reports of poor health, has returned to Luanda after nearly a month in Spain, party officials said Tuesday.

Dos Santos's medical condition has recently been subject to fierce speculation, with his daughter Isabel forced to deny rumours that he had died while in Spain.

Anastacio de Brito, spokesman for the ruling MPLA party, told AFP that the 74-year-old president arrived back in Angola on Monday evening.

The party confirmed for the first time on Monday that dos Santos had undergone medical checks while in Spain on an extended "private visit".

Dos Santos, who has been in power since 1979, will not contest an election in August, marking a historic change in the oil-rich country.

He has reportedly received cancer treatment in Barcelona over several years.

Defence Minister Joao Lourenco has emerged as Dos Santos's chosen successor and is on course to take power after the election.

Opposition parties have called for the government to be more transparent about the president's health.
30.05.2017 LISTEN

What is even more revealing and brings home the true horror of what transpired during the war itself was provided by Mr. Anayo Johnpaul, a historian and public commentator. He wrote as follows:

"Shocking revelations of the hatred for Igbos and how the north used the Nigerian Federal troops and locals in the South-West and

North to commit genocide with the help of Great Britain and America during the civil war.

Permit me to share some excerpts from the confessions of the perpetrators.

I want to see no Red Cross, no Caritas, no World Council of Churches, no Pope, no missionary, no UN delegation. I want to prevent even one Ibo from having even one piece of food to eat before their capitulation. We shoot at everything that moves and when our troops march into the centre of Igbo territory, we shoot at everything: even things that do not move- (Benjamin Adekunle, Commander, 3rd Marine Commander Division, Nigerian Army to French Radio Reporter).

All is fair in war and starvation is one of the weapons of war. I dont see why we should feed our enemies fat in order for them to fight harder- (Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nigerian Minister of Finance, July 28, 1969).

Until now efforts to relieve the Biafran people have been thwarted by the desire of the central government to pursue total and unconditional victory and by the fear of the Igbo people that surrender means wholesale atrocities and genocide. But genocide is what is taking place right now and starvation is the grim reaper. This is not the time to stand on ceremony, or go through channels or to observe diplomatic niceties. The destruction of an entire people is immoral objective, even in the most moral of wars. It can never be condoned- (Richard Nixon, during the presidential campaign, September 9, 1968).

Federal troops killed, or stood while mobs killed, more than 5000 Ibos in Warri, Sapele, Agbor- (New York Times, 10th January, 1968).

It (mass starvation) is a legitimate aspect of war"- (Anthony Enahoro, Nigerian Commissioner for Information at a press conference in New York, July 1968).

Starvation is a weapon of war and we have every intention of using it against the rebels- (Mr Alison Ayida, Head of Nigerian delegation, Niamey Peace talks, July 1968).

The Igbos must be considerably reduced in number- Lagos Policeman quoted in New York Review 21 December, 1967).

One word now describes the policy of the Nigerian military government towards secessionist Biafra: genocide. It is ugly and extreme but it is the only word which fits Nigerias decision to stop international Red Cross and other relief agencies from flying food to Biafra"- ( Washington Post editorial, July 2, 1969).

In some areas in the east, Igbos were killed by local people with at least the acquiescence of the Federal forces, 1000 Igbo civilians perished in Benin in this way- (Max Edward Reporter, reporter on the ground - New York Review, 21 December 1967).

After Federal forces took over Benin, troops killed about 500 Igbo civilians after a house to house search with the aid of willing locals- (Washington Morning Post, 27 September, 1967).

The greatest single massacre occurred in the Igbo town of Asaba where 700 Igbo males were lined up and shot as terrified women/children were forced to watch- (London Observer, 21 January,1968).

Federal troops killed or stood by while mobs killed more than 5000 Ibos in Warri, Sapele, Agbor- (New York Times, 10th January, 1968).

There has been genocide on the occasion of the 1966 massacres, the region between the towns of Benin and Asaba where only widows and orphans remain, Federal troops having, for unknown reasons, massacred all the men-(Paris Le Monde, 5th April, 1968).

In Calabar, Federal forces shot at least 1000 and perhaps 2000 Igbos, most of them civilians- (New York Times, 18th January,1968).

Bestialities and indignities of all kinds were visited on the Biafrans in 1966. In Ikeja Barracks (Western Nigeria) Biafrans were forcibly fed on a mixture of human urine and faeces. In Northern Nigeria numerous housewives and nursing mothers were violated before their husbands and children. Young girls were abducted from their homes, walking places and schools and forced into intercourse with sick, demented and leprous men- (Mr Eric Spiff, German War Correspondent, eyewitness, 1967).

650 refugee camps, contained about 700,000 haggard bundles of human flotsam waiting hopelessly for a meal, outside the camps, was the reminder of an estimated four and half to five million displaced Kwashiokor scourge, a million and half children, suffer(ed) from it during January; that put the forecast death toll at another 300,000 children. More than the pogroms of 1966, more than the war casualties, than the terror bombings, it was the experience of watching helplessly their children waste away and die that gave birth to, a deep and unrelenting loathing. It is a feeling that will one day reap bitter harvest unless- (Frederick Forsyth, British Writer, January 21st 1969).

The Nazis had resurrected just here as Nigerian forces- (Washington Post, editorial, July 2, 1969).

The loss of life from starvation continues at more than 10,000 persons per day over 1,000,000 lives in recent months. Without emergency measures now, the number will climb to 25,000 per day, within a month and 2,000,000 deaths by the end of the year. The new year will only bring greater disaster to people caught in the passion of fratricidal war, we cant allow this to continue or those responsible to go free- (Senator Ted Kennedy appeals to Americans Sunday November 17, 1968).

Myself and the same UNICEF representatives went on to convey something of what lay behind this intransigence: Among the large majority hailing from that tribe who are the most vocal in inciting the complete extermination of the Igbos. I often heard remarks that all Nigerias ills will be cured once the Igbos have been exterminated from the human map.- (Dr Conor Cruise OBien, 21 December, 1967, New York Review". (CONCLUDED).

As harrowing as these words are they accurately and graphically capture the mood and horrific essence of the civil war.

They also reveal an inconvenient truth which is as follows: that the Nigerian people and General Yakubu Gowon owe the people of the east a sincere and unwavering apology for the barbaric and criminal manner in which they conducted the civil war.

We also have an obligation to make restitution to them, offer them compensation for all they have lost and to bring to justice all those that were directly or indirectly involved in the commission of the barbaric and hideous atocities and crimes against humanity that were visited upon the Igbo civilian population and defenceless Igbo women and children.

I refuse to describe the killer of children and the murderer of women and defenceless civilians as war heroes. My conscience does not permit it.

If the German people could find it in their hearts to ask the Jews to forgive them for what they did to them in the Second World War, the Nigerian people should be big-hearted enough and strong enough to ask the same of the Igbo.

Such a course of action does not diminish or weaken us: it makes us more humane.

And neither do I believe that offering them "more cake" as President Olusegun Obasanjo has suggested can make up for all that we have subjected them to over the last 51 years.

The last person that suggested the offering of cake to the irate masses and victims of injustice as a way of calming them down and getting them to stop their agitation for emancipation was Queen Marie Antoinnete of France. That was in 1789.

Unfortunately it did not go down too well and a few weeks later the French revolution took place and both the Marie Antoinette and her husband King Louis XV1, together with much of the French royal family, courtiers, nobles and landed gentry were arrested by the Jacobins, publicly humiliated, tried in the people's courts of law and had their heads chopped off with a guillotine.

That signified the end of the monarchy in France, the demise of the long rulership of the proud and distinguished royal Bourbon lineage and family and the beginning of the great French Republic which changed the face of Europe, the history of world and which endures till today.

So much for the offering of cake as a panacea or solution to the unjust and barbarous treatment of the oppressed and the deprived.

I do not believe that the dream of Biafra can be shattered and obliterated by promises of cake and a few crumbs from the masters table.

And neither do I believe that they can be wished away or destroyed by reckless and dangerous attempts to break their will and dampen their spirits by killing them in the streets or incarcerating them indefinately or with threats of wiping them off the face of the earth and total and complete annihilation.

I am a man of peace and I believe that war is evil. It is the darkness that seeks the darkness. It is utterly repugnant and manifestly destructive.

It is a complete and total descent into madness, barbarism, hell, chaos and inhumanity.

Those that glorify it or encourage and endorse it any shape or form are either shallow, naive or simply insane.

It is the will and law of God to fight for freedom, equity and justice. Our cause is just. What we must NOT do is use violence or shed blood.

Yet despite this fundamental principle which I hold dear, one thing that I know is this: If, God forbid, there were ever to be any major conflict or war in our country again the Igbo would not be left to fight it on their own.

If, God forbid, there were to ever be a round two of our civil war I have little doubt that this time around the entire south and the Middle Belt would stand together as one against our common oppressors and those that kill and slaughter our people at will in the name of ethnic supremacy and faith.

I pray that it never happens and I hope that we either restructure the country or peacefully go our separate ways before it is too late.

Those that resist that course are playing with fire and are sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

When it ignites no-one will be left standing, no-one will come out whole and no-one will escape being amongst the victims of the cataclysmic and horrendous events that will follow.

As a matter of urgency we must pray fervently for peace in Nigeria. We must counsel and encourage restraint, understanding and patience from all sides.

Most important of all we must find it in our hearts to display and express a high degree of regret and contrition for what we did to the Igbo, pay them compensation and make restitution for what we subjected them to before, during and after the civil war. God demands it and justice requires it.

Until this is done every Nigerian, including yours truly, should hold himself partially responsible for the atrocities that have been committed against the Igbo in our country over the last 51 years.

May the souls of all those that lost their lives on both sides of the divide during the course of our civil war rest in peace and may May 30 1967, the day that the war started 50 years ago today, be acknowledged and set aside as a day of honor for the unsung heroes of the Biafran struggle.
Late Capt Maxwell A. Mahama

30.05.2017 LISTEN

The Denkyira Boase town in the Central region has become a ghost town following the ghastly lynching of an army officer there by residents, StarrFMonline.com has gathered.

According to Starr News Central regional correspondent, Kwaku Baah-Acheamfour most of the young people have fled because they suspect that there will be retaliatory attacks from the military.

Residents of the Denkyira Boase at the behest of their Assembly member on Tuesday assaulted Captain Maxwell Mahama on suspicion of being a robber.

He was a military officer with the 5th Infantry Batallion (5BN) at Burma Camp in Accra.

Captain Mahama who is the commander of the area military detachment, according to his subordinates, was seen jogging along the main road and as he stopped by to ask some women for directions  the women saw a pistol on him.

The women who were alarmed after spotting the pistol mistook him for an armed robber thereby alerting their assembly member who allegedly organised some men to lynch him after which they burnt the body.

The womens action is said to have been influenced by recent robbery attacks in the area with a recent one been a day before, as residents in the mining town have been subjected to some robbery attacks.

The military officer who was not in uniform when the incident happened is said to have pleaded with the mob not to lynch him indicating he was an army officer and not a criminal, but his plea was not taken by the mob who hit him with several objects including cement blocks .

The Public Relations officer of the Ghana Armed Forces Colonel Aggrey Quashie said Tuesday on Morning Starr that a fact-finding delegation has been sent to the area led by the Chief of Army Staff to ascertain circumstances leading to the heinous murder of captain Mahama.

Describing captain Mahama as a promising young officer, he assured that the military will not carry out any retaliatory attacks.

He said that will be the last thing that somebody will want to think of at this time. This is not the time for those things, adding, the most important thing is trying to apprehend the people who did that unfortunate things. And so we have to do all that we can to let the law work.
Yilo Krobo MP Magnus Kofi Amoatey has said he will request that Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko be invited to parliament to explain the recent huge power tariffs charged by the Electricity Company of Ghana in some parts of the country.

According to him, the ECGs resort to serving customers with an estimated bill  a bill served clients for whom there is no reading for electricity consumed  is responsible for astronomical electricity bills.

Mr Amoateys call follows riots over high electricity bills at Somanya on Monday 29 May. The residents attacked the police following the arrest of an assemblyman who organised a demonstration against the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the area last week in connection with huge discrepancies in electricity bills. Property belonging to ECG were vandalised during the demonstration.

Speaking on the development on the Executive Breakfast Show (EBS) on Class91.3FM on Tuesday 30 May, Mr Amoatey said: Ill file an urgent question with the Minister of Energy to explain to Ghanaians why the need for an estimated bill.

Yesterday, some more people came to show me their bills. A woman came with a bill of GHS10,000, an elderly woman, and one would ask what she does to consume GHS10,000 in a month. There is another gentleman I was told had a bill of GHS200,000. I agree some of them might have defaulted for some time, but I think even within a year, how can a household consume as much as GHS200,000 as electricity bill. There is something wrong somewhere and the minister must explain to us.

Mr Amoatey said he had organised a meeting with the traditional leaders, police, youth, and officials of the ECG to discuss the way forward for peace to prevail in the area.

Some weeks ago, some irate residents of Akosombo also demonstrated over the same issue.
An Accra High Court has discharged the two suspects, who were being tried for the murder of the former member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, Joseph Boakye Danquah.

The court said the decision was taken after the State Attorney, Sefakor Batse, announced in court today [Tuesday], that the trial will not continue.

The State Attorney, Sefakor Batse, who made the announcement, did give any reason for the decision to drop the charges against the two, Daniel Asiedu and Vincent Bosso.

What happened to JB Danquah? The Abuakwa North legislator was on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, stabbed to death at his Shiashie residence in Accra.

Two days after his murder, the then Accra Regional Police Command, led by COP George A. Dampare, arrested a prime suspect, Daniel Asiedu, who allegedly confessed to committing the crime.

Vincent Bosso, was later arrested as having conspired with Aseidu to commit the crime.

Court proceedings In the course of the trial, the prosecution tendered in a post-mortem report of the MP, Forensic DNA Report, Blood stained T-shirt of Asiedu, a knife used by Asiedu, the three iPhones of the deceased, Asiedu's pair of slippers which he left at the crime scene, his prison records, and radiology report determining his age, his medical report, all as evidence to prosecute him.

-Citifmonline
Public Relations practitioners from both the public and private sector where taken through best approaches and practical scenarios of how to communicate to their publics during a crisis situation.

The workshop, which was organized by Touchpoint Magna Carta brought together Heads of Corporate Affairs and Communications from various institutions and public relations students to deepen their understanding and knowledge about current trends and the dynamics in the industry.

Speaking at a workshop ceremony in Accra, the Former White House Spokesperson under George W. Bush in the United States of America, Alex Conant talked about the need for a crisis communications team in an organization that is susceptible to crisis.

He noted that corporate institutions must invest more in crisis management with special thought on strategies to automatically deal with potential threats as and when they strikes either from within or outside the organization.

Alex Conant indicated that credibility is an asset of an organization and being honest with your customers, stakeholders and the media is very important in managing crisis adding that when crisis hits you want people to believe what young are telling them is the truth.

According to him, being honest and transparent in the day to day activities of the organization is another surest way of managing any negative events that may affect the companys operations.

He said having a good corporate governance structure is very important for decision making processes to allow the organization to deal with crisis more effectively.

You want to know who is in charge, who needs to sign off on decisions, who is responsible for implementing those decisions when a crisis occur. Having that establishment makes it easier to avoid problems when a crisis occurs, he stated.

Alex Conant added that when you have bad news dont wait for the media to report it or people to find out because the media will make it sound as bad as possible. When you have a bad news its best you remain transparent and honest and telling the story yourself.

The Former White House Spokesperson said his general overview of Ghanaian crisis management standard is same as those in other countries around the world because occurrences that used to be ignored are now considered most important to deal with and Ghana is not an exception.

According to him, social media has both positive and negative side of dealing with crisis since crisis travels more faster on social media however, that same crisis and any other can also be tackled or addressed more appropriately using the same medium.

The second speaker, Vincent Magwenya, Former Spokesperson for Jacob Zuma in South Africa said when a crisis hits it is not enough to just send out a faceless leader statement because without a credible leadership one may not be able to communicate effectively to the public as a result of the negative tags on the leadership of the organization.

He indicated the relevance of a communication plan adding that it must be regularly reviewed and tested to meet the current trend in the industry.

Revisiting your crisis communication plan is well to do and also a time ahead to deal with the numerous challenges and developments surrounding the organization, he stated.

Addressing the participants, Joel Nettey, Chairman of the Ninani Group noted that somewhere in your organisation, there is a crisis waiting to happen and it could be anything  from a fire outbreak, to an internal financial crisis, to an armed robbery attack.

He added that you could experience a regulatory shutdown, the death of your employees in the line of duty, a scandal involving your CEO, leakage of confidential information. The possibilities are endless.

Mr. Nettey intimated that if it happens right this minute, will you be able to handle it well enough to prevent it from becoming a full-blown disaster?

He said you could be totally fried in the courts of public opinion long before you have even had a chance to understand whats going on in a Crisis Situation, indeed, long before you even realize it is infact, a crisis.

Mr. Nettey added that and for those who pride themselves in saying Im not on Facebook or this that or the other Social Media Channel.

According to him, long before you figure out how much of a twat youve been for not knowing that tweeting is what you do on twitter.

He urged participants to be proactive in their day to day activities and put in place mechanisms that will automatically deal with crisis as and when they occur.

Fb Img 1496148370535
30.05.2017 LISTEN

The management of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has debunked media reports alleging that each Assembly member of the KMA will soon benefit from a brand new salon car, following an arrangement by the managers of the Assembly and Hyundai Motors and Investment Ghana.

The said media reports also suggested that the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Osei Assibey Antwi had said elected members of the Assembly would be beneficiaries of the scheme to enhance their work delivery in their respective electoral areas and that of the Assembly.

They said reports further claimed that the Assembly intended to deduct the cost of the car from allowances of each beneficiary Assembly member.

But the official spokesman of KMA, Mr. Godwin Okumah Nyame has debunked the information, emphasizing that not only was it misinforming, misleading and fabricated, but also a well-planned attempt to throw dust into the eyes of the public and dent the positive image of the KMA and its Chief Executive.

He explained that the automobile company visited the Assembly to showcase its products to the management of the Assembly and also informed management that the company sells its cars to credible institutions and individuals on hire purchase basis.

The KMA PRO stated that Hyundai Motors and Investment Ghana was not the only company that had visited the Assembly to showcase it products in recent times and cited Katanka Automobile Company Ltd, which also visited the KMA recently to showcase its products to the assembly.

He indicated that the Metro Chief Executive cannot unilaterally take a decision to purchase vehicles for Assembly members without prior approval from the General Assembly and urged the public to take note that the Assembly had not entered into any agreement with any company to purchase cars for elected members of the Assembly.

The KMA has appealed to the various media outlets to always cross check their information from the Assembly before publication to avoid unnecessary tension and distortion of information.

From Sebastian R. Freiku, Kumasi
30.05.2017 LISTEN

Shanxii Mining (Ghana) Company Limited has accused some unknown illegal miners of invading its concession and robbing it of its mineral ores.

Speaking during a visit by the Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari to the area, Charles Ndanbon, concessionaire for Yenyeya mines, to whom Shanxii is providing technical support, said the ban on operations at the company is causing this problem.

According to him, people from outside the company create a pit that go to connect theirs and that is where such unscrupulous people pass to invade their (Shanxii) concessions.

The worried concessionaire said the activities of such people are likely to cause serious damage to the mines.

They create the pits from outside our yard and dig down to connect to ours, and pass there to get to our concessions. They are blasting our rock underground rendering our supporting weak, which is dangerous because this can result in the collapse of our pit.

We are worried and, therefore, want to appeal to you (regional minister) to use your good office to help us get back to work, Ndanbon said.

In a presentation to enlighten the regional minister on the operations of the company, the Public Relations Officer at Shanxii, Maxwell Wooma pointed out that the company has met the legal requirements to operate and has since 2009 operated with a high sense of safety.

According to him, the company has employed about 543 workers who work in various areas in the company, which contributes to reducing unemployment in the area and its surrounding areas but has sent home 500 workers as a result of the halt in operations at the company.

He cited also the achievements and interventions chalked by the company since its inception as relocation of government school to a safer site at the cost of GHC190, 000  a donation of 114 dual desks and four teacher tables to the government basic school at the mining site, sinking of ten boreholes in the area, donation of 70 computers to the RCC, Regional Hospital, Ghana Police Service, Talensi and Nabdam districts

The high incidence of stealing by the surrounding illegal miners has significant impact on the volume of ore for processing.

This is coupled with the danger it poses to them. The company has since developed stronger security measures to curtail the menace, he also added.

Meanwhile, the regional minister assured the company of his readiness to assist with security to deal with the insecurity and illegal acts by outsiders.

According to him, the investment is such a huge one that cannot be allowed to suffer in the hands of bad people.

He also observed the need for the Minerals Commission to regulate the use of explosives by small scale miners.

He was hopeful that the issues surrounding the suspension of operations will be resolved for the company to resume operations though he could not promise this.

I will be going to Accra on Monday, so I will join the Tongo Rana so that, together we will go to the Lands and Natural Resources minister and tell him the facts on the ground and we see what we can do.

You are doing a legal job so you should have peace of mind to do your work, no one (illegal miners) should make things difficult for you, he added.

From William Nlanjerbor Jalulah, Bolgatanga
30.05.2017 LISTEN

THE MINISTER For Chieftaincy And Religious Affairs, Mr. Kofi Dzamesi, has unveiled a marshal plan by the ruling government to bring to the barest minimum the number of chieftaincy disputes that have bedeviled the nation.

According to him, the Akufo-Addo led government is going to draw a thin line between real chieftaincy dispute and criminal offenses, to drastically deal with people who take the law into their own hands, kill innocent people and cause damage to valuable properties during chieftaincy disputes.

Speaking at a day's workshop organized by the Ministry of Regional Reorganization and Development for members of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs in Tamale, Mr. Dzamesi lamented that the Chieftaincy Institution, which was supposed to play a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of Ghana had rather plagued the nation into several needless conflicts.

He mentioned that the number of chieftaincy cases had increased from 352 to 356 cases in less than three months.

Mr. Dzamesi said that the government could not continue to allow the wanton destruction of properties and human lives by aggrieved parties in chieftaincy conflicts, after which large amounts of money, meant for the development of the nation, was voted into resolving the conflicts, keeping security personnel and repairing damages caused.

The Northern Region in particular has witnessed several chieftaincy conflicts with almost all of them resulting in firing of guns and killing of people, including women and children, burning of houses, farmlands and food crops among others.

The region has created a bad name for itself, due to the frequent outbreak of conflicts and bloodshed emanating from chieftaincy disputes across the four kingdoms in the region; namely Dagbon, Nanum, Mamprugu and Gonjaland.

The Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs called on traditional authorities to follow the established procedures to install chiefs, or resolve their differences and should not hide behind the chieftaincy institution to commit crimes.

The Chieftaincy Institution has all the necessary structures to address its own problems. If you have achieftaincy dispute, we have the judicial committee of the traditional council; if you are not satisfied with their ruling, you can send the matter to the Regional House of Chiefs; from there you can go the National House of Chiefs and even if you are still not satisfied, you can proceed to the Supreme Court for the final determination of the dispute.

Nobody has the right to use the chieftaincy institution to cause trouble or take the law into their own hands. No! We will not allow that to happen, the Minister remarked.

Mr. Dzamesi noted that government had increased the monthly allowances paid to paramount chiefs and queen-mothers across the country by 100%, which had already taken effect. Paramount chiefs, according to the Minister, would now receive GH1,000 while queen-mothers would also take home GH800 as against the previous GH500 and GH350 respectively.

The Minister for Regional Re-organisation and Development, Dan Botwe, said that the creation of four new regions was based on a series of petitions unanimously sent to the government from chiefs in the respective regions.

The NPP, in its 2016 manifesto, promised to create new regions out of Western, Brong Ahafo, Volta and Northern Regions, as part of efforts to bring governance closer to the people and speed up national development.

According to the Minister, government was strictly going to follow the 1992 Constitution to ensure that due processes were followed.

Mr. Dan Botwe said that a commission of inquiry would be constituted to go round the regions to thoroughly discuss and solicit views of all stakeholders on the creation of the new region.

He, therefore, encouraged the traditional authorities to lead the process to ensure that there were no disputes or conflicts throughout the exercise especially when it comes to the demarcation of traditional boundaries.

Kpembewura Dari Bismark Haruna, Paramount Chief of Kpembe Traditional Area, who chaired the meeting on behalf of the President of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, Yagbonwura Tuntumba Bore Essa I, reaffirmed the readiness of all the chiefs for the creation of one or two new regions out of the Northern Region.

The Chief assured the government of their commitment towards the maintenance of peace in the region.

The Kpembewura also reminded the government of the promises made to the people in the region and called their speedy implementation.

From Edmond Gyebi, Tamale
30.05.2017 LISTEN

Contrary to reports of his plans to appeal to the Supreme Court against his disbarment by the Nigerian Bar Association, there are strong indications that controversial founder of a Facebook group, The Due Process Advocates, Emeka Ugwuonye may be contemplating going on exile.

This is as pressure mounts over the myriads of cases before him, particularly, the N10b defamation suit slammed on him by ex-husband of Abuja missing woman, Charity Aiyedogbon, Mr. David Aiyedogbon.

Impeccable sources from Ugwuonyes Facebook group, The Due Process Advocates (DPA) who spoke on the grounds of anonymity confirmed this to our correspondent Tuesday.

According to one of the sources, Ugwuonye has concluded plans to leave the country. There are too many cases; problems everywhere. Court cases are too many and threats of new cases coming daily. Now that he has been disbarred, he will have to hire lawyers to defend him and the money is not even there. He is seriously considering running out of the country, to save his head.

When asked where the DPA founder plans to elope to, he said: he is considering one of the African countries. Ghana is top in his chart.

Meanwhile, Ugwuonye announced his plans to travel to the United States on his Facebook group, The DPA a few days ago.

In what appears like a perfection of his planned move, in a post on the 27th of May, 2017, titled: introduction of Mrs. DPA Rambo and update on DPA administration, Ugwuonye tactfully transferred managerial functions of the DPA to a new Facebook account, DPA Rambo.

Yesterday night, Mrs. DPA Rambo joined the DPA group and we were glad to receive her. She is quite a character. She is an agent for special purposes in this group. Her work is to post all public announcements and management messages for DPA. Mrs. DPA Rambo will sit in all DPA meetings and meetings of DPA Admin. She is the person that will post the announcement of the meetings to our members. I urge all of you to pay close attention to this lady.

If I may still inform you, Mrs. DPA Rambo is going to make several critical announcements this weekend. For instance, the ID Cards of members will be ready next week and arrangements are being made for members to create personal profile and upload their accounts with a picture that they want to appear in their ID cards. But this is only for fully registered members.

..She is to relieve me from having to make management announcements and notices from my personal account. Also, members who have information to send to DPA management must direct their messages to Mrs. DPA Rambo. Please, don't try to send friendship requests to Mrs. Rambo. She does not accept friendship requests. However, she will receive your messages and will respond in due course.

An interrogation of the Facebook name, DPA Rambo suggests that it is an account that may have been created by Mr. Ugwuonye himself to divert attention from his personal account, which, sources say he has used to cause irreparable damage to both himself and some members of the public.

In another development, on the 29th of May, 2016, Ugwuonye alleged an attempt at hacking his Facebook account- Emeka Ugwuonye.

Early this morning, approximately 1:00am, this Facebook account came under a massive and sustained attack by some enemies of DPA. Facebook organization alerted me and I engaged standard security measures all in place to protect the confidences of people in contact with me and the integrity of DPA operations and planning. That led to the temporal disabling of this account.

Checks reveal that in 2016, in an alleged botched attempt to destroy evidence in his case against David Aiyedogbon, Ugwuonye allegedly pulled down the same account, but restored same following media attacks and exposure.

It would be recalled that, for falsely accusing him of having a hand in the sudden disappearance of his estranged wife, Charity Aiyedogbon, Mr. Aiyedogbon instituted a defamation of character suit of Ten Billion Naira (N10b) against Lagos Lawyer, Emeka Ephraim Ugwuonye.

The Suit, with number CV/2750/16, between David Aiyedogbon (Plaintiff) and Emeka Ugwuonye (Defendant) on defamation of character, before Justice Peter Kekemeke of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 14, Apo Abuja; also prays that the defendant be ordered to pay the cost of the suit.

The Plaintiff is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant, his Agents, Privies, Associates or whosoever called from making further defamatory publications against him and his family members.

So far, Ugwuonye has raised two objections in the matter, first, challenging the Courts jurisdiction and another, urging the court to reverse itself on its earlier ruling on jurisdiction. He lost in the both instances, with costs awarded against him.

The matter is adjourned to September, 2017, for hearing of the substantive suit, where he will be required to produce evidence to substantiate his claims.

Reliable sources reveal that Mr. Aiyedogbons lawyer, Tony Ogbulafor may have also filed a personal suit against Mr. Ugwuonye for wrongly accusing him of giving a bribe (in an envelope) to a Police man to detain him.

Police sources also reveal that, while some persons have already been charged to Court (awaiting trial) for their roles in the disappearance of Charity Aiyedogbon, others that have questions to answer will also be charged soon, to explain their roles in the controversy. Ugwuonye may be among those to be prosecuted.

Just last week, Ugwuonye, a former United States-based Nigerian lawyer, who was disbarred in New York and Maryland for professional misconduct was also disbarred in Nigeria for fraud.

Destiny Ugorji
Dakar (AFP) - Senegal's former president Abdoulaye Wade, aged 91, will head a list of opposition candidates for parliament in an election to take place on July 30, according to aides.

The announcement was made on Monday night after a broad opposition coalition of more than 40 parties broke up, said supporters of Wade, who ruled the west African country from 2000 to 2012.

Some movements and associations in the coalition backed the mayor of Dakar, Khalifa Sall, who was jailed in March on suspicion of embezzlement but will still top a separate list of candidates, according to his supporters.

The deadline for submitting candidates in the poll expires overnight Tuesday. There is no age limit on people standing for parliament.

A parliamentary victory for the opposition to President Macky Sall would give Wade the means to obtain an amnesty for his son, Karim, who enjoyed considerable ministerial powers under his father, but was sentenced to six years in prison in 2015.

Karim Wade was also ordered to pay a fine of more than 210 million euros for "illicit enrichment". He received a presidential pardon in June 2016 after a total of more than three years and now lives abroad. An amnesty would lift any doubts over his eligibility in politics, observers said.

The opposition coalition first came together in a bid to end the control of parliament by a coalition loyal to the head of state and force Sall to share power with newly elected political rivals.

The last-minute rift came because of differences between supporters of Wade and those of Khalifa Sall over who should head the list of candidates to be presented to voters.

In the previous parliamentary poll in 2012, the United in Hope coalition backing President Sall won an outright majority in a parliament of 150 seats. July's election will see a further 15 deputies named to the National Assembly representing the Senegalese diaspora, under a constitutional amendment passed in March 2016.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has indicated his resolve to ensure that the perpetrators of the grisly murder of Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama, are brought to light and made to face the rigours of the law.

President Akufo-Addo, in his first official comment on the tragic incident, expressed his condolence to the family of Captain Mahama, and assured that none of his murderers would go free.

My condolences to the family of Captain Maxwell Mahama on their tragic loss. I assure them that the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the laws of our country.

No one involved in his murder will go free, the President declared in a series of tweets.

Capt. Mahama, an officer of the 5th Infantry Battalion, was said to have been on his daily jogging routine on Monday when he was lynched by some residents of Diaso, a small town in Denkyira-Obuasi, where he had been deployed to.

The residents claimed Captain Mahama, who at the time was allegedly not in military apparel, was a robber. His corpse was set on fire after the lynching.

Some reports said he was armed with a gun while jogging, and some residents who saw him with the gun raised alarm, attracting some of the youth in the community who attacked and killed him.

Citi News gathered that, some armed robbers had attacked residents the day before, and the angry youth were on the lookout for the criminals, hence they mistook Captain Mahama, who was dressed in civilian clothes for a robber.

Subsequent reports suggest that, the murder was linked to the soldier's mission in the area to fight illegal small-scale mining.

Since the tragic news came to light on Tuesday morning, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the Upper Denkyira West District, Daniel Appianin revealed to Citi News that some army personnel had invaded Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region beating up residents in the area.

According to the DCE, the soldiers had taken about 80 men hostage, while women and children have been camped in a church in the town.

The Ghana Armed Forces subsequently urged its troops to remain calm following the murder, and has said it is working to bring justice to the deceased and those affected by his murder.

 Citifmonline
30.05.2017 LISTEN

The Minister of State responsible for Public Procurement, Sarah Adwoa Safo, says she has read, with much concern, media reports about the abrogation of government contracts by some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

She has, therefore, warned all heads of entities within the MMDAs and MDAs to refer all questionable contracts to her office for expert and legal advice, before any decision is taken to either retain or abrogate them.

The reports on the abrogation of the contracts entered into by the previous administration, started a few days after the new MMDAs and MDAs assumed their respective roles. According to the Minister, the immediate past National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration used the sole sourcing clause in the Procurement Law to award dubious contracts to friends, families and cronies, in order to loot state coffers, which they succeeded in , oing.

Adwoa Safo, who was speaking at the Special Training Session on the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), as amended, and Public Financial Management Reform for Ministers and Heads of Agencies, said, notwithstanding this setback, government agencies should not rush in cNotwithstandingcontracts without proper legal advice.

The Minister said she had no doubt about the competence of the heads of entities to make a judgement on what a good contract is from a bad one, however, she believes it is always important to seek legal and expert advice, before a decision to abrogate a contract is taken.

Madam Adwoa Sarfo noted that the move would prevent any unnecessary legal battles between the government and contractors, which could eventually instigate the needless and avoidable payment of judgement debts.

In effect, she has, through a letter communicated to all heads of entities within MMDAS and MDAs, to stop terminating contracts forthwith. Furthermore, she directed that all queries on some of these contracts should be directed, or be referred to the office of the Minister of State responsible for Public Procurement for further investigations and recommendations.

The Ministers prompt directive would further boost the confidence of investors, as that re-echoes President Akufo-Addos promise that his government is not going to embark on contract termination spree, despite the change of administration.

President Akufo-Addo said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is investor-friendly, and can assure business owners that any genuine contract entered into with the previous government would not be abrogated.

When officials of Bollore Transport & Logistics, APM Terminals and Meridian Port Services Limited  shareholders of the Tema Port expansion project  called on him at the Flagstaff House sometime this year, Nana Addo said: If we can convince more and more companies like yours to invest in our country, then we can thrive as a nation.

Be assured that the presence of a new government does not mean the abrogation of genuine contracts entered into by the previous government. You have my support to proceed.

President Akufo-Addo stated that the major preoccupation of his government is the creation of a good business climate for businesses to thrive.

He was pleased that companies like Bollore Transport & Logistics, APM Terminals and Meridian Port Services Limited have thought of Ghana as the place to do business and invest. The delegation was led by Cyrille Bollore, Chairman of Bollore Transport & Logistics.

By Inusa Musah
The Central Regional Minister has appealed to the military hierarchy to restraints its men from brutalizing residents over the death of an officer at Diaso.

Kwamena Duncan told a radio station in Accra Tuesday although the lynching of Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama was a dastardly act it is no ground for residents to be terrorised.

this is purely a criminal matter, and the solution to this crime is not about the use of brute force, he said.

Related Article: Captain Mahama was to be promoted to Major - Defence Minister

Late Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama

The country was thrown into shock following news about the lynching of Captain Adam Mahama on Monday by Diaso residents in the Upper Denkyira West District.

He was posted to the area about three weeks ago after the then Commander of the military personnel there was relieved of his duties of protecting a local mining company.

Related Article: Capt. Mahamas death challenges my citizenship - Uncle

Captain Adam Mahama is reported to have met his untimely death when he was out for his early morning jogging.

Late Captain Adam Mahama with wife Barbara Mahama and two children

He was lynched by some youth after he was mistaken for an armed robber. He was pelted with stones and burnt, the military has said.

There are reports that some military personnel are holding at least 90 of the Diaso residents hostage. They are demanding the gun of the deceased to be given to them, Upper Denkyira East DCE, Daniel Appianing is quoted as saying.

But Mr Duncan said it would be unlawful for the military to cause mayhem in the community over the incident.

for a society which is governed by rules and laws, the best way to go about it is to apply the procedures, to investigate and pursue those who have committed this heinous crime and bring them to justice, he said.

The Regional Minister said the solution is not going on rampage and attacking or brutalizing anybody.

Meanwhile, Parliaments Defense and Interior Committee has urged a speedy investigation into the incident.

A member of the Committee, Ernest Dogbey said the best way to unroll incidents of mob justice in the country is to ensure the prosecution of culprits.

The law must take its course, they [military] must set up a committee to look into the matter, he said.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | [email protected] | Instagram: @realbrakopowers
The security agencies in Ghana must deal with the killing of Captain Maxwell Mahama, who was lynched on Monday at Denkyira Obuasi in the Central Region, with utmost professionalism due to the sensitive nature of the situation, Kweku Asare, a US-based Ghanaian professor, has said.

He described the lynching as senseless and cruel, an act that could have implications for national security.

About 35 soldiers and two military officers have been deployed to Denkyira Obuasi as GAF conducts a swoop in search of the killers of Captain Mahama, who was stoned to death and set alight.

Capt Mahama was lynched on suspicion that he was an armed robber after a group of residents from whom he asked for directions during a Monday dawn jogging session spotted the pistol on him.

The deceased army officer, who was not in any military attire at the time, was attacked by residents allegedly organised by the Assemblyman of the area.

The assemblyman, identified as William Baah, reported himself to the police on the same morning of the incident.

Commenting on this matter on his Facebook page on Tuesday May 30, Prof Asare said: I need not emphasise the national security implications of the senseless and cruel lynching of Captain M. Mahama. The matter must be handled with utter professionalism by the best at the highest levels.

Meanwhile, former President John Dramani Mahama has consoled the family of the late Captain Maxwell A. Mahama.

My heart goes out to my brother, Capt. Chubby Adam Mahama (Rtd.) on the murder of his son, Capt. Maxwell Mahama. And my condolences to the wife of Capt. Maxwell Mahama, his young children & to his mother on the loss of her only son, He said in multiple tweets.
In line with modern realities, the current yardstick for measuring the success of a pentecostal church in Nigeria, begins with an estimation of the church's net worth (which can be derived from the size and elegance of its cathedral), to most importantly, taking a look at how largely populated its loyal congregation is. Both of these necessities are highly fancied by most churches, hence, their increased desire for more "souls".

If one should do the math right; the larger the multitude, the greater the revenue to be acquired (even though churches will fiercely disagree). Anyway, that's too much 'blasphemy' for one day!

For the benefit of non-Bible readers, 'Soul-Winning' is a biblical instruction given to Christians to lure 'Lost Sinners' to Christ (well, you obviously don't read the Bible, so I guess you fall directly into this category... But back to the point). While this instruction is being carried out as commanded, some ambitious churches device new strategies of making profit from it. They kill two birds with one stone I suppose.

The desire for a great 'Harvest of Souls' as fondly nicknamed, has generated an unhealthy competition among churches. You begin to hear thought-provoking phrases like: "Come to my church and meet Doctor Jesus in action," or "If your church cannot change you, change church!"

Some 'miracle-working' preachers, indirectly mock their colleagues who seem to focus their ministry on teaching the gospel rather than the excessive showcasing of Signs and Wonders. That's when you hear the phrase: "People need power and not grammar!"

A lot of times (even on Sundays), I get approached by the evangelical teams of other pentecostal churches who try to woo me over to theirs. Not only do they ignore or fail to acknowledge the Bible firmly held in my hand (which should suggest to any intelligent Christian that I just stepped out of church having possibly heard the word of God), they still hand me a flyer, inviting me to make out time to visit their church where I would "hear the unadulterated word, and receive a miraculous turnaround from God." So in essence, I wasn't getting any of those from my local assembly?

Lately, most churches organize "special" revival programs for "healing and supernatural breakthroughs." They send out a large troop of their lieutenants for reach-out campaigns to lure and persuade members of other churches to attend, after which a membership form is handed over to them, as well as their contact details taken for intensive follow-up. Isn't that stealing of some sort? These first timers (or rather, 'decampees' from other churches) would be celebrated as converts, or the new "souls" won.

Why are pentecostal churches only interested in winning the souls of fellow Christians? I'm yet to witness the evangelical team of a pentecostal church, carry out massive campaigns with the aim of reaching-out to Muslims. Sometimes, after receiving their invitation flyers, I stand at a corner to observe if any of the Muslims passing by would be approached. They never do! By biblical standards, aren't the Muslims, Pagans and people of other religions in contrast to Christianity, meant to be the most sought after? Why are churches solely focused on wooing the Christian members of other churches to Christ?

How many pentecostal assemblies with a sincere devotion to soul-winning, care to extend their evangelical trains to the core northern parts of the country (where persecution is likely), to engage with a large number of non-Christians who are originally meant to be the major target audience?

If our preachers are truly driven towards doing the work of God, then there shouldn't be more than one church in every vicinity! Why break out of a ministry you could further strengthen with your supposed "Calling" only to commence yours next door?

As long as there's a church presently preaching the Gospel in a particular environment, other churches should locate new avenues that are bereft of a Christian assembly. There are rural areas which are still deeply rooted in idol worship. Why are there no proliferation of churches in those areas? Why are churches only clustered around each other in the major towns and cities? Why should a single street accommodate up to three or more churches, with each trying to rise above the other? That's not the true essence of evangelism!

Twitter: @princewill_nimi

Email: [email protected]

Nimi Princewill is a Nigerian writer, poet and social reformer.
Once upon a time, there lived in London a young intelligent journalist. This young man was overflowing with wisdom and when he spoke, one could just tell how wise he was. This young man left the United Kingdom for Ghana. This young man was one Ernest Owusu Bempah, a citizen of Asante-Akyem Agogo in the Ashanti region.

In next to no time, after he had gone to Ghana, when he fell foul of the ethics of journalism and anti-corruption. He went public to accuse the former late President Evans Atta Mills wife, First Lady Mrs Naadu Mills, of having taken US$5 million bribe.

Hardly had he made his on air presumptive accusation when he was apprehended by the operatives of the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI). They needed him as principal witness to assist them in their investigations into the bribery allegation he had made against the First Lady.

The BNI kept him for about a week as he was not being very forthcoming. In the end, he pleaded for mercy saying he simply lied about the First Lady. When the BNI probed deeper into his accusation, he apologised to the First Lady, the BNI and the President saying he concocted the story as only a painful rebuttal to an NDC members raining of insults on the Rawlingses and himself.

He fabricated the story as banter to silence that NDC member who was very supportive of the NDC and President Mills but has become very critical of former President Rawlings, the founder of the NDC, and his family. Ernest Owusu Bempah had then become a favourite of the Rawlingses hence he was ready to defend their integrity by resorting to pure lies that backfired on him. It took the kindness of God-fearing President Mills to set him free from the grips of the law of premeditated defamation or else, the BNI would have preferred charges against him and have him arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

For an act of stupidity, Ernest Owusu Bempah just tarnished the reputation of the First Lady worldwide by the on air false accusation he made.

Now, this same young man is the Communications Director of the National Democratic Party (NDP). He has also been appointed the Communications Director of the Ghana National Gas Company Limited by His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

As if the bad experience he had with the BNI by his false accusation of First Lady Naadu Mills was not enough, he has started accusing Adom FM radio presenter Godsbrain Blessed Smart, alias Captain Smart, of involvement in gargantuan corruption. He says, Captain Smart, has accepted bribes of a Land Cruiser Prado from former President John Dramani Mahama and a sum of GHS1.2 million from Ibrahim Mahama, a filthy rich, but dodgy business tycoon. Therefore, Captain Smart has absolutely no morals to qualify to lead any crusade against corrupt government and public officials in Ghana.

He makes further claims to knowing where Captain Smart has put up a mansion in Accra. This mansion is within the cost range of GHS3 million and (above).

In our collective fight against corruption in all its forms and shapes, we shall welcome any evidential documents incriminating not only Captain Smart but also, any Ghanaian public office holder caught in the act.

Having said this, I hope Ernest Owusu Bempah is not going to do his once 419 tricks, turns around to say he has no evidence for his accusation/allegation of corruption against Captain Smart same as he did to First Lady Naadu Mills.

He should note that if his allegation against Captain Smart turns out to be false, he may have compromised his position as the newly-appointed Communications Director of the Ghana National Gas Company Limited. This is because the nation cannot, and must not, have a liar to hold such a high office. Therefore, Ernest Owusu Bempah is advised to be very careful about the path he has embarked on to derail the anti-corruption train already set in motion and driven by invigorated Ghanaians determined to kill that monster called CORRUPTION that has been ruining Ghana socio-politico-economically for all these years.

To conclude, has Captain Smart indeed some cotton sticking out his anus and yet jumping over fire? Does he not realise that cotton easily catches fire and that he will get burnt or singed in such frivolous attempts, surmises Ernest Owusu Bempah?

We live to witness which of these two giants, Captain Smart or Ernest Owusu Bempah, who indeed has the interest of Ghana and the people at heart.

In the meantime, I support and do encourage Captain Smart to relentlessly pursue the noble course of wiping off official corruption from Ghana without yielding in to the distractions by his enemies that are oozing with that stupid Ghanaian mind-set of pull him down because the idea to perform that noble task should have come from them but nobody else.

All those who feel Captain Smart is corrupt, please, bring out the evidence for us to hold him hard by his balls. Nonetheless, he has my blessings to lead the anti-corruption campaign since at the moment he is innocent until proven guilty.

Captain Smart has uncovered some GHS or US$ 32 million embezzlement at Capital Ventures Bank. This is good news for the anti-corruption crusaders. Any Ghanaian who has proof of any wrongdoing by whomever, please send it to EOCO or Captain Smart. Captain Smart is rivalling renowned investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and/or Kwame Baffoe alias Abronye DC in the fight against crimes.

Until Captain Smart is proven guilty by the credible evidence yet to be submitted for public perusal by Ernest Owusu Bempah and his gang of pull him down crusaders, I call on all discerning Ghanaians to join the ye regye ye sika campaign, the genesis of civil revolution in Ghana or Africa to bring about the hidden prosperity of Africa.

We shall kill corruption for Ghana and the entire continental Africa to develop. We are sick and tired of the institutional corruption joyously masterminded and orchestrated by our high ranking elected compatriots who have come to know no shame!

Rockson Adofo

(Written on Tuesday, 30 May 2017)
Nigeria's first lady Aisha Buhari has gone to London to 'spend some time' with the country's 74-year-old president being treated for an undisclosed illness. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP)

30.05.2017 LISTEN

Abuja (AFP) - Nigeria's first lady left for London on Tuesday to join President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been in the British capital receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.

Aisha Buhari's office released a brief statement saying she was going to Britain to "spend some time" with her 74-year-old husband.

"Her Excellency will spend some time with her husband President Muhammadu Buhari who is presently on medical vacation," said a statement, which included photographs of her boarding a plane, dressed in an all-white outfit.

"She (Aisha Buhari) expressed her appreciation to the millions of Nigerians who have been praying for his quick and safe return."

Buhari left Abuja for London on May 7 for a "follow-up medical consultation" after spending nearly two months in Britain being treated for what he described as one of the worst illnesses of his life.

His health is being watched closely as a previous president, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, died in office in 2010 after receiving treatment abroad for a longstanding but undisclosed illness.

Yar'Adua's absence triggered months of political turmoil.

The Nigerian presidency has insisted that despite Buhari's sickness there is no political vacuum as Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had formally been given powers as acting president.

Yet in the weeks that Buhari has been gone there have been several statements from the military rejecting rumours that a coup was being planned.

Most analysts agree a coup is unlikely in Nigeria's strengthened democracy.

But there are fears that Buhari's prolonged absence has led to government inertia and that his signature war against corruption is grinding to a halt.
The Ghana Armed Forces has urged residents of Denkyira Obuasi in the Central Region not to flee their homes in the wake of the killing of Captain Maxwell A. Mahama by townsfolk in a mob attack.

The Director of Public Affairs at the Ghana Armed Forces, Col. Eric Aggrey-Quarshie, has said rather than fleeing the town, the residents should assist investigators to identify the perpetrators of this incident.

Captain Mahama was lynched by irate youth of the community on suspicion that he was an armed robber after a group of residents from whom he asked for directions during a Monday dawn jogging session spotted a pistol on him.

The community on Tuesday 30 May turned into a ghost town as residents fled from soldiers sent there to investigate the circumstances leading to the murder of their colleague. Reports said the soldiers were allegedly arresting and beating up residents.

But speaking on this development on Asempa FMs Ekosii Sen on Tuesday May 30, Col. Aggrey-Quarshie said: I have not been there but I will tell the people that there is no need for anybody abandoning his home. These who led the mob to kill the young man are the people we expect the community to help us arrest.

It will not be right for anybody to go there and say because one of our members has been killed we are also here to beat you people. What about if the people you beat up also die? Will that bring back the soldier to life?

Meanwhile, several youth of the community have been rounded up by military men who have stormed the town.
30.05.2017 LISTEN

The Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) and the Tax Justice Coalition Ghana have observed that Ghana, and for that matter Africa, is poor because of deliberate leaking illicit financial flows (IFF).

At the launch of Stop the Bleeding to campaign against the financial leakages in the country and Africa, ISODEC and Tax Justice Coalition, therefore, said the time is now for them to explain the need to promote equity, transparency and accountability in the promulgation and implementation of tax laws in Ghana for national development.

Consequently, in a keynote address, the Chairman of the Tax Justice Coalition Ghana, Vitus Azeem, mentioned that while he was encouraged by the expressed commitment and efforts by African governments, under the auspices of the AU, to fight IFF, he was concerned about the fact that in spite of the commitments, huge amounts of potential tax revenue continued to be missing through high levels of IFF, especially, in the extractive sectors and commodity trading.

He warned that the menace could bring Ghana and Africa on their knees if not carefully checked.

Mr. Azeem stated that annually, conservative estimates are that Africa loses as much as $50 billion dollars, being bribery of state officials and theft of state assets, including outright criminal activities.

Continuing, he said: Drug and human trafficking stand at 5% and 30% respectively, with corporate criminal activities standing out as the biggest culprit, accounting for as much as 65% of all illicit outflows.

He argued that the main mechanism, through which corporations are bleeding the continent, is through trade mis-invoicing, citing the practising of misrepresenting the price or quantity of imports and exports to hide or accumulate money in other jurisdictions. Trade mis-invoicing accounted for 68.8% of all illicit outflows from Sub-Saharan Africa, between 2003 and 2012.

Economic Commission on Africa estimates shows that between 2001-2010, African countries lost up $407 billion from trade mis-pricing alone, he indicated.

Mr. Azeem said the Coalition recognised IFF as a symptom of a bigger structural problem of unjust economic and power relations between Africa and the developed world, that has historically impoverished Africa and enriched the West.

In the light of that, a tax expert and a lecturer at the Ghana School of Law, Abdallah-Ali Nakyea, Chairman for the programme, entreated journalists to report more corrupt practices, with special focus on civil servants.

Besides, he tasked the media to go beyond naming and shaming players in corruptible deeds by pushing for the recovery of the loots and, subsequently, pressing for severe punishments to be meted out to such thieves and nation wreckers.

In a related development, the Executive Director of ISODEC, Dr Steve Manteaw, denied public perceptions of being misreported by some sections of the media, regarding his familiarisation visit to the Atuabo Gas Plant in the Western Region, where the revelation of the missing state helicopters was discovered.

According to reports, four Z9 helicopters, purchased under the China Development Bank (CDB) facility to ensure safety and the provision of surveillance services, conduct medical evacuation and rescue operations in the event of any accident in the oil and gas sector, had been missing.

Dr. Manteaw described the reportage by the media outlets as a developing story he was finding out.

However, the former government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was quick to explain that the helicopters were kept in the hangers of the Ghana Air Force, Accra, but Dr. Manteaw told a section of the media at the Stop the Bleeding campaign launch that the explanation defeats the purpose for the purchase of the aircraft.

By Inusa Musah
Oil Marketing Companies are conscious of human safety at their operational areas and filling stations, and would, therefore, not engage in shoddy works that would jeopardise the lives of their customers.

Our aim is not just to open up petroleum filling stations and make money, but to ensure that whoever is at our stations will be comfortable and safe during the transaction of business.

Mr Tizard Ansah, Risk Management Officer of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMC), said this when he took some selected journalists round some petroleum filling stations in Accra, as part of the week's celebrations of the AOMC in the capital.

During the week-long celebration, the AOMC also launched its activities, held a media interaction, and climaxed it with a tour for the journalists to know at first-hand their mode of operations and precautionary measures they had taken to ensure the safety of their customers.

Mr Ansah said the AOMC had, over the years, used international standards for their members, and would not renege on that, since human lives hinged on their maximum safety measures, especially, at the pumps.

He said although there had been some fire outbreaks at petrol and gas filling stations at various locations in the country, none of them was caused by either the attendants or poor infrastructural layouts.

In most of the fire outbreaks, it is normally caused by the drivers or vehicles downloading the commodities and not the workers, as it had been wrongly placed on ultimately.

The Risk Management Officer said all their stations had complied with international standards by constructing water hydrants, procured giant and effective fire extinguishers, and trained staff in all sectors of their operations to meet their emergencies.

He called on stakeholders, such as the Tanker Drivers' Association, to hold periodic training programmes for their members to professionally handle the issues better at their discharging points throughout the country.

On filling Liquid Petroleum Gas, Mr Ansah said it was dangerous to fill the commodity to the maximum level, as it had the potential of exploding.

In most cases, customers, after filling their cylinders, make special requests for the gas attendants to top-up their containers, which is very dangerous, as the international standards require that cylinders should be filled up to only 80 per cent.

When you fill your cylinder to the brim, it means you are mounting too much pressure on the cylinder, which can blast at the slightest spark or leakage.

Mr Ansah appealed to fuel station attendants to educate their customers against topping-up cylinders at their stations, as that could also be dangerous to their trade.

At the Frimps Fuel Station on the Spintex Road, Mr Andy Owusu, Station Manager, said they had put in place adequate measures, such as the construction of hydrants, giant fire extinguishers, and other technological devices that could ensure the perpetual safety of their customers.

The journalists also toured the premises of Allied Oil Filling Station at East Legon, SEL Filling Station behind the University of Professional Studies, Madina, the PRESEC Goil Filling Station, and Lone Gas Filling Station off Adenta road.

Source: GNA


The body of the army captain who was lynched by some irate youth at Denkyira Obuasi in the Central Region is expected to arrive in Accra on Tuesday, May 30, Class FM's sources at the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have confirmed.

The body will be taken to the 37 Military Hospital for autopsy as the military command continues investigations into the circumstances that led to Captain Mahama's death.

Meanwhile, President Nana Akufo-Addo has assured the family of the late officer that none of those involved in his killing will go scot-free.

Captain Mahama was lynched on suspicion that he was an armed robber, after a group of residents from whom he asked for directions during a Monday dawn jogging session spotted a pistol on him.

Mr Akufo-Addo described the crime as heinous and the death of the soldier as a tragic loss.

My condolences to the family of Captain Maxwell Mahama on their tragic loss. I assure them that the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the laws of our country. No one involved in his murder will go free, he said in multiple tweets.

With fears that some military officer will retaliate and attack residents of the town, GAF has urged residents of Denkyira Obuasi not to flee their homes in the wake of the killing of Captain Mahama by the townsfolk in a mob attack.

The Director of Public Affairs at GAF, Col. Eric Aggrey-Quarshie, has said rather than fleeing the town, the residents should assist investigators to identify the perpetrators of this incident.
The police on Tuesday afternoon re-arrested the two men linked to the murder of a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa-North, Mr J.B. Danquah-Adu for further investigations. This was a few hours after they had been discharged by the Accra High Court.

The Attorney General (AG) filed a nolle prosequi in the case of the two, which had reached the stage where a jury was to be constituted for the trial of Daniel Asiedu and Vincent Bosso.

However according to Graphic Online's court reporter, Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson, the moment the two men stepped out of the court room, they were re-arrested by the armed policemen who were stationed all over the court premises.

According to Ebo Hawkson, the AG explained that after studying the case docket, it was realized that there was the need to do further investigations.

Technically, investigators cannot conduct further investigations and interrogate the accused persons whilst the trial was underway, hence the filling of the nolle prosequi.

The filing of nolle prosequi meant the Attorney General wanted to discontinue with the prosecution.

Ebo Hawkson reported from the court that a Senior State Attorney, Ms Sefakor Batsa, told the court on Tuesday that, based on section 54 of the criminal and other offences Act , 1960 (Act 30) the AG had filed a nolle prosequi not to continue with the prosecution.
Former Mayor of Accra, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, has said Ghanaians can best determine if he failed as mayor in tackling sanitation in the capital or not.

According to him, he did his best as Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and some of the feats he chalked cannot be taken away from him by even his critics.

Responding to comments by some callers on the Executive Breakfast Show (EBS) on Class91.3FM on Tuesday, 30 May 2017, that Mr Vanderpuije failed to rid the capital of filth, the Ablekuma South MP said: If anybody wants to say Oko Vanderpuije failed, I think Ghanaians will be the judges because if the funds had come in [for the Conti project] today, we would be talking differently.

Among his achievements, he said, was the scrapping of the shift system in basic schools.

He told show host Moro Awudu: One thing that needed to be tackled in Accra, I took on the shift system. I said no, this is not good for Accra, so we took on the shift system. We ended the shift system. Not only did we end the shift system in record time, we built over 400 classrooms to end the shift system.

And then we said we would modernise our schools so we brought in the Millennium City schools. By the time I was leaving office, we were constructing 124 Millennium City schools. Weve about 16 or 19 completed and very soon the mayor after me will be commissioning so many of those schools, transforming and providing opportunity for excellence and for future development of our children. That is a major tremendous achievement that you cannot wash away. I dont care what they do or say, they cannot wash it away.

Look at the road network in Accra today, they are driving on better roads in Accra. About 80 per cent of roads in Accra we tackled. Today, go to some of our hospitals, look at what His Excellency John Dramani Mahama put in place. So many hospitals and schools [have been built] across this nation. As for the truth you can never wash it way it will always be there.

Stressing further on his role in ensuring improved sanitation in Accra, the first time lawmaker said: My first two years in office we put bins in Accra. Today, some are in peoples rooms... Then we brought another company in. We developed bins into metals and anchored it in concrete in the ground but today when you go out you will see some of it have been chopped off, some have been taken out

Accra generates over 4000 tonnes of refuse every day, so its not like we generate refuse one day and its gone; its a continuous thing, its every day. For the first time in the city of Accra, I brought in all the waste management companies and I gave them business and I assigned them to the 10 sub-metros to collect the refuse every day When I came to office, AMA was spending GHS1million every day for the collection of refuse. When we gave them contract, we took away that responsibility from us so that they can collect rubbish, collect the fees, and have money to do the business.

"But [today] theyve been telling us about their challenges, theyve been telling us about the lack of funds for trucks and heavy equipment. Today, we need to sit down and put our heads together on the sanitation situation. Dont blame anybody for it. We should all get involved and do the right thing.
The Minority in Parliament says the gruesome murder of a military officer in the Central Region demonstrates the lawlessness the country has been plunged into for the past months.

The Nationla Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs in a statement Tuesday want government to protect the enviable democratic record bequeathed to it by the past administration.

Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu condemned the killing of Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama by some residents at Diaso on Monday while on his early morning jogging.

Late Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama

He entreated government to as a matter of urgency to explore all legal and legitimate means to bring the perpetuators to book.

Read full statement below:

National Democratic Congress Minority Caucus Statement on the Murder of Captain Maxwell Mahama.

The National Democratic Congress Minority caucus in Parliament has learnt with shock and dismay, the gruesome murder of Captain Maxwell Mahama, which occurred on the 29th of May, 2017 at Denkyira-Obuasi, in the Central region.

The said officer who was the head of the military detachment fighting illegal mining (Galamsey), was without any provocation attacked and killed whiles undertaking his morning physical exercise.

We condemn this act of barbarism in no uncertain terms, and therefore implore government as a matter of urgency to explore all legal and legitimate means to bring the perpetuators to book as soon as possible.

While commiserating with the military high command and Officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces on this sad loss, we urge them to continue to exercise restraint as the matter is being dealt with.

We also wish to express our sincere and heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family, especially the wife and children.

We wish to take this opportunity to call on government to put an end to the culture of impunity and lawlessness which is pervasive across the country.

Ghana has been universally acclaimed as an oasis of peace, order and stability, and everything must be done to ensure that this enviable record bequeathed to the New Patriotic Party government is sustained.

Signed

Minority Leader

Hon. Haruna Iddrissu

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com |
A former District Chief Executive of the Upper Denkyira West Assembly says the dastard lynching of an army captain at Diaso comes as no surprise to him because the people there appear pre-disposed to savagery.

Piecing together his experiences during his three-year tenure as DCE, Ambrose Ashia said he observed the people of Denkyira-Oboasi in the Central region have a war-like temperament.

Naked, bleeding and bloodied, an army captain posted to the area about three weeks ago got no mercy from some men in the mining town on suspicion of armed robbery.

A video showing a woman igniting a fire on the mortal remains of the soldier has ignited fresh national outrage.

Social media is awash with anger and the President, Nana Akufo-Addo has vowed to deal with the culprits who murdered the man now established to be the nephew of former President John Mahama.

Relatively little known, the Denkyira-Obuasi area is now the center of immense national interest and the scene of massive hunt for Monday morning mob's moment of madness.

As the country struggles to come to terms with the tragic case of instant justice, the former DCE Ambrose Ashia shared his gleanings of the largely rural community of more than 60,000.

Speaking on Accra-based Asempa FM Tuesday, Ambrose Ashia said while he does not intend to stereotype the residents, he had observed some dominant traits among the people.

According to him, those who urge peace in the conflict-prone district are seen as weak and womanish.

"I don't intend to disgrace anybody", he prefaced a tale of lawlessness he had witnessed after he was appointed DCE in 2014.

Ambroe Ashia [ left]

He said sometime past, a young man who was returning from an all-night church service, was nearly lynched on suspicion that he was a serial killer.

According to him, the Assemblyman for the area was fingered in that attack on the man returning from prayers.

In the lynching of Maxwell Adam Mahama, the Assembly man is once again suspected to have played a role. The police are now on a man-hunt for the Assembly man.

In another incident in 2014, Mr. Ashia said a Chinese contractor tasked to build a road from Ayamfuri to Asanweneso was harassed several times by youth in the area.

He said they would go to the site, seize equipment, beat up workers and threaten the contractor not to return to the site.

The youth said the contractor had failed to fulfil his social corporate responsibilities to the community, the former DCE explained.

Ambrose Ashia said a chieftaincy dispute in the district is also threatening the peace as residents are divided among claimants to the stool.

The divided influence of traditional authority, he said, fuels lawlessness in the Denkyira-Oboasi area.

In his assessment, "psyche of the community is that of impunity savagery and lawlessness". Otherwise 'how dare a woman pour petrol on a soldier?"

Story by Ghana|myjoyonline.com|[email protected]
Kigali (AFP) - Western diplomats in Rwanda voiced their concern on Tuesday over an order that presidential candidates must submit their social media messages to the country's election commission for pre-approval before dissemination.

"We are all concerned about this recent development and I think it is important to really understand what is behind this very, very serious limitation on the freedom of expression," said US ambassador Erica Barks-Ruggles.

The envoy was speaking at a panel on human rights organised by the European Union and attended by foreign diplomats as well as Rwanda's justice minister.

The measure giving control over social media use to the National Electoral Commission (NEC) will take effect at the start of the official campaign period on July 14 ahead of elections on August 4.

The rule states that all "messages, photographs and other campaign material" to be published on social networks must be submitted to the commission for approval at least 48 hours before they are due to be published.

It is aimed at "avoiding expressions, words, acts that can lead to acts of insecurity, the awakening of divisionism among the Rwandan population," said Kalisa Mbanda, election commission president.

Germany's ambassador Peter Woeste said other countries also faced problems of controlling hate speech, but asked whether "censorship [is] the way to go?" EU ambassador Michael Ryan described the measure as "too limiting".

Rwanda opposition figures have also criticised the move saying it will be used to block any criticism of President Paul Kagame who has been in charge of the country since 1994 and is running for a third term after changing the constitution to permit his candidacy.

Four opposition candidates are hoping to run against Kagame, if they are granted approval by the election commission.

While the constitution enshrines a multiparty system, there is virtually no opposition in the country, with the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) exerting total control over the political, social and economic spheres.

Since the end of the genocide, which killed around 800,000 people mostly from the Tutsi ethnic group in 1994, Rwanda has been praised for its economic performance and stability but criticised for its attacks and limitations on freedom of expression.
Rabat (AFP) - The UN refugee agency on Tuesday urged Morocco and Algeria to provide safe passage for dozens of Syrian refugees trapped in no-man's land between the two countries.

"Prompt action by both governments is needed in facilitating the immediate and safe passage of the forty-one vulnerable Syrian refugees," said the UNHCR.

"We urge Algeria and Morocco to work with us on ending this dangerous and untenable situation for these stranded desperate Syrian refugees," it said in a statement.

The group includes "children, babies and women -- including at least one pregnant woman reportedly in need of urgent Caesarean section", the statement said.

The Syrians have been stranded in the area "exposed to the elements and the serious threat of scorpions and snakes" since April 17, it added.

At the time, Morocco accused its neighbour of expelling the refugees to "sow trouble" and "generate an uncontrollable flow of migrants".

Algeria "categorically" rejected the allegations as false.

It sparked a diplomatic spat, with each country summoning the other's ambassador.

The land zone between the two countries has been closed since 1994. The North African rivals have very difficult relations, especially over the question of Western Sahara.

The UNHCR said it understood neither country considered the Syrians to be in their territory, but called "for action to bring the group to safety on humanitarian grounds".

The UN agency was "ready to offer its 'good offices' to coordinate this life-saving evacuation," it said.

Since Syria's war started in 2011, millions of people have been forced to flee their homes.
President Akufo-Addo charged to lead efforts to unite the economic unity of West African states following years of disappointing attempts by predecessors.

The Director of Academic Affairs at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College Prof. Vladimir Antwi Danso says all economic integrations like the EU require a leader pushing through to make it happen.

He referred to the EU pointing out, leaders of Germany and France were the lynch pin that made the creation of the a political and economic union of 28 member states.

A monetary union was established in 1999 and came into full force in 2002, with the Euro as the currency used by 19 members of the 28.

With an estimated population of over 510 million, the market is ranked the second largest if treated as a country.

But the opposite story of success is true for the ECOWAS, a reality President Akufo-Addo recognised in a speech to mark the 42nd Anniversary of the regional body in Accra.

"We are committed to introducing a common currency, the ECO, but so far there is still no sign of that this will become a reality," he said.

ECO was first planned to be introduced in 2003, but this was postponed several times to 2005, 2010 and 2014.

Lamenting the failure to achieve integration, the president said "ECOWAS is somewhat peripheral to the lives of West Africans".

In his observation, the slow integration in ECOWAS is "simply" that "the political will to make it real is less evident."

Agreeing with the president, the international relations expert Vladimir Antwi Danso the best days of ECOWAS was seen during the era of leaders like Nigeria's Obasanjo, Niger's Mamadou Tandja and Ghana's President Kufuor.

"...beyond them, the next leaders didn't take ECOWAS as seriously" he said.

ECOWAS leaders in 2015

ECOWAS once Africa's shining example of integration efforts has now been outstripped by East African Community (EAC), he said.

The EAC is composed of six countries in the African Great Lakes region in eastern Africa: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The community plans to launch a common currency by 2023 while ECOWAS appears to have no concrete date for the realisation of the ECO.

Vladimir Antwi-Danso testified that ECOWAS integration is "so dear" to Akufo-Addo and hopes he will revive the sagging dream of economic integration.

Story by Ghana|myjoyonline.com|[email protected]
30.05.2017 LISTEN

Accra, May 30, GNA - Resilience in Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) in combating natural hazards such as perennial floods and sea erosion requires long term commitment and planning, a Word Bank report has indicated.

The report dubbed: 'CityStrength Diagnostic: Enhancing Urban Resilience in Greater Accra Metropolitan Area,' said the GAMA was well positioned to enhance resilience at all metropolitan levels.

It said leading ministries and 16 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) were committed to addressing the many hazards that could set back development gains.

Following the June 15, 2015 floods, which affected Accra and surrounding areas, the Government and the World Bank jointly implemented the CityStrength methodology to under GAMA's exposure to risks, level of resilience and performance of urban system.

The report was jointly launched on Tuesday in Accra, by Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; and a Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Akwasi Adjei Boateng.

Prof Frimpong-Boateng said the report provided a concrete and detailed forward-looking strategy that might guide and inform policy and budget decisions and thus eventually leading to a thriving, inclusive and more resilient GAMA.

He commended the World Bank for coming out with the report.

According to the report GAMA is one of the fastest-growing city regions in West Africa, and is facing new opportunities and challenges.

It said GAMA was home to 4.6 million Ghanaians, accounting for 16.3 per cent of Ghana's 2016 total population.

It said GAMA's response to acute shocks, the report noted, had been primarily reactive.

It said whenever a shock occurred, agencies such as the National Disaster Management Organisation and individual MMDAs responded with emergency and relief services.

'However, an absence of efforts at prevention and early warning makes the region constantly susceptible to a wide range of shocks and stresses,' it said.

Mr Adjei Boateng said the government would start the implementation of the report mentioning the recommendation for the establishment of the GAMA as a Joint Development Planning Area (JDPA) and the formation of a Joint Development Planning Board (JDPB).

The recommendations of the CityStrength Diagnostic, a World Bank tool, cut across infrastructure needs as well as institutional interventions and behavioural change.

'The CityStrength Diagnostic brought together stakeholders at the national, regional and local levels, including government officials, development institutions and civil society,' said Asmita Tiwari, Task Team Leader, CityStrength Diagnostic.

Through a series of consultations, workshops and data analysis, the process led to the identification of main vulnerabilities affecting the GAMA followed by the prioritisation of follow-up actions and cross-sectorial recommendations to enhance resilience in GAMA.

The Diagnostic found that flooding, fire, cholera, outbreaks and coastal erosion were the main shocks that residents were exposed to, while ongoing stresses on the city region include poor sanitation, rapid urban growth, proliferation of informal settlements, excessive unemployment and land and chieftaincy conflicts.

The report also called for the need to integrate Urban Flood and Coastal Zone Management.

To enhance resilience in vulnerable communities, the report emphasises the need to identify vulnerable settlements, so investment can be focused in the most exposed places.

'Improving resilience in the Greater Accra Region directly relates to World Bank's twin goals of reducing poverty and enhancing prosperity,' said Mr Henry Kerali, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

'Flooding affects vulnerable communities, often residing in low-lying areas, without appropriate access to urban services and infrastructure,' he added.

The report calls for the need to Improve Disaster Preparedness and Response to multi-hazards, through a good understanding of the risk facing the GAMA, including future climate change impacts such as increased frequency and intensity of rain fall and sea level rise.

Mr Ivo Imparato, Programme Leader for Sustainable Development, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, World Bank, said the Bank was committed to assisting the government in ensuring a resilient and thriving Accra.

The Regional Minister, Mr Ishmael Ashitey said the Regional Co-ordinating Council was committed and ready to provide the necessary leadership, requisite advisory services, capacity building support and technical baxckups to MMDAs towards the realisation of the laudable initiative.

Among the dignitaries, who witnessed the report launch were the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Samule Atta Akyea; the Inner City and Zongo Development Minister, Mr Boniface Abubakar Siddique; the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Mohhammed Adjei Sowah, and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive, Mr Felix Mensah Annang-La.

GNA

By Iddi Yire/Linda Baah, GNA
Accra, May 30, GNA - Adolescent girls in Ghana are confronted with Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) challenges with about 50 per cent knowing nothing about menstruation before they have their first period.

Research conducted by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and UNICEF had indicated 95 per cent of girls miss school due to this.

In line with this, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Canadian High Commission had educated girls on how to manage themselves and be confident during menstruation as part of activities to mark this year's Menstrual Hygiene Day.

The Day, which is observed on May 28, is also to educate the girls on the need to be confident during this period having at the back of their minds that this is a natural phenomenon.

It was on the theme: 'Education about Menstruation Changes Everything'.

Professor Cynthia Bosumtwi-Sam, the Acting Deputy Director General of the Ghana Education Service, said Menstrual Hygiene Management aims at providing support to girls to enable them to manage their menstrual periods by observing good hygiene practices.

She said wrong attitudes towards menstrual hygiene and practices may persist if parents did not come clearly to educate their children.

Prof. Bosumtwi-Sam said a research conducted by the Federation of African Women Educationists on MHM in schools also showed that some girls do not go to school because most schools do not have Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities for them to change and freshen up.

'It is important that we draw awareness on all these and, as partners and NGOs, we can collectively provide the facilities but most importantly provide education to both families and teachers,' she said.

Prof Kwesi Opoku Amankwa, the Director General of the GES, who read a speech on behalf of the Education Minister, said menstruation had been shrouded in secrecy for far too long due to cultural taboos, religious beliefs and myths.

He said it had become necessary to empower adolescent girls with adequate knowledge to understand the crucial issues on menstrual management.

'The provision of adequate and accessible WASH facilities in schools will enhance girls' attendance to school during menstruation,' he said.

Prof. Amankwa, therefore, called on various stakeholders to rally support for the programme and help in breaking taboos and rather pay attention to managing issues associated with menstruation.

Mr David Duncan, the Chief of WASH at UNICEF, said menstrual hygiene was relevant to all and it needed to be talked about.

He said it was important that boys and men were educated on menstruation to enable them to support the girls during this time.

Mr Duncan noted that in order to solve this problem it was better if boys and teachers were well informed and be made part of this journey to find a lasting solution to the challenge.

He said UNICEF would continue to support programmes that would help to promote the welfare of children and ensure that teasing and stigma meted out to girls were put to a stop.

The ambassadors to menstrual hygiene management, Ms Shamima Muslim, a Broadcaster, MzVee, a Musician, Mr Israel Laryea, a Journalist, Ms Wendy Laryea, a Journalist and Ms Edna Vorsah, WASH Activitist advised girls and boys to support each other during this time.

They encouraged the girls to accept menstruation as being part of womanhood, saying; 'embrace your feminity because the act is normal and do not to be shy when you have to change your sanitary pads'.

MzVee advised the girls to know about their menstrual cycle and the type of flow they get and prepare adequately for it when their time was due to prevent soiling themselves.

She said: 'Menstruation is painful' and urged the boys not to add to the pains of menstruating girls by teasing them.

GNA

By Samira Larbie/Elizabeth Tetteh, GNA
Weve all heard about those early success stories.

Someone who happened to get in on a stock before anyone else. Make crazy triple-digit gains in a short amount of time before selling the stock and moving on to a new one.

My college, Greg Canavan, is launching a brand-new service that enables investors to get into stocks before they are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Thats where the big gains are to be found. Be sure to keep an eye on your inbox.

Same goes for Bitcoin. The giant, never-to-be-repeated gains occurred for early investors.

It was seven years ago this May that the world saw the first Bitcoin Pizza Day.

A programmer called Laszlo Hanyecz spent 10,000 bitcoins on two Papa Johns pizzas. Back then, one bitcoin was worth 0.003 US cents.

This morning, one bitcoin is worth US$2,290.35 (AU$3,078). To put this in perspective, the 10,000 bitcoins Hanyecz spent on two pizzas in 2010 would be worth US$22.9 million (AU$30.7 million) today.

Humpf. To all those early Bitcoin adopters, I salute you. Unfortunately, I cant say I was one of them.

In fact, Id never heard of Bitcoin before 2013, when I was introduced to Revolutionary Tech Investor Editor Sam Volkering. Sam explained what Bitcoin was and how it was mined, while laying out the case for a future filled with cryptocurrencies. While Ive always loved all things tech, I didnt jump on board and buy any bitcoin back then. Instead, I stuck to what I knew beststocks, gold and silver.

Im still kicking myself over that. If you happened to own bitcoin when it was worth 0.003 US cents, youd be sitting on a 7,746,233.33% gain today.

See what happens when you get in early?

However, we may look back at 2017 as the year Bitcoin went mainstream.

The cryptocurrency started 2017 at US$997.79 and has made an incredible 124% gain for the first five months of this year.

Sure, thats not a seven-million-percent increasebut clearly the alternative currency is starting to gain some clout.

For starters, one bitcoin is almost twice the value of one ounce of gold. As of this morning, the gold price is US$1,269. You can at least hold gold in your hand and feel its weight. But you can never touch a bitcoin.

However, bitcoin has an unlikely allythe Japanese.

The gain has largely come on the back of Japan officially recognising Bitcoin as legal tender. Since 1 April this year, Japanese retailers can now choose to accept bitcoin as payment.

It took some time for the rally to kick in, but the price of Bitcoin began to soar from the start of May.

Bitcoin US dollar  three-month chart

Source: CoinDesk.com

Click to enlarge

Japans move to accept bitcoin as legal tender goes some way to legitimising the currency.

Like gold, bitcoin is one of the few remaining products beyond government manipulation, at least for now. Along with precious metals, this is one of the last options investors have to keep their wealth out of the hands of governments and central banks.

Japan is now the only country in the world to recognise it as legal tender. Many other countries merely tolerate its presence.

The next push for Bitcoin will  surprisingly  come from Russia. One of the countrys largest retailers, Ulmart  the Russian version of Amazon  is planning on accepting bitcoin as payment from 1 September this year.

This move clearly shows the softening of Russias stance on cryptocurrencies.

Last year, the Russian Ministry of Finance was pushing for legislation that outlawed any cryptocurrencies. Either accepting defeat  or finally seeing it as a way to sidestep the US dollar  the Russian deputy finance minister hinted that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies may become legal tender in 2018.

So we have Japan and Russia leading the way by accepting cryptocurrenciesand then we have Australia

Australia yet to catch upagain

Australias war on cash became noticeable in December last year, when mainstream rags such as The Sydney Morning Herald were pointing out that criminals love $50 notes to complete their naughty criminal deeds.

This topic came up with a subscriber earlier this month, at Port Phillip Publishings Doomers Ball at the Windsor Hotel. They wanted to know how to spot these wealth-altering moves from governments and central banks.

My answer was simple: Its the language. The little statements that easily go unnoticed.

Once you know what to look for, you see it everywhere. The easiest path to change public opinion is to point out the criminal relationship with something.

I pointed this out a couple of weeks ago in Money Morning, in the wake of the ransomware attacks that crippled 200,000 computers globally.

Part of the war on cash involves encouraging you to embrace all things digital.

In the aftermath of hundreds of thousands of computers being held hostage, subtle jabs were being made towards Bitcoin by the media and governments, who were pointing out that the ransom to unlock your computer involved transacting bitcoin.

Thats step one in demonising cryptocurrencies.

In other words, they dont just want your cash; they want your wealth as well.

This attack put Bitcoin firmly on the Australian governments radar.

In the week since I argued that Bitcoin would be next to face scrutiny from the Aussie government, The Australian wrote:

The federal governments key tax adviser has dramatically upgraded its estimates of the size of the cash economy in Australia to as much as US$50 billion, as it ramps up its focus on illegal activities including drug trafficking and money laundering. The Black Economy Taskforce is now set to focus on a range of areas including illegal gambling, hire practices from criminal gangs and the illegal cigarette trade as it delves further into the black economy Its interim report also lists cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin as likely areas of focus in its final report.

And there we have it.

Bitcoin is now on the hit list of things the government is looking to control. Of course, its for your own safety. After all, its clear that only bad people would use an asset beyond the reach of government control.

As I said, its the change in language. Make no mistake. Bitcoin is on the Aussie governments radar  which is a shame when Japan is actively taking steps to embrace cryptocurrencies.

Kind regards,

Shae Russell,

Editor, Strategic Intelligence
Stone Mill Center Project View Photos

Sonora, CA  The Tuolumne County Business Council is taking aim at a lawsuit trying to slow the development of the Stone Mill Center in Columbia.

Jeff Redoutey, co-chair of the Tuolumne County Business Council has written a new myMotherLode.com blog entitled Citizens For Responsible Growth Asked To Drop Frivolous Lawsuit.

The Stone Mill Center project, planned near the Pedro Wye in the Columbia area, was approved by the both the Tuolumne County Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors earlier this year. The developer says that the 16,000 sq. ft. center will be anchored by a Sonora Regional Medical Center Prompt Care.

The group Citizens For Responsible Growth filed a lawsuit arguing that the county should have required a full Environmental Impact Report for the project, rather than the smaller mitigated negative declaration environmental review.

The business council blog cites a recent editorial written in the Union Democrat newspaper by former ATCAA Housing Resources Director, and community activist, Beetle Barbour. Redoutey writes, We agree with Beetles observation that CFRG would be more accurately named Citizens Responsible for NO Growth, as it has been our observation that this small group of individuals has been only opposed to needed economic development in our County.

The blog also questions attorney fees paid by the group, and notes that CFRG should be considered as controversial and not the Stone Mill Center project, arguing that only a small group is in opposition.

Clarke Broadcasting reached out to Citizens For Responsible Growth President Barbara Farkas for a response yesterday. Regarding the argument that only a small number are against the project, she countered that 300 people signed a petition against the Stone Mill Center, and the document was filed with the county. She added that her group paid attorney fees when filing the writ of mandate.

You can read the entire Business Council blog by clicking here. As Farkas and her group are directly criticized, we have included a response from her directly below the blog entry.
- President Muhammadu Buhari may return to the country next week

- This is according to online newspaper, Sahara Reporters

- The president is currently on medical vacation in the United Kingdom

A report by Sahara Reporters claims President Muhammadu Buhari may return to Nigeria next week.

According to a tweet by the online newspaper, Buhari may return to Nigeria from the United Kingdom next week, but nobody is willing to state his health condition.

There were no additional details given by the newspaper. Legit.ng cannot independently verify these claims.

President Buhari departed for London, UK for medical treatment shortly after he received the 82 released Chibok girls.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app

Before his departure, the president was rarely seen in public for a while fuelling speculation about his state of health.

He left the country on Sunday, May 7 after he met with the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Senate president, Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

Watch the video report of Legit.ng TV where former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode talked about his meeting with President Buhari.

Source: Legit.ng
- The sit-at-home order from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is currently gaining momentum in the south-east

- The South-East Youths and Elders Forum (SEYEF) warned Nnamdi Kanu to avoid another clash with the federal government

As the sit-at-home order from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) continues with the shut-down of some states in the south-east, a group from the region has warned Nnamdi Kanu against alleged continued flouting of the bail conditions granted him.

Kanu was granted bail with conditions including that he should not be seen with any crowd.

The South-East Youths and Elders Forum (SEYEF), reportedly a non-political pressure group, warned Kanu to stop flouting his bail conditions.

The group said Nnamdi Kanu was allegedly flouting the court's bail conditions

In a communique signed by Maxi Ikechukwu K Edwin, the director of media and publicity, said though Kanu had been released and that this calls for joy, he should rather keep a low profile.

READ ALSO: Biafra sacred night: Nnamdi Kanu prays for victims of May 30, 2016

The group said Kanu must avoid another round of face-off with government.

In the communique, the group said: Southeast leaders should start massive sensitization campaigns ahead of next years census exercise in the region.

Political parties in the region should field their first-eleven candidates in the preparations to the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

The group said the southeast leaders in Abuja are not doing enough to attract development to the region.

The group called for enough sensitization on the upcoming census by the National Population Commission (NPC) and added that the current crisis of confidence in the southeast is not about the development of the region, but a fallout of the move and counter moves by political actors of the region to manoeuvre each other.

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One of the points in the communique, said the group condemned the continuous harassment and intimidation of the deputy Senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu by the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported earlier that as the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) takes effect, governors from the south-eastern part of Nigeria have said there is no secession plan in the agenda of the Igbos.

While dissociating themselves from the sit-at-home order by IPOB and other such groups, the governors warned those championing the agitations to desist from it and allow people go about their businesses.

The sit-at-home order was slated for May 30, but in Lagos, many shops owned by Igbos were opened for business.

Watch this video and see the excitement that greeted the release of Nnamdi Kanu from detention recently:

Source: Legit.ng
- Aisha Buhari on Tuesday, May 30, departed for the United Kingdom to see her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari

- She expressed her appreciation to the millions of Nigerians who have been praying for the president

- President Muhammadu Buhari who left Nigeria on May 7, is currently on medical consultations in London

The wife of Nigeria's president, Mrs Aisha Buhari on Tuesday, May 30, left for the United kingdom to see her husband.

Mrs. Buhari in a statement by her special assistant on media and publicity, Adebisi Olumide Ajayi, disclosed that she was off to spend some time with her husband.

READ ALSO: We are not part of your sit-at-home - Southeast governors declare

The statement read: Her Excellency will spend some time with her Husband the President Muhammadu Buhari who is presently on medical vacation."

The statement was accompanied by photographs of the First Lady arriving the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport.

Aisha Buhari, on Tuesday departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom to join her husband, who is in London for medical treatment.

The president's wife expressed her appreciation to the millions of Nigerians who have been praying for Buhari's quick recovery and safe return.

President Muhammadu Buhari on May 7, 2017 traveled to the United Kingdom to follow up on the medical treatment he commenced months ago.

Aisha Buhari, on Tuesday departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom to join her husband, who is in London for medical treatment.

Aisha Buhari, on Tuesday departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom to join her husband, who is in London for medical treatment.(photos)

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Sahara Reporters claims President Muhammadu Buhari may return to Nigeria next week.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app

According to a tweet by the online newspaper, Buhari may return to Nigeria from the United Kingdom next week, but nobody is willing to state his health condition.

Watch the video report of Legit.ng TV where former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode talked about his meeting with President Buhari.

Source: Legit.ng
Following the political unease within the country at the moment, the race for Nigeria's presidency might begin sooner than expected.

Nigerians are beginning to draw their personal inferences and come with their diverse theories as regards the nation's polity and leadership.

Major actors have reportedly started aligning their interests for the role ahead of the next general elections in 2019.

This would be so if the rumours making the rounds that President Muhammadu Buhari might not contest for another term in office.

READ ALSO: OPINION: How Buhari deceived Nigerians to vote for him but failed to fulfill his promises

2019: 9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates

Though some of these politicians have not openly made their interests known, there are strong indications that they may be discreetly melting loose wall with foes and strengthening existing relationship with friends and allies.

Legit.ng brings you 9 strong candidates who many Nigerians on social platforms believe are potential candidates for the 2019 presidential election:

1. Atiku Abubakar

2019: 9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates

Abubakar was the second elected vice president of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The former vice president left PDP to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) on February 2, 2014. There are reports that Atiku will be seeking to contest for the Nigerian presidency in 2019, on the party's platform.

This would be making it his fourth attempt as he had contested for presidency 3 times in 1992, 2006 and 2011.

2. Yemi Osinbajo

2019: 9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates

Osinbajo is arguably the most popular Nigerian politician today, especially giving his performance as Acting President while the president is away on vacation.

The possibility that the vice president may run for the 2019 presidency cannot be ruled out, and those who do not see him as a potential candidate for the next presidential election might be shocked.

Many hold the belief that Osinbajo carries out his duties professionally and diplomatically, in recent times he is seen as the best vice president in Nigeria's democratic history. Nigerians are of the view that given the deep bond that exists between himself and his principal, the president wouldn't mind giving him a chance to succeed him in 2019.

If the zoning formula does not play against him, Osinbajo stands a great chance at becoming the nation's commander-in-chief.

3. Muhammadu Buhari

2019: 9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates

Although the incumbent president has not declared his interest in seeking a second term, the possibility that he will do so cannot be ruled out as his loyalists and political associates have continued to fly that kite enthusiastically.

The presidency also seem to believe that the earlier they begin to woo Nigerians for Buharis re-election, the better. One of the presidential spokesmen, Malam Garba Shehu, had also last year expressed confidence that the electorate would not abandon Buhari in 2019.

Garba claims that the presidents enormous goodwill remained strong because the people were convinced that he was acting in their best interest.

4. Bola Tinubu

2019: 9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates

Those who propagate propaganda will surely have you believe that the Jagaban Borgu wields great political power and has his eyes on the presidency, having served in the capacity of Senator and Governor.

It cannot be overstated that it was Tinubu's influence that saw the emergence of APC. He was the strong hold behind Buhari's emergence as presidential candidate because much of the northern voted were decided among Buhari, Kwankwaso and Atiku.

Some are of the view that if northern candidates (the likes of Atiku, Kwankwaso, Saraki who might contest) were to divide their votes in 2019, a lone Asiwaju from the south could clinch the ticket.

5. Peter Obi

2019: 9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates

Recently stakeholders of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Idemili South local government area of Anambra State have called on Obi, to return to his former party and contest the presidential election in 2019 on its platform.

The group told Obi that returning to APGA could be better for him than remaining in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because he has no chance of making any meaningful political gain there.

6. Goodluck Jonathan

2019: 9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates

Source: Twitter

Former president Goodluck Jonathan has said that he will not contest for the presidency in 2019.

Jonathan became the first sitting president to be defeated in an election and he made history by handing over to Buhari of the All Progressives Congress without contesting the result in court.

There were reports that the former president had allegedly declared his presidential interest but he has come out to deny this. Ikechuwkwu Eze who is the media aide to Jonathan said the report was false.

7. Nasir El-Rufai

2019: 9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates

A member of the APC, El-Rufai was the former director general of the Bureau of Public Enterprises. He was reportedly in self-exile during the administration of former President Umaru Yar'Adua.

El-Rufai was with President Buhari during the days of struggle in the now defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). He is a close ally of Buhari. During the build up to the 2015 general election, it was learnt that the president practically forced him on Kaduna APC as there were other candidates in the party that could have clinched the ticket.

8. Ayo Fayose

2019: 9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates

The Ekiti state governor is seen as a fearless person as a result of his controversial comments and leadership style.

Fayose's declaration of presidential ambition on February 21, 2017, was seen by commentators as a joke, but he seems to be serious about it.

The 56-year who also serves as the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, expressed his interest in the presidency in the near future, saying he will take over the mantle to lead the nation as his future was tied to the presidency.

9. Rochas Okorocha

2019: 9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates

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Governor Rochas Okorocha is not a stranger when it comes to taking shots at the nations presidency. The Imo state governor had moved to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but was unsuccessful in his quest for the partys ticket for the presidency in 2003 and then returned to the PDP.

In 2005 Okorocha formed the Action Alliance (AA), planning to become its presidential candidate for the 2007 elections. However he returned to the PDP again and in September 2007 indicated that he was interested in becoming PDP national chairman.

While Okorocha said he will not contest in 2019, citing the successes of President Muhammadu Buharis administration, he is still seen as interested in taking another shot at the presidency in the event Buhari will not contest.

You can watch this Legit.ng video of APC official revealing how the party could be voted out in 2019 below:

Source: Legit.ng
By Denis Edema

A new report by the Ministry of Health shows that 43% of deaths in Uganda are caused by non-communicable diseases that result from lack of physical exercise, late medical checkups and poor nutrition among many families.

This has been revealed by Solomon Oyebode Wilson the coordinator of My Health MY Life campaign that is running under the Ministry of Health to promote public awareness on the importance of physical exercise and good nutrition in prevention of Non Communicable Diseases.

He says chronic diseases like cervical and breast cancer, asthma, kidney and lung disease, diabetes and others are on the rise because the public has no access to basic information.

He was speaking at the launch of physical exercise drive in partnership with the Uganda Police in Jinja.
Editor's note: For quite an age, the Igbo people in Nigeria have cried fowl regarding how they are allegedly being marginalized. Though endowed with great skill, strength and talent, still the Igbos seem unable to maximize their potentials. In this opinion, Reno Omokri takes a look at the challenges that prevent Ndi'Igbo From Fulfilling her potential.

Background

It is true that the Igbo are marginalized in Nigeria, however, I am of the opinion that a lot of the blame for this can be laid at Ndi'Igbo's doorstep.

In my opinion, the major undoing of Ndi'Igbo is their misunderstanding of the term strength.

1. Lack of discretion

As a general rule, to the Igbo, all strength is physical. They do not seem to realize that strength is your ability to assert your will on earth and that that ability may not always be physical.

The proverb-discretion is the better part of valor-is not understood by the Igbo.

READ ALSO: Biafra agitation: IPOB attacks Obasanjo over anti-Biafra statement

They tend to be reactionary and consider pausing to study a situation before you respond (not react) as cowardice. One or two of them may get it, but as a race in general they do not. They do not consider diplomacy as a first step.

To them it is weakness and makes you an efulefu! If they have an enemy, they are not able to suppress their emotions and work with those they do not like.

2. They arm their enemies before the battle

They must make their hostility obvious to the person they do not like and being aware of the dislike, the person is armed against them.

In an organization, others may be sublime and discrete in their scheming, but the Igbo are more likely to be obvious and in your face about theirs and end up causing unity amongst their enemies in plotting their downfall.

3. Lack of humility

As a general rule, they have very little humility and are very proud individually though there are few, very few exceptions.

In my opinion, they are also individually more intelligent than their neighbors but they hardly use their intelligence to unite and have one leader, one goal and one destiny.

READ ALSO: Biafra sacred night: Nnamdi Kanu prays for victims of May 30, 2016

Because of this, even though they are more intelligent, they are almost doomed to serve those that are wiser than them because wisdom is superior to intelligence.

4. Regard wealth over wisdom

The Igbo also appear to value leaders because of the leader's personal attainments in life and so money gives you more leadership credentials than wisdom or age. They forget that a rich man may have more clothes than an elder but cannot have more rags than him.

They overestimate the power of money and underestimate the power of wisdom. It is very easy to spot an Igbo man who has money because it easily intoxicates him.

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They are more likely to see relationships from a commercial point of view whether it is marriage, friendship or politics.

If the Igbo can learn humility and practice diplomacy and discipline themselves to have one leader that they listen to in good and bad times not because he is always right but because he is their leader, their marginalization will end and their dominance will begin. But of course, I may also be wrong.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Legit.ng.

Your own opinion articles are welcome at info@corp.legit.ng  drop an email telling us what you want to write about and why.

More details in Legit.ngs step-by-step guide for guest contributors.

Were ready to trade your news for our money: submit news and photo reports from your area using our Citizen Journalism App.

Contact us if you have any feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments. We are also available on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to Legit.ng Opinion page!

You can watch this Legit.ng video in which Chief Olusegun Obasanjo explains why Nigeria needs to be treated like a lover.

Source: Legit.ng
- The killing of Maxwell Mahama, an army captain, by a mob in a Central Region community has angered many Ghanaians on Facebook

- Revelations that the captain had a wife and two children further deepened the pain many felt

- Despite the anger, there have been calls for soldiers not to subject the people in the community when the captain was killed to brutality.

The horrific lynching of Ghana Army's Captain Maxwell Mahama by a mob at Denkyira Boase in the Central Region, has provoked a firestorm of outrage on social media.

Captain Maxwell Mahama

Hundreds of Ghanaians have been emphatic in their condemnation of the lynching, which they have described as a dastardly act.

Ghanaian media reports say that some women from whom he had sought directions spotted a pistol on him and phoned an assembly men in the area that they had found an armed robber.

The said assembly man reportedly rallied the youth in the area to beat and kill the captain who was not wearing his army uniform.

READ ALSO: Drunk police officer spotted sleeping at Lagos bus stop

Captain Mahama was burnt to death after the beating. Legit.ng has decided not to publish the gory pictures of his charred body.

There have also been some reports that the soldier was killed because he was protecting some Chinese illegal miners.

Legit.ng has learnt that the late army captain had a wife and two young children.

Captain Maxwell Mahama and his young family

This revelation further angered many commentators on social media and deepened the pain they were feeling.

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Many of them, therefore, called for a swift investigation into what they called a barbaric crime.

Some decried what they called the culture of the so-called instant justice, which leads people to instantly kill those they suspect to be thieves.

Other social media users called for the assembly man who is accused of directing the killing to be brought to justice.

Captain Maxwell Mahama

Share your views on this with us in the comments section below.

Source: Legit.ng
Legit.ng came across photos of a popular radio show host, Tekena Iyalla, who took to the streets to protest the ever increasing rate of kidnapping in Rivers state.

Port Harcourt-based On-Air-Personality (OAP), Tekena Iyalla, took to the streets to protest against the rate of kidnapping and armed robbery in the state's capital.

Tekena who hosts a comedy show, Funky 4+1, on one of the radio stations, complained about the steady kidnapping and armed robbery attacks at the Ada George road.

The man stripped down to his underwear and plastered handwritten placards on his chest and back, in protest. He then went straight to the office of the Rivers state commissioner of police to ask them to step up their game in terms of providing security for the people of the state.

Tekena, a radio show host, took his protest over the rate of armed robbery and kidnapping, to the police station in Rivers state

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

See more pictures below:

Tekena took his cry for help to a police station

Tekena protested over the steady spate of kidnapping at the Ada George road

Tekena got the River state police commissioner to comment on the matter

Meanwhile, see this video of farmers protesting the kidnap of one of their members:

Source: Legit.ng
- The Nigerian military has been rejuvenated since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed power in 2015

- The military has made massive gains in the fight against insurgency in the North east

- This was corroborated by a report by Global Amnesty Watch

The Nigerian military has been able to sustain its victory over insurgency due to its highest level of transparency and intelligence, a report by the Global Amnesty Watch (GAW) has shown.

GAW, a non-governmental organization that monitors the conduct of military, defence and security forces in combating crimes globally made this known at the presentation on Tuesday, May 30 in Abuja.

The presentation which was titled: The Mid Term Report on Nigeria's Counter-Insurgency War was an independent assessment by GAW of the Nigerian military war against terrorism.

Led by the irrepressible Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, the Nigerian military has carved a niche for itself in this dispensation

Customarily, GAW issues periodic reports, interim reports when the need arises and special reports when the situation demands.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app

The report released was in commemoration of the Muhammadu Buhari administration's two years in power.

Part of the report read: In the period under review, the military has recorded some progress even though more can be done to accelerate driving Boko Haram into extinction.

The military operation in the northeast has successfully liberated the towns and villages that came under the control of insurgents.

A first batch of 21 Chibok Girls have been freed followed six months later with another 82 of the girls freed. The terrorists are being pressured to free the remaining girls. As at May 2017, 11,894 other hostages of the terror group had been freed. Hundreds of other hostages have been freed in the period since then.

Several Boko Haram fighters with their commanders (amir) have surrendered, been captured or killed. Many others fled underground and are hiding among civilian population and in refugee camps.

The military chiefs changed the status quo by being entrenched with the troops on the war front, shared the same ration with them and lead from the front. This has boosted morale while giving the commanders first hand access to the implementation of the rules of engagement.

The Nigerian Army opened a Human Rights Desk in October 2016 and this contributed immensely to adherence and compliance with rules of engagement.

In December of 2016 Camp Zero, Boko Haram's former operational base was taken effectively marking the end of terrorists having a structured physical base. The same area from where the terrorists hatched their evil is now the Colonel Ali Shooting Range.

The US government, which earlier blocked sales of arms and hardware to Nigeria has softened its stance and the embargo has been lifted. The deal for the sale of A29 Super Tucano aircrafts to Nigeria's military is a direct outcome of the notable changes the world has seen both in the improved due diligence that eradicate corruption in military procurement and improved human rights records that meet international standards.

Photo from the press conference on the report held at Shehu Musa Yar'adua centre, Abuja

The report recommended that the Nigerian government, particularly the Nigerian Army and by extension the entire military, continue to ensure that the civilian population remain protected from insurgents.

The adherence to the rules of engagement along the current levels should continue, it stated.

The report was presented in conjuction with the Center for International and Strategic Studies, Abuja.

Present at the event was Tom John Lever, GAW representative on African affairs, among other stakeholders.

Cross section of participants at the press briefing

READ ALSO: Inmates protest deportation in Czech Republic

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Reverend Felix Femi Ajakaye, has advised the federal government to re-visit the 2014 National Conference report.

Bishop Ajakaye said the report, if implemented, would address numerous problems, including the problem of regions threatening the co-existence of the country.

Watch the Legit.ng TV report on the firepower of the Nigerian Air Force below:

Source: Legit.ng
- President Goodluck Jonathan recently slammed Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna calling the latter a pathological liar over issues relating to ecological fund

- Nasir El-Rufai has now come out with more details while wondering why Jonathan was already scared when the report of a committee is yet to be released

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has come against former President Goodluck Jonathan just days after the latter called former minister a pathological liar.

The duo had clashed after El-Rufai recently accused Jonathan of only releasing the ecological fund to governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Jonathan, in his reply, reminded El-Rufai that Akwa Ibom under Godswill Akpabio did not get the fund just as he said the governor was proving what former President Olusegun Obasanjo said about him.

Jonathan had called El-Rufai a pathological liar

Source: Getty Images

Read El-Rufais reply to Jonathan which was released by his spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan:

On Thursday, May 25, 2017, Malam Nasir El-Rufai presented an interim report of the National Economic Council (NEC) Ad-Hoc Committee on the Management of Ecological Fund. This committee was set up on 27th April 2017, with 11 members, including seven governors, ministers and Permanent Secretaries.

Following the presentation of the Interim Report, Malam Nasir El-Rufai briefed the press on the highlights of the report in his capacity as chairman of the ad-hoc committee. The Interim Report detailed how 17 states each received N2bn direct support from the Ecological Fund in 2013. The states are:

1. Abia

2. Anambra

3. Bauchi

4. Bayelsa

5. Benue

6. Cross River

7. Gombe

8. Kaduna

9. Katsina

10. Kebbi

11. Kogi

12. Ondo

13. Plateau

14. Ebonyi

15. Delta

16. Enugu

17. Taraba

Other states and the FCT did not receive this direct support. Any perusal of this list shows clearly which party controlled them as at 2013. Fifteen of the 17 recipient states had governors from the PDP, while the governors of Ondo and Anambra were from PDP-allied parties. As the chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Malam Nasir El-Rufai drew the attention of NEC and the public to this skewed pattern of allocating the Ecological Fund.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has responded to this disclosure by launching a personal attack on Malam Nasir El-Rufai. He did not make a distinction between a committee of the National Economic Council and the person chairing it. While this is unfortunate and calculated to draw the headlines, Dr Jonathan strained to explain away this strange pattern of fund allocation. But the facts are not deniable. They are in official records, and cannot be erased by slinging mud at people.

As chairman of the NEC Ad-hoc Committee on the Ecological Fund, Malam Nasir El-Rufai wishes to advise Dr. Jonathan to wait for the presentation of the final report of the Committee before he responds.

While we all await the final report, Malam Nasir El-Rufai wishes to respond to the personal attacks as follows:

1. Former President Goodluck Jonathan is not a man that can take responsibility for anything. In March 2015, not long after making a concession call to President Buhari, he summoned his party and asked its leadership to reject the results of an election whose winner he had congratulated in private. That effort at duplicity failed spectacularly and the will of the people prevailed.

READ ALSO: Stop flouting your bail conditions - Southeast group warns Kanu

2. So, no one should be surprised that he is denying presiding over the skewed distribution of ecological funds. His denial begs the question. What special circumstances ensured that only states that were controlled by the PDP and its allied parties qualified for N2bn each? Is it not curious that not only were his allies the only ones who got the funds, but that the various ecological problems in all 17 statesrequired the same N2bn across the states?

3. Almighty God made it possible for the Sun to shine on all. But Dr. Jonathan exercised his powers as president as if he governed for only his party or his family. The Jonathan government was so conscious that there was something untoward with sharing public funds in that manner that they did not publicize the payments to their preferred states.

4. Dr. Jonathan cannot argue with the facts. The payments are in the records of the Ecological Fund. He knowingly engaged in discriminatory disbursement of federal funds. The legality of that is open to question, despite the existence of presidential discretion.

El-Rufai wondered why the former President was scared

5. Thankfully, Dr. Jonathan did not deny that the N2bn payments were skewed to certain states. His mindset in trying to create to create an equivalence between those payments and federal support for the green wall projects in some of the northern states can be easily seen as a disingenuous argument.

6. Dr. Jonathan claimed El-Rufai is a liar, quoting sources that did not once mention any lie that can be attributed to him. One of El-Rufais identified weakness in the Nigerian political space is his bluntness and fidelity to principles. Even his enemies admit that grudgingly about him.

Malam Nasir El-Rufai will not allow Dr Jonathan to make him the issue when the criteria the former president used in allocating N2bn each to allied state governments remain so murky. There is no need to cry wolf before the Final Report of the Committee is presented.

In the aftermath of the success attained with Zaria Water, some cowards have been using the anonymity of social media to spread lies. The comments attributed to Dr Jonathan on social media posts falsely alleging that Malam Nasir El-Rufai sought an appointment with the Jonathan government and got N200m contribution for his campaign is one of the latest smears. Dr. Jonathan cannot make such claims because he knows they are not true.

For the avoidance of doubt, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has not only never sought to work with Dr Jonathan, but he actively persuaded others not to accept any offers to avoid destroying their credibility!

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But the Governor draws the line at those making religiously-charged posts with fabricated quotes about his position on fasting. This is a governor that has insisted that religion is a private matter. He pulled the state government out of sponsoring religious pilgrimage and Ramadan feeding within weeks of taking office in 2015.

When a citizen was attacked in June 2016 in the Kakuri area of Kaduna for reasons attributed to religious differences during Ramadan, Malam Nasir El-Rufai and Deputy-Governor Barnabas Bala visited the victim at the Saint Gerards Hospital on 8th June 2016, and he made an emphatic statement for religious freedom, declaring that there is no compulsion in religion. It is a free country, and that means no imposition of faith or religious practices on anyone.

The governor added that nobody can impose the tenet of his faith on another person. The decision to observe any religious activity is the prerogative of the individual. He explained that even a Muslim cannot be compelled to fast.

What Malam Nasir El-Rufai would not do is to allow anybody to get away with bad behaviour by citing their religious, regional or ethnic identity. Equality before the law requires that every citizen must be held responsible for their conduct. The legion of cowards and fraudsters ever ready to spread and amplify falsehood on social media, without any effort at verification, must know that they can be held responsible for what they share. The laws of our land rightly protect the freedom of speech, but the same laws provide remedies against defamation and incitement, even in cyberspace.

Watch this video of a Nigerian speaking about former President Goodluck Jonathan:

Source: Legit.ng
By Patrick Ebong

A pregnant pilgrim from Lira Catholic diocese has died this morning at Matugga.

Ms Scovia Moro a resident of Ober parish in Barr Sub County had trekked from Lira to Kafu before complaining of severe abdominal pain and was admitted to Bishop Asili health centre 1V in Luwero.

According to the Member of Parliament for Moroto County in Alebtong district Samuel Okwir Odwee who is among the 470 pilgrims who started their journey on May 18th, the deceased developed some complications from Kafu and when they reached Luwero on Sunday her condition worsened and was admitted to Bishop Asili Health Center IV.

He says that unfortunately as they set off from Matuga this morning she collapsed and died. Odwee adds that the body of the deceased has been taken to Mulago hospital for postmortem.

Mr. Alfred Okello who is the coordinator of the pilgrims from Lira said the death of the colleague has reinforced their faith because they know that she has gone straight to heaven because she died as she was exercising her faith.

He said they have already reached Kampala and they were received by police band from Kawempe which will lead them to St. Jude catholic parish in Naguru where they will rest and head to Namugongo on June 1st.

In a seperate development, 12 pilgrims riding on bicycles from Lango Sub-region have today left Lira town for Namugongo Martyrs Shrine.

The Bishop of Lira Catholic Diocese, Joseph Franzeli flagged off the cyclists at his residence for a journey of about 365km. He says the event has become a tradition in the Roman Catholic faith with cyclists planting trees at some stopovers along the way to Namugongo.

According to Bishop Franzeli, of the 2 million people in Lango, 1million are Catholics and of these, 470-foot pilgrims from Lira Diocese left last week for prayer Namugongo.

Mr. Jimmy Okola, one of the bicycle pilgrims told KFM shortly before leaving Lira Cathedral that they expect to reach Kampala on Thursday evening.

Over 11,000 uniformed and covert police officers are to be deployed at Namugongo shrine to ensure security of pilgrims during this years Martyrs day celebrations.

Addressing a news conference ahead of the celebrations the Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander Frank Mwesigwa says these officers will help avert any kind of security threat and criminal activity.

Members of the public have an opportunity to receive free medical care ahead of the martyrs day celebrations slated for June 3rd.

The Church of Uganda has organized a health camp at the Protestants shrines in Namugongo which kicked off on Tuesday.

The chairman organizing committee Isaac Membe calls on members of the public to use this opportunity to get free check-up for various ailments.
A 26-year-old self acclaimed prophet, Christopher Chamisa, and his 17-year-old aide were arrested for alleged armed robbery.

The duo were said to have injured two people after firing 25 shots with their AK47 assault rifle during during the robbery operation in Jalukanga area, some 120km west of Beitbridge town.

The acting Officer Commanding Beitbridge District, Superintendent Elvis Nekati, said the suspects shot two people before disappearing with R6,000 and two cellphones.

We arrested the two suspects and recovered the firearm following a tip off and we are still conducting further investigations into the matter, he said.

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Matabeleland South Police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele said the two would be charged with attempted murder and armed robbery.

Indications are that the two went to Jalukanga Business Centre at around 4PM on Saturday carrying a reeds mat tied with red and white cloths pretending to be members of the Johanne Masowe church, said Inspector Ndebele.

The first accused (Chamisa) is known by villagers as a prophet. While at the shops they bought some refreshments from one shop and went away. They later came back at around 6PM and stormed into Jalukanga Special Shop.

Armed robbery suspects Christopher Chamisa and his teenage aide

He said Chamisa, who was holding the gun, shot Dion Muleya (48) in the abdomen at the same time demanding some money from the shop keeper.

Insp Ndebele said after shooting Muleya, the man turned the gun on the shop attendant, Perseculia Singo.

The woman tried to flee resulting in the suspect shooting her in the back. The two ransacked the shop and stole a cash box containing R6 000 and two cellphones, he said.

Insp Ndebele said the two fired 25 shots at the business centre before running into a nearby bush.

He said their two victims were in hospital, one in Beitbridge and the other one in Bulawayo.

Muleya, who had his stomach ripped open, was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for further management, while Singo is still admitted to the district hospital. Her condition is stable, said Insp Ndebele.

He said the firearm, 25 spent cartridges, three bullet heads, R2 300, US$32 and $153 bond notes were recovered from the two men.

Source: Legit.ng
- Nnamdi Kanu in an interview with Al Jazeera says Nigeria is a stupid country

- The interview was the first time he has spoken to an international media outlet since he was granted bail

- Kanu insisted that the Igbo people have nothing in coming with Nigeria

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB in an interview has termed Nigeria a stupid country.

Kanu who spoke to Al Jazeera in the parlour of his father's home in Umuahia insisted that the Igbo people have nothing in coming with Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Pictures of Nigerian civil war - From starving children to execution of Nigerian soldiers

The interview was the first time he has spoken to an international media outlet since he was granted bail on health grounds in April by Justice Binta Nyako.

Kanu who spoke to Al Jazeera in the parlour of his father's home in Umuahia insisted that the Igbo people have nothing in coming with Nigeria

According to Al Jazeera, Nnamdi Kanu waves his hand and puffs in frustration: "Nothing seems to be working in Nigeria. There is pain and hardship everywhere. What we're fighting [for] is not self-determination for the sake of it. It's because Nigeria is not functioning and can never function," he said.

In a show of defiance and an apparent flout of his bail conditions, when Al Jazeera asked him if he was worried that he will land in trouble with the federal government for speaking to the media outfit, Kanu was said to have scoffed: "I don't care," he said and rolls his eyes.

Lamenting his situation, Kanu said: "I can't go outside to call for a press conference. I can't go on Biafra Radio to broadcast. I can't allow large [groups of] people to basically congregate outside to see me  it's like asking me not to breathe," he says.

Going further, the leader of IPOB said the Igbo identity is not reckoned with in Nigeria, hence the reason for his agitation.

"I'm not allowed to contest for the presidency of Nigeria because I'm Igbo. I'm not allowed to aspire to become the inspector general of police because I'm Igbo. I'm not allowed to become chief of army staff because I'm Igbo. What sort of stupid country is that?" Kanu asks. "Why would any idiot want me to be in that sort of country?"

Legit.ng recalls that in one of his broadcast on Radio Biafra, a London-based radio station, Kanu said:

"We have one thing in common, all of us that believe in Biafra, one thing we have in common, a pathological hatred for Nigeria. I cannot begin to put into words how much I hate Nigeria."

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Al Jazeera reports that "on the other side of the parlour door, dozens of people are waiting to see Kanu. A throng of young men dressed in black guard the compound. They refer to Kanu as, "our supreme leader" or "his royal highness."

"Kanu is my saviour," says Sopuru Amah, a senior student at one of Nigeria's oldest universities, the University of Nigeria in the southeastern city of Nsukka.

"Just like Jesus was sent to save the world, Kanu was sent by God himself to save the Igbo people."

Meanwhile, the Tuesday, May 30, sit-home exercise as proposed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), kicked off in the southeast.

Photos making the rounds all over social media show that many people within the region have complied with the order to stay home.

Very few people have been seen on the streets and businesses have been locked down for the day.

But as as the sit-at-home order continues with the shut-down of some states in the south-east, a group from the region has warned Nnamdi Kanu against alleged continued flouting of the bail conditions granted him.

Governors from the South east also maintained that there is no secession plan in the agenda of the Igbos.

Below is a Legit.ng video in which Acting President Yemi Osinbajo delivers a speech on the Biafra war.

Source: Legit.ng
- The minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said Nigeria will start exporting yams

- He said Nigeria's agricultural sector will soon regain its lost glory as a major food producer and exporter

- The minister also insisted that Nigeria has everything to be a key player in the international processed food market

Audu Ogbeh, the minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said a container of yams will soon leave the shores of Nigeria for the European continent.

READ ALSO: Pictures of Nigerian civil war - From starving children to execution of Nigerian soldiers

Specifically, the minister said the container will leave the country on the 29th of June this year.

He disclosed this during an interaction with journalists while giving the scorecard of his ministry since the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government took over power two years ago.

The minister maintained that Nigeria's agricultural sector will regain its lost glory as a major food producer and exporter within the next two years.

He said the country is doing well in the exportation of of vegetables, beans and cowpeas to India, as well as cashew to Vietnam.

He said: In another two years, we will be back on the world stage where every country had recognized and expected Nigeria to live up to the name  Major Food Producer.

On the 29th of June this year, the first container of yams will be leaving the shores of Nigeria for UK.

Yes, we have been dealing with vegetables and a lot of other produce already and we will continue to be selling pulses mainly beans and cowpeas to India.

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We will soon be back exporting cocoa again on a large scale, although we are exporting very little now; and cashew nuts to Vietnam which we intend to start processing here very soon.

The processed cashew nuts will be exported to Wal-Mart and other major supermarkets across the globe.

We are on our way. It is just about time.

The beautiful thing is that Nigerians make me proud. In spite of the trauma they have been through, their response to the call by the President to return to agriculture has been absolutely successful  Young and old, civil servants, military men, journalists, everybody is on his way back to agriculture.

We only have the challenge, now, of giving them what they need, and we will definitely meet that challenge.

The minister also insisted that Nigeria has everything to be a key player in the international processed food market.

Highlighting the challenges the country need to overcome before playing a key role in the processed food market globally, the minister listed procurement of machineries, stable electricity and value of Naira.

We have to process what we grow. There are very few things we eat raw especially vegetables and fruits. But rice, sugar, milk, sorghum, millet, cassava  among those items; we are almost there.

Nigerians may find that difficult to accept now because the prices are so high and that can be explained by the sudden drop in the value of the Naira. Machineries need to be procured. We need to stabilize electricity otherwise the cost of production and processing gets too high.

Otherwise, there is no question whether Nigeria can or will get there. It is just a matter of time.

Unfortunately, for agriculture once a country slows down like we did for nearly 30 years, it becomes difficult to restart the engine.

But for Nigeria, the people are incredible and they are doing it. It took Brazil 30 years and India 50 years to be able to get to where they are now. It wont take us that long.

In 10 years, I tell you, people across planet earth who want to respect Nigeria on agriculture will definitely have to do so; because they have no choice. We are on our way.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reports that while speaking with reporters in Abuja, APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun spoke extensively on what he called the damage the PDP did to Nigeria and its economy during their 16 years of rule.

Oyegun went further to explain that the APC actually knew what was ahead of it, when President Buhari assumed power contrary to what a cross-section of Nigerians believe.

He said Nigerians need to commend the APC-led Federal Government for doing everything humanly possible to sustain the economy and save it from total collapse.

Below is a Legit.ng video in which Acting President Yemi Osinbajo delivers a speech on the Biafra war.

Source: Legit.ng
- Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo on Tuesday sacked the state executive council and 27 local government transition committees with immediate effect

- The Transition Committee (TC) chairmen are advised to hand over to the directors of administration and general services of their respective council areas

A statement by the Principal Secretary to the governor, Mr Pascal Obi, in Owerri directed all former members of the executive to hand over to permanent secretaries or the most senior director in their ministries.

READ ALSO: Pictures of Nigerian civil war - From starving children to execution of Nigerian soldiers

Obi quoted the governor as appreciating the invaluable contributions of the affected appointees to the success recorded by his rescue mission administration and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

Governor Okorocha has sacked the state executive council and 27 local government transition committees with immediate effect

According to him, the secretary to the government, the chief of staff, chairmen and members of statutory commissions such as ISEC, Civil Service Commission, local government service commission are not affected.

Also not affected in the cabinet shake off are the state universal basic education board, the judicial service commission, and the House of Assembly Service Commission.

The governor also dissolved the 27 transition committees (TC) of the 27 local government areas in the state.

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The Transition Committee (TC) chairmen are advised to hand over to the directors of administration and general services of their respective council areas.

The governor appreciates the contributions of the TC chairmen to the success of the rescue mission and wishes them well in their future endeavours, Obi said in the statement.

The governor, however, did not state any reason for the action.

Legit.ng recalls that the Imo state governor Rochas Okorocha on Friday, March 24, said there was a need to Nigerian to unify against all odds and happenings in the country.

Speaking to journalists while receiving the vice president Yemi Osinbajo who was en-route to Abia state from Imo Airport, Okorocha said in the spirit of reconciliation, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu should be forgiven.

Below is a Legit.ng video in which Acting President Yemi Osinbajo delivers a speech on the Biafra war.

Source: Legit.ng
Three policemen were reportedly burnt to death, following a clash between the police and some officers of Nigerian navy in Calabar, Cross River state capital, on Tuesday.

According to witnesses, the attack began shortly after 8.30 p.m., and was still underway as at 10.19 p.m. at Akim Divisional Headquarters

READ ALSO: Pictures of Nigerian civil war - From starving children to execution of Nigerian soldiers

The police station is still burning as we speak, a horrified witness told Premium Times.

According to witnesses, the attack began shortly after 8:30 p.m., and was still underway as at 10:19 p.m. at Akim Divisional Headquarters

But when contacted, Naval spokesperson, Suleiman Dahun,claimed that he was not aware of the development as at 10.26 p.m.

His counterpart in the police, Jimoh Moshood, could not be reached for comments.

According to Premium Times sources, the confrontation was a continuation of an initial skirmish between a police traffic officer and a naval officer at a traffic light near the Calabar Stadium along the Airport Road on Tuesday afternoon.

the confrontation was a continuation of an initial skirmish between a police traffic officer and a naval officer at a traffic light

Some naval officers ran the red light and police traffic officers intervened, but rather than listen, they descended on the policemen and beat them up, a witness said. This was around 5 p.m.

Police officers now called for back up and and the Navy also called for reinforcement and they took over the road leading to the airport.

The witness also accused the naval officers of blocking fire fighters from extinguishing the inferno set at the police station

But the Navy Commander and police commissioner in the state intervened and the two sides backed down, the witness said.

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However, around 8:00 p.m., when everyone thought the matter had been resolved, naval officers descended on Akim Police Station and started shooting and burnt down the facility.

We confirmed three bodies but we feared there are more, the witness said.

The witness also accused the naval officers of blocking fire fighters from extinguishing the inferno set at the police station.

Below is a Legit.ng video in which Acting President Yemi Osinbajo delivers a speech on the Biafra war.

Source: Legit.ng
Father Desiderio said he was not immune to these kinds of comments sway. As a preacher, whenever someone says after a Mass, Oh, that was interesting, you know its not a compliment, he said. People are streaming out of the service and shaking hands and saying Good homily, Father, but the one That was interesting is what sticks with you.

A second kind of unintentional swipe acts less like a laser or telescope than a fun-house mirror. Ms. Behary, who is the founder and director of the Cognitive Therapy Center of New Jersey, said that some unintentional swipes are powerful because they are misrepresentations of who you are. She explained, If someone says, Well, if thats the kind of thing you like.  or You liked that movie? Really?, it could mean to you, if its been said by a person who matters to you, that theres something wrong with you, that you dont have good taste.

A third kind of statement casts a different spell. Barbara Hillary, an adventurer who, after reaching the South Pole in 2011 at age 79, became the first African-American woman on record to stand on both poles, said: Often these comments have power because we are completely overwhelmed by their stupidity. They reinforce the idea that we are not born equally. And youre made to feel guilty if you look at people and think, I never seriously thought about sterilization until now. She added:  One person I met put this wise, erudite expression on his face and asked, What hotel did you stay at on the North Pole? Thatll stop you in your tracks.

Two of the more common ways of dealing with the psychological pain caused by these comments are humor and counseling. In the first instance, the wounded party makes a joke of the incident by, say, deciding that the only person who would call you sarcastic is a person who gets his definition of irony from an Alanis Morissette song. Ms. Hillary said, I try to amuse myself. She told the person who asked her about the hotel on the North Pole: I hung out by the pool a lot. I had a new bikini I wanted to try.

In the counseling model, a therapist will typically encourage a patient to get over his wound or grudge by mentally revisiting the incident and injecting it with compassion. You try to reframe the story by giving the benefit of the doubt to the offender, said Father Desiderio, who leads workshops on forgiveness.
A case involving insider trading charges based on government information dispensed by a political intelligence operative raises interesting questions about how some of the tricky rules for proving the offense will be applied when information is leaked from a federal agency rather than a corporation.

An indictment filed in United States District Court in Manhattan accuses David B. Blaszczak of exploiting his friendship with Christopher M. Worrall, who held a senior staff position at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to learn about impending changes in Medicare reimbursement that would affect health care companies. Mr. Blaszczak then passed the information, the indictment says, to Deerfield Management, a hedge fund firm that was a client of his consulting firm.

Two Deerfield partners, Theodore J. Huber and Robert Olan, have been charged along with Mr. Blaszczak and Mr. Worrall with conspiracy, securities fraud, wire fraud and theft of government property. A third partner, Jordan B. Fogel, pleaded guilty to charges and is cooperating with prosecutors. All the defendants except Mr. Olan were also sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Lawyers for Mr. Huber and Mr. Olan have denied that their clients engaged in any wrongdoing.

The Justice Department accuses Mr. Worrall of leaking information to Mr. Blaszczak about impending cuts to the rates that Medicare pays for certain treatments. Mr. Blaszczak had a number of clients paying for his access to political intelligence about an important program that spends as much as $1 trillion a year.
Several bills that seek to tackle the high cost of prescription drugs are moving through Congress, and the Trump administration has also signaled that it may take action.

Heres a list of the major drug-pricing proposals under consideration.

Speeding approval of generic drugs.

A bill sponsored by Senators Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, and Claire McCaskill, Democrat of Missouri, aims to streamline the approval process for generic drugs by requiring, for example, that the Food and Drug Administration set a deadline of eight months to approve new generic drugs where there is little competition.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted this month to include the proposal in a bill that would reauthorize the industry user-fee program that funds much of the drug-approval process at the F.D.A.

In the House, a proposal sponsored by Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Republican of Florida, and Kurt Schrader, Democrat of Oregon, would require the F.D.A. to work more closely with companies that want to make generic alternatives to drugs for which there is little competition. It would also give those manufacturers a six-month window during which no other generic drugmaker could compete. This month, , the health subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to include that measure in its version of the user-fee bill.
Its still a very uphill fight, said Representative Lloyd Doggett, Democrat of Texas, who like Ms. Collins has been pushing Congress to increase competition and lower prices, given the millions they have spent on lobbying, advertising and campaign contributions.

With billions in profit on the line, the pharmaceutical and health products industry has already spent $78 million on lobbying in the first quarter of this year, a 14 percent jump over last year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The industry pays some 1,100 lobbyists  more than two for each member of Congress.

In the 2016 election cycle, the industry poured more than $58 million into the election campaigns of members of Congress and presidential candidates, as well as other political causes, the Center for Responsive Politics data shows. That was the biggest investment in the industrys history and a 20 percent jump from the last presidential election cycle in 2012.

No single proposal has emerged as a clear winner in the bid to lower prices. Mr. Trump has sent conflicting signals: On one hand, he has accused the industry of price fixing and has said the government should be allowed to negotiate the price of drugs covered by Medicare. At other times, he has talked about rolling back regulations and named an industry-friendly former congressman, Tom Price, to head the Department of Health and Human Services, and a former pharmaceutical consultant, Scott Gottlieb, to lead the Food and Drug Administration.

Members of Congress have put forward a grab-bag of options, each of which would help or hurt different industry players.

Some address minor aspects, such as a bipartisan bill that would force brand-name drugmakers to hand over samples of their drugs to generic competitors. One would allow for the importing of cheaper drugs. Another would force pharmacy benefit managers to disclose more information about how they did business.
For decades, Chick Donohues greatest beer run story has been met with incredulous scoffs.

For half a century, Ive been told I was full of it, to the point where I stopped even telling this story, said Mr. Donohue, 75, who has related countless times how he took a patriotic bartenders suggestion and made a daring, adventurous visit to Vietnam in 1967 as a civilian to deliver beer to his soldier buddies.

It was the ultimate saloon tale: Mr. Donohue has told it in many New York City bars.

But others  friends, strangers, even some relatives  called it a tale too tall even for Mr. Donohue, who seemed to know people wherever he went and could hatch and pull off the most adventurous of plans.

Tired of the scoffing, he has now written a book about it  The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A True Story of Friendship Stronger Than War  with Joanna Molloy, a former reporter for The New York Daily News.

The book includes images of Mr. Donohue in Vietnam with the soldiers he visited as well as interviews with them.
For a simple assignment, writing code that would allow one computer to visit web pages located on another, two students in H. E. Dunsmores class at Purdue University turned in nearly 100 identical lines of code. Was it a fluke? Or had they cheated?

As he looked over their work, Mr. Dunsmore, a veteran computer science professor, saw what he called the smoking gun:

boolean done = true;

while (!done) {

Because they had written !done  the exclamation point means not  the program translated it as not true, which made the program ignore the code that followed, causing it to fail. In a class of about 450, they were the only ones who made that fatal mistake.

This is pretty strong evidence that one had copied the other, Mr. Dunsmore said. They later both confessed to collusion.

College students have flooded into computer science courses across the country, recognizing them as an entree to coveted jobs at companies like Facebook and Google, not to mention the big prize: a start-up worth millions.
PHOENIX  Did Noahs flood create the Grand Canyon? Not a chance, say mainstream scientists, who maintain that the canyons layers of rocks were carved and chiseled by a persistent flow of water beginning some five million years ago. But Andrew A. Snelling  a geologist by training, a creationist by conviction  has a minority view, and he hoped to prove himself right.

In November 2013, Dr. Snelling  he has a doctorate in geology from the University of Sydney, in Australia, where he was born  asked administrators of Grand Canyon National Park for permission to remove some 60 half-pound rocks from certain areas along the edges of the Colorado River, which snakes through the canyon.

Last July, the administrators denied his request. This month, Dr. Snelling sued them, the National Park Service and the Interior Department, claiming the denial amounted to discrimination against his religious beliefs.

In an interview on Thursday, Gary McCaleb, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, the conservative Christian legal defense group that is representing Dr. Snelling, said, Its one thing to debate the science, but to deny access to the data not based on the quality of a proposal or the nature of the inquiry, but on what you might do with it is an abuse of government power.
WASHINGTON  Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law and senior adviser, was looking for a direct line to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia  a search that in mid-December found him in a room with a Russian banker whose financial institution was deeply intertwined with Russian intelligence, and remains under sanction by the United States.

Federal and congressional investigators are now examining what exactly Mr. Kushner and the Russian banker, Sergey N. Gorkov, wanted from each other. The banker is a close associate of Mr. Putin, but he has not been known to play a diplomatic role for the Russian leader. That has raised questions about why he was meeting with Mr. Kushner at a crucial moment in the presidential transition, according to current and former officials familiar with the investigations.

The New York Times first reported the meeting between Mr. Kushner and Mr. Gorkov in March, but the White House at the time did not explain its aim. That article quoted a White House spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, who said that the meeting came at the request of the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey I. Kislyak, with whom Mr. Kushner had met earlier in December at Trump Tower to discuss opening a communications channel with Russian officials during the presidential transition.

But the half-hour meeting with Mr. Gorkov since has come under increasing scrutiny. The current and former American officials now say it may have been part of an effort by Mr. Kushner to establish a direct line to Mr. Putin outside established diplomatic channels.
A Texas state representative, referring to protesters at the State Capitol on Monday, said he reported several illegal immigrants to federal immigration authorities and then threatened to shoot a fellow lawmaker who objected.

The chaotic scene erupted around 11 a.m. on the last day of a particularly bitter legislative session in Austin, when demonstrators in the gallery of the House Chamber began chanting in opposition to a new law that bans so-called sanctuary cities. On the House floor, Representative Matt Rinaldi, a Republican, then turned to several Democratic lawmakers and told them he had reported the people to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

One of the Democrats, Representative Cesar J. Blanco, said that Mr. Rinaldi told him and others, We are going to have them deported, and then used an obscenity.

We were in shock, Mr. Blanco said. He assumed that because they were brown, in the gallery and protesting that they were here illegally.
LONDON  After an inept start to campaigning in Britains general election and a pause following the Manchester bombing, Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday navigated a television debate and interview without sustaining further political damage, yet without banishing doubts about her leadership that were raised by a significant policy reversal last week.

During 90 minutes of questions put separately to Mrs. May and to the leader of the main opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, the prime minister appeared less comfortable under hard questioning, but she did not crack.

Mr. Corbyn did well, keeping his cool and sense of humor, but had difficulty explaining away his past sympathies for groups like Hamas and Sinn Fein while trying to paint a picture of a better future with more money for nearly every social service coming from higher taxes on corporations and those earning more than 80,000 pounds a year, or about $103,000.

But neither politician emerged as a clear victor. And while the opinion polls are narrowing, Mrs. Mays Conservative Party still seems to hold a significant  though single-digit  lead over Labour for the election on June 8.
ROME  President Trump made the most of his short time in Italy. He was treated to a private audience with the pope, met with both the countrys president and its prime minister in Rome, flew to Sicily for a summit meeting of world leaders and visited with American troops at a nearby naval air station.

But as the sudden burst of diplomatic activity subsided with his departure, European and American officials fear a return to the new normal of American inattention as the administration struggles with political turmoil and Russia-related scandals back home.

All the while, Russia is assiduously courting Italy, a country that once had the largest Communist party outside the Soviet bloc and that many analysts consider the soft underbelly of the European Union.

In Rome, Mr. Trump left behind an embassy without an ambassador, and forfeited a geopolitical playing field that Moscows ambassador in Rome, Sergey Razov, is exploiting.
CAIRO  President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Monday enacted a law that imposes strict new regulations on aid groups, stoking fears that his government intends to accelerate its harsh crackdown on human rights activists before a presidential election scheduled for next year.

The new law, which some aid groups predict will force them to shut down, was approved by Egypts Parliament in November, but Mr. Sisi hesitated to sign it after trenchant criticism from Western officials, most notably the Republican Senators John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who threatened to restrict American aid to Egypt if the legislation was approved.

But recently Mr. Sisi has appeared emboldened by a burgeoning friendship with President Trump, who has hailed the Egyptian strongman as a fantastic guy and indicated that he did not intend to allow human rights issues to sour their relationship.

Having welcomed Mr. Sisi to Washington last month, Mr. Trump met with him again during his visit last week to Saudi Arabia, where the two leaders were photographed touching a glowing orb alongside Salman, the Saudi king. On his return to Egypt, the Sisi government pushed through new news media restrictions and prosecuted a rival political leader in the courts, further squeezing political rights and free speech.
The Friday leading into Memorial Day weekend, for many New Yorkers, is a travel day. But a trek to the Hamptons has nothing on DanceAfrica. This annual showcase of music and dance at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where tradition and abandon merge to the mesmerizing beat of a drum, radiates heat. Its another world.

Much about this years DanceAfrica program, which fell under the theme of The Healing Light of Rhythm: Tradition and Beyond, was bittersweet: Chuck Davis, its charismatic founder, died on May 14 at 80. His imperial presence, his passion for spreading the gospel of African dance and his sonorous voice were more than missed.

Abdel R. Salaam, handpicked by Mr. Davis to become the artistic director  this was his second year  presided over the festivities. They included a scintillating appearance by the Wula Drum and Dance Ensemble, an American company of 17 drummers, dancers and instrumentalists led by Mbemba Bangoura, with roots in Guinea.
What happens when a choreographer loses her muse? During the past two and a half years, Ivy Baldwin has been wrestling with such a loss. In 2015, her close friend and longtime dancer Lawrence Cassella, an exuberant presence in her work since 2003, died at 38 after a three-month struggle with HLH, a rare immune system disease. For Ms. Baldwin, there was no moving past it.

It was too big and too traumatic to put aside and think about something else, she said recently over breakfast near her home in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. It was the only thing I could make anything about.

With her dancers Anna Carapetyan, Eleanor Smith and Katie Workum, who had also been close to Mr. Cassella, Ms. Baldwin embarked on Keen (Part 1), an exploration of grieving created for the Glass House grounds in New Canaan, Conn., last summer. A related work, Keen [No. 2], opens at Abrons Arts Center on the Lower East Side on Thursday, presented with the Chocolate Factory Theater and Joyce Theater as part of Joyce Unleashed, the theaters off-site series for experimental dance.

In search of mourning rituals, Ms. Baldwin began, with Keen (Part 1), to research keening, the Irish tradition of vocal lamenting historically practiced by women, and to play with its features of rocking, kneeling and clapping. In Keen [No. 2], she builds on those studies with a cast of 10 women  including herself, Ms. Smith and Ms. Workum, whose searing solos and duets anchor the work  against an ornate paper tapestry designed by Wade Kavanaugh and Stephen B. Nguyen.
Sgt. Pepper has been analyzed, researched, oral-historied and dissected down to the minute differences between pressings, and because the Beatles industry never misses an anniversary, it has been repeatedly reissued. The 50th-anniversary deluxe version is exhaustive. It has been remixed and once again remastered to give the album a broader soundstage and crisper detail, giving more separation to individual voices and instruments. (For the older blend, it also includes the mono mix from 1967.) The new box rightfully incorporates Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane, the masterpieces recorded alongside Sgt. Pepper but released before the album. It also has outtakes, comprehensive reading material, video clips from 1967 and a documentary about making the album. (The anecdotes are now familiar because the film was done for the albums 25th anniversary.)

Sgt. Pepper was not universally adored when it appeared. The New York Times panned it, not entirely incorrectly, as busy, hip and cluttered. As pop tastes have swung between elaborate musical edifices and back-to-basics reactions, Sgt. Pepper has been by turns embraced, reviled and simply ignored.

But now that rock itself is being shunted toward the fringes of pop, its a good time to free Sgt. Pepper from the burden of either forecasting rocks eclectic future or pointing toward a fussy dead end. It doesnt have to be the most important rock & roll album ever made, as Rolling Stone declared in 2012, or some wrongheaded counter-revolutionary coup against real rock n roll. Its somewhere in between, juxtaposing the profound and the merely clever.
When the Vienna Philharmonic first performed on the park grounds of the Schonbrunn Palace in 2004, the event was intended as a one-time celebration of the European Unions expansion in Eastern Europe. The Concert for Europe was such a success, however, that it became an annual fixture, attracting local audiences, tourists and television viewers around the world.

Like the famed New Years Concert at the Musikverein, the Summer Night Concert Schonbrunn, as it is now called, has become an important part of the Philharmonics brand. The open-air event, which is on Thursday this year, attracts an audience of up to 100,000 and is broadcast to over 80 countries, not far behind the 90 countries reached by the New Years Concert.

As of last year, through a partnership with Vienna Tourism, the program is also streamed to plazas in four selected cities, this years being Barcelona, Warsaw, Seoul and Beijing. But perhaps most important, performing free of charge in a relaxed setting has opened the storied orchestra to a broader audience at home.

The event attracts listeners who dont necessarily go to classical concerts, said Andreas Grossbauer, the Philharmonic chairman and first violinist. The New Years Concert is of course more exclusive. Tickets are very expensive. Here we try to do exactly the opposite.
The story of Flints water is complicated, from both the scientific and narrative standpoints, and Poisoned Water, in the one-hour running time of Nova, has to move through it quickly and lightly. Its not the most inventive or visually interesting documentary  theres a lot of B-roll of streetscape and skyline, and a lot of scare shots of bottles of brown water. (Mr. Smith holds off on one of the storys most ubiquitous images, the Citizen Kane shot of pallets of bottled water receding into the distance, until near the end of the program.)

But its a good, straightforward primer for those who didnt really grasp the specifics of a story that played out fitfully over several years, starting in 2014, and didnt receive concentrated national attention until it was nearly over. In his limited time, Mr. Smith finds room for informative digressions on the biology of lead poisoning, the history of water delivery and the 2001-10 contamination of the Washington, D.C., water system that presaged the Flint disaster.

Despite all the complicating factors, what happened in Flint hinged on one simple decision: the failure to put chemicals in the water that would control the corrosion of pipes. Mr. Smith shows how correcting that lapse took a concerted, lengthy effort by a chain of previously unacquainted activists  a civilian gadfly, an E.P.A. whistle-blower, a concerned university professor  that seems almost miraculous in retrospect. In the end, Poisoned Water is less a story of science or politics than of everyday heroism.
THE ANSWERS

By Catherine Lacey

291 pages. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. $26.

The novelist Catherine Lacey was born in Mississippi  for generations her family has owned the Tupelo Hardware Company, where Elvis Presleys mother is said to have bought his first guitar  but you will strain to find evidence of stereotypical Southern themes or cadences in her work. She never tries to, as the critic Albert Murray put it, sound a Faulkner chord.

Laceys sentences are long and clean and unstanchable. They glow like the artist Dan Flavins fluorescent light tubes. In her new novel, The Answers, she sweeps you up in the formidable current of her thought, and then she drops you down the rabbit hole. Shes the real thing, and in The Answers she takes full command of her powers.

This is Laceys second novel. Her first, Nobody Is Ever Missing (2014), was about an intense young woman who fled to New Zealand after a failed marriage. The woman felt she was a human non sequitur  senseless and misplaced, a bad joke, a joke with no place to land.

Small first novels that are as good as Nobody Is Ever Missing inevitably make you fear the second. How much more is inside this writer? What are his or her reserves?
SAN FRANCISCO  Deutsche Bank has hired an expert in tax structuring as a managing director in its investment bank.

The bank said Tuesday it had hired Jeffrey Mensch, who was most recently at MacAndrews & Forbes, the holding company of the billionaire Ronald O. Perelman, as a senior vice president of finance.

He is the seventh managing director Deutsche Bank has hired in its Americas corporate finance group, as well as the second for its Americas mergers team. The firm, which has been rebuilding itself after years of legal troubles and declining business, is shoring up its banking business in the United States.

The banks chief executive, John Cryan, said in March that he planned to personally oversee the business on the firms management board.
The business of publishing newspapers may not be the most obvious thing to set a private equity executives heart fluttering.

And yet Wall Street is in a bidding war for Fairfax Media, the Australian company that owns The Sydney Morning Herald and Domain, a real estate portal.

Whats the attraction?

Property. In Sydney and Melbourne, Australias two largest cities, prices have been in an extended surge, and investors want a piece of the action through sites like Domain.

TPG Capital and Hellman & Friedman have made bids for Fairfax, valuing it at nearly $3 billion even as the company cuts jobs at its newspapers.
Among the subsidies the department is examining is a production tax credit that allows most wind farms to shave pennies off the price of each kilowatt-hour they send to the grid. Though flattening demand for electricity and cheap natural gas are the main forces depressing wholesale energy prices, the credit means that wind producers can often offer their power to the market at the lowest price. Sometimes, when energy demand is low and wind is strong, the credit can drive the effective price below zero.

Mr. Perry has raised the possibility of federal intervention in energy markets to protect coal and nuclear plants against lower-priced wind and natural-gas supplies. While he backed state control of market policies as Texas governor, he said at a conference in April that the boots on the other foot now.

Energy experts say that without the credit and other favorable subsidies, mandates and market policies in place, wind development and production will be threatened. When the credit has periodically expired, installations nearly ground to a halt  dropping by roughly 76 to 93 percent, according to an analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists  only to resume again with its renewal. Congressional estimates put the cost of the credit at $3.1 billion last year, and the figure is expected to reach $4 billion this year.

Theres no question: if the P.T.C. goes away, thats a big number, said Robert F. Shapiro, a lawyer at Chadbourne & Parke in Washington, who focuses on project finance and energy. New plants would have to meet a tougher test, a market-price test, that cant be masked in part by that subsidy.
He used an illustration to make the point.

Take a shop that restores and sells used cars, Chief Justice Roberts wrote. The business works because the shop can rest assured that, so long as those bringing in the cars own them, the shop is free to repair and resell those vehicles. That smooth flow of commerce would sputter if companies that make the thousands of parts that go into a vehicle could keep their patent rights after the first sale.

Printer makers like Lexmark and HP have long battled independent companies that refill ink and toner cartridges and sell them more cheaply than the manufacturers do. Inkjet printer ink is one of the worlds most expensive liquids, with Consumer Reports magazine estimating in 2013 that it cost $13 to $75 an ounce  more than top-class Champagne and many perfumes. A new Lexmark toner cartridge, with a suggested price of almost $200, sells for $138 at a major retailer. But a refurbisher currently sells a replacement for $72.

While Lexmark turned to the courts to stop the refill companies, HP resorted to technology, such as changing the internal software in the printers to recognize and block the use of unauthorized cartridges.

But the courts decision will have ramifications far beyond ink, particularly for the import and resale of products like smartphones and name-brand drugs.

The justices essentially ruled that once products are sold, buyers can do what they want with them unless other laws intervene. In theory, the decision will allow a retailer like Costco Wholesale, which filed a brief for the defendant in the case, to buy high-tech goods at the cheapest price it can find worldwide, bring them to the United States and resell them to customers.

In a brief supporting Impression Products, Intel and other technology companies told the court that patent law should not be used to undermine an interconnected global economy. A product may be designed in the United States; assembled in Singapore from parts made in Costa Rica, Israel and China; and then shipped to the United States for sale, the brief said. Intels multitier supply chain, for example, comprises more than 16,000 suppliers in over 100 countries. Likewise, more than 750 companies supply components from over 30 countries that are incorporated in iPhones and iPads.

The appeals court had also ruled in favor of Lexmark on foreign sales, saying that patent holders could control what was done with their products after they were sold abroad and re-imported by buyers.
The pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini has started a bean-to-bar chocolate company, sourcing his raw cacao from farms in Jamaica, South America, Tanzania and Vietnam. Within modest, brown-paper wrappers are sleek two-ounce bars, six types in all. They vary from 75 percent cacao (Peru) down to a 50 percent dark milk chocolate bar from Tanzania. The Vietnamese bar (65 percent) conveys smoke and spice, and the Peruvian bar is buttery, earthy and kissed with a hint of passion fruit: Chocolate by Johnny Iuzzini, $10 per bar, goldbely.com/johnny-iuzzini.
For the environmentally conscious eater, they are among the most inconvenient truths: Too much food goes to waste. Too much packaging comes with the food. And too much of the packaging is made to last for ages.

Now there may be a single answer to all three problems: using excess food to make the packaging.

A growing number of entrepreneurs and researchers are working to turn foods like mushrooms, kelp, milk and tomato peels into edible  if not always palatable  replacements for plastics, coatings and other packaging materials.

Their efforts come as food and beverage companies are not only looking for biodegradable containers  Nestle Waters and Danone recently announced a joint project to make water bottles from wood  but also joining in the growing effort by governments, restaurateurs and consumers to reduce waste, which contributes to the greenhouse gases enveloping the planet.

The United States Department of Agriculture, for instance, is giving new meaning to the notion of pizza with extra cheese: A team at its research laboratory in Wyndmoor, Pa., has developed a material from milk protein that can be used to line pizza boxes, encase cheese or create, say, soluble soup packets that can simply be dropped in hot water.
ATLANTA  Peaches are such a part of Georgias identity that schools, streets and health care plans are named after them. Even the sticker you get when you vote is in the shape of the fruit. South Carolina, one state over, grows more peaches than Georgia. A giant statue of a peach is its most famous roadside attraction.

For almost all Southerners, a summer without a seemingly endless supply of peaches is unthinkable. But growers say the unthinkable is about to happen in Americas cobbler belt. A double punch of unseasonably warm winter weather and an ill-timed freeze has devastated the peach crop.

Production in Georgia might be a quarter of what it was in 2016, when the state produced 43,000 tons of peaches, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. In South Carolina, which is second only to California in peach production, the numbers are as bad or worse. As much as 85 to 90 percent of the states peach crop is gone, according to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. The states peaches usually bring in about $90 million a year, and their impact on the greater economy is three times that much.

Its just really, really bad, said Juan Carlos Melgar, an assistant professor of pomology at Clemson University in Clemson, S.C. Historically bad.
Headliner

PHIL & ANNES GOOD TIME LOUNGE For several months, Phil Casaceli, who owns Daddy-O, a West Village bar, had his eye on the former Char No. 4 in Brooklyn. But it wasnt quite right, he felt, for another Daddy-O. Mutual friends suggested he reach out to the celebrity chef Anne Burrell, whom he already knew, and now theyre opening this restaurant. Ms. Burrell said that she was to ready make the move, though she would by no means be abandoning her television career. Inside, a stretch of bar leads to a dining room with tufted leather banquettes. Above the banquettes, there is shiny orange wallpaper patterned with vinyl records and microphones. Ms. Burrell said that all the dishes are the size of appetizers, and range from light (kale Caesar salad, cauliflower steak) to medium (bucatini allamatriciana, Korean short ribs with pickled vegetables) to heavy (a burger with two patties, an eight-ounce rib-eye). Theres also an intimate skylit rear dining room. (Opens Wednesday): 196 Smith Street (Baltic Street), Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, 929-337-7817, philandannesgoodtimelounge.com.

Opening

BABU JI This modern Indian restaurant attracted attention during its brief run in the East Village and closed this year. Now its back, steps from Union Square, at the site that was formerly Allonda, and then was supposed to be Ed Schoenfelds restaurant the Mess. The room is a more spacious setting for the menus interpretations of street food, which include Indochinese cauliflower with tomato and chiles, yogurt kebabs, and fish coconut curry. Jesse Singh is the chef and an owner. A la carte and tasting menus are offered. Laura Maniec, who owns Corkbuzz Wine Studio across the street, selected the wines: 22 East 13th Street, 212-951-1082, babujinyc.com.

CASA PUBLICA The chef Bob Truitt; Meaghan Montagano, who will manage the restaurant; and another partner, Daniel Ortiz de Montellano, are opening a Mexican homage to home and marketplace cooking. Tacos al pastor, stuffed squash blossoms, and pozole verde with braised pork are some of the specialties (Friday): 594 Union Avenue (Richardson Street), Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 718-388-3555.

E.A.K. RAMEN Pronounce the first part of this restaurants name as EAK, and you approximate the Japanese word for a particular type of ramen bowl characterized by a dense broth and thick noodles. This outlet is the first in New York for the Japan-based global chain of about 400 restaurants. There are five ramens, including some vegetarian options, and a long list of appetizers, including fried chicken, braised pork belly and gyoza dumplings. Expect bao buns, salads and rice dishes, too. (Wednesday): 469 Avenue of the Americas (11th Street), 646-863-2027, eakramen.com.
Visitors to Hong Kong who have an appreciation for dumplings, an eye toward low prices and faith that a single Michelin star reliably predicts quality will tend to eat at one of two places. Those who are more attracted to Cantonese dim sum classics will almost certainly end up at a location of the locally based Tim Ho Wan chain. The ones whose idea of a perfect dumpling is a xiao long bao with hot broth sealed inside will head to a branch of Din Tai Fung, which was founded in Taiwan. The very hungry ones will go to both.

The two businesses have been busy exporting their folding and crimping technologies to dumpling-conscious cities around the world. With its 45th location, which opened in the East Village just before Christmas, Tim Ho Wan is the first of the pair to bring its towers of bamboo steamers to New York City.

Tim Ho Wan was started by the chef Mak Kwai Pui, who had been in charge of the expensively exquisite dim sum at the Four Seasons hotel in Hong Kong. With his partner, Leung Fai Keung, his idea was to go back to basics, retaining some of the techniques and refinements of high-end dim sum while bringing prices down to sea level.

In New York, the entire menu fits on a paper place mat. When you read it, its not immediately apparent why fans were willing to stand on Fourth Avenue in the cold for hours last December simply to put their names and phone numbers on a list for the privilege of being called a few hours after that, when a table was finally free.
Nearly two years ago, Thomas W. Libous, a powerful New York state senator, was convicted of lying to F.B.I. agents in a corruption investigation. Mr. Libous, then suffering from prostate cancer, was sentenced to two years of probation, six months of home confinement and a $50,000 fine.

Mr. Libous filed a notice of appeal but died in May 2016 at age 63 before the appeals process was completed. His lawyer argued that under the law, his conviction and financial penalties should be erased.

The government disagreed in part, arguing that Mr. Libouss fine should not be refunded. But on Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in Manhattan, agreed with Mr. Libouss lawyer, ordering that the $50,000 be paid to his estate. It also vacated his conviction and sent the case back to the trial court for dismissal of the indictment.

The panel cited a somewhat obscure but well-established legal doctrine known as abatement ab initio, or abatement by death. The ruling comes just weeks after a Massachusetts judge ordered the vacating of the murder conviction of Aaron Hernandez, a former New England Patriots tight end who in April hanged himself in prison before his appeal was completed.
It is the first report analyzing trends in the departments data on so-called stop-and-frisk tactics, and the fifth to be filed by the monitor, Peter L. Zimroth, to Judge Analisa Torres since a 2013 decision that found the departments tactics to be unconstitutional.

On one hand, the report offers the most comprehensive review of recent citywide street stop activity. It shows that overall stops declined in the three years the monitor studied: to 22,563 in 2015, from 191,851 in 2013, a period in which violent crime in New York continued its decline.

Over those same years, the share of stops in which officers detained people to frisk them increased, as did the share in which officers used force, made arrests and seized guns and contraband, like drugs. As overall stops declined and fewer people were affected, officers were also stopping fewer innocent people. Making fewer, more effective, stops is one of the Police Departments goals.

Before stopping someone, officers must suspect a crime has occurred, or is about to. The data showed a greater share of stops came after officers reasonably suspected a serious crime, such as murder or weapons possession. Less often did they stop someone for suspected low-level crimes  property crime, drugs, trespassing or so-called quality of life offenses.

The report focused on racial disparity in street stops, but not on the other question before the monitor: ensuring that the departments stop-and-frisk practices are constitutional.
Surfers and fishermen can claim at least a temporary victory in Deal, as the town reportedly dropped its plan for parking permits.

There are other tactics that frustrate many beachgoers. Countless towns rely on metered parking. In Mantoloking, while the parking changes are welcome, rules prohibiting food on the beach remain. And nearly every beach requires a paid badge of some sort.

But parking remains the biggest issue. Glenn Rossi, the owner and operator of Used to Bes, one of the few bars in the Mantoloking area, looks at a full parking lot outside his bar on the weekend and cringes, he said.

A lot of people try to park here and just go to the beach, without coming inside, he said. He does not have the time, nor the desire, to police his own lot of about 40 spaces. But if his patrons cant find a spot, theyre out of luck; theres nowhere else to park nearby.

The new parking spots would be a welcome salve, though. With so many people flocking to the Jersey Shore every weekend, overcrowding and precious parking are just a fact of life.

Theres no real way to stop it, Mr. Rossi said. This is, after all, public access.
Just a few days before his graduation, Richard Collins III  a black student and an Army lieutenant at Bowie State University, in Maryland  was visiting the nearby University of Maryland at College Park, when he was stabbed at a bus stop near campus by Sean Urbanski, a white student who was a senior there. Though investigators have not yet determined whether the killing was a hate crime, the perpetrator was a member of a now-deleted Facebook group called Alt-Reich: Nation, which published white supremacist content.

On Campus reached out to students of color at both schools to reflect on the killing and its aftermath.

This horrific death is part of a pattern of racial intimidation happening on many college campuses.

Malika Hackley, Bowie State, 17

The news hit us so hard. It was like a huge brick house landed on my chest.

Richard Collins was killed because he was black. He was stabbed by a white student at the University of Maryland, who was a member of a Facebook group that spit out content that showed extreme bias against women, Latinos, members of the Jewish faith, and especially African-Americans, according to David Mitchell, the University of Maryland police chief.

Obviously, an entire school cannot be judged by the actions and beliefs of one student. But this horrific death is part of a pattern of racial intimidation happening on many college campuses. The output of hate  usually in the form of white nationalist signs, or graffitied slurs  is not new but it seems to constantly take new forms. Bananas hung from nooses, scrawled with the name of an African-American sorority on American Universitys campus. Fliers posted around the University of Maryland that say, America is a white nation. Even at my historically black college, Bowie State, there were swastikas drawn around the campus.
Or this: People have to choose between heating their homes, buying food or buying health care and you want them to worry about the survival of the planet or transgender stuff? I respect business and I distrust government. Thats the American way. I dont want illegal immigrants taking our jobs. I dont like liberals who shop at Whole Foods talking down their noses at me because I shop at Wal-Mart. White lives matter, too, you know. That woman forgot that  and lost. We lost our discipline and our moral code in this country. So we need honest Trump to shake things up.

And this: We need God back in our schools. We cant just condone anything our kids do. Nobodys gonna run God or guns out of our country. I dont want anybody telling me I cant defend myself. I dont want to take a knife to a gunfight. Dont tell me I cant have a gun if the crooks have one. Its a matter of taking care of myself. If this country ever told me I couldnt have a gun, Id be out in the streets.

These are composites from Trump World. Its important to hear people out. Thats democracy: listening to what people say. There are hateful racists among Trump supporters; there are also many decent, thoughtful, anxious, patriotic Americans who felt they were losing some part of their countrys essence. The liberal complacency that holds that these people simply need to be educated is self-defeating. If thats what the Democratic Party exudes  coastal complacency  it will lose, just like Ms. Clinton did last year.

As Abe Streep, a journalist and writer based in Montana, put it to me: Nobodys ever been convinced by being made to feel stupid.

I spoke to Alexandra Arboleda, a lawyer in Phoenix, who was elected last year to the board of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District. Shes a Democrat in a Republican county and a woman who feels strongly about climate change in an area where such convictions encounter hostility.

You have to be more receptive and see where people who dont think like you come from, she said. Most people are concerned about climate change. But where in Telluride that might be priority number one, with Republicans its down the list. So you have to adjust. Instead of talking about sustainability and climate change  words that set them off  talk pragmatically about drought conservation plans. Persuade them that increasing irrigation efficiency at a time of the longest drought in recorded history on the Colorado River System benefits everyone from farms to downstream city users. Its doable. But you have to curb the liberal arrogance thats out there.

America needs the conversations its not having. They start, for both sides, with listening. The alternative is bloody confrontation.
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For all of the illicitness surrounding President Trump and Russia, his motives have never been clear. If anything, a relationship of convenience between Trump and Vladimir Putin seemed more likely than an actual alliance.

The past week has increased the chances that something akin to an alliance exists.

On his European trip, Trump repeatedly behaved as if he were trying to advance Putins interests. Meanwhile, back in Washington, we learned of an attempted secret communication channel between Jared Kushner  the presidents son-in-law and senior adviser  and Putins Russia.
Partisan gerrymandering  the dark art of drawing legislative district lines to specifically favor Republicans or Democrats  is as old as it is corrosive to a representative democracy. Self-interested politicians have no business making maps with the sole purpose of keeping themselves and their party in power.

And yet for decades, the Supreme Court has refused to interfere, unable to agree on a standard to determine when redistricting for partisan purposes violates the Constitution, even when it leads to grotesque results.

In contrast, because of clearer constitutional concerns, the court has weighed in repeatedly on the problem of race-based redistricting. Last week, the justices struck down two North Carolina congressional districts that unnecessarily packed in tens of thousands of extra African-American voters, drawing them out of other districts where they might have made a difference. Of course, race and partisan affiliation are hard to disentangle, as the opinion by Justice Elena Kagan admitted, especially in the South.

With a partisan gerrymandering case likely to hit the courts docket next term, the justices should finally set clear limits on the practice. The need for those limits is growing only more urgent as voter data and computer-mapping technologies become more sophisticated, and politicians become more brazen in their efforts to protect their power.
To the Editor:

The Deplorable State of Palestine, by Diana Buttu (Op-Ed, May 27), is based on the premise that Israel doesnt believe Palestinians should have full rights. We disagree.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has numerous times expressed his belief that the Palestinians should enjoy the right to govern themselves but not the right to threaten Israels security. The problem is that Ms. Buttus argument completely ignores the fact that neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority has shown the slightest interest in peace with Israel.

Hamas is a terrorist organization that has perpetrated hundreds of terrorist attacks and suicide bombings, murdered more than a thousand Israeli civilians and fired thousands of rockets at Israeli cities. Sadly, this does not disqualify Hamas in Ms. Buttus eyes from being a partner in leading the Palestinians.

So, too, Ms. Buttu does not say a word about the Palestinian Authoritys financial support for those who murder Jews or the Palestinian hate education that has become part and parcel of the authoritys rule.
To the Editor:

Re Kushners Role in White House Is Under Strain (front page, May 29): So, let me get this straight: First, the White House said the meeting between Jared Kushner, Michael Flynn and the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, in December never occurred. Later it said that the meeting really happened, but that it was simply a courtesy get-together. Now, it is being reported that the meeting was actually a discussion about policy on Syria.

Give me a break! The first two stories are obvious fabrications, and the third explanation isnt believable, either. What is going on here, anyway? The entire affair reeks of something nefarious, and Mr. Kushners security clearance should be immediately revoked.

ANDREA KARROS, PALM COAST, FLA.

To the Editor:

With all the charges and countercharges being hurled at us, its hard to decipher the truth. But one thing is clear. If Jared Kushner did have a conversation with the Russian ambassador and Michael Flynn at Trump Tower in December, it defies belief that the meeting slipped his mind when it came to reporting contacts with the Russians.

JANICE GEWIRTZ

MOUNTAIN LAKES, N.J.

To the Editor:

Your article on Jared Kushner, implying he is a princeling and saying he was in fretful seclusion this weekend, crosses the line from news to opinion. This article is stretching to make news out of innuendo and strained relationships, while waiting for actual news about Mr. Kushners relationship with the Russians.
As spring turned to summer in 1967, there was more bad news from Vietnam on the evening newscasts. For example, the CBS correspondent Murray Fromson reported from Ken Hoa about the chronic problem American advisers had getting South Vietnamese troops to fight aggressively.

Discouraging news also came from Cam Ne, a village that had already produced one of TVs most sensational stories. Two years earlier, CBSs Morley Safer had ignited a controversy when he questioned whether Marines burning the huts of anguished peasants during a search-and-destroy operation in Cam Ne was the way to win Vietnamese hearts and minds. In July 1967, NBCs Howard Tuckner informed viewers that the South Vietnamese government had decided to destroy Cam Ne and move its residents to a new peace hamlet, which he described as a concentration camp.

Administration officials attributed these depressing stories not to the difficulties of the war or the deficiencies of their strategy but to reporters who were cynical and antagonistic. The problem was journalists who had a tendency to search for a critical story that might lead to a Pulitzer Prize.

Johnson took some of the criticism of the war effort personally. When CBS showed a film report in which the correspondent Bert Quint asserted that the war was a stalemate, Johnson charged that Walter Cronkite, the CBS anchor, was out to get him. When the president met with a group of visiting Australian journalists, he declared, I can prove that Ho Chi Minh is a son-of-a-bitch if you let me put it on the screen. But the TV networks want me to be the son-of-a-bitch.

In late summer, with a presidential campaign season approaching, Johnson decided to make a new effort to persuade the American people that American forces were making progress in the war. He told aides to sell our product and get a better story to the American people. What the American people saw on television would determine their support for administration Vietnam policies.

Johnson took the lead in selling progress in Vietnam. He dismissed TV reports about a stalemated war while insisting that official reports showed American troops were achieving their objectives. In a November news conference that many observers considered one of his most effective performances on television, Johnson traced an upward slope with his hands while asserting, We are making progress. Other prominent civilian and military officials appeared on camera with the same message. For example, Gen. William Westmoreland traveled to Washington and told an audience at the National Press Club that we have reached the point where the end begins to come into view. Continued progress would allow American troops to begin coming home within two years.

But television reports from Vietnam often challenged these confident assessments. In a story about the death of an American soldier in a firefight near the coastal town of Hoi An, CBSs John Laurence questioned what the war was accomplishing. There are a hundred platoons fighting a hundred small battles in nameless hamlets like this every week, Laurence declared. And in the grand strategy of things, this firefight had little meaning for anyone but the redheaded kid who was killed there. ABCs Roger Peterson offered his own skeptical assessment as he prepared to return home after months of reporting from Vietnam. He found the South Vietnamese government as corrupt and inefficient as its predecessors and predicted that its army might require a decade or two to be an effective fighting force.
The N.A.A.C.P. announced two weeks ago that it will replace its current president as part of the latest effort to revitalize itself. That wont solve the problem. Instead, it shows that its bloated 64-member board of directors has little understanding of why the N.A.A.C.P. has become marginal.

A brief history lesson on the 108-year-old civil rights institution offers a striking contrast.

One night in June 1940, police in Brownsville, Tenn., dragged Elbert Williams from his bed, beat him, shot him in the chest and dumped him in the Hatchie River for the transgressions of helping to form a chapter of the N.A.A.C.P. and trying to register voters. On Christmas Day 1951, a Ku Klux Klan bomb ripped through the bedroom of Harry Moore, the director of the Florida N.A.A.C.P., killing him and his wife, Harriette. In June 1963, the white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith murdered Medgar Evers, a field secretary for the group, in the driveway of his home, in Jackson, Miss.

Those were the bloody years.

Southern states outlawed the organization by decree. White Citizens Councils enforced unofficial bans by lynch mob. To attend a meeting or sign a membership list required unusual courage. But ordinary black folk chose to do so because the group worked in solidarity with the most vulnerable people in the struggle against white supremacy.

Today, it is safe to be a member of the N.A.A.C.P. It is also inconsequential.

Cornell William Brooks, the groups outgoing president, was a high-profile leader. He championed progressive issues and was never embroiled in a personal or organizational scandal. He was a good steward of the organization, but he alone could not transform it. Perhaps no leader can, no matter how charismatic. There are many reasons for this, but key among them is that, over time, this stalwart of civil rights groups has become an entrenched bureaucracy.
America may seem leaderless, with nastiness and bullying ascendant, but the best of our nation materialized during a moral crisis on a commuter train in Portland, Ore.

A white man riding on that train on Friday began screaming anti-Muslim insults at a black 16-year-old girl and her 17-year-old Muslim friend wearing a hijab. One can imagine people pretending not to hear and staring fiercely down at their phones; instead, three brave passengers stepped forward to protect the girls.

The three were as different as could be. One was a 23-year-old recent Reed College graduate who had a mane of long hair and was working as a consultant. Another was a 53-year-old Army veteran with the trimmest of haircuts and a record of service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The third was a 21-year-old poet and Portland State University student on his way to a job at a pizzeria. What united the three was decency.

When they intervened, the man harassing the girls pulled a knife and slashed the three men before fleeing. Rick Best, the veteran, died at the scene. Taliesin Namkai-Meche, the recent Reed graduate, was conscious as he waited for an ambulance. A good Samaritan took off her shirt to cover him; she recounted that some of his last words were: I want everybody on the train to know, I love them. He died soon after arriving at the hospital.
PRINCETON, N.J.  Few American institutions have a history of exclusion quite like Princeton Universitys.

Its president in the late 19th century, Francis Landey Patton, called it the finest country club in America. F . Scott Fitzgerald made the line more literary and more famous: the pleasantest country club in America. Woodrow Wilson, another Princeton president, became a national figure during his effort to break open the colleges elite eating clubs. He failed.

And the muckraking journalist Upton Sinclair described Princeton as the most perfect school of snobbery in America with few Jews and no Negroes. Into the 1950s, some entering classes included not a single African-American.

This history (from Jerome Karabels book, The Chosen) makes the recent developments here all the more remarkable. It also makes them a lesson for how other American institutions can respond to a central challenge of our time: the hardening of class divisions and a widespread stagnation in living standards.
One of the major goals of tax reform is to reduce the opportunities for savvy taxpayers to game the system. But if President Trump and House Republicans have their way, we will have a new contender for the tax codes largest loophole: a new special cap on the tax rate for so-called pass-through business income.

Proponents say that such a cap will benefit small businesses, but in reality, it will overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy. Tax experts on the left and right, including those who generally support business tax cuts, agree that it is a terrible idea. But with support for it in the White House and on Capitol Hill, it might well become law.

Pass-throughs are businesses that do not pay taxes but instead report their taxable profits to their owners, who then pay tax on their share of the profits. (Limited-liability companies, or L.L.C.s, are a common example of a pass-through.)

This sounds technical, but the implications are huge, providing a big tax advantage over C corporations, like Ford or CVS, which pay corporate income taxes and whose shareholders pay a second layer of tax when the corporation pays dividends or its shareholders realize a gain.
LONDON  The revelation that Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law, attempted to create a secret back channel to the Russian government in December has led to a feeding frenzy in the media. Yet there is nothing wrong per se with governments having a secret channel to an enemy. Most successful diplomatic negotiations are built on a secret initial phase. Think of the Iran nuclear talks and the Cuba negotiations under the last United States administration, both of which were begun through secret channels.

I have spent the decade since I left public service constructing such channels between other governments and armed groups with the aim of ending civil wars. This is based on my experience in Northern Ireland, where I was the British governments chief negotiator. The British government had a secret back channel to the Irish Republican Army from 1972 onward, even though Britain was fighting the I.R.A. throughout the quarter-century that followed. This secret channel played a crucial role in bringing about a cease-fire in 1975, the end of the first hunger strike in 1980 and, crucially, the 1994 cease-fire and peace talks under Prime Minister John Major. (The brave Catholic businessman who was the channels key conduit, Brendan Duddy, died about three weeks ago.)

Democratic governments use such secret channels because it is very hard to be seen talking to people who are murdering your citizens. Unless you talk to the men with guns and offer them a political way forward, however, they are unlikely to stop fighting.

Governments go to great lengths to disguise what they are doing. Mr. Major stood up in the House of Commons and said he would never talk to the I.R.A., that it would turn his stomach to do so. At the same time, he was corresponding secretly with the I.R.A. leader Martin McGuinness  and thank goodness he was, or there would have been no peace. When the I.R.A. leaked the correspondence in 1993 after that interaction, the Northern Ireland secretary at the time, Patrick Mayhew, was terrified that he would have to resign for lying to Parliament. Instead, he won support from both government and opposition benches for what he had done.
On todays episode:

 Matt Apuzzo tells the story of Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel appointed to investigate ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, and a man seen as beholden to no one.

 Of all the congressional investigations into Russian interference in the election, the most influential is overseen by the Senate Intelligence Committee, which has eight Republican members and seven Democrats. Carl Hulse identifies the four Republican members who he believes could sway the outcome of the committees investigation.

Background reading:

 Michael D. Shear on Mr. Muellers reputation for independence.

 Mr. Hulse on the four senators to watch in the Trump-Russia investigation.

Tune in, and tell us what you think. Email us at thedaily@nytimes.com. Tweet me at @mikiebarb. And if that isnt enough, we can even text.

How do I listen?

If you dont see an audio player on this page or to subscribe to The Daily for free, follow the instructions below.
As traditional retail stores close and vacancies mount, landlords across the country appear newly receptive to leases as short as a week, eschewing the typical 10-year time frame, even in locations that once shunned limited stays.

The upswing in pop-up stores, as the short-term placements are called, is playing out in all sorts of ways, and in all sorts of places  including dark malls, former grocery stores and shuttered art galleries, according to real estate brokers, landlords and tenants.

For retailers, the stores can offer lower rents and far less commitment. For the landlords, the reason is just as clear: A short-term tenant is better than no tenant at all.

Landlords have their backs against the wall right now, said Samantha Elias, the co-founder of the Vintage Twin, a secondhand clothing company whose stores frequently pop up in Manhattan. I tell them that some money is better than no money, and I promise not to bother you.
That leaves Amazon  which accounted for 43 cents of every dollar spent online in the United States last year, according to Slice Intelligence  with a lot of room to grow. Some analysts say its gains could be especially large in the coming years as more physical retailers close stores and file for bankruptcy.

For any stock analyst trying to find growth and return on investment in the retail sector today, theyre clearly putting money into Amazon because thats where they anticipate the growth coming from, said Cooper Smith, an analyst at L2, a retail research firm.

Ty Rogers, an Amazon spokesman, declined to comment. The stock closed at $996.70 on Tuesday, up 0.09 percent.

Amazon has also given investors reason to believe it is not content to remain simply an e-commerce giant. Through its Amazon Web Services business, it is now the largest provider of cloud computing services in the world. It stands to benefit for many years as hundreds of billions of dollars in information technology spending shifts from traditional purchases of hardware and software to effectively renting them in the data centers.

Because profit margins in cloud computing are wider than those in the retail business, Amazon, which had only a passing familiarity with profits over most of its life, is now consistently in the black.

After an embarrassing smartphone venture, Amazon demonstrated that it, too, could stay ahead of important changes in consumer technology with the invention of Echo, a voice-activated speaker powered by an artificially intelligent assistant called Alexa. Although the company says little about sales of the devices, other than that tens of millions have been sold, Alexa appears to be emerging as a significant new technology platform, and Amazons strategy is being widely imitated by rivals.
Some of Mr. Shafirs work, described with the Harvard economist Sendhil Mullainathan in the book Scarcity, suggests that poverty consumes much of the cognitive bandwidth we need to be successful at other life tasks. In experiments, theyve shown that people who are asked to think about financial problems  or who experience financial strain  perform worse on spatial and reasoning tasks. Poverty, they argue, exacts a mental tax akin to lowering a persons IQ.

And those mental costs have a way of reinforcing poverty. If youre worried about eviction, you may forget a doctors appointment; if youre preoccupied with how to pay the bills, you may be worse at making other decisions. That is a very different thing, however, from saying that people who dont have the right attitude remain poor.

Mr. Evanss work suggests that the kind of chronic stress experienced by many children growing up in poverty may damage the parts of the brain where researchers believe functions like working memory reside.

Other related research disputes the idea that public assistance undermines attributes like motivation, another common argument of welfare critics like Paul Ryan and Mr. Carson (he has also said that public housing shouldnt be too comfortable, lest it induce long-term dependency). Studies of the poor have consistently shown that income much more strongly predicts life outcomes like educational attainment than time spent on welfare does.

Yet another strand of evidence says that the context of where people live, well beyond stressful environments in their homes or neighborhoods, shapes their chances of escaping poverty. One large recent study, led by the Stanford economist Raj Chetty, showed that poor children face very different odds of scaling the income ladder  of achieving the Ben Carson story  depending on where they grow up. Poor children in Montgomery, Ala., for example, are less likely than poor children in San Francisco to reach the middle and upper class as adults.

Looking at an interactive Upshot map done in conjunction with Mr. Chetty, its hard to argue that the right mind-set is what really matters. It just so happens that everybody born in Montgomery has the wrong attitude? Mr. Shafir said. Thats just absurd.
Good morning.

(Want to get California Today by email? Heres the sign-up.)

Todays introduction comes to us from Jennifer Medina, a national correspondent based in Los Angeles.

If I had a million dollars ...

In California, that may or may not buy you a house.

Sales of $1 million homes in the state in the first part of the year are at a high, according to a new report from CoreLogic, a data company that tracks economic trends across the country.

The report refers to $1 million homes as luxury homes, but in many California markets that price tag is hardly enough for a move-in-ready three bedroom. And on the flip side, the report also found that home sales for less than $500,000 were at an all-time low in the first quarter of 2017.

The report is just the latest sign that the states pricey housing stock is increasingly out of reach for many middle-class would-be buyers.
Considering that last year was horrific, Im not sure exactly how much it says that it was better this year, said the Rev. Ira Acree, who leads a church in a West Side neighborhood that has regularly been pummeled by gun violence. But the numbers were down, and that is definitely worth something.

Mr. Acree said he was grateful for the new police tactics. Any type of preventive measure from the police  youve got to be willing to do it, he said. These are real lives were talking about.

Among those lives affected over the weekend: A 15-year-old was shot in the back around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday on the citys West Side when a gray sedan drove up and someone inside started firing. A 20-year-old who had severe vision problems was shot in the head and killed after playing basketball at his favorite South Side park. And in the hours before dawn on Monday, two men riding along an expressway here were shot and wounded by gunfire from another vehicle  a pattern the police have seen rise in recent years along some of the citys busiest thoroughfares.

On Tuesday, Chicago Police officials said that while no level of violence was acceptable, they were pleased that shootings had declined. I think were trending down over all, Kevin Navarro, the first deputy superintendent, said.

Beyond a single holiday weekend, some officials say they see modest signs of improvement in recent weeks. As of Tuesday, the city had seen 235 homicides in 2017, about a 4 percent decrease from the same period a year ago. The number of shootings in Chicago has dropped by more than 14 percent, though that remains well above the counts in the nations two larger cities, Los Angeles and New York.
Even as some cities in the South are dismantling Confederate memorials that leaders say celebrate a shameful past, at least one is eager to host a statue that its leader calls an important historical marker.

On Monday, a crowd of hundreds gathered to celebrate a Confederate monuments new home in Brandenburg, Ky., where it was moved after it was disassembled in November and taken away from its original site near the University of Louisville campus, about 45 miles away.

As a small group of protesters looked on, holding signs with messages such as celebrate freedom, not slavery, others were dressed in replica uniforms of Confederate soldiers and waving battle flags.

Brandenburgs mayor, Ronnie Joyner, said in a phone interview on Tuesday that he estimated between 400 and 500 people had attended a dedication ceremony, which took place at a city park overlooking the Ohio River. He said he was unconcerned about any controversy the work might attract, and defended its historical value, saying that the monument would be placed in its proper context in Brandenburg.
A man who was arrested and charged with failing to pay his fare on a Minnesota light rail train is facing deportation after undergoing what the authorities described as inappropriate questioning about his immigration status by a transit police officer.

The encounter, which took place in Minneapolis on May 14, was captured on a video that was posted to Facebook on May 19. In it, an officer approaches the man, identified in a police report as Ariel Vences-Lopez, 23, and requests his name and state identification.

Are you here illegally? the officer asks.

A bystander who appears to be the person filming the interaction asks whether he or other transit police officers are authorized to act as immigration authorities.

The officer shrugs, and replies, No, not necessarily.

According to the Metro Transit Police Departments incident report, an officer identified as Andy Lamers also used a Taser on Mr. Vences-Lopez, an action not captured in the 35-second video, after he refused orders to sit.
Analyses of recent North Korean flight tests and missiles paraded through the streets of Pyongyang suggest that the North may also be seeking to develop maneuverable warheads. Such a tactic, if successfully developed, would help warheads dodge antimissile interceptors.

For that reason, President Barack Obama ordered in 2014 that the traditional missile defenses be supplemented by a covert program intended to sabotage launches before they happen. That program includes electronic warfare attacks, but it is unclear how successful it has been. Experts say that a combination of that left of launch sabotage, so called because it comes before or just as a missile launches, and right of launch interception of airborne missiles, the kind practiced on Tuesday, represent the best chance of protecting the United States.

Efforts to test the countrys multibillion-dollar efforts at missile defense have had mixed results. A Pentagon report in January criticized the long-range system, saying that it demonstrates a limited capability to defend the U.S. homeland from small numbers of medium- and long-range missiles launched from North Korea or Iran.

In nine of the 17 tests of the system since 1999, the target missile was not destroyed, officials said. Critics of the system say the test record has not improved over time, as would be expected for a system that is maturing. And the tests have still not been done under realistic conditions, Laura Grego, a physicist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, wrote in a blog post on Monday.

Ms. Grego and other scientists argue that only when the system is tested in a range of situations  such as at night, or when an adversary is using countermeasures  would the Defense Department be able to say that it works.

Tuesdays test was launched from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Because the location was known and the approximate time of the launch was planned, the interceptor was ready  which might not be the case under real conditions.
WASHINGTON  They are a disparate foursome: the chambers leading Republican centrist, a minister who embraces public service as a calling, a seasoned dealmaker and a high-profile presidential contender.

These four Republican senators  Susan Collins of Maine, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Roy Blunt of Missouri and Marco Rubio of Florida  are emerging as a bloc integral to the Senate Intelligence Committees investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

The investigation is widely considered the premier inquiry, the one with the necessary jurisdiction and the best chance of producing a credible outcome. These four senators loom large as a crucial element in getting there.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of police officers who had been sued for using excessive force and an immigrant who had faced deportation for statutory rape. The justices also agreed to decide whether Ohio had been too aggressive in purging its voter rolls.

Excessive Force

In a unanimous decision, the justices ruled that an appeals court had used the wrong standard in sustaining a $4 million judgment against two Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies.

The case arose from a confrontation in 2010. The deputies, searching for a criminal suspect, entered a shack without a warrant while its two occupants were napping. When one of them, Angel Mendez, picked up a BB gun, the deputies shot him and his pregnant companion, Jennifer Garcia. They suffered serious injuries, and part of Mr. Mendezs right leg was amputated.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco, assumed that the use of force by the deputies had been reasonable once they were inside the shack. But the court said the deputies could nonetheless be sued because they had provoked the confrontation by entering the shack without a warrant.
Jared Kushner sought a back channel of communications with the Kremlin, and spoke in December with the Russian ambassador to Washington, Sergey I. Kislyak.

At a fund-raising dinner in California, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Devin Nunes, joined Mr. Trump in dismissing the Russia investigation as a political exercise. Mr. Nunes had once headed the investigation for House Republicans but had to step aside after it was revealed that he was coordinating with the White House.

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, Mr. Nunes said at the April dinner.

Moscow not helping the denials.

President Trump may not be accepting media reports that his son-in-law sought a back channel to the Kremlin, but the Kremlin let it be known that the Russians would welcome one.

Russian state media jumped into the fray Tuesday with a tweet that might not be helpful to the presidents denials, saying that the foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, does want an open channel to work on cooling down the war in Syria.
WASHINGTON  Back from overseas and confronting an unforgiving political environment, President Trump appears increasingly isolated inside the White House, according to advisers, venting frustration over the performance of his staff and openly talking about shaking it up. But as he considers casting off old aides, Mr. Trump is finding it challenging to recruit new ones.

The disclosures from investigations stemming from Russian meddling in last years election  coupled with the presidents habit of undercutting his staff  have driven away candidates for West Wing jobs that normally would be among the most coveted in American politics, according to people involved in the search.

By the time the first change in what may be a broader shake-up was announced Tuesday, the White House was left without a replacement. Michael Dubke, the White House communications director, said he would step down, but four possible successors contacted by the White House declined to be considered, according to an associate of Mr. Trump who like others asked not to be identified discussing internal matters.

At the same time, talks with two former advisers, Corey Lewandowski and David N. Bossie, about joining the White House staff grew more complicated. Mr. Bossie, a former deputy campaign manager, signaled that he does not plan to join the staff, citing family concerns, one person close to the discussions said Tuesday. It was not clear what that might mean for Mr. Lewandowski, who was the campaign manager until being fired last summer but who has remained close to Mr. Trump.
WASHINGTON  President Trump will interview two more candidates for F.B.I. director on Tuesday as he resumes his search for a replacement for James B. Comey, who was dismissed earlier this month, the White House said.

Image Christopher Wray, then assistant attorney general, in 2005. Credit... Lawrence Jackson/Associated Press

Mr. Trump will meet with Christopher Wray, a former assistant attorney general overseeing the criminal division under President George W. Bush, and with John S. Pistole, a former deputy F.B.I. director who began under Mr. Bush and was later made director of the Transportation Security Administration under President Barack Obama.

Mr. Trump has been interviewing a number of candidates, but one of his leading choices, former Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut, pulled out of consideration after Democrats raised objections.
A group of students at Woodside Community School in Queens peered up at their teacher one morning this month, as she used an overhead projector to display a shape.

It looked like a basic geometry lesson one might find in any grade school, except for the audience: They were preschoolers, seated cross-legged on a comfy rug.

What attributes would tell me this is a square? asked the teacher, Ashley Rzonca.

A boy named Mohammed raised his hand, having remembered these concepts from a previous lesson. A square has four angles and four equal sides, he said.

As school reformers nationwide push to expand publicly funded prekindergarten and enact more stringent standards, more students are being exposed at ever younger ages to formal math and phonics lessons like this one. That has worried some education experts and frightened those parents who believe that children of that age should be playing with blocks, not sitting still as a teacher explains a shapes geometric characteristics.
MADISON, Wis.  A transgender student who identifies as male should be able to use the boys bathroom at his Wisconsin high school, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday.

The student, Ashton Whitaker, who will graduate from Tremper High School in Kenosha this week, first asked to use the boys bathroom as a sophomore. That set off a nearly yearlong legal battle with the school district.

In September, Judge Pamela Pepper of United States District Court granted Mr. Whitaker permission to use the boys bathroom at school, a ruling the school district appealed. On Tuesday, the second-to-last day of Mr. Whitakers senior year, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed that decision.

Mr. Whitakers lawyer, Ilona Turner, said that while the ruling applies only to her client, it sets precedent that a federal law prohibiting gender discrimination in public schools protects transgender people.
The United States had intended to release Mr. Noriega on parole in September 2007 after reducing his sentence by half for good behavior. But after a protracted extradition fight, he was sent to France in April 2010 for another trial on the money-laundering charges. Again he was convicted.

He was sentenced this time to seven years in prison in France, but he was eligible for parole much sooner than that. Panama requested his extradition, and after more legal tussling he was flown home in December 2011 to serve 20 years for the disappearances of political opponents in the 1980s.

Mr. Noriega is survived by his wife and three daughters, Lorena, Sandra and Thays Noriega.

While incarcerated in the United States, Mr. Noriega wrote Americas Prisoner: The Memoirs of Manuel Noriega (1997, with Peter Eisner). In the book, he expressed frustration over his captors. No one can avoid the judgment of history, he wrote. I only ask to be judged on the same scale of treachery and infamy of my enemies.

Yet in June 2015, in an interview in prison with Panamanian television, he was more conciliatory, leaving people, once again, to guess about the real Mr. Noriega.

I want to close the cycle of the military era as the last commander of that group, he said, asking for forgiveness.
BEIJING  Its a big journey for a little bottle, even one so potent in alcohol and symbolism.

The liquor bottle  whose label commemorates the 1989 crackdown on democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square in Beijing  made a monthslong trip around the world and arrived in Hong Kong days before the 28th anniversary of the killings on Sunday and one year after it was produced in Chengdu, in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan.

It was carried by hand, reportedly by a sympathetic Chinese official, from Chengdu to the Middle East and then by someone else to Paris, where it was mailed to Washington, arriving about four weeks ago, said Yang Jianli, a Chinese-born rights activist based in Washington who aided its passage around the world.

Finally, coming nearly full circle, the 450-milliliter bottle of baijiu, a fiery Chinese clear liquor, was carried to Hong Kong, a semiautonomous city that is part of China, by Andrew To, a local democracy advocate. Mr. To confirmed his part in the bottles travels in an interview. In Hong Kong, it is set to appear at a candlelight vigil on Sunday to memorialize the crackdown in Tiananmen Square, providing a new focal point for the event, Mr. Yang said.

Mr. Yang declined to identify the official who smuggled it out and asked that the Middle Eastern country that was the liquors first destination not be identified to protect the official.
NEW DELHI  A cyclone tore through parts of Bangladesh on Tuesday, destroying the homes of thousands of Rohingya refugees who had fled the violence in Myanmar over the last several years.

The authorities in the affected districts of Coxs Bazar and Chittagong evacuated 450,000 people before Cyclone Mora, officials said.

In the coastal border district of Coxs Bazar, where a majority of the Rohingya in Bangladesh live, more than 17,000 houses were destroyed and more than 35,000 were damaged, said Mohammad Ali Hossain, the deputy commissioner there. Four people were killed in the district, and 60 were injured. Officials in Chittagong said no casualties had been reported as of Tuesday afternoon.
Kabuls population growth is part natural and part born of a long conflict. Hundreds of thousands of people from the countryside were forced by earlier wars to flee to Pakistan and Iran, where they were introduced to better standards of living. Now back in Afghanistan, they prefer to live in the capital rather than return to their home villages. The relentless recent fighting in the provinces has also forced people to take to Kabul.

Drive into certain neighborhoods, and you will find them unrecognizable. Once, poppy palaces that had dozens of rooms were hastily built to be rented out to military contractors at ridiculously expensive prices. Now, new, modest apartment buildings are being erected, catering to a more sustainable urban economy.

For the informal dwellings up the mountains, like the ones in Joy Sheer, the Afghan government tries to provide at least basic security. Police checkpoints dot the neighborhood, and officers often make the steep climb multiple times a day to patrol and project a presence.
SEOUL, South Korea  President Moon Jae-in of South Korea ordered an investigation on Tuesday into why the Defense Ministry had failed to inform him that four additional launchers for a contentious American missile-defense battery had been brought into his country.

The United States hurried to deploy the antimissile system, called the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or Thaad, in late April despite protests from Mr. Moon, a presidential candidate at the time, who demanded that the deployment be delayed until after the new government in Seoul reviewed whether it was in the countrys best interest.

The presidents move came as tensions on the Korean Peninsula were rising. On Monday, Pyongyang launched what South Korean officials called a Scud-type missile that flew 280 miles before falling into waters near Japan. Hours after the missile test, two United States supersonic B-1B Lancer bombers conducted a drill over South Korea, the second such mission this month.

As a candidate, Mr. Moon had called for a parliamentary review of the Thaad system. Two interceptor-rocket launchers were first put in place in Seongju, 135 miles southeast of Seoul, during the April deployment, although a Thaad battery normally operates with six launchers. Mr. Moon had accused both Washington and the government of the impeached President Park Geun-hye of trying to make the Thaad deployment a fait accompli.
JAKARTA, Indonesia  In Indonesia, a public figure caught up in a scandal involving pornography or an extramarital affair would usually expect to be denounced by the Islamic Defenders Front, an influential hard-line Muslim organization.

This week, however, the public figure at the center of a scandal is Rizieq Shihab  leader of the Islamic Defenders Front.

The Indonesian police said on Monday that Mr. Rizieq would be charged with violating Indonesias pornography laws, weeks after screen captures emerged of sexually explicit text messages, purportedly between Mr. Rizieq and a woman who is not his wife.

Mr. Rizieq has denied that the text messages are real, and many of his supporters contend that he was framed by the Indonesian government. His Islamist movement rattled the government this year by leading a successful campaign to prosecute on blasphemy charges Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian and an ally of President Joko Widodos who until recently was governor of Jakarta.
He has given fits to Frances established parties on the right and the left, poaching personalities for his government from the first and advancing a Socialist-unfriendly agenda destabilizing to the second. Improbably, he will most likely win a parliamentary majority in Junes elections, though skeptics doubted he could even assemble enough candidates for his new party.

The early impression is a marked contrast to the downbeat, relatively informal style of his predecessor, Francois Hollande, derided for his little jokes, chattiness with the media and desire to be a normal president. Mr. Macron is not chatty, keeps the media at a distance, does not tell jokes and is anything but a normal politician, or president.

Instead, he came close to humiliating Mr. Putin to his face, about chemical weapons in Syria on Monday, in the deliberately chosen grandiose setting of Versailles. In the news conference Saturday after the Group of 7 meeting in Sicily, he spoke fluently and off-the-cuff on topics like Libya and African development, without Mr. Hollandes customary hems, haws and little smiles.

Mr. Macron projected assertiveness, telling reporters, for instance, that he had insisted to Mr. Trump how indispensable it was for Americas reputation that he stick to the Paris climate agreement.

Otherwise, Mr. Macrons public declarations have been sparse.

Its been very presidential. You can see him totally assuming the job, the verticality of the job  the French presidency as a top-down operation, with the man at the top giving the orders  and putting a certain distance between himself and the press, said Laurent Bouvet, a political scientist at the University of Versailles.
Then there were the Dutch.

Riding a wave of euroskeptic fervor that was sweeping the Continent, populists in the Netherlands used the prospect of closer ties with Ukraine to highlight what they characterized as the folly of European Union policies. Europe, they said, was needlessly becoming entwined with a deeply corrupt, economic basket case already in a state of conflict, and Dutch taxpayers would find themselves on the hook.

The populists gathered enough momentum to force a national referendum, which they won in April 2016 with a low turnout.

Even though that vote was nonbinding, Prime Minister Mark Rutte was forced to seek written assurances from other European leaders to help ensure passage through his countrys Parliament and to placate voters who had opposed the agreement.

Among those assurances: The pact does not make Ukraine a candidate to join the European Union, and it does not commit the bloc to come to Ukraines defense.

Even so, the referendum left a poisonous legacy.

The campaign added up to a hugely effective attack on the E.U. that led to the agreement being halted for months and made the Netherlands look very bad  and, for a while, it even looked as if the deal wouldnt make it, and that would have been the ultimate foreign policy victory for Russia, said Sijbren de Jong, an analyst at The Hague Center for Strategic Studies.

For committed Europeans like Mr. Juncker, the Dutch vote signals the new state of affairs on the Continent. Populism, for now, seems to have peaked, and Russian meddling is no longer a secret. One of Europes most important foreign policy priorities  to draw in former Soviet republics and set them on a path toward adoption of Western political and economic standards  is bruised but intact.

Mr. Juncker said on Tuesday that he wanted the deal to be finalized in time for a summit meeting in mid-July between the European Union and Ukraine.
ISTANBUL  Two Kurdish German men accused of helping to kill their sister in 2005 because of her Western lifestyle were acquitted Tuesday in a Turkish court, in the latest failed attempt to prosecute them in a case that became a benchmark for cultural tensions between Turkey and Germany.

The sister, Hatun Surucu, 23, was killed at a Berlin bus stop when her youngest brother fired three bullets into her head. The brothers said the familys honor had been offended because she divorced the man her family had forced her to marry at age 16 and then began dating and refused to wear a head scarf.

Though her family is ethnically Kurdish, and originally from Turkey, Ms. Surucu was born and raised in Germany. Her murder, after a series of similar so-called honor killings of Muslim women in Germany, sent shock waves through the country.

Some seized on the case to further their arguments that conservative Muslims are incompatible with secular German society, and it reflected more broadly on relations between Turkey and Germany at a time when some Europeans were arguing against allowing Turkey to join the European Union because of civil rights issues.
Mrs. May, who prides herself on a straight-talking veracity and a more compassionate form of conservatism than the other Iron Lady, has come under criticism for a series of U-turns.

She vowed she would not call an early election and then did just that. She supported Britains remaining in the European Union, yet is now overseeing its departure. She has been criticized for backtracking from new plans to finance care for older people, even as she has portrayed herself as the champion of those just about managing to get by.

The song Liar, Liar is the work of Captain Ska, a politically fueled ensemble of London-based session musicians who came to national prominence in 2010 with the first version of Liar, Liar. That was aimed at the austerity policies of the coalition government of Prime Minister David Cameron. The band was founded by Jake Painter and the song is being promoted by an organization called the Peoples Assembly Against Austerity.

We all know politicians like telling lies. Big ones, little ones, porky pies. Saying theyre strong and stable wont disguise. Were still being taken for a ride, go the songs lyrics, which take Mrs. May to task for cutting spending on education, the National Health Service and the police. They continue: Nurses going hungry, schools in decline, I dont recognize this broken country of mine.

Proponents of the song have accused some broadcasters of censorship for not playing the song, including the BBC. The BBC said it would not be playing the song because of editorial guidelines requiring the broadcaster to remain impartial during elections.
The details are eerily familiar: a family outing, a suicide bomber, more than a dozen people  many of them children  killed in an attack later claimed by the Islamic State.

An explosion early Tuesday at an ice cream parlor in Baghdad shared many of the same heart-wrenching characteristics of last weeks attack at an arena in Manchester, England. And that was just the start of the violence on Tuesday in a city where these kinds of terrorist attacks have actually been on the decline this year.

First, the Islamic State targeted the popular Al Faqma shop in the central Karrada neighborhood of Baghdad, where families had gathered to celebrate iftar and break their daylong fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
June 12 marks the 50th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, the landmark Supreme Court decision that invalidated state laws that restricted interracial marriage. While interracial weddings have been on the rise, only 10 percent of married people had a spouse of a different race or ethnicity.

We'd like to hear from couples in mixed-race marriages about their experiences.

We may contact you to hear more about your story. Some may be featured in our upcoming coverage of the case.
Ohio State University

By MACKENZIE GIGNAC

Helina Solomon, 19

World politics major from Columbus, Ohio

In the spring, the stresses of college became almost too much for Helina to handle. But she could not turn to her parents, she said, because they never had to deal with a college workload.

I was thinking, Why am I here? What am I doing? she said. I am the first person in my family to go to university, why am I feeling this way? Its really selfish of me to feel this way. I tried explaining to it my parents, and they were like: What are you talking about? You need to work harder. The emotional side is something that first-generation students have to deal with by themselves because there might not be someone that can understand them.

But these same expectations also helped her to push through the tough times.

She is graduating for myself and my family, she said. A big motivation in getting through those hard times, or whenever I break down because school is too hard for me, is that someone is expecting me to graduate, to cheer me on. Thats a nice thing to have.

_____________________________________________



Kimothy Wu, 22

Strategic communications student from Pretoria, South Africa

Kimothy transferred to Ohio State after one year at a South African university. One of her biggest difficulties has been explaining the work-play balance at American universities to her Taiwanese parents.

Some things my parents dont get is the social aspect and going out to parties, Kimothy said. Theyll be like Why bother if it doesnt affect your grades? And they dont get that just going and socializing and meeting people, that whole part of college life is what you do. My parents, they are so much more willing to sacrifice the quality of life so long as it brings in money for the family. I respect that because I wouldnt be able to go to school without that. But I sometimes feel bad because sometimes Ill choose to go out over studying or working.

Kimothy said she felt guilty, but had given herself permission to enjoy life.

So, sometimes I really wouldnt just study, because I feel like I need to just chill, she said. I need to just hang with my friends. But for me, its me being happy that is very important.
These new great men are great because of what makes them similar to the mass --a kind of crude common sense, brutality, and lack of culture. The handling of affairs may make then admirably cunning and remarkably good at the practice of politics. But to maintain their prestige and power, they must also maintain their lack of culture and brutality. They must remain primitives.

Jean Guehenno, Diary of the Dark Years, 1940-1944: Collaboration, Resistance, and Daily Life in Occupied Paris

Dark blue signs appeared on so many lawns. Trump/Pence.

"I just grab them by"." "When you're a star, they let you do it."

As I rode pass one lawn after and another, I thought those signs could have read: Whites Only!

Here, in Trump's Kenosha, otherwise known as America's Kenosha, I sit on a seat in the front of the bus. I walk on whatever side of the street suits me. I shop or eat at any store or restaurant downtown. Whites speak to me, and I speak to them. While the calendar indicates this is 2017, I am sure Rosa Parks would be familiar with the status quo here in the heartland of America. In other words, she would recognize white supremacy not only in the war chants of Richard Spencer and his ilk. But more important, Rosa would recognize the way Black Americans are still expected to inhabit a certain place and to do so in a certain way so as to acknowledge allegiance to the supremacy of whiteness.

When I saw all those "Trump/Pence" signs, I recalled those first few weeks when I arrived at a new campus and a new state. I had taught for over ten years by this time. A white colleague and I stood in a hallway at the university here watching predominantly white students walking to and from their classes. They are unsophisticated. I heard her in this noisy hallway, but I did not ask for an explanation. Instead, I felt as if I were miles away from her and these students. I looked closer at the students. They did not see me! I was somewhere where these young white people did not see me! And when they did, they looked down at the top of my head. Lessons from home mattered! Soon I realized the phrase referenced what was no longer contained as something local. After September 11, 2001, when the narrative of the patriotic full-fledged American made my critical critique of American politics and culture suspect and anti-American that same colleague informed me that I "didn't fit it." And this phenomena was neither local or personal either.

Creating a space for the normalization of white supremacy has been the objective of neo-liberalism's "diversity" schemes. The product of a liberal imagination fearful of losing political and economic gains, these diversity programs serve to legitimize an acceptable method for determining what guise white supremacy should adopt, particularly at American institutions of higher education. The diversity scheme is no more than re-imagined white spaces, with a few good, carefully selected, Blacks, who, in turn, understand and accept their position as the minority in the space that whites only controlled. While the one hand whitewashed progress, the other blackened the space were political policies incarcerated and impoverished the unfortunate Blacks for whom "diversity" programming was never intended to recognize as anything but the Other, that is, the "criminal."

I have not owned a television for over ten years now and rarely watched it when I did. But, in recent months, I have viewed few 1970s American television programming on DVD. Black America is present and alive! For example, in the Columbo series (1971-1978), when Lt. Columbo arrives at a crime scene, he is seen asking Black law enforcement important question. Black reporters ask him important questions. Look in the background! Black doctors, nurses, patients, and visitors pass Columbo in the hospital halls. Blacks are present as doctors in McMillan and Wife (1971-1977) or as patients in M.A.S.H (1972-1983). We are shoppers and pedestrians walking or driving on the streets of San Francisco or we are the administrative assistants in New York offices. Matter-of-fact! Unapologetic! Even in the white films, such as All the President's Men, (1976), we are not the criminal or the drug user but the natural-wearing clerk Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, portraying the Washington Post reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, ask for indexed information at the Library of Congress, no less!

Maybe it was "just a fashion."

By 1983, in The Big Chill, star actors in a seriously all-white Hollywood production muse about whether or not it was all just fashionable. The it refers to their time perhaps marching against the Vietnam War or marching for the Black Civil Rights. Was it all just fashion? Rather than educate, the film entertains at the expense of those referred to as the criminal, the "guilty."

Set in a spacious mansion in the South, the characters (a successful businessman and his wife, a doctor, a lawyer, a television actor, a People m agazine journalist, and an "outsider") are alumni of the University of Michigan. One of their friends from the college committed suicide, even though it appears as if he might have been a "scientific genius"--doing "what the hell," "welfare" work! What a "wasted" life! "He didn't know what to do." Maybe Alex died for most us "a long time ago?" The outsider's observation hits a collective nerve: " Oh, Nick, give me a break!"

What has happened to you! What is wrong with you!

The friends never answer the first question: was it all just fashionable? In fact, the question is dropped as soon as the lawyer informs her friends that she had to escape her clients: she had no idea they would be so "guilty." "Who did you think your clients would be?" To which another responds: "Huey and Bobby!"

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On November 20, 2015, two jihadi militants attacked the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, Mali, seizing about 100 hostages and "leaving bodies strewed across the building." When it was over, 22 people (including the attackers) had been killed. As the New York Times reported:

Mali has been crippled by instability since January, 2012, when rebels and Al Qaeda-linked militants -- armed with the remnants of late Libyan leader Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi's arsenal -- began advancing through the country's vast desert in the north and capturing towns.

Not much has been made in American and Western media of this attack. Most of the dead were Malians, Russians, and Chinese--and, hey, it was in Africa; sh*t happens. Especially there. How many people reading this even remember that it happened? Follow-up analysis? It was Africa. That kind of coverage. (I did post about it at the time, making many points that unfortunately bear repeating here.)

Last Monday, jihadi suicide bomber Salman Abedi blew himself up at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, killing 22 people. Salman grew up in an anit-Qaddafi Libyan immigrant family. In 2011, his father, Ramadan Abedi, along with other British Libyans (including one who was under house arrest), "was allowed to go [to Libya], no questions asked," to join the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), an al-Qaeda-affiliate, to help overthrow Qaddafi. In Manchester, As Max Blumenthal puts it, in his excellent Alternet piece, it was all "part of the rat line operated by the MI5, which hustled anti-Qaddafi Libyan exiles to the front lines of the war." In Manchester, Salman lived near a number of LIFG militants, including an expert bomb maker. This was a tough bunch, and everybody--including the cops and Salman's Muslim neighbors--knew they weren't the Jets and the Sharks. As Middle East Eye reports, he "was known to security services," and some of his acquaintances "had reported him to the police via an anti-terrorism hotline."

Could it be any clearer? The Abedi family was part of a protected cohort of Salafist proxy soldiers that have been used by "the West" to destroy the Libyan state. There are a number of such cohorts around the world that have been used for decades to overthrow relatively prosperous and secular, but insufficiently compliant, governments in the Arab and Muslim world--and members of those groups have perpetrated several blowback attacks in Western countries, via various winding roads. In this case, the direct line from Libya to Mali to Manchester is particularly easy to trace.

Too bad more people in Britain and the West hadn't paid attention to what happened in Mali two years ago. Too bad they hadn't thought too much about the chain of jihadi proxy interventions that the United States and its allies, or about the connection with the chain of jihadi attacks in Western countries. Too bad they hadn't recognized the continuing arrogance of the Western (U.S./NATO) and Middle Eastern (Gulf, Israel) powers who think they can unleash and re-leash these jihadi fighters at will. Too bad they don't understand the contradiction between mourning the bombing of Manchester and crying for the bombing of Syria.

Too bad the Western (i.e., American-directed) media don't provide what would be necessary to understand these things: ongoing coverage and analysis of the obvious relation between the continuing series of horrors perpetrated by jihadi militants and the continuing series of horrors perpetrated by Western and allied governments. It's a good bet nobody will have forgotten the Manchester bombing two years from now. It was in merry old England, after all and many of the victims were beautiful British girls. It's also a good bet that the media analysis will continue to have everyone scratching their heads about why these death-loving Muslims hate us so much. That kind of coverage.

The jihadi attackers in Mali and the jihadi bomber in Manchester were direct products--not accidental by-products, but deliberately incubated prote'ge's--of American-British-French-NATO regime change in Libya, a project that was executed by the Obama administration and spearheaded by Hillary Clinton.

Before the glorious revolution, Libya under Ghaddafi had the highest standard of living of any country in Africa, according to the UN Human Development Index. Before the jihadi onslaught backed by NATO bombing campaign, Ghaddafi's Libya was an anchor of stability in North Africa, as even the U.S. and British governments knew and acknowledged, per a 2008 cable from American foreign service officer Christopher Stevens, published by Wikileaks:

Libya has been a strong partner in the war against terrorism and cooperation in liaison channels is excellent" Muammar al-Qadhafi's criticism of Saudi Arabia for perceived support of Wahabi extremism, a source of continuing Libya-Saudi tension, reflects broader Libyan concern about the threat of extremism. Worried that fighters returning from Afghanistan and Iraq could destabilize the regime, the [government of Libya] has aggressive pursued operations to disrupt foreign fighter flows, including more stringent monitoring of air/land ports of entry, and blunt the ideological appeal of radical Islam.

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This article was first published on World Beyond War.

Top Russian officials are concerned that a bill passed by the US Congress will do more than increase sanctions on North Korea. Moscow claims H.R. 1644 violates its sovereignty and constitutes an "act of war."

On May 4, 2017, House Resolution 1644, the innocently named "Korean Interdiction and Modernization of Sanctions Act," was quickly passed by the US House of Representatives by a vote of 419-1 -- and it was just as quickly labeled an "act of war" by a top Russian official.

Why was Konstantin Kosachev, chair of the Russian Senate's Foreign Affairs Committee, so alarmed about a US law ostensibly aimed at North Korea? After all, there had been no blistering partisan debate preceding the vote. Instead, the bill was handled under a "suspension of the rules" procedure usually applied to noncontroversial legislation. And it passed with only one dissenting vote (cast by Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky).

So what did H.R. 1644 call for? If enacted, the bill would amend the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 to increase the president's powers to impose sanctions on anyone in violation of certain United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding North Korea. Specifically, it would allow for expanding sanctions to punish North Korea for its nuclear weapons programs by: targeting overseas individuals who employ North Korean "slave labor"; requiring the administration to determine whether North Korea was a state sponsor of terrorism and, most critically; authorizing a crackdown on North Korea's use of international transit ports.

H.R. 1644 Targets Foreign Ports and Air Terminals

What caught the eye of Russian critics was Section 104, the part of the bill that presumed to grant the US "inspection authorities" over shipping ports (and major airports) far beyond the Korean Peninsula -- specifically, ports in China, Russia, Syria, and Iran. The bill identifies more than 20 foreign targets, including: two ports in China (Dandong and Dalian and "any other port in the People's Republic of China that the President deems appropriate"); ten ports in Iran (Abadan, Bandar-e-Abbas, Chabahar, Bandar-e-Khomeini, Bushehr Port, Asaluyeh Port, Kish, Kharg Island, Bandar-e-Lenge, Khorramshahr, and the Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport); four facilities in Syria (the ports at Latakia, Banias, Tartous and the Damascus International Airport) and; three ports in Russia (Nakhodka, Vanino, and Vladivostok). Under the proposed law, the US Secretary of Homeland Security could use the National Targeting Center's Automated Targeting System to search any ship, plane, or conveyance that has "entered the territory, waters, or airspace of North Korea, or landed in any of the sea ports or airports of North Korea." Any vessel, aircraft, or vehicle found in violation of this US law would be subject to "seizure and forfeiture." House Bill Raises a Red Flag for Russia

"I hope [this bill] will never be implemented," Kosachev told Sputnik News, "because its implementation envisions a scenario of power with forced inspections of all vessels by US warships. Such a power scenario is beyond comprehension, because it means a declaration of war."

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Tonight we enter the festival that has come to mean standing again, each year, at Sinai. What does it mean for us to do this seriously, taking Torah deep into our lives, challenging ourselves to live by its deepest teachings?

What would it mean to bring Torah to bear within or upon one rich, powerful, and unjust Jew --- Jared Kushner?



Torah

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Through the last 2,000 years or so of Jewish history, generations of rabbis have defined themselves -- our selves -- as heirs of the Prophets, not of the priests. Heirs of the Prophetic commitment to challenge unjust and destructive behavior, to reinterpret Torah for the sake of renewing life as the world around us and within us changed.

When Jews lived in self-contained communities, social if not physical ghettos, that degree of social control was workable for the sake of life-giving, justice-living Torah. But as we -- for good reason! -- left such social ghettos, the ability of the rabbis or of the community as a whole to rebuke and end destructive and unethical behavior dwindled. So that lifts up the question: What could the Jewish community of today do about such behavior?

I want to lift up a perfect example of how Torah values are trampled underfoot even while the semblance of piety is claimed. A story of one man who at this moment holds great power and exemplifies in his own person the "kleptocracy" -- rule by thieves -- that now afflicts us:

His companies have used false and brutal behavior toward low-income people who are tenants and even former tenants of the Kushner-owned properties, to extract money from them that in fact they don't owe, ruining their families and their lives.

Since they can't afford the lawyers who could defend them, they sink deeper and deeper into debt, disaster, and despair.

It seems to me that this behavior by a very high-profile Jew who claims not only the ethnic identity but the religious conviction is exactly what my grandmother called a chillul hashem.

"Chillul," from the same root as "challil," the hollow flute, means hollowing-out -- in this case, hollowing out God's Name.. Since one of the mystics' metaphors for God is "Tree of Life," the "hollowing" is an especially powerful imagery.

A person who seems on the outside to be celebrating a living, thriving Sacred Tree of Life has hollowed out all the life-juice within.

The seemingly pious behavior of a seemingly pious Jew actually shatters Torah -- not in the private and self-contained way of a Jew who decides to eat pork; rather, in a way that shatters decency and justice in the public sphere, for many victims.

I urge you to see the article for yourself here.

Kushner's behavior teaches a vile version of what Judaism and the Jewish people are. When Jews lived in self-contained communities, such an ethical and religious violation could be confronted, rebuked, perhaps punished, even healed by repentant self-correction.

Now it is harder. But perhaps it is still possible. I recall the moment when a small group of rabbis in Northern California called themselves "the Redwood Rabbis." With help from The Shalom Center, they challenged a Jewish corporation-owner whose business was logging magnificent 2,000-year-old redwood trees to make paneling for rich people's basements. The corporation's own annual report said that redwood paneling without knots sold better, and it came only from ancient trees.

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Whistle

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Reprinted from www.counterpunch.org by Melvin Goodman

The Washington Post's schizoid approach toward whistleblowers continues unabated. On the one hand, its news staff has effectively used authoritative leaks to expose the bizarre and possibly illegal contacts between senior members of the Trump administration and high-level Russian officials. On the other hand, its editorial writers maintain an ugly campaign against U.S. officials who have kept the Post and the New York Times aware of the dangerous antics of Donald Trump and his senior staff. Post oped writer Michael Gerson has provided the latest example of the paper's criticism of those whistleblowers who allow investigative reporters to do their constitutionally-sanctioned job.

First of all, some background on Gerson. In January 2002, President George W. Bush told Gerson, his chief speechwriter, that the U.S. public had to be prepared for war. Gerson immediately instructed David Frum to "provide a justification for war" by linking the 9/11 attacks to Saddam Hussein. Gerson and Frum drafted the most memorable speech of the Bush presidency, the 2002 State of the Union address, which falsely linked North Korea, Iran, and Iraq in an "axis of evil" that threatened world peace. Frum's original draft referred to an "axis of hatred," but it was Gerson, an evangelical Christian, who substituted "evil" for "hatred" in order to pander to Bush's ideological orientation.

Last week, Gerson assaulted all whistleblowers in an oped column that pretended to explain "why leakers leak." In Gerson's world, leakers are "nut jobs" who are undermining the "authority of the institutions they serve." Or they are trying to "kneecap a rival." Or they are "embittered" and "want to look and feel important." Gerson conceded that there were circumstances where whistleblowing was justified, but even then he argued that such activity had to follow the "proper sequencing for such actions" after "normal processes fail."

Gerson believes that the United States has "regular-order processes" for whistleblowers, inanely citing a "special counsel and congressional investigations" as the proper vehicles for delivering information that would prevent "immediate and irreparable damage to the country." Gerson needs to be reminded that the investigation of Iran-Contra, which harmed the United States and violated U.S. laws, took more than six years and never resulted in the punishment of those senior officials responsible for serious crimes. Has Gerson forgotten the pardons issued by another president named Bush?

Fortunately, there was a whistleblower or truth-teller, as I like to call them, on display last week. Her name is Sally Yates, the former acting attorney general, who explained why leakers leak and why certain people are inclined to blow the whistle. In Yates's case, it was a surprising and crucial moment when "law and conscience intersected." Speaking to the graduating class at Harvard Law School on May 24, Yates explained that such "defining moments"don't come with advance warning" and don't come with the "luxury of a lot of time for you to go inside yourself for some serious introspection."

There have been other truth-tellers at crucial moments, such as Daniel Ellsberg and Edward Snowden, who have had the courage to inform the American people of illegal actions. Without whistleblowers, there would have been no way of learning about the torture and abuse conducted by the military at My Lai or Abu Ghraib or the CIA's torture and abuse at secret prisons. My own whistleblowing regarding the CIA's politicization of intelligence in the 1980s didn't allow for serious introspection. It was simply a decision to correct a wrong. Like Yates, I knew there would have been great regret over the long term if I hadn't acted.

Sadly, Gerson has joined a long line of conservative and so-called liberal writers at the Washington Post who have maligned every act of whistleblowing. Richard Cohen, who beat the drums for war against Iraq in 2003, called Chelsea Manning a "cross-dressing Little Red Riding Hood." Manning exposed war crimes in Iraq. Ruth Marcus referred to Snowden's "unattractive personality," and gratuitously maligned all whistleblowers as "the difficult ones, the sort who need to feel freer to speak out precisely because they don't fit in." David Ignatius, an apologist for the CIA for the past three decades, charged that Snowden was an "intelligence defector," not a whistleblower.

Gerson and his colleagues at the Post fail to understand that the government's oversight system is broken, and that it is often only the whistleblower who can inform the American public of transgressions in the field of national security that require greater scrutiny and debate. Nor does Gerson understand that whistleblowers know that they are taking a serious step and, in Snowden's case, even breaking the law. But they strongly believe that the crimes or transgressions they are exposing are more serious than the laws they are breaking.

If such sources cannot speak up, then key information will dry up and the nation as a whole will be the loser. We cannot allow the public to be told only those things that any administration, particularly a Trump administration, would like it to know.

Gerson concludes that leaking classified information is the "abrogation of a professional standard." He is legally and morally wrong! The most important duty of any public servant is to reveal the truth about misconduct. Sally Yates, like all public servants, took an oath to the U.S. Constitution, not to a U.S. president.
NOTE TO READERS: This is Part 1 of a two-part series titled "The REAL Trump Resistance: An Anti-Duopoly Occupy." Part 2, "Resist Duopoly--Because Judas's Party Can't Defeat Trump's" will explain how a campaign confronting Democrat politicians with the Democratic National Committee's "Judas argument" can launch the real anti-Trump resistance: a new, anti-duopoly Occupy movement.



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Normal Just Ain't Normal Anymore

Political hacks for the Democratic Party, as well as better-intentioned progressives hoping to reform it from within, frequently argue that under our U.S. political system, third parties simply cannot become viable.

While that argument holds for long stretches of U.S. history, it fatally ignores significant exceptions. But what it ignores above all is historical imagination: the insight that no human institution is permanent, and that sufficiently abnormal historical circumstances (best described as revolutionary ones) render a long-entrenched, seemingly unshakable system vulnerable to dramatic, virtually overnight overhaul.

Simply extrapolating from a long-enduring status quo has already proven lethal in economics. James Galbraith has convincingly argued this about the unquestioned dogma of endless economic growth in his book The End of Normal. From George W. Bush's presidency on, economists' success in predicting the U.S. (and global) economy's performance has almost directly tracked their rejection of their profession's orthodox consensus. Specifically, its groupthink dogma that post "' World War II growth rates constitute a stable "normal" to which, after brief hiccups, we should always expect the economy to return. By recognizing professionally pooh-poohed "snakes in the economic grass" like system-wide financial fraud and real-world resource scarcity--rather than extrapolating from a largely fictitious norm--the profession's marginalized heretics have proven its wisest prophets.

In politics, nothing could be more abnormal than the ascent of Donald Trump--a Guinness World Records champion for moral, intellectual, and experiential unfitness to lead a global superpower--to the Oval Office. With Trump at the helm, the days of predicting our political future (like our economic one) by extrapolating forward from some presumed normal are long since past . Rightly reviled intellectually as they were by leftist and rightist highbrows alike, lowbrow Republicans George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan at least had the substantial experiential qualification of having served as state governors; fellow lowbrow Trump can claim no political experience whatsoever. In that regard, he's the perfect, logical culmination of Republicans' utter, dangerous contempt for government. As political scientist Alan Wolfe brilliantly wrote, "Conservatives cannot govern well for the same reason that vegetarians cannot prepare a world-class boeuf bourguignon: If you believe that what you are called upon to do is wrong, you are not likely to do it very well."

In the dire emergency we face--just consider runaway climate change (whose very existence Republicans deny)--it's crucial that our boeuf bourguignon of good, democratic governance rapidly become a world-class one. Indeed, the need for world-class democratic governance--with heavy stress on the word democratic-- in the face of lawless global capitalism is the timely message of Naomi Klein's essential book This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate. Yet, with our need for good government at its utmost, extremist anti-government Republicans now dominate federal and state government. When even careful, respected (and far from radical) Congressional scholars like Mann andOrnstein document that extremism--"normal" is the worst imaginable standard for predicting the likely sequels of current U.S. politics.

But what really makes our times so exceptional--and therefore finally ripe for the emergence of a viable third party--is that Democrats, who should offer robust opposition, have purposely become the party of betrayal. Though Republicans themselves are fond enough of big government when it suits their aims (like, say, expanding the military), they remain scarily honest in their dangerous agenda of eliminating government services, regulation, and redistribution. If Democrats, when holding power, actually used that power as promised to benefit the majority, they'd be mopping the electoral floor with Republicans, just as they did under FDR. Instead, by deliberately governing ineffectively (except where their big donors are concerned) Democrats create the misleading impression that government itself is ineffective. Thereby validating Republicans' claim that government is the enemy--a claim unfortunately well anchored rhetorically in our nation's founding traditions.

Sadly, the low-tech, isolated agrarian society of our founders has little to teach a high-tech modern superpower facing lawless global corporations, record economic inequality, and onrushing climate apocalypse. Democrats' betrayal--their abdication of their claimed (and crucial) belief in government as an agent of good--has elevated criminally dangerous Republicans to power and made our era anything but normal. Thereby opening the door for something equally abnormal: a viable third party.

But first must come a movement. Or rather, a movement of movements a la Occupy.

Why Our Times Demand a New, Savvier Occupy (General Case)

Both general and specific circumstances cry out that our times demand a new Occupy-style grassroots movement. And specific developments since the first Occupy--above all, the repeated proofs Republicans and Democrats alike have given of their parties' moral and intellectual bankruptcy-- point to a savvier, more political Occupy focusing public consciousness on that bipartisan bankruptcy. Just as the original Occupy movement successfully focused public consciousness on the unjustifiable gap between the 99% and the 1%.

Indeed, only such public laser focus on the duopoly's moral and intellectual bankruptcy can break through the combined media propaganda, prejudicial ballot access, and debate rules, and citizen inertia that currently kill all prospects for viable third parties. The new anti-duopoly Occupy can--and must--honestly make the same TINA ("there is no alternative") case for creating a viable grassroots third party as dishonest Republicans have made for cutting Social Security and dishonest Democrats have for letting them. The difference is that the case for the duopoly's irreparable moral and intellectual bankruptcy, necessitating a grassroots third party, rests on overwhelming--and recent-- evidence.

But let's return to the general circumstances that make this election cycle ripe for a new Occupy. I'll treat the specific circumstances--the political developments since Occupy that make a new, savvier version of the movement both necessary and very likely to arise--under a separate heading.

By general circumstances, I mean precisely those circumstances that always call for political movements rather than business-as-usual reliance on elections. In his "oldie but goodie" book Political Action, activist political philosopher Michael Walser explained those circumstances well. Movement politics becomes essential when the usual mechanisms of electoral politics have no effect in getting needed action from politicians on issues crucial to the movement. Walser himself had been an activist against the Vietnam War, and the civil rights and feminist movements of that era had organized for similar reasons. What's crucially different now is the systemic corruption of our government by corporate and militarist interests--what I've elsewhere usefully termed "Wall Street and War Street"--guarantees that no issue opposed by those interests gets a fair hearing by politicians of either major party. So that what's now needed is not merely a movement devoted to a single group or issue, but a movement of movements embracing all the groups and interests stymied by bipartisan political corruption . As Occupy, by speaking for "the 99%," essentially was--and as the new anti-duopoly movement must consciously be.

Why Our Times Demand a New, Savvier Occupy (Specific Case)

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This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com.

You couldn't make this up, could you?

Just before President Trump's recent visit to Saudi Arabia, a genuinely despotic land with an extreme ideology and lacking elections, Iran's moderate president, Hassan Rouhani, was swept back into office. It was an exuberant election campaign in which he trounced a hardline fundamentalist opponent, winning 57% of the vote. Voter turnout was reportedly close to 73%, which, by the way, beat turnout in the 2016 American presidential election by about 18%.

In Riyadh, addressing an "Arab Islamic American summit," Trump had no words of sympathy or encouragement for any "victims" in Saudi Arabia. He was, however, little short of effusive on the Iranian "victims" who had just voted in that election. "The Iranian regime's longest-suffering victims," he said, "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." Undoubtedly with the hardships of the Iranian people in mind, he also came bearing a gift for the Saudis who now live with an increasingly brutal quagmire of a war in neighboring Yemen: $110 billion in shiny, "beautiful" new American weaponry of every sort and the implicit threat to Iran that some of those weapons might, in the future, be used against its military.

In response to the American presidential visit, Rouhani commented sardonically, "Mr. Trump arrived in the region at the time when he saw 45 million Iranians participating in the elections. Then he visited a country that I doubt knows the definition of elections. The poor things have never seen a ballot box." In what might be taken as a backhanded reference to Trump's 2016 campaign claims that the Saudis were behind the 9/11 attacks, he added, "I do not think the American people are ready to trade the lives they lost in September 11th with billions of dollars gained through weapons sales."

As it happens, from CIA Director Mike Pompeo to Secretary of Defense James Mattis, the Trump administration is filled with figures who seem to believe that, of all the countries in the Greater Middle East, Iran has the least in common with the United States and is the greatest threat to it. Back in 2010, when he was still head of U.S. Central Command, for instance, then-General Mattis reportedly responded to a query from President Obama about the top three threats in his vast area of responsibility by saying, "Number one: Iran. Number two: Iran. Number three: Iran." According to the Washington Post, before the White House reined him in, Mattis was also preparing to launch a "dead-of-night" attack on Iran to take out a power plant or an oil refinery (his idea of a measured response to Iranian-armed Iraqi Shiite militias then killing American soldiers). Little has seemingly changed since, except that Iran's unique evil and the dangers it poses to the U.S. have emerged as something of an ide'e fixe of the new president, not just his commanders.

Today, TomDispatchregular Army Major Danny Sjursen, author of Ghost Riders of Baghdad: Soldiers, Civilians, and the Myth of the Surge, explores the irrationality of Washington's thinking when it comes to Iran, an obsessive hysteria that could lead to yet another catastrophic American conflict in the Greater Middle East. Tom

America's Iran Hysteria

The Irrationality of Iran Vilification

By Danny Sjursen "Everywhere you look, if there is trouble in the region," Secretary of Defense James Mattis told reporters on a mid-April visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, "you find Iran." I must admit that when I stumbled across that quote it brought up uncomfortable personal memories. East Baghdad, January 25, 2007: my patrol had missed a turn and so we swung onto the next grimy avenue instead. As platoon leader, I rode shotgun in the second of our four vehicles, yakking away on the radio. The ensuing explosion rocked the senses: the sound, the blinding dust, and the smell -- a mix of burnt metal and, well... I still can't bring myself to describe it. Our lead HMMWV, a military utility vehicle, aimlessly swerved right and came to rest beside a telephone pole. Only then did the screams begin. The "cost" would be two wounded and two dead: my then-unborn son's namesakes, Specialist Michael Balsley and Sergeant Alexander Fuller. These were our first, but not last, fatalities. Nothing was ever the same again. I'm reminded of poet Dylan Thomas's line: "After the first death, there is no other." The local militia had shredded our truck with an advanced type of improvised explosive device that was then just hitting the streets of Baghdad -- an explosively formed projectile, or EFP. These would ultimately kill hundreds of American troops. Those EFPs and the requisite training to use them were provided to Iraqi militias by the Islamic Republic of Iran. It's a detail I'm not likely to forget. Still, there's one major problem with bold, sweeping pronouncements (laced with one's own prejudices) of the sort Secretary of Defense Mattis recently offered on Iran: they're almost always wrong. It's the essential flaw of "lumping" -- that is, of folding countless events or ideas into one grand theory. But, boy, does it sound profound! The truth is that Iran is simply not behind most of the turmoil in the Middle East, and until Washington's policymakers change their all-Iran-all-the-time mental model, they are doomed to failure. One thing is guaranteed: they are going to misdiagnose the patient and attack the wrong disease. Look, I'm emotionally invested myself. After all, I fought Iranian-trained militiamen, but a serious, workable national strategy shouldn't rely on such emotion. It demands a detached, rational calculus. With that in mind, perhaps this is the moment -- before the misdiagnosis sets in further -- to take a fresh look at the nature of America's thorny relationship with Iran and the Islamic Republic's true place in the pantheon of American problems in the Greater Middle East.

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Introduction: Major, draconian, cuts to health social services for the poor and presently not-so-poor are coming via the Trump Budget (which will be passed by the Republican congress in one form or another). There will be long-term consequences (like otherwise unnecessary deaths) which will be very hard to reverse down the road. Eventually, unrest will arise, and then . . .

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Trumpism." What does that mean? Well, as is well-known, it has different meanings at different levels of abstraction. At one level, it means governance "directed" by an individual who is remarkably poorly educated and at 70 shows no interest in moving beyond that state of (lack of) grace. At another it means governance by a remarkably rude and crude individual who has no trouble directing outwards everything from pique to anger in a remarkably uncontrolled manner. It means governance by someone who lives in an echo-chamber in terms of "getting the news" and calls everything that doesn't fit right into that echo chamber version of (non)-reality, "fake news." Related to the latter, it means governance by someone who tells and repeats falsehoods on a routine basis. But whether in this case they are "lies" depends upon whether the person telling them knows them to be untrue (the definition of a "lie") or not. And so on and so forth.

Now those characteristics of Trumpism are primarily stylistic. Of course, style matters and does, especially in Trump's case just because there is so little thinking behind his style. But no matter how bad style is (that is "bad" from the perspective of the given observer, of course), it can be recovered from. Every President has had a style to which at least some significant section of the population objected, and the country has recovered.



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But Trumpism also means policy. And if in terms of domestic policy, if the far right-wing Budget Director Nick Mulvaney's only "budget," one that is only slightly less sketchy than the first iteration issued by the White House, actually becomes law, it will very likely have outcomes that would be viewed as negative in many (but certainly not all) quarters of the population, once they became apparent. But further than that.

This budget fulfills a wish-list of policies advocated for decades by the Republican Party and the economically dominant sectors of the ruling class that it represents --- the sectors that happen to be so overwhelmingly represented in the Trump cabinet . It reintroduces the concept of the "deserving poor"(a central element of the Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601) to Federal policy making. Ben Carson, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, which department for the most part deals with helping poor people get a better life, has famously called poverty a "state of mind." And of course, if there is a "deserving poor," then there is a "non-deserving poor" (as well as a series of raters to determine who goes into which group). The Trump/Mulvaney budget would dump many currently poor people into the latter category.

And so, there would be major slashings of: food stamps, school lunch programs, housing assistance, aid for Native Americans, additional Social Security payments for disabled persons and the very poor elderly, and of course of Medicaid, as well as of affordable insurance for persons not on Medicaid who do not receive health insurance coverage through their employment. Funds for support of programs to combat global warming in developing countries would be eliminated. Farm subsidies would be cut. Federal support for public education would be slashed. Then there are neat little cuts like ending Federal support for mapping in flood areas to help property owners decide how to best protect their homes from future floods, high tides, and storms. Since this would significantly affect states like New Jersey, all of a sudden out-going Gov. Chris Christie, at one time Director of the Trump Transition Team (whatever became of him?), has become a Trump critic. And oh yes, that "massive infrastructure program?" Well, a) it's not so massive, about $1 trillion towards an estimated $3.5 trillion need, and b) it is based on a private-for-profit scheme using tax credits that would lead to the construction of only those kinds of projects from which profits could be made (surprise, surprise).

The problem here is that, as is well-known, all of the cuts outlined above are being made to finance huge tax cuts for the wealthy. And it is the wealthy, that is the ruling class, who are now firmly in charge of the Federal government and Federal government policy. There are long-term consequences with which to be concerned. First, once having taken over the Federal government, and that of an increasing number of the states too, they are not really going to give it up. Second, they got to where they are in terms of political power in part because of gerrymandering, of other means of voter suppression, and in part because the Citizens United Supreme Court decision has given the unlimited ability to fund political campaigns in one way or another. These developments will not be easily reversed.

And so, what are the consequences, for real people? If the proposed cuts in food stamps go through, certain members of "undeserving poor" are eventually going to starve and eventually starve to death. If the proposed cuts in Medicaid go through, people without access to health care for one reason or another related to inability to pay are going to die. As will people with pre-existing medical conditions who will be unable to obtain any kinds of health insurance under Trumpcare. Further, if the Trump Medicaid cuts go through, certain rural and central city hospitals will collapse, and people will die.

One Republican Congressman said that people who do not have health insurance can "always go to the emergency room." He is apparently unaware that emergency room visits (which are totally inappropriate medically for anything other than true emergencies) cost money and that in fact more than one insurance-less family has been driven into bankruptcy or lost their home due to the bill they received for emergency care. And so on and so forth.

Well, one might say, once the next Democratic administration gets into office, things can be quickly reversed. Really? First of all, they would have to get back into office in the face of ruling class gerrymandering, voter suppression and unlimited electoral spending. This is just one major obstacle, created by the ruling class now firmly in control of State Power. Second of all, to do anything significant to deal with the laundry list of problems that are being created by Republican policies, taxes on the rich would have to be raised significantly. Third, along with a vast increase in Federal government spending, there would have be the re-regulation of many parts of the economy, starting with the financial sector. Once they are free of many regulations presently in place, they ruling class is going to fight very hard against having them put back into place. Once again: and so on and so forth.

As is well-known, compared with every other advanced capitalist country, the United States presently has a very leaky safety net for the poor, the disabled, persons-not-receiving-adequate-health-insurance-through-their-employment, persons with inadequate housing, persons with poor nutrition, and etc. It will become even more leaky than it already is. And, as noted, the United States has a (literally) collapsing infrastructure, as well as an agriculture certain sectors of which will also collapse, without Federal subsidies.

It will be very difficult down the line, both politically and economically, to reverse this massive damage, inflicted by the ruling class and their political minions (primarily in the Republican Party, but certainly well-represented in the Democratic Party as well, one might add). Given the political and economic realities we face, it is going to be very difficult to ever recover from the Superstorm of the Trump Budget, 2017. And thus, unrest will grow, and the eventual ruling class response will be fascism. More on that anon.
Reprinted from www.unz.com

Speaking to a Russian becomes treasonous

The Washington Post and a number of other mainstream media outlets are sensing blood in the water in the wake of former CIA Director John Brennan's public testimony before the House Intelligence Committee. The Post headlined a front page featured article with Brennan's explosive testimony just made it harder for the GOP to protect Trump. The article states that Brennan during the 2016 campaign "reviewed intelligence that showed 'contacts and interaction' between Russian actors and people associated with the Trump campaign." Politicowas also in on the chase in an article entitled Brennan: Russia may have successfully recruited Trump campaign aides.

The precise money quote by Brennan that the two articles chiefly rely on is "I encountered and am aware of information and intelligence that revealed contacts and interactions between Russian officials and US persons involved in the Trump campaign that I was concerned about because of known Russian efforts to suborn such individuals. It raised questions in my mind whether or not Russia was able to gain the co-operation of those individuals."

Now first of all, the CIA is not supposed to keep tabs on American citizens and tracking the activities of known associates of a presidential candidate should have sent warning bells off, yet Brennan clearly persisted in following the trail. What Brennan did not describe, because it was "classified," was how he came upon the information in the first place. We know from the New York Times and other sources that it came from foreign intelligence services, including the British, Dutch and Estonians, and there has to be a strong suspicion that the forwarding of at least some of that information might have been sought or possibly inspired by Brennan unofficially in the first place. But whatever the provenance of the intelligence, it is clear that Brennan then used that information to request an FBI investigation into a possible Russian operation directed against potential key advisers if Trump were to somehow get nominated and elected, which admittedly was a longshot at the time. That is how Russiagate began.

But where the information ultimately came from as well as its reliability is just speculation as the source documents have not been made public. What is not speculative is what Brennan actually said in his testimony. He said that Americans associated with Trump and his campaign had met with Russians. He was "concerned" because of known Russian efforts to "suborn such individuals." Note that Brennan, presumably deliberately, did not say "suborn those individuals." Sure, Russian intelligence (and CIA, MI-6, and Mossad as well as a host of others) seek to recruit people with access to politically useful information. That is what they do for a living, but Brennan is not saying that he has or saw any evidence that that was the case with the Trump associates. He is speaking generically of "such individuals" because he knows that spies, inter alia, recruit politicians and the Russians presumably, like the Americans and British, do so aggressively.

At a later point in his testimony Brennan also said that "I had unresolved questions in my mind about whether or not the Russians had been successful in getting U.S. persons, involved in the campaign or not, to work on their behalf, again, either in a witting or unwitting fashion," clearly meant to imply that some friends of Trump might have become Russian agents voluntarily but others might have cooperated without knowing it. It is a line that has surfaced elsewhere previously, most notably in the demented meanderings of former acting Director of Central Intelligence Michael Morell. As the purpose of recruiting an intelligence agent is to have a resource that can be directed to do things for you, the statement is an absurdity and Brennan and Morell, as a former Director and acting Director of the CIA, should know better. That they don't explains a lot of things about today's CIA.

Brennan confirms his lack of any hard evidence when he also poses the question "whether or not Russia was able to gain the co-operation of those individuals." He doesn't know whether the Americans were approached and asked to cooperate by Russian intelligence officers and, even if they were, he does not know whether they agreed to do so. That means that the Americans in question were guilty only of meeting and talking to Russians, which was presumably enough to open an FBI investigation. One might well consider that at the time and even to this day Russia was not and is not a declared enemy of the United States and meeting Russians is not a criminal offense.

In his testimony, Brennan also hit the main theme that appears to be accepted by nearly everyone inside the beltway, namely that Russian sought to influence and even pervert the outcome of the 2016 election. Interpreting his testimony, the Post article asserts that "Russia was engaged in an 'aggressive' and 'multifaceted 'effort to interfere in our election." As has been noted frequently before, even though this assertion has apparently been endorsed by nearly everyone in the power structure AKA (also known as) "those who matter," it is singularly lacking in any actual evidence.

Nor has any evidence been produced to support the claim that it was Russia that hacked the Democratic National Committee (DNC) server, which now is accepted as Gospel, but that is just one side to the story being promoted. Last Wednesday, the New York Times led off its front page with a piece entitled Top Russian Officials Discussed How to Influence Trump Aides Last Summer. Based, as always, on anonymous sources citing "highly classified" intelligence, the article claimed that "American spies collected information last summer revealing that senior Russian intelligence and political officials were discussing how to exert influence over Donald J. Trump through his advisers"" The "discussions," which are presumably NSA intercepts of phone calls, reportedly focused on two aides in particular, Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn, both of whom had established relationships with Russian businessmen and government officials.

The article goes on to concede that "It is unclear, however, whether Russian officials actually tried to directly influence Mr. Manafort and Mr. Flynn"," and that's about all there is to the tale, though the Times wanders on for another three pages, recapping Brennan and the Flynn saga lest anyone has forgotten. So what do we have? Russians were talking on the phone about the possibility of influencing an American's presidential candidate's advisers, an observation alluded to by Brennan and also revealed in somewhat more detail by anonymous sources. Pretty thin gruel, isn't it? Isn't that what diplomats and intelligence officers do?

It would appear that the New York Times' editors are unaware that the United States routinely interferes in elections worldwide and that the action taken in various places including Ukraine goes far beyond phone conversations. In some other places like Libya, Syria, Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan the interference is particularly robust taking place at the point of a bayonet, but the Times and Washington Post don't appear to have any problem when the regime change is being accomplished ostensibly to make the world more democratic, even if it almost never has that result.

How one regards all of the dreck coming out of the Fourth Estate and poseurs like John Brennan pretty much depends on the extent one is willing to trust that what the government, its highly-politicized bureaucrats and the media tell the public is true. For me, that would be not a lot. The desire to bring down the buffoonish Donald Trump is understandable, but buying into government and media lies will only lead to more lies that have real consequences, up to and including the impending wars against North Korea and Iran. It is imperative that every American should question everything he or she reads in a newspaper, sees on television "news" or hears coming out of the mouths of former and current government employees.
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"Human survival depends on learning to organize the way all successful living communities organize as they adapt to ever changing local conditionsfrom the Bottom-Up. A timely contribution to confronting the transformation imperative confronting humanity."



David Korten, author of When Corporations Rule the World, The Great Turning, and Change the Story, Change the Future
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"Ever growing inequality and intense and growing political distortions have radically aggravated the top-down imbalance of power, undermining democracy. Rob Kall's book, Bottom-Up is a guide to taking back humanity's shared legacy of shared responsibility. A stimulating read and an important contribution!"



Gar Alperovitz, author of What Then Must We Do? Straight Talk About the Next American Revolution.
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"The bottom-up revolution is fueling tremendous change in politics, commerce, and how people relate to each other. Rob Kall's book Bottom-Up provides a powerful guide to how organizations can understand and tap bottom-up's power. "



Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist
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"Rob Kall gives readers an important wake up call to the bottom up power that they have to protect their rights, powers, and freedoms. His advice applies to all aspects of life, including politics, economics, journalism, entertainment, and psychology and wellness. Kall's book explains the differences between the top-down leadership approach of dominating, fear based, disconnected authoritarianism and the bottom-up connection consciousness that emphasizes values, justice, fairness, equity, and kindness. This book helps readers see the whole elephant as opposed to the disconnected parts. Kall gives great advice as to intensifying, expanding, prolonging, and deepening connections. With his professional background, Rob Kall is the perfect person to write this book. This is a very well-researched book that includes dozens of insightful interviews with top-notch experts. Kall shows how bottom-up small acts can produce massive results. He emphasizes that since we cant avoid this emerging bottom-up connection revolution, we need to learn how to navigate and embrace it. This bottom-up leadership will result in power to the people. This is a fascinating and insightful book, especially in this new era of digital hunting and gathering."



Larry Atkins, author of Skewed: A Critical Thinker's Guide to Media Bias
Have the future of air purification and power generation arrived in one small, sustainable bundle? Researchers from the University of Antwerp and KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Belgium would say yes.

This new device, which has yet to be named, only needs to be exposed to light to purify air and generate power. Professor Sammy Verbruggen (UAntwerp/KU Leuven)

describes, We use a small device with two rooms separated by a membrane. Air is purified on one side, while on the other side hydrogen gas is produced from a part of the degradation products. This hydrogen gas can be stored and used later as fuel, as is already being done in some hydrogen buses, for example.

This new technology could be instrumental in promoting a future of clean air, as well as alternative energy production. Not to mention, the simplicity of its requirements only light

are very user-friendly.

Although the setup and functionality of the device are simple, the science behind it is complex and truly revolutionary. On a larger scale, the device could be used industrially to promote sustainability and efficiency on a grand scale.

Researchers are continuing to work on the device, even improving its materials so sunlight can be used more efficiently to trigger reactions. Scientists hope the device helps respond to two major social qualms: purified air and alternative energy production. After all, necessity is the mother of invention.

Photo by JimmyJoe/Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Caitlin Phillips is a freelance writer based out of Athens, Georgia.
Once again, the world woke up today to an angry Trump tweet. This latest abuse of social media comes at the expense of Americas long-time ally, Germany. Coming hot on the heels of Trumps recent exclamation that Germans are very bad, Trump now apparently believes the entirety of American-German relations to be very bad. At least his word choices are as consistent as his vocabulary is limited.

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

Initial reports that Trump called Germans very bad prompted Gary Cohn, the director of the national economic council, to explain that Trump was only upset with our trade relationship and not necessarily the country itself. Today, that seems increasingly unlikely, as the president ominously points that the relationship between both countries will change. What this means exactly is unknown, but earlier Trump did point to a possible ban on the sales of German cars as being one potential move that could be made.

Trumps rants have not gone unnoticed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. At a recent campaign rally, Merkel appeared to push for European self-reliance. In the face of an increasingly erratic American president and Great Britains recent Brexit withdrawal from the European Union, Merkel stated that:

The era in which we could fully rely on others is over to some extent. Thats what I experienced over the past several days We Europeans truly have to take our fate into our own hands  naturally in friendship with the United States of America, in friendship with Great Britain, as good neighbors with whoever, also with Russia and other countries  But we have to know that we Europeans must fight for our own future and destiny.

The chancellors comments obviously come short of actually severing ties with America or suggesting any concrete sanctions, but, again, they point to a relationship growing increasingly sour. Merkels comments also come after a recent Trump visit to NATO and G7 summits which involved the president demanding NATO spend more on defense and Trump claiming he wasnt sure if America would adhere to the Paris accord on climate change. Merkels patience with the president seems to be wearing thin, and her call to Europeans seems aimed to draw inward and look to internal support so as to not be as reliant on outside countries that could turn on Europe at any second.

Things dont look great for U.S.-German relations, and theres not really much reason for that to be the case. Trump just seems like he needs something to do.
Super High Roller Bowl Day 2: Amateurs Shine, Bonomo Ascends to Top

May 30, 2017 Mo Nuwwarah Editor

The $300,000 Super High Roller Bowl at ARIA continued on Memorial Day and the field was cut from 44 runners to just 19. Justin Bonomo rose to the top of the counts as he finished with a stack of 2,628,000.

Bonomo had a nice start to the day as he eliminated Antonio Esfandiari when both players made kings up, but Bonomo's king-queen bested Esfandiari's king-three. He also eliminated dangerous opponent Nick Petrangelo when a short-stacked Petrangelo jammed a flush draw and Bonomo had flopped a set.

Later in the day, Bonomo flopped trip sevens with eight-seven of hearts. Bonomo check-called the flop against Rainer Kempe, and after both players checked the turn, Bonomo fired a big overbet on the river after all the draws missed and got paid off.

However, while a well-known pro heads the list of remaining players, it was a great day for amateur players at the SHRB. Not one, not two, but all of five amateurs bagged stacks that put them in the top 10.

Dan Shak (1,482,000), Bill Klein (1,466,000), Leon Tsoukernik (1,335,000), Cary Katz (701,000) and David Einhorn (685,000) are all looking good heading into Day 3. King's Casino owner Tsoukernik won the EPT Prague $50K High Roller late last year, and Shak has historically been one of the most successful amateurs in these events.

The most well-known amateur in the event, actor and comedian Kevin Hart, failed to bag. However, he did have himself quite a day as he collected perhaps the most impressive scalp of anyone in the tournament.

Hart busted high roller extraordinaire Fedor Holz, who has been unstoppable in these events the past couple of years. It did take a cooler though, as Hart picked up aces when Holz was dealt queens.

Hart ultimately fell when he ran ace-jack into Brian Rast's kings. Others going bust included Dan Colman, Isaac Haxton, David Peters, Bryn Kenney, Doug Polk, and "Tony G." Guoga.

Day 3 resumes at 1 p.m., and PokerNews will again handle live reporting duties while PokerGo offers a live streaming service.

Top Five Chip Counts

Place Player Stack 1 Justin Bonomo 2,628,000 2 Byron Kaverman 2,063,000 3 Dan Shak 1,482,000 4 Bill Klein 1,466,000 5 Christoph Vogelsang 1,391,000
Laura flexes her decomposing muscles and the New Gods introduce their leader (plus a few familiar faces of fame).

"The last time I kicked a guy in the nuts," says undead Laura to Mad Sweeney, "My foot didn't stop until it reached his throat." That kick was in the fantastic Episode 4 (and Ep. 1) and comes back in this week's show as a threat to the Leprechaun, who's furiously searching for his lucky coin. Laura, with coin lodged safely in her stomach and after watching Shadow disappear in the back of a police car, quickly shows Sweeney the new powers she's accidentally been given and plays dead while he's taken off in another police car.

Episode 5"Lemon Scented You"of American Gods features more intervention by the real world than even the show's premiere, and that was before most of the gods had even entered the script.

(Spoilers below.)

Mr. World.

Pause for Ep. 4 appreciation:

Before we get to this week's episode, some thanks are due to the writers for giving us another, slow-motion look, last week, at Laura's rescue of Shadow from the end of the first episode. One look had not been enough to appreciate the gruesome style of that blood-soaked scene and Laura's godlike movesincluding her Chuck Norris-worthy kick.

Our thanks, also, for a hilarious, surprising, incredible showcase of storytelling prowess that was "Git Gone." In another example of the writers' patience, the episode uses its entire fifty-five minutes to explore Laura's love story with Shadow, her affair with Robbie, her brief trip to confound Anubis in the afterlife and her return to the world of the living. Only this kind of patience could have built up the foundation of realism that made her scene with Audrey in Audrey's bathroom so completely hilarious.

"Are you haunting me?" Audrey asks her, standing in the shower, perfectly, comically terrified. "Not on purpose," Laura replies. "I needed craft supplies."

On a last lingering note about Ep. 4: enjoy that rocking song, "Queen of the Bored," by composer Brian Reitzell and Garbage's Shirley Manson on Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube:

Back to last night's Ep. 5:

"Gods are great but people are greater," says the narrator of the opening scene, in which the elder, Atsula, sacrifices herself for the salvation of her people and Nunyunnini, their god, lies, forgotten, to weather away under the layers of time.

This short story, told completely through CGI, introduces the premise for the episode: that no matter the might of the god, all of his or her power depends on their followers, their audience, their people. (Side note: if Starz can budget scenes like this in every episode, why can't Game of Thrones put a dragon in every scene?)

And that is what finally brings the leader of the New Gods into the picture with a proposition for Wednesday, the representative of the Old. The utterly intimidating Mr. World and Gillian-Anderson-as-Media-as-Marylin-Monroe offer Wednesday an opportunity to work together, to re-brandto sell out: "We want to help you find your audience."

An opportunity that Wednesday politely declines.

No surprise there, but this scene at the police station complicates the divide between the warring sides: it's not only New vs. Old; it's also Old vs. Young. Mr. World and Technical Boy might be on the same team, but they're not friends. "This man is older than you will ever be," Mr. World scolds Tech Boy after he disrespects Wednesday. Mr. World has as much resentment for Technical Boy's immaturity as he has for Wednesday's stubbornness.

The fifth episode of American Gods has many more great moments: Media-as-Bowie, Wednesday's Patrick Bateman moment as he nonchalantly tells the disbelieving cops the whole truth about his trip to Chicago ("I was recruiting a tired, but still vital, god of death."), Laura's fight with Sweeney. And behind all of this, the war looms and the armies continue to grow.



Follow American Gods on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.

Watch Episode 6 this Sunday at 9pm Eastern.

READ MORE ABOUT FILM/TV:

'American Gods' Ep. 3 climbs a fire escape to the heavens and breaks more TV boundaries

Meet Mr. Nancy and a vodka-drinking Czernobog on 'American Gods' Ep. 2

HBO announces 4 'Game of Thrones' spinoffs: what could they be?
An all-star team of theater creatives are attached to bring Morissette's work to the stage, but will the album work as a musical?

Here's a piece of news that you oughta know, Alanis Morissette is about to make her debut in the world of theater. The project responsible for this is a musical adaptation of her acclaimed 1995 album, Jagged Little Pill, which was just announced to debut at the American Repertory Theater in May 2018. Among the team that has been assembled for the project is Tony Award winning Director Diane Paulus at the helm, Oscar winning screenwriter Diablo Cody handling the script, and the Pulitzer and Tony-winning composer Tom Kitt who will orchestrate the new production.

Now for those of you less experienced to the theater world may be wondering what exactly this all means? Well, as of right now the show doesn't have any Broadway plans set, though that could all change quickly after it debuts at American Repertory Theater (or ART as its often known). While ART's Cambridge, Massachusetts home may be quite a ways off from New York's theater district, it has developed a reputation as one of the preeminent homes for world premiere productions aiming to eventually hit the Great White Way. Among the shows that have appeared at ART in recent years are Finding Neverland, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, All The Way, and Waitress. So while the musical may not have an announced Broadway home yet, if it's notices are positive in Cambridge, we should all expect it to arrive in New York during the 2018-2019 theater season.

But this all does raise the question, should we be optimistic about the show's quality? There certainly is reason to get excited, especially with the creative team they've assembled for the project. Paulus, who also happens to be ART's artistic director, has personally directed some of the company's biggest shows including Finding Neverland and the recent revival of Pippin. She additionally has found success shepherding a noted female recording artist's work to the stage after working with Sara Bareilles on Waitress. Kitt similarly helped bring Green Day's American Idiot to the stage, serving as that shows orchestrator to help adapt its sound to work for story.

Still, while the names are impressive, having talent attached is no guarantee. For every Jersey Boys or The Who's Tommy, there are shows like The Flaming Lips' Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots or Sheryl Crow's Diner that failed to translate an artist's sound effectively to theater and are unlikely to arrive on Broadway. Additionally since the show's book (or script) will prove crucial to ensuring the show connects all of Morissette's music in a satisfying way, having a writer inexperienced in theater like Cody handle these duties carries high risk-high reward potential. Luckily the production will have a year to develop creatively and tackle these type of questions as it heads towards its debut. And considering Jagged Little Pill's position as a show written and directed entirely by women in a field still far too crowded by male creative voices, we'll be rooting it on as it brings a taste of grunge to Broadway.

More from Arts

Tony Awards nominations released. Our reactions to the biggest snubs and surprises

Why you should see this spring's crop of new Broadway plays

Broadway musical adaptation of Mean Girls sets premiere date for this fall
I Chalan Mona

One of my greatest joys is being a parent to two wonderful kids. I must admit that raising my toddler son gives me some anxiety. Raising him o Read morePondering CHamoru manhood
Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Acetic Acid Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012  2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2017  2027 report to their offering.

Acetic Acid Market Growth

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Acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid is a colourless liquid, which has a sour smell and distinct and strong pungent. Acetic acid is mainly produced by methanol carbonylation technique. Acetic acid is also used for producing chemical contents including Vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA), etc. Acetic acid is used in various industries such as rubber, plastics, pharmaceutical, construction, paint and other industries. It is also used for water treatment and in vinegar as a key ingredient.Global Acetic Acid Market: Drivers and RestraintsGrowing demand for acetic acid in rubber, plastics, pharmaceutical, construction, paint and other industries is driving the growth of global acetic acid market. In addition, increasing demand for Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) and Vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) in packaging and textile industry (polyester manufacturing), is also resulting into increasing demand for acetic acid. Increasing demand for acetic acid as vinegar due to various health benefits associated with it is also expected to accelerate the growth of global acetic acid market during the forecast period. Moreover, the expansion of new separation technologies to improve the production efficiency is also can be an opportunity for the global acetic acid market. Furthermore, being an industrial chemical and chemical reagent, acetic acid is also used in making cellulose acetate for the photographic film.Growth of acetic acid market is comparatively low in some regions however the market is already in its maturity stage in those regions. High concentration of acetic acid can be harmful for aquatic life, animals, and plants, which can be a restraint for the global acetic acid market in forecast period. Furthermore, the volatile prices of raw material such as methanol also can be a limiting factor for the acetic acid market.Request Report Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3802 Global Acetic Acid Market: SegmentationOn the basis of application, the global acetic acid market is segmented into:-Acetic anhydrideVinyl acetate monomer (VAM)Acetate estersPurified Terephthalic Acid (PTA)On the basis of end-use, the global acetic acid market is segmented into:-Paints and CoatingPharmaceuticalsFood and BeveragesGlobal Acetic Acid Market: Region wise OutlookThe global acetic acid market is divided into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). Asia pacific is one of the largest market of acetic acid. Taiwan and china are the key markets of acetic acid in Asia pacific region. Owing to increasing demand for paints & coatings, demand for acetic acid is witnessing surge in Asia Pacific region. India will also register a remarkable growth in the global acetic acid market in forecast period due to rising investments, increasing population, favourable government initiatives, constantly enhancing demand from end-use sectors, and expanding industries in the region. China is the largest market of acetic acid. North America and Europe are also the major markets for the acetic acid.Request For TOC@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3802 Global Acetic Acid Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in the global acetic acid market are-E & C chemicals Inc.Seidler Chemical CompanyParchem  fine & specialty chemicalsGujarat Narmada valley fertilizers & chemicals limited (GNFC)GFS chemicals Inc.Scientific solutions LLCKAP Techno Chem. USA Inc.U.S. Chemicals Inc.Tedia Company Inc.Hydrite chemical companyJiangsu Sopo (Group) Co.Eastman ChemicalsWacker ChemieWEGO CHEMICAL GROUP
Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Aerospace Couplers Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012  2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2017  2027" report to their offering.

Aerospace Couplers Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-05-30 11:21:35

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Aerospace coupler is a mechanical device, which is mainly utilized to connect the shafts end to end for the effective transmission of power. The couplers are designed to provide safe and accurate connection during refuelling of aircraft. Aerospace couplers aid the mechanical connection between the onboard systems such as terrain following radar and flight control system. Aerospace couplers and its dynamics can produce beneficial or adverse controllability and stability, depending on the characteristics of the aerospace. With the increase in speed, aircrafts are experiencing various strange instabilities, including violent motion about all three axes. At times, severity of these motions have resulted in loss of lives and aircraft. There are various kinds of coupling modes, which include inertia-roll coupling, control coupling, dutch roll coupling and so on. Aerospace couplers are majorly employed in military aircraft, commercial aircraft, rockets, satellites and missiles. Aerospace couplers are designed to transform power from the engine to various gearboxes on fixed wing and rotor craft alike. There are various types of couplers available in the market, which perform different functions such as pressure coupler, hydrant coupler and emergency breakaway coupler. Pressure coupler protects the aircrafts from damages caused by surges and excess pressure and are connected to the hydrant pit adapter in order to allow the flow of pressurized fuel from pipeline to the receiving aircraft. Hydrant couplers are made up of aluminium and high strength stainless steel. Based on the various couplers, there are numerous coupling techniques adopted for the effective fuelling of the aircrafts, which include threadless cramshell couplings, positivelok couplings and metal seal flexible couplings.Global Aerospace Couplers Market: SegmentationThe global aerospace couplers market can be segmented mainly on the basis of product type and application.Based on the product type, the global aerospace couplers market can be segmented into;Pressure CouplerHydrant CouplerEmergency Breakaway CouplerRequest For Report Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3745 Based on the application, the global aerospace couplers market can be segmented into;Commercial AircraftsMilitary AircraftGlobal Aerospace Couplers Market: DynamicsWith the advancement of aerospace industry, the competition among the aerospace coupler manufacturers has been increasing. Currently, a large number of people prefer aeroplanes as a convenient mode of transportation owing to the affordable charges and comfort in commuting, along with the shorter travel time required to reach the destination compared to other modes of transportation. Various governments are globally establishing their aerospace sector and there is a rising demand for aircrafts as well as aerospace couplers in commercial as well as military sectors. With the increasing demand for the aircrafts, the demand for aerospace couplers is expected to witness substantial growth in the near future. Growth of the air traffic in last 20 years has been spectacular and there is an indication that it will continue to expand over the forecast period, which in turn, is projected to propel the demand for aerospace couplers.On the other hand, the growth in demand will bring forth number of challenges for dealing with mass transportation and congestion of ATM and airport infrastructure.Manufacturers of aerospace couplers are focussing on merger and acquisition related activities in order to expand their business in various regions & enhance their market share.Request For TOC@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3745 Global Aerospace Couplers Market: Region-wise OutlookThe aerospace industry is matured in developed regions such as Europe and North America and represent a large share in the global aerospace couplers market. Aerospace couplers contribute a substantial share to the economy of the U.S., since aerospace industry is one of the major contributors to the GDP of the country. On the other hand, developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region such as India and China are expected to grow at a solid CAGR in the near future owing to the increased infrastructural activities.Global Aerospace Couplers Market: Market ParticipantsSome of the examples of the market participants in the Aerospace Couplers market identified across the value chain include Eaton, Coupling Corporation of America, Senior Aerospace Metal Bellows, Intrex Aerospace, Cla-Val, Parker Hannifin Corp. and UTC Aerospace Systems, among others.Browse Full Report@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/aerospace-couplers-market
PR-Inside.com: 2017-05-30 11:05:02

(Paris) - On June 28 & 29, 2017, CF&B Communication is organizing the 13th edition of the "Spring" European 'MidCap Event' in Paris, where selected Midcaps travelling to European financial capitals will make a stop in Paris to meet the attending institutional investors.

For two days, the top managers of listed companies from Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain, and also France and the USA, will present their activity and perspectives to fund managers in pre-booked one-to-one meetings.

Over 60 listed companies, as well as about 120 institutional investors are expected to attend this event of which scale has increased year after year.

BOLSA DE MADRID (BME), BUDAPEST STOCK EXCHANGE (BET) and WARSAW STOCK EXCHANGE (GPW) will be the Partner Stock Exchanges for the Event.

The independent financial group GVC GAESCO (Madrid) and CC GROUP (Warsaw), a Polish leader in IR relations, will support this edition, and share their analyses, know-how and knowledge on their markets.

Registration is free for investors.

The next events organized by CF&B Communication in 2017 include: the Paris Large & MidCap Event on October 4&5, the Madrid European 'Midcap Event' on November 14 and the Geneva European 'Midcap Event' on November 28&29.

For further information and queries, please contact Caroline BADER - c.bader@cfbcom.fr

This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: CF&B Communication via Globenewswire


POU Water Purifiers Market: MENA Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2014 - 2020 Research Report By Future Market Insights

POU Water Purifiers Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-05-30 08:15:10

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Future Market Insights (FMI) announced the release of a latest report titled, POU Water Purifiers Market: MENA Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2014 - 2020. FMI estimates that the Point of Use (POU) water purifier market in Middle East and North Africa is expected to reach US$ 471 Mn at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2014 to 2020.Residential water purification system includes point of use water purifiers (POU), point of entry (POE) water purifiers, portable water purifiers. Moreover, the demand for POU water purifiers is high among consumers in MENA region as compared to POE and portable water purifiers.In the POU water purifiers market, products with high purification capabilities such as combination of reverse osmosis (RO) and Ultraviolet (UV) technologies are more preferred. It has also been observed that a majority of the demand is coming from urban centres in GCC when compared to the entire MENA region. Market SegmentsThe POU water purifiers market is segmented on the basis of technology which includes RO, UV and media-based. RO technology based water purifiers segment is estimated to account for slightly over 40% of the total POU water purifiers market in MENA region in 2014. Media-based water purification, which is a conventional water purification technology has also witnessed technological advancements, and is estimated to display a CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period, in terms of volume. The third technology, UV based water purifiers, is estimated to exhibit a sluggish growth rate during the forecast period due to its limitation in removing only organic contaminants from water. Additionally, UV-based water purifiers are also priced higher in comparison to media-based water purifiers and hence the product preference for UV based water purifiers is comparatively low.Ask For Report Sample @ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-ma-30 Region-wise, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Algeria are the promising markets for POU water purifiers. In addition, a cumulative scenario has been highlighted for rest of MENA (includes smaller countries like Kuwait, Jordan etc.). Among the aforementioned regions, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is estimated to be the prominent market for POU water purifiers, followed by Turkey, due to its growing population and rapid urbanization, and increasing awareness for safe drinking water forecast period.In addition, penetration of bottled water is a challenge for the POU water purifiers market in Anatolia. As a result, Anatolia is estimated to demonstrate a sluggish growth rate in the near future. Furthermore, POU water purifiers market in UAE is anticipated to reach 149.2 thousand units by 2020, exhibiting a CAGR of 10% between 2014 and 2020.Drivers and RestraintsDeteriorating water quality, rising cost of bottled water, increasing population coupled with increasing per capita income are some of the prominent factors which will catalyse the point of use water purifiers in the region. Though the MENA market is attractive in terms of absolute dollar opportunity, low awareness about safe drinking water and product unavailability are major challenges for the MENA POU water purifier market.Ask For More Information @ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-ma-30 Competitive LandscapeKey players operating in the MENA water purifier market are LG, Eureka Forbes, Strauss Water, Panasonic, WaterLife and Coolplex. The report sheds light on their key growth strategies and recent developments. In addition, the report also discusses the value chain followed by multinational companies in MENA for POU water purifiers.
Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Modular PLC Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012  2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2017  2027" report to their offering.

Modular PLC Market

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PLCs or Programmable Logic Controllers are generally the commercial or industrial computers used to operate automated systems. From traffic lights on streets to roller coasters at parks, PLCs are seen everywhere. To make PLC work, three major components are required, namely, the Central Processing Unit (CPU), the power supply and rack, and the I/O section. The two main categories of PLC are fixed and modular PLCs. Modular PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) is preferred over fixed PLC owing to its capability to execute complex processes. Furthermore, modular PLCs are also called rack-mounted units, consisting of bases for installation of various I/O modules, which are easier to repair. Capability to store more information, greater number of available I/O modules, designed to expand and customize processes for continuous development and greater economic security for long-term are some of the benefits, which are expected to be the factors for the market growth. Based on product type, micro modular PLC is expected to dominate the global modular PLC market.Modular PLC Market: DriversThe modular PLC has the ability to complete the process while the other errors are being fixed. Moreover, the ease of troubleshooting the downtime of the modular PLC is lesser than the fixed PLC. Due to the aforementioned factors, global modular PLC is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Furthermore, growing home and building automation market is expected to fuel the demand for modular PLC in the near future. Additionally, increasing requirement of automation solutions is projected to upsurge the demand for modular PLC during the forecast period.Request For Report Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-3711 Modular PLC Market: RestraintsHigher initial cost as compared to fixed PLC is expected to be one of the factors hindering the growth of global modular PLC market over the forecast period. Furthermore, decrease in space efficiency, high cost of diagnostic labour during failure, need of enclosure due to low IP ratings and more spare stock, which increases maintenance cost are the other factors hampering the growth of global modular PLC market during the forecast period.Modular PLC Market: SegmentationThe global modular PLC market can be segmented on the basis of product type, program memory size, offerings and end-use industry mainly. On the basis of product type, the global modular PLC market can be segmented into micro modular PLC and nano modular PLC. On the basis of program memory size, the market can be segmented into small size PLC (max two I/O module), medium size PLC (less than 100 I/O modules) and large size PLC (more than 100 I/O modules). On the basis of offerings, the modular PLC market can be segmented into hardware, software and services. On the basis of end use industry, the market can be further segmented into automotive, food and beverage, cement industry, home & building automation, metal & mining, pharmaceutical industry and others.Request For TOC@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-3711 Modular PLC Market: Regional OutlookBased on regions, North America is expected to dominate the global modular PLC market. The increasing demand for modular PLC from food and beverage, power and waste water treatment industries is expected to drive the growth of modular PLC market in North America. Asia Pacific, led by China and India, is projected to witness high growth during the forecast period. Rapid industrialization coupled with increasing manufacturing units in this region are projected to fuel the demand for modular PLC. Latin America and Europe are expected to witness positive growth during the forecast period. Japan, being the matured and developed market, is expected to witness stagnant growth in modular PLC market during the forecast period. Owing to growing industrialization and commercialization in Middle East & Africa, the modular PLC market is expected to exhibit significant growth during the forecast period.Modular PLC Market: Market ParticipantsSome of the examples of the prominent players identified in the global modular PLC market are as mentioned below:ABB LimitedB&R Industrial AutomationGeneral ElectricIDEC CorporationMitsubishi Electric CompanyOmron CorporationRockwell Automation Inc.Siemens AGSchneider Electric SERobert Bosch GmbHBrowse Full Report@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/modular-plc-market
PR-Inside.com: 2017-05-30 10:01:04

Perpetua Selects RIMES Benchmark Data Service to Enhance Data Quality and Reduce Costs

RIMES

Alessandro Ferrari

Marketing@rimes.com

02031707303

RIMES Technologies, the leading provider of managed data services for the buy-side, has today announced it has been selected by Perpetua, an independent, owner-managed boutique investment management firm headquartered in South Africa, to provide its Benchmark Data Service. Through RIMES award-winning service, Perpetua will benefit from a significant improvement in data quality and a reduction in the costs associated with data management.

RIMES, which was awarded the contract following a competitive tender, will commence its service to Perpetua this Spring. Perpetua selected RIMES based on its ability to provide high-quality benchmark data in a format that is ready for use in its existing performance and attribution system. Perpetua will thereby benefit from immediate access to a universe of benchmark data that has been thoroughly quality checked and validated; enabling it to deliver the highest levels of customer service.

In addition to enhancing data quality, RIMES will drive significant cost efficiencies at Perpetua by dramatically reducing the time spent collecting, validating, customizing and supporting benchmark data at the firm. RIMES will manage the relationships with data vendors daily via a dedicated team; enabling Perpetua to benefit from economies of scale, and freeing its internal resources to focus on core business activities.

Logan Govender, COO at Perpetua, commented: Of all the services we considered, only RIMES offered the ability to fully remediate and validate the benchmark data we need, and ensure it gets to our investment managers in a timely manner. RIMES, through their implementation team have been able to seamlessly integrate with our systems. We are confident that with RIMES service in place we will be able to increase the quality of the service we offer our clients while driving down the cost of data management in our organization.

Neil Kelly, Head of New EMEA Business at RIMES, commented: Perpetua has given us a new foothold in the South African market and underscores the value of our proposition. Through our service, which can flex to fit exactly Perpetuas current and evolving requirements, the firm will enjoy a real advantage in the regions competitive financial services sector. We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with the firm, as we support its rigorous and innovative approach to investment.

#ends#

About RIMES

RIMES is an award-winning data management specialist that truly understands the challenges faced by its clients. It serves over 300 investment managers, pension funds, hedge funds, wealth managers, private banks, custodian banks and insurance companies in 40 countries including 60 of the 100 largest global asset managers and 9 of the 10 largest custodians by TAUM.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201705300050

Perpetua Selects RIMES Benchmark Data Service to Enhance Data Quality and Reduce Costs.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-05-30 10:02:01

SonicWall Appoints Michael Berg, IT Channel and Distributor Expert, to Lead Channel Program in Europe

Axicom for SonicWall

Dan Pickles, +44 207 559 5615

daniel.pickles@axicom.com

SonicWall, the trusted security partner protecting more than one million networks worldwide, announced today that Michael Berg has joined the company as Senior Director of Channel Sales with a focus on Europe. As the latest addition to SonicWalls worldwide Sales and Channel team, Berg will enhance the companys strong relationships with the European channel and enable SonicWall to deepen its relationships with distributors.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201705300053

Michael Berg (Photo: Business Wire)

The WannaCry global attack that shut down hospitals in the United Kingdoms National Health Service and inflected more than 150 countries is a timely reminder of the reach of ransomware and other threat vectors across Europe and globally. According to the data gathered by the SonicWall Capture Labs team and reported in the SonicWall Annual Threat Report, ransomware grew from 3.8 million in 2015 to an astounding 638 million attack attempts in 2016 for a 167x year-over-year increase. SonicWall has added leadership in the European market to partner more closely with the channel in securing customers from threat vectors such ransomware, leveraging the companys real-time breach detection and prevention solutions guided by real-time insights from the SonicWall Capture Threat Network.

Michael Berg Tapped for SonicWall Sales and Channel Team in Europe

As part of the Worldwide Sales and Channel team, Berg will drives sales and channel programs in Europe and is based in Switzerland. He will be responsible for executing on SonicWalls 100 percent channel go-to-market strategies, partner recruitment and development, distribution partnerships and the full implementation of the SonicWall SecureFirst Partner Program to drive mutual revenue growth with the channel.

SonicWall already has garnered unprecedented traction with channel partners globally and in Europe since spinning off as an independent cybersecurity company in November, said Steve Pataky, Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Channel. Michaels expertise will strengthen the deep partnerships we are building with channel partners in the next phase of our growth. Im particularly excited that Michael brings personal experience working with distributors and can strengthen our close ties with the distributor community.

Berg brings to SonicWall more than 20 years of experience working with channel partners and distributors in the region. He joins the SonicWall team after serving as the Channel Director at encrypted communications firm Silent Circle where he lead commercial activities with distributors in the mobile device space. Previously, he was Vice President of Project Management at leading IT distributor ASBISc Enterprises PLC and established strong channel relationships across EMEA. Berg developed his in-depth knowledge of the distributors earlier in his career during his 15 years at distributor Tech Data, where he served in various management positions in Germany and Switzerland.

After 20 years of working with channel partners and distributors, I have developed a great impression of SonicWall, said Berg. The rush of partners to join the SonicWall SecureFirst Partner Program demonstrates that the company enjoys partnerships with the channel that are unmatched in the industry. I am excited to join SonicWall at a time when it's seeing incredible traction with the channel worldwide, fueled by a mix of strong leadership, innovative solutions and channel enablement.

About SonicWall

SonicWall has been fighting the cyber-criminal industry for over 25 years defending small, medium-size businesses and enterprises worldwide. Backed by research from the SonicWall Capture Threat Network, our award-winning real-time breach detection and prevention solutions, coupled with the formidable resources of over 10,000 loyal channel partners around the globe, are the backbone securing more than a million business and mobile networks and their emails, applications and data. This combination of products and partners has enabled an automated real-time cyber defense solution tuned to the specific needs of the more than 500,000 businesses in over 150 countries.

For more information, visit www.sonicwall.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201705300053

.@SonicWall Appoints Michael Berg, IT Channel and Distributor Expert, to Lead Channel Program in Europe
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.




Naples Realtor Rosa Houghten to be local host at Ignite Summit in SWFL

By: Rosa Houghten

Rosa Houghten at the Hyatt

Contact

Rosa Houghten

***@rosahoughten.com Rosa Houghten

End

-- Rosa Houghten of Keller Williams Realty Naples will be the local host at this year's Ignite Entrepreneurship and Investment Summit. The upcoming event in Bonita Springs, Florida will feature a local small business expo, national speakers, and experts in business and portfolio growth.The Ignite Summit will be hosted at the award-winning Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, FL on Saturday, November 18. Nationally recognized speakers at this year's event include; fund manager Fuquan Bilal, Sensei Gililland of Black Belt Investors, former Versace model, reality TV personality, and member of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Kaya Wittenburg, and well as Naples based wealth advisor Jim Beam.So far, this year's sponsors of the event include NNG Capital Fund, Jabber Mouth Marketing, Sky Five Properties, and Rosa's team at Keller Williams Realty Naples. Additional sponsors and small businesses in attendance are expected to include local SWFL coworking spaces, real estate lenders, and innovative food and drink startups.In addition to an action packed full day event on the Saturday, the event will also feature an Influencer Meetup and after party for VIP guests who want to network directly with accomplished entrepreneurs, business growth experts, investors, and financiers.The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa is one of the most highly regarded hotel and conference destinations in the region. It has cultivated numerous awards year-after-year, including AAA Four Diamond Hotel status, and 2017 ConventionSouth Magazine Top Renovated Meeting Site. The magnificent resort features fantastic views out to the Gulf, multiple pools and recreation areas, including its own private island.Rosa Houghten (Rosaelia Arrreaga-Houghten)is a former notable real estate rookie who secured 38 property listings in her first week in the industry. Today she serves buyers and investor clients as a local property expert in Bonita Springs and Naples, FL, as well as with well-priced investment property deals in Miami and the Dominican Republic via her website at http://www.rosahoughtenrealestate.com . She has also been involved in event hosting for Realty 411, who participates and puts on nationwide and international real estate events from India to Miami to San Francisco, CA.Rosa says, "this is an exciting event, which is well timed to empower local entrepreneurs launching and growing startups in the Naples-Bonita-Ft. Myers area, which has been ranked as one of the best for starting a business in 2017, as well as providing already successful business owners and investors with access to high yield passive income investments."Tickets are available at www.IgniteSummitFL.com . Press interview and sponsorship inquiries can be directed to Rosa directly by email at Success@RosaHoughten.com.
Leading up to the first edition of the all-new horticulture exhibition HortEx Vietnam, show organizers Veas Co. Ltd. from Vietnam and Nova Exhibitions B.V. from The Netherlands are organizing a number of kick-off meetings in Vietnam this week.

Media Contact

Nova Exhibitions BV

Kuno Jacobs

***@nova-exhibitions.com

0854017397 Nova Exhibitions BVKuno Jacobs0854017397

End

-- Leading up to the first edition of the all-new horticulture exhibition HortEx Vietnam, show organizers Veas Co. Ltd. from Vietnam and Nova Exhibitions B.V. from The Netherlands are organizing a number of kick-off meetings in Vietnam this week. This all in order to help provide more information about the Horticulture and Floriculture market in Vietnam and launching the exhibition HortEx Vietnam 2018.Today, Monday May 29, the first kick off meeting took place in the Liberty Central Saigon Centre Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Various presentations were given including a presentation from VinaFruit, The Vietnam Fruit & Vegetable Association, about the market situation in Vietnam. As well as this Mr. Jan Hoogewoning was speaking about sustainable production in horticulture and floriculture. Dutchman Jan Hoogewoning represents a number of Dutch companies in Vietnam including Ridder  HortiMax, Luiten Greenhouses and Mardenkro.Some 75 representatives from private companies, press and government were present at this first kick off meeting for HortEx Vietnam this week. This high turnout underlines the serious interest in this first international platform for Horticulture and Floriculture in Vietnam.Other kick off meetings are planned for later this week and will take place on May 31 in Hanoi and on June 2 in Dalat.HortEx Vietnam is the first dedicated exhibition for Horticulture and Floriculture in Vietnam and will place from 14-16 March 2018 in the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City.Horticulture and Floriculture are one of the most promising sectors of the Vietnamese economy and HortEx Vietnam aims to serve all segments of this fast growing and promising industry with a targeted trade show.More information can be found at www.hortex-vietnam.com
Global, managed by W. P. Carey Inc., now exceed 187 million, after joining Kesko as shareholders of the Lithuanian investment company Baltic Retail Properties. A public ceremony in Vilnius on Thursday, 25 May 2017, marked the completion of the acquisition of a majority position worth 127 million in real estate

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ISS Norway expands and extends partnership with Oslo Airport. Under the new contract, ISS Norway also assumes responsibility for handling lost goods, baggage trolleys and assisting all those who need assistance on their journey at Avinor Oslo Airport. Prior to the expansion, ISS Norway maintained responsibility for all cleaning services

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TH Real Estate has agreed to enter into a 50:50 joint venture partnership with Intu Properties plc, acquiring a 50% stake in the Xanadu Shopping Centre in Madrid. The 50% stake, agreed at a net purchase price of 264.4m, is being acquired on behalf of TH Real Estate's pan-European investment

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Washington, D.C.-based indie Politics and Prose Bookstore has announced plans to open a second location at Union Market, a food and artisan hub located in the capitals northeast district. The store is set to open this fall in an area next to the markets existing indoor hall.

In a statement, the bookstores management said the Union Market space will not be as large as the 9,000 sq. ft. flagship location on Connecticut Ave., but big enough to carry a wide range of books and non-book items. The new location will host regular author readings, utilizing nearby spaces within the market for large events.

Union Market is operated by the South Carolina-based real estate investment firm Edens, which began revitalizing the spot (which is the citys former Union Terminal Market) in 2012. Union Market currently includes over 40 restaurants, artisan shops, and maker spaces.

Politics and Prose co-owner Bradley Graham, who purchased the 33-year old bookstore with his wife Lissa Muscatine in 2011, said he was drawn to the Union Market location for two reasons. He was intrigued by being a part of redevelopment in a historic neighborhood, and opening a location in an area that currently lacks bookstores.

It is not the first time Graham and Muscatine have mulled ways of reaching readers in other D.C. neighborhoods. In 2013 they considered opening a location in Georgetown, but plans for the store never materialized. Two years later, they signed on to operate the city's three locations of the restaurant, bookstore, and performance venue Busboys & Poets.

Earlier this month, they announced that they would discontinue their partnership with Busboys. In an e-mail to customers informing them about the end of that relationship, Graham and Muscatine hinted about big plans were afoot. They wrote that selling books through Busboys various locations had underscored for us the interest that many have in seeing more bookstores in a city that loves to read.

In their statement about the new Union Market location, Graham and Muscatine said they feel they can bring something unique to this particular spot. It has great potential to become a thriving literary community.
China's plan to drive the Eurasian landmass' future growth is audacious. By committing trillions of dollars to infrastructure projects across 60 countries, China could transform the lagging economies of the region and place itself in the enviable position of being Asia's true pivot. Nevertheless, the new Silk Road blueprintformally called the Belt and Road Initiativepresents risks as well as benefits.

President Xi Jinping emphasized the benefits at a recent Beijing summit with leaders from more than two dozen countries, including the late addition of a senior Trump administration official. Xi pledged that China will substantially enrich the pot for the initiative announced in 2013, which, if successful, will propel economic growth for more than 1 billion people in some of the poorest regions of Asia and Africa. Some have touted the initiative as a Chinese Marshall Plan.

But unlike the European Marshall Plan, which helped rebuild a region with stable political systems, a well-functioning bureaucracy and an educated population, the Belt and Road Initiative targets countries that are struggling on multiple fronts, faced with wobbly governments, terrorist threats, illiteracy and inhospitable terrain, to name a few. If China's scheme to erect highways, railways, power grids, pipelines and other huge projects failsand there will undoubtedly be some failureshost governments could be left deeply in debt, jeopardizing China's relations with them on a long-term basis.

To underwrite some of the risks, China is providing liberal financing up front from its state-controlled banks, as well as from special lenders such as the newly formed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. It is also, in some cases, supplying the labor and materials in order to speed up projects and ensure quality. Although those moves could alienate the local population and businesses, China insists that it does not want to monopolize the projects. Nor is it unwilling, it says, to share the opportunities with other countries, including the United States. Chinese officials note, for instance, that General Electric has been awarded contracts reportedly worth $1 billion to supply electric power equipment for a Belt and Road Initiative project in Pakistan.

The gains for China are expected to be tremendous. The first is purely economic: China's objective is to build and manage supply chains among Belt and Road Initiative countries. These countries will manufacture lower-end and intermediate goods, such as semi-finished steel, while China will provide the finished goods.

The role envisioned for Belt and Road Initiative countries is conceptually identical to China's position at the end of the last century. Between 1980 and 2000, China used its cheap labor and raw materials to produce outsourced products that were designed, finished and exported by its wealthier Asian neighbors. Since 2000, China has moved up the value chain and now feels ready to replicate the "Asian miracle" in these countries, this time, with itself in the driver's seat.

The non-economic gains could be equally significant. The legitimacy of the Chinese government rests on advancing the quality of life for its citizens. Shifting low-end, smokestack manufacturing out of China will go a long way toward creating more high-end jobs and ameliorating such intractable problems as air pollution and traffic congestion in the cities.

The new Silk Road will run through the restive areas of western China, bringing economic opportunity that could help to ease political tensions. Stabilizing terrorism-threatened regions in Central Asia would bring important security gains that would benefit not just China, but the world.

An additional benefit to China is that the new economic corridors will help secure an alternative route for Chinese exports to reach other countries.

The U.S. could be a key player in how the Belt and Road Initiative evolves. It could help underwrite the economic and non-economic gains, as China claims it wants and that the initiative likely needs. American participation could also help reassure many countries that rely on the U.S. to guarantee the security of the region. If the decision to dispatch White House aide Matt Pottinger to last week's summit signals a change in U.S. policy, and if that change is genuinely reciprocated by China, it could augur well for China's ambitious agenda.

Rafiq Dossani is director of the RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy, a senior economist at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation, and a professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School.

This commentary originally appeared on U.S. News & World Report on May 26, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
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Qatar-based media network Al Jazeera has launched its Arabic news channel on Snapchats Discover in an attempt to engage a younger audience.





Discover is an ad-supported channel, which enables publishers to push content out to Snapchats users. Launched in January 2015 to provide users with long-form articles and videos curated by Snapchats editorial team, Discover was given a makeover in June 2016. Users are now able to subscribe to content from specific media companies.This is not simply another attempt to fill a millennial niche. Al Jazeera has assembled a team of young storytellers consisting of journalists, influencers and creative talents from around the region to produce the Arabic content for our Snapchat audience, explained Yaser Bishr, executive director of digital, Al Jazeera.Our digital content is carefully curated and shared among the receptive Snapchat community with an aim to bring them news, current affairs and captivating content.Al Jazeera says it will publish news and issues that its audiences are passionate about, with content curated and created with a truly regional and authentic focus.Mostefa Souag, acting director general, Al Jazeera Media Network , said: By partnering with Snapchat to push storytelling forward, Al Jazeera continues to work towards informing and empowering our younger audience in the Middle East, North Africa and beyond, through various new and innovative platforms. Snapchat has witnessed a rise of over 12 million users in the MENA region, and Al Jazeera believes the social media platform is an ideal platform to reach a young audience.
An Azerbaijani journalist says he has been forcefully returned from Georgia to Azerbaijan, where he says he is accused of illegally crossing state borders and of smuggling money, according to his attorney.

Lawyer Elchin Sadigov told RFE/RL that he met with his client Afgan Mukhtarli at the headquarters of Azerbaijans State Border Service in Baku on May 30, a day after the journalist said he was kidnapped by unknown individuals in Tbilisi.

Afgan told me that unknown people forced him into an Opel car in Tbilisi near the place where he lives, and that those people in his opinion were from the Georgian secret services, Sadigov said. Afgan told me that he was beaten in the car, blindfolded. After two hours the car was changed. Then it was changed again. Afgan says in the third car people were speaking in Azeri.

When the third car stopped, they removed his blindfolds, put 10,000 euros, which he had never seen before, into his pocket. He saw that the location where they arrived was a crossing point at the Georgian-Azerbaijanii border. Afgan told me that after crossing the border he was brought to Baku.

Sadigov said he saw bruises on Mukhtarlis face and forehead. His client complained of "severe pain" and said he thinks that his ribs are broken, the lawyer added.

Georgias Interior Ministry said it had launched an investigation into the alleged unlawful imprisonment of Mukhtarli.

Mukhtarli left Azerbaijan three years ago. In Tbilisi, he has held protests in front of Azerbaijans embassy and recently wrote about the persecution of Azerbaijani activists in Georgia.

International rights defenders and Western governments have criticized the oil-producing former Soviet republic's government for persistent clampdowns targeting independent journalists and rights defenders.
A court in Russia's volatile North Caucasus region of Daghestan has sentenced a local man to 19 years in prison on terrorism charges.

The Investigative Committee's branch in Daghestan said on May 30 that Nariman Bashirov was found guilty of two murders, a number of attempted murders of law-enforcement officers, abduction, joining a terrorist group, involvement in a 2013 terrorist act in Daghestan, and other crimes.

It said that Bashirov cooperated with the investigation and helped law-enforcement authorities identify the terrorist group's leaders and members, who were killed by police during a manhunt in 2016.

In the wake of two separatist wars in neighboring Chechnya, Daghestan has been plagued violence linked to an Islamist insurgency in the North Caucasus.

Some militants in Daghestan and other provinces in the North Caucasus have sworn allegiance to the extremist group Islamic State (IS).

Based on reporting by Interfax and kavkaz-uzel.eu


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
Egypt called on Russia to help it fight Islamist militants that have staged a series of devastating attacks in the Arab country as senior officials of the two countries met in Cairo on May 29.

Egypt has been conducting air strikes against militant training camps in eastern Libya since a May 26 attack on Coptic Christians traveling to a monastery killed 29 people. The extremist group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility.

Egypt also has been battling IS militants on the Sinai Peninsula. That group claimed responsibility for an explosion that brought down a Russian airliner in November 2015, killing all 224 people on board.

"We hope Russia will do all it can so we can work together to eliminate terrorism," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said at a news conference in Cairo with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on May 29.

He said Egypt was seeking "security and intelligence cooperation to eliminate this phenomenon."

Shoukry said the attack on Christians showed that Libyan militants want to target Egypt and destabilize the most populous Arab country.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow is eager to sell Cairo weapons.

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, Reuters, and TASS
Two car bombs have killed at least 27 people in Baghdad and wounded more than 100 others, officials say.

The Islamic State (IS) extremist group claimed responsibility for a blast that killed 16 people and wounded dozens more just after midnight at a popular ice-cream parlor in the Iraqi capital's commercial Karrada district. Women and children were among the victims.

In a second attack, a car bomb exploded near one of the capital's main bridges in the morning, killing 11 people and wounding scores, the officials said.

IS issued a statement claiming responsibility for the first attack, identifying the bomber as an Iraqi who blew up an explosives-rigged vehicle targeting Shi'ite Muslims.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the second attack.

The blasts come just a few days into the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, during which Iraqis often stay out late shopping or socializing after breaking their daily fast.

IS considers members of Iraq's Shi'ite Muslim majority to be heretics and frequently carries out attacks against them.

Karrada was hit by a massive truck bomb in July 2016 that killed at least 324 people, the deadliest attack in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion that drove Saddam Hussein from power in 2003.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa
An Iraqi Shi'ite force backed by Iran has said it pushed Islamic State (IS) militants out of villages on the border with Syria on May 29, in a step toward reopening a supply route to send Iranian weapons to President Bashar al-Assad.

The Popular Mobilization Forces described its advance to the border with Syria north of the town of Baaj on May 29 as "a Ramadan miracle," referring to the Muslim fasting month that started over the weekend.

For the Popular Mobilization Forces, reclaiming the territory is a step toward achieving a linkup between Baghdad and Assad's forces in Syria, reopening a critical highway for supplying weapons to Assad's army, and giving the Syrian leader a significant advantage in fighting the 6-year-old armed rebellion against him.

"This will be the first step to the liberation of the entire border," said Ahmad al-Asadi, a spokesman for the Iranian-backed militia.

But the Iraqi forces backed by Iran cannot as yet link up with the Syrian Army and allied Iranian-backed militias in Syria, as Assad's forces have not as yet reached the Iraqi border from the Syrian side, despite concerted efforts in recent weeks.

To get there, they would have to pass through territory held by U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces that the U.S. military has been training to fight IS.

Iraq's Iranian-backed militia leaders say they are ready to move inside Syrian territory to assist Assad in battling rebel groups there. It is not known whether the Syrian Kurds would allow the Iraqi Shi'ite force to use their territory to reach Assad's troops, however, which are deployed further south and further west.

The Popular Mobilization Forces are taking part in the U.S.-backed Iraqi campaign to defeat IS in its Iraqi stronghold of Mosul and surrounding Nineveh Province.

The Iraq government's army has been focusing its efforts on dislodging the militants from Mosul, while the Iranian-backed forces have battled to reclaim the vast desert territory between Mosul and the Syrian border.

While reporting nominally to Iraq's Shi'ite-led government, the Popular Mobilization Forces have Iranian military advisers, one of whom died last week fighting near Baaj.

Iran backs militia forces in both Iraq and Syria, where it has helped to train and organize thousands of Shi'ite troops it has recruited from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Fighters from Lebanon's Hizballah also work closely with Iranian military commanders in Syria.

Eight months into the Mosul campaign, IS fighters have been dislodged from all of the city except an enclave by the western bank of the Tigris River.

Iraq's army over the weekend launched a new offensive to take the militants' enclave, which includes the densely populated Old City.

With reporting by AP, dpa, and Reuters
Authorities in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, warned residents that a heavy storm was on its way after three people were killed in the southern city of Taraz.

In the warning issued on May 30, city officials instructed residents of the northern city to stay away from trees, metal structures, power lines, and advertising billboards, and to avoid parking their cars in potentially dangerous areas.

"If caught outside during the storm, take refuge in any building near you, such as a store, library, trade center of cinema," the warning said.

It came a day after stormy weather caused three deaths in Taraz, in southern Kazakhstan.

High winds were blamed for the deaths of two construction workers, and Governor Karim Kokrekbaev of the Zhambyl Region said on May 30 that a teenage boy died after he stepped on a power line.

With reporting by Tengrinews
BISHKEK -- The Prosecutor-General's Office in Kyrgyzstan says that former Prime Minister Igor Chudinov is under investigation in a corruption probe.

In a separate statement, the State Committee for National Security (UKMK) said that Chudinov, former Economy and Trade Minister Akylbek Japarov, and several other people were suspected of mishandling $2.9 million in state funds allocated for agricultural projects in 2009.

Chudinov and Japarov are currently lawmakers representing the Bir Bol (Be United) party, which is part of the ruling coalition.

Chudinov was prime minister in the Central Asian country in 2007-09, under President Kurmanbek Bakiev, who was pushed from power by protests in 2010 and fled to Belarus.

Japarov was economy and trade minister in that period, and served as first deputy prime minister in 2009-10.

Lawmakers from two other parties in the ruling coalition are also facing corruption investigations, while opposition Ata-Meken (Fatherland) party chief Omurbek Tekebaev and other officials in his party have been charged with corruption in recent months.

Kyrgyzstan is holding a presidential election in October.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin has promised a "tough" response after Moldova ordered five of Moscow's diplomats in Chisinau to leave the country.

"The response will certainly follow, it will be quite tough," he said on May 29 after Chisinau declared the Russian envoys to be "personae non gratae" and gave them 72 hours to leave.

"It is a rude provocation, a blow to those forces in Moldova led by President Igor Dodon, who are really calling for normalizing and invigorating the bilateral relationship with Russia," Karasin told Russian news agencies in Moscow.

The diplomatic spat comes amid tensions between pro-Russia Dodon, who was elected late last year, and the West-leaning government, and follows allegations that a former Moldovan lawmaker passed state secrets to an attache of the Russian Embassy.

Former lawmaker Iurie Bolboceanu was arrested in March and charged with treason after a video was published of him meeting with the military attache of the Russian Embassy, Aleksandr Grudin.

The Moldovan Foreign Ministry did not give any reason for the expulsions on May 29, and did not name the diplomats it ordered to leave.

Dodon lashed out against the expulsions on Facebook on May 29.

"The government has taken an outrageous act toward the Russian Embassy," he said. "I am deeply outraged of this unfriendly step by the representatives of the Moldovan diplomatic corps and I categorically condemn it."

"This was done most likely on orders from the West," he said, adding that "this crude step will not be left without negative consequences."

Dodon has clashed repeatedly with the West-leaning government over ties with Russia and the European Union.

While the government has said it wants to join the EU and NATO, Dodon has opposed membership and said that he would like to cancel Moldova's EU Association Agreement.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, Interfax, and TASS
PRAGUE -- A Czech court has ruled that a Russian computer hacking suspect at the center of a tug-of-war between the United States and Russia can be extradited to either country.

The May 30 decision by the Prague Municipal Court was the latest development in the case of Yevgeny Nikulin, whom the United States accuses of hacking computers and stealing information from major Internet companies, including LinkedIn and Dropbox.

Russia is also seeking the extradition of Nikulin, 29, who was arrested by Czech authorities in October based on an Interpol warrant requested by the U.S. government.

The hearing was held at Pankrac prison in the Czech capital, a rare step that underscored the sensitivity of the case. Journalists were not allowed to bring cameras, mobile phones, and laptops to the hearing.

WATCH: Czech Court Hear Extradition Case For Russian Hacker (natural sound)

During the May 30 hearing, Nikulins lawyers sought to introduce technical evidence undermining the U.S. case against him, in particular the FBI affidavit submitted in support of his extradition.

But Judge Jaroslav Pytloun maintained that the hearing was focused on the question of extradition, not Nikulins guilt or innocence.

"I'm innocent," Nikulin told the court in Russian. "I haven't done anything illegal. I have nothing to do with that."

The lawyers said they would appeal the decision that would allow extradition to the United States, but not to Russia.

A final decision will be in the hands of the Czech justice minister, who can approve extradition to one country and block the other. It wasnt immediately clear when that decision would be issued.

The extradition hearing was originally scheduled for May 11 but was postponed after Nikulin's lawyer, Martin Sadilek, said that he had not received some of the case documents.

Russia wants Nikulin extradited on a separate charge of Internet theft dating back to 2009.

A lawyer for Nikulin has claimed FBI agents tried to get him to confess to hacking the U.S. Democratic Party before the November 2016 presidential vote in which Republican candidate Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton.

That issue again came up briefly during the May 30 hearing, when Nikulin said he was not involved in cyberattacks targeting the Democratic party.

Nikulin's fate is being decided at a time when investigations into alleged meddling in the U.S. election by Russian President Vladimir Putin's government, which U.S. intelligence officials say sought to sway the vote in Trump's favor, continue to shadow the Trump administration.

The U.S. intelligence community said in a report released in January that Russia used computer hacking, e-mail leaks, and propaganda to influence the November 8 vote.

At least three different congressional committees are looking into the alleged election interference, and the FBI also has an ongoing criminal investigation into the ties between Trump associates and Russian officials.

With reporting by Current Time TV, Reuters, Lidovky.cz, and AP


A Moscow court has begun hearings in the case of a defamation lawsuit filed by Kremlin-connected oligarch Alisher Usmanov against opposition politician and anticorruption activist Aleksei Navalny.

Lyublinsky district court Judge Marina Vasina ruled at the opening hearing on May 30 that the court would not allow video broadcasts of the hearings, even though both sides in the case supported doing so.

The case springs from a video Navalny made alleging massive corruption on the part of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev using a network of purported charitable foundations to control wealth both in Russia and abroad.

One of the allegations was that Usmanov gave a $50 million mansion outside Moscow to one of Medvedev's foundations "as a gift."

Navalny was present in the courtroom, while Usmanov was represented by his lawyer, Genrikh Padva.

Navalny's lawyer asked that the case be dismissed, arguing that it should be heard by an arbitration court.

The judge rejected that motion as well as a defense motion asking for the social foundation Sotsgosproekt to turn over the document by which it acquired the mansion in question.

According to court filings, the billionaire Usmanov is not seeking compensation for any damages, but wants a retraction and apology from Navalny for numerous claims made in the video, including that Usmanov gave bribes, was a criminal, did not pay taxes in Russia, was convicted of rape in Soviet times, and participated in the illegal privatization of mining concerns.

With reporting by Meduza and Interfax
MOSCOW -- A Russian priest with a taste for lavish cars has landed in the spotlight after a furious letter in his name demanded that a regional news site delete its report about his luxury SUV or face a criminal complaint.



The local eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church in Oryol later labeled Bishop Nektary's letter a "fake," but the Oryol Novosti website insists on its authenticity.



Nektary first came to national attention when several media organizations -- including Open Russia, a rights and democracy initiative founded by former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky -- reported that the priest owned a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 worth upward of 5 million rubles ($88,000).



That price tag represents around 160 times the average monthly salary in Russia.



A spokesman for the local eparchy, Yevgeny Borisov, raised eyebrows nationally when he cast the expensive gift as in keeping with the Christian tradition, saying: "Even Jesus Christ wore expensive clothes given to him by followers. Many saints accepted the same."



The eparchy said the vehicle was given to Nektary by the management of a local agricultural holding to help him minister to its employees, a job that church officials said takes him deep into the provinces along poor roads.



The Oryol Novosti news site* continued its coverage of the unfolding saga on May 29 by publishing a scan of what it said was a letter from Nektary delivered to its offices that afternoon. It added the clergyman intended to sue the site.







The letter, which appeared to include Nektary's signature and the stamp of his office, expressed outrage at Oryol Novostis "false and insulting" reports. It demanded a retraction.



"Our Lord, Jesus Christ, called for the forgiveness of our enemies, so I'm giving you one chance to correct everything and I DEMAND that the information concerning me in your immoral media be removed," the correspondence read.



The author of the letter finally delivered an ultimatum: If the content was not removed, they would seek criminal charges against the news site "for insulting religious feelings."



That is the same article of the Criminal Code under which Yekaterinburg blogger Ruslan Sokolovsky was given a 3 1/2-year suspended sentence for making a profanity-laden recording of himself playing Pokemon Go inside an Orthodox church.



On May 30, in comments to the Ekho Moskvy radio station, an eparchy spokesman identified as "Father Aleksandr" dismissed the letter as a fake: "I, as the secretary of the eparchal bishopric, can officially declare that Bishop Nektary did not write any letters to Oryol Novosti. That is to say, this letter posted on the website is simply a fake."



In comments to radio station Govorit Moskva, Denis Volin, editor in chief of Oryol Novosti, said he could not be certain who penned the letter but that it was not a forgery and there was no doubt about its authenticity.



We personally have no grounds to doubt the authenticity of this letter. Moreover, our specialists have now checked the letter. The stamp, signature, and words on the picture were not superimposed.



Oryol Oblast Governor Vadim Potomsky weighed in on the dispute in comments to Govorit Moskva on May 30, siding with the priest and chiding Oryol Novosti.



"You should read the Bible: Judge not, lest ye be judged. When journalists start asking questions, what and how priests live, for me the question arises: Who gave them the authority to ask this question?

"What, did he insult someone? Did he preach incorrectly?... I know that Nektary commands huge respect among residents. I know that Mr. Mazov, the owner of Oryol Novosti, has no right to behave like this."

* This story has been changed to correct the spelling of the Oryol Novosti news site in some references.
ON MY MIND



Moldova and Estonia have expelled Russian diplomats for espionage. Ukraine is investigating the Russian Internet giant Yandex for illegally collecting data on local citizens. The Czech Republic and Finland have set up centers to combat Russian disinformation.

It may not look like much yet, but we are in fact seeing the early stages of an emerging policy of nonkinetic containment taking shape.



For years, Russia has been waging a nonkinetic war against its neighbors and against the West, weaponizing everything from information to finance to corruption. The goal has been to destabilize potential foes and establish local networks of influence.



It was spectacularly successful for a time because Moscow was able to operate stealthily. Methods road-tested in Russia's neighbors were later deployed in points farther West.



But the mask came off, first with Russia's war on Ukraine and later with its brazen efforts to interfere in a series of Western elections. And as a result, the need for a new 21st-century form of containment is becoming evident.



And Russia's neighbors, who were the first victims of Moscow's nonkinetic war tactics, are leading the way.



IN THE NEWS



Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin has promised a "tough" response after Moldova ordered five of Moscow's diplomats in Chisinau to leave the country.



Russian authorities say the death toll from a violent storm that swept through Moscow and the surrounding region on May 29 has risen to 16.



A Moscow court has begun hearings in the case of a defamation lawsuit filed by Kremlin-connected oligarch Alisher Usmanov against opposition politician and anticorruption activist Aleksei Navalny.



Usmanov also fired a new salvo in a high-profile dispute with Navalny, announcing an online competition for "the best stickers, caricatures, parodies, videos, and memes" about the standoff.



A Russian man who faces charges in the United States of hacking computers at U.S. companies is facing an extradition hearing at a prison in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.



U.S. Senator John McCain has said Russian President Vladimir Putin is a bigger threat to global security than Islamic State and called for increased sanctions on Moscow for allegedly interfering in the U.S. presidential election.



Montenegro has protested the "inappropriate" treatment of a lawmaker who was prevented from changing airplanes at a Moscow airport.



Russian prosecutors are seeking a five-year suspended sentence for the former head of Moscow's Ukrainian Literature Library, who is accused of extremism and embezzlement in a case that has been denounced by rights activists.



A 76-year-old former space researcher who was sentenced to prison on a treason conviction has asked President Vladimir Putin for clemency.



The Ukrainian Security Service says that searches of the Kyiv and Odesa offices of Russian Internet giant Yandex as part of a treason investigation found that company management had "illegally collected" personal data on local citizens.



Ukrainian authorities are blaming Russia-backed separatists for a hail of artillery fire that injured at least eight civilians, damaged buildings, and interrupted water supplies in the frontline town of Krasnohorivka over the weekend.



Deputy foreign ministers from Germany, France, Ukraine, and Russia are scheduled to meet in Berlin on May 30 to discuss the conflict in the Donbas.



LATEST POWER VERTICAL BLOG



In case you missed it, my latest Power Vertical blog post -- Europe, Russia, And Quantum Mechanics -- riffs off the discussion I led at the GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum on the European Neighborhood and looks at the parallel universes occupied by Russia and its neighbors on the issue.

WHAT I'M READING



When Vladimir Met Emmanuel



Nicholas Vinocur has a piece in Politico on "Macron and Putin's awkward first date."



In The Daily Beast, Christopher Dickey notes that Macron got "under Putin's skin."



Novaya Gazeta noted that Putin arrived at Versailles 30 minutes late and added that "powerful people stick to their principles, even when they are in difficult diplomatic situations."



Gazeta.ru noted Macron's public criticism of RT and Sputnik, which he called "agents of influence and propaganda" in the French election. "The dialogue between the two countries has clearly begun on a high note," the paper wrote.



Putin's Plans



Moskovsky Komsomolets has a piece looking ahead to Putin's plans for the 2018 election and speculates about who might replace him should he decide not to run.



Putin's Little Helpers



Andrew Higgins has a piece in The New York Times on the proxies the Kremlin uses to disrupt elections in the West.



Deal With Russia, Ignore Putin



In his column for Bloomberg, political commentator Leonid Bershidsky argues that the "smartest way to deal with Russia" is to "ignore Putin."



The Politics Of Language



In a piece on the Carnegie Europe website, Thomas de Waal asks if Ukraine's language wars are being reignited.



Russia's New Tank



The BBC's defense and diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus asks: "Should Russia's new Armata T-14 tanks worry NATO?"



The Changing Information War



In a piece for Intersection magazine, Stepan Goncharov of the Levada Center notes that Russians' trust in state media has fallen below 2012 levels and argues that the Kremlin's "virtual war with the West is smoothly turning into a conflict between the authorities and the opposition."
The Dutch Senate has approved the European Union's Association Agreement with Ukraine, paving the way for ratification of the pact strengthening ties between the EU and Kyiv.

The 50-to-25 vote in the upper house of parliament in the Netherlands on May 30 marks one of the final stages in a long path to the landmark deal, which had initially been slated for signing in November 2013.

Then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych balked at the deal under pressure from Moscow, prompting massive protests that pushed him from power in February 2014.

Russia responded by seizing Ukraine's Crimea region and backing separatists whose war against Kyiv's forces has killed more than 9,900 people in eastern Ukraine -- moves that have reinforced the desire of many Ukrainians for closer relations with the EU.

The Dutch lower house of parliament backed the agreement in a vote weeks before March 15 parliamentary elections, and King Willem-Alexander is expected to sign it into law in the coming days.

European diplomats speaking on condition of anonymity have told RFE/RL that it could be ratified during an EU-Ukraine summit in July and would enter into force in early autumn.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in a statement that the vote "sends an important signal from the Netherlands and the entire European Union to our Ukrainian friends: Ukraine's place is in Europe. Ukraine's future lies with Europe.

On his Facebook page, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko thanked Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his country for their support, hailing the agreement as "a guarantee of our freedom, independence, and territorial integrity."

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the ratification of the accord "will give the authorities in Kyiv a bit more time to cultivate the fable of a 'bright European future'," according to Russian news agencies.

The Netherlands is the only EU country that has yet to approve the agreement with Ukraine.

The agreement's fate was plunged into uncertainly when 61 percent of Dutch voters opposed it in a citizen-driven, nonbinding referendum in April 2016.

The Dutch government eased voters' concerns in December by adding a legally binding supplement to the Association Agreement to underscore that it will not give Kyiv the right to automatic EU membership or guarantee any EU military aid for Ukraine.

With reporting by Rikard Jozwiak, AFP, Reuters, AP, TASS, and Interfax
U.S. Senator John McCain has said Russian President Vladimir Putin is a bigger threat to global security than the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, and called for increased sanctions on Moscow for allegedly interfering in the U.S. presidential election.

"I think [IS] can do terrible things, and I worry a lot about what is happening with the Muslim faith," McCain told Australian Broadcasting Corp television on May 29.

But "I think he is the premier and most important threat, more so than [IS]," he said, accusing Putin of "dismembering" Ukraine and "putting pressure on the Baltics."

McCain is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a leading foreign-policy voice in the U.S. Congress.

He said that while there was no evidence Russia succeeded in changing the outcome of the 2016 U.S. elections, the Kremlin is still trying to influence elections, including the recent French vote.

"I view the Russians as the far greatest challenge that we have," McCain said. "So we need to have increased sanctions."

On Afghanistan, McCain said he believes the national security team assembled by U.S. President Donald Trump is developing a strategy that will lead to "victory" in Afghanistan.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa
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Mass protests driven by economic desperation and dissatisfaction with the government have shaken Venezuela for the past two months. Nearly 60 people have died in clashes between demonstrators and security forces deployed by President Nicolas Maduro. (RFE/RL/Reuters)
By securing data files with a 'need-to-know' decryption key, researchers at Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) have developed a way to control access to cloud-hosted data in real time, adding an extra layer of security for data sharing via the Internet.

Cloud-based file storage has rapidly become one of the most popular uses of the Internet, allowing files to be safely saved in a virtual drive that is often replicated on numerous servers around the world. Cloud storage theoretically provides near-seamless backup and data redundancy, preventing data loss and also enabling files to be shared among users almost anywhere. However, proper treatment of sensitive or confidential information stored on the cloud cannot be taken for granted: the security of the cloud environment is not immune to hacker attacks or misuse by a cloud provider.

"Cloud storage services make data storage and sharing more efficient and cost-effective, but their use requires trust in the cloud's security," explains Jianying Zhou from the A*STAR Institute for Infocomm Research. "We wanted to find a way to ease the security concerns by creating a system that does not require the data owner to trust the cloud service or assume perfect protection against hacking."

The scheme Zhou and his team developed allows access to an individual file hosted on a cloud service to be issued or revoked in real time, and eliminates the possibility that files can be taken offline and accessed without authorization.

Zhou explains the process. "The file owner, Alice, generates the proxy keys, which define who can decrypt the file, for example Bob, and gives them to the cloud server. When Bob wants to access the encrypted file in the cloud, the cloud server needs to first decrypt the file for Bob using the proxy key as well as the cloud server's private key. This results in an intermediate decryption that the cloud server passes to Bob. He then uses his private key to decrypt the file to get the plaintext file. If Alice wants to revoke Bob's access, she simply informs the cloud server to remove his proxy key."

The scheme allows the data owner to retain control over file access while making use of all the other benefits of cloud hosting. Importantly, it is applicable at the per-file and per-user level, and has 'lightweight' user decryption, meaning that files can be opened quickly even on mobile devices such as smart phones.

"Our technology could be used to provide scalable and fine-grained access control to various bodies of data collected by different organizations and shared via the cloud, with applications in areas such as healthcare, finance and data-centric cloud applications," says Zhou.
A new study of non-diabetic women with ovarian cancer reveals a potential correlation and area for further study regarding the expression of the GLUT1 glucose transporter receptor at the cancer tissue level. GLUT1 is a receptor protein involved in the absorption of glucose, or sugar, in the bloodstream and across membranes in the body. Physiologically, GLUT1 is not traceable in the ovaries. However, in patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer, use of immunohistochemical methods revealed the presence of this receptor, which tends to be intensely expressed in the most aggressive cases.

The study, titled, "GLUT1 receptor expression and circulating levels of fasting glucose in high grade serous ovarian cancer," appeared recently in the journal entitled Journal of Cell Physiology, an international, peer reviewed journal focused on cancer-related issues. The authors belong to a multidisciplinary Italian-American team, which has long collaborated with Prof. Antonio Giordano, Director of the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia.

"Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynecological cancers. Despite remarkable achievements in terms of diagnoses and therapeutics, patient outcomes in terms of survival rates have remained largely unchanged. This is largely due to our limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms and pathways," says Dr. Maddalena Barba, researcher at the IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute of Rome, Central Italy.

"This study revealed a higher expression of the glucose transporter 1 in cancer samples of patients with lower glucose levels in non-diabetic women. These findings provide evidence in support of our prior results from this same study population. Indeed, we have recently observed an association between cancer stage at diagnosis and circulating levels of fasting glucose," explains Dr. Vici, clinical researcher at the division of Medical Oncology 2 of the IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute.

The study included 40 randomly selected patients from a larger cohort of 147 women diagnosed with high-grade, advanced stage ovarian cancer.

"The findings from the immunohistochemical assessment of this population are key to understanding a variety of factors and determinants related to glucose metabolism in ovarian cancer. In addition, our findings establish a link between fasting glucose, and the expression of the glucose transporter GLUT1. We thus provide support to the hypothesis stated in our prior work within this same pipeline and, at the same time, ascertain the existence of a relation between a systemic and a local tissue biomarker related to energy metabolism. If confirmed in future studies, this may translate into the identification and characterization of innovative drug targets in ovarian cancer patients," concludes Prof. Antonio Giordano, a scientist with widely recognized expertise in cancer with a specific focus on translational research.
A trending story on Twitter could mean thousands of people care about an issue -- or that some computers are doing their jobs.

New research from the University of Georgia found that Twitter "bots" can be the driving forces behind dialogue in social movements, possibly leading to journalistic attention and governmental change.

"When a topic trends on Twitter, chances are a lot of central or very well-connected accounts are tweeting about it and perhaps shaping how others react. We found that some of these central accounts are actually bots," said Terry College of Business Ph.D. student Carolina Salge, who co-authored the research. "Once enough accounts are tweeting about the same thing, that creates buzz, and organizations really respond to buzz."

Bots (short for robots) are simple computer programs designed to carry out automated tasks. In internet terms, bots are non-human actors that often try to go undetected.

Although we've known about Twitter bots for years, the new research, recently published in Academy of Management Discoveries, marks the first time that bots' social clout was studied in the field of information systems and management. Because of the increasing prevalence and sophistication of bots, their invisible influence may be affecting news reports and social media research, said Elena Karahanna, study co-author and professor of management information systems at Terry.

"Bots amplify the message. They amplify how many people the message reaches and how fast it reaches them," said Karahanna, also the Rast Professor of Business at UGA. "They spread the word very, very quickly. That's one reason they can become central actors in these networks."

The notion that bots can be central to a social movement was nearly overlooked by researchers in information systems and management. Salge was completing a class assignment on social networks when she discovered odd patterns in her data that led her to uncover a secret world of fake Twitter accounts working to push an agenda.

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She took the discovery to Karahanna, and the two began to investigate other ways bots are being used and new ways for researchers to identify them.

For example, they studied the "fem bots" created by the extramarital dating site Ashley Madison. They found the organization populated its site with fake female profiles that were actually bots automated to send simple messages to male users in order to entice them into paying for memberships.

But while bots often try to pass as humans online, their purposes are not always nefarious, Salge said.

"Most of the research on bots focuses on detection because there is a clear assumption that they're often bad," she said. "But we started to see that bots can also be used for good, like protesting corruption. We know from prior research that boycotts and protests that attract mainstream media attention are in a better position to get their demands met. It appears that a lot of movements are using bots to increase awareness of their cause on social media with the hopes to be reported by the mainstream media. And if that is indeed the case, it is definitely one way to put pressure on organizations or governments to do something."

In another instance, the authors examined the online protest that erupted following a 2013 ruling by Brazil's Supreme Federal Court that was seen as too lenient on corrupt politicians. Once the verdict was handed down, thousands of Brazilians took to Twitter to proclaim their outrage. Some protestors created bots that retweeted relevant hashtags or news stories, catapulting the story to "trending" status on Twitter and gaining widespread attention.

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But just as protesters may employ bots to push for government reform, employees can potentially use bots to add volume to their complaints, Karahanna said.

"Uber had disputes with its contractors -- they don't call them employees -- about their compensation and benefits," she said. "One could easily think that these contractors could create bots to make their demands more salient and more visible to the general public and thus pressure Uber to respond positively to their demands."

The pair has more research on bots and their relevance to social dialogue in the works. They are studying how the strategies between the most-important human and bot accounts differ and are looking into cyborg accounts that are comprised of both automated tweets and human-produced tweets.

Bots and cyborg accounts can occupy an ethical gray area, which makes being able to identify them important, Karahanna said.

"They may be used to spread fake news, but they may also be used to spread facts," she said. "And I think that's where the ethical line is. If they are spreading the truth, it's not unethical."
This image has been removed because of fear of being sued over copyright...

Today is Memorial Day in the United States and many of the search engines have special logos and themes for the day. Google, on the other hand has a tiny little American flag to commemorate the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces.

Bing goes big with a really strong photos of Arlington National Cemetery where there are 624 acres where the US armed forces have been buried, beginning with the Civil War, as well as reinterred dead from earlier wars. There are currently about 400,000 people buried there.

Here is Google's home page that shows that tiny little American flat. Clearly a huge contrast to what you see on Bing:

Every year when Google doesn't do a fully blown Doodle, it sometimes suggests to people that Google doesn't care. Instead, Google places a small US flag under the search box. Google says that for somber days, they do not like to make fun and cheerful Doodles. So for Memorial Day, they use a small flag.

And even Dogpile is proud with their animated home page:

And here is our web site today:

I don't think we will be posting any other stories here today out of respect for the day. We will continue tomorrow.

Forum discussion at Twitter.
Bir Lahlu (Liberated Territories), May 14, 2017 (SPS) - The President of the Republic, Secretrary-General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali. "strongly condemned" the new aggressive behavior through the presence of the Moroccan forces at 50 kilometers outside the buffer zone, in the territorial waters of Western Sahara between Guerguerat and Lagouira, southwestern Western Sahara, in violation of the 1991 ceasefire agreement no. 1 and the supplementary convention of 1997 signed between the Polisario Front and Morocco under the auspices of the UN.



"We express our condemnation of this new aggressive behavior, which reflects the lack of a real will on the part of Morocco to deal positively in accordance with resolution 2351,approved by the UN Security Council, Just ten days ago," the President of the Republic wrote in a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The President of the Republic insisted on the new UN SG to take "all urgent measures" to put an end to these dangerous practices and violations of the ceasefire, repeatedly perpetrated by the Moroccan state of occupation, by continuing the civilian activity and the passage of hundreds of trucks through the zone of Guerguerat and the Moroccan navy without interruption on the coast, which is an integral part of the liberated zones of the Western Sahara. (SPS)

062/090/TRA
Bir Lehlou, 29 May 2017 (SPS)  The Frente POLISARIO has strongly condemned the proposal of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union is expected to decide on, for a mandate to negotiate a revision of the 2000 EU-Morocco Association Agreement, which would include Moroccan products originating illegally in Western Sahara under the trade preferences of that Agreement.

The Frente POLISARIO affirmed in a statement on Sunday As the UN-recognised representative of the people of Western Sahara, the Frente POLISARIO strongly condemns this new proposal of the European Commission, which, if endorsed by the Council of the European Union, would violate both the ruling of the EU Court and fundamental tenets of international law.

The Frente POLISARIO therefore calls on the European Union and European Governments to reject the European Commissions proposal to renegotiate the EU-Morocco Association Agreement under the current terms for the serious legal and political consequences that it would have on the question of Western Sahara.

In the meantime, the Frente POLISARIO remains determined to pursue all legal venues, under EU and international law, to defend the supreme interests of the people of Western Sahara and their inalienable right to self-determination in all its aspects including their permanent sovereignty over their natural resources and the territorial integrity of Western Sahara.

Given the separate and distinct status of Western Sahara under international law, Morocco therefore cannot conclude international agreements applicable to the Sahrawi territory, which it occupies illegally. For the same reason, Morocco cannot express the consent of the Sahrawi people, a foreign people to Morocco and a third party to the EU-Morocco relations, to an international agreement applicable to Western Sahara, which is located outside of Moroccos international recognised borders.

By proposing to modify the rules of origin in order to treat products originating illegally in Western Sahara as Moroccan under the Association Agreement, the European Commission aims at legalising the plunder and the illegal commercialisation of the Sahrawi natural resources in violation of the inalienable right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination and permanent sovereignty over their natural resources. In doing so, the European Commission is not only failing its obligations to implement in good faith the ruling of the EU Court but it is also encouraging the Council of the European Union to endorse a proposal that contradicts the long-standing policy of the European Union on Western Sahara.

The proposal of the Commission, by encouraging Morocco to pursue its illegal exploitation of the natural resources of Western Sahara, will also undermine the United Nations efforts to re-launch direct negotiations between Morocco and the Frente POLISARIO with a new dynamic and a new spirit as called for recently by the UN Security Council.

In this respect, the Court of Justice of the European Union delivered a landmark judgement on 21 December 2016 in which it recalled that Morocco had never gained sovereignty over Western Sahara. The Court consequently ruled that, according to the principle of self-determination, the EU and the Kingdom of Morocco cannot include, either de jure or de facto, Western Sahara in their trade relations without the prior consent of the Sahrawi people, added the statement. (SPS)

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Since 2015 Germany has been responding to the growing Russian threat by expanding and upgrading it tank force. The latest move involves taking 104 retired (in the 1990s) Leopard 2A4 tanks and putting them back into service. This process involves refurbishing the older tanks and upgrading them to the A7V standard. Currently the German army has only 225 Leopard 2s in service. The 104 reactivated Leopard 2A7Vs wont begin arriving until 2019 and it will take until 2023 to complete the process. There may be further additions to the active tank force depending on how much of a threat Russia continues to pose.

Most Germans believed peace would last after the communist governments Russia had imposed on most East European nations after 1945 suddenly collapsed in 1989 followed by the Soviet Union dissolving in 1991. That marked the end of the Cold War. On top of that Germany was reunited in 1990 and the Russian equipped East German military was largely scrapped. At that point the German Leopard 2 fleet shrank over 85 percent (from 2,000 to 225). Germany also retired over older 2,200 Leopard 1s. Most of the retired Leopards were sold off or scrapped. But nearly a thousand Leopard 2s were put in storage just in case. Until 2014 Germany believed that those retired Leopard 2s would eventually be sold off or used for spare parts. A minority of Germans thought there was still a risk of a renewed Russian threat and so plans were made to keep upgrading Leopard 2s for foreign customers (who were now operating most of the remaining Leopard 2s) and the 225 Germany kept on duty.

Continuing to encourage Leopard 2 upgrades made business sense since in the 1990s the two most modern (and effective) tanks were the American M1 and the Leopard 2. In many respects the Germans were just trying to stay competitive with the M1 upgrades. For example in 2014 Germany, Canada and Denmark agreed to upgrade over a hundred of their Leopard 2A6 tanks with ATTICA thermal imaging systems used by the tank commander and gunner. In most modern tanks both the commander and the gunner have high tech sights, usually with thermal (heat imaging) capability. The ATTICA sight is 3rd generation and that means images are sharper, more easily linked with other systems and the equipment is more reliable and easier to maintain. Third generation also means the engineers have added more wish-list items they have been receiving from earlier users over the years. The upgrade costs about $100,000 per sight and give Leopard 2 users something most M1 users already have. .

In 2009 Germany began upgrading its few active duty Leopard tanks from the 2A6 to the A7+ standard. That would include more armor on the sides and rear (especially to protect against RPGs), more external cameras (so the crew inside could see anything in any direction, day or night), a remote control machine-gun station on top of the turret, better fire control and combat control computers and displays, more powerful auxiliary power unit and better air conditioning, and numerous other minor improvements to mobility (engine, track laying system, wheels and related gear), sound proofing and the thermal sights. This would increase the weight of the tank to nearly 70 tons.

The Leopard 2A7+ is also got more effective ammunition for the 120mm gun. This included fragmentation shells that detonate above or behind a target. Non-lethal ammo has also been developed for the Leopard 2A7+. The manufacturer also announced it was beginning work on Leopard 3 (a major upgrade of the Leopard 2) before the end of the decade.

In 2016 the Leopard got its latest upgrade; the A7V. This added a few features to the A7+ including a 20 KW auxiliary power supply so the stationary tank could continue to operate all its electronics when the main engine was shut down. The other addition was the ability to easily add additional armor modules.

The 55 ton Leopard 2A6 was introduced in 2006, is still the most commonly used model, and is a contemporary of the American M-1. The 2A6 model has a stabilizer (for firing on the move) and a thermal imager (for seeing through night, mist and sand storms.) Germany has been selling less capable (but refurbished) 2A4s since the 1990s. This enabled many nations to inexpensively upgrade their aging armored forces. Since 2000 many nations have upgraded to the A6 standard. Most users prefer to continue upgrading their Leopards, mainly because there are no new tanks to buy. Thus the appeal of an upgrade to the Leopard 2A7+ standard.

Until the 1980s, the German Leopard I was considered one of the best tanks available. Entering service in the late 1960s, it was the first post-World War II German tank design. Although a contemporary of the American M-60A3, the German tank was considered superior. For this reason, Germany was able to export Leopards to many nations. Most of the 4,744 produced (plus 1,741 Leopard chassis adapted to other uses, like recovery and anti-aircraft) have since been retired (in storage) or scrapped. Many owners may have to melt down theirs Leopard Is, for there's not much of a market left for 44 ton tanks, even those equipped with a lot of nifty upgrades. The original buyers of Leopard I have already flooded the market but now only Leopard 2s are wanted.

The German Leopard 2 appeared in 1979 and was an immediate export hit, especially to replace elderly U.S. M-60 tanks (a 1960s design.) But when the Cold War ended in 1991 many Leopard 2 users looked to sell off many of their Leopard 2s. Already over 1,500 of the original 3,500 Leopard 2s have been sold as second-hand vehicles to Austria, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Chile, Turkey and Spain. Originally, West Germany bought 2,125 new Leopard 2 tanks, the Netherlands 445, Switzerland 370, Sweden 120, Spain 219 and Greece 170. Although a contemporary of the U.S. M-1, many consider the 62 ton Leopard 2 a superior tank, even though the M-1 has much more combat experience and subsequent upgrades based on the experience in battle.

In 2003 both Germany and the United States believed the usefulness of heavy tanks like the M-1 and Leopard 2 were over. Then came Iraq and Afghanistan where it was found that these traditional designs were still very useful, especially with the most modern accessories (like thermal sights, vidcams for all-round visibility from inside the tank and modern air-conditioning systems that can withstand tropical heat). Thus upgrading the Leopard 2s remains a big business.
Latvia, like the other two Baltic States, is not just spending more money on defense but also implementing many reforms in an effort to deal with return of the Russian military threat and the fact that the three Baltic States are tiny compared to Russia and in need of some new thinking on how to keep the Russians out.

In light of this most Latvians accept the new total mobilization policy which provides more opportunities for all citizens to participate. The voters would not revive conscription but so far there has been sufficient willingness by military age men (and many women) to join or otherwise support the largely part-time military. There are now voluntary programs in high schools where students can receive basic military training. Other countries have found that programs like this enable many potential recruits to see if they have any aptitude and interest in this sort of thing. Many find that they do and those who are not really good at it discover that as well. The military is also establishing a Summer Training program in which students can volunteer for several weeks (or more) of full time training. There is now money for National Guard units to conduct training that can get expensive (like how to obtain lumber and other materials locally to build roadblocks and other obstacles). There is also more money for part time soldiers to practice their marksmanship and using other weapons (grenades, mortars, anti-tank rockets, explosives in general).

Like the other two Baltic States Latvia is tiny (population two million) and 0nly 61 percent of that is ethnic Latvian while 25 percent is ethnic Russian. Defense spending is only half a billion dollars a year (1.7 percent of GDP). Latvia, like the other Baltic States plans to increase defense spending to two percent of GDP by the end of the decade but even then that is not a lot.

The current Latvian armed forces are quite small. There are 4,600 active duty troops and 8,400 in the National Guard. Many of the troops who complete a term of active service join the 12,000 strong reserve force and many also join the National Guard. The Latvian military is very similar to what Sweden, Switzerland and Israel have used. The small number of full time troops are there mainly to train and support the 20,000 part time personnel.

The Latvian National Guard is more like the American National Guard in that it devotes a lot of its training and organization to dealing with natural or other emergencies in a specific part of the country. But the Latvian personnel are armed and improving their military skills enthusiastically and often on their own time. Its all about the Russian threat, which has been around for a long time.

Since Latvia joined NATO in 2004 they have had ample opportunity to test their system by mobilizing reserve and National Guard units more frequently for training, often with other NATO troops. Because Latvia went all-volunteer in 2005 they have no problem getting troops to go overseas on peacekeeping duty. Meanwhile Estonia and Lithuania have revived conscription and Latvia will monitor how that goes and that will influence future efforts to revive it in Latvia.

There is also more sharing of ideas with the other Baltic States. For example in late 2016 neighbor Lithuania issued a 75 page how to survive another Russian occupation manual for its citizens called; "Prepare to survive emergencies and war." All three Baltic States have plenty of experience with being invaded and occupied by Russia and wants to remind its citizens what works, especially now that the Baltic States have a mutual defense treaty with the United States and all other NATO members. Latvia has a Mobilization Law which covers all this and the bit of legislation is in a constant state of upgrade and revision.

The prepare to survive guide provides tips that resonate with most Russian neighbors. Thus the guide tells how to behave when dealing with the invader while also spying on the occupation force. The manual provides illustrations and description of most Russian weapons and details of how the Russians use secret police, local informants and special operations troops to try and control an occupied population. The manual also points out that Russia will send in agents (or activate ones it has already recruited) before an invasion and provides tips on how to detect the presence of these agents, especially in preparation for an imminent invasion.

Latvia is not alone in doing this sort of thing. Since the Soviet Union fell apart many Russian neighbors have feared a revival of the traditional Russian aggression. Thus in 2004 Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia joined NATO, putting parts of the former Soviet Union (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) within NATO and on Russias border. Many Russians do not like this, for Russian policy since 1945 has been to establish a "buffer" of subservient countries between Russian territory and the rest of Western Europe (especially Germany). This attitude is obsolete in a practical sense but old habits die hard.

The Russian government said it was willing to work with NATO in areas of mutual benefit but that did not work out. Now there is a state of undeclared war between Russia and NATO. These new NATO members are more worried about the renewed Russian aggression than the original NATO members (the U.S. and Western Europe). The nations of east NATO are asking for more presence by troops from west NATO. Some of the eastern members (especially Poland and the Baltic States) have called for the permanent basing of U.S. troops on their territory. The smaller states Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania believe Russia could overrun them in two days and senior NATO military commanders openly agree. Russia considers such talk more evidence of NATO aggression against Russia. Lithuanians have heard this kind of talk from Russia before and want to avoid the usual outcome.
Without much fanfare China put its own space station into orbit in 2011, This was the eight ton Tiangong 1. It lasted two years and provided practical experience for the construction and launch of the 8.6 ton Tiangong 2 in late 2016. This one is expected to last longer and in April 2017 a Chinese cargo vehicle made an automated docking with the Tiangong 2. This was a major step for the Chinese, who can now maintain two or three people in the Tiangong 2 for up to 30 days with the supplies from one cargo vehicle. China now plans to begin building the 66 ton Tiangong 3 by 2020 and complete it by 2022.

Other nations have built similar, and rather temporary space stations. That effort began in the 1970s with the Russian Salyut 1 but since the 1990s most nations with space programs have put their resources into supporting the ISS (International Space Station). This is the largest (419 tons) and occupied (usually by a crew of six) the longest in orbit (over 18 years) and the longest occupied (16 years).
The Catholic Church in Mexico has officially accused government authorities of collusion with organized criminal gangs to facilitate pipeline fuel theft. The Archdiocese of Mexico said that people working for the national oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), government officials and some businesspeople are involved in a massive theft operation that costs the government from $780 million to one billion dollars a year. It may be worse. Other analysts estimate PEMEX may lose $1.5 billion a year to fuel theft. Organized theft is a particular problem in Puebla state, but it occurs throughout the country, which is one reason the Catholic Church weighed in on the issue. Earlier this spring the army began operations specifically targeting pipeline taps and fuel theft. This led to a major firefight between soldiers and oil thieves in early May. The new anti-fuel theft security strategy includes increased patrols of pipelines but also targeting individuals who purchase and sell stolen fuel. In April police and other security forces raided several gas stations suspected of selling stolen fuel. Fuel theft is also known as fuel siphoning.

May 28, 2017: The Zapatistas (Zapatista National Liberation Army, EZLN) are now a political party and will run a candidate in the 2018 presidential election. Allied with the Mexican National Indigenous Congress, the Zapatistas have nominated Maria de Jesus Patricio Martinez. She describes herself as a practitioner of traditional (pre-European) medicine.

May 26, 2017: In the west (Michoacan state) a municipal police chief and two bodyguards were ambushed on a major highway and managed to escape. Since September 2016, five local and state police officers have been killed and several others wounded in similar highway ambushes in Michaocan state.

May 24, 2017: In 2016 the government spent around $966 million on internal and national security. That is the openly acknowledged figure and actual spending was probably higher by 20 percent or more. That figure is roughly twice as much as the government spent in 2014 and 2015 ($496 million and $445 million, respectively). However, analysts concerned about corruption and lack of transparency in government, note that the legislature only earmarked $42 million for public and national security. The government says the specific expenditures are a national security secret. Some of the funds may have been moved money from the Army and Navy and were used to fund operations.

May 20, 2017: The government acknowledged that it expects U.S. counter-narcotics assistance aid in 2018 to be reduced by about 40 percent.

May 19, 2016: The U.S. and Mexico have agreed to discuss a new regional security approach with Central American countries who are the primary sources of illegal migrants who pass through Mexico on the way to the U.S.

May 17, 2017: President Pena and his chief security officials have promised to devote more security resources to protect journalists who confront physical threat. Pena said the special prosecutor's office will be tasked with investigating crimes against journalists. Pena called a special cabinet meeting after several hundred journalists gathered on May 16 in front of the Interior Ministry in Mexico City and protested the murder of journalists throughout the country. The latest victim was murdered on May 15 and was the sixth journalist murdered in the last three months. Critics of Pena claim investigative journalists in Mexico are targeted because the government isnt serious about investigating crimes committed against them. Many of these investigative journalists are government critics and also investigate government corruption. (Austin Bay)

May 15, 2017: On the west coast (Sinaloa state) reporter Javier Valdez was found murdered in the town of Culiacan. Valdez specialized in covering organized crime and narcotics trafficking. He was murdered in broad daylight one block from his newspapers office.

In the north (Tamaulipas State, near the Texas border) police discovered a large tunnel underneath a prison in the city of Reynosa. The escape tunnel was not finished. However, drugs and tools were hidden in the tunnel.

May 13, 2017: Fuel spilled by thieves ignited and killed four Pemex workers near the town of El Mango (Veracruz state). PEMEX reported it had to temporarily halt use of the pipeline the thieves had tapped. PEMEX transports gasoline and diesel in the pipeline

May 10, 2017: Some analysts are claiming that Mexico is now the second most deadly conflict in the world, behind Syria. That is open to debate. The analysts focus on casualty figures in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2016 17,000 people were killed in Afghanistan and 16,000 in Iraq. Mexicos Cartel War had 23,000 fatalities during 2016. Adjusting for population size the Mexican fatalities are less than half those suffered in Afghanistan or Iraq.

May 8, 2017: In the last week two rival Gulf Cartel factions have killed 20 people in a series of gun battles in and around the city of Reynosa (Tamaulipas state). The two factions are fighting for control of a narcotics trafficking route running through Reynosa and into Texas. (Reynosa is just south of the city of McAllen, Texas.) Authorities have brought in Army and Navy personnel as reinforcements.

May 7, 2017: The army is continuing its operations in Guerrero state to destroy opium poppy fields. A current operation is targeting fields in the mountains controlled by the Los Viagras crime gang.

May 4, 2017: Four soldiers and six gunmen died in a firefight in Puebla state, near the town of Palmarito. The gunmen are suspected of belonging to a gang that steals petroleum products from pipelines. The military reported that the gunmen opened fire on an army patrol that was investigating fuel thefts. The gunmen also attempted to hide behind a group of women and children, using them as human shields. The soldiers did not initially return fire. In that exchange the gunmen killed two soldiers and wounded another. Police and military reinforcements were sent into the area to hunt the gunmen. In a second firefight, gunmen in armored vehicles killed two soldiers and wounded nine. The military killed six gunmen. The army was conducting an operation intended to stop fuel theft (also called fuel siphoning) by organized criminal gangs.

May 3, 2017: Five Texas sheriffs with links to Mexican cartels have served or are serving prison time for corruption and facilitating narcotics trafficking. The five were sheriffs in three counties which border Mexico: Hidalgo, Cameron and Starr counties.

May 2, 2017: Security forces in Mexico City captured Damaso Lopez Nunez, a senior commander in the Sinaloa cartel. Lopez Nunez has been called the successor to Joaquin Guzman, who is now in jail in the U.S. Lopez Nunez is also wanted in the U.S. on drug trafficking charges. Media reported that Lopez Nunez was spotted in a Mexico City restaurant and authorities were tipped off to his presence.

May 1, 2017: An Army court has sentenced eight soldiers to long prison sentences for collaborating with Los Zetas cartel. The soldiers were paid Los Zetas to provide information about military operations. The court was an official court martial and the trial was conducted in Veracruz state. One other soldier was charged but he was acquitted. Authorities initially arrested 16 soldiers. Seven men were granted special protection after investigators learned that they may have been coerced into confessing to the crimes.

Navy personnel got into a firefight with a criminal gang near San Jose del Cabo (Baja California Sur state). Seven gang members were killed. One member of the naval unit (an officer) died in the incident. Security forces seized weapons, drugs and vehicles belonging to the gang members.

April 30, 2017: An Army motor patrol of 15 soldiers traveling in two vehicles was ambushed by a criminal gang near the town of La Grulla (Chihuahua state). Soldiers killed seven gang members in the resulting firefight.

A U.S. court has sentenced four people to prison for their role in a failed July 2016 kidnapping near Ennis, Texas. The three people were identified as cartel operatives living illegally in the U.S. The three individuals attempted to collect on a drug trafficking debt. The failed kidnapping led to a gun battle. Javier Martinez, identified as the cartel cell leader, received a sentence of 40 years. Jose Cardenas Aguirre received 27 years. Two other cell members received lesser sentences.
YanTra Makto BHPian



Join Date: May 2013 Location: India Posts: 140 Thanked: 436 Times

re: Along the Asian Highway 1: Hornbill festival, WWII trail and more Day 2: The Hornbill Fest



Well, before I begin with the cascade of photographs, a bit of info about Nagaland and the Hornbill festival.



A bit about Nagaland courtesy



Quote: Nagaland  at a Glance



Nagaland is one of the seven sisters of the North-East India. One of the smaller hill states of India, Nagaland is known for its myriad tribes with their rich culture and traditions. The State has a distinct character both in terms of its social composition as well as in its developmental history.



If India is a country that boasts of unity in diversity, then the North-East is its most visible embodiment. Among the North-Eastern states, Nagaland stands out as a land of diverse tribes, systems of governance, cultures, sheer colour and variety. As its 16 major tribes hold their festivals each calendar month of the year, Nagaland is often referred to as the land of festivals.



Nagaland represents sociological and anthropological gold mines because it is still scientifically unexplored. Nagaland emerged as a State, out of the Naga Hills district of Assam and NEFA province, in 1963. This late start meant that the State lost out on the benefits of the first three Five Year Plans. What is more, the State has had to confront insurgency on a continuous basis, committing much of its scarce resources to administrative and related expenditures. Though Nagaland has been confronted with special constraints and challenges in the areas of politics, economics, geographical terrain, and development, especially of infrastructure, the social capital and resilience of the Naga village communities are not only giving hope but also beginning to help overcome the other difficulties.



Indeed, in spite of its many constraints and challenges, Nagaland has continued to chart new developmental paths for itself and has shown a unique model for the country. The Village Councils, Village Development Boards, and the recently introduced Communitisation of Public Institutions and Services Act, 2002, in areas like education, health, power, etc., which have already been acknowledged as successful.



People, Art & Culture



Nagaland, the land of the hospitable and warm Nagas, lies in the corner of Indias North-East bordering Myanmar. It has always evoked a sense of awe and wonder in the minds of people including the visitors. Although most of the Nagas have now become Christians, they still preserve the remnants of their early animist culture and ancient traditions.



Historically, the Nagas have always been brave warriors. They consider the safety and security of their guests as an honour and prestige and will never allow any harm to be done to any of their guests/visitors. Topographically, Nagaland is mostly a hilly region with a pleasant and salubrious climate throughout the year, except for a small region in the foothills. Nagas are by race, of the Mongoloid stock and speak Tibeto-Burman group of languages. But English and Hindi are widely spoken and language is no problem in Nagaland.



Colourful life and culture are an integral part of the 16 officially recognized Naga tribes of Nagaland. These 16 tribes are different and unique in their customs and traditions. These customs and traditions are further translated into festivals which revolve around their agricultural cycle. Songs and dances form the soul of these festivals through which their oral history has been passed down the generations. Nature has been kind to the Nagas and their land. Though by virtue of her natural beauty, the whole of Nagaland is a tourist hotspot, yet certain exceptionally charming places have been identified and developed by the Government to promote tourism.

A bit about the Hornbill Festival now courtesy



Quote: The Hornbill festival is a showcase of the entire Naga culture. It is an annual ten day feature that takes place from 1-10 December. It has become a mega event not just for the 16 tribes of Ngaland, but also the remaining seven Northeast Indian states to showcase the best of their cultural elements. It is a mammoth task for a tourist to cover all the Northeastern states at once, hence this festival provides the ideal platform for getting a glimpse of the eight sisters of India.

and courtesy



Quote: The tribes of Nagaland celebrate their festivals with gusto and fervor. More than 60% of the population of Nagaland depends on agriculture and therefore most of their festivals revolve round agriculture. They consider their festivals sacred and so participation in these festivals is compulsory.



Nagaland is known as the land of festivals as each tribe celebrates its own festival with dedication and passion. Some of the important festivals celebrated are: Tsukhenyie by the Chakhesangs in January, Mimkut by the Kukis in January, Bushu by the Kacharis in January, Sekrenyi by the Angamis in February, Aoling by the Konyaks in April, Moatsu by the Aos in May, Tuluni by the Sumis in July, Nyaknylum by the Changs in July, Tokhu Emong by the Lothas in November and Yemshe by the Pochurys in October.



To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December.



Organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, Hornbill Festival showcases a melange of cultural displays under one roof. This festival usually takes place between the 1st and the 10th of December every year in Kohima.



Hornbill Festival is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 12 km from Kohima. All the tribes of Nagaland take part in this festival. The aim of the festival is to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions.



For visitors it means a closer understanding of the people and culture of Nagaland. It must be included in your itinerary, if you are visiting Nagaland during that time to enjoy the food, songs, dances and customs of Nagaland.



The Festival is named after the hornbill, the globally respected bird and which is displayed in folklore in most of the states tribes.



The week long festival unites one and all in Nagaland and people enjoy the colourful performances, crafts, sports, food fairs, games and ceremonies. Traditional arts which include paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures are also on display. Festival highlights include Traditional Naga Morungs Exhibition and sale of Arts and Crafts, Food Stalls, Herbal Medicine Stalls, Flower shows and sales, Cultural Medley  songs and dances, Fashion shows, Beauty Contest, Traditional Archery, Naga wrestling, Indigenous Games, and Musical concert.

The highlights of what to expect from the Hornbill festival









And now a bit about the venue Kisama, the Naga Heritage Village, courtesy



Quote: The nomenclature of KISAMA is derived from two villages namely, Kigwema (KI) and Phesama (SA) and MA which means Village, on whose land the Naga Heritage Village is established and commissioned by the State Government of Nagaland.



Situated about 10 kilometers from Kohima, the Naga Heritage Village offers a panorama of nature, cheerful and hospitality of people. The objective of the Heritage Village is to protect and preserve all ethnic cultural heritages by establishing a common management approach and comprehensive data base for perpetuation and maintenance for promotion of tourism. It also aims to uphold and sustain the distinct identity of dialects, customs and traditions of all the ethnic tribes of Nagaland.



During the festivities of Hornbill Festival, the Heritage Village serves as a healthy sign, vision and encouragement for uniting the various tribes of Nagaland to showcase their rich cultural heritage and tradition under the aegis of Hornbill Festival in one platform where one could have a glimpse and experience into the Heritage Village, Kisama. It also serves as a stage where different occasions and functions for various societies, unions are organized and taken place all round the year.



The Heritage Complex consists cluster of 16 house of each tribe created in the indigenous typical architectural designs and concepts with significance. The tribal house is also called Morung or Youth Dormitory. Colorful life and culture are a vital part of the 16 officially recognized Naga tribes. They are different and unique in their customs and traditions. These customs and traditions are further translated into festivals. Songs and dances form a soul of these festivals through which their oral history has been passed down generations. Nature has been kind to the Nagas and their land by virtue of natural and scenic beauty and making it a tourist hotspot.



The Heritage Complex also house World War II Museum, Bamboo Heritage Hall, Bamboo Pavilion, Kids Carnival, Horti-Scape, Food Courts and Stadium for Live concerts, Naga Idol, Beauty Pageant, Fashion Shows, etc.

The Venue for Hornbill festival held from 1st to 10th December every year. Not much of online info available in spite of an official site (edit: during Oct to Nov last year).









The official site till last year appeared to be a mere hoodwink with links leading to nowhere, but thankfully it seems to have come up well now. Also few info regarding schedule of events etc can be had from pics of posters, invitation cards etc on the fb page.



Quote: http://hornbillfestival.com/



https://www.facebook.com/HornbillFestival/



So we drove to the Naga Heritage Village at Kisama on a lovely bright sunny winter day. A good nights rest, full stomach, blue skies, sunshine, the chilly nip in air and colourful conglomeration of people had our mood set just right for the day.



And boy what an experience it was.

We were confused about "kya karen, kya na Karen..".

Continuous events in the central arena, can't be missed, that's the main essence of this fest.

Food stalls; amazing shops selling local curios and specialties; Morung of each tribe with lovely atmosphere, local cuisine and beverages; another arena with kids rides etc; flower show with events; WWII Museum and more.



Will let just the photos speak for now.



Starting the walk from parking







We were just in time to witness the Beating of the Log Drum by the famed Konyak Tribe, the traditional Head Hunters



Beating of the Log Drum by Konyak Tribe, the traditional HEADHUNTERS















Here is a video of the same



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VofIODHa-MA





With the Tribes























After a few traditional dances was the time for exciting tug of war between teams of all the tribes of Nagaland, a prestigious event.



Officials explaining the rules to the competitors









The next team in line, waiting for their turn









A tough and long drawn fight it was







A video of the same



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGQ2CdWJac8





The victory laugh









Victory lends a cockiness









The Onlookers









While the elders overlooked from their Morungs far above









Lovely Cheerers













Beauties



A video of the same



stay buckled.. Well, before I begin with the cascade of photographs, a bit of info about Nagaland and the Hornbill festival.A bit aboutcourtesy http://hornbillfestival.com/about-nagaland/ , for more you always have wiki and google.A bit about thenow courtesy http://tourismnagaland.com/ and courtesy http://hornbillfestival.com/about-hornbill-festival/ The highlights of what to expect from the Hornbill festivalAnd now a bit about the venue, the, courtesy http://hornbillfestival.com/naga-heritage-village/ The Venue for Hornbill festival held from 1st to 10th December every year. Not much of online info available in spite of an official site (edit: during Oct to Nov last year).The official site till last year appeared to be a mere hoodwink with links leading to nowhere, but thankfully it seems to have come up well now.Also few info regarding schedule of events etc can be had from pics of posters, invitation cards etc on the fb page.So today was the day, but after the long day yesterday and late night last night (10 o clock seems and feels like midnight), we were able to move out only by 1030 in morning in spite of getting up by 0730ish.So we drove to the Naga Heritage Village at Kisama on a lovely bright sunny winter day. A good nights rest, full stomach, blue skies, sunshine, the chilly nip in air and colourful conglomeration of people had our mood set just right for the day.And boy what an experience it was.We were confused about "kya karen, kya na Karen..".Continuous events in the central arena, can't be missed, that's the main essence of this fest.Food stalls; amazing shops selling local curios and specialties; Morung of each tribe with lovely atmosphere, local cuisine and beverages; another arena with kids rides etc; flower show with events; WWII Museum and more.Will let just the photos speak for now.We were just in time to witness the Beating of the Log Drum by the famed Konyak Tribe, the traditional Head HuntersHere is a video of the sameAfter a few traditional dances was the time for exciting tug of war between teams of all the tribes of Nagaland, a prestigious event.stay buckled.. Last edited by YanTra Makto : 29th May 2017 at 21:12 . Reason: work in progress
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Day 2 - Siliguri to Jaldapara National Park



Starting early from Siliguri has it's own advantage - less tourist vehicles plying on the roads giving us some to enjoy the silence of the region. As always, we checked out early from our hotel Vinayak inn, topped up at an Indian Oil pump and moved on towards our destination - Jaldapara.



There are a few routes that one can take from Siliguri but the most scenic route is via Sevoke-Malbazar. We have been through this route multiple times, but for my parents-in-law, this was going to be their first road trip to the Himalayan region. They were excited, so were We! The drive through the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, every time, is like a splash of cold water to tired faces. Nothing can beat that - a feeling to get so close to Nature. It has become a custom for us to stop there for 10-15 minutes to bathe in the Silence of the place, a fact so unknown to those zooming by.



"Sherdil" soaking in the fresh morning air





The calmness of Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary!





A customary picture with my steed





Satisfaction and Happiness - written all over the faces





After a blissful break amidst greenery, we moved on. Slowly the forest cover was giving way to tall mountains at a distance. We decided to have our breakfast on a roadside stall just a few kilometers before Sevoke. We ordered our favorite Wai-Wai with vegetables. I don't know whether it's due to their secret recipe or the happiness in our minds, the Wai-Wai felt just out of this world!

After having our breakfast, we moved on. A few twist and turns later, we were at the Coronation bridge. Our earlier trips to the Himalayas didn't require us to cross the Coronation bridge. But this time, to visit the enchanting Dooars region, we had to step on the bridge for the first time.



The Coronation bridge with a new look





Just after crossing Coronation Bridge





The railway bridge that connects to Dooars and North East, seen at a distance





The beautiful R. Teesta





After crossing the Coronation bridge, the road descended again on the other side of R. Teesta and we got the first real feel of Dooars or the greenery of it. Forests lined with huge Sal trees on both sides of an arrow straight road, sparse traffic and a cool breeze coming down from the adjacent mountains - a perfect stress reliever.



Scenic would be an understatement





"Sherdil" was happy as well





The road was smooth but we avoided speeding in the green corridor. We crossed Damdim and Malbazar. Malbazar reminded us of the trip to Gorumara National Park we did in March, 2015. That trip was done by train and hired cab. After crossing Malbazar, we were soon at Chalsa and I was happily pointing to the directions of the road we took during our Gorumara trip. "A right turn from here go to Gorumara National Park and further to Lataguri. A left U-Turn from here would lead to Samsing, Suntaleykhola and Rocky Island" - I said at Chalsa, and everyone was able to recall some part of our previous trip. But our destination for today is the road straight ahead, piercing the Chapramari forest. We were too engrossed relishing the beauty of the journey through the Dooars to realize that we were approaching our destination - Jaldapara.



A railway crossing before Jaldapara





First "Welcome" sign from Jaldapara





As our MMI device told that we were around a kilometer away from our destination, we could spot a gate with the "green and red" signage of WB Forest Department and a Rhino statue. We immediately knew that this is entry gate to Jaldapara National Park that also leads to Holong Bungalow.



The entry gate of Jaldapara National Park





After about a kilometer, we turned right on a nicely paved road and went inside for about 500 meters to reach Jaldapara Tourist Lodge. The lodge is located inside the forest as well but not as deep inside as Holong which lies about 6 kms inside the National Park.



A wooden bridge leading to the entry gate of Jaldapara Tourist Lodge





We reached Jaldapara Tourist Lodge at 10:45 am.The first impression we had on seeing the lodge was very good. There is dedicated parking place for guests with ample space for car parking. The lodge appeared to be well maintained with dedicated staffs who knows their job well. We parked our car and went straight to the reception area. I showed the online booking receipt and was asked by the staff-in-charge to wait for a few minutes as another guest was completing the check out formalities. The reception area was fitted with sofas where the guests can relax and read newspapers/magazines. While waiting, I also noticed the beautiful way to advertise the pride of Bengal - the "Darjeeling Tea". A showcase was kept at the reception area displaying the various flavors of Darjeeling Tea packets and they were for sale as well. A simple yet very effective step in promoting tourism and related businesses by the WB Tourism Department I must say.

We were called upon next by the gentlemen at the reception and the first thing I asked was the procedure for booking the Gypsy safari that evening and Elephant Safari early next morning. The gentlemen knew my requirement straight away and asked me for the booking receipt and photo identity card. He then explained to me in detail the procedure for booking Gypsy and Elephant Safari. Below is the excerpt:



1) For Gypsy safari, they gave me a form and asked me to fill it up immediately. The total amount for 6 people would be INR 1840, inclusive of guide charges, vehicle cost, vehicle and people entry fees and a nominal charge of INR 25 for each person for a tribal dance program to aid the health and education of the local tribal villages. We were four in number and a gentleman and his wife was also inquiring for the gypsy safari. For cost benefit to both of us, we agreed to do the safari together in a gypsy. We were asked to fill up the form with the names and details and one photo ID proof and go to the forest department office, just about 3 minutes walk from the Lodge to submit the form and book the evening safari.



2) For Elephant Safari, which we planned to do next morning, the rules were a bit different. An elephant safari takes place in three time slots : 5:30 am, 6:30 am and 7:30 am and is priced at INR 660 person (Elephant charge INR 600 per person + Entry fee INR 60 per person). The Elephant Safari starts from the Holong which lies 6 km inside the forest, so one need a vehicle for transport till Holong. Tourists who are booking for Elephant Safari are allowed to take their own car inside the National Park till Holong, if they have their car. Otherwise they have to book a Gypsy which will take them till Holong costing additional INR 500. Irrespective of the car one takes, one has to take a forest guide along with them, charge INR 200, Other changes are vehicle entry fee of INR 250 and parking charge of INR 25. That's not all! The application form along with the amount have to be deposited at the Tourist Lodge Reception counter and the booking confirmation (if at all) would be done at 8 pm for the next day's safari. Why the delay? That's because, the Elephant Safari is very restricted and there are very limited seats available with huge demand. So the forest department takes the call to prioritize the application. Priority (1) is given to tourists staying at Holong Bungalow, Priority (2) for tourists staying at Jaldapara Tourist Lodge (that's us) and last priority are given to tourists staying at other hotels.



I completed the check in formalities and asked the ladies in our group to proceed to the allotted rooms, while the luggage were promptly picked up by one of the service guys. I filled up the application forms for the Gypsy safari in the evening and the Elephant Safari for the next day and submitted the form for the Elephant Safari along with a photo ID proof at the reception. I tried to put my preferred time for the safari but that was not allowed as it was the sole discretion of the Forest Department after prioritization.



I went to my allotted room and was very much impressed. I booked two AC rooms in the wooden block and was allotted the two corner rooms on 2nd floor. The rooms were cozy, neatly decorated and large in size. Each room had an attached balcony with two single sofa and overlooking the dense forest. It felt awesome and everyone of us were very happy. My wife and myself decided to submit the application form for the Gypsy safari at the Forest Department Office. We were asked to report there at 3 pm and our safari was scheduled to start at 3:30 pm.



The receipt of Gypsy Safari





We went back to our room, ordered our lunch and relaxed for a bit. I took this opportunity and started exploring the property clicking photos.



The front view of the Lodge





The common balcony shared by the AC rooms in wooden block. A vintage feeling!





Our room!





View from the attached balcony of our room

The location of AC cottages were superb!





An ideal place to relax and unwind! The dense forest in the background, separated from the property with iron fencing, is part of the Jaldapara National Park





The AC cottages lined up





The wooden block. We stayed at the two corner rooms on the right on 2nd floor





A billboard located in the Forest Range Office carrying the details of wildlife found in Jaldapara National Park.





The statue of the iconic one-horned Rhinoceros found only in the zone starting here and extending till Manas and Kaziranga in Assam





After a short but fulfilling photography session I came back inside the lodge to find that the lunch was already served. The restaurant was clean and food served was light and tasty. The lodge was slowly but steadily winning over our hearts.

At 3 pm, we gathered in front of the Forest Office just opposite the Lodge for the jungle safari in Gypsy. The gentlemen and his wife, who were the 5th and 6th member of our group for this safari, were already waiting when we arrived. Excitement was written all over the face of each one of us. After a tiring and long journey to Siliguri, this is the day we "travelers" look forward to. The day we step out to venture towards blissful Himalayas or the enchanting forest cover of Dooars on its foothills.Starting early from Siliguri has it's own advantage - less tourist vehicles plying on the roads giving us some to enjoy theof the region. As always, we checked out early from our hotel Vinayak inn, topped up at an Indian Oil pump and moved on towards our destination - Jaldapara.There are a few routes that one can take from Siliguri but the most scenic route is via Sevoke-Malbazar. We have been through this route multiple times, but for my parents-in-law, this was going to be their first road trip to the Himalayan region. They were excited, so were We! The drive through the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, every time, is like a splash of cold water to tired faces. Nothing can beat that - a feeling to get so close to Nature. It has become a custom for us to stop there for 10-15 minutes to bathe in theof the place, a fact so unknown to those zooming by.After a blissful break amidst greenery, we moved on. Slowly the forest cover was giving way to tall mountains at a distance. We decided to have our breakfast on a roadside stall just a few kilometers before Sevoke. We ordered our favorite Wai-Wai with vegetables. I don't know whether it's due to their secret recipe or the happiness in our minds, the Wai-Wai felt just out of this world!After having our breakfast, we moved on. A few twist and turns later, we were at the Coronation bridge. Our earlier trips to the Himalayas didn't require us to cross the Coronation bridge. But this time, to visit the enchanting Dooars region, we had to step on the bridge for the first time.After crossing the Coronation bridge, the road descended again on the other side of R. Teesta and we got the first real feel of Dooars or the greenery of it. Forests lined with huge Sal trees on both sides of an arrow straight road, sparse traffic and a cool breeze coming down from the adjacent mountains - a perfect stress reliever.The road was smooth but we avoided speeding in the green corridor. We crossed Damdim and Malbazar. Malbazar reminded us of the trip to Gorumara National Park we did in March, 2015. That trip was done by train and hired cab. After crossing Malbazar, we were soon at Chalsa and I was happily pointing to the directions of the road we took during our Gorumara trip. "A right turn from here go to Gorumara National Park and further to Lataguri. A left U-Turn from here would lead to Samsing, Suntaleykhola and Rocky Island" - I said at Chalsa, and everyone was able to recall some part of our previous trip. But our destination for today is the road straight ahead, piercing the Chapramari forest. We were too engrossed relishing the beauty of the journey through the Dooars to realize that we were approaching our destination -As our MMI device told that we were around a kilometer away from our destination, we could spot a gate with the "green and red" signage of WB Forest Department and a Rhino statue. We immediately knew that this is entry gate to Jaldapara National Park that also leads to Holong Bungalow.After about a kilometer, we turned right on a nicely paved road and went inside for about 500 meters to reach Jaldapara Tourist Lodge. The lodge is located inside the forest as well but not as deep inside as Holong which lies about 6 kms inside the National Park.We reached Jaldapara Tourist Lodge at 10:45 am.The first impression we had on seeing the lodge was very good. There is dedicated parking place for guests with ample space for car parking. The lodge appeared to be well maintained with dedicated staffs who knows their job well. We parked our car and went straight to the reception area. I showed the online booking receipt and was asked by the staff-in-charge to wait for a few minutes as another guest was completing the check out formalities. The reception area was fitted with sofas where the guests can relax and read newspapers/magazines. While waiting, I also noticed the beautiful way to advertise the pride of Bengal - the "Darjeeling Tea". A showcase was kept at the reception area displaying the various flavors of Darjeeling Tea packets and they were for sale as well. A simple yet very effective step in promoting tourism and related businesses by the WB Tourism Department I must say.We were called upon next by the gentlemen at the reception and the first thing I asked was the procedure for booking the Gypsy safari that evening and Elephant Safari early next morning. The gentlemen knew my requirement straight away and asked me for the booking receipt and photo identity card. He then explained to me in detail the procedure for booking Gypsy and Elephant Safari. Below is the excerpt:1) For, they gave me a form and asked me to fill it up immediately. The total amount for 6 people would be INR 1840, inclusive of guide charges, vehicle cost, vehicle and people entry fees and a nominal charge of INR 25 for each person for a tribal dance program to aid the health and education of the local tribal villages. We were four in number and a gentleman and his wife was also inquiring for the gypsy safari. For cost benefit to both of us, we agreed to do the safari together in a gypsy. We were asked to fill up the form with the names and details and one photo ID proof and go to the forest department office, just about 3 minutes walk from the Lodge to submit the form and book the evening safari.2) For, which we planned to do next morning, the rules were a bit different. An elephant safari takes place in three time slots : 5:30 am, 6:30 am and 7:30 am and is priced at INR 660 person (Elephant charge INR 600 per person + Entry fee INR 60 per person). The Elephant Safari starts from the Holong which lies 6 km inside the forest, so one need a vehicle for transport till Holong. Tourists who are booking for Elephant Safari are allowed to take their own car inside the National Park till Holong, if they have their car. Otherwise they have to book a Gypsy which will take them till Holong costing additional INR 500. Irrespective of the car one takes, one has to take a forest guide along with them, charge INR 200, Other changes are vehicle entry fee of INR 250 and parking charge of INR 25. That's not all! The application form along with the amount have to be deposited at the Tourist Lodge Reception counter and the booking confirmation (if at all) would be done at 8 pm for the next day's safari. Why the delay? That's because, the Elephant Safari is very restricted and there are very limited seats available with huge demand. So the forest department takes the call to prioritize the application. Priority (1) is given to tourists staying at Holong Bungalow, Priority (2) for tourists staying at Jaldapara Tourist Lodge (that's us) and last priority are given to tourists staying at other hotels.I completed the check in formalities and asked the ladies in our group to proceed to the allotted rooms, while the luggage were promptly picked up by one of the service guys. I filled up the application forms for the Gypsy safari in the evening and the Elephant Safari for the next day and submitted the form for the Elephant Safari along with a photo ID proof at the reception. I tried to put my preferred time for the safari but that was not allowed as it was the sole discretion of the Forest Department after prioritization.I went to my allotted room and was very much impressed. I booked two AC rooms in the wooden block and was allotted the two corner rooms on 2nd floor. The rooms were cozy, neatly decorated and large in size. Each room had an attached balcony with two single sofa and overlooking the dense forest. It felt awesome and everyone of us were very happy. My wife and myself decided to submit the application form for the Gypsy safari at the Forest Department Office. We were asked to report there at 3 pm and our safari was scheduled to start at 3:30 pm.We went back to our room, ordered our lunch and relaxed for a bit. I took this opportunity and started exploring the property clicking photos.The location of AC cottages were superb!After a short but fulfilling photography session I came back inside the lodge to find that the lunch was already served. The restaurant was clean and food served was light and tasty. The lodge was slowly but steadily winning over our hearts.At 3 pm, we gathered in front of the Forest Office just opposite the Lodge for the jungle safari in Gypsy. The gentlemen and his wife, who were the 5th and 6th member of our group for this safari, were already waiting when we arrived. Excitement was written all over the face of each one of us. Last edited by gearhead_mait : 23rd May 2017 at 01:48 .
Weatherford International plc, an oilfield service company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. It offers artificial lift systems, including reciprocating rod, progressing cavity pumping, gas, hydraulic, plunger, and hybrid lift systems, as well as related automation and control systems; pressure pumping and reservoir stimulation services, such as acidizing, fracturing and fluid systems, cementing, and coiled-tubing intervention; and drill stem test tools, and surface well testing and multiphase flow measurement services. The company also provides safety, downhole reservoir monitoring, flow control, and multistage fracturing systems, as well as sand-control technologies, and production and isolation packers; liner hangers to suspend a casing string in high-temperature and high-pressure wells; cementing products, including plugs, float and stage equipment, and torque-and-drag reduction technology for zonal isolation; and pre-job planning and installation services. In addition, it offers directional drilling services, and logging and measurement services while drilling; services related to rotary-steerable systems, high-temperature and high-pressure sensors, drilling reamers, and circulation subs; managed pressure drilling, conventional mud-logging, drilling instrumentation, gas analysis, wellsite consultancy, and open hole and cased-hole logging services; reservoir solutions and software products; and intervention and remediation services. Further, the company provides equipment and drilling tools; tubular handling, management, and connection services; equipment rental services; and onshore contract drilling and related services through a fleet of land drilling and workover rigs. Weatherford International plc was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland.
Ivanka Trump. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Ivanka Trumps Team Ivanka Twitter page tweeted out a recipe for Champagne popsicles (add a popsicle to glass of Champagne. Drink). The post on the lifestyle site says its goal is inspire women. And, like many lifestyle sites, it is linking to various frothy ways to celebrate the long weekend.

However, some people are angry that Ivankas brand has not tweeted out support for the armed forces on Memorial Day. The post has over 2,000 replies, many calling out Trump for insensitivity toward those in the armed forces.

My father, a Marine, enlisted at age 17 and served 6 tours on the front lines in Vietnam. His country called, and so he went. #MemorialDay pic.twitter.com/NDo9vkiSbs  Persistent Woman (@PixMichelle) May 29, 2017

Who can't relate to "champagne popsicles" on #MemorialDay ? Except maybe all the people honoring those who served and sacrificed all.  WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot  O #BoycottNRA  (@OmniaQuaerite) May 29, 2017

Trump posted a more on-message tweet from her personal account.
Jaden Smith has said some very strange things ever since he entered the public domain. Like, some VERY strange things. 
The airline industry battle between full-service carriers and discounters looks like an increasingly unfair fight.

With British Airways still digging out of its weekend meltdown, Ryanair reported higher profit and announced plans to accelerate its European expansion. Its the latest sign that legacy carriers are groping for ways to compete beyond just offering customers less and less for higher fares.

The looming danger for airlines like British Airways and Lufthansa is that no-frills carriers are putting increasing pressure on the main source of their profits: long-haul travel. Ryanair, which is also moving into main hubs from secondary airports, has signed deals to feed passengers to Air Europa, Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA and even Aer Lingus, which has the same parent as British Airways. If Norwegian can show that its ambitious long-haul budget model can work, then the air will indeed become very thin for Europeans legacy carriers.

Read more:

British Airways cancels flights amid global computer outage

British Airways IT debacle puts spotlight on technology systems

British Airways says most flights running but angry passengers face delays

Ryanair seems to be succeeding at squaring the circle, said Jonathan Wober, an analyst in London at CAPA Centre for Aviation. As Ryanair expands into primary airports and adds more customer-friendly services, that puts pressure on legacy airlines and incumbents.

For now, British Airways has given frustrated passengers another reason to look elsewhere. Three days after a brief power surge knocked out its communications systems and froze the carriers entire London operations, the U.K.s flag carrier struggled to explain how a local computer outage could strand thousands of passengers.

We will make an in-depth investigation to make sure we will get to the bottom of exactly why this happened, chief executive officer Alex Cruz said in a YouTube video posted late Monday. We will react. Absolutely this will not happen again at British Airways.

Thats too little, too late for the at least 75,000 affected passengers. With nearly 600 flights cancelled and luggage unable to be delivered, images and horror stories quickly coursed through social media. The Daily Mail ran a story of a young British woman in tears as the chaos forced her to put off her wedding in Greece.

Capitalizing on BAs troubles, Ryanair said it had seen strong bookings over the weekend. Its Twitter account rubbed salt into the wound with tweets that poked fun and added the hashtag ShouldHaveFlownRyanair.

The companys chief marketing officer, Kenny Jacobs, admitted on the BBC we had a bit of fun on social media.

Ryanair posted a 6-per-cent increase in annual profits Tuesday to 1.3 billion euros ($1.95 billion Canadian) despite difficult trading conditions, caused by terror attacks in European cities and a sharp decline in the British pound.

BA, meanwhile, is counting up the cost of its debacle that some have estimated could run into the tens of millions.

Cutting costs  and corners?

As British Airways resumed full service Tuesday, shares in its parent company, International Airlines Group, dropped 3 per cent as investors appeared to worry that the companys quality of service may have been undermined by recent efforts to save money.

Although cost cutting has been good for the share price in the last year, it will come back to bite IAG if it stops them from doing what they are supposed to do: Fly passengers to their destinations, said Kathleen Brooks, the research director at City Index.

IAG has been battling tough competition, even as it has faced pressure on its earnings from a weaker pound following Britains decision to leave the European Union. The company issued a profit warning following the Brexit vote nearly a year ago.

Cost pressures aggravated an already complicated situation. Renewing IT systems is complex, time-consuming and expensive  a factor that prompts many companies to put it off as long as possible, said Loizos Heracleous, a professor of strategy at Warwick Business School.

The problem with IT systems is recurring across the industry, particularly among established airlines. In August, Delta Air Lines cancelled hundreds of flights when a power outage likewise knocked out its computer systems worldwide.

Airlines face challenges with their IT systems also due to linkages across their systems. Theres further demand on the system when companies consolidate  as has been the case among airlines  since IT issues get heightened and any vulnerabilities are exposed.

Such troubles give an advantage to newer airlines such as Ryanair.

The ability to set up an airline from scratch bypasses a lot of the legacy issues, because you can go for state-of-the-art systems, Heracleous said. Newer airlines can also invest in IT systems that are more easily upgradeable and scalable. An airline such as Ryanair, that is also financially successful, has more leeway to divert needed resources toward upgrading its IT systems.

Need for Planes

While British Airways continues to look for answers, Ryanair is pushing ahead with plans to increase its fleet by 12 per cent by March 2018 and has sent the message to Boeing Co. that it will take every additional 737 it can get.

Theres a huge amount of opportunities out there across Europe as we grow and one of the limiting factors continues to be deliveries of the aircraft, chief financial officer Neil Sorahan said in a phone interview.

Thats a stark contrast to the likes of British Airways or labour strife-ridden Air France  not to mention insolvent Alitalia. The fundamental problem for legacy network carriers is that air travel isnt the elite luxury it used to be. Its become a mass-market commodity, laden with onerous restrictions. It hardly matters who operates the Boeing or Airbus planes as long as travellers get to their destinations and so they gravitate toward the cheapest fares.

That means the airlines with the lowest costs win, and right now thats the likes of Ryanair and easyJet on European short-haul routes. easyJet also plans to bulk up its fleet by upgrading an order for 30 Airbus SE narrow-body aircraft to the biggest A321 variant, which the Luton-based airline will deploy head-to-head with the legacies on the busiest city routes.

Especially for Ryanair, which continues to squeeze operating costs, a fare war is the quickest route to snatching up market share. With Alitalias collapse and financial troubles at LOT Polish Airlines and Portugals TAP, the status quo of low fuel and lower fares is ideal for the Irish airline.

Meanwhile, British Airways is struggling to clean up its mess. A spokesman said passengers are being asked to pay to upgrade to first class on some long-haul flights when no economy seats are available.

With files from The Associated Press

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CALGARYIt seemed like a good idea at the time.

When Canadas government decided to fund the nations first new refinery in three decades in 2012, a diesel shortage had just caused some truckers to be turned away from filling stations, and demand was climbing. Oilsands producers were ramping up output and crude prices topped $100 (U.S.) a barrel.

Fast forward to 2017, and North West Refinings Sturgeon plant in Alberta is poised to add 40,000 barrels a day of diesel to an already-glutted market. Crude is hovering around $50 amid surging North American output, oilsands producers have shelved expansions and Alberta has just emerged from a two-year recession. Diesel demand is lower than it was two years ago, and truck-fuel prices relative to crude oil are half their level from three years ago.

Diesel demand is dropping in Alberta, John Auers, executive vice-president at energy consultant Turner Mason & Co., said by phone. Any time you are adding more supply, you are going to impact the price negatively.

The Sturgeon plant, Canadas first new refinery since 1984, will begin turning oilsands bitumen into diesel by the end of the year, according to Ian MacGregor, chairperson of Northwest Redwater Partnership, which owns half the project in partnership with Canadian Natural Resource Ltd. Bitumen is a molasses-like substance extracted from oil sand that is so thick, it has to be blended with condensate or upgraded into synthetic oil to be processed.

Located southwest of Albertas oilsands, home to the worlds third-largest crude reserves, Sturgeon is about 90 per cent built, with bitumen scheduled to be injected into the plant by the end of summer, MacGregor said. It will process 80,000 barrels a day of diluted bitumen at the end of its first phase, scheduled for completion this year.

The Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission, an agent of the provincial government, will provide 75 per cent of the feedstock used by the $8.5-billion (Canadian) refinery, or about 37,500 barrels a day, along with loans, equity and fees, according to government documents published last year, which estimated the total package at about $25 billion over 30 years.

That much bitumen alone is worth about $20 billion at the current market price of about $48 a barrel, according to Bloomberg calculations. Oilsands producers supply the bitumen as a royalty payment to the province.

The diesel market that the refinery will supply has also changed radically in the years since the project got off the drawing board, with swelling quantities of the trucking fuel. The surplus of diesel produced by Alberta refineries in the 12 months through January was 45 per cent bigger than in the same period three years before, the latest government figures show.

Diesel at a fuel rack in Edmonton has traded at a 32-cent (U.S.) premium to New York futures over the past three months, almost half its price three years earlier, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

But demand may rise longer term. The countrys National Energy Board projects that vehicles that move freight, such as diesel-burning trucks, will use 5 per cent more energy in 2020 from 2016. Energy demand for freight vehicles will rise 1.6 per cent this year alone.

If you look at any long-term forecast, its showing that Alberta will be diesel short, so there will be economic sense for the refinery, Dinara Millington, vice-president of research at the Canadian Energy Research Institute. If that doesnt transpire, we could potentially export diesel.

Canada is a net exporter of diesel to the U.S. The country sent 71,000 barrels a day across the border in 2016, down from 118,000 barrels a day the year before, U.S. Energy Information Administration data show. Most of that goes to the U.S. East Coast, which has access to production from Eastern Canadian refineries. Western Canadas biggest export market for diesel is the U.S. West Coast, which is connected to Alberta via the Trans Mountain Pipeline.

By 2020, the diesel will find ready buyers on the Pacific coast as new low-sulfur bunker-fuel rules go into effect worldwide, Turner Masons Auers said. World distillate demand will rise as much as 1.5 million barrels a day, creating a slug of demand that refiners may struggle to fulfil.

That said, the refinery probably isnt worth the money, Auers said.

They are paying $9 billion to build that plant and its only processing 50,000 barrels a day of bitumen, he said. It was not good investment by the crown.

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Kinder Morgan Inc. says it is proceeding as planned with the $7.4-billion expansion of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline slated to begin construction in September  despite an emerging NDP government in British Columbia that said it would use every tool available to kill the project.

We are proceeding and appreciated the comments from Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier (Rachel) Notley, said Dave Conover, a spokesperson for the Houston-based energy giant, whose Canadian unit operates Trans Mountain.

He was referring to statements from Justin Trudeau and Albertas NDP premier earlier in the day reaffirming their commitment to the project, which would nearly triple capacity for the existing 1,150-kilometre pipeline from near Edmonton to Burnaby, B.C., and increase tanker traffic sevenfold in an area inhabited by killer whale populations.

The prime minister and his cabinet signed off in November on two major pipeline projects, including Trans Mountain, that together will add nearly a million barrels a day sent from the oilsands to Asia and other markets via the B.C. coast. The Trans Mountain project has the backing of the United Steelworkers Canada, a longtime financial supporter of the B.C. New Democrats, and the support of the provinces current Liberal government.

The decision we took on the Trans Mountain pipeline was based on facts and evidence on what is in the best interests of Canadians and, indeed, all of Canada, Trudeau said Tuesday in Rome, where he held a joint news conference with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni.

Regardless of the change in government in British Columbia or anywhere, the facts and evidence do not change, Trudeau said.

Notley suggested that federal approval of the pipeline overrides any provincial objection.

The decision has been taken, she said when asked about the pipeline as she was announcing a new hospital for Edmonton.

Its been taken by the federal government. It was taken by a federal government that was committed to balancing and driving towards two goals at the same time: environmental sustainability and economic growth on behalf of the whole country.

Notley said governments that care about working people put good jobs front and centre and there, I know, we ultimately share a number of values with the emerging leadership in B.C.

Justin Trudeau says he is standing by the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline, even with the B.C. NDP and Greens teaming up to fight it. The prime minister says the government?s decision on the pipeline was based on facts.

B.C.s Green party leader, Andrew Weaver, was blunt in his rejection of future fossil fuel infrastructure in the province, saying the promised jobs from the sector havent happened.

I think British Columbians, quite frankly, are sick and tired of being told that the 20th-century economy is the economy of tomorrow, Weaver told a news conference alongside B.C. NDP Leader John Horgan.

Horgan said the two parties have a responsibility to defend the coastline of British Columbia and that is why they want to stop the pipeline.

Federal Green party Leader Elizabeth May said B.C. could assert its right to conduct a provincial environmental assessment of the project and could assume intervenor status in legal challenges underway by Indigenous communities and municipal groups. She also said the government would need to expropriate land along the pipeline route to allow construction to begin, adding that Trudeau and others have underestimated public opposition to the expansion.

I think its dead, she said.

A source in the federal government acknowledged events in B.C. have made people in Ottawa nervous. The pipeline has already caused strife for the ruling party among supporters and even within the caucus, with several B.C. Liberal MPs opposing it.

Federal Conservatives smell blood. Newly minted leader Andrew Scheer said there are forces uniting to kill the project and Trudeau doesnt have the political stamina to stand up to them.

The prime minister personally approved this pipeline, Scheer said in the House of Commons.

He said that it was a fundamental responsibility to get Canadian energy to market. Will the prime minister finally stand up to the forces that are seeking to kill these jobs, or will he fold like a cardboard cut-out?

British Columbia Conservative MP Mark Strahl, who supports the pipelines construction, said the prospect of an NDP-Green coalition government in the province means Trudeau will have to fight harder to get the project approved.

If the prime minister is not willing to use his political influence to convince British Columbians that this project should go ahead, clearly now this minority coalition is going to be pushing hard to try to kill the project, he said.

Unless he comes to B.C. and champions it, theres no way this thing is getting built.

While they have jurisdiction to push this through, its hard to imagine the feds would force it against the wishes of the coalition, given that Crown agencies and ministries can just drag their feet throughout the process, said James Tansey of the UBC Sauder School of Business.

On Monday, John Horgan and Weaver announced an agreement that paves the way for a new NDP minority government supported by the Greens. The development fanned uncertainty around the Trans Mountain project that was reflected in a rocky initial share offering by Kinder Morgan that proceeded a day after the NDP-Green alliance was announced.

On Tuesday, B.C. Liberal Premier Christy Clark said she is not ready to walk away from office, then recalled the legislature to see if she can get support to continue governing. However, Clark said it seems likely the Liberals will lose and that the NDP would be given a chance to form a government.

Shares in Kinder Morgan Canada fell 4.5 per cent in their debut Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange as political uncertainty swirled around the companys flagship project. Shares closed at $16.24.

Kinder Morgan Canada raised $1.75 billion in one of the largest IPOs in Canada after its shares were priced last week at $17 apiece. The company has a market value of $5.6 billion.

With files from Alex Ballingall, Bloomberg and The Canadian Press

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